USA > Connecticut > Tolland County > Vernon > A century of Vernon, Connecticut, 1808-1908 > Part 4
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seventeen years he was in the employ of the Adams Express Company, carrying the mail to and from the post office until the New York and New England Railroad Company took the road over. John Shanley was the first brakeman and "Sam" Eaton the first fire- man. In these days the little ticket office was about two third., its present size. It was used as a freight office, and in April, 1864, Edward R. Pillsbury entered the freight office and at- tended to the books, selling tickets part of the time. He served the company with marked fidelity for a period of seventeen years. Retiring from the railroad company, he took up the transformation of that part of the city known as Pillsbury Hill.
On the first Monday in October, 1869, while the town of Vernon was voting money out of the town treasury for town expenses a big washout occurred doing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage to property belonging to the town and individuals and ruining the Rockville Railroad. As the
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
company had no money and as the Hartford, Providence and Fishkill Road made a very tempting proposition, it was thought best to accept it and the Rockville Railroad was leased to the above company and run by them for about fifteen years. After- ward it was leased by the New York and New England Company, which paid a rental of about $4,500. For several years it was operated by the "Consolidated," the company simply paying a nominal rent for it. In 1875 the Connecticut Central Road was built from East Hartford to Springfield, and there was a branch from Rockville to Melrose, known as the Melrose Branch, which made connections with the Connecticut Central. Eventually all these roads passed into the hands of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company.
People living here today can recall the little "Betsy" and "Schenipsit" locomotives, nicknamed teakettles, so small, that it has been said that if they jumped the track, the passengers would get out and assist in putting them back on again.
A whole chapter could easily be devoted to the various men in the employ of the Rockville Railroad Company nearly fifty years ago, but limited space forbids but a passing reference to a few. Amos H. Putnam succeeded W. R. Orcutt as superintendent of the road. Henry Vanness must not be forgotten. He is a real old-timer, whose railroad career dates back into the teaming time, when the late "Father" Corey ran a teaming line into Hartford. Mr. Vanness commenced work for the railroad com- pany September 1, 1864, in the freight department. He served in this department about three years and was then given the po- sition of baggage master and brakeman. At that time the company sent a combination car through to Hartford to save the transfer of passengers and baggage at Vernon. He was in charge of this car for about nine years. He also acted as brake- man and switchman in the yard at Rockville. A. H. Putnam, who was superintendent of the branch, also conducted the trains. Owing to poor health Mr. Putnam did not feel able to protect the last runs so he permitted Mr. Vanness to do it for him. The last run in at that time was about eleven o'clock at night. In August, 1879, Mr. Vanness commenced
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
running the train regularly, making about twenty-eight years he served as conductor. On January 1, 1880 he received from his Rockville friends and others along the line between Rockville and Hartford, a solid gold badge, representing a lantern and containing a single diamond to repre- sent the light. It bore the complimentary inscription "Semper Paratus." The late "Father" Corey did teaming for the mills in the early days of the town, Henry was in his employ. He was the only driver he had that he didn't worry about when he didn't get back on time. He knew Henry was doing his best at all times. In his long acquaintance with him he said often to friends that he never knew Henry to swear, tell a lie, drink or forget an errand. When the road was leased to the New England it was necessary for Henry Vanness to get a certificate of character, so to speak, and the best recommendation his towns- men could give him was the one given by "Father" Corey, his former employer, and it was accordingly embodied in a letter sent in by one of the officials of the Rockville Railroad.
On May 24, 1907 the railroad company retired Mr. Vanness on a liberal life pension in recognition of his faithful and effi- cient service, he having been connected with the company in various capacities for a period of nearly forty-three years. So far as known, he was the only colored railroad conductor in the country. Mr. Vanness is living in our midst enjoying the respect and esteem of all.
Although there was a branch railroad from Rockville to Ver- non, connecting with trains going west to Hartford and points beyond, and going east to Willimantic and points beyond, the facilities for getting in and out of Rockville were very meager until within the past decade. The town of Vernon and city of Rockville had no trolley until 1898. On Saturday, January 8, of that year Rockville became connected with the outside world by trolley. On that day the first car was run by the Hartford, Manchester and Rockville Tramway Company. It was a memor- able and never to be forgotten day in the town's history, and marked a new epoch in transportation. Owing to many obstacles that had to be overcome the trolley was a long time coming, and
BUILT IN 1809-Homestead of Ozias Grant on the site of original log cabin built by Samuel Grant, which was the first house in Rockville.
BUILT PRIOR TO REVOLUTION- First hotel in Vernon, called "Waffle" Tavern because of famous
waffles that were cooked there.
OLD KING STAGE HOUSE where Marquis Lafayette stopped on his visit to the United States .
CONDUCTOR
HENRY VANNESS,
In the Railroad Service for Nearly Forty-three Years. Retired May 24, 1907, on Liberal Life Pension. (Courtesy of Rockville Journal).
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
when it actually arrived there was genuine rejoicing and the patronage from the outset was large. In January, 1906 the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company assumed control, having purchased the road from the Shaw Syndicate. The road today is operated under the name of the Connecticut Company.
The opening of the trolley road from Warehouse Point to Rockville forms an interesting chapter in the transportation his- tory of the town of Vernon and was an event of much importance to Ellington people, whose transportation facilities for reaching Rockville up to this time were very meager. The first car over the road reached Rockville about one o'clock in the afternoon on May 18, 1906. The road
was opened to regular traffic on Sunday, May 20. The week beginning May 21 marked a notable celebration in which Rockville business men rejoiced. During the day the city was gaily decorated and at night the illuminations were brilliant, all in honor of the opening of the road. There were free band concerts and free vaudeville day and evening for an entire week, with big crowds of people on the streets. The week ended with a firemen's parade and muster.
Wednesday, December 4, 1907 the first interurban car arrived in Rockville. It reached the city at 3:42 o'clock, coming from East Hartford. The trip out was uneventful. It was not until Sunday, January 13, 1908 that the interurban service was for- mally opened to the public. The first interurban car to leave the Rockville depot, over the electrified steam tracks, was No. . 3339, which pulled out at seven o'clock in the morning in charge of Conductor P. T. Beaucar and Motorman Edward M. Thrall. Conductor Whetstone of the Highland Division acted as pilot. George Cleve- land, of Dobsonville, who boarded the car at Rockville, had the honor of being the first passenger. He rode as far as Vernon. Miss Imogene Corbin, now Mrs. John P. Cameron, was the first woman passenger. To many of the older residents, who had been in the habit of hearing the locomotive whistle for nearly half a century, the doing away of the steam trains, so far as Rockville is concerned, was, indeed, a novelty.
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
The new trolley line between Rockville and Stafford Springs was officially inspected by the railroad commissioners of the state on Friday, April 17, 1908. Four days previous to this, a car containing trolley officials went over the road. It was in charge of Conductor S. J. Connors and Motorman "Dick" Thrall. People decorated their houses all along the route, and there was general rejoicing. Through the courtesy of Manager W. P. Bristol, of the Hartford Division of the Connecticut Com- pany, a party of Rockville business men and newspaper represen- tatives went over the road on Saturday afternoon, April 18, fol- lowing a tour of inspection of the line within the city limits on the preceding day, by Alderman David Horgan, chairman of the Public Works Committee, and City Engineer John T. McKnight. On Monday, April 20, the road was formally opened to regular traffic, and Stafford Springs recognized the event, which meant much to them, bringing them into closer touch with Rockville and the outside world, by a notable celebration, in which Rockville shared with Stafford in the rejoicing and merrymaking.
The first post office in Rockville was started during the ad- ministration of President John Tyler. Previous to that time the community had no name. It was made up by counting the mills and houses belonging to each corporation. There were several small localities known by different names, to wit: Rock, New England and Stone Mills, Paper Mill, Leeds Mill, Grist Mill, Frank Factory, Springville, Hockanum and Saxony Mills. People coming into the city from the outside would say, "I am going to the Rock." To this day that name is used by many of the earlier settlers and older inhabitants. Naturally there was some strife before a name was selected. Each of the cluster- ing villages around the several mills desired to have its own name adopted. There was a strong desire on the part of many influ- ential people to have the place named Frankfort, in honor of Colonel Francis McLean. It was nip and tuck between the Rock and Frank villages, but the question was put to a vote and "nip" won out and the place was named Rockville, after the Rock Factory, the pioneer factory of the place. Samuel P. Rose, who was the first postmaster, received his appointment May 5, 1842.
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
Previous to this, for a year or two at least, the mail had been brought from Vernon and distributed by him. The first post office was located in a store, which stood nearly opposite the Johnson Building on what is now Central Park. George Talcott, now president of the First National Bank, was clerk for awhile. In 1844 the Moore Building was erected, which stood next to the present Methodist Church on the Memorial Site, and for sometime previous to its being pulled down was occupied by Carroll and McDonnell. This building was occupied by Samuel P. Rose and Edwin McLean, and it is presumed that the office was kept here for a brief period,
Mr. Rose's appointment did not expire until June 4, 1845. The old building vacated by Mr. Rose was in 1845 fitted up for tenements and moved to the site of the present high school, being the old corner building, which was pulled down. The second post office was opened in the house owned and occupied now by Miss Minerva Stewart on East Main Street. Her father, who was a Democrat, a rarity in those days, was the second post- master. During the incumbency of Postmaster Stewart there were only about half a dozen stores in the village. There was no railroad. Goods were brought from Hartford, the nearest station, by teams. The population of the village was less than 1,500. It had a hotel, but no saloon, steam cars were not within hearing distance.
The Rockville post office became a presidential one on March 11, 1865.
The postmasters of Rockville with the location of the post offices, from the time the office was first established up to the present time, follow :--
Samuel P. Rose, 1842-'45, Johnson Building, Central Park and Moore Building on present Memorial Building Site: James Stewart, 1845-'49, in ell of house at 147 West Main Street, still standing; Edward McLean, 1849-'53, Moore Building, next to present Methodist Church; Edward P. Allen, 1853-'57, in small building on what is now the site of the James J. Regan Manu- facturing Company and also in basement of Rockville Hotel for a short time; William H. Cogswell 1857-'61, in drug store of old
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
Cogswell Building, the site of which is next north of Preston's furniture store; A. W. Tracy, 1861-'65, in what is now Rockville Hotel barn, which stood on site of present People's Savings Bank on Park Street. For sixteen years the post office was located in this building, being moved to the Citizens' Block in 1879. Since 1903 it has been located in the Prescott Block. There is a resolu- tion now before congress calling for an appropriation of $75,000 for a new Federal building for Rockville. Favorable action is ex- pected and it's a question of only a short time when Rockville will have its post office in a new building owned by the govern- ment.
George N. Brigham was postmaster from 1866 to 1886, having served longer than any postmaster in the history of the office. When he retired he was given a testimonial by the citizens of the city. He was succeeded by Wilbur B. Foster, who served from 1886 until 1890, when George W. Randall was appointed, holding the office from 1890 until 1894, when Mr. Foster again took hold, owing to a political change in the administration. Postmaster Randall has beeen in charge from 1899 to the pres- ent time. R. L. McChristie is the present assistant postmaster.
The business done at the post office today amounts to about $17,000 per annum. There are three clerks and five carriers, and four rural free delivery routes.
FINANCIAL LIFE AND INSTITUTIONS.
The financial history of the town of Vernon properly begins with the year 1855. No pressing or urgent need of financial in- stitutions was felt previous to that time. Money was about as scarce a commodity as there was in the community. It didn't begin to change hands as often as it does today. Generally speaking, people carried what money they had in their pockets or in improvised banks. Safe deposit vaults for valuable papers and documents were a luxury. The woolen mills comprised the principal business of Vernon and yearly settlements were the rule with them. Goods, oftener than money, represented the basis of settlement for services rendered, and as nearly all the owners of the woolen mills were interested in the few stores there were in the community, Vernon was what might be called
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
a close corporation in its early days. Her captains of industry were also her financiers. Of course if the mill employees wanted money instead of its equivalent before the year was up, they went to the mill office after it, and they seldom came away disappointed. The absence of a system of regular payments did not put the town to any great inconvenience, nor was the paucity, or entire lack of local financial institutions, any serious drawback. What little banking business the town of Vernon did in the early days was done with the Tolland County Bank, which was a substantial and influential financial institution, with an extensive business and clients in all parts of the county.
The above-described conditions in the town of Vernon con- tinued in existence until about 1848-49, when new and larger mills were built, at which time the monthly payment system was adopted, continuing in operation until 1887, when a week- ly payment law enacted by the state, went into effect. The Rock Mill took the initiative in establishing monthly payments and all the other mills followed suit.
Frenzied finance has always been tabooed in Rockville. Rock- ville's financial institutions, from the time of their establishment up to the present moment, have been as strong and as sound as the hills upon which the city is built. Conservatism has characterized the management of the local banks. Starting in a small way, the four banks, two savings banks and two national banks, which Rockville boasts of at the present time, have kept pace with the city's development and progress. No effort has been made to push them. Their growth has been entirely natural. For a place its size, Vernon occupies an enviable position in the financial world. The men connected with the management of her financial institutions have reason to be proud of the present financial status of these institutions. They have done their share to make them what they are today.
THE SAVINGS BANK OF ROCKVILLE.
The Savings Bank of Rockville was incorporated in the year 1858, a charter having been obtained at the May session of the
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
legislature. The bank opened its doors for business on the first day of September in the year in which it was incorporated. Its first banking house was in the frame building on West Main Street, known formerly as King's store, now owned by the James J. Regan Manufacturing Company. In December, 1872, it was moved to its present quarters on Main Street beneath the large Methodist Church and facing Central Park. George Kellogg was the bank's first president and Lebbeus Bissell, father of Ar- thur T. Bissell, the first secretary and treasurer. He served forty-five consecutive years-a record unequaled-death ending his official career with the bank in October, 1903, at the ripe old age of ninety-three years.
During the first year of the bank's business the deposits amounted to $65,384, and there were 528 depositors. At the present time the bank's assets are $3,080,684 and the depositors number 5,734 with total deposits of $2,812,716.38. From the time it started to do business fifty-two years ago, up to the present time, the bank has issued 28,884 pass books.
The present officers of the bank are: President, William Maxwell ; vice-president, George Talcott ; secretary and treasurer, Arthur T. Bissell; assistant treasurer, Edwin G. Butler.
PEOPLE'S SAVINGS BANK.
The People's Savings Bank was started in the year 1870. It opened its doors for business in July of that year. It was located in what is now Preston's furniture store which at that time stood on Park Place, where the store of the E. J. Silcox Company is now located. In 1880, soon after the completion of the pres- ent modern block, known as the Henry Building, it was moved to its present location. John W. Thayer, who became prominent in the business and political life of Vernon, was the bank's first president and E. S. Henry was the bank's first treasurer. He has served the bank in this capacity for a period of forty con- secutive years ..
Another unique distinction has come to the bank. It has a woman secretary and director, Miss Susie Harrington, who has filled the position in a most efficient manner for twenty years.
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
During the first year of the bank's existence the deposits amounted to $100,000, and there were about 300 depositors. At the present time the bank's assets are $902,916.65, and there are 2,353 depositors. From the organization of the bank down to the present time, over 7,000 pass books have been issued.
The present officers of the bank are: President, Edward H. Preston ; vice-president, John E. Fisk; treasurer, E. Stevens Henry ; secretary, Miss Susie Harrington.
THE ROCKVILLE NATIONAL BANK.
The Rockville National Bank is over half a century old, having been organized as a state bank in 1855. Its first officers were: President, Allen Hammond; secretary, John N. Stickney; treasurer, Elliott B. Preston. Its capital at the start of busi- ness was $300,000. In 1864 it was organized as a national bank. The capital at the present time is $200,000 and the average deposits are $325,000. Previous to 1890 the bank occupied a small one-story brick building, which stood on the same site as its present building. During the fire of April 3, 1888, which destroyed the Second Church, the south side of this building was badly damaged and it was torn down to make room for the pres- ent modern banking house.
The officers of the Rockville National Bank at the present time are: President, A. Park Hammond; vice-president, Frank Grant; cashier, Clayton E. Harwood, who has been with the bank in this capacity for twenty years; assistant cashier, Fred H. Holt.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK.
The First National Bank of Rockville was chartered February 24, 1863, with J. J. Robinson as president. He served but a few months, being succeeded by Clark Holt. Jotham Goodnow, who afterwards became president of the Aetna Fire Insurance company of Hartford, was the bank's first cashier. Its first banking house was located in the brick building still stand- ing and now used for office purposes by the James J. Regan Manufacturing Company. When the bank first started its capital was $100,000, surplus $1,000 and deposits $52,000. Today its
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
capital is $200,000, surplus and unsecured profits $64,500, de- posits $161,000. This is a low mark for deposits, the average being considerably higher. Since 1868 the bank has occupied its present quarters under the Methodist Church on Park Place. On January 23, 1868, George Talcott was elected president of the bank, and he has held this position continuously since, being re-elected each year. He has served the bank as its chief executive officer for a period of forty-three years. This is a record undoubtedly without a parallel in the financial history of the state of Connecticut. Mr. Talcott is eighty-four years old and enjoys the very best of health, being keen mentally and strong and robust physically, more active today than many men twenty-five years his junior. He has spent all but eight years of his life in Vernon. His career in the financial life of the town has been characterized by faithfulness and fidelity.
The present officers of the bank are: President, George Tal- cott; vice-president, H. L. James; cashier, H. H. Larkum.
BUILDING AND LOAN.
The Rockville Building and Loan Association was organized November 20, 1889 and incorporated June 30, 1903. Its capital stock is $1,000,000 and it has 5,000 shares at a par value of $200 a share. Its first officers following its incorporation were : Presi- dent, A. Park Hammond; vice-president, C. E. Harris ; secretary and treasurer, J. P. Cameron; treasurer, C. E. Harwood. Its present officers are : President, A. Park Hammond; vice-presi- dent, Frank Grant; secretary, Charles N. Fitch; treasurer, C. E. Harwood. Its assets amounted to $112,445.96 on January 1, 1911.
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SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY EARLY AND MODERN
THE PRESS AND EDUCATION.
Newspaper publishing in Rockville properly begins with the year 1854, and Curtis B. Wells, deceased, was the pioneer news- paper publisher of the city. He started a paper known as the Tolland County Gazette. Following the Gazette came the Tol- land County Republican. Both were short lived. United States Treasurer James Gilfillan was interested in newspaper publish- ing in Rockville in the early days. From the old Simpson Block, A. B. Warner established the News, which he sold out to the late J. A. Spaulding, who changed its name to the Tolland County Journal, its first issue appearing February 7, 1867. Mr. Spaulding continued his ownership of the Journal until January 27, 1872, when he sold out to J. N. Stickney & Son. From 1880 until 1881, it was conducted by French Brothers of North Brookfield, Mass., who purchased it of J. N. Stickney & Co. Thomas S. Pratt became proprietor about the middle of May in 1881, publishing the same in connection with a job printing plant until March, 1905, when he sold out. The plant is now owned by a stock company. The present editor of the Journal is Charles S. Greer. The plant is located in the Rockville Opera House Block, and the paper is an eight-page one, six columns to the page. It is issued weekly, making its appearance on Thursday.
On Tuesday, January 28, Thomas S. Pratt, for twenty-four years publisher and proprietor of the Rockville Journal, died and on April 29, 1908, B. L. Burr, founder of the Leader and associated with it as owner and editor for twenty-six years, died.
The Rockville Leader, Tolland County's only semi-weekly newspaper, is the outgrowth of the Tolland County Gleaner, which was bought out by B. L. Burr, who had successfully conducted a Rockville department in the Stafford Press. It made its first appearance on May 9, 1875. It was a small four-page paper, five columns to the page and was printed at the White, Corbin & Co., Envelope Works, only one page being printed at once. A. W. Phillips succeeded Mr. Burr as owner and he was succeeded by L. J. Washburn of New York.
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