The Biographical Dictionary of America/Appleton, Nathan

APPLETON, Nathan, manufacturer, was born in New Ipswich, N. H., Oct. 6, 1779, son of Isaac and Mary (Adams) Appleton. He received an ordinary education, studied for a time at Dartmouth, but left college to become a clerk in the importing house of his brother Samuel, who admitted him to partnership on the attainment of his majority. In association with other prominent business men, he established the Waltham cotton mills in 1813. where he introduced the first power loom used in the United States. Later they purchased water privileges at Pawtucket Falls, founded the Merrimac manufacturing works, and formed the nucleus of a manufacturing centre, which in 1821 became the city of Lowell, Mass. He was also instrumental in founding the Hamilton mills. In 1815 he was elected to the state legislature, where he served several terms. In 1830, he was elected a representative in the 22d Congress, and was again elected in 1840 to the 28th Congress. He was a member of the Massachusetts historical society, and of the academy of Science and Arts. He published "Remarks on Currency and Banking" (1858); and several essays and speeches on kindred subjects, as well as an account of the origin of Lowell and the growth of the cotton industry. He was noted for his benevolence, which his great wealth gave him ample means to indulge. An interesting account of his life has been written by Robert C. Winthrop. He died July 14, 1861.