USA > Connecticut > Representative citizens of Connecticut, biographical memorial > Part 20
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lished and having its offices in the rear of what is now known as Eaton's elevator. He was eminently successful in this venture and continued in the coal business after he had retired from many of his later enterprises. The next of these was the establishment, in 1880, of the Bristol Bakery, which was very successful, and which he continued for a period of eight years and more, finally selling out to J. W. Lounsbury. His purpose in so selling this paying business was that he might be enabled to lead a more retired life and enjoy more at his leisure the fruits of his efforts, but this purpose was defeated in a measure by the very success of those efforts. His success had been so marked, and his ability in the management of his affairs so obvious, that he had made for himself a large reputation in the business world of Bristol, and a number of prominent men, perceiving his talents, desired to avail themselves of them. This group of men were those public spirited citizens who had been the prime movers in introducing the various public utilities into Bristol. Among these was the Bristol electric lighting system, owned and operated by the Bristol Electric Light Company, and it was of this plant that they desired Mr. Strunz to assume the management. This they prevailed upon him to do, and he continued his work as superintendent for a period of five years. It was at this time that the tramway line between Bristol and Plainville was introduced by the same group of financiers and business men, Mr. Strunz having joined with them in this venture, and be- coming a director of the new concern, known as the Plainville and Bristol Tramway Company. Besides the running of cars between the two places, this company also absorbed the old electric light company and carried on the business of the latter. The management of Mr. Strunz had beer. so highly successful that he was pressed to take the same office, that of superintendent, in the consolidated concern, and eventually consented. He continued his most efficient system of management for a considerable period, contributing in a great measure to the success of the operations, and the placing of the utility on a firm basis, but the result of his arduous exertions finally told upon his health, and he felt constrained to hand in his resignation. This of course applied merely to his function as superintendent, and after a most reluctant acceptance on the part of the directors, he still continued his serv- ices as one of that board. Besides these important interests Mr. Strunz had become connected with a number of important industrial concerns, and was one of the most influential figures in Bristol business circles. He was a director of the Codling Manufacturing Company of Bristol and in the great watch company of Forestville, Connecticut, known as the E. N. Welch Com- panv, and which was later reorganized as the Sessions Watch Company.
One of the most important enterprises in which Mr. Strunz was inter- ested was of quite another order from those above enumerated. The "Bristol Press" is the oldest paper in Bristol, and has played an important part in the formation of public opinion and in influencing the conduct of political affairs in that city. It is, and always has been, an independent pub- lication, and in Mr. Strunz's time was controlled by the same group of public spirited men at whose solicitation he had taken up the management of the electric company. He became also interested in the paper and was
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chosen its president and treasurer, offices which he held most capably, the publication developing greatly during his period of control.
While Mr. Strunz cannot be said to have ever actively taken part in politics, his interest in them was great and he was a keen observer both of the general issues which then agitated the country, and of the more local issues in connection with State and municipal affairs. He was a member of the Republican party, and although he did not seek any public office, indeed rather avoided it where it was consistent with his idea of duty to the com- munity, the local Republican organization, were not slow in recognizing his availability as a candidate. His prominence in the financial and business world, and his great personal popularity were certainly reason enough for this opinion, which the event proved well founded. He was offered the nomination for the State Legislature to represent Bristol. Though he had been very far from seeking this distinction, he would not refuse it and was elected and effectively represented his town during the term of two years from 1898 to 1900.
Mr. Strunz was a conspicuous figure in the social and fraternal life of Bristol, and was a member of a number of orders and similar organizations of that character. He was a member of the Masonic order, and of Hiram Temple, No. 90, Knights of Khorassan, of New Britain, and of E. Lodge, No. 9, Knights of Pythias. He was a member and a faithful attendant at the services of the Congregational church, taking an active part in the work of the congregation. He was interested in the Sunday school, and being a musician of ability, contributed to its success by playing in the Sunday school orchestra.
Mr. Strunz married May 30, 1878, S. Addie Thompson, a daughter of Hiram C. Thompson, of Bristol, Connecticut. Mrs. Strunz survives her husband. To them was born one child, a daughter Hermina, who died at the age of two years. Mrs. Strunz is a member of an old and highly respected family of Connecticut, her ancestors having played a part in the early history of this country, as may be seen in the fact that she is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
CONN-Vol III -11
henry Beckwith
T 'HE death of Henry Beckwith on November 28, 1887, in Bris- tol, Connecticut, was a great loss to that town in which he had all his life resided and played a prominent part in the community life and the conduct of public affairs. His fam- ily was a highly respected one in the neighborhood and Mr. Beckwith was himself born in Bristol, July 28, 1821. He was educated at the local schools and attended the academy for the completion of his studies. After his graduation from this institution, he applied himself to mastering the difficult and delicate trade of the worker in gold leaf, which he did not follow for any great period, however, turning rather to the business world, in which he remained the rest of his life and enjoyed a very considerable success. His first position was with the Bristol Brass Company, one of Bristol's large industrial concerns, engaged in the manufacture of metal implements of divers kinds. Mr. Beckwith took a position with this company as secretary and general superintendent of the spoon department and continued associated with the company until his death.
It was not in this connection, however, that he was best known in Bris- tol. He was a prominent figure in the industrial world, to be sure, but it was as a popular man of affairs that his real influence lay. He was a stanch member of the Republican party and was greatly interested in the political issues that in his time agitated the country. He was unfortunately very much of an invalid, and his ill health prevented him from taking as great a part in politics as he would have liked to do. In spite of this handicap, how- ever, he allied himself with the local organization and did what it was possi- ble for him to, serving on a number of committees in the capacity of chair- man, and exerting a strong influence in the councils of the party. He was chosen justice of the peace about 1847, and continued to hold that responsi- ble and important office for thirty years. Although his health would not permit him to take as active a part as he desired in affairs, it seems remark- able, in reviewing his career, to see how active he was, in spite of that same invalidism. There are many men in perfect health who have the name for energy who do no more or even less than he. He was, for an instance, inca- pacitated from serving in the army in the Civil War, but, determined to be of the utmost service to the Union cause permitted him, he bestirred him- self in the matter of recruiting and did much in that direction of real value. Among the many duties which he took upon himself were those connected with a directorship in the Bristol Savings Bank, and a place on the commit- tee which regulated the loans made by that institution. He also held the offices of constable and tax assessor for Bristol at different times.
Mr. Beckwith was an eminently religious man in the true sense of that phrase, and despite the many calls upon his time and energy, despite respon- sibilities and tasks which would seem overburdensome for any but the most robust health, he added to these much hard work in the cause of the church
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of which he was a member. This was the First Congregational Church of Bristol, which he joined in 1858, and at whose services he was after that date a consistent attendant. He was a valued member of the congregation, tak- ing his full share of the work and responsibilities of that body, and serving it in a number of capacities. He was clerk of the Congregational Society for twenty-five years, clerk of the church for eighteen, and treasurer for twelve, in all of which offices he discharged his duties to the highest satis- faction of his fellow church members, and to the credit of the church. He was also interested in the conduct of the Sunday school and held the post of superintendent of that body for four years, when he resigned on account of ill health. He was a hard worker and a generous benefactor in all church movements, and liberally supported the many philanthropies in connection therewith.
Mr. Beckwith was married, July 14, 1851, to Charlotte Miriam Skinner, a native of East Windsor, Connecticut, and to them were born two children, Mary Catherine and Julia Esther, both of whom survive Mr. Beckwith. The former, Mary Catherine, is now Mrs. L. B. Brewster, of Waterbury, Con- necticut.
Gilbert henry Blakesley
I N the death of Gilbert Henry Blakesley, on June 7, 1911, Bris- tol, Connecticut, lost one of its foremost citizens and a man whose virtues would have brought credit to any place. He was a native of Bristol, having been born July 7, 1840, in Edgewood, then known as Polkville, a suburb of the larger place. His parents were Henry T. and Julia (Simpson) Blakesley, who when he was still a child moved from Bristol and settled in New Haven. They did not remain in that city a great while, however, as Mrs. Blakesley died when her son was but six years old, and Mr. Blakesley soon returned to Bristol, with his son.
Gilbert Henry Blakesley attended the local schools of Bristol, and lived there until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he went to Hartford, where he remained two years, spending that time in mastering the trade of jeweler which, however, he abandoned. All peaceful occupations were broken off at about that time by the outbreak of the Civil War, and Mr. Blakesley enlisted in the army when twenty-two years of age, one of the great host of patriots ready to sacrifice everything for the preservation of the Union. Mr. Blakesley joined Company K of the Sixteenth Regiment of Connecticut Volunteers, and was soon at the front with his fellows and engaged in active service. He continued for several months, when he and another soldier came home with the body of Captain Manross. He was of an inventive and mechanical mind, and before a great while patented a clever device of his invention. He was without the necessary capital to put the device on the market and cast about to find some one to finance the scheme. At length he found a company in Hamilton, Ontario, willing to purchase his invention outright, and this proposition he agreed to, afterwards entering the employ of the same people. He remained in this service for a time, but eventually returned to Bristol, which then became his home for the remain- der of his life and the scene of all his busy activities. After this final return, he found employment in a number of different manufacturing concerns where his mechanical ability gained him consideration and promotion and where he learned much that was valuable to him in his career. At length he became the superintendent of the Jones Shop, which stood in those days where the great factory of the "New Departure" Company is now located. While still thus employed Mr. Blakesley began manufacturing operations on his own account, in the same shop, his specialties being fancy pendulums and garters. His business in these commodities grew so rapidly that it soon
. became necessary to find independent accommodations for their manufac- ture, and he moved accordingly to the old Darrow Shop situated on Meadow street, where he continued for a few years, and then closed it out.
In 1887 he organized the Blakesley Novelty Company, with Mr. Blakes- ley as president, for the manufacture of elastic goods. It was under the circumstances in which Mr. Blakesley found himself at this time that his mechanical genius found its best expression, and feeling no restraining influ-
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ence, he at once went to work and devised not only many novelties for the trade, but many of the mechanisms for use in their manufacture, and much of the present equipment is his invention. Indeed the development of this industry became properly his life work, and it is due alike to his mechanical genius and his ability as a business manager that the concern prospered. At the time of the company's organization it was located at the corner of Main and School streets, in what was known as the Root Clock Shop. Here the business was housed until the building of the present factory on Laurel street. Mr. Blakesley was also associated with the Bristol Press Publishing Company.
Indeed, Mr. Blakesley in his entire connection with the affairs of Bristol showed a disinterestedness most admirable. A strong adherent of the Re- publican party and of its principles and policies, he never sought to benefit himself by the connection, nor to use his official influence to further any personal aim. He was for several years the chairman of the town committee of the local organization, but he seemed always to regard this as a purely private function which any citizen might fill out of interest in the aims of the party, but giving him no rights in return in his dealings with official- dom. He rather sought to remain entirely within the sphere of private citizenship, yet when his party required his services as candidate, he would not say no. He served his fellow citizens for four years on the board of bur- gesses and for two years as warden of the borough of Bristol.
Outside of his work in building up the industry which bears his name, Mr. Blakesley gave more time and energy to the development of the fire de- partment of Bristol than to any one other object. Certainly it was chief among his civic interests, and the story of his connection with it is an inter- esting one. For many years he served on the board consisting of five mem- bers which had charge of Bristol's precautions against fire and did admirable service, serving as its secretary from the death of John Birge until his own death. When he first joined the board the department was of a somewhat primitive order, but Mr. Blakesley at once set to work with ardor, and with the definite purpose of making it one of the best and most efficient in the State of Connecticut. He was able to accomplish great results in this direc- tion, working at the improvement in both the personnel and the equipment of the department, and keeping a supervising eye over the men's interests. Indeed, he was at great pains to see to it that all was well with the force, not merely in the relation of the individuals to the department, but in their more remote private affairs, and often followed up any hint of trouble, and by his kind and fatherly advice and his generosity, often rendered invaluable help. In short he became on the best of terms with the men, who in conse- quence felt a willingness to go to any lengths to please him and gratify his well known ambition for the department. This attitude on the part of the men caused an esprit-de-corps, most advantageous to the department. One of Mr. Blakesley's particular ambitions for the department was to have installed the new type of auto chemical engine which has since so largely taken the place of the horse-drawn machines. It was largely due to his efforts that in 1909, two years before his death, the town actually purchased one of these engines. The two years were amply sufficient to prove all that
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Mr. Blakesley had claimed for the device, and he thus had the satisfaction of witnessing the triumph of his views and their general acceptance. He was a member of the G. W. Thompson Post, Grand Army of the Republic ; a charter member of Bristol Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; of Franklin Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; of Bristol Club and of the Army and Navy Club.
Mr. Blakesley married, December 22, 1897, Elizabeth Norton, a native of Bristol, daughter of Charles and Martha (Stocking) Norton, of Bristol. Mrs. Blakesley survives her husband.
Achille Francois Migcon
A CHILLE FRANCOIS MIGEON, in whose death on Janu- ary 1, 1903, Torrington, Connecticut, lost one of its fore- most citizens and the man who, of all others, was most closely identified with its industrial development, was of French descent, and exemplified well in his own person the virtues of that brilliant race, which has accomplished such wonders in the cause of progress and contributed so valuable an element to the complex fabric of the American population. He came of a well known and prominent French family and was related to many of the old houses in that country. He was one of a household consisting of seven children, the other six being daughters, and his parents were Henri and Marie Louise (Baudelot) Migeon.
Henri Migeon was a man of parts. He was born in Haraucourt, France, September 11, 1799, and in manhood became associated with the woolen industry in his own country. The opportunity for development held forth by the youthful republic of the American continent, now for the first time able to turn its undivided attention to its own needs and opportunities, appealed to the enterprising merchants of France, who rightly felt assured of a kindly welcome in the country which they had so effectively befriended in the time of its utmost need. This opportunity was already being taken advantage of by the Americans themselves, when in 1828, Henri Migeon came to this country for the purpose of introducing French machinery for the manufacture of woolen goods. M. Migeon came well accredited, bear- ing letters of introduction from the Marquis de Lafayette to Philip Hone, at that time mayor of New York. His purpose in visiting this country being made known, he was very well received, and offered much encouragement. He returned, accordingly, to France, bearing with him many messages to his noble patron from the distinguished men of this country, intending to return and push his campaign with vigor. So much had he been impressed, indeed, by conditions in the United States, that he decided to make it more than a temporary residence, and when he returned in 1829 it was to bring his family with him and make here a permanent home. The advantages of the devices which he brought with him from France had become apparent, and more than one place sought to induce him to settle there. Governor Wolcott, of Connecticut, sought to persuade him to live in Wolcottville in that State, now Torrington, which had been named for the Governor on account of the aid he had given it in its early years. But although M. Migeon came finally to live there, he did not at once accept the Governor's offer chosing rather Millbury, Massachusetts, where he considered the financial inducements superior. He remained in this place but four years, however, and in 1833 removed to Wolcottville or Torrington, where he be- came associated with the woolen mills which were the early representatives of what later became one of Torrington's great industries. These mills were largely owned by Governor Wolcott and members of the Wolcott
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family, and M. Migeon was employed there for a number of years. He be- came the owner of the Dr. Oliver Wolcott estate at Litchfield, and there made his home for a time. But Henri Migeon's talent was not merely for business management, but included great mechanical ability, and in the year 1837 he patented a device of his own for the refinishing of broadcloths, which he sought to introduce into the trade. In this effort he was phenome- nally successful, but his success was well deserved for his method revolution- ized the industry and brought to him a fortune. He went to New York City during the remaining years of his active life and there made his headquar- ters. M. Migeon did not, however, choose to remain in active business all his life, and in 1854, while still comparatively a young man, he retired to his home in Torrington and there spent the remainder of his days, engaged in many movements for the benefit of his adopted community. He was a highly cultivated man, and one well versed in politics of the world and in literature. He was also a man of great public spirit and placed his attain- ments unreservedly at the disposal of the American town in which he had chosen to live. He perceived the advantage to the community of beautiful streets and set out many handsome shade trees for their adornment. He was also greatly interested in the public schools and did much to render their work as effective as possible, besides making great friends with the pupils, to whom he was accustomed to make presents. In the centennial year he presented all the children attending the various grades with gold coins, one for each child, with the date, 1876, engraved thereon. But though M. Migeon thus became a loyal American, he never lost his interest in and his love for France, to which he made a number of trips, during one of which he was presented to the Emperor Napoleon III.
Achille Francois Migeon, the worthy son of a worthy father, was born on February 7, 1834, in Millbury, Massachusetts, but did not remain there. His parents had already made their home in Torrington, and there. after his birth, they took him, his childhood up to the age of nine years being passed in that town. In 1843 his parents once more moved, this time to Litchfield, Connecticut, where his father had purchased the Wolcott estate. It was in Litchfield that he began his education, attending the local schools for the elementary part of his studies. Here too there was developed another factor in his liberal education. His father was extremely fond of horticultural pur- suits, and this fondness the broad acres of the Wolcott estate gave him opportunity to indulge to the fullest. From this beautiful occupation the growing boy derived much advantage, finding it a strong influence for cul- ture in his life. His next regular schooling was at an institution in Tarry- town, New York, and he completed his preparatory studies in the Irvington Institute. He then matriculated in the Hampden Institute and took a more advanced course. His keen, alert and comprehensive intellect early began to display itself, and his success in his studies drew the favorable attention of his instructors upon him. His quickness brought him through his classes with unusual celerity, so that at the early age of sixteen he had completed his schooling and was ready to begin his business career. His first experi- ence in the mercantile world was as a clerk in a store in Waterbury, Connec- ticut, where he remained long enough to gain an elementary knowledge of
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American business methods. His father was naturally desirous for him to become acquainted with the details of the woolen industry with a view to his eventually taking a place in the former's business, and he was accord- ingly sent at the age of eighteen to the Middlesex Mills in Lowell, Massa- chusetts, where he might observe the various steps in the manufacture of these goods. He remained thus employed for a period of eighteen months, his unusually quick intelligence aiding him in mastering his subject, and then became associated with his father's business in New York City. In the year 1855, upon reaching the age of twenty-one years, Mr. Migeon, and his brother-in-law, Mr. Turrell, bought the Migeon business from the father and conducted it in partnership for the succeeding nine years. In 1864 Mr. Migeon sold out his interest to Mr. Turrell, and returning to Torrington he began there that career which has been so largely instrumental in developing the great industries which to-day distinguish that prosperous city. His first venture in this direction was the establishment on a firm financial foot- ing of what has now become the Union Hardware Company of Torrington. He had already become interested in this concern, and it was due in large measure to his energetic management that the company entered upon that growth which has made it of recent years one of the largest and most im- portant of the Torrington business houses. It was he who had the business moved to its present quarters, and caused the construction of buildings to provide adequate space for its accommodation. He was soon elected to the office of president, which he held for many years. One of the largest and most important of all Mr. Migeon's enterprises is the Excelsior Needle Com- pany, which, with three other gentlemen, Mr. Migeon organized in 1866. The factory at that time consisted of a single small stone building with a rude shed in the rear, situated out from Torrington on a hillside. But the method of needle making was a great improvement over anything in use at that time, and this, coupled with Mr. Migeon's great executive ability, brought the company through one of the most phenomenal growths, even in that region and period of rapid industrial development, until it reached its present position as one of the most important industrial enterprises in the State of Connecticut, and the largest needle manufacturing plant in the world. Of this great concern Mr. Migeon was president up to the time of his death. The story of the Excelsior Needle Company and the Union Hardware Company was repeated in a number of other cases in an equally striking manner. He was one of the principal promoters and the president of the Eagle Bicycle Company, and a director of the Coe Brass Manufactur- ing Company, the Hendey Machine Company, and the Turner & Seymour Manufacturing Company, all among the most important enterprises of Tor- rington. He was also a stockholder in the Torrington Water Works.
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