USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 27
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It was in Waterbury, June 23, 1868. that he was united in marriage to Miss Emily A. Baxter, who was born in Randolph, Ohio, a daughter of Isaac Benham and Harriet (Russell) Baxter. During her early childhood days Mrs. Shannon was brought by her parents to Waterbury, which was their carly home, and was here reared to womanhood. She attended the public schools and became a teacher, being connected with the public school system of the city for six years. To Mr. and Mrs. Shannon was born a son, Frederick Wilbur, whose birth occurred in Waterbury, April 3, 1871. He attended the public and high schools of Waterbury and the Wilbraham Academy of Massachusetts, from which he was graduated, entering upon an early manhood of much promise for the future, but was called to the home beyond, passing away November 23, 1891, universally loved and mourned by all. His remains were interred in Riverside cemetery. His death cast a shadow over the lives of his parents which ean never be effaced.
Mrs. Shannon's life has been one of devotion and self-denial. During the illness of her son and husband she gave herself untiringly to their care, doing everything in her power to add to their comfort with the love of a devoted wife and mother. Mrs. Shannon displays the same spirit of devotion to the public welfare which characterized her husband and is
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Edward. H. Shannon
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always ready to lend her aid and influence to any object for the general good. She has been a member of Melicent Porter Chapter, D. A. R., since the early years of its organization and always serving as one of its efficient officers, holding the office of regent for seven years, while she is now honorary regent for life. She is ever deeply interested in the objects for which the organization stands. She is a charter member of the Waterbury Woman's Club and has for many years been a member of the First Congregational ehureh, while for eighteen years she was the lady superintendent of its Sunday school. She is a woman of culture and refinement and her life indicates the fact that she is a descendant of some of the earliest representative families of Connecticut and Massachusetts.
THOMAS L. THOMSON, M. D.
Dr. Thomas L. Thomson has been successfully practicing in Torrington since 1902 and his pronounced ability is attested by his liberal patronage. He was born in Bovina, New York, June 20, 1872, a son of William B. and Janet (McEachron) Thomson, both of whom are still living. They were natives of New York and representatives of old families there. The father has followed the occupation of farming as a life work. Dr. Thomson was one of two children, his brother being Alexander Thomson, who is cultivating the old home farm near Bovina, New York.
It was upon his father's farm that Dr. Thomson was reared, and in the district schools he began his education. Eventually, however, he was graduated from Geneva College of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, in 1895, after six years devoted to study there. He then went to Fowa and for two years taught mathematics in Amity College, a Presbyterian college of that state. In the fall of 1897 he entered the senior elass of Princeton University and was graduated therefrom, with the Bachelor of Arts degree, in 1898. He thus gained a good liberal education to serve as the broad foundation upon which to build the super- structure of professional knowledge. In the fall of 1898 he entered the Halmemann Medieal College of Philadelphia, and studied for three years, being graduated in June, 1901, with the M.D. degree. For a year thereafter he was an interne in the Hahnemann Hospital of Philadelphia, and gained much valuable knowledge and experience through broad hospital practice. In 1902 Dr. Thomson came to Torrington, where he yet remains, and during the period of his residence here he has gained a very liberal patronage, for he early demonstrated his ability to successfully cope with the intricate and complex problems which confront the physician.
On the 16th of September, 1903, Dr. Thomson was married to Miss Eloise Morton, of Chelsea, Michigan, a native of that state and a graduate of the Michigan State University. Prior to her marriage she was a successful teacher, having been engaged as instruetor of English in the Torrington high school. To Dr. and Mrs. Thomson have been born twin daughters, Janet Fayerweather and Elizabeth Morton, whose birth occurred March 11, 1907. The parents are members of the Trinity Episcopal church and Mrs. Thomson has membership with the Daughters of the American Revolution. Fraternally he is an Elk and he is also eonneeted with the Torrington Club, while along strietly professional lines he is identified with the Connecticut State Medieal Society, the American Medical Asso- ciation and the State Homeopathic Medical Society. He turns for recreation to fishing when his practice allows him a brief interval for rest and pleasure.
WILBUR. D. SCOTT.
Wilbur D. Scott has passed through successive stages of business experience to his present position as a well known merchant of Waterbury, having an attractive store in which he carries a full line of ladies,' misses' and children's outer garments, including cloaks and suits. He was born in Seymour, Connecticut, in 1858, a son of John and Harriet C. (Moore) Scott, who in the early '60s removed to a farm near Winsted, upon which the father spent his remaining days, his death there occuring in 1866. He was a manufacturer of daguerreotype boxes and kindred lines and had removed to Winsted to establish a factory on his farm near that town. Following the father's death the family lived at Riverton, Connecticut, and at Winsted.
After acquiring a publie school education, Wilbur D. Scott attended the Wesleyan Academy in Massachusetts and in 1876 went to Kansas, remaining for five years in that
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state and Indian Territory. During his residence in the west he was largely engaged in mercantile lines at Hutchinson, Kansas. but also herded cattle for a few months. In 1881 he returned to Winsted, where he continued for a brief period, and then spent two years in Hartford. He afterward came to Waterbury and occupied a clerical position with the firm of E. T. Turner & Company, having charge of the cloak and suit department for six years, thus gaining valuable experience along the line in which he is now engaged. In 1889 he embarked in business on his own account in Waterbury. handling a line of cloaks, suits and furs. Later he sold out and became associated with E. P. Hunt & Company at Great Barrington, Massachusetts, for whom he was buyer for about five years. He again took up his abode in Waterbury and about 1903 established a cloak, suit and fur house on Center street. After three years, or in 1906, he removed to No. 109 Grand street and No. 192 Bank street, occupying an L-shaped building there. He carries a full and attractive line of ladies', misses' and children's outer garments and employs continually five people, while at times it is necessary to secure extra help in the conduct of his business.
Mr. Scott was united in marriage to Miss Amelie Marie Japy, a native of Beaucourt, France, and a daughter of Louis Japy, of Beaucourt. In her childhood she came to the United States with her mother, her father having died in his native land. The only son of Mr. and Mrs. Scott, Dwight J .. a college student twenty-one years of age, is now in the government employ. Mr. Scott is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Baptist church, while his attitude in politics is that of an independent republican. Whatever success he has achieved or enjoyed is attributable entirely to his own efforts. He has so directed his labors as to win substantial results and his enterprising methods measure up to the most advanced commercial ethics.
HARRY G. DODGE.
Harry G. Dodge, well known in commercial circles in Waterbury as the head of the firm of H. G. Dodge & Company, organized this firm in 1895 to succeed to the business of G. R. Dodge & Son, which had been established in 1889. There is only one other shoe store in Waterbury which was in existence at that time. Mr. Dodge is a native of Oska- loosa, Iowa, born in 1865, and is a son of George R. and Elizabeth C. Dodge, who were natives of Massachusetts and went to Iowa at an early day. The father engaged in business as a traveling salesman in young manhood but afterward established a shoe store in Iowa. In 1870, however, he returned to Great Barrington, Massachusetts, where he established a retail shoe store, and in 1889 he removed to Waterbury, where he founded the shoe business that is now carried on under the name of H. G. Dodge & Company. He remained in active connection therewith up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1895, and his wife has also passed away. He ranked with the leading and progressive merchants of the city and enjoyed in full measure the respect and confi- dence of those with whom he came in contact.
Harry G. Dodge acquired a high school education. Although born in Iowa. he has spent practically his entire life in New England and with the removal of the family to Waterbury he entered into active business with his father in the conduct of the shoe store which he now owns in connection with his sister, Clara L., the business having been conducted since the father's death under the firm style of H. G. Dodge & Company. The business was begun in a small store at No. 79 South Main street and in 1894 removal was made to Nos. 84-6 South Main street. In 1902 their store was destroyed in the wide- spread conflagration of that year and for ten months they conducted business on Center street, but returned to their former location when the business block was there rebuilt. Mr. Dodge was one of the first to go back into the burned section. He has a store twenty-two by one hundred feet with basement and he carries a full line of men's, ladies' and children's shoes and rubbers. He employs five regular clerks, with twelve extras, and his is today one of the two stores that were carrying on business here in 1889. The store extends from the curb on Bank street to South Main street and a liberal patronage is accorded the house.
In 1894 Mr. Dodge was united in marriage to Miss Grace E. Cross, of Waterbury, a daughter of F. E. and Ellen (Spears) Cross. Their children are: Dorothy C., now a student in Vassar College; Langdon C., a high school pupil; and Barbara R.
Mr. Dodge exercises his right of franchise in support of the principles and candidates of the republican party, and fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife hold membership in the Second Congregational church and he is
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president of the Sunday Noon Club. His life has ever been guided by high and honorable purposes and the course which he has pursued commends him to the confidence and regard of all.
WILLIAM HENRY LICHT, M. D.
Dr. William Henry Licht, a physician and surgeon of Waterbury, has had broad hospital training and experience and has also studied abroad following the completion of his college course on this side of the Atlantie. He thus came to the outset of his career as a private practitioner well qualified for onerous professional duties. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, July 2, 1882, a son of John Henry Licht, who was born in Brooklyn and now resides in Geneva, New York, where he is engaged in the milling business. He is a son of Frederick Licht, a native of Germany, who was brought to the United States, by his parents in his childhood. On the maternal side Dr. Licht comes of English and French descent. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Charlotte E. Munn, was also born in Brooklyn and is yet living.
After completing a high school education at Geneva, New York, Dr. Licht attended St. John's Military School of Manlius and in 1903 entered Trinity College at Hartford, Connecticut, where he completed a scientific course, graduating with the Bachelor of Science degree in 1907. He was secretary and treasurer of his class. With college training to serve as a broad foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge he entered the Johns Hopkins Medical School at Baltimore, from which he was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1911. Following the completion of his course there he spent six months abroad in study and travel and upon his return was for a year and a half interne in the Hartford (Conn.) Hospital. During the following year he practiced medicine in Pomfret, Connecticut, in association with Dr. S. B. Oberlock, a prominent sur- geon, and for eight months he was house physician of the children's service in the Presby- terian Hospital in New York city. Later he spent six months in the Babies' Hospital of New York city and in March, 1916, he located for the private practice of medicine in Waterbury, specializing in the diseases of children. He is particularly skilled in that field and is continually broadening his knowledge by further reading and study.
On the 1st of January, 1916, Dr. Licht was married to Miss Alice Utter, of Paterson, New Jersey, and they have one son, William Henry, who was born April 26, 1917. The parents are members of St. John's Episcopal church. of Waterbury. While in Trinity College Dr. Licht became a member of the Alpha Delta Phi and he was also historian of his class at Trinity during his senior year, while at the John Hopkins University he belonged to the Pithotomy Club. He now has membership with the Waterbury, New Haven County, Con- necticut State and American Medical Associations and he is deeply interested in all that pertains to the profession or tends to elucidate the complex mystery which we call life.
EDWARD S. COOPER.
Edward S. Cooper, well known in the manufacturing circles of Seymour and also active in the public life of the community, serving as a judge of the police court since 1916, was born January 11, 1870, in Seymour, his parents being William S. and Martha J. (Hine) Cooper, the former a native of Winsted and the latter of Torrington, Con- necticut, both representing early families of the state. The father was a veteran of the Civil war, having joined the Union army as a member of Company E, Second Con- necticut Heavy Artillery. with which he served as seeond lieutenant, participating in many of the hotly contested engagements of the war, and returned to his home with a most creditable military record. Following the cessation of hostilities he became active in mechanical lines and in 1865 removed to Seymour, where he resided until his death, which occurred May 1, 1914. His widow is still living.
Edward S. Cooper acquired a high school education in Seymour and started in the business world as an employe of Garritt & Beach, German bit manufacturers, who had established business about 1872. In their employ Mr. Cooper thoroughly learned the trade, becoming acquainted with the work in every detail, and in 1909 purchased the busi- ness, which he conducted under his own name until 1917 as the E. S. Cooper Manu- facturing Company. He then made arrangements whereby the manufacturing could be
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done in conjunction with The James Swan Company of Seymour from their office. He has the reputation of turning out the finest goods in his line and has a liberal patronage, the business having long since reached profitable proportions. It has grown steadily during the intervening years and constitutes one of the important productive industries of Seymour.
On the 4th of September, 1895, Mr. Cooper was united in marriage to Miss Fannie McEwen, of Seymour, a daughter of Virgil II. and Cornelia L. (Camp) McEwen, of Sey- mour. In fraternal circles Mr. Cooper is widely known. He belongs to Morning Star Lodge, No. 47, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, and he is also a past high priest of Evening Star Chapter, No. 47, R. A. M. He likewise has membership with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and his religious faith is indicated in his membership in Trinity Episcopal church. His political support is given to the republican party and in 1916 he was elected a judge of the police court for a term of two years. He is much interested in the welfare of his city, manifesting a public-spirited devotion to the general good, and his cooperation can be counted upon at all times to further any measure or movement that will tend to upbuild the city or advance its civic interests.
ROBERT FRANKLIN WORDEN.
That there is nothing incompatible in the gaining of great material success and a position of power and control in the community, is well proved by the case of Robert Franklin Worden, who for a period of twenty-six years has been so distinguished a citizen of Waterbury, Con- necticut. Preeminently a man of business, he has made his enterprises subserve the double end of his own ambitions and the welfare of his fellow citizens. Waterbury has been the scene of his phenomenal success, and although he was neither born nor spent the early years of his life in that city, yet it is with it that his name is so intimately associated and it is there that he is chiefly held in high respect and honor, not only by those with whom he comes into personal relations of friendship but by the community at large. Strong common sense and an invincible will, the latter tempered by unusual tact and judgment in all his dealings with his fellows, were the basis of his character and success, a success that he owes to absolutely no outward circumstances but entirely to his own unaided efforts.
Robert Franklin Worden was born June 26, 1858, at Wappingers Falls, New York state, a son of Robert and Lucy Hildredth Worden, of that place. Robert Worden, Sr., was a native of England and a son of John Worden, coming to this country with his parents at the age of ten years. His home in the new land was the town of Wappingers Falls, New York, and he there at an early age identified himself with the community's life and in course of time became a prominent figure. He engaged in a mercantile business there and also kept a suc- cessful livery stable. but the connection in which he was best known in the town of his adoption was that of music, in which line he was something of a genius. and his enthusiasm was such that he communicated it to others so that the concerts which he gave under the name of the Worden family were most popular and achieved a fame that extended beyond the limits of the community. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, the youngest being Robert Franklin, the subject of this sketch. The father died in October, 1857, when still a young man and before the birth of his son, and when the lad had reached the age of seven months, the mother died leaving him, the youngest of seven children, in charge of his sisters, who cared for him and brought him up. His educational advantages were limited and he began work when but thirteen years of age, securing a position with a safe deposit concern in New York city. From there he made his way into the state of Con- necticut, where he obtained employment on a farm. He remained on the farm for about five years and from there returned to New York, making his home on this occasion in Brooklyn for five years more. He then lived in Torrington, Connecticut, for four years, where he learned the trade of brass casting, which he followed for twenty-five years.
In the year of 1890 Mr. Worden came to Waterbury, which has remained his home and the scene of his active business life ever since. Later he established himself in the milk business, an enterprise that has grown to such an extent that it has become one of the most important in Waterbury and is still rapidly growing. Besides this he has added ice-cream. The plant in which these operations are carried on is a model of its kind and is considered to be one of the finest in the New England states. In it the rules of New York city ordinance in regard to pasteurization are observed and everything is carried on with the most scru- pulous sanitary regard for purity of the milk and the health of his customers. He is par- ticularly careful in the selection of hands to work in the establishment, and may well be
R. J. Worden
ROBERT F. WORDEN AND SONS
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proud of the elass of employes he has seeured. Mr. Worden's sons, Clarence H., Arthur D. and Howard F., are associated with him in the business, Arthur D. being vice president and secretary of the company, which bears the name of R. F. Worden & Sons.
Mr. Worden is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the United Workmen of America. In Brooklyn, New York, on the 4th of October, 1881, Mr. Worden was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Duncan Wood, a native of New York eity, born December 26, 1858. Mrs. Worden's death occurred July 21, 1915, when she had reached the age of fifty- seven years. Their son Clarenee H., born July 15, 1882, married Miss Carrie Phillips of Springfield, Massachusetts, and is now a popular conductor on the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad; Arthur D., born December 20, 1884, married Miss Hortense Wildman of Waterbury, by whom he has had twin sons, born October 17, 1914; Howard F., born February 5, 1888, married Miss Ruth Conibal, of Greenfield, Massachusetts, by whom he has one child, Dorothy Emma.
The welfare of his adopted city, where Mr. Worden began his career so humbly and where he has since become so influential a figure, is very dear to him, and he has never been a laggard when it was a question of doing anything for the general advancement. He is justly regarded as one of the most public-spirited members of the community and is always ready to give his aid for its advaneement. His personality has the effeet of making all those who come in contact with him feel instinctively the value of life. In the height of his pros- perity and good fortune he never forgets the difficulties of his own youth and is ever ready to hold out a helping hand to those less fortunate than himself. Nor is his charity merely perfunetory, such as is often the ease, for he gives, not from his purse alone, but from his heart, so that the recipient is never made to feel the bitterness of his position but becomes a life long friend. It is partially thus that he has gained so large a following of friends, devoted to him and his interests and has beeome so popular a figure in the city. Various and large as are his business interests, a remarkably large portion of his time and atten- tion is devoted to these more altruistie purposes. He never allows, like so many successful men, his commercial pursuits to warp his generous feelings or shake his charity and faith in life and the goodness of his fellows. He himself has started out with high ideals which neither hardships nor prosperity ean shake, and he credits others with the same idealism. And what may seem strange is that he is very seldom mistaken, for it has been rightly said that men are apt to show the traits we attribute to them, good or bad. His career has been a busy, useful one, and all inen, himself as well as others, have benefited by it. Nor are his virtues less apparent in his family life than in his relations with the outside world. His household has been made happier by his presence, and his own chief pleasure is found in the intercourse of his home. He is possessed of a strong religious faith, which it is his purpose to make practical in his everyday life.
ISAAC P. KELLOGG.
Tsaae P. Kellogg in 1901 entered into active connection with the Apotheearies Hall Company, of which he has been president sinee 1906, thus standing at the head of a eom- mercial and manufacturing enterprise which is capitalized for two hundred and forty thousand dollars. He was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, October 0, 1871, and is a son of J. Dwight and Caroline (Parsons) Kellogg. The father was a well known merchant who engaged in the dry goods business up to the time of his death.
Isaae P. Kellogg attended Northampton high school and the Williston Seminary. He came to Waterbury iu 1891 and entered the employ of Holmes, Booth & Haydens, with whom he continued until 1895. He was afterward connected with the Anglo Cycle Fittings Company for a short time and later with the Mathews & Willard Company. As stated, he entered into active connection with the Apothecaries Hall Company in 1901 and on the 24th of May of the following year was chosen treasurer, since which time he has had official connection with the business. He remained as treasurer until February 3, 1906. when he was elected president and treasurer and still continues in the dual position, thus being executive head of a business whose far-reaching interests extend over this country as well as foreign countries in the sale of its manufactured drugs and other products. An extensive business is carried on along both wholesale and retail lines as well as in manu- facturing and the number of employes of the company is now eighty-five. The company owns a splendid seven story modern business bloek thoroughly equipped for the purposes used, and in addition a large warehouse and factory for the manufacture of nickel anodes.
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