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 43
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Mr. Weeden married Abbie H., daughter of Francis Taber of New Bedford. Their children are Mabel, who is a student in the General hospital, Paterson, N. J .; Florence Taber, and Walter Leslie.
He died, July 25, 1891, at Rangely, Me., whither he had gone in the hope of restoring his health.
404
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
THE MATTHEWS & WILLARD MANUFACTURING CO.
The Matthews & Willard Manufacturing company may be said to have had its origin in 1848, when Henry A. Matthews began the manufacture of saddlery hardware, carriage trimmings and harness ornaments. The business, under his management, attained impor- tant proportions, and he continued to conduct it, except for a short interval, until 1871. At that date William Stanley was admitted to an interest in the concern, and the firm name became Matthews & Stanley. In 1873 E. R. Lampson purchased an interest in the busi- ness, and the Matthews & Stanley Manufacturing company was organized with a capital of $12,000, and Mr. Lampson as president.
In 1882 the concern had outgrown its facilities for production, and with a view to extending both the range and quantity of its manufactures, the company was merged into the Matthews & Wil- lard Manufacturing company, and the capital stock was increased from $12,000 to $100,000. Henry A. Matthews was the president, and Charles H. Matthews the secretary. Extensive improvements were made in the buildings and machinery. The concern pros- pered so greatly, that in 1886 an increase of the capital stock to $250,000 was necessitated, as well as still further enlargement of the plant.
The business, which was at first confined chiefly to harness hard- ware and carriage trimmings, was in 1880 widely extended. Stove ornaments in brass and bronze, brass furniture, statuettes, rival- ling in quality and excellence of design the product of the largest manufactories of Europe, "art goods " and various "specialties" were from that time produced in large quantities, and the trade of the concern was extended to all sections of the United States and to Canada.
In 1888, the company went into the hands of a receiver, and after some delay, the plant was sold at auction, April 8, 1890, to H. F. Davis of Watertown and Charles Miller. The reorganized company was incorporated April 26, with F. L. Curtiss as presi- dent, Chauncey P. Goss as treasurer, and George G. Blakeslee as secretary and manager. Messrs. Curtiss and Goss still remain in office, but Mr. Blakeslee was succeeded in 1893 by Robert F. Griggs.
HENRY A. MATTHEWS.
Henry Avery Matthews was born in Goshen, November 24, 1825. When but eight years of age he began work in a cotton mill, and at the age of fourteen removed to Waterbury and entered the
405
THE SMALLER BRASS COMPANIES.
academy, and by night work paid the expenses of his education. He began the manufacture of saddlery hardware in 1848, and with other Waterbury men organized the Hope Manufacturing com- pany. In 1870 he established the firm of Matthews & Stanley, of which he was senior partner. He commenced making stove trim- mings in 1879, and has patented important inventions, among which are stove-door knobs and "spun brass" specialties; and has been connected with the brass industry in Waterbury from an earlier date than any other manufacturer now living.
Mr. Matthews was mayor for two years (see page 45). In 1885 he was elected a member of the state senate, and during four legis- latures represented the town in the lower house. He has been also a member of the board of education and of the finance committee of the Centre district.
On January 15, 1849, he married Sarah, daughter of Cyrus and Fanny Peck of Southbury. They have had three children: Charles Henry, who married Mamie, daughter of David M. Ireland; Flor- ence, married to John F. Ireland, and William Frederick, who, on September 22, 1880, married Emily Baldwin, daughter of Charles S. Lockwood of Norwalk, and died January 23, 1881.
WILLIAM STANLEY.
The father of William Stanley came to Waterbury in 1829. He was one of the workers in brass whom Israel Holmes brought from England (see page 322), and by his knowledge of the brass business contributed largely to its establishment in Waterbury. The son was three years of age when the family arrived in this country. As soon as he was old enough to learn brass rolling, he entered the button shop of Benedict & Burnham. In 1848 he engaged in the manufacture of carriage trimmings, and by skill and enterprise secured to this industry a foothold in Waterbury. Subsequently he was engaged in manufacturing in New York and New Jersey, but returning to Waterbury, in 1863, he took part in organizing the Carrington Manufacturing company, of which he became treasurer. Having withdrawn from this concern he assisted in organizing the Matthews & Stanley Manufacturing company, of which he was treasurer until his death, which took place in 1877.
Mr. Stanley's habits were retiring, and his devotion to business was almost extreme. His business methods were honorable and his character without a stain. He was a devoted friend, and earnest in the support of every good cause.
CHAPTER XXIV.
MACHINE BUILDERS AND FOUNDERS-BLAKE & JOHNSON ; THE FARREL FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY-CUTLERY AND UTENSILS OF IRON AND STEEL-BARNARD, SON & CO .; BLAKE, LAMB & CO .- THE AMERICAN MILLS COMPANY-THE ELECTRIC TIME COMPANY- PAPER, PAPER BOXES, ETC .- THE WHITE & WELLS COMPANY.
BLAKE & JOHNSON.
T HE joint-stock company known as Blake & Johnson origi- nated as a copartnership between James P. Blake and Charles W. Johnson. Its object was the manufacturing of machinery for working metals, and especially the constructing of small rolling mills (with hardened cast-steel rolls) for the use of manufacturers of jewelry, silver goods, plated ware and flat wire. The business was begun in a building which stood near the pres- ent East Main street factory, formerly used by George Root as a cabinet-maker's shop. The company was organized on February 17, 1852, with a capital stock of $8000, and with J. P. Blake, C. W. Johnson, Elisha Turner, J. P. Elton and Nelson Hall as stock- holders. Mr. Hall was the first president, and Mr. Blake the first secretary and treasurer. Mr. Johnson sold his stock in 1855, and in 1865 Mr. Blake disposed of his, and removed to Westborough, Mass. He afterwards lived at Mount Carmel and Cheshire, and died at the latter place.
In 1855 the company bought of George Root the land on which the East Main street factory now stands, to which was added, in 1860, a strip bought of the American Pin company, whose property was then adjacent to that of Blake & Johnson, and another in 1893. Additional buildings were erected on the East Main street site in 1852, 1860, 1870 and 1880, and in 1890 land was purchased on North Elm street, and a new factory erected there. The East Main street factory is devoted to the manufacture of goods made of wire, such as rivets, screws, escutcheon pins, piano and organ hardware and hairpins. The Elm street factory is occupied by the machinery business, and is specially fitted up for the building of presses, rivet machines, steel rolls and rolling mills, machines connected with the making of wire, of nails, cartridges, clocks and bicycles, and special automatic machinery. In April, 1857, Blake & Johnson
407
OTHER MANUFACTURING CORPORATIONS.
furnished to the United States mint at Philadelphia a pair of hardened cast-steel rolls at a cost of $1000; in November of the same year two pairs to the branch mint at San Francisco, Cal., at $1500 a pair; in 1858 a pair of chilled iron rolls to the branch mint at Dahlonega, Ga., and the same year a pair of steel rolls, ten inches in diameter and fourteen inches long, to the royal mint of Great Britain, at a cost of £325 sterling .* In 1863 and 1864 they furnished to the United States arsenal at Frankford, Penn., seventy presses and other machinery for the manufacture of cartridges.
The officers of the company, from its incorporation, are as follows:
Presidents: Nelson Hall, 1852-1855; James P. Blake, 1855-1865; Edmund Jor- dan, 1866-1867; James S. Elton, 1868-1878; Orville H. Stevens, 1879-1894.
Secretaries: James P. Blake, 1852-1855; O. H. Stevens, 1855-1873; R. R. Stan- nard, since 1873.
Treasurers: James P. Blake, 1852-1855; O. H. Stevens, 1855-1894.
After the death of Mr. Stevens, in November, 1894, Mr. Elton was again elected to the presidency, and Mr. Stannard was made secre- tary and treasurer.
In addition to the men who have held office in the corporation, mention should be made of the succession of skilled machinists who have had charge of the machinery department either before or since the erection of the Elm street factory-successors of Edmund Jordan, whose brief presidency has been mentioned. They are Eli J. Manville, George W. Rogers, Hamilton Ruddick, Nelson King and Frank B. Manville. Among the employees who have been con- nected with Blake & Johnson for forty years, or more, are William H. Nelson and Bennet Merchant.
C. W. JOHNSON.
Charles Wesley Johnson was born in 1822, near Beacon Falls.
From early boyhood he manifested a genius for invention and unusual skill as a mechanic. At the age of thirteen, being too poor to buy a pair of boots for himself, he earned money enough to pro- cure the necessary materials, and without any previous knowledge of shoemaking made the boots himself. He applied himself to the study of mechanics, and attained to great proficiency in his trade. The part he took in the establishment of the firm of Blake & John- son is indicated above. His rare inventive skill and excellent work-
* The order from Sir Thomas Graham, master of the royal mint, was based upon a proposal of James P. Blake, written at Sheffield, England, July 18, 1857, in which he said: "If, after thirty days' trial in rolling your gold or silver, the rolls are not satisfactory, you are at liberty to send them to us at our expense."
408
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
manship enabled him to introduce radical changes in methods of manufacture. The automatic power presses, for example, now in use at the United States mint are essentially the same as those invented by Mr. Johnson.
He removed to Bridgeport a number of years ago, and resided there until his death, which took place February 24, 1894.
O. H. STEVENS.
Orville Harvey Stevens, son of Harvey and Elizabeth (Kilbourn) Stevens, was born in Clinton, March 31, 1824. He received a good education at the academy in his native town, and afterward resided in Hartford, where under the ministry of Horace Bushnell he became a member of the North Congregational church. He came to Waterbury in 1852, and after a few years became responsibly connected with Blake & Johnson. As a man of business he devoted his life to the success of this concern, and its prosperity is largely due to his ability, fidelity and perseverance. He did not, however, limit his interest and sympathies to the routine of business. Dur- ing the last twenty years of his life he served the town or city in almost every local office within their gift, except that of mayor. He was a member of the board of water commissioners from 1874 to 1884 and was its president in 1876 and 1877 (page 101). He was a police commissioner in 1875 and 1876, and a road and sewer com- missioner from 1887 to 1893. He was first selectman in 1882 and 1883, and was also a councilman and an alderman. As an official he was conscientious and painstaking to an unusual degree, and his counsel on public questions was sought by men of different polit- ical parties. In an obituary notice in the Waterbury Republican of November 19, 1894, he is characterized as follows:
He was a man of much breadth of view, quickly responsive to the demands made upon him by his sense of citizenship and the relations in which he found himself involved with his fellow men. He was essentially a philanthropist, and showed his love for the people by devoting to their interests his strength and his time. In the business world he was universally recognized not only as a man of strict integrity, but of the highest sense of honor. He was not of the class of those who try to see how near they can go to the line of dishonesty and meanness with- out stepping over it; temptation did not draw him in any such direction. His religion was a religion of fidelity, integrity and devotion to high ideals. In this, as in all departments of life, he exhibited great independence and frankness. He looked back with gratitude to his opportunity in early manhood of sitting under the ministry of Dr. Bushnell, and ascribed to his influence not only much intellectual quickening, but emancipation from a narrow theology and a hopeless view of life The larger conception of things was always precious to him and had no little influ ence in shaping his experience.
409
OTHER MANUFACTURING CORPORATIONS.
On May 5, 1853, Mr. Stevens married Harriet Elizabeth, daughter of Calvin Elton of Hartford. Their children are: Charles Elton, a graduate of the college of New Jersey, who, on December 15, 1880, married Alice Rowley, and Jennie Elton, who was married, Decem- ber 8, 1892, to Commodore William Kennon Mayo, of the United States navy. Mr. Stevens died November 16, 1894, at Wernersville, Penn., whither he had gone in search of rest and restored health.
R. R. STANNARD.
Robert Russell Stannard, son of Russell and Julia (Roberts) Stannard, was born in Clinton, April 25, 1847. He was educated at the Clinton district school and academy until he was fifteen years of age, when he entered the Hudson River institute at Claverack, N. Y. Later he entered a business college in New Haven, where he remained until 1866, when he became bookkeeper and cashier in the dry goods store of T. P. Merwin & Co., in that city. Three years later he came to Waterbury to act as bookkeeper for Blake & John- son. On January 1, 1873, he was elected secretary of the corpora- tion, and on January 2, 1878, was made a member of the board of directors, which position he still fills. He is a member of the First church, and has been clerk of the church since January, 1877.
On May 14, 1874, Mr. Stannard married Martha, daughter of Edward Bryan of New Haven, a former resident of Waterbury. They have one daughter, Grace Bryan Stannard.
F. B. MANVILLE.
Frank Burr Manville was born in Meriden May 30, 1848, and at nineteen years of age entered the factory of Blake & Johnson, where he remained until 1871. During the following ten years he was employed at the armories of Winchester, Colt, Whitney and Ames, also in the Elgin (Il1.) Watch factory. In 1880 he returned to Waterbury and became connected with the E. J. Manville com- pany, where he remained six years. He then re-entered the service of Blake & Johnson as superintendent of the machinery depart- ment and designer of machines, a position which he still holds. Almost from boyhood he has been busy as an inventor. He has invented machines used in making hooks and eyes, a machine for threading bicycle spokes by the rolling process, and another for forming rims for bicycle wheels, also a brass shoe-lace hook covered with black celluloid.
On November 23, 1886, Mr. Manville married Florence H. West of Waterville, a granddaughter of Obadiah Warner, and a descend- ant of one of the first settlers of the town. They have no children.
410
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
THE E. J. MANVILLE MACHINE COMPANY.
This corporation is the outgrowth of the business established by Eli J. Manville, September 15, 1878. He occupied a place on the corner of Meadow and Benedict streets for about a year, after which he removed to the Gaylord building on Benedict street. The business has steadily grown in importance-each successive year showing a decided increase in the amount of production. On October 6, 1886, the concern was incorporated (see page 441), with E. J. Manville as president, R. C. Manville, treasurer, W. W. Man- ville, secretary, and F. B. Manville, F. J. Manville and G. H. Manville, directors. The same year the works were removed to their present location on Meadow street. The plant is thoroughly equipped with reference to producing special automatic machinery for working wire and metal, also other light machinery and dies, tools, etc., for all of which it has a wide reputation. The officers are R. C. Man- ville, president; W. W. Manville, treasurer and superintendent; Martin H. Brennan, secretary and manager.
E. J. MANVILLE AND SONS.
Eli Josiah Manville, son of Cyrus B. Manville, was born in Watertown, March 13, 1823, and was educated at the Watertown district school. At the age of eighteen he entered the employ of Warner & Isbell, machinists of Naugatuck, where he learned the machinist's trade. In 1847 he returned to Watertown, and came to Waterbury in 1849, having in the meantime resided in Meriden. While he was superintendent of the New England Buckle company, he built the " Four way " Automatic Wire-forming machine, which is extensively used at the present time. In 1856 he bought a gas and steam fitting business, but disposed of it to E. R. Lampson in 1859, and afterward gave his attention entirely to machine making. He devised various ingenious machines, of which the best known are the planer and shaper called the " Hendey," the cold reducing machine for reducing the size of wire (which brought into exist- ence the Excelsior Needle company of Torrington), and the safety- pin machine, the building of which was the starting point of the E. J. Manville Machine company. Mr. Manville was the president of the company until his death.
On March 15, 1846, he married Mary Potter of Naugatuck. They had six children, Robert Cyrus, Frank Burr (for whom see page 409), Frederick Josiah, William Walter, George Harris, and a daughter, Emma Jane, who died in childhood. Mr. Manville died in Waterbury, October 30, 1886.
4II
OTHER MANUFACTURING CORPORATIONS.
ROBERT CYRUS MANVILLE was born in Watertown, March 1, 1847. The family came to Waterbury in 1849, and he received his educa- tion in its schools. At the age of eighteen he entered the employ of the Turner & Clark Manufacturing company of Wolcottville, to learn machine making under his father, and in 1867 returned to Waterbury, and worked at his trade as machinist and tool-maker. In 1880 he became connected with his father's establishment, and two years later made his first design and drawings of an automatic chain machine. From that time nearly all the machinery con- structed by the E. J. Manville Machine company has been made from his designs. On the death of his father he became president of the company.
On April 16, 1874, he married Rachel Maria, daughter of Edward Shepard of Portland. Their children are Charles Robert and Wade Shepard.
WILLIAM W. MANVILLE, was born in Waterbury, December 26, 1853. When eighteen years of age he went to New Haven to learn the machinist's trade and entered a factory of which his father was at that time the manager. After a year's stay in New Haven he became connected with the Pratt & Whitney company of Hart- ford, and afterward with the Waterbury Farrel Foundry and Machine company of this city. In 1880 he left their employ and entered that of his father. In 1882 he was placed in charge of his father's shop as mechanical superintendent. He has held this posi- tion, and also that of secretary in the E. J. Manville Machine com- pany since its incorporation, and after his father's death was made its treasurer.
On September 24, 1876, he married Nellie P., daughter of Albert S. Frost of Watertown. They have one child, Tracey Frost.
M. H. BRENNAN.
Martin Henry Brennan, son of Hugh and Catherine Brennan, was born in Cheshire, September 12, 1860. He was educated at the Episcopal academy of that town and afterward studied for two years with Professor A. W. Phillips of Yale university, during which time he was appointed principal of the Centre District school of Cheshire-a position which he retained for three years.
In March, 1885, he came to Waterbury as bookkeeper for E. J. Manville. After the E. J. Manville Machine company became in- corporated he held a similar position in that concern until 1888, when he became its secretary and business manager.
On October 4, 1888, he married Katie A., daughter of John Hart of this city. His children are Reginald Hart and Helen.
412
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
WATERBURY FARREL FOUNDRY AND MACHINE CO.
The Waterbury Farrel Foundry and Machine company and the Farrel Foundry and Machine company of Ansonia were the same corporation until March, 1880, at which time E. C. Lewis purchased the Waterbury plant from the Messrs. Farrel. After managing it single-handed until July of the same year, Mr. Lewis organized the concern into a joint-stock company, with a capital stock of $100,000. Mr. Lewis was the first president, William E. Fulton the first secre- tary and treasurer, and George B. Lamb superintendent. The facilities of the company have been increased more than fourfold since its organization in 1880. Its shops are fully equipped with the best and most modern tools, and no concern in New England builds a larger variety of metal-working machinery. In the list are rolling mills, power presses, hydraulic presses, draw benches for making seamless tubing, rivet-making machines, cartridge machin- ery, outfits for making spoons and forks, machinery for making kerosene burners, automatic drop presses, metal-slitting machines, shears, slitters, lathes, shafting, hangers and pulleys. The company has extensive iron and brass foundries, with facilities for turning out the largest castings. There is also a large pattern-making shop and a blacksmith shop with steam hammers. All freight is received and all finished work shipped over railroad switch-tracks belonging to the company.
ALMON FARREL.
Almon Farrel, the son of Zebah and Mehitabel (Benham) Farrel, was born at Oakville, October 12, 1800. He learned of his father the trade of millwright. At the age of eighteen he "bought his time " and engaged in business on his own account. His first work was the construction and placing of a small breast-wheel in the woollen mill of Austin Steele. He soon acquired a reputation for planning and putting in operation mills and their appliances, and was for many years the leading machinist, engineer, builder and contractor in his line in the Naugatuck valley. Dr. Bronson, in his History, said of him:
There is probably no man in the state who has superintended the construction of so many first-class mills and manufacturing establishments. He was noted for the strength and permanency of his work. Monuments of his skill may be seen in Waterbury, Seymour, Ansonia, Birmingham, Plymouth Hollow, Wolcottville, Bristol, Westville, Pequonnock, Newtown, etc. Whatever he put his hand to was carried through successfully; not always inexpensively, but with good judgment and thorough workmanship.
HISTORY OF WATERBURY
WATERBURY FARREL POUNDRY AND MACHINE CO.
The Waterbury Farrel Foundry and Machine company and the Farrel Foundry and Machine company of Ansonia were the same corporation werel March, 1886, DE which time E. C. Lewis purchased the Waterhuur plunt front the Messrs. Darrel, After managing it single-landvol untij July of the same year, Mr. Lewis organized the concern into a joint-stock company, with a capital stock of $100. 000. Mr. Lewis was the first president, William E. Fulton the first secre- tary and treasurer, and Cooire Il Lamb superintendent. The
brod more than fourfold facilities of the comproy lars
since is organization tu ro
hilly equipped with
the best and most modern Tools, Auto New England builda a larger variety of metal-working no Mber. Tw the list are rolling mills, power presses, hydraulic premen druw benches for rtking stainless tubide ohio . cartridge muchin- ery, outfits for maki Um for waking kerosene blirnors, automatic drop presses, mede sur nines, shears, slitters, lathes, shafting, hangers and pulless has extensive iron and brass foundries, with facilities for turning out the largest castings. There is also a large pattern-making shop and a Blacksmith shop with steam hammers. All freight is received and all finished werl shipped over railroad switch-tracks belonging to the company
ALMON FARDEL,
Almon Farrel, the son of Zebah and Mehitabel ( Benhoro) Farrel, was born at Oakville October , 1800.' He learned of his father the trade of millwright At the age of eighton he " bought his time " and engaged in business on his own Account TEis Dral work was the construction and placing of a small breast-wheel in the woullen mmill of Noitin Steele He soon acquiredl'a reputation for planning and putting in operation mills and their appliances, and was for many youn the leading mayh|met, mogyorer, builder and contractor in his live in the Nawy stuck valley. Dr. Bronson, in his History, said of Bim:
Two is probably tio not in the sale whirhus superintended the construction of politur fysi-me- amilli and in ofwaring establishments. He was noted for Monuments of his skill may be seen in Waterini, Sójo Meghan, Plymouth Hollow, Wolcottville, Bristol, Wwwvi's Two -4 Pensavo ele. Whatever he put his hand To was carded Che mex -nepensively, but with good judgment and Dintough-
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