Commemorative biographical record of Hartford County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Pt 1, Part 82

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1336

USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Commemorative biographical record of Hartford County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Pt 1 > Part 82

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Mr. Rand continued to stand at the back of the persistent inventor, and in 1892 the latter came to Hartford, and there he began to found a system for a stock company, issuing certificates, agreeing to furnish stock in the company when organized, and this way raising the first $10.000 used in the busi- ness. His first machine here was built in 1893-94. in Manchester. Following this two machines were constructed at the Dwight Slate Machine Co., of Hartford, the last one being the original model of his new type-justifying machine attachment for type-setting machines, a description of which is given herewith. Mr. DesJardins has a number of valuable inventions, and in 1898 he began work on a type-writer adding machine, an attachment that can be used upon any ordinary typewriter, and which by the adjustment of a lever, correctly adds any invoice or example as it is written on the ma- chine. In 1899 he began the invention of the Des- Jardins computing scale and cash register combined.

This scale, when properly set, will figure the cost of any number of pounds or fractions, at any given price per pound, and will register and display the exact amount of cash paid for the purchase.

The Des Jardins Type Justifier Co., of which our subject is president, is capitalized at $500,000 ; and the DesJardins Computing Register Co., of which he is vice-president, at $100,000. The fol- lowing description of the new type-justifying ma- chine of Mr. DesJardins appeared in a Boston trade journal of Aug. 15, 1896:

The main feature of the new justifier consists of a mathematical instrument of an almost unlimited power. This instrument is made of a very few pieces. It rests directly upon the assembled line, and automatically indicates to the machine what sizes and how many spaces to employ. The balance of the process is simple. The column is published lengthwise a distance equal to the thickness of one line at a time, and the end line is separated and trans- ferred into an easy position for the automatic mech- anism to get rid of the original spaces and insert the new ones. In so doing, the lead which was origi- nally inserted to prevent the loose, uneven ends from becoming mixed is removed and disposed of. The original spaces which are inserted between the words to indicate to the machine where the new ones belong are properly distributed into rows, ready to be used again. After the spaces have all been inserted into their respective places between the words, the line moves sideways a short distance, and finds itself transferred into the receiving galley. The great dis- tinguishing feature of the new machine is the fact that in one sweep it absolutely eliminates two onini- present features of justification. First, it does noth- ing but absolutely correct work. Second, it does this work without any expense whatever. The correc- tions, including the changes and transpositions, are all made in the galley before the lines are justified. When this is done, all the foreman has to do is to clamp the galley into position, and go about his other work until the automatic indicator informs him that the machine has justified its column or that it requires temporary attention from some other cause. The justifier deals with three spaces only, and has apparently very little to do. The enormous capacity of the measuring device, which instantly determines one out of five thousand possible requirements, is a peculiarity of the invention, and does not involve complication or delicacy of parts. The machine is compact and easy to manufacture, and will be within the immediate means of all classes of printing estab- lishments, small and large. The mechanism is such that it can be readily understood and cared for by any printer of ordinary intelligence.

The other departments of printing are looked upon as fully abreast with the age. The great dailies. with their large editions are whirled into existence by the hundreds of thousands of copies, so that with- in an hour after the great rolls of white paper are given to the machine the finished publications are

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scattered broadcast over the country. The art of quick and cheap engraving has been brought to such a degree of perfection that intelligence in the form of pictures-permeates all classes of publica- tions. While these and hundreds of other improve- ments were taking place, typesetting machines have been kept off the market because they have not been able to justify their lines.

Mr. DesJardins' automatic type-justifier, with the various changes which he has designed to suit the various conditions of printing offices, can be readily adapted for all classes of work. The pres- ent machine was built to handle newspaper columns a little over two inches in width. Another machine will be made adjustable for book lines, varying from two to five inches in length. The third machine will be of special design adapted to the present typeset- ting machines, and so constructed that it will sim- ply cut the lines and deposit them on the galley, ready for the corrections and changes. When the time ap- proaches to close the form, and it is necessary to rush the matter, instead of putting it through two machines, by the setting of a lever the lines will pass through the special justifier, and the spaces inserted as fast as they are being set. In this way the matter can be set carefully and transferred directly from the typesetting machine to the form. These three de- signs will do away with all of the present difficulties, and will place the setting of movable type on a par with the other departments of printing.

The following reference to the improved device in question of Mr. DesJardins is extracted from an article which appeared in the Hartford Post of March 10, 1900:

The machine will space type and justify as rap- idiy as the most expert operator can manipulate the keys of a typesetting machine and the work is smoother and more accurate than can be done by hand. Mr. DesJardins' invention is the first which has been produced to justify movable type. Type- setting machines, of which there are many different kinds, were all lacking in this very important feature. The linotype, which casts a line from molten metal. has a justifying attachment and is in general use in large newspaper offices. But there has always been a demand for a machine that would justify movable type automatically, and after struggling with the problem for eighteen years Mr. Des Jardins has stic- ceeded in perfecting it to stand the test of usage. The invention is arranged to be attached to any typesetting machine and is designed especially to be used in connection with the Thorne type-setter, the combination being compact and can be operated as rapidly as an ordinary typewriter. The DesJar- dins justifier is so constructed that it takes the type from the Thorne machine as it is formed into lines, being attached to the frame on the right side. The work of the justifier begins after the type has left the channels and has reached a point at the right side of the key board. Here they are stacked up into words by the movements of a little star gear, the

words being separated by thin brass spaces which have been substituted for the ordinary type metal slugs. These separators are slightly longer than the type and are fitted with pronged ends. They serve only a temporary use and in the course of type through the machine they give place to the gradu- ated type metal spaces which perform the final work of justifying and are very similar in appearance to ordinary spaces. As the letters are stacked up by the star until they form nearly a line of type of the width of the ordinary newspaper column or whatever width is desired, a bell strikes, announcing that the line will hold but a few more letters. The operator completes the word and touches the line lever, which starts the machine. The line is first lifted into a second channel, which is swung slightly to one side. This leaves it under the measuring bar of the com- puting device. Another part of the computing de- vice was previously adjusted by the playing of spaces in the line. This device is now provided with a distance corresponding to the measured line and another part is set according to the number of spaces. It now performs the mechanical operation of dividing the one by the other, the quotient with its remainder being the combination of spaces needed. The line of type is next moved over an open space, where the first word is pushed down into a mova- ble channel, the brass separator being momentarily retained in the line of type, which prevents it from moving down more than the length of the first word. The first word then runs backward and a type metal space of the proper thickness for justifying is knocked down on top of it and takes the place of the brass separator which in turn drops out of the ma- chine into a receptacle at the side, to be used again when needed. The first word now runs forward and the second word is pushed down on top of it and both move backward to receive the second jus- tifying type metal space and allow the second brass separator to follow the first into the receptacle and so on with each word in detail until the line of type is refitted with a new set of justifying spaces, and is pushed forward into a receiving galley, where it will be found that the last line of type is exactly the same length as the others previously set. The pro- cess of justifying a line of type is strictly automatic and occupies only about ten seconds and the justifier may be speeded higher if necessary. but in ordinary work the machine as adjusted will outstrip the swiftest operator, so that by the time the second line has been set, the justifier is waiting to receive it and repeat the process.

On Aug. 1. 1889, while residing at Evanston, Ill., Mr. Des Jardins was married to Cora Viola Snyder, of that city who was born in McHenry, Ill., daughter of Herman Snyder, a native of Hudson, N. Y., and Harriet J. (Smith) Snyder. a native of Cam- bridge, Vt. Our subject and his wife reside at West Hartford on a prominent elevation overlooking the city of Hartford and the valley of the Connecticut. and with them Mrs. Snyder makes her home. They

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are members of the West Hartford Baptist Church, where he is prominently connected with the manage- ment, and Mrs. DesJardins, being a fine performer on the piano, has charge of the music for the ser- vices, and of the Sabbath-school, of which Mr. Des- Jardins is superintendent.

GEORGE DENNIS BRISTOL, a resident of Southington, Hartford county, was born in that town Feb. 2, 1859, a son of Julius Dennis and Eme- line (Cook) Bristol, and is the only survivor of the once large family of Bristols.

Julius D. Bristol was also born in Southington, Feb. 10, 1826, and died Aug. 29, 1884, at Denver, Colo., his remains being brought East and interred in the family lot in South End cemetery. In early life he followed the occupation of farming, but later engaged in manufacturing, merchandising, contract- ing and building, was also interested in the coal, lime, cement, tile and lumber business, and at one time carried on a bolt shop and a paper mill in South End. Southington, and later in Southington village. He was instrumental in the building up of that town, and he himself erected many buildings there. Mr. Bristol was a man of far more than ordinary busi- ness ability, and carried forward to successful com- pletion whatever he undertook. Enterprising, pro- gressive and public-spirited, he laid out and im- proved what is now Eden avenue, Southington, doing much to beautify it, and also a portion of Liberty street, formerly known as Yankee street. He was twice married, his first wife, the mother of our subject, being a daughter of Robert and Emeline ( Clark) Cook, of Southington, and a granddaughter of Martin and Lucinda (Webster) Cook. Martin Cook was born Aug. 9. 1767. and was a son of Na- thaniel Cook, who was born Sept. 25, 1735, and was married March 8, 1754, to Martha Scott, daughter of Samuel and Mary ( Pynchon ) Scott, of Southing- ton. Nathaniel Cook died Nov. 27. 1822. His father. Robert Cook, was born in 1703, and was married Nov. 19, 1729. to Hannah Hunn, a daughter of Nathaniel and Martha Hunn. He was a son of Robert Cook, Sr., who is supposed to have been born in Ireland in 1671, was an early settler of Southington, and a warm friend of Rev. Jeremiah Curtiss during the exciting controversies of his ministry. By his first wife Julius D. Bristol had two children who grew to maturity : Seymour Julius, born Aug. 17, 1850, who died in Boston Dec. 1. 1878; and George Dennis, our subject. For his second wife he married Martha Amelia Perkins, who bore him one son, Julius Perkins, deceased.

Julius Bristol (generally known as Capt. Bris- tol. having been at one time captain of militia in the town), the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Hamden, Conn .. Aug. IT, 1793, and married Sally, daughter of Allen and Sarah (Webster) Barnes. She died Nov. 19, 1848, and for his sec- ond wife he married Mrs. Fanny (Langdon) Hitch- cock. He lived in South End, where he was en-

gaged in farming and manufacturing, being at one time president of the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co., formerly the Peck-Smith Co., and subsequently re- moved to Southington, where he laid out and im- proved Bristol street, setting out the trees that now shade it. He remained there until his death. He was a prominent Freemason, and a most progres- sive and highly-respected citizen. His father, George Augustus Bristol, was born July 27, 1762, lived in Southington, and was married Feb. 3, 1785, to Mary De Forest Hawley, of that town. For his second wife he married Abigail Munson. He died Aug. 28, 1813.

George D. Bristol, whose name introduces this sketch, grew to manhood in Southington, and pur- sued his studies in the public schools and Lewis Academy. For several years he was successfully engaged in the grocery, fruit, news business, etc., but is now living at his pleasant home on Bristol street, engaged in real-estate business, etc., enjoy- ing the society of his family and many friends, in the midst of all the comforts that go to make life worth the living.

On Nov. 16, 1882, Mr. Bristol was united in marriage with Miss Amy T. Douglass, a daughter of Reuben HI. and Zeruah (Miles) Douglass, of Southington, and to them has been born one daugh- ter, Gladys A. Z. Fraternally Mr. Bristol is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Improved Order of Red Men, and politically he is a Republican.

WILLIS P. CORBIN. Mr. Corbin is a son of Hezekiah Healey Corbin, a grandson of Philip Cor- bin, Jr., and a great-grandson of Philip Corbin, who was, throughout his entire life, a farmer of the town of Union.

Philip Corbin married a Miss Healey, and from this union sprang Philip, Jr., who also devoted him- self to agriculture. Early in life he lived in Willing- ton and other towns in the State, but his later years were passed at West Hartford. In his business he was both thrifty and successful, the two attri- butes being, perhaps, connected. in the relation of cause and effect. His fellow townsmen regarded him as one of their "solid" men. He had a natural bent toward military maneuvers, and on "train- ing days" always served as captain. On Nov. 29, 1820, he married Lois Chaffee, who was born Sept. 24, 1798, and was the daughter of Abner Chaffee and Judith Walker. They were the parents of eleven children, named and born as follows: Heze- kiah, Nov. 29, 1821 ; Waldo, Sept. 26, 1823 : Philip, Oct. 26, 1824: Lois, Oct. 5, 1826; Frank, June 26, 1828; Anna J., Jan. 22, 1830; William, Sept. 9, 1831 ; Andrew, June 10, 1833 : George S., June 22, 1836; Roby Jeannette, Sept. 5, 1838; and Elbert A., Oct. 17, 1843.

The following imperfect sketch of the life of IIezekiah H. Corbin is taken from the columns of

JEod Bristol

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a local paper : "Hezekiah Healey Corbin was, in the true sense of the word, one of the pioneers of New Britain. Only a few years of his life were spent at his home in Union, where he was born. With his father's family he removed to West Hart- ford, and from there he came to New Britain, in the early 'forties. It was about this same time that his brothers, P. and F. Corbin, came to New Brit- ain and established the industry which has since grown to be the largest plant of its kind in the city. For a number of years Hezekiah H. Corbin worked in his brothers' factory, and later was in the employ of Landers, Frary & Clark. It was in 1866 that he entered into partnership with T. W. Loomis, in the manufacture of paper boxes, the concern occupying the quarters in the Loomis building now used by the Independent. After a partnership continuing for about a year, Mr. Corbin started a factory of his own, associating with himself his son, Frank E. Corbin. It was in 1872 that the main shop, later occupied by the firm of H. H. Corbin & Son, was erected, and in 1880 large additions were built. Until 1890, Mr. Corbin was in partnership with his son, Frank E. Corbin, but in that year he bought out the entire business, and his other son, Willis P. Cor- bin, succeeded to his brother's interest.

"Mr. Corbin, like all others of his family, was for from wealthy when he came to this city (New Britain). But he was not lacking in the enterprise which has ever characterized the whole family. By steady application to business, native shrewdness and fair dealing, he succeeded in building up a good business, and has made a competency for himself. "Mr. Corbin was well known throughout the State as a leader in the Adventist Church. He and H. D. Sharp were the principal organizers of the Advent Church of New Britain, and have been prominently connected with the society since its first meeting ; and at the time of his death Mr. Cor- bin was one of the deacons.

The sketch of Hezekiah H. Corbin which has been above quoted may be supplemented by a brief summary of other salient events in his life, and a brief account of his prominent characteristics. He was educated in the common schools and in the high school of West Hartford, and from his youth up he was a voracious reader of the best authors. On all topics of current interest he kept himself well informed, and in Biblical lore he was thoroughly versed. On Feb. 16, 1844, in Willington, he was married to Maria B. Ryder, a daughter of Byas and Abigail (Eldridge) Ryder, and born in Westford Jan. 9, 1825. Four children were born to them, a brief record of whom is as follows: The eldest, Mary Jane, was born at Willington June 13, 1845; she married Wilbur F. Rogers, of Meriden, of the firm of C. Rogers & Bros. The second child was Frank Eugene, who was born at Hartford Dec. 13, 1849. Homer Montross was the third, born at Hamden, Ohio, Aug. 13, 1852, and died Oct. 12, 1853. Willis P. Corbin, whose name appears at

the opening of this memoir, was the youngest child, and was born at New Britain Feb. 20, 1856.

In tracing back the genealogy of the Corbin family, it is of interest to note that the earliest American progenitor in reference to whom any in- formation is obtainable was Clement Corbin, who was a resident of Brookline, a suburb of Boston, Mass., in 1637. He is said to have been born in 1616, and to have removed to Woodstock, Wynd- ham Co., Conn., in 1687. It is also reported that he was the first settler in that section of the State. He married Dorcas Buckminster, and his son James, who was one of the early progenitors of the Corbin family, was born March 31, 1668. His son Philip, born Jan. 5, 1708, married Dorothy Barts on Jan. 13, 1731. Their son Lemuel wis born Feb. 19, 1739-40, and married Rebecca Davis. Ife died May 7, 1825, at Dudley, Massachusetts.

Willis P. Corbin was educated in the schools of New Britain and Meriden, and was also a student under the personal instruction of Prof. Camp. While his early education was not of the character given to pupils at the scientific schools of the present day, it formed an ample ground work for the training necessary to a successful business career. On leav- ing school, he entered the employ of his father, who as has been already said, was a successful manu- facturer of paper boxes. At the time that he began work at the factory the firm name was H. H. Cor- bin & Son, the partners in the concern being his father and his brother, Frank E. Corbin. It was a fundamental principle with his father that none of his sons should be entrusted with the charge of even an unimportant part of his business until he had demonstrated his ability to succeed. Accordingly, young Willis after beginning work was forced to perform all sorts of toil until he became thoroughly versed in every detail of the business. In Feb- ruary, 1890, Frank E. Corbin withdrew from the firm, and was succeeded by his younger brother, Willis P. The name of the firm continued as H. H. Corbin & Son, and gradually the management of the business rested more and more upon the shoul- ders of the younger partner. Since Nov. 5, 1897, he has had entire control of the plant, in the manage- ment of which he has always displayed a rarely sound business judgment. Since the death of his father Nov. 6, 1897, he has largely increased the productive capacity of the factory, and at the pres- ent time employs about sixty hands. The Corbins were the pioneers of this line of mechanical in- dustry in New Britain, and to-day they are the largest manufacturers in this section of the country, supplying firms at New Britain, Meriden, Bristol, Southington, and other towns in Connecticut.

Politically Mr. Corbin has always been a Re- publican, although never an active party worker. He is a member of the American Benefit Society, of New Britain, and in his religious belief is as ardent in his support of the Adventist doctrines, as was also his father. He married Miss Alice E. M.

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Ville, a daughter of James Ville, of New Britain, whose family is of English descent, and who is a manufacturer of carriages, his place of business being on Arch street. Mr. and Mrs. Corbin are the parents of five children: Fred W., Howard R., Harry M., Mildred M., and Gertrude A.

HON. EMERSON ALFORD, who for several years prior to his decease lived retired in Plain- ville, was a well-known and highly respected citi- zen of that town. He was born near Front Royal, Va., Dec. 28, 1825, but belonged to an old Con- necticut family, his parents being Daniel M. and Emira ( Mills) Alford, natives of Avon and Can- ton, Hartford county, respectively. Ilis paternal grandfather, Samuel Alford, was born in Granby, this county, but spent most of his life in the town of Avon, where he followed the occupation of farm- ing, and where he served as constable for many years. He had a family of six children : Roxie. wife of Truman Woodford ; Dorinda, wife of James Blackwell; Lucy, wife of Henry Humphrey ; Jane, wife of Henry Stockbridge ; Daniel M. ; and Samuel.

In early manhood the father of our subject was a trader in the South, and lived for several years in Virginia. Returning to Hartford county, Conn., he purchased a farm in Avon about 1829, and made his home there until called from this life, in August, 1873, at the age of seventy-seven years. He married Miss Emira Mills, a daughter of Joel and Anna (Russell) Mills, of Canton, this county, and to this union the following children were born : Rollin, who was killed by lightning in Illinois; Juliette, wife of Andrew Chidsey; Emerson, our subject : Ephraim A .: Louisa, Mrs. Albert An- drews; Lucy A., wife of Asa Hoskins: Sarah J., wife of Anthony J. Mallory; and Franklin M.

Emerson Alford was four years of age when his parents returned to Connecticut, and he grew to manhood in Avon, receiving a limited education in the common schools. He remained on his fa- ther's farm until eighteen years of age, and then worked as a farm hand for six months. Subse- quently he was employed as a peddler for a time, and at the age of twenty located in Collinsville, where he worked in an axe factory for ten years, being inspector in the grinding department the last five years of that time. In 1860 he purchased a farm in Simsbury which he successfully con- ducted until 1888, when he retired from active labor and moved to New Britain. After residing there for two and a half years he came to Plainville, in 1890, and here made his home until his death, May 10, 1899.

On April 23, 1851, Mr. Alford was united in marriage with Miss Sarah M. Pratt, a daughter of Jeremiah and Celia ( Merriman) Pratt, of Green- field, Mass., and to them were born five children : Clara J., Ephraim B. (deceased), Ralph E., Frank J. and Leon P. Mr. Alford was one of the lead- ing and influential members of the Methodist Epis-

copal Church of Plainville, and at the time of his decease was serving as president of its board of trustees. He was a stalwart supporter of the Den- ocratic party, and represented Simsbury in the State Legislature in 1886-87. After a useful and honorable career, he could well afford to lay aside business cares and live in ease and retirement.

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Commemorative biographical record of Hartford County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Pt 1, Part 82

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1336

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1336