History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 93

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 93

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nected with the Deep River Ivory Comb Company, and was president and treasurer of the company until its re. organization in 1864.

He was a man of enlarged views, honest and upright in all his dealings with his fellow men, and endeavored strictly to obey the golden rule.

November 29th 1838, he married Harriet Hovey, of Mansfield, Connecticut, whose ancestor, Rev. John Rus- sel, of Hadley, Massachusetts, was famous for the active part he took in sheltering the regicides who fled to this country during the reign of Charles II. Miss Hovey was a niece of Rev. Aaron Hovey, who, for a number of years, was pastor of the Congregational church at Cen- terbrook. Eleven children were the issue of Mr. Com- stock's marriage with Miss Hovey. Two died in in- fancy, and one, a promising youth, Walter Merritt, died in early manhood. Six children are now living: George Hovey, Elizabeth A., Harriet S., Robert Henry, Elliot B., and Archibald Welch.

Robert H. and Elliott B. are actively engaged in the Comstock Cheney Company, the former as director and the latter as secretary of the company. Elizabeth A. married John E. Northrop, the present treasurer of the company.

Many of the older inhabitants remember the grand- father of Mr. Comstock as a Revolutionary pensioner, who, during the days of their childhood, entertained them during the long winter nights with his thrilling ac- counts of the scenes of the American Revolution.

The death of Mr. Comstock occurred January 18th 1878, at Wilmington, North Carolina.

DAVID W. MANWARING.

Sixty-three years ago, on the 2d of October 1821, David W. Manwaring was born in the little old fashioned one and a half story frame house, situated at the foot of Little Point, near the Upper Cove at Essex, Conn. His parents were poor and could not afford to give him even the limited advantages for acquiring an education which his playmates enjoyed. When he was but 13 years of age, his father died, leaving a widow and five children, one boy, David, the oldest, and four daughters. The responsibility of caring for his widowed mother and sisters weighed heavily on his mind, and, young as he he was, he determined to make an effort to support them. Six months after his father's death, he left home without his mother's knowledge, and landed in New York, friendless and alone, on the 12th of June 1835. The only capital he possessed was a brave heart and an honest face; with these he soon obtained a situation in a grocery kept by Abraham Leggett, on Front street, where he was employed to build fircs, sweep the store, and run on errands at a salary of $3.00 a month, with board and washing. At the end of the first week, his homesickness confined him to his bed, but Mrs. Leg- gett, with a mother's intuition, discovered the cause of his sickness, and kindly offered to let him go home. He was afraid to trust himself, however, and kept up bravely until the feeling wore off. He remained with Mr. Leg-

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

gett five years, his wages being increased from year to more can be added if required. The spooling machine year, until they reached $25 a month. When he arrived is required to spin the sewing cord on spools for the operators who make the bags. The engine also operates the hoisting machinery by which stock and goods are raised and lowered. at the age of nineteen, he concluded to " paddle his own canoe," and after sending home all his wages except $2, he walked down South street, looking for a safe invest- ment. He found a vessel loaded with conch shells, which were then in great demand as a substitute for cameos. On his investment of $2, he realized $40.

The manufacture of bags and sacks from burlaps, for general commercial purposes, was first established in this country by him, early in the year 1839. He is now the oldest and largest manufacturer and dealer in the United States. He hired a loft at 250 Front street, and com- menced making bags by hand, but the increasing demand for the use of bags compelled Mr. Manwaring to use sewing machines in his loft instead of hand. Perceiving with a quick eye and a long head the outlet for bags in the future was going to be enormous, he commenced to make improvements to meet this demand. He now oc- cupies 248 and 250 Front street, also 271 Water street. The Front street warehouses are used by him for the storage of his materials for making new bags, also for his second hand bags; with the exception of the upper lofts, which are devoted to bag making by hand labor.

Ten years ago he built the factory at 271 Water street, extending through the block, and connecting with 250 Front street. It is well equipped with steam-driven ma- chinery for the manufacture of bags of all sizes and de- scriptions, for the transportation of such merchandise as grain, flour, coffee, salt, fertilizers, ores, etc. Mr. Man- waring is not only an extensive manufacturer of bags, but a large importer of burlaps, bagging, rope, twine, Russia mats, etc., the burlap and bagging coming chiefly from Dundee, Scotland, the principal seat of its manu- facture. He buys this material direct from the manu- facturer, as he buys everything else connected with his business from first hands to enable him to manufacture cheap, buying for cash only. He has extensive business connections through agents, in London, Liverpool, Ant- werp, Havre, Barcelona, Lisbon, Calcutta, and other prominent foreign seaport cities. His business in the home trade extends north, south, east, and west. His house is well known to all the buyers of bags. His in- tegrity and honesty have secured for him the bulk of the business.

The first floor of the Water street factory is used for office purposes. The second floor is the printing and marking department, where a large number of girls are employed in stamping names and various devices upon bags by means of metal marking plates. Upon the third, fourth, and fifth floors, the bags are cut and sewed together by a large number of sewing machines running by steam and operated by girls.

At the top of the factory is situated the steam engine and boiler; also the repairing room for the sewing machines, which is in charge of a skillful engineer and machinist. The machinery includes one of the best automatic spooling machines ever invented; twelve spools can be spooled at once, and the arrangement is such that

The number of hands employed is about 200. The capacity of the factory is equal to the daily production of 35,000 bags of various kinds. Mr. Manwaring is also a loaner of bags to steamship companies and shipping houses for the exportation of grain to Europe. Not less than five million bags are annually rented by shippers from the port of New York alone. After arrival at des. tination they are emptied, baled together, and re-shipped to the owner to be put in order for another voyage. The duration of their services varies, but averages about five voyages. His business is with the large buyers of bags only, orders from 100,000 to 500,000 bags at a time be- ing a common occurence. The total number of bags handled by him last year exceeded 15,000,000.

His factory is called the "Pioneer Bag Factory," as he was the pioneer in the business. His son, William M., is associated with him in business, and between them they hold three memberships on the produce exchange, two on the maritime exchange, and two on the hay and produce exchange.

His house is so well known throughout the United States and Europe, that it makes it unnecessary for himn to send out drummers to solicit business, as his competi- tors are obliged to do; there being no buyers of bags in large lots, but what write or wire him for quotations before closing their purchases; every one dealing with him unite in saying, that whatever Mr. Manwaring says or represents they can depend on. His word is his bond, and in many large transactions not even is he asked to give a written contract. Soon after Mr. Man- waring commenced business for himself he felt the ne- cessity of an education.

With only a "tallow dip" for a light he studied through the long winter nights, and finally employed a teacher to assist him. By this means he fitted himself to manage his increasing business. The first deposit he ever made was in the Seventh Ward Bank for $191. Since then he has deposited millions. He has been a stockholder there for many years, and has been frequently solicited to become a director in the several institutions with which he is connected. Among his business friends he is honored and cherished, as but few men are. He is of a genial disposition, has a kind word for everyone, and everybody. He is a devout Christian, and has been one from his early years.

For 24 years he was a trustee and member of the Calvary Baptist Church, where he was one of its leading and active members; but is now a trustee and member of the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, of which the Rev. Dr. Armitage is pastor.

He is liberal to charitable purposes, giving to those who are in need, but doing it in such a way that but few know who is the donor, he being very modest in this re- spect.

Engaby, HABEel Pais VY

Richard P. Williams, and was also engaged with that | John de Pratellis was a favorite minister of Richard

365

ESSEX-BIOGRAPHIES.

He married Elmira, daughter of William F. Braddock, of Essex, Connecticut, by whom he had three children: David W., doing business by himself; William M., asso- ciated with his father; Juliet S., deceased.

His wife died June 17th 1872. His present wife is Adeladie E. Moore, daughter of Willianı and Margaret Moore and granddaughter of Gen. Amariah Kibbe, gen- eral of Connecticut Militia, Somers, Connecticut. She is a very estimable lady, and is esteemed by all those who are fortunate enough to make her acquaintance.

Mr. Manwaring resides at 66 West Fifty-third street, New York, which house he owns.

ALVAN F. WHITTEMORE.

The common American ancestor of the Whittemore family was Thomas Whittemore, who came to this coun- try between 1639 and 1645, and settled in that part of Charlestown, Mass., which is now embraced within the limits of the town of Everett, Mass.

In the New England Genealogical Register appears the following: "Earlier than the year 1300, we find the first recorded name, i. e., John, Lord of Whytemere, having his domicile at Whytemere, on the northeast side of the parish of Bobbington, in the manor of Claverly, in Shropshire. At the present time the same locality bears the name of Whittemore. It is recorded by two historians that Whittemore Hall, at Whittemore, was the place of origin of the Whittemore family. The Anglo- Saxon of the word Whytemere is white meadow, or lake, and the first John, Lord of Whytemere, derived the name of the family from the place where they originally resided."

Daniel, the great-grandfather of A. F. Whittemore, was born in Boston, Mass., February 5th 1715, on the homestead of Thonias, the American ancestor of the Whittemore family. He removed to New London, Conn., previous to 1738, as the marriage records of New Lon- don show that he married that year,

Alvan F. Whittemore, the subject of this sketch, was born in New London, on the 22d of August 1796. He removed to Essex, Conn., in 1821, and engaged in the mercantile business. He soon after married Eliza, daugh- ter of Nathan Pratt, a manufacturing jeweller. By her he had seven children: George, Alvan, Isaac, William, Elizabetlı, Samuel, and Henry. Not long after the death of his first wife, which occurred August 6th 1833, he married Mrs. Teresa Masson, widow of Thomas Masson, who had two children by her first husband: Thomas and Jane. The result of the second marriage was four chil- dren: Maria, Jane Masson, Elmer, and Louisa.

Mr. Whittemore was the first postmaster of the borough of Essex, and held the office consecutively for 25 years, being what was then known as a "hard-shell democrat." His removal took place under President Taylor's administration. He was earnestly solicited by representatives of both parties to again accept the appointment, but positively declined. He was at one time largely engaged in the shipbuilding interests with Richard P. Williams, and was also engaged with that

gentleman in the harbor improvements at the mouth of the Connecticut River, from 1838 to 1842. He carried on quite an extensive manufacturing business-prin- cipally toilet soaps and patent medicines. He was the first one in this country, if not in the world, to utilize bayberry tallow in the manufacture of toilet soaps. He was one of the first in this country to introduce the witch hazel, the manufacture of which was commenced in 1846.

During his whole life, he was actively engaged in public matters. He was a man of positive convictions, and while during his early life he engaged in the sale of spirituous liquors, he became one of the earliest advo- cates of temperance. The one paramount object of his life, however, seemed to be promotion of religious enterprises. All his thoughts and energies were centered in this object. He united with the Baptist church in 1821, and from that time up to the day he received a paralytic stroke in 1860, he was one of the most earnest and devoted members of that church. Educated in the school of adversity, he was extremely economical in his habits, but very liberal in his charities, practicing the most rigid self- denial to aid in relieving the wants of others, or in the advancement of the cause of religion. Some few years previous to his death, he received a paralytic stroke, followed soon after by a second stroke, which impaired his mental faculties, and he became quite childish before his death, which occurred on the 17th of January 1867. His wife survived him about 10 years, her death occurring on the 13th of Janu- ary 1877.

Four children are all that remain: Rev. J. S. Whitte- more, who is at present pastor of the Presbyterian church at Norwood, Mercer county, Illinois: Henry; and Rev. R. E. Whittemore, who gave up preaching some years ago and has since been largely engaged in the manufacture of witch hazel and toilet soaps at Clin- ton, Connecticut.

HENRY WHITTEMORE.

It is a remarkable coincidence that the names of both the paternal and maternal ancestors of Henry Whitte- more have almost the same nieaning. In the New Eng- land Genealogical Record it is stated that " The Anglo- Saxon of the word Whytemere is white meadow or lake, and the first John, Lord of Whytemere, derived the name of the family from the place where they originally re- sided."

The maternal ancester of Mr. Whittemore was Lieut. William Pratt, one of the eleven proprietors who settled under the Fenwick Patent at " Eight- Mile Meadow," sub- sequently known as Potapaug, in the town of Saybrook previous to 1648. In the genealogy of the Pratt family appears the following:

" The motto belonging to the emblazonry of Pratt of Ryster Hall in Norfolk, thus alludes to the etymology of the name: 'Rident Florentia Prata,' the flowing meadows smile." The name Pratt is from Pratum-a meadow.

John de Pratellis was a favorite minister of Richard

366

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Cœur de Lion. William de Pratellis (or William Pratt), the brother of John, was the English ancester of Lieut. William Pratt. In 1191, William de Pratellis accom- panied King Richard to the Holy Land. King Richard, on a certain occasion went out hawking, accompanied by a small escort. Becoming fatigued he fell asleep and was surprised by a body of Turks. A sharp conflict en- sued, and the king would have been captured but for William de Pratellis (William Pratt), who called out that he was the king and permitted himself to be captured, thus enabling the king to escape. He was afterward ransomed by King Richard, and knighted for his valor.

Henry Whittemore, or, as appears by the town records, Henry Warner Whittemore, was born at Essex, Conn., on the 28th of July 1833, his birth being the cause of his mother's death.

Being deprived of a mother's care in infancy, he be- came a weak, puny child, unable to avail himself to any extent of the educational advantages afforded by the public school and academy of his native town, and it was not until he received the appointment of a clerkship with the Pontchartain Railroad Company, at New Orleans, La., to which place he removed in 1854, that he realized the importance of a more thorough education. By hard study for two or three hours before breakfast, and during the long winter evenings, he soon qualified himself for the rapid advancement that followed. At the end of two years he was made chief transportation clerk of the road, and harbor master at Lake Pontchartrain, and on the death of the superintendent in 1859 he was appointed to fill the vacancy, holding for a time the combined offices of superintendent, secretary, and treasurer. At the first meeting of the board of directors, following the death of the superintendent, Mr. Whittemore was elected secretary and treasurer of the company. At the end of the first year his failing health compelled him to resign the position, much to the regret of his associates in the board of directors. He was immediately offered the secretaryship of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad Company, at that time the longest road in the United States. This however, he was compelled to decline for the same reason. He soon after removed to Memphis, Tenn.

On the breaking out of the war, in 1861, he inlisted in the Confederate army, but was soon after relieved from duty, owing to ill health, and other physical disabilities. After the surrender of Memphis in 1862, he returned to his native town, where he remained for a short time, and then removed to New York, and for some years was em- ployed as bookkeeper and treasurer in a large dry goods jobbing house. In 1869, he organized a stock company, for the manufacture of wood carpeting and parquet flooring, of which he was the inventor. After placing the business on a firm basis, he sold his interest and bought a farm in Rockland county. Here he had leisure to devote to literary pursuits, of which he was ex- cessively fond. He devoted several months to the com- piling of the Revolutionary history of Rockland county, and in 1878 he organized the Rockland County Histor- ical and Forestry Society, of which he was an active

member for several years. In 1879, he organized the Wayne Monument Association, and was chairman of the executive committee and principal manager of the cele- bration of the one hundredth anniversary of the storm- ing of Stony Point, held on the 16th of July 1879.

In August 1883, he returned to his native county of Middlesex for the purpose of compiling its history. He entered upon the work with his accustomed energy and enthusiasm, and soon after engaged a valuable corps of assistants to write up each separate town in the county.

Persevering, self-reliant, and independent, he entered upon every undertaking with a determination to succeed, and seldom failed, his motto being: " What I will to do I can do." In his business and social relations he has always been scrupulously honest, truthful, and conscien- tious, and fearless in the discharge of every known duty. Strong in his convictions, but sensitive in his nature, he is cautious in giving expression to his views, for fear of causing offense or wounding the feelings of others.

He was for many years actively engaged in Sunday school work, and, being excessively fond of children, he never failed to interest and instruct them. He has been for many years a member of the Baptist church, but is very liberal in his views, and confines his labors to no church or sect.

On the Ist of October 1857, he married Eliza Kingsley Holt, of New Orleans, La. They have seven living chil- dren, having lost three. Four were born at the South and three at the North. Robin, the youngest, was born at Washington's Headquarters, Tappan, N. Y., on the 26th of October 1878.

SAMUEL B. MILLER.

Samuel B. Miller, wholesale commission fish dealer, No. 7, Fulton Market, New York city, was born at Hemp- stead, Queens county, Long Island, March 13th 1820. His father was a weaver; but, in 1827, came to Fulton Market, and from then until 1851, the year of his death, was engaged in the fish trade. When but 13 years of age Mr. Miller came to this market and began work for his father, with whom he stayed two years. At the ex- piration of this time, the ambitious lad made oath "never to work for wage again for a man on the land," and boldly struck out for himself as a dealer in fish. This occupation he has followed ever since; and, April Ist 1884, completed his fifty-first year as a fish merchant. In 1851, his brother, Charles-a prominent citizen of Brook- lyn, who, at the time of his decease, in October 1873, was an alderman of that city, representing the First Ward-became a partner, remaining in the firm until his death. In that year Mr. Miller gave an interest in his business to his two sons, Ernest M. and Clarence G., which they still retain; though the original firm name, S. B. Miller, remains unchanged. Mr. Miller was married in 1841, to Miss Mary Ann Van Mater, by whom he had seven children, five of them-three daughters and two sons-now living. Mr. Miller is, in a certain sense, the father of the Fulton Fish Market, being the oldest dealer there, and has seen the commencement of the business

In Sy he organized by o sociation, and was chairman of the ind ,Pincipal manager of the cel o budowa anniversary of the storm. os Voos, delil oo the 16th of July 1879.

monty, he retired to his native count of cy for ilie pu, pose of compiling its history. Hc mon ce work with his accustomed energy and And soon after engaged a valuable corps w gault up each separate town in the county. Hoehight, and independent, he entered Min, v th a determination to succeed, Can motto being " What I will to 1. mess and social relations he has ilously hobert. truthful, and conscien- w the discharge of Every known duty. out seusitive in his nature lle oh jo his views, for fear of ur wounding The feeling's of others. for many years actively engaged in Sunday and, being excessively fond of children, he to interest and instruct them. He has been irs a member of the Baptist church, but is is viens, Led Confines his labors to no

malay beharried Eliza Kingsley they have seven living chil- They were born at the South The Saw Robin, the youngest, was born 1-voit 11 o waiters, Tappah, N. Y., on the

-log fish de!

ITwg1, Much 13th 182. Sowe to Fu

boy Trh Ja WSen but 13' year ( To Map and began york i NRK Who M Itvb years. A. th ascor sag - noir .a man on the land, a was put la nivelf, as a desler in fish . de wo mmilowved ever since; nd, Apolo KAANm . Le Atyr-first year 's a fish merchant, i Fabricar a prominent citizen of Broo en close of das decease, in October 1%; adormir of the city, representing the Fi borgner, remaining in the flim until In da yer Mr. Miller gave in iprerest in

@ low-o sons, Ernest M. and Clarence ( - beabletoem; though the original form name. 0 w ry ahchanged. Mr Miller was marr Mary Ann Ven Mater by whom hy ba

bougie leisure to devu- cessively fond. He devs

of the Laughter and .

piling of the Revolutionary histu.,

Mı. Miller criam sense,

and in 1878 he organized the Rockland C.

. .. .... Tullon Tich AL the oldest dealt

ical and Forestry Society, of which he was an active there, and has seen the commencement of the business

367

ESSEX-BIOGRAPHIES.

career of every other member. He is rich in reminis- cences connected with this famous market.

From him we learn that, while now there are about one hundred and fifty varieties of eatable fish sold in this market, 50 years ago there were but six or eight. Oysters were then a staple article. Prices averaged about as now. The old market was merely a platform, and the market men were forced to transact their deal- ings, in all weather, without covering. In 1869, the fish dealers of the market secured a charter from the State of New York, empowering the commissioner of the sinking fund of New York city to lease the bulkhead and one half the slip to the " Fulton Market Fish Mongers' As- sociation," for the purpose of building and sustaining a public market. A stock company was formed with a home is seldom inhabited with less than a dozen people. capital of $200,000-Mr. Miller being a charter member-and the bulkhead leased. At the expira- CAPTAIN WILLIAM W. URQUHART. tion of the lease it was renewed for 10 . years, at a cost of $6,500 yearly, and the present building, at a cost of $135,000, was erected. The building is 193 by 64 feet, with 193 feet water front, and is entirely over water, being supported by 274 spiles, and is one of the strongest frame edifices in the State. Annual rentals are paid by all members; 250,000 pounds of fish are daily handled there. Mr. Miller is a man possessing many necessary qualifications to success. His ability to endure long physical strain is remarkable; while, coupled with this is a keen, far-seeing mind and strict integrity. He expects the same of his fellowmen; and, while positive and quick in his business life, he is a most genial man.

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History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 93

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