Erastus Brigham Bigelow (15383.62) is perhaps best known in our day as the founder, along with his brother Horatio, of the well-known Bigelow Carpet Company. Most people are not aware, however, that it was as an inventor, a man who registered some 50 patents in his lifetime, that Bigelow really made his mark. The majority of his inventions were related to the textile arts, and they were to revolutionize the entire textile industry.
Erastus, the second son of Ephraim and Polly (Brigham) Bigelow, was born at West Boylston, Worcester, MA on 2 April 1814. His father Ephraim, a native of West Boylston, was a small farmer who plied as well the trades of wheelwright and chairmaker. Young Erastus proved early his love of learning when at the age of eight he taught himself the fundamentals of mathematics. His fervent longing for an education was overridden by the practical need to earn a living at a young age, as the family resources were scarce. He began working out at the age of ten on a neighboring farm, and later played violin at country dances to earn some extra cash.
His true calling showed itself early in life when at the age of 14 he invented a machine to manufacture piping cord. For this invention, he received $100, enabling him to secure further education. He later was able to secure employment as a clerk in a dry-goods store, and even to teach penmanship. By 1831, Erastus's father had established a small cotton mill where both his sons began to work. Erastus's first major invention came in 1837, when he invented a power loom to weave coach lace. This machine already contained most of the distinctive and vital features which were to be included in his future more important carpet looms. The success of this lace loom brought Erastus instant recognition. He formed a company with his older brother, Horatio, to produce and operate the new looms. It was incorporated 8 March 1838 under the name of The Clinton Company, supposedly because of a favorite inn of the inventor at New York called the Clinton House. The location of the new plant was near Lancaster, and the factory village soon came to be known as Clintonville and finally Clinton.
Over the next twenty years, Bigelow's inventive genius did not diminish. It is interesting to note that despite his active imagination, Erastus was apparently unable to make anything with his own hands, or even to sketch his own creations. He always worked through a draftsman in drawing up the plans for his inventions.
Turning his attention next to the weaving of carpet, Erastus in 1840 invented a power loom for which his name became widely known. Two-ply ingrain carpets, which previously had been woven on hand looms at two yards a day, were soon being turned out at the rate of twenty-five yards a day. The first successful power loom for weaving coach lace, wire cloth, silk brocatel, and Brussels, Wilton, tapestry and velvet carpets were all Erastus's inventions. Many of the plants for producing these textiles were located at Lowell MA and Derby CT, but Clinton was to remain the centre of the Bigelow enterprises.
Erastus had become well-known for his inventions by 1850, not only in the United States but also overseas. He visited Europe frequently on matters of manufacturing. He amassed six volumes of his English patents between 1837 and 1868 which are preserved along with the original drawings by the Massachusetts Historical Society, to which he belonged. His contribution to the development of the textile arts is said to be greater than that of any other man.
As well as an inventor, Bigelow is also recognized as a respected economist. Uninterested in business matters, he left the management of the Clinton Company to Horatio. He became very interested in the question of tariffs, advocating a protective policy. He published two major works, in 1862 and 1877 , on the role of tariffs in the American economy. In 1860, he ran for Congress as a Democratic candidate but was defeated in a close contest. He was always interested in education and became one of the founding members of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Erastus has been described as a man of medium stature, with a fair complexion, gray eyes, and the typical Bigelow high forehead and jutting eyebrows. His main mental trait was his overriding power of concentration. Bigelow lived in Boston and maintained a summer home called Stonehurst in North Conway, NH; in both he loved to entertain guests. Stonehurst is now a guest inn and restaurant.
Sometime after filing intentions to wed on 20 October 1838, Erastus married Susan W. King who died in 1841. He married for a second time 16 May 1843 at Concord, MA to Eliza Frances Means. Eliza was the daughter of Col. David Means of Amherst, NH. Erastus died 6 December 1879 at his home in Boston.
After the death of the Bigelow brothers, the Bigelow Carpet Co. in 1899 merged with Lowell Carpets, and then in 1929 with its largest competitor. The headquarters moved in the second half of this century to Greenville, SC. Today there are no Bigelows in charge at the Bigelow Sanford Carpet Company, which is a subsidiary of Sperry-Hutchinson. The old New England buildings where once the Bigelow looms resided now house other manufacturing endeavors. If you visit the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, you may see a group of 19th century inventors displayed under the heading, "Men of Progress. " Among them you will find a large painting of Erastus Brigham Bigelow, foremost inventor in the textile industry.
Children:
Sources: Dictionary of American Biography; The Bigelow
Family Genealogy, Vol. II; Forge. Related Forge articles:
April 1986.
Other works of interest: A Century of Carpet and Rug
Making in America, published by the Hartford-Bigelow Carpet Co.,
1925.
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Joshua 2, John 1) re the death of his father-in-law, Garrett Van Buskirk. The text reads: Charlotte NV Jan. 2nd, 1880. Received at Scottsville 4:45 pm. To Harvey Bigelow, West Rush, NY. Father died last night. Funeral nine thirty Sunday Morning. Westley Van Buskirk. Fresno CA.
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