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 34
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The old days have been renewed for me; the town has been peopled with those who have long been quiet sleepers in the place appointed for all the living; and as with an effort I step out from the enchantment of the past and look again through the eyes of the present, I realize to myself that more than three-quarters of a cen- tury has rolled by since these things were. I see that the prosperous present is the direct fruit of the precious seed sown often with weeping in the past, and I am inspired with hope that the Waterbury of the future may out-reach and out-honor that of to-day; but I myself feel as we may fancy a lonely tree on yonder hillside to feel, whose fellows have gone down before the woodman's axe. Yet, until I am carried to the narrow house, it will be my strong desire and prophetic hope that Waterbury may ever have noble sons worthy of her honored ancestry.
328
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
JOHN P. ELTON.
John Prince Elton was for many years one of the most promi- nent manufacturers of Waterbury. Coming to the town in 1832. while manufacturing was still in its infancy, he became one of the active and successful promoters of its industries. To him is due in no small measure the progress of Waterbury as a manufacturing centre.
He was born in Watertown, April 24, 1809, and was the son of Dr. Samuel and Betsey (Merriman) Elton. Dr. Elton was for sixty years a practising physician in Watertown and its vicinity, having assumed the practice of his father, Dr. John Elton, and con- tinued therein until his death. He died December 8, 1858, at the age of seventy-eight .*
Of the seven children of Dr. Elton, John and Lucy alone came to maturity, all the others having died in their childhood or youth. Lucy married Frederick Parker of New Haven and died childless. John, the subject of this sketch, attended the district school of his native town, and when about fifteen years of age became a pupil in the school of Simeon Hart at Farmington. He afterward worked on his father's farm until 1832, at which time he removed to Water- bury to become a partner in the firm of Holmes & Hotchkiss.
Mr. Elton had become used to hard work through his experience on the farm, and at once took his place in the mill. Although with- out previous mechanical training, he made himself familiar by manual labor with all the aspects of manufacturing. It was also for some years his practice to walk to and from the factory, some two miles distant from his home; and in addition to the work he did with his hands he looked after the various details of the busi- ness, not the least of which was providing the necessary money to meet the obligations of the concern.
The history of the firm and Mr. Elton's connection with it, showing how Holmes & Hotchkiss became Brown & Elton, has already been narrated. He retained his active connection with it until 1850, when his impaired health compelled him to withdraw. Five years before this, he had taken an important part in organ-
* For a detailed account of Dr. Samuel Elton, and estimates of his character and work, see " History of Litchfield County;" also the Waterbury American of December 10, 1858. In the "History of Litchfield County " Dr. Elton's line of descent is given as follows : (1) John Elton, who came early to this country from Bristol, England, and settled in Middletown. (2) His son Ebenezer, who settled in Branford. The time of his death is unknown; he was lost at sea. (3) Ebenezer, junior, who was born in 1712, settled first at Mid- dletown, and afterward removed to Harwinton. (4) Dr. John Elton, fifth son of Ebenezer, junior, who was born October 6, 1755, and probably studied medicine with his half brother, Dr. James Elton ; for on the removal of Dr. James Elton to Middletown, John succeeded to his practice in Watertown (then Westbury). He died October 9, 1800. (5) Dr. Samuel Elton, the only son of Dr. John, was born September 6, 1780, and began the practice of medicine at the age of nineteen.
3=8
HISTORY OF WATERBURY
John Prive How was for many years one of the most promai- nent mand searr of Waterbury. Coming to the town in 13, -. whilemas doctoriot www still in its infancy, he became one of the 401 .- wi socoswul promoters of its industries. To him is due ines small mente the progress of Waterbury as a manufacturing
He was born in Watertown, April 24, x899, and was the son of Dr. Seminel and Betsey (Merriman) Elton. Dr. Elton was for sists years a precising physician in Watertown and its vicinity, having assumed the price of 's Other, Dr. John Elton, and con- tinued therein uoti 14 December 8, 1858, at the uge of seventy ..
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Mr. Elton had become used to hard work through his experience on the farm and at once tone bis place in the mill. Although with- out previone mech pical training, lo made himself familiar by manual Labor with all the one . @ tovnufacturing. It was also 1. es Bir anbei: try ved from the factory, some bom . and in addition to the work lie Wali Bie various detaily of the fast- ness, not the ka Lby quiltk was providing the necessary emney Eu meet the obligations of the concern.
The History of the firm and Mr. Ritod showing how Holmes & Hotchkiss Best Effort has Wmady Lewn narrated. He retained be an con tion with Il outil 1850, when his Impaired health comocuochiin to withdraw. Freeware before this, he had taken un Sar mant part in organ-
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Collhey " DA Cica's Boss Merce no gens well as: (1) john Elon, sbicos carly lo this country from Bristw, England, and == h Sacslaine_ () (f's san Ebenezer, who sellled in Manford. The time of his death Is un Ebenen, junior, who was born in 175, settled first at Mid- AL town, and afterwerd (ano -() Dr. John Elton fiffi son of Ebenezer, junior, .ho
nus horn Ortier 0, 1-0, 000 woShed Mediciue with his hilf tothe Dr. James Eltes, for on the rema al o Dr. Jame imi ( M _ _ ___ 1( k hie practice in Watertown the Westbury). He died Codber , .. / Dr. Sont & lt 9, the only son of Dr. John, was born September 6, 1,91, and be.allt" e pretlice of Medidecar Ibe -geht boschw
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John P. Elton
329
HOLMES, HOTCHKISS, BROWN & ELTON.
izing the Waterbury Brass company. He was one of its first direc- tors, and in 1855 became its president and so continued until his death. After the dissolution of Brown & Elton in 1856, Mr. Elton was not actively engaged in manufacturing, but he gave much of his time to the various corporations, industrial and financial, in which he had invested capital and in which he held the position of director or president. (For his connection with the Waterbury bank and the Elton Banking company, see pages 176 and 178.) .
He was elected to the General Assembly in 1840, 1849 and 1850 by the Whig party. On the formation of the Republican party he became one of its active adherents and was again elected to the General Assembly in 1863. At the general election of 1864 he was chosen a presidential elector, but his death occurred two days after- ward, November 10, 1864. In early manhood he was blessed with a vigorous constitution, and for many years, as already indicated, performed a large amount of physical and mental labor in connec- tion with the rapid progress of the enterprises in which he was engaged. He was, however, twice prostrated by illness which partially unfitted him for continuous work. His final illness lasted but ten days, and he died in the prime of life.
Mr. Elton was a man of a specially warm and sympathetic nature. While carrying heavy responsibilities of his own, men came to him habitually to consult him in regard to their private affairs; and they never came in vain, for he was always ready to give to others the benefit of his experience and judgment. He often said that he was more troubled in mind by the affairs of those in whom he had no special interest, but who came to him for advice, than with his own legitimate business. He was a man of public spirit beyond most of his contemporaries, and heartily co-operated in enterprises that interested and were likely to benefit the city. He was a member of the Episcopal church, and throughout his life contri- buted liberally to the expenses and charities of St. John's parish. Upon his death a public meeting of citizens was called, to pay a tribute of respect to his memory. On the day of his funeral, which took place on Sunday afternoon at the hour at which public worship was then usually held, all the Protestant churches of the city were closed, as by a common impulse, to give the members of the several congregations opportunity to attend the funeral services.
On May 18, 1835, Mr. Elton married Olive Margaret, daughter of Captain Moses Hall. She was born January 25, 1816, and died November 2, 1892. Four children were born to them: Lucy Eliz- abeth, the wife of C. N. Wayland; James Samuel; Charles Prince, who died in childhood; and John Moses, who died at the age of eighteen. (For J. S. Elton and C N. Wayland, see elsewhere.)
330
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
DEACON P. W. CARTER.
Preserve Wood Carter was born in Wolcott, October 21, 1798. Jacob Carter, the ancestor of the Carters of Wolcott, went from Southold, L. I., to Branford in December, 1712. His grandsons settled in Wolcott. One of these, the third Jacob Carter, was P. W. Carter's grandfather. The family was one of influence in Wolcott, and various members of it filled the office of selectman. Preserve Wood was the son of Major Preserve Carter, who was the eldest son of the third Jacob. At the age of twenty-one he left Wolcott for Waterbury, and became apprentice to Daniel Hayden. His first year's wages consisted of four brass oil lamps, which were used in his family until the advent of burning-fluid. He was married to Ruth Wood Holmes, daughter of Israel Holmes and widow of Samuel G. Humiston, June 10, 1828. (See Vol. I, Ap. p. 68; also page 223 of this volume.) She was a worthy helpmeet in the economies of his earlier, as well as in the benevolences of his later life, and outliving him, died April 24, 1880.
Mr. Carter became a stockholder in the corporation of Brown & Elton, and was long employed in that concern. Subsequently he worked for the American Pin company. The last few years of his life he was engaged in no active business, and he died February I, 1859.
He united with the First church, July 2, 1824, and was elected deacon January 5, 1849, which office he held until his death. During the years of freedom from business he was much engaged in visit- ing the poor of the church, and his fidelity to the work of his Master in attending and encouraging religious meetings is not for- gotten by those who knew him. He had only a common school education, but he was always thoughtful and earnest, and in the later years of his life was a diligent reader. Histories of the Refor- mation and the church, and books treating of religious doctrine were his constant companions. He gained so largely by this thought and study that his talks at the evening meetings, espe- cially in the last few years of his life, marked as they were by depth and candor, had real power in stimulating religious thought and activity.
He was an anti-slavery man, but voted the Whig ticket after this party was formed, until the nomination of Freemont in 1856. He was a subscriber to the old National Era, and it is one of the memories of the family life that the chapters of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" were read and discussed with keen interest as they first appeared in successive numbers of that journal. The earliest recol- lections of political affairs that his only surviving son retains go
339
OLA005 P. V5 CARTER.
Prone Wood Commet was Born in Wolcott, October 21 1798 Twoh &rler, the sogestor of the Carters of Wolcott, went from SomMI Branford in December, 1712. His grandsons settled mo Wirdtt. One of these, the third Jacob Carter, was P. W Carter ummalather. The family was one of influence in Wolcott, und wisas menibers of it filled the office of selectman. Preserve Werd was the son of Major Preserve Carter, who was the eldest son of the third Jacob. At the age of twenty-one he left Wolcott for Waterbury, and became apprentice to Daniel Hayden. His first year's wages consisted of four brasier Lops, which were used in
his family until the advent of Nie wus married to Ruth Wood Holmes daughter Wod widow of Samuel G. Humiston, Jose 10, 1228 . 223 of this volume. She was a xx nawil i the economies of his eartor ils Liter life, and outlivin
Mr Farver became a stockholder in the we
Elton, and was long employed in that concern. Bily he worked for the American Pin company. The last few years of his lite he was engaged in no active business, and he died February r, ISSO.
Ile united with the First church, July 2, 1824, and was elected S.MA Fisch offire he held until his death. During the year da Wesdies Bros Business he was much engaged in visit- ing the pour walne church, and his fidelity to the work of his Master in attending and encouraging religious meetings is not for- gotten by those who knew him. He had only a commen school education, but he was always thoughtful and dormire ovo in the luter years of his life was a diligent reader HLinsftbe Refor mation and the church, and books treatme wi religious doctrine were his constant companions. He gained so largely by this thought and study that his talks at the ewvalg meetings, espe- cially as the last few years of his life is good as they were by depth and candos had real power in stimulating religious thought and activity
He was an anh- Mydry man, but voted the Whig ticket after this party was formed until the nomination of Freemont in 1856. He was a subscriber to the old National Fra, and it is one of the memories of the fanily life that the chapters of "Uncle Tom's Cahin" were read and discussed with keen interest as they first appeared in subeessive numbers of that journal, The earliest rezol- lections of political affairs that his only surviving son retains go
NAV Carter
33I
HOLMES, HOTCHKISS, BROWN & ELTON.
back to the political campaign of 1844, when this son, a boy of seven, raised each morning on an ash pole which the father had procured for him, and took down each evening, a little flag bearing the names "Clay and Frelinghuysen." This son stood by his father as he read the returns of that election in the columns of the New York Tribune, and remembers well his deep grief at the defeat of Clay and the impression then made on his opening mind that there was nothing more of good in store for the country.
He was a man of ardent sympathies, a friend to every good cause. He believed in education, in the Christian college, and especially in the value for the country of sound schools and col- leges in the great West. When he was worth not over $50,000 he gave $5000 to establish a professorship in a western college. But he gave also to Yale, and gave for the erection of church buildings and indeed for every good object. His family expenses were small, but his benevolence was large. He was somewhat narrow in his religious sympathies, an uncompromising Puritan, but for all that, had tenderness of heart. The writer of this sketch recalls that the last letter he ever wrote contained a five-dollar bill for the pay- ment of expressage on a five-gallon can of oysters that had been sent to a son in a western state. Early in life, when a farmer boy in Wolcott, he was run over by an ox-sled. The accident injured one leg permanently, and from that time he always limped. The intensity of his moral convictions gained something in expression from that "hitch" in his walk, and perhaps even to his own chil- dren he seemed rather forbidding and stern. But he was a just man and devout, and it was very hard for him to inflict pain on any creature. The appearance of severity in him was much beyond the reality. The writer thinks of him as a man of great tenacity of purpose, as trained and educated by study of the problems of theology, as one in whom no lack of honesty and morality put his profession to shame, as a loving father, as a good example of that power in the humbler walks of society which has made New Eng- land ideas so potent in the national life.
He had four children (three of whom have died): Calvin Holmes, a man of great ability and rare attainments, born May 19, 1824, died September 18, 1887 (see elsewhere); Franklin (Ist), born December 20, 1830, died April 19, 1834; Franklin (2d) (for whom see elsewhere); and Carlos Frederick, born September 23, 1841, the first scholar in the class graduated at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., drowned in the river Jordan, Palestine, May 14, 1862.
CHAPTER XX.
TIMOTHY PORTER'S MILL PRIVILEGE - A DEMAND FOR A NEW BRASS FACTORY-A COMPANY ORGANIZED-THE FOUNDERS-THE EAST AND WEST MILLS-CHANGES OF A HALF CENTURY -THE FLASK AND CAP COMPANY - ACCIDENTS AND FIRES-L. W. COE, S. J. HOLMES, THE WELTONS AND OTHERS-THE PRESENT MANAGEMENT.
T HE first suggestion of the Waterbury Brass company seems to have come from Timothy Porter, who owned an unoccu- pied mill privilege on the Mad river, just above the manu- factory of Brown & Elton. In 1845 the brass industry had advanced so rapidly, and was upon the whole so promising, that it seemed to him there was room in Waterbury for a new brass mill in addition to the three already established, and he proceeded without delay to enlist some of his neighbors in starting such an enterprise. But little progress was made, however, until Hobart V. Welton obtained permission to lay the scheme before John P. Elton with a view to securing his aid. Mr. Elton took at once an active part in organ- izing a new company, and headed the subscription to the capital stock. Philo Brown also invested largely, and Mr. Porter secured, in addition, the cooperation of Israel Holmes, who was at this time operating a brass mill at Wolcottville. The meeting for organiza- tion was held April 1, 1845, and the new concern took for its name the Waterbury Brass company. The directors were Israel Holmes, John P. Elton, Philo Brown, Julius Perry, Hobart V. Welton and Timothy Porter. Work was begun in February, 1846, with a capital of $40,- ooo, which was increased to $50,000 the same year. The factory built upon the property conveyed to the company by Mr. Porter (two miles east of the centre of the town) was at that date the largest brass mill in the United States. The "east mill" as it THE EAST MILL OF THE WATERBURY BRASS COMPANY, 1858. is now called, is to-day one of the smallest.
The first officers of the organization were Israel Holmes, pres- ident, S. B. Minor, secretary, and Timothy Porter, treasurer. Lyman W. Coe became secretary and treasurer soon after. In 1848
CHAPTER XX
IH METRES MILL PRIVILEURA DEMAND FOR A NEW ARAB VAGY BY-\ COMPANY ORGANIZED-THIN FOUNDERS-THE LAST WHO SEEK MILLS - CHANGES OF A HALF CENTURY - THE FIASE ARE CIE COMPANY- MECIDENTS AND FIRES- L. W. LOE, S. I. HOLMES, THE WELTONS AND OTHERS- THE PRESENT MANAGEMENT.
T Brass company seems Fried an unoccu-
Mire the many-
Ce Tins ley bad ulvanced so polihy ped ams @pun the whole o peonies IMal ustemed to mel in addition
to the three low elay to
en!ist
little progress was made, however, until Hobart 1. Walgo De deed permission to lay the scheme before John P. Elton with a view to securing his aid Mr. Elton took at once an active part in organ- izing a new company, and headed the subscription to the capital stock Paito Toron almi mivested largely, and Mr. Porter secured. in addition th of- kom of Ist ) ]Tolmes, who was at this time operating a base m EL Woledtesilke The meeting for organiza- (1001 F 0250 Appil 1, 1815, AG The new concern took for its name the Waterlitry Heass company. The directors were Teruel Tholmes, Tohr P. BRtum. Philo Bmwsy Jullos Perry, Hobart / Wellon and Timothy Portor. W begun in
February
ooo, which 0 11 19500 10 $30,000 thẻ sume yel: The footery built upon the property coureyed to the company by Mr Foxter (two miles east of the centre of the town) was at that date the largest brass mill in the United States. The "east mill" as it is now called, is to-day one of the smallest
The first officery of the organization were Israel Holmes , pres- ident, S. B Minor, secretary, and Timothy Porter, treasurer Lyman W. Cor Detume secretary and treasurer soon after. In 1848
WORKS OF THE WATERBURY BRASS CO.
E
333
THE WATERBURY BRASS COMPANY.
the capital stock was increased to $75,000, in 1850 to $104,000, in 1852 to $208,000, and in 1853 to $250,000. New factory buildings were erected in 1852, now known as the "west mill," where the office of the company is located. In 1853 Mr. Holmes resigned the presidency and L. W. Coe was elected to succeed him, Russell A. Coe being chosen secretary. m In October, 1855, the Messrs. Coe resigned their respective offices, and J. P. Elton was made president and THE WEST MILL OF THE WATERBURY BRASS COMPANY, 1858. L. W. Coe secretary and treasurer. To make provision for their increased business, which had now reached large proportions, the capital stock was in 1857 again augmented and made $300,000. In April, 1862, Mr. Coe resigned his position as secretary and was succeeded by Phineas F. Parsons. In May, 1863, Mr. Coe resigned also the treasurership, and Calvin H. Carter succeeded him. In May, 1864, James S. Elton was elected secretary, and on January 25, 1865, Mr. Carter was chosen president, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the elder Mr. Elton. In 1865 the capital stock was again increased, the aggre- gate being made $400,000.
On March 20, 1865, the American Flask and Cap company was consolidated with the Waterbury Brass company, and Abram Ives, the president of the former and a director in the latter concern, was elected president of the new organization. In 1867, Mr. Ives sold his stock, and Mr. Carter was elected president, and J. S. Elton treasurer. In 1868 the latter resigned the secretaryship and Edward D. Steele succeeded him. In 1870 Joseph C. Welton was chosen president, and on his death Mr. Elton was elected his suc- cessor, and is now (1894) the executive head of the concern. Mr. Steele, the present treasurer of the company, was elected to that office in 1876. Gilman C. Hill, the secretary of the company, was secretary of the American Flask and Cap company at the time of the consolidation, and succeeded E. D. Steele, as secretary of the Brass company when Mr. Steele became treasurer. In April, 1891, John P. Elton was appointed assistant treasurer of the company.
The American Flask and Cap company was organized in 1857 by consolidation of the American Flask company of Meriden and the Walter Hicks Percussion Cap company of Haverstraw, N. Y. The capital stock of the consolidated concern was $125,000, most of which was owned by the stockholders in the Waterbury Brass company. The consolidated concern purchased of the Manhan
334
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
Manufacturing company the stone buildings used by them for the manufacture of woolen goods, adjoining the west mill of the Brass company, and the machinery purchased in Meriden and Haver- straw was removed to Waterbury. As already stated, the Flask and Cap company was consolidated with the Waterbury Brass com- pany in 1865.
From the record given on pages 128 to 130, it appears that these concerns, during their separate existence and since their consoli- dation, have suffered seriously from fire and other accidents. On April 1, 1864, an explosion at the works of the Flask and Cap company resulted in the loss of four lives and was followed by a fire which destroyed the building. On September 24, 1870, two lives were lost in an explosion, and the fire which followed involved a loss of $30,000. Another explosion of a powder house occurred on December 16, 1882, and another on November 27, 1894. But the most serious disaster was the destruction of the rolling mill by fire on January 14, 1892, which involved a loss of $200,000. It was rebuilt, however, immediately, on a larger scale, and with reference to the most modern methods of manufacture. The occurrence at long intervals of explosions where fulminate is manufactured seems unavoidable; but the Brass company has always been prompt in offering to make good the losses that have occurred throughout the city as the result of such accidents.
LYMAN W. COE.
Lyman Wetmore Coe, son of Israel and Nancy (Wetmore) Coe, was born in Wolcottville (now Torrington) January 20, 1820. He came to Waterbury with his father when he was about a year old, and received his education in the common schools of the town, at the Waterbury academy, and at schools in Morris and South Corn- wall. He was a clerk in Waterbury until 1834, when he obtained a situation in the store of Wadhams, Coe & Co., of Wolcottville for two years, and at Terryville, with Lewis, McKee & Co., for the three years following. In 1841 he was made secretary and treas- urer of the Wolcottville Brass company; but in 1846, not long after the establishment of the Waterbury Brass company, he received the appointment of secretary and treasurer of that organization, and was its active manager for about seventeen years. From 1853 to 1855 he was the president of the company. In 1863 he returned to Wolcottville, purchased the old plant of John Hungerford & Sons, where he had formerly been employed, and organized the Coe Brass company.
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