History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 144

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 144

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Since the introduction of American awls in this country there has been a large amount manufactured in this town, by Mr. William Faxon, Charles Lincoln, Josiah S. Lincoln, and Charles B. Lincoln, who is now engaged in that business. Millions of sewing- and pegging-awls are sent to various parts of the country from this town every year.

David Peeler manufactured shoe-tools in Howard's mill in 1836, when removed to Boston. J. Wallace Packard commenced manufacturing stitching- and machine-needles for all kinds of sewing-machines in March, 1858. Snell & Atherton manufacture a variety of shoe-tools, spoke-shaves, etc., in Ellis Pack- ard & Co.'s mill.

William Hall manufactured shoe-pegs at the mill on Howard Street several years since. John W. Kingman has furnished the shoemakers with machines for rolling leather, and shoe-benches, as well as coal- sifters, washing-machines, and patent roofing. Wil- liam S. Gay and Jabez Gay manufactured bedstcads, chopping-knives, and awl-handles at the old mill known as Packard's grist-mill, or Keith's mill.

In 1836, Chandler Sprague, Esq., commenced making lasts and boot-trees in the mill owned by T. J. & W. Howard, well known as Howard's mill. In 1837 he purchased the right of using Thomas Blan- chard's machine for turning irregular forms. He continued in that mill until 1842, doing a small busi- ness, which has increased to a large and profitable branch of manufacturing. He purchased the build- ing and power known as the " Old Cotton Factory," owned by Mr. Ritchie, and converted it into a manu- factory ; and, although he has been highly prospered in his business pursuits, yet he continues to give his personal attention to the detail of his business, and has added several branches to his original calling. E. Sumner Snell manufactured shoe-tools in his factory, also manufactured machinery, under the firm-name of E. S. Snell & Co., Mr. Sprague being the special partner.

Wilbor Webster commenced manufacturing shoe- knives, near Sprague's, in 1863. Mr. S. V. Tuck also manufactured shoe-knives, carving-knives, etc., of a superior quality.

Harrison Smith manufactured bedsteads in the old mill known as Keith's mill. Archibald Thompson inade the first spinning-wheel in the country; lived near where John Thompson now resides. His pos-

terity have continued to make wheels since that time. Jonas Reynolds also made spinning-wheels in the " West Shares." Moses Cary made hay-rakes in the northeast part of the town.

Sweetser & Merritt started in business on High Street, under the name of William A. Sweetser, March 1, 1869. Afterwards removed to corner of Centre and Montello Streets, and continued under the present title, Sweetser & Merritt, Aug. 1, 1878. Manufacture shoe machinery and upright drills. Employ 20 men.

Snell & Atherton, manufacturers of shoe-tools, heel- shaves, etc. This branch of industry was founded by Varanus Snell and Lemuel Atherton in 1853. Mr. Atherton died in 1860, and was succeeded by Henry H. Atherton, who continued in the firm about seven years. Since that time Mr. Snell has conducted the business as sole proprietor, retaining, however, the original firm-name. Employ 38 hands.

Before the invention of Blanchard's machine for turning irregular forms, lasts and boot-trees were made by hand. Nathaniel Wales was probably the first person in the town engaged in that business. Robert A. Stoddard, Marcus Shaw, and Chandler Sprague have since been engaged in that line of manufacture. When Chandler Sprague began to manufacture by machinery, there was no use for lasts made by hand. Those made by machinery have become one of the great improvements of the age, and so far surpass those made by hand as to quality that there are no others in the market.

Tailors and Clothing .- It was the custom in the early settlement of the town for ladies to eut and make gentlemen's garments. After a time men cut- ters went from house to house making clothes enough for the year at one time. The first tailor in Brockton was Nathaniel Snell, who went out to work for twenty- five cents per day and board. John Shankland was the next tailor; then came Michael O'Neil, who opened a tailoring-shop in the " West Shares" (now " Brockton Heights"), and afterwards in the store afterwards occupied by Col. Nathan Jones, in South- worth's building, in the Centre. Elisha B. Bumpas came from Wareham in September, 1838, and opened a clothing-shop in the building then owned by Arza Leonard, opposite Henry Cross' shoe manufactory, on the east side of Main Street, now the site of " Mer- cantile Block ;" he afterwards removed to a room over Robinson's dry-goods store, from this place he re- moved to Howard, Clark & Co.'s building. Luther W. Durant was a tailor in 1836 two doors south of Patriot office, on the site of the " Mercantile Block." William Ryder came from West Bridgewater and

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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

carried on the merchant-tailoring business for several years in his building on Main Street, where Ryder's block now stands. Edward O'Neil was employed as a foreman in Messrs. Brett & Kingman's tailoring department in 1849 in Kingman's brick block. In 1859 he became associated with Mr. James B. Samp- son, for the purpose of conducting the merchant- tailoring business in Tyler Cobb's building, on Main Street, under the firm-name of O'Neil & Sampson. Mr. Sampson retired from the firm in 1861 and went into the army. Mr. O'Neil continued in business alone till 1864, when he removed to Alexandria, Va., and afterwards removed to Providenee, R. I., where he now resides. Walter Scott came to town from Boston in 1800, was employed by Mr. O'Neil for four years, and afterwards conducted the merchant-tailoring busi- ness on his own account. George E. Wilbour came from Wareham in 1859, and was connected with Henry A. Brett in the clothing business. L. W. Wade and Daniel F. Leonard were in town several years since and made garments. Most of the larger dry-goods stores have a journeyman tailor connected with their establishments and manufactured custom goods, therefore it would be impossible to note all the changes that have occurred. Peter F. Hollywood came from Wareham, and was employed in Brett & Kingman's store for several years, and afterwards opened a tailoring establishment on his own account in Ellis J. Morton's building, now occupied by B. R. Clapp, on Main Street, and is now doing business opposite the "Gazette Building." Daniel Logue had a tailor-shop opposite Southworth & Noyes' grocery store. on Main Street, for a short time. In January, 1854, George E. Bryant opened a clothing store in D. F. Studley's building, and in 1855 Henry L. Bryant was associated with him in the business, under the firm-name of G. E. & H. L. Bryant ; afterwards oc- cupied extensive rooms on the present site of " Bryant's Block," now used as a post-office, at the corner of Main and Centre Streets. This firm continued in trade for a long time, doing a very successful and profitable business. Since that time Henry A. Brett has opened another clothing store in Bixby's block, where he is doing a large and highly lucrative business.

Messrs. Brett & Kingman, David Cobb, H. W. Robinson, W. P. Howard, and other traders, have usually kept ready-made clothing; thus the public have always had unsurpassed facilities for obtaining the best custom garments and the cheapest.

The Boston Clothing Company is doing business in the " Home Bank Building," Henry A. Brett, manager. Howard & Caldwell are in the same business in " Kingman's Block."

Henry E. Lincoln & Co., in " Bixby's Block," are doing a good business in the clothing line; McElroy & Cushman, in " City Block," and the " Massasoit Clothing House," Edward S. Lincoln, proprietor, on Main Street.

This business has been among the leading branches of trade in the city, and those engaged in the same have been successful merchants.

Hatters .- The first hatter in the town was Perez Crocker, who conducted business near where David Howard's boot manufactory recently stood, in the north part of the village. He was succeeded by Capt. John Battles, and he by Ellis J. Morton. There is no hat manufactory in the town at the present time ; customers are supplied at the various stores in the town, of which there are many, as before scen.

The principal dealers in this line of goods now are Henry E. Lincoln & Co., in " Bixby's Block," How- ard & Caldwell, in "Kingman's Block," Tolman Brothers, in " Washburn's Block," and Charles Emory, in the same building.

Bakers .- B. C. Hatch and Cyrus Packard (2d) commenced the baking business about 1830, and con- tinued about three years in the building that had formerly been used as a school-house, on the lot now occupied by the bank building south of the hotel. In 1833, Mr. Packard sold his interest to Mr. Hatch. In 1834, David Wilder and Mr. Hatch were associated together in the business, under the firm-name of Hatch & Wilder. Shortly after that time Mr. J. C. Wilder purchased Mr. Hatch's interest in the business, and the firm was changed to J. C. & D. Wilder. After- wards J. C. Wilder sold to John W. Hunt, who has continued with Mr. Wilder, under the firm-name of Hunt & Wilder. Their business was very successful, and in 1856 they erected a new and more commodious building, using horsc-power for mixing, stamping, and cutting crackers, bread, and small cakes.

A Mr. Buckley conducted the baking business at the old stand afterwards used by Hunt & Wilder, on Cres- cent Street. Several years since Parmenas & Simeon Brett did a small business for a short time in the Factory Village. F. B. Washburn makes nice cake and fancy pastry at his refectory on Main Strect, on the present site of the " Washburn Block ;" also con- fectionery of all kinds and fancy baking.

Mr. Washburn has within a few years erected a large brick building in the rear of his block, where he does the largest wholesale and retail business in baking and confectionery in Plymouth County.

Felix Kaiser does a fancy cake and pastry baking on Pleasant Street, with a store in Tyler Cobb's building.

692

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

George E. Bates, bread and cake baker, is doing business on Montello Street, near South Street, Cam- pello.

Saddlers .- In the days when every one traveled on horseback the saddler's business was a prominent trade. After the introduction of wheel carriages harness-making was added to their trade, also trunk- making. Among those who have conducted this trade are Seth Snow, a short distance below the bridge on the road leading to Campello, in the Isaac Keith House; Elbridge H. Packard, in the north part of the village ; also Nathaniel H. Cross, in 1836, in the Centre Village. A few years since A. M. Leavitt came from East Bridgewater, and located where George W. Bryant's marble works were, corner of Main and Crescent Streets. Lemuel T. Bird is now doing business on High Street. A Mr. Bartlett opencd a harness-shop on School Street about 1864. William H. Flagg, Leighton & Co., and Thomas Finnerty arc now in that line of business.

Wheelwrights .- Abel Kingman, Esq., was one of the oldest wheelwrights in the parish. He made ox- wagons, carts, wooden plows, rakes, etc. Zachariah and Zebedee Snell made wooden plows, rakes, and grain-cradles, etc., in the northwest part of the town. Jabez Kingman, son of Abel Kingman, Esq., had a wheelwright-shop on Centre Street, near Shaw's Cor- ner. Ruel Richmond had a large and commodious carriage manufactory on the corner of Main and School Streets, which was the principal shop in town for several years. John C. H. Eaton had a wheel- wright-shop on Prospect Hill. Mason & Fletcher manufactured carriages and did job-work on High Street. From 1852 to 1855, Tyler Cobb manufac- tured carriages, ctc., on High Street. Waldo Brad- ford & Co. also manufactured carriages on High Street. Lyman E. Tribou had a wheelwright-shop in the Factory Village, or " Salisbury Square," oppo- site A. D. Tyler's blacksmith-shop, and Lewis A. Kingman has a shop on Liberty Street, near Tilden's Corner, otherwise known as " Marshall's Corner," in the west part of the city. I. R. Cozzens, James O. Macomber, and Lurin Snow are now the principal wheelwrights in the city.

Coopers .- Danicl Pettingill made tubs, pails, churns, etc., at the place occupied by the late John W. Snell, on South Street. Lemuel Terrill carried on the coopering trade at the James Willis Place, opposite Arnold Kingman's. Joseph Whiton made nail-casks, tubs, dye-vats, churns, cheese-hoops, ete., in the Factory Village. He removed to Hingham. Lemuel Terrill, Jr., and Jacob Dunbar made rakes, measures, scythe-handles, mop- and broom-handles,

etc. Jonas Reynolds made spinning-wheels, wooden plows, rakes, etc., in the " West Shares," now " Broek- ton Heights."

Clocks .- Previous to 1800, Ezekiel Reed made cloeks near where Alpheus Holmes resided, on Belmont Street, in Downingville. Also, several years since, Rodney Brace came from Torrington, Conn., and commenced the manufacture of small wooden clocks at the West Shares, or Northwest Bridgewater, now Brockton Heights, with Isaac Packard. They sent them to all parts of the country in wagons, and were among the first to introduce small clocks.

The late David F. Studley was the principal dealer in these goods for a long time.

Luther Studley, Gurney Brothers, Herman Hew- ett, and Sumner Cass are the present dealers, in con- nection with watches and jewelry.

Watch-Makers and Jewelers .- David F. Stud- ley came from Hanover, Mass., in September, 1834, and made watches and jewelry, also repaired all kinds of cloeks, in the building now occupied by him. He afterwards erected a new and more commodious building south of Samuel Howard's house, where he became associated with his brother, Luther Studley, in the business; he afterwards sold out his interest to his brother and retired from business. At the time Mr. Studley came to the town there was no es- tablishment of the kind in the vicinity. Since that time there have been other establishments of the same description, among whom is Augustus Mitchell, who left town in 1862 and removed to Provincetown. Herman Hewett came from Bridgewater to the town in the autumn of 1863, and is now in business in Tyler Cobb's building, 421 Main Street. Lysander F. Gurney came from Abington and opened a store in D. F. Studley's building a short time since. Ln- ther Studley was at the old stand of D. F. Studley & Co., on Main Street, and is now located on School Street.

Musical Instruments .- This town has been noted for the excellence of the musical instruments manu- factured in the town. Caleb H. Packard was the first person in the town that engaged in the manufacture of musical instruments. He commenced the business of making melodeons in 1839, and was the first to introduce piano-keys to those instruments, which was a great improvement.

A few years since Calvin Hatch, Nelson J. Foss, and Isaac T. Packard were associated together, under the firm-name of Packard, Foss & Co., for the purpose of manufacturing seraphines, melodeons, and reed organs. This firm was in business for several years over the

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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

store formerly occupied by B. Swain, and previously occupied by Sidney Paekard in Campello, now the provision store of Lucas W. Alden.

Mr. A. B. Marston commenced making musical instruments in July, 1855, in the shop that had for- merly been occupied by Caleb H. Packard. Mr. Marston purchased the stock and interest of Mr. Paekard, and conducted business at the old stand till the building and contents were destroyed by fire. Sept. 2. 1858. Mr. Marston then erected a new and commodious building on Depot Street. Campello, in January, 1859, where he continued to manufacture the best quality of instruments for several years. He is now manufacturing eabinet organs on Montello, near South Street. Messrs. Isaae T. Paekard and Edmund Paekard were engaged in the same kind of business for several years, in the rooms over L. D. Hervey's house-furnishing store, in the Centre, oppo- site Centre Street. Edmund Paekard afterwards eon- tinued the business alone till May 1, 1862, when he sold to Philip Reynolds, of Stoughton, who was en- gaged in that line of business for several years.

Dentists .- The first person who did anything in the way of dental operations (except tooth-pulling, which was usually done by the physicians) was Dr. J. L. Lyman, who usually eame to town onee a year, and did all there was to be done in that line. It soon increased to such an extent as to make it a perma- nent local business. Dr. Julius Thompson next ocenpied an office over D. F. Studley's jewelry store. He was succeeded by Dr. George R. Whitney, who came from Provincetown May 1, 1854. The next person in the business was Dr. Loring W. Puffer, who came from Stoughton, and occupied an office in Drayton's building on Main Street. He now has his office on Green near Main Street. The next person engaged in that calling was Dr. Josiah E. Packard, who commenced in August, 1856; he had an office over Benner & Co.'s dry-goods store on Main Street. He is now located in his own block, corner Main and East Elm Streets.

Those engaged in that business at the present time are Dr. Puffer, Packard Brothers, E. J. Thompson, J. J. Vincent, Edward S. Powers, Henry H. Filoor, George D. Barnet, W. J. Currier, Fred. S. Faxon, and J. F. Allen at Campello. Many of the offices in this department are elegant, and the work done in Brockton is first class.

Drugs and Medicines .- J. A. Rainsford was the first person engaged in this business in the town. His room was at the residence of the late Franklin Ames, on Main Street, north of the Porter Church. David F. Studley also kept a good stock of drugs and

medicines in connection with his watch and jewelry business till 1845, when he sold his stock of medi- cines to Tyler Cobb, who continued in that trade till 1884, when he sold his building and business to S. B. & G. E. Curtis. The next person that did anything in that kind of goods was the late Edward Southworth, Jr., in what is now the Gazette Building.

In October, 1852, C. C. Bixby opened an apothe- eary store, in connection with books, stationery, and fancy goods, at the corner of Main and School Streets. In 1864, Mr. Goldthwait became associated with him as partner in the business, under the firm-name of C. C. Bixby & Co. Besides the above, many of the variety stores in the town keep an assortment of the various patent medicines in use.

This business has grown to an extensive trade, there being now thirteen apothecaries, viz., H. S. Bagnall & Co., Bowen & Packard, Fred. A. Brig- ham, Brockton Drug Store, Tyler Cobb, M. B. Cro- well & Co., William B. Foster, L. S. M. Glidden, William Jones, N. D. Toppan, John J. Whipple & Co., George H. Leach, and Frans L. Braconier, at Campello.

Furniture Manufacturers .- Among the first of those engaged in this branch of business were Oliver Dike, Samuel Dike, Asaph Howard, Moses Cary, Jon- athan Cary. Thomas Wales had a furniture store in the north part of the town, and was the principal man- ufacturer for many years. Samuel Carter was in the business at the West Shares (now Brockton Heights) for a short time. Jonathan Beal kept furniture store in the house afterwards occupied by Lemuel French, near where Ruel Richmond's house formerly stood, at the Centre, now the site of the " Home Bank Build- ing." Josiah W. Kingman, Esq., commenced the manufacture of bureaus, tables, etc., for the wholesale trade about 1825, in the south part of the town, now Campello, which business he continued with success till May 23, 1853, when his entire establishment was destroyed by fire.

Samuel Howard came from Randolph to this town in 1827 and opened a furniture warcroom. In 1829, Mr. Lyman Clark became a partner, under the firm-name of Howard & Clark, and who continued to do a large and profitable business. In 1859, Mr. Howard died. The firm now in the business at the old stand consists of the following persons : Lyman Clark, Eben Rhodes, Rufus C. Kimball, under the name and style of Howard, Clark & Co., who keep a large and varied assortment of all kinds of furniture at retail, and manufacture largely for the wholesale trade. Soranes Dunham came from Fall River in 1846, was employed for a few years at Josiah W. Kingman's

691

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

manufactory in Campello; he afterwards opened a job- bing-shop in the north part of the village, making and repairing all kinds of furniture. A few years since Frederic Hanson opened a furniture warcroom in the building owned by George W. Bryant, corner of Main and Crescent Streets, which continued but a short time, Mr. Hanson engaging in the marble business near the railroad station. The leading furniture dealers in the city now are Howard, Clark & Co., William H. Tobey, and McCann Brothers.

Carpenters .- Prominent among those of this branch of mechanics are Col. Simeon Cary, Col. Jo- siah Hayden, Deacon Jonathan Cary, Barnabas Pratt, Thomas Pratt, Job Bryant, Gamaliel Bryant, Samuel Hayden, Phineas Paine, Jeremiah Beals, Isaac Pack- ard, Jonathan Edson, Bela Keith, Marcus Packard, Cary Howard, Oakes S. Soulc, George B. Dunbar, Charles S. Johnson, Barnabas Snow, William Gray, John T. Peterson, Otis Cobb, Jason Perkins, Bar- nabas H. Gray, Vinal Lyon, John F. Beals, Franklin Ward, Samuel McLaughlin, Jabez Field, Joseph Hay- ward, Charles Cole, George Sawyer, James Sherman, Augustus Jones, Rosseter Jones, Martin L. Reynolds, Thaddeus Gifford, Thaddeus E. Gifford, Alpheus Alden, Daniel H. Cary, Samuel Harris, and Cephas Soule.

Painters .- Until within a few years nearly all of the houses were shingled, and the painting of them required but little skill. It usually consisted of Venetian red or yellow ochre, mixed with linseed oil, put on in the coarsest manner by any person. After the custom of clapboarding and finishing in modern style was introduced, painting became a sep- arate branch of industry. It is now a trade in which people have shown the greatest skill and proficiency, both in house and fancy painting. Among those who have been engaged in that branch of business are William Tileston, William Vose, William Lewis, Jabez Lamson, Philo W. Richmond, Lucius Rich- mond, James O. Clapp, Samuel A. Sargent, William G. Marston, A. K. Harmon, John M. Sharpe, C. E. Lawrence, John Wales, Jonathan Beal.

Masons .- William French, Joseph Brett, Samuel Battles, David Battles, Nahum Battles, F. B. Wash- burn, Lewis Washburn, Sidney Washburn, Frecman Washburn, and David Mason are among those who have worked at this branch of business.

Tin-Plate and Sheet-Iron Workers .- Lorenzo D. Hervey removed from West Bridgewater to Cam- pello in April, 1839, and established a tin-warc manufactory in company with David Hervey, in the building north of the residence of Bela Kcith, Esq. The firm was dissolved in about one year, and David

Hervey sold his interest to Robert Smith, of New Bedford, who continued one ycar, when Mr. Smith removed to New Bedford. Mr. Hervey removed to the Centre Village, and occupied the building that had previously been used as a shoc manufactory by Bradford Dunbar & Co., opposite William Ryder's residence, north of the Catholic Church. At this time Mr. Smith again became associated with him under the firm-name of Smith & Hervey. This firm continued to do business for fourteen years, since which time Mr. Hervey has continued alone in business, on Main Street, nearly opposite Centre Street. The business has consisted mostly in making tin-ware for the various peddlers who have driven from there to all parts of the country, and dealing in all kinds of kitchen- furnishing goods, stoves, etc.

Soon after the above dissolution of the copartner- ship of Smith & Hervey, Mr. Smith opened a hard- ware and furnishing store in Bixby's block, and was succceded by Liberty D. Packard in the same business.

James D. Baldwin came from Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1862, and opened a store for the manufacture of stoves, tin-ware, and kitchen-furnishing goods, in the building formerly occupied by Ellis J. Morton as a hat manufactory. Mr. Baldwin was succeeded by E. Z. Stevens & Co.

Lorenzo Tuck came to town many years since, and opencd a store of the above kind in the building formerly occupied by Messrs. William F. Brett & Co. as a tailor's shop, on the north side of School Street.

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 144

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1706

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706