USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 47
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 47
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The charter of the bank, after lying dormant until 1824, was re- * Beardsley's History, p. 276.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
vived by the Canfield brothers, of New York, and others of Derby, and the banking business was again established. By the terms of the charter a capital of $200,000 was authorized, the bank being permitted to begin business when a certain part was paid in. The Fulton Bank of New York was made the place for the redemption of the notes of issue, and the impression was conveyed that the two institutions were in a measure connected. This had the effect of inspiring confidence, which was farther increased by the selection of John L. Tomlinson as president of the bank and Edward Crofts as cashier. Both were citi- zens of worth, highly esteemed by those who knew them. A large sum of money was deposited with the Fulton Bank, and the notes of the Derby Bank were issued to the extent of the authorized capital and widely circulated at home and abroad. Having done this the managers withdrew their deposit in the New York bank and devoted it to their private uses, the public all the time believing that the bank was upon a thoroughly sound financial basis. As a natural conse- quence the failure of the Derby Bank soon followed amidst the most intense excitement, causing in more than one instance financial dis- tress. The president was summoned before the general assembly in 1825 to explain his connection with the affair, when, although he could not make a clear statement, it did not appear that he had profitted by their vicious schemes, but had been duped by the wily New Yorkers. But the assembly promptly revoked the charter of the bank.
For many years the feeling against those connected with the bank was most intense at home, and abroad a stigma attached which re- flected against the good name of the town. There was also created a prejudice against banks at Derby, which awakened much opposition when application was made to the general assembly for that privi- lege. However, that body. in 1848, chartered the Manufacturers' Bank of Birmingham, with a capital stock of $100,000 and with authority to increase the same to $300,000. This bank was organized the same year, with Edward N. Shelton as president, James M. Lewis as cashier, and J. I. Howe, Lewis Downs, Fitch Smith, William Guthrie, Thomas Burlock, Edward Lewis, Sidney A. Downes and H. S. Nichols as direc- tors. Nearly all of the foregoing were active manufacturers, and as the bank proved a great convenience in their business, it became necessary in 1851 to increase the capital stock to the full amount authorized. This was paid in the course of the next two years, and the capital has since remained $300,000. In 1853 the cashier, James M. Lewis, left to become the president of a bank in New York city, and Joseph Arnold, of the Meriden Bank, became the cashier, most acceptably filling that position until his death in Jannary, 1884. At that time the present cashier, Charles E. Clark, was elected. From 1866 up to that period he was the teller of the bank, a position now filled by Edwin T. Swift. Another old employe of the bank is William 'T. Browne, the book-keeper since 1854. The bank has had but one
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president, Edward N. Shelton being the only one who was elected to that office.
In 1865 the bank was reorganized under the national banking laws as the Birmingham National Bank, the capital and officers remaining the same as those of the old bank. The first place of business was in a small room over the Shelton Tack Factory, but in 1850 a brick banking house was built on Main street opposite the old steel works. This was abandoned in 1857, on account of the low nature of the ground, and the present bank, on the corner of Main and Caroline, occupied. It is substantial and has been made very attractive.
The affairs of the bank have been most successfully conducted, there being in the fall of 1890 a surplus of $150,000, with undivided profits amounting to $60,000. The deposits are about $300,000. The present board of directors is composed of E. N. Shelton, D. W. Plumb, Merritt Clark, William E. Downes, Charles H. Nettleton, C. E. Clark, C. H. Alling, William C. Atwater and H. F. Wanning.
The Derby Savings Bank was chartered in May, 1846, the corpora- tors named being John I. Howe, Donald Judson, Thomas Burlock, David W. Plumb, George W. Shelton, Fitch Smith, David Bassett, George Kellogg, Thomas Wallace, Samuel French, George Blakeman, S. M. Colburn, Henry Atwater, S. N. Summers, Isaac J. Gilbert, Ed- ward Lewis, Sheldon Bassett, Henry Hubbard, Sheldon Smith, Jr., John W. Davis and Sidney A. Downes, all of whom were prominent and active business men of that pericd.
Doctor John I. Howe was chosen president, Edward N. Shelton, vice-president, and Joseph P. Canfield, secretary. The bank at once entered upon a career of prosperity, having at the end of 16 years, when Mr. Canfield resigned, deposits amounting to $187,103.50, with a surplus fund of $5,337. In 1862 Thaddeus G. Birdseye became the secretary, and successfully carried out a policy which placed the bank amongst the foremost savings institutions in New England. So much money was offered that the deposits were limited as to amounts, and later the depositors were confined to wage earners. For many years the deposits exceeded a million of dollars, upon which a dividend of 5 per cent. has been paid. In October, 1890, the deposits amounted to $1,774,521.96, and there was a fixed surplus of $60,000. The business of the bank being conducted on a basis of regarding the securities at their par instead of their market values, the surplus does not appear as large as it really is, many securities commanding larger premiums. At this time the depositors numbered 5,125. The place of business is in the banking house of the Birmingham National Bank.
In 1880, upon the death of Thaddeus G. Birdseye, he was succeeded in the office of secretary by his son, Thomas S. Birdseye, who has since so served. Doctor Howe was succeeded as president by Joseph Arnold, and since January, 1884, William E. Downes has been the president. His associate directors in 1890 were David Torrance, vice-
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
president; E. N. Shelton, Clark N. Rogers, Charles H. Nettleton, Henry A. Nettleton, George W. Beardsley, Benjamin Nichols and George B. Clark.
The Derby Journal was the first newspaper published in the town. It was started in December, 1846, by Thomas M. Newson and John B. Hotchkiss, two young newspaper men from New Haven. The former was the editor, and, being talented and energetic, succeeded in mak- ing a live paper. In the course of ten years he attempted a daily pa- per, which failed on account of the sparseness of the population at that period. Later he sold out his interest and removed to Minneap- olis, Minn., where he became the successful proprietor of an illustrated magazine. A number of changes now took place, and the name was changed to the Valley Messenger and still later to the Derby Transcript. In 1868 the printing establishment passed to William T. Bacon, with whom his son, Daniel H., and others were associated as the Derby Printing Company. an unchartered body, but which was incorporated by the legislature in February, 1889. Of this company Daniel H. Bacon was the head, and although the organization is no longer kept up lie retains control of the printing house, which is a well equipped establishment.
December 1st, 18SS, a daily edition of the Transcript was begun, with D. H. Bacon as the editor. In that position he was succeeded in April, 1889, by Henry 1. Hazeltine, who served a little more than a year. On the 3d of March, 1890, the daily and weekly Transcript were sold to Charles E. Meservey, of Rockland, Maine, who has since suc- cessfully conducted them. Both editions are growing in popularity and patronage-a support, which is well merited.
The Derby post office was one of the first established in the county -April 1st, 1798-and Joel Atwater was appointed the postmaster. A wide area of country was supplied, but the business of the office, owing to the high rates of postage, was small. The subsequent appointees of the old Derby office were the following: Samuel J. Andrews, 1790; Russell Hitchcock, 1816; Thomas Durham, 1828; Russell Hitchcock, 1832; Robert Gates, 1833; Henry Whitney, 1849; Robert Gates, Jr., 1853; Henry Atwater, 1853; Thomas Shelton, 1854; Thaddeus G. Birdseye,# 1860; Robert C. Narramore. 1861; Ezra Sprague, 1874.
On the 9th of June, 1876, the name of the office was changed from Derby to Birmingham, and Ezra Sprague was reappointed as the first postmaster. He held the office until 1880, when William J. Clark was appointed, and he in turn was succeeded in 18SS by Theodore S. Bas- sett. Since 1885 the deputy postmaster has been William L. Brown. In May, 1869, the post office was placed in a building on the raceway, on the north side of Main street, in Birmingham, where it remained until 1885. when the present fine office in the A. H. & C. B. Alling building, on West Main street, was occupied. This was handsomely * He was the first presidential appointee.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
fitted up for that purpose. On the 1st of July, 1887. the free carrier system went into effect at this office, extending to Birmingham, old Derby and Shelton villages, the revived Derby office, held by A. F. Sherwood, now being discontinued. Starting with four carriers, the number has been increased to five, two of whom are mounted. Col- lections are made from 36 street boxes. The business of the office in- creases at the rate of about $500 per year, amounting in 1890 to about $14,000.
Derby has had many professional men, who can here be only briefly noted. Doctor John Hull was the first physician. He came in 1674 and remained until 1689, when he removed to Wallingford. While in Derby he was active in the affairs of the town, and built the first mill. Doctor John Durand was here next, 30 or more years. He lived at " Uptown." His son, Noah, was also a physician a short time. Contemporary with the former was Doctor Josiah Baldwin, who was encouraged by the town, in 1696, to locate in Derby. To eke out his living the town voted, in 1703, to pay him for beating the public drum, when the meetings were to be warned. He remained in prac- tice several scores of years. Doctor Silas Baldwin was, later, several years in practice in Derby. In this period, about 1712, Doctor James Pierson was also in Derby a short time, but removed to Wethersfield.
Doctor Samuel Canfield, a native of the town, was the physician from about 1750 until his death in 1766. His brother, Doctor Josiah, had just begun practicing, and continued several years. At the same time Doctor Leverett Hubbard was here. Probably Doctor Edward Crafts was the next settled physician in this part of Derby. He came about the time of the revolution and continued until his death in March, 1821, aged 69 years. His son, Doctor Pearl, began practice sometime about 1812, and may have continued a dozen years, dying young. Both lived in the village of Derby. In the same locality and about the same time Doctor Liberty Kimberley was in practice. In the northern part of Derby (the present town of Seymour) Doctor Samuel Sanford was located as the first physician, and after his death Doctor Abiram Stoddard located there in 1804. He died in 1855. He was a popular doctor, although eccentric, and his practice extended to what is now Derby.
Before the death of Doctor Pearl Crafts, a Doctor Isaac Jennings located here in 1820, and continued until 1837, when he sold his office to Doctor Ambrose Beardsley. Two years later he removed to Ober- lin, Ohio. He was highly educated and had at first a large practice, but after a time discarded the use of medicine and adopted the " theory of the remedial powers of nature as more curative in diseased action than pills or powders." This theory he promulgated and de- fended in several able books. But the reforms he advocated were not popular, and he failed to obtain the pecuniary benefits to which he was entitled by his talents. He died in Ohio, in 1874, at the ripe age of 85 years.
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Doctor A. Beardsley's practice was one of the longest continued in the town, extending from the time of his settlement in 1837, until his death, November 1st, 1884, aged about 73 years. Besides being a skillful practitioner he was an orator of reputation and a popular writer. His " History of Derby " is a work of much merit, from which much of the data in this sketch have been gleaned.
Among many other physicians who practiced in Derby, at the time when it was first developed by manufacturing, were Doctor Josiah H. Whiting, a few years after 1845, when he removed to New Haven; and Doctor S. P. Church was in practice from 1850 to 1857, when he removed to Poughkeepsie, N. Y. About the same time Doctor A. H. Carrington located in town, but remained only a few years. In 1857 Doctor W. B. De Forest became one of Derby's physicians, but after three years removed to New Haven. A little earlier Doctor Paul Skiff came, but after a few years' practice removed to the same city. Doctor Charles Case came about 1858, and after several years' practice he removed to Detroit. Two years later, in 1860, Doctor Stephen Hill located to practice, but soon removed.
Doctor H. Bowen, a homeopathic physician, was in Derby 1861-2; Doctor D. S. Lessey located in Derby in 1873, and died the following year. In 1874 Doctor S. C. Sanger located as a physician, and died in 1876. Near this time Doctor Frederick Hall was here as a physician.
Since 1853 Doctor Charles H. Pinney has been a practitioner in Derby, while his son, Royal W., has but recently located here in the same profession, both residing in Derby village. Since the civil war, in which he served, Doctor A. W. Phillips * has been a successful homeopathic physician at Birmingham; and not long after, in 1869, Doctor G. A. Shelton began an extensive practice in Shelton, which extends to Derby. Later Doctor Thomas B. Jewett became associated with Doctor A. Beardsley.
Doctor George L. Beardsley has been one of Birmingham's fore- most physicians since 1874, having as contemporaries in later and more recent years Doctor William S. Randall, Doctor Thomas J. O'Sullivan and Doctor C. T. Baldwin.
Jesse Beach was probably the first lawyer in the town, living here a dozen years after 1792. In the same period came Josiah Dudley, as the first regularly educated attorney. In the time of Derby's first commercial prosperity he had an extensive practice, but as he suffered from ill health it was not long continued. John L. Tomlinson, a native of the town, was a student in his office, and followed as the next law- yer. He was an able man, but a poor advocate at the bar. Becoming the president of the old Derby Bank, he was unwittingly duped by his associate officers in New York, who basely manipulated the affairs of the bank, and his reputation suffered in consequence. In 1832 he left the town, and as a Congregational minister in the West his work was * See Biographical Sketch.
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crowned with success. Ira L. Ufford studied law with Tomlinson, and after being admitted to the bar, practiced in Derby. In 1836 he opened an office in Birmingham, and was the first resident attorney in the place. In 1845 William E. Downes graduated from the law depart- ment of Yale College and practiced law until 1863, since which time he has been devoted to other pursuits in Birmingham and Derby.
The oldest attorney in the town is Colonel William B. Wooster. Extended biographical sketches of the members of the law firm of Wooster, Williams & Gager and of Judge David Torrance are given in Chapter X., this volume.
Charles Lindley was an attorney at Birmingham from 1844 until his removal to California, in 1849. Daniel E. McMahon and William S. Downes have been attorneys in Derby since 1879. The former practiced first at Ansonia, but for the past year has been at Birming- ham; the latter studied with Samuel M. Gardner, who had an office at Birmingham in that period. Since being admitted, in June, 1879, he has practiced in Birmingham. Andrew J. Ewen has been here since his admission to the New Haven County Bar, June 24th, 1885. Other attorneys at Birmingham in 1890 were Seabury B. Platt, C. W. Shelton, and C. B. Whitcomb in Derby. A number of other attorneys were in the town for short periods, and some of the citizens of Derby became distinguished attorneys elsewhere.
BIRMINGHAM BOROUGHI was incorporated by an act of the general assembly, which was ratified by the voters of the village June 30th, 1851. The following were then chosen as the first officers: Warden, Thomas Wallace; burgesses, John I. Howe, Edward N. Shelton, George Kellogg, Charles Atwood, S. N. Summers; clerk, Augustus Tomlinson.
Edward N. Shelton, George W. Shelton, Horatio N. Hawkins and Fitch Smith were appointed to draft the by-laws for the new corpora- tion.
Since the first set of officers the following have been in service as wardens: 1852, Thomas Wallace; 1853-5, Abraham Hawkins; 1856, John I. Howe; 1857-9, Henry Atwater; 1860-2, R. M. Bassett; 1863, L. L. Loomer; 1864, Thomas Elmes; 1865, William Hawkins; 1866, S. Bassett; 1867-71, Henry Whipple; 1872-80, Ambrose Beardsley; 1881, R. M. Bassett; 1882-5, Henry Whipple; 1886, Patrick McManus; 1887-8, George S. Arnold; 1889, Patrick McManus; 1890, Sheldon H. Bassett. The clerks have been: 1852-3, A. Tomlinson; 1854-5, H. A. Nettleton; 1856-69, J. H. Barlow; 1870-1, John C. Reilley; 1872, John W. Storrs; 1873-6, John C. Reilley; 1877, H. A. Nettleton; 1878-81, John C. Reilley; 1882, 1). L. Brinsmade; 1883-5, William Sidney Downes; 1886, Joseph W. Fitzpatrick; 1887-8, C. E. Bunnell; 1889-90, Andrew J. Ewen.
The area of the borough of Birmingham, as incorporated, was small and the corporate powers limited. Hence it has been found necessary, in keeping pace with the rapidly increasing population,
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that the charter should be several times amended in order that the im- provements of a well ordered community might be secured. It was amended in 1879, again in 1885, and still further in recent years. In 1880 systematic grades for the streets were established and their more substantial improvement begun. The construction of sewers was also begun with good results, and both have been advantageously con- tinued. About $25,000 was thus expended in the next six years. In 1887 the outlay upon the streets was much greater, on account of the opening of new streets and building street railways and improvements being made. The location of the principal part of the borough is un- favorable to the easy care of the streets, as many are readily affected by heavy rains. The need of more substantial paving being urgent, the use of Belgian blocks was begun in 1889, with the hope of securing permanent results. In this manner Main street from the Housatonic railroad to Sugar street has been paved. In late years the sidewalks have also been greatly improved, many miles of fine concrete walks being constructed all over the borough.
The improvement of the public park or green received a great deal of attention in 1883, and since that time, each year, until it has become one of the most attractive spots in the place.
Facing the green, at the southwest corner, is the handsome Borough Building, an edifice which is in every way a fit exponent of the enter- prise and public spirit of this community. The matter of building was determined April 7th, 1887, and George S. Arnold, Thomas J. O'Sullivan and Almon B. Glover were appointed a committee to carry out the project. A suitable lot was bought for $6,000, on which the edifice was built, after plans prepared by H. E. Ficken, of New York. It is an imposing brick structure with accommodations for the hook and ladder company, police station house, warden's office, court room, offices for judge of probate and town clerk, and contains also a fine public hall, seating 1,000 people. The entire cost was about $45,000. The Beardsley Building Company was the contractor. The offices of the building were occupied January, 1889. The hall, which received the name of the "Sterling Opera House," was opened April 2d, 1889, when the domestic drama, " Drifting Apart," was produced before 900 people. It has since become a popular place of amusement, and the building itself proves a profitable investment.
About the same time the Borough Building was being erected, the telegraph fire alarm system was established in Birmingham, at a cost of more than $3,500. The large fire bell was placed in a tower, on an elevation in the northwestern part of the village, but its removal to a belfry, on the Borough Building, is contemplated. There are about a dozen alarm boxes connected with the system, which has proven to be effective and helpful.
The Birmingham Fire Department embraces three companies. One of these, Storm No. 2, was formed in 1854, becoming a chartered
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body on the 19th of July that year. It then had 60 members. Ad- ditional apparatus was purchased in 1855. The R. M. Bassett Hook & Ladder Company was formed several years later. In 1878, after the companies had been reorganized, on account of the extended system of water works, Hotchkiss Hose, No. 1, had 31 members; Storm, No. 2, 35 members, and the R. M. Bassett Hook & Ladder Company, 22 members. In equipments Storm, No. 2, had new apparatus, part of which was secured by trading off the old engine, which had practically been out of service for 20 years. In 1889 these three companies had an aggregate membership of more than 100 men. Each company had comfortable quarters, some being attractive in their arrangements. The engine house of Storm, No. 2, was remodelled in 18SS, and the property is reported worth $3,000. The Hotchkiss property is valued at $1,500.
The entire real estate of the borough is valued at $55,000. The indebtedness is somewhat larger, but the affairs of the borough are in a very satisfactory condition. Many substantial benefits have been derived since the village has been incorporated, Birmingham having become one of the most desirable places of residence in this part of the state.
The Birmingham Water Company, through the efforts of Colonel William B. Wooster and William E. Downes, was incorporated in 1859, and organized the following year. A reservoir was constructed the same year on the old Holbrook farm, on Sentinel or Derby hill, about a mile distant from the central part of Birmingham. The original plant has been much improved, an additional reservoir being con- structed, and in 1890 the entire storage capacity was 150,000,000 gal- lons. The flow is by gravity, and the elevation being nearly 200 feet, a pressure of 91 pounds to the square inch is afforded at the corner of Main and Elizabeth streets. There are eight miles of street mains, and 63 fire hydrants. The water is of superior quality and ample for all needs. The original capital of the company has been much in- creased, being $100,000 in 1890. The officers of the company were: William B. Wooster, president; David Torrance, secretary, and Charles H. Nettleton, treasurer and superintendent. In the latter capacity the last-named has served since 1874.
An earlier system of water works, for use in case of fires, consisted of a small reservoir on Caroline street, into which water was pumped by means of a force pump at the grist mill of Fitch Smith, on the canal, near Main street. This was abandoned when the present sys- tem came into use.
The Derby Gas Company was chartered in 1860, but no organiza- tion was effected until 1871. Gas works were then established in Shelton, on a lot having tide water privileges, permitting the receipt of coal by boat. The public use of gas began the foollowing year and has since been extended through the villages of Shelton, Birmingham,
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Derby and Ansonia. In 1890 there were about 18 iniles of mains. The works have been enlarged to meet the demands upon them, the present capacity being 150,000 cubic feet of gas, which is stored in two gasometers.
In 1885 the company added electricity as an illuminating agent, using the Thomson-Houston system. Its use soon became quite gen- eral and has continued to increase. The streets of the village were first lighted by this means in January, 1886, and in October, 1890, 86 arc lights were in use. The plant in Shelton had become too small, and a new one at the head of Sugar street, in Birmingham, was nearly ready for occupancy. The power, to be drawn from the Housatonic dam, will be of 400 horse power capacity, and will be the first used on the Birmingham side from that source. The machinery in use is capacitated to illuminate 190 arc and 600 incandescent lights, and will be improved to adapt it to the new plant, which will be one of the most extensive in the county.
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