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 6
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47
WATERBURY AS A CITY.
The streets existing at the time of the incorporation of the city were opened without much regard to uniformity in width or other- wise. It is unfortunate that some of them are not wider, but Bank street and some others have been improved in this respect since the charter was granted. The paving of the streets with stone blocks was commenced in 1886, and has been continued each year until the present, so that Exchange place, Bank street from Ex- change place to the Brooklyn bridge, and portions of East Main, South Main, Grand and Meadow streets are now laid with stone pavement. West Main street, on both sides of the public green, and a portion of East Main street have been macadamized since 1892.
In 1881, under the administration of Mayor Parsons, an act was passed by the General Assembly, providing for the establishment of a system of sewerage, and for the issue of sewer bonds. An act for the same purpose had been passed four years before, but it contained a proviso, submitting it to a vote of the electors of the city, and they had voted it down. In 1881, the approval of the Common Council was procured in advance and the risk of failure through a popular vote was avoided.
Under the first charter the police force consisted of special constables, not exceeding twenty-five in number, appointed by the Common Council. They received no pay except when in actual service, and for actual service were paid from fifteen to twenty-five cents per hour. The first twenty-five were appointed July 28, 1853. An old wooden building on Brook street, hired at a rent of thirty- five dollars per annum, was established as a city prison by vote of the Common Council, August 11, 1853. A chief of police is men- tioned in the records of September 19, 1853, but who he was, or how he got his title, does not appear. The same officer is also called " captain of the police" in the records ; and a year or two later "foreman of the police." An amendment to the charter, passed as late as 1868, provided that the Court of Common Council should elect annually, in the month of June, "a captain of police, and not exceeding four active policemen ; and such other supernumerary policemen as they shall deem proper, not exceeding twenty." Under a vote of the city a lot was bought in 1859 for the sum of $1100, in the rear of the old Methodist church, on Phoenix alley, for the erection of a new police station and city prison. The building was erected the following year, and with some subsequent improve- ments served the purposes of the department until the completion of the new police station and prison, February 1, 1890 .*
* The new building is much more commodious, and more creditable to the city than the old one, but its location was severely criticised because of its shutting out the light and air to a great extent from the princi- pal court room in the City hall. This has given Superior court judges an excuse in frequent instances for adjourning the terms of the Waterbury Superior court to New Haven.
48
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
By the charter of 1871 a chief of police and as many ordinary policemen as the Common Council might prescribe, together with sixteen supernumerary policemen, were to be appointed by the police commissioners, for a term of two years. By an amendment made in 1879, the chief and the ordinary policemen were to hold office during good behavior, but were removable for due cause by the board.
The limits of this article forbid reference to many things that might be mentioned in the history of the city from the date of its incorporation. Its growth and prosperity have been uninterrupted. There have been no periods of retrogression. It has been touched by commercial panics with a lighter hand than many of its sister cities have been. The area occupied by its dwelling places has broad- ened until the hillsides are covered to their summits. Hundreds of comfortable and even luxurious homes are owned by men whose daily labor and industry have secured to them a competence. These homes are multiplying beyond the city's original bounds, so that the limits of its jurisdiction will doubtless be extended at no distant day. Let us hope that the kind Providence who has shielded us from "the pestilence that walketh in darkness, and the destruc- tion that wasteth at noonday," may watch over Waterbury in the time to come, and that the descendants of those who now love it may always be able to say in the words of St. Paul, and with the same honest pride, "We are citizens of no mean city."
THE HON. JULIUS HOTCHKISS, FIRST MAYOR OF WATERBURY.
Julius Hotchkiss was a remarkable example of a self-made man. With no other capital in life than a robust constitution, an honest heart and an indomitable will, he rose from the humble position of a farmer's son to wealth, influence and honor. He was one of the seven children of Woodward and Mary (Castle) Hotchkiss, of whom some account is given on a subsequent page, in the history of Methodism in this region. He was born in Waterbury, July II, 1810. When seventeen years of age, he began teaching school in his native village, but not long afterward became a travelling sales- man. Having pursued this occupation for two or three years, he opened a store in Birmingham and developed a successful business there; but after five years returned to Waterbury. From 1846 to 1856 he was a member of the firm of Hotchkiss & Merriman, which occupied the store (see page 41), on the corner of Leavenworth street and Centre square, occupied afterward by the Waterbury American and the Bronson library. The firm became incorporated in 1843 as the Hotchkiss & Merriman company (afterward the American Sus-
HISTORY OF WATERBURY
be The roarier of 1871 a chief of police and as many ordinary tin Contoron Counoji wight prescribe, together with enumerary policemen, were to be appointed by the mads toners, fora term of two years By an amendment to ing the christ and the ordinary policemen were to hold Ing goed malawioy, but were removable for due enuse by
Tlie Hosts aif This article forbid telerenes to many things that might be mentioned in the history il the city from the date of us Uhcorporation. Its growth and prosperity have been iminterrupted There have been no periodsofretrogresslou, It has been tonehed by commercial panice with a mghter hond than many of its sister cities have been. The area occupied To its dwelling places has broad- wod until the hillsides are comunedi for momits. Hundreds of .ono Laile and even Tupor us e omoed Hy men whose vivily labor and iodbills and the a competence. These dromes are armyphong beyond van sly somriginal bounds, so that the lintil od As jurisdiction will doubtless be ostemled at no Jistant day Labus hope that the kind Providence who hasshielded us from " the pestilence thus marketh in darkness and the destruc- Lion Ibat wasleth at noonday, nmy watch over Waterbury in the time to come and that the descendants of those who now love it may always be able to say in the words of St. Pont, and with the same honest pride, " We are citizens of no mean city "
. THE HON JULIDE HOTCHKISS, FIRST MAYOR OF WATERBURY
This was a remarkable example of a self-inside man . wns warloe wyw ) in lite than a robust constitution, an banest Misle will, he rose from the humble position of . Turforward to visits inBuence and honor He was one of the children if wdwar] And Mary (Castle) Horchkiss, of atom some account is given on a subsequent page, in My history Alexbodiem in this region. He was born in Water'miry, Joly 11, In: When seventeen years of age he began teaching school in ha palier village, but not long afterward became a travelling sales- Having pursued this occupation for two or three yrar ;, he co vstore in Birmingham and developed a successful business Para but after five years returned to Waterbury. From 1846 to (o Ne wwa member of the firm of Hotchkiss @ Merrinjan, which worried the store (see page 41), on the corner of Leavenworth street ul Contre square, occupied afterward by the Waterbury American wolthe Bronson library. The firm became inoprporated in 1843 08 L Hotchkiss & Merriman company (afterward the American Sus-
--
Julius Hotchkiss.
49
WATERBURY AS A CITY.
pender company), and engaged in the manufacture of cotton web- bing and suspenders. In 1853, when Waterbury had become a city, Mr. Hotchkiss was nominated by both the political parties of that time for mayor, and received a nearly unanimous vote. In 1854 he bought the William H. Scovill homestead, and on the adjoining lot (on the corner of North and East Main streets) erected a large three story brick building which was long known as Hotchkiss . block, and is now Irving block. Among the public enterprises in which he was interested while he lived in Waterbury was the estab- lishment of Riverside cemetery.
In 1857, having disposed of his interest in the Suspender company, Mr. Hotchkiss removed to Middletown and acquired a large interest in the Russell Manufacturing company, of which he was for some years manager. In politics he was an old line Whig, but on the dis- solution of that party, he joined the Democratic ranks and became an active partisan. In 1867, during President Johnson's administration, he was elected as representative of the Second Congressional dis- trict of Connecticut, and sat in the Fortieth congress. In 1870 he was chosen lieutenant governor. This closed his public career, and thenceforth he devoted himself to reading and study, of which he was exceedingly fond, and for which his large and well assorted library afforded him ample opportunities. He died December 23, 1878.
Mr. Hotchkiss was a devout Christian, and during a large part of his life a zealous member of the New Church (consisting of those who accept the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg). He was some- what reserved in his demeanor, but kind and genial in his disposi- tion. Ever ready to lend a helping hand to the poor and unfor- tunate, he was at the same time guided by the precept, "Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth."
On April 20, 1832, he married Melissa, daughter of Enoch Per- kins of Oxford, who survived him and lived until 1892. They had five children: Cornelia Augusta, Minnie Amelia, wife of Charles G. R. Vinal, Marian, wife of Martin A. Knapp, Fannie, and Charles Frederick, who married Jenny L. Marsh.
HENRY F. FISH.
Henry Ferdinand Fish, son of Henry and Rebecca (Birch) Fish, was born in the city of New York, October 29, 1813. He was a self- educated man, a druggist and chemist. He was manager of Apothe- caries' Hall from the date of its establishment, 1849, until his removal from Waterbury in 1864. His term of service as mayor of the city is indicated in the list of mayors on p. 44. He was town treasurer from 1857 to 1864.
4
50
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
On January 21, 1850, he married Lucy Colton Wilcox. She died December 2, 1890, leaving one child, Lucy Hitchcock, who on Feb- ruary 15, 1873, was married to Levi Hodges. Their children are Lucy Helen, who died August 20, 1876; Elkanah, Laura, Ruth Lee, Henry Fish, and Erastus.
Mr. Fish died at Lee, Mass., August 21, 1868.
JOSEPH B. SPENCER.
Joseph Burton Spencer, son of Willard and Marcia (Burton) Spencer, was born at Waterbury, March 27, 1836. He was educated in the schools of the town and finished his studies at West Point, where he was graduated as civil engineer in May, 1855. He soon afterward went to Kansas to practice his profession, but returned on account of ill health in the autumn of 1858. He was in the office of N. J. Welton for several years, and held responsible positions in connection with Goddard & Brothers, Rogers & Brother, the Holmes, Booth & Haydens company, and for many years with Brown & Brothers. His terms of service as city clerk and mayor are indi- cated on pp. 44 and 46.
Mr. Spencer married, December 29, 1864, Julia V. Warner of Waterbury. Their children were Cora Burton, born December 13, 1865, died November 20, 1872, and Sophie Brown, born March 29, 1867, died August 25, 1867. Mr. Spencer died May 6, 1889.
He was an active and efficient business man, and his genial temperament made him one of the most popular citizens of Water- bury .. His extensive reading and retentive memory, combined with his marked unselfishness, made him specially attractive as a com- panion and friend.
ARCHIBALD E. RICE.
Archibald Elijah Rice was a son of Isaac and Mary (Roberts) Rice of Hamden, and a grandson of Isaac Rice, who was a pen- sioner of the Revolutionary war. He was born in Hamden, August 13, 1809, and died March 14, 1893. His twin brother, Leverett Elisha, who was for some time a resident of Waterbury, died at Binghamton, N. Y., in 1881.
Mr. Rice's early years were spent in Hamden, Woodbridge and Prospect. He came to Waterbury at the age of seventeen and entered the employ of Mark Leavenworth & Co., manufacturers of wooden clocks. Before he became of age he decided to learn the carpenter's trade, and in a few years was in business for himself as a carpenter and builder. Between 1830 and 1842 he built a number of the more important edifices in Waterbury, such as the residences of Aaron Benedict and Green Kendrick, the store now occupied by
052OUT OF WATERBURY.
rs Imeets aa 4550, 8g moutied Lorey Colton Wilcox. She died ray Tracing one child, Lucy Hitchcock, who on Feb- morroalso Levl Hodges. Their children are Lucy :Anges JJ9, 1876, Elkanah, Laura, Ruth Lee, Henry
Mass, August 21, 1868
JOSEPH I. SPEKOFE.
1-14 Turen Spencer, son of Willard and Marcia (Burton) Socy wo bort at Waterbury, March 27 1836. He was educated Deescola of the towy and finished his studies at West Point, Mgrs ww ww graduated as wli enew -1 10 Meg, 1855. He soon sil sovi went to Kansas 19 pra wn, lait returned The was in the office
I.N.T Weltcon for
ve of service a. gily cheil
Mr. Spencer married, December 29, 1864, Julia V, Warset of Waterbury. Their children were Cors Burton, boru December 13, 5665, died November 20, 1872, andi Sophie Brown, born March 20, 1867. diedl August 25, 1867. Mr. Spencer died May 6, 1889.
Re was an active and efficient business man, and his genial torto cament middle him one of the most popular citizens of Water- for. His rolelive reading and retentive memory, combined with he worked woselfishness, made him specially attractive as a com- poslan and friend.
ARCHIBALD K RICE.
Archibald Ettich Rac was a son of Isaac and Mary (Roberts) Rice of Handon, and a grandson of Isaac Rice, who was a pen- boxer of the Revolutionary war. He was born in Humden August 4. 1869, and died March 1, 1893. His twin brother Leverett Wirha, who was for some time a resident of Waterwiry, died at Meghamton, N. Y., in 1881.
Mr. Rice's early years were spent in Hamden, Woodbridge and Wwwwweet. He came to Waterbury at the age of seventeen and amMated the employ of Mark Leavenworth & Co., manufacturers of wooden clocka. Before he became of age he decided to learn the Lamenter's trade, and in a few years was in business for himself as a cammonter and builder. Between 1830 and 1842 he built a number of the more important edifices in Waterbury, such as the residences of Aaron Benedict and Green Kendrick, the store now occupied by
5 I
WATERBURY AS A CITY.
E. T. Turner & Co., and the old Hotchkiss block (now Irving block). At a later date, in conjunction with the late John Dutton, he built the old high school building and the City hall.
In 1843 he removed to Ohio and resided in Hudson in that state. While there he superintended the erection of the buildings of Western Reserve college. Returning after four years to Water- bury, he went into the lumber business, taking part in the estab- lishment of the old City Lumber and Coal company. This was merged in the Waterbury Lumber and Coal company, of which the late James E. English was president. In the course of time, Mr. Rice became president of the concern, and later obtained a control- ling interest in it. He continued in this position until about 1883, when he and his son sold out their interest to other persons and withdrew from the company. At this time Mr. Rice practically retired from business, although he remained, as he had been for several years, president of the Apothecaries' Hall company, and so continued until his death. He was also at one time president of the American Ring company.
Although so largely absorbed in business he took a great inter- est in public affairs. He was honored by his fellow citizens by elec- tion to numerous offices. He was a member of the common council in 1856, and was chairman of the finance committee of the Centre district in 1857, and again from 1867 to 1875. He was mayor of the city during 1876 and 1877, and was one of the county commissioners for New Haven county for seventeen years. During this time he superintended the erection of the jail and the county court house in New Haven, and in 1874 and 1875 the erection of the present house of worship of the First church.
Mr. Rice was brought up an Episcopalian, but under the minis- try of the Rev. Joel R. Arnold became a member of the Congrega- tional church, November 6, 1831.
In 1832, at Prospect, he married Susan Bronson, a descendant of John Bronson, one of the original settlers of Farmington. She died in 1867, and in 1869 he married Mrs. Sarah H. Baker (at that time connected with the school afterward known as St. Mar- garet's ). By his first wife he had seven children, the eldest of whom, Edward J. Rice, died in 1890, the fifth, Mrs. L. M. Camp, in 1877, the second and sixth in childhood. The other children are Mrs. L. I. Munson, Frederick B. Rice and Mrs. S. P. Williams. In 1850 he built the house on the southwest corner of Grand and Field streets, and continued to occupy it until his death.
Mr. Rice's early advantages were very limited, but by ability and industry he pushed his way to a prominent place among the intel- ligent and prosperous men of the community. Although he would
52
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
hardly have acknowledged the possession of distinctly literary tastes, yet he was a diligent reader not only of newspapers but of books, and the possessor of a very accurate and vigorous gift of expression. He was a man of intellectual power, and an independ- ent thinker on the great questions of the time. In theological and ecclesiastical matters he exhibited the somewhat unusual combina- tion of radical thinking and conservatism of method, and the same was true of his political life. His attitude toward public men and parties was severely critical, and he held some advanced theories, yet in practice he was uniformly cautious, and reluctant to make great changes. He was unsparing in his condemnation of what- ever seemed untrue or unmanly. The frauds of business, the tricks of politics and the shams of social life alike called forth his keen satire and his hot condemnation. His conservatism was nevertheless pronounced, especially in local affairs, and his repu- tation was that of a careful manager and a strict economist.
During the war and for a good many years afterwards, his political views were those of the Republican party, but by degrees they came to be of the type represented by the Springfield Republi- can and other similar journals. To his political and business asso- ciates Mr. Rice may have seemed severe and critical, partly because of his brusque manner and his uncommon frankness of expression. But behind this exterior was hidden a true geniality and a deeply affectionate nature. During his later years, as he slowly approached the end of his journey, his words to those he casually met became more and more kindly, and his views of life more cheerful. Although subject to trying ailments, he possessed a remarkably vigorous constitution, and showed great tenacity in his hold upon life. In the large group of strong characters and useful citizens whose names adorn the annals of Waterbury, Mr. Rice must be assigned a prominent place.
QUID
JS
AERE PER
SEAL OF THE CITY.
(DESIGNED BY F. J. KINGSBURY, 1876.)
CHAPTER IV.
THE OLD ROADS
AND THE VILLAGE GREEN-EARLY TOPOGRAPHY- SWAMPS, ROCKS, HOLLOWS-A BLAST OF PATRIOTISM-THE CHURCH, THE MEETING-HOUSE AND OTHER BUILDINGS-ELECTION DAY- THE WHIPPING POST-THE PILY HOLE-MORE PATRIOTISM-THE MAIL COACH-FENCING AND TREE PLANTING-THE LIBERTY POLE.
S OME years ago, in a paper read before the Mattatuck Historical society, Mr. F. J. Kingsbury, speaking of the subjects which might properly engage the attention of such an association, made mention of streets and bridges. He said:
The opening of roads and streets and the closing and changing thereof at vari- ous periods, with the reasons therefor; an account of the means of intercommunica- tion between various parts of the town; also the building of the various bridges, are matters of interest. The bridges over the Naugatuck alone would furnish material for a considerable paper .*
Any one who has examined the Waterbury town records, to see what were the matters of public concern at different periods, must have noticed how large a place is occupied in them by references to roads and bridges, and thus have been prepared to appreciate the correctness of Mr. Kingsbury's remark. When, in 1732, the people in the northwestern section (now Watertown) petitioned the General Court for "winter privileges," that is, for permission to have preaching during the winter months in their own neighbor- hood, their plea was not only "their great distance from the meet- inghouse," but also "the exceeding bad way," and the "great river (which is called Waterbury river) which for great part of the winter and spring is not passable." When, in 1738, the Up-river people (the inhabitants of Northbury, now Plymouth) made a similar appeal to the legislature, they said that in order to get to meeting at the centre they had to ford the river, which was often deep and dangerous, nine times, and to remove bars and to open gates at ten different places. Such conditions as these belong, of course, to the primitive period in the history of a community; and yet the local difficulties which the northwestern and northern inhabitants had to face at this early date have continued to demand attention throughout the history of the town. The very name of the town, reminding us of its topographical peculiarities, suggests
* Waterbury American, March 8, 1878.
54
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
that its roads and bridges must constitute to its inhabitants a per- ennial problem.
Even if Waterbury had remained a country town, its roads and bridges might have constituted a large burden. But the establish- ing of a village centre involves the laying out (or the natural development) of village streets. The centre in such a case is some- thing more than a "cross-roads." If at first the streets are few they increase in number with the increase of the population; and as the wants of the people multiply the streets demand more and more attention to keep them in order, to adapt them to new uses and to prevent encroachments. As time goes on people begin to think of sidewalks and to build them, and if a borough is organized, or a city charter procured, ordinances are likely to be enacted for directing and perhaps enforcing improvements. In Waterbury, as elsewhere, such a course of things may be traced.
Besides, like many another New England town, Waterbury had not only a village centre but a village green. Undefined at first, and undeveloped, it gradually took shape, and having once been touched by the hand of progress improved rapidly and became the glory and the pride of the city. Originally the "town spot" from which the various highways radiated, it must be considered as an integral part of the system, while at the same time it has a history of its own, more varied and more interesting, perhaps, than most of the village greens of Connecticut.
In the present chapter we shall tell the story of the Green; and in the next, by help of the scanty references in the records, we shall trace as well as we can the history of streets and sidewalks through the borough period, shall refer briefly to the organiza- tion of the street department under the city charter, and shall give some account of the bridges which have been built within city limits. We shall give, also, a fuller statement than the preceding chapter contains concerning the naming of the streets-indicating the sources whence the names have been derived and the persons who have given them. It seems worth while to do so, for very often in such details as these the real life of the community uncon- sciously reveals itself.
The first settlers of Waterbury were attracted by the meadow land lying along the Naugatuck river. Coming from Farmington, their natural way of approach would be near the line of our main street (now East and West Main), and that appears to have been decided upon as the site for the village as soon as they had fully
55
THE STORY OF THE GREEN.
resolved to locate on this side of the river. When we consider the nature of the ground we are inclined to wonder at their choice, but perhaps it was because it was of no value for any other purpose that they selected it for a road. All along the north side of the Green, from Prospect street to the old Judd tavern, where the resi- dence of the Messrs. Barlow now stands, and for fifteen or twenty rods to the northwest and northeast of the present site of St. John's Episcopal church, including that site, the ground was a swamp. Across this swamp and about on a line with the centre of
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