They put the E&R into the Laundry Business: Manchester NH’s Eugene Caron and Robert Morin

e and r laundry noticeE&R Laundry has been a mainstay of the Manchester New Hampshire Laundry business since 1921.  It was not the first laundry company in the city, nor will it be the last, but it has grown into one of the largest in New England.  Did you ever wonder where its name came from?

In 1920 it appears that two men, Eugene O. Caron and Robert W. Morin went into business together, and began a laundry company at 55 Central Street, right where it still has a presence today.  The shop was smaller then, as were the number of employees.  In addition to laundry and dry cleaning services, they advertised and promoted their “Frigid Fur Storage” and rug shampooing.  “Our Services Excel!” was their motto.

After Eugene Caron died in 1942, Robert Morin continued on with E&R, involving his three sons, Eugene Jr., Robert and David in the laundry business.  In 1986 the company was sold to the Botnick family who still own it, and who have grown it into an even larger and thriving industry.

In 2006 the New Hampshire Union Leader published an article stating that part of the company was moved to 565 Gold Street in Manchester (taking over a building formerly owned and used by then closing 90-year old company, L. E . Bagley Co. Inc.).  At this time they were cleaning 20 million garments a year.   In 2007 E&R Laundy celebrated its 85th year of existence (based on their 1921 starting date). It seems like its a permanent landmark, since president, Rick Botnick said,  “We’re committed to Manchester and the state of New Hampshire. It’s a great place to live and do business.”

=====PARTIAL GENEALOGY OF EUGENE O. CARON=====

Eugene Oliver Caron, b. 16 September 1877 in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec Canada, and died 31 January 1942 in Manchester NH, son of Octave & Celina (Desilets) Caron.  He married 5 Feb 1902 in Manchester NH by Rev J A Chevalier (St. Augustin’s parish) to Mabel Dusseault, daughter of Joseph & Eleonora (Coutemanche) Dusseault. He immigrated in 1880 to the United States.  She was born in Marlboro MA, and died 18 Sep 1942 in Nashua NH. In 1910 they were living at 24 Arlington Street in Manchester NH. 1917 living at 292 Massabesic Street;  1930-1940 residing at 485 Amherst Street, Manchester NH.  In 1917 he lived in Manchester but worked at a Market in Lowell MA.
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1920 US Census > NH > Hillsborough > Manchester > 163 Myrtle Street
Whitcomb Clarence Head M W 40 married NH Capt Fire Department, City
Whitcomb Josephine H wife F W 37 M NH
Poehlman, Gertrude H wife’s sister F W 28 single NH
Caron, Eugene Roomer M W 42 married imm 1884, naturalized 1897 b Canada, French – Labor Agent, Shoe Factory
Caron, Mabel Roomer F W 39 married MA, Canada-French, CT
[other roomers not related]
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1940 United States Census, NH > Hillsborough > Manchester > 485 Amherst Street
Caron, Eugene O. Head M W 63 married 4 yrs High school b. Canada naturalized,  laundry business, own business [b abt 1877 Canada]
Caron, Mable R. wife F W 58 married b. MA
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Child of Eugene O. & Mabel (Dusseault) Caron:
1. male child born and died 20 April 1910 Manchester NH, 10 minutes old, of heart disturbance

=====PARTIAL GENEALOGY OF ROBERT W. MORIN=====

Wilfrid Robert aka Robert Wilfrid Morin, b 28 June 1900 in Manchester, NH; d. August 1978; son of John/Joseph E. and Lilly “Lilie” (Dusseault/Dusseau) Morin. His father was a shoemaker who had immigrated from Canada; He married 4 June 1924 in Manchester NH to Noella St. Hilaire, dau of John & Amanda (Fredette) St. Hilaire. She b. 23 December 1901 in Canada and d. August 1981 in Manchester NH. She immigrated to the US in 1911. In 1924 at the time of his marriage he was the proprietor of E&R Laundry, and Noella was a shoeworker.
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Robert W. Morin Jr., 82, passed away Thursday, January 6, 2011. He was born in Manchester, NH on January 13, 1928 to Robert W. and Noella Morin. Robert attended University of New Hampshire. Along with his brothers Paul and David, he ran the family business, E&R Cleaners, until 1986. He resided in Manchester and Portsmouth, N.H. His family includes his children Linda Morin Bolmarcich of Nashua, NH; Susan M. LaBonte and her husband John of Stratham, NH, their son Jeff and his wife Erin of Essex Junction, VT; Judy Leahy and her husband Brian of Hingham, MA, their children Alicia, Jack, Elizabeth and Julia; son Peter Morin and Carol Bird of Portsmouth, NH; and son Robert W. Morin III and his wife Joyce of Portsmouth, NH; his brother David Morin of Laconia; his great grandchildren Braeden Robert LaBonte, Riley Beth LaBonte and Caleb Tyler Hale along with several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Betsy G. Morin, his brother Paul E. Morin and his granddaughter Myra Beth LaBonte. During his life, Bob enjoyed golfing, boating and spending time at both Lake Winnipesaukee and on the ocean.
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Children of Robert W. & Noella (St. Hilaire) Morin:
1. Robert W. Morin Jr., b 13 January 1928, d. 6 January 2011 [see obituary above]
2. Paul E. Morin, b abt 1932 Manchester NH
3. David Morin, b abt 1934 Manchester NH

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2 Responses to They put the E&R into the Laundry Business: Manchester NH’s Eugene Caron and Robert Morin

  1. Pat Van Den Berghe says:

    as usual, a great and well documented story.

  2. thomas strong says:

    My Name Is Thomas J Strong i work for E&R Cleaners for 14 years i loved it there it really a great place to work.David Morin hired me as a wash room supervisor i ran the industrial washing machines it was hard work but it was fun. Just to let everyone no the Botnick family that own it now they are very nice people an great to work for .Thanks for all the good years working there Thomas j Strong

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