USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Farmington > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 30
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Berlin > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 30
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > New Britain > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 30
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The first labor organization formed in New Britain was the Molders'. Union, organized in 1860. Its object was to maintain a high rate of wages for molders, and to assist members in time of sickness. The Union was disbanded in 1867, but was reorganized in 1879.
The Union of Carpenters and Joiners was organized in March, 1885, the object being the same as that of the Molders' Union.
The first assembly of the Knights of Labor, No. 1454, was organized Feb. 24, 1880. The order was then working in secret, and its object could not well be made known to outsiders. This, and the fact of its being organized in the year of a presidential political campaign, led to the sus- picion that it was a political party organization, and it dis- banded in a few months .. The next assembly, No. 2660, was organized May 23, 1883. In 1886 there were eight assemblies in the town, one of which was composed exclu- sively of women. In 1887, when reaction in the order came, the assemblies were consolidated into two.
The object of the order is stated to be :
"To secure to the workers the full enjoyment of the wealth they create ; sufficient leisure in which to develop their intellectual, moral, and social faculties; and all of the benefits, recreations, and pleasures of asso- ciation,- in a word, to enable them to share in the gains and honors of advancing civilization."
At the meetings of the assemblies, questions relating to political economy are discussed, and the members are taught to look to legislation, rather than to strikes, for the redress of their grievances.
The Young Men's Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society, organized Oct. 13, 1881, is composed of young men of the Roman Catholic communion. It has been quite pros- perous, the health of its members having been such that but limited demands have been made upon its treasury for sick benefits. It numbers 125 members, and is connected with the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of Connecticut, and also with the National Catholic Total Abstinence Union, which has more than 300,000 members.
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SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS.
A number of other benefit societies have been organized in New Britain since 1880, most of which are prosperous. Among these are the German Aid Association, organized in 1880; Court Charter Oak, No. 7630, Ancient Order of For- esters ; Hearts of Oak Lodge, No. 105, Sons of St. George, instituted 1882; New Britain Council, No. 738, Royal Arca- num, organized 1883 ; St. Patrick's Mutual Aid Society, and Stanley Commandery, No. 248, United Order of the Golden Cross, organized the same year ; New Britain Council, Knights of Columbus, instituted in 1884; Schiller Mannie, No. 72, D. O. H .; Swedish Benefit Society, Fridheim ; Scan- dinavian Benefit Society, Vega ; and a number of temper- ance societies and unions.
MISCELLANEOUS SOCIETIES.
Among the miscellaneous societies, the New Britain Club, organized Dec. 27, 1882, is one of the most prominent. It was started with thirty-six members, and was very soon pro- vided with pleasant rooms and the means of social enjoy- ment. For several years it was located over the New Britain Savings Bank, but on the completion of the Russell & Erwin Building, it secured a much larger suite of rooms in that building, had them tastily furnished and made con- venient for the uses of the club, and occupied them in November, 1885. It received a legacy of $5,000 from the estate of the late C. B. Erwin, which was devoted to the general uses of the club. The number of members in 1889 was 88. John B. Talcott was president from its organiza- tion until 1889, when he was succeeded by C. S. Landers. W. L. Humason, Jr., has been secretary during the whole' history of the club, and active in promoting its interests.
The Young Men's Institute was organized Jan. 6, 1878. It was composed of Roman Catholic young men and was essentially a literary organization. It held weekly meetings for debates, readings, and recitations, and for a few years was well sustained. The organization was disbanded in 1885.
The New Britain Wheel Club was established in 1884 and
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incorporated in 1887. It has convenient rooms in the Savings Bank Building.
The Philharmonic Society of New Britain was organized in the autumn of 1886, to cultivate a taste for good music and especially to improve church music, and to secure that vocal practice which is indispensable to correct performance. The society has had three successful seasons with public concerts of a high order. C. E. Mitchell was president for two years. Philip Corbin is now president, J. P. Bartlett, vice-president ; W. B. Thomson, secretary ; Oliver Stanley, treasurer ; R. P. Paine, conductor ; and John Bishop, accom- . panist.
Among other miscellaneous societies are the Choral Society, Calumet Club, Emmett Club, German Rifle Club, and various sporting associations, social clubs, and political clubs, most of which have regular periodical meetings.
MILITARY COMPANIES.
The New Britain City Guard, Co. D, 1st Regiment, C. N. G., was organized in 1863, under Capt. L. L. Sperry. In 1889 its commissioned officers were Capt. Augustus N. Ben- nett, who has been captain since 1877, Lieutenants Wm. E. Allen and John McBriarty.
Battery E was organized in 1869, with Capt. George Hadley commander, but was disbanded about 1875.
The Jewell Guard, Co. E, 1st Regiment, C. N. G., was organized in 1871, under Capt. C. B. Erichson. In 1889 the commissioned officers were Capt. Alfred L. Thompson and Lieutenants John J. Smith and Henry G. Upson.
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CHAPTER XIX.
MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND OTHER BUSINESS CORPORATIONS.
A N account of the principal industries in Farmington and Berlin, and in New Britain until it was incor- porated as a town in 1850, has been given in chapter XIV. The changes which marked the transformation of the latter place from an agricultural hamlet to a busy manufacturing village were also given. While no effort will be made to describe all the business changes which have taken place since 1850, some account of the principal manufacturing companies now in existence seems important to a correct . knowledge of the causes operating to produce the city of New Britain as it is in 1889.
RUSSELL & ERWIN MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The first manufacturing business conducted on the pres- ent site of the Russell & Erwin Manufacturing Company was by "Stanley, Woodruff & Co." In 1835, F. T. Stanley, W. B. Stanley, Emanuel Russell, Truman Woodruff, and Nor- man Woodruff, formed a partnership for the manufacture of plate locks. They bought several acres of land, including a portion of the site now occupied by the buildings of the Rus- sell & Erwin Manufacturing Company, and with a capital of $18,000 erected a brick building eighty-two feet by thirty- four, in which they conducted a small business for three years or more. This building is the oldest of the present extensive buildings of the Russell & Erwin Manufacturing Company .*
At the close of the year 1838, W. B. Stanley, Emanuel Russell, and the Woodruffs, withdrew, and .on the first
* See page 284.
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of January, 1839, Henry E. Russell and Cornelius B. Erwin became partners in the firm, and the name was changed to Stanley, Russell & Co. On the first of January, 1840, F. T. Stanley withdrew his interest, and Smith Matteson became a member of the firm. The business was conducted by Messrs. Russell, Erwin, and Matteson, the next year, and on Jan. 1, 1841, John K. Bowen was admitted as a partner. The firm was changed to Matteson, Russell & Co., and organized as a partnership to continue five years. Mr. Matteson died the next year, and at the close of the year 1845 his capital was withdrawn, and that of John K. Bowen soon after.
In January, 1846, the company was reorganized as " Rus- sell & Erwin," Henry E. Russell and Cornelius B. Erwin being the partners, and the business was continued under this title until January, 1851. During the year 1850 the hardware business of North & Stanley, William H. Smith, and some others, in New Britain, and that .of the Albany Argillo Works, at Albany, N. Y., were bought by Russell & Erwin, and on the first of January, 1851, the Russell & Erwin Manufacturing Company was formed. This company was organized as a joint stock corporation, with a capital of $125,000. The business was prosperous, the capital was soon after increased to $200,000, and in 1864 to $500,000. The capital for some years has been $1,000,000, and the business has been very greatly enlarged. This was one of the first establishments in this country to make a specialty of builders' hardware. The variety has been largely increased, until it embraces all kinds of the best class of hardware used in building. The construction of solid bronze goods for orna- mental purposes and for edifices lias, for several years, been an important department of the business. Through agencies in the larger cities and in Europe, the products of this com- pany are distributed to nearly all parts of the civilized world.
The company having determined in 1875 to add to their other business the manufacture of wood screws, a large brick building was erected on the north side of Myrtle Street,
Woruris
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in which, in 1876, this branch of the business was begun. New machinery has since been added, until all varieties of screws in brass and iron, and steel nails, are made in quan- tities. The various buildings of the company in New Britain, covering several acres, are located on both sides of Washington, Myrtle, and High streets, on Grove and Lafay- ette streets, and on the New York, New Haven & Hartford, and the New York & New England railroads.
In 1885 the Russell & Erwin Manufacturing Company purchased a large manufactory of wood screws in Dayton, Ohio, and have since continued the business at that place, as well as in New Britain.
On the organization of the firm of Matteson, Russell & Co., a warehouse was established on John Street, New York. This was afterwards transferred to Cliff Street, and in 1868 to the spacious building on Chambers Street, now owned by this company. It has also warehouses in Philadelphia, Bal- timore, and London, Eng.
From the time that Cornelius B. Erwin and IIenry E. Russell laid the foundations of this company in 1839, until Mr. Erwin's death in 1885, these two gentlemen had worked together in harmony, with others cooperating, in building up a business which has been distinguished for the honor and integrity of its management, and has contributed largely to the wealth of the city and town.
Cornelius B. Erwin was president of the company from its organization until his death, and Henry E. Russell was treasurer. After Mr. Erwin's death, Henry E. Russell was elected president, Henry E. Russell, Jr., secretary, and Mahlon J. Woodruff, treasurer, and these are still the executive officers of the company.
. LANDERS, FRARY & CLARK.
The manufacturing company of Landers, Frary & Clark was founded by George M. Landers, the present vice-presi- dent of the company. After working at his trade for several years, in New Britain, and seeing the opportunities afforded
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by the manufacturing enterprises then developing in the place, he was induced to engage for a short time with Josiah Dewey, in making furniture-casters and window springs, in a shop which was located north of East Main Street, not far from the corner of Summer and Winter streets. In 1841-42, Mr. Landers built a shop on East Main Street, west of his residence, and commenced the manufacture of coat and hat hooks, and other small articles of hardware. He soon built up a flourishing business ; later, Levi O. Smith became a partner.
In 1853, a company was organized under the joint stock corporation act, known as the Landers & Smith Manufactur- ing Company. Additions were made to the shop on East Main Street, and the business was considerably enlarged. In 1862 the business of Frary, Carey & Co., of Meriden, was purchased, and the capital increased to $50,000. Mr. Smith, at that time, retired from official connection with the com- pany, and James D. Frary of the Meriden company came in, the company being reorganized by special act of the legislature as the Landers, Frary & Clark Manufacturing Company. The line of articles made was increased, and the amount of business became larger than before.
In 1866, to the variety of goods already made, table cut- lery was added, and the Ætna Works, at the corner of Center and Commercial streets, were built and new machinery introduced. The works were destroyed by fire in 1874, but were immediately rebuilt on a larger scale, and supplied with improved machinery. The business has been largely increased, the goods finding a market in all parts of the country. The capital stock of the company is now $500,000. Hon. G. M. Landers was at the head of the different com- panies until his resignation of the presidency in 1870, when he retired from the active management. ' J. D. Frary was president a few years, and he was succeeded by J. A. Pickett, who held the office until his resignation in 1889. The present officers of the company are Francis B. Cooley,
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president; G. M. Landers, vice-president ; C. S. Landers, treasurer ; and J. C. Atwood, secretary.
The New York office is at 298 Broadway.
THE STANLEY WORKS.
The manufacturing company known as the Stanley Works, appropriately takes its name from its founder, Fred- erick T. Stanley. After a few years' residence at the South, he returned to New Britain and resumed manufacturing. In 1842 he commenced making wrought bolts, hinges, door and chest handles, in a building on Washington Street, which had been used as an armory. At first the business was limited, and but few workmen were employed, but in a short time the demand for the goods was such that the working force was increased, additional buildings were occupied, new machinery specially adapted to this work was employed, and the products of the manufactory were soon introduced in the principal cities.
In 1852 a joint stock corporation, with a capital of $30,000, was formed. Additions have been made to the paid-in capital until it amounts to $325,000; the most improved machinery used in this business has been intro- duced, and the facility for the rapid production of superior goods has been greatly increased. In 1871 new buildings were erected on Myrtle Street. These have been enlarged, until the main building is more than 450 feet long by 40 feet in width, and three stories high. The boiler-house is 65 feet by 40, the storehouse is more than 100 feet long, and other buildings complete the provision for the successful prosecution of the business.
The lower floors of the main building are laid in con- crete, and the other floors are so prepared that the flooding of either floor may be secured without damage to others. The lighting of the building at night is secured by a system of Brush electric lights, run by this corporation.
The company has railway tracks connecting with the New York & New England, and the New York, New Haven
24
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HISTORY OF NEW BRITAIN, ETC.
& Hartford railroads, by which it is enabled to receive the raw material direct to its yards, and to ship its finished goods to market without cartage or transhipment.
In 1883, in the old shop on Lake Street, the manufac- ture of tacks, brads, and certain varieties of nails, was added to the other business of the company. The manu- facture of wrought-iron butts and builders' and cabinet hard- ware was continued. Frederick T. Stanley was president of the company from its organization until his death in 1883. The present officers are William H. Hart, president and treasurer, and L. H. Pease, secretary. The company has a warehouse at 79 Chambers Street, New York, under the im- mediate charge of Peter MacCartee, the vice-president.
NEW BRITAIN KNITTING COMPANY.
The New Britain Knitting Company was organized in March, 1847, mainly through the efforts of Seth J. North, Henry Stanley, and Orson H. Seymour. A small factory in Griswoldville having been stopped by the burning of the building, a portion of the tools and machinery, which were uninjured, were purchased and removed to New Britain. A company, with a capital of $20,000, was formed, Seth J. North being president, and Henry Stanley secretary and treasurer. The manufacture of knit goods was begun in the Sargent Building, then belonging to North & Stanley. In October, 1847, the capital of the company was increased to $30,000, and afterwards, at various times, until it amounted to $200,000. A larger and more convenient building was erected at the corner of Elm and Chestnut streets, new ma- chinery was obtained, and the product largely increased. The capacity of the manufactory was still further increased by the erection of additional buildings, and the company, for some years, was prosperous. The establishment of other similar mills and the largely increased products of knit goods, prevented a ready sale of all the goods made, the com- pany became embarrassed, and was re-organized in 1887, with a capital of $150,000. John B. Talcott is president
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and treasurer, and E. H. Davison secretary and superin- tendent.
The New York office is at 108 and 110 Franklin Street, under the management of James Talcott.
P. & F. CORBIN.
The extensive hardware manufacturing business of P. & F. Corbin began with a partnership, formed by Philip Corbin, Frank Corbin, and Edward Doen. Philip Corbin, the lead- ing partner and head of the firm, on coming to New Britain, was first in the employ of Russell & Erwin for a few months, and then for about four years was with North & Stanley. Becoming acquainted with the hardware business, in 1848 he and his brother, Frank Corbin, and Edward Doen, com- menced the manufacture of a few small articles in metal, in a shop built for the purpose by Henry W. Whiting. The little machinery they had was run by horse-power, the proprietors doing most of the manual work themselves.
In the autumn of 1849, Mr. Whiting bought out Mr. Doen, and the firm became Corbin, Whiting & Co. In Jan- uary, 1851, the Corbins purchased Mr. Whiting's interest, and the name was changed to P. & F. Corbin, a title which has ever since been borne both by the firm and by the corpo- ration.
In 1853, the business of the firm was removed to the shop on Park Street, formerly occupied by Seth J. North & Co., and was considerably extended. In February, 1854, a joint stock company was formed under the State law. The capital was $50,000, and from forty to fifty hands were em- ployed in making coffin handles, shelf hardware, and bolts, principally of brass.
Andrew Corbin, after working for some time in the jewelry manufactory of Churchill & Lewis, became a stock- holder in the P. & F. Corbin Company, and took an active part in the business, first as the company's agent in New York, and afterwards in cooperation with his brothers in the supervision of the business in New Britain. John M. Spring,
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HISTORY OF NEW BRITAIN, ETC.
superintendent of the manufacturing department, and others in different positions, have also had a special interest in the growth and development of the business.
Soon after the close of the civil war, or in 1865, addi- tional land was bought, upon which a large iron foundry was erected, and iron goods became an important branch of man- ufacture. In the same year, a large four-story brick building, adjoining the factory, was purchased, and the capacity of the works was increased by the erection of additional buildings. The company was one of the first to introduce the manufac- ture of brass and bronze goods in builders' hardware. In . 1868 they added the manufacture of locks, latches, and a variety of ornamental bronze goods; largely increased the size of their foundry, and extended the main building.
New shops have since been. erected and new machinery added, until the works cover an area of several acres on Park and Orchard streets. In 1887, the manufactory and property of the Francis Manufacturing Company, on North Stanley and East Main streets, was purchased and soon after fitted up for the business of the company. The goods manu- factured include builders' hardware in its variety, ornamental bronze door and house trimmings, iron and brass, wood, and machine screws, and a variety of hardware. The line of goods includes those needed from a palace to a peasant's cottage. The company have furnished large government buildings in Washington, and both public and private build- ings in different parts of the country. It has warehouses in New York and Chicago.
Philip Corbin, the founder of the business, has been pres- ident and treasurer from the organization of the company. Oliver Stanley is secretary.
STANLEY RULE AND LEVEL COMPANY.
The Stanley Rule and Level Company has been formed from the consolidation of several companies, and the union of different interests into one corporation, with a business which has become the largest of the kind in the country.
P Corbin
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MANUFACTURING COMPANIES, ETC.
In 1853, Thomas S. Hall and Frederic Knapp began the manufacture of plumbs and levels in a small building on Elm Street, which is now occupied by the Stanley Rule and Level Company. The next year a joint stock company was organ- ized under the name of Hall & Knapp, with a capital of #15,000. This was increased in 1856 to $20,000. In 1854 Augustus Stanley, Timothy W. Stanley, and Thomas Conk- lin, formed a partnership for the manufacture of rules. Mr. Conklin had been engaged in this business in Bristol before coming to New Britain. The business in Bristol was bought by the new firm and the manufacture of rules was begun in the upper story of the building erected by Seth J. North on Elm Street, and known as the Sargent Building.
In 1855, the rule business of Seth Savage in Middletown was purchased, brought to New Britain, consolidated with that of the other firm, and all the works were removed to the upper story of the factory of North & Stanley, on the south side of Park Street. The business was extended, the number of workmen was increased, and the foundations laid for a new company.
On the first of July, 1857, the several branches of the business were united, and the Stanley Rule and Level Com- pany was organized as a joint stock company, with a capital of $50,000. New buildings were erected, and the business was established at its present location on Elm and Church streets. In 1862 the handle business of Augustus Stanley, which had been conducted in the building once a Methodist church on Arch Street, was bought and united with the other business of the company.
In February, 1863, the business of C. L. Mead, at Brat- tleboro', Vermont, which was similar in character to that in New Britain, was purchased by the company. At Mr. Mead's Brattleboro' works some of the best rules made in this coun- try had been manufactured, and the union of the two shops gave the New Britain company a large field for the sale of the best goods. For a short time the business was carried on simultaneously both in New Britain and Brattleboro'; it
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HISTORY OF NEW BRITAIN, ETC.
was then removed to New Britain, and the goods were all made at the factory on Elm and Church streets, and an extensive warehouse for the sale of goods was established in New York.
Important additions have been made to the works by the erection of new buildings and additions to the main factory. In 1864 the capital was increased to $100,000; in 1867 to $200,000; in 1881 to $300,000; and in 1888 to $400,000. The business has been extended, both in, amount and variety, and now includes the manufacture of rules, levels, bench planes, try squares, bevels, etc.
Henry Stanley was president of the company from its organization until his death in 1884. He was succeeded by Charles L. Mead, who, for some time, had been in charge of the New York warehouse, at 29 Chambers Street. Mr. Mead is also treasurer, and Frederic N. Stanley is secretary.
THE NORTH & JUDD MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
On or near the site of the buildings of the North & Judd Manufacturing Company, a manufacturing business has been conducted since 1812. Alvin North, either with his brother, Seth J. North, with his sons, or with others, was actively engaged in manufacturing at this place for more than forty years. For about half that time the business consisted largely of making plated wire, or of articles formed from such wire. In 1832 the business was partially suspended on account of the prevalence of the cholera in this country. When work was fully resumed the manufacture of brass and plated saddlery articles was commenced, and this branch of the work has been continued until the present time. In 1849, Hubert F. North bought the interest of his brother, O. B. North, and the business was continued by him and his father, Alvin North, until 1855, when the interest of the latter was bought by Lorin F. Judd and J. A. Pickett, and the firm became H. F. North & Co. In 1863, Mr. Judd bought Mr. Pickett's interest, and the name was changed to North & Judd, and soon after The North & Judd Manufac-
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