An historic record and pictorial description of the town of Meriden, Connecticut and men who have made it, Part 90

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 90

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MANUFACTORIES.

127

BENJAMIN F. MILNER.

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A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

of the New Haven Ice Company. The directors of the company are Charles E. Curtis, Benjamin F. Milner and Samuel A. York.

WILLIAM J. LUBY.

One of the successful young busi- ness men of Meriden is Willliam J. Luby. He is the son of the late Maur-

Photo by Akers & Pigeon. WILLIAM J. LUBY.

ice Luby and Ellen (Ryan) Luby. His father, who died in 1899, con- ducted the monument business for some twenty years in the same loca- tion now occupied by his son, whose works on Hanover street now cover about one acre and a half of ground, and there some of the finest specimens of art are executed.

His reputation as a designer and builder of monuments has been earned solely by the high merits of his work. His business establishment gives steady employment to well paid men and the specimens of art as thus ex- emplified by him are highly creditable to the town.

W. J. Luby was born on Columbia street, Meriden, December 28, 1879. He attended the public schools of this town, and after two years at the High school, took a course at the Pequod Business College. From early boy- hood he was constantly associated with his father's monument works, and at an early age he showed a gift for drawing, which talent has been a most necessary and desirable qualifi- cation in his business.

After his father's death he bought his present business from the estate, and that he has increased the opera- tions of the works quite largely is a well known fact. His talent for de- signing beautiful monuments has made his name somewhat famous, and the specimens of art modeled at his works, more frequently are shipped to places far outside of Meriden, than those which adorn local cemeteries. It was Mr. Luby who designed the fa- mous Clara Barton monument that has attracted such favorable attention and also the Atwater Memorial monument at Terryville.

Mr. Luby is a member of Meriden Lodge, 35, B. P. O. Elks, the Meriden Young Men's T. A. B. Society, Div. 2, A. O. H., and Meriden Business Men's Association.

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MANUFACTORIES.

He stands well as a citizen of the town which this year celebrates its centennial and is deservedly popular among a large circle of acquaintances. Since starting upon his business career he has done his utmost toward the up- building of the Silver City where he has always lived.

CHARLES E. SCHUNACK.

Charles Emil Schunack, a progres- sive manufacturer of paper boxes and silverware cases in Meriden, also a dealer in piano stools, chairs, benches, scarfs and music cabinets in New York City, was born in Spremburg, Germany, November 15, 1859. His father was Gustav Schunack, a native of the same locality and a manufactur- er of woolen cloth, who married Louisa Lange, who with their two children, including the subject of this sketch and his sister Emmy, emigrat- ed to this country in 1873, the follow- ing year removing to Meriden where his father died in 1899.

Charles E. Schunack obtained his education in Germany and upon com- ing to this country, at the age of four- teen, entered ther mills at - Webster where the family first located before coming to Meriden ; but in 1874 he se- cured employment in the bronze de- partment of theu Meriden Malleable Iron Company where he remained five years and devoted himself industrious- ly and conscientiously to the interests of his employers. In 1879 he became a contractor in the bronze department of the factory of Hart, Bliven &

Meade at Kensington, but after five years he returned to Meriden and took charge of the lamp department of the Chas. Parker Co., where he continued for many years.

He began business as a box manu- facturer in 1891, locating on Randolph avenue, in a structure that was first in- tended for a large stable but which has been remodeled and added to and comprises a paper box factory of mod- ern pattern. From a small beginning his business has increased to goodly proportions, the output of the factory comprising paper and leather boxes of any desired style or description and fancy cases for silverware. Mr. Schunack's factory is equipped with modern machinery.

In 1901 he opened a large sales- room at 115 and 117 East 14th street, New York, where he sells piano stools, benches, chairs, scarfs and music cab- inets manufactured by the Chas. Par- ker Co., of Meriden, and has since di- vided his time between his New York and Meriden offices.

Mr. Schunack is ably assisted at the factory by his only sister, Emmy Schu- nack, a lady of much business ability and thorough understanding of the ·work. Success in all his under- takings has brought Mr. Schunack in- to prominence in the manufacturing circles of the town where he is known as a man of modern ideas, energy and vigor. His ability to please the trade he supplies from his factory has been a great factor in his success in Mer- iden ; while his natural aptitude as a salesman and genial good fellowship

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A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

Photo by Akers & Pigeon.

C. E. Schunack

MANUFACTORIES.

I3I

have also made him popular at the metropolis. He is married to Rhoda Baldwin, of Kensington, a lady of refinement and they have two chil- dren, Mildred and Elsie. Mr. Schu- nack is thoroughly identified with the life of Meriden, being a member of Meridian Lodge, 77, A. F. & A. M., Pilgrims' Harbor Council, R. A., and, with his wife and children, attends the First Congregational Church.

hands, executed most of the work emanating from the factory, making his own designs. After a short time he received a sufficient number of or- ders to warrant his employing help and the business gradually developed, through the desirable qualities of the product, until it outgrew its quarters ; and it was in 1900 the present factory building, which possesses an excellent railroad frontage, was removed to.

GMINA & CLASS A.J.HALL & CO. DECORATORS

MANUFACTURERS AND DECORATORS

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

FACTORY OF A. J. HALL & CO.

A. J. HALL & CO.

A. J. Hall & Co., manufacturers of decorated ware, and whose output is decidedly creditable to this town, con- duct a factory at the corner of Me- chanic and George streets. The in- dustry was started in a small way in 1899 by Arthur J. Hall. His first location was on Mill street and at the beginning Mr. Hall, with his own

Before the end of the first year of its business, James D. Bergen, president of the J. D. Bergen Co., of Meriden, purchased a half interest from Mr. Hall, and this he still retains.

The firm occupy the entire build- ing and at their show rooms and of- fices are exhibited for the benefit of both wholesale and retail customers, specimens of their . artistic and sala- ble output. They manufacture gas

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CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

and lamp shades, decorated novelties, including tobacco jars and cracker jars, vases, bric-a-brac, and many oth- er goods which add to their reputa- tion. In keeping with the spirit of the period, they have issued many nov- elties in copyrighted designs as fitting mementos of the old home week in which Meriden celebrates its Centen- nial anniversary.

which now extends the full length of the building, a distance of 290 feet, and with more recent enlargements the concern now possesses a street frontage of about seventy-five feet.

The working force has, from neces- sity, been increased in proportion, until they now employ fifty skilled workmen, and are capable of produc- ing anything in cut glass from a five-

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

AT J. J. NILAND & CO.'S FACTORY.

J. J. NILAND & CO.

J. J. Niland & Co., now fast com- ing to occupy a position in the front ranks of the successful business con- cerns of this city, was started about 1902. The first quarters occupied con- sisted of a room in the Morehouse building on Miller street, which in a short time proved too small for the fast growing business, and they found it necessary to enlarge their plant,

vase. James J. Niland is the enter- cent caster bottle, to a thousand dollar prising head of the concern, and to his practical knowledge of the business may be attributed the phenomenal suc- cess achieved by the concern. With every detail of the glass cutting indus- try he has become thoroughly familiar, having worked at the business contin- uously from boyhood. He served six years' apprenticeship at the trade, and came to Meriden after having worked

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MANUFACTORIES.

a few years in some of the leading glass factories of England and Scot- land.

Upon coming to this town he at once associated himself with the Bergen & Niland Company, then on State street, with whom he continued until his ambition prompted him to try his for- tune as a manufacturer on his own account. The show rooms of J. J.

Photo by Akers & Pigeon. JAMES J. NILAND.

Niland & Co. at the factory on Miller street, contain a line of cut glass sel- dom equalled for variety, quality and moderate prices, and visitors whether prospective buyers or not are invar- iably delighted with the exhibition there contained. The product of this factory in its entirety is from the crude blank to the finished ornament

and the patterns of the company are not only original but radically differ- ent from unscrupulous imitations. Among the customers of this concern are Tiffany & Co., celebrated jewelers of New York City, and many leading glass and crockery dealing concerns, including Higgins & Seiter, also of New York. The product adds no little fame to Meriden and the indus- try gives employment to well paid hands, thereby adding to the prosper- ity of the town.

THE JENNINGS & GRIFFIN MFG. CO.

A manufacturing concern, within a quarter of a century grown to large proportions, and whose product has ever added distinction to this locality, is The Jennings & Griffin Mfg. Co., with factory at Tracy. The plant which now covers a large area in a situation most favorable to the manufacture of its goods, especially within the past year, has been noticeably enlarged and improved.

It was in 1880 that Charles E. Jen- nings and Francis B. Griffin, whose names have long since been synonyms for the highest grade of mechanics" tools, in a modest way started to make for themselves a reputation. Their aim was to excel in their line of man- ufacture : and having a full under- standing of the wants of the trade, and the way to supply them, they could scarcely fail of success. They filled their orders with honest goods ; and having always continued to do so,

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CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

prosperity has been their fit reward. Gradually the factory has grown and new machinery has replaced the old, until they have become enabled to produce edge tools and boring imple- ments in large quantities, used by me- chanics in every part of the civilized world. The company at the present day owns about twenty acres of land on both sides of the railroad track, including where the factory is situated

enabling the company to supply a greatly increased demand for edge tools. The first building erected this year is 32x48 feet, and the last addi- tion, comprising a practically fire- proof building, is 46x88 feet in di- mensions.

The recent additions have also given the company the opportunity to make various other notable improvements to the plant. The forge fires in the new

Photo by R. S. Godfrey. FRONT OF JENNINGS & GRIFFIN MFG. CO.

and where nine dwelling houses have been erected by them for their em- ployes. While the factory has been gradually enlarged from the begin- ning, the addition of two more build- ings in 1906, when Meriden celebrates its 100th anniversary, gives the plant a frontage of 200 feet and a length, east and west, of 400 feet. The new additions were for the purpose of

building will be fed with fuel oil sup- plied by a pipe from a tank located at the Yalesville station of the N. Y., N. H. & H. Railroad, about 100 yards from the factory. The company also expect to make their own gas for running their auxiliary engine, and have, as well, a second supply of gas from the Wallingford gas works. The old style hammers have been replaced

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MANUFACTORIES.

with the latest pattern power ham- mers, enabling the company to in- crease their output materially. With the aid of the Quinnipiac river, from which the factory has always been supplied with water power, and the auxiliary supply of gas, the factory has now a combined motive power of 215 horse power. A deep well, which the company has possessed at their plant for some years, furnishes pure,

an arrow head, in the center of which is the letter (J) ; this trade mark is in itself a familiar passport in the trade, and indicates that the articles made upon honor are the genuine C. E. Jen- nings tool. The company also man- ufactures the original L'Hommedieu & Watrous ship augers, those brands well known to the hardware and ship- building trade all over the world. The L'Hommedieu brand has been on the

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

REAR OF JENNINGS & GRIFFIN MFG. CO.

cold water for all other purposes. Among other improvements possessed by The Jennings & Griffin Mfg. Co., is their own electric lighting plant.

The product consists of high grade mechanics' tools, including edge tools and boring implements of every de- scription. The goods are turned out complete from the raw material and in great variety being trade marked with

market since 1818. For many years the company has maintained head- quarters in New York City, and their salesrooms at the metropolis are at 42 Murray street.

Both Messrs. Jennings and Griffin, the former of whom is president, and the latter secretary and treasurer, spend a large portion of their time in New York looking after the trade,

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CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

which has now grown to large propor- tions. For some years the factory has been in charge of A. B. Jennings, the superintendent, a son of the president, who having grown up with the busi- ness, like the other officers of the com-

A. B. JENNINGS.

pany, is a thoroughly practical man. Many of the factory employes have become prominent in civic life, and the factory from the large amount of business carried on has for many years been the largest factor in that now important community of Tracy.

THE GRISWOLD, RICHMOND & GLOCK CO.

The Griswold, Richmond & Glock Company, manufacturers, jobbers,

tin roofers, large cornice and sky- light makers, extensive dealers in crockery, glassware, stoves, ranges, furnaces, refrigerators, house fur- nishing goods and bicycles, has for many years been one of the institu- tions of Meriden. They occupy two stories of a building fronting West Main street at the corner of Hanover street, and extending along Hanover street for 165 feet.

The business has grown to its pres- ent large proportions from the start made by N. F. Griswold in 1854. Since that time there have been sev-

N. F. GRISWOLD.

eral changes in the makeup of the concern, but never in its history has the store enjoyed anything but an excellent reputation. After having later become known as Gris-

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MANUFACTORIES.

wold, Lewis & Glock, it became Griswold, Richmond & Glock and in 1889 was organized as a stock com- pany with a capital of $50,000, many of its employes being given holdings of the stock as an incentive for hard

CHARLES c. GLOCK.

and conscientious work. This it may be said has accrued to the benefit of the corporation which, in turn, has grown to such an extent that it has become one of the leading trade con- cerns of the town. Never since its or- ganization as a corporation has any of its stock been held by any one outside of its founders and those otherwise employed in the store, and all of the original owners and stockholders are living excepting John L. Richmond, the interest of whose widow was pur- chased by the concern in January, 1905.

The store, within recent years es- pecially, has been conducted on an extensive scale and it is hard indeed for one, either a wholesale or retail customer, to inquire for any- thing which he might naturally ex- pect to be found in the store but what can be instantly produced by the en- ergetic and painstaking clerks. At their work shop, in the rear of the store, facing on Hanover street, about twenty-five hands are employed in the manufacture of tin, sheet iron, zinc and copper ware as well as gal-

CHARLES W. GLOCK.

vanized iron cornice work and sky- lights, in which they are prepared to make and fill important contracts any- where. The interior of the store con- ducted by this low-priced co-operative company, is one of the most attrac-

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CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

tive of any in Meriden. The great display of china, crockery and glass- ware which comprises a separate de- partment in itself is much visited by the buying public.

In reference to the success of this co-operative concern, it may be said that the proverbial fair treatment of all patrons has been a strong factor.

The individual members are well known citizens of Meriden who have for many years been reckoned among those who have had its interests in view. The president, N. F. Gris- wold, is one of the oldest business men in his line in the state and con- sequently one of the most favorably known. The personal sketch of his extended business career is contained elsewhere in this book and gives also the different changes in the makeup of the concern from the very first. To the treasurer of the company, Charles C. Glock, upon whom a large portion of the management now rests, is the credit due for the development of the manufacturing strength of the concern and the extension of its business operations to points far outside of Meriden. Some years since he was succeeded as superinten- dent of the factory by his son, Charles W. Glock, a young man of great bus- iness ability and a thorough master of the tinsmith and cornice making trades. He has been secretary of the concern since the death of Mr. Rich- mond. Others holding stock and as- sociated with the concern are: A. H. Evarts, John Kopp, John Dittmer, John Heinrich, Sr., Ernest F. Yenk-

ner, Fred Minkmeier, Andreas Reiski, John Heinrich, Jr., Geo. Heinrich, C. S. Clark and Martin Lemke.

THE H. T. SMITH EXPRESS CO.

The business of the H. T. Smith Express Co. has grown to its present proportions from the small start made by the late Horace T. Smith, who

HORACE T. SMITH.

came to Meriden from Plymouth, Vt., in 1854. In 1859 he started business for himself. During the first few years of his residence here, he was employed by the late Deacon R. B. Perkins, who then conducted an ex- press business.

Mr. Smith started with four horses and his barn was then located near

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MANUFACTORIES.

the original shop of the Meriden Bri- tannia Company, what is now known as "over east." Among his first op- erations was the drawing of the un- derpinning of the old town hall. When the Britannia Company was reorgan- ized and moved to its present loca- tion, Mr. Smith moved his business to Stone street, later to Grove street, then to State street, and since 1876 to the present location at the corner of Camp and State streets. Early in August, 1892, his barn was totally destroyed by fire. A larger barn has since been built on the same spot, and comprises one of the largest used for its pur- pose in the state.

At the time of his death, 1897, Mr. Smith had built up not only an envia- ble reputation for reliability as a team- ster, but was known as one of the most enterprising and industrious cit- izens of the town. Since the death of Mr. Smith the business has been conducted by George P. Smith and C. H. Tredennick, and in November, 1901, was incorporated as the H. T. Smith Express Co., George P. Smith being president, and C. H. Treden- nick, secretary and treasurer.

During the past few years and es- pecially since the corporation was formed, this old established express and trucking business has been largely increased. The business as conducted by Mr. Smith, required from twenty- eight to thirty-five horses, but at the present time requires about double that number ; and the company is fully equipped to handle, not only the smallest express packages, but the

largest kind of machinery and mer- chandise.

MOREHOUSE BROTHERS CO.

The Morehouse Bros. Co., one of the largest manufacturers of building material in the state, was organized in April, 1898, under the statute laws of the state of Connecticut. They oc- cupy the one-story brick factory build- ing, 20-26 Miller street, which is fully equipped for the economical and con- venient handling of their work. The mill is 100 feet wide and 264 feet long and the work carried on is of a high grade and even artistic character, which necessitates the employment of the highest skilled workmen, about twenty-five of whom find steady em- ployment. The product of the mill is not confined to this city alone but is ·shipped to all sections of the state and the reputation of the concern reflects credit upon Meriden. The president of the company, Henry L. Morehouse, is a well known building contractor. Andrew C. Morehouse, the treasurer and active head of the industry, is a son of Henry L. Morehouse, and was born in New Haven, Conn., July 31, 1874, his parents removing with him to Meriden when he was six years old. Having previously attended for a short time a private school in New Haven he continued his education in the public schools of this city and at the age of fourteen went to work for his father to learn the business which he has fol- lowed continuously ever since with the

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A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

exception of six months' attendance at business college. Under his father's guidance and instruction he became familiar with all the different branches of building and mill work and, there- fore, before he became a member of the firm he was thoroughly familiar with every branch of the business. Mr. Morehouse is a member of the various local Masonic bodies including Merid- ian Lodge, 77, A. F. & A. M., and St. Elmo Commandery, 9, Knights Tem- plar. Few young business men of the

city apply themselves more closely to business or find more enjoyment in their home life. He was married June 30, 1897, to Charlotte L., daugh- ter of Mrs. Susan E. Smith, of Clin- ton, Conn., and they have five living children as follows: Henry L., Walter Franklin, Andrew C. Jr., Edna Geneva and Robert Allison.

THE DEXTER L. BISHOP CO.

The Dexter L. Bishop Company, a corporation comprising the largest concern in Meriden engaged in the ice business and also dealing in native lumber, was organized in January, 1898. The company of which Dexter L. Bishop has been the secretary, treasurer and general manager from its formation, is the outcome of the business established by the Foster Brothers, for whom Foster Lake is named and also includes that of the Meriden Ice Co. and Dayton & Sher- man. In 1895 Dexter L. Bishop bought an interest in the firm, and one year later bought the interest of the

remaining partners. Seeing the pos- sibilities for the future, he wisely merged the business into an incorpo- rated company. The original capital stock of $3,000, was increased in 1903 to $30,000.

The company owns extensive ice houses, and controls the ice harvested at Foster Lake, The Bradley & Hub- bard reservoir, and several smaller

DEXTER L. BISHOP.

ponds around Meriden with the com- bined harvesting capacity of 70,000 tons. The ice houses at Foster Lake have a storage capacity of 8,500 tons, and during the harvesting season six- ty-five men are employed on the lake. The ice supplied to the people of Mer- iden from this source is of rare purity, and this is made possible only by the purity of the Foster Lake water which

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MANUFACTORIE :.

is fed largely by natural springs. Great care is taken in harvesting the ice, and from two to three inches are planed off the surface before being housed. The analysis of the ice of this company has also been made by a chemist who pronounces it of ex- ceptional purity.

The wagons of the company are continuously making deliveries in all parts of Meriden, and during the sum- mer season the services of thirty-five

the woods where the lumber is se- cured.

The active head and founder of the company, Dexter L. Bishop, is one of Meriden's most energetic and re- liable business men. He is a son of the late Walter G. Bishop, and was born at Orange, Conn., August 8, 1865. He spent his early boyhood on the home farm, and acquired a rugged physique which he still retains. When quite young his parents moved to

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

ICE HARVESTING PLANT AT FOSTER LAKE.

men and forty horses are required to meet the demands made upon them for their ice. The delivery depot and of- fice headquarters are at 16 Cen- ter street, where ample accommoda- tions are at hand for the prosecution of a large business. The company deal also in native lumber, and dur- ing the winter season employ their men in this branch of the business, temporary saw mills being put up in

Guilford, where his father engaged in agricultural pursuits.

In 1886, to satisfy a laudable de- sire for mercantile life, he came to Meriden, and entered the employ of Little, Somers & Hyatt, where he gained the merited confidence both of his employers and the buying public by a most intelligent and faithful per- formance of his duty, and uniform courtesy to all the patrons of the

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An historic record and pictorial description of the town of Meriden, Connecticut and men who have made it, Part 90

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