John Capron

John Willard Capron (February 14, 1797, at Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts – December 25, 1878, at Uxbridge) was an American military officer in the infantry, state legislator, and textile manufacturer.

Famous for being a military uniforms manufacturer, he became Colonel in the army and Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.

Uxbridge Academy graduated a number of prominent men in the early 19th century.

John's father was a "clothier" who had migrated here from North Grosvenordale, Connecticut, circa 1790.

John Capron had purchased the Colonel Seth Read estate, and water mill on the Mumford River when he first came to Uxbridge around 1790.

He was Postmaster, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Notary, and served in the state legislature.

The Capron Mill, started by John Capron, the father, was made famous for military uniforms which were made here from at least the Civil War period, up through World War II, and including "the first U.S. Air Force uniform" which became known as the "Uxbridge Blue"[4] During John Capron's tenure, the mills of Uxbridge including Capron Mills ran 24/7 during the American Civil War producing military uniforms.

The oldest part of the historic mill, the original Capron Mill, made of wood, was virtually completely saved from the fire, by the efforts of 66 fire departments and a two-state response.

The fire burned 400,000 square feet (37,000 m2) of the more modern brick-and-steel complex at Mendon and Depot Streets.

Colonel John W. Capron died December 25, 1878, at the age of 81, at Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts.