USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > History of Litchfield county, Connecticut > Part 121
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Origin and History of the Eagle Lock Company .- In 1832, Stephen C. Bucknell, a locksmith, came from England and settled in Watertown. Ile was taken under the patronage of a man of small capital, and commenced the manufacture of enbinet locks. 1Ic proposed to copy the finer qualities of English locks, and to prepare, as soon as possible, a stack of one
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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
hundred different varieties for the American market. As he followed the English methods of hand-labor, his progress was very slow, and his patron found that his funds were likely to prove insufficient. He there- fore sold out to Lewis, McKee & Co., of Terryville, a company formed for that purpose, and consisting of John E. Lewis, William E. McKee, and Eli Terry (2d), then engaged in the clock business. They removed the concern to Terryville, into a building standing where the principal works of the Eagle Lock Com- pany now stand. This building was burned in the summer of 1859, and replaced by a larger and more commodious one. The progress of this company was very slow, as the business was first to be learned and the facilities were few. The only man who had had any experience was the Englishman referred to, and he knew nothing of the wants of the trade or of the use of machinery. Machinery adapted to clock- making had been invented and used, but this was, very little of it, adapted to the making of locks. The equipment of any manufactory of that day was very crude as compared with the present, and the income of this company for many years did not seem to war- rant any outlay not absolutely necessary. They had no engine-lathe for many years, and no planer for nearly thirty years. Their dies were forged by hand, and faced by hand-files. Hand-presses were used for cutting out the parts of locks, and the power-press, invented and first applied here, was not introduced till a much later period. Lock-plates were imported with selvages already bent, as they could be bought at cheaper rates than the raw material.
But the difficulties of manufacturing were by no means the most serious. When they attempted to sell their locks they encountered obstacles still more formidable. Trade of almost every kind was in the hands of importers, and they were, or thought they were, interested to discourage American manufactures, hence they rudely repulsed the agent or officers of the company who wished to show up their locks. As a consequence they found themselves stocked with goods upon which they could not realize, and could only work them off slowly through commission houses. In 1841, Mr. Terry, the president of the company, died, and the concern was sold to Lewis & Gaylord (John C. Lewis and Sereno Gaylord) for six cents on the dollar of the capital stock. They profited by the ex- perience of their succession, adding new and improved machinery, introducing styles of goods better suited to the trade, and gradually overcoming their preju- dice. In 1849, on the death of Mr. Lewis, the Lewis Lock Company was formed, a joint-stock company, whose stock was taken by the surviving partner, the heirs of Mr. Lewis, and a few others.
In the mean time, Bucknell, McKee & Co. had started the first manufactory of trunk-locks in this country. They availed themselves of the experience gained in making cabinet-locks, but failed to make the business pay. About 1840 they sold out to War-
ren Goodwin, who removed to Wolcottville, was burnt out, and returned to Terryville. Meanwhile, Williams, McKee & Co. had commenced the business anew at Terryville, where they continued till 1846, when they were bought ont by James Terry-who had just closed out an unsuccessful venture in the manufacture of silk -and William E. McKee, under the name of James Terry & Co. They added to the business the manu- facture of carpet-bag frames, which they conducted, principally at Newark, N. J., with no small degree of success. They also made a small assortment of cheap cabinet-locks.
In 1854 the two companies were consolidated under the name of Eagle Lock Company, retaining the former managers and most of the workmen. James Terry was made president and financial agent, Sereno Gaylord superintendent of the shop formerly owned by the Lewis Lock Company, E. L. Gaylord super- intendent of the other factory, Joseph H. Adams secretary, and R. D. H. Allen treasurer. The New- ark branch was sold to Cornelius Walsh. The capital stock of the consolidated company was eighty-five thousand dollars, distributed almost entirely among the stockholders of the two former companies. This stock was increased from its surplus at six successive times, to accomplish some desirable new arrangement, and now stands at three hundred and seventy thou- sand dollars. Three times have colonies gone out from the original hive, but they have all returned, and are now under one management.
The original directors were James Terry, William E. McKee, Sereno and Ansel Gaylord, Joseph H. Ad- anis, E. L. Gaylord, and R. D. H. Allen. The finan- cial managers have been successively James Terry, Joseph H. Adams, Nathan G. Miller, R. D. H. Allen, N. G. Miller, and M. C. Ogden. Of the original board of directors four have died, viz .: James Terry, William E. McKee, Ansel Gaylord, and Joseplı H. Adams; two have removed and ceased to be stock- holders, viz .: Sereno and Edward L. Gaylord ; and the remaining two are still on the board, which is rein- forced by M. C. Ogden, D. C. Wilcox, N. T. Baldwin, and F. W. Mix.
The careful management of its first president, James Terry, fully established its financial footing, which it has always maintained undoubted. It is now fully equipped with the best general and special machinery, and manned by the finest workmen in their line of work. The variety of goods made is increasing every year, and embraces everything de- sirable in cabinet- and trunk-locks, from the very simplest and cheapest to the most elaborate and stylish.
The Malleable-Iron Works .- About 1847, Andrew Terry, the second son of Eli Terry (2d), built the foundry a little above the depot for the manufacture of malleable-iron castings. The business was then comparatively new in this country, there being but few establishments of the kind. He had been a mer-
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chant for a few years, and labored under the disad- vantage of not being bred to the business of his choice, and having almost no experience in any kind of mechanical employment. He was therefore largely dependent on his employees, who thought their inter- est lay in secreting from him the little knowledge they possessed. The processes peculiar to this class of castings were kept a profound secret by all engaged in the business, and covered by a variety of intricate manipulations wearing the veil of mystery, but for the most part of no importance whatever ; hence he was obliged to keep his eyes open, and learn to dis- tinguish the true from the false, and to learn by ex- periments expensive, unsatisfactory, and often dis- astrous. Though confessedly naturally averse to any long-continued application to any one line of busi- ness, he had the determination to win, the pride to dread the disgrace of failure, and the grit necessary to succeed. He labored indefatigably in every de- partment, wormed out the secrets of the business, established a reputation, secured customers, and put the business into working order. In 1860 he asso- ciated with himself O. D. Hunter, who had learned the business in his employ, and R. D. H. Allen, who had been in the office of the Eagle Lock Company, and formed a joint-stock company, having a capital of sixteen thousand dollars, under the name of An- drew Terry & Co.
In 1861 he enlisted in the army, leaving the finan- cial management to Allen, and the superintendency of the work to O. D. IIunter, and after his return had little to do with the executive management of the concern. In 1871, Mr. Terry sold out his interest to his former partners and went to Kansas. They ad- mitted N. Taylor Baldwin and I. W. Clark, who (the latter) had been trained to the business in their em- ploy. In 1875, R. D. H. Allen returned to the lock business, and N. T. Baldwin succeeded to the finan- cial management, which position he still retains.
The success of the company-for it has been reason- ably successful-has been largely due to the fact that it has been for the most part under the immediate supervision of its stockholders, who have carefully watched cvery department, and kept it entirely under their control. It enjoys a good reputation, and has a fair share of custom. '
In 1877, Mr. Terry died, at the age of fifty-three years, in Bristol, where he had established the gray- iron business soon after his return from Kansas.
About the year 1862, Eli Terry (3d), youngest son of Eli Terry (2d), manufactured clock-springs for a few years in the shop built by S. B. Terry, and, though the business paid reasonably well, sold out to Seth Thomas Clock Company, who removed it to Thomas- ton.
Soon after this the Inventors' Manufacturing Com- pany, managed by A. C. Felton, of Boston, with S. W. Valentine resident agent, bought the factory above mentioned and manufactured shears, but, owing
to some financial irregularities on the part of the principal manager, it failed, and was wound up. Since then the property has been owned by Wm. Wood, and used for the manufacture of shears, and it is now partly occupied by Ryals Brothers for that purpose.
About 1865 the Eagle Bit and Buckle Company was formed, and occupied the shop built for the clock business, below the depot, for the manufacture of har- ness trimmings. They bought and removed here a Newark concern then in that business; but the time was unfavorable, as after the close of the war the United States government threw upon the market an immense amount of harness material at ruinous prices, thus greatly demoralizing the business. The com- pany, therefore, went out of the business.
The above is a concise history of the principal suc- cessful and unsuccessful attempts at business in the village of Terryville, which, we trust, will not be without interest to the public, giving a lesson of caution or cheer, as may be needed, to those who shall come after us.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM 1795 TO 1SS2.
1795-98, 1803-5, 1811-12, David Smith; 1799-1801, 1809-11, Danlel Pot-
tor; 1806-8, 1812-13, Lake Potter; 1814, 1816-18, Calvin Butler ; 1815-18, Jacob Hemingway ; 1817, Frederick K. Stanley ; 1818, Calvin Butler, Jacob Hemingway : 1819, Jacob Hemingway ; 1820, Gideon Woodruff; 1821-22, Calvin Butler ; 1823-24, Thomas Mitchell; 1825, Elijah Warner, Jr. ; 1826-27, Ransom Blakesley; 1828, Calvin Butler; 1829-30, Samuel Guernsey ; 1831, Elijah Warner, Jr .; 1832, Silas Hoadley ; 1833, Elijah Warner, Jr .; 1834-36, El Potter; 1837, Silas Hoadley : 1838-39, Tortius D. Potter; 1840-41, Apollos War- ner; 1842, John S. Warner; 1843, Hermon Welton; 1844, Henry Terry; 1845, Barnabas W. Root; 1846, Silas B. Terry ; 1847-48, Lovì Heaton; 1849, John C. Lewis; 1850, Sereno Gaylord; 185), Amimi Giddings; 1852, Edward Thomas: 1853, Silas Hoadley : 1854, R. D. 11. Allen ; 1855, Lewis F. Grant; 1856, Ammi Giddings; 1857, William E. McKeo; 1858, Noah A. Norton; 1859, George Lang- don ; 1860, James Terry ; 1861. Iliram Pierce; 1862, S. T. Salisbury ; 1863, Gaius A. Norton; 1861, Seth Thomas; 1865, Henry Sturgiss; 1866, N. Taylor Baldwin ; 1867, Seth Thomas ; 1868, Aaron P. Fenn; 1869, Edward Deiley ; 1870, Thomas J. Bradstreet; 1871, L. B. Bald- win; 1872, N. Taylor Baldwin; 1873, George A. Stoughton; 1874, R. T. Andrews; 1875, Abyjah W. Welton; 1876, Walter II. Scott; 1877, lyman D. Balwin; 1878, Rollin D. H. Allon; 1879, Lyman D. Baldwin ; 1880, Jason C. Fenn; 1881, N. Taylor Baldwin.
MILITARY RECORD."
Petor Jones, Co. G, Ist Cav .; on1. August, 186-1; disch. Aug. 2, 1865. John Allen, Co. IT, Ist Cov .; enl. Dec. 10, 1863; died Sept. 27, 1864.
G. C. Royce. Co. K. Ist Cav., enl. Inn. 4, 1864; disch. Aug. 2, 1865.
Hloury Bradley, Co. M, Ist Cav. ; enl. Dec. 11, 1863; disch. Jan. II, 1865. William Clark, Ist Cav. ; enl. Nov. 18, 1861.
John Gorman, lot Cav .; onl. Nov. 17, 1864.
John Garity, Ist Cav. ; enl. Nov. 18, 1864.
John Lawton, Ist Cav. ; en1. May, 1863; diach. May 27, 1863.
John Murphy, Ist Cav. : enl. Nov. 12, 1864.
S. O'Brien, Int Cav. ; enl. Nov. 18, 1861.
J. B. Andrews, 2d Light Bat .; vul. Fob. 20, 1861; disch. Ang. 9, 1865.
M. Carmen, 21 Light Bat. ; enl. Feb. 26, 1864.
L. Mallet, 2d Light Bat .; enl. Feb. 23, 186-1.
C. A. Blakesley, Ist Art .; enl. July 22, 1801 ; must. out July 17, 1862.
C. l'aterson, Ist Art .; enl. Dec. 13, 1864; must, ont Sept. 25, 1865.
11. Fraskoy, Ist Art .; enl. Dec. 6, 1564.
G. Label, Ist Art. ; enl. Dec. 6. 1864.
F. Meyer, Ist Art. ; enl. Dec. 8. 18H.
A. Bunnell, Ist Art .; enl. May 22, 1861 ; disch. May 21, 1864.
· For list of 19th Itegiment, see Chapter V.
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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
M. Aylward, Ist Art .; enl. Nov. 24, 1864; must. out Sept. 25, 1865. 11. C. Pond, Ist Art .; enl. Dec. 1, 1863; must. out Sept. 25, 1865.
Andrew Terry, Ist Art. ; sergeant; enl. May 23, 1861; disch. Sept. 23, 1861.
W. B. Ells, Ist Art. ; sergeant : enl. May 23, 1861 ; pro. to corporal, Ce. D, 19th Regt., Aug. 1, 1862.
William Shadwall, Ist Art .; enl. May 23, 1861 ; disch. May 22, 1864.
W. B. Atwood, Ist Art .; enl. May 23, 1861 ; pro. to first lieutenant ; must. out Sept. 25, 1865.
E. II. Atkins, lat Art .; enl. May 23, 1861 ; disch. May 22, 1864. F. L. Grant, Ist Art .; enl. May 23, 1861 ; died Dec. 29, 1861.
W. R. Gurnsey, Ist Art .; enl. May 23, 1861; pro. to first lieutenant, Nov. 25, 1865.
E. Jolu, Ist Art. ; enl. May 23, 1861 : disch. Jan. 29, 1863. Henry F. Michael, Ist Art. ; eol. May 23, 1861 ; must. out Sept. 25, 1865. Henry Mather, Ist Art .; enl. May 23, 1861 ; killed June 27. 1862. Riley Marsb, Ist Art .; enl. May 23, 1861 ; must. out Sept. 25, 1865. W. R. Mott, Ist Art. ; enl. May 23, 1861; must. out May 22, 1864. C. McEllone, Ist Art .; enl. May 23, 1861 ; must, ont May 22, 1864.
L. E. Nichols, Ist Art .; enl. May 23, 1861; must. ont Sept. 25, 1865. George D. Oliver, Ist Art .; enl. May 23, 1861 ; must. out Sept. 25, 1865. Edwin Post, 1st Art .; enl. May 23, 1861 ; pro, to secend lieutenant; res. 1863.
F. L. Pond, Ist Art. ; en]. May 23, 1861 ; pro. to second lieutenant ; must. out 1864.
A. J. Seymour, Ist Art. ; enl. May 23, 1861 ; died Jan. 1, 1864. A. B. Smith, Ist Art .; enl. May 23, 1861 ; disch. May 22, 1S' 4.
J. Simpson, Ist Art .; enl. May 23, 1861; disch. May 22, 1864.
N. F. Stoughton, Ist Art .; en]. May 23, 1861; disch. Sept. 25, 1865. E. P. Smith, lat Art .; enl. May 23, 1861; died Dec. 10, 1861. H. D. Saul, Ist Art .; enl. May 23, 1861 ; disch. May 6, 1862.
D. Schatzman, Ist Art .; enl. May 23, 1861 : disch. May 22, 1864.
J. L. Wiltrim, Ist Art .; enl. May 23, 1861; disch. May 22, 1864. W. Wright, Ist Art .; eal. May 23, 1861; dischi. Sept. 25, 1865. O. B. Walter, enl. April 1, 1862; must. ont May 10, 1865. George Rogers, enl. Ang. 17, 1864; minst. out Sept. 25, 1865. M. C. Wedge, 5ths Regt .; enl. July 22, 1861 ; disch. Jan. 31, 1862. John Wilson, 5th Regt .; enl. Aug. 20, 1863.
John Keene, 5th Regt .; enl. Aug. 22, 1863; must. out July 19, 1865. John Jones, 5th Regt .; enl. Aug. 27, 1863; must. ont July 19, 1865. P. Marcus, 5th Regt .; enl. Aug. 28, 1863.
P. Kelley, 5th Regt .; enl. Aug. 28, 1863; must. out. July 19, 1865. William Hewley, 6th Regt. ; enl. Sept. 12, 1861 ; disch. Jan. 4, 1862. S. Fenn, 6th Regt .; enl. Sept. 4, 1861 ; disch. Sept. 3, 1864.
Engene Atwater, first lieutenant, 6th Regt .; pro. te captain ; must. out Ang. 21, 1865.
E. C. Hine, surgeen, 7th Regt .; com. Sept. 17, 186L.
E. C. Blakesley, 7th Regt .; enl. Sept. 5, 1861; died Ang. 8, 1863. O. Pole, 7th Regt .; enl. Nov. 30, 1864; disch. Aug. 18, 1865.
Andrew l'erry, 8th Regt .; com. Oct. 5, 1861, major; pre. to lieutenant- colonel ; res. March 28, 1862.
Lewis Maths, 8th Regt. ; eal. Sept. 25, 1861 ; captured May 16, 1864. P. Marhileffety, 8th Regt .; enl. Aug. 8, 1864; must. ont Dec. 12, 1865. William Garvio, 8th Regt .; enl. Feb. 4, 1864; trans. to navy. Stephen Nelsen, 8th Regt. ; enl. Feb. 20, 1864; disch. Dec. 12, 1865. M. Alfonse, 8th Regt. ; enl. Nov. 18, 1864; minst. ent Dec. 12, 1865. Charles HI. Dingwell, 8th Regt .; enl. July 11, 1862; trans. to navy. Jolie Green, 9th Regt .; enl. Oct. 4, 1861 ; died Ang. 17, 1862. Albert Blakeslee, 9th Regt .; enl. Oct. 4, 1861.
C. W. Alcott, 9th Regt .; enl. Oct. 1, 1861; must. out Ang. 3, 1865. Jeho Allen, 9th Regt. ; enl. Oct. 16, 1861; minst out Dec. 1, 1862. D. H. Cowles, 9th Regt .; en1. Oct. 2, 1861; must. out Oct. 26, 1864. E. T. Johnson, 9th Regt .; enl. Oct. 9, 1841 ; must. out July 3, 1863.
G. T. Scott, Jr., 9th Regt .; pro. to captain Oct. 1, 1861 ; must. out Ang. 3, 1865.
A. L. Smith, 9th Regt .; enl. Oct. 16, 1861 ; must. ent Ang. 3, 1865.
Le Grand Todd, 9th Regt .; eal. Oct. 9, 1861 ; died Oct. 1, 1862. John Conklin, 10th Regt.
William House, 10th Regt.
Charles Lohman, 10th Regt. ; enl. Nov. 21, 1861 ; must. out Ang. 25, 1865. George Jones, 10th Regt .; enl. Nev. 18, 1864; must. out Ang. 25, 1865. T. Bleecher, 10th Regt .; eol. Nov. 24, 1864; disch. Aug. 25, 1865. Frank Peck, 10th Regt .; enl. Nov. 18, 1864.
P. Quin, 10th Regt.
J. R. Bassett, 11th Regt .; enl. Feb. 20, 1864; died Jan. 6, 1865. William Taylor, 11th Regt .; eul. Nov. 21, 1864; diech. Dec. 21, 1865. H. Ilerner, 11th Regt .; enl. Feb. 20, 1864; disch. Dec. 21, 1865.
Edward Johnson, 11th Regt. ; enl. Feb. 20, 1864; disch. June 19, 1865. William Lacy, 11th Regt. : enl. Feb. 20, 1864; disch. Dec. 21, 1865. Hiram Griggs, 12th Regt .; enl. Dec. 22, 1861 ; disch. April 4, 1863. J. C. Ryan, 12th Regt. ; enl. Dec. 22, 1861 ; disch. May 24, 1862. F. Sutliff, 12th Regt .; enl. Dec. 22, 1861 ; died April 11, 1864. E. R. Weed, 12th Regt .; enl. Dec. 22, 1861; died May 27, 1863. George Wright, 12th Regt .; enl. Dec. 30, 1861 ; disch. Jas. 27, 1863. N. L. Andrews, 13th Regt .; enl. Jan. 8, 1862; disch. May 30, 1862. Philo Andrews enl. Jan. 8, 1862; died Dec. 23, 1864.
A. Martinson, Co. D, 2d N. Y. Cav .; enl. Aug. 13, 1861; pro. to second lientenant ; killed June 7, 1863.
W. A. Bishop, Co. D, 2d N. Y. Cav .; enl. Aug. [21, 1861; died Nov. 28, 1862.
D. Atwater, Ce. D, 2d N. Y. Cav .; enl. Aug. 19, 1SG1 ; captured Feb. 29, 1862.
Erastus Blakeslee, adjutant, Ist Cav. ; cem. Nov. 26, 1861 ; pro. to colonel; must. ont Oct. 26, 1864.
L. P. Goodwin, major, Ist Cav. ; cem. Dec. 16, 1864; disch. June 26, 1865 ; enl. in Co. A, Oct. 26, 1861.
M. Smith, Co. A, Ist Cav .; enl. Oct. 26, 1861.
11. M. Beecher, Co. A, Ist Cav .; enl. Nov. 19, 1861; disch. Aug. 25, 1862. L. IJ. Duubar, Co. A, 1st Cav .; enl. Oct. 26, 1861 ; disch. Feb. 13, 1862. E. Il. French, Co. A, let Cav .; enl. Oct. 26, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 2, 1865. Charles H. Page, Co. A, Ist Cav .; enl. Dec. 5, 1861 ; disch. Dec. 5, 1864.
William J. Renfree, Co. A, 1st Cav .; enl. Oct. 26, 1861 ; re-enl. as veteran Jan. 1, 1864; disch. Aug. 2, 1865.
S. W. Beranc, Co. D, Ist Cav .; en1. Nov. 18, 1861; re-enl. U. S. A. Nov. 7, 1862.
Warren Briggs, Co. D, Ist Cav .; enl. Nov. 21, 1861 ; missing. Orvill Bryant, Co. D, 1st Cav .; en]. Nov. 21, 1861.
Ira Ilough, Co. E, 1st Cav .; enl. Nov. 24, 1863; died April 6, 1865. W. W. Smith, 13th Regt .; enl. Jan. 11, 1862; disch. Sept. 7, 1865. 11. Alexeit, 15th Regt .; enl. Aug. 8, 1864; disch. July 20, 1865.
E. H. Mix, 16th Regt. ; captain ; com. Aug. 1, 1862; drowned March 7, 1864.
William Cooper, 17th Regt. ; enl. Nov. 17, 1864 ; disch. July 12, 1865. A. Walker, 17th Regt .; enl. Nov. 17, 1864; disch. July 12, 1865.
J. Hoyle, 20th Regt. ; enl. Aug. 26, 1863; disch. July 12, 1865.
H. Adams, 25th Regt .; enl. Sept. 13, 1862; disch. Aug. 26, 1863. A. A. Curtis, 25th Regt .; enl. Sept. 13, 1862; disch, Ang. 26, 1863. H. D. Hunt, 25th Regt .; enl. Sept. 13, 1862; disch. Aug. 26, 1863. C. W. Ilurlburt, 25th Regt .; enl. Sept. 13, 1862; disch. Aug. 26, 1863. H. D. Saul, 25th Regt .; enl. Sept. 13, 1862; disch. Aug. 26, 1863. George Johnson, 29th Regt .; en}. Feb. 8, 1864; died April 18, 1865. Jesse King, 29tlı Regt .; en1. Feb. 11, 1864.
T. Mett, 29th Regt .; enl. Feb. 9, 1864; disch. Nev. 7, 1865.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JAMES TERRY.
James Terry, son of Eli Terry (2d), and grandson of Eli Terry, was born July 5, 1823, in Plymouth Hollow (now Thomaston), Conn., where his father and grandfather then resided. His grandfather came from Windsor, Conn., in his early manhood, and established the manufacture of clocks, by which he acquired a large property and laid the foundation for an extensive business in that place, as well as else- where. He was the inventor and patentee of the mantel clock, as distinguished from the tall corner clock of our forefathers. He had very little capital, and his first thousand dollars, which he soon made from the improvement, was a perfect surprise to him. He said he didn't know "what to do with it." He soon learned its use, however. He was a man of intelligence, having a vigorous mind, public-spirited,
James Perry
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and much interested in the welfare of the community in which he lived. He removed to Terryville late in life, 1838; subscribed liberally for the building of the church in Terryville, and added to his subscription, "If my health will permit, a clock for the steeple." This he was able to complete and present to the so- ciety, as well as a large and commodious parsonage which he built for it.
He was twice married. By his first marriage he had four sons and three daughters. Three of the sons were settled and engaged in the elock business in Plymouth, two-Eli and Silas B .- in the village of Terryville. The fourth is a patent broker in New Haven, making a specialty of patents for chemical inventions. His first wife dying in 1839, he married the second time, and had two children,-Stephen, who is a lawyer in Hartford, and Edwin, who died at the age of thirteen years in Terryville. Eli Terry died in 1852, at the age of eighty years.
His son, Eli Terry (2d), was born in Plymouth, and removed to Terryville not long after the birth of his son James, and commenced the manufacture of clocks, which he continued with success till his death. He was the founder of the village of Terryville, and built many of its houses in its early days, and it was named for him. He was an active member of the church on Plymouth Hill till 1838, when the church was organized in Terryville. In this he was very much interested, and for its welfare had great anxiety. He assisted in building the church by liberal con- tributions, and was very liberal in its support. IIe was a thorough business man, and left a handsome property to his children. He died in 1841, at the age of forty-two years. He married Samantha McKee, a native of Bristol, Conn., and left a family of six children,-three sons and three daughters,-of whom the oldest was James, the subject of this sketch.
James received his education at the common schools of the town, supplemented by two or three years at the select school of Mr. Simon Hart, of Farmington, Conn., for whom he always entertained the highest regard. He made diligent use of his opportunities. He was never a lover of the sports and games of boy- hood, and seldom engaged in them. It would prob- ably have been better for him if he had. He applied all the energies of his active mind to the acquisition of knowledge in the direction of his business or his tastes. His general information was good, and in- creased both by his reading and his intercourse with men of education and culture. He had a remarkable faculty of elieiting from others what information they could give him on any question of interest, often taking, with much apparent zeal and sincerity, what he knew to be the wrong side of an argument for the sake of informing himself more fully on the subject- matter of his thoughts. Though somewhat brusque in manner, and decided and outspoken in his opin- ions, he seldom failed in gaining the respect and esteem of those with whom he came in contact, which
was sure to increase with increasing acquaintance. His reading, aside from the papers of the day, was mostly confined to scientific works in the line of the absorbing subject of his thoughts. His method of in- vestigation was exhaustive. He confined himself to a certain line of investigation till he had exhausted his sources of information, which were somewhat limited by the deficiencies of his early education. His researches were not confined to his business. He was fond of music, though not himself a musician in any department. In pursuance of this taste, he read up on the subject of pipe-organs, which were his favorite instruments, and about the beginning of the war of the Rebellion he ordered a large and expensive one made for him by a competent maker, and he had so informed himself that he could give clear specifica- tions of what he wanted, and had it made by con- tract; at the same time he had an addition inade to his house for it,-à room sufficiently high to take in the sixteen-feet pipes. To this he added a water- motor, carried by water from the service-pipes of his house.
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