Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

every line of endeavor are recorded. In
the mechanical world, perhaps, more than
in any other field of industry, the indi-
vidual is lost in the marvelous aggregate
of achievement. So it is peculiarly ap-
propriate that the name of Albert Seymour
Alden should live between these
covers that future generations may read
of his share in the development of mechanics
in America, and that those who
have known and revered him may have
the mournful satisfaction of seeing his
story grouped with those of other men of
his time.
Albert Seymour Alden was born in the
little town of Stafford, near the northern
boundary of the State of Connecticut, on
December 14, 1837, and died in Plattsburg,
New York, where he was employed
at the time, on May 23, 1907. He was
reared in Stafford, receiving his education
at the public schools of that town
where he obtained a thorough, practical
preparation for the work that lay before
him. At the age of fifteen or sixteen, as
he began to look seriously toward his
future and plan for the work to which he
should devote his life, his mind turned
toward the mechanical world, then just
beginning to feel the wonderful impetus
which has made the United States a
leader in this line of effort. He went to
Chicopee, Massachusetts, where he learned
the trade of machinist. Endowed with
skill of hand and that accuracy of eye
which is akin to the talent of the artist,
he made rapid strides along his chosen
line of work. He was employed by the
Galord Manufacturing Company and the
Ames Manufacturing Company, rising to
the position of superintendent. From
Chicopee he went to Holyoke, Massachu-
setts, in 1877, and entered the employ of
the Holyoke Machine Company, accepting
the position of foreman in one of their
departments. He remained there until
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
343
1883, when his attention was drawn to
the development of the town of Stamford,
Connecticut, as an industrial center. He
entered the employ of the Yale & Towne
Manufacturing Company there, remaining
with them for about two years. Then
he became associated with A. H. Emory,
having charge of some delicate work on
his testing machines. Later he was made
superintendent of the power plant of the
Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company,
and in this responsible position he remained
for nine years. Next he went to
New Bedford, Massachusetts, as superintendent
of the Morse Twist Drill Com-
pany's plant, but after remaining only a
year he became impatient at the idea of
constantly turning the fruits of his toil to
another man's advantage. He saw an op-
portunity to strike out for himself in as-
sociation with a business friend, and in
1896 formed a partnership in the coal business
in New York City, under the name
of Dovale & Alden. The business prospered,
and was continued under the same
arrangement for five years. Then Mr.
Alden returned to Stamford. This was in
1901, but for a time ill health precluded
his return to any active work. Upon his
recovery, still ambitious to work for him-
self, and with the savings of a lifetime of
thrift and faithful labor, he became inter-
ested in the manufacture of a kerosene
engine. With his broad experience be-
hind him, and his natural ingenuity, he
put the best powers at his command into
the development of the idea of utilizing
kerosene, with the great advantages it
possesses, as a fuel for the production of
power. But many theories, much labor
and uncounted wealth have been expended
upon that problem, and the perfected
kerosene is still an achievement of the
future. Stripped of his savings, with the
venture at a disastrous end, he had still
the satisfaction of having contributed his