Company History | Founded in 1854

In 1854 brothers Noah Merrill Mathews and Spencer Walcott Mathews began a partnership in a window sash and millworks company – called N.M. & S.W. Mathews Company. In 1860 brother Sanford Hills Mathews joins the family business and the name is changed to Mathews & Co. By 1872, the brothers had expanded the products manufactured by Mathews & Co. to include doors, window sashes, blinds, shutters, window and door frames. On August 24, 1873, the company lost its storehouse on Front Street to the Great Fire of Belfast. The company reopened 70 days later at the corner of Cross and Miller streets as Mathews Brothers Company.

Original invoice from August 1872	New storehouse 1873	Mathews Brothers crew circa 1880

By 1899, after the deaths of Noah, Spencer and Sanford, the company officers are made up of Clara Starrett Mathews, president; Addie Richmond Mathews, vice-president; Maude Elizabeth Mathews, treasurer; and Orlando Ephraim Frost, superintendent.

Maude Elizabeth Mathews	Orlando Ephraim Frost

Of the officers, Maude, pictured above, tended to be the most involved in the company. At this time it was the largest Maine business owned by women.

In 1904 Orlando E. Frost assumes control of Mathews Brothers Company and adds spiral staircases and coffins to the company’s product line. Frost begins Mathews Brothers long standing tradition of community involvement with his commitment to the Waldo County General Hospital.

In 1906, Frost expands the site by building a warehouse on Front Street.

Warehouse construction begins on Front Street		The Plant at the corner of Cross and Miller Streets ~1910

In late 1916 early 1917, Frost takes a contract to build a 5-masted schooner named the Jennie Flood Kreger. The keel was laid and construction started in early 1917.

Construction of the Jennie Flood Kreger begins early 1917	Jennie Flood Kreger	A postcard of the Plant at the corner of Cross and Miller Streets ~ 1919

Mathews Brothers Company completes the construction and launch of the Jennie Flood Kreger in 1919 [March 5]. It was the largest vessel and the only 5-masted schooner to be built in Belfast, Maine.

Almost a decade later, Copeland Lang buys Mathews Brothers Company from O.E. Frost in 1928. Stock company formed and incorporated.

In 1946 Copeland Lang sells the company to his son Charles Lang and son-in-law Roger Haddock; with Roger becoming the next president and Charles assuming the role of treasurer. Charles becomes president only six years later after the early-and-untimely death of Roger.

In 1970 Mathews Brothers Company begins building insulated wood windows, an innovation to the shop grade wood windows.

Belfast Factory Outlet ~1977

A new era in Mathews Brothers Company is signified by the opening of the Belfast Factory Outlet, jump starting the retail division in 1977.

In 1978, Peter Haddock, son of Roger Haddock, and John Hawthorne buy Mathews Brothers Company from Charles Lang. Peter becomes the new president, and John becomes vice-president of operations. One year later Steven Hart becomes the retail manager for Mathews Brothers Company.

Rockland Factory Outlet ~1981

Mathews Brothers begins manufacturing its own insulated glass and the Rockland Factory Outlet opens on Rankin Street in 1981.

Mathews Brothers Company builds a new retail store and warehouse on the corner of Cross and Spring streets in downtown Belfast in 1985. At the same time Scott Hawthorne, John’s son, joins the Mathews Brothers family.

In 1986, John Hawthorne buys Mathews Brothers from Peter Haddock and the two men were honored by the City of Belfast as businessmen of the year.

The third of Mathews Brothers retail stores open in Bangor in 1988. Also John makes Scott Hawthorne and Steve Hart minority partners in the company.

John Hawthorne purchases former Truitt Brothers plant on Perkins Road in 1989. Two years later the company moves to the new factory facilities vacating the old factory on Cross & Miller Street that has been used for over 100 years. That same year John Hawthorne, acting president; Peter Haddock, treasurer; and Mathews Brothers Company were featured on the cover of Business Digest for the month of June.

Former Truitt Brothers plant on Perkins Road	Mathew Brothers factory opens 1991

In 1994, Mathews Brothers Company reaches 140 years in age, and celebrates by winning the Governor’s Award for Business Excellence. Introduced this year was the vinyl welding and cleaning system which they continue to use today. Corporate officers are John Hawthorne, president; Scott Hawthorne, vice-president; Peter Haddock, treasurer; and Steve Hart, director.

Between 1996 and 1998, Peter Haddock retires as treasurer and is succeeded by Brent West, Jr. as CFO of Mathews Brothers. In addition, John Hawthorne retires as president and steps down to chairman, making Scott Hawthorne the acting president of Mathews Brothers Company.

Mathews Brothers launches its Acadia Windows line, which uses closed cell PVC composite.

In 2000 and 2001, Mathews Brothers joins the American Window Alliance (AWA), then wins its first national industry award for small business marketing programs by Window & Door magazine presented to members of American Window Alliance. Additionally, Mathews Brothers was a featured company in Alice H. Anderson’s Company Secrets published in 2001.

Mathews Brothers vinyl products line introduces its first bending and architectural features (e.g., eyebrows and octagons) in 2002. In that same year Scott Hawthorne is elected president of the American Window Alliance, and Mathews Brothers kicks off its new wellness program to employees. During 2003 Mathews Brothers wins the Governor’s Award for Physical Fitness, Health & Wellness for its corporate health and wellness program.

In 2004 Mathews Brothers introduces Regal Patio Doors and finish paint options to its vinyl line of products. Mathews Brothers turns 150 years old this year marking a large milestone by celebrating with a big party held on the mill premises. In addition, Scott Hawthorne presents the wellness program at the Second National Prevention of Heart Disease and Stroke Convention in Atlanta, GA.

During 2005 and 2006 Mathews Brothers adds several new lines of vinyl and composite windows to its catalog: the series 100 economy line of standard size single hung and horizontal sliders, better know today as Builder’s Pride vinyl windows, and the new MikronWood™ products DuraClassic line featuring paintable/stainable pine interiors.

Topping the company news in 2007 – in June a very successful month-long employee fundraiser was held to purchase phone cards for Maine soldiers deployed in Iraq. Mathews Brothers hosted the American Window Alliance group meeting in July, which was attended by all nine AWA companies. During October they were part of the governor’s Gubernatorial Trade Mission that traveled to Korea and Japan; and in November they were chosen as the Business of the Year by the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce.

Recipients of the 2008 Statewide Historic Preservation Award for Excellence in Crafts and Trades.

The Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) named Mathews Brothers the recipient of the 2010 Maine MEP Manufacturing Excellence Award. In October they announced the new product line that meets the government R5 requirements. Gov Baldacci of Maine, and David Petratis and Brent Korb from Quanex were in attendance of the Clara Starrett featuring EnergyCore media event.