USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Litchfield County, Connecticut > Part 26
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R EV. FATHER P. DUGGAN, pas- tor of St. Francis Church of Torring- ton, is a native of County Tip- perary, Ireland, born in the year 1847 His father, Denis Duggan, was a lifelong resi- dent of said county, where he belonged to the sturdy farming class so characteristic of Tipperary.
Father Duggan was reared and educated in his native isle, and, after leaving the national schools, completed his studies at St. Patrick's College in Thurles, being ordained in the cathedral of that place in 1874. Emigrating to this country, he was appointed assistant at St. John's Church in the town of Middleses, where he remained two years. During the succeeding three years Father Duggan was at the Waterbury Church of the Immaculate Conception, under the Rev. Lawrence Welch. Then in 1879 he was assigned to his present pastorate. At that time his congregation. which numbered only nine hundred souls, worshipped in a small, dilapidated building.
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occupying the site of the present parsonage. He put forth his most strenuous efforts to raise money enough to erect a church and suitable buildings. The result was that in 1885 he was able to purchase from Miss Coe the lot now occupied by the school and from Miss Saxford the site of the present fine church. The latter edifice was completed in 1887, and is a model of architectural beauty, being one of the finest structures in the county. It is none too large for the congre- gation, which now numbers twenty-four hun- dred souls.
Father Duggan's labors, however, did not cease with the erection of the church. In 1888 he built the parsonage connected with it. In 1891 he had the convent erected, and two years later saw the completion and equip- ment of the beautiful school building, after the most approved modern plans. This school is under the charge of ten religious sisters, who give instruction to five hundred pupils in the branches taught in the public schools, fitting them for the high school. The pastor's object in providing this school for his people is to bring together the differ- ent nationalities of the place, the German, French, Italian, Hungarian, Pole, Slav, and Thuringian, to blend them in a homogeneous mass, and to so instruct the pupils as to make each a worthy citizen and a loyal supporter of the United States government. In pursuance of this purpose Father Duggan infuses into the minds of his pupils a love of the prin- ciples of American liberty, realizing that upon this as a corner-stone will rest the great future of America. He requires not only that the pupils shall be regular in their attendance and diligent in their studies, but also that they shall be true to the higher instincts of their nature. He is of the opinion that no young man can afford to be handicapped by
his own folly; that in his efforts to gain a higher position for himself he cannot afford to lose his chances by anything leading to dissi- pation : that the great stumbling-block to be shunned is strong drink; and that manhood, diligence, and self-control are the groundwork of success in life.
In all of his works Father Duggan is an earnest and tireless laborer. He is ably as- sisted in his duties by the Rev. Edward Brennan. In 1890 he travelled extensively in Europe, and studied the social, civil, and religious questions, his object being to in- form himself upon these matters as an aid to his parish work. He proudly speaks of America as his country by adoption, and says that no country surpasses it, and that no grander people than the Americans are to be found on the face of the earth.
A" RCHIBALD MCLEISH, a leading citizen of Falls Village, Salisbury, foreman in the car-shops of the New Haven Railroad in that place, was born in Charleston, Scotland, April 28, 1858, son of Robert and Elizabeth (Mason) McLeish. His grandfather, whose name also was Robert McLeish, was a printer in Scotland; and his father, Robert, Jr., was in the service of the government twenty-two years, serving as clerk in the army. The latter was subsequently in the employ of the North Bridge Railroad seventeen years. The mother of Mr. Mc- Leish, who was a daughter of Joseph Mason, came to America in 1882, and is now in her seventy-third year. She and her husband reared six children; namely, Alexander, Archibald, Robert, Ellen, Margaret, and Elizabeth.
Archibald McLeish learned the carpenter's trade in Scotland, acquiring the thoroughness
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and nicety of execution peculiar to expert workmen. Coming to America in 1880, he first found work as a car-builder at Norwood, Mass. Subsequently he was seven years in the employ of the New York & New England Railroad at that place, and in 1887 he went to work for the New Haven road. In this em- ployment he gave so much satisfaction that in time he was made foreman. He got charge of the car department in the Falls Village works in 1893, and up to the present time has filled the position in a satisfactory manner.
In 1882 Mr. McLeish was united in mar- riage with Ellen Stewart, daughter of David Stewart, of Dumferline, Scotland. Four children have blessed their union; namely, Robert, David, Alexander, and Florence.
In politics Mr. McLeish is Republican. He is advanced in Masonry, being a member of Orient Lodge of Norwood, Mass., A. F. & A. M., and also of Phoenix Lodge, No. 79, of New Haven, Conn. He also belongs to the Order of United Workmen.
ILLIAM STANLEY BALDWIN, a representative business man of New Milford, was born in New York City, April 25, 1831, son of Stanley S. and Harrict (Stevens) Baldwin. Mr. Bald- win's grandfather, Joel Baldwin, was a native of Brookfield, Conn., and a cooper by trade. Hle was also engaged in agriculture as well as coopering, and enjoyed a fair degree of pros- perity. He was a land-owner, and conducted a large farm situated upon Long Meadow Ilill. In his latter years he engaged in the grain business. His children by his first marriage were: Polly, Stanley Sanford, Sam- ucl, and Minerva; by his second marriage, Catherine, Thomas, Mary Anne, George, Edwin, Herriot, and Henry. Stanley S.
Baldwin, Mr. Baldwin's father, learned the trade of manufacturing jewelry in New Haven, and later established himself in business at 4 Franklin Square, New York City, where he conducted a prosperous business until his death, which took place when he was thirty- four years old. He was a supporter of the Whig party in politics, and was a member of the Congregational church. His wife, Har- rict Stevens, became the mother of one son: William Stanley, the subject of this sketch. She afterward became the wife of Almon Hallock, of Gaylordsville.
William Stanley Baldwin has resided for the most part in New Milford since reaching the age of four years; and he received his ed- ucation in the schools of that town and in Brooklyn, N. Y. He early engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, and for six years after his marriage conducted farming with his step- father in Gaylordsville. In 1862 he became financially interested in a patent pump, which proved a profitable investment ; and he carried on business in that line in New Milford for several years. He is now engaged in the grocery business with his son-in-law. In 1863 he purchased the A. B. Mygat property on East Street, which he has improved and beautified by setting out fruit trees, grading and laying out the grounds into lawns and walks, and remodelling the house.
On October 18, 1853. Mr. Baldwin was united in marriage to Betsey Potter, who was born July 20, 1830, daughter of James A. and Phebe (Gelston ) Potter. Her father was a prosperous farmer and extensive horse dealer of Albion, N. Y., who after a busy and suc- cessful career finally retired from active busi- ness pursuits. He reared a family of seven children, namely: Clark ; Maltby : Betsey. who is now Mrs. Baldwin; George: Henry; James ; and Phebe.
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Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin have three children, namely: Alice G., who was born June II, 1855; Nellie L., born December 3, 1858; and Harriet P., born January 25, 1868. Alice G. Baldwin married George H. Jack- son, and has one daughter, named Cornelia Baldwin. Mr. Jackson is an enterprising grocer of New Milford, which is his native town. He is a son of Charles W. and Laura M. (Hine) Jackson. His father, who was a farmer and brick-maker, enlisted in 1862 as a private in Company H, Second Regiment, Connecticut Heavy Artillery, and was killed in the battle of Cold Harbor. Nellie L. Baldwin married Harry Ives, son of Henry and Lucy T. (Yale) Ives. Her husband is engaged in the paper box business in New Milford. Harriet P. Baldwin married Will- iam H. Percy, ticket agent and operator at the New Milford station, and has one son, named Stanley Baldwin.
Mr. William S. Baldwin is a Republican in politics. He and his wife and daughters are members of the Congregational church, the family taking an active part in church work.
REDERICK N. WOODRUFF, whose home is situated in the South District of Watertown, one and a half miles from the village, was born March 30, 1812, on the farm he now occupies, his parents being Nathaniel and Esther (Hungerford) Woodruff. His great-grandfather, John Woodruff, a native and lifelong resident of Milford, Conn., was of English ancestry. Captain John Woodruff, son of the elder John, moved from Milford to Watertown after his marriage, and finally settled upon the estate which is now owned by his grandson, Freder- ick N. He applied himself sedulously to agricultural labors for a number of years, dur-
ing which time he improved his property into a good farm, and died at the age of seventy years.
Nathaniel was the youngest of the family of eight children born to Captain Woodruff and his wife. He was reared at the homestead, which he succeeded to the possession of after his father's death. He continued to improve the property, cultivating the land successfully and erecting the present residence. He died at the age of eighty-five. He was a Democrat in politics, taking an active part in local pub- lic affairs; and he served with ability as a member of the Board of Selectmen and as Justice of the Peace. He was twice married, his first wife, Esther Hungerford, being a daughter of Deacon Jonas Hungerford, a rep- resentative of one of the oldest families in Watertown. She became the mother of five children, of whom two are now living, namely: Frederick N., the subject of this sketch; and Lydia Ann, widow of Charles Bidwell. Mrs. Esther H. Woodruff died at the age of fifty years. Both parents attended the Congregational church.
Frederick N. Woodruff was educated in the district and select schools of Watertown, and at an early age he began to assist in attend- ing to the farm duties at home. He became proficient in all branches of agriculture, and managed the farm during his father's declin- ing years, finally inheriting the homestead. His land, consisting of one hundred acres, is well located and in a good state of cultiva- tion; and he has always carried on general farming with prosperous results, his crops being large and of a superior quality.
On September 21, 1842, Mr. Woodruff mar- ried his first wife, Nancy E. Tolles, daughter of Sheldon Tolles, of Woodbury. She died aged fifty-six, having been the mother of one child, who died at the age of seven years; and
FREDERICK N. WOODRUFF.
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he wedded for his second wife Martha A. Beardslee, daughter of D. M. Beardslee, of Watertown.
Mr. Woodruff is a supporter of the Demo- cratic party, and has rendered valuable service to the town as a member of the School Board. Hc is a member of the Congregational church, with which he has been actively connected for many years, and has served upon the various committees. He assisted in the establish- ment of a mission at Oakville, where hc acted as superintendent of the Sunday-school; and, although he has reached the advanced age of cighty-three years, he still retains sufficient vigor to enable him to continue in church work. He is possessed of a high order of in- telligence, has been a great reader, and is well informed upon all important questions of the day. He has lived an industrious and uscful life, and has always enjoyed the rc- spect and estccm of his fellow-townsmen.
A portrait of this venerable citizen will be recognized on another pagc.
G EORGE S. DUNNING, a general merchant of East Canaan, Litchfield County, Conn., was born in that town, July 19, 1859, son of Lyman and Isa- bella (Holcomb) Dunning. Mr. Dunning's great-grandfather, Edmund Dunning, who lived to the advanced age of ninety-two years, was a resident of Canaan; and Hawley Dun- ning, Mr. Dunning's grandfather, was born here, and followed farming, also conducting a tannery in the building which is now oc- cupied by the subject of this sketch as a store. His wife, who died aged fifty-six, was the mother of two children, namely : Lyman ; and Ellen, who became Mrs. Holcomb. Lyman Dunning was born in East Canaan, and was reared to farm life, which he followed
until reaching the age of twenty-eight years. He then engaged in mercantile pursuits in his native town, where he continued to carry on business until 1889, when he sold the store to his son, George S., and is now liv- ing in retirement at the age of sixty-four years. He was twicc married. His first wife, Isabella Holcomb, who died at the age of thirty-three years, was the mother of four children: Celia (deceased); George S., whose name appears at the head of this sketch; Ellen; and Belle. For his second wifc Lyman Dunning married Esther Stevens Rood.
George S. Dunning passed his boyhood on the old Dunning homestead, which has been in possession of the family for four genera- tions. He was educated in the schools of his native town, and at the age of twenty-six went to Manning, Ia., where for three years he was engaged in general mercantile business. He then returned to East Canaan, and in 1889, as elsewhere stated, purchased his father's business, which he has since conducted with prosperous results. In 1887 Mr. Dunning was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Clark, daughter of Nelson Clark, of Canaan. Mr. Dunning is a Republican in politics, and has served as a member of the School Board.
OSHUA A. BOLLES, editor of the New Milford Gazette and a writer on a variety of topics, is one of the leading citizens of New Milford, and a native of Waterford, Conn., where his birth occurred on May 26, 1856. He is a son of Joshua and Theresa A. J. (Wheeler) Bolles, his father having been a well-known book publisher.
During his active business career Joshua Bolles was associated with his brothers in a book store and publishing business at New
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London, Conn. The firm compiled and issued the Bolles Dictionary and the Bolles Spelling- book. Joshua Bolles died in 1857, two years after his marriage, when he was but forty-nine years old. His wife, Theresa A. J. Wheeler Bolles, is now living at the age of sixty-seven years. Their only child is Joshua A., of this sketch.
Joshua A. Bolles spent his boyhood in the old seaport town of New London, Conn., and was graduated from the Bulkeley School. He afterward entered Amherst College, but on account of severe illness was unable to remain long. At twenty years of age he began his career as a newspaper man in the office of the New York Mail, which was then edited by the late Major Bundy. He received valuable training from William Henry Forman, the lit- erary editor, also from Colonel Clifford Thompson, a well-known New York journalist. Mr. Bolles subsequently learned to set type in the office of the New London Telegram, and after that went to Great Barrington, Mass., where he was employed by Clark W. Bryan to write for the Berkshire Courier, the Paper World, and other publications of Clark W. Bryan & Co. From Great Barrington, in com- pany with Mr. F. H. Giddings, he came to New Milford, where they purchased and edited the Gazette. Mr. Giddings retired after a year, and Mr. Bolles has since conducted the paper alone and has brought it into the front rank of country newspapers.
In 1891 he erected a three-story block, the first floor of which he rents for a grocery store, and the third for a photographic studio; the second is devoted to his newspaper and job printing business, for which work he has a thorough equipment of fine machinery and presses, which are run by means of power fur- nished by a nine-horse boiler and a four-horse steam-engine. Mr. Bolles has contributed
many stories to the Boston Budget, Belford's Magazine, Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly, the Yankee Blade, and other publications. Two of his essays read before the Connecticut Editorial Association, entitled "The Country Editor of To-day" and "Country Journalism as an Art," have attracted special notice.
On September 15, 1887, Mr. Bolles was united in marriage with Miss Ella S. Irwin, a daughter of Robert Irwin. They are the par- ents of one daughter, Gertrude E., born December 19, 1888. The family reside on Bridge Street, where Mr. Bolles owns a pleas -. ant home centrally located.
DWARD COWLES, of Woodbury, one of the leading manufacturers of Litch - field County, was born in Bethlehem, Conn., September 19, 1829, son of David M. and Alma (Merriam) Cowles. His grandfather also, Levi Cowles, who was born in Bethlehem and there spent his life on a farm, died in 1813, at the age of forty-six. The wife of Levi, whose maiden name was Rachel Rumney, died in 1835, in her sixty-seventh year. The couple reared several children ; namely, Truman, ; John, Betsey, Albert, Althea, Edward, Maria, Sarah, David M., Susan, and Wealthy.
David M. Cowles, father of Edward Cowles, was born in Bethlehem, Conn., March 5, 1805. After his father's death he took charge of the homestead, and engaged in general farming, gradually buying more land until he owned four hundred acres in the eastern part of the town. He dealt largely in cattle, going West and North to trade. He owned stock in differ- ent manufacturing enterprises, buying cau- tiously at first, and gradually increasing his investments until he was one of the wealthiest men in the county. He first became inter- ested in the American Shears Manufactory,
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buying several shares of the stock. Subse- quently, with his son, the subject of this sketch, he gained control of the whole enter- prise, which has since reached mammoth pro- portions under the management of the younger man. Politically a Republican, he was a prominent factor in the town government, act- ing as Selectman and in other official capaci-
ties. He died January 17, 1886. On No- vember 27, 1828, he was married to Alma,
daughter of . Oliver Merriam, of Watertown, who died January 18, 1873. She was the mother of the following children: Edward, whose name heads this article; Oliver, born June 15, 1831, who died November 15, 1833; Oliver, born April 24, 1833; David, born Sep- tember 4, 1835; Wealthy, born February II, 1838; Horace, born January 9, 1841 ; Truman, born February 14, 1844; and Mary J., born July 3, 1846.
Edward Cowles received his early education in the schools of his native town. He assisted his father in the care of the farm and the cat- tle until he attained his majority, and then purchased a farm for himself, which he man- aged seven years. After that he moved to Woodbury, and located in Hotchkissville, be- coming Secretary and Treasurer of the Ameri- can Shears Company, in which he and his father were stockholders. This company was organized in 1852, and Mr. Cowles was Secre- tary and Treasurer until 1886, when he and his father bought up all the stock ; and he be- came President, becoming sole manager after his father's death. The business has greatly increased within the past ten years, and now gives employment to one hundred and twenty- five hands, turning out annually three thousand different kinds of knives, besides many kinds of scissors and shears. Stock is imported for the handles of the knives, comprising pearl, tortoise shell, horu, cocoa wood, ebony, and
other fine materials. The blades are wholly made of Sheffield plate steel. He has many machines of the latest pattern for cutting and finishing ; and he has a fine water power, and also a fifty-horse power engine for special pur- poses. Each knife goes through several dif- ferent hands before it is finished. Mr. Cowles finds market for his goods all through the United States, sending them as far west as California. His manufactory occupies several buildings, ranging from two to three stories high; and he owns several tenement houses, besides a fine residence in Woodbury. In 1895 he bought the Young house in Wood- bury, which he remodelled; and, beautifying the grounds and erecting a new barn, he trans- formed the whole into one of the handsomest pieces of residential property in the county.
On April 21, 1858, he was married to Esther A., daughter of Charles C. Hatch, of Bridgewater, Conn. She was born October 20, 1833, and died January 18, 1893, leaving three children - Julius H., Emogene .A., and Caroline I. Julius 11., who was born Septem- ber 19, 1859, is in company with his father, and is superintendent of the works. He mar- ried Mrs. Sarah Smith, who had by her former marriage one son, Edward II., now adopted by her husband. Julius Cowles has one daughter living, Gladys E., and has lost three children. Caroline L. Cowles, who was born December 23, 1864, is an artist, wife of Arthur Wright, who also is an artist. Emogene A., born July 8, 1862, resides in California. Edward Cowles was again married November 19. 1804. his bride being Fannie M., daughter of James and Caroline (Capewell) Stone, of Woodbury. James Stone, who was a son of Sheldon Moses and Ursula (Gillette) Stone, was born in Woodbury, December 10, 1830. In cail lite he was a carpenter and contractor, and later he was successfully engaged in the bakery bust
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ness. He died at the age of fifty-eight. His wife, who was a daughter of George A. and Harriet (Davis) Capewell, lives with her daughter, Mrs. Cowles. They reared the fol- lowing children : Mary E., born November 25, 1859, who was first married to Frank Root, and after his death became the wife of Samuel Root ; Henry J., who died in childhood; Ellen L., born October 30, 1862, wife of Lewis Dawson ; Fanny M., born April 8, 1866, wife of our subject ; and George S., born September 12, 1872. In politics Mr. Cowles is a stanch Republican. He is an esteemed member of the Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs.
@ RANK J. KILBORN, an enterprising miller of Washington, was born in Litchfield, May 22, 1850, son of Jeremiah and Rachel C. (Westover) Kilborn. Mr. Kilborn's grandfather, Putnam Kilborn, was a native and a lifelong resident of kitch- field. He followed agriculture prosperously during his active period, and died at the age of seventy-two years. He married Catherine Freeman, and reared a family of seven chil- dren; namely, Hiram G., Jeremiah, Rollin F., Hobart, Abigail, Clarissa, and Charles. The grandmother lived to reach the age of seventy-two.
Jeremiah Kilborn, Mr. Kilborn's father, was born in Litchfield. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, an occupation which he fol- lowed industriously until he lost his sight. This, together with other physical disabilities, caused his retirement from active labor. He died at the age of thirty-two years. His wife, Rachel (Westover) Kilborn, was a daughter of John Westover, of Litchfield; and she became the mother of two children, namely : David P., who married Lucy J. Hatch, of New Mil- ford, Conn .; and Frank J., the subject of
this sketch. The mother still survives at the age of seventy-one years.
Frank J. Kilborn received his education in the schools of his native town. At the age of seventeen he commenced to learn the trade of a stone-cutter. He also acquired the mason's trade, and afterward followed these occupations for twenty years. In 1889 he moved to Wash- ington, and, purchasing his present property, engaged in the milling business, which he has since prosperously followed. His mill is run by three wheels combined, giving ninety-horse power, which is ample for his present needs. Besides milling a large amount of flour and grain, in which he has built up a thriving trade, he grinds about eight hundred bushels of rye annually. He also makes a specialty of producing cider of a superior quality, at the rate of about one thousand barrels each season. He conducts business on a liberal and progres- sive scale, and his energy and ability are pro- ducing the most satisfactory returns for his investment. In politics he is a Democrat ; and, although his business monopolizes the major part of his time, he has served the town as first Selectman with ability for two years.
In 1872 Mr. Kilborn was united in marriage to Julia A. Jordan, daughter of Timothy C. Jordan. They have two children, namely : Wilbur T., who married Agnes P. Lofland, and has one child; and Harry G., who died October 27, 1895. He is well advanced in Masonry, having been Master of Rising Sun Lodge, No. 27, a member of Meridian Chap- ter, No. 15, Royal Arch Masons and Tyrian Council Royal and Select Masters, and of Clark Commandery, No. 7, Knights Templars. As a citizen and a business man, Mr. Kilborn in highly esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who appreciate his various commendable traits of character and true worth.
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