USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 55
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FREDERICK S. BROWN.
Frederiek S. Brown, a hardware merchant of Torrington, was born in Litehfield, Connectieut, July 11, 1859, a son of Lucius Edgar and Sarah (Taylor) Brown, both representatives of old Connecticut families, the Taylor family particularly being well known in Litehfield county.
From early manhood Frederick S. Brown has lived in Torrington. For many years he was a easter at the Coe Brass Works, but finally resigned his position to embark in merchandising and established a hardware and house furnishing store at No. 477 Main street, where he eon- duets a very large, growing and profitable business, being ranked with the leading mer- chants of the eity.
Mr. Brown has been married twice. He first wedded Effie Graee Wooster, of Torrington, who died a few years later, leaving three children, Graee Effie, Harold W. and Ruth Esther. The elder daughter was born June 25, 1888, and was married October 7, 1911, to Frank H. Maher, who died April 6, 1916, leaving a son, Roger Tallman Maher, who was born September 29, 1912. Harold Wooster Brown, the second child of Frederiek S. Brown, was born January 12, 1890, and on the 29th of June, 1915, married Ruth Sherman Hawley of Naugatuck. They have one child, Sherman Hawley Brown, born in April, 1917. Ruth Esther Brown, born November 24, 1892, became the wife of F. Richard Smith on the 16th of September, 1916. Mr. Brown was again married September 14, 1899, when Miss Emma Louise Phippeney became his wife. She was born October 26, 1867, in Meriden, Connecticut, and was the only daughter of the late William Roger and Orpha Ann (Rogers) Phippeney, of whom mention is made above. By this marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brown were the parents of two children: Roger Phippeney, who was born February 5, 1902, and died February 11, 1902; and Orpha Gladys, born January 8, 1905.
THE NAUGATUCK LUMBER & COAL COMPANY.
The Naugatuck Lumber & Coal Company was incorporated September 1, 1899, its first officers being: J. H. Whittemore, president; C. M. Brooks, secretary; and II. A. Soper, treasurer. In 1903 J. S. Gailey became the president. with H. L. Platt as secretary and treasurer. In 1907 F. G. Platt was elected to the presidency, while H. L. Platt became the treasurer and J. J. Murphy secretary. These officers continue in their respective positions at the present time. The plant covers two acres, with large sheds and yard for storage, having a capacity of four million feet of Inmber. The company concentrates its attention
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upon lumber and does not handle fuel. They own their own railroad track, which gives them excellent shipping facilities, so that materials may be brought direct into the yard. They have two auto trueks and two teams for delivery and employ from eighteen to twenty people. Theirs is one of the important lumber yards of this section and constitutes one of the chief business enterprises of Union City.
JERE J. MURPHY.
Jere J. Murphy, the secretary of the Naugatuck Lumber & Coal Company, was born in Meriden, Connecticut, February 1, 1879, a son of John J. and Nora (Taylor) Murphy. The mother was born in Meriden, Connecticut, but the father was a native of Ireland and in young manhood eame to the United States. He established his home in Meriden, where he worked at the iron molder's trade, which he had previously learned in his native land. Both he and his wife have now passed away.
Jere J. Murphy attended high school in Naugatuck and then started in the business world as a elerk in Union City, to which place the family had removed in 1887. In Nay, 1896, he became identified with the lumber trade, entering the employ of E. E. Stevens, a contractor. Subsequently the Naugatuck Lumber & Coal Company was formed and took over the business and also the business of the G. W. Andrew Company of Nauga- tuek. They conducted business in the latter place for four months and in February, 1900, purchased the Stevens plant at Union City and sold the Naugatuck plant. Since that date Mr. Murphy has been in Union City and has been secretary and general manager of the business since 1907. The success of the undertaking is attributable in no small measure to his close application, his indefatigable enterprise and his unfaltering industry.
On the 1st of September, 1909, Mr. Murphy was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Cross, of Naugatuek, a daughter of A. B. and Katherine (MeCabe) Cross. Mr. Murphy is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a member of St. Francis Catholic church. In polities he maintains an independent course nor does he seek office, feeling that his entire time should be concentrated upon his business. He is a persistent and earnest worker and thus he has advanced step by step, his orderly progression bringing him at length to a very substantial and enviable position in the business eireles of Union City.
LAURITZ W. ANDERSEN.
Among those who have contributed largely to the industrial development of Waterbury is Lauritz W. Andersen, a prolific inventor, now president of The Waterbury Metal Wares Company.
He was born in Norrköping, Sweden, on the 10th of August, 1867, his father being a noted Danish artist and illustrator, Peter Lauritz Andersen, and his mother Hulda, born De Trier, member of a French noble family which was exiled from France during one of that country's revolutions and found an asylum in Sweden.
He came to this country in 1883, and engaged in lithographie work in the city of New York, but did not remain there long as an opportunity was presented to locate in Hartford, where he remained about four years.
In 1887 he came to Waterbury, where he has since remained, covering a period of three decades. His initial step in the business world here was made as shipping elerk for The Plume & Atwood Manufacturing Company. From the first he showed marked ability towards improving on methods then employed and in devising means to save time and labor. He introduced and installed the first loose leaf order and shipping system ever used in Water- bury. Later he had about fifteen years' experience in charge of the estimating and cost department, being instrumental in bringing this important department up to a high grade of efficiency and service. HJe next went into the office as manager of the fixture part department, then but recently established, which he developed in a few years to one of the most important and profitable departments in the concern.
In his native country he had attended a technical college, taking up free hand drawing, designing and sculpture, for which he had marked natural talents, traceable by inheritance from his father, and, in coming to Waterbury, he had in mind that here he might find an opportunity to make use of his abilities in this direction.
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The opportunity came when he was made manager of the fixture parts department, which furnished a field for original designs and various structural improvements. He soon became one of the most prolific inventors in Waterbury and took out numerous patents, which he assigned to The Plume & Atwood Company while in their employ.
The first patent granted him was on a card for safety pins, so arranged that the pins could be dropped into a series of slots without sticking them through the paper, yet. they were held securely, easily removed and would lay flat on the card. Since then his patented improvements have been confined to the field of electric lighting specialties and devices.
On the first of October, 1915, he ended his twenty-eight years service with The Plume & Atwood Company and established The Waterbury Metal Wares Company, which was incorporated on the 23d of October, 1915. The company leased a three story brick building of mill construction, fifty by one hundred feet, located on Jackson street, near Bank, which they equipped with modern facilities for the manufacture of the various patented devices and specialties which the company is now marketing through H. G. McFaddin & Company, of New York, with which firm Mr. Andersen is also connected. The company employs a number of skilled mechanics and other skilled labor and from the remarkable progress made, the business bids fair to rank among the large industries in Waterbury in the not distant future. Since organizing this business Mr. Andersen has brought out several new inventions on which he has been granted patents and many others are awaiting allowance and issue from the patent office. Mr. Andersen is not a mechanic by trade or training, but, he has had a long and wide experience in the manu- facture of brass and other metal goods, and, as nature evidently intended him to be an inventor, he is constantly studying and experimenting along original lines, which have led to many new and valuable devices, most of which are manufactured exclusively by his company.
Among many other of his inventions the company manufactures the "Mefco" Screwless holders, used on electric lighting fixtures to support the glass shades or globes. They are simple in construction and the glassware is easily and quickly removed, or attached. It rests on an unbroken rim or flange, and is supported from the inside, making the "Mefco" the safest holder on the market. These holders are made of brass, have no threaded parts, no screws, no rivets, no soldered joints and are made sufficiently strong to support the heaviest glassware with safety. They can be used with either open reflector type or elosed glassware, and are also made from copper for outdoor use. A ceiling fixture having the same screwless features is also being manufactured.
In 1888 Mr. Andersen was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Kayser, of Philadelphia, and they have since maintained their home here. They have two children: Elsie, the wife of R. B. Durell, of New York city; and Elmer W., who is the secretary and general manager of The Waterbury Metal Wares Company. He attended public and private schools of Waterbury and after attaining man's estate was married to Miss Anna Congdon, of Washington, D. C.
Mr. Andersen was prominently connected with the Photographie Society and the Waterbury Scientific Society when they enjoyed an active existence and fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias. He is a member also of the Illuminating Engineering Society, in New York.
Mr. Andersen. however, concentrates his attention and energies chiefly on his business affairs. He is continually thinking out along new lines, with the result that he has given to the world many useful and valuable devices, and as an inventor he ranks among the foremost of those who have made Waterbury the great manufacturing center which it is today.
GEORGE W. BENEDICT.
Through successive stages George W. Benedict worked his way upward in railroad eireles and then turned his attention to commercial pursuits, being now extensively engaged in dealing in coal and masons' supplies and at the same time doing a large trucking business. He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1856. His parents were W. C. and Margaret (Wakeman) Benedict, the latter a native of Fairfield county, Connecticut, while the former was born in Rome, New York. The father eame to Bridgeport in his boyhood days with his father. James Benedict, who was a wagon maker and wheelwright. W. C. Benedict learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a time and afterward
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became secretary of the Jacob Keefer Furniture Company of Bridgeport, remaining in that connection for a quarter of a century. He died in Bridgeport, May 23, 1913, while his wife passed away on the 15th of February, 1896.
George W. Benedict acquired a public school education and afterward studied in the E. F. Strong Military School. Subsequently he attended the G. B. Day Preparatory School and then began learning the machinist's trade, at which he worked for a year. He next became a clerk with the Western Union Telegraph Company and took up the study of telegraphy, becoming an operator. In 1879 he went to Waterbury, where he filled the position of ticket agent for two and one-half years. He was upon the road as conductor for eight years and then became train dispatcher. He was at Waterbury for about fifteen years. He served as chief clerk, as superintendent and in other offices of the railroad service and for two years he was in New Haven as train dispatcher. He was the first train dispatcher in Waterbury and during his railroad service some very interesting events occurred. It was in the fall of 1903 that Mr. Benedict bought ont the Naugatuck Lumber & Coal Company, which he now conducts under his own name. He deals extensively in coal and masons' material and does a large trucking business, having three motor trucks and sixteen horses. He employs altogether about twenty-five people and the business has long since been put upon a very substantial and profitable basis.
On the 25th of November, 1885, Mr. Benedict was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Tuttle, a daughter of John L. Tuttle, of Torrington. She passed away February 23, 1902, and on the 10th of June, 1910, Mr. Benedict was again married, his second union being with Rosanna Sperry, of Seymour, a daughter of James Smith. The children of the first marriage are: Ralph T., who is with the Benedict & Burnham Company of Waterbury; Eric, who is with the Officers' Reserve Corps and has been made a first lieutenant of the Engineering Corps at Washington, D. C .; Doris, who is seventeen years of age and is at home; and William, who died at the age of six months. Lieutenant Benedict is a graduate of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he won the Civil Engineer's degree.
Mr. Benedict belongs to the Heptasophs and to the Second Congregational church. In politics he is a republican, having supported the party since reaching adult age. He has never cared for office, however, but has concentrated his efforts and energies upon his business affairs. Fidelity and industry have been crowning points in his career and by reason of those qualities he has steadily advanced until he is now at the head of a profitable and growing business in Naugatuck.
STEPHIEN H. BOWEN.
Stephen H. Bowen, who was a well known carpenter and house builder of Water- bury, came to New England from the south and through the years of his residence here made for himself a most creditable position in business circles. He was born at Snow Hill, Maryland, December 21, 1838, his parents being Joshua and Hettie (Pennewell) Bowen, who were also residents of Snow Hill, where the death of the father occurred. The mother afterward came to Connecticut and made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Barnes, of Cheshire, with whom she continued until her demise.
Stephen Il. Bowen acquired his education in the schools of his native town and had not yet attained his majority when he came to Connecticut, settling in Waterbury, where his sister had preceded him. From that time forward he continued to make his home in Waterbury and here learned the carpenter's and builder's trade, to which business he devoted his remaining days. He was employed as a journeyman for several years and later, with his brother. Leverett Bowen, took up the contracting and building business, specializing in the erection of dwelling houses in Waterbury, their shop being located on Canal street. There they continued in active business, making a success of their enterprise, and after the death of his brother Stephen H. Bowen continued alone, maintaining a place among the foremost contractors and builders of his adopted city. Many substantial structures stand as monu- ments to his skill and handiwork. He was thoroughly acquainted with every phase of the builder's trade and his work produced results that were highly satisfactory to his patrons.
Mr. Bowen was married in Rock Island, Illinois, to Miss Julia Cropper, who was born in Rock Island. a daughter of Edmund and Mary (Peckanpaw) Cropper. Mrs. Bowen still resides at her home on Maple avenue and is a well known member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Waterbury. By her marriage she became the mother of four children. Irving E., who is a toolmaker employed by the Scovill Manufacturing Company, resides at Buck Hill, Waterville. He married Annie Dickinson and has two children, Everett and
STEPHEN H. BOWEN
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Henry. Howard E., the second of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen H. Bowen, is connected with the money order department of the Waterbury postoffice. Ora E. is the wife of William Miller Hall, a resident of Virginia, and they have one ehild, Marjory. Martha E., the youngest of the family, after attending the public and high schools, was graduated from Mount Holyoke College and for several years has been a successful publie school teacher, being now a teacher in the Crosby high school of Waterbury.
The death of the husband and father occurred April 2, 1905, and he was laid to rest in Riverside eemetery. His political allegiance had been given to the republican party and he was connected fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his religious faith was evidenced in his membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a trustee. Its teachings constituted his guiding spirit and made him a man among inen, honored and respected by all who knew him and most of all where he was best known.
CLIVE B. VINCENT.
Clive B. Vincent, whose place in business circles has been won through earnest per- sistent effort and orderly progression, is now the secretary and treasurer of the Excelsior Needle Company of Torrington, with which business he has been connected since March 1, 1895. Through the intervening period he has steadily advanced through various positions to his present place of trust and responsibility. He is a native of Oriskany, New York, and is of English descent although the Vincent family has lived in the United States for generations. He was reared and educated in the Empire state but spent several years of his early manhood in the middle west, living in Minnesota and Montana. On the 1st of March, 1895, however, he came to Torrington to enter the employ of the Excelsior Needle Company in the position of bookkeeper. His capability and fidelity led to his promotion to the position of purchasing agent and afterward he became assistant treasurer and secretary and later both sceretary and treasurer in which dual capacity he is now serving. He is also a director and secretary and treasurer of the holding company of the concern which is known as The Torrington Company. The Excelsior Needle Company was organized in 1866 by Charles Alvord and others and has enjoyed a continuously suc- cessful existence throughout all the intervening years. Mr. Vincent has figured actively in its success for more than two decades.
On the 30th of January, 1901, Mr. Vincent was married to Miss Jennie E. Hotchkiss, a daughter of . the late Henry E. Hotchkiss, who was the president of the Hotchkiss Brothers Company of Torrington.
Mr. Vincent is identified with various social and fraternal organizations. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, having become a Knight Templar, a Consistory Mason, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. IIe likewise belongs to the Torrington Club, the Water- bury Country Club, the Greenwoods Country Club and to the Navy League, associations which indicate much of the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct.
PATRICK H. CARROLL.
Patrick H. Carroll, engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Waterbury. was born in Woodbury, Connecticut, November 13, 1863. He removed to Waterbury when seventeen years of age and at the age of twenty-four was married in the Immaculate Conception church to Margaret E. O'Brien. They have become the parents of seven children, six sons and a daughter, namely: John J., who is a practicing physician: Francis W., a lawyer; James A., an automobile dealer; Vincent J., a manufacturer; Theodore: Henry: and Margaret C.
Patrick H. Carroll entered upon his active career in the wholesale produce business in Waterbury and since 1903 has devoted his time and attention to the real estate and insurance business, being now one of the wealthy residents of the city. Ile is today one of the city's largest realty owners, his holdings consisting in the main of fine modern apartment buildings. Among his properties are: The Margaret, at the corner of Ridge- wood and Willow streets; The Carrollton, at the corner of Pine and Willow streets; The Belvidere, on West Main street; The Carroll, at the corner of Grove and Willow streets: the Carroll Theater, in North Square: and Carroll Court. at the corner of East Main and Mill streets. The last named has thirty-seven apartments and seven stores and has Vol. II-19
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a complete six-room bungalow on the roof. The walls of the court embrace nine aeres of spaee. Mr. Carroll has ereeted all these apartment buildings and owns them in fee simple. His holdings of this character contain altogether about three hundred apartments and he is prominently known as one of the leading property owners of the eity.
FRANCIS W. CARROLL.
Francis W. Carroll, an attorney at law of Waterbury, was born on the 10th of May, 1890, a son of Patrick H. and Margaret E. (O'Brien) Carroll, a sketch of whom appears above. He attended the public schools until graduated from the high school with the class of 1909 and afterward pursued an academic course in the University of Pennsylvania. Subsequently he took up the study of law in Waterbury and after thorough preparation successfully passed the examination required for admission to the bar. He then entered upon active practice and has his office now in the Odd Fellows building, where he is winning a good clientage. He is a member of the Waterbury and Connecticut State Bar Associations. Mr. Carroll also has membership in St. Margaret's Roman Catholic church, with the Knights of Columbus and with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. llis political allegiance is given to the republican party.
CHARLES L. ROGERS.
Charles L. Rogers, deceased, was for more than forty years an active business man of Waterbury, where he conducted a meat market and grocery. He never sought to figure prominently in public affairs but in the faithful discharge of his daily duties made for himself a creditable position in the regard of his fellow townsmen. ' He was born in Cornwall, Connecticut, March 2, 1859, and was a son of Frank and Susan (Kernan) Rogers and a brother of Matthew Rogers, who was a well known eitizen of Bridgeport. The father was for many years a well-to-do farmer of Cornwall, where he spent his active life, and in his declining years he made his home in Cheshire. Connecticut, residing with his daughter, Mrs. Miner. He passed away at her home and was laid to rest in Southington, Connecticut. His wife also died at the home of Mrs. Miner and her grave was likewise made in the Southington cemetery. In their family were ten children: Rosa B., who is the widow of George Butler and resides in Waterbury; Terrence, deceased; Catharine, the wife of E. Moulthrop. now deceased; Margaret, who became the wife of Marcus Miner and resides in Cheshire; John, who has departed this life; Charles L., of this review; Frank, who resides in Grand Rapids. Michigan; Herbert, who died in Waterbury; Matthew, who was formerly secretary of state and resides in Bridgeport; and Lizzie, who is the wife of Peter McConnell and is a resident of Waterville.
Charles L. Rogers spent his boyhood days upon the home farm in Cornwall and attended the local schools. When still in his teens he became a resident of Waterbury, where he ever afterward made his home. Here he became engaged in the meat and grocery business in connection with his brother-in-law, C. B. Sanderson, and later he began business in the same line on his own account, opening a market on East Main street in a store owned by the late Robert K. Brown. The relation of tenant and landlord existed between the two men for almost a quarter of a century, and each felt the greatest respect and the warmest regard for the other. Mr. Rogers conducted a successful business and was noted for his strict honesty and his fair dealing. It was only a short time prior to his death that he removed to East Main street, in what was known as the Catholic Parish store. There he continued in business until his death, which occurred December 20, 1916. resulting from heart trouble which was brought on by an accident. He was laid to rest in Riverside cemetery in Waterbury. Although not an old man, being but fifty-seven years of age at the time of his demise, he was in business in Waterbury for many years and made a most creditable name for himself as an honorable citizen and most reliable mer- chant. He was most devoted to his family and faithful in his friendships, and his life was ever guided by the golden rule, as he always attempted to do unto others as he would have them do unto him. All who knew him, and he had a wide acquaintance, recognized him as a man of sterling character. In politics he was a republican but was never an office seeker, being much devoted to his home and preferring to spend his leisure time with his family. He was a member of the Sunday Noon Club of the Second
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