USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Leominster > Leominster, Massachusetts, historical and picturesque > Part 20
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In 1883, the entire factory was burned ; but the ruins had hardly time to cool, before men were at work clearing the ground for a new and larger building. This was completed and the machinery started Jan. 1, 1884. The main building is 66 by 107 feet, three stories and basement. This building is most thoroughly constructed and finished in all its parts and ap- pliances, and provides fully for the comfort of the workmen. Adjoining the main building is the stock house and cutter room, 35 by 70 feet ; the boiler, engine and bleaching room, 40 by 80 feet ; and the store house 30 by 90 feet. The works are run by combined water and steam power, furnished by three water
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wheels and a Putman engine of large capacity. About sixty men are employed, and the works are run twenty-four hours each working day.
This business has been prosperous from the first. It is con- ducted with energy and according to the best business methods, requires many skilled workmen, and has contributed liberally to the prosperity of the town.
Nahum Harwood, a son of Col. Nahum Harwood, of Lit- tleton, was born Sept. 4, 1833, at the old Harwood homestead. He received both a common school and academic education and learned civil engineering during a service of three years with T. & J. Doane, of Boston. To this profession he devoted several years in Massachusetts, Maine, and at Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. Harwood's first business enterprise was a flour mill at Har- vard, Mass. This property was sold and a company formed for the purpose of manufacturing "leather board." Of this com- pany Mr. Harwood was treasurer and active manager until 1868, when he formed the business relations above described.
Mr. Harwood is a director of the Leominster National Bank, of the Leominster Gas Light Co., and Vice President of the Eastern Associates, a Life Insurance Co. of Boston. He has, also, large business interests in California, where he has of late spent considerable time. Mr. Harwood has served the town on the board of selectmen. He was named as the Democratic candidate for representative in 1881 ; three times the same party named him for State Senator; he represented his dis- trict in 1876 at the St. Louis Convention, and was the party candidate for Presidential Elector in 1880. It is to the credit of Mr. Harwood, that in all these contests his vote much ex- ceeded that of his ticket and nothing to his discredit that he was not elected in a district so strongly Republican.
In 1858, Mr. Harwood married Miss Sarah J. Mulliken of
Nahum Harwood
.
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MANUFACTURING.
Charlestown. They have two daughters, the younger is the wife of Mr. W. H. Chase of the Leominster Worsted Co.
AUGUSTUS L. WHITNEY, foreman of the Harwood Works, has been in the employ of the Company for nine years. He was born in Harvard, June 18, 1845, is a machinist by trade, and was at one time employed in the establishment of L. W. Pond, of Worcester. He removed to Fitchburg, and was asst. foreman in the machine works of J. Q. Wright. For seven years previous to 1879, he made watch tools in the Waltham Watch factory.
MUSICAL MERCHANDISE.
A. W. COLBURN & Co. In 1823 Charles and Jonas Colburn established the comb business at the house of the latter. When the business was still young, it was moved to the site now oc- cupied by the factory of A. W. Colburn & Co.
In 1824 Jonas, Colburn bought the interest of his brother, and continued alone until 1836. The business was then Col- burn & Nichols for one year, and Jonas Colburn again, till 1845. From this time on, the history is given in the sketch of George F. Colburn, town officers. Mr. Jonas Colburn died in 1873. He was for fifty years a successful comb manufacturer, and to the end of life an honored and respected citizen of the town.
The business of the present firm, the manufacture of piano and organ sharps, component parts of other musical instru- ments, etc., was commenced in Northboro' by H. Brooks & Co. In the factory of this company, A. W. Colburn learned the bus- iness. From 1880 to 1885 he was a member of the firm, the name being Brooks & Colburn. In 1885, Mr. Brooks sold his interest to Geo. F. Colburn, when the present company was or- ganized and the business moved to Leominster in Nov., 1886. The factory was burned in March, 1887; but Mr. Colburn at once began the erection of a larger and more convenient build-
36
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ing, which was completed and occupied in May, 1888. The business gives employment to 28 hands, and is prosperous under the present efficient management.
A. W. Colburn is a native of Leominster. He was educated in the public schools and at a commercial college in Boston. His business history is included in what is already given. In 1880 he married Helen Brooks, of Northboro'.
A sketch of Mr. Geo. F. Colburn is given with the other town officers.
CHILDREN'S TOYS.
THE W. S. REED TOY COMPANY. For several years the manufacture of toys has been a prominent and important in- dustry in Leominster. The business was established by the
LUMBER
OFFI
senior member of the present company, Mr. W. S. Reed, in 1874. In that year the New England Toy company began the manufacture of children's blocks. This company consisted of F. A. Whitney, W. S. Reed and Seymour Lyman, Mr. Lyman acting as president and manager. After about a year and a half, this business was discontinued, and in July, 1876, Mr. Reed started alone in the general business of making toys. At first he manufactured several novelties of his own invention, and soon built up a large and prosperous business. In 1879
WM. S. REED.
CHARLES E. DRESSER.
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he purchased the Lane & Prescott shop on Summer street, and the following year, still further increased the capacity of his factory by building the present brick factory, used by the com- pany. The business was conducted by Mr. Reed alone until 1881, when, in order to facilitate the work, a stock company was organized with the above name, W. S. Reed president, and C. E. Dresser treasurer.
This company manufactures toys, novelties and games of every description, as well as many articles of more permanent utility. Many of the goods of this firm have an extensive sale, both at home and abroad.
Messrs. Reed & Dresser, also, compose the United States Mailing Case company, which is of more recent origin. They are the sole agents and manufacturers of the only patent liquid mailing case approved by the Postmaster General. The manu- facture of these goods was begun in Sept., 1886. The case is made of wood, lined with cork, and has a tight fitting screw lid with rubber cushion, and accommodates a glass bottle, in which the liquid to be transmitted is placed. The cases are made in all sizes to meet the demands of consumers. This trade is likely to continue, as it is now, an important industry. The company is fully equipped for their business in all its de- partments, and has a large domestic and foreign trade. The manufacturing plant consists of the buildings already named, is equipped with machinery especially designed for the ends, and supplied with ample power. This corporation is among the active, energetic and prosperous business concerns of Leo- minster.
The president of the company, Mr. W. S. Reed, was born in Sterling, July 7, 1846. When he came to Leominster he was first in the employ of F. A. Whitney's Carriage company for three years, and then began business as above stated.
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C. E. Dresser was born Oct. 22, 1854, in Stockbridge, Mass., but received his education in Lee and graduated from the High School of that place. After learning the drug business in his native town, Mr. Dresser came to Leominster in 1875 and bought of A. A. Burdett of Clinton the drug store in Fosters' block. The various changes in the drug business from 1875 to 1881 left Mr. Dresser in 1880-81 the oldest druggist in town.
In 1881 Mr. Dresser sold his store to E. E. Burdett, who had been in his employ for the previous four years, and together with W. S. Reed, formed the corporation known as the W. S. Reed Toy Company, and has since given his time to the varied interests of that concern.
The connection of Mr. Dresser with the Leominster Shirt company will be stated under that head.
THE MANUFACTURE OF WHITE SHIRTS.
This business is a late comer in Leominster, but it has already attained most ample proportions and promises to make the name of the town familiar wherever good shirts are in de- mand.
In Sept., 1880, G. F. Morse & Co. began to prepare one of the rooms in their block on Water street for the manufacture of white shirts, a business at the time foreign to the general thought and knowledge of Leominster. They went so far as to purchase a few machines and a small amount of cotton. Be- fore the work of manufacturing was actually begun, however, it was sold to C. E. Dresser and D. C. Nickerson. Soon after, F. A. Whitney became a member of the firm. Mr. Geo. A. Gane, of Fitchburg, who, at the time, was favorably known as a skilful maker of custom shirts, was invited to take charge of the new enterprise. This was the origin of the business of the LEOMINSTER SHIRT COMPANY. The original owners con
E. A. BUFFINTON.
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tinued the business until May, 1881, when it was sold to E. A. Buffinton of Detroit. Mr. Buffinton, before he came to Leom- inster, had been superintendent of a large shoe factory in Detroit, and knew nothing whatever of the shirt business. But he pos- sessed business ability and energy, which in this case sufficed until the knowledge could be acquired. He began with twenty machines and occupied only one half the second floor in Morse's brick block on Water street. The business increased under his energetic management, and the second year he added a laundry, and soon occupied two floors in this building and ex- tended his works to take in one floor of the next block. Here Mr. Buffinton remained five years, when he was forced to move, as the possible room would not accommodate his business.
In this year, 1886, Mr. A. W. Williams built a large and convenient factory for the company, which, with an addition since made, they now occupy.
In 1883, Mr. Charles Nickerson became interestedin the business, but in less than a year was compelled to sell his in- terest and move to California for his health.
In 1884, Mr. Buffinton made arrangements with Ellen C. Johnson, Supt. of the Women's Reformatory Prison at Sher- born, to manufacture shirts for them. This contract has been continued until the present time.
In 1886, to accommodate the steadily increasing trade, Mr. Buffinton located a branch factory in Provincetown, Mass., where the company are operating what is known as the Puritan Shirt Co.
In April, 1886, Mr. C. C. Foster became associated with Mr. Buffinton in this business, and in 1887 they began to sell the goods made by the Bay State Shirt company, as stated in the account which follows. Mr. Buffinton is actively inter- ested in political matters, was an alternate delegate to the
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convention which nominated Gen. Harrison, and is now a member of the Republican State Central Committee.
Charles C. Foster was born at Norway, Maine, Dec. 7, 1846. At the age of 20, he began teaching in the public schools of Chicopee, Mass., and continued the same at two different times for about 12 years. In the meantime he was engaged with his brother in the boot and shoe business in Leominster for about four years, from 1873 to 1877. In 1882 he engaged in the gro- cery business with his brother and Clarence Kenney, under the firm name of Foster Bros, & Kenney. Retiring from business in the latter part of 1885, he became connected with the Leom- inster Shirt company, as already stated. Mr. Foster is a mem- ber of both Library and School Committee.
THE WACHUSETT SHIRT COMPANY originated about a year later. After Mr. Gane left the employ of Mr. E. A. Buffinton he began the manufacture of shirts on his own account in a small room in Paton's Block, over the People's Market, as it is now called. At that time he had only eight machines running, but the present name was used from the start. This was in Jan, 1882. In July of the same year, Mr. F. A. Whitney took part in the business, which was removed to the shop of W. D. Earl & Co., and later to the upper story of the building belonging to the Whitney Carriage Co., which stands just over the bridge to the left on Water street. The business soon ex- tended to the lower floor, which was used as a cutting room. In a brief time still more room was demanded for convenience and profit, and Mr. Whitney made an addition, 64 feet long and 35 wide, and three stories high. The changes and addition to the buildings were planned by Mr. Whitney himself, and the rooms were dedicated Dec. 5, 1885. The main building is now 128 feet long and 35 feet wide ; the front projection is 30 x 20 feet. The rooms are planned with the greatest care for the
MANUFACTURING.
287
WACHUSETT SHIRT CO.'S FACTORY NO. I.
WACHUSETT SHIRT CO.'S FACTORY NO. 2.
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LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
comfort of the employes, and every convenience for ease and rapidity in manufacturing the goods intended.
In June, 1886, Mr. Whitney determined to build a new fac- tory for the still further increase and accommodation of the bus- iness. It is of brick, finely finished and furnished throughout. The building is four stories high in the main part and 136 feet long by 35 feet wide. The engine and boiler house is in the rear of this part and is 26 feet by 40; it contains one of the finest engines in town. In this building the rooms face the South, are light, airy and pleasant. Nothing is lacking, which could make work healthy and comfortable. The upper floor is used for storing goods. The principal building has a front projection, 24 by 33 feet. Here on the first floor is the business and a private office for consultation. On the same floor is a room fitted up for use in case any of the operatives should be sick or meet with an accident. In addition, there are over the office, rooms for folding, packing, etc.
The means for extinguishing fire and the sanitary arrange- ments are as perfect as they could possibly be made. In deed, whatever Mr. Whitney undertakes, he may be trusted to finish in the most complete and thorough manner. Every room in these buildings speaks of comfort and convenience It would be hard to find a Company anywhere, more completely provided with all the facilities for doing a large and prosperous business. George A. Gane is the manager of this company.
Mr. Gane was born in Quebec, but the family moved to Island Pond, Vt., when he was about 5 years old. He was therefore educated in the Public Schools of that State, and made his home there until 1869, when he moved to Waltham, Mass. In Waltham Mr. Gane was for a time employed as book-keeper and later was connected with the dry and fancy goods business ; but for the last part of the time he was en-
GEORGE A. GANE.
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gaged in making custom shirts. This business he moved to Fitchburg in the autumn of 1877 and was prosecuting the same with much skill and energy when he was invited to Leominster as stated above. Mr. Gane is an energetic and successful man- ager, has a thorough knowledge of the business, and is an ex- cellent citizen.
THE BAY STATE SHIRT COMPANY was organized in Oct. 1885, by Mr. A. G. Morse of Leominster, and George H. Priest of Sterling. It was in part a business removed to Leominster from Oakdale, Mass. After a brief time Mr. Priest withdrew from the Company. Mr. A. G. Morse, a sketch of whose life is found in the history of the Morse family, has been the treas- urer and manager of the company from the start. This busi- ness has been twice enlarged- The goods are all sold by the Leominster Shirt Company.
LUMBER, DOORS, SASH AND BLINDS.
TENNEY & KENNEY .- The lumber business of Stratton Brothers passed into the hands of Mr. Joseph G. Tenney, who in 1874 associated with himself Capt. Clesson Kenney, under the firm name of Tenney & Kenney. Mr. Tenney has not given personal attention to the business since 1879. The firm do an extensive business in furnishing house frames, and in manufacturing all miscellaneous material used in building.
A sketch of Mr. Tenney has already been given.
Capt. Clesson Kenney was born in Leominster May 31, 1839, and was educated in the public schools and graduated from the high school. He enlisted as a private in Company D., M. V. M., Sept. 2, 1ยบ 52, and, while in the field, was promoted to sec- ond sergeant, Dec. I, 1862, and to second lieutenant June 15, 1863. Mr. Kenney was chosen captain of Co. K., M. V. M., in 1873, and served the state in that capacity four years. Mr.
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LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
Kenney has been a trustee of the Leominster Savings Bank for the past four years.
APPLE PARERS.
This business has no closer connection with the "Apple Parer" business of Lockey & Howland already named, than this : Mr. F. W. Hudson who started the present concern, was, at one time, an employe of that firm. But when Mr. Hudson started he did so under his own patents. He began in Fitch- burg but soon moved to Leominster into the building now owned by John Mather. From there the business went to the basement of the old Lockey Piano Shop; then to a building near the tub shop of Miller & Lawrence ; from there to a shop near the Water Street bridge, and which is now in use by Whitney & Co., as a box shop. When that shop was moved, Mr. Hudson moved to the present factory, which is admirably suited to the needs of the business, giving ample room for man- ufacturing, storing and shipping the goods.
C. E. HUDSON now carries on this business, having bought it of his father some years since. The business is healthy and prosperous ; the management careful and energetic. The product of the factory is about fifty thousand machines annu- ally. Mr. Hudson was born in Leominster, June 12, 1856. He was engaged in the button business for three years in Jersey City, when he returned to Leominster and engaged in business with his facher. Mr. F. W. Hudson retired from the firm in 1881, and, with the exception of one year, when E. C. Williams had an interest, Mr. Hudson has been sole proprietor.
PAPER BOX MANUFACTURING.
This business is conducted by three firms, MRS. E. F. DODGE, C. P. GREEN, and G. L. CHASE. This industry is closely con- nected with comb making, and at different times as the needs of the trade demand, employs a large number of hands. Every
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variety of paper box is made, and in these the different kinds of goods are elegantly presented in market.
WHITNEY & Co. have lately established a new enterprise in this line. With machinery specially made for the purpose they make every style and description of folding paper box. These boxes are adapted to a great variety of purposes, and a visit to the factory would be well worth the time.
ROLLER DESKS.
UNION DESK COMPANY .- This very desirable industry was brought to Leominster from Boston in March, 1887. At that time the company purchased the Symonds Pavilion on Monu- ment square, at once made such changes in the building as the business demanded and put in the required machinery. The members of the firm are A. B. and A. F. Curtis and William F. Smith. Mr. Smith is a native of Leominster. The busi- ness of the company is confined to making roller desks and library tables of different kinds. The work done at this factory is excellent, and under the present management the business is likely to increase, both in amount and importance.
ENAMEL WORKS.
SUN ENAMEL WORKS. Aldrich Cook, proprietor. This in- teresting business includes every description of enamelled goods, such as enamelled jewelry, jet and shell goods, organ stops, knobs, jewelry ornaments, handles and rubber stamps, truss pads, pen holders, druggists' glass ware supplies, wood buttons, whip sockets and novelties of every description. All kinds of japanning is done at this factory also, and the goods are sent to all parts of the country. The number of hands employed varies with the demands of the market. Mr. Cook gives personal attention to the work, and the goods rank high as to design and finish.
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A sketch of Mr. Cook may be found among the past com- wanders of Post 53, G. A. R.
LEATHER TRUNK HANDLES.
This industry was first established in Boston, Jan. 1, 1884, by Henry A. Stone, who transferred the business to South Framingham Jan. 1, 1886, and in March, 1886, sold to George E. Norris. In August, 1886, the business was bought by Mr. C. W. Stratton and removed to its present location in Leomin- ster. Mr. Stratton was for several years a travelling salesman, and was also; a mechanic. He was born October 8, 1847 in Leominster and has resided here most of the time since.
WILCOX PEN.
THE WILCOX FOUNTAIN PEN CO. This pen, which was invented and patented by J. T. Wilcox, promises to meet a demand for a low-priced and reliable fountain pen. A. W. Wil- liams is president and J. T. Wilcox secretary and treasurer of the company. The company expect to have the goods ready for market in a few weeks. The manufacturing will be done in a part of A. W. Williams' comb shop.
MISCELLANEOUS.
LEOMINSTER GAS LIGHT Co. This company was organized in 1873, and began to furnish gas Oct. I of the same year. Until 1879 the gas was made from coal and the works were un- der the direction of Merrick Howe as superintendent, but in that year the company changed their machinery so as to make gas from crude petroleum by the Hanlon process. The works were then leased to H. M. Lane, who has continued to manage the business until the present time. The price of gas has late- ly been materially reduced. The gas furnished is of excellent quality, full 28 candle power. The capital stock was at first $30,000, but in 1877 this was increased to $50,000, upon which
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the company at the present time are paying an annual dividend of five per centum. The present officers are : C. L. Joslin, pres- ident ; M. Howe, treasurer ; H. M. Lane, secretary ; C. L. Joslin Geo. F. Morse, and H. M. Lane, directors.
LEOMINSTER ELECTRIC LIGHT Co. This company was organized last June. The directors are : A. L. Burditt, E. A. Buffinton, E. F. Blodgett, Dr. C. A. Wheeler, and J. S. An- thony ; E. A. Buffinton, pres., and A. L. Burditt, Sec. Of these directors Mr. J. S. Anthony is of the firm of Valpey & Anthony who were a part of the syndicate who purchased the Franchise for Lynn of the first local Electric Lighting Plant of the now well known Thompson & Houston System, and were among the few who had the pluck to buy up the entire property of the parent company, then lying practically dormant at New Brittain, Conn. They are both still interested in this famous company which has become the largest as well as the best and most prominent Electric Lighting Company in the world. They are also connected with the Leominster Electric Railway Company, now being pushed forward in this town. Mr. Anthony being one of the directors. They have also just added an Electric Light Plant of one hundred and fifty lights to their own factory here, and are both thorough believers in the possibilities of Electricity, and all that is in any way pro- gressive. The company is alive and active and will, no doubt, soon furnish Leominster with Electric Lights. They have bought land of Valpey & Anthony and are now at work on the necessary buildings. Associated with the Electric Light Com- pany, so far as to depend on it for power, is the Leominster Street Railway Co. This company, to the stock of which many leading business men and citizens have subscribed, propose to open a street Railway through some of the principal streets of the town.
Some other industries should be mentioned in this chapter,
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although they do not come fully under the head of manufac- turing.
N. C. Boutelle, who was a member of the firm of Merriam, Hall & Co., from 1867 to 1879, has just built a large furnishing shop to accommodate the wholesale and retail trade of his Boston store.
Wm. P. Hoffnagle is proprietor of the Leominster Steam Laundry in C. H. Colburn's block.
C. W. Durant is a manufacturer as well as dealer in car- riages. He, also, carries on a general business as a wheelright. and blacksmith. The other blacksmiths, Charles Welcome, Samuel Arnold, Haley & Lane and C. M. Gould, at the center, and L. Archibald at North Leominster, are doing more or less manufacturing in the line of their trade. Carlos Shepard does work in carriage making in a shop off Mechanic street. Albert LaPointe carries on the wheelwright, carriage making and re- pairing business in a shop in Mechanics' Lane. O. H. McKenney works at upholstering and is also a harness maker, J. W. Winch is classed as a harness maker and makes and re- pairs these goods. Waldo Whitney still manufactures the "Turbine Water Wheel" but the work is done out of town. Leonard E. Osborn is a manufacturer of brick. His brickyard is on Elm street, opposite Birch, with residence adjoining.
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