USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 53
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evidence in his career that at all times he has been actuated by a laudable ambition to progress. He was fourteen years of age when he secured a position with L. B. Tucker, a butcher of Middlebury, with whom he remained for seven years, and this again is indicative of one of his strong characteristics-his faithfulness to an employer and his marked industry. It has been by reason of these qualities that he has been able to keep his positions for so long a period. While thus employed he studied nights and learned to read and write, thus rendering negligible his lack of early education. He is today a well informed business man, having learned many valuable lessons in the school of experi- ence, while reading and observation have taught him much. On the 19th of January, 1876, Mr. Freeman was able to purchase the business of his employer. The following year he removed his shop to Millville, Connecticut, and in 1887 established his business in Naugatuck. where he has since remained, covering a period of thirty years, save that for seven years he was engaged in the wholesale meat business in Waterbury. He is widely known in Naugatuck and is the oldest buteher engaged in business in the borough.
On the 19th of October, 1876, Mr. Freeman was united in marriage to Miss Mary Frances Bocth, a native of Astoria, Long Island. Their children were: a son who died in infancy; and Eleanor, who became the wife of John Butler and passed away in 1910, leaving a son, William John, who was born April 11, 1908, and lives with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Freeman.
Mr. Freeman is well known as a faithful representative of Masonry and also has membership with the Improved Order of Red Men, the Knights of Pythias and the Hay- makers. His wife is a member of the Congregational church. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he has served for one term as third selectman, making an excellent record in office, for it is characteristic of him to prove loyal to any trust reposed in him. He certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished and is a self-made man who as the architect of his own fortunes has builded wisely and well.
EDMUND J. DALY.
Edmund J. Daly, president of M. J. Daly & Sons, contractors and jobbers in heating, power, sanitary plumbing, automatic sprinklers, boilers, smoke stacks and mill supplies, belongs to that substantial class of citizens who through close application, indefatigable effort and reliability have aided largely in developing manufacturing interests of Water- bury, where he has made his home since 1882. Ile was born in Baltic, Connecticut, in 1870, a son of M. J. and Ellen (Collins) Daly. The father, a native of South Norwalk, was practically throughout his entire life engaged in the heating business. He had been reared to the ocupation of farming and followed that pursuit at Baltic in early life. Nature endowed him with marked musical talent and he became a fine cornetist. He went to Manchester for Cheney Brothers, and there engaged to play in a band. It was while thus devoting his attention to musical interests there that he took up the heating business. He was, however, always very much interested in music, both vocal and instru- mental, and his superior powers in that direction enabled him to contribute to the pleasure of many occasions. With his removal to Waterbury in 1882 he established business on his own account and with the passing years developed the enterprise which is now con- ducted under the style of M. J. Daly & Sons. This he incorporated in 1902 and left to his family a substantial business when in 1906 he was called to the home beyond.
Edmund J. Daly acquired a public school education in Hartford, to which city the family removed in 1872, and in Waterbury, where he attended high school. When his text- books were put aside he joined his father in business and has since been identified with the interests which he is now controlling as president of M. J. Daly & Sons. Under his father's direction he thoroughly mastered the various branches of the business and upon the incorporation in 1902 he was inade vice president of the company, succeeding to the presidency upon the death of his father in 1906. His brothers are his associate officers in the company, which has won a creditable position in its field, securing large contracts for the installation of heating and power plants, of sanitary plumbing and automatic sprinkling systems in many of the largest manufacturing establishments not only of Water- bury but of New England, while various Canadian contracts have also been accorded them. In addition to his manufacturing interests Mr. Daly has become a director of the Water- bury Trust Company.
In 1890 occurred the marriage of E. J. Daly and Miss Catherine Guilfoile, of Water- bury, and they have become parents of four children. Lauretta. a graduate of Notre Dame,
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is the wife of R. F. Vickers, of Waterbury, and they have one son, Edmund Daly. M. J., who is now connected with M. J. Daly & Sons, wedded Mary Fletcher and is a resident of New Haven. He is a graduate of Villanova College. Edmund J. is attending the Water- bury Business College. Grace, who completes the family, is a student at Notre Dame. The family are communicants of the Immaculate Conception Catholic church and Mr. Daly has membership with the Knights of Columbus. He belongs also to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a member of the Waterbury Club. He shares in the musical talent of the family and turns to that art for much of his recreation.
HARRY B. OLSON.
Harry B. Olson, a druggist of Naugatuck, his native city. was born August 4, 1883, a son of N. A. and Hannah (Pierson) Olson, both of whom are natives of Sweden, the father having been born in Halland and the mother in Skane. They came to Naugatuck in carly life and were married here. The father is a gardener and has always followed that business.
Harry B. Olson acquired a public school education in Naugatuck and on starting out in the business world entered the employ of the Naugatuck Drug Company, with which he remained for eleven years, thoroughly learning the business in principle and detail. He gradually worked his way upward. winning promotion, and in September. 1910, he opened a drug store of his own at No. 98 Bridge street in Union City. He has since conducted the business and has made it a profitable concern. There have been no spectacular phases in his career, but industry and energy have constituted the salient features in his busi- ness record. He has worked earnestly and persistently, actuated at all times by the landable desire to engage in business for himself, and since establishing his store, his close application and capable management have brought him a substantial measure of prosperity
On the 30th of October, 1907, Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Ella Casper. a native of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. and a daughter of Michael and Alice Casper, who in 1899 removed from the Keystone state to Connecticut and became residents of Naugatuck. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have two children. Harry B., Jr., and Lois Ella. Mr. Olson belongs to the Knights of Pythias and also to the Improved Order of Red Men. He is likewise con- nected with the Svea Order of Vasa. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Salem Lutheran church, while his political views are not hampered by party ties, as he maintains an independent policy. He stands for progressiveness in public affairs, however, and his aid and influence are always on the side of right, progress, reform and improvement.
HUGH W. CRONIN.
Hugh W. Cronin, postmaster of Torrington, was born in Waterbury, September 20, 1873. His father, John Cronin, a native of Ireland, spent nineteen years in the city of London, England, before coming to the United States. Crossing the Atlantic in 1861, he lived in Waterbury for a short period and then removed to Torrington, which at that time was called Wolcottville. Subsequently he returned to Waterbury and was there residing at the time of the birth of his son Hugh. During the infancy of the latter. however, he removed to Washington. Connecticut, and on the 27th of June, 1887, returned to Torrington, where he spent his remaining days. When a youth in the city of London he learned the boot and shoemaker's trade, which at that time was considered one of the best trades that a boy could learn. He was afterward employed along that line in Waterbury, in Washington and in Torrington. but with the invention of shoe-making machinery his trade was ruined and he turned his attention to gardening, following that pursuit until he passed away in Torrington in April. 1904. He was married in Waterbury, Connectient. to Nora Kane, who was also born in Ireland and came to the United States with a sister when six years of age. She passed away July 2. 1900. In the family are two sons and a daughter, the latter being Miss Nora Cronin. of Greenwich, Connecticut, while the sons are: Michael Gronin, of Kansas; and Hugh W., of this review.
The last named spent his early boyhood in Washington, Connecticut, but has lived in Torrington continuously since 1887. He acquired a good academic education and at the age of seventeen years he quit school and learned the trades of machinist and toolmaker at the
HUGH W. CRONIN
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plant of the Hendey Machine Company of Torrington. For sixteen years or until 1906 he followed his trade. From 1906 until 1912 he was borough clerk of Torrington and for two years he was solicitor for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. On the 6th of March, 1914, he was appointed postmaster by President Woodrow Wilson and took the office on the 24th of that month. For many years he had been actively interested in democratic politics and he was the democratie registrar of voters for twelve years prior to the time that he became postmaster. He also occupied the position of justice of the peace for several years and was Torrington's leading trial justice, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial. Mr. Cronin has the distinction of being one of the ablest parliamentarians in this section of Connecticut and is a close student of that subject. He is also an able debater of more than local reputation. In addition to his other interests and duties he is a director of the Torrington Trust Company.
On the 29th of April, 1898, Mr. Cronin was married to Miss Katherine Dodd. of Torrington, Connecticut, a native of Massachusetts. They have two sons: Willim J., who was born June 14, 1901; and Hugh M., born March 29, 1908.
Mr. Cronin has membership in St. Francis Catholic church. also with the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is a past chief ranger of Court Washington, No. 67, of the Foresters of America, is a past president of Division No. 1 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and is a member of the St. Francis Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society. In a word, his activities and interests are on the side of those things which work for individual nplift and for community betterment. He is proving a capable official and stands as a high type of American manhood and chivalry.
HENRY E. STOUGHTON.
Henry E. Stoughton, secretary and treasurer of the Thomaston Savings Bank, is a, native of Plymouth, Connecticut, and a son of E. Cornelius Stoughton, a brother of George A. Stoughton. His father was a farmer and dairyman and also a coal dealer and became one of the early business men of Thomaston.
Henry E. Stoughton acquired a public school education, supplemented by a year's study in a preparatory school at New Haven. He was seventeen years of age when he became connected with the Thomaston Savings Bank, of which he was made the secretary and treasurer in 1895. Ile has since continued in this position, covering a period of twenty-two years, and the success of the institution is attributable in large measure to his administrative direction, his executive force and his comprehensive knowledge of the banking business in all its phases.
In 1913 Mr. Stoughton was married to Miss Linda Richardson, of Taunton, Massa- chusetts, and their children are Richardson and Hooker. Mr. Stoughton is a member of the Congregational church. Ilis political endorsement is given to the republican party and he served for one term as a member of the state legislature. He is interested in all those activities which relate to the progress and welfare of the community, common- wealth and country.
JEREMIAH M. DALY.
Jeremiah M. Daly is treasurer of the firm of M. J. Daly & Sons, conducting a heating, power and sanitary plumbing business, also handling automatic sprinklers, boilers and smoke stacks and jobbing in mill supplies. Entering into active connection with this business when a youth of sixteen years, Jeremiah M. Daly has bent his energies to the mastery of the trade in every particular and since 1902 has been one of the officials of the company. He was born in Manchester, Connecticut, December 25, 1872, and is a son of M. J. Daly, mentioned elsewhere in this work. Having acquired a public school educa- tion, he attended the Harrington Business College of Waterbury and when a youth of sixteen years started in business with his father, his work being that of drafting and laying out the plans for the shop. He was thus engaged from 1888 until the death of his father in 1906. The business was incorporated in 1902. at which time he was made secretary of the company. The present officers are: E. J. Daly, president; M. J. Daly, secretary; and J. M. Daly, treasurer; with H. V. Daly as a director. Thorough training under the direction of their father enabled the brothers at his death to assume active
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control and management and they have since developed the business according to modern standards and the spirit of present day enterprise.
On the 19th of September, 1894, Mr. Daly was united in marriage to Miss Sadie F. Green, of Waterbury, a daughter of William Green, and they have two children, Helen V. and Marion. Both daughters have received liberal educational training and are accomplished pianists. Mr. Daly has long figured prominently in musical circles and has throughout life been a student of music. For years he has been a well known choir singer, connected with the choirs of Sacred Heart, St. Francis Xavier and St. Patrick's churches and now with St. Margaret's Catholic church. In politics he is independent and fraternally he is con- nected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He belongs to the Waterbury Country Club, but his interest outside of business centers in music and his talent has been a contributing factor to the enjoyment of others in large degree.
DARIUS L. DICKINSON.
Darius L. Dickinson, who stood as a man among men, honored by reason of his busi- ness enterprise and integrity and his loyalty and devotion in citizenship, was born in Middlesex county, Connecticut, on the 6th of August, 1846, at the home of his parents, Warren and Esther Dickinson in Haddam. The father was a ship builder by occupation and both he and his wife were for many years residents of Haddam.
Darius L. Diekinson spent his boyhood days upon a farm and divided his time between the work of the fields and attendance at the district schools. On the 8th of December, 1863, when but seventeen years of age, he responded to the country's call and enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of Company G, First Regiment of Connecticut Heavy Artillery, under Major George L. Sargent. He continued with his command until after the close of hostilities and was honorably discharged at Fort Ellsworth, Virginia, on the 25th of September, 1865. He then returned home, where he remained until 1866, when he came to Waterbury and obtained a position at carpentering, to which he devoted a brief period. He then accepted a position as clerk in the store of Sherman Fenn, with whom he remained for several years, after which he purchased the store of Mr. Fenn and conducted the business on his own account on Bank street. Some time later he removed to West Main street, where he continued for a considerable period, and while conducting business there he admitted his son, Arthur L., to a partnership. They broadened their interests to include the sale of flour, grain and feed and developed a business of extensive and gratifying proportions, with which Mr. Diekinson was connected until his demise. He closely watched every indication pointing to success, carefully and wisely directed his commercial interests and as the years passed on built up a business of very desirable proportions. Hc possessed great energy and enterprise and whatever he under- took was successfully accomplished, for in his vocabulary there was no such word as fail.
Mr. Dickinson purchased the residence on Euclid avenue in Waterbury now occupied by his widow and there he spent his remaining days, his death occurring June 19, 1906, after which his remains were interred in Riverside cemetery. He was a man well known in the business circles of Waterbury, where he was noted for his honesty and his sterling character. He was temperate in his habits, was ever a loyal and progressive citizen and at all times stood for those activities and interests which are a matter of civic virtue and of eivia pride. In politics he was a stanch republican but never an office secker. He held membership in Continental Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Waterbury, and was a faithful follower of the teachings of the craft. He also belonged to Wadhams Post. G. A. R., of Waterbury, and to the subordinate lodge and the encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a trustee of the Odd Fellows Home at New London and at all times he was loyal to the purposes of these different organizations. He likewise held membership in the Chatfield Guard and he attended the Second Congregational church. Something of the high esteem in which he was uniformly held is indicated by the fact that the Rev. John N. Lewis of St. John's Episcopal church and the Rev. Dr. John G. Davenport of the Second Congregational church conducted the services. Judged from the standpoint of a citizen, a business man, a friend and also from the standpoint of a husband and father, his life measured up to the highest standards. Those who knew him, and he had a wide acquaintance, honored him because of his sterling worth and his many traits of character.
In Waterbury Mr. Dickinson was united in marriage by the Rev. Joseph A. Bailey, a Baptist minister, on the 19th of May, 1868, to Miss Margaret Lewis. who was born in
DARIUS L. DICKINSON
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North Wales, a daughter of Evan and Margaret (Evans) Lewis. Mrs. Dickinson is a lady of many admirable traits. She possesses patience and fortitude, together with a firm Christian hope in the future. Her trials and sorrows have been many, for she has been called upon to mourn the loss not only of her husband but of all of her four children. She has met these great griefs with patience and courage, however, being buoyed up by Christian faith, for she is a consistent member of the Second Congregational church. She is also a charter member of the Woman's Club of Waterbury, belongs to the Red Cross Society and gives generous aid to various charitable organizations.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson were as follows: Susan, the eldest, was born February 7, 1872, and on the 8th of January, 1892, was married by the Rev. J. G Davenport, minister of the Second Congregational church, to Harry L. Daniels. Both passed away at Denver, Colorado, and at her demise Mrs. Daniels left three children. The eldest son, LeRoy Dickinson Daniels died in Colorado while attending college at the age of but sixteen years. Edward Marpole Daniels is a graduate of the Fort Collins Agri- cultural College and is now a lieutenant of the National Army of the United States, being in training for service in France, at Fort Riley, Kansas. The second son, Lugene Welton Daniels, who was also educated in Colorado, is now connected with the medical department of the United States service and is preparing for active duty at the front. The other members of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Darius L. Dickinson were: Frederick Lugenc, Arthur Lugene and Clara Belle. The first named was born June 26, 1877, and died on the 27th of October, 1879. The daughter was born June 21, 1883, and passed away December 13, 1896.
Arthur Lugene Dickinson, the second son, born October 20, 1880, was educated in the schools of Waterbury, his native city, and became actively connected in business with his father, the partnership continuing under the firm style of D. L. Dickinson & Son until the father's death, which occurred in 1906. The son afterward continued the business alone and managed it with much success, conducting the store on West Main street and later on Meadow street. There he remained an active factor in the commercial circles of the city until his demise, which occurred March 31, 1911, when he was thirty-one years of age, his remains being then interred in Riverside cemetery. He was a young man of splendid business ability and, like his father, was a man of sterling character. His habits commended him to the confidence and goodwill of all with whom he came in contact. He was a member of St. John's Episcopal church and while still a youth he joined the choir of the same, continuing a member of its vested choir until his death. Ile belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Masonic fraternity but gave the greater part of his thought and attention outside of business to his mother, to whom he was most devoted, his relation being that of an ideal son. The family record of husband, son and grandsons is certainly one of which Mrs. Dickinson has every reason to be proud.
JOHN E. BOHLIN.
John E. Bohlin is well known as a successful grocer of Naugatuck, and while business interests naturally claim the major part of his time. he also finds opportunity to assist in those interests and activities which are looking to the intellectual and moral progress of the community. He was born in Sweden, October, 16, 1869, a son of John M. and Eva Christina (Adamson) Bohlin. He attended school in Sweden and on the 16th of May, 1887, came to the new world, being then a young man of about eighteen years. He took up his abode in Union City, Connecticut, and afterward learned the molders' trade, which he followed for five years. He engaged in clerking in the Naugatuck Cooper- ative Company's store for about six years and thus gained his initial experience along commercial lines. Actuated by a laudable ambition, he carefully saved his earnings until his economy and industry had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to embark in business on his own account. He then opened a grocery store about 1898, being first ยท located on Hillside avenue. On the 16th of October, 1909, he removed to 162 Church street, where he has a store twenty by seventy-five feet, occupying the first floor and basement. He uses an automobile and also a horse delivery and he employs seven people. His business has reached extensive and gratifying proportions. He carries a large line of staple and fancy groceries and his well appointed establishment, neat and tastefully arranged, his honorable business methods and his unfaltering enterprise have constituted salient features in his growing prosperity.
On the 29th of June, 1895, Mr. Bohlin was united in marriage to Miss Annie M.
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Johnson, of Naugatuck, a daughter of John Danielson. Their children are: Herbert, who is with the Naugatuck Chemical Company; and Hugo, who is with his father in the store. Mr. Bolilin is identified with the Improved Order of Red Men, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Order of Vasa and Concordia Lodge, and is also active in church work, belonging to the Swedish Lutheran church. He has been superintendent of the Sunday school for the past ten years, has been deacon for five years and in all branches of church work takes an active and helpful interest, while contributing generously to its support. He does everything in his power to advance the cause of the church and make it an effective force in molding the characters of the people of the community. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he was made tax collector in 1907. He was again called to that office in 1915, 1916 and 1917, so that he has served for four terms in all. He is filling the office of justice of the peace and his opinions are strictly fair and impartial, being based upon the law and the equity in the case. He has made an excellent record as a man and as a citizen, actuated at all times by high ideals, while his life is fraught with many good deeds.
A. B. CROSS, JR.
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