History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I, Part 70

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.)
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: N. Y. : W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 966

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 70
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 70

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

599

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Of the second generation, Ephraim, the third son of Thomas, born in 1650, married Mary Sturvetant. He died in 1717, aged 67. Their children were: Ephraim, Ruth, David, John, Ann and Mary.

John Little, Esq., of the third generation, was a magistrate, a large land-holder, and had several negro slaves. He was the third son of Ephraim, born in East Marshfield in 1681. He married Constant Forbes, of Little Compton, R. I. He died in 1767, aged 86. He gave to each of his six sons a farm, as follows: To Fobes Little, a farm in Little Compton, R. I .; to John Little, a farm in Lebanon Crank, now Columbia, Conn .; to William Little, a farm in the south part of Leba- non, Conn .; Ephraim, Thomas and Samuel each received a farm in Marshfield, Mass. To each of his daughters, Anna (Little) White and Ruth (Little) Oakman, he gave, with other personal estate, a negro woman.

John Little, third son of the above, and of the fourth generation, came to Columbia, then called Lebanon Crank, in 1741. Born in 1714, he married Mary Simpson about 1740. He died December 17th, 1798, aged 84. Mary, his wife, died February 22d, 1810, aged 88. They are buried in the old cemetery in Columbia, Conn. Their children were: Gamaliel, baptized 1742; Otis, baptized 1744; Consider, baptized 1746; Mary, baptized 1748; John, baptized 1750; Elizabeth, baptized 1752; Priscilla, baptized 1754; Faith, baptized 1756; Charles, baptized 1761. Gamaliel, Consider and John settled in Columbia, Conn., and from them are descended all of the name of Little in that vicinity.

Consider Little, third son of John Little and the fifth generation from Thomas, was born in 1746, and married Rebecca Buckingham in 1773. She was a descendant of Thomas Buckingham, who settled in Milford, Conn., in 1639. He died August 3d, 1831, aged 85. His wife, Rebecca, born May 13th, 1751, died October 25th, 1825, aged 75. Their children were: Samuel, born August 17th, 1774, died September 22d, 1853; Mary, born February 28th, 1776, died August 28th, 1853; Sarah, born December 29th, 1777, died July 25th, 1853; Rebecca, born June 17th, 1779 ; Fanny, born March 3d, 1781, died September 13th, 1794; Levi, born December 1st, 1783, died 1854; George, born March 25th, 1788, died April 5th, 1864; Lydia, born March 20th, 1791, died June 29th, 1807.

Samuel Little, son of Consider, and one of the sixth generation from Thomas, was born in Columbia, Conn., August 18th, 1774, and married, first, Lavinia Richardson, in 1801. Their children were: Lavinia, born May 11th, 1802, died May 24th, 1807; Samuel, born May 6th, 1804, died February 9th, 1876; Anson, born June 20th, 1806. Sam- uel Little married, second, Jerusha Bailey, June 23d, 1808. She was born April 9th, 1781, and died November 3d, 1857. Their children were: Emily, born April 27th, 1809, died June 14th, 1830; Saxton Bailey, born April 19th, 1813; William Buckingham, born June 6th, 1815; Charles, born September 26th, 1818.

600

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

The seventh generation, Samuel Little. Jr., married, first, Amy Pineo, December 29th, 1829, and, second, Clarissa Pineo, May, 1840. Their children are: James Pineo, born March 2d, 1831, died October 12th, 1833; Emily Jerusha, born August 28th, 1832; James Pineo, born December 15th, 1841.

Anson Little married Eliza Ann Wells, September 17th, 1833. She died January 5th, 1882. Their children are: John Wells, born May 12th. 1839; and George Anson, born April 2d, 1845, died February 7th, 1862.

Saxton Bailey Little, third son of Samuel Little, married Sarah Maria Tracy, August 19th, 1836. She was born October 13th, 1813, and died December 31st, 1844, aged 31, leaving two sons: Charles L. and Frank Eugene. The former is a well known builder and con- tractor in Meriden, Conn. The latter is post office inspector. Both were in the Union army. Frank served four years; first in the 15th Connecticut and then in the 107th colored regiment, and was breveted major.

William B. Little, fourth son of Samuel Little, married Harriet Palmer, of Vernon, Conn., May 19th, 1841. Their children are : Myron Winslow, born October 11th, 1842, married Emily Wright; Elliott Palmer, born July 3d, 1844, died June 31st, 1855; Anna Maria, born June 23d, 1846, died October 25th, 1855: Hubert, born November 14th. 1848; Alonzo, born April 17th, 1851; Elbert Cornelius, born Octo- ber 24th, 1853; Prescott Palmer, born September 16th. 1856; and Pay- son Elliott, born August 31st, 1859.

Reverend Charles Little, fifth son of Samuel, born September 26th, 1818, graduated at Yale College in 1844, and went as a missionary to Madura, India, in 1847. He married, first, Amelia Newton, Septem- ber, 1847. She died in Madura, July 18th, 1848. aged 25. He mar- ried, second, Susan Robbins, September, 1853. She died in Lincoln, Neb., September, 1873. Their children are: Samuel Robbins, born in Madura, India, September 21st, 1855, died in California in 1889; Charles Newton, born in Madura, India, May 19th, 1858; and Elizabeth, born in Cheshire, Conn., January 12th, 1862.

Charles L. Little, son of Saxton B. Little and of the eighth genera- tion from Thomas Little, born in Columbia, Conn, July 16th, 1839, married Genevieve M. Stiles, of Suffield, Conn., April 23d, 1862. Their children are: Sallie Maria, born March 3d, 1863; Frank Allen, born April 30th, 1864; Arthur Edgerton, born March 19th, 1866; Edward Baxter, born October 26th, 1867; Isabella Annette, born March 19th, 1869; and Clara Elvira, born March 19th, 1878.

Frank Eugene Little, son of Saxton B. Little, born in Columbia, Conn., April 28th, 1844, married Jennie Coan, January 28th, 1868. Their children are: Mabel Jennie, born October 2d, 1870; Lena Coan, born October 9th, 1876; Charles Eugene, born July 31st, 1878; Ernest Butler, born January 30th, 1880.

Parton B. Sattle

601

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Saxton B. Little received his education in the common schools, supplemented by some instruction in Tolland, East Hartford and Bacon academies. Beginning to teach school at the age of sixteen, he taught fifteen winters, " boarding round," as was the custom sixty years ago. He taught one year in Bacon Academy, Colchester, Conn., two and a half years in Willimantic and three years in Greenville, Conn. In 1850 he removed to Rockville and remained there nearly four years, which completed his service in the public schools. In April, 1854, he was appointed assistant superintendent and teacher in the Connecticut Reform School in Meriden, Conn., and upon the death of the lamented Doctor E. W. Hatch, February 7th, 1874, was ap- pointed acting superintendent. He closed his connection with the institution July 31st, 1875, after a continuous service of twenty-one years and four months. The trustees of the school, in their report to the general assembly in 1874, speaking of Mr. Little, said: "We should fail in our duty if we did not signify to you our high appreciation of the well applied and faithful services of this officer these many years, and to testify that his labors in the position of assistant superintend- ent and teacher have contributed largely to the marked success of the school." Since he left this school he has made the tour of Europe, going as far as Naples and Pompeii. He has traveled extensively in the United States and Canada, visiting all the large cities in 37 states, including Florida, Southern and Central California, Yosemite Valley, New Orleans Exposition, Yellowstone Park, Luray and Mammoth Caves, etc.

Mr. Little has filled many public offices in Meriden. He has been a member of the common council, of the high school committee, a trus- tee of the Young Men's Christian Association, and has been for many years school district committee. He is a republican, and a member of the First Congregational church in Meriden. He is a great lover of books, and has been an efficient helper in establishing a free public library in Columbia, Conn., his old home. He gave to it $1,500 as a permanent fund, the interest only to be used, for the purchase of books and to keep the building in repair. He has also given to the library a thousand volumes of books. He is one who believes that it is wise to give to public objects of charity while living, leaving no chance for one's heirs to question his sanity or thwart his wishes. He is regular in his habits, never using alcoholic drinks nor tobacco.

WILLIAM WORCESTER LYMAN, son of Andrew and Anna (Hall) Lyman, was born in Woodford, Vt., March 29th, 1821. In 1828 his parents removed to Middlefield, Conn., where his father died in the following spring, and William was sent to Northford, Conn., where he was employed for five years on a farm. After residing in Wallingford about one year, he removed to Meriden in 1836, and entered the em- ploy of Griswold & Conch, one of the oldest and most extensive man- ufacturers of Britannia goods at that time in this country, employing

602

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

some fifteen hands. Here he served an apprenticeship of five years and the trade being very dull, he remained idle for about eighteen months. In 1844 he began business on his own account, in the old shop where he learned his trade, the motive power being an old blind horse. The shop stood a few rods north of his present residence. After about a year he formed a partnership with William H. Bull, under the firm name of Bull & Lyman. He soon bought out Mr. Bull's interest, and not long after, in May, 1852, he formed a partnership with the late Lemuel J. Curtis, under the name of Curtis & Lyman. The works were removed to the Twiss factory in Prattsville, where they remained until the Meriden Britannia Company was organized, when they both became members of that company. In December, 1858, Mr. Lyman patented a jar, which is known throughout the coun- try as "the Lyman Fruit Jar." He spent several thousand dollars in perfecting this jar, and was the first one to publish directions for pre- serving fruit by this method. From this small beginning the busi- ness of manufacturing fruit jars has grown to amount to millions of dollars. He also patented an ice pitcher and numerous other articles.

Mr. Lyman has held many positions of trust, having represented Meriden in the legislature in 1859, 1880 and 1881, and has also served as alderman and councilman. He has been a member and di- rector of the Meriden Britannia Company since its organization, some 35 years. He has held the office of president of the Meriden Cutlery Company, and is now one of the directors. He is now and has been for a number of years a director of the Rogers & Brothers Company, of Waterbury; has been president of the Meriden Cemetery Associa- tion, is a director of the Wilcox & White Organ Company, Chapman Manufacturing Company, Meriden Saddlery and Leather Company,. Meriden National Bank, director and secretary of the Butler & Lyman Land Company, and now vice-president of the City Savings Bank. In September, 1844, Mr. Lyman married Roxanna Frary, the adopted daughter of her uncle, Ashbel Griswold, and has one daughter, who. married Henry Warren, of Watertown, Conn. Mr. Lyman built a fine residence near the scene of his early labors, and through his en- terprise a number of fine residences have been erected in the vicinity, and it has become one of the finest parts of the city.

EDWARD BALDWIN MANNING, son of Thaddeus and Esther (Rich- ards) Manning, was born in Middletown, Conn., January 21st, 1834. He is a descendant of William Manning, who was in Cambridge, Mass., in 1634. A son of William was selectman for several years, and was sent to England on business for the Plymouth colony. Ed- ward Manning received his education in the schools of his native town, and at an early age his father took him into his factory to learn the Britannia trade. After serving his time and becoming thoroughly familiar with the business, he formed a corporation under the name of Manning, Bowman & Co., and was appointed treasurer of the com-

WithLyman

6.13. Marin

603

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

pany, he being then in his 26th year. The firm manufactured Britan- nia ware and planished tin goods. On account of better facilities and inducements offered by Meriden parties, the firm removed to Meriden in 1872, occupying the vacant factory of Parker & Caspar Co., on Pratt street. Mr. Manning was then appointed president of the com. pany, which office he has since held. The factory plant has been very much increased, until now the whole block bounded by Pratt, Catlin and Miller streets is occupied by the buildings of the company. The firm now manufacture granite iron and pearl agate ware, nickel sil- ver, Britannia, copper and planished goods. Their goods are sold not only in the United States, but a large trade is done in South America and Australia. The factories of the company are as well arranged as any in Meriden, and the plant is a credit to the city.

The interests of the Manning & Bowman Company have always absorbed so much of Mr. Manning's time that he has been averse to holding public office. While in Middletown he was a member of the city council for two years. In 1886 and 1887 he served as alderman, the last year being chairman of the water and sewer committees. He declined a reelection the third term. Mr. Manning has twice declined the nomination for mayor, and also declined the nomination for sena- tor of the Sixth district, although in each instance he could have been elected by a large majority. In 1888 he was one of the presidential electors. Although declining public office, Mr. Manning has always been willing to give his time and marked business abilities to the wel- fare and growth of his adopted city. He was chairman of the build- ing committee of the town hall, the high school, and until his business engagements obliged him to resign, of the Universalist church. The increasing growth of the Manning & Bowman Company has obliged him to give his whole time to its interests, much to the regret of his many friends, who recognize his business abilities and social quali- ties. Mr. Manning married, in 1862, Martha J., daughter of Lester Robinson, Esq., of New Haven, and has one daughter living.

EDWARD MILLER was born in Wallingford, New Haven county, Conn., August 10th, 1827. Once imported goods in brass and bronze appeared to advantage when placed beside home manufacture, but it is not so now. The great factory of Edward Miller & Co. places as finely finished and as tasty goods on the market as can be produced by artisans anywhere. This company has large houses in New York and Boston, and selling agencies in many of the principal cities of the land. It has also agencies in other countries, as in Canada, Europe, Mexico, South America and Australia. Edward Miller & Co., ap- pearing in the Meriden factory and in its selling houses and agencies, is the achievement chiefly of the gentleman whose name forms the principal part of the corporation title, Edward Miller & Co. It is in- teresting to trace the development of both the man and the great in- dustry.

604

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Edward Miller was a farmer's boy, son of Joel Miller, and was born on the old homestead of his father and grandfather, Reverend Samuel Miller, of Wallingford. His education, other than in the great school of life, was obtained in the common schools of the districts where he lived, and during two or three terms in Post's Academy, in Meriden- a school whose touch is observable on several Meriden men of Mr. Miller's generation. But after his tenth year young Miller's time was spent in work and practical affairs more than in the school room. He was evidently born for manufacturing rather than for farming.

His father moved to Meriden when young Miller was about ten years of age, and the farm included the eligible spot where now Mr. Miller's fine residence is located, on Broad street. A short distance away from his father's home, and on High street, Horatio N. Howard had begun the manufacture of lamp screws, oil screws and hoops, and candlestick springs; and when young Miller was about fifteen years of age he was employed by Mr. Howard to make these goods. Later, Messrs. Stedman & Clark, whose shop was erected on land where now the City Mission Block and the Meriden Savings and National Banks stand, on East Main street, desired his services, and at increased wages Mr. Miller entered their employ. They manu- factured tinware, including tin candlesticks and tin lamps, in which springs and screws were used. Mr. Miller continued in their employ about two years. The ambition had now fully grown in him to manufac- ture and sell these goods in his own name. He proposed to his father, Joel Miller, that he buy a set of tools and manufacture these goods, and put them on the market in the Miller name, Mr. E. Miller working for his father until nearly of age. Afterward a partner- ship was formed, under the style of Joel Miller & Son. The ma- chinery was set up in the old wood-shed just south of the old family home on Broad street. Foot-power lathes and foot-power presses were arranged in position along the sides of the old shed and the manufac- ture undertaken. The partnership continued for a year, and now the young man, only twenty years of age, bought out his father's interest, and what remained of his own legal " time " up to his majority of twenty-one years of age, for $800, giving his notes. Prosperity at- tended the young man's efforts, for inside the next year he paid the note out of his profits. But the crude shop became too strait, and a new one was built a little north of the old home. Horse power was substituted for foot power. A little later a portable steam engine was purchased to do the work for which power was needed. All of these advances represent stages of progress.

In the meantime Mr. Miller had formed the acquaintance of the lady who became his wife, Miss Caroline M. Neal, of Southington. She was born April 14th, 1830, and was married August 30th, 1848. In Mrs. Miller her husband had won a diligent helper and a wise counsellor. She did not hesitate to aid him in light supplementary

Edwar Müller

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

attentions in the shop when orders were pressing, and they twofound that by close economy and thrifty business management their capital was increasing.

But Mr. Miller's ideas had grown greatly by this time. The op- portunity for manufacturing in the old quarters became too con- tracted. He must now secure greater freedom for business-more room and better appliances. And so, though against the entreaties of his wife, who feared their slender fortune might slip entirely from them, Mr. Miller purchased the large property of Samuel Yale, on Center street, where now the great factory stands. At the northwest corner a wooden factory was built, and a small stationary engine was put in.

Even before this date the market demanded new inventions, for the use of camphene and burning fluid was becoming common. The fluid gave a superior light without smoke or odor, and was much cleaner and neater than the tallow dip or the oil of the whale. But just as rapidly did Mr. Miller change the products of his factory to meet the demands of the market as the market itself called for new designs. He increased his production of fluid burners, making im- provements as fast as needed. Invention went along hand in hand with manufacture.

It was now 1856, and a disastrous fire swept through the factory, levelling it completely, and destroying dies and patterns, lathes and presses-the collection of thirteen years. The engine and boiler only were saved from the general wreck. But the factory was rebuilt in the spring and summer of 1856, and machinery put in running order. Just then the panic of 1857 came on, and business was entirely prostrated. All the neighboring shops were closed. In this depression, the force of the cyclone waning a little, the first week of January, 1858, Mr. Miller went to New York, determined to find something to do; and there he met Mr. Cozzens, who had brought from Vienna, Austria, a kerosene burner. He returned home on Saturday evening, determined to make this burner and improve it. The kerosene oil of that date was dis- tilled from bituminous coal. The oil fields of the country had not then been operated, and the cost of the oil was high. The fluid burners were in much greater demand than the kerosene, owing to the cost of the distilled oil, but Mr. Miller made the new burner and put it on the market. It is worthy of record that he was absolutely the first manufacturer of the kerosene burner in this country. Others soon followed, but he deserves the distinction of being the first to offer the burner in the markets as the product of American manu- facture.

A new era for illuminating was now dawning. The oil fields of Pennsylvania and Ohio were soon to be opened, and as soon as experi- mentation had succeeded in cheapening the oil, and oil wells were found to be profitable, the demand for the burner grew immensely.

606

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

But Mr. Miller's manufacture was not confined to illuminating burn- ers. A variety of brass goods, useful and ornamental, were made, and the factory became again taxed beyond its capacity, necessitating en- largement year by year.

At this time, 1866, it seemed best to Mr. Miller to associate with him- self other capitalists in the business. A joint stock company was formed July 1st, 1866, under the corporate name of Edward Miller & Co., with a capital of $200,000. Under the new style, the already large plant on Center street continued to grow, until now the factory covers several acres of ground, and gives employment to about 750 hands. A large brass rolling mill forms a part of the plant; and beginning with the compounding of brass in different qualities as needed, Mr. Miller puts upon the markets of the world a large variety of the finest brass goods, including lamps in every pattern and finish that the trade de- mands, lamp trimmings, burners of several styles, spun brass kettles in great quantities, and bronze ornaments in many shapes and varie- ties. Mr. Miller is the sole manufacturer of the famous Rochester lamp. The utility, the finish and taste displayed in these goods make them popular on the market and leading in the trade. Competition only ends in yielding the prizes of manufacture to this company. In- vention leads in every part of the great industry, and the same pains- taking care and attention to details which characterized Mr. Miller's earliest manufacture prevails throughout the great plant, and makes it one of the most prosperous business concerns in the country.

Mr. Miller built his present residence on Broad street in the year 1867-8. The house and the grounds, as well as the location, are among the finest in Meriden. The spot is associated with his childhood days and with his earliest industry. The grounds are tastefully laid out, shrubbery and trees are set here and there in abundance, while yet the lawn is not overcrowded, and the gardener keeps them in tidy ap- pearance. The house within is richly furnished; art and music are given the chief place as surroundings and atmosphere for the family life. Mr. Miller has a sportsman's love for the domestic animals, and is a connoisseur of the horse, his own horses being among the finest seen on the road; and when he is in his own carriage no one but him- self handles the reins.

In politics Mr. Miller is a republican, and an ardent supporter of the principles of his party. In religion he is a Baptist, and is warmly attached to the church on Broad street, of which he is a member. He has been one of the principal donors to the yearly support of the church, and in 1869 presented to that body a fine church organ, which has since been used in the worship on Sunday. Mr. Miller is a leader in his denomination, and is treasurer of the Connecticut Baptist Edu- cation Society. He contributes generously to the various objects of benevolence, both within and without the Baptist fraternity. The German Baptist church of Meriden was built largely by his dona-

607

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

tion, and the Y. M. C. A. of the city reaped not a little from his gift to it.

Five children have been born to him, three of whom are living. His son, Edward Miller, Jr., is the treasurer and secretary of the com- pany. He is a graduate of Brown University; and upon him has de- volved, during the last ten years, a principal part of the management of the company. His ability and experience enable him to transact business quickly. He is ever ready in conclusions, and can direct rapidly where another would consume much time. His whole atten- tion is given either to the office or to the field work of the factory. He is also an accomplished organist, leading in church music when occasion calls for expert leadership. Another son, Arthur E. Miller, is assistant superintendent of the factory. He is a young man of superior ability. It has been supplemented by the example and lead- ership of the present able superintendent ; and both by natural fit- ness for management and by training, he is fast coming to be the peer of his brother as a very important factor in the Edward Miller & Co. Mr. Miller also has a daughter, Mrs. Layette A. Kendrick, wife of Charles G. Kendrick. She fills a large place not only in the home circle, but in her church and in society.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I, Part 70

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.) Publication date: 1892 Publisher: N. Y. : W. W. Preston Number of Pages: 966

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.)
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: N. Y. : W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 966