The Press., 1904-05-04

Deon purchased by francis SturCeVanC,
who, it is hoped, will utilize it for
the manufacture of something that
will warrant permanent business.
Between the year of 1880 and '35
Julius Royal Wilton and his brother,
Joseph Leander, and perhaps Edward
Franklin, established the shoe mak-
ing business, with which they subse-
quently connected the palm leaf and
straw braid business, also connecting
Herewith general dry goods and
grocery business. They did large
business in the palm leaf and straw
braiding line. giving employment to
many families at weaving the leaf,
braiding hats, etc.
Subsequently Merrick & Fay estab-
lisl5ed hat manufactory in Monson,
in which they used improved methods
and machinery, and also by making
the hat business a speciality, they
naturally could, and did, eventually
get sort of monopoly of the bust
ness, hence that branch of business
was discontinued in this place.
In 1847 Anson Mckinney estab
lished the cabinet furniture and cas-
ket business, which he successfully
prosecuted for 25 or more years, en-
ploying several workmen, until the
firm of Henry or the G. I'll. Baker
firm at Stafford Springs (who preced-
ed Mr.. NICK. in the same line) great
lyY increased their business by pur
chasing furniture, caskets, etc., made
by improved machinery, and by large
manufacturers, thereby practically
rendering it impracticable or inexpe-
dient for ordinary handmade work
in this line to compete in prices, if
not in quality.
A large cooper business was estab-
lished nearly, or quite, one hundred
years ago in the northwest part of
this place, and was later successfully
conducted by Asa Patten, giving work
to several men until improved ma
chinery for the manufacture of bar
rels, tubs, pals, etc., was invented
and used whereby these articles were
much more cheaply made, thereby
rendering it impracticable or inadvis-
able to manufacture by hand. A sim
liar manufactory to the one above re-
ferred to was operated near the south
end of Cooper lane, so-called, by He
Der Wilton, who was grandfather to
Andrew Wilton of Stafford Springs.
David Erskine Wilton, a native
and former resident of West Stafford,
and a good mechanic, commenced
business here in 1852, making water
wheels, shafting, etc., continuing in
that line till 1865, at which time he
purchased the chuck business of John
R. Washburn, which he moved to the
shop previously built by him and his
brother, Edward F. In this shop
he continued his business for several
years, but finding freighting facilities
unsatisfactory, he formed a partner
ship with his son, Lucius Erskine,
and Orrin Converse, another promi
nent business man and native of Stat
ord. The company thus constituted
built a large manufactory in New
London, to which place the business
was transferred. The D. E. Wilton
Co. are now doing a large business
at the New London plant, sending
their product to various parts of this
country, and doing large exporting
business.
@. P. Broadway commenced the man.
ufacture of his patent turbine water
wheels and water motors in West
Stafford about the year 1890, which
have been pronounced by good me-
chanical experts as fully equal, and
in some respects, superior to any sim
liar or other devices for the purposes
intended now on the market. He has
since invented and patented other me-
chanical devices which are Of great
utility. A few years since he pur-
chased the water power and building
on the site of the old Bartlett mills,
and established the grain and meal
business, in which line he is doing a
large business, not only in various
parts of the town, but also supplying
flour, grain, etc., in other towns, he
having secured the right of an extern
sive flour manufacturer to the exclu-
sive sale of -four of a very superior
quality, on the line of the Central
Vermont railroad company, from Pal
mer, Mass. to Norwich.
j. r. Washburn.
[CoNTINUED NEXT WEEK.