History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 63

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III > Part 63

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

1856. Lasting-machines were put in in 1861, but proved to have no practical value. Leveling, crimp- ing, skiving, nailing, burnishing, trimming, sandiug, heeling, and an infinite number of other machines, adding wonderfully to the beauty, durability and rapidity of production of shoes, have been introduced and adopted by this firm since 1860. They have al- ways been among the first to adopt and use the best machines and appliances for the production of the best work, regardless of cost.

Prior to 1847 this firm moved twice to larger fac- tories, owing to the increase in their business. In 1847 they erected what was regarded at the time as one of the largest and best equipped shoe-factories in this section of the State. They occupied it ten years, when steady growth and the popularity of their goods called for more room. In 1856 mills and a water-pow- er, which had been in use since 1690, were purchased for ten thousand dollars, and the buildings removed from their old sites, and work was commenced on the extensive plant they now own.

Since this beginning in 1834 the industry has grown from a few hands employed in a small shop to eight large plants with a capacity of 20,000 pairs per day.

The firm of Stowe, Bills & Hawley was estab- lished by Mr. Edmund M. Stowe, senior member of the firm in 1854, L. T. Jefts in 1859, George Houghton iu 1857, A. P. Martin in present shop in 1887, W. F. Trowbridge in shop now occupied by Frank H. Chamberlain in 1866, Bradley & Sayward in 1880, Frank H. Chamberlain, then Moulton & Chamberlain in 1884, and II. H. Mawhinney & Company in 1890. These firms occupy large and convenient fac- tories, supplied with the best machinery modern ingenuity has been able to devise, and with all the perfected methods of protection against fire and panic. A glance at oue factory will serve for all. At the Main Street factory of Stowe, Bills & Hawley one finds in the engine-room a powerful duplex fire- pump, its pipe hot with steam, with large coils of hose ready for instant use. In addition to this is a large standpipe under full pressure of the town water, a complete equipment of automatic sprinklers, chemical fire extinguishers, fire pails, an electric watch clock to ensure the watchman's punctual rounds at night, and on the outside a loud automatic gong to give the necessary alarm. All the factories are equally well equipped.

Around this central industry has been gathered its feeders, die factories, last factories, tannery, machine- shops, building material, elastic webbing.

New industries have been drawn in, such as the Goodyear Gossamer Company, and the Woodward Manufacturing Co., with its wood pulleys, foundry castings and finished planers and hand-saws, and the New England Knitting-Mills. The making of boxes was begun about 1844 by Silas Stuart at the location on River street where Cranston & Felton's apple

268

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

brandy refinery was, half a century before. Mr. Stuart then made all the boxes needed by the shoe manufacturers in Marlboro' and Feltonville (now Hudsou). Later on the property was leased by Tripp Brothers, bought by them in 1869, and the business increased until they now occupy a plant of one and one-half acres, with a building three stories high, supplied with every needed machine, operated both by water and steam-power; 100,000 feet of lumber are made into boxes every month, and yet the shoe industry has so increased that this is only one of three plants for the manufacturing of shoe cases for Hudson.

The last business had the following beginning. In the month of March, 1859, Philip E. Millay, a native of Whitefield, Maine, who had served an apprentice- ship with an old last-maker, by the name of Silas Mason, in the town of Gardiner, Me., and who had also worked ten years as journeyman in the city of Lynn, came to Hudson with his brother, David N. Millay, and started a last factory in the old tannery building, shortly after moving to the basement of what was then known as the "Old Red Shop." They had no last machine at first, but had all their lasts turned in St. Stephens, New Brunswick, brought to Hudson and finished in their factory. In 1863 P. E Millay bought his brother's interest in the business which had greatly increased, and also put in his first last machine to do his own turning, shortly after moving to his present quarters. This business has always been prosperous and has never been out of the family.

The tannery business was one of the first industries ever begun in Hudson, and, like the shoe business, has grown to large proportions, and done much towards building up the town. Its inception was by Joel Cranston about the year 1799, and was bought by Stephen Pope in 1816. Ilis tan-yard was located where the Methodist Church now stands. He con- ducted the business successfully for many years, tan- ning in the best periods 5000 calf-skins, and consid- erable Russia leather. In 1866 the property was of- fered for sale, and Mr. George Houghton, believing that there was an opportunity to make leather suffi- cient to supply the shoe-factories in town, called to- gether the five principal manufacturers and submit- ted to them the proposition. They did not look up- on the matter very favorably, even though Mr. Pope claimed that he had five per cent. advantage over other tanners in his water supply. This was on Sat- urday evening. Monday morning Mr. Houghton, with his characteristic push, bought the property and in six weeks he had built Houghton Street, moved four buildings upon it, and had built and stoned the present canal. He afterwards filled in the lower part thirteen feet. As the old buildings and vats did not seem suitable for the business proposed, new ones were constructed and leased to Fay & Stone. The business was continued for twelve years and then sold

to Butler & Dunn, now Dunn, Green & Company. Their tannery has received many additions until it is now one of the most complete in all its arrangements of any tannery in New England. It is situated in the centre of the town and borders on the Assabet River, with a spur of the Fitchburg track running directly through the yard, enabling them to unload their bark from the cars into their mills.

The buildings consist of a tannery 225 feet long, 60 feet wide, containing 209 pits ; a leach-house 165 feet long, 25 feet wide containing 24 leaches, with all the latest improvements ; a beam-house 110 feet long, 46 feet wide, containing 64 limes and soaks; a cur- rying shop 320 feet long, 32 feet wide, four stories high, heated by steam and containing all the modern improvements in the way of tools and machinery that are to be found in any first-class factory for the manufacture of buff and split leather. They have also a large bark shed, 125 feet long, 42 feet wide capable of holding three hundred loads of bark. They have also a large storehouse for hides, a brick engine-house containing two first-class engines of one hundred fifty horse-power, also a stable and other out- buildings.

Dunn, Grecn & Co. tan and finish here 1050 hides per week, or 54,000 hides per year. They make buff and split leather, making 108,000 sides and 216,000 splits, or 324,000 pieces a year. To do this they en- ploy 150 men. Their leather is used in all the prin- cipal shoe towns in New England, and has long en- joyed the reputation of being the best buff and split made in the country. They use the best of domestic cowhides, as well as the best material and labor that money will buy. They received a medal and diploma from the Paris Exposition, a medal and diploma from our Centennial Exhibition, and a medal and diploma from the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics' Associ- ation for their exhibit of buff' and split leather, made at this tannery.

Of the new industries, the Goodyear Gossamer Company stands at the head. The business was begun in the fall of 1885 by the present proprietors, Messrs. L. D. Apsley and J. H. Coffin. These gentlemen had had a large experience in the gossamer business, and brought with them a thorough knowledge of the manufacturing department aud an extensive acquaint- ance with the best wholesale and retail trade throughout the country, and they have devoted then- selves to the development of the business with such success that in their third year they did the largest gossamer business in this country, leading all their competitors in volume of sales.

They began business in the frame buildings on Washington Street, formerly occupied by the Hudson Fabric Company. To meet the demands of their in- creasing trade, additions were made to the original building, from time to time, until their capacity was doubled ; but it was apparent that a, more radical step was required to keep pace with the growing de-

269

HUDSON.

mand for their goods, and when, in December, 1888, their coating and cementing departments were de- stroyed by fire, the firm resolved to erect a plant which would meet the requirements of the future. They accordingly purchased a tract of land along the north side of the Central Massachusetts Railroad, upon which the new buildings now stand. These buildings are built of brick and iron, and, with the exception of the stitching-building, are provided with 3} inch Portland cement floors, so that they are as nearly fire-proof as they can be made. The plant consists of seven buildings, having the following di- mensions : 105x44, 80x40, 20x25, 25x25, 32x20, 35x32 and 130x50. There are now being daily coated with rubber 6000 yards of the various kinds of cloths, which include Foulards, woolens and silks in upwards of three hundred patterns. They have recently added an English coating-machine and built a drying-room 20x25, where the cloth is subjected to a heat of 240 degrees. The various manufacturing buildings are lighted by electricity, and are well ventilated and provided with various appliances for the comfort of the employees and for economy of labor in doing the work. When the manufacture of gossamer garments was begun, the circular and Newport were almost the only styles of ladies' garments made, but the business has been developed so greatly that these are now but a small part of the great variety of styles made. The firm has always been in the advance in the introduc- tion of new and attractive styles of garments, and is constantly introducing new patterns, which are made in such a variety of cloths, and with'so much attention to perfection of fit and beauty of design, that this de- partment of their business resembles that of a large cloak-making establishment. All qualities of goods are thus made np-from the ordinary cotton Foulard to the finest grades of woolens and silks-all of which are made thoroughly water-proof by their coating of pure Para rubber.

The most wonderful improvement ever made in water-proof cloths has become widely known to the trade under the name of "India Stripes." These goods were first made and introduced by this firm, and have become general favorites on account of their beauty, water-proof quality and durability, being un- doubtedly superior to all other rubber-surface gar- ments made. Prior to their introduction, various at- tempts had been made to introduce variety of pattern upon the rubber coating, but none of them were suc- cessful as the coloring material either destroyed the rub- ber coating or disappeared on exposure to the weather. By the method employed by this firm these objections have been overcome, and they are enabled to produce a great variety of stripes in many colors, giving the garment the appearance of having a cloth surface, while being more thoroughly water-proof than a printed cloth can be made, and retaining their beauty much longer.

Situated beside the Gossamer Company, and receiv-

ing their power from the same eighty horse-power Corliss engine, is the Woodward Manufacturing Company. This company is the outgrowth of a small business carried on in Lowell by W. A. Woodward, under the name of the Woodward Machine Company. Mr. Woodward had been doing a good business in a small way, but having made several valuable im- provements in machinery-principally in wood-rim pulleys-and not having capital, decided to form a stock company for that purpose. The subject was brought to the attention of the Hudson Board of Trade, who appointed a committee to take the matter in charge, and after thorough investigation another committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions for the stock. On January 5th the necessary capital had been secured, and the company was incorporated with a capital of $100,000. A tract of land was purchased on the line of the Central Massachusetts Railroad, and suitable buildings have been erected to carry on the business, consisting of a factory 100x40 feet, two stories, with a foundry 70x40, and dry-house for dry- ing lumber. The whole is equipped with first-class machinery.

Au account of Hudson's manufacturing interests without a statement of the great work of one of the strongest and most influential men would be incom- plete. Mr. George Houghton, now retired, is the man referred to. He was one of the "war-horses " in forming the town, has conducted some of its great- est business interests, and aided many a citizen to an honest living and competency. Of lowly birth and meagre education, the world seemed to hold out little to him except hard work. He labored faithfully at his bench, earning some two dollars a day, until 1857. Mr. Tarbell, then depot master at Rockbottom, pro- posed that they should unite forces and make shoes. Mr. Tarbell was to look after the books and furnish the money and Mr. Houghton was to have charge of the work, After cautious inquiries work was begun in the cottage where Mr. Houghton lived, the west- ern portion of his present residence. As the business grew it was removed to a shed which now stands back of his home near the hot-house. About this time Mr. Tarbell withdrew and Mr. Houghton attempted to close the business to return to his bench, but Bos- ton parties insisted on sending their orders for him to fill and furnished him the leather. So he continued until he outgrew his shed and built his first factory, sixty feet long and four stories high. He continued building until, in 1872, his was considered the model factory in the State. His success was due to native push and inability to recognize the word "can't." Before he retired he had done over $17,000,000 of business. During the war his manufacturer's tax was the largest paid by any one person in Middlesex County. A pleasing experience in his business life was the visit paid by the Japanese Embassy, August 2, 1872. The arrangements for the excursion were made by a committee of the Boston Shoe and Leather

270

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Exchange. They made the trip by a special train on the Fitchburg Railroad, having the same engineer and conductor who ran the first train over the road in 1851. The Boston Journal of August 3d says of this trip :

" The train left Boston at nine o'clock and arrived at Hudsen at quar- ter past ten. The party were met at the station by a crowd of people, who were apparently satisfied with a passing glance at the strangers, who were introduced to Mr. George Houghton and conducted at once to the tandery. This branch of industry is uoder a social ban io Japan, the men engaged in which are placed among the lewest order of work- men. The modero process of curing hides by immersion ie vats of concentrated liquor, the dressing and finisbiog of the same by mechia- ery, instead of hand, as was done in the infancy of the business, was examined and then the party entered the extensive factory, following through the various departments the necessary stock of leather taken from the taodery, from which a dozen pairs or so of shoes were made during the etay of two bonrs at the factory of Mr. Houghton, which the Japanese will carry home as specimens of a special branch of Massachu- setts industry."

The Embassy was reported as " highly delighted and instructed in the course of their tour through the establishments of the peggers, and heelers, and stitch- ers, and binders."

Each kind of business is dependent upon many others for the highest degree of efficiency and success, and Hudson has acquired these various accessories with the passage of time, so that it may be said to pos- sess all the modern requirements of trade in the way of banks, newspapers, electric-lights, telephone and telegraph companies.

An account of the origin and growth of some of the principal institutions of this character must be included in a work of this kind and most properly follows the history of the larger industries already described.

BUSINESS ACCESSORIES .- The first bank located in Hudson was the Savings Bank. Its act of incorpora- tion is dated February 26, 1869, and says that Francis Brigham, Edmund M. Stowe, George Houghton, their associates and successors, are hereby made a cor- poration by the name of the Hudson Savings Bank.

The first meeting of the corporators was held in George Houghton's office, April 12th, where the bank was organized by the election of the following officers : Francis Brigham, president; George Houghton and Edmund M. Stowe, vice-presidents ; Francis I). Brig- ham, treasurer ; Luman T. Jefts, clerk, and a board of sixteen trustees. The treasurer was put under $40,000 bonds, " with not less than five bondsmen."

April 23d it was voted, "that each of the trustees of Hudson Savings Bank deposit a sum not less than ten dollars, to remain in the bank five years without inter- est ;" $210 were thus deposited, which paid the ini- tial expenses of the bank. The bank was opened for business in Brigham's Block (now Cochran's), May 1, 1869. The first depositor was Robert S. Harlow; amount, $100. On the first day $2110 were deposited.

There have been few changes in the bank officers. Francis Brigham remained its president until his death, in December, 1880. In January, 1881, Ed- mund M. Stowe was appointed president until the an-

nual meeting, when Francis D. Brigham, who had been the treasurer, was elected president, and Daniel W. Stratton was elected treasurer. Owing to ill health Mr. Brigham did not qualify for the position, and Edmund M. Stowe was elected president. He still holds the office. On the completion of Jefts' Block, in 1881, the bank was moved into it, giving it a more central location. In January, 1870, the deposits were $31,076; January, 1880, $206,244; January, 1890, $528,521. The last statement, July, 1890, shows $547, . 457. In a strictly manufacturing town this shows three things-the thriftiness of the workmen, the sa- gacity of the bank officials and the confidence work- men have in the bank. A large part of its deposits are loaned to other workmen, who build and eventu- ally own their own houses. January, 1870, the loans on real estate were $16,370 ; January, 1880, $134,170; January, 1890, $349,775 ; July, 1890, $377,175. This bank is one of the solid institutions of the town, and a potent factor in its growth.

Though for many years workingmen could deposit their money, there was no place where employers could make their exchanges. All banking business had to be done through Marlborough, Clinton or Boston. This inconvenience was severely felt, and in 1881 Mr. Charles H. Robinson began actively to can- vass for the location of a National Bank in the town. The first meeting of the subscribers was held October 26, 1881. Charles H. Robinson was chosen chairman, and H. E. Stowe clerk. On the following evening another meeting was held, and the corporation was organized with a capital of $100,000. The following directors were chosen, November 22, 1881: C. H. Robinson ,J. S. Welsh, H. C. Tower, E. M. Stowe, L. T. Jefts, J. S. Bradley, Henry Tower, G. A. Tripp, Benj. Dearborn-all of Hudson ; N. L. Pratt, of Sud- bury ; A. D. Gleason, of Stow ; J. D. Tyler, of Berlin ; Joel Proctor, of Bolton ; E. H. Dunn, of Boston, and H. B. Braman, of Wayland. The officers elected were-President, Luman T. Jefts; Vice-President, E. M. Stowe; Clerk, H. C. Tower.

Mr. George A. Lloyd, a teller in the Cambridge National Bank, East Cambridge, was selected as cashier, January 19, 1882, and Mr. Caleb L. Brig- ham, the present cashier, as clerk of the bank, March 20, 1882. The charter was dated January 23, 1882, and business was commenced March 7, 1882.

Mr. Lloyd, having been called to a position in the Lechmere National Bank, resigned his place in the Hudson Bank, April 23, 1883, and Mr. Caleb L. Brig- ham was elected cashier, which position he has filled ever since.

On the first day there were three depositors; amount, $3344.48. In one year the deposits amounted to $74,- 058.09. March 7, 1890, after doing business eight years, the deposits amounted to $105,733.09. Every week it disburses on factory pay-rolls from ten thou- sand to twenty-five thousand dollars. One month after it opened, its loans and discounts were $106,-

271

HUDSON.

902.49, and in July, 1890, $200,275.22. During the last year the cashier's checks on the Blackstone Na- tional Bank amounted to over $1,700,000. These statements indicate somewhat the commercial basis and activity of the town.

The Hudson Co-operative Bank was incorporated October 22, 1885, with the following officers : Luman T. Jefts, president; Charles H. Welch, secretary ; Josiah S. Welsh, treasurer. It issued its first series in November and has done a constantly increasing busi- ness. On May 1, 1890, they began their tenth series. The deposits amount to $48,035, of which $45,300 are loaned on real estate. The present officers are: Arthur T. Knight, president; Charles H. Hill, secre- tary ; Charles E. Hall, treasurer.

It is doubtful if any manufacturing town in the county or State can show as good a record of the so- briety and thriftiness of its citizens as can be gleaned from the preceding statements of these banks. It certainly augurs well for Hudson, when the finances of her working class increase at the rate of fifty thousand dollars per year as they have since 1888. The town is supplied with all the modern business accessories, telegraph and telephone connections; eleven mails daily, two express companies-one a local express, Iloughton's, founded in 1866 by H. B. George and purchased by Willard IToughton the year following, the other being the "American." Train service is better than any other town enjoys twenty-eight miles from Boston. The Fitchburg Railroad runs five trains daily and two Sundays; the Boston and Maine, Central Massachusetts Division, runs eight daily trains and two Sundays either way between Iludson and Boston. The running time varies from forty-five to sixty-five minutes. Fares are very low, a single ticket on either road costing but fifty-three cents.

An electric light plant was established September 16, 1886, under the name of the Hudson Electric Light Company with a capital of $15,000. The plant consists of a sixty horse-power engine and two dynamos, with a capacity of forty-five arc and six hundred and fifty incandescent lights.

NEWSPAPERS .- Hudson had its first newspaper just previous to its incorporation. It was begun in February, 1865, by Charles A. Wood, in Manson's Hall, which stood on the spot now occupied by Chase's Block. The owner, twenty-five years later, says : " It was in the closing days of the Rebellion, and just after a few weeks' sojourn in the vicinity of ' the seat of war,' that the publisher of the Hudson Pioneer, like hundreds of other ambitious youths, gave up the avo- cation of guard-mounting and seized the stick and types to make for himself fame and fortune. The town, or more properly the village, was hardly of sufficient size to warrant a venture of this kind. The newspaper was not a 'long-felt want,' in the true sense of the word, and, like the history of many another poor country editor and publisher, it was hard work and poor pay."

The paper experienced a good many changes in lo- cation and ownership, but it still exists in a feeble way under its old name.

In 1883, Wood Brothers, one of whom was the originator of the Pioneer, believed the time had come for a genuine live town paper. On September 29, 1889, they issued their first number of the Hudson Enterprise. It was a twenty-eight column paper, with ten columns of local advertisements. Its circulation was about three hundred. Its first issue contained a good description of the birth of its older rival. " The office of the Enterprise (in Chase's Block) stands almost directly over the spot where we commenced the publication of the first paper ever printed in Hudson, over eighteen years ago. But how different the surroundings ! Then we were located in Manson's Hall, over a shed of wide dimensions, and in cold weather, well, wasn't it cold ! We commenced busi- ness in the primitive style. Our paper was printed on an old Washington hand-press, and about all our jobbing was done on the same. All our editorial work was done in the ante-room adjoining the work-room, and it usually occupied our time from five o'clock Friday afternoon until some time Satur- day morning, when the Pioneer was born, there be- ing no specified time, as we were at the mercy of Sam and the 'devil,' until the last sheet was pulled through and off the old press, when we once more assumed full control."

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 63

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1278

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278