Читать книгу History of Bridgeport and Vicinity, Volume 2: Biographical - George Curtis Waldo jr. - Страница 28

It was in the year 1877 that William H. Batcheller became a resident of Bridgeport, where he continued to reside until called to his final rest. During that period he made for himself a most creditable and enviable position in business circles and his life in every relation measured up to high standards, making him a man whom to know was to respect and honor. He was born in Grafton, Massachusetts, October 1, 1849, and was one of a family of three sons, his brothers being George Clinton and Hiram Batcheller, who conducted a New York store at No. 345 Fifth avenue. His parents were Moses and Sarah A. (Phillips) Batcheller, the latter a descendant of the Rev. George Phillips, who came from Norfolk, England, in 1630 and cast in his lot with the colonists who were planting the seeds of civilization on the soil of the western hemisphere. Through his grandmother, Mrs. Polly Chase, and his great-grandmother, Mrs. Prudence Leland, Mr. Batcheller was related to two very old and prominent New England families.

William H. Batcheller acquired his education in the graded schools of Grafton and the high school at Worcester, Massachusetts, and when his textbooks were put aside he started out in the business world as an employee of the firm of Forehand & Wadsworth, successors to the Ethan Allen Firearms Company, with which he was connected until 1877. It was in that year that he came to Bridgeport in connection with the Langdon & Batcheller Corset Company and from that time until his demise he continued his residence in this city. Entering the employ of the company, he started in a minor capacity but worked his way steadily upward through all the departments of the business so that he was familiar with every phase of the work and could intelligently direct the labors of those in his employ. He advanced step by step until he became manager of the factory at Bridgeport, the company having a plant in this city and also in New Jersey and in England. Business was conducted under the name of George C. Batcheller & Company, with William H. Batcheller as secretary and manager of the Bridgeport plant. This was the pioneer corset company of the country, being the oldest of the forty-two corset companies now engaged in manufacture in the United States. The business was established in 1856 under the name of W. S. Thomson, the designer and promoter of the Thomson Glove Fitting corset. Later Mr. Thomson was joined by a partner, leading to the organization of the firm of Thomson A Langdon, and this eventually became Langdon, Batcheller A Company, while later changes in the ownership led to the adoption of the name of George C. Batcheller & Company. The business was established in Paris, where Mr. Thomson began the manufacture of corsets, but at the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war the plant was removed to London, England. Up to 1877 all of the product of the concern was manufactured in London and imported to the United States, but in order to save duty on the imported goods a factory was built in Bridgeport in 1877. Since that time various additions have been made to the original plant and it has been enlarged from time to time until it is one of the most extensive and best equipped in the country, employing over two thousand men and women. As indicated, Mr. Batcheller thoroughly mastered the business in every detail as well as in its major points and such was his treatment of his employees that no strike ever occurred in his factory. He was thoroughly just and when there was any difference of opinion between himself and his employees he was always ready and willing to discuss the matter thoroughly with them and in this way he brought about a satisfactory adjustment of the trouble. Those who served him not only entertained for him the highest regard, but many of his old employees felt for him the deepest attachment. In addition to his connection with this company Mr. Batcheller was secretary of the Connecticut Clasp Company and secretary of the Crown Corset Company, which erected and still owns a building at Bridgeport.

On the 14th of May, 1884, at Bridgeport, Mr. Batcheller was married to Miss Maria Frances Stearns, a daughter of Isaac Stearns, of Warren, Massachusetts. Throughout the remainder of his life his interest centered in his home. He was most devoted to his wife and no matter how great his business cares or the demands made upon his time and attention he was ever thoughtful of her. He passed away June 21, 1913, his death being deeply regretted in every locality in which he was known. He was a charter member of the Algonquin Club and also a member of the Elks and the Bridgeport Yacht Club. He likewise belonged to the Republican Club of New York city and was a past grand of Arcanum Lodge, No. 41, I. O. O. F. One of his strong traits of character was his thoughtfulness of others and his consideration for their rights and privileges. He took the deepest interest in his fellowmen, not from a sense of duty but because he regarded them as brothers and colleagues in the world's work. His life exemplified many of the traits which are most admirable and his memory is enshrined in the hearts of many with whom he was closely associated. He displayed sound judgment in his business affairs and the keenest discrimination, which manifested itself in the readiness with which he recognized the value of an opportunity. What he undertook he accomplished. He was fortunate in possessing character and ability that inspired confidence in others and the weight of his character and ability carried him into most important business relations. He never deviated from a course which he believed to be right between himself and his fellowmen and his achievements and his actions at all times were the expression of the high principles that governed his life.