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American Phoenix: The Remarkable Story of William Skinner, A Man Who Turned Disaster Into Destiny
The remarkable story of nineteenth-century millionaire William Skinner, a leading founder of the American silk industry, who lost everything in a devastating flood—and his improbable, inspiring comeback to the pinnacle of the business world.
In 1845, penniless William Skinner sailed in steerage class on a boat that took him from the slums of London to the United States. Because of his unparalleled knowledge of dyeing and an uncanny business sense, he acquired work in a fledgling silk mill in Massachusetts, quickly rising to prominence in the new luxury industry in the United States. Thereafter he opened his own factory and soon turned his silk into one of the bestselling brands in the country. Skinner was lauded as a pioneer in the textile industry. His business grew to sustain a bustling community filled with men, women, and children, living and working in the mill village of “Skinnerville,” producing America’s most glamorous, fashionable thread.
Then, in 1874, millions of tons of water burst through a dam several miles north of Skinnerville. An inland tidal wave tore through the valley, destroying everything in its path, including Skinner’s village. Within fifteen minutes, his entire life’s work had been swept away, and he found himself one of the central figures in the worst industrial disaster the nation had yet known.
In this gripping narrative history, Skinner’s great, great granddaughter, Sarah Skinner Kilborne, tells an inspiring, unforgettable American story—of a town devastated by unimaginable disaster; an industry that had no reason to succeed except for the perseverance of a few intrepid entrepreneurs; and a man who had nothing—and everything—to lose as he struggled to rebuild his life a second time, with just one asset to his name: the knowledge in his head.
In 1845, penniless William Skinner sailed in steerage class on a boat that took him from the slums of London to the United States. Because of his unparalleled knowledge of dyeing and an uncanny business sense, he acquired work in a fledgling silk mill in Massachusetts, quickly rising to prominence in the new luxury industry in the United States. Thereafter he opened his own factory and soon turned his silk into one of the bestselling brands in the country. Skinner was lauded as a pioneer in the textile industry. His business grew to sustain a bustling community filled with men, women, and children, living and working in the mill village of “Skinnerville,” producing America’s most glamorous, fashionable thread.
Then, in 1874, millions of tons of water burst through a dam several miles north of Skinnerville. An inland tidal wave tore through the valley, destroying everything in its path, including Skinner’s village. Within fifteen minutes, his entire life’s work had been swept away, and he found himself one of the central figures in the worst industrial disaster the nation had yet known.
In this gripping narrative history, Skinner’s great, great granddaughter, Sarah Skinner Kilborne, tells an inspiring, unforgettable American story—of a town devastated by unimaginable disaster; an industry that had no reason to succeed except for the perseverance of a few intrepid entrepreneurs; and a man who had nothing—and everything—to lose as he struggled to rebuild his life a second time, with just one asset to his name: the knowledge in his head.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published October 16, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 23, 2013
A bit of a warning -- I grew-up in this region, so perhaps I found this a little more interesting than other readers might. However, all readers should find something fascinating in this book because it touches on so many different subjects.
I was very very vaguely aware of the Mill River dam collapse and flood. I also had only vaguely heard of the now defunct Skinner Silk Company (and I am acquainted with one of Skinner's descendants). What makes Kilblorne's book so fascinating is that she rescues an obscure event from American history and ties it to the whole history of disaster relief. It's strange to think today, but not only was there no FEMA in the day of the disaster, but even the state of Massachusetts was reluctant to assist the victims. The role of Skinner Silk and the city of Holyoke in the industrial revolution is quite interesting even for those who may otherwise be into such history. I didn't expect to find silk to be such an interesting topic, but the writer's knowledge of the subject and her writing style really makes the reader appreciate how challenging working with silk was in older times and the genuine risks people took investing in it. Her descriptions of the impoverished silk weavers of the Spitfedels neighborhood of London and the her tremendous history of silk weaving in both England and early America alone make this worth the read.
Finally, this is also a classic story of a resilient immigrant who was born into poverty, lived the American dream, suffered through disaster and was reborn. In the process, he helped changed American industrial history and created a silk industry that was considered one of the world's best. I was unaware myself of the role that English immigrants played in creating the American silk industry. Indeed, 19th century English immigrants are sidelined in American history.
Kiborne is writing about her own great-grandfather which is mostly a good thing as she is able to weave family lore into the story (and she says that her ancestor was largely forgotten by her family). At times her tone does seem a little too worshipful. Readers who are looking for a tale of corporate perfidy won't find one here, but the author does make the case that her ancestor, having been poor himself, did his best to care for his workers and was as much a victim of the collapse of the dam that he helped build as anyone was.
I was very very vaguely aware of the Mill River dam collapse and flood. I also had only vaguely heard of the now defunct Skinner Silk Company (and I am acquainted with one of Skinner's descendants). What makes Kilblorne's book so fascinating is that she rescues an obscure event from American history and ties it to the whole history of disaster relief. It's strange to think today, but not only was there no FEMA in the day of the disaster, but even the state of Massachusetts was reluctant to assist the victims. The role of Skinner Silk and the city of Holyoke in the industrial revolution is quite interesting even for those who may otherwise be into such history. I didn't expect to find silk to be such an interesting topic, but the writer's knowledge of the subject and her writing style really makes the reader appreciate how challenging working with silk was in older times and the genuine risks people took investing in it. Her descriptions of the impoverished silk weavers of the Spitfedels neighborhood of London and the her tremendous history of silk weaving in both England and early America alone make this worth the read.
Finally, this is also a classic story of a resilient immigrant who was born into poverty, lived the American dream, suffered through disaster and was reborn. In the process, he helped changed American industrial history and created a silk industry that was considered one of the world's best. I was unaware myself of the role that English immigrants played in creating the American silk industry. Indeed, 19th century English immigrants are sidelined in American history.
Kiborne is writing about her own great-grandfather which is mostly a good thing as she is able to weave family lore into the story (and she says that her ancestor was largely forgotten by her family). At times her tone does seem a little too worshipful. Readers who are looking for a tale of corporate perfidy won't find one here, but the author does make the case that her ancestor, having been poor himself, did his best to care for his workers and was as much a victim of the collapse of the dam that he helped build as anyone was.
June 25, 2013
I live in this area and really enjoyed this book. I would also recommend In the Shadow of the Damn which is also about the Mill River flood.
August 2, 2020
Excellent biography of the man who created the silk industry in America and the disaster he went through before rebuilding.
October 4, 2021
Some good local history.
October 24, 2012
To be fair, I wasn't really sure that I was up for a biography type book. My main subject for reading is typically sci-fi or survival stories. That being said, I was very pleasantly surprised to find this book quite good.
From the start, I was drawn into William Skinner's life, and found myself wanting to know what happened to him next. The writing sets up the pictures in my head perfectly, and easily let me imagine what he saw and went through. The writing also does an excellent job of 'putting me there', in that time, and seeing the whole picture.
The author did an excellent job researching and using sources to weave into the timeline. There is a rather large bibliography in the back of the book to show just how dedicated she was to providing the slew of necessary details. I particularly liked that the author also included bits and pieces of Mr. Skinner's faults as well, not giving him the full visage of perfection.
The book flowed easily, with no real jumps or odd direction changes, which made it very easy to keep reading 'just one more chapter'.
If I had to quibble about anything with the book, it's that it spent a good portion of time painting the scene for the disaster and it's immediate aftermath. This is NOT to say that it detracted from the book in the least, just that you are going to know nearly every detail that one could know without actually being there. This is only bad in that it makes it almost feel like the book was written about the flood itself moreso than Mr. Skinner. This is easily forgivable as it is obviously a major part of Mr. Skinner's story.
I highly recommend this book if you like reading about how a man thinks, overcomes, and perseveres when things are at their worst.
From the start, I was drawn into William Skinner's life, and found myself wanting to know what happened to him next. The writing sets up the pictures in my head perfectly, and easily let me imagine what he saw and went through. The writing also does an excellent job of 'putting me there', in that time, and seeing the whole picture.
The author did an excellent job researching and using sources to weave into the timeline. There is a rather large bibliography in the back of the book to show just how dedicated she was to providing the slew of necessary details. I particularly liked that the author also included bits and pieces of Mr. Skinner's faults as well, not giving him the full visage of perfection.
The book flowed easily, with no real jumps or odd direction changes, which made it very easy to keep reading 'just one more chapter'.
If I had to quibble about anything with the book, it's that it spent a good portion of time painting the scene for the disaster and it's immediate aftermath. This is NOT to say that it detracted from the book in the least, just that you are going to know nearly every detail that one could know without actually being there. This is only bad in that it makes it almost feel like the book was written about the flood itself moreso than Mr. Skinner. This is easily forgivable as it is obviously a major part of Mr. Skinner's story.
I highly recommend this book if you like reading about how a man thinks, overcomes, and perseveres when things are at their worst.
November 26, 2014
(The author happens to be a friend from college.)
This is a story of the author's great-great grandfather (or some such relative). He comes the the US poor-as-dirt from England. But he has worked in the silk business (dyeing and whatnot), and so has some expertise. He is able to build himself up to be a successful, semi-wealthy factory owner in central Massachussetts.
Then a catastrophic flood wipes everything out. Like everything---the factory is just gone afterwards. By knowing the right people to be able to get loans, he builds himself back up.
The start of the book is a quick overview of the silk business worldwide, a bit about the state of the silk business in the US in 1874. And then a chapter describing what happened on the day of the flood. These are really the most interesting parts of the book.
It then goes through how William Skinner got to that point. That's sort of interesting, but the sources seem too sparse to really get into it. The aftermath of the flood is a little less interesting (to me). I just didn't care much about who would get "the blame". That seems beside the point. I would have preferred more about the long-term aftermath (after he decides where to re-locate) than the particulars of what happened in the year after the flood.
The story is certainly a good hook into a particular piece of American history, and it's worth reading.
This is a story of the author's great-great grandfather (or some such relative). He comes the the US poor-as-dirt from England. But he has worked in the silk business (dyeing and whatnot), and so has some expertise. He is able to build himself up to be a successful, semi-wealthy factory owner in central Massachussetts.
Then a catastrophic flood wipes everything out. Like everything---the factory is just gone afterwards. By knowing the right people to be able to get loans, he builds himself back up.
The start of the book is a quick overview of the silk business worldwide, a bit about the state of the silk business in the US in 1874. And then a chapter describing what happened on the day of the flood. These are really the most interesting parts of the book.
It then goes through how William Skinner got to that point. That's sort of interesting, but the sources seem too sparse to really get into it. The aftermath of the flood is a little less interesting (to me). I just didn't care much about who would get "the blame". That seems beside the point. I would have preferred more about the long-term aftermath (after he decides where to re-locate) than the particulars of what happened in the year after the flood.
The story is certainly a good hook into a particular piece of American history, and it's worth reading.
November 23, 2012
American Phoenix is a fascinating read. Sarah Kilborne brings her insightful prose to the story of the historic flood that killed 139 people leaving 700+ homeless when an earthen dam burst above the town of Williamsburg, MA,in 1874 devastating the
towns of Williamsburg, Skinnerville, Haydenville and Leeds. Although an excellent historic account was written by Elizabeth Sharpe (In the Shadow of the Dam:the aftermath of the Mill River Flood of 1874), Kilbourne brings the history of silk manufacturing in New England to light with a more personal tale. This engaging chronicle of William Skinner's escape from a life of poverty in the Spitalfields of London where Huguenot families spun and wove silk for the rich is an eyeopening account of the silk trade of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Kilbourne's story has helped me personally to visualize the place and time of the flood more clearly. Living in the town where the dam broke and traveling the path of where the water went, brings this story closer, but Kilbourne's insights hone it sharper, as she brings us stories of neighbors and mill workers. A wonderful read -- go to your local library and check it out.
towns of Williamsburg, Skinnerville, Haydenville and Leeds. Although an excellent historic account was written by Elizabeth Sharpe (In the Shadow of the Dam:the aftermath of the Mill River Flood of 1874), Kilbourne brings the history of silk manufacturing in New England to light with a more personal tale. This engaging chronicle of William Skinner's escape from a life of poverty in the Spitalfields of London where Huguenot families spun and wove silk for the rich is an eyeopening account of the silk trade of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Kilbourne's story has helped me personally to visualize the place and time of the flood more clearly. Living in the town where the dam broke and traveling the path of where the water went, brings this story closer, but Kilbourne's insights hone it sharper, as she brings us stories of neighbors and mill workers. A wonderful read -- go to your local library and check it out.
October 30, 2012
I received an advance uncorrected manuscript of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. I recommend the book to anyone interested in this remarkable historic event, and the man who helped his town and people carry on.
As a Rhode Islander who grew up surrounded by textile and cotton mills, I was very interested to read about William Skinner and his silk mill-town. Sarah Kilborne quickly draws the reader into Skinner’s life and the disaster which ruins Skinnerville. The author skillfully intertwines the story with primary sources in order to give a true picture of people and events.
I did find a couple of chapters to drag a little. Kilborne’s strength lies in the descriptions of action and the human reaction to events, especially the chapters which take place during “The Flood” and “After the Flood.” As much as the text should be about Skinner, I felt like the best parts were the actions which happened within the town.
Overall, a slow-read, but a good one.
As a Rhode Islander who grew up surrounded by textile and cotton mills, I was very interested to read about William Skinner and his silk mill-town. Sarah Kilborne quickly draws the reader into Skinner’s life and the disaster which ruins Skinnerville. The author skillfully intertwines the story with primary sources in order to give a true picture of people and events.
I did find a couple of chapters to drag a little. Kilborne’s strength lies in the descriptions of action and the human reaction to events, especially the chapters which take place during “The Flood” and “After the Flood.” As much as the text should be about Skinner, I felt like the best parts were the actions which happened within the town.
Overall, a slow-read, but a good one.
May 25, 2013
Great story about a remarkable man, William Skinner, his original rise to fame and fortune in the silk industry in western Massachusetts in the mid 19th century and then his recovery after a devastating flood wiped out everything. His great great granddaughter does a wonderful job telling his story. I only wish that we were a part of that Skinner family!
I can't wait to visit Wisteriahurst and soak up more of this family's spirit and I look forward to Ms. Kilborne's book about her great great aunts Libby and Belle Skinner who followed in their father's footsteps by becoming 20th century pHilanthropists.
I can't wait to visit Wisteriahurst and soak up more of this family's spirit and I look forward to Ms. Kilborne's book about her great great aunts Libby and Belle Skinner who followed in their father's footsteps by becoming 20th century pHilanthropists.
April 20, 2016
"American Phoenix" is an excellent read about an event that, probably, few people outside of Massachusetts know about, but which had a significant impact on the early US industrial economy. It is also a great story about an era of America's history when immigrants with little more than a marketable skill, a solid work ethic and keen business sense forged the foundation that set the US on its path to becoming the leading industrial nation of the world.
December 27, 2016
Picked this book up in a favorite bookstore back in Rhinebeck, NY. It is an Industrial Revolution story, set in western MA, specifically Skinnerville/Holyoke. Fascinating both due to the topic and the setting. Very much enjoyed.
December 28, 2016
wow. I sell books on amazon and quite a few pass through my hands every day. for some reason I chose to read this one. it's amazing. becoming completely immersed in a subject I had never been interested in - now I am looking for books to supplement this one. well done to say the least.
February 16, 2023
Excellent book!!!
January 4, 2015
An excellent book about an extraordinary man. I had never before heard of William Skinner or his contributions to American industry.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews