USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 82
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BURTON WALTER BISHOP.
Much has been said concerning progress that has been made along industrial and com- mercial lines but in no field has it been more rapidly made than in connection with agricul- tural pursuits. Up to a century ago the same methods of farming were in vogue that had been followed through centuries. Then came an era of revolution through the invention and introduction of modern farm machinery and the scientific study of crop production. Since taking up farm work on his own account Burton Walter Bishop has kept in close touch with the trend of modern development and improvement and is today one of the representative agriculturists of Guilford. He was born in Orange, New Haven county. January 25, 1867, a son of Walter Goodrich and Nancy Maria (Leete) Bishop. The father was born in Meriden in 1827 and was a son of Martin and Sylvina (Bradley) Bishop. The former was in turn a son of Benjamin Bishop of North Haven. Walter Goodrich Bishop was a molder by trade and in 1871 he removed to Guilford, where he took up the occupation of farming, which he followed in the West Side district of Guilford until the time of his demise. ITis wife was a daughter of Rufus N. Lecte, who in turn was a son of Miner and Lucinda (Norton) Leete. the former a descendant of Governor William Leete. The Leete family has been represented in Guilford since the original settlement was made here.
Burton Walter Bishop acquired his education in the district schools of Guilford, being but four years of age when his parents took up their abode on the West Side. He also at- tended the Guilford town school and the Guilford high school. Following his graduation from the latter he concentrated his efforts on farming on the old Bishop farm on the West Side of Guilford, on the Boston post road, and here he has since remained. He has made many im- provements upon his land in the way of erecting modern substantial buildings and also in the methods whereby he cultivates his fields and his farm is one of the most highly im- proved and developed farm properties in Guilford. He specializes in the production of corn and the improvement of seed corn, for which he finds an extensive sale. He also carries on dairying and has a fine herd of dairy cattle. His dairy is managed in a most sanitary manner and the product finds a ready sale. He is thoroughly progressive in all that he does, is alert, energetic and resourceful, and he has made a deep study of agriculture, operating his farm along a strictly business basis and according to the most scientific methods.
On the 17th of March, 1892, Mr. Bishop was married to Miss Lillian Ruth Remington of Great Barrington, Massachusetts. She was born in Lee. that state, but was educated in Great Barrington. Her advantages enabled her to become a successful teacher and she made an excellent record in this connection in the Guilford school. She is a daughter of George F. and Helen MI. (Bullard) Remington, the former a native of Becket, Massachusetts, and the latter of Ohio. By her marriage Mrs. Bishop has become the mother of six children: Rufus
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Walter; Helen Mariette, who is a graduate of Smith College; Arthur Frederick: Charles Rem- ington; Grace Louise ; and George Burton.
Politically Mr. Bishop is a republican. lle has served on the town school board, has been grand juror and is now serving as justice of the peace. He and his wife are members of the First Congregational church, in which Mrs. Bishop takes an active part. Mr. Bishop belongs also to St. Albans Lodge, No. 38, F. & A. M., of Guilford; to Menuncatuc Lodge, No. 68. I. O. O. F., of which he is one of the oldest members; and to Hollis Encampment, I. O. O. F. He likewise has membership in Pomona Grange, No. 5, of New Haven county, and in the State and National Grange organizations, and he is a member of the Guilford Agricul- tural Society. He takes a most active interest in farmers' organizations, attending various conventions and thus keeping in touch with the trend of modern progress and improvement along agricultural lines. He justly ranks with the most prominent, resourceful and capable farmers of eastern New Haven county.
ECKFORD DAVIS.
Eckford Davis is one of the honored residents of Branford and one of its most venerable citizens. He has passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey, his birth having oc- curred in Killingworth, Middlesex county, Connecticut, May 12, 1836. His parents were Lewis T. and Sarah (Burr) Davis. The father was born in Killingworth, Connecticut, and there acquired his education, after which he took up the occupation of farming, which he fol- lowed throughout his remaining days in Killingworth. His wife was born in Higganum, Connecticut, was there educated and, like her husband, spent her last days in Killingworth.
Eckford Davis passed the period of his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm at Killingworth and is indebted to the public school system of that locality for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. In 1857, when a young man of twenty years, he went west to Coffey county, Kansas, hoping to locate there, but did not like the locality and returned to his native city, whence he removed to Branford in 1860. He began farming east of Bran- ford and afterward married Sarah Elizabeth Beach and later came into possession of the old Beach homestead, which he yet owns. He concentrated his efforts and attention upon its further cultivation and development until 1906, when he retired from active life but still occupies the farm.
It was on the 4th of November, 1860, that Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Elizabeth Beach, who was born in Branford, upon the farm which is now the prop- erty of her husband. She was a daughter of Eber and Mary (Tyler) Beach, wbo were also natives of Branford, where her father followed the occupations of farming and shoemaking, making shoes upon his place to ship to the West Indies. Both he and his wife died upon the old homestead and their daughter, Mrs. Davis, passed away August 1, 1900. She was an only child and by her marriage had but one child, Mary Tyler, who was born on the old Beach farmstead and became the wife of Elon Bragg, who now farms the place. Mr. Bragg was born in Devonshire, England, and at the age of eighteen years came to America, making his way to Norwalk, Connecticut, whence he afterward removed to Branford, where he married. He was formerly a brass finisher in the employ of the Branford Lock Works but is now concentrating his efforts and attention upon agricultural pursuits. To Mr. and Mrs. Bragg have been born three children, of whom one died in infancy. Sarah Elizabeth was born in the same house as her mother and grandmother. She is the wife of Abner Sandquist, a photo engraver, and they have two children, Mary Elonia and Lillian Elizabeth. They re- side in New Haven. Vincent Elon Davis Bragg was born in the same house as his mother, was graduated from the high school of Branford and from the University of Pennsylvania, in which he completed a course in the dental department. He became assistant professor of oral surgery in the University of Pennsylvania and practiced dentistry in Philadelphia. but is now a first lieutenant in the Dental Reserve Corps and post surgeon at Fort Riley, Kansas. Mrs. Bragg has been very active as a worker in the First Congregational church. She has ever been a devoted wife and mother and has every reason to be proud of the splendid record made by her son in the educational world and in the professional field.
Mr. Davis has long been a stalwart champion of the republican party but would never
ECKFORD DAVIS
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consent to become a candidate for office, preferring that his public service should be done as a private citizen. Since 1864 he has been a consistent member of the First Congregational church and for more than forty years served as one of its ushers, while for an extended period he acted as treasurer of the church and for many years was a member of the society committee. In a word he took a very active and helpful part in all the lines and depart- ments of church work and his labors have been effective in promoting the growth and de- velopment of the organization. He is a very strong temperance worker and belonged to the Sons of Temperance and also to the Knights of Honor. His life has been characterized by good decds. He has ever been most charitable and his record contains many evidences of his benevolent spirit. Throughout his life he has found time to visit those in need, con- tributing to their support and welfare. It is not difficult to speak of Mr. Davis, for his life and his character are as clear as the sunlight. His friends, and they are many, know him as a man who has cherished a high ideal of duty and lived up to it. He has constantly labored for the right and from his earliest youth has devoted a large portion of his time to the service of others. To him have come "the blest accompaniments of age-honor, riches, troops of friends."
NEWTON HENRY SNOW.
Newton Henry Snow is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and seventy-tive acres, which is situated in the town of North Branford. Upon this place he has lived for forty-two years and has been closely associated with the agricultural development of his section of the county. The active work of the farm he now leaves to his son but gives gen- eral supervision to the place. A native of Middlesex county, Connecticut, he was born in Killingworth on the 10th of August, 1848, a son of Henry and Louisa (Hull) Snow. The father, a representative of one of the oldest families of this section, was born in Killingworth. where he followed farming throughout his entire life and passed away. His wife was born at Maromas, in Middlesex county, where they were married, and her death also occurred at Killingworth.
Newton Henry Snow spent his youth upon his father's farm, there remaining until 1871, when he went west and for a short time was located at West Salem, in La Crosse county, Wisconsin. He there secured work with William Dudley, a Guilford (Conn.) farmer, who had previously removed to Wisconsin. Later Mr. Snow went to Winnebago, Minnesota, seek- ing a location on a homestead, and from that point he and a companion started overland to the Republican river in Nebraska. They traveled as far as Fremont, Nebraska, where they spent the winter. The partner was a harness maker and had a stock of harness making tools and supplies in his wagon. They desired to find a location suitable for the establish- ment of a harness shop and went on from Fremont to Columbus, Nebraska, but could not find what they regarded as a desirable opening. Accordingly Mr. Snow applied to the Wool- worth Handle Company at Mound City. Illinois, for employment. as he had some experience in making axe handles in Connecticut. For several years he worked at Mound City and when the factory closed down he returned to Killingworth. Connecticut, and entered the employ of the Rose Handle Company at North Branford. there continuing until the spring of 1875, when he married and turned his attention to farming, settling in North Branford, where he has operated a large farm. He continued in active work until a few years ago. when he turned over the management of the property to his son. Frank H. He still resides upon the farm, however, which has been his home siner 1875. It is an excellent tract of land of one hundred and seventy-five acres and general farming and stock raising have been ste- cessfully carried on for many years.
On April 2, 1875. Mr. Snow was united in marriage to Mrs. Emma (Benton) Rose, who was born in Guilford, a daughter of David and Eliza Benton, representatives of an old family of New Haven county, her father having been well known as a timber man of this region. To Mr. and Mrs. Snow have been born two children. Frank Henry. the elder, born on the old family homestead, was educated in the schools of North Branford and has lived upon the farm throughout his entire life. He is now managing the property and is also engaged in the native timber and Inmber business, operating a sawmill, which he carries on successfully. Vol. II-30
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He married Anna Potter, of Guilford, Connecticut, on the 5th of June, 1907. She is a daughter of Elbert and Mary (Field) Potter, of Guilford, and by her marriage she bas be- come the mother of four children: Walter, Orrin, Mary and Emma B. Frank H. Snow is recognized as one of the representative business men of his section of the county. In the lumber business he is in partnership with Royal Harrison, of North Branford, an association that has been maintained since 1905. David Benton, the younger son of the family, was born on the old home place and is in the employ of the water company of New Haven. He married Gertrude Page, of North Branford, a daughter of Herbert O. Page, a farmer of the town of North Branford, and they have one child, Roger.
In his political views Mr. Snow is a democrat, having always supported the party since attaining his majority. He has served as selectman and as tax assessor and he has been capable and loyal in the discharge of his public duties. He belongs to the Congregational church and its teachings have guided him in all of life's relations. His course has ever been honorable and upright, his actions manly and sincere, and throughout the community in which he lives he is held in the highest esteem.
FREDERICK HOWELL BILLARD.
The subject of this sketch is a well known and highly respected citizen of Meriden. born there October 18, 1873, a son of John L. and Harriet M. Billard. After receiving his primary education in the public schools of his native city, he entered St. Paul's school of Concord, New Hampshire, where he spent the years 1888 to 1892, then entering Yale university from which he graduated in 1896, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 1909 he returned to his alma mater, taking a course in forestry. Soon after his graduation in 1896 he went to Chi- cago, Illinois, and entered the employ of Swift & Company, well known packers in that eity, but in 1901 he returned to Meriden and engaged in the humber business. From 1907 to 1914 he followed the profession of forestry, being employed by the larger lumber companies of the Adirondacks and northern New England. In his various undertakings Mr. Billard has met with a fair degree of success and has always had the respect and confidence of his busi- ness associates. He has been connected with various financial interests and is today an officer in the First National Bank. the Meriden Trust & Safety Deposit Company and the City Sav- ings Bank, all of Meriden.
On the 28th of February, 1917, Mr. Billard was united in marriage with Elizabeth E. Ben- nett. daughter of James Elverson, and they reside at No. 160 Colony street in Meriden.
In politics Mr. Billard is a republican, with the principles of which party he is in thorough accord. His interest in civic affairs secured his appointment as park commissioner in 1914, and his interest in education made him a school commissioner the same year, positions which he has since held to the general satisfaction of the community. Mr. Billard is a member of the Society of American Foresters and the Society of Northeastern Foresters, and fraternally is a Mason, an organization in which he takes a commendable interest. In social organiza- tions he is a member of the board of governors of the llighland Country Club and of the Home ('Inb. While in general terms a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, it can truly be said that Mr. Billard is honored in his own native rity and wherever known. His life record is a commendable one.
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FRANK ELWOOD BROWN.
Frank Elwood Brown came to New Haven in August, 1891. An architect by profession he has been for years instrumental in helping in the development of his adopted city. Ile was born in Williamsburg, Massachusetts, October 12, 1869, a son of Erastus Meekins Brown, who was born in Conway, Massachusetts, June 5 1821. The family records in the paternal line trace the ancestry in this country back to Thomas Meckins, who landed at Boston in 1636. He married Katherine Bell. a daughter of Thomas and Susanna Bell, of Lon- don, England. Their son, Thomas Meekins, Sr., was the first signer of the petition
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to incorporate Hartford, Connecticut, and his son, Thomas Meckins, Jr .. wat- slam by the Indians on the 19th of October, 1675. Another ancestor in the paternal line was Thomas Nash, who came from England on the ship Hector, landing at Boston, July 26. 1637. His son, Timothy Nash, came to New Haven with John Davenport and others, and Thomas Nash was the sixty-sixth signer of the "fundamental agreement of Quinnipiack in Mr. New- man's barn." Thomas Nash was also a signer of the Guilford compact and Timothy Nash served as a lieutenant in the Colonial army. Another ancestor, Sergeant Benjamin Waite. was born at Little Compton. Rhode Island, probably in 1640. and was killed at the sacking of Deerfield. Massachusetts, February 29, 1704. The ancestral records also contain the name .of Sophia Smith, founder of Smith College, and the mother of Marshall Field. America's most distinguished merchant. Sally Nash, the great-great-grandmother of Mr. Brown, was the sister of Mr. Field's mother. Erastus Meekins Brown, father of Frank Elwood, wedded Wealtha E. Naramore, who was born at Goshen, Massachusetts. December 23. 1837. She was descended from Richard Church, of Hartford. born in 1637 and shot by the Indian- in 1696. His daughter was the wife of Isaac Graves, who was slain by the Indians in 1677. A great- great-grandson. Simcon Cowles, served in the Revolutionary war. He married Sarah Diekin- son, a daughter of Captain Reuben Dickinson, and she was given as her marriage portion a square mile of land in Amherst, Massachusetts, which in part constitutes the site of the Massachusetts Agricultural College. On the Cowles-Bartlett line Mr. Brown can trace an unbroken genealogical line for eight hundred and fifty years to Adam "Bottolot." an esquire. who went to England with William the Conqueror in 1066 and settled in Sussex. where the family estate is still occupied by a "Barttlet." Captain Reuben Dickinson commanded a com- pany from Amherst. Massachusetts, at Concord and at Bunker Hill in the Revolutionary war and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne. Another ancestor. Samuel Boltwood. was killed at the sacking of Deerfield in 1704. while "C'ornet" Robert Stetson was a member of the war council in 1661. He came from England and was appointed by the colony to visit King Philip, the Indian chieftain, in behalf of the interests of the colony. He died in 1702. His great-great- grandson, Gideon Stetson, joined the Revolutionary army at the age of fourteen years and was made stone deaf by the explosion of a shell. Another ancestor, William White, was a minute man at Lexington in 1775 and served with the rank of sergeant. He became a lieutenant in 1777 and eaptain in 1779. His grandson, Franklin Naramore, grandfather of Frank Elwood Brown, was for several terms a member of the Massachusetts legislature. He was the father of Wealtha E. Naramore, who became the wife of Erastus Meekin- Brown, and to them were born three danghters and one son, of whom two daughters. Nettie Evena aud Lilla Phinella, have passed away. The surviving daughter. Lillian Myrtle Brown, was for soy- oral years an office manager of the Yale Publishing Association and a secretary in the office of the Yale Press and has been connected with Yale University work since 1903. The father passed away at Amherst. Massachusetts, November 11. 1891, and the mother's death of- curred at Hamden. Connecticut, May 1. 1915.
Their only son. Frank Elwood Brown, supplemented his public school education, acquired at Amherst, by study in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston in 1890-91. pursuing a special course in architecture and commencing with the class of 1893. He was reared to country and farm life until seventeen years of age and in the meantime attended school at Amherst. working during his extra time in the old M. N. Spear store devoted to selling books, newspapers, wall paper, novelties and stationery. Later he was engaged in shoe manufacturing, skate manufacturing, the carpenter trade and mill work. and thus gradually he advanced, making wise use of his time and opportunities. broadening his knowledge through study and experience and prompted at all times by a landable ambition. The habits of industry and close application which Mr. Brown early developed have constituted the foundation of his professional success. He practiced his profession for one year at Ashe- ville, North Carolina, and for several months was employed by Alden & Harlow and other leading architects at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He dwelt altogether for about one year in the mountains of western North Carolina and had many interesting and adventurous experiences in that wilderness. In his professional career he has made steady progress and hold- the confidence of his townsmen and a position of respect among the architect- of New Haven.
In Chester, Pennsylvania, on the 17th of August. 1901. Mr. Brown was married to Mrs. Clarence II. Stilson, who in her maidenhood was Martha Pond Osborn, a daughter of the late Minott A. O-born, former editor of the New Haven Register, and a sister of Colonel
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N. G. Osborn, the present editor of the Journal and Courier. Her first husband was at one time employer and later a partner of Mr. Brown. By her first marriage she has three living sons. The oklest, Clarence Hoyt, married Cornelia Anderson, of Clinton, Connecticut, and has a son and a danghter. Clarence Il., Ill, and Mary Easter. Minott A. O. Stilson, the second son, married Mabel E. Austin, of New Haven, and has one son, Minott A. O., Jr. Alee York Stilson wedded Mary J. Carter, of Cannonsburg. Pennsylvania, and has a daughter and a son, Joyce Gilbert and Carter.
Mr. Brown has long been an exemplary representative of Wooster Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of New Ilaven, and a member of the Masonie Club. In polities he is an independent republican- progressive. He was very active in the progressive party from 1912 until 1916 and was town chairman of the party at North Haven, where he was then living. He was especially active in work connected with the twelfth senatorial district of Connecticut and was a delegate to the first progressive state convention held in Hartford and to most of the county and state meetings of the party. He served by proxy on the state central committee and had an extensive acquaintance with all the state and many of the national leaders of the party. Although now enrolled as a republican, his course practically is that of an independent voter. In 1914 he was elected on the progressive ticket at North Haven to the offices of town auditor and grand juror and he tied with the democratic candidate for registrar of voters. Soon after- ward he disposed of his farm at North Haven and removed to New Haven, accordingly sending in his resignation from the town offices. lle believes in universal military service and in all matters of citizenship displays a spirit of loyalty and fidelity which has ever character- ized his ancestors. He is a private in Company F, Second Regiment, Connecticut Home Guard.
GEORGE W. WARNER.
George W. Warner, who for nineteen years has been engaged in contracting and building in Highwood. New Haven, has developed extensive interests in that connection and has also become well known as a speculative builder. He was born in Hamden, Connecticut, November 4. 1867, a son of John and Sarah (Riggs) Warner, both of whom were representatives of old New England families. The father was a native of Hamden, while the mother was born in Beacon Falls. Connectient. Throughout his entire life the father engaged in general agrienl- tural pursuits but was called to his final rest in 1868, His widow, long surviving him, passed away in 1899. In their family were four children, Edward. Bernard. Richard and George W.
The last named spent his youthful days as a pupil in the public schools of Hamden, a suburb of New Haven. and after he completed his education he learned the carpenter's trade, becoming thoroughly familiar with every phase of bailding operations. He remained in the employ of others for seventeen years and in 1898 began contracting and building on his own account. During the intervening period, covering almost two decades, he has erected many residences and other buildings in lamden, Highwood and New Haven. Within this period he has also purchased considerable unimproved property on which he has erected attractive dwellings that he has sold at a substantial profit and which have proven thoroughly satis- factory to the purchaser. In his building operations he studies comfort, convenience and utility as well as attractive design and some of the most beautiful residences and line public buildings of this locality stand as a monument to his ability and his enterprise. Hle erected the handsome homes of ludge Hall and of Louis Jacobs and many other fine structures of New Haven might be cited as evidences of his superior skill and handiwork.
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