USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 7
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Mr. Manning is a member of the Waterbury Country Club. He attends the Second Congregational church and belongs to the Young Men's Christian Association. In politics he is a republican of the progressive type and in matters of citizenship always stands for advancement, ever upholding those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He is, however, without ambition for public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which have been managed with notable success. Three generations of the family have been connected with the shoe trade and effort intelligently directed in this field has brought success.
WILLIAM TOMPKINS RODENBACH.
William Tompkins Rodenbach is a Naugatuck manufacturer, identified with various concerns which have contributed to the business upbuilding and development of the Naugatuck valley. He was born in New York city, September 19, 1854, a son of Philip and Mary (Hanner) Rodenbach. His early education was acquired in the public schools of New York, after which he had the benefit of instruction in the College of the City of New York, where he won his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1874. In that year he took up the profession of teaching and in 1877 he became principal of the Schofield Normal and Industrial School at Aiken, South Carolina. There he remained until 1886, at which time he entered into active connection with the rubber manufacturing interests of Connecticut. In that year he took charge of the office of the Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe Company at Naugatuck, was afterward made secretary and in 1895 was elected to the dual position of secretary and treasurer. He is now treasurer of the Goodyear Metallic Shoe Company, also of the Goodyear India Rubber Glove Company and served as treasurer of the Naugatuck Chemical Company for several years, while at the present time he is filling the office of vice president. Recognizing the opportunity for successful business activity, he became one of the organizers of the Naugatuck Manufacturing Company and since 1894 has con- tinuously served as its president. He is also a trustee and the vice president of the Nauga- tuck Savings Bank.
On the 20th of September, 1882, Mr. Rodenbach was married to Miss Mary S. Phinney, a daughter of Franklin S. and Margaret Phinney, and they have become parents of three children: Katrina M., who is the wife of Theodore W. Reed, a resident of Auburndale, Massachusetts: Charles P., who is the secretary of the Naugatuck Manufacturing Company; and Margaret P., at home.
Mr. Rodenbach is a well known Mason, having attained the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite and the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and he is a past master of Shepherds Lodge, No. 78, F. & A. M. He is identified with several clubs, including the Rubber Club of America, the Graduates Club of New Haven and the Rubber Reclaimers Club of New York and is also a member of Delta Upsilon, a college fraternity. He belongs to the Congregational church and his political support is given to the republican party. In 1905 he was elected warden or mayor of Naugatuck, was reelected in 1906 and declined
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the same office in 1907 but was again elected and accepted the office for 1908. While in the south he was called to the position of president of the Teachers Institute and Asso- ciation of South Carolina and from 1888 until 1908, a period of twenty years, he was the president of the Naugatuck board of education.
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EMIL HUMMEL.
Emil Hummel, of the law firm of Hummel & Hummel of Waterbury, was born in Germany on the 11th of February, 1877, and in 1891, when a youth of fourteen years, was brought by his parents to the United States. However, he was a lad of but five years when they left Germany, removing thence to Austria, while later they became residents of Hungary. Upon reaching the new world in 1891 they took up their abode in Waterbury.
Emil Hummel pursued his education in the University of Wisconsin and in the Uni- versity of Indianapolis, being graduated on the completion of the law course in the latter institution in 1906. He has since practiced his profession in Waterbury and was assistant corporation counsel from the 1st of July until the 31st of December, 1911. He is now clerk of the city court of Waterbury, having held the position since May 1, 1915.
Mr. Hummel gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He belongs to several fraternal and social organizations, including the Concordia Singing Society and the German Turnverein Vorwaerts of Waterbury. He holds membership with the local and state bar associations and concentrates his attention upon his professional interests and official duties.
HENRY MERRIMAN.
The name of Merriman figures conspicuously on the pages of Connecticut's history and at times has been written Merrian and Merian. The branch of the family of which Henry Merriman was a representative traced the line down from Captain Nathaniel Merri- man, who became one of the original settlers of Wallingford, Connecticut, in 1670. His children were: John, born September 26, 1651; Hannah, born May 5, 1653; Abigail, April 18, 1654; Mamre, July 12, 1657; John, February 28, 1659; Samuel, September 29, 1662; Caleb, May 16, 1665; Moses, in 1667; and Elizabeth, September 14, 1669.
Of this family Caleb Merriman wedded Mary Preston and at his death, which occurred July 9, 1703, left an estate valued at four hundred and thirty-nine pounds sterling. His children, born at Wallingford, were Moses, Elizabeth, Eliasaph, Phebe, Hannah, Phebe and Lydia.
The second son, Eliasaph Merriman, was born May 21, 1695, and died August 14, 1758. His wife who bore the maiden name of Abigail Hall, was killed by the Indians, together with her daughter Abigail. August 4, 1758. The children of this family, all born at Wallingford, were: Eunice, who died in early life; Eunice; Sarah; Titus; Caleb; Amasa ; Elizabeth; Esther and Abigail.
Amasa Merriman, the ancestor of Henry Merriman in the fourth generation, was born at Wallingford in 1730 and to him and his wife Sarah there was born a son, Charles, on the 20th of August, 1762, at Wallingford. He served as a soldier of the Revolutionary war, enlisting as a drummer in 1776 and becoming a drum major. He was married to Anna Punderson, of New Haven, Connecticut, who died April 1, 1844, at the age of eighty years. Settling in Watertown, Charles Merriman there commenced business as a tailor, but ill health compelled him to abandon that work and he "rode post" from New Haven to Suffield for four years. He afterward went on a voyage to the West Indies and later he engaged in business as a merchant of Watertown until his death, which occurred August 26, 1829. He was of a genial nature and was also distinguished for his decision of char- acter and for his sterling integrity. His children were: Charles P., who died in 1794; Betsey, who became the wife of Dr. Samuel Elton, of Watertown; William H., who was born September 27, 1788; Nancy, who was born in 1792 and died in early childhood; Nancy, born August 8, 1796; Charles P., who was born August 7, 1798, and died July 10, 1835; Anna, who was born July 7, 1801, and died in Alabama, November 1, 1836; William Punderson, who was born September 6, 1805, and became a merchant of Augusta, Georgia; and George F., born August 5, 1808.
William H. Merriman, of the above mentioned family, was born September 27, 1788, and
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married Sarah Buekingham, who was born February 16, 1790, a daughter of David and Chloe (Merrill) Buckingham. William H. Merriman was an enterprising merehant and leading citizen of Watertown, Conneetieut, whenee he afterward removed to Waterbury. His children, born in Watertown, were: Charles Buekingham, born Oetober 9, 1809; Sarah A., who was born September 27, 1811, and beeame the wife of Thomas Morton and after his death wedded James Mitehell Lamson Seovill, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Joseph P., who was born September 24, 1813, and was married in 1840 to Julia Judd; David, who was born May 27, 1816, and died March 28, 1834; and Henry, who was born Mareh 25, 1820.
The last named, a native of Watertown, completed his education as a student in the Waterbury Aeademy and entered business eircles as a representative of the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company, with which he became a salesman. He afterward entered the real estate field, however, as a partner in the firm of Hotehkiss & Merriman, which was later succeeded by Benediet, Merriman & Company. He afterward became the business associate of Edwin S. Hoyt in the real estate field under the firm name of Hoyt & Merriman and in that eonneetion won a substantial measure of prosperity. He was resourceful in planning and determined in the execution of his purposes. Honesty char- aeterized his business transactions in an unusual measure and the qualities which he displayed at all times commanded the respeet and regard of those with whom he had dealings.
Mr. Merriman was ever a staneh and faithful member of St. John's Episcopal ehurch and passed away in that faith January 16, 1888, at which time his remains were interred in Riverside cemetery. His passing took from Waterbury a citizen long known and uni- formly honored. Kindness was one of his marked eharaeteristies and courtesy was numbered among the virtues which he early displayed. He added generosity to firmness and tempered justiee with merey and it was said of him that he had not a single enemy.
Mr. Merriman was married in Watertown to Miss Mary A. Heminway, a daughter of the late General Merrit Heminway, and she resides on Aeademy Hill in Watertown, aetively interested in everything that pertains to the welfare of the distriet and the county in which she has lived for so many years. She, too, is a devoted member of the Episcopal ehureh and her life is an exemplifieation of many Christian virtues. Mr. and Mrs. Merriman became the parents of three children. Merritt, who pursued his education in Waterbury and in Yale College, is now a practicing physician, located on Forty-second street, New York. He wedded Sally Betts and has three children, Henry, Heminway J. and Ellen. Annie Merriman became the wife of George A. Driggs, president and treasurer of the American Pin Company, with offiees at Thomaston, Conneetieut, while their home is in Waterbury. H. Morton Merriman, who was born in Waterbury and attended its public sehools, later studied in Europe. On aeeount of his health he spent much time in travel in both Europe and on the American continent, passing the summer months in Canada. He is now eonneeted with a silk manufacturing industry in Watertown which was founded by his grandfather, General Merrit Heminway, being president and treasurer of the M. Heminway & Sons Silk Company. He married Mande Jackson, of New York, and they have three children, Harry, John and Maude. Sinee war has been declared against Germany by the United States he has offered his serviees to the government and is now in the naval serviee, stationed at Newport.
FREDERICK L. BRAMAN.
It is a far step from the position of office boy to the viee presideney of sueli an institution as the Coe braneh of the American Brass Company, but this step Frederiek L. Braman has achieved. Twenty-five years of eonneetion with the business have brought him through various stages of promotion and advancement to the place which he now occupies as first executive in Torrington. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, February 2, 1876, a son of Alonzo and Harriet A. (Vadakin) Braman, the former of English and the latter of Holland Dutch deseent. In the paternal line the aneestry is traeed baek to Daniel Braman, who served in the Revolutionary war. The grandfather, Amasa Braman, was a soldier of the Union army under General Benjamin Butler. Alonzo Braman, formerly of Torrington, is now deceased, but the mother still lives in this eity.
Frederiek L. Braman was a lad of ten years when his parents removed to Torrington, where he attended the graded and high schools, putting aside his textbooks at the age of seventeen in order to provide for his own support. It was at that date that he entered the large manufacturing establishment of which he is now the viee president and with
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FREDERICK L. BRAMAN
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which he has been continuously connected since 1893 or for a period of a quarter of a century. He began as office boy at a very modest wage and has always been identified with the office interests of the business. He became a stenographer and in 1912 he was advanced to the position of assistant manager. In October, 1916, he was promoted to the vice presidency to succeed Elisha J. Steele. Mr. Braman is a director and vice president of the Litchfield County Realty & Insurance Company and also a director of the Torrington Trust Company.
On the 19th of October, 1898, Mr. Braman was united in marriage to Miss Mary B. Jackson, who was born in Wallingford, Connecticut, and they have one son, Harold Frederick, who was born August 28, 1899, and is a graduate of the Torrington high school of the class of 1917. He is now a student in Dartmouth College.
Mr. and Mrs. Braman are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Torrington and Mr. Braman is superintendent of its Sunday school and a most active worker in behalf of the various interests of the church. He is also a member of the board of corporators of the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but he has never been an office seeker. He has membership with the Sons of Veterans, the Torrington Club and the Hardware Club of New York. His influence is ever given on the side of progress and improvement both for the individual and for the community at large. What he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his innate powers and talents, and persistent energy and capability have carried him steadily forward to the important place which he now occupies in the manufacturing circles of his city.
EDSON W. HITCHCOCK.
Edson W. Hitchcock, secretary of the W. L. Hall Company and thus actively connected with one of the most important of the commercial interests of Waterbury, was born in Cheshire, Connecticut, February 2, 1869, a son of Elmer W. and Emma (Hall) Hitchcock, the former a son of Benjamin Truman Hitchcock and a representative of one of the old families of the state connected with the history of Connecticut through many generations. Elmer W. Hitchcock devoted his energies to general agricultural pursuits.
While spending his youthful days under the parental roof Edson W. Hitchcock acquired a public school education and then turned his attention to the teaming business, in which he won a good patronage, making his undertaking a profitable one. He continued in that line until April 13, 1896, when he sold out and purchased an interest in the wholesale grocery business of W. L. Hall. The business was incorporated in November of that year under the name of the W. L. Hall Company and Mr. Hitchcock has continuously served as secretary throughout the intervening years, and his close application, his indefatigable energy and his earnest purpose have been substantial factors in the continued growth and success of the undertaking.
On the 14th of October, 1896, Mr. Hitchcock was married to Miss Eleanor Eunice Beckwith of Waterbury, a daughter of Sydney and Eliza (Atkins) Beckwith of Bristol, Connecticut. On the 3d of May, 1917, Mrs. Hitchcock passed away, leaving two children, Eunice Eleanor, born September 19, 1902, and Edson Beckwith, born July 10, 1905.
Fraternally Mr. Hitchcock is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows: in the work of which he has taken an active part. He is a past grand of Townsend Lodge, No. 89, and he is also connected with the encampment and with the aid association. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Second Congregational church. In politics he is a republican and he was a member of the board of aldermen from the second ward during the Hotchkiss administration and served through the second term as a member of the board of works. He is interested in all that pertains to public progress and improvement and has cooperated heartily in many movements for the general good, standing at all times for those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride.
MICHAEL V. BLANSFIELD.
Michael V. Blansfield, numbered among the active and successful members of the Waterbury bar, was admitted to practice in 1907 and began the active work of his pro- fession in New York but in the fall of 1908 returned to Waterbury. his native city. He was born liere November 16, 1884, a son of Michael Blansfield, who passed away April
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6, 1886. The mother bore the maiden name of Kate McCarty and still remains a resident of Waterbury. Both parents were natives of Ireland, the father born in County Cork and the mother in County Kerry. Mr. Blansfield, Sr., came to the United States in 1860 and soon afterward took up his abode in Waterbury, where he continued to reside throughout his remaining days. During the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in the Union army as a member of a New York regiment. It was subsequent to this time that he removed to Waterbury, where in the early '70s he wedded Kate McCarty, who had come to the United States in 1867. She is now nearly three score and ten years and enjoys excellent health.
Michael V. Blansfield, their only living child, has spent most of his life in Waterbury. He was graduated from the high school with the class of 1901 and was a popular member thereof, playing on the high school football, baseball and basket ball teams and taking an active part in all school athletics. In the fall of 1901 he entered Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tennessee, and was graduated from both its academic and legal departments, taking his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1905 and his LL. B. degree in the same year. In the fall of 1906 he entered the Yale Law School and was graduated therefrom in 1907. While there he had charge of the business end of the class book. He was admitted to the bar in Tennessee in June, 1905, and to the Connecticut bar in June, 1907. He was also admitted to practice in the courts of New York in that year and followed his profession in New York city until 1908. In the fall of 1908, however, he returned to Waterbury, where he has won a place among the able and successful attorneys of the city.
Mr. Blansfield is well known as an active worker in democratic circles. He served on the town central committee for several years, has been a delegate to a number of the state conventions and was a delegate to the democratic national convention held in Kansas City in 1908. His religious faith is indicated in his membership in St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus and to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Along strictly professional lines he has membership in the New Haven County and the State Bar Associations and is well known as a lawyer of ability.
LOUIS LONGHI.
Louis Longhi is a member of the firm of Louis Longhi & Brother, general contractors of Torrington, and as such occupies a prominent position in business cireles of the city. Moreover, he is an active factor in republican politics and has reached a point of leadership among Italian residents of the borough. He was born in the province of Como, Italy, October 4, 1868. At the age of thirteen years he bade adieu to his parents and leaving his Italian home went to France, where he spent two years. He afterward went to Switzer- land, where he remained for four years, and throughout the entire period he was engaged in learning the stone and brick mason's trade. During the six years thus passed he thoroughly mastered the business and also learned the trade of plastering. He began to provide for his own support when a lad of but twelve years by carrying mortar and doing other light work in connection with construction jobs. When a youth of nineteen he returned to Italy and spent one year upon a farm, his father, Dominico Longhi, who was also a mason by trade, passing away about that time.
At the age of twenty years, or in 1888, Mr. Longhi again left Italy and went to Montevideo, South America. where he spent three years working at his trade as a journey- man. He then returned to Italy on a visit to his mother and brothers, remaining for seven months, and in 1892 he came to the United States, landing in New York. He then went to Boston but after ten days proceeded to Great Barrington, Massachusetts, where he spent four years as a journeyman mason. He afterward came to Torrington, Connecticut, where he arrived in April, 1896, twenty-one years ago. He worked during one summer as a journey- man and in 1897 formed a partnership with his brother, Charles Longhi. to conduct a general contracting business under the firm name of Louis Longhi & Brother. This firm not only erects briek and stone buildings but also builds streets and roads and has done much work in the cities and towns adjacent to Torrington. The firm had the contract for building the South school, the East school and the Riverside school, all of Torrington, and all fine fireproof buildings. They were also builders of the Southwest school, the Alhambra Theater, the Thomas W. Bryant residence, the George D. Lyford residence. the Torrington Electric Light buildings, the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic church, the plant of the Union Hardware Company, the Hendey Machine Company and the Turner & Seymour Manufacturing Company. The firm has erected some of the best modern residences in Litchfield, Connecticut. In addition
LOUIS LONGHI
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to his other interests Mr. Longhi is the president of the Eastern Auto Parts Company of Torrington, the president of the Italian Labor Cooperative Society of Torrington, and was one of the organizers and is a director of the Torrington Trust Company.
On the 4th of January, 1896, Mr. Longhi was united in marriage to Miss Mary Riche, a native of Alsace-Lorraine and of French parentage. She came to the United States with a brother in 1891. To this marriage have been born three children: Marguerite Mary, a graduate of the Torrington high school of the class of 1916; Paul J., a high school senior; and Dorothy Julia, who completes the family.
Mr. Longhi is an Odd Fellow and member of the Torrington Club and belongs to the Italian Mutual Labor Society, the Italian Aid Society and other organizations of a similar nature, being ever ready to extend a helping hand to his fellow countrymen and also as well to people of other nationalities. He is a thorough republican in politics and has held the office of assessor for the town and borough of Torrington for nine consecutive years, or for three trems. He has risen to a position of prominence in Torrington's affairs and is a recognized leader of the borough's large citizenship of Italian birth or descent. He has accomplished much since starting out to provide for his own support at the age of twelve years. Actuated by a laudable ambition, he has never faltered no matter how great the task before him, but by persistent energy he has accomplished what he has undertaken. He thoroughly mastered every phase of building operations, has kept in touch with the trend of progress along this line and is today at the head of one of the leading contracting firms in the Naugatuck valley.
EDWARD ELY WILSON.
Edward Ely Wilson, vice president of the Tracy Brothers Company. prominent con- tractors, builders and lumber dealers of Waterbury, was born in Chicopee, Massachusetts, April 9, 1865, a son of Daniel and Jane (Wright) Wilson, who were natives of Boston and of South Hadley, Massachusetts, respectively. The paternal grandfather came from Scotland, while the mother was descended from the Elys, one of the earliest colonial families. In 1868 Daniel Wilson removed with his family to New Britain, Connecticut, where he conducted business as a blacksmith and machinist.
Edward E. Wilson obtained a public school education, beginning his studies in New Britain and later studying in Florida, for in 1874 the father took his family to that state, where he became interested in orange growing. After a few years he returned and Edward E. Wilson continued his education in the high school at New Britain. In early youth he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he first worked in Florida, while later he was employed along that line in Brooklyn, Long Island City and at other points, gaining the skill and efficiency which enabled him at length to take up business as a contractor. In 1888 he came to Waterbury and became foreman of the shop of the Tracy Brothers Com- pany. His ability won him immediate advancement and led to his admission to a partner- ship. Upon the incorporation of the business he was chosen vice president and so continues.
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