A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II, Part 11

Author: Hill, Everett Gleason, 1867- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 986

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 11

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It was during the infancy of William Russell Gilbert that his parents removed to New York city, where he practically acquired his education. He began to learn his trade with his father and in 1869 took up his abode in Wallingford, where he entered the employ of the Simpson, Hall & Miller Company, with whom he continued for twenty-two years or until 1891. In the meantime he had become interested in newspaper work, having in the early '70s as- sumed the position of correspondent of the Sunday Union, representing its interests in Wallingford. He still continued to work in the shop, doing his newspaper work evenings. lu 1890 he entered into business relations with the Journal of Meriden, at which time that paper was in its infancy. In 1891 the circulation had so increased that he was offered in- ducoments to give up work at the factory and devote his entire attention to building up the circulation, the advertising and the job printing departments. He accepted the offer which

AND EASTERN NEW HAVEN COUNTY

was made him and continued in active connection with the Journal up to the time of his deatti, being business manager for the paper at Wallingford and by his enterprise and ability contributing much to its growth and success.

On the 20th of September. 1877, at the home of the bride at 335 North Main street in Wallingford, Mr. Gilbert was married to Miss Minnie E. Loomis, a daughter of Milton and Mary (Beaumont) Loomis. Her grandfather, Elijah Beaumont. was one of the early settlers of Wallingford and became one of the first school masters and surveyors. Mrs. Gilbert's present home is a part of the old Beaumont homestead, established by her great-grandfather, Deodate Beaumont, who kept a tavern at the present corner of Main and Christian streets. The Beaumonts are descended from one of two brothers who came from England about the time that the Mayflower erossed the Atlantic. The family were of the English nobility and Mrs. Gilbert has the Beaumont coat of arms and is in possession of many articles which have been handed down from early periods and are now cherished heirlooms. To Mr. and Mrs. Gil- bert were born three children: Leonard Russell, of New Haven; Grace S., at home, a public school teacher of Wallingford: and Clarence Beaumont, also of Wallingford.

In his political views Mr. Gilbert was a democrat, giving stalwart allegiance to the party but never desiring nor seeking office. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias and was a loyal adherent of those different organiza- tions. He possessed many sterling traits of character which won him high regard and he had a circle of friends in Wallingford almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.

CHARLES LLEWELLYN CHAPLAIN.

For many years New Haven numbered Charles Llewellyn Chaplain among its well known and worthy citizens. Ile was a native of Maryland, born at Cambridge, on the eastern shore, in 1816, and was a son of James and Elizabeth (Davis) Chaplain. In his native state Charles L. Chaplain pursued his education and, coming to New Haven, he entered the Yale Law School, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1838. He then returned home and remained for a short period in Maryland, engaging in law practice in Baltimore, but on the expiration of that time he again came to New Haven, where he ever afterward resided. He did not continue in the practice of his profession, however, but turned his attention to a business life instead and became engaged in manufacturing in Newark, New Jersey, where he carried on business for some years, although he still resided in New Haven and when necessary made trips to Newark to look after his interests there. After retiring from busi- ness he spent his remaining days in a quiet manner but took the utmost interest in New Haven and its welfare.

Mr. Chaplain was married in New Haven in 1842 to Frances Edwards Whitney. who was born in this eity November 23, 1817, a daughter of Eli and Henrietta Frances (Edwards) Whitney and a granddaughter of Hon. Pierpont Edwards, who graduated from Princeton Col- lege in 1768, was a soklier of the Revolutionary war, a member of the Continental Congress and a judge of the United States court of Connecticut. Eli Whitney, the father of Mrs. Chaplain, was the celebrated inventor of the cotton gin. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Chaplain : Henrietta Whitney, deceased; William Richard Thomas, who died in New York in 1912; Franees Edwards and Elizabeth Stoddard, both of whom reside in New Haven; Alice Llewellyn, who died in infancy; and Charles Francis, who died at the age of thirty-six years. Mrs. Chaplain passed away at her home in New Haven, May 5, 1859, and was laid to rest in the Whitney lot in the Grove street cemetery. The death of Mr. Chaplain occurred February 7. 1892. His home for many years was on Elm street in the old Eli Whitney homestead, which he occupied until 1861. but for many years before his death his residence was on Church street.

In the death of Mr. Chaplain. New Haven lost a valued and representative citizen. Quiet and unassuming in manner. he was devoted to the city of his adoption, its people and its institutions, and was most publie spirited in every way, being always ready and willing to lend his aid to any worthy cause. He was the prime mover in forming a committee to collect tunds for the erection of a monument to Mayor Skinner, of New Haven, and took a deep interest in that work, doing everything in his power to make it a success. He was noted for

A MODERN HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN

his sterling character, his devotion to his home and his family and other admirable traits. In politics he was a stanch democrat and a firm believer in the principles advocated by Thomas Jefferson Unt was opposed to the stand taken by the southern states during the Civil war and was one of the committee sent to Virginia to oppose secession.

At the time of his death a New Haven newspaper spoke of him as follows: "One rarely meets a more gentlemanly or courteous person than was Mr. Chaplain. He had all that grace and politeness which characterize gentlemen born and bred in the south, for whose customs and institutions he always retained a hearty sympathy and partiality, and during the war of the rebellion he was rather pronounced in his remarks on the conduct of the war, but personally he was a most genial and companionalle man, sensitively careful of the feelings of others. He had an extensive acquaintance among the prominent politicians and business men of the country and formerly made frequent trips to Washington. He several times was strongly talked of as a candidate for congress from this district. He was a gifted conver: sationalist and always had an ample fund of anecdotes and was always ready to entertain his friends with reminiscences of publie men, many of which were exceedingly interesting and admirably told. He was keen-witted and in discussion most ably carried his point. Ile was an extensive reader and possessed a wonderful fund of general information. He had a philosophy of his own and although some of his friends did not always agree with his belief they respected him for his faith in his own ideas. For many years his tall, slender and graceful figure was one of the most familiar features of our streets and he was always ready for a pleasant ehat with his friends. He hesitated a little in his speech at times while seleeting the most fitting phraseology but usually his thoughts came much faster than he could express them."

JULIUS TWINSS.

Julius Twiss, well known in financial circles in New Haven, where he was for twenty- two years secretary and treasurer of the National Savings Bank, has been prominently identi- tied with financial and professional interests in this city for many years, being now comp. troller and a trustee of that institution. He is a representative of one of Connectieut's old colonial families, which originated in England and traees the aneestral line back to a very remote period. The name has been variously spelled as Twiss, Twisse and Twist. The family possesses a coat of arms which has been described as: gules, a chevron between three bucks trippant, or; crest, a demi-griffin proper. The Twiss family of Kerry is descended from Richard Twiss, who settled in Ireland in the reign of Charles I and became a magis- trate of County Kerry.

In tracing the ancestral line on this side the Atlantie it is found that Thomas Twiss settled in Conneetient about the same time that Peter Twiss took up his abode in Marble- head, Massachusetts, where he was married on the 26th of October, 1680, to Anna Kellum. Peter Twiss was doubtless the progenitor of the family as represented in Beverly, Marble- head and elsewhere in Essex county, Massachusetts, and at Auburn and in other towns of New Hampshire. Both Peter and Thomas Twiss are thought to be descended from Dr. William Twiss, who lived in England from 1575 until 1640, according to the Biographical Dietionary, Vol. 30, published by Dr. Chalmers. His father was a snecessful elothier at New- bury in County Berks, England, and his grandfather was, according to Woods "Oxeniesis," of German nativity. The pioneer of the family in Connecticut was Thomas Twiss, who was born about 1675 and departed this life in 1750. He was believed to have been the grandson of one of three brothers, Daniel, Nathan and Robert Twiss, who came from England and settled at Salem, Marblehead or at Boston between 1650 and 1660. Thomas Twiss on be- eoming a resident of Connecticut remained for a time in Farmington. On the 2d of Decem- ber, 1702, he wedded Abigail Howe, a daughter of Nathaniel Howe, of Wallingford. Their children were: Benjamin Daniel, who was born in 1705; Abigail, born in June, 1707; Cath erine, June 14, 1709; Thomas, July 1, 1712; Mehitabel, January 4, 1714; John, August 15, 1716; and Josepb, born April 1, 1718. As far as is known all were born in Cheshire. Ben- jamin Twiss, a representative of the Connecticut branch of the family in the second genera - tion, a son of Thomas and Abigail (Howe) Twiss, was born about 1703 and died in Walling-

Julio diviso - In his eightieth year

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ford, Connecticut, in April, 1743. His second wife, Ruth Kern, whom he wedded in 1728, bore him one son, Joseph.

Joseph Twiss, of the third generation, was in the direct line of the ancestors of Julius Twiss, whose father was Russell Twiss. Russell Twiss learned the trade of clock maker in Connecticut. He afterward went to Canada to promote the manufacture of American clocks there. He bought the parts from American manufacturers and assembled them in Canada, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring at La Guerre in 1851. He married Permelia Preston, who was born in Meriden, Connecticut, and died in New Haven in 1880. They became the parents of six children, of whom three are still living, Gustave, Julius and Nelson.

Julius Twiss was born in Joliette, in the province of Quebec, Canada, April 18, 1838, and while there spending his boyhood and youth attended school until he reached the age of sixteen years. After his father's death he accompanied his mother to Meriden, Connecticut, and was first employed as a clerk in the postoffice, of which his uncle, Hiram Hall, was postmaster. He was not in good health during his boyhood days but he persevered in his efforts to obtain an education and succeeded in spite of many handicaps. He was especially well versed in history, in religious works and in the best English fiction. He prepared for college at the Hopkins grammar school in New Haven and afterward entered Yale, from which he won liis Bachelor of Arts degree upon graduation with the class of 1863. He then con- tinued his studies in the Yale Law School and received the LL. B. degree in 1865. In Sep- tember of that year he opened an office on Church street in New Haven, where he continued in general practice with gratifying success for almost thirty years, or until 1894. In the meantime he had become an active factor in public affairs. In 1886 he was elected to the common council of the city of New Haven and served as a member of that body for eight years. From 1869 until 1872 he was clerk of the city court and in the latter year was ap- pointed a member of the first tax commission that ever officiated in New Haven. He be- came a candidate for the 'office of probate judge but ran when the party was in the min- ority. From June, 1872, until February, 1882, there were brought before him as justice of the peace eighteen hundred and thirty civil suits. He declined to serve longer as justice although his fellow townsmen would have continued him in that position, for his decisions were strictly fair and impartial and he "won golden opinions from all sorts of people." His political views were independent with sympathies leaning toward the republican party. He did not ally himself with either party but cast his ballot according to the dictates of his judgment. From 1866 until 1869 he was an active member of the New Haven Grays and is now a member of the Veteran Grays.

Mr. Twiss has also been very prominent in Masonic circles. He holds membership in Hiram Lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M., of which he was treasurer for three years, was master for one year and has been trustee since 1880. He was also a director of the Masonic Mutual Benefit Association of Connecticut for several years and he has done everything in his power to promote the interests of Masonry. Advancing through the York Rite of the order, he became a member of New Haven Commandery, K. T. In religious and philanthropie work he has also taken a most active and helpful interest and since 1880 has been a member of the society committee of the Calvary Baptist Ecclesiastical Society and a member of the ex- ecutive committee of the New Haven Baptist Union since 1893. He was also its president for a number of years. He has been a director of the organized charities since 1898 and a member of the board of managers of the Calvary Industrial Home from its organization until it passed out of existence. The nature of his interests is further indicated in the fact that he retains his membership with the Young Men's Republican Club, the New Haven Colony Historical Society, the New Haven Chamber of Commerce. the Yale Graduates ( lub. and the Knights Templar Club. Since July 3. 1822. he has been connected with the National Savings Bank of New Haven, and from that time until the present his connection has been continued, first as trustee. then secretary and treasurer. To the last named posi- tion he was elected in March, 1894. Soon afterward he gave up the practice of law and has since devoted his attention to the interests of the financial institution. In 1916 he became comptroller of the bank, and under his guidance the business of the bank has greatly in- creased. He is a man of sound and discriminating judgment who readily discerns the essen- tial features in every business project and so directs his efforts that fruition is certain. Mr. Twiss is now in the eightieth year of his age but the burdens of years rest lightly

A MODERN HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN

upon him. In spirit and interests he seems yet in his prime, for he keeps in close touch with the trend of modern thought and progress. Old age need not necessarily suggest idleness nor want of occupation. Indeed there is an old age which grows mentally brighter as the years go on and gives out of its rich stores of wisdom and experience for the benefit of others. Such is the record of Julius Twiss, a man who has long been honored as a promin- ent factor in professional and financial eireles and in connection with the public life of the community.

CHARLES W. WHITTLESEY.

Business enterprise finds a worthy exponent in Charles W. Whittlesey, now the president of the Charles W. Whittlesey Company, wholesale druggists of New Haven. He has been continuously connected with this business for thirty-eight years and since 1882 has been its executive head. llis plans are always well defined and promptly executed, and difficulties and obstacles in his path have seemed hnt to serve as an impetus for renewed effort on his part.

Mr. Whittlesey was born on the 18th of December, 1860, in New Haven, and comes of English ancestry, the family having been founded in America by John Whittlesey, who was a native of England and after erossing the Atlantic became a resident of Saybrook, Con- necticut. He established a ferry between Saybrook and Old Lyme, which remained in pos- session of the family until 1839. It was at New Britain that Dr. Charles B. Whittlesey, father of Charles W. Whittlesey, was born and later upon the death of his father, spent most of his youth in Southington under the guidance of his grandfather, Roger Whittlesey, a graduate of Yale class of 1787. He became a physician by profession, having been graduated from the medieal department of Yale in 1843. He entered the drug business in 1845, estab- lishing the house which is now carried on under the name of the Charles W. Whittlesey Company, and in which he remained active up to the time of his death in 1878, when he was fifty-seven years of age. He was mueh interested in civie matters and in religious work as well, holding membership in the Center church. For many years he was very prominent in its affairs and long served as its treasurer. His aid and influence were always given on the side of progress and improvement and he held to high standards of manhood and citizenship. He married Esther Antoinette Wilcoxson, who was born at Milan. Ohio, but represented an old Connectient family that removed to the Western Reserve about 1820 and which was of Scotch and English lineage. The Whittlesey family was founded in America during an early period in the colonization of the new workl and representatives of the name participated in the struggle for independence. Mrs. Whittlesey passed away in 1908 at the advanced age of eighty years. She was the mother of six children of whom three are living: Mabel }., of New Haven: Mrs. Ellis Mendell, of Brookline, Massachusetts; and Charles W.

The last named attended the public schools of New Haven until he completed the high school course, and afterward entered the Sheffield Scientifie School, from which he was gradu- ated in 1879 with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. Prior to his graduation he entered into active connection with the business left by his father, at 744 Chapel street, near State street, and there he thoroughly acquainted himself with the wholesale drug trade in all its departments. Later, in 1882. he assumed the management of the business for his mother and won snecess in the careful direction of her interests. In 1887 he purchased the business from the family and incorporated it in 1898, since which time he has been the president. The firm employs on an average of thirty-five people and the business occupies three stories of a

four story building, having approximately twenty thousand square feet of floor space. The trade covers western Connecticut and Massachusetts and the undertaking is one of the most important commercial interests in New Haven. Mr. Whittlesey is also a director of the New Haven Bank and of the Morris Plan Bank. He displays keen discernment in business and his enterprise is the expression of landable ambition and careful consideration of the ques- tions relating to the trade.

On the 25th of November, 1891, Mr. Whittlesey was married in New Haven to Miss Delia Barnes Bradley, a native of this city and a daughter of the late Robert and Cornelia (Minor) Bradley. Mrs. Whittlesey passed away September 25. 1902, at the age of thirty-one years. There were three children of that marriage. Ethel was born in New Haven March

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25, 1894, and is now in the university secretary's office in charge of war records. Robert Bradley, born October 11, 1895, left Yale in his junior year in May, 1917, to enlist in the service of his country and is now acting quartermaster on board the U. S. S. Narada. Charles B., who was born June 30, 1898, died March 22, 1900. On the 5th of January, 1910, Mr. Whittlesey was married to Miss Mary Reed Eastman, of Albany, New York, a daughter of the Rev. William R. Eastman, a retired clergyman, and Laura (Barnes) Eastman of Plants- ville, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Whittlesey have one child. Margaret, born in New Haven February 20, 1911.

Mr. Whittlesey is a member of the Connecticut Home Guard. His political indorsement is given to the republican party and in 1891 he served as a member of the city council. He holds membership in the Graduates' Club, the Country Club of New Haven, and the Drug and Chemical Club of New York. He belongs to the Center church of New Haven and is serving on its financial committee. His entire life has been spent in the city where he yet makes his home and throughout the entire period he has been connected with the drug trade. llis is a record of a strenuous life-a record of a strong individuality, sure of itself, stable in purpose, quick in perception. swift in deduction, energetic and persistent in action.

ALLEN MAXCY HILLER.

Allen Maxey Hiller, who for twenty years has engaged in the practice of law in New Haven. his native city, is a son of Jonathan and Abigail M. (Allen) Hiller, both of whom came of English and Scotch ancestry. The latter was a daughter of Samuel Allen, who was an officer in Captain Asa Fairbanks' Company in the Revolutionary war. The former was a nephew of Captain Hiller, a commander in the United States navy, who was lost at sea when his vessel went down off Cape Hatteras about 1812. Jonathan Hiller was one of the old residents of New Haven, where for many years he engaged in the banking, brokerage and real estate' business. He was a friend and contemporary of Gerald Hallock, Philip Marett, Stephen Whitney, Professor Gibbs and others of the old time residents of the city. His wife was educated at Edward Herrick's famous boarding school, located where Woolsey Hall now stands. They were married at the home of her relative, the late James Brewster, who was the pioneer carriage builder of New Haven.

In the acquirement of his education Allen M. Hiller attended the Hopkins grammar school of New Haven and was successively a student in the Edward L. Hart Classical School of Farmington, the Cheshire Military Academy, the Pennsylvania State Military Academy and Yale University. He received the degree of Master of Arts from Yale in 1893 and, enter- ing upon preparation for the bar, he won his LL. B. degree upon graduation from Yale with the class of 1897. In early manhood he had been engaged in journalism and literary work in New York. Following his admission to the Connecticut bar as attorney in 1897, he entered upon practice in New Haven, where he has since remained. His practice has been general and of an important character, connecting him with many prominent litigated interests. He is financially interested in various institutions in New Haven.

On the 28th of September, 1892, in Hatfield, Massachusetts Mr. Hiller was married to Miss Clara Louise Thayer, of West Medway, Massachusetts, a daughter of Judge Addison Thayer of that place. She is a daughter and granddaughter of Massachusetts jurists and is a direct descendant on both her mother's and father's sides from colonial families. To Mr. and Mrs. Hiller have been born three children, Helen Thayer, Constanee Lane and Celia Farnam.

Mr. Miller has been connected with Trinity church and Center church of New Haven. He belongs to the Young Men's Republican Club and has always been a stanch supporter of the republican party from the time when age conferred upon him the right of franchise. For a number of years he was a member of the New Haven republican town committee and assisted in the founding of the Young Men's Republican Club. He became a director of the Young Men's Republican Club Company and also of the New Haven Free Public Library. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the University Club.

Mr. Hiller has done much important public service. He was a member of the board of aldermen from 1888 until 1894, was a member of the board of compensation from 1895 until

A MODERN HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN

1898 and in the latter year served as its president. He aided in the establishment and in the work of securing a charter for the New llaven Free Public Library in 1886, was president of its board of directors for three years and a member of that board for sixteen years. He also became president of the New Haven University Extension Center upon its incorporation in 1890 and has so continued to the present time.

The military record of Mr. Hiller covers service with the Union army during the latter part of the Civil war. In September, 1864, he became a private soldier of Company G, One Hundred and Ninety-ninth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, at which time he was a youth of sixteen years. Ile served as a volunteer cadet in repelling Morgan's raid in Kentucky in 1864 and on the 1st of October of that year he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. Subsequently he received promotion to the rank of first lieutenant and acting adjutant of the regiment and was discharged as brevet captain from the military service of the United States on the 28th of June. 1865.

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A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II, Part 11

Author: Hill, Everett Gleason, 1867- [from old catalog] Publication date: 1918 Publisher: New York, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 986

Author: Hill, Everett Gleason, 1867- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 986