USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The story of Essex County, Volume III > Part 16
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By 1919 the company, in addition to its upper leather properties, was operating other plants, for the manufacture of sole and belt- ing leather from heavy hides.
In this development of one of the world's outstanding tanning enterprises, there ap- pears throughout the impress of an indi- vidual's characteristics of integrity, energy, and progressiveness. The service of Arthur C. Lawrence to the leather industry, which began in 1865, ended, after more than half a century, with his death in 1922. Through its history this enterprise has shown the quali- ties of his leadership by the early adaptation of new methods in the art of tanning, the introduction of improved selling practices, and the widening of its field of activity through diversification of product.
The A. C. Lawrence Leather Company was one of the first to adapt the chrome tan- nage to sheep leather ; it was the first to split hides in the lime on a large scale, making possible a chrome tanned patent or other grain and a vegetable tanned split; while a
number of improvements in the production of suede and grain calf leather are to its credit.
The company was the first to produce a suede finished grain side leather and dull bright black calf leather. Its names for these two leathers are "Nubuck" and "Gun Metal." These and other names, such as "Black Diamond," "Weilda," "Lawro," and "Aclo," have been known the world over for many years. "Black Diamond" chrome patent sides, which the company has produced for thirty years, introduced a new type of patent leather. Patent leather processes, materials, and standards have had intensive study for years, resulting in improvements, economy, and warrant for the use of "Reliable" in con- nection with the company's general trade mark. Many new machines and items ot equipment have been invented or developed on the company's plants; such as fine hair- ing, stretching, drying, and testing machines and devices.
When first entering into competition for the business of glove manufacturers, the concern determined to sell on net terms and maintained its position in the face of the trade's long established discount terms. The same terms were established for the com- pany's business in shearlings, and other leathers sold outside the shoe trade. The company was the first to improve the basis for purchase of glove leathers, shearlings, and some other lines by making the unit of sale the square foot instead of the dozen. These measures of improvement in trading practice were undertaken and maintained without thought of cooperation from com- petitors and in the face of serious opposi- tion.
During Mr. Lawrence's later years, the management of the company fell more and more to his assistant, Willis R. Fisher, a man who, like himself, had made an early
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start in the tanning business. In 1922 Mr. Fisher became president of the company.
The decade 1921 to 1930 was a period of severe distress for the leather industry, dur- ing which large losses were the rule and meagre profits the exception. It may be said that a slow but complete revolution took place in the industry through these years. The tanning industry had to unlearn much of its former practice. Plants could not be operated full, inventories became a liability, not an asset; forward buying of hides was usually a losing speculation; belief in a scarcity of raw material was a delusion ; de- clining prices for shoes and other consumers' goods dictated the prices of hide and leather. The process of unlearning was slow and irregular, and aggravated the tremendous losses which were inevitable during this protracted period of deflation. The A. C. Lawrence Leather Company, as one of the largest operators, suffered great losses, but progressively and at a steadily accelerated pace adapted its policies to the changed times.
During this troubled decade the company was under the able leadership of Mr. Fisher, and his death in February, 1933, was a severe loss. The influence of his character and labors for progress and improvement had made itself felt, not only in the affairs of the company, but throughout the leather indus- try. The company has developed a strict technical control over its manufacturing procedure, not as a substitute for practical and experienced brains, but as a guide and aid to such talent. Its scientific staff, one of the first established in the industry, is en- gaged also in development and research work, both mechanical and chemical.
In addition to the plants already men- tioned-in Peabody, Massachusetts; Win- chester, New Hampshire, and St. Paul, Min- nesota-the company operates tanneries at Ashland, Kentucky, Newport, Tennessee,
and Hazelwood, North Carolina. The com- bined floor space of all of these plants is some sixty-five acres, in over one hundred and seventy buildings. The company has modern steam plants generating nearly all the power it uses, to a total of about eleven thousand horse power. For normal opera- tions it employs about thirty-three hundred people, of whom twenty-four hundred are employed at Peabody.
The company has a buying organization for hides and skins, operating in the open market; direct with producers, through brokers; or, in Buenos Aires, South Africa, New Zealand, and the principal producing countries of Europe, through its own buyers or buying connections.
Distribution of the company's product is handled through its own branch stores in the principal shoe and leather goods manu- facturing centers in the United States; and abroad through its affiliate, Lawrence Leath- ers, Limited, Leicester, England; its office in Paris, France; its traveling man in the Far East ; and agent concerns in all the prin- cipal foreign countries.
The A. C. Lawrence Leather Company faces the future confident of success limited only by the conditions of the tanning indus- try in general. It has discarded disproven theories of conducting a tanning business ; it has stripped off unnecessary burdens of expense, and expects to continue that proc- ess indefinitely as shortcuts and new ways to efficiency are discovered. Its affairs are largely in the hands of young men who have accumulated their experience through these years of adversity.
HARDY PHIPPEN, M. D., F. A. C. S .- Practicing medicine in Salem since 1891, Dr. Hardy Phippen has specialized in sur- gery, and has long been recognized by his fellow-practitioners as one of their ablest and most skillful associates.
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Dr. Phippen was born November 3, 1862, in Salem, Massachusetts, son of Joshua and Eunice Louise (Daniels ) Phippen and mem- ber of an old family. His father was for many years a merchant, engaged in the shipping of merchandise to Brazil. The schools of Salem furnished Hardy Phippen, of this review, his early education and, after graduation from high school here, he be- came a student at Harvard College, there taking his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1884. In 1889 he was graduated from Harvard Medical School with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Dr. Phippen had surgical service first in the Massachusetts General Hospital and then in the Boston Lying-in- Hospital. Subsequently he engaged in prac- tice in Boston and six months later he went to Johns Hopkins Hospital for surgical service and then spent one year in further- ing his knowledge at Vienna.
He began his professional practice in Salem, and in most of the years since the early 'nineties of the last century he has specialized in surgery. He is now con- sulting surgeon at Salem Hospital. Dr. Phippen is also connected with some of the leading social organizations of the city in- cluding the Salem Golf Club and he also belongs to the Harvard Club, of Boston, and to several medical groups, the Massa- chusetts State Medical Society, the Ameri- can Medical Society, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. His church is St. Peter's, Salem. Dr. Phippen is recog- nized as one of the leading surgeons of this part of New England, and his position is one of high regard in community and pro- fessional circles.
THE PICKERING family is ancient and honorable in England. The coat-of-arms, which the American family is entitled to use. is as follows : Ermine a lion rampant ;
crest, a demi-lion. The simplicity of these arms shows their antiquity.
(I) John Pickering, immigrant ancestor, was born in England in 1615. He owned a house at Newgate, Coventry, England. Family tradition says that he came to America from Yorkshire, England. He re- sided in Ipswich, Massachusetts, from 1634 to 1637, but removed to Salem, February 7, 1636-37. He was a carpenter by trade and had the contract to build the meeting- house in 1639. He also built a bridge at the Townsend. He had several grants of land, and bought land also of Emanuel Downing, which still remains in the family. His house was partly built in 1651 and one of the chimney backs, dated 1660, is in the Essex Institute at Salem. This chimney back, built of castiron, is quite artistic, and is one of the most interesting relics of early Salem. He died in 1657. His will was dated July 30, 1655, and proved July 1, 1657. He mar- ried, in 1636, Elizabeth -. Children : I. John, mentioned below. 2. Jonathan, born 1639, shipwright, married, March 19, 1665, Jane Cromwell. 3. Elizabeth, died young. 4. Elizabeth.
(II) Lieutenant John Pickering, son of John Pickering, was born in Salem in 1637. He was admitted to the Salem Church in 1684 and both he and his wife were ad- mitted to full communion April 1, 1694. He inherited the homestead farm from his father. He was selectman, and constable in 1664. In 1669 he was on a committee to run the Lynn line. In 1675 he was ensign at the battle of Bloody Brook at Deerfield, and was distinguished for military service. He was lieutenant of Captain Appleton's company, not Captain Moseley's, as is sometimes stated. He had a grant of land at Casco Bay in 1680 from the general Court, probably on account of his military service. He died May 5, 1694, and his grave-
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stone is standing in the Broad Street bury- ing ground. His will was dated May 3, and proved May 21, 1694. He married Alice (Flint) Bullock, daughter of William Flint, and widow of Henry Bullock, Jr. By her first husband she had two children: John and Alice Bullock. She died October 5, 1700. Children: I. John, married Sarah Burrill, died June 9, 1732. 2. Jonathan, died young. 3. Joseph, born September 9, 1663, probably died young. 4. Benjamin, born January 15, 1665-66, mentioned below. 5. Sarah, born September 7, 1668, married John Buttolph. 6. Edward, mentioned in the will. 7. William, shipmaster ; married Hannah Brown, daughter of James and Hannah (Bartholomew) Brown. 8. Eliza- beth, born September 7, 1674, married Sam- uel Nichols; (second) James Broome. 9. Hannah, born July 2, 1677, married (first) Daniel King; (second) Nathaniel Beadel ; (third) Richard Palmer.
(III) Benjamin Pickering, son of John Pickering, born in Salem, January 15, 1665- 1666, died before November 6, 1718. He was a mariner and shipwright. He shared in an agreement to divide the property left by his father. He was in King Philip's War in 1676 at Brookfield. His widow, Jane, ad- ministered his estate November 12, 1718. He married, April 27, 1693, Jane Hobby, of Plymouth, England. Her will was dated July 20, 1747, and proved February 25, 1750-51, in which she mentions her children. Children : I. Benjamin, born April 10, 1699, died before 1747. 2. William, born August 3, 1700, died February 17, 1765; married his cousin, Emma (Pickering) Neal, April 6, 1738. 3. Edward, born November 18, 1701, died aged ninety-three years; married, March 12, 1724, Hannah Gowing and re- moved to Mendon. 4. Alice, born Novem- ber 19, 1703, married, September 29, 1726, Jonathan Gaskell. 5. Jane, born December IO, 1704, died 1747; married, July 17, 1723,
Samuel Aborne. 6. Joseph, born 1711, men- tioned below. 7. Mary, married, January 16, 1734, William Reevers; died October 2, 1796.
(IV) Joseph Pickering, son of Benjamin Pickering, was born in 1711 and died March 8, 1790. He was a fisherman and resided in Salem. He left numerous descendants. His will was dated March 1, 1790, and proved August, 1790. He married (first), June 14, 1733, Sarah Symonds; (second), in 1758, Mary Proctor, widow of John Proctor, of Salem. Children, born in Salem: I. Wil- liam. 2. Joseph, mentioned below. 3. Sarah, married Archer. 4. Mary, married
Harrington and had James, Joseph, Mary, Hannah Harrington. 5. Jane, mar- ried Gilbert Tapley. 6. Elizabeth, married Adam Rowell.
(V) Joseph Pickering, son of Joseph Pickering, was born about 1750. He lived at Salem. Children: I. Joseph, mentioned below. 2. Benjamin. 3. Rachel, married Joseph Newhall. 4. Betty. 5. Mary. 6. Hannah. 7. Sarah.
(VI) Joseph Pickering, son of Joseph Pickering, was born in Salem about 1775. He received property by deed from his Uncle William in 1797. He probably named his son William for this Uncle William. This land adjoined land of James Pickering, a relative. He married Hannah
Children: I. James, was a Republican in politics ; a Baptist in religion ; was a tanner in early life ; later a teamster ; married Mary Phipp; children: Arthur, George, James, Armond. 2. Sarah, married Benjamin Peach, of Salem, a mariner; had no chil- dren. 3. William, born about 1810, men- tioned below.
(VII) William Pickering, son of Joseph Pickering, was born in Salem about 1810. The difficulty of obtaining data as to his ancestors is due to the destruction of the Salem birth and other vital records. He
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died about 1887. He was educated in the common schools and followed the occupa- tion of teamster in early life. Then he established a coal and wood business in Salem, and built up a very flourishing trade. In politics he was a Republican ; in religion a Baptist. He belonged to no secret soci- eties. He married, at Salem, December 3, 1835, Mary Ann Pattey. Children, born at Salem: I. George Washington, born May 27, 1849, mentioned below. 2. William, married (first) Cecilia Doyle; (second) Ellen Welch. 3. Benjamin, married Mary Smith. 4. Charles. 5. Elizabeth. 6. Mary, died young.
(VIII) George Washington Pickering, son of William Pickering, was born at Salem, May 27, 1849, and was educated in the public schools there. He began to work in his father's coal and wood business. In 1893 he succeeded to the business after his brother William died and he was very suc- cessful. He extended his trade through enterprise and industry until it is the lead- ing one of this line in the city of Salem. He was recognized among business men as a merchant of much foresight and sound judgment, of strict integrity and undivided attention to the details of his extensive bus- iness. He was a director in the Naumkeag National Bank; president of the Salem Co- operative Bank. In politics he was a Re- publican, but held no public offices. He was a prominent Free Mason, a member of the Essex Lodge ; the Washington Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Salem Council, Royal and Select Masters; Winslow Lewis Com- mandery, Knights Templar; and had taken the thirty-second degree in Masonry. He died March 28, 1928.
He married Ella P. Wright, of Salem, daughter of Peter Wright, of Salem. Chil- dren, born at Salem : I. Lillian, born March 4, 1871, married David Newcomb ; children : Marion and Ralph Newcomb. 2. Frank P.,
born September 12, 1873, married Alice Mc- Donough ; they have no children. 3. George W., Jr., born January 24, 1876, married Florence Meacom ; children : Ruth, Marga- ret, George W. III, June, Charles. 4. Ella, born October 3, 1878, married Ernest Boyd ; child : Neal Boyd. 5. Ralph, born March 3, 1881, died August 15, 1881. 6. Leonard B., born October 10, 1882, married Mabel Lead- better. 7. William, born February 22, 1885, married Grace Norton; they have two chil- dren : Norton and Phoebe. 8. Harry, born August 12, 1886, one son, Ralston. 9. Anna, born December 28, 1888; married Foster Parker ; two children : Edward and Barbara. IO. Mary, born July 30, 1891 ; married T. Wellington Pennock; two children: Sylvia and Thomas W. 11. Gardner, born August 22, 1898, died September 9, 1898. George W., Jr., was educated in Salem schools, graduated from high school, and is presi- dent of the Pickering Coal Company.
BENJAMIN F. SARGENT, JR .- As one of the outstanding industrial figures in the community of Amesbury, Benjamin F. Sar- gent, Jr., has come to direct the activities of one of the oldest and foremost manufactur- ing enterprises in this vicinity, the Merri- mack Hat Corporation, of which he is presi- dent and treasurer. In this capacity he has won the esteem and respect of the populace for the able manner in which he has con- ducted the business and for the keen and active interest he has displayed in the affairs of the town.
Mr. Sargent was born in Amesbury, Mas- sachusetts, March 9, 1886, the son of Benja- min F. and Marie W. (Feltch) Sargent. His father, who is also a native of this vicinity, has occupied an important place in the busi- ness life of Amesbury and is president of the Powow River National Bank and is also a director of the Electric Light Company.
Buy. T. HaygenteQ.
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Mr. Sargent, of this review, received a general education in the public schools of his native community and, after completing his studies, matriculated at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he was gradu- ated in 1908 with an engineering degree. Shortly after finishing his collegiate educa- tion he became associated with the Merri- mack Hat Company, one of the oldest organizations in this community, which was founded in 1856 by a group of fourteen men who subscribed a sum of $13,000 as the origi- nal capital. At the time the executive staff of this organization was made up of Joseph Morrow, president ; Abner L. Bailey, treas- urer and agent ; Daniel Webster, clerk; and Amos Pettingill, vice-president. To fully appreciate the significance of this concern in the development of Amesbury, one must trace the history briefly. Seven years after they began operations the company absorbed the Amesbury Hat Company, and Hiram Lowell, G. F. Bagley, William A. Little, and Thomas E. Cutter were made directors, and in 1876, due to the expansion of business, the executives were compelled to build a new factory, which was erected on the pres- ent business site of the Merrimack Hat Cor- poration at No. 60 Merrimack Street. In 1919 the concern was reorganized and the firm title changed as above. The officers at this time were: E. C. L. Clark, president, and Philip Thomson, treasurer.
Several years ago, at one of the meetings of the board of directors, Mr. Sargent was named president and treasurer ; J. W. Far- ley, chairman of the board, and Stephen Terry, vice-president. This is the staff which today directs the activities of this firm, one of the largest employing units in the com- munity of Amesbury, providing work for some twelve hundred persons. For many years this company has held the distinction of being the largest manufacturer of men's
and women's wool hats in the country. The plant is completely modernized and is equipped with facilities to give comfort and happiness to their employees, and includes a fine hospital, which is supervised by an expert staff.
The successful manner in which Mr. Sar- gent has conducted this business has caused him to be sought for advice and counsel by other industries of Amesbury, and in this connection he has become a director of the Powow River National Bank, which his father heads so ably.
Proud of the important part he plays in the life of this community, Mr. Sargent has not neglected to take an active and inter- ested part in civic and social affairs and is identified with many of the leading organi- zations, among which are the Amesbury Chamber of Commerce, of which he is a past president, and the Amesbury Country Club. He fraternizes with Warren Lodge of the Masonic Order and holds the thirty-second degree, and is a member of Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Boston. In religion he worships at the Baptist Church of Amesbury.
In 1912 Mr. Sargent married Margaret Fielding Sargent and they are the parents of two daughters: 1. Sally, born May 17, 1915. 2. Margery, born April 21, 1919.
ALVAH P. THOMPSON-In guiding the affairs of the Helburn Thompson Com- pany, of Salem, Alvah P. Thompson has played an important part. He has been actively connected with the leather indus- try through practically the whole of his career, and has figured prominently in Essex County affairs.
Mr. Thompson was born in Searsmont, Maine, January 3, 1873, son of Erastus and Della B. (Burden) Thompson. His father was associated for more than forty years
Essex-9
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with the New York, New Haven and Hart- is one of definite and constructive leader- ford Railroad Company. The family re- ship. moved to Norwood, Massachusetts, when Alvah P. Thompson was a child, and there he received his public school training. Entering upon a business career, he was first employed by the same railway system with which his father was connected, but continued in that work for only a short time. His next employment was with the Winslow Brothers Tannery. Learning the tanning trade in all its branches, he re- mained with this organization for about twelve years.
His ambition being to make his own name in the leather industry, Mr. Thomp- son concluded his association with the Winslow company, and connected himself with the Morrill Leather Company, which soon thereafter made him assistant superin- tendent. For about two years he remained with them, and then joined forces with the A. C. Lawrence Leather Company, con- tinuing for two years in the same capacity with this organization. His next step was to become associated with the Helburn Thompson Company, with which he has since continued active. Under his direc- tion, operations were begun on the con- struction of an adequate plant, and about 1916 the present up-to-date factory was erected on a site purchased from the Ameri- can Hide and Leather Company. The com- pany is headed by A. P. Thompson, presi- dent, and J. W. Helburn, treasurer. As president of the organization, Mr. Thomp- son's decisions have been courageously made and have consistently promoted the company's well-being.
He stands high in the estimation of the business men of Essex County. He has at all times shown a strong belief in Salem's future, and has participated actively in every enterprise for betterment. His place
Alvah P. Thompson married, on Novem- ber 24, 1896, Charlotte Wellington, daugh- ter of Theodore Wellington, of Norwood, Massachusetts. They became the parents of one son, Richard Thompson, who was born December 26, 1908; was graduated from Harvard University in 1930, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and is a mem- ber of the class of 1934, Harvard Medical School. The entire family belong to the Tabernacle Church, and are prominent in social and welfare activities in their parish and community.
HARRY MURRAY SHACKELFORD
-A native of Massachusetts and for many years an industrial manager of Peabody, Harry M. Shackelford's career has been al- together in the textile business in which he is one of the best known superintendents. In his many years of industrial activity in Peabody, Mr. Shackelford has won a wide circle of friends in all walks of life and as a good citizen he has given intelligent service to the community. He was born in Salem on August 5, 1890, the son of Charles H. Shackelford, who lives in Wenham, and Lillian F. (Willy) Shackelford, deceased.
In the public schools of his community he received his education and upon leaving school Mr. Shackelford entered the textile industry in the employ of the Naumkeag Mills as an office boy. His start in this business was modest enough but he pos- sessed the capacity for progress and leader- ship that eventually carried him to the top rung of his field. Intelligent and quick to learn, he was advanced steadily from one position to another in the mill office and the capable manner in which he performed his duties and his devotion to his respon- sibilities resulted in his being made super-
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intendent of the Danvers Bleachery, which was acquired by the Naumkeag Mills in 1909. Being appointed to this responsible position in 1921, Mr. Shackelford has since continued in this capacity. Some idea of the breadth of his responsibilities can be understood by explaining that the Danvers Bleachery is one of the largest bleacheries in New England and employs over seven hundred persons. An interesting feature of his career is the fact that his entire busi- ness life has been in the service of this mill. He personally knows many of those who are employed in the mill and his knowledge; based on personal experience, of employees' problems has led him to effect many im- provements on their behalf. Few employers enjoy the respect and esteem of those who are under their supervision to the extent in which Mr. Shackelford's employees regard him.
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