USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > History of Bridgeport and vicinity > Part 64
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R. E. Randall, the owner of a pharmacy in Fairfield, is a typical representative of the younger business man of the city, alert, enterprising and progressive. He was born in Massachusetts, March 20, 1885, and was reared in that state, receiving his education in the Springfield schools. In 1913 he removed to Fairfield, Connecticut, and established the Randall Pharmacy, which he has since conducted. He carries a complete line of drugs and druggists' sundries and his reputation for reliability, together with his reasonable prices, has led to the building up of a large and representative patronage.
In 1908 Mr. Randall was united in marriage to Miss Emily Cogswell, a native of Connecticut, and they have a son, Arthur L., who was born November 22, 1910. The parents are members of the Congregational church, in whose work they take a commendable interest, and fraternally Mr. Randall is identified with the Improved Order of Red Men. In politics he is independent and has confined his participation in public affairs to the exercise of his right of franchise. The management of his business affairs requires the greater part of his time and attention and as a result of this concentration of his energy he ranks among the successful business men of Fairfield.
ANGUS H. AND RODERICK J. MACKENZIE.
Angus H. and Roderick J. Mackenzie are the owners of the Bridgeport Public Market. in which connection they have built up a large and substantial business which is con- tinually growing. They established this market on the 9th of December, 1897, on Bank street. where they are still located. The start, however, was small compared with their present business. In the early days they employed twenty-five people, and something of the growth of their trade is indicated in the fact that they now employ from one hundred and sixty to two hundred people. They conduct entirely a retail and jobbing business and their deliveries are made with both horses and motors.
About twelve years ago they established a branch of the Bridgeport Publie Market on East Main street, where they employ about twenty people. Their original building has been rebuilt and has a frontage of one hundred and thirty feet on State street and of one hundred and twelve feet on Bank street. They occupy the entire building, which they have splendidly equipped with refrigerators, carriers and everything necessary to facilitate the business. They have made an alley through the building in order to keep the teams off the street while loading for delivery. This is a covered alley extending from street to street and was put through at a great deal of expense; but it indicates the public spirit of the men who were behind the project.
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The brothers, Angus H. and Roderick J. Mackenzie, were formerly residents of Massachussetts and of New York. Believing that there was opportunity for a successful business, however, in Bridgeport, they removed to this city and great credit is due them for the fine market which they have here developed. It is always clean and sanitary and their business methods of dealing with customers will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. They have ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertise- ment and they have put forth every legitimate effort to win the approval of their customers.
W. GERALD BRYANT.
W. Gerald Bryant. president and treasurer of the Bead Chain Manufacturing Company of Bridgeport, was born in Bridgeport, July 30, 1891, and is a son of Waldo C. Bryant. Liberal educational opportunities were accorded him. He attended publie and private schools and ultimately was graduated from Yale with the class of 1914. In the same year he em- barked in business in his present connection by organizing the Bead Chain Manufacturing Company, of which he became the president and treasurer, with David Day as secretary. The business is located at State and Mount Grove streets and the present plant was com- pleted in 1916. The company occupies a two-story structure sixty by one hundred and twenty feet. The building is of reinforced concrete and is absolutely fireproof. They engage in the manufacture of brass bead chains, which are sold to manufacturers and to the trade both directly and through jobbers. Their output is sent to all parts of the United States and to some extent the trade has been established in South America. The product is pro- duced by automatie machinery which has been developed in Bridgeport. In the three years of its existence the company has continually studied and experimented to produce the best possible results and that their achievement is highly satisfactory is indicated by the continuous and steady growth in their business.
Mr. Bryant holds membership in the University Club, the Brooklawn Club and the Black Rock Yacht Club. He is very fond of power boating and in this finds his chief source of recreation. The spirit of progress and improvement actuates him in all that he does and is manifest in his club connections as well as in his business life.
LEWIS H. TODD.
Lewis H. Todd, for many years one of the most highly respected citizens and well known business men of Stratford, was born July 27, 1826. in Burlington, Connecticut, a son of Charles Harrison and Polly (Curtis) Todd, both of whom died in Litchfield county, where the father owned and operated a farm. In early childhood his parents removed to Plymouth, Connecticut, where he lived until 1870, when he removed to Stratford and engaged in the mercantile business. Success attended his efforts and for many years he was the leading merchant in the town. In later years his son-in-law, Charles A. Lovell, entered into part- nership with him under the firm name of L. H. Todd & Company, the business then including groceries, dry goods and hardware. Upon the death of Mr. Lovell in April. 1895, the hardware department was taken over by his estate and condueted as a separate store. Mr. Todd con- tinned the other departments until the fall of 1895, when he disposed of his mercantile interests. From that time until his death on the 13th of May, 1912, he lived practically retired, enjoying the fruits of a well and honorably spent life.
'On June 30, 1853, in Torrrington, then called Wolcottville, Mr. Todd was married to Sarah A. Fellows, a daughter of Ephraim and Sabra (Roberts) Fellows and a woman of
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marked force of character who largely approached the ideal in her relationship of wife and mother. She died November 7, 1903. The six children in Mr. Todd's family are: Alice M .: Charles H .; Rosella M., the widow of Charles A. Lovell; Estelle A., now Mrs. Frederick P. Beardsley; Emma I., who married Melancthon Fryer; and Dora Winifred, all residents of Stratford.
In his political views Mr. Todd gave loyal support to the democratic party, but aside from casting his vote regularly and taking an interest in the party's success, politics had no attraction for him. Of much greater interest to him were church affairs, in which he took an active part. He was a member of Christ Episcopal church, of which he was a vestryman for thirty-five years, and had also been treasurer of the parish for a number of years. All who knew him entertained for him the highest regard because of his thorough reliability in business, his high standard of citizenship and his devotion to his home and family.
LEWIS B. CURTIS.
Lewis B. Curtis is engaged in the manufacture of pipe cutting machines as president of the Curtis & Curtis Company of Bridgeport, a business that has been in continuous existence since May, 1882, and he entered into active connection therewith in 1886. His birth occurred in New York city, his parents being Lewis A. and Emma (Steel, Curtis, who were natives of New York city and of Auburn, New York, respectively. The grand- father Lewis Curtis, Sr., removed in 1807 from Stratford, Connecticut, to New York, where he engaged in business as an importer. The family had been established at Stratford in 1634, being among the founders of that place, the first American ancestor coming from England. In the distaff line Lewis B. Curtis traces his ancestry back to Governor Bradford, who came to the new world on the Mayflower, and thus in both the paternal and maternal lines Lewis B. Curtis is a representative of very old and prominent New England families. His mother died in the year 1892, while his father, surviving for a considerable period, passen away in 1909.
Lewis B. Curtis attended the Hopkins grammar school at New Haven and afterward devoted two years to reading law. Later he spent a similar period in the newspaper business as business manager of the Church Record but in 1886 purchased an interest in the Curtis & Curtis Company, which was established in May, 1882, by William D. Forbes, M. E. and Roderick P. Curtis. They established their office in Bridgeport, while the goods which they handled were manufactured in Providence, Rhode Island. Feeling that it would be better to have their product made where their office was located, they established a factory on John street in Bridgeport in 1883 and there manufactured a patented pipe cutting machine. They were also the first to manufacture a geared die stock, the patent being taken out by Mr. Forbes, while the enterprise was capitalized by Mr. Curtis. In 1886 Mr. Forbes sold his interest in the business to Lewis B. Curtis and in 1909, upon the death of Roderick P. Curtis, Lewis B. Curtis purchased his interest. The first factory, built in 1887, was at 188 Garden street and in 1900 a new building was erected, to which another story was added in 1907. The plant is now two and three stories in height and is one hundred and fifty by two hundred and fifty feet. The building is of mill construction, is operated hy steam power and is supplied with a sprinkler system, which is the most perfect protection against fire that is known and wherever installed greatly reduces the fire risk and the rate of insurance. The company employs about one hundred people, most of whom are skilled workmen, and they now manufacture a large line of pipe cutting machines produced in about seventy-five different sizes and styles, including hand power and electric machines. Both brothers have taken out many patents and today they have one of the most complete plants of the kind in the country. Their product is shipped to all parts of the world and they sell
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to jobbers and manufacturers. The business has been thoroughly organized and carefully systematized and in the production there is no loss of labor, time nor material. Lewis B. Curtis is not only at the head of this undertaking but also has other important business connections, being now a trustee of the People's Savings Bank of Bridgeport, a director of the American Thermos Bottle Company and president of the Beers Realty Company of New York, while in many other concerns and business enterprises he is financially and actively interested.
In 1888 Mr. Curtis was united in marriage to Miss Alice Beardsley, a daughter of Samuel G. Beardsley, and to them has been born a daughter, Alice Beardsley, who is a graduate of Miss Porter's School at Farmington, Connectient. Mr. Curtis has attained high rank in Masonry, being a Knight Templar. a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He holds membership with the Society of Mayflower Descendants and is very prominent as a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, having for four years been president of the Connecticut organization and a member of the executive committee of the national society. He is now chairman of the organization com- mittee for the eastern states of the national society and he has done much to further its interests. He is likewise well known in club circles, holding membership in the Brooklawn Club, the Seaside Club, and the Black Rock Yacht Club, all of Bridgeport. and in the Machinery Club of New York. For four years he was president and vice president of the Bridgeport Manufacturers Association and is still a member of its executive committee. He belongs to St. John's Episcopal church, of which he is now serving as vestryman. Delight- ing in travel, he has four times visited Europe, has also gone to South America and the West Indies and once made the trip around the world, thus gaining that broad knowledge, experience and culture which only travel can bring.
ELMER JUSTIN ORTON.
Elmer Justin Orton, president of the E. J. Orton Company, engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Bridgeport, has the qualifications which make for success in his chosen field-enterprise, determination and adaptability. Moreover, he has thoroughly acquainted himself with the property upon the market, its value and the opportunity for real estate development. A lifelong resident of New England, he was born in Bennington, Vermont, May 27, 1867, a son of Reuel N. Orton, a mechanic, who was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and is now a resident of Housatonic, that state, where he holds a responsible position with the Monument Mills Company, a large manufacturing concern. The Orton family is an old one of New England and the Orton Tavern, which was established at Wood- bury, Connecticut, long before the Revolutionary war, still stands as one of the landmarks of that early period. At Woodbury is also seen the old Orton cemetery, in which only members of the family were buried-a fact that shows the family in its lineal and col- lateral branches to be one of large numbers. Reuel N. Orton was united in marriage to Nettie Rhoda Jenkins, who died about eight years ago. She. too. belonged to an old New England family represented in Vermont for generations, so that Elmer J. Orton is descended from ancient New England stock in both the paternal and maternal lines.
He was only ahont five years of age when his parents removed to Housatonic, Massa- chusetts, where he entered the public schools, passing through consecutive grades and later attending the high school. His textbooks were put aside when he reached the age of eighteen, when he went to Waterbury. Connecticut. and there spent five years in the employ suc- cessively of the American Pin Company, the Novelty Manufacturing Company and the Smith & Driggs Manufacturing Company. With these three concerns he was variously employed and while in Waterbury he also learned the carpenter's trade, devoting the last two years of his residence there to carpentering, which he thoroughly mastered. In 1890 he came to
ELMER J. ORTON
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Bridgeport. where he continued to engage in carpentering for a year or two and then entered the employ of the Union Metallie Cartridge Company, with which he continued for about nine years, having charge of the grinding department. Before resigning his position with that company he became interested in the insurance and real estate business and in 1907 organized and incorporated the E. J. Orton Company, of which he has since heen president. This company embraces all kinds of insurance and also a real estate business. He engages in developing property rather than acting as agent and in that connection has done important work, having developed Sylvan Crest, Beechlawn, Westlawn Height, Prospect, Hawley Crest, Summit Manor. Sunnyside and City Heights. Most of these bave largely been sold. When the E. J. Orton Company opened up Prospect the firm sold one hundred and fourteen lots in three days. When Mr. Orton took charge of that tract it was owned by A. W. Burritt, who had been selling lots there for twenty years, but one hundred and fourteen were still left with apparently a poor prospect for sale within a reasonable time. Mr. Burritt therefore turned that number over to Mr. Orton, who consummated the sale of the entire property in three days. This is indieative of the enterprising and progressive methods whieb he has always followed in his real estate transactions.
On the 20th of February, 1889, Mr. Orton wedded Miss Cora Belle Ford, of Cornwall, Connecticut, and they have become parents of three sons, all born in Bridgeport; Burton E., born June 6, 1893, on Ogden street, who was married in October, 1915, to Georgia Smith; Renel James. born March 25, 1900, on Fifth street; and Elmer F., born July 30, 1901, on Putnam street. The second son is now in his second year in high school and the youngest is in the eighth grade of the grammar school. Mr. Orton is fond of motoring and thus gains rest and recreation. He is largely independent in polities, with leaning, however, toward the republican party. He belongs to the Advent Christian church and fraternally is connected with the Masons, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. His has been an active and useful eareer and his history is that of a self-made man, for he started out empty handed and from the position of tradesman has steadily worked his way upward until he is now an active figure in the real estate circles of Bridgeport.
HON. PHILO CLARK CALHOUN.
Among those who have left the impress of their individuality for good upon the history of Bridgeport is numbered Hon. Philo Clark Calhoun, and though more than a third of a century has come and gone since he was called to his final rest, his memory is yet revered and honored by those who knew him. He was born in Danbury, Connecticut, December 4, 1810, his parents being Philo and Sally J. Calhoun, the latter a daughter of John McLean of Danbury, who held a position of trust under the government during the Revolutionary war and whose losses at the time of the burning of Danbury were so great that large land grants were afterward given him in the Western Reserve. The father was a practicing physician of Washington, Connectieut.
Philo Clark Calhoun eame to Bridgeport in 1826, when a youth of sixteen years, to learn the harness and saddlery making trade with the firm of Lyon, Wright & Company. On account af failing health, however, he made his way to Charleston, South Carolina, hoping that a change of elimate would prove beneficial, and in 1833-4 was connected with the Harral harness business of that place. Upon his return he became assistant to Hanford Lyon in the saddlery business with arrangements that he should share in the profits thereof. That connection was maintained until 1838, when he became a partner in the firm of Lyon, Calhoun & Company. In 1843 this was succeeded by Harral & Calhoun, the senior partner being Mr. Harral, formerly of the Charleston house. The partnership between the two existed for ten years, at the end of which time, or in 1>53, they were joined by R. B. Lacey
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under the firm style of Harral, Calhoun & Company. In 1855 this was changed to Calhoun, Lacey & Company and the connection was thus maintained until 1863. In the meantime, however, Mr. Calhoun withdrew more and more largely from the active control of the business in order to devote his time to the management of the Connecticut National Bank of Bridgeport, of which he became president in 1847, remaining as the executive head of the institution until 1864, when he resigned and became president of the Fourth National Bank of New York city. In the year he was elected president of that institution and assumed control, its deposifs were increased fourfold. In 1875, on the dissolution of the firm of Hoover, Calhoun & Company, he organized a stock company in Newark, New Jersey, for the manufacture of saddlery and in this owned a controlling interest up to the time of his death. He thus remained througout the entire period of his life in active connection with the business in which he embarked as a young tradesman. While president of the Fourth National Bank of New York he became connected with large financial transactions which included the purchase of United States bonds to the value of five million dollars. During the memorable money panic of 1873 in two days he paid out thirteen million dollars in cash. He was one of the original stockholders of the Bridgeport Gas & Electric Light Company and at the time of his death was president of the Fourth National Bank of New York, a director of the Connecticut United Bank and of the Farragut Fire Insurance Company, treasurer of the New Central Coal Company and trustee of mortgages of several railroad companies.
Mr. Calhoun was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Caroline Sterling, a daughter of Jesse Sterling, who was a prominent dry goods merchant, and through four administrations was postmaster of Bridgeport. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun are: Edward S., who married Alice Hersey; Charles M., who married Julia B. Sanford; Louise C., who became the wife of G. W. Latham, of Lynchburg, Virginia; Julia E., the wife of W. B. Cragin, of New York; and Mary S., the wife of J. S. Burke, of Brooklyn, New York.
In early life Mr. Calhoun gave his political allegiance to the whig party but when it passed out of existence he joined the democratic party and on its ticket was elected to various public offices. In 1845 he was elected a member of the common council, in which he served for five successive years. In 1852 he was elected alderman and in October, 1853, was elected mayor, remaining the chief executive of the city for three years. He was the originator of the town and sinking funds and he stood at all times loyally in support of various measures and movements which he deemed of benefit to the city. He was well known in club circles as a member of the Union League and of the Union Clubs. Death called him March 14, 1882, and his passing was a matter of deep regret to many, for he was prominent socially as well as in business connections. He was a man of genial nature and had many friends among the high and the low: He possessed a wonderful memory, which was one of the great assets of both his business and social life. He could quote authorities on financial, business and political questions on the spur of the moment and he seemed never to forget one whom he had met. No history of Bridgeport would be complete without reference to Philo C. Calhoun, so indelibly did he leave the impress of his individuality upon the history of the city.
WESLEY L. NORTON.
Prominent among the energetic, farsighted and successful business men of Bridge- port is Wesley L. Norton, the treasurer and manager of the Connecticut Clasp Company. The spirit of enterprise which has made New England a great manufacturing center finds expression in his life. Connectient claims him as a native son, for he was born in Meriden, February 17, 1860, a son of A. M. and Anna (Bailey) Norton. He lost his mother when
WESLEY L. NORTON
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but seven years of age. His educational opportunities were limited to those afforded by the public schools and at the age of eighteen years he began learning the machinist's trade.
Mr. Norton arrived in Bridgeport in 1880 and here followed his trade of tool making in the employ of several firms. He then became one of the organizers of the Connecticut Clasp Company, which was formed in 1900, the organizers being George C. Bateheller, W. F. Osborne, W. H. Batcheller and W. L. Norton. They began business in the old Hotchkiss factory, which, however, was destroyed by fire within eight months. They then started again, renting space at the corner of Oak and Grand streets, but soon afterward began the erection of a new building at No. 476 South Park avenue and the business was installed therein within a year They manufacture all kinds of corset steels and the output is sold to corset manufacturers throughout this country and Europe. Their factory is one hundred and forty by forty feet, three stories in height, with basement. It is of mill construe- tion and supplied with a sprinkler system, is light, airy and thoroughly sanitary in every regard. The company also has a building forty by ninety feet, three stories and base- ment, that they lease to the Crown Paper Box Company. The Connecticut Clasp Company employs about seventy people, mostly girls, and the business is carefully, systematically and wisely conducted, with a recognition of the fact that the highest success is achieved when maximum result is won through minimum expenditure of time, labor and material. The present officers are: F. W. Holden, of Derby, Connecticut, president; S. Bendett, of New York, vice president; M. Blund, of New York, secretary; and W. L. Norton, treasurer and manager. Mr. Norton has direet supervision over the business and in its control displays unfaltering enterprise, keen diseernment and sound judgment.
In 1882 Mr. Norton was married to Miss Emma Primrose, who was born in Naugatuck, Connecticut. They have a son and a daughter, Eugene E. and Ruth, the latter at home. The former is now general superintendent with the Connecticut Clasp Company. He mar- ried Etheline Norris of New York, and has one child, Wesley L.
Fraternally Mr. Norton is connected with the Masons and has attained the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite and the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. He is also a representative of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He takes an interest in com- munity affairs, cooperating heartily in many well defined plans and projects for the pub- lie good, and he is now a member of the paving and sewer commission of the city. His entire career has been one of untiring and intelligently directed activity productive of substantial and gratifying results, and his course also proves that success and an honorable name may be won simultaneously.
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