USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 30
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In politics Mr. Goldsmith was a stanch republican, giving loyal allegiance to his party. He filled the office of chief of the fire department of Waterbury from 1872 until 1881 and was elected chief of police of Waterbury, but on account of a misunderstanding regarding his name eould not take the office. His name being Andrew W., he was usually called "Bill" by his many intimate friends, and he was elected as "William Goldsmith." In eonse- quence he could not assume the office. He was a man of keen business judgment, foreeful and honest and wherever he was known he was held in the highest esteem. He was at one time a member of the famous Tompkins band of Waterbury, which was one of the leading band organizations of the state in its day. With that band he went to New York to attend the funeral services which were held at the time of the death of President Lincoln. He belonged to the Masonie fraternity and had membership in Waterbury Council, No. 21, R. & S. M. In every relation of life he was found thoroughly reliable and trustworthy, his activities being actuated by high ideals and worthy purposes. To know him was to esteem and honor him and he had a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
On the 1st of January, 1868, Mr. Goldsmith was united in marriage to Miss Christine E. Somers, who was born in Milford. Connecticut, a daughter of David and Almira (Frisbie) Somers. Mrs. Goldsmith now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Chatfield, on Hewlett street, and while an invalid is still alert mentally. Moreover, she possesses a very cheerful disposition and is much devoted to her family and her home. Of their children, Jennie A., the eldest, was born in Waterbury, was educated in the public and high schools and became a teacher in the schools of Waterbury. Subsequently she completed a course in the New York University and has made teaching her life work, having for the past twenty years been connected with the Sprague School of Waterville, acting as principal of the school
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Naugatuck, a. daughter of William M. Hubbell, and they have three children, Richard M., William S., and John Robert. Mr. Curtis belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Rotary Club. He has membership in the Bunker Hill Congregational ehureh and in politics maintains an independent course, never allying himself with any party but voting according to the dictates of his judgment in regard to the vital questions of the day.
ANDREW WELTON GOLDSMITH.
Andrew Welton Goldsmith. deceased, was for many years actively miterested in public affairs in Waterbury and was widely known in its business circles as the founder of the contracting and trucking firm which conducted business under the . W. Goldsmith and which eventually became the Goldsmith-Chatfield formes Matin of Litchfield county, Mr. Goldsmith was ArthGeld Hill. The . .. . Pomme! July 16, 1841. and was the eighth in To That he . bildien whose parents were John and Rhoda (Smith : was a mason and builder and most of his sons followed i: 1 Hc resided in the town of Plymouth and was a well known det mais experted man in that community.
Andrew W. Oshisigith attended school in his native town and worked with his father at the mason's trade until he attained his majority, when he left home and removed to Waterbury. Here he learned the trade of brass rolling as an employe of the firm of Brown Brothers, with whom he remained until 1867, when he went to New York city, where he found employment at his trade with Holmes & Griggs, who had an establishment at Second avenne and Twenty-second street. There he remained until 1870, when be returned to Waterbury and was again employed by Brown Brothers until their business was closed out. He then embarked in business on his own acount as a general contractor and also established a trucking business, continuing in those lines with marked success until the time of his demise. His office was located at No. 672 West Main street. He began business in a small way, but by close application and strict attention to his interests developed an enterprise of extensive proportions. The business was incorporated in Janu- ary, 1912, under the laws of Connecticut with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Goldsmith w's thor elected president, with his son-in-law, Benjamin"Chatfield. as treasurer, and his das stor. Mory G. Chatfield. as the secretary. The business was conducted under that organizator until the death of Mr. Goldsmith on the 18th of August, 1916. Ile passed away a. Lis home onl East Clay street in Waterbury and was laid to rest in Riverside cemetery. flmis was brought to a close a life of great usefulness and activity, one which measured up to high standards and was the expression of many manly virtues.
In politics Mr. Goldsmith was a stanch republican. giving loyal alegumes ha's party. He filled the office of bief of the fire department of Waterbury nom 1-19 until 1881 and was elected chief of police of Waterbury, but on account of a misunderstanding regarding his name could not take the office. His name being Andrew W, he was usually called "Bill" by his many intimate friends, and he was elected as W .Hiam Coldsmith." In conse- quence he could not assume the office. He was a man of koos business judgment, forceful and honest and wherever he was known he was held m the highest esteem. He was at one time a member of the famous Tompkins band of Waterbury, which was one of the leading band organizations of the state in its day. With that band he went to New York to attend the funeral services which were held at the time of the death of President Lincoln. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and had membership in Waterbury Council, No. 21, R. & S M. In every relation of life he was found thoroughly reliable .od trustworthy, his activities being actuated by high ideals and worthy purposes. To now' him was to esteem and honor him and he had a circle of friends almost coextensive of his acquaintance.
On the AF January, 1868, Mr. Goldsmith was united in marriage to Miss Christine E. Somers, win was born in Milford, Connecticut, a daughter of David and Almira (Frisbie) viers. dis. Goldsmith now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Chatfield, on Hewlett 1, and white an is valid is still alert mentally. Moreover, she possesses a very cheerful on and is much devoted to her family and her home. Of their children, Jennie A .. was born in Waterbury, was educated in the publie and high schools and became the schools of Waterbury. Subsequently sho completed a course in the New and has made teaching her life. work, having for the past twenty years th the Sprague School of Waterville, .(ting as principal of the school
IN Golds mith
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during the last fifteen years of that period. She became the wife of Charles D. Phillips, of Waterbury, where they make their home. She is a member of Melicent Porter Chapter, D. A. R., and also of the Woman's Club of Waterbury and the Red Cross and is a councilor of the Connectieut Congress of Mothers, and Parent-Teachers Association. The next three children of the Goldsmith family, George E., Fannie Amelia and Christine Alnira, all died in infancy. The fifth member, Mary L., was educated in the publie and high schools of Waterbury and for eight years successfully taught in the public schools. She became the wife of Benjamin Chatfield, who is now president and manager of the Goldsmith-Chatfield Contracting & Trueking Company of Waterbury. The Somers family, of which Mrs. Goldsmith is a representative, is one of the old families of New Haven county, so that Mrs. Chatfield is a representative of carly colonial stock in that line as well as in the paternal line. She is a member of Melicent Porter Chapter, D. A. R., of Waterbury, also belongs to the Woman's Club and to the Red Cross, and she is a consistent member of Trinity Episcopal church. By her marriage, she has become the mother of two children, Rhoda Goldsmith and Elizabeth Tinker. The next member of the Goldsmith family is William A., who is a marine engineer, residing in Seattle, Washington. The youngest, Clara Myrtle, died in infancy.
It was at an early period in the development of New Haven county that the Somers family was there established. David Somers, the father of Mrs. Goldsmith, was born in Milford, Connecticut, November 29, 1808, but early established his home in Waterbury, taking up his abode on Clay street. He suffered from lameness for some years and in consequeuee went to California with the hope of obtaining relief. He spent several years there and was completely restored. He afterward returned to Waterbury to settle up his business affairs with the purpose of returning to make California his place of permanent residence, but while in Waterbury he was again taken ill and never recovered, passing away September 15, 1860. While living on Clay street he was a neighbor and friend of Julius Hotchkiss and of Andrew Anderson, All three men were strong supporters of Heury Clay and it was they who gave the name of Clay to the thoroughfare upon which they resided. On the 16th of October, 1830, Mr. Somers was married in Wolcott, Connecticut, to Miss Almira Frisbie, who was born in Wolcott, a daughter of David and Leva (Hall) Frisbie and a granddaughter of Judah Frisbie, who was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and a resident of Wolcott. Mrs. Somers, following the death of her husband, removed from Waterbury to Wolcott and there resided on the old Frisbie homestead until the time of her demise. She was the mother of eight children: Dwight LeRoy, born May 28, 1832; Augusta A. E., who was born April 15, 1834, and became the wife of Heman Miller; Joseph Hill, born June 24, 1836; Amelia Rebecca, who was born September 21, 1841; Christine Estelle, who was born June 6, 1844; Benjamin Levi, who was born April 15, 1847: Charles Edward, born March 16, 1850; and Wilbur Eldridge, born January 17, 1854.
CLIFFORD J. ATWATER.
Clifford J. Atwater, who for a third of a century has engaged in the practice of law in Seymour, winning for himself a most ereditable position in the ranks of the legal profession in the county, was born in Collinsville, Connecticut, November 8, 1858, a son of James and Mary (Stewart) Atwater. The father was a native of Collinsville and was descended from one of the old New England families, tracing his ancestry back to David Atwater, who came from England about 1638 and settled in New Haven, Connecticut. Later genera - tions of the family, however, resided in Massachusetts. Benjamin Atwater, the great-grand- father of Clifford J. Atwater, was a resident of Russell, Massachusetts, and there occurred the birth of the grandfather. Stephen H. Atwater, who was a farmer by occupation and returned to Connectieut, following agrienltural pursnits at Collinsville, where he took up his abode in young manhood. There he resided until his demise, which oceurred when he had reached the age of seventy-eight years. He married Azubah Barber, who was born in Canton and reached the advaneed age of eighty years. They were the parents of two children, James Atwater being the only son. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stephen H. Atwater were loyal members of the Congregational church in Collinsville.
James Atwater was reared upon the old homestead farm and acquired his edneation in the public schools of Connectient. He took charge of the farm in Collinsville and, like his father, devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary G. Stewart, who was one of the eight children of James Stewart, a farmer of Blandford, Massachusetts. Both Mr. and Mrs. James Atwater have now passed away,
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the death of the former occurring in 1905, while his wife passed away in 1902. They had a family of two children, Clifford J. and Clayton W., the latter engaged in the nursery business in Collinsville for many years and now engaged in the same business in Agawam, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. James Atwater were also earnest Christian people, holding membership in the Congregational church, and their many sterling traits of character gained for them the high and enduring regard of all with whom they came in contact.
Clifford J. Atwater pursued his education in the schools of Collinsville until he was graduated from the high school in 1879. Desirous of advancing his own knowledge, he became a student in the Bates College at Lewiston, Maine, where he remained until he completed the academic course by graduation with the class of 1883. He had determined upon the practice of law as a life work and with that end in view he became a student in the office of W. W. Bidwell of Collinsville, under whose direction he pursued his reading until he successfully passed the required examination for admission to the bar at Hartford in 1885. Immediately afterward he came to Seymour, where he has resided since the fall of that year, so that he has almost completed a third of a century's practice in this town. His fellow townsmen have found him a safe adviser and wisc counselor and in the trial of eases before the court he is strong, forceful, logical and convincing. He is seldom at fault in the application of a legal principle and his general knowledge of jurisprudence is comprehensive.
In 1890 Mr. Atwater was united in marriage to Miss Jennie C. Taylor, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Parry) Taylor, of Seymour. Mr. Atwater is a leading member of the Masonic lodge at Seymour, holding membership with Morning Star Lodge, No. 47, F. & A. M., of which he was master in 1890 and also served as treasurer for a number of years. He also belongs to Nonnawauk Tribe, No. 9, I. O. R. M. He likewise belongs to Mechanics Lodge, No. 73, I. O. O. F., and is a past grand in that organization. In the work of the Congregational church, of which he is a member, he has ever taken an active and helpful part. For many years he served as superintendent of its Sunday school and has ever been a generous contributor to its support. In politics he is an earnest republican and has been called upon to fill various positions of trust and responsibility. He has served as justice of the peace for many years. for more than thirty years has been tax collector and in 1899 his fellow townsmen chose him as their representative to the state legislature. He has been the local agent of the Seymour Water Company since it was organized in 1899, and in addition to his law practice he conducts a fire insurance business. The trust reposed in him is indicated by the faet that he has been called to act as executor of many estates. He is uniformly respected, enjoying the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
HARRY ABRAHAM FRANK.
Harry Abraham Frank, sealer of weights and measures of the city of Waterbury, was born in New York city, July 4, 1878, the youngest child of Joseph and Jeannette Frank, who were born, reared and married in Russia, coming to the United States only a short time before the birth of their son Harry. One son, Jacob, had been born to them ere their removal to the new world and he is now a resident of Waterbury. where he is engaged in the bottling business. A daughter, Mrs. Joseph Rooff, of Waterbury, was also born in Russia and came to the United States with her father about a year before the mother and her brother Jaeob arrived. Both parents are still living and now reside at No. 141 Elm street in Waterbury.
Harry A. Frank was the only child born in the United States. He came to Waterbury in his boyhood, about 1893, and has here spent the greater part of his time to the present, remaining continuously in the eity since 1905. He began his business career by selling matches and later sold newspapers. He saved his money and at the age of sixteen years bought a horse, wagon and harness, all for twenty-two dollars. With this equipment he began peddling vegetables in Waterbury. When seventeen years of age he returned to New York city, where his parents were then residing, the father being engaged in the eoal trade there. While in the metropolis Harry A. Frank learned the duties of a pressman in a printing establishment and followed the trade of pressman and other work connected with a printing establishment in New York city until 1899, by which time he had become foreman of a small printing plant. He was then twenty-one years of age. It was at that time that his parents removed to Meriden, Connecticut, where he accompanied them, remaining there for two and a half years as manager of the Meriden-Middletown Charcoal Company,
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of which his father was owner. As his father could not speak English the management of the business had devolved on Harry A. Frank, who had seeured a good grammar school education in his boyhood in New York city. In 1902 he went to Boston, where he followed the trade of pressman until May, 1905, when he again came to Waterbury on a visit to his people, who in the meantime had removed from Meriden to Waterbury. He decided to remain in this city and has retained his residence here to the present time. He was first employed in the Waterbury Paper Box Factory and in 1906 he spent several months in the employ of the late William B. Richardson as a coachman. In the fall of that year he secured a position in the office of the Waterbury Democrat, having charge of the job department of that plant until the fall of 1913. In November of the latter year he was appointed by Mayor Francis T. Reeves sealer of weights and measures of the city of Waterbury to fill out the unexpired term of Charles A. Fine, who had resigned to accept the office of deputy superin- tendent of weights and measures of the state of Connectient at Hartford. Mr. Frank was reappointed by Martin T. Scully on the first Monday in January, 1914, and was again appointed to the position in January, 1916.
On the 25th of March, 1906, Mr. Frank was married to Miss Sadie Friedman, of Hudson, New York, and they have become the parents of six children: Lillian, who was born Novem- ber 21, 1906; Samuel J., born April 6, 1908; Mary, November 20, 1909; Esther, October 1, 1911; Rose, July 3, 1913; and Sally, January 2, 1917.
Mr. Frank holds to the religious faith of his fathers and he belongs to the Hebrew Benefit Association, of which he was the efficient recording secretary for four years. He is also identified with the Moose and the Eagles and his political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Realizing at the outset of his career that industry is the basis of honorable success, he has led a busy and useful life and through persistent effort has won the advancement which has brought him to his present position of responsibility
TIMOTHY J. LYONS.
Prominent among the enterprising and progressive business men of Torrington is Timothy J. Lyons, funeral director and licensed embalmer, who is also at the head of an extensive automobile business. He was born in Thomaston, Connecticut, October 31, 1879, and is a son of John and Katherine (Monahan) Lyons, the former of whom passed away in 1888, while the mother still resides in Thomaston at the age of seventy-six years. Both were natives of County Clare, Ireland, but were married in New York city abont 1876 and soon afterward removed to Thomaston, where the father was foreman at the Phime & Atwood Manufacturing Company's plant for many years.
Thimothy J. Lyons was the second in a family of five sons, namely: Thomas M., who is now living in Thomaston; Timothy J .; William H., also a resident of Thomaston; Benedict E., who is an attorney at Hartford, Connecticut; and one who died at infancy that was also named Timothy.
Timothy . J. Lyons, whose name introduces this review, was reared and educated in Thomaston, leaving school at the age of fifteen years in order to start out in the business world on his own account. As a boy he was president of the Thomaston Cadets, a temperance organization of Thomaston founded by Father Dailey of that place. He was employed by the Seth Thomas Clock Company for about six years and later spent a year as solicitor with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. On attaining his majority he formed a partnership with his brother, William H., under the name of Lyons Brothers, an association that was maintained for twelve years. This firm conducted a tea and coffee store which is still being carried on by the brother at Thomaston. Mr. Lyons of this review sold his interest to his brother in 1912. In the meantime the firm of Lyons Brothers, as early as 1902, had established an undertaking business and from that date until 1912 conducted their undertaking establishment in addition to the tea and coffee store. Timothy J. Lyons had taken a course in the Renonard Training School for Embalmers in 1902 and was graduated therefrom and became a licensed embalmer. Ile managed the undertaking feature of the firm's business, while his brother continued the conduct of the tea and coffee store. In 1906 Timothy J. Lyons pursued a course in the Barnes School of Anatomy, Sanitary Science & Embalming of New York city and received a diploma therefrom. In September, 1913, lie came to Torrington and established his present undertaking business at No. 51 Water street. Here he has built up a modern and up-to-date undertaking establishment, including a chapel with every modern equipment. Ile introduced the first auto hearse and ambulance
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in Torrington and on the 5th of February, 1914, he conducted the first automobile funeral in Torrington, in which his new auto hearse was used for the first time and no horse-drawn vehicles were in the procession. He carries a most large and complete line of funeral equipment, including caskets of various prices, burial gowns and suits. Mr. Lyons is also president and treasurer of the Lyons Automobile Company, which was founded by him in 1915 and incorporated in May, 1916. It conducts an auto bus line between Torrington and Thomaston and also carries on a general auto livery business in Torrington. This is prov- ing a profitable venture and is indicative of the business enterprise and the progressive methods of Mr. Lyons, whose sound business judgment is being thus demonstrated.
On the 17th of November, 1904, Mr. Lyons was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Ella Sullivan, his present wife, and they have one son, Timothy J. Lyons, who was born May 26, 1911.
Religiously the family is connected with St. Francis Catholic church and Mr. Lyons is identified with the Knights of Columbus which draws its membership only from people of Catholic faith. He is also a member of Lodge No. 1, A. O. H., and is an Elk and has many warm friends in these different organizations. In a word his personal qualities make for popularity, for he is a man of genuine worth, highly esteemed by all who know him.
JOHN H. CURTIS.
The name of Curtis has long been connected with the art trade of Waterbury and John H. Curtis is now actively associated with the business, which had its inception in 1877 and was reorganized under the name of the Curtis Art Company in 1899. A native son of Waterbury, he was born in 1878, his parents being Richard S. and Nora E. (Phelan) Curtis, who were natives of Ireland and came to the United States when young people. The father was a son of William Curtis, who was of English birth. The great-grandfather and the grandfather of John H. Curtis were both connected with the art business and Richard S. Curtis continued in the same line, remaining active in the business up to the time of his death, which occurred in April, 1901. His widow survived him for several years, passing away in 1909.
The family came to Waterbury in 1877 and John H. Curtis of this review pursued his education in the public schools. It was in the year of the arrival of the family here that the art business was established by Richard S. Curtis, who opened a store on Bank street on the present site of the Lewis building. He afterward removed to the opposite side of Bank street and later to No. 135 Bank street. In 1911 he removed to No. 25 West Main street, where they occupy one floor of a building twenty-five by ninety feet. From the beginning the undertaking prospered and in time Richard S. Curtis admitted his sons to a partnership and the Curtis Art Company was organized by them in 1899. John H. Curtis entered the business after acquiring his education and has since been identified with the trade. The company handles a large line of pictures and photographic supplies, does general art work and all kinds of photography except studio work. Their art establish- ment is a most attractive one owing to the fine line of pictures handled, and the business has steadily grown front the beginning.
In 1915 John H. Curtis was married to Miss Edith Harrington, of Hunter, New York, a daughter of the Rev. J. L. Harrington, a Presbyterian minister. They are members of the Second Congregational church and in political faith Mr. Curtis is a progressive republican.
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