Early arrivals During the late 1840s
and the early 1850s, Ireland underwent the greatest trauma of its
long and often sorrowful history. Famine and disease killed or drove
more than a million men, women, and children overseas and to American
shores for a chance at a better life. They came searching for streets
they believed were paved with gold. They found only unpaved walks,
or streets not paved at all. And so, they paved the roads, built
the railroads, the bridges, and the canals, as well as many city
skyscrapers.
The first Irish Catholics arrived in Salem
Bridge (the former name of Naugatuck) in 1842. They were Patrick
and Anne Butler Maher and Patrick Conran. The St. Francis Centennial
publication of 1966 lists several Irish surnames that arrived after
the Mahers. They include: Kelly, Moran, Burns, Healy, and Hynes.
Patrick Maher worked as a laborer in the
Goodyear rubber industry in Naugatuck, and is credited for making
"the first varnish used in vulcanized rubber." The most
well-known Maher was the youngest child of Patrick and Anne, Josephine
A. Maher. She was a Naugatuck teacher who established the "Josephine
A. Maher Award," a scholarship that is still awarded annually.
The Irish who came to Naugatuck settled
in the south end of town around the area of Cherry Street. The area
was commonly known as "Kelly Hill." These Irish immigrants
formed the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) in 1871. Their meeting
hall was located at 28 Church Street. Patrick C. Lodge was the first
president. He was known as a master mathematician and philosopher.
He was also chairman of the Board of Education.
Irish
Catholics
Before the Catholic Church was established
in Naugatuck, Catholics traveled to Waterbury and New Haven to attend
mass. Mass was later held in the homes of Patrick Maher and Patrick
Conran. In 1856, land was purchased on Water Street, and a small,
white, wooden church was built there. It was called St. Anne's Church.
The first resident priest was Father Hugh Brady. Later, a new and
larger church was erected on Church Street. It was called St. Francis
of Assisi.
The Reverend James Fagan, who is buried
in front of the church, became the pastor in 1876, and served for
17 years. Father Fagan served Naugatuck in many other ways. He was
a member of the Board of Education, and was instrumental in acquiring
and erecting the Civil War Monument on the Naugatuck Green. The
year before he died, he purchased the first tract of land for St.
James Cemetery. Father Fagan died in 1893.
Irish
Businessmen
Irishmen can be found in many businesses,
education, politics, and public service throughout Naugatuck's history.
Andrew Brennan founded the Union City Coal
Company in 1880. It was located where the Big Y stands now. The
Brennan homestead was across the street, where Auto Zone stands
today.
Sweeney is a well-known Irish name in Naugatuck
Business. James E. Sweeney established his own insurance company
in 1892.
John M. Sweeney, brother to James, was an
attorney. His offices were located in the Odd Fellows Building on
Maple Street.
Edward J. Sweeney operated as stationery
store on Water Street in 1880. He dealt with picture frames, glazier
materials, stationery, cards, etc. The store moved to Church Street
in 1907. His son, Eugene, carried on the business until the 1960's.
John J. Gorman was a leading builder and
contractor. He also performed the duties of Town Clerk in 1892 and
1893. He was elected Selectman in 1894 and 1895. Gorman Street,
located on the west side of town, carries his name.
William Kennedy, Esq., was admitted to the
bar in 1879. He served Naugatuck in many capacities. He was chairman
of the Democratic Town Committee, he was clerk of the Borough Court,
and, in 1895, he was appointed borough attorney.
Henry McCarthy was the first Treasurer of
the borough of Naugatuck, being elected in 1893. He also ran a business
on Water Street, in which he established, in an "ell"
entirely separated from the store, another business dedicated wholly
to undertaking. This business later relocated to Cedar Street.
Patrick Daly ran a grocery store on Water
Street. With a horse and buggy, he would make daily rounds to the
Irish families on "Kelly Hill." Former Superintendent
of Schools, Raymond Dowling, is his grandson.
Jeremiah Duffy owned a restaurant and boarding
house on Water Street, which was established in the early 1900s.
His grandson carries on the business today.
John J. Linskey owned and operated a grocery
and general store on Spring Street in Union City. He also ran a
livery business on North Main Street. He was appointed Postmaster
of the Union City Post Office.
Wilson F. Clark owned and operated a trucking
business on lower Cherry Street. An ad in the city Directory of
Naugatuck boasts that it was the only moving business equipped to
move pianos. Wilson's grandson, Charles F. Clark, had the distinction
of being the last Warden and the first Mayor of Naugatuck, when
the title of Warden was changed to Mayor, following the Flood of
1955.
Thomas J. Neary was a local businessman
in Naugatuck. He owned and operated a wholesale and liquor business,
located on Water Street. The Thomas J. Neary building on Church
Street was constructed through the efforts of Neary's son, William,
a borough lawyer. Construction began in 1906 and was completed in
1911. It remains a lasting legacy to Thomas J. Neary.
The
Irish in Education
Education did not lack for Irishmen. In
1854, the Naugatuck Board of Education appointed three Irishmen
to the Board: Reverend Father Brady, Reverend Father O'Gorman, and
Reverend Father Fagan.
From 1919 to 1930, Andrew Brennan, John
McDonough, and Henry Freeman were named to the Board. Many of the
teachers found in local schools were Irishmen, such as art teacher
Mary Penrose, and coach and physical education teacher Peter J.
Foley. Foley's son, Raymond, went on to become Naugatuck High School
Principal and Superintendent of Schools. School nurses of Irish
descent included: Elizabeth Neary, Catherine Brooks, and Kathryn
Cronin.
The
Irish in Political, Municipal and Judicial Positions
Political positions held by Irishmen were
many. Borough attorneys included: William Kennedy and Joseph Talbot.
Both of these men also served as State Congressmen. James Patterson
was elected to Congress in 1946. He held the longest term in office
in the 5th District, thirteen years. His term ended in 1959.
There were four original postal clerks appointed
in 1894. Two were Irishmen: Daniel Welch and Matthew Maher. Postmasters
of Irish descent included: W. Ahern, Frank Green, and Edward Hanley.
The Police Department, established in 1893,
boasted many Irishmen. John Kennedy was the second Police Chief,
followed by William "Pip" Morris, Vincent Skelly, John
J. Gorman, and Anthony Malone, to name a few.
Through the years, a long list of Wardens
and Mayors had Irish names. They included: John J. Gorman, Thomas
O'Laughlin, William J. Neary, John J. Carroll, John F. McDonough,
Frank Green, Leo Brophy, Jack Sheridan, George Fellows, and Charles
F. Clark.
Court Judges of Irish descent include the
names of Thomas J. Leary, Martin and Leonard Caine, Joseph Talbot,
and John F. McDonough.
From the day when the first Irish settlers
arrived in Salem Bridge until the present, the Irish continue to
influence the history, growth, and development of Naugatuck.
