USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66
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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
- ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01105 5719
74. 291 .3 140
74. 29] .3 140
HISTORY OF
WATERBURY
AND THE
NAUGATUCK VALLEY CONNECTICUT
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME III
CHICAGO-NEW YORK THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1918
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BIOGRAPHICAL
HON. JAMES GILBERT WOODRUFF.
Hon. James Gilbert Woodruff, now president of the William L. Gilbert Clock Company of Winsted, started out in the business world when a lad of but nine years in the em- ploy of the company of which he is now the chief executive. His vacation periods were devoted to work in that connection until his school days were over, when he concentrated his entire time and attention upon the business. Thus gradually advaneing step by step, an orderly progression has brought him to the presidency of one of the most important manufacturing interests of this section of the state. He was born in the village of North- field, in the town of Litchfield, Litehfield county, Connecticut, August 27, 1842, but has been a resident of Winsted from the age of nine years or since 1851. Matthew Woodruff, at native of England, became the founder of the family in the new world. He settled first at Hartford, Connecticut, and in 1640-41 removed to Farmington, where he passed away about 1682. He was one of the eighty-four proprietors of Farmington in 1672 and was a freeman in 1657. His wife, Mrs. Hannah Woodruff, was admitted to the Farming- ton church April 2, 1654.
Their second son, Matthew Woodruff (II), was born in Farmington in 1646 and died in November, 1691. For a time he resided in Milford but afterward returned to Farming- ton. On the 16th of June, 1668, he wedded Mary Plum, who was born in 1645, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Baldwin) Plum, the latter a daughter of Sylvester and Sarah (Bryant) Baldwin. For his second wife Matthew Woodruff married Sarah North, daughter of John North, and her death occurred in 1692.
Matthew Woodruff (III), the eldest child of Matthew Woodruff (II), was born in Milford, Connecticut, February 8, 1669, and died in 1751. He was captain of the military company at Farmington. On the 15th of September, 1694, he married Elizabeth Bald- win, who was born March 29, 1673, a daughter of Sylvanus and Mildred (Prudden) Bald- win, the former a son of Richard and Elizabeth (Alsopp) Baldwin and a grandson of Sylvester and Sarah (Bryant) Baldwin. Mildred (Prudden) Baldwin was a daughter of the Rev. Peter Prudden. They lived at Farmington and she there passed away February 5. 1729. Matthew Woodruff (III) was married June 10, 1730. to Mrs. Martha North, widow of Thomas North, and her death occurred in 1763.
The line of descent comes down through Matthew Woodruff (IV), who was born October 1, 1697, and resided at Farmington but in 1732 bought land in Waterbury. In 1739 Matthew Woodruff and his wife, Elizabeth, became owners of land in Farmington.
Isaac Woodruff, a son or nephew of Matthew Woodruff (IV), probably secured the land from Matthew and settled in Waterbury. He served in the Revolutionary war, becoming a member of Captain Noadiah Hooker's company in 1775. He died in Waterbury, March 31, 1782, at the age of thirty-six years. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Newton.
Isaac Woodruff (II), son of Isaac Woodruff (I), was born in Waterbury, October 10, 1773, and died November 29, 1815, spending his life in Watertown, formerly Waterbury. His wife, Mrs. Lodina Woodruff, who was born in 1775, died October 12, 1863.
Isaac N. Woodruff, son of Isaae and Lodina Woodruff, was born in September, 1793, in Watertown, and died November 17, 1875. He was a farmer and after spending the greater part of his life in Watertown passed his last days in the home of his son, Isaac B. Wood- ruff, in Winsted, but was buried in Watertown. His wife, Elizabeth, who was born in 1797, was a daughter of Abram Scott and died December 19, 1863.
Isaac Benjamin Woodruff, son of Isaac N. Woodruff, was born in Watertown, August 11, 1818, and departed this life in Winsted, April 27, 1900. After completing a common school education he was apprenticed in a factory at Litchfield, Connecticut, to learn the art of making flutes, clarinets and other musical instruments. and later he became connected with the William L. Gilbert Clock Company. In 1866 the business was incorporated under the name of the Gilbert Manufacturing Company and Mr. Woodruff became a director, the secretary and the treasurer. With the death of Mr. Gilbert in 1890 he suc-
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WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
ceeded to the presidency and remained as president and treasurer to the time of his demise. He was also a director of the First National Bank of Winsted and of the Hurl- but National Bank. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he was called upon to fill various important public positions. He served as selectman of the town and for one term represented his district in the Connecticut legislature. His religious faith was that of the Episcopal church and for many years he served as church treasurer and warden. On the 16th of October, 1841, Isaac Benjamin Woodruff was married to Sarah Ann Gilbert, a sister of William L. Gilbert, the founder of the Gilbert Manufacturing Company. She was born in Litchfield, July 16, 1819, a daughter of James and Abigail (Kenney) Gilbert. She was a woman of much intellectual force and had many admirable traits of character and her death, which occurred September 12, 1886, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret not only to her immediate family but to all who knew her. By her marriage she became the mother of two children: James Gilbert; and William Wallace, who was born May 20, 1844, and died December 4, 1909. The latter married Eleanora L. Smith.
The former, James Gilbert Woodruff, as previously stated, became a resident of Winsted at the age of nine years as an employe of the William L. Gilbert Clock Company. While still attending school he would work in the clock shop on Saturdays and in the mornings and evenings. After reaching the age of eighteen years he devoted all of his time to the clock shop except three months during the Civil war, when he served as a member of Company F of the Second Connecticut Infantry. His connection with the clock works covers sixty-six years and he has filled practically every position in the fac- tory from the humblest to the highest, and as an officer has steadily advanced until in 1900 he was elected to the presidency as the successor of his father, who for ten years had filled that position and who was the successor of William L. Gilbert, the founder of the business and the maternal uncle of the present president. William L. Gilbert so ably and wisely conducted the business that he became a millionaire and ranked for many years as Winsted's foremost philanthropist. He gave freely to benevolent projects and was the founder of the Gilbert School and the Gilbert Home for Children, leaving to those two institutions alone a million dollars for their further support. Under the management of James Gilbert Woodruff the business has continued to grow and expand and during the past decade a number of new brick buildings have been added to the plant, while its output is shipped to all parts of the world. Branch offices are maintained in New York, Chicago, Boston, London, Australia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and in many other places, and something of the volume of business is indicated in the fact that the company now em- ploys about six hundred operatives in the factory and produces goods annually to the value of a million dollars. Other business interests have also profited by the cooperation, sound judgment and enterprise of Mr. Woodruff, who is a director of the First National Bank and of the Hurlbut National Bank.
On the 10th of May, 1864, Mr. Woodruff was married to Miss Abbie Elizabeth Osborn, who was born at Roxbury, Connecticut, a daughter of George S. and Edna A. Osborn. Mrs. Woodruff comes of English ancestry in the paternal line, which is traced back to Richard Osborn, who sailed from London on the ship Hopewell in 1634 and in 1635 became a resident of Hingham, Massachusetts, whence he removed to New Haven, Connecticut, in 1639. He was a valiant soldier in King Philip's war and in recognition of the aid which he rendered the settlers received a land warrant for land near the center of Fairfield, where he took up his abode about 1650, there living until November, 1682, when le removed to Westchester. William Osborn, who was probably a brother of Richard, settled at Hingham and was a proprietor there in 1635. He removed to Braintree to become clerk of the iron works and in 1652 settled in Boston. John Osborn, probably a brother of William and Richard, established his home at Weymouth, Massachusetts, and also lived at Braintree.
John Osborn, son of John Osborn (I), was born at Weymouth, February 2, 1639, and appears to have settled in Connecticut. John Osborn (III), son of John (II), was born about 1680 and on the 14th of July, 1709, married Prudence Blagge. For his second wife he married Mrs. Hannah Gilbert, a widow. Nathan Osborn, son of John Osborn (III), was born at Stratford, November 15, 1719, and married Sarah Sherman. He was a farmer of Stratford and probably in later life of Woodbury, Connecticut.
Isaac Osborn, son of Nathan Osborn, was born August 29, 1760, in Woodbury, and died at Avon, Connecticut, in October, 1853. He was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, engaged in active duty at the fort in New London, Connecticut, and in later life was a Revolutionary war pensioner. In 1781 he married Sarah Clark Woodruff. Their second child. Isaac Osborn (II), was born in 1786, and died April 15, 1866. He devoted
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WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
his life to the occupation of farming and during his later years he gave his political support to the republican party. He married Laurin Stoddard and their eldest child was George S. Osborn, who was born May 10, 1818. He, too, became a farmer and in politics was a republican, while in religious faith he was a . Congregationalist. He married Edna A. Young, of Roxbury, Connecticut, and died January 13, 1876. They were the parents of four children: Abbie Elizabeth, Albert, Nellie A. and Mary E. The first two were twins and the daughter became the wife of James Gilbert Woodruff.
To Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff have been born three living children. The eldest, George Benjamin Woodruff, born September 18, 1866, is a piano manufacturer of Ivoryton, Con- necticut. He was married July 3, 1889, to Agnes H. Mints and for his second wife chose Nellie Jones. Following her death he married Harriet Saul. By the first marriage there was one daughter, Marguerite, and by the second marriage a daughter, Zola L., while of the third marriage there is also a daughter, Mera. Edna Louise Woodruff, born Sep- tember 26, 1870, became the wife of Allen Hubbard, September 23, 1896, and they reside in Newton Center, Massachusetts, with their two children, Allen and Gilbert. Florence Gilbert Woodruff, the youngest member of the family, was born February 15, 1872, and on the 19th of April, 1899, became the wife of Everett W. Farmer, who is living near Boston, Massachusetts. They have become the parents of three children: Florence Vir- ginia ; James Woodruff; and Jefferson, who was born January 4, 1912.
The Woodruff family has long figured prominently in the social circles of the city and with the material, intellectual, moral and political progress of the community -Mr. Woodruff has also been closely associated. He is a member and a vestryman of the St. James Episcopal church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he served for one term as a member of the state legislature. He is a trustee of the Gilbert School and of the Gilbert Home for Children and he cooperates in many well defined plans and measures that take cognizance of the needs of the unfortunate or which look toward the benefit of the community at large. In a word he stands for all that is most progressive and beneficial. Honored and respected by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable position in Winsted than James Gilbert Woodruff, not alone by reason of the success he has achieved but also owing to the straightforward business policy which he has ever followed and to his recognition of his duties and obligations to his fellowmen.
CHARLES S. PHINNEY.
Charles S. Phinney is the treasurer of the Naugatuck Manufacturing Company, engaged in the manufacture of copper float balls for various purposes, this being one of the two manu- facturing enterprises of the character in the United States. Mr. Phinney has been identified with the business since 1897. He was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1858, and is a son of Franklin S. and Margaret S. Phinney. He attended private school and entered busi- ness life as an employe of a subsidiary company of the Standard Oil Company, with which he continued for twenty-one years, a fact indicative of his fidelity and steady progress. In 1897 he came to Naugatuck and purchased an interest in the Naugatuck Manufacturing Company, which had been established three years before. Since becoming an officer of this company he has given his entire attention to the management and control of the business in association with W. T. Rodenbach, who became president, while C. P. Rodenbach is now the secretary. For a time Mr. Phinney served as both secretary and treasurer, but the duties of the office have been divided and his official connection is now that of treasurer.
In 1905 Mr. Phinney was married and has two children. In politics he is a republican, while his religious belief is that of the Congregational church.
RUBBER REGENERATING COMPANY.
The growth and development of manufacturing and commercial interests in New England within the past quarter of a century has seemed almost magical, so rapidly has the work been carried forward. Prominent among the important interests centering in this district is the Rubber Regenerating Company, which is engaged in reclaiming scrap rubber, and its products are sold throughout the entire world to manufacturers. Something of the extent of the business is indicated in the fact that six hundred people are now employed. In addition
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WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
to the Naugatuck establishment the company also has factories at Manchester, England, at Montreal, Canada, and in Mishawaka, Indiana. This is the largest concern of the kind in the world and the Naugatuck plant equals in size that of any other in the United States. The company buys used rubber from all over the world. This is again reduced to a liquid condition, purified and used in manufacturing. The plant covers eight acres and includes three main manufacturing buildings, two stories and basement in height. These are of mill con- struction and are supplied with sprinkler systems. The plant is equipped with electric and steam power, having three thousand horse power in all. The officers of the company are: R. B. Price, president and treasurer; E. A. Andersen, vice president and general manager; J. D. Carberry, of New York, secretary; Gordon James, assistant secretary: and C. M. Van Kleeck, assistant treasurer. These officers have been with the company for the past four years.
Mr. Andersen is a native of Chicago and acquired his education there. In that city he entered the rubber regenerating business, in which he won success, and later he established a large factory in Michigan. In 1913 he came to Naugatuck and bought the factory of which he is now general manager in connection with Mr. Price of New York and others. The business has grown very rapidly under the able management and wise control of Mr. Ander- sen and his associates and it is today one of the big institutions of the Naugatuck valley. The business is most carefully managed and directed. The work has been thoroughly sys- tematized in every department, each of which is under the control of a capable superintendent. The officers have been able to surround themselves with a most efficient corps of assistants and as vice president and general manager E. A. Andersen has contributed in marked measure to the snecess attending the Rubber Regenerating Company.
REV. REINHARD BARDECK.
Rev. Reinhard Bardeck, pastor of St. Cecelia's German Catholic church of Water- bury, was born in Bitburg, Germany, in 1867. His father, Philip Bardeck, a carpenter, died in Germany when his son Reinhard was but six years of age, and the latter in 1881, when a youth of thirteen, came with his widowed mother, his younger brother, Philip, and sister Theresa, who was four years his senior, to the United States, the family home being established in New Britain, Connecticut. The mother, whose maiden name was Mary Adams, died in New Britain in 1888. Another brother Joseph Bardeck, two years the senior of Rev. Bardeck, had come to the United States in 1879 and is now living in New Britain, while both Philip and Theresa still make their home there. The latter is the widow of Martin Hollfelder and both the brothers are business men of New Britain.
Rev. Bardeck had attended school in Germany before coming to the United States and between the ages of thirteen and twenty years was employed in a lock factory in New Britain, thus providing for his own support when a very young lad. Determining to devote his life to the church, he studied for the priesthood at St. Vincent's Benedictine College of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, near Latrobe. There he remained for seven years, devoting his time to the study of philosophy, the classics and the sciences, after which he studied theology in St. John's Seminary of Brighton, Massachusetts, for three years and three months.
Rev. Bardeck was ordained to the priesthood in Hartford, Connecticut, in December, 1900, and served as assistant priest to Rev. Luke Fitzsimons of the Immaculate Con- ception Catholic church at Waterbury for nearly three years. From 1903 until 1911 he was pastor of the Sacred Heart German Catholic church at Hartford and since 1912 has been pastor of St. Cecelia's German Catholic church in Waterbury, where he is doing excellent work among his parishioners in the upbuilding of the Catholic faith. Twice since leaving his native land he has returned to Germany for a visit, first in 1889 and again in 1910.
GEORGE H. ATKINS.
George H. Atkins, a well known citizen of Torrington, where he has resided for more than half a century, is now secretary of the Employers' Association of Litchfield County, with offices in the Chamber of Commerce building. He has been a lifelong resident of Connecticut, his birth having occurred in Meriden, March 28, 1852. He is the only child
REV. REINHARD BARDECK
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WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
of Henry G. and Mary A. (Evans) Atkins, the former a native of Meriden and the latter of Wallingford, Connecticut. The father served as a soldier in the Civil war, becoming a private of Company F. Fifteenth Connecticut Regiment. He was wounded in battle and for many months was confined in the New Haven Hospital. After the war he held a responsible position with the International Silver Company of Meriden, where he passed away a few months after the war closed. His widow married for her second husband, Solon G. Dunbar and they moved to Torrington, where she resided until her death, January 21, 1907.
George H. Atkins has resided continuously in Torrington since 1866, and is therefore, familiar with its history for a period of more than half a century. He acquired a good grammar school education, continuing his studies to the age of fourteen, when he entered the employ of the Turner & Seymour Manufacturing Company, one of the city's leading industrial enterprises. He entered the service of that concern on the 1st of December, 1866, and completed a fifty years connection with the company on the 1st of December, 1916. Beginning as a mere laborer when a youth of fourteen, he early reached the position of foreman of a department and still later that of superintendent of the factory, holding this position for sixteen years. He later served as purchasing agent for six years, but resigned on the 1st of December 1916, to become secretary of the Employers' Association of Litchfield county, which was formed to foster among its members a spirit of cooperation, friendliness and progress; to assist its members in securing efficient and desirable em- ployes; to operate a free employment office, where worthy workers may secure employ- ment; to encourage a feeling of confidence and goodwill between employee and employer, assuring each that their interests will be protected; to improve transportation facilities, housing arrangements, and working conditions; and by concentrated cooperation to make Litchfield county an industrial center that will encourage increased manufacture and will attract labor.
At Torrington,, when twenty-one years of age, Mr. Atkins was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Glazier and they became parents of two children; Alice E., now the wife of Major John N. Brooks; and Merritt S. Atkins, a toolmaker of the Turner & Seymour Manufacturing Company. The parents hold membership in the Trinity Episcopal church and Mr. Atkins has been quite prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a past noble grand of the local lodge. He also belongs to the Torrington Club and is eligible to membership with the Sons of Veterans and the Sons of the American Revolution, being descended on the paternal side from Revolutionary war ancestry. He is identified with the Chamber of Commerce and is a well known factor in local political circles. He is serving at the present time on the board of assessors for both the town and borough of Torrington and has been a member of the board for eleven consecutive years. He was a member of the Connecticut legislature, session 1909- 1910, and introduced and was successful in getting passed the personal tax law. He stands at all times for progress and improvement in public affairs and for reform and advance- ment, holds to high ideals and at all times has manifested a public-spirited citizenship.
FRANCIS P. BANNON.
Francis P. Bannon is proprietor of a store which has been in existence at its present location at 631 Main street in Winsted for a half century and he now ranks with the representative druggists of the city. He was born in Winsted, September 22, 1872, a son of the late Timothy Bannon and Catharine (Gerraghty) Bannon. The mother is still living, but the father has passed away. The parents were both natives of the county of Westmeath, Ireland, and were acquainted while residing there but were married in Winsted, Connecticut, prior to the Civil war. They became the parents of eight children, six of whom still survive, as follows: William F., who is a resident of Winsted; James P., also living in Winsted; Rev. Timothy F., who is pastor of St. Joseph's church at Willi- mantic, Connecticut; Mary, the widow of Patrick Regan; Rose, who is the wife of Egbert G. Mahan, of Howick, Canada; and Francis P., of this review.
The last named attended St. Anthony's parochial school and also the public schools of Winsted and afterward spent two years in the New York College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated with the class of 1895. Returning to Winsted, he resumned a position as clerk in the Apothecaries Hall drug store, where he had been employed for three years before entering college, having become connected with that position when a youth of seventeen. He remained in the store until 1903, when he purchased his present
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WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
drug store at No. 631 Main street, buying out D. and W. B. Phelps, who had owned and conducted the business for forty years. The store, therefore, has had an existence of more than a half century and throughout the entire period has been at its present location.
On the 7th of November, 1900, Mr. Bannon was married to Miss Katherine Hickey, of. Sheffield, Massachusetts, who is of Irish descent, her parents, James and Margaret (Delaney) Hickey, both being natives of the Emerald isle. Mrs. Bannon was one of a family of ten children, nine of whom are yet living, and by her marriage she has become the mother of three children; Timothy Francis, James Hickey and Joseph Edward. The last two are twins and are now fifteen years of age, while Timothy is a youth of sixteen. All three are students in the Gilbert school, Timothy being a senior in that institution, while the twins are freshmen.
The family are communicants of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church and Mr. Bannon holds membership with the Modern Woodmen, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and of the latter is a past exalted ruler. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and for three years he served as burgess. He is now a member of the finance committee of the town of Winchester. For one year he was a member of the school board and he has ever been deeply interested in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of the community in which he makes his home. He turns to hunting as his chief recreation and when leisure permits indulges in that sport. As a business man he is alert, energetic and progressive and his well defined plans have been stimulated by a laudable ambition and have been carried forward to successful completion.
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