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 81
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H. E. BUSHNELL.
Henry E. Bushnell, a leading mer- chant engaged in the grocery, bottled goods and baking business in Meri- den for the past twenty-two years, and who conducts a large double store of two stories at 75 and 79 West Main street, is a native of Westbrook, Conn., where he was born March 28, 1855. He is a son of E. L. Bush- nell and Lydia O. Bushnell and he comes from a well known Connecti- cut family. From boyhood he has been associated with the grocery bus- iness and his marked success in Mer-
iden has come from a small beginning, but wholly deserved.
It was in 1884 that he began busi- ness on his own account, after having served for some years as a clerk, and had established a reputation for in- dustry, economy and personal popu- larity. It was in a small portion of his present large establishment and with
Photo by Akers & Pigeon
H. E. BUSHNELL.
one clerk and one team, his career as a merchant began; his honest meth- ods and his disposition to give his cus- tomers the best goods at the lowest prices have assured his success from the start. With his increased trade, his quarters have become gradually enlarged and greatly improved.
He afterwards bought the block which he now occupies largely and
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later erected a large storehouse adjoin- ing the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. tracks, in which he has conducted a whole- sale business. Mx. Bushnell has nev- er spared money or expense in mak- ing his business establishment attrac- tive, and in 1900 doubled the size of
deep, by 50 feet in width, and con- tains a large stock of fancy and sta- ple groceries, bottled wines, and liq- uors ; and a large baking business has been done by him for the past decade, the baking being done on the prem- ises. The bottled goods department
Photo by R. S. Godfrey.
BUSHNELL BUILDING.
his store, by cutting through to the adjoining store, No. 75 West Main street, and fitting it up as befitted a first-class grocery store, the goods of which are suitable for the highest class of trade. The store is now 100 feet
has been carried on by Mr. Bushnell for the past three years, since which time he has supplied his trade with the best of goods of the kind. His store is the largest and most commod- ious in its line within a radius of many
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miles, a large order business is done, and numerous delivery teams are kept constantly busy, calling for and de- livering orders among the first fami- lies of the town and adjacent terri- tory.
Mr. Bushnell has learned the wants of a discriminating patronage and his goods may always be relied upon as the best the market affords. He has a natural aptitude and is a careful buyer and one who keeps well posted in the interests of a large trade which he controls. He is a man of strong personality and his courteous attention to patrons is reflected in marked de- gree by the large number of clerks he employs. Mr. Bushnell is one of the merchants of the town who can al- ways be counted upon to show a bona fide interest in the locality where he resides and does business. He is a member of the Meriden Board of Trade and Business Men's Associa- tion and is enrolled in the membership of the various Masonic bodies of the town, including St. Elmo Command- ery, K. T. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum, Elks; and the Home and Colonial Clubs of Meriden.
He was 2 married in 1880 to Lizzie Ray, daughter of B. P. and Mary A. Ray, and they have one child.
C. F. FOX.
Christian Frederick Fox, a resi- dent of good repute and well quali- fied for the conduct of successful business, enjoys the distinction of being the first individual in the his-
tory of the town to achieve success in the manufacture of bologna, frank- furt and German sausages. He was born in Koenigsbrunn, Germany, December 14, 1861 where his father, Frederick was a manufacturer of lumber. When he was fourteen years old his parents removed with him to New York City where he be-
Photo by Akers & Pigeon
C. F. FOX.
gan to learn the business of sausage making. Eight years later he re- moved to Worcester where he re- mained until 1885 and then having married, he removed to Norwich, Conn., where he engaged in business in his present line as a member of the firm of Fox & Weigert.
In 1888 the firm established a
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store in Meriden, Mr. Fox becoming the resident partner but he afterwards bought out Mr. Weigert's interest here and has since conducted the business alone. In the conduct of this large and prosperous business he has been ably assisted by his wife and son, and he has made a somewhat remarkable business rec-
Photo by Akers & Pigeon ANDREW F. FOX.
ord. By fair dealing and the manu- facture of pure goods in the deli- catessen line to which he has always devoted his efforts he has built up a trade covering a large territory.
In 1905 he erected at the corner of West Main and Butler streets where he now resides, an imposing business block which building bears his name.
He is a member of Meridian Lodge, 77, A. F. & A. M., Keystone Chap- ter 27, R. A. M., St. Elmo Com- mandery, 9, K. T., and Pyramid Tem- ple, Mystic Shrine; also of Court Schiller, 117, A. O. F. and several other social and fraternal societies.
He was married December 24, 1883 to Emma R. Dason of Worces- ter and they have one living son, Andrew F. Fox, associated with his father in business, and who married Maude Graham of Meriden.
EDWARD TREDENNICK.
Edward Tredennick, merchant tail- or and one of the more favorably known young business men of Meri- den, was born in Cheshire, January 19, 1870. He is one of a family of twelve children, nine of whom at this writing are living, and a son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Ann (Hall) Tredennick. His parents, sturdy, industrious, Eng- lish people, came to Connecticut about 1869, from Halifax, Canada, where they had emigrated some years pre- vious.
During his early days, Edward Tre- dennick lived in Cheshire; but when he was fourteen, the family came to Meriden and have ever since been identified with this town. He, there- fore, concluded his education in Mer- iden. After leaving school he learned the trade of a garment cutter, and when he was twenty-one years old, in 1891, he engaged in business for him- self, and has continued successfully from the start, achieving a high
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reputation in his business. During the past seven years he has occupied quarters in the Byxbee block, Colony street, and his customers include many of the leading citizens of Meriden and vicinity.
Photo by Akers & Pigeon
EDWARD TREDENNICK.
Mr. Tredennick is well known in social circles, being a member of the Home Club, Meriden Golf Club and Meriden Wheel Club ; and in fraternal circles is a popular member of the Al- fred H. Hall Council, Royal Arcanum. During the preparations for the Cen- tennial celebration, he has served as a member of the committee of citizens as chairman of the sub-committee of golf, of which game he is an authority.
He was married May 5, 1896, to 38
Helvitia, daughter of the late Peter and Edith (Coe) Lucchini, and resides at the Coe Castle.
WILLIAM WALLACE LEE.
William Wallace Lee was born in Barkhamsted, Connecticut, July 20, 1828. He came to Meriden in 1862 and was employed as a machinist by Edward Miller & Co. continuously un- til his death on September 14, 1903. Mr. Lee was actively identified with
Photo by Akers & Pigeon
WILLIAM WALLACE LEE.
the public and fraternal affairs of the city during the twoscore of years that he was a resident of Meriden. He held various public offices ; was alder- man from the Fifth ward for four years and a representative to the Gen-
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eral Assembly in 1885 and 1886.
Mr. Lee became a member of the Sons of Temperance at the age of eighteen, held nearly every office in the order and was a member of the national organization for thirty-five years. He held the office of grand master of Odd Fellows in 1877 and 1878. Mr. Lee was made a Mason in 1852 and was knighted in St. Elmo Commandery in Meriden in 1874 ; was grand master of Connecticut in 1874 and 1875; was one of the organizers of the Masonic Veteran association of the state and its president for twenty- five years.
Mr. Lee devoted a vast amount of time to genealogical matters, was one of the principal compilers and editors of the John Lee genealogy published in 1897, and its supplement a few years later ; also organizer and treasurer of the Lee Association.
Mr. Lee is survived by a widow, Mary J. (Carrington) Lee, and a daughter, Mrs. Edwin E. Smith, of this city.
SIG. BERNSTEIN.
Sigmund Bernstein, one of the best known citizens of Meriden, and proprietor of a large clothing estab- lishment, was born in the town
Mr. Bernstein was one of the first of Lissa, Prussia, July 31, 1849, a · clothiers to organize mackintosh son of Jacob and Jennette.
Having long possessed a desire to see the New World, he left his fam- ily and friends in 1864, finally locat- ing at Haverstraw, N. Y., where he
accepted a position in the clothing store of Jacob Baum, and in 1871 was taken into partnership. Mr. Baum being engaged in the manu- facture of brick, Mr. Bernstein was left in charge of the store. In Sep- tember, 1877, Mr. Bernstein came to Meriden and purchased the estab- lishment of Morris Levy. Enlarg- ing the business, he now operates one of the largest clothing and custom tailoring houses in New England. Mr. Bernstein is one of the most liberal men in every respect, and believes in conducting his business on broad methods. He has given away thousands of dollars as prizes in guessing contests, and other ingenious ways of advertising. One scheme was a "button guess- ing" contest with a valuable prize awarded to the one who guessed the correct number. To give the scheme proper eclat he gave a ban- quet at one of the leading hotels to which 125 leading citizens were invited, including Mayor E. J. Doo- little, the common council, all the town and city officials and a number of state dignitaries. Practically all invited responded. The buttons were counted at the banquet by the mayor and the council members.
clubs. The unique method he took to conduct the scheme gave him wide newspaper publication without great expenditure. The first pav- ing stone laid in Meriden was pre-
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sented by him to Mayor Ives and put down on Main Street opposite the Journal office, engraved with his name and date. When the electric road was opened Mr. Bernstein gave the first trolley ride between Meriden and Wallingford to the newsboys and another to the clerks of the stores.
In 1897 Mr. Bernstein purchased
Photo by Akers & Pigeon. SIGMUND BERNSTEIN.
a tract of thirty-five acres, then known as the Holcomb place. He laid out the streets and turned the waste tract into a beautiful resi- dence district. Judge Levi Coe, who was then mayor, suggested for it the name of Bernstein Heights which was accepted. Mr. Bern-
stein has given away twenty lots of that property and has constructed several handsome residences these fitted with all modern conveniences. A reservoir with a capacity of 1,500- 000 gallons has been built. He with August Schmelzer, also purchased a tract of land at Kensington Heights. and they have built several hand- some residences in that locality.
Mr. Bernstein has traveled widely both in this country and abroad. In 1891 he and Mrs. Bernstein spent the summer in England, France and Germany. He again made a Euro- pean trip in 1897, bringing his aged mother to this country with him. This incident illustrates one of his characteristics. He was the oldest of six children and when he left home in the fatherland at the age of sixteen years he promised his mother he would make places across the Atlantic for his brothers and sis- ters and for his parents as well. This pledge, like every one he has since made, he kept. From time to time he has found an opening for one brother after another and brought them to this country with his earnings. In 1897 he was pre- paring to bring his aged parents across the sea when he was inform- ed of the death of his father. In twelve days he was in the ancestral home in Germany, arranging to bring his mother to this country and thus fulfil the pledge of his youth.
On October 27, 1878, in New York he was married to Jen-
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nie Baum, who was born in Sey- mour, Conn., a daughter of Jacob Baum, senior member of the firm of Baum & Bernstein, and to that mar- riage these children have been born : Algernon J., Louisa, Daisy, Mel- ville, Frances and Jacqueline.
MICHAEL KEATING.
Michael Keating, grocer, real estate owner and a former alderman of Meriden, and who has been a good citizen of the town since 1875, was born April 1, 1849, at New End, Tipperary, Ireland. His parents, Richard and Alice Keating, conduct- ed a farm and their son did chores about the home and obtained his ed- ucation in the district school.
At seventeen, after immigrating to this country, he went to South Windham to learn his trade, that of a machinist. He afterwards was employed at the works of the Colt's Repeating Arms Co., and later in Pratt & Whitney's at Hartford, but finally came to Meriden and entered Parker Bros. Gun Shop, where he remained for a period of three years. At the end of that time he began an honorable business career, by en- gaging in the retail shoe business in a store located in the Meriden House block, and where as a mem- ber of the firm of Keating & Hurley, he conducted a prosperous business in that line ..
In 1889 he erected a brick busi- ness block at the corner of West
Main street and Windsor avenue, and upon its completion removed thereto, occupying the upper floor, one-half of the first floor and base- ment for a store and engaging in the grocery business. The building of his present block in what was then a sparsely settled district was consid- ered by many a hazardous under- taking, but in later years the town
MICHAEL KEATING.
grew largely west and it has been proven that Mr. Keating's foresight was keen.
During his twenty-seven years in the grocery business in his present location, he has built up a profitable business and has always had a fine hold on the confidence of the public
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as a result of honorable business dealings. Gradually he has invest- ed in real estate, and has erected many dwellings in the vicinity of his store, especially on Windsor avenue, all of which have been houses possessing modern conven- iences and add to the appearance of the locality. Some of these have been rented by him and others sold.
He was elected in 1881 a member of the board of aldermen and served for two years in the city govern- ment Mr. Keating is a member of Meriden Lodge, 35, Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, and Genoa Council, Knights of Columbus.
He is married to Annie, daughter of Patrick Malloy and they have had two daughters, Alice and Annie, aged seventeen and thirteen respectively.
MYRON S. WHITE.
The oldest family in New England is that of White. William White was one of the Mayflower party and his son the first white child born in New England. He was called Peregrine, a name signifying, "A pilgrim in a strange land." William White died in the first winter. His sons, Pere- grine and Resolved, lived to be impor- tant members of the colony. The cra- dle of Peregrine is now in Pilgrim Hall, Plymouth.
Myron S. White, son of Nathaniel White and Eliza Peck, both of Nor- folk, Conn., was born Aug. 12, 1824, of lineal descent from Peregrine.
He departed this life at the Borough of Brooklyn, New York City, August 3, 1905. At the time of his death he was a member of St. John's Methodist Church in Brooklyn. He learned his trade with the Russell & Erwin Foun- dry Co., and became foreman for Emory Parker at Meriden. Called to New York, he took charge of the large business of Mackrill & Richardson, with whom he was connected for seven years. He constructed the iron work and placed it in position for the first subway under Broadway, extend- ing from Astor House to Chambers street, which was an index finger pointing to the present system. A junior member of the iron foundry of Demorest & White, he laid the foun- dations for a successful business ca- reer. Upon retiring from business connected with iron foundries, he next became associated as New York agent with the cutlery house of Landers, Frary & Clark, with whom he re- mained continuously twenty-seven years. Prior to 1860 Mr. White was favorably known in business circles in Meriden and yearly visits to his old home kept him interested in Meriden affairs. In 1859 he married Caroline Beckley, of Beckley Quarter, Berlin, the youngest daughter of Solomon Beckley and Lucretia Evans, who now survives him.
Mr. White possessed a rare execu- tive ability, which contributed to his business success. He had a charming personality. Meriden was ever dear to him, his early home and where he be- gan his business career. His last re-
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MYRON S. WHITE.
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quest was to sleep in Walnut Grove cemetery amid the hills he loved so well.
WILLIAM WOODLEY.
William Woodley, a leading florist of this city, was born December 31, 1852, in Ecchingswell, Hampshire, England.
Photo by Akers & Pigeon. WILLIAM WOODLEY.
His boyhood after he was nine years of age, furnishes a story where hard work was a factor. His father died when he was four and his education in the public schools of Hampshire was limited to a very brief period. At a time when most children are being tenderly guarded and care is un- known, the little fellow was struggling
with his small, to him, big, problem of existence. At the age of eleven he was employed in the garden of Squire William Kingsmill, whose wife was a daughter of the Archbishop of Can- terbury. Four years later he was en- gaged as assistant gardener by Squire Arbuthnot, a position he retained un- til he was seventeen.
Meantime wonderful accounts of the rise and progress of poor boys in the United States reached his ears. In that far away country where all men are created free and equal the youth reared a castle in the air for himself, but he had no money for the passage. He did have a friend, how- ever, who was willing to provide the necessary funds.
Landing in New York in 1871 he soon made his way to Meriden. His: own struggles had strengthened that moral regard for a financial obliga- tion and within a year he managed to save enough to repay his loan. In 1872 he became Isaac C. Lewis' gar- dener and held that position twenty- one years. In 1893 he purchased his present property, corner Broad and Silver streets, where he has engaged in floriculture ever since.
Mr. Woodley married Eliza A. Da- vey, a native of Devonshire, England, but at the time of marriage residing in Torrington, Conn. Their two daughters are Emma Louise, assistant librarian in the Curtis Memorial Li- brary, and Harriet L., who married Erwin M. Beebe, in the fall of 1905. He is a member of Center Lodge, 97, A. F. & A. M., a leading member
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of Pilgrims' Harbor Council, 543, Royal Arcanum. He is one of the three who organized Court Silver City, 7060, A. O. F., and is a charter member of Court Meriden, 42. Mr. Woodley's success in floriculture convinces one of the verity that where a man's inclinations and heart are there will be his best work. The part that he has long played in the life of Meriden has made him a leader in his particular line.
THE COE FARM.
With its famous history, hospitality and excellence of garden, orchard and dairy products, the Coe Farm is pre- eminently one of the most celebrated and valuable agricultural properties in Connecticut. The farm is situated just beyond the city limits in the Han- over district and reached by a ten minute ride in the street cars. The farm comprises 300 acres, formerly owned by the late Andrew J. Coe, and 125 acres leased of the Wm. L. Bradley estate adjoining, and the soil has ever been kept in a high state of cultivation. The beauties of land- scape make it a delightful spot to be visited, and its close proximity to the business center provides a most con- venient source of supply to the local markets.
The farm once owned by the late Ebenezer Peck, a retired sea captain, and later by Captain Cowles, was pur- chased by Calvin Coe in 1821. He married and took up his residence there in the old homestead now occu-
pied by Victor Lucchini, the present manager and part owner of the prop- erty.
The late Calvin Coe carried on the farm for over forty years and im- proved the land which now shows the good results of his toil. He erected a factory on the land and op- erated for many years an extensive bone grinding business and opened extensive quarries there, in all of which he was assisted in later years by his sons. In 1861 he retired from agricultural work and continued in the bone business. That year the farm was taken by his sons, Henry and Winfield R. Coe, and in 1863 their brother, Andrew J. Coe, the first judge of the municipal court of Meriden, joined them in its man- agement. Judge Coe, seeing the great possibility of the land for fruit growing, planted extensive orchards and vineyards which in their products earned for him an enviable reputation. He finally became the sole owner of the farm, he and his brother Henry buying out the interests of Winfield R. in 1870, and Andrew J. the remaining interest of Henry in 1873.
In 1867 the building of "Coe Cas- tle" was begun by the Coe brothers and after seven years was completed. The building is constructed wholly of stone and wood from the farm land and comprises one of the largest and most remarkably well built and com- fortable dwellings in this vicinity. During the construction of the "Cas- tle" among the artisans employed by Judge Coe, in the interior decoration
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Photo by R. S. Godfrey.
MORSE & COOK BLOCK.
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of the structure, was the late Peter Lucchini, who married Edith, sister of Judge Andrew Coe, and to whom were born the following children : John R., Victor E., Marie, Arthur C., now deceased, and Paul. For some years previous to the death of Judge Andrew J. Coe, Mr. Lucchini con- ducted the farm and until a sad acci- dent deprived his family of a husband and father. Upon the decease of Judge Coe his wife, Kate Foote Coe,
Under his regime the farm has been kept up to the high standard of excellence it has ever held and many improvements have been made in and about the farm. The large and varied product, always received fresh every day, is much appreciated by residents of Meriden and brings a high price in market owing to the rep- utation the farm has always main- tained for supplying only the best of fruit and vegetables.
COE CASTLE.
the well known writer, who by his will was to enjoy the income of the property during her life, assumed the management of the farm but at the expiration of two years she turned the affairs of the farm over to the Meriden Trust & Safe Deposit Co., until March 1, 1901, when she sold her interests in the entire property to the present owners and since then the farm has been under the management of Victor Lucchini.
JULIUS KUNTZE.
Julius Kuntze, cigar manufacturer, wholesale and retail tobacconist of Meriden, was born in Wansen, Prus- sian Silesia, February 14, 1858. He is the son of Carl and Theresa (Weiss) Kuntze, both natives of the town where Julius was born. His father was engaged all his life in the manufacture of cigars at Wansen and his children are now all deceased excepting Julius
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Julius Suntzes
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of Meriden and Herman who carries on business at the old stand of his father.
After receiving a good education in his native town, Julius Kuntze learned his trade in his father's factory and after his father's death, with his brother Herman, conducted the busi- ness for his mother. He came to this country in 1881, sailing from Ham- burg and first located in New York where he remained for six years and did a profitable business as a cigar maker. He afterwards located in New Haven where he remained for five years, after which he returned to his home in Germany and spent sev- eral months.
It was in 1893 that he came to Mer- iden and established his present busi- ness which has since grown to a large enterprise, his factory being the larg- est for the manufacture of cigars in this city or vicinity. Mr. Kuntze has also built up a large wholesale busi- ness in his line and supplies the local dealers within a radius of several miles of Meriden. His honorable dealings and progressive ideas and kindly and accommodating disposition have built up his trade to its present proportions.
He was married in 1891 at New Haven to Elizabeth Schwab, a native of Darmstadt, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany. They have had the follow- ing children: George; Ludwig and Helen, both of whom died young ; Au- gust, Eliza, Carl and Harold. Since coming to Meriden, Mr. Kuntze has identified himself with the develop-
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