USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 42
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Ovide W. Breux made his entrance into business life when a youth of sixteen by securing a position with the Curran Dry Goods Company, which was established by Philip Curran on Bank street prior to 1892. The business was incorporated April 3, 1907, with Philip A. Curran as the president and treasurer and Peter P. Curran secretary. The latter retired in 1910 and purchased a store in New Britain. The sisters who were stockholders also sold out and removed to New York. In 1910 Ovide W. Breux purchased an interest in the business and became its vice president, secretary and manager. This is one of the large commercial enterprises not only of Waterbury but of the state, furnishing employment to one hundred people. The building occupied is at 37 Sonth Main street and is forty-five by ninety feet and four stories in height. In addition the company has large store rooms and work rooms in an annex. A very extensive line of goods is carried, representing all the latest that the markets afford, and a mammoth trade has been secured. The company has always been most careful regarding the personnel of the house, the line of goods carried and the character of service rendered to the publie and each year sees an increase in the sales. Since starting out with the business when a youth Mr. Breux has steadily worked his way upward through the various departments, giving evidence of his resourcefulness and adapt- ability and proving his worth in business cireles. The basement of the store is devoted to the sale of cotton goods, wash goods and house furnishings. The first floor is devoted to silks, dress goods, men's furnishings, gloves, hosiery, underwear, notions and fancy goods, the second floor to women's wearing apparel, imderwear and corsets and the third story to floor coverings, draperies and luggage. The store employs nine buyers and has one hundred salespeople and clerks. Goods are delivered to all the surrounding towns and the present sucess of the enterprise is the visible expression of the careful management, keen discrimination and sagacity of Mr. Breux.
On the 15th of June, 1915, Mr. Breux was married to Miss Martha Schawaker, of Waterbury, and they have one child, Philip, named in honor of Mr. Curren. Mr. Breux is a member of the French Catholic church. He is very energetie and prompt, actuated in all that he does by a spirit of progress and enterprise, and his life record should serve as a source of encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished by determined effort and persistency.
ALBERT H. PULVER.
Since 1888 Albert II. Pulver has occupied his present attractive home on Migeon avenue in Torrington and for many years he has been actively and prominently connected with the industrial interests of the eity, being now proprietor of the extensive business eondueted under the name of the HI. Pulver & Son's Carriage Works at No. 31 Pulver street, which thoroughfare was named in honor of his father, the late Hiram Pulver, who founded the present carriage works at West Torrington, then known as Wrightville, establishing the business in 1853, sixty-four years ago.
Albert H. Pulver was born on Litchfield street in Torrington, December 22, 1852, while his father was a native of Copake, New York. The latter reached the age of seventy-six
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years passing away in 1901. He learned the trade of carriage and wagon making in Salisbury, Connecticut, serving his apprenticeship under a Mr. Hollister in early manhood. Soon afterward he came to Torrington and was employed as a journeyman for a time, but Hiram Pulver was not a man who could be content to remain a journeyman all his life. He possessed too much initiative. too much ambition and too much energy to continue in such a course, and eventually he established the Pulver Carriage & Wagon Works at Wrightville. While he was still a journeyman, however, gold was discovered in California and in 1851 he made the trip to the Pacific coast, as did thousands of others at that period. He returned to Torrington in 1853 by way of the Isthmus route, and upon again becoming a resident of this city lie established the present carriage manufacturing business at Wrightville. In that day the business was carried on under his own name and in 1875 his son, Albert H., became his partner and then the firm style of H. Pulver & Son was assumed and has been so continued to the present time, though the father passed away many years ago. In 1887 the present shop on Pulver street in Torrington was built and has been the quarters of the business for thirty years. Many years ago the company ceased to engage in the building of new wagons and carriages and concentrated its attention upon carrying an extensive line made by other manufacturers. The company handles carriages, buggies and wagons which are the product of large factories found mainly in New York. The father remained in active and helpful connection with the business up to the time of his demise. He was twice married, the mother of Albert H. Pulver being his second wife. Her maiden name was Jane Kimberly and she was born on Litchfield street in Torrington, a daughter of David Kimberly, one of the early settlers of this city. Mr. Pulver's first wife was in her maidenhood a Miss Hubbard and at her death she left one son, Stanley Pulver, who died in Torrington in 1914. By the second marriage there were four children, of whom Albert H. is the eldest, and he and his brother, Dr. Frank A. Pulver, also of Torrington, are the only ones now living.
Albert H. Pulver has spent his entire life in Torrington and in his youth he learned the carriage and wagon making business in his father's shop and eventually became liis father's partner, while since the latter's death he has been sole owner of the business. Besides carrying a large stock of wagons and carriages the firm conducts an enormous busi- ness in repair work and carriage painting, also automobile painting. Its carriage repository is full of various kinds of vehicles and this department of the business is a large and profitable one.
In 1875 Mr. Pulver was united in marriage to Miss Florence Isabel Neil, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, a daughter of James W. Neil and a granddaughter of James W. Peck, who was a hat manufacturer and dealer of Brooklyn, New York, many years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Pulver have become the parents of three children: Essie, now the wife of Eric L. Stowe, of Torrington, by whom she has two children, Virginia and Pulver Stowe; Hiram Neil; and Albert H.
Mr. Pulver belongs to the Congregational church and to the Royal Arcanum. He resides at No. 321 Migeon avenue in a commodious residence which he erected in 1888, on what is the finest street of Torrington. His place is surrounded by an extensive tract of land beautifully adorned with fine old trees and flowers. It is indicative of the spirit of the owner, who has long been regarded as a man of independent thought and action, marked enterprise, of keen insight and of high and honorable purpose. His business has long figured in the industrial development of Torrington and his successful achievement illustrates the fact that prosperity and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
REYMOND BROTHERS.
One of the important business interests of Waterbury is the large bakery establishment of Reymond Brothers. Albert Reymond, one of the proprietors, was born in Switzerland on the 25th of February, 1884, and after acquiring a public school education learned the baker's trade. He was a youth of seventeen years when in 1901 he arrived in Water- bury, where he worked at his trade in the employ of others for a number of years, constantly adding to his knowledge and efficiency through broad experience. In 1910 he became one of the organizers of the Reymond Brothers bakery, opening a small place at No. 453 West Main street. Since that time the business has steadily increased and something of the volume of trade is indicated in the fact that the plant has a capacity of fifty-two loaves per minute and the business furnishes employment to from twenty to twenty-five people in the manufacture of Swiss Milk bread and Pan Dandy bread. The
REYMOND BROTHERS
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excellence of the product has ever insured a liberal patronage to the company and their business has assumed extensive and gratifying proportions.
In 1915 Mr. Reymond was married to Miss Mary Nassann, of Waterbury. They attend the Catholic church and Mr. Reymond is a member of Harmonia Club and of the Swiss Association of Waterbury. Thinking to find better business opportunities in the new world, he erossed the Atlantic, and as the years have passed he has made for himself a creditable position in commercial circles and is today the possessor of a handsome competence-the reward of earnest, persistent labor.
Adolph Reymond comes of a country famous for its bakeries and bakery products. To this line of business he has directed his energies, being now a partner in the firm of Reymond Brothers, owners of one of the leading bakeries of Waterbury. He was born in Switzerland, February 2, 1880, a son of Fred and Rose Reymond, but lost his father in 1885. In the family were fifteen children, twelve of whom remained in the land of the Alps.
In early life Adolph Reymond began learning the watch maker's trade and in 1900, when a young man of twenty years, he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the new world, arriving in Waterbury in September of that year. Here he began working in a clock shop and in 1901 he was joined by his brother Albert and his mother. He and his brother Albert established a bakery in 1910, and although business was begun on a small scale, their patronage has steadily increased and today theirs is one of the finc bakery establishments of Waterbury, with a large output, and Mr. Reymond is numbered among the progressive and representative business men of the city. He belongs to the Swiss Society and he displays many of the sterling characteristics which have made his native land one of the most democratic and best governed republics of the world.
JAMES LAURENCE GREEN, D. D. S.
Dr. James Laurence Green, who has well appointed dental parlors in the Alhambra Theater building, is conducting a growing and successful practice. He was born in Torring- ton, December 29, 1891, his parents being James and Mary (McDonald) Green. The latter was born in Torrington, where she still makes her home. Her father, Hugh McDonald, who was a native of Ireland and came to the United States just prior to the Civil war, died in 1916. James Green, father of Dr. Green, was born in Cornwall, Conneteicut, and in early life took up the tinner's trade, with which he has since been connected. He is now residing in Torrington.
Dr. Green was a pupil in the Torrington public and high schools and in St. Thomas' Seminary of Hartford, from which in due time he was graduated, completing his course therein in 1912, In the fall of that year lie became a dental student in the Medico- Chirurgical College of Philadelphia, which he attended for three years, graduating as a member of the June class of 1915, at which time the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery was conferred upon him. Immediately afterward Dr. Green opened an office in Torrington, where he has since practiced with marked capability and success, occupying the same parlors in the Alhambra Theater building on South Main street throughout the inter- vening period.
Dr. Green yet resides with his parents. He is a member of St. Francis Roman Catholic church and he has membership with the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He belongs professionally to the State and National Dental Associations and is ever interested in anything that has to do with professional activity or duty, his efficiency being constantly promoted by his wide reading and study.
WILLIAM BRADFORD GREENBERG, D. D. S.
Entering a profession in which advancement must depend upon individual merit and ability, Dr. William Bradford Greenburg has steadily progressed, winning the confidence and support of the public by reason of his thorough understanding of professional principles and of notable skill in dental surgery. A native of Waterbury, he was born September 19, 1885, his parents being Samuel and Bertha (Born) Greenberg. At the usual age he became a public school pupil and afterward pursued his preparatory course in the Peckskill Military Academy at Peekskill, New York, from which he was graduated with the class of 1903. He
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entered upon preparation for the practice of dentistry as a student in the University of Pennsylvania, where he took the full course and made an excellent record for scholarship. The degree of D. D. S. was conferred upon him at his graduation with the class of 1906 and he at once entered the General Hospital of the city of Philadelphia in the capacity of interne. There he remained for a period of about two years and received the special degree of Oral Surgeon. His interneship brought him wide experience and valuable knowledge, and thus splendidly equipped by college and practical training, he returned to Waterbury to enter upon the active practice of dentistry, opening an office in the Lilley building, where he has since remained. He has ever specialized in oral surgery and has gained a high degree of proficiency in that field, displaying unusual skill and thoroughness in his work, while his predominant qualities and characteristics as a practitioner indicate continued professional advancement.
Dr. Greenberg is well known as a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Knights of Pythias. A contemporary writer has said of him: "Dr. Greenberg is a man in whom the public and private virtues are admirably balanced." He is regarded in the professional world and, indeed, in all the public relations as one whose principles are above reproach and whose strict ideals of honor and justice are applied to every detail of his professional conduct. Nor is it only in his associations with his patients that these char- acteristics are displayed, but toward all with whom he comes in contact in every other department of life. His courtesy and unfailing concern for the welfare of all make him a highly popular figure in every circle and have established the esteem in which he is held upon the firmest basis. In his private life these virtues have their analogues. A quiet and retiring character makes him a great lover of home and the domestic ties and his never failing geniality endears him to the members of his family and to his friends, of whom he possesses so many.
JOHN E. RICHARDSON.
Intense activity, intellingently directed, is manifest in the business interests of John E. Richardson, who is the president and treasurer of the Waterbury Baking Company. He was born in England, August 5, 1863, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary Richardson. He acquired a public school education in his native country and afterward attended college in Leeds, England, where he won the grand prize in chemistry. This entitled him to go to Germany and finish his studies there, so at the age of eighteen he made his way to that country, where he became very proficient as a chemist and dyer. He afterward went to Vienna, Austria, where he was employed as chemist and dyer for three years and eight months by a large manufacturing concern, and on the expiration of that period he made his way to Loch, Russia, and afterward to the north of France, where he was employed by Valentine Freiers, there continuing for ten months.
Mr. Richardson came to the United States in 1891, thinking to enjoy better business opportunities than the old world afforded. He was employed at Providence, Rhode Island, as dyer for the Lymansville Worsted Mills and eventually went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he occupied an important position in the same line with the Cleveland Worsted Mills Company, there remaining for fourteen years. He resided during that period at Ravenna, Ohio, and became a prominent and influential citizen there, taking a very active part in public affairs and contributing largely to the municipal development of the place in upholding its civic standards. He served as vice mayor there and as president of the city council. In business, too, he had made substantial progress. He became connected with the Cleveland Worsted Mills in the capacity of dyer and became superintendent and general manager of the dyeing department with a company that had become the largest of its kind in the world and his position brought him a very large salary. In 1913 he retired from active business and took up his abode at his home in Brooklyn, New York. In the meantime, however, he had pur- chased an interest in a Waterbury bakery which was not proving under its management a success and in November, 1915, therefore, Mr. Richardson removed to Waterbury to assume active charge, investing fifty thousand dollars in the enterprise in installing new equipment and making improvements. The plant is today one of the finest in Connecticut and is conducted under the name of the Waterbury Baking Company, in which connection they now employ a manager, seven bakers and six drivers. They manufacture Butternut bread and Velvet bread and their trade covers the entire Naugatuck valley. It is characteristic of Mr. Richardson that he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and on becoming financially interested in the bakery business and finding that it was not proving
JOHN E. RICHARDSON
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profitable, he brought to the conduct of this business the same thoroughness, determination and energy which had brought him to a foremost position in connection with the dyeing business of the country.
Mr. Richardson is married and makes his home in Waterbury, where he is now concen- trating his interests and energies, believing that the city has before it a bright future. He is prominent in fraternal circles, holding membership in Unity Lodge, No. 12, F. & A. M., at Ravenna, Ohio; Syrian Chapter, No. 91, R. A. M., of Ravenna; Bloss Council, No. 14, R. & S. M., of Troy, New York; Akron Commandery, No. 25, K. T., of Akron, Ohio; Lake Erie Consistory, A. & A. S. R., of Cleveland, Ohio; and Oriental Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Troy, New York. He is likewise a member of Court Ravenna, No. 43, F. of A .; of Aerie No. 555, F. O. E., of Akron, Ohio; of Cressett Lodge, No. 225, K. P., at Ravenna; the Elks lodge No. 176 of Ravenna and the New England Order of Protection at Warren, Maine. He is a past exalted ruler of the Elks. His political endorsement is given to the republican party. He is a broad-gauged business man, alert, enterprising and resourceful, and he manifests the same qualities in his attitude to public affairs, standing at all times on the side of progress, improvement and advancement.
FRANK B. MORSE.
Frank B. Morse, an optometrist with offices at No. 5 Water street in Torrnigton, was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, September 2, 1887, a son of James H. and Mary (Bronson) Morse, both of whom have now passed away. The father, who was a farmer by occupation was born in Litchfield, May 1, 1847, and died in Torrington, March 4, 1917, while his wife, who was born in Harwinton, Connecticut, August 31, 1855, passed away on the 10th of March, 1910.
Frank B. Morse was reared on his father's farm near Litchfield to the age of twelve vears and in 1899 accompanied his parents on their removal to Torrington, where he has since made his home. He was educated in the public schools of Litchfield and of Torrington, continuing his studies to the age of seventeen years, when he entered upon an apprentice- ship to the jeweler's trade and under his employer, T. O. Reed, he also learned much about optometry. He remained in Mr. Reed's employ for nine years, working in the jewelry store and aiding in the optometry branch of the business. On the 1st of April, 1913, he purchased from Mr. Reed the optical part of the business, which he has since conducted, and he is today one of the most successful and prominent optometrists of the Naugatuck valley. He has built up a business of extensive and gratifying proportions and is now recognized as one of the leading professional men in this section. He studied optometry in the Klein School of Optics in Boston and he is continually reading and studying along lines which will promote his knowledge and bring him greater proficiency. Fraternally he is an Elk and a Mason.
FRANK E. MCLAUGHLIN, D. D. S.
Dr. Frank E. Mclaughlin, whose well appointed dental parlors are situated in the Buck- ingham block at No. 111 Grand street, Waterbury, first came to New England from the middle west. He was born on a farm near Milan, Erie county, Ohio, December 11, 1870, and is a son of Ranson F. and Sarah D. (Springer) MeLanghlin, who are still residents of Milan, where the father is now living retired from active business at the age of seventy-eight years, his birth having occurred in Erie county, Ohio, June 9, 1839. His wife was born in the same county, January 12, 1842, and is therefore seventy-five years of age. They were married August 8, 1860 ,and their family numbered two sons, of whom Charles Wesley Mclaughlin became an electrician and died about ten years ago.
The surviving son, Dr. Frank E. MeLaughlin, comes of Scotch-Irish descent on the paternal side, his grandfather being Milton Mclaughlin, who was born in Erie county, Ohio. He displays many of the sterling characteristics of the Scotch-Irish people. He was reared on his father's farm and began his education as a district school pupil but afterward attended the Milan high school, from which he was graduated at the age of twenty-one years. Having determined upon the practice of dentistry as a life work, he then became a dental student in the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated with the D. D. S. degree in 1895. He located for practice in Marion, Ohio, where he remained for a year and a half, and for a year he maintained his office in Pemberville, Ohio. Ile then
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spent five years in Tiffin, Ohio, whence he removed to Waterbury, where he has since practiced his profession, ranking now with the leading dentists and residents of the city. For several years after his arrival here he was associated in practice with Dr. E. W. Moyer, one of Waterbury's most prominent dentists, who is still in active practice and is men- tioned elsewhere in this work. From 1908 until 1915 Mr. Mclaughlin had dental parlors of his own in the Waterbury Republican block but at a later date removed to the Buck- ingham block and is there enjoying an extensive and steadily growing practice. He belongs to the Waterbury, Connecticut State and National Dental Societies.
Dr. MeLaughlin has been married twice. By his first marriage, which ocurred in 1892, he had a daughter who is now living in Ohio. On the 6th of March, 1901, he wedded Miss Maude Wells, of Milan, Ohio, and they have two children, Dorothy Helene and Eunice Eugenia, aged thirteen and two years respectively. The former was graduated from the Bunker Hill grammar school of Waterbury in June, 1917. There were also two sons, Herbert and Harold, who were respectively the second and third members of the family, but both died in childhood.
Dr. Mclaughlin is fond of outdoor sports, greatly enjoying a trip in a motor boat or a game of golf, and to these he turns for needed rest and recreation from the arduous duties of his profession. He is actuated by high purposes in his practice and his laudable ambition has enabled him to advance step by step until his position in professional circles is now most enviable.
NORMAN W. LOUNSBURY.
Norman W. Lounsbury, vice president and assistant treasurer of the W. L. Ward Company of Seymour, where they are actively engaged in the undertaking business, was born in Seymour, Connecticut, October 29, 1869, a son of Mark and Ann (Webster) Lounsbury, the former a native of Seymour, while the latter was born in England. Mark Lounsbury was a son of Crownage Lounsbury, whose birth occurred in Bethany, Connecticut. Mark Lounsbury was a mechanic and for forty years was employed by the United States Pin Company, in which connection he gradually worked his way up- ward to the position of superintendent, in which capacity he long served. No higher testimonial of his marked efficiency, fidelity and trustworthiness could be given than the fact that he was retained through four decades in the service of one company. He died November 14, 1908, and his death was the occasion of deep regret to all who knew him.
Norman W. Lounsbury acquired a high school education in Seymour and when his textbooks were put aside followed in his father's business footsteps by entering the employ of the United States Pin Company, with which he remained for seventeen years. He afterward engaged in clerking in a general store and later was upon the road as a traveling salesman for a brief period. Subsequently he became associated with William L. Ward in the furniture and undertaking business, becoming connected with Mr. Ward in 1905. The business was reorganized and incorporated in 1907, under the name of the W. L. Ward Company, at which time Mr. Lounsbury became the vice president and assistant treasurer.
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