| Benjamin Douglas,
manufacturer, a grandson of Colonel William
Douglas, born in Northford, Connecticut, 3 April 1816, worked on a
farm and attended school till he was sixteen years old, when he became
apprentice to his elder brother, William. a machinist, at Middletown,
Conn. They formed a partnership in 1839, and in 1842 patented a revolving
cistern stand pump. Since that time over one hundred new patents on pumps
have been granted to the brothers in this country and Europe.
William Douglas died in 1858, and in 1859
a company was formed of which Benjamin became president. The company
manufactures over twelve hundred styles of pumps, besides other hydraulic
apparatus. They were awarded medals at Paris in 1867 and Vienna in
1873.
Mr. Douglas was mayor of Middletown for
several years, a republican presidential elector in 1860, and lieutenant
governor of the state in 1861'2. He has been a trustee of Wesleyan
University since 1862.
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