Matthew John Whittall
Born 10 Mar 1843 in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, ENG,
Died 31 Oct 1922 in Shrewsbury, Worcester, MA
m.1 - Hellen Paget
Born 18 Jul 1848 in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, England
Died 02 Dec 1895 in Worcester, Worcester, MA
Children
Amy Constance Jane Whittall 1871 - 1872
Matthew Percival Whittall 1874 - 1959
Edgeworth J. Paget Whittall 1876 - 1968
m.2 - Gertrude Littlefield Clarke 04 Jun 1906 in Omaha, Douglas, NE
Underside of Whittall Carpet
Worcester, Mass.—Papers have been executed transferring Matthew J. Whittall's carpet business to the Whittall Associates, who are composed of Matthew J.Whittall, Matthew P. Whittall. his son, and James E. Whittin, who married his only daughter. Matthew P. Whittall has been associated in business with his father since leaving college. Matthew J. Whittall will continue the active management of the business as heretofore, assisted by his son, Matthew P. Whittall. The other associate, James E. Whittin, has been devoting his entire time to the conduct of the woolen business carried on by him at Uxbridge, and the new arrangement forming the 'Whittall Associates will not interfere with his carrying on that business, end will not require his being In Worcester. The new organization has been effected because the business of Mr. Whittall Is of such large volume and embraces sut'h great property values that the long continued absence or death of Mr. Whillall would seriously Interfere with the business and all its interests. Matthew J. Whittall has been identified with the carpet industry in Worcester for 35 years, coming to Wbrcester as superintendent of the Crompton Carpet Co. in 1871, and remained in that position until 1878, when the company was dissolved. In 1880 he bought machinery for the manufacture of wilton and brussels carpet and leased a building at South Worcester, and began to manufacture on his own account. In 1883 he built his first carpet mill, and in 1889 he built another mill and in 1891 the third. Mr. Whittall was born in Kidderminster, Eng., in 1843, and when 21 years old moved to Stourport, taking the entire charge of the carpet works of T. B. Worth, and remaining there six years.
Fibre & Fabric: A Record of American Textile Industries in the Cotton and Woolen Trade, Volume 43; Published 1906
Original from the New York Public Library
https://books.google.com/books?pg=PA190&dq=%22matthew+p.+whittall%22&id=oBYAAAAAMAAJ&output=text
Mr. Whittall, who is another of those energetic and skillful manufacturers to whom Worcester is so much indebted for her prosperity, was born in Kidderminster, England, on the 10th of March, 1843. His father's name was Eli and his mother’s Eliza. His father, at the time of his birth, was a hand carpet-weaver.
At the age of fourteen the subject of this sketch began his industrial life in the employ of Messrs. Humphries, carpet manufacturers, at Kidderminster. There, by his industry, dexterity and aptitude, he, within a few years, became assistant superintendent.
At the age of twenty-one he left the Messrs. Humphries, and entered the employ of T. B. Worth, carpet manufacturer, at Stourport, as superintendent of his works. There he remained till 1869, when he took a similar position with Messrs. Fawcutt & Spurway.
In the latter part of 1870 he commenced a correspondence with the late George Crompton, with the view of coming to Worcester to superintend the Crompton Carpet Works. The result of the correspondence was that hither he came in May 1871, and remained with the company until they dissolved, in 1879.
Mr. Whittall then returned to England and purchased machinery for manufacturing Wilton and Brussels carpets. He started business in South Worcester with seven looms, in a building owned by the Wicks Manufacturing Company. His business has greatly prospered, insomuch that he has already built two large mills, and is now doing the most extensive business of any individual manufacturer of Wilton and Brussels carpets in the United States.
In his religious connection Mr. Whittall is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and has been an officer in St. Matthew's ever since the edifice was erected, in 1871. The parish was organized in 1874, at which time he was elected a warden. Recently he has been elected president of the Episcopalian Club of Worcester.
In political sentiment he is a Republican, quietly giving expression to his views by his vote rather than by noisy demonstration.
Mr. Whittall was married at Stourport, England, October, 1868, to Ellen, youngest daughter of the late Henry Paget. Several children have been born to them, only two of whom are now living—a son and a daughter.
A great deal has of late been said against the incoming of laborers, artisans and others from foreign lands. But certainly no true statesman would object to any number of incomers were they of the character and habits of the individual to whom this brief biographical sketch relates. It is hardly reasonable to conclude, after taking a fair review of the industrial history of Worcester, that she would have attained the proud position she now occupies as a manufscturing centre had she not received and encouraged the location within her borders of some of those from other lands whose careers have been outlined in the present work. And to none, perhaps, is she more indebted than to Mr. Whittall, who, in his particular line of manufacture, presents an exceedingly beautiful and excellent style of goods, which have made not only his own name, but that of Worcester, favorably known throughout the country.
History of Worcester County, Massachusetts: With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men, Volume 2 - Duane Hamilton Hurd; J.W. Lewis & Company, 1889 - Worcester County (Mass.)
https://books.google.com/books?id=_EY4AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA1715&lpg=PA1715&dq=%22william+trowbridge+merrifield%22+-forbes&source=bl&ots=40k7L1z7MW&sig=UdqQUsCFu-SlTKb6xo9HKb7kxes&hl=en&sa=X&ei=uwkoVNz5BMmIsQTGmYLAAw#v=onepage&q=whittall&f=false
The Whittall Mills
THE WHITTALL business was founded in l880 by its present owner, M. Whittall. ln 1872 Mr. Whittall came to this country from England, became superintendent of the Crompton Carpet Co., and upon the dissolution of that concern started his present business with a few looms brought from his native country.
From this modest beginning, the immense group of mills in South Worcester developed. Every year or two it has been necessary to add on to the old buildings or to build new ones to supply the increasing demands for Whittall fabrics, known the world wide over.Worcester, Mass.—Papers have been executed transferring Matthew J. Whittall's carpet business to the Whlttall Associates, who are composed of Matthew J. Whittall, Matthew P. Whittall, his son, and James E. Whittin, who married his only daughter. Matthew P. Whittall has been associated in business with his father since leaving college. Matthew J. Whittall will continue the active management of the business as heretofore, assisted by his son, Matthew P. Whittall. The other associate, James E. Whittin, has been devoting his entire time to the conduct of the woolen business carried on by him at Uxbridge, and the new arrangement forming the Whittall Associates will not interfere with his carrying on that business end will not require his being In Worcester. The new organization has been effected because the business of Mr. Whittall is of such large volume and embraces such great property values that the long continued absence or death of Mr. Whlllall would seriously interfere with the business and all its interests. Matthew J. Whittall has been identified with the carpet industry in Worcester for 35 years, coming to Worcester as superintendent of the Crompton Carpet Co. in 1871, and remained in that position until 1878, when the company was dissolved. In 1880 he bought machinery for the manufacture of wilton and brussels carpet and leased a building at South Worcester, and began to manufacture on his own account. In 1883 he built his first carpet mill, and in 1889 he built another mill and in 1891 the third. Mr. Whittall was born in Kidderminster, Eng., in 1843, and when 21 years old moved to Stourport, taking the entire charge of the carpet works of T. B. Worth, and remaining there six years.
Mr. Whittall is now the largest individual carpet manufacturer in the world. He is one of the beloved employers of labor in Worcester, and the loyalty and efficiency of his work people is the best test of their fair treatment. With Mr. Whittall is associated in the firm his son, Matthew Percival Whittall.
The firm name is the Whittall Associates, the officers being: President and treasurer, Matthew J. Whittall; vice—president and assistant treasurer, Matthew Percival Whittall.
In connection with the Edgeworth Mills, Alfred Thomas has as a partner Matthew Whittall.
Worcester, City of Prosperity Donald Tulloch Commonwealth Press, 1914 - 324 pages
[https://books.google.com/books?id=koRDAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA137&dq=matthew+whittall&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAGoVChMIs9am5J__yAIVSjMmCh1QAQfF#v=onepage&q=matthew%20whittall&f=false]
October 19, 1928. Isaiah Thomas Lodge presented a Bible for the altar with a tribute speech to Matthew John Whittall by Brother Ernest H. Vaughn.
Matthew John Whittall; A Tribute by a loyal friend on the occasion of a presentation by Isaiah Thomas Lodge:
This is a fitting ceremony of presentation by the Isaiah Thomas Lodge, A. F. & A. M. of Worcester, to Matthew John Whittall Lodge, A. F. & A. M. of Shrewsbury, of the Holy Bible, which from this time henceforth will always be used in the exemplification of the work of the Lodge.
Matthew John Whittall Lodge will mean much to its present and future members with its ever widening fraternal influence. Therefore, it is of interest and importance that your records should preserve in association with the gift received some statement as to who Matthew John Whittall was and what sort of man he was.
The little village of Kidderminster in the midlands of England near the Welsh border was the birth place of carpet weaving which is not the principal industry of that place.
Matthew John Whittall was born in Kidderminster, England, May 10, 1843 the son of Eli and Elisa Whittall. His father was a carpet weaver. Matthew John Whittall attended school until fourteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to a carpet weaver. He rose rapidly from "bobbin boy" by his energy and efficiency to higher positions and was manager of the carpet works at Stourport when he was 25 years old.
In 1868 he married Ellen Paget. Mr. Whittall came to Worcester in 1871, and entered the employ of Crompton Carpet Mills as Superintendent, where he remained until 1879.
He commenced manufacturing Brussels carpets in 1880, with eight looms which he had bought the previous year while on a visit in England and imported to Worcester. Those looms were set up and put in operation in a leased one-story wooden building in South Worcester, which is still standing.
The carpet and rug business of the Associates has been built up from that small beginning under Mr. Whittall's personal management, so that it is now one of the most important manufacturing industries in Worcester and is in fact one of the largest carpet mills in this country.
Mr. Whittall's first wife died in November 1895 leaving a son Matthew P. Whittall, who is the President and Treasurer of the Associates, and a daughter, Edgeworth Paget Whitin, who are the principal owners of the business.
In 1906, Mr. Whittall married Gertrude Clarke of Omaha, Nebraska.
Following the second marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Whittall built their large and attractive home in Shrewsbury, known as "Juniper Hall" where they lived until his death on October 31, 1922.
Recently, Mr. Whittall's widow most generously gave "Juniper Hall" to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in memory of her husband, as a convalescent home for invalid members of the Masonic fraternity.
Mr. Whittall had for many years been an active Mason and had received all the degrees, including the 33rd. He was a Charter Member of and Past Master of the Isaiah Thomas Lodge, the donor of the Bible which is the occasion of this gathering.
While always a Republican in politics, he never held public office in Worcester except that of Trustee of the Public Library, and of Trustee of the City Hospital.
He was a member of the Governor's Council serving under Governor McCall in 1917 and 1918 and under Governor Coolidge in 1919 and 1920.
Mr. Whittall had been a regular attendant and warden of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church of Worcester since 1874; and his generosity made it possible to erect a new church in 1894 when the original building was destroyed by fire.
He also gave the money with which to build the "Whittall Chapel" for St. Mary's Parish at Kidderminster, accompanied by a letter in which he wrote the Vicar of Kidderminster, "I have no hesitancy in offering the money for this purpose, for all that I have was made in fair competition and honest dealings. He has blessed me with health, a loving family, many friends and much prosperity. I have given this Chapel as a thank offering for all His loving kindness to me and mine."
The list in chronological order of the more important events in any man's life from birth to death is interesting in disclosing his environment, training, activities, accomplishments, associations and in general his career.
That much at least is in the record left by every man who is more than average importance as an individual.
But far more interesting is a brief summary of what he was, of his qualities and character as estimated by the people among whom he lived, and who knew his life and its activities.
Mr. Whittall was a man of distinguished appearance, with a rare and charming personality. He was modest and unassuming, dignified but approachable, serious but not severe, deliberate but not slow, intensely human and lovable, with a keen sense of humor.
Mr. Whittall was known for his activity, industry, generosity and integrity. His character and personality were such as to command the universal respect, admiration and confidence of his friends, associates, employees and acquaintances. And of him also it might be truly said:
"None knew him but to love him
None named him but to praise."
FROM PROCEEDINGS of the Isaiah Thomas Masons Lodge, Worcester, MA, 1928
http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MatthewJohnWhittall
Obituary- Matthew J. Whittall
Hon. Matthew John Whittall, president and Treasurer of the M. J. Whittall Associates, Worcesyet, Mass., operating carpet mills in that city and Palmer, Mass., who was one of the oldest and best known men engaged in the industry in the country, died at Juniper Hall, his estate in Shrewsbury, Mass., on Tuesday morning, after an illness of six weeks. Mr. Whittall was 79 years old on March 10 last and was active until September 23, when he made his last appearance at his South Worcester mills. As recently as September 17 Mr. Whittall went to Cleveland, where he received the honorary 33d degree in Freemasonry.
Mr. Whittall was born in Kidderminster, Eng, on March 10, 1843, the son of Eli Whittall, a weaver. At the age of 14 he entered the employ of Messrs. Humphries, carpet manufacturers, where he learned the trade and became assistant superintendent of the mill. When 21 years old he took charge of the carpet mills of T. B. Worth in Stourport, Eng, where he remained until 1869. In that year he took a similar position with Messrs. Fawcett & Spurway. While in Stourport he married Miss Ellen Paget, in 1868, and she died in Worcester in November, 1895.
In 1871 Mr. Whittall decided to come to the United States and went directly to Worcester, where he became superintendent of the old Crompton Carpet Co., remaining eight years. In 1879, having decided to go into business for himself, he returned to England and purchased eight Crossley carpet looms, which were shipped to Worcester and were the start of his career. He leased a mill, and within three years added another story and eight additional looms. Then another mill was built and more looms ordered, and in 1884 he was operating 42 looms. From that time on the business increased and more mills were constructed, and in 1889 he was employing 320 hands.
About that time he formed a copartnership with his nephew, Alfred Thomas, who came from England in 1880, to operate the spinning department of the business, and they have since done business in what is known as the Edgeworth Mill, named in honor of Mr. Whittall's only daughter, who is the wife of James E. Whitin, of Uxbridge, Mass.
In 1891 the business of the Palmer (Mass.) Carpet Co. was purchased and has since been operated by the associates.
In 1906 the business, which had made Mr. Whittall the largest individual carpet manufacturer in the world, was taken over by a trust under the name of the M. J. Whittall associates, composed of M. J. Whittall, his son, Matthew P. Whittall, who entered the business in 1897, and James E. Whitin of Uxbridge, as trustees.
While Mr. Whittall had many times declined to become a candidate for political honors in Worcester, including the mayoralty, he finally consented to run for the executive council, and was for three years, from 1918 to 1920, a member of that body, serving under Govs. S. W. McCall and Calvin Coolidge. He was a member of many organizations, including the Masonic fraternity and social clubs, and an active Rotarian. He was a director of the Worcester Bank & Trust Co., a vice president and trustee of the Peoples Savings Bank, and vice president of the Worcester City Hospital. He was an officer 0f the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, A. F. & A. M.
In 1906 Mr. Whittall married Miss Gertrude Clark, of Omaha, Neb., who survives him.
Title Textile World, Volume 62, Part 2; Publisher Bragdon, Lord & Nagle Company, 1922; Original from the University of California
https://books.google.com/books?id=ufc9AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA2631&dq=%22matthew+p.+whittall%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDAQ6AEwBGoVChMIzZvhwI6OyQIVCc9jCh3K4Abp#v=onepage&q=%22matthew%20p.%20whittall%22&f=false
Title Textile World, Volume 62, Part 2; Publisher Bragdon, Lord & Nagle Company, 1922; Original from the University of California
IN MEMORIAM
MATTHEW JOHN WHITTALL, 33°
On October 31, 1922, Illustrious Brother Matthew John Whittall, following a few weeks of sickness, ended a long and valuable career. A host of friends waited and hoped for a recovery, which was not to be. State and city officials and citizens of Worcester joined in paying sorrowful and sincere tribute to the memory of this loyal citizen, who lived and wrought in their midst for so many years.
Illustrious Brother Whittall was born in Kidderminster, England, March 10, 1843, son of Eli and Elisa Whittall. With no more than ordinary school opportunities he began his life's work at the age of fourteen years at the trade of carpet manufacturing in his own country. His sturdy and fixed attention to his calling soon met with recognition of his worth, and he was rapidly promoted to positions of responsibility.
He came to Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1871, where he was employed for some years as Superintendent of the Crompton Carpet Mills. Yielding to his ambition, daring, and inclination for independence, he purchased looms in England and started in business for himself. That he made no error in his judgment is evidenced by the continued rapid growth and prosperity of his plans, which matured in one of the largest plants of its kind in this country.
He achieved a success of which any man might well be proud. He was interested not only in the material welfare of his life's work, but earned and gained the love and respect of all who were associated with him. He was able to go through his works and call his help by name. He was acquainted in large measure with the personal affairs of his employees, and his solicitation for the sick ones in their families made him a father of this immense group rather than an employer. His love for his work and for these people was so strong that no inducement could be offered that tempted him to accept public office in his home city. He never sought public service, and as many times as he was urged by friends or party to be a candidate for Mayor of Worcester, just so often did he firmly refuse to be considered. He was for many years a member of the Board of Trustees of the City Hospital, and for some time served as Vice-President of this organization. He yielded to the demands of his district and was elected a member of the Governor’s Council, a position in which his experience and sound judgment caused him to be of great service to his State. Governor and Illustrious Brother Cox said of him: “It was a rare privilege to have served with him and to have known his beautiful character. He loved Massachusetts, he served her, and none was more confident of her splendid future.”
His Masonic record was one of his happy experiences. He was raised a Master Mason in Montacute Lodge in Worcester, July 19, 1880, and was a Charter Member of Isaiah Thomas Lodge and its Worshipful Master at the time of his decease. He was exalted in Worcester Chapter on May 26, 1882, and received and acknowledged in Hiram Council on March 2, 1883, and created and dubbed a Knight Templar in Worcester County Commandery on June 17, 1886. He was a member of all the Scottish Rite bodies in Worcester and of Massachusetts Consistory, 32°, in Boston. He became a member of the Supreme Council, 33°, on September 19, 1922. He was for many years a member of the Board of Directors of the Grand Lodge, an honor which he highly cherished, and where he could not fail to render rich and serviceable assistance.
His regard for and interest in his old home was made evident during the last year of his life, when he gave £6500 to build the Whittall Chapel in Kidderminster. He wrote: “I have no hesitancy in offering the money for this purpose, for all that I have was made in fair competition and honest dealings. I have but one suggestion, which I hope will not be out of place, and that is that my Brother Masons in the Hope and Charity Lodge, No. 377, be invited to participate in its dedication."
Illustrious Brother Whittall married Ellen Paget in Stourport, England, in 1868, who died in November, 1895. To them were born two children, Matthew P. Whittall, who was associated with his father in business, and a daughter, Edgeworth Paget Whittall, wife of James E. Whitin, of Uxbridge, Massachusetts. In 1906 he married Gertrude Clarke, only daughter of Honorable and Mrs. Henry T. Clarke, of Omaha, Nebraska.
Three funeral services were held, that all who wished might pay their final tribute to his memory. In his magnificent summer home, Juniper Hall, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, a Masonic service was held by Worcester County Commandery, while large delegations from Montacute and Isaiah Thomas Lodges united to testify to their appreciation of their late Brother and his regard for the institution. A second service was held at his Worcester home, Elmhurst, followed by one in Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church, of which he had been a Warden for forty-two years, where the citizens gathered in throngs. National and State flags were at half-mast on the municipal buildings, and his home city was bowed in grief.
A man whose character was conspicuous for sturdiness and persistence, who did what he believed was right, whose judgment was sound and safe, generous, public-spirited, warm-hearted, is gone. Of no one could it be more pertinently said —
"None knew him but to love him,
None named him but in praise."
Proceedings of the Council of Deliberation; Author Freemasons. Massachusetts. Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Published 1918
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