My Genealogy Hound

Thomas Hainsworth is one of the owners and proprietors of the Neosho Woolen Mills. There is no industry in Neosho more deserving of mention than the above named mills, and no manufacturer is more deserving than Mr. Hainsworth. He came to Neosho and established the Neosho Woolen Mills at a time when the only inducement for success was the quality of his product. He was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, April 1, 1828. His father, William Hainsworth, a woolen manufacturer, was also a native of Leeds, and his mother, whose maiden name was Hannah Moorehouse, was born too in England. Thomas Hainsworth, the subject of this sketch, was reared in his native country, and followed his father’s occupation, becoming master of the business. In 1869 he came to the United States, and for a short time ran a factory at Washington, Ind., but impressed with the idea that better openings were to be found in the West he came to Newton County, after prospecting in different localities, and erected his present mills, which have since become recognized as among the leading industries of the place. Mr. Hainsworth makes a specialty of yarns, and in connection therewith manufactures jeans, blankets and flannels. The quality of this product, particularly the first mentioned, finds a ready sale in the large cities of the West, and the reputation they have gained is highly complimentary to the proprietors. They have not only proved a benefit to the place in adding to its manufacturing interests, but open a market for wool at satisfactory prices. Mr. Hainsworth was married in 1878 to Miss Nancy E. White, a native of Illinois, and to them were born four children: Emma, Maria, Anna Mary and George Morehouse. Mr. Hainsworth wove goods for the first Crystal Palace Exhibition in London, in 1851.