Family Biographies - Samual R. Bristol

 

Sam was the oldest of Franklin I’s children and had served several important roles within the Bristol Company. Like the others, his biography below also includes some good history of the family and the Bristol Company. Although Sam was regarded as a skilled amateur photographer, Uncle Will may have hired a professional to take the head shots for these biographies.

Despite his rather stern looking photograph, my father (FBB III) had mentioned that he was especially fond of Uncle Sam, as he was very personable when he was a kid. During summers on Lake Quassapaug, Uncle Sam had lived in the cottage across the cove, and he and his family would frequently stop over to visit them. My father also mentioned that he had enjoyed playing golf with his brothers.

Samual R. Bristol

(May 12, 1885 – February 1956)

Family Background

Samuel R. Bristol, secretary, treasurer and a director of The Bristol Company of Waterbury, Connecticut, universally recognized for the perfection and precision of fine recording instruments, adapted for making continuous records of pressure, temperature and electricity, also inventors and producers of the famous Bristol phone, was born May 12, 1885, at Naugatuck, Connecticut. His father, Franklin B. Bristol, was born at Platts Mills, July 14, 1861, and died November 21, 1904. He was foreman, machinist and toolmaker with Platt Brothers Company, one of Waterbury's pioneer manufacturing industries. He took out several patents on steel belt lacing and on tool for its manufacture. In 1889, in association with his brother, William H. Bristol, as president, and Franklin B. Bristol as vice-president, he organized The Bristol Company which has since grown to be the largest and best known of its kind in the world with a complete modern plant and laboratory for its product on the outskirts of Waterbury. Benjamin Hiel Bristol, father of Franklin B. and one of Waterbury's earlier pioneers, was the first treasurer of The Bristol Company and also one of its organizers. Henry Bristol, founder of the family in Connecticut and an early settler of the New Haven Colony, died in 1695. Hiel Bristol prominent in colonial affairs in pre-Revolutionary days, settling in Naugatuck, a blacksmith of sterling character and a respected citizen of that community, was the father of Benjamin H. and great-grandfather of Samuel R. Bristol. Cora (Russell) Bristol, mother of Samuel R., was also of an old line of Colonial ancestry; her father, Isaac N. Russell was a prominent dentist in Waterbury for many years.

Education and Early Career

Samuel R. Bristol, was educated in the Naugatuck public schools, subsequently by a course at the Hotchkiss school at Lakeville, Conn. Shortly after completing his schooling, he was placed in charge of The Bristol's Company's exhibit at the St. Louis Exposition in 1904. November 4, 1904 he entered the machine tool department of The Bristol Company and for the next three years worked in the various departments, thus acquiring a thorough practical knowledge and experience in the mechanical part of the business.

Career Progression and Roles

In 1907 he was advanced to the important office of purchasing agent and in 1908 was appointed secretary and elected a director of the company, also having charge of the office and credit department of the company, was elected treasurer in July, 1930, to which he devotes his exclusive time and attention.

Personal Life and Interests

He does not belong to any clubs or fraternal organizations, neither does he seek political preferment. He is a member of the Naugatuck Congregational church and in politics is a Republican. His principal recreations are horticulture and photography. He is a member of the Naugatuck Golf Club. Mr. Bristol was married July 11, 1906 at Naugatuck to Edna Hamilton, and the union has been blessed with five children, Hamilton R. Bristol, born June 4, 1907; Muriel Bristol, born Mar. 30, 1909; Harold P. Bristol, born Oct. 21, 1910; Louise Bristol, born Aug. 8, 1913, and Elizabeth Bristol, born April 24, 1918. Mrs. Bristol is a daughter of Judge Henry W. Hamilton. Their residence is in Naugatuck, Connecticut. Business address, Waterbury, Connecticut.