USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 44
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
On the 21st of January. 1903. Mr. Goodale was married to Miss Edna Jane Frost, the eldest daughter of Dr. C. W. S. Frost, a well known physician of Waterbury. They have become the parents of one son and one daughter: Nathan Warren, born November 5, 1903: and Arline Isabelle, born January 22, 1911. Mr. Goodale obtains needed rest and recreation in attendance at the baseball games, being very fond of the national American sport. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Knight Templar and exem- plifies in his life the beneficent spirit of the eraft, which is based upon a reeognition of the brotherhood of man. There need be no fantastic theorizing in regard to his sue- cess, which has been based upon persistent effort. He has always continued in the line in which he embarked in early manhood and the thoroughness with which he has mastered the drug trade has been one of the elements in his growing prosperity.
NATHAN A. TUTTLE.
Nathan A. Tuttle, now living retired at Torrington, was for many years prominent in business eircles as assistant superintendent in the Coe Brass Factory. He was born in Wood- bury, Conneetient, October 23, 1849. and is a son of Albert and Harriet E. (Saxton) Tuttle, both of whom have now passed away. Woodbury was also the birthplace of Albert Tuttle, as it was of his father. William Tuttle, and grandfather, Andrew Tuttle. The Tuttle family is indeed an old one in Connectieut, dating baek to 1634, when William Tuttle eame from Devonshire, England, on the ship Planter, and settled in Massachusetts but soon afterward removed to New Haven. A complete genealogy of the family has been prepared by George Tuttle, a lawyer of New Haven, and is published by the Tuttle Company of Rutland, Vermont.
It was in the year 1860 that Nathan A. Tuttle removed to Torrington, where he attended the public schools and was graduated from high school. He has sinee made his home here and for years has been actively and prominently eonneeted with the Coe Brass Factory. During his identification with the business he gradually worked his way'upward and although he retired on the 4th of May, 1904. he still owns stock in the company, from which he receives a good annal dividend. He is likewise a stockholder of the Torrington Printing Company, the Torrington Water Company, the Turner-Seymour Manufacturing Company and the Torrington Electric Light Company and a director of the Warrenton Woolen Company. His investments have been judiciously placed and bring him a gratifying annual income, so that he is now able to enjoy a well earned rest without further reeourse to labor.
On the 14th of January, 1873, Mr. Tuttle was married to Miss Martha Elizabeth Law- ton, who was born in Woodbury, Connecticut, November 2. 1852. a daughter of George and Anna (Band) Lawton, who were natives of England, where they were reared and married. Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle have become the parents of two sons. Arthur Frank was born October 16, 1878, and is a graduate of the Torrington high school. He married Anna A. Steele, a daughter of Elisha J. Steele, of Torrington, and has three children, Elizabeth S., Elisha N. and Martha Elizabeth. John Garfield was born December 18. 1881, and is a graduate of the Torrington high school. He married Hazel Lillian Burnett, October 6, 1908, and has one ehild, John Albert. Both sons are employed in the main office of the Torrington branch of the American Brass Company.
The father, Nathan A. Tuttle, long figured prominently in connection with the industrial
NATHAN A. TUTTLE
403
WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
development of Torrington and the worth of his work was widely acknowledged, making him a leading representative of business interests here. He has been a member of Seneca Lodge, No. 55, A. F. & A. M., since December, 6, 1870, and is a member of the Torrington Club. He is a republican in politics and in 1907 represented Torrington in the state legislature and served on the finance committee of the house. For five years he was a member of the board of relief of Torrington. He has given a great deal of study to local history; is recognized as an authority on that subject and has gathered together a valuable collection of articles of historie interest, including an original letter from John Brown to John W. Cook, of Torrington, which he prizes most highly. He is one of the most respected and best loved men in his community and he has had the pleasure of promoting the interests of Torrington in many ways.
THOMAS A. O'BRIEN, D. D. S.
Dr. Thomas A. O'Brien, practicing dentistry in Waterbury with offices in Apothecaries Hall, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, February 20, 1884, a son of Philip and Mary (Brady) O'Brien, who are still residents of New Haven, where the father conducted business as a contractor for many years but is now living retired. Both parents were born in County Cavan, Ireland, and came to the United States on a sailing vessel, after which they were married in New Haven. In his early youth the father followed the sea as a cabin boy and crossed the Atlantic altogether twenty-one times, but on the eleventh voyage decided to remain in America and took up his abode in New Haven. In the family were four sons and a daughter who are yet living. Two of the sons have become active representatives of the dental fraternity, while one is a lawyer and the fourth, Sylvester S. L. O'Brien, is conducting a large fire and loan insurance agency in Brooklyn, New York. The dentists are Dr. Edward F. O'Brien, of New Haven, and Dr. Thomas A. O'Brien of this review, while John V. O'Brien is practicing law in New Haven. The sister, Miss Mary E. O'Brien, is a stenographer and resides in New Haven.
Dr. O'Brien is a graduate of the New Haven high school with the class of 1903 and he made preparation for a professional career as a student in the Baltimore Medical Col- lege, from which he was graduated in 1907, having spent three years as a student there. He began the active practice of his profession in Baltimore, where he remained from June until December, 1907, and then was employed in an office in Pittsburgh, where he continued for about a year. Later he practiced in New Haven with his brother, Dr. Edward F. O'Brien, until January 1, 1910, when he removed to Waterbury, where he has since followed his profession, being accorded a large practice. Ilis ability well qualifies him to cope with the intricate and complex problems that are continually con- fronting the dentist. He is thoroughly skilled in all departments of the profession and his work has given uniform satisfaction.
On the 26th of November, 1912, Dr. O'Brien was married to Miss Marcella J. Garrity, of Waterbury, and they have two children: Thomas, who was born December 10, 1913; and Eleanor May, born February 27, 1916. Dr. O'Brien and his wife hold membership in the Immaculate Conception Catholic church and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He has a wide acquaintance and the favorable regard and warm friendship of mauy with whom he has come in contact have been freely accorded him.
HENRY RILER.
Henry Riler, a florist conducting business at No. 422 Main street in Torrington. was born in England, October 7, 1851, his parents being Robert and Hannah Riler. who spent their entire lives in England, the mother dying when her son Henry was but an infant. The father was a silk spinner by trade and worked along that line throughout his entire life.
It was in 1881 that Henry Riler came to the United States, being then thirty years of age. He had previously learned the florist business in England, beginning work along that line when a lad of fourteen years. He was married in England on the 15th of March, 1874, to Miss Frances Hayes, after which he followed railroading in England for a few years, but in 1881 he determined to try his fortune in the new world and crossed the Atlantic, making his way at once to Torrington, where he prepared a home Vol. II-15
404
WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
and the following year sent for his wife and two children who had remained in England. Mr. Riler has lived in Torrington since 1881. He worked for the Turner & Seymour Manufacturing Company for twenty-six years in the responsible position of foreman. In the meantime, while still in that position, he established his present floral business in 1907 at No. 422 Main street, where he owns a strip of land extending from Main street to the Naugatuck river and embracing a full acre right in the thickly settled section of Torrington. Since 1911 he has devoted all his attention to his business as a florist. His present greenhouse is two hundred and fifty-six feet in length by thirty-two feet in width and is by far the largest single greenhouse in Litchfield county. His resi- denee and offiee are in front of the greenhouse and constitute a most convenient property.
To Mr. and Mrs. Riler have been born five children, the two eldest having been born in England, while the three youngest are natives of Torrington. Ada. the first of the family, married James Dwan, of Torrington, but both are now deceased. The other four members of the family are: Fred, who was born in England and now works with his father; Agnes, who was born in Torrington and is the wife of James Young; Lillian. the wife of James Quigley; and Gertrude, a young lady of eighteen years, who is an expert stenographer and holds a lucrative position with the Torrington Building Company.
Mr. Riler is a member of St. Francis Roman Catholic church but his parents were of the Episcopalian faith, he joining the Catholic church after his marriage, his wife having been reared a Catholic. He has membership with the Knights of Columbus and with the Sons of St. George. In politics he is independent, voting for men and measures rather than party yet keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has never held nor desired office as a reward for party fealty. He is content to do his best as a citizen and as a man and in business affairs his course has been marked by steady progress, so that he is now at the head of a lucrative undertaking.
FRANK E. COE.
The evolution of the Naugatuck valley from an agricultural district to a great industrial community has been gradual and has elicited the efforts and cooperation of many substantial men whose enterprise and initiative have wrought splendid results, formulating a new chapter in the history of this region. Actively associated with one of the largest and most important productive industries of Torrington is Frank E. Coe, now the secretary of the Warrenton Woolen Company. Moreover, he also is prominent in community affairs as warden of his borough.
He was born in Torrington, February 1, 1872, the only son of Nelson W. Coe, who was also a native of Torrington, where for many years he engaged in business as a furniture manufacturer and dealer. He was prominent in local democratic circles and for several years served as selectman of his town, He died October 27. 1887, when fifty-one years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Caroline Workman, was born in Torrington and was a daughter of the late Samuel Workman, one of the prominent early settlers of Tor- rington. Mrs. Coe still survives and makes her home in her native town. Two children of the family are still living, Frank E, and Dr. Grace (Coe) Pulver, a retired physician of Torrington, who is the widow of Dr. Hudson J. Pulver who was a leading and influential citizen of Torrington until he met an accidental death in 1900.
Frank E. Coe was reared and educated in his native town and left school at the age of eighteen years, after which he devoted ten years to the conduct of the furniture business which had long been owned and managed by his father. In 1899 Frank E. Coc disposed of the stock of furniture and the following year entered the employ of the Warrenton Woolen Company as a sorter and grader of wool. He has since been identified with the business, in which he has steadily worked his way upward, and for the past eight years has been the secretary of the company of which he is also a stockholder and director, thus having assisted in the management of one of the largest industrial enterprises of the town.
On the 3d of April, 1895, Mr. Coe was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Ford, also a native of Torrington, and they have one son, Franklin Earl, who was born May 6, 1897, and is now a student in the Yale Sheffield Scientific School.
In his political views Mr. Coe has followed in his father's footsteps and is a recognized leader in democratic ranks. He is now serving as warden of the borough of Torrington and for two terms he had previously filled the office of burgess. He is very prominent in the Elks lodge of Torrington, of which he is a past exalted ruler, and is chairman of its board of trustees and was chairman of its building committee during the erection of the fine
FRANK E. COE
407
WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
new Elks' home in Torrington, which was completed February 29, 1916. He has served in every official capacity in his local lodge, and his record in fraternal circles, in public affairs and in business connections is a most creditable one.
MAURICE D. BERMAN, D. D. S.
Waterbury has a long list of capable and successful dentists-men who are thoroughly trained in their profession and exemplify in their practice the latest ideas and improve- ments in the science of dentistry. Such a one is Dr. Maurice D. Berman, who has his office at No. 220 North Main street. He was born at Kiev, Russia, July 15, 1875, of Hebrew parentage, being a son of David and Sarah Berman. IIe was reared and educated in his native city and there took up the study of dentistry. Following his graduation he began the practice of his profession in Kiev in 1901 and there remained until January, 1906, when, owing to the oppression of the Hebrew race in Russia and the massacres of the preceding year, together with the adoption of the obnoxious constitution of 1905, the entire Berman family, consisting of the father, mother, son and two daughters and the Doctor's wife and two children, came to the United States and established a new home in Waterbury, where all yet reside. Dr. Berman at once entered upon the practice of his profession here and soon became thoroughly estab- lished as a skilled dentist, having won success in a marked degree. However, before he began to practice he had to learn something of the English language and also to obtain the required state liceuse. All of this occupied him for a year and a half, but since 1907 he has continuously practiced and in the intervening period of ten years has occupied the same location at No. 220 North Main street, where he has a nice suite of rooms well appointed for professional work. He belongs to the Waterbury Dental Society, of which he is the treasurer, and he also has membership in the Connecticut State and National Dental Societies.
On the 25th of March, 1894, in Kiev, Russia, Dr. Berman was married to Miss Jennie Klotz, a native of Kovno, Russia, and they have four living children, Aaron L., Charlotte Z., Bernard Alfred and Robert Chester. The daughter was graduated from the New Britain State Normal School in 1917 and has accepted the position of secretary in the Margaret Croft School of Waterbury.
Dr. Berman has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for he found here a land that gives a welcome to self-respecting, law- abiding citizens. He found also that professional fiells were open and that advancement depends upon individual ability. That he possesses such ability is indicated by the success which is now his.
GEORGE E. COOK.
George E. Cook is a well known citizen of Torrington who has been actively con- nected with its public affairs. He served as assessor for four years and was first selectman for thirteen years, and the promptness and capability with which he discharged his duties made him a worthy and valued official. He was born in Harwinton, Con- necticut, January 11, 1843, and has therefore passed the seventy-fourth milestone on life's journey but would readily pass for a man of sixty years. His father was Captain Roswell Cook, a farmer, who won his title by service in the state militia. His mother bore the maiden name of Sarah Kellogg, and both parents were natives of Connecticut. In both the paternal and maternal lines George E. Cook is descended from families that have long been represented in this state. Captain Aaron Cook was probably the first of the family in New England. He settled in Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1630 on coming to the new world from England, and in 1636 he removed to Windsor, Con- necticut, whence he afterward went to Northampton, Massachusetts, and in the public life of the community he took a deep interest, serving at one time as representative from his district in the colonial assembly. Later he removed to Hadley, Massachusetts, where again he was called upon to serve as representative in the assembly. He was a man of great energy whose plans were well defined and who carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. Roswell Cook, father of Mr. Cook of this review. was born August 4, 1803, and his wife was born on the 21st of January. 1807. They
1
410
WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
the supreme body. He is also a past a past grand of Townsend Lodge, No. 89, I. O. O. F., and while the noble grand in that organization initiated one hundred and two candidates. His politieal allegianee is given to the republican party, but while well informed eoneerning the questions and issues of the day, he does not seek office, eoneentrating his energies and attention upon his business duties, which are steadily growing in volume and impor- tance.
REV. SALVATORE BONFORTI.
Rev. Salvatore Bonforti, pastor of St. Peter's Italian Roman Catholic church of Tor- rington, was born on the island of Sicily, Italy, February 25, 1881, his birthplace being the city of Collesano in the province of Palermo. He was reared in Sicily and obtained his grammar school education there. When he was thirteen years of age his parents sent him to Rome, where he began his academic studies. Ile pursued his philosophieal and eeclesiastieal studies in Cefalu and Nieosia and finished them in Rome. He was ordained to the priesthood in Cefalu, Sieily, on the 17th of December, 1904. He afterward spent three years pursuing a special course in a normal school in Palermo, Sieily, and later devoted two years to the study of pedagogy in the University of Palermo. While there pursuing his studies he acted as teacher in Isnello, province of Palermo, and from 1909 until 1914 was instruetor in the publie sehools of Palermo. He had obtained a diploma from both the normal school and the university, graduating with first honors from the former. In the meantime, or in 1894, his parents had removed to the United States and for several years lived in New York eity, where his father, John Bonforti, followed the profession of teaching instrumental music. Before leaving Sieily he had been an organist of his town and leader of a band. He spent his remaining days in New York eity there passing away in 1905. Subsequently his widow removed to Ansonia, Connecticut, and afterward to Hartford.
In 1914 Rev. Salvatore Bonforti, who had remained in Italy all these years, deeided to visit his mother. Mrs. Bliza (Bontani) Bonforti, who was then in Hartford, and his older brother, the Rev. Doctor Francis Bonforti, who was then and is yet pastor of St. Anthony's Roman Catholic church of Hartford. He also had two sisters, Angelina and Mary, who were residents of Hartford at that time. Rev. Salvatore Bonforti eame to visit his people only for the vaeation period, intending to return in time to begin his year's sehool work and again live with his sister Sarah, of Palermo, but during his visit Bishop John J. Nilan, of Hartford, appointed him pastor of St. Peter's Roman Catholic parish in Tor- rington, and he decided to aeeept. He then removed to this city and has served St. Peter's Italian church ever sinee. His first mass in this parish was celebrated on September 27, 1914. He is the third pastor of this ehureh. It is a new parish, having been established in 1908, when Father Joachim Martinez beeame its first pastor. Its second pastor was Rev. Anthony Rizzo. Father Bonforti is a highly edueated man, splendidly fitted for work both in the sehoolroom and in the pulpit. When in Rome he frequently saw Pope Leo and had an audienee with Pope Pius X.
WILLIAM C. LANGLEY.
Nature seems to have planned out life's activities. Youth is imbued with undaunted courage, hope and energy. With later years comes more mature judgment directing the forces which youth has developed and if time and talent are wisely used there will be seeured that success which enables the individual in his later years of life to rest from its heavier activities. Such is the record of William C. Langley, who after long eonncetion with eom- inercial interests of Waterbury, is now living retired, enjoying the competence which his previous labors have brought him.
A native of Newport, Rhode Island, he was born December 20, 1846, a son of William C. and Margaret (Sherman) Langley. both of whom were natives of Newport, the latter being a descendant of Governor Wanton of Rhode Island. The paternal grandfather, John S. Langley, was a son of John Langley, one of the first settlers of Newport and a cooper by trade, engaged in making barrels for whalers. He had five or six sons, who became associated in the business with him. John S. Langley continned in the cooperage trade. William C. Langley turned his attention to merehant tailoring and outfitted the midshipmen
WILLIAM C. LANGLEY
413
WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
during the Civil War. While hostilities between the north and south were in progress an auxiliary regiment of boys and young men was formed as a training camp and William C. Langley of this review was commissioned major of the Rhode Island Detached Militia by Governor James Y. Smith and was made lieutenant colonel by Governor (also General) Ambrose E. Burnside, but did not see active service. At the time of the inauguration of Governor Sprague this organization was the only military escort for the chief executive.
Mr. Langley had a high school education and afterward entered the Newport Bank, while eventually he became teller of the Newport National Bank. Subsequently he was with the National Eagle Bank of Boston as teller, there remaining until March 13, 1872, and upon leaving that institution appreciation of his worth and merit was manifest in the gift of a three hundred and fifty dollar gold watch, which he has since carried and which yet keeps perfect time. Leaving Boston, he went to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and became general freight agent for the Grand Rapids, Newaygo & Lake Shore Railroad, built by James W. Converse, of Boston. After two years he returned to Boston and entered the carpet business with his father-in-law, the scope of the business being later extended to include furniture as well as carpets. He gained experience and success in that undertaking and in 1904 he came to Waterbury, where he opened a general furniture and carpet store at Nos. 144-8 South Main street. The undertaking prospered from the beginning and for thirteen years he continued actively in the business, conducting one of the oldest establish- ments of its kind in Connecticut. His well dirceted energy brought him success and in 1917 he retired, so that he is not actively connected with any business at the present time.
On the 17th of October, 1872, Mr. Langley was married to Miss Emily J. Harris, a daughter of William G. and Julia (Lane) Harris, of Boston, the former a carpet and furniture dealer of that city, with whom Mr. Langley gained his initial experience in that field. In 1906 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away leaving a husband and three sons. Harris Wanton, the eldest, married Inez North, of Malden, Massachusetts, and has two children, Florence N. and Ruth Sherman. Walter Sherman, who is engaged in the furniture business in St. Paul, Minnesota, wedded Miram (Carroll) of Minneapolis, and has one child, Emily J. Artur Hooper, a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology now in business with his father, married Margaret J. Speer. of Newport and has one son William C. III. All of the sons are graduates of the Malden high school.
Mr. Langley built his fine residence at 253 Columbia boulevard. He usually votes with the republican party but maintains a somewhat independent course, casting his ballot accord- ing to the dictates of his judgment rather than at the dictation of party leaders. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and he attends the Episcopal church. His has been an active and well spent life which brought him to a position of success and honor in business circles and has gained for him the high regard and confidence of all with whom he as come in contact in a social way.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.