Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 142

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

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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).

When sixteen years old Barnum Curtiss com- menced to learn the blacksmith's trade with a Mr. Kelsey, of Southbury, and after serving a five-years' apprenticeship worked at the trade two and one-half years as a journeyman. He then became interested in milling, which he sub- sequently made the principal business of his life. For three years he followed it at South Britain, Conn., for the next eight years worked t Southford, and then went to Platts- ville (so named for the Platt family), where he remained a year and a half. In 1840 he came to Stepney and bought a half-interest in the mill property of Captain Leavenworth, in partner- ship with whom he carried on milling until the Captain's death, when he bought out the heirs and became sole owner. The original mill erected

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on this site was probably one hundred years old. but Mr. Curtiss replaced that and all the other buildings on the property with modern structures, erecting the mill now conducted by A. B. Curtiss. At the time of his death, in 1891, he was proba- bly one of the oldest millers in Fairfield county, having been engaged in that business from the time of his settlement here in 1840. Soon after his removal to Stepney he bought the depot busi- ness and store, which he carried on until Captain Leavenworth's death, when he sold it, and later, in connection with his son, Andrew B., he built a store and resumed mercantile business, continu- ing this until his death. In addition to their mer- cantile and milling interests, B. Curtiss & Son had at one time an extensive plaster business, which was carried on in a most successful way. Bar- num Curtiss was a strictly business man, devoted to his commercial affairs, and he acquired a wide reputation for ability, unswerving integrity, good judgment and shrewdness in financial matters, characteristics which he had plenty of opportun- ity for displaying in his own career. These traits were made doubly valuable, however, by his per- sistent industry, which was probably of the most practical account to him.

On November 25, 1828, Barnum Curtiss was united in marriage with Levina Platt, who was born March 4, 1802, daughter of Amos Platt, and died November 1, 1850, leaving two children: Ann Eliza, born January 5. 1832, who married Charles W. Northrop and died January 23, 1864; and Andrew Barnum. On July 13, 1851, Mr. Curtiss married (for his second wife) Eunice M. Morehouse, who passed away February 25. 1862; she had no children. By his third wife, Martha L. (Allen), whom he wedded August 26, 1862, Mr. Curtiss had one daughter, Jennie L., born April 21, 1865, now Mrs. Clarence J. Willett. Mrs. Martha L. Curtiss died December 10, 1883, and on July 26, 1885, Mr. Curtiss married Mrs. Mary A. Cowles, who survives him. He departed this life December 25, 1891. A devout member of the Baptist Church, he was one of the trustees of that society at Stepney. In political sentiment he was a Whig originally, and after the formation of the Republican party he united with that body.

Andrew B. Curtiss received a thorough prac- tical education during his early years, attending the common school of Stepney for a time, and the private school kept by Elisha Booth for one year, leaving when about sixteen .. Since that time his life has been one of constant industry; but being fond of reading he has succeeded in keeping abreast of the times, and is a well- informed man. After his school life was over he had to "buckle to" and assist his father in act-

ive business, the latter giving him a partnership share in April, 1865, just a few months before he reached his majority. The firm name was changed to B. Curtiss & Son, and the partner- ship was only dissolved by the father's death, though for several years prior to that event the son was the responsible member of the firm and shouldered all the work. This firm has for the past three or four decades enjoyed the reputation of being the oldest and most important one in the town, and the son has not been less energetic than the father in pushing his way along the road to success. His commercial interests have of course absorbed the greater share of his time and attention, and leave little room for other affairs, though he has always taken a patriotic interest in the welfare of the community in gen- eral. He has served one year as selectman, and in 1882 was honored with election to the State Legislature, representing his district for one term.

On February 11, 1868, Mr. Curtiss wedded Miss Hattie A. Banks, daughter of Morris and Amelia M. (Mallett) Banks, of Easton, Conn. Three children bless this union, the eldest of whom, Lillian Gertrude, born July 7, 1872, died September 11, same year; Royal Barnum, born February 17, 1874, was graduated from Worces- ter Academy in the class of '94, and now fills a responsible position as head bookkeeper for Marsh Bros., of Bridgeport; Arthur Banks, who is successfully following the photographic busi- ness, was born July 19, 1875. Mr. Curtiss is an active member of the Baptist Church of Stepney, of which he formerly served as deacon some years, and is also a member of the regular Church committee. Socially, he and his son, Royal Barnum, are members of the Masonic Fraternity, in which each has attained to the degree of Knight Templar. Royal Barnum is also a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F.

W L. GRISWOLD, M. D., of Greenwich, Fairfield Co., Conn., has more than a local reputation as a skillful physician and sur- geon, especially the latter, in which connection he is known and consulted over quite an exten- sive territory. Doctor Griswold has apparently been endowed by nature with those special qual- ities without which no one, however learned, could succeed in his profession, and it is not at all unlikely that he has inherited these tenden- cies, for he is the son of an even more widely known physician, Dr. R. B. Griswold, of Banks- ville, N. Y. He is descended from hardy New England ancestry, a brief record of which will not be out of place here.

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Mr. L. Griswold 74.

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Daniel Griswold is the first of the family in this country of whom we have any mention. He had a son, also named Daniel, and the latter's son, Seth, was the great-great-grandfather of Dr. W. L. Griswold. Seth Griswold died about 1813. His son, Roswell Griswold, was a farmer by occupation, and died at New Marlboro, Conn .. in middle age. He was a large man, six feet tall, well built, and possessed of unusual phys- ical strength. He was three times married, and was the father of eleven children-seven sons and four daughters-viz .: Willis, who died in Indi- ana; Hiram, a lawyer, who died in Leavenworth, Kans .; Lucretia (Mrs. Ishmael Northway), de- ceased in New York State; Lucius; Joel Grant, who died in Winsted; Almira, who was twice married, and died in Tuscarora, N. Y .; James, of Auburn, Ind .; Nelson, who died in Cleveland, Ohio; Ellen A. (Mrs. Phillips), living in Win- sted, Conn .; Edward, of Cleveland, Ohio; and one daughter who died young.

Lucius Griswold was born July 12, 1810, in Colebrook, Conn., a son of Roswell and Jerusha (Grant) Griswold, the latter being a daughter of Joel, a kinsman of Ulysses S. Grant. He re- ceived a common-school education, and was reared at his native place. remaining under the parental roof until he reached his majority. On March 27, 1834, he was united in marriage with Miss Julia E. Barnard, who was born November 22, 1811. in Colebrook, a daughter of Asa Bar- nard. The young couple commenced housekeep- ing in their native town, Mr. Griswold engaging for a time in cheese making and farming on a small scale. In the early * forties, " however, he began selling scythes for Boyd & Son, of Winsted, Conn., and later for Williams & Bur- bank, who were in the same line, finally entering the employ of the Winsted Manufacturing Com- pany, for whom he traveled thirty years, his ter- ritory touching six States of the Union. He at length abandoned this life on account of his in- valid wife, and settled down at his home in Winsted, whither he had long ago removed his family, remaining there until her death, which occurred July 12, 1884. Their family consisted of three children: Ralph B .; Ward W., who died when four months old; and an adopted daughter. Ellen E., who is now the wife of J. Edgar Pine, of Winsted. Shortly after his wife's decease Lucius Griswold went to make his home with his son at Banksville, where he still resides, a remarkably active and well-preserved old gen- tleman, with memory and faculties unimpaired. Originally a Whig in political sentiment, he joined the Republican party on its organization, and is a loyal member thereof to this day. He

is a Methodist in Church connection. He has been a member of the Masonic Lodge at Win- sted for many years.

Ralph B. Griswold was born January 18, 1835, at Colebrook, Litchfield Co., Conn., where he received his elementary education, attending a private school in that town. Later he was a pupil in the public schools of Winsted, and dur- ing his early manhood he engaged in teaching for a year, at Stroudsburg, Penn. He began his medical studies in the office of Dr. H. B. Steele, a successful practitioner of Winsted, subsequent- ly entered the College of Physicians and Sur- geons in New York City (the medical department of Columbia College), and in 1856 graduated from the Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati. Ohio. For one year following he was resident physician in Doctor Strong's Sanitarium, at Sar- atoga, N. Y., locating in April, 1857, at Banks- ville, where he has ever since been engaged in general practice. Success beyond the average has attended him in his profession, for he has ac- quired a most extensive practice. due no less to his many admirable personal qualifications than to his thorough knowledge of medicine and his wide experience. The upright physician's in- fluence is always peculiarly effective for good in a community, and that this has been true of Doctor Griswold is but shown by the resolutions tendered him on April 15, 1897, the fortieth an- niversary of his settlement in Banksville, testi- fying to the high esteem in which he is held. The document, which came as a surprise to him and entirely unsolicited, expressed appreciation of his worth and excellent and creditable serv- ices, etc., and bore the signatures of one hun- dred of the leading citizens of the neighborhood. No higher tribute could be paid to any man !

Doctor Griswold has been very active in the social, religious and civic life of the town of which he has so long been an honored resident. and has been foremost in supporting every meas- ure and project for progress or improvement. He is a stanch member of the Republican party, in whose success he takes a deep interest, not, however, as a politician in the ordinary sense of the term, for he has never sought office, though he has been elected road commissioner, and served in that position for years. As an efficient worker and liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church he is well-known all over the section, being a prominent member of the East- ern New York Conference (in which he is a steward), vice-president of the Westchester County (N. Y.) Bible Society, and one of the leaders in the work of the Banksville congrega- tion, where he has held various offices; he has

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been chorister of the Church for a number of years. During the existence of the Sons of Temperance he was one of its most enthusiastic members, and served as grand worthy patriarch of New York State; at present he belongs to Kisco Lodge, F. & A. M., of Mt. Kisco, N. Y., and is an honorary member of the Jr. O. U. A. M., of Banksville.

In 1858 Dr. Griswold married Miss Mary J. Derby, of Winsted, Conn .. the daughter of An- drew Derby, who died when she was a mere child. Four children have blessed this union, two of whom are living: W. L., and Julia Alice, the latter of whom was married in April, 1898, to Wilbur W. Cooper, of the Strong Manufactur- ing Company, of Winsted. The Doctor and his family occupy a commodious modern residence at Banksville, which he erected. He is an excellent judge of fine horseflesh, and it would be difficult to find any one who thinks more of a good horse, or admires one more ardently; he has owned several excellent animals.

William Loomis Griswold was born February 12, 1861, near Banksville, in which village he received his first schooling, being sent to both public and private institutions. Later he at- tended the private school at Long Ridge, Conn., conducted by Rev. Mr. Shepherd, and. for two years, the public high school at Winsted, Conn., in the fall of 1878 entering the Scientific Depart- ment of Yale College, from which he was grad- uated with honor in the class of 1881, with the degree of Ph. B. In the year following he taught school in his native town, matriculating in the fall of 1882 at the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, in New York City, and graduated there- from in the spring of 1885. In July of that year he settled in Greenwich. In surgery and obstet- rics he has met with especial success, his services in these lines being sought far and near, making him prominent among the medical men of Fair- field county.

The Doctor is a prominent member of the Masonic Fraternity in Fairfield county, belonging to Acacia Lodge No. 85. of Greenwich; Ritten- house Chapter No. 11. R. A. M., of Stamford; and Washington Council No. 6, R. & S. M. On April 4, 1889, Doctor Griswold married Mrs. Mattie (Kingman) Conkey, daughter of Frank Kingman, Esq., of Enfield, Massachusetts.

W ILLIAM H. NORRIS, cigar manufacturer, No. 66 Keeler street, Danbury, Conn. (established 1891), is a native of Norwalk, Conn. having been born there July 8, 1860, locating in Danbury May 1, 1883.

Mr. Norris married Miss Kate J. Kulm, of Matteawan, N. Y., at Danbury, July 27, 1884. and three children resulted from said union: The first. a son, died in infancy; the second, also a son, is now thirteen years of age, being born July 29, 1886; and a daughter, eleven years old, hay- ing been born June 23, 1888. Mr. Norris estab- lished his present business in May, 1891, at No. 128 Liberty street. Danbury, removing to his present factory in March, 1898.

H ENRY H. KNAPP. In the early part of the eighteenth century came from England four brothers by the name of Knapp, who set- tled first in Danbury, Conn., and then, sepa- rating, became pioneers of various places in the Eastern States. One of these four brothers, Caleb Knapp, born in 1709, settled in the town of Norfolk, Litchfield county, and there married, and reared a family of children, among whom was a son Samuel, born in 1746. Caleb Knapp died in 1788.

Samuel Knapp married Miss Mercy Holt, of Litchfield county, and with his bride began life on a farm there, continuing to follow agricult- ural pursuits to the end of his days. He died November 16, 1824. There, too, was reared their family of eight children, of whom we have the following record: (1) Ezekiel followed farm- ing at East Candor, N. Y., and also practiced his profession, that of medicine; he married Ruth Pyke, and they became the parents of seven children-Homer, Harmon, Laura, Sarah, Mary, Ezekiel W. and Mercy. (2) Bushnel was a farmer in Norfolk; he married Dency Hall, and they had five children-Horace, Desire, Lucy, Ann E. and Lorella. (3) Caleb was a farmer; he married, and was the father of the following named children-Orin, Highland, Lyman, Phi- lander, Charlotte, Amy and Harriette. (4) Fran- cis is mentioned more fully below. (5) Isaac married and had two children, Isaac and George; he was a Presbyterian minister, located at West- field, Mass., where he died.

Francis Knapp married Amelia Benedict, of the town of Canaan, Litchfield county; she was a daughter of Francis K. Benedict, who was the son of James, who was the son of Thomas, wbo was the son of Samuel, one of the earliest pio- neers from England. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Francis Knapp began their home life on the farm in Canaan, and he engaged in teach- ing school and taught singing. He was also a carpenter. To their union two children were born: Henry Holt. the subject proper of this review; and Alpheus. The father died Novem-

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ber 6, 1826, and on May 20, 1839, the mother married Joshua B. Trowbridge, who died Febru- ary 22, 1870. She survived him, passing to her eternal rest October 30, 1879. In politics Mr. Knapp was a Democrat, and religiously both he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. Alpheus Knapp was born June 22. 1822; he married Lydia Carpenter, and settled on a farm in Columbia county, Wis., where he died in June, 1868. He was the father of five children -Francis B., Phœbe, Charles, Ann Janet and Samuel.

Henry H. Knapp, whose name opens this sketch, was born on the. old farm in Canaan, Litchfield Co., Conn .. February 3, 1819. Here he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the neighboring district schools, and here he also learned the carpenter's trade. In 1844 he came to Danbury, following his trade until about 1860, when he bought the farm of 150 acres on which he now resides, devoting his time to general farm- ing and the nursery business. In early life he was in the tobacco business for a short time. In his chosen occupation Mr. Knapp has met with remarkable success, his business acumen and rare judgment proving good guarantees for financial success.

On February 3, 1852. Mr. Knapp was mar- ried to Miss Lois J. Andrews, a native of the town of Bethel, and a daughter of Aaron An- drews and granddaughter of Eden Andrews, of the same place. Three children have come to bless this union: Mary Viola, Hannah M. and Frances J. Mary married Elijah Betts, a farmer of Wilton, Fairfield county, who died September 28. 1878; she has two children-Henry B. and Alpheus E. Mr. Knapp is considered one of the most substantial men in the county, and his ad- vice on financial questions is often sought by his friends and acquaintances. He is conscientious in the performance of duty. Firm in his convic- tions, and determined to do right, at the national election in 1896 he rose above party and petty strife of mere partisanship, and although for years a Democrat in politics cast his vote with the peo- ple, for William Mckinley. He is public-spirited and progressive, and liberally endorses any move- ment tending to advance the moral and material interests of town or county, State or Nation.

R UMSEY I. FANCHER, member of the firm of Fancher & Co., shoe manufacturers, is well-known among the prosperous business men of New Canaan, and the products of the Fancher factory are known to retail shoe dealers through- out the country.

Mr. Fancher was born September 7. 1854, in the town of Lewisboro. Westchester Co., N. Y., a son of Eleazer L. Fancher, who was also a na- tive of Lewisboro, and a grandson of Rumsey B. Fancher, who was a carpenter at Vista, in that town. Eleazer L. Fancher was originally en- gaged in general mercantile business, and com- menced the manufacture of shoes at Vista, in his native town, making them by the old hand pro- cess. After a few years he commenced to turn out machine-sewed shoes, and in 1884 he re- moved with his son, Arthur W., to Norwalk, Conn., where they founded the firm of Fancher, Ruscoe & Co., for the manufacture of machine- made shoes, using power and machinery .. Six- teen months later (in 1885) the Fanchers came to New Canaan, and established themselves in business at the old academy in Park street, op- erating under the firm name of Fancher & Co. (Eleazer, Arthur W. and Eugene Fancher). In 1887 they removed to Bridgeport, Conn., in which city they formed the Fancher & Ten Eyck Shoe Company, located in East Washington avenue. This co-partnership was dissolved in 1891, when Eleazer L. Fancher and his two sons, Arthur W. and Eugene, returned to New Canaan, here forming a partnership, on October 1, 1891, with Rumsey I. Fancher, and they have since been engaged in the shoe business in the factory in Railroad avenue, under the firm name of Fancher & Co.

On January 25, 1848, Eleazer L. Fancher was married, in New Canaan, to Elizabeth Ray- mond, daughter of Arza Raymond, of New Canaan, and they had four children, namely: Arthur W., Eugene, Rumsey I. and Emma L. Of these, Eugene married Bessie G. Moseman, who died leaving two children - Carleton and Hazel. Mr. Fancher took an active interest in public affairs while living in his old home in the town of Lewisboro, and he served as postmaster at Vista for twenty-eight years; be was also a notary public.

Rumsey I. Fancher was reared at Vista, and received his education there in the public schools. He learned shoemaking with his father, and after mastering the trade worked at same for different manufacturers, being with the H. W. Merriam Shoe Company, Newton, N. J., for a short time, and with Robert Dix, of Darien, Conn., for about a year, and then went to work for the firm of E. L. & A. W. Fancher at Vista. On Feb- ruary 28, 1888, he came to New Canaan and commenced the manufacture of shoes in the old Ayres place, corner of Maple street and South avenue. In August following he became a part- ner with Alva L. Dickens, the firm style being

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R. I. Fancher & Co., and the factory was re- moved to the brick building in Railroad avenue, where the Adams Express Company is now lo- cated. This partnership was dissolved Septem- ber 1, 1889, and Mr. Fancher resumed business in the old Ayres place, where he remained until November 1, 1891, the date of the removal to the present location of the Fancher factory. It is fully equipped with the latest and most im- proved machinery, and the output, consisting of ladies', misses' and children's shoes, has a ready sale among the best retailers all over the country, who find it a most satisfactory line to carry. The sales department is under the management of Eugene Fancher.

Rumsey I. Fancher was married, in New Canaan, to Frances J. Raymond, daughter of Andrew J. Raymond, of that town, and one child has been born to them, named Florence L. Mr. Fancher is a member of Harmony Lodge No. 67, F. & A. M., as are also his father and brother Eugene. The latter is also a member of St. John's Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Norwalk, and of the Commercial Travelers Mutual Accident Association of North America. Grandfather Rumsey B. Fancher was a charter member of Friendship Division No. 10, of New Canaan, Sons of Temperance.

ATHANIEL EUGENE WORDIN, M. D., N

one of the leading physicians of Bridgeport, is of an ancestry long identified with the business interests and public affairs of Bridgeport.

Born May 26, 1844, in the city of which he is still a resident, Dr. Wordin is of the fifth gen- eration from Capt. William Wordin, who was probably the son of Thomas and Jemima Wor- din, of Stratford, the line of his descent being through William (2), Thomas C. and Nathan- iel S.

Capt. William Wordin was prominent in the settlement, being society's committee, school committee, and captain of the Freeholders or Home Guards. He bought land of Ezra Kirt- land, May 2, 1772, in what is now Bridgeport, corner of State and Park avenue. He died in 1808, aged seventy-five years, and his wife, who was formerly Anna Odell, of Fairfield, died in 1805, aged sixty-eight.

William Wordin (2) married Dorcas Cook. He died April 15, 1814, aged fifty-four, and she died July 25, 1854, aged ninety-one years. Their children were : Daniel, who died in New York; Abijah, whose descendants live in Bridgeport, N. Y .; Susanna, Anna, Thomas Cook, Levi and William.

Thomas Cook Wordin was born in 1787 in the Wordin homestead that stood on the ground alluded to above, on the northeast corner of State street and Park avenue. From the time he was quite a lad until he was twenty-one he was a clerk in the drug store of Samuel Darling, of New Haven, and from the time he was twenty-one throughout his active life he was in the drug business in Bridgeport in a store on State street just west of the old post office, the building be- ing erected by him in about 1816. He was trained in Puritanical ideas, and believed in them, and his integrity, high personal honor and un- pretending life were the consequence. He was the owner of the Norwalk flouring-mills, and after some years he remodeled them for grinding spices, and the first ground spices in the market in this vicinity were from his mills. He offered two thousand dollars toward establishing a public square west of Cortland street, but the offer was not acted upon. He died November 20, 1852, aged sixty-five. In 1812 he had married Ann, daughter of Philemon Sherwood. About the close of the war of 1812 he left his wife and in- fant son (Nathaniel S. Wordin, still of Bridge- port) for a trip to Boston on the sloop " Othello" commanded by Capt. Joel Thorp. They were captured by the British, and Mr. Wordin had great difficulty in being released and returning home. While he was gone his wife, becoming alarmed at the frequent reports that the British had landed to pillage Bridgeport, took her infant son before the morning dawn and walked to her father's house, some three miles away. The children born to this couple were : Nathaniel S., born July 12, 1813; Lucy S. mar- ried Edmund S. Hawley; Susan married Charles Kelsey; Thomas, born April 14, 1823, died May 31, 1823; Elmer and a twin brother (unnamed), born September 23, 1824, both dying in infancy; Mary; Ann B. married Deacon John W. Hincks; Caroline married W. W. Naramore; Thomas C., born October 21, 1826, married Betsey Ann Plumb, of Trumbull; and Elizabeth died in 1852. aged twenty-three years.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 142

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