Howard served multiple management roles within the Bristol Company. Like his brothers and Uncle Will, he obtained an engineering degree from Stevens Institute in Hoboken, New Jersey. Although he was the second oldest of the four, a fifth brother, Harold, had died in 1887 within his first year.
Howard and his wife Alice had four children, including Elise, Howard H., Franklin E. (Carolyn's father), and Ruth. In honor of previous generations, it was common for names such as these to be "reused" throughout the family. During summers, they spent time at Squirrel Lodge on Lake Quassapaug, prior to the property being acquired by the Littles. In addition to his many duties at the Bristol Company, he was a director of several corporations in Naugatuck.
Howard H. Bristol
(July 23, 1888 – June 3, 1951)
Early Life and Family Background
Howard Hall Bristol, vice president and general manager of
The Bristol Company of Waterbury, Connecticut, internationally famous for the
perfection of its fine recording instruments, adapted for making continuous
records of pressure, temperature and electricity, was born in Naugatuck,
Connecticut, January 23, 1888, the son of Franklin B. Bristol and Cora F.
Russell Bristol. Mr. Bristol is descended from Henry Bristol, the founder of
the Bristol family in Connecticut and an early settler of the New Haven Colony,
who died in 1695. The first of the family, which was prominent in colonial
affairs, to settle in Naugatuck was Hiel Bristol, a blacksmith whose sterling
character and industry made him one of the respected citizens of the community.
His old time blacksmith shop remained for many years as one of the reminders of
Naugatuck's early days. His son, Benjamin Hiel Bristol, grandfather of the
subject of this sketch, was one of the founders of The Bristol Company.
The Bristol Company and Family Contributions
Franklin Benjamin Bristol, son of Benjamin H. Bristol and
father of Howard H. Bristol, was born in Platt's Mills, July 14, 1861, and was
first employed as a machinist at the plant of Platt Brothers of Waterbury. He
became foreman and held that position for several years until 1894 when The
Bristol Company was formed with his brother, William H. Bristol, as president,
Franklin B. Bristol as vice president, and his father, Benjamin H. Bristol, as
treasurer. During the years that followed, Franklin B. Bristol took out several
patents on steel belt lacing, to the production of which the plant was
originally devoted, and on tools for its manufacture. He continued an
outstanding factor in the notable progress of the company until his death,
November 22, 1904. Four sons, Samuel R., Howard H., Carlton W. and Franklin B.,
occupy positions of importance with the company.
Education and Career
Howard H. Bristol attended the Waterbury and Naugatuck
Grammar Schools, graduated from the Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, Connecticut,
in 1906, and from the Stevens Institute, Hoboken, New Jersey, with the degree
of Mechanical Engineer, in 1910. From 1910 to 1920 he devoted his attention to
development and engineering at the plant of The Bristol Company and in 1920 was
elected vice president, assistant treasurer, director and general manager of
the company, offices which he is now filling.
Business Expansion and Leadership Roles
During the period that has developed between the date of Mr.
Bristol's original connection with the company and the present time the
business has expanded remarkably due in no small part to Mr. Bristol's efforts
is evident. In addition to holding these offices with The Bristol Company, Mr.
Bristol is a director in the following corporations: The Naugatuck Water
Company, the Naugatuck National Bank, the Naugatuck Engineering and
Manufacturing Company, the Naugatuck Building and Loan Association, all of Naugatuck,
and the Miller & Peck Company of Waterbury.
Community Involvement and Personal Life
He served as burgess on the Board of Warden and Burgesses of
Naugatuck, 1920-1924, is a member of the Rotary Club and the Waterbury Club.
The family is affiliated with the Naugatuck Congregational church of which Mr.
Bristol is a deacon. June 6, 1912, Mr. Bristol was united in marriage to Miss
Alice H. Osborn, daughter of Samuel N. Osborn, connected with the Miller &
Peck Company of Waterbury, and four children have been born of the union:
Elise, Howard H., Jr., Franklin E. and Ruth. Residence, Hillside Avenue,
Naugatuck, Connecticut; business address, Waterbury, Connecticut.
