USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 19
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WILLIAM D. CHURCHILL.
William D. Churchill, who is conducting a profitable business as a jeweler and optom- etrist at 436 Main street in Winsted, was born in Southington, Connecticut, January 28, 1877, a son of Franklin Dwight and Jane Louisa (Blakeslee) Churchill both of whom were natives of Connectieut. The father was born in Bethany, this state, February 14, 1834, and the mother's birth occurred in Prospect, Connecticut, July 12, 1840. They were married January 3, 1862, at her home in Prospect, and for forty-seven years traveled life's jour- ney together, the death of Mr. Churchill occurring in November, 1909, while the widow sur- vived until September 3, 1915. They were the parents of three sons, all of whom are living, namely: Arthur J. Churchill, who is a jeweler in New Britain, Connecticut; Frank B., who is also a jeweler by trade and is now located in. Tucson, Arizona; and William D., of this review.
The last named was reared in Southington, Connecticut, and was graduated from the Lewis high school with the class of 1896. When twenty-two years of age he entered the Waltham (Mass.) Horological School, where he completed a full course in watchmaking. Later he spent seven years in the factory of the American Waltham Watch Company of Waltham, Massachusetts, and then went to Newton, Massachusetts, where he purchased a jewelry store in 1906, conducting the business for three years. He then sold out and rer turned home on account of the ill health of his father, who was engaged in the cattle business, and Mr. Churchill of this review became manager of the business for his father. Soon after the latter's death in 1909 he took a course in the Klein School of Optics in Boston and was graduated therefrom as an optometrist in September, 1910. He then came to Winsted and on the 1st of October purchased from Charles H. Leonard the jewelry store at No. 436 Main street, since which time he has conducted the business in a capable and profitable manner. He has one of the leading jewelry stores in Winsted, carrying a large and attractive stock, and he also does an extensive business in optometry. In 1914 he purchased the building which his store now occupies-a three-story brick structure thirty by seventy feet, the first floor being utilized for his jewelry business. He is thor- oughly skilled in the science of optometry and in that direction has won a liberal pat- ronage.
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On the 3d of October, 1901, Mr. Churchill was married to Miss Eva May Messenger, also a native of Southington, Connectieut. They hold membership in the First Congrega- tional church and Mr. Churchill is identified with the Young Men's Christian Association. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and is a charter member of the Winsted Club. He is likewise a member of the Chamber of Commerce and his various connections indicate the breadth of his interests and the scope of his activities. He stands for progress and im- provement along all lines affecting the general welfare of society and he is never so busy but that he can find time to cooperate in plans for the public good recognizing the obliga- tions and responsibilities as well as the privileges of citizenship.
B. P. HUDSON.
B. P. Hudson, assistant secretary of the Heminway & Bartlett Silk Company of Water- town, is thus identified with a business which had its inception in 1888 and which is now one of the leading productive industries of the Naugatuck valley. Thorough familiarity with the business in all its departments has well qualified Mr. Hudson for the duties and responsibilities that have come to him. He was born in Arkwright, Ontario, Canada, April 20, 1876, and is a son of Charles and Jennie (Glenn) Hudson, who in 1881 went to Ansonia, Connecticut. The father was a machine forger by trade and was there employed until 1888, when he removed to Watertown, where he conducted a carriage and black- smith shop. After many years of active association with industrial interests he is now living retired in Derby, Connecticut.
B. P. Hudson is indebted to the public school system for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. He was a youth of sixteen when he entered the employ of the Heminway & Bartlett Silk Company in the humble capacity of office boy. He proved in- dustrious and trustworthy and won advancement from time to time, working his way upward through the factory and afterward serving as traveling salesman upon the road for a time. He has been in all departments of the business and has thus gained com- prehensive and accurate knowledge of the manufacturing and also of the various phases of the trade in relation to the purchaser. In 1915 he was made assistant secretary of the company after having served for the five previous years as one of the directors.
On the 7th of June, 1899, Mr. Hudson was married to Miss Mary Wheeler, of Water- town, a daughter of Eli and Estella (Saxton) Wheeler. The family was established in Watertown prior to the Revolutionary war and the ancestral line is traced back to Moses Wheeler, who came to Connecticut in 1640, settling in New Haven, where he passed away when more than one hundred years old. He operated the ferry at Stratford under grant from the king of England. To Mr. and Mrs. Hudson has been born a daughter, Elizabeth Jane.
For several years Mr. Hudson served as a member of the fire distriet committee and he has ever been ready and willing to aid and cooperate in plans and measures for the general good. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and fraternally he is connected with Federal Lodge, No. 17, F. & A. M .; Granite Chapter, R. A. M., of Thomaston; and Columbia Lodge, No. 12, K. P. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and its teachings have guided him in all of his life's relations.
The spirit of enterprise and progress has actuated him in his business affairs and from the humble position of errand boy he has advanced steadily step by step until he is now assistant secretary of one of the important manufacturing enterprises of Water- town devoted to the making of silk hosiery, spool, embroidery and crochet silks, under the name of the Heminway & Bartlett Silk Company.
GEORGE ARTHUR LEONARD, M. D.
Dr. George Arthur Leonard, physician and surgeon of Waterbury, comes of English ancestry, being a son of Arthur James Leonard, who was born in England but came to the United States with his parents when seventeen years of age, the family home being established at Hazardville, Connecticut, where the grandfather of Dr. Leonard engaged in the manufacture of powder in connection with the Hazard Powder Company, which afterward sold out to the Du Pont people. Attaining his majority in this state, Arthur James Leonard then entered business life and for the past twenty-eight years has been foreman
DR. GEORGE A. LEONARD
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of a large factory at Waterville. He married Caroline Buck, who was born in London, England, and came to the United States in 1883. She is also yet living.
Dr. Leonard at the usual age became a public school pupil in Waterbury and passed through consecutive grades to the high school. He put aside his textbooks there in 1901. when seventeen years of age, and soon afterward matriculated in the Maryland Medical College of Baltimore, from which he was graduated in 1905. He had not yet attained his majority, so that he could not be licensed to practice. For one year thereafter he served in the Franklin Square Hospital of Baltimore and in 1906 was licensed to practice medicine in Waterbury. He opened an office in Waterville, a suburb of the city, where he continued from April 1906, until December, 1907, and at the latter date opened an office in Waterbury. For the past three years he has been associated with Dr. E. H. Johnston, their office being located at No. 18 Abbott avenue.
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On the 8th of October, 1907, Dr. Leonard was married to Miss Elmina Clarke Dennison, of Waterbury, and they, have two sons: Hugh Dennison, born October 19, 1908; and Morton Arthur, born July 9, 1911. Dr. and Mrs. Leonard hold membership in Trinity Episcopal church and fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the New Haven County, Connecticut State and American Medical Associations, the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States Army and through the proceedings of those societies as well as through private reading is kept informed concerning the latest discoveries relating to medical and surgical practice. He does not hastily discard old and time-tried methods the value of which have been proven but is always ready to adopt new ideas which promise to advance professional interests and efficiency. He has been commissioned first lieutenant in the Medical Corps, U. S. A. and will join the forces abroad in the spring of 1918.
MICHAEL J. BERGIN.
Michael J. Bergin, a druggist of Waterbury, conducting business at No. 697 East Main street, was born January 4, 1883, in the city where he makes his home, his parents being Matthew and Mary (Kenney) Bergin. The father was also born in Waterbury, the family being long represented liere. He was employed by Rogers & Brother for a long period and passed away in March, 1905.
The educational opportunities enjoyed by Michael J. Bergin were those afforded by the public schools and he started out in the business world as clerk in a drug store. He found this pursuit congenial and has continued in the same line throughout his re- maining days.
In 1905 Mr. Bergin was united in marriage to Miss Mary Fitzpatrick, of Waterbury, a daughter of Jeremiah Fitzpatrick, and they have three children, Catherine, Rita and Cecelia. The parents are members of the Sacred Heart Catholic church and Mr. Bergin belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Woodmen of the World. His political en- dorsement is given to the democratic party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He was elected alderman of the first ward in 1915 and assumed the duties of that position on the 1st of January, 1916, so that he is the present incumbent. He is interested in local politics, in matters of community concern and in all questions that affect the welfare of city, county and state and endeavors at all times to support those measures which are calculated to promote public progress.
EDWARD M. PHELPS.
Edward M. Phelps, a retail grocer doing business at No. 633 Main street in Winsted, was born in the town of Colebrook, Litchfield county, Connecticut, March 23, 1871. His father, Martin Luther Phelps, a farmer by occupation, died in 1887 at the age of sixty- seven years. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Susan Maria Munson, is living in Winsted. She is a native of Massachusetts, while Mr. Phelps was born in Connecticut.
Edward M. Phelps, spending his youthful days upon his father's farm in Colebrook, passed his boyhood in the usual manner of the farm-bred lad, who works in the fields through the summer months and attends school in the winter scasons. He remained upon the farm until he reached the age of twenty-five years, when in 1896 he came to Winsted, believing that he would prefer a commercial to an agricultural career. He acquainted him- self with the grocery trade as an employe in the store of Charles Smith, for whom he
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clerked for about three years. In 1900 he embarked in the grocery business on his own account at 613 Main street, becoming a member of the firm of Deming & Phelps, his partner in the undertaking being Howard B. Deming. Mr. Phelps purchased the interest of his partner in 1907 and has since continued the business alone. In 1913 he removed his store to No. 633 Main street, where he has a strictly modern establishment, carrying a large and carefully selected line of staple and fancy groceries. In fact his establishment is one of the best in Winsted and his patronage is very liberal and well deserved. He has ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement and he has therefore put forth earnest effort to please those who have given him their trade.
On the 2d of February, 1905, Mr. Phelps was united in marriage to Miss Alice Eliza- beth Stone, of Hanover, New Hampshire. Politically Mr. Phelps is a republican but has never been a candidate for office. He supports and attends the Second Congregational church and he holds membership in the Masonic fraternity, belonging to lodge, chapter and council. He is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he be- longs to the Winsted Club, which he joined on its organization, becoming one of its charter members. He is likewise an active and influential representative of the Chamber of Commerce, of which he is now serving as the vice president, and he is deeply concerned in many movements which are looking to the welfare and upbuilding of his city, to the extension of its business relations and to the advancement of its civic standards.
E. M. GRILLEY.
E. M. Grilley, vice president, treasurer and general manager of the Waterbury Jewel Company, is numbered with those whose knowledge of and capability in the line of watch manufacturing place them in the expert class. Thoroughly trained, his entire business experience has been along the line in which he is now engaged, and with him each day has marked off a fullfaithed attempt to grow more and to know more. His steady advance- ment, resulting from individual effort, constitutes a stimulating example to the ambitious youth. Mr. Grilley was born in Thomaston, Connecticut, February 8, 1879, a son of Myron W. and Emma (Pratt) Grilley. The father has been with the Plume & Atwood Company in the fine wire drawing department for the past half century. He is a son of Marshall J. Grilley, who during his active life was superintendent of the Plume & Atwood mill at Thomaston, occupying that position for fifty years or until his death. Both Marshall J. and Myron W. Grilley were soldiers of the Civil war, the former serving with the rank of captain.
E. M. Grilley acquired a public school education in Plymouth and in Thomaston and started upon his business career as errand boy with the Seth Thomas Watch Company. He afterward learned the tool making trade and became a specialist in the escapement department of the Seth Thomas Watch Company and for five years was foreman of that department. He afterward came to Waterbury with the New England Watch Company to assist in the development of the lever escapement in June, 1906, and in 1911, associated with F. G. Neuberth, he organized the Waterbury Jewel Company, which was established February 8, 1911, and was incorporated on the 18th of February, 1915. At the incorporation F. G. Neuberth became president. and H. M. Werner secretary, with E. M. Grilley as vice president, treasurer and manager. With the withdrawal of H. M. Werner from the company R. F. Neuberth became secretary. The business was first conducted on Burrall Court, where they remained until December, 1913, when they removed to the A. C. Campbell building, there continuing until June 17, 1916, when they established business at 31 Canal street, occupying the two upper floors of the Standard Tool & Machine Company, building. The growth of their patronage is indicated in the fact that they now employ sixty people. Mr. Grilley instituted the business alone and after six weeks employed an assistant, increasing the number of his employes from time to time. The company manufactures all kinds of small instrument jewels, together with talking machine playing points. The output is the expression of a high grade of mechanical skill. The work is based on processes devised by Mr. Grilley and theirs is the only company in the United States doing this grade of work. The company also manufactures small recording instruments, including a gasoline register for automobiles and a golf register for golf scores. They have a complete tool department and take special work in tool making. Mr. Grilley came to Waterbury to develop the lever escapement for the New England watch and developed the first ladies' lever escape- ment watch produced. His business has enjoyed a steady and satisfactory growth and is the expression of expert mechanical knowledge along his line combined with executive force.
E. M. GRILLEY
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On the 9th of October, 1901, Mr. Grilley was married to Miss Rosa H. Kaiser, of Thomaston, a daughter of Raymond Kaiser, and they have one child, Myra, now two years of age. Fraternally Mr. Grilley is connected with the Foresters and with the Knights of Pythias. His political support is given to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. His has been an active life, his attention and energies directed always along a certain line, and this concentration of effort and of purpose has brought excellent results.
H. E. THOMPSON.
H. E. Thompson, manager for the Watertown Lumber Company, his official position being that of secretary and treasurer, was born in New Britain, Connecticut, April 1, 1881, a son of Edward W. and Ella M. Thompson, the former a druggist of New Britain. He obtained a high school education in his native borough and afterward spent two years as a student in Cornell College at Ithaca, New York. He then turned his attention to the drug business, in which he continued for a brief period, and afterward was with the American Hardware Company of New Britain for two years. He next turned his atten- tion to the lumber trade and was first employed by the Naugatuck Lumber & Coal Company for two years. He afterward spent two years with the Brass City Lumber Company of Waterbury and then started in business as one of the organizers and officers of the Water- town Lumber Company, which was incorporated in 1907 with A. A. Schumacher, of Waterbury, as president, D. E. Tryon as secretary and Mr. Thompson as the treasurer. Mr. Tryon resigned in 1914 and R. B. Bronson became vice president, Mr. Thompson assuming the duties of secretary and treasurer. The company has three acres on the railway tracks, constituting their lumberyard, which is the only one in Watertown. They handle lumber and masons' supplies and have a well equipped mill, in which they manufacture inside trim.
In October, 1913, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Ada B. Lewis, of Watertown. He belongs to Delta Kappa Epsilon, a college fraternity, and has membership in the Con- gregational church and in the Watertown Lawn Club and the Watertown Golf Club. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, but his attention is concentrated upon his business affairs and his close application and energy are bringing to him a substantial measure of success.
GEORGE W. KILMER.
George W. Kilmer, entering business circles at the age of fourteen years, is now proprietor of a large paint and wall paper store at No. 544 Main street in Winsted. He was born in Albany, New York, June 8, 1870, the only son of William H. and Hattie (Catlin) Kilmer. The mother passed away when the son was but a year old and the father afterward married Lydia Kilmer, a distant relative, who proved a good stepmother, but she, too, died when George was but a young lad. The father afterward wedded Char- lotte Hurlbut, who survives her husband, William H. Kilmer passing away about ten years ago. He was a painter and paper hanger by trade and was founder of the business now conducted by the son. His enterprise, however, was very small in proportion to that carried on by George W. Kilmer, as he employed but one or two assistants. He removed with his family to Winsted when his son George was a small boy and continued his residence here until his demise about a decade ago.
George W. Kilmer acquired a good grammar school education in Winsted and afterward learned the trade of painting and paper hanging under the direction of his father, beginning work when fourteen years of age. Upon his father's death he took up the business, which he has since developed to large proportions and which is now conducted under his own namne. He carries a large stock of wall paper of the latest designs and does an extensive contracting business in that field. His enterprise and progressiveness have carried him into important business relations and his patronage is very extensive. He started out, however, in a small way when his father died, conducting his business in a barn on Elm street. Later he removed his stock to a small storeroom on Main street and six years ago occupied his present quarters at No. 544 Main street, where he has one of the best paint and wall paper stores in the state of Connecticut. His room space is thirty by sixty feet and the shelves which cover three sides of the store are filled from floor to ceiling with his exten-
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sive stoek. In busy seasons he employs from twelve to fifteen men, painters and paper hangers, who are needed in executing the contracts which Mr. Kilmer receives and he has built up this flourishing business in the short spaee of ten years. At the time of his marriage he had but twenty dollars to his name, one-half of which he gave to his wife, while with the other half he started in business. From that humble beginning he has steadily advanced and his position among the leading merchants of the city is most creditable and enviable.
It was on the 4th of September, 1908, that Mr. Kilmer wedded Miss Mary J. Mathew- son and they have two children, Hattie and Charlotte. Mr. and Mrs. Kilmer are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and the former belongs to the Chamber of Commerce. He is interested in those things which work for moral progress and for civic betterment and his influence is always on the side of advancement and improvement.
THERON NASH BRONSON.
Theron Nash Bronson, who is proprietor of a real estate and insurance business at No. 512 Main street in Winsted, was born at Winchester Center, four miles from Winsted, on the 8th of May, 1884. He is a son of the late Wilbur M. Bronson, formerly a well known citizen, who passed away in 1903. The father was prominent in both business circles and in connection with public affairs. He was a member of the coal and lumber firm of Bronson Brothers for many years and displayed marked enterprise in whatever he undertook, whether for his personal gain or for the benefit of public interests. His wife bore the maiden name of Susan S. Nash and is still living at Winchester Center. They were married about 1880 and became the parents of five children: Marjorie A., who is the wife of Thomas C. Brett, of West Haven, Connecticut; Theron N., of this review; Wilbur B .; Robert L .; and Helen M. Bronson. Wilbur B. and Robert L. Bronson are both members of the One Hundred and Seventh United States Infantry.
Theron Nash Bronson was graduated from the Pratt Institute of Brooklyn, New York, in 1906, after completing a course in architecture. He later spent one year with an architectural firm in New York city and subsequently devoted eight or ten years to arehi- tectural and engineering work with various firms in different states. The year 1911 found him in Salem, Oregon, whither he had gone because of his health. Later he was employed with the architectural firm of White & McMahon, of Hartford. In December, 1916, he pur- chased the real estate and insurance business of Gilbert L. Hart at No. 512 Main street. He now gives his entire attention to this and has won an extensive clientage.
On the 24th of June, 1916, Mr. Bronson was united in marriage to Miss Alice E. Babb, of Springfield, Massachusetts, who was born in Winsted, Connecticut, her parents being Frank O. and Edna (Jessup) Babb. Mr. Bronson belongs to the Congregational church at Winchester Center and he is a member of the Winsted Home Guard.
JOHN LYMAN PIERPONT.
John Lyman Pierpont, deceased, who for many years was a well known wholesale meat dealer of Waterbury and one of its most public-spirited citizens, was born at the old Pierpont homestead, East Farms, February 10, 1849. He was a descendant of one of the oldest and best known families of the Naugatuck valley. The ancestry is traced back to Robert Ale Pierpont, or Robert of the Stone Bridge, who went with William the Conqueror to England. One of his descendants, another Robert Pierpont, was created Earl of King- stone in 1628. He had two brothers, including William Pierpont, who was the father of James Pierpont, the latter becoming the founder of the American branch of the family. His two sons were John and Robert. The former became a resident of Roxbury, Massa- chusetts, and married Thankful Stowe. Their son, James Pierpont, was born January 4, 1659, and was graduated from Harvard College in 1681, becoming pastor of the Center church of New Haven on the 2d of July, 1684. He was married October 27, 1691, to Abigail Davenport, a daughter of the Rev. John Davenport. She passed away February 3, 1692, and on the 30th of May, 1694, James Pierpont married Sarah Haynes, a grand- daughter of Governor Haynes. Her death occurred October 27. 1696, and James Pierpont was married July 6, 1698, his third wife being Mary Hooker, a granddaughter of the Rev. Thomas Hooker, of Hartford.
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