USA > Rhode Island > Biographical history of the manufacturers and business men of Rhode Island, at the opening of the twentieth century > Part 6
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voirs on the west side and one on the east side were constructed to furnish the required water. A number of years after borings developed the fact that water could be obtained by driven wells which have since furnished a large supply of great clearness and purity. In 1871 Mr. Merriman resigned the treasurership of the company and was succeeded by the eldest son of the president, Charles Warren Lippitt. From that time to the present there has been a continuous development and enlarge ment of the establishment. From a floor space of 28,722 square feet in 1864, it has been extended to an area of 242,142 square feet, or about 51/2 acres. It gives employ- ment to 575 opera- tives, with a month- ly pay roll of about $20,000. In 1877 the business of printing was added to that of bleach- ing and dyeing, and from time to time buildings have been erected and. machinery of the most improved and latest type has been put into oper- ation for this par- ticular branch. The power of the estab- lishment is sup- plied from two separate boiler plants, whose combined horse power is rated at 3300. Through the medium of Corliss engines and electric motors, the transmission is made to the machinery of the concern. The officers are President, Charles H. Merriman; Treasurer, Charles Warren Lippitt. Charles Warren Lip- pitt, the Treasurer of the company, was born in Providence, October 8, 1846. Graduate of Brown University, class of 1865. He began
Charles Warren Lippitt, Ex-Governor of Rhode Island.
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Plant of the Silver Spring Bleaching and Dyeing Company, Providence.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
business in 1869 in his father's office in connec- tion with the Social Manufacturing Co., Silver Spring Bleaching and Dyeing Co., and the Lip-
Dexter B. Potter.
pitt Woolen Co. In 1871 he was elected Treas- urer of the Silver Spring Bleaching and Dyeing Co., and has held that position ever since. In 1875 and 1876 he was elected President of the Franklin Lyceum, and during the same years when his father was Governor of the state, he served as Colonel and Chief of the Personal Staff. In 1878 and 1880 he served as Vice- President, and in 1881 and 1882 as President of the Providence Board of Trade, and in 1880 he was elected Vice-President of the National Board of Trade. In 1880 he was elected Presi- dent of the Social Manufacturing Co., which po- sition he still holds. His entire business life has been connected with manufacturing enter- prises conducted within the State of Rhode Is- land. In 1894 he was chairman of the Republi- can State Convention. At various times he has served as Chairman of the Republican City and Congressional Conventions. He was elected Governor of Rhode Island in 1895 and was re- elected in 1896, his terms of service developing much that was of value to the state. Every question of importance received the kind of careful and conscientious consideration that made his administration a popular one.
The Providence Telephone Co .- The Provi- dence Telephone Co., was organized in 1880, with Henry Howard as its first President, and Charles T. Dorrance, its first Treasurer. It began business with a capital stock of $35,000, which in 1893 was increased to $600,000, and at the present time, April Ist, 1901, the capital stock is $1,600,000. The company was incorp- orated the same year that it was organized. The company supplies the telephone service for the entire State of Rhode Island as well as a part of Southeastern Massachusetts, the total number of stations now reaching 7685, of that number 4626 are located in the city of Provi- dence. The company have erected substantial buildings in Providence, Pawtucket and New- port, the Broad street station in Providence hav- ing been completed this year of 1901. Besides Broad street the company have branches in Ol- neyville and East Providence. Upon the oppo- site page is shown the headquarters of the com- pany in a structure of unique design, which was begun in 1892, and is situated on the east side of Union street between Westminster and Washington streets. It is of the Italian renais- sance style of architecture, the first story being
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Albert C. White.
built of granite and Indiana oölitic limestone, and the last two stories of buff brick and white terra cotta, making it one of the most strikingly
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AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
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attractive buildings in the city, but unfortun- ately located in a place where its attractive features do not show to good advantage, although in an excellent place for carrying on the business that it was intended for. The main entrance is flanked on either side by ionic columns of polished granite, and the first floor of the build- ing is used exclusively as a telephone pay sta- tion, well fitted up with booths for local and long distance service, with an apartment for the
iron pipes, which are laid about three feet under ground, through all of the principal thorough- fares of the city, with manholes located at more or less regular intervals, these conduits now amounting to 135,646 feet throughout the whole city. At the building the cables enter the cellar and are carried across and suspended on heavy iron frames, and thence to the tower, which was built for the purpose, and in this they are carried to the upper floor and from
TELEPHONE BUILDING
Providence Telephone Building, Union Street, Providence.
storage of telephone and other electrical appar- atus which are kept constantly on hand for im- mediate use. The second floor is devoted to the main office of the company, directors' room, the President's, Treasurer's and General Mana- ger's rooms. The third floor is devoted to the electrician's operating department, the distrib- uting room and private rooms for the lady op- eratives. In the form of cables some 12,000 wires enter the building through cement lined
there to the distributing room where the twelve thousand wires are separated and connected in a proper manner with the switch board, making it possible for any Providence subscriber to be connected with any of the more than 100,000 subscribers of the various exchanges, which in- clude the long distance as well as the local ex- changes. The work of laying the underground conduit system in the city of Providence was begun in 1892, and now that it is completed, and
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
all of the branches well established, the Provi- dence Telephone Company may be said to have one of the best telephone plants in the United States. In August, 1892, Ex-Governor How- ard resigned as President of the company, and he was succeeded by Henry C. Cranston as President, and Albert O. Morgan, of Boston, as Vice-President. In 1881, Charles T. Dorrance resigned, and as his successor, Charles T. How- ard was elected Treas- urer. Upon Mr. Cran- ston's death, Dexter B. Potter was elected President, who now holds that position. Mr. Potter is a native of Scituate, R. I., he having been born there August 23, 1840. Mr. Potter has held many of the town offices of Coventry in which he has lived for many years, rep- resenting the town in the General As- sembly in 1871 and 1872, and as Senator from that town in 1873 and 1874, and again as representa- tive to the General Assembly from the same town from 1876 to 1878. Two of the latter years he was Speaker of the House. In 1879 he again rep- rented the town of Coventry in the Sen- ate. The growth of the extensive service of the company has nearly all been developed under the manage- ment of Mr. Albert C. White, who was elected General Superintendent in 1884, and in 1896 was promoted to the office of General Manager. Mr. White is a native of Fall River, Mass., where he was born June 28, 1841. He first be- gan active life as a messenger boy in the service of the Union Telegraph Co., in Fall River, where he devoted all of his energies to learning the
Telephone Building, Newport.
mysteries of the field of electricity that was at that time being opened for perusal by any one who had the disposition and sufficient under- standing to master the business. He was final- ly employed by the American Telegraph Com- pany of Providence, in December, 1863, remain- ing with that company and the Union Tele- graph Co., until the spring of 1881, at which time he accepted the position of electrician of the Providence Tele- phone Co., which po- sition he held until 1884, when he was elected Superinten- dent of the company. His general oversight of the business dur- ing the past few years, when many miles of conduits were being construct- ed, new stations be- ing established, and a general expansion of the business tak- ing place in nearly every direction has proven wise and effi- cient in every par- ticular, for during all of this time the ser- vice of the company has been kept up to the highest standard, notwithstanding all of the changes that have taken place in improving the facili- ties of the company, so as to enable them to meet the increas- ing demands of the business. The ac- companying views of the telephone buildings of Newport and Pawtucket show them to be sub- stantial structures, with sufficient room for handling the business of their sections, and the telephone building recently finished on Broad street, Providence, is equally substantial and commodious, which will give this part of the city as good service as any other part of their extensive territory.
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AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
A. Burgess & Son .- Manufacturers of leather belting, raw hide and leather pickers, loom strapping, and carry on a general mill sup- ply business. Business established by Alpheus Burgess in 1835, probably the pioneer business of its kind in Rhode Island. Works located at 692 North Main street, Providence. Upon the death of the founder of the business his son, Alexander Burgess, became the owner and car- ried on the business under the same name, Alexander's son, Edwin A. Burgess, in time 'having an interest in the concern. Upon the
as is made in this country, a large percentage of their production being sold to the Gorham Manufacturing Co., which in itself is a sufficient guarantee that they produce the best of work. The remainder of their output is principally in the New England States. Business established in 1872. Works located at 161 Dorrance street, Providence. Employ 15 skilled workmen. Plant equipped with every modern appliance that is required in the art of glass cutting. The members of the firm are as follows : John R. DeGoey, born in Apponaug, R. I., December
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Telephone Building, Pawtucket.
death of Alexander his son Edwin still con- tinued the business under the old name. Ed- win A. Burgess, who was born in Providence, July 31, 1842, died February 12, 1900. The business is at present being carried on for Mrs. Burgess under the management of Alphonso D. Marsh, who was book-keeper for the firm from 1887 to 1892, and is thoroughly acquainted with the de- tails of the business.
Hope Glass Works .- Manufacturers of all kinds of cut glass table ware. This company makes as fine and artistic line of cut glass ware
20, 1870 ; William DeGoey, born in Apponaug, R. I., March 27, 1872. Some of the goods made by this firm are examples of the most ex- quisite workmanship. Their goods are bought from the glass maker in blank form and their workmen produce the various patterns that are made by their designers.
James D. Minto .- Dyeing, winding and spool- ing. Business established in 1894. Works lo- cated at Manton, R. I. Employs 100 hands. James D. Minto was born in Scotland, April 15, 1849.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
A. L. Sayles & Sons .- Manufacturers of fancy cassimeres and worsteds, and carriage cloths. Factory located at Pascoag, R. I. Employ 365
Albert H. Sayles.
hands, producing 14,000 yards of cloth per week. Business carried on under the management of Al- bert H. Sayles, whois a native of Pascoag, he hav- ing been born there March 25, 1863. The mill structure is the largest in the town, built of granite, and known as the "Granite Mill." It is situated in the centre of the village. The main structure is a massive three and four story building with a high tower in the centre on the street side, and this main building is surrounded by a number of companion buildings where va- rious processes of the manufacture are carried on. The total length of the main building is 350 feet. Albert L. Sayles, who was known as the patriarch of the woolen business of the town, died January 30, 1898, and since that time the business has been carried on by the heirs under the name that had been adopted before his death, under the management of his son Albert H. Sayles. Fred L. Sayles, the manager of the Fred L. Sayles Co., is the other son who has an interest in the business. Near the site of this mill, Daniel Sayles, the grandfather of Albert H. Sayles, erected a building for the purpose of fulling and dressing cloth, in 1814. The farm- ers brought their homespun cloth for him to
dye, full and finish, and he did this line of work so much better than they could possibly do it at home he soon established a good business. He later put in a carding machine, and in the course of time he converted his fulling mill into a woolen factory. In 1819 Harden Sayles, his son, became the owner, and in 1834 began the manufacture of satinets in company with his brother, Pitts Sayles. After some changes, Albert L. Sayles bought his uncle's interest, and the firm name then became Harden Sayles & Son, which was in 1853. Upon the death of his father in 1861, Mr. Sayles pulled down the old mill, and erected the present structure at a cost of about $250,000, which included the mill equipment. After purchasing the interest of the heirs, the business was carried on under the name of Albert L. Sayles until 1889, when his two sons became associated with him and the present name of A. L. Sayles & Sons was adopted.
Fred L. Sayles Co .- Manufacturers of wor- steds, fancy cassimeres, cloakings, and kerseys. Factories located at Pascoag, R. I. Incorpora- ted in 1899. Capitalized for $60,000. Employ
Fred L. Sayles.
225 hands. Officers: Albert H. Sayles, Presi- dent and Secretary; Fred L. Sayles, Treasurer and General Manager. The business of the
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AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
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Factories of Fred L. Sayles Co., Pascoag, R. I.
Factory of A. L. Sayles & Sons, Pascoag, R. I.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
company is carried on under the management of Fred L. Sayles who was born in Pascoag, April 13, 1865. These mills are located near the rail- road depot, facing the main street of the town, the new office of the company being situated at the extreme left of the plant, which is one of the most up-to-date and commodious mill offices in the State. The mill buildings are situated on the edge of the mill pond somewhat lower than the street, which gives them the appearance of being much smaller than they really are. These buildings with the office form three sides of a square, a high tower surmounting the end of the main structure. The front of the mill is three stories, but on the rear it is four stories in height. The shorter wing with the tower is built of stone up to the third story, which is built of wood, the stone part of this structure
rillville has been more or less noted as a producer of cotton and woolen fabrics. In the very early period along 'about 1814 the farmers' wives wove most of the fabrics worn in those days, but Daniel Sayles, a progenitor of the Sayleses now in the manufacturing business of Pascoag, had erected in that place a building for fulling and dressing woolen cloth, the farmers of the town bringing in their homespun goods to be dyed, fulled and finished, for the appliances of his mill produced a much finer article than the housewife could possibly produce in the home, with her crude system, which was then in use in nearly every country home of that section. From this fulling mill the great woolen manu- facturing industry of the place has developed, so that today Pascoag is looked upon as one of the great textile centers of the state. Daniel Sayles
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A Glimpse of the Manufacturing Village of Pascoag, R. I.
being a part of the old mill, which is undoubt- edly the oldest existing factory structure in the town of Burrillville. The remainder of the mill buildings are built of wood with stone basements, covered with tin roofs. Taken as a whole this may be said to be one of the most up-to-date tex- tile plants in New England, producing upwards of 5000 yards of cloth a week. The power plant is very complete, the buildings are well equipped with automatic sprinklers, and a force pump, to- gether with a large water tower or tank, affords further protection against fire. This site is said to have been used for some kind of textile busi- ness since 1809.
PASCOAG, R. I.
Pascoag, in Burrillville, R. I., is the greatest center for manufacturing of any locality in the town. From its inauguration as a town, Bur-
soon after put a wool carding machine into his mill, and the farmers brought their wool to be carded, the fiber being far superior to that produced by the old hand carding process. Spinning frames were introduced after a time, and the farmers were enabled to get all of the material necessary for the production of their winter's supply of woolens from outside sources, but the weaving had to be done on the old cum- bersome hand loom. This, however, did not last long, for very soon the power loom took its place, and the old house looms were sawed up for firewood, never again to be called upon to do service in behalf of mankind. Harrisville is the next place of importance so far as manufac- turing is concerned, while there are other localities that have contributed largely to the manufacturing prosperity of the town.
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AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
William H. Prendergast .- Manufacturer of fancy worsteds for men's wear. Business es- tablished 1896. Factory located at Bridgeton, near Pascoag, R. I. Employs about 160 hands. Works at present running night and day. Power is supplied to the amount of about 75 horse power from Clear River, and from a 75 horse power Greene engine. The plant is equipped with up-to-date machinery in every department, and the mill edifice is a substantial wooden building, supplied with a water tower which affords ample protection against fire. William
he remained until he purchased the mill pro- perty represented by a cut on this page, and began the manufacture of a line of fancy wor- steds that have met with a large sale.
Stone Worsted Mill .- Samuel Mellor, pro- prietor. Manufacturer of fancy worsteds for men's wear. Business established under the firm name of Mellor & Prendergast in 1890, and in 1894 Mr. Mellor bought out his partner's interest. Since that time he has been carry- ing on the business on his own account. Mr. Mellor was born in Huddersfield, England, Jan-
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William H. Prendergast's Worsted Mill, Bridgeton, R. I.
H. Prendergast, who established the business, was born in Gloucester, R. I., September 6, 1860. He learned woolen manufacturing by practical experience in the mills at Burrillville and other places, and about 1890 began manufacturing worsted goods in the old Stone Worsted Mill in Pascoag, in company with Samuel Mellor, under the firm name of Mellor & Prendergast. He sold his interest to his partner in January, 1894, and soon after began manufacturing worsteds in the old mill of the American Worsted Co. of Woonsocket, on South Main street, where
uary 9, 1862. Came to America with his parents when two years of age. He learned the wool- en manufacturing business by practical experi- ence in the mills of Pascoag, and for a number of years was a weaver in the mill that he now operates. The mill is well equipped for the manufacture of fancy worsteds, and is located in Pascoag, R. I. Employs about 140 hands.
Woonsocket Brush Co .- Manufacturers of jewelers and mill brushes. Business established about 1870. Walter S. Thayer, proprietor. Works located in Woonsocket, R. I.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
William Tinkham & Co .- Manufacturers of fancy worsteds. Factory located at Harrisville, R. I. Business established in 1856 by William Tinkham and Job S. Steere. Factory burned in 1894. New factory built in 1895, which is one of the best woolen plants in the State. William Tinkham was born in Harmony Vil- lage, Gloucester, R. I., July 8, 1823. He com- pleted his education in what was then the Smithville Seminary in North Scituate. After learning the blacksmith's trade of his father and laboring for a number of years on his father's farm, in 1844 he entered a store as clerk at Greenville, R. I., in which capacity he served until he bought out the busi- ness which he carried on until 1853, part of the time having a part- ner. After this ex- perience in the mer- cantile line, he was employed for a short time as clerk in a com- pany store at Wake- field, and in July, 1853, he hired a woolen mill at Mapleville, R. I., in company with Job S. Steere, and began the manufacture of jeans and tweeds. They be- gan with one set of machinery, but soon after put in another set for the manufac- ture of satinets, carry- ing on the business until 1856. During these years Mr. Tinkham realizing the need of a practical knowledge of every department of the manufacturing business, became an operative in his own mill. Begin- ning in the scouring room, the lowest position in the factory, he dismissed the foreman, and assumed the management himself. After he had secured a complete knowledge of wool scouring he dismissed the foreman in the dyeing department, and hiring an assistant, learned the art of dyeing. In this way he went through every department of his mill until he became thoroughly proficient in every branch that per-
William Tinkham.
tained to the manufacture of woolen goods. Probably no manufacturer in the State has ac- quired a better knowledge of the art of manu- facturing woolen goods. In 1856 the firm of Steere & Tinkham purchased the Harrisville mill property, which was owned by Jason Emer- son, for some $30,000. The machinery was moved from their Mapleville mill, more sets of machinery were added, and they continued the manufacture of satinets on a more extensive scale. A $20,000 addition was built in 1857, 100 feet in length, for dyeing and other pur- poses. Passing through the financial crisis of 1857 very successfully owing to Mr. Tink- ham's careful business methods, in 1860 more sets of machinery were added, and then the company began the manufacture of cassi- meres. In 1865, so successful had the bus- iness been managed, there was no incum- brance upon the mill property, and the com- pany had a good sur- plus on hand. Mr. Tinkham, in 1868, took up his residence in the city of Providence, where he has lived ever since. About this time, in company with F. Metcalf and his brother, Ellison Tinkham, began to op- erate the Carolina Mills in Richmond, R. I., selling his interest in these mills in 1876. Mr. Tinkham purchased his partner's interest in the Harrisville property in 1873, becoming the sole owner, but later took Fred S. Farwell as a partner in the business, when the firm name became Tinkham & Far- well, remaining so until 1878 when Mr. Tink- ham's son, Ernest W., became a member of the company, and the name was then changed to Tinkham, Farwell & Co. In 1884 Mr. Farwell's interest was purchased, and the company name then became William Tinkham & Co., Mr. Tink- ham and his son being the sole owners.
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AND BUSINESS MEN OF RHODE ISLAND.
Mr. Tinkham was the man who projected the Providence and Springfield railroad, the build- ing of which opened up one of the best manu- facturing sections of the State. Without this road the manufacturers of that section could hardly have held their own against their com- petitors who were enjoying railroad facilities. Mr. Tinkham became its first President and Manager, which positions he held until the road was purchased by the N. Y., N. H. & H. Rail-
started a spindle and flyer manufactory located on the south side of the road, while the building containing the forges and trip hammers was lo- cated on the opposite side of the road near the bridge. In 1832 a cotton mill was in operation here, which adjoined the spindle shop. In 1843 John T. Fiske and D. C. Remington were man- ufacturing print goods here, the mill being sub- sequently operated by James Cunliffe, and later John Irons carried on the mill business here,
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William Tinkham & Co. Factory, Harrisville, Burrillville, R. I.
road Company. Mr. Tinkham cared little for public office, although he was elected to repre- sent his town in the lower house of the General Assembly of Rhode Island in 1866.
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