USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 44
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It was under the direction of his father that John Henderson, Jr., learned his trade. Later he was associated with three factories at different periods and eventually he em- barked in business on his own account. It was in 1880 that he formed a partnership with his brother, Alexander Henderson, the firm of Henderson Brothers being thus organized. Ten years later this became the Henderson & Baird Company with a capital stock of twenty thousand dollars, the incorporators being John Henderson, Jr., Joseph H. Baird and Thomas Henderson. They engaged in the manufacture of patent elevators and tumbling barrels, John Henderson having invented the design of the tumbling barrel. With the withdrawal from the company of Mr. Baird in 1892 the present relation and style of Henderson Brothers was assumed and has sinee been maintained. John Henderson re- mained an active factor in the business up to the time of his death and the success of the undertaking was largely due to his progressive spirit, practical knowledge and inde- fatigable energy.
On the 22d of April, 1872, Mr. Henderson was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Murray, of Salem, New London county. She was born in Ayr, Scotland, a daughter of Gilbert Murray, who came to the United States prior to the Civil war and located in Norwich, Connecticut, after which he removed to Salem. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson became the parents of four sons: John M., who was graduated from the Sheffield Scientific School with the class of 1899 and is now with the Rome Brass & Copper Company of Rome, New York; Gilbert Murray, who acquired a publie school education. in Waterbury and became associated with his father in business in 1892; and Charles and Arthur, twins, both of whom have passed away. The son Gilbert M. married Miss Agnes Hunter Mackie and they have a daughter.
Mr. Henderson was a consistent member of the Congregational church and was equally loyal in his support of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Masonie fraternity, in which he held membership. He maintained an independent attitude politically and his sons have followed in his footsteps in this regard. For nine years he served on the board of education and also served on the board of road commissioners. He stood at all times for public progress and improvement in matters relating to the general welfare. He was at one time a director of the West Side Savings Bank and he was financial secre-
JOHN HENDERSON
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tary of the old Caledonian Club when it was organized in September, 1876. When it ceased to exist a decade later he joined the Burns Club of this city. Death came to him as the result of an accident which necessitated the amputation of his leg. He could not rally from the shock and passed away at the age of sixty-nine years and three months. He had lived in Waterbury for a half century, had become widely and favorably known, and all who knew him entertained for him warm regard. He had proven his worth not only as a business man but as a citizen and he stood for all those forces which uplift the individual and advance the welfare of the community.
JOHN H. MCGRATH, M. D.
Dr. John H. McGrath, a physician and surgeon of Waterbury, was born on East Main street, September 23, 1883, a son of Patrick McGrath, now deceased. Following his graduation from the high school with the class of 1901 he spent three years as a student in Niagara University, pursuing a preparatory course, and in 1904 he entered Yale as a medical student and won his professional degree upon graduation with the class of 1908. During his senior year he was connected with the New Haven Hospital, gaining broad and valuable practical experience to supplement his theoretical training. He afterward spent some time in St. Francis' Hospital at Hartford, Connecticut, and was interne in St. Mary's Hospital at Waterbury for several months in 1909. Since then he has continuously engaged in the private practice of medicine and surgery in Waterbury and he specializes in X-ray treatments. He is on the staff of St. Mary's Hospital, doing all its X-ray work. He is surgeon for the Chase Rolling Mill of Waterbury and, in addition, has a large private practice which is indicative of public confidence in his professional skill and ability.
On the 22d of June, 1910, Dr. McGrath was married to Miss Mary Fitzgerald, of Water- bury, and they now have three children, Margaret, Mary and Frances. They lost their first born, John Patrick, in infancy. The parents are communicants of the Catholic church and Dr. McGrath holds membership in the Knights of Columbus. He also belongs to the Elks, the Moose, the Owls, the Foresters and the Woodmen of the World, while along strictly pro- fessional lines he has connection with the New Haven County and the Connecticut State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association. While not hasty in discarding old and time-tried methods the value of which has been proven, he is always ready to adopt any new idea that is advanced which his judgment sanctions as of real worth in medical practice.
WILLIAM J. LATIMER.
William J. Latimer, president of the American Laundry Company of Waterbury, was born in Torrington, Connecticut, in 1870, a son of James and Margaret (Roland) Latimer. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, is now deceased, while the mother still resides in Torrington. During the boyhood of their son William the parents removed to Goshen township, where a farm was purchased, and thereon his youthful days were passed. He obtained a public school education and after starting out to earn his own living was employed for six years in the Norton cheese factory. In 1893 he entered the laundry business at Tor- rington in connection with his twin brother, F. P. Latimer, under the firm style of Latimer Brothers, and has since been associated with this line of business. They remained in Tor- rington until 1900, when they built and began the operation of a laundry at Derby, Connecti- cut. After conducting business at that place for two and a half years, William J. Latimer sold out at Derby and built a laundry at New Britain. He continued in the business there for seven years, after which he again sold out and removed to Waterbury. Here he pur- chased a half interest in the American Laundry Company, which was incorporated in Decem- ber, 1912. They have a well equipped plant, thoroughly modern in every particular, and their business is steadily growing, the company now receiving a very liberal share of the public patronage. Mr. Latimer remains its president and his previous experience in this line well qualifies him for the work which he is undertaking.
On the 14th of September, 1898, Mr. Latimer was united in marriage to Miss Alice Rorabacher, of Torrington, and they became the parents of five children: Mabel, who has passed away; Roland, with the Waterbury Brass Goods Company : Doris, at home; Edith; and Richard, six years of age. The wife and mother passed away August 12, 1916.
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Mr. Latimer belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. In politics he is an independent republican, for while he usually votes the republican ticket he does not consider himself bound by party ties, and casts an independent ballot if his judgment so dictates. He does not seek nor desire office, however, but prefers to concentrate his energies and attention upon his business affairs, and close application and indefatigable industry are bringing to him a very gratifying annual income.
DAVID DILLON REIDY, M. D.
Dr. David Dillon Reidy, physician and surgeon of Winsted and proprietor of the Reidy Sanitarium, an institution of which the city has every reason to be proud, was born in Winsted, November 9, 1874, a son of Patrick and Ellen (Dillon) Reidy, both of whom were natives of County Kerry, Ireland. They became acquainted, however, in Win- sted and were married in this city, but both have now departed this life. The mother's death occurred November 9, 1892. The father, who had followed mercantile pursuits throughout his entire life, passed away November 7, 1897. In the family were five sons and a daughter, all of whom are yet living, namely: Mrs. Margaret Fitzpatrick; Edward M .; David D .; William, who is priest of the Catholic church in Hartford; John, of Bridgeport; and Maurice J., who is engaged in the practice of medicine in Winsted and is associated with his brother, Dr. David D. Reidy, in the conduct of the Reidy Sanitarium.
Dr. David D. Reidy has spent his entire life in Winsted, where he attended the public schools and also St. Anthony's parochial school. In 1899 he was graduated from the Medico- Chirurgical College of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, after pursuing a three years' course of study there, and at once returned to his native city for active practice. In 1902 he took post graduate work in the New York Polyclinic and pursued another course in the New York Post Graduate School in 1907. In 1910 he went abroad, studying in Berlin, Vienna, Paris and Dublin, specializing in surgery. He founded the Reidy Sanitarium of Winsted in 1911, recognizing the fact that many people prefer a private institution for a surgical operation. This is the only institution of the kind within a radius of thirty miles and is thoroughly up-to-date in every particular. The building is finished in hardwood through- out and provided with hot water heat, gas and electricity. Rooms for patients are fur- nished with brass bedsteads, mahogany dressers and glass stands and other suitable ap- pointments to make them cheerful and homelike. The equipment for medical and surgical work includes a laboratory fully adequate for thorough examination of stomach contents, feces, blood and urine; an X-ray apparatus; and sterilizing room with high pressure sterilizer for dressings and instruments. Besides the table and convenient stands there are in the operating room gas and oxygen tanks, suction apparatus and a complete outfit of surgical instruments. Dr. Reidy was appointed a member of the visiting staff of the Litchfield County Hospital in 1902 and has since served in that capacity. That he has a high standing among the representatives of the profession is indicated in the fact that he is the president of the Litchfield County Medical Society. He is also a member of the Connecticut Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
Dr. Reidy was married June 13, 1900, to Miss Anna Thibault, who died in October, 1904, leaving two sons: David Dillon, born April 11, 1901; and William Thibault, who was born January 26, 1904. Both are now high school pupils.
The family are communicants of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church and Dr. Reidy is connected with the Knights of Columbus and with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He also belongs to the Winsted Club and to the Greenwoods Country Club. His life has been one of intense and intelligently directed activity and, holding to the highest professional standards, he ranks today among the leading physicians and surgeons not only of Winsted but of his section of the state.
JOHN ALEXANDER.
John Alexander was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was born August 14, 1814. In early life he received a good education and also learned the machine blacksmith's trade. Subsequently he traveled through England, France and Germany, and in 1844 came to America. The voyage was made on a sailing vessel. On landing in New York he proceeded
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DR. DAVID D. REIDY
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at onee to Paterson, New Jersey, where he followed his trade until he joined the forty- niners on their journey to the gold regions of California in their search for gold. The trip was made by way of Cape Horn and was attended with many dangers. On arriving on the Pacific coast he spent three years among the mines, meeting with fair success in the venture. Upon returning to the east by way of the Isthmus of Panama he continued to make his home in Paterson, New Jersey, until coming to Waterbury, Connecticut, in 1852. In that year he purchased a farm at East Farms (Waterbury). The homestead is on Alexander avenue, which bears his name. For several years he owned and conducted a machine blacksmith shop on the present site of the Poli theatre on East Main street but finally sold out and entered the employ of Brown & Brothers. Later he spent eighteen years with the Benedict & Burn- liam Company as blacksmith and at the end of that time he retired from active business and spent the remainder of his life in study and comfort.
In religious views Mr. Alexander was a Presbyterian. In politics he was a stanch republican, and during the Civil war a strong abolitionist and a great admirer of Horace Greeley and Henry Ward Beecher. Fraternally he was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Paterson, New Jersey, and he had many other interests, to all of which he gave devoted service. He passed away December 4, 1895, and was interred in Riverside cemetery, having won the respect and esteem of all who knew him by his honesty and high moral ideas.
In Paterson, New Jersey, in 1845, John Alexander married Agnes Gillespie, who was born May 31, 1816, in Johnston, near Glasgow, Scotland. Mrs. Alexander was a most estimable woman, a true and loyal friend and a faithful member of the Second Congregational church. She passed away December 29, 1900, and was interred in Riverside cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Alexander were born five children, namely: Helen M., wife of George B. Hitchcock; George J., deceased; Mary I., who now owns the Alexander homestead; John C., deceased; and Jessie A., the wife of Morton J. Fogg, of Waterbury, Connecticut.
George J. Alexander, son of Jolm and Agnes Alexander, was born in Paterson, New Jersey, April 2, 1850. During his boyhood he studied in the public schools of Waterbury and was reared to agricultural pursuits upon the home farm. He engaged quite extensively in the wood business and in general farming. Like his father, he was a great reader. He was an active member of a debating club at that time at Mill Plain and was one of the bright speakers. In religious views he was a Congregationalist and in politics a republican. For thirteen years he was a member of Company D, Second Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard. He served as juryman and as collector of school taxes and on the school committee and discharged the duties in a commendable and satisfactory manner. Mr. Alexander built for himself a nice home on the Meriden road and on December 10, 1884, married Antoinette Cornelia, daughter of Shelton T, and Cornelia (Andrews) Hitchcock, of Wolcott, Connecticut. Three children were born to them, namely: Elton H .; Morton; and Earl G., who died at the age of four years. Mr. Alexander was a man of sterling character, noted for his industry and integrity. His death occurred October 31, 1909. He was interred at Pine Grove cemetery, Mill Plain, Waterbury, Connecticut.
Elton H. Alexander, the eldest son, was born October 19, 1886. He is a young man of ability and was a graduate in the class of 1906 of Crosby high school. He is a member of the Second Congregational church. In politics he is a republican. He served an enlistment of three years in Company H of the Connecticut National Guard: He lives on the Meriden road in Waterbury, Connecticut. On the 24th of June, 1908, Mr. Alexander married Jane Oaks Warlo, of Bayshore, Long Island. They have three children : Elton Hitchcock, Jr., Laurance Edgarton, and Kenneth Douglas.
JAMES H. FRENEY.
On the roster of capable public officials in Waterbury appears the name of James II. Freney, who is discharging most capably the duties of superintendent of the department of public charities. He was born in Greenfield, Massachusetts, April 9, 1859. His father, John Freney, was a dyer by trade and worked in woolen mills. He was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, and in young manhood came to the United States, finding ready employment in New England. At Webster, Massachusetts, he wedded Ellen Hogan, also a native of County Tipperary. They had been acquainted from childhood and were lovers ere leaving the Emerald isle. John Freney had crossed the Atlantic with his brother James, who wedded Mary Hogan, an older sister of Ellen Hogan, the two brothers and the two sisters being this doubly related. To Mr. and Mrs. John Freney were born seven children, of whom James H. was the sixth in order of birth. Three of the family are yet living, the two sisters of our
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subject being Mrs. Mary Whalen, of Webster, Massachusetts, and Mrs. Catharine Norton, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
James H. Freney largely spent his youthful days in Webster, Massachusetts. His edu- cational opportunities were somewhat limited owing to the fact that he put aside his text- books when a lad of ten years in order to begin work in a spinning mill. , In 1871 he removed to Waterbury, where he has since made his home, and for thirty-two years he occupied a position as foreman with the New England Watch Company, being foreman of the shipping department for a long period. He resigned that position in order to become superintendent of the charities department of Waterbury in 1912 through appointment of Mayor F. T. Reeves, and to the position he was reappointed by Mayor Scully. He has always given stalwart support to the democratie party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he has served as chairman of the democratie town committee for four years, carrying the city for the democratic ticket in two elections for the office of mayor.
Mr. Freney was married in young manhood to Miss Jennie Agnes Gorman, who died on the 2d of March, 1910, leaving four children: Nellie, Jennie and Lucy, who are graduates of the New Britain Normal School and are all now successfully engaged in teaching in Water- bury; and John, who was the third of the family and is a traveling salesman.
Mr. Freney is a communicant of St. Margaret's Catholic church and he holds member- ship with the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He has made an excellent record in his present position, studying closely the complex problems which arise in the dispensation of public charities and doing excellent practical work for the benefit of the poor.
WILLIAM RIETHER.
The value of thrift and industry is represented in the life record of William Riether, proprietor of a large grocery and meat market in Waterbury, which business he has built up to extensive proportions. He was born in Mahlberg, Ettenheim, Germany, November 19, 1861, a son of Charles Riether, who came to America in 1868 but returned to Germany and again came to the new world with his son William in 1873. He remained in New York city for a short time and then removed to Waterbury, where he established his home in the same year. He was the first owner of a delicatessen store in Waterbury.
William Riether was a youth of twelve years when he accompanied his father to the new world and in 1874 he started out in business life on his own account by entering the employ of Michael Guilfoile, the market man located in Brown's place, continuing with him until the business was sold out to the firm of Nuhn & Meyer. In 1879 Mr. Riether became an employe of Pierpont Brothers and in 1884 he purchased the business, the store being at that time located at 12 Exchange place. In 1909 he erected a building at Nos. 26-30 North Main street, a four-story structure twenty-two and a half by one hundred and fifteen feet. He occupied that store for a year, then selling this building to Porter & Blanchard and removed to his present location at No. 63 East Main street, where he has a thoroughly modern and up-to-date meat market and grocery store, in which he employs twelve people. In 1910 he purchased a business block at Nos 14-18 North Main street, a two-story structure, fifty-three by one hundred and twenty-three feet, for an investment and he has now leased the property for a long term of years. He is also a director of the Merchants Trust Company and is connected with the Connectient Fat Rendering & Fertilizing Company of West Haven. His business affairs have been most wisely and carefully managed and his investments have been judiciously placed, so that he is the owner of considerable valuable property, from which he derives a most gratifying income.
On the 14th of October, 1884, Mr. Riether was united in marriage to Miss Annie Kunkel, who was born in Germany and came to the United States with her parents when a little maiden of five summers. Their children are Clara Anna and Minnie Alice.
The parents attend the Trinity Episcopal church. Mr. Riether is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Sphinx Temple and the Scottish Rite degrees. He likewise has membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and has been one of its trustees for the past twelve years and is a member of the Concordia Singing Society and of other German societies. In politics he is a republican where national issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot.
He is truly a self-made man and deserves much credit for what he has accomplished.
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WILLIAM RIETHER
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He had but limited educational opportunities and started out in life empty-handed, since which time he has depended entirely upon his own resources and efforts for his advancement. Integrity, industry and thrift have been the crowning points in his career and make his life one well worthy of emulation.
FERDINAND WOLF.
Ferdinand Wolf, who is foreman with Berbecker & Rowland, is not only well known in industrial circles, but has also taken a prominent part in public affairs and has been called to several local offices. He was born in Addison, Wisconsin, June 2, 1854, a son of Robert P. and Marie (Ledger) Wolf, who were natives of Germany and in early life came to the United States. They made their way westward by canal and lakes to Wisconsin, where they resided until 1855, when they retraced their steps and became residents of Winsted. Connecti- cut. Thirteen years later, or in 1868, they established their home at Thomaston. The father was an ivory turner by trade but became a brass worker in this state.
After leaving the public schools Ferdinand Wolf was employed in a clock shop in Thomaston for several years and thoroughly learned the clock making business. About 1890 he came to Waterbury and was with the Waterbury Clock Company until 1898. In that vear he became foreman with Berbecker & Rowland, with whom he has since continued.
In 1884 Mr. Wolf was married to Miss Josephine Smith, of New York city. They have two children : Albert, who is a tool maker with the Remington Arms Company; and William, with the Waterbury Farrel Foundry & Machine Company.
Mr. Wolf is well known in Masonic circles and is a past master of Union Lodge, No. 96, F. & A. M., of Thomaston. He likewise belongs to the Elks lodge at Waterbury. In politics he is a republican and is an active worker in party ranks. He served on the school committee in the Waterville school district for sixteen years, and was also one of the commissioners of charity under Mayor Thoms, and in 1913 was elected alderman, to which position he was reelected in 1915, so that he is now the incumbent in that office. He exercises his official prerogatives in support of various valuable public projects and measures, standing at all times in support of those interests which are matters of civic virtue and civic pride.
CHARLES ROPER.
Charles Roper, for many years foreman of the wire department of the Scovill Manufac- turing Company, remaining an active factor in industrial circles of Waterbury up to the time of his death, was born in Ringstown, Queens county, Ireland, near Mount Rathe, in 1836. He was a grandson of John Roper, who at his death divided his farm between his four sons, John, Joseph, Dennis and William, the last named being the father of Charles Roper. A fifth son, Charles Roper, came to America and located in New Orleans, Louisiana. William Roper passed away in 1850, after which his widow sold her share of the farm to John Roper, her husband's eldest brother, and with her family of six children she came to the new world in 1852, settling in Waterbury.
Charles Roper, the eldest of the family, was theu a youth of sixteen years. Financial conditions rendered it imperative that he gain employment immediately and he secured the position of wire drawer in the East Brass Mill. In 1857 he was employed in a similar capacity by Brown & Elton and afterwards by Holmes, Booth & Hayden, becoming assistant foreman in the last named establishment in 1859. With the death of the foreman he was advanced to that position, which he continuously and acceptably filled for nearly three decades. He was then offered a similar position by the Scovill Manufacturing Company, which he accepted, and remained as the head of the wire department up to the time of his demise. His name had long been well known and honored in industrial cireles in Waterbury. the worth of his work being widely acknowledged.
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