The art of weaving rugs and carpets is one that has been much practiced among the English people from the earliest day of rude hand-loom weaving, down to the present luxurious product of modern complicated weaving machinery. For many generations the forebears of the Shuttleworth family of Amsterdam practiced the weaver's art in England, and in the United States continued the business, in which they have gained an enviable reputation.
(I) John Shuttleworth, born at Hebden Bridge, near Halifax, Yorkshire, England, came from a long line of English ancestors, many of whom had been weavers of rugs and carpets. It was a family of trade. He married, and as the children grew up they were taught the father's trade. The family was a large one, and as they married and reared families their children were also taught the business. Halifax was the seat of this industry, even then widely known for excellence of weave, beauty of design, and progressive methods of manufacture. In 1875 Alexander T. Stewart, then the "merchant prince" of America, while traveling through England, visited Halifax and became greatly interested in the family and their business. He proposed to the then head of the family, William, that they remove to the United States and establish the same business there. An agreement was finally reached and a contract entered into by which Mr. Stewart secured their services for a term of three years, he supplying the machinery and plant. In 1876 the family came to the United States and began the manufacture of rugs and carpets under their contract with Stewart, at Glenham, on the Hudson.
(II) William, son of John Shuttleworth, was a man of education and had been thoroughly taught the weaver's business. He was the recognized head of the family in America and represented their interests in dealing with Mr. Stewart. He was the manager of the Glenham plant, which he inaugurated and had in successful operation. When ten months in the United States, he suddenly sickened and died in June, 1877, at the age of fifty-two years. At about the same time Mr. Stewart died, but the three-years' contract was fulfilled by his executor, Judge Hilton, the four sons of John Shuttleworth carrying out the agreements entered into by their father. William Shuttleworth married, in Yorkshire, England, Rachel Wilson, a native of the same county, who survived him many years, dying in Amsterdam, New York, in 1885, at the age of sixty-two years. She was a devoted Christian woman and with her husband a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Four of their children died young, none of their daughters surviving childhood.
(III) John (2), son of William and Rachel (Wilson) Shuttleworth, was born in Yorkshire, England, and died in Amsterdam, New York, in March, 1909, at the age of sixty-five years. He was engaged in manufacturing most of his active life, being an expert dyer, both in England and the United States. He married Annie Rastrick, of Yorkshire. England, who survives him, a resident of Amsterdam. They were parents of eight children.
(III) James, second son of William and Rachel (Wilson) Shuttleworth, was born in Yorkshire, England, April 14, 1851. He was early trained in the business of his father. After the death of William Shuttleworth, the father, his sons, after completing the contract entered into with A. T. Stewart, located in Amsterdam, New York, where they established a factory for the manufacture of rugs and carpets. They were all experienced, thoroughly capable business men, having been carefully taught every detail both of making the goods and of managing the business. James was the head of the firm until 1902, when they incorporated as Shuttleworth Brothers & Company. At that time he withdrew from the connection and established himself in the furniture business in Amsterdam, which he still continues. He married (first), in Yorkshire, England, Sarah Barker, of Copley, who died in Amsterdam, New York, in 1882, at the age of forty years, leaving children:
- Emma, who returned to England, married there Walter Blakeborough; they reside in England with their five children.
- William B., deceased.
He married (second) Henrietta G. Hesslink, born in New York state, of Holland ancestry, who bore him:
- Grace, died at the age of three years.
- James S., married Janette Miller, of Galway, New York.
- Albert R., married Mary Stansfield.
James S., and Albert R. are engaged with their father in the furniture business at Amsterdam.
(III) Walter W., third son of William and Rachel (Wilson) Shuttleworth, was born in Yorkshire, England, August 15, 1853. He was taught the weaver's art and grew up in the business to which his life has since been devoted. He was closely identified with the business in Glenham, and on the removal to Amsterdam retained his active interest. On the forming of the corporation in 1902 he became senior member and head of the company. The growth of the business has been remarkable, has assumed proportions that seem surprising, and reflects the greatest credit upon the business ability of the men who, from a small beginning, have so successfully planned and executed. Since the incorporation in 1902 of Shuttleworth Brothers & Company, the management has been in the hands of Walter W. and Herbert L. Shuttleworth. They manufacture for the trade a high grade of carpets and rugs, employing in their Amsterdam mills about three hundred and seventy-five workmen, with a new mill about completed (1910), that will double their capacity and number of employes. The brothers are Republican in politics, members of the Masonic order, and attendants of the Presbyterian church. Their homes are on beautiful Guy Park avenue, Amsterdam. Walter W. Shuttleworth married, in Amsterdam, Clara Lumb, born in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, in 1855. Children: Albert, Ada, Ethel, Wright, Walter and George. The children were all educated in the common and high schools of Amsterdam. Albert, the eldest son, is employed in the mills of Shuttleworth Brothers & Company.
(III) Herbert L., youngest of the sons of William and Rachel (Wilson) Shuttleworth, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1861. Like his brothers, after receiving a good education, he was taught the weaver's trade and trained to the business of manufacturing. He has been connected with the Amsterdam mills since the beginning, and when the incorporation was effected he became junior member of Shuttleworth Brothers & Company. He is an active, aggressive and progressive business man, and has done much to aid the success and advancement of their large business. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity and a member of the board of trade. He married, in Amsterdam, Hattie Broadbent, born in Utica, New York, of English parentage. Children: Arthur, Mabeth, Sarah, Howard, Beatrice, Edwin, Mildred, Helen.