Portrait and Biographical Record ~
Kindly submitted by:
Barbara Gallagher and
Kathleen Rattray-Labus
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 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.