USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 58
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 58
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The Charles Parker Company was organized December 26th, 1876, the capital being $500,000; and the stockholders were: Charles Parker, Charles E. Parker, Dexter W. Parker and Theodore F. Breese. The first three are the principal officers of the company, Charles Parker having been the president since its organization. He is the founder of the vast interests controlled by the corporation, and is perhaps more distinctively than any other man living, the pioneer of successful man- ufacturing in Meriden. A sketch of his life and business career is given in another part of this volume.
The diverse industries controlled by the company could not be ac- commodated at the parent plant, although it is one of the most ex- tensive of its kind in the state, and other plants have been established at East Meriden, Yalesville and on the New Haven railroad in the city of Meriden, some of which are devoted to special features of manu- factures, but taken as a whole, producing an almost endless variety of goods and giving employment to about one thousand people.
At the home shops are manufactured a line of goods which have become widely known as the " Parker " lamps, which are constructed in many useful and artistic forms, and are deservedly popular on ac- count of their many merits. The " Parker " vises, screws, etc., have also a wide reputation; and the many chaste articles of brass in par- lor and hall furniture make a rich and attractive line of products which give employment to the greatest skill in those branches of manufacture.
The East Meriden works are large, well appointed and neatly kept. They are mainly devoted to the manufacture of Britannia metal and galvanized iron spoons, immense quantities being produced.
At Yalesville are older shops on a good water power, which are de- voted to the manufacture of " Parker " coffee and spice mills and pack- ing cases, a million feet of lumber being consumed annually in the latter work.
The shops of the " Parker Brothers," on the New Haven railroad, south of Main street, are given up to the widely celebrated " Parker '' shot gun, whose excellence has been attested in many trials in this
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and foreign countries, when it received the award of the first prize. It is claimed that this is not only the largest, but also the most com- plete and best equipped shot gun factory in the world. The weapons are breech loading, and have been improved so as to be practically hammerless, making it one of the safest fire arms in the world. This latter feature is the invention of the superintendent, C. A. King.
On the site of these works were formerly the anger and bit shops of James S. Brooks, succeeded by the firm of Parker, Snow, Brooks & Co., who were in turn succeeded, in 1853, by the Meriden Machine Company, of which the directors were: S.W. Baldwin, James H. Breck. enridge, Oliver Snow, Charles Parker and John Parker. In subsequent years the latter became the owners of the property.
The Parker & Whipple Company was incorporated in March, 1868, with a capital of $100,000 and a board of directors composed of John E. Parker, Henry J. P. Whipple, L. J. Curtis, John Parker and H. C. Wilcox. The two first named were the president, secretary and treas- urer of the company. In 1889 John Parker was the president and F. F. Breese held the other offices. The company was organized to succeed to the business of Parker & Whipple, as manufacturers of door locks, knobs and builders' hardware and trimmings, who began that industry in 1859, at the locality called "Crow Hollow." Pre- viously this site had been occupied for manufacturing purposes by Lauren Merriam, Walter Webb & Co., and others, various articles being manufactured there. Water was the original power, the supply being from a small stream flowing from the hills. In later years steam was added as a supplementary power.
The works of the Parker & Whipple Company embrace several large buildings, including iron and brass foundries. A large number of men were formerly employed, which had the effect of creating a small hamlet in that section, which is still locally called "Crow Hollow." In 1889 the products of the company were mainly clocks, which were here made in a variety of sizes and styles, some being unique in appearance, and all were reputed good time keepers.
The corporation of Manning, Bowman & Company was organized in Middletown, Conn., and in 1872 transferred its business to Meriden, occupying the triangular space formed by Pratt, Miller and Catlin streets. A small building was occupied and less than fifty hands were employed. From this has grown the present immense establish- ment, having a continuous frontage on the three streets of 750 feet and being four stories high. In addition there are large buildings on the opposite side of Catlin street, for various uses of the company, which manufactures its own gas for lighting and manufacturing purposes. The fuel of the 100-horse power engine is crude petroleum. In the factory improved machinery is used and a large force of hands employed, in the production of planished tin and copper goods, granite iron and pearl agate ware, etc.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
At the Centennial Exposition, in 1876, the company had an exhibit which included its first granite ware tea pot with white metal mount- ings. A medal was there awarded and the exhibits at other world's fairs were similarly complimented. In 1878 the company invented and patented metal trimmed iron ware, which has since become world- famous. Since that time, however, the variety of designs has been greatly increased and the finish improved. The skill and enterprise of the company have produced an innovation in this line of manufac- tures which has resulted in the production of hollow ware for table use, which is not excelled for beauty and superiority in every respect, by a similar establishment in the world. The officers of this company are E. B. Manning, president; Robert Bowman, secretary and treasurer ..
The cutlery interests of the town have been extended and promi- nent features of its manufacturing history many years. An account of the oldest company appears in connection with a sketch of South Meriden, where it is located. The Miller Brothers Cutlery Company was established at Yalesville, in 1870, by William H. and George W. Miller, who were soon joined by Henry Lewis, for the manufacture of pocket cutlery. In 1872 their interests were removed to the old comb factory of Pratt, Read & Co., where the United States Steel Company was consolidated with it. The water power of Harbor brook was supplemented by steam and the capacity of the buildings enlarged. The main works are 32 by 120 feet and four stories high, in which improved labor saving machinery is used, the company being one of the first to adopt machinery for making all the parts of a pocket knife interchangeable and the blades of a uniform temper, which has given their products a high reputation.
In 1878 the company was re-organized, with Lemuel J. Curtis as president. In 1889 that office was held by Isaac C. Lewis; William F. Rockwell was the secretary and treasurer; and C. L. Rockwell and George W. Lyon were associate members of the company.
In 1883 the company purchased the steel pen works of Harris & Bradford, of New York, and have since here carried them on in con- nection with their pocket cutlery interests and steel ink erasers. The high character of the pens designed by George Bradford, one of the original steel pen makers in America, has been kept up by the com- pany, whose establishment ranks as one of three leading works in the country. In this department 100 men are employed; and in the cutlery works about 150. The plant of the company embraces about one and a half acres and is one of the oldest occupied manufacturing sites in Meriden.
George W. Miller's pocket cutlery works on Mechanic street were established in 1880 and discontinued in 1889. Boys' pocket knives were made and a dozen people employed.
Shears and scissors of fine quality are manufactured by Russell S.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
Gladwin, in the central part of the town; and by Joseph Wriggles- worth & Son, near the Miller cutlery works.
The Breckenridge Manufacturing Company was organized in 1887 to succeed to the business of Breckenridge & Co., which was estab- lished in 1864, and whose place of business, since 1868, has been at the present plant. Large frame shops are occupied and 75 hands are em- ployed. Hardware and sheet metal goods were manufactured until 1887, when the manufacture of gas and combination fixtures and art metal goods in all its branches was begun, and has been successfully carried on. The president of the company is F. R. Seidensticker, and J. H. Breckenridge is the secretary and treasurer. The other members are W. A. Breckenridge and E. D. Hall. Here are also manufactured the goods for the Sands Automatic Fan Company, which removed its place of business from Bridgeport to Meriden in June, 1888. Of this corporation Jesse Sands is the president and Frank E. Sands the treas- urer. Their goods are favorably used in all parts of the country, the ventilating fan being one of the best yet devised.
The Kelsey Press Company was organized June 1st, 1889, as suc- cessors to William A. Kelsey & Co., who began business in Meriden in 1872, manufacturing amateur presses and printing material. These articles are still produced on a more extensive scale, and a trade has been established which reaches to many foreign countries. Eight sizes of Excelsior Printing Presses, costing from $3 to $100, are manu- factured. The motor is a 15 horse power engine, and 20 hands are employed, in a factory on South Colony street.
The Meriden Bronze Company succeeded to the business estab. lished by S. H. Foster, at first confined to casters and furniture trim- mings. July 1st, 1882, the interest passed to the Foster Hardware Company, whose name was changed, January 1st, 1884, to the present title, with the following officers : H. P. Allen, president; William E. Gard, secretary and treasurer, and A. H. Jones, manager. These officers have been continued. The original capital of $30,000 has been increased to $45,000. The plant is in the northern part of the city, and the main factory is 450 feet long, a part of it being five stories high and built of brick. Nearly 200 hands are employed. The variety of products has been greatly increased, embracing bronze and brass art goods of every description, the chief being elaborate lamps, tables with artistic tops, and other rare and beautiful goods from designs by the artists of the company.
E. D. Castelow's piano and store stool factory was established by him in 1855, and continued on the same site until 1885, when the in- terest passed to James H. Breckenridge & Son, with E. D. Castelow as superintendent. Beginning with one pattern of a wrought iron stool, the number increased until thirty different kinds of stools were made and a dozen hands employed.
The piano stool factory of A. Merriam & Co., on Pratt street, cstab-
31
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
lished in 1873, and which at one time gave employment to 30 men, was discontinued after fifteen years operation.
The Meriden Malleable Iron Company continues the business begun in 1861 by the firm of Lyon, Augur & Co., who had a shop on the site of the present Bradley & Hubbard works. In 1868their inter- ests and those of J. H. Canfield & Co. were united, and the present corporation formed with a capital of $75,000, which has been increased to $120,000. A new plant, on the site of the old Frary shops, was secured, on whichi fine, large buildings of brick were erected and occupied in the fall of 1868. Extensive additions were made in 1870, and again in 1883, the plant having, in 1889, half a dozen brick buildings from one to four stories high, and supplied with fine ma- chinery. In 1870 the manufacture of a full line of lamp and lantern fixtures was begun, to which were added cabinet hardware and a large variety of small malleables of brass and iron. An average of 350 hands are employed, and the products of the establishment are in ex- cellent demand. The officers of the company are : George W. Lyon, president; Eli I. Merriman, secretary and treasurer; and C. L. Lyon, superintendent.
Foster, Merriam & Co., manufacturers of cabinet hardware and bronze goods, carry on the business established in 1835 by Albert Foster, Hiram Foster, Asaph Merriam, Nelson Merriam, Julius Way and Belden, of New Britain. Furniture casters were manufactured at "Crow Hollow," the product being 50 sets per day. In 1840 Way sold out to John Sutliff and in 1843 Asaph Merriam retired, the firm retaining the above title. In 1850 the firm located at the present plant, where, in 1853, Alanson Watrous established an iron foundry in connection. In 1862 Mr. Watrous died, when the foundry ceased to be a distinct interest. Four years later the firm was incorporated with a capital of $80,000. In 1880 Nelson Merriam died, and Albert Foster in 1882. The officers in 1889 were: John Sutliff, president; James R. Sutliff, vice-president; George C. Merriam, secretary and treasurer. The plant embraces about four acres of land, on which are extensive brick and frame buildings, well adapted for the business and finely equipped. The motor is a 250-horse power engine, and the products embrace almost every article in the cabinet hardware line, which have a fine reputation for their style and excellence. Two hundred hands are employed.
A. H. Merriam has been engaged since April, 1868, in the manu- facture of heavy machinery, such as die presses, spinning lathes and work on special orders. A well arranged factory on State street is occupied, where a score of men find skillful employment, in the pro- duction of some of the finest work of this nature in the state.
A recently established interest of the same nature is the Meriden Machine Tool Company, organized to build special machinery and tools. The corporation consists of H. Wales Lines, R. L. Peck, Walter
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
L. Cheney and John Johnson, the latter three being young machinists. A specialty is made of turning machinery of a peculiar pattern.
Henry B. Todd has been established since 1879 as a manufacturer of light machinery, tools, etc., occupying since 1885 a shop on South Second street, where eight men are employed.
The Griswold. Richmond & Glock Company is a new corporation for the manufacture of copper, galvanized iron and other metal cor- nices and ornamental work. A shop on Colony street is occupied and, in connection with the stove and range business, a number of men are employed. The latter interest was established by N. F. Griswold in 1863, and since 1876 John L. Richmond and Charles E. Glock have been associate partners in the firm. A handsome store on Main street is also maintained.
The Beecher Manufacturing Company is located on the site for- merly occupied by the shops of the American Hardware Company, which was incorporated in 1853, with Henry T. Wilcox, president; Henry S. Wilcox, secretary; and E. K. Breckenridge, superintendent. Steelyard scales, etc., were made in a frame building, which burned down about 1860. The above corporation was organized in 1872 for the purpose of manufacturing carriage forgings and took its name from H. M. Beecher, its first president; D. F. Southwick being the secretary and treasurer. For many years H. D. Bassett was the presi- dent, which office was last held by D. F. Southwick; and since 1883 S. W. Kent has been the secretary and the treasurer. The main shop is 220 feet long and is supplied with machinery for making solid drop forgings for fine carriages, which have here been brought to a high standard, as only the best material is used and skillful workmen employed. Sixty people find occupation in producing irons for about 1,000 vehicles per day. William B. McEeny is the superintendent of the works, which have a national reputation.
The Chapman Manufacturing Company was organized in 1881 and incorporated in 1882. Its principal officers were : Lemuel J. Curtis, president, succeeded by Isaac C. Lewis; Selah A. Hull, secretary; E. R. Chapman, treasurer and general manager. The latter constitute the present officers. From a meager beginning the business of the com- pany has been increased yearly, until in 1889 it formed an interest of fine proportions. The premises occupied, on Britannia street, have been enlarged, the main buildings being four stories high, 36 feet wide and 180 feet long. A 60-horse power engine furnishes the power and 100 persons are employed on the products of the company. These consist of fine saddlery hardware, in nickel, brass, gold and imitation rubber, sleigh bells, dog collars, horse hair plumes, etc., in a great variety of styles and beauty of finish. The active head of the con- pany is E. A. Chapman, under whose supervision the business has been developed. T. S. Alexander is the superintendent.
The Meriden Buckle Company is a new corporation, its organiza-
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
tion having been effected in 1889, with G. H. Wilson as president and treasurer, and E. A. Wilson, secretary. A factory on Pratt street gives employment to a number of men in the production of the Pullman and other shoe buckles and clasps.
The Meriden Saddlery and Leather Company was originally the Bond Harness Company, of which L. F. Bond was the prime mover. In 1887 a factory building four stories high and 36 by 70 feet was erected, on Britannia street, in which the manufacture of harness and horse goods was begun. In February, 1889, the Bond Company was succeeded by the present corporation, of which George R. Curtis is the president, Selah A. Hull the secretary and treasurer, and P. E. Hull the superintendent. Under the management of the latter the business of the company has been much expanded, 50 men being em- ployed in 1889 as " curriers and workers in leather," for the finer grades of harness and harness goods.
The Meriden Harness Company, on South Colony street, was established in 1888 by John W. Nichols and others. About 15 hands are employed and the interest is a growing one.
Charles H. Fales' shoe factory, on Miller street, was established in 1871, a few hands only being employed. In 1889, with the same pro- prietor, 60 persons were employed in a three story factory, 30 by 60 feet, on fine calf and camelopard boots and shoes for men's wear, the goods having a fine reputation in the wholesale trade, for which they are manufactured.
In 1853 Anton Reuss came to Meriden and made pocket books in a limited way. Since 1869 he has been a manufacturer of fine morocco goods in sample cases, etc., producing also the same line of work in fine cheaper leathers and plush. Several dozen hands are employed.
The Meriden Flint Glass Company was incorporated April 19th, 1876, with a capital of $50,000, which was mostly held by members of the Britannia Company. The first board of directors had William W. Lyman, Horace C. Wilcox, Isaac C. Lewis, Lemuel J. Curtis and Eli Butler among its members. Later, Horace C. Wilcox was the presi- dent; George R. Curtis the treasurer, and George E. Hatch the secre- tary and manager. The latter and Joseph Bourne had been con- nected with the New England Glass Works, and were skilled artisans, who here directed an enterprise which produced some of the finest ornamental glass-cut, etched and opal-in the country. The com- pany erected large and well-appointed glass works, in the northern part of the city, and many skilled native and foreign workmen were employed. For ten years operations were carried on, work being sus- pended in the spring of 1886. The following season James J. Murray & Co., of Philadelphia, occupied them for a year, since which they have again been vacant.
In another part of the city James D. Bergen has lately successfully
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
manufactured cut and engraved glassware of elegant design and artis- tic finish; and some of the silver plating establishments also prepare glass for their own use.
Glass decorating has become an industry at Meriden in the past ten years, which is affording occupation for a large number of people. After the Flint Glass Company discontinued work, in 1886, E. H. Kroeber and A. C. Kaeppel began this industry in its old department, and have continued decorating opal ware.
Near the same time A. G. Eydam and P. J. Handel opened a deco- rating establishment, on Miller street, where they employ 19 hands in embellishing lamp shades, vases, sugar and salt spills, etc., and letter- ing white pottery ware by a peculiar process. Their business is rap- idly increasing.
C. F. Monroe's Decorating Works date their origin from 1882, when he began at Meriden on a small scale, extending his business until large works are occupied. The present plant, at the Waterbury depot, was built in the summer of 188S. It is a large frame, 2} stories high. In it are employed from 30 to 50 people, many of them being artists of high skill, and all having more than ordinary intelligence. Every variety of work is decorated, the paintings embracing designs from nature, landscapes, portraits and figures. The art novelties show the highest degree of skill in design and execution, many being the con- ception of Mr. Monroe, who is a master in this art, and this establish- ment is regarded as one of the leading decorating works in New Eng- land.
The Meriden Curtain Fixture Company continues the business established in 1869 by S. L. Sawyer and Chauncey Buckley. Later, Charles Parker became interested, and the capital and scope of manu- facture were increased. In 1884 the works were located on Broad street. The goods patented and manufactured by this company are superior for their uses, and since the decoration of window shades has been added many chaste and unique designs have been produced. This is also a growing interest.
The Eaton & Peck Company are artistic designers, photo-lithog- raphers, photo-engravers, printers and embossers. This is a new company, which began business in the fall of 1SSS. It was formed by the union of the interests of the Peck Printing Company (composed of the Peck Brothers) and the Illustrating & Engraving Company, which had among its members L. F. Eaton and others. The latter was chosen president of the new company, and C. A. Peck secretary and treasurer. In course of time the latter was succeeded by C. L. Evarts. The company has established a growing business, its excellent work being in demand by the manufacturers of the city, whose catalogue and special printing at various offices amounts to about $250,000 per year. In September, 1889, the company occupied the Railway Signal Build- ing, which has been well equipped with modern machinery, requiring besides the services of 18 persons.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
A somewhat similar interest is carried on by Sanford & Co., wood engravers, at their establishment on West Main street. This business was established after the war by Edson Sanford, and since that time he has done the illustration work for nearly a hundred catalogues. From 6 to 10 skilled men are employed. In this connection D. S. Griswold's electrotyping establishment may be noted as one of the pioneer enterprises of that nature, which is also successfully main- tained.
The Hall Railway Signal Company was organized November 1st, 1873, having among its members Charles Parker, president; Dexter W. Parker. Alvah W. Hall, Thomas S. Hall. The following year it became an incorporated body, and a fine plant for its use was prepared in the northern part of the city. Here Hall's railway signals were manufactured, under the management of Thomas S. Hall, about ten years, when the interest was removed to Bridgeport.
Near this place the Standard Oil Company secured a site in June, 1889, upon which large storage tanks have been erected for the prod- ucts of the company, to be distributed in this locality.
The Meriden Woollen Mills were for a number of years the most important industry in the town. They had their origin in the carpet- bag business of Jedediah Wilcox, which was begun-in a small way, in 1848, but in the course of a few years had an aggregate business, running into many thousands of dollars. The manufacture of goods for ladies' wear, such as belts, skirts, cloaking, etc., was added, and in 1864 the firm of J. Wilcox & Co. became an incorporated body, with a capital of $200,000, the associates being Eli I. Merriman, Hezekiah H. Miller, Charles H. Collins and Edmund N. Wilcox. Large factory buildings, on the east side of upper Pratt street were occupied and hundreds of people were employed, when the works were swept away by fire, May 3d, 1865, involving a loss of $250.000. After this the fine, large four story brick factory, nearly opposite the old one, was erected and equipped in the most thorough manner, making it one of the best mills in the state. For several years after its occupancy its prod- ucts were in so great a demand that it was constantly run to its full- est capacity, consuming 500,000 pounds of wool per year. After 1870 the business of the company declined and various interests have since had a place in the plant: the Avery Spinning Company, from 1872. until 1878, and the Meriden Woollen Company, having as their mem- bers some of the old firm, from 1874, for about six years. The plant passed to Rawsiter & Brother, who leased the mill to the Willow Dale Company, in 1884, and woollen blankets were manufactured. Since 1886 Rawsiter & Brother have themselves operated the mills on woolen goods, The motor is a fine 350-horse power Corliss engine, operating 80 broad looms and giving employment to 175 hands.
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