Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 62

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 62

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

586

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Holmes, Gilbert Allen, C. E. Barney, Francis A. Foster, Edward L. Anthony.

The Barnard Manufacturing Company was organized October 14, 1873, through the efforts of Louis L. Barnard, Stephen Davol, William H. Jennings and Nathaniel B. Borden, with a capital of $330,000. A tract of land on the Quequechan was secured and the foundation of a mill begun on October 20. Work on the structure was commenced April 7, 1874, and in August it was ready for the machinery. The first cotton was put through the cards in November, weaving was begun in December, and the entire mill was in operation in April, 1875. The mill is of granite, 280 by 74 feet, five stories high on the north side and seven on the south side, with flat roof. It contained 13,520 frame and 14,880 mule spindles and 768 looms. Corliss engines of 500 horse power supply the power. The annual product is 9,000,000 yards of 28 inch 64 by 64 print cloths, from 3,500 bales of cotton. This was one of the first Fall River mills to adopt the ring spinning frames with Sawyer spindles, instead of mules, for the production of warp yarn. Although this mill was intended for the production of print cloths, the call for irregular counts demanded a diversified product and the Bar- nard was the first Fall River mill to manufacture odd goods. The capital stock was increased in December, 1895, to $495,000, and a weave shed 364 by 148 feet, capable of accommodating 1,900 looms, was erected. The mill spindles were also increased at that time. The looms of the old mill were moved into the new weave shed and seventy- two 40-inch revolving flat cards were placed in the old mill to replace the 168 Welman stripper cards; 550 38 inch plain looms were put in the weave shed in addition to the 1,008 looms moved from the old mill. The plant now contains 17,360 mule and 42,200 ring spindles, 810 30- inch looms and 875 38-inch looms; employs 550 hands. The annual product of print cloths, sateens, twills and plain cloths of various kinds was equivalent to 23,205,000 yards of 28-inch 64 by 64 cloth, requiring 8,000 bales of cotton. The motive power is one pair of Corliss engines of 800 horse power and a Watts Campbell compound engine of 1,200 horse power. Isaac L. Hart was the first superintendent; he died in January, 1882, and was succeeded by William Hathaway. The presi- dents of the company have been Louis L. Barnard, elected 1873; Will- iam H. Jennings, 1880; James M. Aldrich, 1885; Bradford D. Davol, 1896. Treasurer, Nathaniel B. Borden. The following have been di- rectors: Louis L. Barnard, Stephen Davol, William H. Jennings, Alex-

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

ander D. Easton, Robert T. Davis, Simeon Borden, Dr. James M. Al- drich, Alphonso S. Covel, Nathaniel B. Borden, John Campbell, Cornelius Hargraves, Joseph A. Bowen, Henry C. Lincoln, Leontine Lincoln, Simeon B. Chase, Bradford D. Davol, William H. Jennings, jr., William G. McLane, Simeon Borden, jr., Dr. Nathaniel B. Aldrich, Arnold B. Chace, William H. Gifford, William R Huston, and William Huston of Providence.

The Stafford Mills corporation was organized December 12, 1870, with capital stock of $500,000. Foster H. Stafford was chosen pres- ident and agent and Shubael P. Lovell, treasurer. Mr. Stafford, with Samuel Hathaway, Charles P. Stickney, Robert T. Davis, William C. Davol, William L. Slade, Danforth Horton, Edmund Chase and Weaver Osborn, were elected directors. March 18, 1871, this corporation was dissolved and the twenty-two subscribers reorganized under a special charter granted to Charles P. Stickney, Samuel Hathaway, Foster H. Stafford and their associates as the Stafford Mills, with capital of $550, - 000; this capital has since been increased to $1,000,000. The old board of officials was elected, and the new corporation was named in honor of the president. Land was purchased at White Brook and work on the mill began in April, 1871; parts of the machinery were started in the following January. The mill is of granite, 374 by 70 feet, five stories, with an ell for engine house, etc. Considerable delay was encountered in starting on account of difficulty in getting foreign machinery. The mill contained 34,928 spindles and 860 looms, turning out 10,000,000 yards of 64 by 64 print cloth annually. The capacity was subse- quently increased to 40,016 spindles and 1,124 looms. In 1886 Mill No. 2 was built with same material and dimensions as No. 1, with capacity of 42, 784 spindles and 1,068 looms. The motive power is two Corliss engines of 900 and 1,000 horse power respectively. The num- ber of employees is 800 and the annual product about 30,000, 000 yards. The company loaned capital to owners of land in the mill neighbor- hood, who built houses and leased them to the company; 124 tene- ments were thus built and leased, and the loaned capital was repaid within a few years. Foster H. Stafford, the first president, died in 1891, and was succeeded by Robert T. Davis. Shubael Lovell, the first treasurer, was succeeded in 1882 by Albert E. Bosworth; he by Effing- ham C. Haight in 1888, and he by Frank W. Brightman in July, 1890. Besides those mentioned the following have been in the board of direc- tors: William Mason, Iram Smith, Frank S. Stevens, James M. Os-

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

born, Robert Henry, Edward E. Hathaway, Charles B. Luther, John C. Milne. Present directors: R. T. Davis, Robert Henry, John C. Milne, Edward E. Hathaway, F. W. Brightman, S. W. Hathaway, Charles B. Luther. Superintendent, S. W. Hathaway.

The King Philip Mills enterprise was projected in the spring of 1871 by Crawford E. Lindsey and Elijah C. Kilburn, of Fall River, and Jonathan Chace, of Valley Falls, R. I. The capital of $500,000 was subscribed by forty-seven persons and at the first meeting for organi- zation, July 14, 1871, Jonathan Chace, James Henry, S. Angier Chace, Crawford E. Lindsey, Philip D. Borden, Charles O. Shove, Elijah C. Kilburn, Azariah S. Tripp, Benjamin A. Chace, Simeon Borden and Charles H. Dean were chosen directors and Elijah C. Kilburn, treas· urer. Crawford E. Lindsey was elected president. The company was incorporated September 15, 1871, and purchased twenty-one acres of land of the Dodge farm, and fifteen acres adjoining of the the Slade Milis Company, in the southwest part of the city. A mill was built of granite, 320 by 92 feet, four stories high in front and five in rear; it was completed in the fall of 1872, but was not in full operation until late the following summer. Its capacity was 37,440 spindles and 776 looms, with a Harris-Corliss engine of 550 horse power. The number of operatives was 425 and the product 5,500,000 yards of fine wide sheetings, fine muslins, jaconets, etc., from 3,000 bales of cotton. In 1881 the capital stock was increased to $1,000,000 and Mill. No. 2 erected of granite, 380 by 92 feet, five stories high. This and the mills subsequently erected were lighted with electricity, the company build- ing the necessary plants. In 1888 Mill No. 3 was added to the plant, a brick structure 288 by 100 feet, two stories and basement, exclusively for weaving. In 1892 still another weave shed, known as Mill No 4 was built of granite, 406 by 127 feet, two stories and basement. These various additions to the original plant increased the total capacity to 124,000 spindles and 2,800 looms. The number of hands was now 1,100 and the annual product 19,000,000 yards of fine goods and lawns, consuming 6,000 bales of cotton; 2,400 horse power was required to drive the mills. During its early years the company built many houses, most of which were subsequently torn down or sold. Crawford E. Lindsey was president of the corporation until 1883, when he was succeeded by Robert Henry, and in 1885 Charles J. Holmes assumed the office. Elijah C. Kilburn, the first treasurer, died in 1885 and was succeeded by Simeon B. Chase. Besides the names above mentioned

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

the following have been directors: William Lindsey, Robert Henry, Edwin Shaw, Charles P. Dring, Daniel Stillwell and Joseph Beauvais. From forty-seven original stockholders the number has increased to 400. Present directors: Charles J. Holmes, George A. Ballard, Leon- tine Lincoln, Charles E. Fisher, Henry H. Earl, Oliver S. Hawes, Simeon B. Chase, William F. Draper and Francis A. Foster. Superin- tendent, P. A. Matthewson.

The Chace Mills corporation was organized and incorporated in 1871 with a capital stock of $500,000, the promoters of the enterprise being Augustus Chace, George W. Grinnell, Cook Borden, Joseph A. Baker and J. M. Earl. A granite mill, 377 by 74 feet, six stories, was erected in 1872, on Rodman street. An ell in rear three stories high is occu- pied by the engine and picker room. Mill No. 1 contained at first 42,000 spindles, which number was increased to 50,000. In 1894 a story was added to the ell, for an additional picker room, and in the following year Mill No. 2, granite, 310 by 120 feet and two stories, was erected. The first floor of this structure is devoted entirely to weaving, and the second to weaving, spinning and carding. It con- tains 25,000 spindles. Engines of 1,950 horse power drive the mills. The number of operatives is 675, and the product print cloths, bleached goods and twills. Augustus Chace was president of the corporation until his death in 1886, when Edward E. Hathaway was chosen. Joseph A. Baker has been treasurer from the beginning. The list of directors includes the names of Augustus Chace, Cook Borden, James Henry, Robert K. Remington, William Mason, Charles P. Stickney, James F. Davenport, Howard B. Allen, Adoniram J. Chace, Edward E. Hathaway, George W. Grinnell, Jerome C. Borden, John H. Estes, William A. Abbe and David P. Davis. The stockholders number about 300. Present directors: Edward E. Hathaway, George W. Grinnell, Jerome C. Borden, John H. Estes, Joseph A. Baker. Superintendent, John C. Smith.

The Laurel Lake Mills corporation was organized in 1881 by John P. Slade, R. T. Davis, M. D., and Henry C. Lincoln. Mr. Slade was elected president. The mill contained 860 looms, and 34,038 spindles. The capital was $400,000. The number of spindles has been increased to 56,368, and the capital stock to $500,000. The product is satin cloth, and consumes about 8,500 bales of cotton annually. In 1896 an addi- tion was built to the mill, 93 by 161 feet in size. John P. Slade, presi- dent, and Abbott E. Slade, treasurer, have held their offices since the

590

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

incorporation. Superintendent, John R. Mason. Directors, John P. Slade, Charles M. Allen, P. D. Conant, Lemuel N. Slade, Allen L. Luther, M. G. B. Swift, John B. Huard, Abbott E. Slade, Nathan M. Wood.

The Wyoming Mills were established by Augustus Chace and Will- iam B. Trafford in 1845. Mr. Chace managed the mills until his death, when he was succeeded by his son, Judson Chace. The product was cotton twine, batts, and carpet warp. The business gradually declined and the plant was finally sold at auction and operated for a time as a yarn mill. In 1894 the property was purchased by James Marshall, who converted it into his great hat manufactory.

The Fall River Spool & Bobbin Company, partially organized in June, 1875, perfected its organization July 11, 1878, and was chartered July 13 of that year. The president was Cook Borden; treasurer, George S. Davol; clerk, B. D. Davol. The mill and buildings were erected and occupied in December, 1875, and gave employment to 150 men. The original capital stock was $40,000, which was reduced to $21,000 when the organization was perfected. At a reorganization in December, 1892, the establishment took the name of The Fall River Bobbin & Shuttle Company, with a capital stock of $100,000. G. W. Pratt, president; William H. Perry, treasurer; William G. Hodges, secretary.

The Union Belt Company was formed as a corporation with a capital of $24,000 in the latter part of the year 1871, with the following officers : President, R. B. Borden; treasurer, A. S. Covel; agent, William H. Chace; directors, R. B. Borden, T. J. Borden, Walter Paine 3d, B. D. Davol and William Chace. Mr. Chace was a practical belt maker, and to him was due the establishment of the industry. The company leased a large brick building erected by the Troy Cotton and Woolen Manufactory, and a very extensive business was built up. Mr. Chace had the direct management of the business until his death, September 8, 1892. The product now consists of superior grades of belting, top roll covers, loom fittings, straps and pickers. The capital stock is now $48,000.

The first meeting for the organization of the Seaconnet Mills was held February 18, 1884. The corporation was capitalized at $400,000, and shortly after securing its charter began the erection of a large granite mill on East Warren street in Flint Village. The mill was ready for operation in February, 1885, when 920 looms and 35,000 spindles were started. The first officers were: President, Henry C. Lincoln; treas-

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Enathan Plader

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

urer, Edward A. Chace; directors, Henry C. Lincoln, George A. Draper, Stephen A. Jencks, William Beattie, D. A. Chapin, William R. Warner, Augustus Chace, Milton Reed and Reuben Hargraves. Before the close of the year 1884 Mr. Lincoln died, and Mr. Jencks was elected to the presidency ; he was succeeded in 1888 by Leontine Lincoln, who still retains the office. Edward A. Chace has held the position of treas- urer since the incorporation. James E. Cunneen has been agent and manager since the organization. Success has attended the enterprise from the beginning, and in 1895 an annex was built, and the number of looms increased to 1,800, and spindles to 65,200. The capital stock is now $600,000.

The Slade Mill is noteworthy as the first one erected of the group of factories situated in the southern district of Fall River. The enter- prise was initiated by the owners of a large tract of unimproved land lying just south of Globe Village, on and about what is known as Cook's Pond, or Laurel Lake, who were William T. and Jonathan Slade, Ben- jamin Hall and the Dwelly heirs. These entered into a joint agree- ment on May 1, 1871, to sell their real estate for a mill site. Before the close of that day all of the stock had been subscribed by only twenty-seven persons. Prominent among the subscribers, besides those above mentioned as owners of the land, were F. S. Stevens, John C. Milne, W. and J. M. Osborn, Richard B. and Thomas J. Borden, S. An- gier Chace, David A. Brayton, B. M. C. Durfee and William Valentine. Ground was at once broken, and the erection of a brick structure, 338 by 73 feet, five stories high, was pushed forward and completed in 1873. In the same year an addition was built, and in 1885 the slasher build- ing followed. Other structures are the boiler house annex, built in 1890, and the jump house annex, built in 1892. The effect of the founding of this enterprise on real estate in that vicinity was phenome- nal, and shares rose from par to $172 before the foundations of the first building were laid. Other companies described herein, among them the King Philip, Osborn and Montaup Mills, were soon formed and their mills in process of erection on parts of the land originally owned by the Slade corporation. At the present time there are about 180 stockholders, and the capital stock is $247,500. The product is print and wide cloths, sateens and specialties. The number of spindles is 42,696, and looms 1,075. President, George N. Durfee; treasurer, Henry S. Fenner; superintendent, Daniel J. Harrington; directors, Jonathan Slade, John C. Milne, Benjamin Hall, Henry S. Fenner, George W. Hills, Benjamin Greene, David F. Slade and George N. Durfee.

592

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

The Massasoit Manufacturing Company was formed in 1882 and pur- chased the land and buildings (partially destroyed by fire in 1880) of the Massasoit Steam Mills Company, and the Massasoit Flour Mills, well known in former years as the business home of Chace, Nason & Durfee. The first and present officers and directors of the company, with the exception of the substitution of George S. Palmer in place of Elisha Palmer, are as follows: President, Frank L. Palmer; treasurer, Wendell E. Turner; directors, F. L. Palmer, W. E. Turner, Elisha T. Palmer, Edward A. Palmer, William H. Turner. Superintendents, J. T. Turner, main mill; R. Thompson, annex mill; W. S. Richmond, Oakdale mill. The capital stock was at first $50,000, and was increased in 1892 to $150,000. The business carried on has been contracting, converting, and manufacturing cotton waste, and its trade extends throughout the United States, Canada and some parts of Europe. A prosperous business has been done from the first, and an annual divi- dend paid of six per cent. About 275 operators are employed, and the value of the annual product is about $725,000. In 1892 the corporation purchased the Oakdale Mills, at Oakdale, Conn., and now operate them as a yarn mill and bleachery. In 1895 the waste plant on Pocasset, Annawan and Union streets, formerly owned by M. T. Barlow, was purchased and is now operated as an annex to the main mills.

The Globe Yarn Mills were incorporated April 16, 1881. They were organized through the enterprise of W. H. Jennings, Dr. Robert T. Davis, Frank S. Stevens, Arnold B. Sanford and others. At the meeting for organization the following named persons were elected directors: W. H. Jennings, Arnold B. Sanford, Frank S. Stevens, Dr. Robert T. Davis, Eben S. Draper, James E. Osborn and Daniel D. Howland. Arnold B. Sanford was chosen treasurer, and W. H. Jen- nings, president. The original capital was $175,000; this was soon in- creased to $200,000. In October, 1881, it was increased to $356,000, and again in 1885 to $600,000; in April, 1887, to $900,000, and in March, 1891, to $1,200,000. The land selected for the mill site was purchased from Mr. Jennings, R. T. Davis, and Frank S. Stevens, and was part of a tract bought by them in the southern part of the city. It included the site of the Bay State Print Works (formerly the Globe Print Works), a portion of whose plant was utilized as a store by the Globe Yarn Mills. Mill No. 1, 317 by 75 feet, three stories and basement, was built of brick in 1881. It was designed for the manufacture of warps and yarns of all kinds. It had 34,368 spindles, moved by an engine of 800 horse

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

power. Mill No. 2 was built in 1885. It was 355 by 75 feet and was put in operation March 2, 1886, with 37,264 spindles, moved by a Wetherell engine of 1,000 horse power. After the capital was increased to $900,000, in 1887, Mill No. 3 was erected about one-half mile distant on land bought by the trustees of the American Print Works. It is of the same material as the other mills; its dimensions are 354 by 100 feet and it contains 25,792 spindles, moved by a 750 horse power engine. In 1891, when the capital was made $1,200,000, an addition of 109 by 95 feet was added to Mill No. 2. These mills now have a combined capacity of 55,194 frame and 42, 320 mule spindles. About 1,000 hands are employed. The annual product is 6,000,000 pounds of yarn, from 15,000 bales of American peerless, Sea Island, Egyptian and Peruvian

cotton. The combined motive power of the mills is 2, 550 horse power. Mills Nos. 2 and 3 are lighted by electricity generated on the premises. Mill No. 3 is heated by the Sturtevant blower system. William H. Jennings was president until his death in 1885. William Lindsey held the office from 1885 to 1896. Horace M. Barnes, of Bristol, R. I., suc- ceeded but died in 1896, and Jerome C. Borden was elected to the of- fice, and Andrew J. Jennings vice-president. Arnold B. Sanford was succeeded as treasurer by Edward B. Jennings, son of William H. Jen- nings, in October, 1896. The number of stockholders in 1898 is 400. Directors; Jerome C. Borden, Eben S. Draper, Simeon B. Chase, George H. Hills, Andrew J. Jennings, Edwin A. Wyeth, Arthur H. Mason, Edward B. Jennings. Superintendent, John A. Sanford.

The Bourne Mills were incorporated and erected in 1881, and received their name in honor of Jonathan Bourne, a wealthy capitalist of New Bedford. The capital of the corporation has stood at $400,000 from the beginning. The site of the mill itself is just over the Rhode Island line, while the offices, etc., are on the Massachusetts side. The mill contains 23,000 spindles and 1,294 looms. The product is about 14, - 000, 000 yards of twills and sateens, from 4,400 bales of cotton. Ed- mund Chase was the first president of this corporation, Frank S. Stevens, holding the office until his death, April 25, 1898, when he was suc- ceeded by Stephen A. Jenks. George A. Chace has been agent and treasurer from the first. Superintendent, Raymond Murray. Direc- tors, Gilbert Allen, New Bedford; Fenner Brownell, George A. Chace, Fall River; Nathaniel B. Horton, Rehoboth; Stephen A. Jenks, Paw- tucket, R. I.

The Barnaby Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1882,

594

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

with a capital of $300,000, which was subsequently increased to $400,- 000. Simeon B. Chase has been president of the corporation and Stephen B. Ashley, treasurer, from the beginning. The first board of directors included Simeon B. Chase, Samuel Waddington, Dr. Robert T. Davis, George :W. Hawes, Stephen B. Ashley, George H. Hills, J. B. Barnaby, Charles E. Barney and William F. Draper. The mill was erected on the Quequechan River, in the eastern part of the city, and fitted up with machinery for the manufacture of fine ginghams. It contained 16,000 spindles and 500 looms. The mills now employ about 400 hands in the production of fine ginghams, using 1,200 bales of cotton annually. The present officers are William H. Wood, presi- dent; Stephen B. Ashley, clerk and treasurer. Directors, Simeon B. Chase, S. B. Ashley, B. D. Davol, J. C. Borden, William F. Draper, Charles E. Barney, of New Bedford, and William N. Wood, of Provi- dence.

The Hargraves Mills were organized and incorporated in 1888 with a capital of $400,000. The enterprise was inaugurated by Seth A. Bor- den, with whom were associated Reuben and Thomas Hargraves (from whom the corporation took its name), Leontine Lincoln, John Barlow, James E. Osborn, of Fall River, and Stephen A. Jenks, of Pawtucket. Land in the eastern part of the city was purchased of the Messrs. Har- graves and the erection of Mill No. 1 was commenced in 1888 and finished in 1889; it is of granite, 290 by 120 feet, four stories and flat roof. Its capacity is 41,496 spindles and 1,132 looms, run by a 1,000 horse power Corliss engine; the mill is lighted by electricty. In 1892 the capital of the corporation was increased to $800,000 and Mill No. 2 was built a half mile farther up the Quequechan; it also is of granite, 482 by 127 feet, a part three stories and part two stories high. The next year a weave shed was built 162 by 127 feet, two stories high, giv- ing the new plant a total capacity of 48,816 spindles and 1, 392 looms. The number of hands employed in the two mills is about 1,000, and the annual product averages 450,000 pieces, consuming 8,000 bales of cot- ton. Reuben Hargraves was president of the company until 1895, when he was succeeded by James E. Osborn, still in office. Treasurer, S. A. Borden. Superintendent, A. M. Hamilton. Others not men- tioned who have been directors are both the Hargraveses, Adoniram Chace, George A. Draper, Milton Reed, John Barlow, John D. Flint, Fred W. Easton and William H. Parker. The number of stockholders is about 320. Present directors, J. E. Osborn, Stephen A. Jenks, Mil-

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

ton Reed, George C. Silsbury, John Barlow, Seth A. Borden, John D. Flint.

The Kerr Thread Company was organized in 1888 by Robert and John P. Kerr, who came from Paisley, Scotland, and were founders of the firm of Kerr & Co., of Newark, N. J., of which the Fall River company is the successor. The original capital was $292,400, which was subsequently increased to $800,000. About fourteen acres of land in the extreme eastern part of the city was purchased of the Flint Mills corporation and in 1890 a brick mill, 100 by 131 feet, five stories and basement, was erected and equipped with machinery for making fine cotton yarn and threads. Dye and bleach houses, with other neces- sary structures were also built. In 1893 the mill was enlarged to 260 by 131 feet, with an ell 168 by 60 feet, and the same height as the main building. The plant then contained 53,000 spindles, driven by an 1,800 horse power engine, and employs 500 to 600 operatives. The annual consumption of cotton is about 2,500 bales. John P. Kerr was president of the company until his death in 1893, when his son, James Kerr, assumed the office; vice-president, James B. Kerr. Robert C. Kerr has been treasurer from the beginning. Superintendent, Rich- ard H. Cook. The number of stockholders is about 100, a majority of whom are women; their interest is not, however, a controlling one. Directors, James Kerr, Paisley, Scotland; James B. Kerr, Robert C. Kerr, Ina C. Davis, Richard H. Cook, Fall River; James C. Stuart, Lawrence; Robert McCarter, Newark, N. J.

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Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 62

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