USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Monson > History of Monson, Massachusetts > Part 8
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16
The bleaching of goods commences in August, and the sewing and finishing about November and continues to the June fol- lowing, making about eight months busi- ness in the year. The annual production is about $350,000.
Messrs. Gage & Reynolds sell their own goods, having a store at 625 Broadway,
Trimming Department - Hat Shop Employees
Page 72
HISTORY OF MONSON
N. Y. under the management of D. W. Drake. They also are selling agents of B. H. Spaulding & Co., of Milford, Mass. who are acknowledged by their competitors as mak- ing the finest goods in men's wear that comes into the market."
This firm is still listed in the Business Directory of 1897-8 but appears to have closed by 1900 as the Field Worsted Com- any was operating a mill on this site in that year. The buildings burned a few years later.
TEXTILE INDUSTRY
As we have just seen, many widely diversified industries played their part, some large, others small, in building the heritage of Monson. None survived the pit- falls of depressions, new materials, new methods of production, and the whims of the people, with the exception of the woolen industry.
To Asa Gates, a clothier (one who per- formed the several operations in finishing cloth) who came to Monson in 1794 belongs the credit for founding this industry here. He carried on his trade from his home until 1800 when he built a small mill near the site of the present factory on Cushman Street. Here he carded the wool brought in by the farmers, then after the material had been woven at home, he would finish the cloth.
In 1803 he converted the mill to a two-
set woolen mill and manufactured Broad- cloth. A few years later the management was taken over by the Monson Woolen Man- ufacturing Company with Asa Gates con- tinuing as a member of the firm.
---
Horatio Lyon
In 1817 Horatio Lyon moved to Monson and began work as a clerk in this factory. In 1824, he together with Joel Norcross, John Wyles, Charles Fay, and Albert Nor- cross assumed ownership. By 1853 the firm employed 30 people and produced $65,000
-
Hat Shop Felt Department
Page 73
HISTORY OF MONSON
worth of satinets annually. A new building erected about 1854 contained four sets of machinery. Three years later this building burned and was replaced in 1858 with an- other wooden building.
Joel Norcross
Horatio Lyon became sole owner of the company in 1870 and took into partnership Solomon F. Cushman, who had come from Monson, Maine, in 1856 to take a position as bookkeeper for the firm. Upon Mr. Lyon's retirement in 1877, Solomon F. Cushman purchased the factory and together with his sons, Edward, Rufus, S. Fred, Thaddeus, and Robert continued the manufacture of cassimeres (a broad term used for a large and popular group of fancy worsteds and some woolens used for suitings and trouser- ings) and doeskins (a woolen material of fine quality, medium weight and smooth face finish used for trousering, broadcloth coating, waistcloth and riding habit fabric).
The wooden mill burned in 1886 and was replaced by the brick building which is still standing. Solomon Cushman died in 1900 and his sons carried on until 1912 when the buildings were sold to the Heimann and Lichten Company who had just been burn- el out of their Main Street factory. The buildings were enlarged and used as a hat factory until 1927. The A. D. Ellis Mills, Inc. now owns the property which is used as a storehouse.
The Cushman family also operated the so-called "Branch Mill' on Elm Street. Jo- seph L. Reynolds built this mill in 1837 and took into partnership Cyrus W. Holmes, Sr. They sold soon after to the Hampden Cotton
Company who continued operations until 1869 when the firm was dissolved.
Solomon Cushman
The factory was purchased by C. W. Holmes and Sons who in 1872 changed from the manufacture of satinets (a fabric made of cotton warp and wool-shoddy filling, often made to resemble cassimere) to that of fancy cassimeres, producing about 400 yards daily in 1879.
Cyrus W. Holmes
C. W. Holmes, Jr. sold to S. F. Cush- man and Sons in 1883. Many alterations
Page 74
HISTORY OF MONSON
and improvements were made and the mach- inery changed from narrow Stafford looms to the Knowles Broadlooms, and the manu- facture of doeskins and cassimeres was be- gun under the supervision of S. Fred Cush-
-
S. F. Cushman Woolen Mill
man who had just completed studies at Lowell Textile Institute.
The Cushmans continued operations
until 1901 when Leonard Rosenberg pur- chased the firm. The Somerset Woolen Com- pany operated it from 1904 to 1915, then Joseph Louden purchased the plant. The next year Grant S. Kelly became his partner and the firm filled extensive orders for Army blankets during World War I. This partnership was dissolved in 1920 and Thomas J. Corcoran, The Monson Worsted Company and finally the Rayon Worsted Mills, Inc. operated this plant.
In 1929 when the plant was supposed to be used for experimental purposes in rayon products, federal agents together with Con- stable Herbert A. Aldrich raided it and uncovered a huge liquor distilling plant. The still, which was one of the largest ever found in this section of the state, had an es- timated worth of $25,000. The buildings burned April 24, 1931.
NORTH FACTORY
The area around the present C. F. Church Company plant is listed on early maps as the "North Village." Roswell and Gideon Merrick operated a saw and grist mill here in the early 1800's. The Monson
13
26
30
M
15
20
9
49
17
12
3
7
6
S
N
-
Branch Mill Associates: 1. Hiram Felton, 2 Monty, 3. Eugene Hodge, 4. Richard Doyle, 5. Edward Murphy, 6. Potrick Dugan, 7. William Corish, 8, Elba Hodge, 9. George Hobbs, 10. Hannah Cunningham, 11. Andrew Hodge, 12. Eunice Dillan, 13. Lynch, 14. Ella Harris, 15. Mrs. John Dineen, 16. Kate Branwick, 17. Mrs. Tim Lines, 18. Fred Williams, 19. Munroe Wright, 20. Patrick Corish, 21. Robert Wil- liams, 22. Chas. Abbott, 23. Jimmie Murphy, 24. Louis Monty, 25. James Ferguson, 26. Albert A. Smith, 27. Louis Packard, 28. John Carew, 29. Clarence Wilcox, 30. Patrick Haggerty, 31. Fred Monty.
27
8
18
13
Page 75
HISTORY OF MONSON
and Brimfield Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1810 and a building known as the "North Factory" was erected for the manufacture of cotton yarn. The name of Artemus Witherill and Co. is also asso- ciated with a mill on this site in the 1820's.
Sometime later a stone mill was built on the east side of the stream where sati- nets were manufactured by Deacon Andrew Porter. Deacon Porter was advisor to Mary Lyon and served as the first Treasurer of Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. A busi- ness listing of 1855 indicates that 40 persons were employed, and $30,000 worth of cotton material was produced annually.
Albert Norcross purchased the mill from Deacon Porter in 1863 and sold about seven years later to Jared Beebe and Son who manufactured woolens.
The name of Heery Bros. in 1878 and Lindly and Co. 1885-1888 appear in news- paper items as operators of these mills. The stone factory burned in 1893 and the remain- ing buildings about 1913.
A. D. ELLIS MILLS, INC.
The Hampden Cotton Co. built its first mill - sometimes referred to as the "old mill" in 1813 on the site of the A. D. Ellis #3 Mill. Joseph L. Reynolds became asso- ciated with this firm in September 1821 as general overseer. The company expanded and built a second mill on the site of A. D. Ellis #1 mill. Ten years later (1839) this burned and was rebuilt soon after.
Joseph L. Reynolds
In 1846 the Main Street buildings were remodeled and woolen machinery installed to replace the cotton machinery.
In 1859, Mr. Reynolds, at this time part owner and Treasurer of the Hampden Man- ufacturing Company, built a factory adja- cent to the plant on Main Street. This "Rockland" or "New Mill" burned in 1868 and was replaced the following year.
The Hampden Manufacturing Company dissolved in 1869 and Joseph Reynolds pur- chased the Main Street property and C. W. Holmes and Sons the Bliss Street property.
The Bliss Street factory burned in 1870
Columbia Straw Works, 1884
Page 76
HISTORY OF MONSON
Reynold's Mill - Main Street
and Dwight W. Ellis purchased the mill privilege and tenements in 1871. He im- mediately erected a new mill - now known as No. 1 mill - at a cost of $50,000 and be- gan manufacturing fancy cassimeres. His son, Arthur D. Ellis became a partner in 1877. An 1884 directory states that about 70 persons were employed and 240,000 yards of cloth were produced annually.
This directory also states that about 1200 yards of cloth daily was being pro- duced at Reynolds Main Street factory. Mr. Reynolds and later his two sons, Rice Munn and Theodore ran this mill until about 1901 when Heritage and Hurst and later a Mr. Beach operated the plant. A. D. Ellis pur- chased this factory from the Reynolds Es- tate in 1905, and three years later, in 1908, tore down the wooden mill and replaced it with the present brick structure. The dam was also built at this time.
Upon the death of Arthur D. Ellis in 1916, the management of the firm was car- ried on by his son Dwight W. Ellis II. The business was incorporated under the name of A. D. Ellis Mills Incorporated in 1923 and the properties have been added to from time to time, keeping the mills as modern and up- to-date as possible. The No. 3 mill was en- larged and an oil-fired central power plant constructed on Main Street to supply steam and power for both plants.
A. D. Ellis Mills supplies cloth to such prominent people as the Duchess of Wind- sor and King Saud of Arabia. A Chrysler car used at the Coronation of Queen Eliza-
Dwight W. Ellis
beth II was upholstered in cloth made espe- cially for it by Ellis Mills, who also make the upholstery for the cars in the White House fleet.
In 1933, A. D. Ellis Mills Incorporated developed a 16 ounce Kersey cloth used by the Marine Corp, West Point, Annapolis and the police force of the city of New York.
The entrance of D. W. Ellis, Jr. into the firm in 1937 marks the fourth generation of the Ellis family to enter the woolen industry in Monson.
Due to changing market conditions, Ellis Mills have entered the apparel wear field and is now manufacturing ladies' fleece-type coating, light weight dress goods, as well as flannels and venetians for men's wear. A mill outlet store, opened in 1959, makes this cloth available to the many "do- it-yourself" sewers in the area.
Harvey White sold the Bliss Street site of his saw and grist mill to the Hampden Cotton Company in 1822. In 1860 Joseph Reynolds built a mill on this site. Seven years later it burned and was rebuilt in 1870. Ellis, Ricketts and Company pur- chased this mill from the Reynold's estate in 1900. Ricketts and Shaw took over in 1910 and operated the plant until 1933 when the firm dissolved. The buildings have all been torn down.
In the early 1920's Harry N. Atwood, pioneer aviator, moved to Monson and con- structed a small factory on the Palmer Road. He had invented a process whereby wood and rubber could be laminated together into
HISTORY OF MONSON
Page 77
an integral mass and molded into any shape required. Using this process, the Rubwood Wheel Inc. manufactured industrial truck and castor wheels and disk automobile wheels for five or six years before the firm went into bankruptcy.
-
ARMY
E
NAVY
Army-Navy E Award, February 18, 1943
A. D. Ellis Manufacturing Company, No. 3
-
-
A. D. Ellis Manufacturing Company, No. 1
-
=
D. W. Ellis & Sons Employees
Page 78
HISTORY OF MONSON
Guests Inspecting one of the Looms
PLASTICS INDUSTRY
The C. F. Church Division of American- Standard was first formed in 1898 at Hol- yoke, Massachusetts, as the C. F. Church Manufacturing Company, to manufacture brass beds with a revolutionary new finish called "sheet pyroxylin," one of the first commercially adaptable plastics.
Soon other sheet pyroxylin covered pro- ducts were added to its line, the principal of which was toilet seats. This marked the in-
troduction of white toilet seats to America in place of oak or mahogany varnished seats.
After joining the American-Standard family in 1929 Church purchased the Rub- wood Plant at the North Monson dam on Chicopee Brook and expanded their lines to include other plastic and rubber products in addition to molded toilet seats. These in- cluded many items for the plumbing, elec- trical, machine tool and aircraft industries.
The original Monson plant covered 12,000 square feet and had two office and thirty plant employees. From that begin- ning it has grown until today the plant covers 100,000 square feet and employs two hundred seventy-five people.
The Monson Plant provides the research and development for new products and pro- cesses in plastics for the American-Standard Corporation.
Recently a new process was developed for molding woodflour to make plastic desk tops, seat, and chairbacks for the school furniture industry. Other new products such as table tops, kitchen cabinet parts and furniture components are presently being developed by the same process.
The C. F. Church Division also operates plants in Holyoke, Massachusetts and Brat- tleboro, Vermont. Executive offices are
TCHURCHMMIFG. CO.
MINSON . MASS
-
--
--
Early Church Company Employees
HISTORY OF MONSON
Page 79
located at Holyoke where President Richard A. Witherell and staff make their head- quarters. Sales offices are maintained in principal cities in the United States.
Springfield Moulders Inc. was organized in June of 1947, in the midst of the post-war recession. The first experimental work was produced in the basement of the Rice Fruit Farm in Wilbraham. Dwight W. Ellis, Sr. and Dwight W. Ellis, Jr. were of great help when the company was looking for more permanent quarters and in September of 1947, operations were started in the three- story building owned by A. D. Ellis Mills
Inc., located behind the old hat shop on Cush- man Street.
The company was organized to offer en- gineering and injection molding of plastics to the Springfield area, from which it took its name. The principals felt that there was need for plastic engineering service, as well as to provide facilities for small quantity production.
In addition to "short-run" production, they have specialized in industrial applica- tions and have gained a good reputation for producing products from materials which are difficult to mold.
A few years ago, Springfield Moulders Inc. was one of two molders in the United States that were molding a specific type of polyvinylchloride for television insulators. Continuing their pioneering, the corporation recently produced a special flame retardent
Rubwood Caster
Ricketts & Shaw Woolen Mill
Springfield Moulders Plant
Page 80
HISTORY OF MONSON
plastic and is one of the few molders in the country to produce parts for the television industry in this new compound.
Due to their steady growth, the com- pany found it necessary to seek larger quar- ters, and therefore in July 1959 moved into the modern one-story building constructed by William W. Jurczyk, Inc. on the Palmer Road.
C. F. Church Company Plant
Principals of the corporation are: Presi- dent, Victor E. Rosenlund; Vice President, Gilbert E. Stacy; and Treasurer, Donald T. Snow, Jr.
D. B. WESSON COMPANY, INC.
The D. B. Wesson Company located on Bethany Road Extension was incorporated in 1948. Since the first years of its exist- ence, Daniel Wesson, its founder, has relied upon the able management of Fred Clarkson and Jerry Soukup to operate the shop.
The original idea of this venture was to supply industry with intricate, accurate form tools ordinarily very difficult to pro- duce by toolroom methods. Since the "Crush Form" method of grinding used here lends itself rather well to semi or full production
Crush Grinding Machine
Contract parts form ground by D. B. Wesson Co.
conditions, there was a natural turning to- ward the screw industry where accuracy of roll threading dies has been in growing demand. There was once a time when indus- try considered the cut or ground thread the epitomy of accuracy and quality. Now the aircraft and other industries demanding the highest in accuracy and physical qualities specify roll thread screws. The inherent ability to exactly duplicate forms lent itself perfectly to this phase of toolmaking.
Crush form grinding is accomplished through the use of a cylindrically formed crush roll made exactly to the form desired on the work piece to be produced. This roll is supported on super-accurate bearings in direct line with the grinding wheel, which is brought into contact with the roll under controlled pressure. When this pressure ex- ceeds the strength of the abrasive bond of the wheel, particles break away until the grinding wheel ultimately arrives at the shape of the roll. Work pieces are then ground to the exact shape.
Roll thread dies for production of ac- curate screws are not the only products of the company. Many intricate parts for type-
Roll Thread Dies
Page 81
HISTORY OF MONSON
writers, turbo superchargers, textile mach- inery, hand tools, camera and ordnance com- ponents, too exacting to be economically manufactured by other methods have been produced by this company, which is uni- quely equipped for precision form grinding.
As industry progresses and demands more accurate tools and components for the manufacture of precision equipment neces- sary to our nationally growing scientific development era, the D. B. Wesson Company will provide sources valuable to its growth.
MONSON SAND AND GRAVEL CORP.
A sand and gravel processing plant was established on the Stafford Road by Edward N. Christianson, Inc., of East Longmeadow in June of 1951.
On January 1, 1956, William B. Thorn- ton of Manchester, Connecticut, purchased the business and established the present Monson Sand and Gravel Corporation which
Monson Sand and Gravel Company
produces washed sand and gravel for Ready- Mix Concrete, the building of roads and drainage projects.
The plant was enlarged and new equip- ment added to take care of the ever in- creasing demand for materials. The Monson Corporation supplies Ready-Mix batch plants located in Manchester, Enfield and Eagle- ville, Connecticut, owned by Mr. Thornton, and also serves the public, state and towns.
Business and Professional
Professional History
MEDICAL
It is evident that the residents of this town have always been privileged to have the services of a doctor available even though information about them is scarce. Without a doubt John Sherman, who lived in the moth- er town of Brimfield, was Monson's first physician. Records state that his charge for service here was ten shillings-for a vomit, eight pence ; and a bleeding, ten pence-these being the usual treatments for many ill- nesses.
Homeopathy was introduced to Monson by Dr. N. Wheeler Rand in February 1879. Lat- er, his brother, Dr. J. P. Rand, became as- sociated with him. They had a large prac- tice, exemplified exceptional professional ability, and their sterling integrity was greatly respected by the town's citizens and medical associates. After Dr. J. P. Rand moved to Worcester in 1888. Dr. N. Wheeler Rand continued the practice here alone. He served on the school committee for twelve years, wrote many papers both medical and social, and with his brother in 1897 pub- lished a small volume of original verse.
Dr. George E. Fuller settled in Monson in 1868. In the latter part of 1879 three well- known physicians, Dr. George E. Fuller of Monson, Dr. George T. Ballard of Hampden, and Dr. W. H. Stowe of Palmer were accus- tomed to meet together about once a month for discussion of events of more than usual importance in their professional field. They were accompanied by their wives, who, dur- ing discussion periods of the doctors, would prepare a supper for the enjoyment of all present.
On February 6, 1880, it was felt that these meetings were valuable, and it was resolved to effect a permanent organization under the name of the Doctors Club of Eastern Hamp- den. Dr. Fuller was elected as the first Pres- ident. The good results which followed the early meetings soon spread their influence throughout the profession, and one addition after another gradually extended member- ship west to the Connecticut and also into the counties adjoining Hampden.
At a meeting held February 10, 1881, "censors" replaced directors and on March 10th of the same year the constitution was amended and the name changed to Eastern Hampden Medical Association. The original
Page 82
HISTORY OF MONSON
social character of the organization has been maintained to the present day and a dinner is a feature of regular meetings.
Dr. George E. Fuller
Dr. George E. Fuller at his desk. Dr. Full- er, grandfather of Hattie Merchant Noble, was an historian to whom we are indebted for the many accounts of early Monson which he preserved.
Public Health has always been of concern to the townspeople as the following votes re- corded on the minutes of town meetings illustrate:
May 18, 1778: "Voted to seet up Enockcu- lation for the smallpox, in one place, under proper restrictions and left with the care of the Selectmen and shall not Exceed the 20th of June next."
September 1, 1778: "Voted to give Abijah Newell six dollars which he paid to Dr. Mof- fitt for his coming over to Joseph Butlers when he had the smallpox."
November 30, 1792: "Voted Thomas An- derson, Abner Brown and David Hyde be a committy to take care of those that have the smallpox in this town." "Voted Jonathan Chapin's house and Mr. Vena Sabin's house be hospitals together with such other houses as the community shall think sufficient for the convenience of those that now have smallpox."
1731- John Sherman of Brimfield ? Abel Sherman, probably grand- son of John
1765- ? Thomas Anderson, surgeon in the Continental Army
1780 ? Ephraim Allen, on the road above the Meeting House
1785-1818 Joseph Grout
1790-1840 Ede Whitaker, home and office north of Gage Brothers
? - 1817
Thaddeus Fairbanks
1817- ?
- Ware
1817-1846 Rheuben Gardner, died in 1850
1820-1852 Oliver Mckinstry, built Gage Brothers store in 1832
1836-1838 Bersilla Heyward and Isaac D. Carpenter. Both died of Typhoid Fever within three days of each other
1837- ? Cullen Carter
? - 1838 Chadwick Chaffee, resided on Moulton Hill
1838-1882 Alvan Smith
1840-1856 Marshall Calkins
1840-1862 Henry Cady
1851-1854 David Calkins, brother of Mar- shall
1856- ?
J. W. Towne
1859-1868 John Mckinstry, son of Oliver
1868-1913 George E. Fuller, interested in the history of Monson and many civic movements
1879-1898
Nehemiah Wheeler Rand
1880-1948 Frederick W. Ellis, Occulist and Aurist, noted for his extensive research
1882-1884
Homer Smith, son of Alvan
1883-1888
John Rand
1885-1936 Charles W. Jackson, office and home on site of present dial tele- phone office
1898-1901 Harry A. Merchant, son-in-law of Dr. G. E. Fuller
1906-1936 Elwyn Capen, office and home on Main Street, member School Committee
1923-1942
Thomas Keeley, office and home on Main Street, State Medical Examiner for fourteen years. Doctors McQuaid, Spillane, Mar- noy, DeFeo, Marinelli and Mc- Cormick served for short periods of time
1935- Benjamin Schneider, office at 115 Main Street.
1946- Cecelia Bush and James Bush, husband and wife, both doctors, office in the former Hattie Cush- man house on Main Street.
Page 83
HISTORY OF MONSON
MONSON VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION
On April 10, 1914, a group of interested women met to plan a clean-up campaign in Monson. Mrs. W. L. Ricketts was chosen chairman. In May 1914, this committee was made permanent with a membership fee of 25¢ annually, school pupils being admitted for 10¢. It was voted that the organization be known as the Monson Improvement Socie- ty. The first president was Mrs. F. W. Ellis. "Its object shall be to secure the cooperation of individuals and organizations in every- thing pertaining to the welfare of the town." (Quoted from the first by-laws.)
On October 5, 1915, plans were made for engaging a District Nurse. The annual re- port of 1916 lists the name of Miss Thomp- son as the first nurse. Miss Amber Ham- mond served in 1917; and Miss Hescock in 1918 made an appeal for funds to start child welfare work. During the Influenza epidem- ic of October 1918, a nurse was sent by the State to assist the District Nurse. In Novem- ber 1918, the membership fee was raised to $1.00 and it remains so today. The vote to purchase the first automobile was made in 1919. At Miss Hescock's suggestion the School Committee accepted the services of the District Nurse as the School Nurse in October 1921.
On January 16, 1922, the name of Monson Visiting Nurse Association was adopted and the following have served as nurses since then : Elsie Bemis McCray, Myrtle Johnson Whitcomb, Harriet Knox Snow, Theresa Roach, Lillian Burgiel Pekala, Kathleen Fleming Donovan and Ruth Hudson. The present nurses are Adele Jurczyk who took Mrs. Hudson's place on January 1, 1957, and Leona Leveille who came to assist her on March 1, 1957.
ATTORNEYS
The first lawyer to settle in Monson was Deodatus Dutton about 1800 to 1805. He served as a Representative to the General Court in 1809-1811 and again in 1818-1819. He was Town Clerk in 1821-1824 and subse- quently removed to New York state.
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.