Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 133

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

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CAPTAIN SAMUEL HUESTED, who has for many years been prominently identified with the business interests of Sound Beach, Fairfield county, was born at that place, June 9, 1826, and there his father, Samuel Huested, Sr., spent his entire life, following farming as a means of livelihood. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Ann M. Waterbury, was a native of North Stamford, Fairfield county, and was a daughter of Enos Waterbury, of Stamford. She died when past the age of eighty years, her hus- band at the age of seventy-four, and the remains of both were interred in the Congregational Church cemetery. The father was a Democrat in politics, and a Baptist in religious belief, belong- ing to the Church in Stamford. In his family were the following children: Charles, a farmer and oyster-man, now deceased; Joseph, who died in Stamford; Jane, who married Jerry Rockefeller, and died in Sound Beach; John, who died in the same place; Mary, who wedded John Ferris, and died in Sound Beach; Peter, who died in Camden, N. J .; George, who died in Sound Beach; Sarah (now Mrs. Jacob Mendel), of Nyack, N. Y .; Samuel, of this sketch; and Harriet (now Mrs. William Webb), of Stamford.

For his education, Captain Huested is indebted to the public schools of South Beach, such as they were at that early day. Until eighteen years of age he was engaged in agricultural pur- suits, and then began work at hollow-ware mold-

ing in the foundry of George Warren, at Stam- ford; but the trade did not agree with him, so he crossed the Sound to Long Island, and there worked for Robert Thompson, as a gardener. Subsequently he went to West Farms, N. Y., and began boating as " first mate in a crew of two " on the Forest, that carried merchandise and prod- uce between West Farms and New York City. A year later he returned to Sound Beach, and in connection with his brother George embarked in the oyster business, which he has followed in season for forty-five years. During this time he ran a market sloop from Stamford to New York City, and he still keeps a boat, and at times still engages in the oyster and lobster business. He owns some land and a comfortable residence in Sound Beach, where he and his family make their home.

At the age of twenty-three years, Capt. Huested married Miss Catherine Hoit, a native of Sound Beach, and a daughter of Alfred Hoit. The two children, Benjamin F. and Harriet, born of this union, are both deceased. For his. second wife the Captain married Miss Cornelia Sauls, of Buffalo, N. Y., and she died leaving no children. Subsequently he was united in mar- riage with Angeline H. Knapp, also of Buffalo, by whom he has four children: Cornelia L., Cora F., Lester W. and William H.

The Democratic party finds in Captain Huested a stanch supporter of its principles, but he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. From an early age he has been. dependent upon his own resources, and has- fought his way in the world unaided by money or influential friends. Although past the allotted three-score years and ten, he is still well pre- served, and is highly respected by all who know him. He has watched with interest the growth of Sound Beach from a place of farms to one of the most desirable and popular residence sections in Fairfield county along the Sound.

HEODORE E. BEARD, a prominent lum- ber dealer of Huntington township, is a worthy representative of a family which has long been held in high esteem in that section.

Among the first settlers of Milford, Conn., in the year 1639, were Widow Martha Beard with three sons and three daughters. Her husband, James Beard, died on the passage from England to America. The names of the sons are James, John and Jeremy (or Jeremiah). James, who was the eldest, died in 1642 unmarried, and his estate was the first ever settled in Milford. The name of Jeremiah is not conspicuous on the rec-

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ords of the town. He was propounded for free- man by the General Court at Hartford, May 11, 1671. Capt. John Beard, the ancestor of those bearing the name in this region, was a prominent citizen of the town. He was married about 1653 to the divorced wife of John Oviatt. Her maiden name was Hannah. She was a peculiar woman, as all records show. They had eight children, whose names, with dates of birth, are as follows: John, June 27, 1654 (old style); Mary, November 12, 1658; James, December 4, 1661; Joseph, July 20, 1666; Samuel, February 4, 1669; Jeremiah and Ebenezer (twins). April. 16, 1672; and Sarah, July 22, 1675. John was appointed captain of a military company January 17, 1675. He was deputy from Milford to the General Court for the October, 1677, term, and was re-elected continuously for the next thirteen years, with two exceptions. He was frequently appointed, by the General Court, commissioner to settle boundaries, etc. His name appears frequently in the Colonial records.

Joel Beard, the father of our subject, was a native of the town of Huntington, and he and his estimable wife, whose maiden name was Maria Chatfield, reared a family of four chil- dren: William T., Theodore E., James H. and Oliver G.

Theodore E. Beard was born December 21, 1833, at the old homestead in Huntington, and received a common-school education during his boyhood. As the son of a busy farmer he had a practical training in agricultural work, and at an early age he began to display marked busi- ness ability. In 1854. when only twenty-one years old, he engaged in the manufacture of straw paper in partnership with his brother, Will- . iam T. Beard, building a mill about three and one-half miles from Shelton. They continued the partnership for a quarter of a century, then, in 1880, our subject purchased his brother's in- terest. Since that time he has carried on a grist- mill and sawmill business, his son, Frederick W., being associated with him. They enjoy a large trade, keeping about twelve men employed the year round, and under their skillful management the business is constantly increasing, They pur- chase extensive tracts of land from which they clear the timber, but they do not attempt to bring the property under cultivation. In poli- tics Mr. Beard is a Democrat, and his sound judgment and upright character have caused him to be chosen to different offices in his town, including those of selectman, assessor and jus- tice of the peace ..

On November 10, 1857, he married Miss Julia Ann Wheeler, daughter of Agur Wheeler, a

well-known citizen of the same town. Six chil- dren have blessed this union: Joel A., who married Miss Grace Morse, of Huntington, re- sides in South Britain, Conn., where he is en- gaged in business as a grain dealer and lumber- man, and also operates a gristmill; Frederick W. is in business with his father; Zina C., who married Miss May Turney, of Easton, operates a portable sawmill, and is now located at South Britain; Theodore E., Jr., who married Mary Car- roll, of North Hampton, Mass., graduated from the medical department of Yale College, and is now practicing medicine in New Haven; Lavinia M. and Anna S. are at home.

D SMITH SHOLES, who has taken an active part in the business and official life of Ridge- field, was born in that town November 27, 1839, a son of Daniel Sholes.

The Sholes family is of Welsh descent, and the first of whom we have record is Joseph Sholes, the great-grandfather: of D. Smith. His son, Rev. Ebenezer Sholes, was a Presbyterian minister, and was born either in Vermont or in New London county, Conn., in which latter lo- cality the family originally settled on coming to this country. Ebenezer Sholes married Eliza- beth Waterman, and they had two children: Lucy, who became the wife of Isaac P. Thomp- son, and Daniel. The father died in 1802.

Daniel Sholes was born September 26, 1800, in Vermont, where his father was then stationed. He passed his early life in his native State, and when hardly more than a boy moved to Auburn, N. Y., where he learned his trade, that of shoe- maker. This he followed during the greater part of his life, and being a thrifty, industrious man succeeded in earning a comfortable livelihood for his family. In 1827 he came to Ridgefield, and for many years was cutter for the factory of Charles Smith, Jr., proving himself a skillful workman. Daniel Sholes was first married to Clara Beers, daughter of Edmund Beers, and by her had two children: Sanford and Ann Eliza, the former of whom is now deceased; Ann Eliza is unmarried. His second union was with Cath- arine Smith, daughter of Capt. Daniel and Phebe (Whitney) Smith, and their only child was D. Smith Sholes. Daniel Sholes was not an active politician, but he was a loyal Jacksonian Demo- crat, and was one of the four men in Ridgefield who voted for Andrew Jackson in 1828. In re- ligious connection he was a member of the Epis- copal Church. He passed away November 12, 1889, his wife surviving until June 13, 1891.

D. Smith Sholes commenced his education in

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the public schools of Ridgefield, the learning there acquired being supplemented with one year's training in a private school kept by Rev. David H. Short. Leaving school at about the age of fif- teen, Mr. Sholes found himself ready to start in life on his own account with a good English edu- cation, which he has added to materially by sub- stantial reading. He engaged as clerk with Henry Smith, by whom he was employed five years. After five years' experience as cashier and bookkeeper in Bridgeport, Conn., he re- turned to his native town and embarked in the business to which he gave his principal time and attention up to 1893-the manufacture of fine shirts. He successfully carried on this industry for twenty-six years. and during the last fifteen years of that period had an extensive custom trade in New York City, for many years having one set of customers who used the entire output of his factory. At times he gave employment to as many as fifty or sixty hands. Though he dis- continued this business in 1893. Mr. Sholes still has his time fully occupied with other commer- cial and official affairs. On July 1, 1886, he was elected treasurer of the Ridgefield Savings Bank, and he has discharged the duties of that office ever since, in a most satisfactory manner. He has always taken an active part in local gov- ernment as a member of the Democratic party. and has been honored by election to several offices. He was a member of the Democratic State Central Committee in 1878 and 1879, when Ridgefield was in the old Eleventh district, and has also served since it was redistricted. From the time the law regarding the registering of voters came into force he served as registrar for seventeen years, and he has also been assessor in his town for two or three terms. In 1886 he was appointed postmaster of Ridgefield under President Cleveland, was assistant in the office during President Harrison's administration, and in 1893 was re-appointed to the office, continu- ing in same after it was raised to the third class in 1894.

Mr. Sholes was married, in 1874. to Miss Lizzie Talmadge, daughter of William H. Tal- madge, of New Canaan, Conn. She died No- vember 30, 1885, without issue. Our subject is a prominent member of the Episcopal Church of Ridgefield, and has served as parish clerk for. about twenty-five years.

A LONZO FERRIS. "Like father like son " is a maxim that has, perhaps, more illus- trations in life by way of worthy than by way of unworthy example. Certainly to the former

class belongs the similarity of character between Alonzo Ferris and his father, Daniel Ferris. The latter was not a man who had won unusual dis- tinction. His good traits were partially negative and partially positive. But he was one of the best types of honest industry, steadiness of purpose and of high regard for public duty and for the right of others, to be found in his day in Fairfield coun- ty. And by the practice of these homely yet sterling qualites he attained a moderately large success in the accumulation of material goods.

Mr. Ferris was born near Pelham, N. Y., May 29, 1829, son of Daniel and Maria (Mar- shall) Ferris. Daniel Ferris was born in Green- wich township, in the North Cos Cob District, in 1793, the son of Schubel Ferris. Schubel Ferris was by trade a miller, and in his earlier life he owned and operated a flourmill, but later in life he turned his attention to farming, and continued in that occupation until he retired from active life. He was a man of powerful build, five feet ten inches in height, and weighing at one time one hundred and seventy-five pounds. His wife was Sybil Palmer, and their family con- sisted of eight children-Daniel, Henry, William, Edward, Lucy, Olive, Irene and Eliza. Harvey was a farmer, and died in Greenwich township; William died in early manhood, but left a family; Edward died young; Lucy married, and died in Greenwich; Olive also married; Irene married John Ward, and died in Staten Island; Eliza married Samuel Burley, and died at Stam- ford. Schubel Ferris lived to the good old age of eighty-six years and died at the home of his son Daniel, his wife preceding him to the grave.

Daniel Ferris, the eldest son of Schubel Fer- ris, and the father of our subject, enjoyed only the most meager educational advantages in his childhood, but he possessed a quick intelligence and a particularly retentive memory. He made the best possible use of his opportunities, and had his life been cast in more favorable surroundings he would, in the estimation of his friends, have been fully equal to the situation. He was a lad of nineteen years when the war of 1812 began, but he proved his patriotism and loyalty to his country by enlisting, and in serving throughout that struggle. When a young man he married Miss Maria Marshall, daughter of Capt. Andrew and Mary (Hobbs) Marshall. She was born in Greenwich township in 1796. Captain Marshall ran the produce boat between Mianus and New York. After his marriage Daniel Ferris located in Greenwich township, in a little house which cost him $500. Later he hired a farm in Greenwich, and still later removed to Pelham, N. Y., where he also rented a farm. In 1834 he returned to

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Fairfield county and purchased from Ebenezer Peck the farm near Sound Beach, upon which he lived till his death, and which our subject now owns. Here Daniel Ferris engaged in farm- ing, and also in contract work. He was a con- tractor on the N. Y. & N. H. railroad, and took several large contracts when that road was built. He constructed the bridge at New Brunswick, N. J., and also the bridge across the Raritan river. He built the locks at Stamford and Mi- .anus, besides much other important work. In politics he was a Whig and a Republican. He ·died suddenly September 15, 1881, aged eighty- eight years; his wife passed away in September, 1882, and they are buried at Sand Beach. The seven children of Daniel and Maria Ferris were :as follows: Ebenezer, who died in Stamford; Alexander, a farmer of Round Hill; Alonzo, subject of this sketch; Eliakim, a carpenter, who was killed by falling from a building at Belle Haven; Cornelia A., who married John Wilson, and died at Stamford; Julia A., now Mrs. Peter Jessyp, of North Cos Cob, and Susan, widow of Ebenezer Beardsley.

Alonzo Ferris was a boy of five years when his parents moved to a. log house near Sound Beach. He attended the schools in the neigh- borhood, and learned to write with quill pens. The schools within the experience of Mr. Ferris have undergone a wonderful revolution. The Jatter part of his school days were spent in a boarding school kept by Professor Richards. Alonzo was reared as a farmer's boy, but served for a time as a helper in the blacksmith shop kept by his father to do the repair work con- nected with his contracts. Alonzo possessed natural mechanical taste, and had no difficulty in picking up a trade. He remained on the farm until his marriage, at the age of twenty years, to Miss Matilda Palmer, who was born in Stamford township in October, 1828, a daughter of Walter and Polly (Scofield) Palmer. Mrs. Ferris was one of ten children, three sons being named -George, Jeremiah and Charles. After his mar- riage Mr. Ferris engaged in farming, locating on his father's farm in an old house which stood near his present house. He has been following that pursuit almost continuously ever since. For four years, in connection with farming, he ran a vessel on Long Island Sound, between New York and Providence and other Long Island Sound ports. He has also engaged extensively in live- stock dealing, in earlier times driving the stock he purchased to New York, but later shipping it by the carload, by rail.

The two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ferris are as follows: Albert, who married Miss Jo-

sephine Flood, daughter of Samuel and Cather- ine (Finch) Flood, and who has one child, Ma- tilda C., born August 4. 1886; Ora A., now Mrs. John W. Stivers, of New York, and who has one child, Florence May; Mr. Ferris is a Repub- lican, formerly a Whig. He was conspicuous in the bold advocacy of his political convictions by carrying what was known as the negro banner in political processions. He has served as assessor in his township, and has always taken a deep in- terest in the success of his party. In every sense of the word he is a public-spirited citizen, and one of the most substantial and progressive resi- dents of the township. His present fine residence he built in 1872. He now owns his father's old homestead, about which cluster the memories of his youth, and in addition he is the owner of bis own home. He has been successful in life, and now enjoys in comparative retirement the fruits of his earlier energies and application. The example of his life is one that must endure to the lasting good of the community, and is one of which his friends may well be proud.

E ALNATHAN HUSTED was during the dark days of the Civil war one of the brave de- fenders of the Union who laid down their lives on the altar of their country. He was a native of Fairfield county, born in Peck's Land, Sep- tember 27, 1823, a son of William A. and Su- sanna Caroline (Hobby) Husted. The father, who was a well-known citizen and prominent farmer in Peck's Land, died January 19, 1892, at the advanced age of ninety years, and was buried in Greenwich. The mother passed away December 30, 1889, aged eighty-seven years, and was laid to rest in the Greenwich Congregational cemetery.

Mr. Husted, whose name introduces this sketch, was quite a bright boy, and he secured a good education for his day. When his own school days were over, he successfully engaged in teaching during the winter months, while he devoted his time during the summer season to farming. Before his marriage he embarked in the coal and lumber business in Greenwich, and successfully conducted the same, until, in re- sponse to his country's call for aid, he enlisted 'during the early part of the war in Company I, 17th C. V. I. He died March 4, 1864, at David's Island, New York, from sickness contracted in the service, and was buried in the Greenwich Congregational cemetery. He was an ardent supporter of the Republican party, took a deep and commendable interest in public affairs, and his loyalty and patriotism were ever above question,

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for in days of peace, as well as in time of war, he was true to his duties of citizenship, He was a kind and affectionate husband and father, and a most faithful friend.

On February 28, 1855, Mr. Husted married Miss Sarah L. Merritt, who was born on the Merritt homestead, near Greenwich Depot, April 12, 1826, a daughter of Capt. Daniel and Sarah (Lyon) Merritt, whose sketch appears elsewhere. Since her husband's death, Mrs. Husted has lived on the old homestead on Greenwich avenue, Greenwich village, and has reared a family that would be a credit to any mother. She is well- known and highly respected, and is a consistent member of the Congregational Church. She has two children: Carrie H. and Augusta W. Car- rie H. was married, September 11, 1878, to Will- iam H. Merritt, of North Greenwich, and has five children-Edith A., Sarah L., Clarence E., Phobe W. and Ethel M .; Augusta W. is now Mrs. E. Alfred Ericsson.

E. ALFRED ERICSSON was born in Sweden April 20, 1860, and is a relative of Ericsson, the inventor. Coming to the United States at the age of ten years, he was reared in Stamford and Cos Cob. Fairfield Co., Conn .; and obtained a good common-school education. He was mar- ried, October 29, 1890, to Miss Augusta W. Husted, who was born September 8, 1860, in Greenwich, a daughter of Elnathan and Sarah L. (Merritt) Husted. One child graces this union: Eric Alfred, Jr., born January 22, 1895. Mr. Ericsson is now engaged in the grocery busi- ness in Port Chester, N. Y .; is an exporter of hardware to all parts of the world, his place of business being at No. 35 Warren street, New York, and he also owns a restaurant on Forty- third street, that city. He is a prosperous man, one who has fought his own way to success un- aided. He is a prominent member of the Busi- ness Men's Club, of Port Chester, N. Y., and is a thirty-second-degree Mason. His home is in Greenwich.

WEORGE E. WHEELER, one of the lead- ing agriculturists of the town of Stratford, occupies a homestead which has been in the pos- session of his family for more than a century, and is a worthy representative of an honorable pioneer ancestry.

The first of the family of whom we have rec- ord was Ephraim Wheeler, our subject's grand- father, who was born at the present homestead, and passed his life there in agricultural pursuits. He married, and had seven children: Mary, who married Barzell Benjamin, of Bridgeport; Sarah

(Mrs. Beardsley), of Easton; Clarissa, who died unmarried; Joseph, our subject's father; Nathan, a farmer in Stratford township; David, a farmer in New York State, and Nathaniel, who was also a farmer by occupation.

Joseph Wheeler. the father of our subject, was born in Stratford December 21, 1795, at the homestead, and followed farming there through- out his life. He was a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife were devout members of the M. E. Church. He married Betsey Wilcoxson, of Stratford, who was born August 24, 1793, daugh- ter of Elnathan Wilcoxson, and a descendant of William Wilcoxson, a native of Lancashire, England, who came to America at an early date (being made a freeman in Massachusetts in 1636), and who probably arrived in Stratford in 1640. Our subject was the youngest of three children, and is now the only survivor. Ephraim was a carpenter by trade, and Mary was the wife of Gould Curtis, of Birmingham. The father died May 23, 1870, and the mother passed away in July, 1876.

George E. Wheeler was born April 8, 1828, and has always made his home on the old farm. After completing the course offered in the local schools, he attended Stratford Academy, receiv- ing a good education for the time. During his youth he became familiar with the details of agricultural work, and in early manhood he engaged in farming at the homestead, continuing until advancing age caused him to turn the active management of the place into the hands of his children. The estate, which contains about 170 acres, is a valuable one, and in addition to this property Mr. Wheeler owns a large tract of farm- ing land in Minnesota. While he has not been active in political work, he is a stanch Repub- lican, and as a citizen he has taken much interest in local advancement, having been. especially prominent in religious matters as a member of the Methodist Church, in which he has served as steward for many years.

In 1863 Mr. Wheeler married Miss Julina Miller, who was born in the northern part of Connecticut, where her parents resided on a large farm. She is a granddaughter of Solomon and Lydia (Miller) Miller, and a daughter of Giles H. and Lucy (Grimes) Miller. Mrs. Wheeler's mother passed away at the home of our subject in 1897, at the advanced age of nearly ninety-seven years; she was a daughter of Moses and Jane (Judson) Grimes. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler has been blessed with three children: Mary is the wife of Frank Bald- win, a farmer in the town of Trumbull; they have three children-Claire M., Bernard F. and

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Rupert Wheeler. Lina married Newton Reed. a farmer in Stratford township, who is mentioned below; they have two children -- Elliott Newton and Ruby Lina. Joseph, who is unmarried, resides at home; he is a steward in the M. E. Church. Newton Reed was born April 5, 1867, at Sharon, Conn., the eldest of the nine chil- dren of H. E. and Louisa (Cass) Reed, old resi- dents of that part of the State. The Reed family is of English extraction, and was founded in America by two brothers who came from the mother country at an early date. Mr. Reed is a Republican politically. He is a devout member of the M. E. Church, and is at present acting as trustee and as treasurer of the Sunday-school.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 133

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