History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 178

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 178

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In 1871, A. G. Walker and Samuel Brown withdrew from the firm of Stone, Walker & Brown, and, com- mencing under the name of Walker & Brown, con- tinued until 1879, when Mr. Walker retired. Mr. Brown went on alone under the same firm-name, and is at present doing business as Walker & Brown, in Barton Place, his son being a partner.

In 1871, Whitcomb, Dadmun & Stowe commenced in Southbridge Street, and continued for four years, when the firm dissolved, and C. C. & C. H. Whitcomb formed a new partnership, under the name of Whit- comb Brothers, and were manufacturing for nine years, when the firm was again dissolved. They were succeeded by C. C. Whitcomb and E. B. Miles, under the name of Whitcomb & Miles, who are now manu- facturing in Shrewsbury Street.

In 1872, H. B. Adams, H. W. Hastings and A. C. Walker, began business in the block corner of Allen Court, second story, and then moved to Cherry Street, and, under the name of Adams & Hastings, con- tinued until 1878.

In 1875, J. F. Davenport left the firm of L. Stowe & Co., and he, with Alfred W. Long, started in Eaton Place as Davenport & Long, continuing until 1885.

In 1875, G. L. Battelle, under the name of G. L. Battelle & Co., succeeded E. A. Muzzy & Co., and engaged in the manufacture of a cloth-boot, called " Alaskas," and custom boots and shoes. He is sit- uated in Mechanic Street.

In 1878, J. U. Green, coming from Spencer, began business in Cherry Street, under the name of J. U. Green & Co., afterwards moving to Front Street, where he continued in business until 1883.

In 1881, upon the dissolution of the partnership of D. G. Rawson & Co., C. S. Goddard, W. B. Fay and A. M. Stone, formed a new company, under the name of Goddard, Fay & Stone, and continued in business until January 1, 1889, when they were succeeded by Goddard, Stone & Co. They have always occupied the factory where they are now located in Austin Street, the capacity of which was doubled by them in 1886.

chanic Street, under the name of the Waverly Shoe Company, and are at present located in Front Street. Their specialty is the "Waverly School Shoe."

In 1888, F. W. Blacker, who was with the firm of J. H. & G. M. Walker from 1865 until their retire- ment, succeeded to the business, leasing the old Walker factory, in Eaton Place, with its machinery, tools and patterns, and continues to make the widely- celebrated " Walker Boot."

Until the year 1868 nearly all the boots and shoes manufactured in Worcester were hand-made, ma- chinery, excepting the sewing-machine, being little used.

Worcester manufacturers were always slow in adopting boot and shoe machinery, and they did not use it until long after it had been adopted in other places. From 1850 to 1868 a large proportion of the boots and shoes were taken to the adjoining towns of West Boylston, Oakdale, Holden, Grafton, Millbury and Auburn to have the bottom stock put on; and then they were brought back and finished in the factories in Worcester.

Since 1868 the quantity thus bottomed has steadily decreased. There was at one time a great prejudice among consumers against goods made by machinery hand-made work being considered far superior, and for the first few years after the introduction of the pegging-machine, it was absolutely necessary that the manufacturer "sand off" from the bottom of every boot the impressions made by the machine, for fear the boots might be rejected by the customer. To such an extent was this feeling carried, that as late as 1870 large quantities of goods were sold stamped " Warranted Hand-made," on which nearly the whole work was done by machinery.

There is probably no industry where the improve- ment in manufacturing has been so radical and com- plete as in this. The only department where there has not been a great improvement is in that of the upper leather cutting and treeing. The cutting of upper leather is done by hand, and probably always will be. Treeing is done substantially as it was when boots were first made, and, although machines have been invented for doing this work, they have never been considered satisfactory.

By the use of machinery in its present perfected state, goods can be produced that are more uniform than any that can be made by hand. A striking feature in the manufacture of boots and shoes is the division of labor. As far back as 1840 all who called themselves shoemakers were able to take leather in the side and complete a perfect boot or shoe. In these days, in the large factories an ordinary boot will go through the hands of fifty or sixty different persons, the work in each room being minutely divided, and few of the men being skilled in any but their particu- lar part. This is one reason why boots and shoes are produced and sold so cheaply at the present time.

In 1883, Bemis & Fletcher began business in Me- Each man takes up that branch to which he is best

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

adapted, and continual practice makes him an adept. The cost of labor on a case of twelve pairs of ordinary heavy boots, at the present time, is about five dol- lars. To produce the same number of boots by hand, by old methods, would take the wages of two weeks.

The making of lasts, patterns and dies now used, has been so far reduced to a science that one can go into a first-class boot and shoe store and procure boots or shoes that will fit him perfectly.

Worcester is practically what is called a boot town, comparatively few shoes being made, and the only factories to-day that devote themselves exclusively to the manufacture of women's, misses' and children's shoes are those of J. E. Wesson and the Waverly Shoe Company, which are now making what is called " Medium Grade " and " Weight Shoes."

Heavy shoes, called "brogans," and plow-shoes are made, but these are considered about the same as boots, and are usually made in the same factories by the same workmen. Efforts have been made by various manufacturers to introduce men's fine shoes, which have partially succeeded, though not suffi- ciently to allow of Worcester being classed as a shoe town.

In treating of the boot and shoe industry, it is not generally understood that the manufacture of boots and shoes is distinct. A workman is seldom found who can do equally well on each kind of work. The manufacture of ladies' fine shoes, such as are made in Haverhill and Lynn, has never been attempted here. In order to do this it would be necessary to obtain the help from those towns, and this has always been found nusatisfactory. Many attempts to make boots in shoe towns have failed, and the fact is fully recognized.

The manufacture of boots and shoes is now, and has been for years, one of the leading industries of Worcester, and has been uniformly successful. This is not due to the manufacturers alone. In most of the large boot and shoe towns the workmen are the unsettled population. In Worcester it is not so. Nearly all are permanent residents, a large number owning their homes, and, even in times of great busi- ness depression, few leave the city. To this fact must be largely attributed the absence of strikes. While other places have been visited with labor troubles, but two strikes of any consequence have been known here, one in 1867 and one in 1887.

It is to the credit of employer and employés that they have considered their interests mutual, thus enabling the differences between them to be readily and satisfactorily adjusted.

It is worthy of notice that, with scarcely an excep- tion, none of the present or past manufacturers of Worcester have had any educational advantages superior to those of the common school. They nearly all learned their trade at the bench, and to this, in a great measure, must be attributed their success.

Being able to do any part of the work themselves, they are competent to judge if the work is properly done by others. They have proved themselves to be enterprising and worthy citizens, and have held a full share of the honorable positions in the gift of their fellow-townsmen. They have been represented in the directories of the various banks, in the Com- mon Council, Board of Aldermen, State Legislature, and will be represented in the Fifty-first United States Congress. 1

THE BIGELOW HEELING-MACHINE .- This machine is an improvement upon the Mckay machine, with which its interests are now identified. Mr. H. H. Bigelow patented the heel in 1869, and the machine in 1870.

The advantages conferred by this machine are manifold. By means of it all the odd or " V"-shaped pieces of sole leather, which were formerly considered worthless, are utilized. These are joined or fitted closely together, under a solid upper lift, and fed to the machine, which consists of a revolving cylinder, making one revolution in four motions. First, the heel is pressed ; then, a quarter revolution and the heel is pricked for the nails; then, another quarter revolution and the nails are driven; with the final quarter revolution the completed heel is forced from the cylinder.

The machine not only utilizes pieces of leather of every kind and shape, but takes all heels, whether whole, half or quarter lifts, and saves one good lift on each boot or shoe heel, since the leather which would otherwise be trimmed off is, by reason of the equal pressure upon the heel from all sides, evenly and smoothly forced into the heel, elevating it, and mak- ing a difference of one entire lift in height. A good lift is worth about two cents.

The machine not only makes pieced heels, but all styles, heights, shapes and sizes, and is undoubtedly the most valuable contribution that has been made to this industry, since while it effects the greatest saving it accomplishes the most laborious part of the work. With it, a man and boy can heel five thou- sand pairs of boots or shoes in a day, effecting a saving of the wages of forty-eight additional opera- tives per day.

The amount of royalty upon a pair of boots or shoes is one-half of one cent, but by the saving of leather, and the saving of wages, the seller is not only able to dispose of his goods at a less price, but the durability of the boot or shoe is increased tenfold by means of this improvement in the method of man- ufacture.

No boot or shoe manufacturer could carry on a large business successfully without the Bigelow Heel- ing-Machine, and the fact that he could not other- wise compete, proves conclusively that the purchaser is the person most largely benefited.

1 I am indebted to Mr. J. H. Walker and Mr. F. W. Blacker for some of the material used in the chapter upon Boots aod Shoes .- C. G. W.

Sie à Barton

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WORCESTER.

A. H. Dean, in 1866, established the business of manufacturing shoe-heels from upper leather rem- nants bought at the boot and shoe factories. He was among the first in the country to engage in this occu- pation as a distinct business. Heels had been made for the most part of sole leather in shoe factories. Most of this work is done by hand. The heel pieces are cut by dies. The business has so grown that there are now two hundred concerns in the country in this special line of work. From twelve hands Mr. Dean's business has grown into the employment of one hun- dred and fifty.

In March, 1861, T. K. Earle & Co. sold their belt manufacturing tools to Graton & Knight, a firm formed March 11, 1861, and composed of H. C. Graton and Joseph A. Knight, located in Harding's Block, on Front Street. They started their tannery on the Bloomingdale Road in 1867, and now put in about six hundred hides per week. They use oak bark, which is ground in Virginia. The belting is taken in strips from the tannery to the Front Street shop, each hide affording three strips suitable for this purpose. This is at present the only tannery in the city. In the upper story of the Bloomingdale Build- ing they manufacture inner-soles and slip-taps, and heels of all kinds, made from sole leather. In this way the shoulders and bellies are used. They also make sole-leather counters for boots and shoes, moulded and flat counters of all kinds, straps for looms and pickers and for harvesting-machines. They started in Foster Street with three hands, and at that time had a shop in Lynn ; that branch of the business was later removed to Worcester. They now employ ninety hands, and ship part of their product to England. There are but four larger concerns in the belt business in the country.

H. O. Hudson & Co., successors to Peter Goulding, established in 1854, manufacture leather belting, rubber belting, loom straps, etc.

J. F. & C. G. Warren also manufacture leather belting.

Boot and shoe and belting machinery is made by A. F. Stowe, on Cypress Street.

H. C. Pease & Co. and John J. Adams also manu- facture shoe machinery.

Samuel Mawhinney, in company with Mr. A. P. Richardson, commenced the manufacture of lasts January 1, 1857, in Merrifield's Building. At that time the lasts were turned out in the rough in Canada and finished in Worcester. In 1868 Mr. Richardson retired, and in 1869 Mr. Mawhinney bought land on Church Street and built his present shop. About that time Mr. R. L. Golbert became a partner. The business has constantly increased, and now employs from twenty-five to thirty hands. One hundred thousand pairs of lasts are made annually. The material used is rock maple. In addition to the last business, this company makes boot and shoe trees.

DIE MANUFACTURERS .- Mr. A. M. Howe began the die business in Westboro' in the year 1857, and moved to Worcester in 1860. In 1861 he had a con- tract from the Government to make primers for guns. Mr. Howe makes boot and shoe, envelope and har- ness dies ; in fact, cutting dies of almost every de- scription. He formerly bought his die stock from the Coes', but now prepares it under a patented process of his own.

Davis, Savells & Co. is the only other concern in the city which makes dies. They commenced business in 1870. Mr. Davis was formerly in the employ of A. M. Howe. .

CHAPTER CXCIX. WORCESTER-(Continued.)

MANUFACTURING AND MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES.

Paper Machinery-Razors - Holyoke Machine Company-Norton Emery Wheel Company -- Corsets - Shutes - Chairs - Gas -- Contractors und Builders-Summary of Industries not heretofore mentioned.

PAPER MACHINERY .- Isaac Goddard was born in South Royalston, Vt., in 1800. He came to Massa- chusetts in 1812, and was apprenticed to Elijah Bur- bank at Quinsigamond to learn paper-making. After serving his time, he went to Millbury, and about 1823 made paper there by the pound for General Burbank. In 1836 he came to Worcester, formed a partnership with Mr. Howe, and, under the firm- name of Howe & Goddard, began making paper machinery at the old Red Mills. It is said that six months after starting they put in a steam-engine of six horse-power. This they used for two years, in conjunction with their water-power. February 1, 1843, they moved to the Union Street factory, now occupied by their successors. In the summer of 1846 Mr. Howe died, and Mr. George M. Rice shortly after became a partner.1

In April, 1856, Goddard, Rice & Co. bought from Isaac Davis, for thirty-one thousand dollars, the fac- tory occupied by them in Union Street. April 1, 1862, Goddard, Rice & Co. dissolved, and May 1st George M. Rice, George S. Barton and Joseph E. Fales formed a company for the manufacture of machinery under the style of Rice, Barton & Co. At this time they advertised to make steam boilers, and in 1863 manufactured the Vandewater Water- wheel.

The Rice, Barton & Fales Machine and Iron Com- pany was organized in 1867, and succeeded to the business of manufacturing paper-making, calico- printing and dyeing machinery, printing and dye- ing-machines for cotton and woolen-mills, bleaching,

1 George S. Barton came to Worcester in. 1845; was apprenticed to Howe & Goddard, and in 1849 became a partner in Goddard, Rice & Co.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

paper-printing machinery, hydraulic presses, archi- tectural iron and other large work.

RAZORS .- J. R. Torrey & Co. manufacture razor strops and dressing-cases, and are situated at the cor- ner of Piedmont and Chandler Streets. The busi- ness was begun in a very small way in 1858 by J. R. Torrey. In 1875 his son, L. H. Torrey, was admit- ted to partnership. The business has increased until they have become the largest manufacturers of razor strops in the world.

The J. R. Torrey Razor Company was incorporated in 1880-Joseph Turner, president, and J. R. Tor- rey, treasurer. The present factory was erected in 1882.

This is the only company manufacturing razors in the country. Commencing with eight hands, their force to-day, 1889, numbers seventy-five razor-makers, with more special tools and machines of their own invention than are found in all the razor factories in the world.

THE HOLYOKE MACHINE COMPANY .- This com- pany was established at Holyoke in 1863. In 1882 a branch factory was built at Worcester, situated oppo- site the old Wheeler Foundry on Thomas Street. This company manufactures the Hercules Turbine Water-Wheel. One-fourth of their product is sold abroad. They commenced with fifty men and now employ one hundred and fifty. They also manufac- ture shafting, hangers and pulleys.

NORTON ENERY-WHEEL COMPANY .- This com- pany was organized June 20, 1885. The industry was started in 1875 by F. B. Norton at the old Pottery Works in Water Street, from whom the wheel takes its name. The pottery business is still conducted by Mr. Norton's sons in Water Street.

In July, 1886, the Norton Emery-Wheel Company began the erection of new works at Barber's Crossing, about three miles from the centre of the city, at the junction of the Boston and Maine and Fitchburg Railroads. The building was finished and occupied about January 1, 1887, and is more complete and thoroughly equipped than any other manufactory of emery-wheels in the world. The method of produc- ing solid emery-wheels by this company is known as the vitrified process and is covered by three patents. The wheels possess great strength and en- durance, are thoroughly waterproof, containing no substance that has not abrasive properties which en- sures their fast-cutting qualities. The best Turkish emery ore and pure corundum are used. During the process the wheel is subjected to a white heat, for which purpose the Lawton Patent Down-Draft Kilns are used.

These wheels are used for all descriptions of light and heavy casting-work, car-wheel grinding, cleaning hollow-ware, pearling barley, cleaning wheat and cot- ton seed, wood pulp, grinding, planing and surfacing work, cutlery work, concaving razors and other uses too numerous to mention.

Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing Company of Provi- dence, R. I., has succeeded in producing remarkable results with these wheels in the direction of fine grinding.

CORSETS .- In the year 1861 Mr. D. H. Fanning finding that hoopskirts were becoming popular, se- cured a small room in what was then Clark's Block, situated at the corner of Main and Mechanic Streets, and with one operative began their manufacture.

The product of this small establishment found a ready sale. He continued the manufacture of hoop- skirts exclusively until the year 1864, when the manu- facture of corsets was introduced into this country and Mr. Fanning added this industry.

The plant was enlarged to meet the increasing de- mands made upon it. In 1872 the business was re- moved to the Rice building, 564 Main Street. The manufacture of corsets proved the more important part, and at length the manufacture of skirts was discon- tinued. The name of the firm, at first the Worcester Skirt Company, was changed to the Worcester Corset Company, which was afterwards made the corporate name of the present organization.

The business continued to develop, and subsequently a section of the Franklin building, adjoining, was added. In 1880 the Heywood building, located in the rear of the Rice building, was added to the other two. The plant now includes these three buildings with a floor area of fifty thousand square feet.

The sewing-machines used are of the Singer make. The old machines were ruu at a speed of from four hundred to six hundred stitches per minute, while those now in use have a capacity of from fourteen hundred to eighteen hundred stitches per minute.

In 1885, finding the market for its products reaching over a constantly increasing area, at length covering the entire country, the Worcester Corset Company established branch sales-rooms in Chicago, Ill., the great distributing point for the West and Northwest, and also opened an office in New York City.

Within the past year the company has entered ex- tensively into the manufacture of fine goods in which silks, pongees, satins, French cotilles and American jeans are used.

By engaging in the manufacture of fine goods, the company gives employment to an increased number of skilled workmen of the highest class. These goods are of the same grade and come into competition with the finest quality of French and German corsets ; and there is no concern in the country engaged in this business so thoroughly equipped for the production of fine goods as the Worcester Corset Company.

In size it ranks among the largest producers in the country of all grades of corsets, and probably the largest in the production of fine goods. Five hundred operatives, mostly women, are employed in this estab- lishment.

The Park Corset Works, in Front Street, was estab- lished in 1868, and incorporated in 1885.

wnorcross .

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WORCESTER.

In 1856 S. C. &. S. Winslow, who had been engaged in mechanical business at Newton Upper Falls, occu- pied a small room in Cypress Street, in Merrifield's building, doing machine jobbing.

In 1857, observing that skating was becoming popu- lar, they ventured to make twenty-five pairs of skates, of which they sold nineteen pair during the first year.

In 1858, in anticipation of the demand, they manu- factured two hundred pairs, but before the end of the year had manufactured and sold two thousand five hundred pairs.

Seth C. Winslow died in 1871, and his interest was purchased by Samuel Winslow.

In 1872 Mr. Winslow made roller-skates for J. L. Plympton, of New York, which were used in this country, and exported to Europe and to India, and continued to manufacture them for several years; meantime the business had so increased that a factory was built in Mulberry Street.

In 1880 Mr. Winslow invented the Vineyard roller- skate, which has been the most popular roller-skate made. The demand in this country for roller-skates continued till the fall of 1885.

During the year 1884 Mr. Winslow built an addition to his factory. In 1886 he sold his business to the Samuel Winslow Skate Manufacturing Company.

At the present time, 1889, the demand for roller- skates in the United States has ceased, but the com- pany is exporting them to Australia, India, Japan and South America.

The capacity of the company is twelve hundred pairs of skates per day, including forty different styles of ice-skates and fifteen different styles of roller- skates, which vary in price from fifteen cents to ten dollars per pair.

This company also manufactures an excellent bicycle, which is sold at a moderate price, and which is finding a ready market for the reason that it is as durable as the more expensive machine.

FOLDING CHAIRS .- In 1863, Mr. E. W. Vaill, who had previously been in the furniture business, en- gaged in the manufacture of camp-chairs, which were in large demand by the army and navy. The business was begun at the corner of Main & Walnut Streets, but in January, 1877, was moved to Union Street, the present location. The old water-wheel, which furnished power for Ruggles, Nourse & Mason, at Court Mills, supplies twenty-eight horse-power for this factory.

At the close of the war the demand for camp-chairs largely decreased, but the principle was carried into all variety of chairs, from the plainest to the most expensive. Over one hundred different styles were made, many of which were patented, and they were sent all over the world. February 5, 1889, the E. W. Vaill Chair Manufacturing Company was incorpor- porated and succeeded to the business.

The Worcester Gas-Light Company was organized

June 22, 1849, with a capital of $45,000. John W. Lincoln was president, and Warren Lazell, agent.

The works were built in Lincoln Street, and, under date of July 23, 1849, the company gives notice in the Worcester Spy that the works will be ready to supply gas to the citizens of Worcester in the follow- ing streets, early the next fall, viz. : Main Street, from Lincoln Square to Park Street School, Thomas' Ex- change, Foster and Mechanic Streets, severally, between Main and the railroads; also in Front from Main Street to Washington Square, and in Pleasant Street from Main to Chestnut Streets.

Those desirous of becoming consumers of gas were requested to give early notice at the office of the agent, 205 Main Street, in order that supply-pipes might be carried into their buildings, the pipes to be put in at the expense of the company.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 178

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