Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 137

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

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Mr. Bounty was married in Stamford to Miss

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Emma Kate Provost, daughter of Charles Pro- vost, and they have had two children: J. Wal- ter and Harry J. The family live in a comfort- able and pleasant residence on Summer and Fifth streets, which was built by Mr. Bounty in 1886. Socially, our subject was once a member of Puri- tan Lodge, I. O. O. F.

G EORGE WILBUR NORTHROP, an agri- culturist residing near Newtown, has made a notable start as a breeder of registered live- stock, making a specialty of Chester White swine, upon which he is regarded as an authority. For five years past he has been connected with W. B. Ruppert & Son, of Seneca, N. Y., hand- ling all varieties of stock and fruit trees, and in this. as in other enterprises, his energy and ability have gained for him some reputation in business circles.

Mr. Northrop's family is well-known in this section, and his grandfather, Captain Oliver Northrop, was at one time the owner of the largest amount of real estate held by any one person in the town of Newtown. Heman G. Northrop, our subject's father, was a natural mechanic. His education was limited to the English branches as taught in the common schools of the district of Palestine, in the town of New- town. He inherited from his father a portion of the farm now occupied by our subject, about one hundred and fifty acres, and farming was his chief occupation throughout his life, but his skill as a mechanic was put to use at odd times in various ways, especially in the winter seasons, when he engaged in the manufacture of wooden plows and two-wheeled ox-carts, in all which lines he enjoyed the work of the town. In politics he was a Democrat, but he never took an active part in local affairs, and in religious faith the family are Episcopalians. He died April 6, 1877; his wife, whose maiden name was Fannie (Dimon), still living.

The subject of our sketch was educated in the schools of the town of Newtown, in Pales- tine and " Head of the Meadow " Districts, at- tending until he reached the age of seventeen. He then went to Waterbury, where he spent about three years working in different factories, and on his return home he engaged in carpen- tering, which he followed successfully for nearly eight years. During a part of this time he worked with F. C. Sanford, George W. Stewart and J. Terrill, of Roxbury, Conn., but for four or five years he was engaged in working on his own account. In April, 1893, he lost the sight

of one eye, which compelled him to give up his trade, and since that time he has followed agri- cultural pursuits at the old homestead. His herd of swine, mentioned above, contains only regis- tered stock, and includes some of the best speci- mens in the country, premiums having been granted on them at various exhibitions. He is a member of the Grange, and takes an interest in everything that pertains to the development of his locality, but he is not active in political affairs, although he is a supporter of the Democratic party.

P ATRICK GORMAN, who has resided in Southport, Fairfield county, Conn., for over forty years, is one of the industrious, respected citizens of that place. He is a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, born in March, 1831, a son of Michael and Mary (McKagney) Gorman, who were well-to-do farming people and passed all their lives in the country of their birth. Their family consisted of eight children, all of whom grew to adult age, four coming to America, namely: Daniel, whose death occurred in Brook- lyn, N. Y .; Peter, a resident of Brooklyn; Catherine, living in New York, unmarried; and Patrick.

Patrick Gorman attended the public schools during his boyhood, obtaining a very good prac- tical education, and afterward helped his father on the farm until he left Ireland, at the age of twenty, to try his fortune in America. He set out in the spring of 1851 with little more than his clothes, and the amount required to pay his passage to New York City, where he arrived April 19, after a voyage of twenty-three days in the vessel " Albert Gallatin," and his first em- ployment in this country was with a farmer on Staten Island, with whom he remained some time. Subsequently he worked as gardener and coachman for a gentleman on the Island, after two years going to Yonkers, N. Y., where he worked as coachman and gardener until his re- moval to Southport, Conn., in 1855. when he engaged as coachman for George Palen. In 1861 he entered the employ of Capt. George Bulkely, as coachman, continuing with that gen- tleman during the latter's lifetime, and since then working with the family, who have occupied the estate. Mr. Gorman has the best of reputations for steadiness, industry and faithfulness, and his long service in this, one of the leading families of Southport, is ample evidence of his trustworthi- ness and reliability. He and his wife have, by dint of unceasing industry and economy, man- aged to acquire a comfortable competence, and

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they are respected by all who know them as deservedly prosperous people.

In 1856 Mr. Gorman was married to Miss Eliza Carson, who was born October 17, 1833, in County Antrim, Ireland, a daughter of James and Ann (Johnstone) Carson, and came to the United States in 1853, sailing on the " Kossuth," bound for New York, where she landed after a voyage of seven weeks. The young couple com- menced housekeeping in Southport, and some time later bought a home near the town, where they resided nineteen years, after which for two years they lived in Bridgeport, Conn., and they have since had their home in Southport. Five children blessed their union, namely: Mary J., who died at the age of twenty-seven years; Elizabeth (Mrs. James Trainor), of Southport; Daniel J., of Southport; Joseph, of Bridgeport; and Thomas H., living at home. Mrs. Gorman is a member of the Congregational Church. Politically, Mr. Gorman was originally a Demo- crat, but he is now a Republican, and he cast his last Presidential vote for Mckinley.

A ARON WARNER WALLACE. One of the foremost citizens of Bridgeport is the well-known business man whose name here ap- pears. Those men are truest to the interests of the community in which they live, who stake their possessions upon its prosperity, and, judged by that standard, Mr. Wallace has amply proved his loyalty to the city of his adoption. Leaving his father's home when a young lad, to seek his fort- unes in the busy world, he went from place to place for a few years, gaining experience and ripen- ing his judgment; then, settling upon Bridgeport as his future home, he bound himself to its fort- unes by property ties which he from time to time increased, and, as the years have come and gone, he has grown steadily in the estimation of his fellow citizens, and in various ways received public recognition of that esteem.

Mr. Wallace is descended from one of the oldest families of New England. Back in the early Colonial times (about 1620) the ancestral Wallace left his native heath in Scotland for America, and settled at the head of the Connect- icut river in Vermont. Later one branch of the family emigrated to New York State, and from that branch descended the subject of this sketch. His grandfather, Maj. Uriah Wallace, was a major in the Revolutionary war, and served in the army commanded by Gen. De Witt Clinton.

Gilbert Gates Wallace, the son of Maj. Uriah Wallace, was born in North Salem, N. Y.,

in December, 1802. He married Sarah Ann Warner, daughter of Aaron and Euphemia (Post) Warner, whose ancestors were among the earli- est settlers along the Hudson river. Twelve children were born to this couple: Uriah (and an unnamed twin who died in infancy), Aaron W. (subject of this sketch), Sarah Elizabeth, Will- iam Henry, Oscar, Gilbert Drake, James, Minot M., Minerva, Addie A. and Sarah. The father, Gilbert Gates Wallace, was for many years an extensive carriage manufacturer at White Plains, N. Y. He died in 1881.

Aaron Warner Wallace, of the firm A. W. Wal- lace & Son, general bakers of bread, cake and crackers, Nos. 73 to 79 State street, Bridgeport, was born at Yonkers, N. Y., October 13, 1827. He was educated in the public schools of West- chester county, N. Y., and also for a time at- tended the schools in New York City, to which city his father had removed his carriage factory from Yonkers. Filled with that restlessness which often presages success in life, the young student, at the age of fifteen years, left home and came to Bridgeport, where he learned the baker's trade. Then he began his pilgrimage for a few years; he spent a year at his trade in Newark, N. J., then for a year conducted a bakery of his own at Sing Sing, N. Y., then for three years he followed his trade at Rhinebeck, and for four years was in business at Winsted, Litchfield Co., Connecticut.

It was now 1855, and Mr. Wallace made an- other change, one that became permanent; he was twenty-eight, and had made his choice. Lo- cating in Bridgeport he opened a bakery on Water street, purchasing the property extending from State street to Gilbert. He built his pres- ent store in 1862, the baking plant being located in the rear between State and Gilbert. Mr. Wallace now has a large property. He owns two stores and three dwellings on State street ·between Broad and Lafayette, two large four- story brick buildings on Gilbert street, and eight buildings between Pine and Spruce streets. The firm of A. W. Wallace & Son enjoys a wide and lucrative trade, established for over forty years, and now extending through a radius of fifty miles.

Mr. Wallace was married in 1850 to Miss Martha E. Near, daughter of Jacob and Harriet Near. They have a family of three children: Aaron W., Jr., who married Miss Lillian God- frey, of Weston, Conn., daughter of Joseph S. and Hattie (Platt) Godfrey: Hattie A., who mar- ried Almeron T. Hale, proprietor of the " Crock- er House " at New London, Conn., a well-known hostelry, which his father kept before him; Belle,

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who married W. E. Liengburgh, Jr., and lives at No. 11 Courtland street. Bridgeport, with her husband and two children - Mildred E. and Gerald. Mr. Wallace, his wife and family are members of Christ Episcopal Church, of which he has for several years been vestryman.

Mr. Wallace has not applied himself so closely to business that he has not had time to devote to the public service when called upon in any capacity of trust or responsibility. In 1858. '59 and '60 he served as a grand juror. He was a member of the common council in 1868-70, and served as assessor from 1885 to 1889. He is now, and for three years has been, serving on the board of apportionment of taxations. In politics he is a Democrat. He has been a member of St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M., since 1862, and is now a thirty-second-degree Mason. Previous to the Civil war, Mr. Wallace was a major in the 8th Conn. State Militia. His broth- er, Uriah, was a colonel of the 8th Conn. He raised a company and enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, serving as captain in the Peninsular campaign under General Mcclellan. After the war Captain Wallace removed to California. He died at San Francisco in 1894.

C CHARLES FOX, the well-known proprietor of the " Atlantic Hotel " at Stamford, is one of the leading German-born citizens of that locality. Coming to this country as a lad of fifteen, he has made his own way in life, his present prosperity being due to his shrewd management rather than to outside aid.

Mr. Fox was born April 18. 1853, in Borek, State of Posen, Germany, where his early boy- hood was spent, his education being obtained in the local schools. In 1868 he came to the United States, and at once made his home in Stamford, securing employment in a clothing store there. This position he held for about two years and, later, after he had gained a knowledge of the language and people of this country, he decided to engage in business for himself. In 1875 he open a saloon in Gay street. Stamford, in part- nership with his brother Peter, and not long afterward they established another saloon in Rail- road avenue. Their partnership continued until 1890 when they divided the property, Charles taking the establishment in Railroad avenue, and Peter the other. In the summer of 1897 our subject built his present store and hotel on the corner of Atlantic and State streets, and both en- terprises have been carried on with success, the hotel, which contains twenty rooms, being well patronized.

In June, 1877. Mr. Fox was married in New York City to Miss Bertha Feldman, and their home has been brightened by three sons: Henry C., a graduate of the National Conservatory of Music at New York, established himself in busi- ness in Stamford March 28, 1895, as a dealer in gents' furnishing goods, the store being located. in the First National Bank building in Atlantic- street; Isadore C. graduated from the Stamford high school with the class of '98, of which he was president; and Jacob, a talented pianist, who) devotes much of his time to music, and graduated: June 25, 1899, as president of the class of '99: Mr. Fox has a pleasant home at No. 30 Forest street, Stamford, and is popular among his asso- ciates.

W ILLIAM H. WEED, JR., a prominent resident of Springdale, has been identi- fied for many years with different business inter- ests, and although now retired from active par- ticipation in financial undertakings he is justly regarded as one of the substantial citizens of the town.

The ancestors of the Weed family located in the town of Stamford at an early date, and James Weed, our subject's grandfather, who served as a soldier in the war of 1812, was a native of the town. James L. Weed, father of our subject, was born in Darien, Fairfield coun- ty, in September, 1805, but the greater portion of his life was spent in Stamford, his education being acquired in the common schools of the town. He was a man of much energy and en- gaged in business as a shoemaker, manufacturer. drover and, later. as a butcher, while for a time- he conducted a flour business. His wife, Mar- tha S. (Bates), who died in August. 1896, was a native of the town of Stamford. James L. Weed. still survives. They had six children; Emily S., William H., Jr., and Addie M. still living, and Minerva A., Mary Ellen and Hannah M., de- ceased.

William H. Weed was born April 25. 1835, and was reared upon his father's farm, his edu- cational opportunities being limited to the com- mon-school course in the Hope District. or Dis- trict No. 8, and others in the town of Stamford. As a young man he learned the carriage maker's trade, later proceeding to Wisconsin, where he was employed for a year and a half in that busi- ness. On returning to Stamford he engaged in the flour business with his father, and after a time he established himself in the meat business, driving throughout Stamford and the surround- ing country with a wagon, following this line for;

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thirty-five years successfully, and in connection therewith engaging to some extent in farming; he retired about 1894. For some time he was interested in the real-estate business in Stamford in addition to the interests just mentioned, buy- ing and selling quite an amount of property, and in all his enterprises he has met with uniform success.

In 1865 Mr. Weed was married, in the city of Stamford, to Miss Sarah A. Bell, daughter of George Bell, of Stamford. Three children have blessed this union: Emmett L., who married Miss Jennie Barmore, and resides in Springdale, where he carries on a wholesale and retail milk business; George W., who is now conducting a grocery, feed store and meat market in Spring- dale; and Elmer H., who is a clerk in his brother's store. Mr. Weed is a stanch Republican, but has never been an office-seeker. He has won success by hard work and good sound business judgment, and he is respected accordingly in the community in which his useful life has been passed. He is a man of strong physique, and enjoys general good health.

JOHN J. PERRY, of Westport, Fairfield county, was one of the brave boys who went forth at their country's call when disunion was threatened, and battled for its preservation. Born March 16, 1839, in the town of West- port, Mr. Perry is the son of Daniel S. Perry, and is of Revolutionary stock in both paternal and maternal lines. Jonathan Perry, his grand- father, who was of English extraction. was a native of Fairfield and a farmer by occupation. In the struggle of the Colonies for independence he was a participant, and served nearly two years in that war. He married Hannah Jackson, also of Fairfield. (Daniel Jackson, brother of Hannah, served conspicuously throughout the Revolutionary war). Her mother was a Sturgis, and she received a grant of land from King George. After their marriage Jonathan Perry and wife located in the town of Fairfield. Their children were: Abel was a farmer in the town of Stratford; Alva, a currier and tanner, resided in Newark, N. J. ; Daniel S., referred to below, was the father of our subject; Betsey, who married Isaac Downs, of Weston, died in the West; Sally married Amos Dickinson, a millwright, and lives in Litchfield county, Conn .; Elenor, who married, died in young womanhood; and Fannie married Daniel Patchen, of Weston. The pa- rents were members of the Presbyterian Church.

Daniel S. Perry was born August 14, 1803, in the town of Fairfield. In early life he learned

the carpenter's trade, and followed it throughout his lifetime. He married Eliza Partrick, who was born February 12, 1806, at Compo, in the town of Westport, a daughter of Peter and Polly (Moyer) Partrick, the father born January 8, 1778. (George Moyer, the father of Polly Moyer, served on a ship in the Revolutionary war). After the marriage of Daniel S. Perry he settled in the town of Westport, and there both died, he on December 29, 1873, and his wife on March 10, 1889. In politics he was a Democrat. They were most estimable people, and lived lives that it would be well for others to emulate. Both were identified with the Presbyterian Church. They had ten children, namely: Eunice A., born in 1826, married Dudley W. Bradley, a watchmaker of Westport; Charles, born in 1827, was a seafaring man throughout his lifetime, dy- ing December 29, 1886; Nancy J., born in 1829, married Francis Young, a shoemaker of Dan- bury, and died May 5, 1859; Benjamin F., born in 1832, a carpenter by trade, died November 13, 1865; Daniel S., Jr., born in 1834, a shoemaker by trade, died August 5, 1856; Edward, born in 1836, is a farmer residing in Kansas; John J., our subject, is next in order of birth; Mary F., born in 1841; Martin, born in 1844, died July 13. 1860; and Peter L., born in 1846, who served three years in the Civil war, is now residing in Illinois, a mason by trade.

John J. Perry passed his boyhood in West- port, and there attended the public schools un- til fifteen years of age, then went to Rome. Peoria Co., Ill. At Rome he learned the mason's trade and followed it until in 1861, when, on September 27. he enlisted in Company M, 11th Ill. V. C., and for four years shared the fate of his company, participating in many skirmishes and battles. He bore an honorable part through- out his term of service, for enlisting as a private soldier he came out a captain. He was dis- charged September 30, 1865, at Memphis, TenD. Shortly after this event he went to Chicago, Ill., and worked at his trade some three years, then returned to Westport, Conn., where he has since remained. He is a member of the G. A. R., and in politics is a Republican. He is among the highly respected and esteemed citizens of West- port. Mr. Perry has never married.

J OHN LUCAS KNAPP, the junior member of the firm of Marsh & Knapp. contractors and builders at Danbury, is prominent among the younger business men of that city. He was born in Danbury, May 27, 1864, the son of John and Nancy (Young) Knapp, and was educated in

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the public schools and in W. A. Schell's Busi- ness College. When about sixteen years old he spent a year as a clerk in the office of the Dan- bury & Norwalk railroad, and on leaving that position he began to learn the carpenter's trade with Foster Bros. For some years after his term of apprenticeship ended, he worked as a journeyman for different contractors, but in 1890 he formed his present partnership with Frederick D. Marsh, and has since been actively engaged in business on his own account, the shop of the firm being located on East Franklin street.

On November 20, 1890, Mr. Knapp married Miss Alice R. Booth, youngest daughter of Dwight Dane and Sarah M. (Clark) Booth, of Pittsfield, Mass. Two children have blessed the union: Dwight Rufus, born May 8, 1894, and Florence Amanda, born January 15, 1896. The family reside in a pleasant home at No. 46 Division street, Danbury. In 1885 he united with the First Congregational Church of Danbury, and was made deacon in 1897. Mrs. Knapp joined by letter after marriage. Mr. Knapp is an active worker in the Christian Endeavor Society, of which he has been president for three terms. He is a strong advocate of temperance, and his in- fluence and his vote are given to the Prohibition party.

The Knapp family, of which our subject is a member, has been identified with this county from a very early day, and an account thereof will be found in the biographical sketch of bis uncle, Ezra P. Knapp, of Danbury, elsewhere in this volume.

John Knapp, our subject's father, is a well- · known resident of Danbury, where he has been engaged in carpentering for many years. He is a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in 1862 in Company B, 23d Conn. V. I. On May 16, 1855, he was married, in Fall River, Mass., to Miss Nancy H. Young, who was born July 8, 1836, at Seekonk, Mass., and is still living: They have had five children: Emma Caroline, born April 5, 1857, died September 10, 1872; Susan Elizabeth, born May 10, 1859. married Frank P. Wanzer, and has had six children- Carrie E .. John F., Nellie O., Charles L., Alice E. and Grace; John L., our subject; Ernest L., born December 19, 1869, now a carpenter; and Frank Y., born July 13, 1872, died June 16, 1873.

L IEUT .- COL. MERRITT FREMONT WHITE, manager of the firm of L. S. White & Co., makers of all kinds of harness, trunks, satchels, etc., Bridgeport, is a native of Massachusetts, born June 13, 1856, at Barre,

Worcester county. He traces his ancestry to Peregrine White, the first white child born in New England, whose parents came over in the " Mayflower."

Jonathan S. White, father of our subject, was born in Franklin county, Mass., in 1819, a son of Jonathan White, who was a tanner by trade. Jonathan learned the same line of business with his father, but when a young man took by har- ness making, serving an apprenticeship there in Greenfield, Mass. In 1840 he opened out a busi- ness in that line in Barre, Mass., which he con- ducted until 1868. in that year removing to Lake- wood, N. J., where he followed his trade five years. In 1873 he came to Bridgeport, and es- tablished the present flourishing business near where the shop now is.

On April 27, 1844, Jonathan S. White was married at Leyden, Mass., to Miss Mary J. Wildes, daughter of Amariah Wildes, and children as fol- lows were born to this union: Alonzo and Estes, who both died in childhood; Mary J .; Merritt F .; and Mabel, married to John H. Mott, an insurance adjuster of New York City. The mother of these departed this life in 1878, a member of the Uni- versalist Church, with which her husband was also identified. Socially, he was affiliated with Samuel Harris Lodge No.99, I. O. O. F., Bridge- port, and in politics he was a Republican. He took quite an interest in Odd Fellowship, being a past grand in the lodge. He died November 29, 1898.

Merritt F. White, whose name opens this sketch, received a liberal education at the pub- lic schools of Barre, Mass., and Lakewood, N. J., leaving school at about sixteen years of age. He has also been a great reader of history, fic- tion, etc., and is a well-informed man. On.com- ing to Bridgeport with his father, in 1873, he learned the saddle and harness trade with him, and continued working for him as journeyman until 1880, in which year he was admitted into partnership in the business, the style of the firm becoming J. S. White & Son.

On October 19, 1888, Colonel White was married in Bridgeport, Conn., to Miss Lena Steinmetz, a native of Bavaria, Germany, and four children have blessed this union, namely: Estes W., Harold. Jesse and Clarence. Colonel and Mrs. White attend the Universalist Church, and are much esteemed wherever known.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 137

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