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

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1464

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

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).

Jerome Wheelock, at one time engineer of the Washburn Iron Works in this city, commenced his business career by making and introducing the sec- tional ring and piston packing, patented in 1864, and afterwards extensively used in every type and make of engine. Meeting with marked success, he. com- pleted, in 1865, arrangements for its manufacture with William A. Wheeler, of Worcester. The demand soon became such that he left the Washburn Iron Company, to give his entire attention to the packing business. In the fall of 1865, or spring of 1866, he formed a partnership with Charles A. Wheeler.

This led to a considerable repair business, and that iu turn led to the invention by Mr. Wheelock of sev- eral improvements in steam-engines. In the fall of 1869, the first engine embodying these improvements was built; this proved to be the beginning of a consid- erable business. The earlier engines of this type were constructed with a single rotary valve, which proved imperfect in many respects, but contained the germ of success. The growth of the packing business and the prospect of engine-building occasioned the re- moval to 178 Union Street in 1869, where the busi- ness has since been continued.

Step by step the Wheelock engine has been im- proved, until in 1873, at the American Exhibition in New York, the four-valve engine was introduced to the public. This employed the rotary tapered valve, suspended on hardened steel spindles-a new type of valve, which has become widely known and used. Mr. Wheelock has invented and patented numerous improvements relating to the steam-engine, such as feed-water heaters, condensers, and various details of the Wheelock engine.

The building of these specialties, together with the piston-packing and a large increase in the engine business, required successive enlargements, until the two floors of the present location were occupied, and a force of from fifty to seventy-five men employed. Dur- ing the interval from 1873 to 1884 a great number of engines were built, including a large proportion of machines of five hundred horse-power. In 1883 and 1884 the most important of Mr. Wheelock's inventions was being developed and tested, the patents upon which were issued in 1885. This was the so-called new system valves, undoubtedly the most original and important departure in engine construction since the invention of Corliss. This well-known valve sys- tem has for its main idea the combining of the valve, valve-seat and operating parts within a shell or tap- ered plug which is driven into a corresponding hole

Become Thelack

1643

WORCESTER.

in the cylinder and retained in place without bonnets or bolts. It also employs an entirely novel method of driving the valve, and combines a number of improve- ments securing economical results in the use of steam.

Patents were taken out in all the larger manufac- turing countries of the world, and much of Mr. Wheelock's time during the years 1886 and 1887 was spent abroad negotiating for the manufacture of the new system engine. His success was such that at the present time it is being extensively built in all these countries. During his absence his home business so greatly declined that in the latter part of 1887 he decided to offer it for sale, which resulted in its pur- chase by a company organized for the purpose of car- rying on the building of the new system engines. The " Wheelock Engine Company " took possession in January, 1888. It is rapidly increasing the busi- ness and improving the facilities to meet the demand for the improved engine. New works will be built, new equipment added and other facilities provided.

The Wheelock engine is generally acknowledged to contain some of the best principles of engine con- struction at present known. Great credit is due to Mr. Wheelock for his inventions, which for original- ity and importance have been hardly exceeded. His principle of construction bids fair to gain as wide adoption as did that introduced by George H. Corliss forty years ago. It is being applied to marine en- gines, in which field its opportunities are enormous, and its success already demonstrated.

E. H. Bellows commenced engine-building in Au- gust, 1864, renting a shop in Merrifield's building, in Exchange Street. His specialty was portable engines, ranging from the smallest up to forty horse-power. He also built some small stationary engines, not ex- ceeding fifteen to twenty horse-power.

In 1865 Byron Whitcomb became a partner in the business, the firm-name being Bellows & Whitcomb. The same line of manufacture was continued until 1868, when the firm was dissolved.

The Washburn Steam Works were incorporated in 1867, with George I. Washburn, president. The object of the company was to build a novel, high- speed, valveless steam-engine, the invention of Mr. Washburn. The chief peculiarity of the engine and the essence of the invention was in so arranging the pistons of a pair of cylinders that each acted as a valve to the other, performing the functions of inlet and outlet of steam, thus doing away with valves. Its arrangement was upright, with twin cylinders, each having several pistons on one piston-rod. The movement of these compound pistons, passing over and by suitable ports connecting the cylinders, pro- duced the requisite opening and closing for the ad- mission and release of the steam. The stroke of these engines was proportionally very short, and the rota- tive speed consequently great, which features, in con- nection with the other mechanical objections, proved - fatal to the success of this ingenious invention.

The business was commenced in 1865, in a small up-stairs shop in one of the blocks in Main Street, between Park and Southbridge Streets. In the spring of 1869 the works were removed to the Wheeler building, Hermon Sreet, and again, in the spring of 1871, to Central Street. .

The defects of the engines soon becoming apparent, Mr. Washburn turned his attention in another direc- tion, the outcome of which was the Washburn Steam Pump, embodying some of the principles of the engine. The manufacture of this pump was begun in the fall of 1868, and continued with success for a number of years. A serious interruption in the busi - ness resulted from the death of Mr. Washburn, in the spring of 1871. In 1872, A. Burlingame, for four years previous foreman of the Washburn Steam Works, bought the business and continued the manu- facture of the Washburn Steam Pumps on a consid- erable scale.

A. Burlingame became connected with the Wash- burn Steam Works as foreman of the shop in 1868. He bought the business in 1872, continuing under the well-established name of the Washburn Steam Works, and made a specialty of the Washburn Steam Pumps until, 1880, the change to the present firm- name, A. Burlingame & Company, was made. About this time the attention of the firm was turned to steam-engines as a supplement to the pump business, which was suffering from the competition of the injec- tor as a boiler feeder. From a general repair busi- ness they gradually went into building plain slide- valve engines up to fifty horse-power, followed by an improved pattern balanced slide-valve engine, and later by a Corliss type engine, each of which is now built by this firm in a full line of sizes up to one hundred horse-power. Additional to engine build- ing is the making of boiler feed-pumps, and the fit- ting of complete steam plants, beside a large general mill-work and repair business. The location of the Washburn Steam Works, in Central Street, was aban- doned by Mr. Burlingame in 1869, when he moved to School Street, remaining in that place until 1883. During this year, 1888, he moved to the present loca- tion in Cypress Street.

S. E. Harthan began the manufacture of station- ary, semi-portable and launch engines on a small scale at 44 Central Street, in the year 1874.

Increasing business up to 1878-79 required the employment of from twenty to forty men, engaged mostly in building engines of small power of the types mentioned. In 1882 he sold to the Glen Rock Manufacturing Company, of Glen Rock, Pa., that portion of the business relating to stationary and semi-portable engines, including patterns; after which he gave his whole attention to building yacht and launch engines, high and low pressure and com- pound, together with complete steam outfits. Be- coming engaged in electric work, the engine building has been gradually abandoned until at the present

1644

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

time he is practically out of the business, engaging in it only to the extent of building an occasional engine for electric purposes.

Besides many stationary engines, he has built the steam machinery for about fifty-three yachts and launches, amongst which was a very fine private yacht for Jacob Lorillard, another for Mary Anderson, and one for Chauncey Ives, of New York, as well as seven smaller boats for Lake Quinsigamond, Worcester.

Clark & Knight established the business of engine- building in 1877. They manufactured upright engines up to thirty horse-power. The business is now con- ducted by E. O. Knight.1

Mr. Frank Copeland, gunmaker, 17 Hermon Street, makes small vertical steam-engines from one to twenty horse-power.

BOILERS .- The Stewart Boiler Works were estab- lished in 1864 as Stewart & Dillon. Mr. Charles Stewart learned his trade in Hull, England. He came to Worcester first to manufacture boilers for Bellows & Whitcomb, who were building engines.

In 1869, C. Stewart succeeded to the business, and prior to 1872 had purchased the boiler business of Rice, Barton & Fales.

Mr. Stewart and William Allen were in partnership from 1872 to 1875, when they dissolved. The business has since been conducted by Charles Stewart and C. Stewart & Son. Their castings are all made in the city, and their boiler-plate from American steel. They manufacture locomotive and stationary boilers.

William Allen & Sons were established in 1875, after the dissolution of the partnership between Stewart & Allen. They were first situated in South- bridge Street, near the Junction, and in 1823 removed to their present location in Green Street, in the old shops of the New York Steam-Engine Company.

They manufacture all classes of steam-boilers,- tubular, locomotive and marine boilers, feed-water heaters, bleaching kiers, dye-well extractors and iron tanks of all kinds ; iron cases for water-wheels and boilers for residences; have an iron and brass- foundry, and make their own castings. They occupy a substantial brick two-story building, a boiler-shop and foundry, and occupy sixty thousand feet of land.

Mr. William Allen is an Englishman, and served his apprenticeship at the works of James Watt, Bir- mingham, England.

CHAPTER CXCVIII. WORCESTER-(Continued.)

MANUFACTURING AND MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES.

Boots and Shoes-Bigelow Heeling-Machine-Leather Belting-Boot and Shoe Machinery-Lasta -- Dies.

BOOTS AND SHOES .- From Caleh A. Wall's Remni- niscences we learn that Captain Palmer Goulding, a cordwainer, came to Worcester just previous to the first organization of the town, and built a house on the east of the Common, where his son Palmer, Jr., and grandson Daniel afterwards lived. They also carried on the business of tanning, shoe-making, making malt, curing hams, etc. Their place of business was in front of their dwelling, and occupied ground between, what are now Front, Mechanic, Church and Spring Streets.

Almost every town had a tanyard, and leather of sufficiently good quality was made to serve the needs of the shoemakers and saddlers.

The embargo and War of 1812 greatly stimulated the cordwainers, who began to make boots and shoes in quantities in anticipation of the wants of their cus- tomers, and when a few dozen pairs had accumulated, they were put in saddle-bags and taken to market, principally Bristol, R. I., the first wholesale boot and shce market in the country, it being a sea-port town.

At this time the bottoms of all boots and shoes were sewed on; putting them on with pegs was an invention of a later date, and very greatly reduced the cost ; this improvement aided materially in the development of the industry. Among the first to adopt it was Joseph Walker, of Hopkinton, Mass.

The next step in the development of the boot and shoe industry was for the makers of leather to sell it to merchants in the larger towns and cities, who, in turn, sold to the shoemakers, and they, in course of time, paid for it out of the product, in boots and shoes, which were sold by the leather dealers to the jobbers in Bristol, Providence, Boston and New York. These cities held the trade for many years. .

The next step in the development was the separa- tion of the leather business from boot and shoe manu- facturing, the firms dealing in the leather requiring money payment for leather and the boot and shoe manufacturers selling their product to firms dealing in boots and shoes only, who, in turn, sold them, usually by the case of sixty pairs of shoes and twelve pair of boots, to country store-keepers, who from that time have kept them in stock as universally as dry- goods or groceries.

Among the first towns in which this business was begun was Hopkinton; then in the adjoining town of Milford; and about the same time in several other eastern towns; shortly afterwards in Grafton, where Oliver Ward learned his trade of Clark Brown. Mr. Ward started in business in North Brookfield in 1810,

1 I am indebted to Mr. E. K. Hill for much of the material used in the article on steam-engines. C. G. W.

1645

WORCESTER.

and from the history of North Brookfield we learn that " he made his own pegs; maple logs were sawed in sections of the proper length, which were then split with a long knife and the splint divided into pegs. The next improvement was to cut the points of the pegs in the blocks with a knife and mallet before splitting ; and the next was to cut the points with the tail gouge driven like a carpenter's plane; and the next to do the whole by machinery."

Tyler Batcheller, of Brookfield, also learned the shoemaker's trade in Grafton, and, returning to Brookfield, commenced business in 1819, with his brother Ezra, who learned his trade of Oliver Ward.

Worcester was more than a quarter of a century behind these towns in the boot and shoe business, but has to-day an important place in this industry.

Previous to 1813 the only man engaged in boot and shoemaking in Worcester was John Tyler Hubbard, whose shop was on Front Street, corner of Spring.

He would hardly be called a manufacturer at the present day, as he did business in a very small way, and, when he had accumulated a few dozen pairs, would take them to Bristol, R. I., for sale.

In 1813 John Dolliver and Foster Newell made for the market ladies' morocco and kid shoes opposite the Court-House.

In February, 1818, Earle & Chase had a quantity of goat-skin leather dressed in the manner of black kid, which they were having manufactured into shoes and boots.

In 1824 Benjamin B. Otis commenced business near the harness shop of Enos Tucker, and continued until 1850, part of the time with John C. Otis, as B. B. Otis & Co. In 1850 C. H. Fitch became a partner, the firm-name being Otis, Fitch & Co. The same year B. B. Otis retired, and a new firm was organized of Fitch & Otis, which continued until 1860. For three years from 1863 the firm was Dike & Fitch, and from that time until 1886 the business was conducted under the name of C. H. Fitch & Co.

In 1828 Scott & Smith were manufacturing ladies' shoes of various kinds, nearly opposite the Central meeting-house, at the sign of "The Golden Slipper," where they made ladies' kid and double prunella walking shoes and pumps.

In 1834 Charles Wolcot and Nathaniel Stone had a shop three doors south of the Centre School-house, under the Egis printing-office, where they manufac- tured boots and shoes, also ladies' kid, morocco and satin shoes. In the same year Thomas Howe & Co., at the head of Front Street, advertised for eight or ten journeymen to make bootees for the Military Academy at West Point.

Barnard & Hager were at the same time making goods on Front Street, corner of Summer.

In 1835 T. S. Stone began to manufacture in Washington Square, and in that year and the year following, he took a premium for his boots at the Cat- tle Show.

In 1839 he admitted as a partner, Ansel Lakin, who was with him but a short time. Mr. Stone con- tinued with various partners until 1864, when Samuel Brown became associated with him. In 1868 A. G. Walker entered the firm, and the business was con- ducted under the name of Stone, Walker & Brown. In 1871 the firm was again changed, Messrs. Brown and Walker retiring and Mr. Stone's sons being admitted. The business was continued until Mr. Stone's death, in 1873.

George and Ebenezer H. Bowen came from Leices- ter, and commenced the currying of leather, as early as 1836, from which time for twenty years, they were in addition, directly and indirectly connected with the manufacture of boots and shoes.

In 1837 Ansel Lakin began in a small way in the village of Tatnuck, and was afterwards in partnership with Timothy S. Stone. In 1841 he was doing busi- ness with Bemis & Williams, and after this he contin- ued with various partners for nearly twenty years.

In 1838 Wm. A. Draper came from Spencer and started in business in Pleasant Street. In 1842 Otis Corbet was admitted to the firm and they continued until 1847, when Mr. Draper went out and the busi- ness was conducted by Mr. Corbet alone. In 1850 Mr. Draper returned, and for two years the firm was Wm. A. Draper & Co.

In 1842 E. H. Bowen and William Barker began to manufacture as E. H. Bowen & Co. Barker retired in'1844, and Bowen formed a partnership with T. S. Stone, under the firm-name of Bowen & Stone, which was dissolved in 1848. After this, Bowen continued alone until 1857.

In 1843 Joseph Walker came to Worcester from Hopkinton, and began business in a wooden building in Front Street. In 1844 the firm of Barker & Walker was formed, occupying a building at the corner of Main Street and Lincoln Square. Mr. Barker retired from the firm in 1846. Joseph Walker continued alone until 1851, when his eldest son, J. H., being of age, was admitted, and the firm-name was Joseph Walker & Co., their place of business being at Lin- coln Square. G. M. and A. C. Walker, two other sons, were admited to partnership on their becoming of age. In 1862 this firm dissolved, J. Walker and his son, A. C. Walker, continuing under the old name until 1871.

In 1845 Cyrus, William R. and George W. Bliss moved their business frous Milford to Worcester, and continued until 1853. George W. Bliss then suc- ceeded to the business and moved into the Merrifield Building in Union Street, retiring in 1857.

Levi A. Dowley was at this time manufacturing brogan shoes in a small way.

In 1846, on the dissolution of the partnership of Barker & Walker, Wm. Barker commenced business on his own account, and was alone until 1850, when Courtland Newton was admitted, remaining in the firm till 1853. In 1857 Newton Penniman was

- --

1646

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

admitted. Mr. Barker afterwards continued for sev- eral years alone.

In 1847 J. Munyan was manufacturing shoes in Main Street, and continued until 1850.

In 1849 Rufus Wesson, Jr., came to Worcester from Shrewsbury, and was in business in Harding's Block, 45 Front Street, until 1873. His son, J. E. Wesson, began alone in 1868, and is now doing a large busi- ness in Mulberry Street.

In 1851 W. A. S. Smythe commenced the manufac- ture of shoes at the corner of Union and Market Streets. In 1860 his brother, Robert L. Smythe, joined him. They gave up manufacturing in 1872, being then situated in Foster Street.

In 1852 Hiram French succeeded to the business of Wm. A. Corbet, and continued the manufacture of boots until 1871.

In 1853 Aaron G. Walker commenced manufactur- ing, and continued alone until 1857, when he went into company with E. N. Childs.

In 1853 C. C. Houghton began the manufacture of boots at Lincoln Square. In 1857 he admitted his brother, Alba Houghton, into the partnership of C. C. Houghton & Co., and continued with him until 1864, when Alba Houghton retired. In 1864 the partnership of Houghton & Heywood was formed and was dissolved in 1867. H. B. Adams was then admitted, and the firm of Houghton & Adams con- tinued for one year.

Mr. Houghton was alone until 1871, when Wm. Warren became a partner, the firm-name being C. C. Houghton & Co. Mr. Warren retired in 1884. At present the firm consists of C. C. Houghton, F. N. Houghton and E. W. Warren, and is known as C. C. Houghton & Co., which is situated in Houghton's Block, corner of Front St. and Salem Square.

In 1853 E. N. Childs came to Worcester from Mill- bury, and engaged in business with Albert Gould for one year. In 1854 Albert S. Brown became a partner. They did business as Childs & Brown until 1857, when Mr. Brown retired, and A. G. Walker was admitted into the firm of E. N. Childs & Co. In 1862 Mr. Walker retired, and Mr. Childs continued under the same firm-name until 1881. During the last few years his sons were interested with him in the busi- ness.

In 1855 Luther Stowe came to Worcester from Grafton and commenced business in Mechanic Street, soon after which he formed a partnership with E. A. Muzzy, as E. A. Muzzy & Co. The firm dissolved in 1865. Mr. Stowe and Mr. J. F. Davenport, under the title of L. Stowe & Co., commenced business in Wash- ington Square. In 1875 Mr. Davenport retired, and the business was continued under the firm-name of Luther Stowe & Co. In 1880 they moved to a factory in Grafton Street, and still continue there under the old firm-name, Mr. Stowe's son now being a partner.

In 1857 David Cummings began with Mr. Hudsou, the firm-name being Cummings & Hudson. Mr.

Hudson retired in 1862, and Mr. Cummings continued alone until 1866, when he left Worcester. He re- turned in 1880, and with his partners, E. H. Hurlbert and D. E. Spencer, built and occupied the factory in King Street, now occupied by them.

E. A. Muzzy and Luther Stowe commenced manu- facturing, in 1857, as E. A. Muzzy & Co., continuing until 1865, when Mr. Stowe went out and Mr. Muzzy retired from manufacturing, the business being con- tinued by G. L. Battelle and F. A. Muzzy, under the old name of E. A. Muzzy & Co., until 1875.

In 1860 H. B. Jenks came to Worcester from North Brookfield, and commenced the manufacture of boots and shoes, continuing until 1871.

Also, in 1860, H. B. Fay came to Worcester from Shrewsbury. He continued to manufacture until 1887, most of the time under the firm-name of H. B. Fay & Co.

In 1862 J. H. Walker commenced business in Eaton Place. In 1864 George M. Walker was admitted, the firm-name being changed to J. H. & G. M. Walker. They afterwards built a factory in Front Street and one in Eaton Place. In 1870 they built and moved to a factory in Water Street, the capacity of which was doubled in 1879. G. M. Walker retired in 1870. Samuel Davenport took his place, and in 1880 H. Y. Simpson was also admitted, the firm-name always remaining J. H. & G. M. Walker. The specialty of this firm was the widely-known " Walker boot." They retired from business January, 1888.

In 1863 J. W. Brigham & Co., who had been manu- facturing for three or four years in a small building near the junction of Main and Southbridge Streets, built and moved into the factory in Southbridge Street, where they now are.

In 1864 Bigelow & Trask commenced the manufac- ture of shoes in Austin Street. In 1866 they were in- corporated under the name of the Bay State Shoe and Leather Company, and have been doing business under that name ever since at the same place. The headquarters of this corporation is in New York, J. Munyan, before referred to as manufacturing in 1847, is vice-president and Worcester agent.

In 1865 E. H. and O. N. Stark formed a partnership under the name of E. H. Stark & Co , and have con- tinued without change, and are at the present time located in Main Street, above Myrtle.

In 1866 Simon J. Woodbury, of Sutton, moved a building from that place to the site of the shop now occupied by Goddard, Fay & Stone, and he, with others, manufactured for a short time. In 1866 Raw- son & Linnell moved their business from West Boylston to Worcester, bringing with them twenty-two families and commenced manufacturing in Pleasant Street, near Main, under the name of E. C. Linnell & Co. In 1868 they built a factory on the site of the Wood- bury building in Austin Street. Mr. Linnell with- drew in 1869, and a new firm was organized under the name of D. G. Rawson & Co., consisting of D. G.

Samb R. Heywood(.

1647

WORCESTER.

Rawson, D. S. Goddard, W. B. Fay, which continued until 1881.

In 1867 Alba Houghton withdrew from the firm of C. C. Houghton & Co. and commenced business on his own acconnt under the name of Alba Houghton & Co. and continued until 1882. In 1867, on the dis- solution of the firm of Houghton & Heywood, S. R. Heywood went into business for himself and was alone until 1873, when Oscar Phillips was admitted as a partner, and business was done under the firm- name of S. R. Heywood & Co. In 1880 they moved to their new factory in Winter Street, and in 1884 were incorporated under the name of the Heywood Boot and Shoe Company. The specialty of this cor- poration is the widely-known "Wachusett Boot," and fine sewed shoes.

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. II, Part 177

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1464

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1464