USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 23
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On the 11th of June, 1902, Mr. Turrell was married to Miss Katherine Reisdorf, who was born in Waterbury, and their children are Merton R., Lavon K. and Herman M. Fraternally Mr. Turrell is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World and is also a Council Mason and a past master of his lodge. He is likewise a past commander of the Sons of Veterans, his grandfather having served as a soldier of the Civil war, and he, too, has had military training as a member of Company A of the Second Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard. He may truly be called a
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self-made man. His business record is most creditable, for his success is attributable entirely to his own efforts. Hc early learned the eternal principle that industry wins and made industry the beaeon light of his life. Diligence and determination have enabled him to overeome obstaeles and difficulties and the most envious could not grudge him his suecess.
JOHN SWAN.
John Swan. the seeretary of the James Swan Company, was born in Seymour in 1870 and is a son of James Swan, who was the founder and promoter of the business and for many years a most honored, respeeted and valued representative of industrial activity in Seymour. The son attended the public schools, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation, and eventually he beeame a student in the Cheshire Academy. He entered his father's factory when nineteen years of age and made it his purpose to thoroughly master every phase of the business, working his way upward by merit and not through the exereise of parental influenee and authority. He has become well acquainted with every phase of manufacturing condueted in the factory, is now secretary of the com- pany and superintendent of the edged tool faetory. He also has other important business interests, being a director of the Seymour Iron Foundry and a director of the H. A. Matthies Company.
In 1914 John Swan was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Keir, of Seymour, a daughter of M. C. Keir, and they have one ehild, Janet. Fraternally Mr. Swan is connected with the Masons and has taken the degrees of lodge, chapter, couneil, commandery, eon- sistory and Mystie Shrine, thus passing up through both the York and Seottish Rites, while in his life he exemplifies the benefieent spirit of the eraft, which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of mankind. Mr. Swan is also identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His politieal belief is that of the republican party and his religious faith that of the Congregational ehureh. He stands for progress and improvement in community affairs and early in his business eareer he recognized the eternal principal that industry wins. Industry therefore beeame the beaeon light of his life and has been the dominant foree in winning for him the suceess which is now his.
PHILO BAILEY NORTON.
Philo Bailey Norton possessed many sterling traits of eharaeter which established him high in public regard. He was an enterprising business man, thoroughly just and honest, was uni- formly courteous and was kindly in spirit. He was born in Goshen, Litehfield eounty, on the 17th of February, 1834, and traced his aneestry back to an early period in the colonial history of Connecticut. His great-great-grandfather was Stephen Norton. His great-grandparents were Stephen and Experience Norton, in whose family were four sons and a daughter, Jonathan, Stephen, Ephraim, Clarissa and one son who was killed while serving in the Revolutionary war. In the year 1769 Stephen and Experience Norton removed to Norfolk, Conneetieut. Their son Stephen, however, was born in Bristol in 1766 and was therefore three years of age when his parents went to Norfolk, where his remaining days were passed, his death there occurring on the 8th of July, 1843. He wedded Hannah MeCoy, who was born in Stonington, Conneetieut, November 25, 1773, and departed this life on the 20th of May, 1848. They had a family of thirteen children, namely: Anson, born September 5, 1779; Lavina, born February 8, 1791; Sarah, born July 4, 1793; Experienee, August 1, 1796; Amanda, June 30, 1798; Marina, July 15, 1801; Keziah, March 15, 1803; Charles L., November 15, 1804; Clarissa, April 25, 1806; Alson, April 26, 1808; Riley, March 26, 1813; Uriel, January 26, 1815; and Albert, November 16, 1818.
Of this family it was Charles L. Norton who became the father of Philo Bailey Norton. His youthful days were passed in Norfolk, his native eity, and after he had attained his majority he there wedded Ann M. Bailey, who was born February 23, 1806, and was a daughter of Philo Bailey. Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Norton removed to Goshen, Conneetieut, where for a considerable period he followed farming, and subsequently they became residents of Winsted, Conneetieut, where Mrs. Norton passed away February 17, 1888, while Mr. Norton survived until the 15th of April, 1889. He was a demoerat in his political views and he served as the
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Philo Bailey Norton
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first seleetman of Goshen. To him and his wife were born six children: Marie E., who was born May 12, 1827, beeame the wife of Harvey Johnson. Mary Ann, born July 5, 1832, married Nelson D. Ford. Philo Bailey was the next of the family. Albert C., born November 1, 1838, is now deeeased. Charles L., born April 26, 1840, died in Waterbury. Remus A., born December 23, 1844, completes the family.
Philo B. Norton was reared to manhood under the parental roof, remaining on the farm until 1859, when he eame to Waterbury to engage in the livery business, with which he was long actively identified, conducting a steadily growing and profitable business. He became one of the best known horsemen of New Haven county. As he prospered in his undertakings he made judicious investment in real estate from time to time and thus added materially to his income.
Mr. Norton provided for his family a beautiful home on Grove street. He was married on the 5th of November, 1860, to Miss Nettie Cebelia Yale, a representative of one of the oldest and best known families of New England. The ancestral line is traced back to David and Ann (Morton) Yale, whose son, Thomas Yale, was born in England or Wales about 1616 and in 1637 came to the new world with his stepfather, Governor Theophilus Eaton, and others; his mother, following the death of her husband, having become the wife of Mr. Eaton, then a prosperous London merchant. Mr. Eaton began merchandising in New Haven in 1638, his business representing the investment of three hundred pounds. Governor Eaton died in New Haven in 1657 and the following year Thomas Yale accompanied his mother to England. In 1659, however, he returned to New Haven and purehased land in what is now North Haven, taking up his abode thereon in 1660. Fifteen years before he had wedded Mary Turner, a daughter of Captain Nathaniel Turner, of New Haven. He was one of the prominent men of his community and signed the Plantation Covenant of New Haven. He also filled various public offices and passed away in 1683, leaving an estate valued at four hundred and seventy- nine pounds. His wife survived until 1704.
Their son, Thomas Yale, was born in New Haven about 1648, and was married on the 11th of December, 1667, to Rebecca Gibbards, who was born February 26, 1650, a daughter of William Gibbards, of New Haven. Mr. Yale became a resident of Wallingford in 1670 and long occupied a position of leadership there. He was one of the founders of the church, filled the office of justice of the peace, was captain of the trainband and moderator of the meetings. He died in Wallingford, June 26, 1736, while his wife. Rebecca Yale, also passed away in Wallingford. In the third generation the direct ancestor of Mrs. Norton was Theophilus Yale, who was born November 13, 1675, and who married Sarah Street. of Walling- ford, a daughter of Rev. Samuel and Alma Street. He was prominent in connection with both civil and military affairs and was magistrate of his town from 1724 until he passed away September 13, 1760. His wife died at the remarkable old age of ninety-four years. In the next generation Elihu Yale was born May 25, 1703. On the 19th of January, 1732, Judith Howe beeame his second wife. He followed farming at Wallingford but died at Cape Breton, December 31, 1745, when participating in an expedition against the French. Elisha Yale, son of Elihu Yale, was born August 29, 1742, and in 1771 wedded Rebecca North, of Farmington. Ile followed farming in Wallingford and later at Canaan, Connecticut, and on the 1st of April, 1825, he was called from this life. His son, Eber Elihu Yale, was born Angust 1, 1776, and became a resident of South Canaan. Connecticut, where he wedded Phebe Pendleton. His death there occurred. November 25, 1816. His family numbered six children, ineluding Charles Elihu, who was born April 25. 1800, and had the usual experiences of the farm bred boy. Ilis last days were spent in Litchfield county, where he passed away in 1851. In 1820 he married Laura Phelps. a daughter of Samuel Phelps, and, surviving her husband for twenty- eight years, her death occurred in 1881. In the family of Charles and Laura Yale were six sons and three daughters, including Nettie Cebelia, who was born September 27. 1846, and became the wife of Philo B. Norton. She attended the public and high schools of her native city and became a student in the Troy (N. Y.) Seminary.
Mr. and Mrs. Norton had one daughter, Juliette Southworth, who was educated in St. Margaret's School and then studied music under Professor Baier, while later she attended the New York Conservatory of Music. She became an artist of more than local fame, played at various public performances in Waterbury and was also a writer and composer of music, having composed and published a number of pieces, including one which she dedicated to President MeKinley and which became known as the MeKinley March. She also possessed considerable skill in painting and Mrs. Norton treasures many pieces of art from her brush. She was a woman of the highest attainments, of broad culture and refinement, and was much devoted to her parents as well as to the members of her own household. She became the wife of Joseph Graham, of New York city, and passed away in Waterbury, March 12. 1905, being laid to rest in the Riverside cemetery. She was a member of the Second Congregational church
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and hers was a beautiful Christian character. She left four sons: Joseph A. (Laddie), who was graduated from the public and Gunnery high schools at Washington, Connecticut, and is now with the American Brass Foundry Company of that place; Montrose, who was also a high school pupil in the Gunnery School at Washington, and is now employed in Hugh R. Thomp- son's office; and Franklin Yale and Lansing Norton, twins. After the death of her daughter, Mtrs. Graham, Mrs. Norton cared for her four sons for awhile until the two younger were adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Haigh, of Waterbury. The two older sons, to whom she is most devoted, now make their home with her. She is a lady of very attractive social qualities and for years has been interested in many movements of value in her community. For years she was connected with the Waterbury Industrial School of Arts & Crafts. She has been a very active and helpful worker in the Second Congregational church and in the missionary society connected therewith. Iler life has been far-reaching in its beneficial influences and in its high. purposes.
The first home of Mr. and Mrs. Norton was located on North Main street on the present site of the Dime Savings Bank and there they continued to reside for twenty-five years. removing from the district when the business section was extended in that direction. The death of Mr. Norton occurred April 29, 1903. He was a well known and highly respected man. a good citizen. and a devoted husband and father. All who knew him spoke of him in terms of high regard and he had a very wide and favorable acquaintance. The enterprise and integrity of his business carcer brought him a measure of success that enabled him to leave his family in very comfortable financial circumstances.
HON. JOHN M. WADHAMS.
Among the men who are leaving their impress upon the history of Connecticut is Hon. John M. Wadhams, ex-senator and now a member of the state board of finance by appointment of Governor Holcomb for a term of five years from January 1. 1916. He is also an active and representative business man of Torrington and an official in the Torrington Savings Bank and the Brooks Bank and Trust Company. Connecticut is proud to number him among her native sons. He was born September 13, 1870, his parents being John H. and Mary (Pelton) Wadhams. For several years the father occupied a clerical position in the comptroller's office and was a representative in 1872, 1874 and 1892 in the state legislature. This was not the first time that the name of Wadhams figured on the records of legislative history in Connecticut. His ancestors have been prominent in state polities and his grandfather, John Marsh Wadhams, was a member of the general assembly in 1844 and 1845, and again in 1880, while in 1858 he represented his district in the state senate.
John M. Wadhams pursued his early education in the public schools of Goshen and afterward attended the Connecticut Literary Institute of Suffield, from which he was graduated in 1891, and of which he is now a trustee. He has long figured prominently in finanacial circles, having active voice in the management and control of the Torrington Savings Bank and the Brooks Bank and Trust Company. He is a man of keen business discernment and sound judgment, and his enterprise has brought to him a measure of success which is gratifying and creditable.
Mr. Wadhams is perhaps more widely known in his public activities, which have been not only local, but also state-wide. He was employed by the state board of education for some time, is now treasurer of the Goshen public library and of the Goshen Academy. Is treasurer of the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Association and a trustee of the Torrington Library Association. In community affairs he is deeply interested and cooperates in all well defined plans and measures for the public good. It was this that led to his selection for high honors by his fellow townsmen, who recognized his worth and ability. He was called to represent Goshen in the general assembly in 1911 and was made house chairman of the committee of finance. In 1913 he became a member of the senate from the thirtieth district and was again a member of the senate in 1915. In the first session he was made a member of the committee on banks and during the second session he was senate chairman of the committee of finance. During this session the Connecticut system of taxation was radically changed and his efforts were an influencing factor therein. On the 1st of January, 1916, he received appointment as a member of the state board of finance from Governor Holcomb, and upon the organization of the board was elected its chairman.
In 1896 Mr. Wadhams was united in marriage to Miss Annie M. Tenney, a daughter of James C. and Mary E. Tenney, and they are now parents of a son. John Marsh, Jr.,
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who was born June 13, 1897. Mr. Wadhams is a member of St. Paul Lodge, No. 11, F. & A. M., Buell Council, R. & S. M., Cyrus Chapter, No. 45, R. A. M. and Clark Com- mandery No. 7, K. T. He is a member of the Order of Founders and Patriots and also of the Society of Colonial Wars and is much interested in the history of his country, and in shaping the activities and interests of the moment he has had a prominent and helpful part.
REV. ERNEST A. LAMONTAGNE.
Rev. Ernest A. Lamontagne, pastor of St. Ann's Roman Catholic church, the French Catholic church of Waterbury, was born at Meriden, Connecticut, a son of Nazaire and Emma (Neveu) Lamontagne, both of whom were natives of Canada and of French descent although various generations of the family have lived in Canada.
Ernest A. Lamontagne was graduated from Montreal College in 1893 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, after which he became a student in the Grand Seminary of Montreal, there devoting five years to the study of theology and philosophy. Having thus thoroughly qualified for the priesthood, he took holy orders in Montreal in 1898, being ordained by Archbishop Bruchesi. The following year he spent in Rome in post graduate studies in theology and canon law and returning to America in 1899, he became teacher of the sciences and French at the St. Thomas Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut, occupying that position until 1904. From July of the latter year until January, 1906, he was assistant pastor of the Catholic church at Grosvenordale, Connecticut, and then came to Waterbury. having been appointed pastor of St. Ann's Catholic church. The present church edifice, which is one of the largest in Waterbury, has been built during his pastorate, the corner- stone being laid on the 27th of May, 1906, while the church was built four years later. It was erected at a cost of one hundred and twenty thousand dollars and is beautiful in all its appointments. In 1911 the old church property was converted into a school and in 1913 Father Lamontagne erected St. Ann's convent on East Clay street, a property which represents an investment of about twenty-five thousand dollars. St. Ann's parish was created about twenty-nine years ago and its first pastor was Father William Fones. Since that time the work has been carried steadily forward and under the direction of Father Lamontagne good work is being done for the upbuilding of the Catholic cause.
LESLIE I. BALDWIN.
Leslie I. Baldwin, proprietor of the Baldwin Monumental Works of Torrington, a business which was founded by his father, Hiram J. Baldwin, in 1876, was born in New Preston, in the town of Washington, Litchfield county, Connecticut, September 11, 1854. His father was a marble cutter and monument dealer who was born at Delhi, New York, but represented an old Connecticut family. The ancestral line appears in a record of the Baldwin family found in a book of several hundred pages. Hiram J. Baldwin was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Barlow, who was born in Kent, Connecticut, but both have now passed away, the father dying in Torrington in December, 1881. It was in 1876 that Hiram J. Baldwin came to Torrington and established the present business now owned and conducted by his only son. There was one daughter in the family, now Mrs. Lydia A. Cogswell, of Torrington.
Leslie I. Baldwin was twenty-two years of age when he came with his parents to Torrington, where he has lived continuously since 1876. He learned the trade of marble cutting under the direction of his father and upon the latter's death took up the business as his successor, succeeding to the ownership in 1881. For thirty-six years he has success- fully conducted the business, which has been one of the important industrial interests of Torrington for forty-one years. It has passed successfully through all the financial panies of four decades and is the oldest monumental works of Torrington and by far the most extensive and important. A high standard of workmanship is maintained and the output. finds general favor with the public, while the business methods of the house commend it to further support.
In 1877 Mr. Baldwin was united in marriage to Miss Emily Toucey Beeman, who was born in Woodville, Litchfield county, and is a daughter of Marvin S. and Catherine (Chit- tenden) Beeman. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin have two sons, Frederick H. and Frank M., both
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well known young business men of Torrington. There are also three grandchildren: Frederick Baldwin, who is the son of Frederick Baldwin; and Franklyn and Marjorie Elma, who are the children of Frank M. Baldwin.
In his political views Mr. Baldwin of this review is a republican and he served as census taker in Torrington in 1890 and again in 1900. He has likewise filled the offices of burgess, of deputy sheriff, of town constable, of borough sheriff and of chief of police. Fraternally Mr. Baldwin is connected with the Elks, the Woodmen of the World and the Ancient Order of United Workmen and he is ever true to the teachings of these organizations, which are based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of mankind. He has made for himself a most creditable name and place in business circles and his advancement is due at least in part to the fact that he has concentrated his efforts along a single line. There is no phase of the business with which he is not familiar and his appreciation of the artistic enables him to turn ont high grade work.
JAMES ALLDIS.
James Alldis was a most valned citizen of Torrington for many years. He tilled the position of superintendent of the Excelsior Needle Company and he was connected with street railway interests. He was also identified with the fraternal and moral progress of the community and at all times stood for advancement and improvement along these lines which make for higher standards of citizenship and of civic service. His entire course com- mended him to the confidence. goodwill and high regard of all with whom he came in con- tact and he was uniformly esteemed by young and old. rich and poor. A native of England, he was born in Grey, County Essex, October 12, 1839, a son of Thomas and Mary Ann (Smithson) Alldis, who came to America in the childhood days of their family and settled in New York. In that city Mrs. Alldis passed away December 23, 1853, and the father after- ward became a resident of Torrington, where his last days were passed.
James Alldis was educated in the schools of his native town and was but fourteen years of age when he came to America with his parents in 1853 on the ship American Eagle. Ile found employment in New York city, where he worked for small wages. He afterward located in Brooklyn, New York, where he secured a position, there remaining until the family removed to Connectient. The family home was established in Southville, in the town of Bridgewater, and there James Alldis found employment in a hat factory, but on the third day of his work there lost two of his fingers by having his hand canght in a wool picker. Soon afterward the hat factory was destroyed by fire and the family removed to Brookfield, Connecticut, where James Alldis obtained a position in a hat factory. He was industrious and faithful and won promotion. When nineteen years of age he went to Meriden, Connecti- out, where he secured a position in a sewing machine needle factory at a wage of a dollar per day. After some time the company for which he worked removed their business to New York city and he went with them. Later the company failed and Mr. Alldis returned to Connecticut, settling in Cheshire, where he again worked at needle making, but ill health forced him to give up that work after a time. He then returned to Brookfield, where he again worked at the hatter's trade and he also spent a short time in regaining his impaired health. He then again became a resident of Cheshire, where he continued work at needle making until business became dull, when he went to Newtown, Connecticut, and again worked at the hatter's trade. When the Excelsior Needle Company was organized with George Isbell as superintendent in May, 1866, Mr. Alldis was employed as foreman and contractor and con- tinned to serve in that way until 1870, when Mr. Isbell retired and Mr. Alldis succeeded him in the superintendeney, in which responsible position he continued until he retired. When the company was first organized their plant was located at Daytonville. Later they erected a large building on Water street, in Torrington, now occupied by the Connecticut Mill Supply Company, and later they built a large establishment on Field street in Torrington, beginning operations there in 1891. Mr. Alldis continued with the company until 1899, when he retired from active business, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of rest which he had truly earned and richly deserved. He also had other important connections. He was one of the principal stockholders in the Torrington & Winchester Street Railway Company, which began the operation of its line in 1897. In 1899 he was elected president of the company and held the office until the property was sold to the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railway Company in June, 1906. He was a man of undaunted business enterprise and notably sound judgment, readily discriminating in business affairs between the essential and the non- essential and so utilizing his time and opportunities that splendid results accrned .- When the
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James Allilis
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