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 63
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At his death Mr. Billard left one son, John L. Billard, one of Meriden's leading citizens, who has followed in his father's footsteps as business man and banker; three grandsons, Herbert M., who died on October 14, 1902 ; Walter S. and Fred H. Billard, engaged with their father in the Lyon & Billard Company; and a great- granddaughter, Mary E., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert M. Billard.
BERTRAND L. YALE.
Bertrand L. Yale, a successful gen- tleman farmer, prominent in business and politics at the time of his death, October I, 1902, was born in Meri- den November 17, 1820, the son of Levi and Anna (Guy) Yale. Mr. Yale's family was of Welsh and Eng- lish descent, two of his ancestors, Bishops Morton and Bonner, being
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high in ecclesiastical circles. Mr. Yale's father was an ensign in the war of 1812 and commissary of the troops stationed along the coast from New Haven to Branford. For twelve years he was postmaster of Meriden. He also represented the town in the General Assembly and held many oth- er positions of trust.
Bertrand L. Yale spent his early life on the farm to which he was to return in later years. At the age of twenty he began the manufacture of cigars which he carried on for some time in a small way. From cigar making he turned his attention to the business of a merchant tailor and deal- er in furnishing goods. While thus employed he received the appointment of postmaster, a position of honor and responsibility his father had likewise held. He held office for eight years and fulfilled the exacting duties with 'credit to himself and to the satisfac- tion of his fellow townsmen.
Mr. Yale, while still a merchant, had entered the fire and life insurance business which grew so rapidly that he was compelled to dispose of his store. He carried on the insurance business for about twenty-five years. The latter part of his life he spent up- on his farm.
Mr. Yale became interested in poli- tics early in his career, taking an en- ergetic part in the work of his party in the city and town. Later his bus- iness interests for many years pre- vented so active participation. In 1888, however, he was induced to ac- cept the nomination for alderman. He
served on the finance and water com- mittees and in 1889, in addition to these, on the committee on by-laws. During his last term in the council he acted as mayor pro tem.
Mr. Yale was recognized as a man of sound and conservative business judgment. His financial ability was held in high regard, and for many years he was a director of the Meri- den National Bank, a position he ceased to hold only when he declined a re-election.
Mr. Yale had a remarkably reten- tive memory. A lover of sound and elevating literature, he was an author- ity on the political and general history of our country.
Mr. Yale's life furnishes an example of success won by industry and integ- rity and a determination to succeed.
His boyhood on the farm, no doubt, helped to supply the physical strength necessary, and the good old New Eng- land stock from which he sprang, fur- nished the inspiration and ideals that played no small part in his advance- ment.
Mr. Yale married on February 4, 1861, Chloe Elizabeth Holcomb, daughter of Honorable Raynor Hol- comb, of East Granby, Conn. Mrs. Yale survives her husband. Their only child, Jennie Holcomb Yale, is now the wife of John B. Hall, of Meriden.
HIRAM AUGUSTUS YALE.
Hiram Augustus Yale, who was born in Meriden November 5, 1825,
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Hiram of Male
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and died July 19, 1887, was a repre- sentative of one of the oldest and most distinguished families of Connecti- cut. He was a son of Samuel Yale, third, and a grandson of Samuel Yale, second, who was the first manufactur- er in Meriden.
In 1791 he began to make cut nails in a small shop which stood on the hill near the present location of the Center Congregational church, he and his oldest son working their machine by hand and heading each nail sepa- rately. In 1794 he commenced the manufacture of pewter buttons, in which he was successful, employing several hands and accumulating a handsome estate. The business founded by him developed into the manufacture of pewter cups, teapots and other articles and grew to large proportions. It was continued after his death by his six sons, by whom other factories were established else- where. The industry prompted the foundation of the Meriden Britannia Company, of which a sketch is given on other pages.
Hiram A. Yale was a descendant in the eighth generation of Thomas Yale, one of the first settlers of Walling- ford, who came to New Haven from England in 1637, and was one of the principal men of the colony. He was one of the signers of the Plantation Covenant, of New Haven, who, re- moving to what is now Wallingford, filled there many offices of public trust.
The father of Hiram A. and Sam- uel Yale finally settled in Meriden and
continued the japanned tin and bri- tannia business, having a shop for some time on Liberty street and later at the corner of East Main and Broad streets. He retired from business in 1858.
Hiram A. Yale's mother was La- minta Clark, daughter of Jahleel and Esther (Law) Clark, a lineal descend- ant of Jonathan Law, governor of Connecticut from 1742 to 175I. Jahleel Clark and his eldest son were in the battle of Bennington while Mrs. Clark and her younger sons were at Lanesboro, Mass., gathering in the wheat harvest, a duty which devolved on many a mother during the Revo- lutionary war.
Hiram Yale was educated in the schools of Meriden, fitted for college at the Episcopal Academy, of Chesh- ire ; entered Washington, now Trinity College, at Hartford, in 1842, and graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1846. During his young manhood he was associated with his father in the manufacturing business and was at times his traveling representative. After his father's decease in 1864, up- on him devolved the management of the estate which included much busi- ness property, besides a farm, all of which he managed successfully. Mr. Yale represented Meriden in the state legislature in 1851. In 1870 he was elected to the common council and was for four years a member of the finance committee. He was also one of the trustees of the Connecticut School for Boys from 1873 to 1877 and for many years one of the direct-
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ors of the Meriden National and also of the Meriden Savings bank. Mr. Yale was one of the vestrymen of St. Andrew's Episcopal church, of which he was both a liberal supporter and a member held in high regard.
In 1866 Mr. Yale married Miss Mary Catharine Welles, of Wethers- field, daughter of John Welles (who traces his ancestry back to Gov. Thomas Welles) and Mary W. Wol- cott, a descendant of Henry Wolcott, one of the first settlers of Windsor. He is survived by his widow and one daughter, Mary Welles, both of whom are active members of St. Andrew's church, and belong to the Daughters of the American Revolution. The former has been also one of the man- agers of the Curtis Home from its opening and president of the board since the death, in 1893, of Miss Celia Curtis, daughter of the founder.
HENRY T. WILCOX.
Henry Truman Wilcox (deceased) was born in Westbrook, Conn., Feb. 7, 18II. He removed to Meriden in 1829, entering the employ of Julius Pratt & Co., comb manufacturers. The same year he united with the Congregational church, and remained a faithful member as long as he lived.
On May 9, 1832, Mr. Wilcox mar- ried Elizabeth White Scovil, daughter of Eleazer Scovil, and a great-grand- laughter of James Scovil, who settled n Meriden about 1722.
In 1836, Mr. Wilcox bought the piece of land on the Old Colony Road
on which the family has lived since 1837. His house then stood at the northeast corner of said lot, and at the southeast corner he built a small shop about 1845, and manufac- tured coffee mills, spring balances, steelyards, bit braces and door- knockers. This shop burned down in 1851, and a second shop, built on the same site, was burned in 1853.
HENRY S. WILCOX.
Henry Scovil Wilcox, son of Henry T. Wilcox, was born in Meriden Jan- uary 4, 1835, and received his educa- tion at the Old Road school and the West Meriden Institute-the latter lo- cated on the site of the present Church street school. Before leaving school he was employed in his father's shops part of the time and was bookkeep- er there in 1848.
In 1854 H. T. and H. S. Wilcox were associated with the Meriden Hardware Co., located on the site now occupied by the M. B. Schenck Co.'s factory. This shop also suf- fered from fire, after which Messrs. Wilcox retired from manufacturing and in 1855 bought of Couch & Blakeslee a grocery store located at the south corner of Colony and Bri- tannia streets. There they conduct- ed a prosperous business under the firm name of H. T. Wilcox & Co.
In 1857, they moved the grocery business to the Andrews' block, lo- cated where the Grand Army hall now stands. That brick block, built about 1847, was owned by James F. G. An- drews, and was also occupied by Al-
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mon Andrews' flour and feed store. at various times was chosen to fill the On March 9, 1864, the building was offices of secretary and treasurer of the Sunday school, also of the Eccles- iastical society. In 1889 he was elect- ed a deacon, which office he held till the date of his death, December 8, 1900. burned down, whereupon H. T. Wil- cox & Co. bought the land and ruins of the old building and erected the present block in 1865, which H. S. Wilcox sold to Merriam Post, G. A. R., in 1895. Upon the completion of Mr. Wilcox married December I, 1869, Jane E. Merriman (daughter of Ira and Elizabeth Merriman), who, with his son, Albert H. Wilcox, sur- vives him. this block, B. P. Foote, drug and hardware merchant, rented the north store and H. T. Wilcox & Co., con- ducted the grocery business in the south store.
About February 1, 1867, H. T. Wil- cox & Co. bought the drug and hard- ware business of B. P. Foote. Ten years later they sold the hardware business to Church & Sprague, and retained the drugs together with man- ufacturers' supplies.
H. T. Wilcox died January 7, 1885, after which event, H. S. Wilcox con- tinued the business until March 15, 1899, when as his health became im- paired, he sold out to Edwin A. Wat- rous, after having occupied the same store thirty-two years.
In public matters H. T. Wilcox held the office of town treasurer from 1863 to 1874, and H. S. Wilcox held the same position from 1878 to 1879. The latter also served as councilman, as assessor, and as a member of the board of compensation and the board of relief.
In 1886 he was chosen a trustee of the Meriden Savings Bank, and the year following a director of the same institution.
Mr. Wilcox united with the First Congregational church in 1852, and
WILLIAM G. WARNOCK.
William George Warnock, a strik- ing example of the self-made man of affairs of this vicinity, one of the largest taxpayers of Meriden, was born April 25, 1849. His parents, poor but worthy people, made their home in Meriden when he was three years old, and taught their children to be honest and industrious. Owing to the somewhat straitened circum- stances of the family, the education of our subject, obtained under diffi- culties, was interrupted at the age of nine years when he left the East Mer- iden district day school and went to work on a farm. With an ambition and determination to get an educa- tion, later while working days at his trade in the factory of the Meriden Britannia Co., he studied evenings, until by self-denial and prudence he had saved enough of his earnings to take a course at Potter & Hammond's Business College, Hartford. Later he read law evenings in the office of the late Cook Lounsbury. At nine-
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WyWarnock
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teen, with his brother the late J. C. Warnock, afterwards head salesman of the Meriden Britannia Company, he started the Chicago Silver Plate Co., now the Aurora Silver Plate Com- pany, one of the most prosperous con- cerns in the west, competing with Meriden's main line of manufacture. Two years later, in 1870, the War- nock Brothers sold their interests in Chicago advantageously and returned to Meriden, resuming their important positions in the Britannia factory. His brother, who had accumulated no inconsiderable fortune and acquired a high standing in the community, died at the age of 34, beloved and respect- ed by all who knew him.
William G. Warnock gradually be- came interested in real estate brok- erage and for many years has devoted his entire attention to the care and improvement of local property in which his keen foresight, sound judg- ment and careful movements have made him unusually successful. His knowledge of property values has for some years been much relied upon by others who have sought his advice. Perhaps one of the most conclusive instances of his judgment was his erection of the Warnock block on West Main street in which is situated the Hotel Bloxham. This stately business block has proven a wise and profitable real estate investment and was built by Mr. Warnock in 1887, under his own personal supervision, he furnishing material and labor.
Mr. Warnock having large inter- ests in this locality and being natural-
ly possessed of public spirit, takes no little pride in the rapid progress of Meriden. Among his real estate pos- sessions is what was formerly known as the John Yale farm, situated on North Colony Road.
Mr. Warnock is a stockholder in several enterprises but has never sought prominence in public life, be- ing devoted entirely to his business and his home. His love for good horse flesh has ever been his one weakness and he has always owned well-bred equines; and in years gone by he has had in his stables sev- eral celebrated trotting horses.
He was married June 2, 1885, to Miss Avilla M. Tinker, formerly as- sistant principal of the Church street school, of Meriden, in whom he has a most congenial, intelligent and able helpmate. Her father, the late Wil- liam R. Tinker, removed to Vineland, N. J., in 1884, where he died March 13, 1905. He was well known in musical circles and was, in his day, a skillful player of the violin and a vocalist of note, which talents were inherited in the fullest degree by his children.
His daughter, Mrs. Warnock, be- fore her marriage, was one of Meri- den's most promising vocalists and her well-trained contralto voice was. often heard in unprofessional con- certs and private entertainments.
Mr. and Mrs. Warnock have been blessed with the following children: Harold, who died April 23, 1887, at the age of eleven months, John Ches- ter, graduate of the Meriden High
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school in 1905; William George Jr., attending Hopkins Grammar school, New Haven, both preparing for Yale college, and Katherine Avilla, a bright young miss just entering her teens. All the children are musical, making home most attractive, and Mr. War- nock finds his greatest pleasure at the family fireside.
He is a member of the Pilgrims' Harbor Council, Royal Arcanum, but besides being a member of the Arca- num Club, is not affiliated with any other social or fraternal organizations. Both he and Mrs. Warnock are mem- bers of the First Congregational church, in the welfare of which they take deep interest.
EDWIN CADY.
Edwin Cady (deceased) was one of Meriden's most upright and respected business men. For a period of over twenty-seven years, during which he held the responsible position of su- perintendent of the Meriden Cutlery Company, at South Meriden, he was looked up to as a man who stood for the very best and most honorable methods.
Mr. Cady was born in Woodstock, Connecticut, October 21, 1833, a son of Charles Edwin and Clementine (Cheney) Cady. His father, Charles Edwin Cady, was born June 3, 1804, in Killingly. Charles Cady followed his trade of blacksmith in his native place until 1837 when he removed to Southbridge, Massachusetts, where he
started a machine shop in a place now called Saundersdale. He retired in 1857, but continued to live in South- bridge until he died, August 7, 1893, respected and beloved by all who knew him. His wife, Clementine Cheney, was the daughter of Captain Joel Cheney, of Southbridge, and died in 1871. They had five children, of whom Edwin was the oldest.
Edwin Cady received the ordinary education in the public schools of his native place, followed by a course of study in Wilbraham Academy. After leaving school he learned the trade of a machinist in his father's shop, and in a factory at Worcester, Massachu- setts. In June, 1856, he went to Buf- falo, New York, where he entered the employ of George Parr, as superinten- dent of his factory, and where he re- mained two years. Owing to the fail- ure of Mr. Parr, he lost this position and soon accepted one with the firm of Pitts Bros., manufacturers of thresh- ing machines. In 1859 he returned to Southbridge and after two years more, in 1861, he entered the government armory to engage in gun making. He filled this position acceptably for seven years, when he moved to South Mer- iden, Connecticut, and accepted the as- sistant superintendency of the Meriden Cutlery Company. A year later, on the death of the superintendent, he was promoted to that position and held it up to the time of his death, in 1895. His training as an expert m3- chinist was of great value to him in his work, and his genial manners
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Edisco Lady
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and impartial judgment won for him the respect of all those who worked under him.
Mr. Cady was a Republican in pol- itics, and although never seeking no- toriety, did his duty in the community by serving for some time in the Com- mon Council in which he admirably furthered the best interests of his ward.
He was always much interested in fraternal organizations and gained many friends through the lodges of which he was a member. These in- cluded Meridian Lodge, No. 77, A. F. & A. M .; Keystone Chapter, No. 27, R. A. M .; St. Elmo Commandery, Knights Templar, No. 9; Hancock Lodge, I. O. O. F .; Montowese Tribe, No. 6, I. O. R. M., and Columbia Council, No. 5, O. U. A. M. In re- ligious views he was a Congregation- alist. Kindly and affectionate in dis- position, he treated every man as if he were a brother so that many a fel- low citizen felt a keen personal loss at his death which occurred June 6, 1895.
On December 25, 1856, Mr. Cady was married to Roselia Marble Lathe, daughter of Levi Lincoln and Fran- cis (Marble) Lathe, of Southbridge. They had only one child, which was born July 22, 1862, and died August 14, 1865. Mrs. Cady still survives her husband, and has ever been most de- voted to his memory as she was to him while he was still with her. Her home was ever her chief concern in life and to make that home a happy place was her great aim.
CHARLES N. WINSLOW.
The death of Charles N. Winslow on December 29, 1904, at the age of 60 took from Meriden's daily life a good citizen and a trusted business man. Mr. Winslow had been iden- tified with the business life of the city for forty years, during which time he had been agent for the Meriden branch of the Adams Express Com- pany. He was the oldest agent in the New England division of the com- pany and was justly regarded as one of the most faithful and efficient.
Mr. Winslow was born in New- port, R. I. After completing his school career he was employed in the office of the Adams Express Com- pany, in Bridgeport, to which city his family had removed. After two years he was appointed agent in Mer- iden, which position he held until his death. During the forty years he served in Meriden the office grew steadily in importance, a fact due in no small degree to his energy and bus- iness capacity. He ever had the in- terests of the company at heart and he was recognized as a progressive and at the same time strictly conscien- tious executive.
Mr. Winslow served as alderman in the Meriden Court of Common Council in 1880 and 1881. That was the only public office he ever held, al- though urged on more than one occa- sion to accept political honors. Far from seeking notoriety, he sought rather to devote himself to his home, his business and his church.
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le N. Winslow
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Mr. Winslow was closely identified with the Center Congregational church, serving as deacon, member of standing committee and of the Ec- clesiastical society's committee. For years; he taught in the Sunday school. Of him his pastor, Rev. J. H. Grant, wrote: "Mr. Winslow was a pillar of the church in the fine old- fashioned sense. Next to his family came the church in his affection and in his loyal devotion. No succession of ministers in any church, I venture to say, was ever given a more gra- cious, practical and steadfast loyalty than he gave his ministers; nor has a generation of members in Center church often had before its eyes an example of such fine courtesy, honor and integrity as a man, a counselor of such ripe and trusted judgment, a Christian of such piety, and a church- man of such utter fidelity to the wel- fare of his church."
He was a member of no fraternal organization. In the year 1874 Mr. Winslow married Miss Henrietta E. Baldwin, of Meriden, who survives him. Mr. Winslow's home for thir- ty-one years was at 750 Broad street.
LE GRAND BEVINS.
The death, on January 12, 1905, of LeGrand Bevins took from Meri- den one of her best known and most highly respected citizens, one who for nearly twenty years was prominent in the public life of the city, and during that period earned the esteem of all.
Mr. Bevins was born in Meriden February 2, 1839, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Bevins. He lived in his native town until he was nineteen years of age, when he went to Ohio, from which state he enlist- ed and was first sergeant of Co. E in the Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteers, leaving a position of railroad fireman to enter the service of his country at the breaking out of the Civil War. His record as a soldier from Bull Run to Appomattox was a splendid one. At the close of the war he returned to his old home and entered the employ of the Meriden Silver Plate Company, with which concern he remained un- til he was elected first selectman of the town in October, 1887.
Mr. Bevins was most devoted to his family, advancing years only adding to the pleasure he found in the fam- ily circle. In 1887 Mr. Bevins was elected selectman on the Democratic ticket and held the office continuously until October, 1893, making a record never surpassed by any Meriden gov- ernment official. Under his care- ful supervision a town tax of eight mills was the highest rate that the town was obliged to make during his incumbency of office. He had previously served the city from the First ward as councilman and alderman, being mayor pro tem under Mayor C. H. S. Davis. After retiring from the office of se- lectman, Mr. Bevins was a member of the board of assessors for five years, at one time being its chairman.
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Le Grand Bevins
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Walter & Bevins ·
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He was re-elected assessor in the Oc- tober preceding his death.
He was a member of the special committee that revised the assessment of Meriden property, making out a new list at which real estate was put at its market value.
Mr. Bevins was a conservative man in all affairs, both public and private, and could always be counted upon to stand for the best interests of the town and city. He was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for sheriff at one time. In politics he was one of the old school Democrats, whose devotion to party was unwav- ering 'at all times.
Mr. Bevins was for a number of years before his death a trustee of the Meriden Savings Bank. In fra- ternal circles, he had held membership in Merriam Post, G. A. R., of which he was at one time a trustee. He was one of the organizers of Lincoln Com- mand, U. V. U., and held its highest office, that of colonel. He was also prominent in the state organizations. He was at the time of his death treas- urer of Alpha Lodge, Knights of Hon- or. He was also a member of Cen- ter Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Silver City Lodge; A. O. U. W .; Pacific Lodge, I. O. O. F., and Center Congrega- tional church.
Mr. Bevins was deeply interested in school -matters and for several years was chairman of the Corner School District Committee, before the con- solidation of the districts took place. He managed the affairs-of the large district most judiciously and had the
confidence of the majority of the tax- payers, who insisted upon his retain- ing the office of chairman year after year. He was also prominently men- tioned for other political honors and was a candidate for the legislature.
Shortly after leaving the army, Mr. Bevins married, May 17, 1865, Miss Jane L. Stiles, daughter of Captain H. H. Stiles, of North Haven, and be- sides his widow at the time of his la- mented decease, was survived by three children : Miss Edith L. Bevins, prin- cipal of the Willow street school ; Miss Anna L. Bevins and Attorney Walter L. Bevins, whose death, how- ever, followed a few days after that of his father.
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