The Waterbury Democrat. [volume], September 26, 1935, Page 9A, Image 31

About The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946

Image provided by: Connecticut State Library, Hartford, CT

                
R. F. Griggs Company
Established In 1903
Present Modern Home Tribute to Founder—Firm
Among State’s Best Known—Rowley W. Phillips,
Present General Manager
Thirty-two years of service to
tho people of Waterbury hu
merited the record of the R. F.
Griggs company, actually through
it* present headquarters and also
because of the outstanding work
of its original founder. Robert
Foote Orlgs founded his brokerage
business in July of ISOS with an
ALFRED HART
President
able assistant, Pearl J. Skllton.
From a small office the concern
has expanded until today the R. F.
Griggs company occupies and holds
a leading position in the civic and
financial life of Waterbury.
The original office opened by the
late Robert Foote Griggs was lo
cated on Bank street. Increased
patronage called for larger quar
ters and the concern was installed
at 63 North Main street. In 1915
the concern was incorporated and
the officers were Alfred Hart,
Rowley W. Phillips and Mr Griggs,
the latter holding the offices of
treasurer and general manager.
' Mr. Griggs, a highly esteemed
member of the community, died in
1927 and his demise Was the cause
Of countless expressions of regret.
Rowley W. Phillips assumed his
positions in the corporation.
The present directors and offic
ers of the concern are outstanding
citizens of Waterbury. The pres
ent quarters of the R. F. Griggs
company on Leavenworth street
were built In 1928 and promptly
oceupled by the concern.
Modern in every way, the R. F.
Griggs building on Leavenworth
street Is equipped to handle all
business. Its vaults are of the lat
est design and the cashier’s de
partment Is equipped with every
later-day equipment. The clerical
facilities are up-to-date in every
angle and the special wire depart
ment has no precedent in Water
ROWLEY W. PHILLIPS
Chairman
bury. There are many private
conference rooms In the building
of the R. F. Griggs company
where traders may meet and dis
cuss business.
All In all, the R. F.'Griggs com
pany Is one of the outstanding con
cerns of Its kind In Connecticut,
both In equipment and service to
clients.
The present directors comprise
Rowley W. Phillips, Alfred Hart,
P. J. Skllton, Francis T. Phillips.
12. Norton Lecker and Mrs. Caro
line White Griggs (the widow of
the founder of the firm).
The officers actively In charge
of the firm’s activities are:
Rowley W. Phillips, chairman
and general manager.
Alfred Hart, president.
P. J. Skllton, vice-president.
E. Norton Decker, vice-president
and sales manager.
Wlnthrop P. Buttrlck, vice-pres
ident.
George S. Goodspced, vice-pres
ident. ,
Francis T. Phillips, vice-pres
ident, secretary and treasurer.
Edwin H. Angevine, assistant
secretaary.
' Robert F. Griggs, Jr., assistant
secretary.
Mr. Buttrlck is In charge of the
bond department, which for years
has been especially active in deal
ing In bonds of Connecticut muni
cipalities.
Frank Miller, who has been with
the firm for many years, Is the
head of the trading department;
and Frank B. Parsons has been for
upward of 10 years, the cashier.
Among the company’s represen
tatives are George J. Brennan, and
John J. Colloty of Waterbury, Bur
ton C. Rogers In Meriden, Walter
C. Cotterlll In Litchfield and
George Slier In Hartford.
Many Bank Connections
The Griggs Co. has always main
tained close and friendly relation
slphs with the banka of Water
bur. Mr. Griggs for the seven last
years of his life was president of
the Waterbury Savings bank, ‘and
was for many years on the board
of directors of the Colonial Trust
Co. R. W. Phillips was a Colonial
Trust director and Alfred Hart a
Waterbury National bank director
until the 1933 changes In the
banking laws which became effec
tive In 1934 forced those two
banks to regretfully accept their
resignations.
Going further into the personnel
of the present organization of The
Griggs Co., Rowley W. Phillips is
a member of the board of dlreo
tors of many well known corpora
tions, among them being the
Bridgeport Brass Co., McKesson 4k
Robbins, Inc., McKesson 4fc Rob
Robbins, Ltd., ot Canada, Clark
Bros, Bolt Co., T. A. D. Jones Co.,
Phillips 4fc Benjamin CO., Traders,
Ins., etc. He occupies several
trusteeships.
Mr. Hart, in addition to his
Griggs Co., activities, is secretary
and director of the Patent Button
Co., of Waterbury, and holds di
rectorships and offices in several
other concerns.
Many Civic Activities
As Mr. Griggs was active in club
affairs during his lifetime, so his
partners and his associates aro
also influential in clubs. Alfred
Hart, F. T. Phillips and Rowley
W. Phillips have all been on the
boards of both the Country Club
of Waterbury and the Waterbury
club. F. T. Phillips acted as treas
urer of both clubs for many years.
| R. W. Phillips has been president
of the Country club since 1930. E.
N. Decker has been president of
the Lions club, and P. J. Skiiton
and E. H. Angevlne are prominent
members of the Rotary club. Row
ley W. Phillips has also been iden
FRANCIS T. PHILLIPS
Vice President
tilled to some extent with republi
can activities, having been chair
man and treasurer of the club’s
finance committee for several
years, and also having attended
the 1928 and 1932 republican na
tional convention at Kansas City
and Chicago. He was also a dele
gate to the 1933 Connecticut state
convention for the ratification of
the 21st amendment.
Broker And Investment Banker
The R. F. Griggs Co. acts as
a broker and also acts as an in
vestment banker, and as a dealer
in securities. During its 32 years
KRODEL FOUNDRY
CASTINGS GREAT
Many Machine Manufac
tures in Country Use
Local Product
The Krodel Foundry was organ
ised February 1, 1925 by William
Krodel, 8r., experienced brass
worker, who has lived In Water
bury since 1999. Ur. Krodel came
to this city from New York and
has had more than 50 years of ex
perience in this line of work.
The foundry specializes in cast
ings of heavy machinery of brass,
bronze. German silver and chro
ml m. It also manufactures tab
lets. Mr. Krodel drew the design
for the tablet in memory of the
late Joel Barlow, former United
States consul In France and Po
lanu, which is now on display in
Reading, Conn., and has also de
signed tablets for the public
scl ools of Waterbury.
At the present time the factory
Is Ailing a government order for
castings. It supplies many of the
large machine manufacturers in
this city and throughout the New
England states with castings. The
foundry employs 17 men, all high
grade mechanics. Three sons of
Mr. Krodel. William Jr.. George
and Louis, are engaged in the bus
iness with him.
RAY THE HATTER
EXCLUSIVE FIRM
Holds Agencise of Nation*
ally Known Makers of
Men’s Hats, Apparel
The store of Ray, The Hatter,
at 194 Bank street, is the oldest
house of its kind in the city of
Waterbury. For almost a quarter
of a century. Ray, The Hatter, has
been catering to the men of the
city. Handling an exclusive line
of hats, the store has maintained
its lead in the hatting field here.
It was 24 years ago that the
store of Ray, The Hatter, was op
ened in Waterbury. Since that time
It has occupied an unique and out
standing place in the life of the
city.
Thomas F. Cassin, well known
local athlete, is the proprietor of
the proprietor of the business. Be
sides hats the store is equipped
to fill the needs of those seeking
haberdashery, shirts and so forth.
Stetson hats and the nationally
famous Hathaway shirt are among
the principal articles of merchan
dise handled by Ray, The Hatter.
of business it has made close,
friendly and thoroughly satisfac
tory relations with the large and
important banking houses of the
country—especially those of New
York, Boston and Philadelphia;
and it is one of the three or four
oldest and most Important broker
age and investment banking hous
es in Connecticut. It is glad to
number as close associates the
leading investment banking and
brokerage firms of Connecticut.
Waterbury Brewing
Proud Of Clock Ale
Ace Product Becoming Nationally Famous—Master
Brewer Supervises Work—Originated in 1901
One of Waterbury’s newest In
dustries, the Waterbury Brewing
Co., came Into being In May, 1934
and today bids fair to become one
of the outstanding institutions of
its kind in the state. Noted for the
excellence of its product. Clock Ale
and Lager, the compuny is send
ing out dally car and truck loads
of the brew to all parts of the
country where it can be found in
sc e of the finest hotels.
The Waterbury Brewing Co. is
the successor to the old Eagle
Brewing Co. and is using the same
premises occupied by the latter
company since its inception back
in 1901. Several of Waterbury’s
prominent men were graduated
from the old Eagle Brewing Co.,
including Daniel J. Leary, present
city controller and now president
of the Waterbury Brewing Co.
Mr. Leary started as an ordinary
bookkeeper for the old concern
and by adapting himself to the
business together with an unusuul
business sense, worked himself up
to an Important figure in the in
dustry. At the time it suspended
operation in 1918 when prohibition
became effective, Mr. Leary was
the assistant treasurer.
Established in 1001
The Eagle Brewing Co. was es
tablished in 1901 by Thomas Fin
negan and Paul Suese. In 1902 It
was taken over by the late Thomas
H. Hayes, father of the present
Mayor Frank Hayes, and Mr. Fin
negan. It was Incorporated In 1903
with Thomas H. Hayes as presi
dent and Thomas Finnegan as se
cretary.
Ti.o present four story main
building, 160 by >80, was erected In
1992 and was used for the manu
facture of ale, lager and porter.
When the company suspended
operation in 1918 the plant and,
machinery were completely dis
mantled. In 1934, after 16 years
of idleness, the plant was com
pletely renovated and rebuilt from
top to bottom. The latest and most
modern brewing equipment was in
stalled.
.n May, 1934, the Waterbury
Brewing Co. was organized and
prepared for operation. A capable
brewmaster was sought, one who
c aid offer to tha public a product
not .lust good enough, but one that
would stand out above the others.
John O. Broomfield was contact
ed in Canada, where he had been
engaged in several of the finest
breweries in the Dominion and he
agreed to come to Waterbury.
What could be more natural than
his coming back to Waterbury, for
he nad been the brew master at
the old Eagle Brewing Co. from
1907 to its closing.
During prohibition he had
worked in Canada at his trade and
his experience, gained In years of
service in some of Europe's great
est breweries, never left him
wltnout employment. He is at hl%
oil position In Waterbury today,
turning out the good old Clock Ale
«id Lager for the thirsty palates
of thousands.
Officers of the Company
Officers of the Waterbury Brew
ing .o are among the jelly’s prom
.V.,-"i A*..S.7 ■ ■ 1" *..
inont men. The same Daniel J.
Leary who started as a bookkeeper
In the Eagle Brewing Co. was chos
en president of the new concern.
James P. Healey, another com
paratively young man of marked
business ability who gained his
business training with the Connor
Trucking Co., was chosen treas
urer. Attorney John H. Cassidy,
twice president of the Waterbury
Bar association and outstanding in
the practice of law in Waterbury.
was elected secretary. Such a com
bination of brains and business
acumen is chartering the destinies
of the young brewing company and
is pushing it ahead to soon take
its place among the ranking brew
eries of the state. The officers are
directors of the company.
The company employs 40 local
men in the plant and sales depart
ment. With the Institution of the
company, another punch at the
unemployment situation in Water
bury was taken with the hiring of
employes to operate the plant.
Actual operation of the plant is
in the hands of Patrick J. Me
Fadden in the position of office
mi.nager. A son of the late Patrick
McFudden, former president of the
board of aldermen and one of the
outstanding men in his community
the young executive is a Holy
Cross college graduate and is
demonstrating dally some of the
characteristics that marked his
father us a leader and executive of
ability. The production is handled
by Joseph Dougherty and the sale
department by Joseph Negreiru,
two active go-getters of the flrst
rank.
Spring Water
The secret of the tine brew can
be laid to the excellent spring wa
ter located on the premises. This
w:\tar has been found by experts
to >e ideally fitted for the manu
facture of beer. The company in
using this water to create the
quality of brew that possesses zest,
palate- fullness and good foam
stability, and when poured shows a
tint) creamy foam.
Employes are working day and
night to HU the orders that con
ti • to come to the company, so
great has the demand become for
the product. A trip to the plant—
and the company cordially invites
the public to make the trip any
time—will show a picture of
hustling, bustling activity, an in
dustrial beehive.
Village Photos
History Feature
The official photographer
for Settlers’ Village was
Harry Gebhardt. One of his
many excellent pliotos Is that
shown In this Isaac of the
Russian House. It lu expected
that a photographic history of
Uie development of the village
will be prepared shortly.
Symbol Of Three Nation*
THE SCANDINAVIAN HOUSE
Swedish People Here
Number About 2,000
Time of First Settler’s Arrival Not Known; Mechanical
Ability Give Them Factory Jobs
: To one seems to know exactly
whin the first Swedish settler came
to Waterbury, but It is known that
Swedish immigrants came here
about the middle of the 18th cen
tury—a long number of years after
thj first Scandinavian, Lief Eric
son, first glimpsed the American
shores in the year 1,000. However,
they were welcome Immigrants and
their sturdiness and ability to
adapt themselves to their new sur
roundings soon marked them the
type of citizen that was desired in
the community.
Today, there are at least 2,000
residents of Swedish birth, by far,
the largest of the Scandinavian
race which embraces also the Nor
wegians and Danes, located in
Waterbury. Two churches, the
Swedish Baptist and the Swedish
Evangelical Lutheran Zion church
are now located in the city, the
former at 22 Bishop street and the
latter at 201 Cherry street. Rev.
Axel I. Peterson is pastor of the
Swedish Baptist church and Rev.
C. A. Stenholm is pastor of the
Swedish Lutheran church.
The immigrants soon found em
jl.yment here, their mechanical
ability standing them In good stead
in the Waterbury factories. Later,
they branched oft into other fields
• . activity and some became prom
inent in business and politics here.
An Insight into the history of
the Scandinavian race w-as offered
several weeks ago, when the Scan
dinavian house at Settler’s Village
was finished. It was one of the
most impressive and interesting of
the programs at the village. Prom
inent representatives of the Scan
dinavian race in this city and in
the United States were present.
Ideals Stressed
The ideal und traits of the Scan
dinavian people, especially coopcr
atl .1 and internationalism, were
stressed by the speakers. Professor
Adolf B. Benson, head of the Ger
manic languages department of
Yale University, R. Arfwedson,
consul general from Sweden, E.
Hougcn, consul general from Nor
way and Helmuth Moller, first vice
consul from Denmark were guest
speakers.
Consul General Arfwedson said
the Connecticut soil and scenery
reminded him of the small beau
tiful Swedish province from
whence he came and he added he
was not surprised that so many
Swjdes have settled here.
Consul Hougen remarked that
Lief Ericson’s voyage in the year
1000 from Norway to this country
has now been officially recognized
by Washington officials, as the first
trip made by' Europeans to the
western hemisphere. He added that
the present population of Norwe
gians by birth of extraction Is now
eqj'I to the population of Norway.
Consul Helmuth stated that the
Scandinavian house at the Village
is an evidence of the prevailing
cooperation of the three Scandina
vian countries. He urged the mem
bers of the second generation of
Danish-Amerlcans to take a more
i -e Interest in the mother coun
try and its heritages such as cul
ture, political and social philos
ophy and especially international
political thought.
Professor Benson outlined the
contributions made by Connecticut
residents of Scandinavian birth to
the state, fie mentioned several
whose names have become Identi
fied with the trades and profes
sions. He pointed out that Scan
dinavians In this state have dem
onstrated their proficiency in all
fields of endeavor, especially as in
ventors, skilled engineers, mechan
ics, draftsmen, musicians, horticul
turists and cducutors. Floyd Ras
mussen of this city, described the
Scandinavian countries as "The
Holy Trinity" and said the group
is an example of "Peace on earth,
good will toward men."
During the program, the audi7
ence of more than 3,000 were en
tertained by selections of the
Swedish Harmony Singing society
of 24 males voices and the Arpl
sextet of New Britain. Rev. C. A.
Stenholm offered the invocation
and Rev. Axel I. Peterson gave
the benediction. Both ministers
preached at union services in the
morning.
.One of the active residents of
Waterbury in the Interest of the
Swedish people, J. A. Sundln, was
complimented by Rev. Mr. Sten
holm for his activities here dur
ing the last 42 years. Mr. Sundln
was chairman of the Tercentenary
celebration.
The Swedish Baptist Taber
nacle will celebrate its golden an
niversary, 50 years in the city, on I
May 10, 1942. It first began to
hold services in a chapel near the
site of the present church, 22
Bishop street. In 1905 it began
the erection of its new church,
under the pastorate of Rev. A. O.
Lawrence. During the term of
Rev. A. Linde, the church was
completed and dedicated, May 12.
1892. The services are well at
tended.
The first settlers In Waterbury
, * - -
of Swedish birth, embraced the
Lutheran faith. The flrst Swedish
Lutheran pastors who conducted
services here were the Itev. Fritz
Jacobson who at the time studied
at Yale University, C. Mlofson of
New Haven and N. Q. Johnson of
Bridgeport. Jn the year 1889,
Itev. L. H. Beck came to Water
bury from Naugatuck and
preached In Carlson’s home. Later,
St. John’s Episcopal parish house
was used for Swedish Lutheran
worship Sunday afternoons and
Thursday evenings. No street
cars were at that time running be
tween Naugatuck and Waterbury
and Itev. Mr. Beck had to walk
many times.
A Swedish Lutheran church so
ciety was organized Dec. 28, 1890.
Its aim was to promote church
work among the Swedes, according
to the Lutheran faith and as soon
as the time was ripe, organize a
Swedish Evangelical Lutheran
congregation. The congregation
was organized Dec. 30, 1891 by the
Itev. L. H. Heck, Ph.D., then pas
tor In Naugatuck who also studied
at Yale. The church was incor
porated In February, 1892.
The first ordinary pastor was the
Itev. W. P. Anderson. The con
gregation had just before his ar
rival bought a house and lot on
Cherry street. The present church
building was erected and the base
ment was used for services.
Those who served on the build
ing committee were Nils Benson,
John Hanson, Oliver Norman and
John Swenson. At that time the
church had 71 communicant mem
bers. Itev. Anderson stayed here
only two years, 1 893-1895. The
second pastor was Rev. J. D. Dan
lelson who had Just become or
dained. During his time the
church auditorium was completed
and used for services. He also or
ganized a sick benevolent society
In conjunction with the church
When he left, Rev. E. E. Ed
man, M.D., came to Waterbury but
stayed less than a year. He was
succeeded by Rev. Martin Blom
berg who after a short stay re
turned to Sweden. Several calls
were Issued but the answers were
not satisfactory and finally Rev.
J. D. Danielson was called back
and served the church for the sec
ond time.
After Dr. Danielson came Rev.
A. J. Stenwall In November, 1907.
During his service a greater part
of the church debt was paid. After
four years of faithful service he
left the church and was succeed
ed by Rev. J. Herman Olsson.
The debt on the church was all
paid. The parsonage on Cooke
street was bought. Rev. Olsson
was succeeded In January of 1922
by the present pastor, Rev. C. A.
Stcnhelm.
Rev. Mr. Stenholm preached his
Introductory sermon Sept. 1. 1922.
The church has at present over
250 communicant members or over
500 souls. It has no debt on Its
church property. Since It was or
ganized 44 years ago It has had
seven ordinary pastors, including
Rev. Mr. Stenholm.
One of the prominent members
of the Scandinavian race here who
made an enviable reputation ‘ for
himself and his race Is Charles H.
Swenson who once served as aider
man and who was associated ns
an executive with the General
Manufacturing Company. Another
prominent In Swedish circles Is C.
E. Johnson, well known painter.
The Scandinavians here have made
themselves to home in having their
own church services and societies,
such as the Order of Vasa and
the Norden Societies.
Veterans' Day will be cele
brated at the village next Sat
urday. There will be a parade
'n' everything. The marchers
will assemble on Holmes ave
nue and nearby streets and a
big turn out Is promised.
SERVICE
of the highest order
has made Claire success possible
1 r\NL,Y a' trifle .over threo years old—but rccog
nixed as an outstanding success — that’s the
proud record of the Claire Beauty Shoppe—Water
bury's fastest growing beauty culture salon.
We came here three years ago last June—and
opened our establishment in the Brown Building—
wo occupied one room — and our personel totaled
live operators—Today we occupy 5 large rooms and
employ the largest staff of expert beauty cultur
Ists In tho city.
The Claire offers a high type of service in every
branch of beauty culture — Our equipment is the
newest and most scientific to lie found—We are
located in tho most modern building—large, sun
lit. airy rooms, elevator service, detailed and ex
pert attention is given every patron.
Compare our services with those of the highest
priced salons in this or any other city—You will
llnd our services equal to them—with tho exception
that our prices are considerably lower for these
same services.
Thousands of women in Watcrbury and vicinity
have made the Claire their favorite beauty culture
shoppe. Wo have won their confidence by giving
them careful, conscientious attention, high class
work, plcasunt and comfortable surroundings, al
ways at a moderate cost.
We “invite inspection of our beautiful salon at all
times. No obligation on your part — Your visit
will he welcome. We’d like to have you become
acquainted with the Claire.
CLAIRE
Waterbury’s Leading Beauty Shop
ENTRANCE
20 E. MAIN
41 S. MAIN
BROWN BLDG.
TAKE ELEVATOR AT 20 E. MAIN
4-9645
r ^ • -
REYMOND BAKERY
A MODERN PLANT
From Mild Start in 1910
, Company Expands to
One of Best in State
From a mild start In 1010, the
Reymond Bakins Company of this
city has expanded steadily until
at the present time It Is one of the
largest and most modernly equip
ped concerns of Its kind In the
state. The Reymond Baking
was begun In a small bakery store
on West Main street In 1910. To
day It employes a fleet of 27
trucks to deliver Its products to
more than 1,500 grocers.
Adolph and Albert Reymond
were the two who formed the
small partnership 25 years ago
that has developed Into the large
Industry that it Is to-day. In 1912,
when they purchased a small auto
mobile to make deliveries, the two
brothers realized the possibilities
of a large concern to furnish per
sons with fresh bakery products
daily.
In 1913 they opened a plant In
the rear of the old Benedict home
stead. The bakery consisted of a
two-story brick building. Imme
diately the business expanded In
leaps and bounds with the result
that in 1916 and 1917 additions
had to be made to the plant to
meet demands.
Finally in the fall of 1917 the
Reymond Brothers merged with
five other bakers In Connecticut
and Massachusetts and remained
in the combine until 1927 when
they decided to reenter the baking
business on an Independent scale.
Immediately they Incorporated un
der the name of the Reymond
Baking company and the following
officers were named: President,
Adolph Reymond; vice president.
Albert Reymond; secretary, John
F. Reymonds.
Then the present plant on East
Main street was erected. Machinery
that is the last word In the bak
PRESIDENT
ADOLPH HKYMOND
ing industry was Installed, the en
tire country being combed for the
best equipment possible. The fol
lowing summer the plant was
thrown open to public Inspection.
The machinery at the plant In
cludes the newest electric traveling •
oven.
Another • scoop" was made by
the Reymond Raking company
shortly afterwards when the con
cern came out with sliced bread.
The company was the first to in
troduce sliced bread In Water
bury. The concern also special
izes In "tlst bread”.
Just recently an extensive build
ing program started several months
ago has been completed. A new
and larger shipping room, a larg
er garage and additional slicing
and rapping machines were In
cluded on the program made neces
sary to meet the constantly grow
ing demands for the fine products
thatt he concern produces.
It is hoped to celebrate
Colonial day and Industrial day
before the season closes.
■ H .’«
1917 —1935
Selling Buick in Waterbury
For 18 Year*
And Still Doing a Good Job of It.
-•-•—
‘BUICK’S THE BUY’
This Year
You are cordially invited to view the
new 1936 Buicks, on display in our
showroom.
Saturday, September 28th
DON’T FAIL TO SEE THE NEW MODELS
They Are Different •
They Are Beautiful •
They Are Surprising •
P*
' «
f ‘
THE
HOTCHKISS !
MOTOR CO. !
17 WILLOW ST.
WATERBURY
BUILD..
the need of the
DAY!!
There could be no more advantageous time
to rebuild, modernize, or repair than right
now. Materials are low, and local activity
will aid the increasing of employment. With
out cost or obligation whatsoever estimates
will be made on any construction whatsoever.
W. J. MEGIN, Inc. 1
GENERAL CONTRACTORS
Waterbury Phone 3-0254 Naugatuck Phone 1600