USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 3 > Part 46
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An opinion of the then recently de- ceased was written by the late Frank Hungerford, attorney, and published in the "New Britain Herald" on February 20, 1897, and is quoted here because Mr. Hungerford was a better authority on the subject, whom he had known so well, better perhaps than any other New Brit- ain resident outside the family of the de- ceased. Mr. Hungerford wrote :
The death of Mr. Stanley at his home in Granby on Thursday of this week was deeply felt here in New Britain, where he was born, and where the larger and most active portion of his life was passed. Indeed so thoroughly was he identified with the growth and development of this town and city, and so abiding was his interest in all that concerned or affected them that his citizenship seems never to have been removed, though for some years his residence has been changed * * He belonged to that partic- ular group of men of whom he was about the last, to whom we are indebted so much for what we have of churches and schools and hooks, and of all things that add to our con- veniences and comforts in our daily life. For these reasons, as well as for others more per- sonal, Mr. Stanleys death could not but make a deep impression in this community, and to many it seemed as if the last connecting link between the New Britain of the past and the New Britain of the present was broken * * *
Though Mr. Stanley had entered upon his eightieth year, he never seemed old. His spirit
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was remarkably youthful, and he was fond of the society of the young. * * He had a natural laste for literature (and) * * was con- versant with the best writers in English litera- ture, * * *
* was * * a strong lover oi nature and of all that was beautiful in sky and cloud, or wood and field, and perhaps it was this, with his fondness for the best authors, that kept his spirit young and buoyant *
* *
* To the writer *
* , he was as a father, or more truly an elder brother, and to all young men he was specially kind and help- ful in ways that will always be remembered. His going was sudden, without even a good-bye or farewell, but we need no words of his to be assured that he has left us his benediction.
Mr. Stanley was interred in Fairview Cemetery on February 20, 1897, the offici- ating clergy being Rev. Dr. Cooper and the Rev. G. Henry Sandwell, and the hon- orary pallbearers were William H. Hart, Levi S. Wells, Charles R. Mead, of New York: C. S. Landers, Henry E. Russell and Philip Corbin.
In 1842, Mr. Stanley married Adaline G. Cornwell. To them were born three children, viz .: Francis W., William and Arthur; the two latter, died in infancy. Their son, Francis Wadsworth, who was born on January 24, 1843, died of wounds received in the battle of Irish Bend, Louisiana, which took place on April 14, 1863. He lingered in hospital until May 29 of that year, and his body was eventu- ally brought to New Britain, and there interred on August 15, 1863.
Timothy W. Stanley married, in 1879. for his second wife, Theresa R. ( Bartholo- mew) Stanley, widow of Mortimer S. Stanley. The two children of Timothy and Theresa Stanley are: Philip B., who married Helen Talcott and had two girls, Jeanne and Frances; and Maurice, not married.
GOODRICH, William Albert,
Physician, Specialist.
Of all the professions, the divine art of healing. the high calling of the physician,
is the one that exacts the greatest number of sacrifices from its disciples. And in direct proportion to the sacrifices of the men who devote themselves to the cause of suffering humanity, is the honor due them. The life of the physician is not his own, but is open to the demands of all the people all the time. Leisure is a word unknown to him to whom is given the power of the preservation of human life, at the price of eternal vigilance and readiness for what may come. Yet the reward is a power second only to that of Nature herself. The true physician's aim and goal are service-the uplifting of those who are heavily laden and suffer. His place in society has always been an honored and deservedly high one, and to find him held in wonder and awe, and his art regarded as a supernatural thing. is a condition found to have been prevalent in almost every country of the world at some stage of its development. The de- gree of fanaticism, for it was such, de- pended on the nature of the people. The same conditions obtain to-day in be- nighted lands, but among those nations where civilization has reached the highest point of its attainment in the world, the men who wield the power of preserving life, are its gauge. the standard by which it is measured, and the recipients of honor and respect.
One of the best known and ablest phy- sicians of Waterbury, Connecticut, is Dr. William Albert Goodrich. Dr. Goodrich has attained his position in the estimation of Waterbury solely through the recog- nized excellence of his medical services. Since entering the profession he has con- ducted a general practice, but has devoted a large portion of his time to obstetrics. Of this branch of medical science he makes a decided specialty, and has a large practice in this line, which extends throughout the surrounding country. He is recognized as a competent authority on
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the subject, and has been very successful in it.
Dr. Goodrich was born July 8, 1876, in Hardwick, State of Vermont, the son of Charles Edwin and Julia (Cass) Goodrich. The Goodrich family was established in Hardwick, Vermont, by Dr. Goodrich's paternal grandfather, Levi Reddington Goodrich. Levi Goodrich as born in Mas- sachusetts, but went to Hardwick when a young man, and there spent most of his life, with the exception of the last ten years, which were spent in Greensbor- ough, Vermont, where he died at the age of seventy-five years. He was a farmer, and owned extensive farming lands. He married Maranda Jennings, who was also a native of the State of Massachusetts. She died in Hardwick, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. The children of Levi Reddington and Maranda (Jen- nings) Goodrich were: I. Charles Edwin, father of Dr. Goodrich. 2. A son, who died in infancy. 3. Philos J., who died at the age of forty-five. 4. Rowena, unmar- ried, and now living in Hardwick. 5. Albert, a resident of Hardwick. 6. Alma, wife of Charles Moree, a Methodist min- ister ; she died early in life.
Charles Edwin Goodrich, father of Dr. William Albert Goodrich, was born in Hardwick, Vermont, April 12, 1849, Later in life he removed to Craftsbury. and here conducted a farm. He married Julia Cass, who was born in 1852, and died September 8, 1884. She was the daughter of Horace Cass, a native of Canada, who early in life came to Crafts- bury, Vermont. Here he was a farmer. He had a large family of twelve children, all of whom are now dead. He himself died at the age of seventy-six years. Charles Edwin Goodrich died in Septem- ber, 1899. at Craftsbury. His children were: I. William Albert, the eldest and only living child. 2. Mary, who died at
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the age of eighteen years, in Craftsbury. 3. Perley, who died in infancy in 1884.
Dr. William Albert Goodrich removed from Hardwick to Craftsbury with his parents when a young boy, and here he attended the Craftsbury Academy, pur- suing a course preparatory for college. At the age of twenty-two years he entered the University of Vermont, and took the medical course. After spending two years at the University of Vermont, he entered the Medical Chirurgical College at Phil- adelphia, and completed his course there in 1902. He then came to Waterbury, where he has since been located. He started immediately upon a general prac- tice which has been successful from the very beginning, and has, as has been already stated, devoted a great amount of his time to obstetrics, of which he made special study while training for the pro- fession. Dr. Goodrich is a member of all the following medical societies: The local, State and County Medical societies. and the American Medical Association. He is also a member of the Waterbury Club and of the Waterbury Country Club. He is prominent in social circles in Water- bury, and is intensely interested in the vital questions before the city, such as civic betterment, public health, sanitation, healthful conditions of living, factory con- ditions, and so forth.
Dr. Goodrich married Irene Babcock. Mrs. Goodrich was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. Her father is dead, and her mother, remarried to George J. Bab- cock, is now a resident of Waterbury. Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich are the parents of the following children : 1. William Albert. Jr., born October 4, 1909. 2. Julia, died in in- fancy. 3. Harriet Louise, born June 5, 1913.
Dr. Goodrich is entirely in the confi- dence of a large number of the residents of Waterbury, and conducts a large practice which absorbs approximately all his time.
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WHEELER, Nathaniel,
Founder of Wheeler & Wilson Company.
Nathaniel Wheeler, organizer and presi- dent of the Wheeler & Wilson Manufac- turing Company, makers of Wheeler & Wilson sewing machines, was born in Watertown, Litchfield county, Connecti- cut, September 20, 1820, and died at his home on Golden Hill, Bridgeport, in the same State, December 31, 1893.
He was of the seventh generation of his family in America, and a descendant of Moses Wheeler, born in England in 1598, who came to New England with a com- pany from the County of Kent. In 1643 he received a tract of land in New Haven. Some four or five years later he removed to Stratford. His deed was the first re- corded at Hartford of the lands bought from the Indians at Stratford. Orcutt's "History of Stratford" says, "The first record of any public convenience at Strat- ford is the motion made by Mr. Ludlow concerning Moses Wheeler for keeping the ferry at Stratford." He was a farmer and ship carpenter, and established the ferry across the Housatonic river. He lived to the age of one hundred years, and at the time of his death was an ex- tensive landowner. His son, also named Moses, was born in 1651, and died Janu- ary 30, 1724-25. In the next generation, Samuel, born February 27, 1681-82. died 1721. The latter's son, Captain James Wheeler, born 1716, was the great-grand- father of Nathaniel; he died in Derby, Connecticut, July 9, 1768. His son, Dea- con James Wheeler, born April 6, 1745, was Nathaniel's grandfather ; he died in Watertown, in 1819.
His son, David Wheeler, the father of Nathaniel, was born September 6, 1789. He was a general builder and farmer, and had on his farm a small shop where he employed a few men in various ways,
including the making of wagons and sleighs. He married for his first wife Phoebe De Forest, by whom he had two children : Joseph and Mary. His second wife was Sarah De Forest, of the same family, by whom he had four children : Nathaniel, George, Jane, and Belinda. The De Forests were descendants of a Hugue- not family of Avesnes, France, some of whose members fled to Leyden, Holland, to escape religious persecution. One of these, named Isaac, son of Jesse and Marie (DuCloux) De Forest. emigrated from Leyden to New Amsterdam in 1636, and there married Sarah Du Trieux. One of their sons, David, settled in Stratford, and was the ancestor of the mother of Na- thaniel Wheeler.
Nathaniel Wheeler attended the schools of his native place, and, as often related by his father. took his full share of what- ever work was to be done on the farm or in the shop. It was this helpfulness to others that prevailed throughout his life, and wherever he was there were always numberless examples of those to whose welfare he contributed. Whatever he ac- complished for himself was unimportant compared with the benefits felt by those associated with him in the various indus- tries fostered by his care. He was early taught by one skilled in the work, the elaborate painting then in vogue for vehi- cles, especially sleighs. This enabled him in later years to devise methods for finish- ing woods, which changed the processes in this work throughout this country, and in other countries as well, and to conduct experiments leading to most successful results in finishing the products of the Fairfield Rubber Works. On coming of age he took entire charge of the business of the shop, his father retiring to the farm. A few years later he learned die- sinking, and took up the manufacture of various small metallic articles, largely
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buckles and slides, and by substituting machinery for hand labor greatly reduced the cost of production. He was now well equipped with a knowledge of building, wood-working and finishing, and the working of metals, which qualified him to direct work with marked success in all these branches. In 1848 he united his business with that of Alanson Warren and George Woodruff, manufacturers of similar articles, the new firm taking the name of Warren, Wheeler & Woodruff. They bought a water privilege on the stream flowing through Watertown, some mile and a half below the center, and erected a factory for the enlarged busi- ness, with Mr. Wheeler in charge. While in New York on business and looking for something to more fully occupy the new premises, he was shown the sewing ma- chine invented by Allen B. Wilson, which was then on exhibition and attracting at- tention.
While it is true that the art of sewing by machinery was American in its origin and development, European genius had been groping toward it for nearly a cen- tury before. Weisenthal. as early as 1755, Heilmann, Thomas Saint (granted an English patent in 1790), Thimonier (who first obtained a patent in France in 1830). Newton. and Archbold of England, and possibly others, essayed the invention, but not one of these pointed the way to a practical sewing machine. Something was said to have been done by Walter Hunt, of New York, as early as 1832: but the contrivance alleged to have been made was abandoned or neglected until the suc- cess of others had become publicly known. The imperfect production of Elias Howe, patented in 1846, was undoubtedly the first important step toward a practical machine, but the perfected "Howe" was not patented until 1857. The inventor who first reached satisfactory results in
this field was Allen B. Wilson, a native of Cortland county, New York. While working at his trade as a cabinet maker in Adrian, Michigan, in 1847, he conceived the idea of a sewing machine. He knew nothing of what others had thought or done in this direction. In 1848, in Pitts- field, Massachusetts, while still working at his trade, he completed the drawings of his machine, and in the spring of the following year finished his model. Al- though not a machinist and not able to procure suitable tools, he made with his own hands every part of the machine, whether of wood or metal. Authorities agree that "this was the first machine ever constructed. meeting to any extent the requirements of a sewing machine." This machine enabled the operator to con- trol at will the direction of the stitching, and thus to sew continuous seams of any length, either straight or curved. Con- tinuing to improve and invent, he obtained patents in 1850, 1851. 1852, and 1854. The important improvements were developed after Mr. Wheeler became interested, and with his cooperation and suggestion. Im- pressed by his first view of Mr. Wilson's achievement, Mr. Wheeler contracted with Messrs. E. Lee & Company, of New York, then controlling the patent, to build five hundred machines at Watertown, Mr. Wilson agreeing to remove to that place and superintend their manufacture. Shortly afterward, relations with Lee & Company ceased, and a partnership was formed between Messrs. Warren, Wheeler, Woodruff and Wilson, under the title "Wheeler, Wilson & Company," for the manufacture of sewing machines. They manufactured the original "Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machines," and made them successful. This was due to the efforts of Mr. Wheeler, who became the mercantile head of the company, and led the improvements into practical lines.
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The introduction of the machine, placing it in factories and workshops and demon- strating its value in families, was carried out under his control. Opposition, preju- dice and disbelief melted away before en- terprising activity and perseverance. In a brief period the machine was in oper- ation in New York and other cities. In October, 1853, the business was reorgan- ized as a joint stock company under the laws of Connecticut, taking the title "Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Com- pany." The capital of the corporation was one hundred and sixty thousand dollars, the patents being valued at one hundred thousand, and the machinery at sixty thousand. The new subscribers to this stock, the foundation of the fortunes of so many, enjoyed the profits of the busi- ness without any cost whatever to them- selves, as they gave their notes for the stock, but were never called upon to pay any part of them, as Mr. Wheeler financed the business. providing whatever cash was necessary, and the notes were paid by the profits of the business as they be- came due. For a year or two Mr. Wheeler acted as the general manager. In 1855 he became president, and filled that office during the remainder of his life.
About the time that the Wheeler & Wilson machine began to attract public attention, the sewing machine invented by Isaac M. Singer became known, also the Grover & Baker sewing machine. All these machines contained principles that Elias Howe thought were covered by his patents, and he commenced suits which brought them together in defense. While these were being contested, with the best obtainable legal talent of the country on all sides, Mr. Wheeler proposed that, as these machines varied so much, they col- lectively seemed to cover thoroughly the field of sewing by machinery, yet each obviously had extensive fields to which
each was particularly adapted, and as Elias Howe's patents strengthened all, it seemed wise that all should respect his patents and the patents and devices of each other, and in this way join in the defense of each other's rights. This plan was adopted, and led to many years of successful business for all concerned. Mr. Howe for many years received a royalty for each machine manufactured by all these companies, but for several years did nothing himself in the way of manufac- turing.
Mr. Wilson, eager to devote attention in other directions and explore other fields of invention, among which were cotton picking machines, illuminating gases and photography, early retired from active participation in the business, retaining stock in the company, and receiving the benefit of dividends, a regular salary thereafter without services, and substantial sums on renewal of his patents. He in- vested largely in building in North Adams, Massachusetts, the scene of part of his early life. He built a residence on a beau- tiful site overlooking the Naugatuck river, opposite the city of Waterbury, and con- tinued to live there until his death, April 29, 1888. The residence, enlarged, has since become the Waterbury Hospital. His inventions have been declared by high authorities to be "as original, in- genious, and effective, as any to be found in the whole range of mechanics."
In 1856 the factory was removed from Watertown to Bridgeport, Connecticut, the company buying and occupying the works of the Jerome Clock Company. Mr. Wheeler also removed thither and at once identified himself with the interests of the city. With increased factory space and improved machinery the business ad- vanced with rapid strides. The capital stock was increased from time to time, and in 1864 to one million dollars. Fire
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swept a portion of the buildings in 1875, but they were rebuilt immediately on an improved plan. Additions were fre- quently made until the company's works covered a ground space of some fifteen acres. In recognition of Mr. Wheeler's services in his department of industry, he was decorated at the World's Exposition held in Vienna in 1873, with the Imperial Order of Francis Joseph, and at the Paris Exposition in 1889 he received the cross of the Legion of Honor of France. In addition to many sewing machine patents either as sole inventor or jointly with others, he held patents for wood filling compounds, power transmitters, refriger- ators, ventilating cars, heating and ven- tilating buildings. The system for venti- lating school houses, originated by him. was the forerunner of the best modern practice. and was widely sought after and copied.
As a business man, Mr. Wheeler was distinguished for his organizing and ad- ministrative abilities, his energy, enter- prise, foresight, good judgment, and fair dealings-qualities which were recognized throughout the business world. His solic- itude for all employed by the corporation of which he was the head was especially marked, and won for him profound regard. He contributed largely to the success of various important local enter- prises. He was an incorporator of the People's Savings Bank; a director of the Bridgeport City Bank, Bridgeport Hy- draulic Company, Bridgeport Horse Rail- road Company, Fairfield Rubber Com- pany, Willimantic Linen Company, and the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company. He was an active member of the Board of Trade, of the Board of Aldermen, and of the building committees of schools and county build- ings, and a commissioner for building the State Capitol at Hartford. He was one of
the founders and first president of the Seaside Club; one of the chief donors of Seaside Park to the city, and a commis- sioner for its development. He was the principal founder of the business of the Bridgeport Wood Finishing Company, and through the invention of "Wheeler's Wood Filler" introduced new methods in finishing woods, which continue to be more and more widely followed. He was a generous contributor to and for thirty- three years a vestryman of St. John's Episcopal Church. A Democrat in poli- tics, Mr. Wheeler repeatedly declined nomination to official positions. He served in the Bridgeport Common Coun- cil and also for several terms in the State Legislature and Senate. Upright in every aim, he commanded the esteem of the people of his native State, and especially of those in the community in which for so long a period he was a vital and be- neficent factor. Blest with robust health until 1893, he was overtaken by illness and died just as the year closed.
Mr. Wheeler's first wife, Huldah ( Brad- ley) Wheeler, of Watertown, Connecti- cut, to whom he was married in 1842, died in 1857. There were four children by this union : Martha, Anna B., both of whom died young, and Samuel H. and Ellen B. (Mrs. E. W. Harral). Samuel H. Wheeler, who succeeded his father as president of the company, was for many years man- ager of the company's business at Chi- cago.
On August 3, 1858, Nathaniel Wheeler married Miss Mary E. Crissy, of New Canaan, Connecticut, who survived her husband until April 20, 1910. By this marriage there were four sons : Harry De Forest, who died in 1881, in his eighteenth year ; Archer Crissy and William Bishop, born September 18, 1864; and Arthur Penoyer, who died in infancy. Archer Crissy Wheeler filled the office of treas-
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urer of the Fairfield Rubber Company, and with his brother, William B. Wheeler, held directorships in the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company. The Wheeler mansion on Golden Hill, an imposing structure, Gothic in type, is one of the fine residences of Bridgeport.
PERKINS, Charles Gove, Electrical Expert, Inventor.
Peter, being one of the Twelve Apostles, his nanie was a favorite one for centuries among Christians. It assumed the form of Pierre in France, whence it found its way into England and there took the diminutive form of Perkin. This gradu- ally and naturally became Perkins, and in time was bestowed upon or assumed by one as a surname. Many of the name were among the early settlers of New England, and their descendants have borne honorable part in the development of modern civilization in the Western Hemisphere. The coat-of-arms of the Perkins family is as follows: Or, a fess dancette, between ten billets ermine. Crest : A pineapple proper, stalked and leaved vert.
(I) Abraham Perkins, the immigrant ancestor of this branch of the family, was born in England about 1613, and came to America, settling in Massachusetts prior to 1640. In that year he was one of a band of several Englishmen from Massa- chusetts, who settled in Hampton. New l hampshire. He was admitted a freeman in that town on May 13, 1640, and in June received eighty acres of land by public grant : in 1646 he was given three shares of the common. He was an unusually fine penman for his time, and was a man of some ability. as is shown by the fact that he was often employed in business for the town and for private citizens. He was marshal in 1654. He died August 31,
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