USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 75
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 75
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*Reverend Elijah C. Baldwin.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
on to the bank at the west end of the town, which will, when com- pleted, afford a supply of water power capable of employing as much or more capital than has already been invested."
The expectations of benefits from these water powers were not re- alized, and steam power is now almost wholly used. In 1860 there was about $750,000 invested in manufacturing; the amount in 1891 was nearly $9,000,000. About 6,000 hands were employed, who re- ceived in wages nearly $3,000,000 per year. The principal manufac- tures were brass goods, and from that fact Waterbury is often called the " Brass City."
In 1891 the following concerns were here located, and their prod- ucts were:
Brass goods: American Pin Company, American Ring Company, Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company, Blake, Lamb & Co., Chapman & Armstrong Manufacturing Company, Electrical Appliance Manufacturing Company, Globe Curtain Pole Company, Harris, F. R .; Hartley, George; Holmes, Booth & Haydens, Lane Manufacturing Company, Matthews & Willard Manufacturing Company, Novelty Manufacturing Company, Plume & Atwood Manufacturing Company, Randolph & Clowes, Scovill Manufacturing Company, Smith & Griggs Manufacturing Company, Specialty Manufacturing Company, Steele & Johnson Manufacturing Company, Tucker Manufacturing Company, Waterbury Brass Company, Waterbury Buckle Company, Waterbury Button Company, Waterbury Manufacturing Company, Wells, A. H, & Co.
Sheet brass manufacturers: Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company, Holmes, Booth & Haydens, Plume & Atwood Manufacturing Company, Randolph & Clowes, Scovill Manufacturing Company, Waterbury Brass Company.
Copper manufacturers: Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Com- pany, Holmes, Booth & Haydens, Plume & Atwood Manufacturing Company, Randolph & Clowes, Scovill Manufacturing Company. The three first named are also manufacturers of electrical wire.
Pin manufacturers: American Pin Company, Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company, Blake & Johnson, Oakville Company, Plume & Atwood Manufacturing Company, Warner, L. E. (Oakville).
Silver plated ware manufacturers: Holmes, Booth & Haydens, Rog- ers & Hamilton, Rogers & Brother.
Box manufacturers: American Pin Company, R. E. Hitchcock & Co., White & Wells.
Besides the above there were: Trott, Lawton & Co., crackers; H. L. Wells Hosiery Company (Waterville), Platt Milling Company (Platts- ville), Waterbury Watch Company, Waterbury Clock Company, Far- rel Foundry & Machine Company, chilled rolls and heavy machinery. Six establishments manufactured buckles; nine, buttons; one, bronze
41
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IHISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
ornaments; five, German silver and gilding metal; twelve, hardware; and nearly the same number, cutlery; four, lamps, and one lanterns.
There are about 60 incorporated manufacturing companies, and their products are sent to all parts of the globe. Some of the works here located have a world-wide reputation.
The Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company is one of the oldest corporations, and was the successor of those who here com- meneed to make brass and brass goods. It has been said that the prosperity of the town began with the operations of this firm and later company. The present corporation was formed in 1843, with a capital of $100,000. In 1856 it was increased to $400,000. But, properly, the business was established in 1812, by Deacon Aaron Benedict, who was born in Middlebury in 1795, and who was connected with the interests of the city until his death, in 1873. Gordon W. Burnham died in 1885, aged 82 years. He was a man of great business ability. Under their management the works assumed large proportions. Twelve acres arc covered with buildings and 800 hands are employed. The products of this establishment are not only extensive and varied, but several other corporations have sprung from it, viz .: The American Pin Company, in 1846, which is one of the largest companies of the kind in the coun- try; the Waterbury Button Company, organized in 1849; and the Wat- erbury Clock Company, organized in 1857, with a capital of $60,000. Arad Welton was the president of the last corporation until 1863, when Charles Benedict so served until his death in 1881. The establishment is large and vast quantities of time pieces are made.
Of the same nature, but a separate corporation, is the Waterbury Watch Company, incorporated March 3d, 1880, with a capital of $400,- 000. This company claims to manufacture the best low-priced watch in the world, and occupies an immense plant.
Silver plating was begun in 1858, when two of the celebrated Rogers Brothers-Asa H., the plater, and Simon S., the metal worker -came to Waterbury, where they adopted their trade mark, "Rogers & Bro. A 1," and were incorporated as Rogers & Brother. The fac- tory is on Mad river, 13 miles east of Center square. The highest grades of flat and hollow ware are made. The Rogers & Hamilton Company are silver platers in the Brooklyn or west of the Naugatuck part of the city. The company was incorporated in 1886.
The Scovill Manufacturing Company, another of the giant corpora- tions of the city, although not incorporated with the present name until 1850, is in the line of succession of the business established in 1811 by James M. L. Scovill, Frederick Leavenworth and David Hay- den, who first made gilt and brass buttons. The latter two retired in 1837, selling to William H. Scovill, and the corporation succeeded to the business of the Scovills in the year named. Lampson Scovill was a pioncer manufacturer. Ile was born in 1789, and died May 16th,
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTV.
1857. The oldest water power in the town is used by this company, whose brass goods arc widely used.
The third brass rolling mill in Waterbury was built in 1830 by Brown & Elton, and that firm made the first hooks and eyes in the town, in April, 1836. Deacon James Brown, a pioneer manufacturer, died in 1848, but his sons, Philo, James, William and Augustus, con- tinued, and became the controlling owners of Brown & Brothers' ex- tensive brass goods manufactory. A specialty is made of brass tub- ing, and seamless tubes of brass of 40 feet have here been drawn out. Their tube drawing machine weighs 200,000 pounds, and is the largest in this county. It is worked by hydraulic pressure.
Israel Holmes was another pioneer manufacturer. He was born in Waterbury December 19th, 1800, and was for some time in the employ of the Scovills. In 1831 he built a brass mill, and in 1845 became the president of the Waterbury Brass Company, which was organized that year and has become one of the largest brass producing establishments in the city. In 1880 the company was incorporated with a capital of $400,000. The plant covers about 20 acres and water is the main motive power. The corporation is also the owner of the interests of the American Flask & Cap Company, organized in 1857 with a capital of $125,000. Hundreds of men are employed. John P. Elton, who was connected with this company, died in 1864.
In February, 1853, Israel Holmes, John C. Booth, Henry H. Hayden and Hiram W. Hayden organized the well known corporation of Holmes, Booth & Haydens, which has a very extensive and well or- dered plant, and produces a great variety of goods in brass and cop- per, as well as plated wares. The goods produced have a splendid reputation.
The Waterbury Manufacturing Company, incorporated in 1876, is also extensively engaged in the production of brass goods, etc., about 600 hands being employed. A. S. Chase is the president and Henry S. Chase the treasurer of the company, which is a close corporation.
The Farrel Foundry & Machine Company was organized in 1857, but in 1880 was reorganized with the name of the Waterbury Farrel Foundry & Machine Company, to more fully distinguish it from the Ansonia industries of the same name, also established by Almon Far- rel. Since the last date E. C. Lewis has been the principal owner and president of the company, whose already extensive works were much enlarged in 1891. Chilled rolls and heavy milling machinery are manufactured and are very favorably known.
Heavy and special machinery is made by Blake & Johnson, organ- ized in 1852. Small hardware is also made, and a heavy business is transacted.
The manufacturing business of the Smith & Griggs Company was started in 1866. Sheet metal is made and 200 hands are employed at the works at Hopeville.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
The Plume & Atwood Manufacturing Company was organized in 1869, and now has a capital of $400,000, making it one of the largest corporations in the city. Its plant is also one of the finest. David S. Plume is the treasurer, and L. J. Atwood the president of the corpor- ation.
The Matthews & Willard Company was organized in 1870, but in 1890 was incorporated with a capital of $250,000. It is a large and flourishing corporation. Metal and bronze trimmings of all kinds are made. The principal officers are: F. L. Curtiss, C. P. Goss and George G. Blakeslee.
Another old and successful corporation is the Waterbury Buckle Company, which was organized in 1853, and whose capital was, in 1872, placed at $100,000. Buckles, belts and steel ornaments are made, and 250 hands are employed.
The American Mills Company, incorporated in 1881, is the succes- sor of the American Suspender Company, incorporated in 1857, to take up the business of Hotchkiss & Merriam, established in 1843. Elastic goods are woven. A number of textile manufacturing estab- lishments were at one time maintained in the town, but that industry has been largely diverted to other localities. A few years ago the H. L. Welch Hosiery Company was incorporated with a capital of $80,- 000, with Welch as the president, and Lewis Gates as the manager. The company occupies the plant formerly used by the Waterville Knitting Works. At the same place are the shops of the Waterville Cutlery Company, incorporated in 1890, with a capital of $25,000. George L. Jenks is the secretary and treasurer of the company.
The Oakville Company, with a capital of $75,000, was organized in 1852, to manufacture solid headed pins. An extensive business is now carried on.
In addition to those named in the foregoing pages, as having been identified with the manufacturing interests of Waterbury and aiding in their development, creditable mention may be made of Doctor A. Ives, from 1837 until his death in 1852; Greene Kendrick, C. S. Sperry and B. F. Leavenworth, of earlier periods; W. R. Hitchcock, D. B. Hurd, E. Robinson, F. M. Perkins, H. A. Matthews, Henry L. Wade, George B. Scovill, S. B. Lane, H. B. Lane, G. W. Tucker and C. B. Woodruff, of more recent periods.
The Waterbury Bank, chartered in 1848, was the first organized in the town. It began business in 1849 with the foregoing name, but at the time of its reorganization, under the United States laws, in 1864, it became the Waterbury National Bank. The authorized capital of $200,000 has been increased to $500,000. The original officers of the bank were: Bennett Bronson, president; Dyer Ames, cashier; Aaron Benedict, Philo Brown, Scovill M. Buckingham, N. J. Buel, John P. Elton, L. W. Coe and N. B. Smith, directors. Judge Bronson died December 11th, 1850, when John P. Elton became the president. On
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
the death of the latter, A. S. Chase was elected president, and A. M. Blakesley cashier. The additional directors are Homer Hemingway, Nelson J. Welton, Leman W. Cutler, J. M. Burrall, James S. Elton, Henry L. Wade and S. T. Dayton. The bank has a surplus fund of $250,000, and has declared large dividends. Soon after business was begun a plain but very substantial building was erected for the use of the bank, on the corner of Grand and Bank streets, which, in a mod- ernized condition, is still occupied.
In 1853 the Citizens' Bank was established, and was the second in the city. Business was begun in the building ever since used, oppo- site the northeast corner of Center Square. In January, 1865, the bank was nationalized, becoming the Citizens' National Bank. The capital was also increased from $100,000 to $300,000. Of the old bank Abram Ives was the first president, and Frederick J. Kingsbury the cashier. Later Samuel W. Hall became the president, and served un- til 1868, when Mr. Kingsbury succeeded him, and has since been at the head of the bank, F. L. Curtiss being the cashier. Other directors are Edward Cowles, David E. Sprague and Henry H. Peck. In 1890 a surplus fund of $95,000 was reported, and the bank was very highly rated in commercial circles.
The Manufacturers' National Bank was organized under the United States banking laws, in 1880, with a capital of $100,000. To this has been added a surplus fund of $20,000, besides paying a yearly 8 per cent. dividend to its stockholders, making this one of the most pros- perous institutions of the kind in the town. Very fine banking offices, in a handsome block recently erected, on Bank street, are occupied. The original president, David B. Hamilton, and cashier, Charles R. Baldwin, have been retained, and the other directors are Edward C. Lewis, C. M. Platt, George W. Beach, Edward L. Frisbie and Henry S. Chase.
The Fourth National Bank was organized in 1887, with a capital of $100,000, and its business was soon very prosperous. Large and hand- some offices, in the newly erected Masonic Building, are occupied. The officers are Edward T. Turner, president; Burton G. Bryan, cashier. The former and the following are the directors: D. S. Plume, Edmund Day, L. A. Platt, George E. Terry, N. D. Granniss, J. R. Smith.
Several private banks have had a successful existence in the city. One of the first was established by the Elton Banking Company, in 1865, which was discontinued after the death of some of its principals. Brown & Parsons were private bankers a number of years, and that firm was succeeded by Israel Holmes and G. S. Parsons, as Holmes & Parsons, who are now in business on North Main street.
The oldest savings institution, the Waterbury Savings Bank, was chartered in 1850, and began business the same year. From the be- ginning F. J. Kingsbury has been the treasurer, and his conservative
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
management has placed the bank upon an excellent basis. In 1891 its deposits were more than $3,000,000, and there were undivided profits to the amount of nearly $100,000. The bank has had as presi- dents: John P. Elton, Nelson Hall, Samuel W. Hall, Willard Spencer, C. B. Merriman, Nathan Dikeman and E. L. Frisbie, all of them leading business men of this part of the county. The latter now serves, and his associate directors are: John W. Smith, A. S. Chase, F. L. Curtiss, John M. Burrall, George E. Terry, F. J. Kingsbury and James S. Elton. The place of business is in the building of the Citizens' Bank.
The Dime Savings Bank was incorporated in 1870, and began busi- ness September 1st that year. Elisha Leavenworth was the first presi- dent, and was succeeded by H. C. Griggs, who gave place to the pres- ent incumbent, Henry H. Peck. The only treasurer has been Guern- sey S. Parsons. Others interested in directing its affairs are: Theo- dore I. Driggs, Edward L. Frisbie, Sr., Charles W. Gillette, E. C. Lewis, Norman D. Granniss and E. M. Burrall. In April, 1875, the deposits were $412,705.99; March 1st, 1885, $1,130,736.86; and April 1st, 1890, $1,927,887.73. The surplus fund amounts to more than $75,000. A banking office on North Main street is occupied.
The West Side Savings Bank is located in the Brooklyn part of the city. It was incorporated in January, 1889, and began business the same year. George H. Cowell was elected president; Michael Guil- foile, secretary, and Gordon B. Lawrence the treasurer, and these officers still serve. The bank has been well patronized, the deposits the first year being about $40,000.
The Connecticut Indemnity Association was organized in 1883, as a natural premium life insurance company. In 1887 it was duly char- tered by the state, with an authorized capital of $250,000, which has been fully subscribed. The association has its home office in the fine new Platt Building, and has prospered beyond the usual run of new companies of that nature. It furnishes accident, life and endowment in- surance, and has written more than 8,000 policies, representing over $5,000,000 of insurance in 22 different states. V. L. Sawyer is the president of the association; E. A. Wright, secretary; A. M. Blakesley, treasurer of the reserve fund, and H. W. Lake, general treasurer.
The Waterbury Horse Railway Company was organized in the spring of 1886. In July, the same year, the work of construction was begun, and on the 3d of November following cars first commenced to run. The system embraces three lines, each two miles in length. All the lines, namely, North Main and Bank streets, South Main street, and East and West Main streets, center at Exchange place. The com- pany has 15 closed and 13 open cars and uses 115 horses in their ope- ration. E. A. Bradley is the superintendent. Electric railways to some of the suburban towns are also projected.
Waterbury has an able and well sustained periodical press. The oldest and properly the pioneer paper is the Waterbury American, which
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
was established as a weekly in November, 1844, by Joseph Giles. After seven issues the paper was bought by E. B. Clark & Co., who were the publishers for 23 years. In 1868 the American Printing Company was formed, with E. B. Cooke as the president. He was also the editor of the paper, and so served until his death, January 17th, 1875. At that time he was one of the oldest successful newspaper men in the state, and was very widely known and familiarly called " Father Cooke." No other editor in the state wielded a greater in- fluence, nor was there another, in his day, whose writings commanded more attention. Since May, 1878, Charles F. Chapin has been the editor, worthily filling the place so long occupied by Mr. Cooke. In the same period A. S. Chase has been the president of the American Company. For a number of years Charles R. Baldwin was the busi- ness manager. In 1878 the company occupied its fine printing house, on Bank street, in which may be found all the appliances of the well directed modern newspaper. The issues of the Weekly American have been uninterruptedly continued, and since Tuesday, May 2d, 1866, the Daily American has been issued on every week day, both editions being noteworthy exponents of progressive thought and liberal views, favoring independent action on both local and national issues.
The Waterbury Republican was established in October, 1881, by J. Henry Morrow, who had previously been connected with the Brooklyn Union. As a weekly paper the Republican was so successful that a daily issue was begun January 2d, 1884, and in both these forms it has since appeared. It is the recognized organ of the republican party. In the fall of 1883 a fine publishing office was prepared for the paper on Bank street, which has since been its home. Mr. Morrow's connec- tion with the Republican ceased March 1st, 1890, when H. S. Chase be- came the proprietor, with P. H. Hampson as the manager. Since July, 1890, the printing establishment has been devoted wholly to newspaper work.
On the 1st of August, 1880, the publication of the Valley Democrat was begun by Messrs. Maloney & Loughery, and it was published by them several years. In the spring of 1883 the ownership passed to Cornelius and Michael T. Maloney, by whom it is still published as a daily, the Waterbury Evening Democrat. This change was made De- cember 5th, 1887, after the paper had been published, since January 3d, 1886, as the Sunday Democrat, which was then discontinued. The paper supplies a popular want, and is devoted to the interests of the democratic party.
The Waterbury Sunday Herald was begun in the spring of 1888. In the summer of 1891 its printing house was removed to Bridgeport, an editorial office alone being maintained in Waterbury, with Fred. R. Swift in charge.
A number of other papers were begun in the city, but had only a short existence, the Valley Index being one of the longest continued.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
Several papers published elsewhere have Waterbury editions, as the Weekly Examiner, a labor organ; the Neue Zeitung, a German publi- cation; and the Connecticut Guardsman, a semi-monthly, established in May, 1890, and devoted to the interests of the National Guard of this and adjoining states.
The Waterbury post office, now so important, was long rated as a small affair, and in the early part of this century was surpassed by the offices in some of the neighboring liill towns. In 1815 William K. Lampson was the postmaster, and was succeeded by Doctor Frederick Leavenworth, who was postmaster in 1829. Elisha Leavenworth came next, and gave place to David S. Law in 1849. At that time a daily mail had been provided and the salary of the office was $854. Elisha Leavenworth was again appointed in 1853, and the office was kept in the Leavenworth building, near Exchange place. In the first term of Lincoln, Calvin H. Carter was appointed postmaster, and was followed by Charles W. Gillette and George W. Beach. For several months, in 1869, John J. Jaques was the postmaster, giving place, July 12th, 1869, to his successor, John W. Hill, who served until March 16th, 1886. Charles C. Commerford was the Cleveland appointee, and at the end of his term, in 1890, was succeeded by the present incumbent, Captain John B. Doherty. He was born in Nova Scotia, September 10th, 1853, and came to Waterbury in 1865. On the 1st of July, 1889, he was elected colonel of the 2d Regiment, Connecticut National Guards. For a number of years Daniel E. Fitzpatrick has been the deputy post- master.
In recent years the business of the office has become very exten- sive and steadily increases, at the rate of about $5,000 per year. It amounted to $46,500 for the year ending March 31st, 1891, being $25,- 000 more than the expenses of the office. October 1st, 1884, the car- rier system of mail delivery here went into operation, five carriers being employed. That number has since been increased to twelve, and in addition nine clerks are employed. In 1872 the office was lo- cated in the building since occupied, which has become too small, and a new public edifice is urgently needed for its accommodation.
Concerning the public houses of the city, a writer in a recent paper* said: "On West Main, where the Barlow Brothers now live, stood the Judd tavern, and where Turner's store now stands was another tavern, kept by one Burton. The stables of the latter stood where Miller & Peck's store is now, and Little brook babbled out and uninterrupted alongside the stables. Here the cattle of travelers were watered and fed. But the old Judd tavern was the most popular. There the wits of the town used to congregate nightly; there soldiers and volunteers on their way to take part in the 'so-called patriot war' in Canada used to stay over night, and song and jest and flowing bowls helped to pass the time until morning. Mr. Judd died on September 12th, 1825, aged 91 years.
* Waterbury Sunday Herald.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
"A public well was dug on the northwest corner of West Main street, with a trough to hold water, to be used for fire purposes under- neath.
"In those days when a drunken man was seen on the streets he was seized by the people and dropped into this trough until he was com- pletely saturated, and this method of punishment had as much effect as $5 and costs has nowadays."
In more recent times the tavern on the site of Turner's store bore the name of the Mansion House, and having long piazzas, it presented a somewhat stately appearance when compared with the surrounding buildings, so that the name was not wholly inappropriate. On the 4th of July, 1849, the original part of the Scovill House was opened to the public. and it soon became, and has remained to the present time, the most popular hostelry. Subsequent additions have very much in- creased its capacity, and half a dozen newer hotel buildings help to accommodate the traveling public of the city.
The firm of Miller & Peck is the oldest in the dry goods trade, its existence dating from 1860. A few years ago Henry H. Peck retired from the firm, and since that time the extensive business has been carried on by Charles Miller, the senior member. E. T. Turner be- came a merchant in Waterbury in 1864, and occupied the above place of business in 1875, after having adapted it to his uses. More recent changes have made it a fine dry goods emporium, conforming to the demands of modern times. Mr. Turner manifested much enterprise in carrying on his business, and was the first in the city to introduce new trade features, such as employing female help, a regular cashier and cash boys. He was a man of great decision of character, and was much respected by all classes of citizens. He died in December, 1891, aged about 56 years, and the business is now carried on by his son Charles, and his associates.
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