USA > Rhode Island > Biographical history of the manufacturers and business men of Rhode Island, at the opening of the twentieth century > Part 31
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Table I. of the statistical presentation of the bulletin shows the mechanical and manufactur- ing industries of Rhode Island as returned at
the censuses of 1850 to 1900, inclusive. The number of establishments were 864 in 1850, 3.377 in 1890 and 4,189 in 1900. The employes have increased from 20,967 in 1850 and 81, III in 1890, to 96,528 in 1900; the wages from $5,047,080 in 1850, and $33,239,313 in 1890, to $41, 114,084 in 1900; and the value of the prod- ucts from $22, 117,688 in 1850, and $142,500,625 in 1890, to $184.074,378 in 1900.
The returns show that in the census year 1900 the enormous proportion of 22.5 per cent. of the entire population, and in the busiest season of the year, 117,986 persons, or 27.5 per cent. of the population, were engaged in manu- facturing. It is doubtful if so large a propor- tion of the inhabitants of any other State are engaged in enhancing the value of raw ma- terials by the process of manufacturing.
The Blackstone River was the primary, nat- ural influence in the industrial development of the State. It was the water power of the Blackstone still more highly developed, in spite of the competition of steam, than along ativ other river of its size in the country, that led to the early and successful establishment of factories and particularly of cotton mills. The natural tendency of one successful industry is to stimulate the introduction of others ; thus the people of Rhode Island came to give more and more attention to manufacturing, and mul- tiplied mills as they grew in wealth. Our State has practically no raw materials to stimulate its industries, the coal and raw substances used being transported from long distances; but it has been to the advantage of Providence and other mill centres on and near Narragansett Bay that coal, cotton and other supplies may be taken to them at less cost than to many manufacturing points in the interior of New England.
Our statistician, Mr. North, says :
"Rhode Island occupies a unique place as a manufacturing State. Smallest in area, the State stood fourth at the census of 1890 in the value of its textile products and fifteenth in general manufacturing, and its rank is not likely to be materially altered at the present census. In the percentage of the total popula- tion employed in manufacture, in the variety and importance of products and the general healthy and progressive character of manufac- turing methods, Rhode Island is not sur- passed."
Anchor (Inman) Mills .- Harrisville, R. I. [American Woolen Co.]-In the town of Bur- rillville, R. I., just west of the village of Har- risville, and so closely connected as to form an intimate part of that place, is the village of Graniteville, in which are located the Inman Mills of the American Woolen Co.
Here is one of the best water privileges in
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
the town, there being an excellent fall and an abundant flow of water nearly the entire year, which is supplied by the stream formed by the confluence of the Pascoag and Clear Rivers.
In 1849 the first mill on this site was erected by Syra and Stephen L. Sherman, who at that time owned a considerable portion of the land in that vicinity. Syra Sherman was a stone- mason and built the mill himself. He had but few assistants in the construction, and so largely was it his personal labor that nearly nine years' time was occupied in the work of building.
But this structure was not destined to re- main long a monument to his perseverance and skill, for in 1852 it was destroyed by fire. During the brief time preceding the fire it was leased and operated by J. T. Seagraves & Co., and so anxious were they to continue manufac- turing there that the mill was speedily rebuilt and was operated under this firm name until 1871. During the greater part of that time John Chase was superintendent. The original partners in the firm of J. T. Seagraves & Co. were Jacob T. and Josiah Seagraves, who had been members of the Union Woolen Co. which operated the Union Mill in Pascoag from 1838 to 1847. Their successors in business at Graniteville were James S. Phetteplace and George A. Seagraves, who also operated a wholesale grocery store in Providence under the firm name of Phetteplace & Seagraves, and who, after their lease at Graniteville expired, operated the Central Falls Woolen Mills at Central Falls. While they were in Graniteville they carried on business under the old firm name of J. P. Seagraves & Co.
In 1871 G. N. & J. A. Smith leased the mill and ran it until about 1875, when they became financially embarrassed and failed, due prin- cipally to the complications and conditions brought about by the Sprague failure in 1875.
In 1876 it was leased to a new copartnership, styled the Graniteville Manufacturing Co., with G. N. Smith as agent, and by them operated until 1879, when it was again destroyed by fire.
The mill remained in ruins until the summer of 1882, when it was purchased by William A. Inman from the Sherman heirs, and in the fall of the same year the present substantial plant was erected and ready for operation. Mr. Inman owned and operated the plant from that time until 1890, when he sold it to the American Woolen Co. by whom he was retained as resident agent.
Both of the earlier structures were similar in size to the present mill and were designed to ac- commodate from ten to twelve sets of cards. The product has always been woolen or worsted goods. Fancy cassimeres were manufactured by J. T. Seagraves & Co., and woolens and worsteds by the Smiths. The plant is now equipped for the manufacture of worsted goods.
The present mill is a massive-looking modern stone building, 200 feet long by 54 feet wide, three stories in height, with a gravel roof, and has two large square towers on the front, which give it an imposing appearance. Adjoining the main structure on the west there is a two-story building used as a drying-room, dye-house, engine-room, and boiler-house, and a smaller stone building near by is used as a stock-house. On the north is the mill office, a neat one-story building of wood, with an annex of stone adjoin- ing.
The equipment consists of 76 broad looms and the necessary complement of reeling, spooling, dressing and finishing machinery, and dyeing facilities to prepare and finish the product of the looms. The abundant water power is augmented by an engine.
In the immediate vicinity and on the same estate are a number of tenements and a boarding- house for the accommodation of the employes. Although not in close proximity to a railroad station, a spur track runs directly into the mill yard, affording all necessary freight facilities.
This plant has recently been united with the Sheffield Mills of Pascoag, R. I., and operated as one plant, under the management of Mr. Inman, the two being known as the Anchor Mills.
Anchor (Sheffield) Mills .- Pascoag, R. I. [American Woolen Co.]-The site where the mill now stands was owned and occupied in 1826 by Messrs. Pliny & Nicholas Sayles. Their manu- factory was a scythe and axe shop, the water power being utilized to run a trip-hammer and the other machinery used.
In 1833 the property was sold to Messrs. Otis & Eliot Eddy, who equipped the shop with one set of machinery for the manufacturing of sati- nets, continuing to run this plant until 1839. The property was then leased to Messrs. Lyman Cope- land & Lyman Hawkes, who managed it until 1847, when it was purchased by Mr. John T. Fiske. Mr. Fiske reorganized the plant and in- stalled 36 looms, which he operated on print cloths until 1857. Mr. Fiske then leased the property to Messrs. Hawkes & Fowler, who continued the manufacture of satinets until 1859, when the property was burned. It was rebuilt, however, in the same year by Mr. Fiske, the new building forming a part of the present plant.
The buildings were equipped with two sets of cards and 16 three-quarter-width Woonsocket looms, which produced satinets under Mr. Fiske's management until 1867, when he took his son, Mr. John T. Fiske, Jr., into the firm, under the name of John T. Fiske & Son, and at the same time increased the equipment of looms to 24.
In 1883 Mr. John T. Fiske, Jr., purchased the plant and erected an addition of 112 feet. Mr. Fiske took out all of the old machinery and in- stalled 30 broad looms of the Crompton make,
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AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
with full equipment for the manufacture of worsted goods.
The plant was then known as the Sheffield Worsted Mills. In 1888 Mr. Fiske added 18 looms to the equipment and in 1890 22 more, when he also constructed a new engine and boiler house and machine-shop, a stock-house and picker-house combined, and a large addition for spinning, carding and weaving. He also added an engine, water-wheel, and boilers, and erected a new chimney.
The mills were incorporated as the "Sheffield Worsted Mills" in 1898, and in May of the fol- lowing year the plant was assimilated into the American Woolen Company.
Weybosset Mills .- Providence R. I. [Amer- ican Woolen Co.]-The nucleus or parent build- ing of these mills was built of stone by John Waterman in 1836 for manufacturing cotton. R. and J. Peckham became the owners, but during the Civil War the establishment was idle. Royal C. Taft and William B. Weeden were engaged in manufacturing fancy cassimeres at Waterford, R. I., in the No. 3, or first mill built by W. & D. D. Farnum. They purchased the estate in 1864 from Messrs. Peckham, removed the cotton machinery, and in 1865 commenced making cassi- meres. An auxiliary building of brick for assort- ing, scouring, picking, etc., with a one-storied annex for dyeing was built, and was indicated as the No. 2 Mill.
The Weybosset Mills was incorporated in 1866, with Royal C. Taft, William B. Weeden and James W. Taft as stockholders. In 1872 both No. I and No. 2 mills were extended and im- proved. In the seventies, though the men's-wear market was influenced much by foreign styles and designs, it was not so completely dominated as at present. Original designs found favor, especially among clothiers, and the "Weybossets" became well known in these respects. Imitations were audacious and frequent, causing the corpor- ation to suffer through the robbery of designs created by itself and established through its reputation. Protection under the laws of letters patent was sought, and for several years all orig- inal designs were issued under the seal of the Patent Office. Infringers were at first prosecuted and enjoined until the annoyance ceased.
In 1880 No. 3 Mill was built for auxiliary card- ing and spinning. Worsted had been constantly encroaching on the old cassimere and other solid, felted fabrics. The clothing trade at last turned from a carded thread and embraced the combed filament in every variety of lustrous fabric. In 1883-84 a portion of the machinery was removed from No. 3 Mill, and combing, drawing and spinning were installed. Since that time worsteds and cassimeres have been made in the better grades used by clothiers.
In 1885 Royal C. Taft sold his shares in the
corporation to the partners in the house of Jacob Wendell & Co., New York. In May, 1899, the establishment was sold to the American Woolen Co. and the corporation merged its individuality into a larger concern.
An interesting story of the fibers of wool and its geographical expression, as rendered in breeds, might be woven out of the experience of these mills in about a generation, as human life goes. At first only Ohio or Pennsylvania wools were used, with a little from Michigan and Wisconsin. In the depression caused by the Franco-German war Australians were brought in quantity from England or the land of their growth. Under the liberal tariff prevailing in the early seventies pelts were imported largely from Buenos Ayres, and a pullery was operated on the premises. Califor- nia then afforded a substitute for the growths of Ohio, and as the territories west of the Missouri became quiet communities they afforded pastur- age for the descendants of the central western sheep. All these changes reveal the processes of civilization in embryo. The great civilizing in- strument of Lister and Noble-the automatic comb-was taking the better staple from its elder brother, the carding machine. Wools of shorter and inferior staple were left in the grip of the card, while the better fibers were being seized and engrossed by the constantly encroaching comb.
After the American Woolen Co. took posses- sion of this plant important changes were made for increasing and improving the product. The product consists of worsteds and cassimeres, in- cluding over-coatings and cloakings ; generally the fabrics are in fancy colors, though piece-dyed goods are made. It ranges from 1, 100,000 to 1,500,000 yards per annum, according to weights and quality.
The establishment now comprises the following buildings and equipments : No. 1 Mill, of stone, comprises the main building, of four stories, 227 by 50 feet ; two wings, of four stories each, 157 by 51 feet and 107 by 49 feet, respectively, and a shed, one story in height, 107 by 88 feet. No. 2 Mill, of brick, includes a so-called preparation building, three stories in height, 112 by 47 feet ; a dye-house of one story, 103 by 22 feet, and an engine and boiler-house of brick. No. 3 Mill is made of stone, is four stories in height, and is 168 by 59 feet. There is attached to this mill also an engine and boiler-house of brick. The mill office is of brick, one story, 32 by 18 feet, with an extension 28 by 25 feet. The main equipment includes the following machinery: Eight combs with two sets of worsted drawing, 16 spinning frames, Io twisters, three reels, three winders. eight mules, and scouring, dyeing, drying ma- chines and extractors ; 25 sets carding machines, 17 mules, three winders, three twisters and 31 spoolers ; 218 looms (6-4), II dressing frames, two winders, and all necessary finishing ma- chinery.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
Riverside Worsted Mills .- Providence, R. I.
[ American Woolen Co.]-The Riverside Worsted Mills were founded by Mr. George W. Chapin and Mr. Lewis T. Downes in 1863, in which year they purchased the site in Olneyville, in the town of North Providence, R. I., on the Woonasquatucket River, and erected the first buildings. The mill contained about thirty looms and employed about two hundred hands.
In 1865 the first corporation was created, with Mr. L. T. Downes as president, Mr. George W. Chapin, treasurer, and Mr. Albert Chaffee, secre- tary. The first goods produced in the mill were cloths for covering coffins. The material cost very little and sold for good money. Most of the business was done through a German firm in New York. Owing to these parties failing, to carry out contracts in the matter of orders for goods, this class of production was dropped. The next goods manufactured were a very fine grade of cassimeres made for Joseph Lee of Philadel- phia, and sold through the New York commission house of Hunt & Tillinghast. The next goods manufactured were a fine grade of astrachan and other cloakings for ladies' wear, which sold for a high price. It was upon this class of goods that the Riverside made its first reputation, which were the only astrachans then made in the United States and were the highest priced woolen goods produced in the country. They were called "astrachan cloakings." Machinery for manufac- turing this high class of goods could not at that time be easily procured, and much of it was built in the mill machine-shop. A very fine grade of shawls was also made in the early years of the Riverside Mills, which found a ready and profit- able sale.
This mill produced the first piece of worsted goods for men's wear that was made in the United States. In this mill also was used the first Bolette card-feeder, right of which was owned by Messrs. Chapin & Downes. The first teasel cross-gig built and operated in this country was at the Riverside Mills. Also the Houget double cylinder-gig, known as the Chapin & Downes gig, of which they built over one hun- dred and sold at $1,000 a piece. Here also were used the first self-operating mules brought to this country, which were made by John Tatham in England. The first cold air wool-drying done in the United States was conducted at the Riverside, which mill was the third textile manufactory in the country to adopt electric arc illuminating. the Brush system being installed in 1877.
In 1865 a fire occurred which destroyed the carding and spinning departments, at a damage of about $75,000.
In 1872 Mr. L. T. Downes sold out and trans- ferred all of the mill interests. Later in the same year, on account of the failure of Hoyt, Sprague & Co., who had an interest in the sale of the pro- ducts for several years prior to 1873, the property
was sold at auction and was bought by Mr. E. P. Chapin and operated by his father, Mr. W. C. Chapin, and himself.
It was during the years 1875 to 1877 that the mill established a most enviable reputation in the manufacture of men's worsted suitings, the out- put being sokl through the commission house of A. D. Juilliard & Co. In September, 1878, the title of the mill was again changed to Riverside Worsted Mills, and was duly incorporated with the following staff of officers: E. P. Chapin, president ; W. C. Chapin, vice-president ; Frederic Condit, treasurer. The mill, owing to the quality of its products, met with phenomenal success both as to volume of prodution and favorable prices secured, and for eight years was compelled to operate its whole plant night as well as day, during which period additional land was acquired, much new foreign and domestic machinery was added, and about 2,700 operatives were employed.
An agreement was entered into in December, 1884, with the Oswego Falls Manufacturing Co., of Fulton, N. Y., to consolidate the two plants and operate them under one title. A Rhode Island charter was granted as the Riverside and Oswego Mills. This corporation continued in force until the fall of 1889. In 1891, the connection with the mill at Oswego Falls being dropped, a new charter under the laws of the State of Maine was obtained, under the name of Riverside Worsted Mills, at a capitalization of $1,000,000. Mr. John C. Combs became president, Mr. Theophilus King, treasurer, and Mr. Walter Ward, manager, and continued in their respective offices until the transfer to the American Woolen Company in 1899. At that time the property consisted of about seven and a half acres of land owned out- right and about one and a quarter acres of leased land. The equipment now comprises 24 sets worsted cards, 30 Noble combs, all necessary worsted spinning machinery, 9 sets of woolen machinery, 370 looms and a well-equipped finish- ing department. besides all other requisite machinery and appurtenances.
Conley & Straight .- Gold and silver refiners. Business established in November, 1896. Works located at 236 Eddy street, Providence. Employ to hands. P. H. Conley is a native of the West of Ireland, where he was born November 8, 1862. J. A. Straight, the other partner, is a na- tive of East Providence, R. I.
Hicks Boiler Works .- Manufacturers of marine and stationary boilers. Works located at 446 South Main street, Providence. Business established in 1861 by George G. Hicks. Their specialty has in the past been tubular boilers for steam tugs.
H. F. Thompson Co .- Manufacturers of yacht sails, awnings, flags, etc. Works located at No. 1 Towner street, Providence. H. F. Thompson, Manager. Their specialty is sails for yachts.
VALLEY MILLS
THERE
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ANCHOR (INMANI MILLS
ANCHOR (SHEFFIELD, MILLS
#9
MINTON MILIS,
Mills of the American Woolen Company in Rhode Island
RIVERSIDE MILLS
LEKA
WEYBOSSET MILLS
NATIONAL AND PROVIDENCE WORSTED MILLS
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
National & Providence Worsted Mills .- Providence, R. I. [American Woolen Co.]- The National & Providence Worsted Mills were established by Charles Fletcher in 1876 under the name of the Providence Worsted Mills and were incorporated in 1883 under the same name under the laws of the State of Rhode Island. The original in- dustry of this plant commenced with yarn spinning in an old stone mill which, until burned several years ago, formed the nucleus about which has grown up the largest indivi- dual fancy worsted mill in the country, em- ploying 2,300 hands and operating 439 fancy looms, with a complement of spinning and all other necessary machinery to make the plant complete in itself.
The company continued making yarns only until 1886, when a weaving department was added, which was incorporated in that year under the laws of the State of Rhode Island as the National Worsted Mills. These corpora- tions pursued their business separately under their own charters until 1893, when both were merged into one concern. They then became known as the National & Providence Worsted Mills, having been chartered under the laws of the State of Rhode Island, with a capital stock of two million dollars.
Beginning with the old stone mill in 1876, additions and alterations were made from year to year, new machinery being added as the various buildings were constructed to receive it, until at the present time the plant consists of seven mills fully equipped for the production of worsted yarn and goods. All of the mill buildings are constructed of brick and are modern in their design and equipment. Their dimensions are as follows :
No. I Mill is a four-story and basement building, 275 by 58 feet ; No. 2 Mill, also four stories and basement, 263 by 57 feet, with "L" four stories, 24 by 20 feet ; No. 3 Mill is 198 by 63 feet, with an "L" 100 by 65 feet, four stories in height ; No. 4 Mill, four stories, 284 by 46 feet ; No. 5 Mill, two stories, 144 by 62 and 113 by 30 feet ; No. 6 Mill is a four-story "L" 120 by 80 feet ; No. 7 Mill is a four-story structure, 120 by 56 feet.
Besides these buildings there are several others, including machine-shop building and two dye-houses, also a well-arranged office building. In addition there are three large, substantial buildings, all built of brick, which are used for the storage of wool and materials contained in the manufacture of worsted yarns and worsted goods. Each individual mill is independent, so far as power and machinery are concerned, a shutting down of one not affecting the others.
For lighting this immense establishment
electricity is employed, both the arc and incan- descent systems being used.
In the construction of the mills great care has been taken to provide the most advanced sanitary conditions, ventilation, and convenience for the operatives.
The power necessary for driving the machinery is derived from a steam plant aggregating 2,800 horse-power. There is also a small water-power connected, capable of producing 60 horse-power.
The mechanical equipment of the plant em- braces the most expensive machinery of both French and domestic manufacture. This com- prises 30 worsted and 21 woolen cards, 32 combs, 9,900 French and 12,828 English worsted spindles, 10,040 woolen spindles and 539 looms. It em- braces all the machinery necessary for handling wool as it is shorn from the sheep to the finished product.
Valley Worsted Mills .- Providence. R. I. [American Woolen Co.]-The Valley Worsted Mills, founded in 1842 by a Mr. Giles, had the distinction of being the first worsted mill in this country. The original plant was primitive in many ways, its machinery being operated by power derived from a windlass turned by oxen.
In 1858 the first company was formed to oper- ate the plant. This company comprised W. J. Cross and J. Carpenter, who began the manufac- ture of knit goods and cardigan jackets. Under their management the plant was equipped with new machinery and the facilities for conducting their business were considerably improved.
In February, 1866, however, the plant was totally destroyed by fire, but was promptly rebuilt, and in November of the same year was again in operation on the manufacture of worsted braids. At this time the mill had 1,000 braid machines in active operation.
In 1872 the company operating the mill was incorporated under the name of the Valley Worsted Mills, with a capital of $450,000. The officials of this company were : President, J. Car- penter ; treasurer, W. J. Cross ; and secretary, W. R. Arnold. Under this management the mill continued in active operation, producing cardigan jackets, worsted braids, and worsted yarn for knitting purposes, until 1885, when it was re- organized by Mr. James Phillips, Jr., with the following officers: James R. Doudge became president, W. R. Arnold, treasurer, and J. A. Cross, secretary. After this change Mr. Phillips took an active part in the management and the plant was run only on the manufacture of worsted yarn for weaving purposes, his mills at Fitchburg using nearly the entire production.
On April 17, 1899, with the other mills of Mr. James Phillips, Jr., the Valley became a part of the American Woolen Co.
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