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 company. Although Sam was regarded as a skilled amateur photographer, the publisher probably hired a professional to take the head shots for these biographies.

Despite his rather stern looking portrait, my father (FBB III) had mentioned that he was especially friendly and personable. 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 Sam 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.

Family Biographies - Carlton W. Bristol

 

Carlton was a chief engineer at the Bristol Company and was, in part, responsible for the development of recording and controlling instruments used for industry. Like his brothers and Uncle Will, he obtained an engineering degree from Stevens Institute in Hoboken, New Jersey. 

He and his wife Florence had two children, Carl and Anne. Although my other two great-uncles, Sam and Howard, had passed away in the 1950s, Uncle Carlton and Aunt Florence lived well into the 1970s. I have fond memories of visiting them and their family at their lake house during summers on Lake Quassapaug.

Carlton W. Bristol

(July 17, 1891 – August 27, 1977)

Family Background

Carlton William Bristol, chief engineer and a director of The Bristol Company, manufacturer of the renowned Bristol recording instruments at Waterbury, Connecticut, was born at Naugatuck, Connecticut, July 17, 1891. He is the son of Franklin B. Bristol and Cora F. (Russell) Bristol and a descendent of Henry Bristol, the first American progenitor of the Connecticut Bristols who was one of the early settlers of the New Haven Colony. His great grandfather, Hiel Bristol, was the first of the family to settle in Naugatuck and the latter's son, Benjamin Hiel Bristol, was one of the founders of The Bristol Company together with his two sons, William H. Bristol and Franklin B. Bristol.

The Bristol Company and Family Contributions

Franklin B. Bristol, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Platt's Mills, July 14, 1861, and after several years as machinist in the plant of the Platt Brothers there became foreman. He held that position until The Bristol Company was formed in 1899 when he became vice president of that company. The company originally manufactured steel belt lacing and Franklin Bristol took out several patents on that product and on tools for its manufacture. He gave to the company his undivided attention and service and the progress of its earlier years was due in a large measure to his efforts. His death occurred November 22, 1904. His four sons are identified with the company in positions of importance, Samuel R., Howard H., Carlton W. and Franklin B.

Education

Carlton William Bristol attended the Waterbury and Naugatuck Grammar Schools, the Naugatuck High School and Stevens Institute of Technology at Hoboken, New Jersey, graduating with the degree of Mechanical Engineer.

Career and Professional Roles

Following his graduation he became connected with The Bristol Company in October 1914, and has been with the company since that time, directing his attention to the development and design of recording and controlling instruments. He is also a director of the Naugatuck Chamber of Commerce, an incorporator of the Naugatuck Savings Bank and a director of the Naugatuck Mills. He is a member of the Waterbury Club.

Personal Life

September 22, 1917, Mr. Bristol was married to Miss Florence M. Kneringer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry B. Kneringer of New Haven and they have two children, Carlton W., Jr., and Anne Welton.

Lake Quassapaug, Summer of 1900

This is another print form glass plate taken on Lake Quassapaug.  View of shore line with boat house and engine house in background.  The boat house was built in July of 1900, which probably dates the negative to the summer of 1900.  Pictured are two women unidentified and sitting in/on the two boats.  Middle distance is an unidentified man at the tiller of a sail boat with raised sail.  Of the five boys pictured, all in bathing suits, the first is probably HHB who is holding the prow of the first boat (age 12?).  In back of him is probably CWB (age 10?) standing on the dock, in the middle distance is probably SRB (age 15?).  Of the other two boys, the one wearing a life jacket is BHB11, probably age 3, other boy age 4??  This is the best guess of my Uncle Howard (Howp) who documented all the wonderful pictures!  God Bless Him!!

Bristol Company Outing, Circa 1930

Can you identify the Bristols in this photo?  And where do you think the picture was taken?

Squirrel Lodge, Lake Quassapaug

 

 

The 3 pictures above are in response to Kate Wick's finding in her collection the glass plates for at least one of these. My pictures were left to me by my Uncle Howp and have descriptions on back of each as follows:
1.  WHB's electric launcher print from glass negative.
2.  WHB/HHB Lake Quassapaug property: 2 unidentified women sitting on porch, Rev. Richardson, holding fishing rod dangling fish in rt. hand, rod in left hand, Steven's Prof. of mechanical drawing, Franklin De R. Furman who designed sign "Squirrel Lodge." Print from glass negative.
3.  WHB/HHB "Squirrel Lodge" before sign was affixed.  People unidentified. Print from glass negative.

Franklin E. Bristol

In reference to Bob's comment asking about my Father's medals and type of plane he flew during WW11, I Have added the above two pictures.  My Father's obituary tells about his air medals and the picture below shows my Father pointing to the Memphis Bell which was on display at an Elmira New York air show several years before he passed.  We took him there to see it.  This is a B24 like the ones he flew during the war.

Franklin E. Bristol

My Father, Franklin E. Bristol, served in WWII as a navigator in the 490 Bomb Group which bombed among other things, the Ploisti Oil Fields in Romania.  These were strategic oil fields vital to maintaining the Nazi War Machine, so these particular missions were very important to the war effort.  The first picture above is taken at our local museum where I currently have a display of my Father's uniform and pictures along with a description of his service.  Please note the picture of my parents in above right corner and on the left of my Father alone.  I hesitated publishing this picture because they really disliked these pictures of themselves!! HA!

The picture in the doorway was taken at my Grandmother's House in Naugatuck Conn. upon his successful return after completing 50 missions. 

I think there is little known about the service of our family members.  Therefore I am pleased to post these items as I am very proud of them.

Please note Bob's comment to the wonderful picture he posted of Isaac Newton Russell.  This prompted me to post the above pictures in a book written by Isaac Newton "The First Book of Opticks" which I found in the effects of my Grandfather (HHB).  I think this fourth edition was written (in old English) somewhere in the middle 1700's.  Maybe he took this to Stevens with him as a student?  Could there be any connection to Sir. Isaac Newton and Isaac Newton Russell?

Photos of Isaac Newton Russell

Virginia Allen sent me these terrific photos of Papa’s maternal grandfather, Isaac Newton Russell. The second one is dated 1893. According to Gin, he was born in November 1834 (either the 2^nd, 4^th, or 14^th!) in Great Hill, Connecticut and died on April 11, 1902 in Waterbury. Gin noticed some good family resemblance. I wonder if he was named after Isaac Newton the scientist or if it was mostly a coincidence?