William Deal

A citizen of Waterbury who has literally been one of her most conscientious builders is Mr. William Deal, who was born in Phillipsburgh, Province of Quebec, December 3, 1833, and who, though a resident of Waterbury since 1850, did not become a naturalized American citizen until 1888. Mr. Deal married Miss Asenath Marshall of Waterbury in 1857. Two children (each married) were born of the marriage, John, a father of six children, living in Waterbury, and Mrs. Tenie (Deal) Roberts of Montpelier. Mr. Deal, either by himself or associated with others, played an important part in the building operations of Waterbury for forty years. He it was who erected such buildings as the Waterbury Inn in 1864 to replace the old Washington House destroyed by fire October 8, 1858. Mr. Deal was well acquainted with and a hunting companion of John (Ossawatomie) Brown of Harper's Ferry fame, and his two lieutenants, Samuel and Frank Thompson, when the four lived out and hunted near North Elba, Clinton County, New York. Mr. Deal expresses gratification at the movement now afoot to mark the Brown graves properly in the obscure burial place at North Elba after fifty-five years of neglect.