USA > Connecticut > Representative men of Connecticut, 1861-1894 > Part 44
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Mr. Warner has practically held that position ever since, for Hawley's public services have so broken in on his newspaper work that the latter has been only occasional and in- termittent. In 1867, the owners of the Press bought the famous and venerable Hartford Courant, (founded in 1764, the oldest journal in the country), and merging their publication in it, put into the conservative family paper the vigor and enthusiasin that had marked their ambitious enterprise, thus developing one of the most active forces in Connecticut affairs. Mr. Warner's early editorial work was of high quality, but it was necessarily anonymous and impersonal. He came first before the public personally through " My Summer in a Garden,"
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which appeared as a series of Saturday morning contributions to The Courant in 1870. They were written without effort, in an easy and spontaneous style, and delighted all who read them with their delicious humor, and their fidelity to nature - not micrely as shown in the garden, but in the gardener and his friends. Thesc letters were gathered into a volume to which Henry Ward Beecher wrote a prefacc. The book had a large salc, and it still goes 011 selling. It was reprinted abroad, and sccured for its author at once a hold upon English speaking people. Many of its bits of homely philosophy have become household words.
And, indeed, in the long list of his subsequent works there is none that docs not give to the reader its full share of quotable paragraphs, which lodge in the memory because of their well-put truth, or their equally striking absurdity. In his description, "On Horse- back," of the trip that he and Professor Lounsbury of Yale made through North Caro- lina, he tells of the compromise that they reached on the subject of climbing mountains. One wanted to take in that arduous experience and the other objected. So, in order to satisfy the ambitious member of the party, they agreed that no mountain 1111der 6,000 feet was worth climbing, and then, to satisfy the 'other, that every mountain over 6,000 feet was too high to climb. Thus, satisfying both by mutual concessions, they continued their journey with their differences reconciled, and one kind of compromise well illustrated. In one county, where absolute and voluntary total abstinence prevailed, they found the jail locked up and abandoned. "It's not mnich use," says Mr. Warner, "to try to run a jail without liquor." It was in a letter from Sicily to The Courant that he wrote after visiting the sulphur mines, that he "never expected to see so much sulphur-at least not in this world."
In his account of "Camping Out in the Adirondacks," the great moral question is raised whether a minister, off there away from his congregation, where he will throw a stone at a squirrel on Sunday, can also properly shoot at a mark on that day, and it is suggested that perhaps he may-with an air gun that makes no noise. In the saine sketch, describing the immeasurable annoyance caused by the snorers at night, he ventures the solemn comment that you can " never judge what a person is when he is awake." In his sketch of the "Killing of the Deer," one of the choicest things he has written, he tells of the fright of the timid doe when she dashed into a popular Adirondack resort and every- body ran out to see her. "Nothing is so appalling to a recluse as half a mile of summer boarders," and off she went at extra speed.
His "How the Spring Came In New England " has for years been reckoned a safer guide than the daily government predictions. New England, he says, is "the exercise ground of the weather," and the spring, which doesn't reach us until it is past, leaves us " a legacy of couglis and patent medicines."
But while so much of what Mr. Warner writes provokes a smile, a true inoral purpose underlies his work. This is in all his writings, as it is in the life of the man himself, but it is especially noticeable in his later books. His novel, "A Little Journey in the World," published in 1889, is no less noteworthy for its dramatic interest and fine study of character than for its healthy tone and its wholesome strength. It has had a very large circulation, has been the subject of club debates and pulpit sermons, and has brought to its author a deal of interesting correspondence.
Mr. Warner has just finished another novel, "The Golden House," in which appear some of the characters whom we already know through the "Little Journey." This, like the other, deals with the problems and complications of modern life, and, in the opinion of those who have read the manuscript, it is decidedly superior to its predecessor.
Thư Untury Publishing & Engraving In. Chicago
LyV. love
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Mr. Warner has traveled widely and observed always. He has been practically all over this country from Mexico to Canada and from Mt. Desert to Coronado Beach, and abroad he has lived in England, Germany, France, and Italy, has journeyed through Spain and into Africa, and has been up the Nile and made himself an authority in Egyptology.
For some years he has been actively engaged upon Harper's Monthly Magazine, at first editing, and with a short essay introducing, the Editor's Drawer; and now, since Mr. Curtis's death, contributing the Editor's Study. But he retains his personal and pecuniary interest in The Courant, of which he owns something more than a quarter. Every day when he is in Hartford he walks the two miles each way between his home and the office, and the tone and policy of the paper are liis constant care. In the office, as well as out of it, lie is the most approachable and companionable sort of 111a11.
His home in Nook Farm, near, but not the same as, that which had the "Garden," is close by the homes of Mark Twain and Mrs. Stowe, in the western part of the city, and its hospitable charm is known to friends all over the world. It is one of the social centers of Hartford, esthetic and unconventional, and fitly represents the delightful life that Mr. and Mrs. Warner lead among their multitude of friends.
Mr. Warner is a member of Hartford's, at least locally, famous Monday Evening Club, of the Century, University and Players' Clubs of New York, and of the Tavern Club of Boston among others, and is president of the N. E. Association of Hamilton Alumni. He holds the honorary degrees of M. A. from Yale, Hamilton and Dartmouth; L. H. D. from Hamilton, and D. C. L. from the University of the South. He is a member of the Asylum Hill Congregational Church of Hartford, of which his intimate friend, the Rev. J. H. Twitchell, is the pastor.
His books include the following : "My Summer in a Garden," "Saunterings," "Back Log Studies," "Baddeck and That Sort of Thing," "My Winter on the Nile," "In the Levant," "Being a Boy," "In the Wilderness," "Life of Captain John Smith," "The Work of Washington Irving," "A Roundabout Journey," "Their Pilgrimage," "On Horse- back," "South and West and Comments on Canada," "A Little Journey in the World," "Our Italy," "As We Were Saying," "As We Go " and "The Golden House."
C. H. C.
FOE, LYMAN WETMORE, a leading citizen of Torrington, prominent for many years in both branches of the state legislature, and widely known as one of the inost enterprising and successful manufacturers of Connecticut, was born in Torrington, Conn., June 20, 1820. He died Feb. 7, 1893, sincerely mourned by all who knew him. His father, Israel Coe, was a well-to-do and highly respected citizen of Waterbury, Conn., and his mother, whose maiden naine was Nancy Wetmore, belonged to a well-known New England family of that name.
Mr. Coe's education began in the public schools of his native village, was continued at the Waterbury high school and was finished at the Morris Academy and the private collegiate institute of Prof. W. W. Andrews, at South Cornwall. After spending a few months in a store at Waterbury, he secured a minor clerkship with the firm of Wadhams, Coe & Company at Wolcottville, which he held two years. He then accepted a more responsible position with Lewis McKee & Company, merchants and manufacturers at Terryville, who were the first cabinet lock manufacturers in the United States. Young Coe remained three years with this firm, spending one year of the time at its brass mill at Torrington, where he gained that
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practical and thorough knowledge of manufacturing which was ever afterward so serviceable to him as a business man. In the spring of 1841, hic accepted the secretaryship of tlic Wol- cottville Brass Company. He resigned this position in the summer of 1845, to assume charge of tlic brass wire mnill at Cotton Hollow, which had been established by the newly organized Waterbury Brass Company. The able manner in which he attended to this branch of the business led to hiis being chosen, early in 1846, to the dual position of secretary and treasurer of the Waterbury Brass Company. He now took up his residence at Waterbury, the administrative headquarters of the corporation, and in order that the manufacturing department might be more fully under his supervision, it was removed from Cotton Hollow to that town. Mr. Coe was virtually at the head of this company for eighteen years, and by his distinguished ability as general and financial manager, raised it to a high degree of prosperity.
In May, 1863, he severed his connection with it, and purchasing the entire stock of the Wolcottville Brass Company, he organized the Coe Brass Company, which began operations with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. This business he established at Torrington, thus giving to his native place greater importance as a manufacturing centre. Mr. Coe brought to the discharge of his duties as president of the new company, natural business abilities of the first order, and an experience of over a quarter of a century in the special field of its operations. Sagacious and enterprising, he soon succeeded in placing the company in the foremost rank both as to the quality and quantity of its output. By degrees its products were pushed into every important market in this country and into many of the principal foreign markets, in all of which they have continued to hold their own, notwithstanding the mnost lively competition. To-day the Coe Brass Company stands as one of the leading manufactories of its kind in the United States. Its machinery requires one thousand two hundred horse power, one thousand of which is supplied by four steam engines, and two hundred by water power from the neighboring streams. A large force of employees find steady and remunerative work in the offices, warerooms and manufactories of the company, and the whole enterprise has contributed in a marked degree to the prosperity and advancement of Torrington. By gradual increase the capital of the company has been raised to three hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. Although the detail of the business was simply enormous, it was so effectively systematized by President Coe that the whole concern ran along easily and almost with the precision of clock-work.
I11 1845, Mr. Coe was clected by his fellow-citizens of Torrington to represent that town in the state legislature. Although a very busy man at that time, he attended to his legislative duties so closely, and displayed so much character in his work that he might have been reelected were it not for the circumstance of his removal to Waterbury. In 1858, while a resident of Waterbury, he was again elected to the state legislature. At the close of his teri he declined to reenter the field owing to the increasing pressure of his regular business. In 1862, finding himself able to give the necessary attention to public dutics, he accepted the nomination to the state Senate from the Republicans of the fifth senatorial district. Elected by a vote which clearly demonstrated his popularity, lie served to the close of that terin, winning the hearty approval of loyal inen of all shades of political belief, particularly by his patriotic support of every measure tending to sus- tain the national government in the great war then going on for the suppression of rebellion. His removal from the district in the following year alone prevented his re- nomination. In 1876, he was chosen to the state Senate from the fifteenth district, and by successive reelections was retained as its representative during five years. While in1 the Senate he served on several of its most important committees, and for two terins was president pro tem. of the Senate. Both on the floor of the Senate and in thie com-
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mittee room he was an active and earnest promoter and advocate of wholesome ineasures, displaying those qualities of judgment natural in a successful business man, the main- spring of which was patriotism and common sense blended in about equal proportions.
In connection with the demands of his business, and also for the purpose of secur- ing much-needed rest and recreation, Senator Coe travelled extensively both at home and abroad; and by personal experience and contact gleaned a vast fund of informna- tion regarding the people, their customs and habits and institutions, in many places. As a manufacturer and business man Mr. Coe was specially distinguishlied by his great enter- prise, whichi apparently never slumbered. Quick to perceive opportunities he was equally quick in making them his own, and 110 small share of the brilliant success he achieved in life was due to this faculty. Managing every transaction with scrupulous integrity, prompt and reliable in keeping contracts and engagements, and ambitious at all times to do the very best that can be donc, he possessed a reputation as a man of honor, of progressive business methods and of broad views second to none in the state. As a manufacturer he was known at home and abroad as one of the most reliable and enterprising in America.
Mr. Coe was actively interested for many years in every enterprise, public and private, having in view the development and prosperity of Torrington, and the improvement of the material and moral welfare of its inhabitants. It may be said without fear of contradiction, that he was undoubtedly acknowledged by all as the leading citizen of the town, and judged by his unremitting labors in its behalf he appears to be rightly entitled to this enviable distinction. His record as a public inan was unblemished, and up to the time of his death his opinions were sought and highly valued as those of a wise, experienced and honorable publicist. In the ordinary social relations of life Senator Coe was remiss in no particular, being a cultivated gentleman, a good citizen, a helpful neighbor, and a sincere Christian. Were his reputation founded on his personal qualities alone, they would suffice to give him an eminent place among the worthies of his native state.
He was married on Nov. 3, 1841, to Miss Eliza Seymour, daughter of Samuel Seymour of Torrington. They had three children.
The impressive services at the funeral of Mr. Coe were most significant proof of the esteem in which he was universally held. A large number of prominent gentlemen from out of town were present, for he had friends everywhere, and, as for Torrington itself, the whole town took part in the funeral. Flags were all flying at half staff, factories, stores and banks were closed, all business being practically suspended, and the streets were lined with people, all of thein wearing the sober look of inen and women who realized that a inis- fortune had befallen the community, and that all had lost a friend.
Numerous tributes of respect were given by various corporations and bodies with which he was connected, but the most comprehensive as well as the most touching were the reso- lutions passed by the directors of the Coe Brass Company :
The Hon. Lyman Wetmore Coe, president of this corporation, died suddenly at his home in Torrington, Thursday, Feb. 9, 1893, aged 73 years. In his death this corporation loses its founder, and its first and only presi- dent. Mr. Coe was naturally interested in the manufacture of brass, as liis father, Mr. Israel Coe, had been among the first to introduce this branch of industry into the United States. Mr. L. W. Coe was first actively engaged in this business in connection with the Wolcottville Brass Company, the first certificate of stock of that corporation having been signed by him as secretary, May 20, 1841. In 1846, he removed to Waterbury, and from that time until 1863, was associated with the Waterbury Brass Company as its executive official.
In 1863, he returned to Torrington (then Wolcottville) and having acquired the entire capital stock of the Wolcottville Brass Company, organized the present corporation under the name of the Coe Brass Manufacturing Company. At that time the business was not in a flourishing condition, but Mr. Coe's energy, foresight and ability, sustained by the cordial support and loyalty of his stockholders, who were of the best element among the Nauga- tuck Valley business men, soon placed the company in the first rank,-a position which it has held until the
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present day. The history of the corporation since that time is in general that of the entire brass business of the country, and especially that of the Naugatuck Valley, it having created and maintained a field peculiar to itself. The development of the present extensive plant from its modest beginning, under Mr. Coe's presidency, is one of the triumphs of the American industrial age. In his death the last of that circle of business men in the Naugatuck Valley who made the manufacture of brass a national industry has passed away.
The leading characteristics of Mr. Coe in his business relations were his pronounced convictions and courage in maintaining them, his quick perception of advantageous circumstances and ability in utilizing them, the thoroughness of his plans, his wide views of the commercial field, his cordial and trusted relations with his asso- ciates and the patrons of the corporation, and his genial and equitable dealings with his fellow-officers and the employees of the company. The members of this board mourn his loss as that of an associate with whom they had ever been in the most cordial sympathy, a leader in whose sagacity they had placed especial confidence, and a personal friend to whom they had become deeply attached, and whose memory will ever be held by them in the warmest esteem.
Resolved, That the preceding minute be entered in the records of the corporation, that an engrossed copy be sent to the family of the deceased, and that copies be transmitted to the press.
Attest, CHARLES F. BROOKER, Secretary.
B ROOKER, CHARLES FREDERICK, of Torrington, president of the Coe Brass Manufacturing Company and senator from the Eighteenth District, was born in the town where he now resides, March 4, 1847.
The first of the name on record in this country was John Brooker, who was known to be at Guilford with his wife, Mary, in 1695. From the fact that he continued to transact business with leading citizens of the town until his decease, it is presumed he had lived in Boston for a number of years previous to his coming to Guilford. He carried on the business of shipwright and was a inan of considerable property for the times in which he lived. His son Abraham was a merchant, and died suddenly at the early age of thirty-four. Abraham Brooker, Jr., married Tamar Murry and was the father of eight children. Of these, Samuel was the sixth, and was the first of the family to come to Torring- ton. His youngest son Martin married Sarah Maria, daughter of Samuel Seymour, and was the father of the subject of this sketch. He gained his living by agricultural pursuits, and was a inan of sterling worth.
Educated at the public schools of his native town, at an early age he began his business career in a mercantile establishment in Wolcottville, now Torrington, and after two years he accepted a position with Benedict, Merriman & Company of Waterbury. In 1864, he returned to Torrington, of which place he is still a resident. Entering the employ of the Coe Brass Manufacturing Company as bookkeeper, he displayed such efficiency and knowledge that in 1870, he was elected secretary of the company. In the interests of the company he has spent a large amount of time in Europe and the West Indies, and during his long-continued service, has made a dozen trips abroad. After the death of Mr. Lyman W. Coe, in1 1893, Mr. Brooker was naturally selected as the president of the company, and is now filling that responsible position. Owing to Mr. Coe's increasing years, the burden had fallen upon him for some time previously, and consequently there was little change in the management of affairs. The Torrington Register stated the situation very clearly in the following paragraph :
There has naturally been more or less solicitude on the part of the people of this borough as to the effect which the loss of Mr. Coe would have on the management of the Coe Brass Manufacturing Company. As the prosperity of that company is such an important factor in the welfare of this community and vicinity, we are glad to be able to say that the directors at their special meeting this afternoon, recognizing the long service and ability of Mr. Charles F. Brooker, for twenty-nine years, the last twenty-four as secretary of the company, unani- mously elected him to the position of president to succeed the late lamented L. W. Coe. This ensures a continuance of the same management in so far as it can be assured without the mature judgment and wise
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counsel of the founder of the company. With Mr. Brooker as president, Mr. E. T. Coc as secretary and treasurer, and Mr. James Doughty as assistant secretary and salesman, we are confident that the same energy, prudence and foresight which have characterized the management of the company in the past, will continue to be exercised in the future, and it will go on in its present prosperity, a highly creditable institution to Torrington and profitable to its share-holders. We congratulate the new president on liis accession to this exceedingly honorable position, and extend our best wishes for the success of the great industry of which he is now the head.
Mr. Brooker is one of the most active business men in Western Connecticut. In addition to being the head of a large corporation, he holds a directorship in the Thomaston Bank, the Turner & Seymour Manufacturing Company, the New Process Nail Company, and other lesser corporations, and is vice-president of the Torrington Savings Bank. With Messrs. O. R. Fyler and J. W. Brooks, he organized the Torrington Water Company, and built the water works which are among the most substantial in the country. Besides being of incal- culable benefit to the town, the company lias proved a great financial success.
Recognized as one of the prominent Republicans of Connecticut, Mr. Brooker is a member of the central committee from his section, and his influence is felt in moulding the policy of the party. In1 1875, he had the honor of representing his native town in the state legislature, his colleagues from Litchfield County including Henry Gay, the Winsted banker, and State's Attorney James Huntington of Woodbury. At this session he served on the committee on insurance. He was a member of the Senate from the Eighteenth District in 1893. The good government of the town of Torrington has always claimed a share of Mr. Brooker's attention, and among other services rendered he lias been a member of the Board of Burgesses for a number of years.
As he was splendidly equipped by training and extensive travel for the position, Governor Bulkeley appointed Mr. Brooker one of the alternate commissioners for the World's Fair from Connecticut. He was a member of the state commission, and assisted in the regular work performed by such commissions. Mr. Brooker has been a member of the Union League Club of New York for twenty years, and also of the Engineers' Club of that city. He is a member of the Geographical Society and of the New England Society, both of New York. In religious belief, he is a Congregationalist, being a member of the church of that denom- ination in Torrington, and for a score of years has served as chairman of the society's committee.
At the annual election of 1893, of that great Connecticut corporation, the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, Mr. Brooker was chosen a member of the board of directors. He had previously been a director in the Naugatuck Road, which was leased to the company named, and was familiar with the affairs of the road. Speaking of the new names added to the board, the Hartford Courant said :
Charles F. Brooker of Torrington, is president of the Coe Brass Company of that place, one of the great concerns of the Naugatuck Valley, and has been for several years a director of the Naugatuck Railroad. He was a member of the last state Senate. Mr. Brooker has a very large personal acquaintance, and is everywhere respected. He is one of the ablest of the younger business men of the state, and combines tact and executive ability with a personal character of the choicest sort. He is an excellent representative Connecticut citizen.
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