The Naugatuck Valley had many of its citizens serve during the Civil War. Included among these are the following:

HENRY R.  RIDER, AN ENLISTING OFFICER FROM SEYMOUR

   Henry R. Rider of Seymour was the enlisting officer and provost marshal in Seymour during the Civil War. He was responsible for the enlistment of volunteers and for the meeting of the town quota of soldiers. Although he did not actively serve in the war, his role as enlisting officer entitles him to some mention.
    Rider was born in Danbury in 1832, son of Ralph and Harriet (Chapman) Rider. He was a descendant of Captain Phineas Chapman, who served in the Revolutionary War. His father was a carpenter by trade, who died when Henry was nine years of age. At the age of eleven he left Danbury and went to Redding, where he attended the public schools and Watertown Academy. He started out for himself at the age of 19, his first employment being as a clerk and bookkeeper for a real estate dealer and livery proprietor at Seymour. He was industrious and thrifty, and within four years he was able to buy the livery business from his former employer.
    Rider became a prominent Seymour businessman, a member of the Board of Trade, and dealt extensively in real estate in town.
    He was a Congregationalist and a Republican. He served as constable, tax collector, and town treasurer, and on the Board of Relief. He was a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M. of Seymour and of Solomon Chapter, R.A.M. of Derby.
    He married Miss Sophia J. Carter. In 1900, Mr. and Mrs. Rider moved to Ansonia. He retained much of his land holdings, especially in the Castle Rock Stock Farm.