USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 54
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soon as he had attained his majority, he therefore, perfected his plan to leave Ireland and emigrate to the United States, where he arrived on the 13th of April, 1853. He at once established his home in Waterbury, where he took up the contracting business in connection with the firm of Rogers & Brother. He built up a good trade with that firm with which he was associated until his demise. Like his forbears he adhered to the faith of the Catholic church, which he ever loyally and generously supported. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party. In 1866 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Duggan, who was born in Abbeyleigh, Queens county, Ireland. in 1847, a daughter of Dennis and Mary (Fitzpatrick) Duggan, who about 1847 crossed the Atlantic to the new world, the father becoming one of the pioneer workers in the East Mill Brass Works. He was sixty-five years of age when called to his final rest, while his wife, long surviving him, reached the advaneed age of eighty-eight years. Their children were: Mary, Michael and Andrew, all deceased; Catherine; Julia; and John. The first named became the wife of James Slavin, Jr., and they were separated by death when on the 13th of April, 1893. the wife was called to the home beyond. The death of Mr. Slavin occurred at Waterbury, January 26, 1896. They were parents of eight children: Andrew, who died in Waterbury; Dennis J .; James, who passed away in Waterbury; Jolin, a pressman of Waterbury; Michael F., who is filling the office of assistant registrar in Waterbury; Frances, a Sister of Charity now in Jersey City, New Jersey; Edward Joseph, a physician and surgeon of New York city; and William who is engaged in electrical engineering in the metropolis.
The eldest living son of the family, Judge Dennis Joseph Slavin, was a pupil in the public schools of Waterbury until he completed the high school course when a youth of but sixteen years. He had displayed special aptitude in his studies and he naturally turned to the "learned professions" in choosing his life work. Entering upon the study of law in the office and under the direction of the law firm of Burpee & Carmody he thus prepared for the bar and successfully passed the required examinations in 1901. Judge Slavin at once opened a law office in Waterbury and successfully practiced until 1911, when he was elected judge of the probate court. However, he had had some business experience in early manhood, for before liis admission to the bar he had served as cashier of the American Pin Company. He was also clerk of the common council of Waterbury until the office was discontinued. He filled the position of probate judge for two terms following the election of 1911, and in 1916 was again chosen to that position. He is splendidly equipped for the work and his rulings have been widely satisfactory. He is, moreover, a wise counselor and learned lawyer, who in bar practice is resourceful, while his reasoning is clear and convincing.
On the 26th of November, 1896, in Waterbury, Judge Slavin was united in marriage to Miss Mary Agnes Dwyer, a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and a daughter of Jolin and Mary (Gorman) Dwyer. The latter died during the infancy of her little daughter but Mr. Dwyer is still a resident of Waterbury. Judge and Mrs. Slavin have become parents of five children: Helen Marie, who was born October 14, 1897, and was graduated in 1916 from Notre Dame Convent; James, born June 20, 1905; Edward Joseph, born December 23, 1907; Maureen, born February 14, 1909; and Frances Barbara, born July 20, 1914.
Judge Slavin votes with the democratic party and in religion as in politics holds to the faith of his fathers, being an active and influential member of the Church of the Sacred Heart, with which he has been identified since the organization of the parish. He is a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and also belongs to the Holy Name Society. He has membership in the Independent Order of Foresters and the nature of his interests is further indicated in his connection with the Concordia Singing Society, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Sarsfield Club and the Vorwaerts. He is social by nature, genial in dis- position, strong in purpose and untiring in support of any cause which he espouses.
FRANKLIN E. WEAVER.
Franklin E. Weaver, assistant secretary at Waterbury of the American Brass Company, was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1870, a son of William H. and Sophia A. Weaver. After leaving high school he became identified with manufacturing interests in Waterbury and from the age of twenty years, or covering the period from 1890 until 1901, he was with various concerns of Waterbury. In November of the latter year he became connected with the American Brass Company as a representative of the Coe Brass Branch, in charge of the extrusion business. He became superintendent of the Benedict & Burnham plant and of the Holmes, Booth & Haydens mills, so continuing from 1905 until 1910. He was next made assistant sales manager with the American Brass Company and in 1912 was advanced to the
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position of assistant secretary, in which connection he also has charge of the general sales department, advising with the various mills concerning the extension of the trade. Long experience has made him thoroughly familiar with every branch of the business and questions relative thereto.
In 1893 Mr. Weaver was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Reed Stowe, of New Haven, Connecticut, and their children are four in number. Hobart Stowe, who was graduated from the academic department of Yale with the class of 1916, is now a student in the Columbia Law School. Adele T., at home, is a graduate of St. Margaret's and is now attend- ing the Yale School of Music. Alan V. is a high school student and Gordon R. is also in school. The parents are communicants of Trinity Episcopal church and Mr. Weaver is a republican in his political views.
MATTHEW JOSEPH SMITH. .
Matthew Joseph Smith, sheriff of the city of Waterbury, was born in County Kildare, Ireland, July 23, 1868, and in that country his parents passed away, having spent their entire lives there. Matthew J. Smith was a lad of but fourteen years when in 1882 he came alone to the new world. His godfather, James Grace, was then a resident of Newark, New Jersey, to which city Mr. Smith made his way, living with Mr. Grace at Newark for four years and working in the bakery which his godfather owned. In 1886 he came to Waterbury, then eighteen years of age, to work at the baker's trade and was employed by Thomas Kelly in the position of foreman of the bakery for sixteen years. He resigned that position in 1902 and for two years thereafter was inspector of school buildings for the city of Waterbury under appointment of the board of education. From 1904 until 1906 he con- ducted a cafe on East Main street. In the fall of 1905 he was elected sheriff of the city of Waterbury and assumed the office in January, 1906, occupying the position for four years. He was defeated for reelection in 1909 but was again elected in 1911 and has since served, having been reelected in 1913 and 1915, so that he is now serving for the fourth term. He has made a splendid official with a clean record, doing everything in his power to preserve law and order.
On the 15th of May, 1895, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Elizabeth Begnal, who is also of Irish lineage but was born in Waterbury, a daughter of Michael Begnal, who was a prominent and well known resident here, the Begnal school being named in his honor. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have five living children: James M., born March 4, 1898; Matthew Joseph, born July 3, 1900; Elizabeth Agnes, born September 1, 1902; and Francis P. and Rose Mary, twins, born March 28, 1907. Their first born, Josephine, born April 28, 1896, died July 12, 1900
Mr. and Mrs. Smith hold membership in .St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party and he is recognized as one of the most active workers in its local ranks. He holds membership with the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose and the Woodmen of the World and he also belongs to the Patrick Sarsfield Club of Waterbury. He is widely known as a business man and as an official and his record as sheriff has proved creditable to himself and highly satisfactory to his eon- stituents.
CHARLES F. GRANNISS.
Charles F. Granniss, who is living retired in Waterbury, was born March 25, 1863, a son of Caleb A. and Mary K. (Bronson) Granniss. The ancestral line is traced back to Edward Granniss, who in the year 1644 settled at Hartford, Connecticut, where he followed the occupation of farming for about ten years. He then removed to Hadley, Massachusetts, and seven years later took up his abode at North Haven. He married Elizabeth Andrews in 1654 and among their children was Joseph Granniss, who was born in 1677. Isaac Granniss, son of Joseph Granniss, was born in 1716 and was the first of the family to locate at East Haven. He, too, was a farmer by occupation and purchased his land from the Indian chief Foxen. His son, Jared Granniss, was born in 1756 and lived to the advanced age of ninety- one years. He was one of the Revolutionary war heroes and was with General Putnam at
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the battle of Bunker Hill. Caleb A. Granniss, the father of our subject, died in 1901 and both he and his wife were laid to rest in Riverside cemetery in Waterbury.
It was in the year 1866 when the family removed to Bridgeport, Connecticut. The father was interested in the Lyon, Curtis & Company planing mills. Later, under the firm style of Granniss & Hurd, Caleb Granniss being president of the company, he acted as the directing spirit in the business and owned the controlling interest. He continued in that line until 1887, when he sold out and throughout his remaining days lived retired in Bridge- port, where he passed away.
Charles F. Granniss became connected with the planing mill business in 1879 as office boy and advanced through various positions, winning his promotions by reason of his develop- ing powers and ability until at last he became superintendent. Eventually he entered the contracting business in the building of roads and sewers and engaged in that line until 1897. In the latter year he entered into active relations with the Automatic Machine Company of Bridgeport and was a factor in the development of that industry until 1902, when he turned his attention to fruit culture at Orlando, Florida, having sixty-five acres of bearing orange and grape fruit trees and twenty-five acres of young trees. He still remains in this business and he also has a hundred acre farm at Watertown, Connecticut. This is a commercial farm and the business is carefully, wisely and successfully managed, while the Florida interests are also most capably controlled.
On the 2d of December, 1885, Mr. Granniss was married to Miss Jennie E. Coulter, a daughter of Thomas Coulter, who was connected with the Coulter & Mckenzie Machine Company for thirty years and later was with the Automatic Machine Company of Bridge- port for ten years. To Mr. and Mrs. Granniss have been born the following named: Norman C., who married Marie House, of Port Chester, New York; and Dorothy A. and Donald Stuart, who are living at home.
In politics Mr. Granniss is a republican. His family attend the First Congregational church. He is also a member of the Waterbury Club and the Elks Club of Orlando, Florida. He has a beautiful home at No. 185 Pine street in Waterbury and from this point superintends the interests of his two farming properties, to which he makes frequent trips. All who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, speak of him in terms of high regard. Practically his entire life has been passed in Connecticut, where he is recognized as of a high type of manhood and citizenship.
THE RISDON TOOL & MACHINE COMPANY.
The Risdon Tool & Machine Company of Naugatuck was established in February, 1911, its first officers being A. H. Dayton, G. T. Wigmore and George Andrew. C. E. Beardsley afterward succeeded to the presidency and still occupies that position, while A. H. Dayton is second vice president; George T. Wigmore, secretary and treasurer; and Lewis A. Dibble, first vice president and general manager. The plant of the company is located on Andrew avenue. It covers three-fourths of an acre of floor space and the buildings occupied are one- story frame structures. The company manufactures various metal parts for electrical manu- facturers and has its own complete tool department. There is electric power of one hundred and ten horsepower and the plant is equipped with the individual motor system, is also supplied with a sprinkler system and for facilitating the work the latest improved machinery has been installed. The company employs now about one hundred and forty hands, one- fifth of whom are skilled workmen. The product is sold to manufacturers, and a traveling salesman represents the company on the road, covering the territory from Boston to St. Louis.
LEWIS A. DIBBLE.
Lewis A. Dibble, vice president and general manager of The Risdon Tool & Machine Company, was born in New Haven on the 18th of April, 1885, a son of Samuel E. and Elizabeth (Davis) Dibble. The father is a business man of New Haven, where he has been actively engaged in the plumbing and steamfitting business since 1865. His position of leadership in commercial circles is indicated by the fact that he was honored with the presi- dency of the Plumbers' Association of the United States. He is also an ex-president of the Business Men's Association of New Haven.
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Lewis A. Dibble at the usual age became a public school pupil and passed through consecutive grades to the high school, from which he was graduated in due course. Later he entered Yale as a student in the Sheffield Scientific School and was graduated therefrom in 1907 on the completion of a course in mechanical engineering. He started out in the business world in connection with the Oakville Company of Waterbury and in November, 1913, he purchased an interest in The Risdon Tool & Machine Company of Naugatuck and has since been its general manager and first vice president.
On the 30th of June, 1909, Mr. Dibble was married to Miss Lillie Clarke Kneringer of New Haven, and their children are: Doris Clarke, seven years of age; and Jane Elizabeth, who is a year old. Mr. Dibble belongs to the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Continental Lodge, No. 76, F. & A. M., of Waterbury. He is also a member of the Con- gregational church.
DANIEL J. MALONEY, M. D.
The tendency of the age is toward specialization. The field of science in a single pro- fession is too broad for any individual to become thorough master thereof, and after attain- ing basic principles it is largely customary to concentrate along a single line, thus attaining a high degree of efficiency which could not in other manner be secured. Possessing marked ability in the treatment of diseases of the eye, Dr. Daniel J. Maloney is now accorded a liberal practice in that field.
He is a native of New Britain, Connecticut, and was educated in the public and parochial schools. After obtaining his preliminary education he came in 1885 to Waterbury and became associated with his brothers, C. and M. J. Maloney, publishers of the Waterbury Democrat, with which he was connected for about seven years. Finally he resigned in 1892 and took up the study of medicine. In the fall of the following year he entered the medical department of the University of New York and was graduated with the M. D. degree on the 5th of May, 1896. After spending six months in the Gouverneur Hospital of New York city he opened an office for the general practice of medicine and surgery in Waterbury in 1897 and was thus active for about six years, or until 1902. In the meantime he had be- come decply interested in the study of the eye and in the fall and winter of 1902-3 he pursued post graduate work in the Manhattan Eye & Ear Hospital. During the succeeding winter he was again a student in that institution and in 1904 he abandoned the general practice of medicine to concentrate his attention upon the treatment of diseases of the eye, in which he has been very successful. His understanding of the scientific principles underlying his work is comprehensive and exact and his labors represent high achievement along the line of his specialty. In addition to his private practice he is serving on the staff of both the Waterbury and St. Mary's Hospitals in the line of his specialty and was formerly connected with the general staff of the Waterbury Hospital for several years.
In 1902 Dr. Maloney was married to Miss Ellen Quigley, of Litchfield, and they are the parents of three living children, Augustin, Emily and Benedict. One child, Kenneth, died in infancy. The family have a summer home at Middlebury. Dr. Maloney is a member of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic church. Professionally he has membership ivith the Waterbury, Connecticut State and American Medical Associations.
GEORGE H. BURNAP.
George H. Burnap, vice president of the Waterbury Sand & Gravel Company, was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, October 21, 1889, a son of George Franklin and Harriet B. (Howard) Burnap. The mother is living in Waterbury but the father has passed away. During the boyhood of their son George the family home was established at Gardner, Massa- chusetts, where he acquired a public school education. Later a removal was made to Pitts- field, Massachusetts, and in 1912 they came to Waterbury, where George H. Burnap became associated with Ernest C. Whitney, H. B. Burnap and Richard S. Burnap in the organization of the Waterbury Sand & Gravel Company, of which he was elected and has since served as the vice president. In the intervening years the company has developed a large trade, having secured the contract for furnishing sand and gravel for the new city hall, for the office of the American Brass Company and most of the substantial buildings erected in Waterbury in
DR. DANIEL J. MALONEY
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recent years. The business was established upon a safe, reliable basis and the enterprising methods of the officers have led to continually growing success.
Mr. Burnap is a member of the Congregational church and in politics is a progressive republican. His attention and interests, however, center in his business affairs, although he is not unmindful of the duties and obligations of citizenship and his influence is always on the side of progress and improvement.
GEORGE H. BENHAM.
George H. Benham, a well known figure in the metal industry of Waterbury, connected with the general office of the American Brass Company, was born in Woodbury, Connecticut, November 27, 1850, a son of Lockwood P. and Mary E. Benham. He obtained a public and high school education in Middlebury and upon starting out in life on his own account secured employment with a carriage wheel factory, working along that line in Woodbury and in Naugatuck until he reached the age of twenty-seven years. Realizing the value of further educational training as a preparation for the responsibilities of life, he entered Eastmann's Business College of Poughkeepsie, New York, from which in due time he was graduated. Later he returned to Waterbury and on the 28th of February, 1878, entered the employ of Holmes, Booth & Haydens. Since then he has been continuously connected with brass mann- facturing and has been a witness of its marvelous development and the growth of the great industries which have made Waterbury the commercial center that it is today. He was long associated with Holmes, Booth & Haydens and in the fall of 1905 became connected with the Waterbury Brass Goods Corporation as its treasurer, so continuing until Octo- ber, 1911. He was also secretary of the American Metal Hose Company for several years and he was the secretary of Holmes, Booth & Haydens from February 2, 1888, until the dissolution of the company on the 1st of January, 1912. In October, 1911, he resigned his positions with the Waterbury Brass Goods Corporation and the American Mctal Hose Com- pany and has since been in the general office of the American Brass Company.
On the 2d of October, 1872, Mr. Benham was married to Miss Antoinette Judson, a daughter of Franklin M. and Louisa M. Judson. The two children of this marriage are: Edith L., at home; and Ellen A., who is the wife of Frederick S. Cooke of Waterbury, and they have one child, Louise.
Mr. and Mrs. Benham are consistent members of the Episcopal church and his polit- ical faith is that of the republican party. He is a well known figure in business circles, enjoying the high respect and warm regard of all with whom he has been brought in con- tact.
WILLIAM HENRY PHELPS.
William Henry Phelps, of Winsted, cashier of the Hurlbut National Bank, was born March 23, 1874, in the city where he still resides, and was named in honor of his paternal grandfather, who was a native of Colebrook, Connecticut, and who became one of the founders and organizers of the Hurlbut Bank, which was established in 1852. He was elected its first president and served in that position until his death, which occurred in 1864, at which time his son, George Wakefield Phelps, the father of William Henry Phelps of this review, had become its cashier. George Wakefield Phelps was born in Riverton, in the town of Colebrook, Litchfield county, Connecticut, July 25, 1841. He, too, followed bank- ing, and for several years was cashier of the Hurlbut National Bank, which from the be- ginning has had some member of the Phelps family among its officers. George Wakefield Phelps resigned his position as cashier in 1865 in order to devote his attention to other matters but remained a most active and valuable citizen of Winsted up to the time of his demise, which occurred June 5, 1894. In early manhood he had wedded Ellen Minerva Forbes, who is still a resident of Winsted. To them were born two sons and a daughter: Judith B., who is the wife of Ralph W. Holmes; Lancelot Phelps, of Albany, New York; and William Henry, of this review.
William Henry Phelps acquired a good grammar school education and when sixteen years of age entered upon his business career as a clerk in the Hurlbut National Bank, with which he has since been identified, covering the entire period since 1890. In 1900 he was elected its cashier and has since occupied the position.
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On the 28th of April, 1908, Mr. Phelps was united in marriage to Miss Mary Pelton,. of Middletown, Connectieut, who was there born May 15, 1877, a daughter of Charles A. and Elizabeth (Smith) Pelton, of Middletown. They have two sons; George Phelps, born May 10, 1909; and Pelton Phelps, born March 22, 1911.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Episcopal church. Mr. Phelps gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never been a candidate for political office, preferring that his public service shall be done as a private citizen. He is a director of the Hurlbut National Bank and the Litchfield County Hospital of which he is treasurer and a trustee of its permanent funds. He is fond of hunting and fishing and turns to those interests for rest and recreation.
ARCHIE T. JONES.
Archie T. Jones is identified with two rapidly growing business enterprises of Water- bury as the secretary of the H. I. Smith Motor Car Company and as the secretary and treasurer of the Jones-Smith Supply Company. He was born in St. John, New Brunswick, on the 20th of January, 1881, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Olcott) Jones, both of whom were natives of England. They came to the United States on leaving their native country and afterward removed to Canada. In 1883 they returned, settling in Waterbury, where the father, who was a pattern maker, entered the employ of Holmes, Booth & Haydens, continuing at their extensive brass manufacturing plant until his death, which occurred in 1886. His widow survived him for many years and passed away in 1915, at the age of seventy-two.
A publie school education qualified Archie T. Jones for life's practical and respon- sible duties and he started in the business world with the firm of Lake & Strobel; a jewelry house. Later he was with the New England Watch Company for nine years, and although he continued in manufacturing circles, at the end of that period hie changed his line decidedly, becoming connected with the Alling Rubber Company, for which he acted as manager for seven years. When the H. I. Smith Motor Car Company was organized and incorporated he became associated with Herbert I. Smith, who was made president of the company, with Mr. Jones as the secretary. The business has shown marvelous growth and after a time they organized the Jones-Smith Supply Company on the 1st of December, 1916, to handle all kinds of supplies and do all kinds of repair work and paint- ing. They sell every equipment for the National, Overland and Wyllis-Knight cars, which are the motor cars handled by the H. I. Smith Company.
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