USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 17
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The usual experiences of the farm bred boy fell to the lot of Austin B. Pierpont, who in his early youth attended the district schools and afterward taught school for one season. Subsequently he spent one term as a student in the Waterbury high school and later began working in his uncle's meat market at Waterbury. He was for forty-one years associated with the meat trade. Upon the death of his uncle Austin B. Pierpont purchased the business and sold not only to the citizens of Waterbury but also maintained an out of town delivery, continuing actively in the business for more than four decades. He afterward purchased the farm adjoining the one which he now occupies and which was purchased by his wife. His son is conducting these farms and marketing the produce from both places, making a specialty of the dairy business. In addition to their two farm properties in the town of Waterbury, Mr. and Mrs. Pierpont own considerable land in Florida, where they spend the winter months. They now have eight cottages there and also have several orange groves, their property interests in the north and south claiming the major part of the time and attention of Mr. and Mrs. Pierpont.
Mr. Pierpont has been married twice. He first wedded Emeline E. Todd, of Southington, a daughter of Seth and Lucinda Barnes and the widow of William E. Todd. On the 16th of April, 1874, he married Miss Lucy Adeline Welton, who is mentioned in connection with the history of the Welton family given above. To them have been born three children: Arthur J., who was born December 3, 1876; and died as the result of an accident when thirty-six years of age; Herbert Austin, who died in 1883, when five months old; and Morton Elbert,
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Pentecostal Society and is stationed at St. Johns, Newfoundland; and Albert Parsons, a retired railroad man. For his second wife Mr. Garrigues married Eunice C. Welton, a daughter of Josephi Welton. She resides on Circuit avenue in Waterbury. She takes a deep interest in the growth and progress of the city as well as being much devoted to her family. Three children were born of that marriage. Mary L. became the wife of John Morrow and has two children: Helen, who died in infancy; and Richard Joseph, born April 27, 1906. Gertrude, the second daughter is the wife of Edward Croft and they had three children : Edward Welton, who died in infancy; Harry Packard; and Robert Wallace. Frederick Lewis, the youngest of the family, married Sarah Wilber Hayward and has one child, Eunice Welton.
AUSTIN B. PIERPONT.
Important property and business interests both in Connecticut and in Florida claim the attention of Austin B. Pierpont, a representative of one of the old and well known families of this seetion of the state, living at East Farm nea. Waterbury. He was born February 11, 1849, on the farm which was also the birthplace of his father, Charles J. Pierpont, who wedded Mary Ann Warner. It was in colonial days that the family was established in Connecticut and Ezra Pierpont, the great-grandfather of Austin B. Pierpont, was a soldier in the war for independence. He was a public-spirited citizen, cooperating heartily in move- ments for the general good, and he served for a long period as selectman and in other local offices. Hle reared a large family, all of his sons operating farms in the town of Waterbury, while two of the number, Luther and Austin, loyally defended their country in the War of 1812. The latter became a prosperous farmer and the owner of the property whereon occurred the birth of his son Charles and of his grandson, Austin B. Pierpont. He married Sally Beecher, of Waterbury, and they became the parents of seven children who reached adult age: Enos A., who became a farmer and butcher of Waterbury, where his death occurred; Ezra A., who followed farming and also engaged in the sale of oysters in the town of Water- bury; Minerva, who became the wife of Amos Moss, a farmer and carpenter of Cheshire; Jennette, the (i )! 4 .. . B. s, a wholesale fruit dealer of New Haven : William S., a carpenter of Waterbury .. I Ffen, the wife of Lorenzo Peck, a mer hart .t. New Haven.
Chute moment gave his attention to farming and to the but ering business in Wareker Aben np spent his entire life. He married A ry A Warner, a daughter of Jared Water, a farmi of the town of Waterbury and a soldier of the War of 1812. Her grand- father was Justus Warner, a representative of one of the old colonial families. Following for marriage Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Pierpont took up their abode on the old homestead, where they reared their family of six children: Charles J .; Austin B .; Ellen C., who became the wife of George W. Conner: Wilson L .; Merritt E .; and Mary A., who married Charles S. Miller The family adhered to the faith of the Episcopal church and the father gave his political allegiance to the Jemocratic party.
Tle usual experi wces of the farm bred boy fell to the lot of Austin B. Pierpont, who in his early youth att. det the district schools and afterward taught school for one season. Subsequently he term as a student in the Waterbury high school and later began working in Ve ces meat market at Waterbury. He was for forty-one years associated with the meat tr .. . by a De death of his uncle Austin B. Pierpont purchased the business and sold not only t. Iso -of Waterbury but also maintained an out of town delivery, continuing actively in the bans for more than four decades. He afterward purchased the farm adjoining the one whir. w new recupies and which was purchased by his wife. His son is conducting these farms and marketing the produce from both places, making a specialty of the dairy business. In addition to their two farm properties in the town o Waterbury, Mr. and Mrs. Pierpont own considerable land in Florida, where they spend t! winter months. They now have eight cottages there and also have several orange groves. their property interests in the north and south claiming the major part of the time and attention of Mr. and Mrs. Pierpont.
Mr. Pierpont has been married twice. He first wedded Imeline E Todd. of Southingto a daughter of Seth and Lucinda Barnes and the widow of William E. Todd. On the 16th April, 1874, he married Miss Lucy Adeline Welton, who is mentioned in connection with t' history of the Welton family given above. To them have been born three children: Art! J., who was born December 3, 1876. and died as the result of an accident when thirty - years of age; Herbert Austin, who died in 1883. when five months old; and Morton Eller
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who was born March 19, 1884, and is now occupying the farm adjoining his father's place. There are also five living grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. Pierpont are members of Trinity Episcopal church, which they assisted in organizing, making generous contribution toward the erection of the house of worship. In his political views Mr. Pierpont is a republican and has twice represented New Haven county on the state board of agriculture. He has taken a deep and helpful interest in all matters pertaining to public progress and improvement. He was master of Mad River Grange, has been vice president of the Wolcott Agricultural Society, president of the East Farms Cemetery Association and a trustee of the Mill Plain Chapel Society. He also has membership in Nosahogan Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Waterbury, and he has filled nearly all the offices in Ansantawae Encampment. His aid and influence are always given on the side of progress and improvement and his efforts along various lines have been far-reaching and beneficial. He is a business man of ability and, moreover, is a man of public spirit whose cooperation can always be counted upon to aid in advancing the general welfare.
ALEXANDER S. LYALL.
Alexander S. Lyall, as a representative of commercial interests in Waterbury, needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for through fifteen years he has been superintendent of the Reid & Hughes interests in Waterbury and for almost a third of a century has been connected with the firm. His present position includes not only the superintendency of the business but also the duties of vice president.
Mr. Lyall is a native of Scotland, his birth having occurred in that country on the 9th of December, 1865. He was a youth of nineteen years when in 1884 he came to the United States after acquiring a public school education in Scotland and there learn- ing the dry goods business. For a year he resided in Providence, Rhode Island, and in 1885 went to Norwich, Connecticut, where he was associated with the firm of Reid & Hughes until 1890, when he came to Waterbury with the same firm, which appointed him to the position of superintendent fifteen years ago. In 1901 he was elected secretary and in 1915, following the death of G. F. Hughes, was chosen vice president. Actively managing the business for a decade and a half, his efforts have been an effective force in its upbuilding and the extension of its trade relations. He has ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement and has put forth every possible effort to please those who have given the store their patronage.
In 1888 Mr. Lyall was married to Miss Louise L. Nichols, of Norwich, Connecticut, and they now have a son, Harold M., who attended the Worcester Technical Institute and is now engaged in the automobile business in New York .. Mr. Lyall votes independently, con- sidering the capabilities of a candidate rather than his party affiliation. He belongs to the Rotary Club, is an Elk and has membership in the First Congregational church. He has never regretted taking the step that brought him to the new world, for he here found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has advanced to a creditable place in commercial circles.
PATRICK J. DARCEY.
No history of Winsted would be complete without extended reference to Patrick J. Darcey, who has been for many years active in control of public affairs. and over the record of whose official career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He has been actuated by an unfaltering devotion to the general good, and with a clear understanding of the needs and the possibilities of the city he has labored untiringly to advance its welfare and promote its progress along all lines that are of benefit to the community at large. He is now filling the office of first selectman and was previously warden of Win- sted. In business circles he is well known as proprietor of a large blacksmithing estab- lishment.
Mr. Darcey was born in Winsted, May 15, 1866, and is the only son of the late John Darcey, who passed away in 1906. The father was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, and came to the United States in 1859. He was married in Lee, Massachusetts, in 1861 to Miss Mary Shea, who still survives and resides in Winsted. It was in 1865 that the parents came to Winsted and the father, who was a blacksmith by trade, here established
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a smithy. He was an expert workman in his line, having served his apprenticeship in Ireland. He founded the present blacksmith and general repair shop now conducted by his son, in 1868, and the shop, which is located at No. 455 Main street, lias been con- tinuously in operation for almost a half century. This is one of the best known shops of the kind in the Naugatuck valley and the business has reached such proportions that it has long been a most prosperous and profitable institution. The business was carried on by father and son under the firm style of J. Darcey & Son for fifteen years prior to the father's death and since that time has been conducted by P. J. Darcey, who, however, still retains the old firm style. He was thoroughly trained to the business under the direc- tion of his father, developed marked skill in that field and thus his training has enabled him to wisely direct the efforts of his many employes.
Mr. Darcey has figured very prominently in political circles as one of the leaders of the democratic party in Winsted and has been almost continuously in public office for the past ten years. He is now first selectman of Winsted, which under the present form of city government corresponds to the office of mayor. Under the former system of govern- ment he held the office of warden for four years and has thus been most active in direct- ing the municipal policy. He has given to the city a businesslike administration, char- acterized by reform and progress, and he has been particularly successful in winning the cooperation of other city officials and gaining the approval of the citizens at large.
On the 5th of March, 1890, Mr. Darecy was united in marriage to Miss Mary Gleeson, of Winsted, and they have become the parents of five children, three sons and two daugh- ters, namely: Mary, Katherine, John, James and Joseph. The eldest son, John, is now twenty-three years of age and is an expert blacksmith and is a petty officer with the United States Naval Reserve, where his services are used as a boss blacksmith. He is stationed at present in Newport, Rhode Island. Katherine, the second daughter, is now the wife of Mills T. Carter, of Winsted. James, the second son, is private secretary to the general manager of the Singer Sewing Machine Company at Bridgeport, thus holding a very re- sponsible position.
Mr. Darcey and his family are members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church and he is identified with the Knights of Columbus. He also holds membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is prominent among the Eagles of Winsted, being secretary of the local aerie, which position he has held since its organization in 1908. He is also the treasurer of the St. Francis Total Abstinence & Benevolence Society and has occupied that position since 1893. This indicates his stand upon the temperance question and at all times he advocates and cooperates with those plans and forces which are looking to the uplift of the individual and the betterment of the community at large. In a word he is a most progressive citizen and his official record has been faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation.
HENRY A. WELTON.
Henry A. Welton is well known in the commercial circles of Thomaston as proprietor of one of its leading hardware stores. He was born in Bristol, Connecticut, May 27, 1848, a son of Carlos and Maria (Peck) Welton. The father was a native of Burlington, Connecticut, while the mother was born in Farmington, this state. The father was a black- smith by trade and about 1850 removed to Waterbury, where he conducted a blacksmithing business as a member of the firm of Call & Welton. He later removed to Thomaston about 1860 and entered the employ of the Plume & Atwood Company, with which he continued until a few years prior to his death, thus taking active part in the industrial development of the town.
Henry A. Welton, after acquiring a public school education, made his initial step in the business world. Following his mother's death, which occurred when he was a young child, he lived with his maternal grandfather in Farmington, Connecticut. There he attended the public schools and when twenty-one years of age he came to Thomaston, where he entered the employ of Elmer Olcott, with whom he continued for six montlis. He was afterward with the firm of Burr & Stoughton for seven years and then embarked in business on his own account, feeling that his experience well justified the step. More- over, he had carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him the necessary capital. He turned his attention to the grocery trade, buying out the store of G. P. Bennett and thus becoming a member of the firm of Potter & Welton. Two years later Henry F. Bradford purchased the interest of Mr. Potter and three years afterward
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Mr. Welton bought out the interest of his partner and condueted the business alone until 1905 and then entered the hardware business, in which he still continues. He has the oldest store in the eity and has been in business here for a longer period than any other merchant of Thomaston. He handles a large line of hardware and in eatering to the publie follows progressive business methods, while reasonable prices and honorable dealings feature as faetors in his growing success. He is also a director of the Thomaston Savings Bank.
In 1875 Mr. Welton was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Waterman, of Farmington, who passed away in 1911. The children of that marriage were: Charles, who died at the age of seventeen years; Warren W., who is connected with his father in business and is married and has one son; Alice, the wife of B. P. Nace, of Thomaston, by whom she has two children; and Robert P., who is with his father in business. He, too, is married and has one son.
Mr. Welton is a member of Union Lodge, No. 96, F. & A. M. He belongs to the Congre- gational church and in these associations are found the rules which govern his conduct and shape his relations with his fellowmen, for he exemplifies in his life the teachings of both fraternity and church. In polities he is an independent republican, usually voting with the party yet not hesitating to cast an independent ballot if his judgment so dictates. He has made for himself a ereditable place in business circles and in the regard of his fellow- men, who recognize in him a citizen of sterling worth and a business man of thorough reliability.
EDWARD MANCHESTER.
Edward Manchester, for more than a half century a prominent farmer and dairyman of Winsted, was born at Tolland, Massachusetts, January 30, 1831, a son of Shadrack and Clarissa Anna (Coe) Manchester. He was descended from old Puritan stock. His immi- grant ancestor, Thomas Manchester, was born in England, whence he emigrated to America, becoming a resident of New Haven in 1639, the year following the planting of the colony. He afterward removed to Portsmouth, Rhode Island, where his name is frequently men- tioned in the land records. John Manchester, grandfather of Edward Manchester, served for fourteen months in the Revolutionary war, joining the army as a private from Tiver- ton, Rhode Island, in 1777. In June, 1778, he enlisted and served for nine months in the artillery under command of Captain Ebenezer Adams. He afterward did duty for a month in Captain Ebenezer Slocum's Company, guarding the shores, and was for three months at Howland's ferry, in Tiverton, where he was also on guard duty. He married Phebe Stedman, of Newport, Rhode Island, who became a noted religious worker, and soon after their marriage they moved to Tolland, Massachusetts, where Mr. Manchester cleared a farm of twenty acres and also worked at the cooper's trade, which he had learned in early life. They reared a large family and reached an old age, being laid to rest in the cemetery adjoining the Methodist church at Colebrook River, Connecticut. Shadrack Manchester, their sixth child, took up the occupation of farming and also assisted in promoting religious work in his community. He was active in the building of the Methodist church at Colebrook River and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Clarissa Anna Coe, aided in organizing the Sunday school there. She was a descendant of Robert Coe, who was born at Thorpe-Morieux, in Suffolk county, England, in 1596, and . who was descended from John Coo, 1340, the founder of the Hawkwood Chantries in 1412. Her grandfather, Ensign Jonathan Coe, was a Revolutionary soldier and the father, Rev. Daniel Coe, was a noted Methodist clergyman who established a number of Methodist churches. Through his mother Edward Manchester was descended from Jolin and Pris- cilla Alden, who erossed the Atlantic on the Mayflower, the line being traced down through Betty Alden Peabody, Lydia Peabody Grenel, George Grenel. Phebe Grenel Spencer, Phebe Spencer Sweet, Anna Sweet Coe to Clarissa Coe Manchester.
Edward Manchester was educated in the schools of his native town and continued his education in Hartland and Winsted, Connecticut. One of his teachers in the latter town was Miles Grant, who afterward became perhaps the most noted clergyman of the Second Adventist denomination. Mr. Manchester also attended St. James' school, a private in- stitution, founded and taught by his uncle, Rev. Jonathan Coe. In 1857 he entered into partnership with his brother, Elbert Manchester, in Winsted, conducting a meat and provision business, but subsequently his brother enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of Company F, Twenty-eighth Volunteer Infantry. In the meantime, on the
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22d of May, 1859, Edward Manchester purchased of his aunt, Mrs. Nelson D. Coe, the home- stead and farm on Spencer street which has been in the possession of the family for over a century and a quarter. He acquired more land from time to time until his farm con- tained nearly one thousand acres. New buildings were erected, ineluding a creamery, which was the first in that region, and at one time he had over one hundred head of eows for dairy purposes. In the early '90s George E. and Harry G. Manchester entered into partnership with their father and the business was gradually increased, a large wholesale and retail trade being developed, together with the manufacture of ice cream and the sale of grain, feed, fertilizer and potatoes. Mr. Manchester became one of the most prominent and successful farmers and dairy men of the county. He was one of the promoters of the Connecticut Dairymen's Association and was very active in advancing agricultural interests in the state for more than a half century. He was actuated by a spirit of progress in all that he accomplished and his methods constituted an example that many others followed, for his efforts were productive of excellent results.
On the 16th of March, 1859, Mr. Manchester was united in marriage to Mary Jennie Grant, of the south end district of Norfolk, Connecticut. She was born July 1, 1839, a daughter of Harry M. and Sarah Ann (Richards) Grant and a descendant of Matthew and Priscilla Grant, who were among the first settlers of Windsor, Connecticut. To Mr. and Mrs. Manchester were born the following children. Wilbur Grant, born July 29, 1860, is mentioned elsewhere in this work. George Elbert, born July 12, 1862, is also mentioned elsewhere in this work. Harry Grant, born January 21, 1868, won the Bachelor of Agri- culture degree in the Connecticut Agricultural College from which he was graduated with the class of 1891. He became a member of the firm of E. Manchester & Sons and he is the vice president and one of the directors of the Connecticut Agricultural College. He was inarried August 1, 1894, to Mattie E. Drake, and they have a daughter, Helen Mary, who was born Angust 23, 1899, and is now a senior in the Gilbert school. Irving Edward is also mentioned elsewhere in this work. Randall Coe, born October 7, 1876, died August 28,1877.
The death of Mr. Manchester occurred November 22, 1911. He was revered and beloved by his fellow townsmen in an unusual degree, for he possessed in large measure those qualities which in every land and clime awaken confidence and respect. His political alle- giance was early given to the republican party but in 1884 he became a supporter of Governor John P. St. John, the prohibition candidate for the presidency, and thereafter re- mained a consistent and loyal adherent of the prohibition party. He was its nominee for congress in the fourth congressional district in 1886 and the nominee for governor of the state on the party ticket in 1896. He was a faithful member of the Winsted Methodist Episcopal church, was a large contributor to the new church fund and was a member of the official board of his church for more than a half century, while during a large part of the time he was also one of the trustees and a teacher in the Sunday school. The extent of his activities made him widely known and the course which he pursued gained for him the esteem and honor of all with whom he was associated.
MORTIMER J. HEFFERNAN.
Mortimer J. Heffernan is now living retired in Waterbury but for a long period wa's actively connected with commercial pursuits. He was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1838, a son of James and Catherine (O'Neil) Heffernan. The mother died in Ireland, after which the father came to the new world. It was in 1851 that Mortimer J. Heffernan crossed the Atlantic to the United States and took up his abode on a farm near Torrington, Connecticut, where he remained for a decade. He then came to Waterbury, where he has since made his home. His education was acquired in Torrington and he started out in the business world as a clerk in the grocery store of John Hart, of Waterbury, with whom he remained until the latter's death in 1865. Later Mr. Heffernan married the widow of Mr. Hart, Mrs. Bridget (Ryan) Hart, the wedding ceremony being performed in 1870. After the death of Mr. Hart he continued the business, of which he became proprietor, and remained active in that field of labor until 1905, when he retired. He conducted a substantial business as a dealer in feed, grain and groceries, etc .. and enjoyed a liberal patronage which brought to him the comfortable competence that now enables him to rest from further labor. Mrs. Heffernan passed away in 1907 and was laid to rest in St. Joseph's cemetery. By her first marriage she had the following children: Daniel, who is treasurer of the Manville Machine Company; Catherine, who is now the wife of Martin H. Brennan, of Waterbury; and Eliza-
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