The Clark and Woodruff names put Orange seeds on the map...
One of the important business ventures that was part of the Town of Orange in the 19th century was the growing of seeds for the wholesale market. The Clark and Woodruff families each contributed to this industry, not only from their own fields but contracting with local farmers as well.
E.B. Clark Seed Co... Later to become Asgrow
Everett B. Clark
Early in the 1860's a Mr Hodge of Derby sold his seed growing business to two brothers, Enoch and Bryan Clark. By 1864, Bryan's son Everett enlarged the scope of the business and moved the headquarters to Milford. As a family business, it grew and merged with the Frank H. Woodruff Seed Company whose growing fields were along the Boston Post Road where the Westfield Mall is today. Other producers joined, with the group called themselves the Associated Seed Growers and setting up offices in New Haven.
From these very small beginnings, Asgrow emerged as an internationally known grower of seeds and today is a subsidiary of Monsanto.
Early in the 1860's a Mr Hodge of Derby sold his seed growing business to two brothers, Enoch and Bryan Clark. By 1864, Bryan's son Everett enlarged the scope of the business and moved the headquarters to Milford. As a family business, it grew and merged with the Frank H. Woodruff Seed Company whose growing fields were along the Boston Post Road where the Westfield Mall is today. Other producers joined, with the group called themselves the Associated Seed Growers and setting up offices in New Haven.
From these very small beginnings, Asgrow emerged as an internationally known grower of seeds and today is a subsidiary of Monsanto.
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Left: Homestead and seed barns of Everett B. Clark, Orange; Center: Clark seed barn, 374 Grassy Hill Rd.; Right: Asgrow Commercial Grower Division, Milford, in 1956.
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Asgrow dedicated rail car, tractor trailer, and Vigorpak seed products.
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F.H. Woodruff seed display case at The Academy Museum, ad logo, and 'dippers' to scoop seeds from bins.
S.D. Woodruff & Sons
Stiles D. Woodruff
After his return from the Civil War, Stiles bought the Lyman Treat farm and by 1890 his two sons, Frank and Watson were brought into the business. Then known as S.D. Woodruff & Sons, they opened a branch in New York City. The operation was eventually purchased by the Hart Seed Company .
S.D. Woodruff & Sons was well-known for developing seeds for vegetables as well as for lawns, improving the quality and durability of grass for a variety of home and recreational needs.
After his return from the Civil War, Stiles bought the Lyman Treat farm and by 1890 his two sons, Frank and Watson were brought into the business. Then known as S.D. Woodruff & Sons, they opened a branch in New York City. The operation was eventually purchased by the Hart Seed Company .
S.D. Woodruff & Sons was well-known for developing seeds for vegetables as well as for lawns, improving the quality and durability of grass for a variety of home and recreational needs.
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Left: S.D. Woodruff & Sons Tuf Turf advertising card; Middle: Country Gentleman Sweet Corn, introduced in 1890; Right: Letterhead from 1918.
TylerCityStation Collection
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Left: Looking east across Orange Center Rd. in 1927 - area today is a shopping center - the side of the Woodruff warehouse can be seen to the right of the railroad station; Middle: Warehouse, viewed from Orange Center Rd, later also housed post office. Right: Woodruff residence and seed barn on Old Grassy Hill Rd., as seen from Ridge Rd.
