Central Manufacturing Co. was the original name used when the company started, in 1837-8, to manufacture sheetings, carpet warps, wrapping twine, towel warps and satinet warps. Many local businessmen have been associated with this company and it evolved from Dresser Manufacturing Co. on Paige Hill. By 1863, the company operated as Central Mills which was owned initially, by Hon. Ebenezer Davis Ammidown by and his son-in-law, Manning Leonard . Later, Chester A. Dresser joined Manning Leonard, in the manufacture of cotton at this location where Central and Foster streets intersect at the corner of North Street. Their product names were "Anchor" and "Marshall". C.A. Dresser (Chester A.) was treasurer and manager for nearly 40 years and was succeeded by Calvin D. Paige (1848-1930). Calvin DeWitt Paige was U.S. Representative 3rd District from 1913 to 1925. In the 1920s, the company ceased operation. The Southbridge Press, Saturday, July 2, 1904 stated "There are 175 employees who can turn out about 1,200,000 pounds of finished product yearly...the mills are run chiefly by
