The closing of the Farr-Alpaca Company in the 1930s was a blow to its many employees, the city, and vendors who supplied the company. Its vast real estate holdings were significant in supporting the real estate tax base of the city. However, out of the ashes of its demise rose new businesses which, over a short span of time, filled much of its mill space. One of these companies was the Alderman Top Manufacturing Company, the topic of today's presentation.
Eugene Alderman was born in Holyoke on November 20, 1883. At the age of 14, he went to work at the Farr-Alpaca plant as a clerk to Willard Stearns, the plant superintendent. Under Mr. Stearns' tutelage, Eugene Alderman learned about the textile industry and plant operations. When Mr. Stearns retired, Mr. Alderman was appointed as his successor in this massive Holyoke enterprise.
The textile industry in New England was facing its struggles during the 1930s, and Farr-Alpaca was not spared, as it closed its doors. With significant real estate holdings and machinery and equipment, a receiver was appointed to sell off the company's assets to pay its debts.
In 1939, despite the difficulties of the textiles industry, Mr. Alderman formed plans to start his own woolens business, which would be called the Alderman Top Manufacturing Company. He hired Harry Sinclair as Treasurer and office manager, and Alfred Krall of Laurel Street as Plant Manager.
The company required funds to establish the business, and James Dowd, the chairperson of a special Chamber of Commerce industrial fund-raising committee, was chosen to help raise $30,000 through the company's stock offering.
The plan was to lease the former Farr-Alpaca Mill No. 3, which was located west of the First Level Canal and ran from Appleton Street to the power plant at Cabot Street. The Farr-Alpaca Directors agreed to lease the mill to the new start-up.
On May 5, 1939, the company was granted a corporate charter from the Secretary of State. The incorporators were Eugene R. Alderman, his son, Robert Holmes Alderman, and his daughter Dorothy A. Schade.
As an aside, Eugene Alderman's brothers were George P. B. Alderman, a noted architect, Charles E., who was connected with Hampden Glazed Paper and Card Co. for over sixty years, and Oliver C., who operated a hardware store in Springfield.
On May 31, 1939, the company worked its first order, preparing 10,000 pounds of wool. This involved sorters who separated the wool by length and grade, and then proceeded with a scouring and raking process. The finished wool was thoroughly dried and placed in bins ready for shipping. The result was that the initially jumbled bundle of wool was transformed into a smooth wool rope. A 10,000-pound bundle of wool would result in 6,000 to 9,000 pounds of finished product.
By August 1939, the company employed 39 workers. The following month, more employees were hired and machinery purchased to keep up with the orders. In 1940, orders for wool tops surged during World War II.
In May 1941, Alderman offered to purchase the mill for $30,000. The mayor would not budge from the $50,000 he sought. The mayor did have control due to the $111,000 in unpaid real estate taxes that accumulated during Farr-Alpaca's latter years. An agreement was reached, and Alderman Top Manufacturing Co. paid the $50,000 within six months, thanks in part to a $25,000 loan from Mechanics Savings Bank for the final payment.
By the end of 1941, all but one parcel of the former Farr-Alpaca real estate holdings had been sold to third parties. This parcel was the vacant Falco Field on Berkshire Street, a subject which will be explored in a future post. Of the factory buildings' space sold, 90% was active.
Scrolling below to the Holyoke Transcript entries in 1942, you will find two wonderful human interest stories of 39-year plant fireman Patrick Dunn of West Glen Street, and 54-year wool sorter, William Arthur Tiffany of High Street. Both worked for Farr-Alpaca and Alderman Top Company.
Eugene Alderman died in June 1942, and his son, Robert H., succeeded him. In 1947, Harry Sinclair, the company's Treasurer, who spent 46 years in Holyoke's textile industry after graduating from Holyoke High School, announced his retirement.
The plant employed 160 workers in 1945.
In January 1948, the company announced that it had been purchased for $100,000 by Hart Top Company, a Boston-based investment group. This business will be the topic for the blog to follow.
Reflecting on the numerous mill topics explored in this series, many companies ultimately ended in failure. The Alderman Top Manufacturing Company, adeptly run by the Alderman family, was one of the exceptions, having sold a successful going concern to the new owners of Hart Top Mfg. Co.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations include Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram, and Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican, with publication dates and pages shown.
MACRIS, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, Boston, Massachusetts
1911 Richards Atlas of Holyoke, Massachusetts
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