USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 31
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Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Odd Fellows and he also has mem- bership in the Waterbury Country Club. He has been a lifelong resident of Waterbury and that his life has been well spent is indicated by the fact that many of bis stanehest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood.
ROBINSON, LOTT AND PECK FAMILIES.
In the history of Waterbury it is imperative that mention be made of Edward Robinson, for he was one of the pioneer manufacturers of the city, one of its substantial residents and highly respected men. He left the impress of his individuality for good in many ways upon the records of the community and he is remembered as one who, possessing many sterling characteristics, became greatly endeared to those with whom he was associated.
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Edward .Robinson
Maria Daxter Robinson
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Mrs House a Least
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He was a native of England, his birth having occurred in Birmingham, June 6, 1808. There he was reared to manhood, learning the button making trade, at which he worked in his native town and in other parts of England, including London, where he spent several years. It was during his residence there that his first three children passed away. In 1834, accompanied by his wife and two surviving children, he took passage on a sailing vessel and after many weary weeks spent on the broad Atlantic reached New York, his cash capital at that time being one pound sterling. He did not tarry in the metropolis but made his way to Middletown, Connecticut, where he found employment at his trade with a Mr. Wilcox. There he remained until 1837, when he came to Waterbury and secured a position with Mark Leavenworth, who was widely known as Uncle Mark and who was engaged in the manufac- ture of eloth buttons. Mr. Robinson afterward entered the employ of Mr. Lang in the millinery business on South Main street and after a period spent in that connection he became associated with William R. Hitchcock at Union Square. That association was main- tained until the two men had a quarrel over politics, when Mr. Robinson left the employ of Mr. Hitchcock and began business on his own account under the firm style of Edward Robinson' & Son, admitting Horace Baxter Robinson to a partnership. They began the manufacture of cloth and brass buttons and successfully continued the business for a score of years, building up an enterprise of large proportions and enjoying an extensive patronage. In 1872 Mr. Robinson leased his factory to the Novelty Manufacturing Company and about 1870 he built the stone factory on Division street. He continued successfully in his new location but sold out after a few years to the United States Button Company and then retired. He made his home for many years on Cherry street and then removed to a farm which he had previously purchased on Long Hill, a part of which is now owned by the Chase interests. His death occurred January 13, 1881, when he was seventy-three years of age, and his remains were interred in Riverside cemetery. Ere his demise he had accumulated a fortune of over one hundred thousand dollars, made through his own efforts and displaying his adaptability and strength of character, for when he landed in America a pound sterling. equivalent to five dollars, was the sum total of his capital.
Mr. Robinson was a man of wide acquaintance and enjoyed the confidence and goodwill of all with whom he came in contact. He was progressive in his ideas, was much devoted to his family and was domestic in his tastes. Moreover, he was a most enterprising business man whose well defined plans were ever carried forward to successful achievement and thus he contributed to the material upbuilding of Waterbury, while his life record, moreover, indicates what can be accomplished by persistent, earnest purpose.
In his native home Mr. Robinson was married on the 2d of May, 1827, to Miss Maria Baxter, who was born July 13, 1806, in Birmingham, England, and died in Waterbury, May 12, 1867, at the age of sixty-one years, her remains being interred in Riverside cemetery. She was a devoted wife and mother who in her young married life was called upon to mourn the loss of three of her little children. She did not allow herself to succumb to grief but with determined effort lived for her family and displayed many Christian virtues. She was most devoted to her husband and children and was of great assistance to Mr. Robinson in his early struggles in his adopted land. Her life and character displayed much that is beau- tiful and won for her the friendship and kindly regard of all. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Robinson were the following named: Maria Louise born in London, May 2, 1828; Samuel, born June 6, 1830, and Martha, born in July. 1832, all died in infancy; Edward, born Sep- tember 9, 1833, died in Newark, New Jersey; William Napoleon, born November 28, 1835, died in 1837; Horace Baxter, born in Middletown, September 21, 1837, wedded Mary Wat- kinson, of Brooklyn, New York, and both are now deceased; Anna Jane, usually called Jennie, was born March 22, 1839, and on the 20th of August, 1861, became the wife of Alfred .J. Shipley, she is now deceased; George Lampson Scovill, born January 25, 1845, is living in Brooklyn. New York; Rose A., born April 22, 1841, and Fannie E., born October 26, 1848, reside in Waterbury.
Of this family Rose A. Robinson was married on the 17th of July, 1865, to Harry Livingston Lott, who was born May 29, 1839, in Fulton, New York, a son of William and Elizabeth (Thayer) Lott, who were natives of Oswego, New York. He was educated in the schools of his native town and while still in his teens learned the trade of a machinist and draftsman, becoming an expert in that line. After finishing his trade he was employed for a time in Canada but returned to the United States in 1864 and settled in Waterbury, where he made his home, following his trade in connection with different manufacturing concerns of this city until 1870, when he removed to Bridgeport, Connecticut, and was employed by the Bridgeport Brass Company and later by the Howe Sewing Machine Company in the needle department, where he continued until his death. He died in Bridgeport in 1877, while still in the prime of young manhood, and was buried in Riverside cemetery at Waterbury. Vol. II-11
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Mr. Lott was a man of genius. He mastered drafting and mechanical arts, was enter- prising and progressive and accomplished whatever he undertook. His life was devoted to his home, his interests centering in the welfare of his wife and children, and he counted no personal effort or sacrifice on his part too great if it would enhance the welfare or promote the happiness of the members of his family. While a resident of Waterbury he was a member of Company No. 1 of the fire department, in the work of which he took great interest.
To Mr. and Mrs. Lott were born three children: Lena R., the wife of Adolph Storz, of Waterbury, by whom she has two children, Leon Extell and Helen Rose; Henrietta J., who married Franklin L. Peck; and William, who died in infancy. The mother, Mrs. Lott, resides in Waterbury, occupying a fine home on Euclid avenue. She possesses a most enter- prising spirit, is thoroughly progressive in purposes and ideas and displays much business ability as well. She built three fine family houses on Cherry street in Waterbury, where she was born. Her time is now given to her real estate interests and to her home. She is a member of the King's Daughters and she takes much active part in all good works, being especially generous to the poor and needy. Through the marriage of her daughter, Henrietta J., the Lott family became connected with the Peck family.
Franklin Lockwood Peck is a descendant of one of the best known of the early families of Connecticut. His father, Asa Peck, was a native of Southbury, Connecticut, where his birth occurred May 6, 1829. He was a son of Cyrus and Fannie (Treat) Peck. Asa Peck was reared on the homestead farm and obtained his education in the local schools of his town. He assisted in the labors of the fields in his early youth and later learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner. After completing his trade he came to Waterbury with his entire possessions tied up in a red bandana handkerchief, his total capital being fifty cents. Here he found employment with Mr. Rice, with whom he continued for a year and later took up business on his own account as a contractor and builder. He continued in that line for a number of years and also spent much time in operating in realty. He became one of the best known contractors and builders of the Naugatuck valley, his business reaching extensive proportions. He spent his entire life in Waterbury, dying on Easter Day of 1902, after which his remains were interred in Riverside cemetery. He was a consistent and faithful member of the First Congregational church and was a member of the Masonic lodge of Waterbury, in which he was quite active and prominent. One of the chairs in the Masonic rooms at Waterbury is known as the Peck chair and is kept in honor of his memory. On the 2d of January, 1854, Mr. Peck was married to Miss Sarah Lockwood, a native of Nor- wood, Connecticut, and a daughter of Deacon Charles Lockwood. She passed away on Christmas Day of 1892 and her grave is beside that of her husband. In their family were three children but the daughters, Fannie and Emma, died in childhood.
The only son, Franklin Lockwood Peck, was born in Waterbury, pursued his public school education here and in due time was graduated from college. He then joined his father in the real estate business and building operations and after the death of the father continued to manage the estate with much success, winning a place among the representative business men of the city. In 1900 he wedded Henrietta J. Lott, a native of Waterbury and a daughter of Harry L. and Rose A. (Robinson) Lott.
HORACE BAXTER ROBINSON.
Horace Baxter Robinson, for years a resident of Waterbury, was a worthy son of his father, Edward Robinson, manifesting the same tireless energy and capacity for success- fully directing large business interests. He was born in Middletown, Connecticut, September 21, 1837, and was brought to Waterbury by his parents in infancy. He received a good education for his day, attending the old academy and the high school. He learned the machinist's trade under the late Charles Johnson and then became associated with his father, Edward Robinson, in the manufacture of cloth buttons. Subsequently the business was carried on under the name of the Novelty Manufacturing Company and eventually was sold to the Maltby & Morton Manufacturing Company. Mr. Robinson of this review then went to Newark, New Jersey, where he was connected with various machine shops for several years. He then came again to Waterbury and made his home here continuously until his death. During the last years of his life practically his entire attention was devoted to looking after his father's business interests, which were varied and important. His death occurred on the 22d of March, 1912, and his remains were interred in Evergreen cemetery, Brooklyn, where his wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Watkinson, is also buried.
Humecta J. Peck
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Mr. Robinson was a man of wide acquaintance and was universally respected for his integ- rity, which was above question, and for his high standards of citizenship.
Edward Alexander Robinson, also a son of Edward Robinson, was born in Paris, France, September 9, 1833, and was still in his infancy when he was brought to America by his parents. His boyhood and youth were passed in Waterbury and after attending the district schools he continued his education in the old academy. Subsequent to putting aside his textbooks he learned the machinist's trade and became a member of the firm of Edward Robinson & Sons upon its organization. He was identified with that company for many years and when the business was sold removed to Newark, New Jersey, where he followed his trade until his untimely death at the age of thirty-six on the 3d of June, 1869. He married Miss Hattie Waters, a native of Fall River, Massachusetts, and to them was born a daughter, Ada, now deceased, who became the wife of Theodore Eggleston, of Waterbury, and had two children: Raymond, a resident of Philadelphia; and Mrs. Jennie Thomas, who is now living in Ohio. Mr. Robinson was a man of fine business ability, of high moral char- acter and of attractive personal qualities, and his death was deeply regretted not only by his personal friends but by all who had come in contact with him.
Fannie E. Robinson, the youngest of the children of Edward Robinson, was born on the 26th of October, 1848, in Waterbury, where she has spent her entire life. She, too, received a good education, attending the old academy after she had completed the course offered in the district schools. In 1896 she took a trip to Europe, visiting many places of interest, including Birmingham, the old home of her parents. While there she visited St. Philip's church, in which her father and mother were united in marriage almost three-quarters of a century previously. She is a woman of quiet strength of character and of a ready appre- ciation of all the worth-while things of life. She attends the Congregational church and is deeply interested in everything that affects the progress of Waterbury along moral, social and civic lines. She resides on Plaza avenue and enjoys the hospitality of the best homes of the city.
HARRIS WHITTEMORE.
Harris E. Whittemore, president of the Eastern Malleable Iron Company of Naugatuck and thus actively and prominently connected with the manufacturing interests of that place, was born November 25, 1864, in the borough where he still makes his home, his parents being John Howard and Julia (Spencer) Whittemore. After attending the public schools he continued his education in the Phillips Academy at Andover, Massachusetts, and for two years studied in Germany, thus becoming well qualified for active and responsible business duties. lle became connected with the malleable iron business in Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained for a few years, acquainting himself with every phase of the trade and thus preparing for the active management of the important interests which he now controls. Returning to Naugatuck, he became president of the Nangatuck Malleable Iron Company and has extended his activities into various other fields, being also president of the Vulcan Iron Works of New Britain, Connecticut, and of the Wilmington (Del.) Iron Company. He is also a director of Landers, Frary & Clark of New Britain, of the Troy Malleable Iron Company of Troy, New York, the National Malleable Castings Company, the Eberhard Manufacturing Company of Cleveland and the Link Belt Company of Chicago and of Philadelphia. Ile has also become well known in connection with financial interests, being a director of the Colonial Trust Company of Waterbury, as well as one of the trustees of the Naugatuck Savings Bank. His investments have ever been most judiciously made and success in large measure has attended his efforts, resulting from close application, intelligently direeted industry and a ready discrimination between the essential and the nonessential. His plans have always been carefully formulated and promptly executed and the obstacles and difficulties in his path have seemed to serve but as an impetus for renewed effort on his part.
On the 21st of September, 1892. Mr. Whittemore was married to Miss Justine Morgan Brockway, of New York, and they are the parents of three children: Harris, who is at Plattsburg, New York, with the United States army; Gertrude S .; and Helen B.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Congregational church and Mr. Whittemore is deeply interested in all those activities which work for the benefit of the individual, the betterment of the community or toward ameliorating the hard conditions of life for the unfortunate. He is a director of the Waterbury Hospital at Waterbury. Connecticut. and is a director of the Westover School Corporation at Middlebury. Connecticut. He
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belongs to the Metropolitan and City Clubs of New York and to the Waterbury Club. While maintaining his home in Naugatuck, he is widely known in manufacturing and financial circles throughout the east.
HOWARD D. MOORE, M. D.
Dr. Howard D. Moore, actively engaged in the practice of medicine in Torrington since 1899, has through the intervening period made for himself a most creditable position in the ranks of the profession. He was born at Riverton, near Winsted, Connecticut, July 30, 1863, and was there reared, pursuing his education in the public schools of that place and in the near-by town of Winsted. He has always made good use of his opportunities for educational progress and advancement and at the age of twenty-one years, or in 1884, he entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York city, where he pursued the regular three years' course and was graduated with the class of 1887, winning the M. D. degree. He then entered upon the practice of medicine in his native village, there continuing for twelve years or until 1899, when he removed to Torrington and opened an office. Here he has since remained, practicing his profession with success. He is very careful in diagnosing his cases, his judgments are never hastily formed and his opinions prove to be correct in the great majority of cases. He is sympathetic and earnest and his love of scientific research and investigation also constitutes an important element in his successful practice.
On the 17th of June, 1896, Dr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Jessie B. Ward, of Riverton, a daughter of George P. and Emogene Ward, who are well known citizens of Riverton. Dr. and Mrs. Moore have many warm friends in Torrington and the number is constantly growing as the circle of their acquaintance widens. Dr. Moore is regarded as a most capable and conscientious physician and is a valued member of the Litchfield County and Connecticut State Medical Societies. His worth is widely acknowledged among his professional colleagues and contemporaries, for he always holds to the highest professional standards.
CHARLES K. AHEARN.
Charles K. Ahearn, superintendent of fire alarms and police signals for the city of Waterbury, was born in New Haven, October 20, 1883, and is a son of Michael M. and Catherine (Dayley) Ahearn, who were natives of New London and of East Haven, Con- necticut, respectively. Both came of Irish ancestry. The paternal grandparents were James and Hannah Ahearn, who were natives of the Emerald isle, where they were reared and married. About 1856 they emigrated to the United States and settled at New London, Connecticut. Michael M. Ahearn was born in 1842 and on the 21st of June 1873, married Catherine Dayley. He passed away May 15, 1913, while his wife, who was born August 6, 1845, is still living at the age of seventy-two years. In the family are two sons and two daughters who yet survive: Charles K .; Mrs. Marion Healey, of New Haven; Mrs. Janc Potvin Ahearn, also of New Haven; and Walter Edward, living in Waterbury.
Charles K. Ahearn was reared to the age of fifteen years in New Haven and attended the public schools, passing through consecutive grades in the grammar school and ultimately becoming a student in the Boardman Manual Training School of New Haven, where he studied for three years, being there graduated at the age of fifteen. He left home about that time and spent six months on the training ship . St. Mary, which was the property of the
state of New York. For a considerable period in his early manhood he was in the employ of various telephone and light companies as an expert cable splicer and saw service in that connection in many states. It was in that capacity that he came to Waterbury in 1903, since which time he has resided here continuously. He remained as cable splicer until 1910, when he was appointed a lineman in the city fire department and in 1911 was promoted to his present position, that of superintendent of fire alarms and police signals, one of the most important official positions of the city. Under his personal care and supervision is Waterbury's present fire alarm system, which was designed by him. On this task of its development he spent three years and the system is now conceded to be one of the very best in use, having been adopted and duplicated in various other cities, including Bridge- port and Hartford. It was only installed in Waterbury's splendid new city hall in 1916,
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the work of installation costing between fifty and sixty thousand dollars for the entire system.
On the 21st of June, 1904, Mr. Ahearn was married to Miss Mary Emeline Lynch, of Waterbury, and they have become the parents of five children: Walter Kingsley, who was born Mareh 3, 1907; John Lester, born August 5, 1912; Charles Ellis, July 11, 1913; Joseph Hubert, February 3, 1915; and Edward Francis, July 28, 1916. Mrs. Ahearn was born in Waterbury, April 18, 1884.
They are members of St. Thomas' Roman Catholic church and Mr. Ahearn is connected with the Knights of Columbus, while fraternally he is also an Elk and an Eagle. He has progressed step by step in his business career along the lines in which he made his initial venture and today his position is one of responsibility, requiring marked skill.
MICHAEL J. MORAN.
Michael J. Moran, whose enterprise and progressiveness find expression in his capable management of The Toggery Shop, which was established October 1, 1912, at No. 29 South Main street, was born November 1, 1888, and is therefore numbered among the younger merchants of Waterbury. His parents were Thomas F. and Catherine (Brophy) Moran, who were natives of Ireland and of England. They came to the United States in early life and were married here, establishing their home in Waterbury, where Mr. Moran beeame well known as superintendent of the Brookville Home for fifteen years. He passed away in 1910, while Mrs. Moran still survives.
Reared in Waterbury, Michael J. Moran became a pupil in the high school and when his textbooks were put aside started in the business world as an employe of the Curran Dry Goods Company, with which he remained until he established his present business in 1912. He occupies a store twenty by one hundred and twenty-five feet, in which he carries a full line of men's furnishings, including hats, caps and traveling bags. He employs four regular salesmen, with three extra men, and he features the Earl & Wilson collars and shirts and the Lampson & Hubbard hats. The business has steadily grown since he opened his store five years ago and he is now enjoying a very gratifying patronage which is the result of his reliable business methods and keen insight into business situations.
On the 25th of November, 1914, Mr. Moran was married to Miss Antoinette Marie Keegan, of Winsted, Connecticut, and they have one child, Warren Joseph. They are communieants of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic church and Mr. Moran belongs to the Knights of Columbus, which draws its membership only from those of the Catholic faith. In politics he maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than for party. Whatever success he has achieved is entirely the result of his own labors, for he started out empty handed and has worked his way steadily upward.
JAMES J. TYNAN, M. D.
Dr. James J. Tynan has made his home in Torrington since 1915 and in that period he has gained for himself a creditable position among the physicians and surgeons of his borough. He was born in Portland, Connecticut, December 20, 1884, a son of James and Mary (Carroll) Tynan, who were natives of Kings county, Ireland, although they were married in Middletown, Connecticut. The father, who was a blacksmith by trade, died in 1905, and the mother is now living in Naugatuck, Connecticut. In their family were five children, three sons and two daughters, all of whom are yet living, the Doctor being the eldest. The others are: Katharine, who is a nurse in Naugatuck; Dr. Maurice J. Tynan, a practicing dentist of Naugatuck; Elizabeth Ann, a trained nurse of New London, Connecti- cut; and Daniel Grover, now a member of the United States army.
Dr. Tynan was chiefly reared in Colchester, Connecticut, his parents having removed to that place when he was but three years of age. He was educated in the public schools and in Bacon Academy of Colchester, being graduated from the latter institution with the class of 1902, when a youth of seventeen years. He afterward spent a year in Holy Cross College and at the age of nineteen years entered upon the study of medicine in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore. This was in the fall of 1903. and after spending three years in the completion of the regular course of study there he was graduated in 1907. He also spent one year in St. Francis Hospital at Hartford, Connecticut, and in his
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