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 III > Part 31
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GEORGE ENSIGN BUSHNELL, son of the Rev. Dr. George and Mary Elizabeth Bushnell, was born in Worcester, Mass., September 10, 1853. He came to Waterbury with his family in 1858 (page 598), and resided here until 1865. He pursued his education at Beloit, Wis., and entered Yale college in 1872. He graduated from the academic department in 1876 and from the Medical school in 1880, and on February 18, 1881, was appointed assistant surgeon in the United States army. He has been stationed since then in North Dakota,
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PHYSICIANS, DENTISTS, DRUGGISTS.
Montana, Minnesota and Wyoming, and at Fort Preble, Me. He was assigned to Fort Hamilton, N. Y., in 1894. On August 22, 1881, he married Adra, daughter of Isaac V. Holmes, and has one . daughter.
JAMES SPENCER BROWN, son of Augustus and Sophia (De Groff ) Brown, was born in Waterbury March 23, 1863. When about eight years of age he removed with his mother and sister to Brooklyn, N. Y. He was educated at the Polytechnic institute of that city, and after two years' connection with a business house, decided to study medicine. He graduated from the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1884, after which he went abroad, and continued his studies at the University of Heidelberg, and at Guy's hospital, London. On returning to America he opened an office at Mont- clair, N. J.
EDWIN JOHNSON GILLETTE, son of C. W. Gillette (see page 808), was born in Waterbury, March 18, 1864. He studied in the Water- bury English and Classical school, and graduated from Williams college in 1888. He pursued his studies further in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, and graduated in the class of 1891. In 1893 he took up his residence in Canandaigua, N. Y., where he pursues his profession, and is officially connected with Brigham Hall.
LEO FRANKLIN ADT, son of Louis J. and Margaret (Martzel) Adt, was born in Torrington, April 4, 1866. He came to Waterbury in his boyhood and received his early education in the public schools. He graduated from the Albany Medical college in 1892, and after- wards pursued his studies for two years at German universities. In 1894 he opened an office in Troy, N. Y., where he practices his profession, giving special attention to diseases of the eye and ear.
DR. AMBROSE IVES.
Of a small group of physicians who gave up the practice of their profession before coming to live in Waterbury, Dr. Ambrose Ives is the most conspicuous. He was the son of Abijah and the grandson of Abraham Ives, and was born in Wallingford, Decem- ber 30, 1786. He studied medicine with Dr. Cornwall of Cheshire, and settled in Wolcott about 1808. There, on March 30, 1817, he married Mrs. Wealthy Hopkins Norton, a daughter of Charles Upson, Esq., and was occupied with an extensive practice until 1827. He then removed to Wallingford to look after the estate of his deceased father. After an interval of two years, he resolved to resume his profession, and settled in Plymouth, where he soon
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
obtained a large practice. In 1834 he became interested in the manufacture of gilt buttons at Waterville (see page 29) and took charge of the business there. In 1837 he came to Waterbury, and two years later sold out his interest at Waterville. Soon after, he
Ambrose Jous
bought a share in the firm of Brown & Elton, and continued con- nected with this business without being actively engaged in its management, during the remainder of his life.
Dr. Ives was a discriminating and skillful physician. No practi- tioner in the vicinity was more deservedly esteemed for strong
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common sense and matured judgment. As a business man, he was enlightened, sagacious and stable, and few men understood human nature more perfectly than he. By able management and financial skill he succeeded in acquiring a large property, but he always pre- served the plain and economical habits which he formed in early life. In conversation, he was shrewd and intelligent, had a fund of anecdote and illustration, and abounded in witty and humorous remarks. Dr. Ives died January 31, 1852.
DR. NOAH WELLES.
Noah Welles was born in Stamford, October 2, 1762. On Novem- ber 10, 1822, he married for his second wife Abigail, daughter of Thomas D. Johnson of Middletown. He came to Waterbury from New York in 1836* with his brother-in-law, John D. Johnson. He never practiced medicine here and remained only a short time. He died in Middletown, November 18, 1838. His wife returned here in 1847, and spent the remainder of her life in the family of her niece, Mrs. Charles Benedict. She died in November, 1874, aged ninety- five years.
One of Dr. Welles's daughters by his first wife married the Rev. Henry G. Ludlow, D. D., of New York, and two of them in succes- sion were wives of William Johnson of New Haven, a brother of Mrs. Welles.
DR. ROBERT CRANE.
Robert Crane, son of Phineas and Irene (Nichols) Crane, was born in Bethlehem, December 27, 1820. He graduated from the Yale Medical school in 1843, and practiced as a physician in Middlebury until 1853. He then came to Waterbury and was engaged in manu- facturing until 1867. Since that time he has resided in New Haven. While living in Middlebury he held the position of postmaster and justice of the peace. He was a member of the Waterbury common council in 1860, and in 1866 and 1867 served as United States assist- ant assessor of internal revenue. In 1879 and 1880 he was a mem- ber of the common council of New Haven. On February 17, 1847, Dr. Crane married Eunice Maria Averill of South Britain. Of their three children the first died in infancy; the second, Robert F., was born May 8, 1850, and died August 22, 1870, while a member of the Sheffield Scientific school. For the third, Augustin Averill, see page 852. Dr. Crane returned to Waterbury in 1895.
* Dr. Welles and his wife were received to membership in the First church, December 9, 1836, by letter from the First church in Middletown.
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
WATERBURY DENTISTS.
The first Waterbury dentist was Dr. Aaron Gibbs. He came here as a physician about 1833, and took up dentistry after he settled here. He had an office over the store of Benedict & Coe (see page 873), and remained in town a year or two. He then re- moved to Chicago, and there amassed a considerable fortune in the practice of his profession.
About 1838 Chauncey O. Crosby came to Waterbury and estab- lished himself as a dentist. He resided here about ten years, and became interested in some important inventions. Prior to 1852 he invented the machine used by the Oakville company for sticking pins on paper (see page 375). About the same time he invented a process for producing artificial teeth of porcelain. A joint-stock company was organized for the manufacture of these, in which Mr. Crosby became a stockholder (page 437), and a factory was built on Brown street, which was afterwards fitted up for tenements. He gave up dentistry, removed to New Haven, and died in Milford.
From 1840 to 1844, or thereabouts, a dentist named Kirkland, who lived in Wallingford, was accustomed to visit Waterbury from time to time to practice his profession.
The first dentist who settled permanently in Waterbury was Dr. Amos S. Blake, who came to this city in the winter of 1844-45. He established himself in rooms in the old Franklin House, and there carried on his business. His ideas were advanced and scien- tific, and he advocated the use of ether and employed it himself in performing surgical operations,-a somewhat startling innovation at that time. Dr. Blake's practice was extensive, but he eventually abandoned dentistry, and became interested in manufactures. (See pages 416, 417.)
In the same year in which Dr. Blake came to Waterbury Dr. A. Starr made an attempt to open an office at the residence of Alva Jones. Asa Newton in 1849 and Russell Gay Sage in 1850 also made unsuccessful experiments in the same direction. In October, 1852, Dr. George H. Waters opened dental rooms, and laughing gas was administered by him for the first time in the history of the town. Dr. Waters began immediately to build up a practice, and has con- tinued in it until now. About the time when Dr. Waters established himself here, Dr. R. G. Reynolds came to Waterbury. In 1858 he advertised that he would extract teeth by electricity.
Dr. Edward W. Blake, the brother of Dr. A. S. Blake, came in 1856. He was born in Brookfield, Vt., May 27, 1820, and studied dentistry
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PHYSICIANS, DENTISTS, DRUGGISTS.
at New Bedford, Mass. After his graduation he removed to Bristol in this state, where he practiced his profession for a year. He practiced afterwards in Litchfield, until he came to Waterbury. . He opened an office on North Main street, and pursued his pro- fession successfully until his death, which occurred February 4, I888.
Dr. Charles C. Barker came here about 1865, and Dr. H. M. Walker prior to 1868. The latter had rooms in the Arcade building.
Dr. Isaac N. Russell came here to practice in September, 1866. He began studying dentistry with his uncle, Dr. Simon Tomlinson of New York, in 1862, and practiced in Plainville, Southington and Cheshire. In 1866 he bought out Dr. Waters, who removed to New- town. In a few months, however, he returned and bought back his business. Dr. Russell came again in January, 1869, and has contin- ued the practice of his profession from that time until now. Patients come to him from all parts of Litchfield county.
Dr. James O. Cook was engaged in dentistry here from 1873 until 1883, at which time he ceased to practice his profession. In 1876 Henry T. Burpee opened a dental office on Bank street, and he continued in the business for two years.
Dr. Sherman W. Chipman, one of our most scientific and success- ful dentists, established himself here in 1880. Dr. Frank J. Brown opened his office on East Main street in 1881.
In the same year Dr. Clarence E. Gates came to Waterbury. Dr. Gates is a surgeon as well as a dentist, and his aid is frequently sought in the performance of difficult and dangerous surgical operations. His reputation extends throughout the eastern states.
Dr. Everett M. Cook had an office on East Main street during the years 1882 and 1883. The following year, Dr. Frank F. Cook opened dental rooms on East Main street. Two years later Frank- lin S. Dart and Frederick H. Logan, under the firm name of Dart & Logan, opened an office on Bank street, where they con- tinued in business for a year.
In 1887 Dr. Charles X. Weiss established himself here. In 1888 the Boston Dental company, under the management of Dr. F. A. Warnes, commenced business in an office on Bank street. George B. Ryder opened an office on Bank street in 1889.
In 1895 the Waterbury dentists numbered sixteen.
DR. WILLIAM A. BRONSON.
William Augustus Bronson, son of Joseph Bronson of Waterville, was born June 4, 1817. He graduated from Yale college in 1840, and from the Yale Medical school in 1843. After practicing medi-
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
cine for a short time in Connecticut, he removed to Newburgh, N. Y., where he studied dentistry. In 1845 he opened an office in New York city. He was one of the founders of the New York Odonto- logical society and was for a time its president. He was a member of the New York state Dental society, and a life member of the New England society. He died in New York city, August 20, 1890 ..
DRUGGISTS AND DRUG STORES.
The first drug store in Waterbury was established about 1770 by Dr. Abner Johnson (see pages 236, 237) in a building which stood on the corner of West Main and North Willow streets. In
THE JOHNSON HOUSE, SOUTH CORNER OF NORTH WILLOW AND JOHNSON STREETS.
1773, he removed to a house on the corner of North Willow and Johnson streets (which remained standing until 1890), and there continued the dispensing of drugs until his death, which took place in 1819. The management of the business then devolved upon Dr. Johnson's son-in-law Dr. Frederick Leavenworth (pages 239, 240), who in his turn was succeeded by his son Elisha
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Leavenworth (page 172), the location of the store having in the meantime been repeatedly changed. In 1850 Mr. Leavenworth received into partnership Nathan Dikeman, and in 1852 the busi- ness was transferred from South Main to Bank street, where, under the firm name of Leavenworth & Dikeman, it was continued until May 1, 1890. At this time the firm was dissolved by mutual con- sent. Mr. Leavenworth withdrew, and Mr. Dikeman " continued the business of the 'Old Reliable Waterbury Drug Store' at the old stand" until his death in 1891. The firm was then converted into a joint stock corporation called the Waterbury Drug company (see page 449). On May 1, 1891, the store of this company was bought out by R. C. Partree, Jr., who continued in charge of it until his death, after which the Leavenworth & Dikeman company was organized (page 450) .*
DRUGS:PAINTS; OILS. GLASS. VARNISH &
APOTHE(
PIES HAL
STORE OF THE APOTHECARIES' HALL COMPANY, AT THE JUNCTION OF BANK AND SOUTH MAIN STREETS, FROM 1849 TO 1891.+
In 1849 Dr. Gideon L. Platt opened a drug store on Exchange place, at the junction of South Main and Bank streets, having pur-
* For more than forty years a thermometer stood on the sidewalk in front of this store, and was" sup- posed to be as true as the needle to the pole. Mr. Dikeman, who was noted for his careful attention to minute details, kept through all this period a daily record of the temperature.
t This was quite the finest building the town had ever possessed for mercantile purposes. The rear part was added many years later, and for some time after it was built only the first floor and cellar were used or a store, the second story being rented for offices. Before this building was erected the site was occupied ›y a small one-story red building, used sometimes as a shoemaker's shop and at one time by James Harrison or making shoe lasts. When Benedict & Coe's store was built the stone caps and sills were carried up a adder, one by one, as wanted, on the shoulders of a stalwart Irishman, A young man named Clark Porter, a on of Horace Porter, distinguished himself as a bricklayer on this job, and after it was done went to New [ork for a vacation. He came home and died soon after of typhoid fever .- F. J. K.
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
chased for that purpose a building erected in 1829 by Benedict & Coe, and used by that firm as a general store. Dr. Platt called his store " Apothecaries' Hall" and associated with him Henry F. Fish (see page 49), a very competent pharmacist, who acted as general man- ager of the concern for some years, and was largely instrumental in securing for it the high reputation it has enjoyed from its com-
BUVAPOTHECARIES HALL CO-O
APOTHECARIES' HALL COMPANY AND BOHL'S BLOCK, 1894.
mencement to the present time. Among his pupils were L. I. Mun- son and Frederic Wilcox, who are still connected with the store.
In 1852 the establishment passed into the hands of a corporation of which Aaron Benedict, John S. Mitchell and Dr. Platt were the originators and stockholders, and the business was continued under the firm name of Apothecaries' Hall company. In 1863 Dr. Platt
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PHYSICIANS, DENTISTS, DRUGGISTS.
sold out his interest in the business, retaining the ownership of the building, and the following year Dr. Fish removed to New York, and was succeeded in his position of manager by L. I. Munson.
Under Mr. Munson's efficient oversight the company has carried on an extensive business until the present time. In 1889 Dr. Platt sold the Apothecaries' Hall property to F. G. Platt of New Britain, and five months later it was bought by the Apothecaries' Hall com- pany. In 1894 a handsome nine-story building of marble, granite and Roman brick was erected on the site of the old store, and a large, three-story warehouse was built on Benedict street. At the present time (1895), L. I. Munson is president and treasurer of the company, and Frederic Wilcox secretary.
In 1834 "Dr." Denman Porter conducted a drug store on Ex- change place, in a building (burned in 1835) which stood a little way south of West Main street. In 1855 Dr. D. G. Wilkins estab- lished a drug store in Irving block, and continued it for about a year.
One of the best known and most fully equipped drug stores in town was carried on by R. S. Woodruff, from 1876 to 1888, at which time the business passed into other hands. His former store is now occupied by the firm of Cannon & Webster, who in addition to the dispensing of drugs have in their establishment a nurses' register, which contains the names of thirty-five trained nurses, seven of whom have diplomas.
Since 1855 more than thirty drug stores have been established in different parts of the city, and capital to the amount of over $150,000 is invested in the business Of the druggists in town thirty- four belong to the Connecticut Pharmaceutical association, and four are members of the American Pharmaceutical association.
In this conection it should be mentioned that in 1889 a druggist's license was issued to Eleanor S. Bird-the first given to a woman. The commissioners stated at the time that Miss Bird's examination was the best to which the board had ever listened.
DR. EBENEZER BEARDSLEY.
Ebenezer Beardsley, son of John and Martha Beardsley, was born in the parish of Stratfield (now Bridgeport) in 1746. The exact date of his removal to Waterbury is not known, but his name is on the records on January 5, 1773, when he "bought two-thirds of the dwelling house of Moses Cook, deceased, 100 rods north- easterly of the meeting house." He was one of a committee of fourteen who in 1774 were appointed in town meeting to assist in "carrying into execution in every article thereof " the recommen- dation of the general congress. On the breaking out of the war in 1775, he joined the army, and was surgeon's mate in the Seventh
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
regiment. He served in this capacity for three years, but on account of ill health returned to private life.
In 1779 he removed to New Haven and became a druggist. This trade grew into an extensive business, and Dr. Bronson* says that he became "one of the largest importers of drugs and medi- cines in this country," and frequently supplied the retail apothe- caries in New York. He also dealt in paints, dye-stuffs and ship- ping furs. He did business "at the sign of the unicorn and mortar, a few rods below Mr. Miles's tavern." At the first city meeting under the charter, in 1784, he was elected councilman, and held the position until 1787.
Dr. Beardsley was one of the founders and an active supporter of the county Medical society. He was regarded as an ambitions man and his family was considered " the most expensive and fash- ionable in the city." He died April 5, 1791.
NATHAN DIKEMAN.
Nathan Dikeman was born in Northampton, Mass., December 9, 1828. He began his business career in a drug store in his native town and afterwards spent some time in Cincinnati. He came to Waterbury in 1850, and (as has been stated) went into the drug business with Elisha Leavenworth, forming a partnership which lasted nearly forty years. They occupied a store on South Main street, a little below its junction with Bank street (now used as a market), until 1851, when Mr. Leavenworth erected the building on Bank street occupied by them during the remainder of their busi- ness connection. Mr. Dikeman was one of the original members of the Connecticut Pharmaceutical association which was formed in 1876 and was its first president; he was also a member of the American Parmaceutical association.
He was a prominent Free Mason, from the time he joined the order, in July, 1851, . until his death, and filled at some time nearly all the high Masonic offices in Connecticut. He was the first eminent commander of Clark commandery, and held that position for five years, and was its prelate from 1871 to the time of his death, with the exception of three years. In 1854 he was elected grand steward of the grand lodge of the state; he was grand high priest in 1860, 1861 and 1862; grand commander in 1873 and 1874, and chairman of the Masonic board of relief for twenty years, from the time of its organization in 1870.
He was president of the board of agents of the Bronson library; and at the time of his death president of the Waterbury Savings
* In Vol. II of " Papers of the New Haven Colony Historical Society," p. 346.
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Marteau Dikerman
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PHYSICIANS, DENTISTS, DRUGGISTS.
bank, of which he had been a director from its organization. He was also president of the Riverside Cemetery association. He was a member of St. John's parish for many years and afterward one of the corporators and a junior warden of Trinity parish.
In 1850 he married Sarah J. Simonds of Northampton. They had two sons, Henry N. and William W., and a daughter, Mrs. Frederick Seymour.
Mr. Dikeman died November 3, 1890. The Waterbury American of that date said of him:
Few men could have been taken from the life of this city who would be missed more than he. Although not a factor in the bustle and hurry of the community he was a man whose influence was broad. His citizenship was of a kind that comes of close contact with the life and possibilities of the community, and the loss of such a man is always irreparable. His record is that of one who, while he devotes his time to business, appreciates the just demands of other interests, to answer which requires self-sacrifice and self-denial. His generosity was proverbial, and there are many who will esteem his memory for his kindly acts and ever ready advice to them.
L. I. MUNSON.
Luzerne Ithiel Munson, son of Titus Munson, was born in Wal- lingford (Northford society), March 1, 1838. He received a common school education and attended for two years the Durham academy. He came to Waterbury in 1854 and entered the service of the Apothecaries' Hall company. Here he remained until 1861, when he became bookkeeper and shipping clerk of the City Manufactur- ing company (since merged in the Benedict & Burnham Manufac- turing company). In 1862 he removed to Meriden and was secretary and treasurer of the firm of Julius Pratt & Co., and later of the new firm of Pratt, Reed & Co. (in which three concerns were consolidated). In 1863 he returned to Waterbury and re- entered, as secretary and treasurer, the Apothecaries' Hall com- pany, of which he has since been the active and successful manager.
Mr. Munson is known throughout the state as one of the original members of the Connecticut Pharmaceutical association. He was for several years the chairman of its executive committee and for one year its president. He is also a member of the national association. He has served for years as a fire commissioner, an assessor and a sewer commissioner. In politics he has been a leader and a worker rather than an office holder. He has twice been the candidate of his party for mayor of the city, and in 1885 and 1886 was comp- troller of the state, having been elected on the Republican ticket with the Hon. H. B. Harrison at its head. His administration of the affairs of that important office was conspicuously successful. As a political leader the frankness of his manner and the openness of his methods make him popular alike with supporters and
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HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
opponents, and he has escaped in a large degree the personal bit- terness and hostility which political activity often entails.
In 1861 Mr. Munson married Mary Bronson, daughter of Archi- bald E. Rice. They have two daughters, Mary Edna and Sara Rice.
FREDERIC WILCOX.
Frederic Wilcox, son of Horace Burt and Flavia (McIntosh) Wilcox, was born at Portland, June 26, 1844, and remained therc until 1858, when he came to Waterbury and entered the employ- ment of the Apothecaries' Hall company, under Dr. Henry F. Fish. He spent part of the year 1864 with Dr. Fish in New York, and then went to New Granada, South America, where he spent nearly four years, engaged in buying India rubber and vegetable ivory.
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In 1868 he returned to Waterbury, and after a year spent with the Scovill Manufacturing company, re-entered the employment of the Apothecaries' Hall company, where he has remained until the pres- ent time.
Mr. Wilcox has occupied the position of state chemist, and his chemical studies have been extensive. He has invented an insulat- ing compound for wire, and a new method of applying the same, also a method of decarbonizing metals. The "Proceedings of the Connecticut Pharmaceutical Association," a volume which since 1879 has been issued annually from the press of the Waterbury Printing company, is edited by Mr. Wilcox.
On May 23, 1871, he married Lucy, daughter of Colonel Levi Hodges of Torrington. They have three children: William Hodges,- born July 6, 1874; Levi, born January 19, 1876, and Alice McIntosh.
DR. F. M. CANNON.
Frederick Miller Cannon, son of Wait and Sarah (Jones) Cannon, was born at Scranton, Penn., April 7, 1843. During the war for the Union he served as hospital steward and assistant surgeon in the volunteer service. He graduated from the medical department of the University of the City of New York in 1867, and immediately began the practice of medicine. He resided in Deckertown, N. J., for fifteen years and then (in 1882) removed to Waterbury, where he continued his practice and also opened a drug-store. In 1892 the failure of his health compelled him to withdraw from active prac- tice, but he still carries on the drug business at two stores, one at the centre of the city and the other in the northeast section.
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