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 40
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Mr. Wade became bookkeeper in the Waterbury National bank May 1, 1866, and held the position until August, 1870. In May, 1871, he was elected secretary of the Waterbury Clock company, and was put in charge of the manufacturing department. Upon the retire- ment, in January, 1884, of Manasseh Bailey, who had been treasurer for many years, Mr. Wade was made secretary, treasurer and gen- eral manager, and on the death of G. W. Burnham, in 1885, he was elected president.
On September 20, 1877, Mr. Wade married Martha Chase Stark- weather. They have two daughters, Mary Elizabeth, and Lucy Starkweather.
THE STEELE & JOHNSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
A concern known as the Steele & Johnson Manufacturing com- pany was organized in 1852, with Elisha Steele as president, and with a capital of $6000, for the manufacture of "gilt and plated metal buttons." The business was continued until 1856, when it was sold out to the Waterbury Jewelry company, which went into liquidation in 1857. The present organization came into existence on March 17, 1858, as the Steele & Johnson Button company, and was so called until 1875. It was organized with a capital stock of $6000, which was increased from time to time until 1868, when it was made $30,000. The incorporators were Charles M. Mitchell, Elisha Steele, Joseph G. Johnson and Milo Hine, and Mr. Steele was the first president. They leased the factory and tools of the Jewelry company.
The company manufactures metal buttons of every description, and a large variety of "fancy goods" composed wholly or in part of metal. During the war for the Union, it was necessary to run the establishment night and day, to fill contracts made with the government for military buttons and trimmings. For a number of years the factory stood on Jewelry street, but it was torn down to
38I
THE SMALLER BRASS COMPANIES.
make room for the extension of the works of the Benedict & Burn- ham Manufacturing company. In 1874 the business was removed to its present location on South Main street. In 1888 the company purchased the property, erected new factories and doubled its capacity.
The corporate title was changed in 1875 to the Steele & Johnson Manufacturing company. The present officers are Charles M. Mitchell, president and treasurer, and Benjamin L. Coe, secretary and superintendent.
ELISHA STEELE.
Elisha Steele was born November 10, 1803, in Seymour (then Humphreysville). He came to Waterbury in the spring of 1820, and became engaged in the button business. In 1851 he founded the Steele & Johnson Manufacturing company-the first of the two corporations known by that name-and was made its president. He was also the first president of the Steele & Johnson Button company, whose organization in 1858 is related above. He remained with this concern until 1864, when he became connected with the United States Button company.
On the first Sunday after his removal to Waterbury, in 1820, he became a member of the choir of the First church. The following year, although not yet eighteen years old, he was appointed chorister, and he held that position for nearly thirty years. He was greatly interested in musical matters, and was one of the first to introduce music into the public schools, having taught it with. success in the Waterbury academy while Seth Fuller was the prin- cipal. He was the conductor of two musical societies, the "United Choirs" and the Oratorio society, both of which gave public con- certs that were very successful. (See the chapter on music.)
Mr. Steele married Elizabeth S., daughter of Newton Hine, Sr. He died June 7, 1875. Their children are : Mary Ann, who became the wife of Samuel A. Castle (see page 208), and Henry W., of New York. The Valley Index of June 11, 1875, said of him : "Though not conspicuously marked by action in public affairs, Mr. Steele was active in good works He was a man without guile, of benevolent disposition and friendly instincts."
C. M. MITCHELL.
Charles Moulton Mitchell, the youngest son of John Smith and Sallie (Shelton) Mitchell, was born in East Haven, July 7, 1822. John S. Mitchell, of whom some account is given on pages 305 and 306, was one of his brothers. He received his early educa-
382
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
tion in the schools of New Haven. In October, 1841, he entered the United States Navy as a midshipman, and continued in the service until 1848. After a brief residence in St. Louis, he returned to New Haven, where his brother Edward A. Mitchell was postmaster, and secured a position in the post office.
He came to Waterbury in 1850, and entered the employ of the Waterbury Lumber and Coal company. He passed from there to the Waterbury Button company, where he held the office of secre- tary, and from there to the Waterbury Jewelry company, of which he became president. When this became absorbed in the Steele & Johnson Manufacturing company, he became president of the new organization. In 1880 he took an active part in reorganizing the Bridgeport Brass company (see page 314). He was made president of that concern, and has continued to hold the position until now.
In 1854 Mr. Mitchell married Mary Ann, daughter of Charles Foote, of Bridgeport. She died April 18, 1859, leaving two children, Charles Foote, and Mary, who became the wife of John B. Wallace, April 8, 1880. On September 5, 1860, he married Mary Emerson, daughter of Samuel Parsons, of Northampton, Mass.
Charles F. Mitchell was born November 15, 1856. In August, 1881, he became bookkeeper in the Manufacturers' National bank, and in May, 1892, was elected cashier, which position he still holds.
BENJAMIN L. COE.
Benjamin Lee Coe, the son of John and Mary (Lewis) Coe, was born at Beacon Falls, January 27, 1860. He was educated at the high school in Birmingham, from which he graduated in 1877. He came to Waterbury in 1878, and his business life has been connected with the Steele & Johnson Manufacturing company.
On April 25, 1882, he married Katharine Margaret, daughter of Sherman Steele (see Vol. I, Ap. pp. 132, 37). Their children are Benjamin Steele, Robert Lewis, and Margaret Hoadley.
ROGERS & BROTHER.
Rogers & Brother, whose works are located on the Mad river, at the place formerly occupied by Brown & Elton, is the only surviv- ing company of the several formed by the Rogers brothers of Hart- ford. In 1846 Asa H. Rogers began experimenting in electro- plating, and in 1847, with his brothers William and Simeon S. Rogers, he established in Hartford the firm of Rogers Brothers. In 1858 the brothers Asa and Simeon Rogers, with David B.
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY
tion in the schools of New Haven, In October, 1841, he entered the United States Mayy us a midshipman, and continued in the service until il.& After a brief re-idence hy St. Louis, he returned to New Haven, where his brother Edward A. Mitchell was postmaster, and Soswired a position in the post office.
He came la Waterbury in 1850, and entered the employ of the Waterbury Luniber and Coal company. He passed from there to the Waterbury Button company, where he held the office of secre- tary, and from there to the Waterbury Jewelry company, of which he became president. When thi became absorbed in the Steele & Johnson Manufacturing soundw. f hecame president of the new Mise part in reorganizing the organization. In 1886
Bridgeport Brales comparer I
Tras made president
of that concern aod Ys LM Le pollion until now. www of Charles are two children,
Foote. of
1. Wallace,
On September 5. 1260, he mails 0Gt5011, daughter of Samuel Parsons, of Northampton, Ma
Charles F. Mitchell was born November 15, 1856 In Amognes, 1681, he became bookkeeper in the Manufacturers' National bank, and in May, 1892, was elected cashier, which position he still holds.
WANTAMIN L. COE.
win T . Coe, the son of John and Mary (Lewis) Coe, was Thataty 27, 1860. He was educated at the wp From which he graduated in 1877. Hc come ko Wad 6 and his business life has been connected with Le Steele & Johnson Manufacturing company.
On April 25, 1482, Ne married Katharine Margar. Curater of Sherman Suele (see Vol. I, Ap. pp. 132, 47) Their children are Benjamin Suele Mabert Lewis, and Margurel 1
Roger& A orks are located on the Mad river, at the wage ways sayed by Brown & Elton, is the only surviv- ing orupany mi formed by the Rogers brothers of Hart- ford In TMto AMA| Rogers began experimenting in clectro- plating, and in what with his brothers William and Simeon S. Rogers, he emalilub d'in Hartford the firm of Rogers Brothers. In 1858 the loss Man and Simeon Rogers, with David B.
D
E
ROGERS & BRO.
SILVER PLATE WORKS OF ROGERS & BROTHER WATERBURY, CONN.
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THE SMALLER BRASS COMPANIES.
Hamilton and Leroy S. White, removed to Waterbury, and here established the firm of Rogers & Brother, which was organized as a joint-stock company the following year. Simeon S. Rogers was president, Green Kendrick (see pages 266-270) treasurer, and David B. Hamilton, secretary. From rolled nickel-silver the company manufactured spoons, forks, knives and other articles of flat table ware, in greater variety and on a more extensive scale than had ever before been attempted in this country. They have since added to their manufactures a large variety of silver-plated hollow ware and table cutlery. The original factory has been enlarged and improved from time to time, the number of operatives now employed being about 300. Mr. Hamilton, the only surviving mem- ber of the original firm, is the present president and treasurer.
CAPTAIN D. B. HAMILTON.
David Boughton Hamilton, son of David and Deborah (Bough- ton) Hamilton, was born in Danbury, October 19, 1824. He is descended in the sixth generation from "William Hamilton, gentle- man," who was born in Scotland in 1647, lived on Cape Cod, Mass., and in Rhode Island, and afterward settled in the northern part of Danbury, on the borders of the wilderness, and died there at the age of 102 years. David was educated at the Danbury academy, and spent a few months at the select school of N. B. Clark at Hart- ford. From 1841 to 1843 he was a teacher in Hartford and in Weth- ersfield, and afterward entered upon a course of study for the min- istry, from which he turned aside to study law. Having decided that he preferred business to a profession, he engaged in various business ventures in Hartford and in Albany, N. Y., but in 1851 became a clerk in the Hartford post office.
In the spring of 1853, when the Rogers brothers organized a company for the manufacture of silver-plated ware, he became their salesman, and in 1858, when Asa and Simeon Rogers came to Waterbury to establish the firm of Rogers & Brother, he came with them, and since that time has been a resident of this city, and iden- tified with that concern. His active connection with the plated- ware industry has been only twice interrupted in forty-two years,- when he visited California in 1856 for the benefit of his health, and during his service in the war for the Union. His military record, as given in Dr. Anderson's "History of the Soldiers' Monument in Waterbury, Conn." (page 13, note), is as follows :
David B. Hamilton entered the service in 1861. On the memorable 19th of April, in that year, he was in Baltimore, just after the attack upon the Union soldiers. The next day he was in Washington, and enlisted in the company of
384
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
volunteers raised for the defense of the capital by Colonel Cassius M. Clay. . In a week or two he returned to Waterbury by the way of Annapolis, enlisted for active service, and was soon afterward commissioned as First Lieutenant in the Fifth regiment of Connecticut volunteers. He was promoted to be Captain in Sep- tember, 1862, and was honorably discharged for disability, January 10, 1863.
Mr. Hamilton was secretary of Rogers & Brother from its incor- poration until 1865, when he was elected treasurer of the company. Since 1878 he has been president as well as treasurer. He has been president of the Manufacturers' National bank since its incorpora- tion in 1881, of the Waterbury Lumber and Coal company since its reorganization in 1883 (see page 51), and of the Steam Boiler Inspec- tion and Insurance company (pages 187, 188) from 1891 to 1894. He is a director of various manufacturing concerns throughout the state, including the William Rogers Manufacturing company of Hartford, the Meriden Britannia company and the Bridgeport Brass company.
He is a Republican in politics, and has filled various public offices, chiefly municipal. In 1881 he was elected from the Fifth Senatorial district, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Sena- tor Brown (see page 245). He has served the city as councilman and alderman, and was a member of the board of water commis- sioners from 1885 to 1893 (page 102). He has also been a selectman of the town, and chairman of the board of school visitors. Captain Hamilton is a member of the New York commandery of the Loyal Legion. He was one of the committee of three appointed in 1880 by Wadhams post of the Grand Army of the Republic to raise funds for the erection of a soldiers' monument, and rendered efficient service in that connection. He belongs to the order of Odd Fellows, and has held high office in Clark commandery in the Masonic fraternity.
As these various offices and services would indicate, Captain Hamilton is a man of much activity and energy. During his earlier connection with Rogers & Brother he visited every state of the Union as their travelling salesman. Yet he has suffered from poor health throughout his life. On this account he visited California in 1856, as already stated, and made subsequent visits to the south and the Pacific coast in 1881 and 1894. He has not, however, lost his interest at any time in public affairs, or in philanthropic and educational enterprises. Brought up from childhood to be an inde- pendent thinker, he has boldly diverged from popular standards of belief, but at the same time has ever aimed to preserve a judicial attitude of mind, and to illustrate the "golden rule " in all his rela- tions with his fellow-men.
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
volusiders raised for the detens, of the capital by Colonel Cassius M. Clay Io o -West oftwo be rujsendo to Waterbury by the way of Atmnapoli-, enlisted for wAtve servico. pod and sont amerwatti Commissioned &s First Lieutenant in the TON borimimine Comment polomders. He was promoted to be Captain in Sep- keinboy, os x was honorably ( bange for disability. January 10, 1:63.
Mr Hamilton was secretary of Rogers & Brother from its incor- poralten until 1865, when he was elected treasurer of the company. Sims IR,5 he has been president as well as treasurer. He has been president of the Manufacturers' National bank since its incorpora- Fing in #881, of the Waterbory Lumber and Coal company since its reorganization in 188; 1-90 ), and of the Steam Boiler Inspec- tion and Insurance 18: 188) From 1891 to 1894. He
is & director of T wins throughout the
State, 100 Verlag company of Bridgeport
He is & Rabe8l various public
the Fifth offices che dy nas
Senator district, to fill the vacancy caused by of Sena-
tor Brown (see page 245). He has served the city and alderman, and was a member of the board of war commis- sioners from 1895 to 1893 (page 102). He has also been a selectman of the town, and chairman of the board of school visitors. Captain Hamilton is a member of the New York commandery of the Loyal Levion. 'TTe ww one of the committee of three appointed in 1880 un Wadhans tom if the Grind Army of the Republic to raise w soldiers' monument, and rendered efficient warrior le mail connection. He belongs to the order of Odd Fellow, sho b & ld high office in Clark commanders in the Masome frotermes.
As these various offices and services would realizar, Captain Hamilton is a man of much activity and eureswing his earlier connection with Rogers & Brother He sintel overy state of the Union as their travelling salesman. Yet be has suffered from poor bewith throughout his life On this account he visited California 1 1856, as already stated, and made subsequent visits to the south and Lies Pacific ogået in 1831 and 1894. He has not, however, lost his interest at any time in public affairs, or in philanthropic and educational cuterpred Brought up from childhood to be an inde- pendent thinker, hu hey holdly diverged from popular standards of belief, but at the same time has ever aimed to preserve a judicial attitude of mind, and to illustrate the "golden rule " in all his rela- tions with his fellow-men.
David B. Hamilton
Le Rug S. White
De Ruy H. White
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THE SMALLER BRASS COMPANIES.
On May 6, 1847, Mr. Hamilton married Mary Anna, daughter of S. Rogers of Hartford. She died May 22, 1859, leaving one son, Charles Alfred. On June 9, 1863, he married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of William Birely of Frederick, Md., with whom he became acquainted during his army life, while on " detached ser- vice " under General Banks. She died August 27, 1870, leaving two children, Lewis Birely and Katharine. Lewis was born June 7, 1864, is a graduate of Yale, and a civil engineer. On September 6, 1871, Captain Hamilton married Isabel Lord, daughter of John Gris- wold Ely, of Lyme. The only child of this marriage is Paul, who was born September 1, 1873, and is a graduate of Yale (Sheffield Scientific school).
CHARLES ALFRED HAMILTON Was born in Albany, N. Y., March 3, 1849. He spent most of his boyhood in Hartford and was educated at the schools of that city, including the high school. When about seventeen years of age he came to Waterbury and entered the employ of Rogers & Brother. He soon became their chief travel- ling salesman and attained to great success in that position. At the beginning of 1886 he withdrew from this concern to organize the Rogers & Hamilton company, of which he was made president. On the reorganization of the Bridgeport Brass company (see page 314) Mr. Hamilton was made a director in it. When Colonel Frederick A. Mason, on account of failing health, retired from active connection with that company, Mr. Hamilton 'became the acting treasurer, and on July 1, 1890, was appointed treasurer, and held the office until January, 1895. He continues his residence in Waterbury.
On September 17, 1873, he married Eliza Harriet, daughter of Dr. John Deacon of this city. She died July 9, 1876, and on March 20, 1879, he married Ida Burgoyne of New York. They have one son, Burgoyne.
LEROY S. WHITE.
Leroy Sunderland White, son of Preserved and Lucinda (Rice) White, and a descendant in the eighth generation from Elder John White, one of the first settlers of Cambridge, Mass., was born in Springfield, Mass., May 14, 1828.
His father, who was an armorer in the Springfield armory and an excellent mechanic, died when he was four years old, and he was bound out to a farmer until he was nine. He then went home and was put to work as a bobbin boy in a cotton factory in Chico- pee, Mass. His mechanical talent manifested itself before he left the farm, and finding in the repair room of the factory a variety of
25
386
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
tools, he spent every leisure moment is using them. He carved out of hard wood or ivory many curious articles, and by the time he was twelve years of age had made a miniature tool-chest and filled it with planes, saws, chisels and other tools that belong to a joiner's outfit, all of his own manufacture. He also made an appa- ratus by which he was able to perform most of the sleight-of-hand tricks then in vogue. He has always been the terror of those jug- glers that lay claim to supernatural aid in the performance of their feats. Impostors of this class have rarely had the good fortune to .
get out of town before he exposed their methods.
At a very early age he made himself familiar with the use of chemicals and spent much time experimenting with them. He fre- quently became so absorbed with these, or in developing some mechanical idea, that he worked from the time of closing the fac- tory until called to breakfast the next morning. But his devotion to these was not allowed to interfere with his regular duties. He filled every place in the cotton mill, from that of cotton packer and bobbin boy to that of room superintendent.
In 1852 he married Sarah Jane DeLancey of New Market, N. H. He soon after removed to Hartford, and was employed by the Hart- ford Manufacturing company as a machinist and die cutter. It was while here that he invented his first successful machine for bur- nishing silver-plated flat ware, the patent of which he sold to the company. The firm of Rogers & Brother was soon after organized, and established in Waterbury, where it still leads all competitors in the manufacture of plated flat ware. Mr. White was superin- tendent and master mechanic in this establishment for seventeen years, and was a part of this time its secretary. While with this company he invented several new burnishing machines which are still in use.
Leaving Rogers & Brother he was engaged in 1874 by Brown & Brothers to superintend the founding of a plant for the manufac- ture of flat ware. Here he invented and perfected machinery for making seamless-tube kitchen boilers. The work is done by the application of hydraulic power through machinery of Mr. White's invention, and it has been largely copied by other manufacturers.
Since his engagement with Brown & Brothers closed he has been occupied in the invention and manufacture of a large variety of articles, most of which are for use in the various applications of electricity. When a small boy he placed bobbins in the cogs of the factory wheel "to see what they would do," and from that day to this he has been an experimenter-a sharp and persistent one- turning the forces of nature with remarkable success to the accom-
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THE SMALLER BRASS COMPANIES.
plishment of practical purposes. There is no branch of physics that he has not studied in his own way, and there are few impor- tant discoveries and inventions that he has not made himself famil- iar with. A man of extreme modesty and diffidence, he cannot be prevailed upon to enter the lecture field, but the brilliant illustra- tions of the physical forces which he has occasionally given before societies and schools are always charming and always entirely suc- cessful.
Mr. and Mrs. White have three daughters: Emma Lizzie, the wife of Alexander C. Mintie; Jennie Carleton, the wife of Thomas C. Lane, and Edith Sunderland.
THE SHANNON BROTHERS.
WILLIAM SHANNON Was born in Cheshire, November 13, 1839. He received his early education in the schools of Cheshire and Water- bury. He came with his family to Waterbury when about sixteen years old. He entered the employ of Rogers & Brother at the age of twenty, was promoted to be superintendent of the manufactur- ing department, and retained his connection with the company until his death-a period of twenty-seven years.
In 1858 he married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac Benham Baxter. She died May 30, 1873, leaving a son, Edward Melvin, who was born in 1864 and died in 1894, and a daughter, Adella May. On October 12, 1876, he married Annie Louise, daughter of Richard Ashton, who is now Mrs. William Henry Hall. By his second mar- riage he had one son, Roy Morton.
During the later years of his life Mr. Shannon resided in the eastern part of the town, in the Mill Plain district. He died there, April 13, 1887, and is commemorated in the Mill Plain chapel by a memorial window.
EDWARD WALTER SHANNON was born in Berlin, December 22, 1841. He received his education in the schools of Cheshire, Water- bury and Plymouth. He came to Waterbury when about fourteen years of age. After having worked a few years at button making he entered the employ of Rogers & Brother in 1865. He remained there twenty-one years-a large part of the time as a foreman in one of the departments-but dissolved his connection with that concern in 1886 to become superintendent in the factory of the newly organized Rogers & Hamilton company, in which he was also a director. In January, 1892, he accepted an invitation to return to the establishment of Rogers & Brother, and was a superintendent there until the coming on of his last illness.
388
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
On the breaking out of the civil war, in the spring of 1861, Mr. Shannon, who was then residing in New Haven, enlisted among the "three months' men," and on the expiration of his term of service re-enlisted in the Sixth regiment, and served to the close of the war.
He belonged to the order of Odd Fellows and attained to high office in Masonry. In 1891 and 1892 he was Eminent Commander in the Clark commandery of Knights Templar, and was a member of the Mystic Shrine.
On June 23, 1868, he married Emily Amelia Baxter, a sister of Mrs. William Shannon. Their only child, Frederick Wilbur, was born April 3, 1871, and died November 22, 1891. Mr. Shannon died at Saranac Lake, N. Y., December 25, 1893.
WILLIAM E. RISLEY.
William Edward Risley, son of William Hollister and Delia (Hills) Risley, was born in East Hartford (Hockanum district), April 30, 1844.
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