USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Farmington > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 31
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Berlin > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 31
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > New Britain > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 31
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
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turing Company was organized as a joint stock corporation. Since that time the business of the company has been largely increased, new articles of manufacture have been added from time to time, and new machinery introduced. Exten- sive additions have been made to the original buildings on the east side of Stanley Street, and within a few years new and large brick buildings have been erected on the west side of the street for the foundery. In February, 1888, the large wooden factory was burned. In its place the company erected a larger and more commodious brick building, which was first occupied in the autumn of 1888. After the erection of this building, improved machinery replaced that destroyed by the fire, and the company was in a better posi- tion than ever before to prosecute its business.
The officers of the company are L. F. Judd, president ; M. N. Judd, secretary ; and Howard C. Noble, treasurer.
HUMASON & BECKLEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The Humason & Beckley Manufacturing Company was founded in 1853 by W. L. Humason. He had different per- sons associated with him for the first few years, and the name of the firm was changed until it became Humason, Beckley & Co., the business being conducted on Washington Street, north of Lafayette. The members of this firm, Wil- liam L. Humason, F. W. Beckley, and Amanda O. Vail, dis- posed of the real estate and other property to the company incorporated in 1863, which thus came in possession of more than an acre of land, on which were a number of dwell- ing houses and several shop buildings. These were removed and. extensive brick buildings, fronting on Washington Street and extending through to High Street, were erected in their place. A superior Corliss steam-engine, which took the first premium at the fair of the American Institute in 1869, has been placed in the factory, furnishing the motive power for the machinery employed. Though much of the fine work of the company is done by hand, a number of ingenious machines, some of them being invented and con-
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structed on the premises, and specifically adapted to the productions of this company, are employed. The capital stock was at first $35,000, but this has since been increased to $105,000, from the earnings of the company.
The first board of directors consisted of W. L. Humason, F. W. Beckley, H. E. Russell, and Philip Corbin. W. L. Humason was chosen president at the organization of the company, and held the office until his death in 1889. He was treasurer until 1869, when he resigned this office, which has since been filled by V. P. Humason, manager of the New York store. F. W. Beckley was secretary until 1871, . when, on account of ill health, he resigned and was suc- ceeded by H. E. Case. The present officers of the com- pany are W. L. Humason, son of the founder of the company, president ; H. E. Case, secretary ; and V. P. Humason, treas- urer. The warehouse in New York is at 80 Chambers Street.
The goods manufactured by this company include fine pocket cutlery and a variety of miscellaneous shelf hard- ware.
NEW BRITAIN GAS LIGHT COMPANY.
The New Britain Gas Light Company was incorporated by special act of the General Assembly in 1855. The incor- porators were F. H. North, F. T. Stanley, Augustus Stanley, Timothy W. Stanley, William A. Churchill, and their asso- ciates, with $30,000 capital. At the first meeting of the stockholders, held April 1, 1857, a board of directors was chosen, consisting of F. T. Stanley, H. E. Russell, S. L. Strickland, and George M. Landers. S. L. Strickland was appointed president, and H. E. Russell secretary and treas- urer. Mr. Russell not being able to give time to this office, William H. Smith was appointed in his place April 27th, and at the annual meeting held the next December, A. P. Collins was appointed secretary and treasurer, and has held the office since.
The capital stock has been increased as follows: On Feb.
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1, 1869, to $60,000 ; on Feb. 1, 1871, to $75,000 ; on April 29, 1872, to $112,500; and on Feb. 2, 1885, to $150,000. The works were first established near Commercial Street, but in 1870 were removed to the present location at the cor- ner of Pine and Meadow streets.
The present officers are G. M. Landers, president ; A. P. Collins, secretary and treasurer ; and E. C. Learned, superin- tendent.
NEW BRITAIN NATIONAL BANK.
The New Britain National Bank was incorporated by the General Assembly in 1860. Its capital stock was fixed at not less than one hundred thousand dollars, with privilege of in- crease to two hundred thousand dollars, divided into shares of one hundred dollars each. All the subscribers were to be residents of the State, and no one person or corporation could take more than one-tenth of the stock. William Mather of Simsbury, Henry A. Mitchell of Bristol, and Chauncey Rowe of Farmington, were the commissioners to receive subscriptions.
The first meeting of stockholders was held Aug. 20, 1860, when the following board of directors was chosen : Cornelius B. Erwin, George M. Landers, Oliver B. North, Timothy W. Stanley, Darius Miller, Lucius Woodruff, Philip Corbin, William J. Bulkley, and Lot D. Vansands. At the meeting of the board of directors, held the same day, C. B. Erwin was chosen president and A. P. Collins cashier. The bank was opened in rooms which had been occupied by the New Britain Building Association.
In 1860-61 Henry E. Russell and Cornelius B. Erwin erected a bank building, which was accepted by the directors . Oct. 1, 1861, and the business of the bank has since been transacted at this building. It was purchased by the direc- tors Jan. 13, 1863 On Feb. 28, 1863, the capital stock was increased to $200,000. By vote of the stockholders April 21, 1865, the bank was changed to a National bank, and in August of the same year the capital was increased to #310,000. The present officers (1889) are A. P. Collins, .
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president ; D. N. Camp, vice-president ; A. J. Sloper, cashier ; and E. N. Stanley, assistant cashier.
THE UNION MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The Union Manufacturing Company, located near the junction of the New York, New Haven & Hartford, and the New York & New England railroads, was organized in 1866, with a capital of $100,000. T. W. Stanley was president and M. J. Woodruff secretary. The capital was afterwards increased to $150,000, and then to $200,000, and its business extended. It has been engaged in the manufacture of door . springs, butts and hinges, chucks, pumps, buckets, and other articles in iron, brass, and copper. Its location at the junc- tion of two railroads gives it special facilities for transporta- tion. It has a warehouse at 103 Chambers Street, New York. J. A. Pickett is president and M. L. Bailey secretary and treasurer.
THE AMERICAN HOSIERY COMPANY.
The American Hosiery Company was organized in 1868, under the general law relating to joint stock corporations. Two large brick buildings, parallel with each other and con- nected by a third building, were erected on Park Street, and adjoining the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. The business of the company required additional room, and in 1881, a new mill, fifty feet longer than the first main build- ing, was erected and connected with the others. The offices are located in the new mill.
The buildings are thoroughly constructed and provided with the most approved defenses against fire. The ma- chinery employed is the best of its kind, much of it being made to order in England and embracing the latest improve- ments. It is specially adapted to the production of a fine quality of goods, in which this company excel. The card- ing, spinning, and knitting, are all done by the company in their own buildings. Employment is given to over one thousand persons, and some of the finest knit goods in the country are sent out from this establishment. The capital
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of the company is $300,000. The officers are J. B. Talcott, president and treasurer ; and E. H. Davison, secretary and superintendent.
THE BERLIN IRON BRIDGE COMPANY.
The Berlin Iron Bridge Company, which succeeded The Corrugated Metal Company in East Berlin, was incorporated in August, 1870. Its capital stock is $125,000 - all paid in. The principal articles manufactured are iron highway and railroad bridges, iron roofs, corrugated iron fire-proof doors and shutters, iron girders and iron buildings. The company does a business of $500,000 a year, and employs about two hundred men at its shops in East Berlin and an equal num- ber outside in putting up work. The business extends over the whole United States, but the greater portion of the work done is east of Pittsburg.
The officers of the company are Charles M. Jarvis, presi- dent and chief engineer ; Burr K. Field, vice-president and treasurer ; and George H. Sage, secretary.
THE CORBIN CABINET LOCK COMPANY.
The Corbin Cabinet Lock Company originally consisted chiefly of the stockholders of P. & F. Corbin. The business had, for a time, been conducted by that company in connec- tion with its other business, but in 1882 a new company was organized with a capital of $200,000, to make a specialty of cabinet hardware. The business has been conducted in one of the large shops of P. & F. Corbin, located at the north- east corner of Park and Orchard streets. Besides the man- ufacture of cabinet locks and other cabinet hardware, the company is engaged in making post-office lock-boxes, having important contracts with the government.
Philip Corbin has been president and treasurer from the organization of the company. Oliver Stanley is secretary.
MECHANICS NATIONAL BANK.
The Mechanics National Bank of New Britain was organ- ized March 29, 1887. It has a capital of $100,000. It was
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first opened in the Savings Bank Building, near the Metho- dist church, but in 1889 was removed to its present location on Booth's Corner, on the East side of Main Street. Its officers are V. B. Chamberlain, president ; W. E. Attwood, cashier.
J. T. CASE ENGINE COMPANY.
The J. T. Case Engine Company was organized in 1887, to manufacture and construct steam-engines upon a new model invented by J. T. Case of Bristol. The company oc- cupy the premises on Chestnut Street formerly occupied by the Bank Lock Company, and then by the Kempshall Manu -. facturing Company. The capital stock of the company is $300,000. Philip Corbin is president, F. G. Platt treasurer, and M. C. Swift secretary.
The following companies have less than $100,000 capi- tal, but were organized under the law for joint stock corpora- tions, and have contributed to the prosperity and growth of New Britain :
The company styled the Malleable Iron Works was organized in 1863, with a capital of $50,000, for the manu- facture of malleable and gray iron castings. The business is located near the railroad at the corner of Grove and Myrtle streets. M. C. Swift is president and treasurer, and Morris C. Webster secretary.
The Wire Web Bed Company was organized largely through the efforts of the late Dr. Lucius Woodruff in 1871, with a capital of $30,000, which was subsequently reduced to $20,000. The business at first consisted of the manufac- ture of woven wire beds. To this has been added the man- ufacture of iron bedsteads.
The officers are Norris Bailey, president and treasurer ; and William E. Parker, secretary.
The National Wire Mattress Company, at the corner of Lake and Washington streets, was organized in 1872. It has a capital of $30,000, which is employed in manufactur- ing wire mattresses. William I. Fielding is president and manager, Joseph A. Davis secretary, and Darius Miller treasurer.
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The business of the Vulcan Iron Works, manufacturers of refined malleable iron castings, is favorably situated on John Street, the grounds extending to the New Britain branch of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. This company was organized in 1878, and has a capital of $75,000. William Foulds is president, and Hiram Older- shaw secretary and treasurer.
The Adkins Printing Company, successor to Adkins Brothers, was organized in 1880, to publish the New Britain " Herald," and to conduct a general job printing office. The paper was sold out in 1881. D. N. Camp is president, and A. J. Sloper secretary and treasurer.
The American Button Fastener Company was incorpo- rated in 1885, to manufacture the Kempshall patent button fastener and button attaching machines. The capital in 1889 was $60,000. Charles Peck is president, and Theron H. Camp, secretary and treasurer.
The Brand Manufacturing Company was organized in 1885 with a capital of $50,000, to manufacture piano and organ hardware, and light machinery and metallic goods. William H. Hart is president, and T. W. Wilbur is secretary and treasurer.
The New Britain Schuyler Electric Light Company was organized in 1885 to supply the city with electric lights. It has a capital of $60,000, and its officers are J. M. Spring, president; R. J. Vance, treasurer; and Samuel Bassett, secretary.
The Skinner Chuck Company was organized in May, 1887, to manufacture Skinner's patent drill and lathe chucks, of various kinds, and other machinery. The capital stock is $36;000, and the business is located on East Main Street, near Stanley Street. David N. Camp is president, E. J. Skinner secretary, D. O. Rogers treasurer, and James N. Skinner superintendent.
There are a few small manufacturing companies with a less capital than $10,000, which have been organized under the law relating to joint stock corporations. The principal are
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the Dyson Needle Company, the American Spring Needle Company, and the Crescent Knitting Company. Some im- portant manufacturing companies, incorporated since 1850, have been removed, or been succeeded by others.
The New Britain Bank Lock Company, organized in 1857, was for a few years an important industry. It was en- gaged in manufacturing the Isham lock and the Pillard dial lock, both invented by persons at the time residing in New Britain. The capital, which was at first but $12,000, was increased to $30,000, and in 1882 the company was changed to the Kempshall Manufacturing Company, and other busi- ness introduced. The buildings in 1889 were occupied by the J. T. Case Engine Company.
Other manufacturing companies incorporated since 1850, and which at one time employed a number of men, have been closed up, or have been succeeded by those already mentioned.
There are also a number of corporations with a capital greater than $10,000, which have been organized under the joint stock law for other purposes than manufacturing.
The lumber business, which in 1850 was carried on prin- cipally by Anderson & Alling, in 1857 passed into the hands of the firm of Giddings, Minor & Strong, afterwards Gid- dings & Strong, who, with some changes in the firm, con- tinued the business, dealing in lumber and coal, until 1871, when the New Britain Lumber and Coal Company was incor- porated, with a capital of $20,000. The company is located on Park Street, its land having a frontage of about 800 feet on the Berlin branch of the New York, New Haven & Hart- ford Railroad. A. N. Lewis is president, M. C. Stanley sec- retary, and F. G. Platt treasurer.
The New Britain Opera House Company is a joint stock corporation, organized in 1880 to build and maintain the New Britain opera house, and the halls, stores, and offices connected therewith. It has a capital of $20,000. Bernard Moffitt is president, and Francis Dobson treasurer.
The Railroad Block Company, which consisted prin- cipally of stockholders of the New Britain Lumber and Coal
MANUFACTURING COMPANIES, ETC. 375
Company, was organized under the law relating to joint stock corporations, in 1881, with a capital of $24,000, to build a business block. The land purchased for the purpose was on Main Street, north of the railway, and the building erected is known as the Railroad Block. H. P. Strong is president, and F. G. Platt secretary and treasurer of the company.
The Wilcox & Judd Coal and Lumber Company, which was incorporated in 1882, with capital of $30,000, had T. B Wilcox for president, and D. B. Judd treasurer. In a few years Mr. Judd removed to Bristol, and the business has been conducted since by Mr. Wilcox and W. L. Damon.
The Commercial Stock Company was organized in 1883, with a capital of $20,000, to erect Giddings Block, at the corner of Main and Commercial streets. George W. Gid- dings is president, and Frederic W. Giddings secretary and treasurer.
The Connecticut Valley Orchard Company was organized in April, 1884, for the purpose of planting and conducting orchards and fruit farms, and raising and marketing fruit and vegetables. It has about 150 acres in fruit in Deep River and 100 acres in Berlin, with the necessary buildings, tools, and working force in both places. Its capital stock was $30,000 at the time of organization, and it has been in- creased until it now amounts to $50,000. Jolın B. Smith is president, and A. R. Plumley secretary.
The city is indebted largely to Lorin F. Judd and a few others associated with him for the inception of the effort which led to the building of the New Britain Tramway. After securing its construction and successful operation, the original owners sold the property, and the stock mainly passed into the hands of others, who have improved the track and cars, and now conduct the enterprise. The New Britain Tramway Company was incorporated in 1886. Peter C. Dolan is president, and Patrick H. Dolan is secretary and treasurer.
The Central Block Company was organized January 1,
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HISTORY OF NEW BRITAIN, ETC.
1887, under the law relating to joint stock corporations, to erect and hold the block of stores, offices, etc., situated on the east side of Main Street, Nos. 273-279. The capital stock is $52,000, and is held by four stockholders. Jared Goodrich is president, and L. G. Rossiter secretary.
The " Herald " Publishing Company was organized in 1887, with a capital stock of $15,000, to publish the New Britain " Herald " and to do job printing. Robert J. Vance is president, Frank L. Blanchard treasurer, and James Coch- rane secretary.
The Russwin Corporation was organized in September, . 1888, with a capital of $80,000. It owns the Russwin build- ing and real estate adjoining. By the articles of incorpora- tion it is authorized to have a hotel, opera house, etc. H. E. Russell is president, and T. S. Bishop secretary.
Some other corporations, with less than $10,000 capital, have been organized and are successful in mercantile and other business.
The savings banks have been important auxiliaries of the industrial progress of New Britain, and of Farmington and Berlin.
The Farmington Savings Bank was incorporated in 1851. Its deposits have steadily increased, until on October 1, 1888, they amounted to $2,087,698, and the number of depositors at that time was 3,489. William Gay is president, and Julius Gay is treasurer.
The Savings Bank of New Britain was incorporated in 1862. At the time of the annual statement, Oct. 1, 1888, its. deposits were $1,798,065, held by 5,713 depositors. For several years William H. Smith was president, and Rev. Samuel Rockwell treasurer. The present officers are Levi S. Wells, president, and W. F. Walker, treasurer.
The Berlin Savings Bank is located at Kensington. It was incorporated in 1873. The whole amount of its de- posits, Oct. 1, 1888, was $180,340, and the number of de- positors 532. Alfred North is president, and Willis H. Upson treasurer.
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ROBERT J. VANCE.
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Individuals and firms not incorporated have contributed largely to the business prosperity of New Britain, especially in the erection of blocks for stores, offices, and tenements, in the conduct of mercantile business, and in some departments of manufacturing. Sketches can be given of only one or two of the oldest of these firms.
One of the places of business which has been the longest in the same family is that of O. S. Judd, on West Main Street. At the beginning of the present century, the site of his manufactory was occupied partly by the blacksmith shop of his father, John Judd. Morton Judd, after working for a time in Southington and in the shops of Seth J. North and Ira Stanley in New Britain, engaged in business by himself, at first on the north side of West Main Street, nearly oppo- site his father's shop. About 1833, his brother, O. S. Judd, went into partnership with him, and the firm of M. & O. S. Judd soon established the business at the present locality of the shop, where they manufactured plated harness hames. In 1846 this part of their business was sold to Henry North, and they commenced the manufacture of sash fasteners, window springs, etc., some of the articles being invented by them- selves. In 1853 H. L. Judd and Albert D. Judd became partners, and the firm was M. Judd & Co. Two years later, H. L. Judd disposed of his interest to the other partners, and in 1863 Morton and A. D. Judd sold their shares to Oliver S. Judd. Charles Blakeslee was for a few years associated with the latter under the firm name of Judd & Blakeslee. Some years before his death, Mr. Blakeslee retired from the firm, and the business, which of late years has consisted of the manufacture of builders' and saddlery hardware, has been conducted by O. S. Judd.
The jewelry business begun by William B. North about 1820, and continued by him and William A. Churchill until Mr. North's death in 1848, and afterwards by Churchill, Stan- ley & Co., has been continued in the same locality until the present time. D. C. Pond, who was a member of the firm in 1850, retired in 1853; Charles Warner a few years later, and
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HISTORY OF NEW BRITAIN, ETC.
in 1863 James Stanley went out, leaving of the former part- ners only William A. Churchill and Charles M. Lewis. E. B. Dana, who had been in charge of the New York office, was soon admitted as a partner, and the firm name was changed to Churchill, Dana & Co. Mr. Dana retired in 1871, and William W. Churchill and Frederic Wessell became members of the firm, and its name was changed to Churchill, Lewis & Co. William A. Churchill died in 1874, and in 1885 William W. Churchill retired, and the firm was afterwards Churchill, Lewis & Wessell, the estate of William A. Churchill retain- ing an interest, and Charles M. Lewis and Frederic Wessell being the active partners. Mr. Lewis died in 1886, leaving Mr. Wessell the sole active partner. The interest in the firm held by the Churchill estate was purchased, and Charles J. Leward of New York, became a partner, the firm name being Lewis, Wessell & Leward. During nearly seventy years the successive firms doing business at this locality have main- tained the high character of their goods, and the company has become one of the oldest firms of manufacturing jewel- ers in this country.
For many years manufacturers who used paper boxes for packing goods had them made by hand in their own shops, or sent to other cities for their supply. By the use of improved machinery and tools, the firms of J. H. Minor & Co., on Arch Street, and H. H. Corbin & Son, on Church Street, making a specialty of paper boxes, have been able to produce them in quantities for manufacturers in New Britain and elsewhere. The demand for other specialties has been met by individuals or firms making the articles needed ; while the merchants and tradesmen, by constantly increasing the variety of their goods and anticipating the needs of their customers, and by honest dealing, have largely increased the mercantile business of the city.
CHAPTER XX.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
1. JOHN ANDREWS, -1681.
HE T T Andrews families of Berlin and New Britain, though not among the earliest settlers of these towns, were chiefly descendants of John Andrews, one of the origi- nal proprietors of Farmington. He was an extensive land- holder owning tracts in different parts of the town. He be- came a member of the church in Farmington May 9, 1658. He was made a freeman by the General Court in Hartford, May 20, 1658. He died in 1681, and his wife, Mary, in 1694.
CHILDREN. 1. Mary, b. 1643, m. Thomas Barnes, and (2), - Bronson; 2. John, b. 1645; 3. Hannah, b. Feb. 26, 1647, m. 1666, Obadiah Richards; 4. Abraham, b. Oct. 31, 1648, m. 1682, Sarah Porter; 5. Daniel, b. May 27, 1649; 6. Joseph, b. May 26, 1651; 7. Rachel, b. 1654, m. March 18, 1675, Ezekiel Buck; 8. Stephen, b. 1656; 9. Benjamin, b. 1659, m. May 26, 1682, Mary Smith.
2. STEPHEN HART, 1605-1683.
No family name seems to have been borne by a greater number of the early inhabitants of the original parishes of Kensington, New Britain, and Worthington, than that of Hart. All or nearly all of the early families having that surname were descendants of Stephen Hart.
Stephen Hart of Farmington was born in the small mar- ket town of Braintree, Essex County, Eng., in 1605. He came to Newtown (Cambridge), Mass., in 1632, and was there a member and deacon of Rev. Thomas Hooker's church, and in 1634 became a freeman in Massachusetts. He re- moved with members of Mr. Hooker's church to Hartford in 1635, where he was one of the original proprietors of the town, having his homestead on the west side of the road to
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