Pratt, purchased a controlling interest in Albert Goodell’s Goodell Tool company in 1907, Francis Pratt became its vice-president. He became the firm’s assistant treasurer in 1886, and on Mayhew’s death in 1894, company treasurer. Mayhew purchased the business, Francis Pratt stayed with the operation, adding the title of manager to that of superintendent. Shepardson & Company, a producer of such hardware items as braces, bits, awls, chisels, and farm tools employing thirty-seven men.įrancis Pratt returned to Shelburne Falls in 1872 to take up a position as superintendent of H. Shortly after Pratt's departure, Maynard’s tool manufacturing operation became H. In 1867, Francis Pratt moved to Worcester, Massachusetts, to work in the office of Maynard’s wholesale grain dealership. Maynard & Company, a Shelburne Falls tool manufacturer. He left the family business at age twenty-seven to take a position with W. When Josiah moved the family to Shelburne Falls in 1843, Francis attended Shelburne Falls Academy and, up on completing his education, went to work in his father’s axe-making enterprise. Pratt, Josiah's eldest son and William Pratt's father, was born in Charlemont, Massachusetts, in 1835. Josiah Pratt retired from the tool business 1865 and died in 1887. Pratt, joined the business, it became Josiah Pratt & Sons. Pratt, the first of their two sons, joined the family business, his father changed its name to Josiah Pratt & Son. Josiah and his wife, the former Catherine Hall, parented eight children. The most prominent of the Connecticut Valley's early ax makers, he was especially noted for the quality of the cast steel used in his products. Josiah stayed on in Charlemont for eleven years before moving his operation to a site with better water power in Shelburne Falls. (2) It was a good year, one in which his business turned out products valued at $7,087, a considerable sum and a sign of a successful operation. In April 1832, he patented an axe-making machine and began turning out axes and edge tools using a trip hammer. Josiah returned to the United States afterward and began manufacturing axes, edge tools, and scythe snaths in Charlemont, Massachusetts. Josiah liked forge work, and at age twenty-one, he traveled to Stansted, Quebec, where he assisted with the construction of the province's first trip hammer-a large, mechanized device used to shape red-hot iron and steel. Born in Mansfield, Massachusetts, on January 17, 1802, Josiah became interested in ax production when his family moved to Buckland Center where he began working at a blacksmith shop, a business that made axes. His grandfather, Josiah Pratt, was the first of the family to be involved in tool manufacture. Pratt, the founder of the Goodell-Pratt Company, built a business on the basis of his financial acumen and sales ability rather than an understanding of tool production and design. Check with me if you are interested, click the CONTACT US button below.A third-generation tool man, William M. Occasionally I will have hand drills available for sale. Please check out my work, view more images or to order, click the SHOP NOW button below If you are interested in reading more about Millers Falls hand drills, here are a few resources.įrom time to time I will have a few Millers Falls hand drills for sale. The No 980 is a two-speed hand drill that was introduced in 1913. Many of the Millers Falls wooden handles have a hidden compartment for storing the drill bits in the handle. Most of them have a little rust but like I said they all work fine so I have not bothered to remove the rust, it does add character. Goodall Pratt and Millers Falls hand drills are the best hand drill that were ever made and collectors love to find them, especially if they are in good shape.Īll of the hand drills I have are all in working order and I occasionally use them on projects. I really like hand drills made by Millers Falls and Goodall Pratt hand drills, these are the best hand drills ever made. I do have a few made by other manufacturers like Red Head, Craftsman, etc. Over the years I have picked up a few old and antique tools at garage sales.
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