Joseph Daniel Billington
Other than the U.S. Army working at Pohlson's was Joseph's only job. He was with them for 60 years rising from stock clerk to foreman and finally the owner of the company
Other than the U.S. Army working at Pohlson's was Joseph's only job. He was with them for 60 years rising from stock clerk to foreman and finally the owner of the company
I worked part-time after school and some summers. My job was to inspect second quality elastic (ie. for underwear, etc.). It was hot summers. No air conditioning. One summer, I was the youngest employee and worked with many older workers. It was noisy due to the machinery and sometimes hot, yet one of the best jobs I ever had due to the camaraderie!
Harold was the oldest of 6 children, 5 boys and 1 girl. Harold's father, Louis Sadwin started Sadwin Manufacturing which was later owned and operated by two of his brothers, Sherwood and Dan. Sherwood and Dan's partnership eventually dissolved with Dan opening up his own business on Social Street while Sherwood continued running Sadwin's.
There were two Sadwin locations. Harold owned the Sadwin's which initially opened on Court Street, moved to Main Street and then moved to its final location on Park Avenue.
Frances worked at the Finkelstein mill as a seamstress for 48 years.
Archie worked very hard as a card tender. He was dedicated to the mill and took pride in his work. He was never once late to work and if overtime was available he almost always volunteered.
Working as a winder was hard work, especially in the summer when the windows of the mill could not be opened. Ella was on her feet all day.
Delia was hired by the Woonsocket Rubber Company during World War II as a defense worker. Her duties during the war years included working on materials used in the camouflaging of U.S ships, U.S. aircraft and air landing strips in an effort to mislead the enemy. This work was secret and Delia did not speak of it until after the war ended.
Delia remained at Woonsocket Rubber after the end of World War II, working until 1955.
Armand enjoyed working in the local knitting mills starting in the 1950's right through the 1970's. He enjoyed piece work which paid well by the pound. He worked with his brother, Richard as well as his Uncle George who owned Ron-Kim Knitting (now Al Drew Music). Armand ran this operation for him.
Knitting jobs became scarce in the 1970's and he was forced to take employment in a different line of work.
Armand has fond memories of his time in the local mills. Working in these mills allowed him to provide for his wife and 5 children.
Aurore married Leo Desiliets, a native of St. Joseph, Quebec. Leo also worked in a mill. He was a card feeder for the Branch River Wool Combing Company for over 20 years
Evelyn Rose Aucoin was born on May 13, 1922 in Thompson CT to French Canadian parents Arthur and Rose (Choiniere) Aucoin and was the second of nine children. Her parents moved the family to Canada for a brief spell, and then settled in Woonsocket, RI where her father worked in the mills.