History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 177

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1576

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 177

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In 1837 the value of leather goods made was $106,496; in 1845, 893,100; in 1865, 8835,800; in 1875, $2,185,000; in 1880, $2,347,000; and in 1885, $2,617,736. The total value of all the goods, of whatever nature or kind, made in town in 1885 was $3,627,467.

NUMBER OF BUSINESS FIRMS .- The number of pri- vate firms in Spencer in 1885 was eighty-three and one corporation with a capital stock of $75,000. The capital invested in these establishments, includ- ing plant, was $1,580,794.

ISAAC PROUTY .- No family name in Spencer is so common and none embraces so great a number of people as that of Prouty. The family sprung from

Charles A Party

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one Richard Prouty, who resided in Scituate, Mass., in 1667. Isaac Prouty is the fourth generation from Richard, and is the subject of this sketch.

He was bora December 9, 1798, and was the founder of the well-kaown boot manufactory of Isaac Prouty & Co. In 1820 his occupation was making boots to order, from measure, in a small room in his own dwelling-house in North Spencer, so called. Little by little his work increased uutil he found it necessary to employ help to meet the demands of " the trade," and soon was forced to build a small one and a half story building in which he could extend the facilities for manufacturing. This building, together with a bara and other store-houses, subserved his purpose until 1855. He had subsequently purchased the homestead of Rev. Levi Packard in "the village," and this year he caused a factory to be erected upon the westerly part of this lot, and in 1856 occupied it for his business and the dwelling for his residence.

This factory, for those days, was a spacious one, being thirty by sixty feet, with three stories and a basement. The system and management was now thoroughly reorganized, and a partnership formed with two of his sons, Lewis W. and George P., under the firm-name of Isaac Prouty & Co. With the aid of machinery, which they now added, they were, in a great measure, able to supplant hand labor most ad- vantageously.

This was really the first aggressive step taken by Mr. Prouty, looking towards an extension of business, and the success which in the following six years at- tended the undertaking proved the wisdom of it. His aim was now to build up and develop a large manu- facturing enterprise, and in this effort he was heartily seconded by Lewis W., who had become superinten- dent and business manager under his father's direc- tion.

In 1862 it became necessary to increase the factory capacity, and for this purpose they purchased the " Mason property " and erected a building forty-two by one hundred and four feet, five stories with base- ment, adding an engine and boiler to run the works by power. The old firm moved into this factory in January, 1864, and Charles N., a younger son, was ad- mitted to the firm, the firm-name remaining the same. By these improvements and with the addition of valu- able room and machinery adapted to power, the con- cern made a radical change both in mode and facility of doing business. Mr. Prouty was early convinced that machinery was eventually to be an important factor in cheapening the cost of manufactured goods, and also in enabling the manufacturer to produce a greater quantity in a given time, aud he was foremost to introduce such machines as promised good work and quick results. He lived to see their enterprise outgrow these accommodations and to plan for a fur- ther enlargement of the factory of one hundred and thirty by forty-two feet, with new engine, boilers, etc. But while in the midst of these improvements he

was taken sick, and died after au illness of seven days. Five days later his son, Lewis W., followed him.

Mr. Prouty was noted as a careful and shrewd busi- ness man, giving his individual attention to his entire business, watching closely every detail, and scanning as closely the economy of the various departments in their use of stock and other materials. He thoroughly believed in the old maxim, "economy is wealth," and to practice it was one of the important distinguishing features of his business life, and was a strong corner-stone to that structure, Success, which he in his life planned with much care. He was one of the most unpretending of men, and to an unfamiliar observer was indifferent to what was tran- spiring around him, but in matters of business, or socially, he was quick of hearing and keen of vision. and it was a matter of trifling importance that escaped either. His customs and habits were those of the New Englander of an earlier date, and he per- sistently ignored the conventionality of the people during the latter days of his life. He clung tena- ciously to the social and domestic habits formed in early life, but ia his business he was decidedly modern and progressive. He was a tireless worker, and this characteristic was prominent from the commence- ment of his business enterprise. He died at the age of seventy-three years, but remained vigorous and attentive to the demands of business up to the begin- ning of his last sickness.

Charles N. Prouty was born October 6, 1842, and he remained at the homestead until he reached the age of seventeen years. At this age he was em- ployed as clerk in the country store of Grout, Prouty & Co., and the experience gained there, in a year's service, by contact with the people and mat- ters pertaining to business, he regards as the first and valuable step in his business education. From eighteen to twenty years of age he attended school at Wilbraham, Mass., and at the close of his last school year returned home, and was admitted a part- ner in the firm of Isaac Prouty & Co. Four years previous to the death of his father and brother, early in 1872, he acted as general superintendent of the labor department of this manufactory, employing the help and having the charge of the manufacturing in- terests generally.

The death of these two business members of the firm following so closely upon each other were events of extraordinary importance to the surviving members, and how to meet the situation and over- come it was their first care and thought. Unex- pected responsibilities, with new cares and burdens, were suddenly thrust upon them, but they must, if possible, show themselves equal to the emergency. It is true that each had ably filled a position in the prosecution of the business thus far, but to the knowledge of the markets, for buying and selling, the financial management and the relationship be-

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tween manufacturer and customer, they were strang- ers, as these duties had been the exclusive preroga- tive of father and brother, now gone.

They at once reorganized the concern, and it con- sisted of George P., Charles N. and Jason W., a younger brother, and they still retained the old firm- name of Isaac Prouty & Co. Each entered upon his duties full of confidence and hope, and each took a position in the management of the business where he thought he could best promote the interests of the concern. Many of the important details were as- sumed by George P. and Jason W., while by common consent the general management fell to the lot of Charles N. Under the circumstances this was a difficult task for him to perform, but as time passed on, and he became more familiar with the new du- ties, he gave evidence, by his management, that he was abundantly able to assume the trust so suddenly imposed upon him.

The business received a fresh impetus under this new order, and in a short period of time it became necessary to increase the facilities, by additions and extensions, in both buildings and motive-power. These have been made from time to time, until at present the building containing the boot and shoe departments measures 457 feet in length by 42 feet in width, and is five stories high, with basement. There are also two large brick store-houses, for leather and manufactured goods, and still another one of brick, used for the manufacture of boot and shoe boxes, lasts, etc.

The main building is divided into fire-proof sec- tions, and the whole establishment provided with the latest improvements as safeguards against fire. It is lighted by the incandescent electric light, and the motive-power for the whole works is supplied by a 250 horse-power engine, and four 100 borse-power boilers. In 1872 this concern turned out 20.000 cases of boots, valued at 8500,000, and in 1886 the value of the boots and shoes combined was more than $2,000,000.

Mr. Prouty married Jennie, daughter of Selby Richardson, of Spencer, May 25, 1864.

ERASTUS JONES .- Erastus Jones was born Septem- ber 11, 1825. His father, Dr. Asa Jones, was a native of Charlton, Mass., where he studied medicine, and, in 1811, began his practice in Spencer. Here he be- came a physician of considerable note. Asa, his old- est son, commenced the manufacture of boots in Spencer iu 1841, in the chambers of the " Livermore House," corner of Main and North Streets. Four years later he moved these works to his factory situ- ated upon the site of the residence of Asa T. Jones, son of the elder member of this firm. Erastus, the younger son, and subject of this sketch, spent several years in his brother's employ, learning the trade and the details of the business. In 1846 he was made a partner, under the firm-name of A. T. & E. Jones. Although he had hardly attained his majority when

he took upon himself these duties and responsibilities, yet his early business training and habits of industry were an assurance of his future success.

This partnership continued until 1862, when Asa T. retired from the business, and the style of the firm was changed to E. Jones & Co., by the admission of Hezekiah P. Starr as partner, and, in 1871, Frank E. Dunton was admitted, without change in the firm- name. In 1860 the rapid increase of business caused a demand for more room, and the present factory of E. Jones & Co. was erected. Several important addi- tions have been made to this building from time to time. January 1, 1886, Mr. Starr retired from the concern.

Mr. Jones is a man of marked characteristics, in both his business and private life, and his kind and generous disposition, through long years of inter- course, has endeared him to his business associ- ates and numerous employés. They have found him to be a man of few words, but yet enough to convey an unmistakable meaning, although spoken in an un- obtrusive way. He is quiet to a fault, if that be pos- sible; nevertheless, there is an energy in this quiet- ness which has made his business life a success, and in a more private way has established for him a well- merited reputation for shrewdness and sagacity. Be- ing a man of few words, subjects under his cousidera- tion have always been carefully weighed aud his opinion given only after the most mature delibera- tion. His honor as a business man has never been doubted, and, as a private citizen, he commands the respect of all.

He is president of the Spencer National Bank, and for many years has been treasurer of the town. He has been Representative to the General Court, and in various ways has occupied positions of honor and trust. His life, from the beginning of his business career, has been one of untiring industry, and, with few exceptions, he has given it his daily care and management. This fidelity has returned to him a handsome fortune, from which many an honest, needy object has found pecuniary relief. Subscriptions, gifts and donations have been bestowed without num- ber, although the public have had little or no knowl- edge of these numerous benefactions. His motto most emphatically is,-" Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth."

Mr. Jones was married to Mary I. Starr, of Thom- aston, Me., June 5, 1850.

COTTON AND WOOLEN INDUSTRIES .- " Clearing" up " a spot to build a log-house or other rude struc- ture for a place to live, then planting and gathering in his crops was the first business of the pioneer; next came the indispensable grist and saw-mills, and when the housewife began the manufacture of "homespun," the fulling-mill became a necessity also. The former were located upon small streams in various parts of the town, while the latter, two in number, were

Erastus Jones

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SPENCER.

situated at the foot of "Sumner Hill," just below the present grist-mill of T. J. Bemis.

The first record of these fulling-mills is in 1791, although they were probably established at a much earlier date. One, at a later date, was owned by William Sumner and one by Willard Rice. This year -1791-the property and industries of the town were made returnable by law to the Secretary of State, and was as follows, viz. : Whole number of dwellings and other buildings, 186; 6 grist and 6 saw mills, 2 fulling and all other mills and 1 pot and pearl-ash works.

In 1811 the number of buildings remained the same, but one "Tan House " and one "other mill " was added. This "other mill" was probably the one built in 1810 and known as the "Green Factory," and this was the first business enterprise of any magnitude started in the town. This was built for the manufac- ture of woolen goods and was owned and operated for several years by Jabez Howe, Isaac Jenks and Willard Rice. In 1825 this became the property of Willard and Horace Rice, and was run as the Spencer Woolen Company. From this period until 1837, when it was destroyed by fire, the ownership was fluctuating, but it was owned and run principally by Reuben Whitte- more, Amos Brown and Augustus Rider.

Connected with this mill was another one standing upon the site of the present "Upham and Sagendorph Mill." This was originally a "trip-hammer" shop, for the working of iron in some form, but was con- verted into a woolen-mill about the time the " upper" one was built, and this was known as the "lower mill." The product of these two " four set " mills, containing thirteen looms, for the year ending April 1, 1837, was thirty-four thousand yards of woolen cloth, valued at eighty-seven thousand dollars.

The " upper " property lay in ruins until 1840, when it was purchased by Alonzo Temple, and he erected a stone factory upon it. In 1841 Silas Eld- ridge bought this property and formed a co-partner- ship with his brother Nathaniel and William Henshaw under the firm-name of Silas Eldridge & Co., for the manufacture of cotton cloth and satinet warps.

In 1845 Nathaniel Eldridge left the firm, and in 1849 Silas Eldridge retired from it and active business. The business was continued by Mr. Henshaw until 1852, when the factory was again burned. In 1857 Mr. Henshaw built a grain and grist-mill in its place, and he, together with James Capen as partner, occupied the premises until 1870, when Mr. Henshaw retired. The business on this property has remained the same up to the present time, but with changes in managers and ownership.

In 1843 Thomas H. Shorey purchased the property of the "lower mill " from Whittemore & Brown, and in 1844 he formed a partnership with Henry J. Lyman for the manufacture of satinet goods, but in 1845 Mr. Shorey purchased the interest of the latter, and the firm dissolved. In 1846 this mill was operated by

Baker, Sibley & Co .; in 1847 and '48 by Baker & Bel- lows, and from that time until 1860 by Mr. Shorey. In 1866 and 1867 the work was carried on by Peel & Meyers, and from 1868 to 1871 by Joseph Peel. During these years the machinery was employed in the manufacture of satinets. It was now in a dilapi- dated condition, and standing until 1875, became almost a ruin. This year the privilege was purchased by Upham & Sagendorph, and they erected a three-set mill upon the site for the manufacture of fine woolen goods and fancy cassimeres. Jan. 1, 1880, George P. Ladd purchased the interest of Mr. Sagendorph in this property, and it was run by Upham & Ladd until the partnership was dissolved by the death of the former, since which time Mr. Ladd has been proprie- tor and sole manager.

A short distance below this mill, and standing upon the same stream, was a partial ruin of one of the earlier grist-mills. In 1832 a new building was erected near the old one by Amos Brown, and used as a grist and flouring-mill until 1841, when the property was sold to Samuel G. Reed, of Brookfield, and converted into a manufactory of wheels and wheel stock. He made quite extensive improvements on the premises, by enlarging and repairs, for the better accommoda- tion of his works. He continued this business until 1845, when it was closed up, and in 1846 the privilege and property was purchased by Henry J. Lyman. The two original mills were moved away and used for dwelling and store-house, and Mr. Lyman built a two- set mill upon the old location, taking Mr. Upham as a partner in the business. For a further history of this mill, see biography of William Upham until his de- cease, after which this property passed into the hands of Mr. Ladd, and he is carrying on the business at the present time.

In 1840 Edward Smith, of North Brookfield, Mass., formerly in the employ of Samuel G. Reed, built what was afterwards known as the " Draper Mill," in which he attempted the manufacture of cotton batts and wicking in a very small way, but the business was not a success. This building was then occupied by L. J. Knowles and Warren H. Sibley, under the firm- name of Knowles & Sibley, and they carried on the manufacture of cotton warps in it until 1849, when they closed up their business here and transferred their works to Warren, Mass. In 1850 Eli J. Whittemore leased it for a term of three years for a manufactory of carriage-wheels and spokes, and December 15, 1852, the building was considerably damaged by fire. In 1854 it was again changed to a satinet mill, and as such was run one year by Wm. Stanley and George C. Holden. From 1855 to 1868 Mr. Stanley was interested in the mill, operating it at times in connection with Mr. Upham, and then again on his own account. In 1869 Mr. Upham became associated with Hugh Kelley in this property, and it was thereafter known as the Spencer Woolen Company. At the death of Mr. Upham, Mr. Ladd

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

took his interest in the business, and is carrying on the works at the present time in connection with Mr. Kelley.

When Nathaniel Eldridge left the concern of Silas Eldridge & Co., in 1845, he went to what is now called " Westville," made a water privilege, and built a mill for the manufacture of satinet warps. He continued in this mill until 1854, at which time he was obliged to close up his affairs. This property, after remaining idle for some time, was purchased by W. G. Fay, G. B. Dewing and John Gilman, of East Brookfield, and this company manufactured denims and balmoral skirts for a season, when Mr. Gilman bought the in- terests of Fay and Dewing, changing the works to denims and batting. In 1871 he sold the mill and privilege to Upham & Stanley, and they changed the machinery for the manufacture of satinets. This rela- tion between these parties remained until Mr. Upham's death. These several mills contain eleven sets of machinery and one hundred and one looms. They are run under the direct management of Mr. Ladd, he being the sole owner of the "Valley Mill," and one-half owner in the remaining three. The produc- tion aggregates one hundred thousand yards of fine cassimeres per month.

HON. WILLIAM UPHAM .- William Upham was born in Brimfield, Mass., February 27, 1825. His parents were William and Nancy Smith Upham, and the father died when William, Jr., was but two and one-half years old. When four years of age, he was taken by a kind friend of the family, Deacon Jacob Bishop, with whom he lived, receiving the care and love of a son, working on the farm and receiving the benefit of the district school until sixteen years of age. Later he attended school at Warren Academy, and until twenty years of age he spent the fall and winter months at school or in teaching.

He came to Spencer in 1845, and entered the em- ploy of his brother-in-law, Henry J. Lyman, as a common mill-hand. In 1846 he formed a co-part- nership with Mr. Lyman, in the manufacture of satinet goods in a small way. In 1853 he purchased Mr. Lyman's interest in the business, and continued it, enlarging the capacity of the mill from time to time until 1865. He then disposed of the property and business to E. D. Thayer, of Worcester, to en- gage in an enterprise in Boston; but in 1868 he returned to Spencer, and leased the mill but recently sold, for a term of three years, at the expiration of which he re-purchased it. This was known as the "Valley Mill," and in 1874 George P. Ladd be- came one-half owner in this property. For several years Mr. Upham had more or less business connec- tion with William Stanley in what was known as the " Draper Mill;" but in 1868 he formed a part- nership with Hugh Kelley in this mill, which was thereafter known as the "Spencer Woolen Com- pany." Two years later he associated himself again with Mr. Stanley, and they purchased the " West-

ville" property, replacing the cotton with woolen machinery, and commenced the manufacture of woolen goods. In 1876 he entered into partner- ship with Noah Sagendorph, and they erected the mill known as the "Upham & Sagendorph Mill," and their business relations continued until 1880, when Mr. Sagendorph withdrew from the firm, and was succeeded by Mr. Ladd. At the time of his death Mr. Upham was the head and general manager of these several mills. The product of the "one-set" mill in 1845 was about five thousand yards of goods per month, while in 1880, under his judicious manage- ment, the production of the above mills reached a total of one hundred thousand yards monthly.

Mr. Upham enjoyed the confidence of all who knew him, and when the citizens honored him with any office in their gift, they felt that the duties of that position would be faithfully and conscientiously performed. He was elected to town office in 1858, and from that date he served the town in most of its important offices. Two years he represented this district in the General Court, and one year was a member of the Senate. He was elected to a seat in the Executive Council, serving the first year with Governor Alexander H. Rice, and the second with Governor Thomas Talbot. He filled these positions with credit to his constituency and honor to himself. He always took a deep interest in the political affairs of the town or State, and would never countenance dishonorable means to reach a desired end. He was fortunate in the position he occupied with his employés, as he was scrupulously exact in his treat- ment of them, never giving offense, but, on the con- trary, manifesting at all times the kindest regard for their welfare. This friendly interest, on his part, was the natural overflow of a sympathetic nature, and he easily won their confidence and affection. As a citizen, he gave liberally of time and money to such local enterprises or improvements as would pro- mote the best interests of the town ; and as a neigh- hor, his words of cheer and encouragement were not without a potent influence.

His temperance principles and habits were formed in early youth, and through all his life he was a con- sistent and energetic worker in the cause. He was thoroughly in sympathy with the principles of the prohibitory liquor law and favored a rigid and impar- tial enforcement of it. Being a member of the Con- gregational Church, he took a deep and active inter- est in its welfare, and gave generously towards its support. His benevolence, in church or out, was a distinguishing feature of his character. Mr. Upham was a member of the Raymond California excursion- ists who left the East in May, 1882, for San Francisco and surroundings, and at a re-union of the party at the Palace Hotel, on the eve of their departure for home, June 13tb, he was stricken with apoplexy and died on the morning of the 14th, at the age of fifty- seven years, three months and seventeen days. Mr.

William Uphumo

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SPENCER.

Upham married Lucretia H., daughter of Wm. Pope, Esq., of Spencer, June 28, 1853.

Some years previous to 1825 (there is now no way of fixing the precise date) a small mill for the manu- facture of linseed oil was located a few rods below the T. J. Bemis grist-mill. One Gardner Washburn was accidentally killed while employed there, by being " caught by a rope which was used in raising the press-beam." In 1833, or earlier, this property was owned and occupied by Willard Rice, and he changed the location of the works by removing the dam and buildings farther "down stream," making what is known as the privilege of the " Livermore Box Manu- factory." Later on, this oil-mill was converted into a woolen factory, with one set of machinery, and from 1837 to 1839 'the works were run by Chapin & Prouty. Near the close of the latter year it was partially destroyed by fire.

In 184I Danforth Burgess bought the property, repaired the buildings, and fitted them for the manu- facture of cotton wadding and batting, and, with the exception of the years 1846, '47 and '48, in which Dexter and Lorenzo Bemis were partners with Mr. Burgess, he owned and operated these works alone, until 1851. In 1853 Winthrop Livermore started the business of manufacturing boot, cloth and other boxes at " Howe's Mills," two and a half miles south from the post-office, introducing machinery to do the work usually performed by hand. He remained here until 1860, when he moved "to town," and be- came owner of the above privilege, erecting new and suitable buildings for the better accommodation of his increasing works. He was identified with this industry until his death, after which his son, Warren J. succeeded to it. The latter continued to carry on the business here until 1886, when he moved the machinery in these works to a brick building on the premises of Isaac Prouty & Co., and carries on the business there at the present time. The old works are unoccupied. The largest yearly production of Mr. Livermore's works was 100,000 boxes, consuming 2,000,000 feet of lumber.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 177

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1576

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1576