USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 22
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William H. Perkins, who was one of the four children of William Perkins, Sr., was born in Waterbury, November 3, 1848, and after attending public and select schools in his native city continued his education in the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire and in the New Haven Military Institute under General Russell. He took up the earpenter's trade, which he learned under D. H. Meloy, a well known architect and builder of Waterbury. In 1887 he established his home on Bucks Hill, now Perkins avene and engaged in the cultivation of the Holt farm, where he added many extensive and modern improvements, erecting a fine residence and all the necessary barns and ontbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He made an artificial lake which was well stocked with fine fish and on which he had a pleasure boat. Fine cattle, fancy dogs and chickens were bred on his place with much success and won him more than local fame. He was equally widely known as a fisherman and all his life displayed great interest in manly sports. He was one of the promoters of the Monitor Base Ball Club, of which he became catcher, and he was also catcher for the Waterbury Baseball Club, both clubs holding at times the state championship during his association therewith. He never ceased to feel the deepest interest in the national game and was considered an authority upon any question in dispute relative thereto.
In Waterbury. William H. Perkins was united in marriage to Miss Ella L. Grilley, a native of this city and a daughter of Albert Grilley. They became parents of three
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Wie a unit and is awaiting orders to go with that unit to
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Mc Alpine belong. it the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as. a 'intee, and he is also, ilontified with the Young Men's Christian Association. Fraternally he is a Royal Arch M. on. He has been active in the business life of Winsted for a third of a century but mired in 1915 to enjoy the fruits of his former labor. His course has eter been choa . r.zed by strict integrity and commercial honor and his record proves that succe s . r.1 an untarnished naine may be won simultaneously.
HARRY W. PERKINS.
Harry. W. Perkins is now living practically retired in Waterbury. although for some years he was actively identified with its manufacturing interests xud later with general agricultural pursuits. He was born in Waterbury, March 4, 1883, a son of William H. and Ella L. (Grilley) Perkins. His great grandfather Benonia Perkins, became the founder of the family in New Haven county, establishing his home in Bethany, where he engaged in farming until his death. His son, William Perkins, was but nine months old at the time of the removal from Gilbertsville, Otsego county New York, where he was born, to New Haven county. He acquired his education in the schools of Bethany and was fifteen years of age when he came to Waterbury, then a small town giving little evidence of its future rapid development. In Waterbury and in Prospeet he learned the earpenter's trade and became a prominent contractor and builder of the Naugatuck valley. On attaining his majority he entered into partnership with Archibald and Elisha Rice and received con- tracts for the erection of several prominent buildings of Waterbury, including the Seovill House, the First. Congregational church and the Scovill factory. He had the record of erecting nine houses in ten days in Waterville We also engaged in the manufacture of sash and blinds at City will- breathe large landowner, having property at
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War and also at Waterville. He was a recognized deep interest in all public affairs, political and
leader a. M .
Hled the office of selectman, being clected on both demo- cratic al rep Than trente a fact indicative of his personal popularity and his marked capability in office. For five years he was first seleetman. His influence was ever on the side of progress and contributed much to the material, educati ral, political and moral welfare of his community. He died in Waterbury in 1875 and was laid to rest in Riverside cemetery, in the second lot bought in this cemetery. He held membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and guided his life according to the teachings of the Episcopal church; of which he was a communicant In early manhood he wedded Mary Tuttle, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Judd Tuttle, and following her demise he married Almira Jerome, of Waterbury.
William H. Perkins, who was one of the four children of William Perkins, Sr., was born in Waterbury, November 3, 1848, and after attending public and seleet schools in his native eity continued his education in the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire aud in the New Haven Military Institute under General Russell. He took up the carpenter's trade, which he learned under D. H. Meloy, a well known architeet and builder of Waterbury. In 1887 he established his home on Bucks Hill, now Perkins avenue and engaged in the cultivation of the Holt farm, where he added many extensive and modern improvements, erecting a fine residence and all the necessary barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stoek. He made an artificial lake which was well stocked with fine fish and on which he had a pleasure boat. Fine cattle, fancy dogs and chiekens were bred on his plaec with much sueeess and won him more than loeal fame. He was equally widely known as a fisherman and all his life displayed great interest in manly sports. He was one of the promoters of the Monitor Base Ball Club, of which he became catcher, and he was also atcher for the Waterbury Baseball Club, both clubs holding at times the state championship doning his association therewith. He never ceased to feel the deepest interest in the natinal game and was considered an authority upon any question in dispute relative thereto.
In Waterbury. William H. Perkins was united in marriage to Miss Ella L. Grillev, a native of this city and a daughter of Albert Grilley. They became parents of three
William H, Perkins
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children : Alice E., now the wife of William E. Johnson, of Wolcott; Harry W .; and Mary E., the wife of David E. Williams. The parents were members of St. John's Episcopal church and Mr. Perkins belonged also to the Mad River Grange. In politics he was a democrat but never active in political circles. He passed away in 1903, while his wife survived until August 6, 1913, both being laid to rest in Riverside cemetery.
Harry W. Perkins acquired his education in private schools of Waterbury and of Litchfield and made his initial step in the business world as an employe of the Connecticut Company of Waterbury. He afterward entered the employ of the Scovill Manufacturing Company, with which he was connected for seven years and then returned to the Perkins homestead, which had been splendidly developed by his father and which comprises one hundred and sixty acres of land. Hereon lie is engaged in farming and is an extensive chicken raiser, although practically living retired. His interest in progressive agriculture, however, is manifest in his supervision of the place.
On the 11th of January, 1905, Mr. Perkins was united in marriage to Miss Anna E. Hodapp, a daughter of John Hodapp, of New Brunswick, New Jersey. His political endorse- ment is given to the Republican party and he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. with which he has been associated for about four years. He belongs to St. John's Episcopal church of Waterbury and in the social circles of the city occupies a most enviable position, having a wide acquaintance throughout the county in which his entire life has been passed.
HON. EDWARD M. O'BRIEN.
Hon. Edward M. O'Brien, attorney and postmaster of Waterbury, was born in that city, June 22, 1885, the only son of Terrence C. and Margaret (Carey) O'Brien, the former a well known retired merchant and business man of Waterbury. The son prepared for college at Mount St. Mary's preparatory school of Emmitsburg, Maryland, and received his academic training in Niagara College of New York. He then took up the study of law in Georgetown University at Washington, D. C., from which he was graduated with the LL. B. degree in 1909. In June of that year he was admitted to the bar, after which he entered upon the practice of law in Waterbury, where he continued to follow his profession until 1913, when he was appointed clerk of the city court of Waterbury by Judge William E. Thoms. While acting in that position he was on the 26th of January, 1915, appointed post- master of Waterbury by President Weodrow Wilson and took charge of the office on the 1st of March, so that he is the present incumbent.
Mr. O'Brien maintains his membership in the New Haven County Bar Association, the Waterbury Bar Association and the Connecticut Bar Association. He is also a member of of the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party and his religious faith is that of the Catholic church, his membership being in St. Margaret's parish. Fraternally he is an Elk. He is fond of baseball, football and all manly outdoor sports and is a progressive, wide-awake young man who is exerting considerable influence over public affairs in Waterbury.
WILLIAM E. FULTON.
The wise utilization of his time, talents and opportunities has brought William E. Fulton to the creditable position which he occupies in the business circles of Waterbury. A native of Brooklyn, New York, he acquired a public school education and at the age of seven- teen years started in business life. It was in January, 1873, that he arrived in Waterbury, having been offered the position of assistant bookkeeper with the firm of Holmes, Booth & Haydens. This opportunity came to Mr. Fulton through A. S. Chase, who was president of Holmes, Booth & Haydens. In 1877 he entered into business relations which have brought him in the course of years to the presidency of The Waterbury Farrel Foundry. Since joining the company in 1877, or forty years ago, Mr. Fulton has contributed much to the development and upbuilding of the business. In 1910 he became vice president of the Manufacturers National Bank and still continues in that position.
In October, 1877, Mr. Fulton was married to Miss Ida E. Lewis, a daughter of Edward C. Lewis. Their three sons were Lewis Edwards Fulton. deceased, William Shirley Fulton
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and Irving Kent Fulton. William Shirley Fulton is now vice president and treasurer of the company, while P. F. Bannon is superintendent and D. C. Griggs is the secretary.
Mr. Fulton is interested in various lines of activity which have to do with the upbuilding and development of the city. He has realized the duties and obligations of citizenship as well as its privileges and as the years have gone on he has contributed much in judgment and in active labor to those interests which are seeking to upbuild Waterbury and promote its civic standards. For forty years he has been a well known factor in its industrial circles and he is ranked with those whose productive industries have been a factor in the business life of the city.
HON. WILLIAM H. SMITH.
A man of public spirit identified with the material, intellectual, political and moral progress of Oakville, passed away when William H. Smith was called to his final rest on the 8th of July, 1914. He was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, March 1, 1840, his parents being Seymour and Betsy (Wood) Smith of that place. The family resided for a time at Worcester, Massachusetts, and from 1863 until 1866 in Sharon, Connecticut, but in the latter year located in Oakville, Connecticut. In Worcester the father had established a hardware specialty manufactory, in which line of business he continued in Sharon, and upon settling in Oakville purchased the old plant of the Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machine Company, in which was manufactured the first machine of that firm. In the meantime the son, William H. Smith, having grown to manhood, became his father's associate and partner in the business, and under the firm style of Seymour Smith & Son they began the manufacture of pruning shears and other hardware specialties in Oakville. The business association between father and son was maintained until 1904, when Seymour Smith was called to the home beyond and the business was then continued by W. H. Smith Smith and his two sons under the old firm name of Seymour Smith & Son. W. H. Smith remained at the head of the business until he, too, was called from this life.
In 1863 William H. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Catherine E. Cole and they became the parents of three children: George H., Ella R. and William R. Mr. Smith was devoted to the welfare of his family and found his greatest happiness in promoting their interests. He was at the same time a public-spirited citizen and felt it to be his duty to serve his town to the extent of his ability in any possible way. He filled several town offices in a most commendable manner, serving for a number of years as a member of the board of relief, while in 1887 he was called upon to represent his district in the state legislature, where he gave earnest and careful consideration to all vital questions coming up for settle- ment. He belonged to Federal Lodge, F. & A. M., and he attended the Watertown Congre- gational church. He was, moreover, a man of broad views and was in sympathy with all the different movements which were organized to uphold moral progress. He reached the venerable age of seventy-four years and four months and by reason of his manly, upright life he left behind him the priceless heritage of an untarnished name and a memory that should serve as a blessed benediction to all who knew him.
GEORGE H. SMITH.
George H. Smith is now treasurer of Seymour Smith & Son, Incorporated, of Oakville, an a representative of the family in the third generation to carry on this business. He was born in Sharon, Connecticut, October 17, 1864, a son of William H. and Catherine (Cole) Smith. He was in his second year when his parents removed to Oakville, where he enjoyed the opportunities offered by the public schools, while later he continued his education in the Watertown Academy. He was afterward in business with his father, whom he joined when age qualified him for such activities, entering into the conduct and management of a business which had its inception in 1852. The name of the founder, Seymour Smith, grandfather of George H. Smith, has always been maintained in the firm style. Under a partnership connection as Seymour Smith & Son the business was carried on for forty years and on the 31st of December, 1912, was incorporated as Seymour Smith & Son, Incorporated. At that time George H. Smith was made treasurer and so continues. The company is engaged in the manufacture of pruning implements which
William H Smith
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are shipped widely. The present officers are: William R. Smith, president; Ella R. Smith, secretary; and George H. Smithi, treasurer. The employes number thirty.
1
In 1888 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Annie Scott, of Watertown, a daughter of Frederick Scott, a retired farmer who has now reached the notable old age of ninety years. He was born in Watertown, a son of Chester Scott, who was with the Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machine Company and was associated with Major Kingman and William Warren in perfecting the sewing machine. Later Chester Scott went to Ohio but returned to Watertown, where he passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have a son, Harold H., who attended high school in Watertown and in Waterbury and then entered his father's factory, where he is now superintendent, being of the fourth generation in the management of the business. He wedded Mary New, of Bethlehem, Connecticut, on the 20th of June 1917.
George H. Smith is a member of Federal Lodge, No. 17, F. & A. M., and exemplifics in his life the beneficent spirit of that organization. He holds membership in the Congregational church and in politics is a republican where national principles are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot.
WILLIAM R. SMITH.
William. R. Smith is of the third generation connected with the business now conducted under the name of Seymour Smith & Son, Incorporated, of which he is the president. For fifty-one years Oakville has numbered this enterprise among its manufacturing concerns. Born in Watertown on the 9th of August, 1874, he is a son of William H. and Catherine (Cole) Smith, mentioned elsewhere in this work. He acquired a public school education and was graduated from the Waterbury high school with the class of 1893. He then entered his father's factory, thoroughly learning the business in every department from the initial point of manufacture to the sale and shipment, and in 1914 he was chosen president of the company.
On the 5th of November, 1896, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Daisy E. Lewis, of Watertown, a daughter of Robert T. and Celestia M. (Cook) Lewis, who came to Oakville about 1865. The father, a machinist, is now with Seymour Smith & Son, Incorporated, being still active in the business at the age of seventy-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are parents of two sons: Justin L., who is a graduate of the Watertown high school and is now studying mechanical engineering in the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, New York; and Seymour R., who was graduated from the Watertown high school and is now pursuing a civil engineering course in Union College, Schenectady, New York.
Mr. Smith gives stalwart allegiance to the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has served on the town school committee for the past seven years and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He has attained high rank in the York- Rite of Masonry, belonging to Federal Lodge, No. 17, F. & A. M .; Granite Chapter, R. A. M .; and Clark Commandery, K. T. His religious faith is evidenced by his membership in the Congregational church.
MICHAEL J. LAWLOR, M. D.
Dr. Michael J. Lawlor, who has attained more than local distinction in the field of surgery, his ability having as its basis thorough training at home and abroad, was born in Waterbury, September 21, 1881, the only child of the late Michael J. and Mary A. (MeGivney) Lawlor, the latter a sister of the Rev. Michael McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus. The father was of the firm of Lawlor Brothers, general merchants of Waterbury, a firm which conducted business here for many years, the partners being Michael J. Lawlor and his brothers, Peter and Christopher. All were born in Ireland and Michael J. Lawlor died when his son and namesake was but four years of age.
After attending St. Mary's parochial school of Waterbury, Dr. Lawlor entered the high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1899, being class president. He pursued an academic course in the Holy Cross College of Worcester, Massachusetts, and won his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1902, while in 1914 the honorary degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him. In the fall following the completion of his more specifically literary course he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York and was
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there graduated with the M. D. degree in 1906. He afterward spent four months in St. Mary's Hospital in Brooklyn and two and one-half years in St. Vincent's Hospital of New York city. In 1909 he went abroad for further study and pursued a post-graduate course in surgery at Vienna. Upon his return home he opened an office in Waterbury in the summer of 1909 and has since specialized in surgical practice. He is very successful and has already built up a high and well merited reputation as an eminent surgeon. He is now serving on the staff of St. Mary's Hospital.
On the 14th of June, 1911, Dr. Lawlor was married to Miss Margaret Cecelia McDonald, of Ansonia, Connecticut. They are members of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic church and Dr. Lawlor belongs to the Waterbury Country Club. His political support is given to the democratic party. He finds his recreation in golf and trout fishing but makes his professional activities his chief interest and is keeping in touch with modern professional progress through his membership in the New Haven County, Connecticut State and American Medieal Societies.
CHARLES HOWARD GOODWIN.
Death often claims those whom we can ill afford to lose-men who have made valu- able contribution to the upbuilding of the community in which they reside and whose worth is widely aekowledged. Such a citizen was Charles Howard Goodwin, who for several years was superintendent of the Waterbury Button Company and thus occupied a notable place in manufacturing circles. At the time of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations to espouse the cause of the Union and patriotie loyalty was ever numbered among his strong and salient characteristics. Litehfield county, Connecticut, numbered him among her native sons. He was born in Morris, September 16, 1843, a descendant of Ozias Goodwin, who belonged to the band of hardy pioneer settlers who under Thomas Hooker became the first residents of Hartford.
Charles Goodwin, the father of Charles Howard Goodwin, was also a native of Litchfield county, where his birth occurred February 3, 1803, his father being Uri Goodwin. In early life Charles Goodwin learned the tanner's trade, which he followed in connection with farming, and he lived at various points in Litchfield county, residing for a time in Morris and afterward in Watertown. Eventually he removed with his family to Binghamton, New York, where he engaged in the tanning business for a number of years. While on a visit in Waterbury he became ill and died at the home of his son, Charles II., on the 3d of August, 1870, his remains being interred in Riverside cemetery. In early manhood he had wedded Jane Guilford, who was born October 23, 1812, and whose death occurred in Waterbury several years before her husband's demise, while she, too, was visiting in this city. Her grave was also made in Riverside cemetery. By her marriage she had become the mother of three children: Thomas, deceased; Ralph Schuyler, who was a well known physician of Thomaston, Connecticut, where he passed away; and Charles Howard.
The last named pursued his education in the schools of Morris and Watertown and later accompanied his parents on their removal to Binghamton, New York, where he made his home until the early '60s. He then returned to Connecticut and while a resident of Cheshire" responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting on the 14th of July, 1862, as a member of Company A, Twentieth Connectieut Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for a period of nine months, being honorably discharged on the 1st of April, 1863.
When his military service was over Mr. Goodwin returned to Cheshire, where he followed the trade of tool making, and later he secured employment at his trade in Water- bury with the Waterbury Button Company, continning with that corporation throughout his remaining days. He rose through snecessive promotions to the position of foreman and was later appointed superintendent of the, plant, in which capacity he served with general satisfaction to the company to the time of his demise. He possessed natural mechanical skill and ingenuity, and the Waterbury Button Company took out various patents on inventions in connection with button manufacturing brought out by Mr. Goodwin. He thus made valuable contribution to the development of manufacturing interests in his adopted city.
On the 18th of September, 1868, Mr. Goodwin was united in marriage to Miss Alice Brunette Munson, who was born in Cheshire, Connecticut, a daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Abigail Antoinette Munson. Mrs. Goodwin still resides on Chestnut street and is widely and favorably known in Waterbury, being a loyal and devoted member of the Trinity
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Episcopal church. By her marriage she became the mother of one son, William E. Goodwin, who was born February 15, 1870, in Waterbury. After pursuing his education in the graded and high schools he attended the Wilbraham Academy at Wilbraham, Massachusetts, and then took up the study of medicine, being graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city, which conferred upon him his degree. He then located for practice in Newark, New Jersey, where he has since remained, and he was a member of the medical staff of St. Boniface Hospital and also of St. Michael's Hospital of Newark. He married Caroline Blodgett, a daughter of Dr. Albert Blodgett, of Ware, Massachusetts, and they have two children, Ellis Munson and Charles Albert.
The death of Charles Howard Goodwin occurred on the 24th of October, 1906, and he was laid to rest in Riverside cemetery, the community mourning the loss of a well known, highly respected and progressive citizen. He took much interest in the growth and develop- ment of Waterbury. He built the first house on what is now Chestnut avenue, now occupied by his widow, and at the time of the building that section of the city was a farming district, only a few buildings having been erected between there and the Green. He was joined in this enterprise by Charles J. Pierpont, the well known real estate dealer, and it was they who gave the name of Chestnut to the street, on which they were the first residents. In politics Mr. Goodwin was a stanch republican and represented the second ward on the city council. Mr. Goodwin was a member of Wadhams Post, G. A. R., of Waterbury, and of Townsend Lodge, No. 89, I. O. O. F., and of Tunxis Tribe of Red Men. He became one of the organizers of Trinity Episcopal church, in which he served as vestry- man, and in all branches of church work he took an active and helpful part. He was a man of sterling character, reliable in business, progressive in citizenship and faithful in friendship, but his best traits of character were reserved for his own home and fireside.
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