USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 51
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 51
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Alling. His mill covers a large plot of ground near the junction of the Naugatuck and Housatonic rivers. The waters of the Naugatuck borne in a canal furnish only a part of the motive force, and must be aided by a very powerful steam engine to run the entire machinery. The floor space of the mill is multiplied by several stories in height. About 350 hands compose the full working force, and the product of stockings and underwear is correspondingly large.
It is not a little interesting to trace along the business growth of a great manufacturer like Mr. Alling. He belongs to a family of six children, four sons and two daughters. In this family are represented the professional, the mannfacturing and the home phases of society. One of the brothers is a distinguished lawyer of New Haven, John W. Alling, the other three brothers are manufacturers, while the two sisters represent the thrifty, hospitable, high-minded women of New England.
This family of children was born and brought up in the town of Orange, and illustrates well the truth that the ablest and most suc- cessful men of the cities and business centers of the land have come from the country. The Alling family here alluded to, has an honor- able and extended lineage, and traces its name back to Roger Alling, one of the first settlers of the New Haven colony.
The father of Mr. C. B. Alling was Charles W. Alling, born in Or- ange. His mother was Lucy (Booth) Alling, daughter of Walter Booth. of Woodbridge, a revolutionary soldier. Charles W. Alling began in Orange the manufacture of woolen cloth in a small way. Despite the hindrances of which the farmers of Connecticut now complain, the farmers of those days kept large flocks of sheep. The spinning of the yarı was done at home, and then the farmers patronized the mill for manufacturing the yarn into cloth and dressing it. But the processes of manufacture were rapidly changing, and not many years passed before all the work of manufacture of the large wool-growing district, in which the Alling mill of Orange stood, was done at the mill.
And now while yet a boy, and his school days hardly over, C. B. Alling gathered wool from the farmers, and so furnished his father's mill with raw material. But at 17 years of age he took charge of the manufacture, for the farmer customers -- the wool carding, and spin- ning, and weaving and finishing of the cloth.
Mr. Alling continued in charge of his father's mill until he was 21 years of age, and then in 1845 began business for himself, renting from his father the Orange mill. Still he had not a dollar of capital, but by his economical management and sagacious methods, he was able not only to continue business, but to increase it. The Orange mill was run by water, and contained only one set of machinery.
But business increased more and more in Orange, and as the times demanded, changed in form. The custom manufacture of cloth for the farmers now decreased in demand, and, following a business fore-
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sight, Mr. Alling turned his attention to yarn and hosiery, and in after years to hosiery and underwear. Orange became too strait for the manufacture. The location must be changed, and Birmingham was sought out as offering an excellent water privilege, and easy means of transportation. Here the Paugassett Mills have grown to the dimen- sions already suggested; and to the progress of the industry Mr. C. B. Alling has devoted his personal energies and direction from year to year.
Mr. Alling is one of the typical business men of New England. Whatever it may be needful to do, can be done, is one of his principles of action; and if it be along the line of the manufacture in which he is engaged, he can do it. His business foresight is remarked upon by his neighbors, and to him they often go for counsel. His own success in life is proof of business ability of the first order.
In person Mr. Alling is pleasing, possessing a quick intelligence, and quiet, home-like manners. His kindness of nature is known among all his acquaintances, and so marked a trait is it that young people and children are drawn to him as to a father. It is not thought that he could do anything wrong, and is the soul of goodness itself. Hence, he is beloved among his acquaintances everywhere.
Mr. Alling is decidedly a public-spirited man. To him, more than to any other citizen, the borough of Birmingham is indebted for its finest blocks of buildings on its main street. In them he provided halls for societies, rooms for the Board of Trade, fine post office accom- modations, and advantages to the business and social community. He was one of the chief promoters of the great Ousatonic dam and canal, upon which so much of the life and growth of Shelton and Bir- mingham depend.
Mr. Alling has shrunk away from all political emoluments, and has denied to himself positions on boards and directorates to which his fellow business men have urgently invited him.
Many years since a severe illness left him so deaf that he cannot hear the conversations of people, or the services in his church, except with a speaking-tube. Hence he has shrunk away from those asso- ciations, whether in business or society, where good hearing is a qualification for ready efficiency. And to the deep regret of his fel- low business men, they have seen him draw away from those associa- tions where his presence and counsel would have been so satisfying to them.
On May 10th, 1853, he married Miss Julia M. Prudden, a lady of much grace of manner and of heart, of whom her husband was ex- ceedingly fond. Her fortitude of nature was equalled only by her cheerfulness in sharing with her husband the self-denials of earlier married life, and then just as gracefully did she pass with him to the amenity of wealth, and the prerogatives it gives. She was greatly be- loved in the community for her gentle, winning graces, and foremost
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also in society, the favor in which she stood by very force carrying her there. There were no natures so unhappily compounded but that fell in love with her. She was proverbially right in whatever she did, and it was the maxim among her children as of her husband that whatever she might do was necessarily right. She died August 12th, 1889, leaving the choicest memories of love and honor to him who wedded her, and to her family.
Two children were born to them, Charles H. and Susie. The son married Miss Josephine Slade Hill, of Ansonia, February 22d, 1886. Their children are Kenneth Slade, born April 23d, 1887, and Charles Booth, born August 4th, 1888. Their father died March 20th, 1890. The daughter of Mr. C. B. Alling, Susie, married Doctor Charles T. Baldwin, of Birmingham, September 14th, 1887. Their son, Harold Alling, was born in Rome, Italy, January 31st, 1890. Doctor and Mrs. Baldwin resided in the Italian capital three years. A highly lucrative practice was won there, but the death of Mrs. Alling summoned them home to minister to and comfort, as a daughter only can, her father bereft of her mother.
Mr. C. B. Alling is a Methodist in religious faith, and holds the leading truths of the New Testament with all the grasp of undying hope. He is liberal toward his church, and every good cause, and is held in high respect wherever known.
George E. Barber, the junior partner of the firm of Howard & Bar- ber, was born in Illinois in 1859, but came to New Hampshire with his parents when three years of age. His mercantile life commenced in Canaan, N. H., at the age of 16 years. Three years later he went to Milford, N. H., in the employ of his brother, H. H. Barber, who had bought out a dry goods and carpet store there, and here he mastered the details of the business, remaining until the formation of the pres- ent firm. Mr. Barber belongs to the Masonic fraternity, is a P. G. in the I. O. O. F. and a P. G. Commander of the state of Connecticut in the U. O. G. C. The store of this concern at 268 and 270 Main street, occupying two floors, 38 by 85 feet, is the largest and best lighted in the Naugatuck valley. They carry a stock of dry goods, millinery, carpets and wall papers that for quality and variety can hardly be surpassed. By close application and constant attention to every detail of the many departments, and by the broad and liberal policy uni- formly pursued, these gentlemen have had the satisfaction of a con- stantly increasing trade. The firm are about to enlarge their business by the occupation of the fine new block, just erected, adjoining their present store. Four floors, or nearly 12,000 square feet of floor space, will be used for the display and sale of first-class furniture.
ROBERT N. BASSETT, manufacturer, Birmingham, Conn., was born in the town of Derby August 8th, 1821, and is the son of David Bas- sett, who is remembered with honor by his townsmen. He was a dis- tinguished citizen, who carried out the golden rule as closely as illus-
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trations are found in human life. His son, Robert N., has inherited in large measure the qualities of his father, and is held in the commu- nity in like esteem. He succeeded to the business of his father, that of anger making, but the demands of trade brought about changes, and now he manufactures corset clasps, bone wire and skirt wire.
His manufacturing plant is located on the bank of the Housa- tonic river, and covers a plot of ground 85 by 368 feet. A large force of workmen is constantly employed turning out the products of the factory. Some of the workmen have been in Mr. Bassett's employ more than a quarter of a century. So unusually kind and confiding is the relation of all the employees to the employer that no workman has anything but love and esteem to express toward the generous em- ployer. Mr. Bassett is very generous in his treatment of all, very con- siderate of their well-being, and seems never to forget what he would like if he were in their place. Hence there is no danger of a strike in Mr. Bassett's factory. This mutual trust and consideration has cre- ated a very pleasant feeling throughout the factory, especially between the employer and those who have been longest in his employ; so that the situation in this respect is as nearly ideally perfect as either the labor agitator or Christianity can hope to create.
The manner of life which has made Mr. Bassett so much a favorite in his factory has made him a favorite in the town where he lives. A little incident illustrates the general feeling. One of the sick whom he visited was a little boy. When the lad was recovering Mr. Bassett took him to ride in his carriage. In after years he was heard to say, "he wished he had a million; he would give half of it to Mr. Bassett." Mr. Bassett's wealth, family history and social position give him promi- nence where they should, but the poor, as the rich, speak of him in terms of neighborly love and honor. He is affable to all, he is gener- ous to every good object, subscribing a leading sum often, and clean of character as he is honest of purpose. A large business has brought him into contact with many prominent business men, while his liearty, generous nature has made him foremost in many of the best enter- prises of his generation. The soldiers found him to be their friend in need, and when Governor Buckingham called a conference upon military matters of Connecticut representative men during the dark days of the rebellion, Mr. Bassett was invited from Derby. It is proper to say just here that the material for this sketch, as the material for so many others, came from the neighbors of the subject. A character becomes measured quite accurately by life-long neighbors, and in the community where he has lived.
Of business positions besides his own manufactory, Mr. Bassett has been president of the Derby Savings Bank, director of the Birmingham National Bank, president of the Derby Rubber Company, director of the Ousatonic Water Company for several years and president of the Derby Comb Company.
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He has steadily and quite persistently refused political honor, but in 1863 allowed his townsmen to elect him to the legislature, and some local responsibilities have been thrust upon him which he could not turn aside. His religious faith is that of his family history, the Con- gregationalist, and he has been an officeholder for the society for many years.
He married October 5th, 1842, Miss Elizabeth S. Downs, of Derby, and his family includes two daughters, Miss Mary E. Bassett and Mrs. Jennie B. Sawyer, of Derby.
ROYAL M. BASSETT, manufacturer, Birmingham, Conn., was born in Derby, Conn., October 22d, 1828. His ancestry is easily traced back- ward to John Basset, of New Haven. The colonial records speak of him in 1647, and give his death as occurring in February, 1653. His son, Robert, located in Stratford, where he married his wife. The settlement of the Bassett family now showed a tendency to move up the Housatonic and Naugatuck rivers. Sergeant Robert, son of Rob. ert Bassett, purchased land in Derby, and presented it to his second son, Samuel Bassett. Samuel came to Derby when he was only 17 years of age. The land given him by his father embraced several parcels, and one of them was at the foot of Great hill, known now as the "Old Bassett Place "; and others were on Great hill. There lived Ebenezer, son of Samuel; and James, son of Ebenezer, the great- grandfather of Royal M. But William, son of James and grandfather of Royal M., was not born for farming so much as for trading. He acquired an early discipline in a country store up the Housatonic river. A thrifty nature made him saving of his earnings and am- bitious to enlarge upon them. In time he was able to open a country store for himself, and chose Derby as the location. Derby had been a town of considerable commercial importance both because of its West India and coastwise shipping, and it was still showing the evi- dences of its fortune in having a large trade. Bridgeport by the turn- pike northward into western Connecticut had sapped considerable of the business life of Derby, for Bridgeport was an open port all the year round, while the Housatonic river was closed to shipping a part of the year; still Derby was the port for a considerable trade. Mr. Bassett grasped " the skirts of happy chance."
One child was born to him and his wife, Lucy Smith-Sheldon Bassett. He was carefully trained under the loving eye of a judicious mother. But manners and morals were given strict attention to, for Mrs. Bassett was a model of propriety and grace, and strictly religious in all her habits. Having such a mother, Sheldon could not fail to be the admirable character he was. His father spared no pains to give the lad all the advantages of schooling and social life within reach of the home. Gradually Sheldon Bassett was introduced to the mysteries of successful trading, and became the partner of his father in the store. And when the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent,
Royal Мо Варto
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Sheldon Bassett opened a store in Birmingham. As a reason for the removal it may be said that the commercial status of Derby Center was now changing. Business was shifting its greater volume to the new location. Because of its superior opportunities for manufactur- ing, Birmingham, though contiguous to Derby Center, was outstrip- ping her neighbor. As manufacturing was coming into the town, the thoughts of the more ambitious young men were widening with the expanding business life. The Colburns, of Westville, had established their foundry in Derby in 1836, and Sheldon Bassett perceiving a busi- ness opportunity of much promise, became a partner in the new concern.
His prominence in town matters was evidenced before this date, for he had already been town clerk and justice of the peace, and had established a reputation for public and administrative virtue. And the evidence of his business career only widened his influence in the town.
In 1850 the foundry was made a joint stock corporation under the name of " The Birmingham Iron Foundry," and Sheldon Bassett be- came more and more a controlling factor, until the management passed into his hands.
But Mr. Bassett held other business relations in town. He was one of the original incorporators of the Derby Savings Bank, and touched the business life of the town at many points. He was a good counsel- lor, and his opinion was often sought for as valuable on the questions affecting the welfare of his neighbors and his town. He married Miss Harriett Hull, daughter of Lieutenant Samuel Hull, one of the offi- cers of the revolutionary army. She was a woman of fine spirit, of earnest purpose and pure religious character-the well-suited coun- terpart of her husband. Her children have called her " blessed " since they were able to appreciate the value of the example she gave them.
To Sheldon Bassett and his wife, Harriet Hull, were born six chil- dren: William H., Royal M., Mrs. Ellen S. Norton, Mrs. Lavinia De Forrest, Mrs. Lucy P. Colt and Theodore S. Of this family of children only two are living: Royal M., whose portrait appears in this history, and Theodore S., one of the business men of Birmingham. Upon the death of Sheldon Bassett, in 1864, his son, Royal M., succeeded to the presidency of the Birmingham Iron Foundry, and his other son, Theo- dore S., was chosen secretary and treasurer. The capital stock of the company, which was originally $32,000, has since been increased to $100,000; and under the management of these two brothers, the busi- ness has been very prosperous.
Royal M. Bassett obtained liis education in the common schools of his native town, and in academies in New Haven and in Haddam. The fortune he inherited was only slender, and, like many of his social peers, he must make his own business career. He was endowed with
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executive ability of the first order, and his gift of administration was presided over by high moral purpose and social qualities, which won confidence and often love. Hence he became the companion of hon- orable men, among whom he maintained the distinction of wise fore- sight and virtue in all his transactions. If his business judgment sometimes failed, it is only fair to say that oftener it led him aright, and his accumulations of wealth are visible to all observers. Mr. Bas- sett was one of the principal promoters of the Ousatonic Water Com- pany, which has made the great mills of Shelton a reality, giving to the enterprise the strength of his influence, and investing capital in its stock. He was also one of the incorporators of the Derby Gas Company. Besides, his interest in popular education has made him an ardent friend of the public schools, and the splendid school build- ing in the Sixth district of Birmingham is largely a monument of his wise persistent efforts.
But Derby and its affairs were not large enough to compass the breadth of his spirit. He is seen outside of his state, along the line of the Pacific railroad, building an expensive rolling mill, and preparing the iron rails for the rolling stock of the trans-continental highway. He is also seen in Utah as president of the Northern railroad, and again as trusteee of the Utah Western railroad, and later, when that railroad was reorganized under the name of the Utah Nevada, he was appointed president. He is also vice-president and secretary of the Rubber Reclaiming Company, having an office in New York but em- bracing five factories in different manufacturing centers. And though his investments are held at many points, they are so appointed and controlled that he has abundant leisure for what recreation or travel he may care to enter upon.
On November 9th, 1858, he married Miss Frances J. Stratton, of Bridgeport, Conn., a lady of kindred tastes, shown both within and without their home; but she died February 14th, 1876. Three chil- dren were born to them; Lucy L. Bassett, who died at the age of 19 years, February 4th, 1879; Royal E. Bassett, about 4 years of age, who died January 9th, 1865, and Sheldon H. Bassett, born April 11th, 1867, now of New York.
Doctor George L. Beardsley, son of Doctor Lucius N. Beardsley, of Milford, Conn., was born May 12th, 1848. He received his prelimi- nary education at the Milford High School, and subsequently was graduated at the Hopkins Grammar School, New Haven. He gradu- ated from Vale College in 1870. He was a high stand man, and by virtue of his scholarship, became a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. In 1873 the degree of A. M. was given him. He attended the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, receiving the degree of M. D. in 1873. Subsequently he was appointed surgeon in charge of the out door department for the surgical relief of the poor, remain- ing till the fall of 1874. In February, 1875, he commenced practice in
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Birmingham, Conn. Doctor Beardsley has held several prominent positions, serving as assistant surgeon of the Second Regiment, C. N. G., for five years, a member for twelve years of the board of education, and acting school visitor for the past three years. He is the medical examiner for Derby, having been appointed five years ago. Doctor Beardsley is a literary man in medicine, as well as a surgeon, and a contributor occasionally to the leading medical journals. In 1874 he married the eldest daughter of A. H. Alling, a leading manu- facturer of Birmingham. He has a son, 13 years old, and a daughter four years old.
William D. Billerwell was born in Westport, Conn., in 1851, and came to Birmingham May 15th, 1870. He had previously been en- gaged in New York as machinist. He entered the employ of the Bir- mingham Iron Foundry Company in 1870, and was made foreman in 1882. He was master mechanic at one time, but resigned the position. He now has charge of the light machinery department. He married Flora Burt, of Hillsboro, N. H., in 1883. He is a member of Birming- ham Lodge, F. & A. M., and Ansonia Chapter, R. A. M .; also the Pequot Tribe of Birmingham.
THOMAS S. BIRDSEVE, of Birmingham, Conn., was born in Hunt- ington, Conn., October 11th, 1840, and removed to Birmingham the following spring. The Birdseye family of Connecticut is one of the oldest and most honorable in the list of notable families. Its numeri- cal strength is equaled only by the generally high character of the family name. The descendants are now found in most of the states and territories of the Union. The first ancestor of this family known in Connecticut was John Birdseye, who came from Reading, in Berk- shire, England, in the year 1636. It is stated in history that he came first to New Haven, thence to Milford in 1639, but soon removed to Stratford. He was the first deacon of the Congregational church in that town, and in those days the diaconate was an institution of great power and dignity-a conspicuous person-second only to the parish minister of the established church. Of the only two grandsons bear- ing the name, the eldest, Abel, located near Middletown, Conn., and dropped the final "e" of the name; but Joseph, who remained in Strat- ford, retained the name in its original form.
Although a representation of the "coat of arms" was until recently known to be in Stratford, that branch of the family might have felt the significance of their name, had they also known that in " The Register of the Book of Heraldry" of the English Nobility the follow- ing account of the origin of the name is given: " During the reign of one of the Edwards, Utopha, a maid of honor to the Queen, was hunt- ing with her hawk. The hawk was disappointed in seizing its ex- pected prey, turned in a rage of passion and directed its maddening flight towards its mistress, for the purpose of injuring her, when, on the spur of the moment, one of the attendant cavaliers, Eldred by
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name, shot an arrow from his bow, piercing the bird through its eyes, thus saving his mistress from all harm." For this service and his skill at archery, Eldred was knighted with the name of "Sir Birdseye." His "Coat of Arms" was a hawk, with both eyes pierced by an arrow. The motto on the shield was in Latin, rendered in English, "Held the bird by sight."
'There were eminent men in the line of descent, among whom were Reverend Nathan Birdseye, his children and grandchildren, who became noted in many professions-as soldiers, as statesmen, as col- lege professors and ministers of the Gospel. Reverend Nathan Birds- eye was born in Stratford in the year 1714, and lived to be more than 103 years of age. He was college bred and took his degree from Yale University in 1736, and became pastor of the West Haven Congrega- tional church in 1742; preached there 16 years and then moved to his patrimonial estate in Stratford, where he lived until his death. His descendants were very numerous, and seven of the fifth generation had been born at the time of his decease. About 100 of his own de- scendants composed a part of the great concourse who attended his obsequies. He retained his mental faculties in remarkable vigor until his death. He was a man of deep piety and great faith, a firm be- liever in the efficacy of prayer. When 100 years of age he ascended the pulpit stairs in the Presbyterian church, and blind and tottering as he was, preached an acceptable sermon at the ordination of his grandson to the ministry, and offered prayer with old-time fervor. At the age of 103, a short time before his death, the venerable preacher again prayed in the church.
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