USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I > Part 74
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The Elizabeth Mill, located at Hill's Grove, a suburb of Provi- dence, was started in 1880. A three-story brick building, 72 by 320 feet, was occupied with machinery for the production of cotton yarns. ranging from No. 40 to No. 150 in size. The officers of the company were: Thomas J. Hill, president and treasurer. and Albert Hill, secretary.
The Elinwood Paper Box Company manufacture plain and fancy paper boxes for jewelry and general purposes. The business was founded in 1879, and in 1884 the present company was incorpor- ated, Mr. George T. Paine being the treasurer and George H. Lincoln the manager. The establishment was located at 54 Greenwich street. where improved machinery was provided for the work, which em- ployed 35 to 40 hands. The office of Mr. George T. Paine, who is still the treasurer, is at 29 Weybosset street.
The firm of William H. Fenner & Co. are located opposite the Narragansett Hotel, at 143 and 145 Broad street, corner of Eddy. Here they manufacture and deal in a large range of house furnish- ing goods. The firm was established here in 1849. The building,
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which is fully occupied by them, is four stories high, with a finished basement, and covers a ground area of 35 by 68 feet. About 40 em- ployes are kept at work in the business.
The business now carried on by the Fletcher Manufacturing Com- pany has grown up from the beginning made by Thomas Fletcher, a cotton weaver, who began weaving narrow goods, such as tapes, fringes, lamp wicks and the like, in a small room in Boston in 1793. and in 1808 removed to Providence. Here he established a manufac- tory on South Main street, near the site of the Providence Institution for Savings, and in 1809 removed to a house on Charles, near Smith street. In 1820 he established himself on the corner of Davis and Smith streets, where he remained until his death in 1824. His three sons continued the business. A partnership was formed by the two older, Thomas and William, and Joseph, the youngest brother, was employed by them. In 1826 a number of braiding machines were introduced, and the manufacture of boot, shoe and corset laces was begun. In 1837 Joseph was admitted to the partnership, and the firm name became Fletcher Brothers. In 1840 the manufactory was re- moved to the mill on Charles street, formerly known as the "town grist mill," and at present as Lewis' Dye-wood Mill. In 1844 they purchased the land on Charles street now occupied by the company's factories, and erected the first building. In 1860 the firm was en- larged, by the addition of John S. Ormsbee, William B. Fletcher. Henry Fletcher and Samuel G. Trippe, and the name was made Fletcher Brothers & Company. In 1865 the company was incorpor- ated, with a capital of $300,000, the present name being adopted. The first officers were: Thomas Fletcher, president; William Fletcher, vice-president: John S. Ormsbee, treasurer; Henry Fletcher, secre- tary and agent. The buildings of the company now cover more than four acres of ground, and the works employ about 750 hands. The goods manufactured are called small wares, and include boot, shoe and corset laces, wicks for kerosine lamps and stoves, torch ard fuse wicks, star rick-rack, diamond, glace, plain braids and bobbins, yarns. harness and seine twines, wrapping twines and a variety of similar goods. The company have warehouses in New York and Boston. The present treasurer is J. S. Ormsbee.
The William A. Harris Steam Engine Company is located on Park street, a short distance west of the Union passenger depot. and near the buildings formerly used as a state prison. The buildings were constructed for the purpose, and consist of a machine shop, pattern shop, blacksmith shop, iron foundry, brass foundry, pattern storehouse and other structures, containing in all 96,625 square feet of floor space. The number of hands employed varies at times from 200 to 300. The manufacture of the Harris-Corliss steam engines is carried on. This business was started by Mr. William A. Harris in 1864. At that time he occupied the old building on Eddy street
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which had years before been made historic by being the headquarters of the insurgents in the Dorr war. The building stands at 236 Eddy street. The present works of the company were first occupied by Mr. Harris November 17th, 1868.
The enamel business was established in 1873, by A. J. Harris, who had previously been connected with the American Enamel Company. The Union Enamel Company was formed in 1877. The works of the company consist of four two-story frame buildings, which together with the grounds, cover an area of 30,000 square feet. All were supplied with the necessary small machinery and tools required for the business, and driven by steam power. About 60 hands were employed, the most of them being skilled workmen. Several artisans were imported from Great Britain to work on pipes made from a pe- culiar kind of clay resembling in texture and other attributes meer- schaum. Besides these pipes the company manufactured a general line of enameled fancy goods, jewelry, parasol and umbrella handles. Mr. A. J. Harris was superintendent of the business, and A. B. Fos- ter, treasurer.
The business now represented by the Franklin Machine Com- pany was established about the year 1800, by Stanford Newell, Isaac Thurber and others, and by them incorporated in 1836, as the Frank- lin Foundry and Machine Company. The company was re-incorpor- ated in 1886, under modern laws, as the Franklin Machine Company .. The works are located on Charles street, and cover a triangular piece of ground between Randall and Nichols streets, of about six acres in extent. The principal building is 300 by 50 feet, and is extended in two L-shaped wings of about 200 by 50 feet each, the entire struc- ture being three stories high. Several other shops and foundries of smaller size are included in the plant. The works are engaged in the production of cotton mill machinery, printing presses, special machinery of all kinds, and foundry castings. From 350 to 400 hands are employed, and the value of work annually turned out is about $300,000 to $400,000. The managers of the business are: George C. Nightengale, president; Edgar G. Durfee, treasurer, and Everett G. Gibson, agent.
The Fuller Iron Works are located at No. 416 South Main street. The business was established by Frederic Fuller, in 1839. The works occupy a brick building 40 by 80 feet, and three stories high, besides other buildings of smaller size used as foundry and engine rooms, carpenter and pattern makers' shops, etc. The works are en- gaged in the manufacture of portable and stationary steam engines, heavy machinery castings, water pipe and general foundry work. About 75 hands are employed. The proprietors are George Fuller and Frederic Fuller, the latter being the active business agent.
The Granger Foundry & Machine Company was established in 1879, by William S. Granger. It is engaged in the manufacture of
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bleaching, dyeing, drying and finishing machinery and other ma- chinery used in the manufacture of textile fabrics. The works are located at Gaspee and Francis streets, occupying three buildings, one of which is of stone, three stories high, 150 by 40 feet, and the other two of wood, in size 100 by 55 feet and 116 by 30 feet. About So hands are employed. The present officers are: W. S. Granger, presi- dent; H. A. Du Villard, treasurer; and H. A. Tillinghast, secretary.
The manufacture of umbrellas and parasols is carried on by John Gillington, at 288 Westminster street. He has been established here for more than a quarter of a century, and is equipped in his workshop for a great variety of work in the line.
The manufacture of dress buttons is carried on by Mr. G. F. Glauner, on Summer street. His business was established in 1882. Steel, brass and white metal are used in the manufacture, and some 60 hands are employed.
The Gorham Manufacturing Company is the leading manufac- turing concern in the line of silverware in this country, if not in the world. This immense establishment had its origin with Mr. Jabez Gorham, who in 1831, began in this city the manufacture of silver spoons, thimbles, and a few other articles in that line. Six years later, as business gradually increased, he took his son John into partnership with him, the style of the small but energetic business house then becoming Jabez Gorham & Son. In 1847, on the death of the founder, Mr. John Gorham succeeded to the entire manage- ment of the business, and in 1850 he engaged in the manufacture of silver hollow ware, such as pitchers, teapots and the like. At this time he introduced the use of steam power into the work of his shop. He also took into partnership with himself, Mr. Gorham Thurber, the style of the house becoming Gorham & Thurber. In 1852, Mr. Lewis Dexter was admitted to an interest in the concern, and the firm title was changed to Gorham & Co. The firm continued to en- large their facilities for manufacturing, and increasing the variety of their products, until in 1861 they had some 200 workpeople in their employ. In 1865 the stock company was incorporated under its present name, with a capital of $300,000, which in 1872 was increased to $600,000, and this has since been doubled again, so that the present stock capital is $1,200,000. In 1872 the number of hands had reached 450, and has continued to increase until at the present time it is nearly 600. The plant of the Gorham Manufacturing Company occupies the entire square bounded by North Main, Steeple, Canal and Friend streets; upon which are erected several brick buildings, the combined working floors of which amount to several acres. Here every apparatus and arrangement for convenience and economy of labor, for facilitating the conduct of operations, and for the comfort and health of the employes, have been provided. Steam engines, of 100-horse power, drive almost innumerable lines of shafting.
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Steam elevators and pipes throughout, afford communication, heat- ing or lighting, conduct gas, air blast, water-hot, cold, hard and soft-and either live or exhaust steam. It is a cardinal principle of the company to make goods, not only of the highest purity, but also of the best workmanship and highest art. The company guarantee all their plate to contain 925 parts in a thousand of pure silver, and so long have they maintained this rule that their stamp is accepted without question, as a sufficient proof of superior quality of the goods, wherever the house is known. Among the specimen products of this establishment, whose fame is world wide, may be mentioned the "Century Vase," which was designed and made for the Centen- nial Exhibition at Philadelphia, in 1876. This vase is of solid silver, more than five feet in length and more than four feet in width, and its weight is 2,000 ounces. Another remarkable specimen was the " Hiawatha Barge," which was sold to General Grant. The barge. or boat, is of sterling silver, resting on a plateau whose mirror sur- face depicts the placid stream, while on its surface rest the water- lilies and other aquatic plants. The plateau is 44 inches in length. and the height of the mast of the boat is 35 inches. Besides the works here in Providence, the company have branch establishments in Chicago, San Francisco and New York, their elegant building at the corner of Broadway and Nineteenth street being one of the conspic- uous objects of architectural magnificence in the latter city.
J. A. Gowdey & Son are probably the most extensive reed manu- facturers in the United States. The manufacture of reeds for weavers' use was commenced by James A. Gowdey in 1834. The be- ginning was small, Mr. Gowdey then employing but one workman with himself. The present establishment, which is located at No. 40 Clifford street, employs about 20 skilled workmen. In 1848 they received a silver medal from the American Institute Fair in New York, and in four successive years received the first premium, the last of which was a gold medal. They have also received premiums from many other exhibitions, among which was a silver medal from the Crystal Palace exhibition in New York in 1852. The managing partner and head of the firm since the death of its founder, is Mr. David Gowdey, who was first connected with the business in 1841, as an apprentice, and has risen by successive steps to his present position.
The business of manufacturing woolen machinery, carried on by John Heathcote, was established by him in 1867. His shop is located at 60 Friendship and 176 Eddy street, occupying one floor of a building 50 by 100 feet in size. Ten to twenty hands are employed. and from five to ten thousand dollars worth of machinery are annually fitted up.
The Heaton Button Fastener Company carries on the manufac- ture of button fasteners and machines, at the corner of James and
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South Water streets. The business was established by David Hea- ton, in 1875. It occupies a building 60 by 90 feet in size and three stories high, built of brick. About 30 hands are employed, and goods to the value of about 100,000 are annually manufactured. The officers of the company are: George W. Prentice, president; Franklin A. Smith, Jr., treasurer.
The Hicks Boiler Works are the outgrowth of business estab- lished in 1861, by George G. Hicks, now deceased. The works are located at 446 South Main street, in a brick building 50 by 150 feet in area and two stories and a loft in height. The work carried on is the manufacture of steam boilers and general machinery. An average of 30 hands are employed, and the business is at present under the management of Robert W. Hicks.
The manufacture of loom pickers and other rawhide goods, also the " Tenax" brand of picker leather. is carried on at 748 North Main street, by A. & C. W. Holbrook, the firm being composed of A. Holbrook, Jr., C. W. Holbrook, 2d, and George A. Holbrook. The business was established in 1822, by Joseph Cunliff, a cotton spinner. Benjamin Holbrook, shoemaker, Samuel Evans, shoemaker, and John Gorham, under the firm name of J. Cunliff & Co. They were succeeded by Benjamin A. Holbrook, in 1837, who with A. and C. WV. Holbrook formed the Loom Picker Manufacturing Company in 1842. In 1847. A. & C. W. Holbrook became proprietors, under the firm name indicated. This name was continued after a further change in the company was made in 1868, by the withdrawal of C. W. Holbrook, and the admission of the three sons of the senior member, viz., George A., Albert, Jr., and Charles W., 2d. Albert Holbrook, Sr., retired from the firm in 1878. The first place occu- pied by the firm, in 1822, was on Nash lane and North Main street; in 1830 it was on the corner of Bacon and North Main; in 1842 moved to Stevens street; in 1853 to the corner of North Main and Mill streets; and in 1872 to its present location at 748 North Main street. Here two buildings, one 72 by 36, and the other 70 by 30 feet, and both three stories high, are occupied, also another 36 by 36 feet. About 40 hands are employed.
The business now carried on by John Hope was commenced in 1867, by John Hope, Thomas Hope, and Heber Le Favour. This business is the manufacture of pantograph machines, and other machines for engraving copper rolls, and bank note ruling machines for steel or copper plate engravers. John Hope being the inventor of the pantograph machine, engraving copper rolls was commenced in 1869. The works were then located at the corner of Dorrance and Dyer streets. The present location is on Mashapaug street, Elmwood. The works were built by John and Thomas Hope, in 1882. John Hope is at present the sole owner and proprietor of the plant and patents. The building is of brick, 40 by 90 feet, three
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stories and basement. The average number of hands employed is 25.
The Hope Webbing Company was established for the manufacture of a great variety of webbing, for use in boots and shoes, base ball suits, skirts, suspenders, saddlery and harness, carpet bindings and wicking, by Charles Sisson and Oscar A. Steere, in 1883. These gen- tlemen are respectively the treasurer and superintendent at the present time. The works are located on Sprague and Harrison streets. They occupy the third floor and part of second, of a build- ing 200 by 60 feet, and about 75 hands are employed in the business. Goods to the value of about $100,000 are annually manufactured.
The firm of George Hawes & Sons consists of J. M. Hawes, G. H. Hawes, E. C. Hawes and R. G. Hawes. They are located at 23 and 25 Dyer street, the factory being on Friendship street, and are engaged in the manufacture of Hawes' Patent Improved Steam Traps. The business was established in 1879 by the present proprietors. A force of twelve or more hands are employed, and from 2,500 to 2,800 steam traps are annually manufactured.
One of the largest manufacturing firms in sash, doors and blinds in the city is that of L. F. Joslin & Son, at 663 Broad street. This house was established in 1857 by the senior member of the firm, who, in 1872, admitted his son as a partner. They recently occupied prem- ises at 431 Broad street, a three-story building, 60 by 200 feet, filled with machinery for the prosecution of their work.
The Kendrick Loom Harness Company are located at 46 Clifford street, and engaged in the manufacture of metal knotted patent ma- chine loom harness. It is the most extensive establishment of its kind in the country. Its works are operated by steam and equipped with the requisite machinery, and furnish employment to 75 hands, a large number of whom are skilled workmen. They also make double knotted and loop machine loom harness, and a patent " Jack- nard Heddle." The annual product of the factory reaches sometimes the value of $80,000. The capital invested in this business is some- thing like $200,000.
The firm of King & Richards do a considerable business in the manufacture of fine furniture. Their manufactory occupies the sec- ond floor of a building, 50 by 175 feet in area, at No. 112 Dorrance street. They have steam power to drive the machinery with which their works are fitted, and they employ a number of skilled mechan- ics in the production of goods which find sale throughout New England. The members of the firm are H. J. King and J. Richards.
The Reliance Flour and Grain Mills, operated by Dexter N. Knight, are one of the most extensive of their class in New England. They are located on a site 100 by 150 feet, at 208 to 214 Dyer street, and are equipped with a grain elevator and all the latest improved mechanical appliances for the milling of flour, operated by steam power.
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The manufacture of jewelers' findings is carried on at 226 Eddy street by the firm of Macnair & Burlingame. This film began busi- ness in 1881, at Pawtucket, and in 1885 moved to the present location in this city. Here they are provided with the necessary machinery and have facilities for employing about 20 hands. Besides jewelers' and jobbers' findings, a specialty is made of seamless balls and screw work.
The firm of Martin & Norris began the business of scroll sawing, turning and the like in 1876. A year or two since the firm dissolved, and the business is carried on now by Mr. Henry O. Martin at No. 323 Fountain street. The building is 40 by 90 feet, three stories high, and is equipped with a variety of machines for sawing, molding and turning, which are operated by steam, and employ some 20 or more hands in the various branches of work.
The manufacture of woolen yarns is carried on by Mr. Thomas Mabbett at 62 Bacon street. This business was established in Thorn- ton, Johnston, Mr. Mabbett being part owner. It was moved to 36 Bacon street in 1882, the firm then being Mabbett & Wood. A build- ing of brick and stone, three stories high, was occupied. Subse- quently Mr. Mabbett became sole proprietor, and the business was removed to 62 Bacon street, where it is now carried on. Thirty hands are employed and some 8,000 pounds of yarn are manufactured per month.
The Manton Steam Steerer Works are located on the Boston & Providence railroad, in the suburbs of the city. The windlass busi- ness of this country was established by Joseph P. Manton in 1857, who also established the American Ship Windlass Company, from which he withdrew in 1878, when he founded the present company. Mr. Manton has been foremost in bringing out improvements in this line, and was the first man in the world to handle anchors by steam. He is the agent and manager of these works. The main building is 150 by 50 feet, two stories high, with ceilings 15 feet in the clear above the floors. There is also an annex 50 by 35 feet. It is a heavy frame building. The works employ about 50 men, and build wind- lasses and capstans, both hand and steam working, also steam steer- ing machinery. The value of goods turned out reaches an annual amount of about $100,000.
The Miller Iron Company was incorporated in 1887 to continue the business which had been established by George Miller in 1868. It is located at 176 Harris avenue. The main building is 180 by 100 feet, a part of it being one story and part two stories in height. Another building, 70 by 60 feet, is two stories high. The company manufacture machinery castings, plumbers castings, hardware deal- ers' and stove dealers' castings and specialties. Some 75 hands are employed, and goods to the value of $100,000 are annually pro- duced. The officers of the company are: Sterns Hutchins, presi-
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dent; George O. Miller, treasurer; Henry Miller, superintendent; F. A. Vickere, secretary.
The manufacture of hats and caps was established in 1840 by Messrs. Dutcher & Eames, on Market Square. In 1855 it was removed to No. 37 Westminster street, where it is still carried on by James T. Moore, who succeeded O. F. Dutcher in 1879.
Mr. Volney W. Mason began the manufacture of machinery in this city in 1861, the specialty being friction clutches. Since that time these clutches have been greatly improved, until they are now considered by experts to be the best of their kind. The manufac- ture is still carried on by Volney W. Mason & Co., who also manu- facture elevators and a great variety of hoisting machinery. At the Centennial Exhibition they received two diplomas and medals " for compactness" and " well-studied details." They also received the medal at the Paris Exposition of 1878 in their class for friction clutches and elevators, and also a silver medal at the Melbourne Ex- hibition of 1880 for their friction clutch pulley. The manufactory is located on Lafayette, between High and Washington streets. It comprises a series of two-story frame buildings, occupying an area of 10,000 square feet, and is equipped with a 25 horse power steam engine and all requisite machinery. Some 25 or more artisans are employed. The hoisting machinery designed and built by this house is in use in the slaughtering and packing houses of Boston, Chicago, St. Louis and Cincinnati, and other cities, as well as in the gold and silver mines of Montana and Colorado, and their friction pulleys are in use all over the United States, being celebrated for the ease and freedom from shock or jar with which machinery may be started by their use.
The McWilliams Manufacturing Company, of which John McWil- liams is president, is located at 111 Orange street, and engaged in the manufacture of patent presses, cutter holders, drops, rolls, lathes, draw benches and model works, and other jewelers', silversmiths' and watch case makers' machinery. The company was incorporated in 1875, with John McWilliams as treasurer. The large brick build- ing on the corner of Orange and Clifford streets, in which the manu- facturing is carried on, is furnished with a great variety of tools and machinery, power for driving which is furnished by a steam engine, and 40 expert mechanics are employed under competent foremen.
The Miles Alarm-till Manufacturing Company, of which A. O. Miles is treasurer, is located at 165 Broad street. Mr. Miles com- menced the manufacture and sale of alarm tills in 1859, going from store to store with a drawer under his arm as a sample. In the course of ten years the business increased so much that a stock company was formed for their manufacture, and he was elected its superintendent and treasurer. The manufacture is carried on under protection of a
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patent. The goods are sold in all parts of this country and in most foreign countries.
The sawing and planing mill of Moulton & Ingraham at 22 Mill street is worthy of notice. The establishment was founded by this firm in 1851, since which time it has pursued a successful career. The partner, Mr. R. O. Moulton, died in 1872, but the firm name was continued, Mr. M. W. Ingraham, the surviving partner, managing the business. Two three-story buildings were built, being respec- tively 45 by 60 and 30 by 75 feet. A 60 horse power steam engine furnishes power for driving the various machinery with which the buildings are supplied, consisting of band saws, circular saws, scroll saws, jointers, dovetailing machines, matching machines, planers, mortisers and many others. Forty hands, more or less, as the fluctu- ations of business demand, are kept employed.
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