USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Holden > History of the town of Holden, Massachusetts, 1667-1941 > Part 9
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He at first made a specialty of dyeing wool and col- oring yarns, in which he attained great excellence, and a very wide reputation, the first prize having been awarded him in a competition of much importance. Mr. Chaffin ran the mill for many years, and then sold out to his son, Alfred H. Chaffin. In his hands woolen goods suitable for prison uniforms were made.
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„ In 1879, it was a one-set mill employing nine hands. June 20th, it was burned, just after having been re- fitted and leased to Peter Scanlon & Co.
About 1870, Alfred H. Chaffin established an un- usually fine grist-mill, which was burned and rebuilt.
From 1885 to 1890, John W. Shrewbrooks operated a grist-mill and shoddy mill here. This was destroy- ed by fire in 1890.
A shoddy mill was rebuilt in this location and was operated for a year by August Pearson, and by a num- ber of others for short periods.
The property was acquired by the Worcester Poly- technic Institute, and the mill industry came to an end in this early settlement of the town.
EAGLEVILLE
This village was also known as "Brick City," as for many years the only brick house in town was located there.
In 1806, Caleb Kendall, 2nd, with his young wife, Dolly (Sawyer) came to Holden and built a saw and grit-mill at Eagleville which he operated until 1829, when it was sold to Samuel Clark, who erected a small factory there. This mill was burned in 1834, but in the following year it was rebuilt, and enlarged. In 1840, it was owned by LeBaron Putnam, and was run under the name of The Eagleville Manufacturing Company. It had at this time sixteen hundred spin- dles, and the annual product amounted to two hundred and seventy-five thousand yards of shirting.
After the sale of the Eagleville mill, Caleb Kendall, 2nd, purchased a large farm, heavily timbered and
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erected a saw and grist-mill on the present Kendall Road opposite the dam that formed the old Kendall Reservoir. The cellar hole of his home which was near this mill may be seen today surrounded by lilac bushes planted there by Dolly Kendall.
In 1847, Edward, son of Caleb Kendall, 2nd, re- moved to Boston where he became one of the leaders of Cambridge industry. Kendall Square, in Cam- bridge was named in his honor, and the high pressure boilers manufactured there were sold in all parts of this country as well as in Turkey, China, and other far away countries. When he retired from business he built a beautiful home on the hill overlooking the lake which covers the meadow which he had mowed as a boy. There the family resided for many years, taking an active part in the church and community life.
In 1852, Luther Wright and Alfred Morse pur- chased the Eagleville property, and in 1860, Mr. Morse became the sole owner. The trustees of his estate sold the property to Milton S. Morse, in 1874. He died in 1877, and the mill was run under the name of Es- tate of Milton S. Morse until 1881, when the name of Holden Mills was adopted.
In 1888, the firm consisted of George M. Morse, Susand A. Monroe, and Stillman F. Morse, the last named taking charge of the business until 1879.
In 1893, the property was purchased by the Jeffer- son Manufacturing Company.
In 1894, seventy hands were employed at the mill, and "twill goods" manufactured there, had the rep- utation of being the best sold in the Providence Mar- ket.
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UNIONVILLE
The first manufacturing in Holden was done at Unionville, a village about half way between Chaffin- ville and Quinapoxet.
"Messrs. Eleazer Rider and Sons commenced spin- ning Cotton Yarn here in 1809. These persons had previously been engaged in the same business at West Boylston. It is stated upon good authority that they were among the first, (if not the first) manufacturers of cotton yarn in Worcester County. In 1810, the fac- tory of Messrs. Rider contained 48 spindles. The same year, the establishment was purchased by Mr. Joshua Bassett and Mr. Farnum White. An addition was then made of 56 spindles. Mr. John Rudman purchased of Bassett and White, in 1814. The factory was sold to Mr. John Slater, in 1819. In 1821, Mr. John Lees, became the owner who continued to make repairs and additions during the three following years. Weaving by the power loom commenced in 1822. In 1824, Mr. Lees sold nineteen bales of sheeting to Mr. Samuel Parkman, Jr., of Boston, who shipped the goods to Batavia. It was reported at the time, to have been the first shipment of cotton goods from this coun- try, which passed around Cape Good Hope."
"Mr. Lees ran the mill more than twenty years, the firm name being Lees and Eldridge."
Later, Jonathan M. Ladd ran it a number of years. The mill was last operated by Charles L. Truchon, who confined its operations to the spinning of cotton yarn which gave employment to about twenty persons. It was destroyed by fire August, 8, 1882.
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JEFFERSONVILLE (Formerly called Drydenville)
In 1825, a Mr. Morse built a factory at the village now known as Jefferson. It soon passed into the hands of John Jefferson. "In 1841, it was a satinet factory containing one hundred and eighty spindles and eight looms."
"For many years previous to 1830, Colonel Artemas Dryden was engaged in this village in the manufacture of machines for carding. The first power cards used in this country were made by him. Later he built a satinet factory which in 1841, contained three hundred spindles and eight looms. At that time is was owned by Samuel Damon."
In 1858, manufacturing was continued by William Howe and Theron E. Hall who formed a partner- ship and engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods. In 1860, Martin V. B. Jefferson bought out Major Hall and the business was continued under the firm name of Howe & Jefferson until 1886.
Mr. Howe removed from Jefferson to Holden Cen- ter in 1889, where he built the large house next east of the stores and filling station on the corner of Reser- voir and Main Streets. He was born in Holden, and held many responsible positions in church and town. January 1, 1886, Mr. Jefferson purchased the interest of Mr. Howe, and the business was conducted under the name of the Jefferson Manufacturing Company. In 1891, there were 275 "hands" employed.
Mr. Jefferson during these years, held numerous im- portant offices in the town and state.
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December 8, 1892, fire destroyed the "Lower mill" and badly damaged the "Upper mill," with a total loss of $150,000.
Immediately plans were made for a new brick build- ing on the site of the burned mill.
In 1893, the Jefferson Manufacturing Company pur- chased the real estate of the Holden Mills.
The author is indebted to Mr. Francis L. Coe for the following account of the Jefferson Manufacturing Company :
"In 1906, upon the death of Martin V. B. Jefferson, the company was incorporated under the laws of Mass- achusetts with William H. Coe, Treasurer, and Jeffer- son W. Coe, President. During the World War of 1914-1918 the company manufactured many thousands of Army blankets both for the U. S. Government and the Italian Government.
"In 1920, Jefferson W. Coe died from influenza so prevalent at that time, and was succeeded by his brother Robert H. Coe who had returned from overseas duty in France. In this same year William H. Coe resigned as an official of the Company and Francis L. Coe, then attending Law School in Boston was elected to the Di- rectorate.
"In 1923, it was decided to concentrate all activities in one plant and the machinery and office of the com- pany at the lower plant at the junction of Princeton and Quinapoxet Streets was moved to the Eagle Lake plant on Main Street in the westerly part of the village. In 1926, a new brick addition was added to the Eagle Lake plant and many improvements made to the exist- ing property. From 1920 to 1929, the Company was
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unusually active and was renowned for its steady op- eration and quality of fabrics produced. In 1929, Wil- liam H. Coe died at his home in Worcester. The fol- lowing years were most difficult ones as the country was in the throes of a depression. In 1934, the em- ployees of the Company, numbering approximately 350 voted to Unionize and become affiliated with the Amer- ican Federation of Labor. This unit was subsequently absorbed by the C.I.O. During the following five years the company was beset with labor difficulties which combined with a declining demand for its man- ufactured product resulted in a vote of the stockhold- ers to liquidate the enterprise in December, 1939. At this date the real estate was valued at $293,725.
"The homes and tenement properties owned by the company were sold by public auction in 1940. It is interesting to note that a great majority were pur- chased by local people for permanent homes. In 1941, the machinery and equipment were sold by auction bringing an approximate total of some $200,000, and at this writing the buildings are still standing though va- cant."
NORTH WOODS
"The mill at North Woods, or Ruralville, was erect- ed by B. T. Southgate of Blackstone, for a woolen mill, but in 1827 it was changed to a cotton mill by William Buffum. It afterwards passed into the hands of Col- onel Samuel Damon, who owned it in 1840, when it contained fourteen looms and one thousand spindles, and later, Wesley Howard made bagging there." Then it was run by J. W. Freeman, who, in 1855 was making
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¥2549
HOLDEN FIRE APPARATUS
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cotton cloth there. He was succeeded by A. P. Col- vin. From 1858 to 1862, it was controlled by Wright and Morse; with William H. Walker as manager. In 1862, it was transferred to Walker and Wright, who ran it until about 1874, when the mill became the property of the West Boylston Manufacturing Com- pany. They ran it for some years with Whipple Har- ris as agent, and in 1882 leased it to A. H. Turner and Co. In 1894, about forty-five "hands" were em- ployed.
It was burned in 1896. The equipment at that time consisted of a woolen mill, dye house, store house, smith shop, two, four tenement houses, two, one tenement houses, two reservoirs and water power at a total val- uation of $11,025.
The name Ruralville stamped on the cloth produced here was used for years and was the mark of highest quality goods.
This village was located in the northwest part of town in the vicinity of the junction of the present Cobb Road and Princeton Street.
BRYANTVILLE
The water privilege at the junction of Salisbury and Main Streets, now called Dawson, had been used by Town Bartlett as a candle-wicking mill, and after- wards as a wood-working shop. It was improved by Lyman Bryant, who came to town in 1827, and for a short time was in partnership with James Cowden.
Mr. Bryant was an undertaker in Holden for more than 30 years and made coffins in his mill.
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He was succeeded by his son, Frederick L. Bryant, who ran a planing and cider mill there until 1908, when it was purchased by Frank C. Parker, who ran it until it was destroyed by fire in 1918.
QUINAPOXET
The factory at Quinapoxet and the village con- nected with it, stood on six hundred square acres of land, formerly a part of the "French Land" which was bought by Damon and Thaxter, in 1827.
In 1831, Samuel Damon, having purchased the in- terest of his partner, erected a mill for the manufacture of cotton sheeting. In 1841, this mill contained one thousand, four hundred spindles and forty looms, man- ufacturing two hundred and fifty thousand yards of sheeting. Colonel Damon with various partners con- trolled the mill until his death in 1851.
In 1856, it was sold to A. F. Smith of Grafton. From 1862, it was run for some years by Howe and Myers. It then passed into the hands of Stowell and Ward, who manufactured satinets. May 27, 1871, their mill was burned with an estimated loss of thirty thousand dollars. It was at once rebuilt, and was run for a time by Wood and Ward, and in 1876, was purchased by Cyrus G. Wood who ran it for many years, the bus- iness then passing into the hands of his sons J. Frank and Clarence Wood.
In 1910, Horace Wyman became the owner and in 1915, the property was sold by his heirs to E. Schwarz of New York, when it was run under the firm name of Quinapoxet Manufacturing Company, until it was
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taken over by the Metropolitan Water Commission on November 15, 1929.
At that time a person entering the village from the south, passed the school house built in 1881, and des- troyed by fire in 1930, and a little farther on, at the right, on an elevation overlooking the village, stood the residence of J. Frank Wood.
On the opposite side of the street, on the north west- erly corner of Mill and Wachusett Streets, was located the building housing the general store and the post office.
For some distance on both sides of the street, were attractive, well cared for homes, and then one came again to the farming district.
The four set mill, a brick structure, was located on Mill Street and on its site a mill had been in almost continuous operation for ninety-seven years. At that time 105 persons were employed there.
In 1929, the mill property consisted of 143 acres of land in addition to the mill buildings, four, four apart- ment houses, six single houses, two, two apartment houses, four bungalows and the store block, the total valuation being $65,100.
LOVELLVILLE
Deacon John Lovell, for many years previous to 1841, had run a machine for "custom carding" and a small mill for the manufacturing of cotton batting, and Candle Wicking. In 1837, the mill contained six hundred spindles, twelve hands were employed, and ten thousand pounds of warp, eight thousand
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pounds of batting, and twelve thousand pounds of wicking were manufactured.
On Sunday, May 24, 1847, the mill and its contents were burned. At this time the mill was owned by David Parmenter, and the machinery was owned and operated by Holbrook and Wilder. After some years the mill was rebuilt, and in 1873, it was controlled by the Lovellville Manufacturing Company; in 1876, by Messenger and Wright, of New York; in 1879, by the Lovell Woolen Company, under the management of Klebert and Findeisen, and in 1886, it was purchased by Cyrus G. Wood and run in connection with his mill in Quinapoxet.
In May, 1916, a spark from a locomotive set a grass fire which spread so rapidly that before it could be checked, the mills and five or six nearby houses were totally destroyed.
DAWSONVILLE
The Moss Brook Mill, at Dawsonville, formerly called Delaneyville, was, prior to 1854, the property of Colonel Samuel Damon, and was originally a shingle mill. It was then disposed of to Benjamin Franklin, who manufactured forks of all kinds there. In 1862 or 1863, the property was sold to Ashworth and Day. Mr. Day soon took it alone and manufactured shoddy for several years. The first shoddy made in town, was made here, "a company of Englishmen with machinery imported from England" having been engaged in the business as early as 1857. In 1866, it was owned by
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Kimball and Talbot; in 1867, by John O'Brien; in 1868, by Crompton and Dawson of Worcester, who were engaged in the mill supply business: In 1873, Mr. Charles Dawson became the sole owner of the property.
At first satinets and melton flannels were made, then fancy cheviots and cassimeres, and the mill's reputa- tion for "quality goods" became such that night and day "shifts" were unable to supply the demand.
For more than twenty-five years, Mr. Dawson con- tinued at the head of this business adding from year to year new equipment, and building new homes to accomodate the increased number of workers.
He served the town as selectman for several years.
The Dawson home was the large house at the junc- tion of Salisbury and Main Streets, now owned and oc- cupied by the Frank H. Cates, Mrs. Cate, being a granddaughter of Mr. Dawson.
In 1910, he sold the mill property and it was in the hands of the Darling Woolen Mill Co. for a number of years. Persons holding an interest here were Albert H. Stone, Frank H. Viele and William Battye.
From 1915 to 1926, when it was taken by the Met- ropolitan District Water Commission, it was owned by the Holden Woolen Company.
In 1922, the property comprised a group of frame and brick mill buildings, one, four family house, six, two family houses, and six cottages, valued in 1926 at $34,000.
All buildings of this village were on the east side of the highway. The H. H. Munger house near the junc- tion of Newell Road was the oldest in the village.
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The older group of houses were south of the pres- ent swimming pool, and the mill buildings were at the rear of the pool.
North from the pool were a number of attractive homes built more recently, six of them during 1919.
Nearly opposite Newell Road stands the Lindquist formerly the Paddock Homestead.
SPRINGDALE
In 1864 and 1865, a stone dam, eighty-five feet long, later extended to one hundred and fifteen feet, was built across the Quinapoxet River at the site of the Springdale Mill. A two-set wooden mill was then erected, but was burned in 1875. A stone shoddy mill had been put up in 1874, and in 1876, a four-set stone mill was built by G. J. Smith. In 1892, James Dorr, after making extensive repairs began manufacturing satinets there. This business was continued until 1905, when the property was taken over by the Metropol- itan Water Commission. At that time the village con- sisted of a mill, a picker house, stock house, two barns, a four tenement house, four, two tenement houses, and water power, all valued at $19,605.
CANADA MILLS
This property was located on the Quinapoxet River, beyond Unionville, towards West Boylston, and was known as the L. M. Harris Manufacturing Company from 1870 until it was taken by the Metropolitan Water Commission in 1899. At that time the value of the property including shoddy mill, store house and water power was $5,500.
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN
AUSTIN'S MILLS
The mills built by Asa and Ira Broad on Broad Street, later passed into the hands of William Howe and Martin V. B. Jefferson, and from 1871 to 1877, were run by the firm of Howe, Jefferson and Austin.
Waldo E. Austin came to Holden in 1864, to work in the Broad mills, where he became a junior partner, later buying out the interest of his partners, and using the mills as a basis for his business as a contractor and builder.
In addition to his business activities he served the town as Selectman, member of school committee, and as a member of the board of trustees of Gale Free Lib- rary.
Chapter XI
Business in Holden
STORES
Tradition states that the first store in town was kept near the Bullard place in Chaffins. From town rec- ords we learn that Samuel Damon kept store at an early date, and with the exception of two years, this business was continued by the family for more than one hundred years. Town records state that "June, 1779, came to reside in Holden, Samuel Dammon and Ab- igail Dammon his wife-they came from Medway in the County Suffolk."
They made the trip from Medway on horseback. Madam "Dammon" and a negro servant riding on the same horse, while their household goods followed in an oxcart, requiring two days for the passage.
Their first dwelling in Holden was one mile east of of the center village, and here their children were born.
In early days "that Noted House in said Town Known by the Name of the Old Publick Meeting House" stood on the present site of the Damon house in Holden center. This was advertised to be sold at Public Auction "at the House of Lem'l Abbot in Hol- den on March ye 16th, 1791."
The sale and removal of the Meeting House made way for the original Damon dwelling which was built at once. Adjoining this, on the east, was erected a small low building, used as a store. Both store and dwelling were first occupied by one Miles, who sold to Samuel Damon, senior, about the year 1800. Mr. Damon was
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connected with the business until his death in 1851. Part of the time there were partners and it was run under the firm names of Damon and Bartlett, Boyden and Goodell, Damon and Knowlton, Knowlton and Allen, Charles L. Knowlton, and Augustus F. Damon.
Samuel Damon's son, Colonel Samuel Damon, was associated with him as a partner after 1810, and con- tinued in charge of this store for forty-five years. In 1828, he built a cotton factory in Phillipston, and in 1831, he erected the mill at Quinapoxet. Later, he be- came owner of mills at North Woods, Drydenville, Dawsonville, North Oxford and the Trowbridge Mill in Worcester. These he operated for many years. He was also an extensive dealer in real estate. He was al- ways prominent in the affairs of the town, having filled many important offices, including that of Treasurer for thirteen years, and he was four times elected to the Legislature.
July 4, 1810, he married Alony Chenery, daughter of Dr. Isaac Chenery, and to them were born nine children. His son, Major Isaac Damon, continuing his father's interest in town affairs, served as Town Clerk for twenty two years, and as an assessor for twenty-eight years.
Others who kept store at the Damon stand were: Joseph H. Gleason, Paul Wadsworth and Son, Joseph H. Gleason and William H. Drury in company, Charles F. Parker. In 1868, it was sold to William H. Walker, in 1878, to Edwin H. Streeter, who was succeeded by Albert A. Cobbett, who sold in 1890, to the Holden Store Company, with Mr. Oscar Phillips
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as proprietor. Mr. Phillips was succeeded by Wal- lace F. Lyon, who sold to Allen and Gleason in 1900.
At three o'clock on the morning of May 16, 1901, the buildings were totally destroyed by fire of incendiary origin.
FALES BUILDING Community Stores Co.
About 1840, the building opposite Maple Street was erected by Ethan Davis, Senior. It was first used as a boot and shoe manufactory. Beginning in 1844, Avery Davis ran a general store there for eight years. In 1852, he sold to Nichols and Bryant and in 1856, it was purchased by Joseph H. Gleason.
In 1865, a stock of goods was put in by Alfred Morse with Samuel W. Armington in charge, who took the business in 1868, and carried it on until 1877. He was succeeded by Fred H. Fales who ran it for some years in connection with the post office. Others doing busi- ness there were: Loring W. Hubbard, Atherton and Muzzy, Jesse Allen and George H. Little.
In 1929, the store was remodelled under the super- vision of Bertram S. Newell, Administrator of the es- tate of Emily A. Fales, and on November 7th of that year the Community Stores Co. opened a market and grocery store.
The following have been managers of the store: H. W. Graves, Henry Prendergast, James M. Fletcher, H. Wells, Ray Holland, Harry W. Ostberg (eight years), Donald Harvey, Frederic Flemings.
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POST OFFICE BUILDING
In 1882, this building was the meat market of Frank Carter.
In the fall of 1889, Samuel W. Armington put in a stock of goods and conducted a store in connection with the post office.
During the sixteen years in which he served as Town Clerk, Mr. Armington had intensive work done in re- claiming, copying and indexing old town records and statistics that they might be "placed in an accessible shape for consultation by our citizens and by any others who might wish to acquaint themselves with the in- formation which they contain."
WARREN BUILDING Kelton's Market
The original store building near the corner of Main and Reservoir Streets, owned by Berthier Warren was moved from the rear of a house on Main Street near Lovell Road.
From 1901 to 1906, Jesse Allen and Walter W. Gleason did business there under the name of Allen and Gleason.
They sold to Edward E. Howe who ran a store there for twenty years.
Over the store was the wheelwright and carriage painting shop of George Boyden.
Wallace Lyon and his successor, Arthur Kirby, con- ducted meat markets and stores here for some years.
In 1918, the store was taken over by E. Frank Kelton,
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who has run it continuously since that time, the build- ing having been enlarged and modernized.
The business is now run under the name of Kelton's market.
Mr. Kelton's death occurred in 1941, but the busi- ness continues under the same group who have served the people of Holden for so many years: F. Boyden Kelton, Wallace B. McInnis, Elizabeth (Kelton) Mc- Innis, Earl J. Gibbons, Elmer P. Oliver, and Vernon E. Oliver.
Holden Spa
The former Milo Bassett house, the second below the post office building was first occupied as a store when Frank H. Rogers purchased the property, made alterations, and conducted a "Variety Store" there for some years. About 1923, he sold to Mrs. Helen Kuros, who ran the store for a time, and later the busi- ness was continued by the following: Carpenter and Atherton, Rodney F. Hunt, Mr. Alfred Swift, Stella and Nola Bergstrand, and from 1935 to the present time by Ralph A. Tymeson who conducts a general store under the name of the Holden Spa.
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