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Ichabod Washburn, one of the founders of the Worcester Mechanics Association and principle donor of Mechanics Hall, Memorial Hospital and Worcester Polytechnic Institutive, was one of the city's first manufacturers when he opened up a ramrod shop in Worcester in 1819. He was often mentioned to have had a desire for improving all things mechanical, always improving upon current designs to make them faster, more efficient and more reliable. At the age of nine, due to financial troubles at home, Ichabod’s mother apprenticed him to Abner Harlow who produced carriages, harnesses and trunks out of a shop in Duxbury. In the spring of 1814 he started his apprenticeship as a blacksmith back in Leicester, MA, where he spent two years as an apprentice of Jonathan and David Trask and another two for Nathan Muzzy, eventually earning the title Journeyman Blacksmith. In the spring of 1819 Ichabod began working at the Millbury Armory where he hammered alongside his first, future business partner Benjamin Godard, and was renowned for his skillful work (Warren 7-8). |
Ichabod Washburn |
Philip L Moen was born in Wilna, New York. He attended multiple schools preparing him to go to Colombia University; however he grew an interest in the hardware trade which would aid in his move to the Washburn & Moen Company. His reason for travelling to Worcester was to marry Ichabod Washburn’s daughter, whom he had met at the anniversary of the American Board of Foreign Missions while she attended with Washburn (Crane 55). He possessed a keen eye for business, strict integrity and a winning personality which he extended to all employees, all of which combined to compliment Ichabod’s mechanical mastermind beautifully. In 1846 Ichabod made him partner with Henry S. Washburn of the South Works. Philip acted as a foil to Ichabod Washburn’s business side, Moen aided in increasing the worth of the manufacturing plant, helping to expand it through various business transactions. He held the office of President of Washburn & Moen Manufacturing Company from 1865 until 1875 when he became Treasurer from 1875 until his death on April 23rd, 1891. He was best known for the courtesy he extended to all of his employees without regard to their position in the company. As a sign of his outstanding relationship with his employees; on the day of his funeral, they lined the street entering the cemetery where he was to be buried and waited for three hours for the exceedingly long funeral service, so they could all serve as a guards of honor for his funeral procession (Warren 14-15). |
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Philip Moen |
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Charles Washburn was the twin brother of Ichabod Washburn. They both had very similar upbringings. In 1820, Charles graduated from Brown University. His first venture was opening a law office in Harrison, maine. the experience there lead him to become part of the Maine state legislature in 1830. However after an enticing offer from his brother, Charles Washburn moved to Worcester in 1835. By 1840 he was employed by his Ichabod at the Washburn and Moen Co. and soon would control the South Works factory with cousin Henry S. Washburn. His final position in the company was as director from 1868 to 1875. |
Charles Washburn |
Henry Washburn was cousin to Ichabod and Charles. His original job was working as a clerk in a bookstore. While Ichabod was building his wire factories, Ichabod would contact Henry in order for him to go to the local auction houses in Boston to supply him with wire rods. He would eventually retire from his position of partner of the South Works in 1862. Outside of work Henry S. Washburn wore a variety of hats for various organizations including: serving on the Boston School Board for 17 years, Two terms as Representative in the General Court, Two terms as State Senator, Chairman of the Central Committee of the old Whig Party, Director of Worcester Bank from 1852 to 1857, President of Worcester Mechanics Association for four terms, Laying the cornerstone of Mechanics Hall (September 3, 1855). Henry was also a well known poet, most notable for “The Vacant Chair” which became well known by both soldiers in the Northern and Southern armies during the American Civil War (Warren 12-14). |
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Henry Washburn |
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William E. Rice worked for Ichabod Washburn & Company from 1852 to 1959. His first business venture involved a partnership with Dorrance S. Goddard, son of Benjamin Goddard, and together they created William E. Rice & Company at the site of the south works. This venture failed to last due to a water power shortage and the plant was relocated to Holyoke, MA and a wire mill was constructed on the site. Five years later the Holyoke building was sold to be used as a paper mill and in a deal with Ichabod Washburn the wire drawing equipment was purchased by Ichabod’s company and in return Rice would be made a partner in Quinsigamond Iron and Wire Works. He would later be elected treasurer and general manager of Washburn and Moen Manufacturing Company. While with Washburn and Moen, Rice facilitated bringing a Bedson continuous rolling mill to Worcester, which greatly increased production capabilities, once all of the technical issues were worked out. In 1877, Rice became president of the Worcester Wire Company. Rice held the position of President of Washburn & Moen Manufacturing Company from 1891 until 1899 when the company was sold to American Steel and Wire of New Jersey in 1899 (Warren 18-19). |
William Rice |
Charles F. Washburn was known to be gentlemanly, genial, concilialatory, an optimist, confident of success, and respectful of all individuals. He was the oldest son of Charles Washburn, Ichabod Washburn’s twin brother. Due to illness he did not attend college but this allowed him to become well traveled and thanks to his ambition for knowledge became a self educated man by reading books upon books. He would become a director and officer of Washburn & Moen Manufacturing Company from its inception until he passed away in 1893. He was elected to the position of Secretary of Washburn and Moen when it was restructured in 1865 and was known for using his vision and enthusiasm to fuel the company’s development efforts and maintain competiveness. During his life he would become a Member of the Worcester Common Council, the President of the Trustees of the Home for Aged Women, and served on the Board of Trustees of Memorial Hospital (Warren 15-16). |
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Charles F. Washburn |