Attleboro-born Henry Francis Barrows (1828-1904) was a renowned jeweler whose name became associated with fine jewelry all over the country. He graduated from North Attleboro Academy and learned the jewelry trade at Richards & Co., a pioneering firm. On July 1, 1851, he established a chain manufacturing business in a small wooden building near a textile mill in Attleboro Falls, employing six workers.

Two years later, James H. Sturdy (1826 – 1900) became his partner, and the firm changed its name to Barrows & Sturdy. In 1855, James Sturdy left the business. Louis Alfred Barrows (1833 – 1860) and E. S. Richards became partners, and the firm changed name to H F Barrows & Co.

Henry Francis Barrows (1828-1904)
The wealthiest man of his time in Massachusetts, he occupied a unique position in financial matters. For many years, he served as president of the North Attleboro National Bank and, without compensation and often sacrificing his personal resources, devoted much of his talents and abilities to the bank’s management.

Henry Barrows was one of the founders of the Attleboro Branch Railroad and served as its only president during its steam-powered existence. He played a key role in the creation of the North Attleboro Light Company and served as a director of the Gas Light Co for over 40 years.

He was also a director of the First National Bank of Pawtucket and a director of the Providence Telephone Co.

History of H F Barrows & Co

Louis Barrows died in 1860, and Richards left the business in 1862. For the next 15 years, Henry Barrows ran the company alone. During this time, he raised his sons, Henry Barrows Jr and Ira Barrows, and taught them the jewelry trade. Around this time, the company moved from Falls to North Attleboro, where it permanently occupied the building until 1907.

In 1887, Henry F Barrows retired from active participation in the business and entrusted management of the company to his sons, Henry F Barrows Jr and Ira Barrows. After his death in 1904, the company became H. F. Barrows Co., a corporation under the laws of the state of Rhode Island.

Ira Barrows, in charge of the New York office, became the corporation’s president, and Henry F Barrows, in charge of the factory, became treasurer. Louis D Barrows, grandson of the company’s founder, became secretary and assistant treasurer.

Historic industrial building in North Attleboro

After operating for over half a century in a building on Broad Street in North Attleboro, the corporation moved to a new home on the corner of Washington and Chestnut Streets on August 20, 1907. The 25,000-square-foot building, which could accommodate 500 employees, was rightfully considered exemplary in every respect.

In addition to managing the company, Henry Barrows Jr succeeded his father as president of the North Attleboro Bank. He also played an active role in the city’s development.

At the same time, Ira maintained connections with New York’s commercial circles. Finally retiring in 1914, Ira Barrows turned over his interest in the plant to his brother Henry and his two sons, Donald Barrows and Louis Barrows.

The third generation of Barrows (1914 – 1950)

Henry Barrows Jr. died in 1925, Louis D Barrows retired in 1926 and died five years later.

Donald A Barrows led the company from 1925 and certainly proved himself a leader in his own right. He became the third member of his dynasty to be elected president of the local bank.

Following the death of Donald A Barrows, president and treasurer of H. F Barrows Co., on April 8, 1950, the 100-year-old company ceased to be a family business. This was due to the settlement of the estate. On October 22, 1951, the trustees announced the sale of the Barrows business, including the real estate.

Donald S. Bishop – New Owner of HF Barrows

The new owners were cousins ​​Harold W. and Donald S. Bishop, who had successfully run Bishop Co., an optical frame manufacturer located in the same building as the Barrows concern, for many years.

They continued the Barrows business by maintaining the production of lockets, crosses, rosaries, and other gold jewelry, selling them through wholesale jewelry stores. According to business directories, HF Barrows Co ceased to exist in 1990.

It’s worth noting that many subsequently renowned jewelers and firms gained their initial knowledge and skills at the Barrows Corporation.

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