USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
There was born to Joseph and Nancy Lawrence three chil- dren, all boys: Joseph Jeremiah, Francis Watson, and Sebastian Duffy Lawrence. Joseph and Francis both prepared for college, though Joseph never entered, preferring the sea to all other call- ings, and at an early age followed the precept of his father and the water. It is said of the younger Joseph that he was a brave and daring man. However that may be, he rapidly rose in his chosen calling, and at the youthful age of twenty-one commanded a New York-Liverpool packet. About this time he married Sarah Pond of Milford, Connecticut, and taking his bride to the metrop- olis established a home there. In 1868 he, having earned a com- petency, retired from the sea and settled in a luxurious home in the upper part of the city. Young Joseph died in 1894, leaving three daughters, his wife having deceased a few years prior to his demise. Francis W. prepared for a college course and entered Yale, where he remained for two years. At the end of that time, on the advice of the family physician, because of illness he left the college and entered business with his father. Sebastian D., the sole survivor of the family, received his education at the old Union school of New London and at the Bacon Academy of Col-
JOSEPH J. LAWRENCE
205
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
chester. On completing his studies he also entered the employ of his father and with his brother, Francis, was taught the prin- ciples of the shipping trade. At that time the personnel of the office was as follows: Sidney Miner, bookkeeper and general con- fidential office man, and Francis and Sebastian, clerks. At that time the firm was engaged principally in taking seals from the coast of Chili, Peru, South Shetlands, and Georgias, Patagonia and China.
The firm's fleet at that time was made up of twelve vessels, and a little later were employed in the seal, whaling and merch- ant trade, plying between the known ports of the world. Joseph Lawrence, the head of the firm, retired in 1852 and the name of the firm was then changed to Miner, Lawrence Company, then consisting of Sidney Miner, Francis W. and Sebastian D. Law- rence. After about four years Mr. Miner, on account of failing health retired and the firm changed its style to Lawrence & Com- pany, with the brothers making up the firm.
As is known, the younger generation of the Lawrences met with substantial success in their business and though the writer has no means of knowing the figures it is safe to speak of the firm as being more than ordinarily wealthy. They have all through their career been exceedingly fortunate and but two of their men have suffered death or been lost while in their employ. This oc- curred at the time of the loss of the Trinity on the Herd islands, where the men were confined in a Robinson Crusoe existence for a term of fourteen months. The government finally sent Silas Terry of New Haven, at that time commander of a United States cruiser, to the rescue of the men and they were taken off, and through the consul at Cape Town sent to New London by way of different vessels bound for this port. This occurred in 1881.
GEORGE WIGGLESWORTH
Among the foremost representatives of commercial enterprise in Naugatuck is numbered George Wigglesworth, a substantial business man with a background of nearly thirty years of con- tinuous activity as a plumbing and heating contractor, in which connection he has gained more than local prominence. He was born May 5, 1873, in the town where he still resides, and is a son
206
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
of John and Rose Anna (Eastcourt) Wigglesworth. The father, a native of Sheffield, England, was identified with the cutlery trade in that city for a number of years and following his re- moval to Naugatuck became a contractor for the Union Knife Company.
George Wigglesworth was reared and educated in his native town, pursuing his studies in the public schools until he entered the Prospect Street Thimble Shop, with which he was identified for six months. Afterward he worked for two years in the fac- tory of the Beacon Valley Rubber Shoe Company and was next with the Goodyear India Rubber Glove Company of Naugatuck for three years. Subsequently he was in the employ of the John M. Page Company, a plumbing and hardware firm also engaged in sheet iron work and likewise well known as tinsmiths. While in their service he became thoroughly conversant with these various lines of activity and remained with the company until 1901, when he entered the field independently. Energetic and capable, he pros- pered from the start and each year has recorded a marked in- crease in the business, which is now of large proportions. As president and treasurer of the firm of George Wigglesworth & Sons, heating and plumbing contractors, located at 163 Maple street, he heads the leading organization of the kind in Nauga- tuck and in its control manifests the aggressiveness, wisdom and foresight so essential to important achievement. Twenty-eight men are employed by the firm, which gives twenty-four hours' service on the Quiet May oil burner, which they sell and service. In addition they carry a complete line of gas stoves, crane fix- tures and electrical appliances, while they also handle the H. B. Smith boilers. Their trade is drawn not only from Naugatuck but from the outlying districts within a radius of twenty-five miles, and their reputation for superior service and merchandise is not confined to the limits of this state. They are equally well known in the south and completed some large jobs in Florida during the winter of 1929-30. In the execution of contracts they are notably prompt and efficient and have successfully handled a large amount of industrial as well as residential work.
Mr. Wigglesworth was married February 26, 1895, in Nauga- tuck to Miss Ida M. French, now deceased, and four children were born to them: George Lester, who was graduated from the Wentworth Institute and follows the profession of a sanitary
207
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
engineer in connection with his activities as a member of the firm of George Wigglesworth & Sons; Leon A., who also completed a course in Wentworth Institute and is associated with his father and brother in business; Ellen, who was graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music and is now the wife of Stephen L. Cooke, a representative of the United States Rubber Company ; and Edwin, a student in the finance and foreign trade department of Boston University. For his second wife Mr. Wigglesworth chose Miss Daisy Kamerzel, to whom he was married July 26, 1928.
A thirty-second degree Mason, Mr. Wigglesworth is identified with La Fayette Consistory of the Scottish Rite, and is also a member of Clark Commandery of the York Rite. He is also affili- ated with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce. When the opportunity affords he indulges in the sports of hunting and fishing, and also enjoys trav- eling. His religious views are indicated by his membership in St. Michael's Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a democrat. For a number of years he has been burgess of the second ward and is ever ready to serve his community when needed, exerting his efforts as readily for the public good as for his own aggrandize- ment. From the time he entered business life Mr. Wigglesworth has been an earnest, systematic worker, making each day and hour count for the utmost, and is well deserving of the distinctive title of "self-made man," for his success is the direct outcome of his own efforts.
ELZEARD PERREAULT
Among the useful and desirable citizens furnished by Canada to the United States is numbered Elzeard Perreault, who was long engaged in business in Waterbury as a maker of automobile springs, winning a position of leadership in that field of activity, and is now enjoying the fruits of a well spent life. He was born in St. Anne de la Perade, in the province of Quebec, and spent his boyhood on a farm, receiving a common school education. When a young man he crossed the border and dates his residence in Waterbury from March 4, 1888. He worked for a year in the
208
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
shop of George Goodwin, a carriage builder, and gained further experience along that line while in the employ of George D. Pan- neton, with whom he continued for twenty-four years. In 1912 he embarked in the manufacture of automobile springs and found a ready market for his product, which was made with care and skill. He closely studied the construction of cars, making yearly visits to the large factories in Detroit, where he took courses in the structure of automobile chassis and the treating of steel for axles, springs, frames, etc. Eagerly availing himself of every op- portunity to perfect himself in his work, Mr. Perreault made notable progress, and as the years passed he became recognized as Connecticut's foremost manufacturer of automobile springs. In the development of the industry he was ably assisted by his son, Joseph C. Perreault, who now owns the business, which he has successfully conducted since his father's retirement.
On the 4th of March, 1889, Elzeard Perreault was married to Elmina (Ouellette) Perreault, of St. Anne de la Pocatiere, in the province of Quebec, and they became the parents of four chil- dren. Of these Joseph C. Perreault was born in Waterbury, May 29, 1892, and after his graduation from St. Anne's parochial school in this city completed a course in Sacred Heart College, a Canadian institution. On returning to Waterbury he prepared for a commercial career by attendance at Post Business College and then became a member of the clerical force of the Franco- American Coal Company. A year later he resigned the position and entered the business founded by his father, aiding him in its management for a number of years. Gradually he assumed heav- ier responsibilities and is now at the head of the institution, mani- festing in its direction the initiative, forcefulness and wisdom of the true executive. In addition to handling a complete line of the Detroit Steel Products springs the E. Perreault Spring Service organization makes springs for any special use as well as for cars of obsolete models. They also act as the sales and service distribu- tors for the HeXaDees shock absorbers, the latest mechanical achievement for reducing to a minimum road shocks and the con- stant rebounding of springs when wash-board roads are encoun- tered. They regularly carry a stock of from twenty-five hundred to three thousand springs for all makes of cars and trucks, and their modern shop at 510 South Main street is equipped to handle such work as straightening frames and axles and repairing
209
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
broken springs. The firm guarantees every job which it under- takes and throughout the eighteen years of its existence has never deviated from the policy of square dealing that has been the chief factor in making this the largest business of the kind in the state.
On the 12th of May, 1919, was solemnized the marriage of Joseph C. Perreault and Regina G. Berube, of Waterbury, and they now have two children, Joseph C., Jr., and George Omer. During the World war Mr. Perreault enlisted in the United States Army and after five months of preliminary training in the Went- worth Institute of Boston went to Camp Jackson near Columbia, South Carolina, serving with the artillery forces and the Motor Transport Corps. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks but has little time for outside connections, for he has always been an earnest, intelligent worker, making each day count for the utmost. Thus he is constantly broadening the scope of the extensive institution which he represents and worthily follows in the business footsteps of his father.
CHARLES W. TREMPER
Charles W. Tremper, a scion of one of the old Knickerbocker families of New York, has always resided in New Haven and is the leading spirit in the conduct of the business of The Tremper- Shields Company, Inc., bookbinders, printers and manufacturers of special machinery. Born in this city on the 16th of November, 1883, he is a son of Charles E. and Sarah J. (Miller) Tremper, the former a native of New Richmond, Ohio, while the latter was born in Connecticut. The American progenitor of the Tremper family came from Holland to this country in 1685 and settled in the Dutch colony near Tarrytown, New York. John Lawrence Tremper, the grandfather of Charles W. Tremper, was born near Tarrytown, October 3, 1803, and during the '40s journeyed west- ward to Ohio, locating in New Richmond. Later he proceeded down the Ohio river to Enterprise, Indiana, subsequently making his way to Newburg, that state. Members of his family were pioneers in the lumber industry, operating chiefly at Spottsville, on the Green river in Kentucky and utilizing both steam and water power in their mill. They located there immediately after the close of the Civil war, but the Tremper family proper has now
210
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
passed out of that district. At an early period they were identified with navigation on the Hudson river, and Walter G. Houghland, a cousin of Charles W. Tremper, now owns and operates a large fleet of boats on the Ohio river and its tributaries. Charles E. Tremper arrived in New Haven in January, 1882, and for a number of years had charge of the sawmill of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company here, but he has now retired.
Following his graduation from the New Haven high school as a member of the class of 1900, Charles W. Tremper took up the study of accounting and after completing his course was made manager of the office of The Fuller Manufacturing Company, of which he is now secretary and treasurer. Studious by nature, he also took a course in engineering and follows that profession in connection with his other business. The Tremper-Shields Com- pany was formed in December, 1915, and subsequently took over the manufacture of the products formerly made by the Fuller Manufacturing Company, adding a general engineering and ma- chine shop service. The business was incorporated with Charles W. Tremper as president and treasurer, Edward R. Shields as vice president, and D. C. Atkins as secretary. They have about thirty employes in their modern, well equipped plant at 141 Brew- ery street, and every department of the institution is managed with system and efficiency. Mr. Tremper devotes deep thought to the business, which is rapidly expanding under his wise and progressive leadership. His plans are carefully formulated and have their basis in a mind that is alert to the latest developments in the world of commerce and sees far into the future.
On the 3d of October, 1908, Mr. Tremper was married to Miss Della E. Beyea, of New Haven, and they have one child, Everett W., who was born July 31, 1909, and is a sophomore in Lehigh University. They are members of the Plymouth Congregational Church and manifest a deep interest in all worthy public projects. Mr. Tremper is serving on the New Haven board of finance and is a member of the advisory board of the East street sewer dis- posal plant. He is a past president of the New Haven branch of the National Metal Trades Association and a past national coun- selor of the National Association. During the World war he was secretary of the committee of industrial education for New Haven, working under the direction of the ordnance department
211
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
of the United States Army. A Mason, he belongs to Worcester Lodge, No. 79, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master; New Haven Commandery, No. 2, K. T .; to three Scottish Rite bodies in New Haven, including the local chapter of the Rose Croix, of which he is senior warden; and the consistory in Bridgeport. He is president of the Masonic Temple Association of New Haven and has membership in the Knights Templar Club, the Kiwanis Club and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Deeply interested in movements for advancing the standards of Ameri- can citizenship and particularly concerned in everything that touches the welfare and progress of the youth of our land, he has been active in behalf of the organization of Boy Scouts; now acts as chairman of the Court of Honor, and was the first chairman and advisor of the De Molay Order for Boys. While he has won a gratifying measure of success, his career has also been fraught with the accomplishment of much good and his spirit of helpful- ness, his kindly nature and his clear outlook upon life have gained for Mr. Tremper a high place in the esteem of all who know him.
CHARLES F. HOLMES
With broad experience in varied lines of construction work and thoroughly qualified for the conduct of important interests of this character, Charles F. Holmes has established an enviable reputation as one of the leading contractors of Waterbury, where his activities have been centered for many years. He was born in Middlebury, Connecticut, July 15, 1878, a son of William H. and Paulina Jane (Curtis) Holmes, who were also natives of the Nutmeg state. The father, who engaged in agricultural pursuits, is now deceased.
Reared on the home farm, Charles F. Holmes obtained his early instruction in a country school of that locality, after which he attended the public schools and also took a course in a business college. He then entered upon an apprenticeship as a carpenter with a Mr. Goodwin, an experienced contractor, and later was with a Mr. McCauley, working for each two years. His next employer was George A. Upham, a Waterbury contractor, with whom he continued for twenty-three years, and during most of that period filled the responsible position of superintendent. Hav-
212
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
ing mastered every phase of the business, he entered the field independently as a general contractor, and his ability and trust- worthiness soon won recognition. The business grew steadily because of the high quality of his work, and he is now numbered among the largest operators in this part of the state. Endowed with imagination, creative power and good taste, he has achieved prominence as a designer as well as a builder and has planned and constructed many large factories and fine residences. In the execution of contracts he is prompt and capable and can always be depended upon to perform first class work.
On the 11th of May, 1906, Mr. Holmes was married to Miss Clara S. Morey, of Watertown. He maintains his office at 35 Com- mercial street, Waterbury, and has a summer cottage on the sea- shore. An Episcopalian in religious faith, he has membership in All Souls' Church, and his political allegiance is given to the re- publican party. At one time he was a member of the City Guard but has never been affiliated with fraternal orders or clubs. He reserves his energies for his business, which is wisely and suc- cessfully conducted, and with the passing years he has made important and valuable contributions to the development, im- provement and advancement of Waterbury, which contains many examples of his ability as a builder and designer.
FREDERICK C. BAUBY
Among the prominent attorneys of Waterbury is numbered Frederick C. Bauby, whose connection with the legal profession covers a period of twenty-three years. He was born in this city, December 8, 1878, a son of Peter and Rose (Musante) Bauby, natives of Italy. In early life they emigrated to the United States, and the father was one of the first Italian settlers in New Haven county.
Frederick C. Bauby attended the public schools of Waterbury, and in preparation for the career of a lawyer he matriculated in Yale University, from which he was graduated in 1907, receiv- ing the degree of LL. B. In the same year he was admitted to the Connecticut bar, at which time he entered upon the practice of law in Waterbury in association with his brother, Charles Bauby, and since the latter's death has been alone. He maintains his
FREDERICK C. BAUBY
215
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
office at 42 Bank street, and his legal acumen and careful pre- sentation of his cases have won for him a liberal clientele.
On the 12th of May, 1924, Mr. Bauby was married to Miss Mildred Mattson, of Waterbury, and their attractive and hos- pitable home has become a center of the social life of the city. Mr. Bauby enjoys horse racing, golf and football and is particularly interested in the last named sport, each season attending every important football game in the east. He was one of the founders of the Mattatuck Country Club and is also identified with the Reciprocity Club. His fraternal affiliations are with the Knights of Columbus, in which he has taken the fourth degree, the Eagles and the Elks. In 1899 and 1900 he was a member of Company A of the Connecticut National Guard, and during the World war he served on the draft board. From 1918 until 1921 he filled the office of tax collector and is always willing to cooperate in well defined plans and projects for Waterbury's growth and better- ment. As a citizen he is progressive and public-spirited, while the course which he has followed as a lawyer is one which reflects credit upon the profession.
MARTIN JOSEPH TEHAN
A lifelong resident of Waterbury, Martin Joseph Tehan has witnessed notable changes in its aspect as the work of develop- ment and improvement has been carried forward. Through un- faltering purpose, close application and the exercise of his capaci- ties and powers he has kept pace with the city's progress and for three years has filled the responsible position of traffic manager with the Waterbury Farrel Foundry & Machine Company, while he is also active in welfare work.
He was born March 22, 1887, a son of Finton J. and Catherine (McDonald) Tehan, who were natives of Queens county, Ireland, and emigrated to the United States in 1880. The father was a police officer of Waterbury for many years, serving as a lieu- tenant, and was killed in 1924, while on duty. The mother now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Dennis Day. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Tehan: Finton S., who was ordained to the priesthood in the cathedral at Hartford, afterward becom- ing a professor in St. Thomas Seminary and is now assistant to
216
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
the pastor of St. Charles Borromeo's Roman Catholic Church at Bridgeport, Connecticut; Patrick F., who is connected with the Albany Packing Company of Albany, New York; John C., who learned the trade of a machinist with the Waterbury Farrel Foundry & Machine Company and is now superintendent of the shops of the Cleveland Worm Gear Company of Cleveland, Ohio; Mary C., the wife of Dennis Day, of Waterbury; Margaret E., who is Mrs. James Leary, of Waterbury; Katherine A., who mar- ried James Kelley and passed away in 1924; Nora L., who died at the age of thirteen; and Martin Joseph.
The last named obtained his early education in St. Mary's parochial school, afterward attending the Bishop public school and the Waterbury Business College. He first worked in the rolling mill of the Chase Metal Company, remaining there for only three months, and then became a clerk in the men's furnish- ings store of the Upson-Singleton Company, with which he was connected for three years. Afterward he was a bookkeeper in the office of the J. W. Gaffney Company, dealers in building material, and acted in that capacity for three years. In 1907 he entered the employ of the Waterbury Farrel Foundry & Machine Company, working first in the auditing department, then in the cost department, and since 1927 has been traffic manager. Thor- oughly experienced and efficient, he meets every requirement of the position and also renders valuable service to the company as secretary of its aid association.
Mr. Tehan was married August 31, 1914, in Waterbury to Miss Mary Coughlan, a daughter of Peter F. Coughlan, who for many years was one of the councilmen of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Tehan became the parents of eight children: Finton S., who lived but ten months; Martin Joseph, Jr., who is attending St. Francis parochial school; Francis X., George J., John F. and Katherine M., aged respectively twelve, ten, eight and six years and also pupils in the same parochial school; Mary T., who died when a child of four; and James J., aged three years.
The family are communicants of St. Francis Xavier's Roman Catholic Church, and Mr. Tehan is a past president of the St. Francis Xavier Holy Name Society and also of St. Mary's Alumni Association. He was one of the organizers of the St. Francis Troop of Boy Scouts, becoming its scout master, and Mrs. Tehan is president of the St. Francis Scout Mothers Club. Both have
217
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
been very active in those movements which tend to uplift the individual and raise the standards of citizenship, and in recog- nition of his efforts in that connection Mr. Tehan was recently appointed a member of the public welfare board of Waterbury for a two years' term. He has exceptional qualifications for the position and will devote much of his spare time to this branch of civic service. He belongs to the New England Traffic League and is also a member of the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce. Alert to trade conditions and the trend of the times, Mr. Tehan exerts a strong influence in business circles of his city, and his activities in the field of public service have been just as potent and beneficial.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.