A Top Elastic-Web Manufacturer
by Gordon E. Hopper
William E. Lapworth & Sons, a firm once located off Depot Street [Milford] that was owned by William Lapworth, was engaged in the manufacture of elastic and non-elastic fabrics. It employed 125 workers and the plant was equipped with 88 narrow looms.
More recently, the large building was occupied for several years by "Grandma's Attic."
Lapworth was born in Coventry, England on March 3, 1844. He gained his early experience in weaving in his native land and in 1870 he came to the United States.
He was first employed as an elastic weaver by an English house in Connecticut, and his knowledge and skill were at once recognized.
Subsequently, he worked for the Boston Elastic Fabric Company of Chelsea and next he became associated with the Glendale Elastic Fabric Company of Easthampton in the capacity of manager.
He was one of the organizers of the Hopedale Elastic Fabric Company of Hopedale, remaining a stockholder and general manager of the business for 11 years.
Then he embarked in elastic webbing independently. His inventive genius and thorough understanding of the work resulted in his producing many patents, all of which were regarded as indispensable in the production of elastic web and he became the pioneer manufacturer of elastic twill.
He also invented the elastic web from which the celebrated policemen suspenders are made and he introduced various other weaves of equal value.
The rise of the elastic webbing industry in America and its diversified use, as well as the constantly widening field opening to the manufacturer of this domestic and personal necessity was due perhaps more to the energy, inventive genius and business sagacity of Lapworth than to any other representative of the industry.
His plant at Milford covered about two acres and was the last word in equipment, commercial stability, skillful workmanship, superior management and perfection of product. the business ranked among the foremost in elastic web manufacturing in the country and was conducted in a most systematic manner, everything being done according to a most thoroughly worked out system in the offices and in every department of the plant.
The weaving room, 180 by 120 feet, was one of the best lighted in the country and its 100 looms were operated by skillful employees, many having been with the company for a long period.
A number of these looms produced the beautiful and dazzling colors of the "Boston Silk Garter," each loom being devoted to a particular color.
The warping and winding room contained a number of machines which warp and wind the fabrics. The dressing room was used for dressing the beautiful and many-colored webbing and it contained machines of great size and of the latest invention.
The rubber stock room was kept cool and somewhat dark with great rolls of rubber upon the floor and shelves, looking like brown yarn.
There was a finishing department where the last touch was added to the beautiful fabric of elastic webbing and then neatly rolled, ready to be packed.
Lapworth was regarded as an expert on rubber, from the time it was taken from the tree until it was formed into the smallest thread and only its finest product was used by this company.
Lapworth gave equal attention to the welfare of his workers, in which connection he gave most comprehensive study to the ventilation of the immense weaving room, so that pure air was conveyed to every section, there being two large skylights which were operated from the floor and two powerful fans that could be regulated immediately. The output was from 12 to 14 million yards annually, the capacity of the weaving department being about 20 yards per minute.
The product included only high-grade goods, principally silk web of every shade and color and of varying widths for garters, hose supporters, arm bands, etc., and was sold to both wholesale and retail merchants. Milford Daily News, July 6, 1996.
The Lapworth house on Adin Street, shown before and after a renovation project.
Veteran Manufacturer
His Birthday Anniversary
Observed At Adin
Street Home
One of the Last of "Old
Guard" in Bay State
William Lapworth, oldest elastic web manufacturer in the country and a prominent resident of Hopedale, yesterday observed his 87th birthday anniversary with a quiet celebration at his residence on Adin Street, at which the members of his family were present.
Though his advanced years mark him as the last of the "Old Guard" of veteran industrial promoters in this vicinity and possibly of the entire state, Mr. Lapworth still remains active in the business world and continues almost daily to go to his factory, located off Depot Street [Milford] and confer on various matters with his sons, who have for years been associated with him in the industry.
Until recently, when his age forced him to cease activities to some extent and cause more automobile riding between his home and the mills, Mr. Lapworth often walked to and from, being a great lover of the outdoors and believing that this healthy exercise was essential for the mind and body, either before or after hours of labor of daily toil.
Proud of his successful business career, which has been noted throughout the general business world, and of his family life, in which he insisted upon strict discipline that resulted in ultimate happiness and affection for all, Mr. Lapworth always spoke mildly and modestly upon the reasons he attributed for the growth and advancement of a substantial business.
He does not claim to deserve any more honor or distinction than could be rightfully bestowed upon an individual who had succeeded after diligent and hard work and prevented social activities to interfere with the objects he was striving to overcome.
The opinion that anyone with push, common sense and perseverance which, together with real work would, in the end, overcome all obstacles, could rise to the top, was his firm conviction throughout life. He has evidenced this fact in his own career and that of his sons, each one of whom he launched into the business world.
Yesterday at the Lapworth residence the festivities included a family dinner and reunion, during which some of Mr. Lapworth's experiences of the early days were related. Many friends called to extend congratulations and he was showered with flowers, cards, telegrams and tokens of the event.
William Lapworth was born in Coventry, England, March 3, 1844, and came from a family whose male members possessed a knowledge of weaving equaled by few in their time. His ambitions to get ahead in life resulted in his decision to come to America and at the age of 26 he arrived in the United States.
He believed that his knowledge of weaving obtained in his native country, together with an unusual amount of energy inherited from his parents, would result in achievement, hence is early decision to come to this land of opportunity and inducement.
While in Norwich, Ct., he secured employment with a branch English house as an elastic weaver and his knowledge and skill were at once recognized and stamped his as an individual in this line of endeavor.
Mr. Lapworth's ambition a few years later caused him to make a start for himself and in 1886 he came to Hopedale and founded the Hopedale Elastic Fabric Co., the pioneer concern of its kind in this locality, and he was at once successful, despite the fact that he was besieged with obstacles that were almost continually thrown in his path.
His general knowledge of the business, much of which he acquired through his father, John Lapworth, and to which he added by his own natural talents and experience, instilled within him a desire to pursue a wider field, which he did by coming to Milford to locate in 1896.
While in Hopedale, Mr. Lapworth was a stockholder and general manager for the company 11 years but he was constantly in search for an opening to secure a more modern and larger plant, to which he could build from time to time as the occasion warranted. He finally decided upon Milford and bought up the old storage battery car barns, which he converted into an excellent mill that is part of the Lapworth & Sons plant today.
As is well known his success from then on resulted in a steady upgrowth of the elastic webbing venture and Mr. Lapworth acknowledged, as the head of one of the most extensive silk web works in the country.
To his credit belongs the honor of making a series of elastic webs which have in great measure revolutionized this important industry and proved a distinct achievement for Mr. Lapworth. He has many patents of various devices used in the manufacture of his goods and his creation of the elastic twill was possibly on of his greatest accomplishments.
Mr. Lapworth invented the elastic web from which the policemen suspenders are made and have become world-famous, while looms at his plant produce the material that made the popular "Boston" silk garter. The Lapworth factory covers more than two acres. The various departments were well planned and arranged.
Years of study and persistent work by the successful promoter reached the goal for which Mr. Lapworth strove when a young man and he justly deserves to enjoy the fruits of one of the longest possible careers in life.
His wife, who was the former Miss Frances Smith of London, England, died 17 years ago. The Lapworth family includes six sons, Charles A. of Brockton, Frank A. of Hopedale, Arthur F. of Los Angeles, Cal., W. Sumner, Winfield S., and Clarence H. Lapworth of Hopedale, and three daughters, Miss Fannie, Mrs. Florence Schnetzler and Miss Mabel I. Lapworth, at home. Milford Daily News, March 4, 1931
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