USA > Connecticut > Representative men of Connecticut, 1861-1894 > Part 24
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The tidal wave of democracy which swept over the country was too strong to be over- come, and he failed of election. The battle of ballots was well fought, but victory was with the opposition. If the Republicans of Connecticut do their whole duty, they will see to it in the future that Lieutenant-Governor Merwin is placed (where he should have been several years ago) in the gubernatorial chair. No citizen of the state inore richly deserves the honor.
letestimbale
Massachusetts. F. blishing Co, Everett, Mine
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OF CONNECTICUT, 1861-1894.
Financial and other institutions occupy no small share of Governor Merwin's attention. At present, he is president of the New Haven Savings Bank-the largest savings institution in the city- and he holds the same office in the Connecticut Hospital Society, and is a trustee of the Orphan Asylum. He is also a director in the New Haven & Derby Railroad, and in the Shepaug, Litchfield & Northern Railroad, both of the companies being leased to the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. These various official positions indicate the esteem in which he is held by his associates, and they are an equal indication of his charitable nature, as all are a drain on his time and pocket without any pecuniary com- pensation. Almost daily is it his pleasant privilege to be the counsellor and advisor of widows and orphans. Frequently during the past score of years Governor Merwin has been called upon by the business men of New Haven to settle various estates, including those of banks, merchants, manufacturers, and insurance companies. In all of the important trusts which have been confided to him, and some of them have been exceedingly complicated, he has ever won the respect and grateful acknowledginent of the creditors for his faithful and energetic settlements.
During his two score years of residence in New Haven, by his public spirit and zeal in the welfare of his adopted city, Governor Merwin has endeared himself to all classes of citizens. In all the various walks of life, whether civil or military, public or private, his name has been synonymous with honor, integrity and strength. Not all of the good deeds of such a man as he show on the surface, and numerous are the families who liave cause to bless his memory for benefactions unknown to the outside world. In every way worthy to occupy the seat once filled by Buckingham and Jewell, the people of Connecticut will honor them- selves by making him the administrative head of the state.
Samuel E. Merwin was married Feb. 27, 1857, to Lucy Emily Beers, daughter of Anthony and Betsy Beers of Brookfield.
IMBALL, CARLOS CLINTON, son of Daniel Kimball, Jr., and of Roxana (McCray) Kimball, was born at Ellington, Conn., April 24, 1828. Having graduated at the Ellington Academy, in 1848, he continued his studies in the classical department of the Williston Seminary at Easthampton, Mass. He left this institution to take the position of assistant principal in the academy of his native town, whence he was invited to take charge of the high school in the Green- ville district of Norwich, Conn., where he remained for three years. In both places the proficiency of his classes, especially in mathematics, attracted the attention of educators; and also an order and discipline that were maintained without apparent effort, and with rare displays of authority. He resigned his position in Greenville to become principal of the Webster School in New Haven, where the corps of teachers under him numbered from twelve to fourteen. After remaining here for three years, although the work had many attractions for him, he decided that a career having broader relations with the world pre- sented greater opportunities for both pleasure and profit. In 1860, he accordingly resigned, and after two years spent in travel took up the permanent business of life.
In 1863, Mr. Kimball located in Hartford, accepting the management of the New Eng- land department (embracing all New England except Boston) of the Insurance Company of North America. Established at Philadelphia in 1792, this is the oldest and, with a single exception, the largest fire insurance company in the United States. For thirty years the relationship has continued without a ripple, to the eminent satisfaction of all parties. Con- sidering the vicissitudes of the business, it is remarkable that the books of the office show a net profit for every year of this long term.
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REPRESENTATIVE MEN
In 1866, the Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company began operations on a capital of $300,000, and at the end of twelve months found that about one-third of the sum had been swallowed up in the experiment. Visions of bankruptcy alarıncd the stock- holders. Meanwhile the value of the shares had fallen one-half, and some of the owners took steps preliminary to winding up the venturc. At this juncture Mr. Kimball, after repeated solicitations from the directors, consented to accept the presidency. He at once radically revised its aims and methods, infusing such vitality into the management that within three years the impairment of capital was made good from the business, and the company established on a dividend paying basis. Having learned by observation what could be accom- plished on the somewhat novel plans of the association, other parties now secretly bought a controlling interest in the property for the purpose of handling it. As often happens in such cases, the promoters of the scheme failed to win the success which had allured their ambition, though later the enterprise became solidly established.
Mr. Kimball has for many years been constantly solicited to take part in the organization and management of new enterprises. Although compelled in many cases to decline, he has found time to aid in the permanent establishment of several of our highly-successful institu- tions, both financial and industrial. A few may be mentioned by way of illustration. He was one of the corporators and from the beginning has been a director of the Security Com- pany and of the Loan and Guaranty Company. He is a director in the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. In association with William A. Healey he became a shareholder in what is now the Pratt & Cady Company in its early days, and as director has been identified with its remarkable growth. In 1884, he accepted the presidency of the Smythe Manufacturing Company which has developed the patents and makes the only machine in America for sewing books by thread. From small beginnings and in the face of inany obstacles, it has been gradually introduced into leading binderies in all parts of the world. Even Russia, supposed to be impenetrable to the latest devices of civilization, has several in operation, and a number have found their way to Australia. The mechanismn so combines simplicity with ingenuity, and in the process of evolution is covered by so many interlock- ing patents, that it is not likely to have a rival for a long time to come. Shares in the capital stock of $300,000 are eagerly sought at a large premium. When Mr. Kimball assumed charge of the business the machine was still quite imperfect, but he had entire faith in the correctness of the underlying principle. Hence with unwearied assiduity he applied his energies to the double task of perfecting the various devices that contributed to the accom- plishment of a common end, and of overcoming the popular prejudice which at first declared the undertaking to be impracticable. In this instance, patience, tact and a fertility of resource suited to the conquest of both physical and moral difficulties, have met deserved success.
Mr. Kimball has always held aloof from the intrigues of politics, refusing to be a can- didate for elective offices, or to enter in any way into the rush for place. His deep interest in popular education has led him to take a long and active part in the management of his local school district, and he has served as one of the board of school visitors for the town.
On the formation of the Hartford Board of Trade, in 1888, Mr. Kimball was elected first vice-president, and has been annually reelected since. An intimate knowledge of ine- chanical principles, skill in detecting the vital excellencies and defects of mechanical con- trivances, and a broad acquaintance with practical affairs, have made his services in this position peculiarly valuable to the association and to the public.
Mr. Kimball married Oct. 29, 1863, Caroline E., daughter of Hon. E. A. Converse of Staffordville, Conn., a man of very high character, whose active career in business spanned nearly half a century. He has two sons, George Converse and Frederick Strong Kimball, both graduates of Yale University, and both now in business in Hartford.
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OF CONNECTICUT, 1861-1894.
B
ATCHELLER, WHEELOCK THAYER, of Winsted, ex-comptroller of the state, was born in Winchester, Conn., Feb. 18, 1840.
This branch of the Batcheller family is of Massachusetts stock, the old homestead being located in Worcester County. In 1817, Wheelock T. Batcheller transferred his residence to Winsted, and, in 1833, he was followed by his son, William G. Batcheller. The latter married Julia M. Thayer, and of their two sons the subject of this sketch was the youngest.
Young Batcheller's education was received at the common schools of his native town, and at the Claverack (New York) Institute. Deciding to pursue a mercantile life, he entered the business of scythe manufacturing, founded by his maternal grandfather. While thus engaged a call to arms was made for the suppression of the Rebellion, and he enlisted in Company F, Second Connecticut Volunteers, Col. Terry's regiment, and went to the front as first lieutenant. He participated in the disastrous battle of Bull Run, and upon his return from his original three months' enlistment he assisted in organizing the Twenty- eighth Connecticut Volunteers, and though he had but just passed his majority, was chosen lieutenant-colonel. In the campaign around Port Hudson Lieut .- Col. Batcheller commanded his regiment, the colonel being in command of the brigade.
He was afterwards transferred to the quartermaster-general's department of Gen. Sherman's army, and had charge of important railroads in Georgia and North Carolina from Johnston's surrender to the official close of the war. He was mustered out in December, 1865, with an enviable reputation for faithful service.
In 1867, Mr. Batcheller resumed the manufacture of scythes, and was the president of the George Dudley & Son Company from 1882 to 1889, and in the last named year retired from active business, though he is now interested financially in several manufacturing companies.
Mr. Batcheller has had his share of official honors, but they have never been of his seeking. In 1879, without his solicitation and by a handsome majority, he was elected representative to the legislature from Winsted as a Republican. At this session he served as House chairman of the military committee, and made a good record for efficient work. In 1880, he was elected comptroller of the state on the ticket with Gov. H. B. Bigelow, and filled that responsible position for two years. Mr. Batcheller was prevailed upon to allow his name to be used as the Republican candidate for senator from the eighteenth district in 1885, and was again sent to the capital to represent his constituents. His previous experience inade him an exceedingly valuable inember, and he served on the com- mittee on appropriations in 1885, and the following year his committees were finance and capitol grounds and furniture. These were the last two years at which annual sessions were held.
Taking a zealous interest in the welfare of the Grand Army of the Republic, Mr. Batcheller was a charter inember of Palmer Post of Winsted, and has served as an aid on the department commander's staff.
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REPRESENTATIVE MEN
ILLER, EDWARD, founder and present head of thic extensive corporation of Edward Miller & Company, Meriden, was born in Wallingford, Conn., Aug. 10, 1827. His grandfather was Rev. Samuel Miller of Wallingford, and his father, Joel Miller, lived on thic old homestead in carly life, but, transferring his residence to Meriden, he dicd there in 1865. The mothicr of the future manufacturer was Clarissa, daughter of Scth D. Plum, one of the first to engage in the production of tin ware and a prominent man in his day.
As a farmer's boy, and amid the surroundings of an ordinary Connecticut farin, Edward Miller started on the journey of life. The common schools of the district where he lived, together with a couple of terms at Post's Academy, Meriden, afforded him all the education he received, except that to be obtained from the great book of Nature, or that which lie acquired later in the severe school of experience. Work and the practical affairs of daily life filled young Miller's time after his tenth year far more than ideas gained from books. At the age of fifteen, he began to learn how to make lamp screws, hoops and candlestick springs .in the small factory of Mr. H. N. Howard of Meriden, the family having moved to that city several years previously. His faithfulness here secured him a position at better wages with Stedman & Clark, who manufactured a similar line of goods, where he remained two years. Gradually the ambition had grown within him to manufacture and sell goods which should be identified with his own name. Accordingly he proposed to his father that he buy a set of tools, and manufacture springs, screws, etc., and place on the market in the Miller name. Later a partnership was formed under the style of Joel Miller & Son. An old wood shed was utilized as a factory, foot power lathes and presses were set up, and the manufacture undertaken. After the partnership had continued over a year, Mr. Edward Miller, then only twenty years of age, bought out his father's interest and his own legal "time," up to his majority, for $800.00, giving his notes in payment. Unusual success at- tended his operations, as before the end of the following year the notes were paid out of the profits. His limited quarters becoming too straitened for the amount of business trans- acted, a new shop was added, horse power took the place of foot, and a little later steam furnished the motive power. Each advance represented a stage of progress towards greater things to come.
Mr. Miller's ideas of extension grew faster even than his rapidly growing business. More room, better appliances, and greater freedom in manufacturing were needed. At this time the ground where the present great factory stands was purchased, his wife, who had become his helper and counsellor, being much opposed to the movement, as she feared the loss of the little fortune they had accumulated. The wooden factory was built, and the plant included a small stationary engine. New inventions had been demanded by the trade before this date, as the use of camphene and burning fluid was widespread. Every demand was met promptly. As rapidly as the market called for new designs, with equal celerity did Mr. Miller change the products of his factory. The production of fluid burners was increased, improvements being made as needed, invention going hand in hand with the process of manufacture. Every prospect seemed bright, but disaster came from an un- expected quarter. A sudden fire swept through the factory, levelling it completely and destroying dies and patterns, lathes and presses, the result of thirteen years' hard work. The engine and boiler were the only things preserved amid the general destruction. The blow was a severe one, but Mr. Miller met it with fortitude. The fire occurred in the early part of 1856, but before the close of the year everything was in running order again. Then came the panic of 1857, and all the neighboring shops were shut down. When the
Eng.'
Edward Miller
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OF CONNECTICUT, 1861-1894.
financial cyclone had somewhat spent its force, Mr. Miller went to New York, January 1, 1858, seeking for something novel or useful with . which to retrieve his shattered fortunes. He saw the kerosene burner, just brought from Austria. Returning home at once, he determined to make this new burner, only in an improved condition. Owing to the cost of the distilled oil, fluid burners were in much greater demand than kerosene, but the new kind of burner was inade and placed on the market. Otliers soon followed where he led, but he deserves the distinction of being the first to offer kerosene burners in the market as the product of American manufacture.
The dawn of a new era in illuminating was now opening upon the country. As the coal fields of Pennsylvania and Ohio were opened, the price of oil was lowered, and the demand for the burner increased immensely. Useful and ornamental brass goods were added, and again the factory became taxed beyond its capacity, necessitating successive en- largements. In 1866, it seemed wise to Mr. Miller to associate with himself other capitalists in the business. A joint stock company was formed in July of that year, under the corporation name of Edward Miller & Company, the capital being $200,000. The already large plant continued to grow under the auspices of the new company, until now the factory covers several acres of ground and work is furnished to nearly 800 employees.
Let a few sentences from the Meriden Daily Journal show how the standing of the firm is appreciated at home : "The company's prosperity is such that it knows no dull periods or its workinen want of employment. The departments are fully equipped with all the most inodern machinery that can aid in the rapid and perfect production of goods. It is the rule in the manufacture of their goods that excellence is the grand thing to be at- tained, and the high esteem in which their products are held by dealers and consumers warrants the assertion that they realize the end sought. Their products are largely exported to foreign lands, and immense as this business is, it is daily increasing. It would be an impossibility to enumerate the great assortment of articles made by this company. Prominent among them are lamp trimmings of every variety, tinners' hardware, together with brass and bronze goods. Their designs are thoroughly their own, and are selected by those appreciative of the superiority of American goods and the American styles over those of foreign lands. Yet the company keeps a sharp eye on the centres of artistic productions, with a view that none shall excel them. The result is that not only are the designs of art centres equalled, but in most cases excelled by the addition of the American artist.
"In 1884, the company began to manufacture the 'Rochester' lamps. No adequate conception of their value as illuminators could be gained, however, except to see them when lighted. They give a clear, steady, beautiful, yet strong light, that is proof at first sight of their superiority. Over one thousand different designs of the 'Rochester' are made, varying from the 'Rochester, Jr.' to the 'Mammoth,' capable of flooding the largest hall with a light almost equal to that of an electric arc light."
When the "Rochester" lamp reached its present standard, Mr. Miller thought perfection had been attained; still as imitations began to be placed on the market he determined to reach out further than ever into the realms of light production. Every principle of the new lamp must have a scientific basis, and no detail be omitted which would affect its working in the slightest degree. The result of his experiments finds expression in the " Miller " lamp, in which there is nothing left to be desired. It is sim- plicity itself. It has no dirt pocket, and cannot get out of order; the central draft through a solid, seamless brass tube cannot leak ; it has the screw adjustment and plunge movement to be used at pleasure, both perfect ; oil cannot drip down the tube, and to crown all, it has the best and simplest device for rewicking ever invented. Naturally Mr. Miller takes
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great pride in this latest achievement. Every point of importance is different from all other lamps, and each new principle is fully covered by patents. It was but fitting that the man who made the first kerosene burner should produce the perfect lamp of the future, and it was equally fitting that this king of burners should bear his name.
Mr. Miller, when by himself, always relied wholly upon the merit of his productions for success, and following this course the company have achieved a reputation which is very valuable. There is the same careful attention paid to the minute details of the business, from mixing the native metals which form the alloy, to the final finishing of the smallest article they produce. There is always the same earnest endeavor to attain perfection, and the company has as nearly reached it as it is possible for inan to do. The present officers of the company are Edward Miller, president; Edward Miller, Jr., secretary and treasurer; B. C. Kennard, assistant treasurer; and Arthur Miller, superintendent.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Miller is an ardent supporter of the principles of his party. Refusing solicitations to accept political preferment, he has confined himself wholly to the building up of the magnificent business of which he is rightly the head. A Baptist in religious belief, he is a member of the church on Broad street, and is warmly attached to his church home, to the yearly support of which he is a liberal donor, and in 1869 his thoughtfulness showed itself in the gift of an elegant organ, which has added no little to the interest and solemnity of the worship. Mr. Miller is an acknowledged leader in his denomination throughout the state, and for a series of years has been treasurer of the Connecticut Baptist Education Society.
But his liberality is by no means confined to the denomination of which he forms an integral part. All true objects of benevolence, both within and without the Baptist fraternity, share in his generosity. His donation to the German Baptists resulted in the erection of their building, and gave the work a great impetus. At one time there was a crisis in the affairs of the Connecticut Literary Institute of Suffield, and the sum of $50,000 was needed to place it on a firm financial basis. Mr. Miller saw the opportunity, and by making a leading gift, set the ball in motion and the necessary amount was pledged. His grasp of the situation and his promptness in acting were in every way characteristic of the donor. That worthy organization, the Young Men's Christian Association, has also been a sharer in his bounty, and his benevolence has been shown in numerous ways not known to the outside public. It is an interesting study to trace the development, both of the inan and of the great industry with which his life is identified, and the solid character of the first permeates every ramification of the latter. The high reputation gained by the company could never have been secured if the man behind it had ever lowered his standards or cheapened his productions.
Edward Miller was married April 14, 1830, to Caroline M., daughter of Joel Neal of Southington. Mrs. Miller at once became her husband's active helper and wise counsellor. She did not disdain to aid him in light work in the shop when orders were pressing, and she assisted him materially in laying the foundation of the business. Five children have been born to them, three of whom are now living. Edward Miller, Jr., is a graduate of Brown University, and is the secretary and treasurer of the company. A large portion of the management has devolved upon him during the past ten years, and he is a worthy son of such a sire. Arthur E. Miller has been lately promoted to the superintendency of the factory, and is a young man of great promise. Layette A. is the wife of Charles A. Kendrick of Meriden.
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OF CONNECTICUT, 1861-1894.
ARNAM, HENRY,* of New Haven, civil engineer and ex-president of the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad, was born in the town of Scipio, Cayuga County, N. Y., Nov. 9, 1803. He died Oct. 4, 1883, just before reaching the Biblical limit of four score years.
During the last quarter of the last century, a small company of Connecticut farmers left the pleasant valley of the Thames to settle in the wilderness west of the Hudson. At that time even the eastern part of the state of New York was regarded as the far West. Much of the land was thickly wooded, and they who made their homes there were true pioneers. They had not only to clear the surface which they expected to till, they had to face, if necessary, the attacks of the Indians. Eliab Farnam of Preston, with his wife and child, formed part of the company. He settled in Mount Hope, Orange County, and there spent the remainder of his days. His son, Jeffrey Amherst Farnam, married his cousin, Mercy Tracy, and after two years passed in Big Flats, where their first child was born, the young couple moved to the town of Scipio, where the rest of their eleven children were born, and where, in 1842, Jeffrey Farnamn died.
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