An historic record and pictorial description of the town of Meriden, Connecticut and men who have made it, Part 82

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

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Meriden > An historic record and pictorial description of the town of Meriden, Connecticut and men who have made it > Part 82

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ment of the town and where he has become known as a highly esteemed, adopted citizen. He stands high in the estimation of his neighbors and friends, and the patrons of his store, located on East Main street, have learned to know and appreciate his good qualities.

He is a member of the Meriden Saengerbund and the Meriden Turn Verein. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W. and of Silver City Court, Ancient Order of Foresters.

R. S. GODFREY.

One of the active young business men of Meriden is Raymond Sanford Godfrey, portrait and landscape pho- tographer, who carries on business in an old established studio in the Hall & Lewis building, where he has met with a goodly measure of suc- cess. He was born in Mechanics- ville, Iowa, August 4, 1876, the son of Walter and Ruth L. (Sims) God- frey. His father, now deceased, an industrious cabinet maker, resided in Connecticut during his young manhood, but afterwards removed West where he died. His mother, born at South Manchester, Conn., returned to this state after the death of her husband and has for some years resided in Meriden.

Raymond Godfrey, who has been in Meriden since 1892, began his career as a photographer by secur- ing employment in one of the cele- brated Kellmer studios in Hazelton, Pa., where he learned the mysteries

635

BIOGRAPHIES.

of the business and developed an in-

born talent for the calling. He afterwards accepted a position as staff photographer on the New York Journal where he remained for a per-

R. S. GODFREY.

iod of two years and gained further valuable experience. Mr. Godfrey opened his present studio October I, 1899, after having worked in several studios in New York and also in Meriden and thereby making his first start in business for himself and in this he has been entirely suc- cessful. The studio having been previously closed by its former oc- cupants, was fitted up anew by Mr. Godfrey whose paraphernalia con- sists of every facility for both por-

trait work and the making of out- side and interior views in which he excels. When the studio first be- came occupied by him the entrance was at 6 East Main street, but in 1903 the building was remodelled and at that time the entrance was changed to 11/2 Colony street, mak- ing a much more convenient en- trance, and bringing the gallery with- in easier access of the street. Mr. Godfrey has achieved a well earned reputation as a photographer and about 200 of his pictures are repro- duced in the pages of this book.

He is also deservedly popular as a resident and business man and is a member of the New England Pho- tographers' Association. Mr. God- frey is an enthusiastic automobilist and enjoys the distinction of being the first photographer of the town to own a car.

THE WINTHROP HOTEL.

This famous hostelry named for Governor Winthrop is a source of just pride to Meriden, for it com- prises one of the finest in New Eng- land. The building was erected by Walter Hubbard to meet the de- mands of the growing city for a hotel which should not only be elegant in appearance but also in appointments and conveniences, and it has ever been a luxurious home for the traveling public ; while its ex- cellent cuisine has also been much ap- preciated by the people of Meriden.

TOWN AGENTS, MERIDEN.CONN

EZEKIEL RICE 180€

JOHN' HALL 1806

THEOPHILUS HALL 1807.

MARVEL. ANDREWS 1808 - 9

PATRICK CLARK 1810 - 11-12-13:14

OTHNIEL IVES 1815-16+

ELISHA CURTIS 1817-18.1829-30-31

SETH D.PLUM 1822 -23-24-25

MOSES ANDREWS · 1840.

ASAHEL MERRIAM 1819.20 21

MOSES BALOWIN 1826-27-28

ORRIN. HALL 1832,

ELİ C. BIRDSEY 1833

BENJ. UPSON 1834

CALVIN COE 1835-36/184481843

NOAH POMEROY 1837/1841 42-43

STEPHEN ATKINS 1838

JAMES S. BROOKS 1839

· LEVI YALE 1345-46-47-48 1832 53-54-55

JOEL MILLER.

JOEL I' BUTLER 1856

OTHNIEL, IVES 1857-58 58 60. I865/06

HUMPHREYLYON

BELA CARTER 1862 - 63.64

TOWN HALL

ERECTED A, D. 1854. - REMODELED AND REBUILT A.D.1892

E.D.CASTELOW 187475 76-77

D.S.WILLIAMS . 1878 79-80-81

GŁO. W.MILLER 1882 .1898

C C.KINNE 1883 . 84- 85

H.E.HUBBARD 1886

, LE GRAND BEVINS 1887-88-89-90 91-92-93

GEO. LELLSAREE 1894.95-96

ERNEST A, LEIGH 1897,

S.C.PADDOCK 1867

GEORGE GAY 1868 69-70-71 72

OLIVER RICE

COLD SPRING HOME.

608

A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

The building situated on Colony St. faces Winthrop Square, within one minute of Meriden's principal rail- road station, and is a brick and brownstone structure, eighty-five feet by 225 in dimensions, and in front five stories high. There are

it to the present proprietors, George H. and James H. Bowker. These well known bonifaces also conduct the Hotel Hamilton in Holyoke and the Draper at Northampton, Mass. The management of the Winthrop, like that of other hotels controlled by the

EFF

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

WINTHROP HOTEL.

104 rooms, eighty of which are sleeping chambers. The furnishings are of a luxurious character and were furnished by the Winthrop Hotel Company, composed of a few leading citizens, who secured a long lease of the property, and released

JAMES H. BOWKER.

firm, has been of the highest order and highly pleasing to the public. James H. Bowker has been the resident partner ever since the hotel was opened and he is counted as one of the valued men of Meriden. He serves on the Cen- tennial Committee.

PART III.

MANUFACTORIES.

MANUFACTORIES OF MERIDEN

EDWARD MILLER & CO.

One of Meriden's most important industries is that carried on by Ed- ward Miller & Co., famous the world over for the "Miller" lamp, and which concern also manufactures lamp trim- mings of every variety, tinners' hard- ware, brass and bronze goods, gas and electric fixtures. Edward Miller, who founded the business in 1844, interested a number of capitalists in the concern in 1866, and in July of that year a joint stock company was formed under the name of Edward Miller & Company, with a capital of $200,000. Mr. Miller, however, long before had established the business, which was begun by him before he had attained his majority. Mr. Mil- ler's father was at first associated with him under the name of Joel Miller & Son. The partnership lasted but two years, when the son purchased his father's interest. The business from the beginning grew rapidly and larg- er quarters were found to be neces- sary. A wooden building was erect- ed on the site of the present huge plant but the structure, together with its contents, was destroyed by fire in 1856. This misfortune was followed by the panic in 1857 but the business survived both calamities. In 1858

Mr. Miller began the manufacture of kerosene burners, being the first in America to make and put upon the market burners using kerosene oil made from distilled coal; bronzes, sheet brass and brass utensils of va- rious kinds being later manufactured. The company has found it necessary to enlarge the plant several times ow- ing to the growth of the business.

The Miller Company does. an im- mense export business and it is prob- able that there is hardly a region of the world where its product has not gone. The factory occupies several acres and 800 workmen are employed. Not only have the Miller products been designed to be substantial, use- ful and honest goods, but much time and thought have been expended in order that they should be artistic as well. The result is the uninterrupt- ed success of the company.

The Miller Company made famous the "Rochester" lamp, which it be- gan to manufacture in 1884, but when pressed by imitators, it was de- termined to produce a still better, more scientifically constructed and ar- tistic light giver. The result was the "Miller" lamp, which, absolutely sim- ple, is known to the trade as the "per- fect lamp." The latest line is that ot gas and electric fixtures.

Caughey

FACTORY OF EDWARD MILLER & CO.

MANUFACTORIES.

The present officers and directors of the company are as follows :

President, Edward Miller; secre- tary and treasurer, Edward Miller Jr .; assistant treasurer, Benjamin C. Kennard; superintendent, Arthur E. Miller ; directors, Edward Miller, Ar- thur E. Miller, Hon. A. Chamberlain, Benjamin C. Kennard, Edward Mil- ler, Jr., John L. Billard and Andrew J. Sloper.

The capital stock of the company is now $500,000.

Edward Miller, founder and pres- ident of this most important manufac- turing concern, the history of which is given above, is an example of the successful American busi- ness man, who by his own efforts has risen to prominence in the commun- ity. Mr. Miller's genealogy is traced to John Miller, who emigrated from Maidstone, County of Kent, Eng- land, to Lynn, Massachusetts, moving to South Hampton, Long Island, about 1649. Mr. Miller's grand- father was Rev. Samuel Miller, who preached in Meriden for twenty-six years, dying in Wallingford, in 1829.

Edward Miller was born August IO, 1827, in Wallingford, son of Joel and Clarissa (Plum) Miller, and spent the early years of his life on the farm of his father, who gave the boy the usual schooling then provided for farmers' sons, which, in this case, in- cluded a short time at Post Academy, in Meriden. At fifteen he was em- ployed in a factory, making lamp screws, hoops and candlestick springs. He was thus employed for several

years until, while yet a youth, he de- termined to become his own master. He set about this with characteristic energy, purchased a set of tools, and associated himself with his father un- der the name of Joel Miller & Son. The business at first was a small one, but the young man knew his trade thoroughly, and prosperity attended him.

When only twenty he purchased his father's interest in the business, and his own legal time up to his majority, giving his notes for $800.00. It is in- teresting to know that these notes were paid before the close of the next year out of the profits of the business. With success crowning his efforts thus early, it is not difficult to tinderstand the growth of the Miller company, which has since become so important a factor in the life of the city.

Mr. Miller in political views is a Republican. His active business life has left no time, however, for him to hold public office. He is a liberal supporter of the First Baptist church, to which in 1869 he gave a splendid organ. He also contributed gener- ously toward the erection of the Ger- man Baptist church edifice. The Connecticut Literary Institute, at Suffield, and the Meriden Y. M. C. A. are among the many other worthy causes which have found in him a benefactor.

Mr. Miller was married on August 30, 1848, to Caroline M. Neal, daughter of Joseph and Matilda (Barnes) Neal, of Southington, Con-

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

FOUNDRY, EDWARD MILLER & CO.

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

MACHINE ROOM, EDWARD MILLER & CO.

)

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

PERFORATING ROOM, EDWARD MILLER & CO.

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

AUTOMATIC LATHE ROOM, EDWARD MILLER & CO.

A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

necticut. Of the five children born to them the following three survive: Edward Miller, Jr., a graduate of Brown University, secretary and treasurer of Edward Miller & Com- pany ; Arthur E. Miller, superinten- dent of Edward Miller & Company, and Mrs. Layette A. Kendrick, resid- ing in Meriden.

Edward Miller, Jr., secretary and treasurer of the Edward Miller & Company corporation, is the elder son of Edward Miller, president of the company which bears his name. He was born February 1, 1851, and attended the Meriden public schools until 1868 when he went to the Suf- field Preparatory Academy, later en- tering Brown University and grad- uating with honors with the class of '74. In the fall of that year he en- tered his father's factory where he ap- plied himself to learning the business in a practical way in the different de- partments, becoming each year a more important factor in the business. Since 1882 he has held the offices of both secretary and treasurer and dur- ing recent years has assumed a great- er portion of the responsibilities of the active management. He is known as one of Meriden's ablest manufacturers and the good name the company enjoys has been due in a measure to the important part he has taken in the affairs of the company.

Mr. Miller has served two terms in the Meriden common council and has also been a valued member of the school committee of the town. He is

one of the trustees of the City Sav- ings Bank and is a member of the Home Club. Mr. Miller is an ardent lover of music and books. Being a great reader he possesses one of the finest private libraries in Meriden. Since 1874 he has had charge of the music at the First Baptist church in which position both his father and grandfather preceded him, the latter in the old edifice.

He resides at the Edward Miller residence on Broad street and is un- married.

Benjamin C. Kennard, assistant treasurer and one of the directors of Edward Miller & Company corpora- tion, was born in Cambridge, Mass., in 1849, where he obtained his edu- cation, which included an attendance at the Cambridge High school. At ten years of age Mr. Kennard began to be self-supporting and from that age worked at some business or oth- er during his school life. Previous to coming to Meriden he was chief accountant of a large importing and exporting house in Boston. He be- came head bookkeeper of Edward Miller & Company in 1872, since which time he has been connected with the large business, having for some years been a stockholder, as- sistant treasurer and a director in the company.

Mr. Kennard is a man of sound business judgment and reliability and his long connection with the concern makes him of great value to the large factory. He has been prominent in city and town affairs, being at this

EDWARD MILLER.

EDWARD MILLER, JR.

BENJ. C. KENNARD.

ARTHUR E. MILLER.

A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

writing a member of the board of apportionment and taxation. He also served in the Common Council in 1892-3 and again in 1896-7. He was alderman in 1894-5 and was the last clerk of the Prattsville school district before the consolidation. He is a member of the Home Club and assistant treasurer of the First Bap- tist church of Meriden. In 1875 he was married to Justina C., daughter of Ransom Baldwin, and his chil- dren consist of one son, B. Leighton Kennard, employed as bookkeeper for Russell Hall, and one daughter, Helen M. Kennard, who was married October 5, 1905, to William Atkins Mckenzie, and whose pleasing con- tralto voice has been much appre- ciated at St. Paul's Universalist church, Meriden; Calvary Baptist church, New Haven, and Prospect M. E. church, Bristol.

Arthur Eugene Miller, who since 1901 has been the permanent super- intendent of the Edward Miller & Company factory, is the second son of Edward Miller and was born in Meriden September 12, 1863. He attended private school in Meriden, afterwards graduating from the Hart- ford High school in 1883. Direct from that institution he entered Brown University where he remained but one year, owing to the urgent need of his services at the factory, with the work of which he had be- come in his spare time somewhat fa- miliar. He began his manufacturing career at the bench and familiarized himself with the intricate workings of

the big factory by practical applica- tion.

He was made assistant superinten- dent on his own merits and only after he had proven his worth. Before he was finally made the permanent su- perintendent in 1901 he acted in that capacity on several occasions during the change of superintendents. Mr. Miller is known as one of the most practical young men in the factories of Meriden.

In social life he is a prominent fig- ure. He is a member of the Home Club and a thirty-second degree mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. He is a past master of Meridian Lodge, 77, F. & A. M., and was eminent command- er of St. Elmo Commandery, Knights Templar, of Meriden, in 1902. He is unmarried and resides at the Edward Miller homestead.

THE WILCOX & WHITE CO.

This concern which is recognized as leading the world in its line, and from whose factory emanated the first mechanical piano-player, and several years before that the first mechanical self-playing organ device, was organ- ized in 1877 as the Wilcox & White Organ Company, the capital stock of which was $30,000.

The founders of the business were the late Horace C. Wilcox, then a well known silver plate manufacturer of Meriden, who furnished a portion of the capital, and H. K., James H. and the late E. H. and Howard White- father and three sons, who came here

THE WILCOX & WHITE COMPANY

FACTORY OF THE WILCOX & WHITE CO.

A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

from Brattleboro, Vt., at Mr. Wilcox's suggestion, to establish the business of making parlor organs.

From the outset the company manu- factured a high grade instrument and before many years had elapsed the name of the Wilcox & White organ became a synonym for the best reed instrument made in this country and the output of the factory found a ready sale, a large number of the organs made being shipped to all parts of the civilized world.

In 1888 the Symphony or pneumatic self-playing organ, was invented and put upon the market which added to the already great triumphs the com- pany had previously scored in the musical world.

It was in 1897 when the Angelus, the first device invented to attach to a piano for its mechanical playing, was conceived, that the company took an advance stride in the lead of mus- ical instrument manufacturers, never to be overtaken by their followers. The Angelus was invented after many years of patient experiment by Edward H. White, the superintendent of the factory, and on account of the original and fundamental patents be- ing in the control of the company they are in no possible danger of being copied to any damaging extent by imi- tators.

To the original patents, the keen in- ventive genius of the Whites of three generations have made additions to the marvelous mechanism of the self-play- ing piano player, until the music of the Angelus and the Angelus Pianos

cannot be detected from perfect play- ing upon the keys by human hands.

Shortly after the Angelus made its startling debut upon the market where it was most graciously received, the company increased its capital stock from $75,000 to $150,000 and the name was changed from the Wilcox & White Organ Company to the Wil- cox & White Company, Mr. James H. White continuing as the head of the concern. The factory which had been previously enlarged from time to time was again added to and a four-story structure 250 feet in length and 40 feet wide was erected for the manufac- ture of the Angelus. The company have, therefore, more than doubled the capacity of their factory within the past few years and are turning out at the present writing a large number of Angelus pianos and Angelus at- tachments a week. The output of the large factory which gives regular and excellent employment to from 300 to 400 men, finds not only a ready sale in this country, but foreign countries now make demands upon it for a full quarter of its production.

The Angelus attachment, which can be applied to any piano without inter- fering in any way with human play- ing, is made to match any piano case and the family possessing one of these marvelous mechanical players is indeed fortunate ; for no more lasting enter- tainment can be conceived of for its cost which brings it within the reach of any ordinary mortal.

The Angelus pianos, which are also made by the Wilcox & White Com-

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

ACTION DEPARTMENT, THE WILCOX & WHITE CO.

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

POLISHING DEPARTMENT, THE WILCOX & WHITE CO.

A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

pany, can be played with or without or in conjunction with the Angelus which it contains. This twentieth century instrument not only leads the world in beauty of finish, tone, and careful construction, but promises to continue to do so for an indefinite period. It has dozens of imitators but has such an advanced lead and is so securely protected by iron clad patents that it cannot be approached by other manufacturers.

Every department of the great fac- tory is conducted upon the most mod- ern lines and every instrument ema- nating therefrom is rigidly inspected during the various stages of its con- struction.

A well known writer in Harper's magazine says of the White family and the Angelus, as follows :

"Beneficent Nature has placed with- in the soul of every human being the love of music. In every thousand she has picked a few for the richer dower of the ability to produce it. Among primitive people those mortals thus favored have been set apart for spe- cial honor, and even worshipped be- cause of their godlike power of pro- ducing melody that would stir even the soul of a savage.

"If the power to produce music in person be a great mark of genius. what may be said of those who have conceived and perfected the means by , a piano in 1895 ; from which time un- which any one can produce it! This magnificent faculty, which means so much to every man or woman lacking musical genius and education, has been conferred upon universal man-

kind by Mr. H. K. White, his sons and grandson, in the conception and per- fection of the Angelus, by which every one, from the child of three years to the musical artist, can play the piano with perfect technique, and expression limited only by the power of the play- er to feel the music being played.

"The origin of all good inventions can be traced to the instinct and tem- perament of their inventors ; and the student of history finds in the White family ample indications of musical genius. Mr. H. K. White, the father, was born in 1822; he taught singing school at eighteen, led the choir, played the violin and flute in church for many years. In 1849 he began manufactur- ing melodeons at New London, Conn. His oldest son, Mr. J. H. White, was from boyhood about his father's fac- tory, and at an early age began the study of constructing instruments and the tuning of organs and pianos. He sang in the church choir at twelve, played the organ in church at seven- teen, and continued to do so for six- teen years thereafter.

"To Mr. E. H. White, the second son, since deceased, is given the credit for the conception of the idea of play- ing the piano mechanically by means of the music-roll, and the first success- ful device for the work was construct- ed under his direction on the inside of til the present the Angelus has been placed on the inside of pianos. In 1897 he had made under his super- vision, and patented by him, the out- side or cabinet of a separate piano-

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

PIANO DEPARTMENT, THE WILCOX & WHITE CO.

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

CASE ROOM, THE WILCOX & WHITE CO.

A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

player, which is the present Angelus. "A third son, Howard White, also deceased, began tuning and construct- ing organs at the age of sixteen, fol- lowing the profession for about eighteen years, assisting his father and brothers in the development of their instruments, the Symphony and the Angelus.

"Mr. F. C. White represents the third generation of this musical family. He developed an unusual talent both in music and mechanics at a very early age, entering the employ of the com- pany of which his father was and is the president. The United States Pat- ent office amply testifies to the various inventions of his, which have added the recent remarkable improvements that have developed the Angelus to an instrument of almost human qualities. The piano-player conception was Mr. White's. The first piano-player ever built-the Angelus-was Mr. White's. To-day, the only piano-player, with powers of expression that a commit- tee of musical critics failed to distin- guish from hand playing, is the Ange- lus invented and improved by three generations of musical genius. To- day the Angelus principle, for the fa- cilitation of technique-taking the place of fullest knowledge of notes and keys-promises to become univer- sally combined with the piano.

"Of course many of these instru- ments are imitations of the Angelus, and, like all imitations, have vital shortcomings.

"The Angelus holds its position of pre-eminence because it is an original

invention, whose inventors still live- father, son, grandson-all of unques- tioned musical genius, still adding constantly to its powers, making it more human in its possibilities, more artistic in its wonderful effects. The imitator who must ferret his way around patent laws, is naturally handi- capped, and his machine is merely me- chanical. The Angelus alone gives soul to the music. Dominant, live, energetic, ambitious, capable genius makes the Angelus, to-day as ever, the pre-eminent and incomparable piano- player."

Henry Kirk White, father and grandfather of the family which now leads the world in the genius of in- venting and perfecting self-playing pianos, was born in Bolton, Conn., in 1822. His antecedents came from England and were among the occu- pants of the "William and Mary," which ship landed off Nantasket, Mass., in 1630, and enabled its pas- sengers to escape from the then re- ligious persecutions of their native ·country.

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An historic record and pictorial description of the town of Meriden, Connecticut and men who have made it, Part 82

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

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