An historic record and pictorial description of the town of Meriden, Connecticut and men who have made it, Part 48

Author: Gillespie, Charles Bancroft, 1865-1915; Curtis, George Munson
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Meriden, Conn. Journal publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1252

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Meriden > An historic record and pictorial description of the town of Meriden, Connecticut and men who have made it > Part 48

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As business increased there was need of larger, more convenient and secure quarters of more central loca- tion, and the office was moved to the town clerk's office in the town hall in 1864, where the town vault could be utilized.

July, 1866, A. H. Curtis succeeded

Levi E. Coe as treasurer, the latter being appointed a director. The late- secretary and treasurer, S. H. W. Yale, became clerk the same year, bus- iness increasing so that the treasurer needed an assistant.

In 1868 is found an advertisement in the Meriden Republican stating that the deposits were then $500,000,. and office hours 9 to 12 and 2 to 4.

The bank occupied the town clerk's. office from 1864 to 1871 when it pur- chased the P. J. Clark property, cor-

Photo by Akers & Pigeon.

W. H. CATLIN.

ner of East Main and Veteran streets,. for $16,000. The old buildings which for years previous had been used for the manufacture of tinware, were at once made into stores and tenements.

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A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

The Meriden Republican then began occupying the one on the corner and the bank the one west, having fitted up one side for an office, putting in a vault, etc. This modest frame build- ing was used until 1882 when the present building was erected.

July 23, 1877, the faithful and well beloved treasurer, A. H. Curtis, died suddenly while talking with a friend in the bank. S. H. W. Yale then suc- ceeded to the position of treasurer and W. H. Catlin entered as clerk.

The Meriden Savings Bank has had a healthy, continuous growth from the start and has met with but few losses, the only one of any moment was when the Wallingford tornado destroyed a number of houses on which it had mortgages.

In 1882 the frame building it had occupied since 1871 was moved to Veteran street, that asylum for old buildings, and the present brick block was built. The same year Edwin E. Curtis, who had been president since 1862, resigned and Levi E. Coe was elected president, he serving until his death November 2, 1903.

The present officers and trustees are as follows :

President-John L. Billard.

Vice-presidents-A. Chamberlain, Walter Hubbard, E. J. Doolittle and H. Wales Lines.

Directors-Benjamin Page, Homer A. Curtiss, Engene A. Hall, August Maschmeyer, George B. Murdock, Ar- thur S. Lane, Charles A. King, George M. Curtis and George E. Savage.

The board of directors consists of president, four vice-presidents, nine directors and secretary and treasurer.

Trustees-Linus Birdsey, Walter Hubbard, A. Chamberlain, John L. Billard, Edward Miller, H. Wales Lines, W. H. Catlin, Benjamin Page, E. J. Doolittle, John Morse, Maurice O'Brien, H. H. Miller, Homer A. Cur- tiss, Charles C. Glock, Eugene A. Hall, Arthur S. Lane, George B. Mur- dock, Charles A. King, August Maschmeyer, George E. Savage, George M. Curtis, Herman Hess, C. A. Learned, M. B. Schenck, C. W. Cahill, James P. Platt, Lewis A. Mil- ler, William C. Comstock, Frank A. Stevens and Frank D. Smith.

Secretary and treasurer-W. H. Catlin.

Bookkeeper, John G. Nagel ; clerk, Byron R. Gardner.

MERIDEN NATIONAL BANK.

This institution has an honored his- tory, for it has served its purpose and served it well, for nearly three-quar- ters of the century which Meriden cel- ebrates in 1906 as an incorporated town. Organized, as all banks were in those days, as a state bank, the charter was approved in June, 1833, and business was begun with a capi- tal of $100,000, in a room in the dwell- ing house, on Broad street, of Wil- liam Yale, but now owned by William B. Ives. The followng year a new brick building was erected on Broad street, which for many years after was the home of the old Meriden bank

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BANKS, BOARD OF TRADE AND POST OFFICE.

and which is shown in the smaller of the accompanying illustrations. The first board of directors consisted of Silas Mix, Samuel Yale, Elisha A. Cowles, Stephen Taylor, Ashabel Gris- wold, James S. Brooks, Noah Pome- roy, John D. Reynolds and Walter Booth. Ashabel Griswold was the first president, and Francis King, cashier.

In 1836 the bank's capital was in- creased to $150,000 in order to keep pace with the business done and which was a success from the very start. General Walter Booth then became

OLD MERIDEN BANK BUILDING.

president and Harry Hayden was chosen cashier to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Francis King in 1837. After twelve years' faithful service as president, General Booth finally declined further re-election and Noah Pomeroy became the head, who in turn was followed by Joel H. Guy and Joel I. Butler, all of whom were famous in the history of the town. When Mr. Butler died, O. B. Arnold, the former cashier, became the presi- dent and he served until his re-

gretted decease August 30, 1900. He was succeeded as president by Levi E. Coe and after his death by the present incumbent, George M. Clark, the former cashier, but who served many years previously as teller. In 1905 Mr. Clark was succeeded as cashier by W. M. Quested, formerly teller, who has since served as cashier. The capital stock of the bank in 1850 was increased to $250,- 000 and again, four years later, when it was made $300,000, but in 1901 was reduced to $200,000. While the busi- ness of the institution has always been conducted with success, as its comfor- table surplus fund and regularly de- clared dividends indicate, this success has been the result of conservative management which has marked as well the history of all other Meriden finan- cial institutions during the last half century or more. The Meriden Bank became nationalized in 1865 and again in 1905 its charter as such was re- newed for twenty years by the govern- ment at Washington.

The present handsome quarters have been occupied since February 22, 1885, and after the bank had erected the large brick structure shown in the ac- panying illustration and was first oc- cupied on that date. The present quar- ters not only. comprise modern, com- modious, convenient banking rooms, but contain safety deposit boxes which are rented.

The officers and directors of the bank at this writing are: George M. Clark, president ; Herman Hess, vice- president ; W. M. Quested, cashier ;

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A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

PRESENT HOME OF THE MERIDEN NATIONAL BANK.

di Ge Ge

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BANKS, BOARD OF TRADE AND POST OFFICE.

directors, John Ives, John L. Billard, George H. Wilcox, Seth J. Hall, George M. Clark, Herman Hess, Wil- bur F. Parker, George E. Savage and Benjamin Page.

HOME NATIONAL BANK.

The Home National Bank, located at the corner of Colony and Church streets, is one of the most successful institutions of its kind. It has a long and honorable history, has connected with it leading financial and business men of the city and was chartered by the legislature as a state bank in 1854. The cause which led to its formation was principally a desire for a bank in the new center of business. The bus- iness men about the corner cordially supported the movement, favoring a new bank for "home benefit," as they put it, and E. G. Howe, F. H. Oakley, John C. Smith, Joseph Taylor and S. W. Kellogg, appointed to receive sub- scriptions, found no difficulty in plac- ing the $100,000 of capital stock. August 8, 1855, the directors met and formally organized by electing S. W. Baldwin president and A. C. Wetmore secretary. The directors were Julius Pratt, S. W. Baldwin, Eli Butler, Henry C. Butler, James S. Brooks, Howell Merriman, A. C. Wetmore, James A. Frary and Fenner Bush. H. C. Young became the first cashier and served until September 7, 1857. Dur- ing his time the business was carried on in the rooms of the Young Men's Institute in Collins' block, but later re- moved to the wooden building owned 8

by Henry C. Butler, which stood on the site of the present bank. In 1858, the property was bought for $3,750. Soon after, they sold a portion of it for $3,000, so that their now valuable property cost them but $750. In 1863 the present commodious banking house was built, the old building be- ing removed to West Main street.

In the meantime various changes in officers and capital stock had occurred and the bank had seen a period of great prosperity. May 1, 1856, Eli Butler had been elected to the presi- dency to succeed Mr. Baldwin, who resigned, and Samuel Dodd came from the City Bank in Hartford, where he had been teller, to assume the office of cashier. The following year, Jan- uary 6, 1857, the capital was increased by $50,000, and two months later by $2,000 more, owing to the fact that. the subscriptions to the increase had exceeded by that sum the amount re- quired. In September, 1859, the rapid growth of the bank demanded another increase and the capital was accord- ingly raised to the sum of $300,000.

On December 24, 1864, it was voted to nationalize the bank and increase the capital to $400,000 and January 16, 1865, they were authorized to begin business as a National bank. The bank's history has been one of prosper- ity, excellent business judgment on the part of its officials and a rapid increase in deposits. In 1867, Mr. Dodd re- signed as cashier and A. Chamberlain, then teller of the New Britain National Bank, and now president of this bank, was called to assume the office left va-

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A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

BANK

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

HOME NATIONAL BANK BUILDING.

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BANKS, BOARD OF TRADE AND POST OFFICE.

cant. February 10, 1875, the capital of the bank was increased to $600,000. July 1, 1897, this was reduced to $400,000. Upon the death of Eli But- ler, in 1881, Mr. Chamberlain was elected to the presidency and J. S. Norton, Jr., for fifteen years employed in the bank, eleven years as teller, be- came cashier. At the same time, C.

J. S. NORTON, JR.

S. Perkins, who had been in the em- ploy of the bank eleven years, was elected teller.

The bank has now a capital stock of $400,000 and a surplus of $175 .- 000. The directors and officers are composed of well-known men who have given it a careful and conserva- tive management.

Directors: A. Chamberlain, Walter

Hubbard, Samuel Dodd, Edward Mil- ler, E. J. Doolittle, George M. Cur- tis, James H. White, I. L. Holt and Benjamin W. Collins.

The officers and clerks are: A. Chamberlain, president ; E. J. Doolit- tle, vice-president ; J. S. Norton, Jr., cashier ; Charles H. Wood, teller ; Louis Fisk, bookkeeper; Alfred M. Williams and Harold W. Scott, clerks.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK.

It was in 1863, when the growth of the town seemed to warrant it, that the First National Bank of Meriden was organized.

The bank's first place of business was in a small frame building located near the present brown stone building erected in 1872.

The late Joel H. Guy, one of the most reliable and able financiers of the city, was elected i s first president. The first cashier was Wolcott A. Hull, who was succeeded, in 1870, by Charles L. Rockwell. The late John D. Billard succeeded to the presidency upon the death of Mr. Guy in 1881. At Mr. Billard's death in 1902 Mr. Rockwell, who had been cashier of the Lank since 1870, was elected president, which office he now holds ; and Floyd Curtis, formerly teller, was elected cashier, in which capacity he has since served. The present capital of the bank is $200,000 and its surplus is $300,000. The bank has long since taken its place among the leading banking institutions of the state. The

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A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

Photo by R. S. Godfrey. FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING.

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BANKS, BOARD OF TRADE AND POST OFFICE.

present directors are as follows : Charles F. Linsley, C. B. Rogers, W. H. Lyon, John Tait, John W. Coe, N. L. Bradley, Charles L. Rockwell, W. S. Billard and C. W. Cahill.

Floyd Curtis, cashier of the First National Bank, was born in Meriden December 25, 1854. He is a son of the late Harrison W. Curtis and at- tended public and private schools. At the age of sixteen he entered the em-

Photo by Akers & Pigeon. FLOYD CURTIS.

ployment of the First National Bank. Gradually he earned promotion and on October 28, 1882, he was elected teller of the bank ; and July 1, 1884, he was also elected treasurer of the City Savings Bank. Both of these offices he filled until February II, 1902, when

his election as cashier of the First Na- tional Bank made it necessary for him to resign them. Mr. Curtis has, there- fore, been not only continuously en- gaged in banking affairs from the com- mencement of his business life, but has been associated with the First Na- tional Bank over thirty-six years. With his added duties for several years as the former secretary and treasurer of the Savings Bank, he has become one of the most familiar fig- ures in local banking circles. He is also the present treasurer of the city of Meriden, an office of honor and trust he has held since 1899, and is one of the trustees of the City Savings Bank.

Mr. Curtis is treasurer of the finance committee organized for the cele- bration of the one hundredth anniver- sary of the town of Meriden. He is also a member of Meriden Golf and Home clubs and prominent in social life. He is affiliated with Center Lodge, 97, A. F. & A. M .; Keystone Chapter, 27, R. A. M., and St. Elmo Commandery, 9, K. T. He is also a member of Pilgrims' Harbor Council, 543, Royal Arcanum.

He was married in 1879 to Clara H. Furniss, and to that union there is now living one daughter, Bessie F., who in 1902 married Harry C. Lane, of Westfield, Mass.

CITY SAVINGS BANK.

The City Savings Bank was organ- ized in 1874, the incorporators being Joel H. Guy, Charles L. Upham. John

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A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

C. Byxbee, Jared R. Cook, John D. Billard, John Tait, H. L. Schleiter, George W. Smith, William H. Miller, A. C. Wetmore, Ratcliffe Hicks, J. S. Wightman, Randolph Linsley, Wil- liam Lewis, E. B. Everitt and Gilbert Rogers.

The first president was Joel H. Guy, who for many years held an honored position in the history of banking af- fairs in Meriden. Upon the death of Mr. Guy, in 1881, John D. Billard, one of the most trustworthy and conserva- tive business men of the city and greatly beloved by all who knew him, was elected to the presidency. Upon his death, in 1902, Charles L. Rock- well, who had been the treasurer of the bank, was elected president, which of- fice he now holds. Floyd Curtis was elected secretary and treasurer in 1884 but resigned in 1902 to accept the cashiership of the First National Bank. To fill the vacancy George M. Lucas was elected secretary and treas- urer and these offices he now holds.

At the present writing the number of depositors is 5,000 and the deposits of the bank aggregate $3,500,000.

The trustees of the bank are as fol- lows: H. L. Schleiter, C. L. Rock- well, Seth J. Hall, Charles F. Linsley, Floyd Curtis, George M. Lucas, Rat- cliffe Hicks, W. S. Billard, Clarence P. Bradley, Dexter W. Parker, N. L. Bradley, Edward Miller, Jr., John C. Byxbee, William H. Lyon, C. F. Rock- well, Charles L. Upham, John W. Coe, John Tait, Gilbert Rogers, C. B. Rog- ers, J. H. White, George H. Wilcox, W. J. Robinson and Charles T. Dodd.

MERIDEN TRUST & SAFE DE- POSIT CO.

This company, whose usefulness to the town of Meriden and vicinity is all its name implies, was organized un- der a special charter granted by the legislature of the state of Connecticut in 1889. The original incorporators were Walter Hubbard, Isaac C. Lewis, John L. Billard, Charles F. Linsley and Charles L. Rockwell. The first board of directors was composed of the following: Walter Hubbard, Charles F. Linsley, Nathaniel L. Brad- ley, Isaac C. Lewis, Charles Parker, John D. Billard, George R. Curtis, John L. Billard and Charles L. Rock- well. Isaac C. Lewis was the first president, and upon his death in 1893, Walter Hubbard was elected to fill the vacancy, which office he now holds. Charles L. Rockwell has been the treasurer since the organization of the company, and Harry H. Smith is the present secretary of the company.

The company, by its charter, is au- thorized to act as executor, adminis- trator, guardian, trustee or receiver of estates and is also authorized to accept and execute any and all trusts that may be committed to its care by per- sons or corporations or by the direc- tion of any court of probate or other legally constituted authority in this state or elsewhere. From the wide scope of its operations, the Meriden Trust & Safe Deposit Company is fill- ing a long felt want in this community and is indispensable as a place of safety for the deposit of securities and

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BANKS, BOARD OF TRADE AND POST OFFICE.

valuables of all kinds. The vaults of the company are of the most approved pattern, constructed of the best and safest material and are absolutely safe against fire or burglary. The direct- ors of the company are Walter Hub- bard, Charles L. Rockwell, George M. Curtis, John L. Billard, Charles F. Linsley and N. L. Bradley.

MERIDEN BOARD OF TRADE.

Meriden is possessed of an ener- gétic board of trade, composed of worthy citizens and men whose in- fluence has been exerted with good results toward the betterment of the town. The following men of Meriden comprised the first officers and directors: Charles L. Upham, president ; H. Wales Lines and Sam- uel Dodd, vice-presidents ; Eli C. Bird- sey, secretary ; I. L. Holt, treasurer ; directors, Francis Atwater, N. L. Bradley, John L. Billard, Eli C. Bird- sey, John W. Coe, C. W. Cahill, Homer A. Curtiss, Samuel Dodd, E. J. Doolittle, George L. Ellsbree, H. Wales Lines, William H. Lyon, John S. Lane, Edward Miller, Charles L. Rockwell, John A. Hurley, August Schmelzer, M. B. Schenck, George H. Wilcox and Charles L. Upham.

The organization of the Board of Trade, which occurred in July, 1897, was met with much enthusiasm on the part of the business men of the town, and not long after the first meeting, which was held in the Town hall, De- cember 18, 1895, the Board of Trade numbered 325 members. During the

first few years of its existence many expected that Meriden would imme- diately be possessed of numerous new factories, and the rapid building up of the town, and the first president was loyally supported with that aim in view. The first creditable effort was the assistance rendered the people of Southington in devising ways and means for building the electric tram- way, now running between Meriden, Southington and Lake Compounce, which has brought thousands of dol- lars annually to Meriden merchants. The committee appointed by the Board of Trade, to bring about this happy result consisted of Francis Atwater, then a director of the Board of Trade, but later made president, who, with John A. Hurley, another director, pro- moted the company which, since its organization, has been conducted with success.

While there have been times in the history of the local Board of Trade when its membership has been re- duced, there have always been a few active workers within its ranks; and at the present time its membership is 100. The propositions listened to by the Board of Trade from concerns who would, if they could, locate in Meriden, but many of whom were not desirable, have been almost number- less.

In conducting their investigations the members of the Board of Trade, have spent freely of their time and money without regard for personal gain. In 1905 the board accomplished its crowning achievement, securing the

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BANKS, BOARD OF TRADE AND POST OFFICE.

thriving industry now carried on by the Meriden Fire Arms Co., by raising among the citizens about $10,000 in a single day. The Board of Trade has been of value to Meriden, not only in trying to induce desirable industries to locate here, but in keeping unde- sirable industries away; it has im- proved the freight service, caused all express trains to be stopped here and accomplished other achievements, all of which have been of benefit to the business man and the resident.

Francis Atwater was chosen presi- dent in 1898 and served until January I, 1905, since which time, the officers of the Board of Trade have been as follows: President, Charles H. Tre- dennick; vice-presidents, Eugene A. Hall and Frank D. Smith ; secretary, F. A. Stevens; treasurer, I. L. Holt ; directors, Eli C. Birdsey, H. Wales Lines, Francis Atwater, E. J. Doolittle, M. B. Schenck, George H. Wilcox, F. A. Stevens, D. L. Bishop, W. P. Bris- tol, Eugene A. Hall, A. J. Fletcher, A. Schmelzer, Col. C. L. Upham, Henry E. Bushnell, George S. Seeley, Frank D. Smith, C. H. Tredennick, Herman Hess, Henry C. Bibeau and Leroy C. Pardee.

MERIDEN POST OFFICE.

When in 1806 Meriden was set apart from the town of Wallingford Amos White was named by President Jefferson as the first postmaster. The post office was located in a one-story building, owned by Partrick Lewis, sit-

tated on the southeast corner of Broad and East Main streets, on the property now owned by Eli C. Birdsey. Mr. White served for several years. He was succeeded by Partrick Lewis, who served until 1828. In this year Pres- ident Jackson appointed Levi Yale postmaster, who transferred the office from its previous location of twenty- two years, to the building now known as No. 641 Broad street. Mr. Yale served through part of the two admin- istrations of Jackson and through all of Van Buren's, or about twelve years in all.

Richard N. Dowd was appointed postmaster by President William Henry Harrison in 1841, but he died after being in office about six months. President Tyler, during the same year, appointed Walter Booth postmaster, who held the office for three years and six months. Ira N. Yale, cousin of the late B. L. Yale, was appointed postmaster by President Polk in 1845, but died after holding office about three years. Almeron Miles, father of the late Wallace A. Miles, was ap- pointed postmaster by President Polk in 1848 to succeed Mr. Yale. Mr. Miles resigned the office after the elec- tion, but before the inauguration of President Taylor, having served less than a year. Hiram Hall, half brother of Walter B. Hall, was next appointed postmaster by President Taylor. He served for two years, covering about four months under Polk and about twenty months under Taylor.

Up to this time the post office had remained in the Levi Yale building.

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WEST MAIN STREET FROM CORNER OF COLONY,

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BANKS, BOARD OF TRADE AND POST OFFICE.

Under Mr. Hall it was transferred to a little frame building built specially for the post office. This building stood then just north of the Bassett block on Broad street and now stands on land of B. L. Yale estate on Wall street east of the Catholic cemetery.

Following Mr. Hall, Asahel H. Cur- tis was appointed postmaster, and served through Fillmore's term or about three years. The election of President Pierce brought about the appointment as postmaster in 1853 of Hiram Hall for the second time. Mr. Hall died after serving about one year. Mr. Hall had his office in a wooden building adjoining the John Ives res- idence on Broad street. This building was afterwards moved to View street and later was demolished. Upon the death of Mr. Hall, President Pierce appointed Bertrand L. Yale postmas- ter, who served for seven years, three under Pierce and four under Buchan- an. Mr. Yale held his office in the old Levi Yale building already spoken of. When Abraham Lincoln was president, Asahel H. Curtis was for a second time appointed postmaster. He served until Mr. Lincoln's death, but resigned his office under President Johnson. Mr. Curtis' office was lo- cated in the old Franklin Hall build- ing, on the now vacant corner north of the Congregational church, Broad street.

In 1865 Linus Birdsey was ap- pointed postmaster by President John- son to succeed Mr. Curtis. Mr. Bird- sey, who served for three years, trans- ferred the post office to the brick build-

ing that formerly stood on the site of the first post office at the southeast corner of Main and Broad streets. Lon R. Hall was appointed postmaster by President Grant in 1869. Mr. Hall transferred the post office back to the building from which Mr. Birdsey had taken it, and then, after a few years, took it across the street to John Ives' store in the brick block now known as No. 489 Broad street. Mr. Hall served seven years, and then resigned, when he was succeeded by his brother, William F. Hall, who was appointed by President Hayes. Mr. Hall moved the post office to the building known as 320 East Main street, where Station A is now located. On September I, 1880, the Meriden post office, the then official designation of the up-town of- fice, was abolished and made a branch of the down-town post office, which up to that date officially was known as the West Meriden post office. In the changed capacity of clerk of Main street branch, W. F. Hall, under Post- master E. D. Hall, of the down-town office, from that time officially desig- nated the Meriden office, continued to serve the branch office until 1886. Linus Birdsey in the same year, under appointment from Postmaster W. H. Miller, again assumed charge of the up-town office, this time as clerk of the station, and served until 1890. Massena F. Ballou was appointed as clerk of the station March 1, 1894. and served until his death, when on April 1, 1894, he was followed by his daughter, Mrs. A. A. B. Twiss, who in turn, on November 1, 1894, was fol-

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An historic record and pictorial description of the town of Meriden, Connecticut and men who have made it, Part 48

Author: Gillespie, Charles Bancroft, 1865-1915; Curtis, George Munson Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Meriden, Conn. Journal publishing co. Number of Pages: 1252

Author: Gillespie, Charles Bancroft, 1865-1915; Curtis, George Munson
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Meriden, Conn. Journal publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1252