Commemorative biographical record of New Haven county, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, V. I, Pt 3, Part 1

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 988

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Commemorative biographical record of New Haven county, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, V. I, Pt 3 > Part 1

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Gc 974.601 N41 v.1,pt.3 1628682

REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION

ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01068 5037

Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2009 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center

http://www.archive.org/details/commemorativebio 13beer

COMMEMORATIVE

BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

NEW HAVEN COUNTY,

CONNECTICUT,

CONTAINING

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS,

AND OF MANY OF THE EARLY SETTLED FAMILIES. .

ILLUSTRATED.

V.I Pt. 3 CHICAGO: J. H. BEERS & Co. 1902.

1628682

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

78 ₽

ten weeks, and became what was in those days called a husbandman, while it also appears on the records of a petition on a bill in Boston, Mass., that he was a merchant some time in the year 1637. To- gether with Eaton and Davenport and others he came to New Haven in the interests of the Colony, to choose a suitable location for settlement, and Quinnipiack, in what is now the town of North Ha- ven, was selected as the most suitable spot. They built some log houses, and left seven men in charge, to remain over the winter, the remainder of the party returning to Boston. In 1638 this William Tuttle came with his family to what is now New Haven and settled on a lot of land on the square now bounded by Grove, Stare, Elm and Church streets, it being one of eight allotments into which the square was divided; and it was on a part of this purchase that the subject of our sketch was living at the time of his death.

Jonathan Tuttle. son of William, was born, it is supposed, in 1637, and the church records of his birthplace, Charlestown, Mass., show that he was baptized July 8, that year. About 1670 he began a settlement at what is now the town of North Haven. For many years the planters there attended church and buried their dead at New Haven. Jonathan Tuttle built a bridge, known as the "Tuttle bridge," over the Quinnipiack river at North Haven, and by a decree of the court he was allowed to collect two- pence in money for each man and horse crossing the bridge, and threepence in barter, exceptions being made in the cases of deputies going to and from court. He was also permitted to take moderate compensation for refreshments of any kind (except strong drinks) furnished by him to travelers. In February, 1704-05, he consigned to his brother Jo- seph a one-sixth part of three divisions that were left to him by his father in a land grant. Jonathan Tuttle died in 1707. and in the following year his son Simon was appointed administrator of his es- tate.

Simon Tuttle, mentioned in the foregoing, was, according to various North Haven records, born March II, 1671, and his gravestone is the oldest in the North Haven burial ground. He died July 6, 1725, the owner of eighty-four acres in the Blue Hills, near Mt. Carmel, and his estate was valued at £847.

Isaiah Tuttle, son of Simon, was born July 10. 1704, was an ensign in 1737, a deacon of the Con- gregational Church. a justice of the peace, and much employed in settling estates. He lived in New Ha- ven for thirty-five years.

Jonathan Tuttle, son of Isaiah, born May 19. 1728, settled in the southwest corner of the town of Wallingford, near the foot of the Blue Hills. He died May 29, 1793, aged sixty-five years.

David Justus Tuttle, son of Jonathan, and the grandfather of our subject. was born Jan. 27, 1765, in the town of Hamden, New Haven county, in the

vicinity of Mt. Carmel. He married Polly Tuttle, and their son, Jesse, served in the war of 1812.

Julius Tuttle, son of David J., and the father of our subject, was born Dec. 2, 1798, in the town of Wallingford, and died in February, 1888. He built the Tuttle homestead in New Haven, and lived there for years. This home is one of the oldest brick houses on the street. In the forties Julius Tuttle removed to Hamden township, after having suffered the loss of his house on College street, New Haven, by fire. His infant son, Charles F., was in the cradle at the time, and in the fright and hurry was forgotten. Several Yale students entered the burning building and rescued the child. and, taking him to the old North College, cared for him until he was returned to his distracted family.

Charles F. Tuttle (son of Julius), whose name opens this sketch, at an early age entered the John E. Lovell school, and finished his education at the "Gunnery," at Washington, Conn. On completing his studies he entered the grocery store of Howard Ensign, brother of the late Wooster Ensign. Sub- sequently he was clerk for John B. Beecher, an old merchant of Broadway, and later of the Ives-Beech. er Co. of New York. In 1848 the Tuttle business was established in Broadway by William Tuttle (brother of our subject). who died several years ago. Charles F. Tuttle was then clerk. In a few years William Tuttle was succeeded by another brother, Allen, who died in 1861. Allen Tuttle re- tired in 1856, and Charles F. Tuttle became the sole proprietor and continued the business for for- ty-five years.

Mr. Tuttle died of paralysis Sept. 30, 1899, at his residence, No. 122 College street. He was a conservative business man, upright in his dealings and well-liked: contributed much for charity ; but never favored having his name exposed in connec- tion with his giving; and gave largely to Christ Church, where the family attend, and to other insti- tutions. He was kind-hearted, and helped finan- cially many who were experiencing business re- verses. Socially he was a member of the F. & A. MI .. Hiram Lodge, and also of New Haven Com- miandery, Knights Templar. Mr. Tuttle took much pleasure in driving, and made frequent trips to his large farm in Hamden, while nearly every day, for several years, during the summer, he would visit his summer home at Stony Creek, among the Thim- ble Islands, where his family was sojourning. In 1856 Mr. Tuttle, in company with Philip Pinker- man and Jas. King, an aeronaut, ascended in a bal- · loon from New Haven "Green ;" they sailed over the Sound and drifted to a point of land on Governor's Island, one of the Thimble Islands, which Mr. Tut- tle subsequently bought, and which is now in the possession of the family. This was the first balloon seen in New Haven.

In 1857 Mr. Tuttle married Mary C., daughter of Clark Sperry, and they had one child, Charles

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Allen, born Nov. 30, 1858, who, with his mother, is now living at the old home, which is surrounded by Yale College. This land, or allotment, was where Yale College was first founded, and for thirty years was the only land owned by the Yale Association ; in fact it was one of a long series of purchases ex- tending through a period of one hundred years. This land has been in the possession of only five parties since its original purchase from the Indians, William Tuttle being the last before it went into the possession of Yale College.

CHARLES ALLEN TUTTLE, son of Charles F. Tut- tle, was born Nov. 30, 1858, and educated at the Episcopal Academy, Cheshire, Conn .. from which institution he was graduated in 1878. He was a member of the class of 1884 at Yale College. In 1882 he was one of the founders of the New Haven Morning News, and was associated with that paper three years; then was engaged as a general broker in New Haven from 1885 to 1889, after which he was associated with his father in business. He is now retired.

Charles A. Tuttle has been twice married. On April 1, 1888, he wedded Florence I. Graham, of New Haven, who died Jan. 12, 1890. On Oct. 15, 1893, Mr. Tuttle married (second) Juliet Vibbert Gibbons, of Middletown, Conn. Mr. Tuttle has traveled extensively, and is of a literary turn of mind, very popular, and, withal, public-spirited and generous.

ALBERT FORBES, a well-known market gar- dener and dairy farmer of East Haven, was born in that town on the farm where Alexander Richmond now resides, July 15, 1825, and is a son of Samuel Forbes, who was also born in East Haven, in 1790. The grandfather, Samuel Forbes, Sr., was a na- tive of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a sea captain, commanding a vessel running between this coun- try and the West Indies. He married Elizabeth Auger, and was lost at sea when the father of our subject was but eight years old. In his family were three children, the others being Amy and Mary. Throughout life Samuel Forbes, Jr., fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer, and soon after his marriage removed to the farm where our sub- ject was born. He married Betsey Forbes, daugh- ter of Eli Forbes, both of whom were natives of East Haven, and she was third in order of birth in a family of five children, namely: Morris, Isaac, Betsey, Almira, and Sally, who died young. She died in 1873, at the age of eighty-three years, and her husband in 1874, at the age of eiglity- four. They had five children: Albert, our sub- ject; Sarah, wife of Isaac Culver, living near Fair Haven ; Jennette, who died in 1883; Jerome, who died young ; and Jerome (2nd), who died in 1884.

The subject of this sketch attended the com- mon schools of East Haven and Joseph Rodgers' private school on Townsend avenue. He remained with his father upon the home farm until thirty-

two years of age, and in 1854 erected the house which he still occupies. He has successfully en- gaged in market gardening and dairy farming, and in 1849 was owner of the sailing vessel "Friend- ship," which was destroyed by fire at sea while on a voyage to the Sandwich Islands that year.

Mr. Forbes was married, April 8, 1857, to Miss Harriet C. Hemingway, of Fair Haven, who was born in 1832, and they had two children: Eliza- beth A., now the wife of Clifford Street ; and Sarah, who died in 1882, at the age of thirteen years. Politically Mr. Forbes is a Jacksonian Democrat, and has filled the office of selectman in a most creditable and satisfactory manner. Honorable and upright in all his dealings he has met with well-deserved success in life, and can say what few men can, that he has never borrowed a dollar dur- ing his entire life. He is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him for his sterling worth and strict integrity.

JAMES TOOTHE, foreman of the soldering department of the Meriden Britannia factory, is one of the city's best known and higlily esteemed citi- zens. A native of England, he was born Feb. 12, 1842, in the great industrial city of Birmingham, son of Thomas and Jane (Ward) Toothe, the former of whom was a son of James Toothe. also of Birmingham, who in turn was a son of a Thoin- as Toothe, who followed the trade of shoemaker in that city, where he was known as a respected citizen and consistent member of the Church of England.

Thomas Toothe, son of James, was born in 1802, and learned the trade of metal spinner, at which he worked for a number of years. In his native city he married Jane Ward, who was born in Birming- ham, daughter of William Ward, a bricklayer, both of whom died in Birmingham. There were ten children born to Thomas and Jane Toothe, namely: William, who is vice-president of the Nathan Manufacturing Co., of New York, whose daugliter, Jennie Ward Toothe, married Dr. O. J. D. Hughes, consul general at Coburg, Germany ; Charles, who is a metal spinner and resides in Wallingford; James, of this biography; Henry, a traveling salesman, who resides in Brooklyn, N. Y .; Thomas, who died in infancy; Thomas (2), who died in infancy; Mary, who died young; Sophia, who died unmarried; Sarah Maria Eliza- beth, who died at the age of eight years; and Al- fred, who died young. The mother of these chil- dren was a consistent and worthy member of the Church of England, and was ever a devoted wife and loving mother. After her death, in her native city, Mr. Toothe with his sons emigrated to Amer- ica and located in Meriden, Conn., where the re- mainder of his life was passed. Here he died in 1882 after some years of retirement from active life, and his remains repose in West cemetery. He was a devoted member of the Established Church

783

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in his native country, and always attended the Epis- copal Church in Meriden. His simple, gentleman- ly denieanor won the respect of all who knew him. James Toothe, son of Thomas, received his early education in the school conducted by the Bap- tist Church, experience, however, completing his instruction. At the age of fourteen years hie start- ed to learn the Britannia business, and served an apprenticeship of seven years, following which he worked as a journeyman in his native land, .re- ceiving excellent wages as he was competent to do good work. His brothers were already established in America, and in 1871 he came also. spending a short time in New York City, and coming thence to Meriden, where he has resided for the past thirty years. Mr. Toothe has been all this time identi- fied with the Britannia Co., of that city, his effi- ciency being recognized by his appointment, in 1895, as foreman in the soldering department, and for the past seven years he has capably filled a position requiring close and careful attention, com- plete knowledge of details, and considerable ex- ecutive ability.

In 1864 Mr. Toothe was married, at St. Ann's Church, in Birmingham, England, to Lucy Baker, who was born in that city, daughter of William Baker; the latter lived to the advanced age of ninety years, dying in his Birmingham home. MIr. Toothe owns a comfortable home which he built on Linsley avenue, in 1884, and here he and his most estimable wife pass a life of happiness and contentment, the center of a large circle of friends. Both are members of All Saints' Episcopal Church, Meriden. Mr. Toothe has taken part in the political life of the city to some extent, and in 1886 was elected, on the Republican ticket, a member of the city council, from the Third ward, serving most efficiently on the Park and License committees. Fraternally he is connected with Enterprise Lodge, No. 88o, K. of Honor, and has been treasurer of that organization. He is a very pleasant, agreeable gentleman, domestic in his tastes and a lover of his · home. Both he and his wife delight to offer its hospitality, and they number among their personal friends the best people in Meriden.

DANIEL COLWELL. one of the originators of the great social and benefit order of the Roman Catholics, the Knights of Columbus, is a well- known business man and public servant in New Haven, Conn. He was born in North Adams, Mass., July 7, 1848, a son of Bernard and Cath- erine (Reilly) Colwell.

Bernard Colwell was born in County Leitrim, Province of Connaught, Ireland. With a firm belief in the glowing tales of the opportunities offered to young men in the New World, Mr. Colwell determined to make an effort to secure a new home in America. Accordingly he crossed the Atlantic and located at various places, finally moving to Troy, N. Y., and in 1846 moving thence to North

Adams, Mass. In his early life in Ireland he was a weaver, but after coming to this country he worked at the trade of stone mason. When the Civil war threatened to disrupt the Union he promptly shoul- dered his musket, and went forth to battle for liis adopted land, being assigned to the 13th Vt. V. I. Before leaving Ireland Mr. Colwell married Cath- erine Reilly, who passed away in North Adams, in 1865, the mother of six sons and one daughter. Of these children we have the following record : Patrick, born in Ireland, resides in Plymouth, Mass .; Mary A., born in Montreal, Canada, died in Pittsfield, Mass., in 1870; John, born in Mon- treal, died in Pittsfield, Mass., in 1893; Bernard, born in Millerton, N. Y., was killed in battle June 18, 1864; Reilly, born in Schaghticoke, N. Y., served in the 49th Mass. V. I. in the Civil war, and lives in Pittsfield, Mass .; William, born in Schaghticoke, N. Y., resides in Pownal, Vt .; Daniel Colwell is the subject of sketch. Bernard Colwell. the father, died in 1886, highly respected for his many sterling qualities. His family ancestry can be traced back a thousand years in Ireland.

Daniel Colwell received his education in the public schools, and when quite young took up the burden of life for himself by working in a cotton factory. At the age of fourteen he went to Wash- ington Co., N. Y., and there was apprenticed to the boot maker's trade. On July 15, 1865, he came to New Haven and began work at his trade. He prospered from the start, and for years kept a shoe store in Congress avenue.

Mr. Colwell has always been interested in public affairs, and since attaining his majority has taken an active interest in politics. He was elected town constable in 1876, and was continued in of- fice until he resigned seven years later. For years he was court officer of the Superior Criminal Court, and had charge of many noted prisoners, including the Malley boys, Anderson, the mur- derer, and many others. He was one of the or- ganizers of the Sarsfield Guard, and was also iden- tified with. the social order known as the "Red Knights," from which sprang the great Catholic order Knights of Columbus. This last order, now so well known and so strong throughout the coun- try, was organized for the purpose of giving the men of the Church of Rome a social and benefit order like the Masonic fraternity of the Protest- ants. In Mr. Colwell's office was held the first meeting to perfect an organization ; he it was who drafted the articles of incorporation, and he was chairman of the committee that filed the consti- tution and report of the order. He was also chair- man of the committee on Ritual, and prepared the original three degrees, and ceremonies of insti- tution and installation. In 1884 Mr. Colwell was elected general secretary of the order, and has ever since held that position. He is also prominently identified with the Knights of St. Patrick, of which he is at present the efficient president.

784

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

On Dec. 28, 1868, Daniel Colwell was united in marriage with Miss Catherine B. Mullen, daugh- ter of Hugh Mullen, of New Haven, where she was born. Seven children have shed their bright sunshine on this happy home: Edward B., born Oct. 28, 1871 ; Margaret MI., May 14, 1873; Daniel, Jr., in 1875 (died in 1878) ; William, in 1878 (died the same year ) ; Francis A., in 1881 : Catherine J., March 9, 1883 ; and Alice, Aug. 4, 1885.

JAMES C. KENWORTHY, foreman of the shipping department of Manning, Bowman & Co., and fire commissioner of the city of Meriden, was born May 26, 1851, in Tariffville, Conn.

James Kenworthy, his father, was a native of Leeds, Yorkshire, England, where he learned the trade of silversmith, and was engaged in the manu- facture of German silver ware. There he married Elizabeth Worsley, who bore him six children, all of whom are residents of Meriden, namely: Sam- uel; Eda, widow of George Noble; Mary, wife of James Morris Tolles, a police officer ; Annie, wife of William Tyler: Sarah (Sadie) and James C. The last two were born in Connecticut. About 1842 he left his native home, with his wife and four children, crossed the Atlantic on a sailing ves- sel and landed at New York. Proceeding at once to Hartford Co., Conn., he located at Spoonville, in the town of East Granby, and began the produc- tion of German silver forks and spoons. He was the first to introduce figures on these goods in this country, but did not protect his invention by tak- ing out a patent, and was shortly driven out of the business by other manufacturers with large capital. Selling out his business to Charles Parker, of Meriden, about 1857, he took charge of the lat- ter's spoon shop at Yalesville for some years. For a short time he worked in the Parker shop in Meri- den, and then went to the Meriden Silver Plate Co., as a burnisher. His last years were spent in the service of Manning, Bowman & Co., and he continued to work every day up to the time of his death, which occurred in August, 1899; at the age of eighty years. On the morning of the day he died, he rose and prepared for work as usual, but feeling somewhat weak, returned to his bed. where his life passed out before the day was done. His body was interred in Walnut Grove cemetery. His life was modeled by Christian standards, and he was universally respected as an honest man. In political matters he affiliated with the Democratic party. His wife died Dec. 31, 1891, and was buried in Walnut Grove cemetery. She was a member of the M. E. Church, a devoted wife and mother, a good, Christian woman.

James C. Kenworthy was an infant when his parents removed to Meriden, where he attended the district schools. At an early age he began to learn the trade of painter under Capt. Barrio, with whom he spent three years. After working as a journeyman painter at Middletown three years, he

returned to Meriden and entered the factory of the Meriden Silver Plate Co., and became a burn- isher, continuing in this employ five years. His connection with Manning, Bowman & Co. began in 1877, and for two years he was engaged in burnishing. Since that time he has been in the shipping department, holding the position of fore- man during the past twenty-three years. His uni- form courtesy and fair dealing have made him alike popular with employers and employes, and he en- joys the good will and respect of a large circle of acquaintances.

On June 4, 1871, Mr. Kenworthy married, in Meriden, Miss Sophia Williams, who was born in Westfield, Conn., daughter of the late William and Anna ( Hughes) Williams, the former a native of England, the latter of Wales. Mrs. Kenworthy is a sister of Mrs. Hubert Little, elsewhere men- tioned in this work. Only the last of three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kenworthy is living. Will- iam H. died in infancy, and Maude W. in girlhood. Ivy June is a student at the public schools.

The upright and industrious nature of Mr. Kenworthy naturally attracted the attention of his fellow citizens, and he has been called upon to serve in a public capacity. Elected on the Demo- cratic ticket a member of the City Council, from the Fifth ward, he served on the Fire and Street committees. He was appointed a member of the Fire Commission by Mayor Ives and re-appointed by Mayor West, still holding that position. His previous experience had well fitted him for the duties of this responsible station, as he was one of the first members of the Charter Oak Volunteer Fire Company, in which he served upwards of six years. His wife is a member of the Broad Street Baptist Church, with whose faith and work he is in sympathy, and both are esteemed as honest, industrious, useful citizens of the "Silver City."

ROYAL M. BASSETT. The Bassett family, long one of the most prominent and influential in New Haven county, traces its lineage through an unbroken chain, extending through two hundred and fifty years, to John Bassett of England, and its history is indissolubly connected with the story of the virtues and the faults, the trials and the tri- umphs, of the early New England Colonists, as well as with the growth and development of Connecti- cut.

Several generations of Bassets have been born in Derby, with the building up of which city they have been prominently and honorably identi- fied. More than two and one-half centuries have elapsed since Robert Bassett, son of John, sought a home in the New World. The precise date of his immigration cannot be stated, but he is known to have been a resident of New Haven in 1643. He was a shoemaker by trade, and held the now ex- tinct office of "town drummer." From New Haven he removed to Stratford. He reared a family

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Royalall Bassett

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

785

of several children. Full details of his life history are wanting, but he appears to have been a man of profound conviction and pronounced individuality. lle was one of a number of citizens of Stratford and Stamford who caused not a little commotion in their day and generation through their vigorous protest against the denial of the right of suffrage to non-church members; and it is believed that the woman who bore his name and was executed for witchcraft in 1651 was his wife. Robert Bassett (2), son of Robert, the next in the line of Royal M. Bassett's ancestors, was a sergeant in the mi- litia. He was born in Stratford, and lived and died there, passing away August 5, 1720. Samuel Bas- sett, son of Robert (2), was the first of the family to settle in Derby. He went thither in 1716 or 1717, to occupy and cultivate a farm given him by his father, at the foot of Great Hill, which is still known as the "Bassett place." He took a lively interest in military affairs, being commissioned en- sign in 1722, lieutenant in 1732, and captain in 1735. He was held in high regard by his neigh- bors, and for several years filled the office of jus- tice of peace. On Jan. 1, 1719, he married Deborah Bennett, of Newtown. Ebenczer Bassett, son of Samuel and Deborah (Bennett), was born upon the paternal farm, and died May 20, 1760. James Bassett, son of Ebenezer, born Sept. 16, 1757, was the great-grandfather of Royal M. He died Oct. 24. 1848.

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Commemorative biographical record of New Haven county, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, V. I, Pt 3, Part 1

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 988

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 988