USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 30
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On the 6th of August, 1902, Mr. Knight was married to Miss Mabel Bacon, of Bath, Maine, and they have become the parents of two children, Gordon and Carolyn, aged re- spectively five and two years. Mr. Knight is devoted to the welfare of his family and finds his greatest happiness at his own fireside, yet he is not unmindful of his public duties and that he has stood on the side of progress, advancement and right in public affairs, making for himself a ereditable position as a citizen, is indicated in the fact that he was in 1916 appointed a member of the charter revision committee of New Haven. He is also a member
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of the Chamber of Commerce and cooperates in all of its activities for the benefit and up- building of the city and the extension of its business relations. He likewise has membership with the Graduates Club and other New Haven organizations and his personal qualities make for marked popularity.
CHARLES NEILSON DENISON, M. D.
Dr. Charles Neilson Denison, a popular and successful physician and surgeon practicing in Cheshire, Connectieut, was born in Stillwater, Saratoga county, New York, July 9, 1870, a son of Albert Gallup and Maria (Neilson) Denison. The name Denison is unquestionably of ancient and probably of Norman origin. Burke's Book of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain states: "One Danziel, or Daniel, a full blooded Norman, settled in Renfrewshire, called his place Danzielstown, and from this came Denison. The family is unquestionably ancient, the name appearing in the charter of King Malcolm I, who died in 1165. The English Denisons are said to have sprung from a cadet of this ancient house, who went from Scotland in the time of Charles I and who fought at Marston Moor." The Denison family in America traces its deseent from William Denison, who in 1631 came to America from England with John Eliot, the apostle to the Indians, as a passenger on the ship Lion. He settled in Roxbury, Massachusetts, and was well known in that community. His son, Captain George Denison, was born in England in 1619 and came with his parents to Roxbury in 1631. Twelve years later he returned to England and at the time of the civil war in that country tought with the parliamentary troops under Cromwell and was wounded in the battle of Naseby. In 1645 he married Ann Borodell, always called Lady Ann. She was of Cork. Ireland, and both were remarkable for their magnificent personal appearance and force of mind and character. Captain Denison returned with his family to Roxbury, Massa- chusetts. From 1651 to 1654 he took a prominent part in military affairs in Roxbury but at the end of that period removed to what is now Stonington, Conneetient. In 1675 and 1676 he was in command of a body of soldiers contributed by New London county to the army that fought in King Philip's war. Captain Denison made a brilliant record and it was his foree that captured Chieftain Canonchet, one of the Indian leaders. He was not only prominent in military affairs but also in community councils in time of peace. His record was at all times that of a public-spirited citizen. Miss Calkins in her History of New London says of him: "Ile has been described as the Miles Standish of the settlement, but he was a greater and more brilliant soldier than Miles Standish. Our early history presents no character of bolder and more active spirit than Captain George Denison; he reminds us of the border men of Scotland." Later generations of the family removed from New England to New York. Charles Neilson Denison is descended from the Gallup family through his grandmother on his father's side-Eunice Gallup. She was a direct descendant of Captain John Gallup, slain in the Narragansett Fort battle. December 19. 1675. "We learn from Thomas Fuller, vicar of Broadwindsor, who quotes from manuscripts, that in 1413 (seventy- nine years before the discovery of America, and in the first year in the reign of King Henry V) that John Galope of that parish was the first man in England to assume the title of esquire." In an indenture dated September 20. 1519. John Gallop, son of the former. appears as one of ye governors and guardians of ye fraternity of St. Francis and St. Christo- pher in Ecclesia, Wetherbury. Dorset. Herakl's Inquisition. 1562, cites his death in 1534. There is in Corpus Christi College. Cambridge, a very artistic illumination of John de Galop. dean of the Collegiate Church of St. Louis of Normandy, presenting to King Henry V a translation of Bonaventura's "Life of Christ." made by himself. This must have been taken in 1420, when, after the battle of Agincourt and his marriage with Catharine, Henry became regent of France. The drapery of the throne is powdered with fleurs de lis. In the library of the house of lords a collection of manuscripts called Gallopiana has many records of the branches of the Gallops and their allied families. The name seems to be spelled in many ways Gallope-Galope and Gallup. Mrs. Maria (Neilson) Denison was born in Stillwater, New York, and also came of a family long established in America. The land on which occurred the battle of the Burgoyne, one of the most important conflicts of the Revolutionary war. is still in the possession of the Neilsons.
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Albert Gallup Denison. the father of our subject, was born in Berne, New York, and for many years was a resident of Stillwater, that state, where he engaged in the manufacture of cotton underwear. He was not only prominent in business but was also a pillar in the Baptist church, in which he held the office of deacon. Mrs. Denison passed away at Still- water in 1909, when seventy-five years of age, having for many years survived her husband, who died there in 1883, when fifty-two years old. They were the parents of three children, Mrs. G. P. H. Taylor .; Rial N., for over thirty years a practicing physician, residing at Brooklyn, New York; and Charles N., of this review.
Charles N. Denison obtained his early education in the public schools of Stillwater and then entered the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, after which he studied in the Long Island College Hospital. from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1893. The succeeding year was spent as an interne in the Ward's Island and Metropolitan Hospitals, both of New York city, and in 1894 he came to Cheshire, Connecticut, and opened an office for the independent practice of his profession. His success in diagnosing and treating disease and his devotion to his work have commended him to the patronage of the public, and his patients come not only from the town of Cheshire but from the surrounding country. Since May, 1916, he has also maintained an office at No. 299 Main street, Waterbury, and has built up a good practice in that city. Since 1910 he has been town health officer and medical examiner and has been very efficient in the discharge of his official duties.
Dr. Denison was married in 1895, in Stillwater, New York, to Miss Minnie Louise Conkey, a daughter of William S. and Louise (Brazier) Conkey, natives respectively of Troy and Stillwater, New York. Both the Brazier and Conkey families were established in the Empire state in early days and were well known in their respective localities, Mrs. Denison has taken a very active part in social and club work and organized the Drama Club, which has been the means of bringing about many improvements in the village, as the net proceeds of the entertainments given by the club are used to secure such improvements as additional sidewalks or a new town hall. The club has in reality done the work of a civic association and much of the credit for its successful accomplishments is due to Mrs. Denison.
Dr. Denison supports the republican party but has held no office outside the strict path of his profession. In religious faith he is a Baptist and fraternally is connected with Temple Lodge, No. 16, A. F. & A. M., at Cheshire, of which he is a past master, and Franklin Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M., of New Haven. For seven years he belonged to the Governor's Foot Guard of New Haven and after serving for a year and a half as a private was made assistant surgeon with the rank of lieutenant and later surgeon with the rank of captain on the general staff, which position he held for four years. He is now retired from that body but has been brevetted captain. With the outbreak of the war with Germany he turned his military experience to good account and helped to organize, and became the medical examiner of, the First Cheshire Company of the Connecticut Home Guard and has also been made surgeon with the rank of lieutenant in the One Hundred and First Regiment. Although his practice makes heavy demands upon his time and energy he has still found time to do much public service of great value, his keen interest in the general welfare prompting him to do all in his power for the public good in this time of stress and testing.
JOHN J. CHANDLER.
John J. Chandler is well known in both business and political circles in New Haven. From a humble position with the Hoggson & Pettis Manufacturing Company he has worked his way steadily upward until he is now the vice president. This company is engaged in the manufacture of rubber supplies and steel letters and figures. also Sweetland lathe chucks. cutting dies, etc. Their plant is located at No. 141 Brewery street and is the only enter prise of the kind in the county.
Mr. Chandler is a native son of New Haven. He was born November 23, 1864, his father being Frank Chandler, a native of Germany, who came to America in 1851 and made bis way direct to New Haven, where he resided until his death. He was a boot and shoe- maker by trade and was quite successful in his business affairs. He, too, became an active
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factor in political circles, supporting the democratic party, and was a member of the hoard of relief. He wedded Mary Rutz, a native of Germany, who came to the United States in 1849 and in New Haven met and married Mr. Chandler. Both have now passed away, the father having died in 1911, when seventy-six years of age, while his widow sur- vived until 1913 and had reached the age of eighty-three years at the time of her demise They had a family of five children, three of whom are yet living. The eldest, Teckla, is the wife of R. L. Krause, a resident of Marshall, Wisconsin. John J. is the second of the family. The youngest is Louise, the wife of Paul Bair, of New Haven.
When a little lad of six years John J. Chandler became a pupil in the schools of New Haven and when hut thirteen years of age started out to earn his own living. He was first employed by the O. B. North Saddlery Company, with which he remained for three months. He was also with the William Schollhorn Company and in 1880 he secured a position with the Hoggson & Pettis Company with a view of learning the trade. He mastered the tasks assigned him and afterward followed the trade as a journeyman for fifteen years. In 1902 he entered the office as one of the executives and has been vice president of the company since 1910. The business was established by S. J. Hoggson in 1849 and was made a company in 1878 with Mr. Pettis as a partner. It was incorporated in 1882 and has since been conducted under the present style of the Hoggson & Pettis Manufacturing Company. the present officers being H. B. Kennedy, president; Mr. Chandler, vice president : George P. Stephan, secretary ; and Frank D. Willis, assistant secretary. The company employs on an average of one hundred skilled workmen and theirs is the only undertaking of the kind in the county. Their trade extends to all parts of the world, for the shipments of their products reach every civilized country. Theirs is one of the leading establishments of the kind in the United States and the factory, covering a floor space of sixteen thousand square feet, is splendidly equipped with the latest improved machinery and every facility to further work of the character there carried on.
In New Haven, in October, 1886, Mr. Chandler was united in marriage to Miss Elvenia Schue, a native of New Haven, and they have become the parents of two children. Frank M., the elder, married Miss Emma Ernest and they have one child, Frank M., Jr. The daughter, Vera M., is the wife of Russell Warner.
In his political views Mr. Chandler is a republican. His study of the questions and issues of the day has led him to give earnest support to the party, in which regard he did not follow in the footsteps of his father, who was a democrat. Mr. Chandler is a member of the board of aldermen, which position he has filled for two terms. He has always taken active part in state and local politics and has been a supporter of many progressive measures and movements which have had to do with the upbuilding and progress of this city. He stands at all times for high civic ideals and his work has been effective and farreaching. He belongs to the Young Men's Republican Club, also to the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks and to the Chamber of Commerce, associations that indicate much of the nature of his interests. He is, however, preeminently a business man, concentrating thought, effort and attention upon his interests, and his activities have brought him steadily to the front in this connection.
DAVID WAINWRIGHT JOHNSTON.
David Wainwright Johnston, who is engaged in the practice of dentistry in New Haven, was born in Lakewood, New Jersey, September 16, 1866, a son of Alfred Johnston and a grandson of Luke Johnston, who were also natives of Lakewood and there resided for many years. Alfred Johnston wedded Julia Wainwright and both are now deceased. In their family were two sons and three daughters.
After attending the public schools in his native city Dr. Johnston spent five years as a preceptor in New Britain, Connecticut, but in the meantime became interested in dentistry and determined to enter upon the practice of the profession. To carry out his resolution he matriculated in the Philadelphia Dental College, from which he was graduated with the D. D. S. degree. Twenty-four years ago he located for practice at Branford, Connecticut, where he remained for four years and in 1897 came to New Haven, where he has since
DR. DAVID W. JOHNSTON
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maintained his office, doing excellent work in his profession. In fact he has attained far more than local distinction, as is indicated by the fact that he is an ex-president of the Connecticut State Dental Society as well as of the New Haven Dental Society. He was also a member of the state dental commission under appointment of Governor Cook, serving during that administration. At the present time he is an officer of the Northeastern Dental Society and he belongs also to the National Dental Society and the First District Dental Society of the state of New York. Throughout the years of his active connection with the profession he has kept in close touch with all that modern study and research have brought to light in relation to the care and preservation of the teeth and his ability has kept him in the front rank among the representatives of dentistry in New England.
On the 12th of November, 1896, in Branford, Connecticut, Dr. Johnston was married to Miss Eunice Alita Isabelle, and they have become parents of two sons and a daughter: Edward Wainwright, born December 8, 1896, in Branford, who after attending public and private schools of New Haven is now a pupil in the Choate preparatory school at Wallingford, Connecticut; Eunice Ethelyn, who is attending Gateway School; and Winston Harrison, who was born July 28, 1908, in New Haven, and is a student in Hamden Hall.
Dr. and Mrs. Johnston hold membership in the United Congregational church and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he is Knight Templar and Shriner. He belongs to the Delta Sigma Delta, a college fraternity, and is identified with the supreme chapter of the New York auxiliary. Along strictly social lines he has membership with the New Haven Country Club, the Lawn Club and the Madison County Club. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, and while without ambition for office, he keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought concerning all of the vital and significant problems which are before the country. He has, however, always concentrated his energies upon his pro- fessional duties and as an official in various dental societies he has ever advocated the high- est standards in practice and has done much to bring the profession up to its present high plane in Connecticut.
HERMAN PHILIP HESSLER, M. D.
Equipped with a most adequate professional training, received in this country and abroad, Dr. Herman Philip Hessler is now successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in New Haven. He was born, November 23, 1879, in the city where he is now practicing, a son of Michael Hessler, a native of Germany, who came to America about 1868. Landing in New York, he there remained for a year and then removed to New Haven, where he resided until his death, which occurred March 23, 1917, when he had reached the age of sixty-nine years. Throughout his entire life he was engaged in the baking business, having learned the trade in Germany, and he met with substantial success in that undertaking. His political allegiance was given the democratic party and in the early days he took a very active interest in political and civic matters but never with a desire for office. He held mem- bership with Connecticut Rock Lodge, No. 92, F. & A. M., with Franklin Chapter, R. A. M., and Harmony Council, R. & S. M. He was also a very prominent and active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was an earnest and faithful member of the Lutheran church. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emma Brandes, was born in Germany and came with her parents to America soon after the close of the Civil war, the family home being established in New Haven, where she became the wife of Michael Hessler. She is still a resident of this city. By her marriage she had three sons and a daughter: Henry W., a baker residing in New Haven; Bertha, the wife of Joseph A. Weibel, connected with the brewing business in New Haven; Herman Philip; and Michael Paul, who is conducting a moving picture theater in New Haven.
At the usual age Dr. Hessler entered the public schools and completed a high school course, also pursuing a course in the Boardman Manual Training School, from which he was graduated in 1899. He then entered Yale in preparation for a medical career and was graduated from that university with the class of 1903. He afterward had the benefit of two years' practical experience as interne in St. Mark's Hospital of New York city, after which he went abroad and studied in Berlin, Vienna and London, coming under the instruc-
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tion of some of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world. After fourteen months devoted to further preparation for his profession in Europe, he opened an office in New Haven, where he has since remained in practice, specializing in the treatment of diseases of the stomach and intestines, in which he has developed marked proficiency. He is a mem- ber of the New Haven, New Haven County and Connecticut State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association. He served as city physician of New Haven during the administration of Mayor Martin in 1909 and 1910. At present he is surgeon for the New Haven fire department and he was formerly connected with St. Raphael's Hospital as assistant surgeon, acting in that capacity for two years. From 1907 until 1910 he was a private in the New Haven Grays and later was commissioned assistant paymaster for the Connecticut Naval Militia, on the staff of Captain Frank H. Cornwall. He has been for several years a member of the Governor's Foot Guard and at the time of Major John B. Kennedy's election in that body Dr. Hessler was appointed lieutenant as assistant surgeon of the organization and served in that capacity until the declaration of war in 1917, when the staff was automatically abolished and reverted to the ranks.
On the 11th of September, 1908, Dr. Hessler was married in New Haven to Miss Ger- trude Grave, a native of this city and a daughter of Frederick D. and Katherine (Stoffel) Grave, representatives of prominent families. Her father is engaged in cigar manufacturing in this city. Mrs. Grave died August 6, 1917. Dr. and Mrs. Hessler have a daughter, Ruth Elizabeth, who was born in New Haven, February 24, 1914. A son, Frederick Grave, was born August 4, 1912, and died November 18, 1913.
The parents are members of Trinity Episcopal church and Dr. Hessler has membership with the Chamber of Commerce, being deeply interested in the efforts of the organization to promote the welfare and upbuilding of the city. He belongs to the Union League and to the Racebrook Country Club. He has membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a very prominent Mason, having membership in Connecticut Rock Lodge, No. 92, F. & A. M., in the Hejaz Grotto, the chapter, council, commandery, consistory and the Mystic Shrine. In fact, he has taken all of the degrees of Masonry save the honorary thirty-third and is a most stalwart champion of the organization, which is based upon recognition of the brotherhood of mankind. His personal qualities have won for him a circle of friends almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintance. He does not allow social interests, however, to interfere with the faithful performance of his professional duties and throughout his connection with the medical profession he has been a close student, constantly seeking new methods to meet the responsibilities wbich devolve upon him. During 1914 and 1915 in connection with his regular practice he went three days a week to New York for post graduate work in the bospitals of that city and he has constantly promoted his skill until he now finds a ready solution for many of the most intricate and involved professional problems.
WILLIAM A. FOSKETT.
One of the most progressive young manufacturers and business men of New Haven and well known throughout New England is William A. Foskett. of the firm of Foskett & Bishop, engineers and contractors. installing power plants, fire extinguishers and heating apparatus and also doing plumbing and gas fitting. He was born in Meriden, Connecticut, March 21, 1864, a son of W. A. and Jane E. (Hall) Foskett, who were natives of Berkshire county. Massachusetts. The father was born in New Marlboro and in early manhood removed to Connecticut, settling at New Hartford. There he remained until 1844, when he went to Meriden. He was well known as an expert wheelwright and was employed by the Charles Parker Company in the capacity of foreman, spending a number of years with that concern. He was also connected with the Meriden Britannia Company for an extended period. Later he removed to New Haven and there hecame the head of the firm of Foskett & Bishop, plumbers and steam fittery. He first married Lucina Foote Kellogg, who passed away in 1854 in Meriden in the taith of the Methodist church. of which she had long been a devoted member, leaving but one chikel. Charles C. For his second wife Mr. Foskett chose Jane E. Hall, who was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and departed this life in New
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Haven, December 15, 1901. During the later years of his life the father of William A. Foskett lived retired, enjoying a well earned rest until called to the home beyond in 1902, when he had reached the advaneed age of eighty-four years. In the family of William A. and Jane E. (Hall) Foskett were three children: Clara G., who is now the wife of Professor U. S. Brown, of Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tennessee; William A., of this review; and Violet A., the wife of Frederick W. Nettleton, of New Haven,
In his boyhood days William A. Foskett attended the publie schools of New Haven until graduated from the high school with the class of 1882. Later he became an apprentiee to the plumber's trade with the firm of J. R. Brown & Company. His time was thus passed until the Foskett & Bishop Company was organized and in 1893 the business was incor- porated as the Foskett & Bishop Company, with N. P. Bishop as the president and treasurer, William A. Foskett as vice president, C. E. Rounds as secretary and William C. Jacques as assistant secretary. They have established an extensive and important business as engineers and contractors of power plants, fire extinguishers and heating apparatus. They do a plumbing and gas fitting business and also handle cast iron pipe and all other kinds ot fittings. They manufactme steam and hot water heaters, steam traps and steam specialties and have an extensive plant admirably adapted for this elass of work. Their factory is fitted out with the latest improved machinery and equipment for promoting manufacture of that kind and their business has now reached extensive and gratifying proportions.
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