USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 57
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 57
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The founder of this business was Thomas Wallace. He was born in Manchester, England, in 1797, and when fourteen years of age learned the trade of a wire drawer for pin-making. In 1832 he came to America, and to Birmingham in 1841. He there engaged as wire drawer for the Howe Pin Company, occupying the basement of the old Bassett factory, and continued about half a dozen years, having the help of his sons, John, Thomas and William, who also became skilled in the business. In 1848 they removed to Ansonia, where they began the brass business in a moderate way, on their own account, adding various lines of manufactures from time to time. Thomas Wallace died in 1875, but the business has since been carried on with untiring energy by his sons and grandsons, who also became skillful mechanics. The officers of the corporation are: President, William Wallace ;* secretary, Jolın B. Wallace; treasurer and general manager, Thomas Wallace; superintendent, William O Wallace.
Keeping pace with the progress of the times, the Wallaces have manufactured many lines of goods pertaining to the arts into which electricity enters, and in 1880 members of the above firm and others formed the Electrical Supply Company, with a capital stock of $48,000. Thomas Wallace has served as president; Thomas Wallace, Jr., secre- tary, and Thomas W. Bryant and L. F. Anschutz, treasurer. A large plant on Main street, near the lower end of the reservoir, has been *See biographical sketches of William and Thomas Wallace in this chapter.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
equipped, and is said to be one of the most valuable and complete in this county. The output includes the latest and most useful inven- tions and improvements in the vast domains of electrical science, in- cluding the telegraph, telephone, electric light, etc., etc. About 100 skillful workmen are employed, and with the improved machinery in use large quantities of work are produced. At this establishment are manufactured many of the goods used by the Edison Electric Light companies, in different parts of the Union; and some of the earliest inventions in electric lighting were made by members of the Wallace family.
But not all the pioneer manufacturers at Ansonia prospered. Some industries were established which were here for a short duration, and in 1852 a destructive fire swept away some factories, at a loss of $75,- 000. Two years later the but recently located Ansonia Clock Com- pany was burned out, at a loss of $120,000. Their main factory build- ing stood where is now the Osborne & Cheesman factory, on Main street. This was a heavy blow at the prosperity of a village as young as Ansonia was at that time. Subsequently the business of the clock company was conducted at Ansonia by the management of the Brass & Copper Company, and was here continued until about ten years ago, when it was removed and consolidated with the company's fac- tory at Brooklyn, N.Y. At the latter place time pieces are still pro- duced as "Ansonia" clocks. But in this line of industry are now at Ansonia John B. Gardner & Son and Phelps & Bartholomew Com- pany.
John B. Gardner* & Son, manufacturers of clock dials and clock parts, date their business from 1857. In that year the senior Gardner, who had invented a sunken dial, began their manufacture, soon put- ting his business upon a successful basis. The original factory on Main street was enlarged from time to time, until it has become one of the principal plants in the borough. Other lines of fancy work have been added, until the firm gives employment to about 100 men. In 1880 Mr. Gardner associated his son, Sturges B., with him, since which time increasing prosperity has attended their efforts.
The Phelps & Bartholomew+ Company became a corporate body in 1886. But the firm of Albert Phelps and A. H. Bartholomew, as co- partners for the manufacture of clock movements, was established in 1881. In 1890 the four-story building known as the Savings Bank property, on the east side of Main street, was purchased, and the business transferred to the new and spacious quarters. The clocks of this company are very popular.
The Osborne & Cheesman Company was organized in 1866. For a number of years the firm of John W. Osborne and George W. Chees- man merchandised in Birmingham. In 1858 they also engaged in manu- facturing hoop skirts. The following year they sold their mercantile
*See sketch of John B. Gardner. +See sketch of A. H. Bartholomew.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
business and removed to Ansonia to devote themselves exclusively to manufacturing. In 1861 they built their main factory building, on the site of the burned Ansonia Clock Works. Subsequently the building was enlarged, and the line of manufacture largely increased to include web goods, suspenders and wire woven tape for skirts. A shop on metalic goods was also run. In 1866 the above company was organ- ized, as a joint stock corporation, with a capital of $120,000. John W. Osborne was the first president; Charles Durand, the secretary, and George W. Cheesman, the treasurer. In the course of a few years Mr. Osborne retired from the company, and Charles Durand became the president, serving until 1875. The officers in later years and in 1890 were: Wilbur F. Osborne, president; Charles D. Cheesman, secretary; George W. Cheesman, treasurer.
The S. O. & C. Co., which was incorporated in 1882, with a capital of $40,000, is an offshoot of the Osborne & Cheesman Company. The business of this company was begun several years earlier by an ingenious and skillful young German mechanic-George O. Schnel- ler .* He invented and constructed eyeletting machinery which revolutionized that branch of manufacturing, and which is used in the plant of this company. Other devices, equally labor-saving and ingenious, have been produced by him, and are here success- fully used. The company also manufactures metal goods of various kinds, and has a growing business. Its plant in the southern part of the borough is one of the best located in the town.
The Union Fabric Company was incorporated in 1887, to cover steel and other wires for use in skirts, bustles, etc. The industry is new but is prospering. Of this company W. F. Osborne is the presi- dent, and the other offices are filled by George O. Schneller.
The Sperry Manufacturing Company are manufacturers of fifth wheels and other carriage hardware in great variety. Their plant is on Beaver brook, in the eastern part of the borough, where this indus- try was established about 1870 by Wales Terrell & Co. The present corporation, whose capital is $50,000, was formed in 1882. Charles H. Pine is the president, and E. F. Sperry the secretary and treasurer. Several dozen men are employed, and steam is the motive power.
In the same locality were the works of the Derby Bit Company, incorporated in 1881. For several years a successful business was there carried on in the manufacture of augers, bits, etc., patented by W. L. Parmalee.
Among the successful minor industries are the brass foundry of Edward Carter & Son, at Slade's Woolen Mill, since 1882, and in An- sonia since 1858; Henry C. Cook, manufacturer of presses, dies, etc., in Gardner's Block, and established in 1882; the paper box manufac- tory of S. G. Redshaw, in the same block, and carried on by him since 1878, but established earlier by Hendrix & Bartholomew, and for some
* See Biographical Sketch.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
time the buckle factory of B. Goodman, at the same place, each em- ploying from five to thirty hands.
The carriage manufactory of F. B. Pope & Sons, composed of F. B., Fred. J., Homer N. and Ernest L. Pope, was established in 1876 by the senior member, the present firm succeeding to the business in 1886. A factory building, 70 by 80 feet, is occupied.
Many other small interests were for short periods carried on, but no detailed account is here possible. New industries are yearly begun, some failing of a successful establishment.
The Ansonia National Bank is the oldest monetary institution in the town. This was originally organized as the Bank of North America, and its place of business was Seymour. Having suffered great losses at that place, its charter was amended to permit the re- moval of the bank to Ansonia, to which place it was transferred in July, 1861, and the name changed to that of the Ansonia Bank. The capital stock was $100,000, but the growing business soon made it necessary to increase it to $200,000, at which amount it still remains. In 1865 the bank was nationalized. In the fall of 1890 there was a surplus fund of $80,000, and the deposits reached $450,000.
The first president was Josialı M. Colburn, who was succeeded, in January, 1875, by the Hon. Thomas Wallace, and the latter, in Jan- uary, 1886, by the present incumbent, Charles H. Pine, who had served as cashier from August, 1873, to the time of his accession as president, and was succeeded in his former office by Frederick M. Drew, the present cashier. At this time the board of directors is composed of Thomas Wallace, Franklin Farrel, William Powe, W. B. Bristol, A. H. Bartholomew, C. H. Pine and Charles E. Bristol, the latter being vice- president.
The banking house on Main street has been occupied many years, and while it has a plain exterior it was thoroughly refitted inside in 1889, and was made very attractive.
The Savings Bank of Ansonia was incorporated in 1862. The charter was granted to George P. Cowles, J. H. Bartholomew, Abra- ham Hubbell, Egbert Bartlett, Albert Hotchkiss, William B. Bristol, Sylvester Barbour, Richard M. Johnson, Eleazer Peck, John Lindley, J. M. Colburn, Thomas Whitney, Nathan S. Johnson, Thomas Wallace, Jr., David W. Plumb, Jonah C. Platt, Eli Hotchkiss, Willet Bradley. The bank was opened in the law office of Sylvester Barbour, who was the first secretary and treasurer. Not long after Egbert Bartlett was elected to the latter office, in which he served until 1888, when Frank- lin Burton became the secretary and treasurer. William B. Bristol has been the only president of the bank, and the Hon. Thomas Wal- lace has long been the vice-president.
In 1890 the board of directors was composed of the following: J. C. Platt, H. J. Smith, James Swan, Franklin Burton, Hobart Sperry, Lockwood Hotchkiss, George E. Lindley Hervey Hotchkiss, Charles F. .
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
Bliss. The bank is very prosperous, and its business has steadily in- creased. In March, 1880, the deposits amounted to $367,865.31; Octo- ber 1st, 1890, they were $991,503.95, and the number of depositors was 3,720. The savings bank occupies offices in the second story of the national bank building.
The citizens of the upper part of old Derby were given better pos- tal privileges in June, 1846, when the Ansonia office was established, with George Bristol as the postmaster. He was succeeded in January, 1858. by Jolin Lindley, and he in turn by George Bristol, in April, 1861. Charles E. Bristol was appointed in August, 1869, and served until March, 1885, when John L. Lindley became his successor. The present postmaster, Morris Drew, was appointed February 14th, 1890. D. S. Parsons is the deputy postmaster. The office is in a spacious, well-appointed room in the Opera House Block, where it has been kept the past ten years. Since July, 1887, the free carrier system has been in operation, the public being served by five carriers. Thirty- three street boxes are maintained in Ansonia and West Ansonia, which is the area of the distribution.
The press of Ansonia has an able and enterprising representative in the daily and weekly Sentinel. This journal was the pioneer paper in the borough, and was founded November 9th, 1871, by Jerome & Carpenter, as the Naugatuck V'alley Sentinel, a small local weekly. In April, 1872, Reverend Edward M. Jerome became the sole editor and proprietor, continuing until August, 1876, when the paper was pur- chased by the present owner, J. M. Emerson, who has had for short periods other parties associated with him. In 1879 the paper was en- larged to a sheet 29 by 46, nine columns to a page, and its form since that time has been changed and improved. The paper has become more distinctly the exponent of Ansonia's interests, and appropriately has had the name changed to that of The Ansonia Sentinel.
In the spring of 1883 a daily issue of the Sentinel was begun, which has been successfully continued, separate editions being issued for some of the neighboring villages. The circulation has steadily in- creased, the aggregate issues being about 8,000 copies per week.
The Sentinel occupies its own printing establishment, which was completed for use in April, 1882. It is a fine three-story brick build- ing, and is equipped with all the appliances of a modern printing house. The Sentinel is republican in politics.
In June, 1885, the Ausonia Journal, devoted to democratic princi- ples, was established by J. H. Whiting. It was discontinued the fol- lowing September for lack of patronage.
The Ansonia Opera House was erected in 1870 by the Ansonia Hall Company, organized for this purpose in 1869. It is a substantial and attractive brick structure, 45 by 103 feet, and four stories high, and cost to build about $40,000. The opera house proper is one of the finest halls in the county, seating 900 people. Its stage is 30 by 35
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
feet and is well supplied with fine scenery. For a number of years the property has belonged to the Bartholomew family and has been managed by Dana Bartholomew. This was the first spacious hall in Ansonia. Prior to its use the public hall was Colburn's, or the old Military Hall, having a small capacity. Other public rooms more re- cently opened are the Temple of Honor Hall and Y. M. C. A. Hall, both centrally located on Main street, the latter being in Gardner's Block.
The Ansonia Water Company is a corporation with a capital of $30,750, organized for the purpose of supplying the borough with pure water for domestic use. Its first president was J. S. Bartholo- mew, and Sylvester Barbour was the secretary and treasurer. These offices have been filled the past ten years by Thomas Wallace and Dana Bartholomew, who, with William Wallace, A. H. Bartholomew, Theodore P. Terry and F. T. Terry, constituted the board of directors in the fall of 1890. The company constructed its water works in 1868. building a large reservoir on Beaver brook, about two miles from the central part of the village, and several hundred feet above the plain along the Naugatuck. Since that time additional reservoirs have been built, giving a storage capacity of about 33,000,000 gallons. The water is carried to the village by gravitation through 12-inch mains and thoroughly distributed by smaller pipes. At appropriate points are 55 hydrants for use in case of fire. At the highest points a pressure of 90 pounds is afforded, being sufficient, without the use of an engine, to extinguish ordinary fires. For drinking purposes the quality of the water is most excellent.
West Ansonia has its supply of water for domestic use from an- other source. It is furnished by the Fountain Water Company, whose capital is $20,000 and which was organized in 1872. The works, estab- lished at a lake among the western hills, which is filled by living streams, afford a bountiful supply. The mains are being much ex- tended to keep pace with this growing but widely scattered suburb, and provision for its use in case of fire has also been made by the erection of street hydrants. In 1890 David Torrance was the presi- dent of the company and J. A. Fiske treasurer and superintendent.
In connection with the above system was organized Fountain Hose Company No. 1, of West Ansonia, and supplied with proper appar- atus. A hose house for the use of this company is maintained in a central locality. and the fire alarm telegraph has also been extended to this village, there being in 1890 half a dozen boxes.
One of the first resident physicians of Ansonia, although not in active practice, being more devoted to manufacturing, was Doctor Josiah M. Colburn .* After graduating at Yale in 1822 he located at Orange, where he practiced until 1839, when he removed to Derby, where he actively followed his profession a few years longer, then en-
*See sketch, Chapter X.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
gaged in business with his brothers, S. & S. M., following them to Ansonia from Birmingham, soon after the former village was started.
Doctor William Terry located here in 1860. In the war for the Union he served as a surgeon in the military hospital at Alexandria, Va. Returning to Ansonia, he resumed his practice, and is still so engaged in the town. Doctor Charles W. Sheffrey, who had also been a surgeon in the war, became a practitioner at this place in 1866, but in 1871 removed to Bridgeport.
Doctor Frederick P. Blodgett was born in East Windsor, Conn., January 6th, 1847. He prepared for college at Ellington and Hart- ford, and graduated from the Yale Medical College in January, 1871. He came to Ansonia in September, 1871, where he has since practiced. He is a member of the Yale Medical Society. He was recorder of births, deaths and marriages for the town of Derby for two years. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is medical examiner for the order. Doctor Blodgett was married to Martha J. Bill, of New Haven, in 1872.
Doctor Lonis E. Cooper was born in Ansonia, March 15th, 1862. re- ceived his preliminary education at Ansonia, and at Hopkins' Gram- mar School, New Haven, graduated from Sheffield Scientific School in 1884, and from Yale Medical School in 1886. After spending a year in the New Haven Hospital, he came to Ansonia, practiced with Doc- tor Welch one year, then practiced in Seymour 18 months. July 1st, 1890, he formed a partnership with Doctor Welch, and returned to Ansonia. He is a member of the New Haven Medical Society. Doc- tor Cooper married Isabel Smith, of Buckingham, Pa., June 25th, 1890.
Doctor William H. Conklin was born in Fairfield, Conn., in 1860, and is a son of John Conklin. He received his preliminary education in the schools of Fairfield, and graduated from the University of the City of New York in 1882. He then traveled through Ireland and practiced medicine in the Hospital of Dublin six months, and spent six months in London hospitals. He returned to this country in June, 1883, and opened an office in Ansonia, where he has since practiced. He is a member of the New Haven County and the Ousatonic Medical Societies. He is medical examiner for the town of Ansonia. In 1888 he married Mary A. Walsh, of Ansonia, and has one son, Cornelius, born in 1889.
In 1872 Doctor William Johnson began a practice at Ansonia which continued a number of years. In 1876 Doctor Norman R. Bailey came from Seymour, but after a brief period moved to New York state.
Doctor Scott R. Baker studied medicine with Doctor A. Beardsley, of Birmingham, and after graduating from Yale in 1879, located at An- sonia, where he has since been professionally engaged. Contemporary with him, in active practice, were Doctors William C. Welch and R. Y. Downs,
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
As homeopathists Doctors A. and W. H. Pulford have for some time been in practice. A number of other physicians located here but re- mained only short periods.
The Ousatonic Medical Society, composed of the physicians of An- sonia and the neighboring towns, was organized a few years ago. In 1890 its officers were: President, Doctor George L. Beardsley, of Bir- mingham; vice-president, Doctor R. E. Warner, of Seymour; secretary and treasurer, Doctor S. R. Baker, of Ansonia; executive committee, Doctors William H. Conklin, of Ansonia, R. E. Warner, of Seymour, and G. A. Shelton, of Shelton. Its meetings have been instrumental in promoting the interests of the profession.
In the legal profession Sylvester Barbour was one of the first to locate permanently at Ansonia. He was admitted in Hartford county in 1856, and in December, 1861, opened an office in the borough. His practice continued here until 1875, when he returned to Hartford. While at Ansonia he was also active in business affairs, and held vari- ous offices.
Verrenice Munger, born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1847, is a son of Rufus E. Munger. He was educated in the public schools of Derby and Naugatuck, commenced the study of law in 1866 with William Cothren, of Woodbury, and afterward studied with George 'Hine, of Naugatuck. He was admitted to the bar in 1868, practiced in Nauga- tuck until 1873, when he came to Ansonia. He was elected judge of the probate court for Derby in 1874, and held the office four years. He is at present judge of the town court of Ansonia. He was mar- ried, August 15th, 1872, to Jennie C., daughter of Lawrence S. Lewis, of Naugatuck. They have one son and one daughter.
John D. Ballou was admitted to the practice of law in Tolland county in 1869, and began his professional career the same year at An- sonia. In 1872 he removed to the West, but returned in 1878, and has here since been an attorney, although not in active practice in 1890.
Frederick W. Holden was born at White River Junction, Vermont, July 28th, 1858. His earliest recollections are of Philadelphia and then of Windsor, Vermont, until at the age of 12 years he went with his parents to reside at Bridgeport, Connecticut. His education was obtained in public and private schools, supplemented by private tuition.
In October, 1879, he entered upon the study of law in the office of Charles A. Doten, of Bridgeport, and was admitted to the bar in March, 1883. During the time he was pursuing his legal studies, in 1881, he was appointed principal of the West Ansonia public schools, which position he held until July, 1885, when he resigned to enter upon the practice of law at Ansonia, in partnership with Judge V. Munger. This partnership continued until January, 1889; it was then dissolved by mutual consent, and Mr. Holden continued the business at the old offices.
Frederick Ch Holen
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
Mr. Holden is a democrat of the Jeffersonian type, and since his residence in town has taken an active interest in politics. In 1888 he was elected to represent the town of Derby in the general assembly. In that legislature Mr. Holden served as a member of the committee on incorporations, and took an active part in the debates upon the floor of the house and in the work of the committee. In that session he worked earnestly for the passage of the secret ballot law.
The way was now opened for further political promotion. The Seventh senatorial district of Connecticut is strongly republican and has been so for many years. It was almost a forlorn hope for the democratic party to carry a nominee to the state senate, but Mr. Hol- den was almost unanimously nominated in the democratic convention of 1890, and after a spirited campaign was elected by 87 plurality. He was the youngest member of the senate of 1891, and commanded the close attention of the body when he had the floor.
Mr. Holden fills positions of honor in general society of Ansonia. His church relations are with the Episcopal church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of other local bodies, and has held a variety of the minor offices in the gift of his fellow townsmen. He has been a member of the board of school visitors for Derby and An- sonia; he has been also a justice of the peace, and now holds the posi- tion of clerk of the town court of Ansonia.
The record thus far made is an exceptional one and at once sug- gests an aptitude to success, whether as teacher, lawyer or legislator. During his terin as principal of the schools of West Ansonia he won the esteem of both the scholars and the public, and no sooner was he prepared for the practice of law than patronage came to him and the qualities of an able advocate appeared. So, too, as a legislator, he has commended himself to the judgment and favor of his constituents to such an extent that the future will probably record still higher pro- motion and honor for him.
Charles Reed came in 1875, and was in practice a number of years. Daniel E. McMahon was admitted June 13th, 1877, and practiced here until two years ago, when he removed to Birmingham, where he serves as judge of the Derby probate court.
Dennis T. Walsh has been an attorney at Ansonia more than a dozen years, and contemporary with him is, in addition to those already named, Carlos H. Storrs, who also maintains an office at Sey- mour.
Soon after the village of Ansonia was founded several Lodges were organized, whose meetings have since been regularly held. Subse- quently other societies were instituted, which declined and were dis- continued after a brief existence; and in more recent years there has scarcely been a limit to the organizations which have been here effected, nearly every popular or new order having a society repre- sentation in Ansonia. A brief account of the principal bodies is here given.
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