When researching Holyoke’s industries, it was not unusual to see new business ventures formed by those who were already successful in their own right. The story of Whiting & Cook is one such example in which success begot success.
Samuel Raynor Whiting was one whose reputation preceded him when discussing well-known national paper manufacturers. Mr. Whiting was born in Holyoke to Congressman William and Anna Maria (Fairfield) Whiting on January 20, 1867. His father was the founder of the Whiting Paper Mills.
At an early age, he learned the paper trade, starting in the production department and moving through other departments within the Whiting paper mills. In 1911, he was the supervisor of paper production, while his brother William F. Whiting was in charge of sales.
Charles Ward Cook was born in Washington Mills, N.Y., on June 1, 1856. In 1875, he moved to Holyoke to work as a bookkeeper for the A. T. Stewart Company, a woolens manufacturer. After several years, he left the company to work in New York City, but returned in 1880 and was employed by the Whiting Paper Company. He was promoted to manager of the paper stationery operation.
In 1910, Mr. Cook formed the Des Arts Company, which operated at 453 High Street. He was the President and Treasurer of the business that manufactured greeting cards.
It was in November 1915 that the corporation Whiting & Cook, Inc. was established, when Des Art Studio was absorbed into the newly formed business. Mr. Whiting became the President, and Mr. Cook, Vice-President and Treasurer.
As the business grew and began manufacturing a wider variety of paper and stationery products and importing more fine stationery from abroad, it needed more space. In April 1916, the company moved into the newly built Holyoke Supply Company building at 206-208 Race Street. There were 50 employees at the time.
In 1919, the company was contracted to produce 25,000 calendars for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. The calendars were produced using very expensive, high-grade paper stock. 100 were employed at the mill at the time.
In 1922, Charles W. Cook’s son, Stanley W. Cook, joined the firm as Treasurer. He had been a patent lawyer employed by the Gillette Safety Razor Company. He was instrumental in turning around the fortunes of this company by reorganizing the factory, resulting in a 50% increase in production.
On February 20, 1926, Charles W. Cook died while on a trip to Houston, Texas. He had resided at 214 Linden Street at the time of his death. Mr. Whiting resided at 1365 Northampton Street.
The company continued to produce high-quality artistic stationery. Help-wanted ads sought workers to place tissues into envelopes, produce decorative stationery boxes, and dye-stamp and engrave.
After the death of Samuel R. Whiting on February 5, 1933, the business, which had about 90 employees, was placed for sale. Eaton, Crane & Pike, well-known paper manufacturers and stationers from Pittsfield, purchased the company in May 1934. Whiting & Cook was moved to Pittsfield soon thereafter. Hazen Paper Co, a rapidly growing paper firm, leased a portion of the space vacated by Whiting & Cook at 208 Race Street.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; publication dates and pages are shown.
Ancestry.com (paid subscription): Price & Lee, Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories
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