History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 137

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 896

USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II > Part 137

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NORTH SIDE.

Oliver Chapin was probably the first settler on the north side of the Chicopee, at the falls, to which place he removed in April, 1801. In 1806 he sold the privilege on that side of the river to William Bowman and Benjamin and Lemuel Cox, who there erected a paper-mill, and conducted the man- nfacture of paper for fifteen years. They then sold the prop- erty to Chauncey Brewer and Joshua Frost, of Springfield, who continued five or six years longer, when David Ames be- came the owner of the property. Mr. Ames introduced paper- making machinery, which greatly lessened the cost of produc- tion. He died at Springfield Ang. 3, 1847, when his sons, David and John, succeeded to the business, and continued it until 1850. David Ames, Sr., owned one-half of the water-

* John Chase was the builder of the mill, and dedicated it with a dance on Washington's Birthday in 1832. On that, as on other similar occasions, Mr. Chase and his wife led the "animating ronnd."

t The Chicopee Manufacturing Company have erected to the memory of their valued agent a monument of granite, costing between $2000 and $3000,-an unusual testimonial.

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HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.

power of the river at the falls, but disposed of it during his life to the Chicopee Manufacturing Company.

The Belcher and Taylor Agricultural Tool Company origi- nated with Bildad B. Belcher, who established the business in 1852 in connection with Bailey West and George Dunlap. The works were at first on the south side of the river, at Chic- opee Falls, and in two years became wholly the property of Mr. Belcher, who then conducted the business alone until the building was burned, in 1860. He was induced to re-establish the works on the north side of the river, where, on the site of the old paper-mill, the manufacture was resumed. In 1863, George S. Taylor became a partner, under the style of Belcher & Taylor. This so continued until November, 1864, when a joint stock company was formed, as at present, of which Mr. Belcher was made agent and Mr. Taylor treasurer. The lat- ter was appointed agent and treasurer in 1867, and so eontin- ues. A small building was erected in 1861, which has been twice enlarged ; the last change, to substantially its present form, was made in 1865.

In 1852 the manufacture of the Yankee Blade feed-eutter, with improvements made by Mr. Belcher, was commenced. The business, since much enlarged, now includes the produc- tion of a large variety of tools, of which corn-shellers, plows, Bullard hay-tedders, and hay-rakes are the most prominent.

John Wells and Ezekiel Blake have each served as presi- dents of the company, and James E. Taylor as clerk. Present officers : E. O. Carter, President ; George S. Taylor, Agent and Treasurer; Andrew Gale, Superintendent; Jas. E. Taylor, Clerk ; Fred. N. Wetherell, Book-keeper and Paymaster.

J. Stevens & Co. have an establishment on the north side of the river, at Chicopee Falls, and manufacture firearms, all of which are breech-loading. Joshua Stevens, the founder of the business, is an ingenious practical mechanic, and, in 1858 -59, was in the employ of Samuel Colt, of Hartford. What is known as the Wesson revolver was his invention, and he came to Chicopee Falls in the fall of 1849 to engage in the extensive manufacture of that article. For this purpose the " Massachusetts Arms Company" was formed, with a capital of $70,000. This company purchased of the Ames Manufac- turing Company the property now occupied by the Lamb Knitting-Machine Company, and there conducted the manu- facture of pistols for a few years, when Mr. Stevens, in 1864, having invented a small single-shot pocket-pistol, moved his business to his present location, where he associated with him James E. Taylor and William B. Fay. Since then the busi- ness has expanded. There are now manufactured, under vari- ous patents issued to Mr. Stevens, double-barrel breech-load- ing shot-guns, single shot-guns, sporting rifles, " Ilunter's Pet" rifles, pocket shot-guns, and pocket pistols ; also machine screws, spring calipers and dividers, and double-lip counter- sinks. They employ from 30 to 40 skilled workmen.

The Bleachery of Anderton & Dunn was established in 1872, by John Anderton and Michael Dunn, on the north side of the river, at Chicopee Falls. Their works are situated a short distance from the river, on a small stream fed by perennial springs, and affording water of exceptional purity. A short dam across the dingle forms an ample reservoir that sets back between the sandy slopes a long distance, and retains an ample supply for all seasons. In this establishment the largest part of the bleaching is for local manufacturers,-chiefly for the Chicopee Manufacturing Company. The average daily turn- out is 25,000 yards, which can be doubled with the present facilities. This firm makes a specialty of bleaching and finishing cotton flannels.

CHICOPEE.

In 1809 or 1810, a small mill was put up near the present upper dam at Chicopee by William, * Levi, and Joseph Chapin,

in which they placed " two carding-machines and two spin- ning-frames of 48 spindles each." They prosecuted a small business, buying cotton at 11 or 12 cents per pound, and spinning yarn from which cloth was made by hand-looms owned by families in the town.t The product of such toil- some process was sold at from " thirty-three to forty-two cents per yard." In 1815-16 the business was discontinued, the competition with goods of foreign make rendering it unprofit- able. The machinery was sold and removed to Jenksville. Carding and cloth-dressing were also carried on by a Mr. Pinney about the same period and at the same place.

The Springfield Canal Company, purchaser of the property of the Chicopee Manufacturing Company, at " Cabotville," now Chicopee, was composed mainly of the stockholders of the latter, and organized in 1831 with a capital of $90,000. John Chase was chosen agent, and from that time was the leading spirit of the place. The canal company, by Mr. Chase, commenced the construction of the canal which leads the water to the mills on the 1st day of April, 1832. Water was let into it Dee. 8, 1832. The same year a dam was constructed across the Chicopee River at the head of the canal, and ma- ehine-shops built to construet proper machinery for making cotton goods. These shops were small, and stood where the western portion of the buildings of the Ames Manufacturing Company now stands. The machinery was started March 28, 1833. The buildings were afterward much enlarged, without a stoppage of the works. Ames & Dwight purchased the property in 1834. The canal company disposed of portions of its property and water-power to corporations, which from that time were successively forined, and whose mills were all erected by Mr. Chase. Of such companies the " Cabot Man- ufacturing Company" was the first, and was incorporated in 1832, with a capital of $400,000. They erected a mill for the manufacture of cotton goods, and on the 12th of Iune, 1834, spun therein the first bobbin of yarn, and on the Ist day of July wove the first yard of cotton cloth. On that day Mr. Chase began the ereetion of the second mill, in which carding and spinning were commenced July 28, 1835.

Robert E. Bemis, the first agent, began his work April 1, 1834. The capital of this company was increased to $450,000 in 1836, and to $500,000 in 1839. The mills contained, in 1848, 422 looms and 14,848 spindles ; employed 100 male and 300 female operatives; consumed 3000 bales of cotton, and produced 4,000,000 yards of cloth annually. Mr. Bemis con- tinued with this company until November, 1852.

The second or " Perkins Mills" were incorporated in 1836, and had then a capital of $400,000, which was twice increased, and made 8500,000. Their first mill, known as Mill No. 3, was commenced May 1, 1836, and first used March 1, 1837; their second, or Mill No. 4, was commenced July 1, 1837, and first used April 24, 1838. In 1848 these mills contained 428 looms and 14,973 spindles; consumed 1,400,000 pounds of cotton, and produced 4,325,000 yards of cloth annually. They employed 105 male and 325 female operatives. Elias Davis, the first agent, continued from the spring of 1837 until January, 1842, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Rufus Whittier, who served from that date until his death, in April, 1852.

Soon after the death of Mr. Whittier, the Cabot and Per-

a short distance west of the spot occupied formerly by the house of Henry, his ancestor. The " march of improvement" at Chicopee disturbed him, and occa- sioned his removal to a farm on Chicopee Street, where the house he occupied was standing in 1862. It is known as the Capt. Phineas Chapin residence, and is, or was recently, standing near the Connectiont River Railroad crossing. Levi and Joseph were sons of Levi and Sally (Richardson), who also resided at Chicopee,

t Que deft house-wife of that day was an expert weaver, and had a husband who was proud of her abilities, and withal quite incredulous. Unaware of the then recent introduction of labor-saving machinery for weaving, and overhear- ing some large stories of a day's product ot a single loom, he declared it " all a lie;" that his " old woman could throw a shuttle with the smartest of 'em, and she couldn't do it !"

* William was a son of William and Mary (Church) Chapin, and married Lucy Duy. He was born and lived many years in the house uow (or lately ) standing

974

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

kins companies were consolidated, and placed in charge of C. W. Blanchard, as agent, who served from November, 1852, until January, 1853. Daniel Hussey followed, and remained three months, when George D. Lund was appointed, and con- tinued until March, 1856, when these companies and the Dwight Manufacturing Company were united, retaining the latter name.

The third corporation, The Dwight Manufacturing Com- pany, was organized in 1841 with a capital of $500,000, which, in 1843, was increased to $700,000. Their first mill-No. 5- was built in 1839 by the Canal Company, and first used March 1, 1841 ; their second-No. 6-was commeneed June 8, 1841, and first used Feb. 24, 1842; their third-No. 7-was begun June 8, 1844, and first used May 15, 1845. In 1848 the three mills contained 786 looms and 28,576 spindles ; employed 176 male and 614 female operatives; consumed 2,000,000 pounds of cotton, and produced 5,600,000 yards of eloth, consisting of coarse shirtings and drillings, annually. Sylvanus Adams was the first agent,-appointed in 1841,-and remained in charge until January, 1867, nearly eleven years after the last consolidation, when R. A. Budlong followed, and remained until his death, May, 1868. Then followed George Il. Nye, until May, 1872; George W. Bedlow, until September, 1876; E. F. Balch, from October, 1876, until December, 1877 ; J. W. Cumnoek,* the present agent, commenced his duties Jan. 1, 1878.

This company now owns seven mills, cach of five stories, which present an almost unbroken front one-third of a mile in extent. The present capital of the company is $1,200,000. The mills contain 2700 looms and 110,000 spindles, employ 450 male and 900 female operatives, consume 427,000 pounds of cotton, and yield 460,000 yards of cloth weekly. About forty kinds of goods are made, including heavy and medium sheetings, among which are the celebrated brands " Dwight Anchor" and " Dwight Star," bleached and unbleached. A specialty is made of piqués and very fine shirtings,-84 warp and 104 piek, or " filling." The power is connnunicated by turbine water-wheels, supplemented at low and high stages of water by two Corliss engines,-one of 800 and one of 450 horse-power. The wheels and engines aggregate about 2000 horse-power.

The Ames Manufacturing Company .- The commonwealth of Massachusetts has ever occupied a high rank among the States of our Union for its varied and extensive manufac- tures ; and of the many establishments none has contributed in a greater degree to render this State famous, both at home and in Europe, than the Ames Manufacturing Company of Chicopee. It is an old establishment, dating its origin back to 1791, when N. P. Ames, Sr., commeneed the manufacture of edge-tools at Chelmsford, Mass. Here be continued this industry until 1829, when, together with N. P. Ames, Jr., and James T. Ames, the works were removed to Chicopee Falls, and continued until 1831, when they began the manu- facture of swords for the government. They at once took a front rank in this branch of manufacture, and their high reputation has since been fully maintained ; and from that time to the present a large proportion of the swords used in the army and navy of the United States, and by secret and other societies, have been made at these works.

In 1834 they removed the works to Cabotville, now Chico- pee, and, with James K. Miller and Edmund Dwight, incor- porated the Ames Manufacturing Company, with a capital of $30,000. The management devolved upon N. P. Ames, son of the founder, assisted by his brother, James T. In 1836 the manufacture of bronze cannon was begun, in which they be- came justly celebrated. At this time the company was crowded

with orders for cannon and projectiles, and at the request of the officers of the ordnance department of the government N. l'. Ames visited Europe and spent one year with the view of adopting any improvements in this manufacture that he might discover. In 1842 the capital was increased to $75,000, and again, in 1846, to $200,000. During this year the entire management was assumed by N. P. Ames, who has continued in that position substantially to the present time. In 1849 the capital was again increased to $250,000, and the manufacture of lathes, planing-machines, etc., added. About this time, also, was commenced the manufacture of the Boyden turbine water-wheel, cotton machinery, etc. In 1853 the establishment furnished the gun-stock and other machinery for the Enfield manufactory, near Woolwich, England. About the year 1853 they began making statuary and other bronze works of art, and it is needless to say that in this branch also the Ames works have achieved a world-wide reputation, as the bronze figures made at this establishment may be seen in very many of the large parks and squares throughout the States, while the soldiers' monuments made here are numerous in the various sections of the country, the mechanical execution of which is very generally admired .. Among the prominent works are the colossal statue of De Witt Clinton, in Greenwood Ceme- tery, New York; the equestrian statue of Washington, in Union Square, New York; Franklin's statue and the eques- trian statue of Washington, at Boston, Mass. ; and the bronze doors of the Capitol, at Washington.

In 1858, Mr. J. T. Ames was sent by the government to England to procure machinery for rolling gun-barrels, and here was manufactured the machinery for the Springfield and llarper's Ferry armories. Since the Rebellion the manufac- ture of goods has been changed to some extent, but great at- tention is still given to the manufacture of fine swords and equipments.

This company has ever taken first rank in whatever branch of manufacture it has undertaken. As early as 1840 it was commissioned by the State of Virginia to furnish six swords, at a cost of $1000 each, for presentation to as many of her his- torie heroes, and in the same year the company received a like commission from Congress. To this company, also, may be traced the introduction of the present generally-used process of electro-plating, in 1839.

It may truthfully be said that much of the success of this establishment is due to Mr. N. P. Ames, who has ever been untiring in his efforts to advance the interests of the company, and to produce the best quality of goods possible.

The present officers of the company are as follows: A. C. Woodworth, President; Luther White, Treasurer; Nelson King, Superintendent. The board of directors is constituted as follows: A. C. Woodworth, Luther White, A. Gordon Bowles, W. Il. Wilkinson, and John B. Anthony.

The Gaylord Manufacturing Company was formed in 1863, during the Rebellion, for the purpose of making military accoutrements of leather. Emerson Gaylord, one of the com- pany, had previously been engaged in a like business. Sereno Gaylord, from Terryville, Conn., subsequently joined the company, and introduced the manufacture of cabinet locks. As the war closed, the latter business took the lead, and the former dwindled. In 1865 the company purebased the busi- ness of the " Chicopee Malleable Iron Company," and con- tinued to make malleable iron goods for about ten years, in connection with locks, which were continued a specialty. At the end of that time the manufacture of swords for " society" and military use was started, and has since grown to a chief place in the business of the establishment. Many of the swords, especially those for society use, are of great value, being of exceedingly elaborate workmanship. The company once made steel pens. Emerson Gaylord is President, Artbur F. Gaylord, Treasurer, and James L. Pease, Agent.

The water-power used by this company is derived from a

* Two brothers of Mr. Cumuock occupy similar positions,-Alexander, at Boott Cotton Milla, Lowell, and John, with the Great Falls Manufacturing Com - pany, New Hampshire,

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975

HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.

second dam, built by Mr. Chase, and completed Sept. 5, 1834, which receives the overflow from the present upper dam at the head of the canal. A turbine wheel is used, supplemented by steam-power.

The shops occupy the site of the old grist-mill erected in the last century by Van Horn & Chapman, as described else- where. The canal company sold the property to Benning Leavitt, and he to the present owners.

S. Blaisdell, Jr., & Co. are dealers in cotton and cotton waste, occupying quarters at " Chicopee Junction," which little indicate the magnitude of their business. This business originated in 1863, with George Mattoon and Andrew IIub- bard, who established the cotton waste business at Chicopee Falls. After the death of Mr. Hubbard, in 1865, his partner transferred the enterprise to Chicopee, and continued it alone until 1868, when he was joined by S. Blaisdell, Jr. Mr. Mat- toon retired in May, 1872. Mr. Blaisdell then admitted as partners his brothers, Charles M. and George A. The cotton waste business has been overslaughed by that of supplying raw cotton to the large manufacturing companies, direct from the producers, through the agency of C. H. Mallory & Co., of New York, the distributing point. The amount in value of the cotton thus handled is between one and two millions of dollars annually .*

The dam just below the Chicopee Street bridge, on Chicopee River, was built three or four years since-about 1875-by Edmund Wood, and now supplies power for his bobbin-tac- tory and grist-mill, situated on the north bank, above the island.

It is the prevailing local belief that Chicopee bears the honor of having originated, through two of her former citizens, that now indispensable article, the friction-or Loco-Foco-match. Monroe Chapin and a Mr. Phillips commenced the manufac- ture of matches in a small brick structure, measuring less than ten feet each way, situated on the east side of "Chicopee Street," near the north end. At first the wood was split by hand to the proper size, and the early matches sold for fifty eents a box or gross. The blanks or splints were soon after made by sawing.

NEWSPAPERS.

The first newspaper published within the limits of the present town of Chicopee was issued in January, 1840, by Thomas D. Blossom, then late from Hingham, Mass., who was assisted in the editorship by Rev. A. A. Folsom. The name of this publication was Cabotville Chronicle and Chicopee Falls Ad- vertiser. June 22, 1844, John L. Hall and O. Butterfield took the office under a lease from Mr. Blossom, and continued but a few months, yet long enough to change the name of the paper to Mechanics' Offering. Mr. Blossom then resumed control, and sustained it under the new name until the spring of 1846, when it went into a sudden deeline because of a " withdrawal of patronage in consequence of the publication of certain offensive articles, among which were the ' Myster- ies of Cabotville.'" The Mechanics' Offering then appeared, with Harvey E. Bowles as publisher and James M. Cava- naugh as editor. In August, the same year, Ilervey Russell, Amos W. Stockwell, and Mr. Cavanaugh purchased the paper, and issued, in the second week of September following, the initial sheet of the Cabotville Mirror. Stockwell and Cava- naugh were the editors, who made it a Democratie organ. Fire destroyed the establishment, Jan. 8, 1848, but with assistance they resumed the publication the first of the ensuing March. In November of the next year the subscription list was trans- ferred to the Springfield Sentinel, which issued it under the head of the Chicopee Mirror until Feb. 2, 1850. The Chico- pee Telegraph, a weekly paper, was first issued on Wed- nesday, Feb. 11, 1846, by J. C. Stoever & Co., in Cabotville. It was, as its opening editorial announced, devoted to "agri-

culture, domestic economy, the mechanic arts, literature, mo- rality, news, and amusement." The legend at first visible among the head lines, " neutral in politics," was dropped with No. 12, of volume two, and theneeforward it hecame a political paper. The Telegraph ceased with No. 21, May 25, 1853, which contained the following announcement from the publisher :

"Our connection with the Telegraph has not been sufficiently long to canse us to cling to the name with any tenacity or relinquish it with many regrets. There's something in a name, after all ! and in these days, when the lightnings are messengers, it seems to be stealing their thunder to appropriate the name of the thing they do it with and apply it to a message that must necessarily be somewhat old and slow."

A newspaper, 18 by 24 inches, was issued Saturday, June 4, 1853, called the Chicopee Weekly JJournal, with a medallion view of the village in the heading. J. R. Childs, who had assumed the management of the Telegraph on the Ist day of May preceding its discontinuance, was editor and publisher of the new paper. It contained local, but not general, news and selected matter, and was in politics of avowedly Whig pro- clivities. The second volume was narrowed one column per page, and appeared as the Weekly Journal, dropping Chicopee from its title. With No. 7, vol. ii., July 15, 1854, David B. Potts became proprietor, and James C. Pratt editor. Wil- liam G. Brown followed Mr. Pratt as editor, April 19, 1856, when J. C. Havens, having purchased the paper, admitted Mr. Pratt as partner. They continued the publication for two years, when George V. Wheelock was admitted. March 12, 1859, Mr. Brown sold his interest to J. C. Havens. Havens and Wheelock sustained the paper until Dec. 27, 1862, when it was discontinued with No. 30, vol. xviii., which contained among other valedictory words the following :

" We are not dead yet, it is true, or quite reduced to the starving point, and, but for the paper-makers' exorbitant demands, we should continne to dispense ' blessings' to this community every week,-and, mark it! but for the scarcity of advertisements, we should never have allowed a ' break' in the chain of publi- cation."

The department of job-printing has since been continued by Mr. Wheelock.

TOWN LIBRARY.

The Cabot Institute, a literary club, was incorporated in 1846, and in the subsequent seven years accumulated a library of about 900 volumes. The first books, 651 in number, were purchased in 1847 with funds contributed by the various cor- porations and by individuals. At a meeting held at " Cabot IIall," April 4, 1853, the inhabitants voted to accept a propo- sition which had been made by The institute to donate this collection to the town, with the condition that the latter should for ten years appropriate annually the sum of $100 for new books, and pay the incidental expenses of the library. The books were transferred to the town on the 14th of May follow- ing. At the expiration of the ten years the supervision of the library was duly vested in a committee to be annually chosen by the seleetmen. Upon the completion of the town-hall, in 1871, the library was transferred to a room therein, set apart for the purpose. The first librarian was J. R. Childs. The first catalogue was published in 1846 ; additions in 1862 and 1866. During 1877-78 there were added 363 volumes, making a total of 4843. The new " Encyclopædia Britannica" is among the late accessions, a gift from Hon. George Robinson. The library possesses many other valuable works of refer- ence, and, of course, a large store of fietion, which here, as in other places, forms the bulk of the circulation. The library is practically free, subscribers paying but fifty cents per year.

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History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 137

Author: L.H. Everts & Co Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts Number of Pages: 896

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 896