History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 87

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1317

USA > Connecticut > New London County > History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 87

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After running the factory for one year, Mr. Ballou discovered that an income sufficient to support four families could not be derived from the product of ten looms. He saw from the beginning that the only way to realize a larger profit was to increase the ma- chinery, which had been contemplated in the build- ing of the factory, but he had not the money to do this, and he hesitated.

He was in a dilemma. Instead of laying up a small sum every year, as he had been doing while working for others, he found himself losing daily working for himself. But that was not the worst of it. His father-in-law and brothers-in-law could not abandon the enterprise without great loss and even failure, and to him alone they looked for relief.

Of the Ballous it may be truly said that whatever they undertake they seldom or never stop at any ob- stacle to success which industry, energy, and enter- prise can conquer, and this was a trait of character for which the subject of this sketch was pre-eminently distinguished.

Yet a young man and with very little experience in the management of business affairs, he sought the ad- vice of a friend in Providence, R. I.,-a gentleman of excellent reputation as a manufacturer, of a kindly nature and sound judgment,-and was confirmed in his own opinion as to the necessity of the case and its remedy ; but, always careful and conservative, he hesitated about incurring so large an indebtedness, and feared he might not be able to raise the money to carry out the plan, until his friend assured him that he would give him whatever aid he might need, saying to him, " Go ahead, and I will see that you do not fail."

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The machinery was ordered the same day, and he returned home greatly encouraged by the confidence placed in him by the successful merchant and shrewd business man, who had known him but a single year, but had doubtless discerned in him qualities which satisfied him that the loan of his credit would not be misplaced.

The business at once commenced to increase, and the firm were able to meet all their payments with- out availing themselves of the proffered aid. Mr. Ballou always regarded this event as "the turn in the tide" of his affairs " which led on to fortune."

Having secured these increased facilities, he made a contract with Robert Rhodes, of Providence, to receive cotton and manufacture cloth for a fixed price per yard, thus providing for the working capital to run the mill. In 1833 he commenced to buy his own cotton, and sold his goods in New York, and during the financial crisis of 1837 made no losses, while many other manufacturers were greatly em- barrassed by the failure of their commission-houses. It is a notable fact that during that year the paper of every domestic commission merchant in New York went to protest excepting that of two firms, and with them alone had Mr. Ballou any business relations.

In 1834 he increased the capacity of his mill more than double, and in 1836 purchased the entire inter- ests of his partners, whom he helped to establish in . mills of their own on the same river.

In subsequent years he continued to enlarge his mill, and introduced new machinery as his means ac- cumulated and the inventions of the age made it imperative, for he never could be satisfied if his rela- tive cost of production, which is the key to manu- facturing success, was not as low as any of his com- petitors.

He passed through the several financial crises of half a century without compromise of any kind and with steadily-increasing resources, relying always for suc- cess on the result of patient, honest, and skillful labor rather than on any combination of any especially favorable circumstances, promising speculations, or hazardous ventures. His unimpeachable integrity, promptness in meeting his payments, never having failed to meet an indebtedness, never having been sued, and never having sued any other person, all contributed to make him respected and honored by all who knew him.

The unusual success of Mr. Ballou in the manu- facture of cotton goods in a small mill, where so many of his compeers have failed, was due in a great meas- ure to the fact that his mechanical education and su- perior intelligence in the manufacturing departments enabled him to adopt or reject the various new theories or systems which were daily presented during nearly half a century of active business life, and thus he never failed to produce fabrics at the smallest possi- ble cost.

Yet he was one of the most considerate of mill-

owners to his operatives. Their counselor and friend, to them, as to others, his name was a synonym for honesty and fair dealing, and they regarded him with respect and affection.

His opinions were sought on all occasions with refer- ence to manufacturing changes and methods, even to the last years of his life, for even in his retiracy he loved to mark the progress of his favorite business, which he had seen rise almost from its birth, with its crude devices and surroundings, and lived to see the rapid improvements and ingenious applications which have resulted in making a modern cotton-mill one of the wonders of the nineteenth century.

He had for many years entertained the purpose of retiring from active business when he should attain the age of threescore and ten. Accordingly, in Feb- ruary, 1864, he closed his career as a manufacturer, and sold all his property in Killingly to the Attawau- gan Company. The village where he first commenced operations is now known as Ballouville.

After that time his only active business was the discharge of financial trusts in connection with various corporations in which a portion of his capital was in- vested. He was a director in the First National Bank of Norwich for thirty-five years, and trustec of the Norwich Savings Society, the largest institution for savings in the State, and until increasing years ren- dered the work too oncrons his services were of great value to the institution, his long experience as a man- ufacturer and his thorough knowledge of machinery making him an expert in the valuation of real estate and other manufacturing properties proposed as se- curities for loans. He was president for many years of the Norwich Water-Power Company, and at the time of his death was president of the Occum Water- Power Company, director in the Norwich Bleaching and Calendering Company, and in the Norwich City Gas Company.

Mr. Ballou was a resident of Killingly for twenty years, and in the autumn of 1845 removed to Norwich, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was married in 1822 to Ann Eliza Amsbury, of Cumber- land, R. I., who died in Norwich in May, 1852. In 1854 he was again married to Mrs. Kingsley, of Nor- wich, who died in 1862.

He had been for many years a prominent and active member of the Congregational Church in North Kil- lingly, and on his removal to Norwich joined the Sec- ond Congregational Church there, and afterwards be- came identified with the Park Congregational Church. He was an active promoter of the enterprise for erecting the church edifice for that religious society in 1873, and was one of the largest contributors for that object.

In politics he was a Whig of the old school, and a decided Republican. He was a man of strong convic- tions and uncompromising for the right, yet was wil- ling to concede the rights of opinion to those who differed from him. To a fine, manly physique he added superior intellectual qualities, a well-balanced

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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

mind and sound judgment, with great kindness of heart and a calm and even temperament. Always a consistent Christian, he was a peacemaker in all diffi- cultics, and was often looked to by friends to arrange mutual misunderstandings.

He died at his home on Washington Street, Aug. 5, 1880, in the eighty-seventh year of his age, having re- tained all his faculties to a remarkable degree until within a few months of his death. Two daughters survive him, one of whom married John B. Young, of the firm of Tiffany & Young, now Tiffany & Co., New York; the other is the wife of Mr. A. H. Almy, of Norwich ; and one grandson, Leonard Ballou Almy, now a practicing physician in Norwich.

Edward Boylston Huntington, son of Deacon Jabez Huntington and Mary Lanman, daughter of Peter Lanman, Esq.,. was born in Norwich, Conn., June 18, 1806. His boyhood was passed in his native city, where he remained until twenty-one years of age, when he went to New York and engaged in business. He continued in business in New York City until 1850, when he changed his residence to Boston and became associated in business with the old and highly- respected firm of Naylor & Co., with whom he re- mained until 1871, when, in consequence of failing health, he retired from active business life and re- moved to his native city.

Mr. Huntington was prominently identified with religious matters, and all measures tending to ad- vance the moral and religious welfare of the com- munity wherein he resided found in him an earnest advocate. He was for twenty years a member and officer of the Eliot Congregational Church, in Rox- bury, near Boston, which was under the pastoral care of Rev. A. C. Thompson, D.D. He was a large con- tributor to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, which society lie regarded with the deepest interest and affection. His views were broad, and his sympathies extended to all needing his help.

Edward B. Huntington was a consistent Christian, a courteous and polished gentleman, thoughtful of others in the highest degree, with a kind word and sweet smile for all. He was a grandson of Gen. Jede- diah Huntington, of New London, and great-grandson of Jonathan Trumbull, the first Governor of Connecti- cut.

Mr. Huntington married early in life his cousin, daughter of the Rev. Joshua Huntington, pastor of the old South Church in Boston. Mr. Huntington died June 18, 1875, and was buried, at his request, at Forest Hills, the lovely cemetery near Roxbury. His wife, three children, and four grandchildren survive him.

Alba F. Smith was born in Lebanon, Conn., June 28, 1817. When a boy his father moved to New Lon- don, and after a brief residence there returned to Windham, where his youth was spent. He received a common-school education, and as a lad exhibited

strong tastes and a natural genius for mechanical arts. He worked early in life at the machinist's beneh, where he constantly exhibited marks of genius. He married and came to Norwich in 1840, at the age of twenty-three, and established himself in business with one Chester Hatch, for the manufacture and sale of lead pipe. He subsequently formed a partnership on Ferry Street, under the title of Smith & Congdon, plumbers.

Mr. Smith's ingenuity soon after took practical shape, and he began improvements in the locomotive engine, which resulted in the invention of many of the most important improvements in locomotive con- struction, truck bearings, etc., of the age, now in daily use all over the country.

He remained in business here ten years, during which time he was a member of the fire department, and in 1846 was elected chief engineer of the department.

Gen. Dan Tyler took a deep interest in young Smith, and recognizing his superior qualities for rail- roading, urged him to relinquish his business here in 1849 to go to Pennsylvania, where, by his influence, he obtained for him the superintendency of the Cum- berland Valley Railroad. In this position he con- tinned to develop unequaled sagacity and skill in management, and after seven years' service he was tendered the superintendency of the Hudson River Railroad, in 1856, which he accepted. He busied him- self in putting its machinery in first-class condition, and had the supervision of the first bridge built across the Hudson at Albany. After a service of twelve years in this capacity he resigned, notwithstanding the earnest solicitation of Commodore Vanderbilt for his continuance and the offer of an increased salary, determined to return to this place, build for himself and family a residence at Norwich Town, and retire from active business life.

The distinction that he had earned abroad both as inventor and manager had preceded him, and he was not permitted to carry out the plan he had laid for a quiet and sequestered conclusion to a busy life. In January, 1868, he was elected president of the Nor- wich and Worcester Railroad Company, succeeding Augustus Brewster, and in December of the same year succeeded the late David Smith as president of the Norwich and New York Transportation Company. He was also elected " managing agent" of the Nor- wich and Worcester road under the lease to the Bos- ton, Hartford and Erie road, in March, 1869. He resigned the presidency of the Norwich and New York Transportation Company in December, 1874, retaining the presidency of the Norwich and Worcester Rail- road Company and the office of "managing agent" until his death, and exhibited rare judgment in all practical matters connected with railroad manage- ment.

On his return to the home of his adoption the people began to press him into public service, having honored him, previous to his leaving in 1849, with a

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seat in the Legislature, and in 1846 as first alderman under the mayoralty of William A. Buckingham, and knowing well his faithfulness to his constituents, and ability and willingness to serve them.

His perfect success in civil engineering, which had made him prominent among the eminent engineers of the country and brought his judgment as an expert into demand to solve all the difficult problems of rail- road construction, made him pre-eminently in demand at home when, in 1866, it was thought that the health of the people required that a reservoir should be built, and the old wells abandoned that were liable to contaminate with city sewage and produce an cpi- demic among the people, and he was on the first com- mittee appointed to consider the matter of locating and constructing the city water-works. He was one of a committee of three to draw the plans and make the specifications. He superintended the vast project and watched it to its completion; he was the first water commissioner elected, and for twelve years he was chairman of the board and the moving spirit and director of all that appertained to the enterprise, de- fending it from aspersion as a father would a child, clearly and indisputably setting forth the benefits.

In 1870 his residence was completed at Norwich Town, and he went there to reside, contemplating resigning the presidency of the Board of Water Com- missioners in this city ; but he was pressed to continue in office, and a special act was passed in the Legis- lature making his service legal. In 1872 he repre- sented the town in the Legislature for the second time with marked ability. Besides these public honors, he was elected a director of the Second National Bank in 1868. In 1869 he succeeded the Hon. William A. Buckingham as president of the Norwich Lock Com- pany, from which he resigned after a brief term of service. In 1872 he succeeded the late Augustus Brewster as president of the Norwich Water-Power Company, and also David Smith as president of the Second National Bank, both of which positions he continued to hold until his decease. He was also president of the Locomotive Engine Safety Truck Company at the time of his death.

With the presidency of five corporations on his hands, besides the supervision of the building of the Laurel Hill tunnel and the improvements there, and the building of the viaduct at Worcester, his health began to fail, and after a brief illness he died, July 21, 1879.

James Monroe Huntington, the subject of this memoir, dates his ancestry in this country to Simon Huntington, an English gentleman, whose family ar- rived in Boston, Mass., in 1633, he having died on board the vessel a short time before its arrival in port. The grandfather of James M. was Judge Andrew Huntington, of whom the late Mrs. Sigourney once said " was a man of plain manners and incorruptible integrity. His few words were always those of good sense and truth, and the weight of his influence was

given to the best interests of society." He rendered invaluable services to the Revolutionary cause, and was one of Governor Trumbull's most trusted coun- selors. His brothers, Gen. Jedediah, Gen. Ebenezer, and Capt. Joshua, all sons of the old heroic patriot, Gen. Jabez Huntington, rendered distinguished ser- vices during the Revolutionary struggle.

James M. Huntington was born in Norwich, Aug. 8, 1817, and in a large degree inherited the virtues and ennobling characteristics of his illustrious ances- tors, whose names have ever been synonymous with integrity, uprightness, and a devotion to the best interests of society. He was educated in his native town, and commenced his business career as a clerk for the late A. F. Gilman, who conducted a drug business in the building now occupied by the firm of Lee & Osgood.

In 1837, when but twenty years of age, he was ad- mitted as a partner, and when Mr. Gilman retired, in 1840, he formed a new partnership with the late Jede- diah Leavens. In 1844 the firm removed to the wharf, in the building now occupied by Charles Osgood & Co. In 1846, Mr. Leavens retired from the firm, and a new partnership was formed, consisting of J. M. Huntington, Theodore Raymond, and James M. Meech, which continued until 1850, when Mr. Mcech retired. The firm then removed to Commerce Street, where they engaged in extensive business enterprises, and became widely known throughout this section of country.

In 1856 the firm purchased the Cold Spring Iron- Works, which were subsequently sold to the Mitchell Bros. Ship-building was next commenced, at what is now Thamesville, where this enterprising firm built eleven vessels, nine of which were steamers, con- structing not only the hulls but the entire machinery. Three of these steamers, the "Uncas," the "Nor- wich," and the " Whirlwind," were in the service of the government during the late Rebellion. They were also largely interested in the West India trade, owning a wharf and bonded warehouse in New London. One of their steamers, the "Whirlwind," was the first American merchant steamer that entered the port of Porto Rico. In 1852 the firm held a con- tract for transacting all the coal business over the Norwich and Worcester Railroad, with an extensive coal-yard and business in the city of Worcester.

Mr. Huntington was largely interested in the cot- ton and woolen manufacturing business from its in- fancy in Eastern Connecticut to the breaking out of the late war. He was also, during the Rebellion, largely interested in manufacturing in Worcester, and furnished the machinery for all or nearly all the arsenals in the country.

In 1866 this firm established a line of passenger and freight steamers from Providence to Philadelphia, and in fact there is not a port from Newfoundland to Mexico of any importance that their vessels have not visited.

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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

Public-spirited and generous, Mr. Huntington was ever found an earnest advocate of all measures which, in his superior judgment, tended to advance the ma- terial, educational, and religious interests of his native city.

He was in all respects an ideal merchant, combin- ing boldness of conception with unusual care and clearheadedness in planning and uncommon skill in the mastery and management of details. Upright and honorable in all his dealings with his fellow- nien, it was often, and of truth, said of him that his word was as good as his bond. Stern integrity was born in him, a legacy of his Puritan ancestry, and what he exacted from those who had business rela- tions with him he was equally scrupulous to accord to others. United with his indomitable energy was an inflexible will and an unflinching courage that no obstacle could turn aside and no disaster could daunt.

Oct. 11, 1841, Mr. Huntington united in marriage with Emily Brewster Meech, who died Dec. 11, 1843, leaving one child. Nov. 24, 1846, he married Sarah G. Burgess, of Plainfield. She died Nov. 14, 1864. He was again married, Dec. 14, 1865, to Elizabeth R. ,Barstow, of this city, who survives him. In relig- ious matters Mr. Huntington was a Congregation- alist, and politically a Republican. He died Nov. 17, 1874, aged fifty-seven years.

David Smith was born in Norwich, September, 1796. He began his active business career in Wind- ham, organizing a company there for the manufac- ture of paper. His success in this then comparatively new line of industry, his practical understanding of the business, together with his high personal charac- ter, procured him the invitation to the Chelsea Paper- Mill of this town, which he accepted in 1833. Here, associated with J. C. Rives, formerly publisher of the Congressional Globe at Washington, D. C., Mr. Smith was for many years a prominent proprietor of the mill, and during his direction it achieved a marked success. While thus engaged in the manufacturing of paper he resided in Greeneville, and by his public spirit and benevolence did all in his power for the building up of that part of the town. He was an ac- tive member of the Congregational Church there, and is still gratefully remembered for his generous con- tributions in its behalf, as well as in aid of every good cause that appealed to him through the church.

In 1856 he removed to the city, having built the fine residence in which he continued to live up to the time of his deccase. In 1858 he retired from the man- ufacturing business, having through his successful management of the business accumulated a handsome property. From this time onward he was connected for a longer or shorter period with various business enterprises here. He was a prominent director in the Norwich Water-Power Company, and was president for some twenty years of the Jewett City Bank. In the organization of the Norwich and New York Transportation Company, Mr. Smith was among the

first movers, and succeeded Capt. Joseph J. Comstock as its second president, serving with ability as such until 1873, when he declined a re-election. Interested in all that promised to promote the general growth of Norwich, he was identified with both the Norwich and Worcester and the New London Northern Rail- roads, being a director in each. He was the second president of the Second National Bank of this city, and by his personal interest in its affairs and his good business judgment contributed not a little to its pros- perity. The Chelsea Savings-Bank also had him as one of its vice-presidents, and found in him an able and wise friend. Mr. Smith had no taste for political life and studiously abstained therefrom, departing only once from this settled preference to represent the town for one year in the State Senate.

The Norwich Bulletin, in speaking of him, says, "He was widely known for his benevolence, and many are the institutions and charitable societies which reckon him amongst their most generous contribu- tors. Uniting with the church while in Willimantic, just prior to his removal to Greeneville, he till the day of his death maintained a consistent and univer- sally respected Christian life. He aided in building the churches in both the above places, was a liberal donor to the Second Church in this city when it was remodeled, and made his last contribution in this line to Park Church. Missed in all the walks of business, in which he maintained an integrity unsullied; missed by the great causes he was prompt and liberal to assist with his personal gifts ; missed by the poor, to whom he was a thoughtful and open-handed friend, the valued citizen and honored Christian has gone from us. None will name him but to speak kindly of him; none will recall his genial face, his kindly speech and spirit, but to bear witness to his genuinely good life. Quietly and faithfully he lived, beloved and trusted by neighbors, citizens, churchmates, and by his death are all these bereaved of a tried and gener- ous friend. The memory of his guileless, useful life will long be cherished, and Norwich will write him down amongst her noblest and most worthy sons."

Henry B. Tracy was born in Bozrah, Conn., and died in Norwich, Dec. 19, 1878. Mr. Tracy was one of the leading and influential citizens of Norwich, and was honored by his fellow-townsmen with various po- sitions of trust and responsibility in political and financial circles. Year after year he held the office of postmaster at Norwich Town, and many town offices were his townsmen only too glad to honor him with. He was for many years secretary of the old Norwich Mutual Assurance Company, and until a short time previous to his death was president of the Merchants' Bank in this city. At the time of his death he was vice-president of the Norwich Savings Society, and until June, 1878, was a director of the same, when his resignation was pressed upon and reluctantly accepted by the society. In his early life Mr. Tracy was con- nected with the Yantic Manufacturing Company.

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History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 87

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1317

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1317