USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 59
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 59
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The Wilcox & White Organ Company * was organized in 1876, and * See also biography of Henry K. White.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
incorporated May 4th, 1876. Horace C. Wilcox was chosen president; J. H. White, secretary and treasurer; H. K. White, managing super- intendent. The present officers are: J. H. White, president and treas- urer; F. E. Bemis, secretary; Howard White, superintendent. The Messrs. White, father and three sons, are practical organ builders, H. K. White having an experience extending through more than forty years, which, united with the executive ability of the president and directors, has produced one of the most successful musical corporations in the Union, and which has one of the most complete plants in the world.
The factory is in the northern part of the city on a large lot of ground, to which a siding has been built by the Cromwell Railroad. The original building was 40 feet wide and 200 feet long, being three stories high. To this was added a five story extension, on the east, 140 feet long. A handsome and spacious office building, on the west, was completed in the fall of 1889. This and the factory proper are completely finished and thoroughly equipped, giving a working capacity of 800 instruments per month. The factory has more than 72,000 square feet of floor space.
The organs of this company are of a high standard, handsomely made, and possess features covered by special patents, which give them acknowledged superiority. It is claimed that more diplomas and medals have been awarded it for excellence, in every respect, than any other American organ. Forty regular styles are made, at prices vary- ing from $20 to $500 each.
In 1882 Frank Stone, of Worcester, Mass., perfected an automatic organ, permitting the use of a plain sheet of inusic, an improvement of vast importance, often attempted but not before attained. In 1888 he became connected with this corporation, which has since had his service in the manufacture of the Pneumatic Symphony, a self-playing organ, which has been described as a musical wonder. In the variety of uses to which it can be put, in the hands of the trained musician, or those unskilled in the theory of music, it is certainly a most remark- able invention, which is here manufactured in a high degree of per- fection. The varied products of the company have a wide sale in this and foreign countries, enabling the employment of 150 skilled artisans.
The Æolian Organ & Music Company is the result of the union of two bodies having a previous existence in New York and Boston. In the former city was organized, in July, 1878, the Mechanical Orguinette Company, with a capital of $60,000. In 1886 the manu- facturing business of this company was moved to Meriden, the present building on Cambridge street being occupied in September of that year. It is a substantial brick structure, five stories high, 40 by 200 feet, and has the necessary adjunct buildings. The motor is steam, driving a 50-horse power engine. In 1887 the Automatic Music Paper
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTV.
Company, of Boston, united its interests with the New York Company, at Meriden, and July 27th, 1887, the above corporation was formed with a capital of $150,000, and the following officers: James Morgan, president; E. E. Jones, secretary; W. B. Tremaine, treasurer and busi- ness manager; J. H. Chase, superintendent. These continued in 1889 except that the latter was also the secretary. From the ordinary orguinette, which this company first manufactured, has been evolved a superb line of musical instruments, embracing self-acting organs, in most artistic cases, selling at $500, and pianos capable of being played by electricity, with a large variety of less pretentious goods, all having the latest improvements. Sixty-five skilled mechanics are employed, and the company is in a growing condition.
Bartholomew & Coe, pork packers, carry on the business estab- lished in 1870, by the senior member, W. W. Bartholomew. After some changes, John W. Coe was associated as the junior member, in 1875. Since that time an important industry has been developed, not only in pork packing, but the firm has also become extensive dealers in beef, lard, flour and other goods, having its own mills in the West. The packing house is on South Colony street, and the yards north of the city limits, where 35,000 hogs were handled in 1888, giving employment to 40 men. In the fall of 1889 a branch house was opened in Hartford and the business of the firm is yearly becoming more extensive.
The Meriden Brewing Company, composed of J. H. McMahon, P. IV. Wren, W. E. Green and J. A. Hurley, was organized in 1887. In the fall of the same year the foundation of a modern brewery was laid on South Colony street, on which was reared a large structure, four and six stories high, at a cost of $125,000. The capacity is about 50,000 barrels of beer per year, the products being of good quality and the business giving employment to more than a hundred men.
E. J. Doolittle's Paper Box Factory was established in 1852 by H. S. White, and was operated on a small scale. In 1862 it was purchased by Mr. Doolittle and under his management has assumed extensive proportions. A factory building, 50 by 200 feet, at the Camp street bridge, over the New Haven railroad, is equipped with the latest improved machinery and devices for making paper boxes of all sizes and descriptions, which are operated by an Otto gas engine. The products of the factory have a high reputation and a large number of operatives are employed, making this one of the leading industrial pursuits.
The box and barrel factory of Charles T. Dodd was established in 1857 by George Gay, and changed to the present owner in 1886. Modern machinery is employed, giving occupation to 30 men, in the production of immense quantities of boxes, packing cases, barrels, casks, etc., all being noted for their neat and substantial make.
The Lyon & Billard Company are manufacturers of all kinds of
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
builders' woodwork. They are also contractors and builders, and dealers in lumber and coal, their varied interests giving employment to many men. The business was begun in 1848 by George W. Lyon and John D. Billard as co-partners, having a small shop on Butler street. In 1871 John L. Billard was admitted to the firm, which now became Lyon, Billard & Co., under which name the present corpora. tion was formed, in 1878, with a capital of $120,000. J. D. Billard was elected president; W. H. Lyon, secretary; and J. L. Billard, treasurer. A fine office is located on Hanover street and in the rear of the same are sheds, 600 feet long, for the uses of the corporation. This is one of the oldest firms in the city and some of Meriden's finest buildings have been constructed by it.
Contemporary is the H. Wales Lines Company, mason builders in brick and stone. It does general contract work and manufactures stucco centers, and like the foregoing employs a large number of men, in some seasons as many as 300. Nearly all of the handsome masonry in the city was done by this corporation, which was chartered under the laws of the state January 31st, 188S. H. Wales Lines was elected president, and H. E. Fairchild, general manager. These were also, for many years, the active members of the old firm of Perkins & Lines, which began business about 25 years ago, working first on a small scale and developing into the present large concern.
Another wood work building establishment is carried on by H. L. Morehouse, whose reputation and business are yearly increasing.
The early business men of Meriden and vicinity were dependent upon Middletown for their banking facilities, and it was not until 1833 that a monetary institution was here established. That year the old Meriden Bank was incorporated, with a capital of $100,000, and began business on Broad street, occupying the following year its own build- ing, erected at a cost of $2,800. This small brick house, just south of the Center Odd Fellows Hall, was still standing in 1889, having been used for banking purposes about fifty years. In 1884 an elegant four- story brick banking house, 30 by 65 feet, was erected on East Main street, at a cost of $30,000, which was occupied the following spring. In it are found handsome offices and the modern appliances of a well- ordered bank, with vaults strong and substantially built.
From the time of its opening the bank had a good business, which necessitated the increase of its capital, in 1836, to $150,000; in 1850 to $250,000; and in 1854 to $300,000, at which it has since remained. In July, 1865, it was nationalized with its present title, the Meriden Na- tional Bank, and has since been one of the soundest banks in the county. In 1889 its total resources were nearly $800,000, its surplus fund being $85,000.
The bank has had five presidents, the first being Ashbel Griswold, who was succeeded in a short time by Walter Booth, and he in turn by Noah Pomeroy, Joel H. Guy and Joel I. Butler. In the same period
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
the cashiers have been: Francis King, Harris Hay, Jolın A. Butler, Joseph Arnold, Almon C. Randall, and, since 1859, Owen B. Arnold. The teller in 1889 was George M. Clark, and the board of directors was composed of Joel I. Butler, Levi E. Coe, George H. Wilcox, Owen B. Arnold, Isaac C. Lewis, John Ives, Charles Parker, John L. Billard, W. W. Lyman.
The Home National Bank is the next oldest institution of the kind in the city. It was organized in 1854 as the Home Bank of Meriden, and was incorporated in 1855 with that title. In 1865 it was national- ized with the present name. The original capital of $100,000 has been increased to $600,000. A surplus fund of $120,000 was reported in 1889.
At the organization of the bank S. W. Baldwin was the president. In 1856 he was succeeded by Eli Butler, who held that position until his death, May 23d, 1881. . In June following the vacancy was filled by the election of the present president, A. Chamberlain, who had long served as cashier. In the latter office he was followed by Cashier J. S. Norton, Jr. Other cashiers were H. C. Young and S. Dodd, Jr. In 1889 the directory was composed of Edward Miller, E. J. Doolittle, George W. Lyon, Samuel Dodd, George R. Curtis, Horace C. Wilcox, Walter Hubbard, A. L. Collins, A. Chamberlain.
The bank commenced business in a building on Colony street, opposite the Meriden Hotel, but soon after occupied a refitted build- ing on the site of the present bank. This is a substantial structure, which was erected in 1863, but was remodelled and beautified in 1885, making it an attractive banking house.
The First National Bank of Meriden is the youngest of the banks in the city, but the oldest under the national banking laws. It was incorporated February 12th, 1864, with a capital of $200,000, which was increased June 5th, 1866, to $300,000; and again January 12th, 1875, to $500,000, at which it has since remained. In 1890 the bank's surplus was $150,000. Its affairs have been judiciously managed, and there have been but two presidents and two cashiers. Joel H. Guy was the president until April, 1881, when John D. Billard was elected. Wolcott A. Hull served as cashier until 1870, when Charles L. Rockwell entered into the office, which he has since occupied. In 1889 the directors of the bank were: John D. Billard, Charles F. Linsley, George C. Merriam, Joseph Morse, John W. Coe, C. L. Rockwood, John Tait, N. L. Bradley, Samuel Simpson and Dexter W. Parker.
The banking office was opened in a small building next west of the present bank, on West Main street, where it remained until April, 1871, when the new home was occupied. The banking house is 40 by 70 feet, four stories high, and has a front of New England sandstone .. Its interior appointments are first-class.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
In this banking house is the place of business of the City Savings Bank, which was incorporated July 23d, 1874, and which commenced business November 1st following. Its presidents have been the same as those of the above bank. ' Charles L. Rockwell was the secretary and treasurer until 1884, when Floyd Curtis was elected to fill those positions. The other officers of the bank in 1889 were: Vice-presi- dents, C. L. Rockwell, W. W. Lyman, Charles L. Upham, William H. Miller, John C. Byxbee; directors, John Tait, Seth J. Hall, William Lewis, Dexter W. Parker, Ratcliffe Hicks, C. F. Linsley, N. L. Brad- ley, Erwin D. Hall, H. L. Schleiter, George W. Smith. The deposits January 1st, 1890, were $727,101.77, and there was a surplus of $25,000.
The Meriden Savings Bank is the oldest of the savings institu- tions of the city, and was incorporated in January, 1851, and organ- ized July 16th the same year with the following officers: President, Enos H. Curtiss; vice-presidents, Benjamin H. Catlin, Walter Booth, Elah Camp, Ashbel Griswold; secretary and treasurer, Joel H. Guy; directors, Julius Pratt, Curtis L. North, Howell Merriman, David N. Ropes, Joel H. Guy, Levi Yale, H. W. Salstonstall, Edwin E. Curtiss, Charles Parker; trustees, B. L. Yale, Isaac C. Lewis, Linus Birdsey, Charles Parker. Upon the death of Enos H. Curtiss, Edwin E. Cur- tiss became the president, serving until the time of his death, after which Levi E. Coe was elected, and has since been the president.
The bank began business in a residence on West Main street, but Levi E. Coe becoming the secretary and treasurer in 1852, the place of business was transferred to his residence on the corner of Main and Broad streets. In 1864 the bank was moved to the town hall, and in the fall of 1871 to its own property, the old Clark Building, on East Main street. Here, in 1882, the bank erected the fine banking house it has occupied since May, 1883. It is a large, imposing building of brick, four stories high, handsomely finished throughout, and cost $35,000. Its bank appointments are very complete.
In 1866 Asa H. Curtiss became the secretary and the treasurer, con- tinuing until 1877, when S. H. W. Yale was elected and has since con- tinued. Other officers of the bank are : Vice-presidents, O. H. Platt, O. B. Arnold, A. Chamberlain, A. C. Markham; directors, Charles Parker, Isaac C. Lewis, George W. Lyon, John P. Morse, John L. Bil- lard, George R. Willmot, S. A. Hull, Edward Miller. On the first of January, 1890, the deposits in the bank were $2,064,503.90, and the surplus fund was $68,250.
The Butler & Lyman Land Company was organized May 4th. 1876. with a capital of $30,000 and the following board of managers: H. C. Wilcox, president; W. W. Lyman, secretary, who, with Isaac C. Lewis. Edward Miller and William O. Butler, were also the directors. A. Chamberlain was the treasurer of the company. The organization was effected to deal in Meriden lands, and more particularly to develop.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
the Butler and Lyman tract, of forty acres, in the northern part of the city. It has been the means of greatly promoting the growth of that part of Meriden.
A kindred organization is the Meriden Land and Investment Com- pany, whose corporators were Horace C. Wilcox, William Lyman, Samuel Dodd, Abiram Chamberlain, Edgar J. Doolittle, Edward Miller and Edmund B. Cowles. The certificate was filed June 19th, 1889.
The Meriden Trust and Safe Deposit Company was incorporated April 3d, 1889, with a capital of $50,000, and was organized in Novem- ber, 1889, with the following officers: President, Isaac C. Lewis; secre- tary and treasurer, Charles L. Rockwell; trustees, Isaac C. Lewis, Charles Parker, John D. Billard, Charles F. Linsley, Walter Hubbard, George R. Curtis, N. L. Bradley, John L. Billard, Charles L. Rock- well. This company is legally authorized to act as executor, adminis- trator, guardian, trustee or receiver ; also to accept and execute any and all trusts which may be committed to it by any person or corpora- tion, or by direction of any court of probate, or other legally consti- tuted authority in this state or elsewhere.
The Meriden Fire Insurance Company was incorporated July 2d, 1868, but did not commence business until February, 1872. Its capital stock was fixed at $200,000. The first officers were: Jedediah Wilcox, president; Eli Butler, vice-president: E. B. Cowles, secretary; and A. Chamberlain, Jr., treasurer. The two latter officers have continued. Eli Butler succeeded J. Wilcox as president, and since his death A. Chamberlain has filled that office. George R. Curtis is the vice-presi- dent. The board of directors in 1889 was composed of leading citizens, namely, H. C. Wilcox, A. Chamberlain, George R. Curtis, E. B. Cowles, C. N. Winslow, John C. Byxbee, George W. Lyon, D. B. Hamilton, John Tait, Isaac C. Lewis, E. J. Doolittle, N. L. Bradley, Charles Parker, John L. Billard, R. A. Neal.
The business of the company is managed by E. B. Cowles, with J. L. Holt as special agent, and 125 active agents in different parts of the country, insurance being solicited as far west as Chicago. The affairs of the company appear to be in a healthy condition. A fine office in the Wilcox Block is maintained.
The Connecticut Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Meriden, with a capital of $500,000, had available funds to meet losses, January 1st, 1877, $171,856.97. On the first of March that year its charter was amended, but about a year later business was discontinued, after the risks remaining has been re-insured in a New York company. The last officers of the company were: Joel H. Guy, president; Charles Parker, vice-president; James K. Guy, secretary, and C. L. Rockwell, treasurer.
The Connecticut Mutual Life and Accident Association, of Meriden, organized May 17th, 1882, by electing George E. Howe, president;
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
George W. Smith, secretary; Charles C. Howe, assistant secretary; O. L. Hatch, general manager; and Doctor E. M. Child, medical exam- iner. An office was opened in the Wilcox Block, in which business was carried on for a year, when the interests of the company were transferred to the Mutual Benefit Association of New York.
The Meriden Life Insurance Company, chartered in 1868. and the New Haven County Fire Insurance Company, chartered in 1876, on application of Joel H. Guy and others, never organized.
The North American Attorneys' and Tradesmen's Protective Union was incorporated January 7th, 1874, and was composed of J. O. Freeman, A. B. Mather; J. Q. Thayer, E. B. Everett and L. R. Beckley. An office was established at Meriden and for a time a large business was transacted in various parts of the Union. In morc recent years, E. B. Everett served as the president and A. B. Mather as the secretary. In 1888 the name of the body was changed to the North American Mercantile Agency, and business continued with the same officers.
Building and Loan Associations have attracted much interest in the past three years, and several associations have been organized and supported with most gratifying success. The matter of organiza- tion was brought about mainly by John Webb. O. C. Burgess and Doctor C. H. S. Davis, who met in February, 1887, and agreed upon a plan to present the subject to the public. Soon after, Doctor Davis, who was at that time the mayor of the city, called a meeting at the Y. M. C. A. Hall, at which the importance and usefulness of such asso- ciations was urged upon the community, which gave the idea a favor- able reception. As a result there wasorganized, March 17th, 1887, the First Meriden Mutual Benefit Building and Loan Association, whose first principal officers were: President, C. H. S. Davis; vice-president, Orlando C. Burgess; secretary, John Webb; treasurer, Frank A. Camp; trustees, Robert Bowman, Thomas Mckenzie, J. D. Eggleston, M. D .; auditors, Levi E. Coe, William H. Stannis, H. Wales Lines. The capital stock of the association was fixed at $500,000, in 1,000 shares of $500 each, and the maximum subscription was limited to $6,000 worth of stock. In less than a year all the stock was taken and, August 11th, 1887, the first loan was sold.
This induced the organization of the Second Association January 20th, 1888, with the same capital stock and upon the same basis. lt had also the same general officers, and trustees, Robert Bowman, C. A. Morehouse and Edgar W. Curtis; auditors, Charles C. Powers, Oliver J. Hughes, M. D., and Henry J. Church. In less than a year the shares of the association were also disposed of and nearly a thousand persons were interested as shareholders in the two associa- tions.
This stimulated the formation of the Meriden Permanent Building and Loan Association, upon the serial plan, the organization being
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
effected October 16th, 1888. The officers elected were: President, O. C. Burgess; vice-president, W. S. Stapley; secretary, John Webb; treasurer, W. W. Mosher; trustees, C. H. S. Davis, Robert Bowman and William H. Miller; auditors, Benjamin Page, H. K. White and E. A. Chapman. This third association is in its essential features a " Home Savings Institution," and is conducted upon what is known as the Philadelphia plan. Each series is limited in volume to $250,- 000, consisting of $250 each, and no share owner can possess more than 25 shares. In the fall of 1889 the association was working its first series, and the plan was favorably regarded.
The above association had a valuable promotive agent in the Building News, a well-edited monthly periodical, established early in 1888 by Doctor C. H. S. Davis, and by him published 1} years, when, having accomplished its mission-to acquaint the public with the merits of such associations-it was discontinued.
The city of Meriden entered the new centenary of our national .existence with the following public buildings, halls, etc .: Town Hall, on East Main street; Masonic Hall, on West Main street; Odd Fellows Hall, on East Main street; Grand Army Hall, on North Colony street; Turne Halle, on Liberty street (soon after a new hall for the Turners was erected on State street); Parker's public hall, on Broad street.
Since that time (1877) public halls have been erected as follows: 1880, the Opera House, by Horace C.Wilcox, near Colony street; 1882, Atlantic Garden Hall, on State street; 1883, new Odd Fellow's Hall, .011 Broad street; 1884, Rink, on Hanover street; 1886, Knights of Columbus Hall, on State street; 1887, Alfredian Hall, on Colony street; Circle Hall, on Colony street: 1888, Elks' Hall, on State street; St. George's Hall, near Colony street; 1889, St. Jean Baptiste Hall.
The principal business houses and blocks prior to 1877 were, ex- ·clusive of the halls named above, the following: Byxbee House Block, on Colony street: Clark's Block, on West Main street; Cook's Block, on . Crown street; First National Bank, on West Main street; Palace and H. C. Wilcox Buildings, on West Main street; Home National Bank, Colony street; Morgan's Block, East Main street; Morse & Cook's Block, at foot of State street; Trade Building, Colony street; Y. M. C. A. Block, Colony street.
Since the date inentioned the following have been erected: 1878, Hick's Building, North Colony street; Twiss Building, East Main street; 1879, Wilcox Block, Colony street; 1883, Meriden Savings Bank, East Main street; Morse & Norton's Block, East Main street; Winthrop Hotel, Colony street; 1884, Hick's Block, West Main street; Parker Block, West Main street; Republican Building, Veteran street; 1886, Andrew's Block, West Main street; Morse Block, State street; Byxbee Block, Colony street; 1887, Warnock Block, West Main street; 1888, Buechler's Block, West Main street; Lewis' Block, East Main .street; 1889, Waterbury Depot, West Main street.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
In a city growing so rapidly as Meriden there will naturally be many mercantile firms and numerous business changes. Yet even in this city will be found numerous instances of firms which have traded so long that they have become a part of the business life of the com- munity. Of the early merchants of influential standing were mem- bers of the Yale, Butler and Birdsey families. Walter Hubbard was a dry goods merchant years ago. Joel H. Guy traded a long time. Elisha A. Cowles, Curtis L. North, E. J. Collins, Charles P. Colt and others merchandised before the place became a city. Charles H. Col- lins has been connected with the mercantile interests since 1843; John Ives since 1847. In 1853 the latter and his brother, Russell J., began on Broad street, where they traded until 1865. In the latter year C. L. Upham and P. C. Rand were associated with John Ives, and the well- known firm of Ives, Upham & Rand formed, which, since 1884, has occupied a store 39 by 200 feet, and employed 25 clerks. Charles Par- ker, 2d, was a dealer in fancy goods from 1854 until 1873, and in car- pets since that time. Bela Carter has been a dealer in oils and paints since 1852, employing in his painting business many inen. John F. Butler has been in the wall decorating business since 1876, having 35 inen in his employ. A. S. Thomas is an established dry goods dealer, having a large store. N. C. Hall has been a grocer since 1859; Seth J. Hall a flour and feed dealer since 1861; H. L. Schleiter a shoe dealer since 1868; Frank Stevenson a clothier since 1877; F. J. Wheeler a dealer in hardware goods since 1860; Smith & Twichell furniture manufacturers and dealers since 1868; and George N. Morse is a con- temporary in the furniture trade. In the drug trade H. T. Wilcox & Co. are the oldest, doing business since the time of the war; H. W. Mosher since 1867; George Ellsbree since 1877; and John H. Parker at his present stand since 1883.
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