There were times when opportunities arose for employees experienced in the workings of a business to start their own business. This was the origin of the Sunnybank Worsted Mills of Holyoke.
George H. Pearson was President and Superintendent of the Holyoke Worsted Mills for nine years until resigning from the company in February 1930. Before his work at Holyoke Worsted Mills, he had been employed at Beebe-Webber Company for 24 years. He had a great deal of experience in the woolen and worsted wool field.
Within several months of leaving Holyoke Worsted Mills, he was part of the organization of Sunnybank Worsted Mills, which formed in May 1930. Mr. Pearson was President of the new corporation, Joseph Keighley, its Treasurer, and Joseph E. Peto, an Assistant Treasurer. Mr. Peto had been the sales manager at Holyoke Worsted Mills.
The company leased 7,000 square feet of workspace at the former Hadley Thread property at 60 Canal Street. The building was owned by the Holyoke Gas & Electric Company.
The company ordered 16 looms from Guerin Mills in Providence, RI. Delivery and installation were anticipated within two months. The company planned to manufacture worsted goods.
Within a year of operation, the company Treasurer, Joseph Keighley, died in his office. Shortly thereafter, in June 1932, the officers of the corporation voted to petition the company into a liquidating bankruptcy. The early struggles associated with a new business were compounded by the economic downturn during the Great Depression.
All the machinery and equipment were sold at a public auction on September 20, 1932, effectively ending this two-year business.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
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