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 77
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
He began his business career after being graduated from the College of the City of New York in 1871, when he became cashier at the New York City office of Brown Bros., of Water- bury, Conn. After remaining there about two and one-half years, early in 1874, he became associated with his father who was then one of the lead-
535
BIOGRAPHIES.
-
Think Curtis 2
536
A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.
ing bond and stock brokers of Wall street, and whose partner retiring two months later, he was given one-third interest in the business, which was continued as S. J. Curtis & Co. His father retiring from the firm in 1878, he continued to maintain the good reputation established.
He made a study of railroads like the Union Pacific and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, and an inves- tigation of their securities on which he was considered an authority. In 1879 Mr. Curtis examined the property and affairs of and purchased a consider- able interest in the St. Louis & San Francisco railroad. He later aided largely in securing the release of the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad Co., from the hands of its receiver ; thus he made his first pronounced start in the sea of finance. His extensive op- erations brought him in personal con- tact with many of the great financiers of the country with whom he was closely affiliated and whose confidence he enjoyed to the fullest extent.
In 1884 he became one of the di- rectors of the Colorado Coal & Iron Co., now the Colorado Fuel & Iron Co., a concern of great magnitude, including among its officers and di- rectors many men of national finan- cial fame. Almost immediately after his election, he was appointed a com- mittee to make an examination of the properties of the company ; and upon his return, was made its first vice- president, which office he retained many years. Mr. Curtis became a member of the New York Stock Ex-
change in 1900, but sold his seat in 1905, having retired from active bus- iness.
In 1891 he removed to his present residence in Plainfield, where he lives in retirement. Mr. Curtis is a great lover of art, of which he is an ac- knowledged connoisseur, and for the past twenty years has been collecting bronzes, rare books, paintings and oth- er articles. His collection of ancient glass, is admitted by all authorities who have seen it, to be the most rare and valuable in the world and impossi- ble to duplicate. It contains pieces said to date 2,500 to 3,000 years B. C., and includes twenty-eight unbroken pieces of the Murrhina or inlaid ruby glass, of which only about thirty-four are known to exist. This glass was very valuable in Rome in Nero's time. Many of his porcelains and other ar- ticles are of almost priceless value, and includes the famous Chinese, soft paste, Ming period, Ostrich Egg vase, known throughout the art world. His home is a marvel of interest and his collection is a most creditable one to the country, and has been made possible only through his infallible knowledge, correct eye and an inborn taste for things rare and beautiful, which only wealth could develop. Mr. Curtis is a member of several social and art clubs.
Mr. Curtis was married in New York City June 8, 1881, to Ada Hulse of that city, a lady of rare accomplish- ments, but whose mission in life, to brighten the lives of others, was cut short February 18, 1896, when she
537
BIOGRAPHIES.
was called to the great Jehovah, after presiding over her beautiful home in Plainfield, and becoming the mother of three daughters, as follows: Ada Florence, Harriet Louise and Sylvia Johnson.
CHARLES LEE ROCKWELL.
Charles Lee Rockwell, president of the First National Bank and the City Savings Bank, of Meriden, was born at Ridgefield, Conn. He is the son of Francis A. and Mary (Lee) Rock- well and is a worthy representative of one of the oldest family names in the state. He received his education at Rev. Dr. David H. Short's School in Ridgefield and at the Fort Edward Institute in New York State ; and dur- ing his entire business career has been identified with the banking business. He became teller of the National Bank of Norwalk, Conn., in 1863, which position he held for seven years, com- ing to Meriden in 1870, to become cashier of the First National Bank of this town, which office he filled most acceptably to the institution and its patrons until 1902, when, after the death of the late John D. Billard, who had for many years been its president, he was chosen as head of the institu- tion which office he has since filled.
His long connection with the First National Bank has been one in which his ability as a financier and counsel- or has been of benefit to the institu- tion. When it became apparent that another savings bank was desirable in Meriden and the City Savings Bank
was organized, Mr. Rockwell became its first secretary and treasurer. He later accepted the presidency and still continues at its head ; and has from the first given the Sav- ings Bank close attention resulting beneficially to its large number of de- positors.
Mr. Rockwell was one of the or- ganizers of the Meriden Trust & Safe Deposit Company and since its organization, the treasurer and gen- eral manager of the company and one of its trustees. This company was chartered by the legislature of Connecticut, to act as ex- ecutor, administrator, guardian and trustee, executing any business en- trusted to it by persons, corpora- tions, courts of probate or other le- gally constituted authority. Mr. Rockwell's financial ability as treasu- rer and general manager of this insti- tution has enabled him to assist the widow and orphan and to win not only the confidence but the gratitude of a large number of people, with whom he has come in business con- tact. He was also one of the organ- izers and is a director of the First Na- tional bank, Ridgefield, Conn. He is president of the Miller Brothers Cut- lery Company ; a director of the Mer- iden Cutlery Company ; was one of the organizers and directors of the Meri- den Horse Railroad Company and for some years its treasurer ; a director of the Meriden hospital; one of the board of park commissioners and a trustee of Wesleyan University. Middletown, Conn. Mr. Rockwell
t e
-
538
A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.
CKAodwied
539
BIOGRAPHIES.
was married in 1889 to Miss Mary L. Everest, daughter of Rev. Dr. Charles Hall Everest. Mr. and Mrs. Rock- well have two children, Mary Lee Rockwell and Charles Everest Rock- well.
H. WALES LINES.
H. Wales Lines was born at Nau- gatuck, Conn., June 3, 1838. He is the son of Henry Willis and Harriet (Bunnell) Lines, and is a brother of Rt. Rev. Edwin Stevens Lines, D. D., Protestant Episcopal bishop of the dio- cese of Newark, N. J. He is de- scended from Rev. Thomas Hooker, founder of the Connecticut Colony ; from Elder Brewster, one of the lead- ers of the Mayflower party, which landed at Plymouth in 1620; from Ralph Lines, who was in New Haven in 1643 and who was admitted a free burgess there in 1644, and who took active part in the concealment and care of the Regicides. Other ances- tors were: Captain Nathaniel White, one of the founders of Middletown ; John Coit, one of the founders of New London ; Nathaniel Bunnell, one of the founders of Cheshire, and Rev. Tim- othy Stevens, the first orthodox min- ister of Glastonbury.
Mr. Lines is a great-great-grandson of Lieutenant Samuel Newton, a Rev- olutionary soldier, who served in the Tenth Company, Second Regiment.
He is also a great-grandson of Enos Bunnell, who was a private in Com- pany Nine of the First Connecticut Regiment, commanded by Col. David
Wooster ; was present and took part in the capture of St. Johns and the siege of Montreal, and after his sec- ond enlistment was an orderly sergeant in Stephen R. Bradley's company, was called out for the defense of New Ha- ven July 4, 1779, and other alarms.
He is the great-grandson of Elisha Stevens, one of the minute men from Glastonbury, who responded to the Lexington alarm and was a member of Colonel Wolcott's reg- iment during the siege of Boston and afterwards in Colonel Jeduthan Baldwin's regiment. His service as a Revolutionary soldier was more than seven years and among other engage- ments at which he was present, he served actively at the battles of Brook- lyn Heights, Brandywine, and Ger- mantown ; went through the terrible privations during the "Winter at Val- leg Forge," and was also present at the battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Yorktown.
He is a great-grandson of Walter Booth, also a Revolutionary soldier, who, having enlisted at the age of fif- teen, served one year as a soldier in the Third Company of the Fifth Battalion, commanded by Colonel William Doug- las ; he afterwards served five years in Colonel Webb's Regiment. and was present at the battles of Brooklyn Heights, Kips Bay, White Plains, Springfield, N. J., and other engage- ments.
Mr. Lines attended the common school at Naugatuck and graduated at the High school, being valedictorian of his class.
540
A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.
He learned the mason's trade in Naugatuck and New Haven, and while an apprentice, taught school two win- ters in Prospect and later one winter in Naugatuck.
He came to Meriden in August, 1862, to fill a two weeks' contract at his trade, and has resided here since that time. He was employed by George Bassett until May 23, 1864, when with his uncle, the late Charles Perkins, he formed a partnership under the firm name of Perkins & Lines, and conducted business as general con- tractors for all kinds of mason work, and dealt in building materials. Mr. Perkins retired in 1878 and the firm of H. Wales Lines & Co. was formed, Mr. Lines taking as a partner, H. E. Fairchild. The present large corpo- ration of which Mr. Lines has for many years been the head, was organ- ized as a joint stock company under the style of The H. Wales Lines Com- pany in 1888, and much concerning it is stated elsewhere in this volume. The growth of this business under his management has reflected much credit on Meriden, for many of the most im- posing buildings, not only in this state, but far outside of it, are evidences of its thorough and conscientious work. During forty-two years these compa- nies have not missed a weekly pay-roll and have never been involved in a law suit.
treasurer and a director of the New Haven Investment Co .; president Pa- cific Real Estate Co. ; president Meri- den Machine Tool Co .; vice-president Meriden Savings Bank and has been extensively interested in various other large enterprises.
He served two terms as a member of the Board of Education and two terms in the Common Council, 1868-9. In 1872 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of Connecticut and was a member of the committee on railroads.
Mr. Lines was nominated for mayor in 1876, being the first mayor chosen under strict party alignments, and was elected by a majority of 161; second term majority, 318; third term ma- jority, 566. After serving three terms he declined a unanimous renomina- tion for a fourth term. During his first term the common council was a tie politically and during his third term it was unanimously Republican.
At the commencement of his first term the city offices were in six dif- ferent localities and before the close of his third term all, with the excep- tion of the police department, were lo- cated in the town hall.
Under his administration the fire alarm system was introduced. Before his first term only surveys of im- provements on two streets had been recorded. During his administration nearly or quite all the old surveys were placed upon record.
Mr. Lines is the president and treas- urer of The H. Wales Lines Co .; di- rector of the C. F. Monroe Co., of Meriden ; director of the Chapin- In his first term the revenues of Stephens Co., Pine Meadow, Conn .; the water department were not suf-
.
1
BIOGRAPHIES.
541
I Walestimes
542
A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.
ficient to pay its running expenses and the interest upon the water bonds. A new water main was laid from Mer- imere to the center of the city; the meter system was introduced and the management of the department was placed in the hands of one responsible commissioner. The water consump- tion was diminished, the revenues in- creased and at the close of his third term from the surplus a sinking fund was established to provide for pay- ment of bonds when they should ma- ture.
During his first term the legal ex- penses were large, as the city had more than twenty law suits pending. Be- fore the close of his last term these expenses were very light and at its termination every law suit had been settled.
Two new fire houses were built while he was mayor, the equipment of the department improved and its efficiency greatly increased.
Economy was introduced in the management of every city department, the efficiency of each was increased and the expense of each was reduced. The first year that the city had been managed within its income and the city debt reduced was the first year of his administration, and his first an- nual report gave to the citizens of Meriden the first debt statement and the first table of appropriations, ex- penditures and unexpended balances.
The rate of the city tax during his first term was eight and one-half mills and the city debt was reduced that year $6,519. The second year the city
tax rate was eight mills and the city debt was reduced $17,537. The third year the city tax rate was seven and one-half mills and the city debt was reduced $24,954.
Under Mr. Lines' administration a complete revision of the city charter was made, and also a thoroughi refor- mation in regard to the running of the city by departments ; and the system of keeping accounts introduced by him has been continued ever since by the city officials.
During his three terms as mayor, comprising the years 1877-8-9, the city made a very creditable showing in public improvements.
In 1879 Mr. Lines was by a major- ity of 491 elected from the Sixth dis- trict to the State Senate and served in that body two sessions. In the senate he was chairman of the Committee on Cities and Boroughs, and Capitol Fur- nishings, Buildings and Grounds and | Contested Elections. During the three terms he served in either branch of the General Assembly each 1 Meriden matter in his charge passed 1 without change or amendment. He never lost a committee report nor was one amended except upon his motion.
It was during his service in the Sen- ate that the late Honorable O. H. Platt received his first election as United States senator from Connecti- cut.
In 1888 Mr. Lines was the Repub- fican candidate for Congress from the Second district, being defeated by be- tween 700 and 800 votes ; the Demo- cratic candidate for president at the
543
BIOGRAPHIES.
same election carried the district by 2,500 majority and the Democratic candidate for governor by 3,200.
In 1902 Mr. Lines was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, elected by a majority of 690, and was twice appointed a member of the two special committees to secure an agreement on the representation question.
Mr. Lines is a member of the com- mission to remodel and improve the state capitol and to report to the Gen- eral Assembly a suitable separate building for the State Library and Su- preme Court together with estimates of the cost of construction of the same ; and a member of the Fort Griswold Tract Commission which has the care of the old Fort Griswold battle grounds on Groton Heights.
He is also chairman of the Senator O. H. Platt memorial commission.
As a private citizen, Mr .. Lines has always taken an active part in advanc- ing the interests of Meriden, and all plans for the development of the town have been favored by him.
In March, 1879, at a meeting of the citizens of Meriden, held in the old Town hall, he recommended a plan of action, which being followed, se- cured to the business of Meriden its first general and considerable reduc- tion of freight rates and improved conditions as to the delivery of manu- factured goods at their destinations.
He was one of those who after sev- eral defeats in town meeting, finally succeeded in securing the passage of the resolution establishing in 1881 a high school in Meriden and an appro-
priation for the support of the same.
He is chairman of Town Hall Build- ing Committee, appointed to build the new town hall, in accordance with the report of which he is the author and which was adopted in a town meeting held March 25, 1904. The first appropriation for the construction of the building was $150,000, and the original contract was made within that limit. A second appropriation of $62,000 to make the building more nearly fireproof and improve its exter- ior, was afterwards made and the building is now being completed with- in the appropriation.
Upon the recommendation of Mr. Lines, Congress has been asked to make a more adequate appropriation than $100,000 for the proposed new federal building and has furnished to the committee having the matter in charge revised plans, estimates and other data used in support of their claims.
When in August, 1878, the tornado created such fearful death and destruc- tion at Wallingford, Mayor Lines called the first public meeting held in Connecticut, was appointed chairman of the relief committee and had the satisfaction of transmitting something more than $2,000 to Warden Charles D. Yale for the relief of the sufferers in the mother town.
During the famine in Ireland Mr. Lines was one of the speakers at the meeting held in the old Town hall, February 9, 1880, and in response to his appeal a large sum was then and there pledged for the relief of the
b-
he
10-
544
A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.
needy and helpless people of Ireland. He was two years in succession chair- man of the committee that raised a goodly subscription for the relief of the citizens of Memphis, Tenn., dur- ing the epidemic of yellow fever.
He has been a staunch friend of the Union soldier and has always been ready to secure a just recognition of his claims. He keenly appreciates and preserves carefully many votes of thanks received from the local Grand Army Post.
Mr. Lines, although he has an ex- tensive career as a public man and during the past forty years has been honored with many prominent posi- tions within the gift of the people of the town and city, has never sought any political office, and his public ser- vices have been given unselfishly and in all cases without pecuniary consid- eration.
His opinion and judgment upon any matter is slowly formed and firmly held. Precise in speech, accurate in method and of a commanding person- ality, his mental strength and his large grasp upon affairs have always made him a dominating force in any com- pany. He was never known to use illiberal language towards an enemy nor to abandon a friend.
He is a forceful public speaker of the deliberative type, carefully weigh- ing every word, seeking always to be correct in what he states rather than to be eloquent, and to convince rather than to please.
In politics he is a Republican, and although he never sought political hon-
ors he has for more than a quarter of a century been regarded all over Con- necticut as a wise and sound adviser in matters affecting party policies and. candidates. He took an active part in making two notable contributions to- the service of good government which have become political history in the. state; the first was in 1879 when, as- chairman of the organization which conducted the campaign, the late Hon. O. H. Platt was elected to the United States Senate ; the second was in 1902 when he conceived the idea, and directed the campaign which brought about the nomination of the Hon. Abiram Chamberlain for gov- ernor of Connecticut, he having had the honor of presenting the name of Mr. Chamberlain to the Republican state convention.
Mr. Lines is a member of the fol- lowing organizations : Young Men's Republican Club, New Haven ; Home and Colonial Clubs, Meriden ; Con- necticut Historical Society ; New Ha- ven Colony Historical Society ; a life. member of New London County His- torical Society; one of the board of managers of the Conn. Society, Sons of American Revolution ; and president of Captain John Couch Branch, Meriden, Conn., Society Sons- of American Revolution ; director Mer- iden Board of Trade ; life member Y. M. C. A. of Meriden ; member Mayors" Association of Connecticut. He is a: member of the order of Royal Arca -- num ; Knights of Honor and I. O. O. F .; Mecca Temple, Nobles of the- Mystic Shrine, New York City ; Mer-
545
BIOGRAPHIES.
idian Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, Meriden.
He is a member of Meridian Lodge, 77, A. F. & A. M., of which he served as
worshipful master in 1872. Al- though knighted at New Haven he is one of the charter members of St. Elmo Commandery, No. 9, Knights Templar, of Meriden, in which he served as eminent commander, in 1869, 1870, 1873, 1874, 1875, and 1888, and of which he has now been treasurer for twenty-seven years.
Mr. Lines received his thirty-third and last degree, becoming a mem- ber of the Supreme Council at Chicago, Ill., the highest governing body of that rite in the northern juris- diction, at its annual session Septem- ber 19, 1893. He is also member of the Royal Order of Scotland; honorary member Harmony Lodge, 42, F. & A. M., Waterbury, Conn .; and is chair- man of the board of visitors of the Connecticut Masonic Home at Wal- lingford. Mr. Lines in 1877 and 1878 was the grand commander of the Grand Commandery of Connecticut. He is now Grand Treasurer of the Grand Encampment, Knights Tem- plar, of U. S. A. His first election was in 1886 and all his later elections have been by unanimous vote.
His Masonic biography says of him : "In all these organizations he has shown the qualities that adorn his in- dividuality. Possessed of a well bal- anced mind and of a tenacious pur- pose, he has exercised an influence upon his associates, and in many things of enterprise and larger undertaking
he has made good proof of his capa- bilities as a prudent adviser, and a wise and courageous leader. He is a man possessed of strong convictions and of generous and gentle sentiments as well ; large minded and tolerant, his heart responds to the truths and prin- cipals fundamental in Masonic teach- ing and whose life is held to loving service in the ways of righteousness and true benevolence."
The above sentiments so warmly put are no less true as applied to his forty and more years as a citizen of the town of Meriden, where a's a kind and considerate neighbor and staunch friend of the worthy he has endeared himself to his fellow townsmen by his loyalty to their best interests.
Mr. Lines was married June 23, 1861, to Sarah (Congdon), daughter of Rev. Washington and Louisa (Nichols) Munger, of Waterford. Conn., and to them the following chil- dren have been born : Harriet L. (Mrs. Robert L. Peck) Kensington, Conn. ; Henry W., who died in infancy ; Sarah L. (Mrs. Frank L. Hamilton), Meri- den, Conn. ; Clara B. (Mrs. Roger B. de Bussy), Winchester, Mass .; Ellie M. (Mrs. Frank M. Chapin), Pine Meadow, Conn., grand worthy mat- ron of the order of the Eastern Star of Connecticut.
CHARLES THOMPSON DODD.
Charles Thompson Dodd, manufac- turer of Meriden, and son of Samuel and Catherine Dodd. was born in Mer- iden October 23, 1859. He is descend-
35
546
A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.
-
Photo by Akers & Pigeon.
med.
547
BIOGRAPHIES.
ed from early colonial ancestry on both the paternal and maternal sides. He received his early education at pri- vate schools and took his preparatory course at the Collegiate and Commer- cial Institute, New Haven. He took the scientific or engineering course at Yale and graduated from that college in 1879. He began his business life as an employe of the Hartford En- engaging in manufacturing on his own account acquired further practi- cal experience in the offices of the E. W. Bliss Co., Brooklyn, the Wilcox Silver Plate and Meriden Gas Light companies. In 1886 he purchased the cooperage and packing case fac- tory of George Gay, which business he has carried on to the present time with increasing success, having added largely to the operations of his pre- decessor. He employs about twenty- five hands and the output of the fac- tory not being confined to Meriden, is shipped to different parts of the state. The packing cases, casks and barrels made at the busy plant are of the most substantial character and put togeth- er upon. honor.
Mr. Dodd enjoys a high reputation in the manufacturing world and is a familiar figure in social life. He is a member of the Quinnipiac and Union League Clubs, of New Haven ; a member and one of the founders of Omicron chapter of Chi Phi of Yale College; a member of the Yale Club of New York City ; Home Club of Meriden, and the Meriden Board of Trade. He is also a leading mem-
ber of the Meriden Golf Club and is known as one of "the syndicate."
He was married in 1887 to Miss Etta Cheesborough Smith, daughter of Gershom B. Smith, of New York.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.