USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 48
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terms in the Waterbury city government as alderman, and during one of these terms he was president of the board and also a member of the board of finance.
Mr. Sherwood was made a Mason in King Hiram Lodge, No. 12, in Derby, at the age of twenty-four and passed through the chairs in that lodge, also in Solomon Chapter, No. 3, R. A. M., and in Union Council, No. 27, R. & S. M. He has never transferred his member- ship to a lodge in Waterbury on account of his regard for the old home lodge associations, but Harmony Lodge, No. 42, of Waterbury, voted him in as an honorary member a few years since, which honor is also held by Nelson J. Welton and Walter H. Lines. Mr. Sher- wood is a member and now serves as a deacon of the First church, Congregational, that being the denominational form of worship in which he was raised.
At the age of twenty-four Mr. Sherwood married Emmeline B. Chatfield, also of Derby. They had three sons, two of whom are dead, Joseph B. Sherwood, of this city, being the only surviving child. There are two grandchildren, Helen G. Sherwood of this city and Albert C. Sherwood, of Woodbury.
In his early life, Mr. Sherwood was much interested in cattle and colt breeding and he has raised and broke many pairs of steers and also colts. He was a great lover of trotting horses and at one time he had charge of the half-mile track in Derby as secretary of the Derby Agricultural and Driving Company for nearly ten years. This company held fairs which had a reputation for fair dealing all over the state. He says that at one time he could tell the record and pedigree of every trotting horse which reduced the record from Flora Temple's time to that of Maud S., but of late years he has been so busily engaged as to take his mind entirely off that sport. In early manhood, he was fond of fishing and shooting, but since coming to Waterbury he has found no time for such pastime.
Mr. Sherwood has been a contributor of communications to the Ansonia and Waterbury papers, and other papers of the state as well as to the New York Tribune. He has also been an editorial contributor to the columns of The Republican, having written for that paper nearly one thousand editorials and nearly as many signed articles on local topics during the past nine years besides all his reminiscent contributions to The Sunday Re- publican. He enjoys the best of health and forgets when with men of thirty or forty that he is any older than they. Somehow, they also forget it. He reads the magazines and keeps abreast of events. Such men never grow old.
CAPTAIN P. F. BANNON.
Waterbury has ever had reason to be proud of her military history from the days when the early colonists had to contest their right in the district with the red men down to the present time. Through active connection with the National Guard P. F. Bannon won his title and he has displayed a spirit of equal loyalty in business affairs, bringing him to his present position of importance and responsibility as general superintendent of the Waterbury Farrel Foundry & Machine Company. Born in this, city November 22, 1855, he is a son of William and Margaret (Carroll) Bannon, who were natives of Ireland, the former a son of Patrick Bannon, who brought the family to Waterbury in 1840. Mrs. William Bannon came to this city with her mother in 1847, her father having died on the Emerald isle, and it was in Waterbury that William Bannon and Margaret Carroll were married. He was a wire drawer by trade and was actively connected with industrial interests of this city.
Captain Bannon acquired a public school education to the age of twelve years and then, when the necessity arose to provide for his own support, he started out in the business world as an employe of Holmes, Booth & Haydens. He applied himself earnestly to the mastery of the tasks assigned him and in order to enhance his capability he privately studied mathe- matics under Professor Chisholm. He eagerly availed himself of every opportunity that would enable him to work upward. For a short time he was with the Scovill Manufac- turing Company and also with the firm of Brown & Brothers. His identification with the Waterbury Farrel Foundry & Machine Company dates from July 20, 1874, when he became an apprenticed machinist at their plant. Through a period of forty-three years he has worked his way steadily upward and in December, 1882, was made foreman. In 1904 he was advanced to the position of general superintendent and has since had direction over the operations of the mammoth plant.
On the 18th of September, 1889, Captain Bannon was united in marriage to Miss Margaret G. Thompson, of Waterbury, and they have two daughters, Helen and Sarah, who are teaching school. The family are communicants of St. Margaret's Catholic church and Captain Bannon holds membership with the Knights of Columbus, also with the Elks
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and with the United Workmen. In 1876 he enlisted as a member of Company G of the Second Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard, was later made a corporal and was advanced to the rank of licutenant December 1, 1880. His next promotion, August 9, 1881, made him captain of his company, with which rank he served until he resigned, November 12, 1884. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party and he has been called upon to fill various local offices, serving as city treasurer, as a member of the common council for two years, as a member of the board of finance for four years and as city hall commissioner. While his duties in these connections have been discharged with marked promptness, fidelity and capability, his interest has chiefly centered upon his duties and responsibilities of a business nature and his record of continuous advancement since starting out empty-handed when a lad of but twelve years should serve to inspire and en- courage others, showing the possibilities for the attainment of success and prominence in the business world.
THE JAMES SWAN COMPANY.
The James Swan Company is one of the oldest established industrial enterprises of Seymour. It was formed in 1812 and something of the growth of the business is indicated in the fact that the company now occupies two factories. The upper factory is the main building, two hundred and forty by thirty-five feet. One-half of this is two stories in height and the remainder one story. The other building is a two story structure one hundred and fifty by thirty feet, of mill construction. Steam, electric and water power are used in the operation of the plant, which is in part supplied with individnal motors. The upper plant manufactures boring implements of all kinds, and the lower plant manufactures edge tools of all kinds, putting upon the market the Swan Premium mechanics' tools. The company won two first prizes at the San Francisco Exposition, one in the Manufacturers building and one in the Industrial building. They have also won prizes in Paris, London and Philadelphia. The company employs one hundred and twenty people, most of whom are skilled labor, and their product is sold all over the world both to dealers and jobbers. They have their own traveling salesmen, being represented upon the road by from seven to ten in this connection. The company now manufactures several hundred different items and the extent and impor- tance of the business make it one of the leading productive concerns of Seymour.
JAMES SWAN.
James Swan, deceased, whose life was fruitful of splendid results in the accomplishment of his purposes in business, gave to the world nearly eighty valuable devices of a mechanical nature on which he secured patents. His business activity constituted a most important element in the upbuilding of Seymour. He was born in Dumfries, Scotland, December 18, 1833, and passed away in the year 1908, thus having reached his seventy-fifth year. He was a son of William and Mary (Beck) Swan and a representative of a prominent and old family of Scotland. He was educated in the common schools and was apprenticed to learn the millwright's trade in both iron and wood.
Thinking to have better business opportunities on this side of the Atlantic, Mr. Swan determined to come to America in 1853. After landing on the shores of the new world he remained for a brief period with an uncle, Ebenezer Beck, at Wyoming, New York, but desiring to see more of the country, he went to Birmingham, now Derby, Connecticut, where he secured employment in the Bassett Iron Works. Later a better position was offered him with the Farrel Foundry & Machine Company at Ansonia, Connecticut, and with that company he won several promotions, serving as superintendent from 1858 until 1865. In the latter year he came to Seymour as superintendent of the Douglass Manufacturing Company, engaged in the manufacture of augers, bits and similar tools. An increasing business demanded the enlargement of facilities and Mr. Swan became one of the directors and the active manager of the enterprise. In 1874 the business was purchased by James Flint of the Russell & Erwin Manufacturing Company of New York, who in 1876 consolidated with it the edged tool works which they had operated in Arlington, Vermont. The following year, 1877, Mr. Swan purchased the entire plant and real estate of the company, for he recognized the future possibilities in that line. The Russell & Erwin Company was retained as sales agent in Philadelphia. Long experience well qualified Mr. Swan for the responsibilities which
James Brown
WILLIAM B. SWAN
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now devolved upon him. He bent every energy to the careful direction and development of the business and he took out nearly eighty patents for improvements in mechanics' tools. The factory turned out over one hundred different kinds of tools, some of which are unsur- passed in this country. The business grew to be one of great magnitude and importance, becoming one of the leading industries of the Naugatuck valley. In 1895 the Jantes Swan Company was organized with a capital stock of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, Mr. Swan becoming the president and treasurer, with William B. Swan as superintendent of the auger and bit works, John Swan as superintendent of the edged tool works and Albert Swan as office manager. Mr. Swan had developed a large export trade throughout the world and at various national and international expositions he had made exhibits of his products and had won many premiums-in 1865, at the American Institute Fair, again at the Paris Exposition in 1867, at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876, at the Paris Exposition of 1878, at an exposition in Sydney, Australia, in 1879, first prize at New Orleans in 1885, first prize at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 and also first prize at the Panama Exposition in San Francisco in 1915. Aside from being president of the James Swan Company, Mr. Swan was also the president of the H. A. Matthews Manufacturing Company and of the Seymour Electric Light Company, while of the Ansonia National Bank he was a director. He attained the highest efficiency in the field of his chosen labor and his record is an indication of the fact that activity does not tire-it gives resisting power and develops endurance. He so directed his labors that he accomplished notable results.
On August 12, 1856, in New York city, Mr. Swan was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Bell, a daughter of William and Margaret C. Bell, of Dumfries, Scotland. They became the parents of seven children, three of whom survive, namely: Mary Jessie; William B., who since the death of his father has been president of the Swan Manufacturing Company; and John, who is secretary of the James Swan Company. Albert died in September, 1906.
In public affairs Mr. Swan was deeply interested and cooperated in all those measures and movements which he believed would be of public benefit. He was president of the Seymour board of education and served on the board of directors of the public library. He was also fire chief of Seymour, a position which he filled for over twenty years, and he was a liberal contributor to the Citizens Fire Company. He also served as chairman of the Soldiers' Monu- ment Committee in 1904, when a beautiful nicmorial monument was erected in the public park of Seymour largely as the result of his efforts. He was also largely instrumental when president of the board of education in securing the erection of the fine high school building of which Seymour is justly proud. In 1872 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature. In 1886 Mr. Swan became a member of Morning Star Lodge, No. 47, F. & A. M., and he also belonged to the Red Men and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a member of the Congregational church and served as superintendent of its Sunday school from 1872 until 1883. The parish library was founded by him, at which time there was no public library in Seymour. He was active and helped in all branches of church work and a miost generous contributor to its support. He loved outdoor life and travel and spent several months each year abroad after his business affairs had reached a position in which he could secure leisure. He died possessed not only of wealth and of past political honors, but of exalted social position, of a mind enriched by foreign travel, by books and art and of constant mingling with men and women of the highest breeding, education and accomplishments. He died possessed of almost everything that men covet as of value and he won it all by his own unaided exertions. It is well that so successful a life should have found time for the higher things our self-made men are so prone to overlook-aid in money and personal attention to schools and churches, collection of rare objects of beauty from all over the world and the artistic adornment of his city and of his home. Just prior to his death the parish house of the Congregational church was completed. It was a gift of Mr. Swan to the church, given as a niemorial to his son, Albert Swan.
WILLIAM B. SWAN.
William B. Swan, who is the president of The James Swan Company of Seymour, was born in Ansonia in 1857, a son of James and Agnes (Bell) Swan. He acquired a public school education in Seymour and afterward attended the Cheshire Academy. He has been with the Swan Company from the age of sixteen years, is thoroughly familiar with every branch of the business and his long experience enables him to wisely and carefully direct the work that is being carried on in the establishment. Upon the death of his father
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in 1907, Mr. Swan of this review was elected to the presidency of the company. Something of the poliey of the company toward its employes is indicated in the fact that some of them have been with the company for forty-five years and in July, 1917, the company took more than twenty-five of its employes who had worked with them for a quarter of a century to New Haven for a shore dinner.
In 1880 Mr. Swan was united in marriage to Miss A. Augustus Smith, of Seymour, a daughter of John Smith, and they have one child, James W., who is a director of The James Swan Company. He was the master mechanic of the Corbin Motor Truck Company, but returned to Seymour and built the first truck for the company there. He is now acting as superintendent under his father. He married Helen Warner, of Seymour, and has one ehild, Helen.
Mr. Swan whose name introduces this review belongs to the subordinate lodge and encampment of the Odd Fellows, to the Knights of Pythias and the Red Men. He attends the Congregational church and in politics is a republican. His business ability places him in the front rank among the citizens of Seymour.
ELIAS W. DAVIS, M. D.
Dr. Elias W. Davis is engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Seymour. During the earliest period of the colonization of Massachusetts his ancestors became resi- dents of that state. He is descended from Dolar Davis, who was in Cambridge in 1634 and was one of twenty members of the Plymouth colony who had lands granted to them at Concord. He was also a petitioner for the town of Groton in 1658 and he passed away in Barnstable, Massachusetts, in 1673. Dolar Davis was the father of Samuel Davis and the line is traced down through Simon, Simon and David to David Davis (II), who was the grandfather of Dr. Davis of this review. He married Patty Howe about 1780 and they reared a family of ten children. At the time when the colonies attempted to throw off the yoke of British oppression he joined a militia company, of which he was made captain and did active service in the Revolutionary war. He disciplined his troops with such thorough- ness that his company ranked with the most proficient of the army and contributed much to the attainment of American victory. He was long a most active member of the Congre- gational church, in which he served as deacon. As a life work he followed the occupation of farming and thus provided for his family. His son, David G. Davis, was the youngest of the family of ten children. A native of Massachusetts, he was there reared and became a boot manufacturer and farmer. He was chairman of the board of selectmen for the town of Paxton, Massachusetts, at the time the draft was made during the Civil war. At one time he represented his town in the state legislature and in community affairs he was most prominent and active. He married Sarah Gilbert Earle, of Paxton, Massachusetts, and they became the parents of five children, all of whom attained adult age.
Dr. Davis spent the first fifteen years of his life in Paxton Hills, Massachusetts, and after mastering the branches of learning taught in the district schools continued his education in the academies at Leicester and at Worcester, Massachusetts. He was gradu- ated from the latter in 1876 and was valedictorian of his class. He entered Yale in the fall of 1876 and graduated with the class of 1880 with the degree of A. B. He returned home, where he took up the occupation of farming because of ill health, feeling that the outdoor exercise would be beneficial. For twelve years he remained upon the old home- stead, giving his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He was married November 5, 1883, to Miss Eliza H. Dodd, a native of Paxton, Massachusetts, and a representative of the prominent Bigelow family of that state. In 1889 he removed with his famliy to New Haven for the purpose of pursuing a course of medicine at Yale and was graduated in June, 1892. Immediately afterward he came to Seymour, where he has since continued in the general practice of medicine, covering a period of a quarter of a century. His ability has won for him a very liberal patronage and he is accounted one of the leading and successful physicians of this section of the county.
The marriage of Dr. and Mrs. Davis, which was celebrated November 5, 1883, has been blessed with four children: Lester, who died in infancy; Herman, who died at the age of two years; Florence, who was born in Seymour; and Gertrude, who is a graduate of the high school and of the Yale Music School and is now teaching music.
Dr. Davis and his family are connected with the Congregational church. He is a member of Morning Star Lodge, No. 47, A. F. & A. M., Evening Star Chapter, No. 47, R. A. M., and Mechanics Lodge, No. 73, I. O. O. F. In politics he is a republican, and while
DR. ELIAS W. DAVIS
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he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, he has served as coroner for the past twenty-five years and is a member of the library board. In a word he is interested in all that has to do with the progress and upbuilding of the section in which he lives and in its advancement along material, intellectual, social, moral and political lines. He holds to high professional standards and is identified with the County, State and American Medical Associations and thus keeps in touch with the advanced thought of the profession and the latest scientific researches and discoveries.
FREDERICK K. PERRY.
Frederick K. Perry, president of the Perry Press Company of Naugatuck, was born in 6 Sandisfield, Massachusetts, in 1848, a son of Elizur G. and Linda M. (White) Perry. The family left Sandisfield and went to Cornwall, Connecticut, while later they became residents of Winsted, this state, and in 1855 removed westward to Iowa, where the parents both passed away. The father conducted a furniture factory while in that state.
Frederick K. Perry, when a lad of eight years, was sent back to New England, where he has since remained. In early life he learned the printing business in the office of the Winsted Herald, and in 1891 he established his present interests, beginning in the old Review office, which he purchased in 1891. Two years afterward he removed to Reed's court in Naugatuck and afterwards located his business at 160 City Hill street. In 1901 he erected a new building, which he now occupies. Under the name of the Perry Press Company he conducts a general line of printing and binding, making a specialty of labels, catalogues, folding boxes, special-shape jobs and in fact anything in the way of printing and blank book making. The business was incorporated in 1909, with Mr. Perry as the president.
Mr. Perry has been married twice. He first wedded Sarah M. Lane, of Winsted, Connecti- cut, who was born in New York and who passed away in 1878. For his second wife he chose Jessie C. Davis, of Harwinton, Connecticut. His children are: Harold, who is engaged in the garage business; Leslie E., a resident of Boston; and Philo P .. who is living in Los Angeles. California.
In politics Mr. Perry is independent. He does not care to ally himself with any party or subject himself to party dictation. He works earnestly. however, for the public welfare and has served as burgess from his district. He has always been a deep thinker and has long been an active advocate of single tax, delivering many lectures upon this subject throughout New England. In fact he has given forty years of hard work to the support of the measure. He attends the Congregational church and is liberal in his religious views. He is known as a philosopher, a man of broad thought and kindly spirit. He is very active in anti-vaccination work. He does not hesitate to espouse any cause in which he believes and his position is never an equivocal one. He is one of the best known and best loved residents of Naugatuck, a fact to which his fellow townsmen bear testimony, and it is said of him that his success lies in his friends rather than in his money.
FREDERIC BENHAM HOADLEY.
Frederic Benham Hoadley is now living retired in Waterbury, having passed the seventy- eighth milestone on life's journey, but for many years he was actively and prominently connected with manufacturing interests in this section of the state and ranked with the leading business men of his community. He was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, Septem- ber 30, 1839, a son of Henry Hine and Jane (Callender) Hoadley. The ancestry of the family is traced back to William Hoadley, who was born in England about 1630 and came to America about 1663, settling in Saybrook, Connecticut.
Frederic B. Hoadley pursued his education in the district schools and in the high school. He left his father's farm to take up his abode in Waterbury in 1860 and here he entered the employ of the American Pin Company and was responsible for various improvements in the machinery used, displaying a decided turn toward inventive genius. He con- tinued with the company in various capacities until June, 1884, when he turned his attention to the fire insurance business. Soon, however, he made connection with the Plume & Atwood Manufacturing Company as foreman of the pin department, writing fire insur- ance as a side issue. He occupied that position until 1896. He went to Winsted to assist in installing machinery in the plant of the New England Pin Company and he there filled a
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responsible position enjoying the entire confidence of the corporation which he represented. After many years' connection therewith he retired from active life in 1898 and erected a home at No. 479 Willow street, where he now resides.
It was in his native city of Sheffield, on the 1st of January, 1867, that Mr. Hoadley was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Catherine Cowles, a daugliter of Correll and Eliza- beth (North) Cowles. She was born in Sheffield, March 10, 1844, and passed away in Waterbury, July 11, 1913, her remains being interred in Riverside cemetery. The children of that marriage were five in number, three of whom died in infancy. The others are Elizabeth North, who makes her home with her father; and Henry Albert, who is cashier of the Citizens National Bank of Waterbury, and who is mentioned on another page of this volume.
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