USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 81
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JOHN WEBSTER SANFORD, JR.
John Webster Sanford, Jr., is prominently known in connection with the humber and ice trade at Hamden, his native city. where he was born December 26, 1868, a son of John White and Phoebe ( Wooding) Sanford. The father was born in the same house as his son, John W., and as a life work engaged in farming and in the wood and ice business, spending his entire life upon the same farm, where he yet resides. His wife was born in Highwood, Hamden, and her life has also been spent within the borders of Hamden.
John Webster Sanford, Jr., acquired his education in the schools of Hamden and in Miss Emma Dickman's private school at Mount Carmel and when his textbooks were put aside engaged in farming and in the ice business with his father until he attained his majority. He then entered into partnership with his brother. R. A., under the firm style of Sanford Brothers, for the conduet of a native timber, lumber, wood and ice business. This association was maintained until 1911, when the partnership was dissolved, John W. Sanford, Jr., continuing in the lumber and ice trade. He operates a sawmill and has ent lumber in New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut, having portable sawmills for this purpose. He also conducts a retail lumberyard in Hamden and his business in its various departments has been carefully and systematically managed and has brought splen- did financial returns.
On the 5th of December, 1892, Mr. Sanford was united in marriage to Miss Eva Law- renee, of Hamden, who was born in Ottawa, Canada. and there remained until she reached young womanhood, when she became a resident of New Haven and afterward of Hamden. She is a daughter of James G. and Bessie (Reeves) Lawrence, who were natives of England. Her father is a lithographer and is now living in llamden. Mr. and Mrs. Sanford have become the parents of two children. Lawrence, who is now first sergeant and drum major
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at the headquarters of the Second Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard, now in the United States service, married Miss Margaret MeLellan, of West Haven, June 21, 1917. The other member of the family is Elizabeth Reeves.
In his political views Mr. Sanford is a stalwart republican and has taken an active part in polities. He has been called upon to fill various political positions, the duties of which he has discharged with marked promptness and fidelity. He was formerly deputy register of voters, has also been register of voters and general register, and in 1913 he was elected on the republican ticket as representative from his district to the state legislature, serving during the session of 1913 on the railroad committee. He was reelected in 1914 to the legislature and was clerk of the railroad committee for the session of 1915. He specialized during his legislative service in railroad affairs, becoming recognized as an authority upon questions relative thereto. He was at one time treasurer of the Hamden Civic Association and has cooperated heartily, actively and helpfully in many measures which have direct bearing upon the welfare and progress of community and state. ITis military service covers six years' connection with the Second Company of the Governor's Foot Guard, being corporal four years of that time. He is widely and favorably known both as a political leader and as a business man, his industrial and commercial interests being wisely and carefully conducted, his success being the legitimate outcome of close application, indefatigable energy and keen sagacity.
JAMES HENRY FLYNN, M. D.
Dr. James Henry Flynn, physician and surgeon of New Haven, his native city, was born September 2, 1873. His father, Charles Flynn, a native of Ireland, was brought to America when a lad of five years by his parents, who settled in New Haven in 1847, so that he was here reared and educated. He took up the grocery business, which he followed throughout the entire period of his active career save that at the time of the Civil war all business and personal considerations were put aside and he joined the army, serving at the front with a Connecticut regiment. ITis religious faith was that of the Roman Catholic church and his political belief that of the democratic party. He died in 1882, at the age of forty years, while his wife survived until 1904, passing away in New Haven at the age of sixty-two. Sbe bore tbe maiden name of Bridget Brennan and was born on the Emerald isle, coming with her parents to the new world in her early childhood. She, too, was reared and educated in New Haven and here became the wife of Charles Flynn. Twelve children were born to them, of whom five are yet living: A. W. and C. F., who are residents of New Haven; Theresa, the wife of Vernon White, of West Haven; James Henry; and H. F., also living in New Haven.
Dr. Flynn pursued his more specifically literary education in Niagara University, while his professional training was received in the medical department of Yale, from which he was graduated with the class of 1895. IIe then put his theoretical knowledge to practical test in eighteen months' service as interne in the New Haven Hospital, thereby gaining the broad experience and knowledge which can never be as quickly and surely obtained in any other way as in hospital work. He later took up the private practice of medicine, in which he has since been continuously and actively engaged. He does not specialize along a single line but continues in general practice and is also serving on the medical staff of St. Raphael's Hospital, of which he was one of the founders and is the secretary of the hospital medical board. He belongs to the New Haven Medieal Society, of which he has been vice president, to the New Haven County Medical Society, the Connecticut State Medical Association and the American Medical Association.
On the 15th of September, 1901, Dr. Flynn was married in New Haven to Miss Alice Beecher, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Weirick) Beecher, representatives of an old Connecticut family related to Henry Ward Beecher. Dr. and Mrs. Flynn have become parents of five children : Alice Zita, Grace Anita, Eunice Regina, Irma Elizabeth and James Henry.
The family reside at No. 133 West Park avenue, where the Doctor has recently erected a very beautiful home. In religious faith they are Roman Catholics, being members of St.
DR. JAMES H. FLYNN
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Brendan's parish. Dr. Flynn is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of St. Patrick. He belongs likewise to the Royal Arcanum, to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, to the Graduates Club and to the Chamber of Commerce, showing the nature and breadth of his interests. Moreover, he is most conscientious in the performance of all of his professional duties and his developing powers have ranked him with the men of ability in his profession in New Haven.
HON. CHARLES PAGE.
Hon. Charles Page has the distinction of serving as town clerk for forty-six years, a longer period than that covering the incumbency of any other person in an elective ofbee in the state of Connecticut. He has also been a member of the state senate and in many ways has left the impress of his individuality and ability upon the records of the com- monwealth. His life, ever guided by the highest principles, has taken eognizanee not only of the opportunities for the attainment of material success but also of the opportunities for service to one's fellowmen. He has held to high ideals and in their accomplishment has utilized the most practical methods, a combination productive of splendid results. North Branford is proud to number him among her native sons. He was there born May 21, 1839, his parents being Benjamin and Sarah Elizabeth (Merriam) Page. The family is of English origin and was established on American soil at an early day. The probate records indicate that George Page emigrated from England to America and soon afterward took up his permanent abode in Branford, Conneetient. In 1667. in connection with others, he signed an agreement to build a Congregational church, which two years later was com- pleted. He married Sarah Linsley, a daughter of John Linsley, and in her he found a true helpmate -- a lady whose splendid qualities of heart and mind have been handed down through generations to her descendants. She died in 1695 while still in the prime of life. The death of George Page occurred in 1689, in which year he had made his will. His ehil- dren were: Sarah, born in 1666; Samuel. in 1670; George, in 1672; Jonathan. in 1675: Anna. in 1677: Nathaniel, in 1679; Daniel, in 1683; and John, in 1684.
Of that family Daniel Page was but six years of age at the time of his father's death and was early forced to start out in life to make his own way in the world. In young manhood he became a resident of North Branford, where he purchased land and engaged in farming, becoming one of the representative and valmed citizens of his community. He served as selectman ahont 1727, was one of the grand jury and was otherwise connected with public interests. His religious faith was that of the Congregational church. On the 3d of February, 1710, he married Hannah Johnson and on the 17th of April. 1766. hc departed this life.
His son, Daniel Page, Jr., born in 1724, in North Branford. there resided until 1726. when he removed to Bare Plain. in the southwestern part of the town. There he died July 4, 1779. Ile had served as constable from 1755 until 1759. had been selectman from 1763 until 1777, and for eight terms had represented his town in the legislature. On the 13th of February. 1749, he wedded Dinah Ballwin. a daughter of Israel Baldwin.
Their family included Benjamin Page, who was born October 18. 1769, and died No- vember 29, 1851. He was married twice. On the 16th of May. 1798. he wedded Lois Ford, who died June 25, 1810. His second wife bore the maiden name of Mary Hurd and died August 15, 1852. There were six children of the first marriage and three children of the second marriage besides others who died in infancy. Benjamin Page was a man of considerable prominence in his day who by individual effort had acquired a good edu- cation and his ability was greatly appreciated by his friends and neighbors, who called him to the office of justice of the peace for forty years and sent him as a representative to the state legislature for two terms. He was also town clerk for one year. His political support was given to the democratic party, while his religious faith was that of the Congregational church.
His son, Benjamin Page, Jr., was born August 11. 1806. and was married in Meriden, Connecticut, October 20, 1836, to Sarah E. Merriam, whose birth occurred February 8, 1816, and who passed away May 12. 1887. while the death of Mr. Page occurred .July 16. 1876.
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Like his forbears, he was a consistent member of the Congregational church, taking an active part in its work, while his wife was identified with the Episcopal church. In politics Mr. Page was a strong democrat and his ability eansed him to be selected to various publie positions of honor and trust. He was town elerk, was also justice of the peace for twenty-three years and acted in other publie positions. In his family were five chil- dren: John M., who was born February 14, 1838, and who became a hardware merchant of Nangatnek ; Charles; Benjamin, who was born September 4, 1840, and is engaged in the in- surance and real estate business in Meriden: Martha E., born February 25, 1845, the wife of T. A. Smith, of Northford; and Robert, who was born July 5, 1846, and is a farmer of North Branford. Mrs. Benjamin Page, Jr., was a daughter of Asel and Elizabeth Merriam, natives of Meriden. Her father was a farmer by occupation and was a son of Joseph Merriam, who was likewise a native of Meriden and devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits.
Hon. Charles Page, whose name introduces this record, has spent practically all of his life in North Branford. After mastering the branches of learning taught in the district schools he continued his education in the Meriden high school, from which he was grad- uated when fifteen years of age. Ile then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed until he was seventeen, and later he went to the Guilford Institute. Subse- quently he became a student in the normal school at New Britain, Connecticut, and after- ward taught school in North Branford, also at Branford, at New Haven and at Stony Creek. While thus engaged he studied for the ministry under the direction of the Rev. Curtis and Rev. Clark. In 1882 he entered the Yale School of Religion, now known as the Yale Divinity School, and in 1885 he was licensed to preach as a minister of the Congregational faith. He accepted the pastorate of the church at Branford and was afterward for a time at North Branford and at East Haven. In 1891 he took charge of the Congregtional chapel at Foxon and organized the work there so thoroughly that a church was established. He has been its minister since 1893, covering a period of twenty-four years, and under his guidance the work of the church has been carried steadily forward with good results, proving a strong agency in the moral stability and growth of this section of the state. In 1880, through the terms of his uncle's will, he inherited a large farm in North Bran- ford, where he still makes his home, employing someone to eare for and further develop the property.
Rev. Page was married at North Guilford on the 220 of April, 1863, to Miss Elber- tina Adelia Dudley, who was born in Guilford, where she lived to the time of her mar- riage and then went to North Branford, where she died in 1913. She attended the Guil- ford high school and the State Normal School and successfully engaged in teaching in Guilford. North Branford and North Madison. She was a daughter of Luther F. and Eliz- abeth A. (Buck) Dudley, representatives of old Guilford families. The memory of Mrs. Page is cherished in the hearts of all who knew her. She was a lady of splendid qual- ities, of deep sympathies and warm heart, ever extending a helping hand to the sick and to the needy, her life being fraught with many acts of kindness and many deeds of charity. She was continually aiding those who were in trouble, going about quietly doing good. and thus she won the love and goodwill of all throughout the community. It has been said that no woman who has lived in North Branford has been so greatly loved and so deeply mourned as Mrs. Page. By her marriage she had become the mother of three chil- dren. Charles Augustus, who was born in North Branford, February 12, 1865, is now instructing conductor at New Haven for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company. Edson Clark, born in East Haven, May 21, 1868, is engaged in the milling business. May Cornelia, born in East Haven, August 1. 1870, is the wife of John R. Mer- rick. a painter of North Branford.
In his political views Mr. Page has ever been a stalwart republican since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise. In 1871 he was elected town clerk and has been reelected at each succeeding election since that time, being the nominee of both the democratic anl republican parties on rach occasion save one, when the democratie party did not place a candidate's name upon their ticket. He has thus held the office of town clerk of North Branford continuously for forty-six years, a longer period than any person holding an elective office in the state of Connecticut. He has also been town treasurer of North Branford for a long period. being chosen again and again for the position at each succeeding election. He has served thirty years on the board of education of North Branford and is secretary of
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the board. In 1874 he was elected to represent his district in the legislature, again in 1900 he was chosen to the same office and in 1903 he was elected state senator, in which posi- tion he served for one term. He was chairman of the senate temperance committee and chairman of the committee on public health and safety. He was also a member of the senate committee on the state library and was largely instrumental in securing the passage of a bill to raise the salary of the state librarian and secured three thousand dollars with which to buy new books for the library. For many years he has been chaplain of Foxon Grange. His life. actuated by high and honorable purposes and lofty ideals, has been of great worth to the world. For many years he had the encouragement, assistance and cooperation of a woman who was indeed a helpmate to him in the highest and best sense of the term and whose good example is yet felt throughout the community in which she so long lived and labored. The Rev. Page has spent his entire life in this section of Con- nectieut and the years devoted to the material, intellectual, social, political and morat progress of the community have been most resultant, making his name an honored one throughout the state.
CHARLES S. GILLETTE.
Charles S. Gillette, who still resides upon his farm in the town of Cheshire, has retired from most of the activities which engaged his attention in his earlier years but still con- duets his implement business. He was born in Colchester, New London county, Connecticut. July 15, 1840, a son of Sammel S. Gillette, whose father likewise bore the name of Samuel. After completing his education Samuel S. Gillette engaged in teaching in New London county for a number of years but at length located upon a farm in the town of Colchester and during his remaining years engaged in the cultivation of the soil and in raising, and dealing in. stock. He held membership in the Congregational church and supported the whig party until it was succeeded in national politics by the republican party, whose principles he endorsed by his ballot. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Josephine Babcock, was born in East Haddam, Middlesex county, Connecticut, and was a daughter of Samnel Babcock, a representative of an old Rhode Island family. To this union were born four children: Charles S .: Oscar, who died in New Orleans while a soldier in the Union army; Dwight, who lives on the old home- stead; and Selden L., who resides in Kent, Ohio.
Charles S. Gillette attended the district schools and Colchester Academy and after com- pleting his schooling learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade, which he followed for some time. At length, however, he turned his attention to farming, and after following agricul- tural pursuits in New London county for two years be removed to the town of Meriden, where he worked at the earpenter's trade until his removal to Cheshire in 1874. lle then pur- chased what was known as the Anson Tuttle farm of fifty-three acres and has since resided thereon. He was successful as a general farmer and also has worked at his trade somewhat for a number of years. In 1890 he established a feed and agricultural implement business upon his farm and for many years successfully engaged in merchandising along those lines. He still deals in implements, handling the best known makes, but has given up the feed busi- ness. He no longer gives his personal attention to the operation of his farm, that being now in charge of his son, Dwight L., who, in addition to raising the usual crops, engages in dairy- ing. Many changes have occurred in the methods of farming since our subject first took up that ocenpation, at which time he used eight yoke of oxen in cultivating his land.
Mr. Gillette was married in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, to Miss Emma Laing, a native of Johnsonburg, Warren county. New Jersey, and a daughter of Joseph C. and Phoebe A. (Bunting) Laing. Her paternal grandparents, Sammel and Edith (Lundy) Laing, were born respectively in New Jersey and New York, and the family came originally from Aberdeen. Scotland. Mrs. Gillette is a well educated woman and is also a talented musician. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children. Charles is deceased. Dwight Laing was educated in the Cheshire Academy, an Episcopal school, and in the Massachusetts State Agricultural College at Amherst, from which he holds a diploma. Je married Miss Vivian Case, of Suffield, and has a son. Warren. Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Gillette have also reared
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three girls, one of whom is deceased. Minna Bunting is now the wife of W. Percy Bristol, of Meriden, and Amy is still in school.
In politics Mr. Gillette is a stanch republican and he has been called to a number of offices. He served as justice of the peace for a long time, retiring in 1910 because of the statute limitation as to age. For three years he was road commissioner and during that time maintained the roads of the town at a high standard of excellence, making them among the best in the county. He has always been a good roads enthusiast and as a private citi- zen has done much to arouse an interest in the subject. He has also served as seleetman and as assessor, and his official duties have invariably been discharged with an eye single to the general welfare. He was president of the Farmers Club at the time the Grange was organ- ized and his was the first name on the charter membership list of the latter organization, in the work of which he has taken an active part. He and his wife hold membership in the Congregational church and both can be counted upon to further in every way possible the moral advancement of their community. They are well known and justly held in the highest esteem.
WILLIAM RUSSELL FOOTE.
Prominent among the influential citizens and leading business men of Branford is num- bered William Russell Foote, who was born in that place on the 30 of June, 1848, and belongs to an old and honored family of Branford, his parents being Samuel and Sarah Elizabeth (Russell) Foote. He is a descendant in the eighth generation of Nathaniel Foote, who was born in England and settled in Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1633, but after- ward removed to Wethersfield, Connecticut, where he reared his family. He was a free- inan. His son, who bore the name of Robert, became a resident of New Haven and from there removed to Branford, where seven generations of the family have now lived. Here our subjeet's parents spent their entire lives, the father following the occupation of farm- ing on the same property which Robert Foote purchased in 1668. Ile was a son of Ephraim and Polly (Hobart) Foote.
William Russell Foote began his education in the district schools of Branford and later attended the old Branford Academy, the Hudson River Institute at Claverick, New York, the Cheshire Military Academy at Cheshire, Connecticut, and took a business course at a commercial school in New Haven. On the 17th of December, 1873, in Branford, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Foote and Miss Nettie Averill. a native of Branford, which was also the birthplace of her parents, Samuel and Myrta (Fowler) Averill. To Mr. and Mrs. Foote have been born four children but only two are now living, namely: Wallace HT., treasurer of the Branford Savings Bank; and Mabel L., at home.
In early life William R. Foote was variously employed for some time, but mainly gave his attention to farming and the raising of berries until 1892, when he retired from agricultural pursuits. When his brother Walter died in 1899. William R. Foote succeeded him in the office of town clerk of Branford and filled that position for several terms, at the same time serving as judge of the probate court and treasurer of the Branford Savings Bank from 1899 until 1912. He saw the opportunity for organizing another bank in the village and when his last term as town clerk expired he resigned as judge of the probate court and with others organized The Branford Trust Company in 1911, since which time he has served as its treasurer. The Trust Company is now capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars and has a surplus of seventeen thousand dollars. Mr. Foote is now assistant treasurer and a director of the Branford Savings Bank, which was organized in 1891 and until 1911 transacted all of its business in the Town Hall, where it was first located. Today, however, The Branford Trust Company and the Branford Savings Bank occupy the same building, a very substantial and well equipped structure erected for the purpose. In addition to his banking interests Mr. Foote is senior member of the fire insurance firm of William R. Foote & Son, controlling one of the largest insurance busi- nesses of Branford. He is likewise an extensive real estate owner. his city holdings in- cluding the telephone building, many business blocks and in addition several seashore
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properties. His progressiveness is tempered by a safe conservatism and he is considered an authority upon real estate values.
In politics Mr. Foote is an independent democrat and he has always taken a very active and influential part in local politics. He was influential in securing from the legis- lature the charter for the borough of Branford, the Branford town court, and the board of finance. He has served as selectman of Branford and from 1899 until 1917 filled the office of town treasurer. He has been warden of the Episcopal church and prominently identified with its work, doing all in his power to promote the moral and material welfare of his community. Fraternally he is connected with the Widows Son Lodge, No. 66, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master, and is a member of Franklin Chapter, R. A. M., and Har- mony Council, of New Haven; also Woodland Lodge, K. P., of Branford. He has traveled extensively and is a man of very broad and liberal education, which is constantly being augmented by his powers of observation and his retentive memory. He is a man of re- markable personality and strength of character. widely recognized as a strong man-strong in his honor and his good name, strong in his ability to plan and perform. He is regarded as one of Branford's most distinguished citizens who has the welfare of the community at heart and probably no other resident of the town has done more for its upbuilding and development along various lines.
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