New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-07-16

BrlLaln, making tulS Guy HIS IIollAo
ever since. His father was a native
of Wethersfield while his mother was
born in Berlin this state, in the part
of the town known as Kelsey's cor
ner. Mr.. Goodrich was the last of
a family of nine children. He is sur
vived by only one child, a son, Fred
erick Henry Goodrich, aged 81 years.
He always spoke of his son as the
boy in spite of the latter's grad
ually advancing years. Since the
death of his second wife more than
80 years ago, Mr.. Goodrich made his
home with his son and daughter-in-
law, at the family residence on Arch
street. Another son, Charles r.
Goodrich, died in New Haven great
many years ago.
In his youth, Mr.. Goodrich was a
blacksmith by trade. In later years
he took up the trade of pattern max
ing entering the employ of the +. d
F. Corbin Mfg. Co., now a division of
the American Hardware Corporation.
For one-half a century, Mr.. Goodrich
remained in the employ of that con-
Germ, 25 years of that time being
spent as foreman of the pattern max
ing department. In the year 1911,
after SO years of continuous and
from actual work, to enjoy the re-
naming days of his life in ease and
| comfort. In recognition of the long
| and efficient service rendered the
company he was placed on the COM
| pany's pension list. Mr.. Goodrich was
| a remarkable man. Up to the time
| of his retirement, he had never been
| late for work. When the whistle blew
| at o'clock, he was at his place In
| the pattern making department and
began work with the stroke of the
bell. 1t was just so every day for so
| long years.
| Occasionally, Mr. Goodrich took a
| day off, to enjoy some faVorite
| pleasures but on working days ne
| was as regular as the clock and just
| as prompt. Although several years
| past 80, when he gave up work, Mr..
| Goodrich was, through his splendld
| physical condition, able to do q big
| days work. He attributed his good
| health and vigor to outdoor exercise
! and regular habits. The deceased al
| ways appreciated the action OF the +.
& f. Corbin company in retiring him
with a pension. He was until his
! death, an occasional visitor at the
factory, the employment of which he
entered in 1861.
Man OF Regular Habits.
early to bed and early to rise
was the motto of Mr.. Goodrich through
out his long life of more than four
score and ten years. Strict observance
of this motto, together with the fact
that he never used intoxicating liquors
or tobacco in any form, are for
warded as the reasons for his longev-
ity. In point Of existence as we'll as
in point of years during which he
made New Britain his home, he could
well be called the oldest resident of
the city.
During his early life he lived in
the part Of New Britain which, AT
that time, was in the town Of Der
lin, and at the age of 21 he was
obliged to go to that town to vote.
He entered employment with ono of
his brothers, as u blacksmith in the
shop across the site upon which
Charles Dehm's saloon now stands.
"a better opportunity opened to him
q short time after and he wen O
work in a. small facory which was
situated at the old bridge at the foot
of Arch street, which was conducted
by the firm Of Clark and Vcnsel Here
he learned pattern making.
His Factory Connections.
Russell and Erwin soon learned
of the young mans ability and he
was placed on the pay roll of that
concern, remaining in that factory
until 1851, when he entered the en-
ply of the p. & r. Corbin company.
During the time of his employm ent
at Corbin's, Mr. Goodrich was more
or less intimate with the late Philip
Corbin, the man who founded that
concern. "Why, Phil and were
great friends, said Mr.. Goodrich to
q Herald reporter during an interview