USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 8
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Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Ella Bridge, a daughter of William Bridge, postmaster of Long Island City, New York. Their children are William Edward and Ernest Bridge. In politics Mr. Wilson is a republican and keeps well informed on the political situation of the day but has no desire for office, preferring to concentrate his energies and attention upon his business affairs, which are wisely directed. He is today an officer in one of the foremost contracting firms of the city with a patronage that makes its business one of large volume and importance.
HERMAN J. WEISMAN.
Herman J. Weisman, for eight years actively engaged in the practice of law in Water- bury and now associated with Judge A. P. Bradstreet, Hon. A. P. Hayes and Judge John F. McGrath, has made a creditable record for one of his years and is recognized as one who is thoroughly conscientious in his professional service. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, November 18, 1888. and is the oldest child of John and Clara (Greenburg) Weisman, who are still residents of Waterbury, having removed to this city from Nauga- tuck, where they had resided for fifteen years after living in Hartford until 1902. The
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father is filling the position of deputy sheriff of New Haven county. Their family numbered four sons and two daughters and the cirele yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. In addition to Herman J. Weisman the children are: Elizabeth H., now a teacher in the schools of Madison, Connecticut; Anna W., the wife of Benjamin Blick, of Waterbury; Marcus H., who is a senior in the law department of the University of Pennsylvania; A. Henry, a junior in the law department of New York University; and J. Stanton, who is a student in the Driggs School of Waterbury.
Herman J. Weisman was graduated from the Naugatuck high school with the class of 1906. In the fall of that year he began preparation for the bar as a law student at Yale and was there graduated in 1909 with the LL. B. degree when in the twentieth year of his age. He therefore could not be admitted to the bar until he had attained his majority, which occurred six months later. Since that time he has been actively engaged in practice in Waterbury. For six years he was a partner in the law firm of O'Neill, O'Neill & Weisman and since August 1, 1916, has been associated in practice with Judge A. P. Bradstreet, Hon. Abner P. Hayes and Judge John F. McGrath, with offices in the Lilley building at No. 111 West Main street. It is well known that advancement at the bar is dependent upon individual merit and ability and Mr. Weisman is closely applying himself to the further mastery of the principles of jurisprudence and the correct application of these principles to the points in litigation as he presents his cases before the courts.
On the 22d of February, 1911, Mr. Weisman was married to Miss Ethel T. Schwed, of New Haven, and they have one daughter, Norma, who was born December 26, 1915, and one son, born June 25, 1917. Mr. Weisman is of the Hebrew faith, a republican in his political views and an Elk in his fraternal relations. Professionally he is connected with the Waterbury and Connecticut State Bar Associations. He enjoys all manly outdoor sports, playing tennis, basket ball and baseball, and is also fond of boating and motoring, while many a pleasant hour is spent in his library, where reading gives to him the intel- lectual stimulus that perhaps constitutes life's greatest joy.
WENDELL PHILLIPS NORTON.
Wendell Phillips Norton, connected with the Hendey. Machine Company since 1886, was for twenty-five years superintendent and is now works manager, being thus actively and prominently identified with industrial development in this section of the Naugatuck valley.
He was born in Plainville, Hartford county, Connecticut, May 14, 1861. His father. John Norton, was born in Boston in the shadow of Bunker Hill and died in Plainville at the advanced age of ninety years. He was descended from the Rev. William Norton, the clergyman who came from England in the seventeenth century and settled at Salem, Massachusetts. John Norton was one of a family of nine children, six boys and three girls, four of the brothers becoming mechanical engineers of prominence in the silk and clock industry of Connecticut. Jolin Norton married Harriet Hotchkiss, a member of the family which gave the world the invention known as the Hotchkiss gun. Another member of the Hotchkiss family and a cousin of Harriet (Hotchkiss) Norton's was one of the early clock makers of Connecticut and later of New York city, being one of the original makers of tower clocks in the United States. In his shop was manufactured the famous clock which for years did service in the tower of the old city hall in New York and was only recently destroyed by fire, while being illuminated in honor of the English and French war commissions.
John and Harriet (Hotchkiss) Norton reared a family of two sons, the elder being Charles Norton, of Worcester, Massachusetts, and founder of the Norton Grinding Com- pany of that city. The younger son and the subject of this sketch, Wendell Phillips Norton, was educated in the schools of Plainville and his early opportunities in that direction were limited, due to a physical disability, and his ill health caused him to remain at home much of the time of his boyhood. Later, however, he attended Professor Camp's school in New Britain and at the age of seventeen he went to Thomaston, Con- necticut, entering the employ of the Seth Thomas Clock Company, where he served an apprenticeship to the engineering and machinist trade under his uncle, Noah Norton, who was one of the most prominent and best known of the early mechanical engineers in the clock industry of the Naugatuck valley.
After completing his apprenticeship, Wendell Norton went to Bristol, Connecticut,
WENDELL P. NORTON
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where he opened a small shop on his own account. After two years, he sold this and removed to Hartford, where he took charge of the Dwight Slate Machine Company, remaining there two years, when for a brief period he returned to and travelled for the Seth Thomas Clock Company.
In 1886, he came to Torrington to accept the position as draftsman with the Hendey Machine Company, with which he has since been, save for a period of three years in the early '90s, during which time he was a draftsman with the Garvin Machine Company of New York city. While there he invented the Norton lathe which is known the world over under the name of the Hendey-Norton lathe and is universally considered the standard of perfection in the lathe making industry, as is evidenced by the fact that since the expiration of the patents more or less direct copies of its special features have been made by nearly every maker of lathes, both in this country and in Europe.
In 1892, Mr. Norton was induced by the late Henry J. Hendey to return to the Hendey Machine Company, with which he is still associated, and to begin at once tlie manufacture of his patented lathe, and in its manufacture the Hendey Machine Company has become one of the most prominent and widely known industries in its line.
On Christmas Day, 1884, Mr. Norton was united in marriage to Matilda Myers, of Thomaston. They have become the parents of five children: Wendell Phillips, Jr .; Helen, now the wife of George Rollason, who is identified with the United States shipping board; Ruth and Dorothy at home; and John Richard, who is with the Norton Grinding Com- pany of Worcester, Massachusetts. Wendell Phillips Norton, Jr., for nine years held a responsible position with the Hendey Machine Company, but is now a member of the firm of Quinion & Norton, coal dealers of Bristol, Connecticut.
In politics, Mr. Norton is a republican in principles but votes for the man whom he considers best qualified for office. He has served as chairman of the board of education and has also filled the office of burgess. He is a member of the Congregational church and his life has ever been the expression of his high and honorable principles.
His residence is on Prospect street, Torrington, and he has a country home at High- land Lake near Winsted, Connecticut, where he and his family spend their summers, Mr. Norton making daily trips to and from his home in his motor car. He is an enthusiastic motorist and was one of the first citizens to own a motor car.
EDWARD J. BALTHAZAR.
Edward J. Balthazar, a native son of Waterbury, where he is now engaged in the practice of law, was born at No. 8 Oak street on the 8th of March, 1890, and is of French descent. His father, Joseph A. Balthazar, was born in Rhode Island of French parentage. After arriving at years of maturity he wedded Rose Roch, also of French lineage. They are now well known residents of Waterbury.
Edward J. Balthazar, their eldest son, obtained his primary education in St. Ann's parochial school and afterward spent two years as a student in the Waterbury high school. He afterward attended St. Hyacinth preparatory school near Montreal, Canada, and in 1908 matriculated in the academic department of Laval University of Montreal, from which he was graduated with the B. A. degree in 1912. In the fall of that year he became a law student at Yale and won his professional LL. B. degree in 1915. He was admitted to the bar in June of that year and in September entered upon active practice.
On the 30th of November, 1916, Mr. Balthazar was united in marriage to Miss Made- line Ritchie, of Norwich, Connecticut. While one of the younger representatives of the profession, Mr. Balthazar is making for himself a creditable position in legal circles.
EDWARD L. SEERY.
Edward L. Seery, an attorney of Waterbury, was born February 28, 1869, in the city in which he still makes his home, the second of the three sons of Thomas H. and Mary Seery, both natives of Ireland. They were acquainted in that land but it was not until after their emigration to the new world that they were married, the wedding cere- mony being performed in Waterbury in 1858. Thomas H. Seery was born in 1825 and
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came to the United States with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Seery, in 1844. Not long afterward the family home was established in Waterbury, where Thomas H. Seery spent his remaining days. For fifty years he held a responsible position with the Water- bury Brass Company and during much of that period was superintendent of the plant. He died October 21, 1896, but his widow survives, remaining a resident of Waterbury. She was born in 1842 and came to the United States in 1858 to become the bride of Thomas H. Seery. There were seven children born of their union, of whom Edward L. was the fifth in order of birth. One of the number died in infancy, while the surviving members of the family are: Peter H., of Newark, New Jersey, a manufacturer and inventor; Ellen E., the widow of Thomas H. Hayes, of Waterbury; Maria C., the widow of Joseph Bolan, of Waterbury; Kate, who is instructor in art and drawing in the Waterbury public schools: and Frank J., a member of the faculty of Cornell University.
Edward L. Seery acquired his early education in the public schools of Waterbury and in 1895 was graduated with the LL. B. degree from the Yale Law School. The same year he was admitted to the bar, since which time he has continuously practiced in Water- bury and, working his way steadily upward, he now occupies a high position in the ranks of the legal fraternity. He belongs to the New Haven County and State Bar Associations and enjoys the high regard and goodwill of his professional brethren.
In religious faith Mr. Seery is a Catholic and fraternally he is an Elk. In politics he maintains an independent course and has never been a candidate for political office, although he served for one term on the board of public safety. Interested in community affairs to the extent of giving active and hearty cooperation to measures for the public good he has become a member of the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce. He is a man of broad and liberal culture, having traveled extensively both for business and pleasure and is thoroughly familiar with his own country, with Canada and with Mexico and has been abroad seven times, in 1891, 1897, 1899, 1905, 1907, 1910 and 1913. He has not only visited the British Isles but all of the western countries of Europe and has brought back many interesting reminiscences and memories of his trips abroad.
BRONSON BEECHER TUTTLE.
Bronson Beccher Tuttle, whose grasp of affairs and whose activity in the field of manu- facturing made him a prominent citizen of Naugatuck, where he remained to the time of his demise, was born in New Haven county, December 28, 1835, his birthplace being Prospect. His parents were Eben Clark and Temperance (Bcecher) Tuttle, the former a son of Obed and Lucretia (Clark) Tuttle, while the latter was a daughter of Hezekiah Bcecher. His boyhood days were spent in the town of Prospect, where he attended school. He was a student in the well known institute conducted by Daniel Chase at Middletown, Connecticut, and afterward he became a student in the Naugatuck high school, then under the supervision of Professor Laurence. He afterward entered the manufacturing establishment of his father and acquainted himself with the business in principle and detail. The institution as it then stood was the nucleus of what afterward became the extensive Tuttle interests of many parts of the country. In 1857 the company was largely engaged in the manufacture of hoes, rakes and small agricultural implements and the malleable iron department was a very small concern, regarded simply as a side interest to the remainder of the plant. That year the entire plant was destroyed by fire, including the agricultural works, and Eben Clark Tuttle and several others who were interested with him in the Tuttle Hoe Manu- facturing Company decided to turn the entire malleable iron industry over to Bronson Beecher Tuttle and John H. Whittemore, two young men, cach then about twenty-one years of age. They resolutely took up the task and rebuilt the malleable iron plant on the same site. From that point a high degree of success was achieved. Their partnership continued with mutual pleasure and profit until 1894, when a stock company was formed. Afterward the two partners were associated together in business and held many common interests in various lines, though not in the relationship of partners. In the manufacture of agricultural implements the business was carried on under the firm style of Tuttle & Whittemore, with a plant located at Union City.
In addition to his activities in that direction Mr. Tuttle was also president of the Pratt Manufacturing Company, makers of railway track supplies, with office on Broadway in New York. Mr. Tuttle also became identified with the National Malleable Iron Company and with many other industrial concerns which contributed much to the material upbuilding and development of Connecticut and of all New England. In this way he became widely
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came to the Unned States with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Seery, in 1844. Not long afterward the family home was established in Waterbury, where Thomas H. Seery spent his remaining days. For fifty years he held a responsible position with the Water- bury Brass Company and during much of that period was superintendent of the plant. He died October 21, 1896, but his widow survives, remaining a resident of Waterbury. She was born in 1842 and came to the ! mitel States in 1858 to become the bride of Thomas H. Seery. There were seven children born of their union, of whom Edward L. was the fifth in order of birth. One of the. fuimum died in infancy, while the surviving members of the family are: Peter U., of Newark, New Jersey, a manufacturer and inventor; Ellen E .. the widow of Thomas If. Hayes, of Waterbury; Maria C., the widow of Joseph Bolan, of Waterbury, Kate who is instructor in art and drawing in the Waterbury public schools: and Frank J., a member of the faculty of Cornell University.
Edward L. Seery acquired his early education in the public schools of Waterbury and in 1895 was graduated with the LL. B. degree from the Yale Law School. The same year he was admitted to the bar, since which time he has continuously practiced in Water- bury and, working his way steadily upward, he now ocenpies a high position in the ranks of the legal fraternity. He belongs to the New Haven County and State Bar Associations and enjoys the high regard and goodwill of his professional i ethren.
In religious faith Mr. Seery is a Catholic and fraternally he is an Elk. In politics he maintains an independent course and has never been a candidate for political office, although he served for one term on the board of public safety. Interested in community affairs to the extent of giving active and hearty cooperation to measure for the public good le has become a member of the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce. He is a man of broad anl liberal culture, having traveled extensively botli for business and pleasure and is thoroughly familiar with his own country, with Canada and with Mexico and has been abroad seven times, in 1891, 1897, 1899, 1905, 1907, 1910 and 1913. He has not only visited the British Isles but all of the western countries of Europe and has brought back many interesting reminiscences and memories of his trips abroad.
BRONSON BEECHER TUTTLE.
Bronson Beecher Tuttle whose grasp of affairs and whose activity in the field of manu facturing made him a promment citizen of Naugatuck, where he remained to the time of his demise, was born in New Haven county, December 28, 1835, his birth pla bong; Prospect. His parents were Eben Clark and Temperance (Beecher) Tuttle, the fornos A son of Obed and Lucretia (Clark) Tuttle, while the latter was a daughter of the kinh Beecher. His boyhood days were spent in the town of Prospect, where he attended school. He was a student in the well known institute conducted by Daniel Cha .. at Motlletown, Connecticut, and afterward he became a student in the Naugatuck high school then under the supervision of Professor Laurence. He afterward entered the manufacturing establish nent of his father and acquainted himself with the business in principle an! detail. The institution as it then stood was the nuclens of what afterward became time tensive Tuttle interests of many parts of the country. In 1857 the company was largely rupaged in the manufacture of how. rakes and small agricultural baplements and the malleable iron department was very small concom, regarded Maphy as a side interest to the remainder of the plant. That year the entire plan was destroyed by fire, including the agricultural works, and Eben Clark Tuttle and several other, who were interested with him in the Tuttle Hoe Manu- fact ume Camping le ded by far the entire malleable iron industry over to Bronson Beecher Tuttle and John H. Whittemore, two young men, each then about twenty-one years of age. They resolutely took up the task and rebuilt the malleable iron plant on the same site. From that point a high degree of success was achieved. Their partnership continued with mutual pleasure and profit until 1894, when a stock company was formed. Afterward the two partners were associated together in business and held many common int rests in various lines, though not in the relationship of partners. In the manufacture of tural implements the business was carried on under the firm style of Tuttle & nore, with a plant located at Union City.
Addition to his activities in that direction Mr. Tuttle was also president of the Pratt ring Company, makers of railway track supplies, with office on Broadway in Mr. Tuttle also became identified with the National Malleable Iron Company ny other industrial concerns which contributed much to the material upbuilding ent of Connecticut and of all New England. In this way he became widely
Bronson& Tuttle
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known in business circles and his cooperation was sought in connection with financial interests. He became a factor in the Naugatuck National Bank and Savings Bank and he was also greatly interested in Chicago real estate. His activities and his investments were largely of a character that contributed to the upbuilding and progress of his city as well as to the advancement of his individual fortune. One of the valuable bequests made by him to Naugatuck was that of a tract of land situated in the immediate neighborhood for cemetery purposes and whichi was converted into Grove cemetery and is now under the management of the Grove Cemetery Association. It was there that Mrs. Tuttle afterward erected a mortuary chapel in loving memory of her husband. He died at his summer home in Middlebury, Connecticut, September 12, 1903, and was laid to rest in Grove cemetery of Naugatuck, where the beautiful memorial chapel was erected, being dedicated on the 2d of November, 1907.
Mr. Tuttle was widely known and highly respected. He was a true Christian gentle- man, honorable in all his dealings and in all his relations. He was greatly devoted to the welfare of his family and counted no personal sacrifice or effort on his part too great if it would promote the welfare and happiness of his wife and son. In politics he was a stanch republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party. His religious faith was that of the Congregational church and to its teachings he was most loyal. He was a man of the strictest honesty and of high moral charcter and his entire career was worthy of emulation. To know him was to esteem and honor him and there was no phase of his life that was not worthy of regard and everywhere he was spoken of in terms of praise and respect.
On the 12th of October, 1859, Mr. Tuttle was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Wilcox, who is a native of Madison, Connecticut, and a daughter of Rodney Wilcox of that place. She still resides in Naugatuck, occupying a beautiful home on Church street. She has been a devoted wife and mother and a true Christian woman, holding membership in the Congregational church. By her marriage she has one child, Howard Beecher Tuttle, who was born in Naugatuck, October 25, 1863. He was educated in private schools and in the military school at Ossining, New York, and also attended school in Waterbury, for three years. Later he became a student in the Williston Seminary at Easthampton, Massachusetts, for two years and subsequently spent two years in travel and study abroad. After returning to his native land he entered upon a scientific course in the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University and upon his graduation as a member of the class of 1887 received the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. After completing his education he entered the employ of the Naugatuck Malleable Iron Company, with which he spent one year and then resigned. Later he traveled through Europe for a year and upon returning to Naugatuck became associated with George C. Ham, a brother-in-law, in civil engineering, with offices in Naugatuck, where he spent five years. He then gave up that profession and has since concentrated his attention upon the care of his farming interests and is very much interested in dairying and in raising thoroughbred cattle. He is also a director of the Naugatuck National Bank and was one of the incorporators of the Naugatuck Savings Bank. He is likewise a director of the Exeter Railway & Lighting Company of Massachusetts.
On the 24th of October, 1888, in Naugatuck, he was married to Miss Jeannette Seymour, of Naugatuck, a daughter of Zera Seymour, of New Haven county, and they have three children: Donald Seymour, Muriel Seymour and Ruby Seymour. In religious faith Mr. Tuttle is a Congregationalist, while his political belief is that of the republican party. He represents a prominent old family of Connecticut and is fortunate in that his lines of life have been cast in harmony with the ancestral record. Sound judgment characterizes his business management, and his diligence and progressiveness are leading to the further development of the important interests under his care.
CLAYTON L. KLEIN.
Clayton L. Klein, attorney at law of Waterbury, was born March 7, 1885, in the city where he is now successfully practicing his profession. He is the only son of Joseph and Katherine (Fallon) Klein whose family, however, also numbered two daughters: Minnie, the wife of William H. Wood, of Waterbury; and Blanche, the wife of Walter Grover Parker, of Meriden, Connecticut. The parents reside in Naugatuck, where they have made their home for more than thirty years. The father was born in Germany, April 16, 1853, and in young manhood came to the United States, establishing his home in Massachusetts in 1869. On the 15th of September, 1875, he married Katherine Fallon of Hancock, Massachusetts, and soon afterward they removed to Connecticut. For a brief period they
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