USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 38
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George D. Workman was but a year old when his parents came to the new world and soon afterward established their home in Connecticut. He attended the public schools of Torrington and also a school for boys at New Hartford conducted by an Episcopal clergyman. While still in his teens he entered the employ of the Union Manufacturing Company, an outgrowth of the Wolcottville Manufacturing Company, the former company being organized in 1845. There under his father he learned the wool industry. Through close attention to every detail of the business he rose step by step until he ranked with the foremost manufac- turers of the Naugatuck valley. He succeeded his father as wool buyer for the company and in 1873 he became agent, secretary and treasurer for the company and was one of its principal stockholders, increasing his holdings in the business in 1883 and being elected president. In 1895, when the name was changed from the Union Manufacturing Company to the Warrenton Woolen Company. he was elected a director and remained the president of the company, a relation which he sustained until the time of his death. He was a man of keen business judgment, was thoroughly master of the business in every detail and through his close application, carefully directed industry and executive powers he built up an extensive business, developing one of the large and important manufacturing concerns of the Naugatuck valley. He was also greatly interested in other large enterprises which greatly benefited Torrington and its people. He was one of the organizers of the Torrington Electric Light Company and held the office of president and that of director. He was also one of the organizers and directors of the Torrington National Bank, of which he was president at the time of his death. He was one of the founders of the Workman-Rawlinson Company, of which he was also president, and he was a director of the Turner & Seymour Manufacturing Company and was interested in the Torrington Printing Company. No other man in Tor- rington was associated with so many business enterprises as Mr. Workman or did so much for the upbuilding and development of the town along the lines of material growth. It was not merely a desire to attain wealth that actuated him but a public-spirited devotion to the welfare of his city and its people. He took a deep interest in the growth and progress of Torrington and its institutions and he cooperated heartily in many movements which looked to the social, educational and moral progress of the district.
Mr. Workman was a most public-spirited man who recognized the obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship. He was actuated by a high civic spirit and gave earnest support to the republican party. He was one of the burgesses of Torrington for many years and also served as warden for two terms. He was devoted to the welfare of his parents and he held friendship inviolable. The sterling traits of his character were many and made him honored among men. He belonged to Trinity Episcopal church and the breadth of his interests is indicated in the fact that he was the promoter and builder of the African Methodist Episcopal church, known as Zion church, of which he was a stanch supporter. Vol. II-13
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contributing generously to the church in the payment of its expenses up to the time of his death. The poor and needy found in him indeed a friend. He lived always for others and was continually doing some good deed. One mnight well quote in relation to him the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes:
"You see that boy laughing; you think he's all fun, But the angels laugh too at the good he has done. The children laugh loud as they troop to his call, But the poor man that knows him laughs loudest of all."
Such was the expression of his life. He went around doing good to all men and shed around him much of life's sunshine and joy. His memory is indeed beautiful to contemplate and should serve as a source of inspiration to others. He died June 7, 1909, at his home on Prospect street, and sleeps now in the family burying lot in Hillside cemetery. The splendid work which he instituted and promoted-the Zion church-has since his death been carried on by his devoted sister, Miss Anna Franklin Workman, who, like her brother, delights in doing good. She is a member of Trinity Episcopal church and is a lady of culture and refined taste. She occupies the old family residence on Prospect street and in every possible way honors the memory of her father and brother, to whom she was most devoted.
GEORGE D. FERGUSON, M. D.
Dr. George D. Ferguson, who has engaged in the practice of medicine in Thomaston since 1882, was born in Meriden, Connecticut, November 1, 1855, the son of Ira and Julia (Goodrich) Ferguson. The father was born and died in Boonville, Oneida county, New York, the descendant of English ancestry who did their part through the Revolutionary war. The mother was born in Middletown, Connecticut, of Scottish ancestry and at eighty- six is still living and well.
At less than nine years of age Dr. Ferguson lost his father, who left no particular means, and he started out at this early day to hoe his own row and make his own living, at which he has been fairly successful. Working his way through district school, academy, seminary and university, he finally graduated from the medical department of the Uni- versity of New York in 1879 and immediately began the practice of his chosen profession.
On May 8. 1889, Dr. Ferguson was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Pierpont, of Thomaston, daughter of George B. and Charlotte (Prince) Pierpont, representatives of old New England families. Two children were born to them: Gertrude, who died in infancy; and Frances P., still living. On June 1, 1910, the Doctor was called upon to mourn the death of his first wife, who had done more than her share to make a successful and happy home. On July 1, 1911, he married her sister, Miss Lottie P. Pierpont, retired from business and with wife and daughter is trying to enjoy the last of a hard and busy life.
ROBERT SPIERS WALKER.
Robert Spiers Walker, attorney at law of Waterbury, his native city, was born October 16, 1876, the only child of James T. and Elizabeth (Humphrey) Walker. At the usual age he entered the public schools and in 1901 became a student in Yale, pursuing a law course until graduated with the LL.B. degree in 1904. In June of that year he was admitted to the bar and at once began the practice of his profession as the associate of John P. Kellogg, which connection was maintained for thirteen years or until Mr. Kellogg became a judge of the superior court early in 1917. Soon afterward William W. Gager became associated with Mr. Walker and the firm of Walker & Gager is accorded a liberal clientage of an important character. Mr. Walker is a member of both the Waterbury and Connecticut State Bar Associations.
On the 4th of October, 1906, Mr. Walker was married to Miss Carrie Louise Tracy, a daughter of the late Morton Tracy, of Waterbury, and they have two children : Elizabeth Kilborn, born June 12, 1910; and Robert Tracy, May 9, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are members of the Trinity Episcopal church and he is prominent in Masonic circles, being a past master of Harmony Lodge, No. 42, F. & A. M., and at present is district deputy of the Grand Masonic Lodge of Connecticut for the third Masonie district
ROBERT S. WALKER
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He has attained the Knight Templar degree in the York Rite and the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite. He has done much important work in Masonry. He served on the building committee at the time the Masonic Temple was built at Waterbury and is now vice president of the Masonic Temple Corporation. There is perhaps no man of his age in Waterbury at this time who has performed more official service for the different branches of Masonry than Mr. Walker. He is interested in all of the activities which work for the benefit and upbuilding of his city and at the present writing, in 1917, is serving a four year term on the board of education, having previously served for two years. He has had thorough military training, having served for three years as a member of Company H of the Connecticut National Guard of Waterbury. He joined as a private and served successively as corporal, sergeant and sergeant-major of the Second Battalion. He was also on the staff of Major Ernest L. Isbell, of New Haven, and afterward was transferred as sergeant-major to the staff of Colonel Charles F. McCabe. of Cheshire. Ilis chief recreation is rifle shooting and during his military career he won distinguished honors as a revolver and rifle shot, and in the latter connection he has taken part in several state and national contests and represented the state of Connecticut in the national rifle matches at Camp Perry, Ohio, in 1913. All these things, however, have been made subservient to his professional interests and duties, for he neglects no case entrusted to him and his devotion to his clients' interests has become proverbial.
RICHARD JOSEPH KENNEDY,
Richard Joseph Kennedy is proprietor of one of the splendidly equipped meat markets of Torrington, the business having been founded in 1909. He was born January 6, 1883, in the borough where he still resides, his parents being John and Ellen (Walsh) Kennedy, who are still living in Torrington. Both are natives of Ireland but they were married in Torrington, and the father now occupies a responsible position as a foreman in the Coe brass factory. In the family were five children, of whom Richard J. is the eldest, the others being Matthew, John, Mary Agnes and Nellie. The daughter, Mary Agnes, is a teacher. Matthew is a chemist of Waterbury, Connecticut, and the younger brother, John, is in the employ of Richard J. Kennedy of this review.
In the acquirement of his education Richard J. Kennedy attended the public schools and also St. Francis parochial school. He learned the butcher's trade before he had attained his majority and has since directed his activities along that line, becoming an expert in all branches of the work. In 1909 he established his present market, which is thoroughly modern in its equipment and which is one of the leading meat markets of the city. He is very careful in the purchase of his meat and the excellent quality, combined with his honorable business methods have brought to him a constantly growing trade.
On the 2d of October, 1910, Mr. Kennedy was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lane, a native of Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut, and they have two children, Richard Joseph and Mary Agnes. Mr. Kennedy has membership in the Catholic church and belongs also to the Knights of Columbus and to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party. The honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him however, as his attention is concentrated upon his business affairs, and in the eight years in which he has conducted his market he has made steady progress and is now at the head of a profitable and growing business.
WILLIAM F. MOHER.
William F. Moher, filling the office of city clerk, the duties of which he discharges systematically, promptly and efficiently, was born in County Cork, Ireland. August 9, 1871. His parents. James and Elizabeth (Fitzgerald) Moher, were both natives of the Emerald Isle and never came to the United States. The father followed the occupation of farming as a life work. Three sons of the family have come to the new world, the brothers of William F. being: Michael J., who is a stone cutter by trade and makes his home in Brooklyn, New York; and John F., who is employed in one of the Waterbury foundries.
William F. Moher was graduated from the public schools of County Cork at the age of seventeen years and became a teacher there even before his graduation, being a licensed
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teacher when a youth of fifteen. For three years thereafter he divided his time between study and teaching and at eighteen he entered a college in Dublin, in which he devoted two years to the study of the sciences. At the age of twenty, or in 1891, lie bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the United States. After spending two years in Ansonia, where he was employed in a factory, he came to Waterbury in 1893 and for several years thercafter gave his attention to the life insurance business. For six years he was employed in a clerical capacity by the Scovill Manufacturing Company but gradually became more and more active in local democratic politics and in January, 1912, was appointed to the position of assistant city clerk, in which capacity he served for two years. In 1913 he was elected city clerk and reelected in 1915, so that he is now serving for the second term, his course being characterized by marked fidelity as well as capability in the discharge of his duties.
On the 4th of October, 1899, Mr. Moher was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary J. Lynch, of Waterbury, who was born in County Limerick, Ireland, and came to the United States in young womanhood. It was in Waterbury that she met and gave her hand in marriage to William F. Moher. They have six children, namely: Elizabeth L., James J., Mary A., Catherine C., William F., Jr., and Thomas F. One other son, also named William F., died at the age of thirteen months, passing away before the second William F. was born.
Mr. Moher belongs to the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic church and he also has mem- bership with the Knigths of Columbus, the Elks, the Eagles, the Moose, the Owls and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He finds his chief recreation in fishing and when public duty permits him leisure greatly enjoys a trip where he can while the hours away as a follower of Izaak Walton.
THE SEYMOUR TRUST COMPANY.
The Seymour Trust Company was organized in 1905 with Edmund Day as president, W. L. Ward as vice president, G. E. Matthies as secretary and C. S. Boies as treasurer. Mr. Day continued to serve as president until 1915. when he was succeeded by George E. Matthies, who still occupies that position, while Mr. Boies has become both secretary and treasurer, with Clarence C. Cornforth as assistant treasurer. Mr. Boies has occupied the dual position since 1915. The bank is capitalized for seventy thousand dollars and has surplus and profits of forty-eight thousand dollars. It is doing an extensive business, its savings deposits amounting to seven hundred and thirty thousand, eight hundred and ninety-three dollars, while its general deposits reach one million, fifty-four thousand, seven hundred and thirty-four dollars. Commercial banking is carried on, with a well organized trust department and a foreign exchange department. The bank has been located at the corner of Main and Bank streets, where they rent a desirable property, but they own a lot on Main street near the postoffice and expect to erect a fine new building suitably adapted to the purpose for which it will be used.
MERWIN S. BRONSON.
Merwin S. Bronson, manager at Waterbury for the Alling Rubber Company, in which connection he is doing the most extensive business in this city in handling automobile tires and other lines of rubber goods, was born January 6, 1887, in Roxbury, Connecticut, a son of Henry M. and Carrie (Seymour) Bronson. The father was a contractor and builder and also engaged in the manufacture of the Roxbury plows. The ancestral line in America dates back to the Mayflower, the Bronsons being among the oldest of the New England families.
Merwin S. Bronson completed his education in the Danbury Normal School, where he had pursued a course with the object of teaching, but changing his plans became connected with the rubber trade, entering the employ of the Alling Rubber Company in July, 1907, in the Hartford establishment. He was afterward manager of the company's store at New Britain for five years and in October, 1916, took charge of the Waterbury establishment, to which he added the automobile accessories department. Something of the spirit of enterprise and progressiveness which he has infused into the business is indicated in the fact that the trade has doubled since his arrival. The Waterbury branch, which was
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established in 1907, is one of a chain of thirty-one stores handled by five corporations. The corporation with which the Waterbury store is connected controls nine different establish- ments in New England, with headquarters at Hartford. Mr. Bronson occupies the first floor and basement of a building fifty by one hundred feet, handling a full line of automo- bile accessories, sporting goods and rubber goods, and employs five people, selling both to the wholesale and retail trades over the Naugatuck valley. He handles a full line of the goods of the United States Rubber Company and also the output of other manu- facturers, all of high quality. He sells over ten different makes of tires and other lines in proportion. His business is the largest in Waterbury.
On the 14th of October, 1914, Mr. Bronson was married to Miss Abbie Minor, of Roxbury, Connecticut, and they have won many friends in the social circles of their adopted city. Mr. Bronson belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he also has member- ship in the Episcopal church. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office. He is an active and prominent young business man, highly pleased with Waterbury and its opportunities, and he is making for himself a most creditable position in its business circles, enjoying the confidence and goodwill of colleagues and contemporaries.
REV. OTTO SEIDENSTUECKER.
Rev. Otto Seidenstueeker, who for sixteen years has been pastor of St. Paul's German Lutheran church in Torrington, was born in Saxony, Germany, August 18, 1874. His father, Carl Seidenstuecker, was an officer of the German army during the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71. Neither of his parents ever came to the United States, and when the Rev. Seidenstuecker returned to Germany on a visit in 1908 his father had already passed away, but his mother was there to greet him.
Otto Seidenstuecker was reared and educated in his native land, his educational training including a university course, while later he was graduated from a theological seminary at Kropp, Germany. In 1895 he was sent by his church to the United States and was ordained as a minister at Collinsville, Connecticut, on the 1st of October, 1895. He was then assigned to the pastorate of St. Matthew's German Lutheran church in Col- linsville, where he remained until 1901, when he accepted the pastorate of St. Paul's German Lutheran church at Torrington and here he has since lived and labored, doing splendid work in the upbuilding of the congregation and the extension of the influence of the church work in all its various branches. The parish was founded in 1884 and Rev. Seidenstuecker is the fourth pastor.
On the 28th of November, 1895, at Collinsville, Connecticut. Rev. Seidenstuecker was married to Miss Elsie Wulle, a native of Falkenberg, Pomerania, where her father was a minister, much beloved and of great influence. Rev. Seidenstuccker had met Miss Wulle in Berlin and she had plighted her troth to him ere he sailed for the new world. As soon as lie was located he sent for his fiance and they were married. They have become parents of three children, Erich, Gertrude and Carl, born in 1896, 1897 and 1914 respec- tively. Rev. Seidenstuecker is a member of the Torrington board of education and is inter- ested in all those forces which work for the mental and moral development of the com- munity. He is an earnest speaker, a elear thinker and a logical reasoner and his utterances have had marked effect in guiding the activities of his parishioners. That he is popular with his people is indicated in the fact that he has for sixteen years remained as pastor of the church and his example and his precept have been instrumental in marked measure in promoting moral progress.
CHARLES E. McDONALD.
Charles E. MeDonald, superintendent of the water works at Waterbury, finds his name on the roster of those public officials whose worth and ability have won them high place in public regard. He was born in this city September 27, 1876, and is the eldest child of John W. and Mary A. (Gagain) McDonald. The father is one of Waterbury's well known citizens, who for more than twenty years has filled the office of city sheriff and is at present deputy sheriff of New Haven county. The mother died on the 29th of May. 1901.
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Charles E. McDonald acquired a public school education in Waterbury, beeoming a high school pupil, but put aside his textbooks at the age of fifteen years to enter the engineering department of the city of Waterbury, in which department he was employed in various capacities for about twenty years. He started in a humble capacity and worked his way upward through the positions of rod man, chain man, transit man and finally became instru- ment man. During the latter part of that period he was in charge of important construction work. In January, 1912, he was appointed superintendent of the city water works by the board of public works and has since been twice reappointed to the office, making a most capable official at the head of one of the city's principal utilities. He is well equipped by previous experience and training for his duties and his record indicates that he regards a publie office as a public trust, and it is well known that no trust reposcd in him is ever betrayed.
Mr. McDonald has had an interesting military record, having served for sixteen years as a member of Company G of the Second Infantry Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard, from which he retired in 1914 with the rank of second lieutenant. In politics he has always been a democrat and his identification with the city government covers a quarter of a century, dating from the time when he left school at the age of fifteen years. He is a member of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic church and belongs to the Knights of Columbus, being a past grand knight and past district deputy supreme knight in that order. He became a charter member of Hendrieken Council, No. 36, K. C., but is now a member of Sheridan Council, No. 24. He also belongs to the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is widely known and his popularity is indicated by his extensive circle of friends.
JOHN MORIARTY.
John Moriarty has become well known as a leading and representative business man of Waterbury, where for many years he figured in mercantile circles, while at the present time he is handling his real estate interests, being the owner of much valuable property in Waterbury. He conducts his business under the name of John Moriarty, Incorporated. He was born in England, March 7, 1851, and is a son of Eugene and Elizabeth (O'Conner) Moriarty, who came to the United States in 1857, erossing the Atlantic on a sailing vessel which was two months in completing the trip. For about a decade they were residents of New York, removing to Waterbury in 1866. The father was a government weigli- master in the Brooklyn navy yard and after coming to Connecticut opened a private school in Waterbury. He was injured in a railroad accident and passed away in 1870, his wife surviving him until 1880. They had a family of nine children, of whom two are deceased. In the family were four sons and five daughters.
John Moriarty, the eldest son, obtained his early education in New York, being instructed under private tutors at home. He started ont in the business world as a factory employe and after spending one year in that connection learned the stone cutter's trade, which he followed for ten years. In 1877 he embarked in the grocery business, which he afterward sold and beeame proprietor of the City Hotel of Waterbury about 1878. Subse- quently he turned his attention to the undertaking and furniture business in 1883. He also built up a large department store on South Main and Grand streets and in 1893 removed to 135 East Main street, where he conducted his store very successfully until 1903, when he sold the business. Since that date he has devoted his attention to the management of his real estate interests, having made large investments in improved and unimproved property. He now has two and one-half aeres of improved business property in Water- bury and at the present time is engaged in building a large storage warehouse one hundred by fifty-three feet and four stories in height. It is absolutely fireproof and has over one thousand rooms and is the largest warehouse in the state. His property holdings also include numerous store buildings in the city, together with the Poli and Bijou theatres. He is now planning the ereetion of a ten-story building as soon as conditions are right, to be erected between the Poli's theatre and his office building. The plans are all drawn for the new structure.
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