The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-06-07

! Daniel OnBtott officiating.
EDWIN GLEDHILL vas born IN Hud
dersfield, England, a manufacturing
town of 100, 600 Inhabitants, IN 1858, the
son of Walter and Sarah II Gledhill.
He came of family of textile manufac-
turers, his grandfather, for whom he
was named, having been well known
wooden manufacturer, HIS father, Walter
Gledhill, who died at East Madison IN
1897, having followed the same calling,
and there being at the present time six
uncles all prominently connected with
the same industry. His early education
was in the common schools OF Hudders-
field ard at an early age he went TO work
in one of the textile mills OF that com
munity. When about 10 years old be
availed himself of the advantages Of the
| Hudderstield Textile school, continuing
his employment through the day and
attending the school in the evening
| His taste and acuteness for all kinds
of designing work at once made itself
manifest and he had not pursued bis
studies long before he secured position
as pattern weaver with the Armitage
Mills, in Milrbridge, manufacturing
community adjoining the town of his
birth. The Huddersfield Textile schools
were associated with all similar inseitu
lions in the countries of Ireland, Eng
land and Scotland and Mr.. Gledhill had
an opportunity to compete for the prizes
offered by this association, thus match
ing his talents with those of all the tex
tile students in Great Britain. From
his examination papers sent to London
for Judgment before the committee hav-
ing the competition in charge, Mr. Gled-
hill received first awards on two occa-
sions, one cash prize and the other a
medal certifying to his attachments in
textile designing as excelling at the
time all the youth of the British Isles.
The winning of this medal was then re-
garded as a particular distinction as it
was the first time that it had ever been
won by Huddersf1eld student. The
trophy is still preserved as a valuable
heirloom. In 1887 shortly after com
plotting his course at the Huddersteld
school he joined relative who was
coming to America and secured posi-
ton as designer in the Hockanum Mills
at Rockville, Conn.
Shortly after the date above mention
ed the Anderson Mills of this place we're
looking for a designer and one morning
1 Ii young IDdu, hnO II CNldCASi1 just al
rived on the seven o'clock train, applied
to Mr. Lewis Anderson at the mill Office
for the position 1t is not usual to en-
gage anyone for so important position
without considerable inquiry into their
previous work but in few minutes
conversation he impressed Mr. Ander-
son 80 favorably that he concluded TO
give him a trial, this decision leading to
an important connection with the An
derson Mills and ultimately to much in
industrial development for the town of
Skowhegan After period OF service
with the Anderson Mills Mr.. Gledhill
went to Providence, II. l. as designer in
the Riverside Mills, and during his resi-
dence in Rhode Island he was interested
with others, in the year of 1898, in a
textile plant in Davisville, r l this,
however, interrupting for a short time
only his connection with the mill in
Providence.
Though yet young man MT. Gledhill
was ambitious to be in business on his
own account and, learning that Lewis
Anderson & Co. had purchased the j
a Dane water power in this town, he
returned here hoping to induce them to
utilize it for a manufacturing plant N
which he might have an interest as part
owner This power was used as origin
ally contemplated, for the power station
of the Somerset Traction line but the
incident led to the acquisition of the
water power at East Madison and the
building of the Lakeside Mill, the ven
ture being made by Lewis Anderson &
co largely on Mr.. GledhilPs recommen-
dalton.
In 1898 came the changes in the tex
tile business consequent upon the de-
velopment of the American Wooden Co.
This corporation established its own
selling department and the commission
houses which had previously sold the
output of the mills bought up by the
new company found themselves with
line of customers which they had sup
piled for years but with very little pro
duct to market with them. Mali Il Co.
of New York we're among the firms thus
situated and, in their effort to establish
new sources of supply they searched
out Mr.. Gledhill. whose phenominal
ability had previously attracted their
attention. From their proposition to
him and his efforts with local parties
the Marstou Worsted Mills was estab-
lished in 1890 with Mr.. Gledhill as gen.
eral manager.
something OF Ills energy may uC du-
derstood from the fact that he had a
full set of designs perfected for a sea
sons run, even before the company was
organized, and orders placed for yarns
with which to commence business.
While the twelve looms and other ma
chinery with which the Marston first
commenced business were being made
ready for operations h. had his designs
woven into samples at another mill and
from these the New York Commission
house had taken enough orders to en-
ploy the new company for several months
even before they were ready to start up
for their first days run.
skowhegan people are familiar with
the subsequent development of this in
dustry aud realize the value the
splendid 100 loom mill 10 which it has
grown ia to their town.
The enlargement was in answer to
Mr., Gledhilrs ambition and made pos
sble by his ability. At the time Of his
death Mr. Gledhill was general manager
of the Marston Mills, also president of
the Maine Spinning Co of this place
and treasurer of the Somerset Worsted
Mills of East Madison, the two latter
corporations having been formed within
the last few years and both attributable
TO his energy.
Mems Meeting Sunday.
Sunday afternoon at 3 O'Clock in the
First Baptist Church, there will be a