USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Waterville > The centennial history of Waterville, Kennebec County, Maine, including the oration, the historical address and the poem presented at the celebration of the centennial anniversary of the incorporation of the town, June 23d, 1902 > Part 31
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In 1850, or soon after, another dam was built on this stream. This was on the privilege just below the Emerson bridge and only a few rods above the Webber and Haviland foundry. Erastus O. Wheeler was the proprietor, and on this dam Samuel Appleton, Zebulon Sanger, and John Ransted built a paper mill and made newspaper stock. They were succeeded by the War- rens and the Monroes of Boston, who made paper from cedar bark. The mill finally burned and the wooden shank factory of Roberts and Marston occupied the site from 1873 to 1879 when the business was removed to North Anson where white birch wood was more abundant. This privilege with the others below it was afterwards purchased by the Union Gas and Electric Com- pany who in 1899 erected a dam nearly forty feet in height and built a plant for the development of electricity. This is now operated in connection with the system of the Waterville and Fairfield Railway and Light Company furnishing light and power to their patrons in Waterville and Winslow.
It was also in 1850 that a dam was built one-quarter of a mile below the Coombs dam in West Waterville, by Daniel B. Lord. Lord and Graves manufactured axes and hoes on this dam' for several years. After passing through several hands the shops and east end of the dam were bought in 1865 by John U. Hub- bard and Wm. P. Blake. Here the Hubbard and Blake Manu- facturing Company made scythes and axes till they sold out to the American Axe and Tool Company in 1889. The latter com- pany continued to make scythes here until 1901. This privilege, also the easterly end of the Coombs dam, has recently become the property of the Waterville and Fairfield Railway and Light Company.
Among the most important industrial establishments on the Messalonskee, have been the West Waterville scythe and axe factories. The first scythe factory was built in 1836 by Learned and Hale on the present site of the Cascade Woolen Mill. This firm was succeeded by S. and E. Hale, by Hale and Stevens, and by Dunn and Jordan. In 1854 Burgess and Atwood built a scythe shop at the head of the Cascade fall, which was afterwards
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owned and operated by Mathews and Hubbard. In 1857 Reuben B. Dunn organized the Dunn Edge Tool Company which pur- chased these two plants. A few years later the old shops were removed and new ones erected on the first two dams north of the road leading from Oakland to Waterville. The present scythe plant of the Dunn Edge Tool Company is said to be the best and most conveniently arranged in America. The annual capacity is fifteen thousand dozen. Their axe shop is not excelled in convenience or efficiency by any of its size. The annual capacity is six thousand dozen. The annual pay-roll of this company is something over thirty thousand dollars. Their goods are sold in all parts of the United States and Canada. The present offi- cers of the company are Willard M. Dunn, president ; Reuben W. Dunn, treasurer and manager ; Wm. M. Ayer, superintendent.
The Emerson and Stevens Manufacturing Company com- menced business manufacturing scythes and axes a little over thirty years ago. Their works are on the west end of the dam opposite the Hubbard & Blake shops. They have a capacity of about three thousand dozen scythes and two thousand dozen axes, annually, and are still in operation. Next above the Emerson and Stevens Company's works, and taking power from the same dam, is the foundry and machine shop of Geo. F. Allen. The business was first established in 1862 by Albion P. Benja- min, with whom Mr. Allen was for many years associated under the name of Benjamin & Allen. The manufacture of threshing machines at one time formed an important part of their work.
In 1883 the Cascade Woolen Mill was incorporated with a cap- ital stock of $125,000. A ten set woolen mill was built on the Dunn Edge Tool Company's lower dam, and has been in success- ful operation ever since. Thomas P. Curtis of Boston, is treas- urer and manager, and Geo. H. Winnegar is superintendent. One hundred and ten hands are employed and the annual product amounts to about $250,000.
The development of the power on the Kennebec dates from 1792 when Nehemiah Getchell and Asa Redington moved here from Vassalboro. They built a dam at Ticonic Falls from the west shore to Rock Island and erected the first saw mill. A little later additional mills were built by Mr. Redington and James Stackpole, and by Nehemiah and William Getchell sons of
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Nehemialı Getchell named above. Two of William's sons, Wil- liam and Walter, were associated many years in the firm of W. & W. Getchell. They operated the Getchell saw mill, built by their father and uncle, from 1830 to 1849 when it was destroyed by fire. They at once re-built and ten years later were burned out again. The fires of 1849 and 1859 are noted as the most disastrous which ever visited Waterville. In each case nearly the entire manufacturing property on the river at this point was destroyed, together with dwelling and other property.
But the Getchells again rebuilt and continued the manufacture of lumber till 1867 when they sold out to the Ticonic Water Power and Manufacturing Company who in turn sold to General Franklin Smith. Mr. Smith removed the old mill and erected a larger and more modern one in its place, together with a house framing establishment. This was operated by the firm of Smith & Meader till 1880 when it was removed to make room for the second Lockwood mill.
Other saw mill owners and manufacturers of lumber on Ticonic Falls during the first half of the 19th century were John, Samuel and William Kendall, Isaac Farrar, Zebulon Sanger and his sons William, Samuel and Silas, Asa Redington son of the Asa Redington named above, Dunlap, Hobson, John P. Sheldon, Samuel Doolittle, David Page, Josiah Morrill, Colonel Scribner, Colonel Symonds, William and Daniel Moor, French Brothers, and Jacob and William Wing. The latter made sash and blinds in a brick mill which occupied a part of the site of the Lockwood Company's mill No. I. They were succeeded by Furbish & Drummond, afterward Drummond & Richardson.
In 1816 Wm. Pearson came here from Exeter, N. H., and built a tannery on the Kennebec near the site now occupied by the boiler house of the Lockwood Mills. He continued the business here for twenty years, tanning sole leather. In 1836 he removed to a location on the Messalonskee at Crommett's Mills, noted on a previous page.
Very early in the century Moses Dalton built a grist mill and carding mill near the site now occupied by A. F. Merrill's mill. Some thirty years later Samuel Redington renewed the Dalton mill or built another on the same site. This was later operated successively by Pelatiah and William Penney, Gideon Wing,
COTTON MILLS OF THE LOCKWOOD COMPANY.
.
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Horace Tozier and Col. I. S. Bangs. The latter was burned out in 1883, but re-built and sold to A. F. Merrill. W. S. B. Run- nells succeeded Mr. Merrill and was himself succeeded by Mr. Merrill and Llewellyn Morrill. The latter has since retired and Mr. Merrill continues alone in the business.
About sixty years ago William and Daniel Moor erected on the dam at Ticonic Falls a large mill four stories in height. Here they manufactured lumber, made shovels and ground plas- ter and feed. In the great fire of 1849 this building was destroyed. Another similar building was erected by the Messrs. Moor, on the same site, only to be burned in the second conflag- ration of 1859.
THE LOCKWOOD COMPANY.
For more than fifty years little attention was paid to manu- facturing outside of lumber. Logs were plenty and cheap and lumber found a ready market. But after a time conditions changed and it became evident that Waterville must make use of her magnificent water power in some other lines. In 1865 a plan was formed for organizing a company to buy up and control all the power on the river at Waterville and Winslow. If this could be done it was hoped that some larger manufacturing plants might be induced to locate here. In other cities in the State large cotton mills were in operation, and why should not Waterville become a spindle city ?
The shore and water rights on both sides of the river were owned by different individuals, widely scattered. To reach those living in or near Waterville and Winslow was not very difficult. But to find all of the owners and secure a clear title to the prop- erty at a fair price, involved much labor and was attended with many difficulties. This work was undertaken by George Alfred Phillips, who had long been a prominent citizen of Waterville. To his tireless energy and perseverance in the face of many dis- couragements the credit is due for uniting under one control all the water rights and sufficient land adjacent to the river on both sides to render large developments possible.
On February 7, 1866, a corporation was chartered by act of the Maine Legislature, known as the Ticonic Water Power and Manufacturing Company. On February 24th, of the same year, the incorporators met at the office of Solyman Heath and organ-
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ized by choice of Solyman Heath, George A. Phillips, James P. Blunt, James Drummond, and John P. Richardson as directors ; Everett R. Drummond, clerk, and Geo. A. Phillips, treasurer.
When the books were opened for subscription to the capital stock, some subscribed generously with evident faith that the investment would prove profitable ; others took a few shares each, to help along the enterprise. In 1868 and '69 a dam was built entirely across the river, with bulk heads, head gates and race- ways, and some attempts made to utilize the same. Power was rented to Dennis L. Milliken for a grist mill, and to Smith & Meader for their large saw mill and framing mill.
The attention of those interested in cotton manufacture was called to this power and efforts were made to secure the erection of factories here. Nothing was accomplished until 1873 when Reuben B. Dunn was induced to purchase the stock in the water power company, pay off its debts and further develop the prop- erty. Mr. Dunn had been prominently connected with manu- facturing industries in different parts of the State, principally in making scythes and axes at North Wayne and West Waterville, and in cotton manufacturing at Auburn, Maine. He had been identified with the Maine Central Railroad for many years as a director and president, but had recently disposed of his interests there and retired from the management. He was now more than seventy years of age, which is regarded by most men as the time to withdraw from the active conflicts of commercial life. But his energetic spirit would not allow him to rest. He entered upon this new project with the same courage and enthusiasm that he had displayed in his many previous business enterprises.
In the summer of 1873 plans for a cotton mill of 33,000 spindles were produced, made under the personal supervision of Amos D. Lockwood. Mr. Dunn and his two sons, Williard M. and Reuben W. then proceeded to make contracts and get ready to build the mill. The ground was cleared, excavations made and a portion of the foundation wall put in that season. The following winter was devoted largely by the Messrs. Dunn to interesting Mr. Lockwood and other manufacturers in the enter- prise financially. When the legislature again assembled, a com- pany was chartered under the name of the Lockwood Cotton Mills. This name was later changed to Lockwood Company.
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HISTORY OF WATERVILLE.
On February 21, 1874, the first meeting was held and the corpo- ration duly organized by choice of Reuben B. Dunn, Amos D. Lockwood, John W. Danielson, Geo. A. Phillips, Willard M. Dunn, Reuben W. Dunn, and Josiah H. Drummond as directors ; Willard M. Dunn, clerk, and Amos D. Lockwood, treasurer. It was decided to raise $600,000 by sale of capital stock. Mr. Dunn subscribed for a large amount, as also did Mr. Lockwood and some of his friends. But it became necessary to secure subscriptions for about $400,000 from other sources. It was a time of business depression and capital was cautious, but the Dunns took hold of it with determination and it was finally accomplished.
It was not until the spring of 1875 that the financial difficulties were overcome and the completion of the enterprise fully assured. On April 9th of that year, all the real estate and water rights of the Ticonic Water Power and Manufacturing Company, which had been conveyed the previous year to the Ticonic Company, were deeded by the latter company to the Lockwood Company. The consideration was $125,000 and payment was made in the stock of the Lockwood Company. The building contracts were assumed by the new organization and mill No. I made ready to receive the machinery. This was put in and set up during the last half of 1875. In February, 1876, the first cloth was woven. Thus Waterville celebrated the Nation's centennial by the start- ing up of her first cotton mill.
But the Lockwood Company did not stop here. As soon as it had been demonstrated that Lockwood cottons were destined to occupy a prominent place in the dry goods market the directors began to discuss the project of enlarging the plant. It was soon decided to erect mill No. 2, of 55,000 spindles. Plans for this large addition were also made by Mr. Lockwood and accepted by the directors. In the summer of 1880 the ground was cleared and excavations for foundations were begun. The following year the building was erected, machinery installed, and early in 1882 the new mill was in operation.
In the meantime the capital stock had been increased to $1,800,000. The new stock was disposed of without difficulty, much of it being taken by citizens of Waterville and other towns in Maine. From the first it has proved a good investment.
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Semi-annual dividends of three per cent had been paid for four years, on the first issue, and with the exception of two brief periods of general business depression the entire capital, since 1882, has yielded the same net percentage of profit each six months.
Immediately following the death of Mr. Lockwood in 1882, John W. Danielson was chosen treasurer. Mr. Dunn, the presi- dent of the company, died in 1887 and was succeeded by James H. McMullan. These officers still continue. The directors are James H. McMullan, Portland ; John W. Danielson, Providence, R. I .; Seth M. Milliken, New York ; Josiah B. Mayo, Foxcroft ; Willard M. Dunn, Waterville; Frank A. Wilson, Bangor, and J. DeForest Danielson, Providence, R. I. The latter is also assistant treasurer. Alpha M. Kennison is clerk; Stephen I. Abbott, manufacturing agent, and Wm. H. K. Abbott, super- intendent. Deering, Milliken and Company, New York, are selling agents.
The number of employees is about 1,300 and the amount paid in wages, annually, is about $415,000. About 6,250,000 pounds of cotton are annually consumed in making nearly 20,000,000 yards of cloth, varying in width from 36 to 108 inches. The total number of looms is 2,100.
HATHAWAY SHIRT FACTORY.
Among the most important of our minor industries is the Hathaway Shirt Factory. C. A. Leighton, proprietor. This was established in 1849 by Chas. F. Hathaway and was famil- iarly known as The Laundry. During the first twenty-five years the work was confined to the manufacture of gentlemen's fine shirts. The Hathaway shirts are widely known for their supe- rior quality. In 1874 the manufacture of ladies fine muslin underwear was added. In 1879 Clarence A. Leighton became associated with Mr. Hathaway and since the death of the latter in 1895, has been sole proprietor. One hundred and fifty to 175 hands are employed and the annual pay-roll is about $60,000. One hundred sewing machines are kept in constant use. These are run by steam and electrical power, about 25 h. p. being required. The buildings, heated by steam and lighted by gas
HON. REUBEN B. DUNN.
-
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and electricity, together with the equipment are up to date in every particular. Mr. Frank W. Smith has been for many years. the efficient superintendent. -
THE NOYES STOVE COMPANY.
The Noyes Stove Company's foundry, on Chaplin street, is another of our substantial industries. This occupies the site of the foundry established in 1867 by Asher P. Fletcher. After a few months Mr. Fletcher formed a co-partnership with Joseph Percival. They carried on the business till April, 1868, when Mr. Fletcher withdrew. Mr. Percival also retired soon after. His nephew, Mr. Geo. G. Percival, occupied the building two or three years as a chemical laboratory, and there made and put up extracts for the market. In 1872 the foundry was used by a company who made a patent kettle and other hollow ware. The enterprise was soon abandoned, and in 1873 John Goodell and Company came here from Bangor, purchased the plant and con- verted it into a cook stove foundry. In 1886 Noyes & Goddard purchased the entire interest of Goodell and Company. They conducted the business until April 15, 1902, when E. D. Noyes became the sole proprietor. In October, 1892, the works were destroyed by fire, but were at once rebuilt and in the January following were again in operation. A 10 h. p. gasoline engine furnishes the required power. Fifteen men are employed in the shops, and eight salesmen on the road. Twelve hundred cook stoves are made and sold every year. They are distributed by the salesmen all over northern New England. The amount paid in wages annually is about $16,000.
CAR SHOPS OF TIIE MAINE CENTRAL RAILROAD.
Soon after the Androscoggin and Kennebec Railroad was opened to Waterville, which was in December, 1849, the company established its repair shops here. They were located on the south side of Chaplin street near College street. The machine shop and round house occupied one building, the blacksmith shop another, while the third was used by the wood working and paint- ing departments. After consolidation with the Penobscot and Kennebec, under the name of Maine Central, and the natural increase of business which followed, additional buildings were erected on both sides of Chaplin street. In 1870 the Maine Cen-
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tral leased the Portland and Kennebec, and later absorbed other roads, all of which make up the present Maine Central system. For some years the consolidated company continued to do its repair work in the several places where it had shops, but finally decided to abandon all these and erect a new plant in some place where, so far as practicable, all the work should be done. Among other cities to contend for the location were Portland and Waterville. At one time Portland seemed to have been selected. Land was purchased for the purpose and the public were informed that the new shops were to be located there. But Waterville did not give it up. A delegation of her citizens was sent to interview the president and directors, liberal terms were offered, and generous treatment assured.
Waterville was finally selected and in 1886 work of construc- tion of the new shops began. The following year they were completed and were pronounced to be the most perfect in design, and convenient in arrangement, of any similar plant in the United States. They are built of brick, a portion being two stories in height, and cover nearly four acres of ground. They furnish employment to 250 men, most of whom are skilled mechanics, who receive annually about $168,000 in wages. One hundred and fifty h. p is required to run the machinery. This is generated by two boilers of 260 h. p. one engine of 150 h. p., and one air compressor of 80 h. p. The shops are lighted by electricity. The work is not confined to repairs alone, but new cars both passenger and freight are built here.
THE RIVERVIEW WORSTED MILLS.
In 1899 the Riverview Worsted Mills corporation was organ- ized in Waterville, with F. C. Thayer, president ; Thomas Samp- son, treasurer ; C. F. Johnson, clerk. The capital stock is $50,000. The mill was erected at once, on land purchased of the Lockwood Company near the bank of the Kennebec river, a few rods north of Temple street. Manufacturing began in February, 1900. The product consists of fine fancy worsteds for men's wear, woven on eighty looms of the latest and most approved pattern. The employees soon will number about 300, and the annual pay-roll be increased to $150,000 anually. Electric power is furnished by the Union Gas and Electric Company. George W. Overend is the agent.
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HISTORY OF WATERVILLE.
THE WHITTEMORE FURNITURE COMPANY.
The presence of the Whittemore Furniture Company in Waterville is due chiefly to the efforts of Wm. T. Haines, and Frank Redington, members of the local board of trade. Mr. W. E. Whittemore had been making furniture in Foxcroft, and later in Fairfield. Fire destroyed his shop in Fairfield and he was not unwilling to locate here. Additional capital was needed, to provide which a corporation was organized in August, 1899, with a capital stock of $50,000. Mr. Haines was chosen clerk ; Frank Redington, F. C. Thayer, W. E. Whittemore, Geo. K. Boutelle, and H. R. Mitchell, directors ; Frank Redington, pres- ident : F. C. Thayer, vice-president ; W. E. Whittemore, treas- urer and manager. Land was purchased on Sanger avenue, and a large wooden building with two stories and basement was erected. A year later another building was added. The busi- ness is manufacturing and selling to the trade throughout New England, all kinds of upholstered furniture and frames for the same. From twenty to twenty-five men are employed and the annual pay-roll is nearly $10,000. A 10 h. p. electric motor furnishes power, which is supplied by the Waterville and Fair- field Railway and Light Company.
BRICK MAKING.
Brick making has been a prominent industry in Waterville from the earliest history of the town to the present time. The inexhaustible supply of clay and sand lying in close proximity, as well as an abundance of water, relieves the situation of diffi- cuities which have often been experienced elsewhere. In the early days bricks were made on the land west of Water street, just south of the Lockwood Company's tenement houses. B. F. Blanchard was one of those who occupied this yard. The prod- uct was disposed of in part at home and in part transported down the river by boat.
For many years during the middle of the century, Geo. Went- worth made bricks on upper Main street, west side, just north of Hayden brook. About a dozen men and several horses were kept busy during the season, and the product found a ready sale in Waterville and other towns round about. Shipments by rail 23
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were made in considerable quantities. Stacy Wentworth, brother of George, also engaged in the same business prior to 1850 on land a short distance southwest of his brother's yard. A short distance south and on land of Deacon Osborn, a pottery was operated for several years by a Mr. Bruce. Jugs, nappies and other earthern ware were made which were sold all over the surrounding country.
When the first Lockwood mill was erected a large yard was opened just below Ticonic bridge, in Winslow, and the bricks for both No. I and No. 2 mills were made there. A smaller yard had previously been opened on land of the Ticonic Water Power and Manufacturing Company, now of the Lockwood Company in Winslow, by Wallace H. Carter. In 1876 Norton & Purinton purchased Mr. Carter's plant and enlarged the business. In 1885 they opened a large yard on College avenue, near the Fair- field line. In 1887 Mr. Norton retired and Horace Purinton and Company succeeded. In 1893 the Winslow yard was given up and the business in the Waterville yard enlarged. About fifty men are employed here for twenty weeks in the year and receives in wages about $1,200 every week. Nearly 4,000,000 bricks are made each year, a part of which are consumed at home and the balance shipped away. Electric power is used, about 15 h. p. furnished by the Waterville and Fairfield Railway and Light Company.
In 1892, '93 and '94, Proctor & Flood manufactured about 750,000 bricks per year, on College avenue, just south of the Holland brook. In 1895 Mr. Proctor leased the Winslow yard, which H. Purinton and Company had formerly occupied. After a few years the corporation of Proctor and Bowie Company was formed and they are now making annually about 1,500,000 bricks in the Winslow yard. They also operate a steam wood-working mill for building supplies, such as mouldings, casings, flooring, stair work, etc. A 30 h. p. electric motor supplies the power. In mill and brick yard they employ about thirty-three men and pay them in wages about $25,000 annually.
The wool pulling and sheep skin tanning business of A. P. Emery deserves mention among the minor industries of Water- ville. This was established by Alben Emery, father of the present proprietor, who came here from Fairfield. In about 1847
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HISTORY OF WATERVILLE.
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