USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island > Part 39
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75
In 1868 Chase & Clark began the manufacture of patent power and hand loom shuttles and bobbins, continuing until 1870, when A. D. Clark became the owner. In June, 1877, he died and the Clark Shuttle Works were then carried on half a dozen years more by M. W. A. Clark, when the machinery was removed from town.
The business of the Woonsocket Shuttle Company was established in 1879 by David Bass and M. Hawkins. In 1881 they sold out to John Johnston and John Shambow, who began operations with the above name. They occupy a part of one of the Harris buildings and manu- facture all kinds of shuttles, giving employment to 15 men.
The Woonsocket Spool and Bobbin Company was incorporated in May, 1883, with a capital of $100,000 and the following officers: Doctor A. W. Buckland, president; David Bass, treasurer; Lewis C. Bass, secretary; Benoni Hawkins, superintendent. After operating several years in one of the Harris buildings they purchased, in 1885, the Nathaniel Elliott property, and erected new buildings in addition to
320
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
those already there, to adapt them to their business. Here the manu- facture of all kinds of spools, bobbins and shuttles has since been extensively carried on, employment being given to more than 100 persons. In 1889 A. W. Buckland was the president; D. M. Edwards, treasurer; and David Bass, superintendent.
The old Hubbard planing mill, on this property, was occupied by A. C. Sibley, who has been the tenant since 1885. His business was established in 1879, in the " Privilege " building. All kinds of joiners' mill work is made and 24 men are employed.
On Allen street a planing mill is operated by Daniel S. Fuller, in the manufacture of blinds, door and window frames. The business was established in 1879. Steam from a 40-horse boiler is the motor and four men find occupation.
Since 1884 A. B. & W. E. Capron have operated the grain mill on Arnold street, consuming five car loads of wheat per week. The motor is steam.
Among the industries of a recent period which have been discon- tinued was the American Twist Drill Company. The business was established in 1865 by John and Thomas Worrall and carried on by them until 1874, when the company was organized with Amos Sher- man, president; T. H. Worrall, treasurer and agent. The factory was last in one of the Harris buildings, but after 1880 the machinery was removed out of the state.
The Woonsocket Horse Nail Company was incorporated in 1875 with a capital of $100,000. Lyman A. Cook was the president; F. M. Perkins, secretary and treasurer; and Joseph Banigan, agent. George W. Miller as superintendent took charge of the works in the summer of 1877, and for several years the business was successfully carried on in a building now forming a part of the Glenark Mills. Here also was the Narragansett Horse Nail Company, whose affairs were superintended by George L. Hall; but both industries have passed away.
The Hautin Sewing Machine Company, in which Lyman A. Cook and Joseph Banigan were also largely interested, had its factory on this site until 1886. An unsuccessful effort was made, at a heavy out- lay, to manufacture a wax thread sewing machine for leather workers, and was not given up until the machine was shown to be impracticable in the hands of unskilled operators. January 28th, 1886, the stock was sold in the New York market, and a new company was there or- ganized, with a capital of $250,000, to be known as the Wardwell Sew- ing Machine Company. This name was selected in compliment to Simeon W. Wardwell, the superintendent of the old company, who had invented an improved sewing machine, which the new company purposed to manufacture. The present company was incorporated under the laws of New York, and chose as its first officers: Joseph Banigan, president; Charles H. Reeves, treasurer; F. M. Wells, secre-
321
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
tary. Mr. Wardwell continued as superintendent, and the works re- mained at Glenark site until September, 1887, when Edwin J. Pierce, Jr., became the superintendent, and new factory quarters were se- cured in the lower Bernon Mill. In November, 1888, Joseph Banigan withdrew from the company, and in January, 1889, Clarence H. Scrymser, of New York, succeeded him as president.
The company has added to the manufacture of the sewing machine, models, tools and parts of small patents in which skilled labor is de- manded. It has also lately engaged in the manufacture of the Colum- bian Bar-Lock Type Writer, with capacity to produce 300 per week, and employing 200 men. In August, 1889, a new plant, now the fac- tory of the Woonsocket Shuttle Company, was occupied. It is spa- cious, well appointed and has a large steam power.
The Woonsocket Machine and Press Company .- In 1825 Willis and Lyman A. Cook, two young men who had learned the machinist's trade at Valley Falls, came to Woonsocket and engaged to work in the shop of Thomas Arnold, which had been opened two years pre- viously in a building which stood near the corner of Main and Bernon streets. At the end of three years they associated Willing Vose with them, and, forming the firm of Willis Cook & Co., opened a factory of their own, in the same locality in which they carried on the machine and foundry business, until they were burned out in 1835. A new site was now selected, farther north, where is now the property of the American Worsted Company, where larger shops were built which be- came known as the Woonsocket Furnace. Soon after Willing Vose withdrew, and the Cook brothers continued the sole owners until January, 1868, when they sold the works to Simeon S. Cook. In Oc- tober, 1873, they passed into the hands of a company, organized to operate them, under the name of the Woonsocket Machine Company. The capital stock of this corporation was $200,000, and as the scope of manufacture was extended to embrace a greater variety of machinery, its operations soon demanded larger quarters. These were secured in the new plant of the company at Fairmount. The first building there was completed in the fall of 1879, and the entire works were trans- ferred to the new site in the course of a few years.
In 1865 George W. Miller, a practical machinist, began work at Woonsocket, locating on the "island" in 1866, where his shop was afterward merged with the rubber works. In 1879 he began building rotary cloth presses, which had been perfected by him, occupying shops on the machine company's lot. January 1st, 1884, he consoli- dated his interests with those of the machine company, and the new organization now took the name of the Woonsocket Machine and Press Company, of which Stephen N. Mason continued president, and George W. Miller became superintendent. William S. Hopkins has also served many years as the treasurer.
The plant, which embraces five acres of land, has been well im-
21
322
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
proved to adapt it to the needs of the business. The shops are sub- stantial and well appointed, the main building being three stories high, 50 by 130 feet, with an annex 60 by 100 feet, one story high. The pattern house is 50 by 100 feet, and two stories high. The motive power is steam from a powerful engine. In addition to the building of presses, machinery of all kinds for cotton and woolen mills is manufactured. From 150 to 200 men find profitable employment.
The Doctor Seth Arnold Medical Corporation was formed August 13th, 1872, with a capital of $100,000, to succeed to the business of Doctor Seth Arnold, as manufacturers of proprietary medicines. The corporators were Doctor Seth Arnold, L. W. Ballou, James M. Cook, William G. Arnold and William M. Weeks. Doctor Seth Arnold re- mained at the head of the corporation until his death, October 31st, 1883. He was educated as a regular physician, but in 1842 began the manufacture of his patent medicines, which he continued alone until the date above given. In 1868 he sold the right to his " Balsam " to Gillman Brothers of Boston, and since that time the operations have been limited to the manufacture of " Arnold's Cough Killer," " Anti- Bilious Pills," and "Soothing Cordial."
The first place of business was on Greene street, but since 1875 the fine laboratory on Park avenue has been occupied. The building has a fine site and is attractive in its appearance and surroundings. It is a frame 40 by 60 feet, and contains fine offices and store rooms, in addition to the manufacturing departments. The affairs of the com- pany are prosperous, and its products are largely sold in all parts of the country. In 1889 the officers were: Olney Arnold, president and treasurer; Alexander S. and Seth Arnold, secretaries.
The Bailey Wringing Machine Company, on Social and Clinton streets, was chartered in June, 1865, with a capital of $250,000, in shares of $100 each. John Paine Whipple was the first treasurer, but died not long after the company was formed. The article which has given the corporation its existence and prosperity was the invention of Selden A. Bailey, a poor mechanic, in 1859, at New London, Conn. The following year he moved to Wrentham, Mass., where the firm of Bailey & Sayles was formed and the wringer manufactured on a larger scale, continuing until the death of his partner, in 1863. The follow- ing spring Mr. Bailey became a resident of Woonsocket and joined Simeon S. and B. M. Cook in forming the firm of Bailey, Cook & Co., to manufacture the wringer still more extensively. Work was begun in a shop on the "island" and the business soon gave evidence of such large possibilities that this company was organized and a new factory site secured. In the fall of 1865 a part of the present plant was pur- chased of Willis and Lyman A. Cook, who became interested in the new company, the latter serving as the first president.
The shops on this property were erected in 1845 by Whipple and William Metcalf, skillful builders of cotton machinery, who had pre-
323
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
viously occupied shops at Globe and near Market Square, and where they had prospered beyond the capacity of their quarters. In their new place of business they were less successful, and sold the property in 1856 to the Messrs. Cook. From that time until the spring of 1866 the buildings had been occupied by various parties. The expecta- tions of the Bailey Company were fully realized and, in 1876, the works employed 60 men. At that time the officers were George W. Jenckes. president; William H. Bailey, secretary; S. A. Bailey, treasurer, and J. R. Bailey, superintendent. Fifty thousand wringers were produced annually.
Here were also, about this time, the works of the Bailey Tool Company, which manufactured all kinds of carpenter's tools, and operated from 1872 until 1880, when this part of the business was sold to. the Standard Rule & Level Company, and the interests re- moved to New Britain, Conn.
The Relief Washing Machine Company also had its origin in the enterprise at this place, and was incorporated May 27th, 1875, with Doctor Ariel Ballou president; Selden A. Bailey, treasurer, and Daniel B. Pond, secretary and managing agent. In subsequent years their goods were manufactured out of town.
The works of the Bailey Wringing Company have been improved and extended to give still greater capacity. In 1889 the main build- ing, which is 40 by 120 feet and three stories high, was supplied with a hydraulic elevator, the first in the city. A well appointed office on Social street was erected in 1884, and the equipments have made the production of 225,000 wringers per year possible. In 1889 100 men were employed, and the affairs of the company were directed by Joseph Banigan, who succeeded L. A. Cook in 1885 as president; George Reuter, Jr., treasurer; Reuel P. Smith, A. B. Warfield, James Murray and Henry F. Lippitt. A. F. White was the superintendent, and James S. Black, the bookkeeper.
The manufacture of the Bailey wringers at Woonsocket brought into existence another industry whose development and extent has done more to spread the name of the city abroad than all the other industries combined. The rubber rolls used in the wringers were at first made elsewhere, but S. S. Cook determined that they should be made here. His success in their manufacture on a small scale in the fall of 1864 led to making other mould rubber mork, in which Ly- man A. Cook and Joseph Banigan were interested with him. From this sprang the Woonsocket Rubber Works. In the course of a few years S. S. Cook disposed of his interests to his associates, who placed this industry in the care of the Woonsocket Rubber Company, which was incorporated in 1867, with a capital of $100,000. Of this company Lyman A. Cook was president and Joseph Banigan, general agent, and, through their untiring energy, the business was made a success from the time the manufacture of rubber boots and shoes was begun.
324
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Within ten years the works at the " island " covered one and a half acres, one of the buildings erected being of brick, four stories high, and 50 by 160 feet in dimensions. In 1876 130 cases of work were pro- duced daily and the pay roll for labor amounted to $15,000 per month. In 1882 it became necessary to enlarge the works, and, as suitable ground could not be procured at the old plant, a part of the manufac- ture was transferred to Millville, Mass., and, since that time, the rub- ber boots of the company have been made at that place. At the time this change was effected L. A. Cook disposed of his interest in the company to Joseph Banigan, who now became the ruling spirit in this enterprise.
In January, 1889, the works employed 800 hands, mostly males, and the pay roll was more than $25,000 per month. The excellence of the products of the Woonsocket company caused a demand for still greater capacity and the erection of new works was now urged. After some agitation of the question of a site, the Buffum Island lot of 20 acres was purchased in March, 1889, on which to erect a new plant. In July of this year the first buildings were here begun and consist of a main structure, 82 by 360 feet, with two wings at the ends of the same, each 50 by 250 feet. All of them are of brick, resting on granite founda- tions, and are four stories high. The twelve acres of floor space will be fully occupied, and, when completed, these will be the largest and best appointed rubber works in the world. More than 1,500 men will be employed, thus largely promoting the growth of Woonsocket.
To keep pace with the growing demands of the business the cap- ital stock of the company has been increased from time to time, being $1,200,000 in 1889. At this time the affairs were managed by Joseph Banigan, president and general agent; Frederick Cook, treasurer; Frederick T. Comee and P. J. Conley, superintendents. In the latter capacity John F. Holt has also served.
CHAPTER IX.
THE TOWN AND CITY OF WOONSOCKET-(Concluded).
The Press .- Education .- Public Libraries .- Churches .- Societies and Lodges .- The Woonsocket Hospital .- Cemeteries .- Military Affairs .- Bands .- Soldiers' Monu- ment .- Grand Army of the Republic .- Sons of Veterans .- Biographical Sketches.
T HE periodical press of Woonsocket has been an important factor in its social and commercial history ever since the first venture was made in 1833. That year the Weekly Patriot was founded and it has been continued to the present time as one of the ablest rural papers in New England. Its proprietors were Sherman & Wilder, who established a publication office in the old Rathbun Block, on Main street. In a short time William N. Sherman became the sole owner and editor, his associate retiring to form the firm of Hap- good & Wilder, who began, in 1835, the publication of the second paper in the town, The Rhode Island Advocate. This enterprise suc- ceeded but nine months, and at the end of that time the Patriot was again alone in the journalistic field several years.
Early in 1836 the publication of the Rainbow was begun by I. Robinson, with N. Robinson as editor. It was a four page semi- monthly sheet, devoted to " Literary Miscellany and the Arts," and was printed in a room over the post office. On the 16th of April, 1836, it claimed to have 1,000 subscribers at one dollar each, having begun five issues before with but one subscriber, but at the end of a year it was discontinued.
The Independent, a paper advocating free suffrage, was the next to claim patronage. It was removed here from Providence, during the Dorr times, and was published a few months only by Walter Sher- man. Its office was in the Union Building.
Near the same time The Woonsocket Sentinel and the Thompsonian Advocate was begun, its first issue being February 16th, 1842. It was devoted to the "Reformed practice of Medicine, Health, News, Temperance and Miscellany." The paper was issued weekly, by Mason & Vose, and was a folio of 20 wide columns, $1.50 per year. The editors were Willing Vose and Doctor G. W. Davis. Josiah Per- kins had charge of the Washingtonian Department. In December, 1842, Doctor J. M. Aldrich was added as another associate editor and the columns of the paper now teemed with brilliant and aggressive. articles on the Thompsonian system of medicine. In March, 1843, a
326
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
new set of editors took charge, but in the course of a year the publi- cation was suspended for lack of patronage.
The News-Letter, published by Erastus Fisher in 1850, was the next venture, whose existence was not prolonged beyond the year in which it began.
An agricultural semi-monthly, The Farm and Fireside, next entered the lists, January 5th, 1867. It was published by S. S. & G. W. Foss, from the office of the Patriot, and was an able and enterprising peri- odical. Failing to receive proper support it was continued but one year.
Until 1873 the Weekly Patriot had an almost undisputed control of the newspaper patronage, having some years as many as 9,000 sub- scribers. This success was achieved by the ability and enterprise of its editor, Samuel S. Foss. He was born at West Boylston, Mass., August 15th, 1821, and after obtaining an academic education entered the office of the Patriot as an apprentice, in the spring of 1837. Three years later he was an associate editor, and in 1841, purchased the paper from William N. Sherman, its founder. At that time it had a circulation of 500 and a poorly equipped office. In form it was a six column folio and in politics it was whig. He added improvements from time to time until it was one of the best offices in the country, using in October, 1873, the first folding machine in the state. In 1855 he removed the Patriot from the Rathbun Building to the Waterman Block, which he purchased in 1865, when it became known as the Patriot Building. This remained the home of the paper until some time after the death of Mr. Foss, August 6th, 1879. He was a man of strong and fertile brain, immense industry and so persistent in his purposes that he commanded success. Though stern in his principles and of unbending integrity, he was warm hearted and steady in his friendships, which caused him to be highly esteemed.
German W. Foss, a twin brother of S. S., now took charge of the Patriot and conducted it until his death in 1880. Later, Herbert E. Holmes edited the papers for the Foss estate, which sold out to the Patriot Printing Company in March, 1881. Of this firm William H. Goodale and T. H. Mann were the managers. August 4th, 1886, George B. Arnold became the proprietor and the paper was edited by L. B. Pease. January 17th, 1889, the latter became the proprietor and since that time has issued the paper as the weekly edition of the Daily Evening Reporter, though retaining the name of Patriot. It is an eight page sheet of 64 long columns, well edited and is independ- ent in politics. The paper is well sustained, retaining much of its former large rural patronage.
The Daily Patriot was established in 1876 by S. S. Foss, the first issue being on the evening of April 3d, as a four page, 20 column sheet, at one cent per copy. This paper at once found a popular place in the community, for it was enterprising and attractive. As.
327
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
an adjunct of it and to provide still better facilities Mr. Foss con- structed, at his own expense, a telegraph line to Providence, opening an office in the Patriot Building, June, 1876, for the transmission of news direct. April 3d, 1878, the paper was enlarged to six columns per page, and was otherwise improved to meet the wants of its in- creasing patrons. On the 15th of March, 1881, the Daily Patriot was sold to L. B. Pease, who merged it with the Evening Reporter, of which it had been so keen a rival until 1880, that many poignant passages appeared in their columns.
The Evening Reporter was the first daily paper published at Woon- socket. Its first issue was October 1st, 1873, as a small four-column folio, selling for one cent per copy. L. B. Pease was the editor and proprietor, and under his well directed management it has since re- mained, becoming one of the best newspaper properties in the state. On the 20th of March, 1876, the paper was enlarged to a five-column folio, and soon afterward reported a circulation of more than 3,000 copies. Further enlargements were made October 1st, 1879, to six columns; April 2d, 1883, to seven columns; and December 16th, 1884, to eight columns. At this time a morning edition was started but dis- continued after four days. In 1889 the Reporter had an average daily circulation of 5,747 copies. It is printed in a finely equipped office in the American Block, receiving its Associate Press dispatches by special wire. Its local news corps is well organized and in charge of trained men, George A. Smith being managing editor, and Major J. W. Smyth and F. W. Thurber associates. Arthur S. Pease is the business manager.
The Valley Republican was begun as a two cent daily April 26th, 1886, and was a large seven-column folio. At the end of four days the price was reduced to one cent, the size being maintained. It was published by Goss & Mann, and printed in the Patriot office. When that plant was sold to George B. Arnold, August 4th, 1886, the paper was discontinued. It had good press privileges and was a fine, well edited sheet, but lacked patronage to make it a paying venture. This was the last attempt to establish a daily at Woonsocket.
The Sunday Journal, issued May 3d, 1885, was the first Sunday paper published in the city. Its proprietors were Edward B. Condon and Maxime L. Bouret, but at the end of four weeks the former sold his interest to his partner, who continued four weeks longer, when the publication was suspended. It was an attractive 28 column, four page paper, but failed to receive the patronage it claimed.
Newton's Textile Gazette, a paper devoted to the interests of mill men, was established in July, 1883, as a monthly of 28 columns. In April, 1885, its issue as a semi-monthly was begun and continued until October, 1888, since which time it has been a weekly. In connection with its book premiums, "Newton's Practical Spinner," "Newton's Carder " and "Newton's Weaver," it has attained a large circulation,
1
328
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
its list showing names from 29 states. Charles M. Newton has con- tinued the editor and proprietor.
The High School Record was established by the pupils of the high school in September, 1884, and has since been published monthly, during the school year, by the pupils of the junior and senior classes. It is a neat eight-page journal, of 24 columns, filled with matter per- taining to the school interests of the city.
The Courier Canadien was the pioneer French paper in the city, whose publication was continued about six months in 1880. The pro- prietors were Gagnon & Archambault, with C. Tetreault as the busi- ness manager. The issue was twice per week and the paper was well edited, but was not sufficiently supported to continue at this place. It was removed to Worcester and consolidated with a paper of that city; and future attempts to establish a French paper at Woonsocket have been equally unsuccessful, each of the two subsequent ventures being of short duration.
In 1889, Joseph U. Giguere had a well ordered French and English book and job office, which had been established several years; William H. Goodale & Co. were the proprietors of a fine, large steam book and job printing house; and Carl C. Wheelock had a job office. These and the Reporter's establishment afford splendid printing facilities for the people at Woonsocket.
Since the Quakers predominated among the early settlers of this section, and they believed that the welfare of the community depended upon the education of its citizens, it is but natural to look to them for the first efforts to establish and maintain what would readily develop into a system of free schools. Accordingly, we find in their records, on this matter: "6th mo., 1771. It is thought necessary yt poor chil- dren be schooled."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.