My Genealogy Hound

DAVID R. MALCOLM. This gentleman, who is Superintendent and Director of the Allentown Spinning Company, has only been a resident of the United States since 1890, but has already taken his place among the enterprising business men of the city. A native of Scotland, he was born in Dundee in 1851, being’ the son of George and Helen (Rattray) Malcolm, the former of whom has been a noted manufacturer of Scotland for many years. He is still living, and, although he has reached his seventy-fourth year, continues the manufacture of jute yarns and burlaps in Dundee.

David R. Malcolm, of this sketch, was educated in the high school of his native place and in Germany, on leaving which latter country he served an apprenticeship as engineer, and afterwards entered his father’s factory, his desire being to become thoroughly acquainted with the manufacture of jute goods. With this in view he began in the first department and worked his way up through all the different stages, until he was acquainted with every branch of the business. He resided in Scotland, aiding his father in the operation of his extensive factory, until August, 1890, when he decided to see something more of the world. Coming to the United States, he immediately took charge of the spinning-mills largely owned by the estate of the late Robert Barbour, of Paterson, N. J. The firm is engaged in the manufacture of jute yarns and twines, and gives employment to five hundred operators. Their plant occupies a four-story brick building, 55x250 feet in dimensions, and is conveniently located near the tracks of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Mr. Malcolm has entire charge of the factory, having from the very first displayed marked ability in this line of work, and conducting its affairs in a most satisfactory manner.

In 1876, while residing in Scotland, our subject was married in Dundee to Miss Henrietta, daughter of Maj. James and Henrietta (Forbes) Falconer, also natives of Scotland. Their union has been blessed by the birth of the following seven children: Helen R., James F., George H., Henrietta W., David L., Hilda F. and Lessels H. The family occupy a comfortable brick residence, located at No. 305 North Fourth Street, and are looked upon as among the most highly esteemed residents of Allentown.