USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > A History of the Old Town of Stratford and the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Part II > Part 21
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Mr Stevenson
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Ways and Means; he was reelected Alderman in 1877 and acted as chairman of the same committees. In the same year he was nominated for Representative to the Legislature on the democratic ticket, but was defeated by P. T. Barnum, republican. In 1878 he was again reelected Alderman and chairman of the Finance and Ways and Means Committees. In this year, having passed the required examination, he was admitted a member of the Fairfield county bar. In 1881 he was nominated by the democratic party for Mayor of the city, but was defeated. In 1884 he was President of the Young Men's Democratic Cleveland and Hendricks Club, and took an active part in the campaign. Colonel Stevenson was appointed Aid-de-Camp, with rank of Captain, on the staff of Brigadier-General S. R. Smith, of Connecticut National Guard in 1879. He served as Captain till 1884, when he was promoted to be Brigade Commissary with the rank of Major, on the staff of General Smith. In 1884 he was appointed Aid-de-Camp, with rank of Colonel, on the staff of Governor Thomas M. Waller.
Colonel Stevenson is an active and prominent member of several societies. He was the third President of the old Eclectic Club of Bridgeport, for ten years one of the most successful and popular social institutions in the city, and was its last President at the time that it wound up its affairs, paying every debt and declaring a dividend to members. In 1884, after serving in all the lower offices, he was elected Grand Master (of the Grand Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows) of the State of Connecticut. In 1885 he was elected by the Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Connecticut, as Repre- sentative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge. In 1886 he was appointed General Aid with the rank of Colonel on the staff of Lieutenant-General Underwood of the Military Branch, " Patriarchs Militant," of the Order of Odd Fellows. He is also a member of the Masonic Order, having joined St. John's Lodge, F. and A. M., of this city.
In 1885 Colonel Stevenson was elected President of the Association of "American Railroad Superintendents," and in 1885 was elected a member of the "Old Guard" of New York City. In 1885 he was chosen " Exalted Ruler" of the Bridgeport Lodge of the Order of Elks. Beside this, he is a
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Director in the Railway Telegraph Company, also Director in the New York and New England Railroad Company, and in the Bridgeport Board of Trade. He was appointed at the last meeting of the Order in Boston-1886-Grand Marshal of the Sovereign Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F., of the United States.
Colonel Stevenson resides on Golden Hill in the brick block recently erected on the site of the residence of the late Wm. J. Shelton. He has been connected with St. John's Episcopal Church, and a member of its vestry for many years and has been active in its affairs.
Rev. Thomas J. Synnott was born in the county of Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1818. After the ordinary preliminary education, he entered Carlow College, a well known institu- tion of Ireland, and there studied for nine years completing his theological course. As a student he was noted for the thoroughness with which he mastered his subject, and always stood high in his class, among whose members was the dis- tinguished prelate, Most Rev. Archbishop, Ryan, who at present so ably governs the Archepiscopal See of Philadel- phia, Penn., and between whom and Father Synnott a warm friendship sprang up which lasted through life.
He came to the United States, arriving in Philadelphia in the year 1850. Soon after this he was received into the diocese of Hartford which at that time included what are now the dioceses of Hartford and Providence, and in 1851 was elevated to the priesthood by the Right Rev. Doctor O'Reilly, Bishop of Hartford.
Immediately after his ordination he was attached to St. Patrick's Church, Providence, as assistant to Rev. Father Wiley, whom, after about one year, he succeeded as Rector. .
St. Patrick's parish did not long enjoy his rectorship. Bishop O'Reilly recognized in the young and zealous priest qualities that eminently fitted him for the building up of an- other portion of his diocese, and in the month of August, 1852, he was transferred to Bridgeport, succeeding Rev. Father Lynch as pastor of St. James' Church, which at that time was the only Catholic church in this vicinity. It was a brick structure situated at the corner of Washington avenue and Arch street. The number of parishioners at that time was
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about 500. His new. field of labor was a place that required hard work, and much tact, in the exercise of authority, and the reverend gentleman fulfilled the duties of his position to the entire satisfaction of his superiors.
There are some yet living who remember the noble and commanding presence of the young priest who then came to dwell among them, and who lately, after over thirty years of service, beheld him laid to rest within the shadow of the noble edifice reared by his untiring zeal and energy.
Not only the Catholics of Bridgeport, but also those of the surrounding country looked to him for religious instruc- tion, and the administration of the Sacraments. East Bridge- port, Fairfield, Stratford, Stepney, and other towns enjoyed the fruits of his labors, and he was often obliged to travel long distances on errands of mercy. Within a short time after his arrival he found it necessary to enlarge St. James' Church to accommodate his growing flock, and also establish a mission church in East Bridgeport, where he erected the building known as St. Mary's, situated at the junction of Crescent avenue and Church street, and now used as an academy by the Sisters of Mercy.
All this was accomplished within three years. About the year 1855 St. Mary's became an independent parish.
Father Synnott then turned his attention to the building of a mission church in the town of Fairfield, and, in a short time St. Thomas' was completed. Thus, with rapid strides did his energy push forward.
St. James' Church, although enlarged, had now become inadequate for the wants of the parish and the reverend gen- tleman directed his efforts to the erection of a suitable edifice, and the result of his labors is the beautiful church of St. Augustine which now adorns the city, situated on Washing- ton avenue. The corner stone of the church was laid August 28th, 1866, and was dedicated by Right. Rev. Bishop McFar- land in June, 1868.
His next work was the erection of the magnificent struc- ture now known as St. Agnes' Convent and situated at the rear of the church, which for style of architecture and beauty of finish is unexcelled by any building of its kind in the country.
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Although not entirely finished at the time of his death, the work was completed in a most thorough manner by his worthy successor, the Rev. M. F. Kelly, and opened as a school under the charge of the Sisters of Mercy December 21st, 1884.
When prostrated by his last illness he was engaged in laying out a tract of land, some forty acres in extent, situated in the northern part of the city, which he had donated to the church corporation, and which in time will prove a valuable acquisition to the parish.
One of the latest acts of his life was the purchase of the Billings homestead, now the pastoral residence. He always claimed that the property would not be complete without it, and it had long been his desire to secure it.
Now that he is gone, his judgment is manifest, for, he has left a church property which, for worth, beauty and excellence of location is unsurpassed by any in the country.
A more universally respected and dearly beloved pastor is seldom found. He had the faculty of attracting to him everybody with whom he came in contact, being possessed of abundant personal magnetism, whereby, as well as by his deeds of charity and sympathy, he endeared himself to many outside his congregation.
On March 17th, 1884, a short time previous to his death, he was presented by his parishioners, in token of their esteem, with a beautiful gold chalice, accompanied by a handsomely engrossed set of resolutions.
As a citizen, he was upright, honest, and sincere; as a priest, he was a firm upholder of the doctrines of the church and always solicitous for the spiritual welfare of his flock. The cause of education found in him an earnest champion. He was a member of the Board of Education for several years, and during that time not only maintained kindly rela- tions with his colleagues, but endeared himself alike to teach- ers and pupils.
To meet him socially was a pleasure. A keen observer of human character, a gentleman well informed on the leading topics of the day, possessing a correct knowledge of the affairs of his adopted country, and with a mind enriched by extensive travels abroad, his conversation was a source of
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entertainment and instruction, to all those who enjoyed his acquaintance. He was also a wise counselor, and his advice was frequently sought on matters of importance, and always cheerfully given.
In April, 1883, Father Synnott was taken with a very severe attack of pneumonia, from which he never fully recov- ered. In April of the following year, he was again taken sick, this time with chronic diarrhoea, which resulted in his death on Wednesday, April 30th, 1884, aged 66 years. His remains, dressed in priestly robe, and enclosed in an elegant casket, reposed on a catafalque in the church at the head of the main aisle. There, surrounded by beautiful floral offer- ings, with the chalice lately presented to him, clasped in his hands, lay the body of the dead priest. During the day and night the church was visited by thousands who called to pay their last sad respects to one whom they loved and esteemed.
The funeral service took place on Saturday, May 3d. At ten o'clock the church doors were opened, and the vast edifice was soon filled. Many persons of note were present, includ- ing clergymen of other denominations. The Board of Educa- tion attended in a body. At the conclusion of the Mass, the Rev. Augustine F. Hewit, C. S. P., of New York, ascended the pulpit and delivered the eulogy, in which he paid an eloquent tribute to the memory of his departed friend, whom he had known since he came to Bridgeport; he spoke of his exemplary public life, of his stainless character both as a priest and citizen, and of the great work he had done for the cause of Catholicity and education,-work that will probably stand till the end of time. He said : " When we look around us and see the great work he has done, we can say it is enough for one man, his church will be his monument, with his record engraven on marble or stone, it will stand while generation after generation passes away, and will be handed down to the latest posterity."
In compliance with a wish expressed by the deceased he was buried in the church yard to the right of the main entrance.
This is only a brief outline of the life and labors of the Rev. Father Synnott, but doubtless in years to come a more com-
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plete history of the Catholic Church will be written, when justice will be done to the memory of one who has done more than any other man to promote the cause of Catholicity in this part of the country.
Curtis Thompson, M. A., was born October 30, 1835, in Trumbull, Conn., where his parents, George and Lucy Ann (Curtis) Thompson, resided a short time.
They were both of Stratford birth and the descendants respectively of John and Mirable Thompson, and William and Elizabeth Curtis, and were related through the intermediate ancestors to the Wells, Peck, Blakeman, Booth, Judson, Lewis and other old families.
George was the son of David Thompson and Phebe Wells. David was lost at sea in the Brig William of Bridge- port in 1810. Phebe was a descendant of Thomas Wells, an early governor of Connecticut.
Lucy Ann was the daughter of Truman and Anna (Peck) Curtis.
Curtis Thompson attended the public and private schools of Stratford, and after reaching the age of sixteen worked at mechanical pursuits and taught school while still pursuing his studies with private instructors, and at the Stratford academy. While thus engaged he attended the Debating Society in Stratford, and with Seymour Wells, Abijah Mc- Ewen, Walter Wilcoxson, Oliver Beardslee, Lemuel J. Beardsley and others became an active participant in the debates. There was in the days of his youth at Stratford a library of about 400 volumes of well selected books. John Bruce was for a long time the librarian. To this library for a small fee he had access, and the opportunity was most dili- gently improved for many years.
The school teachers of that generation in Stratford, as he remembers them, were Dr. Lewis, Frederick Sedgwick, Hamilton Burton, Peter P. Curtis, George Judson, Miss Jane Stillson, Oliver Beardslee, Albert Wilcoxson and others, and they will long be remembered for their faithful and intelligent work. Oliver Beardslee was a young man of great worth and promise ; an enthusiastic student and eloquent debater, and of great learning, whose untimely and sudden death cast a great gloom over Stratford.
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Mr. Thompson afterwards became actively engaged in the Bridgeport Debating Society and the Philomathean Society, and studied law, with George W. Warner, Esq., and D. F. Hollister, Esq., and at the Law Institution of Harvard University. He was admitted to the Middlesex county, Mass., bar, December 14th, 1863, and to the Fairfield county, Conn., bar, April 28th, 1864, and to the United States Courts November 21st, 1870.
Dr. J. T. Denison, having been elected Judge of Probate for the Fairfield District in 1864, he appointed Curtis Thomp- son the Clerk of that Court, and for the next four years the clerk did most of the Probate business in the dis- trict. In 1865, 1866 and 1867, he represented the town of Stratford in the General Assembly, serving on the Judiciary Committee in 1865, and as chairman thereof in 1866, and as chairman of the Committee of Incorporation in 1867.
Since August, 1865, he has had an office in Bridgeport, Conn., and practiced law. In 1868, 1869 and 1872, he was Deputy Judge of the City Court of Bridgeport. In 1871 Yale College conferred on him the degree of Master of Arts.
In 1872 he was elected Corporator and Trustee of the Bridgeport Savings Bank, and ever since has held the same positions.
In 1874, 1875 and 1876 he was Councilman and Alderman ; in 1879, 1882 and 1886, City Attorney ; in 1883, Town Attor- ney. He was for many years a director of the old Bridge- port Library. He is member of South Congregational Church and society (committee for many years).
In 1867 he was married to Marie Louise Willcox, daugh- ter of James and Catharine (Barry) Willcox, of New York City. Mr. Willcox was then president of the Willcox and Gibbs Sewing Machine Company. Three surviving children are: James Willcox, Lucy Curtis and Catharine Barry Thompson.
Hon. Russell Tomlinson, son of William and Amy (Curtiss) Tomlinson, was born in Southbury, Conn., April 5, 1807, and died April 23, 1885. His father died when he was twelve years of age and Russell worked for neighboring farmers until he was fifteen, when he went to Amenia, N. Y.,
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where he worked on a farm in the summer and in a black- smith shop during the winter. From that place he went to Salisbury and worked at blacksmithing for two years. About the year 1827 he came to Bridgeport and was employed for a time by his brother, Stephen Tomlinson, in a small carriage shop, for $1.25 a day. Afterwards he was in Columbia, S. C., through one winter as foreman of the blacksmith carriage shop of I. and L. Shuman. Upon returning to Bridgeport he opened a blacksmith shop, where he turned his energies chiefly to the making of carriage springs. This was the beginning of the extensive manufactory which in late years has been known as the Tomlinson Spring and Axle Company.
When he had accumulated $450-quite a sum for a young mechanic in those days-he removed to Derby and began the manufacture of carriages, which he continued three years, when on selling his interests there he found himself in pos- session of $1,450. He then returned to Bridgeport, purchased a steam engine and worked for a year or two making axles and sawing timber, when he bought half of his brother's inter- est in the carriage manufacturing firm of Tomlinson, Wood and Company. Here he continued about fifteen years, during which the business largely increased and established a name all over the country for manufacturing all descriptions of car- riages. From this company he retired, and in the year 1852 organized the Tomlinson Spring and Axle Company, which had a run of great success.
He was elected president of the Naugatuck railroad company in 1860, which office he held until 1867, when he resigned. In 1863 he was elected representative to the Gen- eral Assembly and in 1878 to the State Senate, where he was chairman of the State prison committee. He was director of the First National Bank of Bridgeport, twenty-one years, and vice-president of the People's Savings Bank from 1879 until his decease, and president of the Mountain Grove Cem- etery several years. He was also agent for the Golden Hill Indians twenty-four years, or from 1861 until his death. He has at different times filled nearly all the offices in the town and city government of Bridgeport. He was a thoroughly self-made man and owed his success in life to his sagacity and
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energy. His character was intensely practical and his tem- perament calm and genial. Few men relished better a good story, or took more quiet pleasure in cheerful, social conver- sation. In politics he was first a Whig, then a very decided and earnest Republican.
He continued active in business to the close of life; and his ability, integrity and popularity placed him in the first rank of the successful manufacturers and valued citizens of New England.
Mr. Tomlinson married Feb. 10, 1831, Martha M., daughter of Capt. Lent M. Hitchcock, who died June 26, 1881. He mar- ried, second, Miss Mahalah Bell, in 1882, who still survives him.
He had three children : Mrs. William D. Bishop, of this city, Munson H. Tomlinson, deceased, and Stephen Tomlin- son, also of this city. The sons were associated with their father in the Tomlinson Spring and Axle Company.
Hon. Amos Sherman Treat, son of Daniel A. and Almira (Sherman) Treat, was born in Bridgewater, Conn., February 5, 1816, being a lineal descendant of Richard Treat, one of the patentees in the Colonial charter, and of his son, Robert Treat, who was Governor of Connecticut. On the maternal side he was descended from Henry Shearman of England, who was born about 1490, and whose grandson Edmund came to America and was the father of Mr. Samuel Sherman, one of the first settlers at Stratford, Conn.
Gov. Robert Treat was one of the patentees of the town- ship of New Milford, and his right of land there descended to his grandson, Joseph Treat, Jr., who gave the inheritance to his sons, John and Gideon, who settled upon it. Amos S. Treat was the grandson of this Gideon, and was raised on the old homestead of his grandfather. He prepared for college at Hudson, Ohio, and entered Yale College. Afterward he taught school in South Carolina, and then in New Jersey. He studied law with Hon. Jacob W. Miller of Norristown, N. J., and with C. R. Butler of Plymouth, Conn., and was admitted to the Litchfield county bar in 1843. He followed his profession ten years in Newtown, Conn., where he was a member of the Board of Education and took an active part in town affairs, being postmaster one year and Judge of Probate
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two years, and then, in July, 1854, he came to Bridgeport, where he resided, with the exception of the time from May, 1871, to November, 1874, when he lived in Woodbridge, Conn. He was clerk of the Fairfield county court from 1854 to 1859; member of the Peace Congress of 1861 ; represented Bridge- port in the Legislature in 1858, 1862, 1869 and 1879, and Woodbridge in the same body in 1871, 1872 and 1873. He was Speaker of the House in 1872, chosen to that position by the republican party, of which he was a member from its organization. At the close of this session the House presented him with a valuable watch and chain as a token of their high appreciation of the courteous, proper and impartial manner in which he discharged the duties of Speaker.
In the Masonic fraternity Mr. Treat had taken a promi- nent position. He was made a Mason in 1855, and had held nearly all the offices of the order, including master. He also held nearly all the offices in Hamilton Commandery, in which he was created a Knight in 1858, and has been its Eminent Commander. He was Grand Commander of the State in 1868 and 1869. He was a thirty-third degree Mason, which is the highest rank in the order, and took an active part in Masonic matters to the last. Until his decease Mr. Treat was actively engaged in his profession, his later associate being Mr. Charles Sherwood of Bridgeport. He was president of the Bridgeport Gas Light Company, treasurer of the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company, president of the Compressed Paper Box Company, a director in the "Standard Association" since its organization, and a stockholder in several other in- dustrial concerns. He possessed considerable wealth, and with his family took every opportunity for social enjoyment.
Mr. Treat was a man of fine judicial mind ; was an able lawyer and counselor, and his advice was widely sought. He was a republican and an astute politician, with views which were far-reaching and nearly always based upon sound prem- ises. He was a strong and persistent opponent and a firm and reliable friend, and although shunning everything like ostentatious charity, he did many good works. He assisted many young business men at a time when their need was great and their friends few. He was a member of the North
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Congregational Society and a regular attendant for many years at that church.
He married Miss Mary Clark, daughter of Treat Clark, of Woodbridge, Conn., December 15, 1869, who survives him with a daughter, Mary Clark Treat. He died April 24, 1886.
Colonel Thomas Lansdell Watson was born at Bridgeport, Conn., December 13th, 1847. His father was William Lansdell Watson, M.D., a graduate of the University of Baltimore, Md. His mother was Jeannette Nichols of Bridgeport, descended from the Nicholses of Greenfield Hill. Thomas L. Watson was educated at Bridgeport and at the Military Institute at New Milford, with a view to West Point, which, owing to a temporary incapacity, was given up. His business career began as a clerk in the Far- mer's Bank of Bridgeport; from there he went to the City National Bank, and left this to become a partner in the pri- vate banking and brokerage business with the late Daniel Hatch. The firm began Nov. Ist, 1866, as Hatch and Watson, and has been continued since the death of Mr. Hatch by Col. Watson as T. L. Watson & Co. Col. Watson extended his business to New York City in 1879 and became head of the firm of Watson & Gibson, which firm is in successful opera- tion. Col. Watson has held positions of responsibility and trust both in Bridgeport and New York. He was treasurer of the Building Fund of the new St. John's Church, and for many years has been a member of the vestry of that church. He has been a director in the City National Bank, Auditor of the City Savings Bank and treasurer of the Board of Trade. Since the completion of the Boston and New York Air Line Railroad he has been a director and secretary of that road. He is also a director of the American Loan and Trust Com- pany of New York City.
Col. Watson has for several years been a director in the Consolidated Stock and Petroleum Exchange of New York, and its predecessors, Chairman of its Finance Committee, and one of its Vice Presidents. Since Jan. 1885, he has been President of the Fairfield County Agricultural Society. He
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is President of a Gas Company, and a Water Company, in Illinois, and of a Gas Co. in New York. He accepted the position of Paymaster on the staff of R. B. Fairchild, Colonel of the 4th Reg. Conn. National Guard, and was commissioned Lieutenant in that position, May 28th, 1877. He was pro- moted Aid-de-Camp to Gen. S. R. Smith, commanding the C. N. G., and commissioned Captain, July 6, 1878. He was promoted to be Brigade Quartermaster with rank of Major, Jan. 30th, 1879, and elected Colonel of the 4th Regiment, C. N. G., which commission bears date April 23d, 1884. He is senior Colonel in the Connecticut National Guard, and was specially active in securing the present fine armory accom- modations in Bridgeport. Col. Watson was tendered the position of Adjutant General of Connecticut by Governor Lounsbury, but declined the honor, preferring his earnest work of maintaining the high standard of excellence in his regiment. In politics he is a republican and has declined nominations to public office on several occasions. He is a member of the Union League and other leading New York Clubs. He lives in his handsome residence at Black Rock, and although having business connections in New York, is thor- oughly identified with Connecticut interests.
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