USA > Rhode Island > Biographical history of the manufacturers and business men of Rhode Island, at the opening of the twentieth century > Part 16
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are a number of manufacturing plants in the State of Rhode Island that have given her the reputation of being the leading State in the Union for the production of certain lines of goods, like the Gorham Mfg. Co., Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co., The American Screw Co., Nicholson File Co. and others, but none of them have given her quite so striking a reputation as this printing press concern in the town of West- erly, because there is scarcely a magazine or periodical of any kind issued in the United States, with a circulation of any great extent, that is not printed upon one of their presses, and there are very few printers in this country who aim to do the finest of work, who are not
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
using the Cottrell Printing Presses, which pro- duce the finest illustrated work that is possible to be obtained by the art of printing. The old
C. B. Cottrell.
time drum cylinder that to-day is very important for the country printer, met all of the require- ments when that press was considered quite sufficient for the demands of the time, when the letter-press of America contained very few illus- trations, and those very coarse, and color print- ing had scarcely been dreamed of. Since that period, however, the production of half-tone plates has made the matter of illustrating very simple and inexpensive, and the tri-color process has given the common printer an opportunity to compete with the lithographer, in producing colors, a position that was considered entirely exclusive up to that time. These new inven- tions gave the printing press manufacturers an opportunity to do business on a much larger scale than they had ever enjoyed before, for they meant a greater demand for printed mat- ter and consequently a greater demand for printing machinery, provided the machinery could meet the requirements of the new pro- cess. The Cottrell Company were the first to produce the finely adjusted half-tone printing press, thereby revolutionizing the method of printing in this country. First producing their two-revolution perfecting press, with their patent automatic shifting tympan, which pre- vents "offset" or smirching, and later their magazine rotary web-perfecting machine, which handles the immense editions of the popular magazines and illustrated papers of the country, such as Munsey's, Scribner's, McClure's, Les- lie's, the Ladies' Home Journal, the Youth's Companion, Saturday Evening Post and many others, which are filled with half-tone illustra- tions, all of which are printed with an elegance
that twenty years ago would have been thought impossible even on one of the slow flat-bed presses. These large rotary web presses print sixty-four pages of a magazine folded and de- livered in four sixteen-page signatures, the tops, bottoms and sides of the signatures being cut on the machine, without sacrificing the margins. The bound book has all leaves open, preserving the appearance of an uncut magazine. These machines are also more or less in use in foreign countries. The plant where these machines are made is one of the best equipped in the country, and the most skilled labor is employed in producing the best printing machinery that is made in the world for high class work.
C. B. Cottrell, the founder of the business, was born in Westerly, R. I., August 15, 1821, where he died in May, 1893. He early learned the trade of a machinist, and in 1855 began the manufacture of printing presses in a small way. His first productions gave evidence of care and painstaking in construction, the best of material being used. Evidently his motto was then, as it has been all through his business career, "The best of material and the finest of work- manship." Mr. Cottrell was one of the most influential men of Westerly, and his labors in behalf of the town has probably had more to do with its growth than those of any other person.
Mr. Cottrell's four sons have taken an active part in the affairs of the company, aiding mate- rially in producing up-to-date improvements, and in advancing the interests of the concern. The death of the third son, Calvert B. Cottrell, in April, 1901, was a sad event for the town and a great blow to the company, as he had made his personality an important factor in the business
Calvert Byron Cottrell.
of the concern. The officers of the company are : Edgar H. Cottrell, President ; Charles P. Cot- trell, Treasurer ; Arthur M. Cottrell, Secretary.
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C. B. Cottrell & Sons Co. Printing Press Manufactory, Westerly, R. I.
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CO.COTTRELL & SONS CO NEW YORK
Rotary Machine for Illustrated Periodicals, C. B. Cottrell & Sons Co., Westerly, R. I.
This is a double machine, printing from two rolls of paper, delivering the printed product in 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 40, 48, 56 or 64-page papers, folded, pasted and trimmed.
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AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
The Solway Mills .- Manufacturers of fancy colored cotton goods, consisting of fine Madras shirtings and dress goods, such as zephyrs, tis- sues, wash silks, fancy organdies and embroid- ered lawns. These goods come into competi- tion with the finer grades of foreign fabrics, which have heretofore had a monopoly of the American market. Business established in 1901 by Albert E. Henry and Robert Dow.
River, which supplies the power for two tur- bines and two overshot Stillman water wheels. Albert E. Henry was born in Lawrence, Mass., December 31, 1869. He learned the textile manufacturing business at the works of the Lorraine Mfg. Co., of Pawtucket, where he had been employed for eighteen years, and as Treas- urer MacColl's assistant during the last five years. Robert Dow was born in Edinburgh,
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The Solway Mills, Westerly, R. I.
Mills located in Westerly, R. I. The property was formerly known as the Stillman Mills, and was last occupied by Campbell, Henault & Co., in the manufacture of woolen goods, which con- cern moved to Woonsocket in 1899. Three hundred looms are now being operated, and about two hundred hands are employed, making a most enterprising manufacturing concern for the town of Westerly. The power for the plant is supplied by a 250 horse power steam engine, and there is a water privilege on the Pawcatuck
Scotland, February 8, 1864. He came to Amer- ica in 1893. He has had a long experience in designing all kinds of fancy goods, holding the Queen's Medal and the Owen Jones' Medal for textile design. He has been connected with R. A. Whytlaw & Sons, and Caldwell, Young & Co., of Glasgow, and for seven years was head designer for the Lorraine Mfg. Co. of Pawtucket, R. I. This concern promises to be one of the most creditable manufacturing enterprises in the State.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
Westerly Woolen Co .- Manufacturers of fancy cassimeres and worsted goods, the same kind of goods that were made when the plant was first begun over fifty years ago. The first mill building of the plant now owned by W. O. & L. W. Arnold, was begun about the year 1848 by Babcock & Morse, upon the Rhode Island side of the Pawcatuck River, in Westerly, R. I., and soon after O. M. Stillman built the brick structure upon the Connecticut side of the stream, that portion of the town being known, locally, as Stillman- ville. Additions from time to time have been made, the largest of which was built in 1862. In 1875 the property was sold to the present owners, since which time a number of additions have been built, the entire plant, known under the name of the Westerly Woolen Co., now being one of the most extensive in this part of the State, giv- ing employment to about 450 operatives. The goods manufac- tured by the Westerly Woolen Company have won a good rep- utation, and in times of prosperity the de- mand for these fabrics is very great. This is one of the best located and most picturesque manufacturing plants in New England. The mill buildings having been built at different times, they were not all designed after one style, but were put up to meet the increase of business that the concern experienced from year to year, apparently without any special regard for architectural beauty or grandeur, but after the plant was finally massed under one management, it was found that the variety of buildings rather added to its attractiveness than otherwise. The brick mill upon the left (the Connecticut side of the river), is similar in form to many Rhode Island factories, with a bell
Warren O. Arnold.
tower in front in the center of the building, and is very attractive. The buildings upon the Rhode Island side of the stream, although not as attractive, are so arranged as to give the entire establishment a very striking and busi- ness-like appearance. The water privilege is an excellent one, the Pawcatuck being what may generally be termed a never-failing stream. There are several woolen manufacturing con- cerns in this part of Rhode Island, all doing an extensive business, manufacturing high- grade goods, which have aided in giving to the town of West- erly a wide reputation as a manufacturing town, ranking among the leading textile centres of the coun- try, but none of them have so extensive a plant as the Westerly Woolen Company.
Warren O. Arnold, whose business inter- ests have been identi- fied with the town of Westerly for many years, was born in Coventry, R. I., June 3, 1839. In 1860 he became a merchant in the village of Maple- ville, R. I., and after a four years experi- ence in this line, he began the manufac- ture of cotton goods. Continuing in this business until 1866, he then turned his attention to the woolen manufacture, and he has been a manufacturer of woolen goods ever since that time, and the senior member of the Westerly Woolen Company for over twenty years. Mr. Arnold was elected from the Second District to represent Rhode Island in the National House of Representatives, in the Fif- tieth, Fifty-First and Fifty-Fourth Congress, and his labors in behalf of the State have won for him the commendation of its citizens. He has served on several important committees, the most important of which were the com- mittees on Banking and Currency, and Indian
157
AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
affairs of the Fifty-First Congress, and Com- mittee on Appropriations of the Fifty-Fourth Congress. Mr. Arnold's long experience as a manufacturer has placed him in a position where his opinion is widely sought for upon business matters by men launching out in manufacturing enterprises, and therefore he is eminently quali- fied to hold a position where his influence can be felt in the making of the laws of this country. Mr. Arnold's place of residence for a number of
tablished in 1895 by Willis A. Fenner. Works located at 212 Union street, Providence. The only manufactory of the kind in the State. Do an extensive business in all parts of the United States.
The Smith Granite Co .- Workers of granite. Quarries in Westerly, R. I. Business estab- lished in 1846 by Orlando Smith, who began to open the quarry upon the site of what is now the plant of the Smith Granite Co., and which
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Plant of the Westerly Woolen Co., Westerly, R. I.
years has been Chepachet, R. I. L. W. Arnold, his brother, is the other member of the firm, who resides in Westerly.
Crefeld Mills .- Manufacturers of fancy dress goods. Works located on the Connecticut side of the Pawcatuck river in Westerly, R. I. Property of the Lorraine Mfg. Co., of Paw- tucket, R. I. Employ about 300 hands. The mill plant is modern in every respect, and the machinery is all of the latest manufacture.
American Endoscopic Co .- Manufacturers of electrically lighted surgical instruments and at- tachments, and miniature lamps. Business es-
has become famous for producing the finest granite to be found in America for fine statuary. At the beginning the granite was used mostly for building purposes, but as the working of the quarry brought out such a fine grade of stone, headstones and monuments for cemeteries were turned out, and gradually the business in this line developed to large proportions, and by the reputation that this granite has made, the town of Westerly has won a reputation that has made it famous as the centre of this line of business in America. The concern was organized under
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the name of the Smith Granite Co. in 1887, with a capital of $100,000, the son of the founder, Orlando R. Smith being President and General Manager of the company, and John P. Randall, Secretary. The directors were O. R. Smith, H. H. S. Cathcart, J. E. Smith, J. P. Randall and W. S. Martin. Under the new organiza- tion the business developed to a point where
ager of the business. The Board of Directors include the above officers and Albert L. Ches- ter, William Hoxsey, George S. Greenman, John Champlin, Julia E. Smith and Orlando R. Smith who is made Vice-President of the com- pany. The capitalization remains the same as before, $ 100,000, and about the same number of hands are employed. Among the great produc-
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One of the Quarries of the Smith Granite Co., Westerly, R. I.
about 300 workmen were employed, and they represented men of nearly all nations, many of which were Germans, Italians, Swedes, English- men and Scotchmen, and they were all the best of workmen. The company was reorganized in 1901, the officers now being Henry H. Gallup, President, of Norwich, Treasurer of the State of Connecticut ; Thomas P. Nichols, Treasurer, of Westerly, Cashier of the National Phenix Bank ; William S. Martin, Secretary and General Man-
tions in granite that this company has turned out probably the most worderful piece of work was the equestrian statue of Washington, made from a solid block of granite, and weighing twenty tons. This is the only equestrian statue ever cut in granite. It was set upon a pedestal twenty feet high in Allegheny City, Pa. The principal business of the company is the building of mausoleums, which range in price from $10,000 to $100,000.
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AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
Westerly Silk Mill Co. - Throwsters of all kinds of twisted silk thread. They take the raw silk, reel it off on to spools, put it through
John W. Conant.
the various processes, including the spinning of the thread, and this is sent out of this factory in the gum, all ready for the dye house, where the gum is boiled out and the colors set that are de- sired, after which it is finished and ready for the market. This factory simply prepares the thread for the dyers, and has a capacity for pro- ducing about 1000 pounds a week. Business established in Westerly in 1895 by John W. Conant, Eugene Atwood and E. E. Bradley. Business incorporated January 1, 1896. Capi- talized for $15,000. Employ 65 hands. Officers : John W. Conant, President and Manager ; Ed- ward E. Bradley, Treasurer ; Eugene E. Brad- ley, Secretary. Mr. Conant, the General Man- ager of the company, was born in Hartford, Conn., August 30, 1854, but resided in Willi- mantic, Conn., during his boyhood, where he learned the trade of a silk worker under his father, who was the Superintendent of the Holland Mfg. Co., of that place. After learning his trade he was employed by Belding, Paul & Co., of Montreal, Canada, as Superintendent, then by the Eureka Silk Co., of East Hampton, Conn., for a term of ten years. After this he
went into the silk manufacturing business on his own account in Gurleyville, Conn., where he remained for six years, prior to entering into the present business. Mr. Conant is considered one of the best throwsters in the country. This is the only plant of its kind in Rhode Island. Eugene Atwood is President and Manager of the Atwood, Morrison Co., of Stonington, and E. E. Bradley is Vice-President of that company, where all of the silk machinery used in the Westerly mill is made.
William Clark Co. (The American Thread Co.)-Manufacturers of six cord cotton thread. The mill is located on the Connecticut side of the Pawcatuck river, and on the N. Y., N. H. and Hartford Railroad, which afford ample facilities for receiving their coal supply by barges direct to their dock on the river, and for shipping their goods by rail without the necessity of carting their productions to the freight yards of the town, there being a siding built expressly for this concern. The mills are built upon the slow-burning construction plan, and the whole plant is thoroughly equipped with automatic sprinklers, and in other ways has all the modern appliances for protection against fire. The machinery employed in the mills is of the most improved kind, and the result is, that the product of The William Clark Co. has made for itself an excellent reputation, both in the spool cotton and yarn trades. The main product of the mill is a six-cord sewing cotton, known as "The William Clark Co.'s Best Six Cord," and is sold from one end of the United States to the other.
William Clark, who was formerly the Presi- dent of the company, began the manufacture of thread along about 1850, and to his energy is due many of the improvements that have made American spool cotton the best that is made in the world. A large force of workmen is em- ployed. An extensive steam plant furnishes power. This is one of the largest thread plants in the United States, and a valuable acquisition to the town of Westerly. The property is now owned by The American Thread Co. combina- tion, of New York, T. M. Ives, Secretary and Treasurer. The plant is one of the most impos- ing of the town since the enlargement of the main factory a few months ago, making it one of largest of this section.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
R. A. Sherman .- Manufacturer of dye tubs, tanks, etc., for mill purposes, also all kinds of lumber moldings and finish for building pur- poses. Also contractor and builder. Works located on Main street, in Westerly, R. I. Em- ploys about 75 hands. Business established in 1870 by the present owner, Mr. Robert A. Sher- man, who was born in Exeter, R. I., January 3, 1843. He located in Westerly in 1863, where he learned the trade of a carpenter of Hall & Dickerson, and in 1870 he began business in a small way on his own account, gradually increas- ing until he now has developed one of the largest
such as planing and molding machines, band saws, lathes, etc. The power for the plant is supplied by a steam engine of about 100 horse power. Below the mill and office that are located in town, are store houses and lumber yards farther down the river, near Long Island Sound. Also the yard formerly occupied by Randolph, Bentley & Co. The accompanying cut represents the planing mill and a part of the yards on Main street.
National Button Co .- Manufacturers of shoe and clothing buttons, eyelets, etc. Business incorporated October 18, 1900. Capitalized
R.A. SHERMAN
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R. A. Sherman's Planing Mill, Pawcatuck River, Westerly. R. I.
planing mills in the State, and his contracting and lumber business has developed to large pro- portions. His lumber yard and mill being located on the Pawcatuck River, he is afforded the unusual facility of having his lumber brought direct to his yards by water, thereby saving the extra cost of cartage. Among the many build- ings that Mr. Sherman has built in town are the Public Library building, National Niantic Bank building, William Clark Co.'s Thread mills, C. B. Cottrell & Sons' Machine shop, and many private residences. The mill is equipped with all of the modern machinery required in producing general builders' finish of all kinds,
for $100,000. The officers of the company are: H. Martin Brown, President; A. Curtis Ting- ley, Treasurer; Frederic A. Chase, Secretary. The works and office are located in the Brown Building, 257 West Exchange street, Providence.
Donley & Co .- Manufacturers of a general line of ladies' gold plated jewelry, including stick pins, studs, ear-rings, etc. Business es-' tablished in 1891. Works located in a new brick factory built by John E. Donley, the proprietor, at 4 Addison Place, Providence, in 1898. Their goods are sold in all parts of the United States.
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AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
Brown Bros. Co .- Manufacturers and manu- facturers' agents for all kinds of mill supplies. One of the largest in the United States. In- corporated in 1893. Officers: D. Russell Brown, President and Treasurer; Milton B. Brown, Sec- retary. Daniel Russell Brown, the thirty-ninth Governor of Rhode Island (1892-5), was born at Bolton, Tolland county, Conn., March 28, 1848, son of Arba Harrison and Harriet M. Dart Brown. His youth was spent on his father's farm and his early education was ob- tained in the Bolton district schools. Subse- quently he prosecuted his studies at the academy at Manchester and still later at Hartford. Hav- ing completed the course of study, he entered at once on a business career, beginning as a clerk in a hardware store at Rock- ville, Conn. Two years afterward he became head salesman in the leading hardware establisment at Hartford. In January, 1870, he took charge of the mill supply store owned by Cyrus White in Provi- dence, R. I. Within three months he formed a part- nership with William But- ler & Son, the style be- coming Butler, Brown & Co., and in 1877 the firm of Brown Bros. & Co., as it then became, was the largest establishment of the kind in the United States. In 1893 the com- pany was incorporated as the Brown Bros. Co. While giving close attention to his large and constantly increasing business interests he found time to take an active and intelligent part in political affairs. A staunch Republican, he became one of the foremost members of the party in the city and State. In 1880 he was elected to the Common Council of the city of Providence, serving in that body four years. In 1885 he was nominated by the Republicans as Mayor of Providence, but declined the honor. In 1888 he was one of the presidential electors of the State, and in 1892 was nominated and elected Governor of Rhode Island, receiving
D. Russell Brown, Ex-Governor of Rhode Island.
27,461 votes, and John W. Davis, Democrat, 25,433. The total vote was 54,679, the largest ever cast in the State. In 1893 he again was a candidate. David S. Baker, Jr., was the nomi- nee of the Democrats, and Henry B. Metcalf, of the Prohibitionists. The votes for the respec- tive candidates were 22,015, 21,830 and 3,265, and there being no choice by the people, the choice devolved upon the General Assembly, and Governor Brown held over on account of a disagreement between the two branches of the Assembly. In April, 1894, Governor Brown polled 29,179 votes and David S. Baker, Jr., Democrat, 22,924, the former's plurality being
6,255. It was largely due to Governor Brown's ad- vocacy that the amend- ment to the constitution providing for elections by plurality was adopted. He also favored biennial elec- tions and exercised a potent influence in secur- ing the passage of the free text book law, measures for the improvement of highways, the anti-pool selling law, the medical practitioners' law, the laws regulating the business of surety companies and building and loan associa- tions, the factory inspec- tors' law, and the revision of the statutes. During his three years' adminis- tration Governor Brown was especially interested in the State militia, and to his wisdom and good judgment was in a great measure due the high standard in discipline and efficiency it then at- tained. He was New England's candidate for the Vice-Presidency before the Republican National convention in 1896.
F. A. Leonard & Co. - Manufacturers of electroplated brooches and sterling silver sus- pender mountings. Business established in 1892 as the J. M. Chandler Co., and was pur- chased by Frederick A. Leonard in 1899, who died in April, 1901. The business is now carried on under the management of Frank P. Stanley, trustee. Works located at 157 Orange street, Providence. Employ 40 hands.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
National Ring Traveler Co. - Manufacturers of ring travelers and mill specialties, including filling forks, spinning frame saddles, belt hooks, etc. Business incorporated in 1893. Officers : Joseph E. Jenckes, President ; A. Curtis Ting- ley, Treasurer and General Manager. Office and works located in the new Brown Building at 251 to 265 West Exchange street, Providence. The new building which was recently completed and occupied by the company, is one of the most substantial manufacturing buildings in the State, it being built with the idea of providing great strength for the accommodation of heavy machinery, and at the same time providing ample light for every part of the building. It has a frontage on West Exchange street of 130 feet, six stories high, with a depth of 64 feet, and an ell 40 x 42 feet, extending from the centre of the rear end of the main building, which gives a depth of 104 feet for the centre of the main structure. On the rear or railroad side of the building thereare seven stories. There are four one-story buildings erected near the main building with dimen- sions as follows: 33 x 78 feet, 33 x 52 feet, 38 x 40 feet and 33 x 50 feet. With these four build- ings added to the main structure it is one of the largest manufacturing plants in the city of Providence. The building, which was built by Col. H. Martin Brown, has been leased by the National Ring Traveler Co. for a term of years.
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