The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-22
Thomas J. Borden SuCcumbs to
the Inevitable Last Night.
SUDDEN CHANGE FOR WORSE
Began 10 Sink al 2 O'clock Yesterday
Attsrnoan, and Died at 10 Last
Evsalag CliIzm Of Fail River

After a desperate battle with diease foi
several weeks. Colonel Thomas J. Borden
OF Fall River suocumbed to the inevitable
last night and expired at the East Side
hospital in this city where he was takeL
or the development OF the disease.
Colonel Borden was taken III with ap-
pendicitis about three weeks ago while
attending 90 some business In an office In
this city and was at once taken TO the
East Side hospital Here IL was decided
IN view OF the advanced age of the pa
unet not TO perform an operation at that
time
A considerable Improvement was mani
tested for several days and hopes were
entertained that he would recover without
the use OF the knife, but later bad spells
occurred quite frequently and last We'd
nesday IL was decided imperative TO per-
form the operation.
This was apparently successful and
marked Improvement was shown up 10
yesterday afternoon when q change for
the worse took place soon after 2
o'clock and he sank rapidly. Dr. Day
was present and DIR. Richardson OF Bos-
ton was nurriedly summoned, but nothing
could be done and Mr. Borden died az 10
o'clock Mrs. Borden. three daughters
and a son-in-law were at the bedside.
Colonel Borden was one OF The leading
business men OF southeastern Massachu-
setts. and was brother OF NJ. G. ID. Bor-
den, the millionaire owner OF the Fall
River Iron works He was born In Fall
River, March l. 1892. and received his early
educatioh In private select schools In has
native town.
When he was Is years OF age ne entered
~ ~-4..f.. IN. nj.
company. Of which his father, Colonel
Richard Borden. was treasurer After re-
manning one year, he left and entered
the Lawrnce Scientific school at Cam
bridge. He completed two years course
at the school, and studied engineering
under Professor Eustis. and chemistry
under Professor Horsford.
BUSINESS CAPACITY.
Upon his return to Fall River In 1851
ne again entered the employ OF the Fall
River Iron Works company. He remain
ed there two years developing business
capacity OF a high Order In the sum
mer OF 1853. being then bat 2l years OF
age, he was appointed agent and treas
urer OF the Bay state Print works. a
newly formed Organization.
In 1887 a financial panic led 10 the con-
solidation OF the Bay State Works with
the American Print Works, and Col Bor-
den was retained az manager of the new
corporation. In February. 1880, he was APP
pointed agent and treasurer OF the Troy
Cotton and Wooden Mandatory, and
upon his installation there he at once be-
gan operations looking toward an en-
largsment OF the mills.
The plans which he drew up and sub
mitted were Immediately adopted and in
less than ten months the capacity OF the
Troy mills was increased four-fold and
-.t.l
900 In 1850, rose In value in 1876 To $500, 900,
and more than si.25o.0o0 had been paid In
dividends.
Upon the organization OF the Mechanic
mills I'm 1865 he was chosen president and
agent and served IL months. when he was
elected treasurer. He then assumed the
entire management OF the business. . In
1871 he organized the Richard Borden
Manufacturing company and was chosen
treasurer. This position he held until Feb
ruary, 1876.
He has been director since its incor-
porntion and president since 1874 From
1871 10 1876 Col. Borden was practically
in control OF the Troy, Mechanics. aud
Richard Borden properties These three
corporations embraced a total OF 1915
spindles and 32cS looms.
He carried out these duties with emil
nent ability. notwithstanding the severe
physical and mental strain imposed. and
were financially successful under his d.
rtction
He was at one Time agent, treasurer
and director OF the American Print
works. now the American Printing com
psny. Col. borden had also been a.
rector In the Metacomet bank, Old Col
ony Railroad company Old Colony
Steamboat company. Fall River Manu-.
fscturers Mutual Insurance company, oi
which he was treasurer at the time of
his death. Boston Manufacturers Mutual
Insurance company. Worcester Manuiac-
Mutual Fire Insurance company. What
Cheer and Mutual Fire Insurance COM
papy OF Providence.
Col. Borden inherited considerable love
OF military affairs from his father. and
rose from the rank OF first lieutenant In
the Massachusetts militia TO colonel He
was commissioned nrst Lieutenant In the
Fall River Light Infantry Sept. 3. isos;
first lieutenant. Fifth Unattached COM
pany. MAY 4, 1864; captain OF Company n.
Sept. 10, 1874; lieutenant colonel OF the
The iatt& position he resigned In is7i'
He was also chief OF the Fan River fire
department for three years He was a
trustee OF the Fall River Savings bank,
and In 1874 was appointed a dIfrctor in
the Borden Mining company OF Frost
burg. Mr.. He was an earnest member
of the Central Congregational church.
Fall River. and durfng the erection OF the
present handsome edifce on Rock street
he was chairman OF the building com
mittee.
Hc had been corporate member of the
American board OF commissioners or
foreign missions. and was "A member OF
the Fall River common council In 1874.
aud PRESIDENT OF that body In is7a
Mary r. Hill, daughter OF Ebenezer A.
Hiu. She survives him, together with
three daughters Mrs Harriet NJ Bss-
eett. wife of Police Commissioner Rufus
w. Bsssett and the Misses Annie H. and
Carrie l.. Borden.