USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 42
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Mr. Manchester owns a beautiful summer home on John's bay, South Bristol, Maine, where he spends his vacations with his family. His activity in behalf of public interests has been far-reaching, effective and beneficial. In politics he classes himself as an inde- pendent republican, using every opportunity to further the no-license cause, being scere- tary and treasurer of the Winchester No-license League. He is serving for the second term on the board of finance of the town of Winchester, is vice president of the Winsted Chamber of Commerce, is chairman of the finance committee of the Winsted Chapter of "the American Red Cross Society, is a member of the Winsted Home Guard, vice president of the Connecticut Editorial Association and for four years president of the Winsted chautau- qua. He is also steward of the Winsted Methodist church, a member of its finance com- mittee, president of the Temperance Society and a teacher in the Sunday school. He belongs to the Psi Upsilon fraternity, to the Litchfield County University Club and to Winsted Lodge, No. 7, A. O. U. W. He takes a very lively interest in public affairs and through the columns of his newspapers is enabled to give valuable assistance to any worthy causes.
CLARK MURRAY PLATT.
The name of Platt early appears on the pages of Connecticut history and is found in the Naugatuck valley in Platts Mills and Plattsville, showing early connection of the family with this section of the state. The ancestral line is traced back to Richard Platt, who became the founder of the family in New England in 1638, at which time he estab- lished his home in New Haven, where he owned land. He became one of the first settlers of Milford, November 20, 1639. The line of descent is traced down through his son Josiah, his grandson Nathan and his great-grandson, Alfred Platt, to Clark Murray Platt of this review.
Alfred Platt was born in Newtown. April 2, 1789. and was a lad of ten years when he accompanied his parents to Waterbury, the family's point of settlement afterward becoming known as Platts Mills and as Plattsville. He was a student in the school con- ducted by James Morris at Litchfield and when nineteen years of age made his initial step in the business world, operating a sawmill near his father's flour mill. He afterward traveled in the south, selling the Waterbury wooden clocks. He became one of the earliest partners in the business that was originally conducted under the name of A. Benedict and which eventually developed into the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company. More- over, he attained distinction as the first manufacturer of brass and copper wire in Water- bury and for several years he made all of the wire used by the Scovill and the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Companies in making button eyes. At length he disposed of
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his interest in the firm of Benedict & Burnham and purchased the mill owned by his father and Gideon Platt, together with the water power at Platts Mills. For several years he operated the plant and replaced the old mill with a new one. Not long afterward he invented an improved method of making buckwheat flour and built machinery for that purpose, on which he obtained a patent. His process resulted in eliminating the grit from the buckwheat and rendering it white, for previous to this time it had been both gritty and dark. When he severed his connection with the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company he took up manufacturing on his own account, employing his sons, William S. and Clark M., whom he admitted to a partnership in 1847 under the firm style of A. Platt & Company, which eventually became A. Platt & Sons. The business developed to exten- sive proportions, becoming one of the most prominent button manufactories of Water- bury. Alfred Platt was not only a leading figure in industrial circles but was also a prom- inent member of the Baptist church and contributed in marked measure to the moral progress of his community. He was married June 8, 1814, to Irene Blackman, a daughter of Hiram Blackman, of Brookfield, Connecticut, and they became the parents of six sons. The father passed away December 29, 1872, while his wife died November 2, 1863.
Clark M. Platt, the fourth of their six sons, was born January 1, 1824, and in his youthful days attended the public schools of Waterbury, after which he received his early business training in the shop of his father, acquainting himself thoroughly with every feature of button making. Later he spent a term or two in the Connecticut Institute at Suffield and became interested in button manufacturing as a partner of his father and brother, while later he was a member of the firm of Platt Brothers & Company. He in- vented many useful and valuable devices and machines utilized in the manufacture of buttons, his original ideas taking practical form, so that he won more than local fame as an inventor, while his work contributed in marked measure to the success of the enter- prise with which he was associated and he came to rank with the best known among the prominent manufacturers of Waterbury.
On the 20th of May. 1849, Mr. Platt was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Maria, a daughter of Selden Lewis, of Naugatuck, and they became the parents of four children. One son died in infancy. The daughter, Bertha Louise, married Jay Hiscox Hart, of Waterbury. Lewis Alfred was born May 31, 1854, and was graduated from Yale College with the class of 1879. He married Ellen Brainard and he became active in button man- ufacturing as secretary of Platt Brothers & Company. Edward LeGrand, the fourth mem- ber of the family, was born April 19, 1857, and died December 20, 1862.
Clark Murray Platt was a well known and highly respected citizen who took a deep interest in Waterbury and its growth and progress and in every possible way contributed to its upbuilding and development. He ranked, too, as one of its most progressive busi- ness men, while those who knew him socially recognized in him a devoted husband and father and a faithful friend. He died December 20, 1900, at the age of seventy-six years, and was laid to rest in Riverside cemetery.
JAY HISCOX HART.
Business enterprise, ready adaptability and ready recognition and utilization of oppor- tunities brought Jay Hiscox Hart to a prominent position in the manufacturing circles of Waterbury. He was born December 11, 1847, in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and is a representative of one of the old families of New England, tracing his ancestry back to Deacon Stephen Hart, who was born in Braintree, in the county of Essex, England, and who in 1632 became a resident of the Massachusetts Bay colony, being one of the fifty-four original settlers of Cambridge. The line is traced down through Captain John Hart, Deacon John Hart and Solomon Hart, who was the grandfather of Jay H. Hart. Solomon Hart was born in Cornwall, Connecticut, May 8, 1766, and died June 26, 1861. He was a lifelong farmer and also conducted a grist mill, to which he had a set of saws attached and did sawmill work as well. He was the first settler of Hartsville, Massachusetts, which claimed the name in his honor. His son, Alfred Hart, was born in Berkshire county, Massa- chusetts, February 12, 1812, and died in New Marlboro, that state, February 19, 1864. He married Cynthia L. Nettleton, who was born in Cornwall, Connecticut, in 1814. a daughter of Jehiel and Addie Nettleton, and who died September 6, 1877.
Jay H. Hart. the youngest of the four children of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Hart, was reared to farm life at Hartsville, Massachusetts, where he remained until he reached the
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age of fifteen years. He supplemented his early education, acquired in the schools of Hartsville, by study in the Berkshire Institute and later obtained a position as special agent with the Adams Express Company, in which connection he traveled extensively all over New England. In 1869 he came to Waterbury as freight master and held that posi- tion for a year and a half. He then became connected with the Plume & Atwood Manu- faeturing Company, with which he continued for a similar period, and in August, 1872, he entered the employ of A. Platt & Sons, button manufacturers. When the business was incorporated in 1876, under the name of Platt Brothers & Company, Mr. Hart became one of the directors and was also made the secretary of The Patent Button Company, one of its subsidiary enterprises. He thus became actively connected with one of the most impor- tant manufacturing interests of Waterbury and took aetive part in its management, development and control.
On the 20th of May, 1873, Mr. Hart was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Platt, a daughter of Clark Murray Platt, and to them were born seven children, namely: Amy Louise, born October 4, 1874; Bertha M., born on the 10th of October, 1876; Lewis Jay, born August 21, 1878; Alfred Lueius, December 10, 1880; Ruth Spencer, September 22, 1882; Dorothy, February 27, 1889; and Howard Platt, August 10, 1891.
Mr. Hart has always been a strong advocate of republican principles and was for many years a member of the town republican committee, serving as its chairman for several terms. He served also for fifteen years as a member of the city council, of which he was secretary for five years and for three years was president of the board. He occupied the position of receiver of taxes for four years and for ten years was a member of the board of fire commissioners, while for two years he was on the board of safety. As a member of the water committee he took an active part in the work that resulted in building the new reservoir at an investment of three-quarters of a million dollars, and he was also a member of the sewerage disposal committee.
In fraternal cireles Mr. Hart has long occupied a prominent position, holding mem- bership with the Masons and the Odd Fellows and taking an especially helpful part in the latter organization. He and his family attend the Second Congregational church and he is most loyal to his professions as one of its members.
THE LEWIS FAMILY.
John Lewis, the founder of the family in New England, eame from Sandwich, England, with his wife Sarah on the ship Hercules in 1635, and on the 8th of December, 1676, became a resident of New London, Connecticut, where he was among the first settlers. He was called "senior" in the records as early as 1648, for he had a son John and another son, Joseph Lewis.
Joseph Lewis, son of John, was born in England and died in Simsbury, Hartford county, Connecticut, in 1680. He was married in Windsor, Connecticut, in 1675 to Eliza- beth Case, a daughter of John Case, and after his death she was married in 1684 to John Fuller. By the first marriage there were three children. Joseph Lewis, Jr., born in Simsbury, March 15, 1676, died in Waterbury, Connecticut, November 29, 1749. He was married in Waterbury, April 7, 1703, to Sarah Andrus, or Andrews, a daughter of Abra- ham Andrus, and after she was left a widow she was married in 1750 to Isaae Bronson, who died in 1751. Her death occurred March 6, 1773.
John Lewis, son of Joseph and Sarah (Andrus) Lewis, was one of a family of eight children and was born in Waterbury, April 14, 1711, his death oceurring February 2, 1799. He was married first at Waterbury, December 4, 1734. to Mary Munn, of Woodbury, Connecticut, daughter of Samuel Munn. For his sceond wife he chose Anne Smith, a daughter of Captain Samuel Smith, of New Haven. They were married May 29, 1750, and Mrs. Lewis passed away September 26, 1796. There were three children of the first marriage and also three of the second marriage.
John Lewis, son of John and Mary (Munn) Lewis, was born December 10, 1740, in Waterbury, and there passed away March 5, 1812. It was on the 17th of November, 1763, that he wedded Sarah Gordon, a daughter of James Gordon. John Lewis was a magistrate and a prominent citizen of Waterbury. His family numbered seven children ..
Ezra Lewis, son of John, was born in Waterbury, May 28, 1768, and was married on the 11th of November, 1790, to Anne Hine, who was born November 20, 1769, and was a daughter of Hezekiah Hine. Ezra Lewis removed to Naugatuck, where he followed farming, becoming owner of land there upon which he spent his remaining days, as did his wife. They
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were the parents of two children: Selden, born August 15, 1791; and Eunice H., who was born January 18, 1796, and became the wife of William Mitchell.
Captain Selden Lewis, son of Ezra Lewis, was born in Waterbury, August 15, 1791, and on the 23d of November, 1814, married Amelia Horton, who died February 23, 1824. On the 13th of March, 1825, he married Lockey Spencer, a daughter of Deacon Calvin Spencer. By the first marriage there were two sons, Albert and Burritt. Of the sec- ond marriage the children were: Amelia M., born January 3, 1826; James, born June 6, 1827; and John Edward, born December 19, 1834. Amelia became the wife of Clark Murray Platt on the 20th of May, 1849.
Bertha Louise Platt, a daughter of Clark Murray and Amelia Maria (Lewis) Platt, was born in Waterbury and was educated in the public schools and also in the Emma Willard school of Troy, New York, where she was graduated with the class of 1870. On the 20th of May, 1873, she became the wife of Jay Hiscox Hart, who was born in Berk- shire county, Massachusetts, December 11, 1847, and is now secretary of The Patent But- ton Company and treasurer of Platt Brothers & Company. He has been tax collector of Waterbury, was a member of the city council and of the water commission. To Mr. and Mrs. Hart have been born the following named: Amy Louise, born October 4, 1874, the widow of Albert Norton; Bertha Murray, born October 10, 1876, now Mrs. Charles Engelke of Waterbury; Lewis Jay, who was born August 21, 1878, and married Mary Steele; Alfred Lucius, born December 10, 1880; Ruth Spencer, who was born Septem- ber 22, 1882, and is now the wife of Joel Ives Butler; Dorothy, who was born February 27, 1889; and Howard Platt, born August 10, 1891.
LEWIS S. REED.
Lewis S. Reed, well known in banking circles of Waterbury as vice president of the Manufacturers National Bank, has, through long experience and study, become well informed concerning every phase of the banking business, for he has been an active factor in the conduct of the Manufacturers National since 1902. He is a native of Brewsters, New York, and after acquiring a public school education he entered banking circles as an employe of the Fourth National Bank of Waterbury. He left his position with that institution to become teller of the Manufacturers National Bank on the 15th of July, 1902, and served in that capacity until the 12th of January, 1909, when he was made assistant eashier. On the 4th of May of the same year, he was advanced to the position of cashier and acted in that capacity until May 15, 1917, when he was made vice presi- dent.
Mr. Reed is married and has a daughter. Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen of the World. He holds membership in the Episcopal church and is treasurer of All Souls chapel. In politics he is a republican and for the past eight years has been a member of the board of finance of the eity of Waterbury, filling the position for a longer period than any other incumbent in the office. In a word, his is a creditable record of manhood and citizenship and of business enterprise and ability, making him a representative of that substantial class of men to whom Waterbury owes her upbuild- ing and her progress.
ALBERT JOHNSON BLAKESLEY.
Albert Johnson Blakesley, cashier of the Waterbury National Bank since 1908, was called to that position as the successor of his father, who had been connected with the bank for fifty-six years. He was born in Waterbury in 1858, his parents being Augustus Milo and Margaret (Johnson) Blakesley. The, former was born at Terryville, Connecticut. March 4, 1830, and was a son of Milo and Doreas (Hine) Blakesley. In the sehools of his native city A. M. Blakesley acquired his early education and worked upon the home farm until he reached the age of sixteen years. Thinking to find other pursuits more congenial than farm work, however, he determined to come to Waterbury and here entered the employ of J. M. L. and W. H. Scovill. In 1852, however, he became identified with the Waterbury National Bank, of which he was made teller. He was afterward advanced to the position of cashier and continued in that office for fifty-six years. He also became
Albert g. 19 callesting.
AUGUSTUS M. BLAKESLEY
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president of the American Pin Company. He figured prominently for many years in musical circles, becoming a chorister of the Second Congregational church in 1852, and so continuing through an extended period. He was married on the 5th of September, 1853, to Margaret Johnson, of Washington, Pennsylvania, who passed away July 12, 1885. They had but two children, the daughter being Jennie Elizabeth, who became the wife of Dr. John M. Benedict.
The son, Albert Johnson Blakesley, spending his youthful days in Waterbury, ac- quired his education in the public schools. Since putting aside his textbooks he has figured most prominently in banking and in musical circles. The Waterbury National Bank, of which he is the cashier, is the second oldest banking establishment of the city. It se- cured a charter from the legislature in 1848 and, inaugurating a safe, conservative policy, it developed its business along substantial lines. In those early days schools and other charities sometimes applied to the legislature for aid and it was not unusual to grant this by requiring the amount of the loan to be paid as a bonus for a charter by some bank. When in 1851 the Waterbury National Bank increased its stock, it was required to pay twenty-two hundred and fifty dollars to the Waterbury high school to be applied to the reduction of the debt incurred in the erection of its buildings. The charter granted the right to capitalize for two hundred thousand dollars with the privilege of increasing this to three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. There were four thousand shares of stock dis- tributed among one hundred and forty stockholders. Bennet Bronson was elected presi- dent of the institution, with Dyer Ames, Jr., as cashier. In the spring of 1851 the capital stock was increased to five hundred thousand dollars and upon the death of Judge Bron- son, John P. Elton succeeded to the presidency, with Augustus S. Chase as cashier. The latter became president at the death of Mr. Elton in 1864, and Augustus M. Blakesley, who had been teller since February, 1852, became cashier. He remained in that connec- tion until 1908, when his son succeeded him in office. The bank building in recent years has had some additions, with many interior improvements, and it is regarded not only as one of the oldest and safest banks of Waterbury but also as one of the most reliable financial institutions of New England. The capital stock of the bank at the present time is five hundred thousand dollars, with a surplus of four hundred thousand dollars and undivided profits of about thirty-five thousand dollars. Its individual deposits subject to check amount to four million dollars. The present officers of the bank are: H. S. Chase, president; A. J. Blakesley, cashier; and F. W. Judson, assistant cashier; and on its list of directors appear the names of twelve well known business men.
A. J. Blakesley not only succeeded his father in banking but also became his successor as director of the choir of the Second Congregational church. In fact the family has figured very prominently in musical circles of the city for many years and has con- tributed much toward the development of musical taste and culture here.
SMITH C. WHEELER.
Smith C. Wheeler is one of the most venerable citizens of Seymour, having passed the eighty-fifth milestone on life's journey. He was born March 15, 1832, in Oxford, Connecti- cut, near Middlebury, a son of Curtis and Mehitable (Smith) Wheeler. The family was represented in the Revolutionary war by Lemuel Wheeler, who was born in 1709 and who served as a surgeon in the American army. He was the father of Obadiah Wheeler, whose son, Ebenezer Wheeler, was the father of Curtis Wheeler. The last named was born in Southbury, Connecticut, and was a farmer in the town of Oxford.
Smith C. Wheeler was reared upon the homestead farm and acquired a public school education. He took up agricultural pursuits as a life work and afterward turned his atten- tion to the cattle business and to the butchering business, becoming proprietor of a meat market in Seymour, which he conducted in connection with Orin Buckingham. He was thus active in the business circles of Seymour for a long period but is now living retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.
On the 11th of March, 1857, Mr. Wheeler was married to Miss Martha Candec Osbourn, who was born in Oxford and died May 27, 1902. Her mother belonged to the Candee family that was prominently represented in the Revolutionary war. Her parents were Ambrose and Avis (Candec) Osbonrn, the latter a daughter of Samuel Candee, who served with the American army in the struggle for independence. Among the ancestors of Mrs. Wheeler was also a Joseph Osbourn, who was a Revolutionary war soldier. To Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler Vol. III-14
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were born two children: Orin, who is engaged in the butchering business in Seymour; and Harriett, who is the widow of Samuel W. Buckingham.
Mr. Wheeler belongs to the Congregational church and is a charter member of the Improved Order of Red Men at Seymour. His political allegiance has long been given to the republican party, which has found in him a stalwart champion. He has been very prominent in the ranks of the party and his opinions have carried weight in its councils. In 1877 he was elected to represent his distriet in the state legislature and was again chosen to that offiee in 1884. He has served as selectman of Seymour, also as assessor and as a member of the board of relief, and his public duties have ever been discharged in a most capable, eonseientions and faithful manner. His life has been one of activity and useful- ness, resulting in the acquirement of a comfortable competence in business and also the attainment of an honorable name, while his political record is one that has reflected eredit upon himself and his constituents.
SAMUEL W. BUCKINGHAM.
Samuel W. Buckingham was born in Oxford, Connecticut, May 20, 1846, and died November 13, 1910. He was a son of Ebenezer and Betsy (Sperry) Buckingham, the latter a native of Bethany, Connecticut, while the former was born in Oxford. He was a son of Ebenezer Buckingham, Sr., who was also a native of Oxford and was a son of another Ebenezer Buckingham, who was born in Oxford. He in turn was the son of Samuel Bucking- ham and his father and his grandfather both bore the name of Samuel, the last named becoming one of the colonial settlers of Connecticut, arriving in this state prior to the Revolutionary war. Among the family were some who aided in founding Yale College and to the same family belonged ex-Governor Buckingham. Various representatives of the family have taken part in promoting the progress and upbuilding of this section of the state along many lines.
Samuel W. Buckingham acquired a public school education in Oxford and afterward attended Day's school in Bridgeport. When his education was completed he turned' his attention to the meat business in young manhood and was proprietor of a meat market in Seymour until about two years prior to his death.
To Mr. and Mrs. Buckingham was born one child, Florence Martha, who became the wife of Ralph E. Wheeler and is a resident of Seymour. In the death of Mr. Buckingham the community lost a representative citizen and his family a devoted husband and father. He was thoroughly reliable in business, was publie-spirited in his devotion to the general welfare and stood at all times for those things which mean most to the individual and to the community at large.
HON. ABNER P. HAYES.
Hon. Abner P. Hayes, attorney of Waterbury and at one time a member of the gen- eral assembly of Connecticut, thus being identified not only with the interpretation but also with the framing of the laws of the state, was born in Bethlehem, Connecticut, January 25, 1876, and is a son of the Hon. Franklin P. and Catherine P. (Bloss) Hayes, both of whom were natives of Connecticut. The mother passed away April 26, 1910, but the father is still living at Bethlehem at the age of seventy-one years, his birth having occurred December 29, 1846. He has always followed the occupation of farming and he has occupied several official positions to which he has been called by his fellow towns- men in recognition of his worth and ability. He served as first selectman of his town and was for several terms a member of the general assembly, leaving the impress of his individuality upon the legislation of that period. His father was Captain Stephen Hayes, who was for many years a member of the Connecticut National Guard and rose to the rank of captain. On both sides Abner P. Hayes is descended from Revolutionary stoek. In the paternal line he traces his ancestry back to Ebenezer Perkins and on the maternal side to David Pierce, both of whom were members of the American army in the strug- gle for independence. The Hayes family is of English lineage, while the mother's people were of French Huguenot descent. On the paternal side Mr. Hayes comes of the same family which gave to the country one of its presidents, Rutherford B. Hayes.
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