USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 54
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A. B. Cross, Jr., a representative druggist of Naugatuck, was born in New Britain, Connecticut, in 1879, a son of A. B. and Catherine (MeCabe) Cross. The father was engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods at New Britain as an employe in the mills at that place until 1885, when he removed to Naugatuck. He has since been identified with journal- istie interests and for the past twelve years has occupied a repertorial position in connection with the Waterbury American.
A. B. Cross, Jr., acquired a high school education in Naugatuck and in 1895 secured a clerkship with W. L. Lloyd, a druggist of No. 7 South Main street. Later he clerked for five years with the Apothecaries Hall Company and also in the G. L. Dexter drug store. He then returned to Naugatuck, where he again oceupied the position of salesman with Mr. Lloyd and so remained until the business was purchased by the Watson Drug Company. Mr. Cross became a partner in the business in 1907 and in 1910 he purchased the interest of those associated with him in the undertaking and has since been sole proprietor of the store. He is one of the representative druggists of his part of the city and is enjoying a liberal patronage which he well merits.
Mr. Cross is identified with several fraternal orgainzations, belonging to the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of the Maccabees. His political belief is that of the socialist party. He is well known in this section of Connecticut, where his entire life has been passed and where he has gained the warm friendship of many with whom he has been brought in contact.
HORACE E. BALDWIN.
While the great manufacturing interests of the Naugatuek valley have been most prominent factors in the development and upbuilding of this section of the state, it is equally important that progressive merchants shall handle the lines of goods necessary in sustaining life and in equipping households and he that is thus active along this line plays a most important part in the development of his district. To this class belongs Horaee E. Baldwin, who is active in the management of the John M. Page Company, hardware dealers of Naugatuek. He was born October 22, 1859, in Naugatuck, a son of Minor S. and Jeannette A. (Candee) Baldwin, the latter a native of Wolcott, Connecticut. The father was a son of Marshall Baldwin and a grandson of Marshall Baldwin, Sr., who engaged in farming near Naugatuck prior to the Revolutionary war. All of the family followed agricultural pursuits through successive generations down to Horace E Baldwin. His grandfather was prominent in publie affairs as a member of the state legislature and his father served as justice of the peace. He was also a veteran of the Civil war, responding to the country's call for troops soon after the outbreak of hostilities and becoming a member of Company H, Twenty-third Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, with which he held the rank of corporal. The parents have now passed away.
Horace E. Baldwin passed through consecutive grades in the schools of Naugatuck until he reached the high school. He started out in the business world as an employe
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in a brass factory in Ansonia but afterward returned to Naugatuck and began learning the plumber's trade in 1882 with Jolm M. Page & Company. Ile continued with Mr. Page until the latter's death in 1911 and since that time he has conducted the business, which in 1912 was incorporated under the name of the John M. Page Company. They conduct a hardware and sheet metal business and also have an extensive plumbing department. This concern is liberally patronized because of its well known reliability and the spirit of enter- prise which underlies all its commercial activities.
In 1886 Mr. Baldwin was united in marriage to Miss Carrie C. Page, a daughter of John M. Page, of Naugatuck, and they have become the parents of five children: Leafie, the wife of A. G. Watt, a resident of Franklin, New Jersey; Irwin H., who died at the age of fourteen years; Harold Page, who is manager of the J. M. Page Company; Rachel, at home; and Mildred, who died in infancy.
Mr. Baldwin is well known in Masonie circles. He holds membership in the lodge and chapter at Naugatuck, in the Waterbury Council, R. & S. M., and has again and again been called upon to serve in official positions. He is a past master of Shepherds Lodge, No. 78, F. & A. M., and a past high priest of Allerton Chapter, No. 39, R. A. M., having served as high priest for seven years. He is also a past patron of Evergreen Chapter of the Eastern Star. He belongs also to the Improved Order of Red Men and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. Michael's Episcopal church. In polities he does not vote acording to the dictates of any party but casts his ballot where he thinks the best interests of the publie will be conserved. He has ever stood for those things which are most worth while in public affairs and is actuated by a spirit of advance- ment in all that he undertakes.
FREDERICK WILLIAM HERR, D. D. S.
Dr. Frederick William Herr, displaying marked ingenuity in dental practice, his success being based upon intimate knowledge of the science of dentistry, has since 1905 maintained his office in Waterbury, where he also deals to a considerable extent in real estate. He was born in Greenock, Scotland, October, 19, 1878. a son of Francis Joseph and Ursula (Seiger) Herr. He was brought to the United States when but six months old by his mother, who came with her family, consisting of five sons and a daughter, the father having pre- ceded them in order to obtain a home for them and a position whereby he might provide for their support. He obtained work in the old Waterbury watch factory and was there employed until his death, which occurred in 1882. Dr. Herr can scarcely remember his father, for he was not yet four years of age at the time of his death. The mother lived, however, until a few years ago. It was in 1879 that she came from Scotland to Waterbury, accompanied by her children, Frank, Leo, May, Jolin, Robert and Frederick William, all of whom are yet living save Leo, who passed away in Waterbury, leaving a wife and six children. Two other sons were added to the family after the parents came to the new world, namely: George, a dentist practicing at Southern Pines, North Carolina; and Edward A., who is a physician of Waterbury and is mentioned elsewhere in this work. The family is of German descent, the father and mother having gone from Germany to Scotland.
Brought to America when less than a year old, Dr. Frederick W. Herr pursued his edneation in the public and high schools of Waterbury, after which he spent three years as a student in Marquette College of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Later he studied dentistry in the University of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated with the D. D. S. degree in 1905. He then opened an office in Waterbury, where he has since successfully practiced and is today recognized as one of the leading dentists of the city. He also operates quite extensively in real estate, buying vacant lots, building upon them and then selling. He has already built more than a dozen good, substantial homes in Waterbury. These are mostly situated in the Overlook section and he now has two under construction. He began his efforts in the real estate field as the protege of Daniel T. Farrington. one of the leading real estate men of Waterbury and a personal friend of Dr. Herr.
Dr. Herr is a member of St. Cecelia's Roman Catholic church, in which he is serving as a trustee. He is also a member of the Elks lodge. of Sigma Nu, a college fraternity, and Psi Omega, a dental fraternity. He likewise belongs to Theta Nu Epsilon. He finds his chief recreation in tennis and in motoring and he gets much pleasure out of music. He pos- sesses an excellent tenor voice and while at Marquette College was the leader of the Glee Club and was also a member of the Glee Club when a student in the University of
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Pennsylvania. Along strictly professional lines he has association with the State Dental Society. Ilis interests, however, are broad and varied and bring him in touch with many. He does not concentrate his efforts or thought along a single line but is at all times an advocate of progress and improvement and those forces which have their basis in high moral purpose.
THE BUCKINGHAM FAMILY.
The name of Buckingham is found on the list of those families who have given distinc- tion to the history of Connecticut. Representatives of the name landed on American soil in early eolonial days. The ancestral line is traced back to Thomas Buckingham, born 1672, who was the great-grandfather of Captain John Buckingham. The latter was born in Watertown, Massachusetts, October 17, 1786, and there pursued his education while spending his youthful days upon the home farm. At the time of the outbreak of hostilities with England in 1812 he raised a company in Watertown for active service and was commissioned captain. He was stationed at New London and at New Haven and after the close of the war he was commissioned a colonel of the state militia but soon resigned. In 1825 he took up his abode in Waterbury and for more than a quarter of a century was in partnership with his brothers-in-law, James Mitchell Lamson and William Henry Seovill, in the firm of Scovill & Buckingham, manufacturers of brass butts and other brass goods at Oakville. When the firm was incorporated in 1850 as the Scovill Manufacturing Company he retained his interest as a stockholder but retired from active business man- agement a few years prior to his death, which occurred May 3, 1867, his remains being interred in the Watertown cemetery. He was a well known, prominent and resourceful business man who contributed much to the development of his town as a manufacturing center. He was also prominent in public affairs, filling various offices of trust both in church and state. He represented Watertown and also Waterbury in the state legislature and was state senator from the sixteenth district, giving consideration to all those questions which affected the progress and prosperity of the commonwealth. He was a well informed man. widely read, and his opinions upon political and other questions were the result of most careful consideration. He was a lifelong member of the Episcopal church and for many years was identified with the Masonic fraternity, of which he was a stalwart advocate. His high moral character, his integrity and his progressive citizenship made him one of the most valued residents of the Naugatuck valley
On the 10th of September, 1809, Captain Buckingham married Miss Betsey Scovill, a daughter of James Scovill and a sister of James Mitchell Lamson Scovill. She died in 1878 leaving two children: Scovill Merrill, born August 10, 1811; and Mary, who was born May 17, 1815, and became the wife of Abraham Ives.
Scovill Merrill Buckingham was born in Watertown, August 10, 1811, and was educated in the schools of the borough. He made his initial step in the business world in a clerical position in the office of J. M. L. & W. H. Scovill, his uncles, with whom he continued until he became of age. He then left the office to accept the appointment of superintendent of the button factory. In 1839 or 1840 he beeame one of those interested in a partnership under the name of Scovill & Company, in a business capitalized for twenty thousand dollars. He continued in that connection until 1850, when all of the enterprises in which the Scovills were interested were merged under the name of the Scovill Manufacturing Company, which was incorporated with a capital stock of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. This included the original firin and also the button company, in which Captain John Buckingham was interested. After the death of his uncles Scovill M. Buckingham became president of the corporation and continued as such until 1868, when he retired from active management and was succeeded by Samuel W. Hall. The history of the Scovill Manufacturing Company is largely the history of the industrial development of Water- town and as president of that corporation Mr. Buckingham's position in the business circles of Connecticut is readily recognized.
Moreover, he was one of the fathers of Waterbury and did much toward promoting its growth and progress along many lines. Ile was interested in all of its various enter- prises and the town owes much to him for its development and upbuilding. He was a director and president of a number of manufacturing companies between 1848 and 1860, was a director of the Waterbury National Bank and president of the Plymouth Granite Company. He took a great interest in building dwelling houses, and the Buckingham block, which he erected, was the first of its kind in Waterbury. He was also a large
JOHN A. BUCKINGHAM
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stockholder in the Naugatuck Railroad and in the Hartford & Fishkill, which became a part of the New York, New Haven & Hartford System. He was one of the prime movers and became a large stockholder in the Whecler & Wilson Sewing Machine Company and thus his aetivities touched many interests of Waterbury which have constituted most important elements in the industrial progress of Connecticut. He was most enterprising and pro- gressive, and his well formulated plans found tangible expression in successful achieve- ment.
In the civic, intellectual and moral progress of his community Scovill M. Buckingham was also deeply concerned. He was a member of St. John's Episcopal church of Waterbury and for many years served as warden thereof, succeeding his uncle, William H. Scovill, in that office. He proved faithful to his professions and a most earnest and helpful member of the church. He owned a farm a few miles from Waterbury and after his retirement from business he gave much of his attention to the cultivation and develop- ment of that property. He was a great lover of outdoor life and of nature in all of its forms, was fond of horses and was a crack shot. Cleanliness and order characterized everything with which he was connected. These qualities found expression in his business and in his farm and his whole life was extremely orderly. He was always prompt in fulfilling a contract and in keeping his word in every relation and his salient character- istics were those which everywhere commanded the highest respect. He was devoted to his home, held friendship inviolable, and readily recognized and met the obligations of the prosperous man in his relation to the general community, giving freely in charity where it was needed. He was also a generous contributor to the building fund of Trinity College of Hartford and to other educational institutions and his death was most widely and sincerely mourned when he passed away in Waterbury, April 27, 1889.
It was on the 18th of May, 1835, that Scovill M. Buckingham was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Benedict, a daughter of Aaron Benedict. She passed away January 9, 1887, after a most happy wedded life of fifty years. She was a lady of innate culture whose natural refinement was opposed to anything that was not in good taste and her devotion to her family was largely ideal.
John A. Buckingham, the only child of Scovill M. and Charlotte (Benedict) Bucking- ham, was born in Waterbury, April 1, 1839, and after attending the public schools of Waterbury and of Hamden he went to New York at the age of seventeen years and was there employed for eight years as salesman by the Scovill Manufacturing Company. He afterward spent two years in travel in Europe, visiting many places of interest in company with Charles M. C. Burton. Upon returning to his native land he established his home in Brooklyn and became one of the well known stockbrokers in Wall street as a partner in the firm of Bailey & Buckingham, there continuing in active business for fifteen years, during which period he maintained his residence in Brooklyn. Upon withdrawing from the business circles of New York he returned to Connecticut and purchased the Warren place at the Green in Watertown and there his remaining days were passed. IIe became interested in farming and dairying in Middlebury, where he owned a farm that was once the property of his grandfather, Lieutenant Aaron Benedict, and he owned some fine Hereford cattle, spending much of the summer upon that place. He possessed a strong love of nature and greatly enjoyed outdoor life.
Mr. Buckingham was also interested in everything pertaining to the benefit of man- kind. A consistent member of the Episcopal church, he served as warden and clerk of the church in Waterbury and did everything in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, of which he was a stalwart champion but not an office seeker. Much interested in his town, which was the home of his ancestors, he took an active part in promoting its material welfare, its educa- tional advancement and its material progress and came to the end of a well spent and honorable life June 9, 1909, his remains being interred in Evergreen cemetery.
It was in Brooklyn in 1869 that Mr. Buckingham was married to Miss Anne McLean, who was born in that city in 1847, a daughter of Samuel and Charlotte (Chapman) McLean, the former a native of Scotland and a well known wool importer of New York city, while the latter was a daughter of the Hon. Charles Chapman, a distinguished criminal lawyer of Hartford. Mrs. Buckingham is a lady of superior intellectual attainments and native culture. She is deeply interested in charitable work and in every cause that tends to promote patriotism and love of country. She is now the president of the Watertown Chapter of the Red Cross Society, in which she is deeply interested, and she has done much to further its growth. She also has membership in Sarah Whitman Trumbull Chap- ter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, of which she was one of the organizers and the first regent, occupying that position for several years. She likewise has membership
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with the Society of Colonial Dames and belongs to Christ Episcopal church. She gives generously wherever aid is needed, the poor having indeed found in her a faithful friend. With all her outside interests, important and active as they have been, her attention is yet centered in her home and the careful rearing of her two sons. The elder, Scovill McLean Buckingham, who for years was town clerk of Watertown, is a lawyer by profession and is also a well known agriculturist. He resides in Watertown and in 1906 he married Margaret McConway, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by whom he has three children, Mary, Margaret MeConway and Scovill McLean. The younger son, Charles Benedict Buckingham, who is now a well known manufacturer of Watertown, wedded Agnes de Forest Curtiss, a daughter of Jolm W. Curtiss, and their children are Harriette Anne, Elizabeth Murray, and Agnes Curtiss. Thus through successive generations the Buckinghams have played an important part in the development and progress of Watertown, of Waterbury and the Naugatuck valley in their association with those interests which work for material, intel- lectual, social and moral advancement.
WILLIAM ROGER PHIPPENEY.
William Roger Phippeney, who for a considerable period was elosely associated with the public interests of Torrington and left the impress of his individuality indelibly upon its history, was born in Torrington, Angust 28, 1832. The Phippeney family, of which he was a representative, was of English lineage and was the possessor of a coat of arms. William Archibald Phippeney, his father. traced the ancestral line back to Henry Fitzpen, of Ottery St. Mary, Devonshire, England, the name being so spelled in that country. The first representative of the family in America was David Fitzpen, who came from Weymouth, County Dorset. England, in 1635 on the ship Planter with his wife and six children. He settled at Hingham, Massachusetts, in that year and in 1641 removed to Boston, where he passed away in 1650. William Archibald Phippeney was born in Hartford, Connecticut, July 12, 1801, and in 1826 removed to Wolcottville, now Torrington, where he conducted a tailoring establishment. He was one of the early members of Seneca Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and was prominently known not only in fraternal and business cireles but in other connections as well. He was married January 17, 1827, to Emily Starkweather, who was born in 1807 and departed this life May 9, 1848. Her parents were Roger and Martha (Flint) Starkweather. For his second wife William A. Phippeney chose Elmina Case, who was born in 1804 and died April 7, 1880. She was a danghter of Jesse and Sarah Case. By his first marriage William A. Phippeney had three children, all born in Wolcott- ville, namely: Harriet Adams, Maria Louisa and William Roger. The elder daughter was born December 14, 1827. and died March 13, 1880. She was married on the 19th of July, 1866, to Samuel Morse, a son of Orville and Charity (Thompson) Morse. The second daughter, Maria Louisa, was born November 23, 1830, and died December 6, 1854.
The only son, William Roger Phippeney, was born in Torrington, August 28, 1832, and his life record covered the intervening years to November 27, 1895. He acquired a public school education in his native city and afterward attended the Norfolk Academy. He then turned his attention to the organ manufacturing business, working in the factory where the first reed organs were made. While he was living in Unionville he responded to the country's call for aid to crush out the rebellion in the south and enlisted for nine months as a member of Company A, Twenty-fifth Regiment of Connecticut Volunteers. With many others of his regiment he sailed on the Mary Boardman for New Orleans, the ship making stops at Long Island, at Ship Island and at Baton Rouge. With his command he participated in the engagement at Irish Bend and in the capture of Port Hudson, and he was also at Brashear City at the time of its capture. While there he was taken prisoner but was afterward paroled and went to New Orleans. He then returned to Torrington and with its public affairs was prominently connected for a number of years He served for a considerable period as borough and town tax collector and made an excellent record by his promptness and efficiency in the office. He belonged to Trinity Lodge, F. & A. M., of Deep River, Connecticut. and also to L. W. Steele Post. G. A. R., of Torrington, and through his associations with the latter maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades.
It was on the 17th of September, 1854. that William R. Phippeney was united in marriage at West Warren. Bradford county, Pennsylvania, to Miss Orpha Ann Rogers, who was born March 26, 1835, a daughter of James Dickerson and Sarah Fenton (Dare) Rogers. Her father was born September 17, 1807, and passed away December 6, 1885,
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WILLIAM ROGER PHIPPENEY
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while his wife, who was born March 10, 1810, reached the age of eighty-three years and was ealled to her final rest on the 31st of July, 1893. To Mr. and Mrs. William R. Phippeney were born three children: Franeis Eugene, who was born in Torrington, March 6, 1856, passed away on the 30th of Marel, 1915. William Archibald. born in Torrington, June 19, 1861, is now a resident of Waterville, Connecticut. He was married on the 19th of June, 1882, to Marian E. Robbins, whose birth oeeurred February 9, 1865, her parents being Edward W. and Elizabeth A. (Stanley) Robbins. Mr. and Mrs W. A. Phippeney are the parents of five children: Elizabeth Willo was born September 29, 1883, and on the 30th of March, 1907, was united in marriage to Henry W. Wyman, of Hartford, who was born December 1, 1859, a son of Alonzo James and Hester Anne (Hunt) Wyman. William Edward, whose birth occurred December 20, 1887, is now a resident of Waterville, Con- ncetieut. He was married in 1908 to Miss Ethel B. Calender, who was born September 29, 1889, and is a daughter of Leon Woodruff and Bertha E. (Hoxie) Calender. To this union have been born three children: Bertha Marian, born December 9, 1908; William Rogers, born August 10. 1910: and Robert Edward, born November 20, 1911. Lizzie Stanley, who was born August 31, 1889, is now living in West Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Sarah Adair was born March 20, 1891, and was married August 10, 1910, to Frederick A. Hotelkiss, whose birth oeeurred August 20. 1890, and who is a son of Charles and Nettie (Sceley) Hotehkiss, of Bantam, Connectieut. Marian Robbins was born February 28, 1898, and resides in Waterville, Connecticut. Emma Louise, born October 26, 1867, was married September 14, 1899, to Frederick S. Brown. Mr. Phippeney passed away November 27, 1895, but his widow still survives and is remarkably alert physically and mentally for one who has attained the age of eighty-two years.
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