Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 8.djvu/322

 J94

��Concord, New Hampshire.

��The firm of J. R. Hill & Co. have helped to carry the renown of Con- cord workmen and Concord products into the four quarters of the globe ; yet nowhere is their reputation more estab- lished than in the immediate neighbor- hood of their extensive manufactory. They are known here, as everywhere, as a firm rigidly upright in all their deal- ings. Their trade -mark on a harness is evidence of its intrinsic value.

The business was commenced by Mr. Hill in 1840. As before stated,

��In 1 85 1 George H. Emery, the pres- ent senior member of the firm, com- menced his apprenticeship with Mr. Hill, and by untiring industry and energy became master of every detail of all the branches of the business. For many years, to his executive ability has been due the continued growth of the business, and the careful manage- ment in every department, to not only sustain the reputation already gained, but to keep the manufactory in the van in the march of improvements. There

���Concord in early days was a noted sta- tion on the stage-routes ; and the youth- ful and energetic harness-maker aimed to gain and keep many customers. Fre- quently he would work all night to accommodate a patron whose team was to start in the morning ; and he gained the good-will of all.

With the advent of the railroad, and the rapid settlement of the West, the fame of the Concord harness was car- ried to the frontier by stagemen from this section ; and the gold-hunters of California remembered the skilful and reliable work of J. R. Hill, and sent their orders to him across the conti- nent.

��has been progress made in harnesses as well as in most other products of human skill.

In 1865 J. E. Dwight, the junior member of the firm, and Mr. Emery, formed a co-partnership with Mr. Hill ; and since then the firm has remained unchanged, save for the retirement and death of Mr. Hill in 1884. The infu- sion of youthful energy and enthusiasm into the business gave it new vigor; and the thorough good-fellowship of the two younger members has served to sustain the home popularity of the firm.

During the Rebellion the firm secured large government contracts, and have

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