USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 72
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Mr. Terry has been an active worker in the Order of Railway Telegraphers, holding mem. hership in New Haven Division, No. 29. In June, 1907, he was elected chairman of its legis- lative committee, which introduced an eight-hour bill and secured its successful passage in
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the state legislature. In January, '1911, the legislative committee of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, of Railway Trainmen, of Railroad Conductors and Railroad Teleg- raphers formed a joint legislative committee and Mr. Terry was eleeted chairman thereof. This committee worked on various bills designed to better the conditions of railroad em- ployes, including the full crew, employers' liability and workingmen's compensation bills and a bill for "two days' rest per month," and in the course of his legislative work he has appeared before committees at llartford in the Connecticut general assembly, also before committees of the general assemblies of Albany, New York, and of Boston, Massachusetts, and before congressional committees in Washington.
In his political views Mr. Terry is a republican and he is well known in various fraternal organizations, belonging to the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Willimantic, New Haven Lodge No. 25, B. P. O. E., and New Haven Lodge, No. 290, L. O. O. M. He likewise has member- ship in the New Haven Colony Historical Society, the Automobile Club and the Yale Alumni Association, all of New Haven, while along strictly professional lines he has con- nection with the New Haven County and the Connecticut State Bar Associations. He has always stood on the side of law and order and has worked earnestly for bringing about equitable conditions in railway eireles, never losing his interest in the railway labor organ- izations. His mind is largely of a judicial character, enabling him to look at questions from every standpoint, and his opinions are both wise and practical.
MAJOR HENRY NORTON. JR.
Endeared to those who knew him by all the ties of friendship that bind a man in an en- during relation that nought but death can sever, Major Henry Norton, Jr., passed from this life May 1, 1917, but his memory is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him and remains as a blessed henediction to those who were his elose associates.
He was born in Birmingham, England. September 25, 1865. His father, Henry Norton. came to America with the family in 1869 and settled in Meriden, Connecticut, whence he removed to Wallingford in 1876. He was a solderer and was employed by the Simpson. Hall & Miller Company until his death, which occurred in 1906, when he was sixty-four years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Asbmal, was also a native of Birmingham, England, and passed away March 8, 1888, when fifty-three years of age. Their family numbered seven children: Henry, Elizabeth, Charlotte. John, Annie. Ethel and William.
The eldest of the family Major Norton, was but four years of age when brought to America by his parents and was a lad of eleven years at the time the family home was established in Wallingford. He pursued his education in the public schools of Meriden and of Wallingford and when in his sixteenth year entered the employ of the Simpson, Hall & Miller Company to learn the trade of a solderer. He there continued until 1901, when he left that position to become manager of the Wallingford Company, Incorported, upon its organization about fifteen years ago. This company was formed through the purchase of the Valentine-Linsley Company and Major Norton worked diligently for its success and during his management the concern grew and prospered. He lived to see it add to its factory space and become one of the important manufacturing plants of the town. He thus took active in- terest in promoting the material progress of Wallingford and made for himself a ereditable position in business circles.
On the 16th of November, 1899, in Wallingford, Major Norton was married to Miss Hannah Owens, a daughter of Martin and Hannah (Duggan) Owens, who were prominent early settlers of Wallingford, aetively identified with the early history of the Catholic church there. All services of the Catholic church were held in their home for five years before the first Catholic church was built. To Major and Mrs. Norton was born one son, Henry Owens, whose hirth occurred July 3, 1902, and who is now a high school pupil. The family residence is at No. 110 North Whittlesey avenue.
Major Norton figured most prominently in military circles in Connecticut. He enlisted as a private of Company K, Second Connecticut Infantry, in 1883, and was promoted through minor grades until he became corporal, later sergeant and afterward first sergeant. He con-
MAJOR HENRY NORTON, JR.
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tinued in that position until 1888, when he was elected second lieutenant, serving in that capacity until 1891, when he resigned. However, in November of the same year he was reelected to a second lieutenancy and five years later, or in November, 1896, was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. In December, 1898, he became captain of his company and in December, 1903, was appointed major of the regiment, with which rank he served until he retired in June, 1911, thus covering twenty-eight years' service with the Connecticut National Guard. Following his retirement from active service Major Norton was recruiting officer for Wallingford and when the call for troops came to serve upon the Mexican border he opened a recruiting office in the armory and sent out squads through the town and surrounding villages, making a whirlwind campaign for the enlistment of available men. When war with Germany was declared he began enlisting troops but was excused, owing to the strenuous work which he had just coneluded in assisting Captain D. L. Barber in securing enlistments for the Home Guard. He worked day and night for the local guard and his efforts were greatly appreciated. After the guard was organized Major Norton attended all drills and was an interested spectator at the armory in the work of the organization only a few days prior to his demise. It is said that as a marksman he had few equals, a fact which is attested by the large number of medals and cups which he won.
Major Norton was entirely free from ostentation or display. In fact his nature was rather quiet and retiring, but his friendships were lasting. He ever held friendship invio- lable and anyone to whom he gave his friendship could count upon him for any favor or as- sistance that he might be able to give. He held membership in the Wallingford Club and the Wallingford Country Club and his sterling worth made for popularity in those organiza- tions. In politics he was a stalwart republican and served as one of the burgesses of Wall- ingford. He belonged to St. Paul's Episcopal church and guided his life according to its teachings. Death came to him after an illness of but a few days. It brought a sense of profound sorrow to those with whom he had been associated in military activity, to the clubs where his sterling worth was widely recognized, in business circles where his asso- ciates had learned to esteem him for his reliability and trustworthiness; but most of all his death was felt in his own home, for he was a devoted husband and father, doing every- thing in his power to promote the happiness of his family and counting no sacrifice on his part too great if it would enhance the welfare of his beloved ones.
HARRY ELLIOTT NETTLETON.
Harry Elliott Nettleton, investment dealer, of Orange street, New Haven, was born in West Haven, Connecticut, on March 26, 1861. His parents were H. Edward and Emma (Smith) Nettleton, both members of old Connecticut families. With the exception of two years' residence in New Haven, his home has been in West Haven.
On the paternal side, Mr. Nettleton is descended from Samuel Nettleton, who came to America from England in 1639. Both families were represented in the Revolutionary war, one member giving up bis life at Fort Ticonderoga, and another being an occupant of the small boat in which Washington made his famous passage of the Delaware. The paternal branch of the family was also represented in the Civil war, and at the time of the writing of this sketch Mr. Nettleton's son is serving his country in France.
Mr. Nettleton was educated in the West Haven schools and the Hillhouse high school of New Haven. After leaving the high school his first regular employment was as secretary to President George H. Watrous of the New York. New Haven & Hartford Railroad. He later served for a brief period as secretary to the succeeding president, Charles P. Clark, and was then, at his own request, transferred to the office of the chief operating officer of the railroad. As chief clerk and office assistant, Mr. Nettleton was associated with three general managers, and was later appointed assistant superintendent of the Shore Line division, extending at that time from New Haven to Providence, and from New London to Worcester. In 1904 Mr. Nettleton left the railway service and entered the investment business, for a while confining his transactions largely to the sale of bonds to banks and institutions in southern New England. The following year he began to develop an in-
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vestment business with individual investors, in which line he has since been engaged, han- dling a conservative line of securities.
While not actively engaged in politics, Mr. Nettleton has served West Haven and the town of Orange in different ways, at one time having been a member of the board of bur- gesses, and at other times being a member of committees engaged in the preparation of, or revision of, the town and borough charters. Much of his spare time has been devoted to association, church and philanthropic work. In early manhood he was recording sec- retary of the board of directors of the New Haven Young Men's Christian Association, was afterward a member of the committee of management of the Railroad Young Men's Christian Association, and for a number of years past has been recording secretary of the State Young Men's Christian Association and a member of the county committee. He has been connected with the Village Improvement Association of West Haven since its inception, and was a member of the committee of three having charge of the erection of the public library. He has also been, for several years, vice president of the Village Improvement Association. Mr. Nettleton has been actively engaged in church work since boyhood, his principal activ- ities being in connection with the First Congregational church in West Haven, which church he has served in different official capacities. He is at the present time clerk of the church mentioned.
On September 19, 1888, Mr. Nettleton married Jeannette Baldwin Richards, a daugh- ter of John Marshall and Gertrude (Baldwin) Richards, both members of well known Con- necticut families. Mr. and Mrs. Nettleton have two children: Vincent R. Nettleton, a Yale graduate and a mechanical engineer, who at the writing of this sketch is serving in the United States Aero Service in France; and a daughter, Constance R. Nettleton, a young lady of marked musical ability.
Through his association with prominent railway officials in early life, Mr. Nettleton had unusual opportunities to become familiar with corporation life, and made an extended list of acquaintances, which has been largely augmented since he entered the investment field. He has been an extensive reader, and has supplemented business knowledge gained in that way by frequent trips of inspection to various cities, principally in the midwest and the growing sections of the south. He calls himself an optimist with conservative ten- dencies, and is known as a man of strong convictions, and one who firmly believes in the application of the Golden Rule to everyday business life.
LEONARD CLARKE WHITING, M. D.
When English settlement was first being made on the shores of New England the Whiting family was established in America by three brothers who came to the new world. Among their descendants was Captain Jacob Whiting, who served as an officer in the War of 1812. Hayden Whiting, the father of Dr. Whiting, was born in Hamden, Connecticut, and married Kathleen Ward, a native of New York and also of English lineage. They he- came the parents of four children, of whom three are living, Ralph and Irving being the brothers of Dr. Leonard C. Whiting, who is the eldest of the family. The parents are now living in Hamden, Connecticut, and the father, who for many years was a successful con- tractor, has now retired from active business.
Dr. Whiting pursued his early education in the public schools of Whitneyville, Con- necticut. He was born in Hamden, April 2, 1888, and has always been a resident of this state. After mastering the preliminary branches of learning in Whitneyville he continued his education in the public schools of New Haven and when he had completed his high school course he studied in the Booth Preparatory School, from which he was graduated in 1907. He next entered the Baltimore (Md.) Medical School, from which he was graduated in 1912, winning his degree in that year. Before his graduation he acted as substitute interne in St. Luke's Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and thus gained much valuable experience. He began practice in January, 1913, in New Haven, where he has since remained. and his ability in his chosen profession has won to him a liberal patronage. He is thoroughly conversant with all modern scientifie phases of the profession and through broad reading and study keeps in touch with the onward trend of thought and progress.
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Dr. Whiting was married October 11, 1917, in Hamden. Connectieut, to Miss Rhoda May Andrews, a native of Southington, Connectieut, and a daughter of Ephraim Horace and Mary E. (Andrews) Andrews.
In his political views the Doctor is a republican, while fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Wooster Lodge, No. 79, F. & A. M. He also has membership with the Loyal Order of Moose and with the Volunteer Firemen and he is identified with the Chi Zeta Chi, a medical fraternity. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church. His military experience covers service with Troop A of the Connecticut National Guard, with which he was formerly identified. Along strictly professional lines he has connection with the New Haven County, the Connectiont State and the American Medical Associations.
CAPTAIN CHARLES S. YEOMANS.
Captain Charles S. Yeomans, general agent at New Haven for the Connecticut Gen- eral Life Insurance Company, is known as one of the most prominent and successful insur- ance men of this seetion of the state and in all that he undertakes is actuated by a spirit of enterprise and determination. He was born February 21, 1866, in Columbia, Tolland county, Connecticut, and is a representative of one of the old families of this state. His ancestry is traeed baek to Captain Edward Yeomans, who came to America in his own ship and landed at New London, Connecticut. He and his two brothers were the owners of sailing vessels that hailed from Liverpool, England. On the 6th of December, 1652, Captain Edward Yeomans wedded Mary Button at Haverhill, Massachusetts, and his family num- bered three sons and three daughters. Of these Samuel Yeomans was born September 1, 1655, at Haverhill and about 1665 his father, Captain Edward Yeomans, removed with the family to Stonington, Connecticut, where on the 24th of July, 1672, he was voted an in- habitant of the town. Samuel Yeomans was married October 19, 1684, to Mary Ellis and they had four sons and five daughters, including Edward Yeomans H, who was born March 28, 1690, and was married September 5, 1716, to Thankful Bidwell, of Middletown, Con- neeticut, the ceremony being performed by Captain Ward, justice of the peace. The line of deseent eomes on down through Giles Yeomans, who was horn May 18, 1719, and on the 8th of September, 1755, married Lovina Cushman, of Norwich, Connectieut. Their son, Eliphalet Yeomans, was born in 1764 and married Amy Brown, a daughter of Azariah Brown, of Lebanon, who served in the Revolutionary war. William Yeomans, of the next generation, was born in 1800 and married Betsy MeLean. They were the grandparents of Captain Charles S. Yeomans of this review. Betsy MeLean was a daughter of Henry McLean, who served as a first lieutenant in the War of 1812 and died of fever at Green- bush, New York. The family has figured prominently in connection with the history of the country in various generations. Joseph Yeomans, who was a son of Samuel Yeomans, was born July 1, 1719, and served as colonel of a regiment of infantry in the provincial war of 1767 and afterward held the same rank in the Revolutionary war. He passed away at Preston, near Norwich. Connecticut, in 1795. Edward Yeomans, son of (files Yeomans, was born July 18, 1759, and he, too, served as an officer in the war for independence. Oliver Yeomans, who was born November 10, 1740, and was a son of Elijah Yeomans, was the victim of a massaere on the island of Cuba while serving as a soldier in an armed expedi- tionary force from the colonies. All of the families of the name of Yeomans in America trace their ancestry back to the three brothers who came to this country in the seventeenth century and landed at New London. The three brothers continued in the shipping business. being actively connected with maritime interests, and it is said that one of these was the first man to bring slaves to America, landing them at Charleston, South Carolina.
William H. Yeomans, the father of Captain Charles S. Yeomans, was born in Columbia, Connectieut, in 1833 and became a widely known and efficient railroad superintendent, being actively connected with railroad interests for many years. He was the first superintendent of the Connecticut Western Railway and at the time of his death was superintendent of the Housatonic Railway Company. He started upon his railroad career as a brakeman and was afterwards conductor, in which capacity he served for sixteen years. From that point he steadily worked his way upward until he was long active in that field in a position of
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executive control, calling for administrative direction. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Isabella Graham, was a daughter of John Graham, the latter a native of England, who came to Willimantic in 1832. Mrs. Yeomans was born in Willimantic, Connecticut, and by her marriage became the mother of three children, two sons and a daughter, but one son has passed away. The daughter, Evelyn L. Yeomans, is in the government service at Washington, D. C., where she resides with her mother.
Captain Charles S. Yeomans acquired his edneation in the publie schools and in a business college at Bridgeport, Connectient, and when nineteen years of age started out to earn his own living as an employe of the Adams Express Company in Springfield, Mas- sachusetts. After a year there passed, he received an appointment to the federal railway mail service, with which he was connected for five years. He afterward went upon the road as a traveling salesman for a manufacturing concern at Bristol, Connecticut, and was thus successfully engaged for a decade. On the expiration of that period he resigned and entered the life insurance business, in which he has since been actively engaged, covering a period of seventeen years. He has operated very successfully in insurance cireles, hav- ing established a large elientage, and he is today recognized as one of the leading general agents in the state.
On the 17th of June, 1896, at Bristol, Connecticut, Captain Yeomans was married to Miss Etta R. Rogers, of Norwich, this state, a daughter of Henry and Isabelle (Beekwith) Rogers, both of whom are deceased. They were representatives of old and prominent families of Norwich. Captain and Mrs. Yeomans have a son, Roger W., who was born at Bristol, May 14, 1897, and is now a sergeant in Company C, Three Hundred and First Field Signal Battalion. at Camp Devens, Ayer, Massachusetts.
Mr. and Mrs. Yeomans are members of the Dwight Place Congregational church and Captain Yeomans holds membership with the Masons. In early manhood he served for two terms as burgess at Bristol and he was a representative of the old fourth senatorial district on the democratie state central committee. He has since, however, espoused the cause of the republican party and takes an active part in furthering its interests. He be- longs to the Sons of the American Revolution and that the same spirit of valor and loyalty that characterized his ancestors constitutes a part of his make-up is indicated in the fact that for the past fifteen years be has been a member of the Conneetient National Guard. As captain of Battery E of the Tenth Field Artillery of Connecticut he was in active serv- ice from June 20, 1916, until February 1, 1917, at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. On the latter date, after serving for eight months on the Mexican border, the troops were recalled by order of President Wilson. After the declaration of war with Germany, he was again called into federal service and is serving as assistant camp quartermaster at Camp Sher- idan, Montgomery, Alabama.
Captain Yeomans has back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished and his lines of life have been east in harmony therewith. Patriotism and publie spirit are num- bered among his salient characteristics, while in every relation of life he has manifested those qualities which command confidence and regard.
JOHN L. SHERMAN.
John L. Sherman, who has built up a large business in West Haven as a contractor in masonry work, was born in Westville, Connecticut, April 9, 1855, a son of Jesse and Sarah (Alling) Sherman. The father was born in Woodbridge and was a mechanie. The mother's birth oeeurred at Allingtown, which was given its name in honor of her family, who were among the first settlers there.
John L. Sherman at the usual age became a student in the public schools but when twelve years of age put aside his textbooks and hegan working on a farm. He was so em- ployed until he was about sixteen, when he learned the mason's trade. He has since been connected with construction work and is now well known as a contractor. In addition to filling important contracts for masonry work he eonduets a large conerete manufacturing plant in West Haven and also owns a quarry and from those interests derives a gratifying in-
JOHN L. SHERMAN
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come. Ile is likewise a stockholder in the West Haven Publishing Company and a director in the Orange Bank & Trust Company.
Mr. Sherman was married in 1876 to Miss Eva L. Smith, of Sharon, Massachusetts, who has proved a true helpmate and a devoted wife and mother. There are eight children, as follows: Mrs. Alice MI. Thompson, of West Haven, whose husband is an electrical engineer and who has three children; Frank L., who is superintendent of sewers for the town of Orange; Edwin H., a resident of San Diego, California; Mary L. Miner, of New Haven; Mrs. Florence V. Kitchen, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; John W. and Charles R., both of whom are associated with their father in business; and George B.
Mr. Sherman is an active republican and one of the party's leaders in his town. He served capably as warden of the borough of West Haven in 1900 and in 1913 and 1914 represented the town of Orange in the state legislature. At the present time he is first selectman to which office he was elected in the fall of 1917. He is a charter member of the West Haven Volunteer Fire Department and for many years was a captain in the hook and ladder company. Ilis service to his community includes a great deal of effective work in connection with the Chamber of Commerce, of which he is a charter member and particular mention should be made of the fact that he was a member of the committee which had the oversight of the installation of the incinerating plant. No move- ment for the advancement of his community is carried forward without his influence being felt as a helpful factor in bringing it to successful completion. He is also prominent so- cially and is a popular member of the Phoenix Club; of City Lodge, No. 6, I. O. O. F. of New Haven; and of the local organization of the United Workmen. His wife is very active in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church and he contributes to the support of varions churches in West Haven, believing in their great value to the community. Ile deserves great credit for what he has accomplished, for his opportunities in youth were meager and he has at all times been solely dependent upon his own resources. IIe has made excellent use of his talents and opportunities and has never made the mistake of consider- ing the accumulation of property the sole aim of his life, but has always given promptly of his time and means to the promotion of the community welfare.
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