USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 26
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FREDERICK L. WADHAMS.
Frederick L. Wadhams, a veteran of the Civil war, was born in Goshen. Connecticut. December 4, 1842, and is a son of James and Sarah L. (Oviatt) Wadhams. who were also natives of Goshen, where they spent their entire lives. the father following the occupation of farming. He was a son of Norman Wadhams, who was also born in Goshen and was of an ancient family of that place, where the Oviatt tamily was represented from early colonial days.
Mr. Wadhams was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the Goshen Academy. He was a youth of nineteen years when his spirit of patriotism was aroused and he responded to his country's call for aid, joining the army in December, 1861, as a member of Company I, Thirteenth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, with which he served as a private.
Early in 1862 his regiment was assigned to General Ben Butler's expedition for the capture of New Orleans, his regiment being provost guard in that unruly city during the summer of 1862 with quarters in the custom house, his own company being detailed as headquarter's guard for General Butler. In the fall of 1862 the Thirteenth was made a part of Weitzel's brigade and entered on active field service. During all of 1863 and until the summer of 1864 his regiment was in all the campaigns and battles of Louisiana, including the siege of Port Hudson and General Banks' Red River expedition. In June, 1864, the Nineteenth Army Corps, of which the Thirteenth Regiment was a part. was ordered from Louisiana to the north and added to General Phil Sheridan's army and took part in his celebrated invasion of the Confederacy through the Shenandoah valley. On September 19, 1864, the colonel of the Thirteenth and thirty of his men, including Mr. Wadhams, were taken prisoners at the battle of Winchester. For six weeks he was in the Confederate prisons of Libby and of Belle Isle at Richmond. from which he was paroled November 1 and joined his regiment. In December he was ordered north and January 11, 1865, was mustered out of the service.
Mr. Wadhams returned to Goshen, where he remained until the following autumn, when he entered the employ of the Turner & Seymour Manufacturing Company of Torrington. During the winter of 1866-67 he attended a business school in Bridgeport. He had planned to return to Louisiana at the close of the war but after one year in the west he found himself back in Torrington, as the owner and proprietor of a meat market. In 1872 he sold his market and purchased the old water-power needle shop in the Daytonville district of Torrington. Here he installed the first permanent circular sawmill in this vicinity and conducted a very prosperous lumber business, being recognized as one of the foremost lumber dealers in his section. In 1892 he added a gristmill to his plant and built up a large flour and grain business in connection with his lumber interests. In 1907 his plant, including sawmill, gristmill and his large stock of lumber and grain, was totally destroyed by fire.
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entailing a loss of thousands of dollars. Undaunted he sold the burned site to the Warrenton Woolen Company, and built briek buildings across the street along the traeks of the Naugatuek Railroad, installed a most modern sawmill and gristmill with greatly increased eapaeity, made preparations for the enlargement of the business and added eoal to his extensive line. Taking three of his sons into partnership, their interests were then incorporated under the firm name of The F. L. Wadhams & Sons Company with the father as president. The firm also eonduets a first class feed store at No. 34 Water street, which is also their downtown office. The firm is enjoying extensive sales of lumber, wood, eoal, flour and grain, while the business methods of the house are such as will bear the elosest investigation and serutiny. Mr. Wadhams, though in his seventy-fifth year, takes an active interest in the above business, and is also president of The Wadhams Company, Ine .. of Litehfield, which owns and conducts the only feed and grain business at the county seat.
On the 19th of June, 1870, Mr. Wadhams married Sarah M. Goodwin, who was born in New Hartford, Connecticut, November 11, 1852, a daughter of George and Sarah (Weeks) Goodwin. They are the parents of four children: Fred U., a grain dealer of Torrington and not connected with the firm; Colonel Sanford H., who is now serving in the United States regular army and is assigned to General Pershing's staff in France, a director of the firm; Herbert G., secretary of the firm; and Clarenee G., treasurer. All four sons are happily married and there are five grandehildren.
Mr. Wadhams is a member of the Wheel Club, the L. W. Steele Post, No. 34, Grand Army of the Republie, of Torrington; of the Army and Navy Club of Conneetieut; of Seneca Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Hope Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. He and his family attend the Center Congregational Church, of which his wife and sons are members, and in which Mrs. Wadhams has been very active and prominent. In polities he is a republican and has never sought office but is as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the nation's starry banner on the battlefields of the south.
WILLIAM GRAY GRIEVE.
William Gray Grieve, a foremost business man of Waterbury, ranking with its leading merchants, was called from life's activities on the 31st of March, 1914. He was one of the founders of the firm of Grieve, Bisset & Holland, dry goods merchants, and was actively associated with its management up to the time of his last illness. Through his honesty and honorable dealings, he had made for himself a most creditable place in business eireles. He was recognized as a man of sterling worth in every relation, and no resident of Waterbury stood higher in the esteem of his fellowmen.
His birth oceurred in the town of Hawiek, Seotland, July 17, 1866. He is the son of Robert Elliott and Christina Gray Grieve, and was one of five sons. He grew to manhood in the land of hills and heather, finishing his education at Dollar Academy, Sterlingshire, Seot- land, shortly after entering the employ of Cook, Sons & Co., of London, England, for real training in his ehosen voeation. In 1889, when a young man of twenty-three years, he left England, for America, going to Denver, Colorado, where he spent one year. In 1890 he located in Waterbury and became identified with its commercial interests as an employe of the Reid & Hughes Dry Goods Company, with which firm he was connected for three years.
Following his early aspiration to engage in the dry goods business, he resigned his posi- tion to enter into partnership with Charles Hughes, a brother of his former employer. They opened a store in Putnam, Windham eounty, condueting their interests under the name Grieve & Hughes. After some time spent there the firm removed to Yonkers, New York. In 1901 Mr. Grieve sold his interest in the business to his partner and after a year spent in travel, returned to Waterbury. It was at that time he became one of the organizers of the well known firm of Grieve, Bisset & Holland, located in Exchange Place, but they afterward removed to North Main street opposite the Green, where they enjoyed a profitable and con- stantly growing business. Mr. Grieve remained aetive in its control and ownership until his demise the business still being conducted under the old firm name. The methods of this firm were always such as would have the elosest investigation and serutiny and measured up to the highest eommereial standards.
In June, 1905, Mr. Grieve was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Barbara Kirschbaum, a daughter of John Kirschbaum and a sueeessful teacher in the publie sehools. They became the parents of four children: Elizabeth Christina, Robert Gray and John William (twins) and William Gray 2nd.
Domestie in his tastes, the home life of Mr. Grieve was largely ideal. The time, outside
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of his business, was devotedly spent with his family, which he considered his greatest enjoy- ment. He was a member of the Second Congregational church. The following well deserved tribute appeared in the Waterbury American at the time of his death. "The type of man whose passing means a distinct loss to the community was William G. Grieve. Quiet, unob- trusive, doing the deed that was at hand, seeking no special recognition, upright, forceful in character, the same man in his family, in his business and in his church relations, the organ- izer of a successful business-what finer or more solid record of a useful and helpful life could any man desire to leave behind him? To be what one appears to be, to have the respect, esteem and affection of business associates and employes alike-these were Mr. Grieve's qualities and they are qualities quite rare in combination, even among those who represent the best citizenship. Fortunate the man who starts life as a Scotchman if he inherits those eliaracteristics which have made Scotland and Greece the countries that have left on modern life the most distinct marks. This was Mr. Grieve's good fortune and he lived up to his inheritance. On the community side he conferred a great benefit, often lost sight of these sentimental days, in establishing a prosperous business to serve alike the public and those engaged in it. His personal memory will long be cherished by those closest to him, and the solid good he has done simply by making the most of his opportunities will live long in fruitful results."
Mrs. Grieve, with her children survives her husband. She is a member of the Second Congregational church and of the Waterbury Woman's Chib. She devotes her time to her family, with keen interest in church and charitable work.
FREDERICK L. NUHN.
Frederick L. Nuhn, junior member of the real estate firm of Nuhn & Nuhn, was born in Waterbury, October 6, 1882, and is the younger of the two sons of Frederick and Emma P. (Meyer) Nuhn. The father was born in Germany, November 10, 1845, and at the age of fourteen crossed the Atlantic to the United States, residing for a short period in New York and coming to Waterbury in 1863. On the 9th of November, 1875, he married Emma P. Meyer, a daughter of Leonard and Catherine Meyer, and they became the parents of two sons and two daughters: Ida M., Theodore F., Frederick L. and Ella K. The death of Mr. Nuhn occurred March 27, 1898.
Frederick L. Nuhn was graduated from the Waterbury high school with the class of 1901 and in the fall of that year entered Yale. from which he was graduated with the class of 1905. When his college days were over he returned to Waterbury and for a time occupied a clerical position in the Oakville Company at Oakville, but later concentrated his attention upon the real estate business, entering into partnership with his brother Theodore in 1912 in organizing the present firm of Nuhn & Nuhn.
HORACE DUTTON TAFT.
Horace Dutton Taft, head master of the Taft School of Watertown, made a valuable contribution to the educational facilities of Connecticut in the founding in 1890 of this school. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, he was born on the 28th of December, 1861, a son of Alphonso and Louisa Maria (Torrey) Taft. The father was attorney general in the years 1876 and 1877. In his family were Charles Phelps Taft, a half brother of our subject; William Howard Taft, former president of the United States; Henry Waters Taft, of New York eity; and Mrs. William A. Edwards, of Los Angeles, California.
Profiting by the liberal educational advantages accorded him, Horace Dutton Taft was graduated from Yale in 1883 with the Bachelor of Arts degree and a decade later the Master of Arts degree was conferred upon him. He was a student in the Cincinnati Law School in 1884-5 and in the latter year was admitted to the bar but turned to educational interests instead of continuing in law practice and from 1887 until 1890 was tutor of Latin in Yale. He then organized the Taft School at Watertown, of which he has since been head master. The school was formed for the purpose of giving boys a sound physical, mental and moral training that they might become strong, manly and healthy men, ready to meet life's responsibilities and requirements. The course constitutes a thorough preparation for any college or scientific school, its course of study covering five years. To be admitted to the lowest class a boy must be at least twelve years of age. The work of the school
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is thorough and classes are so arranged that each pupil may have individual attention of the instructors, who study special needs and take cognizance of individual development. A monthly letter is sent to each boy's parents by the head master, giving the boy's record in scholarship for the month and also a statement of his progress in other respects. Mr. Taft has given the most discriminating study to the question of preparatory education and the Taft School ranks with the best of New England.
On the 29th of June, 1892, Mr. Taft was married to Miss Winifred S. Thompson, of Niagara Falls, New York, who passed away in December, 1909. He has never taken active part in club life or fraternal organizations but has concentrated his efforts and attention upon educational interests, holding to high ideals in his work and steadily advancing toward the goal.
THE TAFT SCHOOL.
The Taft School, situated at Watertown, Connecticut, was founded in 1890 at Pelham Manor, New York, by Horace D. Taft, a graduate of Yale, who had been for three years a tutor in that institution. After three years the school was moved to Watertown and occupied the Warren House, which up to that time had been a hotel. The school is a preparatory school for colleges and scientific schools and aims to give, not only a thorough preparation for these institutions, but an all around development to the boys who attend. The school has grown and prospered. In 1913 it occupied a new building built for the purpose and standing a little to the west of the original building. Large additions have been made to the land of the school and the institution is well equipped with play grounds, tennis courts, etc. There are accommodations for two hundred and thirty boys.
REV. JOSEPH VALDAMBRINI.
Rev. Joseph Valdambrini, pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes at Waterbury, was born in Rome, Italy, in 1876 and pursued his elassical and philosophical studies in the Roman Seminary. He devoted three years to the study of theology in France and then took his last year's work in the Roman Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood in St. John in Laterano Cathedral in Rome, May 27, 1899. He remained in his native city until February, 1908, when he went to England, where he continued until February, 1910. In March of that year he arrived in the United States and made his way at once to Wisconsin, where he remained until the following December, when he came to Connecticut. He was administrator in Dayville and South Coventry and was assistant priest at Baltic from May, 1911, until October, 1912. At the close of that month he came to Waterbury as pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes and has since continued his labors in that connection. doing splendid work in the upbuilding of his parish and in support of the church.
ALVIA P. McCOY.
Alvia P. MeCoy is president of the Fulton-Driggs & Smith Company, which was organized in 1915 and now owns and controls one of the largest music houses in New England. Its business is largely the expression of the persistent efforts, progressive methods and administrative ability of Mr. McCoy, whose varied business experiences well qualify him for the present responsibilities that devolve upon him.
Born in New York on the 18th of September, 1877, he is a son of William and Mary M. (Kelley) McCoy. From the age of eleven years he has been self-supporting and has steadily worked his way upward by sheer force of character and indefatigable energy. He came to Waterbury in 1888, when a lad of but eleven summers. and earned his living by selling papers and as an employe at the American District Telephone office. Later he was employed in factories and subsequently by the Scovill Manufacturing Company. While thus engaged, ambitious to advance, he studied nights making the best possible use of his opportunities.
On the 28th day of October, 1895, Mr. McCoy became connected with Apothecaries Hall and was thus associated until May 1, 1902. He then entered the insurance field and
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was with the Aetna Life Insurance Company until December 1, 1906, when, having read an advertisement in a paper for a man to manage a business, he investigated this with the result that he became connected with and bought an interest in the Fulton Music Company, then conducting business at 146 Grand street. On the 27th of January, 1914, a removal was made to 158 Grand street, where they occupy four stories of a building thirty by one hundred seventy-two feet. The business was organized under its present name in 1915 as successor to the Fulton Music Company, which was established in 1904 and incorporated in 1906. This in turn succeeded the Driggs & Smith Company, which was established in 1860. The officers of the company at the present time are Alvia P. McCoy, president and treasurer ; Franklin V. McCoy, secretary, and Joseph Newell, vice president. They carry a full line of all kinds of musical instruments, including the Chickering, Mehlin, Ivers & Pond, Shoninger, Milton and Laffargue pianos; also the Ampico Electric Reproducing piano, the Angelus players. the Milton Player piano, the Victor victrola, and the Edison Diamond Dise phonographs; in fact a general line of everything in music. They employ from twenty-one to thirty people.
In 1909 Mr. McCoy was married to Miss Mabel Fannie Armbruster, of Terryville, Connecticut, and they have one son, Alvin O. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy are members of the Methodist church. Politically he maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than for party. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and with the Odd Fellows, but his activity chicfly centers upon his business affairs, the intelligent direction of which has brought him his present gratifying position.
CHARLES W. SMITH.
Charles W. Smith, the executive head of the paint and wall paper business of James Smith's Son, and thus controlling one of the most important mercantile interests of Tor- rington. was born May 22, 1861. in the borough where he still resides, being the younger of the two sons of James Smith of Torrington, who founded the present paint and wall paper business in 1848. James Smith was born in Litchfield county, October, 12, 1819, and was a son of Judson and Naney (Wheeler) Smith. He came to Torrington in young manhood and here spent his remaining days. his life's labors being terminated in death in 1895. He was a painter by trade and followed that pursuit in Torrington to a great extent. from the time that he located here until his death, and from 1848 until his demise he was at the head of the paint and wall paper store at No. 20, Water street, the business having been continuously conducted ou the same site since 1848, or for a period of sixty-nine years. Since 1895 the business has been carried on under the name of James Smith's Son, being throughout the intervening years owned and conducted by Charles W. Smith and his two sons, James Chester and Judson Smith. This is one of the oldest business enterprises of Torrington that has enjoyed a continuous existence, and throughout all the intervening years the firm name has been the synonym for progress, enterprise and successful accom- plishment.
James Smith was united in marriage on the 5th of November, 1848, to Harriet Main, who was born March 12, 1825, in Goshen, Connecticut. His death occurred December 8, 1895. In their family were four children: Edward and Edwin, twins, were born July 11, 1849, but the latter died on the 11th of September of that year, and Edward Smith passed away June 4. 1907. The third child is Ella M. Smith, who was born in Torrington October 13, 1851, and on the 20th of October, 1869, became the wife of George W. Vale. The fourth is Charles W. Smith of this review. Edward Smith, of this family, was formerly a member of the firm of James Smith's Son. He was married March 27, 1872, to Evelyn A. Berry, and he passed away June 4,1907, while his wife died on the 24th of December of the same year. They had two children, Clayton E. and Hattie E. The former was married June 8, 1904, to Emma Rockefeller. The mother. Mrs. Evelyn A. Smith, was born December 26, 1851.
Charles W. Smith acquired a public school education in Torrington, where he has spent his entire life. He put aside his textbooks at the age of sixteen years and at once turned his attention to the paint and papering business under the direction of his father, with whom he continued until the latter's death in 1895. when he succeeded him in the business. In his youth and early manhood he thoroughly mastered the art of painting as well as that of paper hanging. but he turned the practical end of his work over to competent hired help many years ago and since then he and his two sons have occupied their time in the manage- ment of the business. Their establishment is not only the oldest business of its kind in Torrington, but has always maintained a position of leadership. keeping abreast with the
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rapid growth of the city and with the changes that are constantly being made in the line which they handle. Theirs is recognized as one of the substantial business firms of Tor- rington. The paint and wall paper store at No. 20 Water street, occupies one of the oldest business blocks of Torrington, a two story and basement structure. This is a double building in which Charles W. Smith has a half interest. The firm conducts a general contracting business in its line and during the busy season employs about fifteen men. They do an extensive business in painting, papering and interior decorating, and give to their patrons the benefit of long experience and valuable advice.
On the 11th of November, 1883, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Jennie L. Barber, who passed away in 1903, and in 1906 he married Nellie M. Nettleton. By the first marriage there were two sons, James C. and Judson Smith, both of whom are con- nected with their father in business under the firm style of James Smith's Son. Mr. Smith is a member of Torrington Lodge, No. 372, B. P. O. E. No higher tribute could Mr. Smith have paid his father than he has in perpetuating his name in the business for instead of Charles W. Smith or Charles W. Smith & Sons, as it might now be, the name of James Smith's Son has been used ever since the father's death in 1895.
EDWARD WALTER SHANNON.
Edward Walter Shannon, deceased, was one of Waterbury's valued and representative citizens, having made his home here for over thirty years. He was born in Berlin, Con- nectient, December 23, 1842, and attended the schools of Cheshire. Plymouth and Waterbury, coming to the latter place when about fourteen years of age. In the spring of 1861, at the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlisted in New Haven, where he was then living, in response to the first call for troops for three months' service, joining Company B, First Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. After his term of service expired he reenlisted in Company E, Sixth Regiment of Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, for three years, doing valuable and faithful service at the front in defense of the stars and stripes.
At the close of the war Mr. Shannon came to Waterbury, securing a position with the firm of Rogers & Brother, of which his brother William was superintendent. For a long period Edward W. Shannon was connected with that firm. Working his way upward through his superior skill and fidelity, he became foreman of his department. In 1886 he accepted the position of general superintendent of the Rogers & Hamilton firm of Waterbury, being one of its organizers and a director. In 1892 he resigned to return to Rogers & Brother as superintendent, there remaining until his failing health compelled him to seek health resorts, lis last days being spent at Saranac lake in the Adirondacks, where he passed away Decem- ber 25, 1893, his remains being interred in Riverside cemetery of Waterbury.
Mr. Shannon was well known in Masonic and Odd Fellows' circles, being a member of the Nosahogan Lodge of Odd Fellows and of the Continental Lodge of Masons at Waterbury. He was a thirty-second degree Mason and held many offices in Continental Lodge, Eureka Chapter and Clark Commandery, K. T., of which he was eminent commander in 1891 and 1892. He was also a member of the Mystic Shrine. A man of progressive ideas, he took a deep interest in the city of his adoption. He attended the Congregational church and was devoted to every good canse. A loving husband and father, his Christian ideals and principles were everywhere reflected in his daily life.
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