Andrew Brennan

Brennan Street
By Sandra Clark

Brennan Street, located in the Union City section of Naugatuck, begins at Bridge Street, directly across from the Big Y Supermarket. It travels past Hop Brook School and winds its way uphill to end at Spring Street. On an 1882 map of Naugatuck the lower end of the street was called Coal Street. The Union City Coal Company, owned and operated by Andrew Brennan stood on the site of the present Supermarket.

Andrew Brennan was born in County Kildare, Ireland on December 15th, 1833; his parents were William and Mary (Lockey) Brennan. He came to the United States in 1854 and settled in Stanhope, New Jersey. There he worked for the railroad, he later moved to Hamden, Connecticut, and served an apprenticeship as an iron molder. In 1857 he moved to Naugatuck and settled in Union City. He became a journeyman at the Naugatuck Malleable Iron Company and worked there for twenty years. During this time he married Elizabeth Martin of Naugatuck and raised a large family in a home designed by a New York architect. This home was built exclusively for Mr. Brennan and is probably remembered by some as the home of “Log” Laguna, owner of “Log’s Bar and Grill.” Today it houses the “Cracker Barrel” of food and variety store.

In 1880 Mr. Brennan organized the Union City Coal Company with the partnership of local businessmen who then became trustees of the Company. In 1886 Mr. Brennan began buying out the interests of his partners and in 1888 he became the sole proprietor. Andrew actively participated in the civic life of the community. He gave his political support to the Democratic Party and served on the Board of Mayor and Burgesses. He also served on the Board of Education and was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

The Coal Company prospered and its location along the line of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad was an advantage. By 1895 the railroad tracks offered excellent facilities for unloading directly from the railroad cars. At this time there was a demand for all kinds of coal and most of the trade was done by the Union City Coal Company.

In 1902 Mr. Brennan admitted his sons, Andrew C. and Frank, into partnership, he retired from the business when his sons took over and continued to run the company successfully. Mr. Brennan died in 1908.

Andrew C. Brennan was born in Naugatuck and attended local schools, he received his initial business training from his father. He was married to Nellie Mooney of New Haven in 1889. They had five children. Prior to joining his father’s business Andrew C. Brennan ran a bottling business in Union City.

Frank Brennan married Elizabeth Conran on June 4th, 1902, the same year he came into partnership with his father and brother. Frank and Elizabeth had six children. Frank ran the coal business successfully for many years, his son Carlton was the last director of this old family owned company. The company remained active for more than seventy years; the business was dissolved in 1951.

Thank you to Betty Yannarella, great grand daughter of Andrew Brennan for assisting in the writing of this article.

Source
Naugatuck Historical Society Newsletter
Volume 12, Issue 1
January-February 2007