USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 56
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 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
The plant has been increased in floor space from time to time since the found- ing of the business, until today it comprises a very large two-story and a half frame building, two story brick office building of modern construction and several small buildings for the accommodation of the machinery, boiler, engine, etc. The factory is built on strictly sanitary lines and the operatives, who vary in number from 100 to 150, find every comfort found in other modern factories. The business is capitalized at $150,000. It is admitted by the trade that no company produces a higher grade of silk thread and embroidery silk than the Winsted Silk Co.
The Morgan Silver Plate Company, manufacturers of casket hardware, was incorporated in 1888 under the Connecticut laws, with a capital of $25,000. The company bought the old Clifton mill property on Clifton and Willow streets and has made many important and substantial improvements from time to time.
The main factory building is a three-story structure, 35x102, in addition to which there are storage rooms, boiler rooms, etc. Every modern facility is in- cluded in the equipment of the plant. The chief trade lies with undertakers direct, for whom the company manufactures casket hardware of a high order.
In 1900 the company acquired the business of making champagne taps from T. S. Carroll, and this is a department now carried on. In 1902 the company added a section to the building for the manufacture of tin tubes for the trade, as well as for their own use.
The first officers of the company were James T. Morgan, general manager, formerly connected with the Strong Mfg. Co., and Salmon A. Granger, secretary and treasurer, formerly superintendent of the New England Pin Co. He died in 1897 and Mr. Morgan retired in 1902. Gilbert L. Hart, who holds the offices of secretary, treasurer and general manager, succeeded Mr. Granger in 1897 and Mr. Morgan in 1902. The late Jay E. Spaulding was president of the company from 1891 until his death in 1910. He was succeeded by George F. Drake, treasurer and general manager of the New England Pin Co.
There had been lumber concerns established in Winsted before the Bronson brothers founded, in 1895, the business, now known as the Tiffany & Pickett Co., but none ever attained such large proportions or importance. The latter succeeded the founders in April, 1905. The business was incorporated under the laws of Connecticut in September, 1900.
The plant is located in the eastern part of Winsted, on Rowley Street, at the junction of the New York & New Haven and the Central New England railways. Here the Tiffany & Pickett Co. controls eight acres of land equipped with 2,500 feet of sidetracks, thus possessing splendid facilities for receiving lumber, masons' materials, etc., in carload lots. The accommodations as they exist today represent at least double the facilities controlled in the beginning. which goes to illustrate the firm's growth. The business comprises the wholesaling and retailing of lumber, coal and masons' materials, also the manufacture of box shooks, house trim, etc. Every modern machine is installed in the way of wood- working machinery. Another story was recently added to the lumber mill, 40x100, doubling the capacity. There are modern engine and boiler houses, be-
432
WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
sides a box factory with a 200 horse-power engine as the propeller. There is a log- sawing mill, substantially built on cement footings and having a capacity for 10,000 feet of lumber daily. There is a 40 horse-power engine in conjunction with this department. The plant is the largest in the line in town.
The coal handling facilities embrace fine pockets, the best in Winsted, with a capacity for 2,000 tons, all under cover and possessing devices for filling and dis- charging by gravity. Thirty-five skilled men are employed by the firm.
The Carter & Hakes Machine Co. shows a steady growth since it was estab- lished in 1899 by F. P. Carter; and this in spite of the fact that the plant was burned down in 1905, when located on Main Street, opposite the Y. M. C. A. With the spirit of enterprise worthy of note, the company literally picked itself up out of the ashes and opened a plant in the old Kellogg & Wakefield factory on Lake Street. After a sojourn of two years at the Lake Street factory, the large tract of real estate now occupied by the laundry, grist mill, yarn mill, carpenter shop and other buildings, was purchased of Henry Gay, a new factory was erected, and the business moved to its present location. Here every modern facility is afforded for the production of general and special machinery. This is practically the only machine shop in the town where this particular kind of business is carried on, the specialties manufactured comprising machines for milling parts for automobiles, bicycles, sewing machines, typewriters, guns, etc. The company also manufactures special machinery of almost any description, and has built up quite a trade in this line. The plant occupies an area of about 18,000 square feet, this being distributed throughout three stories. On an average thirty-five hands are employed.
The Winsted Hardware Mfg. Co., one of Winsted's youngest enterprises, was incorporated in June, 1910, with a capital stock of $100,000.
The company purchased the Kellogg & Wakefield plant on Lake Street and a few months later was manufacturing and shipping goods. The business has con- tinued to grow, as it is bound to do, under the present able management, those in charge being practical men and thoroughly acquainted with their lines of business. About fifty hands are employed, and it is expected that in time the number will exceed one hundred.
The Goodwin & Kintz Co. was incorporated under Connecticut laws on March 8th, 1807, with a capital of $12,000. The business was established at Shelton, with George Lamping as president, Clemens Kintz, secretary, and Winslow Goodwin. treasurer. In 1899 the business was removed to Winsted and the capital was increased to $24,000. A purchase was made of the Winsted Clock Co.'s factory on North Main Street. On June 12, 1900, President Lamping died and James G. Woodruff was elected president. The business was removed to the Winsted Shoe Co.'s factory on Rowley Street in 1903 by an exchange of prop- erties. Two new brick buildings were erected for a plating room and casting shop. The capital stock was again increased in 1903, this time to $50,000. The present plant comprises about 33,000 square feet of space. Two acres of land adjoining the premises have been acquired recently for the purpose of extending the plant and the erection of another building is contemplated. The number of employees averages 135, many being skilled in their respective branches.
The factory buildings of the T. C. Richards Hardware Co., manufacturers of upholstery, fancy and general hardware and brass goods and one of the leading industries of Winsted, were rebuilt promptly after the disastrous fire of Jan. 5, 1910, which almost totally destroyed the plant. The new buildings are all con- structed of brick, and another story, making five in all, has been added to the main building, which is 35x200 feet and graced with a high castellated square
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF WILLIAM L. GILBERT CLOCK COMPANY, WINSTED
433
WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
tower. These works are located directly on the line of the Central New England Railway and have one of the finest water power privileges in Winsted and an excellent steam plant, used mostly for heating, lacquering, etc. The business was established in 1863 in New York City by Thomas C. Richards and was removed to Winsted in 1874 and the present corporation formed.
The founding of the enterprising chair manufacturing concern now conducted under the style of the B. J. Harrison Son Co. goes back to the year 1840, when B. J. Harrison established the business in New York City. The founder died about twenty-five years ago. About that time the present name of the firm was adopted. The business was brought to Winsted in 1905 by E. P. Jones, who still carries it on under the name of the B. J. Harrison Son Co.
There are ten different kinds of chairs made here, all folding chairs, in natural, mahogany, rosewood, grain and other finishes. In addition to chairs the com- pany turns out hardwood step-ladders and knock-down card tables. These goods have a great vogue and, like the folding chairs, their market is over the United States, in retail and wholesale quantities; that is, from one chair to lots of thou- sands.
Another branch of business is conducted, namely, the manufacture of cement vaults, used for burial purposes. These comprise three different models and they are sold to the undertakers' trade. This branch was added in April, 1909, and it has already proved a successful enterprise.
In every department of the factory, with its 7,000 square feet of floor space and the annexes, the perfection bestowed upon the work is noticeable. The products are first-class and the business has developed materially within the past ten years, since Mr. Jones removed it to Winsted.
The growth of the piano and organ trade in this country is making it one of the great industries of America. Contemporary with the expansion of the piano trade is the natural increase of stools and duet benches. It is a unique industry.
The John W. Roe Piano Stool Mfg. Co. is located at Boyd and Lake streets. Mr. Roe, who came to an untimely death April 16, 1911, was a practical cabinet- maker and first engaged in the manufacture of high-grade piano stools and duet benches in 1902. The trade has grown until goods are now shipped to all parts of the United States. The factory comprises a main building, 60x80 feet, and another structure, 22x80 feet, these netting 13,500 square feet of floor space, besides a boiler house, dry kiln and other buildings. The water privilege is one of the finest in town. The plant is equipped with the latest improved wood- turning machinery and every facility is afforded for turning out high grade piano stools and duet benches in different woods and of various artistic designs. From ten to twenty qualified hands are employed. The quality and beauty of the products are unquestioned.
THE WINSTED CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The first meeting in the movement to organize the Winsted Business Men's Association was held December 4, 1903, and was addressed by Messrs. Holcomb and Temple of Torrington and Mr. Allis of Derby. Arthur L. Clark was chair- man of the meeting, and Daniel Colt secretary. A committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws. Two days later the association was formally organized. J. H. Alvord was elected president, George W. Gage, vice president, and Daniel Colt, secretary and treasurer.
During its nearly fourteen years of existence the association has accom- plished many things of importance to the civic life of the borough, especially Vol. I-28
434
WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
in the way of agitating vital public questions, among these being the matter of the installation of water meters, disposal of sewage and garbage, medical inspec- tion of schools, besides questions of general interest throughout the state, the association being a branch of, and affiliated with, the State Business Men's Asso- ciation.
The organization of the Winsted Club to unite the various interests of town and borough more closely was due to the Business Men's association. The objects of the Winsted Business Men's Association are to "protect its members from bad debts and frauds, to promote by common action the business and social interests of Winsted and its citizens and to co-operate with similiar societies and other cities and the State Business Men's Association."
It is now known as The Winsted Chamber of Commerce, and its officers are : President, George F. Drake; secretary, Wm. C. Kemp; treasurer, Charles V. Claflin.
TIIE WINSTED CLUB
The first movement in Winsted having as its avowed purpose the uniting of the various sections and interests of the town for civic betterment, industrial im- provement and the cultivation of a higher degree of sociability among the resi- dents, took form in the organization of the Winsted Club in 1910.
The articles of incorporation state that the purpose for which the club was formed is "to inculcate the spirit of civic pride and co-operation, to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members." A lot on Fairview Heights was purchased, and an artistic and commodious clubhouse was occupied in 1913. Its officers for 1917 are: President, Charles K. Hunt; secretary, Wm. R. Buck ; treasurer, James Hart.
THE WINSTED Y. M. C. A.
The present organization of the Winchester Young Men's Christian Associa- tion dates from April 11, 1887. Prior to that time, however, the work had been maintained at different times, but not on a permanent basis. Rooms were secured in the Wetmore block, over where the postoffice is now located, and friends sub- scribed $1,500 to maintain the work for a year. The permanence of the move- ment in Winsted was largely due to the work of Edward B. Phillips of Phila- delphia, who became the first general secretary. Mr. Phillips proved the right man in the right place. He was a hard, persistent worker and a champion of every good cause and a tower of strength to the churches. He labored here for thirteen years and his efforts were ably sustained by a group of loyal men and women, many of whom still stand by the association in all its endeavors. The officers and directors at the time of organization were: President, David Strong ; vice president, R. E. Holmes ; recording secretary, L. M. Blake ; treasurer, George H. Alvord ; directors, H. L. Roberts, David Strong. C. J. York, Gilbert L. Hart, L. C. Colt, I. B. Woodruff, J. A. Smith and George Richards.
At the same time a women's auxiliary was organized and became a strong support to the organization and at critical periods has aided the association with generous gifts. The first officers were: President, Mrs. C. J. Camp; vice presi- dents, Mrs. David Strong, Mrs. E. P. Wetmore, Mrs. John Rippere, Mrs. R. E. Holmes; treasurer, Mrs. Henry Gay: secretary, Miss E. Barrett; church rep- resentatives, Miss Olive Barber, Mrs. Emily Steele, Mrs. Clark Strong and Miss Nettie Dean. The work of this noble band of women, many of whom are today
WINSTED CLUB, WINSTED
435
WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
supporting the association, has had much to do with the progress and developing of the Y. M. C. A. With the strong, aggressive work well maintained, the rooms in the Wetmore block were soon outgrown and the present property on Main Street secured.
When Secretary Phillips left in 1900 to enter mission work in Philadelphia, the association had erected a gymnasium in the rear of the home and had built up a strong work for body, mind and spirit.
W. A. Wells, an experienced secretary in Y. M. C. A. work in Connecticut, was called to the local field and met the critical conditions wisely and sucessfully. During his term of service G. L. Listman was called to devote his time to the work of the gymnasium and became the first physical director.
The three years of service by Mr. Wells were years of progress, and when he resigned to enter business in Hartford, Erwin K. Smith of Attleboro was called to the secretaryship. During his three years of service the final payment on the debt of the property was made and a fund for the new building started. Physical Director Philip H. Slocum was called to be physical director to succeed Mr. List- man, who went to Brooklyn. J. Frank Leonard of Rutland, Vt., followed Mr. Smith in 1906, and during his term of office summer work was carried on for the first time and the all around character of the work maintained. Both Mr. Leonard and Mr. Slocum, after less than two years of service, went to Meriden, and W. J. Maylott of Owensboro, Ky., and A. J. Pitt of Ansonia succeeded them as general secretary and physical director respectively. Mr. Pitt was succeeded by L. J. Denning of Taunton, Mass., who resigned to go to Alton, Ill.
Work on the new $45,000 Y. M. C. A. building was completed late in 1915.
The present officers ( 1917) of the Y. M. C. A. are: President, Darwin S. Moore ; vice president, Fred Strong ; recording secretary, H. L. Slawson; treas- urer, Ralph W. Holmes.
The Ladies' Auxiliary to the Y. M. C. A. organized in 1887, has as its officers now (1917) : Mrs. C. J. Camp, president ; Mrs. J. J. Lawler, secretary ; Mrs. Alice D. Vaill, treasurer.
THE BANKING INSTITUTIONS OF WINSTED
Winsted is particularly fortunate in its strong financial institutions. The following, which are the reports on file January 1, 1917, give an idea of the stability of the town's banks :
Capital $205,000
Surplus $205,770 35,990 221,780
Deposits $642,460
Hurlbut National Bank
First National Bank ..
100,000
250,000
Mechanics Savings Bank
1,934,210
Winsted Savings Bank.
334,260 2,455,770
The Hurlbut National Bank of Winsted was founded in 1884. Its officers are : President, A. L. Clark ; vice president, L. W. Tiffany ; cashier, W. H. Phelps ; as- sistant cashier, George L. Smith. Its directors are E. B. Gaylord, D. L. Vaill, I .. W. Tiffany, E. R. Holmes, W. H. Phelps. James G. Woodruff, and G. L. Clark. The Winsted Savings Bank was established in 1860. Its officers are: Dudley L. Vaill, president ; S. Landon Alvord, vice president ; J. Albert Smith, treasurer ; Harold N. Goodwin, assistant treasurer.
The Mechanics Savings Bank of Winsted was organized in 1875. Its officers are as follows : H. L. Roberts, president, and Charles S. Jopp, treasurer.
The officers and directors of the First National Bank, which was founded m
436
WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
1879, are Lorenzo M. Blake, president; Joseph A. Norton, vice president ; Frank D. Hallett, cashier ; Charles P. Hallett, assistant cashier. The directors are Edward H. Persons, Lorenzo M. Blake, Joseph A. Norton, Henry L. Roberts, Luman C. Colt, James G. Woodruff, Frank D. Hallett, Frank Sackett, Dwight B. Tiffany.
Winsted has shown a steady growth, particularly in the past few years. According to the Government figures, it had a population of 7,760 in 1900. On July 1, 1917, the estimated population, as given by the U. S. census authorities, is 9,345. State health board figures place the population at nearly 11,000 in the fall of 1917.
INDEX
Abagadasset Club, The, 290 Acids and heavy chemicals, 239
Aldermen, Board of, takes place of select- men, 6; from 1893-1920, 14 Algonquin Club, The, 291 Almshouse, The City's, 29
Amateur dramatics and theaters, 301
American Brass Company, 197-199; constab- ulary of, 17 American Chain Co., 234
American Fastener Co., 196, 222
American Indian Collection, 87
A. M. E. Zion Church, Winsted, 423 American Mills Co., 192, 238
American Pin Co., 191, 227
American Ring Co., 195, 215
A. O. Foresters, 259
Ancient Order of Hibernians, 258 A. O. U. W., 259
Ansonio Brass & Copper Co., 199
Anti-Tuberculosis League, 173
Architecture, Civic, 136
Associated Charities, 167 Athletic and Sporting Organizations, 293
Atlas Machine Co., 236
Auditorium, The City Hall, 42 Automatic Machinery, 230 Autoyre Co., The, 241
Baby Welfare Station, 178 Baird Machine Co., 196, 243
Ball Heading Machines, 234
Bank Hotel, 156 Bank, Seymour's, 368 Bank Street Bridge, 32
Banking and Insurance, 146 Banks, Savings, 147
Banks of Naugatuck, 359; of Torrington, 398; of Winsted, 435 Bannatyne Watch Co., 226
Bar Association, Waterbury, 291
Barge Canal Project, 30, 40; Mr. Preston's report, 40; tidewater and distances, 40; appropriation of congress for survey, 40; Estimated cost of, 40 Barlow, Thomas D., 4, 11 Bartlett. Paul Wayland, 57 Baseball Diamond, 54 Baseball League, the boys', 68
Beach, George M., 15; sketch of, 21
Beach, George W., 103 Beacon Falls Rubber Industry, 352 Beginnings of Winsted Borough, 412
Begnal School, The, 72
Benedict & Burnaham Manufacturing Co., 193, 199, 227
Benefactions of Elisha Leavenworth, 283 Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, 255 Berbecker & Rowland Manufacturing Co., 191, 221
Bertillon Room, 45 Blake & Johnson Co., 197, 231 Blessed Sacrament Parish, 130 Board of Education, Torrington, 394 Boards of Waterbury; Finance, 5; Education, 64; Police Commissioners, 15; Public Safe- ty, 5, 15; Public Works, 5 Bonded Debt, 9, 10
Books, Rare, in Bronson Library, 85
Booth & Haydens, 194, 199
Borough government, Naugatuck, 356
Borough Officers, Torrington, 404
Borough Waterworks, Winsted, 412
Boys' Club, 273
Boy Scouts of America, 277
Brass Industry, 180, 199, 214 Brewers, 242
Bridge, the steel, over Potatuck River, 93 Bridge Bonds, 10
Bridgeport Social Telegraph Association, 101 Bridges, Waterbury's new, 30; completed and contemplated, 32 Bristol Co .. The, 194, 237
Broadway Hotel, 160
Brouson, Nathaniel R., 14
Bronson Library, The, 84; branches, 86; Christmas book exhibition, 86; fund, 5; memorial tablets, 90; officers and board of agents, 86; pamphlet collection, 85
Bronze Products, 182 Brooklyn Athletic Club, 294
Brown's Hotel. 156
Buckles, Metal Buttons, etc., 241
Bucks Hill and Bunker Hill Schools, 66
Bucks Hill Union Chapel, 120
Buildings destroyed in great fire of 1902, 22, 23 Building Trades Council, 267 Bunker Hill Congregational church, 111 Business, Social, Patriotic Clubs, 285 Buttons, 187
Cairns, Robert A., 31, 33. 34 Call to Arms, 1917, 314 Calvary Cemetery, 59
Campbell, Andrew C., Inc., 197, 233 Capacity of reservoirs, 33
Catholic Activities, Other, 131
Catholic churches of Waterbury, 122
Catholic Women's Benevolent Legion. 293 Celtic Medical Society, 292
Cemeteries and Parks, Waterbury's, 52
Cemeteries, Jewish, 60
Cemeteries, Torrington's, 402
Census, Watertown, 345
Center School District of Waterbury, The, 5, 62 Central Labor Union, 268
Chamber of Commerce, Waterbury, 226, 285 Chamber of Commerce, Torrington, 399
437
438
INDEX
Charities, the Board of, 6, 29
Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, 400
Charter of new Waterbury city government, 5 Chase, Irving H., 13 Chase Park, 54; Recreation House of, 55
Chase Rolling Mill Company, 193
Cheshire Loop, 94
Chief Engineers of Waterbury Fire Depart- ment, 27
Children, employment of, 79
Christian Science Church, Winsted, 423
Chronicles of city of Waterbury, Official, 4-29 Church History, Watertown, 340; of Nauga- tuck, 354
Church of Immaculate Conception, 123
Church property, Torrington, 385
Churches, Thomaston's, 379; of Seymour, 364; of Torrington, 394 Citizens National Bank, 152
City Clerks, Waterbury, 12
City Court Room, 46
City Engineer's plans for water supply, 33
City Hall, the old, 42; auditorium for the- atrical performances, 42; remodeled, 42; fire of, 43; Annex, 43; the new, 44; com- mission on building, 44; dedication, "Old Home Week," November 25-27, 1915, 44; description of, 44, 45; interior arrange- ments and decorations, 45; dedication, more details, 47; sale of old, 48; receipts and expenditures for site and building, 47
City Limits of Waterbury extended, 5
City offices in Lilley Building, 43
City Officials, Offices of, 45
City Securities, 10, 11; interest on, 11
City Sheriffs, 1893-1918, 13
City, town and school governments, consoli- dation of, 4, 5
Civic Architecture of a Quarter Century. 136 Clark Commandery, 248 Clark School, 71
Clearing house, the, 147
Clock and Bell. The City Hall, 46
Clock on The Green, The, 48
Clock Tower, on The Green, and donations for, 56 Clockmakers, Town of, 377 Clocks, Watches, Pins, ete., 224
Clubs and Associations, 285 Coe Brass Company, 199
College B.quest, the Porter, 83
Colley's, Mr., efforts toward part improve- ments, 56 Colonial Trust Company, 153 Communication and Transportation, 92
Community Christmas Trees, 283
Community Efforts, Philanthropy and Re- forms, 270
Comptrollers, since 1893, 12 Conflagration of February, 1902, 22
Connectieut Brass Foundry Company, 218 Connecticut historical collection, 89
Connecticut Manufacturing Company, 223
Connecticut Railway & Lighting Company, 97
Conservation Plans for the Naugatuck River, 37 Constabulary, Waterbury's, 16 Continental Lodge, 245 Continuation School, 76
Cooley House, 156
Corner stone laying of Masonic Temple, Waterbury, 250
Corporations, active and lapsed, 323; manu- facturing, 237; dissolved, 333
Cost of reservoirs and capacity, 40
Country Club of Waterbury, The, 289
Court House, The Waterbury, 49; building of the new, dedication and cost, 49; jury and court rooms, 50
Craft and Industry Institute, 280
Croft, Margaret, sketch of, 82
Croft School, the Margaret, 66
Crosby, Minot Sherman, 81
Crosby High School, 67; crowded condition of, in 1911, 69; attendance in 1914 and improvements, 71
Curtin, Rev. Jeremiah J., 134
Dams and Reservoirs, 33
Dams No. 1, 2 and 3, as projected, 39
Dates of dissolution of Corporations, 333
Daughters of America, 178
Daughters of American Revolution, 292 Daughters of Rebekah, 252
Davis, William H., 273
Ded.cation of New City Hall, 44
Delmar Hotel, 160
De Long Company, The, 234
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.