enterprising and trustworthy young men, their business increased, and they became favorably known throughout this region, especially as undertakers. They continued the partnership until the death of D. S. Adams, when J. H. bought his brother’s interest and has since conducted the business alone.
WATER WORKS, PUMPS AND LEAD PIPE.
Oliver Parker, in 1808, began pump making and the boring and laying of logs for water works. His shop was on the site of the present residence of A. H. Potter, No. 87 Eagle street. The manufacture of lead pipe began here about 1823. Up to 1859-60 Oliver Parker still continued the business on Brooklyn street, and had a machine for making lead pipe. Being a reading man, and of mechanical skill, he was well posted on all matters pertaining to hydraulic uses. He was as ready to lay a pipe as to make it, solely for the public benefit, however.
STONE CUTTING AND MARBLE MANUFACTURE.
All the stone cutting done here in early years was for gravestones and a few facings of underpinnings, mantel pieces, fire jams and hearthstones for the better class of dwellings. All tenements and stores then had fireplaces, stoves being almost unknown. The stone cutting of olden times was done in rather a coarse, rude manner, by inexperienced men who were employed occasionally.
About 1810 Solomon Sherman, a good workman, commenced the business of stone cutting here for home trade. He was succeeded by Manson Sherman.
About 1830 Elijah Pike, an ingenious workman, followed this calling. As the quality of North Adams marble became known a wider market was secured, and in 1835 Mr. Pike was aided with capital by Dr. E. S. Hawks, and commenced the first regular operations at the quarry below the natural bridge.
In 1848 the North Adams Marble and Lime Company was incorporated with a capital of $715,000, and it continued for a number of years, turning out a large amount of building stone, chimney pieces, window caps, sills, etc., for the New York and western markets. Mr. L. B. Graves was the resident partner.
D.R. Allen and A. B. Hoslev commenced the marble business at the quarry in April, 1855. They opened a shop on Eagle street, north of River,, in the spring of 1856, and acquired an excellent reputation.
HAT MANUFACTURERS AND HAT STORES.
Charles Peck and Henry Crittenden commenced the business of
manufacturing hats about the year 1804 in a building demolished about the Year 1855, and which was located near the residence of H. Clay Bliss, No. 69 Eagle street. Hat making was there carried on quite extensively for many years, and the product was retailed, furnished to order, or carried to Troy and Albany to be disposed of to country merchants. Peck & Crittenden were afterward succeeded by Alvin Crittenden and Samuel G. Noyes.
Enoch Chase purchased the premises and succeeded the above named gentlemen in the same business about 1816. He retailed hats and made them to order for many years, until the new inventions and cheaper methods of manufacture in the large cities made competition with them out of the question.
About 1816 Solomon Bulkley made and sold hats in a building on Main street.
The first store for the sale of hats in North Adams was opened by D. C. Corey, about 1830, in a small building near the residence of E. D. Whitaker, No. 52 Main street.
William Ferguson built and opened a hat store on Eagle street, about 1835, in a building, since burned, which stood on the lot adjoining E. Ingraham’s flour store, or about on the site of the building occupied by Tower & Porter at No. 20 Eagle street.
Theodore Hastings, in 1840, commenced the hat, cap and fur trade in the building now standing on the corner of Main and Bank streets, known as the stone office. He continued the business in town until his death.
TAILOR SHOPS.
The first regular tailor in North Adams was a Mr. Thomas, a Welchman.
Spaulding Harvey opened a tailor’s shop about 1815.
In 1817 James Estes opened a shop on Main street, and carried on an extensive business.
About 1827 Alexander F. Ashley had a shop in the small front part attached to the Widow Bradford’s dwelling on Main street, now the site of Bradford’s block.
In 1828 Levi Randall opened a tailor’s shop in the second story of a store on Main street, occupying the present site of the Wilson House.
FORGE FOR MAKING WROUGHT IRON.
About 1799 Dickinson & Brown erected a forge for making wrought iron from the ore. This forge was built up the stream from Eagle street bridge, about half way between that and Union street bridge. Benjamin Sibley, one of the early settlers of the
Edited and adapted from the original by Laurel O’Donnell
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