USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 24
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WILLIAM D. MIDDLEBROOK.
William D. Middlebrook, whose inventive genius made him an important factor in the development of industrial activity in Waterbury, occupied for many years the position of master mechanic with the Oakville Pin Company and his expert skill along mechanical lines was acknowledged by all with whom he came in contact. He was a native of Fairfield county, Connecticut, his birth having occurred in Newtown, March 19, 1846. His parents were Sidney S. and Adaline (Wooster) Middlebrook, of that place, William D. Middle- brook spent his boyhood days in his native county and attended its public schools. While still in his teens he removed to Naugatuck, New Haven county, and there learned the machinist's trade under John L. Isbell of Union City. On his removal to Waterbury he entered the employ of the Oakville Pin Company and for thirty years was connected with that corporation, most of the time as master mechanic. He made himself indispensable to the company. He became an expert in his line and was a man of notable inventive genius. Many if not all of the latest machines in use by the Oakville Pin Company were the product of his brain and his skill and his efforts were greatly appreciated by the corporation and its officers. He was constantly studying out new methods which would promote the efficiency of the work done and his labors were most resultant.
Mr. Middlebrook was married in Naugatuck Connecticut. to Miss Phebe Morey, who was born in Lithgow. New York. a daughter of John and Susan (Anson) Morey. Mrs. Middlebrook still resides in Waterbury and is a consistent and faithful member of Trinity Episcopal church. To the marriage were born two children, Floyd and Florence. The latter became the wife of Dr. Herman L. Schulke and has one child, Justine, who was graduated from St. Margaret's school in Waterbury and is now the wife of Kenneth Mintie, of Waterbury, by whom she has one child, Esther. Mr. Middlebrook made his home for some years in Waterbury but afterward removed to Oakville. settling in the town of Watertown, and there the remainder of his life was passed. He was active in the employ of the Oakville Pin Company up to within a few days of his death, which occurred August 29, 1914, when he had reached the age of sixty-eight years. His remains were laid to rest in Evergreen cemetery in Watertown. He was a stanch republican in politics but never took an active part in public life, preferring that his service in matters of citizenship
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the South Berkshire Institute. He was reared to agricultural life and for a number of years engaged in farming on his own account at New Marlborough. He afterward removed to the town of Barkhamsted. Connecticut, near the boundary line of Winsted, in 1885 and for five years filled the position of superintendent of the Meadowbrook stock farm. He afterward took up his abode nyon a farm in Barkhamsted and there engaged in dairying. Since 1900, however, he has concentrated his efforts and attention upon the real estate business in Winsted, Connectieut.
Mr Sage has been married, three times. On the 12th of October, 1864, lie wedded Eion. A Joyner, who was born July 14, 1845, a daughter of Frederick C. and Emeline (saules Joyner She died November 27, 1879. Her children were: Ivie, who was born in 1865 and died in infancy; and Frederick Joyner, who was born April 14, 1869, and who was a clerk in the railway mail service between New York city and Boston and is now a passenger brakeman on the New Haven Road between Stamford and New York city, my king his home! in Stamford. On the 13th of April, 1881. Francis Sage married Fannie A. Barker. a daughter of Sylvester Barker, of Sandisfield. Her death occurred November 11. 1883. Her only child, Wilmer Barker, born November 2, 1883, died in infancy. On the 3d of September, 1890. Francis Sage was united in marriage to Georgia M. Clark, of Barkham- sted, who was born August 17, 1848, a daughter of Orlando and Melissa (Race) Clark. the former born December 25, 1817, and the latter January 25, 1821. The third wife of Mr. Sage passed away January 20, 1913.
In politics Mr. Sage has always given loyal support to the republican party and has filled various positions. He was selectman of Barkhamsted for three years, was selectman of Winchester for two years and is now serving for the eighth year as assessor of the town of Winchester. He belongs to the Second Congregational church of Winsted and his life has in all respects been honorable and upright. measuring up to the highest standards of the church. He is a representative of one of the old and honored families of the state and is fortunate in that his lines of life have been cast in harmony therewith. The repre- sentatives of the family have ever been loyal to the best interests of community and of common wealth and Mr. Sage manifests the same spirit of patriotic devotion to his country.
WILLIAM D. MIDDLEBROOK.
Middlebrook, whose inventive genung ande hi , portant factor in
industria' activity in Waterbne. ..; years the position
rt kili along mechanical lines yamhed by all with short - He was a native of Fairfield Viewu, March 19, 1846. His parents
Wed wreck, of that place. William D. Middle-
bank spent his lovly che aty and attended its public schools. While still in his tell : m. Wwwpink New Haven county, and there learned the machinist's tr ! ! @ Inion City. On his removal to Waterbury he entered the 090 ti Dak sale in Company and for thirty years was connected with that corpor is of the fim as master mechanic. He made himself indispensable He became an expert in his line and was a man of notable inventive genius. Many ! not all of the latest machines in use by the Oakville Pin Company were the product of bis brain and his skill and his efforts were greatly appreciated by the corporation and its officers. He was constantly studying out new methods which would promote the efficiency of the work done and his labors were most resultant.
Mr. Middlebrook was married in Naugatuck Connecticut, to Miss Phche Morey. who was born in Lithgow. New York, a daughter of John and Susan (Anson) Morey. Mrs. Middlebrook still resides in Waterbury and is a consistent and faithful member of Trinity Episcopal church. To the marriage were born two children, Floyd and Florence. The latter became the wife of Dr. Herman L. Schulke and has one child. Justine, who was graduated from St. Margaret's school in Waterbury and is now the wife of Kenneth tintie, of Waterbury, by whom she has one child, Esther. Mr. Middlebrook made his Im for some years in Waterbury but afterward removed to Oakville, settling' in the town of Watertown, and there the remainder of his life was passed. He was active in the employ of the Oakville Pin Company up to within a few days of his death, which occurred August 29 1914, when he had reached the age of sixty-eight years. His remains were laid to rest in Ivergicen cemetery in Watertown. He was a stanch republican in politics but never took an active part in public life, preferring that his service in matters of citizenship
Wir D. Middlebrook
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should be done as a private citizen. He was a member of the Episcopal church and he belonged to Shepherds Lodge, No. 78, F. & A. M., of Naugatuck. Modest and unassuming in disposition and manner, he was a man of high moral character who held friendship inviolable and whose devotion to his home and his family was one of his marked charac- teristics. In all matters of citizenship, too, he stood for high standards and did everything in his power to uphold civic honor and promote the public welfare.
SAMUEL SHORE.
Samuel Shore, of Waterbury, was born in Russia, March 17, 1872, his parents, Herman and Pauline Shore, having passed away in that country. The father was a real estate dealer and the parents always lived in Russia. Samuel Shore has one brother and one sister in this country, Harry Shore being an employe of the Waterbury Clock Company, while the sister, Mrs. Bessie Church, is living in Los Angeles, California.
It was in 1893 that Samuel Shore came to the new world and for a year after his arrival he was employed in a woolen mill at Meriden, Connecticut. In 1894 he came to Waterbury and for fifteen years was connected with the Waterbury Manufacturing Company, filling the position of assistant foreman during the last eight years of his association therewith. The company was engaged in the manufacture of brass goods. Mr. Shore resigned his position in 1908 and for four years thereafter was in the service of the Prudential Life Insurance Company, of Newark, New Jersey. For six years he also gave his attention to the real estate business, being agent for various owners living both in and outside of Waterbury. At present he is connected with the Chase Manufacturing Company.
On the 28th of February, 1896, Mr. Shore was married to Miss Ray Brandvien, who died October 5, 1916, leaving six children: Mrs. Marion Beck, the wife of Harry Beck, of the Waterbury Republican; Anna; Frederick R .; Jennie May and Dorothy May, twins; and Sarah. The daughter Anna is a graduate of the Crosby high school of the class of 1917, and Frederick R., nineteen years of age, is a sophomore in Cornell University.
Mr. Shore holds to the religious faith of his fathers and is a member of the Synagogue. He is also a Moose and a member of the Royal Arcanum. He came to the new world empty handed and started out to win name and place for himself and gradually has worked his way upward gaining a creditable measure of prosperity.
JOHN W. SMITH.
John W. Siuith is the vice president of J. E. Smith & Company, Incorporated, manu- facturers of and dealers in builders' supplies and masonry in Waterbury. He has been identified with this business since its inception in June, 1897, and his industry, activity and enterprise have contributed in no small measure to the success of the undertaking. He has closely studied every phase of the business and the latest processes of manufacture with a view to improving the output and also reducing the cost. He is thoroughly familiar with every branch of the trade and is thus able to speak with authority upon any important question relative thereto.
Mr. Smith was born in Haddam, Connecticut, May 17, 1878, a son of James and Catherine (Scully) Smith, who were natives of Ireland but were married in New York and as young people emigrated to the new world. The family home was later established in Hartford and there John W. Smith began his education as a public school pupil, while later he con- tinued his studies in the public schools of Waterbury. His early experience made him familiar with the line of business in which he is now engaged, for he was first employed in the Peck door, sash and blind factory and thus gained an intimate and accurate knowledge of the business. He was but nineteen years of age when in June, 1897, he joined his brother, J. E. Smith, who in that year established the present business under the style of J. E. Smith & Company, Incorporated, opening a mill and lumberyard and engaging in the manufacture of doors, sash and blinds. From the beginning John W. Smith has worked toward the upbuilding of the business and following the death of his brother he was made vice president of the company, which was incorporated as J. E. Smith & Com- pany in 1904.
It was in 1903 that Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Julia M. Sullivan, of
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Hartford, a daughter of Michael and Katherine (Griffin) Sullivan, who were natives of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are communicants of St. Thomas Catholic church and his political endorsement is given to the democratic party, but he has neither time nor inclina- tion to seek public office owing to the demands made upon him by his business interests. He is proving his ability in that direction and his labors are now winning continued success for the concern.
WILLIAM GREENLEAF SMITH.
William Greenleaf Smith, civil engineer, of Waterbury, the subject of this sketch, stands high in his profession for achievement, and is widely and favorably known. He was born July 13, 1851, in the town of Haverhill, New Hampshire, the only son of Charles L., and his wife Loraine A. (Page) Smith, a lineal descendant of Daniel Smith, who is on record as one of the first settlers and proprietors of the town of Watertown, Massa- chusetts Bay Colony, year 1630. In his infancy, his parents removed to Springfield, Massa- chusetts, where his grandfather Samuel Smith, formerly of Randolph, Vermont, was then in business. By the early death of his parents in Springfield, he was left an orphan, and taken into the family of his grandfather, remaining with him during his boyhood years, and removing with him, during this period, to a farm in the town of Manchester, Connecticut.
His education was obtained in the public and private schools. He entered his profession as an employe of S. B. Cushing & Company, Providence, Rhode Island, a widely known, and long established firm of civil engineers and surveyors.
For more than forty years Mr. Smith has been active in his profession. A part of his activities during this period, and likely of public interest, are briefly mentioned:
In the years 1875-76, resident engineer, in charge of construction of the North Brook- field Railroad, Massachusetts. with headquarters in North Brookfield. In years 1876-77, resident engineer in charge of construction of the Rhode Island & Massachusetts Railroad, with headquarters at Diamond Hill, Rhode Island. In the year 1878 he entered the employ of the New York & New England Railroad, in Boston, as assistant engineer, and in June, 1879, was sent to Waterbury in company with one other assistant engineer, from the same office to re-trace the center line of location of the former Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad, running westerly from Waterbury. During the construction of this road, he was resident engineer in charge of construction of the Southbury section, with headquarters in Southbury, and towards completion of road, in charge from Waterbury to Brewsters, New York, with headquarters in Waterbury.
He resigned his position, soon after opening of the road for public travel, and entered the employ of the Naugatuck Railroad Company, and in this connection laid out and was in charge of construction of the first piece of double track constructed by this company. running six miles northerly from Junction with the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad; also engaged in improving the main track at other points, by elimination of curvature, improvement of grades, the location of new stations, yard tracks, the designing and construction of a locomotive round-house, coal handling railway, and the rebuilding of nearly all the timber stringer, and truss bridges into wrought iron structures. This work extended from Winsted to Junction with the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, and was the means of greatly extending his acquaintance in the Naugatuck valley.
In the year 1885, he opened an office in Waterbury for the general practice of his profession. In the years 1886-87 he laid out, and had charge of construction of the first street railroad built in Waterbury for the Waterbury Horse Railroad Company, and has been identified with the development of rebuilding and extensions to this parent system since the advent of electric power, including the layout and charge of construction of the suburban and interurban electric railway lines radiating from Waterbury to Ansonia, Woodbury, Watertown, Thomaston and Milldale.
In years 1892-93 he laid out and built, as contractor, the electric railway from New Britain, to Plainville, and rebuilt the horse railroad tracks in the city of New Britain. In the years 1898-99 he was engineer of the Albany & Hudson Railway, New York state, the pioneer electric railway in this country constructed with side rail power conductor, and also executed many other electric railway projects. For The Berlin Iron Bridge Company, in October 1889. he made the preliminary surveys and laid out the construction lines for the railroad cantilever bridge, now spanning Ausable Chasm, New York state.
um r. Smith.
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For several years he was the engineer engaged, ammually, by the former state board of railroad commissioners, to inspect and report on condition of the electric railways of this state.
For about twenty years he had charge of construction of the first sewerage system with extensions, and establishment of street grades, for the borough of Torrington, and for several years, similiar work for the borough of Ansonia, and was also in charge, for several years, of construction of the first sewerage system, with extensions, for the borough of Willimantic. He designed the first domestic water supply for the Seymour Water Company, and numerous small dams and reservoirs for private parties.
For several years, and at present, he holds the state office, by appointment, as a member of the state board of civil engineers, for the inspection of dams and reservoirs.
In his social and society affiliations, he was made a Mason in Harmony Lodge, No. 42, F. & A. M., is a thirty-second degree Mason in the Scottish Rite, and a past commander of Clark Commandery No. 7, K. T., and is a member of the Connecticut Society, Sons of the American Revolution, by virtue of descent from Oliver Smith, who served "in Captain Robinson's company of Connecticut State forces in the service of the United States, commanded by Col. Samuel McClelland." He is also a member of the Mattatuck Historical Society, the Waterbury Club, and the Waterbury Country Club, and is a charter member and past president of the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers.
In politics he is a republican. The family attend Trinity Episcopal church, where, at times, Mr. Smith has served as vestryman.
On the 17th of June, 1872, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss LaVonne A. Bidwell. a schoolmate, of Manchester, Connecticut. They are the parents of four children: Gertrude F. (Smith) Clark, who is the well known contralto soloist in the choir of the Second Con- gregational church, Waterbury; Herbert B. Smith, who is acting purchasing agent for the Tuttle & Bailey Manufacturing Company, Brooklyn, New York; Raymond H. Smith, vice president and general manager of the Eastern Wisconsin Electric Company, with headquarters in Sheboygan, Wisconsin; and Dorothy Page Smith, who resides with her parents and is the contralto soloist in the choir of the Prospect Methodist Episcopal church, at Bristol, Con- necticut.
W. T. SMITH.
WV. T. Smith is the president of J. E. Smith & Company, Incorporated, dealers in builders' supplies at Waterbury. The business was organized under its present form in 1904 and in its further development and the extension of its trade relations W. T. Smith has been an important factor. He closely studies every phase of the trade and his activities have been beneficially resultant.
He was born at Fordham, New York, July 14, 1868, and is a son of James and Catherine (Scully) Smith, who were natives of Ireland but as young people crossed the Atlantic to New York and were married in Waterbury, where they are still living. They had a family of six children: J. E., who was a very prominent business man of Waterbury to the time of his death on the 5th of December, 1914; Mary Elizabeth, who is now the wife of Joseph M. Kelley of Boston, Massachusetts; W. T., of this review; Mrs. Anna H. Moran, deceased; Katherine J., who has been identified with the business interests of J. E. Smith & Company, Incorporated, for many years: and John W., who is vice president of the Company.
W. T. Smith was but a young lad at the time of the removal of the family to Hartford, where he acquired a public school education to the age of eleven years and tlien started to provide for his own support. His is the record of a self-made man early thrown upon his own resources and recognizing from the outset that honorable success is won only through industry, close application and ability. He became a machinist and tool maker and acquired proficiency along those lines. On the 22d of August, 1889, he came to Waterbury and was made foreman of one of the departments of the Farrell Foundry & Machine Company. Later he entered into business relations with his brother, J. E. Smith, who in June, 1897, had organized the firm of J. E. Smith & Company for the conduct of a business in builders' supplies at No. 65 Benedict street, where he had a mill and lumberyard and engaged in the manufacture of doors, sash and blinds. From the beginning the business steadily increased. It was incorporated in 1904 with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, which in 1910 was increased to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, invested in the plant, buildings and equipment. Theirs is one of the best mills in the state and in addition
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to their manufactured lines they retail lumber and masonry supplies and are the largest dealers in Waterbury, where they employ about sixty-five people. The present officers are: W. T. Smith, president; J. W. Smith, vice president; M. L. Smith, treasurer; and K. J. Smith, secretary.
On the 25th of September, 1908, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Margaret Frances Flynn, of Hartford, Connecticut, and to them have been born three children: Alfred James, William Henry and Daniel Joseph.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of St. Thomas Catholic church and Mr. Smith holds membership with the Knights of Columbus. In politics he is a democrat. The line of his recreation is indicated in the fact that he holds memberships in several rod and gun clubs. He has the spirit of the true sportsman, the man who believes in preventing extermination through the passage and observance of game protection laws. In fact the same spirit of justice actuates him in all that he does-in his relations to the public, in his relations to his employes and in every other connection, and this has been one of the sources of his popularity. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. Working his way steadily upward, he has been both the architect and builder of his own fortunes.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM EUGENE RILEY.
The military history of this county is one of which she has every reason to be proud, for her citizens have in all the crises of America proven their loyalty by valorous defense of the country. Among the number who went to the front at the time of the Civil war was Captain William Eugene Riley, who for three years was active in defense of the Union. In times of peace he was well known as a railroad man and later in conncetion with banking interests of Waterbury. He was born in Hartford county, Connecticut, in the town of East Hartford, December 19, 1826, a son of Samuel and Percy (Brewer) Riley. After attending the public schools he became a student in the East Hartford Academy and at the age of fourteen took up seafaring life, with which his forebears had been long identified. He followed the sea for seven years and in 1852 he went to California, settling in Sierra eounty, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was also prominent in public affairs of the community and in 1854 was elected justice of the peace, in which position he discharged his duties with marked faithfulness and impartiality. He performed many marriage ceremonies during his term in that office. In 1860 he was elected associate judge of the court of sessions in the same county and again discharged his duties with marked capability and faithfulness, continuing in the office until after the outbreak of the Civil war.
Two of his brothers enlisted and the younger brother at home was about to be drafted when Captain Riley determined to return to Connecticut. He had already planned to enlist in the Black Horse Cavalry of California, but hearing from his parents that his younger brother was to be drafted, he returned home and enlisted in the First Connecticut Cavalry under General Custer, becoming a member of Company A under Captain Andrew W. Bowen. He was mustered in as a private on the 30th of September, 1862, and was promoted to the rank of first corporal on the 1st of November, 1862. He became quartermaster sergeant February 1, 1863, and first sergeant December 18, 1863. He was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant of Company F in the same regiment, February 10, 1864, became first lieu- tenant on the 1st of June of that year and on the 3d of July, 1864, was commissioned captain of Company K. While at the front he participated in all the battles of the Potomac, includ- ing the engagements at Spotsylvania Courthouse, Stephensburg, Cedar Creek, Winchester, Five Oaks and others. He resigned his position on the 25th of June, 1865, on account of illness, at which time there remained nothing to be done save the final adjustment, for fighting had ceased, Lee having surrendered two months before. 1
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