USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lawrence > Quarter-centennial history of Lawrence, Massachusetts, with portraits and biographical sketches > Part 8
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QUARTER-CENTENNIAL
The present aggregated statistics of the seven leading manufac- tories are as follows :
Capital stock. $7,350,000
Number of spindles 338,100
Number of looms 9,057
Males employed 4,200
Females employed . 6,000
Yards produced per week
2,301,654
The average wages earned by men and boys are $1.30 per day ; by women and girls, 90 cents per day.
To.show the comparative value of the manufacturing corporations and the share of the burden they carry in the way of aid towards municipal development, the amount of taxes levied by the city asses -. sors for the current year is here given. The rate of taxation is $15 per thousand dollars' valuation.
Atlantic Cotton Mills $19,855 00
Arlington Mills. 5,250 00
Archibald Wheel Co 480 00
Essex Company 10,875 00
Everett Mills . . 10,200 00
Lawrence Duck Co. 3,375 00
Lawrence Flyer and Spindle Co 624 00
Lawrence Gas Co. 5,625 00
Lawrence Lumber Co. 615 00
- Lawrence Woolen Co.
2,175 00
Pemberton Co 8,700 00
Pacific Mills. 57,750 00
Russell Paper Co 2,400 00
Washington Mills. 20,055 00
Wright Manufacturing Co. 705 00
LEVI EMERY,
Farmer, owning a farm of sixty acres overlooking the city from the west. Born in Salem, N. H., August, 1818; worked on a farm in early life ; afterwards spent six years at shoe manufacturing in Malden. Was for several years in the West, near Chicago, acting during the time as agent for the Tremont Land Co., and instituting many improve- ments in drainage and agriculture in that section. Came to Lawrence in 1864 and purchased the estate upon which he now resides. Mr. Emery is married and has one child. Attends the Eliot Congrega- tional church. Was in the common council in 1867, 1868, 1872, 1875 and 1876, and a member of the legislatures of 1877-8.
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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE, MASS.
WASHINGTON MILLS.
The Washington Mills were the first built in the town of "Merri- mack," as Lawrence was then known. The mills were built in 1846, and put in operation the following year, under the name of the Bay State Mills. There are three large brick buildings, each like the other, comprising, with the roof or attic, nine stories. The departments of manufacture are woolen, worsted and cotton goods. In the financial crash of 1857, the mills were shut down, and, in 1859, started under . a reorganization, the corporate name being Washington Mills. The famous Bay State shawls, and blue flannel coatings, were originated by these mills, the former in 1848, the latter in 1859 ; opera flannels were also first introduced in this country by these mills. The works are the most extensive in the manufacture of a general range of woolen goods of any in this or any other country. In 1868 was com- menced the manufacture of worsted coatings, through the influence of the managing director, Hon. E. R. Mudge, who was United States Commissioner at the Paris Exposition in 1867, and there became convinced of the feasibility of such manufacture in this country. From the beginning the corporation has conducted operations on an extended scale, and at the present time its various fabrics not only stand without equal in this country, but fully equal similar produc- tions in Europe. Throughout the recent financial stress the greater portion of the machinery has been kept running, though the depres- sion in the wool market has had a serious effect upon the profits. The first president was Mr. E. A. Bourne, who retired in 1862, when - Joseph S. Fay succeeded him, remaining but two years ; John A. Blanchard followed, and in 1866, George M. Minot assumed the posi- tion, remaining till 1872, when the present incumbent, P. T. Homer, accepted the office. Joseph S. Fay was treasurer, resigning in 1862, followed by Joshua Stetson, who retired in 1868, on account of ill health. The position remained vacant for a year, when the present
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QUARTER-CENTENNIAL
treasurer, Henry F. Coe, was elected. The board of directors com- prises P. T. Homer, E. R. Mudge, Henry Saltonstall, C. U. Cotting, C. W. Freeland, Robert Couch and J. A. Blanchard, Jr. The statis- tics show that there are one cotton, one worsted, and five woolen mills, with 19,000 cotton spindles, 65 sets cards, 320 broad looms ; worsted department, 8640 spindles, 885 looms ; the weekly product is 100,000 yards cottons, 120,000 yards dress goods, 20,000 yards worsteds, 40,000 yards woolens and 1000 shawls ; pounds cotton con- sumed, 728,000 ; clean woolen and worsted stock, 30,000 ; tons coal per year, 10,000 ; gallons oil per year, 24,000 ; pounds starch, 23,500 ; motive power, 7 water wheels of 1025 horse power, and two engines of 1,000 horse power. The capital stock of the mill is $1,650,000. Females employed, 1268 ; males, 1135.
Peter T. Homer, President ; Henry F. Coe, Treasurer ; E. R. Mudge, Henry Saltonstall, Robert Couch, John Saltonstall among the directors. Robert Scott, Agent ; A. P. Clark, Paymaster ; G. M. Stoddard, Superintendent Worsted Department ; James B. Siner, Me- chanical Superintendent ; Frank Atkins, Superintendent of Cotton and Woolen Department.
Assets.
Real estate, land and water power, buildings, ma-
chinery,. . . . . . .$1,373,634 83
Cash and debts receivable . 351,332 22
Manufactures, material and stock in process. 1,680,605 19
Total.
$3,405,572 24
Liabilities.
Capital stock $1,650,000 00
Debts, including dividend declared payable Jan. I 1,454,538 75 Reserves . . 138,935 60
Balance profit and loss 162,097 89
$3,405,072 24 Total
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GRANVILLE M. STODDARD,.
Superintendent of the Washington Mills. Residence, 28 Washington Corporation. Born at Dover, Me., in 1839, and removed with his father's family to this city in 1847. Entered upon the realities of life by learning the apothecary's business with Dr. Smith, formerly on Merchants' Row. He also worked at the same business for some years in Boston. Mr. Stoddard has been in the employ of the Wash- ington Mills Corporation for the past twenty years ; two years in the office, then in the embossing room, and afterwards in the worsted department. He has been superintendent the past six years. Mar- ried Laura J. Stockman in 1868; has two children. Attends the Unitarian Church.
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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE, MASS.
ATLANTIC MILLS.
The Atlantic Mills were the second in operation in Lawrence, the uilding of which began in 1846, but a few months after the Bay tate Mills. The original capital was $1,800,000, and the present apital is $1,000,000. Originally it was intended to erect four large hills, each with a capacity of 12,500 spindles and 1466 looms, and occupy all the space between the Pacific and Bay State Mills ; the lan was modified, and but two mills were erected, running 25,000 pindles and 733 looms. `Mills commenced operation in 1849. In :852 a large centre mill was built, connecting the two wings, mak- ng a mammoth structure. These mills have had failures and suc- cesses, and in 1876 approached a crisis, which resulted in a general eorganization, and of so recent a date as to be familiar to the reader of :o-day. In brief, the treasurer, William Gray of Boston, a very extensive owner, and, also, the selling agent of the mills, refused to longer indorse the corporation paper. During that year the stock went down to $18 per share. In July it was decided to reorganize, and the capital of $1,000,000 was scaled down to $300.000, and new created sufficient to make a capital of $1,000,000. An old stock- holder was privileged to exchange five of the old shares for one of the new, and to take a proportional part of the new stock.
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The mills remained idle from June to September, during which time there was much grumbling by the stockholders, many of whom failed to relish the fact that Mr. Gray, as treasurer and selling agent, was drawing a princely salary and handsome profits. A strong effort was made to remove the local agent, Mr. J. P. Battles, but without success. Mr. Gray resigned in July, and the mills renewed work in September, 1876, under the treasurership of Henry Saltonstall, who was also treasurer of the Chicopee Manufacturing company. Wm. Gray & Son retired from the selling agency, and the goods now pass through the house of E. R. Mudge, Sawyer & Co. At the annual
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meeting in 1877 William Gray, Jr., was elected treasurer. Since the reorganization the mills have prospered fairly, and the stock has attained a handsome figure above par. The new Boston and Lowell railroad has cut through the mill yard and the corporation boarding houses, but it is believed by many that the entrance of this road will prove advantageous rather than detrimental to its interests. The products of the mills are white goods exclusively-shirtings and sheetings, which are of very excellent quality. There are three mills, 87,888 spindles, 1804 looms, 1040 employes ; 17,000 bales of cotton are used, and 23,200,000 yards of cloth made annually ; oil, 6000 gallons ; coal, 3000 tons ; motive power, one steam engine of 500 horse power, and four turbine water wheels.
Charles H. Dalton, President ; Wm. Gray, Jr., Treasurer ; Charles H. Dalton, William Gray, Jr., and Henry Saltonstall among the Directors. J. P. Battles, agent ; J. C. Bowker, paymaster.
Assets.
Real estate, land and water power, buildings, machinery, $950,992 41 Cash and debts receivable .
150,349 41
Manufactures, material and stock in process 372,924 09
Miscellaneous .
21,722 06
Total .
$1,495,987 97
1. Liabilities.
Capital stock
$994,844 45
Debts
489,383 82
Balance profit and loss 7,872 80
Reserve unpaid bills
3,886 90
Total
.$1,495,987 97
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PACIFIC MILLS.
The Pacific Mills are the most extensive works of the kind in the world. Within the yards used for manufacturing purposes are twelve
ALBERT R. FIELD,
Superintendent of Pacific Mills ; residence, 4 Concord St. Has been in Lawrence since 1871. Born in Cranston, R. I., in the year 1821. Received a common school education. Commenced work in the mill at an early age. In 1849 he commenced running a small mill in Scit- uate, R. I., under the firm name of Ralph & Field. In 1860 received the appointment of agent of the Anthony Mills, Coventry, R. I. In 1864 removed to Harrisville, and took charge of the Harris Manuf'g Co., purchasing a half interest in the mills. In 1867 was temporarily employed starting up the Duval Mills, Fall River. Moved the same year to Central Falls, R. I., taking the agency of N. W. Sprague's new · mill for the manufacture of fine lawn goods. Resigned to accept present position in 1871. Married Abby C. Johnson in 1860 ; has two children. Was a member of the Board of Aldermen in 1877, and is a member of the present Water Board.
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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE, MASS.
mills and buildings, affording 41 acres of flooring. There are 5360 people are employed, and it may be said that more than one third of the population of Lawrence are directly dependent upon these mills for their daily bread. The Pacific was incorporated in 1852, with a capital of $2,000,000, and, considering the gloomy aspect at its start, with a probable failure staring its stockholders in the face during the first few years, its career of success has been wonderful. The par value of the stock is $1000, and within 20 years its market value has gone from as low as $75 up to over $2000 a share, and, under the present depressed times is selling in the vicinity of $1850. The construction of the works cost more than the $2,000,000 of original capital ; but the corporation was saved from a failure by the munifi- cence of its president, the Hon. Abbott Lawrence, who, from his private fortune, contributed several hundred thousands of dollars, which tided the corporation over the emergency. Until "hard times " came, in 1857, some money was made, but the enterprise was largely sustained by borrowing ; in that year the Pacific was forced to ask an extension of credit, which was granted by every creditor. Dur- ing that year the stock sank as low as $75 ; and here it may be said that several Lawrence gentlemen of present wealth may date the be- ginning of their road to fortune from the time when they had means and courage toibuy a few shares of Pacific stock. In 1858, the stockholders were called upon to increase the capital to $2,500,000. Matters proceeded fairly until 1859, when the corporation lost money, but, since that time, an unprecedented success has attended the run- ning of these vast mills, its stock has doubled its par value in the market, and very handsome dividends are declared. In 1860 the annual product was 11,000,000 yards of dress goods; in 1870 the product reached 45,000,000 yards, and since then the product. with the cloths purchased of other mills and printed here, has reached 65,000,000-sufficient to put a bandage three-quarters of a yard wide once and a half around the world. For many years the local agent
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QUARTER-CENTENNIAL
was Mr. Chapin, assisted by A. M. Wade, as superintendent ; but several years ago a change was effected, and Mr. John Fallon, for- merly in charge of the printing department, was made acting agent, and Mr. A. R. Field, assistant. Apparently the mills were never in a more thriving condition. The grand success of the corporation is, without doubt, to be attributed to the admirable management of Hon. J. Wiley Edmands, lately deceased, allied with the mercantile saga- city of Mr. James L. Little, as the selling agent, and whose creative taste has been imparted to all the fabrics of these mills. The com- pany has a world-wide reputation for its attention to the moral, social and sanitary condition of its employes, which is shown from its sup- port of a vast library and reading room, its benefits to the sick and injured, its cleanliness in its boarding houses, and in aiding employes to build for themselves comfortable homes.
It is within bounds to state that more than forty per cent. of the heads of families own their homes, the company in many instances having assisted their operatives by loaning them money at 6 per cent. wherewith to build houses. To encourage economy among the laborers a savings bank was established years ago whereby the females and minors can, if they choose, deposit a part of their earnings each month, which is put at interest at time of deposit. For pru- dential reasons the operations of this method of receiving deposits has been considerably curtailed of late, but to some extent it is still in force.
The Pacific Mills Relief Society is an institution of itself worthy of a place in history. The society as its name indicates, was formed for the purpose of extending aid to the sick and to those who meet with accident while there employed. The funds of the society are created as follows : The corporation pays $2.50 weekly, and each person in the employ of the corporation if they receive more than three dollars per week for wages, two cents per week. If less than three dollars wages, one cent per week.
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JOSIAH CLINTON WHITE,
Master Mechanic at the Pacific Print Works. Resides at 31 Pacific Corporation. Has been in Lawrence thirty-one years. Was born in Brattleboro, Vt,, July 9, 1828. Learned the carpenter's trade of his father in Brattleboro. Went to Nashua, N. H. in April, 1846, and worked at his trade until September of that year, when he came to the new city, " Andover Bridge," which has since been his home. Was married Jan. 1, 1855 to Edna A. Underwood of Swanzey, N. H. ; has two daughters. He is a member of the Eliot Congregational church. Captain White enlisted in Co. G, 30th Mass. Reg't, Oct. 1861. Was wounded while on provost duty at New Orleans, La., May 18, 1862. May 18, 1863, commissioned captain by the President of the United States. Was wounded at the battle of Hovey Hill, Nov. 30th, 1864. Received an honorable discharge from the army May 29th, 1866. Was a member of the common council for 1877 ; re-elected for 1878.
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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE, MASS.
The officers of this society are a President, Treasurer, and Secre- tary, with twenty-five managers, chosen annually the first week in April, from the members. These, together, compose a Board of Government ; decide points of dispute, and manage the internal affairs of the Society. The weekly allowance to sick members is as follows :
To those who contribute two cents a week .$2.00
To those who contribute one cent a week . 1.25
The allowance to sick members may continue ten weeks ; it shall then be reduced one-fourth, and may be extended twenty weeks longer, should sickness continue. At the end of thirty weeks the allowance shall cease entirely, and shall not be renewed within twelve months.
For the past year the amount paid into this fund is over $8000, over five thousand of which has been spent in the manner above indicated. One thousand francs were awarded to the Pacific Mills at the Paris Exposition, for the admirable manner in which this relief system was conducted.
The corporation boarding houses are a model of neatness and order. The bill of fare from every standpoint is better than the average well-to-do families ; the price charged is only $2.25 a week for females and a dollar more for males. Vital statistics show that the rate per cent. of sickness and mortality in the Pacific Mills is less than any other community of like number in the known world.
Onė glances at the mill statistics with wonderment. Number of cotton spindles, 135,000 ; worsted spindles, 25,000 ; looms, 4,500 ; pounds of cotton used per week, 116,000 ; pounds of wool, 65,000 ; yards of cloth printed or dyed each week, over 1,260,000 ; tons of coal per year, 23,000 ; steam boilers of 3000-horse power, 50 ; steam engines of 1200-horse power, 37 ; turbine water wheels, 2000-horse power; 11 ; gas burners number 5000, and the cost of gas for the six months used is $30,000 ; monthly pay-roll, $150,000, the women and
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girls averaging daily 98 cents, and men and boys, $1.40 ; women and girls employed, 3,534 ; men and boys 1,766 ; total number employes, 5,300 ; number of houses for work people, 275. The annual. cost of raw material for dyeing is over $400,000. The wool consumed each week requires the fleeces of 10,000 sheep. The products of the mills are lawns, percales, and a general variety of dress goods.
The local officers are : John Fallon, agent ; A. R. Field, superin- tendent ; John R. Rollins, paymaster ; Samuel Barlow, superintendent of print works ; Joseph Walworth, superintendent of worsted depart- ment. Abbott Lawrence, president ; James L. Little, treasurer ; J. Huntington Wolcott, Augustus Lowell, Benjamin E. Bates, John M. Little, Arthur T. Lyman, directors. .
Assets.
Real estate, water power and machinery $1,450,000 00
Other assets. 1, 191,754 12
Manufactures, material, etc 3,337,612 08
Miscellaneous 20,000 00
Total
$5,999,366 20
Liabilities.
Capital stock $2,500,000 00
Debts 2,078,533 94
Reserves
1,420,812 26
$5,999,366 20 Total
PEMBERTON MILLS.
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The Pemberton Mills were incorporated in 1852 by an organiza- tion of which J. A. Lowell was the principal owner and the moving spirit. J. Pickering Plummer was the President, and John E. Chase local agent. In 1854 the corporation failed, and was sold at auction to David Nevins, of Methuen, and George Howe, of Boston, for
MICHAEL RINN,
Bookseller and Stationer, 143 Essex St. ; residence, 40 Oak St. Has been in Lawrence twenty-eight years. Born in Ireland in 1847, he came to Lawrence when three years of age and was educated in the public schools of the city. Commenced work in the mill at an early age and was severely injured at the fall of the Pemberton Mill, Janu- - ary roth, 1860. Subsequently he worked in the Washington Mills packing room for seven years, after which he went to learn wool-sorting, which he left to enter his present business. Mr. Rinn is not married ; is a Roman Catholic, attending St. Laurence church, and in politics is a democrat. Was elected to the common council from Ward II in 1877 ; represented the Twentieth District in the legislature in 1878.
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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE, MASS.
97
$300,000, or about one half its actual value. The Legislature of 1857-58 granted an act of incorporation, and the " Pemberton Man- ufacturing Company" began operations at once with Mr. Howe as treasurer and Mr. Chase as agent. January 10th, 1860, occurred the terrible catastrophe of the falling and burning of the mill, accompa- nied with a fearful loss of life. The ruins were sold at auction and bought by Mr. Nevins, who at once reorganized the "Pemberton Company," taking himself more than half of the capital stock of $450,000, the other large owners being George Blackburn and Eben Sutton. The new mill was built on the site of the old one, and started in 1861 with Henry S. Shaw as treasurer, and Mr. Chase as agent. In June of the same year Mr. Chase resigned, and Fred E. Clarke was appointed agent. The officers and management of the mill, since it was rebuilt and reorganized, have not changed. Since Mr. Nevins' first purchase, in 1857, he has been the managing director. He also owns a cotton mill in Methuen, of which Mr. Clarke is also agent. The Pemberton is admirably managed. Its product is mainly confined to cottonades, cotton flannels, ticking cottons, fancy cassi- meres, repellents, wool sackings and carriage linings. The statistics of the corporation are as follows : capital stock, $450,000 ; number of mills two ; cotton spindles, 28,060 ; sets woolen machinery, 14; looms, 669 ; females employed, 650 ; males employed, 225 ; yards made per week, 120,000 ; pounds cotton consumed per week, 40,000 ; pounds clean wool consumed per week, 6000 ; tons of coal per an- num, 2200 ; gallons of oil, 5600 ; pounds starch, 25,000 ; water wheels, 3 ; each 200 horse-power ; steam double engines, 300 horse- power.
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David Nevins, President ; H. S. Shaw, Treasurer ; David Nevins, Jr., among the Directors.
Assets.
Real estate, land and water power, buildings and ma-
$462,081 45
chinery .
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QUARTER-CENTENNIAL
Other assets.
177,764 30
Manufactures, material and stock in process 521,205 69
Total $1, 161,051 44
Liabilities.
Capital stock $450,000 00
Debts 229,793 45
Balance profit and loss reserve for depreciation, 481,254 99
$1, 161,051 44 Total
LAWRENCE DUCK COMPANY.
The Lawrence Duck Company was incorporated in 1853, the original stockholders being three Boston men, Albert Fearing, who was president, now dead, Isaac Thatcher, who has been treasurer from its organization to the present time, and David Whiton, who was clerk until four years ago. Mr. Fearing's stock was distributed to his heirs and a large portion to literary institutions. The capital of the corporation is $300,000, and the product comprises cotton duck for sails and tents, mining duck, used for water courses in the mines, cotton dryer felting for paper mills, and sail twine. Five years ago the mill was enlarged to double its capacity, but the dullness of shipping has kept the product of the mill within its old limits, and now but 150 hands are employed. The corporation has a large trade in mining duck with California and Australia, and prides itself upon the quality of its sail cloth, which was selected in preference to "others for Astor's yacht. The burden of management has from the beginning been upon the treasurer, Mr. Thatcher, and the local agent, Mr. Isaac Hayden, both of whom have held their positions for 25 years. Nearly all the machinery used was designed and built under the direction of Mr. Hayden. Aaron Hobert, Jr., of Boston, is the president, and Francis G. Davis of Boston, selling agent.
Aaron Hobart, Jr., President ; Isaac Thatcher, Treasurer.
LURANDUS BEACH, JR.
Was born in Dover, N. H., Nov. 4, 1832. At the early age of sixteen, Mar. 28, 1848, he entered into partnership with his father in Lawrence, Mass., in the manufacture of Soaps. For some two years after enter- ing business he continued at school, at the same time conducting the business, his father meanwhile remaining in Dover. The partnership was continued for 28 years, until 1876, when L. Beach retired, since he has conducted the business alone in Lawrence and Haver- hill, Mass., under the name of Beach Soap Co., Lawrence and L. Beach, Jr., Haverhill. About 1860 he purchased the soap factory at Dover, N. H., which has been conducted under the firm name of L. Beach, Jr., & Co. The soap made under his supervision has gained a world-wide reputation for excellence. Was elected the Lawrence Common Council for. 1863, and alderman for the year 1876, Married Miss Persis A. Miller, of Middletown, Conn., 1855, has one child, and is a member of the Haverhill Street M. E. Church.
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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE, MASS.
Assets.
Real estate. $136,474 46
Land and water power 28,288 08
Machinery
149,386 87
Other assets
747 35
Cash and debts receivable
90,983 27
Manufactures and material
81,216 82
Profit and loss.
27,656 06
Total
$514,749 91
Liabilities.
Capital stock.
$300,000 00
Debts
214,749 91
Total
· $514,749 91
EVERETT MILLS,
The Everett Mills were incorporated in 1860, and commenced operations the same year in the large stone machine shop formerly owned by the Essex Company, the corporation purchasing the build- ings and eighteen acres of land. The old buildings were extensively altered and repaired, and new structures erected, and first-class ma- chinery placed therein, suitable for the manufacture of a general variety of colored cotton goods ; later, machinery was secured for the manufacture of worsted fabrics. The machinery was first put in operation January Ist, 1861. The original capital was $500,000, but six months later it was increased to $700,000, and in December, 1862, another $100,000 was added. Extensive dye-houses and a bleachery are attached to the mills. The products are cottonades, ticks, denims, cheviot shirtings, ginghams, duck, and an extensive variety of dress goods of very excellent quality. At the Centen-
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