USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I > Part 77
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hands are employed, and goods to the value of $50.000 are annually manufactured. The present members of the firm are J. W. Grant and A. E. Follett.
The house of William C. Greene & Co. started in 1849, with Mr. Greene in partnership with Nathan F. Mathewson, as Mathewson & Greene. In 1853 John T. Mauran was admitted, and the firm be- came Mathewson, Greene & Mauran. In 1854 the name was changed to Greene. Mauran & Co. In 1866. by the admission of Alfred A. Bliss. the firm became Greene & Bliss, and in 1873 the present name was adopted. The members of the firm are William C. Greene, of Providence, and Byron W. Greene, of New York. The manufacture of a general line of gold jewelry is carried on by the firm, at 95 Pine street, 25 hands being, on the average, employed. The value of the annual product amounts to fifty to seventy-five thousand dollars.
The business of Howard & Son was started January 1st. 1878, by the firm of H. Howard & Co., which was composed of Hiram Howard and A. J. Sherrieble. Their first location was in the Hope Iron Foundry building, at 227 Eddy street. They soon after moved to 119 Orange street, and as business increassd they occupied other shops in addition. In 1884 Mr. Howard and his son, Stephen C. Howard, formed the organization of the firm which remains at the present time, as Howard & Son. Their works occupy one floor in the Enterprise Building, and Allen Greene's building adjoining, fronting 123 feet on Eddy, and 145 feet on Fountain and Worcester streets. They manufacture plated cuff and collar buttons, also nov- elties and trinkets in solid sterling silver. employing, at the time of writing, 195 hands. The annual value of their products approxi- mates $300,000.
The firm of Hamilton & Hamilton, Jr., makers of rolled plate chains, started at 28 and 30 Potter street, in 1870. They moved from there to the large building at 226 Eddy street, and with the increase in their business took the annex building to that. The house now occupies a part of the Enterprise Building on Eddy street. They employ a large force of hands, usually numbering be- tween 150 and 200, the most of whom are skilled artisans or artists. Their special articles of manufacture are rolled plated chains, vest, guard and neck chains and chatelaines. The present members of the firm are Ralph S. Hamilton and Ralph S. Hamilton, Jr.
Hancock, Becker & Co. manufacture fine rolled plate jewelry at 40 Clifford street. They were established in the year 1881, and oc- cupy a room 40 by 100 feet, giving employment to about forty hands. Patent diamond and fancy stone setting is a branch of their business. The firm is composed of Charles E. Hancock and George Becker.
The firm of Hutchinson & Huestis started in the jewelry business
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in 1876. It is composed of George W. Hutchinson and Harvey Huestis. They are located at 185 Eddy street, and manufacture solid gold stone rings. They employ 22 skilled workmen. and they have a wide spread reputation as one of the most reliable houses in the trade.
Charles F. Irons manufactures specialties in emblems, pins and charms, Masonic, Odd Fellows and other society, and presentation jewels. His premises have a floor area of 3,763 square feet, and 40 hands are employed.
The manufacture of fine rolled plate jewelry is carried on by J. C. Harrington at No. 129 Eddy street. The house was founded in 1869. A single floor. 45 by 65 feet is occupied, and about 25 skilled workmen are employed. Among other specialties is an improved spring bracelet, on which Mr. Harrington holds a patent dated 1880.
The firm of J. W. Henry & Co. started in the business in 1874, Mr. Henry being then alone, but in 1876 the company was formed. The factory has an area of 40 by 80 feet, is furnished with steam power and employs about forty hands. Goods to the value of fifty to seventy-five thousand dollars are annually manufactured. The indi- vidual members of the firm are J. W. Henry and John Williams.
Albert Holt began the business of gold plating in 1880, having been previously employed in the same line of work at Attleboro Falls, Mass. He is associated in the present firm with Silas E. Field. The factory, at 120 Dorrance street, is comprised in one floor, 86 by 30 feet, equipped with rolls, lathes, drawing boards and other ap- paratus, and furnishes employment to several skilled workmen. In the gold plating process the ingot used, weighing 100 ounces, is made of either an alloy of copper or zinc, or at times of German silver. A plate of gold is fastened to the composition or ingot be- fore it is put into the furnace for " sweating." The silver contained serves to fasten this plate securely to the baser metal, and it is then passed through rollers until it is brought to the desired thick- ness. At this stage of the operation it presents the appearance of a sheet of gold-coated metal, which is then cut into sizes to suit the work for which it is intended to be used, or drawn into wires of different forms, in the usual manner. This house supplies ma- terial to the manufacturing jewelers of this city, as well as to those of other New England cities and towns, and of New York.
The manufacture of cane heads and umbrella and parasol mount- ings, in gold and silver, was started in the summer of 1889 by William B. Jencks & Co .. at 119 Orange street. They occupy a room 50 by 50 feet, and employ 15 hands.
In 1866 the first " Ladd " watch cases were made by Messrs. J. A. Brown & Co., of this city. This company had been established in 1858. The method of making, as well as the cases themselves were the invention of George W. Ladd, on which improvements have since
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been made and patented by himself and by George S. Ladd. The factory in which these cases are manufactured is at 104, 106 and 108 Eddy street, where the business was begun. It is a four story brick building, 40 by 100 feet. About 125 hands are employed, and goods to the value of upwards of $200,000 are annually manufactured. The Ladd Watch Case Company was incorporated in 1883, and bought the plant of J. A. Brown & Co., succeeding them in the business. The present officers of the company are: John A. Brown, president and treasurer; George W. Ladd, vice-president; George S. Ladd, super- intendent: James H. Bigelow, manager.
The business of H. Ludwig & Co. was started by Mr. Henry Lud- wig, about two years ago. It is located at 195 Eddy street, having about 4,000 feet of floor space. He manufactures plate jewelry and novelties, employs about 50 hands and produces about $75,000 worth of goods annually.
The firm of G. E. Luther & Co., composed of George E. Luther, Lauriston Towne and E. H. Dunham, started in business March Ist. 1880. The company dissolved by limitation, March Ist, 1882, since which time Mr. Luther has continued the business by himself. It is located at 95 Pine street. Rolled plate and silver chains are the spe- cialties. Thirty hands are employed, and the annual production reaches about $50,000 net value.
The firm of J. C. Lewis & Co. are successors of the firm of Capron & Wheeler, the house being one of the substantial ones of the city. They are engaged in the manufacture of plated chains, at No. 30 Page street. The business is managed by Mr. Lewis, who was, from the year 1854 to the time of embarking in this company, connected with S. M. Lewis in the jewelry business. The shop is well supplied with machinery and employs ten to fifteen hands.
H. C. Lindol established himself in 1885, at 180 Friendship street. in the manufacture of jewelry, of which his specialty was bracelets. His premises covered 3,000 square feet, and he gave employment to 20 skilled hands, turning out a class of work of high grade. He now occupies premises at 33 Page street.
William A. Locke carries on the manufacture of pearl goods at 363 Eddy street. This, though not jewelry in the strictest sense, is closely allied with that craft, many of the parts made of pearl being mounted with gold and finished by the jewelry manufacturers, sleeve or cuff buttons being a conspicuous article in point. Mr. Locke has several skilled workmen in his employ, cutting and grinding down, by means of machinery driven by steam, the pearl, from the rough shells to the forms required for jewelry manufacturers, and some other lines of trade.
The business carried on by Edwin Lowe, at 82 Clifford street, dates back to 1850, when it was established by Mr. Thomas H. Lowe. Later he formed a partnership by admitting his son Edwin to a share
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in the business, and about 1884 he retired, leaving the business in the hands of the present proprietor. Gold and silver plating for the use of jewelry manufacturers is the business of this house. Ten or twelve skilled workmen are employed.
The firm of Luther Brothers had its foundation in 1870, the busi- ness then established being carried on by William H. Luther. The firm of brothers was formed by the admission of Edward A. Luther in 1873. The beginning thus made grew to be the largest manufactory of electro-plated fine gilt and prize package jewelry in the world. The works are located at the corner of Oxford and Harriett streets, the factory buildings covering an area of about 5,000 square feet. The main building is 40 by 80 feet in dimensions and three stories high, with a wing 30 by 15 feet. There is also a two-story factory, 24 by 40 feet. A 10 horse power engine furnishes power for driving the machinery in use. Among the ingenious machinery which has been specially prepared for the work of this firm is a machine for making spiral wires for studs. This machine turns out 2,000 per hour, complete and perfectly made, to do which by the ordinary process, as used in other factories, would consume haif a day. The depart- ments are arranged with great regard to system. As large a number as twenty million pieces of jewelry have been manufactured here in a single year, the number of hands employed being about 150. Ed- ward A. Luther withdrew from the company about 1884, and the business was continued under the same name until 1888, when, on the admission of his son, Frederick B., the style William H. Luther & Son was adopted.
The firm of Martin, Copeland & Co. manufacture gold chains and rings at 60 Richmond street. The business was started by S. G. Martin, W. A. Copeland and Henry Gorman. To this number E. W. Martin has since been added. About $300,000 worth of goods are annually produced, 60 hands being employed.
The manufactory of Fred. I. Marcy & Co. is located at 95 Pine street. A spacious floor, 75 by 150 feet, is occupied, machinery being driven by steam power. The business was established under the management of James H. Sturdy and Fred. I. Marcy in 1867. The present firm succeeded to the plant January 1st, 1878. About 65 skilled artisans are employed. A full line of jewelry is made, but the specialty of the house is the Acme Lever Sleeve and Collar Buttons.
The firm of J. B. Mathewson & Co. are located at 61 Peck street, occupying a floor in the large Dyer Land Building, and employing about 40 hands. The business was founded by J. B. Mathewson, with whom are now associated in the company C. H. S. Hubbard, H. A. Monroe and C. H. Cooke.
John A. McCloy manufactures a great variety of lockets, of plated, enameled and fine gold, bright and Roman color. Over four hun-
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dred different designs are made, ranging in quality from the cheapest goods to the finest productions known to the trade. The factory oc- cupies about 4,000 square feet of floor space at 183 Eddy street, and furnishes employment to about 50 skilled workmen. The business was established by L. Carr & Co. in 1863, and after one or two changes in the status of the firm it came into the possession of the present proprietor in 1877. Mr. McCloy is also proprietor of the Manufacturing Jeweler, a large and elegantly printed monthly maga- zine, devoted to the interests of the jewelry trade. This paper was established in October, 1884, and circulates throughout the United States and Canada. It is edited by Walter B. Frost.
The beginning of the business of Nichols & Peryear was made by Henry N. Pervear. They occupy a room 25 by 40 feet at 109 Friend- ship street. The number of hands employed is about 50. The pres- ent firm is composed of Joseph Nichols and H. N. Pervear. They manufacture gold plated jewelry to the value of about $40,000 per annum. The firm, which began business in 1887, was preceded by the firm of Nichols & Black, who in turn were successors to the firm of Stone, Nichols & Black.
Messrs. Ostby & Barton carry on the manufacture of solid gold rings at 80 Clifford street, their premises having an area of 45 by 90 feet. The firm consists of Engelhart C. Ostby and Nathan B. Barton. The firm started in business about 1880. They employ about 90 hands.
One of the oldest jewelry manufacturing houses in Providence is that of G. & S. Owen & Co., their business having been started by George Owen and Smith Owen in 1834. It is located at 19 Snow street, corner of Chapel, and has an office in New York city at No. 3 Maiden Lane. They occupy the fourth floor, size about 40 by 110 feet, and manufacture solid 14-carat jewelry. They employ about 30 hands. Mr. James P. Snow, one of the partners, has charge of the New York office, through which all goods are sold. Charles E. West- cott, another partner, has charge of the factory here. Mr. Smith Owen, one of the original partners, died in April, 1889, in the 80th year of his age. Mr. George Owen, the senior partner. is now 84 years of age, and was active in the business up to 1875.
The business of Stephen Paine was established in 1860 by the firm of Paine & Webster. Mr. Paine is now established at 66 Westmin- ster street, where he does a retail business in the line of manufactur- ing jewelry.
Messrs. L. W. Pierce & Co. started in the jewelry manufacture in 1867. The members of the firm were L. W. Pierce and A. H. Willard. The business is now managed by Mr. Pierce alone. It consists of the manufacture of rolled plate and gold jewelry. Thirty-three hands are employed in the factory, which is located at 30 Page street.
The firm of Pearce & Hoagland started in the manufacture of gold
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pens, pencil cases and toothpicks, at 107 Friendship street, in 1879. The business was removed in 1882 to 29 Point street. Here it grew to be one of the largest establishments in the country in that line of business. Their manufacturing premises contained an area of 9,000 square feet, furnished with the most efficient mechanical appliances for the successful prosecution of the business. Some 200 hands were employed in the work. They were manufacturers of the "quill re- serve toothpicks." The firm was composed of Frank T. Pearce and John Hoagland. About 1887 the firm was dissolved, and the former place of business, 29 Point street, was occupied by a new firm of F. T. Pearce & Co., while another firm, as John Hoagland & Co., estab- lished themselves in the same line of manufactures at 17 Warren street. In 1889 the latter firm removed their business to New York city.
Charles S. Pine & Company is a jewelry manufacturing house of some forty years standing, the business having been started about the year 1845, being then known under the firm style of Steer & Crooker. Subsequently the firm became F. A. Steer & Co., then Keith & Pine, and about 1881 the present name was adopted, with the changes that occasioned it. About 40 skilled hands are employed in the factory, which is located at 121 Broad street. The firm hold patents, for the " Mary Anderson " bracelet, dated 1878 and February and June, 1883; the " Flexible Roller Edge " block bracelet, 1878 and February and December, 1883. The firm have a New York office at 196 Broadway.
George Pitts carries on the manufacture of lace scarf pins, lever and separable cuff pins and collar buttons with a large force of skilled workmen, at 120 Dorrance street. He was a few years since associated with George A. Hicks, as Pitts & Hicks.
The manufacture of pearl shell goods is carried on at 407 Pine street, by Charles L. Potter. The business was founded in 1869, by Mr. Potter, who had, previously to that, been for some time engaged in the manufacture of lockets. His factory employs a number of hands. He manufactures patent spiral studs and lace pins, of which some $40,000 worth are annually produced.
The Reynolds Jewelry Company was established in May, 1882, by C. D. Reynolds. It is located at 13 Mason street, occupying one floor of a four story building having an area 50 by 100 feet. Rolled plate. electroplate Roman gold and jet jewelry is manufactured, an average of fifty hands being employed. The annual product amounts in value to about $75,000. The company is composed of Charles D. and Frank B. Reynolds.
The business carried on by Charles A. Russell & Co., in the third and fourth floors of No. 102 Friendship street, was started by the present proprietors in June, 1886. The goods manufactured are
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
rolled plate pins and chains, society and trade emblems. Twenty- four hands are employed. The partner of Mr. Russell is Mr. Henry M. Tallman.
The firm of Read, Gardiner & Co. was founded in January, 1881. It consisted of Martin L. Read and Thomas J. Gardiner. They be- gan manufacturing first class rolled plate jewelry at 25 Potter street, and soon had 15 hands at work, and were enjoying a rising business and reputation. In 1884 they removed to 227 Eddy street. In 1887 Thomas J. Gardiner & Co. were in charge of the business, and the firm under that name still maintains the position. Martin L. Read, in 1887, having withdrawn from the firm of Read, Gardiner & Co., engaged in the manufacture of nickel curtain fixtures at 227 Eddy street, and in the following year carried on the manufacture of sash curtain fixtures and jewelry at 118 Dorrance street. In this industry he still continues at the same location.
The house of J. B. Richardson & Co. carried on the manufacture of fine rolled plate jewelry and the patent "Providence Lever" sleeve and collar buttons, at 129 and 131 Eddy street from about 1875 to 1887. Their premises, having an area of about 2,500 square feet, well equipped with machinery, employed about 45 hands. The sleeve and collar buttons were patented June 14th, 1881. Some 250 different styles were made.
In 1888 Mr. Henry Salisbury started in the manufacture of a cheap line of pins, drops, scarf pins, studs, and the like, at 227 Eddy street. He employs 8 to 10 hands, occupying a room about 35 by 60 feet.
The Seery Manufacturing Co. are located at 33 Beverly street. The business was started by Edward F. Seery, in 1877. They manu- facture fire gilt chains, occupying a floor 30 by 140 feet, and employ- ing 15 hands. The goods they annually make amount in value to about $30,000. The company is not a corporation, but a partnership of Edward F. Seery and Sidney L. Clark.
The business of Messrs. Smith & Greene was started by Henry G. Smith and Daniel Tonge, in 1879. It is located at 80 Clifford street. The manufacture of rolled plate chains is carried on, about 100,000 being annually turned out. Fifty hands are employed. The present company consists of Henry G. Smith and Augustus A. Greene.
Smith, Mackinney & Co. are engaged in the manufacture of fine diamond jewelry and imitation diamond jewelry at 54 Page street. The business was established in 1875. Fifty hands are employed, and goods to the value of $160,000 to $180,000 are annually manufactured. The owners are H. G. Mackinney and A. J. Smith.
Mr. Asher A. Stark is engaged in the production of electro plated lace and scarf pins and the like at 42 Point street. Several hands are employed, and goods to the value of $8,000 per annum are produced.
Mr. A. C. Stone began business in rolled plate jewelry manufac-
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ture August 1st, 1884, at 96 Pine street. He employs about 15 hands, and turns out about $30,000 worth of goods a year.
The firm of Saxton & Smith was established in business in June, 1870. They soon built up a reputation and gained a business of very considerable importance and magnitude. Their location was at 183 Eddy street, where about 60 skilled hands were employed in the manufacture of the specialty to which the house gives its attention, viz., gold chains. The products of the house are estimated to often exceed $350,000 in value in a single year. The firm, composed of Samuel W. Saxton and Charles Sydney Smith, continued until 1886, when the former withdrew, and Mr. Smith has since carried on the business. He has a branch house in New York.
The business now conducted by 'Mr. George L. Vose was estab- lished by Messrs. Vose and Andrew S. Southworth in 1873. In 1883 the latter withdrew, and Mr. Vose continued the business to the present time. It is located at 59 Clifford street, in a shop 40 by 110 feet. The manufacture of gold, gold front and plated jewelry is car- ried on, and 60 hands are employed. The annual value of products reaches about $100,000.
Henry H. White established the manufacture of gold-plated jew- elry in 1878. He was from 1884 until recently located at 7 Eddy street, but is now at 14 Sabin street. About 12 hands are employed.
Walter E. White started the business in 1878. He occupies one floor, 35 by 100 feet, in the brick building at 54 Page street, manufac- turing rolled plate and solid gold jewelry. The business is conducted by him under the firm name of W. E. White & Co. About 60 hands are employed, and the annual product figures up to about $100,000 in value.
Messrs. Wildprett & Saacke are manufacturing solid gold rings at 14 Page street. William Wildprett started the business in 1887, and the present firm was formed a year later. Four hands employed make about $6,000 worth of rings a year.
The business now carried on at 19 Snow street was founded by Mr. Wilcox in 1856. His present partner is Walter Gardiner. The building occupied by them is 112 feet long by 40 feet wide, with a wing 30 by 40 feet. About 45 hands are employed in the manufac- ture of gold jewelry, of which goods to the value of about $250,000 are annually finished. The firm are also importers of diamonds.
Mr. Andrew J. Wiley started the business in 1875, which he still continues, making rolled plate and electro-plate lace pins, jet goods, rings, bracelets and novelties of all kinds. Twelve hands are em- ployed, and goods to the value of $15,000 are annually manufactured by him at 363 Eddy street.
Henry Williams occupies the third floor of No. 119 Orange street in the manufacture of gold-plated chains. He began the business in
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1883, now employs 16 hands, and manufactures $30,000 worth of goods annually.
The manufacture of plated jewelry was begun by G. B. Willis in 1885, succeeding H. W. Potter, who had previously been engaged in it. From 27 Page street, the place first occupied, he moved to 33 Page street in June, 1889. The firm at present consists of Mr. Willis and A. L. Sweet. The annual value of goods made is about $25,000, and the average number of hands employed is 25.
CHAPTER XXIII.
VARIOUS FRATERNAL SOCIETIES.
Early history of Free Masonry here .- Grand Lodge formed .- St. John's Lodge .- Promi -- nent Masons of that Day .- Thomas Smith Webb .- The anti-Masonic uprising in 1828. -Revival of the Order .- Different Masonic Lodges .- Royal Arch Masons .- Other Departments of the Order .- Colored Masons .- Rise and Progress of the Odd Fellows. -Different Lodges .- Good Samaritans .- Grand Army of the Republic .- Knights of Pythias .- Knights of Honor .- Knights and Ladies of Honor .- Knights and Ladies of the Mystic Circle .- Ancient Order of Forresters .- American Legion of Honor .- United Friends .- N. E. Order of Protection .- Royal Arcanum .- Royal Society of Good Fellows .- Order of Elks .- Ancient Order of United Workmen .- Alfredians. - Sons of St. George .- Pilgrim Fathers .- Caledonians .- Scottish Clans .- Orders of Lucilius, the Golden Cross, Improved Red Men, and Harugari .- German and Hebrew societies .- Temperance organizations.
F REEMASONRY dates the commencement of its organic life in Rhode Island with the year 1749, when a number of brethren in Newport petitioned "St. John's Grand Lodge," of Boston, to grant them a charter. Their petition was allowed December 27th. 1749. At first the brethren in Newport were authorized to confer only the first two degrees, and it was not until March 20th, 1759, that they were given full power to hold a Lodge for the conferring of the master's degree. On January 18th, 1757, in answer to the request of " John Gerrish and sundry other brethren," a charter was issued for the establishment of St. John's Lodge in the town of Providence. The first meetings were held at the " White Horse Tavern " on North Main street, afterward at the house of the widow Kilton, the tavern designated by the sign of the "Two Crows," and at other inns and private houses as was found most convenient. The Lodge flourished at the outset, being composed evidently of excellent material. John Burgess was the first master. Joseph Brown, John Brown, and Moses Brown were among the first candidates initiated. The last named brother was chosen secretary in 1758, and continued to hold the office and discharge its duties for eleven years, during which time he at- tended 80 of the 97 meetings of the Lodge. Joseph Brown was like- wise active during those years; he succeeded John Burgess in 1762 and presided at every meeting until 1769, when, on account of a de- cline of interest and manifold discouragements, the brethren "closed their Lodge, shut up their books and sealed up their jewels "-an inter- regnum of nine years succeeding before a resumption of meetings and work took place.
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