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Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Thomas Kedward Retirement - Story of Philadelphia 1919




THOMAS KEDWARD

ANNOUNCEMENT recently of the retire ment from active business of Thomas Kedward, president of the William Kedward Dyeing Company, and sale of the big plant at Cedar and Cambria Streets, where the business has been conducted for many years, influenced genuine regret in textile circles, where Mr. Kedward was well known. The business is being continued at the old location, however, under its original firm name. It was established in 1872.

Thomas Kedward is the son of William Kedward, founder of the firm. The original plant of the firm was a small one and was opened on the same site on which the present building is located.

Under William Kedward's direction the business prospered from the start. Mr. Kedward became a prominent figure in Kensington textile circles. Many of the most prominent mill owners in the district were among the firm's customers. Its high quality of dyeing, bleaching and beaming, especially of cotton warps and skein yarns, attracted general attention and the business grew rapidly.

Several times additions had to be made to the plant to take care of increased business and soon the firm became one of the best known in the Philadelphia mill district.

Thomas Kedward followed the footsteps of his father at the plant, which he entered when a boy. He quickly developed a thorough knowledge of every branch of the business and when the elder Mr. Kedward died, the son succeeded him, becoming head of the firm. Under his supervision the business prospered materially, and until his recent retirement from active association with the company and the subsequent sale of the plant he was continually at the helm directing the business.

During the war with Germany this firm was awarded some large orders from important Government contractors, each of which was executed to the fullest satisfaction of those who placed the contracts. In fact, the patriotism of the company and its devotion to all the material interests of Philadelphia were a feature of its management in this trying period, when there were many incentives to profiteer.

All their dealings with the various Government contractors from whom they had orders were based on the same fair, square and equitable principles upon which their business with other firms and the general trade is conducted.

Growth of the plant followed extension of its business to various lines of trade. Mr. Thomas Kedward early became known to virtually every textile manufacturer in this section and the Company's business extended to virtually all branches of the textile industry.

While Mr. Kedward has given up active participation in the Company's business he has retained many of his outside business interests and still maintains an office in the center of the city.

His son William, named for his grandfather, is associated with a large lumber manufacturing company here.

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