USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > The town and city of Waterbury, Connecticut, from the aboriginal period to the year eighteen hundred and ninety-five. Volume II > Part 25
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CHAFITE D. KINGSUOLY.
Charles De an Ring Nih
December ¡: 1795. Hle was educated wo the subis of the joon and in thy Rev. Daniel Parker's school al Ellsworth in Shiroh. Among his schoolmites there were Charles A. Goodyear, the inventor, and Henry G. Ludlow, afterwards a prominent clergyman in New York. He remembered among his teachers here Ashley Scott Miss Hotch- Ites, a siste of Procon Elijah Hotchkiss, Miss Rosetta Fenn of Plewordth, Mise Bottle of Tureington, Orrin Porter, Mr. Williams, Rer Minnt Il Berber aol A Ma Leavenworth; and among the maces webere be all school, the West Centre district astrochouse, the ball room in Daswi Marden's house, where the church of the Limmaculate Conception nowy -tands, and i himo metsoml M 5. John's church. When seventeen years of age, he beenon & sterk for Benedict & Burton at the store on the west side of Tuchange place, corner of Harrison alley. In 1814 he had affection of the lungs, but recovered from it, and maile , carey' on horse- bel to New London, riding all day in sight of lay's fleet which was then lying In the Sound, and which afterwas attacked Ston- ingion About this time he studied medich with Dr. Edward Field, and thus acquired the title of Doctor, vit b among his early negumintanges be retained during his life. to the full of this year he entered the eniploy of Burton & Leavenworth, and during the winter following travelled with Mr. Leavenworth in the Southern states, selling clocks. A journal of a portion of this journey still exists, They went from Waterbury to Litchfield, crossed the Hud-
Etched by to
Rosenthal Phila 1889
Crcu led (2). Mingubury
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MERCHANTS, EARLY AND LATER.
son at Newburgh, and went south by the way of Harrisburg and through the valley of Virginia. After his return, Burton & Leav- enworth dissolved partnership, and he spent some time in settling up their business. He then spent one year in Virginia, in Richmond and its vicinity, selling books for the publishing house of Mitchell, Ames & White of Philadelphia. He sold the leading law books of the time, Jefferson's "Notes," Wirt's "Life of Patrick Henry," Walsh's "Appeal," and other books of this class, also some medical works. He visited the lawyers and physicians at the county seats and at their homes, and was everywhere very kindly received, fre- quently spending several days at one place. He always referred to his experience at this time as extremely pleasant and profitable. The winter of 1820-'21 he spent in Philadelphia, as agent for Lewis, Grilley & Lewis, button makers of Naugatuck.
In the spring of 1821 he leased, and subsequently purchased, the store where he had formerly been employed, and here carried on a mercantile business for nearly twenty years. Leavenworth, Hay- den & Scovill's was the only other general country store then in town. Dr. Johnson's drug store being closed about this time, Mr. Kingsbury added drugs to his stock. He also employed men in the manufacture of shoes and harnesses, and had a pearl - button factory and a saw-mill on Mad river, where the factory of the Ameri- can Mills company now is. In 1827 William Brown, who THE RESIDENCE OF CHARLES D. KINGSBURY, 1889. had been his clerk and who married his sister, became his partner. In 1830 Mr. Brown went to South Carolina and Dr. Frederick Leaven- worth became his partner. They had separate stores, however, Dr. Leavenworth dealing in drugs and groceries, but not in dry goods. After 1835 they occupied the same building. In 1838, Mr. Kings- bury's health being impaired, he gave up his mercantile business, and thereafter devoted himself to the care and cultivation of his
16
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
land, carrying on farming for several years on an extensive scale, and later, building and selling houses and selling land. His father and his grandfather were large landholders, and for that reason and because he took an interest in the subject, he probably possessed, after the death of his uncle Judge Bronson, more information in regard to early land lines, bounds and titles than any other inhabi- tant of Waterbury. At different times, he held various offices in the town, borough and school organizations. He was at the time of his death the oldest member of the First church and the oldest male native-born resident of the town. Notwithstanding his great age and a naturally delicate organization, he retained his faculties to a remarkable degree. He had an elastic step and he kept his accounts regularly, making daily entries until five days before his death. He died January 16, 1890, in a house on North Main street which he had occupied for nearly sixty years, and which was built by his great-great-grandfather, Thomas Bronson.
S. B. MINOR.
Solomon B. Minor, son of Solomon and Mary Minor, was born at Woodbury, January 20, 1785. He came to Waterbury in his boy- hood, and became a clerk in the store of Leavenworth, Hayden & Scovill,-a position which he held for a number of years. A corres- pondent of the Valley Index, April 19, 1878, giving reminiscences of an earlier time, speaks of this store with the following reference to Mr. Minor, then chief clerk:
He wrote a very round and beautiful hand, was an exact accountant, and kept everything in his department neat and orderly. If a lady came in, he addressed himself at once to the shelves of dry goods, and after she had pointed out what she wished to look at, took down the piece and laid it on the counter. If she desired to look at something else, the first piece was rolled up, put in place, and the next that was designated placed before her, without note or comment, and so on till the cus- tomer had made her selection, or was otherwise satisfied.
Mr. Minor became a remarkably skillful book-keeper, at a day when business colleges had not made double-entry book-keeping so common as at the present time. He had the reputation of great exactness, and his accounts were said to be always " correct to the last penny." In 1838 he embarked in a new business enterprise, the manufacture of buttons, candlesticks and miscellanies,-under the firm name of Cooke & Minor. This undertaking proved unsuc- cessful, and Mr. Minor paid off, in a manner most honorable to himself, large debts contracted through no fault of his. He held the position of book-keeper at Brown & Elton's factory from the
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MERCHANTS, EARLY AND LATER.
time of its establishment in 1831 for nineteen years. Their original factory was owned later by Rogers & Brother, who in 1860 tore down the old counting house. In its corner stone was found a bottle, containing the following document written by Mr. Minor:
The Manufactory for which this Counting House was erected, was built by Israel Holmes, Horace Hotchkiss, Philo Brown and John P. Elton for the purpose of casting and rolling brass, making brass and copper wire, brass and copper tubes, etc. The machinery and men to conduct the business were imported from Birming- ham, England, in the year 1831 and 1832. The wire manufactory being the first, and at this time the only one in the United States, now employs about twenty-five (25) hands.
TIMOTHY CORCORAN, Head Wire Drawer.
SOLOMON B. MINOR, Accountant.
No ardent spirits allowed on the premises.
Waterbury, November 5, 1835.
During the year 1849 he also acted as book-keeper for the Water- bury Brass company. He was town clerk from 1841 to 1847, and kept the records in a style fitted to make all subsequent readers of them grateful. Mr. F. J. Kingsbury, in his sketch of the Waterbury academy, referring to the articles of association, says: "They are written in the well-known, round hand of Solomon B. Minor, which in those days was almost necessary to make a document valid in Waterbury." He was in some way connected with nearly all the leading manufactories of the town, in many of which he was a stock- holder. He also held shares in the Riverside Cemetery association, and in the Waterbury academy.
On November 12, 1820, Mr. Minor became a member of the First church. From that time forward he took a profound and active interest in church work of all kinds, particularly in mis- sionary and temperance enterprises. He was the secretary of the Waterbury Temperance society, established April 19, 1830. Among his papers is found the following, indicating the practical interest he took in the education of young men for the ministry:
Received, Waterbury, October 12th, 1835, of Mr. Solomon B. Minor, ten dollars, being the two last installments of his subscription for the education of indigent students in Yale College.
$10.
For WYLLYS WARNER, Treasurer. WILLIAM S. HOOKER.
Incidentally it appears, moreover, that on one occasion he paid the "whole bill for some church repairs." He supported a colporteur of the American Tract society in 1857, sending his contributions through the Waterbury auxiliary society.
On February 18, 1849-at the age of sixty-four-Mr. Minor mar- ried Cynthia Adeline, daughter of Solomon and Cynthia Carrington.
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
Their children are as follows: (1) Solomon Carrington, of whom further notice will be found among the physicians. (2) Angeline Mary, born December 23, 1851, died April 23, 1855. (3) Julia Antoin- ette, born June 1, 1854. She was graduated from the State Normal school at New Britain in 1872, and was for several years a success- ful teacher. On the occasion of her mother's death, February 22, 1875, she relinquished a lucrative position to assume the charge of her old home, and on June 1, 1878, she married Nathaniel Minor Strong of Woodbury. (4) Emily Terry, born June 19, 1857. She was graduated from Mount Holyoke Seminary, in June, 1880. After teaching for a short time, she engaged in city missions in the city of New York, where she remained for nine years. In 1891 she went as missionary to Kolhapur, India, under the Presbyterian Board of Missions, and is still at work in that field. (5) Mary R. Minor, born February 11, 1859. In 1891 she accompanied her sister to India, as a companion. The climate developed an affection of the lungs to which she was subject, so that she was obliged to return to this country the following year. She is now living in Kensington.
Mr. Minor was a man whose nobility of character showed to advantage in the family circle. One of his daughters, in a letter to her brother, says of him:
Of his purity, honor and integrity, you and I need no one to tell us. He was a deeply religious man in heart and life. His books of " Remarks " cover ten years, in which he never failed to write religious thoughts on some text of Scripture morning and evening, with increased devoutness on the Lord's day.
He died of paralysis, December 21, 1867.
WILLIAM BROWN.
William Brown, the second son of Deacon James and Lavinia (Welton) Brown, was born June 15, 1804. He was educated in the schools of the town, and in his boyhood worked with his father, as was the custom with boys of that time. At the age of eighteen he became a clerk for Charles D. Kingsbury, and in 1827 a partner. In 1830 he removed to Pleasant Valley, S. C., where he remained two years. On his return, in company with his younger brother, Augustus, he opened a store in the Porter building, corner of Exchange place and West Main street. In the summer of 1835, the Porter building having been burned, they purchased the goods and business of Kendrick & Co., in the store on the corner of West Main and Leavenworth streets. The firm also carried on the manufac- ture of buttons and hooks and eyes. In 1842 Mr. Brown took charge of the Waterville Manufacturing company, in the manufacture of
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MISTORY OF WATERBURY
Their children are as follows: () Solomon Carrington, of whom Further mottos will be fun! among the physicians. (2) Angeline Mary_ Las Elecetaber xj. (851, died April 23, 1555. (3) Julia Antoin- ette, ban fante 1, 85 . She was graduated from the State Normal woh l New Britain in (872, and was for several years a success- . Miescher. On the occasion of her mother's death, February 22, 115, she relinquished a lucrative position to assume the charge of Der old home, and on June 1 1878, she married Nathaniel Minor Strong of Woodbury. (4) Emlly Terry, born June 19, 1857. She was graduated from Mount Holyoke Seminary, in June, 1880, After teaching for a short time, she enyared in city missions in the city of New York, where she remained for dine years. In rSor she went as missionary to Kolhapur, Title under the Presbyterian Board of Missioni, amil le still at work in chat feld (5| Mar, R. Minor, born February vi, logo In akór who accompanied Her sister to India, as a companion, The climate developed uu affeofion of the lungs to which she was sullject, so that she was obliged ba retriro lo this country the folletos opne Shelter Wing in Kenstoetan.
advantage in the family circle. One of hig danybons in x letter to her brother, says of him:
Of his purity honor and integrity, you and I need no one to tell us. He was a deeply religious nian in heart and life. His books of " Remarks " cover ten years, in which he oover failed to write religious thoughts on come Lext of Scripture morning and evening, with increased devoutmost on the Lord's day.
Dedinyof paralysis, December 2x, 1367.
MIELI&M DROWN.
William Brawn, the second son of Deacon Jur . and Lavinia (Welton) Brown, was born June 15, 1804 HTe was located in the schools of the town, and in his boyhood worked with bis Enter, as was the custom with boys of that time. At the age of augstcen he Les me a clerk for Charles D. Kingsbury, and in ISey a partner. In 18 jo he removed to Pleasant Valley, S. C., where he remained two years On his return, in company with his younger brother, Augustu, he opened a store in the Porter building, corner of Exchange place and West Main street. In the summer of 1835, the Porter building having been burned, they purchased the goods and business of Kendrick & Co., in the store on the corner of West Main and Leavenworth strect .. The firm also carried on the manufac- ture of buttons and books und eyes. In 1842 Mr. Brown took charge of the Waterville Manufacturing company, in the manufacture of
7
Nu Brown
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MERCHANTS, EARLY AND LATER.
buttons and pocket cutlery, and remained with them several years. In 1851, in connection with his three brothers, Philo, Augustus, and James, he established the corporation of Brown & Brothers, for the manufacture of brass and German silver metal and goods, and during the next fifteen years gave up his time principally to that business. After disposing of his interest in that corporation, he devoted himself to the care of his real estate and to other business interests. He was a director in many corporations, and his advice in the management of them and in reference to matters of public concern was much valued. He was president of the Detroit and Lake Superior Copper company, was a member of the Board of Agents of the Bronson library, and filled various places of respon- sibility in connection with the affairs of the city, town and state. In 1870 and 1880, he represented the Fifth Senatorial district, and was a member of the Senate at the time of his death. He also represented Waterbury in the House of Representatives in 1872, 1874 and 1875. He was a man of sound judgment and keen business insight. He investigated a subject with great care and so exhaus- tively that no aspect of it was likely to escape him. He was a safe counsellor and an excellent negotiator; patient, wary, thorough, never losing sight of the end in view. As a legislator he was care- ful, conservative, uniformly courteous and moderate; never hasty in forming an opinion, but adhering to it firmly, though not obstin- ately, when formed. He was a good neighbor, a loyal friend and a useful citizen; quiet and domestic in his habits, simple in his tastes, a kind and affectionate husband and father.
He married, December 17, 1828, Sarah Susannah, daughter of Judge John Kingsbury. She died May 28, 1841, and on March 25, 1844, he married Rachel Vienna, daughter of Asa Fenn, of Middle- bury. (See Vol. I, Ap. p. 30.)
He died suddenly of a heart affection, March 3, 1881. The children who survive him are Robert Kingsbury (see page 213), Eliza Jane, who married Guernsey S. Parsons (see page 181), and Frederick James. His eldest child, Marcia Bronson, who was born July 31, 1832, died at Petersburg, Va., December 14, 1851.
FREDERICK JAMES BROWN was born September 30, 1855. He was educated in New Haven, at the Hopkins Grammar school, and spent two years at Yale, in the class of 1878. He was a member of the Common Council in 1882, of the Board of Education in 1883, and of the House of Representatives in 1883 and 1885. On October 3, 1878, he married Lena Migeon, daughter of Hiram W. Hayden. Their children are Leonie Migeon and Hayden William.
246
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
AUGUSTUS BROWN.
Augustus Brown, the third son of Deacon James and Lavinia (Welton) Brown, was born August 20, 1811. He was educated in the schools of the town, and when about sixteen years of age entered the store of Charles D. Kingsbury as a clerk, under his brother William. In 1830 he went with his brother to South Carolina, and on his return entered into partnership with him. This business relation continued, in one form and another, in connection with the Waterville company and Brown & Brothers, until William Brown disposed of his interest in the latter concern. In 1867 he removed to Rochester, N. Y., and engaged in the furniture business. He died October 5, 1870.
On March 6, 1844, Mr. Brown married Frances Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Joseph Burton. Their children are: (1) Charles Augustus, born January 11, 1845, married, February 22, 1873, Sarah Wightman of Horseheads, N. Y .; (2) Frances Elizabeth, born March 23, 1848, married, November 24, 1869, to James B. Humphrey of Rochester, N. Y., who died August 9, 1871; married April 23, 1873, to John A. Fonda of New York. Mrs. Brown died April 10, 1851, and on Janu- ary 22, 1856, Mr. Brown married Sophia, daughter of Jacob De Groff of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Their children are: (1) Sophia May, born May 1, 1857, married January 22, 1878, to Silas Stuart of Sag Harbor, N. Y .; (2) James Spencer, born March 23, 1863, married December 9, 1887, Helen, daughter of Thomas Russell of Montclair, N. J. (See further, in the chapter on the medical profession.)
ALBERT BURRITT.
Albert Burritt, the son of David and Anna (Wells) Burritt, was born in Stratford, October 13, 1813. He removed to Waterbury about 1848, and has resided here since that time, engaged in mer- cantile pursuits. Soon after coming here, he erected a store on South Main street, carting the materials for that purpose from Derby, as the Naugatuck railroad was unfinished at that time. In partnership with his brother, under the firm name of W. W. Burritt & Co., he carried on an extensive hardware business. Later, John H. Smith became associated with the firm, and its name was changed to Burritt Brothers & Smith, W. H. Scovill being at the same time a special partner. After Mr. Scovill's death Albert Burritt bought out his partners, and enlarged and extended the South Main street store. In 1859 he purchased the hardware in- terest of Benedict & Burnham, thus becoming the only hardware merchant in town. In 1862 a crockery department-the largest in
Tranles Scoll
247
MERCHANTS, EARLY AND LATER.
the state outside of Hartford-was added to the business. The firm was incorporated as a stock company in 1881, with Albert Burritt president, and A. C. Burritt secretary and treasurer.
In 1832 or '33 he married Betsy Stratton, by whom he had two children : Susan, wife of William Davis, and John, who died in January, 1867. In 1845 he married Harriet Barker Coffin, by whom he had three children : Angelo Clarence, who married Clara M., daughter of Hopkins Hall; Albert Melrose, who married Sophia- F. Canada (who died on August 1880), and Harriet.
CHARLES SCOTT.
Charles Scott, the son of Daniel and Roxy (Todd) Scott, was born in Waterbury, March 21, 1817. At the age of seventeen he entered the store of Charles D. Kingsbury, where he remained until he entered the store of J. M. L. & W. H. Scovill. In 1846,' he went to Boston as a partner in a house established by Arad W. Welton. Gordon W. Burnham was also a partner and the name of the firm was Burnham, Welton & Co., and later, Burnham, Scott & Co. Mr. Scott remained in the business in Boston for over thirty years and was very successful. After this he made his home in New Haven, but spent much of his time in travel. About 1880 he fixed his residence in Washington, D. C. He married in 1838 Theodosia, daughter of Philemon Holt of Waterbury. She was an invalid for many years, and died May 21, 1892. They have one daughter, Fanny Theodosia, who resides in Washington.
Mr. Scott, while living in Waterbury, filled for a time the office of town clerk. He generously remembered his native town in his will, leaving $5000 to each of the Episcopal parishes, and $5000 to the Waterbury hospital. He died at Washington, October 5, 1893, and was buried in Riverside cemetery.
JOHN MULLINGS.
John Mullings, son of Moses and Johanna (Barton) Mullings, was born March 22, 1817, at Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England. He came to America with his parents in July, 1829, and settled in Middletown, where he attended the public schools and afterwards learned his trade. In 1840 he came to Waterbury and went into business as a tailor with Albert Hotchkiss, in a building situated where Bohl's block now stands. When Hotchkiss block was built he opened a tailoring establishment in the corner store with J. W. Smith. After forty-seven years of active life, he retired in 1887, leaving his well established business and good name to his son.
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
On March 30, 1844, Mr. Mullings married Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac R. W. Brooks, of Bethany. (See Vol. I, Ap. p. 92.) Their chil- dren are Georgianna Elizabeth, married May 10, 1870, to Gardner M. Hall, who died October 13, 1880, leaving two children, Willis Mullings and Elizabeth Amy; Mary Ella; John Brooks; and Char- lotte Barton, married September 23, 1886, to Joseph H. Woodward. They have one child, Lucia Burr. Another son, Henry Franklin, born April 20, 1854, died October 9, 1868, having been accidentally shot while hunting. Mr. Mullings died October 13, 1892.
JOHN BROOKS MULLINGS, son of John and Elizabeth (Brooks) Mullings, was born January 17, 1851. He was educated at the Waterbury High school. In 1869 he was received into partnership by his father, and in February, 1887, on his father's retirement, he took the business, which he has perpetuated with success. In 1883 in connection with Henry Frisbie, Mr. Mullings built Commercial block, including Music hall; and during the succeeding three years he erected eleven houses. He married, November 12, 1873, Kate L., daughter of George Gilbert. Their children are Minnie Adele and George Gilbert.
NIROM B. PLATT.
Nirom Blackman Platt, son of Alfred and Irene (Blackman) Platt, was born at Platt's Mills, September 1, 1818, and was the eldest of six brothers. He attended Amos Smith's school in New Haven, and afterwards became a merchant. He was a man of irre- proachable character, strong in his convictions, and a devoted mem- ber of the Baptist church. He married Eliza Kirtland of Wood- bury, by whom he had seven children : Frances Eugenia, widow of Charles H. Russell; Margaret Phebe, wife of Wilson N. Osborn, New Brunswick, N. Y .; Ida Kirtland, wife of Lewis Elmer Per- kins, Naugatuck; Willard Wheeler, at present living in California; and three who died in childhood. Mr. Platt died October 14, 1863. (See further, Vol. I, Ap. p. 103.)
HENRY MERRIMAN.
Henry Merriman, youngest son of William Henry and Sarah (Buckingham) Merriman was born at Watertown, March 25, 1820. He was educated in part at the Waterbury academy, and, in 1835, first went into business as salesman for the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing company. He was afterwards connected with Hotchkiss & Merriman, with Benedict, Merriman & Co., and later with Edwin S. Hoyt in the real estate business, under the name of Hoyt & Merriman. He married, in 1869, Mrs. Mary Heminway; their children are Harry Morton and Merritt Heminway.
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
On March -50, 1844, Mr. Mullings married Elizabeth, daughter of Iwie R. W Books, of Bethany. (See Vol. I, Ap. p. 02.) Their chil- diên are Georgianna Elisabeth, married May 10, 1870, to Gardner M. Hall. who died Ofroher 13. 18So, leaving two children, Willis Mulleg 546 Elizabethy Amy: Mary Ella; John Brooks; and Char- lotte Tamton, married September 23, 1886, to Joseph H. Woodward. They have one child, Lucia Burr. Another son, Henry Franklin, Morn April 29, 1854, died October o. 1666, having been accidentally shot while bunting. Mr. Mullings died October 13, 1892.
JORN BROOKS MULERSHE. 500 of Two and Elizabeth (Brooks) Mullings, was born Die He was educated at the Waterbury High school Ten by his father, and In received into partnership Father's retirement, he tool the baltic al-bas pad with success. In 1883 in connection with fleury Pritroc, 37 Mulixuge built Commercial block, weluding Music hall; aod darine Ch voeding three years he eresied eleven houser Te omst Kate L.,
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