A History of the Old Town of Stratford and the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Part II, Part 6

Author: Orcutt, Samuel, 1824-1893
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: [New Haven, Conn.], [Press of Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor]
Number of Pages: 904

USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > A History of the Old Town of Stratford and the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Part II > Part 6

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The Hatch Brothers Company are located at corner of Railroad avenue and Norman street; G. C. Hatch is pro- prietor. The business was established by Messrs. Sackley and Undy about January 1, 1885, and purchased by the present proprietor October 1, 1885. They employ about twenty hands, and produce pocket cutlery, novelties, dies

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and tools. They make regular stock goods and anything to order which may be desired, specially a fine grade of pocket knives, equal in quality to imported goods. The business is under the management of Mr. Fred Suckley, who is a prac- tical man of thirty years' experience, having commenced in the work at nine years of age, at Sheffield, England.

The Chaplin Manufacturing Company is located near the railroad depot, and was established in this city March 1, 1886. They came here from Hartford, where they continued their business about four years. The officers are : A. R. Goodrich, of Hartford, President; W. C. Mead, of Bridgeport, Secretary and Treasurer; and Hector McKen- nie, Superintendent. They manufacture anti-friction bear- ings for machinery and horse cars, and these only upon orders.

Mr. William I. Alvord occupies a part of the building at the north end of railroad depot, as a practical machinist. He formerly manufactured vegetable ivory buttons and a few specialties. He is specially engaged in inventing different articles of machinery.

Follansbee Machine Works, Mr. John S. Follansbee proprietor, occupy a part of the building at the north end of the depot, established here January 1, 1884. He is a manu- facturer of light machinery, on orders, employing about twenty-five hands. He is a practical mechanic, having devoted most of his life to this work, commencing with the Roger Williams foundry and machine works, of Providence, and afterwards superintending the Diamond Pin Company, of Boston, from which he came to Bridgeport.

Coulter and Mckenzie Machine Company occupies a part of the building at the north end of the depot, was incorporated December 1, 1882, with a stock of $7,500, doing a general machinist business, manufacturing light and heavy machine shaftings, hangers and pulleys, on orders, giving employment to about thirty hands.

Giles and Clancey's iron foundry is located at the corner of Water and Golden Hill streets, and was estab-

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History of Stratford.

lished here in January, 1876. They employ about forty hands, doing a general work, making castings of most any description, upon order.

John Hamilton is located at the corner of Middle street and Golden Hill, was established here January 1, 1871. He is a manufacturer of plumbers' brass goods, and a general work of that description, to order. He makes a regular line of goods, which are sold entirely through a Boston house, employing from ten to fifteen hands.

Hotchkiss and Malliband are located on the corner of Middle street and Golden Hill, and were established here- November 1, 1885. They manufacture all kinds of fancy colored leathers, for binders, pocket books, and hats, on contracts, employing from ten to fifteen hands.

J. Neal, successor to J. Neal and Company, is located on the corner of Middle and Golden Hill streets, and was. established here January 1, 1883. He manufactures white metal and britannia goods, canes and umbrella heads being a specialty, in hundreds of styles and descriptions, having con- tracts with New York parties for all his productions. Since moving into his new quarters, by improved processes and systematizing the business, he produces more goods with no more than six hands, and at greatly reduced prices, than formerly with thirty hands.

Watson Iron Works, located on Knowlton street in. East Bridgeport, James Watson, proprietor, was established January 1, 1884. He is successor to James Watson, Jr., who previously conducted the business four years. He manufac- tures castings and children's iron toys, employing thirty hands.

The Acme Shear Company is located on Knowlton street in East Bridgeport, and was established here in Sep- tember, 1882, with a capital of $5,000. The officers are: Dwight Wheeler, President; D. C. Wheeler, Secretary ; and J. A. Crofut, Treasurer. They employ twenty-five hands. and manufacture plain and ornamental nickel plated and japanned shears, scissors, nut crackers, ice picks, and lemon

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squeezers : also Wheeler's patent perfect screw drivers and other specialties. They have a large export trade. .

The Armstrong Manufacturing Company is lo- cated on Knowlton street in East Bridgeport, and were incorporated in March, 1886, being successors to F. Arm- strong, who had manufactured in the present locality about three years, and previous to that for about thirteen years as Armstrong and House. The present officers are: F. Arm- strong, President; John Ewing, Secretary and Treasurer ; with a stock capital of $100,000. They employ fifty hands and are continually increasing the number. They manufac- ture water, steam and gas-fitting tools, the Armstrong brace, suspender, armlets, gaiters of spiral spring, and patent panta- loon and vest buckles. The spiral springs, buckles, and metal parts for the suspenders, armlets, gaiters, and work of this kind are made by the Chapman and Armstrong Com- pany, of Waterbury, and although a separate organization, they work in conjunction with each other. Their goods are sold through their New York office, at 132 Church street.

The House Corset Machine Company is located on Knowlton street in East Bridgeport, and was incorporated January 1, 1883. They are successors of J. Alfred House, who has been engaged in the business about ten years. The officers are : J. Alfred House, President ; Emile H. Roth, Secretary and Treasurer; and Charles H. Diamond, Assist- ant Treasurer. The stock capital is $60,000, and they employ twenty-five hands. They manufacture corset machinery, and do a great amount of embroidery work for corset companies. They also lease the House patent moulding machine to sev- eral companies. They export goods extensively to England, Ireland, France, and Germany.

. The B. Goodman Manufacturing Company is located on Knowlton street, and was established in January, 1886, with a stock capital of $75,000. The officers are: B. Goodman, President and Treasurer ; T. C. Hotchkiss, Secre- tary. They manufacture elastic webbing, suspenders, panta- loon and vest buckles, clasps, purse frames, and many other articles of this kind of goods, which are sold through their

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History of Stratford.

New York office, 20 Walker street. Previous to being estab- lished here their webbing was made at Waterbury, and their different styles of buckles at Ansonia.

The Holmes and Edwards Silver Company was incorporated in 1882. George C. Edwards is President and Treasurer ; Morris W. Seymour, Vice-President; T. D. Baker, Secretary. They have salesrooms in New York, Philadelphia and Chicago. They manufacture entirely flat ware, and employ one hundred hands.

Couch and Wisner, manufacturers of ladies', misses' and children's fine shoes, are located at 430 Water street. The business was established in 1870 by Mr. Ansel H. Couch, on Fairfield avenue, and in 1878 Mr. Wisner became a partner and the firm formed as it now is. The business was continued on Fairfield avenue until 1881, when they removed to their present commodious quarters. They occupy three floors, 100 by 60 feet, with an engine and boiler room 30 by 20 feet, on the first floor. The establishment is fitted with all modern improvements in the manufacture of shoes that lessen manual labor ; among these are twenty-five stitching machines, six button-hole machines, Mckay's sole sewer, Swayne and Fuller beating-out machine, heel trimming machine, Bussell's fore-part trimmer, two Union edge setters, two Tapley heel- burnishers, one bottom buffer, and one shank buffer. The machinery is run by a twenty horse power engine, and a boiler of thirty horse power, and they have facilities for mak- ing 2,000 pair of shoes weekly. They employ about 160 operatives, about half of them men and half women.

Mr. Ansel H. Couch, the senior member of the firm, is a native of Bethel, Conn. He served his country during the rebellion, nearly four years in the First Connecticut Heavy Artillery, entering as a private and being mustered out a second lieutenant. He participated in the siege of York- town, the battle of Malvern Hill, and was under General Grant in front of Petersburg and Richmond, and is a mem- ber of the G. A. R.

Mr. Albert Wisner is a native of Warwick, N. Y., and is a thorough, practical business man. Mr. George E. Louns-

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bury, member of the shoe manufacturing establishment of Lounsbury, Matthewson and Company, of South Norwalk, is a member of this firm, although his name does not appear in the title of the company. Mr. Lounsbury is a native of Ridgefield, and has for a long time been engaged in the shoe business.

The Farist Steel Company is located on East Main street at the southern end, where they ship their goods direct on vessels at their dock on the harbor. The company was organized at Windsor Locks, Conn., in 1860, and in 1872 removed their establishment to Bridgeport, where they con- structed large, commodious buildings on a very advantageous site, their buildings covering several acres. They manufac- ture all descriptions of cast steel, hammered or rolled spiral and elliptic car springs, and railroad forging to pattern, · employing fifty skilled workmen. Their main building is 190 by 80 feet, the shop 120 by 60 feet, the gas house 110 by 90, and the spring shop 100 by 50 feet.

Mr. Joel Farist, the founder and president of the com- pany, is a native of England, and has always been engaged in his present business. His associates are: Mr. George Windsor, Secretary ; and Mr. John B. Windsor, Treasurer.

Pacific Iron Works, P. H. Skidmore and Sons, pro- prietors, are located on the corner of East Main street and East Washington avenue. This is one of the largest and oldest establishments in the city, it having been established in 1853 as a stock company, in which form it remained until 1860, when it passed into the hands of Mr. P. H. Skidmore, and the change having since been made to Skidmore and Sons. Their buildings occupy from one to one and a half acres of land. Their main building, consisting of machine and pattern shop, is 175 by 75 feet, two stories; the boiler and blacksmith shop is a one story building 200 by 60 feet ; the foundry is 200 by 75 feet, one story, besides which there are several other large buildings. Their business consists of steam engine building, boiler making, iron founding, and general machine work. They consume annually 1,000 tons of pig iron, 100 tons of bar iron, 50 tons of boiler iron, and 15 tons of brass.

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History of Stratford.

Mr. P. H. Skidmore, the senior member of the firm, is a native of Bethlehem, Conn. He represented the town of Newtown in 1870, and has held a seat in the common council of this city. Mr. P. H. Skidmore, Jr., is a native of Bethle- hem, resided in Florida six years superintending the con- struction of the St. Johns Railway, and then came to Bridge- port. Mr. Julius W. Skidmore was born in Bethlehem; has resided most of his life in this city but served in the late war for the Union. Mr. H. B. Smith is superintendent of the establishment, having been with the firm twenty-five years.

The Eaton, Cole and Burnham Company .- The officers of this corporation are: John Eaton, President; E. G. Burnham, Vice-President; E. H. Cole, Treasurer ; J. C. Bloom, Assistant Treasurer, and W. H. Douglas, Secretary.

Their works are located on Water extending through to Main street and occupy a considerable portion of the part of the block bounded and formed by the intersection of these two streets.

Their New York office and warehouses are located at 82 and 84 Fulton street, from which place their goods are dis- tributed to all parts of the United States and foreign countries.

Mr. E. G. Burnham, the founder of this industry, is a native of Massachusetts, and learned his trade at a time when metals and fuel for melting had to be carted from the seacoast by horses. Mr. Burnham came to Bridgeport in 1860, and soon after engaged in the manufacture of brass and iron valves, cocks and goods used for steam, water and gas. The busi- ness grew rapidly till in 1875 he associated himself with Messrs. Eaton and Cole, a firm doing business in the same line of goods in New York, and the present company was formed with a capital of $350,000. The formation of this company was the occasion of additional production, necessi- tating increased facilities and enlarged works for manufactur- ing the constantly increasing variety of goods peculiar to this business. These have steadily grown in volume till now they employ over 500 persons, and are at present erecting a build- ing and providing facilities for a still further increase in their production and the number of employees. Great care and

Works of The Eaton Cole && Burnham Co. Bridgeport Conu.

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pains are necessary in preparing the goods for the purposes for which they are to be used, and this is particularly true of goods intended for use in the petroleum districts, of which they make a very large quantity and variety. The manage- ment of the works is wholly in Mr. Burnham's charge, which he untiringly administers and yet finds time to attend to his duties as a public spirited citizen, being at the present time a member of the Board of Public Works in this city.

The Bridgeport Cart Company was established in this city in 1883. Mr. F. L. Perry, the proprietor, while a nurseryman at Canandaigua, N.Y., received a severe personal injury, after which he conveyed himself about in a vehicle, but the kind he used being uncomfortable, he devoted himself to construct a better one. In this he succeeded and secured a patent for his invention, and soon after established himself in Bridgeport as a manufacturer of carts of this kind, in which he has succeeded beyond his expectations. This article differs from others simply in the application of the patent spring, which is so constructed that it may be applied to any style of body.

Bridgeport Button Works are located at 249 Water street. Mr. James E. Donnelly is the proprietor, and manufac- tures ladies' covered dress buttons. The business was estab- lished in 1864 by the Bridgeport Button Company, at its present location, and was conducted as a stock company until 1868, when the present proprietor purchased the business and changed the title to the present form. Mr. Donnelly learned the business during a number of years spent in the establish- ment of Messrs. W. R. Hitchcock and Goddard Brothers, of Waterbury. He occupies two stories 100 by 23 feet, and manu- factures, besides ladies' covered dress buttons, undertakers' covered buttons, silk, gold and silver covered tacks of all sizes, and many other like articles. The coverings are imported from Europe, the fillings are of iron, brass, tin and paper. He employs 125 persons, principally girls. Mr. Donnelly is a native of Waterbury, came here in 1866, and served as super- intendent of the company before purchasing the business.

The Parrott Varnish Company is located at 187 North Washington avenue, and is a prosperous enterprise. In

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1846, Mr. Frederick W. Parrott, having given his attention some years as a cabinet maker to the manufacture of varnish, com- menced the business as a distinctive enterprise. This he fol- lowed with good success until 1869, when he associated with himself his son Henry R. Parrott, and his son-in-law John D. Whitney. By strict attention to business and the manufacture of the best quality of goods, the industry has increased from a small beginning to large and influential proportions. The increasing demand for their varnishes from all quarters of the globe, has given them a world-wide reputation.

Mr. Frederick Wells Parrott was born in Bridge- port, July 25th, 1806, and is still quite an active, stirring man. His great grandfather, Capt. Jedediah F. Wells, and his grand- father, Capt. Jedediah Wells, were also residents of this town, the former being the owner of considerable portion of the southern part of the territory of the City of Bridgeport, and the latter was a soldier of the War of 1812. The direct line of ancestry of this Wells family runs back through John Wells, one of the early settlers of Stratford, who was the son of Thomas Wells, of Hartford and Wethersfield, Conn., one of the early governors of the Connecticut colony.

Mr. Parrott, in 1827, commenced business as a manufac- turer of furniture, and built, some years later, the first sofa and hearse that were ever used in Bridgeport. While en- gaged in the furniture business his attention was directed towards the manufacture of varnishes, which he commenced in 1846, and laid the foundation for the present firm, known as the Parrott Varnish Company, which was organized in 1869. Mr. Parrott has been in active business over half a century, and, so far as ascertained, is the only man still in active life who was thus engaged fifty years ago. He has always taken great interest in local affairs, and has been prom- inently identified with the municipal government, in which he served as alderman, member of the Common Council, and board of road and bridge commissioners. His best service to the town was undoubtedly as first selectman, which posi- tion he held during the late civil war. His unbounded con-

› See genealogy in this book.

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Frederick We Parrott)

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fidence in the justice and final success of the cause, and his strict business integrity, enabled him to fill the Bridgeport quotas for troops rapidly and with great financial success. He married, in 1827, Miss Lucelia A. Remer, of Derby, Conn. Their golden wedding was celebrated May 17, 1877, and one feature of which was the presentation, by the Ladies' Chari- table Society, of a beautiful silver piece, for fruit and flowers, to Mrs. Parrott, she being one of the oldest living members, having joined it the year after her marriage.

The Bridgeport Spring Company manufacture car- riage, coach and wagon springs, and are located at the corner of Main street and East Washington avenue. They were incorporated in 1864, with Edwin Banks President and Treas- urer, and William H. Rockwell, Secretary. The buildings cover an area of 200 by 125 feet, two stories in height. About 500 tons of steel are worked into springs during a year by the labor of about seventy-five skilled workmen. Mr. Edwin Banks is a native of Greenfield Hill, Conn., and Mr. William H. Rockwell is a native of Ridgefield, Conn., and has held the position of councilman and alderman in this city.

The Bridgeport Paper Company was incorporated in September, 1883, with a capital stock of $150,000. The officers are : R. M. Pulsifer, President ; C. Canfield, Secretary ; J. E. Stone, Treasurer. They are located in North Bridge- port and manufacture various kinds of paper for newspapers.

Bridgeport Electric Light Company is located in John street and was incorporated in 1884. The officers are : President, Joel Farist ; Secretary, H. D. Stanley ; Treasurer, E. G. Burnham. They manufacture electric light for the city.

Union Metallic Cartridge Company was incorpo- rated in 1867. The officers are : M. Hartley, of New York, President and Treasurer ; A. C. Hobbs, Superintendent. The stock capital is $300,000. See on another page.

Wheel and Wood Bending Company is located at 77 John street, with a capital stock of $60,000. The officers are: Horace Smith, President; H. W. Smith, Secretary ; Eli C. Smith, Treasurer.

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History of Stratford.

The Wales Wheel Company was incorporated in 1881. The officers are : Henry Wales, President ; T. F. Wales, Sec- retary ; H. A. Wales, Treasurer ; Leon A. Abbott, Superin- tendent. They are located on the corner of Thompson street and Housatonic avenue. The capital stock is $25,000.

Bridgeport Coach Lace Company is located at 88 John street. Nathan Buckingham, President; F. J. Nara- more, Secretary ; Charles F. Wood, Treasurer. The direct- ors are : Charles F. Wood, Nathan Buckingham, Enoch P. Hincks, F. J. Naramore. The capital stock is $15,000.

Bridgeport Elastic Webb Company is located at 114 John street, with a capital stock of $50,000. The officers are : Edward Sterling, President; E. W. Marsh, Secretary ; F. B. Hawley, Treasurer.

The Bridgeport Forge Company was organized in January, 1883, with a capital of- $150,000, and is located at the foot of Howard avenue. The officers are: President, Charles H. Pierce; Secretary and Treasurer, William F. Pinkham; Superintendent, Benjamin Fletcher, Jr. They manufacture wrought iron and steel forgings of all kinds, and are particularly equipped for marine and engine work of the heaviest descriptions. Their steam hammers and machine tools are the most powerful in the eastern States. Their locality on an inlet of the Sound, affords facilities for shipments of some of their goods by water, and a side track of the New York and New Haven railroad gives ready trans- portation by that method.

The Bridgeport Copper Company was organized in June, 1885, with a capital of $50,000. The officers are : Pres- ident, A. F. Migeon; Treasurer, Charles H. Pierce ; Secre- tary, William F. Pinkham. They are the sole refiners of the product of the Parrot Silver and Copper Company, of Butte, Montana, and acting as the Eastern fiscal agents for said Western company. Their refined copper is marketable both in this country and in Europe, and is known as the P. S. C. brand. The company's works here are located in connection with the forge company, although entirely a separate industry.

Bridgeport.

The Great Fire of 1845 .- Reference has been made several times to the destruction of houses and stores by fire in 1845. The accompanying cut illustrates somewhat the extent of the injury done. The fire was first discovered

WALL ST

BANK ST

STATE ST

119 18 15

UNION ST

THE BURNED DISTRICT OF BRIDGEPORT IN 1845.

HARBOR

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MAIN STREET

STREET

8 765432 1 23

WATER

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History of Stratford.

about half past one o'clock in the morning of December 12, 1845, in a large wooden building on the south side of Bank street, near Water, occupied by George A. Wells (A), as a boarding house and oyster saloon. It originated in the cel- lar, where there was a quantity of shavings and wood stored for fuel. It had made considerable progress before it was discovered, and it spread so rapidly that the family of Mr. Wells had time only to save themselves and a few articles of furniture. The weather was bitter cold, with a light breeze from the north and northwest. The alarm being given the firemen responded as quickly as possible, but their facilities for extinguishing the fire were very limited, the tide being low in the harbor they were unable to obtain any water, and therefore were powerless. Under these circumstances the fire spread until a large proportion of the business part of the city was destroyed. The number of buildings destroyed · were forty-nine, all being built with wood; the letters and figures on the accompanying chart refer to descriptions of parties who owned or rented these buildings, as found in the Municipal Register of the city for 1882. The amount of loss was estimated at $150,000, on which there was an insurance of $80,000.

Bridgeport Post Office.'-Previous to the year 1800 the village of Newfield, consisting of a few stores on Water street and a few residences on Main and State streets, was a part of, and, as a business place, only an appendage to the town of Stratford, at which latter place all the town, probate and post office business was transacted. At that date the place arose to the dignity of the borough of Bridgeport, and, under the administration of Thomas Jefferson, a post office was established, and Amos B. Fairman appointed postmaster April 1, 1801. Mr. Fairman is believed to have been the proprietor of the public house located on the southwest corner of Wall and Water streets, afterwards known as the Washington Hotel, the business of the post office being conducted in the north room of the building, which was

· Contributed by F. W. Smith, an ex-postmaster, for the Bridgeport Municipal Register for 1876.

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occupied as a drug store. The western terminus of the Bridgeport Bridge was then at the foot of Wall street, which made this point a convenient stopping place for the change of the mails.

Mr. Benjamin Bostwick soon afterward became the pro- prietor of the hotel, and he and his son Charles Bostwick- subsequently mayor of Bridgeport-held the office of post- master from 1804 to 1810. At that time the mail was brought from New York by a four horse stage coach, and arrived between eight or nine o'clock or later in the evening, accord- ing to the condition of the roads. The entrance of the stage into the village was signalled by the long sounding of the horn, as it came down what was then an ordinary road, but is now State street. Mr. Bostwick removed his business and the office about 1809 to the corner of Bank and Water streets, and remained postmaster until he sold his business to Jesse Sterling, when he resigned the office and Mr. Sterling was appointed his successor. Not long after, a block of wooden buildings was erected, called then " the new block," and Mr. Sterling removed his business and the post office into the store next to Hamilton's drug store, now occupied by Albert J. Wentworth, fruit dealer, number 70 State street. The office accommodations at that time consisted of a sort of upright show case about thirty inches long by twenty-four inches wide, located at the rear of the store, and upon the mantel over the fire place, arranged behind tapes were placed the letters. Upon the opening of the mail it was the custom to call the names of persons for whom there were letters, and thus the whole village were able to keep track of each other's correspondence.

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A History of the Old Town of Stratford and the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Part II, Part 6

Author: Orcutt, Samuel, 1824-1893 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: [New Haven, Conn.], [Press of Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor] Number of Pages: 904

Author: Orcutt, Samuel, 1824-1893
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: [New Haven, Conn.], [Press of Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor]
Number of Pages: 904