USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume II > Part 28
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The Alexander Smith & Sons' Carpet Company's Mills of to-day deserve here an extended notice. The carpets manufactured by the Alexander Smith & Sons' Carpet Company, are divided into two classes, viz .: Tapestry Brus- sels and tapestry velvets, and moquette or Axminster, the two latter being practically the same weave and embracing the grades known as Savonnerie, ne plus ultra and nonpareil, -the variation in closeness of texture and the quality of the woolen yarns used being the essential difference. The tapestry goods require for their production the joint efforts of three distinct mills, which are known by the names of the worsted spinning-mill, printing-mill or "drum " room, and the setting, weaving and finishing departments, common- ly known in Yonkers as the tapestry mill.
The worsted mill is located on the Sawmill river road, close to the Oak- land cemetery's main entrance, on the east side of the Nepperhan river. This plant consists of one main structure of brick, three stories and base- ment, five hundred by fifty-three feet; a two-story picker room, seventy-four by fifty feet, and two separate systems for wool washing and drying contained in buildings of one and two stories; one hundred and thirty by eighty feet and one hundred and twenty by one hundred, exclusive of boiler and engine rooms. This mill is devoted entirely to the production of worsted yarns for carpet purposes and has a daily product of fourteen thousand pounds of what is known in the trade as IIs and 12s yarn. The wool used is derived entirely from foreign shores, and is known as carpet combing, is long in staple and is coarser than anything produced in the United States. Donskois from Russia, Scotch fleece, Chinas and Cordovas from South America are the main descriptions used. The principal machinery in use at this mill is described as follows: Fifty-two sets two-cylinder cards, twenty-three Noble combs, one hundred and twenty spinning frames, sixty-five twisting frames, and all the necessary subsidiary machinery, comprising pickers, washers, dry- ers, etc., necessary to operate the above. There are four boilers and two engines, with a joint capacity of one thousand horse power. The superin-
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tendent in charge is William H. Wolfe, and the number of hands employed is six hundred and thirteen.
The next mill to be considered is the print mill, which takes the worst- ed yarn and applies the colors to it. This mill is situated opposite the worst- ed mill, on the western bank of the Nepperhan river. It is a two-story brick building, five hundred and sixteen by one hundred and ten feet, containing eighty-five pairs of drums or cylinders, on which the yarn is printed, after being thoroughly scoured and bleached. After being steamed and dried the yarn is then ready for the final processes, and is sent to the tapestry, setting and weaving mill. One engine and four boilers are in use at this inill, and there are employed six hundred and seven hands. William Webb is in general charge of the printing, and William McKim of the color-mixing department.
The tapestry weaving mill comes next, and is the plant around which clusters whatever sentiment or romance there may be associated with so ma- terial a matter as carpet-making, as this was the nucleus from which has sprung the present immense works. It is situated on the corner of Palisade avenue and Elm street. The original " wooden " building is still intact. It was bought by Alexander Smith, after leaving West Farms, in 1865; and to it he afterward added fifty feet. The product of the mill at that time could be removed daily by a single-horse wagon, while now about five hundred rolls of carpeting are daily forwarded to New York from this mill alone. The old building is two hundred and one by thirty-one feet, three stories and base- ment, and it is still in active use for the dressing of warps, for carpenter shops, etc., and it is looked upon with a feeling somewhat akin to reverence; but it is inevitable that some day it will have to give place to a more modern structure.
There is a large machine-shop adjoining the main engine-rooms, in which are employed mechanics who look after repairs directly connected with the machinery pertaining to this plant. This mill has the largest num- ber of employees on its pay-roll, the latest count giving one thousand, six hundred and forty hands. Reuben Borland is the present superintendent of the moquette mill. A unique feature of the mill is the yarn-conveyor, which takes the dyed yarn from the store-house directly to the top floor of the main building by means of an endless chain and carrier. There are used at this mill weekly sixty thousand pounds jute yarn, twenty-five thousand pounds cotton yarn and thirty-one thousand pounds woolen yarn.
The following are a few miscellaneous facts in connection with the mills as a whole: There are ninety tons of bituminous coal consumed daily, and by an ingenious device attached to the boiler grates the smoke is consumed. The employees are paid weekly on every Friday. The raw and finished goods handled daily weigh two hundred tons. The entire buildings owned
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by the company have been protected from fire by automatic sprinkling devices; and, in addition, there are four fire pumps of great capacity in case the city water should fail. Some idea of the extent of these works may be gathered from the fact that there are twenty-five acres of floor space in the mills as a whole.
Among the names of those who have been prominent in the service of the company, some of whom are dead, should be mentioned: Halcyon Skin- ner, John T. Bell, F. T. Holder, John A. Dowe, Thomas Wigley, William McKim, Hiram F. Lord, George Borland, Eugene Tymeson, John Crowther, John H. Coyne, William H. Wolfe, George Moshier, E. C. Clark, Harold Brown, Richard Edie, Jr., William Heatherington, Walter Thomas, Henry Parton, David Paton, Henry J. Laragh, George Stengel and John Crawford. There are still in the employ of the company three or four hands who started in with Alexander Smith the first year he came to Yonkers.
The company give their employes a Saturday half-day holiday every summer during the months of June, July and August, and allow them their full wages for the time lost. The total number of hands employed is four thousand and one hundred. A large number of the adult male employes own their own homes, and, as the mills have run almost steadily for the past twenty years, the hands are kept more uniformly employed than are those of competing concerns. The last serious stoppage was in the panic year, 1893, when the mills were closed five months, and this resulted in great depression and suffering in the city of Yonkers.
The moquette fabrics made by the company have been exported quite freely during the past four years, through the general selling agents, W. & J. Sloane, of New York city, who have opened an office and established a per- manent representative in London. In connection with the recent coronation services of the czar of Russia, it should be mentioned that two thousand five hundred yards of the company's goods were laid in the palace at Moscow, and this has recently been followed up by orders for several patterns for the private rooms of the empress of Russia.
Upon the death of Alexander Smith, Warren B. Smith, his only son, was elected president (resigning the office of treasurer), in January, 1879, which office he held until January 1, 1894, when he resigned. Mr. Smith is a practical carpet man in every respect, as he applied himself to acquiring his knowledge by going into many of the mill departments and working as any other employe might. The present magnitude and success of the works are largely due to his energy and push: Mr. Smith is also largely interested in real estate in Yonkers. During the last three years he has devoted much time to traveling. His home is still in Yonkers, and his residence is beauti- fully located at Hillcrest.
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NATHANIEL CUTLER.
One of the leading agriculturists of North Castle township, Westchester county, and an honored veteran of the civil war, is Nathaniel Cutler, who was born December 21, 1844, in that township, being a representative of one of the county's old and highly respected families of English origin. His grandfather, John Cutler, was likewise a native of the county, and here both he and his wife died and were buried.
Nathaniel Cutler, Sr., father of our subject, spent his entire life in Westchester county, as a farmer, and in early manhood he married Sarah Ann Weeks, who was born in the town of Somers, and who was likewise a representative of one of the old families of the county, being a daughter of William and Rachel Weeks. Nine children were born of this union: John, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Cornelius and Mrs. Ama Ferguson, both residents of Mount Kisco; Cyrus, of Golden Bridge, this county; George Washington, of Dutchess county, New York; Stephen and Julia, both deceased; Nathaniel, our subject; and Araminta, who died at the age of nineteen years. Three of the sons were among the boys in blue during the civil war and valiantly fought for the preservation of the Union on many a southern battle-field. They were Cyrus, George W. and Nathaniel, -all members of the Fifth New York Heavy Artillery, -and the second was ser- geant of his company, while our subject served as corporal. The mother of these children died at the age of seventy and the father at the age of eighty years. Both were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were highly esteemed by all who knew them, and he was identified with the Democratic party.
Nathaniel Cutler, whose name introduces this sketch, grew to manhood on the home farm, aiding in its work and attending the local schools. He was still in his 'teens when he entered the military service of his country, and was stationed most of the time in Virginia, being honorably discharged at Harper's Ferry and paid off at Albany, New York, after which he returned home.
On the 28th of December, 1870, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Ida Sutton, who was born, reared and educated at Claverack, New York, and also belongs to one of the old and well known families of the county. At an early day two brothers, Joseph and John Sutton, left their home at Sutton Court, England, and came to the New World, and from the former, who settled in Westchester county, Mrs. Cutler is descended. In religious faith they were Friends. James Sutton, Sr., the son of Joseph, was born in a log cabin on the old homestead in this county, and was the father of Walter Sutton, Mrs. Cutler's grandfather, who also was born on the
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old homestead and was twice married, -first to Martha Tatten and secondly to Phobe Dickinson. James T. Sutton, Mrs. Cutler's father, first opened his eyes to the light on the Sutton homestead, and on reaching man's estate he married his second cousin, Phoebe Sutton, a daughter of William Sutton, who was a brother of James Sutton, Sr., and a son of Joseph Sutton, the pioneer. William Sutton married Charlotte Hunt, a daughter of Josiah and Lydia (Palmer) Hunt, relatives of Lord Effingham, of England. To James T. and Phobe Sutton were born two children. Mrs. Martha Ida Cutler being the older. The son, William Edward Sutton, now a resident of Seattle, Washington, was reared and educated in Westchester county, and was a suc- cessful teacher here for a time, but has made his home in the west for sev- eral years. He married Eva Acker, a daughter of Benjamin Acker. James T. Sutton, who was a farmer by occupation and a Democrat in politics, died at the age of seventy-nine years, honored and respected by all who knew him. His estimable wife, who was a member of the Society of Friends, departed this life at the age of seventy-two.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cutler have been born two sons: Walter Sutton, a surveyor and engineer residing at home, and William Edward, a carpenter, also at home. The fine farm belonging to this worthy couple comprises seventy-two acres of valuable land, most of which is under a high state of cultivation and well improved with good buildings, and there is also an excellent orchard of six acres upon the place. This pleasant home is con- veniently located in New Castle township, about two miles from Mount Kisco. Politically, Mr. Cutler is identified with the Republican party, and socially affiliates with Stuart Hart Post, G. A. R., of Mount Kisco, of which he is a charter member. With his wife and son, William E., he holds mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and the family occupy a position of prominence in the social life of the community. Public-spirited and enter- prising, they give their support to all worthy objects calculated to advance the moral, intellectual or material welfare of their town and county, and they are held in high regard by all who know them.
WILLIAM V. MOLLOY.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Molloy has been a potent factor in pub- lic affairs in Westchester county. He was long recognized as one of the leading business men, and as a public official has demonstrated his loyalty to the best interests of the community by his faithful service. He was a mem- ber of the well known firm of Molloy Brothers, general contractors, until about 1895, and is now serving as sheriff of the county.
Mr. Molloy was born in Fleetwood, now a part of Mount Vernon, New
Millions V Mecay
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York, in 1856, and when four months old was taken by his parents to a farm near New Rochelle, where he was reared to manhood. His strong force of character, natural bravery and resolution have naturally made him a leader of men, and when only twenty years of age he became the head of an organ- ized vigilance committee that broke up a gang of burglars in New Rochelle. Later he was at the head of the Glen Island detective force, and in many other matters of moment his opinions and example carried great weight. Throughout his business career he was identified with works of public improvement and progress, being engaged in the construction of railroads and sewer systems. The firm of Molloy Brothers took large contracts in those lines of building, and their excellent workmanship and well known reliability secured them a liberal and lucrative patronage. They took the contract for laying the sewers in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, also in New Rochelle, and did a large amount of work on the arches spanning the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, at New Rochelle. They made the excavation and did all of the work for the Rochelle Park for the Manhattan Life Insurance Com- pany, at New Rochelle; took the contract for laying the mains of the water works in Westchester; did all the work at the Country Club grounds, and laid the water mains in New Rochelle. They also executed contracts on many other public works, employing only competent workmen, and by their per- sonal oversight were assured that the work was thoroughly and carefully done. In matters of business William V. Molloy is a man of great energy, push and enterprise, and as a result of his executive ability and careful man- agement has won a gratifying success.
His attention has been divided between his private business interests and his public duties, and in both commercial and political circles he is widely known. He was one of the company who acted as escort to James G. Blaine when the Maine statesman made a tour through the country while a candidate for the presidency. In 1884 he was elected excise commissioner and held that office for three years. During the last year of his service he was also assessor of the town of New Rochelle, to which office he was elected in 1886 for a three-years term. He discharged his duties with such marked ability that he was re-elected in 1889, but in 1890 he was elected supervisor. Again he held two offices at the same time, but soon he resigned his position as assessor; yet, before the expiration of his term as supervisor, to which he was re-elected in 1891, he was appointed and entered upon the duties of post- master. In the fall of 1891 he was unanimously nominated at the Repub- lican convention for representative of the Westchester district in the general assembly, his opponent being ex-Congressman Ryan, of Port Chester. He was at that time laying the sewers of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, under con- tract, and in consequence, not being able to enter the campaign, was obliged
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to decline the nomination. In 1892 he was the Republican nominee for county register, but though defeated in the Cleveland tidal wave by William J. Graney, of Dobbs Ferry, he ran several hundred votes ahead of his ticket. During his service as postmaster, to which office he was appointed by Presi- dent Harrison, in February, 1893, he developed the free-delivery system, which had been established by his immediate predecessor. To him is due the excellent service which the town now enjoys. His time expired in Feb- ruary, 1897, but President Cleveland allowed him to hold over twenty days before appointing his successor, Charles H. McQuirk. The senate failing to confirm this appointment, President Mckinley re-appointed Mr. Molloy for a four-years term, beginning in May, 1897. In November of that year he was the Republican candidate for sheriff of Westchester county and was elected over J. J. Broderick, of Yonkers, by a majority of seven hundred and twenty- eight votes. With the exception of the coroner he was the only man elected on the ticket, a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the high regard and confidence reposed in him. He entered upon the duties of that office and sent in his resignation as postmaster of New Rochelle, but the government failed to release him until May, 1898, so that he was again hold- ing two offices at the same time. He is now acceptably serving as sheriff, and temporarily resides in White Plains, although he still regards New Rochelle as his home.
Mr. Molloy has ever been most prompt and faithful in the discharge of his official duties, and this has won him the commendation of men of all parties. For three years he served as a member of the Republican com- mittee of Westchester county, and his sagacity and managerial ability con- tributed not a little to the strength of his party. At the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, in 1893, Mr. Molloy was chosen as a member of the committee on agriculture and cereals. He is a man of splendid business ability and large capacity in the management of extensive and varied interests, and thus has been enabled to carry on contracting successfully, and at the same time take an active part in public affairs. During the last three years, however, he has not followed contracting. Personally he is a man of fine physique, tall and well proportioned. His gentlemanly appearance, pleasant face and modest manners have won him hundreds of friends, and his acquaint- ance is widely extended in the east.
NORTON P. OTIS.
Norton Prentiss Otis was born in Halifax, Vermont, March 18, 1840, a son of Elisha G. and Susan A. (Houghton) Otis. His father died in 1861, "and his mother February 25, 1842. He received his early training and edu-
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cation at the public schools in Halifax, Vermont, Albany, New York, and Hudson City, New Jersey, at which places his father resided at different times, and on the removal of the family to Yonkers he completed his studies at district school No. 2, of this city. At eighteen years of age he entered his father's elevator business, then in its infancy. Upon the incorporation of Otis Brothers & Company, in 1867, he became treasurer, and for the suc- ceeding ten years traveled for the concern throughout the United States and Canada, introducing passenger and freight elevators.
In 1877 he married Miss Lizzie A. Fahs, of York, Pennsylvania, a most estimable and accomplished lady. They have seven children, -Charles. Edwin, Sidney, Arthur Houghton, Norton Prentiss, Katherine Lois, Ruth Adelaide and James Russell Lowell.
Mr. Otis has always been actively interested in the religious, social and political life of Yonkers, and has filled with honor many offices of distinction in these several departments, and is identified with several of the philan- thropic institutions of the city. For years he has been vice-president of St. John's Riverside Hospital, and president of the Charity Organization Society. All that concerns the welfare of Yonkers concerns Mr. Otis, and he has always been ready to serve the city of which he is an honored resident.
Politically he is a Republican, and has always sustained the party and its principles. In the spring of 1880 he was nominated for mayor and elected by a large majority. During his administration many important and valuable changes were made in the various departments of the city. The fire department was reorganized, the system of public-school management was changed and greatly advanced in efficiency (Mr. Otis appointing the first school board under the consolidated system), the water-works were largely augmented by the introduction of new and improved machinery, and with all these improvements, brought about under his practical business administra- tion, when he retired from office the city's debt had been decreased more than seventy-five thousand dollars! In the fall of 1883 he was elected to the state assembly, in a district overwhelmingly Democratic. While in the state legislature he was the author of many important measures, among which were those relating to the reduction of exorbitant rates of fare on state rail- roads, giving towns the power to regulate or refuse admission to excursion parties, making only physicians eligible to the office of coroner, etc. The latter bill, however, failed to pass at that time, on account of constitutional objections. Since then the constitution has been amended and the essential elements of that bill are now the law of the state. In local politics, Mr. Otis is a recognized leader of opinion among the best elements of society. One of the most prominent citizens of Yonkers said of him recently: "Mr. Otis is one of the most sagacious and honorable men that we have to-day in
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our city. Whatever office he is elected to, he dignifies and discharges its duties with the utmost skill, reflecting credit upon himself and adding materially to the prosperity and comfort of the community he serves; dis- countenancing everything that savors of political trickery and corruption, he is pre-eminently qualified to serve his country in any capacity." This just criticism of the man is fully confirmed by his past record both in official and private life.
But Mr. Otis is not only a factor in the political and religious life of the community; he is also a highly respected and valued member of its society. He is a close student and keeps in touch with the best thought of the day. A Christian gentleman, a cultured member of society, a wise and successful business man, -he stands as a representative citizen, honored and respected by the whole community.
In 1890, upon the retirement of his brother from business, he was elected president of Otis Brothers & Company, which position he still holds.
In giving a brief account of the Otis Brothers & Company's Elevator Works, we may first state that the company are the foremost builders of passenger and freight elevators in the world. It would not be possible to give a history of the great industry without mentioning the founder.
Elisha Graves Otis, who was the youngest of the six children of Stephen Otis, and was born August 13, 1811, was the inventor of the modern eleva- tor, which has done so much for modern city life and development. Young Otis lived on his father's farm at Halifax, Vermont, until the age of nineteen, when he left for Troy, New York. In the latter city he resided five years and was engaged in various building operations. On June 2, 1834, he was married to Susan A. Houghton, of Halifax. She was the mother of his two sons, Charles R. and Norton P. Otis, and died February 25, 1842. In 1838 Mr. Otis returned to Vermont and engaged for a time in the manufacture of wagons and carriages. He continued in this occupation until 1845. His second wife was Mrs. Betsey A. Boyd, whom he married in August, 1846. A little later he removed to Albany and assumed the charge of the construction of machinery in a large manufacturing establishment. Four years later he withdrew from this employment in order to establish works of his own, but was compelled eventually to give up this undertaking. We next find him holding the position of mechanical superintendent of a furniture manufactory at Hudson City, New Jersey. In 1852, this establishment was removed to Yonkers.
Mr. Otis had charge, as organizer and mechanical superintendent, of what was called the bedstead factory (foot of Vark street, subsequently occu- pied by the New York Plow Company), and also superintended the erection of a part of the buildings at Yonkers. It was during this later work that the
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