History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 55

Author: J.W. Lewis & Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1532

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Mr. Hinsdale is a leading Congregationalist, and was one of the original members of the Second Con- gregational Church, and has been a deacon since its organization, in January, 1854. He has also been clerk and treasurer of the church since its organiza- tion, and has kept an invaluable statistical record. In 1877, Mr. Hinsdale was appointed by the Confer- ence a delegate to the National Council of Congrega- tionalists held in Detroit, Mich.

Ang. 31, 1841, he united in marriage with Amanda Malvina Alvord, daughter of Deacon James H. and Lucy Cook Alvord, who was born Ang. 20, 1821, and their family consists of two children,-Mary Elizabeth, wife of Robert R. Noble, of Williamstown, Mass., and John Alvord, who is a student at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass. Mr. Hinsdale is a public-spirited man and one of Winsted's most honored citizens.

LYMAN BALDWIN.

Lyman Baldwin, the honored subject of this memoir, was born in Winsted, April 12, 1810. He learned the machinist's trade, and for many years was an employee in the Winsted Foundry and Machine Company shop, and subsequently became one of the owners and the manager of the establishment. He continued in this business until about the year 1852, when the Winsted Building Association was organized, and he was in- stalled as its manager. The business of this associa- tion was subsequently closed, and Mr. Baldwin became the first treasurer of the Winsted Savings Bank, and officiated in that capacity with marked ability until his death, which occurred Dec. 23, 1874, aged sixty- four years. In addition to other positions which he held, he was also a director in the Hurlbut National Bank for about twelve years. He held various town offices, and was a pronounced Republican.

lle married Rebecca C. Mather, who was born in Darien, Fairfield Co., Conn., April 16, 1814. Their children were Charles and Sarah G., both deceased. The former was born May 10, 1851, and died on the 9th of the following September. The latter was born July 14, 1852, and died Nov. 10, 1874.

Lyman Baldwin inspired all with whom he came in contact with unbounded confidence in his common sense and uncompromising integrity. Ile was a thor- oughly practical man, possessing an indomitable will, and when onee his plans were formed was diligent and resolute in their speedy and complete execution. He was an energetic, methodical, and faithful busi- ness man, and one of Winsted's most honored citizens.

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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

DAVID STRONG.

David Strong was born in East Hampton, Conn., Aug. 17, 1825, and was educated at the common schools in his native town. He worked on his father's farın during the summer, while the winter seasons were spent at school. He was also more or less em- ployed in the bell-factories in East Hampton, which village at that time was, and is now, the leading bell manufacturing centre in the United States: He spent two years with N. S. Markham, a hoc manufacturer, occasionally traveling for the sale of the goods. Sub- sequently he taught school several seasons, and during one winter traveled as a book salesman through Mary- land, Virginia, and one winter in the West.

In 1856, Mr. Strong formed a copartnership with Alexander H. Markham, under the firm-name of Markham & Strong, in the business of silver-plating bells for the bell manufacturers at East Hampton. In the following year they commenced the manufacture of coffin tacks and screws of white metal, then much used by undertakers, and soon after added the manu- facture, in a small way, of the most common kind of coffin-handles. At the opening of the war of the Re- bellion, Clark Strong, only brother of David, returned from Fulton, Mo., and assumed the active manage- ment of the factory while David took the management of the farm.

In August, 1862, both David and Clark volunteered to serve nine months in the Twenty-fourth Connecti- cut Volunteers, and the factory interest was then left in care of A. H. Markham. David held commission of first lieutenant in Twenty-fourth Connecticut Vol- unteers, and Clark was adjutant of same regiment. David had command of his company (C) for about four months, covering the time of the siege and fall of Port Hudson. Clark received a severe wound at Port Hudson on the 3d day of the siege, the 27th of May, 1863, which unfitted him for service during the remainder of his term; were both mustered out of service at Middletown, Oct. 1, 1863, David returning to the farm and Clark to the factory.

In 1865, David Strong opened trade with under- takers by samples, buying the goods of Markham & Strong, which proved to be a growing business.

In January, 1866, arrangements were made for moving to Winsted. A joint-stock company was formed there, and D. Strong was authorized by that company to buy the Markham & Strong business, and it was donc. The joint-stock company took the name of The Strong Manufacturing Company. The original stockholders were Wm. L. Gilbert, Normand Adams, A. L. Weirs, David Strong, Clark Strong, C. B. Hallett, J. H. Norton, Ezra Baldwin, and Theophilus Baird.

The stockholders met Feb. 1, 1866, and elected as directors William L. Gilbert, A. L. Weirs, C. B. Hal- lett, J. H. Norton, and Normand Adams, to hold until the second Monday of June following, and these directors elected William L. Gilbert president, C. Strong secretary, and A. L. Weirs treasurer.

Jan. 14, 1867, first annual meeting of stockholders re-elected board of directors without change. The directors re-elected William L. Gilbert president, and Clark Strong secretary and . treasurer; only change being in treasurer. In 1868 and 1869 there was no change in officers.

In 1870, N. Adams, J. H. Norton, Henry G. Colt, David Strong, and C. Strong were elected directors ; N. Adams was elected president, C. Strong agent, and H. L. Roberts secretary and treasurer.

In 1871, D. Strong, C. Strong, H. G. Colt, H. L. Roberts, and J. T. Morgan were elected directors, and D. Strong was made president, C. Strong agent, and H. L. Roberts secretary and treasurer.

In 1872 no change in directors was made, but it was now voted by mutual understanding to consolidate D. Strong's business with that of the Strong Manufac- turing Company, he having continued up to this time mailing lis sales to undertakers, buying his hardware of the Strong Manufacturing Company, and making burial robes and shrouds, coffin-linings, etc., and em- ploying traveling agents.

In 1873, L. C. Colt was made a director, and other- wise there was no change in the management. 1874 brought no change in directors or management, except the president. D. Strong was appointed acting agent to relieve C. Strong, on account of his failing health. In 1875, in consequence of impaired health, C. Strong resigned as agent, and D. Strong, acting agent for year previous, was elected agent, which was the only change for the year. There were no changes until 1877, when H. G. Colt was elected to succeed D. Strong. Mr. Colt is now agent, and has been since his first election in 1877, and he had for three years pre- viously the full control and care of the traveling agents and of purchases of all material. H. L. Roberts has been secretary and treasurer since his election in 1870. L. C. Colt has had charge of orders received and shipping and invoicing goods since 1874. J. T. Morgan has had the superintendence of the manufac- turing in the hardware department since 1874. Clark Strong continued to fail in health from the time he retired from business in 1873, and he died at Winsted, July 15, 1878, this being the only death of any one connected with the company. He leaves a son, Lester C. Strong, now twenty years old, and actively engaged at the factory, and a daughter, younger.

The subject of this sketch was married Nov. 4, 1852, to Frances A. Daniels, of Chatham, who died March 24, 1856. Sept. 14, 1857, he united in mar- riage with Maria C. Colt, of Torringford, Conn. She died Feb. 2, 1865. He subsequently married Emerette L. Colt, of Torringford, a sister of Maria C., Henry G., and Luman C. Colt, and their children living are Frederick C., Herbert G., and Homer D. Mr. Strong attends the Congregational Church, and, politically, is a Republican. He is a public-spirited citizen, and has done much to advance the interests of Winsted. He is a stockholder and director in the First National

Doughty, Photographer, Winsted, Conn.

SAMUEL WARD COE.

Samuel Ward Coe was born in Winchester, Conn., June 10, 1805. He was a lineal descendant of, and eighth in line from, Robert Coo, born in Suffolkshire, England, in 1596, and who came to New England in 1634, settling successively at Water- town, Mass., Wethersfield and Stamford, Conu., and Hemp- stead, Newtown, and Jamaica, L. I.

Jonathan Coe, grent-grandfather of Samuel W., purchased lands in Torrington in 1764, which remained in the family ninety-nine years. He was one of the first settlers of Torring- ton, and enme to Winchester when old, dying thero, nged eighty- four years. His son, Jonathan Coe, Jr., known as Ensign Jonathan Coe, moved with his parents, in 1768, to the farm until then occupied by Robert Coo, where Jonathan Coe, Sr., died. Ile came to Winsted in 1796, and resided there until his dontb. Ho married Eunice Cook, and died Aug. 1, 1824. Ensign Coe may be considered the father of Methodism in Winchester, being, perhaps, the very earliest convert, and its consistent and carnost supporter through life. David Coe, his son, was born Feb. 11, 1781, on the above-montioned place, and married, March 15, 1804, P'rudence Ward, who died Feb. 23, 1823, ngod forty-two years. Ile afterwards married Estber Wright. Hlo died June 12, 1834. He was also an earnest sup- porter of the doctrines of his church and nn netive worker in its cause. Ile had five children, of whom Sninnel W. was oldest. About 1830, S. W. engaged in trado in Winsted, in company with Luman Hubbell and E. S. Woodford, and con- tinued this business until his death. Ho married Abigail B. Sanford, Aug. 16, 1831 ; she died Dec. 23, 1838. Ho was mar- ried, Mny 10, 1841, to Julia M. Starks. Mr. Coe was nu oner- getic, positivo man, of strong convictions, and fino personal appearance, standing about six feet high. He was interested in public matters und always identified with tho interests of Winchester, filling many and important positions of trust. Ho was justice of the peace from about 1830 until his denth, and

every one having a difference with another seemed to come to him; and as a penec-maker he was upexampled, and was tho one nbovo all others chosen in an arbitration. He was town clerk from 1833 to 1837, and from IStt to 1851. He was judge of Probate from 1843 to 1850, and Stato senntor. He was very popular with all classes; but it was not the popularity enused by subservience, for no man was more marked in his relentless opposition to all wrong. He was a fluent extemporaneous speaker, and did good service by bis speeches in all good causes. He was an Abolitionist in those days when it demanded unusual courage and devotion to principlo to be one. He was a temper- anco worker when temporaneo was coruparntively a new thing, and in both of these, as well as in luboring for his eborch, ho did good and faithful service. From early manhood he wns n faith- ful member and office-holder of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In social relations and in his family ho wns kiud, affectionate, and boloved, and never was n enso of suffering brought to his notice that did not have his utmost efforts for relief. Possess- ing many good qualities nud a winning magnetism, ho wieldod a powerful influence all through his life, and at his death, Sept. 20, 1868, he was universally mourned.

His children by his first wife were Charles Betts, enshier for the Rubber Clothing Company, of New York City ; ho married farrio E. Alvord, and has one son. David Ward, a morchant in Winsted; marriod Phebe Hrnsio. His children by his second wifo were Fanny Abby; married Georgo D. Pitkin, of East New York Shoo Company ; they have fivo children. Wilbur Fish, merchant in West Winsted; ho has been warden of Win- sted for the past two years, wns two years aide-de-camp on the staff of Governor Andrews, is n prominent Freemason, member of lodge, chapter, and council of Winsted, und was Master of St. Andrew's Lodge in 1876 and 1877; ho is also prominent in military matters. He married, in 1868, Gertrude M. Royce, of Waterbury, Vt.

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231

WINCHESTER.

Bank of Winsted, and also in the Winsted Real Estate Company ; was a representative to the Legislature in 1872; has been selectman of the town, and was twice warden of the borough of Winsted.

FRANKLIN MOORE.

A record of the men conspicuous in Winsted affairs during the growing and lively period between 1860 and 1880 would be sadly incomplete with Franklin Moore omitted from it. His portrait is given here- with. Sharp-cut and angular in every feature, he was more so in every trait of his character. But, such as he was, Winsted was merrier while he lived and drearier when he died.

Mr. Moore was born, and rather roughly cradled, in Colebrook, Conn. Later, his father, Salvenus Moore, built and resided upon the Judge Lyman place, in Pine Meadow, Conn. Later still, when Frank was but a little fellow of six to seven years, the father sought to better the family fortunes by re- moval to the distant State of Alabama. The father was a mechanic of considerable skill, and should have been successful almost anywhere, but his inclinations were somewhat roving, and soon, with pocket empty and wife suffering from malarial disease, he was again on the slow journey-for this was before the railroad era-backward to Connecticut. The journey was full of hardship for the little family,-full indeed, for the mother died and was buried by the way. The father soon found solace in a second wife, but Frank, mean- while, was turned over to such nurture as was afforded in the farm-house of Mr. Nelson Moses, a distant relative, on a bleak flank of Canaan Mountain, in the southern part of the town of Norfolk. We are told that " a contented mind is a continual feast." Lucky for Frank if this be so, for no other feasting had he. The tiller of these New England hills gets brave les- sons in frugal and patient living, and these have their value; but they are lessons to which we rarely wish to go back, and which we graduate from with most fervent thanksgiving.

Some four or five winters at the south middle dis- trict school of Norfolk supplied Frank with his equip- ment of book-learning, and as many summers of plowing, and hoeing, and chopping, and digging, satisfied all his farming aspirations. They were enough, and one day he made out his own graduation papers, said no farewells, but disappeared from the social world of Goshen North and Norfolk South. His reappearance, now at fifteen to sixteen years of age, was in Plymouth, Conn., where he bettered his lot, to his notion, by an engagement of twelve to fourteen hours per day in a woolen-mill for the poor wages of board and clothes; and it is presumable that a single Saratoga trunk would have contained the whole wardrobe at the close of the engagement.

Later, controlled doubtless by natural but uncon-

fessed yearnings toward the home of his boyhood, Frank sought and found employment in the then woolen-mill in Winsted, which he left at about the time of his majority to enter the employment of the Clifton Mill Company,-first in the manufacture of nuts and washers (of iron), a business subsequently enlarged to comprehend the carriage-bolt manufac- ture. Here Frank's tremendous energy and ready skill soon took him to the foremanship of the shop. Now his services began to be appreciated, now he began to earn a man's wages, and now those frugal principles, bred on the Norfolk farm, were put in practice. During those carlier years never man worked harder; never man lived more economically ; never man bent soul and body to the task of earning and saving more wholly. There is an old saying, carved deep in a dead language, " laborare est orare," to labor is to pray. This was the young man's style of prayer. He dreamed of no luck, he waited for no dead men's shoes. He simply worked and saved. He had somehow conceived that money was a good thing to have,-no matter whether money was power, or honor, or content,-it was a good thing to have. And he wrought resolutely, and manfully, and honorably. Ile came to Winsted at twenty without a shilling ; he died thirty years later sole owner of one of the largest industries in Western Connecticut, and left to his family a generous property.

And now, what further ? Was Mr. Moore a philan- thropist, benevolent, and one who sought to connect his name with multitudinous charities, small and great ? Nothing of the sort. There was no mawkishness, no sentiment in him. He wanted no sympathy, but scorned it. And he gave none. But he did what was better than to squander thousands in undeserved charities. He showed just what a man, any man, may do in this blessed New England who has the will to work. Every dollar Franklin Moore died possessed of he fought for and won with his own toil-strength- ened arm; and he left to the mewling crowd whose life is one long grumble at poor luck, a royal proof of the old saw, that " Ileaven helps those who helps themselves."

We have remarked that Mr. Moore was an angular man. He was, and every angle and facet as bright and keen as the diamond's. The way of the world is to mass men into parties for political purposes, into churches for church purposes ; the greater the mass the greater the momentum, when in motion, and the stronger the blow when an obstacle is met. But this massing of men takes off all their edges and angles and corners, and rubs and rounds and smooths them into mere cobblestones,-all alike, alike valueless. But Frank (there is something endearing in this " Frank," by which the world all called him) was no cobble. He was himself always, individual, clear, and distinct as a light-house on a level shore. The attritions of life sharpened his angles : they failed to obliterate.

Discrediting utterly the dogmas of the churches,

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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

he scoffed with a heartiness which, while it shocked, almost gained men's respect. A cheerless, unhelped, unfathered life like this, in youth, teaches, irresisti- bly, sometimes, a self-reliance which dethrones all other help or care. He enjoyed society, for he was the merriest of men ; but he acquired no position by fawning or obsequiousness. Among his comrades and chosen associates he held his place by divine right at the front in every encounter of wit,-the readiest, and keenest, and shrewdest tongue among them all. His drollery was his own, inimitable; and when he gave it vent, no matter if a graveyard were his audience, it had to laugh. But beneath the fun was shrewd insight into the ways of men, the keenest dis- section of motive, the profoundest analysis of char- acter. Woe to the masquerader in honor, virtne, or religion when Frank Moore " went for his scalp"! But he had higher qualities than thesc. Oratorical powers he had, which, with his other gifts, and a dif- ferent sphere, would have paved his way to eminence. He was masculine, rugged, strong, and keen withal, in every manifestation of intellect and character. Higher culture in those carlier years might have made for him a more public and eminent career, but without it his life was a success, which may encour- age every young man, however orphaned, unfriended, unschooled, and poor.

Mr. Moore was born in Colebrook, Conn., in the year 1827, and was buried in the "New Burial- Ground" in Winsted in the spring of 1879. His wife, who survives him, was Maria Roberts, of North Colebrook ; and she, with their only living son, Alfred E., who came to his majority a few weeks after his father's death, continues the business which the hus- band and father so prosperously and profitably built up and left to them.

CHARLES COOK.

The subject of this sketch, a leading manufacturer in Winsted, and one of the oldest in the State, was born in Winsted, Oct. 15, 1815. He was educated at the common schools, and began life as a member of the firm of R. Cook & Sons, iron and axle manufac- turers, the firm being composed of Reuben Cook and his two sons, Charles and John R. This business was commenced in 1811, and the firm is the oldest in the country that is still doing business without change of name. (For detailed history of this establishment see history of Winsted, elsewhere in this work.)

At the beginning of business the firm employed about eight men, and at the present time forty are employed. They use in the manufacture from forty to fifty tons of iron per month, thirty to forty tons of which is bar iron. They have received various awards for the superior excellence of their goods, the last being from the International Exhibition at Sydney, Australia. Shipments are made throughout the country, and

they have lately (February, 1881) received an order for axles from Henzada, British India.

Sept. 28, 1838, Charles Cook united in marriage with Mary Jane Lewis, of Suffield, Conn., and has

Checul Cork

one son living, Rollin Hillyer. Politically he was an Old-Line Whig, has lately voted the Republican ticket, and attends the First Congregational Church in Win- sted. He was warden of the borough of Winsted in 1866-68. Mr. Cook is an enterprising, public-spirited man, and has been active in all measures tending to advance the interests of Winsted, or the locality in which he resides.

EUGENE POTTER.

The subject of this sketch, who is now a leading manufacturer in the village of West Winsted, was born in the town of Washington, Litchfield Co., Conn., Aug. 7, 1838, where he remained until six years of age, when he removed with his parents to Millerton, Dutchess Co., N. Y. He was educated at the common schools, and at the age of eighteen came to this town as clerk for the old firm of Beardsley & Alvord. Here- mained with this firm until 1861, when he removed to Lexington, Mich., and entered the establishment of Woods, Nims & Co. as a clerk, in which capacity he officiated until 1869. He then established himself in the mercantile business in Lexington, under the firm- name of Potter & Wixson. Their store was destroyed

Doughty, Photographer, Wiusted, Conu.

.It. Norton

JOSEPH H. NORTON was born in Tolland, Mass., March 29, 1814. Like many of the leading business men of to-day, he was reared on a farm and educated at the common schools. At the age of fifteen years he engaged as a farm laborer, and worked six months, for the meagre compen- sation of six dollars per month, for his uncle. He subsequently, for four seasons, tended a card- ing-machine and made linseed oil, in East Otis village, with an unele, Joseph Hunt. In 1835 he went as clerk in the store of Lucius Gibbs, at East Otis, where he remained but a short time, and then entered the employ of Isaac Mil- ler, of West Granville, as a salesman throughout the country for silverware and jewelry, receiv- ing as compensation one hundred and fifty dol- lars per year. The following year he was paid four hundred and eighty dollars. He subse- quently traveled one year for another firm, and finally went into the same business for himself, which he conducted until December, 1841, when he purchased the mercantile establishment of Pomeroy & Norton, at New Boston. He con- ducted this business about sixteen years with marked success. While here he served as select- man, assessor, and for a number of years was postmaster. Having been solicited by a number

of the leading business men of Winsted to come here and take the management of the Winsted Manufacturing Company, he finally accepted. Sept. 4, 1862, entered upon his duties as agent, secretary, and treasurer of the establishment, which positions he has held to the present time, except that of secretary, his son, Allen H., having been secretary for the past few years. This is one of the largest seythe manufactories in this country, and it is not too much to say that its present prosperity is largely due to the excellent management of Mr. Norton. He is a director in the Hurlbut National Bank, and has been for years ; is also a director in the Mechanics' Savings-Bank, and president of the Winsted Real-Estate Company.

Politically he is a Republican, and was for- merly a Whig. He attends the Congregational Church.

March 7, 1849, he united in marriage with Maria L. Hlawley, a native of Sandisfield, Mass. They have had two children, one son and a daughter,-Allen II., secretary of the Winsted Manufacturing Company, and Mary A., deceased.

Mr. Norton is a public-spirited citizen, and has done much to build up and advance the interests of the village of Winstel.

Pictor

6 Congene

N. F. Hatch

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233

WINCHESTER.

by fire in 1871, whereupon Mr. Potter closed out the business and returned to Winsted, and in the year 1874 commenced the manufacture of sewing silk, under the name of the Winsted Silk Company, which is now in successful operation, and is the only industry of its kind in this manufacturing town. It employs fifty persons, and has capacity for the manufacture of about fifteen thousand six hundred pounds annually. Mr. Potter is one of the progressive young business men of the town, and, in addition to the manufactur- ing of silk, is also interested in the Empire Knife Company and the Beardsley Scythe Company.

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History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 55

Author: J.W. Lewis & Company (Philadelphia, Pa.) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1532

Author: J.W. Lewis & Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1532