Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2023
                           All Rights Reserved
                        USGenNet Data Repository

        Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page:
                <http://www.us-data.org/fineprint.html>

Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
===========================================================================
Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded.
===========================================================================
Our Country and Its People, Part II
by Daniel Wager
pub. The Boston History Company - 1896


         p. 28 - 29


         ROBERT ABLETT, of Whitesboro, strikingly represents the type of men in
         this country whose mental force and keen sagacity have, in the material
         sense, made themselves and, too, the leading industries of the United
         States. He possesses that element which rarely fails of success; he has
         a thorough grasp of his business in every detail, every branch and step
         has been learned by careful study and experience, and these backed up
         by energy and rigid business habits. He began life a poor boy, with
         whatever success that might come, to be carved out by his own personal
         efforts. Mr. ABLETT was born February 22, 1839, in Easton, Washington
         County, N.Y., but only the first five years of his life were spent at
         that place. His parents then moved to Schaghticoke, Rensselaer County,
         and a little later to Cohoes, in Albany County. The son, ROBERT,
         received his education in all these towns during the period of
         residence thereat, till he was sixteen years of age. Then he began on a
         self-supporting basis, with an ambition that stimulated him through a
         long term of apprenticeship. His first service was in the cotton mills
         in Schaghticoke, where he learned the business of making cotton
         fabrics. He was the third in a family of eleven children, a fact which
         may have had some influence in the matter of his ambition to thus early
         in life become self-dependent. His parents, DANIEL and MARY ABLETT,
         came from England and settled in Easton, as stated above. They have
         ever since been identified with the agricultural interests of that part
         of the State, and are now residing in Cohoes. ROBERT ABLETT continued
         for several years in service in the cotton mills at Cohoes; then he
         became connected with a large knitting mill, operated by the Troy
         Manufacturing Company of Cohoes, in which he acted as superintendent
         till 1881. This long experience made him thoroughly familiar with every
         detail of the business. At that time he went to Little Falls, N.Y., and
         formed a company under the style of Ablett, McKinnon & Co. and started
         the Anchor Knitting Mills. This enterprise proved eminently successful
         through the years up to 1887, when the other members of the company
         having retired, Mr. ABLETT conducted the business in Little Falls until
         1889, when he moved the same to its present location. One hundred hands
         were employed in the making of men’s, ladies’ and infants’ underwear.
         At that time the village of Whitesboro offered him strong inducements
         to move there and engage in the same industry. As a result of this he
         bought the main building which formerly comprised the Whitestown
         Seminary, and a little later removed his business from Little Falls.
         The building was a large structure, yet the growth of his business has
         compelled him to make several extensive additions there to keep pace
         with the increase. It is said to be now one of the most complete and
         best equipped mills in the State. The special line of goods
         manufactured consists of ladies’, children’s and infants’ underwear,
         for the making of which 250 operatives are employed. Mr. ABLETT’S
         thorough knowledge of the business, together with his sagacious
         business methods, has carried him through the depressed times with
         remarkable success. In politics Mr. ABLETT is an ardent Republican,
         giving to the party his earnest influence because he believes in its
         principles. Has been repeatedly been elected trustee of the village and
         is now serving in that capacity. Socially, he is pleasant and
         courteous, enjoying the respect and esteem of all who come in contact
         with him. In 1880 Mr. ABLETT married CAROLINE D. MURRAY, a native of
         England. They have two sons and daughter, LILLIE ADELLA the only one
         surviving. She married CHARLES A. POWELL, of Little Falls. Mr. POWELL
         is associated with Mr. ABLETT in business.

================================================================================