Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 138

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 138

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

On February 18, 1884, our subject enlisted in Company B, 4th Regiment Connecticut Na- tional Guard, since when he has been promoted consecutively as follows: corporal, November 17, 1885; sergeant, April 17, 1888; discharged Feb- ruary 18, 1889; re-enlisted February 18, 1889; second lieutenant, June 3, 1890; first lieutenant,

Digitized by Google

676

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

January 12, 1892; captain, August 9, 1892; major, January 18, 1897, of the First Battalion, 4th Regiment Conn. National Guard; lieutenant- colonel Fourth Regiment, April 27, 1899. Dur- ing the Spanish American war only one company of the First Battalion was called out for service, viz: Company I, of Winstead. In military mat- ters the Colonel is the highest officer in Bridge- port. In his business he has been quite success- ful. He is a Republican, and further than con- scientiously recording his vote at the polls he takes but little interest in politics.

H ORACE M. OSBORNE, a well-known busi- ness man of Bridgeport, is a member of the firm of Osborne Bros., leading grocers of that place, and his enterprise and sound judgment are recognized in the rapid development of their trade.

Mr. Osborne belongs to an old Connecticut family, his ancestors having settled in Brookfield at an early day. It is known that the family originated in England, but the first of the name of whom we have a definite account was David Osborne, our subject's great-grandfather, who was born in Brookfield March 2, 1766, and lived to the age of eighty-one. He was a farmer, but in early life learned the trade of carpenter and builder, and worked at same mostly through life. His original sayings were quoted for many years after he was gone. His wife, Matilda, lived to be seventy-four. Ezra Osborne, our subject's grandfather, was born and reared in Brookfield, where he engaged in farming. He married Rachel Kellog, a member of one of the pioneer families of New Fairfield, and they had four sons, viz .: Martin K., of Bethel, a farmer and stock dealer; Henry B., a carriage manufacturer of Dan- bury; Burton, a farmer, of Brookfield; and Orrin H., our subject's father, who is now the only sur- viving member of the family.

Orrin H. Osborne was born July 25, 1832, in Brookfield, and learned the carriage maker's trade with his brother, Henry B., of New Fair- field. After becoming of age he removed to Bridgeport, and was connected with the Wheel and Wood Bending Company for five years, afterward engaging in the grocery business. He then removed to Bethel, and carried on the mill- ing, flour and feed trade for nearly twenty-eight years. At present he is with his sons, Osborne Brothers. His wife, whose maiden name was Amanda Griffith, was born at Huntington, Long Island, daughter of William H. Griffith, a highly esteemed citizen of that place. Our subject is the eldest of four children, the others being

Frank H., who is connected with the Grapho- phone Company in Bridgeport; Fannie P., wife of George A. Platt, of Bridgeport, and Robert M., a partner of our subject.

Horace M. Osborne was born on Kossuth street, near Washington Park, Bridgeport, April 2, 1856, and when three years old his parents removed to Brookfield, where they remained about five years, our subject's education being begun in the public schools of that town. The family then returned to Bridgeport, where he at- tended school for two years, but his course was completed in the schools of Bethel. On leaving school he went to Bridgeport, and was employed for seven years as a clerk by William H. Griffith, a grocer on Fairfield avenue, and for six years by George E. Cleveland, a grocer on State street. In March, 1892, he bought a grocery store on the corner of Noble avenue and Jane street, which he conducted alone for five years, or until 1897, in which year he admitted his brother, Robert, as a partner, under the firm name of Osborne Bros.

On November 30, 1882, Horace M. Osborne married Miss Christina W. McCormick, a native of Springfield, Mass., and a daughter of Edward McCormick, who was born in New York, of Scottish ancestry. One son, Chester W., brightens the home. The family is much es- teemed socially. Mr. Osborne is a member of the Park Street Congregational Church, and of various organizations, including Arcanum Lodge No. 4, I. O. O. F., at Bridgeport. In politics he is a stanch Republican.

S NTEPHEN E. KEELER is one of the pro- gressive, well-to-do farmers of the town of New Canaan, and a member of one of the oldest families of that town, of which he himself is a native, having been born there June 24, 1859.

Ralph Keeler, the first of the family of whom we have record, was an active citizen of Nor- walk, Conn., in the early days. His son, Sam- uel, was a soldier in the Indian war and was in the " direful swamp fight " of 1680, receiving for his service twelve acres of land in the Clapboard Hills District of this county. Daniel Keeler, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, was prob- ably a son of that Samuel, and at an early date received land from his father in New Canaan parish, his home being south of John Benedict's. He and his wife became members of the Church when it was first organized.

Capt. Isaac Keeler, son of Daniel, was born May 2, 1756, in Canaan parish, and died in his eighty-first year, on January 27, 1837. When

Digitized by Google

677

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the Revolutionary war broke out he became a member of the Fourth Company, Seventh Reg- iment, under Capt. Joseph Hoit, Col. Charles Webb commanding; served at Winter Hill under Gen. Sullivan; was at Valley Forge during the memorable winter of 1777-78, and subsequently took part in the battle of Monmouth. His mili- tary record is as follows: Commissioned ensign in Second Regiment (formation of 1777-80), Jan- uary 1, 1777; second lieutenant, February 4, 1778; first lieutenant, August 1, 1779; quarter- master, 1781. He was a government pensioner, and a member of the Cincinnati. After the war closed he commenced in business for himself, later removing to New York City, where he re- ceived the appointment of city marshal, and he also served at one time as police justice in that city. He was afterward given a position in the Custom House, which he retained until his death. During the war of 1812, when New York City was in danger of being attacked by the British, he volunteered for three months service in the Veteran Corps of Revolutionary soldiers to guard the arsenal, and was made an officer in the corps. He bravely attempted to discharge the duties which fell to his lot with his old-time fidel- ity, but the labors and exposures of camp life proved too much for his years and enfeebled con- stitution, and he contracted a severe cold which deleloped into consumption, though he lived for many years afterward. Captain Keeler was mar- ried September 24, 1779, to Sarah St. John, who was born May 11, 1755, and died September 21, 1793, the mother of five children, viz .: Esther, born April 22, 1781; Naomi, September 24, 1783; Isaac, July 19, 1786; Isaac, May 25, 1789; and Sally, June 16, 1791. The father, on De- cember 15, 1793, married for his second wife Catherine Tuttle, who was born September 9, 1774, and died July 7. 1854. She had two children: Bradley, born September 26. 1794, and Edward E., born November 28, 1796.

Bradley Keeler, son of Capt. Isaac and Cath- erine (Tuttle) Keeler, was born September 26, 1794, in Canaan parish, Norwalk, and died July 6, 1855. He was a carriage manufacturer by occupation, carrying on a business in New Canaan, where he also owned what is now the " Birdsall House." He married Polly Hoyt, who survived him many years, dying April 26, 1872, and they had three children-Stephen E., who is our subject's father; Sylvester H., living in Mendota, Ill .; and Isaac E., who died August 2, 1885.

Stephen Edward Keeler, father of our sub- ject, was born December 28, 1819, in New Canaan, and was there reared and educated, at-

tending the school in District No. 5. He was married in Lewisboro, N. Y., to Ann Augusta Raymond, who was born September 2, 1828, a daughter of Amos N. and Lucy Ann (Olmstead) Raymond, and they became the parents of eight children, of whom we have the following record: Julia Bradley, born February 13, 1847, married Dr. William W. Cummings, and lives in Brook- lyn; they have two children-Clara A. and Parker Pond. Jane Augusta, born November 8, 1849, married Carodyne O. Hanford, of Lewisboro, N. Y., and has three children-Edith N., Samuel K. and Stephen E. Pollie Hoyt, born October 24, 1851, is the wife of Hiram Wakeman, and has one child-Bertha L. Stephen E., born December 18, 1853, died January 20, 1857. Warner Hoyt, born October 14, 1857, died Jan- uary 30, 1893; he married Mary E. Stevens (died January 28, 1892), by whom he had two children-Bradley W. and Fannie W. Stepben Edward, born June 24, 1859, is the subject proper of our sketch. Alice Bushnell, born April 20, 1867, died May 16, 1868. Agnes Brownson, born December 9, 1869, married Ed- ward Burr Adams, of New Canaan; they have one son-Warner H., who died in August, 1897. The father of this family passed away November 2, 1878. He followed farming all his life, and was an industrious, prosperous man. During his youth his health was very delicate, and he tried working in a store, clerking in the grocery of Weed & Hoyt; but he was soon obliged to give it up and return to the farm, agricultural life evi- dently being best for his physical well-being. He was a captain in the Wooster Guards, and served his town as superintendent of roads at one time, but he was not particularly active in pub- lic affairs. In religious connection he was a prominent member of the New Canaan Episcopal Church, of which he was vestryman.

Stephen E. Keeler was brought up on the home farm, which he now cultivates, in his boy- hood attending the village and country district schools. During his early manhood he was en- gaged in mercantile business, commencing as clerk in the store of R. W. Rockwell in New Canaan, with whom he remained one year. For the four succeeding years he was with J. F. Silli- man in the same capacity, and then for six months sold goods on the road from Newburg, N. Y. He now went west, and for a time gave his attention to the sheep business at Colorado Springs, Colo. On his return east he commenced the meat business in New Canaan in partnership with his brother, Warner H., under the firm name of Keeler Bros., and continued this for two years, after which he was foreman for two years of

Digitized by Google

: !

678

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Johnson & Raumond's livery. Since that time he has carried on farming on the home place, which under his care and able management has been improved and cultivated in the best possible manner.

Mr. Keeler was married October 16, 1884, in New Canaan to Annie Demorest Husted, daughter of James T. Husted, and they have a family of three children: Stephen Edward, Katherine Augusta and Warner Hoyt. They attend the Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Keeler is a member, and he is at present serving as clerk. He is an enterprising, public-spirited citizen, has served as selectman of his town for two years, and is a member of the Grange at New Canaan, where he is well-known.

C HARLES ROHRBACH, a military veteran, is a well-known resident of Bridgeport, where he is extensively engaged in the bottling of beverages for the local trade.

Born January 21, 1830, in Gotha, Saxe Co- burg, Germany, Mr. Rohrbach is a son of Nich- olas and Sophia (Gender) Rohrbach, lifelong residents of that locality, and where his father was engaged in business as a weaver and dyer. This worthy couple had eleven children, of whom five are now living. our subject being the youngest. Hironymous, Louis, Augusta and Eliza are all residing in the Fatherland.

During his youth our subject learned the cab- inet maker's trade in Germany, and in 1854 he came to America, locating first in New York City, where he followed his trade for several years. In 1858 he removed to Bridgeport and continued in the same line of work, but in 1876 he engaged in the bottling business in connection with a saloon. Later he withdrew from the sa- loon business, continuing, however, the bottling works, and making a specialty of soft drinks. In 1861 he gave evidence of his loyalty to his adopted country by enlisting in Company H, Ist Conn. V. I., the first regiment sent out from Bridgeport, and served his term of three months. Politically, he is an Independent; socially, he is prominent as a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Concordia and Germania Arion Societies, while his interest in military matters is kept up by his active work with the Bridgeport Sharp Shooters and the G. A. R.

In 1857 Mr. Rohrbach was married in New York City to Fraulein Tetje Koeppen, a native of Germany, and seven children have blessed the union, five of whom are now living: Caro- line, who married George Eckhart, a brewer in Bridgeport; Anna, wife of Adolph Ide, a painter

in Bridgeport; Charles, a piano maker in New Haven; Matilda, married to Charles B. Schmidt, who is engaged in photography as a marbleizer; and Miss Laura, who is at home.

H ENRY N. BEARDSLEY has for many years been closely identified with the business in- terests of Fairfield county as a member of the Beardsley Building Company, which was organ- ized in 1869.

Our subject is a son of Hiram Beardsley and a grandson of Dr. Gideon Beardsley, of Monroe township, this county, who was one of the lead- ing citizens of the town in His day. He was a physician in active practice up to his death, which occurred when he was a comparatively young man, being caused by injuries he received through falling from a horse. He married Sarab A. Curtis, who was a sister of Henry T., Lucius and Hiram Curtis, of Fairfield, and they had two children, Hiram and Henry. The last named followed his father's footsteps, becoming a physician, and first practiced his profession in Lyme, Conn. In 1848 he "went West" and settled in Painesville, Ohio, where he engaged in the active practice of his profession until his death, attaining a high rank among his medical brethren in that region. He passed away in 1892 or 1893. For his first wife he married Harriet Hawley, of Barn Hill, Fairfield Co., Conn., and of his children we have mention of Maria and Augusta.

Henry N. Beardsley was born June 25, 1835, in Monroe township, Fairfield Co., Conn., and commenced his education in the public schools, finishing with a two-years' attendance at a private school kept by a Miss Wheeler, from Stratford. Leaving school when about sixteen years old, be commenced to learn his trade with the Derby Building and Lumber Company, with which he served an apprenticeship of over four years, being thoroughly drilled in the details of the business. For the following eight years he was engaged at his trade as journeyman in Derby and Ansonia, principally the latter place, where for two years he was in partnership with another man. Since the formation of the Beardsley Building Company, in 1869, he has given his en- tire attention to the interests of that concern, which is considered one of the most substantial, reliable firms in the Naugatuck Valley, and through good management has prospered from the start. Among the larger contracts filled by this firm may be mentioned the Ansonia school house, a school house in Seymour, and the Meth- odist Episcopal church in Derby.

Digitized by

Google

679

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. Beardsley's first wife was Martha Bots- ford, daughter of Sheldon Botsford, and three children were born to them, namely: Frances, who is deceased; Marian E. (Mrs. George Cogs- well), of Derby; and Harry, deceased. For his second wife Mr. Beardsley in December, 1881, wedded Grace Botsford, a sister of his first wife; they have no children. He has always been a Republican in political sentiment, but has taken no active part in politics in the sense of office seeking, although he has served his fellow citi- zens as a member of the board of burgesses, and one year as warden. Fraternally, he affiliates with King Hiram Lodge No. 12, F. & A. M., Solomon Chapter No. 3. R. A. M., New Haven Commandery No. 2, K. T., and Naugatuck Lodge, I. O. O. F. In religious connection he is a member of the Congregational Church of Shelton.

S TEPHEN FRENCH. There is no wider or more favorably known citizen in Stepney, Monroe township, than this gentleman, who as a merchant, station agent, postmaster and pub- lic servant has been active in the life of the com- munity for many years.

Mr. French is a grandson of Thomas C. French, who farmed in Monroe township on the place now owned and cultivated by Wilbur French. He was an extensive landowner in this section, and left quite a large estate, Sterling French, the father of our subject, inheriting the homestead. Thomas French married a Strat- ford lady, and their family consisted of five sons and two daughters, all of whom are now de- ceased, viz .: Stephen, who was a farmer of Stepney, died in 1873; Elijah, who located for a time in western New York, thence removed to Chagrin Falls, Ohio; Sherman died in 1872 at his home in Long Hill, Trumbull; Hoyt, a farm- er of Stepney, died in 1844; Sterling, sketch of whom follows; Sally married Wakeman Turney; and Elesia married Lewis Penfield, a member of the firm of Penfield Bros., who engaged in the manufacture of wagons in Stepney before the Civil war. Of this family, Sterling was the only one who had children.

Sterling French was born in Stepney in about 1812, and passed his entire life in his native place. He owned a tract of about ninety acres, to the cultivation of which he devoted all his time and attention, and he took an especial pride in the neat and thrifty appearance of his place and surroundings. His industry brought to him success above the average, and he was regarded by all as a substantial, worthy man, such as any

community might be glad to claim. Public af- fairs and service had no charm for one of his re- tiring disposition, but he entered heartily into re- ligious and charitable work, and was a fine ex- ample of the Christian citizen in his daily life and habits. An active member of the Methodist Church, he was one of its strongest supporters, and served for many years as one of its trustees. Politically, he gave his support to the Democratic party.

Mr. French was married November 28, 1832, to Maria Hemenway, who . was a daughter of Chandler and Amy (Jordan) Hemenway, of New Haven; they also lived in Monroe and Newtown. Four children blessed this union, namely: Stephen; Sarah, born in January, 1841, married Frederick S. Shelton, of Trumbull; Francis, born in January, 1845, who is unmarried and lives on the old homestead; and Wilbur, born in May, 1843. who married Elizabeth Sheppard, and had one son, Morris, and one daughter, Jessie. Mrs. Maria French died in 1850, and Mr. French sub- sequently wedded Hannah Beardsley, of Trum- bull. There were no children by the second union. He died in April, 1887, she in 1889.

Stephen French was born February 19, 1837, at Stepney, where he has always had his home. In his youth he had no other advantages than those afforded by the Cutlers Farms District school, but what he lacked in his early training has been more than supplied by his course in the school of experience, and he is to-day a well-in- formed man, abreast of the times and conversant with the important questions of the day. In the fall of 1852 he was apprenticed to the firm of Penfield, Hubbell & Co., to learn the trade of carriage trimmer, at which he served five years, becoming a thorough mechanic in his line. From 1858 to 1873 he followed the business as a jour- neyman in Stepney and Long Hill, and during the latter year he abandoned his trade for agri- cultural pursuits, to which he gave his entire time until 1885. He operated the Stephen French farm. In 1885 he was appointed post- master under Grover Cleveland's administration, by Postmaster-General Don M. Dickinson, and in the same year purchased the general mercan- tile business of William M. Geer, which he has ever since carried on, his being the principal gen- eral store in the place. In 1888 he was appointed station agent at Stepney for the Housatonic rail- road, and he has continued to fill that position up to the present time with credit to himself and universal satisfaction to the road and its patrons. On June 3. 1893, during Cleveland's second term, he was again appointed postmaster, this time by Postmaster-General Bissell.

Digitized by Google

---

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

680

Mr. French has in him the elements of thrift and good management shown by the entire family, and by his careful, conservative business methods he has become one of the well-to-do men of his town, where he is highly thought of in business, public and social circles. That his fellow citizens have the utmost confidence in his integrity and good judgment is shown by the fact that he has been called upon to act as trustee in the settlement of different estates, and his con- tinuous service for fourteen years as first and second selectman of Monroe, to which office he was elected and re-elected from 1872 to 1886. He has always taken an active and patriotic in- terest in public matters, especially of a local na- ture, and has rendered many services to his town. During the building of the Zoah bridge across the Housatonic river, Mr. French, as first select- man of Monroe township, acted as chairman of the building committee for the town. During the Civil war he was drafted for service, but he never entered the army, as he did not pass muster.

In 1858 Mr. French was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Briscoe, daughter of James and Harriet (Clarke) Briscoe, of Stepney; the mother was from Bedford, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. French have no children. They are prominent members of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, of Monroe, of which Mr. French has been an official for some time, and he takes a strong interest in its work. Socially, he is a popular member of the Masonic Fraternity, affiliating with Washing- iton Lodge No. 19, of Monroe, and Jerusalem Chapter No. 13, of Bridgeport. He has been ·master seven terms. He is also a member of Jerusalem Council No. 16, R. & S. M., of Bridge- port, and also of Hamilton Commandery No. 5, of same place. His political sympathies are with the Democratic party.

J AMES WILSON, one of the substantial and popular business men of Stamford, Fairfield county, and who for a decade or more was a member of the firm of Stark & Wilson, plumbers, gas and steam fitters, etc., is a native of the City of New York.

Mr. Wilson is one of five children born to James and Elizabeth (Dixon) Wilson, both na- tives of Scotland. They were married there, and before coming to this country the father was a weaver of Paisley shawls. On coming to the United States he became a weaver of carpets in the City of New York, where he died at the age of seventy-two years. He was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church. His widow sur-

vived him many years, dying in September, 1896, in the eighty-fourth year of her age. Two of their five children-James and Robert A .- are residents of Stamford. Of these, James Wilson was born November 7, 1851, in the City of New York, where he passed his boyhood. He at- tended the public schools, and in 1866 he began to learn the trade and business of plumbing. gas and steam `fitting, tinning, etc. In 1872 he lo- cated at Stamford, and for twelve years worked for James L. Lockwood & Co., who were en- gaged in that line of business. By good manage- ment, industrious habits, and the practice of economy Mr. Wilson saved some money, and in 1884, in company with A. R. Stark, he formed a partnership and bought out the business of James L. Lockwood. & Co. This partnership continued until in 1892, when it was dissolved. Mr. Wilson is one of the enterprising and pro- gressive business men of Stamford, and as a citi- zen has the esteem of his fellow-citizens. His place of business, No. 11 Atlantic street, is fitted out with a complete stock of everything requisite for his business, and he has in his employ fully as many men as (if not more than) any one in his line. His careful, painstaking, personal sup- ervision of all work done in his name has contrib- uted to its high excellency, and it is noteworthy that certain pieces of work done by him twenty- five years ago are to-day in good condition and have never needed repairs.

Socially, Mr. Wilson is identified with a num- ber of Orders. . He is a member of Union Lodge No. 5. F. & A. M., of Rittenhouse Chapter No. II, R. A. M., and of Washington Council No. 6, R. & S. M. He also belongs to Stamford Council, No. 999, Royal Arcanum; to Stamford Lodge No. 114, New England Order of Protec- tion; to Ponus Lodge No. 68, A. O. U. W .; to Puritan Lodge, No. 43, I. O. O. F .; to Stam- ford Tent, No. 6, K. O. T. M., and to Stamford Court No. 3415, I. O. F. He is a Republican politically, but takes no special interest in party affairs.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 138

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