USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 33
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WALTER SCOTT LEWIS.
Walter Scott Lewis, who at the time of his death was the oldest and most prominent merchant of Torrington, was born in New Haven, February 21, 1833, a son of Captain Charles and Elizabeth (Bradley) Lewis, the former a native of New Haven and the latter of East Haven. The family is of Welsh origin. The grandfather, Walter Scott Lewis, was a farmer of Southington, Connecticut, where other members of the family settled at a very early period. He died at his home in New Haven in 1868 at the very venerable age of ninety-seven years. His son, Charles Lewis, was captain of a coasting vessel for years and was thus prominently connected with navigation interests. At length he retired from active business life, spending his last days in New Haven, where he passed away at the age of seventy-three years. He was three times married, his first union being with Elizabeth Bradley, of East Haven, by whom he had four children, only one of whom is yet living, Henry, who is a bit manufacturer. Mrs. Elizabeth Lewis passed away at the age of thirty- four years.
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factories closed down and work was scarce, he purchased a fifty acre farm near the city. Later he sold the same and returned to the city, again taking up factory work, but he abandoned it to embark in a retail business. Of the sons Josepl. S. and John J. were born in Russia while the other two are natives of Waterbury. Joseph conducts the cafe, John the garage, meat market and grocery store and William manages the grain and feed busi- ness. while the father is general overseer of all.
George A. Stokes was educated in the Waterbury public schools an | following his gradu- ation from the high school with the class of 1902. entered the Vanderh'n university at Nash- ville, Tennessee, where he completed a three years law course and was graduated with the LL. D. degree in 1905. He was then licensed to practice law in the state of Tennessee on the 28th of July, 1905, but afterward spent a year at Yale for further training in his chosen profession. In January 190× he was admitted to the bar of Connecticut and has since practiced in Waterbury with much success. He is one of two Lithuanian lawyers in this city.
On the 14th of August, 1916, Mr. Stokes was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Quinn, a teacher in the public schools of Waterbury, who was born in the town of Scotland of Irish parentage. Mr. and Mrs. Stokes are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church. and fraternally he is connected with the Elks, while politically he is a democrat. It is character- istic of the family that they have made good use of their time and opportunities, and George A. Stokes is winning is re litable a position in professional circles as his brothers have gained in the commordini field.
REV. CHARLES AUGUSTUS LEDDY.
Res. Charks Augustus Leddy, pastor of St. Augustine's Catholic church, was born in Kensington. New Haven county, Connecticut, August 18. 1862, a son of Thomas and Ellen (O'Brien) Leddy. both of whom were natives of Ireland. The mother with her three sisters vaine to the new world when she was but four years of age, the family home being established in New Britain, Connecticut. The father was a son of James Leddy, who brought his family to the United States when the son Thomas was but nine years of age, this being in the early '50s. He located at what Carmel, near New Haven, and there reared his family of fourteen children.
Re". Leddy of this review was the best in a family of eight children. He attended the public schools of New Haven And riterward became a student in St. Charles' College at Baltimore, Maryland, while later Je covered St. Bonaventure College in New York in pronation for the priesthood. He was outfinal at St. John's Seminary in Boston and for six years occupied the position of assist nt pastor in St Patrick's church in Hartford. He was also stattmat at the Sacred Heart church in Bridgeport for His years and for a year and a half was at St. Muy's church' in Now Pintain. Fh Then became pastor of St. George's church in Guilford, Connecticut, where he remained for three and a half years, and for six and a half years was pastor of St. Patrick's chuch Mystic, Connecticut. He has been located in Seymour since August 1, 1910. and under hus direction St. Augustine's Catholic church has made steady progress, the work being well organized along various lines.
WALTER SCOTT LEWIS.
Walter Scott Lewis, who at the time of his death was the oldest and most prominent m: ichant of Torrington, was born in New Haven, February 21, 1833, a son of Captain Charles and Elizabeth (Bradley) Lewis, the former a native of New Haven and the latter of East Haven. The family is of Welsh origin. Th grandfather. Walter Scott Lewis, was a farmer of Southington, Connecticut, where other members of the family settled at a very early period He died at his home in New Haven in 1868 at the very venerable age of ninety-seven ycars. His son, Charles Lewis, was captain of a coasting vessel for years and Was thus prominently connected with navigation interests. At length he retired from active burine eife spending his last days in New Haven, where he passed away at the age of seventy Farne years. He was three times married, his first union being with Elizabeth Bradley, of East Haven, by whom he had four children, only one of whom is yet living, Henry. who is a bit manufacturer. Mrs. Elizabeth. Lewis passed away at the age of thirty- four years.
Walter & Lewis
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Walter Scott Lewis was at that time a little lad of but four summers and was reared by his grandfather and his aunts. He attended school in New Haven and was for some time a student in the Lancastrian School conducted by John E. Lowell. In December, 1849, when a youth of sixteen years, he started out in the business world, securing a clerkship with A. J. Bradford, of Torrington, who conducted a small country store. He was in the employ of Mr. Bradford until 1854 and in the following year embarked in business on his own account in connection with a partner. They opened a general store in the Granite bloek in Torrington, which was then a small village called Wolcottville, and there was little competition. In 1865 Mr. Lewis purchased his partner's interest and removed his store to the Allen House, but afterward returned to the Granite block, where he remained for five years. He then established his business in the building which he occupied throughout his remaining days and which was especially erected for the purpose. 1Ie carried a fine line of groceries, dry goods, elothing, boots and shoes and notions and enjoyed a constantly growing patronage, but in 1891 he disposed of all the different lines with the exception of dry goods and carpets. He was the oldest merchant of the city at the time of his death and his business had kept pace with Torrington's growth and development. His trade had constantly increased as the years passed and his store was accounted one of the most modern and complete in this section of the state. Not only did he rank as a leading merchant but he was also through other connections elassed with the representative business men of the Naugatuck valley. He was a director in the Excelsior Necdle Company, also in the Torrington Electric Light Company and was interested as a stockholder in many other local enterprises, being always anxious to further any business which he believed would prove of benefit to the community. He was actuated in all that he did by a marked public spirit and his efforts in behalf of the general welfare were far-reaching and effective. He died April 16, 1897, in Torrington.
On the 29th of November, 1855, Mr. Lewis was married to Miss Mary J. Wooding, of Torrington, whose father was one of the pioneers of this section of the state and here followed the occupation of farming. His wife was a native of Hartford. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis became the parents of two children, who were most liberally educated. Elizabeth W. became the wife of W. W. Mertz, of Torrington. a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work, and she passed away in 1917. The son is Charles W. Lewis.
Walter Scott Lewis was a democrat in his political views and his religious faith was that of the Congregational church. His life was ever actuated by high and honorable prin- ciples. He had a clear conception of the duties which devolve upon the individual in his personal relations and in his connection with the community. At one time he served as warden of his borough and he filled other minor offices in an acceptable manner, his course reflecting credit upon himself and proving highly satisfactory to his constituents. Those who knew him, and he had a very wide acquaintance, entertained for him the highest regard, for in all phases his life measured up to the most advanced standards of manhood and of citizenship.
ARTHUR E. GUILDFORD, D. D. S.
Dr. Arthur E. Giuldford, a well known representative of the dental profession in Torrington and equally prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was born at Corona, Long Island, April 15, 1879, a son of John J. and Selina (Eldred) Guildford, both of whom are natives of London, England, where they were reared and married. Their three eldest children were born before they left the old world. On crossing the Atlantic they came to Long Island about 1868 and after residing for some time at Corona removed to Connecticut, first living at Colebrook. Later they came to Torrington, where the parents still make their home and the father, although now seventy-four years of age, is yet active as a machinist at the factory of the Excelsior Needle Company. He and his wife celebrated their golden wedding in 1915. Their marriage was blessed with eleven children. of whom ten yet survive, namely: John J .: Selina, who is now the widow of Fred Twining; Charles T., an electrical engineer with the Westinghouse Company at Pittsburgh. Penn- sylvania : Anna. the wife of Fred Seymour: Albert F .. a machinist with the Hendey Machine Company of Torrington: Charlotte, the wife of Arthur Mason. of Hartford, Connecticut : Dr. Arthur E. Guildford. of this review; Edith. the wife of Luther White. of Rockville. Con- nectient, and a graduate nurse: Harry E .. who is a machinist but is now with the United States navy stationed at Honolulu; and Alfred E .. a dentist of Torrington, who is associated with his brother in practice. He was graduated from the dental department of the Balti- more Medical College in 1913 and is well qualified for professional activity.
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Dr. Arthur E. Guildford was largely reared in Torrington and attended its public schools. He started out in the business world by serving a four years' apprenticeship as a machinist with the Hendey Machine Company of Torrington and later was employed as a journeyman machinist, chiefly with the Johns-Pratt Company of Hartford. He then determined to make the practice of dentistry his life work and with that end in view he entered the Baltimore Medical College and pursued a regular course in dentistry, being graduated with the class of 1905. For a year thereafter he practiced in Baltimore with Dr. I. Amenhouser and later was located for a year at New Britain, Connecticut, with D. C. E. Monks, but since 1907 has maintained his office in Torrington, where he is now asso- ciated with his younger brother. They occupy a very enviable position in professional circles. Dentistry is unique among the professions in that it demands high qualifications of a threefold character. The capable dentist must possess first of all mechanical skill and ingenuity, as displayed in the use of the delicate instruments which form a part of his equipment. Then he must have broad scientific knowledge to direct his efforts, and third he must have an understanding of business conditions, so that he will make of his life work the financial success which is necessary to every individual. Dr. Guildford is well qualified in all these particulars and since entering upon the practice of his profession in Torrington he has made steady progress. He is now accorded a liberal patronage and the work which he does is proving highly satisfactory, so that satisfied patrons have become his best adver- tisement. He is also consulting dentist on the staff of the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital. He is a member of the Connecticut State and the National Dental Societies and he enjoys the confidence and respect of his professional colleagues and contemporaries, who recognize his fidelity to the highest standards of ethics of the profession.
In December, 1909, Dr. Guildford was married to Miss Erma Coates, who was born at Bridgeport, Connecticut, but was reared in Torrington. She is a daughter of George D. Coates, of Torrington, and by her marriage has become the mother of two children: Arthur Eldred, who was born September 8, 1912; and Erma Conger, born December 23, 1914.
Dr. Guildford is a very prominent Odd Fellow and outside the strict path of his pro- fession is perhaps best known through his connection with that organization. He belongs to all its branches and is a past noble grand of Ridgely Lodge, No. 51, I. O. O. F .; a past chief patriarel of White Oak Encampment, No. 35; and is now a district deputy grand patriarch in the order. He does everything in his power to promote the growth of the organization, recog- nizing the value of the principles which it inculcates among its members. He belongs to Trinity Episcopal church and his life at every point has been guided by the most high and honorable principles. After eight years' active service in Mutual Fire Company, No. 1, of Torrington, he was elected an honorary member in September, 1907.
REV. PETER P. SAURUSAITIS.
Rev. Peter P. Saurusaitis, pastor of St. Joseph's Lithuanian Roman Catholic church of Waterbury, was born in Lithuania, June 27, 1854. He was only five years of age at the time of the death of his father, John Saurusaitis, and was left an orphan by the death of his mother when a lad of but ten years. He was then taken in charge by his sister Mary and he early began to provide for his own support by learning the trade of a tailor, which he followed for several years in early manhood in both Lithuania and America. Thinking to find better opportunities in the new world, he came to the United States at the age of twenty-seven years, landing at New York, whence he made his way to Shenandoah, Pennsyl- vania. There he worked as a journeyman tailor for a few months, after which he began studying for the priesthood, having determined to devote his life to the church. He spent four years in a college in North East, Pennsylvania, conducted by the Order of Redemptorist Fathers, where he studied the classics. He afterward studied for six years in the Redemptorist Seminary at Ilchester, Maryland, and a year and a half in the Redemptorist Novitiate at Annapolis, Maryland. He was ordained by Cardinal Gibbons at Ilchester about twenty-one years ago.
For a year and a half Father Saurusaitis was assistant priest at a Redemptorist Bohemian Catholic church in East Sixty-first street, New York city, and in 1898 he became pastor of the present church of Waterbury, having now served St. Joseph's Lithuanian church on Congress avenue and John street for almost twenty years. The rectory is at No. 46 Congress avenue. During his incumbency in this position the present church edifice and rectory have been built. He is the second pastor here, his predecessor having been Rev. Joseph Zebrys, who was murdered in New Britain a few years ago. St. Joseph's parish
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Dr. Arthur E. Guildford was largely reared in Torrington and attended its public schools. He started out in the business world by serving a four years' apprenticeship as a machinist with the Hendey Machine Company of Torrington and later was employed as a journeyman machinist, chiefly with the Johns-Pratt Company of Hartford. He then determined to make the practice of dentistry his life work and with that end in view he entered the Baltimore Medical College and pursued a regular course in dentistry, being graduated with the class of 1905. For a year thereafter he practiced in Baltimore with Dr. I. Amenhouser and later was located for a year at New Britain, Connecticut, with D. C. E. Monks, but since 1907 has maintained his office in Torrington, where he is now asso- ciated with his younger brother. They occupy a very enviable position in professional circles. Dentistry is unique among the professions in that it demands high qualifications of a threefold character. The capable dentist must possess first of all mechanical skill and ingenuity, as displayed in the use of the delicate instruments which form a part of his equipment. Then he must have broad scientific knowledge to direct his efforts, and third he must have an understanding of business conditions, so that he will make of his life work the financial success which is necessary to every individual. Dr Guildford is well qualified in all these particulars and since entering upon the practice of h profession in Torrington he has made steady progress. . He is now accorded a liberal patronage and the work which he does is proving highly satisfactory, so that satisfied patrons have become his best adver- tisement. He is also consulting a wrist on the staff of the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital. He is a member of the Cours but State and the National Dental Societies and he enjoys the confidence and respect " dis professional colleagues and contemporaries, who recognize hie fidelity to the highest windards of ethics of the profession.
In December, 1909, Di. truildford was married to Miss Erma Coates, who was born at Bridgeport, Connecticut, but was reared in Torrington. She is a daughter of George D. Coates, of Torrington, and by her marriage has become the mother of two children: Arthur Eldred, who was born September 8, 1912; and Erma Conger. borr December 23, 1914.
Dr. Guildford is a very prominent Odd Fellow and outside the strict path of his pro- fession is perhaps best known through his connection with that organization. He belongs to all its branches and is a past noble grand of Ridgely Lodge, No. 51, I. O. O. F .; a past chief patriarch of White Oak Encampment, No. 35; and is now a district deputy grand patriarch in the order. He does everything in his power to promote the growth of the organization, recog- nizing the value of the principles which it inculcates among its members. He belongs to 'frinity rpropal . herch, and his life at every point has been guided by the most high and honorable pratait. Afly right wars' active service in Mutual Fire Company, No. 1, of Torrington. he was elected 1. un tary pember in September, 1907.
REV. PEILR P. NAURUSAITIS.
Rev. Peter P. Saurusaitis, pastor of St. Joseph's Lithuanian Roman Catholic church of Waterbury, was born in Lithuania, June 27, 1854. He was only five years of age at the time of the death of his father, John Saurusaitis, and was left an orphan by the death of his mother when a lad of but ten years. He was then taken in charge by his sister Mary and he early began to provide for his own support by learning the trade oi a tailor, which he followed for several years in early manhood in both Lithuania and America. Thinking to find better opportunities in the new world, he came to the United States at the age of twenty-seven years, landing at New York, whence he made his way to Shenandoah, Pennsyl- vania. There he worked as a journeyman tailor for a few months, after which he began toaving for the priesthood, having determined to devote his life to the church. He spent four years in a college in North East, Pennsylvania, conducted by the Order of Redemptorist Fathers, where he studied the classics. He afterward studied for six years in the Redemptorist Seminary at Ilchester, Maryland, and a year and a half in the Redemptorist Novitiate at Annapolis, Maryland. He was ordained by Cardinal Gibbons at Ilchester about twenty-one years ago
For a year and a half Father Saurusaitis was assistant priest at a Redemptorist Bohemian Catholic church in East Sixty-first street, New York city, and in 1898 he became pastor of the present church of Waterbury, having now served St. Joseph's Lithuanian church on Congress avenue and John street for almost twenty years. The rectory is at No. 46 Congress avenue. During his incumbency in this position the present church edifice and rectory have been built. He is the second pastor here, his predecessor having been Rev. Joseph Zebrys, who was murdered in New Britain a few years ago. St. Joseph's parish
Rev. Peter P. Saumuraïter
0
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was established in 1894 and the present church was erected in 1904. The work of the church is well organized and it has a strong following among the Lithuanian people of this district.
Father Saurusaitis has shown his inventive genius by inventing and patenting a device for softening wafers before cutting or making into altar bread. He is the sole owner of the invention and is using the proceeds of its sale in payment of the debt upon St. Joseph's church. He also has other important patents pending on other inventions. Father Saurusaitis has written several booklets, including one called "Faith and Reason," and has also compiled a list of Lithuanian family names and a brief Lithuanian grammar containing the principal rules for learning the Lithuanian language. He has a great and good influence over his people, enjoys their confidence in an unusual degree, has thus sceured their cooperation in the church work and has done splendid service in promoting the influence of the church in his section of the eity.
MRS. HARRIET BALL THORPE.
One of the most attractive and popular restaurants of Waterbury is that conducted under the name of Mrs. Thorpe's Tea Room and in the establishment, management and eonduet of this business Mrs. Thorpe has displayed marked enterprise and ability. A native of Waterbury, she is a daughter of Bennett and Emma (Bailey) Ball. The father early learned the cutlery trade but later purchased a farm near Waterbury, whereon he resided until his death, which occurred in 1903. His widow still survives at the advanced age of eighty-six years.
Mrs. Thorpe was reared in Waterbury and attended the high school. In early woman- hood she became the wife of James S. Thorpe, their marriage being celebrated in 1888. He was a veteran of the Civil war and was a musician by profession. He passed away March 1, 1914, leaving one son, Harry Francis, who is a graduate of Yale and who has enlisted with an ambulance unit for service in the European war.
On the 30th of September, 1911, Mrs. Thorpe established her now famous tea room and the business has enjoyed a marvelous growth, causing two different removals to larger quar- ters. Her original location at 150 Grand street had a seating capacity for seventy-five. She soon found this insufficient to meet the demand and in December, 1913, removed to 46 Harrison avenue, where she has accommodations for three hundred. The business was started with the idea of providing luncheons for business women and afternoon teas, but it has become one of the largest eating houses of Waterbury. She employs thirty people, the waitresses being selected for their intelligence. On opening her establishment she employed a colored chef whom she personally instructed and who remains with her. The restaurant is famous for its home cooking, its palatable dishes, its pleasant surroundings and for its wonderful growth and popularity. Mrs. Thorpe is a member of the First Congregational church and is well known socially, although her growing business interests now leave her little leisure time.
REV. JOHN II. WALSHI.
Rev. John H. Walsh, pastor of St. Thomas Catholic church at Thomaston, was born in Ansonia, Connecticut, in May, 1863, a son of Thomas and Mary (Quinlan) Walsh, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father was engaged in the grocery business during much of the period of his residence in Ansonia. There he reared his family and Rev. John H. Walsh, pursuing his education in the public schools there, completed a course in the high school. He afterward entered Niagara University, from which he was graduated in 1882, there preparing for the priesthood. He took upon him holy orders in that year and was appointed to St. Patrick's church in Bridgeport but later went to Taftville, Connecticut, and afterward to St. John's church in New Haven. His next appointment made him assistant pastor of St. John's Catholic church at Middletown and later he returned to New Haven, where he remained for two years. He then went to Sharon, Connecticut, becoming pastor of St. Bernard's church of that place in 1904. The following year he came to Thomaston and has since been pastor of St. Thomas Catholic church, which was established in 1871. In 1908 the present fine church edifice was erected of seamed faced granite. It has a seating capacity of seven hundred and the parish numbers over eleven hundred souls. Among the recent pastors of the church are Rev. T. M. O'Brien, who was succeeded by Father
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