USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 59
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CHARLES T. BRENNAN.
Charles T. Brennan, secretary and general superintendent of the E. J. Manville Machine Company of Waterbury, is a native of Cheshire, Connecticut, and after acquiring a public school education there attended a military academy from which he was graduated. Ile then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for three years at Centerville, Connecti- cut, after which he removed to Waterbury and entered into active association with the E. J. Manville Machine Company. He learned the machinist's trade, developed his ability and knowledge through a varied experience at the plant and ultimately was advanced to
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the position of foreman. Subsequently he was promoted to general foreman and shop superintendent, in which dual capacity he served until 1911, when he was made secretary and general superintendent and as such has charge of the manufacturing interests of the honse. He has made a study of higher mathematics and mechanics, attaining expert knowledge and proficieney along those lines. He also prepares the literature and advertising for the company and is aetuated in all that he does by a most progressive spirit that is reaching ont along modern business lines and winning substantial results. The E. J. Manville Machine Company originated the two-blow crank header for bolts, invented by A. C. Campbell.
In his political views Mr. Brennan is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office, preferring to eoneentrate his undivided attention upon his business affairs.
JOHN J. SHEEHAN.
John J. Sheehan, one of the leading real estate men of Waterbury, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, a son of Patrick and Mary (Sullivan) Sheehan, who spent their entire lives in their native land, where the father followed the occupation of farming. John J. Sheehan was the youngest of three sons, his two brothers being Timothy and Thomas, the former still a resident of County Kerry, while the latter resides in Waterbury.
In young manhood John J. Sheehan eame to the United States and at once established his home in Waterbury, where his brother Thomas had located a year before. He was employed for a few years in the Benediet & Burnham factory but for the past fifteen years he has given his undivided attention to the real estate business and has become one of the best known men in this line in Waterbury. He has operated very success- fully and has accumulated a large amount of valuable improved realty, including both business and residence property. He is now the sole owner of the Humphrey bloek, the Jackson block, the Farrell block and the Muneb block, all located at the junction of South Main and Grand streets. He is also the owner of the Colonial theatre on South Main street, the Osborn apartment block at the corner of Johnson and Sperry streets, the Kee- gan block on Grove street and the Fairview building on Fairview street. From all of this property he derives a handsome annual income.
Mr. Sheehan is a member of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic church, of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Loyal Order of Moose. His chief recreation is motor- ing and he was one of the first automobile owners of Waterbury. Starting upon business life in young manhood in this city, he has made continuous advancement, utilizing his opportunities wisely until he is now prominently known as a leading real estate dealer and a most successful man.
DAVID CULLEN GRIGGS.
David Cullen Griggs, secretary of the Waterbury Farrel Foundry & Machine Company, was born June 30, 1871, in the city with whose business interests he is now closely and prominently associated. He is the youngest of the four sons of Henry Charles and Mary (Foote) Griggs. The former was born at Tolland, Connecticut, December 18, 1834, his parents being Charles and Frances Catherine (Drake) Griggs, both of whom were descended from early New England families. In the paternal line the ancestry is traced back to Joseph Griggs, who in 1635 became a resident of Boston, his death occurring in Roxbury, Massachusetts, February 10, 1714. Ichabod Griggs, his grandson, established the Tolland branch of the family in 1744 and became a prominent factor in public interests of that place. He served as a deacon in the church, represented the town in the general assembly from 1773 until 1788 and was chosen moderator of the "first town meeting touching the difficulties between the colonies and England," held on the 5th of September, 1774. He had two sons who aided in winning liberty for America in the Revolutionary war. In the maternal line Henry C. Griggs traced his ancestry back to Henry Wolcott, who in 1630 removed from Tolland, England, to Dorehester, Massachusetts, and in 1636 became a resi- dent of Windsor, where he was chosen magistrate in 1643, filling the office until his death in 1655. Another ancestor was Governor Roger Wolcott, who participated in the capture of Louisburg in 1745, at which time he commanded forees with the rank of major general. He served as colonial governor of Connecticut from 1750 until 1754.
JOHN J. SHEEHAN
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Henry C. Griggs was a youth of eleven years when his parents came from South Windsor to Waterbury. He supplemented his public school training by study in the Waterbury Academy and entered upon his business career as a clerk in the store of Elisha Turner. He afterward became connected with the Waterbury Hook & Eye Com- pany and from 1861 until 1864 had the management of the Waterbury Button Company, after which he became one of the founders of the Smith & Griggs Manufacturing Company at Hopeville. He afterward established a button manufactory on Division street. Suc- cess attended him and from time to time he acquired important realty holdings. He was also president of the Dime Savings Bank, a director of the Waterbury National Bank, a trustee of the Riverside Cemetery Association and one of the incorporators of the Water- bury Hospital. He was also prominent in Masonic circles and as a public officer, serving as road commissioner, water commissioner and alderman. In 1882 he was elected to the general assembly and again in 1886. Moreover, he was held in the highest regard, having those personal qualities which endeared him to all, while at the same time he measured up to the highest standards of business integrity and of progressive citizenship. He passed away on the 17th of April, 1886, just after the completion of his legislative duties. It was on the 9th of October, 1862, that he wedded Mary Bassett Foote, a daughter of Jared Foote, of Hamden, and they became parents of eight children: Henry Foote, who died in infancy; Charles Jared; Wilfred Elizur; Robert Foote; Mary Rebecca, who died in 1878; David Cullen; and twin daughters who died in infancy.
In the acquirement of his education David C. Griggs attended Miss Pritchard's private school, the public schools of Waterbury and the Sheffield Scientific School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1892. His early business experience came to him through eight months' service with the Berlin Iron & Bridge Company and in February, 1893, he became identified with the Waterbury Farrel Foundry & Machine Company, in which he worked his way upward through the various positions of the engineering department. In 1899 he was made a director of the company and was chosen to his present position as secretary in 1902.
On the 6th of June, 1904, Mr. Griggs was united in marriage to Miss Helen Trowbridge Williams, a daughter of Samuel Parmelee and Ella S. (Rice) Williams, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Griggs have been born two children, Henry Charles and Eleanor Rice. The family attend St. John's Episcopal church, and Mr. Griggs has membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Waterbury Country Club, the Waterbury Club. the Home Club, York Hall of New Haven and the Graduates Club of New Haven. In politics he is a republican. He served two terms as a member of the board of education.
EDWARD L. WHITE.
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Edward L. White, president and treasurer of the Ralph N. Blakesley Company, en- gaged in the conduct of a trucking and storage business, millwright work, rigging and blacksmithing, is a native of Bridgeport. He was born April 9, 1886, in Bridgeport, a son of Edward L. and Laura Virginia (Ogden) White and a grandson of J. Watson White, who was the youngest of the four sons of Jacob and Susan (Sage) White. He was born September 19, 1827, at Sandisfield, Massachusetts, and was therefore only about four years of age when in 1831 the family went to Cromwell. In 1850 J. Watson White came to Waterbury and became an active factor in the paper box manufacturing business, with which the family has long been prominently identified. He was a very active member of the Second Congregational church and took a deep interest in promoting moral and civic progress. He was married September 19, 1850, to Anna Eliza Wells, a daughter of Chauncey Wells, of Hartford. She passed away in May, 1862, leaving four children, and on the 18th of September, 1863, Mr. White wedded Mrs. Nancy M. Moses, a daughter of Ashbel Wells, of Wethersfield. The death of J. Watson White occurred July 5, 1865. His elder son, Edward Luther White, was born in Waterbury, December 12, 1853, attended Williston Seminary and in 1875 was graduated from the Sheffield Scientific School. He then entered the employ of White & Wells, paper box manufacturers, and was made manager of their factory at Bridgeport. Following the death of Captain Wells in 1886 he returned to Waterbury and assumed the management of the plant in this city, so continuing until January, 1892, when he was made secretary of the Waterbury Watch Company, so re- maining until his death, which occurred August 5, 1893. He is still survived by his wife,
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who was a daughter of Judge James L. Ogden, of Jersey City, New Jersey, and their children are Ogden Watson, Howard Sage and Edward Luther, Jr.
Edward L. White of this review acquired a public school education and also attended the Taft School in Watertown before entering the academic department of Yale, from which he was graduated with the class of 1909. His initial step in his business career was made with the brokerage firm of Holmes & Bull, with which he was connected for about two years. He afterward engaged in the brokerage business on his own account for a year and a half. He was also with the Waterbury Clock Company for a short time. In December, 1914, he became connected with the Ralph N. Blakesley Company as president and treasurer. This company was incorporated June 1, 1911, succeeding to the business of Ralph N. Blakesley, which was established about 1880, Mr. Blakesley continuing in charge until his death in October, 1911. The company was organized to engage in the trucking and storage business, in millwright work, in rigging, blacksmith work and carriage painting and repairing. That the business has assumed extensive proportions is indicated in the fact that they now employ about one hundred people, forty per cent of whom are skilled workmen. Their location is at Nos. 192-206 Meadow street, where they have a large plant, in marked contrast to the little building in which they started on Meadow street. Removal was made in 1895 to the present building, which is two hundred by two hundred and forty feet, six stories in height and of mill construction. The present officers of the company arc: Edward L. White, president and treasurer; H. S. White, vice president; and Nathaniel R. Bronson, secretary.
On the 25th of February, 1913, Mr. White was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe G. Farrell, a daughter of Christopher Farrell, of Bridgeport. They were married, low- ever, in Springfield, Massachusetts, and to them has been born a son, Edward L., Jr.
Mrs. White is a member of the Catholic church, and Mr. White is .of the Episcopal faith. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is a prominent Mason, having attained the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite and the thirty- second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and with the Country Club. He is now well known through both social and business relations and is a representative of a family which has long figured prominently in both connections in this city.
BERNARD H. FITZPATRICK.
Bernard H. Fitzpatrick, principal of the Margaret Croft school of Waterbury, his native city, has long occupied a prominent position in educational circles, contributing much to the high standard of the schools here. He was born October 17, 1856, and is the eldest of the eleven children of John and Mary (Ingoldsby) Fitzpatrick, both of whom were natives of County Leitrim, Ireland, but they were married in Waterbury on the 20th of September, 1851. The father was born June 21, 1828, and came to the United States in 1846, making his way to Waterbury in 1850. Since then he has lived in this city and is today one of its most venerable residents, being now in his ninetieth year. He was a painter by trade and followed that pursuit while in active business. His wife was born September 30, 1830, and they were acquainted from early childhood. She passed away in Waterbury, September 18, 1899, and of the family of five sons and six daughters four sons and four daughters are yet living, Anna, Mary and Thomas M. having departed this life, while Bernard H., John F., Daniel E., Mrs. Nellie Seery, James, Mrs. Josephine Hamilton, Alice and Mrs. Margaret Hayes survive.
Mr. Fitzpatrick has been a lifelong resident of Waterbury, where he pursued his e lucation, being graduated from the high school with the class of 1872 when sixteen years of age. For three years thereafter he engaged in clerking in various stores and then entered upon the profession of teaching in 1875. He has since been continuously connected with the public schools of Waterbury, covering a period of forty-two years, and all of the time has acted as principal, having charge during this extended period of but three schools. He was for fifteen years principal of the Merriman school, was then appointed to the Maloney school, where he remained for seven years, while for the past twenty years he has been the principal of the Margaret Croft school, which is the larg- est and best equipped grammar school in Waterbury. There are three modern buildings, the equipment of which includes a gymnasium, swimming pool, manual training depart- ment and domestic science department and in fact everything that is the expression of modern ideas of thorough education. Its basket ball, baseball and track teams have won
BERNARD H. FITZPATRICK
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various silver cups since Mr. Fitzpatrick became principal. He is a member of the Con- necticut State Teachers Association and of the National Educational Association and thus keeps in touch with the progressive trend of the profession in its earnest effort to make the system of public education of real value and worth as a preparation for life's practi- cal and responsible duties.
On the 24th of July, 1894, Mr. Fitzpatrick was married to Miss Matilda Loretta Walsh, of Waterbury. They are of the Catholic faith and hold membership in St. Mar- garet's church on Willow street. That Mr. Fitzpatrick is regarded as a most capable educator is shown by his long connection with the Waterbury schools, where forty-two years' service proves his efficiency that is further attested by the opinions of his pupils, many of whom have done splendid work in the world. He is continually studying out new methods to improve the efficiency of the schools and to broaden the curriculum along the lines of practical value.
CHARLES E. BEARDSLEY.
Charles E. Beardsley, manager for the American Brass Company, Waterbury Brass Branch, at Waterbury, has been identified with this business for seventeen years and gradual promotions in recognition of his capability and trustworthiness have brought him to his present place of responsibility. Connecticut numbers him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Woodbury, August 4, 1881, his parents being Willis E. and Mary (Smith) Beardsley, the latter now deceased. The father has always devoted his life to the occupation of farming.
Reared under the parental roof, Charles E. Beardsley acquired a public school educa- tion and afterward attended the Park Avenue Institute of Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was still in his teens when he began providing for his own support, starting in business in connection with box manufacturing at Danbury. Removing to Waterbury in 1900, he has since been employed by the American Brass Company, entering that service in the capacity of bookkeeper with the Waterbury branch of the business. The substantial qualities that he displayed in that connection led to his promotion to the position of cashier and eventually he was made office manager. His developing powers brought him still more important duties, however, and since February, 1914, he has been the manager of the plant at Waterbury, thus controlling one of the most extensive, important and profitable productive industries of the city.
On the 16th of October, 1901, Mr. Beardsley was united in marriage to Miss Mabel A. Daley, of Danbury, a daughter of George Daley, and they now have one child, Frances. Mr. Beardsley has always exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Order of American Mechanics. He finds relaxation and interest in his member- ship in the Waterbury Club and cooperates in the effort for moral development through his membership in the First Methodist church.
GEORGE M. BEACH.
George M. Beach, superintendent of police at Waterbury for the past twelve years, was born near Litchfield, Connecticut, September 10, 1857, and is the eldest son of Milo Beach, who was born in Goshen, Connecticut, June 9, 1803, and devoted his life to farming, passing away in Litchfield at the age of eighty-five years. The mother of George M. Beach was Lucretia Hall, a teacher before her marriage. She died when her son George was but sixteen months old, at the birth of a daughter who is now Mrs. Mary Barton, the widow of Frank Barton, of Watertown. The Beach family is descended from one of three brothers who came from England during the first half of the seventeenth century. Two of them arrived in 1637 and the third in 1640. All three settled in Connecticut. The ancestor of George M. Beach became a resident of Goshen and the family was rep- resented in the Revolutionary war by fourteen members. His grandfather, Heman Beach, was born in Goshen in 1775.
George M. Beach was reared on his father's farm near Goshen and after acquiring a com- mon school education taught through four winter seasons in early manhood, beginning at the age of sixteen years. When a youth of fourteen he had become self-supporting, working
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on farms through the summer months and afterward attending and teaching school in the winter seasons. He abandoned teaching at the age of twenty and after a brief period spent in Litchfield removed to Thomaston, Connecticut, where for five years he was employed at the Setli Thomas Clock Works. In 1885 he eame to Waterbury and for twenty years he held a responsible position with the Waterbury Clock Company, acting as foreman there for fifteen years of that period. While still with the elock company he was elected alderman from the second ward and acceptably filled that position for four years. During the same period he served on the board of public safety and in 1905 he was appointed superintendent of police and las oceupied that position continuously since, making an excellent record. He belongs to the International Association of Police Chiefs and is a member of its executive committee.
On the 21st of June, 1879, Mr. Beach was married to Miss Sarah J. Sawyer, who was born at Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut, February 12, 1860. They have two living sons. Arthur G., a resident of Watertown, was married February 2, 1902, to Emma Brown and they have two children, Lewis S. and Alice L. George L., the younger son, is married and has one child, Hugh. Mr. Beach is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and an Elk and is a past noble grand in the Odd Fellows lodge. He is also a member of the Country Club and he has attractive social qualities which render him popular with a large circle of warm friends.
ANSON W. MINER.
Anson W. Miner, assistant manager at Waterbury for the American Brass Company, was born in Burrville, Connecticut, Mareh 30, 1878, a son of Edward A. and Josephine J. (Clin- ton) Miner. The father was born in Cornwall, Connecticut, while the mother's birth occurred in Clintonville, this state. The Miner family was established in the new world in the seven- teenth century by ancestors who came from England and took up their abode near Madison, Connecticut. For some time Edward A. Miner filled the position of station agent and also conducted a general store at Burrville.
The public schools afforded Anson W. Miner his early educational opportunities. He studied in the Torrington grammar school and also attended high school and later he remained at home with his father, assisting him in the store for four years. His identifica- tion with the Waterbury Brass Company dates from the 10th of April, 1900, at which time he secured a clerical position in the office of the rolling mill department. After nine months spent in that connection he was made assistant bookkeeper. In 1901 he entered the manufacturing department in charge of certain lines of office work and from time to time has been promoted until through intermediate positions he has reached his present place as assistant manager, to which he was called in February, 1914.
On the 23d of September, 1901, Anson W. Miner was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Ellen McLean, who was born in Perth, Ontario, Canada, in 1878, a daughter of Alexander Charles McLean. They now have one child, Helen, ten years of age. In his politieal views Mr. Miner is a republican. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Odd Fellows and is loyal to the teachings of those organizations. He is also a member of the Second Congregational church and his social nature finds expression in his membership in the Waterbury Club.
THOMAS FINNEGAN.
Thomas Finnegan, vice president of the Eagle Brewing Company, is a native of Ire- land but from the age of seventeen years has lived on this side the Atlantic. He was born in 1871 and attended public schools of the Emerald isle, but the opportunities of the new world attracted him and in 1888 he arrived in New York. He was there employed by a publishing firm but has been identified with the brewing business since 1891, when he entered the employ of the H. Clausen & Son Brewing Company of New York, with which he continued for three years in the metropolis. On the expiration of that period he was sent to open a branch in Waterbury, where he continued as manager for a decade or until 1904, when he was offered a more luerative position with the Eagle Brewing Company upon its organization. He has since been identified therewith and is now the vice president of the corporation, having continuously filled that position from the begin- ning. He was also sales manager for many years and in that connection contributed in
THOMAS FINNEGAN
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very large measure to the growth and success of the business but is now practically liv- ing retired, although he keeps in touch with what is being done. He extended his efforts into other lines by becoming a stockholder and director of the Merchants Trust Company and becoming president of the Cheshire Land Company.
In 1905 Mr. Finnegan was married to Miss Elizabeth Keefe, of Waterbury, a daugh- ter of John and Catherine Keefe, and they now have two children, Bernard and Thomas.
Mr. Finnegan maintains an independent attitude in politics. He is prominent in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, being a charter member of the Waterbury lodge, and for the past eighteen years he has been chairman of its board of trustees. He is truly a self-made man in that he owes his prosperity entirely to his own efforts, his diligence and unfaltering perseverance. He started out empty-handed but worked his way upward by the worth of his ability and fidelity, and in time his annual income was sufficient to place him among the men of affluence in his adopted city.
WILLIAM S. KELLOGG.
The drama has given us the term understudy, but it does not pertain merely to the stage. It has come to have wider significance and features prominently in the business world. In every position of responsibility there must not only be a head but there must be some one who is trained and ready to step into the higher position if emergency demands. Such training has William S. Kellogg received in the position of assistant superintendent for the American Brass Company of the Benedict & Burnham branch at Waterbury. For twenty years he has been connected with the company, working his way steadily upward through the manufacturing departments, becoming foreman of various departments and also acquainting himself in different positions with the office work. Eventually he has reached the point of being second in control, with training that would qualify him at any moment to assume command as superintendent if occasion arose. Massachusetts numbers him among her native sons. He was born in Northampton, April 9, 1868, a son of Jonathan Dwight and Caroline (Parsons) Kellogg, the former a merchant of Northampton.
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