USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Leominster > Leominster, Massachusetts, historical and picturesque > Part 19
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town, he decided to locate here for life. In 1862 he commenced business in Leominster in company with Mr. J. G. Tenney, manufacturing piano cases in a shop belonging to Mr. J. H. Lockey. Mr. Tenney retiring in 1865, Mr. Lockey continued until 1871, when he became associated with his brother under the firm name of Lockey Bros., as stated above.
Mr. Lockey married Miss Catherine S. Colburn, youngest daughter of Major Seneca Colburn. They have two sons. Mr. Lockey, although devoting his time largely to private business, has taken a deep interest in the affairs of the town, and has served on the Board of Engineers and as Selectman.
MR. HÓLDEN is a native of Clarendon, Vermont, received his business training in the office of Thompson, Perley & Waite, chair manufacturers in Baldwinsville, came to Leominster to engage in business in 1885 with Mr. J. P. Lockey, as already stated.
GEO. L. RICE is a native of Leominster. He was born May 4, 1845, and worked at farming until the beginning of the Civil War, when he enlisted in the 53rd Mass. Vols. In 1880 Mr. Rice commenced the lumber business in connection with F. A. Whitney, under the firm name of Whitney & Rice. At first the business was conducted at the mill on Earl street, since fitted up as a comb shop for Tilton & Cook. Later, the present factory of J. P. Lockey was built. In 1884 Mr. Rice bought the interest of F. A. Whitney, and in 1886 he engaged in the piano business in the firm of J. P. Lockey & Co.
CHILDREN'S CARRIAGES.
The manufacture of children's carriages in Leominster was begun in a very modest manner by F. W. and F. A. Whitney in the year 1858, at which time the few in use were as a rule homely in shape and rudely constructed. The present beauty
F. A. WHITNEY.
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MANUFACTURING.
and perfection in design was not even dreamed of at that time, and it was a slight and unimportant circumstance which led to the establishment of this valuable industry in Leominster.
1858
1862
While on a visit to Greenfield, Mass., Mr. F. W. Whitney no- ticed on the street a baby carriage somewhat different from the stereotyped pattern, and it occurred to him that the manufac- ture in new and attractive designs might be made profitable. Upon his return home he consulted his cousin, Mr. F. A. Whit- ney, and found him equally confident, and ready to embark in
1867
1873
the business. Accordingly they hired a small portion of the Lockey shop, located where the shoe factory of Messrs. Valpey
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& Anthony now stands, and with only a few men in their em- ploy began work. In 1861, soon after the outbreak of the civil war, Mr. F. A. Whitney sold his interest to Mr. F. W. Whitney,
1877
1879
and entered the service of the Christian Commission. After some months of labor he returned and purchased once more his share in the business. In 1862 the building they partially oc-
1886
1888
cupied was consumed by fire, occasioning much loss with no insurance. With the exception of one planer, scarcely any
BIRDS-EYE VIEW OF THE F. A. WHITNEY CARRIAGE CO'S WORKS.
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MANUFACTURING.
thing was saved from the fire. This planer is still in use by the company. After the fire the firm resumed work in the shop recently occupied by the Leominster Worsted Co. on Water street, using two other buildings, located where the de- pot now stands, for finishing purposes. In 1863 Mr. F. A. Whit- ney purchased the entire business. In 1865 he was requested to vacate the position he then occupied, and then arose a prob lem, difficult to solve, where he should next locate. The water privilege to be obtained upon the tract of land known as "Par- adise" settled the question, and accordingly he erected at once the westerly of the present group of buildings. A more desira- ble spot could hardly have been chosen. It was conspicuous for its natural beauty, and perfectly suited to the growing re- quirements of the business whose early history had always been attended by uncertainty and discouragement, the losses by fire and removals making it seem an unequal struggle. Then the difficulty of conveying goods to town arose ; as there was no bridge across the stream, it was necessary to carry them by a path through the woods for nearly a mile. Finally Mr. Whit- ney petitioned the town to build a bridge. There was much opposition by some of the leading citizens, but after a time, owing in a great measure to the influence of Mr. Alfred L. Burditt, chairman of the board of Selectmen, and his associates, a bridge was built, which has since been replaced by a substan- tial iron structure. Other buildings were erected, and the busi- ness grew and increased until, while in the first two or thee years five or six hundred covered the number of carriages man- ufactured, 1871 found the sales enlarged to twelve thousand. At that time, in order to still better facilitate business, a joint company was formed and incorporated known as The F. A. Whitney Carriage Company, with F. A. Whitney, Pres., F. W. Whitney, Treas., William B. Whitney, Supt. of wood and iron
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department, and S. M. Frost, Sec. and traveling salesman. F. A. Whitney, F. W. Whitney, William B. Whitney and S. M. Frost were directors and owners of the entire stock. Not a season has passed since 1871 without the addition either of buildings, lumber sheds, or improvements in labor-saving de- vices, to increase production, economize cost and secure the best mechanical results. The enterprise has proved remarkably successful, furnishing employment to a large number of people and contributing greatly to the material prosperity of the town. In 1885 S. M. Frost retired from the business, and F. H. Shaw, J. P. Holman, Philip Lothrop and William C. Burdett, employes of the company, became stockholders. In 1886 William B. Whitney retired, and George W. Foster, formerly of the firm of Foster Bros. & Kenney, entered the employ of the company and took an interest. A few months ago F. H. Shaw sold his interest, leaving the present management as follows ; F. A. Whitney, Pres. and Treas. ; William C. Burdett, Sec. ; George W. Foster, traveling salesman ; F. A. Whitney, J. P. Holman, P. Lothrop and G. W. Foster, directors. The company was never in a better condition to manufacture than at the present time, with one hundred and fifty employes, and shipping goods to all parts of the United States, South America and Australia.
The permanent nature of this business, the value of its products, the skill and intelligence required of the workmen, unite to make the manufacture of children's carriages, like piano making, a most desirable industry. For many years this business has been an important working factor in the prosperity of Leominster.
Of the founders of this industry, Mr. F. W. Whitney con- tributed for its success marked mechanical and inventive talent ; but it was chiefly by the business foresight and energy of Mr. F. A. Whitney that the industry passed its most critical point,
J. P. HOLMAN.
PHILIP LOTHROP.
F. W. WHITNEY.
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MANUFACTURING.
and that the foundations were laid for future growth and per- manent prosperity. Mr. Whitney, though a native of West- minster, has, for all his active manhood, been closely con- nected with the business and religious life of Leominster. The buildings he has planned with so much taste and built so tho- roughly will remain as a permanent legacy to the town. Mr. Whitney has always refused public office.
THE RICHARDSON CARRIAGE COMPANY. This firm, also, manufactures Children's Carriages. In October, 1886, the Company acquired by purchase the property known as the Union Comb Shop and soon after moved a part of their business from Boston to Leominster. Their factory was, at the time, very materially enlarged and fitted up in the most complete manner for the prosecution of the business.
The present season the company have made a second large addition to their works. This new building is itself a large and well-finished structure, and makes the factory, old and new, one of the most extensive in town. The Richardson Carriage Co. is a live, active firm ; they employ many skilled workmen, and under the practical and energetic management of Mr. Jackson the business is increasing and prosperous.
A. A. TISDALE & Co. The business of this company was started in the spring of 1885. The factory is on Mount Pleas- ant. Reed goods, children's carriage bodies and all articles of this class are manufactured by the company. The members of the firm are A. A. and Wilbur Tisdale.
A. A. Tisdale, son of S. A. Tisdale, is a native of Leomin- ster. He received his commercial education at Comer's Col- lege, Boston. For some years he worked for the Union Comb company, both at comb making and on piano cases, and was a member of the firm of S. A. Tisdale & Co., before starting the present enterprise.
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LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
Wilbur B. Tisdale, a son of Wm. B. Tisdale, is also a native of Leominster. He worked at the eye glass business for sev- eral years for Wetherbee & Tisdale, and also for the Whitney Carriage Co.
RATTAN WORKS.
THE LEOMINSTER RATTAN WORKS. This is a recent ad- dition to the valuable industries of the town, and is mentioned in this connection because the rattan forms so important a part of the material used in the manufacture of children's carriages. The business is conducted on the site where Lawrence and Miller manufactured tubs for so many years. The business consists of preparing from the rattan in its natural state the different kinds of stock used so extensively in making carriage bodies, chairs and a great variety of useful and ornamental ar- ticles now found in a multitude of homes in this and all coun- tries.
The rattan, in its natural state, is a product of what are familiarly called the East Indies, especially the island of Bor- neo. It grows in a low, malarious country, and is cut by the natives, brought to the coast and exported to this and other countries. A new growth springs from the old stump and in- creases so rapidly as to extend several hundred feet in a single year. The stock in its native state is covered with a husk re- sembling that of Indian corn, which must be removed before the product is ready for the market. These reeds, cut to dif- ferent lengths, are sold to the consumer by the pound. As the time required before the product can finally be turned into money is unusually long, a large capital is necessarily required for the business. The Leominster Rattan Works are under the management of Mr. F. S. Coolidge, native of Westminster, but for some years a citizen of Leominster, and for several years manager of the Boston Chair Manufacturing company.
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MANUFACTURING.
Mr. Coolidge thoroughly understands the business. The works are being fitted with machinery as fast as the circumstances will permit, as many of the machines are complicated and must be built especially for the purpose.
At the present time the product of the factory is ten bales, or one million feet of cane per day. When the machinery is all in, it is expected that the annual capacity will be increased to thirteen hundred tons, and that the company will do a business of half a million dollars, employing seventy-five hands. It will well repay anyone to visit this factory and wit- ness the process by which the rattan is prepared for the market.
MACHINERY.
At present there are four firms engaged in the manufacture of machinery in Leominster : Gould & Cook, J. A. Stowell, John Mather and Austin A. Smith.
The business was commenced in this town by Thurston Richardson in 1850. He worked in a small shop in the rear of what, at the time, was Joslin & Adams' comb shop on Union street. Mr. Richardson was a very skilful mechanic and es- pecially successful in his business. While in Boston, buying goods for the Union Comb company, he was accidentally ex- posed to the "small pox," of which disease he died, after a sickness of little more than a week.
The business was continued by A. F. Gates, in a shop on Central street, and then by Gould & Cook.
GOULD & COOK started business in 1884, in the shop of A. F. Gates, on Central street, and continued there until August Ist of the present year, when they moved to the shop of A. W. Williams, on Water street. These gentlemen are the in- ventors and owners of the Gem Pencil Sharpener, which is considered by teachers, who have most occasion to test an ar- ticle of this kind, as the simplest and best in the market.
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LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
C. E. Gould was born in Chelmsford, in 1842, but has had his home in Leominster for many years. F. H. Cooke is a na- tive of this town, born in 1852, and educated in the public schools. They are doing a successful business.
J. A. STOWELL, also engaged in this business, was born at Claremont, N. H., and, after receiving a common school educa- tion, entered a private school known as the Claremont Acad- emy.
After leaving school he was book-keeper for J. Goodwin & Co., flour and grain dealers, and subsequently became a partner in the firms of A. Stowell & Co., millers and grain dealers, and Richardson & Co., lumber manufacturers, all of Clare- mont.
In 1870, selling out his interests in Claremont, he came to Leominster as a partner in the firm of Jacob & Stowell, gro- ceries and drugs, but sold out in 1873, and was connected for one year with Waldo Whitney & Co., machinists and water wheel manufacturers.
In 1874 Mr. Stowell purchased the machine business of the firm then located on Mechanic street, and has continued the business ever since.
In 1886 he removed to Water street, and occupied the build- ings of G. F. & A. G. Moore.
In addition to the usual jobbing business, the manufacture of water wheels, shafting, gearing, hangers and pulleys has been undertaken. The manufacture of wood working machinery has also received considerable attention.
Mr. Stowell is a member of the Library Committee.
JOHN MATHER is a native of Bolton, England. At the age of 14 he came to this country and learned the machinist's trade of P. C. Holmes & Co., Gardner, Maine. In Oct., 1866, he removed to Fitchburg and entered the employ of the Putnam
JOHN MATHER.
C. E. HUDSON,
-
F. H. COOK.
C. E. GOULD.
273
MANUFACTURING.
Machine company. In 1877 he came to Leominster and, in partnership with Edward Newitt, carried on the machinery business. He was afterwards alone, and in July, 1886, with George W. Todd, under the firm name of Mather & Todd. They purchased the Whitney property, formerly occupied by J. A. Stowell. In April, 1888, Mr. Mather bought out his partner, and is now sole owner.
AUSTIN ABBOT SMITH was born in Leominster Feb. 26, 1845. His machine shop and residence are on Lindell avenue, West Leominster. The shop was built about twenty-four years ago. Mr. Smith carries on the business in his own interest, and is at present making rattan machinery. He has followed model making to some extent, and has also made button and comb machinery, dynamos, and does all kinds of repairing. He learned his trade at the machine shop of Thurston Richardson, now deceased.
WOOLEN GOODS.
The woolen business was begun in Leominster as early as 1800 ; for in 1799 we are told that Nichols & Kendall built a small mill on the Nashua river for a woolen factory. This the next year they rented to John Taylor, an Englishman, who con- tinued to manufacture woolen cloth on a small scale until 1810, when he enlarged his factory and increased his water power, continuing this business until 1828, when the property was sold to J. Kendall & Son, and by them converted into a paper mill. Some little work was done in other places in the way of carding wool and finishing cloth, but it is not necessary to mention this work here.
In 1850 Carter, Patch & Cowdrey built the dam and erected the first shop on Pond street. James H. Carter rented a part of this for a comb shop, and the remainder was used by Somers
35
274
LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
& Botchford for the manufacture of horn buttons. In 1853 the same parties built another shop on the south side of the stream, and rented a part of it to J. C. Lane for the manufacture of piano cases. Another part of it was rented to John C. Gove, who made piano cases. Mr. Lane was succeeded by Allen & Jewett, manufacturers of pianos, and while this firm occupied the building it was burned. In 1864 Messrs. Carter, Patch & Cowdrey sold the privilege to Mr. John H. Lockey, and in 1865 Mr. Lockey sold it to S. S. Crocker, who built a brick four set woolen mill, and associated with himself Solon Perry and Frank T. Crocker for the purpose of manufacturing woolen goods and these gentlemen were succeeded in the same business by other firms, viz .: Joseph Burroughs, Salem Griggs, Cheney & Griggs and Robert Fitton until the property was purchased by E. M. Rockwell, November 8, 1876.
Mr. Rockwell was born in Winsted, Ct., March 27, 1845, and is a son of Henry E. Rockwell, who was well known in educa- tional circles in this State, and also on account of his long ser- vice as official reporter of the U. S. Senate, and afterwards as corresponding secretary of the Smithsonian Institute at Wash- ington. Edward M. Rockwell was educated in the High School at Millbury, Mass., and later under the personal instruc- tion of his father, who was at this period the principal of the school. After leaving school he entered the office of a business firm in Millbury, and went from there to Boston to learn mer- cantile business in the employ of a Boston firm. While in Boston the urgent call of the government for volunteers was re- sponded to by Mr. Rockwell, and he served the country in dif- ferent capacities during the last nine months of the rebellion.
At the close of the war be entered the office of N. A. Lom- bard & Co. of Worcester, manufacturers of woolen machinery, remaining there five years, and for the next two years having
275
MANUFACTURING.
charge of the extensive business of the Cleveland Machine Works, Worcester, who also manufacture woolen machinery.
In 1872 he joined with James Phillips, jr., in forming the firm of Rockwell & Phillips, Fitchburg, for the purpose of man- ufacturing worsted coatings and suitings, continuing in this four years.
In 1876 he purchased the woolen mill on Pond street, built by Mr. Crocker and described in the above historical sketch, and commenced the manufacture of woolen cassi- meres during the following year. In 1881 he enlarged this mill and added very largely to the complement of machinery, until it is a complete and well equipped nine set mill.
Mr. Rockwell was elected a member of the School Board in 1884, and was at that time chosen its secretary, and was chosen chairman in 1887.
Mr. Rockwell married Miss M. J. Smith of Worcester in 1867, and has been blessed with six children, of whom four are now living.
LEOMINSTER WORSTED COMPANY. This business was started by William Rodger and E. M. Rockwell near the Water street crossing in May, 1886. The present mill plant was erected in September, 1887. The mill was completed and went into ope- ration in January, 1888.
WILLIAM RODGER is a native of Scotland, where he was born Feb. 23, 1856. He has been for several years connected with the woolen business. In 1865, he came to this country and settled at Schaghticoke, N. Y. He was afterwards for seven years designer and superintendent of the Burlington Woolen Mills, Winooski, Vt. In 1884 he came to Leominster as super- intendent for E. M. Rockwell, where he remained until 1886.
WILLIAM H. CHASE became interested in the business Sept. 1, 1887. He was born in North Weare, N. H., March 18, 1857.
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LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
After leaving school he engaged in the insurance business, and Jan. 1, 1880, he accepted the position of overseer in the weav- ing department of the Smith and Converse woolen mill in his native town. In 1882, he came to Leominster to take a similar position in the E. M. Rockwell mill remaining with Mr. Rock-
well until the establishment of the Leominster Worsted com- pany.
CHAMBER FURNITURE.
The business of manufacturing chamber furniture, as an in- dustry in Leominster, is only a little past its majority. Before 1865, Mr. Pratt occupied a part of what is now the main building of the Reed Toy Co.'s Works, for the manufacture of chestnut and walnut chamber furniture. But the business was limited and did not become a permanent industry.
MERRIAM, HALL & Co. This' business was established in the spring of 1864 by Samuel Merriam, Geo. Hall and S. C. Pickard. The site of the present factory was, at that time, marked by a dam, all that remained of an old paper mill.
The location is well adapted for its present purpose ; there is an excellent water power, and it is only a short distance from
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the freight station of the Fitchburg R. R. The main building, built by the firm in 1864, is 100 feet by 40 feet. Two wings have since been added, 45 by 50 feet and 16 by 25 feet re- spectively. These buildings are three stories with basement. There is also a large attic, used for storage. The firm thus have ample room to accommodate their business and to do the work with the greatest economy.
The further relation of Mr. Merriam to this firm is stated in a sketch of his life, printed in another chapter.
The firm at present consists of Mr. Geo. Hall and his son,
Arthur H. Hall. Both these gentlemen have served their time in furniture making and are masters of the business. The work is strictly confined to the manufacture of chamber suits in ash, oak, and cherry. About ninety men find steady em- ployment, and more than ten thousand suits are manufac- tured annually. This is a model establishment ; the most per fect system prevails in every department, while the goods made are among the best on the market.
The firm have recently bought of Mrs. Moses Richardson four acres of land adjoining the Fitchburg railroad, put in a side track about 800 feet, and erected a store house 40 by 100
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feet. This new enterprise adds materially to their business fa- cilities.
Geo. Hall, the senior member of the firm, is one of Leomin- ster's most respected citizens and best business men. He was born in Mason, N. H., Jan. 1, 1831, and in 1852 went to Nashua to learn the cabinet making. In 1858 he bought the business of the firm for which he worked and continued the same until he came to Leominster in 1864.
Mr. Hall has represented the town at the General Court, has been a member of the Water Board from its origin, and is a director of the Leominster National Bank and of the Safety Fund National Bank of Fitchburg.
Arthur H. Hall, the junior member of the firm, was edu- cated in the public schools, and after that received a thorough, practical training. He is an energetic and successful business man.
THE LEOMINSTER FURNITURE COMPANY. This business was established by Blodgett & Bishop in 1865. At first the manufacturing was done in the J. C. Lane building, but the business was removed in a short time to its present location. The factory proper, a three story and basement building, 50 by 80 feet, was erected by Blodgett & Bishop, who were the first to improve the water power on Monoosnock brook, below the factory of Lawrence and Miller. In 1871, the firm was changed to Bishop & Hogan. After the death of Mr. Bishop, the busi- ness was conducted under the firm name of Martin, Bates & Co., and in 1879 by A. J. Bates & Co.
In 1880 the company was incorporated as The Leominster Furniture Manufacturing Co., with the following officers : President, J. Whitman ; Vice-President, F. L. Tolman ; Treas- urer, W. W. Vining ; Secretary, A. J. Bates. Since then there has been considerable change in the membership of the cor-
RV
OOD
ANUFACTURING CO.
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MANUFACTURING.
poration. The following are the present officers : Pres., Jard Whitman ; Sec. and Treas., W. W. Vining. F. R. Tucker is travelling salesman for the company.
Besides the main building, the corporation own large store houses and lumber sheds, ample in size to accommodate the demands of the business. The mill is provided with water and steam power, and the number of hands engaged is about fifty. The product is pine, ash and chestnut furniture of a high grade.
THE HARWOOD MANUFACTURING CO.
A business history of the site now occupied by the works of this company will be found in the sketch of Major Haws. Joseph Cozzens, who bought the property of Mr. Haws, sold to Walter Wright, who carried on business there for some years, but disposed of the mill to a Mr. Rolf. He did little more than pass the property over to its present owners, J. A. Harwood of Littleton and Nahum Harwood of Leominster. The business was started in 1868 with the manufacture of leather board. In time, the making of boot and shoe stiffenings and chair seats was added ; and the capacity of the factory was increased, by new machinery and buildings from one to three tons per day.
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