Russell Manufacturing Company

The company, located in Middletown, Conn., was organized by Samuel Russell in 1834, taking over the mill and machinery started by Spaulding and Collins in 1833. Russell was an innovator in the use of power looms for producing elastic web. It used cotton, jute, silk and India rubber to make belting, boot web, suspenders, and surcingles for horses. By the end of the 19th century the company operated seven plants in and around Middletown, including the Falls, Starr, Montgomery, Higganum and Rockfall Mills. By the 1920's, the company diversified and began producing brake linings and clutch facings. By the 1940's, it was also making aero safety belts, parachute shrouds, solid woven transmission belting, ladder tape for Venetian blinds, and suspender, garter and corset webs. The company-owned dam at Crystal Lake broke in 1964, causing flooding in Middletown and litigation problems for Russell. The H.K. Porter Co. bought Russell in 1964; it then became the Russell Manufacturing Div. The division was sold in 1970 to J.H. Fenner Co. Ltd, which closed it in 1984.

From the description of [Business records]. 1833-1976. (American Textile History Museum Library). WorldCat record id: 50649525

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