Henry White built the house at 33 Pleasant St.

Henry White built the house at 33 Pleasant Street in Middletown, which faces South Green, around 1870. White was in the coal business. As described in The Leading Business Men of Middeltown, Portland, Durham and Middlefield (1890):

The [coal] business now conducted by Mr. Levi S. Deming was founded many years ago by Mr. H. S. White, who was succeeded about 1860 by Messrs. White & Loveland, who gave place to Messrs. Loveland & Deming in 1871. In 1878 the firm-name became White & Deming, and in 1887 the present proprietor [Deming] (who is a native of Newington, Conn.) assumed sole control.

White was also a president of the Victor Sewing Machine Company (See Below), which was in business from 1864 to 1883. In 1895, Orrin E. Stoddard purchased the house from the heirs of Henry White. Stoddard was a partner with George Thomas Meech (they had served in the Civil War together) in a grocery business, Meech & Stoddard. According to the Encyclopedia of Connecticut Biography (c. 1917), “Besides dealing in grain, the establishment has long conducted a milling business and does both wholesale and retail trades throughout the New England territory and in other sections.” In 1927, the house was acquired by the Masons and is now home to St. John’s Lodge No. 2. The Masons added a large addition to the rear of the house.

Victor Sewing Machine Co:
Working Dates: 1864-83. Incorporated 1864. Decertified 1905. George M. Pratt was issued patent #202,866 on Mar. 23, 1878 for a improved micrometer, assigned to the Victor Sewing Machine Company. The patented feature was the ability to adjust the anvil. The patent rights were later sold to Brown & Sharpe, Providence, RI. The factory was located on Hamblin and Williams Streets. Just west of the W & B Douglas Pump works. This company succeeded Finkle & Lyon Mfg. Co. Map N.

Officers in 1874: Frank D. Sloat, President, H. S. White, Vice-President, L. D. Blake, Secretary, Geo. M. Pratt, Superintendent.

Information From: Tool Makers of Middletown, Connecticut

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