Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 60

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 60

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The American and other Print Works .- The inception and early his- tory of calico printing in Fall River has been given in a preceding chapter. As there stated, it was largely due to Andrew Robeson and was successfully carried on many years by him and his sons. After their suspension in 1848 the establishment was carried on about twelve years by Andrew Robeson, jr., for the corporation called the Fall River Print Works. The mill was converted into a cotton mill and in 1879 passed to a corporation called the Quequechan Mills, which is elsewhere described. The second calico print works within the present territory of Fall River was situated in what was then Tiverton, at Globe Vil- lage. The small cotton mill, established there in 1811 by Col. Joseph Durfee, passed through several hands and in 1829 was purchased by Potter & Chatburn and converted into a print works. After that it was enlarged from time to time and was operated with varying success in 1833-34 by Holder Borden; as the Tiverton Print Works in 1835-39; by Walter C. Durfee, 1839-42; by Prentiss & Marvel, 1843-44; by W. & G. Chapin, 1845-53; as Bay State Print Works, 1853-58, when it was purchased by the American Print Works and operated by them

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

until 1876. It was sold in 1880 and the site is now covered by the Globe Yarn Mills, elsewhere described. The American Print Works began operation under management of Holder Borden in January, 1835, running then only four machines with an average production of 2,000 to 2,500 pieces per week. When Mr. Borden retired on account of ill health in 1837 Jefferson Borden was elected agent and principal manager, which he continued until 1876 and was succeeded by Thomas J. Borden. The works were enlarged in 1840 by which the product was about doubled. In 1857 a charter of incorporation was obtained and Col. Richard Bor- den elected president, continuing in the office until his death in 1874. In 1858 the Bay State Print Works was purchased by this corporation, largely increasing the production. In 1867 a part of the buildings of American Print Works were taken off and a new structure of Fall River granite was commenced; but on the 15th of December, when the new building was about finished, a fire broke out in one of the old buildings, destroying the whole new part and about half of the old. But with un- daunted energy rebuilding was immediately begun and in a year and four months from the date of the fire the present splendid structure was completed and filled with machinery. It presents a front on Water street of 406 feet, is 60 feet deep, and in the center of the front rises a handsome tower 110 feet high. In the main room on the lower floor is space for twenty printing machines, with capacity of 80,000,000 yards of calico per annum. The other floors of the main building are equipped for all the various operations connected with the business. The other principal structures connected with these works are four ells on the west, two five stories high and two three stories, and all built of granite; a boiler house 100 by 50 feet, three stories, and another 195 by 55 feet, two stories; an engine house 50 by 30 feet, two stories; a dye house 100 by 50 feet, two stories; a capenter shop, dye houses, chemical shop, etc. In 1880 these works were incorporated as the American Printing Company and passed to the sole possession of Mat- thew C. D. Borden, as before described in this chapter. The present officers of the corporation are M. C. D. Borden, president; B. H. Borden, treasurer. Agent and superintendent, James B. Harley ; directors, M. C. D. Borden, B. H. Borden, John R. Van Wormer.

The Quequechan Mills were established in 1859 in one of the large buildings then belonging to the Fall River Print Works, in which were placed about 6,000 spindles. This number was increased in 1865 to 11,000, and in 1867 it was again increased to 12,800. In the following

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

year the corporation was reorganized. After the failure of the Print Works the mill was operated for the creditors with Andrew Robeson 3d as manager until 1879, when the property passed to the corporation called the Quequechan Mills, with Mr. Robeson treasurer, and Henry G. Fenner, superintendent. They resigned in January, 1881, and D. H. Dyer became treasurer and general manager. This enterprise proved unprofitable and the property was sold and is now in use for other purposes.

In the year 1852 the American Linen Manufacturing Company was incorporated with a capital of $350,000. Col. Richard Borden, Jeffer- son Borden, Oliver S. Hawes and Lazarus Borden were the chief pro- moters of the enterprise, which had for its object the manufacture of fine linen fabrics on a larger scale than had before been attempted in the United States. Large stone buildings were erected at the foot of Ferry street, comprising a mill 301 by 63 feet and four stories high, and other structures. This mill contained 10,500 spindles and 300 looms. Lazarus Borden was chosen agent of the company, and was sent to Europe for the purpose of securing skilled operatives. It was at once found necessary to import several hundred tons of flax fibre. The mill was pushed to completion and the first product marketed in 1853. Is met with a ready sale, but before the mill was in full operation the demand which had previously exceeded the supply, declined by reason of the introduction of thin woolen and cotton fabrics at a less cost. In 1853 a charter was granted under the present name of The American Linen Company. In 1858 the machinery was removed from the mill to the smaller buildings, where the manufacture of linen was continued on a limited scale until 1864. The main building was en- larged by the addition of a story and equipped for the manufacture of cotton print cloths. In 1866 mill No. 2 was erected of stone, 393 by 72 feet, five stories high, and like the other buildings was surmounted by a pitch roof. On June 29, 1876, the two upper stories of this mill were burned, and the experience gained by that event caused the company in rebuilding to adopt the flat roof. In 1879 it was discovered that through the neglect of certain formalities in connection with the accept- ance of the second charter, the company was not in legal possession of the plant. A legislative enactment, therefore, revived the American Linen Manufacturing Company for a period long enough for proper conveyance to be made, which was done in the next year. In 1883 a story was added to the picker house building and ten years later Mill

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

No. 2 was extended eighty feet. An electric light plant was added in 1896. At that time the mills contained 92, 720 spindles and 2, 250 looms, moved by one pair of Wright engines, one pair of Buckley engines, and one single Corliss engine, a total of 2,200 horse power. Apparatus for condensing salt water has been recently introduced. The employees numbered 925, and the output was 21,000,000 pieces of print cloths an- nually, from 3,500 bales of cotton. The company owned 110 tenements for employees and the capital stock had been increased to $800,000. Col. Richard Borden was president of the company in 1852-75; his brother Jefferson in 1875-87. On November 2, 1887, he was succeeded by John S. Brayton who has since held the office. Walter Paine 3d was treasurer 1852-79; Philip D. Borden, 1879-96; he was succeeded in 1896 by James E. Osborn. The following have been directors: Col. Richard Borden, Thomas Kimber, jr., Lazarus Borden, Oliver S. Hawes, Philip D. Borden, J. S. Young, George B. Durfee, Azariah S. Tripp, Jonathan Chace, of Valley Falls, R. I., Edward Pearce, Thomas Harris, Nathaniel Lindsey, William Lindsey, Samuel M. Brown, Edward Pearce, jr., of Providence, Junius P. Prentiss and Horace M. Barnes, of Bristol, R. I. The number of stockholders is 290. James P. Hilliard entered the employ of the company in 1853 as engineer, became superintendent a few years later and remained in that position until 1889; Daniel E. Chace, the bookkeeper, has been in the office forty two years.1

The Robeson Mills are named from Andrew Robeson, of New Bed- ford, who, for several years prior to his death in 1862, had contem- plated the erection of a cotton mill and had discussed the subject with William R. Robeson, Samuel Hathaway and Linden Cook. In 1865 it was determined to build a mill on land belonging to the Rodman estate on Hartwell street. At the meeting for organization, December 1, 1865, Andrew Robeson (son of the before mentioned Andrew), Charles P. Stickney, Samuel Hathaway, William C. Davol, jr., Linden Cook, Samuel Castner and Josiah Brown were chosen directors. Samuel Hathaway was elected president and Linden Cook treasurer. The company was incorporated February 14, 1866. In that year a brick mill, 222 by 72 feet 10 inches, three stories with French roof, was built and equipped with American machinery; it began operation in March, 1867. In 1875 the roof was removed and the walls carried up two stories, with flat roof. The capacity of the mill was increased to 21,- 632 spindles and 552 looms, turning out annually 6,500,000 yards of

1 Contributed by John S. Brayton.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

print cloths 64 by 64, from 2,500 bales of cotton. The number of spindles was subsequently increased to 23,712, and of looms to 650. The power is a Corliss engine of 1,000 horse power. In 1897 the num- ber of employees is 230. The company built thirty-three tenement houses, which were afterwards sold. The original capital stock is re- tained. Samuel Hathaway was president from 1866 to 1873; Charles P. Stickney from 1873 to 1878; Linden Cook from 1878 to 1882; Dan- forth Horton from 1882 to 1884; Lloyd S. Earle, 1884; C. M. Hatha- way, 1884 to 1895; Charles B. Luther, 1895 to 1898. The treasurers

have been Linden Cook and Louis Robeson, who took Mr. Cook's place when the latter was made president; C. M. Hathaway, who resigned in 1898, and the office is now administered by Mr. Luther. Directors, Robert T. Davis, Nathaniel B. Horton, John H. Estes, David J. Bur- dick, C. M. Hathaway, Charles B. Luther.

The Granite Mills had their inception from Charles O. Shove, who, with Edmund Chase, in the early part of 1863, took the preliminary steps for organization. A charter was obtained under date of March 3, 1863, naming William Mason, Southard H. Miller, Charles O. Shove and their associates as incorporators of the Granite Mills, with capital stock of $225,000. William Mason was elected president; Charles O. Shove, treasurer; and William Mason, John S. Brayton, Edmund Chase, Samuel Hathaway, Charles O. Shove and Charles P. Stickney, directors. A site on Twelfth street was purchased and a granite mill built 328 by 70 feet, five stories high. Owing to prevailing business uncertainty at that time machinery for only half the capacity of the mill was contracted for; but in May, 1864, it was determined to in- crease the capital stock to $400,000 and complete the equipment of the plant. In July, 1864, the capital was further increased to $415,000, but in 1871 was reduced to $400,000. Owing to delay in receiving ma- chinery and the very high price of cotton, the mill did not commence operations until January, 1865, and the first lot of cotton made into cloth netted the company a loss of $60,000. But the times changed and a profit soon began to be realized, the indebtedness was paid up, and success was so marked that in 1871 it was determined to build an- other mill near the first. This mill was of granite, 378 by 74 feet, five stories, and equipped with all modern facilities. On the morning of September 19, 1874, a fire broke out in the mule room of Mill No. 1, which was soon beyond control, and in the ensuing panic many per- sons threw themselves from the upper story. Twenty-three persons

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

were killed in the calamity and thirty-three wounded. The mill was at once rebuilt with every possible safeguard against fire. In 1893 Mill No. 3 was erected, of granite, 237 by 127 feet, two stories, used for spinning, and one 234 by 127 feet, two stories, used for weaving; also a picker room 127 by 44 feet, one story. The product of the Granite Mills is largely fine yarn cotton goods to order. Mill No. 1 contains 30, 688 ring spindles and 912 looms; No. 2 contains 26, 288 ring spindles, 20, 808 mule spindles, and 1,032 looms; No. 3, 19,712 ring spindles, 22,808 mule spindles and 1,032 looms. The engines have a total of 4,000 horse power. The operatives number 1,200; the company built 100 tenements. William Mason was president until 1892 when he was suc- ceeded by John S. Brayton. Charles O. Shove was treasurer until 1875 when he was succeeded by his son, Charles M. Shove. The orig- inal stockholders have increased in number to nearly 240, and the cap- ital to $1,000,000. Directors, John S. Brayton, John P. Slade, Edward E. Hathaway, Robert Henry, Edward Shove, Charles M. Shove.

The Tecumseh Mills came into existence in response to the unusual demand for cotton fabrics just after the close of the war. The enter- prise had its inception in 1865, but the first meeting for organization did not take place until February 17, 1866; at that meeting a charter dated February 8, 1866, incorporating Augustus Chace, James W. Hartley, John P. Slade, J. T. Lincoln and Cook Borden, the original promoters of the undertaking, and their associates as the Tecumseh Mills Company, was accepted. The capital stock of $350,000 in shares of $1,000 each, was taken by eighty nine subscribers. Land was pur- chased on the Quequechan River a short distance above the Troy dam and Mill No. 1, constructed of granite, 196 by 72 feet, five stories high, with a pitch roof, was erected and put in operation the same year. It contained 20,048 spindles and 480 looms, driven by steam engines of 400 horse power. A few years later an addition, 63 by 51 feet, and four stories high, was built and the weaving and speeder facilities thereby increased. In 1872 it was decided to build another factory and accord- ingly, the capital stock having been increased to $500,000, Mill No. 2, of granite, 200 by 75 feet, five stories high on the south side and six stories on the north, with pitch roof, was erected on land purchased adjoining to Eight Rod Way, and one-eighth of a mile from Mill No. 1. It contained 21,860 spindles and 534 looms, driven by a 400-horse power engine. In 1895-6, without increase of capital stock, Mill No. 3 was built just north of Mill No. 2. It is of granite, 310 by 100 feet,

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three stories high, with flat roof. It was devoted exclusively to weav ing, the operations of Mill No. 2 being confined to the preliminary pro- cesses. The total spindles of the plant was in 1897 75,856. The out- put in 1897 consisted entirely of odd goods, the number of employees being 600, with a weekly pay roll of $5,000. Augustus Chace was president of the company till 1886, when he was succeeded by Jerome C. Borden. Isaac B. Chace, the first treasurer, was followed by Simeon B. Chase and later Frank H. Dwelly took the office. The number of stockholders has increased to about 250. Directors, David T. Wilcox, John Southworth, Simeon B. Chase, George E. Hoar, Jerome C. Borden, Leontine Lincoln, Frank H. Dwelly; superintend- ent, Robinson Walmsley.

Durfee Mills .- The plans for the erection of these large cotton mills were formulated by Bradford M. C. Durfee, David A. Brayton and John S. Brayton. The original meeting of persons interested in the estab- lishment of this enterprise was held December 10, 1866. An organiza- tion was effected at a subsequent meeting, held January 8, 1867, when B. M. C. Durfee was elected president, and David A. Brayton, treasurer. The charter of incorporation was granted February 15, 1866, and the mills were named in honor of the late Major Bradford Durfee, the prominent manufacturer of Fall River and father of. B. M. C. Durfee, who originally was the largest stockholder in the corporation. The capital stock was $500,000 in 500 shares of $1,000 each, and still con- tinues the same. Land was purchased for a site for the mills, west of the locality afterward known as Eight-Rod Way, now called Plymouth avenue. A great deal of filling had to be done on the land chosen for a site to adapt it to the purpose designed. It now presents a neat and attractive appearance; the entire area of the mill site being eleven acres and seventy-six rods. No. 1 Mill, 376 feet long and seventy-two feet wide, with five stories and an attic story, was built of granite in 1866. The engines were started for the first time January 1, 1867, and cotton was put into the mill a few weeks later. The first cloth was woven early in the month of March and the entire mill was in full operation in November, 1867. The corporation was under excellent management; hence the business prospered from the beginning. In 1871 No. 2 Mill was erected of the same material and the same dimen- sions as No. 1 Mill. The capacity of the mills was now doubled and the facility for the manufacture of print cloths greatly increased. The plant was further enlarged in 1880 by the erection of Mill No. 3, or

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

annex, 177 by 44 feet, with five stories and an attic story. These large mills, built of granite, with symmetry of proportion, presented an im- posing appearance, and along the entire front on Pleasant street is a neat and substantial iron fence 650 feet long, which adds to the attract- iveness of the surroundings. Two stories were added to the ell of No. 2 Mill in 1884 and new boilers were placed in No. 2 Mill the same year. This mill was remodeled internally and very much improved in 1885 and new machinery added; the mill was stopped nearly seven months while these alterations were being made. Section A of the cotton house was built in 1886 and the remaining sections were completed in 1887. This cotton house is 264 feet long and 93 feet wide. The foundation of No. 2 weave shed was built in the fall of 1891. An addition was made to the boiler house of No. 1 Mill and boilers put into it in 1891 and 1892. The No. 2 Mill weaveshed building, two stories high, was erected in 1893 upon the foundation prepared for it two years before. No. 1 Mill was remodeled internally and a large amount of new ma- chinery was put into it in 1894, and during the time this work was in progress this mill was stopped about seven months, and No. 3 Mill, on account of these extensive alterations and improvements, was stopped for about five months. The cloth hall and repair shop building, 280 feet long by 96 feet, two stories high, was erected in 1895. The No. 2 Mill engines were compounded in 1897 and ten new boilers were sub- stituted for old ones in this mill the same year. The motive power of No. 1 Mill is a cross compound engine with cylinders 30 inches by 56 inches, with 72 inch stroke, developing about 1,594 horse power. The motive power of No. 2 Mill is a cross compound engine with cylinders 30 inches by 56 inches, with 60 inch stroke, developining 1,326 horse power. No. 3 Mill has a pair of simple condensing engines, with cyl- inders 24 inches in diameter, with 48 inch stroke, developing about 539 horse power. The Durfee Mills thus erected and equipped, produces print cloths, and also odd widths and weights and some wide cloths. About 1,100 operatives, 540 males and 560 females, are regularly em- ployed. The annual output is 6,250,000 pounds of print cloths, besides some yarn. The annual consumption of cotton is about 7, 924, 000 pounds, and the mills contain 129, 152 spindles. The capital stock ($500,000) is held by the members of the family of the incorporators, and other members of the Brayton family. The Durfee Mills have prospered since the time they were started in 1867. Bradford M. C. Durfee was president from the time of the organization until his death in 1872.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

John S. Brayton has been president since that date. David A. Bray- ton was treasurer from 1867 to the time of his death in 1981. Since that date his son, David A. Brayton, jr., has been treasurer. The fol- lowing named persons have been directors since the organization : B. M. C. Durfee, David A. Brayton, John S. Brayton, H. A. Brayton, Israel P. Brayton, David A. Brayton, jr., John J. Brayton and Brad- ford W. Hitchcock. Superintendent, Joseph H. Potter, jr.1

The organization of the Merchants' Manufacturing Company was due to the energy of William H. Jennings, who secured subscriptions to capital stock of $800,000 within two days. The company was organ- ized October 24, 1866, and permanent organization was effected No- vember 2 of that year. W. H. Jennings was chosen treasurer and James Henry, W. H. Jennings, Augustus Chace, L. L. Barnard, Robert S. Gibbs, Charles H. Dean, Crawford E. Lindsey, Robert E. Remington and Lafayette Nichols, directors. At a later meeting James Henry was made president. A site was purchased of the heirs of Nathaniel B. Borden and others and ground broken for a granite factory 397 by 92 feet and eight inches, five stories, with capacity for 54,324 spindles and 1,242 looms. The machinery arrived from England the latter part of 1867 and the first cloth was made in February, 1868. The company purchased twelve acres of land and erected one hundred tenement houses, many of which were subsequently sold. At a special meeting January 2, 1871, it was voted to build an additional structure. This was completed early in 1872 and was a little more than half the size of Mill No. 1. There were then under one roof 85, 570 spindles and 1, 942 looms. Iu the spring of 1893 the adjoining property of the Crescent Mills was purchased, bringing the total number of spindles to 125,000, looms 3,200, hands employed 1,300, with product of 38,000,000 yards of print cloths and odd goods. The total horse power employed was then 2,400. Electric lighting was introduced in Mill No. 2 in 1894. Mr. Henry continued as president until his death, April 18, 1893, when James M. Osborn assumed the office. He was succeeded by Edward D. Jennings. Mr. Jennings was treasurer until his resignation on ac- count of ill health in 1882. He has been succeeded by Simeon B. Chase, 1882-85; Alphonso S. Covel, 1885-87, and he by Andrew Borden. The number of shareholders was originally sixty-five and is now more than four hundred. Besides those named the list of directors includes the following: Samuel Waddington, William M. Almy, Andrew J. Bor-

1 From paper prepared by John S. Brayton.

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den, Simeon B. Chase, Adoniram J. Chace and Alphonso S. Covel. J. E. Osborn is treasurer, pro tem. Directors, Edward B. Jennings, Rich - ard B. Borden, Robert Henry, Robert T. Davis, George S. Davol, Thomas E. Brayton, Andrew J. Jennings, James E. Osborn. Superin- tendent, John Gregson.

The Davol Mills Company was organized December 1, 1866, the whole capital stock of $400,000 being subscribed by nineteen persons; the name was given in honor of William C. Davol. A site was selected on the west side of the Quequechan and ground broken April 1, 1867. The mill was completed and the first cloth turned out March 11, 1868. The mill proper forms two sides of a quadrangle, the picker, engine and boiler houses occupying the other two sides. All of the buildings are brick, the mill five stories high, and including its two sections is 457 by 73 feet. The product is shirtings, sheetings, silesias and fancy fabrics. The enterprise proved unprofitable and in 1888 the capital stock was reduced to $100,000, and then increased to $300,000 by the addition of new capital; in 1889 it was further increased by $100,000. In the mean time the mill was overhauled and remodeled, new machin- ery put in and other improvements made, by which the capacity was increased from 34,000 to 46,000 spindles and from 767 to 1,158 looms. From that time the stock paid dividends. The company now employs 450 hands, produing sateens, twills and fancy patterns to an annual amount of 8,000,000 yards, from 4,500 bales of cotton. William C. Davol was president of the corporation from 1866 to 1884; Frank S. Stevens, 1884-85; Arnold B. Sanford; 1885-92, when Frank L. Fish, of Taunton, was chosen. William C. Davol, jr., was treasurer 1866-80; Frank S. Stevens, 1880-84; Charles M. Slade, 1884-85; Bradford W. Nichols, 1885-87, when George H. Hills succeeded. Directors, Frank L. Fish, of Taunton; John S. Hicks, of New Bedford; W. S. Granger, of Providence; S. B. Chase and Dr. George S. Eddy, of Fall River; Charles R. Batt, N. J. Rust and W. R. Chester, of Boston ; superintend- ent, Timothy Sullivan.

A special charter for the Mechanics' Mills was granted May 25, 1868, to Thomas J. Borden, Stephen Davol, Lazarus Borden and their asso- ciates. The corporation organized July 1, 1868, and the following offi- cers were chosen: Thomas J. Borden, president and agent; D. H. Dyer, clerk and treasurer; Thomas J. Borden, Stephen Davol, Lazarus Borden, Job B. French, Southard H. Miller, B. M. C. Durfee, Tilling- hast Records, James M. Morton, jr., and A. D. Easton, directors.

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Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 60

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