USA > Connecticut > Illustrated popular biography of Connecticut > Part 40
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Mr. Storrs was educated in the common schools of his native town. His father was a farmer and a manufacturer of horn combs; but his means were rather limited, and so both he and his wife saw to it carefully that their six children made the most of their time when in school; when out they were re- quired to perform what labor they could for the general welfare of the family, and with the two vocations there was never lack of work; but, as their home was always made pleasant for them, their tasks were seldom irksome. Augustus re- mained at home with his father until after he reached his majority, taking entire charge of the comb-shop the last two years of his stay, and assisting on the farm as occasion demanded, there acquiring
habits of industry and order, and a love of agricul- tural pursuits, that have never left him.
In the spring of 1839, while he was considering in what business he would start in life for himself (his father having decided to give up comb-making), an unexpected opportunity presented itself. Two men of the town, who had come into possession of a dry-goods and grocery store in Gurleyville (Mans- field), proposed to young Storrs to " run " the store under the firm name of A. Storrs & Co., offsetting his work against their capital, and sharing equally with them in the profits. In spite of the fact that he had never had a day's experience in mercantile life, he courageously accepted the proposition. When he commenced business in the store he was solicited to take the agency of the Mansfield Silk Manufacturing Company, and he accepted .that trust also. The silk factory was in the same vil- lage, and was the first factory for the manufacture of silk in the United States. In September of that year he married Antoinette Abbe of Windham, by whom he had two daughters. The Abbes were among the early and prominent settlers of that town. He continued in business in Gurleyville a little over six years, giving entire satisfaction to his partners and to the silk company. At the end of that time the senior partner of the store died, and the business was closed.
In April, 1846, he moved to Willimantic, and, in company with another young man, opened a store there. In the fall of the same year he had an ad- vantageous offer to go as traveling agent for a manufacturing and commission house in Hartford. He at once closed a bargain with that firm, and disposed of his business in Willimantic and moved to that city. In 1851 he was employed by the same company in New York city, and he removed with his family to Brooklyn, N. Y. In 1854 he united with his two brothers, Charles and Royal Otis, under the firm name of Storrs Brothers, to carry on a commission business in staple American goods in New York city. On account of other business, Royal O. found it impracticable for him to join them in New York, and after a little he withdrew from the firm. Augustus and Charles continued the business under the same firm name twenty-five years, and were sagacious, honorable, and success- ful merchants.
Soon after going to Brooklyn Mr. Storrs united with Plymouth church - Rev. Henry Ward Beecher's. He is a constant attendant there (when in the city), and a liberal supporter. He has been a trustee of Plymouth church twenty-six years, treasurer eighteen years, and president of the board of trustees six years. It is hardly necessary to say, as he still holds these offices, that he has given satisfaction in them -that he is a careful and efficient business manager.
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As he increased in years and means he had a longing for a rural home, where he could spend at least his summers, and his thoughts and affections reached after the home of his boyhood; and the re- sult was that in 1875 he bought the old homestead (his parents having passed away) of his brother, R. O. Storrs. He has added to that purchase, and now owns between four and five hundred acres in the place. On eommencing work on his land he determined to ascertain what and how much it could be made to produce. In a few years his large crops of grass, grain, and vegetables clearly demon- strated that, under thorough and seientific tillage, it was possible to greatly increase the productive- ness of our Connecticut farms. He had been con- templating doing something for his native town and state that would be of permanent benefit to them, and had thought of various things, but could not settle upon any one thing until he had had this ex- perience in farming. Then it seemed to him that it was as necessary for farmers to be thoroughly educated in their vocation - taught what kind of fertilizers different soils require, and the kind of crops best adapted to different places - as it was for professional men and mechanics to acquire a thorough knowledge of their business; and he de- cided that he could do nothing more conducive to their welfare than to give land to the state to found an agricultural school. Consequently, in April, 1881, he deeded to the state of Connecticut, for this purpose, two farms in Mansfield, near his home, containing in all 170 acres, on which were buildings sufficient for the commencement. His brother Charles, with whom he had been in company so long, was in full sympathy with the movement, and gave several thousand dollars to furnish all neces- sary equipments for starting such a school. It is now ten years since the "Storrs Agricultural School " was organized. The young farmers who have graduated from it think that their time was very profitably spent there, and the present indica- tions are that the institution will prove as beneficial as Mr. Storrs and his brother believed that it would.
Until his wife's death in the spring of 1888, Mr. Storrs took his household with him each year to his Mansfield home to spend the summer. His daugh- ter, wife of B. E. Valentine, a Brooklyn, N. Y., lawyer, with her five young daughters, joined them there every summer, filling the house with life and cheerfulness, to the great delight of their grandfather, who is exceedingly fond of his grand- children. Harriet, Mr. Storrs' eldest daughter, a most estimable young lady, died at the age of twenty-one. Since Mrs. Storrs' death he has divided his time about equally between Brooklyn and Mansfield, going to each place as business re- quires, making himself useful in both places.
HENRY ROBINSON TOWNE, STAMFORD: En- gineer and Manufacturer; President The Yale & Towne Mfg. Co.
Henry R. Towne was born at Philadelphia, Pa., August 28, 1844, where he was educated at private schools and at the University of Pennsylvania, class of 1865. He left college before graduation to enter business, but in 1887 was given an honor- ary degree of M. A. En- tering the Port Richmond Iron Works, Philadelphia, in 1862, as a mechanical draughtsman, he was en- gaged for over four years on general engineering work, especially heavy marine engines for the monitors and other war H. R. TOWNE. vessels, the erection of which he superintended at the Boston. Portsmouth, and Philadelphia navy yards. In 1866 he made an extensive tour of the engineering establishments of England, Belgium, and France, spending nearly six months in Paris, where he studied at the Sor- bonne. In October, 1868, a partnership was ar- ranged between him and the late Linus Yale, Jr., best known as the inventor of the "Vale Lock," whose business was then located at Shelburne Falls, Mass., and employed about thirty hands. The new enterprise was incorporated under the name of " The Vale Lock Manufacturing Co.," and Stam- ford, Conn., thirty-four miles from the city of New York, selected for its location. Having purchased land here, Mr. Towne began the erection of a factory building, when, December 25, 1868, Mr. Yale died suddenly, leaving the young enterprise on the hands of Mr. Towne and a son of Mr. Vale. The former became president of the corporation, and, a year later, bought out the interest of the Vale estate. Since 1869 Mr. Towne has controlled the business and has personally directed its affairs, during which time the number of employes has grown from 30 to 1,000. For several years he was entirely alone in the ownership and management of the business, but its rapid growthi led him first to associate others with him in the management, and. later, to augment the capital by permitting others to subscribe for new issues of the stock. Although the Yale patents have all expired, the policy of con- stant experimental work has developed a series of inventions and improvements which have retained for the company a position of recognized leadership in the manufacture of fine locks of all kinds, and this department is still the most important one in the business, including not only key locks in vast variety but also time and combination bank locks.
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fine hardware, and metal-working. Other depart- ments are devoted to cranes and heavy hoisting machinery, to chain tackle-blocks, and to post-office equipments. In 1883 the corporate title was changed to " The Yale & Towne Mfg. Co.," and a special charter obtained from the state. Additions to the plant continue to be made almost every year to provide for the constant growth of the business.
Mr. Towne has been an active member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers almost from its formation, a member of its council, and its president in 1888-89. In 1889 he was chosen chair- man of a joint party of some 300 American engi- neers, civil, mechanical, and mining, which visited England and France. He is a member of the Union League and Engineers' Clubs, in the city of New York, a director in several large industrial corporations, member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Mechanical En- gineers, London, England, and other scientific organizations.
Mr. Towne married, early in life, Miss Cora E. White of Philadelphia, and they have two sons. In politics he is a republican.
ELISHA J. STEELE, TORRINGTON: Mechanic.
Elisha Jones Steele was born in Torrington, June 29, 1843, and received a public school education. During the war he was a member of the First Con- necticut Heavy Artillery, serving from 1861 until 1865. He is a member and past commander of Steele Post, No. 34, G. A. R., of Torrington, and was one of the Con- necticut aid-de-camps on the staff of National Commander Alger. Heis also a prominent repre- sentative of the Knights of Honor, being a past E. J. STEELE. dictator. At present he is a member of the state ex- ecutive committee of the Young Men's Christian Association of Connecticut. Mr. Steele has been an active republican in Litchfield county for years. In 1887 he was a member of the house of represent- atives, and was appointed to the chairmanship of the committee on appropriations, one of the most important of the legislative committees. He is the president of the Young Republican Club of Tor- rington. Mr. Steele is a member of the Third Con- gregational church, and is thoroughly identified with the religious and educational work of the com- munity of which he is so active and influential a member. For three years he was chairman of the
Torrington board of education. His business asso- ciations are with the Coe Brass Manufacturing Company, being the superintendent of the wire and tube departments. His family consists of a wife and three children. The former was Miss Sophia H. Skiff before marriage. As a soldier and citizen Mr. Steele is held in high esteem and honor in his native town.
ROBERT W. NELSON, HARTFORD: President Thorne Type-Setting Machine Company.
R. W. Nelson was born in Granville, Washington county, New York, September 20, 1851. He was educated at the Union School of Schenectady, learned the printer's trade, became an associ- ate publisher of the Joliet (Ill.) News, spent some years in Chicago, was for two years a merchant, and in 1882, in connection with Major O. J. - Smith and G. W. Cummings, organized the American Press Association of New York city, with which he was connected for five R. W. NELSON. years. He was doubtless largely instrumental in accomplishing the phenomenal success which has attended that association's progress almost from the outset. He personally introduced the patent stereotype plate matter of the association to hun- dreds of established newspapers throughout the country; and through his agency, and by the aid of such " matter," additional hundreds of new period- icals were started, many of which have since come into prominence and success. Five years ago, while still connected with the American Press Association, Mr. Nelson became interested in the in- genious Thorne Type-Setting Machine, then manu- factured in a small way in Hartford by its inventor and patentee, Joseph Thorne. He acquired first a one-half interest in the enterprise, and a year or two later bought out Mr. Thorne altogether, and proceeded, with the aid of expert assistants to im- prove and at length to perfect the machine. Having accomplished this, he organized the Thorne Type- Setting Machine Company, with a capital of one million dollars, established a factory in the west wing of Colt's Armory, in Hartford, filled it with special machinery, and is now employing about seventy-five skilled mechanics in the manufacture of type-setting and distributing machines, the pro- duct of the plant being about twenty of these machines per month - The Thorne is the only type- setting machine now in use to any considerable ex-
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tent. It revolutionizes the art of composition, as the introduction of power presses revolutionized the art of printing. Mr. Nelson is president of the company, and its general manager; as such, he has introduced the " Thorne " into all parts of the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Australia.
Mr. Nelson is married and has one child. He is a member of the Asylum Avenue Congregational church, the Hartford Club, and the Aldine Club of New York city.
CHARLES H. LAWRENCE, HARTFORD : Sec- retary Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany.
Charles Hammond Lawrence was born in New York city, August 23, 1845. He was educated in the public schools and at the New York Free Academy; and at the con- clusion of this preparatory course entered as clerk the New York branch of the Hartford firm of Smith & Bourn. In 1866, still in the employ of this firm, he came to Hartford, and for the next four years was connected with the home establishment. On the first of January, 1871, he entered into an en- gagement with the Phœ- nix Mutual Life Insur- C. H. LAWRENCE. ance Company, which has since continued uninter ruptedly for more than twenty years. Beginning as clerk, he was advanced through succeeding grades, and in 1889 was chosen to the secretaryship of the company, his present position. In 1872 he was married to Miss Juliette H. Fisher, daughter of the late Thomas T. Fisher, Esq., of Hartford, a well-remembered and successful merchant and stock-broker, and a prominent citizen of his day. Two children, a son and daughter, have been added to the family.
Mr. Lawrence has been quite active in municipal and state politics for several years. He is a repub- lican of pronounced type, and as such has been elected for three successive terms to the common council; also for four years on the board of alder- men; and president of the board, representing the second ward of the city. He is a conscientious po- litical worker, and has done much to elevate the standard of local political influence in all branches of the public service. He is at present a member of the Republican State Central Committee. Ad- ditionally to his official connection with the Phoenix Mutual Life, he is a director in the State Bank, and
sustains similar relations with other Hartford cor- porations. He is a member, with his family, of Trinity (Episcopal) parish, and a liberal contributor to its institutions and charities.
GEORGE CURTIS WALDO, BRIDGEPORT: Journalist; Editor " Daily Evening Standard."
George Curtis Waldo was born in Lynn, Mass., March 20, 1837. He is eldest son of the late Rev. J. C. Waldo of New London, and his mother was a daughter of the late Rev. Hosea Ballou, of Boston, and a cousin of Eliza Ballou, the mother of President Garfield. Mr. Waldo was graduated at Tufts College, Mass., in 1860, studied law in com- pany with T. M. Waller in the office of the late A. C. Lippitt at New Lon- don, and, together with Governor Waller, enlisted in the first company raised in that town for G. C. WALDO. the civil war, serving through the campaign of 61.
After receiving his discharge from the army he engaged, on account of impaired health, in active business in New London and Bridgeport, and in 1867 became city editor of the Daily Evening Standard in the latter place. In 1869 he purchased an interest in the company, and was associate editor for many years under the late Hon. John D. Candee, becoming editor-in-chief upon the death of Mr. Candee, which position he now holds.
In 1874 he married Annie, daughter of Major Frederick Frye, formerly of Bridgeport, then of New Orleans, and they have four children.
Mr. Waldo is a member of Christ (Episcopal) church, Bridgeport, and was for four years its junior warden. He was one of the founders, and for five years secretary of the Bridgeport Scientific Society; is vice-president and historian of the Fair- field County Historical Society; was first president of the Eclectic Club of Bridgeport; and is at pres- ent president of the Sea Side Club of that city, an organization of over three hundred of its most prominent citizens. He was for five years a mem- ber of the Bridgeport board of education, and for two years chairman of the committee on schools. He is a member of the board of directors of the Bridgeport Public Library, a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Army and Navy Club of Connecticut. In 1889 he was appointed by Governor Bulkeley a member of the shell-fishery commission of Connecticut. He is a republican in politics.
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WILLIAM J. McCONVILLE, HARTFORD: Judge of City Police Court.
Judge William J. McConville was born in Balti- more, Md., March 13, 1851, and was educated in the common schools of this state and the Connecti- cut Literary Institute at Suffield. The first years of his career in this state, which were spent in the towns of Manchester, Vernon, South Windsor, and Suffield, were attend- ed with difficulties and obstacles, the aspirations of the lad in the direction of education far exceed- ing his opportunities and means. But the way was W. J. MCCONVILLE. not abandoned on that account. Prior to his admission to the Hartford county bar Judge McConville learned the trade of a harness-maker, and personally earned the money which was used in carrying him through his studies. He was in the office of Judge H. S. Barbour, one of the oldest and most respected lawyers in this city, and was a careful and painstaking student. The success which Judge McConville has attained is due to the energy and perseverance which have characterized his course from the outset. These traits of charac- ter were as prominent during his early years as they have since been in manhood. Judge McCon- ville was the clerk of the council board in Hartford for a number of years, where the reforms introduced by him in connection with the journals of the board have since been retained, and the effect of his influence is still felt in the council administra- tion. In 1886 he was elected assistant clerk of the house of representatives, and clerk in 1887. In the latter position he was able to inaugurate improve- ments that will long be continued in the house re- lative to the journals. His analysis of the house proceedings from day to day presented in com- pact and intelligent form the business of the session. In 1889 Judge McConville was ad- vanced to the senate clerkship, where his ideas and methods were again exemplified in a most satisfactory manner. The excellent work which he has performed in the house and senate clerkships entitles him to great credit from the public. He received the republican nomination for the police court judgeship from the Hartford county caucus in 1889, and was elected by the general assembly while he was the incumbent of the senate clerk- ship. This recognition of his ability and worth by the men who knew him best was exceedingly grati- fying. The confidence reposed in his capability and judgment was not misplaced by the legislature,
the judge having proved himself an able and judicious public official. His career on the police bench has been eminently successful. The laws have been enforced without fear or favor. Judge McConville has been a member of the Center church in Hartford for twenty-two years. He is also a member of Hartford Lodge, No. 88, F. and A. M., and of Charter Oak Lodge of Odd Fellows. He is connected with the order of Red Men in the city, being a member of Wangunk Tribe; the Young Men's Christian Association, and the Young Men's Republican Club. He has been identified for years with the interests of the First ward, and was a delegate in the republican state conventions from this city during the state and national campaigns of 1888. He has traveled extensively through the United States, and is a gentleman of wide infor- mation. He was for three years an active member of the First Company Governor's Foot Guard, in this city, and belongs to the Veteran Corps of that organization. Judge McConville is without a family, never having been married. As a lawyer, Judge McConville occupies a position commanding the confidence and respect of the public. He has met with more than an ordinary share of success in life, and his practice has brought him before the su- preme court on important issues and principlesof law.
WILLIAM J. DICK, NEWTOWN.
William J. Dick was born in Newtown, Sept. 12, 1822, and received a common school and academic education, completing the course at Chilton Hill Seminary, Elizabeth, N. J. Mr. Dick has trav- eled extensively through the United States, visit- ing nearly every state and territory in the Union. He has been engaged in mechanical and manu- facturing pursuits, and was for twenty-six years the proprietor and man- ager of the hotel at New- town. He retired from business, however, some time ago. In politics Mr. W. J. DICK. Dick is a republican, and is connected with the Episcopal church. He has held various local of- fices, being at present a member of the burgess board of Newtown, a justice of the peace, and president of the Cemetery Association. The wife of Mr. Dick, Mary E. Beardsley, was a cousin of Governor Isaac Toucey of this state, who was subsequently United States Senator from Connec- ticut, and the secretary of war in President Buchan- an's cabinet. There were four children, all of whom have died.
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M. W. TERRILL, MIDDLEFIELD.
Moses Weld Terrill was born in Morristown, Vt., October 2, 1826, and is son of the late Moses Terrill and Matilda (Weld) Terrill. His paternal great- grandfather was born in East Canaan, Conn., and is believed to have de- scended from Roger Ter- rill, who was one of the first settlers of Milford, Conn., in 1639, and who later joined the colony from that town which set- tled New Milford. His mother was a descendant of Joseph Weld, who came from Wales and set- tled in Roxbury, Mass., M. W. TERRILL. in 1638. Mr. Terrill's ed- ucation was obtained for the most part in the com- mon schools of his native town. This was supple- mented by one term in the academy in Johnson, Vt., and two terms in a private school taught in his own town. He finished his studies just at the com- pletion of his eighteenth year, and taught school the following winter. In the spring of 1845 he en- tered a country general store as clerk, in which oc- cupation he spent three years. In March, 1848, in company with another, he embarked in mercantile business in Wolcott, Vt. At the end of one year the business was sold, and Mr. Terrill removed to his native town and engaged in the same line. This business was continued until 1861, when he removed to Middlefield, and with the late David Ly- man, Esq., joined in establishing under the joint stock law of Connecticut, the Metropolitan Wash- ing Machine Company (now the Metropolitan Manu- facturing Company), for the manufacture and sale of washing and wringing machines, and other laun- dry utensils. Mr. Terrill was president of the com- pany until Mr. Lyman's death, in 1871, when, upon the re-organization of the company, he was elected treasurer, which office he still holds.
Raised on a farm, Mr. Terrill's inclinations to- ward agricultural pursuits were so strong that he bought land in Middlefield, and erected a full set of buildings thereon. Since 1864 he has continued to conduct this farm on the lines of general agriculture and the breeding of thoroughbred cattle (Short-horn and Jersey breeds). At present he has a large and valuable herd of Jerscy cattle. He has also given attention to fruit culture, especially to the cul- ture of the peach, and at this time he has a young orchard of one thousand trees. In his native town he held the office of constable and collector of taxes, and assessor, and twice represented the town in the state legislature. In the home of his adop- tion he has served several years as selectman, as-
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