USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Plymouth > History of the town of Plymouth, Connecticut : with an account of the centennial celebration May 14 and 15, 1895 : also a sketch of Plymouth, Ohio, settled by local families > Part 23
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He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and always took a great interest in everything that appertained to the welfare of his native land.
ELISHA MIX.
Elisha Mix, eldest son of James and Lucy Mix, was born in Watertown, Conn., in 1818. At the age of eighteen he was residing with his parents in New Britain, and during the hard times of 1836 he walked or tramped to Cayuga County, N. Y., where he worked one season upon a farm. The next year he returned to his father's home in Terryville and worked for Good- win, McKee & Williams, who were starting in the trunk lock business. At about this time a fine opening presented itself under Captain Tracy, of New Britain, and he removed to that place and went to work in the lock factory of Stanley, Russell & Co., afterwards Russell & Erwin, where he remained until 1840, when his health having been impaired, he shipped before the
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mast for a sea voyage on a Liverpool packet. Upon his return from the voyage he enlisted for the Florida war. When that was over he returned again to Terryville, where his family were then residing, and entered the employ of H. Welton & Co., as con- tractor and foreman, remaining with them until they failed in 1845. He married Miss Amelia Edmonds, of Terryville, in 1843, and removed to New Haven in 1846, to take charge of a department in Chauncey Jerome's clock factory, where he re- mained until 1854, when ne moved to Michigan, where he now resides.
For many years he followed surveying and the lumber busi- ness, but in 1874 he, with his family, returned to Terryville, where they remained about four years, and engaged in the lock business. At the end of the four years he again returned to his home in Michigan. He enlisted in the war of the rebellion as captain in the Eighth Michigan Cavalry in 1862. He was pro- moted to major, then lieutenant-colonel and to the full colonelcy and commander of his regiment. He was brevetted brigadier- general for long and meritorious service, and was mustered out in September, 1865, at the close of the war. He was, for a time, in command of a large force in Central Tennesee, commensurate with his rank. He was respected by all with whom he came in contact, and served with distinction in all of his different com- mands during his entire service in the army.
He has two children, both married, and grandchildren to bless his old age. He is a man possessing great force of char- acter and energy of purpose, and there are very few men better informed upon any subject than he. He was a good mechanic in his younger days and was identified thoroughly with everything in Plymouth, and but for want of room, could furnish a history of that town and the men who have long since passed away.
JAMES C. MIX.
James C. Mix was born in Hartford, Conn., December 19, 1826, where he lived until 1832, when he moved with his parents to Terryville. He was naturally a fine mechanic and worked as such in Terryville and New Haven for about twenty-five years. In 1865 he was employed by the Atna Life Insurance Company, of Hartford, as managing agent for New York State, with head- quarters at Syracuse, to which city he moved with his family in the fall of that year, remaining there for twenty-three years.
In 1870, co-working with his brother, Frank W. Mix, he invented and obtained a patent upon a mail bag lock, which was used by the United States Government for many years. The brothers Mix formed a company for the manufacture of these locks, the firm being known as Gaylord, Mix & Co., which con- cern afterwards sold out to the Eagle Lock Company, of Terry- ville.
In 1879 Mr. Mix was employed as managing agent for Central New York by the New York Life Insurance Company, and from that time, with two or three short intermissions, was an
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earnest worker for that company. In 1888 he removed with his family from Syracuse to New York City, where he founded what is known as the Manhattan Department of the New York Life Insurance Company. By dint of hard work and unselfish devo- tion to the company's interests, in the short space of four years he placed his department in the very first rank, and it is to-day perhaps his most fitting monument. It may be truthfully said of him, that he was one of the leading life insurance men of his time.
In 1847 Mr Mix married Miranda, daughter of Robert Johnson, of Terryville, who survives him. Six children were born to them, only two of whom, Lucy S. and Robert J., are now living, the latter having succeeded his father as manager of the Manhattan Department. In the summer of 1893 Mr. Mix was taken seriously ill, but remained at his post until he became too feeble to leave his bed. In November of that year, upon the advice of his physicians, he was accompanied by his family to Nassau, in the Island of New Providence, Bahamas, but the change failed to benefit him, and he died there on the 11th of December, 1893, after five months of terrible suffering.
His remains were brought back to his childhood home, Terryville, where funeral services were held in the church for which he labored earnestly for many years. His body now lies besides those of his deceased children in the beautiful cemetery on the hill. It is no exaggeration to say that he gave his life to his work.
MAJOR FRANK W. MIX.
Major Frank W. Mix was born in Terryville, February 17, 1834. He attended the village school until he was sixteen, when he went into the factory with his father. What is now the Eagle Lock Company, in Terryville, was then Lewis & Gaylord. Here he learned the art of die-making and pressing and obtained a general idea of machine work. At the age of twenty he left home, going to Waterbury to perfect himself as a machinist and tool-maker. At the end of six months he accepted a call from New Haven to take charge of the die and press work of the New Haven Clock Company, where he remained a year. Still having a desire to become a perfect tool-maker, he secured a position with what is now the Winchester Arms Company, then run by Smith & Wesson, as a tool-maker, remaining there until the concern failed in 1857. While in New Haven, Major Mix became actively interested in musical matters, having charge of the choir and playing the organ in one of the churches. Here he was also married in 1856. After the failure of the pistol company, Major Mix went into the sewing machine business with his father-in-law, R. B. Fuller, locating in Mansfield, after- wards in Norwich, continuing until 1860, when they sold out, the Major going to the Sharp's Rifle Factory in Hartford. In the Spring of 1861, his health being impaired, he removed to
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Edward H. Mix
Henry T. Wheeler.
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Michigan, where, September 1, 1861, he enlisted in the Third Michigan Cavalry, with which he served for eleven months, when he was appointed a captain of the famous Fourth Michi- gan Cavalry. While with the Third he took part in the capture of New Madrid and Island No. 10, and the battles of Corinth, Inka, and Boonville, Miss. He joined the Fourth Cavalry at Mumfordsville, Ky., and was promoted to be major for gallantry at the battles of Stone River. While he was in command of the regiment it took part in eighty-four general engagements, not to mention scores of lesser events. These included Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and most of the important actions of the Western Army up to the siege of Atlanta. He was severely wounded at Lovejoy's Station, in August, 1864, on account of which he received an honorable discharge in the fol- lowing November. He lost two horses in action and was repeatedly named by corps and brigade commanders for gallantry, promptness, and the skillful manner in which he handled his regiment in tight places. On two different occasions the brigade commander attributed the success of his brigade "to the brilliancy and tenacity of the fighting of the Fourth Michigan, under the command of Major Frank W. Mix." It was this regiment that at the close of the war captured Jefferson Davis.
During the last twenty-nine years, Major Mix has resided in this state, engaged in the manufacture, as well as the invention, of locks. During that time he has probably taken out more patents on cabinet and trunk locks than any man in the cour.try. In 1870, in connection with his brother James, he brought out a padlock, known as the Mix lock, which the Government adopted for mail bags and which was manufactured by the Eagle Lock Company, where Major Mix was employed as superintendent for ten years. Subsequently he resided in New Britain as super- intendent of the Corbin Cabinet Lock Co., in which he made a notable success, as is attested by the flourishing condition of the business at the present time.
In 1891, Henry R. Towne, president of the Yale & Towne Mfg. Co., of Stamford, sent for him to organize a cabinet lock department for that company. Mr. Mix accepted and has since been with this company. His ambition has always been to be at the head of the cabinet lock business, and with his practical knowledge, that is the place where he belongs.
He has a wife, who, before her marriage, was Miss Mary J. Fuller, and three children, a son and two daughters. His only son was the organizer and superintendent of the Government Mail Lock and Repair Shop in Washington for two vears and a half, when he resigned this position to accept one with his father in Stamford, as his assistant, where he is now.
The Major is always a Republican in politics, is connected with the Congregational Church, is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, of the O. U. A. M., the Grand Army, the Army and Navy Club, and the Putnam Phalanx. He is a useful and respected citizen, and occupies, with his family, an honorable position in the community.
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
EDWARD H. MIX.
Edward H. Mix, youngest son of James and Lucy Mix, was born in Terryville, December 11, 1838, and with the exception of the time spent in the army, his days were all passed in the lock business. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted and entered the Fourth Connecticut Infantry as first lieutenant. After serving there quite a while, he was promoted to captain of Company B, Sixteenth Connecticut Infantry, said company hav- ing been raised in Hartford, Conn.
He was drowned in Albermarle Sound, March 8, 1864, while trying to reach his regiment, then at Newberne, N. C., by being knocked off the vessel by the swinging of the boom. He left a record as a good soldier, and no finer looking one ever lived. He was an earnest Christian and a good worker in the church in Terryville, to which he belonged, and we are justified in saying that no brighter or more energetic young man ever lived in Plymouth.
HENRY T. WHEELER.
Henry T. Wheeler was born in Great Barrington, Mass., and married Miss Mary E. Priest of Barkhamstead. He came to Terryville in 1882 to superintend the Eagle Lock Company's works, succeeding F. W. Mix, and continued to hold the posi- tion until 1889, when Major Ells was appointed superintendent. Mr. Wheeler then removed to Collinsville and engaged in the hotel business, which is known as the Valley House.
The First Lock Shop.
CHAPTER XII.
ANDREW TERRY AND CO.
Sketch of the Founder of This Prosperous Concern which was One of the Pioneers in the Malleable Iron Industry-The Men who Have Successfully Managed and Kept It Running as Steadily Nearly as Clock Work for Close on to Half a Century.
T `HE establishment of A. Terry & Company is among the pioneers of the malleable iron industry in the United States and has grown from a shop forty feet square with one air fur- nace and three small annealing kilns, each having twenty-four pots capacity, all operated by twenty-five men, into a plant covering an area of about one and one-half acres, giving employ- ment to 108 men and producing a daily output of nearly two tons of a superior quality of malleable iron castings, which vary in weight from those so small that two gross weigh less than a pound, to others which weigh three pounds each.
Ground was broken for this foundry November 24, 1847, by Andrew Terry, brother of James Terry, the first president of the Eagle Lock Company, and the second son of Eli Terry, 2d. The latter gentleman was the son of Eli Terry, the first manu- facturer of clocks in this country and the founder of the village of Terryville. Little was known about the process of making malleable iron at that time, and the new concern struggled for existence for a good many years, during which time Mr. Terry gathered around him men of practical ingenuity, business ability and good sense, and in 1860 he associated with himself O. D. Hunter, who had learned the business in his employ, and R. D. H. Allen, who came from a clerical position in the Eagle Lock Company's office. These three men formed a joint stock company under its present name with a capital of $16,oco, after- wards increased to $20,000. In 1871 Mr. Terry sold his interest to his partners and went to Kansas. His successors admitted into the company N. Taylor Baldwin, a brother-in-law of Mr. Terry, and J. W. Clark, the latter having been trained in the company's employ. In 1875 R. D. H. Allen returned to the Eagle Lock Company, and N. Taylor Baldwin succeeded to the financial management until his death in 1889.
The present officers of the company are: O. D. Hunter, president, and J. W. Clark, secretary and treasurer. The stock
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The Old Foundry-Front View.
The Old Foundry-Rear View.
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ANDREW TERRY AND CO.
is all owned in Terryville. Between forty and fifty moulders are employed. There are two cupolas for melting iron, one of which is used exclusively to cast the annealing pots used in the works. About six tons of iron are daily melted. In the anneal- ing department the kilns are, with only two exceptions, fitted up with the Aerated Fuel Company's oil burners and heated with crude oil, which is stored in a nest of tanks midway between the New York and New England railroad tracks and the shops, having a capacity of 17,000 gallons. With the exception of the eight annealing furnaces, each holding seventy-two pots, six furnaces being operated by steam power, the entire plant is run by water power, the company owning one of the finest water privileges on the line of the Pequabuck river. The business is managed by O. D. Hunter, the president, and J. W. Clark, the secretary and treasurer. The former has been actively engaged with the establishment for forty-six consecutive years and the latter for thirty-three years. Both are practical malleable iron makers.
The annealing department is in charge of Charles Purington, who has given careful attention to this most important branch for twenty-five years. The moulding shop is superintended by Edgar L. Pond, who has been with the company over twenty- three years. The clerical work is performed by Jonathan Starr, who came to the office shortly after Mr. Baldwin's death, as assistant secretary and bookkeeper, with an experience of twenty- one years in bookkeeping, and George E. Bushnell, who has been an attache of the office for twenty-four years past.
Since the above was written, the buildings, except the office, have all been swept away by fire, but new buildings have been erected which will be much more convenient and imposing.
ANDREW TERRY.
Andrew Terry was born in Terryville, Conn., December 29, 1824, at the old homestead, still standing, on the south side of the road, west of the upper lock shop. He was the second son of Eli Terry, Jr., and Samantha McKee. At the famous boy's school kept by Deacon Hart, in Farmington, Conn., he pursued classical studies almost to the point required for entering college. Soon after his father's death, and before becoming of age, he went to Washington, Pa., and became clerk in a store. In that place he made the acquaintance of Susan Orr, whom he married October 16, 1844. They had two children; Gertrude, who died April 10, 1856, and Margaret, who married C. S. Treadway, cashier of the Bristol National Bank, and died Sep- tember 17, 1880.
Returning to Terryville immediately after his marriage, he established himself as a country merchant in " the store," which all of the older citizens of Terryville remember, and remained there for two years
November 24, 1847, the first ground was broken for a foundry for the manufacture of malleable iron. The business
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTHI.
Andrew Terry.
J. W. Clark, Secretary.
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ANDREW TERRY AND CO.
was then new to this part of the country, and the difficulties to be surmounted were very great.
By his energy and courage the obstacles arising from limited capital and inexperience were overcome, and the business was established on a paying basis. He continued the same under his own name until February 2, 1860, when a joint stock corpora- tion was formed, to which his name was given, and of which he continued as president and principal owner until April 26, 1871, when he disposed of his entire interest therein.
The business is still carried on under the old name of A. Terry & Co.
In 1868, Mr. Terry moved to Waterbury, still continuing to give his attention to the Terryville business. In the summer of 1871, he took up his residence in Lawrence, Kan., where he engaged in private banking and real estate operations. Remov- ing to Bristol, Conn., in July, 1875, in connection with G. J. Bentley, the enterprise known as the Bristol Foundry Company was organized in the summer of 1876, and Mr. Terry was actively engaged in it until his last sickness. From this begin- ning has grown the great plant of the Sessions' Foundry Com- pany, which is the largest grey iron foundry in New England.
As a citizen he realized his responsibilities, and tried to discharge them faithfully. Upon all questions of public policy he held decided opinions, and did not hesitate to express them. Office he never cared for. When the civil war broke out he gave his time, money, heart, and body to the support of the government. He enlisted as a private in Company I, First Regiment, Connecticut Heavy Artillery, and went out "as orderly sergeant. A severe illness rendered him unfit for duty, and he received his discharge, for disability, September 23, 1861. On the 5th of October he was commissioned as major of the Eighth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, and was soon pro- moted to the lieutenant-colonelcy. He took part in Gen. Burn- side's expedition to North Carolina, and participated in the capture of Roanoke Island, and in the battle of Newberne. His commission was resigned March 28, 1862.
In the list of those uniting with the Congregational Church in Terryville, in 1842, occurs the name of Andrew Terry ; he was then eighteen years of age. In 1868 he removed his con- nection to the Second Congregational Church in Waterbury. On his removal to Kansas, he took a letter of recommendation to the Plymouth Congregational Church in Lawrence. A marked era in his religious life began with the death of his little daughter Gertrude. The revival of 1857-58, which brought "all Terryville" into the Church, found a most helpful laborer in him. At Allentown a mission Sunday School was sustained for a considerable time under his superintendency, with very encour- aging results. Theological questions then had for him a fasci- nating interest ; late into the night he would talk with ministers and others interested in such thinking His library was well selected and well read. Many ministers shared the hospitality of his home, and were assisted by him in substantial ways.
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N. Taylor Baldwin.
O. D. Hunter.
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ANDREW TERRY AND CO.
Among the number were Rev. M. H. Williams, of Philadel- phia, and Rev. J. C. McClintock, of Burlington, Iowa. C. Terry Treadway of Bristol, is the only living descendant.
O. D. HUNTER.
O. D. Hunter was born in Wendell, Mass., and came to Terryville from Greenfield, Mass., in 1850, and was engaged as carpenter and joiner by Andrew Terry to erect a dwelling house for him near the iron foundry. Mr. Hunter has spent his whole time for the past forty-five years in and around the foundry that he is now so prominently identified with. Many of the old foundry buildings were built by him, and since the fire of the past winter, which wiped out the whole plant, he has taken an active part in the construction of new and more modern buildings.
Mr. Hunter has resided at the old Eli Terry, Sr., place, opposite the town hall, for the past thirty years. There is not a living representative of those who were prominently connected with the business when Mr. Hunter came here in 1850. He is one of the most active members of the Terryville Congregational Church. He married Miss Harriet E. Trask, of Deerfield, Mass., October 17, 1852, by whom he has one son, Dr. Dwight W. Hunter, of New York.
HON. N. TAYLOR BALDWIN.
The Hon. N. Taylor Baldwin was born in Bristol, Conn., October 3, 1835, and died in Terryville, March 16, 1889.
His father, Ezra Baldwin, moved to Winsted when he was quite a young boy and there he availed himself of such school advantages as Winsted then afforded. When his school days were over he went to Terryville and engaged in clerking in a store. In 1864 Mr. Baldwin united with the Congregational Church and was an active member and regular attendant. He took a deep interest in school, town, state and national affairs, and being a good parliamentarian was often called to preside over meetings of various kinds. In 1866, 1872 and 1881 he rep- resented the town of Plymouth in the House, and in 1870 the Sixteenth district in the Senate. He was a delegate from Con- necticut to the convention in Chicago that nominated James A. Garfield, and acted as clerk for the state delegates. For many years he was the successful business manager of the A. Terry & Co. Malleable Iron Foundry, and also a director of the Eagle Lock Company, the Bristol Savings Bank, and of North & Judd, New Britain.
His wife was Lucinda Terry, daughter of Eli Terry, Jr., and granddaughter of Eli Terry, Sr., the world-renowned clock inventor. Mrs. Baldwin died in 1884. Two children survive, Susie, who married Dr. William P. Swett, and Richard D. Baldwin.
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Mr. Baldwin was earnest, active and helpful as a citizen in all good ways-in the local affairs of school and town and church, and in state and national politics, a lasting monument to his memory being the beautiful park, east of the village school- house. In 1870 he made a most efficient House chairman of the committee on finance. In 1872 he was House chairman of the committee on state prison, and in 1881 he was House chairman of the committee on banks. While not pretending to possess the gift of oratory, he had an easy and effective way of putting things that always made his words influential. And there was such implicit faith in his honesty that when he, as chairman of a committee, said a bill was right or wrong, that settled it so far as the action of the house was concerned. Because of his impartiality and good judgment he was often selected by the courts to act as commissioner.
J. W. Clark's Residence.
O. D. Hunter's Residence.
CHAPTER XIII.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Interesting Reading About Past and Present People of Plymouth, Commencing with Judge Augustus H. Fenn, Now the Foremost of Those who Reside Else- where, and Many Others who Have Attained Worldly Fame-Illustrations of Subjects and Buildings.
A UGUSTUS HALL FENN, one of Plymouth's most prom- ising sons, was born in Plymouth, January 18, 1844. His father's name was Augustus L. Fenn, son of Elam Fenn, and his mother was Esther Maria Hall, daughter of Orison and Betsy Atwater Hall. He received a common school education, with one or two terms at higher schools. At the early age of fourteen he commenced to write verses for publication, some of which were received with favor, going the rounds of the press, and the next year he collated and published a small volume of poems. In March, 1862, he commenced the study of law in the office of Ammi Giddings in Plymouth Center, and in July of the same year enlisted in the Nineteenth Connecticut Volunteers. Returning in September, 1865, he resumed the study of law in the office of S. W. Kellogg in Waterbury. Here he remained until February, 1867, when he was admitted to the bar at Litch- field. From there he entered the law school of Harvard College at Cambridge, Mass., where he remained one year, receiving from that institution the degree of LL. B. The next year he practiced law in Waterbury until April 1, 1869, when he removed to Plymouth Center, where after a few years' residence he went to Winsted and opened a law office. This he continued until 1887, when Governor Lounsbury appointed him judge of the Superior Court of Connecticut, he at that time being the youngest presiding officer of the Connecticut bench. This was followed by promotion to the associate judgeship of the Supreme Court of Errors of Connecticut by Acting Governor Bulkeley in 1893, which office he still holds.
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