Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 1.djvu/69

 THE CITY OF NASHUA.

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��of Nashua. We come now to consider the development of other industries hard- ly less extensive.

The manufacture of shuttles and bob- bins was begun in 1845, by J. & E. Bald- win. At the present time the business is carried on by Eaton & Ayer, on Water Street, who employ 200 hands, and do an annual business of about $175,000. The maufacture of Mortise Locks and Door Knobs was begun about this time by L. W. Noyes and David Baldwin. Employ 160 hands. Sales amount to $150,000 per annum. C. B. Hill treasurer ; Wm. H. Cook, superintendent. In the same year the iron foundry of S. & C. Williams was established, and also the machine shop of John H. Gage, now Warner & Whit- ney. The former employ 70 men ; an- nual sales, $100,000 ; Charles Williams, proprietor. The latter employ 60 men ; annual sales, $100,000.

In 1847, the Nashua Iron Company was incorporated, with a capital ef $30,000. It gave employment to 50 hands, and had a monthly pay roll of $2,000. The growth of these works has been rapid and remarkable. From three small ham- mers and one shop, the company now has ten hammers and seven large shops, and the capital has been increased to $500,000, with a monthly pay-roll for 300 hands, when in full operation, of $15,- 000. The works of the company, including the yards, cover about 12 acres.

In 1852 the Underbill Edge Tool Com- pany was established with a capital of $80,000. Employ 60 hands. The busi- ness reaches $100,000 annually. C. B. Hill is treasurer and agent.

J. D. Otterson & Co., iron founders, began business in 1858. The business was established by Hon. J. D. Otterson, on Water street, in the shop formerly oc- cupied by the Lock Co. At that time he employed 14 hands and did a business of $15,000 a year. He remained on Water street until July, 1866, when he removed to his new works, located on the Worces- ter & Nashua Railroad, near Quincy street. In January, 1871, Mr. J. P. S. Otterson, Mr. J. K. Hosford, and Mr. Geo. W. Otterson were admitted to the partnership under the firm name of J. D. Otterson & Co. They now employ 50

��hands, and do a business of $0,000 a year.

The Francestown Soapstone Works were located here in 1867, and are in suc- cessful operation. They make all pat- terns of Stoves, Table and Wash Bowl Tops, Register Frames, etc., all from the celebrated Francestown Soap Stone. Em- ploy 25 hands. Sales, $100,000 annually. Williams & Co., proprietors.

In 1870 the brick factory of Gregg & Hoyt was erected for the manufacture of doors, sash and blinds. The manufac- ture of furniture by Fletcher, Webster & Co. has risen from a small beginning in 1862, to its present extent, occupying three large buildings at the south end, employing 80 hands, and doing a business of $100,000 annually. The Novelty Works, near by. Fletcher & Atwood, pro- prietors, manufacture fancy bird cages and toy furniture. This branch of indus- try was begun in Nashua four years ago. The large factory on Main street, at the south end, is occupied by Crain & Moody, manufacturers of shoes, who located here in 1874, coming fiom Manchester.

The Nashua Card and Glazed Paper Company manufacture glazed, plated, enameled and embossed papers, and tick- et, Bristol and printing card board, and have extensive works on the Nashua, near Main street. This business was started in Nashua twenty-five years ago, by Messrs. Charles T. Gill, O. D. Mur- ray, Charles P. Gage and John H. Gage. In a year thereafter Virgil C. Gilman pur- chased the interest of John H. Gage. It grew into two concerns, which were con- solidated in 1869. It gives employment to 150 hands, with a paid up capital of $100,000. Orlando D. Murray is Presi- ent, and Horace W. Gilman is treasurer. George W. Davis & Co., J. J. Craw- ford, A. H. Saunders, and Flather Broth- ers are machinists, a branch of industry that has long been carried on in Nashua with success. There are many minor in- terests in the city, among which may be mentioned Bums Fitzgerald, belt manu- facturer; S. S. Davis, paper box maker; A. H. Dunlap & Son, seedsmen ; L. E. Burbank, suspender manufacturer; Chas. Holman, wholesale confectioner and man- ufacturer; John Osborn, manufacturer and retail confectioner; American Sheep

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