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 76
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is now a law. The most notable speeches which he delivered in that body were those on ballot reform, the Westport ballot box contest, oleo- margarine, and the Storrs School ap- propriation. He was the author of the famous Parnell resolutions, which were finally passed by the General As- sembly after a bitter contest. He or- ganized and is secretary of the Sen- ate Club of 1889-90. He was chair- man of the town delegation to the state convention held in Hartford in September, 1890, and at this conven- tion was a candidate for the office of secretary of state. He is a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal church ; Sons of the American Revolution ; Meriden Veteran Firemen's association and town hall building committee.
In 1902 Mr. Morse was a candidate for congressman from the Second dis- trict, opposing N. D. Sperry, of New Haven, by whom he was defeat- ed. He has never held any town or city office except chairman of the Democratic town committee.
G. W. FRANCIS.
The subject of this sketch, for many years a prominent resident and busi- ness man of Meriden, was born in Wethersfield, Conn., a son of Elias and Sarah (Griswold) Francis. He was given the name of George Wash- ington Francis, as he was burn Feb- ruary 22, 1831, which fact prompted his parents to name him in honor of the father of his country. His birth-
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A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.
Photo by Akers & Pigeon. GEORGE WASHINGTON FRANCIS.
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BIOGRAPHIES.
place was at the old Francis homestead located on what is now known as the corner of Hartford avenue and Pris- on street, Wethersfield. He was one of a family of eleven children and was a half brother of the late Mrs. Ben- jamin Twiss, of Meriden. His grandfather was John Francis, third, who served as captain in the Revo- lutionary War, and married Rhoda Wright. His great-great-grandfath- er, John Francis, second, married Eu- nice Dickinson and his great-grand- father, John Francis, jr., married Mary Hatch. His father, John Fran- cis, married Mary Crittenden.
George Washington Francis spent his early life in healthy surroundings of culture and inherited those habits of industry which became necessary when the slaves of Connecticut re- ceived their freedom; two of- whom belonging to the family, were cared for during their lives by the father of Mr. Francis. George Francis learned his trade in Meriden, serving his ap- prenticeship under Henry Beadle who conducted the harness business at the corner of East Main and Pratt streets, and upon coming to Meriden first boarded with his sister Elizabeth, who was Mrs. Beadle. In time he became proprietor of the business and con- ducted the store in which he learned his trade, and afterwards built the present three-story building at the cor- ner of East Main and Pratt streets, in which he conducted the harness business, later adding trunks and bags to his stock of goods, until his death which occurred on July 1, 1872 and
which was caused by smallpox con- tracted from one of his employes who had varioloid in such a mild form that no one knew of his affliction.
Mr. Francis was a member of Mer- iden Center Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and was affiliated with no other organiza- tion. Although he never united with a church, he held a high regard for the Word of God, as a result of his early religious training and for many years was a regular attendant at the First Baptist church. To this church he contributed generous support, until with his family he became an attend- ant of the Main Street Baptist church at which edifice a service was held in his memory the Sunday following his death, and during which Rev. O. T. Walker, his former pastor, paid him a deserved tribute. Of his life it can be said he acted well the true Chris- tian part.
He was married December 27, 1855, to Emily Fine, of New Brunswick, N. J. Their children are Nellie Gilbert (Mrs. Arthur M. Alderman) and Bessie Francis, of Meriden. Grand- children that survive now are Howard Francis and Walter Arthur Alderman.
L. P. EDGERTON.
L. P. Edgerton, the senior member of the firm of Edgerton & Immich, is a native of Coventry, Tolland county, Conn., and was born January 31, 1833. He is the son of Justin P. and Mary (Barrows) Edgerton. His father and grandfather carried on adjoining farms at Coventry, where the family
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were tillers of the soil for many gen- erations before.
Mr. Edgerton obtained his educa- tion by attending the district school during three months of the year and remained upon the farm of his father until the age of twenty-two, when he began his mercantile career by enter- ing a grocery store at Willimantic. He afterwards spent eight years in
Photo by Akers & Pigeon.
L. P. EDGERTON.
New York City with his brother, Da- vid B., in the manufacture of cloaks and wraps and conducted a wholesale business. During the Civil war, in connection with his brother, Mr. Ed- gerton opened a store at Norfolk, Va., which he carried on for six months. During this time his patrons were com-
prised entirely of northern soldiers, owing to the bitter feeling against the north which prevailed at that time. On account of ill health, Mr. Edger- ton removed from New York City to New Britain, and to get the benefit of out-door life he rented a farm, which he conducted with profit until 1870.
It was in that year that he came to Meriden and bought out the coal bus- iness of Frederick Williams, which he carried on for two years and after- wards sold to Amos Ives. In 1874 he established himself in his present line by buying out the express and for- warding business of Mr. Forsyth. His first stables were on Veteran street. He afterwards removed to stables on Pratt street, later had an office on State street near Main ; and after the railroad freight depot was built in its present location, the firm of Edgerton & Immich bought the land and built the present large stables which have ever since been situated directly opposite. The business of the firm has more than quadrupled in the past thirty-two years, and its growth has been steady and substantial.
Mr. Edgerton's extended business career has been an honorable one and his dealings with the public conducted upon lines of fairness and liberality. His even disposition and genial qual- ities have made him a favorite with all who have been associated with him, both in business and private affairs. He has never possessed aspirations for a public career, although he has been given ample opportunity.
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He was married November 29, 1855, to Harriet Eliza Flower and they cel- ebrated their fiftieth wedding anniver- sary in Meriden in 1905. Their children are Frank C., vice-president and treasurer of the Kelsey Press Company of Meriden; and Minnie, (Mrs. Edward S. Thompson), also of Meriden. They have also two grand- children and one great-granddaughter.
HENRY L. IMMICH.
Henry L. Immich, junior member of the firm of Edgerton & Immich, was born in New London, April 18, 1860. He is of German descent and his pa- rents were Peter and Elizabeth Im- mich. They came to this country from Germany and located in New London more than twenty years be- fore their son was born. He was giv- en a liberal education in the public schools of his native town and was graduated from the Bulkeley High school, after which he took a course at the Eastman Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
Coming to Meriden in 1880 he en- tered the store of Ives, Upham & Rand, which at that time was in the present location of Howard Bros. After being employed in the dry goods business for one year, he secured a po- sition in the Meriden freight office of the N. Y., N. H. & H. railroad. Soon afterward he became associated with L. P. Edgerton as clerk, three years later entering into the partnership as a member of the firm which has ever since been that of Edgerton & Im-
mich. From his long connection with the teaming business, Mr. Immich has become thoroughly familiar with the wants of the public, his concern is so well able to supply. During the last few years, and owing to the somewhat poor health of Mr. Edgerton, a large amount of the responsibility of the bus- iness has devolved upon him; and to his energy and grasp of business sit-
Photo by Akers & Pigeon.
HENRY L. IMMICH.
uations, has a share of the present prosperity of the firm been brought about.
He is a member of Pilgrims' Harbor Council, Royal Arcanum ; the A. O. U. W., the Colonial Club of Meriden and Meriden Business Men's Asso- ciation, and is a communicant of St. Andrew's Episcopal church.
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He married Adelaide L., daughter of Sarah A. Douglass, to whom two sons and two daughters have been born as follows : Hollis Douglass, who in June, 1906, was graduated from the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University ; Walter Lewis, Ethel Cor- inne and Faye Madeline. Since his marriage Mr. Immich has resided at 16I Curtis street, where he has en- joyed the respect of his neighbors as well as in the business circles where he is a potent factor.
J. H. CAMIER.
John Henry Camier, deceased, but for many years one of the most popu- lar men in the mercantile life of Mer- iden, was born October 20, 1850, of English parentage and French de- scent, near London, England. After receiving a good education in his na- tive language and growing to man- hood, he came to America and secured a position as shipping clerk in a whole- sale men's furnishing goods house, in Boston, becoming a resident of Mer- iden in 1878 where he remained until his death which occurred November 2, 190I.
He engaged in the clothing business in 1879 in the Lewis block on Main street ; in 1880 forming a partnership with Almon J. Fletcher, and the busi- ness has, to the present time, been continued with growing success un- der the title of The Boston & Mer- iden Clothing Co .; but since the de- cease of Mr. Camier, his interest has been retained by his widow. Upon
the completion of the Wilcox block, the business was removed to the present location; but the store afterwards became enlarged from time to time. In 1899 the adjoining store was taken in and the partition torn down, afterwards fifty feet were add- ed to the depth of the now double store, and in 1901 a portion of the basement was rebuilt and converted into a department for the sale of
JOHN H. CAMIER.
trunks and bags. The store is now I27 feet deep and 50 feet wide, of which an uninterrupted view is to be obtained from any part of the floor, comprising 'one of the handsomest and finest in New England. Mr. Camier became, therefore, one of the most successful business men of the town and was held in high regard by
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BIOGRAPHIES.
the numerous patrons of the store and a large circle of friends with whom he became a favorite.
For many years before his death, he was a member and one of the trustees of the Main Street Baptist church ; was a member of Center Lodge, 97, A. F. & A. M .; Keystone Chapter, 27, R. A. M .; Hamilton Council, 22, R. & S. M .; St. Elmo Commandery, 9, K. T .; and Myrtle Lodge, 4, K. of P. He was married in Boston, October 14, 1878, to Nellie S. Warner, whose great-grandfather was a Revolution- ary soldier and who is descended in the maternal line from the Ballou family which located at Rehoboth, Mass., about 1620. Mrs. Camier is a member of the Trinity M. E. church and cared for her husband with great devotion through his years of infirm health.
A. J. FLETCHER.
Almon John Fletcher, who since the death of his partner, has assumed the entire management of the business of The Boston & Meriden Clothing Co., was born at Acworth, N. H., August 15, 1842. He is a son of John and Almina (Tandy) Fletcher and was reared on a farm in East Lempster, N. H., and attended the district schools of that vicinity. After obtaining some experience in mercantile life, but before he attained his majority, he enlisted for three years as a soldier in the Civil war, going to the front as a member of Company G, 9th N. H. Vols. Infantry. He was present and
took part at the battles of South Mountain and Antietam, being wounded by a shell in the latter en- gagement and receiving his honorable discharge from service through his disability.
After recovering from his injuries at his home, he went to Winchendon, Mass., and became employed in a ma-
Photo by Akers & Pigeon.
ALMON J. FLETCHER.
chine shop. After three years he went to Boston and continued to work as a machinist for a time, and later became a clerk in a store there. He came to Meriden in 1879 and shortly after formed a partnership with John H. Camier, who had established a clothing business in the Lewis block, which afterwards became known
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as The Boston & Meriden Clothing Co., the active management of which now large concern has for many years devolved upon him, especially since the decease of Mr. Camier, as stated just previous to this article. This clothing company has an enviable record for success and fair dealing, extending over a period of twenty- seven years. Few men of Meriden enjoy the confidence of their fellow townsmen to a greater extent than does Mr. Fletcher or than did his de- ceased partner, Mr. Camier. In 1883 they established a branch store at Mid- dletown which was also carried on by the firm, but after the death of Mr. Camier, was sold to others, the large Meriden store being all that Mr. Fletcher could attend to. Mr. Fletcher is known as one of the re- liable and capable merchants of the town, respected for his probity of character and industry.
While devoted to his business, he finds time for activity in church work and is one of the stewards of the Trin- ity M. E. church, and a teacher in the Sunday school. He is also a member of Pacific Lodge, 87, I. O. O. F., and Merriam Post, 8, G. A. R.
He was married June 7, 1883, in Meriden, to Tama (Davis) Warner, widow of Edwin T. Warner and mother of Mrs. Camier. She was a valued member of Trinity M. E. church and was known as an exem- plary Christian character and a kind and devoted wife and mother. She was a - capable business woman who carefully conserved the estate in-
herited from her father. She died January 1, 1892, and was buried at Walnut Grove cemetery.
CHARLES H. PINKS.
Charles Henry Pinks, druggist of this town and active head of the Mer- iden Drug Company, was born in South Meriden, December 4, 1858,
Photo by H. T. Shaw. CHARLES H. PINKS.
and with the exception of three years has always resided in Meriden. He is a son, and with the exception of Ida K. Pinks, a member of his household, is the only surviving child of Edwin C. and Sophia C. Pinks, natives of New Britain, and he comes from old New England ancestry on both the pater-
BIOGRAPHIES.
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nal and maternal sides. His early education was obtained in New Brit- ain where his family name has been a familiar one for several generations and where his parents, now deceased, rest from earthly cares. He after- wards went to school in Meriden and Woburn, Mass., finishing his educa- tion at Wilbraham Academy, Wilbra- ham, Mass. He began his business career as a clerk in the Meriden post office, under the late Erwin D. Hall.
reputation for reliability and accuracy. In 1886 Mr. Pinks was one of the or- ganizers of the present corporation of which he has ever since been the treas- urer and manager ; and under his pro- gressive ideas and close application, the business has grown to large pro- portions, the location being in the heart of Meriden and near the busiest corner of the main thoroughfare.
Mr. Pinks is a member of the Con- « necticut Pharmaceutical Association ;
Photo by R. S. Godfrey.
RESIDENCE OF CHARLES H. PINKS.
He afterwards entered the drug business, with O. G. Harrison as a partner, later succeeded E. A. Bur- dick, after which was formed the Mer- iden Drug Co., which thus enjoys the distinction of being the oldest drug store in Meriden. The place was known originally as I. B. Klock's Apothecaries' Hall and has been for- tunately controlled by men who, from the start, have maintained an excellent
vice-president of the Meriden Drug- gists' Association ; member of the Meriden Board of Trade; Meriden Business Men's Association ; Colonial Club of Meriden ; Meridian Lodge, 77, A. F. & A. M. : Pilgrims' Harbor Council, 543, Royal Arcanum, and the First Congregational church. Of the last named he was, in 1905, chosen one of the deacons, which office he now holds. He was married in 1887, to
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Lillian Beecher, daughter of the late Wm. M. Smith, of Meriden, to whom the following children have been born : Vera Lockrow, Stanley Beecher and Beula Warren Pinks.
HORACE C. WILCOX.
Foremost among the men of Meri- den during the past century as re- gards the development of the business interests of the locality, was Horace C. Wilcox, a founder of the Meriden Britannia Company, and who during the latter part of his life was not only interested in, but one of the founders of many other manufacturing concerns of the town. He was a man of great energy and ability and from a small beginning, became a power in the business world. He was born in that portion of Middletown known as Westfield, January 24, 1824, and at- tended district school for a brief per- iod. He acquired, however, by ob- servation and study a remarkable knowledge of men and business, and was possessed of a keenness of per- ception and foresight that was inborn. He was a natural leader, a man of great enterprise and business acumen ; and his life was perhaps more useful to Meriden in a business way, than that of any other man. His early life until the age of twenty, was spent up- on his father's farm and he began his business career as a peddler of tin- ware.
In 1850 he was engaged as travel- ing salesman for James Frary, a man- ufacturer of britannia ware. He af-
terwards traveled in the same capac- ity for William W. Lyman, John Mun- son and Isaac C. Lewis. In 1852, with his brother, Dennis C. Wilcox, Isaac C. Lewis, James A. Frary, Lem- uel J. Curtis, W. W. Lyman, John Munson, George R. Curtis, Samuel Simpson and William H. Johnson, he organized the Meriden Britannia Com- pany, of which he was the first secre- tary and treasurer. In 1866 he suc- ceeded I. C. Lewis as president of the company, and held that office until his death, August 22, 1890. From the start he became a power in the con- cern and the remarkable growth of the company, to the largest of its kind in this country, was in great measure due to his wise counsel and able leadership. Mr. Wilcox was a great worker, not only for the success of the Meriden Britannia Company, but for the town of Meriden, of which he was a most enthusiastic, patriotic and loyal resi- dent. It was his delight to see Meri- den grow and prosper, and to that end he was instrumental in bringing sev- eral important industries within its borders, as well as promoting the in- terests of the town in various other directions. Through his influence the White family came to Meriden from Brattleboro, Vt., and with his able as- sistance the Wilcox & White Organ Company was organized. Of this company, which bears his name, he was the first president. He was also a director of the Meriden Silver Plate Company, Manning, Bowman & Co., Meriden Saddlery & Leather Co., The Aeolian Organ & Music Co., the Mer-
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iden Street Railway Co., Rogers Bros. Company of Waterbury, R. Wallace & Sons of Wallingford, Wm. Rogers Mfg. Co. of Hartford, Meriden Fire
and largest enterprise was the organ- ization and construction of the Meri- den, Waterbury & Connecticut River Railroad, and in this enterprise he in-
7 G, Hilary
Insurance Co., Home National Bank, Republican Publishing Co., Walnut Grove Cemetery Association, and the City Savings Bank. His last
vested more than one million dollars, with little expectation of any return except the benefits the community he loved so much would receive.
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Such a man as Mr. Wilcox could not shirk his duty to his fellow citi- zens, when called upon to act in a pub- lic capacity. A Republican of the most loyal type, he was elected a mem- ber of the first board of aldermen of the infant city. He was also the fifth mayor, and served in that capacity for two terms, 1875-6. In 1877 he served a term in the state senate, and al- though repeatedly urged to accept oth- er public honors, this concluded his highly creditable career in public of- fice, which was ever distasteful to him. His connection with the First Congre- gational church of Meriden added strength to that influential society. He was one of the most generous givers to its financial prosperity ; was a mem- ber of the building committee when the present handsome edifice was con- structed, and during his life served on nearly all the important committees of that society.
He was married, first, to Charlotte, daughter of Jabez Smith of Middle- town, who died in 1864, and to whom the following children were born: Ella Augusta, who married the late William P. Morgan and removed to San Francisco; Georgine, Walter and Allyn, who died in infancy, and George Horace, who after his father's death, became president of The Meri- den Britannia Co., and is now vice- president of The International Silver Co. In 1865 he married Ellen, daugh- ter of Edmund Parker, and to them were born Dwight P. and Horace, both deceased, and Florence Cornwall, now. Mrs. Louis Fisk.
SYLVESTER J. CURTIS.
Sylvester Johnson Curtis, a de- ceased financier and one of the most respected figures of Wall street, was a product of Meriden. He was born in this town September 30, 1826. His line of descent on the paternal side, back to 1639, when widow Elizabeth and her two sons, John and William, were among the first settlers of Stam- ford, is as follows: Elizabeth, John, Thomas (one of the original planters of Wallingford in 1670), Nathaniel, Benjamin, Benjamin and Amos.
Amos, father of Sylvester, was a representative in 1824 and had held many positions of trust, having been a prominent man in Meriden, and who in 1818 married Louisa Johnson, daugh- ter of Lieut. Dan Johnson an officer in the Revolutionary War. Lieut. John- son married Rebecca Hitchcock April 19, 1781, and was a son of Daniel Johnson, a trial justice under King George II., of England, who married, December 24, 1734, Joanna Preston ; she was the great-granddaughter of William Preston, said to have been an English baronet, one of the first settlers of New Haven.
Among the early maternal ancestors of Sylvester Curtis, was Robert John- son of England, whose son Thomas emigrated from England in 1632, and from whom have descended many men of prominence in the history of the Colonies, and who became prom- inent in the affairs of the nation. Among them are Dr. Samuel Johnson and William Samuel Johnson, the lat-
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n
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ter one of the first men of Connecti- cut chosen to the United States Sen- ate. William Johnson, son of Thom- as, married Sarah Hall in December, 1664, and died at New Haven 1741. His son Jacob was a first settler in Wallingford, and was born at New Haven, September 26, 1674, and mar- ried Abigail Hitchcock. He was the grandfather of Lieut. Dan Johnson.
Sylvester Curtis was brought up on his father's farm in the eastern part of Meriden, and attended the district school here.
He began his business career in New York City by entering the em- ploy of Carter, Harrison & Co., iron dealers. At the age of twenty-one years, he in company with his prospec- tive brother-in-law and several friends, bought a ship, fitted it out and sailed for California by way of Cape Horn. He returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama, after less than a year's ab- sence, having been quite successful. He then entered the dry goods busi- ness, and continued therein until 1861 when he identified himself with Wall street, where he later became known as one of the best judges of railroad and other investment bonds. He joined the New York Stock Exchange in 1867, and shortly after established the banking and stock brokerage house of S. J. Curtis & Co ... He retired from business in 1878 with a handsome competence honestly earned by his in- dustry and by his mastery of financial problems ; and upon his death he left a fortune of about two and one-half millions.
Mr. Curtis was a man of strong character and a keen sense of honor and integrity, never questioned by the moneyed people of New York, with whom he came in business contact ; and he was one who treated all men, whether high or low, rich or poor, with the fullest regard for their rights.
He married Harriet Augusta, daughter of Thomas E. Hulse, of New York City, April 23, 1851, and to that union were born the following : Thomas E. H. Curtis, in New York City, February 13, 1852, and Harriet Louisa Curtis, in Middletown, N. Y., August 13, 1855. Sylvester Curtis died at his residence, 39 West Twen- tieth street, in New York City, on September 25, 1899.
THOMAS E. H. CURTIS.
Thomas E. H. Curtis, son of Syl- vester J. and Harriet Augusta Curtis, and a portion of whose youth was spent in Meriden, was born in New York City, February 13, 1852. His ancestors, as recorded in the sketch of Sylvester J. Curtis, include representa- tives of old and distinguished families of New Haven county, and of them he is a worthy descendant.
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