Columbian Manufacturing Company.

The company, located in Mason Village (later Greenville), N.H., was founded in 1826. Originally incorporated as the Remsen Co., its name was changed to Columbian in 1827. It produced cotton, starting with shirtings. Records of the New Ipswich Water Loom Factory and the Souhegan Factory are also included in this collection; the proprietors and officers of these companies were involved in Columbian and both companies eventually became part of Columbian. In 1836 the Water Loom Factory was sold to Parker Wilder Co. of Boston, who formed Mountain Mills to manufacture jeans, drills and flannels. In 1855 Columbian bought Mountain Mills and began producing denims. Later it produced only yarns for other Columbian mills. The Souhegan Factory was established in 1824; financial difficulties led Parks Wright Co. of Boston to acquire part interest in 1836 and full ownership by 1845. In 1845 Columbian bought this mill from them. In 1867, Columbian also bought a mill in New Ipswich, N.H. which had been established by Samuel Batchelder and owned by Eleazar Brown until his death in 1867. In 1925, Columbian was purchased by the Otis Co.