New Britain herald., 1925-08-29

Stanley, Henry w. Clark and Lora Waters, he erected a small shop on the west side of Main street, little below East Main. where they con ducted tEe first machine shop In this place. In this shop they installed the first stationary engine ever em- ployed to drive machinery by steam power In New Britain, The same year Mir. Stanley and his brother, William B., bought out the other partners and began the manufacture of wrought iron door locks, the first over made in this country. In lS55 | NIT. Stanley was a member of the Stanley, Woodruff S, Co. which took over the lock business and eventual ly became the Russell X Erwin Co. He sold his interest in the lock bust ness in 1S4l and was for about tpo years thereafter in business In the state of Mississippi. Upon his return 10 New Britain he engaged in tho manufacture of wrought metal door bolts and hinges until 1859. Sten the Stanley Works was incorporated and took over the business. Mir. Stanley was elected president or the company and held that office until his death. Aug. 2, 1883.
 Quoting from Professor Camps history of New Britain, page 4Sl, concerning Mir. Stanley. The was methodical in business matters, but at the same time energetic and pro- Eressive. He gave of his means and time for the benefit of others with q generosity unusual, and especially when public interests were at stake. He planned the city water works. built In 1857, and by unceasing en- ergy and indomitable perseverance, secured the execution of the plans against much opposition. He was one of the active mon in obtaining the town park and having it set apart for the benefit of the pubic. He advocated the building of the branch railway and the first engine run from New Britain 10 Berlin bore his name. He was active in secur- ing the location of the normal school in New Britain and in promoting other public enterprises.
 He generally declined public of fee. but consented to represent tho town Of Berlin in the egisature in 1884. He was elected tho first warden Of the borough of New Briiai in 1850 and the first mayor of the city In 1871. He was con- versant with the early history Of th" place, always interested in hearing about 't and in tho later years of his life was urgent that fl should be written and published"
 ! Mayor Stanley was not only in tercst"d in local history, but he also { has tho honor of having been the , first person to write and publish a history of our early industries. He published an essay on the Origin of New Britain Manufactures" in Judge Chamberlain's New Britain News Jated Sept. IS, 1860. This was seven years in advance of An- dreWs' history of the First church and 29 years In advance of Camps history of New Britain. It was e,i- | dentlv prepared with great care and l is presented in a. clear and concise form, yet covering the whole ground. It is now, has been, and always will he. the foundation upon which all | history of onr early industries must ! rest. It Is the book of Genesis In the history of the Hard ware city and tells the story of the creation of our 1 hardware business. It closes with pen picture ot Major North, as i follows:
 "The prosperity of the village is eminontly due 10 the enterprise and public spirit of the late Major Seth J. North. His energy and ambition have been directed through life 10 i the advancement of its best interests. | The impress of his mind and hand are seen in all things that con- trihuted to the elevation of the So- cial. moral. educational and bust ness of the community. 1ndefatiga- . hle in his efforts for accumulation and always successful. his henefac- tiors were Morally applied to all
 objects of public and private chsri- ties and he lived long enough 10 realize the organization of an in- dustrious. intelligent and resrecta- hle village. He Nas emphaticallv the father and founder of New Britain"
 There certainly rss considerable force in that quaint answer of our
 tov'nsman. Hhe grace If God and