Dexter-Russell 15
Another son, Dexter, was involved with Henry's company beginning in 1855 and
he assumed the reins in 1861. e following year the company name was changed
to Dexter Harrington & Son. When Dexter's son, Charles Dexter Harrington,
graduated from college in 1878, he also joined his father in the family business.
At that time, the company was still relatively small, manufacturing only shoe and
butcher knives with a staff of three employees.
Eventually, the company added rubber, cigar and bread knives of varying sizes and
shapes to its product line. However, in response to customer demand and need,
Harrington filled special orders, ranging from a "…No. 0000 blade to twelve-inch
knife from the thinnest to the thickest gauge." But even as its popularity grew,
Harrington's workforce remained small. In the mid-1850s, the company employed
only five craftsmen.
Main Street in Southbridge, 1875
Dexter Harrington
Town of Southbridge, late 1880s
