USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Winsted > The Winsted tercentenarian > Part 11
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Its present officers are : Joseph .A. Norton, President : Luther L. Cha-e. Vice-President ; Clarence HI. Bunnell. Secretary and Treasurer. Its directors in addition to the above officers are Walter D. Hood, Robert E. Gaylord, Robert JJ. Leighton and Marvin 11. Tanner.
The Lingerie Shop
THE LINGERIE SHOP, at 619 Main Street, of which Miss Louise I .. Collins is proprietor, specializing in hosiery and underwear, is a place of great attraction for women for they know they will receive special and sym- pathetic attention in shopping, which the larger stores may be unable to give.
The Lingerie Shop carries the Bien- Jolie Corsettes, famous for their won- derful lines and fine figures; the No- Mends and Gordon's hosiery, which are very serviceable and satisfactory, and a carefully selected stock of gowns. pajamas, slips and many other pretty things that women prize.
The World War had hardly started in August, 1914, when Miss Collins opened her store, the first woman's spe- cialty shop in Winsted, at 613 Main Street. where the store was located un. til a few years ago when it was moved to the present larger and finer quar- ters, giving a better opportunity for displaying goods. Miss Collins is for- tunate in having Miss Rose M. Sulli- van as her assistant. It's a pleasure to trade at the Lingerie Shop.
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THE WINSTED TERCENTENARIAN
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Almer C. Bristol, President Winsted Chamber of Com- merce and Manufacturers' Association
Elles Home, Fairview Avenue
Civic, Social and Welfare Organizations
Winsted Club and Elks Have Fine Homes, Green Woods Country Club a Nine-Hole Golf Course-Active Chamber of Commerce, Red Cross, Visiting Nurse, Catholic Welfare, D. A. R., Woman's Club and Others
WX/INSTED has a number of organ- izations to promote civic welfare work and many fraternal and social organizations and clubs which, merely to enumerate, would make a long list.
The Winsted Chamber of Commerce was reorganized December 2, 1914. from the Wiusted Business Men's Associa- tion and has done much good work for the city. It maintains an office at 471 Main Street in connection with the Litelifield County Automobile Club. The chamber has a special committee. of which William J. Brennan is chair- man. at work to secure a new postof- fice building for Winsted and there is promise that it will be successful. The president is Abner C. Bristol and secre- tary is Ralph M. Smith. Mr. Bristol is also president of the Winsted Man- facturers' Association. which holds monthly meetings.
The Winsted Chapter of the Ameri- can Red Cross was organized Septem. ber 23. 1914. especially to do war work and since the war has done much relief work. It has over 1.100 members. Irv- ing E. Manchester has been chairman for fourteen years. Mrs. Donald W. Herman is secretary and Joseph Ros gen, treasurer.
The Winsted Visiting Nurse Asso- ciation was organized in 1921 by the Red Cross and has been very active. employing two nurses, maintaining offices in the Town building. Mrs. Cur. tis Hakes is president, Thomas A. Hag.
gerty, secretary. and Miss Bertha Cross, treasurer.
The Winsted Building and Loan Association was organized in 1928 to enable people to build and improve their homes. It has assets of $44.800. The president is Henry S. Comstock: secretary. D. Fletcher Alvord. and treasurer. Robert J. Leighton.
The Winchester Historical Society was organized abont thirty years ago and has for its home the fine old Co- lonial mansion of Solomon Rockwell on Lake and Prospect Streets, built in 1814. where a most interesting exhibit of antiques and curios may be found.
The vice-president is Dudley L. Vaill: secretary, Judge Frank W. Seymour. and treasurer. Edward R. Holmes.
Winsted has a very active Green Woods Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution which does much civic work, holding bi- monthly meetings. The regent is Mrs. E. Rowland Richards: recording secre- tary. Mrs. Timothy Hulbert; corre- sponding secretary. Mrs. Charles L. Alvord : treasurer. Mrs. E. W. Jones.
The Ladies' Catholic Welfare So- ciety is constantly doing splendid wel- fare work throughont the city. The pres- ident is Mrs. Thomas F. Head; vice-
The Winsted Club, Fairview Avenue
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THE WINSTED TERCENTENARLIN
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Odd Fellows' HIall; left, W. G. Manchester's Block
president, Mrs. George Girard: treas- urer, Mrs. Joseph Gallivan: garment committee, Mrs. Margaret Humpage.
The Winsted Woman's Club. or. ganized in 1923 and federated with the State and National Clubs in 1925. is a large and strong organization with several departments, holding frequent meetings. It has engaged in consider- able civic work. The president is Mrs. Abner C. Bristol; secretary, Mrs. J.
Postmaster R. E. A. Doherty
Raymond Connor: treasurer. Mrs. Ed- ward W. Reidy.
The Winsted Club was organized April 27. 1911, and has a handsome and spacious clubhouse on Fairview Ave- nne. It engages in many activities through the season, holding bowling and card tournaments. entertainments and social affairs. The president is Norman Curry : secretary. Vincent Vo- gelIns; treasurer. William C. French.
The Winsted Lodge, No. 844, of B. P.
O. Elks. organized in 1903. has a large membership and owns a handsome home on Fairview Avenue. The ex- alted ruler is Edwin F. Pequignot : sprretarv. James L. Grady ; treasurer, Frank B. Wheeler.
The Winsted Rotary Club was or- ganized in 1921 and meets on Mondays regularly for noon Inncheons at the Park Hotel. It has done considerable work among the youth of the city. The president is Robert E. Gaylord : secre- tary, Harold S. Case: treasurer, Wil- liam F. Peetz.
The Winsted Kiwanis Club was or- ganized April 26, 1927. It meets regu- larly for luncheon at the Winsted Chib on Mondays. It sponsors a junior base- ball league. The president is Dr. James J. Derwin: secretary. Allan Griffin : treasurer. W. James Walker.
The Winchester Knights of Colum- bus has a home at 286 Main Street and is active in social affairs and is the frequent meeting place of the Knights
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Irving E. Manchester, Chair- man of Winsted Red Cross. and Editor and Publisher of the Winsted Centenarian
of Horatins and Daughters of Isabella.
The Garibaldi Society has a club house at 219 Main Street, and the Young Italian Winsted Citizen A>s')- ciation. Sons of Italy. has a clubhouse at 315 Main Street.
There is also St. Jean. the Baptiste a French Society: a Polish Society, and Syrian-American Club.
The Clifton Lodge of Odd Fellows owns a handsome building at 500-504 Main Street in which there is a lodge room and large auditorinm. also used by the Masons and other organizations.
The Red Men rent a large hall in Colt's block and there are lodge rooms in Isaacson's and the Union hall blocks and the Veterans of Foreign Wars have a hall in Lentini's block.
Winsted has two live Junior bands. the St. Anthony's Piccolo, Fife and Drum Band of seventy-five pieces, and the Central School Band. forty-five pieces.
The Green Woods Country Club.
The Green Woods Country Club
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THE WINSTED TERCENTENARIAN
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organized over thirty years ago. has a very good nine-hole golf course and clubhouse on Torringford Street. The president is Othniel G. Williams: secretary and treasurer, Edward F. Mc Ardle.
The Laurel City Hortienltural So- ciety was organized in 1932 and has done much to beantify and advertise the city and is the originator and spou- sor of "Laurel Week" in June. The president is Frank DeMars: secretary. and treasurer, William Hutton.
The Highland Hardware
IN November, 1928, Max Berenkrantz came up to Winsted from New York to look the city over and he liked it so much he decided it was a good town in which to locate a hardware store. There were several vacant stores to be had in various locations. He decided instead of paying a high rent it was better to keep his overhead expenses as low as possible and put his money into stock, so in a short time he opened the Highland Hardware at 679 Main Street in the Lentini or Camp block, adjoin- ing Lake Street, which for 100 years was the best business location in Win- sted and where several fortunes had been made in merchandising. The pub- lic soon learned that the Highland Hardware was a real city store in the country where one can always find what is wanted in a large line, which ineludes hardware, kitchen utensils. electrical and plumbing supplies, dairy supplies, farming tools, paints, oils. varnishes-in fact there are so many items it would take a book as large as a mail order catalogue to enumerate them all. It is enough to say: "You can always get it at the Highland Hardware."
Mr. Berenkrantz found it necessary in 1932 to increase his space by renting the adjoining store at 675 Main Street and he took a long look ahead by tak- ing out a ten years' lease, which showed plainly that he has confidence in Win- sted as a trading center and as a first class place in which to do business.
Mr. Berenkrantz bought a residence two years ago on Upland Road, over- looking Dudley Park, and has made extensive improvements. His advance- inent is remarkable. He came to Amer- ica from Poland in 1913, a poor boy, at seventeen years of age. with no schooling and little education, but a lot of pluck. Two years later he start- ed business with a push cart in the streets of New York, then he expanded by purchasing a horse and wagon and in 1919 opened his first store. selling house furnishings. Each expansion he has made has been a successful venture and since he has come to Winsted he has built up a fine business.
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Hotel Beardsley, J. Mochuk, Proprietor
Historic Hotel Beardsley
FOR about ninety years the Hotel Beardsley, corner of Lake and Main Streets, has been a popular hostelry. and under the management of J. Mo- chak, who came here October 5. 1933. is regaining its former prestige. Mr. Mochak caters for large parties, bau- quets and weddings as well as to local and transient people, who all testify to the splendid service and fine German and American cuisine. The hotel i, within short walking distance of High- land Lake.
This is an historie corner for it was in 1801, two years after the Green Woods turnpike was opened that Dea- con Alpha Rockwell, the first child born in Colebrook and prominent irou manufacturer, moved to Winsted and built a house there. In 1838 Deacon Rockwell's daughter, Delia, married Elliot Beardsley, who moved to Win- sted in 1840 and became its leading citizen. The hotel was built soon after- ward and the stable adjoining became the headquarters for the old stages ou the Hartford-Albany route.
The first Winsted bank, chartered in 1848 with a capital of $100,000, was opened in a room iu the Beardsley house with George Dudley, grandfather of Dudley Vaill, as president and E. S. Hamilton as cashier.
A book might be written about this hotel with its long line of popular landlords: Edward Stevens, Oscar Pot- ter, George H. Spencer, Charles B. An- drews and others. It was during Mr. Spencer's management abont forty-five years ago the hotel was raised a story and entirely remodelled.
After Hotel Winchester was built in 1898 by Gov. George L. Lilley, he purchased Hotel Beardsley because of the sharp competition. Governor Lil-
ley's estate sold it to Fred Radocchio, whose estate is the present owner. The hotel has fifty choice rooms.
A. B. Fancher & Sons Grocery
TO have remained in one location and successfully catered to the best trade in supplying groceries and meats for a third of a century with all the changes which have taken place in merchandising in that period is an en- viable record, but this can be said of A. B. Fancher & Son's grocery and meat market at 99 Main street where -. there has been a market for more than sixty years, back to the time of Alder- man ives or earlier. The reasons for this success are a quality line of gro- ceries, the choicest meats and prompt service which people appreciate.
A. B. Fancher & Sou have been in this line of business over fifty years, the senior Mr. Fancher having had a grocery store in Newtown before he bought out Selden Miner's market on the "Flat" in the spring of 1901. The next year his son. Henry W. Faneher, who had been a salesman for the Cuda- hy Packing Co. of Bridgeport for a year, joined his father and a year later they purchased the market at the pres- ent location, conducting two markets for a short time. Henry took over the business in 1932, two years before his father's death in March. 1934.
Faneher's has long been noted for its specialties which include home-made peanut butter, old fashioned home- made sansage and special green ent bone for poultry.
It is always a satisfaction to deal with a firm like A. B. Fancher & Son for one is sure of a uniform high quali- ty of goods year in and year out.
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THE WINSTED TERCENTENARIAN
Carrington & Seymour Insurance Agency
THE CARRINGTON & SEYMOUR Fire Insurance Agency. located in the town building, of which JJudge Frank W. Seymour is proprietor. was established in 1850 or before. E. Ster- ling Woodford. a prominent public spirited citizen, was engaged in the mercantile business in Winsted from 1830 until 1849 when he went to Cali- fornia during the gold rush. Ile re- turned in 1852 and began the mann- facture of pius. Five years later the business was taken over by the New England Pin Co .. which was organized in 1857, and Mr. Woodford engaged in the insurance business until his death in 1870. when the agency was acquired by Judge George M. Carrington. Judge Seymour became a partner in 1917 and has been the sole proprietor since Judge Carrington's death in 1926.
The agency lias represented some of the oldest and largest fire insurance companies for sixty-five or more years. Among the companies represented are the Hartford Fire. Hanover, Caledon- ian, Niagara and Litchfield Mutual Fire Insurance Co.
Judge Seymour was graduated from the Yale Law School in 1892 and en- tered the probate office with JJudge Carrington in 1898 and succeeded to the judgeship in 1916 when Judge Car- rington reached the age limit. Judge Seymour was appointed the first judge of the Town Court of Winchester when it was established June 1, 1899, and was judge for over twenty-five years. being succeeded by Judge Hladleigh II. Howd. He was also town clerk for about a year and a half after the late Congressman James P. Glynn was ap- pointed postmaster.
Beardsley Library
Continued from Page Ten
about 6,000 registered borrowers and the past year 36,638 books were drawn. Soon after the close of the World War. a children's department was opened on the second floor.
The first librarian was Miss Lonise M. Carrington, who served for thirty- seven years nutil September 1. 1911. Then Miss Helena Alford was librarian until 1916. and Mrs. Dorothy Whiting Terrell until 1921, since which time Miss Elizabeth A. Tiffany has been librarian. Her assistant is Miss Mabel White.
The other officers of the library are: President aud treasurer. Dudley L. Vaill ; vice-president aud secretary, Dr. Howard G. Provost : trustees. these of- ficers and Ralph W. Holunes, Rev. R.
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Berkshire Oil Company's Gasoline Station and Apartments
Berkshire Oil Company
Distributors of Good Gulf Gasoline and Gulf Petroleum Products. Camp House Remodeled Into Modern Apartments and Offices
HENRY J. CAIRNS. president and treasurer of the Berkshire Oil Company, has demonstrated in a re- markable manner how a fine old New England residence behind century-old elms with their graceful Gothic arches can be remodelled into a gasoline serv- ice station and still preserve the old architecture and atmosphere of the place. Mr. Cairns' company is a large distributor in Litchfield and Berkshire Counties of Good Gulf gasoline and Gulf petroleum products and recently purchased of the estate of the late Ellen B. Camp the fine old place long kuown as the Caleb J. Camp residence at 672 Main Street, next north of the Wiusted Savings Bank.
The title to this property goes back to the original proprietor before the Revolutionary War. Mr. Camp came to Winsted a century ago at the age of twenty, becoming a member of the
mercantile firm of Moses and Edward Camp, organized March 1, 1835. later known as M. & C. J. Camp. and was a leading merchant. banker and philan thropist of Winsted for nearly seventy- five years, having died in June, 1909.
The house has been remodelled by Mr. Cairns, providing three fine four- room apartments with baths and a suite of offices with steam heat. hot water and janitor service and in sneh a central location they are very de- sirable. The lawn has been landscaped and planted with shrubbery aud great pains have been taken to preserve the elms and the former general appear- ance.
In the rear the baru has been cou- verted into an automobile laundry where hot and cold water are avail- able and complete automobile service may be had. The gasoline station was opened on June 5 and is sure to prove a popular place for autoists.
V. K. Harris, Mrs. Curtis Hakes, Mayor Robert E. Maher, ex-officio, and Elliott Gay Beardsley of Hartford, a grandson of the founder.
H. S. Townsend, Jeweler
STICKING at his business sixty- three years and keeping abreast of the improvements and changes, is the record of II. S. Townsend. the jeweler. whose store at 464 Main Street has a fine display of watches of all makes. diamonds, gold and silver articles, glassware and beautiful pieces of
china. It is easy to select a gift at Townsend's.
He began business in 1872. learning his trade at Fall River. Mass .. and spending most of the time in and around Boston until he came to Win- sted in 1903, which is thirty years ago. Mr. Townsend does a great deal of watch repairing and for many years has done the engraving of casket plates for the local firms.
It requires a stretch of the imagina- tion after seeing the proprietor and his attractive store to be told he has been in business for more than three score years. Believe it or not, it's so.
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THE WINSTED TERCENTENARIAN
OH
HOSIER
WINSTED
OFIPA
Winsted Hosiery; insert. original factory
The New England Knitting Mills
The Winsted Hosiery
FOR fifty-three years the Winsted Hosiery Company. occupying the large plant on Holabird avenne on the east bank of Still River, has been fur- nishing employment steadily to a great number of people in Winsted. increas- ing from fifty-five operativos when the industry was established in 1882 to nearly 500. The original officers were William L. Gilbert. president : Leverett W. Tiffany, secretary and treasurer. and W. F. Taylor, agent. Edward B. Gaylord was appointed secretary in 1885 and three years later became gen. eral manager and it is due very large- ly to his constant attention and wi-e management that the company has been so successful. becoming the sec- ond largest manufacturer of knit in- derwear and half hose in the State.
Edward B. Gaylord
The company has become well known throughont the country for the high quality of its goods and its reliability. From a small three-story building
which was replaced long ago. the com- pany now has ten substantial buildings with fifteen times the floor space. The factory is equipped with modern ma- chinery and everything possible is done for the safety and comfort of its em- ploves, a large number of whom have been connected with the concern for many years. The output of this fac- tory is more than $1.500.000 a year when operating at full capacity.
The present officers are Edward R. Gaylord. president and treasurer : Charles B. Viall. secretary. and Robert E. Gaylord. son of the president, vice- president and assistant treasurer. Mr. Gaylord. Sr .. has long been identified with many of Winsted's enterprises and institutions and has taken a keen interest in the city's welfare.
The New England Knitting Company
THE New England Knitting Com- pany was organized in 1887 by Leverett W. Tiffany and Edward B. Gaylord, for the production of men's knit underwear. both of whom were connected with the Winsted Hosiery Company at the time. The company was incorporated with Henry Gay. president ; Edward B. Gaylord. secre- tary and treasurer, and Leverett W. Tiffany, manager, and occupied space leased of the New England Pin Com- pany.
Starting with four sets of carding and spinning machines, the business proved a success from the beginning. New factory buildings were added from time to time. finally extending over on to Main Street and spanning Mad River. After the New England Pin Company was sold and moved away, the New England Knitting Com-
pany purchased the combined plants with the exception of a storehouse.
Since the marked change in styles. the company has branched out into additional lines of knit goods. It is the originator and manufacturer of the popular "Spinnaker" shirt. a knit shirt for sportsmen. It produces knit sport snits for women, sold at retail to per-
The late L. W. Tiffany
sonal measurements at the factory or by mail order: onter-wear jackets and sweaters for men. and wool underwear for ontdoor wear in northern climates. all of which are produced as the "Nekconit" brand, which is becoming well known throughout the country.
The plant gives regular employ- ment to a large number of hands. There are now thirteen sets of carding and spinning machines in operation and 66,000 feet of floor space are in use.
The present officers are: Edward B. Gaylord. president : William H. Phelps. vice-president; Luther L. Chase. secretary and treasurer: Irving C. Valentine, general manager and as- sistant treasurer.
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THE WINSTED TERCENTENARIAN
The B. J. Harrison Son Company
Increasing Demand for Folding Chairs, Bridge Sets and Folding Casket Biers-Established in 1840, New Owners in 1932
IT is gratifying to know of a line of business which has been steadily forging ahead during the depression. It indicates that good merchandise can find a ready market. The B. J. Harri- sin Son Company could talk about cele- brating its ninety-fifth anniversary this vear. but the new owners. the Jewell brothers, John L .. president and treas- urer. and H. C. Jewell. secretary. pro thinking more about turning ont fold. ing chairs, bridge sets and folding cas- ket biers than they are about celebrat- ing.
The brothers took over the factory and business on Boyd Street. Jannary 21, 1932, having bought the plant the preceding October. There are forty employes and the factory is being run at top speed with modern high speed machinery and as much of it antomatic as can be made. A new Moore Revers- ible Cross Circulation Dry Kiln has just been installed. which scientifically drys green lumber from the log in ten days and is therefore a great time saver. This company ships its product all over the United States.
The B. J. Harrison Son Company was established in New York in 1840 by Mr. Harrison, whose son took over the business in 1890. and it was brought to Winsted fifteen years later by Ed- ward P. Jones, who sold the control of it to Frederick HI. Stone in 1914 and Mr. Stone sold it in turn to the JJewells.
This is one of the old manufactur- ing sites" in .Winsted. the grinding works of the Winsted Manufacturing Company having been located here with an overshot wheel. Jenkins & Boyd built the first forge in Winsted here in 1795. The Jewells are going to install a second water wheel soon for this is one of the best power privi- leges on the Lake Stream.
The present plant was crested for a piano stool factory in 1902 by John W. Roe who is remembered by the older residents as a contractor and builder. There were never so many employes at the plant as there are to- day and the indications are that the nminber will be increased.
The directors of the company are John .L., and II. C. Jewell and Judge Hadleigh H. Howd.
Edward F. Hickey's Sons, Inc.
THE Edward F. Hickey's Sons, Inc ..
manufacturers of hatters' furs for men's and women's felt hats, was in- corporated in Connecticut in 1933. pur- chasing the new Strand & Sweet plant on Hubbard Street, having previously dissolved the New York Corporation which was organized in 1927. Before his death in 1928. Edward F. Hickey was engaged in the business in New York for forty-five years, so that the family has been identified with the in- dustry more than a half century.
The company employs from 130 to 150 operatives. Offices are maintained in Winsted and New York. Over 750 .- 000 rabbit and hare skins are consumed annually. These are imported princi- pally from Australia. England. France. Bohemia and Russia. Australia being the chief source of rabbit skins and Russia of hare skins. The hatters' furs are sold only to hat manufacturers.
The officers of the company are: Edward F. Hickey. president and treasurer : Frank J. Hickey. vice-presi- dent. and Alice R. Brennan. secretary.
The Winsted Hardware Manufacturing Company
THE Winsted Hardware Mannfac- turing Company. located on the site of the old Beardsley Scythe fac- torv, with commodious brick buildings and one of the finest water privileges in the city. manufactures a complete line of drapery and upholstery hard- ware and numerous specialties, includ- ing a full line of solid hrass bathroom fittings offered in nickel plate, white enamel and chromium plated finishes.
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