Samuel L. Crocker - Business Career

Business Career

In 1826, Crocker founded the Taunton Copper Manufacturing Co., along with his two brothers. Located along the Wading River in Norton, Massachusetts, the company was incorporated in 1831 with a working capital of $200,000. The business soon prospered and expanded. The company obtained a lucrative contract to furnish the U.S. Government with $50,000 in copper coins annually. 1845, a second location was built at Weir Village, and much of the machinery from Norton relocated to the new site.

In 1843, along with his brother George, and the Robinson brothers of Bridgewater, Crocker founded the Old Colony Iron Works in East Taunton. Established at the site of Horatio Leonard & Company, which was originally built in 1823, the Old Colony Iron Works became the largest producer of nails in New England by the mid-1870s.

Crocker was also president of the Taunton Locomotive Manufacturing Company from 1862 until his death in 1883.

He was also involved with several railroads throughout his career. In 1835, he was part of the creation of the Taunton Branch Railroad, which provided the first rail connection between Taunton and outside world (Boston and Providence). In 1863, Crocker was among the incorporators of the Dighton and Somerset Railroad, which later became part of the Old Colony Railroad. He was also served as a director of the Old Colony Railroad in his later years.