USA > Rhode Island > Biographical history of the manufacturers and business men of Rhode Island, at the opening of the twentieth century > Part 21
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
205
AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
E. B. Bosworth & Son .- Manufacturers of presses, milling lathes for jewelry manufacturers and other machinery. Business established by E.
Edmund B. Bosworth.
B. Bosworth in January, 1886. Works located on Broad street, corner Main, in Warren R. I. Employ 6 hands. Edmund B. Bosworth, the founder of the business was born in Warren, R. I., December 9, 1844. He learned the trade of a machinist in his father's machine shop and brass foundry, growing up in the business from a boy. He was employed in Providence for the concern that is now the Household Sew- ing Machine Co., from 1875 to 1882. He then went to work in Bliss & Mason's jewelry shop at 119 Orange street, Providence, as a tool maker, where he remained until 1886, when he returned to Warren and began the manufacture of small lathes of his own invention, specially adapted to the jewelry manufacturing business. In 1891 a firm was organized, consisting of residents of the town of Warren, for the pur- pose of manufacturing dental mallets, which business was continued about six years. Mr. Bosworth then began again on his own account, since which time he has done an extensive busi- ness in the line of machinery that he turns out. In 1898 Mr. Bosworth took his son in as a part- ner in the business. Charles E. Bosworth was born in Warren, R. I., May 6, 1875. He gradu-
ated from Brown University in 1898, and the same year became a partner with his father, the firm name then being established as E. B. Bos- worth & Son.
Richmond Mfg. Co., (Namquit Mill.)-Manu- facturers of cotton goods for print cloths. Business established about 1840. Incorporated in January, 1865. Officers : G. Richmond Par- sons, President ; Frank E. Richmond, Treas- urer ; Samuel R. Dorrance, Secretary. Factory located in Bristol, R. I. Employ about 130 hands ; 306 looms, 10,816 spindles. The fac- tory is one of the oldest in the State now in operation.
Simson & Kirkaldy .- Manufacturers of wor- steds and woolens for men's wear. Business established in 1899 by John Simson in the building now occupied by the Woonsocket Electric Machine and Power Co., Woonsocket, R. I. The present factory was erected in Woonsocket, in 1896, when the machinery was removed from the old plant and some new ma- chinery was added. Employ about 175 hands. The factory contains about 30,000 square feet of floor space. A Corliss steam engine of 125 horse power supplies the power for the factory,
Charles E. Bosworth.
and operates their own electric lighting plant. John Simpson and James B. Kirkaldy are both natives of Scotland.
1
200
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
Littlefield Manufacturing Co .- Manufacturers of cotton yarns and thread. Business estab- lished by Littlefield Bros. in 1851. Incorpor- ated in 1889. Capitalized for $ 150,000. Works located on the west bank of Blackstone river, be- tween the upper and lower dams, at Pawtucket Falls. Employ 125 hands. Officers : Alfred H. Littlefield, President ; Eben N. Littlefield, Treasurer.
Alfred H. Littlefield, one of the founders of and the former president of the Littlefield Manufacturing Company, and Governor of the State of Rhode Island for three years, from 1880 to 1883, was born in Scituate, April 2, 1829. He was the son of John and Deborah (Himes) Little- field, and his an- cestors, Caleb and Nathaniel Little- field, were among the first settlers of New Shoreham, Block Island, in 1721. In 1831 his parents moved from Scituate to Natick and here he attended the vil- lage school until the spring of 1837, after which he found employment in the Sprague Mills until the fall of 1844, when he again attended the village school for six months, and in May, 1845, came to Central Falls, entering the store of Joseph M. Davis as a clerk. In addition to the dry goods and boot and shoe business carried on by Mr. Davis, he put up in a small way spool and skein sewing cotton. Mr. Davis sold out the business to George L. Littlefield and Elias Nickerson in 1846 or '47, and in 1849 the busi- ness was transferred to George L. Littlefield, Alfred continuing as clerk until 1851, when his
brother sold out the store business at Central Falls, and the firm of Littlefield Brothers was formed, which continued the thread business, with stores at Haydenville, Mass., where an- other brother, Daniel G., had charge, and in the John B. Reed Block on Main street, in Paw- tucket, where A. H. was in charge until Decem- ber, 1854, when the store business was sold out, and George L. and A. H. became associated with David Ryder, under the name of David Ryder & Co., manufacturers of threads and yarns. Mr. Ryder's interest was pur- chased, and from January, 1858 to July Ist, 1889, the business was car- ried on by George L. and A. H. Lit- tlefield, under the name of Littlefield Bros., when George L. retired, and an incorporated .com- pany was formed of which Alfred H. Littlefield was President ; Eben N. Littlefield, Treasurer, and A. H. Littlefield, Jr., Secretary.
Alfred H. Littlefield, Ex-Governor of Rhode Island.
In politics Mr. Littlefield was a Whig until the birth of the Repub- lican party. During the rebellion he actively aided the Union soldiers, and in 1864 was ap- pointed division inspector of Rhode Island Militia, with the rank of Colonel, on the staff of Gen. Olney Arnold, which office he held for five years. In 1873 he was a member of the town council of Lincoln, being re-elected from 1874 to 1877, when he declined a re-election. He was representative in the General Assembly in 1876 and '77, and senator in 1878 and '79. In 1880 he was nominated for governor, and re- ceived 10,988 votes against 7,239 for the Demo- cratic and 5,062 for the third party candidate.
207
AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
It requiring a majority to elect, the General Assembly chose Mr. Littlefield Governor by a vote of 82 Republicans to 20 Democrats, and the two following years he was re-elected by a handsome majority. During this service the same ability and uprightness that had charac- terized his business dealings was conspicuously manifest as Governor of the State. His good judgment and sagacity contributed to the highest welfare of his constituency; and as pre- siding officer of the Senate he displayed a rare courtesy and wisdom, coupled with a becoming modesty, that won for him hosts of friends, and made him one of the most respected and hon_ ored of governors. His death occurred Dec. 21, 1893. Mr. Littlefield married, February 9, 1853, Rebecca Jane Northrup, of Central Falls. Their children are Eben N., Minnie J., (deceased), George H., (deceased), and Alfred H., Jr.
E. B. Ingraham, Agent. - Manufacturer of button and stud backs for the trade, and specialties in jewelry for the jobbing trade. Solid gold, rolled plate, electro-plate, etc. Busi- ness established in 1891 by Eustis B. Ingra- ham, Agent. Works located at 21 Eddy street, Providence. Mr. Ingraham is a native of Attle- boro, Mass., and came to Providence and worked for a number of concerns before begin- ning business on his own account.
Warren Manufacturing Co. - Manufacturers of cotton goods in the line of sateens, twills, lawns and " Fancies," made from fine combed and carded yarns and silk. Mill located in Warren, R. I. This corporation carries a his- tory of more than half a century, and its growth and success confirms the wisdom, judgment and skill of those who early conceived, planned and put in operation the original enterprise, and have wisely guided and directed its management during these years, making possible its rapid increase from a small mill of about 12,000 spindles in 1847 to the modern and ideal plant of 100,000 spindles and 2,300 looms in 1901. The business was established through the en- terprise of Mr. John O. Waterman, July 6, 1847, who was then a citizen of Providence. He early identified himself with the town of War- ren, became actively related to its every inter- est and was honored by its citizens with many appointments to positions of influence and trust. It had the support and co-operation of the citi- zens of the town, who invested in it, and, in a
degree, aided in the direction of its affairs. The first mill which was known as No. I, was built of brick in 1847, and about 1861 the No. 2 mill was erected, and in 1872 the No. 3 mill was built, all three structures being joined together in one mill soon after. The year following the completion of the No. 3 mill, in 1881, Mr. Waterman died, and he was succeeded by his son, Mr. John Waterman, as Treasurer and General Manager of the business. The com- pany received their charter at the spring ses- sion of the Rhode Island Legislature in 1847, the capital of the corporation being $150,000. In March, 1854, this was increased to $175,000, and in 1860 the capital was raised to $300,000, and later it was increased to $600,000, the pres- ent capitalization. Mr. John Waterman for more than twenty years successfully managed the business of the corporation. During his administration the early mills, in a reconstructed form, were entirely destroyed by fire on the night of October 3, 1895. Above this reversal the will and enterprise of Mr. Waterman was early manifested, and prevailed in the re-estab- lishment of the plant, and in its present en- larged proportions and improved equipment. The same masterly genius and ability started and successfully operated the mills and during the subsequent years, some of them years of depression, built for it the reputation of one of the most successful corporations in the State. Mr. Waterman died very suddenly December 21, 1900, stricken in the very prime of his life, and in the strength and power of his usefulness. He was influential in town affairs, being at one time a member of the town council, and a mem -_ ber of committees having charge of town im- provements, which included the Town Hall, the Public Library, the new bridge that spans the Warren river, and other improvements. Dur- ing 12 years of Mr. Waterman's administration he had associated with him in the superinten- dency and management of the mill, Mr. Arnold Schaer, and in the successes of the mill he shared mutually with Mr. Waterman. Mr. Schaer's skill and ability was ever fully recog- nized by the administration of Mr. Waterman and by the directory as well. He is a man of broad knowledge and excellent executive ability. Mr. Schaer is a native of Switzerland where he was born in 1852. He received a thorough technical education in the mills of his native
1
208
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
country and in the wider fields of France and England. Upon the death of Mr. Waterman he was elected to the agency of the corporation, thus securing to the company the most thorough direction and management of the mill, together with the excellent mercantile ability of Mr. Schaer in the broader field of purchaser for the company and seller of the mill products. The wisdom of this has been evinced in the con- tinued and increasing success of the mill. Frank S. Drowne, the Treasurer of the corpor- ation, is a native of Warren, where he was born November 5, 1842. He was elected to the office January 19, 1901, about one month after the death of Mr. Waterman. He had served on the board of directors for a number of years.
antee that the business of the Warren Manufac- turing Co. will be kept up to the same high standard that was set in the beginning, and has been maintained by its managers in the past. The first president of the corporation was John R. Wheaton, who was elected to that office July 9, 1847. He was succeeded by his brother, George Wheaton, and he in turn was succeeded by Gen. William T. Barton, who was elected president in 1887, and still holds that office. The first clerk elected was William T. Wheaton which occurred at the same time of the election of the first president of the corporation The present clerk or secretary is Frank H. Champ- lin, who is a native of Warren, educated at its institutions, and has filled and now holds posi-
1 14
Warren Manufacturing Co. Mill, Warren, R. I.
He received his education in the public schools of Warren and after leaving the high school he was identified with the American File Co., of Pawtucket, until that concern gave up business and their works became a part of the plant of the Slater Cotton Co. He entered the employ of the new corporation, and served in the capacity of bookkeeper for about two years, when he was called to the superintendency of the mill, in which capacity he served fourteen years, and then he was elected treasurer, which position he held for about four years, or until he was elected the treasurer of the River Spinning Co. of Woonsocket, in 1891, a position which he still holds. Mr. Drowne's long and successful experience in the textile businesss is a guar-
tions of honor, the gift of his townspeople. Board of Directors : W. T. Barton, Geo. Welch, Chas. H. Child, F. S. Drowne, Arnold Schaer and Edwin A. Cady.
Power for the mill is supplied by an A. P. Allis Co. engine of 2,000 horse-power, and by several Heine boilers, aggregating 3,000 horse- power, and the company have their own electric lighting plant. A new addition has been built this year, on the north end of the mill, the same . heighth of the original structure which gives it the appearance as shown in the accompanying cut. The addition, while in a measure increas- ing the capacity of the mill, has as its chief aim the perfection of its product, putting it in the very foremost rank as to character and quality.
-
209
AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
WARREN, RHODE ISLAND.
The town of Warren, R. I., which promises to be one of our leading manufacturing centres, began to build ships and manufacture rope some time prior to the Revolutionary War, and these were the first in the line of manufactures that the town records, although like the adjoin- ing town of Bristol, she had her tide and wind grist mills in operation, which served the people of the place for many years, most of them being farmers, and the grinding of corn was one of the principal industries of this and all of the other Rhode Island towns during the early period of their existence. In 1764 Sylvester Child was the owner of a shipyard here, and he carried on quite an extensive ship-building busi- ness. Cromwell Child began the ship-building business at about the same period, and along about 1795 he evidently took Caleb Child into partnership, for they were the owners of a ship- yard at that time, and were building vessels of various kinds. In 1812, and for some years after, Caleb Child was carrying on the business alone, and was building many ships. In 1795 Charles Whea- ton was operating a rope walk, and manufactured " cables and cordage of all sizes, and sewing twine." William Bar- ton and John Hill in 1800 were operating a rope walk in the town. In 1819 the town had two distilleries in full operation, one turning out gin and the other New England rum. Thomas Foster was the owner of a shipyard in 1853. The firm of Chase & Davis probably built the greatest number of vessels in a given time of any of the ship building concerns of Warren. They launched more than fifty vessels from 1840 to 1865, the largest of which was 1 500 tons burden. The boats built in Warren were con- sidered as substantial as any built in the United States. Following these industries came the Warren Mfg. Co. which has been for many years and is still looked upon as the principal manufacturing industry of the town. When the mill was destroyed by fire a few years ago it was a great loss to the place, for it was a num-
ber of months before the new mill was completed upon the same site, and the loss of so great an income to the people of the village for so long a time was a serious setback to the town. But the new mill now employs upwards of 300 work- men, and is one of the most progressive manu- facturing concerns in the State. Since the building of the new mill the town has begun to grow extensively in the manufacturing line. The Cutler Mfg. Co. has been in existence here for some forty years or more, and has always been a substantial help to the place, but the new concerns that have begun business here within the past few years have given the town an opportunity to take long strides to the front, which include the Rusden Machine Co., in the manufacture of dyeing and bleaching machinery together with ship windlasses, etc., the Parker
Cutler Street Front of the Cutler Mfg. Co. Plant, Warren, R. I.
Mills, No. 2, in the manufacture of cotton goods, one of the largest mills in this section of the State, the Howland & Wheaton Company in the manufacture of cotton handkerchiefs, the Bosworth Foundry on Cutler street, and the Machine Shop of E. B. Bosworth & Son. These combine to place the town of Warren in a position where she can bid for other indus- tries, because she has machine shops and foun- dries to do the work that is required by textile concerns in the line of repairs, castings, etc., and she has a water frontage that will enable her to re-establish the abandoned ship-building business by erecting shipyards on the harbor.
Cutler Manufacturing Co .- Manufacturers of cotton hosiery yarns. Business established by Charles R. Cutler in 1858. Incorporated in 1869. Capitalized for $200,000. Mills located
(14)
1
C It
im he ty.
le it g
210
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
in Warren, R. I. Employ 120 hands. Officers: Richard A. Lewis, of Philadelphia, Pa., Presi- dent ; Frank Hail Brown, of Providence, Treas- urer; Luther Cole, of Warren, Secretary. Charles A. Cutler, the founder of the business,
W. S. Bosworth Foundry, Warren, R. I.
was born in Ballston, N. Y., December 10, 1822, and died in March, 1889. After complet- ing his education, he located in Warren, R. I., in 1839, following the life of a seafaring man for about nineteen years, twelve years of which he was master of the ship in which he sailed twice around the world, and cruised in nearly all of the waters of the globe, doing a very suc- cessful business. He gave up this occupation in 1858, and that year erected a mill in Warren for the manufacture of cotton cordage, which was known as the Cutler Cordage Mills. This was carried on until the opening of the Civil War in 1861, when this establishment began the manufacture of cotton yarns, there being a great demand at that time for cotton goods. George Hail became associated with Mr. Cutler in 1869, and soon after a stock company was or- ganized and incorporated under the name of the Cutler Manufacturing Co., Mr. Cutler being elected Treasurer and Agent, in which capacity he served for many years. There are three mill buildings, located on Cutler street, east of the tracks of the Providence and Bristol Branch of the N. Y., N. H. and Hartford Railroad. Mr. Cutler was elected Lieut. Governor of Rhode Island in 1872, serving one term. He was a member of the Warren Town Council for a number of years, part of the time President of that body, and was one of the most prominent and influential men of the town.
W. S. Bosworth .- Iron Founder. Machinery castings of all kinds. Business established in November, 1900. Originally began the foun- dry business in 1892 in the building formerly occupied as a machine shop and brass foundry by his father, on the old homestead estate, about two miles out of the village, which was des- troyed by fire in August, 1892. The present foundry is located on Cutler street, in the vil- lage of Warren, R. I., where about 17 work- men are employed. Walter S. Bosworth, the proprietor of the business, was born in the town of Warren, R. I., January 10, 1851. He learned the trade of a machinist and brass molder in his father's shop, and after completing his trade he afterward worked as a journeyman for the Provi- dence Tool Co., of Providence, now the House- hold Sewing Machine Co. After leaving this place he worked in James Brown's machine shop of Pawtucket, R. I., where he remained about four years. He then went back to his native town to work for the Warren Machine Co., and after about a year and a half the plant was destroyed by fire, and he then began the manufacture of wrought iron hardware for the Boston market, which he followed until he went into the foundry business in 1892. The cast- ings made by Mr. Bosworth are said to be as perfect as any made in the State.
Parker Mills, No. 2 .- Manufacturers of fine cotton goods. Mill located in Warren, R. I.,
Parker Mills, No. 2, Warren, R. I.
which was built in 1899, by the Parker Mills corporation of Fall River, Mass., which was incorporated in 1895, with a capitalization of $800,000. Their Fall River mill was erected in 1896, and contains 48,968 spindles, and their
211
AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
Warren mill contains 41,344 spindles, 400 hands being employed in their Rhode Island mill. Officers: Leontine Lincoln, President; Seth A. Borden, Treasurer. Mill run entirely by a steam plant. A modern mill in every respect, and a great help to the town of Warren.
Howland & Wheaton Co .- Manufacturers of cotton handkerchiefs. Business established and incorporated in 1898. Capitalized for $10,000. Factory located corner Main and Broad streets, Warren, R. I. Employ 50 hands. Officers: Albert L. Calder, 2d, President; Henry P. Howland, Treasurer and Manager. Mr. Howland was at the R. I. Bleach & Dye Works, Providence, R. I., for about eleven years before beginning the manu- facture of handkerchiefs. The factory is equipped with modern machinery, and their production is
C. E. & F. E. Sullaway .- Manufacturers of all kinds of button findings, including seamless balls of all shapes, levers, etc. Also manu- facture collar buttons in rolled gold and electro plate. Business established in 1898 as Colvin & Sullaway, and in 1899 F. E. Sullaway became a partner in the place of Mr. Colvin, when the firm name was changed to C. E. & F. E. Sull- away. F. E. Sullaway died in November, 1900, and Charles E. Sullaway became the sole pro- prietor. He is a native of Providence, where he was born January 24, 1854. He learned the jewelry findings business of the George H. Ful- ler & Son Co. of Pawtucket, where he worked for twenty-three years. He then became fore- man for D. A. White & Co., of Attleboro, Mass., where he remained for two years and then be-
Plant of the Howland & Wheaton Co., Warren, R. I.
as fine a line of goods as are produced in New England. A part of the factory was built some fifty years ago, and was used as a jewelry manu- factory for a few years, the name of the firm be- ing Smith, Dean & Eddy. Along about 1880 the factory was enlarged and occupied by the Inman Mfg. Co., manufacturers of shoe strings. The Howland & Wheaton Co. purchased the factory in 1898 and established their present business. Messrs. Howland & Wheaton are young men of marked business ability, and their management of the affairs of the corporation has made the business a great credit to the town of Warren. The factory is supplied with power by a complete modern steam plant. A part of the lower floor is leased for a machine shop and printing office.
gan business in Providence on his own account, His present plant is located at 157 Orange street, Providence.
William H. Sheldon Estate. - Manufacturer of wooden boxes and builders' materials. Works located in Pascoag, R. I. One of the most ex- tensive wood working shops and planing mills in the State. The business has been under the management of Mr. Manning Wood since the death of Mr. Sheldon.
American Pickling Co. - Manufacturers of pickles, ketchup, mustards, etc. Business estab- lished by John B. Trottier and Stanislaus Four- nier. Office and packing rooms 12 to 22 Lons- dale avenue, Providence. Mill at 12 Beverly street. Also carry on the baking business at 4 Dike street.
vas of in eir
11
212
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
J. W. Grant Chain Co. - Manufacturers of rolled gold chains, and sterling silver bracelets and ladies' chain. Business established in July, 1872, by J. W. Grant & Co. Works located at 25 Calender street, Providence. Incorporated in May, 1900. Capitalized for $10,000. Officers : Joseph W. Grant, Treasurer; Everett Cross- man, Secretary. Joseph W. Grant, who estab- lished the business, is one of the veteran jewelry manufacturers of the city of Providence. He was born in Cumberland, R. I., August 10, 1833. He began the trade that he has followed through life in 1855. He first went to work for J. H. Sturdy & Co., of Wrentham, Mass., where he remained about three years. He then was em- ployed by Paul & Fairbanks, jewelry manufacturers of Newburyport, Mass., where he remained one year; then located in Central Falls, R. I., in the employ of Thurber & Moies for a few months. This was in 1862. He left the jewelry business and enlisted in the 12th Rhode Island Regiment, serving at the front ten months. Returning home he was employed by H. F. Barrows & Co., of North Attleboro, and later by Robinson & Co., of South Attleboro, Mass., where he re- mained two years. He next served two years with the Whiting Mfg. Co., of North Attleboro, and with H. F. Barrows & Co. again for three years. He then was employed for a few months by Draper, Pate & Bailey, of North Attleboro, after which he located in Providence, where he worked for A. O. Baker and Payton & Hawkins for about two years, which brought his working career up to 1872, when he concluded he would manufacture on his own account, and the firm of J. W. Grant & Co. was organized and carried along under that name until the incorporation of the business in 1900 as the J. W. Grant Chain Co.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.