USA > Connecticut > Tolland County > Vernon > A century of Vernon, Connecticut, 1808-1908 > Part 2
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
problems that confront us as a town today are vastly different from the problems our fathers had to deal with when the town was incorporated, and for many years after its incorporation. As has been truly said, they are no longer problems of con- struction, but problems of maintenance. In chronicling the events of these later days the historian must deal with plain, unvarnished facts, crowding a maximum of historic information into a minimum of space.
While it will be necessary in some instances to go a decade or two back of the Civil War to properly describe conditions and chronicle events during the modern period of Vernon's his- tory, the Civil War is the point of demarcation between the early and the modern history of the town. In the summary of the town's early history the reader was given a clear idea of what Vernon did for her brave and loyal sons, who enlisted for the war, and what they in turn did for their country. The first chapter of the modern history introduces the reader to the return of these soldiers, showing the conditions that existed in the town of Vernon following the war.
When the news of Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox reached Vernon, there was great rejoicing and a notable demonstration. One by one the Boys-in-Blue came back to their old homes and their families, conscious of having discharged the highest duty of American citizenship. Of the three hundred enlisted men from Vernon, who responded to the great moral call of the Civil War, many lost their lives on the various battlefields or died of wounds in hospitals or elsewhere. Practically all of Vernon's mill owners showed the right spirit toward their employees who answered their country's call in its time of dire need, and toward their families who were left at home, in many cases to battle with life alone. The American Mills' conduct along these lines was particularly noteworthy.
VERNON AND THE WAR WITH SPAIN.
Just a third of a century after one of the grandest wars ever fought by man for man, the tocsin of war again sounded throughout the land. This time the United States was forced
GROUP PHOTOGRAPH OF COMPANY C, taken on Union Church steps in May, 1898, previous to departure of company for Niantic to be mustered into the United States service.
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
to teach Spain a lesson. Because she persisted in the practices of the fifteenth century in the closing years of the nineteenth century, refusing to advance with the modern laws of humanity, we entered upon a unique war, standing alone amidst all the wars of history. The young men who marched through Rockville's streets on May 4, 1898 were the exact counterpart of the young men of '61. Never in Rockville's history was there more patriotism displayed than when Company C left for Nian- tic to be mustered into the United States service. Over five thousand people saw them off. Public buildings and private residences were covered with "Old Glory," business was suspended and the boys departed amid cheers and tears. It was a source of great satisfaction to know that the manufacturers had made arrangements to provide for the families whose husbands or other members enlisted for the war. The sum of $25 per month was given to the married men and $15 per month to the single men. Company C was the banner company of the regi- ment, a greater percentage of its men having passed the rigid medical examination, which goes to show that the men were in their prime and enjoyed vigorous health.
The First Regiment having been assigned to the peaceful department of the East, Company C boys did not get into the thick of the fight. They sacrificed much, however. Some died, while others endured long sieges of sickness. That they did not go across the waters was no fault of theirs. They offered themselves, as did the boys of '61, for any sacrifice which might be called for.
They were gone away from home a few days over six months, spending the time after leaving Niantic at Jerry's Point, Ports- mouth, N. H. and Camp Alger, Va. They received a grand ovation and reception on their return to Rockville on the even- ing of November 9, 1898.
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
ROSTER OF COMPANY C WHEN MUSTERED INTO THE UNITED STATES SERVICE AT CAMP HAVEN, NIANTIC, MAY 17, 1898, BY LIEUTENANT ROWAN, U. S. ARMY.
OFFICERS. Captain-Martin Laubscher.
Lieutenants-1st, John Paul Haun ; 2nd, Frederick W. Chapman First Sergeant-James H. Barnett. Sergeants-Quartermaster, Francis Murray; Charles B. Milne, Arthur W. Gyngell, *James W. Milne, Albert E. Usher. Corporals-1st, William F. Schillinger ; 2nd, Webster Kaye; 3rd, William M. Hefferon ; 4th, Arthur A. Gerich; 5th, William J. Breen ; 6th, Albert E. M. Profe.
Musicians-William J. Finley, Walter F. McCray. Artificer-Henry M. Seipt. Wagoner-George B. McClellan.
Privates-George N. Aborn, Charles R. Anderson, Sylvester E. Arnold, Ernest E. Austin, Albert C. Bartlett, James A. Beaumont, Charles E. Binch, Richard Brache, Frank S. Breen, Hugo Broll, Harry J. Brown, Elmer W. Cahoon, Frank D. Chadwick, Richard G. Champion, Perlin L. Charter, Wilbur F. Charter, Jesse Clift, William J. Connolly, John Connors 2d., Jewett Collum, Philip Diedering, Jr., John Donovan, Frank P. Dowd, Francis F. Einsiedel, James B. Farrell, Francis P. Fitzpatrick, Joseph H. Flynn, Otto Flossbach, David E. Fox, Herman P. Franz, John E. Gawtrey, Thomas F. Golden, George F. Gorham, *Felix Gross, Manville Grum- back, John F. Haun, John J. Hecker, George A. Hewitt, Andrew Hopf, Squire Jackson, James S. Jones, Martin T. Leamy, Robert H. Lehmann, Jason D. Lowell, Charles F. Ludwig, James H. Lutton, Joseph H. Lutz, Thomas P. Lynch, William E. Lyons, Matthew McNamara, Philip J. Mahr, Frank L. Manion, Ferdinand A. Matthewson, George Meyer, *Died of typhoid fever, contracted while in the service of the United States.
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
George H. Miller, Thomas L. Millot, Thomas F. Moore, John C. Murphy, John L. Murphy, John W. Murphy, William C. Murphy, Patrick J. McCollough, Donald K. McLagen, Matt- hew N. Nahigian, Thomas F. Newbury, Francis M. Norton, John J. O'Neil, William Phillips, Frederick J. A. H. Profe, James J. Quinn, Robert H. Rau, Charles H. Rauschenbach, John Regan, Emil R. Schwerwitzky, Carl C. Schmeiske, Emil W. Schmeiske, Ernest A. Sharpe, Isaac Simms, John H. Smith, Freedrick W. Stengel, Henry H. Tracy, Herman C. Wagner, Charles J. Waidner, Anthony Wannegar, Walter J. Willis, Howard Winchell.
Charles H. Thrall, son of Mr. and Mrs. Julius S. Thrall of this city, who was in Havana, Cuba, previous to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, in charge of an electric light station, had a thrilling experience that he is likely to remember as long as he lives. After war had been declared, Mr. Thrall, who had been in this country, set sail for Cuba, where he was employed in the interests of the United States government and as a correspondent for the New York papers. He was taken a prisoner, with others, at Salado Beach by two companies of Spanish batteries. He was conducted to the Cuban fortress, Morro Castle, by seven of the Civil Guards and confined there. He was finally exchanged. The incidents surrounding his cap- ture would form a very interesting chapter.
During the Spanish-American War Dr. Thomas F. Rockwell of this city was major and surgeon on the staff of General Charles L. Burdett, having volunteered his services. On May 4, 1898, he was appointed post surgeon of the military post at Niantic, Conn., under Brigadier-General George Haven, and he served as consulting surgeon in the First Division Hospital at Camp Alger, Va. His military career has been a long and honorable one.
UPHOLDING MILITARY TRADITIONS.
Shortly after the close of the Civil War a Grand Army Post was organized in this city, but owing to dissensions in the ranks of its members it was short lived. It was one of the pioneer
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
posts of the state. After its disbandment, a Veterans' Associa- tion was formed among many of the local veterans of the Rebellion to perpetuate the memory of departed soldiers who had taken part in the memorable conflict from '61 to '65. Bur- pee Post, No. 71, Department of Connecticut G. A. R. was organized April 23, 1884, with twenty-three charter members, of whom the following are living: A. Park Hammond, D. F. Andrews, Willard Griswold, W. B. Root, H. M. Willis, J. H. Newell, L. N. Charter, John Thompson, Arthur A. Hyde and H. W. Coye. George N. Brigham was the first post commander and Charles W. Wood the post's first adjutant. Since the organization of the post to the present time one hundred and twenty-five veterans have enrolled their names on the membership book. The post is named in honor of the gallant Colonel Burpee of the Twenty-first Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, who was killed at the battle of Cold Harbor on the morning of June 9, 1864 while acting as brigade officer of the day. Colonel Burpee was a Rockville boy. Harvey Davis is the present commander and Julius H. Newell is adjutant.
Burpee Woman's Relief Corps, which has done noble work, co-operating in a splendid manner with Burpee Post, was organ- ized on January 15, 1886 with a membership of about twenty-five. Its present membership is one hundred and fifty-three. Mrs. Anna Dickinson is president. It stood first in the state last year in amount of money given for relief work.
Alden Skinner Camp, No. 45, Sons of Veterans, is named in honor of Alden Skinner, a surgeon of the Twenty-fifth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, who died March 30, 1863, of malarious typhoid fever, contracted in the service of his country. It was orgainzed May 7, 1890 with twenty charter members. William F. Loomis was captain and Frank B. McPherson, first ser- geant. Its present commander is John Felber and its secre- tary is H. L. Symonds.
Growing out of the Spanish-American War a camp of Spanish War Veterans was organized in Rockville on May 17, 1908, by
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
Department Commander Henry H. Saunders. The camp is known as James W. Milne Camp, in honor of Sergeant James W. Milne, who lost his life as the result of contracting typhoid fever in that war. It started with twenty-four charter members and its present membership is thirty-four. The adjutant's report at last division encampment showed that the camp had made the largest gain in member- ship of any of the camps. Martin Laubscher was the first commander, and Arthur W. Gyngell is the present com- mander.
Back in the early forties there was a military company in Rockville. It was commanded by Captain Chauncey Hibbard and was part of the old state militia. Captain Hibbard being a natural drillmaster, the company furnished many officers dur- ing the Civil War and many men who enlisted in that memor- able conflict received their first training in this company, and it proved valuable training. The company, which was known as Company C, subsequent to the war finally disbanded. On February 25, 1890, a company was organized in Rockville and was accepted as a part of the state militia, taking the name of Company C. The late Sheriff Amasa P. Dick- inson was captain, Frederick H. Linker, first lieutenant and Martin Laubscher second lieutenant. For several years the com- pany led the regiment in figures of merit. The present officers of the company are : Captain, James H. Lutton ; first lieutenant, Michael J. O'Connell ; second lieutenant, Albert E. Scharf.
The Hammond Drum Corps, organized by J. C. Hammond, Jr., brought fame to Rockville back in the early seventies. It participated in a great many memorable parades in various parts of the country. It continued in existence for several years, finally reorganizing. It has held several notable reunions.
Rockville has had several good bands in its history, but is without a local band at the present time.
VERNON AND HER INDUSTRIES.
Snipsic Lake, as a water power, has contributed very largely to the prosperity of the town of Vernon. Through its outlet
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
down
the winding, sinuous Hockanum, it pours a grade of two hundred and fifty-six feet to the mile and a half into the valley below, furnishing one of the finest and most easily available water powers to be found in America. The water possesses a superior quality, which gives it a special value. The supply is practically inexhaustible, and the descent is so rapid and steady that the power may be used over and over again, at surprisingly short intervals. To the genius of "Snip," as it is affectionately known, Rockville is indebted for its growth and development during the past cen- tury. The beautiful Hockanum is the magic wand which has transformed an unfertile, unpromising, and what appeared at one time to be a worthless tract of land, into a thriving city of substantial mills, modern streets and beautiful residences. By its invisible arm, gravitation, Snipsic daily sets in motion nearly a score of water wheels, and for the space of more than a mile the Hockanum is literally studded with shops and factories. "Snip" is the ruling, the motive power, men and machinery be- ing but the agents to do its bidding.
Aside from its importance as a motive power to run ma- chinery, Snipsic Lake is a very interesting and attractive spot. Indeed, situated as it is, in the Tolland hills, it is one of Con- necticut's most beautiful glimpses of forest and water. In its setting and adornment Nature has been most prodigal of her charms. Few New England lakes surpass it in beauty, although in size it is not large, covering five hundred and twenty-five acres. The original lake was half that. It is five hundred and fifteen feet above the sea level. Prior to 1847 Snipsic dam was five feet and ten inches high; in 1847 ten feet were added; in 1864, seven feet, in 1872, three feet and eight inches, making the present dam twenty-six feet and six inches from bottom to coping. From top of the dam to and including Windermere privilege, the Hockanum River, fed by Snipsic Lake, has a fall of three hundred and nine feet.
The company's first main in 1847 was an 8-inch cement pipe, and the first line of pipe came down to what was then a reser- voir basin in Central Park. This reservoir basin,
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
which was piped, supplied the lower part of the village. In 1866 a 12-inch cast iron main was laid in place of the 8-inch main. In 1893 and 1894 a 20-inch cast iron main was laid, which extends as far as the corner of West Main Street and Vernon Avenue. On Union, Prospect and Brooklyn Streets 10-inch mains have been laid and on all the other city streets 6-inch mains are in use.
Snipsic furnishes Rockville with its domestic water supply, which is of great abundance, superior quality, with good gravity and high pressure service. The business is conducted by the Rockville Water and Aqueduct Company, which at the present time is largely composed of the mill owners of the city. Originally a stock affair, it was organized in October, 1847, with a capital of $7,000. The first meeting was held at the Leeds office on November 11, 1847. George Kellogg was the first president and Phineas Talcott first secretary and treas- urer. In 1866 the needs of the village demanded better service than the old company with its limited capital and capacity could give. Having secured a charter from the legislature at the May session in the above named year, the company was reorganized with J. J. Robinson as president and J. C. Hammond, Jr., as secretary and treasurer. A. Park Hammond is the president of the company at the present time and J. C. Hammond, Jr., the present secretary and treasurer, has served the company in this capacity for forty-four consecutive years - a remarkable record. The company has kept pace with the growth of the town and at the present time has one hundred and fourteen city hydrants, about fifty private hydrants, and about twenty miles of pipe. Prior to 1894 the high service was supplied by wells and cisterns. In 1904 the present pumping station and standpipe were erected.
The office was located in the New England Mill until 1877, when it was moved to a room in the rear of the Citizens' Block, where the post office was then located. Since June, 1890, it has been located on the second floor in the Rockville National Bank Building.
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
Snipsic Lake is conceded to be the best illustration of an artificial reservoir to be found in Connecticut, if not in the country.
The most important event in the history of the local water company was the consolidation that took place between the old Rockville Water Power Company and the Rockville Aqueduct Company. On March 1, 1893, a special enactment drawn by the late A. P. Hyde was obtained from the General Assembly, merging and consolidating the two companies. A meeting was held in the Rock Mill office, at which a charter was adopted. All the mill owners and manufacturers were present, and they became interested in the new company. Previous to the consoli- dation, the Rockville Water Power Company had to do largely with water for power purposes, while the Rockville Aqueduct Company was interested principally in water for domestic pur- poses.
Vernon's era of industrial pursuits arrived in the early twen- ties. Their development during the germinating period, how- ever, was not exempt from adverse influences. "Industries," as understood in our modern classification were not any too prom- inent during the early period of the town's history, the period from the date of the incorporation of the town in 1808 down to 1845. As these have been referred to in the preceding pages under the head, "Early History," it isn't necessary to again call attention to them. There is a vast difference between early and modern industrial life. With the growth of the years a change swept over the community-a change likely to sweep over any community with a similar environment, surroundings and conditions.
The first notable expansion in the industrial life of Vernon took place in the forties, and it can be truthfully said that the years 1847, 1848 and 1849, marked a distinct epoch-an epoch of industrial progress. The mills built during these years greatly added to the volume of business and enhanced the material prosperity of the town. The panic of 1857, which was national, paralyzing industries all over the country, hit Vernon hard and there was an extended period of business depression.
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
There was no marked rally until the breaking out of the Civil War, when there was an urgent demand for goods for army pur- poses. The Rockville mills, like mills in other places, had de- sirable contracts. Those mills that did not care to take army contracts found a ready market for all the goods they could manufacture. During the years of the war, and immediately following the war up to 1865, times were good and optimism prevailed in the industrial life of the town. While there was a gradual growth and development, there was no marked period of expansion akin to the expansion of '49. In the fifties, over- seers in the Rockville mills earned from $1.50 to $2.50 per day, and other mill help was paid in proportion. The salaries paid to the mill officers were not large. George Kellogg, affection- ately known as "Uncle George," head of the Rock Mill for many years, received the very modest salary of $1,000. A. C. Crosby, superintendent of the same mill, received what was considered then a very high salary, $1,500. When Thomas M. Barrows was engaged to come to Rockville and manage the American Mills at a salary of $2,500 per year, many of the other mill owners were actually scandalized. After the close of the war, a readjustment took place owing to changed financial conditions. When Lee surrendered at Appomattox, gold was selling at 270, and the cost of living had greatly increased. While naturally there was an inflation in wages, it didn't begin to compare with the increased cost of living. From 1865, up to the present time, Vernon's industrial life has shown a slow but healthy growth. Old concerns have passed away, new concerns have come, addi- tions and enlargements have been going on. There have been periods of industrial activity and depression. Small industries have expanded into gigantic corporations with millions of capi- tal, until today the town of Vernon enjoys an international reputation as a great woolen center.
At the present time there are twelve manufacturing concerns in the town of Vernon doing business on a large scale. They are for the most part corporations chartered by the state. There are, however, several smaller enterprises conducted by private firms. Of the twelve companies nine are engaged in the manufacture
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S 'HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
of fine woolen and worsted goods. These are the Hockanum, Springville, New England and Minterburn Mills, the Rock Manufacturing Company, the American Mills Company, the James J. Regan Manufacturing Company, Talcott Brothers and the Rockville Worsted Company.
The goods of many of the companies exhibited at Chicago in competition with the best English, French and German makers were unhesitatingly pronounced by expert judges to be equal, if not superior, to any worsted goods in the manufacturing depart- ment. Thus as a result of this exhibition, it has been shown beyond peradventure of doubt that, so far as quality of goods is concerned, our American manufacturers have nothing to fear from foreign competition, and it has also been proved that Rock- ville stands at the very forefront, the products of its woolen manufacturing plants commanding world-wide attention and challenging the admiration of expert judges in the woolen in- dustry.
To show the great reputation of the goods produced in the factories of the Hockanum Mills Company, it may be said that they have made suits to be worn at the inauguration by three different presidents of the United States, the Springville Com- pany having made the suit worn by President Harrison, the Hockanum Company the suit worn by President Mckinley, and the Springville Company the suit worn by President Roosevelt.
The cloth of which these different suits was made was sold thereafter as among the highest price fabrics on the market, and were named "Inauguration" cloth, "Mckinley" cloth and "Presidential" cloth, respectively.
The cloths were all similar fabrics, being black undressed worsted made of the very finest counts of yarn used in men's wear goods. These yarns took many months to produce, as they were from the very finest selected wool that could be obtained by taking the very best lots from an immense quantity of wool. The goods were London shrunk at the mills and were turned out with a very soft and beautiful finish.
The mills of this association made the first men's wear goods that were produced in this country from worsted yarn. The
HOUSE WHERE WOOLEN MANUFACTURING was first started in town of Vernon.
IN 1804, JOHN WARBURTON utilized this "lower" privilege as a wool- carding plant.
PIONEER WOOLEN FACTORY from which Rockville derives its name. Old Rock Woolen Factory erected in 1821 by Colonel Francis McLean.
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FIRST MILL IN VERNON -- Built in 1795-6 by John Warburton on this site.
FIRST WOOLEN MILLS in Rockville. Twin mills erected by E. Nash on the old Hockanum site about 1814.
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
Hockanum Mill has undoubted proof of this from testimony of yarn manufacturers, that their books showed the first sales of worsted yarn to any men's wear mills were made to the Hock- anum.
Prior to 1841-42 the only goods manufactured by the New England Mill were cotton warps. It was decided to commence the manufacture of all -- wool fancy "Kerseymeres," and the new looms came from the original George Crompton. It was from Mr. Crompton that Captain Hammond learned designing. The New England Company's looms turned out the first all-wool "Fancies" made in America.
In 1906 the Hockanum Mills Company was organized as a holding corporation by the stockholders of the Hockanum, Springville, New England and Minterburn Companies, with a view to centralizing the business. The capital stock is $6,000,000. Under the new plan the four mills combined for the buying of raw material. The selling of the finished product has also been facilitated by the change.
The officers of the Hockanum Mills Company at the present time are:
President-F. T. Maxwell.
Vice-President-Robert Maxwell.
Secretary and Treasurer-William Maxwell.
General Superintendent-David A. Sykes.
Assistant General Superintendent-Charles S. Bottomley. Assistant Treasurer and Paymaster-A. Park Hammond. Purchasing Agent-M. C. Mason.
Assistant Paymaster-George B. Hammond.
Office Managers-Hockanum, J. E. Maynard; New England, George B. Hammond; Minterburn, S. Tracy Noble.
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