Frank P. Sheldon

Frank P. Sheldon (February 16, 1846 – August 17, 1915) was an American mill engineer based in Providence, Rhode Island, and active from 1870 until his death in 1915. In his capacity as a mill engineer Sheldon designed cotton mills and factories for a variety of industries.

Life and career Frank Perry Sheldon was born February 16, 1846, in Providence, Rhode Island, to Jeremiah A. Sheldon, a patternmaker, and Mary Sheldon, née Burbank. He was educated in the Providence public schools and at Scholfield's Commercial College. He first worked in the office of Providence civil engineer Niles B. Schubarth. He then worked as a mechanical draftsman for his father's employer, the American Screw Company, and in the machine shops of James S. Brown in Pawtucket. On Brown's recommendation Sheldon then went to work for Foster H. Stafford, treasurer of the Union Mills of Fall River, Massachusetts, for whom he drew the plans of the company's no. 2 mill. He then worked for Edward Kilburn, engineer of the Lonsdale Company at Lonsdale, Rhode Island, and with him designed the no. 4 mill of the Wamsutta Mills in New Bedford.

By 1870 Sheldon felt comfortable enough to go into business independently as a mill engineer. He was sole proprietor of his business until 1903, when he formed a partnership with his elder son, Arthur Noyes Sheldon (1878–1973), practicing as F. P. Sheldon & Company. In 1907 they were joined by his younger son, Frank Lawrence Sheldon (1883–1925), and the firm name changed to F. P. Sheldon & Sons.

Personal life In 1900 Sheldon was appointed director of textiles for the United States Commission to the Exposition Universelle in Paris. He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the National Cotton Manufacturers' Association.

Legacy Sheldon's employees included Charles T. Main and Dwight Seabury, who left to establish their own practices in 1893 and 1896, respectively.

In 1921 the firm published a retrospective, entitled A Half Century of Achievement, to commemorate the firm's fiftieth year of business. This book also contained summaries of the firm's research. Research activities were covered more thouroughly in the 1926 publication Miscellaneous Scientific Papers of F. P. Sheldon & Son, comprising papers presented by members of the firm. In 1923 Sheldon & Son was recognized as one of the major mill engineering firms of the United States.

Many of Sheldon's works survive and several have been listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places; others contribute to listed historic districts.

Projects All dates are date of completion.

1872: North Grosvenordale Mill, North Grosvenordale village, Thompson, Connecticut Contributes to the NRHP-listed North Grosvenordale Mill Historic District 1873: King Philip Mills, Fall River, Massachusetts NRHP-listed 1883: Paramount Knitting Company Mill, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin NRHP-listed 1886: Ann & Hope Mill, Lonsdale village, Cumberland, Rhode Island Sheldon also completed the attached Lonsdale Mill in 1901; both contribute to the NRHP-listed Lonsdale Historic District 1889: Berkshire Mill No. 1, Adams, Massachusetts NRHP-listed 1890: Cornell Mills, Fall River, Massachusetts Demolished in 1998 1894: Queen City Cotton Mill, Burlington, Vermont Contributes to the NRHP-listed Lakeside Development historic district 1896: Jesse Metcalf Building, Providence, Rhode Island As of 2026, occupied by the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families; contributes resource to the NRHP-listed Downtown Providence Historic District 1896: Warren Manufacturing Company mills, Warren, Rhode Island Burned in 2006 during demolition; formerly contributed to the Avondale Mill Historic District 1904: Greystone Mills, Greystone village, North Providence, Rhode Island 1907: Fitchburg Yarn Mill, Fitchburg, Massachusetts NRHP-listed 1907: Greenhalgh Mill, Pawtucket, Rhode Island The last large mill built in Pawtucket; burned in 2003 1911: Whitehall Building, Greystone village, North Providence, Rhode Island Significantly enlarged in 1925; contributes to the NRHP-listed Downtown Providence Historic District