USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 25
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James Porter, the son of Elias and Alma (Tyler) Porter, was for many years one of the most honored and valued citizens of Waterbury. He supplemented his district school educa- tion by study in the Waterbury Academy and in his youthful days assisted in the work of the home farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. At the age of twenty he secured employment in a woolen mill and subsequently spent six years in a roller mill. He became one of the pioneer casters of the Naugatuck valley. In 1843 he began learning the trade of casting in the rolling mills of John D. Johnson and later he was employed for two years in the rolling mills of the firm of Brown & Elton. He afterward spent seventeen years with the Waterbury Brass Company in a similar position and for three years was a caster with the Scovill Manufacturing Company. On the expira- tion of that period he became a German-silver caster for the same firm and continued with the Scovill people until 1874, when he retired from active business, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of a rest which he had truly earned and richly merited. The marked characteristics of James Porter were such as endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. He was a man of intellectual force, widely read, at all times keeping informed on the questions of general interest, political and otherwise. When age conferred upon him the right of franchise he voted with the whig party and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new republican party. Ile was a Bible student, thoroughly familiar with the Serip- tures, and the line of conduct there marked out proved his guiding spirit in all of his life. He was a lover of nature, particularly fond of flowers and all the beauties which add to the joy and pleasure of life. HIe long held membership in St. John's Episcopal church and was one of the organizers of the Mill Plain Union chapel. He acted as chairman of its building committee and at all times did everything in his power to promote the growth of the church and extend its influence as a moral factor in the community. He was strictly temperate in his habits and his life was ever guided by the highest and most honorable principles. His devotion to his family was largely ideal. He was a most true and loving husband and father and found his greatest happiness at his own fireside in the society of his wife and children.
On the 1st of June, 1845, in Waterbury, Mr. Porter was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Beecher, a daughter of Benjamin Dutton and Pamelia (Tuttle) Beecher. Her father's inventive genius brought him wide fame. In 1835 he invented the first propeller which was nsed on canal boats and was afterward used in the building of ocean steamers. Mr. and Mrs. Porter became the parents of five children. Emily Sophia, born in 1846, was educated in the public schools of Waterbury and in the Connecticut Institute at Suffield and for a time was a successful teacher in the schools of Waterbury. She became the wife of James Elliott, on the 1st day of July, 1868, and they made their home in Elmira, New York. They became the parents of seven children: Nellie May, who was born March 28, 1869, and died December 10. 1877: James Porter, who was born December 1, 1870, and was married November 28. 1895, to Ida Moakley, by whom he had two children, Irving Beecher, born December 5, 1897. and James Porter, born September 2. 1900; Sarah Beecher, born May 13, 1873: Fanny Amelia, born March 13, 1875; Sophia Alma, born December 31, 1876; George Ward, born March 25, 1879: and Charles Luther. who was born July 3. 1884, and died August 31, 1892.
Sarah Jane, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. James Porter, was born in Waterbury in 1849 and after attending the public schools was also a teacher. On the 1st of September. 1875, she became the wife of John Hine and is now a widow living in Waterbury. She
THE PORTER RESIDENCE
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became the mother of four children: John Wallace, born May 14, 1877; Mary Annie, born January 9, 1879; George Ward, born September 1, 1880; and Frederick William, born March 18, 1882.
James Ward, whose birth occurred in Watertown, June 12, 1853, passed through conseen- tive grades in the public schools until he became a high school student and at the age of fifteen years he began learning the brass molding trade in a hook and eye shop. After a year and a half the shop in which he was employed was purchased by Barnard, Son & Com- pany, with whom he continued for several months. He next entered the employ of the Scovill Manufacturing Company, with which he continued from 1871 until 1898 or for twenty- seven years. and for a long time he had the entire contract of the casting department. Eventually he retired from active business, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. On the 18th of January, 1876, James Ward Beecher Porter was married to Elizabeth Collins, a native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a daughter of John Collins, who was also born in that state. To Mr. and Mrs. Porter were born six children: John B., born October 28, 1876; Fannie E., born July 9, 1878; Nellie F., born March 25. 1880; James W., born June 16, 1881; Bessie S., who was born August 11, 1882, and died in infancy; and Harry C., born March 13, 1885. James W. B. Porter gave his political support to the repub- lican party and his religious faith was evidenced in his membership in the Trinity Episcopal church. He was a well known figure in fraternal circles, holding membership in Harmony Lodge, No. 42, F. & A. M .. of Waterbury, in which he served as worshipful master. He also took the degrees of Royal Arch Masonry and of the council, belonging to Eureka Chapter, No. 22, R. A. M., and to Waterbury Council, No. 21, R. & S. M. He attained the Knight Templar degree in Clark Commandery. No. 7. K. T., and became a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in Pyramid Temple of Bridgeport. He also advanced through the Scottish Rite degrees and became a member of Lafayette Consistory, S. P. R. S., of Bridgeport. He also belonged to Nosahogan Lodge, No. 21, I. O. O. F., and to Speedwell Lodge, No. 10, K. P., also to Tunxis Tribe, No. 10, I. O. R. M., and to the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. His life record was in harmony with that of an honorable ancestry and his death was deeply regretted when on the 18th day of January, 1910, he passed away.
Frances Amelia and Mary Florence, twins, the youngest children of Mr. and Mrs. James Porter, acquired their education in the public schools of Waterbury and in St. Margaret's School, while later they attended the Connecticut Institute of Suffield. They both turned to the profession of teaching, to which they devoted several years, proving most capable in their work in the schoolroom. They gave much of their time and attention, however. to their parents in their declining years, being most devoted to the welfare of father and mother. They reside on the homestead at Waterbury and are widely recognized as ladies of broad enlture and refined taste. They are deeply interested in everything pertaining to Waterbury and its people, their influence ever being on the side of progress and improvement. They are members of the Mattatuck Historical Society of Waterbury and hold membership in Melicent Porter Chapter, D. A. R., in the work of which they have taken a most helpful part, also charter members of Mad River Grange. Back of them are many Revolutionary ancestors and the record is one of which they have every reason to be proud. Both are also members of the Waterbury Woman's Club, of the Red Cross Chapter and other organizations looking to the benefit of their fellowmen. They also hold membership in St. John's Episcopal church and are quite active in church work. Miss Frances Amelia Porter was the first superintend- ent of the Sunday school at Mill Plain in the Union chapel and occupied that position for a number of years. Both ladies are noted for their keen intellect, their broad charity. their benevolence and ready sympathy. Through them the work of the Porter family in Water- bury continues as a factor in the upbuilding and progress of the city.
JOHN C. SHERWOOD.
John C. Sherwood, president and treasurer of the Colby-Sherwood Shoe Company, was born in Southington. Connecticut, October 19, 1877, a son of Henry and Ann (Dalton) Sher- wood. the former a knife maker by trade. After enjoying the educational opportunities offered by the schools of his native town, John C. Sherwood came to Waterbury at the age of eighteen years. However, he had been self-supporting from the age of fourteen, when he began working in stores in Southington. He became identified with the manufacturing interests of the New England Watch Company in Waterbury and after remaining there for a brief period secured a clerkship in a shoe store, in which position he remained for four years. Laudable ambition. however. prompted him to put forth every effort that would enable him
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to begin business independently on his own account and in 1900 he felt that his capital and experience were sufficient to justify this step. Accordingly he opened a small store on North Main street for the sale of shoes and men's furnishing goods. He there remained until the following year, when he sold out at that point and in September, 1901, joined E. C. Colby in the organization of the Colby-Sherwood Shoe Company. Following the death of Mr. Colby in March, 1906, Mr. Sherwood purchased his interest in the business, which had been incor- ported upon its organization. The store, situated at 114 South Main street, was destroyed by fire February 2, 1902, and for a brief period business was conducted on Center street, after which a new building was erected and ready for occupancy at the present location in November, 1902. The building is twenty-two by seventy feet, one floor and basement. Mr. Sherwood handles the ladies' Sorosis shoe and the Elite shoe for men, manufactured in Brockton, and he employs two day clerks and a bookkeeper, with four extra clerks at night.
In 1908 Mr. Sherwood was united in marriage to Miss Florence C. Foulks, of Brooklyn, New York, and they have had two children: F. Catherine Demming, seven years of age; and Marguerite Edenia, who died at the age of three. The parents are members of the First Methodist church and fraternally Mr. Sherwood is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, belonging to both the local lodge and encampment of the latter organizations. He likewise has member- ship with the Owls and with the Rotary Club and he cooperates with the various progressive public movements instituted by the Chamber of Commerce, of which he is a member. He is much interested in political questions and issues and is serving on the republican town committee. He is also a member of the City Guard. His activities thus touch the general interests of society in a broad way and he stands for all that is valuable in the life of the community.
EDWARD S. ANDREWS.
Edward S. Andrews, who since May, 1916, has been assistant treasurer of the Beacon Falls Rubber Shoe Company, was born in Naugatuck, Connecticut, January 27, 1884, a son of Charles H. and Leila A. (Stevens) Andrews. The father was for a long period connected with the Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe Company of Naugatuck.
The son acquired a high school education in Naugatuck, where the days of his boyhood and youth were passed, and started upon his business career in connection with the Beacon Falls Rubber Company in 1902, remaining with that corporation for five years. He then traveled all over the west, spending nine years in that way in Colorado, Arizona and Idaho, being interested in the irrigation of arid lands for a Chicago house and in the settlement of those lands. In January, 1916, he returned to Beacon Falls and in May of that year became assistant treasurer of the Beacon Falls Rubber Shoe Company, which position he now occupies.
On the 30th of September. 1911, Mr. Andrews was united in marriage to Miss Marie Gillen, who was born in Deland, Florida, and was a resident of Beacon Falls, her parents being Dr. and Mrs. R. H. Gillen. To Mr. and Mrs. Andrews has been born a daughter, Eliza- beth. In his fraternal relations Mr. Andrews is an Elk, while his political support is given to the republican party. He is a young man of enterprise, alert and energetic, accomplishing what he undertakes and ever looking forward to an advance step which will bring him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. He has thus gained a most creditable position in the manufacturing circles of the Naugatuck valley.
JOHN F. BALDAUF.
For forty-four years John F. Baldauf has been a resident of Torrington, and he has been numbered among its representative, active and progressive business men for thirty-two years, or since founding his present paint and wall paper business in 1885. He was born in New York city, March 15, 1856, and is a son of Andrew and Martha Baldauf. who were natives of Germany but came to America in early life and were married in New York city. There they resided for many years, the father passing away in 1887, while the mother survived until 1888. In their family were three sons and a daughter: John F .: William, living in Torrington ; Mrs. William Homer, who is a widow, of Torrington; and George A., who resides in New York city.
John F. Baldauf was reared in New York city, where he attended the public schools to the age of twelve years. when his textbooks were put aside that he might learn the trade
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of varnishing. While thus employed he attended night school in the winter time in order to advance his education, and throughout his life he has learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience. He came to Torrington in 1873 at the age of seventeen years and here learned the painters' trade, working as a journeyman painter and varnisher for ten years in the employ of Fred De Voe, who was then a painting contractor of Torrington. In 1885 Mr. Baldauf established his present paint and wall paper business on Main street, condueting it for ten years, after which he removed to his present location at No. 57 Water street, where he has remained continuously for twenty-two years, taking possession of the building when it was erected. He has a most thoroughly modern establishment and in connection with the sale of paints and wall paper he does a general contracting business in that line, employing a number of men to attend to the outside work. During the busy season he has from twelve to fifteen men in his employ, and his contracting business has become an important source of ineome.
On the 31st of December, 1887, Mr. Baldauf was married to Miss Ida C. Johnson, of Torrington, and they have a son, Russell Frederick, born April 27, 1889, and now associated with his father in the store.
For five years Mr. Baldauf was connected with the Torrington fire department and he cooperated in many publie movements which have benefitted the town. His political endorse- ment is given to the republican party, and fraternally he is connected with the Elks, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. His success is due, at least in part, to the fact that he has always continued in the line in which he embarked as a young tradesman. He has worked diligently and persistently in that field, never dissipating his energies in other lines, and his thoroughness, close application and reliability have brought him the measure of success which he enjoys.
WILLIAM L. WARD.
William L. Ward, who is engaged in the undertaking and the banking business in Seymour. was born in Naugatuck, October 31, 1858, a son of James B. and Jane E. (Hotchkiss) Ward. The father was also born in Naugatuck and the mother was a native of Bethany, Connecticut. The ancestry in the Ward line is traced back to Andrew Ward, who came from England and settled in Fairfield, Connecticut, in 1638. Since that date representatives of the family have figured in connection with the business interests of the state and with its development along various lines. The aneestry comes down through Richard, Lewis, who was born in Naugatuck, and James B. Ward, the father of William L. Ward. The wife of Richard Ward was a daughter of Culpepper Hoadley, who served in the Revolutionary war. The male members of the Ward family have all been active along mechanical lines and James B. Ward devoted his life to earpentering. He died in the year 1862, his widow surviving him for fifty-two years, her death occurring in 1914. They had a family of two children: William L., of this review, and Ehner J., who is living in Naugatuck.
William L. Ward acquired a high school education in Naugatuck and entered upon his business career in connection with Colonel F. W. Tolles of that place, who was engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. He remained with Colonel Tolles for nine years and in 1889 came to Seymour, where he purchased the business of E. F. Bassett, a furniture dealer and undertaker, who was eonducting a business that was established in 1842. Mr. Ward took over the store and developed the trade to large proportions. Ile kept his stock always up to the highest standard, carrying a complete line of attractive furniture, but in 1915 he sold his furniture business to concentrate his attention upon the undertaking business. Hle was located at No. 26 Bank street until that time but in 1915 removed to 13 Pine street, where he has fine undertaking parlors. He uses an auto hearse and carriages and has a splendidly equipped establishment. Other important interests profit by his business sagacity and enterprise, for he is the vice president of the Seymour Trust Company and the president of the Seymour Metal Goods Company. He incorporated his other business interests on the 1st of August, 1907, under the name of the W. L. Ward Company, of which he became the president and treasurer, with L. J. Ward as the secretary and Norman W. Lounsbury as vice president and assistant treasurer. No change in the personnel of the officers has occurred to the present time.
On the 10th of July, 1889, Mr. Ward was united in marriage to Miss Lulu J. Tolles, a daughter of Isaae B. and Maria W. Tolles, of Naugatuck. Mr. Ward is a well known Mason, belonging to Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., of Seymour; to Evening Star Chapter.
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R. A. M., of Seymour: to the Knight Templar commandery at New Haven; and to Pyramid Temple of the Mystic Shrine in Bridgeport. He is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. He has membership in Trinity church of Seymour, of which he has been a vestryman for many years. In the various activities of the church he is deeply interested and has been a generous supporter of all its work. In politics he is an carnest republican and has served as township treasurer for seventeen years-a fact indicative of the faithfulness and capability with which he has discharged his duties. He has also been president of the library board for many years and is thus active in community affairs. His efforts in behalf of public welfare have been far-reaching and effective and his course has ever been that of a progressive and enterprising business man and a loyal and patriotic citizen.
. JAMES EDWARD COER.
James Edward Coer. deceased, was long known in Waterbury as a prominent manufac- turer and dealer in cigars. He also gave a great deal of his time to the affairs of the Masonic order, in which he was called to important offices, and in his daily life he exemplified the beneficent teachings of the craft. He was born in Woodbury, New Haven county, July 5, 1843, and was a son of William Henry and Mary Ann Coer. He was reared under the parental roof and attended the public and high schools of Waterbury in the acquirement of his educa- tion, the family having removed to this city. Later he learned the cigar maker's trade, which he followed for a number of years in the employ of others. At length he was able to embark in business on his own account and built up a large trade as a manufacturer and dealer in cigars. He was thoroughly familiar with the technical processes used in the manufacture of high grade cigars and this knowledge was of the utmost value to him in oversecing the work of his employes. He was also an astute business man, quick to recognize and take advantage of an opportunity for trade expansion, and the brands which he put out were widely distrib- uted and were recognized as standard goods. He was actively engaged in business up to the time of his death, which occurred December 1, 1890, being buried in Riverside cemetery.
Mr. Coer was married September 19, 1872, in Waterbury, to Miss Ellen C. Welton, who was born in this city, a daughter of George W. Welton and a representative of a well known family of Waterbury. A sketch of the Welton family appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Coer survives him and resides on Kenilworth street. To Mr. and Mrs. Coer were born five children, as follows: Lacey Welton is employed in Waterbury as a linotype operator but resides in Prospect. He married Harriet Russell and they have had the following children : Russell Platt, deceased; Miriam; Eleanor; Harold; Ellen Caroline; Emily Louise; Francis; and Eunice. James Edward. who resides in South Britain, married Josephine Adelaide Burns and they have two children, James Edward, Jr., and Milton. Margaret Leavitt is the wife of Clarence Parker, of New Haven, and has two children, Welton D. and Ruth. Bertha gradu- ated from St. Margaret's School at Waterbury and from the State Normal School at New Britain and is now teaching in New York city. Katharine, who is also a graduate of St. Margaret's School and of the State Normal School at New Britain, is teaching in Waterbury.
Mr. Coer was an adherent of the democratic party but was not an office seeker although he was active in the public life of Waterbury, taking a deep interest in its growth and devel- opment. In 1861. after the outbreak of the Civil war, he aided in organizing the boys of the city between the ages of seventeen and twenty years into a company known as the Zouaves, of which he was captain, with A. B. Crook and G. A. Stockings as lieutenants. He gained prominence in the Masonic order, which he joined in 1864 and of which he was always a devoted member. He belonged to Harmony Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Waterbury, of which he was chosen master in 1876; Eureka Chapter, R. A. M., of which he was high priest in 1872. and from 1884 until his death; Waterbury Council, R. & S. M., of which he was elected thrice illustrions master in 1871; and Clark Commandery. K. T., of which he served as prelate. At the time of his death he was grand senior deacon of the Grand Lodge and grand principal sojourner of the Grand Chapter and also the representative in Connecticut of the Grand Chap- ter of California and of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and was likewise a director of the Masonic Temple Association. For twenty years he held membership in Nosahogan Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Waterbury, and his various fraternal relations brought him a wide acquaintance among the representative men of the city. He was a communicant of Trinity Episcopal church and was loyal in his support of its work. It was known in the city that his influence was always on the side of right and of progress, and he was honored not only as a successful busi-
James & lever
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ness man and as a faithful friend but also as a public-spirited citizen. Shortly after his death the following comment appeared in the Saturday Contributor of the Waterbury Amer- ican concerning the friendship which had long existed between him and Nathan Dikeman, a druggist, and Horace Johnson, the well known artist: "Three friends were for years accus- tomed to meet every Sunday afternoon at the same rendezvous for a quiet chat. They were unusual men, each of them, though perhaps a casual acquaintance would not have noted it. One was an artist, one a man who knew Shakespeare by heart, one a person of very wide reading and of unusual general information. They all belonged to Trinity church, all were Masons. Some months ago one of these friends was stricken with a fatal disease. The other two were constant in their cheering visits, shadowed no doubt by the thought that these visits would soon be over. At last the stricken friend could go to his business no more, and every day his acquaintances thought, as they passed the window where for many years they had been sure to see him, that it was only a question of days or hours before he breathed his last. But ere the summons came another of the three was taken down with pneumonia and after a short but plucky fight for life succumbed. Then the third was laid low with a stroke of apoplexy. It was a mercifully short attack. The one whom a few short weeks ago both of the friends looked forward to surviving for many years, himself passed away, but the paper that contained the account of his funeral contained also the obituary of the third. All three met death with unusual calmness and fortitude. The ever old, ever new lesson of the slight hold we have on life was never more impressively brought home. All three were familiar figures in Waterbury's busy life, and all three are missed almost at once with hardly a premonition of warning."
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