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 30
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Amidst engrossing cares he has found opportunities for no little research in the various fields which attract scholarly men. He has always been interested in the growth and prosperity of his native town, and has taken an active part in plans for its improvement. In a city devoted to manufactures and trade, he has long been a conspicuous representative of the best American culture, illustrating the practic- ability of combining an intelligent interest in literature, art and science with fidelity to important business trusts and to constantly accumulating duties .*
On April 29, 1851, Mr. Kingsbury married Alathea, daughter of W. H. Scovill. Their children are as follows: William Charles, who died in 1864; Mary Eunice, who is married to Dr. Charles Stedman Bull, of New York city, and has three children; Alice Eliza; Edith Davies; and Frederick John, who married Adele Townsend, and has one child. These children are the lineal de- scendants of all the clergymen, of either denomination, who were settled in Waterbury during its first hundred years.
CHAUNCEY P. GOSS.
Chauncey Porter Goss, son of Ephraim and Margaret (Porter) Goss, was born in Rochester, N. Y., August 5, 1838. His father was a lawyer of more than ordinary ability, a man of unquestioned probity in all the affairs of life, requiring and receiving implicit obedience from his children. His mother was a model of gentle- ness, order and neatness; and from these two characters, each posi- tive in its own way, C. P. Goss inherited those qualities which have made him a successful and conspicuous man of business.
He was educated at the district school in Pittsford, N. Y., to which place the family had removed when he was two years of age. He first served an apprenticeship in a general store in Pittsford,
* Biographical Encyclopædia of Connecticut and Rhode Island, pp. 240, 241.
Mutigmarian society, the American
Connecticut Academy of Arts and wwwwww County Historical society, the Society of Was wal The University and Century clubs. As all ty, be is fond of historical and literary pursuits, she has given much attention to sociological ques- m a strong taste for genealogical inquiries, and a " kotile An thory for minute events and family relationships; so Kof fie is a recognized authority in matters of local history. (Men- Mon of his literary con obations will be found elsewhere.) What the present writer half of biny w wh way with propricty no repeated Fore.
research in the
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On April 29, 1851, Alt. Kingsbury married punkter W. H. Scovill. Their children are as followsr. Williams ( Bayless, who died in 1864; Mary Eanice, who is married to Dr. Charles Stedmay Bull, of New York city, and has three children; Alice Elizo: Edith Dryice? you Frederick John, who married Adele Townsend, and has one all These children are the lineal de- scendamis of all the ero id woher denomination, who were settled in Walerises didiky, Its Srst ouodred years
Chauncey Porter Goss, son of Ephraim Ant (Porter) Goss, was born in Rochester, N. Y. Angusrs x 18. His father was a lowper of more than ordinary ability, A mars of proprestioned profily ja Mit the affairs of life, requiring and receiving implicit obedieser Troby his children His mother was a model of gentle- ness, spor and meatness, and from these two characters, cach posi- Like imita omo way, e. P. Goss inherited those qualities which have made Mma weces lul and conspicuous man of business.
He was morgonted at the district school in Pittsford, N. Y., to which piace the Fully had temored when he was two years of age. He fest sersed in apprenticeship in a general store in Pittsford,
29I
THE SCOVILL MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
and while yet a mere boy entered the lists as a buyer of all kinds of produce, in competition with men of mature years and long experience. By absolute fairness of dealing he soon won the confi- dence of the farmers and taught them at the same time that in no case was it possible to overreach or deceive him.
He came to Waterbury in 1862, and entered the Scovill Man- ufacturing com . pany as assistant bookkeeper. He was elected secre- tary in January 1864, treasurer in 1 869, and a di- rector in 1876. He is also treasurer of the Matthews & Willard Manu- facturing com- pany. His energy, his close attention to the interests - he represents, and his successes, are all well known to the community. RESIDENCE OF C. P. GOSS, 1892. He is an active member of the First church, and has served repeat- edly on its society's committee.
Mr. Goss married Caroline Amelia Ketcham; their children are Edward Otis, who married Harriet Wheeler; Margaret Porter; Caroline Ryan; John Henry; Mary Elizabeth; Chauncey Porter and George Augustus.
MARK L. SPERRY.
Mark Leavenworth Sperry was born in Waterbury, October 23, 1842, and is the son of Corydon Stillman and Catherine (Leaven- worth) Sperry, and grandson of Mark Leavenworth, who was one of the pioneer manufacturers of Waterbury. He lived in Brook- lyn, N. Y., from 1844 to 1850, when he removed with his parents to Waterbury. He was educated in the common schools of Brooklyn and Waterbury. He was employed in the office of the Waterbury Knitting company, from 1857 to 1862. In August, 1862, he became bookkeeper for the Scovill Manufacturing company; was elected secretary of that company in January, 1869, and a director Decem-
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
ber 21, 1877. He married, March 14, 1878, Julia Sherman, daughter of Ansel C. Porter. Their children are Ethel Leavenworth, Leaven- worth Porter, Ruth Sherman, Roger Sherman, Evelyn Stillman, who died in infancy, and Mark Leavenworth.
LENTHAL S. DAVIS.
Lenthal Sanderson Davis, son of Henry and Mary A. Davis, was born at Scio, Allegany county, N. Y., on December 16, 1830. He came to Waterbury in his boyhood and received his education in the schools of the town. In early manhood he became connected with the Scovill Manufacturing company. For many years he had charge of the button manufacturing department of that concern, and held that position until his death. He was one of the original members of the Second Congregational church, and took an active interest in church work throughout his life. In the early days of the Young Men's Christian association he was identified with that organization, and when the Second church established a mission at Oakville it became his special charge, and he devoted to it not only time but thought and effort. He was appointed a deacon of the church on June 23, 1882.
On October 16, 1867, he married Sarah Elizabeth Martin, his second wife, who, with a daughter, Frances Emily, survives him. Mr. Davis died March 14, 1894.
GEORGE TOMPKINS.
George Tompkins, the eldest of seven children of Merritt and Laura (Jewell) Tompkins, was born May 10, 1823. (See Vol. I, Ap. p. 128.) At the age of twelve he entered the employ of the Scovill Manufacturing company, and was advanced to the position of fore- man in the burnishing room of the button department. He was employed by the Scovill company for fifty-three years, and at the time of his death was the oldest employee but one (measuring by term of service) in any of the manufacturing concerns of Water- bury. He served the city as alderman and councilman, and on the road, sewer and police boards. He was a member of the Second Congregational church, and in early life was leader and manager of the famous Tompkins band, of which an account is given in the chapter on music.
He married, October 6, 1843, Frances A., daughter of Edward Sandland. Their children are, George E. Tompkins, and two daughters, of whom one married F. B. Atwood, and the other W. E. Bailey. Mr. Tompkins died November 12, 1888.
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THE SCOVILL MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
WILLIAM A. MORRIS.
William Augustus Morris, son of Julius and Hannah (Scovill) Morris, was born April 5, 1825.
At the age of twelve he entered the employ of the Scovill Man- ufacturing company, and remained connected with it for fifty-four years, when he retired from business. For many years he was in charge of the department in which blanks for clock wheels and watch wheels are cut. He was formerly connected with the choir of the First church, playing several instruments as occasion required.
Mr. Morris was a man of sterling character, and possessed of a genial and kindly disposition. He was a great reader, and having a remarkably accurate memory, was considered an authority on matters pertaining to local history.
On May 30, 1848, he married Mary A. Carberry, who died March 31, 1877. On June 3, 1878, he married Emily Augusta Hayward, who survives him.
He died suddenly, August 23, 1894. He left no children.
T. R. HYDE.
Theophilus Rogers Hyde, son of Theophilus Rogers and Fanny (Hazard) Hyde, was born in Stonington, December 18, 1855. He was educated at the high school in Westerly, R. I., and graduated from there in June, 1874. In September following he came to Waterbury to accept a position in the office of the Scovill Manufac- turing company, and has continued there until the present time.
On March 11, 1880, he married Jennie Pelton, daughter of Will- iam Burdon of Brooklyn, N. Y. They have five children, three sons and two daughters.
WALLACE H. CAMP.
Wallace Henry Camp is the son of Jabez McAll and Mary (Hea- ton) Camp, and was born in Harwinton, February 20, 1850. His grandfather, the Rev. Joseph E. Camp, was the first pastor of the Congregational church in Northfield, and served in that office from 1794 to 1837.
At the age of fifteen he removed from Harwinton to Wolcott- ville, where he lived until 1870. He then came to Waterbury and obtained a situation with the Scovill Manufacturing company, and has remained in their employ until the present time.
Mr. Camp is an active member of the Second Congregational church. In January, 1880, he was elected superintendent of its Sun- day school, and held the office until the end of 1892. In June, 1894,
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
he was elected to the office of deacon. He has shown a deep inter- est in the benevolent enterprises of the day; has been secretary of the "Directors of Christian Visitation and Charity" since the organization of that body, and has also taken an active part in the establishment of the " United Charities."
On October 17, 1878, he married Helen, the daughter of William Smith Platt. Their children are Roland Heaton, Edith Caroline, Hilda Mary, and Orton William.
SOME ENGLISH EMPLOYEES.
JOHN H. SANDLAND, son of John Sandland, was born in Birming- ham, England, in 1813. He came to Waterbury in 1830, and was in the employ of the Scovill Manufacturing company for fifty-one years. He sang in the choir of St. John's church for more than forty years, and was a devoted member and constant attendant of the church. He was one of the fathers of Odd Fellowship in Waterbury, and was for many years a member and officer of Nosa- hogan lodge and Ansantawae encampment.
On March 8, 1835, he married Abigail, daughter of Scovill Merriam, of Watertown. Their children are Elizabeth Hollis, the wife of Roderick S. Woodruff, and Frederick Augustus, who mar- ried Mary Elizabeth Hunt of New York city.
Mr. Sandland died February 28, 1881; Mrs. Sandland, November 21, 1894.
SAMUEL TAYLOR, son of Thomas and Jane (Clark) Taylor, was born in Birmingham, England, August 24, 1812, and died in Water- bury, August 27, 1883. His parents were poor, and at the age of eight he was put to work in the shop of his father, who was a bur- nisher of buttons. At the age of nineteen he came to this country, to work at his trade for a firm in Attleborough, Mass.
After remaining in that place a few years, he came to Water- bury in the winter of 1835-6, bringing his family and all his house- hold goods in a wagon across a rough country. Being a first-class workman he soon found employment with Leavenworth, Spencer & Sperry in the factory that once stood at the head of Cherry street. He shortly afterwards entered the employ of the Scovill Manufacturing company and continued with them for more than fifty-six years. He was considered one of the best workmen at his trade and had a superior knowledge of the burnishing stones used in polishing gilt buttons. He died at his home on Cherry street- a house which he built soon after coming to the town. At the time of his death he was the oldest burnisher in Waterbury; he was also the oldest member of Nosahogan lodge of Odd Fellows.
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THE SCOVILL MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
In 1833 he married Harriet H. Price, by whom he had five child- ren, three of them now living: Mrs. Timothy Guilford of Cheshire, Mrs. Henry M. French and Samuel S. Taylor.
JOSEPH SHIPLEY, son of Ralph Shipley, was born in Birmingham, England, May 7, 1814. He came to this country in 1830, settled in Paterson, N. J., and there engaged in manufacturing small machin- ery and tools. In 1835 he settled in Waterbury, and with Abram Ives and others was interested in the making of machinery. For eight years (from 1850) he resided in Newark, N. J., and there organized the firm of Joseph Shipley & Co. Returning to Water- bury, he was employed in the City Manufacturing company, the Waterbury Brass company, and the Scovill Manufacturing com- pany, where he was engaged in making automatic machinery up to the time of his death, which took place August 12, 1866.
Mr. Shipley was a member of the Waterbury Baptist church. He married, March 11, 1839, Mrs. Sarah Stanley, the widow of Will- iam Stanley. She died August 8, 1882, leaving two children: Alfred J., and Ralph J., who was born May 4, 1845, and on June 26, 1869, married Emma, daughter of Samuel Sperry, of Town Plot.
ALFRED JOHN SHIPLEY was born in Waterbury, January 1, 1840, and received his education in our public schools. He learned his trade with his father in Newark, and returning to Waterbury worked for a time for H. A. Matthews, at Hopeville. On June 9, 1862, he made an engagement with the Scovill Manufacturing com- pany, and has been in their employ ever since, as foreman and master mechanic of the button department.
Mr. Shipley has held office in our municipal government as coun- cilman, and as alderman for the first ward from 1879 to 1883. He is a member of the First Baptist church; was elected one of its deacons April 7, 1871, and has been a trustee of the Baptist State Convention since 1884. He has also held prominent positions in the Masonic order; has served as Worshipful Master of Harmony lodge, as High Priest of Eureka chapter, and as Eminent Com- mander of Clark commandery. He has advanced to the thirty- second degree of Scottish-rite Masonry, and is a member of the Mystic Shrine.
On August 20, 1862, he married Ann Jane, daughter of Edward Robinson.
CHAPTER XVIII.
BONE BUTTONS IN 1812-" A. BENEDICT " AND GILT BUTTONS IN 1823- BENEDICT & COE IN 1829-BRASS ROLLED IN WATERBURY-SHEET BRASS FOR MARKET-BENEDICT & BURNHAM IN 1834-THE FIRST WATERBURY JOINT-STOCK COMPANY-A GROWING BUSINESS, AN AUGMENTING CAPITAL-A PARENT OF OTHER COMPANIES-OFF1- CERS AND PROMINENT EMPLOYEES .*
T HE Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing company may be said to have originated in 1812, when Aaron Benedict com- menced the manufacture of bone and ivory buttons. This business, after several years' trial, proved unsatisfactory, and in 1823 Mr. Benedict became connected with Bennet Bronson of Waterbury and Nathan Smith, William Bristol and David C. De Forest of New Haven, in the gilt button business, under the firm name of " A. Benedict." He was the general partner, and had the exclusive management of the concern, which was established with a capital of $6500. The prosperity of Waterbury as a manu- facturing town may be considered as dating from the formation of this firm, although the gilt button business had been carried on to a limited extent for many years. Mr. Benedict's enterprise met with many discouragements, but perseverance finally secured suc- cess. Skillful artisans, obtained from England, aided the firm in its double aim: to make a good article, and to obtain good prices. Buttons, not open to the popular reproach of being gilded with " dandelion water," were first sent to market early in 1824, and during this year goods to the value of $5000 were manufactured. Soon after its formation, Benjamin De Forest of Watertown and Alfred Platt became members by purchase. Mr. De Forest, who had bought his brother's stock, was an active and efficient partner, especially in the sale of buttons, spending a large part of his time in New York with this object. The partnership was renewed in 1827, and the capital increased to $13,000.
When this second partnership expired, February 2, 1829, a new one was formed under the name of " Benedict & Coe," with a capi- tal of $20,000. Mr. Benedict's partners were Israel Coe, Bennet Bronson, Benjamin De Forest, Alfred Platt and James Croft. Up to this time, the manufacturers of brass had sent their ingots to an
* The early history of this company is reproduced from Bronson, pp. 448, 449.
CHAPTER XVIII.
HOME LI TION SU -"A. PENEDICT " AND GILT MUTTONS IN 1823 LIND TRUPP IN 1829 -- BRASS ROLLED IX WATKRHURY- SHEET TRATOW MARKET-BENELIST & BURNHAM IN 184-THE FIRST GHERIVERY JOINT STOCK COMPANY-A GROWING BUSINESS, AN AHEMENTING CAPITAL-A FADENT OF OTHER COMPANIES-OFFI- CLAS AND PROMINENT CAFFIFASS
T impany may be
monted von manos xb số boxe shl trory bastone. This biste : after aviral y'Trail num an-fictory, and in THAT Mx. Renedin ! Prouton of
Die Forell 16
firm many k, Benedict " He was the general
the exclusive management of the concern, which was established with a capital of $6500. The prosperity of Waterbury as a manu- facturing town may be considered as dating from the formation of this firm, although the gilt button business had been carried on to a limipol extent for many yours Mr. Benedict's enterprise met with many discouragements, ont perseverance finally secured suc- cess. Skillful artisans obtained from England, aider the firm in de dele g bo miks a und avec le, and to obtain good prices. Barians, ofd po to the piedir reproach of being gilded with "dandelion viens" wave fost sent to market carly in itde and during this yeur youds to the value of $5000 were mawni rored Soon after its formation, Benjamin De Forem of fameown and Alfred Platt Became members by purchase. Me a Forest, who had forght his brother's stock, was an amnes. de ient partner, specielle in the sale of buttons, spending Large part of his time in Nue York with this object. The purworship was renewed ip xbay. atl tho spital increased to $13,90
Wijes thil cond partnership expired, February 2, 1829, a new one was formel moder the name of " Benedict & Coe," with a capi- tal of Sap,ood M. Benedict's partners were Israel Coe Bennet Bronson, Benjamito The Forest. Alfred Platt and James Croft. Up to this time, the manofactivere of brass had sent their ingots to an
* The early history of the sommajor prend So pps, P. 44, 4.
111
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BENEDICT & BURNHAM MANUFACTURING CO WATERBURY, CONN.
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THE BENEDICT & BURNHAM MANUFACTURING CO.
iron mill at Bradleyville, in the west part of Litchfield, to be rolled into sheets or strips But the new concern undertook to do its own rolling, and from that time onward rolled brass for the market. The Scovills followed in the same line, and in a few years the man- ufacture of brass and German silver had grown to be a great industry.
On February 10, 1834, the copartnership of Benedict & Coe expired, and a new firm, with a capital of $40,000, was established, under the name of Benedict & Burnham. The partners were Aaron
This Button Gard is Most Respectfully Dedicated To Alve Partin Em of Paris. two York, The first bily Button Maker in the hunter
outon Chamfactures Waterbury Con. Que. 031. 1831.
Benedict, Gordon W. Burnham, Bennet Bronson, Alfred Platt, Henry Bronson, Samuel S. De Forest and John De Forest. The first two were the general partners and agents of the concern. This copartnership was renewed, March 16, 1838, with a capital of $71,000, and again, on March 11, 1840, with a capital of $100,000; but on January 14, 1843, it gave place to the " Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing company " (the first joint stock corporation formed in the town), with a capital of $100,000, which was augmented in 1848 to $200,000, and in 1856 to $400,000. This amount, however, must be multiplied several times to represent the value of THE HARRISON "LOG CABIN" BUTTON; buildings covering a space of a dozen acres, BENEDICT & BURNHAM, 1840. and containing costly machinery, produc- ing annually many millions of pounds of metal.
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
Since 1824, the business of the company has steadily increased in volume and in variety. It produces copper and all the alloys of copper, brass, gilding- metal and German silver* in sheets, wire of all sizes, brazed and seamless tubing of brass and copper, brass and German silver bead- ings, drop-handles and knobs for furniture, safety THE BENEDICT & BURNHAM FACTORY IN 1858. pins, rivets, burs, butt hinges, roller bushings, printers' rules and galley plates, lamp burners and trimmings, insulated electric wire, and hard-drawn copper wire for telegraph purposes.
· The Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing company has from time to time become the parent of other joint stock companies. Whenever a branch of its business could be better carried on sep- arately, the property necessary for its prosecution has been detached, and distributed as a dividend to the stockholders in the form of stock in a new company. Thus originated, in 1846, the American Pin company, with $50,000 capital, afterwards increased to $100,000, the partners in the firm of Brown & Elton taking one- half of the stock; in 1849, the Waterbury Button company, with a capital of $30,000, afterwards increased to $45,000; in 1852, the Benedict & Scovill company, a mercantile corporation, with a cap- ital of $50,000, afterward $60,000, the stockholders of the Scovill Manufacturing company taking one third of the stock;t and in 1857, the Waterbury Clock company, with $60,000 capital, after- wards increased to $100,000. The Waterbury Watch company also owes its existence to the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing com- pany, whose officers were largely instrumental in its formation (in 1880), and in fact still retain the controlling interest.
The officers of the company, from the date of incorporation, are as follows:
Presidents: Aaron Benedict, 1843-1873; Charles Benedict, 1873-1881; Gordon W. Burnham, 1881-1885; Charles Dickinson, 1885-1888; Augustus S. Chase, since 1888.
* They began the rolling of German silver in 1835. The first they produced was made for Joseph Cur- tiss of Hartford. He furnished the nickel, which was of inferior quality, and they mixed it with copper and zinc and rolled it into sheets. These Mr. Curtiss manufactured into spoons, forks and various articles for which pewter and britannia metal had been previously used. The introduction of electro-plating with silver, which soon followed, and the manufacture of silver-plated ware at Meriden, Taunton and other places, produced an immense demand for nickel-silver, the highest grades of plated ware having this as their basis .- " Representatives of New England : Manufacturers," Vol. I, pp. 89, 90.
+ The Benedict & Scovill company went into liquidation years ago. and was wound up.
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THE BENEDICT & BURNHAM MANUFACTURING CO.
Treasurers: Aaron Benedict, 1843-1854; Charles Benedict, 1854-1881; Charles Dickinson, 1881-1885; Edward L. Bronson, 1885-1890; Edward L. Frisbie, Jr., since 1890.
Secretaries: John S. Mitchell, 1843-1850; Charles Benedict, 1850-1866; Charles Dickinson, 1866-1881; Edward L. Bronson, 1881-1885; Edward L. Frisbie, Jr., 1885-1890; Arthur M. Dickinson, since 1890.
DEACON AARON BENEDICT.
Aaron Benedict, son of Aaron and Esther (Trowbridge) Bene- dict, was born in that part of Waterbury which is now Middlebury,
Amon Benechrit
August 9, 1785, in a house which is still standing. He entered Yale College, but ill-health prevented his graduating, and he returned home at the end of eighteen months. At the age of nineteen he
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
became a partner of Joseph Burton in a mercantile business, and in 1812, as above related, began the manufacture of bone and ivory buttons. The record of his connection with the development of the brass industry has already been given. Upon the organization of the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing company Mr. Benedict was chosen president, which position he held while he lived. He was a director in the Waterbury bank from its organization until his death. He represented the town in the legislature in 1826 and in 1841, and was senator in 1858 and 1859. He was an active mem- ber of the First Congregational church. In 1823 he was chosen deacon, and served the church in that capacity for fifty years. He contributed largely to the State Industrial school for girls, and to other benevolent and religious objects. He gave $10,000 toward the erection of Divinity Hall in New Haven, $10,000 for the endowment of the Benedict professorship of Latin in Iowa College, and $30,000 toward the erection of the present house of worship of the First church.
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