USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Leominster > Leominster, Massachusetts, historical and picturesque > Part 17
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The bending was performed by using a number of small blocks of wood a foot long and three or four inches through. A small circular piece was cut from the side of each block of the exact size and shape desired, the comb put in its place and the piece cut from the block put over the comb. The whole was kept in place by a stick passed through staples in the sides of the blocks. In this way the comb was bent to the desired shape. When ready for market the combs were wrapped in the coarsest and poorest wrapping paper, in dozen packages, one of the number being placed on the outside as a sample. Boxes were used for packing combs about thirty-five years ago.
The change which time has brought to this as to all other business, can in no way be more clearly illustrated, than by
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recalling the fact, that in the early days of comb-making, it was not unusual for a man to make up what combs he could, pack them in saddle bags and start for the Boston market. In these days of rapid transit, of varied and perfect machinery, of large sales and small profit, such a state of things seems hardly pos- sible.
As illustrating some of the early ways of doing this bus- iness, reference may be made to Bezaleel Gibson, especially as his name does not elsewhere appear. In the year 1816, Mr. Gibson bought the old tavern stand of Levi Moore on West street, in which a few years later, (about 1820), he opened a country store. On the opposite side of the street, in a house, which at one time, was used for finishing cloth, he carried on a very large comb business. The trade in those days was mostly by barter, so called. Mr. Gibson sold his combs to dealers in Boston, and received in payment orders on the different stores in Leominster, whose owners bought goods of Mr. Gibson's Boston customers. These orders he would in turn dispose of to his help in the comb shop in payment for their services. In this way there was a continual round of trade, but very little money passed from hand to hand. To a man of that time, the weekly payment plan would have been a novelty indeed. The stores kept in town at that time, and where this barter was carried on, were owned by Joel C. and Henry Allen, Gen. Gibbs and Jonas K. Richardson, as well as that owned by Mr. Gibson himself.
At the time, now under consideration, the apprentice sys- tem was an important part of the comb business. The young men bound out to learn this trade, usually served not less than three years, and for the most part they lived in the family of their employer. Many of the old comb makers of Leominster learned their trade with Mr. Gibson. Among these may be named John Wetherbee, Franklin Lombard, George Wakefield,
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Emerson Prescott, William Damon, John B. Davis, Josiah Rich- ardson, Gardner Morse, Thomas B. Wilder and Montraville Buf- fum. Many more might be named no doubt. The full history of those days, when young men took time to learn a trade, would be alive with interest.
During the last part of his business life Mr. Gibson em- ployed some forty men ; and owing to the roundabout way of doing the business as above described, and the great care and anxiety involved, his mental powers failed. For sixteen years before his death, which occurred Aug. 5, 1855, he was forced to give up, all active business. During these years he was cared for by his son, George P. Gibson.
Mr. Gibson was an earnest temperance man, a member of the first temperance Society in town ; a Society organized about 1830. He was, also, one of the original members of the Ortho dox Church.
This picture of comb making, with its slow hand work, its narrow quarters, its rude tools, its barter trade, its apprentice system, is after all, much of it, less than a century old ; but so great progress has been made in this and all other kinds of manufacturing, our ideas have so changed as to life and busi- ness, that it seems to belong to an age not our own. On the opposite page is a cut which gives a clear idea of many of the tools used by the early comb makers.
As has been stated the old wedge press was an important accession in the comb business previous to the introduction of the screw press. It was made from a piece of timber, mortised to receive the iron plates and strips of horn placed between them, and the wedges were driven down with a heavy beetle. It was while at work at one of these presses that George W. Cook was fatally injured by a stroke of the mallet in the hands of a careless assistant. The guillotine was used after the pieces were cut and straightened, for removing the wrinkles
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and flaws, the stock afterwards being still further reduced by the use of the crooked shave, and the standing horse, the latter allowing a person to stand upright and was similar to what are used by leather finishers. The Topper or Pointer was in use when the ends of the comb teeth were cut off square, but went out of use when they were made by machinery. The Grile or Grail was used for rounding off and finishing the teeth, and is used to a great extent at the present time, it being a tool of unusual application. The Quarnet was used principally on dressing combs, to even and smooth the surface after shaving. Engraving tools of various shapes are necessary in all comb shops, ancient or modern. The Quiller or Quilling Stock was
THE GUILLOTINE
WEDGE PRES
T
LOUARN
SHAVE
QUILLER
TOPPER
IR POINTER
BOTTOMING SAW
RAVERS
GRILE
OR GRAIL
used for cutting a bead on the plain stock before the comb was shaped, instead of the later process of embossing. The Bot- toming Saw was used for rounding and sharpening the spaces between the teeth.
The old fashioned wheel horse power, illustrated in the accompanying cut, as used in the early comb shops, is an in- teresting study in the light of modern improvements. They were located, usually, in the basement or first story, and the principal work was carried on in the story above. They were first used in the shops of Dea. Jonas Colburn, Charles Hill, T. C. Merriam, Rufus Kendall, and Thomas Hills, and later by James H. Carter and others. The old horse power building of
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Thomas Hills, on Pleasant street, is still standing. Rufus Kendall was considerable of a land owner and employed a large number of persons in carrying on his business, for that period, at one time having fifty in his family. He also kept a store and engaged extensively in the silk business. Mr. Kendall was the owner of the largest and most elaborately planned of these horse powers. It consisted of a round wheel or platform over twenty feet in diameter, supported by a large center spin- dle reaching from the floor to the ceiling, and set at a slight
FORSE DO IN Ye
OLIS-TIME COMB SHOPS
angle. This spindle was furnished with gearing which con- nected with the gearing on the main shaft. There was a sta- tionary stall, one side of which was built from the floor, the other from the ceiling, with an inclined walk, up which the horse was led into the stall, and a strap fastened across. In addition to the usual appliances, there was, in this instance, an interesting contrivance for increasing the speed when desired. It was a cherry stick about three and a half feet long, hinged to the side of the stall, and connected by a string leading to a small boy in the story above. When the power slackened, the
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boy worked the string, the horse struck a livelier gait and the machinery began to hum. To counteract the sudden increase of speed, a ponderous beam was suspended from the ceiling, one end resting on a drum on the shafting overhead, so ar- ranged as to drop and produce friction, thus regulating the speed when necessary.
A somewhat amusing accident happened one day, which showed the necessity of transferring the brake directly to the wheel. The shop had passed into the hands of Jas. B. Cook, and on this occasion the management and control of the power was in the hands of the proprietor's young son. The persuader may or may not have been more vigorously applied than usual, at all events the speed increased at an alarming rate, the brake was put on suddenly, and every tooth in the gearing was broken out. An opening had to be made in the side of the building and a lever introduced against the platform as a brake before the wheel could be stopped and the horse released from his perilous situation.
Although the comb business is not now the chief industry of Leominster, there are still many prosperous firms in town who deserve special mention.
A. W. Williams has a large factory on Water street. This business was started in 1871 by Charles L. Joslin, W. L. Palmer and A. W. Williams, under the firm name of Joslin, Palmer & Williams. In 1877, Mr. Palmer sold his interest to Joslin & Williams, and the business was carried on by them until Oct. 1883 ; when Mr. Joslin sold his interest to Mr. Wil- liams, who, from that time, has conducted the business without a partner.
MR. A. W. WILLIAMS was born, June 25, 1838, in Mans. field, Mass., and educated in the Public Schools of Attleboro'. He served a three years apprenticeship to learn the gold jew-
31
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elry trade, and followed that business until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the 7th Mass. Regt., and served 22 months. From that time until he came to Leominster, Mr. Williams was foreman for Shaw & Capron, in the horn jewelry business at Mansfield, Mass., and Jersey City, N. J.
For the last three years Mr. Williams has been one of the directors in the Leominster National Bank.
THE PATON MANUFACTURING Co. Although this com- pany is not now engaged in manufacturing, still it should be mentioned in this connection.
A. S. Paton, the head of this firm, was born in Dunbarton, Scotland, Nov. 20, 1854. He came to Leominster in 1871 and began work for the Union Comb Co. In 1879 he started business for himself in the upper story of the building on Me- chanic street, where M. F. Morse now works. The firm was Wilder, Paton & Metcalf. Later this was changed to Paton & Metcalf and then to the Paton Manufacturing Co.
After the death of WV. D. Somers, the business was moved to the Somers' shop on Central street and continued there until the shop was destroyed by fire the present year.
Mr. Paton is an active member of some of the fraternal societies, and is much interested in political matters. In 1881, he married Clara M., daughter of Mr. W. D. Somers.
TILTON AND COOK are doing a thriving business on Earl street, and employ about 35 hands. The firm consists of Ed- ward B. Tilton and George H. Cook, and they began business at their present location, April 1, 1880, although the shop has since been enlarged. The firm manufacture combs or jewelry, as the market demands. Both members of the firm are natives of Leominster and were educated here. At one time Mr. Til- ton studied music and was employed as organist at the Ortho dox church, but for the most part both he and Mr. Cook have
GEO. H. COOK.
E. B. TILTON.
A. S. PATON.
O. H. SMITH.
WILLIAM D. EARL.
THOMAS A. EARL.
WILLIAM H. CHASE.
WILLIAM RODGER.
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devoted their attention to comb business. They push their affairs with energy and success.
W. D. EARL & Co. This firm consists of the brothers, W. D. and T, A. Earl. They commenced the manufacture of horn goods in the year 1870, and are now doing business in the brick factory, owned by them, on Earl street. They employ about sixty hands in making horn combs, buttons, hair pins, etc. The goods are finely finished and prepared for the market with great care.
W. D. Earl, the elder brother, was born in North Attle- boro', Aug. 5, 1830. He learned the jewelry business, and, in 1856, began trade for himself. In 1862, Mr. Earl went to Springfield, and was employed in the U. S. Armory as inspector, until 1864, when he removed to Boston, and went to work at the jewelry business for a number of years. He came to Leomin- ster in 1870, and started business as above stated. Mr. Earl was married in 1857 to. Miss Helen B. Corliss of Lowell, who died in 1869. He represented the town of Attleboro at the "General Court" in 1859 and again in 1862.
Thomas A. Earl is, also, a native of North Attleboro', . where he was born June 12, 1832. He was associated with his brother in the manufacture of jewelry. In 1866 he came to Leominster and engaged in the manufacture of horn goods, and in 1870 united in forming the existing firm. June 9, 1869, he married Mary M. Prevear, daughter of Edward Pre- vear of this town. They have one son, who is now in his sec- ond year at the Institute of Technology, Boston.
B. F. BLODGETT &. Co., comb and jewelry manufacturers. The firm consists of B. F. and E. F. Blodgett and D. E. True. The business was established in 1869 by B. F., E. F. Blodgett, & Alanson Richardson, and in 1874 D. E. True became a mem- ber of the firm. In 1876 Alanson Richardson sold his interest
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in the business. The shop where the business is conducted was built by George L. Carter in 1869, and bought by B. F. Blodgett in 1878. The firm are doing a good business.
B. F. Blodgett, the senior member of this firm, was born in Chesterfield, N. H., July 17, 1822, and educated there. He came to Leominster in 1842. He worked at comb making for G. & A. Morse, Joslin & Adams, and was a member of the last named firm for three years, and bought out the firm in 1863. Afterwards he was in company with James B. Gallup and en- gaged in different business enterprises until the formation of the present partnership. Mr. Blodgett has served the town on the Board of Overseers of the Poor.
E. F. Blodgett is a native of Leominster, and was educated here. He was bred to the comb business, and like the other members of the firm, is a practical workman. He takes a lively interest in all town affairs.
D. E. True, the other member of the firm, is a native of Meredith, N. H., where he was born April 29, 1814.
DAMON, HOWE & Co. have their place of business on Cotton street, and manufacture combs and horn goods. Both are na- tives of Leominster. George R. Damon was born Nov. 4, 1843, learned the trade of his father, and after that was engaged with him under the firm name of Damon & Son. Mr. Damon served in the army during the war, enlisting first in the 36th Mass. Vols. and afterwards re-enlisting in the Mass. 6th. He has al- ways been active in the Fire Department. He was Chief for five years and on the Board of Engineers for ten years. His term of service in all departments covers twenty years.
C. H. Howe was born Dec. 17, 1850, learned his trade of Patch & Smith, worked at the furniture and piano business until 1878, when he started in the horn and button business. At first the firm of Damon & Howe rented the building they now
B. F. BLODGETT.
E. F. BLODGETT.
JOSEPH F. GOODHUE.
ALANSON RICHARDSON.
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MANUFACTURING.
occupy, but acquired the property by purchase May 26, 1887.
DERBY, WHITCOMB & Co. This firm consists of Andrew G. Derby, Cornelius A. Whitcomb, Augustus G. Colburn. Two are old comb makers. They are doing a good business in a building long used for manufacturing combs, and facing on Mechanic street. Mr. Whitcomb was born in Leominster, Nov. 8, 1834. He worked at the comb business with his father in the shop of Thomas Hills and after that for Joslin & Adams. In 1857 he began work for Wheelock & Gilchrist, afterwards James Gilchrist, and continued until 1861, when he began bus- iness with Andrew G. Derby. In 1853 the business was con- solidated with that of D. H. Wheelock, under the firm name of Derby, Wheelock & Whitcomb. From 1856 to 1869 the firm was Derby & Wheelock and since then Derby, Whitcomb & Co. Mr. George R. Damon being a member of the firm for a time. Mr. Whitcomb has held important positions of trust in town affairs, serving as Selectman and Overseer of the Poor. Mr. Colburn was born in Leominster, Dec. 7, 1843, and worked in the comb business until he was engaged with the present firm. Mr. Colburn enlisted in the 4th Reg. Mass., Heavy Artillery and made part of the Leominster quota in Co. K, although he did not enter the army from this town. Mr. Derby is a native of Leominster, has spent his life in the comb business as will appear from the above record of the business relations of Mr. Whitcomb.
TENNEY AND PORTER. This firm started business Nov. I, 1886, and consists of C. H. Tenney and C. H. Porter. C. H. Tenney, a son of Gilman Tenney, is a native of Leominster, born Aug. 27, 1847. He learned his trade of Jonas Colburn, and was a member of the firm of Tenney, Kennan & Co., man- ufacturers of horn goods.
C. H. Porter was born Aug. 30, 1847, and therefore is
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LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
nearer a twin to his partner in age than in weight. Mr. Porter was interested in the firm of Tilton & Look and also in that of Look, Kenney & Porter. After this he was a member of the firm of F. A. Clapp & Co., dealers in horns, and then formed with Mr. Tenney his present business relations. This firm is doing a a profitable business. They employ about 25 hands and produce $24,000 worth of goods annually.
JOSEPH F. GOODHUE does a limited business in the manufac- ture of horn goods, in a shop near his residence on Union St. Mr. Goodhue was born in Fitchburg, Oct. 19, 1831, and was educated in the Public Schools. At the age of eighteen he came to Leominster to learn the comb business, and served three and a half years with Gardner Morse. He commenced manufacturing in 1869 and continued until the present time.
H E. DAVIS is manufacturing horn goods in the upper part of the building where John Mather's machine shop is. He is a native of Swanzey, N. H., and came to Leominster in 1854. He was a member of the firm of Castle & Davis. He started his present business in 1884.
SPILL BROTHERS continue the business of R. T. Spill & Co. This firm have always given special attention to the manufact- ure of raw horn dressing combs, and make the best comb of this kind in the market. They do business on Exchange St. Mr. George B. Forbes, who was in the firm of R. T. Spill & Co. is also engaged in this kind of business.
HORN DEALERS.
C. PUFFER & Co. The two parts of this firm are the same ; Mr. Puffer is the sole owner of the business. He commenced as a dealer in horns in an office near the R. R. crossing on Me- chanic street. The building was afterwards sold to C. W. Car- ter, and moved to Mt. Pleasant for a dwelling. At one time
C. A. TENNEY.
C. H. PORTER.
FRED A. CLAPP.
H. E. DAVIS.
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MANUFACTURING.
Mr. Jacob Puffer, father of Charles Puffer, was a member of the firm of C. Puffer & Co.
Charles Puffer was born in Leominster Dec. 7, 1833. He learned the comb trade of Thomas B. Wilder, who carried on the business on West street, working at his trade until he be- gan business for himself.
F. A. CLAPP & Co., DEALERS IN HORNS. This business has been carried on for some years by different parties, but is now conducted by F. A. Clapp. Mr. Clapp is a native of Con- way, Mass., and came to Leominster in 1871. At first he worked for Joslin, Palmer & Williams, but about 1878 engaged with W. F. Bigelow in the business of selling horns ; office in Lockey's shop. After disposing of this business he began the manufacture of buttons in the shop of Tenney & Kenney, but sold the business to Porter and Metcalf, and returned to the selling of horns, this time in company with C. H. Porter. About two years ago Mr. Clapp bought the interest of C. H. Porter and has since conducted the business under the above firm name.
HORN BRIC-À-BRAC.
HORN BRIC-A-BRAC. This business, which is really a part of the comb business, is carried on by P. F. Lane and M. F. Morse. Mr. Lane began business in this line twelve years ago, making a specialty of horn chairs and of mounting horns. More recently Mr. Lane has manufactured the smaller goods of this kind.
M. F. Morse started in this business in May 1884. He commenced by finishing horns, but gradually extended the works to include small ornaments in this line. During the past two years one customer of Mr. Morse has used 60,000 horns. Last Sept. he bought out the Fitchburg Spirit Level Co., and is now making their goods.
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LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
The factories of these parties are well worthy of a visit, con- taining, as they do, many interesting and beautiful articles.
The business of Joel Smith & Co., has not been disposed of as yet, and sufficient reference has been made to it in the sketch of Mr. Smith. Mr. Alanson Richardson and other men who have been prominent in the comb making business, who are not now doing business, will be mentioned in the last chapter.
The following named persons were well known comb man- ufacturers at different times engaged in business here. Oba- diah, Smith, Charles, Silas, Alvah, and Emerson Hills, Abel Artemas and John Bowers, Bezaleel Gibson, John Jones, Jacob Puffer, Joel Smith, Maj. Seneca Colburn, Joseph, Gardner and Thomas G. Merriam, James and Phineas Burdett, Gardner and Augustus Morse, Jacob and Jonas Colburn, Rufus and John Kendall, Henry Johnson, George Wakefield, Emerson Prescott, James H. Carter, Edmund H. Nichols, Capt. Thomas Hills, M. Damon, George W. Graves, Alexander B. Gibson.
EYE GLASSES. This business is closely connected with the making of horn goods. It was started in Leominster, Jan. 1874, by J. W. Wetherbee. In 1875, Mr. W. B. Tisdale be- came connected with the business, which was conducted under the firm name of Wetherbee & Tisdale. The goods were man- ufactured in a part of the Lockey Piano Shop. In August, 1882, the factory, machinery, stock, etc., were destroyed by fire. About this time Mr. Tisdale withdrew from the firm, but the business has been conducted by Mr. Wetherbee until now, a part of the time in connection with the Celluloid Works of Booth & Wetherbee. Mr. Wetherbee now has his factory and office on Mechanic street.
Mr. J. W. Wetherbee is a native of Leominster. Until 1874 he was employed in the horn business except while in the
WADE H. JEWETT.
C. A. WHITCOMB.
J. WM. WETHERBEE.
ALDRICH COOK.
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MANUFACTURING.
4th Mass. Heavy Artillery during the war. He married Clara, second daughter of Mr. Charles L. Joslin of this town.
PAPER MAKING.
The manufacture of paper in different forms must be named among the early and profitable industries of Leominster, and one which still forms a very important part of her mechanical life. Three paper mills in all, had been built on the Nashua river prior to the year 1803. The first was built by William Nichols and Jonas Kendall, and stood a few rods below the present mill of the George W. Wheelwright Paper Company, North Leominster. This mill was some 75 feet long by 40 wide, and had two stories above the basement. The rag and vat rooms were on the first floor, and the rest of the building was used for press and drying rooms. About 25 hands were employed. Dea. Samuel Crocker of this town, who is still actively interested in the paper business, was at one time em- ployed in this mill. The work was mostly done by hand, and only about 100 pounds of paper could be made in a day ; but with the aid of machinery the same number of hands could now manufacture over two tons. The annual product of this mill as estimated by Mr. Wilder was about $4000. This mill was burned in 1810, but rebuilt the next year. The first cylinder machine was used by Jonas Kendall & Sons in 1825, and the first Four- drinier machine in 1833. This firm greatly increased the ca- pacity and product of the mill. In 1845 this property passed into the hands of Edward Crehore, who enlarged the buildings, made use of steam, and increased the value of the annual prod- uct to about seventy thousand dollars.
Nichols & Kendall built a second paper mill in 1801, a short distance below the first. This was operated by the firm until 1804, when the firm dissolved, and Nichols continued the busi-
.
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ness until 1818. The mill was then sold to A. J. Allen of Boston ; but in a few years it was taken down as unfit for use. A grist, saw and oil mill were at one time connected with this lower factory.
Caleb Leland erected a third paper mill in 1802. It was located about two hundred rods further up the river than the other. It was about the size of the original mill, and was ope- rated by Leland till 1807. After this Edward Simmons owned this mill till 1836, and sold it to William Parsons of Boston. Mr. Wilder estimates the product of this mill at $14,000 an- nually. It probably-stood near the site of Merriam, Hall & Co.'s furniture shop. At this writing the time when the mill
ceased to be used cannot be given. The original paper mill was sold by Edward Crehore to Mr. Wheelwright about thirty years ago, was enlarged and improved by him, and has been further enlarged by the present owners, the George W. Wheel- wright Paper Co., till the product of the mill now equals seven tons daily, and has a yearly value of three hundred thousand dollars. This firm is very successful in the manufacture of Bristols, and other boards of this kind.
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