USA > Rhode Island > Biographical history of the manufacturers and business men of Rhode Island, at the opening of the twentieth century > Part 19
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John Heathcote & Son. - Manufacturers of tentering and drying machines, for stretching and drying all kinds of woolen or worsted goods, shawls, felts, etc. Business established in 1870 by John Heathcote, who was born near Man- chester, England, April 30, 1833. When about 9 years of age he came to Providence and this has been his home ever since. After acquiring a good common school education, he began to learn the machinist trade in the Franklin Foun- dry and Machine Co.'s works, being at that time seventeen years of age. After completing his apprenticeship he soon after was em- ployed by Corliss & Nightingale, where he remained two years. He then went to work for W. C. Helme, who was a manufacturer of jewelers' tools, etc. He later was em- ployed by Brown & Sharpe, when their works were located on South Main street, and had in their em- ploy only seven hands. After again working for the Franklin Foundry and Machine Co. as foreman, he began manufacturing in company with another gentleman, and in 1870 he began busi- ness on his own ac- count, manufacturing drying and tentering machines of all sizes and widths, the patents for which had been purchased by Mr. Heath- cote in 1870, the original machine being the Winsor Dryer, patented in 1861. Since that time important improvements have been made, and two new patterns of machines for heavier
work have been added, including a horizontal pattern machine and special felt drying machin- ery. The most important machine now built by the concern is the new improved upright tentering and drying machine of a heavy pat- tern. This machine is built extra heavy and strong and being heavily braced throughout is
John Heathcote.
capable of stretching and drying any kind of woolen or worsted goods, shawls, blankets, felts, etc. The chain is made of heavy malleable iron with brass plates for the tenter pins (the pins being close together) and the chain guides of heavy wrought iron. The advantage of this machine, besides taking up considerably less floor space than other style machines of the same capacity, is the small amount of power compared with other dryers, as the chain going up on one side and coming down on the other, acts as a counterbalance. The machine is pro- vided with sprocket wheels both top and bottom and to over- come any unevenness 1 by wear of the chain as well as to prevent any unevenness, there is an automatic take- up which always keeps the chain taut and on its bearing. The steam piping be- ing placed below and away from the goods (which is a decided advantage) and with the improved circula- tion, the goods com- ing from the machine have the same soft feeling and finish as goods that are dried out of doors. This machine is adjustable to different widths of goods by means of heavy screws, right and left thread, and can be adjusted either by hand or power. They ar- range for these machines to be set all on one floor if necessary. These machines are es- pecially adapted for carbonizing. They are built in various sizes, widths and heights. This machine is paneled and is furnished with a fan. In operation the wet cloth passes over the roll at the front of the machine; passing up and across the top the cloth turns and goes down into the machine and then up again and so on according to the number of folds, and passes out dry over the delivery roll in front and then up to the folder. The operator standing on the
AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
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platform in front has complete control of the machine as well as of the tenter wings, con- trolled by a hand wheel, and coarse right and
they are set. We herewith print a cut of their heavy pattern upright machine. These drying and tentering machines have been sold in all
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Tentering and Drying Machine, Built by John Heathcote & Son.
left screw shaft which gradually stretch the goods to the width desired. These tenter wings are adjustable and will positively stay wherever
parts of the country. Mr. Heathcote is con- nected with a large number of societies in the State, being a past commander of St. John's Com-
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mandery of Providence, a charter member, and a Past Master of Adelphai Lodge A. F.& A. M., of Providence, member of the Veteran Masonic As-
Earl A. Potter.
sociation, Veteran Firemen's Association, the Central Club, the Pomham Club, of which he has been a member since its organization, and has been president of that body for the past five years, and others. George H. Heathcote was born in Providence, in January, 1863. He has been associated with his father in the business for a number of years, and July 1, 1901, he became a partner, occupying the position of general manager, which posi- tion he has really held for sev- eral years.
This company also manufac- ture mast arms which are in use throughout the city of Provi- dence for extending over the streets for supporting electric lamps, which have heretofore been manufactured under the name of the Russell Electric Mfg. Co., now an adjunct to their other business. Mr. John Heathcote has been for some time the treas- urer of that company, and their products are very important.
Earl A. Potter .- Manufacturer of all kinds of
boot and shoe laces. Business established April 1, 1898, at 77 Cromwell street, Providence. The present works in Pocasset, Cranston, R. I., were occupied June 1, 1900. Post office address, Auburn, R. I. Earl A. Potter, who is the great-grandson of Col. Israel Angell, of Smith- field, who was active in the Revolutionary War, was born in South Scituate, R. I., May 22, 1859. He learned the bobbin and spool business of his father, Enos A. Potter, in his native town, be- ginning at the age of seventeen, and remained with him for twenty-one years. He gave up this trade and learned the manufacture of shoe laces, and after gaining a thorough knowledge of the business he began manufacturing on his own account, meeting with marked success. He began with 1800 spindles in 1898, and has gradually increased until now he has some 9,000 spindles in operation at his factory in Pocasset, and the works are running night and day to meet the demands of the trade throughout the country. The Pocasset river supplies about 40 horse power through an Angell turbine, but this not being sufficient for both day and night work, Mr. Potter has recently put in a 45 horse power boiler and a 40 horse power Nagle en- gine, which, combined with the water power, affords all that is required at present for run- ning his plant, which includes an electric light- ing outfit. His son, Wallace C. Potter, is super- intendent of the works and has been with his
EARL A. POTTER, MFR.OF SHOE LACINGS.
Earl A. Potter's Factory, Pocasset, Cranston, R. I.
father since the business was established. He is a native of South Scituate, where he was born January 29, 1880.
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AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
Gilbert F. Whipple .- Manufacturer of woolen yarns for knit goods and cassimeres. Business established in 1893 for the manufacture of yarns, but the original business of manufactur- ing cassimeres was begun in 1879. Factory located at Whipple, R. I., formerly Plainville. After leaving Mowry & Goff's school in Provi- dence, he learned the textile business in his father's mill at Simmonsville, now Thornton, R. I., where he was employed for some time, and then went to Massachusetts, where he worked in a woolen mill, and in 1879 began business on his own account in the factory shown upon this page. The mill has a floor space of about
White & Co. then leased the mill and carried on the business until 1879. Gilbert F. Whipple, son of Charles H. Whipple, then operated it for one year, when a copartnership was formed under the name of Whipple & Walling, doing business until the fall of 1887. Howard Maguire & Co. then conducted it for a short time, when W. F. Esten & Co. leased the mill in 1888 and operated it until 1893, since which time Gilbert F. Whipple has had full control of the mill.
Hope Worsted Mills .- Manufacturers of fancy worsteds for men's wear. Business established September 1, 1901. Works located in Gilbert F. Whipple's Mill at Whipple, near the village of Oakland, R. I. Frank Fiske, the treasurer and
Whipple's Mill, Whipple, Burrillville, R. I.
50,000 square feet, and is supplied with power from the Clear River through one turbine of 100 horse power. A Heald & Morris engine of 100 horse power is used in case of low water, but the river seldom fails to supply sufficient power. Some 30 hands are employed. Gilbert F. Whipple is a native of Burrillville, where he was born April 12, 1855. The mill was built about 1847 by David Mathewson, and was first operated by D. C. Remington and James Colby in the manufacture of cotton goods, and after- wards Lindsey Jordan began the manufacture of satinets. In 1856 Charles H. Whipple pur- chased the mill property from David Mathew- son, and began the manufacture of fancy cassi- meres, which he carried on until 1873. F. R.
manager of the firm, was born in Gloucester, R. I., September 30, 1850. He has been connected with the woolen and worsted mills of Pascoag in one capacity or another for the past 20 years. He was for about eleven years the bookkeeper and general manager of the Shef- field Mills, and when these mills were pur- chased by the American Woolen Co., he be- came their agent, serving in that capacity for one year. He left this company January I, 1901, and in September established the present business in company with Arthur Ames, a native of England, who is the superintendent of the works. Mr. Ames was employed in the mills of Pascoag for a number of years prior to beginning business on his own account as a partner in the Hope Worsted Mills. Employ about 50 hands.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
American Electrical Works. - Manufacturers of bare and insulated electric wire, electric light line wire, incandescent and flexible cords, railway feeder and trolley wires, Americanite, magnet, office and annunciator wires, and cables for aerial and underground use. Business established in 1870 by Eugene F. Phillips. Incorporated in May, 1882. Capitalized for $750,000. Works located in Phillipsdale, R. I. Employ 1000 hands. Officers : Eugene F. Phillips, General Manager; Frank N. Phillips, President ; E. Rowland Phillips, Vice- President; C. H. Wagenseil, Treasurer; C. R. Remington, Jr., Secretary.
Mr. Eugene F. Phillips, Ithe general manager and founder of the business, was educated in the public schools of his native city, and while pursuing the high school course in 1862, he joined the Tenth Rhode Island Volunteers and went to the front along with a large delegation of students, returning at the
Eugene F. Phillips.
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Frank N. Phillips.
close of his enlistment to complete his studies. After leaving school he was engaged in various lines of business until 1870, when he began the
manufacture of insulated telegraph wire in a very small way in a barn situated in the rear of his residence at 57 Chestnut street, the cut of which is shown upon the op- posite page. This was the beginning of an industry that has developed to such proportions as to place it at the head of the wire manu- facturing establishments of the world, and the founder of the business, who is still at the head of the concern, pushed the enterprise along as rapidly as the growth of the application of electricity during the past thirty years required. In 1880 he occu- pied the building at the cor- ner of Stewart and Conduit streets, which at that time was considered a large plant, four stories, and well equipped with wire making machinery. The business continued to grow rapidly, and in 1890 the greater part of the whole square in the same location was utilized by a new factory which was built expressly to
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E. Rowland Phillips.
accommodate the immense business of the com- pany, which was built in the form represented upon the opposite page, with a court in the
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AMERICAN ELECTRICAL WORKS, PHILLIPSDALE, R. I. Growth of the Works from 1870 to 1900.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
centre. This plant was looked upon as a model in every respect, and its increased facilities were thought to be sufficient to handle the out- put of the concern for a great many years. But the use of electrical appliances had apparently only just begun, for the demand for their pro- ducts increased more rapidly than ever, and to such an extent that Mr. Phillips cast about for a location where he could erect a factory that would meet all requirements. As a result of this endeavor he purchased the plant which was located on the Seekonk river in 1893, formerly used as a paper mill by the Richmond Paper Co., and began to make additions and altera- tions suitable for a modern mill for the manu- facture of wire. From this time on the place became known as Phillipsdale, in honor of Mr. Phillips, whose business gave to the town of East Providence one of the most complete in- dustrial colonies of the State, and yet so near the city of Providence proper as to be almost counted as one of its industries. The works in their present complete condition, as shown by the accompanying cut, cover an area of about four acres of floor space which are surrounded by thirty-six acres of land, well laid out, some portions of which are devoted to residences for the accommodation of the employes. The works are situated on the tracks of the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co. on the east, and a wharf and water navigation for shipping on the See- konk river on the west, and also has an abun- dant fresh water supply from the Ten-Mile river. Electric cars connect the village with Provi- dence and other centres of trade. This to-day is one of the most attractive villages in the State. At the beginning Mr. Phillips was using as raw material about thirty pounds of copper per day in the manufacture of wire. He now enjoys the satisfaction of knowing that upwards of 100,000 pounds of copper (fifty tons) are be- ing used every working day in the year in the manufacture of every kind of wire or cable known to the electrician. The most important departments added to the new works were the rolling and drawing mills. These enable the company to receive the copper in ingots, just as they come from the lakes. Four carloads per day are used, the crude metal first being rolled into rods of 3/8 inch diameter, and then drawn to any desired size, which include every descrip- tion of wire made from that for heavy street
railway, electric light and telephone use to the most delicate silk covered testing wire. There are a dozen buildings in the group that make up the plant, and all are equipped with improved machinery and appliances for the manufacture of wire. The company has its own electric plant for lighting, with three 250-light incan- descent dynamos and one 40-arc light machine, and a 250 horse power generator for parts of the factory. The works are supplied by power from two 500-horse power Greene engines.
The Canadian plant, as also shown on the page of cuts, was established in Montreal in 1889 as the Eugene F. Phillips Electrical Works, Ltd., with a capital of $30,000, which has since been increased to $60,000. This is the largest wire manufacturing plant in Canada, employing 100 hands, and its interests are well looked after by George Olney, 2d, Secretary and Treasurer.
The growth of the American Electrical Works, which are among the most important of any of the manufacturing plants of the State of Rhode Island, have been brought to their pres- ent state of perfection by the persistent effort and intelligent management of their founder, Mr. Eugene F. Phillips.
The officers of the company are:
Eugene F. Phillips, General Manager, who has had active management of the business since its inception.
Frank N. Phillips, President, is a son of the general manager. Has been with the company since leaving college, and was elected to the present position in October, 1897.
E. Rowland Phillips, Vice-President, is also a son of the general manager. He is a member of the Town Council of East Providence, and has been actively engaged with the company since school-days, and was elected to the pres- ent position in October, 1897.
Charles H. Wagenseil, Treasurer, commenced with the company as office boy, October, 1884, has been constantly with the company ever since, and was elected to his present position in October, 1897.
Charles R. Remington, Jr., Secretary, has been prominently connected with the company since 1883 in various capacities, and was elected to his present position in October, 1897.
The village of Phillipsdale has other impor- tant industries that promise to make the place very prominent.
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AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
Granger Foundry and Machine Co .- Manufac- turers of bleaching, dyeing, drying and finishing machinery for textile fabrics. Works located at the corner of Harris and Sims avenues, Providence. In 1842 the Cove Machine Co. was incorporated under the laws of Rhode Island, and located at the corner of Gaspee and Francis streets, in a building erected for them
sours, water mangles, sprinklers, drying machines, calenders and various other machines for finishing textile goods. They also build calenders for finishing fine letter, ledger and surface coated papers. After all these years in one location, the company found it necessary to erect a new and more extensive building on Harris and Sims avenues, and Granger and
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Machine Shop of the Granger Foundry and Machine Co., Providence.
the same year next to the old State Prison, in this city, the last remains of which have been torn down. For thirty-six years the business was carried on under this name, and then, in 1878, it was changed to the Granger Foundry and Machine Co. For fifty-eight years this concern has carried on a successful business manufacturing machinery for bleaching, dye- ing, drying and finishing cotton goods, including singeing machines, washing machines, chemic,
Tingley streets, as they had outgrown their old quarters and also because the State had looked opon their former location with a favorable eye, as the new State House and Normal School were to be located in the immediate vicinity. Yielding to the inevitable, the company laid the foundations for an extensive plant, and in De- cember, 1895, the superstructure was completed, the machinery removed and new machinery added. This is now one of the most complete
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
machine shops in New England, every modern appliance being at hand by which the finest and most intricate parts of their machinery can be turned out accurately and with great dispatch. These new works add another improvement to the long list that have been building within the past few years, all of which are a great credit to the city of Providence.
We herewith print a plate of the interior of the main portion of their extensive machine shop, which is the largest in the United States
order as promptly as any concern in America. The company employ only skilled mechanics, many of them having been in their employ for many years, and consequently they are enabled to add to their skill a practical knowledge of the great variety of machinery manufactured at these works. The officers of the company are : William S. Granger, President; Henry A. Till- inghast, Secretary and Treasurer. Mr. Granger is also the President of the Wheelwright Filler and Manufacturing Co. of Providence, and of
CITADEL FOUNDAY A MACHINE CO.
Plant of the Granger Foundry and Machine Co., Harris and Sims Avenues, Providence, R. I.
for their class of work. The main building is 305 x II0 feet, the storage and pattern building being 100 x 40.
The dyeing and bleaching concerns through- out the United States will appreciate the in- creased facilities enjoyed by this company in their new quarters, for greater facilities mean more rapid production, and when only limited time is granted for turning out certain machin- ery in their line, they will feel satisfied that the Granger Foundry and Machine Co. can fill the
the American Wringer Co., a director in the United National Bank and numerous other cor- porations.
Pawtucket Spinning Ring Co .- Manufacturers of spinning rings. Business established in 1884 by John Booth. Incorporated in 1899. Capi- talized for $30,000. Works located on North Main street, Pawtucket. Employ 14 hands. Officers: Albert P. Martin, President; John Booth, Treasurer and Secretary, who was born in Oldham, England, March 2, 1845.
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Providence Engineering Works, South Main Street, Providence.
[See Page 196.]
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
Providence Dyeing, Bleaching and Calender- ing Co. - When we remember that in 1814, and for at least four years afterward, all the cotton cloth woven in America was the product of hand looms, and that the power spinning frames just coming into use were turning out comparatively small quantities of yarn, the promotion of a com- pany with a capital of $40,000 to bleach, dye and finish such cloth, seems as much of a daring en- terprise as the promoting to-day of a twenty mill- ion dollar trust. It shows that our ancestors had a great deal of confidence in the future of the cotton industry in New England, and the result shows that their faith was well founded.
In the year above mentioned, Hercules Whitney, Henry Hop- pin, Edward Mason, Jr., and Daniel Bates, all of Providence, bought from Oliver Evans of Philadelphia, the second steam en- gine ever erected in Rhode Island, the first ever used in America, and probably in the world, for the bleach- ing, dyeing and finish- ing of cotton fabrics. It was patriotically named the Columbian Steam Engine, and was patented by the said Evans, who issued to these gentlemen a license to run the en- gine together with a guarantee of the develop- ment of 20 horse-power. The description of this engine as set forth in the license for its use, when compared with that of a modern triple condenser is most interesting to the student of dynamics. This engine was bought at an ex- pense of six thousand dollars and when erected in Providence at the corner of Mathewson and Sabin streets is said to have cost its owners $17,000.
John P. Farnsworth.
In addition to this wonderful piece of mechan- ism, these gentlemen, together with certain others named hereafter, bought from the widow
of William Smith of New York, the patent rights in the first calender ever run with differ- ential gears ; the calender from which has been evolved the modern friction calender.
With this engine, these patent calender rights, and several acres of land north of Sabin street and west of the cove, Hercules Whitney and Henry Hoppin formed a company for the bleaching and calendering of cotton and other goods, interesting with themselves James B. Mason, Benjamin, Charles, Elisha and Olney Dyer, Benjamin and Thomas C. Hoppin, Smith Bosworth and John Wilson. These gentle- men formed themselves into a company known as the "Patent Calen- dering and Bleaching Company" and as- sumed all the corpor- ate rights and privi- leges afterwards given them by the State.
Col. Smith Bosworth was appointed the ac- tive head of the com- pany, holding this po- sition for a number of years. Later Wm. C. Snow was elected agent and in 1840 Mr. Ste- phen Cornell was made superintendent. About this time most of the stock being in the hands of the Dyer and Hoppin families, a charter was taken from the State and the officers elected under it were Elisha Dyer, Presi- dent; Wm. C. Snow, agent. At this time a purchase of land was made in Olneyville, near the Johnston line, and an old grist mill was con- verted into a blue dye house and bleachery.
In 1872 Wm. C. Snow died and Mr. Stephen Cornell was elected agent. In 1883 Mr. Cor- nell resigned the agency and was soon after elected president, which office he held until his death. Succeeding him as agent and treasurer came Mr. Nathan H. Baker.
In 1885 the Sabin street plant was abandoned and all dyed work given up, the finishing of
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Providence Dyeing, Bleaching and Calendering Co. Plant, 52 Valley Street, Providence. 1901.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
bleached and fancy white work being taken up at the Olneyville plant, or Valley Bleach- ery, as it was called. In 1885 Mr. N. H.
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The Columbian Steam Engine, 1814 .- The Second Steam Engine Operated in Providence.
Baker was succeeded by the present treasurer, John P. Farnsworth. Since that time there have been three presidents, Mr. W. W. Hoppin, Jr., son of a former president, succeeded Mr. Cornell, being in turn succeeded by Mr. Chas. N. Talbot, who remained as president from 1893 until the beginning of the present year. The present holder of the office is Mr. Wm. Oscar Cornell, a son of Mr. Stephen Cornell, former superintendent, agent, treasurer and president.
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