USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Bristol > Bristol, Connecticut : "in the olden time New Cambridge", which includes Forestville > Part 35
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INTERIOR, SHOWING MR. FORD AT WORK.
413
OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
FLETCHER TERRY & COMPANY.
The firm of Fletcher, Terry & Company, located in East Bristol, was started in January, 1903, for the purpose of making and placing on the market a patented glass cutter. Meeting with good success, they have branched out into the standard styles also, and they are today making as large a line of glass cutters for all purposes as any other firm in the United States. Catering in particular to the glass
trade, they are making a cutter that is rapidly gaining a reputation for the firm among the large users.
The policy of the firm is for expansion, and already other depar- tures in light hardware lines are contemplated.
The firm was started by Fred S. Fletcher and Franklin E. Terry, but later on two brothers of Mr. Fletcher were taken into partnership. They employ at present from three to seven employees and the pros- pects are that more help will be required in the near future.
414
BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
THE PENFIELD SAW WORKS.
The business that bears this name was started in 1834 by the late Irenus Atkins; conducted by him for about 30 years, then removed to present location and organized as The Porter Saw Co., later as The Bristol Saw Co.
In 1879 it was bought by E. O. Penfield, and conducted by him until 1899, when it was acquired by the present owner, M. D. Edgerton, and since that time known as The Penfield Saw Works.
The saws made here are of high grade, adapted to cutting a wide range of material; those for various kinds of metal being special feature. Other goods are made including circular slitters for metal and paper, dial plates, cutting and creasing rule for folding box-makers use.
Selling is mainly direct to users.
TURNER & DEEGAN.
The individual proprietors of the works are: Messrs. Geo. H. Turner and Patrick H. Deegan. The business consists of the manufac- ture of bit braces, screw drivers and other light hardware.
This enterprise was established in March, 1894, at Forestville, in the factory known as the old Bit Shop, formerly used for the manu- facturing of clocks, and located on the Pequabuck River. They con- tinued business in this factory for about five years, when in the spring of 1899, March 13, Mr. Deegan, through an accident, received injuries from which he died, March 20.
Mr. Turner purchased of the estate Mr. Deegan's interest, con-
415
OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
tinuing the business under the firm's name. During this year Mr. Turner purchased of A. H. Warner & Company their water privilege, located in northern part of the town in the village formerly called Polk- ville, now called Edgewood, and built a new factory and moved into it November of the same year. This gave them more room which they needed in the manufacturing of their goods, which has developed a demand for their products in all parts of the United States and foreign countries.
Before closing this subject the writer would like to call attention to the fact, as a matter of history, that this water privilege was built by Alexander and Edward Graham. Leasing the land that the pond is built on from David A. and Franklin Newell on May 23d, 1843. Term of lease 999 years. Just when the factory was completed is not known by the writer, but somewhere about 1843. For several years they made clocks and other house furniture.
Loring Byington became interested in the company during the year of 1843, and until about 1860, when on January 1st, 1862, H. A.
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Warner and John H. Sessions purchased this property from the Bristol Savings Bank & Building and Loan Association. They entered the wood turning business and began the manufacture of cabinet furniture trimmings. They continued as a company until April 15th, 1865, when Mr. J. H. Sessions bought out Mr. Warner's interest and con- tinued the business there until 1869; disposed of this property and built a new factory in the center of the town. George Turner purchas- ing this property on April 15th, 1869, began the manufacture of table cutlery and other light hardware until 1884, when this factory was destroyed by fire, Mr. Turner disposing of his property to Mr. E. F. Gaylord, December 2d, 1885, and on December 3d, Mr. Gaylord sold to H. S. Bartholomew.
In the spring of 1891 Mr. Bartholomew exchanged property with A. H. Warner & Company. They, building a new factory on this site, continued the wood turning business until 1896, when this property was again destroyed by fire. Then they moved their business to Plainville
416
BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
THE BRISTOL MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The Bristol Manufacturing Company is one of the oldest establish- ments in Bristol, and its mills and warehouses are located on both sides of Riverside Avenue, a little east of Main street. The Company was organized in 1837 with a capital stock of $45,000, and manufactured satinet. Chauncey Ives and Bryan Hooker were respectively first President and Secretary. In 1856 the Company was reorganized and its capital stock was increased to $75,000, and John English chosen
E
THE BRISTOL PLANT.
President with Harmanus Welch Secretary. They then gave their attention to the manufacture of knit underwear, in which the Company has ever since been successfully engaged. The growth of the Com- pany in its new business has been steady, and its career has been pros- perous, as its product has become very popular in the markets by reason of its superior quality and excellent finish.
In 1860 Mr. English retired and Mr. J. R. Mitchell was chosen President. He was succeeded by Elisha N. Welch who held the position until his death, in August, 1887, when Mr. Mitchell was again made President, and served until his death in May, 1899. Mr. Mitchell was followed by Mr. J. Hart Welch as President, until he died in 1902, when Mr. F. G. Hayward was elected President. Mr. Hayward has been with the Company since 1879, first as its Secretary, then as Treasurer and Manager, and now as its President. The present officers of the Company are, F. G. Hayward, President, Pierce N. Welch, Vice Pres- ident, and A. D. Hawley, Secretary and Treasurer. The Directors are Pierce N. Welch, Henry F. English of New Haven, F. G. Hayward, Julian R. Hawley, Roger S. Newell, A. D. Hawley and C. T. Treadway of Bristol.
Besides the Bristol Mills, the Company owns and operates a large mill at Plainville, which was formerly conducted as The Plainville Man- ufacturing Company, and employs in the two mills about 350 hands.
417
. OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE.'
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THE PLAINVILLE PLANT
CLAYTON BROTHERS, INCORPORATED.
The business of this firm was founded by William Clayton, a native of Sheffield, England, who came to this country in 1849 and started a factory in Whigville, Conn., in 1866, occupying part of the Don E. Peck factory where he manufactured table cutlery handles of wood, bone and ivory, importing blades from England and hafting them in this country. After a short time he moved to Bristol and occupied the old Dunbar shop on Union street, now owned by H. C. & A. J. Clayton, where he continued the manufacture of table cutlery, and re-plating and re-finishing. In this business he was associated with his son under the firm name of Clayton Bros. & Son. In 1875 they purchased a shop and water privilege known as the Drum Shop, building a new dam and factory. At first little was done in the table cutlery line, the company engaging largely in the manufacture of screw drivers. About 1881 they commenced the manufacture of shears, which since then has continued to be their principle business. Mr. Wm. Clayton founder of the busi- ness died in 1883, and after his death the business was continued by his
CLANTON IDRO
418
BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
sons under the firm name of Clayton Brothers. The two younger broth- ers, Frank and James, withdrew and started in business for themselves in the old Watrous Shop in the style of Frank Clayton & Co. This shop burned down in 1893, and the old firm of Clayton Bros., and Frank Clayton & Co. consolidated as Clayton Brothers, and built a new fac- tory on the site of the Watrous Shop in 1893, where they manufactured steel laid, cast iron shears and tinner snips.
November 17, 1906, Clayton Bros. sold their business to W. M. Bowes of New York, who previously marketed their goods for a number of years, and S. L. Butler of Northampton, Mass. December 26th, Bowes and Butler incorporated the business under the firm name of Clayton Brothers, Incorporated. The plant has been added to from year to year, and they have recently completed a large foundry for turning out their grey iron castings. The business is growing rapidly.
THE H. C. THOMPSON CLOCK COMPANY.
This business was founded by Chauncey Ives, who, in 1849, sold out to Noah Pomeroy. Mr. Pomeroy continued the business, making clock movements only, until 1878, when H. C. Thompson purchased the plant and increased the business by adding new lines of manu- facture.
In 1903 a joint stock company was formed and the name was changed to The H. C. Thompson Clock Company:
THE OLD FACTORY, PARTIALLY BURNED NOV. 20, 1906.
419
OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
NEW PLANT ON FEDERAL STREET.
The business has grown and developed so that not only clock move- ments, but gas, water and electric meters, spring motors and various. articles of similar nature are manufactured.
November 20, 1906, the plant was destroyed partially by fire. The old wooden shop was superseded by a modern brick structure, where business was resumed in May, 1907, with largely increased facilities.
A. H. WARNER & COMPANY.
The business now conducted by this company was established in 1865 by Charles H. Alpress and William B. Carpenter in the district since known both as Polkville and Edgewood. In the spring of 1866, Augustus H. Warner was admitted to partnership, the firm being known as Alpress, Carpenter & Company. The following fall, Henry A. Warner bought the interest of Mr. Alpress. Soon after, the business was moved from the factory of G. W. & H. S. Bartholomew to one of their own a little farther down the stream. The product was wood turning, mostly handles, and was entirely hand turning. In 1869, Mr. Carpenter sold out to the Warners and the name was changed to H. A. & A. H. Warner. A new factory was built in 1873.
After the death of H. A. Warner in 1890, Henry D. Warner went into partnership with A. H. Warner, his father, since which time the name has been A. H. Warner & Company. The factory burning in 1892, they rebuilt on ground formerly occupied by the business of H. A. Warner and J. H. Sessions and later by George Turner, now the site of
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
the factory of Turner & Deegan. Later for three years the factory was in operation in Plainville but in 1900 was relocated in Bristol.
In 1904, the building called "The Dial Shop" was bought of The E. Ingraham Company, and was moved to Federal Street and refitted. Lathes for both hand turnings and machine turnings are operated and a general line of small wood turnings is produced. Among the special- ties are wood faucets, base ball bats, bicycle grips, turned work and other work for the electrical trade, bath tub seats, etc. Especial atten- tion is given to turnings in cocobola, rosewood, lignumvitæ, mahogany, and boxwood.
-A.H.WARNER & CO.
421
OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
THE W. C. LADD COMPANY.
W. C. Ladd, maker of cathedral gongs, cast iron nuts, lantern holders and light hardware, succeeded the late Harry W. Barnes, who, at the time of his death in 1889, was located on Laurel Street.
Mr. Ladd built his present factory on Wallace Street in 1092. The
I
first floor is used for manufacturing purposes, the stock room being in the basement. It is equipped with hydraulic elevator. The power is furnished by a gas engine.
FISHERMAN'S (P)LUCK.
A SAD TALE OF INTENT TENT LIFE.
I belong to the West Hill Club, And fish is my favorite gri:b, Every year 1 camp out, And catch numberless trout, And bass, perch, pick'rel and chub.
Our canvas and baggage we load on the cars And go to the woods to sleep under the stars, Civilization and business we leave far be- hind. And we kick just as free
up our heels as the wind.
We are veterans all, wearing each a wool shirt- A "biled shirt" in camp would show too, much dirt -- We can sleep on pine boughs or even the- ground, But our sleep is at times not very profound,
The
surveys us from loftiest height,
Tho reconnoiters almost every night,
The
serenades by light,
Luna's pale
The hoots in tree-tops away out of sight,
The
o'er our faces doth venturesome run,
(Ora ish tent-mate is up to some fun,)
The darts past in surprise that, we've come,
Daring to venture so far from our home.
I belong to the West Hill Club, And fish is my favorite grub, Once a year I camp ont, And attempt to catch trout, - But eat bullheadsland sunfishi and chuhl ( Or canned beef!)
Our ambition for fish is enormously great, And expect to catch naught less than five pounds in weight; We carry no scales for each fish has his own, And we're sure he's full weight if he isn't half grnwn. We judge of the weight by the trouble we've had, So every small minnow seems hig as a shad;
I'm the typical Fisher-man, I go with our caravan : I camp on the hills, By the lakes and the rills,- And dig breakfast out of a can.
THIS
is what we expect, This is what we oft get,
And we're hungry as hungry can be; Our Chicago canned beef is a wonderful treat When we've fished all day long and ne something to eat, For hunger and we don't agree.
I helong to the West Hill Club, But beef is substantial grub: I'd cat, bass if I could. When I camp in the wor-1. But if hungry I'd eat catamount cul.
THE
HOTEI ..
ITS RISE, PROGRESS AND FAI I.
A half score years ago I sat me down and thought -- · A splendid brick hotel
' ] ]] build on this 'ere spot."
A house I moved away, My plan was good throughout, Some bricks I bought-and then I kinder petered out (Luke 14 24-
For several years or more,
A shanty marked the place Where I did think to build, Before I changed my base.
But time flew on, as time
Will always fly, you know. And by and by I thought,
"This thing had oughter go."
More bricks I bought, and then
I shoved it with a rush, And uever, for its style, Had reason e'cr to blush.
A monument to me I really meant it for, To die and be forgot I always did abhor.
A few years it has stood An orn'ment to the town. A splendid Brick Hotel- But now it must come down. I love my Brick Hotel. As Moses loved Isaac; But surely, nevertheless, I'm going to sacrifice it.
Oft in the wonds of Maine, I go to fish and roam; But lately 'taint much fun- My Brick Hotel's at home. I love my Brick Hotel As Aaron lov.ed Isaac, Notwithstanding, nevertheless, I'm "inspired" to sacrifice it
Against my interest, the town
Against which I protest And call it an offense.
No temperance hotel Shall be identified With me or mine, so long As I stay in this my hide.
As sure's Beelzebub In Tophet lives, will I Make this town sick-you'll sce . And that before I die I love my Bricl: flotel, As Jacob lov ed Isaac, But, nevertheless, you'll see I'm going to sacrifice it
My Brick Hotel shall not. Be run without a bar, Where thirsty men muy Jose Their perpendicular.
And so I'll pull it down, My beauteous Brick Hotel: It's worse than pulling teeth, Much worse than tongue can tell. I Inve my Brick Hotel, As David lov ed Isaac. But licensed it is not, And so I'll sacrifice it.
Ruins shall mark the spot Where stately structure stood,
A home for bat and crow, For rat, and snake, and toad. I love my Brick Hotel, But sure I'll sacrifice it; I'll pull it down as true As Abel murdered Isaac.
The pale new moon will look With sadness on the place. The cat a requiem Fing, With woefuf, wecping face.
Good bye to all my hopes, Good bye my loved Hotel; Your stones and bricks withir My heart are treasured well I love my Brick Hotel, I hate to sacrifice it, But sure, without a har, I only should despise it
423
OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
THE WEST HILL CLUB AND THE BRICK HOTEL.
In the days when Mr. Charles H Riggs was editor of The Bristol Press, there occasionally appeared some original poems of local interest, written by the editor uniquely illustrated by the use of bits of type ornaments and little cuts. Two of these articles we reproduce with the accompanying explanatory data, which was kindly furnished by Editor Riggs.
WEST HILL CLUB organized 1878; disbanded 1906. Membership as follows:
George S. Hull, D. P. Pardee. Everett Horton, Hiram Wilcox, W.W. Thorpe, E. B. Dunbar, W. W. Dunbar, S. G. Monce, Thos. Barnes, George P. Barbour, G. H. Blakesley, H. C. Butler, Thomas T. Barbour, George W. Mitchell, H. B. Cook, A. J. Muzzy, H. W. Barnes, C. S. Treadway, William T. Smith, John J. Jennings, Lee Roberts, Charles A. Lane, Roger S. Newell. -
"THE BRICK HOTEL."
The poem on "The Brick Hotel," or The Gridley House, was written by the editor and published in The Bristol Press in 1882.
A few words of explanation are necessary to an understanding of the poem. In 1871, Henry W. Gridley moved from the corner of Main and North Main Streets a frame dwelling for the purpose of erecting on the site a hotel. But before the work was commenced Seymour's and Nott's blocks, opposite, were destroyed by fire, and L. G. Merick, who had occupied a store in Nott's building, rented the vacant corner and erected a shanty for his grocery business, to be used until Mr. Nott could rebuild. After he vacated the shanty, Mr. Gridley allowed it to re- main several years, renting it to different parties for various purposes. This shanty became popularly known as the "Brick Hotel." and was made the basis of a great deal of fun in the press and the community, as long as it was allowed to stand. Finally the owner bought a quantity of brick, preparatory to building, but just then the town gave a vote for no license, which so incensed Mr. Gridley that he sold his brick and allowed the shanty to remain a year or two longer. Finally in 1879, he concluded to carry out his design, and the Gridley House was built. He soon found a tenant and matters went along smoothly till 1882, when the town again voted no license, whereupon Mr. Gridley declared his intention of tearing down the hotel. This is what inspired the poem.
424
BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
THE N. L. BIRGE SONS CO.
O NE of the old established industries of this city is the knitting works of the N. L. Birge Sons Co., manufacturers of men's fine knit underwear. This concern has long been an adjunct to the prosperity of the town, having been founded in 1850, when it was known as the "Bristol Knitting Company." After various changes, Mr. N. L. Birge became the sole proprietor and carried on the business until 1882, when he admitted his son, Mr. John Birge into co- partnership, under the style of N. L. Birge & Son. In 1893 his second son, Mr. George W. Birge, was also admitted into the firm. Their new mill is a model efficiency throughout and the equipment of machinery and appliances is of the latest improved description, including two thousand spindles, five sets of cards, seven mules, forty-two sewing machines and thirty-nine improved circular rib knitting machines, also winder, loopers, etc. A seventy-five horse power engine drives the machinery, which has a capacity of producing over one hundred dozen
underwear daily, the mill affording steady employment to one hundred and twenty hands. The firm's goods are much preferred by the trade, being of such superior quality and splendidly finished. The New York office and salesrooms are located at No. 346 Broadway. Their goods are sold generally throughout the United States and stand today among the best in the market. Mr. N. L. Birge was a native of this city and was a director and vice president of the Bristol National Bank; was one of the original incorporators of the Bristol Savings Bank; and vice president of the Bristol Water Company. Mr. John Birge was also a native of this city, and was State senator from the fourth district. In the knit goods industry The N. L. Birge Sons Company have continued a prosperous career, the secret of their success being due to the manifest superiority of their products.
Sł d SC
th
1
425*
OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
MARSHALL I. SMITH.
Die making and sheet metal stamping to order. This business was established in 1898 by Ira B. Smith who conducted it until August 1906, when it was sold to M. I. and R. M. Smith who formed a partner -
1
ship under the firm name of The Ira B. Smith Company and was con- ducted by them until July 1, 1907, when Marshall I. Smith became sole owner.
The Second Plate of Co. D Portraits will appear in the section of the book devoted to "Bristol Societies."
426
BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
3
5
12
16
20
1. Hardening Department. 2. Patent Department in Bristol Na- tional Bank Building. 3. Foundry. 4. Patent Department, General Office. 5. Office of Chief Patent Attorney. 6. Patent Department Office. 7. Office of President A. F. Rockwell. 8. Office of Treasurer C. T. Treadway. 9. Accounting Department. 10. Advertising and Purchasing Departments. 11. Office of Secretary DeWitt Page. 12.
Main Factory. 12. Printing Department. 14. Office of Superintendent. 15. Drafting Department. 16. Office of Outside Department and Lab- oratory. 17. Dipping Department. 18. Gas Plant, Interior. 19. Engine Room No. 1. 20. Buffing Room. 21. Engine Room No. 2.
427
OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
THE NEW DEPARTURE MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
Through The New Departure Manufacturing Company, Bristol is known the wide world over. The New Departure coaster brakes and bicycle bells are sold and advertised in every large trade center on the globe. The company has offices in England, France, Germany and Denmark and its literature is printed in twelve or more languages. Whatever the language of the newspaper advertisement, circular or catalogue, the name of the company and its home town are in English, giving Bristol wider advertising than most American cities.
This broad market has consumed millions of Bristol made coaster brakes. It is safe to assume, after the extensive advertising this product has had in more than thirty countries, that today the number of bicycle users who do not know of New Departures, is indeed few.
The New Departure Manufacturing Company, while one of the
BRANCH FACTORY AT WEISSENSER, BERLIN, GERMANY
youngest of Bristol's principal manufactories, is the largest, employing at its Bristol and East Bristol factories, over six hundred hands and at its German factory, located at Weissensee (suburb of Berlin), over one hundred hands.
Less than eighteen years ago, this Company began its existence in a room sixty feet square, in the north end of the old H. C. Thompson clock factory on Federal Street. At the busiest times of the year, six hands were employed. Today, should its plants be combined in a one-story building forty feet wide, that building would extend ncarly a mile in length.
The New Departure Bell Company was organized Junc 27, 1889, and incorporated with a capital of $50,000, for the manufacture of door, office and call bells, under patents taken out by Albert F. Rockwell, now president of the company.
The mechanism of the bell gave "electrical results without a battery" and was a unique and distinctive invention. This fact suggested the
428
BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
1
2
6
9
10
12
16
17
1. Milling and Drilling Room, looking west, 2. Automatic Room. 3. Car and Fire Bell Department, 4. Machine Room. 5. Rivet and Screw Department. 6. Milling and Drilling Room, looking east. 7. Shipping Room. 8. Ball Filling and Testing Department. 9. Assem- bling Room. 10. Bell Department Factory, East Bristol: 10. Dip- ping, Pickling and Tumbling Department. 12. Enameling Department. 13. Grinding Room. 14. Cyclometer Department. 15. Ball Making Department. 16. Tool Room. 17. Press Room.
429
OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
name of the company and throughout its career that name has been an apt characterization of its product-things new and ingenious.
Presently, a line of bicycle bells was marketed, adapting the same mechanical principles as in the other bells. The business of the company increased rapidly and it was not long before people outside of Bristol were calling it the "Bell Town." The original quarters were inadequate and the company purchased what was then known as the Jones factory on North Main Street. This building is now the smallest of the score that comprise the New Departure plant. The company removed to this building in less than a year from its organization.
The growth of the new industry was nothing short of marvelous. At one time, the product of the factory was ten thousand bells a day.
The manufacture and sale of bicycle lamps was also successfully undertaken and carried on for several years. This business was sold in 1897 to the Joseph Lucas Sons Company of Birmingham, England, who continue the manufacture of the lamps at the present time.
The year following the sale of the lamp business, the New Departure Company began the manufacture of New Departure coaster brakes, under patents of Albert F. Rockwell. The success of this manufacture has already been intimated.
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