USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 48
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John Workman, whose name introduces this review, has been identified with the Warrenton Woolen Company during the greater part of his active business life, has been one of its directors since his father's death in 1879 and succeeded to the presidency of the company upon the death of his brother George in 1909. This is the only woolen industry in Torrington and is one of the oldest manufacturing interests of the town. It was estab- lished in 1844 and for a half century was conducted under the name of the Union Manu- facturing Company, the present name being adopted in 1894. The original plant was destroyed by fire in 1849 and was supplanted by a building twice its size. This, too, was burned in 1856, when new mills were erected on the old site. This property was sold to the American Brass Company and a larger and much more modern plant was erected in 1908 in the north end of the borongh. The company not only uses water power derived from the river but also has a steam power plant. The building has at all times been fully equipped with modern machinery and all of the work is done from the time the raw wool is received
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mother afterward passed away. Mr. Cook later wedded Rebecca Williams, a daughter of Henry Williams, also of Wallingford, and to them were born four daughters: Carrie C., who became the wife of Horace E. Baldwin, of Naugatuck, who is now connected with the J. M. Page Company; Nellie M., who became the wife of W. P. Clark, of Naugatuck; Leafie B., the wife of W. H. Miner, of Naugatuck; and Matty. R., the wife of Frank R. Squires, of Naugatuck. After losing his second wife Mr. Page wedded Miss Sarah C. Williams, a daughter of Henry Williams and a great-great gratul laughter of Colonel William Douglass, who was born in Plainfield, Connecticut, January "> 1742. He was very active in the Revolutionary war, raising a regiment, of which he was given command. He sacrificed his life and fortune for his connotry.
Mr. Page was a very prominent and honered member of the Masonic fraternity. He belonged to Corinthian Lodge, No. 103, F. & A M. Allerton Chapter, No. 39, R. A. M., Water- bury Council, No. 21, R. & S. M., Clark Commandery, No. 7, K. T., Doric Lodge of Perfection, No. 14, A. & A. S. R., Tonic Council, No. 16, of the Princes of Jerusalem, and Lafayette Con- sistory, in which he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He was also a member of Pyramid Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and of Fren, men Chapter. No. 22, O. E. S. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and '. was agam and again called upon to serve in positions of publi honor and trust. Je we turn treasurer for more than a decade and in 1898 was elected to the state legislature !! hb. was reelected in 1900. It proved an able member of the general assembly, carefully considering the vital questions which came my for settlement and adding the weight of his Home wherever he believed the best interests of the commonwealth would be conserved. i nearly twenty years he was senior warden in St. Michael's Episcopal parish and when We passed away August 24, 1999 la hit ty los family the priceless heritage of an unta wished name and his memory is euch need in the hearts of all who knew him.
JOHN WORKMAN.
John Workman is one of the most valued and honored residents of Torrington, where he has spent his entire life. Born on the 10th of January. 1838, he is now in his eightieth year, yet he is still active and vigorous and is the oldest living male member of the Work- ap fsnit o wine. in Torrington, where the family has long been represented. He is, po To the Three oldest, of Torrington's native citizens. His father, Samuel workman, was born in England and on coming to the United States in 1836 at once took up his abone in Torrington where he passed away in 1979, at the age of three score years and ten, his birth having orenread in 1509. Throughout His active career he was identified with the Warrenton Woolen Company and from 1850 well as dath was one of its directors. He married Caroline Franklun, also a native of England r what country their wedding was celebrated and their two eldest children were born on to Merrie Isk before the family emigrated to the new world. These two are Anna, who is still a resident of Torrington, and George D. Workman, who died in June, 1909. He becan identified with the Warrenton Woolen Company in 1865 and was long the executive head of the business, filling the office of president. He ranked with the leading business men of his town, being president of the Torrington Electric Light Con pany up to the time of his deatl, while of the Torrington National Bank he was the first president. He was also a director of the Turner & Seymour Manufacturing Company and in community affairs he took a deep and helpful interest, serving for many years on the board of burgesses, to which office he was called when Torrington became a borough. A complete record of George Workman appears elsewhere in this work.
John Workman, whose name introduces this review, has been identified with the preston Woolen Company during the greater part of his active business life, has been one o of rertors since his father's death in 1879 and succeeded to the presidency of the ausgang upon the death of his brother George in 1909. This is the only woolen industry in Forrington and is one of the oldest manufacturing interests of the town. It was estab- ished in 184+ and for a half century was conducted under the name of the Union Manu- metering Company the present name being adopted in 1894. The original plant was destroyed by fire in 1849 and was supplanted by a bundiry twice its size. This, too, was burned in 1856, wie w . mille were erected on the old site. This property was sold to the American Brass ( grant and a larger and which near modern plant was erected in 1908 in the north end of the harough. The company not only uses water power derived from the river but and has & the power plant. The building has at all times been fully equipped with modern machnary and all of the work is done from the time the raw wool is received
John Workman
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until the finished fabric is placed upon the market. The company makes a specialty of manu- facturing uniform and carriage cloths, especially cloth for use of the uniforms worn by army officers, and the sales are made through the company's store in New York. The business is capitalized for three hundred and fifty thousand dollars and nearly one hundred people are employed. John Workman also became his brother's successor as president of the electric light company and is president of the Workman-Rawlinson Company, retail furniture dealers, a large concern. He has long figured prominently in the business cireles of the city, being an important factor in some of the leading industrial and manufacturing interests of Torrington. He possesses the spirit of industry and of enterprise which has always been characteristic of the family and has made the name of Workman a synonym for business progressiveness in the Naugatuck valley.
On the 23d of October, 1861, Mr. Workman was married to Miss Sylvia E. Hamm, who passed away October 26, 1916, after a happy married life of more than fifty-five years. They had celebrated their golden wedding October 23, 1911, an occasion made memorable by the many attractive gifts presented them and more than all by the spirit of friendship and regard which was manifest on that occasion. They became the parents of two daughters who reached young womanhood, but both passed away.
Mr. Workman is a member of Trinity Episcopal church, of which he has been senior warden for several years, and he has been one of its vestrymen for a much longer period. In politics he has always maintained an independent course. For over fifty years he has been a member of Seneca Lodge, No. 55, A. F. & A. M., and is also a member of the Tor- rington Club. He is serving on the board of the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and he is interested in many charitable and benevolent projects, cooperating heartily with all those forces which work for the uplift of the individual and the betterment of the community. There is no phase of Torrington's development through eight decades of which he has not been a witness and to a large extent he has been a cooperant factor in all those forces and movements which have worked for the upbuilding and progress of the city.
THE HOMER D. BRONSON COMPANY.
The Homer D. Bronson Company was organized in Waterbury, 1887, by Homer D. Bronson, and the business was removed to Beacon Falls in 1893. The company then built a factory on the site of the old Coe tannery. Today it produces continuous hinges and butts of all kinds, making a specialty of those adapted for use on pianos and automobiles, and does special metal stamping to order.
In 1909 the business was purchased from the Bronson family by J. H. Woodward of Waterbury and his associates. Mr. Woodward was president of the company until his death in 1915. Carlisle B. Tuttle was then elected president, and with Willis M. Hall, vice president, and Howard S. White, secretary, are the officers today.
The buildings are of brick with mill construction, and have automatic sprinklers throughout. The product is sold direct to the consumer.
EDWIN H. FROST.
Edwin H. Frost, president and treasurer of the Thomaston Knife Company, was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1874, a son of George H. and Louisa (Hunt) Frost, who were natives of Canada and New York city, respectively. The former was born in Ontario, July 9, 1838. his parents being Ebenezer and Caroline (Harwood) Frost, who were residents of Ver- mont and of Puritan descent. George H. Frost was reared in his native country and was graduated from McGill University in Montreal in 1860 with the Civil Engineer's degree, being a member of the first class to be graduated from that institution. He followed his profes- sion for a number of years, being actively engaged in survey work in the west in an early day. Becoming a resident of Chicago, he there gave his attention to land surveying and railway engineering until 1874, when he established Engineering News, a scientific paper which has been of the greatest value in professional circles. In 1878 he removed his paper to New York, where it is still being published. He continued active in its management and control until 1911, when he sold to the Hill Publishing Company. He was city surveyor in Chicago at the time of the great fire in 1871. and while occupying that position he laid out many of Chicago's chief suburbs. Engineering News, of which he was the promoter.
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was the first authoritative publication of the kind in the country. Since 1917 it has been published under the name of the Engineering News-Record. In addition to being the presi- dent of the Engineering News Publishing Company, Mr. Frost was also president of the Courier News Publishing Company of Plainfield, New Jersey, and he there continued his residence until his death, which occurred in March, 1917. He ranked very high in profes- sional and scientific circles, was an associate member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers, and was made an honorary member of the Engineering Societies of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Illinois and Ohio. He belonged to the Plainfield Country Club of Plainfield, New Jersey, and he gave his political allegiance to the republican party.
On the 3d of December, 1868, George Henry Frost was married to Miss Louisa Hunt, of Chicago. Their son, Charles H., is now the owner of the Courier-News of Plainfield, New Jersey, which is the leading daily of that place. The mother survives and is now a resident of Plainfield.
Edwin H. Frost attended private and public schools of Canada and later of New York and of New Jersey. He became associated with his father in the publication of Engineering News and was thus active from 1891 until 1907. In the latter year he purchased a farm in Litchfield county, Connecticut. Since 1912 he has been the president and treasurer of the Thomaston Knife Company, which was founded in 1883. This company employs about sixty- five hands.
In 1902 Edwin H. Frost was married to Miss S. Marguerite Scribner, of Yonkers, New York, a daughter of Gilbert Hilton and Sarah (Pettingill) Scribner. Her father was born in Monroe county, New York, June 23, 1831, a son of Sewell B. Scribner. He was graduated from Oberlin College of Ohio and studied law under the Hon. Daniel B. Taylor, of New York. He then engaged in law practice from 1856 until 1868 and the following year was connected with the law-making interests of the Empire state as a member of the general assembly. He served as secretary of state of New York from 1870 until 1873 and thus left the impress of his individuality upon the policy of the Empire state. He became vice president of the Central Park North and East River Railroad Company, serving from 1873 until 1880, after which he occupied the presidency of that company for thirteen years. He was president of the Palisades Bank of Yonkers, New York in 1863, and he was also a director of the Bank of New Amsterdam from its organization until 1893. He was also a trustee of the Rochester Theological Seminary from 1871 until 1878. The nature of his broad interests and of his scientific attainments is indicated in the fact that he held membership in the British Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the New York Geographical Society, the New York Academy of Anthropology and was president of the Fortnightly Club for the Study of Anthropology from 1888 until 1910. He was also a member of the Society of American Authors, of the New York Society for the Preservation of Scenic and Historic Places and held membership in the New York Union League Club from 1866. His political allegiance was given to the whig party until its dissolution and upon the organization of the new republican party he joined its ranks and remained one of its stalwart champions until his demise. He was president of the Young Men's State Republican Association in 1870 and his efforts were a potent force in advancing the success of the party. That his interests were of a still broader character is indicated in the fact that he was the president of the New York Skin and Cancer Hospital from 1883 until 1887. His authorship included a monogram entitled "Where Did Life Begin," published in 1883. and in this he was the first to originate, formulate and defend the theory of the circumpolar origin of life, which twenty years later has been confirmed in many ways, particularly by the discovery of fossil remains in the Eocene deposits of Wyoming. He was the author of phamplets on taxation of corporate property issued be- tween 1880 and 1890 and he was an occasional contributor to the Popular Science Monthly, now the Scientific Monthly, his first articles therein appearing in 1883. He passed away at his home, Inglehurst, at Yonkers, New York, in 1910, while his wife died August 16, 1909. Their daughter, Mrs. Frost, has traveled extensively abroad with her family, visiting all parts of the European continent, and since 1897 she has been a member of the Club of Anthropology of Yonkers, New York. She takes a very deep interest in scientific matters and her reading and study have been broad and comprehensive. She is president of the Thomaston Equal Suffrage League and she has spoken in the east and middle west on suffrage and evolution. She is also a designer of book plates, her work receiving favorable mention both in this country and abroad. She belongs to the Episcopal church, while Mr. Frost holds membership in the Presbyterian church. Her poetic talent is well illustrated, while the sublimity of her thought is also splendidly expressed in a poem entited "The Woman's Toll," which is herewith appended.
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"God sat on His throne and looked down on war; And He said to each warrior soul, As it soared on its way to His merey seat To suppliant kneel at His radiant feet, 'Have ye taken the woman's toll ?
'Or ever ye gathered in high debate, And judged ye would seore with blood, Did ye reekon the price that she paid, perforce, The price that ye took as a matter of course, That your purposes might hold good ?
'Did ye think of the woman of early days, Who was held for her charms, or toil, -- The bearer of burdens, the ehattel, the slave --- Who knew not the pitiful peace of the grave, Sinee her value ran high as spoil?
'Have ye seen the lean tongues of the rooftree flames,- Or the beast at the loose-hung door, That the bands of the woman must hold at bay, Till, little by little, the shelter gives way- While the lords of the carth wage war?
'Yea, famine and pestilence, carnage, lust, She gives tribute to each and all- And an anguish of mind that is hard repressed Lest she fail at the last. Have ye laid her to rest With the flag for her funeral pall?
'If, wearied with waiting, she sometimes strikes, In a war she had made her own- Her shield is unerimsoned; for eause less just The seats of the mighty have bitten the dust, And the dead as the grass are sown.
'The worker, the tender, she builds the home, She is ereature of peace always: Her bread it is ashes, her drink is gore- She hath not a voice in the making of war, But in every age she pays.
'Ye grant her no place in your couneil-ring, For she earries not arms, nor fights; But mother and wife, she is Keeper of Life- Ye pillage her charge for the roll call of strife, Ye have stolen her guardian rights.'
Then the Lord God summoned Ilis Soldier Son, Christ Jesus, the Unafraid, Who challenged the world with each wondrous word, Who fought to the death with the spirit's strong sword, Unconquered and undismayed.
He said to him: 'Search thon in every land, And walk thou on earth today, Through hell-gates of war where the foemen meet, In battlefield, hospital, village and street, And heed well what the women say.
'Then eome thou to me by the eventide, With word from the women of earth; To bring forth a life they must close with death- Each rides by herself, in the dark, on a breatlı- And God knows that they know Life's worth.'
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God turned to the warriors: 'Wait the count: For I say to you, every soul, The thing that ye took was not yours to take; To the Lord High God ye your answer must make; Ye shall pay for the woman's toll.'"
CHARLES J. PIERPONT.
Charles J. Pierpont, engaged in the real estate business in Waterbury, in which con- nection he enjoys a large clientage, is equally well known in connection with the social and moral activities of the city, where he was born on the 9th of February, 1847, a son of Charles J. and Mary A. (Warner) Pierpont, who were also natives of Waterbury. He traces his ancestry back to John Pierpont, who was born in London, England, in 1619 and settled near Boston in 1640. Another ancestor, the Rev. James Pierpont, was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, January 4, 1659, and was graduated from Harvard College in 1681. He became the first pastor of the church in New Haven and was one of the ten founders of Yale College. He wedded Mary Hooker, a granddaughter of Rev. Thomas Hooker, who was one of the founders of the city of Hartford.
Charles J. Pierpont was educated in the East Farms district schools, in the schools of Cheshire and in the high school of Waterbury. His textbooks were put aside when he reached the age of eighteen years and he then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed until 1868. In that year he turned his attention to farming and devoted four and one-half years to general agricultural pursuits. In 1873 he became foreman for the Holmes, Booth & Haydens Company, with which he was associated for fourteen years or until 1887. In that year he entered the employ of Floyd B. Smith, a prominent contractor, in the capacity of bookkeeper, and so continued until 1891, when he was called to the position of eity water inspector, in which capacity he continuously, efficiently an acceptably served until 1906. It was in that year that Mr. Pierpont turned his attention to the real estate and insurance business on his own account and has since continued in this line. He has comprehensive knowledge of everything connected with the business and from the beginning the undertaking has proved a great success, he having an extensive clientele.
On the 23d of February, 1873, Mr. Pierpont was united in marriage to Miss Juliet M. Bolster, a daughter of Colonel Levi Bolster and a representative of one of the old families of Maine that furnished several heroes to the Revolutionary war. They have one child, Anna H., who is living with her father. The wife and mother passed away December 15, 1912, and was laid to rest in Pine Grove cemetery, her death being deeply regretted by many friends as well as by her immediate family. In her own household she was a devoted wife and mother and faithful to every duty that devolved upon her.
Mr. Pierpont is a very active and helpful member of the Trinity Episcopal church and was one of its twenty charter members. For forty years he has served as one of its vestrymen ; has been a delegate to the diocesan committees for the past twenty-five years; and withholds his aid and support from no movement or plan that will promote the growth of the church and extend its influence. He has membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen and he is one of the charter members of the Church Club. Politically- he is a democrat where national issues are involved but in town elections easts an independent ballot. He stands for progress and improvement in all things and his influence has ever been on the side of material, intellectual and moral development.
JAMES F. CARMODY, D. D. S.
Embracing his opportunities for advancement along business lines and actuated at all times by a laudable ambition, Dr. James F. Carmody is now successfully engaged in the practice of dentistry in Waterbury, where he opened an office in February, 1916. He is also well known in musical circles, displaying marked ability as a violinist. A native of Water- bury, he is a son of the late Maurice F. Carmody, who passed away August 23, 1916. The father was at various times the incumbent in official positions in this city, serving as school auditor, as first selectman, as probation officer for the district and as court and deputy sheriff and constable. He was also engaged in the real estate and fire insurance business in Waterbury for thirty-nine years prior to his demise.
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES J. PIERPONT
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Dr. Carmody was a pupil in the public schools of Waterbury, being graduated from the Crosby high school with the elass of 1899. Early manifesting marked musical talent, his gift in that direction was developed and for several years he devoted his life to the art of music as a violinist. From 1907 until 1910 he was employed as a violinist at Atlantic City each summer and while pursuing his studies in preparation for the practice of dentistry he played first violin in the college orchestra. Ile was graduated from the Philadelphia Dental College with the class of 1910 and opened an office in Philadelphia, where he remained in active practice until February, 1916, when he returned to Waterbury and established his office at 108 Bank street. He has all the latest equipment necessary for successful dental practice and displays marked skill and ingenuity in his professional work.
Dr. Carmody holds membership in St. Margaret's Roman Catholic church and fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Columbus and also with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He resides with his widowed mother in the family home in Waterbury and be has five sisters who are also residents of this city.
JOHN M. PAGE COMPANY.
The Jolin M. Page Company is one of the leading hardware, sheet metal and plumbing establishments of the Naugatuck valley, the business being located in the borough of Naugatuck. It was incorporated February 1, 1913, and was the outcome of the business long conducted by John M. Page. The officers at that time were: Mrs. Leafie P. Miner, president; Mrs. Nellie P. Clarke, vice president; Mrs. Mattie P. Squires, secretary; and H. P. Baldwin, treasurer and manager. These still occupy their respective positions. The ladies are all daughters of John M. Page, who was the founder of the business and who continued active in its control until his death, which occurred in September, 1912. The store was first located on Water street in Naugatuck but in 1891 was removed to its present location at Nos. 175-185 Church street, occupying a building eighty by eighty feet, three stories in height with basement. This is one of the largest establishments of the kind in the Nauga- tuck valley and the business methods of the house commend it to a liberal patronage.
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