History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 218

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 218

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).

EPHRAIM WRIGHT & Co .- This firm manufac- tures the standard kinds of caue-seat chairs, and gives constant employment to about thirty men. It occupies a site first improved about the year 1845, by

Abner White, a man with a seeming genius for start- ing new enterprises, who moved to it a two-story house from Green Street, which he furnished with suitable machinery, and associating others with him, went on with the manufacture of chairs until about 1853, when he sold to Ephraim Wright, who had been doing a small business previously at South Gardner, and his son William, the two being associ- ated under the name of E. Wright & Co., by which the firm is still known. Subsequently another son, Edwin L. Wright, was received into the partnership, who is the present head of the establishment. The father died in 1866, and the two sons went on to- gether till 1882, when William also deceased, leaving his interest in the business to his widow, who still retains it. In 1871 the present main factory was erected, one hundred and twenty-five feet long by forty feet wide, three stories high in part and partly two. All requisite ont-buildings are attached. Ade- quate power for the machinery of the concern is supplied by a steam-engine, all of the most approved kind. Without ambition for display or for startling results of any sort, the management of this enter- prise is content to move on in the even tenor of its way, maintaining a well-earned prosperity and an honorable reputation for fair dealing and the produc- tion of an excellent quality of goods for the market. The annual business done is about fifty thousand dol- lars.

WRIGHT & READ .- The senior member of this firm, David Wright, is believed to be the oldest living chair- maker in Gardner, with the exception of Samuel S. Howe, who exceeds him in connection with the trade by about two years. He began service with Elijah Putnam in 1826, and afterward worked for Horatio N. Bolton in the old Bickford potash-shop and for others till about 1836, when he entered a co-partnership with the late Calvin S. Greenwood, thus establishing the firm of Greenwood & Wright, so well known in former days. This firm conducted business under varying auspices at the privilege now utilized by the C. S. Greenwood's Sons and elsewhere for many years, pur- chasing the present Wright & Read location, which they had previously rented about the year 1858 of Marcius L. Gates, who had bought the property after the relinquishment of the manufacture of pine furni- ture in it by Bradford & Baker. Upon the dissolution of the firm of Greenwood & Wright a few years later, and the consequent division of property, Mr. Wright received the shop and fixtures under notice. Asso- ciating with him John M. Moore, the manufacture went on under the name of Wright & Moore. A disastrous fire in 1866 destroyed the shops with their contents, but they were at once rebuilt substantially as they now are and made ready for occupancy. In 1872 Charles F. Read, the son-in-law of Mr. Wright, took an interest in the business, and the firm-name was changed to Wright, Moore & Co. Five years after, Mr. Moore withdrew, and the business was con-

841

GARDNER.

tinued by the others, taking the name, still borne, of Wright & Read. The establishment includes a capa- cious, well-furnished factory, partly four and partly three stories high, a two-story paint-shop and other needful buildings adjacent thereto. This firm pro- duces many kinds of beat work, facilities for bending constituting a part of their equipment. Dining, library and office chairs, with both fixed and rotary seats, are found among its goods; also children's chairs of different patterns and styles of finish. Forty hands are employed, with a yearly production of about fifty thousand dollars. The works are run by water-power, which has the benefit of the series of reservoirs above, while a steam-engine used for heat- ing purposes could be called into service as a motor if needed. Mr. Wright has practically retired from the management of the business, although he retains an interest in it, his good name contributing still to its prosperity and success.

C. S. GREENWOOD'S SONS .- This firm, consisting of Charles H. and Frederick M. Greenwood, occupy the site in the easterly part of South Gardner Village, opposite the Baptist Church, where Albert Bickford, in the early days of chair-making, built a dam on land belonging to his father's estate, erected a shop and fitted it up with saws and lathes for the prepara- tion of chair stock. Mr. Bickford carried on this business for some years, when Greenwood & Wright, who had associated together for the manufacture of chairs, purchased the property and, having supplied the requisite facilities, commenced operations there. They went on, for about twenty years, increasing their accommodations to meet the demands of their growing business by enlarging their shops, by rent- ing additional room in the vicinity, and ultimately by the purchase of the premises referred to above, now owned by Wright & Read. About the year 1857 the partnership was merged into and succeeded by the South Gardner Manufacturing Company, a joint- stock corporation, in which the employés and others were privileged to hold shares and participate in whatever results might be realized. Not proving sat- isfactory, this experiment was abandoned at the ex- piration of a year and a half, the several enterprises combined in it resolving themselves into their pre- vious conditions under their old names. Soon after, Greenwood & Wright di-solved partnership and di- vided the property, the original stand being assigned to Mr. Greenwood. He continued the business, asso- ciating with himself about this time William Hogan, who subsequently died, by which event Mr. Greenwood became sole owner and manager, going on by himself till his death, in 1873. He was succeeded by his sous, named at the head of this sketch, who continue to this day.

The large, though somewhat inconvenient, shops of the firm were burned on the day following the town's Centennial Celebration, in June, 1885, but a building better adapted to the special needs of the establish-

ment was immediately erected and filled with im- proved machinery, so that work can go on with greater efficiency than before. About twenty meu are employed, and business is mostly done under con- tract. Fancy chairs of various patterns are a spe- cialty, and much is done in the way of producing, upon order, new styles of goods, which are in great demand.

GREENWOOD BROS. & Co .- The site upon which this firm is located has been in possession of the same family for four successive generations. It was in- cluded in the original purchase of the great-grand- father of the present proprietors, Jonathan Green- wood, who came from Sherburne to Gardner about the time of its incorporation. He located at first on the old County Road from Lancaster to Athol,-the first thoroughfare through the town,-some twenty or thirty rods southwest of the present mill-site, where he lived till the opening of the Fifth Massachusetts Turnpike, in 1800. He then erected the large two- story house now standing on the premises, opened a hotel which he kept during the remainder of his life. He died in 1821 and was succeeded by his son, Walter, who was a cooper by trade, carrying on business in a little shop near by, and having as an associate for a time one Jonas Childs. That business failing, Mr. Greenwood converted his cooper-shop into a chair- shop, and began making chairs in 1827, with a single man, Joseph Maynard, to help him. The new busi- ness proving profitable, he built, in 1834, a dam across Pew Brook, which flowed in the rear of his house, erected a shop in which he put a few simple kinds of machinery to be operated by water-power, for carrying on the work. For some years he did quite a large business with flag-seats, but later used cane-seats, preparing the cane on his own premises. He continued in the manufacture until his death, in 1861, when his son, Thomas, followed him in the same line of production. In 1870 the shop was con- siderably enlarged and an improved water-wheel was put in, greatly angmenting the available power. A large store-house was built in 1882, adding increased accommodations to the establishment.

Thomas Greenwood died early in the year 1888, but the business is going on in the same lines pursued by him under the direction of his two sons, Charles W. and Marcus J. Greenwood, who, with their mother, constitute the firm whose name appears at the head of this sketch. Cane rocking-chairs are a specialty among the goods produced. The lack of railroad facilities is a hindrance to the highest success of this enterprise, though it is otherwise well-equipped for bu-iness, has a good market secured and a reputation for honest and honorable work, all of which gives the young men upon whom the burden of management has fallen, an excellent opportunity to attain for themselves an enviable reputation and a successful career. They employ some twelve or fifteen hands and produce an excellent quality of goods.

842

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

JAMES SAWYER .- Mr. Sawyer, whose place of business is on Travers Street, near its juuction with South Main Street, occupies the oldest improved mill privilege in the town. It was first used in or before the year 1770, when Mr. Bickford, from Reading, came to the place, then Westminster, and, purchasing a large tract of land in the vicinity ou which was this site, proceeded to erect a saw and grist-mill for the convenience of the new settlement. In this double capacity it served for many years, under the manage- ment of the builder and his son, Captain William Bickford, of later memory. In 1829 the property, still consisting of a saw and grist-mill, with the privi- lege and rights thereto belonging, was sold to Elijah Travers, who, after a time, added to his original pur- chase a shop for the manufacture of chairs, in which his sons carried on business under different auspices for many years. After their decease the property passed through the hands of Stearns & Whittemore to those of James Sawyer, who has since been en- gaged there in making cane-seat chair frames, doing a small but prosperous business in that department of the general trade.

LUMBER MANUFACTURE .- In the early days of the history of Gardner there were six saw-mills erected in different localities upon its territory, for the sup- ply of the new and growing community with lumber for building purposes. These were severally the Bickford Mill, which stood where James Sawyer's shop now is, owued by William Bickford ; oue where the Lewis A. Wright & Co.'s works now are, on High Street, owned by Jonathan Greenwood; one at the Pail Factory, owned by Joshua Whitney; one on Kneeland Brook, near Parker Street, where the Dr. Parker Mill now stands, owned by Simon Stone; one on Bailey Brook, near the junction of West and Bridge Streets, and one on Wilder Brook, north of Clark Street, the ownership of the last two being un- known. Subsequently one was built iu the northeast part of the town, near the present homestead of Ebenezer Ballou, and at a still later date one in the east part, on a stream running into Westminster, near where it is crossed by the railroad. The products of these mills found, for the most part, a ready home market, little being done in the way of exportation. After a time, the original growth of wood being cut off, some of these mills were abandoned altogether, while others were converted into shops for the getting out of chair stock or the making of chairs. Two only have remained true to their original purpose through all the passing years. One of these-the Simon Stone Mill-was for a long time run by the late Dr. David Parker, or by agents to whom he re- linquished the business in the latter part of his life, some eight or ten men being employed in getting out about twelve thousand dollars' worth of lumber an- nually.

The other establishment of this kind, and the only one, practically, in operation, is that of Lewis A.

Wright & Co., on High Street, occupying the site of the original Jonathan Greenwood Mill. Near the beginning of the present century, Mr. Greenwood sold to Joseph Wright, then recently from Sterling, whose descendants have retained possession of the privilege to the present day. It passed first to Jn- seph's sons-Joseph and Nathaniel-the latter of whom had charge of it for many years. Upon his death the property came into the hands of his son, Marcus A. Wright, who associated with himself Da- vid A. Wright and Calvin S. Greenwood, under the firm-name of Marcus A. Wright & Co., and continued business till 1857, when the whole thing was united with other interests in the formation of the South Gardner Manufacturing Company. Upon the aban- donment of that undertaking, the mill, fixtures and appurtenances reverted to their former condition and management. In 1877 Mr. Marcus A. Wright bought out his partners and went on alone till his death, in 1883. He was succeeded by his son, Lewis A. Wright, a young man just coming to maturity, under whose charge the business has been greatly enlarged and abundantly prospered. The enterprise bears the name of Lewis A. Wright & Co., the mother of the present manager having an interest in it. In addi- tion to the manufacture of lumber the firm deals largely in the product of other localities-in Michi- gan and Canada pine, black walnut and a good as- sortment of the harder woods. During the present year this department has been greatly enlarged by the purchase of the extensive concern of George E. Utley & Co., wholesale and retail lumber dealers, lo- cated at the junction of North Main and Mechanic Streets, near the railroad, which will add very much to the convenience both of the firm and of their cus- tomers, it being the design to make this hereafter the chief depot for the sale of goods. The business of this establishment has doubled within the last ten years, and the present outlook is better than ever be- fore.

CHILDREN'S CARRIAGES, CHAIRS AND TOYS .- In the year 1868, Levi Warren bought the premises on Mill Street, where this industry is now carried on, of Mr. Henry Whitney, building a dam and erecting a shop for the purpose of getting out chair-backs. Prosecuting this kind of work for awhile, he afterward converted the building into a factory for the manu- facture of toys. Subsequently he received as a part- ner John Lovewell, who at the expiration of three years purchased his interest and became sole pro- prietor and manager of the business. Not succeeding in the enterprise, Levi B. Ramsdell, one of Mr. Love- well's creditors, bought the property in 1877, and, associating with himself G. C. Goodell, under the style of Ramsdell & Goodell, continued the business for two or three years, when Mr. Ramsdell became sole proprietor by purchase, and has since gone on by himself. The business has increased rapidly under Mr. Ramsdell's management, a large trade having

843

GARDNER.

been built up, extending throughout the United States and even to England, necessitating an addition to the shop and greater facilities generally. Unfor- tunately, a destructive fire in April, 1887, resulted in a complete loss of buildings and their equipment. With commendable enterprise and zeal, the proprietor immediately rebuilt his establishment, supplied it with new and improved machinery, and is going on prosperously as before. The South Gardner stream furnishes power for running the works. Employment is given to thirty-five or forty men, who turn out goods to the value of forty thousand dollars annually.

EAVE TROUGHS, PUMPS, LADDERS, ETC .- In the year 1874 Charles O. Stone, with his brother E. A. Stone, came to Gardoer from Hubbardston, where they had been associated in business for two years, and, after erecting what is known as the Carney Build- ing, at Kendall's Crossing, set up there their former line of manufacture. At the expiration of five years C. O. Stone sold his interest to his brother, who was sole owner for a time, when Charles bought the whole and has been going on by himself to the present time.

In 1882 Mr. Stone disposed of his building on South Main Street, and erected a new one on Chestnut Street, where he is now located. Without power till 1885, he then put in an engine, and introduced ma- chinery suited to the manufacture of his own goods, many kinds of which he had previously procured ready-made. He also added to his original business that of getting out house finishing stuff for carpen- ters' nse. A Weymouth lathe and other facilities for variety-turning were put in a year later. Mr. Stone has recently sold the house-finish and turning department to A. Priest & Son, who conduct it on their own account, while he confines himself solely to his original line of work. His trade has increased one hundred per cent. during the past five years. A branch shop is maintained at Fitchburg, though all the manufacturing is done at Gardner. Sales are generally madein the region round-about, teams being upon the road for the distribution of goods through the greater part of the year.

CHAIR MACHINERY .- As has already been sug- gested, the larger factories for the production of chairs have a machine-shop attached thereto for doing their own repair-work, and, in some instances, for making their own machines. Of these no note needs to be specially taken in this review. There is, beside these, one establishment devoted exclusively to the manufacture of chair machinery and appli- ances pertaining to such machinery-the only one of the kind, it is claimed, in the country. It was founded in the year 1876, when Levi G. McKnight, from Connecticut, came to Gardner and, associating with himself a Mr. Carter, leased shop-room of P. Derby & Co., and began business in the line under notice. At the end of two years they moved to the Foundry, where the business was carried on two years more, Mr. Carter meanwhile leaving the firm.

In 1880 another change was made to a building be- longing to A. & H. C. Knowlton, Mr. Mcknight taking another partner, the style of the firm being L. G. Mcknight & Co. During that year the present spacious accommodations were provided, and at its close were occupied. They consist of a main build- ing, fifty feet by forty, two stories high, with a base- ment for storage purposes. A fifteen horse-power engine, with a twenty-five horse-power boiler, drives the machinery. Twenty-five men are employed and goods are sent all over this country, and also to Can- ada and some of the countries of Europe. Seventy- five machines, designed particularly for the making of chairs, are produced, many of them the fruit of Mr. McKnight's own inventive skill, who has the reputation of being a superior mechanic and a trust- worthy and honorable business man.

IRON CASTINGS .- The Heywood Foundry Co. was established in 1876, and prepared for business hy erecting, off Chestnut Street, below Cross Street, near the railroad track, a brick building fifty feet square, two stories high, with a moulding-room attached, eighty feet by fifty, and furnishing the whole with fixtures and conveniences for making all kinds of iron castiogs. The furnace is of ample dimensions, and a steam-engine of thirty-five horse-power runs the works. Three tons of iron are melted per day, and the business amounts to about 840,000 per year. Thirty men are employed. The firm, as now consti- tuted, consists of Alvin M. Greenwood and Jonas R. Davis, Mr. Davis being the active manager of the establishment. As germane to their special work, the firm were interested for some years in the manu- facture of a cooking-range, which had an extensive sale. They are now making what is called the Royal Steam Heater, of which they have the entire control. It is said to serve an excellent purpose and is being introduced quite largely, in town and elsewhere.

OIL-STOVES, LAMPS, ETC .- This industry was started in 1884 by an incorporated body of gentle- men, of which Calvin H. Hill was president ; Wil- liam H. Wilder, treasurer, and Charles A. Fletcher, business manager; with a capital of $10,000. At the expiration of three years, Mr. Fletcher having sold out his interest, Messrs. Hill and Wilder, with Alvin M. Greenwood, formed a partnership, and have since carried on the business. The chief work done is the manufacture of oil-stoves of a special pattern (of which they are the exclusive owners), and lamps corresponding thereto, adapted to heating purposes. They claim to produce an article superior to all others of a similar kind, with none of their defects. The business has had a remarkable growth, and is in an exceedingly prosperous condition, the demand for goods but recently put upon the market, exceeding the ability to supply them. Beginning four years ago, with a single workman, in a small room in the Foundry Building, they now employ forty hands, and occupy an entire factory, built and equipped for

844

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

their own use in 1887. It is located in the rear of the foundry, and has unsurpassed railroad facilities. Every part of the articles produced is made in the establishment. Work is done mostly on orders received through special agencies at Baltimore, Chi- cago, Atlanta, Ga., and other large cities. A consid- erable export trade has also been secured.

TIN-WARE MANUFACTURE .- The establishment representing this industry is a lineal descendant of the little shop started in Templeton in 1825 by John Boynton, whose success in the business enabled him to found by bequest that excellent institution at Worcester-the "Worcester County Technical Institute." Mr. Boynton late in life associated with himself David Whitcomb (having had other partners previously), under the name of Boynton & Whitcomb. They were followed in the business by Colonel Henry and William Smith, brothers, who had charge of it till 1870, when, the former having retired, the latter formed a partnership with Andrew H. Jaquith, the senior member of the present firm. In 1877 the business was transferred to Gardner, the interest of Mr. Smith passing into the hands of Charles F. Richardson. Buildings suited to the manufacture had been erected on North Main Street, near the railroad stations, which were destroyed by fire in 1883, when the more spacious and convenient ones, now occupied, took their place. For five years the present company, bearing the firm-name of Ja- quith & Richardson, restricted themselves to the old line of production, the making of tinware and cor- responding goods, but in 1882 a stove and furnace department was established, whereby the field of operation was materially enlarged, and the enterprise greatly benefited. The efforts of the proprietors have been duly rewarded by a healthfnl increase of busi- ness, including a large traffic in paper-stock, the whole amounting annually to about §50,000. They have one of the largest and best appointed ware- honses in the county, and are continually introducing new features to their trade, which inure alike to their own advantage and that of their patrons.

HARNESS-MAKING .- This branch of handicraft was started in a small way in 1869 by George R. Godfrey, who, by close attention to business, excellence of work, promptness and reliability in the fulfillment of contracts and gentlemanly demeanor, has built it up to its present proportions and condition of thrift and prosperity. It is located in the Bank Building at the Central Village, where may be found not only a fine array of the proprietor's own mannfactured articles bnt au extensive assortment of kindred goods, such as trunks, valises, carriage robes, whips, &c., and where there are ample facilities for carrying on the work. The production is largely custom-made, thongh con- siderable supplies are furnished the general trade. The goods are regarded as of superior quality in respect to both stock and workmanship, and the Godfrey harness, the work of which is performed by hand, has

attained an enviable reputation throughout New England. Some twenty or twenty-five men are em- ployed, who turn out twelve or fifteen thonsand har- nesses a year, besides considerable corresponding work.

PHOTO-MECHANICAL PRINTING .- Warren P. Allen is the oldest photographer in Gardner. He came to town in 1864, from Keene, N. H., with a traveling car fitted up for making pictures, and located at the South Village, where he remained several years. He then opened rooms in Market Block, on Chestnut Street, near Central, in which he practiced his art eleven years, and gained for himself a wide reputation as a faithful and skillful workman. When the Lithotype Publishing Company, mentioned below, was first or- ganized, in 1879, Mr. Allen connected himself with it for a time, helping to give it a start and to put its work before the community. Afterwards he com- menced at the West Village what he denominates photo-mechanical printing, an invention partly his own, where he remained three years, developing and improving his specialty and getting his art recognized and appreciated by the general public. The demand for his style of pictures increasing, he ontgrew his ac- commodations and sought the larger and better ones in the building of Howe Bros., on Chestnut Street, near North Main, where he now is. He does his own work mostly, and his productions are deservedly pop- ular. Excellent specimens of what he can do are to be found in the views he has furnished for illustrated sketches of Bellows Falls, Vt., Holyoke, Mass., Elgin, Ill., Wellesley and Princeton Colleges, &c., the character, standing and high culture of his pa- trons attesting to the artistic excellence and thorough- ness of what he gives in his line to the world.

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 Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 218

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