History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917; - citizen hylbom blog

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History of Swansea
Buttons and Sleeve Links and employed four or five men.
After two or three years he moved the building to the spot
where the present Shop now stands enlarging it and employing
more hands, both men and girls.
In 1894 he sold out to J. L. Fenimore who later transferred
it to Lorenzo P. Sturtevant who enlarged it to the present
size.
In 1910 John C. L. Shabeck bought it and ran it about
six months and then sold it to Charles W. Green and Gilbert
R. Church of Warren, R. I. In 1911 Benjamin F. Norton
and Jeremiah A. Wheeler were admitted into the firm and the
name was changed to the North Swansea Manufacturing Co.
They employ between fifty and sixty hands, making Collar
Buttons, Sleeve Links, Tie Clasps and Stick Pins.
Swansea Dye Works Property Covering 74 Years
With the installation of 20 electric motors at the Swansea
Dye Works, it may be interesting to note the changes and
improvements that have taken place at this establishment,
and the other enterprises that formerly stood on the site of the
present flourishing plant. About 1840, the first venture was
a paper mill, where straw paper was manufactured by William
Mitchell. Wood avenue, the road leading to the Dye Works,
was then known at the Paper Mill Lane, and occasionally one
hears that name used now by the older inhabitants.
After lying idle for some time, a bakery under the proprietorship
of Howard & Mitchell, was carried on for a number
of years in place of paper manufacture. The firm name was
afterwards changed to Munroe & Howard. Over the bakeshop
was a dance hall, where many of the old-timers enjoyed the
country dances. The next business venture was by Mary I.
Altham, who, with her son, James, carried on a small bleaching
concern for a short time, which was subsequently taken up
and enlarged by Mayall & Hacker, who purchased the property
of Mr. Mitchell. Hamlet Hacker eventually came into
full possession, later taking into company a Mr. Watson, the
firm being known as Hacker & Watson. During their ownership
the mill, a wooden structure, was burned down, but was
afterward rebuilt by Mr. Hacker, who later sold out to John
Monarch, and business was carried on under the name of
Monarch's Bleachery. Later this was bought by James
Butterworth, of Somerset, who was joined by James Kirker,
and it was during their possession that the buildings were
again destroyed by fire. They were rebuilt by Mr. Kirker,