USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 62
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MAX KIESSLING.
Max Kiessling, treasurer of the General Manufacturing Company, who has done much to develop the automatic machines used in the factory and has therefore contributed largely to the success of the undertaking, was born in Germany, May 31, 1873. He pur- sued his education in the schools of that country and there learned the machinist's trade. In 1890 he came to Waterbury and since that time has been associated in business with John Draher. In 1909 the General Manufacturing Company was organized, Mr. Draher be- coming the president, with Max Kiessling as treasurer and Charles F. Probst as secretary. No change has occurred save that in 1915 Charles H. Swenson succeeded to the position of secretary. In November, 1915, Mr. Kiessling was also one of the organizers of the American Fastener Company, of which Charles Josephson of New York is president, John Draher treasurer and Max Kiessling secretary. This company manufactures press buttons and Mr. Kiessling was the inventor of the machine used in making these buttons. This concern employs about twelve people. Mr. Kiessling has done much toward developing the automatic machines used by both companies, his native skill and ingenuity thus finding expression and contributing in large measure to the success of the interests under his care.
In November, 1895, Mr. Kiessling was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Wiehn, who was born in Germany, their marriage being celebrated in Waterbury. They have four children: Frank, Alma, Elmer and Max. The last two are twins. Mr. Kiessling holds membership with the Turners. He votes independently and has no desire for political office, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business interests, which are constantly growing in volume and importance.
THEODORE IVES DRIGGS.
In musical and educational circles the name of Theodore Ives Driggs has figured as prominently as it has in business connections, for through a most active life Mr. Driggs left the impress of his individuality upon those cultural forces which have constituted the even balance to the material and business development of this city. He was thus for many years an honored and valued resident of Waterbury. His birth occurred in Cheshire, Connecticut, October 25, 1829, his father being Dr. Asa J. Driggs. The ancestral line is traced back to 1721, when the progenitor of the Driggs family came from England and settled in Saybrook, Connecticut. Since then the name has figured prominently in connection with the development of the state both at Cheshire and at Waterbury. Dr. Asa Johnson Driggs was born in Middle- town, Connecticut, about 1803. His father was a sailor in command of a ship at Lisbon, Portu- gal, where he married the daughter of the British consul at that point. Dr. Driggs was about sixteen years of age when he became a pupil in the Episcopal Academy of Connecticut, of which he was afterward made a trustee. His professional training was received in the medical department of Yale College, where he was graduated in 1826. He located for practice
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in Cheshire and after two years, or in 1828, he was united in marriage to the daughter of Rev. Reuben Ives, who was then rector of St. Peter's church. She passed away in 1829, leaving one son. Theodore Ives Driggs. Following the demise of his wife Dr. Driggs went to Cuba, where he not only practiced his profession but also had charge of several plantations. After a few years in the south, however, he returned to Cheshire, where the major part of his time was spent until death called him on the 16th of March, 1878. He is remembered not only as a most able representative of the medical profession but also as a man of marked humor who always had at his command a fund of amusing anecdote. His geniality, his ready wit and his repartee were qualities which made him not only a social favorite but which also added much to his success as a physician as he was thus able to divert the minds of his patients from their ills.
Theodore Ives Driggs, reared in Cheshire, was graduated from Trinity College in 1848, before he had attained the age of nineteen. The same year he became a resident of Water- bury and accepted the position of assistant to Charles Fabrique in the academy. From that time forward he was closely associated with the educational interests of Waterbury and few men have contributed so largely to the city's progress in this direction as did Theodore I. Driggs. He was largely instrumental in organizing the Center school district of Waterbury, which resulted in the establishment of the high school, and of that institution he acted as assistant principal in 1851 and 1852. Although extremely successful in the schoolroom, throat trouble obliged him to give up the profession of teaching and he turned his attention in other directions. In 1853 he became bookkeeper for the firm of Abbott & Wardwell, button manufacturers, and in September, 1855, he entered into active connection with the American Pin Company in the capacity of bookkeeper, remaining with that company until his demise and taking active part in the management of its affairs. He was elected its secretary in 1865 and afterward was chosen to the presidency. His activity, however, was not limited to his connection with the American Pin Company. His interest in music led him to organize the Driggs & Smith Company, which since 1850 has been the leading house in Waterbury dealing in pianos and musical goods. In all of his business affairs he displayed keen sagacity and sound judgment and his enterprise brought to him a very gratifying measure of success, but he never allowed business to monopolize his time and attention. He recognized the fact that normal development demands other interests and he continued an active factor in musical and educational circles. Upon his removal to Waterbury in October, 1848, he accepted the position of organist in St. John's church and served continuously in that capacity until Easter Sunday of 1873, when, suffering from rheumatism, he was obliged to give up this work in which he had taken such keen delight and in which he had rendered such splendid service. In 1876, however, he was able to resume his position as organist and so continued until his last illness. He maintained the highest standards in his selection of music for use in the church. He always insisted on ecclesiastical music and he ever recognized the fact that the organ was the accompaniment to the human voice and not the dominating feature in the music of the church. He displayed the most sympathetic understanding as an organist, interpreting the spirit of the composers, and his zeal and devotion to the musical service of the church was ever an inspiration to the choir. Mr. Driggs was one of the organizers of the Mendelssohn Society, which until 1871 was the principal musical association of Waterbury and this section of the state. For eight years he served as one of its directors. In 1889, when the Harmonic Society was organized, he was elected to its presidency and continued to occupy that position until his demise. His interest in the church did not cease with his efforts to develop the choir. He was a vestryman of St. John's Episcopal church for many years and agent of the parish until April 18, 1892. Indeed he took a most active interest in all departments of the church work, made generous contributions to its support and was ever ready to extend a helping hand to every activity put forth by the church. His interest in educational affairs, too, never waned. He served for many years as a member of the board of education and for several terms as chairman and treasurer. To his energy and thorough work, especially as school visitor, are to be credited many of the reforms which have given the district so efficient a system of public schools. He became one of the trustees of St. Margaret's school upon its organization, served as its secretary and continued as a trustee until his demise. He was also greatly interested in the Cheshire Academy while it was in charge of Dr. Horton, having there pursued his own studies during his boyhood days. In community affairs Mr. Driggs figured prominently. being one of the citizens appointed by the common council to receive the donation of the Bronson Library fund in 1868. He became a member of the board of agents of the library and secretary of that body. At different times he represented his ward in both branches of the common council and his aid and influence were a potent factor on the side of progress and improvement. He never deviated from a course which he believed to be right in relation to the public welfare and always .
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maintained the highest standards of citizenship. In politics he was a stalwart republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party, yet he did not hesitate to endorse a worthy measure or act of the opposition party. He belonged to Nosahogan Lodge, I. O. O. F., and throughout his life was a worthy exemplar of its teachings.
Mr. Driggs was married twice. In 1854 he wedded Sarah E. Shepard, who died in 1857. On the 9th of April, 1860, he married Margaret S. Pritehard, a daughter of the late George Pritchard, of Waterbury. His children are George Asa, Martha R., Henry P. and Helen P. The death of Mr. Driggs oeeurred June 28, 1893, and in his passing the community mourned one whom it had long honored as a valued and representative citizen-a man who stood for the highest principles in business, for the most lofty patriotism in citizenship and for the keenest honor in private life.
GEORGE A. DRIGGS.
George A. Driggs, president and treasurer of the American Pin Company, was born in Waterbury in 1861, a son of Theodore Ives and Margaret Sophia (Pritchard) Driggs. He acquired a publie school education and also attended the English and classical schools of Waterbury, but illness prevented a college course. In 1878 he became associated with his father, then one of the officers of the American Pin Company, was made secretary of the company on the 24th of January, 1888, and to the duties of that position were added those of treasurer on the 24th of January, 1893. The father was succeeded in the presidency by A. M. Blakesley and upon the death of the latter George A. Driggs became president and treasurer.
REV. JOHAN HERMAN OLSSON.
Rev. Johan Herman Olsson, pastor of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Zion church of Waterbury, was born at North Grosvenor Dale, Connecticut, March 8, 1884, the only son of August and Mary Caroline (Lilja) Olsson, who were born, reared and married in Sweden and came to the United States in 1882. They at once located at North Grosvenor Dale and they are now residents of Auburn, Rhode Island.
Rev. Olsson spent his boyhood and youth in his native town and there obtained his primary education in its publie schools. When a youth of fourteen he' was graduated from the grammar school and afterward worked for two years in a cotton mill at North Grosvenor Dale. From early boyhood, however, it was his ambition to study for the ministry and with that end in view in the fall of 1901 he entered Upsala College at Kenilworth, New Jersey, a Lutheran school, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1908 after having spent six years in study there, really accomplishing eight years' work in six. He afterward spent three years in the Augustana Seminary at Rock Island, Illinois, where he studied theology and philosophy, and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Divinity in 1911.
Mr. Olsson was ordained to the ministry at Duluth, Minnesota, on the 18th of June, 1911, and afterward became pastor of the Swedish Lutheran Trinity church at Washington Depot, Connecticut, there continuing for fourteen months. In September, 1912, he was ealled to the pastorate of Zion church, preaching his first sermon there on the 8th of Sep- tember. This church was organized in 1891 by the Rev. Dr. L. H. Beck and was incorporated on the 4th of January, 1892. The present church edifice, a brick structure which cost about twenty thousand dollars, was completed in 1893 and is located on Cherry street. In 1912 the congregation purchased a handsome parsonage at No. 271 Cooke street at a cost of five thousand dollars.
In 1912, at Auburn, Rhode Island, Rev. Olsson was married to Miss Octavia Ekelund, a native of Sweden, who eame to the United States with her widowed mother in 1900. She was educated in Sweden and in the United States, studying for a time in the Rhode Island School of Design at Providence, while in 1907 she was graduated from the commercial department of Upsala College at Kenilworth, New Jersey. Mrs. Olsson also studied musie in the conservatory of Upsala College in 1908-9. Rev. and Mrs. Olsson have one daughter, Helen Elizabeth, born January 6, 1913.
For two years Rev. Olsson has been president of the New England Conference Luther League, which meets annually in some New England city. He is also president of the Hart- ford District Luther League and president of the Hartford Distriet Lutheran Sunday School
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Association. He is likewise vice president of the Hartford District Lutheran Ministerial Association and it was he who took the initiative in establishing the New England Conference Luther League. He is likewise a member of the board of directors of Upsala College and he lends active aid and support to every plan and measure for the upbuilding of his church and the extension of its influence.
JOHN P. DURFEE.
John P. Durfee, secretary of the Waterbury Brass Goods Corporation, has been identified with the business for a decade and gradual advancement in recognition of individual merit and ability has brought him to his present place of responsibility and executive control. A native of New York city, he was born in 1865, of the marriage of John P. and Harriett A. (Underwood) Durfee, the former an importer of the metropolis. The son acquired his education in the public schools of New York and when his textbooks were put aside started out in the business world as a clerk in an insurance office. He afterward turned his attention to manufacturing lines, however, and in 1907 came to Waterbury, where he entered the employ of the Waterbury Brass Goods Corporation. He first secured a position in the shop but after three months thus spent won promotion to sales manager, in which line he displayed notable aptitude and capability. Closely studying every phase of the business, he was able to rapidly extend its trade connections and on the 12th of October, 1911, he was called to official service, being made secretary of the company and also one of its directors.
On the 14th of November, 1894, Mr. Durfee was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte D. Holzderber, of New York, and they now have one son, Charles P., who is a graduate of the Waterbury high school and is now learning the brass business, being employed in the rolling mill of the American Brass Company, Waterbury Brass branch. He has won fame as a basket ball player, ranking with the best in New England.
Mr. Durfee exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. The rules which govern his conduct are indicated in his membership in the Second Congregational church, while the social side of his nature finds expression in his membership in the Country, Waterbury and Home Clubs.
GEORGE E. CAMP.
George E. Camp, secretary and general manager of the Waterbury Castings Company, is numbered among those who are making the history of Waterbury in recent years the story of business achievement. A native of this city, he was born September 21, 1876, a son of Oliver G. and Laura E. (Warner) Camp, both of whom were born at Roxbury, Connecticut. The father followed the occupation of farming until he came to Waterbury in the late '60s. at which time he entered the grain business, being active in that field for a considerable period. He is now living retired.
In private schools George E. Camp began his education and later attended a business college. He made his initial step in the business world in connection with the grain trade as the assistant of his father, with whom he continued for fourteen years. On the expiration of that period he became associated with the Waterbury Castings Company, which was organized in 1907 with J. R. Smith as president, L. M. Perrault as vice president, C. S. Bull as treasurer and George E. Camp as secretary. J. B. Burrall was also numbered among the incorporators. The plant is located on Railroad Hill street, where the company owns four acres. They have a one-story foundry of mill construction and the building has twenty-two thousand square feet of floor space. They employ one hundred and seventy-five workmen, of whom fifty per cent are skilled. Theirs is a jobbing foundry and the plant has a capacity of twenty-five tons of castings per day, the product being sold in Waterbury and outside points. All of the original officers continue in the same positions save that L. A. Platt has become vice president. For a decade Mr. Camp has been active in the management and control of the business, which has gradually grown and developed until it now has place among the substantial manufacturing concerns of the city.
On the 29th of October, 1904, Mr. Camp was married to Miss Laura M. Mitchell, of New- town, Connecticut, a daughter of Frank H. Mitchell, and their children are Merwin G., ten years of age; and Nelson M., who is in his second year.
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Mr. and Mrs. Camp are members of the First Congregational church and are well known socially, having a large circle of warm friends in . Waterbury. Politically Mr. Camp is a republican, but while keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day and meeting at all times the obligations and duties of citizenship, he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which, well directed, are bringing prosperity to the company.
THOMAS JOSEPH KILMARTIN, M. D.
There is something that appeals to the popular imagination as intrinsically noble about the adoption of a profession the object of which is the alleviation of human suffering, such, for instance as medicine, especially where, as in this case, the sacrifice of so many of the comforts and pleasures of life which men count so highly is involved. When, in addition to this, the task is not merely voluntarily chosen, but is carried out in a spirit of altruism worthy of the profession, the sincerest admiration of all is claimed. Such, in a high de- gree, is the case in the career of Dr. Thomas Joseph Kilmartin, of Waterbury, Connecticut, who is rendering to his fellow citizens and to the community an invaluable service, not only in the carrying out of his private practice on a high ethical plane, but as a public officer who has in his charge the safeguarding of the public health.
The family of which Dr. Kilmartin is a member had its origin in County Tipperary, Ireland, where in the early part of the nineteenth century Thomas Kilmartin, his grand- father, was living. He was a man of influence and prominent in the community where he resided, conducting the county store and the postoffice there. His son, Thomas Kil- martin, Jr., father of Dr. Kilmartin, was born in County Limerick, Ireland, but came to the United States as a young man to seek the greater freedom and opportunity to be found here. He came alone and located in Waterbury, Connecticut, where he had no friends to lend assistance, yet with the courage and enterprise that is so marked a characteristic of his race, he set to work to make his way in this strange land and succeeded so admirably that he soon found himself at the head of a small grocery establishment and conducting an independent business, which was successful, and for a quarter of a century, or up to the time of his death, he continued so engaged. He married, in Waterbury, Connecticut, Margaret Hennesy, a native of County Limerick, Ireland, now deceased. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Thomas Joseph, of whom further; two daughters, both bearing the name of Mary, who died in infancy; Margaret, deceased, who was the wife of James Courtney, of Waterbury; Katherine, a teacher in the Driggs school in Water- bury; James, an assistant steward at the Elks Club; and Ella, who resides in the old Kilmartin home in Waterbury.
Dr. Thomas Joseph Kilmartin was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, November 3, 1872, and has made this city his home up to the present time with the exception of a brief period when he was at college. The preliminary portion of his education was gained in the public schools of his native city and he graduated from the high school in 1889. He then entered Niagara University at Niagara Falls, New York, in the same year, and by his marked talents as a scholar secured for himself the favorable regard of his instructors and masters. It was during his course at Niagara University that he definitely decided to take up as a career the profession toward which he had felt impelled from early youth, and upon his graduation with the class of 1892, he entered the medical school of the University of New York, where he pursued his studies with distinction until the year 1895 and then graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. A year and six months spent at the hospital on Blackwell's Island, New York, and at Fordham Hospital, gave him the necessary practical experience. He then returned to Waterbury, and in the autumn of 1896 began the active practice of his profession. For the first twelve years or more Dr. Kilmartin confined himself to his private practice and in that time built up a very extensive and lucrative one and established an enviable reputation as a most able physician and a man of the highest ideals. His greatest interest was in surgery, however, and in that he specialized as far as his practice permitted. He has had a wide experience with that dread disease, small- pox, having on three or four occasions been highly successful in his treatment of patients during epidemics of the scourge, having made a careful study of it, and is recognized as an expert and an authority on the subject, not only in his own state but throughout the entire country, and his services have been called into requisition many times by the state board of health, to whom he has rendered valuable service which is highly appreciated. At the time of the founding of St. Mary's Hospital in Waterbury in 1909, Dr. Kilmartin was
Thomas & alimenter
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requested to become its attendant surgeon, a position that he more willingly accepted as it offered him greater opportunities for his specialty, surgery. He has fully availed him- self of these advantages and now stands high in that branch of his profession. He is serving in the capacity of state examiner for the John Hancock Life Insurance Company and the Phoenix Life Insurance Company. He was appointed president of the Waterbury Medical Society, was chosen president of his alumni class of New York University Medical School, and holds membership in the State and County Medical Societies.
But Dr. Kilmartin has not confined his services even to the semi-public type of work which he performs at St. Mary's; he has turned his attention to the large and intricate problem of conserving the publie health. For the proper handling of this problem two qualifications are essential, neither of them any too common: the first and most obvious being that of a large experience and high technical skill in medical things; the second, scarcely, if any, less important is a clear grasp of democratic principles and a profound sympathy with them. Both of these it is the good fortune of Dr. Kilmartin to possess, and not alone his good fortune, but that of the community over whose hygeia he presides, for he possesses that most rare of combinations, the definite knowledge of the specialist and the tolerance of the average man. It is thus that he knows both what are the best regulations to enforce and the place where personal liberty should properly begin and regulation should not be enforced at all.
Dr. Kilmartin's experience in public life began as early as 1898, only two years after he had returned from his studies and taken up practice in Waterbury. He was then elected a member of the board of education and served two years. His service in that office was of so high a quality, both for ability and disinterestedness, that the following year he was appointed city health officer and from that time to the present, with a single break of two years, he has continued to hold that office. The satisfaction he has given and is still giving his fellow-eitizens is indeed great, and their best interests in this important province demands that he be continued therein. For nearly twelve years Dr. Kilmartin was a mem- ber of the state militia, having joined the Second Regiment of Infantry, Connecticut National Guard, as a private. He gradually worked his way into a higher rank and finally resigned, as regimental surgeon with the rank of captain of the Second Connecticut Regi- ment. In social and club circles Dr. Kilmartin is as active as one with such exacting demands upon his time ean be, and is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and of the Waterbury Country Club. In his religious belief he is a Catholic, as have been his forebears from the beginning, and he is a member of the Church of the Immaculate Con- eeption in Waterbury.
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