USA > Rhode Island > Biographical history of the manufacturers and business men of Rhode Island, at the opening of the twentieth century > Part 3
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Frank S. Manton.
vessels of our modern navy with the "Provi- dence " windlasses, capstans, winches and the other appliances made by this company that are necessary to the complete equipment of up-to- date men-of-war ; that the great majority of first-class steamers and sailing vessels of this country are making use of the machines of this company's manufacture, and that the superiority of their manufactures has given them so great a reputation as to create an increased demand in foreign countries. This is the result of the energy displayed by Mr. Manton in his manage- ment of the affairs of the company during the past twenty-five years. About ten years ago the Shaw and Spiegel patent automatic steam towing machine was brought out, and it fell to Mr. Manton's lot to introduce this new in- vention that was to revolutionize the sys- tem of towing. These machines are now a part of the regular business of the com- pany and they form one of the most im- portant departments. These towing machines are so constructed as to make it impossible for a vessel being towed to break away under stress of weather; it matters not how severe the storm, for the cable pays out and is taken in automatic- ally, according to the strain that may be caused by the heavy seas or the wind, or the slack that comes when the strain ceases, thereby equaliz- ing the strain upon the hawser and making it perfectly secure under all conditions. These machines are now in use by the leading towing companies of this country and the demand is constantly increasing. The plant where these productions are made is one of the largest in the city, and it is supplied with one of the most perfect power plants in New England. There is no industry in the State that is more of a credit to the manufacturing progress that the
25
AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
State has made during the century just closed than the business carried on by the American
Ship Windlass Co. Mr. Manton is a native of
which is equipped with a powerful electric travelling crane which handles with ease the heavy castings used in their productions.
AMERICAN SHIP WINDLASS CO.
WINDLASSES & CAPSTANS
.
Works of the American Ship Windlass Co., Cor. Waterman and East River Sts., Providence.
-
Setting-Up Department of the American Ship Windlass Co.
the city of Providence, having been born here February 28, 1838. The accompanying cuts give a good idea of the extent of the works. The cut of the interior shows one of the most complete setting-up rooms of the city,
This manufacturing concern, under Mr. Man- ton's management, has become one of the most important of any in the State of Rhode Island and one that has aided in giving her a world- wide reputation as a manufacturing State.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
Rumford Chemical Works. - Manufacturers of culinary and medicinal preparations of the phosphates including Rumford Baking Powder, Horsford's Bread Preparation, Rumford Yeast Powder, Horsford's Acid Phosphate, etc., and other special chemicals. The business was established in 1854 by George F. Wilson and Professor E. N. Horsford. In 1859 the company was incorporated as the Rumford Chemical Works, the name being given to the works and village where one of its plants is located, in honor of Count Rumford, the emi-
At the time of the beginning of the manufac- ture of the phosphatic products referred to, under the patents of Professor Horsford, the only virtue of any baking powder, yeast or other preparation for the raising of bread, was its power to make the dough light, none of them contributing anything of nutritious value. Professor Horsford's object was to produce a powder that would not only raise the dough, but also supply the nutritious elements so essential to the healthy condition of the human body, which are removed from fine white flour during
CONANT BOSTON
RUMFORD CHEMICAL WORKS. Main Offices, Packing and Printing Departments, Providence, R. I.
nent authority on the means of supplying nutri- tious food, who had founded at Harvard Univer- sity a professorship for the purpose of teaching the utility of science, a chair which was occu- pied by Professor Horsford from 1847 to 1863.
In addition to the manufacturing plant, there are also located at Rumford, the company's box shop for making the boxes used in its business, its carpenter shop, machine shop, cooper shop, harness shop, etc .; also a library established and endowed by the company for the free use of its employes, and one of its laboratories. The vil- lage is composed largely of houses occupied or owned by its employes.
the process of bolting. How well the Professor succeeded in accomplishing his object is shown by the statement of the late Baron Liebig of Germany, one of the leading chemists of his time, who, in commenting upon this preparation, said : "I consider this invention as one of the most useful gifts which science has made to mankind. It is certain that the nutri- tive value of flour will be increased ten per cent. by this phosphatic preparation."
The output of the works annually is sufficient to raise more than 150,000,000 pounds of flour.
Horsford's Acid Phosphate is a liquid prepar- ation of the phosphates in a form easily assimi-
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AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
lated by the system. It is prescribed by physi- cians in nearly every part of the world for dis- orders of the nervous and digestive organs.
The main offices, packing, shipping, printing, and binding departments for producing labels, circulars and pamphlets, etc., used in the busi- ness of the company, one of its laboratories and other departments, occupy the company's build- ing, covering an entire square in the city of Providence, R. I. The Rumford Chemical Woks has its branches and agencies in the prin- cipal cities of the United States ; also its repre- sentatives in most foreign countries where its products are well and favorably known.
add to the attractiveness of the town which en- joys so favorable a location to the city of Provi- dence. The village is situated upon a level tract of land containing several hundred acres, the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad passing through the centre of this tract, the Chemical Works being connected by a spur track. Electric lines connect the place with the city of Providence, and every convenience is afforded the occupants of the village in the way of education, by both schools and churches. The highways are kept neat and attractive, and the many residences that have been built here by people doing business in Providence, add
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RUMFORD CHEMICAL WORKS. Principal Manufacturing Plant Located at Rumford, R. I.
The State of Rhode Island is noted for its at- tractive villages, which are in most cases built up and supported by one or more manufactur- ing establishments, which include Bristol, War- ren, Wakefield, Peace Dale, Westerly, Wick- ford, Pascoag, and many more, varying in size from a mere hamlet to a village approaching city proportions. But of all these attractive places there are none of them that surpass in many re- spects the village of Rumford, where a part of the plant of the Rumford Chemical Works is located, and which is named in honor of the establishment that gives the principal support to the place, and makes it possible for the peo- ple to build pleasant homes for themselves, and
materially to the attractiveness of the place that the employes of the Rumford Chemical Works have been largely instrumental in build- ing up by the cottages that they have erected round about the works, and which they are now the owners of in most instances.
What Cheer Wire Works .- Manufacturers of wire goods, including bank and office railings, brass, iron and galvanized cloth, steel wire cloth for coal burning locomotives, wire window screens, tree guards, coal screens, etc. Busi- ness established in 1882. Works and office at 157 Dorrance street, Providence. John J. Bishop, the proprietor of the business, is a native of New York city.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
U. S. Gutta Percha Paint Co. - The manu- facturing industries of Providence are larger and more varied, as we believe, than most
J. William Rice.
people are aware of. Buyers in this market of almost any line of goods can supply their wants at home readily and more satisfactorily, so far as quality and price go, than in almost any other market. This certainly is true of paints, for in addition to dealers, some of whom have done business here for years, manufacturers have grown up in our midst who are com- manding a good deal of attention both at home and abroad.
Mr. J. William Rice commenced business in Providence early in 1861 as a dealer in chemi- cals, dye-stuffs and paints, and has been actively engaged in the same ever since. In 1886 he be- gan manufacturing paints, and adopted the name of the U. S. Gutta Percha Paint Co., in- stead of his own name, as he might very prop- erly have done.
Mr. Rice is a native Rhode Islander, and easily traces his ancestry back to about 1650. He is of the seventh generation from Captain John Rice, who located in the town of Warwick at the above date. His son, Herbert W. Rice, is associated with him and is secretary of the company. Both father and son are actively en- gaged in the business, and it is a pleasure to re-
cord the fact that it has steadily grown from the first, and now is one of the largest concerns of the kind in New England. The premises now occupied comprise the whole of a four story building 125 feet long, 40 feet wide and is located at 18 to 34 Mathewson street, in one of the most thriving business centres of Provi- dence. The office, salesroom and factory are all conveniently located under one cover, thus enabling close attention to and economical handling of their large interests.
The first product made by this company was a prepared paint, the Gutta Percha Paint, and on account of its peculiar properties, it easily won the enviable reputation of being the best that has ever been put upon the market. Not satisfied with the success attending the sale of this product, the concern several years since entered upon the manufacture of white lead, painters' colors in oil and materials of all kinds, together with many specialties in paints, which few if any other companies are able to make. Our readers will understand that it is possible to purchase at wholesale or retail at the office and salesroom of the company, 34 Mathewson street, everything desirable in paints at prices
Herbert W. Rice.
which cannot fail to command attention. In the production of the various kinds of paints and goods that are used in this line of business, Mr. Rice has
AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
29
developed one of the most progressive manufac- turing plants in the State, and these goods are not only sold all over the United States, but ex- tensively in foreign countries as well.
While very busy with his own affairs, Mr. Rice has found time to do good service for the city as a member of the School Committee, but further than this he has refused to accept pub- lic office of any kind, although he has been re- quested to do so on many occasions. While a member of the School Committee, he intro- duced a system for teaching music in the public schools that has proven more effective than any other system that has ever been adopted, and
which is held every Sunday in the vestry of the Beneficent Congregational Church of Provi- dence, as a part of the church work. The school was established in 1876 by Rev. J. P. Root, who was its first Superintendent. Some time after Mr. Root's death Mr. Rice became Superintendent of the school, and its members have been under his watchful care ever since. Possessing great executive ability he has organ- ized a school that has interested these China- men and other foreigners, and they are kept to- gether in a common desire to learn the English language and the customs of American institu- tions, so that they may be fully qualified to
RICES CROWN GERMAN WHITE LEAD
ENAMELS AND MACHINE PAINTS
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SALESROOM
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Works of the U. S. Gutta Percha Paint Co., 18 to 34 Mathewson Street, Providence.
his labors in developing a system of drawing in the schools were equally well appreciated, for the system is now in vogue, and the ordinary pupil is enabled to get a good idea of drawing and designing far beyond anything that he could have learned before this system was adopted. He served as a member of the committee for a term of years.
The most striking work that Mr. Rice has done in the educational field, which may be said to be in the line of philanthropy, is his labors in behalf of the Chinamen, Armenians, Syrians, and Greeks of our city, who are members of a Sunday School to the number of about 125,
make good American citizens in the best sense of the term and at the same time improve their spiritual condition. The Chinamen of the city and other representatives from Asia all look up to Mr. Rice as an adviser, friend and champion, and that his work has been successful is shown by the high standard of these foreigners in Providence. Mr. Rice was Superintendent of the regular church Sunday School for twenty- one years before becoming Superintendent of the Chinese school. There are a great number of teachers, in some cases there is one teacher for each pupil. No city in the Union has done more for its foreign population from Asia than
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
the City of Providence has through this Sunday School which is under Mr. Rice's care. Mr. Rice is Treasurer of the Congregational Home Missionary Society of Rhode Island, and a di- rector of the Congregational Home Missionary Society, which is a national organization with headquarters in New York city.
Franklin Machine Co. - The first business es- tablished on this site is said to have been for the carding of wool some years prior to 1800. Along about 1812 the principal iron foundry of the city was operated by David Wilkinson in this location, and the waters of the Moshassuck river were utilized for the operating of the bel- lows for the blast furnaces. If the business
Moshassuck river, and contains between six and seven acres of land, a great part of which is covered by its various shops and foundries, which have been added to from time to time during the century, as its increasing business demanded more extended facilities. For many years the Moshassuck river furnished part of the power for the works, but now it is supplied by an extensive steam plant. There are up- wards of 350 hands employed, when the works are operated to their full extent. The long and honorable life of this corporation is a magnifi- cent testimonial to the uprightness of its finan- cial and mechanical operations. Officers : John K. H. Nightingale, President ; Edgar G. Dur- fee, Secretary and Treasurer.
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Works of the Franklin Machine Co., Charles Street, North End, Providence.
was not at that time carried on under the name of the Franklin Furnace Co., it was soon after ; was incorporated in 1836 as the Franklin Foun- dry and Machine Co., and reincorporated in 1886 as the Franklin Machine Co., with a capi- talization of $120,000. The principal business of the company has been, from the beginning, the manufacture of cotton-mill machinery, power-transmission machinery, special machin- ery, and iron castings, and the value of its pro- duction in these lines has been many millions of dollars. The location of the corporation is now, as always, at what is known as the North End in the city of Providence, fronting on Charles street, bounded by Nichols street on the north, and on the east and south by the
Ballou Yarn Co .- Manufacturers of machine threads, gassed yarns, and specialties. Busi- ness established in 1900 and incorporated the same year. Capitalized for $50,000. Officers : George B. Morison, President ; Edward R. Bal- lou, Treasurer and Manager; Lawrence Bond, Secretary. Works located in the Franklin Machine Co. Building at 189 Charles street, Providence. Employ about 75 hands. Mr. Ballou, the Manager of the business, is a native of Providence, where he was born in Janu- ary, 1870.
Schwarzkopf & Solinger. - Manufacturers of rolled plate and electro-plated jewelry, including brooches, scarf-pins, rings, etc. Business estab- lished in 1898 at 100 Stewart street, their pres- ent location being 9 Calender street, Providence. The members of the firm are Jacob Schwarzkopf and Jaeob Solinger.
AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
31
William Gilbane & Brother .- Manufacturers of all kinds of builders' materials in wood ; con- tractors and builders. Business established in 1883 on Lippitt street, and in 1889 they estab- lished a plant on Senter street, which was de- stroyed by fire on April 22, 1897. The same year they built their present works at 96 Harris
he was born in September, 1842. Thomas F. Gilbane was born in Lincoln, R. I., November 5, 1854. Some of the largest buildings of the city were built by this company, including the East and West side High School buildings, the new wing of the Rhode Island Hospital, the new wing of the Butler Hospital, St. Joseph's
DOILBANE & BRO BUILDERS GUAE.
William Gilbane & Bro.'s Plant, Harris Avenue, Providence.
avenue, Providence, which is one of the largest planing mills in the State, where the concern manufacture doors, sash, blinds, moldings, and everything that is required in the line of build- ing materials. Power for the works is sup- plied by a 75-horse power Buck-Eye steam en- gine. Employ about two hundred hands. William Gilbane is a native of Ireland, where
Hospital, the Convent on Broad street, the car- penter work of the State Normal School, and many other structures within the State, and they are now building the Administration Build- ing for Brown University, together with the residence for President Faunce, the new dor- mitory, and the new Central Fire Station on Exchange Place.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
Clark Manufacturing Co .- Manufacturers of burial caskets of every description. Factory located at 50 Ashburton street, the office and warerooms corner of Mathewson and Sabin streets, Providence. Cut of the office building shown upon the opposite page. John L. Clark, the founder of the business, was born in the town of Chaplin, Conn., Dec. 22, 1814. After being engaged in various manufacturing enter- prises for many years, among them being the furniture and undertaking business, he was called to the city of Providence in the early part of the year 1865 by the firm of Cleveland Brothers to take the management of the under- taking branch of their business, and soon after purchased the under- taking department and carried on the business on his own account. In a few years he began to manufacture caskets for the trade, and located his plant in the two and a half story building known as the old En- gine Building, just north of the Holbrook Bros.' Block at the junction of North Main and Mill streets. After a few years new quarters were secured in the Earl P. Mason Building, corner of Smith and Charles streets, where steam power was provided, which enabled him to begin to manufacture on a larger scale. Later secured one-half of the Holbrook Bros.' Block on North Main street, but there being insufficient room on account of the increase of his business, he was again compelled to move, this time to the building now occupied by the Providence Belting Co. on Charles street. In 1880 larger quarters were secured at the old Seagraves Mill, 34, 36 and 38 Ashburton street, which is now occupied by the company. The main building has four floors, 40 x 100 feet, with a wing of four floors, 40 x 75 feet, and large store houses connected. They manufacture in addition to caskets a large line of burial suits
John L. Clark.
and dresses. Employ some 60 hands. In June, 1888, after a period of twenty-three years as the sole owner, Mr. Clark had the business incor- porated, his four sons and himself forming the corporation. The present officers are John L. Clark, President; John E. Clark, Vice-President ; Albert H. Clark, Secretary, Treasurer and Gen- eral Manager ; William H. and E. Louis Clark, Directors. To meet the demands of the business a down-town office, salesroom and warehouse has been established in the three story brick block at the corner of Mathewson and Sabin streets, which has been leased for a term of years. Elegant parlors have been opened here for the benefit of the undertakers of the city and vicinity. There are three floors and base- ment, each 60 x 60 feet. Basement devoted to storage, excelsior, em- balming fluid, steam heater, etc .; first floor, offices, salesrooms, ship- ping room; second floor, stock room for silks, satins and broadcloths, and other dry goods, also caskets boxed, etc .; third floor, cloth cover- ing and storage of un- covered cases. Building equipped with electric elevator. The general shipping will be done from this point, but the manufacturing will be done at the factory as before, with the excep- tion of suits, dresses, and casket linings. About 30 hands are employed in the new building.
Providence Electrotyping and Plating Works. -Manufacture metallic art work, which includes plaques and medallions. The specialty of the company is electro plating of all kinds. The business was established in 1885, and is now lo- cated at 78 Friendship Street, Providence. George Price, who established the business and is the present proprietor, was born in Sheffield, Eng., Nov. 6, 1839. Came to America in 1868. Had learned the art of electro plating before coming to this country. Understands thorough-
AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
33
ly the art of electro depositing of iron, nickel and copper. Mr. Price was Superintendent of the nickel plating department of the Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co. for ten years prior to establishing his present business.
Providence Art Glass Co .- Manufacturers of stained glass windows, ecclesiastical and domes- tic. Works at 93 Mathewson street, Provi- dence. Business established by Walter A. Watts in 1895, who was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Nov. 3, 1870, where he learned the business of a stained glass worker. He came
small way about 1875 by Rodolph Berry. In- corporated in 1892. Capitalized for $200,000. Employ between 500 and 600 hands. Officers, Rodolph Berry, President; Geo. C. Boyden, Treasurer.
Walter O. Talcott .- Manufacturer of belt hooks for fastening machine belts. Works lo- cated at 91 Sabin street, Providence. Business established in 1879.
British Hosiery Co .- Manufacturers of full fashioned hosiery. Factory at Thornton, R.
CLARK
CLARK HPE.CA
OFFICE AND SALESROOMS, CLARK MANUFACTURING CO. Corner Mathewson and Sabin Streets, Providence, R. I.
to the United States in 1893. Also connected with the Providence Art Decorating Co., fresco workers, at the head of which is Christain Twenstrop, who was born in Copenhagen, Den- mark, May 24, 1866. Came to America in 1892. Works located at 93 Mathewson street.
Vesta Knitting Mills .- Manufacturers of ladies', misses' and boys' knit underwear, and seamless hosiery. Factory at Elm and Bassett streets, Providence. Business established in a
I. Established in 1884. Incorporated in 1889. Capitalized for $200,000. Employ about 400 hands. Officers, F. Achelis, President; Geo. E. Boyden, Treasurer; Rodolph Berry, Secretary.
Crown Carpet Lining Co .- Manufacturers of woven paper carpet lining. Factory at 456 Pot- ter's Ave., Providence. Established by William A. Mauran in 1895; incorporated 1899. William A. Burt, President; Charles H. Ellsbree, Treas- urer; Suchet Mauran, Secretary and Manager.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
The Beaman & Smith Co., Providence, R. I., manufacturers of machine tools. The co-part- nership of Beaman & Smith was established in 1886 by Elmer A. Beaman and George H. Smith. It was incorporated in 1898 and is a close cor- poration, owned and controlled entirely by the original owners. It is capitalized for $ 100,000, fully paid in. The business is the manufacture of metal working machine tools, the company making a specialty of milling and boring ma- chines, classed as "heavy machine tools," in
SMITH
The factory, as illustrated, has been built about two years, and is of steel frame work filled in with brick and glass, making a light and prac- tically fire-proof structure. The main building is 250 feet long, 60 feet wide, with extension of stock room and smith shop. An electric crane serves the erecting floor, which is 184 x 40 feet. There is also a pattern storage building, 30 x 64 feet. Electricity is used both for power and lighting purposes, the Sturtevant system of hot air for heating purposes being used. The equip- ment of machinery is of im- proved, modern construction, and the plant as a whole is up-to-date in every respect.
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