USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Torrington > History of Torrington, Connecticut, from its first settlement in 1737, with biographies and genealogies > Part 48
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HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
Squire Smith, Squire Hodges and Priest Gillett. This was about 1820. He was justice of the peace many years ; and was sent to the assembly one year, but this required him to leave his business too much, for he was a most thorough business man. One circumstance illustrates his character in business. When Wolcottville began to draw the trade from the stores on the hills, a certain man desired to buy two small fish-hooks, and Mr. Hodges looking for them, discov- ered that he had none in the store, upon which he said " I will have them in about one hour." The man replied, you will have to send to the village for them, and it will not pay to send so far for four cents worth of fish-hooks, I can get them some time when I am downthere. No said Mr. Hodges, if you go there for the fish-hooks, you will go there for other things, besides, it is my business to keep in my store what is needed here to accommodate the people. This is one secret of his success, his business must and should be attended
· to, as a business matter. Thoroughness, carefulness and energy in business was an innate quality of his mind, and to this bundles of pa- pers and account books still testify.
The stability of his character, and that also of his brother Alpheus, was of invaluable price in the community, and especially so when it is remembered that his social qualities were such as to infuse his own character, rather than to be influenced by that of others. His quiet good nature and candid judgment, always secured confidence and good will, and the thoroughness with which he watched and provided for the wants of the people, in his store, secured to him the business transactions from many miles out of the town, and thus his store be- came extensive in its control of the market in the region, and he became in some considerable degree, the head of the mercantile business for some considerable extent of country. His bills of import by shipping indicate that that trade was carried on, in part, in behalf of other stores in neighboring towns, as well as his own. To such an extent did his store become the center of trade about 1814, that there was much effort made to build a road direct from his store to Winchester and Litchfield, but the hills were such obstacles in the way, that the work was not executed, although favorably considered several times by town votes.
Mr. Hodges was a leader of enterprise, and never was he led but once, and that, when he went into the brass kettle business, wherein he is said to have lost about sixty thousand dollars, and this was pretty nearly at the close of his business life.
He was, really, one of the great men of the town.
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BIOGRAPHIES.
ISRAEL HOLMES
Was born in Waterbury Dec. 19, 1800. He received an ordinary common school education, and was himself a teacher of the school in the west centre district in Waterbury, when quite young. He afterwards became the principal clerk in the store of J. M. L. and W. H. Scoville, and while engaged in the business of these gentle- men, was sent by them to England, in 1829, to procure workmen for their button factory and the brass business.
In 1831, Holmes and Hotchkiss built the brass mill afterwards occupied by Brown and Elton. Mr. Holmes was desirous of con- necting wire making with brass rolling, but could find no person in this country who had any knowledge of the business. Foreseeing the importance of the interest connected with the successful intro- duction of this new branch of manufacture into the country, he made a second voyage to England in 1831, and returned with men and machinery enough to make a beginning, though small but viewed in its results, of great importance to Waterbury and to the country.
In 1834, Mr. Holmes came to Wolcottville as a partner in the first brass company in this place, to be the manager of the work of that mill, and the same year made his third voyage to England, and procured workmen and machinery for the manufacture of brass kettles in Wolcottville, by the only method then known. This was the origin of this branch of business in the United States.
As a citizen of Torrington Mr. Holmes was an influential, and active man in educational and improving enterprises ; and as such was well known and esteemed throughout the Naugatuck valley, and largely through the state. He represented this town in the legisla- ture, and also in after years the town of Waterbury.
In 1845 he returned to Waterbury and as president of the Water- bury Brass Company, occupied himself in building and putting in operation their works in the east part of the town, and afterwards, their West Mill.
He also superintended the erection of a brass mill in Bristol, and was afterwards actively engaged as superintendent of the brass-rolling mill of Holmes, Booth and Hayden of which corporation he was president. .
Mr. Holmes was a modest unassuming man, yet possessed of fine talents, directed to the promotion of all noble enterprises of that day. Mr. Filo Hurd, who was superintendent of the construction of the
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HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
Naugatuck rail road, gives him the credit as being the man of the most intelligent views, and helpful counsel to that work of any along the line of the road.
Mr. Holmes sometimes amused himself in writing poetical pieces, when peculiar circumstances or occasions moved him. The follow- ing were written while he resided in Wolcottville.
Written on the death of President Harrison : I. He's gone to his home like a well ripen'd sheaf, The ear in its fullness, and sere in the leaf; The angels have borne him with joy to the skies, The portals of heaven have closed on their prize.
He's gone like the waters in brightness that flow, While verdure and flowers clothe their banks as they go, Till forth to the deep in their grandeur they roll - He's gone to the ocean the home of the soul.
He's gone ! and the nation in sackcloth is drest - We pour out our tears round the place of his rest ; Columbia's children now linger and weep O'er the tomb of her friend, in death now asleep.
He's gone like the sun at the dying of day, When shades veil the earth as his light fades away ; Our sighs, like an orphan's, are heavily drawn, While speaks the cold marble, he's gone, he is gone.
2.
Thou art gone to the grave, and a nation deplores thee, And mourns the dread summons that call'd thee away, Thy country, afflicted, in sadness weeps o'er thee - Her millions their tribute of sorrow now pay,
Thou art gone to the grave when the sun of thy glory Shone fairest and brightest on the land of thy birth, Thou hast left no dishoner bedimming thy story, Not a stain on thy mem'ry to darken its worth.
Thou wert call'd to the grave from loftiest station, Whilst anthems of gladness in our vallies yet rung, Whilst shoutings all joyful were loud through a nation, And the vows of thy office yet were warm on thy tongue.
Thou art gone to the grave ; but back from thy tomb, Thy wisdom, reflected, pure, gentle and bright, Shall shine on the future, dispelling its gloom, As the bright sun declining lends the stars his own light.
Thou art gone to the grave ; while on earth we deplore thee, Thy spirit ascending, high soaring in air,
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BIOGRAPHIES.
Shall meet kindred spirits who've flown there before thee, Who'll spread their glad pinions to welcome thee there.
Thou art gone to the grave ; but thy days were all bright ; To thy country thou gav'st them, reserving but few ; Thy spirit untarnished hath taken its flight - In sorrow and sadness we bid it adieu.
RACE OVER THE CONNECTICUT COURSE.I " A wake thou, my muse ! nor thy silence prolong, Let thy notes all be joyous, all cheerful thy songs, Sing the race of two horses, of bottom and speed One of the people's own horses of subtreasury breed ; Sing too of their riders, vain riders were they, Each one had his motives, his skill at the play ; Honest Bill2 they named this, crafty John 3 they called that One a dun colored nag, t'other black as your hat, Sly Matty the fox 4 seized crafty John's mane, And glorious old Tip 5 held honest Bill's rein. 'Twas a fine April morn when they brought the nags out, And thousands were there their coming to shout. Crafty John was envelop'd from crupper to bit, With a richly wrought cov'ring - and oh what a fit, Emboss'd on its folds were dominions and thrones, And the flags of all nations excepting our own. The bright shining crescent of the Grand Turk was there, And there sitting rampant was the huge Russian Bear. Not a despot on earth to whom slaves kneel and cower, But had their hieroglyphics, his symbols of power ; No borrowed escutcheons on Bill's mantle shone ; The stars of the Union blaz'd there all alone. No kingly fantastics to add to his weight, To excite the knaves wonder, or fools captivate. Both nags in fine spirits and confident mood, Neck to neck, side by side at the standing post stood. The riders approach'd - and O what a sight ? Sly Matty in robes so dazzling and bright, Bespangled all over with silver and gold His retinue too, O the half is untold. There were knights and squires, lords, would-be-court knaves, And servants in livery and gaily drest slaves. Some like princes enrob'd some in plainer costume, From a dunghill cock's feather, to an ostrich's plume.
1 Published in the Litchfield Enquirer, April 23, 1840.
2 Wm. W. Ellsworth, Whig, running for governor.
3 John M. Niles, Democrat, running for governor.]
4 Martain Van Buren, running for presidency.
5 Gen, Harrison, running for presideney.
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HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
Old Tip was surrounded by a log cabin guard Some were old Continentals with their faces all scar'd, Some were grey headed fathers, the boast of the land, Sending dignified grace to the true hearted band. And thousands of honest hard working men too, Clustered round the nag Billy and Tippecanoe ; Men preferring their bread, and their country's good hap To glory, gilt saw dust, or treasury pap.
Now the bell rings to mount, the riders advance, Old Tip looks complacent, sly Matty askance ; Hark a voice? clear the road, for the saddler's make room, "Tis the voice of Tom Benton, sly Matty's head groom. The saddle by jove, 'twas a queer looking thing, Like a huge life preserver at each end of a string. This was the subtreasury crater itself, Where they lock from the people their ill-gotten pelf. Some said crafty Johnny could never sustain Such weight, but would fail and be beaten again ; But the weight was all fudge - 'twas all in your eye With no more than was there crafty Johnny could fly. Bill Prince and Sam Swartout had cleared with the clink Leaving just enough to rattle and jink.
The space that was left, Benton filled with his breath ? As a drowning man does when he is threatened with death. Though the thing look'd so large yet the whole altogether Would scarcely outweigh a buzzard's tail feather.
They buckled it on, John pricked up his ears, As proud as an ass with empty panniers, Sly Matty approached - kneel down crafty John." Like a camel he knelt and sly Matty got on.
Rise up, my good fellow, my trusty cat's paw, John rose and Matt looked like a three tailed Bashaw, Quoth Matty, now hark, John mind - do you hear ? You stumbled and faltered, and was beaten last year ; Do you see my long spurs ? but held in his hand, The torn constitution and laws of the land, Scarce enough of them left to be understood, Yet he folded them up as well as he could ; And these were his saddle, and t'was thrown on aright, With the girth of the union, t'was buckled on tight. With an unruffl'd brow, and a hearty good will, Looking cool as a farmer just starting for mill, Tip mounted his nag and thus addressed Bill : No long exhortation shall I now stop to make, The cause is the people's, their interest the stake ; No matter to us if we're beat - none at all - I've my log cabin left, and you've a warm stall, But the people expect the top notch of your speed, And truly friend Bill, of this there's great need. I've no spur nor a whip, save the twig I've just broke From the wide spreading boughs of the old Charter Oak.
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None other you need save your own honest pride, The people remember, be your spur and your guide. Both riders now ready, ride out of the crowd. As they came alongside each gracefully bowed - Good morning my Tippy, quoth Matt. this is kind, To give you the race, I'm somewhat inclined. 'Twould give me such pleasure to chat through the day, But John is a devil, you know in his way, He is so hard on the bit and so cussedly fast, That our confabulation I fear me won't last. Old Tip nodded thank ye, and said in reply, You're so civil, kind Matty, to keep up I will try, Crafty John was now ready, and ready was Bill, But sly Matty lingered his goblet to fill, His golden goblet (what a democrat whim) Tom Benton now brought him filled up to the brim. Here's a health, my old Tippy - take a glass of champaigne, " Much obliged but on cider I will try it again." The starting Bill struck - old Tip loos'd the run, And away Billy flew over the hill and o'er plain. The way he cleared Hartford the county and all, Was a caution - just so he will do it next fall. The Middlesex border Bill reached in short space, The roads were there rougher and he slacked his pace. How strange the misfortune that happened to John ; He gallop'd 'tis true, but he could not get on. He stepp'd fast enough but 'twas straight up and down, Like a horse in the circus when rode by a clown. Some were sadly surprised, some said, never mind, He'll soon take a leap and leave Billy behind. At length he cut dirt, like a colt in fright, But 'twas side ways and all ways but right, With much tribulation, they hustl'd him through, And Middlesex reached, he pricked up anew. Sly Matty encouraged, says John this will do, By Jove we're in sight of old Tippecanoe ; We're gaining - we're up - neck and neck, side to side, Now go it my Johnny, or I'll strip off your hide. O the way the fire flew - but Johnny outsped And he entered New Haven 18 lengths ahead. He entered New Haven - stop, faith I'd forgot, His fore feet were there, but his hind legs were not. Ah Matty, ah Johnny, what reverse in your fate Just now you were leading at a wonderful rate. What spell has come over you, why that up and down gait ? As a ship fast aground with her canvas all spread, Rises up with the swell, but moves not ahead ; Or a wave on the tread mill, tho' the whirl goes around Tho' his own foolish self still holds the same ground, Old Tip now came up and pass'd short way ahead, But saw Matty's trouble and turned him and said.
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HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
What's the matter dear Matty come spur up y'r gait, Has Johnny the bots, till he's well shall I wait ? Go to h-ll with your waiting, the state too if you choose, A few wooden nutmegs is not much to lose. Honest Bill heard Mat's blessing and whirling around, Cleared the counties remaining with ease at one bound. Thus covered with glory and long before night Honest Bill and old Tip came in from the fight. There was joy and glad shouting with the old and the young, And honest Bill's praises and old Tip's were sung. Old Tip now dismounted, his saddle unloosed, The bridle took off and Billy unnoos'd, Good bye, my friend Billy, now go to your stall, Have an eye on your oats and remember next fall. As an old continental marches with his knapsack, Old Tip slung his saddle across his own back Midst shouting and greeting shook hands with each friend, And was off to plant corn on his farm at North Bend. But where is sly Matty and his nag crafty John, So proud in the morning so fierce to get on ? We left them in trouble where two counties meet,
· Where John had the colic or some ail in the feet. Alas for sly Matty, there still they remained, When old Tip had got in not an inch had they gained, Up and down up and down still in the same track Pitching forward and plunging, but falling aback. Many people were there, it was sport for the wags, One cried out, sir, Mr. Saddlebags -
I say Mr. Quixote, if a stranger may guess
You have got the wrong nag there if you're riding cxpress. Is your harness all right ? aint your girth rather slack ? Maybe that ere saddle is galling his back ? Matry call'd loud for help, and like Andre of old,
When at Tarrytown caught offered silver and gold. They bended him here, and hemmed him in there,
Till Matty poor Matty gave up in despair. Now alighting from Johnny, and seizing his bit,
He read him a farewell in words that were fit. Go, thanks to my spurs thy lank sides are well stained Go, spavin'd and ringbon'd, broken winded and sprained Go, since you prefer it to treasury corn,
Go, feed amongst briers and thistles and thorn,
But my spurs shall go with you, take that, and aye that, Go, brouse like an ass on the salt river flat.
REV. ABEL KNAPP HINSDALE.
Was born in Torrington, united with the church in Torrington in 1828, and was graduated at Yale college in 1833, and at Auburn Theological Seminary in 1838. He was ordained a minister of the
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ORRIN L. HOPSON.
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BIOGRAPHIES.
gospel, and set apart as a missionary by the American Board to the Independent Nestorians, Jan. 18, 1840. While soliciting funds for the American Board, he married Sarah Clark of Derry, New Hamp- shire. They had two children ; the first died quite young, the second lived about fifteen months.
He died at Mosul, Mesopotamia, Dec. 26, 1842, after which his widow was engaged in instructing the children of the missionaries at Constantinople about ten years, when she returned to her native country, but lived only about two years after her return.
REV. BURKE AARON HINSDALE, A.M.,
Was born at Wadsworth, Medina Co., Ohio, March 31, 1837, and was the son of Albert Hinsdale who was born in Torrington, and re- moved west with his father Capt. Elisha Hinsdale.
He was educated at the Elective institute, now Hiram college, O., and received the degree A.M. in 1871, from Bethany college, West Va., and from Williams college, Mass. He entered the ministry of the Christian church (called also Disciples) in 1861 ; was pastor in Solon, O., 1864-66 ; was pastor in Cleaveland from 1866 to 1868 ; assistant editor of the Christian Standard, 1866-69; professor of history and English literature in Hiram college in 1869-70, and be- came president of this college in 1870, performing the duties of pro- fessor of philosophy, history and biblical literature, and where he con- tinues to the present time. He is also assistant editor of the Christian Quarterly, Cincinnati. Mr. Hinsdale is the author, also, of the Genuineness and Authenticity of the Gospels, published in 1873 ; The Evolution of the Theological and Doctrinal Systems of the Ancient church being in preparation for the press ; and he has contributed much to periodical literature. Also an essay on common school education published by order of the Northeastern Ohio Teacher's As- sociation.
ORRIN L. HOPSON
Was born in the town of Wells, Rutland county, Vt., June 23, 1814. He learned the trade of machinist or tool maker, and worked at this trade a number of years in Vermont, and afterwards in Connecticut.
While in Vermont he devised or invented a peculiar style of spectacle cases, and engaged in a joint stock company for the manu- facture of them, and they became very popular, but a Meriden com- pany took up the same line of manufacture, put the price of the article much lower, and Mr. Hopson not having a patent for his in-
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HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
vention, the Meriden company took the trade and became very prosperous with it.
Mr. Hopson came to Connecticut and engaged in the pin shop at Oakville near Watertown, about 1856, as die maker, and after a few years he removed to Waterbury, and engaged as tool maker, where he was engaged when he and Mr. Brooks first entertained the idea of pointing wire by the cold swaging process.
In 1862, Mr. Hopson and H. P. Brooks, having secured a patent for a wire buckle, for which there was a large demand in consequence of the rebellion in the southern states, commenced the manufacture of these buckles at Waterbury. Immediately a great need was ex- perienced, of some machine for pointing the tongues of these buckles, and they conceived the idea of doing this by the cold swaging pro- cess, and at once tested the principle by constructing a machine, which proved a success in a small way. This being done they en- tertained the idea of applying the principle to the pointing of various kinds of wire rods, and sewing machine needles ; and many other articles, made of the best steel as well as iron. They soon disposed of their buckle business with the limited amount of machinery, to the Waterbury hook and eye company, and turned their attention to the development of the cold swaging machine. After many disap- pointments and failures as to the construction of such an instrument, and the incurring of great expense, they succeeded in producing a practical and effectual machine for pointing iron rods and made their first sale to Messrs. Washburn and Moen of Worcester, Mass., of one machine with the right of the patent in their own mill, for the sum of three hundred dollars.
After this they entered upon a series of experiments in regard to the sewing machine needle. One of these experiments took place at the hook and eye shop in Wolcottville in the presence of several gentlemen, experienced manufacturers of the village. Soon after this a company was organized, who purchased the exclusive right for the United States, for manufacturing sewing machine needles by this, the cold swaging process. The company at once entered upon the work before them, and very wisely retained the inventors as partners in the company to secure their aid in the development of this new, untried and but very little understood process. The sew- ing machine needle was required to be very perfect, since it was driven wholly by machinery and was a very delicate piece of steel wire. After much patience, and perseverance in making machinery,
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BIOGRAPHIES.
during which many experiments were tried, and some inventions and patents were secured to aid in this process, a machine was constructed that did produce the most perfect needle known for sewing machines ; and the business of the company became reasonably remunerative.
Having disposed of the right for making needles by this process in the United States, the inventors proceeded to England where after obtaining the patent for the country, they tried to sell it. The English manufacturers refused to use the machine, giving as the main reason, the fear that their workmen would destroy the machine through the supposition that it would take away their means of sup- port. After some months of effort, they succeeded in selling one machine for the sum of twelve hundred and fifty dollars, it having cost three thousand dollars to effect the sale. Upon this the invent- ors came home supposing they had seen about the end of their machine in the old world.
About four years later, one of the English manufacturers being in this country saw the machine at work at Messrs. Washburn and Moen's mill, saw the practical working of the invention and at once gave an order for a machine. It was made and sent to him, but he did not succeed in working it. He wrote to the inventors that if they would come to England and make it effectual, they would take an interest in it and introduce it to the wire mills in the kingdom. In order to manage the sale of the patent to advantage and without trouble, Mr. Hopson purchased the right of Mr. Brooks, and pro- ceeded to England. After putting the machine in order, and securing its successful working, he sold the half interest in the patent for England, to be used in wire mills only, to Messrs. Richard, Johnson and Nephew, who were wire manufacturers of Manchester. This firm have had much success, and have introduced the machines into nearly all the large wire mills in the country.
Such is the history of one little invention, which during a series of changing vicisitudes for ten years was made a success, and has re- sulted in some reasonable compensation to the inventors for the time spent and the effort made, although at one time the hope of recover- ing the money spent in England was a poor substitute for a fortune. (See the description of the Excelsior Needle Company.)
Mr. Hopson removed his family to Wolcottville about 1871, where, besides giving attention as a director of the Needle Company, he kept a flour and feed store until the spring of 1877, when having been confined considerably during the winter by illness he gave up the store. When the warm weather came his health very much
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HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
improved and he was about the village almost daily, appearing to possess quite good health. But this was mostly in appearance. After a serious illness of about two weeks at his residence in the village he died August 29, 1877.
REV. STEPHEN HUBBELL
Was born in Wilton, Ct., April 22, 1802. At the age of fifteen he was placed under the tuition of Hawley Olmsted, a graduate of Yale, and just opening the academy in Wilton, where he remained its distinguished and successful teacher several years. After spending nearly five years in this academy, he taught school in what was then called Saugatuck but is now known as Westport ; thus earning be- forehand, half the funds needed to defray the expenses of his college course. He then went to Yale college where he was graduated in the class of 1826.
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