Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 63

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 63

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The Cornell Mills were organized and incorporated in 1889, with capital of $400,000, and took the name from Daniel H. Cornell, who, with John D. Flint, Reuben Hargraves and others inaugurated the enterprise. A part of the Gardner farm on Watuppa Pond, consisting of about fifteen acres of land, was bought and the erection of a mill at once begun. The structure was of granite, 375 by 120 feet, four stories on the north and three on the south end, with flat roof. The mill be- gan full operation in the latter part of 1890, running 34,800 spindles and 1,080 looms, producing annually about 312, 000 pieces of odd counts. The power is steam, 1,300 horse. This mill is lighted by electricity generated on the premises, and heated by the Sturtevant blower sys- tem; 425 operatives are employed. President, John D. Flint; John W. Hargraves, the first treasurer of the corporation, was succeeded in 1890 by Fred E. Waterman. Directors, John D. Flint, Daniel H. Cornell, Edward S. Adams, James F. Jackson, Stephen A. Jenks, Myron Fish,

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Rodman P. Snelling, John F. Stafford, Fred E. Waterman. Superin- tendent, F. S. Akin.

The Sanford Spinning Company was projected in 1891 by Arnold B. Sanford and Arthur H. Mason. The enterprise was established to meet the growing demand for colored and fancy yarns. The capital stock was $400,000, which was increased to $500,000 the next year. The land for the mill site was purchased of the Globe Yarn Mills, and the erec- tion of the mills began in May, 1892; in February, 1893, they were ready for operation. The main building is 374 by 100 feet, three stories high, with double windows, and a monitor roof three-fourths the length of the building arranged for ventilation by tilting alternate sashes. The equipment of the mills consists of Kitson pickers, Ash- worth Brothers' cars, Howard & Ballough drawing and speeders, Mason mules, Draper reels and spoolers, and Foster Machine Company cone winders. The spool room is one of the finest in New England. An automatic blower forces the raw cotton from the mill through a corru- gated iron bridge 108 feet long, extending to the dye house, which is 150 by 68 feet, two and a half stories high. There are 32,000 spindles. The power is a Wetherell engine of 1,000 horse power. The mill is now equipped with a Mather electric light plant, Sturtevant blower, and Grinnell automatic sprinklers. The annual product is 3,000,000 pounds of yarn, from 8,000 bales of American and Egyptian cotton. This company was one of the first in this country to engage in this line of mannfacture. The superintendent, Charles R. Danielson, and the dyer, Thomas Hopkinson, are experts. In 1893 the company won a medal and diploma in the Columbian Exhibition in Chicago. Mr. San- ford was president until April, 1897, when he resigned and was suc- ceeded by Frank S. Stevens. Mr. Stevens died April 25, 1898, and was succeeded by Charles B. Cook. Arthur H. Mason has been treas- urer from the beginning. Directors, Charles B. Cook, W. B. M. Chace, George W. Slade, W. J. Jennings, W. H. Parker, E. B. Jennings and James Marshall.

The organization of the Stevens Manufacturing Company was sug- gested by Charles L. Whitman to George H. Hills, who, with the aid of Simeon B. Chase, effected the purpose. The organization took place May 14, 1892, the capital being $250,000. Frank S. Stevens, from whom the corporation took its title, was chosen president; Mr. Stevens died April 25, 1898, and was succeeded by Simeon B. Chase. George H. Hills, treasurer; George S. Hawes, William W. Crapo, Dr.

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

R. T. Davis, William F. Draper, Simeon B. Chase, E. B. Jennings and George H. Hills, directors. Thomas McAuliffe, superintendent. Land on the south side of Watuppa Pond was secured and buildings erected and equipped for the manufacture of crochet and Marseilles quiltings. The buildings are of brick, and consist of a weave shed 200 by 65 feet, two stories; a spinning mill 165 by 73 feet, one story; a dye house, 95 by 73 feet, with other necessary structures. All of the buildings are heated by the Sturtevant blower system and lighted by electricity made on the premises. The weave shed contains seventy- three Jacquard looms; the machinery is driven by an engine of 500 horse power. The company employs 250 hands and the annual product is 20,000 quilts, from 2,400 bales of cotton.

The Parker Mills were incorporated in 1895 with a capital of $450, - 000, which was increased to $500,000 before the plant was completed. The inaugurators of the project were Seth A. Borden, Leontine Lin- coln, James E. Osborn, all of Fall River, and William H. Parker, of Lowell, Mass. The mills are named from Mr. Parker. These incor- porators first purposed the erection of a mill as an addition of the Har- graves plant, in which they had a controlling interest; but it was found that there would be less difficulty in forming a new company than in obtaining legislative sanction for an increase of capital in the existing corporation. Three and a half acres of land, in the eastern part of the city on the Quequechan River, was purchased and a granite mill erected 397 by 148 feet, three stories high excepting the weave shed, which is two stories. It was equipped with machinery for producing fine goods from Sea Island cotton. The mules are the longest ever used in an American mill. There were 45,160 spindles, subsequently increased to 47,336, and 998 looms. A Corliss engine was put in of 1,000 horse power. The lighting and heating appliances are of the most improved character. The number of employees is about 400 and the consumption of cotton about 2,000 bales annually. This mill has been successful from the beginning. The number of stockholders is about 140. Pres- ident, William H. Parker; treasurer, Seth A. Borden; superintendent, A. M. Hamilton. Directors, William H. Parker, Leontine Lincoln, Stephen A. Jenks, James E. Osborn, John D. Flint, Milton Reed, Geo. C. Silsbury, John Barlow, Fred W. Easton, Seth A. Borden.

The Algonquin Printing Company was organized and incorporated in 1890 through the efforts of Adam Catterall, of Brooklyn, and J. A. Chadwick, of Fall River. The original capital stock was $100,000,

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

which in 1895 was increased to $160,000. The works of the company are situated on the Cook Pond outlet and include several structures of wood. The capacity of the works was at first 3,590 pieces per week, which has been increased to 20,000 pieces. The first president of the company was Edward B. Jennings, who was succeeded in 1896 by Dr. Robert T. Davis. Adam Catterall was treasurer until 1894 when he was succeeded by Edward B. Jennings, and he by William H. Jennings in 1896. James A. Chadwick, superintendent.

Wamsutta Steam Woolen Mills .- The manufacture of the woolen cloth known as satinet. made with cotton warp and wool filling, was begun in Fall River in 1825 by Samuel Shove and John and Jesse Eddy, under the firm name of Samuel Shove & Co. The firm was dis- solved in 1834, Mr. Shove withdrawing, and the business continuing under the style of J. & J. Eddy. John Eddy superintended the manu- facture, while Jesse acted as buyer and seller. The product of the factory became well known, and for a number of years found an ex- tended market. In 1843 the satinet manufacture was discontinued and the making of cassimere took its place. Two years later the busi- ness was removed to a place known as Eagle Mill, three and a half miles south of Fall River in Tiverton. The firm of J. & J. Eddy was soon afterwards dissolved, but the business continued a few years, when the plant was destroyed by fire. Meanwhile Jesse Eddy, in connection with Joseph Durfee, located a mill on land near the outlet of the pond known as Mosquito Island, for the purpose of manufacturing the same goods produced by J. & J. Eddy. As operations were about to begin Mr. Durfee died, and manufacturing was not begun until January, 1849. Jesse Eddy became the proprietor, and soon afterwards took in his son, Thomas F., under the firm name of Jesse Eddy & Son. Upon the death of the father, in 1873, the firm of Jesse Eddy's Sons, consist- ing of Thomas F. and James C. Eddy, continued the business until the death of Thomas Eddy in 1886, at which time the present Jesse Eddy Manufacturing Company was formed, with James C. Eddy president, and T. E. Hopkins, of Connecticut, treasurer. In the same year James, only surviving son of Jesse Eddy, died, and his interest came into the hands of his son, Jesse, and Henry H. Eddy; the latter be- came, and still remains president of the corporation. There were only three stockholders at the incorporation of the Jesse Eddy Manufactur- ing Company, viz., James C. Eddy (whose interest is now owned by his sons), T. E. Hopkins and George A. Mathewson, but in 1896 the

599

THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

capital stock was increased, and Earl C. Hopkins and George M. Field came into the corporation. Fine cassimeres and worsteds for men's wear are the principal product.

In 1851 Cornelius Hargraves began manufacturing soaps and glue substitutes on the site now occupied by the Hargraves Manufacturing Company. Although he began in a small way, his business was suc- cessful from the start, improvement was made in his processes, and and in 1871 the Hargraves Manufacturing Company was organized for this industry, consisting of Cornelius Hargraves and his sons, Reuben and Thomas. About two years later the senior member of the firm sold his interest to James S. Anthony, who continued in the business four years. He sold his interest to Reuben and Thomas Hargraves, who continue the business.

Hat Making .- With the exception of some of the larger cotton manufacturing enterprises, the firm of James Marshall & Brothers is one of the leading industries of Fall River. The business was estab- lished in 1883 at Bridgeport, Conn., by Marshall, Wilson & Co., and in a few years came entirely into the hands of James Marshall. In 1887 he purchased the property now occupied by him and removed the business to this city. Not many are aware of the gigantic proportions to which this business has grown; the annual output is over 18,000, 000 hats, or about 5,000 per day. The firm is in practical control of the stiff hat market of the world. Mr. Marshall continued the business alone until 1897, when his brothers, Robert and John Marshall, were admitted to partnership. The main office of the company is in New York city. Employment is given to over 700 men and women.

Out of this industry has grown another of importance, in which Mr. Marshall was one of the pioneers in America. This is the New Eng- land Fur Company, established in 1893, and now one of the largest en- terprises of its kind in this country. Heavy importations of rabbit skins are made yearly, the fur being taken from the pelts for use in the manufacture of hats. Not only is the Marshall factory supplied, but hat manufacturers generally, and the fur of about 15,000 rabbit skins is prepared daily. The firm of James Marshall & Brothers have also a controlling interest in the John W. Greene & Co. hat factory at Dan- bury, Conn.

The Pocasset Hat Company was organized in November, 1897, with capital of $60,000. The officers chosen were Joseph A. Bowen, president ; George Grime, secretary; A. E. Crankshaw, treasurer. Directors, J.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

A. Bowen, George N. Durfee, Leonard N. Slade, John H. Estes, Dr. Charles W. Connell, Arthur B. Brayton, A. E. Crankshaw. The plant, which was completed in February, 1898, comprises a frame building of three stories, 100 by 40 feet, with an annex 75 by 50 feet, one story. The product is soft felt hats, the daily capacity being 1,200. Employ- ment is given to about seventy-five hands.

There was a considerable leather industry in Fall River in early years. Edmund Chase, sr., a native of Somerset and a practical tan- ner, settled in Fall River in 1810 and established a tannery on Bedford street, at the west side of the Troy Mill property, just east of the post- office building site. He continued the business there nearly fifty years, and was succeeded by his son of the same name. The first tannery was burned in the fire of 1843, but was at once rebuilt.

Another early tannery was that of James Read, situated on what be- came known as French's Hill. Enoch French learned the trade in that tannery and married Read's sister. The Read tannery passed through four generations of that name, and was finally sold to Mr. French, by whom it was carried on in connection with a shoe store. His connec- tion with the manufacture of leather led eventually to his engaging in shoe manufacturing on a larger scale than was common in early years. The shoe factory passed to his son Stephen.

Kilburn, Lincoln & Co .- In 1844 John Kilburn, a native of New Hampshire, began in Fall River the manufacture of cotton looms and the Fourneyron turbine, the latter a French invention, which was being introduced into the New England mills as a water motor. He had been in business only a short time when his health failed and he died in 1846. After his death his widow formed a copartnership with his brother, Elijah C. Kilburn, and Jonathan T. Lincoln, and continued the busi- ness under the name of E. C. Kilburn & Co., manufacturing turbines, shafting and various kinds of machinery for print works and iron mills. In 1856 a new firm, Kilburn, Lincoln & Son, was formed, consisting of E. C. Kilburn, J. T. Lincoln, and his eldest son, Henry C. Lincoln. Although making many other kinds of machinery, the firm made a specialty of the Fourneyron turbine, which, as improved by them, had a large sale. In. 1867 a large machine shop was built and an iron foundry added to the works. Charles P. Dring, who had been super- intendent of the Fall River Iron Works Company's foundry for many years, now became a member of this firm, the name being changed to Kilburn, Lincoln & Co. In 1868 the business was incorporated, Mr.

J. J. Lincoln

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

Lincoln's son-in-law, Andrew Luscomb, who had been engaged with them in the making of musket parts for the government, was added to the firm. The new works comprised a machine shop, iron foundry, brass foundry, pattern house, paint shops, warehouse and setting up shop. J. T. Lincoln was elected president of the company and at his death was succeeded by his son, Henry C. Lincoln, who was succeeded by Andrew Luscomb. Mr. Kilburn was elected treasurer and held the position until 1872, when he withdrew from the company and was suc- ceeded in that office by Leontine Lincoln. In the same year additions were made with a view to the manufacture of looms on a large scale, and the company is now among the largest makers of looms for cotton and silk weaving, turning out about 5, 000 annually. About 200 hands are employed.

The Fall River Machine Company .- This is one of the oldest estab. lishments engaged in the manufacture of cotton machinery in New England, and is the descendant of the old works of Harris, Hawes & Co., Oliver G. Hawes & Co., Hawes, Marvel & Davol, and Marvel, Davol & Co. The present company was incorporated in 1880 with a capital stock of $96,000. The first president of the corporation was Jefferson Borden, and Robert C. Brown was the first treasurer. The directors were Jefferson Borden, William B. Durfee, A. S. Covel, Hor- ace M. Barnes, Nathaniel Lindsey and John S. Brayton. From the first the business has been the manufacture of various kinds of cotton machinery, and in former years the output of looms, spindles, mules and carding machinery was enormous. At the present time the princi- ple business is the manufacture of spinning machinery and repairing. The present officers are John S. Brayton, president; George H. Bush, treasurer; John S. Brayton, John S. Brayton, jr., Robert C. Brown, Richard B. Borden and Oliver S. Hawes, directors. 76

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

CHAPTER XXXII.

THE CITY OF FALL RIVER-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

Students of New England history cannot fail to become impressed with the fact that in every community the pioneers promptly adopted measures for the establishment of a church and a school. The early settlers were mostly God-fearing men and women, of deeply re- ligious and strictly moral character; the immoral found it extremely difficult to gain a permanent foothold anywhere in the colony. Second only to their solicitude for their own religious growth was their desire that their children should have opportunity to obtain education. In many localities the first preacher and the first school teacher came si- multaneously, and not infrequently the two offices were represented in one person.

The attempt to trace the history of the very early schools in any town in this county is almost futile. Teachers among the pioneers were not uncommonly hired at a stipulated price, and taught in their own dwellings, or those of other families, or in the first meeting- houses, and no records of their work were preserved other than here and there a statement of money paid out for such purposes, or for the meagre supplies then provided. Stray notes bearing upon early teach- ing in what is now Fall River have been gleaned from the Freetown records, which are of historical interest.

On the 8th of October, 1718, more than thirty years after the incor- poration of Freetown, the records show that Thomas Roberts was hired to teach in the town for £36 a year; " to begin to keep at the North End of the town at Walter Chase's house 1/3 of the time. Next 1/3 at Meeting house. Next 1/3 at South End at or near John How- land's." As far as found this is the first record of teaching on the Free- man's Purchase, though it is quite certain that children were taught. long previous to that year.1 The school ordered to be taught "at the

1 It is recorded that in February, 1703-4, " a man should be chosen to endeavor to bring a man into town to educate and instruct children in reading and writing, and dispensing the gospel to the town."

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

South End " was in Fall River territory. It was quite customary in early times, as the reader has already been informed, for a teacher to migrate from one part of a town to another, so as to give children in all parts of the large town area an educational opportunity.

In the next year (1719) it was voted that " the school be the same as last year " except that it was to begin at the south end. The num- ber of children then ready to seek education in that town must have been very limited, as so late as 1732 it was voted to not send a repre- sentative to the General Court, as the number of families was not large enough to make it obligatory. The number of families necessary to require a representative was eighty.

On May 17, 1721, it was voted " to leave it in the prudence of the Selectmen to agree with William Gange or Wm. Caswell to serve the town as a school master for the term of one year."

On July 19, 1721, it was voted that "30 pounds be raised on the inhabitants to pay the town's school-master."

On July 16, 1722, there was voted " William Caswell 30 pounds in consideration of his serving the town, to keep school in the town one whole year, the said Caswell to be at all cost of boarding or dieting himself. Said Caswell being present did agree to serve. Voted, the school to be removed three times in the year, the first remove to be at the meeting-house, the second remove to be at the lower part of the town, thirdly to be removed to the upper part of the town. Voted, the school-houses to be set at the middle of each half of the town from the meeting-house or centre.

"John Reed, Town Clerk."

In effecting the purpose of the last clause of this vote, a school house was built at Steep Brook. In 1725 William Gaige was employed to teach one year for £32, and board himself. William Caswell served as schoolmaster for 1726-28 for £38 per year, and boarded himself ; and in 1729 his pay was raised to £40.

On July 10, 1727, it was voted that " the school house be built 18 feet long, 14 feet wide and reasonable height, fitting to keep school in at the middle of the town."

Voted, " the school house at the south end of the town be built the same as that already built at the North End."

Voted, to "raise 70 pounds to pay for the three school houses." The committee to carry out this purpose were Thomas Terry, Jacob Hatha- way and Samuel Forman.

This shows the beginning of school house building in the old town, and that one of the structures was on Fall River territory. The price paid for the three buildings, and the dimensions given, are sufficient proof that they were very unpretentious structures,

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

The next record relates to the year 1745, when it was voted to repair the school houses at the middle and the south end. This was about twenty-five years after they were built, assuming that the record refers to the first structures, which it undoubtedly does. In the same year a new school house was provided at the north end.

In 1758 appears a record that Philip Hathaway was to sell the old middle school house to the highest bidder; it went to Joseph Valentine for $5.50. At the same time James Brightman agreed with the town for the lower end school house at $2.00. In place of these houses new ones were erected which were undoubtedly used until after the incorpo- ration of Fall River in 1803. Very soon after that date the records take cognizance of educational affairs at frequent intervals.

On December 9, 1791, the town was divided into seven school dis- tricts, and the size of the school houses to be built and the number of families in each district was settled, as follows:

District.

House.

Families.

District.

House.

Families.

No. 1

24 by 20

22 by 18

24 by 20

22 by 18

24 by 29

21 by 17

25g by 20} 58

Districts 1 and 7 were undoubtedly in what became Fall River. It was at the same time agreed as to the time which schools should be kept in the several districts. In No. 1 it was one month and three weeks. In No. 7, one month and two weeks. On September 21, 1795, it was voted that " Nathaniel Morton, Jr., Esq'r, Benjamin Durfee and Col. Benjamin Weaver be a committee to inquire into the state of the schools within the town and make a report at the next meeting." In November, 1800, Nathaniel Morton, Col. Benjamin Weaver and Simeon Borden were appointed a committee "respecting schools and arrang- ing matters and things, and see in what district schooling is due."

The first public record relating to public schools in Fall River is under date of 1805, when the sum of $250 was voted for their support. Of this sum George McCully was paid $26 for teaching. On the 20th of January, 1805, the following was entered in the records:

Town Dr to Perry Borden for 4 feet of wood for ye Town School. His bil Alowed By Commite. $2.00.

It may be stated that in early years of the century and down to com- paratively recent times the price of good wood was higher than it is to·day.

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

In 1806, also, the sum of $250 was appropriated for school purposes. The old map made by Cook Borden, showing Fall River in 1812, has two school houses, one of which is in Tiverton, on the corner of what is now South Main and Hamlet streets, and the other on the corner of North Main and Prospect streets. Besides these there was the one already mentioned at Steep Brook.

In the following year (1807) a committee was appointed, consisting of Stephen Leonard, Thomas Durfee and William Read, to build a school house "in district No. 3." The building was erected probably at once and certainly before 1810, at a cost of $279.44, the bills being paid to Mr. Leonard and Mr. Durfee. In 1817 Bradford Durfee, Will- iam B. Canedy and Barney Blossom were appointed a committee to divide the town into districts and a school census was ordered. In the division it was provided that there should be " at least five districts on and contiguous to the Post Road." In the following year (1818) the division was accomplished, the number of districts being nine. The census was made as follows: District No. 1, 78 families; No. 2, 25 families; No. 3, 25 families; No. 4, 34 families; No. 5, 34 families; No. 6, 30 families; No. 7, 10 families; No. 8, 22 families; No. 9, 15 families -a total of 195 families. In the same year $600 was voted for build- ing a school house.

In the winter of 1826 Fall River had a little less than 1,300 school children under eighteen years of age, about 800 of whom were in the village. There were then twelve public and fourteen private schools. It was reported that about fifty were prevented from attending school by the cost of books. There were twenty-six persons over fourteen years of age who could not read and write. The census of the next year gave the number of families as 286, and the number of inhabitants, 2,080; males, 1,020, and females, 1,060.

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Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 63

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