USA > Connecticut > Genealogical and family history of the state of Connecticut, a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Volume IV > Part 5
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every part of the machine, whether of wood or metal. This machine contained as essen- tial parts a curved eye-pointed needle, a two- pointed shuttle making a stitch at each for- ward and at each backward movement, and a two-motion feed. This "feed-motion" con- sisted of a serrated bar, horizontally recipro- cated, and, being constantly in contact with the eloth, moved the material forward at the proper time by the forward inclination of the teeth, and receded while the material was held in position by the needle before the latter was withdrawn therefrom, Authorities agree that "this was the first machine ever constructed that contained a device answering to any ex- tent the requirements of a feed that would enable the operator to control at will the di- rection of the stitching, and thus to sew con- tinuous seams of any length. either straight or curved, and to turn corners of any angle." Building a second machine on the same plan but of better construction. at North Adams. Massachusetts, in May. 1849, he secured a United States patent for it November 12. 1850. Not yet quite satisfied with his work. Mr. Wilson, in a third construction, sup- planted the shuttle by a rotating hook and re- ciprocating bobbin. while the two-motion feed gave way to a segmental serew-feed. A pat- ent for this was issued to Mr. Wilson on Au- gust 12. 185t. But the inventor. desiring greater perfection, devised a machine with rotary hook and stationary bobbin, for which he obtained a patent. June 15, 1852 This last machine contained another most important in- provement, which Mr. Wilson described but did not claim in his application for the patent. but for which he obtained a patent. Decem- ber 19, 1854. This improvement was the cele- brated "four-motion feed" which, in some form or other. has been adopted in almost all systems of sewing machines. These later and important improvements were all developel after Mr. Wheeler became interested.
Impressed by his first view of Mr. Wil- son's achievement. in December. 1850 and fore- seeing great possibilities. Nathaniel Wheeler entered into an agreement with Messr. E. Lee & Company, of New York, then controll- ing the patent, to build five hundred machines at Watertown. His next step was to secure. Mr. Wilson's services to superintend their manufacture. Shortly afterward new ar- rangements were entered into, and. relations with the New York firm being terminated. a co-partnership was formed between Messrs. Warren. Wheeler. Woodruff and Wilson. under the title. "Wheeler. Wilson & Com- pany." for the purpose of developing the in- ventions of the last-namned, and for the man-
ufacture and sale of sewing machines em- bodying his devices. They manufactured the original "Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Ma- chines," and made a thorough success of them. not only in the household, but in light manu- facturing as well. This success was due to the intelligent. energetic, and persevering ef- forts of Mr. Wheeler, who became the mer- cantile head of the new concern, and who put into practical shape the improvements sub- sequently devised by Mr. Wilson. The intro- duction of the machine. placing it in factories and workshops and demonstrating its value in families, was carried out under Mr. Wheel- er's tactful and vigorous initiative. Opposi- tion, prejudice and disbelief melted before the enterprising activity of this persevering and resourceful man. In a brief period the machine was in successful operation not only in New York. but as well in Boston. Phila- delphia, and other large cities. In October. 1853, the business was reorganized as a joint stock company under the laws of Connecti- cut. taking the title "Wheeler & Wilson Man- ufacturing Company." The capital of the corporation was $100.000. the patents being valued at Sioo.ooo and the machinery and stock at $60,ooo. Fer a year of two, the cru- cial period in the enterprise. Mr. Wheeler acted as general manager and executive head of the company. In 1855 he became president. and that office he filled during the remainder of his life. Mr. Wilson retired from active participation in the business about a year pie- viously, but received a regular salary and also considerable sums on the renewal of his pat- ents. He died April 20. 1888. Of his rotar- ing hook and stationary bobbin it has been de- clared by high authority that "they constitute an invention as absolutely original, ingenious. and effective as any to be found in the whole range of mechanics, and which has never failed to excite the unqualified adnuration of competent experts."
In 1856 the factory was removed from Watertown to Bridgeport. Mr. Wheeler also removed thither and at once identified! hint- self actively with the interests of the city. One of the first steps taken was to enlarge the output. When, with increased factory space and improved machinery isecured at the expenditure of a few thousand dollars. which to many of the stockholders stomed like reckless extravagance) the output had reached twenty-five machines a slav. it was supposed the demands of the world could easily be supplied. Even Mr. Wheeler him- self expected no greater success. Buc the business advanced with rapid strides. In ISso the capital stock was advanced ro $100.000
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and by special act of the Connecticut legis- lature was increased to $1.000.000 in 1854. Fire swept away a portion of the buildings in 1875, but they were rebuilt immediately on an improved plan. Important additions have been made from time to time, and to-day the company's works, including the machine fac- tories, the cabinet factory, the needle factories and the foundry, cover a ground space of some fifteen acres.
It is almost needless to say that Bridgeport has been a great gainer through the estab- lishment of these works within its limits. During the first decade the population doubled, growing from about 7.500 to nearly 15.000. and it is now (1910) over 100,000. The wealth and importance of the city likewise increased proportionally, and the impetus given is still felt.
Mr. Wheeler's activity in the sewing-ma- chine business was not confined to the admin- istration and supervision of affairs, but ex- tended to the mechanical department. and he advanced the art by important inventions of his own, for which patents were granted in the United States and foreign countries. In recognition of his services in this depart- ment 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 Exposition Universelle, held in Paris in 1889. he received the Cross of the Legion of Honor of France. His energies. however, were exercised with equal ability in other directions-in various business enter- prises and in the field of invention. His ver- satility was remarkable. As sole inventor, or jointly with others, he held patents for in- ventions in wood-filling compounds, polish- ing the eyes of needles, power transmitters. refrigerators, ventilating railway cars. heat- ing and ventilating buildings, and for a mul- titude of devices for the sewing-machine. In experiments toward the perfection of the sewing-machine alone he empowered the dis- bursement of nearly half a million dollars. The results achieved attest the wisdom of this large expenditure, for the original output of one machine a day has been increased to six hundred, and since the business was e-tab- lished upward of two million have been sold and in every part of the world.
As a business man Mr. Wheeler was dis- tinguished for his organizing and admini-tra- tive abilities, his energy, enterprise. foresight. good judgment and fair dealing. qualities which were recognized throughout the larsi- ness world. Hi- power and influence as a citizen were exercised with beneficent effect in the social, political. lucational and relig-
ious activities of Connecticut and were felt in a still wider sphere. His solicitude for all employed by the great corporation of which he was the head was especially marked and won for him a profound reciproca! regard. Ile always had at heart the best interests of Bridgeport, and in many substantial ways evidenced this civic pride. His intelligence, activity and wealth contributed largely to the success of a number of important local enter- prises. He was a corporator and trustee of the People's Savings Bank, a director of the Bridgeport City Bank. Bridgeport Hydraulic Company. Bridgeport Horse Railroad Com- pany, Fairfieldl Rubber Company, Willimantic Linen Company, and New York. New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company. He was an active member of the board of trade. of the board of education. and of the building com- mittees of schools and county public buildi- ings. His public spirit was shown in a va- riety of ways. He was foundler and first president of the Seaside Club. one of the chief donors of Seaside Park to the city, and a commissioner for its development. He sub- scribed liberally toward improving the city's chief cemetery and to St. John's Church. also the Fairfield County Historical Society. A Democrat in politics, he repeate. lly decline.1 nomination to high official positions, vet lie served willingh- in the Bridgeport common council and also for several terms in the state legislature and senate. Under a natural dig- nity he concealed a warm heart. which be- traved itself, however, in the family circle. among close friends, and especially of those in the community in which for so long a period he was a vital and beneficent factor. His activities made him a millionaire. Blessed with robust health until 1893. he failed rapidly when overtaken with illness, and died at his residence on Gokden Hill. Bridgeport. Decem- ber 31, 1893.
Nathaniel Wheeler married ( first), in 1842, Fuldah R. Bradley. Children: 1. Martha. born August 21. 1843. died February In. 1857. 2. Samuel H., born September 16, 1845. 3. Ellen B .. born June 19. 1848. married! Ed- waard W. Harral, cf Bridgeport isee Harral IV. 4. Anna B., born September 1, 18:1. died January 26, 1852. Nathaniel Wheeler married ( second). August 3. 18:8. Mary E. Crissy. of New Canaan, Connecticut, who sur- vived him ( see forward ). Children : 5. Harry De Forest. born April 6. 1863. died July 10. ESSI. 6-7. Archer Crissy and William Bishop. twins, born September 14. 186. 8. Arthur Penover, born October 20. 1875. died July 13. 18-7.
Mary E. ( Crissy ) Wheeler. above-mentioned !!
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as the second wife of Nathaniel Wheeler, was a member of one of the most distinguished families in the state of Connecticut. She was born in New Canaan, Connecticut. February 16, 1835, died April 20, 1910. She was the daughter of Deacon Hiram and Polly ( Pen- oyer ) Crissy. Her childhood was spent in the home of her birth and was in keeping with the life of her parents, simple and charac- teristic of the old New England families. In 1858 she came to Bridgeport, and August 3 of that year she was married to Nathaniel Wheeler, thus uniting two of the oldest and most distinguished families in New England. The residence of Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler was for many years where the county court house now stands and was a most beautiful man- sion. In 1866 they moved to the fine Harral homestead on Golden Hill street, known for years as "Walnutwood," where the remainder of her life was spent. The house was lo- cated on a simple but spacious piece of land covering nearly half a block, and here for years Mrs. Wheeler entertained her friends on the spacious lawns and in its handsome apartments. Mrs. Wheeler was one of the most generous and charitable women of Bridgeport, a ready contributor to all chari- table organizations and deeply interested in the work which they did. She was one of the founders of the Bridgeport Protestant Orphan Asylum and was a member of the board of management from its organization until her death: she was a director of the Woman's Auxiliary of the Young Men's Christian Association, and a director of the Young Women's Christian Association. She was a devout member of St. John's Episcopal Church and very active in its work. She was a woman of fine mind, cultured and in- tellectual, and her reading had been extensive. She was a fine conversationali-t. was in touch with the larger affairs of life to an unusual degree, and was a most agreeable hostess. Her sympathies were broad and she was in- terested in all charitable and philanthropic movements. Her character was a very lovely one and she will be greatly missed by her very large circle of friends and acquaintances, as well a: by the poor of the city, to whom she always extended a helping hand.
George Harral, emigrant an HARRAL cestor of the Harral family. was born in the city of Heide !- berg. Germany, September 7. 1744. He was of English parentage and not a German ex- cept by accident of birth. In what year or by what vessel he came to this country is not known, but it is probable, however, that he
came from Germany about 1765 to Charles- ton, South Carolina. He was a resident of Charleston about 1570, and the records of the English Lutheran church, now called St. John's Lutheran Church, show that he was married there. February 24, 1778, to Barbara Ann Muilin.
After the earthquake of August 31, 1886. the pastor of the church. while examining the steeple, discovered a mahogany box which was found to contain a book of records of the church from 1737 to 1785. Among them was found the record of the marriage of George Harral and Barbara Ann Muilin and also the baptisms of their two children.
George Harral was elected a member of the German Fusiliers (an organization dating back to Colonial times ) on July 12. 1775. He also served his country in a military capacity in the year 1778 during the siege of Savan- nah, Georgia, and returned to Charleston in 1,79 with the other surviving members of his company who had served in the defense of a sister state. He was also a member of the German artillery and served in it at the siege of Charleston in I-So. in which he was -c- verely wounded.
His wife. Barbara Ann ( Muilin) Harral. was born in Germany, July 23. 1755, died Jan- aary 23. 1829. in Charleston, South Carolina. He died in Charleston. December 20. 1,99. and both he and his wife are interred in the cemetery of St. John's Church. George and Barbara Ann ( Muilin ) Harral were the par- ents of two children: 1. Catherine Ann. born December 14, 1778. in Charleston. died May 27. 1850. She married ( first) Jacob Sammel Yoer, son of Jacob Yoer. December 21. 1794. in Charleston. They had four children: i. Ann Catherine, born November 14. 1797. died young : ii. Charlotte. born May 5. 1709. died voung : ili. Eliza, born August 5. 1800, mar- ried Tristam Tupper and had eleven children. lie was fifth in descent from Captain Thomas Tupper. who came from England in 1620: iv. Anna Harral, born July 6. 1802. died young. She married ( second ) Captain Oliver Fuller. By this marriage there were two children: v. Oliver, born June 22. 1818, died young: vi. daughter. who married Silas Howe. 2. George. mentioned below.
( II) George (21, second child of George ( 1) and Barbara Ann ( Mailin ) Harral. was born October 10, 1780, in Charleston, South Carolina, and baptized in the German Luth- eran Church of that city. He received his ed- ucation in Charleston, studying to be a physi- cian, and at nineteen years of age removed to Savannah, Georgia. where he practiced his profession for some years. He was married
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April 14. 1799. in Savannah. to Charlotte Wright, born in London, England, June 4, 1779, daughter of Edward and Ann Wright. Edward Wright was born in London in 1754. died in Savannah, Georgia. October 2, 1800. and his wife Ann was born in London. June 29. 1746, died in Philadelphia, September 29. 1819.
Dr. George Harral removed from Savan- nah to Philadelphia. about 1813, where he re- mained for about ten years, then went to Rochester. New York, where he owned a house in 1827. He remained in Rochester un- til 1849, when being quite advanced in years. he gave up his profession and passed the lat- ter days of his life in visiting his married sons and daughters. His wife died in New York. February 13, 1847. and he died in Tar- rytown, New York. December 17, 1856, and both are interred in Greenwood cemetery. Dr. George and Charlotte ( Wright ) Harral were the parents of thirteen children :
1. George Edward, born in Savannah. Georgia, April 18, 1800, died in New Orleans. October 1. 1854. He was said to have been one of the handsomest men of his time. He married ( first ) a celebrated beauty, Julia Ann Neafus, of Rochester. January 8. 1829. and had one daughter. Mary Marshall, who died at twenty-three years. He settled in New Orleans and practiced his profession of physi- cian there. He was divorced from his first wife and married ( second ) Anna C. Righton, in Charleston, South Carolina. January 19. 1841. and they had one son. William Righton. After this marriage Dr. Harral moved to ilo- bile. Alabama. Anna C. Righton was a de- scendant of William Righton, Sr .. who emi- grated from England to the "Sommers Isles" (now the Bermudas) between the years of 1600 and 1700 and on August 23. 1673. his name appears as one of the council of the as- sembly of those I-lands.
2. Luey -Ann, born in Savannah. Georgia. October 31, 1851, died April 4. 1886. She married, in Rochester, New York, September 27. 1831, Alanson Penfield. They had three children : i. James Harral. born in Cleveland. Ohio. January 20. 1834. died in New York. September 1. 1874: ii. Mary Elizabeth, born in Cleveland, Ohio, March 23. 1837, married. December 7, 1862. Alfred Hopkins, son of James Edgar (born in Hartford, Connecticut. December [1. 1804) and Mary ( Lane) Hop- kins, born in Onondaga. New York. August 25. 1808. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Hopkins had five children: a. Daughter, born September 26, 1863. died' same day: b. Alfred Harral. born March 4, 1870: c. Isabella Eugenie : d. Ralph Edgar, born June 19. 1876, died June
4. 1878; e. Walter Lane, born December 1, 1870; iii. Francis Henry, born in Cleveland, Ohio, January 11, 1845.
3. Jacob Yoer, born December 20. 1803. in Savannah, died there January 6, 1804.
4. Hugh Wright, born October II. 1805. in Savannah, died there January 6, 1867.
5. William, born November 7, 1807, in Sa- vannah, died young.
6. Henry Kolloek, born November 26, 18OS, in Savannah, mentioned below.
7. William, born October 9, 1810. in Savan- nah. died Angust 5, 1877. in Summerville, South Carolina. As a child he was considered delicate and his father decided to have him learn the trade of cabinet maker to obtain the necessary exercise to make him more robust. By the time he had mastered the trade. the object was attained and he became an asso- ciate of his older brother Henry K. in Charles- ton, becoming his partner and afterward had full charge of the business. After his hroth- er's death, in 1834. he formed a partnership with a Mr. Nichols and the firm became Har- ral. Nichols and Company. He was promi- nent in Charleston, was an elder in the Globe Street Presbyterian Church, and a member of the building committee. He served all during the war and was wounded on the last day, April 9. 1865. He married ( first ) Angust 15, 1837. Anna Vardell, born in Charleston. South Carolina, August 18. 1818, daughter of Thomas Addison and Susan Vardell. She died December 26. 1871. They were the par- ents of eleven children, born in Charleston : i. George Edward. June 18. 1838. died April 14. 1839: ii. William James, October 3. 1839. died April 10, 1842: iii. Thomas Addison. No- vember 25, 1840. died February, 11. 1841 : iv. Frances Marion, October 17. 184., died Octo- ber 18. 1841: v. Anna Vardell. August 26. 1843. died October 2, 1865 : vi. Albert Wright. March 28, 1845, died July 19. 1846: vi. Wii- liam. March 9. 1847, died August 22. 1870: vili. Susan. June 30. 1848. died June 12. 1851 ; ix. Charlotte Wright. November. 3. 18:0. died August 27. 1832: x. Emma. March 12. 1853. died August 17. 1855: xi. Richard Labrum. February 5. 1855. died October 30, 18;3. He married (second ) September 21. 1875. Mary Geraldine ( Fraser) Hughes, widow of Wil- liam N. Hughes, of Philadelphia, who died in April. 1872, and daughter of Charles R. Fra- ser. By this marriage he had one son. Wil- liam, born in Charleston. August 6. 1876.
8. James, born September 1. 1812, in Savan- nah, died July 25. 1803. in Brooklyn, New York. He was engaged in the drug business and the firm of Harral. Risely & Kitchen was a leading one in this line. Their business was
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principally with the prosperous southern states and was conducted successfully until both business and fortune were ruined by the civil war. But in 1875 he began again in Charles- ton, and later returned and renewed the busi- ness in New York. He married. June 8, 1843. Emma P., daughter of Thomas Vardell. She died, in Orange, New Jersey. December 19. 1868. Mr. and Mrs. James Harral were the parents of eight children : i. Louis Allen, born in Charleston, March 7. 1844. died August 26, 1846. ii. James, born in Charleston. April 5. 1845. married. November 17, 1875. Agnes Reid. daughter of George Reid. of New York. She died September 14. 1886. They had three children: a. Frederick Reid. born De- cember 1, 1876; b. Edith Agnes, born May 19, 1878, died February 1, 1879: c. Jessie Doug- lass, born December 2, 1882. iii. Richard Weston. born in Charleston. September 15. 1848. died in New. York, October 14. 1878. iv. Francis, born in Charleston. February 9. 1850. married Mary Adelaide Jacques, daugh- ter of James Monroe Jacques, born October 4. 1819, and Mary Louise ( Mullock ) Jacques. born December 14, 1824. Mr. and Mrs. Fran- cis Harral were the parents of three children : a. Mary Louise. born January 4, 1883: b. Richard Weston, born May 18. 1885, died De- cember 15. 1885: c. Clarence Van Buskirk, born March 5. 1889. died December 4. 1889. v. Emma Vardell. born in Charleston, Decem- ber 22, 1851, married Henry Wyer Scudder. January 5. 1875. He was born November 26. 1849. died September 10. 1886, and was the son of John (born June 24. 1815, died May 23. 1869) and Sarah Amanda Crawford ( Wil- son ) Scudder. Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Scudder were the parents of two children : a. Henry Har. al. born September 10. 1877. died September 26, 18;7: b. Mai Harral, born May 27, 1881. vi. Susan, born in New York. June 24. 1854. died in New York. January 8, 1885. vii. Henry Kollock, born in New York. Janu- ary 30. 1856. viii. Bertha, born in Irvington. New Jersey. July 5. 1859. married Edward Wamsley Field. October 23. 1893. He was born July 27. 18:8, son of Augustus (born May 5. 1823. died December 2, 1866), and Ev- eline Blanke ( Filley ) Field. born February 3. 1632. died November 6, 1886.
9. Charlotte, born in Philadelphia, July 22. 1814. died there December 14, 1816.
10. Francis, born in Philadelphia, March II. 1816, died there April 20, 1810.
11. Charlotte, born in Philadelphia, October 24. 1817, married. January 1. 1838, in Bridge- port. Connecticut, Ambrose A. Lane. They were the parents of five children: i. George Ephraim, born in Newburg. New York,
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March 10, 1839, and married Mary Somers. Their children were George, Ida, Robert. Francis. ii. Charlotte Augusta, born in Hud- son, New York, January 20, 1841, died March 11 1875. She married Robert Powell and had one son, Frank Irving. The entire fam- ily are dead. iii. Cornelia Ambrosia, born in Brooklyn, New York, July 21, 1843. iv. Rich- ard Harral, born in Trumbull, Connecticut, June 6, 1845, married Chil- dren : Albert. Arthur, Robert, Grace. v. An- drew. born May 21, 1850, married Serena Johnson. Children : William and Rose.
12. Francis, born in Philadelphia, July 24. 1819, died in St. Louis, January 13. 1861.
13. Richard Labrum. born in New York June 19, 1821, died in Charleston, South Car- olina. March 2. 1854.
( III ) Henry Kollock, sixth child of Dr. George and Charlotte ( Wright) Harral, was born in Savannah. Georgia, November 26. 18oS. died in Augusta, Georgia. May 10. 1854. He was named for the Rev. Henry Kollock, who was pastor of the Independent Presbyterian Church, of Savannah, from 1806 until the time of his death in 1819. Henry Kollock Harral located in Newark. New Jer- sey, where he was associated in the saddle and harness manufacturing business with William Wright. subsequently United States senator. from New Jersey. He was later sent to Charleston to take charge of Mr. Wright's business there. He remained in the south only a short time when he bought ont the Wright interest in the business, placed his brother William in charge of the Charleston house and returned to New York. He took charge of the house in New York, estab- lished the manufactory of the goods in Bridgeport. Connecticut, and associated him- self with Philo C. Calhoun. of that city. He was a successful business man, a much es- teemed citizen, prominent in the community and was for seven years mayor of Bridge- port. He married. in Bridgeport. August 14. 1834. Sarah Ann Peet, daughter of William and Jemima ( Tomlinson ) Peet, descendant of one of the early Stratford families and was born March 5. 1866, and died Decenther 17. 1867. The Peet family are of English ancestry, and members of it took an active part in the early wars, therefore the children of Mr. and Mrs. Henry K. Harral are eli- gible to membership in the various societies open only to descendants of colonial families. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kollock Harral were the parents of six children :
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