USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Derby > The history of the old town of Derby, Connecticut, 1642-1880. With biographies and genealogies > Part 43
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405
THE DAM.
and after a, struggle of no small magnitude, nature conquered and the work rested during the winter. In the spring of 1869 it was taken up vigorously again, the dam was constructed to the western shore ; then the workmen returned to the middle gap in the river, and had very nearly brought it to perfection when a heavy flood came, drove the workmen away, tore out about two hundred feet of the structure to its foundations, and rolled it down the stream.
In the spring of 1870 the work was again taken up, when the whole central gap was closed up by a solid wall and the whole dam stood in its place, a magnificent work of art. On Wednes- day afternoon, Oct. 5, at three o'clock and ten seconds, the final cap stone was lifted to its position.
The engineer, Mr. H. T. Potter, received most hearty com- mendation and praise. He was a man of no specious pretense, yet very able ; patient as most men, often more so ; seeing at a glance what he could do, and always did what he promised ; many times under censure, and yet he went on his way steadily, pushing to the end, beating back one and another difficulty, until finally the work under his hands grew to its final comple- tion, a monument to his engineering skill.
The length of the construction, compassing the curve of fifty feet in crossing the river, is six hundred and thirty-seven feet, to which must be added one hundred and seventy-five feet in length in both abutments, making eight hundred feet of solid masonry. The abutments are twenty feet at the base, eight feet at the top and from twenty-five to thirty-two feet in height; the whole length of the masonry being capped with granite blocks from Maine. At the base of the dam juts an apron twenty-four feet in width of southern pine logs one foot square, resting upon and fastened to some two feet more of timber and masonry. The abutments at each end are thirty-seven feet high, each pierced by three eight feet square gate-ways, through which the water passes into the canals constructed on each side of the river. There is a lock constructed on the western canal ; also a weir or fish race through which an occasional June shad with a sprinkling of youthful lamprey eels are allowed to go up for the special benefit of the up country people.
The whole structure consists of blocks of rock laid in water
406
HISTORY OF DERBY.
cement, all done by first-class labor under rigid directions ; and so perfect is the masonry over which the water pours, that the surface of the sheet of water the entire length of the dam is as unbroken and smooth as if it were but a foot in length. The effect of the fall of such a body of water is as if the earth were trembling, rather than a great sound in the air, although science tells us it is in the air. This trembling has been observed many times in the upper or western part of the city of New Haven, a · distance in a direct line of over eight miles.
While the whole community have cheered on this work and rendered its aid in many ways, it is nevertheless due. to men- tion in a distinctive form the men who have been prominent in securing the construction and completion of this enterprise.
Edward N. Shelton, Edwin Wooster, John I. Howe, A. H. Alling, C. B. Alling, David W. Plumb,
William E. Downes,
Thomas Elmes,
Royal M. Bassett,
Robert May,
Thomas Burlock.
SHELTON.
This new and growing village, named after one of its pio- neers, Edward N. Shelton, is located directly opposite Birming- ham, across the Ousatonic in the town of Huntington. Its landscape rises gradually westward from the river over half a mile, reaching an elevation of two hundred and fifty feet facing the Orient sun, overlooking the Ousatonic and commanding a fine view of the charming and diversified scenery of Derby. The stranger is delighted with its natural and picturesque sur- roundings, and probably few localities in New England afford a more desirable site for a healthy and beautiful city. Since the completion of the Ousatonic dam in 1870 Shelton has grown rapidly and now numbers one hundred and seventy-five dwelling houses, many of which are spacious single residences, illus- trating the present day architecture as finely as any village in the country. " Adam's block " on Howe street is a good illus- tration of that style of combination of less expensive residences.
Shelton has now in operation twelve manufacturing establish- ments, all built of brick except the stone factory, and which afford opportunity for the employment in the aggregate of about
407
THE BASSETT FACTORY.
one thousand hands. Nelson H. Downs built the first factory, which is now occupied by J. W. Birdseye & Company, under the name of the Birmingham Corset Company, where they con- duct an extensive business, employing about 225 operatives.
Sharon Bassett's extensive carriage bolt factory was com- pleted in 1872 ; employs at present about sixty hands ; the monthly pay roll amounting to $2,000, and the yearly products to one hundred thousand dollars.
The stone factory, now occupied by E. C. Maltby & Son, manufacturers of spoons, forks and Maltby's dessicated cocoa-nut,
SH
BASS
JORWAY TRON
BOLT
WORKS
NORWAY IRON BOLT WORKS.
was one of the early buildings of the village. This firm employs about 80 hands. The factory was built by Edwin Wooster in 1872, he being one of the directors in the Ousatonic Water Com- pany, and labored industriously and was highly instrumental in obtaining subscriptions to the stock, overcoming prejudices against the undertaking, and was very efficient in forwarding the dam to completion, but the enterprise proved to be a sad misfor- tune to him. In 1873, while at work about the dam, he suffered the calamity of fracturing his thigh, which made him a cripple for life. On the 20th of April, 1876, he, in company with Frank Hayes and Patrick Cronan on board the Dunderburg laden with
408
HISTORY OF DERBY.
wood, was engineering the boat down the river about eight o'clock in a dark night, the water in the river being above its usual height, when, being deceived by an unusual light below, instead of entering the canal lock as he intended the boat went on the dam and all went over it. Wooster's last expression while going over was, "God save us all !" Cronan either floated or swam to the western shore near Wilkinson's paper mill, while Hayes was rescued from the artificial island just be- low the dam, both men being nearly exhausted. Wooster was a good swimmer, but he was lost. His relative, Col. Wm. B. Wooster, spared neither pains nor expense to find the body ; experienced divers being employed with others for several days but without success. On the 5th of May following, Bradley Crofut and others, while fishing, discovered his body standing nearly erect in the river opposite the old Thompson place just below the point of rocks.
Mr. Wooster was a native of Oxford and was connected in mercantile and manufacturing enterprises more than ten years. He was also for a long time deputy sheriff, and was a busy and enterprising man in his relations to society. He was sixty years of age, and his accidental death was deeply lamented and spread universal gloom over the community.
Wilkinson Brothers & Company put up their extensive mills in 1871 and 1872. In 1878 these mills were entirely destroyed by fire, sustaining a loss of $150,000. After the removal of the debris, through the remarkable energy and perseverance of Wil- liam Wilkinson, they were rebuilt in four months and eighteen days, and the manufacture of paper again commenced.
The products of the mill are manilla colored envelope and hardware papers. They employ seventy hands and turn out over a million dollars worth of paper annually. The firm consists of William Wilkinson, sen., Thomas P. Wilkinson, William H. Leach, Charles A. Wheedon and George S. Arnold. This ex- tensive concern is surpassed by no paper mill in the country, and that the quality of their goods is superior to all others in their line is manifest from the extent of the annual sales.
Derby Silver Company has been organized since 1872. Their present large factory was built in 1877. Mr. Edwin L. Britton inaugurated in Shelton the manufacture of Britannia or silver
WILCOX AND HOWE.
409
lated goods of various descriptions, and the business is now in . most prosperous condition and constantly increasing. The capital stock of the company is $140,000. They employ one hundred and thirty hands and produce annually $200,000 worth of goods ; their monthly pay roll being $8,000. E. De Forest Shelton, president ; William J. Miller, secretary ; William E. Downs, treasurer.
1
The Tack and Bolt factory, a branch of the Tack Company of Birmingham, was built in 1871 ; employs about fifty hands, and is among the substantial firms of the village.
[WILCOX & HOWE, CARRIAGE HARDWARE.
WILCOX AND HOWE, CARRIAGE HARDWARE.
The Derby Gas works, which supply Derby and vicinity with gas, were constructed in 1871; the charter having been ob- tained in 1859 by William B. Wooster. Present officers : William B. Wooster, president ; Charles H. Nettleton, secretary and treasurer, and general manager. The board of directors are : Charles B. Hotchkiss of Bridgeport, Charles Nettleton of New York, Charles Hill, Sidney A. Downes, Wm. B. Woos- ter and Wm. E. Downs of Derby.
Wilcox & Howe erected their present factory in 1875 ; the company consists of a copartnership, employing about forty hands, and is engaged in the manufacture of carriage hardware
52
410
HISTORY OF DERBY.
of a superior quality of over $ 100,000 worth annually. Darius Wilcox, one of the partners, started the business in Ansonia on a capital of $39. Their monthly pay roll exceeds $2,000, and the business is constantly increasing.
The Star Pin Company was organized in 1867 with a capital of $40,000 ; George H. Peck was then president, and Joseph Tomlinson, secretary and treasurer. At first the company manufactured pins at Wells Hollow in Huntington, Conn., but finding their business increasing, in 1875 they erected their present brick factory in Shelton. At that time Mr. Tomlinson sold largely of his stock to Mr. Peck, who has succeeded to the management of the business. Present officers : D. W. Plumb, president ; G. H. Peck, secretary and treasurer. To the mak- ing of pins has been added the manufacture of hooks and eyes and hair pins. The company is prosperous, employing fifty hands and turning out one hundred tons of goods yearly, at a value of $ 125,000.
Radcliffe Brothers, manufacturers of hosiery goods, built their factory in 1874. They employ about one hundred and ten hands, and produce $140,000 worth of goods annually, the monthly pay roll being $3,000.
The Beardsley Building Company is located in Shelton and is among the foremost in house and factory building. They employ on an average forty hands.
The Derby Cotton mills, for the manufacturing of linings, mosquito nettings, buckram and crinoline, have just been estab- lished and promise to be a regular bee-hive to Shelton. Their extensive works, as lately enlarged, are now nearly in full opera- tion. Robert Adams, sole proprietor of the concern, is a live man, enterprising, and understands thoroughly his business ; and will employ at least three hundred and twenty-five hands, with three hundred power looms, 17,000 spindles, turning out 4,500 pieces of goods per day. Monthly pay roll $7,000, and the annual products amounting to $350,000.
There are several smaller enterprises in the village.
Zachariah Spencer, machinist, turns out fine goods and work- manship in his line as a specialty.
Church Brothers, manufacturers of brackets and fancy wood- ware.
4II
THE INDIAN WELL.
The village is supplied with four grocery stores, two meat markets, one large carriage and blacksmith shop, conducted by John Donavan; two extensive coal yards, one by Horace Wheeler, the other by Perry Brothers, and two livery stables.
Felter
THE INDIAN WELL.
The place is blest with only one physician, Doctor Gould A. Shelton, a graduate of Yale Medical school, who is now in ac- tive and successful practice.
The Shelton Water Company, at an outlay of $20,000, have supplied the village with good water, having a fall of two hun-
412
HISTORY OF DERBY.
dred and fifty feet, and preparations are in progress for ample protection against fire. D. W. Plumb, president ; C. H. Net- tleton, general agent.
The accompanying illustration represents the Indian Well on the west of the Ousatonic about a mile above the dam ; it being one of the attractions of the Shelton side of the river and is a quiet spot in the gorge of the mountain where the sun seldom penetrates its rays. Silence reigns here supreme, broken only by the soft murmur of the stream falling a distance of twenty- five feet. Tradition says the Indians fathomed the well to the depth of a hundred feet and found no bottom and that they held some superstition of awe and veneration for the place. It is an enchanting spot and thousands of pleasure seekers visit it in the summer to enjoy its romantic scenery and seek recrea- tion from the busy routine of daily avocations.
In the midst of all this money and enterprise there is one in- stitution not professedly engaged in the acquisition of wealth, "The Scattergood Mission," the beginning of a church, sup- ported by all denominations, which is prosperous under the energy and perseverance of Rev. Friend Hoyt, who inaugurated the movement. A bill is now before the Legislature to legalize it into a Union Church society.
Thus within the last decade Shelton has put on the garb of a miniature city. The place is so intimately connected with Birmingham and Derby in business enterprises and social life that although located in another town it properly belongs to the history of Derby.
CHAPTER XIV.
ANSONIA.
HE territory on which Ansonia stands was originally called the Little Neck, it being formed a neck by the Naugatuck river and Beaver brook. Plum meadow was that part of this neck, which is low land lying between the river and the brook and extending up the brook until it is partly in the rear of the village.
Thomas Wooster, son of the first Edward, seems to have been the first man to own any of the territory of this Little Neck, he being granted one-half of Plum meadow in 1680.
In 1681 John Hull built the first grist-mill in the town on Beaver brook at the upper end of Plum meadow. In October, 1684, the town granted to John Hull and John Griffin, “ each of them a home lot in the Little Neck near the ponds." These ponds were caused, most probably, by the dam constructed for the grist-mill.
This locality about the old mill and along the road on the east side of Beaver brook below the dam was called the North End one hundred and fifty years, and is still recognized by that name. John Griffin and his brother, Samuel Griffin, resided in this place, one being a blacksmith, perhaps both. This mill continued some time after 1700, but Hull's mills on the old Naugatuck, absorbed all mill work after about 1710. From this last date the Little Neck was devoted exclusively to farms, un- less it might have been that some small enterprises of manufact- uring were conducted at the old mill-dam, perhaps a hat factory by James Humphrey and afterwards removed to Humphreys- ville.
This flourishing and enterprising part of the town is located over a mile above Derby Narrows and Birmingham. On the east and west the hills gradually rise from the Naugatuck, form- ing a picturesque landscape on either side. Forty years ago a large portion of the locality was a sandy plain with a few scat- tered farm residences on the elevated grounds. Ansonia proper,
414
HISTORY OF DERBY.
or within the borough limits, contains 456 dwellings, capable of accommodating 600 families, but many of these houses are pal- atial residences and the surrounding lawns beautified with or- namental trees and shrubbery. There are twelve factories, five churches, two banks, thirty-four stores of all kinds, three school- houses, three drug stores, three coal yards, four meat markets, and a great variety of shops where different kinds of goods are made and retailed. The factories are located on the east side of the Naugatuck, and are mostly built of brick or stone. In 1852 a fire destroyed several manufactures, causing an aggre- gate loss of $75,000, and in 1854 the Ansonia Clock Company was burned at a loss of $120,000, all of which was a great in- jury to the place.
After Birmingham had become established, as far back as 1836, Anson G. Phelps conceived the idea of utilizing the wa- ters of the Naugatuck for manufacturing purposes upon the west side of the river, and thus making one continuous village (and finally a city), from Birmingham north a distance of two or three miles, the location being eminently beautiful, and he continued in an unsettled state of mind six or eight years be- fore making any purchases of land in view of carrying out his noble project. By this time he had come into possession, by various purchases, of all the desirable real estate on the west side of the river except one piece called the " Old Bassett farm," and which was so situated as to be the key to the whole enter- prise. Learning from busy rumor what was going on, Stephen Booth (often called Squire Booth) stepped in to play a sharp game at speculation, and bought the farm for $5,000, a big price in those times, for agricultural purposes. Whether this was done to defeat the grand object of Mr. Phelps or to extort money, is not easily determined, but Mr. Phelps, chagrined at the movement, rested from his labors and took matters coolly, as he was not easily cornered and held in " durance vile " by strategy. At length Peter Phelps, the agent of his uncle, Anson G., made advances to Mr. Booth, and the result, after much circumlocution, was like the last chapter in the history of Rasselas, viz .: "the conclusion in which nothing was con- cluded." Ten thousand dollars was the sum talked of and par- tially agreed upon, but no writings were drawn. Meanwhile
415
OLD BASSETT FARM.
Mr. Booth moved into the ancient house on this farm, and when the rising sun greeted the old mansion his speculative brain fancied golden visions of the future while he thus soliloquized : "This farm is the key to Phelps's adventure, and to me these rocks are as diamonds of great value, and I will yet get my price." At the next meeting the old farm had gone up in value to $ 15,- 000. Mr. Phelps was ready to strike the first blow could the dog in the manger be removed, and the people, for the success of his project, now became interested. Many stories pro and con were raised about town, and an influential committee from Birmingham,-Sheldon Bassett, Donald Judson and others- waited on Mr. Booth, and in vain tried to persuade him to sell his farm, and as he wanted it for cultivating purposes, as he claimed, another was offered worth twice as much, but this seemed no temptation. The farm grew in value upon his mind, and after a while, matters remaining in statu quo, Mr. Booth became anxious, and hearing from one and another that he could get his $15,000, made advances to Peter Phelps, and an hour was appointed for an interview. The meeting was held in the parlor of Doct. Beardsley at Birmingham. After a lengthy preamble Mr. Booth said, " I have concluded to part with the farm, and after all that has been said the lowest price now cash down is $25,000, but if this offer is rejected the lowest figure hereafter will be $30,000. Peter Phelps, the agent who had full powers to close the bargain at $15,000, and expected to do so, spurned the proposition and turning indignantly said : “Go to h-1 with your old farm ; when you get what we first offered you let us know." This was a back stroke to the wheel of for- tune to Mr. Booth and a fatal blow to the city project of Bir- mingham.
Mr. Phelps now turned his attention to the east side of the Naugatuck, but this was claimed by Old Booth, (as he was now called) simply as a ruse to overreach him, and once more the old farm was held in still higher valuation.
The first survey of the grounds now teeming with the busy life of Ansonia was made by John Clouse, Anson G. Phelps, Almon Farrell and other gentlemen. After nearly a day's tramp around the lots Clouse planted himself upon a high rock near where the Congregational church now stands, and casting
416
HISTORY OF DERBY.
his eyes around, said, " Mr. Phelps, this is one of the finest places for a village in this Western world. I would be content here to live and die, and be buried near this very spot with no other monument to my name than this rock and the memory of those who may come after me." Purchases were immedi- ately made, and about the same time the Seymour dam, built by Raymond French, was bought, which defeated the pur- pose of a manufacturing village on the west side of the river a mile north of Ansonia, to be called Kinneytown.
Mr. Phelps now bent his masterly energies towards carrying out his plans, and the last lingering hope of selling the diamond farm did not vanish from the mind of Mr. Booth until he saw, in 1845, a long line of Irishmen with picks and shovels, carts and horses .ready to commence broad and deep the canal and other foundations for the new village. From the first building erected on Main street, Ansonia has steadily grown in wealth, population and enterprise until she now vies with any manu- facturing village in the state. Eagle like, she has spread her wings in all directions, and the old Bassett farm, having under- gone many mutations, is now adorned with beautiful lawns and gardens, and dotted with neat little cottages and elegant man- sions. Many imprecations were heaped upon Mr. Booth by the people of Derby, for being a stumbling block in the way of Bir- mingham progress, while the denizens of Ansonia may now rise up and call him blessed.
While Mr. Phelps was one day at Doct. Beardsley's dinner table, about this time, he said "Doctor, we are in a quandary as to what name to give our new village. Some are in favor of calling it Phelpsville, but I have one place by that name already." The Doctor remarked, " I suppose you would like your name associated with the place." "That would be very desirable." Impromptu, the Doctor said, " Take your Christian name, An- son, and make a Latin name of it and call it Ansonia ; this will be euphonious, rather poetical, and will carry your name down to the latest generation." Instantly Mr. Phelps dropped his knife and fork, and exclaimed. "That's the name; it suits me exactly ;" and at the next meeting of the company it was adopted, and hence it was called Ansonia.
The embankment, a mile and a half long, forming the great
417
COPPER MILLS.
reservoir, was commenced in 1845 and finished in 1846. The irst contractors, two in number, from Massachusetts, after expending $ 10,000, abandoned the work, and it was then given nto the hands of Almon Farrell with Abraham Hubbell, the atter having come to Ansonia in April, 1845, and under their supervision it was completed.
THE COPPER MILLS of Ansonia were the first mills built ; the company having a capital of $50,000. The foundation was laid in the fall of 1844, by Almon Farrell, and the superstructure was erected by Harvey Johnson the same year. Donald Judson was president of the company, and Sheldon Bassett, secretary and treasurer. In 1854 the big copper mills at Birmingham were removed to Ansonia and merged into the present copper mills of the latter place. Donald Judson soon retired from the company with others, and the concern, most of it, fell into the hands of Anson G. Phelps. Afterwards, for several years, the business was conducted extensively and successfully by Abra- ham Hubbell, Thomas Whitney, now deceased, and Major Powe.
This " Ansonia Brass and Copper Company " is probably the most extensive manufacturing establishment in the town, having several branch factories in Ansonia, namely, the upper copper mills and the lower wire mills, besides the factories on Main street, all within the limits of the borough. The company has also a branch factory in Brooklyn, N. Y. It owns largely of real estate in the town. The company manufactures largely brass and copper, iron wire, sun-burners, nickel and silver plated sheets, brass-kettles, copper tubing, and many other articles in this line of goods. The good management of this company has added greatly to the wealth and prosperity of Derby, and its business is continually increasing. Its warehouse is the elegant store in Cliff street, Phelps Building, New York.
On an average it employs 175 hands and turns out about $2,000,000 worth of goods annually. The monthly pay-roll for several years past has been from $20,000 to $25,000. The present officers are : William E. Dodge, jun., president ; George P. Cowles, vice-president and treasurer ; A. A. Cowles, secretary.
THE BIRMINGHAM WATER-POWER COMPANY is now owned by parties in Ansonia, where the office is located. It originally belonged to Smith and Phelps, and was one of the first enter-
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