USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 14
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Mr. Manchester is also deeply interested in other matters of public eoneern. He is a trustee of the Gilbert school and is a trustee and seeretary of the William L. Gilbert Home. He is likewise a trustee of the Winsted Savings Bank. He comes of a family long connected with the Methodists and his great-grandfather, Daniel Coe, was a minister of the Methodist church while his father and his paternal grandfather were also of that faith. Mr. Manchester likewise holds membership in the Methodist church aud does everything in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence.
On the 24th of November, 1885, Mr. Manchester was married to Miss Emma Elizabeth Meacham and they have one child, Mary Eleanor, who is a student in Mount Holyoke College. They lost a daughter, Gladys Meacham, at the age of fourteen and a half years after an appendicitis operation.
WESLEY W. TOWER.
Wesley W. Tower, who in the field of real estate is promoting many property transfers and has built up a business of large and substantial proportions, was born in Cummington, Massachusetts, December 26, 1848, and is a representative of one of the early colonial families, the line of descent being traced down from John Tower, who came from England in 1637. Numerous representatives of the family are now found in many sections of the United States, especially in Massachusetts, and when John Tower eame from England he took up his abode at Hingham, Massachusetts. There has been published by Charlemagne Tower of Philadelphia a genealogical record of the family in America in a volume that covers nearly seven hundred pages.
Wesley W. Tower, a son of William and Mary (Stetson) Tower, came to Waterbury in 1885 and for a quarter of a century was employed by the Waterbury Manufacturing Company in the capacity of foreman in the tool room, but since 1910 he has been engaged in the real estate business and has won many clients in this connection. He has thoroughly informed himself concerning property values and has promoted many real estate transfers which have been equally satisfactory to purchaser and seller.
On the 1st of May, 1872, Mr. Tower was united in marriage to Miss Lucy M. Guilford, who was born in Cummington, Massachusetts, February 19, 1849, and they have one daughter, Flora A., who married Charles R. Finney of Waterbury and has two children, Marion Margaret and Ida Luella, aged twenty-one and nineteen years respectively. Mr. Tower is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Order of American Mechanics and of the Improved Order of Red Men. His has been a busy life in which have been found few idle hours and his intense and well directed activity has brought him steadily forward. He was long well known in industrial circles and today has made a creditable place for himself among the real estate men of the eity.
O. N. OSBORN.
O. N. Osborn, treasurer and general manager of The Waterbury Wet Wash Laundry Company, was born in Oxford, Connecticut, February 12, 1879, a sou of O. C. and Adella J. (Andrew) Osborn. The father was born at Oxford, Connecticut, on a farm that has been in possession of the family for over two hundred years, and he became the owner of more than five hundred acres of valuable land and ranked with the most prominent agriculturists of that section of the state. He was a man of influence iu public affairs and was frequently called upon for official service. He occupied the position of town treas- urer, was also selectman, and for several terms represented his district in the state legis- lature, where he gave earnest consideration to the questions that came up for settlement and stanchly supported those measures which he deemed of worth to the commonwealth. Connecticut lost a representative citizen when he passed away in 1905. His widow survives
WESLEY W. TOWER
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and spends the winter months in the home of her son, O. N. Osborn, but passes the summer seasons at Oxford.
O. N. Osborn obtained a public school education, supplemented by three years' study in Mount Hermon, Massachusetts, and one year in Maryville College at Maryville, Tennessee. In 1900 he came to Waterbury and entered the employ of the American Brass Company as foreman, remaining until 1908. He then turned his attention to the laundry business, being connected with the New System Laundry at No. 21 Woodtick road, which he con- ducted until he organized The Waterbury Wet Wash Laundry Company, of which he became manager. This company was incorporated in 1912, its first officers being Edward P. Jones, president; Dwight S. Case, vice president; and Harold Case, secretary and treasurer. The officers at this writing are: Edward P. Jones, president; B. E. Cross, vice president ; J. W. Osborn, secretary; and O. N. Osborn, treasurer and general manager. The company began the erection of its present building in 1912 and occupied it in June, 1913. The build- ing is of mill construction, ninety-two by sixty-eight feet, and is equipped with every facility for doing first-class family laundry work, doing no starch work. They have five wagons and employ thirty people in the conduct of an extensive and growing business, taking work from all the surrounding towns.
On the 20th of August, 1910, Mr. Osborn was married to Miss Josephine Helen Webster, a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and a daughter of James Webster. She is a repre- sentative of one of the oldest and most distinguished families of New England, being of the same branch of the Webster family as Noah and Daniel Webster.
Mr. Osborn belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and gives his political support to the republican party, while both he and his wife are connected with the Episcopal church. He is widely and favorably known here and ranks with the representative and progressive business men. He holds to the highest standards in his work and the integrity of his business methods has won him the confidence and goodwill of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
CAPTAIN JOSEPH L. CARROLL.
Captain Joseph L. Carroll, a hardware merchant of Winsted. whose enterprise and activity constitute an important feature in the commercial development of his city, has also been well known in connection with military affairs, having formerly been captain of Company M of the First Connecticut Infantry. Winsted numbers him among her native sons, for he was here born on the 9th of October, 1873, his parents being Patrick C. and Ellen (Malay) Carroll, who were both natives of Ireland, the father having been born in Tipperary, while the mother was a native of County. Kilkenny. Prior to the Civil war they were married in Winsted, each having come to America in early life. They became the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living, namely: Dr. John J. Carroll, who resides in Naugatuck, Connecticut; Mary, who gave her hand in marriage to Joseph Grant, of Winsted; Rev. Richard J. Carroll, who presides as priest over a parish in South Norwalk, Connecticut; Patrick F., living in Winsted: Catherine A., also a resident of Winsted; Captain Joseph L., of this review; and Dr. Isaiah F. Carroll, of Stamford, Con- necticut. The parents lived to celebrate their golden wedding but both have since passed away. The father, who was a scythe maker, died at the age of eighty-three and the mother's death occurred in 1913, when she was seventy-six years of age.
Captain Carroll has been a lifelong resident of Winsted and after acquiring his early education in the public schools and in St. Anthony's parochial school he attended night school in order to further promote his knowledge and thus better qualify himself for life's practical and responsible duties. He earned his first money by selling newspapers, as many another successful man has done. At the age of fourteen, or in 1887, while still of schoolboy age, he began clerking in the same hardware store of which he is now proprietor, at No. 11 Park Place. He proved capable and faithful and won advancement from time to time. Actuated by a spirit of laudable ambition, he saved his earnings until his industry and economy furnished him with sufficient capital to purchase this store, of which he became the owner in 1899. He has been connected with the establishment as clerk and proprietor for thirty years. He has a well appointed store, carrying a large line of shelf and heavy hardware, and the integrity of his business methods combined with his earnest desire to please his patrons have secured to him a large trade.
Captain Carroll belongs to St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church and fraternally he is an Elk. In politics he is an independent republican, for while he usually supports the
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party, he does not consider himself bound by party ties. He has figured prominently in local military circles and for twenty years was a member of Company M, of which he served as an officer for ten years, holding the rank of captain for six years. He retired on the 22d of March, 1913, as a matter of deep regret on the part of the company, for he had greatly endeared himself to those who served with and under him. He is con- centrating his efforts and attention upon his business affairs now even more, his brother, Patrick F. Carroll, being associated with him in the ownership and management of the store.
CHARLES SMITH.
Charles Smith, now living retired in Watertown, was for a long period actively and successfully identified with agricultural pursuits. He was born February 15, 1856, in Watertown, a son of Garry and Julia Ann (French) Smith, both representatives of old families early established in this section of the country. The father purchased a farm from Dr. F. Holcomb in 1841. This was a tract of one hundred and seventy-five acres and was devoted largely to dairying. Garry Smith continued upon the place and operated it with the aid of his son until his death, which occurred August 31, 1902, when he had reached the notable old age of ninety-six years.
Charles Smith was reared to the occupation of farming, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and the stock. He acquired his education in the district schools and also attended the Watertown Academy. After his father purchased the farm and Mr. Smith had attained a sufficient age to begin work in the fields he took his place behind the plow and aided largely in the development of the home property. He also became familiar with every phase of the dairy business and continued active in agricultural circles until a few months ago, when he retired from active business life. His place is known as the Nestledale Farm. being nestled among the surrounding hills, and most beautifully located. Upon the property is the Smith pond, covering about thirty acres, and it is quite a resort for camping and fishing. Mr. Smith has a permanent home in Watertown, owning and occupying the old Hand residence on Main street.
On the 1st of January, 1891, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Ella J. Hand, who passed away in 1901, leaving two sons, Irwin F. and Leon G. The former is now in charge of the home farm, having assumed its management when his father retired from active business. After losing his first wife Mr. Smith was again married, his second union being with Miss Grace Seymour, of Norwalk, Connecticut, whom he wedded September 15, 1903.
Mr. Smith belongs to Watertown Grange, also to the State Grange and the National Grange. He is a member of the Episcopal church, in the work of which he has taken an active and helpful part, serving as one of its vestrymen for many years. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is a stanch advocate of its principles but has never sought nor desired political preferment as a reward for party fealty. His life has been quiet and unostentatious but the genuine worth of his character has been recognized by those with whom he has come in contact and throughout the community in which he lives he has won many friends.
MAURICE J. REIDY, M. D.
Dr. Maurice J. Reidy, a physician and surgeon of Winsted, familiar with all the latest scientific discoveries and modern processes of medical and surgical practice, was born in the city where he now resides August 19, 1884, the youngest son of Patrick and Ellen (Dillon) Reidy, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. He spent two years in Holy Cross College in preparation for life's practical and responsible duties and afterward was for four years a student in Columbia University of New York city, where he pursued his course in preparation for medical practice. He was there graduated in 1910, winning the M. D. degree, and was afterward interne in the French Hospital in New York city for eighteen months. He has practiced continuously in Winsted since 1913 in association with his elder brother, Dr. David D. Reidy. He devotes his attention almost entirely to surgery and to the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat and he was an active assistant of his brother in the establishment of the Reidy Sanitarium in 1913, an institution which is a valuable addition to the hospital resources of this section of the country. He is likewise a member of the surgical staff of the Litchfield County Hospital.
GARRY SMITH
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On the 8th of January, 1915, Dr. Reidy was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Carey, of Winsted, and they have one son, Maurice J., Jr., who was born August 30, 1916. The parents are members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church and Dr. Reidy belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is a stalwart democrat but has never been a candidate for office. He belongs to the Winsted Club and to the Greenwoods Country Club, while along strictly professional lines he is connected with the Litchfield County Medical Society, the Connecticut State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, through the proceedings of which he keeps in touch with the trend of modern professional thought, research and investigation.
HENRY J. REYNOLDS.
Henry J. Reynolds, of the pattern-making firm of Reynolds & Currie, was born in Waterbury, November 30, 1866, a sou of Ransom S. and Emeline (Chatfield) Reynolds, the latter a native of Waterbury and the former of Woodbury, Connecticut. The paternal grandfather, Solomon Reynolds, was an early settler of Woodbury, possibly born there, and was a carpenter by trade. Ransom Reynolds followed the same line and also took up millwright work and pattern making, devoting his life to those activities. He is now living retired at the age of eighty-nine years. His wife has passed away.
After leaving the high school of Waterbury, Henry J. Reynolds was employed for about three years in clock and watch factories. He then took up pattern making, a trade which he followed with Manville Brothers as foreman in their shop for fourteen years. He was later connected with the firm of Blake & Johnson and with the E. J. Manville Machine Company, but eventually began business on his own account, organizing the firm of Reynolds & Currie July 1, 1916. They are located at No. 141 Maple street, where they are engaged in wooden pattern making and employ seven skilled workmen. They are en- gaged in general contract work, fifty per cent of their contracts coming from out of town.
In 1890 Mr. Reynolds was married to Miss Susan Gopplet, of Waterbury, and they have two sons and two daughters: Elsworth, who is with the Colonial Trust Company; Samuel, a high-school pupil; Muriel, also attending high school; and Susan, who is in school.
Mr. Reynolds is well known locally as an Odd Fellow, having been past grand of the lodge of Waterbury. He likewise holds membership with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and attends the Episcopal church. His political endorsement has been given the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. When a young man he served as a member of the town committee. He was also a member of the city fire department in the days of volunteer service and for a number of years was foreman of the hook and ladder company. He has ever been interested in the welfare and progress of Waterbury and manifests an attitude of public-spirited citizenship toward all questions of vital moment.
ROBERTS G. HANNEGAN.
Roberts G. Hannegan, whose ability has made for himself a creditable position in finan- cial circles of Waterbury, is secretary of the West Side Savings Bank. He was born July 2, 1884, in the city where he still resides, his parents being John A. and Charlotte (Roberts) Hannegan, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. Removing to Waterbury in 1882, the father engaged in the tobacco business ou South Main street. He died June 5, 1910, and is survived by his widow. He was a member of the Foresters and both were members of the Methodist church.
In the attainment of his education Roberts G. Hannegan passed through consecutive grades to his graduation from the Crosby high school with the class of 1904. Throughout the intervening period he has been identified with the banking business. When his text- books were put aside he entered the Fourth National Bank, with which he continued until 1906, when he became associated with the West Side Savings Bank, which had been organized on the 30th of March, 1889. For eleven years he has now been active in con- ducting the business of this institution. In 1917 a removal was made to the corner of Bank and Grand streets in the Buckingham building, whieli was refurnished with new fixtures and modern bank equipment. Working his way steadily upward through merit
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and ability, Mr. Hannegan reached his present position as director and secretary in 1916 and is doing much to shape the policy of the bank and extend its business connections.
On the 16th of September, 1915, Mr. Hannegan was married to Miss Elsie Taylor, of Stafford Springs, Connecticut, and two children were born to them: Elsie, who died in infancy, and Elizabeth Taylor. Mr. and Mrs. Hannegan are communicants of St. John's Episcopal church, in which he is serving as a vestryman. He is prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Continental Lodge, No. 76, A. F. & A. M .; Eureka Chapter, No. 42, R. A. M .; Waterbury Council, R. & S. M .; and Clark Commandery, K. T. Of the chapter he was high priest in 1915.
His military record is a most creditable and commendable one. On the 15th of January, 1907, he became a private of Company A of the Second Connecticut Infantry and on the 2d of December of that year was promoted to the rank of corporal. On the 1st of August, 1909, he was made sergeant and on the 14th of January, 1910, was honorably discharged. On the 30th of January, 1911, however, he once more joined the National Guard, enlisting as a member of Company H, Second Connecticut Infantry. Promotion to the rank of first sergeant came to him March 23, 1911. He was commissioned second lieutenant January 11, 1912; was commissioned captain September 30, 1912, and was mustered out of the federal service on the 9th of November, 1916, on which date he also resigned from the National Guard, having just completed active service at Nogales, Arizona, covering the summer of 1916. On the 23d of April, 1917, he was made major of the First Battalion of the Fifth Regiment of the Home Guard of Connecticut. In the city election of 1917 Mr. Hannegan was chosen for the office of city treasurer and has since discharged the duties of his position with circumspection and that regard for the public welfare which has characterized all his actions. His ability has brought him prominence not only in military and political but also in business circles and Waterbury ranks him with her representative men.
EDWARD P. JONES.
Edward P. Jones, of Winsted, president of the Connecticut Chamber of Commerce is a most active and progressive business man. His public duties and private interests make heavy demands upon his time and energies. In the present crisis he is proving adequate to the occasion and has taken the initiative in such work as has to do with the war conditions. His labors have been fruitful of splendid results and his entire course, character- ized by the loftiest patriotism, marks him as a man of the highest type of American manhood and chivalry.
Mr. Jones was born at Barkhamsted, Connecticut, April 2, 1866, and is a lineal descendant of Captain Israel Jones, who served in the Revolutionary war. Thomas Jones, the progenitor of the family in America, was a Welshman and on coming to the United States, settled in Gloucester, Massachusetts. He was born in 1598 and wedded Mary North. His death occurred in 1671. The next in direct descent was Benjamin Jones, who was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, July 31, 1651, and died June 25, 1718. He participated in King Philip's war and "received for services at Marlborough Garrison, under Captain Brocklebank, one pound sixteen shillings." He was also given a land grant for services in the Indian wars, consisting of fifty-six acres in Enfield, Connecticut. Besides this a dozen or more subsequent additions granted to him and to his sons in Enfield aggregated several thousand acres for goodwill and services. His son and the next lineal descendant was Lieutenant Thomas Jones, who was born in Enfield in 1680 and died November 4, 1763. On the 4th of April, 1708, he had married Mary Meacham. Lieutenant Jones was a man of no common ability. He was elected ensign and later, lieutenant of the Enfield Train Band and developed marked military power. His ability in other directions was also pronounced and he had much to do with shaping public thought and action in colonial days. He was also very prominent in the work of the church. Sixteen times he was elected to the office of selectman, was elected assessor nine times, town surveyor ten times, moderator of the town meeting fourteen times and on fourteen other occasions was chosen to minor offices.
His son, Captain Israel Jones, was born in Enfield, March 18, 1715, and on the 29th of November, 1744, wedded Jemimah Clark. His death occurred December 28, 1798. He. too. was a man of prominence in Enfield, where he was elected to public office continuously from 1738 until 1768, In the later year he appears as one of the committee to manage the affairs of the Barkhamsted land proprietors, the deed to the Jones farm being given in 1771. . Captain Jones settled on his farm in Barkhamsted in 1759, being the first white settler in that
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and ability, Mr. Hannegen reached his present polon as director and so ary in 1916 and is doing unch to shape the policy of the ink and extend its be .... mentions.
On the 16th " september, 1915, Me Wenacgan was married to s Elsie Taylor, of Stafford Sprin - Connecticut, and . Men were born to th. Elsie. who died in infancy, and thanbeth Taylor. M.s. Hannegan are . munican! ... St. John's Episcopal buch, m which he =
Le is prominent in Masonic Pick wick aging to Continent 1.
- 1 .; Eureka Chapter, No. 42, R. A M., Waterbury Council ... Mit Chie . wandery, K. T. Of the chapter he av high priest in 1915
Ilis military r omt is a most erech ! anmendable oue. On the 15th of January, 1907, he became a private of Company A .. . . Second Connecticut Infantry and on the 2d of December ot that year wa pre the rank of corporal. On the 1st of August, (909, he was made sorors . 14th of January, 1910, was honorably discharged. On the 30th of 1 er. he ero more joined the National Guard, enlisting
as & nem !.. ad Conner dient Infantry. Promotion to the rank of first
- sergea
.3. 1911. He was commissioned second lieutenant January
11 1
captain September 30, 1919, and was poste d out of the federal
:
He 9tl Jemher, 19:" on which date he at ..... with the National
savin
(. act .. .. vice at Nogales, Arizona, covering 1, Hummer of
On . 1917 . was made major of the First Battalion of the Fifth 1
Legin ue I. ard of (ouweticut. In thecity election of 1917 Mr. Hannegan
. sor th , rity tre : Brer and ; ce discharged the duties of his position that regard welfare which has characterized all ions. .nty has brought The somemener not only in military and political
wilo in .ess circh . theory ranks kim with her representative men.
EDWARD P. JONES.
wed P. Jones, of Winsted president of the sametient Chamber of Commerce is a wave and progressive business man. Has palin dro am private interests make I als upon his time and energies. In the present an he is proving adequate . taken the initiative in such work as has to do with the war conu Pas torni ut f splendid results and his entire course, character- ized by r. lefticet patriotism, marks him as a man of the highest type of American minhood and chivalry.
Jones was born at Barkhamstel. Correction April " t.co and is a lineal ( Como le Enes wi. served in the Rainmary war Thomas Jones. Le . mily in America, was a Woldman and on coming to the United i Vnascer, Massachusetts He was born in 1598 and wedded Mary North. The next in direct descent was Benjamin Jones, who was born Jis deat ! .. : 1 in Gloucester 1 kg of Jul. . 1. 1651, and died fome 25, 1718. He participated in : Marlborough Garrison, under Captain King Philip's war
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