Biographical/Historical Notes
Samuel Dennis Warren was born in Grafton, Massachusetts September 13, 1817. His early education was in a rural school in Grafton, a Quaker school in Groton, and then an academy in Amhurst. However, a higher education did not seem to agree with him and at the age of 15, his academic learning came to an end when he entered the employment of Rant & Daniell—dealers in paper and paper mill supplies in Boston. For six years he did whatever was asked and, at the age of 21, with no monetary investment on his part, became junior partner of the firm changing their business name to Grant, Daniell & Company.
In 1851, Samuel Warren made his first trip to Europe to buy rags which were to be used as the basic raw material for making paper. This was done again in 1853 making him a pioneer in the business of paper-making. That same year his firm leased a paper mill in Pepperell, Massachusetts. The mill had a capacity of two tons a day and thus, his firm controlled the making and retailing of paper. As history would prove, Mr. Warren had visions that would carry him far beyond the role of a junior partner. He was one who organized, managed and assumed the risks of business—he was an extraordinary nineteenth century entrepreneur.
In 1854, for $28,000, Mr. Warren and Mr. Daniell purchased the paper mill owned by Day & Lyon in what was to become the city of Westbrook, Maine. The city was then a hamlet of a half dozen houses and the mill, giving the appearance of neglect and poverty. At that time, the mill Day & Lyon Mill consisted of two paper machines that were in operation with an output of some 3,000 pounds per day. In 1863, a third machine was installed and production jumped to 11,000 pounds per day. In 1855, Mr. Warren Had purchased the interest of Mr. Daniell and the firm’s name changed to Grant, Warren and Company. In 1867, a reorganization took place, and the other partners of Grant, Warren and Company started their own firm. Samuel Warren continued the mill business in hi9s own name. In 1880, production of the paper mill had grown to 35,000 pounds per day. Samuel Dennis Warren died on May 11, 1888 but the mill continued on under the direction of John E. Warren. The mill exists today after two buyouts. One in 1967 when Scott Paper purchased S.D. Warren Paper Mill and in 1994 when it was purchased by SAPPI Find Papers, a South African based company. Facing many changes in the last century, the mill that once employed over 2000 people has been reduced to 500 employees with only three paper making machines. However, the market-leading paper that S.D. Warren makes today was invented and patented here at Westbrook. Westbrook still remains a leader in its industry.
In 1851, Samuel Warren made his first trip to Europe to buy rags which were to be used as the basic raw material for making paper. This was done again in 1853 making him a pioneer in the business of paper-making. That same year his firm leased a paper mill in Pepperell, Massachusetts. The mill had a capacity of two tons a day and thus, his firm controlled the making and retailing of paper. As history would prove, Mr. Warren had visions that would carry him far beyond the role of a junior partner. He was one who organized, managed and assumed the risks of business—he was an extraordinary nineteenth century entrepreneur.
In 1854, for $28,000, Mr. Warren and Mr. Daniell purchased the paper mill owned by Day & Lyon in what was to become the city of Westbrook, Maine. The city was then a hamlet of a half dozen houses and the mill, giving the appearance of neglect and poverty. At that time, the mill Day & Lyon Mill consisted of two paper machines that were in operation with an output of some 3,000 pounds per day. In 1863, a third machine was installed and production jumped to 11,000 pounds per day. In 1855, Mr. Warren Had purchased the interest of Mr. Daniell and the firm’s name changed to Grant, Warren and Company. In 1867, a reorganization took place, and the other partners of Grant, Warren and Company started their own firm. Samuel Warren continued the mill business in hi9s own name. In 1880, production of the paper mill had grown to 35,000 pounds per day. Samuel Dennis Warren died on May 11, 1888 but the mill continued on under the direction of John E. Warren. The mill exists today after two buyouts. One in 1967 when Scott Paper purchased S.D. Warren Paper Mill and in 1994 when it was purchased by SAPPI Find Papers, a South African based company. Facing many changes in the last century, the mill that once employed over 2000 people has been reduced to 500 employees with only three paper making machines. However, the market-leading paper that S.D. Warren makes today was invented and patented here at Westbrook. Westbrook still remains a leader in its industry.