The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-23
FUNERAL To
TAKE PLACE
TOMORROW
Active Life and Communicable
Career Of HszSkiah Conani,
tha Thread Manufacturer.

The funeral OF Iezekiah Conaut, the
millionaire thread manufacturer. whose
death was announced I'm The News. last
evening. will take place to morrow after
noon at o'clock at his late residence.
30 Clay street, Central Falls. The oni-
ciating clergyman will be Rev t. A.
Goodwin, pastor Of the Pawtucket Con-
gregational church. OF which deceased
was a faithful and generous member. The
body will be taken to Dudley. Mass, his
native town. for intcrment, Saturday.
The big mills in Pawtucket and Central
Falls will close at noon tomorrow for
the remainder of the week out Of respect
TO his memory.
Last July Mr.. COnant resigned the posi-
tion of treasurer and general manager OF
the concern, because OF falling health
BY his energy. foresight and ability the
great thread mills. so long known by
his name. were originated end developed,
until today they form the largest indus
trial establishment in New England, af-
fording employment 20 nearly 5000 per-
sons. No one enterprise has in a greater
degree contributed, directly and Indirect
ly, 10 the material growth and prosperity
OF Pawtucket than these works, which
now cover about 50 acres Of land and
the capital invested is nearly 5000. 900.
Good wages have always been paid 10 the
operatives, and the section where the fac
tories are located has been transformed
from a wilderness OF brush and woods
into a prosperous district of homes,
schools and churches
Hezekiah Conant was born in Dudley,
Iftx- IA. 4
ucation at Nichao's Academy in that
town. When II years OF age he went 20
Worcester. and learned the printers
trade. and then entered a machine shop.
He developed marked ability as a me-
chancal engineer and inventor. while
working I'm machine shops I'm Worcester
and Boston, and from the latter place
went TO Hartford. Conn, where he was
engaged at Colts firearm factory. In
1856 he invented an improvement on the
sharp rice, known as the "gas check"
which NE United States and British
governments Immediately adopted.
In 1857 Mr. Conant constructed a ma
chine for dressing sewing thread. and in
vented an automatic machine for wind
ing spool cotton. for which he secured "A
patent. The wilimantic Linen company
engaged Mr. Conant in 1859 as a me-
chanical expert, and he remained with
the company nine years, during which
time he invented several machines.
In 1858 Mr.. Conant came 10 this city
and organized the Conant Thread COM
pany. and became the treasurer Of the
corporation and the manager OF the
works.
In 1869 Mr.. Conant effected combina-
ton with j. &, i. Coats of Paisley, Scot
land. by which that firm became n part
ner i'm the Pawtucket enterprise Mr.
Conant. with the large capital thus at
his disposal, proceeded 20 enlarge the
plant. Then set i'm a period of constant
development and with it may be said
TO have taken place the beginning of the
Pawtucket of today.
Mr.. Conant was largely interested in
variety of local and Rhode Island en-
terprises and in financial affairs.
Mr.. Conant erected "a his own cost
handsome church edifice TO replace the
old Congrega atonal church at Dudley.
Mass, which was destroyed by fire. The
church is known as the Conant Memorial.
In the welfare OF his native town OF
Dudley he had manifested great inter-
est He erected new school edfces and
dormitories for Nichols Academy. built
and equipped an astronomical observa-
tory and fine library and reading room.