USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Greenwich > Ye historie of ye town of Greenwich, county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, with genealogical notes on the Adams. > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
In 1907 the company introduced the manufacture of imitation fur fabrics, which are so realistic in appearance and quality as to successfully imitate natural furs, and this new product has since been largely used in the manufacture of infants', children's and misses' cloaks, as well as for coat linings and imitation fur robes. At the present time practi- cally all the large jobbing manufacturers of cloaks in the United States are using the product of The Mianus Manu- facturing Company, which has been trademarked. The business has grown so rapidly as to compel largely increased facilities and a most satisfactory volume of business is now successfully distributed by the company, which has over sixty thousand square feet of floor space devoted exclusively to specialties handled by it.
The carriage and automobile robe output is contracted for yearly by one of the largest horse-blanket houses in the country, that distributes the robes and blankets through a force of forty-eight efficient salesmen. The plush goods and imitation fur fabrics are sold direct by the company, which is now well established on a sound substantial basis, and good dividends are being paid to its stockholders.
VOLUNTEER ROCK DRILL COMPANY. Incorporated, 1891. Sound Beach.
The Volunteer Rock Drill Company was incorporated on the twenty-fourth day of March, 1891, as a joint-stock com- pany for the purpose of manufacturing steam drills. It continued in business at Sound Beach for about five years and then was abandoned.
344
Ye Historie of Ye Town of Greenwich
THE RIVERSIDE WATER COMPANY. Incorporated, 1903.
The Riverside Water Company was incorporated by an act of the General Assembly passed in 1903, whereby it was:
Resolved, that William J. Tingue, Nathaniel Witherell and Henry H. Adams, all of Greenwich, in Fairfield County, be and they are hereby, with their successors and assigns, created a body politic and corporate by the name of The Riverside Water Company [etc.].
CONTINENTAL MOWER AND REAPER COMPANY. Incorporated, 1865. Riverside.
The Continental Mower and Reaper Company was incor- porated on the thirteenth day of September, 1865, as a joint- stock company with a capital stock of $100,000.00 for the purpose of manufacturing the Continental Mower and the Continental Reaper, and all other agricultural implements. A large amount of this stock was taken by the inhabitants of the Town of Greenwich and Shadrach M. Brush was elected its president. It erected a large plant on the easterly side of the Mianus River a short distance south of the draw- bridge and manufactured a considerable number of the mowers and reapers. Many of the farmers in the town used the machines. The undertaking, however, was not a success, and the property was sold in 1867 to Martin H. Shepard, who converted the plant into a cottonseed-oil factory. This was continued until about 1870, when the plant was aban- doned and the business removed to New Orleans.
THE MIANUS MOTOR WORKS. Incorporated, 1904, formerly the BROOKLYN RAILWAY SUPPLY COMPANY. Mianus.
The Brooklyn Railway Supply Company was incor- porated under and by virtue of the laws of the State of New
345
Industries
York on the second day of December, 1880, for the purpose of manufacturing railway sweepers, apparatus, furniture, and such other manufactured articles as are required and used by railway companies. It located at Mianus in the summer of 1890, where it continued in business until the twenty-ninth day of December, 1904, when it was merged into The Mianus Motor Works, which was incorporated on the same day, under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Connecticut, with a capital stock of $100,000.00, for the pur- pose of the manufacture and sale of engines, motors, machin- ery and the necessary attachments for the application of power; the manufacture and sale of wood and metal vessels and boats, and the sale of motors, machinery, and boats, as the agents for others. The erection and maintenance, under previously acquired rights, of dams and the grinding of grain, etc.
The construction of a larger plant was commenced on the eighth day of August, 1910, in the City of Stamford, which is now in operation.
Officers, 1911, George Gray, President; Frederick A. Hubbard, Vice-President and General Counsel; Augustus P. Avery, Secretary; and Charles B. Allyn, Treasurer.
PALMER AND DUFF'S SHIPYARD. Cos Cob.
Palmer and Duff's Shipyard was located at Cos Cob on that part of the David Bush property which, during the Revolutionary War, was occupied by salt works. In 1848, this property was bought by Thomas Gilbert, William Cantrell, and John Midwinter and operated as a shipyard. John Duff bought the property on the twenty-third day of November, 1848. In 1851 he took in as a partner William White, and about three years later Charles Barns became a partner. The shipyard was operated by the firm of White, Barns, and Duff until 1855, when Denom Palmer bought out the interests of White and Barns, and the firm became
346
Ye Historie of Ye Town of Greenwich
Palmer and Duff. Silas W., son of Ard Knapp, became a member of the firm in 1866, and continued as such until his death on the twenty-eighth day of March, 1870, when the firm again became Palmer and Duff. The principal business of the shipyard was the overhauling, repairing, and building of sailing vessels. Owing to the advanced age of the mem- bers of the firm, the business was discontinued in 1907, the partners being eighty-eight and eighty-three years of age respectively.
PALMER BROTHERS. Cos Cob.
This concern first started in business under the ownership of Frank T. Palmer in 1888, at Dumpling Pond, now North Mianus, where a plant was erected, and telephone and elec- trical supplies were manufactured. A few years later, after gasoline came into use as a means of generating power, the manufacture of gasoline engines and launches was com- menced. In 1901, through efficient management and com- petent workmanship, the business had grown to such an extent that the plant was too small to satisfactorily turn out the work, so another plant was erected at Cos Cob, where launches were exclusively manufactured. This plant was enlarged in 1905, 1908, and 1909, so that now both gasoline engines and launches are manufactured at Cos Cob, and the plant at Dumpling Pond only used in a small way.
The Palmer Brothers have kept right along with the march of improvements and are right up to date, and to-day are shipping their gasoline engines and launches all over the world.
WILCOX FACTORY. Riversville.
The Wilcox Factory was erected in September, 1828, at Riversville, by Josiah Wilcox, formerly of Berlin, Connecti- cut, for the manufacture of tinners' tools. The building was originally thirty feet by thirty-five feet, but was added to
"UPPER
WORKS
PALMER BROS
GINES
17
GASOLINE
PALMERA
MER
PLANT OF THE PALMER BROTHERS AT COS COB.
347
Industries
from time to time, as the business increased. In 1858 the manufacture of carriage hardware was added. The business was continued until 1904, when the factory was abandoned on account of competition and extra charge for cartage.
GEORGE M. REYNOLDS. Glenville.
The main factory building, now occupied by George M. Reynolds for the manufacture of blown furs, roundings, etc., used in the manufacture of hats, was built by his father, Solomon Reynolds, in 1872. The plant was first operated by Augustus Lyon, of Weaver Street, and Joseph Carter, now of Port Chester, who leased the building from Solomon Rey- nolds. They put two or three machines in the building to be used for the purpose of making furs for hatters, and ran the same for about six months, when they gave up the under- taking. Solomon Reynolds bought the machines from Lyon and Carter and started manufacturing the same materials. He gradually increased the business and at the time of his death, in 1900, he was running eight machines. He was succeeded by his son, George M. Reynolds, who converted also the old grist-mill adjacent, which was built sometime prior to the Revolutionary War and abandoned about 1900, into a factory for the manufacture of furs. There are now sixteen machines operated in these two buildings.
AMERICAN FELT COMPANY. Incorporated, 1899, New Jersey, formerly THE HAWTHORNE MILLS COMPANY. Glenville.
It is somewhat uncertain just when a plant for the manu- facture of woollen and cotton goods was first erected at Glenville. There was, however, a small factory in operation at the time Jared Peck conveyed the premises on the easterly side of the Byram River to the Byram Manufacturing
348
Ye Historie of Ye Town of Greenwich
Company on the twelfth day of September, 1814. The Byram Manufacturing Company ran the mill until the first day of May, 1829, when it sold out to George L. Cornell and Samuel G. Cornell of Brooklyn. Samuel G. Cornell went into bankruptcy in 1852, and the property was conveyed to Ralph Henry Isham, who changed the name to the Glenville Woollen Company. He ran the mill for two or three years, but was unable to make it pay, and sold out on the twentieth day of November, 1855, to Augustus Whitlock. He ran the mill until the twenty-fifth day of May, 1864, when he sold out to Amos D. Lefevre, who took his son Samuel in the business with him in 1868. They ran it until about 1874, when it was sold to Hoyt, Sprague and Company, who changed the name to the Glenville Mills. In 1875 the property was attached to secure the payment of the sum of $30,000.00 and bought in by Nathan Hodgson of Granby, Oswego County, New York, who sold the same on the sixteenth day of August, 1875, to William J. Tingue of Pater- son, New Jersey. He formed the partnership firm of Tingue, House and Company, and manufactured woollen, worsted, cotton, and mixed goods. They ran it as such until the thirteenth day of February, 1892, when it was incorporated as a joint-stock company by the name of The Hawthorne Mills Company. It ran as such until the eighth day of February, 1899, when the American Felt Company, a cor- poration created early in 1899, under and by virtue of the laws of the State of New Jersey, acquired the plant. It manufactures felt and machinery cloths at these mills.
Officers, 1911, William H. Sweatt, President; Robert F. Herrick, Vice-President; George F. Willett, Treasurer; and Winthrop D. Smith, Secretary.
THE GLENVILLE POWER AND WATER COMPANY.
Incorporated, 1903, charter amended in 1909.
The Glenville Power and Water Company was incor- porated by an act of the General Assembly passed in 1903, whereby it was:
MILLS OF THE AMERICAN FELT COMPANY AT GLENVILLE.
1/
-
-
349
Industries
Resolved, that William J. Tingue, Nathaniel Witherell and Henry H. Adams, all of Greenwich, with such other persons as shall be associated with them, are, with their successors and assigns, hereby constituted a body politic and corporate, under the name of The Glenville Power and Water Company, etc.
RUSSELL, BURDSALL AND WARD BOLT AND NUT COMPANY. Incorporated, 1901, New York, formerly RUSSELL, BURDSALL AND WARD. Pemberwick.
The property at Pemberwick was acquired by John C. Sanford about 1830, who erected thereon a button factory, which he operated for a while, then sold out to Isaac D. Russell and went to Stamford. Mr. Russell associated with him two partners and continued the business under the style of Russell, Mckay and Beach. On the sixteenth day of October, 1845, Ellwood Burdsall and William E. Ward, composing the firm of Burdsall and Ward, hired a room and water power from Russell, Mckay and Beach, and started their bolt, nut, and screw factory. In 1852 their business had increased to such an extent that they admitted Isaac D. Russell as an equal partner, he putting in the desired amount of funds. The manufacture of buttons was discontinued and the screw factory was operated under the well-known partner- ship firm of Russell, Burdsall and Ward, composed of Isaac D. Russell, Ellwood Burdsall, and William E. Ward. It ran as such until the twenty-sixth day of December, 1866, when it was incorporated under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Connecticut as a joint-stock company, under the name of Russell, Burdsall and Ward, with a capital stock of $300,000.00, for the purpose of manufacturing bolts, nuts, rivets, washers, screws, and other hardware of iron, or other metals, etc. This corporation operated the plant until the twenty-ninth day of April, 1901, when it was merged with
350
Ye Historie of Ye Town of Greenwich
the Port Chester Bolt and Nut Company into the Russell, Burdsall and Ward Bolt and Nut Company, a corpora- tion created under and by virtue of the laws of the State of New York with a capital stock of $2,000,000.00, which now operates the plant at Port Chester as well as at the one at Pemberwick, and manufactures the same articles.
Officers, 1910, W. L. Ward, President; Samuel Comly, Vice-President; R. H. Burdsall, Treasurer; Ellwood Burdsall, Secretary; and W. S. Comly, General Sales Agent.
ABENDROTH BROTHERS. Incorporated, 1876, New York. East Port Chester and Port Chester.
This concern was started in 1840 by William P. Aben- droth and Philip Rollhaus under the name of the Eagle Foundry for the purpose of manufacturing stoves and iron cooking-utensils. Mr. Rollhaus retired from the firm in 1845, and Mr. Abendroth took in, in his stead, his two broth- ers, Augustus and John, and the name of the concern was changed to William Abendroth and Brothers. Some years later he took in also his brother-in-law, John D. Fraser. John Abendroth withdrew from the firm in 1874 and Augustus remained until his death in 1882. It was incorporated under and by virtue of the laws of the State of New York in 1876, under the name of Abendroth Brothers, and now manu- factures stoves, coal and gas ranges, furnaces, hot water and steam heaters, and plumbers' soil pipe and fittings. The main plant is located on the westerly side of the Byram River in the Village of Port Chester, and that part of the plant in which plumbers' soil pipe and fittings are manu- factured is on the easterly side of the same river in the Town of Greenwich.
Officers, 1910, John F. Mills, President ; Arthur R. Wilcox, Vice-President; Charles I. Smith, Secretary; and Fred W. Hoose, Treasurer.
35I
Industries
GEORGE MERTZ' SONS. Incorporated, 1907. East Port Chester.
This concern was organized on the first day of June, 1872, as a partnership, by George Mertz and Emil C. Boerner, under the firm name of Mertz and Boerner, for the purpose of manufacturing building materials. It was incorporated on the seventh day of January, 1907, under the name of George Mertz' Sons, which continues to manufacture the same materials.
Officers, 1910, Louis C. Mertz, President; George E. Mertz, Vice-President; Frank C. Mertz, Secretary; and James H. MacCullough, Treasurer.
NEW LEBANON IRON FOUNDRY. East Port Chester.
This concern was started in 1901 by Joseph A. Taylor under the name of the New Lebanon Iron Foundry for the purpose of casting parts and fittings for general machinery.
HAWTHORNE BRASS FOUNDRY. East Port Chester.
This concern was started in 1904 by John Weug under the name of the Hawthorne Brass Foundry for the purpose of doing general job work in bronze, bell metal, brass, and in all kinds of mixtures.
DISTILLED MINERAL WATER COMPANY. Incorporated, 1901, New York. East Port Chester.
The Distilled Mineral Water Company was incorporated in 1901, under and by virtue of the laws of the State of New York, for the purpose of manufacturing carbonated bever- ages, ginger ale, sarsaparilla, soda, and all other kinds of soft drinks. It is now operated and controlled by Chris P. Neilsen.
352
Ye Historie of Ye Town of Greenwich
C. IRVING HALE. East Port Chester.
C. Irving Hale commenced the operation of his plant for carpet cleaning and upholstering on the thirtieth day of May, 1902. He also renovates feathers and does cabinet work.
E. M. MERRITT'S SHIPYARD. Rocky Neck.
This shipyard was started in 1858 by Lockwood Clark and Thomas Ritch, but was taken over by Augustus Mead in the winter of 1862, and then operated by Ephraim M. Merritt. He sold out in 1866 to Roswell Ferris and removed ยท to Norwalk, Connecticut. The yard was abandoned in 1871.
GREENWICH YACHT YARD. Rocky Neck.
This concern started in business under the ownership of Joseph E. Montells in 1904, for the purpose of building, overhauling, outfitting, and general repairing of yachts of all types.
STERLING FOUNDRY COMPANY. Incorporated, 1885. Rocky Neck.
The Sterling Foundry Company was incorporated in 1885, as a joint-stock company, for the purpose of manufacturing castings for gas stoves. It ran for about two years and was then abandoned.
GREENWICH GASLIGHT COMPANY. Incorporated, 1875.
The Greenwich Gaslight Company was incorporated by an act of the General Assembly passed in 1875, whereby it was:
353
Industries
Resolved, that Charles Nettleton, Charles H. Nettleton, Gilbert Ackerman, John Dayton, William J. Mead, Frank Shepard, Zophar Mead, H. W. R. Hoyt and Joseph E. Brush, and such other persons as shall associate with them for that purpose, are constituted a body politic and cor- porate by the name of the Greenwich Gaslight Company, etc.
THE GREENWICH GAS AND ELECTRIC LIGHTING COMPANY. Incorporated, 1885. Amended, 1889. Rocky Neck.
The Greenwich Gas and Electric Lighting Company was incorporated by an act of the General Assembly passed in 1885, whereby it was:
Resolved, that Robert M. Bruce, A. Foster Higgins, John Dayton, George Dayton, Thomas Mayo, Nathaniel Witherell, John G. Reynolds and H. W. R. Hoyt are consti- tuted a body politic and corporate by the name of The Greenwich Gas and Electric Lighting Company, etc.
This concern was absorbed by the Connecticut Lighting and Power Company on the twenty-sixth day of April, 1899, and has since been known as the Connecticut Company, and now (19II) is called the Housatonic Power Company.
GREENWICH WATER COMPANY.
Incorporated, 1880. Amended, 1887, 1893, 1901, 1903, and 1909.
The Greenwich Water Company was incorporated by an act of the General Assembly passed in 1880, whereby it was:
Resolved, that Elias C. Benedict, William Rockefeller, Jeremiah Milbank, Sylvester Mead, Luke A. Lockwood, John Voorhis, Philip W. Holmes, Luther P. Hubbard, A. Foster Higgins, Allen H. Close and Edwin A. Knapp, be and they hereby are, with their successors and assigns made and established a corporation by the name of the Greenwich Water Company, etc.
23
354
Ye Historie of Ye Town of Greenwich
GREENWICH MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY. Incorporated, 1855.
The Greenwich Mutual Fire Insurance Company was incorporated by an act of the General Assembly passed in 1855, whereby it was:
Resolved, that Zenas Mead, Joseph Brush, Samuel Close, George J. Smith, Augustus Mead, William White, Thomas A. Mead, William A. Ferris, Edward B. Hewes and Shadrach M. Brush, and all other persons who may hereafter become members of said company in the manner hereinafter pre- scribed, be and they hereby are incorporated and made a body politic by the name of the Greenwich Mutual Fire Insurance Company, etc.
This corporation was voluntarily dissolved in 1910.
THE GREENWICH SASH AND DOOR COMPANY. Incorporated, 1907. Rocky Neck.
The Greenwich Sash and Door Company was incor- porated in 1907, for the purpose of manufacturing, buying, and selling sashes, doors, blinds, etc.
Officers, 1910, Joseph Brush, President; Henry Fenn, Secretary and Treasurer.
HARRIE MOREHOUSE, SUCCESSOR TO THE FENN & MOREHOUSE CO. Borough of Greenwich.
This concern was started in 1894, for the purpose of manufacturing doors, sashes, blinds, and all interior finish. In 1905, Harrie Morehouse succeeded The Fenn & More- house Co., and continues manufacturing the same articles.
QUARRIES.
The first stone quarried in the Town of Greenwich was taken from the quarry on Byram Shore, which was opened by
-
CAPTAIN HENRY S. LOCKWOOD.
355
Industries
William Ritch and Thomas Ritch in 1840. In 1870 John Voorhis and Sylvester Hill commenced the operation of quar- ries on the Byram Shore and a little later a quarry was opened near the old Toll Gate. The business reached its height in 1900, when owing to the introduction of concrete for build- ing and construction purposes it began to decline, but is car- ried on now by Willis and Silas D. Ritch, and Jacob Voorhis.
The Second Congregational, the Presbyterian, the Epis- copal, and the Roman Catholic Churches are all built of stone quarried within the Town of Greenwich.
OYSTERS.
The cultivation of oysters in this vicinity was first com- menced in 1850, when Captain Henry S. Lockwood, then of Greenwich, Old Town, but now of Cos Cob, started planting shells just before spawning time at the mouth of the Mianus River. An examination of the shells in the early fall showed that the spawn had set and that young oysters were in the process of formation. As soon as these had sufficiently matured they were taken up, placed on the market, and the ground replanted with fresh shells. He was followed by Andrew Ferris, Nelson Studwell, Abraham Brinkerhoff, Samuel B. Lockwood, and others. Prior to that time the oysters were taken from natural grounds. This was the commencement of the development of planted grounds, which are now cultivated so extensively and successfully. Before the shells, or seed, can be planted on new ground it has to be dredged over and the vegetable growth and other foreign matter at the bottom removed. The first attempt to cultivate oysters was not successful, owing to the destruction of the beds by starfish, which killed the young oysters, and the undertaking was abandoned. It, however, was started again in 1860, and has been successfully continued, as means have been devised to remove the starfish from the beds without disturbing the oysters. In 1878, Captain Henry S. Lockwood had built the first steamboat in the United States which was especially constructed for the oyster business.
356
Ye Historie of Ye Town of Greenwich
In 1849, the General Assembly of the State of Connecti- cut passed its first act relative to the planting of oysters and the staking out of oyster beds designated by the town officials. This act was revised at the May Session, 1855, and the General Assembly passed an act authorizing the towns to appoint a committee to designate suitable places for planting oysters, but "no one person shall have set out to him territory exceeding two acres in extent." Under the revision of 1881, the law was so changed as to allow of grants to any one person of territory to any extent, provided it was not unreasonable. It also created the State Shell-Fish Com- mission which has general supervision of the oyster industry within the state. A few years after this change in the law the oyster industry within the Town of Greenwich was at its height. There were over twenty men residing in the town, who were owners of oyster grounds, which gave employment to upwards of one hundred different individuals. The decline in the business began about 1890, owing to the culti- vation of a better grade of oysters in different localities, particularly at Providence, Buzzard's Bay, Cape Cod, Peconic Bay, and Gardiner's Bay, so that now there are only a few men remaining in the business. Among the number is Captain E. Frank Lockwood, who, in 1905, organized the Standard Oyster Company, which operates in Long Island Sound west of Bridgeport, Peconic Bay, Gardiner's Bay, and New York Bay south of Staten Island. It was bought by the Andrew Radel Company in 1909, but still operates in the same territory. In 1910, Captain E. Frank Lockwood purchased a large tract of oyster ground at Rockaway and another tract at the east end of Long Island, which he expects to develop into one of the best grounds in America.
THE GREENWICH OBSERVER. Established, 1877.
The first newspaper regularly published in the Town of Greenwich was called The Greenwich Observer, and it was
RESIDENCE OF CAPTAIN E. FRANK LOCKWOOD, COS COB.
ERWIN EDWARDS, EDITOR OF "THE GREENWICH GRAPHIC.
357
Newspapers
published by Keeler Brothers, editors and proprietors, who had an office on the northerly side of Putnam Avenue a short distance west of Greenwich Avenue. The first copy was issued on the fifteenth day of November, 1877, and thereafter every Thursday. It continued under this management until the fourth day of April, 1878, when William Mead Keeler became the sole editor and proprietor. It was sold by him to B. F. Ashley on the twenty-first day of October, 1880, and he in turn sold it to John K. Mead on the twentieth day of November, 1880. It continued under the management of Mr. Mead, as editor and proprietor, until it was consolidated with The Greenwich Graphic on the third day of February, 1883.
THE GREENWICH GRAPHIC. Established, 1881.
The first issue of The Greenwich Graphic was published on the third day of December, 1881, by Edwards Brothers, editors and proprietors. The office was then on the easterly side of Greenwich Avenue about opposite the truck house, and it is now on the southerly side of Putnam Avenue just west of Greenwich Avenue. It continued under the manage- ment of Edwards Brothers until the nineteenth day of July, 1890, when Erwin Edwards bought out the interest of Lucian B. Edwards, and thus became the sole editor and proprietor, under whose management it still continues. It is published every Friday, and is considered one of the best country weeklies published in the State of Connecticut.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.