History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 136

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 818

USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 136

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In 1822, an ivory comb company was. established in Meriden, Conn., under the name of Howard, Pratt & Co., and subsequently Julius Pratt & Co., one-half of whose capital was owned by George Read & Co., in Deep River. On the 6th of October 1863, the three com- panies, viz., Julius Pratt & Co., of Meriden, and George Read & Co., and Pratt Brothers & Co., of Deep River, were consolidated into a single company, under the name of Pratt, Read & Co., which has continued to the present time. Before the consolidation of the companies, Julius Pratt & Co. were engaged in the manufacture of key boards, consequently this branch of the business was as- sumed by the consolidated company in 1863.

In 1866, Pratt, Read & Co. erected an enlarged factory in Deep River, 128 by 38 feet, consisting of two stories and basement. The building erected in 185 1 was turned around and attached as an L to the rear of the new factory. The consolidated company owned also the West Factory, formerly belonging to Pratt Brothers & Co. Previous to 1871, the business was about equally divided between Deep River and Meriden, but in that year the manufacture at Meriden was discontinued, the property was sold, and the entire business was trans ferred to Deep River.

Early on Sunday morning, July 31st 1881, the factory, which had stood unharmed for 15 years, caught fire, and in a short time, with all its contents, was entirely de- stroyed. The safe, containing the records, etc., of the company, was about the only property that was saved from the flames. No misfortune, except a devastating epidemic, could have apparently been more disastrous. The whole community felt the shock, and every interest of the town was, for the time, depressed. While, by the prompt energy of the superintendent, Mr. John G. Ed- monds, many of the employés found temporary work in the factories of Ivoryton, the prospect of the future seemed gloomy enough. Moreover, it appeared doubtful whether the company would deem it expedient to re- build.

The town, with an intelligent appreciation of the grav- ity of the situation, unanimously voted, at a special meeting, held August 6th 1881, to abate for five years thereafter all taxes on the property of the company that should be in excess of $25,000 assessment, provided the factory should be rebuilt and the business retained in Deep River.

In about nine months after the burning of the factory a new and larger one was completed, nearly all the ma- chinery was replaced, and the first shipment of new goods was made.

This new factory, occupying the site of the previous one, is constructed of brick and iron, consists of four stories, is 150 by 50 feet, with a projection from its cen - ter in the rear, 100 by 38 feet, and is as handsome as it is substantial. It is supplied with an engine of 75 horse power, with an additional water power of 25 horse. The company employs, in both factories, about 140 men, more or less, and pays directly to its help $70,000 per year.

The company owns approximately 50 acres of land, of which about one-third is occupied by the various buildings necessary for the prosecution of the business. These comprise, besides the factories, three bleach houses, measuring together about 1,000 feet in length, dry houses, sorting houses, machine shop, blacksmith shop, storage vaults, lumber sheds, and barn.

It also owns three dams, and controls, by perpetual lease, the main reservoir in the town.

The ivory is sawn entirely in the west factory, where also the combs are manufactured, for which 16 cutting machines are employed.

The new factory is used for the exclusive manufacture of key boards. The ivory is mostly exported from Zan- zibar, in Africa, in tusks, the average weight of which is 170 pounds. They have been known to weigh even 200 pounds. The factories in Deep River and Ivoryton re- ceive three-fourths of the prime ivory that is exported from Zanzibar, prime ivory being that which is of the best quality and heaviest weight.

The entire waste of the material in this business is utilized for some purpose. The ivory dust makes a powerful fertilizer: the smaller scraps are burnt for the manufacture of ivory black, and the largest fashioned into a variety of trinkets or small articles.

DENISON'S STOP KNOB FACTORY .- On an elevation, just south of River street, about midway between the village and Connecticut River, stands a modest looking frame building, occupied by Messrs. Denison Brothers, who do an extensive business in the manufacture of stop knobs for church and parlor organs. The knobs are made mostly of wood, while the circular piece which fits into the top is made of ivory or celluloid. On them are en- graved the names of the stops. An improvement in this line has recently been made by the Denison Brothers, which greatly facilitates the work of the organist in manipulating the keys. This consists of right and left oblique knobs, which enables the organist to see at a glance the names of the stops. The business of the firm

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

is principally with organ manufacturers. They use steam power, about six to ten horse, and employ from 15 to 25 hands. The size of the factory is 25 by 60 feet, two stories high.

ROGERS' FACTORY .-- Situated on the Deep River stream, near the junction of Elm and Union streets, is the bone and ivory factory of Mr. Calvin B. Rogers. He was formerly of the firm of George Read & Co., in the same business, but has been established in this location about 20 years. The building is of wood, 75 by 30 feet, two stories high, with a capacity for the employment of about 30 hands. Water power is the main reliance, but in case of short supply the factory is provided with a 10 horse power engine. The sudden and unexpected death, on the 30th of June last, of Mr. Rogers, was justly regarded as a great loss to the entire town, with whose interests he had been prominently identified for many years, as his father, Mr. John C. Rogers, had been before him.

It is believed that provision will be made for the per- manent continuance of the business; meanwhile it is temporarily under the general direction, for the estate of Mr. Rogers, of his son-in-law, Mr. James A. Jones.

Box FACTORY .- The immense business done by ivory and bone manufacturers in this locality requires other industries, among which is the manufacture of paper boxes for packing the goods.

The business, commenced by Mr. Joseph French in 1853, has been carried on until very recently in a small factory on Main street, near Pratt, Read & Co.

For brief periods, subsequent to Mr. French, it was conducted by Richard Webb and Samuel C. Gladding. The latter was succeeded, in 1857, by Mr. J. S. Wilcox, who managed it successfully for 24 years, when he re- tired, and transferred it in 1879 to the present owner, Mr. H. C. Kingsley.

In September of the present year (1884), Mr. Kingsley removed from the old stand, and established himself in more commodious quarters, on the second floor of Union Block, on Main street.

The business, though dependent chiefly on local de- mand, is remunerative and growing, and requires the employment of four cutting machines, operated by hand.

As the work is comparatively light and easy, the labor of females, of whom about nine are employed, is generally sufficient.

JENNINGS' AUGER BITS .- Rev. Russell Jennings, who was previously well known in the town as one of the early and successful Baptist pastors, assumed, in 1851, the business formerly conducted by his deceased brother, the manufacture of auger bits. In 1855, he patented an important improvement, in these goods, which, by the aid of machinery subsequently invented and patented by himself, laid the foundation for a large and lucrative business. From 1865, when the manufacture first reached the point of successful operation, the business has con- tinued to grow rapidly; so that at the present time, such is the reputation of the "Russell Jennings Exten- sion Lip Bits " for their effectiveness and ease of opera-

tion, and the uniform excellence of their workmanship, that there is a constant and increasing demand for them from all parts of the United States, and large orders are yearly received from Europe and other foreign countries. The manufacture is carried on in five factories, three in the neighboring town of Chester, and two in Deep River, under the superintendence of Mr. Henry Shaler. The office for correspondence and for the shipping of the goods is located in Deep River, and is in charge of the attorney and manager, Mr. S. H. Jennings.

Rev. Russell Jennings was born in Easton, Fairfield county, Conn., February 22d 1800, and has resided in, and been for many years, actively identified with the prosperity of Deep River, where he is noted for his public spirit, and for his liberal and unassuming chari- ties.

THE A. J. SMITH MANUFACTURING COMPANY .- A short distance west of the depot of the Connecticut Valley Railroad are the works of the A. J. Smith Manu- facturing Company, for the manufacture of button hooks, wire and metal novelties, and small patented articles. The business has been established some fifteen years, but the present factory has been occupied about three years. The factory is a frame building, 110 by 30 feet, two stories high, and is run by steam of about 30-horse power. Thirty hands, more or less, are employed, and several tons of wire are consumed annually in the manu- facture of these goods. .

WILLIAMS & MARVIN, WOOD TURNING .-- This factory, located some distance up the Deep River stream, on the so-called Iron Mines road, not far to the west of the village, is an old manufacturing stand, dating as far back as 1832. The present business of wood turning was established in 1851, by the late Mr. Nehemiah B. Pratt, who manufactured also velocipedes and carpet sweepers. After Mr. Pratt's decease, in 1881, the busi- ness passed into the hands of Messrs. Williams & Mar- vin, who are manufacturers of mallets, tool handles, and variety wood turnings. The buildings are of wood, the main building being 25 by 60 feet, three stories high; a second building, nearly adjoining, is 30 by 35 feet, and two stories high. The water power is about 20-horse and the steam power 15-horse. About 15 skilled and ordinary hands are employed. The firm deals princi- pally with hardware jobbers and turners. The names of the partners are F. W. Williams and C. R. Marvin.

CARRIAGE MANUFACTORY .- This business was estab- lished in 1860 by Mr. George S. Hefflon, who came to Deep River from East Haddam. It is carried on in three frame buildings, which are located on the north side of Village street, a little to the west of Main. The carriage factory proper is 25 by 65 feet, and two stories high; the adjoining blacksmith shop is 20 by 40 feet. Detached from these, is the wood shop, with lumber room above, 25 by 25 feet. By hard work and honest workmanship, Mr. Hefflon has built up a good business in carriage and wagon making. He also does general repairing.

MACHINE SHOP .- On the old Winthrop road, a short

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distance from the junction of Union street, is the machine shop of Mr. Charles W. Doane, who does the repairing for most of the large factories in this vicinity, there being no other jobbing or repairing shop within several miles of Deep River. The factory is a frame building, 25 by 40 feet, two stories high, and is run by steam power. He has been established here since 1870, and owns the property.

THE NEW ERA PRINTING OFFICE .- Over the machine shop is the printing office of Mr. Francis Sheldon, pub- blisher and editor of the paper called the New Era, which was started in Chester, in April 1874, as a monthly, and in April 1876 was changed to a weekly. In 1879, Mr. Sheldon removed his printing business to Deep River, and about that time, the paper was enlarged to a seven column folio sheet. Not long after this he formed a co- partnership known as the New Era Steam Printing Co., and the paper was again enlarged to its present size. The company was but short lived, and Mr. Sheldon again be- came the sole owner. When the enterprise had at length reached a point at which its success was reason- ably assured, Mr. Sheldon, already enfeebled by over- work, was prostrated by disease, and, after a brief ill- ness, died May 26th 1884, aged 42. He had shown no little mental activity and literary ability, as well as gen- eral journalistic skill, and by his own editorial talent, aided by a usually well chosen corps of local correspondents, had succeeded in making the New Era a vivacious and readable sheet, with a growing circulation in this and the surrounding towns. From 350 copies the first year, the circulation had increased, at the time of Mr. Sheldon's death, to 1,500 copies. Notwithstanding the loss caused by his untimely decease the New Era will be continued. For the time being it is under the efficent editorial and business management of Mr. Frederick Hammond, who has for several years been associated with the late editor. The paper has a subscription list, and an advertising and job patronage that is equaled by few county papers in the State. Its advertising patronage covers most of the territory below the city of Middletown. The New Era is printed on a Campbell power press, run by steam. For job work a Universal press is used.

DENISON'S FACTORY .- In the western part of Win- throp, just south of the Killingworth road, is the Denison Factory, run by steam, for the manufacture of joiners' planes, which was established about 1832, by Messrs. John and Lester Denison.

It is now owned and carried on by Mr. Gilbert Deni- son. The business has been in the Denison family con- tinuously for fifty-two years.

JONES' FACTORY .- In the eastern part of Winthrop, on what is called " the plain," is the water privilege be- longing to Mr. H. Goodrich Jones, whose factory for the manufacture of axles was unfortunately destroyed by fire a few years since. Though the business is now carried on elsewhere, it is hoped that at no distant day the factory in Winthrop will be rebuilt, and the business conducted there as successfully as before.

several saw mills. The Bushnell Saw Mill, located nearest the source of Deep River, once did a good busi- ness, but is now disused. Bulkeley's saw mill, on the same stream, is in operation, and farther down the river, is the saw mill known formerly as the old Post Mill, which is now owned and operated by Williams & Marvin, as an adjunct to their factory in Deep River. These three last mentioned mills are believed to occupy, with the exception, possibly, of that of the Deep River Lum- ber Co., the oldest water privileges in the town.

DEEP RIVER LUMBER COMPANY .- Near the head of the river is the large saw mill belonging to the Deep River Lumber Company. The water privilege at the mouth of the river is said to have been included in a royal grant, which was given in 1662, to Governor Win- throp, of Connecticut. The first saw mill was located farther up the stream, near where the factory of Pratt, Read & Co. now stands, and was owned in 1758, and probably a number of years earlier, by Lieut. Andrew Southworth, as appears from a deed, recorded in the town records, by which he gave to his son, Nathan, 30 acres of land, with house and barn, in Deep River, but reserved the "privilege of a highway to his saw mill on Deep River." It subsequently came into the possession, by inheritance or purchase, of his grandson, William Southworth, who removed the mill to its present loca- tion, probably about 1810. The latter's sons, William and Charles, succeeded their father in the business. About 1830, Deacon Gilbert Stevens became a co-part- ner with Charles Southworth, and they were succeeded by Stevens & Starkey. In 1867, after the decease of Mr. Felix Starkey, the business passed into the hands of the Deep River Lumber Company, which was organized under the general laws of the State, governing corpora- tions, with a capital of $25,000. The officers were: Russell Jennings, president; Henry L. Shailer, vice-pres- ident; James A. Jones, secretary and treasurer; Simeon H. Jennings, auditor.

The present officers are: Ansel Jones, president; and James A. Jones, secretary. The business consists of the manufacture and sale of hard and soft wood lumber, ship timber, etc. The factory is a frame building, 40 by 160 feet, run by water and steam, with about 25 horse power for the former, and 40 for the latter. About 20 hands are usually employed to run the mill and handle the lumber.

E. E. NETTLETON .- Mr. E. E. Nettleton, who has been engaged in the timber, lumber, and wood business, for the last nine years, located early in 1883, in Deep River, where he has invested a considerable capital, and has usually employed a large number of men. His bus- iness consists more particularly in the purchase of tim- ber lots in various parts of this and other towns, and the conversion of the timber, chiefly by means of portable saw mills, into lumber, wood, and railroad ties. In con- nection with the business Mr. Nettleton keeps also a lumber yard in Deep River.

DEEP RIVER FRUIT EARM .- Early in the present

SAW MILLS .- In Winthrop there are, or have been, year ( 1884) the Connecticut Valley Orchard Company,

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the headquarters of which are in Berlin, Conn., pur- chased 130 acres of land located just west of Deep River, on the northeast side of Kelsey Hill. Under the efficient scientific and practical management of Mr. John B. Clark, late of the Massachusetts State Agricultural College at Amherst, already about 30 acres have been put under cultivation, and 30,000 fruit trees, consisting of apple, pear, plum, peach, cherry, and quince trees, have been planted. Under the continuance of the care- ful management with which it has been so far carried on, there is every reason to expect the ultimate and com- plete success of this large enterprise.

MERCHANDISE.

The first merchants in Deep River were Mather, Read & Co., who occupied the so-called " Green Store." This was built about the year 1827 on its present site, on the northeast corner of Main and River streets.

The building, which consisted at first of one and a half stories, was, at a later date, enlarged to two stories and a half. The original firm has had the following suc- cessors, viz .: Snow & Starkey, Snow & Marvin, Sedley Snow, and,lastly,the present merchant, Frederick L'Hom- medieu, who began in 1874.

Prior to 1835, a general store was established near the Connecticut River by Baruck & Beckwith. They were succeeded by Jabez Southworth jr., and finally by the present occupant, Mr. John S. Lane.

Between the years 1835 and 1837, Mr. Beckwith re- moved from his location at the river, and opened a new store in the village, opposite Mather, Read & Co. After his decease the business passed into the hands of Shailer & Kingsley. They were succeeded by the fol- lowing firms, viz .: Asa F. Shailer & Co., I. H. South- worth & Co., Richards & Griswold, Griswold & Smith, Spencer Brothers, in 1875, and finally, on the decease of the younger brother, Mr. Dwight Spencer, in 1882, Mr. George Spencer became the sole owner.

In storekeeping, as in some other things, Deep River was antedated by Winthrop, where a country store was kept by Mr. Bani Denison as early as 1797. On his re- moval to Chester in 1806, or a few years thereafter, he was suceeeded by Denison & Watrous, who continued the business for a number of years. After numerous changes, the business came in the hands of the present owner, Mr. George T. Carr.

Principal merchants and tradesmen: Frederick L'Hom- medieu, general merchandise, 1874; George Spencer, general merchandise, 1875; John S. Lane, general mer- chandise; Shailer & Pratt, general merchandise, 1884; I. I. Bushnell, general merchandise, 1870; George T. Carr, general merchandise; Thomas P. Dixon, harness maker, trunks, etc., 1852; Joseph B. Banning, boots and shoes, 1834; Charles D. Smith, furniture and undertak ing, 1841; William O. Post, clothing, 1882; Thomas L. Parker, druggist, 1883; S. S. Williams, stoves, tinware, etc.

Statistics: Grand list for 1883, $566,952; value of dwellings, $249,362; mills, stores, and factories, $33,837; number of dwellings, 280; number of stores, mills, and factories, 30.

CHURCHES.

The inhabitants of the original town of Saybrook, were for more than a century, universally Congregationalists. ' They appear," says Field, "to have maintained public worship from the beginning, though circumstances pre- vented the organization of churches and the settlement of ministers." In the progress of its settlement and the growth of its population, the town became divided into four parishes. These, in chronological order, were the following:

I. The First Parish of Saybrook (now Old Saybrook), where the church was organized and the first meeting house erected in 1646. The second meeting house was built in 1726.

II. The Second Parish, which embraced originally the entire Potapaug Quarter, was organized about 1722. The first meeting house was erected in 1727, and was followed, in 1792, by a second, which still stands, un- changed externally, on its original site, and is now the oldest church edifice in Middlesex county.

III. The Third Parish, in Westbrook, was organized in 1726, and its first meeting house was built in 1727.

IV. The Fourth Parish, in Pattaconk, now Chester, was organized in 1740, and the first meeting house was erected in 1742.

As the present town of Saybrook was originally in- cluded in the Second or Potapaug Parish, its inhabi- tants, excepting a few Baptists in the western part, were, until the beginning of the present century, accustomed to attend public worship at the old Congregational meeting house in Centerbrook; and most of them con- tinued to do so until the erection of the churches in the village of Deep River, in 1832 and 1833.

BAPTIST CHURCH, WINTHROP.

Before giving an account of the churches in Deep River, it is necessary to notice the Baptist Society in Winthrop, which preceded them by at least 75 years. As early as 1729, several persons in the vicinity of Win- throp embraced Baptist sentiments, and were occasionally supplied with preaching by Baptist ministers from the eastern part of the State and from Rhode Island. As they increased in numbers, it is said that they began to excite the jealousy of the magistrates, and that in Feb- ruary 1744, 14 persons were arrested on the charge of " holding a meeting contrary to law on God's holy Sab- bath day."

They were arraigned, tried, fined, and driven on foot to New London, where they were imprisoned, without fire, food, or beds, for several weeks. Making allowance for whatever exaggerations may possibly have gathered about a tradition more than too years old, the main fact may nevertheless be received as substantially true, that these conscientious dissenters were the victims of a grossly unjust, though technically legal persecution; which, however, it may well be believed, was not regard- ed with favor by the great mass of their fellow Chris-

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tians, from whose religious doctrines and practices they so heroically dissented.

" The prisoners were released in the spring of 1744, and on the 15th of July following a church was formed, consisting of seventeen members. From this time till 1776, being few in numbers, and poor as to this world's goods, they had no stated pastor; their deacons, William Wilcox and Amos Potter, generally conducted their meet- ings, and Rev. Joshua Morse (then residing in Mont- ] ville) administered the ordinances to them, and labored with them as often as his duty to his own flock would allow." In 1776, Rev. Eliphalet Lester was ordained pastor of the church, and continued his ministry (with the exception of two years) till 1796, when he resigned. During his ministry, the church passed through many trials, yet his labors were very successful. Soon after his resignation, Rev. William Welch became the pastor, and continued till 1801. During the ministry of Rev. George Atwell, from 1802 to 1806, about 70 members were added to the church. Following him, during the next seven years, the pastors were Rev. Asa Spencer and Rev. William Witter. In 1814, Rev. Samuel West became the pastor, and remained for eight years, during which per- iod 36 were added to the church. After Mr. West's re- moval, the pastors of the church from 1825 till 1854 were: Rev. Joseph Glazier, Rev. Russell Jennings, Rev. William Denison (during whose ministry, of three years, 69 members were dismissed to form the fourth church in Saybrook, now Chester), Rev. Baruck Beckwith, Rev. John H. Baker, Rev. Frederick Ketcham, Rev. H. S. Haven, Rev. Pierpont Brockett, Rev. Albert E. Denison, Rev. B. K. Mills, Rev. Harmon Ellis, and Rev. Ralph H. Maine.

During the following 10 years, that is until 1864, the church was chiefly supplied by Rev. William Denison.

It was during this period that Mr. Denison had charge, as before stated, of the "Winthrop Institute for Young Ladies." For the next four years, the church was sup- plied by Rev. Russell Jennings and Rev. Sidney S. Carter.

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History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 136

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 818

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 818