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JAMES ROBERTON MACCOLL is a resident
of Providence, Rhode Island, and is a prominent manufacturer of cotton and
worsted goods. He is the son of Hugh and Janet (Roberton) MacColl; born in
Glasgow, Scotland, April 2, 1856; educated in Anderson’s Academy and
Glasgow High School; took courses in designing and weaving at Glasgow
Technical College, and learned the business of manufacturing fancy dress
fabrics with Henry Fyfe & Son.
When comparatively a young man, at
the age of twenty-two, he began business on his own account as a partner
in the firm of Thomson & MacColl. In 1881, while visiting the United
States, he was introduced to Messrs. W. F. and F. C. Sayles, who were then
organizing the Lorraine Manufacturing Co. as a branch of their business.
Accepting a position with this concern, he came to this country
permanently in 1882. He was agent for fourteen years, and when the
Lorraine Manufacturing Co. was incorporated, in 1896, he acquired an
interest and was appointed Treasurer and Secretary, which positions he now
holds.
Under the management of Mr. MacColl,
the company has had steady and continuous development in size of plant and
quality of production. The mills located at Pawtucket and Westerly employ
2,000 people, spin cotton and worsted yarns, and with 2,750 looms produce
a large variety of fine dress goods, shirtings, linings, etc. At the Paris
Exposition of 1900, the company obtained the only "Grand Prix" for fine
coloured goods in
competition with the best European
manufacturers.
In 1905, Mr. MacColl was elected
President of the New England Cotton Manufacturers’ Association. Under his
administration the policy of the association was broadened, and its name
changed to the National Association of Cotton Manufacturers. He
was prominent in
the development of closer relations with foreign
manufacturers and southern cotton growers, and was President of the
International Conference of cotton growers and spinners held in Washington
in 1906, and in Atlanta in 1907. From 1908 to 1910, he was President of
the Home Market Club of Boston, and has been a persistent advocate of
adequate protection as the best means of building up the industries of the
country, and at the same time increasing our foreign trade. He served as
President of the Rhode Island Anti-Tuberculosis Association from its
organization in 1907 until 1913. In 1914, he was elected a director of the
Chamber of Commerce of the United States, which was founded by President
Taft, for the purpose of bringing the business interests of the country
into closer advisory relations with our legislators in Congress.
He is a director in several
manufacturing corporations and of the Industrial Trust Company, of
Providence, and the Providence Tribune. He is a member of the Union
League Club, New York; Country Club, Brookline, Mass.; Hope, Squanturn and
Agawam Clubs, Providence; and the Rhode Island Country Club.
In 1884, he married Agnes, daughter
of William and Jessie (Yuille) Bogle, and had five sons and one daughter.
The latter, Margaret, died in 1893 when 5 years of age. The sons are Hugh
F., a
graduate of Harvard, 1907; William B.,
graduate of New
Bedford Textile School and now General Superintendent
of the Lorraine Mills; J. R., Jr., Princeton, 1914; and Norman A. and
Kenneth W. who are still attending school. Mr. MacColl’s brother is the
Rev. Alexander MacColl, DD., of the Second Presbyterian Church of
Philadelphia. Mr. MacColl attends the Central Congregational Church of
Providence.
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