Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 135

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

USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut > Part 135

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wide circle of friends in this county and else- `where, who have been drawn to him by his sterl- ing qualities of character.

The Sutton family is of English origin, and the ancestors of the American branch were among the first settlers of Massachusetts. Later, . some members of the family removed from Mass- achusetts to Long Island and then to West- chester county, N. Y., where the name has long ' been connected with a high ideal of citizenship. .. Jesse Sutton, our subject's grandfather, was a r. r' prominent resident of the town of Harrison, Westchester county, in his day. Thomas Sut- -: ton, the father of our subject, was born in that «- town in 1812, and resided there throughout his life, following farming successfully for many years. He was a man of unquestioned integrity, commanding the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens, and was frequently chosen to offices of trust in his town. For seventeen consecutive years he served as commissioner of highways; from 1861 to 1865 he was a member of the War committee. Politically, he was first a Whig and later a Republican, the anti-slavery movement finding in him an ardent champion. He and his wife were both members of the society of Friends. His death occurred March 5, 1897, in his eighty- fifth year, and his wife, Phoebe G. (Mekeel), passed away January 17, 1884, in her seventy- ninth year, their remains being interred at Pur- .. chase, Westchester county. Mrs. Sutton was born in that county December 1, 1815. of good Colonial ancestry, her forefathers having come from Holland at an early period. This worthy couple had six children, viz .: Jesse P., who is engaged in business in Brooklyn, N. Y .; Anna, deceased wife of David Griffen; William M., a business man of Brooklyn; Sarah, who died sin- gle; Thomas G., our subject; and Miss Mary M., who resides in the town of Harrison, Westchester county.

Mr. Sutton, our subject, was born May 17, 1847, at the old homestead in the town of Har- rison, where his youth was mainly spent. For a time he attended the district schools near his home, but later he studied in the public schools of Brooklyn, and on his return home he pursued a higher course in a private school. He was a mere boy when the need for soldiers to quell the Rebellion aroused his patriotic zeal, and in March, 1864, he interrupted his studies to enlist in the 24th N. Y. Independent Battery. His " baptism of fire" came at the battle of North Anna River, Va., and he participated in all of the engage- ments of his company until April 2, 1865. when he was wounded in the final contest at Peters- burg. Ten days were spent in a hospital, and he

then returned to his company and remained with it until mustered out, June 21, 1865, after taking part in the Grand Review in Washington. On returning to the paths of peace he engaged in farming on the old homestead, and later was in- terested in the milk business in Brooklyn, in which he spent several years. Since that time he has devoted his attention chiefly to agriculture, first in his native town and afterward at his present farm on King street, in the town of Greenwich, where he has resided since June 19, 1883. This estate, which was formerly known as the "Thomas Green farm," contains 117 acres of choice land, and is located in the most desirable portion of King street. For many years Mr. Sutton has been so afflicted with rheumatism that he could not do much active work, but he supervises everything, and is known as a successful farmer. Of late he has been ex- tensively engaged in buying apples for export, and he also runs a large cider mill, which yields him handsome returns. As a citizen Mr. Sutton is public-spirited, taking keen interest in all that concerns his community, and for many years be has been a leader in the Republican party in his locality. While residing in Westchester county he held numerous offices, including those of justice of the peace, collector of taxes and inspector of elections, while within six years after his removal to Greenwich he was elected to the office of selectman, which he has since held a number of terms.

In 1873 Mr. Sutton married Miss Emeline Rupp, a native of Brooklyn, N. Y., and they have the following children: Florence L., Edgar M., Emeline R. and Thomas G., Jr., who are all at home with the exception of Edgar M., now a resident of California. The family is identified with the Presbyterian Church, of which Mrs. Sutton is a member, and they hold an enviable place in social life. As might be supposed, Mr. Sutton is an enthusiast on Grand Army matters. and he is an ardent worker in Charles Lawrence Post No. 378, at Port Chester, N. Y., having served in numerous offices therein.

H ENRY L. FOOTE: The man who, on being asked concerning his genealogical tree, replied, "I know. very little about my an- cestors, I am too busy trying to be a respectable ancestor," doubtless had a clearer conception of the duties of true patriotic citizenship, than he who aims to hold a social position, based on the fact he " had a grandfather." Honorable ances- try is a heritage of which we may be justly proud, but with it must not be forgotten that we, too, in

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the natural order of things must be ancestors, and it is a duty we owe to posterity that the escutch- eon be not tarnished. For several generations Fairfield county has numbered among its substan- tial citizens worthy representatives of the family of Foote, and we here present a brief sketch of the present generation in the person of Henry Lyman Foote.

In the town of Newtown, Fairfield county, David Foote was born and passed his entire life. He married Sukey Underhill, of Dodgington, and to them were born four children: Beers, Julia, Amelia and Sherman. The father of this family followed carpentering, and was accidentally killed by falling from a building.

Sherman Foote, the youngest child in the above mentioned family. was born December 14, 1814, at the home in Newtown. He was given unusually good opportunities for attending the home school regularly until at the age of fifteen when he and his brother Beers faced the world to battle on their own account. Together they came to Brookfield and engaged in the manu- facture of combs. They were quite success- ful at this, but Sherman decided this was not his calling, and for a time engaged at shoe- making, at Brookfield Centre, later engag- ing in farming. On October 11, 1835, in the town of Brookfield, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Clarena Peck, who was born August 2, 1817, a daughter of John A. Peck. Of this union there were three children: Cornelia E., born December 29, 1837, was married Octo- ber 22, 1857, to S. S. Dunning, at Bethel, Conn .; Henry Lyman is mentioned below; and William Worth, born September 22, 1846, married Jean Lewis, and is now engaged in the clothing busi- ness. Sherman Foote became an owner of sev- eral hundred acres of land, and was a prominent factor in the affairs of the community until his death, which occurred May 12, 1888. In politics he was a Whig. later a Republican, and the en- tire family were members of the Congregational Church.

Henry Lyman Foote, whose name introduces this review, was born in Brookfield, July 18, 1841, and in his native village acquired his edu- cation, attending both the district and a private school. At the age of nineteen he forsook the home nest and, going to New York City, he found employment as clerk in the clothing store of Hawley Bros., on Fulton street, where he re- mained two years. . His faithful discharge of every duty had won for him the esteem of his employers, and at the end of his two years of faith- ful service he was admitted as a partner. He remained there continuously until 1880. Close

application to business for so many years began to tell on his health, and he was forced to seek a change of climate. Accordingly he went to West Virginia, and in partnership with Fred Baker engaged in the lumber business, buying one hundred thousand acres of oak and black walnut timber. For seven years he remained in the timber district, and then, with health fully restored, he once more sought the Metropolitan city, and engaged in the broker's business. His active energy won for him success in whatever he undertook, and he was ever foremost in any work he attempted. In 1889, well supplied with this world's goods, he returned to his native town, and there decided to pass the rest of his days quietly, at " Home. "

In 1864 Mr. Foote was married to Miss Jen- nie M. Hawley, daughter of Benjamin Hawley. Socially, he is a member of Crystal Wave Lodge No. 638, F. & A. M .; Corinthian Chapter No. 159. R. A. M .; Clinton Commandery No. 14, K. T .; Olive Branch No. 6, Rose Cross, Ancient and Primitive Freemasons, according to the rite of Memphis; Alpha Grand Lodge No. 1; and the Atlantic Yacht Club, of Brooklyn, N. Y. In politics he is a Republican, and has ably served his fellow townsmen as justice of the peace. During his residence in New York he attended the Tabernacle of Rev. T. DeWitt Talmage, in Brooklyn, and for four years served as its trustee. He is thoroughly well-liked and occupies an en- viable position in the regard of his fellowmen. Patriotic and progressive, he is an example of the best type of American manhood.

Benjamin Hawley, father of Mrs. Henry L. Foote, was born September 7, 1794, and died November 1, 1887. He married Betsy. Peck, who was born March 1, 1795, a daughter of Amos Peck, and died April 22, 1880. The fol- lowing is the record of their family of nine chil- dren: (1) Lucy Ann, born October 22, 1823, was twice married, first to Chas. Smith, and after his death to J. Austin Weed: she died April 10, 1895. (2) Emily, born February 27, 1825, died July 9, 1839. (3) Henry B:, born December 10, 1826, died October 27, 1894. (4) Liverius, born November 4, 1828, died October 18, 1847. (5) Amos, born April 10, 1831, married Mary S. Richardson, and died February 7. 1875. (6) Emmon, born May 6, 1833, married Oril Rock- well, and died November 27, 1890. (7) John G., born February 28, 1835, married Lydia Stevens, and died April 29, 1897. (8) George C., born May 14, 1839, died February 1, 1859; and (9) Jennie M., born February 5, 1843, is now Mrs. Henry Lyman Foote.

Liverius Hawley, father of Benjamin Hawley,

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was married December 27, 1781, to Anna Black- man, and died July 16, 1819. They had four children, namely: Mary, born October 26, 1782. died November 4, 1859; Patty, born November 14, 1790, died October 9, 1859; Benjamin, men- tioned above; Emmon, born February 20, 1798. Anna (Blackman) Hawley was a daughter of Ebenezer Blackman (born March 3, 1723, died August 11, 1775) and his wife, Mary Smith (born July 7, 1723, and died August 27. 1775). In this family were: Mary, born June 1. 1751, died December 29, 1795; Philo, born October 19, 1753, died in 18 -; Lois, born August 1, 1756, died February 12, 1809; Anna (Mrs. Hawley), born March 27, 1759, died in 18 -; Hiram, born October 24. 1762, died December 28, 1812; and Ebenezer, born December 29, 1769, died Decem- ber 22, 1809.

A RTHUR C. BOOTH, a successful business man of Shelton, is the proprietor of a well- known meat market, and for seventeen years has enjoyed a large trade among the best people of that locality.

Mr. Booth belongs to a family which has long been identified with this county, and his grandfather, Lewis Booth, was born in the town of Trumbull, where he died in 1833, after many years spent in agricultural pursuits, and prede- ceasing his father, Isaac Booth, who passed away at the advanced age of eighty years. Lewis Booth married Electa Gregory, and reared a family of five children: (1) Walter G., our sub- ject's father. (2) Isaac, a farmer of the town of Trumbull. (3) Jeannette, who married Titus Hungerford, and went west. (4) Samuel L., a farmer by occupation, who served as a soldier during the Civil war; he married Abigail Coan. of Trumbull, Conn., and their only child is Rev. Eugene L. Booth, who is principal of a seminary in Yokohama, Japan. (5) Mary Delia, who died in childhood.

The late Walter G. Booth, our subject's father, was born in Trumbull October 13, 1812, and grew to manhood upon his father's home- stead. He married Miss Elmira C. Beardsley, a native of that town, a daughter of Levi Beards- ley, and for a number of years they resided at the Booth homestead. In 1869 they removed to a farm in the town of Huntington, where the father died in 1876. He was a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife, who survives him, united many years ago with the Congregational Church, Trumbull, Conn. Of their ten children, the eldest. Electa, married Rev. Frederick Adams, a Congregational minister in New York

State; they have had four children-Walter Booth Adams, principal of a college at Beyrout, Syria, Asia; Fredric J., a physician in Bridge- port, Conn .; Grace, living in Rhode Island; and Edith May. deceased. (2) Samantha married (first) Charles Davidson, of Milford, Conn., and (second) Thomas Post, a mechanic in Hunting- ton. (3) William G., a resident of Shelton, is engaged in the meat business. (4) Mary D. married Frank Franklin, a millwright at Shelton. (5) Julia died at the age of fourteen years. (6) Lewis W. is a plumber at Shelton. (7) Arthur C., our subject, is mentioned more fully below. (8) Frank H. is a grocer at Akron, Ohio. (9) Jennie I. married George Fulton, a mechanic in New Haven. (10) Edgar D. is an electrician in New York City.

Arthur C. Booth, our subject, was born March 9, 1855, at the old homestead in Trum- bull township, and his education was obtained chiefly in the district schools of that locality. He was about fifteen years old at the time of the re- moval to Huntington township, and he remained under the parental roof until he reached the age of twenty-two; then went to Stratford in the meat business. On June 29, 1876, he married Miss Fannie L. Blakeman, daughter of Ezra C. Blakeman, a well-known resident of Huntington, and a member of one of the old families of that town. In 1881 Mr. Booth removed to Shelton, and engaged in the meat business, which he has since continued successfully. He has always taken keen interest in local affairs, his support being given to the Democratic party, and for three years he served as selectman in Huntington. Socially, he and his wife are prominent, and he is identified with Ousatonic Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F., in which he has held every office. His home is brightened by four children: Walter C., Maud I., Florence M. and Edith Marian.

C HARLES HENRY CAREY, a well-known resident of Stratford, has been engaged in business there for a number of years as a painter and decorator, and many of the pleasantest homes in that charming little city owe much of their at- tractiveness to his skill and artistic taste.

Through his paternal ancestry Mr. Carey has inherited the excellent qualities of the Scotch- Irish race, from which so many able and enter- prising citizens trace descent. Dennis Carey, our subject's father, was born May 10, 1800, at Claremont, N. H., and followed farming as an occupation, the latter part of his life being spent in Vermont. He died in 1873, and his wife, whose maiden name was Minerva Wheeler, was

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born December 17, 1810, and died March 13, 1850. She was of English descent, and was born in New Hampshire,a daughter of Artemus Wheel- er. This worthy couple had eight children: (1) Clara Sidney, born February 22, 1829, died September 14, 1829; (2) Marcia Ann, born De- cember 28, 1831, married December. 28, 1851, a Mr. Wentworth, later a Mr. Trumbull, and is now deceased; (3) Isabella Alsina, born Decem- ber 22, 1834; (4) Abel Wheeler, born December 2, 1838 (whereabouts unknown); (5) Susan An- na, born January 31, 1841, married (first) Peter D. Irish, of New London, and (second) Capt. H. N. Crocker, a retired sea captain, now residing in New London; (6) Laville Francena, born May 13, 1844; (7) Sarah Jane, born June 16, 1847; and (8) Charles Henry, born February 22, 1849.

Our subject was born at Weathersfield, Vt., and his early life was spent there and in Spring- field, Vt. At the age of eighteen he went to Lowell, Mass., where he worked for a year at the confectioner's trade. In 1868 he located in Stratford, this county, and for six years he was engaged in the manufacture of candy and corn cake. He then became interested in carpenter- ing and house painting, and as time passed the latter occupation occupied his time to the ex- clusion of the other. Later he added paper- hanging and decoration of interiors, and for about eighteen years he has been the leader in those lines of work in his locality. Politically, Mr. Carey is a Republican, as was his father be- fore him, and he and his family are prominent in religious work in Stratford as members of the M. E. Church. On June 1, 1871, he married Miss Louisa C. Gray, a native of Stratford and a daughter of George Gray, a respected citizen of that town. Two sons have blessed this union: (1) George W., a member of the law firm of Hawley & Carey, of Bridgeport, married Miss Bertha I. Clark. (2) Paul A. resides in Strat- ford, and is employed as loading clerk for the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad.

¡ON. DIETRICH E. LOEWE, one of Dan- bury's most respected citizens, has risen to prominence by means of his own efforts, and from his present enviable position, as a leader in busi- ness circles, can look back upon the time when he was glad to work as a day laborer, shoveling dirt on a railroad. His history is of unusual in- terest as showing the possibilities before a man who possesses intelligence, energy and thrift.

Mr. Loewe was born June 21, 1852, at Lippe- Detmold, Germany, where his family have re- sided for several generations. His father,

Adolph Loewe, was a native of that place and passed his life there, dying in. 1866; his wife, Charlotte (Schalk), who was born near the same place, died in 1891. Both were members of the Dutch Reformed Church, and their children were reared in the Protestant faith. They had a fam- ily of six sons and three daughters: Adolph in- herited the old homestead, and resides there with two sisters; August, an agriculturist, is the ad -. ministrator of a large estate in Prussia; Pauline married a Mr. Meirjohann, now deceased; Carl (deceased) was a tutor in a college; Louise, now at home, is the widow of August Vogelsang; Ed- ward is a hatter in Danbury; D. E., our subject, is mentioned more fully below; Gustavus, an ag- riculturist, manages a large estate in Prussia; and Marie, who is not married, is at home.

Mr. Loewe, our subject, remained in his na- tive land until he was about eighteen years of age, attending school and assisting in the work at home. In 1870 he came to America, landing in New York City, where he remained for some time looking for employment. Unable to find work there, his money having given out in the mean time, he, with some acquaintances from aboard the ship, secured work on a railroad at Middletown, N. Y., where the company was then digging a bedway. Mr. Loewe remained there three months, and then returned to New York, but later went to Long Island, where he found employ- ment for a time on a farm. On returning to New York City he became a shipping clerk for a whole- sale grocery firm, with whom he remained until November. 1871, when he located in Danbury and began to learn the hatter's trade. Until the fall of 1874 his time was spent with the Tweedy Manufacturing Company, except that during the summer months, when business was dull, he en- gaged in painting in the town and vicinity. In 1874 he entered the employ of the Beckerle Company, with whom he worked until Novem- ber, 1875, when he returned to the Tweedy Com- pany for a time. Afterward he took charge of the making department for the Beckerle Com- pany, but later was employed by J. G. Meeker, . a hat manufacturer, and remained until 1879, being promoted to the position of foreman during the latter part of the time. In 1879 he engaged in business for himself, forming a partnership with Edwin Targett and Herman Beardsley, un- der the firm name of D. E. Loewe & Co. They continued until February, 1880, when Mr. Tar- gett and Mr. Beardsley retired, their interests be- ing taken by Matthias Hienzelmann and Charles Muetschele, under the same firm name. In April of that year they removed to their present location on River street, and continued to manu-

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2. Martin . Fuchs

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facture soft fur hats until 1885, when they added stiff hats to their product. At this time they took in another partner, Martin Fuchs. In 1896 they dropped the manufacture of stiff hats, found necessary by the increased demand for their soft hats. These they now produce in all styles, shapes and colors, from a light weight pocket to a heavy Cow-boy hat. Besides supplying the home market, they ship largely to Canada, Mexico, the West Indies and Japan.

On June 21, 1877, Mr. Loewe married Chris- tina Heinzelmann, a daughter of Christian Hein- zelmann, of Danbury. They have a pleasant home, brightened by six children: Charlotte, Matthias, Ernest, Carl, Melanie and Percival. The family are identified with the German Lu- theran Church, and take a prominent part in various social movements.

By his uprightness and ability Mr. Loewe has won the confidence of the people of his locality, and he has held a number of public offices, serv- ing as assessor of Danbury, and in 1887 repre- senting his district in the State Legislature. In 1889 he was elected councilman from the Fourth ward, and in 1892 he was appointed alderman to fill an unexpired term. Until recently he was a Democrat in politics, but in 1896 he voted to maintain an honest currency.

C CHARLES MUETSCHELE, one of our lead- ing German-American citizens, is a member of the well-known firm of D. E. Loewe & Co., of Danbury, Fairfield Co., Conn., who are ex- tensively engaged in hat manufacturing. Each of the members of this enterprising firm is of German blood, and shows the characteristic thrift and industry of that race.

Mr. Muetschele was born October 2, 1847, at Wurtemberg, Germany, where his father, Ben- jamin Muetschele, was a prosperous dyer. His Inother, Margaret Barbara Muetschele, was also of German birth, and both parents died in the Fatherland. They were devout Lutherans in religious faith, and reared their family in the same belief. Of their children, three came to America. Emanuel is a dyer in Paterson, N. J. Christian followed the same business in Phila- delphia.

Charles Muetschele remained in his native land until he reached the age of twenty-one, and received his early education there. He also learned the hatter's trade, and in 1869 he sailed for South America, landing at Buenos Ayres, where he followed his trade about four years. In 1873 he came to the United States, locating first in Newark, N. J., where he worked at his trade

until 1876, the year of his removal to Danbury. Here he entered the employ of the Tweedy Man- ufacturing Company, and after two years with them he was engaged by Henry Crofut, in the same business. Later he formed his present partnership, which has continued successfully, notwithstanding the hard times which have lately affected all lines of trade.

In 1882 Mr. Muetschele married Miss Carrie Heinzelman, and one daughter, Dorothea, bright- ens their home. He and his wife are prominent members of the German Lutheran Congregation at Danbury, and are held in high esteem socially. Since 1877 Mr. Muetschele has been a member of the Germania Society, of Danbury, a German benevolent society. He is keenly interested in all that pertains to the welfare of his adopted country, and is an earnest student of political affairs. Until 1896 he supported the Democratic party, but in the fall of that year he voted for Mckinley and sound money.

M ARTIN FUCHS, one of the intelligent, en- terprising foreign-born citizens, is a highly respected resident of Danbury, where he is en- gaged in the business of hat manufacturing as a member of the firm of D. E. Loewe & Co.

Mr. Fuchs is of German birth and ancestry, and his grandfather, John Fuchs, was a well-to- do wine gardener in the Fatherland. Martin Fuchs, his father, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, and always resided there. He mar- ried Franziska Bernhardt, a native of the same town, and they had two children: Clara, the elder, married Frank Kuhner, of Germany, and died in December, 1896.

Martin Fuchs was born in Wurtemburg, De- cember 11, 1842, and received his early educa- tion there. He learned the brewer's trade, and in 1868 came to America, locating first at Atlantic City, N. J., where for six months he worked as a waiter in a hotel. For the next three months he was employed in a brewery in Philadelphia, and on leaving that city he went to New York, but was there taken sick and was confined to hospital two months. On recovering he followed the car- penter's trade for a time, after which he went to Catskills, N. Y., to work on a farm for a couple of months. He then returned to New York City, and in 1869 he removed to Danbury, where he first found employment on a farm near by, spending about two months in agricultural work. For two years afterward he was employed in a dye shop in Danbury, but the advantages of the hatter's trade becoming manifest, he decided to enter the factory of the Tweedy Manufacturing

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 135

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