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 44
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Almon Favrel
413
OTHER MANUFACTURING CORPORATIONS.
In 1848 Mr. Farrel took an active part in establishing the Farrel Foundry at Ansonia, and in 1851 in organizing the Foundry com- pany in Waterbury. This was succeeded by the Farrel Foundry and Machine company, which was organized in 1857, and reorgan- ized in 1880, at which time the name was changed to the Waterbury Farrel Foundry and Machine company, to distinguish it from the Ansonia concern.
On May 1, 1826, he married Emma, daughter of Mark Warner. The children who survive are Franklin Farrel, now of Ansonia, who was born Feb-
ruary 17, 1828, and four daughters: Mrs. W. A. Knowles, Mrs. J. E. Gaylord, Mrs. L. J. Bowen, and Mrs. Achille F. Migeon. (See Vol. I, Ap. p. 49.) Mr. Farrel died
May 31, 1857. Dr.
Bronson (History, page 390) speaks of him as a "self- taught man whose THE FARREL HOMESTEAD, CORNER OF GRAND AND FIELD STREETS ; OCCUPIED, 1895, BY DR. WALTER H. HOLMES. success was owing to his own native genius, and whose services in building up the manufacturing interests of his native town and the Naugatuck valley could hardly have been dispensed with. He died in the prime of life and in the midst of his usefulness."
E. C. LEWIS.
Edward Cuffin Lewis, son of John and Mary Lewis, was born at Welsh Pool, North Wales, September 23, 1826. He came to America with his parents in 1831, and located in Bridgeport. He received a common school education, but was under the necessity, early in life, of working in cotton and woollen mills-an employment in which he continued for eight years. At the end of that time he entered, as an apprentice, the Bridgeport iron works, a concern which he, with others, in later life owned and managed. He acquired a thorough practical knowledge of the foundry business, and in 1847 entered the employ of Colburn & Bassett, prominent iron founders in Birming- ham. He left this establishment in 1849 to become foreman for the Farrel Foundry and Machine company of Ansonia. Mr. Lewis here exhibited so much executive ability and so thorough a knowl-
414
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
edge of the business that he was selected as foreman of the branch concern in Waterbury. In a short time he became the active man- ager and head of the Waterbury establishment, and eventually its president.
Mr. Lewis has been closely identified with the industrial interests of Waterbury, and in his business enterprises he has been uniformly successful. He was one of the original projectors of the Manufac- turers' National bank, and has been a director ever since its organ- ization. He is a director in the Dime Savings bank; is president of the Oakville company and of the Capewell Horse-nail company of Hartford, and a director in the Benedict & Burnham, the Plume & Atwood and the Matthews & Willard Manufacturing companies and in Holmes, Booth & Haydens. He is interested in twenty- seven different manufacturing concerns, and is a large owner of real estate. He is a genial and liberal business man, and is in hearty sympathy with all efforts for the public good. His success aptly illustrates the adage that "a man is the architect of his own fortune."
Mr. Lewis has always been an ardent Republican, but he has never sought office. In 1886 he was the Republican nominee for congress from the Second district of the state, and, although de- feated, received a most flattering vote, the district being strongly Democratic. He has held several offices under the city govern- ment, serving as a member of the Common Council twice and as police commissioner. He was elected to the legislature in 1884. He is a generous supporter of Trinity church, and is also a member of the order of Odd Fellows.
On October 29, 1850, Mr. Lewis married Harriet M. Phippeny of Hartford. Their children are: Ida, the wife of William E. Fulton; Mary, the wife of William J. Schlegel; Edward, who married Hattie Eleanor Olmstead of Brooklyn, N. Y .; Truman, who married Marie Selina Schweizer of Torrington, and three who are not living.
WILLIAM EDWARDS FULTON, son of William Goodrich and Eliza (Edwards) Fulton was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., August 8, 1852. He was educated at the College of the City of New York, in the class of 1871, but left it in his junior year. In 1873 he came to Water- bury and was clerk in the office of Holmes, Booth & Haydens until 1877, at which time he entered the office of the Farrel Foundry and Machine company. In 1880 he was elected secretary and treas- urer of that company.
Mr. Fulton married Ida, the eldest daughter of E. C. Lewis, October 23, 1877. Their children are: Lewis Edwards, William Shir- ley, and Irving Kent.
415
OTHER MANUFACTURING CORPORATIONS.
GEORGE B. LAMB.
George Burton Lamb, son of George and Mary Lamb, was born at Plymouth, October 8, 1848. He came to Waterbury about 1865, and learned the machinist's trade with C. W. Johnson and at Blake & Johnson's. In 1871 be became connected with the Waterbury Farrel Foundry and Machine company, and is now the superintendent of the manufacturing department in that establishment.
On October 31, 1871, he married Harriet Adeline, daughter of Hobart V. Welton. She died February 21, 1875, and on July 21, 1879, he married Idabelle Johnson of New Haven. The children by the first marriage are Louisa Burton and George Richards, and by the second, Albert Richard and Rebekah Collier.
BARNARD, SON & COMPANY. 1
The corporation known as Barnard, Son & Co. was organized January 6, 1866, with a capital stock of $15,000, which was increased in July, 1870, to $30,000. The original incorporators were William B. Barnard, Andrew J. Barnard, Samuel G. Blackman, Thomas Morton and Charles B. Merriman. The first president was William B. Barnard, who died August 20, 1871. His successors have been Scovill M. Buckingham, Samuel M. Porter, Thomas Porter and A. D. Schroeder.
The principal articles of manufacture at the beginning were shears and scissors with solid steel blades, other cutlery of various descriptions, harness and saddlery trimmings, a variety of locks, and many other articles composed wholly or in part of iron, steel, brass or other metals.
The company first started in business in a factory at Waterville. In August, 1870, they purchased what was known as the old cotton mill, together with all the real estate, houses and machinery con- nected with that plant. This cotton mill was built on the site of a grist mill which was in existence before the Revolutionary war, and stood until about 1832. At that time Joel Johnson bought it and after building some additions began there the manufacture of satinet cloth. This establishment was destroyed by fire in 1839, and Mr. Johnson built a large new factory soon afterward. This also was burned in November, 1848. The property was then purchased by Frederick and Amos Thompson of Bethlehem, who, in 1849, built a stone factory three stories high, and rented it to the American Sus- pender company. For ten years, cotton thread for the "web shop" was made here, after which the building remained unoccupied until
416
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
November, 1867, when Willis Johnson and others organized the Hook and Eye Manufacturing company, and occupied it in the man- ufacture of small brass goods. As already mentioned, the plant was purchased by Barnard, Son & Co. in 1870. The stone factory (by that time known as the " shear shop") was destroyed by fire, November 30, 1872. The present factory was built in 1873.
BLAKE, LAMB & COMPANY.
The firm of Blake, Lamb & Co. was originated by Dr. Amos S. Blake in 1865, with Henry R. Chambers and William Lamb as part- ners. They were incorporated in 1867, with a capital stock of $9000. Dr. Blake was the first president. The business was conducted without change in the management until 1872, when Mr. Lamb died, and Messrs. Blake and Chambers purchased his interest. In 1883 Mr. Chambers bought the entire stock, and at his death, in April, 1884, his son, Cornelius C. Chambers, took charge of the business.
The company manufactures the Blake patent game traps, traps of the Oneida pattern, Texas cow bells, brass butt hinges, organ and other light springs, and iron and steel washers.
In January, 1895, the entire plant, including real estate, tools and machinery, was sold to R. S. Wotkyns, J. P. Elton, G. B. Lamb, and others, and plans were made for a thorough reorganization of the business of the concern.
DR. A. S. BLAKE.
Amos Shepard Blake, son of Joseph and Prudence (Shepard) Blake, was born in Brookfield, Vt., January 18, 1812. He was edu- cated at the Southmade academy and at Scott's Military school at Montpelier, and afterward studied dentistry with his brother, Dr. E. W. Blake. Before removing to Waterbury he resided at Alstead, N. H., Montpelier and Chelsea, Vt., and in Watertown. He came to Waterbury in 1844, and resided here from that time, with the exception of three years (1852 to 1855) which he spent in the Lake Superior region as a superintendent of mines, with headquarters at Eagle Harbor, Mich. He established himself here as the first resident dentist, and had an extensive practice for several years. At the beginning of the civil war he withdrew from practice and became interested in manufactures. He procured nineteen patents on his various inventions. During the winter of 1830-31 he con- structed the first locomotive ever seen in New England. It was
OTHER MANUFACTURING CORPORATIONS. 417
designed to illustrate the practicability of travel by railroad, and was large enough to carry two persons at a time around a hall on a circular track. This model engine was extensively exhibited throughout the northern states by Asa Harrington of Middlesex, Vt. During the civil war Dr. Blake was the superintendent of the American Flask and Cap company (see page 333), which in a single year delivered a hundred tons of percussion caps to the national government. His connection with Blake, Lamb & Co. is indicated above.
For a number of years he was one of the judges of jail delivery in Vermont, where, until recent years, the law authorized imprison- ment for debt. He was one of the selectmen of Waterbury in 1846, and during his stay in Michigan was a county commissioner. He has held the position of councilman, alderman, assessor and road commissioner, and represented the town in the legislature in 1869, 1874 and 1875. He was one of the originators of the Riverside cemetery, and was active in promoting the scheme for raising money by subscription for the purchase of the cemetery site. He also took an active part (see page 79) in naming the streets of Waterbury and in getting the street names officially adopted.
Dr. Blake married Eliza Cordelia, daughter of Henry Woodward of Chelsea, Vt. Their children are: Ellen Cordelia, the wife of John A. Hitchcock of Liverpool, England; Caroline Woodward, the wife of Edward T. Root (see page 190), and two sons who died in childhood.
Dr. Blake died February 18, and Mrs. Blake February 25, 1895.
WILLIAM LAMB.
William Lamb was born at Jewett City, February 21, 1805. He came to Waterbury about 1842, and entered the employ of the Hotchkiss & Merriman Manufacturing company. In 1865, he be- came a partner of Dr. A. S. Blake in the firm of Blake, Lamb & Co., and continued in it during the rest of his life.
He represented the town in the legislature of 1857, and was fre- quently a member of the city government. He was a faithful mem- ber of St. John's church.
He married Emily, daughter of Almon Johnson of Oxford, and sister of Horace Johnson the artist (for whom see elsewhere). She died November 30, 1872, leaving no children. Mr. Lamb died August 29, 1876.
GEORGE LAMB, brother of William Lamb, was born June 16, 1807. He was in business in Torrington, and afterward in Cincinnati, O., for many years, and came to Waterbury about 1864. He never
27
418
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
engaged in active business here, but served for some time as col- lector of taxes and in other semi-official capacities. He married Mary Johnson, a sister of his brother's wife, who died January 28, 1874. There are two sons living in Waterbury, George B. and Charles E. Lamb (for both of whom see elsewhere). Mr. Lamb died January 17, 1890.
Charles Lamb, another brother of William Lamb, was born July 31, 1813. Before coming to Waterbury he was in a mercantile busi- ness in the West. He resided here for a few years before his death, which took place October 10, 1886. He never married.
HENRY R. CHAMBERS.
Henry R. Chambers was born in Newtown, November 2, 1820. He came to Waterbury about 1854, and was in the employ of the Scovill Manufacturing company for some years. He became asso- ciated with Dr. A. S. Blake in the firm organized by him in 1865. When Blake, Lamb & Co. were incorporated, in 1872, the manufac- ture of the goods was left to Mr. Chambers. He died April 19, 1884, leaving a wife and one son, Cornelius C. Chambers, who suc- ceeded his father in the management of the company.
· THE AMERICAN MILLS COMPANY.
The manufacture of elastic and non-elastic webbing for sus- penders, garters, etc., dates back to about 1839, when E. E. Prichard and his brother, Dr. David Prichard, together with Julius Hotch- kiss, formed a partnership for this purpose, under the firm name of Hotchkiss & Prichard (see page 271). They began work in the building on Mill street previously used by the Beecher Manufac- turing company as a manufactory of fine woollen cloths. The business was then in its infancy, and while the weaving process was comparatively simple, little was known of the manufacture of India rubber thread. It was not then, as it is now, an article of commerce produced by accurate machinery; it was made by hand, the India rubber being cut with shears into long strips and the ends welded together with a hammer. This process, primitive as it now seems, was regarded as a very valuable secret, so that the work was not done at the factory, but at the residence of a member of the firm.
The partnership of Hotchkiss & Prichard continued but a few years, and was succeeded in 1843 by the Hotchkiss & Merriman Manufacturing company (see page 48). They carried on the
JUISTORY OF WATERBURY.
engaged in satise business here, but served for some time as col- lector of laser and in other semi-official capacities, He married Mary Johnson, a sister of his brother's wife, who died January 25, 16; There are two sons living in Waterbury, George B, and Charles E. Lamb (for both of whom see elsewhere). Mr. Lamb died January 1;, 1600.
Charles Lamb, Another brother of William Lamb, was born July 37: 1813. Before coming to Waterbury he was in a mercantile busi- ness in the West He re ided bere for a few years before his death, which took place October to, soon He never married.
Lienr. R. Clambers van born In Marmo, November 2, 1820. He came er Wzorbury about 1854, and was w the employ of the Seovill Mumsso boring company for some year He became asso- ciated all' Dr. A. S. Hinke in the firm organismil by blm in 1865. When Blaire, Lamb & Co, vere incorporated, in 1372, the manufac- ture of the goods was left to Mr. Chambers. De lied April 19, (884, leaving a wife and one son, Cornelius C, Chambers, who suc- ceeded his father in the management of the company
. THE AMERICAN MILLS COMPANY.
"The massfacture of plastic aof non-elastic webbing for sus- penders, garters, ety, dates back to about 1839, when E. E. Prichard his brother, Dr. thered Wwsehard, together with Julius Hotch- formed & partnersbi les lijs purpose, under the Miro name of Whichkiss & Pri hard |Ses (480 271). They hegan work in the wilding on Mill street previously gied by the Beccher Manufac- De company manoigeroro of fine woolley culle The ness, was thets In ils infancy, and while the waring process imparativaly o little was known of the manufacture of mbber tore i II wat not then, as it is now, an article of comthe waltvel aseife machinery- it was made by hand, the tt bene w with shears into long strips and the ende Med - prior wwh & Memmer, This process, primitive as Il now soon as togdel a very valuable secret, so that the werk way fan de at the Lowry, boy at the residence of a member of the firm
The partnerthey & Hojepans & Prichard continued but a few years, and way woy lot to lhas by the Hotchkiss & Merriman Manufacturing Company (see page 48). They carried on the
H. R:Chamber
419
OTHER MANUFACTURING CORPORATIONS.
business under this title until January, 1857, at which time they became consolidated with the Warren & Newton Manufacturing company, which had been doing a business of the same kind at Oak- ville, and were in- corporated as the American Sus- pender company. This organization prosecuted the business with con- siderable success till 1879, when it was obliged to sus- pend.
The entire prop- HOTCHKISS & MERRIMAN MANUFACTURING COS GUM BLASTIC SUSPENDER MANUFACTORY. AT erty was sold out and the business 9000 closed up-the FROM AN OLD PRINT IN THE POSSESSION OF S. E. HARRISON. real estate and machinery being purchased by Isaac E. Newton, president and manager of the American Suspender company before its failure. Mr. Newton conducted the business in a small way until Novem- ber, 1881, when the American Mills company, organized by Earl A. Smith, his son, A. J. Smith, A. S. Chase and H. C. Griggs, with a capital of $75,000, purchased the entire plant. Since that date E. A. Smith has been president of the company, and A. J. Smith secretary and treasurer. (See page 377.)
C. B. MERRIMAN.
Charles Buckingham Merriman, son of William Henry and Sarah (Buckingham) Merriman, was born at Watertown, October 9, 1809. He was educated at the village school, and at Leonard Daggett's school in New Haven. He lived in Watertown, in a house near the present site of the Warren House, until 1839, when he removed to Waterbury. He was in business with his father, as a merchant, while in Watertown, and on his removal to Waterbury formed a partnership with Ezra Stiles in the dry goods business, which was conducted in the building on the corner of Centre square and Leavenworth street (see page 41, and note).
His connection with Julius Hotchkiss in the Hotchkiss & Merriman Manufacturing company, and the relations of this organ- ization to the American Suspender company, of which he became president, are indicated above.
420
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
Mr. Merriman was a member of the Common Council for several years, and was mayor of the city in 1869. (See page 45.) He was president of the Waterbury Gas Light company, and was for many years a director in the Citizens' National bank, and president of the Waterbury Savings bank. He was a prominent member and a vestryman of St. John's church. He was noted for his equanimity of temper and kindness of heart, and was an enthusiastic supporter of every enterprise that contributed to the well being and upbuild- ing of Waterbury.
RESIDENCE OF THE FAMILY OF C. B. MERRIMAN, 1894.
On June 30, 1841, Mr. Merriman married Mary Margaret, daughter of Dr. Edward Field. She died October 5, 1866. His children are: Charlotte Buckingham; Sarah Morton; Helen; Mar- garet Field, who on September 30, 1875, was married to Dr. Frank E. Castle; William Buckingham, who, on November 17, 1886, mar- ried Sara Kingsbury Parsons; and Edward Field. Mr. Merriman died March 15, 1889.
470
WIRTORY OF WATERBURY
M: Merritatt was a member of the Common Council for several yours, and was mayor of the any in 1969. (See-page 45.) He was presilent of the Waterbimy Gus Light company, and was for many years a director in the Citizens' National bank, and president of the Waterbury Savings bank. He was a prominent member and a vestry mun of St John's church. He was noted for his equanimity ot lemper and findness of heart, and was an enthusiastic supporter ofsperr enterprise that contributed to the well being and upbuild-
la TE MÁ !! : IERIMAN, 004.
( IN) Mr. Merijmon married Mary Margaret, darghe auf Ih. Edward Fuld She died October 5, 1866. His children are. Jurione Boekinghans; Sarah Morton; Helen; Mar- garet Field, enSept uiker je, 1975 was married to Dr. Frank E. Casti Wilms Enckingham who, ou November 17, 1886, mar- ried Saro Kinsworry Parsons- and Elward Field Mr. Merriman died March 13, xbox
Ch & meniman
1
42I
OTHER MANUFACTURING CORPORATIONS.
THE BROTHERS NEWTON.
ISAAC E. NEWTON, son of Nathan Newton, was born in Water- bury, September 14, 1808. He was a lineal descendant of the Rev. Thomas Hooker. At seventeen years of age he served an appren- ticeship as carpenter and joiner, and worked at this trade for four years. In 1832 he and his brother Charles became engaged, at Oak- ville, in the business of sawing timber and furnishing finished frames for houses. He was practically the founder of the Amer- ican Suspender company, and became its president and treasurer in 1876.
Mr. Newton served the city as Mayor in 1871, and was a repre- sentative of the town in the legislature at different times. He was a director of the Russell Manufacturing company of Middletown; a stockholder in the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing company of Bridgeport, and a director of the Waterbury National bank.
In October, 1830, he married Polly, daughter of Obadiah Warner. For their children see Vol. I, Ap. p. 94.
Mr. Newton died January 22, 1886.
CHARLES N. NEWTON Was born May 9, 1811, and during his life of over eighty-one years lived on Bunker Hill. He was one of the partners of the Warren & Newton Manufacturing company, which was organized at Watertown in 1846 for the manufacture of sus- penders. After the consolidation referred to above, Mr. Newton continued in the business, and was connected with the American Suspender company, until it became the American Mills company. He was for several years a member of the vestry of St. John's church.
On December 25, 1836, he married Caroline, daughter of Chaun- cey Root. He died October 10, 1892.
GEORGE PRITCHARD.
George Pritchard, son of Isaac and Levinia Pritchard, was born in Waterbury, May 25, 1816. He was for ten or fifteen years con- nected with the Warren & Newton Manufacturing company, in the manufacture of webbing and suspenders at Oakville, a business which was successfully carried on under the joint management of Messrs. Warren, Newton, Woodruff and Pritchard. After the con- solidation of this company with the Hotchkiss & Merriman Manu- facturing company in 1857, forming the American Suspender com- pany, Mr. Pritchard was one of the leading managers of the new organization, having charge of the depot in New York.
In 1873 he retired from active business, and passed several months in travel in Europe. He was a prominent and active
422
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
member of St. John's church. He represented Waterbury in the legislature in 1871 and 1872, and in early life belonged to a military company.
On February 19, 1838, he married Frances Jeannette, daughter of Daniel Scott, who survived him for several years, and died Feb- ruary 10, 1885. Their children are: Margaret Sophia, who on April 9, 1860, was married to Theodore Ives Driggs, and Cora LeRoy, who on October 2, 1872, was married to Charles William Burrall.
Mr. Pritchard died at Richfield Springs, N. Y., July 31, 1877.
THE STANDARD ELECTRIC TIME COMPANY.
The idea of a standard time, to be communicated from a centre by electricity, was suggested to C. D. Warner of Ansonia, in 1882. Observing the power of a telegraph sounder, it occurred to him that this power could be used to move a clock, and he soon after- ward constructed an electric clock, moving once in a second. The conception was original with Mr. Warner, but he afterward met with a French clock movement based on the same principle.
His first use of the principle was in the window of his own store. He hung a clock there which was connected electrically with the regulator in the room behind. The attention of Thomas Wallace & Sons, of Ansonia, being called to the invention, they offered to put up wires for a circuit, and buy clocks to connect with it, if Mr. Warner would furnish them and agree to keep them run- ning. He purchased French movements and connected them with a circuit extending to the factory of Wallace & Sons, and to the residences of the members of the firm.
About this time Mr. Warner discovered that a clock moving once a minute, by electricity, had been invented by Vitalis Himmer, a watchmaker in New York city. Mr. Warner adopted the idea of a minute movement, and he and Mr. Himmer became connected with a company that was formed to turn their idea to practical use. The Time Telegraph company was organized in 1883. It bought up all the patents bearing upon the new invention that could be found, and gave Mr. Warner an exclusive license for Ansonia and Derby. He withdrew from the company, but under their license began setting up wire circuits in Ansonia and Birmingham. The plant thus estab- lished developed into a large business, and Mr. Warner while car- rying it on secured some important patents, including an electric gauge for testing the strength of currents.
The attention of Waterbury men had in the meantime been directed to the new invention, and in 1886 George M. Chapman, in
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