title: John Armitage (manufacturer)
text: # John Armitage (manufacturer)
  
  John Armitage (1812–1893) was a Scottish-American textile manufacturer and politician.
  
  ## Personal life
  
  Armitage was born on August 20, 1812, in Jedburgh. In 1838 he married Nancy Goodhue. They had 10 children, 7 of whom survived into adulthood. In 1865 the Armitages had a large estate constructed on five acres of land on Summer Street in Saugus.
  
  ## Business career
  
  Armitage worked in the woolen business for many years as a laborer, spinner, and weaver before becoming a partner in Edward Pranker & Co. in 1857. In 1860, the company built a two-story, 125 by 60 foot, mill opposite their existing mill that contained four sets of wool manufacturing equipment. Armitage remained with the company until Pranker's death in 1865. He was also a director of the Saugus Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
  
  ## Politics
  
  Armitage held various political offices in Saugus. In 1870 he represented the 20th Essex District, which comprised the towns of Saugus, Lynnfield, Middleton, and Topsfield.
  
  