Herbert Martin Fillebrown
1869 - 1958

History of Rhode Island

774. Herbert Martin⁹ Fillebrown (James Rodman⁸, James⁷, Thomas⁶, Isaac⁵, Thomas⁴, Thomas³, Humpfrey² Phillibrowne, Robert¹ ffilebrowne)⁽⁸³⁹⁷⁾ was born in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts August 2, 1868.⁽⁸³⁹⁸⁾ Herbert died February 24, 1958 in Daytona Beach, Volosia County, Florida, at 89 years of age.⁽⁸³⁹⁹⁾ His body was interred April 1958 in Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.⁽⁸⁴⁰⁰⁾ The casket was held in the Baggett-McIntosh receiving vault until burial in Brockton.

He married twice. Herbert married Lora Martin Curtis June 6, 1892 in Campello, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.⁽⁸⁴⁰¹⁾ The service was conducted by the Rev. N. B. Thompson. The license was witnessed by her father and Rosie C. Marston.

Lora was born August 29, 1867 in West Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.⁽⁸⁴⁰²⁾ Lora⁽⁸⁴⁰³⁾ was the daughter of Benjamin Buck Curtis and Abigail Martin. Lora died January 12, 1942 in Daytona Beach, Volosia County, Florida, at 74 years of age.⁽⁸⁴⁰⁴⁾ Lora resided in Campello, Plymouth County, Massachusetts May 23 1892.⁽⁸⁴⁰⁵⁾ When Lora was age 29 and Herbert Martin Fillebrown was age 28 they became the parents of Rachel Fillebrown November 21, 1896 in Massachusetts.⁽⁸⁴⁰⁶⁾ She became Rachel Fillebrown's adoptive mother date unknown.⁽⁸⁴⁰⁷⁾ Lora was listed as Herbert Martin Fillebrown's wife on the 1900 Census in Central Falls, Providence County, Rhode Island.⁽⁸⁴⁰⁸⁾ The address was 106 Hawes Street.

Lora, as Herbert's wife, resided with him in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island May 1901.⁽⁸⁴⁰⁹⁾ "In May 1901, he removed from Pawtucket and Central Falls to Providence where he completed a new house on the East side, corner of Olney street and Arlington avenue, in which he lived until 1906. He sold his Providence residence and removed to Woonsocket."

Lora, as Herbert's wife, resided with him in Woonsocket, Providence County, Rhode Island circa 1906.⁽⁸⁴¹⁰⁾ The Providence home was sold and the family moved to a home where they still lived in 1910 "afterwards living in Union Village, North Smithfield, and again in Woonsocket."

Lora, as Herbert's wife, resided with him in Cape Cod, Barnstable County, Massachusetts circa 1942.⁽⁸⁴¹¹⁾ This was the summer home it was located in the Bass River area.

Lora, as Herbert's wife, resided with him in Daytona Beach, Volosia County, Florida circa 1942.⁽⁸⁴¹²⁾ Winters were spent in Daytona from 1932 to 1942.

Herbert married Sara R. Lerch January 5, 1943.⁽⁸⁴¹³⁾ (Additional notes for Sara R. Lerch⁽⁸⁴¹⁴⁾)

He was a student at the common school in Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽⁸⁴¹⁵⁾ He was a student at Boston English High School in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts date unknown.⁽⁸⁴¹⁶⁾ He attended one year.

Herbert was employed at a commission house as a clerk in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts circa 1884.⁽⁸⁴¹⁷⁾ "He started his business career in an office of a commission house, leaving after a few months."

Herbert was employed at Lewis Brown & Co. as a clerk in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts circa 1885.⁽⁸⁴¹⁸⁾ By 1910 this company was known as the Walker, Stetson, Sawyer Co. of Boston.

Herbert was employed at George E. Keith & Co. as an accountant in Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts circa 1886.⁽⁸⁴¹⁹⁾ "He took charge of the payroll of this shoe manufacturing company."

This is a bit of history.⁽⁸⁴²⁰⁾ While in Brockton, MA "he became interested in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association, through assisting in the organization of the association at Brockton, being one of its charter members, and serving as a member of its first reception committee and Yokefellows' Band."

Herbert was listed on the International YMCA Training school roll as a student in Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts September 1888.⁽⁸⁴²¹⁾ He graduated in June, 1890.

Herbert was employed at the YMCA as acting secretary in Milford, Worcester County, Massachusetts circa 1889.⁽⁸⁴²²⁾ Herbert was employed at YMCA as First General Secretary in Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan July 1890.⁽⁸⁴²³⁾ He held the post until October 1891.

Herbert was employed at YMCA as State Secretary in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan October 1891.⁽⁸⁴²⁴⁾ "At the State Convention of the Michigan Associations held at Owosso, he was elected State Secretary ..... which position he resigned in October 1893."

Herbert resided in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan May 23, 1892.⁽⁸⁴²⁵⁾ Herbert was employed at the YMCA as Secretary in Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts November 1893.⁽⁸⁴²⁶⁾ He was Secretary of the central department of the Springfield YMCA for one year.

Herbert was employed at the YMCA as State Secretary circa 1894.⁽⁸⁴²⁷⁾ He was State Secretary of the Associations of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Herbert retired from YMCA in Florida January 1896.⁽⁸⁴²⁸⁾ His health was failing due to overwork and he went to rest in Florida.

Herbert resided in Florida circa 1896.⁽⁸⁴²⁹⁾ When Herbert was age 28 and Lora Martin Curtis was age 29 they became the parents of Rachel Fillebrown November 21, 1896 in Massachusetts.⁽⁸⁴³⁰⁾ He became Rachel Fillebrown's adoptive father date unknown.⁽⁸⁴³¹⁾ Herbert was employed at his own business as owner in Pawtucket, Providence County, Rhode Island circa 1897.⁽⁸⁴³²⁾ He was in the general investment business.

Circa 1897, Herbert, a Baptist, was a member of the First Baptist Church in Central Falls, Providence County, Rhode Island.⁽⁸⁴³³⁾ "While in Pawtucket, he was active as a chairman of the Finance Committee."

This is a bit of history.⁽⁸⁴³⁴⁾ "He also served as chairman of the religious work committee of the Pawtucket Young Men's Religious Association and as a member of the building committee which erected there a $125,000 building for the young men of Pawtucket and Central Falls. His voice was frequently heard in the various association meetings and as a speaker at the men's meeting of the association."

Herbert was employed at Taft Machine Company as founder and operator in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island January 1900.⁽⁸⁴³⁵⁾ "He organized the Taft Machine Co. with a paid in capital of $100,000. As secretary of this corporation, he devoted nearly two years to work in the factory, systematizing the business. Upon the death of Mr. Taft in 1906 he was elected president, which office he resigned in January 1913. The company manufactures carpet sewing machines and sundries for the carpet trade."

Herbert was listed as the head of a family on the 1900 Census in Central Falls, Providence County, Rhode Island.⁽⁸⁴³⁶⁾ The address was 106 Hawes Street.

Herbert resided in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island May 1901.⁽⁸⁴³⁷⁾ "In May 1901, he removed from Pawtucket and Central Falls to Providence where he completed a new house on the East side, corner of Olney street and Arlington avenue, in which he lived until 1906. He sold his Providence residence and removed to Woonsocket."

Herbert was employed at J. B. & S. M. Knowles Co. as Treasurer in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island September 1901.⁽⁸⁴³⁸⁾ "He purchased an interest in the company, for fifty years leading manufacturers of sterling silverware, of which he was treasurer, until its removal to Mt. Vernon, NY, in February 1903."

This is a bit of history.⁽⁸⁴³⁹⁾ "The summer and fall of 1903 were spent in recuperation, most of this time in the mountains of Colorado and Idaho, returning in November much improved."

Herbert was employed at Anchor Webbing Co. as treasurer and manager in Woonsocket, Providence County, Rhode Island circa 1904.⁽⁸⁴⁴⁰⁾ "In 1904 he purchased a small manufacturing business, ... which in October 1905, he incorporated as the "Anchor Webbing Co. with paid in capital of $40,000, and was elected to his present (1910) office of treasurer and manager. The company has now (1910) a fine mill property, with special machinery for the manufacture of tapes and webbings used in the construction of motors and dynamos, and employs about 100 hands." "In December 1915, the capital was increased from $40,000 to $60,000, and was further increased to $150,000, in December 1916. In September 1915, with his wife, he purchased the property formerly occupied by the Blackstone Webbing Company, situated at No. 300 Brook street, Pawtucket, R. I., afterward leasing the buildings and machinery to the Anchor Webbing Company. During 1916 he erected a one-story addition to this property, and again, in 1917, a two-story addition was erected, and in November 1917, the offices of the corporation were removed from Woonsocket to Pawtucket, occupying the entire second story of the new addition. The corporation manufactures narrow woven fabrics in cotton, worsted, and silk, and is known the world over under the blue trademark 'Awebco'. On December 15, 1915, he was elected president and treasurer of Thompson Brothers, Inc., for thirty-five years well known makers of men's fine shoes, located at Brockton, Mass. He immediately reorganized this business, bringing into it new blood and up-to-date methods of both manufacture and selling. As a result, the business rapidly increased, making necessary a large addition, which was completed during 1918. The government used a large portion of the capacity for the production of several million dollars' worth of army and navy shoes. The present (1920) capacity of Thompson Brothers, Inc., is thirty-six hundred pairs per day of fine shoes for both men and women." The above information was taken from "The Genealogy of the Fillebrown Family" and "History of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations - Biographical of Herbert Martin Fillebrown pg 398. The following was taken from "History of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations - Biographical of The Anchor Webbing Company pg 399. Both are similar but have some difference in approach. "THE ANCHOR WEBBING COMPANY -- The business of the Anchor Webbing Company was started in 1904, in Woonsocket, R. I., at which time Herbert M. Fillebrown purchased a small manufacturing business occupying one-half of the lower floor of the present Woonsocket plant. Later the other half was secured, then half the second floor, and in the fall of 1905, he purchased the building and organized the Anchor Webbing Company, and in October incorporated it under the laws of the State of Rhode Island, with a paid in capital of forty thousand dollars. He was elected treasurer and manager, which position he still holds. The company prospered in the manufacture of narrow woven fabrics in cotton, worsted, and silk, being recognized especially in the electrical trade under the blue trademark 'Awebco'. Later the other half of the second floor was occupied and within another year the third floor was occupied and filled with machinery. The demand for 'Awebco' tapes and webbings increased so rapidly, however, that Mr. Fillebrown began to look around for larger quarters to care for the increasing business. The opportunity came in the fall of 1915, and with his wife he purchased the building and machinery of the defunct Blackstone Webbing Company, located at No. 300 Brook Street, Pawtucket, R. I., and leased the same to the company. This property included a parcel of land suitable for making large extensions. This machinery was started up during 1916, and eighteen additional looms were installed, completely filling all available space. The purchase of these extra looms meant the addition of further floor space for the necessary finishing machinery. During 1916 a one-story brick building was completed to take care of this equipment, together with the rearrangement of the power and heating plant. Though these extensive changes and additions were made, the business was growing faster than it could be taken care of and gradually additional lines were added, and as the business continued to expand, during 1917, a two-story building was added, making a very complete and compact manufacturing plant. Upon the completion of this new building, the office and headquarters were transferred to Pawtucket, where the entire second floor was fitted up as a general office with office and accounting machinery to take care of the increasing business of the company. The first floor of the new building was devoted to finishing, shipping, and stock room, control office and garage. The old office and stock room quarters were turned into a braiding department, and ninety braiding machines were installed. About this time, also, a new addition was made to the Woonsocket plant, and seventy-seven braiding machines were installed therein. On December 29, 1915, the capital of the company was increased from $40,000 to $60,000, and just a year later it was again increased to $150,000. During the war the company gradually took on considerable war work, and before the signing of the armistice, in November 1918, Woonsocket and Pawtucket plants were working over 85 per cent, direct or indirect government material. The range of material supplied to the government for the persecution of the war included material which went into gas masks, motors, trucks, aeroplanes, submarines, warships, balloons, puttees, blouses, etc., and the quantity turned out in one year, if laid end on end, would have more than twice encircled the globe. The number of employees has increased to well over two hundred, and the value of the product to over a million dollars per annum."

Circa 1905, Herbert, a Baptist, was a member of the First Baptist Church in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island.⁽⁸⁴⁴¹⁾ "During his five years residence in Providence, he was actively identified with the First Baptist Church as a teacher in the Wayland Chapel, a mission of this church."

Herbert resided in Woonsocket, Providence County, Rhode Island circa 1906.⁽⁸⁴⁴²⁾ The Providence home was sold and the family moved to a home where they still lived in 1910 "afterwards living in Union Village, North Smithfield, and again in Woonsocket."

Circa 1910, Herbert, a Baptist, was a member of the First Baptist Church in Woonsocket, Providence County, Rhode Island.⁽⁸⁴⁴³⁾ Herbert resided in Pawtucket, Providence County, Rhode Island circa 1916.⁽⁸⁴⁴⁴⁾ "After purchasing the mill property in Pawtucket, he removed, in 1916, to Pawtucket, where he purchased the residence at the corner of Walcott and Denver streets, his present (19200 home."

This is a bit of history.⁽⁸⁴⁴⁵⁾ "Mr. Fillebrown has always continued his interest in religious work in both the Baptist church and the Young Men's Christian Association. He was a member of the building committee (that) erected the building for the young men of Pawtucket and Central Falls, and also the building for young men of Woonsocket. In January 1918, he assisted in the organization of the National Committee of the Northern Baptist Laymen, and as a member of this committee assisted in both the Million Dollar and Six Million Dollar campaigns. In 1918 he was elected a member of the board of managers of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society of Boston. He is (1920) a trustee of the International Young Men's Christian Association of Springfield, Mass., and of the Gordon Bible College, Boston, Mass.; also a director of the Eastern Association Summer School at Silver Bay, N. Y. He is (1920) a member of the Pawtucket Golf Club, the Commercial Club, of Brockton, Mass., the Old Colony Club, of New York City, and the National Geographic Society of Washington, D. C."

Herbert retired from a shoe manufacturing business in Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.⁽⁸⁴⁴⁶⁾ Herbert resided in Cape Cod, Barnstable County, Massachusetts circa 1942.⁽⁸⁴⁴⁷⁾ This was the summer home it was located in the Bass River area.

Herbert resided in Daytona Beach, Volosia County, Florida circa 1942.⁽⁸⁴⁴⁸⁾ Winters were spent in Daytona from 1932 to 1942.

Herbert resided in Daytona Beach, Volosia County, Florida February 1958.⁽⁸⁴⁴⁹⁾ His address was 723 N. Oleander at the time of his death.

His funeral was held March 1, 1958 at Tourist Church in Daytona Beach, Volosia County, Florida.⁽⁸⁴⁵⁰⁾ The Rev. Gordon Poteat, assisted by Dr. Don Tullis, officiated.

Herbert Martin Fillebrown and Lora Martin Curtis had the following child:

+ 1226 i. Rachel¹⁰ Fillebrown was born November 21, 1896.

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