USA > Connecticut > Representative men of Connecticut, 1861-1894 > Part 35
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From his childhood, young Pratt showed mechanical inclinations which gave indication of genius. At an early age the boy was found repeatedly stealing away from his compan- ions to construct and put in operation a turning lathe, a water wheel, or a steam engine. While other lads were at play after school or on holidays, he employed his time with a jack-knife and such rude tools as he could command, in giving shape and form to mechani- cal designs which had previously been evolved from his busy brain during school hours, or when lying awake at night; schemes of a practical nature even then, as in later life, effectually banishing sleep.
When he was eight years old Mr. Pratt's parents moved to Lowell, Mass., and his education begun in his native town was continued in his new home until he was seventeen. He had the good fortune to be apprenticed to Warren Aldrich, a machinist of excellent reputation as to his workmanship, and a kind master. The indifferent facilities with which the machine shops of that day were supplied, furnished just the incentive which the young apprentice needed to bring into exercise his expanding inventive genius. The lack of a proper tool was often in his case the occasion of an invention which filled the need. At the age of twenty, Mr. Pratt went to Gloucester, N. J., where he was employed first as a journeyman, and later as a contractor. In 1852, having secured a position in the pistol factory of Samuel Colt, he removed to Hartford, where he has since made his home. Being offered the foremanship of the Phoenix Iron Works, he accepted the situation, and finally became superintendent of the works. While at Colt's factory, he had made the acquaintance of Mr. Amos Whitney, and, knowing him to be a skilled workman, when an important open- ing was to be filled at the Phoenix Works, he selected Mr. Whitney, and the two labored together at this establishment until 1861.
The year before closing their connection with the Phoenix Works, the young men made their plans and resolved to unite their fortunes. Hiring a room, some of their first work was done for the Willimantic Linen Company. A few months after getting into operation, their shop was destroyed by fire, but another month found them settled in new quarters, the energy of their subsequent career thus early showing itself in action. Here they con- tinued to grow, until all the available space in the building was occupied by their machinery. In 1862, Pratt & Whitney took Munroe Stannard of New Britain into partnership, and in view of the present capital of half a million, their contribution of $1,200 each as a work- ing basis seems alınost preposterous. From "Hartford in 1889," a volume prepared by Mr. P. H. Woodward, secretary of the Hartford Board of Trade, some pertinent paragraphs are quoted :
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Beginning with the manufacture of machine tools, gun tools, and tools for the makers of sewing machines, the firm has gradually extended its lines till a partial catalogue of its products fills hundreds of pages. Here, in applied mechanics, the resources of science and art have been long and conscientiously devoted to the task of embodying the ideal in the real. A poor piece of work was never knowingly allowed to be done on tlie premises. To the mind of every one conversant with the business the imprint of the establishment signifies simplicity, strength, precision, elegance, durability, and complete adaptation of means to ends. Essential as is the question of prices and profits, it has here always ranked secondary to the question of materials and work- manship.
The company made an invaluable contribution to science not less than the mechanical arts by producing, after years of effort and at great expeuse, a machine for exact and uniform measurements. The troubles which, from lack of standard guages, beset every large shop, and the growing demand for the production of inter- changeable bolts and nuts, early in the sixties led to the general agitation of the subject among mechanical engineers, especially those connected with the building and repair shops of railways, with a view of finding, if possible, a remedy for the evil. Among the benefits secured a few may be mentioned by way of illustration : Railways now find it practicable to have all bolts and nuts of any one size perfectly interchangeable. The adoption of definite diameters for the centers and tires of locomotive driving-wheels has reduced the number of sizes from infinitude to six. The production of pipe and fittings has been brought to uniformity. Standard guages for these and other uses, too many to be enumerated, are made by The Pratt & Whitney Company.
The story of the financial and other struggles of the early partners in laying the foundation of the present great corporation reads like one of Jules Verne's romances. None but the parties themselves can ever understand, much less appreciate, the nature or the magnitude of the obstacles they encountered, the sacrifice involved, and the unceasing and gigantic efforts employed, in surmounting them one after another as they were presented. If the two young men had not possessed a reserve fund of pluck, endurance and determina- tion, which gave thein a sublime faith in themselves and a confidence which could not suffer defeat, the end sought would never have been successfully attained. In 1869, under a charter from the state, the Pratt & Whitney Company was incorporated, with a capital of $350,coo, afterwards increased to $500,000 from earnings. Of the present company, Mr. Pratt is president, and has been from the start the controlling spirit. He has inade 110 less than eight trips to Europe, principally in the interests of the company, and has secured foreign business amounting to nearly three millions of dollars. The European features of the company's output are entirely the result of his suggestions and efforts. The value of the connections thus formed and of the reputation gained for the Pratt & Whitney Com- pany throughout the civilized world, it would be impossible to compute by a money standard. Taking a broad and comprehensive view of business affairs, Mr. Pratt believes that for his company the world is its field, and therefore that it is only necessary to seek business in a liberal and intelligent way to secure it every time in the open inarket.
He has been a conspicuous exponent of the industrial enterprises of Hartford for the last score and a half of years. Having acquired a high reputation among scientific men at home and abroad, Mr. Pratt is regarded as an expert in nearly every branch of mechanical art. This reputation gained for him in 1891 an appointment from the secre- tary of the treasury of the United States as one of the board of commissioners for the expert examination of the treasury vaults. The city of Hartford has received eight years of valu- able service from him-four as a member of the Board of Water Commissioners, and four years as one of the city fathers on the Board of Aldermen. Beside the immense corporation of which he is the head, Mr. Pratt is president of the Electric Generator Company, and is a director in the Pratt & Cady Company. Interested in everything which tends to develop the business prosperity of his adopted city, he holds a directorship in that energetic organ- ization, the Hartford Board of Trade. He is a valued member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Joining the Masonic fraternity in early life, he is now a Master Mason and member of St. John's Lodge.
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Oct. 31, 1851, a double wedding occurred in Lowell, Mass. F. A. Pratt was joined in marriage to Harriet E., daughter of Jolin R. Cole of Lowell. At the same time and place, cx-alderman Asa S. Cook of Hartford, married an older sister. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pratt, five of whom died in infancy, and one son at the age of twenty-six years. Of the two surviving children, Carrie Louise is now Mrs. J. E. Spalding of Hartford, and Francis C. Pratt, a graduate of the Sheffield Scientific School, is in busi- mess with his father.
W ETMORE, JOHN GRINNELL, of Winsted, manufacturer, and president of the Winsted National Bank, was born in Winchester, April 27, 1817.
The Wetmore family of Connecticut is descended from Thomas Whitmore, who came from the west of England to Boston, Mass., in 1635, being the eleventh year of the reign of Charles the First. The first mention of his name to be found in the colonial records is in the Wethersfield town records in 1639-40, as the owner of certain lands, where it appears he first settled on coming to the Connecticut river. Subsequently he removed to Hartford, though the exact date is unknown. Later, Mr. Whitmore, with his father-in-law, John Hall, and three others were the first to settle the plantation of Mattabesek, now Middletown. The spelling of the name began to be changed to its present form in the third generation, and was very generally adopted in the fourth. Mr. Whitmore was married three times and became the father of sixteen children. Of these, the family line comes down through Samuel, the seventh, Samuel, Jr., John and Seth, to a second John, born in Winchester, October, 1780. He married Huldah, daughter of Thomas and Phœbe (Grinnell) Spencer, by whom he had seven children, John G. Wetmore being the fifth.
A common school education was all that the future manufacturer and capitalist received. His first business venture was as merchant in company with Lucius Clarke, and later he was extensively engaged as a builder. The production of woolen goods occupied his atten- tion for several years, and finally he began the manufacture of pins, which he continued with great success up to the time of his death.
The present flourishing New England Pin Company, of which he was part owner and manager, was organized in 1851, with Mr. Wetmore as general manager. It was the day of small things, the machines were few in number, of old style and of poor working qualities. Large quantities of pins were imported at this time, and the manufacture in this country was monopolized by the American and Howe Pin Companies, for the reason principally that they held the only patent for sticking pins. He was determined to overcome the difference between his company and their competitors. Setting his inventive genius to work, after two years of constant application and an expense of $20,000, he perfected a machine which would do the work of ten of those owned by the old companies. As soon as these machines were put in operation the New England Company made rapid strides towards success. From time to time other companies were purchased, and the business merged into the parent corporation. Among them were companies in New Jersey, Boston, Montreal, Cohoes, N. Y., and the last being the Pyramid Pin Company, a large establishment located at New Haven. Naturally the business assumed immense proportions. The present plant is furnished with every modern improvement, and has a capacity for the production of 11,000,000 pins daily. Jay E. Spaulding, son-in-law of Mr. Wetmore, came into the concern as book-keeper in
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1872, three years later he was made secretary of the company, and for the past ten years he has been business manager as well. Since Mr. Wetmore's death he continues as the executive head of the concern.
In political life Mr. Wetmore was originally an old line Whig, and on the formation of the Republican party he became a member, and was ever afterwards a sturdy upholder of its principles. Whenever he thought it would advance the interests of the town he allowed himself to be elected to various offices. He has been selectman of the town, and was one of the first officers of the borough of Winsted, having been warden fromn 1862 to 1865. For the years 1861 and 1862 he represented the town in the state legislature.
Mr. Wetmore was untiring in his efforts to build that portion of the town known as the "Centre Village," which is the northern termination of the Naugatuck Railroad. In 1872, he erected the Winsted Opera House, one of the finest and inost complete in its appointments in the state, with a seating capacity of 1,200, and not long after he erected the fine brick building known as the Wetmore Block. Not all of Mr. Wetmore's life was devoted to manufacturing. In 1878, he organized the Winsted National Bank, was chosen its first president, and lield that office until his health failed. The bank was located in the opera house block, in a portion built expressly for that purpose, and was in all respects a complete banking office.
A man of enlarged views, Mr. Wetmore was always recognized as one of the most public spirited citizens Winsted ever possessed. His life was one of steady and active devotion to business. The great success attained has been the natural result of his ability to examine and readily comprehend any subject presented to him, with power to decide promptly, and courage to act with vigor and persistency in accordance with his convictions. Such men give tone and solidity to any community, and their taking away is ever to be deplored.
Oct. 3, 1841, John G. Wetmore was united in marriage with Eliza Frisbe Rosseter of Harwinton, Conn. She died March 9, 1847. He was married the second time, in 1849, to Eliza Phiœbe, daughter of Col. Roswell Lee, for twenty years superintendent of the United States armory at Springfield, Mass. One daughter, Eliza R., who married Mr. J. E. Spaulding, was the result of the first marriage.
Said the Winsted Press at the time of his death : "The New England Pin Company, of which Mr. Wetmore was president, was organized in 1851, and owes its success to his invention of a machine for sticking pins, and also to his ability as a business man. He was quick in his perception, deep in his plans, sound in his judgment of every day affairs, wilful and determined in the execution of his designs. He paid homage to power, wielding it with a strong hand when it was his, and yielding to it as readily as other men when he saw the necessity. What he agreed to do he did, and what he did was thoroughly done, every detail looked after, every item scrutinized. Spurred by the pleasure of inoney-mnaking, he was about his business early and late. Outside of his office and his business he was companionable, free in conversation, and free enough in his purse. His energy, good sense and devotion to his own interests made him a most valuable citizen, and one whose place it will be difficult for his successors to fill. He builded houses and factories. He created business, he gave employment to working people, and in his relations to the latter he was a inaster who won respect by enforcing obedience and fulfilling to the letter his business obligations. He was a strong man, and by the people of this village will be really inissed."
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ARRIS, JONATHAN NEWTON, merchant, banker and philanthropist, was born in Salem, Conn., Nov. 18, 1815. He is sixth in descent from James Harris, who was in Boston, Mass., 1666, where in 1683, seven of his children werc baptized in the Old Sonth Mceting House. In about 1690, with his wife and three sons, James, Asa and Ephraim, hc came to New London, where he died in 1715, at the age of 74 ycars. The family were noted for their sterling qualities of mind and were inen of decp religions convictions, and these characteristics are found in their full exemplification in the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Harris was educated for the life of a incrchant, and when about twenty years of age lie came to New London, Conn., and entercd the employ of one of the large mercantile firms there. Two years later he commenced business on his own account and in his own llame. By subsequent changes the firmn became Harris & Brown, Harris, Aincs & Company, and Harris, Williams & Company, which firm continued until 1865, when he retired from that branch of business to take charge of greater and more important financial interests.
In 1848, in company with others, he established the firm of J. N. Harris & Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, a concern which has now continued in business almost half a century,. and has on its books the names of more than twenty thousand merchants with whom the company has done business in the South and West. Mr. T. H. C. Allen of that firm has been the resident partner and manager at Cincinnati. Mr. Harris, however, continued to reside at New London. In 1862, during the Civil War and later, Mr. Harris, in company with Mr. Hill of Philadelphia, built collieries and operated what were known as the "Hill & Harris " coal mines at Mahanoy City, Pa., which enterprises were very successful, the coal from these inines becoming widely known for its power to generate steam. These mines were sold just before the panic of 1873.
Mr. Harris has been for more than forty years connected with banking and financial institutions. He was director in the Bank of Commerce for many years, and, since 1876, has been president of the New London City National Bank. He has also been connected with railroad and steam navigation companies. One of the organizers, he was for several years the president of the Fellows Medical Manufacturing Company of Montreal, Can., with branches in New York and London, Eng. He was also director in the Davis & Lawrence Company of Montreal, director in the New London Northern Railroad, of the New London Steamboat Company and in several other companies.
He represented his town in the lower branch of the state legislature in 1855, at which session he served as a member of the joint standing committees on banks and on finance, where his experience gave weight to his counsel. It was at this session that the free bank- ing law, enacted in 1852 as an experiment, and which had caused serious loss to the stockholders, was repealed, and the banks which had been organized under the provisions of that law were given special charters. In 1864, he was senator from his district and was chairman of the joint standing committee on banks. At this session of the legislature an act was passed enabling the state banks to organize under the national banking law, while still retaining their rights under their old charters, with all the privileges originally granted, so that they might at any time thereafter, without further legislation, surrender their national organization and resume business under their old charters. Nearly all the state banks subsequently adopted the national banking act, the best and safest system of banking ever established by any nation.
After being a member of the city government for a number of years, Mr. Harris was mayor of the city for six consecutive years, from 1856 to 1862. In this capacity he rendered
Massachusetts Publishing Co. Everett. Mass
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assistance to his old friend Governor Buckingham amid the trying scenes of the opening years of the Civil War. New London was the centre for recruiting in his part of the state, and Fort Trumbull in that town was the rendezvous for troops going to the front. At times whole regiments were quartered at that post. During the war, on alinost every Sabbath, Mr. Harris had charge of the religious services at the fort. Some of those meetings were long remembered for their helpful influence.
In 1854, the "Maine law " was passed by the legislature of Connecticut. It was full of strength and vigor, easy to enforce, and was executed according to its terms. All tlie city government were in favor of the law and its prompt enforcement. When this was done, there was but little business before the police court ; the officers had rest and the city liad peace and quiet as never before. This continued until about 1860, when public opinion began to set against so much rigor; soon rumors of civil war arose and the trend of public interest set in another direction.
Mr. Harris has been noted for his ardent love for the cause of Christianity, and has become prominent for his devotion to Christian education. He was an early and firin friend of the great evangelist, Dwight L. Moody, and aided materially in founding Mount Hermon School and Northfield Seminary. More than one Hermonite has just cause to feel a personal gratitude for his direct aid and encouragement. The Hermonite, a well edited paper published at Mount Hermon, has the following paragraph regarding the new president :
At the graduation exercises of the last class whichi left Hermon's halls on June 13, 1893, the Hon. J. N. Harris presided in the absence of both the president, the late Mr. Hiram Camp, who was then near deathi's door, and the vice-president, Hon. William H. Haile. Mr. Harris presided with becoming dignity, and his benign smile and fatherly words did much to lessen the disappointment felt by the students at not being again permitted to greet Mr. Camp and to listen to his happy response.
At a meeting of the board of trustees, held at Springfield, Mass., in the autumn (1893) for the purpose of electing a president of that body, Mr. Harris was chosen. This honor is a most fitting one to bestow upon him because of his long connection with the school as trustee, and his untiring interest and aid in its development. A more satisfactory choice could not have been made. As students of Mount Hermon we feel that the interests of our school will be well looked after under a president so eminently fitted for that position in the manage- ment, and we hope he may be spared to us many years to aid in the fuller development of the institution which he knows from its inception.
In religious work and education in Japan Mr. Harris has taken a deep interest, especially as planned by the Rev. Joseph Hardy Neesima, a Japanese educated in the United States through the kindness of the late Alplieus Hardy of Boston. In 1889, he founded and endowed the Harris School of Science, which constitutes the scientific depart- ment of the Dosliisha University at Kioto, Japan. This munificent gift amounted to $100,000, and the school of science was opened in 1890. The scope and purpose of this gift of Mr. Harris are set forth in his letter to the trustees, January, 1890, in which he says :
In the hope of promoting the cause of Christ in Japan, and of providing opportunities for instruction in science under the best Christian influences, I devote one hundred thousand dollars to the establishing of a school of science, and for scientific instruction, in connection with what is known as the Doshisha at Kioto, Japan. This school of science is to constitute a part of a Christian university, which is to supplement the present collegiate course and is to be known as the Harris School of Science.
His generosity in dealing with worthy and charitable projects has been felt ou numer- ous occasions. He built and presented to the city the Memorial Hospital, whose doors were opened Aug. 1, 1893. His public spirit and the confidence he feels in New London's future, were illustrated when he erected the Harris Building, the leading business structure in the city, and one of the finest in the state of Connecticut.
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He has been connected with many religious and charitable organizations, and was chair- man of the state executive committee of the Young Men's Christian Association of Connecti- cut, who, in 1875, inaugurated a system of evangelistic meetings in connection with the churches in the smaller towns and parishes in the state. These meetings were conducted by members of the exccutive committee, which were continued, except in summer months, until 1881. This work was done entirely free of charge to the churchics visited, and the results were very helpful.
Mr. Harris was a charter member of the Connecticut Bible Society ; a corporate inem- ber of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions; a charter member and president for several years of the board of trustees of the international committee of the Young Men's Christian Association, New York ; was charter member and president of the Young Men's Christian Association of New London, and member of the board of trustees ; was president of the board of trustees of Bradley Street Mission for twenty years, 1874 to 1894 ; was director of the Evangelistic Association of New England, with headquarters at Boston.
From time to time Mr. Harris has been connected with many other religious organiza- tions for Christian work. For nearly twenty years (in summer) he was one of the leaders in sustaining open-air religious meetings on the streets and byways of the city. He was a member of the Second Congregational church of New London, and one of its deacons.
Mr. Harris has been twice married; first, May, 1843, to Jane M., daughter of Benjamin Brown of New London. She bore him eight children, but she and they have all passed over to the other shore. He was next married, July, 1869, to Martha, daughter of Hon. Lewis Strong of Northampton, and granddaughter of Gov. Caleb Strong of Massachusetts.
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