USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > South Boston > Illustrated history of South Boston > Part 17
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16I
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
THE BOSTON WHARF COMPANY.
The Boston Wharf Company was in- corporated in 1836, and was the outcome of bringing together into one ownership various parcels of flats located upon the South Boston side of Fort Point channel. At sundry times, by acts of the legis- lature, the lines of the company's owner- ship were extended as filling progressed until some twenty-five years ago, after the great Boston fire, the filling of these flats was completed by the debris from this great catastrophe. At different times the company has owned nearly all the land between First street and the rail- road freight terminals, and to-day owns over two million feet, located on Fort Point Channel, Summer, Melcher, Con- gress. A, Granite, Sleeper, Farnsworth, Pittsburgh, Richards and Midway streets and Mt. Washington avenue. From mud flats the property has become a great business location. In its early days the company devoted its energies to the storage business, and for years nearly all the sugar and molasses brought to Boston was landed and stored upon this property. With the changes of the last quarter of a century, the dying out of the old mercantile houses -and the con- solidation of the sugar refineries, this busi- ness has largely disappeared. Beginning some fifteen years ago the business of the Boston Wharf Company has changed materially. The storage of sugar and molasses has largely ceased, and in its place the company has devoted its ener- gies and capital to the erection of large and costly buildings for various mercan- tile purposes. Upon the lands now or formerly owned by this company are lo- cated some of the largest industries of the city. Among them : the Boston plant of the American Sugar Refining Com- pany, the Whittier Machine Co., the Boston Molasses Company, Moore & Wyman Elevator and Machine Works, Bay State Belting Company, Simpson Bros. Corporation, the Factory Buildings Trust, Boston Plate and Window Glass Company, Wheeler-Stenzel Company, Machine Works of A. & J. M. Anderson, the New England departments of the
Rochester, Providence and Pabst brew- ing companies, the Atlas, Williams and Dexter public storage warehouses, the hide concerns of J. T. Meader & Co. and S. W. Wiley & Co., the private storage warehouses of Shepard, Norwell & Co., Jordan, Marsh & Co., Brown, Durrell & Co., Jones, McDuffee & Stratton Company, American Radiator Company, F. W. Hunt & Co., Boutwell Brothers, Smith & Thayer Company, Sumner & Goodwin, Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, National Lead Com- pany, Baxter, Schenkelberger & Co., M. J. Collins, Hamburger Brothers, W. J. Corbett & Co., Wm. Corbett, John Far- quhar's Sons; together with the offices and warehouses of the great wool houses of Jeremiah Williams & Co., Purdy & Co., Harding & Caverly, Hecht, Lieb- mann & Co., Brown & Adams, J. Kosh- land & Co., Nichols, Dupee & Co., Amer- ican Woolen Company and Hallowell, Donald & Co.
There are also here located the fac- tories of the American Telephone & Telegraph Company, the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company, Chase & Co. Corporation, Lally & Co., Riley & Co., Eagle Extract Company, Guy T. Carleton, C. L. Hauthaway & Sons, Macallen Company, F. S. Webster & Co. and many others. Also the great stables of the American Express Com- pany, Waterhouse & Clements, Thomas McEnany and Flanders & Co. Also the establishments of the Western Union and Postal Telegraph Companies, of the Edi- son Electric Illuminating Company, pipe yards of Waldo Brothers, Fisk, Homes & Co. and C. A. Dodge & Co., and the yards of Stewart & Co. and the Metro- politan Coal Company.
The company itself still devotes some six hundred thousand feet of land to its own storage and bonded yards business.
The property of the company is inter- sected by streets and spur railroad tracks, and bounded by a fine water front. The amount spent in improvements upon it would aggregate several million dollars. In 1836 the property was assessed for $ 10,000, and the tax paid was $190. On May ist, 1900, that part of the property
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162
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
then remaining in the name of this com- pany was assessed for $3,829,700, and the tax was $56,300. Probably this does not represent one-half of the property for- merly owned by the company and now assessed to others.
FELTON & SON.
The oldest manufacturing plant in South Boston is that of Felton & Son, distillers, at the corner of Fifth, C and Gold streets. The buildings of the con- cern are certainly landmarks of South Boston, with a history covering nearly three quarters of a century. The story of the concern, since the distillery was built in 1839, is very interesting. It was in this year that Luther Felton con- structed the first building of this now well-known business. It was but a por- tion of the present plant, but it answered for the demand at that time. In the following year Mr. Felton commenced the manufacture of rum, the brand of which has become well known, and the demand for it has of course increased, so that the original building, which was one
THE LATE LUTHER FELTON.
THE LATE LUTHER H. FELTON.
story high, long ago ceased to be large enough. The passing of years found material increase in the business until now the buildings and the land used occupy the block bound by Fifth, Gold, C and D) streets, with the exception of a part on D street, now occupied by the Norcross school, and which was sold by Mr. Felton to the City of Boston for that purpose. Luther Felton, the pioneer manufacturer, was born in Marlboro in 1790, where his father was also born. His grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather were all born in Salem, Mass., while his great-great-great- grandfather came over from England in 1633 and settled in that old town; mak- ing the Felton family one of the oldest families in the country. Mr. Luther Felton moved to Boston from Marlboro in 1811, where he at once entered the employ of one of the well-known dis- tillers of the day and thoroughly learned the business. About 1824 he started ,in business for himself, renting a distillery on Washington street, about where Asy- lum street now connects with it, but being unable to purchase this, a few years
163
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
later, he built, as before stated, the South Boston plant. In 1845 he purchased as a residence the house at the northeast corner of Broadway and G street, which was then in process of erection, and which he occupied until his de- cease in 1868. At one time he owned several large tracts of land in South Boston including that on Broadway, which is the site of the old Mather school, and planted many of the large elm trees which to-day grace the streets of South Boston with their majestic arms. His son, Luther H. Felton, was born in Boston in 1821, his education being obtained in the Boston public schools of that day, and he became associated in the distillery business with his father in 1844. He was for many years a resident of Old Harbor street, near Dorchester street, from whence he re- moved to West Newton in 1867, where he resided until his decease in 1896. During his business career the distillery was much enlarged to meet the growing business, notably in 1854, which was caused by a large demand for New England rum for use in the Crimean War. Frederic Luther Felton, who now conducts the business under the old firin name of Felton & Son, was born in this district in 1848. He first saw the light of day in the old brick house on Fourth street near F, occupied at that time by his maternal grandfather, the late Josiah Withington. His education was acquired in Miss Burrill's famous old private school, which then stood where the Unitarian church now stands on Broadway, and in the old Hawes, Lincoln and Bigelow schools, which was supplemented by a course in the Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Mass.
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FELTON'S DISTILLERY.
FREDERIC L. FELTON.
He entered the distillery business wit 'a his father in 1867, becoming a partner in 1873. Since the death of his esti- mable father he has conducted the busi- ness alone. For several years Mr. Felton has been a resident of West Newton, although still retaining his membership in several South Boston Masonic bodies. The business of this time-honored concern has increased with years and has improved with age like its noted product, and its goods have a reputation which is not confined to the borders of this country. Being unsurpassed in quality it has found a ready sale at home and abroad. In 1881 Felton & Son were awarded a medal by the Massachusetts charitable association as an evidence of the su- periority of its goods. Although Mr. Felton resides in Newton, he still has a native interest in the welfare of this district, and is proud to have his name associated with the many honorable . ones, who have, most of them, emi- grated from time to time from one of the finest locations of any portion of Boston for residential purposes.
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BUILDINGS OF THE FACTORY BUILDINGS TRUST, A STREET,
165
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
FACTORY BUILDINGS TRUST.
Rising majestically on the territory bordered by A, Wormwood and Binford streets, is a series of buildings known in real estate and manufacturing circles as the Factory Buildings Trust. As one per- ceives the immense magnitude of the buildings it is not hard to realize that this is the largest electric light power and manufacturing plant in Boston. Cover- ing as it does over three acres of land in the territory off A street this fact is be- yond contradiction. The immense build- ings rise with all the splendor and grace borne by more magnificent structures, and they form a story of one of the most interesting of the many manufacturing sites in South Boston. The buildings are numbered from 239 to 259 A street, I to 33 Wormwood street and 2 to 42 Binford street. They are five in num- ber, and cover an area of over three acres. It hardly seems possible at a quick glance to be convinced at such short notice that the structures which rear so magnificently into the air cover this amount of ground, but a close inspection proves the fact beyond a shadow of a doubt. The location of the plant, if it may be called such, is admirably suited for manufacturing pur- poses. During the past five years South Boston has become the center of the wool trade and manufacturing concerns have followed each other in rapid succession to this part of the district. Being closely situated to the freight terminals much time and labor have been saved in the transportation of heavy manufactured goods. The Fac- tory Buildings Trust's magnificent struc- tures therefore fill a long-felt want. They are admirably located and suited for every kind of manufacturing. The establishment is supplied with all modern appliances, electric light and power and, in a few words, they are all that is re- quired for heavy and light manufacturing. Abreast of the buildings are outlets that bring the city proper, South Boston, the South Terminal and the immense south- ern freight terminals within easy reach. Every convenience is at hand. The idea
of the company in causing the erec- tion of these buildings was to cater to the manufacturing community. Those al- ready located in the building are high in their praise of the locality and the facili- ties afforded by its owners. This story would not be complete without a series of figures commenting on the many ad- vantages afforded by the buildings and the magnitude of the enterprise. Build- ing No. 1 is 62 feet wide by 210 feet long, covering an area of 13,020 square feet ; buildings Nos. 2 and 3 are 70 feet wide by 210 feet long, each with a square areage of 14,700 square feet ; building No. 4 is 75 feet wide by 210 feet long, giving a total of 15,750 square feet ; building No. 5 is 71 feet long by 97 feet wide, giving the building 6,987 square feet. Thus it will be readily noticed that the buildings of this company cover 65,159 square feet. The boiler room is IOI feet wide by 113 feet long, and the en- gine room 75 feet wide by 105 feet long. The total amount of ground occupied by the plant is three acres with a floor space of over 10 acres. These figures are accurate and show the immense amount of space utilized in South Boston in a condensed area for manufacturing purposes. Eight million of brick is a large quantity. It would cover a large amount of space if they were laid side by side, and if piled one on top of the other would reach nearly one million and a half feet into the air. Yet this is the number of brick used in the construction of these mammoth buildings. There are many other faets in connection with these buildings of interest to the general public. The chimney tower- ing above the building is 222 feet high, being within 30 feet as high as Bunker Hill monument. The boiler capacity is 3,000 horse power and the engine ca- pacity is 2,500 horse power. The elec- trie light capacity is 16,500 sixteen-candle power lamps. The piping for the plant is over 17 miles in length or if laid out in a straight line would extend to nearly the town of Sharon on the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. These- are facts and figures compiled by the builders and those interested in the building. They appeal to every manu-
166
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
facturer in need of a place for the main- tenance of his business. Well lighted, well ventilated, and in every sense a model building, the company invites an inspection of its premises.
HERSEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The Hersey Manufacturing Company represents one of the oldest and most ex- tensive establishments for the manufac- ture of machinery in this city. The factory is located in South Boston and its products find a market in every part of the world. The works were established
improved machinery for the manufacture of soap, for refining salt and for making malt automatically. In the year 1885 they established the Hersey Meter Com- pany, a corporation for the manufacture of water meters. This proved very successful. In the year 1890 the Hersey Manufacturing Company was incorpor- ated, which absorbed the Hersey Meter Company and the general business of the Hersey Brothers. The Herseys were placed at the head of the new company, with James A. Tilden as general man- ager and Henry D. Winton as assistant manager. Francis C. Hersey, Jr., has
CHARLES H. HERSEY.
in 1859 by Walter E. Hawes and Charles HI. Hersey, under the firm name of Hawes & Hersey. At that time the business was limited to the build- ing of steam engines and general ma- chinery. In the year 1865 Francis C. Hersey, who had represented the firm in South America for some years, was ad- mitted as a partner; the business was enlarged and the partnership continued until the year 1872; when Mr. Hawes retired from the business, which was continued then under the firm name of Hersey Brothers: This firm devoted its energies to the manufacture and sale of patented machinery with signal success. Their machines for making granulated, cube and block sugars have a world-wide reputation. They are also builders of
F. C. HERSEY.
for the past five years also been con- nected with the company.
Mr. Hawes and the Herseys are well known to the older people of South Boston as they resided in that section for many years. Mr. Hawes represented this district in the board of aldermen for some years, and later Charles H. Hersey was a member of the same board, and also of the common council. He was also president of the South Boston railroad for the two years preceding its absorption into the West End system. Both of the Hersey brothers are mem- bers of the board of trustees of the South Boston Savings Bank and Mr. . Francis C. Hersey is vice-president of the Mattapan Deposit & Trust Com- pany.
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HERSEY
F Merick
WORKS OF THE HERSEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
168
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
S. A. WOODS MACHINE COMPANY.
The S. A. Woods Machine Company, whose large works are situated near Dor- chester avenue at the foot of I) street,
S. A. WOODS.
is one of the largest manufacturing con- cerns in South Boston, employing a force of about 300 hands. It is located within a stone's throw of the abandoned Norway Iron works, the present site being occupied for the first time in 1866. The original business was founded in 1854, when a partnership was estab- lished by Mr. Woods with Solomon S. Gray under the name of Gray & Woods. The original location of the concern was in the buildings on First street, famil- iarly known as Page's Mill. The first partnership held for five years but there- after the business was conducted by S. A. Woods until 1873, when the busi- ness became incorporated. They adhere strictly to the manufacture of wood-work- ing machinery, which is shipped to all parts of the world. The officers of the corporation are S. A. Woods, president,
and Frank F. Woods, treasurer and manager. The business, under the care- ful management of these gentlemen, has shown steady growth from the start, and from a modest beginning has developed into an extensive plant with a flourish- ing business. Since the start made by Gray & Woods, more than fifty patents for devices and improvements in wood- working machinery have been issued to the company, and nearly one hundred medals have been granted by indus- trial exhibitions. S. A. Woods is a native of Farmington, Maine, and is descended from intercolonial ancestry. He was educated in a district school and at the Farmington Academy. At the age of twenty he went to work as a carpenter and four years later built a mill in Farmington for the manufac- ture of doors, sash and blinds. After becoming a resident of this district he was deservedly honored by the people of South Boston and served as an influ- ential member of the common council in 1869-1870 and 1871. During 1870-1871
FRANK F. WOODS.
169
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
WORKS OF THE S. A. WOODS MACHINE COMPANY.
he was one of the directors of the East Boston ferries. He is a member of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics Association, the oldest trustee of the South Boston Savings Bank, a member of the Boston Art Club and St. Omer Commandery, Knights Templar. Frank F. Woods, treasurer of the company, was born on Third street, South Boston, October 3, 1855. He was educated in the local primary, grammar, and Eng- lish high schools and Highland Military Academy, Worcester. He entered his father's works in 1876 and made his way from the bench to his present office. He has held public office and repre- sented Ward 15 in the State legislature in 1888. He is a member of the Ex- change Club, Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics Association, Boston Athletic Association, Sons of the Revolution, and St. Omer Commandery, Knights Templar. Fred A. Cheney, secretary of the corporation, is a young man of marked ability; he has been at the works several years and has worked his own way up to the responsible position he now holds. . Although the history of the S. A. Woods Machine Company is here but briefly told, many pages could be filled on the subject. The company adds no little to the manu- facturing success of South Boston and
the large sum of money disbursed to its employees contributes largely to the prosperity of the district.
GEORGE LAWLEY & SON CORPORATION.
This well-known establishment was founded by George Lawley, an English ship-builder, who came to this country in 1851, bringing with him his family, amongst whom were his son, George F. Lawley, now president of the corpora- tion. Mr. Lawley settled in East Boston where he found employment at his trade.
In 1866, Mr. Lawley moved to Scitu- ate, Mass., where he went into the boat- building business on a small scale, with his son, George F., as assistant. In those days an order for a twenty foot catboat was of such magnitude as to cause the contractors to feel that business was very good, and that their facilities were taxed. They built many good boats in Scituate, and established considerable reputation. In 1874, at the earnest solicitation of several influential members of the Boston Yacht Club, they were induced to bring their business to South Boston where they established their shops on the prop -. erty of the Boston Yacht Club on Sixth street, near the foot of P street. The yards were removed to the present loca-
170
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
tion on the north and harbor side of South Boston, First street at the foot of () street. This property contains up- wards of three acres of upland and more
GEORGE LAWLEY.
than four acres of flats. With increased accommodation they were able to under- take larger contracts, amongst the first being the renowned cup defenders " Puri- tan " and " Mayflower," and the schooner yachts " Merlin," "Sachel," and " Mar- guerite." With the introduction of steel in combination with wood in the structure of vessels, known as composite construc- tion, came the desire to be able to pro- duce on the grounds the necessary steel work for this purpose, also there was an increasing demand for wholly steel con- struction for hulls. In order to accom-
THOMAS HIBBARD.
plish this it seemed desirable to increase the working capital to cover the expense of new shops, and in 1890 the Lawley's associated with them Thomas Hibbard, who took the position as treasurer of the company, and who looked after the construction of the new steel shops. The business was then incorporated with a capital of $100,000. George Law- ley, founder of the business, then prac- tically retired from active business, and George F. Lawley was elected president of the corporation. At about this time Edward Burgess, the great naval archi- tect and yacht designer, coming into con- tact with the Lawleys. soon found that their experience was invaluable in mak- ing a success of his boats. Mr. Burgess
GEORGE F. LAWLEY.
became a factor in building up the con- cern, and his early death, in 1891, was for a time quite a setback to the busi- ness. Other Boston designers who fol- lowed Mr. Burgess in his work, have helped to keep this establishment in the front of yacht building. While the firm is ready at all times to build from designs furnished them, still they have produced from their own talent many celebrated boats, and are ready at all times to under- take the most intricate problems of marine engineering.
During the last ten years there has been a steady progress, and many build -. ings have been added to the plant as found necessary. Many large yachts have been built, among which may be
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171
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
LAWLEY'S
BASIN AT LAWLEY'S YARDS.
build the machinery for these boats it was neces- Sary to erect a machine shop. This was put upin 1898, and fully equipped with first class and high grade tools.
The cor- poration employs from two hundred to three hun- dred and fifty hands and the majority high skilled mechanics. These cover a number of trades, such as machinists, ship carpenters, ship joiners, iron ship builders, blacksmiths, riggers,
mentioned the " Alcaea " and " Ingomar," and cup defender, " Jubilee," in steel ; the schooners " Latona " and " Endymion "; steam yachts " Alcedo,"" Aquilo," " Cur- rier," " In- ca," " Va- runa, '' " Kaleda," and "Val- - da."
One of their latest contracts has been thetwotor- pedo boats " Blakely " and "De Long" for the Unit- ed States govern- ment, a combined contract represent- ing over $325,000, In order to
LAWLEY'S SHIPYARDS.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
caulkers, painters, plumbers, tinsmiths, and in fact most of the prominent departments of mechanical work. Such an establishment can hardly fail to be a great benefit to a com- munity.
The president, Mr. George F. Lawley, re- sides at 47 M street, South Boston, and is a well-known citizen. His brother, Mr. E. A. Law- ley, resides at 60 N street, and holds a prominent position at the works, besides being a director.
The corporation has won a reputation for building substantial and durable work, and have endeavored to avoid building too light or flimsy structures for the sake of gaining a repu- tation for speed in their boats. It is well known that a " Lawley built boat" is one of the most desirable in the market, and these boats main- tain their prices where many may have depre- ciated.
JENNEY MANUFAC- TURING COMPANY.
The Jenney Manufac- turing Company enjoys the distinction of being the only concern to-day that refines petroleum and manufactures burn- ing oils in New England ; and is one of the very few that have not been absorbed by the oil trust. They are the suc- cessors of Isaac and Stephen Jenney, who established themselves
OIL WORKS OF THE JENNEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
173
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
in business at 50 State street, in 1812. The refining of petroleum was begun in 1861. and the business was carried on by Bernard and his brother, Francis H. Jenney, under the name of Stephen Jenney & Co., until 1884, when the Jenney Manufacturing Company was in- corporated under Massachusetts laws with Bernard Jenney, president ; B. J. Dillaway, treasurer; Walter Jenney, super-
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