USA > Rhode Island > Biographical history of the manufacturers and business men of Rhode Island, at the opening of the twentieth century > Part 28
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L. Vaughn & Co .- Manufacturers of all kinds of building materials in wood, including doors, sash, blinds, etc, Business established about
1850 as a carpenter shop by Lorenzo Vaughn, who is a native of the town of East Greenwich, R. I., where he was born March 2, 1827. His planing mill is located at 1153 Westminster street, Providence. Employ about 40 hands. Power for the plant is supplied by a 20-horse power Cruickshank engine.
Builders Iron Foundry .- Manufacturers of all kinds of iron castings, water metres, architec- tural iron work, and do contract work for the government in the manufacture of coast defence guns, etc. Business established in 1822. In- corporated in 1853. Officers : Zachariah Chafee, President; R. Austin Robertson, Treasurer. The works are located on Codding street, and are one of the oldest concerns of its kind in the city, as well as one of the largest. During the past seventy- five years they have filled large contracts for the government, about the last of which was the making of a large num- ber of mortars for coast defence, which were counted as perfect in the line of heavy ord- nance as any that have ever been made. The gun carriages and the full equipment were also made by this concern. For a time the Rice & Sargent engines were made in these works. The foundry and machine shop are equipped with all kinds of machinery and appliances for doing nearly every kind of metal work.
John F. Brady.
Diamond Machine Co .- Manufacturers of ma- chinery for operating emery wheels. Their pro- ducts are manufactured at the Builders Iron Foun- dry, on Coddington street, Providence. Business formerly located on Atwell's avenue. John A. Cross is treasurer of the company. Incorporated.
George W. Dickinson. - Top roll coverer. Business established in November, 1869. Works located at 44 Borden street, Providence. George W. Dickinson was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in October, 1842.
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AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
Bradney Novelty Co .- Manufacturers of nov- elties in scarf pins, brooches, and a general line of rolled gold and electro-plated goods. Works located at 117 Point street, Providence. Arthur J. Myers, the proprietor, was born in Litchfield, England, May 11, 1851, he began manufactur- ing jewelers' findings in South Providence in 1885, in which line he continued for about five
manufacturing business, assisted by Mrs. Myers He established the business of the Bradney Novelty Co. in 1898, and his trade has gradually increased until now he employs about 25 hands in his establishment.
The Empire Rubber Shoe Co .- Manufacturers of rubber shoes. The present business was in- corporated in June, 1901. Capitalized for
Plating Works of John F. Brady, Corner Friendship and Garnet Streets, Providence.
years. For a number of years Mr. Myers was a regular Minister of the Gospel in the Primitive Methodist Church, during which time he gave up the manufacturing business. He is at pres- ent pastor of a church just outside of the city of Providence. He is also a deacon in the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, and does a great deal of church work, at the same time attending to his
$50,000. Factory located on Oak street, Woon- socket, R. I. Employ 140 hands. Officers : Herman Clarke, President; C. V. N. Radclife, Treasurer; Charles P. Russell, Secretary. The building was erected by the Model Rubber Co. in 1899, and is a substantial wooden structure, well equipped with modern rubber-working machinery.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
Fuller Iron Works. - Manufacturers of iron castings, water works specials, steam and gas flanged pipe and fittings, and general machinery castings. Business established in 1840. Works located on South Main, Tockwotton, Pike and Benefit streets, Providence. Incorporated in 1894. Capitalized for $100,000. Employ 100 hands. Officers: Frederic Fuller, President ; Frederic H. Fuller, Vice-President; H. Clinton Fuller, Secretary and Treasurer.
Frederic Fuller, the President of the com-
that time it was considered one of the most im- portant foundries in this section and of New England, and the fact that upon the introduc- tion of water into the city of Boston, many of the large water mains of the Boston water works were cast here at Frederick Fuller's foundry, is evidence that the foundry was equipped for doing the heaviest of work that was required at that time. Mr. Fuller carried on the business in his own name until his death in 1865. His sons, Frederic and George Fuller, became his natural successors and they adopted the name of Fuller Iron Works, which name has
Machine Shop of the Fuller Iron Works, Providence.
pany, was born in Easton, Mass., March 8, 1825. He came with his parents to Cranston, R. I., where his father, Frederick Fuller, began the foundry business at the Cranston ore beds in 1833, making nearly all of the castings for the Spragues' and the other mills of the Pawtuxet valley of that period. In 1840 Frederick Fuller purchased the wooden buildings which were erected by the Fox Point Foundry Co. upon the site of the present plant. The builders of the foundry never completed nor operated it, but sold the property to Mr. Fuller, who imme- diately equipped the same and began business on quite an extensive scale for those days. At
been retained ever since. The business was carried along as a firm until the death of George Fuller in 1894, the company then being incor- porated, Mr. Frederic Fuller's two sons enter- ing as members of the corporation at that time.
In 1869 the three story brick building was erected, along with other improvements, and the steel and glass machine shop was built in ' 1893, the dimensions being 90 by 220 feet, the object of this steel structure with glass upon three sides being to provide perfectly diffused light through the heavy ribbed glass that was used. This was the first steel structure of its kind erected in the city of Providence. It is probably the best lighted machine shop in the
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AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
country. The latest addition to the works is the foundry building, which replaces the origi- nal wooden structure, and was erected during the present year of 1901. It is of the same steel and glass construction as the machine shop, consisting of two sections 50 and 40 feet wide by 100 feet in length and together with the connecting buildings gives an area of about 18,000 square feet for foundry purposes.
Mr. Frederic H. Fuller, the Vice-President of the company, is a native of Providence where he was born in May, 1847. He has charge of his father's brass foundry, which is located at the corner of South Main and Tockwotton
In 1896 Mr. Fuller built the Fuller Building at the corner of Sabin and West Exchange streets, one of the most substantial business blocks of the city, and in other ways he has shown his enterprise and public spirit. The first use that this new building was put to was for an Industrial Exposition that was planned and developed by the Providence Board of Trade as a means of displaying many of the manufactured products of the State for the in- spection of the Mexican, Central and South American delegates who were making a tour of the country on the invitation of the Philadel- phia Commercial Museum. A reception was
Office and Foundry of the Fuller Iron Works, Providence.
streets, Providence, which was established by Frederic Fuller in 1859.
Mr. R. Clinton Fuller, the Secretary and Treasurer of the company, is a native of Provi- dence where he was born in October, 1856. He was educated in Providence, and after leaving school entered the employ of the company, ac- quiring a complete knowledge of the various de- partments of the business. He is at present the manager of the works.
Mr. Frederic Fuller, the President of the com- pany, has made the Fuller Iron Works as well known as any similar concern in the State, gradually enlarging the plant to meet the in- crease of trade.
tendered them upon their arrival the 17th of June, at which Governor Elisha Dyer made the address of welcome. The exhibition was very complete, filling nearly the entire building.
Frederic Fuller Bell and Brass Foundry .- Manufacturer of church, school, factory and fire alarm bells, heavy brass and bronze castings of every description, composition rolls for calen- ders and paper machinery. Works located at the corner of South Main and Tockwotton streets, Providence. Business established by Mr. Fuller in 1859. Many of the mills through- out the State, as well as churches and Fire De- partment of the city of Providence, are sup- plied with bells from this foundry.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
The Towel Rack and Novelty Mfg. Co .- Manu- facturers of towel racks and novelties in wood and metal. Business established in 1875 by
Charles A. Brickley.
Chas. A. Brickley. He began manufacturing towel racks on South Main street after leav- ing school, and later removed to Aborn street, remaining there about five years. Increase of business compelled him to enlarge his facilities, which he did by erecting a large plant at Auburn, R. I., in 1890. He manufactures a variety of styles in wood and metal towel racks. His goods are extensively used throughout the United States and export trade is carried on through the New York office, 30 Warren street. The business has been managed under the supervision of Mr. Brickley, who has made the enterprise successful, having received several medals on his designs.
Greenwich Bleachery .- Bleachers, dyers and printers. Business originally established about 1840 by the East Greenwich Mfg. Co., and known as the "Green's Dale Bleachery." A Mr. Thornley operated the plant for some time, and afterwards the works came into the posses- sion of George J. Adams, who converted the bleachery into a print works for printing de- laines, which were the first goods of this kind printed in the United States. They proved the most beautiful article for dress goods that were
put upon the market, and the tickets upon the cloth being printed in French, purchasers be- lieved they were buying foreign fabrics. The printing was done with wooden blocks by Scotch and English workmen. Later he began printing calico, which was successful until 1850, when the entire plant was destroyed by fire. The owners rebuilt the works, and Mr. Adams began "Blue Printing," which he continued until 1853; the firm of Adams & Butterworth was formed in the latter year, and they carried on the business of "Madder Printing" until 1856. Then Mr. Butterworth operated the business alone until 1858, when fire again destroyed the works. The owners again rebuilt the works, and leased them to Theodore Schroeder, who operated them until 1862. Since 1862 the print works were operated by Adams & Butterworth, and after others tried to carry on the business, the plant finally came into the possession of Peter Corr, of Taunton, Mass., an extensive tex- tile manufacturer, who is the present owner, or at least he controls the business. East Green- wich was at one time noted for its manufac- tures, but at present there is very little done in that line. The print works are located on Mas- kerchugg brook, at the south end of the village. This stream provides very pure water for bleaching purposes, but the plant is operated mostly by steam.
Whittle Dye Works .- Dyeing and finishing of cotton goods. Business established by W. E. Whittle in 1896. Incorporated in 1899. Capitalized for $20,000. Works located at Bell- fonte, town of Cranston, R. I., formerly known as the "Turkey Red" establishment. Employ 125 hands. Officers: W. E. Whittle, President ; T. P. Hines, Treasurer; R. L. Paine, Secretary.
Centredale Worsted Mills .- Manufacturers of worsted yarns. Incorporated in 1891. Capital- ized for $100,000. Employ 250 hands. Mills located at Centredale, R. I. The company also operate another mill farther up the stream, at Stillwater, R. I. Officers: William A. Mackie, President ; James Lister, Jr., Treasurer; William Dracup, Secretary. The first mill built at Centredale is said to be along about 1820.
Crompton & Knowles Loom Works .- Manufac- turers of plain and fancy looms, jacquards, dob- bies, and warp stop motions. Headquarters in Worcester, Mass. Providence works, corner of Acorn street and Harris avenue.
AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
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D. Goff & Sons .- Manufacturers of braids and plushes. Business established in 1861. Works located on the Blackstone River at Pawtucket Falls, and is one of the most ex- tensive textile plants in the State. Incor- porated in 1884. Darius L. Goff, President and Treasurer, who is a native of Rehoboth, Mass., where he was born in the village of that name March 20, 1840. He graduated from Brown University in 1862. The business under the name of D. Goff & Sons was begun in the old Stone Mill, situated on the east bank of the Blackstone River, just above the Falls, which was erected in 1813. This was in 1864. Busi- ness increased rapidly, and another mill was built just south of the old mill. In 1877 Darius
but his son, Darius L., has seconded his father's efforts ever since the beginning of the business, and since his father's death in 1891 he has had the sole management of the concern. He is President and Treasurer of the Bridge Mill Power Co., which was incorporated in 1897, and is prominently connected with a number of other enterprises.
Nottingham Mill .- Manufacture cotton goods. Business established in 1826. The oldest steam cotton mill in New England. It was first known as the Providence Steam Mill, under which name it continued to do business until 1863. It was then changed to the Nottingham Mills, and later to the Wauregan Mills. B. B. & R. Knight became the managers of the mill in
BRAIDS
AND PLUSHES
1. Photo Zna Ca Aran # 1
Plant of D. Goff & Sons, Pawtucket, R. I.
L. Goff originated the idea of putting up braids on rolls and fastening the ends with wire clasps. This patented method became a great success. The Goff braids have been in com- mon use throughout the United States and other countries for many years, being almost a household necessity for binding the skirts of dresses, coats, etc. In 1881 the company began the manufacture of mohair plush for car seats, furniture, etc., which is equal in every respect to the best foreign productions. These two productions are among the leaders of the manufactured goods of the State. Lyman B., youngest son of Darius Goff, was admitted to the firm in 1872, and became Vice-President upon its incorporation. Darius Goff was the prime mover in the establishment of the enterprise,
August, 1899, and the following year the name was again changed to Nottingham Mill, and in January, 1901, they became the owners of the property, putting in new machinery and enlarg- ing the plant, making it a modern mill so far as equipment is concerned. The mill is located at the junction of Eddy and Dyer streets, Provi- dence, the rear of the mill bordering on the harbor front. Employ 250 hands. Power for the plant is supplied by a Harris-Corliss cross- compound and a Geo. H. Corliss engine, of 600 horse power. The old original engine was of the walking beam type, but it was not the first engine used in thecity. The second engine was put in by what is now known as the Providence Dye- ing, Bleaching and Calendering Co., a cut of which is shown in this book in connection with that company's business record.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
The Union Wadding Co .- One of the oldest of Pawtucket's industries was established in 1847 by Darius Goff. In 1859 Mr. Goff associated himself with John D. Cranston and Stephen Brownell under the firm name of Goff, Cranston & Brownell, for carrying on the business of buying and selling cotton and cotton waste, and to the members of this firm and Henry A. Stearns he disposed of three-quarters of his holdings in the Union Wadding Co. In 1870 the company was incorporated with a capital of $200,000, which was soon after in- creased to $300,- 000. In 1880 The Union Wadding Co. purchased the business and assets of Goff, Cranston & Brownell, and the stock holdings of Messrs. Cran- ston and Brownell - were purchased by Mr. Goff and his son, Lyman. Mr. Goff was President of the company from 1870 until his death in 1891, when he was succeeded by his son, Lyman B. Goff, who had been Treasurer since 1880.
Lyman B. Goff was born in Reho- both, Mass., Oct. 19, 1841, and re- moved with his parents to Paw- tucket in 1847. He received his elementary and preparatory education in the Grammar and High schools of Pawtucket and was graduated from Brown University with the class of 1862. He entered the military service at Fort Aber- crombie, Dakota, at the outbreak of the Sioux war of 1862, and remained in the service until the close of that war. Upon his return to Paw- tucket he was salesman for D. Goff & Son and continued in this employment until 1872, when he was admitted to the firm, the name then be-
Lyman B. Goff.
ing changed to D. Goff & Sons, which was in- corporated in 1884. In 1880 he was elected Treasurer of the Union Wadding Co. and al- though retaining his interest in D. Goff & Sons, he devoted all of his time and energies to the business of the Union Wadding Co. Soon after the merging of the two concerns, Goff, Cranston & Brownell and the Union Wadding Co., the wadding part of the business began to fall off, and from that time to the present it has not kept pace with the increase of population. Many concerns have attempted its manufacture, but have been obliged to stop on account of the limited de- mand for the goods, substitutes of all kinds having to a large extent taken the place of wad- ding. But the num- erous mills starting up so rapidly all over the country gave an impetus to the waste busi- ness and the new management, see- ing an opportunity to largely increase that department of its business, pur- chased, in 1887, the Riverside Mills of Augusta, Ga., which company at that time was large- ly engaged in the waste business as well as the manufacture of cotton batting. For this purpose the capital of the Union Wadding Co., which had several times been increased to meet the growing demands, was again in- creased, the present capitalization being $1,500,000. This company, at its mills in Augusta and Pawtucket, do the largest waste business in this country, if not in the world, and it is also the largest manufacturing establish- ment of cotton batting. The present officers are: Lyman B. Goff, President; Henry A.
REFEREELEASE
111
The Union Wadding Co. Plant, Pawtucket, R. I.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
A. Stearns, Vice-President; Geo. M. Thornton, Treasurer. Mr. Goff is President of the Excel- sior Quilting Co. of New York with its branch in Chicago, and is President of the Pawtucket Hair Cloth Co. He is Vice-President of D. Goff & Sons, also of the Bridge Mill Power Co., a corporation formed by his brother Darius L. and himself, to handle in corporate form the multiplied estate of Darius Goff, deceased, and to develop the water power on the west side of the Pawtucket river at its lower falls.
This company built the electric power station, which property was afterwards sold to the Paw- tucket Electric Co., the Bridge Mill Power Co.
Cohankus Mfg. Co. of Paducah, Ky., and in the R. I. Hospital Trust of Providence, and the Pawtucket Branch of the Industrial Trust Co. He was representative from Pawtucket to the Gen- eral Assembly in 1888, and a presidential elec- tor the same year. He declined the Republi- can nomination for Lieut .- Governor of this State in 1891. He was a national commissioner to the World's Columbian Exposition at Chi- cago in 1893, and was President of the Paw- tucket Business Men's Association for five suc- cessive years from 1893. He was an active member of the R. I. militia with the rank of of Lieut .- Colonel, and commanded the battalion
BROAD STREET POWERICO
A.E.TENNEY MFG. CO.
GO.W. PAYNE
George W. Payne & Co. Works, Pawtucket, R. I.
retaining a one-half interest. Mr. Goff is also Vice-President of the American Textile Co. of Pawtucket, a corporation organized in 1890 by Hezekiah Conant and Mr. Goff, together with D. L. Goff, Samuel Conant, and Geo. M. Thorn- ton, for the manufacture of fine laces in cotton and silk. He is Vice-President of the Paw- tucket Street Railway Co., and one of the Vice- Presidents of the Home Market Club and the National Association of Manufacturers. He is a director in all of the above named companies and in the Royal Weaving Co. of Pawtucket, the Dominion Wadding Co. of Montreal, Canada, the Riverside Mills of Augusta, Ga., and the
of light artillery until it was disbanded under a revision of the militia law of the State. In 1890 he organized a boys' club for the elevation and advancement of the working and newsboys of Pawtucket, and in 1901 he purchased the Morton estate on East avenue and erected a fine building 186 feet in length and 51 feet in width, four stories in height, equipping it with a large swimming tank, numerous shower baths and dining rooms, three bowling alleys, gymnasium and a large auditorium, reading, play, class and other rooms. Mr. Goff erected this building as a memorial to his son, Lyman Thornton Goff, who died in June, 1900,
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AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
and deeded it to the Pawtucket Boys' Club. Mr. Goff is forceful, energetic and progres- sive in his ideas and purposes, and succeeds to
Robert Linton.
the prestige of his father in carrying forward the greatly enlarged undertakings he had estab- lished, while originating and establishing new and diversified industries which give prosperity and success to Pawtucket beyond other manu- facturing centres.
He was married on Dec. 14, 1884, to Almira Wheaton, daughter of Jesse Smith and Eliza- beth Viall (Merry) Thornton of Pawtucket. Their children were Lyman Thornton, (died June 8, 1900), and Elizabeth Lee.
George W. Payne & Co .- Manufacturers of cotton and woolen machinery, their specialties being spoolers, hosiery winders and quillers. Business established in 1865 by Holmes & Payne. After one year Mr. Holmes sold his interest to George W. Payne, and then Thomas A. Mathewson was admitted and the firm name became Payne & Mathewson, and later Mr. George M. Fanning became a member of the firm. the business being carried along under this name for fourteen years. Upon Mr. Mathewson's death the firm name then became George W. Payne & Co. The first shop was located on the west bank of the Blackstone River, between the Falls and the upper dam, where the mills of the Littlefield Manufactur- ing Co. are now located. After two years a
larger shop was occupied near the old Grist Mill Privilege, below the Falls, where the busi- ness was carried on for fourteen years. Then rooms were secured in the Payne & Taylor Building on East avenue. In February, 1883, the firm removed to their present location in the building owned by the Broad Street Power Co., at 106 Broad street, Pawtucket. The works now cover an area of 150 by 50 feet, and an ell 50 by 30 feet. Employ about 40 men. Mr. Payne, after leaving school, went to work for Payne & Taylor, where he remained for two years in their engraving shop. After this he served three years to learn the carpentering business with Andrew R. Slade. Here he re- mained until 1865, when the first partnership was formed that brought out the successful business that followed. He is a native of Paw- tucket, where he was born in June, 1843. George M. Fanning was born in East Green- wich, R. I., in 1842. Mr. Fanning served his apprenticeship with Cottrell & Babcock, of Westerly, and Fales & Jenks, of Pawtucket, and afterward began business on his own ac- count, and then entered the firm of George W. Payne & Co. in 1870.
Hope Paper Company .- Manufacturers of card board, glazed and lithograph papers. Business established July 11, 1901, by Eliza- beth Linton, who is the sole proprietor. Rob- ert Linton, Manager. Office and factory located at 296 Brook street, Pawtucket, R. I. Robert Linton, who has the full charge of the plant, was born in Paisley, Scotland, and came to America in 1853. His knowledge of the manufacture of card board, glazed and litho- graph papers is complete, and his long experi- ence in this line of manufacture has enabled him to acquire a system that few paper manu- facturers of this country possess. His produc- tions have been sold among the leading lithog- raphers and printers of the United States, and they have given universal satisfaction. Modern printing, both in lithograph and half-tone work, requires a paper with a surface that is perfect and made specially for fine ha'r line effects, and the products of the Hope paper mills meet these requirements. The works are substantial structures, modern in every respect, and well equipped with the latest paper making machinery. Power for the works is supplied by a Greene steam engine of 125 horse power. and the entire plant is lighted by electricity.
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