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 31
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In September, 1808, he married Charlotte, the daughter of Abel and Hannah (Elliot) Porter. The sixtieth anniversary of their marriage was celebrated by a large concourse of friends who came together to congratulate and to honor the aged couple. Mrs. Bene- dict died May 9, 1870, and Mr. Benedict on February 9, 1873. (For the record of their children, see Vol. I, Ap. p. 18.)
The following interesting estimate of Deacon Benedict is from the pen of F. J. Kingsbury:
Aaron Benedict, although apparently one of the simplest of men in his ways and habits, is not an altogether easy character to comprehend. For many years during the formative and critical period of the town's history he was one of its most conspicuous and influential citizens. He was regarded as one of the pillars. He was a deacon of the church, a presiding officer at public meetings, a representa- tive in the General Assembly. He was at the head of one of the largest and most successful of our manufacturing corporations, and he left the largest estate which has ever passed through our probate court. Yet he never seemed ambitious or pushing,-hardly indeed energetic. His whole character might be summed up in the one word "deliberate." He was deliberate in movement, in speech, in thought. So far as the present writer knows, he never initiated a new business enter- prise or a public movement. He was in sympathy with progress; was ready, when called upon, to take stock in new enterprises, and to subscribe for public improve- ments or organized schemes of benevolence; was willing to act as a director, and attended directors' meetings with commendable punctuality; yet he never made a suggestion and seldom offered an opinion. When he was called upon to do so, " I should think so" was about the extent of his utterances. He never took part in any public debate, although very fond of being present at gatherings of all sorts. His opinion and judgment were much sought, but, unsought, were never offered, and when given were not remarkable for any positive quality. He was a large man, of fine presence and dignified, because deliberate, bearing.
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THE BENEDICT & BURNHAM MANUFACTURING CO.
With all these somewhat negative traits, there is no doubt that he was a very positive person. Everybody felt that. What was the secret of it? Samson's strength was hardly more of a mystery to Delilah. He had engaged with him in business at various times Israel Coe, Gordon W. Burnham, Arad W. Welton, John S. Mitchell and John C. Booth-all of them men remarkable for their energy. They came and went, and Mr. Benedict remained, as serene as the sphinx. While they were there, they seemed to furnish all the force of the business; when they departed, the business went on just the same. Was it "luck "? Doubtless he was a fortunate man, but there was something in him that apparently compelled for- tune. With most men you expect to see some proportion between force expended and results attained; with him this relation was not visible.
In a notice of him which appeared in the Waterbury American on the day he died, he was spoken of as follows:
The transformation of the insignificant village, which some of us remember, into the busy and prosperous city which now fills the valley and overspreads the hill- sides is due to Aaron Benedict, more perhaps than to any other man. It fulfills our conception of the fitness of things, that he was permitted to see and enjoy the fruits which sprang from his early labors, and to stay amongst us for so many years as a representative of what was best in the past, and at the same time as a hearty lover of the present.
A similar view of his character and work had already been expressed by the same writer in a poem read at the wedding anniversary above mentioned; two of the stanzas of which were as follows:
"Tis yours, amidst the massive walls Which echo now so loudly, Thinking of him who built Saint Paul's, To write your record proudly;
To say, with that success content, Wherewith the years have crowned you, "If ye would see my monument, "Tis here, 'tis all around you !"*
THE HON. ISRAEL COE.
In the early history of our industries, the name of Israel Coe is prominent. He was for some years the sole survivor of the pioneer manufacturers whose enterprise inaugurated those movements which have brought to Waterbury pre-eminence among the manu- facturing cities of New England. Mr. Coe was born in Goshen.
*Shortly after Deacon Benedict's death a volume was published (with portraits), entitled " Aaron Benedict; a Memorial." It contained a sketch of his life, based upon the discourse preached on the Sun- day following his death, the address given at his funeral, the resolutions passed by the various corporations of which he had been an officer, obituary notices gathered from the newspapers, and a full account of the wedding anniversary above referred to, with the poem read on that occasion. See also Henry Marvin Bene- dict's "Genealogy of the Benedicts in America," Albany, 1870 ; pp. 383, 384.
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
December 14, 1794. At the age of thirteen he lost his right arm by the accidental discharge of a gun, while hunting .* He received a common school education in Goshen, and completed his studies in 1811 and 1812 at the academy at Winsted. He began his business life as a clerk in a cotton factory in Torrington, and filled other responsible positions in that establishment.
In 1821 he removed to Waterbury, and five years later became a salesman for the firm known as "A. Benedict," in which capacity he visited the principal cities of the United States, selling gilt but- tons and sheet metal to the trade during a period of eight years. In 1829 he became a partner of Aaron Benedict under the firm name of Benedict & Coe, but in 1834 sold out his interest in that concern, and with Israel Holmes built a brass rolling mill at Wolcottville. This firm made the first hammered kettles of brass manufactured in this country. Mr. Coe went to Europe in 1842, and visited the only two brass kettle manufactories in the world-at Birmingham, England, and in Prussia. He there learned the process of anneal- ing and hammering metal for kettles without damage from crack- ing. The firm attained a high degree of perfection in this branch of manufacture and was about to realize the benefits of its large outlay of capital and energy, when the process of kettle manufac- ture by rolling and spinning was invented. This, by reason of its cheapness as compared with the old method, compelled them to abandon this branch of their industry.
Mr. Coe was elected to the state legislature in 1824 and 1825, and in 1843 was chosen to represent the Fifteenth district in the senate. In 1845 he sold his interest in the brass works at Wolcottville, and removed to Detroit, Mich., where for nine years he successfully conducted a banking and lumber business. In 1850 he suggested to the four brass companies of Waterbury a plan for the establishment of copper smelting works at Detroit, which was adopted. The Detroit smelting works were built by the Waterbury companies, and the enterprise, which has brought large profits to the parties interested, is still in successful operation. In 1867 he removed to Bloomfield, N. J. He was there elected justice of the peace, and served in that capacity and as commissioner of deeds for five years, four of which were passed after he had attained the age of eighty. Several years before his death he returned to Water- bury and resided at "Westwood " with his daughter, Mrs. Israel Holmes. +
* See note on p. 221.
+ Mr. Coe and his brother Asahel married sisters of Deacon L. W. Wetmore, for whom Mr. Coe's son Lyman was named. Mr. Wetmore was for many years in the service of the Waterbury Brass company, although his family never resided here.
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THE BENEDICT & BURNHAM MANUFACTURING CO.
At the famous "legislative general reunion" held in Hartford on May 5, 1886, sixty-two years after his first election, Mr. Coe was present (his age at that time being ninety-one), and was the recip- ient of special honors as the senior representative in that assem- blage of 2491 officials. The special badge prepared for him "was of cream satin, with heavy gold fringe," and when he arose to speak the chairman handed him a beautiful floral basket, with "1824" wrought in blossoms, expressing the wish that his remaining days might be as sweet and fragrant as the flowers. Mr. Coe, in his address, spoke of this as the second public greeting he had received as the senior representative of the state, and added: "My recollec- tion goes back to men who were prominent in the business and legislation of the state in the last century, some of whom were members of the General Assembly more than a hundred years ago." *
Mr. Coe died December 18, 1891, having entered four days before upon his ninety-eighth year. His family is one of remarkable lon- gevity, but he was wont to ascribe his long life and excellent health to his temperate habits.
G. W. BURNHAM.
Gordon Webster Burnham was born in Hampton, March 20, 1803, and was a descendant in the sixth generation from John Burnham of Ipswich, Mass., the eldest of three brothers who came to America in 1635. His father was a farmer, and his early education was that of a farmer s boy. When about eighteen years of age, he tried the business of "trunk peddling," which was then very much practised; but returning to Hampton he entered into a partnership with Mason Cleaveland of that place. After a time, he proposed to sell out his interest to Mr. Cleaveland, who agreed to make the purchase on condition that Mr. Burnham would dispose of the stock on hand. Mr. Burnham accepted the condition, and visited New York, Boston and other large cities to make sales. His success was so marked as to indicate that he possessed special talent as a salesman. He was employed by Edwin R. Yale of Meriden, to sell tinware, being fitted out with a wagon and two horses for this work. His skill as a salesman secured him a wide reputation and led to his removal to Waterbury.
* The volume containing the record of the legislative general reunion of 1886, includes, in addition to the report of Mr. Coe's brief address (pp. 65-67), a sketch of his life (pp. 73-75), and his portrait, with autograph, as a frontispiece. The other Waterbury men present at the reunion were the following (in the order of their seniority) : H. V. Welton, S. W. Kellogg, L. W. Coe, N. J. Welton, H. A. Matthews, A. S. Blake, G. W. Beach, Greene Kendrick, Israel Holmes, C. B. Webster, D. B. Hamilton, J. S. Elton, E. T. Turner, E. C. Lewis, H. H. Peck, L. I. Munson (comptroller).
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
Mr. Burnham came to Waterbury in 1834 (see page 297, also page 247) and formed a partnership with Aaron Benedict under the name of Benedict & Burnham. After a residence here of a year he removed to New York city to take charge of the company's sales, and after- wards that was his home. He was for over twenty years a director in several of the Waterbury concerns, and from 1879 was the presi- dent of Holmes, Booth & Haydens. After the death of Charles Benedict he succeeded him in the presidency of the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing company, the Waterbury Clock company, the Waterbury Watch company, and the American Pin company. During the fifty years of his residence in New York he held the position of director in several banks, and insurance and railroad companies.
He was possessed of much public spirit and cherished a warm interest in the prosperity of his native state and the city of his adoption. He presented to New York the statue of Daniel Webster (by Thomas Ball) now standing in Central park. He was also a liberal benefactor of St. John's and Trinity churches in this city. He gave to St. John's a statue of Bishop Brownell, of Hartford, a clock and the beautiful chime of bells whose music peals forth every Sunday morning from its spire.
On June 19, 1831, Mr. Burnham married Mrs. Ann (Plumb) Ives, of Meriden, who died in 1847. The only child of this union who reached maturity was Douglass William Burnham, who was born in 1843 and died in 1892. On May 20, 1851, Mr. Burnham married Maria Louisa, daughter of Bishop Brownell. Their first child, Charlotte, died in 1857; their second child, Thomas Brownell, was born January 30, 1866.
Mr. Burnham died March 18, 1885, on the day on which he was to have married Kate Sanborn, the well-known author and lec- turer.
ARAD W. WELTON.
Arad Warren Welton, son of Benjamin and Agnes (Gunn) Wel- ton, was a lineal descendant of John Welton, who came to Waterbury in 1674, and settled on Bucks Hill. He was the youngest of five children, and was born May 1, 1794. In his youth he worked on a farm, occasionally teaching school in the winter. When Waterbury began to develope into a manufacturing town, he became interested in some of the new industries, especially in the making of gilt buttons (at Waterville). He afterwards became connected with the Benedict & Burnham establishment, and was for some years active in its management. In 1844 G. W. Burnham established a commis-
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
Mr. Borgbam come to Waterbury lo (884 15ce page 297, aleo page Jag) and formed a partnership with Aaron Benedict under the name or Benedigr & Burghaux Morna residence hereof a year be removed to New York city - u Barge of the company's sales, and after- wand's tout wus ble e IIe was for over twenty years a director in several of in Waterbury concerne, and from (8;g ws the presi- lent of Fame Booth & Haydena. After the death of Charles Benedict be succeeded him in the presidency of the Benediet & Barnhart Manufacturing company, The Waterbury Clock company. the Wulerhairy Watch company, and the' American Pin company. During the fifty years of his reside in New York he held the position of director in several bant Mi Insurance and railroad vozu panies.
He was possessed of im urod a varm
interest in the pres die of his adoption He presented co Ka- Virs Webster (by Thomas Ball) now standing in Centra on - suso a Iberal benefactor of S ITutorő, à clock and the bountiful chime of bells with forth eyury sunday morning from its pire.
On June 19, 1831, Mr. Burnham married Mrs. Ann (Plunito Ives, of Meriden, who died in 1847. The only child of this union who reached maturity was Dongiass William Burnham, who was born in 1843 and died in (802 On May 20, 1851, Mr. Burnham married Maria Louisa, Luugeter of Bloop Brownell. Their first child, Charlotte, died in 1857: they escono rhild, Thomas Brownell, was Torn January 30, 1866.
Mr Burnham died March 18, x86s. on the day co which he was Lo have married Kate Sanborn, the well-known bulhar and fec- turer
ARAD W. WELTOS
Atol Wwwwen Welton, son of Berjamais ana Agguos (Gunn) Wel- ton wass ihandwendant of john Welton, who gumne to Waterbury in forhold on Bucks ILill He was the youngest of five children, e . May 1, 1794. In his youth he worked on a Tari, decasbowling school in the winter. When Waterbury begin to devel I manufacturing town, he became interested in some of the anilustries, especially in the making of gilt buttons (ml Water Me afterwards became connected with the Benedict & EBrubas roundshment. and was for some years active In jes management, & W. Bumbomm established a commis-
Van Slyck & Co Boston.
Gordon WYBurnham
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THE BENEDICT & BURNHAM MANUFACTURING CO.
sion house in Boston, under the firm name of Burnham & Baldwin. A little later Mr. Welton united with them, and the firm became Burnham, Baldwin & Welton, and afterward Burnham & Welton; and then, Charles Scott having been admitted to the concern, Burnham, Welton & Co. In 1853 Mr. Welton retired, and opened a store in New York, chiefly for the sale of the goods of the Cheshire Manufacturing company. The Porter brothers were. afterward received into partnership with him (see page 247; also page 252) and after a few years Mr. Welton retired from active business. He continued to be interested, however, in a number of the large manufacturing concerns of Waterbury, and for nearly forty years was actively identified with the business interests of the town. He was one of the founders of the American Suspender company (originally Hotchkiss & Merriman), and at the time of his death was a director in the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing com- pany, in the American Pin company, and in the Waterbury National bank. In the Waterbury American of March 16, 1871, he was characterized as "industrious and energetic, upright and honest in all his transactions; a man of genial temperament, a true friend, a loyal and patriotic citizen and a devout Christian."
He married Sally Smith of Northfield, by whom he had four children. Two of his sons died while they were students at Trinity College, the one in December, 1842, and the other in January, 1843.
Mr. Welton died at his home in Cheshire, March 15, 1871.
JOHN S. MITCHELL.
John S. Mitchell, the son of John S. Mitchell of New Haven, was born December 1, 1817. On July 3, 1838, he married Mary Lyman, daughter of Aaron Benedict, and took up his residence in this city.
Mr. Mitchell possessed business ability of a high order, and while quite young became principal manager of the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing company. When about thirty years of age, he was prostrated by a chronic ailment, and was forced to give up all business. In spite of his protracted struggle with disease and pain, he lived an active and useful life, elegant in its surround- ings and made beautiful by his uniform patience and courage. When he became able to leave the house he devoted himself to flor- iculture, and took great pride and pleasure in his extensive conser- vatories. Mr. Mitchell was one of the first trustees of Riverside cemetery, and was for three years chairman of the board. This attractive place owes to him much of its beauty.
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
After partially recovering from his first illness he again applied himself to business, and besides affording valuable counsel and assistance to the various concerns in which he was interested, he established the well-known house of Mitchell, Vance & Co. This new business led him to change his residence, in 1863, to Tarrytown, N. Y., where he purchased a beautiful estate near the Hudson river. He there made his home until his death, which occurred February 1, 1875. Since then Mrs. Mitchell has resided in Waterbury.
CHARLES BENEDICT.
Charles Benedict, one of the chief contributors to the growth and prosperity of Waterbury, was the son of Aaron and Charlotte (Porter) Benedict, and was born September 23, 1817. In his early years he attended the Wilton academy and the Berkshire gymna- sium at Pittsfield, Mass. At the age of seventeen he was employed as assistant bookkeeper in a dry goods jobbing-house in New York. The following year he became bookkeeper in the commission house of Baldwin, Burnham & Co., which represented the firm of Bene- dict & Burnham, in New York, and remained there for nine years. In 1844, in connection with George Beecher, he established an agency for the sale of Goodyear's India rubber goods, but the next year retired from the firm and formed a business compact with William Ball of Chicopee, Mass., for developing Mr. Ball's pin machinery. Some time afterwards he became secretary of the Ben- edict & Burnham Manufacturing company. He was elected its treasurer in 1854, and in 1873 succeeded his father as president. He was one of the prominent projectors of Mitchell, Vance & Co., of New York, of which corporation he was president for a number of years. He was also president of the Americen Pin company, of the Waterbury Clock company, and of the Waterbury Watch com- pany, and held official relations with many other important manu- facturing concerns, not only in the Naugatuck valley but elsewhere.
He was mayor of Waterbury in 1860, and also served the city as councilman and alderman. He was one of the presidential electors for Connecticut in 1872, when he cast his vote for General Grant. Mr. Benedict was spoken of frequently as a candidate for governor, but he refused to allow a nomination. He was a member of the Union League club, of New York city.
Mr. Benedict was a devoted member of the Second Congrega- tional church, which he served as a deacon for a number of years. He was a corporate member of the American Board of Commis- sioners for Foreign Missions, and was president of the American College and Education society. He was a liberal man, and made
Aus serdie Ho vering from his first illness he again applied wat besides affording valuable counsel and mobs tu Lo baraass concerns in which he was interested, he calate bod the new house of Mitchell, Vance & Co. This new business to change his residence, in :863, to Tarrytown, porchased a beautiful ostate near the Hudson river. Te MA his home until his death, which occurred February n HT Zuve then Mrs. Mitchell has resided in Waterbury.
CHARLES MONEDIET.
Charles Benedict, one of for thick contributors to the growth and prosperity of Waterhors, the son of Apron and Charlotte (Porter) Benedict, and was born gemilaf . 48; In his early years he attended the Wilton arathore mod bur Burkshire gymna- stum at Pittsfield, Mass. At the age of svinton mployed 5.º assistant bookkeeper In a dry evade jon bing house of T York The following year be 1 of Baldwin, Der Troy of hoge dict & Bwrstore Dark, al remained
In ilas, in connection with George Beccher, he csuim 0 agency for the sale of Goodyear's India rubber goods, but the newst year retired from the firm and formed a business compact with William Ball of Chicopee, Mass, for developing Mr. Ball's pin machinery. Some time afterwards he became secretary of the Ben- edict & Tt Mwomen company. He was elected its treuerer in nga ard ih 187) , Jed his father as president He was was of the greatrent pregunta of Mitchell, Vance & Co, of New York of which corporation og was president for A number of years. He was also president of the Americen fin rompway, of the Waterbury Clock company, and of the Waterbots Wanh bom- pany, and held official relations with many other Why not manu- facturing concerns, not only in the Naugatu y calles bur elsewhere.
fie was mayor of Waterbury in 1860, and allo ripd the city as councilman and alderman. He was one of the presidential electors lor Uroticut in 1872, when he cast his vote for General Grant. Mr. Benober wis spoken of frequently as a mundidate for governor, bat he reivsed lo allow a nomination. He was a member of the Union Longue slob, of New York city.
Mr. Benedict was a devoted member of the Second Congrega- tional church which he served as a deacon for a number of years. He was a corporole member of the American Board of Commis sioners for Foreign Missions, and was president of the American College and Elucation society. He was a liberal man, and made
Eng DeAH Ritchie
Char Neubeck
.
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THE BENEDICT & BURNHAM MANUFACTURING CO.
large contributions to religious and private charities, both local and foreign. It was said of him that no friend ever found him wanting, and that no good cause that interested humanity failed to interest him. He was a man of refinement and considerable cul- ture, with a taste that beautified whatever it touched.
Soon after the completion of the spacious residence, above Hill- side avenue, which is now occupied by Charles Miller, he went abroad. While returning home, on the steamship Wisconsin, and when near the end of the voyage, he died suddenly in his state- room. His death occurred October 30, 1881. He was buried at Riv- erside cemetery.
An obituary notice which appeared soon after his death described him in the following terms :
Mr. Benedict had certain qualities of mind and heart which fitted him to employ his large opportunities for usefulness without begetting prejudice in petty minds, or rousing the envy of those who were less favored in life. With a quiet, loving and kindly spirit he united very decided personal views of truth and duty, and could decline an invitation to abide by another's judgment in the matter of giving or doing as courteously as he could follow his own without ostentation. . Others have spoken in the highest terms of him as a business man of large influence, and it has been reiterated by the political papers that he might have stood high in office if he had allowed his name to be used; but we speak of him more as a Christian, who successfully withstood the temptations of wealth in his younger days and was found true to the obligations of religion in the home circle, in the church and in the competitions of business life; and we desire to put this on record as one of the comparatively few instances of Christian activity and usefulness amid the tempta- tions of wealth and worldly position.
Mr. Benedict married, October 1, 1845, Cornelia, the daughter of John D. Johnson. Their children are : Amelia C .; Charlotte B., who married Gilman C. Hill; and Cornelia J., who married Dr. Charles S. Rodman, and died November 26, 1879. *
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