Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 49

Author: Borden, Alanson, 1823-1900; Boston History Company, Boston, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Company
Number of Pages: 1399

USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts > Part 49

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2 Holder Borden was a son of Capt. George Borden, mariner, and was born June 17, 1799. When about eighteen years old he entered the service of David Anthony, in the Fall River Manu- factory. About two years later he removed to Pawtucket, served a period as clerk for the Wilkin- sons, and then as agent of the Blackstone Company for Brown & Ives. Here he soon manifested business qualifications of an exceptional character, noted for their boldness and their success. As a member of the firm of Brown, Ives & Borden, he was one of the lessees of the Massasoit Mill, which was filled with machinery for making cotton cloth at an investment of about $100,000. A little later he became sole owner and successfully conducted the business. He subsequently became interested in the Troy Cotton and Woolen Manufacturing Company, the Annawan Mill, the Fall River Manufactory, Fall River Iron Works, etc., and finally was the prime promoter and active manager of the American Print Works, as elsewhere described. The following personal description of this man was written by one fully competent for the task-Henry H. Earl-and

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

great business and executive ability and indomitable energy, came into the business life of the village. He leased the large mill building, opened the partition, put in a large quantity of machinery and began manufacturing sheetings, shirtings, Marseilles vestings, stuff for corded skirts, and other fabrics. In that mill and under Mr. Borden's direc- tion, belts were first introduced instead of gearing in cotton manufac- turing, reducing friction, giving a steadier motion, and dispensing with much of the noise. The Massasoit Mill soon acquired an extended reputation; though it contained only 9,000 spindles, it was far in ad- vance of any other then in operation in that respect; its unqualified success was the direct cause of the removal to and settlement in Fall River of many active men, and finally and firmly determined the later industrial trend of the village and city.

Soon after the beginning of actual operation by the Pocasset Com- pany, measures were adopted which resulted in the formation of the Watuppa Reservoir Company. On the 13th of June, 1822, the Troy Company instructed James Driscoll, who was one of its directors, to confer with the directors of the Pocasset Company upon the establish- ment of a permanent mark for the height of flowage of the pond. This was the preliminary step that finally resulted in the construction of the new dam, as described in the preceding chapter.

Many industries were called into early existence that were in some way connected with cotton and woolen manufactures, particularly in the

is given space here on account of the enormous influence exerted by Mr. Borden during his short life upon the industrial growth of Fall River : " He was constantly scheming and planning some- thing new, keeping his counsels to himself until ready for action, then pushing on vigorously to the completion of his project. Not much of a talker, rather slow and deliberate in his speech, hc had little patience with discursive remark in others, especially at board and committee meetings, and always demanded close attention to the subject in hand. In person he was tall and slim, in complexion dark and, contrary to the usual custom, allowed his beard to grow for the protection of his throat. In his dress and personal appointments he was extremely careful ; he walked with his head inclined slightly forward. He was a great smoker, and a lover of a good horse-a neces- sity to him in his frequent journeys to and from Providence. Although so full of business, he was as attentive to details as to larger matters, and being somewhat of a nervous disposition, any inattention or inaccuracy in little things was sure to excite his comment and call forth his displeasure. He possessed the happy faculty of impressing others with his own views and aims, and in consequence was a leader among leaders. Rarely has one so young in years as Holder Borden attained such prominence in a community and held it so securely during his entire career. Rarely has so successful and so brilliant a business life been compassed by fifteen years, especially when those are the first and early years of manhood. Rarely does one from the start combine these three elements of assured success, 'bold energy, untiring industry, and unbending integrity.'" Mr. Borden was attacked by that dreaded disease, consumption, and died September 12, 1837. aged thirty-eight years. Mr. Borden's family was closely connected by marriage with the Durfee family. The widow of his father married Major Bradford Durfee, and three of his sisters married respectively Dr. Nathan Durfee, Joseph Durfee and Matthew C. Durfee.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

production of the fine machinery needed in the factories. As early as 1821 the firm of Harris, Hawes & Co. was formed and occupied two floors of a building erected for their use by the Pocasset Company. On the lower floor was the grist mill of Miller Chace. Harris, Hawes & Co. made much of the machinery for the Bridge Mill and later im- provements in that and the Troy and the Fall River Mills. They sub- sequently removed into the north end of the Satinet Factory and con- tinued under the firm name of O. S. Hawes & Co. Job Eddy removed his calico printing business, before described, to New Bedford and the Satinet Factory was then occupied by certain persons as a bleachery and in 1829 by the Fall River Bleaching and Calendering Company. Just east of the present Watuppa Mill, Edward Bennett & Brother had a carding factory in a small building.

During the progress of these improvements near the head of the stream, most of which were instigated by the Pocasset Company, others were projected below. Among these was the Annawan Manufactory, organized in 1825, with capital of $160,000, and a brick building was erected near the junction of Annawan and Pocasset streets, under the superintendency and agency of Major Bradford Durfee.1 The thirty shares of stock were taken as follows: Abraham and Isaac Wilkinson, 4 shares; Bradford Durfee, 2; William Valentine, 2; Joseph Butler, 2; Richard Borden, 2; Holder Borden, 4; Benjamin Rodman, 8; Francis Rotch, 1; William B. Rotch, 1; Thomas Swain, 1; William Swain, 1; Charles W. Morgan, 2. It will be seen that nearly half of the stock was taken by New Bedford men.

Meanwhile to accommodate the increasing financial transactions of

1 Major Bradford Durfee, son of Benjamin Durfee and Sarah (Borden) Durfee, was born in 1788 and in his early life worked at ship building and kindred occupations. Previous to 1821 the sloops Fall River, Golden Age and Reindeer, and schooners High Flyer, the Irene and Betsey, and others were built and engaged in the coasting or West India trade. In this occupation Major Durfee demonstrated his possession of business ability of a high order. Upon the formation of the Iron Works Company he was chosen superintendent and was in direct charge of the erection of the plant. When the steamboat line was established between Fall River and Providence he took charge of that also. In 1838 he visited Europe in company with William C. Davol, on a tour of inspection of improved machinery used in various industries. Returning he brought out the Sharp & Roberts self-acting mule, the first one of which was set up in the Annawan Mill, and it was through his sagacious influence that the firm of Hawes, Marvel & Davol was formed for the manufacture of English mules, in which they were very successful. Major Durfee and Mr. Davol also secured abroad drawings for the so-called " egg-shaped " furnace and boiler, a valuable and economical steam producer. In the general development of Fall River and its varied interests, Major Durfee was a leader, and his death was a distinct loss to the community. He was taken suddenly ill soon after the great fire of 1843, from the effects of his exertions on that occasion, and died within twenty-four hours, at the age of fifty-four years. His first wife was Phebe Borden, widow of George Borden, and his second wife was Mary Brayton.

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

the village steps were taken to organize the first banking institution. A meeting was held at the office of James Ford on January 18, 1825, the proceedings of which are thus recorded:

At a meeting of the citizens of the village of Fall River at the office of James Ford, Esq., January 18, 1825, pursuant to previous notice, to take into considera- tion the expediency of establishing a bank in said village, David Anthony being called to the chair and James Ford appointed secretary, it was

Voted and Resolved, That a petition be presented to the Legislature, at their present session, for a charter for a bank ;

That a committee of five be appointed to receive subscription for the stock, and to cause the petition to be presented ;

That Oliver Chace, David Anthony, Bradford Durfee, Richard Borden. and James Ford be this committee ;

That five cents on a share be paid by the subscribers to defray the expenses that may accrue in obtaining an act of incorporation ;

That Oliver Chace be treasurer to receive the above money.

A true copy.

Attest: M. C. DURFEE.

The act of incorporation was obtained and contains the names of Oliver Chace, David Anthony, Bradford Durfee, Richard Borden, Na- thaniel B. Borden, John C. Borden, Lucius Smith, Samuel Smith, Clark Shove, Harvey Chace, Edward Bennett, Arnold Buffum, James Ford, James G. Bowen, William W. Swain, Benjamin Rodman, Will- iam Valentine and Holder Borden, the name of the institution being the Fall River Bank. The first meeting of the stockholders was held April 7, 1825, and Oliver Chace, David Anthony, Bradford Durfee, Sheffield Weaver, Edward Bennett, Gideon Howland, Benjamin Rod- man, John C. Borden, and Richard Borden were elected directors. At a meeting held May 3, 1825, David Anthony was chosen president, and Matthew C. Durfee, cashier. This was the only bank of discount in the village for twenty years. The capital was fixed at $100,000, which was increased in 1827 to $200,000; in 1836 to $400,000; in 1844 it was reduced to $350,000, but was increased to $400,000 in 1864 and so re- mains. David Anthony served as president forty years, resigning in 1865, when he was succeeded by Richard Borden. At his death in 1874 he was succeeded by Guilford Hathaway, and he by Ferdinand H. Gif- ford, the present president. Matthew C. Durfee continued cashier un- til 1836, when he resigned and was succeeded by Henry H. Fish, who resigned in 1863; he was followed by George R. Fiske, who was suc- ceeded in 1873 by Ferdinand H. Gifford. The present cashier is George H. Eddy, jr. In 1864 the bank was organized under the Na- tional system with its present title. The first bank building was 59

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

erected of brick in 1826, on the corner of Main and Bank streets. It was burned by the great fire of 1843, and rebuilt soon afterward. The present bank building was erected in 1892.

It was an almost inevitable consequence of the rapidly developing manufacture of cotton cloth in Fall River, that calico printing, which has always been so closely allied with the primary industry, should be introduced and energetically promoted until it became an important factor in the business life of the place. The first efforts to establish this industry here have been noticed in preceding pages. The influence of the Rodmans, of New Bedford, brought to Fall River, soon after their advent and organization of the Pocasset Company, their relative, Andrew Robeson,1 who has been termed the father of calico printing in Fall River. He was already a practical millwright, having had charge of his father's several flour mills at Germantown, Pa. He kept his residence in New Bedford and drove daily back and forth, frequently over wretched roads and in the worst of weather-experience made endurable by his robust physique and remarkably strong constitution. The first print cloths were made in the Bridge Mill, seven eighths to a yard wide, considerably coarser than the 28 inch 64 by 64 of the pres- ent time, 44 picks to the square inch and of No 20 or 25 yarn. These cloths were bought and printed by Mr. Robeson. His first efforts were confined to the use of simple colors, his help being imported from Eng- land and Scotland; but he possessed the spirit of investigation and kept

I Andrew Robeson was a native of New Bedford and a prominent member of the old family of that name who were conspicuous in the early history of that place. A considerable part of the active years of his life was passed in promoting the industries of Fall River, more particularly in connection with early calico printing. In the face of apparently insurmountable obstacles he persevered in that business until the name of Andrew Robeson's Prints was favorably known in every trade center of the country. He was not only an energetic, far-seeing and persevering manufacturer, but was also a humanitarian in a broad sense. When he began business in Fall River it was customary to pay operatives in "store pay." He broke away from this pernicious system and paid cash promptly every month. The effects of this action were marked and factory stores soon became a thing of the past. When it was made obligatory by law that children em- ployed in factories should attend school during a portion of each year, Mr. Robeson promptly inaugurated a plan in his works which he believed would be for the benefit of his employees. Dividing them into three classes, he gave each class one-third of each day for study, and estab- lished a school which was taught by Louis Lapham. He was a man of the highst integrity, open- handed generosity and warm sympathy for the oppressed. It was written of him at the time of his death (December 8, 1862,) by one who worked for him as a lad and was his intimate friend during the remainder of his life, as follows: "With heart open to every just and generous im- pulse, he did not merely relieve pressing instances of suffering and want, but he took a higher view of humanity, and sought to remove the causes of suffering and wrong by aiding the op- pressed and instructing the needy and ignorant. He was a firm and liberal friend of the slave and the anti-slavery cause, supported liberty wherever found, and opposed oppression in all its forms."

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

abreast of the times in the advancement of the art. Block printing soon came into practice and the number of colors was increased to as many as seven. It was not long before he outgrew his quarters in the Satinet Factory, and in 1826 purchased the land and water power oc- cupied by the later Fall River Print Works, where he erected the nec- essary buildings for the business. To these, needed additions were made up to 1836 when the last structure was built.

According to Mr. Earl, it is probable that the first printing machine in the United States was made in Mr. Robeson's works, by Ezra Marble and a Frenchman, both of whom were employed in the blacksmith shop of the works. Mr. Marble came to Fall River from Somerset in 1824, and received his ideas of the printing machine from the Frenchman who had seen one in his native country. The machine was constructed and set up in 1827, and with a few alterations was successfully used a number of years.

At a later date Mr. Robeson took his two sons, William R. and Andrew, jr., into partnership, the firm name being Andrew Robeson & Sons. Copper rollers were introduced in 1832, and yard-wide rollers in 1837. Acids in the preparation of colors were first used through the knowledge and assistance of Alvan Clark, who subsequently gained a world-wide reputation as a maker of lenses and telescopes. Block printing continued until 1841, when a strike of workmen forced the further introduction of machines, and the other process was substan- tially abandoned. Considerable difficulty was experienced in the early years of the industry in properly drying the cloth in the large drysheds then in use; machine drying had not then been introduced.

The firm of Andrew Robeson & Sons was eminently successful, and the reputation of their product extended abroad, giving them unlimited credit, which enabled them to start kindred enterprises in a number of other cities. The depression of 1848 found them with a large stock of goods on hand and with extensive and varied business connections. Unable to quickly concentrate their resources, the firm suspended and . turned over to their creditors their whole property. This led to the organization of the Fall River Print Works as a corporation, and print- ing continued. Between 1858 and 1864 cotton machinery was intro- duced in the works, the printing machinery gradually removed, and the factory was finally given up wholly to the manufacture of print cloths. This mill ultimately became the Quequechan Mill, described farther on.

To conclude a brief account of the Satinet Factory, to which refer-

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ence has already been made, it should be stated that the manufacture of that former popular quality of goods, made with cotton warp and wool filling, began by the firm of Samuel Shove & Co., which was composed of Mr. Shove and John and Jesse Eddy; Mr. Shove with . drew in 1834, the Eddys continuing. The first looms were in the third story of the building. John Eddy conducted the manufacture and Jesse the buying and selling, the latter traveling over a wide extent of territory to obtain sufficient wool for the business. The produc. tions of this factory became very favorably known and found a ready market; but in 1843 this kind of goods gave way to cassimere, an all wool fabric. In 1845 the Satinet Factory was demolished to make room for another structure and the business was removed to what was known as Eagle Mill, in Tiverton. The firm of J. & J. Eddy soon afterward dissolved and the factory was carried on by others for a few years, when it was burned.

In farther description of the industries founded in Fall River between 1830 and 1840, we must again step aside from the cotton manufactories and kindred works. The Fall River Iron Works was established in 1821. At that time Col. Richard Borden 1 was operating a small grist mill near the foot of the stream and building small vessels at the mouth of the creek. His acquaintance was made by Major Durfee, who had

I Col. Richard Borden, as he was familiarly known, was born April 12, 1795. From 1812 to about 1820 he operated the old grist mill which stood just west of the site of the Annawan Mill. He was the principal promoter of the organization of the Iron Company, which was not only successful in its first and primary business, but became interested in many other large industries, among them the Watuppa Reservoir Company, organized in 1826; the Troy Cotton and Woolen Manufactory ; in the Fall River Manufactory; in the Annawan Mill, built by it in 1825; in the American Print Works, the buildings of which were all erected by this company and leased to the Print Works Company ; in the Metacomet Mill, built in 1846; in the Fall River Railroad, opened in 1846, and the Bay State Steamboat Line, established in 1847; in the Fall River Gas Works, built in 1847, and in the erection of many buildings for lease to individuals or firms. In all of these extensive connections Colonel Borden was a master mind. No other citizen of Fall River was the recipient of so many honors of responsible office in connection with the industries and insti- tutions of the city. Among the positions held by him were president and director of the Ameri- can Print Works, the American Linen Company, the Troy Cotton and Woolen Manufactory, the Richard Borden Mill Company, the Mount Hope Mill Company, the Fall River National Bank, director and treasurer of the Fall River Iron Works, director of the Annawan and Metacomet Mill Companies, president of the Watuppa Reservoir Company, the Bay State Steamboat Company, Providence Tool Company, Cape Cod Railroad Company, and an officer in many other com- panies or corporations. In many of these he exercised a commanding influence, and his judg- ment and counsel were sought for guidance in all important measures. Colonel Borden was a representative of the best type of New England Christian man ; he joined the First Congrega- tional Church in 1826, and was later a leader in the Central Congregational Church, and in all Christian movements was an active participant and liberal contributor. His integrity was stamped upon his face and his untiring energy, stability of purpose under discouragement, fair- ness toward all men, and his many other noble qualities cause his memory to be revered. His death took place in 1874.

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

learned the shipbuilder's trade, and the two became closely interested in the construction of such vessels as were then in demand. This busi- ness was the direct and natural predecessor of the Fall River Iron Works, and to those two men belongs the larger measure of credit for the successful founding of the industry. With them were associated Holder Borden, David Anthony, with William Valentine, Joseph But- ler, and Abraham and Isaac Wilkinson, of Providence. The capital was $24,000, and the $6,000 contributed by the Wilkinsons was soon drawn out of the business, leaving the working capital $18,000. The first works of the company were built on the site of the Metacomet Mill and the product of hoop iron was largely sold in New Bedford for use on oil casks. Bar iron was also produced and the making of nails commenced, with two machines. When a cargo was accumulated Colonel Borden would sail with it in a sloop to New York and up the Hudson to a market. The business was profitable and the plant was enlarged and other products added, until 1840, when the plant was re- moved to its present situation, where wharves were secured, better buildings provided and more liberal space obtained. Twice the rolling mill has been burned, first on June 2, 1843, and the second time on November 11, 1859. It was immediately rebuilt on both occasions. When the company was first formed it secured by purchase for $10,000 the section of land lying along the shore to the south and west of the creek, as far as Annawan street on the south and to Canal street on the east; the land south to Ferry street was subsequently secured.

Previous to the establishment of a regular line of steamboats between Fall River and Providence by Colonel Borden in 1827, with the steamer Hancock, various attempts had been made in that direction, but with only partial and temporary success. The line mentioned sufficed for the accommodation of the public until after 1840, as noticed farther on.

In the newspaper field no other journal was added to the Monitor until after 1830. Another bank was incorporated in the village in 1828, the charter, dated March 11, being granted to Oliver Chace, James Ford, Harvey Chace, Bradford Durfee, John C. Borden, Clark Shove and Hez- ekiah Battelle, as incorporators of the " Fall River Institution for Sav- ings." Micah H. Ruggles was chosen president of the institution ; Harvey Chace, secretary, and there was a board of eighteen trustees as follows: David Anthony, Samuel Chace, Nathaniel B. Borden, John C. Borden, Harvey Chace, Joseph Gooding, James Ford, Bradford Durfee, Richard Borden, John S. Cotton, Clark Shove, Philip R. Bennett, Joseph

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C. Luther, Jesse Eddy, Enoch French, Hezekiah Battelle, Matthew C. Durfee and William H. Hawkins. James Ford was elected treasurer. The bank was opened for business May 28, 1828, and the first year's deposits amounted to $3,224, from fifty eight depositors. The first dividend was made in October, 1828, of $13.04. The institution has always been sagaciously managed and has met with great success. Be-

+ tween April, 1837, and October, 1866, there was paid in dividends $1,819,162.31. After 1867 the business of the bank advanced still more rapidly, gaining for several years from a half to three-quarters of a million annually. The first incorporating act gave the bank an exist- ence of twenty years. In April, 1847, by special vote of the Legisla- ture the first act was continued without limitation. In April, 1855, the name of the institution was changed to The Fall River Savings Bank. Micah H. Ruggles was succeeded as president in 1857 by Na- thaniel B. Borden, and he by Job French in 1865. William Lindsey succeeded Mr. French in 1882, served to 1888, and was succeeded by A. S. Tripp. He died the same year. In 1889 Crawford E. Lind- sey was elected; he removed from the State and Thomas J. Borden was elected in 1894, and is still in office. C. A. Bassett has been treas- urer since 1877, succeeding Joseph F. Lindsey; he succeeded William H. Hawkins.

In respect to the date of its organization what is now the National Union Bank is the oldest financial institution in Fall River and it has had a varied history. Its original charter was dated in 1823 with the name, The Bristol Union Bank, of Bristol, R. I. Its authorized cap- ital was $50,000, with the privilege of increase to $200,000. Beginning business in January, 1824, with a paid in capital of $10,000, this was increased within two years to $40,000. Baranbas Bates and Parker Borden held the office of president in the year 1824, and the latter con- tinued until 1838; prior to this date Nathaniel Wardell, Josiah Good- ing and William Coggeshall successfully held the position of cashier, the latter continuing until 1860. Meanwhile, in 1830, the bank was removed to the town of Tiverton, just over the Fall River line and its name changed to the Fall River Union Bank. In 1837 the bank erected the brick building on the corner of South Main and Rodman streets, and there continued business until 1862. In that year Fall River, R. I., was brought within Massachusetts jurisdiction and the bank was re- moved to the southwest corner of what is now the city hall. In June, 1865, the bank became The National Union Bank and in 1872 removed

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Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 49

Author: Borden, Alanson, 1823-1900; Boston History Company, Boston, pub Publication date: 1899 Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Company Number of Pages: 1399

Author: Borden, Alanson, 1823-1900; Boston History Company, Boston, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Company
Number of Pages: 1399