The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-08-13
Smit + Whitcombl & Cook
CO s liant and Business
3 Is Purchased
B| 8 NESS STARTED
Tx YEARS AGO
New Owners Are Granite
Manufacturers-F. L.
Small to Be Manager

| a transaction of unusual interest TO
barre citizens took place recently
when group of granite manufactnr
ers purchased the Smith, Whitcomb a
Cook Co. plant and business. This
plant, located on North Main street, is
one of Barre's oldest institutions, dat
ing from 1903, when Frederick Brew.
ster started in the machine business.
He was succeeded in 1907 by Joshua
living, who operated it until his death
in 1866.
In 1858 the business passed into the
hands of James NJ. Smith, William r.
Whitcomb and Benjamin b. Cook, who
continued it as firm until 1893 at
which time Will A. Whitcomb, son Of
William Z. Whitcomb, bought Mr..
Cooks interests. There were no fur
ther changes in the firm until 1900.
when Mr.. Whitcomb, sr., died, and his
son took his interest, at the same time
buying Mr.. Smiths portion.
it was then incorporated as smith,
Whitcomb & Cook Co.. with Win Whit
comb as president, F. j. Martin and
+. +. Cave as directors Mr.. Whitcomb
retired u 1901, and the firm was even
tually composed of Mr. Cave and
Frank L. Small, who sold to the pres
ent owners.
The oldest building in the present
holdings Is the machine shop, which
was built in 1888, and what was known
as the New Grist Mill," was built in
1874. Until the inception of the gran
ite industry on any broad scale, the
concern specialized in water wheels and
plows, making the first swivel rlow
in northern New England. At one time
large lot of heavy machinery was
made for use in abe sugar mills Of
Cuba.
Its acquisition by Barre manufactur.
ers undoubtedly saved the business TO
Barre City as outside capital was me-
gotiating for the purchase of the CON
Germ with the probable idea of obtain
ing the patents and patterns and even
tually shutting down the plant. Smith,
Whitcomb & Cook Co. polishing ma
chimes and derricks are used in great
er majority of The plants in the Barre
district, and the manufacturers could
i'll afford TO have their service inter-
rupted.
This concern enjoys the reputation
of being one of the old and relilble
machinery concerns with its products
used extensively throughout the Unit
ed States and Canada. 1t has also spe-
cialized in heavy boom derricks since
1870, when IL made the first boom der
rick used for one-horse power. Its
first polishing machine was set up in
1875.
The business will continue with Mr..
Small as manager. and will serve all of
its customers as heretofore. The own
ers will leave the executive work and
operating to Mr.. Small
The following are equal stockholders
in the concern: Jones Bros. CO.,
George Straiton, Young Bros. Co..
North Barre Granite Co, Marion &
oJesry, E. A. Bugbee Co. Grearson 4
Lane. Cross Bros. Co, Phillips & Slack
and n. Pelaggi Co. Is
The directors of the corporation are
H. ]. NJ. Jones, George Straiton, Alex
J. Young, Alex Duncan, James I. Mar
rion, H. p Hinmsn, Fred Grearson,
John A. Cross, Elroy Chase and \. Pc
Iaggi. Alex. Duncan is president. John
A. Cross and Alex J. Young, vice pres
dents. James r. Marion, treasurer.
and H. p. Hinman, secretary. Frank
/. Small is manager and assistant
treasurer.