USA > Vermont > Windham County > Gazetteer and business directory of Windham county, Vt., 1724-1884 > Part 12
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Mr. Estey was married to Desdemonia Wood, of Brattleboro, May 2, 1837. Their surviving children are Abby E., born September 21, 1842, and married to Levi K. Fuller ; and Julius J., born January 8, 1845, and married to Flor- ence Gray, of Cambridge, N. Y. Mr. Estey represented the town of Brattle- boro in the Vermont legislature in 1868 and 1869, and the county in the senate of 1872 and 1873. The firm is now the Estey Organ Company, being incorporated by an act of the legislature approved November 26, 1872,- Jacob Estey, president, Levi K. Fuller, vice-president, and Julius J. Estey, secretary and treasurer.
On the 11th of March, 1853, was begun the first large Reed organ made in Brattleboro, which was finished the 18th of the following month. It had two sets of reeds in the usual position below the key-board, and two sets above the keyes, in an inverted reed board, about three feet above the key- board and operated by rods reaching up from the rear end of the keys. Some idea of the increase in the business may be estimated from the fact that up to the present time, March, 1884, Mr. Estey has manufactured nearly 150,000 instruments.
The E. P. Carpenter Organ Co .- Mr. E. B. Carpenter, after being con- nected with various organ companies throughout the country, at last located in Mendota, Ill., where he now is. His son, E. P. Carpenter, inherited a capacity and liking for the business, and has been largely known in the trade for many years, being located at Worcester, Mass. During the winter of 1883-'84 he was induced to come Brattleboro, where he organized the E. P. Carpenter Organ Co., of Brattleboro, in the spring of 1884, for the manu- facture of organs and organ actions, and has now gotten fairly started in a flourishing business in the place where his father was a pioneer in the organ manufacture.
J. D. Whitney & Son, organ reed manufacturers .-- Josiah Davis Whitney was born in Ashby, Mass., November 7, 1818. When old enough to use tools (perhaps fifteen or sixteen) he began to work in the shop of his father, Jonas P. Whitney, who was a manufacturer of church organs. When twenty-one years of age he was taken into partnership and continued to make church organs until 1844, when he removed to Springfield, Mass., and engaged in the manufacture of melodeons, pianos, and church organs. In 1851 he re- moved to Fitchburg, Mass., where he was employed by his father in making melodeons or reed organs. He removed to Worcester, Mass., in 1853, where he formed a partnership with Messrs. Rice & Robinson, for the manufacture of organ reeds. He remained in Worcester only one year and then went back to Fitchburg, and soon after got up a set of reed machinery and com- menced making reeds. In 1865 Messrs J. Estey & Co., of Brattleboro, pui- chased the machinery, and Mr. Whitney was hired by them to run it. He
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remained with Estey & Co, until 1874, the last eight years working by con- tract, when he sold them the machinery he had invented during his stay with them, and for a year or two went out of business. About 1876 he com- menced a new set of machinery, with which he began to make reeds in 1878, in Harmony block. July 1, 1879, he took his son, Edwin D. Whitney, into partnership, under the firm name of J. D. Whitney & Son. They are now located in Harmony block and manufacture over half a million organ reeds a year, which are almost entirely used by the Wilcox & White Organ Co. of Meriden, Conn. They employ two men, the machinery being so nearly automatic as to require very much less help than formerly to do the same amount of work.
Vinton's paper-mill .- The first paper-mill in Brattleboro was built in 18tt, by Joseph Clark, Samuel Dickinson, Francis Goodhue, Joseph Fessenden, Joseph Fessenden, Jr., William Fessenden, and Caleb Leland, Jr. In 1813 Joseph Clark, Samuel Dickinson and Francis Goodhue sold their interest to William Fessenden. In December, 1816, the mill was destroyed by fire, but was soor rebuilt. About this time John Holbrook became interested in the mill, the business being carried on under the firm name of Holbrook & Fes- senden for a number of years, passing from father to son, or until 1836, when a company was formed under the name of The Typographic Co., who bought out Frederick Holbrook and Franklin H. Fessenden. In connection with the paper-mill, printing was started about 1832, and when the latter company took the property they increased the business, until they became embarassed, when they sold the property to E. H. Thomas and William G. Cutting, who carried on the business of paper making until 1847. Nathan Woodcock and Timothy Vinton then took the mill on a lease for five years and then bought of N. B. Williston, into whose hands the property had come on a mortgage. In September, 1857, the mill was again burned, but immediately rebuilt and operated by Woodcock & Vinton,' continuing thus until the death of Mr. Woodcock, when Mr. Vinton bought out the heirs, and is now running the mill. When the paper-mill was built all paper was made by hand, continuing thus until about 1829, when there was put into the mill a small cylinder ma. chine for making paper, but no dryers. Some years after there was put in a larger machine, with dryers heated by steam. After Woodcock and Vinton bought it they put in a larger machine and dryers and when they rebuilt the mill they put in a Fourdrinier machine, with dryers, and cullenders, which are still used. When the mill was first built the capacity was from 150 to 200 pounds of paper per day, and now it is from 2,000 to 2,500 pounds per day. There is employed in the mill eight men and eight women.
The Brattleboro Sewing Machine Co .- As early as 1859 Charles Raymond came from Bristol, Conn., and established here the business of manufactur- ing sewing machines ; but, in 1863, he gave up the enterprise and removed to Canada. Col. Levi K. Fuller established the second sewing machine factory, immediately after Mr. Raymond's removal, but his shop was burned
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at the time of the Estey fire, June 4, 1864. He then started a new factory. but sold out the business and the works were removed to Lowell, Mass., in 1866. In 1864, Messrs. Sargent & Dennison started another sewing machine factory, and, in 1865, John and David Abbott established a third manufac- tory, while, soon after, Mr. Davis started another ; but, failing to make satis- factory arrangements with the sewing machine monopoly which had at this time secured the control of the leading sewing machine patents, all of these parties retired from the business. In 1876 the present company was organ- ized for the manufacture of knitting machines and other small wares, and, about 1878, they commenced the manufacture of sewing machines, at Center- ville, in the building erected by the New England Furniture Company, on the site of the old Wheeler axe works, and later on they purchased the property. In 1883 Col. Levi K. Fuller came to the head of the concern and im- mediately set about designing a new model machine, which should take the lead of all the machines before the public, and experts pronounced the result of his labors all that the most sanguine could have anticipated. The company now employs about forty hands.
Smith & Hunt's children's carriage manufactory .- This business was es- tablished by Alvah Smith & Son, in 1863-'64, being located in that part of Guilford locally known as Weatherhead. In the winter of 1870 the works were destroyed by fire. A new company was then formed, Edwards & Smith, and the business removed to East Guilford; but during the following sum- mer the old works were rebuilt, being operated in connection with those at East Guilford, about twenty-five hands being employed, where, at the begin- ning, only one was necessary. In August, 1873, the old firm was dissolved, in favor of S. A. Smith, son of Alvah, who, in June, 1874, associated with him in the business S. S. Hunt, forming the present firm of Smith & Hunt. In the summer of 1880 the larger part of the business was moved to Brat- tleboro, though it was still maintained at both places, giving employment to from fifty to eighty hands.
C. E. Allen's green-house and seed and flower gardens, located at 64 Canal street, were established by Mr. Allen in 1868. Commencing in a small way, his business has gradually increased until Mr. Allen is now the largest seed grower and dealer in the State. His hot houses cover an area of nearly half an acre, while he has several acres of strawberries, and has twenty acres of land under cultivation. He employs twelve hands, which force, dur- ing the berry season, is increased to fifty.
C. L. Brown & Son, furniture and casket manufacturers .- Chester L. Brown was born in Wilmington, Vt., December 4, 1825, and worked at home with his father until he was eleven years of age. He then left his home and went to work upon a Connecticut river farm at Westminster. There he spent several years, working upon the farm summers and attending school winters ; but getting a taste for learning, he aspired to an attendance upon a select school, at Walpole, and afterwards at Keene, N. H., where,
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through the kindness and assistance of the late Commodore Dorr, he was enabled to take a higher course of study in the schools of Keene. Not long was he permitted to enjoy this good fortune. His father, not sympathizing with him in his desire for an education, and he being the oldest son, was called home to assist in caring for the family. This duty done, he again attended school, at Putney, and again went home to assist his father on the
PH
(C. L. BROWN.)
farm. But at the age of nineteen he persuaded his father to let him go to Brattleboro, to learn the cabinet making trade, and on one November morning he started on foot from his home in Westminster, to walk to Brattleboro, where he arrived a little before sundown, on the nineteenth day of November, 1844, with a cash capital of less than one dollar. His energy and perseverance secured for him a situation with the late Anthony Van Doorn, in the making and finishing of cabinet furniture. There he staid some five years, and at the end of that time he was able to take a responsible position in the manu- facturing of melodeons and organs, an industry which had just started in town, he being the sixth man employed in it. He worked in this organ shop for twelve years, and by prudence and economy saved enough to start himself in business. In the mean time he had married an estimable lady of Brattle-
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boro, Fanny Sophia Sargent, who greatly aided and assisted him, not only in his efforts to do business for himself, but all through those first struggling years, in which she proved a helpmate, indeed. He began in the furniture and undertaking business on a small scale, in September, 1859, and when the next year the civil war broke out, although he was bodily disabled from going himself, he encouraged his half dozen inen to enlist, to put down the rebellion. This crippled his trade for the time being, but he gradually came out of it, and in the next few years had built up a good paying business, which continued to increase so that in 1875 he felt obliged to build a block to accommodate it, and the spot upon which stood the shop. into which he, a poor boy, went to learn his trade, coming into market at that time, had charms for him that no other spot had. Hebought it and erected thereon the block with a French-plate glass front in the first and second stories. standing so conspicuouslyat the head of Main street in full view of all passers by railroad. Mr. Brown's unique arrangement of goods in his spacious glass front has proved so successful as an advertising medium that the plan has been copied in other sections of the country. He moved into this block in 1869, and associated with him his youngest son, Cyril F. Brown, who was brought up in the business, and whose efforts in so ably seconding his father, have been largely instrumental in increasing their growing trade, and the firm of C. L. Brown & Son, in retrospection since entering their new block, have the proud satisfaction of seeing their sales nearly doubled, and with considerable pride, they expect to win even greater success in the future than in the past. In the undertaking branch of his business Mr. Brown has . furnished nearly three thousand burial outfits, his work and services being in demand for many miles around. He is called upon to embalm, preserve, and carry hundreds of miles to their homes, to be buried in their own cemeteries, the bodies of those who happen to die in his neighborhood. For this kind of work he has received from surviving friends and relatives many flattering letters in grateful recognition of the value of his services at such a time, which he prizes highly, as testimonials to his faithfulness as a friend, and to his skill as a funeral director. Mr. Brown was one of the most active mem- bers in organizing the New England Undertakers' Association at Boston, in September, 1880, he being appointed on the committee to prepare the con- stitution and by-laws, elected as one of the vice-presidents, and also on the executive committee. So well did he perform the parts allotted to him that he was again re-elected, and at one of its sessions he acted as president. He was also called upon to del.ver an essay before the same society, at its an- nual meeting at Boston, in 1884. The essay elicited a vote of thanks from the society and a request that it be published in the society's journal. Mr. Brown is a self-made and progressive man, who is esteemed by the profession as one who has done much to elevate it.
William A. Dutton's marble and granite works, located on Depot street, were established at an early date. In 1848 the firm name was Estey & Mc-
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Donald. About 1850 it was changed to Dutton & Estey, which partnership lasted about four years, when the firm name became Estey & Kathan, re- maining thus until 1869, when the present owner, William A. Dutton, became sole owner. Mr. Dutton employs six men in the manufacture of all kinds of marble and granite work.
The Higbee Sewing Machine Company, located on Elliot street, was incor- porated March 30, 1882, and commenced business the first of the following April. The machine seems to be constructed on principles that are thor- oughly practical, and although the business is in its infancy, it is one of great importance.
The Brattleboro Iron Foundry, located on Flat street, was established by A. R. Gregg, its present proprietor, in 1878. Mr. Gregg does a general business in this line, employing twelve men.
The Brattleboro Tool Company, located on Frost street, was organized as a stock company in April, 1883, Hon. J. L. Martin, president, and C. F. Thompson, secretary and treasurer, with William Steer, superintendent. The firm bids fair to do a large business in the future, and is now extensively engaged in manufacturing iron carpenter's planes and extension bits.
E. E. Flagg's manufactory of " Flagg's shaving soap " and " Japanese pain relievo," located at 14 Prospect street, was established in 1873, the latter arti- cle not being added, however, until 1881. Mr. Flagg began business in a small way, but it has been steadily increasing since.
John H. Orton's works for the manufacture of furniture, picture frames, book cases, cabinets, and all kinds of cabinet work, located in the Harmony block, were established in 1880. The works are operated by steam-power, and give employment to from two to five men.
A. F. Wilder's job shop, located on Main street, near Tyler's block, was established in 1873, where he now manufactures book cases, desks, picture frames, and swifts, and does a general business in light wood work.
Henry Fletcher's saw mill, located on Birge street, cuts about 1,000,000 feet of lumber and 400,000 shingles per annum.
William Gould, located on Clark street, is a practical plumber and gas fitter, and is also engaged in the manufacture of pumps. His business was established in 1830.
Leonard Steam Job Printing House .- In 1875 Dewitt Leonard purchased the old Recorder job office, in Harmony block, taking possession March Ist. Soon after, he purchased O. A. Libby's job office and consolidated the two, since which time his business has steadily increased, so that he now employs twelve hands, having one of the largest job offices in Vermont. He does a large business in show printing, a line done by no other country office in New England.
J. A. Church's sash, blind, and house finishing manufactory, located on Frost street, has been carried on by him since 1874. He employs fifteen hands, and has attached a feed-mill, with one run of stones.
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Leonard & Roess's cigar manufactory located on Main street, was estab- lished by the present firm in 1868, who now employ fifty hands, manufactur- ing about 50,000 cigars per week.
Chauncey B. Dickinson began the bakery and cracker business, at 57 Main street, in April, 1880, where he has since conducted the business, building up a large trade, so that he has lately employed seven hands, and two teams on road. He sold the business to A. E. Tburber, April 1, 1884, by whom it is now conducted.
John H. Martin's carriage factory is located on Flat street. He employs five men in the manufacture of carriages, wagons and sleighs.
Rockwell & Sherwin's carriage shop, located on Elm street, was estab- lished by J. T. Hildreth, in 1874. The present firm gives employment to ten men, in the manufacture of all kinds of wagons, carriages and sleighs.
C. H. Eddy & Co, located on Flat street, are largely engaged in the man- ufacture of birch and tonic beer, giving employment, during the summer sea- son, to ten men. The business was commenced by Mr. Eddy, in 1877-
Charles E. Barrett's special and paper machine shop, located on Main street, was established by Woodcock & Thomas, in 1831, and came into Mr. Barrett's hands, as successor to Newman & Tyler, in 1880. He employs fifteen hands in the manufacture of paper-mill and special machinery and screen plates.
J. B. Randall's knitting machine needle factory, located in the Harmony block, was was established by Mr. Randall, at Centerville, in 1876. In 1880 he removed to his present location, where he employs twenty hands, manu- facturing 1,500,000 needles per year.
The Weld Machine Shop, located on Asylum street, was established by Luther Weld in 1830, who carried on the business until 1863, when the pres- ent proprietor, Calvin J. Weld, purchased the property and has since carried on the business. He manufactures planing machines, lathes, and band saws, and is also the patentee and manufacturer of .the Weld shingle machine, and the Weld self-regulating water-wheel, employing five men.
The Valley Mill Company, whose mill is located near the depot, is a stock company, organized December 8, 1881, with John W. Frost, president; James F. Estey, vice-president and superintendent; W. H. Minor, mana- ger; and E. G. Frost, secretary and treasurer. The mill is a merchant grist- mill and grinds 10,000 bushels of grain per month.
Charles H. Pratt, cigar manufacturer, located at 61 Spring street, has manufactured cigars in Brattleboro since 1853. He employs three men, and was the first manufacturer of cigars in the State.
G. H. Niles, patentee of Nile's telephone, for short distances, manu. factures the same on Elliot street.
D. H. Marsh's brick yard, located on road 41, turns out from 300,000 to 400,000 brick per year.
Eugene Frost's fish ponds are located at Brattleboro village. These ponds, two in number, are fed by springs and cover about an acre of ground. They
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are stocked, one with trout and the other with German carp. He is pre- pared to stock fish ponds for others. The ice supply of the village is also taken from these ponds.
J. E. Jacobs's folding furniture manufactory .- This establishment, located on Elliot street, was begun by Nash & Jacobs, in June, 1882, for the manu- facture of folding furniture for use of camps, on lawns, etc., and also for the drawing-room. March 12, 1884, Mr. Jacobs bought Mr. Nash's interest and is now conducting the business alone. The furniture he manufactures is quite new and novel in its construction, being invented and patented by Mr. Nash.
Frank A. Sargent's cigar manufactory, located on road 11, was established by F. A. Sargent and Joseph Boyce, in 1880, and has been conducted by Mr. Sargent since 1883. He employs three men and manufactures about 10,000 cigars per month.
BANKS.
The first bank established in Brattleboro was called the Brattleboro Bank, incorporated in 1821, with Hon. Jonathan Hunt, president, and Epaphro Seymour, cashier. The institution enjoyed a high character, the president and cashier retaining their positions until their death, Mr. Hunt dying in 1832, and Mr. Seymour in 1854. Deacon John Holbrook succeeded Mr. Hunt in 1832, and upon the death of Mr. Holbrook, Epaphro Seymour was chosen president. It was during the administration of the next president, Capt. Samuel Root, that the institution was changed into what has since been known as the Vermont National Bank, chartered July 13, 1865. The cashiers from its first organization, in 1821, to the last charter, in 1865, were as follows: Epaphro Seymour, Henry Smith, S. M. Clark, Horatio Noyes, Phillip Wells and Frank Wells, George S. Dowley being the present cashier. The present capital of the institution is $150,000.00, and the present officers as follows : William P. Cune, president; George S. Dowley, cashier ; and Edward F. Brown, teller.
The Windham Provident Institution for Savings was chartered in 1846, and went into operation in January, 1847. Application was made for a charter in 1844 and in 1845, but without success, as but little was then known about savings banks in this State, and it was thought no more banks were needed in Vermont. In 1869, with liberty granted by the legislature in 1867, the directors erected a substantial brick building, three stories in height, a fine, well arranged structure. On October 2, 1872, the name of the institution was changed to the Vermont Savings Bank, the present officers, of which are Hon. Frederick Holbrook, president; Francis W. Brooks, vice-president ; N. F. Cabot, treasurer; and Malcolm Moody, assistant treasurer.
The First National Bank of Brattleboro .- The history of this institu- tion, which was ruined through the rascality of its president who is now suffer- ing the penalty of his wickedness, is mainly as follows :-
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The legislature of 1856, incorporated by special charter, the Windham County Bank. Its capital stock was to be $150,000.00 to be divided into three thousand shares of $50 each. Asa Keyes, Edward Kirkland, Ferdinand Tyler, Oramel R. Post, of Brattleboro, William Harris Jr., of Windham, Marshall Newton, of Newfane ; George W. Grandy, of Vergennes; Jarvis F. Burrows of Vernon ; William H. Jones, of Dover, and Thomas White, of Putney, were appointed commissioners for receiving subscriptions, and for calling the first meeting for the election of directors. Its capital stock was fully subscribed for, and on January 13, 1857, the bank was duly organ- ized, by the election of N. B Williston, Ferdinand Tyler, O. R. Post, Ed- ward Kirkland and Alfred Simonds, of Brattleboro; J. P. Burrows of Ver- non ; George Perry, of Rockingham ; John Campbell, of Putney; and Dan Mather, of Marlboro, as directors. On the same day N. B. Williston was chosen president, and Silas M. Waite, cashier. Mr. Simonds declined to serve as a director, and on March 5, 1857, Franklin Sawyer, of Newfane, was elected in his place. At the annual meeting in 1859, the same board of directors were chosen, with the exception of S. M. Waite, in place of Mr. Perry, and Simeon Adams, of Marlboro, in place of Dan Mather. The next change in the board was in 1862, when W. P. Richardson, of Putney, was elected in place of John Campbell. In March, 1864, the stockholders agreed to convert their stock in the Windham County Bank into shares of capital stock in a banking association to be organized under the national bank act. Articles of association were signed, and filed with the comptroller of the currency, forming a banking association under the laws of congress, to be called the First National Bank of Brattleboro, with a capital of $300,000.00. The assets of the Windham County Bank were to comprise $150,000.00 of the aforesaid capital, and the balance was to be subscribed in money. Books of subscription were opened, and the requisite amount of stock sub- scribed for. May 17, 1864, the stockholders met and organized by the elec- tion of the following board of directors, viz. : N. B. Williston, Ferdinand Ty- ler, Edward Kirkland, O. R. Post, and S. M. Waite of Brattleboro ; J. F. Burrows, of Vernon ; W. P. Richardson, of Putney ; Simeon Adams, of Marl- boro, and Franklin Sawyer, of Newfane. N. B. Williston, was chosen presi- dent, and S. M. Waite, cashier. Edward Kirkland declined the election for the reason that he was ineligible, not owning ten shares as required by law, and May 26th Jacob Estey was elected to fill the vacancy.
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