History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Part 6

Author: Bayles, Richard Mather, ed
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: New York, W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 938

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The Bosworth Machine Company, shop rear of 43 North Main street, is among the old established manufacturing establishments in the city of Pawtucket. The proprietor is Mr. L. P. Bosworth, who established the business here in 1857. He is well known as an extensive manu- facturer of jewelers' tools, consisting of drops, presses, lathes, polish- ing heads, and other machines for manufacturing jewelry; also leather machinery, consisting of scafing, trimming, and cutting ma- chines, and other machinery for manufacturing belting. Mr. Bos- worth occupies a large and finely equipped shop, 75 by 40 feet in size, and possesses all needed facilities for expeditious and satisfactory work.

Charles A. Luther & Co., 14 Leather avenue, are manufacturers of

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

patent cloth stretchers, thread dressers, improved thread and yarn reels, starching machines, and general machinery. The business was first established in 1834 by Mr. Danforth L. Peck, who was succeeded in 1858 by Mr. Charles A. Luther, and the present firm name was adopted in 1882 on the accession of Mr. W. H. Peck to the firm, Mr. E. D. Chaplin coming in as a partner in 1885. Mr. William H. Peck is the present proprietor. The firm occupy some 6,000 square feet of floor surface, and possess one of the best equipped shops for the pur- pose in this section. They have a large and permanent trade estab- lished throughout the United States, which is steadily increasing in volume.

The Dexter Yarn Company are yarn and knitting cotton manufac- turers. This business was established by Captain N. G. B. Dexter, who came to this place from Grafton, Massachusetts, in September, 1798, and the day he came, as he was wont to say, he "saw the rais- ing of the frame of the second cotton mill reared here." He entered the employ of Almy, Brown & Slater, and remained with them about 30 years. In 1820 he began to make knitting cotton on a small scale on his own account, and in 1830 left the service of the above-named firm and entered more largely into the business. In 1844, Simon W. Dexter went into the mill as a hand merely to learn the business, and in 1855 he and his brother, Daniel S., succeeded to the business, the father retiring from the concern. The business was now conducted under the style of Dexter Brothers with great success. In 1858 a boiler explosion occurred, killing one man. Their mill then was where the post office now stands. In 1859 business became dull and the mills were stopped. At this time Mr. S. W. Dexter, the head of the firm, went on the road as agent. On his first trip to New York, he took one order from John J. Henchman & Co. for 44,000 pounds of knitting yarn and one order from J. B. Spellman & Sons for 20,000 pounds, that resulted afterward in the sale of 80,000 pounds to the same company, and from that time the business became a suc- cess. In 1864 the land where the present building now stands, on the east side of the river, was purchased of the heirs of Henry Gerald & Son, and the mammoth structure at that place erected. In 1876 the company experienced another revulsion, but it recovered and in 1880 the company was incorporated with H. H. Thomas, treasurer, James E. Vail, president, S. F. Dexter secretary and general manager. By strict care and fidelity to business this company has gained for its cotton yarn such a reputation that it is the standard article in the market.

Greene Brothers' mill occupies the site where Timothy Greene originally had a tan and bark mill. After the beginning of.the pres- ent century the bark mill was converted into a cotton factory. Samuel and Daniel Greene & Co. used this mill for that purpose for years. In the crisis of 1829 the property was bought by the New England Pacific

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

Bank, with a pledge on their part that it should be restored to the Greene family whenever the liabilities were paid. The mill receives its supply of water from Sargent's Trench, and the power is 40 or 50 horse. As the burden of liquidation seemed not overpowering, the family gave themselves to the task of lifting it, and succeeded in due time. The manufacture of cotton was quickly resumed. Joseph T. Greene, in 1835, began to carry on the business in his name, and com- menced making cotton cord in addition to his other business. But he did not despise the day of small things, for he began this branch of business with twenty dollars' worth of machinery. In 1856 Mr. Greene associated his younger brother in business with him. Their special business was the manufacture of cotton and shoe laces. To man their rooms required twenty operatives. The old mill was burnt, but a new edifice was reared in 1861. N. P. Hicks came into posses- sion of this property in 1885, and Darius Goff bought it in the spring of 1888, of Mr. Hicks' heirs.

Among those who have done business in the Greene mill should be mentioned W. A. Beatty & Co., who began the manufacture of jewel- ers' materials in 1865, but abandoned it in 1872. In 1870 they began the manufacture of jewelry itself, and that business is now continued by W. R. Cobb & Go. C. D. Tuttle manufactured jet jewelry, and at one time employed a number of workmen. John J. Kenyon makes shoe laces, etc., and occupies an entire story. He has been here ever since the mill was rebuilt, and employs at times a large force of hands. He is also agent for the Pawtucket Tape Company, No. 8 Jenks ave- nue. J. S. Capron, pattern maker and wood turner, has been here for years also.

The Slater Cotton Company manufacture cotton goods. Their buildings stand nearly opposite Captain Brown's shop. The larger edifice was reared in 1863 for a file manufactory. The Slater Com- pany purchased the property in 1868, when it was materially enlarged. In 1869 the company was incorporated, with a capital of $400,000, which has since been increased to $600,000. They operate 52,000 spindles. The new mill was erected in 1882. It is 302 by 92 feet and five stories in height. The company employ about 750 hands and manufacture muslins and cambrics. Nearly 6,000,000 yards of cloth are annually produced. The officers of the company are as follows: William F. Sayles, president; F. S. Drowne, secretary and treasurer; Alfred P. Sisson, superintendent.

The Greene & Daniels mill is on the east side of the river, oppo- site Central Falls. Thread, yarns and twines of every description are made, and bleaching and dyeing for the trade is carried on. The mill stretches parallel with the Blackstone for the distance of 407 feet, and is 67 feet in breadth and five stories high. Annexed to the mill is an engine room, boiler house and cotton room, 42 by 90 feet, two stories in height. Besides these buildings there are a mechanical shop, 100

Ing. IF G. Kernan

Authun P. Hicks.

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

by 32 feet, three stories in height, and bleachery and dye works and other buildings on the premises. The senior partner of the firm came to the adjoining village of Central Falls in 1824, and for 20 years, as workman and partner, remained there. In 1844 he removed to Maple- ville, and after six years went to Richmond, R. I. In two years after that date General Daniels became associated with him, and the firm took the style of Greene & Daniels. In 1855 they removed to Central Falls and occupied Moies & Jenks' mill, and continued to run it for 20 years. They also ran the inill of Andrew Jencks in that village for five years. In 1860 they commenced the erection of their present mill, and enlarged it to its present dimensions in 1866. The com- pany was incorporated in 1877, the officers being then: Benjamin F. Greene, president; Edward A. Greene, treasurer; George P. Grant, agent. The death of the president, B. F. Greene, January 29th, 1886, necessitated an official change, and E. A. Greene was elected presi- dent and G. P. Grant agent and treasurer. The growth of the busi- ness from 1852, when they ran only 2,000 spindles, to the present time, when they are running 32,000 spindles, has been great. They employ about 400 operatives, and the cotton used by them at the pres- ent time amounts to about 2,000,000 pounds of. manufactured yarn. The styles of goods at the present time are vastly different from what they were formerly, owing to the demands of the trade, and also owing to the change of machinery. The company is now reorganiz- ing and putting in improved machinery throughout, adding every- thing of the latest and best pattern.

The Bridge Mill Cotton Manufacturing Company occupied the mill on the south side of the eastern end of the bridge. This was form- erly called the " Yellow Mill." It was originally a bed-ticking mill. In 1837 it was occupied by Thayer & Pitcher, who manufactured cot- ton goods of a comparatively thick texture. Subsequently it was tenanted by Barrows & Ingraham. The Bridge Mill Cotton Manu- facturing Company was incorporated in 1865; A. N. Beckwith, presi- dent; F. H. Richmond, treasurer. The property finally passed into the hands of F. H. Richmond & Co., who manufacture book and lithograph paper. The new firm employ about 30 hands.

The Littlefield Manufacturing Company manufacture cotton yarns and thread. The business was successfully carried on for over 30 years by George L. and Alfred H. Littlefield under the firm name of Littlefield Brothers. The business was established in 1852, by David Ryder & Co., the company consisting of George L. and Alfred H. Littlefield. Mr. Ryder retired in 1857. On the first of July, 1889, the company was incorporated. Alfred H. Littlefield is president, Eben N. Littlefield treasurer, and Alfred H. Littlefield, Jr., secretary. The old firm had become one of the leading and well-known manufac- turing firms of the country. The new company in succeeding to the business of the old firm, has fully maintained the standard and

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

quality of the goods put upon the market, having secured a constant and steadily increasing trade. Their mill is on the west side of the river. The main building is of wood 130 by 48 feet in dimensions, four stories, with an ell 105 by 30 feet, three stories. About 135 hands are employed.

The senior member of the R. B. Gage Manufacturing Company has been a practical manufacturer of cotton yarns for nearly 50 years. In 1845 he began manufacturing hosiery yarn at Attleboro, thence moved to Central Falls, and to Pawtucket in 1850. In 1868 he reared the spacious mill which the company now occupies on Fountain street. This mill is 136 by 70 feet. A lapper room 40 by 50 feet, two stories high, also other buildings, have since been erected. Mr. James O. Starkweather was connected with the business for a number of years. The lower story of this mill is now occupied by R. An- thony Gage and his brother Benjamin A., sons of R. B. Gage, under the firm name of B. A. Gage & Co., for the manufacture of plush goods, stockinet, etc. The firm is doing a business of $100,000 per year. The R. B. Gage Company employ 65 men. The new office was erected in 1888.

The Jenks Mill is located on grounds formerly occupied by the Buffington Mill, which was burned in 1843 and the present one erected in 1844. The Jenks Mill was erected by the Pawtucket Manufactur- ing Company, who built the mill on leased land. This company manufactured cotton goods. They afterward failed, since which time the building has been used for various purposes. The Athol Thread Company occupy the two upper stories. This company was incor- porated October 19th, 1887, the works being used for glazing thread. The officers are: Joseph Ham, president; Frederick J. Ham, secretary; H. B. Babcock, superintendent.

The Douglass Braid Works, for the manufacture of shoe and corset lacing, fancy cord, etc., were established by George C. Doug- lass some twenty years ago in Geneva, North Providence. From 1865 to 1876 the firm was Douglass & Daniels. During the centennial year the business was moved to Providence, and in 1882 it was brought to Pawtucket, the old LeFavour Mill again being brought into use. Mr. Douglass is gradually extending his business, as trade demands it. He employs when running at full capacity 40 hands. This mill was formerly the property of the Wilkinsons, and was built about 1808. The Bosworth Machine Company, which was originated in 1858 by Mr. L. P. Bosworth, occupied this mill.

The Atwood-Crawford Company manufacture spools for cotton and linen thread. They have their works located near Greene & Daniels' mill. The originator of this business was Mr. Robert Cush- man, who began first in Central Falls, and in 1857 received his brother as partner. Mr. Cushman also devised a new series of machines which wrought a revolution in the business. The brothers continued

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

in business from 1857 to 1866, when George Cushman died. In 1869 a new partnership was formed, under the style of Cushman, Phillips & Co., which continued till 1875. At that time Mr. Cushman with- drew, and the firm of Atwood, Crawford & Co. was formed, consisting of Abner Atwood, C. Fred Crawford and John H. Crawford. In June, 1890, the company was incorporated under the name, The Atwood- Crawford Company. The present consumption of wood for the manu- facture of goods by this firm is about 800,000 to 1,000,000 feet per year. They employ 50 hands or more, and have recently manufac- tured large quantities of braid rolls, in connection with their other business.

The Blodgett & Orswell Company are manufacturers and import- ers of fine glazed yarns and spool cotton, Broad street. The company was incorporated in 1887. . The officers are: E. G. Blodgett, president; E. W. Orswell, treasurer. The company employ about 20 hands. The business was first established by E. G. Blodgett in 1881, and E. W. Orswell was admitted to partnership in January, 1885. Their specialty is the manufacture of glazed yarns in all numbers and colors.

The Lebanon Mill Company did business near the site of an older mill mentioned in the act of incorporation of Pawtucket in 1828. The earlier mill is styled in that act Kent's factory, and is described as being on an island. It was reared probably by Deacon Remember Kent. Originally it was a saw and grist mill, but during the war of 1812 was converted into a cotton mill. Deacon Kent's sons, Welling- ton, Remember and Seba, succeeded him, and made yarns which were peddled in the country, specially for carpet yarns. Subsequently other parties carried on the mill, among whom were Rufus J. Stafford, Nathaniel G. Pierce and Thayer & Moies. At a later period the mill was burned, and a new mill erected on the mainland in 1859-60. R. B. Gage & Co. occupied the new edifice, and were succeeded by Alan- son Thayer & Son. On the death of Mr. Thayer, in 1869, his son Ed- ward succeeded and adopted the present style. The mill was burned February 19th, 1888, the new addition having been completed the year before. At the time of the fire the mill had just been refitted with new machinery. The loss was about $120,000. The firm then began business in the Payne building, manufacturing rubber lining and stockinet goods. They employ about 50 hands.

The Providence Hosiery Company, manufacturers of stockinet, Jersey cloth, eider down cloth and rubber lining, was established in 1879 by Charles F. Easton. The company was incorporated in 1885. Charles F. Easton is president, A. O. Bourn treasurer, and Charles H. Tolman secretary. The works are located on Leather avenue, and give employment to 20 hands.

The New England Thread Company is located at No. 10 Broad- way, in the mill formerly occupied by Messrs. Stafford & Co. The business was first established many years ago by the last named

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

firm, and was purchased by the present company in January, 1886. James C. Roth, one of the proprietors, died February 14th, 1889, when Henry A. Warburton, the present owner, bought up all interests, and has since carried on the business. He employs from 75 to 100 hands, and manufactures spool cotton, basting cotton, button-hole cord, whip cord, and makes the glazing of twine one of the leading specialties of the business. Mr. Warburton has improved facilities for his busi- ness, and takes a pride in putting the best goods that can be manu- factured on the market.

The Conant Thread Company erected large mills to manufacture the celebrated six-cord thread of J. & P. Coats. An extended de- scription of this industry is given in the biographical sketch of its founder, Mr. Hezekiah Conant, in another chapter of this volume.

The Hope Thread Company was incorporated in 1869, with a capi- tal of $100,000. Their specialty is the manufacturing of three-cord spool thread. They also make hosiery, cop and other yarns. The range of yarns spun by them is from five to forty. They use 20 bales of cotton per week and employ 75 operatives. The firm of Adams & Randall, manufacturers of cotton yarns, formed in 1862, was finally merged into the Hope Thread Company. J. F. Adams was treasurer of this company for a period of ten years.

The Union Wadding Company is the largest concern of the kind in the world, and is the outcome of an establishment founded in 1836 by Mr. Darius Goff, in Rehoboth, Mass., where the business, which was one of small pretensions, consisted of the manufacture of glazed wadding. In 1844 he erected a larger mill, which was destroyed by fire. Removing to Pawtucket in 1847, and purchasing the site now occupied by this company, Mr. Goff built a stone mill two stories high, 200 feet long and 40 feet wide. Subsequently this was destroyed by fire, and after being reconstructed was leased to Mr. Henry Tur- ner, of Cranston, and a few gentlemen in Pawtucket, but before the expiration of the lease Mr. Turner died, and his associates, who were not acquainted with the business, surrendered the property to Mr. Goff. In 1860 a partnership was formed under the firm name of Goff, Cranston & Brownell, carrying on in Providence a general business in buying and selling cotton, cotton waste and paper stock. In connec- tion with Mr. Henry A. Stearns, this company carried on the business of manufacturing wadding in the premises mentioned. In 1870 the latter was incorporated, and two years after Mr. Stearns was admitted as partner in the Providence firm. In 1871 the mill was again visited by fire, which was such a severe one that, instead of repairing the old mill, it was decided to build entirely anew. The wadding business being to a certain extent limited, it was thought best to engage also in the manufacture of cotton batting, and the new mills were built with reference to being able to supply any demands that might be made upon them. A few years after the two concerns were consoli-

Darius Goff

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

dated under the name of Union Wadding Company, the stock of Messrs. Cranston & Brownell being purchased by the other stock- holders. The batting business increased so rapidly that at sundry times additions have been required, and to-day the company have the largest and most complete works of this kind in the world. The pro- ductions of the company are all grades of white and colored wadding and the "patent rolled " cotton bat in all varieties. In addition, they do a large business in cotton and cotton waste. Their capital stock is $1,000,000. The present officers of the company are: Darius Goff, president; Lyman B. Goff, treasurer, and Henry A. Stearns, superin- tendent.

D. Goff & Sons are manufacturers of worsted braid and mohair plush. The extensive buildings owned by this firm, the large num- ber of workmen employed, and the mammoth product of braids for ladies' dresses turned out annually classifies this enterprise as one of the foremost in the city. The business was started in 1861 by Darius Goff and his eldest son, Darius L., and was the first worsted braid mill in this country. The enterprise was at first unprofitable, but after the change in the tariff in 1867, became successful. In 1872 Lyman B. Goff became a partner, and a new brick mill was erected the same year. In 1882 the firm began the manufacture of mohair plush, which has since been successfully continued.

It is a tradition that Solomon Smith erected a dam on the land bordering on the west side of Bucklin's brook for the manufacture grave-stones. In the tedious work of polishing stones Mr. Smith substituted water power for manual labor. The remains of this dam were noted in 1775. From some cause that business was abandoned, and the Bucklin heirs subsequently reared another dam, and built a stone building, which was used from 1811 to 1814 or 1815 for the manufacture of cotton yarn. The building was burnt out in the latter year. The next business done on this site was by John B. Braid. He bought, in behalf of Almy, Brown & Slater, the water privilege and 40 acres of land of Nancy Bucklin. From 1817 to 1825 Mr. Braid carried on the bleaching of cotton cloth and yarn at this place. Block printing, too, was done here in 1824. For a few months in the follow- ing year printing was carried on by the Hopefield Company. From 1825 to 1829 the premises were occupied by Shinkwin & Bliss, who carried on bleaching and block printing. In 1830 Royal Sibley hired the place of Jenkins & Almy, and introduced the business of coloring cambric, in addition to bleaching. The business was done under the style of Sibley & Kelley, and amounted to $5,000 per week. Subse- quently Mr. Sibley gave his main attention for three years to the work of dyeing cambric. Printing was begun by Mr. Sibley in 1833, and carried on by him under the name of Franklin Print Works till 1835. He used in the outset a machine of two colors.

In 1836 Jacob Dunnell, Thomas L. Dunnell and Nathaniel W.

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

Brown formed a copartnership under the name of Jacob Dunnell & Co., and the business was carried on under this style until 1853, when the present organization, the Dunnell Manufacturing Company, was incorporated. At the outset, and for several years following, print- ing was done by hand-blocks and machines of two to four colors. But skill and energy resulted in bringing into use machines that would print six, eight and twelve colors. Since 1884 the company has added to its plant a large building, equipped with the best machinery for the finishing of fancy bleached goods. They have also erected a fancy dye-house and an entire new steam plant, besides replacing old machinery with that of the latest design and efficiency: and they can now produce the highest class of work in bleaching, dyeing or print- ing any kind of fabrics. At the present time they employ over 5co hands, and produce at the rate of over 45,000,000 yards per annum. The value of this work exceeds $600,000. exclusive of the value of the fabric treated.

In 1886 Mr. Jacob Dunnell, the founder of the present interests, died. His life work of half a century was characterized by excep- tional skill. and controlled by keen integrity and sound business principles. The present officers of the company are: Thomas L. Dun- nell, president: W. Wanton Dunnell, treasurer.

The Wheaton dam was built about an eighth of a mile below the Dunnell works by Nehemiah Bucklin in 1789, for a snuff mill, which ran about five years.

Robert D. Mason & Co., bleachers and dyers, No. 75 East avenue. have one of the oldest established and best known bleacheries and dye works in this part of the country. The business was first estab- lished here in 1805 by Mr. Barney Merry, whose son, Mr. Samuel Merry, succeeded him in 1847. In 1866 Mr. Robert D. Mason, a nephew of Samuel Merry, was admitted to partnership, and in 1870 he assumed control as sole proprietor under the present firm name. The business carried on is bleaching and dyeing of spool threads, knitting cotton. cords. braids, tapes and all kinds of single and two-ply yarns. indigo blues, and fast blacks. for milling purposes; also, woolen and worsted yarns and braids of every description. The works occu- pied for the business are among the largest and most comprehensive of the kind in the state. The main building is three stories in height, 100 by 70 feet in dimensions. The principal dye-house is 150 by 70 feet. and a second dye-house is 105 by 25 feet. The capacity of the works is at present four tons per day. Employment is given to 60 hands. In 1889 Frederic R. Mason, son of the senior member, was taken into the firm.

Dempsey Bleachery and Dye Works are located on North Main street, and the business was established in 1882. The company was incorporated in 1884; James Dempsey, president; John J. Dempsey, treasurer, and William P. Dempsey, secretary and agent. being the

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

officers then elected and now holding those positions. The company was incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000. The first building was begun in 1882. When it was completed it was three stories high, 200 by 60 feet, with two ells, one 80 by 60 feet, the other 80 by 40, both additions being two stories high. The kier room 140 by 25 feet, one story high, also the office 156 by 56 feet, were later erections. The office was built in 1887. The works give employment when in full operation, to 120 hands.

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History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Part 6

Author: Bayles, Richard Mather, ed Publication date: 1891 Publisher: New York, W. W. Preston Number of Pages: 938

Author: Bayles, Richard Mather, ed
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: New York, W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 938