USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66
Hon. Richard T. Higgins was but four years of age when his parents removed to Woodbury, Connectieut, where he was reared on a farm near the town of Woodbury. He pursued his early education in the public schools and later became a student in the Parker Academy, in the town of Woodbury, being there graduated with the class of 1883. He afterward received his collegiate education in St. Francis' College of New York city. He
90
WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
skilled labor being utilized in the manufacture of mattress springs and couches, and the product is sold to jobbers and furniture deal - throughout New England. The trade has grown steadily, the production being now ten thues as great as it was in 1909. when Mr. Walzer purchased the business --- which apenk volumes for his business ability and enter- prise.
In August, 1907, Mr. Walze ,. ted in marriage to Miss Rose L. Datz. of New York city, and their children ar Mington and William. Mr. Walzer holds member- ship in the Independent Order o Post 5 ith. the Independent Order of B'rith Abraham and is also a member of the Final Day what Club. He concentrates his efforts and attention largely upon his business inter is which are continually growing under his wise manage- ment. He has ever recor mized that indefatigable energy and persistency of purpose are the indispensable elements of success and he has utilized those qualities in the upbuilding of his trade.
HIX F. COLLIER. D O.
Dr. Hix F. Collier, an osteopathic practitioner of Waterbury located at No. 133 Main street, was born in Franklin, Kentucky, May 3, 1876. His father. Rol i Ilx Collier, a merchant, died during the boyhood of It con. Pry E coder Tr m .r.L bære the maiden name of Almeda Carter Wa- 4 natio @ pppd j . t has passed away. The family comes of WOth and E . Was fiy.
Dr. Collier was reared in his saker of and after acquiring a high school education began working at the printer's frad. i. the office of the Franklin Favorite, of which his brother, John R. Collier win was many years his senior, was proprietor. The latter was a boyhood friend of Opt Real both learning the trade together in the plant of the Franklin Favorite Some years ago John R. Collier passed away in Louisville, Kentucky. After devoting some years to the printing business Hix F. Collier took up the study of osteopathy and was graduated from the Southern School of Osteopathy in Franklin, Ken- tucky with the class of 1992. Later that institution was perbed by the school at Kirks- ville, Missouri Ife began practice of Columbia, South China being the first osteopathic Draft Jouer in the state. Theme he remained for seven von lat riner 1909 has maintained in office in Waterbury, where he is way accorded a very fre and ratifying practice.
On the 13th of June, 1914. In. Collier was married to D. Owith to ret also all 1. +. Practitioner, who was graduated from the school at Kirksville. M sonri, and is .. + :1: for profession. Dr. Collier is a. Mason and also an Elk. He belongs to the
1 he is a member of St. John's Episcopal church. He belongs to the Comment of to date pathie Society and to the American Osteopathie Association and That will a lin of study which is engaging the attention of the most progressi Demonetession.
HON RU HARD T. HIGGINS.
Hon. Richard T. Higgins Is a well known citizen of Winsted, Connecticut, whose high position is indicated in ta- fact that he has been chosen as president of the public utilities comicission. He was born in Washington this state, September 24, 1865. the eldest son of Edward and Mary (Crowley) Higgins, both of whom were natives of Ireland but have now passed away. They became acquainted and were married in New Milford, Connecticut. The father, who was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, devoted his life to the occupation of farming and was called to his final rest September 22, 1901, at the age of sixty . three years. His wife was born in County Westmeath, Ireland, and passed away January 2, 1908. Both came to the United States in early life. They became the parents of three children. Catherine, Richard T. and Bernard F. The daughter became the wife of Martin Dooley and both have passed away but four children survive them. Bernard E. Higgins is a well known lawyer of Torrington mentioned elsewhere in this work.
Hon. Richard T. Higgins was but four years of age when his parents removed to Woodbury, Connecticut, where he was reared on a farm near the town of Woodbury. He pursued his early education in the public schools and later became a student in the Parker seademy. in the town of Woodbury, being there graduated with the class of 1883. He uterward received his collegiat education in St. Francis' College of New York city. He
-
Rich and Thegame L
94
WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
age of seventeen he became a grocery clerk and his ambition and industry were manifest in the fact that before he was twenty-one he had a grocery store of his own at No. 161 South Main street. In April, 1892, he closed out that business and became bookkeeper and secretary of the Waterbury Blank Book Manufacturing Company, of which he was one of the stockholders, while later he became manager of the business. He still retains his stock in that enterprise but on the 1st of October, 1915, he resigned liis official position with the company to embark in the general insurance business, establishing his office at No. 108 Bank street. He handles a general line of insurance, representing some of the oldest and most reliable companies, and he has undertaken his work in this connection with the same thoroughness that has characterized him in other relations, his labors there- fore bringing to him deserved success. He is also the secretary and treasurer of the Sonnenberg-Skinner Company of Waterbury, one of the oldest and best known music houses of the city, established here more than forty years ago as the B. Schoninger Piano Com- pany, which ultimately became the M. Sonnenberg Piano Company, and on the 1st of July, 1912, was incorporated as the Sonnenberg-Skinner Company, since which date Mr. Smith has been secretary and treasurer although he does not give active attention to the busi- ness. In addition to his insurance business he deals in real estate and loans.
On the 14th of June, 1900, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude J. Wedge, of Naugatuck, Connecticut, where she was born February 12, 1874, in the house in which she was married. In the paternal line she comes of Revolutionary stock.
REV. ROBERT ELLIOTT BROWN.
Rev. Robert Elliott Brown, pastor of the Second Congregational church of Waterbury, was born in Middleville, Ontario, Canada, December 17, 1873, and is of English and Scotch descent. His father was the Rev. Robert Brown, a Congregational minister who devoted forty years of his life to preaching the gospel. He was born at Caledon, Ontario, January 25, 1833, of Scotch parents, both of whom, John and Jean (MacDonald) Brown, were natives of the land of hills and heather. They were of the Covenanter stock, believing in free worship. John Brown was a weaver, and for some time followed his trade at Paisley, Scot- land. Having arrived at years of maturity, the Rev. Robert Brown married Anna Hazeldean Unsworth, who was born in Liverpool, England, January 25, 1836, being therefore exactly three years her husband's junior. She is now a well preserved lady of eighty-one years and makes her home with her son, Rev. Robert Elliott Brown. Her husband passed away January 12, 1893.
At the age of eight years Robert Elliott Brown accompanied his parents on their removal to Pilot Mound, Manitoba, where the family home was maintained for four years, during which period he attended school. The family lived also at Deloraine, Manitoba, for two years, where he was again a student. In both places he not only witnessed but partici- pated in the pioneer life of the west. When not in school he worked at farm labor and, in herding cattle and he saw the great prairie plains of Manitoba converted into a vast wheat field, dotted here and there with substantial homes. He was a youth of fourteen when the family removed to Sumner, near Tacoma, Washington, where he spent two years, and in 1889, when a youth of sixteen, went to Tacoma, where he pursued a course of study in the Tacoma Business College, earning his board and tuition by doing ehores. He completed a course in both bookkeeping and stenography. In the spring of 1890 he went to Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, Washington, where he spent six months, having there taken up a tract of land for another. He occupied a cabin thereon, living in it practically alone for the six months' period in order to hold the claim. For this service he received a salary of thirty dollars per month. He was then under seventeen years of age. He found plenty to do in clearing the brush and other work incident to the development of the place, so that he had no time to become lonesome. He did his own cooking and he had no near neighbors. Bear, deer and other wild animals were seen. Returning to Tacoma, he engaged in clerking for a time and at nineteen years of age became a teacher in the Tacoma Business College, from which he had previously graduated. He devoted three years to teaching bookkeeping in that institu- tion, after which he resigned his position and taught a term of country school at Dierringer, Washington, near Sumner. He thus earned enough money to enable him to enter Oberlin College at Oberlin, Ohio, where he became a student in the fall of 1895. He spent two years in the preparatory department and then four years in the college, being graduated therefrom with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1901. He earned his way through the entire period, acting as janitor, table waiter, farm hand, book agent, boat-house keeper and chaplain
-
REV. ROBERT E. BROWN
97
WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
of the college dining hall. In a word, he did everything that would enable him to continue his course during those six years and thus displayed the elemental strength and purpose of his character. In the meantime he had determined to fit himself for the Congregational ministry and during the summer of 1901, although as yet having no license to preach, he acted as temporary pastor of a Congregational church at Castalia, Ohio. In the fall of 1901 he entered the Yale Divinity School, determined to work his way through, which he did and was graduated with the B. D. degree in the class of 1904. He had two student pastorates during those three years, one at Mount Washington, Massachusetts, and the other at Hope Chapel at Bridegport.
Following his graduation from Yale, Mr. Brown was ordained pastor of the Pilgrim Congregational church of New Haven, where he remained for eight years and then resigned to accept the pastorate of the Second Congregational church at Waterbury, succeeding the Rev. Dr. John G. Davenport, who is now pastor emeritus. Mr. Brown has remained in charge for six years and has one of the largest and strongest Congregational churches in all New England. He is doing splendid work here, for he adds to consecrated purpose an untiring zeal and indefatigable energy in support of the work which he has undertaken. His church with commendable patriotism has granted him a six months leave of absence on full pay in order that he may do Young Men's Christian Association work in France.
On the 23d of June, 1904, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Mabel A. Millikan, of Maquoketa, Iowa, a member of the class of 1901 of Oberlin College. He has various interests, being identified with Phi Kappa Epsilon, a college fraternity, acting also as a trustee of the Okolona Industrial School of Okolona, Mississippi, and as a trustee of the Suffield School for Boys at Suffield, Connecticut. He is likewise a director of the Home Missionary Society, is a member of the Pastoral Supply Committee of New England and is president of the Yale Divinity School Alumni Association and chairman of the alumni committee. He is also a member of the New Haven Ministers Assocation, and he has membership in the Graduates Club of New Haven and the Country Club of Waterbury. He is a fluent writer as well as an eloquent pulpit orator and is the author of a volume entitled "Christian Certainties," which was published in 1917. Never content to choose the second best, he has followed in the course to which high ideals have pointed him, and while it would be tautological in this connection to enter into any series of statements showing him to be a man of broad scholarly attainments and wide learning, it is but just to say in a history that will descend to future generations that he is a man of strong sympathies who is closely studying life, its conditions and its possibilities. His own experiences have taught him how to sympathize with and assist those who must struggle to gain a start and he is continually reaching out a helping hand or speaking a word of timely advice and encouragement.
MARTIN J. MCEVOY.
There is perhaps no one in real estate and insurance circles in Waterbury who is better known than Martin J. McEvoy, long active in that field. He has also been identified with Waterbury's official life for many years and is now acceptably filling the office of assessor. He was born at No. 380 Grand street in New York city, November 10, 1873. His father and mother, both deceased, were former residents of Waterbury. The former, Finton B. McEvoy, was born in County Queens, Ireland, as was the mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary Lawlor. The father came to the United States with his parents in his boyhood days, while the mother was a young girl when her father John Lawlor, arrived with his family in the new world. The McEvoy family settled first in New York city and removed to Waterbury in 1877, but the Lawlors at once took up their abode in Waterbury on coming to the United States. Finton B. McEvoy, who was a merchant tailor by trade, died in 1883 and his widow survived only a year, her death occurring in 1884. Martin J. McEvoy was the fourth in order of birth among five of their sons who are yet living, the others being Michael J., Finton T., Joseph P. and Francis P., all of Waterbury.
Martin J. McEvoy in the acquirement of his education passed through consecutive grades in the public and high schools of Waterbury but put aside his textbooks at the age of fifteen years to become a wage earner, accepting the position of cash boy in a millinery store owned by Isidore Chase. Some years later he became a clerk in a clothing store and afterward accepted a clerkship in a grocery store. He became interested, however, in the real estate and insurance business in early manhood and has now steadily followed that pursuit for eighteen years, being one of the substantial and well known representatives of that line of business in Waterbury. His offices are in the Chase block and he is
98
WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
aeeordcd a liberal elientage, for he has come to be recognized as an authority upon real estate questions, being thoroughly familiar with the property that is upon the market and its valuation.
Mr. MeEvoy has been active in local political eireles, ranking high in the democratic party for many years. He served for two years on the Waterbury board of finance and in 1903 was appointed a member of the eity board of assessors by Mayor E. G. Kilduff. He has sinee steadily served on the board, having been reappointed four times, and during the entire period of fourteen years he has aeted as seeretary of the board.
Mr. MeEvoy is a member of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic church and belongs to Sheridan Couneil, No. 24, K. C. He is likewise a member of the Elks Lodge, No. 265, and he has memberships in the Waterbury Country Club and in the Chamber of Commerce, being in full sympathy with the purposes of the latter organization in relation to the upbuilding of the eity, the extension of its trade relations and the upholding of its eivie standards. He enjoys motoring and outdoor sports and when leisure permits turns to these for rest and recreation.
WILLIAM A. BUCKLEY.
Among the reeently established industries of Waterbury is that of the Buckley Weld- ing Company, of which William A. Buekley is the seeretary and treasurer. This busi- ness is the expression of modern scientifie invention and workmanship along a line that would have been deemed absolutely impossible a few years ago. Mr. Buekley is yet a young man but has made for himself a ereditable position in the business cireles of Waterbury, his native eity. He was born December 5, 1889, a son of William E. and Catherine (Dillon) Buekley. His father passed away in 1903 after a life devoted to the hotel business. He opened the Arlington Hotel at New Haven and was also long eon- nected with hotel interests in Waterbury and was widely known. The mother survives.
William A. Buekley was graduated from the high school of Waterbury. He then attended Villanova College near Philadelphia, where he pursued a course in civil engineer- ing in connection with railroad construction for five years, after which he engaged in the contracting business on his own aeeount for a short time. In 1915 he organized the Buekley Welding Company, with Ed O'Brien as the president, while Mr. Buekley became secretary and treasurer. They established business at Nos. 27-29 Thomaston avenue, where they have a most complete welding equipment capable of handling any kind of welding, such as cast iron, aluminum, steel and other metals. This equipment ineludes an aectylene toreh which will eut through seventeen inches of steel if necessary. The company moves its equipment into factories, and there broken machinery is welded and similar repairs effeeted. The business has steadily grown under the wise direction of its offieers, whose eapability is based upon broad seientifie knowledge and practical experience.
Mr. Buekley is a member of the Catholic church and of the Knights of Columbus and is well known as a loeal leader in democratie circles. He served as factory inspector for his district in 1914 and a part of 1915, and in 1917 was made secretary of the eongres- sional convention of his district.
F. W. FRENCH.
F. W. French, the president and organizer of the French Manufacturing Company, in 1905 joined that group of progressive men who have developed the metal industries of Waterbury and thus promoted the material growth, progress and prosperity of the eity. He was born in Orange, Conneetieut, May 27, 1863, and is a son of Samuel H. and Sarah C. (Lyons) French. The father, who was a contractor and builder, is now deceased.
After aequiring a publie school education F. W. Freneh started out in the business world to learn the machinist's trade with the New Haven Manufacturing Company and thus from a humble position has worked his way steadily upward, each year finding him in advanee of the position which he had reached the year before. He spent three years in Bridgeport with the Bullard Machine Tool Company and in 1885 eame to Waterbury. For eight years he was with the Waterbury Farrell Foundry & Machine Company, gaining added knowledge and experience day by day, and on the expiration of that period he spent three and a half years with the Smith-Griggs Company. He was next with the Benediet &
98
WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK
accorded a liberal clientage, for he has chority upon real estate questions, being thoroughly far As upon the market and its valuation.
Mr. McEvoy has beer : making high in the democratic Wa erbury board of finance and
party for many yer in 1903 was . . . ssors by Mayor E. G. Kilduff. appointed four times, and during He has retary of the board. Conception Roman Catholic church and is likewise a member of the Elks Lodge, cerbury Country Club and in the Chamber a the purposes of the latter organization in
extension of its trade relations and the upholding storing and outdoor sports and when leisure perinits
WILLIAM A. BUCKLES.
ently established industries B 1.phong - 1 1 th Which! . Weld-
1.1 & which William A. Buckley is the > This busi-
pression of modern scientific venho. and workmanship along a line that would h. e been deemed absoluten anpassen a few years ago. Mr. Buckley is yet a young man but has made for himseh a editable position in the business circles of Waterbury, his native city. He was born December 5, 1889, a son of William E. and Catherine (Dillon) Buckley. His father passed away in 1903 after a life devoted to the hotel business. He opened the Arlington Hotel at New Ilaven and was also long con- nected with hotel interests in Waterbury and was widely known. The mother survives.
William A. Buckley was graduated from the high school of Waterbury. He then attended Villanova College near Philadelphia, where he pursued a course in civil engineer- ing in connection with railroad construction for five years, after which he engaged in the contracting bu ine - on his own account for @ short time. In 1915 he organized the Buckley Welding Company, with Ed O'Brien as the president, while My Buckley became secretary and . 1Cb They established he was at 17-20 Thomaston avenue,
Handling any kind of where they la . .
welding, snch . + th chanonat steel and other metals. This equipment includes an acct lene ( h when will at through seventeen inches of steel if necessary. The company meles it ripuphead into factories, and there broken machinery is welded and similar remany effected. The business has steadily grown under the wise direction of its dicer-, who capability is based upon broad scientific knowledge and practical experience. Nu Buckley is a member of the Catholic church and of the Knights of Columbus and is well known as a local leader in democratic circles. He served as factory inspector for his district in 1914 and a part of 1915, and in 1917 was made secretary of the congres- sicnal convention of his district.
F. W. FRENCH.
F. W. French, the president and organizer of the French Manufacturing Company, in 1905 joined that group of progressive men who have developed the metal industries of Waterbury and thus promoted the material growth, progress and prosperity of the city. He was born in Orange, Connecticut, May 27, 1863, and is a son of Samuel H. and Sarah C. (Lyons) French. The father, who was a contractor and builder, is now deceased.
After acquiring a public school education F. W. French started out in the business world to learn the machinist's trade with the New Haven Manufacturing Company and thus from a humble position has worked his way steadily upward, each year finding him in advance of the position which he had reached the year before. He spent three years in Bridgeport with the Bullard Machine Tool Company and in 1885 came to Waterbury. For igni years he was with the Waterbury Farrell Foundry & Machine Company, gaining added Nowledge and experience day by day, and on the expiration of that period he spent three a half years with the Smith-Griggs Company. He was next with the Benedict &
10
WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
Burnham Company for eleven years and his developing powers brought him to the position of superintendent of the seamless tube plant. While thus engaged he was ever holding the idea of starting in business on his own account and the year 1905 saw the fulfillment of his hope in the organization of the French Manufacturing Company, in which he was associated with Loren R. Carter, who became the treasurer, and George L. Jenks, who became the secretary of the new company, with Mr. French as the president. In 1912 Mr. Jenks retired and L. Russell Carter became secretary of the company. They built a factory at No. 128 Robbins street, forty by sixty feet, and with three employes began the business, the growth of which is indicated in the fact that they have had to make additions to their factory every two years and now have a three story building two hundred and sixty by eighty feet. Their manufactured product consists of seamless brass tubing in small sizes and fine gauges, seamless brass, copper, aluminum and other alloy tubing, together with various products made from seamless tubes, piano player hardware and copper electrical terminals. The development of their business is further indicated in the fact that they today employ one hundred and forty people.
In 1883 Mr. French was married to Miss Lillian M. Harris, of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and they have a son, Leon H., who attended the Waterbury high school and later Cushing Academy of Ashburnham, Massachusetts, after which he entered business with his father. He married Ruth Slate, of Waterbury, and they have three children, Dorothy, Olive and Fred W.
In politics F. W. French maintains an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment without regard to party ties. He has membership with Harmony Lodge, F. & A. M., and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also the encampment, but the greater part of his time, thought and energy is devoted to his business. He is truly a self-made man, owing his success entirely to his individual efforts since starting out in the humble capacity of machinist's apprentice. He is now at the head of a growing industry and his efforts are productive of substantial and gratifying results.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.