USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 58
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Roderick S. Woodruff spent his boyhood in Woodbury, where he attended school until he reached the age of fourteen years and then came to Waterbury, where he secured employment with the Apothecaries Hall Company and thus learned the drug business under the well known Dr. Fish, who took great interest in the youth. When the Civil war broke out and President Lincoln issued his call for troops to defend the Union, Roderick S. Woodruff responded, although but eighteen years of age, and enlisted as a member of Company A, Twenty-third Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He served as a hospital steward and was taken prisoner at Lafourche Crossing Hospital in Louisiana on the 25th of June, 1863. On the 31st of August of the same year he was mnustered out.
After the close of the war Mr. Woodruff accepted the position of traveling salesman for a drug company that conducted extensive business interests in New York and Chicago. Eventually, however, he returned to Waterbury, where he again entered the employ of the Apothecaries Hall Company, with which he continued until 1876. In that year he began business on his own account, opening a drug store on Bank strect which he conducted for a period of twelve years. Preferring outdoor life, however, he disposed of his business in 1888 to the firm of Cannon & Wilstee and began the sale of books, handling only works of merit. He had himself ever been a man of marked literary taste, had read broadly and displayed most liberal views. He traveled extensively in this connection, having the selling agency for the publications of Charles Scribner's Sons of New York. His territory was largely in the south. IIe also sold Dr. Anderson's history of Waterbury, which was the last work of its kind published in the state, and in this he was quite successful. While on a trip to the south he was stricken with paralysis at Waycross, Georgia, and was takeu to the King's Daughters Hospital, where after a period of ten days he passed away March 1, 1912. His remains were brought back to Waterbury and placed in the family vault in the old cemetery at Woodbury, Connecticut.
Mr. Woodruff had been married twice. He first wedded Clara Shear, of New York, who died in Woodbury, leaving two children, Edith Shear and Clara Sophia, both of whom are at home.
On the 13th of October, 1875, Mr. Woodruff was married to Miss Elizabeth H. Sandland.
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She was a daughter of Jolin H. Sandland and was born in Waterbury, where she has always made her home. For years the family residence was maintained on Prospect street. but this was sold in March, 1917, when they made a removal to Willow street, where they now reside. Mrs. Woodruff's father, John H. Sandland, was a native of Birmingham, England and a son of John Sandland, who with his family came to America in 1830, settling in Waterbury, where John H. ever afterward made his home. He found employment with the Scovill Manufacturing Company, with whom he continued for more than half a century, He made his home on Prospect street, where the family resided for many years, the property remaining in their possession until 1917, when it was sold. John H. Sandland was a faithful member of St. John's church and for nearly forty years was a member of its choir, of which he served as leader for several years. He possessed a fine tenor voice of great sweetness and was a lover of music. He was also a true Christian man, devoted to the church and its purposes and also much devoted to his home and family. His life was actuated by the highest moral standards and thus his example became one well worthy of emulation. It was in 1835 that Mr. Sandland wedded Abigail Merriam, who was born in Watertown in 1814 but throughout her married life was a resident of Waterbury. She was confirmed a member of the Episcopal church and became identified with St. John's parish. She sang in its choir for many years and she was one of the oldest communicants of the church at the time of her demise, which occurred at her home on Prospect street November 27, 1894, her remains being interred in Riverside cemetery. Mr. Sandland died February 28, 1881, at. the age of sixty-nine years. He held membership in Townsend Lodge, I. O. O. F., and was at all times loyal to every cause which he espoused. To him and his wife were born two children, the son being Frederick A., who resides in New York, while the daughter is Elizabeth H .. the widow of Roderick S. Woodruff.
Mr. Woodruff was identified with several fraternal and social organizations. He belonged to the Improved Order of Heptasophs and to Wadhams Post, G. A. R., thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army comrades. He was for many years a consistent member of the First Congregational church and he ever enjoyed the well earned reputation of being a progressive business man, a loyal citizen, a faithful friend, a devoted husband and father and an earnest Christian gentleman.
LOUIS C. KNOX.
Louis C. Knox, one of the leading druggists of Naugatuck, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, January 17, 1883, a son of Fred Austin and Ida C. (Kent) Knox. The father was a farmer by occupation and thus provided for the support of his family. The son acquired a public school education and after attending the high school at West Spring- field, Massachusetts, took up the study of pharmacy and in 1899 entered the drug business in Springfield as a clerk for the Massasoit Drug Company. He remained in that connection for three years and afterward secured a clerkship with the firm of Thompson & Company at New Britain, Connecticut, continuing there for three years. He later spent one year in New Haven and for three years was with the Lake Drug Company at Waterbury. In November, 1907, he came to Naugatuck and entered the employ of F. H. Judd, a druggist, for whom he elerked until the 4th of March, 1913, when he purchased the business of his former employer and has since been sole proprietor. He has the leading drug store of Naugatuck. The business was formerly conducted at the corner of Water street and Maple street but in 1907 was removed to the corner of Church and Maple streets, which is one of the most desirable business locations in the city. He carries a large and complete line of drugs and druggists' sundries, is enterprising and progressive in his methods and by reason of his straightforward dealing and earnest desire to please his customers has gained a liberal patronage that makes his business a very substantial one.
On the 4th of September, 1904, Mr. Knox was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Goodwin, of Chester, Massachusetts. She was born in Stetson, Maine. a daughter of J. F. and Fannie Goodwin. The children of this marriage are Stewart C., Dwight F., Frank Judd and Howard Austin. Mr. Knox gives his political support to men and measures rather than to party. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church and he is well known in fraternal circles as a member of Shepherds Lodge, No. 78, F. & A. M., and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being connected with both the subordinate lodge and the encampment. He is loyal to the teachings of these organizations and exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit upon which they are founded. He has always continued in the same line of business
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and his close application along a single line has been one of the features of his success. He has never dissipated his energies over a broad field and his persistency of purpose. his close study of the trade, his progressiveness and his thorough reliability have constituted the salient features in his growing prosperity.
EDWARD J. BURNS.
Among the active real estate men of Torrington perhaps none has done more for the development and improvement of the borough than Edward J. Burns, whose operations in the building of houses have been most extensive. Through his efforts unsightly vacancies have been transformed into attractive residence districts and the growth and improvement of the city have been greatly promoted. Mr. Burns was born in Torrington, July 24, 1883. His paternal grandfather, Daniel Burns, came to America from County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1832. He married Ellen Shea and they were parents of John D. Burns, the father of Edward J. Burns and late a well known business man of Torrington. For many years he conducted a grocery store and fish market, continuing in the business for two decades prior to his death, which occurred April 9, 1911, when he was sixty-four years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary McCarty, is still living in Torrington. She was a daughter of Jeremiah MeCarty, who came from County Limerick, Ireland, and estab- lished his home in Torrington in 1847. The marriage of John D Burns and Mary McCarty was celebrated May 5, 1873, and they became the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters: Mary II., supervisor of music in the publie schools of Torrington; Catherine, the wife of William A. Gleeson, of Torrington, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Edward J .; Daniel F., who is associated with his brother, Edward J .; William A., president of the John Henry Company of Torrington; and John H., who is chemist with the John Henry Company. The military record of the family covers the service of Jeremiah McCarthy, a soldier in the Union army. Responding to the country's call for troops, he went valiantly to the front and laid down his life on the altar of his adopted country, being killed in the battle of Winchester, Virginia. His wife bore the maiden name of Katherine Hines.
Edward J. Burns has been a lifelong resident of Torrington. He attended the publie and St. Francis parochial schools, being graduated from the latter in 1897. In his youthful days he became the assistant of his father in the store and was thus engaged until he attained his majority. Ile then started ont in business on his own account and chose the real estate field as one in which he wished to put forth his labors in the hope of attaining success. He entered into partnership with Thomas J. Wall, now a well known young lawyer of Torrington. This association was maintained for one year, at the end of which time Mr. Wall began preparation for the bar. Mr. Burns, however, continued in the real estate field, in which he is still active, and for many years he has occupied a prominent and leading position in real estate circles in Torrington. He has developed several import- ant tracts, which he has improved, and he has probably built and sold more houses than any other real estate dealer of the town. His real estate operations have all been conducted within the limits of Torrington and among the properties which he has developed are those of Burnside Park, Oakdale, Rosemont, Mona Park, Ideal Terrace, East Pearl Manor, Fair Lawn, Pinehurst and Hoffman Park, embracing altogether more than one thousand lots. He has built several scores of houses on these tracts and in Burnside Park especially he has creeted and sold many beautiful homes. These districts are indeed a monument to his business enterprise and his progressive spirit. Since 1908 Mr. Burns has maintained his office at No. 43 Water street and throughout the intervening years has enjoyed a liberal clientage which has constantly grown in volume and importanee. Aside from his real estate interests Mr. Burns is a director of the Chamber of Commerce of Torrington and of the John Henry Company of Torrington, a concern that manufacturers soft drinks. It is incorporated for one hundred thousand dollars and William A. Burns, his brother, is the president.
On the 10th of October, 1911, Edward J. Burns was united in marriage to Miss Judith Palm. at Waterbury. They have become parents of three children: Helen. Judith and Edward J. The religious faith of Mr. Burns is that of the Catholic church and he has membership with the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In polities he is a republican and for two years he served as assessor, but while interested in political affairs and always, loyal in his support of the party, he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business interests.
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He was for three years a member of Company M, Second Infantry, Connecticut National Guard, from which he received his honorable discharge. He is now a member of Company K, Connecticut Home Guard. He chose wisely and well when he determined to enter the real estate field and as the years have passed he has made steady progress, reaching a prominent position in the business circles of his native borough.
DAVID ELIAS SPRAGUE.
David Elias Sprague is now living retired at his home in Waterville, where he is looked upon as the father of that section of Waterbury, and to him must be given the credit of bringing to the village much of the industry that it now possesses. A native of Waterville, he was born February 8, 1833, and has therefore passed the eighty-fourth milestone on life's journey. His father, David A. Sprague, was a native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where he was reared until he reached the age of eightcen years, when he came to the Naugatuck valley, settling in Waterville, where he worked in the button shop, following that business for many years. For a time he was under the superintendency of Anson Downes, working as a burnisher, and later he became superintendent of the button shop, continuing to fill that position until the business was changed to the pocket cutlery business, with which he was connected up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1849, when he was forty- nine years of age, his remains being then laid to rest in Riverside cemetery at Waterbury. His political support was given to the whig party, while his religious faith was that of the Congregational church and to its teachings he was ever loyal. His family numbered three children: Mary Ann, who died after reaching womanhood; David Elias; and Aurilla, the wife of George Perry, but both are now deceased.
David E. Sprague acquired a public school education and also attended the old Waterbury Academy. After leaving school he learned the trade of knife making, having paid twenty-five dollars for the privilege of being instructed in that work. Having gained a good knowledge thereof, he entered the knife shop and worked at the trade, being paid by the piece. He was thus employed until the factory failed, when he started in business on his own account, forming a partnership with Alva Miller, a former agent for the old company, and they manufactured cutlery, selling to the retail dealers throughout various sections of New England. At the end of seven years his cousin, Samuel Root, bought the interest of Mr. Miller and the firm became Sprague & Root. Mr. Sprague followed this business for eleven years, finding customers in Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire, during which period he made his home at Williamsburg near Northampton, Massachusetts. Mr. Root continued as his partner for four years and his field of operation covered New York state and Pennsyl- vania. At the close of the Civil war Mr. Sprague entered into partnership with Alonzo Boyden under the firm name of Sprague & Boyden. They purchased the old knife shop and began business, continuing actively in that field until 1890 or for a period of twenty-five years, during which time they met with a substantial measure of success, developing one of the important productive industries of this section and meeting with a liberal trade, so that their annual income became more and more gratifying.
Mr. Sprague was also well known in financial circles, being for forty-seven years a director of the Citizens National Bank of Waterbury, at the end of which time he resigned. On his retirement from the manufacturing field he concentrated his attention upon real estate investments. Ile has erected a number of houses and stores in Waterville and he owns much valuable land in this section and has held other tracts at different periods which he sold for manufacturing sites. He has done much to bring many of the factories to Waterville that are now located within its borders and has thus contributed in substantial measure to the upbuilding, development and progress of the district. He has had the cooperation and assistance of many other public-spirited men who have wished to see this section of Waterbury grow. Mr. Sprague has done his part nobly and well and can now look back with pride on his achievement. Much of the growth and prosperity of Waterville is justly attributed to his keen foresight, his business sagacity, his enterprise and his influence. He is a man of progressive ideas who has ever taken a deep interest in the growth and welfare not only of the town in its commercial and industrial sense but in the people and institu- tions which form so important a part in the life of the community. The new school on Thomaston avenue in Waterville was named in his honor as a recognition of what he had done for the town-an honor that was well merited.
On the 5th of February, 1856, Mr. Sprague was united in marriage to Miss Frances Jeannette Taylor, a daughter of Zenas Taylor, of Warren, Connecticut. This happy union
DAVID E. SPRAGUE
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continued for a period of fifty-three years, during which time Mrs. Sprague shared in the hardships and privations which came as well as in the later prosperity. She was a true wife, devoted to her husband and home, and was a most loyal Christian woman, her many exeellencies of character winning her the highest regard and the deep affection of many with whom she came in contact. She passed away July 22, 1909, and was laid to rest in Riverside eemetery.
Mr. Sprague became a charter member of Continental Lodge of Masons in 1857 and has always been a loyal adherent of the craft. He is a stanch republican but not an office seeker, preferring to do his public duties as a private citizen, yet he has given many tangible evidences of his public spirit and his devotion to the general good. He is a member of the Congregational church, its teachings having constituted his guiding spirit throughout life. He is still active in mind and body, daily looking after his personal interests and keeping in touch with the general thought and progress of the age. Success in a material way has come to him and it may well be said that he has not lived in vain. A modern philosopher has said: "Not the good that comes to us, but the good that comes to the world through us, is the measure of our success;" and judged by this standard Mr. Sprague has been a most successful man, for Waterville and the Naugatuck valley have profited by his efforts and his interest.
HARRY F. MASON.
Harry F. Mason, superintendent with the M. Heminway & Sons Silk Company, having charge of the factory at Watertown, has filled this position for the past four years and brought to it broad experience that well qualifies him for the onerous and responsible duties that now devolve upon him. He was born in Oneida, New York, in 1881, and started in business as a young man with the Oneida Community, Ltd., who were silk manufacturers. He received thorough training in the business, working his way steadily upward through the various departments until he became superintendent. In 1913 he removed to Watertown to accept a position with M. Heminway & Sons as superintendent in charge of the manu- facturing and through the intervening period of four years he has directed the operation of the plant, which is one of the well known and profitable silk manufacturing enterprises of this section of the state. Ile is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the business and is constantly striving to further the success of the undertaking.
Mr. Mason resides in Watertown with his wife and two children. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft.
HUGH HEARNS.
Hugh Hearns has long figured prominently in connection with politieal activity in Naugatuck, where he is now acceptably filling the position of postmaster. He was born April 4, 1867, in the city where he still resides, his parents being John and Catherine (Murray) Hearns, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The parental grandfather, James Hearns, was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, and spent his last days in Naugatuck. while his wife, who in her maidenhood was Julia Glendon, passed away in Bristol, Connecticut. They had a family of four children, including John Hearns, who was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, and in the late '50's came to the United States, establishing his home in Naugatuck. He was employed in various rubber mills for a long period and he still makes his home in Naugatuck, one of the valued and respected residents of the community. His wife passed away in January, 1899. She, too, was a native of Ireland, her birth having occurred in County Louth. By her marriage she had a family of eight children.
Hugh Hearns was reared in Naugatuck and acquired a public school education, con- tinuing his studies imtil he reached the age of fourteen years, when he started out to provide for his own support. Ile first entered the employ of the Goodyear Metallic Rubber Company. with which he remained for twelve years, his long continued service being incontrovertible proof of his fidelity and capability. Ile was then called to public office, being elected township clerk in 1893. In this position he served for twenty-one years, or until January, 1914, making a most creditable and enviable record in that position. In April. 1915. he assumed the duties of postmaster of Naugatuck, to which he had been appointed in March of that year, and he is the present incumbent in the office. He is systematic and methodical in Vol. II-20
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conducting the affairs of the office, is thoroughly prompt and reliable, and his uniform courtesy to the patrons of the office has made him popular with the general public. While township clerk he was also clerk of the probate court for eight years. He has ever regarded a public office as a public trust and it is well known that no trust reposed in Hugh Hearns has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree.
On the 15th of September, 1898, Mr. Hearns was united in marriage to Miss Mary Walsh, of Naugatuck, a daughter of Michael and Johanna (Burke) Walsh, who were natives of Ireland. Mrs. Hearns was born on the Emerald isle and came alone to the United States in her girlhood days. Mr. and Mrs. Hearns have become the parents of two children, Margaret M. and Joseph F.
The family are communicants of St. Francis' Catholic church, in the work of which they have been actively and helpfully interested. Mr. Hearns served as pew rent collector of the church for over thirty years. He also belongs to the St. Francis T. A. & B. Society and he has membership with the Ancient Order of Hibernians and with the Knights of Columbus, In the Hibernians he was the first treasurer. He was also one of the incorpor- ators of the St. Francis Cemetery Association, His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party and in matters of citizenship his position is never an equivocal one. He stands for what he believes to be right and over the record of his official career there falls no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil,
M. J. DALY & SONS,
With the incorporation of M. J. Daly & Sons the company took over the business that had been established by M. J. Daly in 1882, when he began operations on Bank street in the old office of the Waterbury Farrel Foundry & Machine Company. He there began the conduct of a heating, power and sanitary plumbing business, also handling automatic sprinklers, boilers and smoke stacks. The business steadily grew and about 1890 a removal was made to Nos. 553 and 555 Bank street. The company there erected buildings, the main building being one hundred by thirty-three feet and three stories in height with basement. To this has been added another building eighty by thirty feet, two stories and basement, together with a pipe shed one hundred by fifty feet. In 1914 the company ex- tended its real estate holdings by the purchase of an additional fifty-five feet frontage and now has a frontage of one hundred and ten feet. The new ground will be utilized for the erection of other buildings, The old building is at present being used as a boiler and tank shop. Year by year the business developed and in 1902 was incorporated with M. J. Daly as president and treasurer. E. J. Daly as vice president and J. M. Daly as secretary. There was no change in the officers until January, 1906, when the father was called to his final rest. At that date his elder son, E. J. Daly, succeeded to the presidency, while J. M. Daly became secretary and treasurer. In 1916 M. J. Daly became secretary and H. V. Daly became a director, while E. J. Daly still remains as president and J. M. Daly as treasurer. They do an extensive business as jobbers and contractors and employ between two hundred and twenty-five and two hundred and fifty workmen, most of whom are skilled. They have made installations in their line for practically all the large concerns of Waterbury, also for many of the important business interests of New England and even of Canada,
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