Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 100

Author: H. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1899
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1795

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Alvah S. Pearce was a very public-spirited man, noted for sound judgment and strict integ- rity, and was appraiser on and administrator of a

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great many estates. For several years he was a director of the National Pahquioque Bank of Danbury, and at his death was a director of the Danbury National Bank. He was very instru- mental in having a post office established at Ball's Pond, and was postmaster from the establish- ment of the office (his commission is dated March 12, 1851) until his death, when his son, Amzi H., was appointed, and held the office until it was discontinued, November 15, 1893. In politics he was a Whig until the formation of the Repub- lican party, when he became a stanch Repub- lican. He served as justice of the peace for many years, and held several town offices. His family record will be found in the Ancestry of Edward H. Pearce, immediately preceding.

C NAPTAIN FREDERICK J. BRECKBILL is one of the leaders among the younger busi- ness men of Bridgeport, and his successful career shows that he possesses the acumen and enter- prise which characterize the typical American. He comes of good German stock, his great- grandfather. who settled in Lebanon county, Penn., 1742, having been born in the Fatherland.

Frederick J. Breckbill, our subject's grand- father, was born and reared in Lebanon county, Penn., but made his home in later life upon a farm near Shelby. Richland Co., Ohio. He married a Miss Fletcher, a descendant of the Mr. Fletcher who was associated with Rev. John Wesley in founding the Methodist Episcopal Church. Six children were born of this union: Bina, a resident of Columbus Grove, Ohio; John; William; Jonathan Z .; H. T., a physician, at Columbus Grove, Ohio; and Alice.

and the Loyal Legion. His death occurred at his home in Poughkeepsie in 1882. His wife, Emma Catherine Atkins, who died at Pough- keepsie in 1891, was a daughter of John S. At- kins, a well-known citizen of that place. Of their eight children three are now living: Frederick J., McPherson and Emma Catherine.

Our subject was born July 19, 1868, at Shelby, Ohio. His boyhood was spent chiefly at Pough- keepsie, and he was educated at Pelham Insti- tute and Riverview Military Academy. On leaving school, in 1882, he went to Columbus Grove, Ohio, where he made his home with his uncle, Dr. H. T. Breckbill, for about two years, and after returning to Poughkeepsie he began to learn the jeweler's trade with Mr. Van Keuren, with whom he remained five years, at the end of that time going to New York City to take a position in the jewelry store of Smith & Sturges. Later he spent five years with F. L. Wilson, a jeweler at Danbury, Fairfield county. and in 1893 he opened his present store on Main street, Bridge- port. For some time he had a partner, the firm being Breckbill & Benedict, but since November 28, 1896, he has conducted the business alone. As a citizen he is public-spirited, and during his residence in Poughkeepsie he was connected with the Davy Crockett Hook & Ladder Company. He has evidently inherited the military ardor and ability of his father, and on November 24, 1891, he enlisted at Bridgeport in Company G, 4th Regiment Conn. N. G. His advancement was rapid, and in February 16, 1892, he was pro- moted to the post of first lieutenant, which he resigned July 12, 1893. On July 17 of that year he was appointed first lieutenant and adjutant of the First Battalion of the Fourth Regiment, and on February 8, 1897, he was made captain and adjutant of the same regiment. Socially the Captain is prominent. and he is a member of Harris Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Bridgeport: Wooster Lodge, K. P .. at Danbury; Court Marion, Forest- ers of America; and Gilmore Council, Royal Arcanum.

Capt. Jonathan Z. Breckbill, the father of our subject, was born at Shelby, Ohio, in 1844, and grew to manhood upon the old homestead. his early education being obtained in the district schools of the locality. In 1861 he enlisted in Company I. 32nd O. V. I., and after serving throughout the war he returned to Shelby. Farm life being uncongenial, he took a course in the Eastman Business College, at Poughkeep- B DYRON DEXTER. This name stands as a synonym for dauntless courage and enter- prise, and the career of the man who bears it is regarded as marvelous even among the energetic and able business men of Danbury. Five times I has Mr. Dexter commenced business as a hat sie, N. Y., and, as he proved an able scholar, soon found employment as freight agent for the New York Central railroad at that point, later becoming the local agent for the Buckeye Mow- ing Machine Company. He always retained his interest in military affairs, and from 1874 to 1879 | manufacturer, and four times has his plant and served as captain of Company A, 21st Regiment stock been destroyed by fire, entailing heavy loss; vet these disasters only temporarily hindered him, for at present he owns and operates two of the N. Y. N. G., now known as the 15th Separate Company. Socially, he was held in high es- teem, and he belonged to various orders, in- | largest and best-equipped factories in Dan- cluding the Masonic Fraternity, the I. O. O. F., | bury.

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Mr. Dexter is a direct descendant of Dr. Henry Dexter, one of the voyagers on the " May- flower," and can trace his own physical and men- tal stamina to a hardy and long-lived ancestry. His grandparents, Morris and Mary (Purdy) Dex- ter, attained unusual length of life, the former dying at the age of ninety-eight. and the latter when ninety-two. Leonard Dexter, father of our subject, was born April 6, 1829. in Somers, Westchester Co., N. Y., and, although a stone mason by trade, has been engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his active life. He married Miss Frances Losee, who was born March 8, 1839, at Croton Falls, Westchester Co., N. Y., a daughter of James and Rebecca (Smith) Losee, and six children graced their union: Henrietta, Byron, Ferdinand, Frances, Phoebe and Nellie. The parents are yet living, being honored citizens of Danbury, with residence at No. 40 Pleasant street, corner of Park avenue.

Leonard Dexter, during the great Civil war in this country, did credit to his ancestry by a long, active and honorable service-from 1862 to 1865, in fact, "till there was no more fighting to be done." On August 15, 1862, he entered the Union army by enlisting in Company G, Sixth N. Y. V. H. A. (known as the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth N. Y. V. I. until October 3, 1862), which was mustered in at Yonkers, N. Y., Sep- tember 2, 1862; moved to Baltimore, Md., Sep- tember 5, 1862. He served in the Railroad Division, Eighth Army Corps, Middle Depart- ment, until March, 1863; in the Second Brigade, First Division, Eighth Corps, Army of the Po- tomac, until August, 1863; in the Reserve Artil- Jery, Army of the Potomac, until April, 1864; in the First Brigade, Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac, until May, 1864; in Independence Brigade, Fifth Army Corps, until May 30, 1864; in the Heavy Artillery Brigade, Third Division, Fifth Army Corps, until July 6, 1864; in the First Brigade, Hardin's Division, Twenty-second Army Corps, Defenses of Washington, D. C., until Sep- tember 27, 1864; in the First Brigade, Kitching's Provisional Division, Army of the Shenandoah, until December, 1864; and in the Second Brig- ade, Terrero's Division, Army of the James, until August, 1865.

The following is a detailed account of Mr. Dexter's service : 1862-Duty at Baltimore, Md., until December 22; operations against Stuart, October 9-12; Companies L and M joined the regiment in December. 1863-Duty in the defenses of Harper's Ferry, W. Va., until June 29; duty at Frederick, Md., until July 9; marched to Turner's Gap, South Mountain, July 9; joined the Third Army Corps, near Jones' Cross Roads,

July 10; operations near Williamsport, July 12- 14; marched to Burnside's Bridge, Antietam Creek, July 15; marched to near Sandy Hook, July 16, and to near Hillsboro, July 18; marched by way of Wood Grove to Upperville, Va., July 19-20; and by way of Linden to Manassas Gap, July 23; marched near Warrenton, July 25; detached as ammunition guard, Reserve Artil- lery, until April, 1864; Bristoe Campaign. October 9-22; operations on Mine Run, from November 26 to December 2. 1864-Campaign from Rapi- dan river to Petersburg, May 14-June 16; battle of the Wilderness, May 5-7; battle of Spottsyl- vania, C. H., May 8-21; the Salient (Bloody Angle), May 12; battle of Harris House, May 19 (Po river); North Anna river, May 22-26; Jericho Mills, May 23; recrossed the North Anna river, at Tuarle's Mills, May 27; crossed the Pa- mukey river, at Hanovertown, May 28; battle of Totopotomoy, May 28-31; battles of Cold Harbor, June 1-12; Bethesda Church, June 3; flank movement on Petersburg June 12-16; siege of Petersburg and Richmond, June 16 -August 13; assault on Petersburg, June 17- 18; moved to Washington, D. C., August 13-14; and duty in the defenses north of the Potomac river, until September 23; battle of Cedar Creek, Va., October 19; duty in the Shenandoah Val- ley, until December. 1865-Siege of Peters- burg and Richmond, December, 1864, to April; fall of Petersburg, April 2; duty at and in the vicinity of Petersburg until July; mustered out of the service near Washington, D. C., August 24. 1865. He was wounded at the battle of Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864, by a gunshot in the left shoulder.

Byron Dexter, the subject proper of this sketch, was born January 16, 1858, at North Salem, Westchester Co., N. Y., where he re- ceived a somewhat limited education in the dis- trict schools. When he was ten years old he went to work upon a neighboring farm on the un- derstanding that he should receive his board and clothes, as well as three months' schooling in each year. After spending some six years in this manner he in 1874 went to Danbury, and there secured work with Bradley Keeler, a farmer in that vicinity, at $8 per month. Soon there- after becoming acquainted with some hatters in that city, and the mention of their comparatively high wages deciding him to endeavor to better his condition if possible, he seized the first op- portunity that offered, and entered a hat factory as an apprentice. So diligent was he that in a very short time he headed the list of rapid and accu- rate workmen. For seven years he worked at the trade, in the meantime saving most of his

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earnings, and in the spring of 1882 he began the manufacture of stiff hats in a shop on North Main street, Danbury. His start was an exceed- ingly modest one, but he rapidly increased the business, and had reached a highly prosperous condition when, on the morning of November 2, 1882, the entire factory with the stock was de- stroved by fire. Nothing daunted, however, he at once rented a part of Lacy & Downes' factory, and continued his work, but on the night of February 1, 1883, he was again burned out. Again he lost no time in securing a new start, renting a factory on the old site, and five months later, when every department of the plant was in complete working order and running in its full capacity, the factory caught fire from an oil singer, and in fifteen minutes was burned to the ground, some of the employes narrowly escaping with their lives.

After this calamity, Mr. Dexter decided to secure a different location, and accordingly rented a factory on Center street, where for five years he enjoyed a profitable business. As it devel- oped, however, he realized the need of larger and more convenient quarters, and on October 1, 1888, he purchased the building on Pauquique avenue formerly known as the Gardner & Dudley factory. He then prepared himself for a still further extension of business, which there was every reason to expect, but on the night of Au- gust 12, 1889, some incendiaries entered the place, and notwithstanding the fact that a watch- man was on duty, they succeeded in starting a fire, and in less than two hours the building was in ruins. Three hundred and fifty employes were thus deprived of work, and Mr. Dexter sustained a loss which was admitted by the insurance adjusters to be at least thirty thousand dollars above his insurance. In the previous fires his losses had reached from two to fifteen thousand dollars above the amount of his policies. He was not the man to permit this later and larger disaster to discourage him, for in less than forty- eight hours he had given orders to clear away the debris and prepare for the erection of a new building. By October 1, 1889, he had the finest factory in the city all ready for business, and for the past eight years he has conducted a large and constantly growing trade there. The fire-fiend has since left him unmolested, and his most serious misfortune was the loss of $5,700 on the first bill of goods shipped from the new factory twenty-five days after its opening. The con- signee of this large order never paid for it, and under all circumstances the loss was a severe one, and no doubt would have prostrated a man of less force of character and will. On July 6,

1896, Mr. Dexter increased the capacity of his business plant by purchasing from Sheather & Sanford, of New York City, the large building known as the John W. Green factory, and since that time both factories have been run on full time, employing from six hundred to seven hun- dred men and women.

It goes without saying that Mr. Dexter's keen and active mentality has had the support of sound physique. He attributes his good health to his temperate habits, which have left unim- paired the sound constitution with which nature blessed him. In all his life he has never taken a glass of intoxicating liquor of any kind, nor has he used tobacco in any form. He has made a point of laying aside each year in a savings bank the money which might have been spent by him in these indulgences, and this fund now amounts to more than nine thousand dollars.

Socially, Mr. Dexter is an active member of the National Manufacturers Association, and he is a thirty-second degree Freemason; in politics he is a Republican, and to all this it may truth- fully be added that he is a generous but un- ostentatious friend of every good cause. In manner pleasant and genial, in disposition kindly and sympathetic, a firm and enduring friend, he is held in the highest regard by a wide circle of friends.

G EORGE MACKAY HUBBARD (deceased) ! was a member of one of the old families of Fairfield county, a family whose descendants have played well their part in professional and business circles, as well as in social life.

Born June 10, 1810, in Stamford, George Mackay Hubbard was a son of Dr. Nathaniel Hubbard and a grandson of Dr. Henry Hubbard, whose professional careers stand conspicuous among those of the members of the medical pro- fession whose lives were contemporaneous with theirs. Dr. Nathaniel Hubbard practiced his profession in Carmel, N. Y., also at Greenwich, Conn., and in 1790 established himself at Hub- bard's Corners, in the western part of the town of Stamford, Fairfield Co., Conn. In the vigor of his manhood he was a forceful character, both mentally and physically strong, especially gifted in the sense of memory, and was noted for un- usual powers of observation, which served him well in life work. He had a successful career, enjoying a large practice and ranking high in the profession. His wife, formerly Mary Mackay, to whom he was married by Rev. P. Buffet, pastor of the Church at Stamford, bore him children as follows: Archibald, born October 14, 1798;

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Henry, born August 17, 1800; Alexander, born June 3, 1804; Mary, born October 28, 1806; John W., born May 26, 1808; George Mackay, born June 10, 1810; Eleanor, born October 10, 1812 (now a resident of Harlem, N. Y.); Sarah T., born February 17, 1815 (now a resident of Ashtabula, Ohio); Cornelia, born May 16, 1817; William, born July 24, 1819; and Francis, born August 17, 1821.

George Mackay Hubbard passed his boyhood in Bangall District, in the town of Stamford, and there received his schooling. For almost half a century he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, in the district named, and then in 1851 he re- moved to the Lockwood homestead, where he continued the life of a farmer, meeting with the success his worthy life and industrious habits merited. He was a God-fearing and law-abiding citizen, correct in his daily walk and just and up- right in all his dealings with his fellowmen. He passed away May 1, 1881, beloved and respected by the community at large.

On May 4. 1835, at Stamford, Mr. Hubbard was married to Miss Rachel June, daughter of Ezra and Sally (Hoyt) June, residents of Stam- ford. To this union were born children as fol- lows: EMILY is a resident of Stamford; George William married Alice M. Girling (he died in Stamford); and Sallie married George Rosevelt, and resides at Stamford. In his political views the father of this family was first a Whig, later a Republican. The widow and children, after his death, continued to reside at the old home, where the mother passed to her rest May 5, 1898, at the age of almost eighty-two years.

B F. FOSTER, deceased. "The authentic picture of any human being's life and expe- rience ought to possess an interest greatly beyond that of fiction, inasmuch as it has the charm of reality." So writes a well-known author, and in the various histories in this volume there will be found ample justification for his thought. The following account will be of especial interest, as our subject, a prominent resident of Bethel, was a man who made his own way in life.

Mr. Foster was born October 16, 1824, in the town of Danbury, Fairfield Co., Conn., and con- sequently passed the ordinary limit of man's years, yet his cheeks remained ruddy and his eyes as bright as ever, a snowy crown of hair being almost the only sign of age. He was always actively engaged in business up to the time of his decease, and his success was sufficient evidence of his sagacity and energy. The Foster family originated in England. whence our subject's

grandfather, Benjamin F. Foster, for whom he was named, came at an early day and settled in Danbury, engaging in carpentering. He married Miss Susan Pickett, a native of Redding, Fair- field county, and they had four children: Alan- son, our subject's father; Edward, born in 1809, who died in 1891; David, born in 1817. who died in 1896; and Mary Ann, deceased, who was born in 1828, and married Col. George S. Crofut, who died in April, 1884.

Alanson Foster was born April 16, 1803, in the town of Danbury, and after obtaining a com- mon-school education there learned the carpen- ter's trade with his father, following this business successfully all his life, first in Danbury and later in the town of Redding, where he located in 1824. In politics he was a Whig, but he did not aspire to public honors. On December 17. 1823, he was married in Redding to Miss Polly Stone, who was born November 11, 1803, daughter of Levi Stone, a well-known resident of that town. She died September 23, 1868, and Mr. Foster's death occurred December 13. 1870. Both were devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were held in high esteem among their associates. Of their four children our subject was the eldest, the others being Levi, born July 13. 1826, who died August 3, of the same year; Angeline, born September 13, 1827, now the widow of H. D. Taylor, of Bethel; and Susan, born April 21, 1837.

Mr. Foster's education was secured in the district schools of Redding, and at an early age he began learning the carpenter's trade under his father's instruction. When he was twenty years old his father gave him his time and he went to Milltown, N. Y., where he was employed during 1845, on his return home engaging at work with his father until 1857, when he removed to Wes- ton and formed a partnership with Platt Keeler which continued about three years. In 1860 Mr. Foster located in Danbury, where he lived in the house in which he was born until the spring of 1865, when he sold out and removed to Ridge- field. In the spring of 1869 he returned to Dan- bury, and in 1876 he settled in Bethel, where he ever afterward resided. In August, 1875, he be- came a partner of Col. George S. Crofut in the coal and wood business and also in trucking, but in 1884 he sold his interest to Colonel Crofut, and from that time on engaged in trucking and deal- ing in wood. About seven o'clock on the morn- ing of March 1, 1897, Mr. Foster was stricken with apoplexy, and died immediately.

On January 11, 1847, Mr. Foster was married, at Ridgefield, to Miss Mary Keeler, a daughter of Bradley Keeler. She died March 17, 1894,

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leaving the memory of a well-spent life. Their only daughter, Elthea, who died August 16, 1893, married Walter J. Beckett, and they had three children: Fred F., Charles H. and Arnold.

O WEN DALY (deceased) was for many years a prominent resident of Stamford, and by his excellent qualities of character he won in a high degree the esteem and respect of his fellow- citizens. His life was free from ambitious striv- ing for public notice, yet in its quiet usefulness it made an impression on the community which will long remain as an inspiration to right-doing among all who knew him.

Mr. Daly was born November 28, 1848, in County Cavan, Ireland, where he spent his boy- hood, his education being secured in the local schools. He became proficient as a gardener, and in early manhood emigrated to this country, where the opportunities for advancement seemed more numerous than in his native land. After spending a short time in New York City he went to Tarrytown, N. Y., and about 1869 he came to Stamford with Mr. Smith, to take charge of his estate on Washington avenue. Later he was em- ployed by General Vinton and Charles Pitt, his skill as a gardener, combined with fine, artistic taste, winning for him a high reputation. He wisely invested his earnings in real estate in the town of Stamford, and the addition known as Dalyville, lying on East Main street, Stamford, proved a profitable enterprise. The opening of new streets in that direction stimulated the growth of the village, and he built a number of the houses on the addition, holding them for sale or rent. Mr. Daly took keen interest in public questions, and was a stanch believer in the principles of the Democratic party. He was active in religious work, being a leading member of St. John's R. C. Church at Stamford, and for many years he was connected with the Catholic Benevolent Legion.

On October 13, 1873. Mr. Daly was married, in Stamford, to Miss Margaret McMullen, and their home was brightened by seven children, as follows: Thomas F. (who married Miss Delia K. Thaney), James A., Owen, Charles, Mary C., Cornelius and Robert Emmett. Mrs. Daly, who who still resides at Stamford, enjoys the affec- tionate regard of a large circle of friends. Her father, the late James McMullen, who died in Stamford January 6. 1895. was a native of Ire- Jand, whence he came to the United States in early life. For ten years he served as a soldier in the United States army, taking part in the Seminole war and the war with Mexico, and in

in 1848 he located at Stamford, purchasing prop- perty on Sound View avenue, where he followed agricultural pursuits during his remaining years. He was a man of excellent character, a devout Christian, and for years he was a prominent worker in St. John's R. C. Church.

G EORGE PENOYER FOOTE. There can be no better evidence of the advancement of a people in all that tends to refine and uplift humanity than is found in the increasing consider- ation given to the most unfortunate classes in a community, and Danbury has given tangible proof of this spirit in the construction of a model almshouse, one of the best in the State. The building is a three-story brick, 100x 200 feet, and is capable of accommodating from 150 to 160 inmates, and a farm of seventy acres affords wholesome food in abundance.

But of all the preparations made for the care of such an institution the task of securing able supervision is the most important, and this need has been well met in this instance by the ap- pointment of Mr. G. P. Foote, who, with his talented wife, has been in charge since June, 1896. The history of both is here given, and will prove of more than ordinary interest.

Mr. Foote was born January 27, 1844, at Brookfield, in this county, where his family has resided for several generations. The late Abel Foote, our subject's father, who was born at Brookfield, July 19, 1817, was a hat stiffener by occupation. He died January 6, 1891; his wife, Abbie (Atkins), a native of Danbury, born June 6, 1824, is still living, at the age of seventy- three. They had children, as follows: Robert, deceased; George P., our subject; Alfred, Julia A., Rivington, and Andrew H., all now deceased; Edward O., of Danbury; Susan 1., of Danbury; Charles R., of Danbury; Eveline R., of Dan- bury; Howard, deceased; and two others who died in infancy.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 100

Author: H. H. Beers & Co. Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1795

Author: H. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1899
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1795