Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 145

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

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C A. MEEKER. When one reaches, in years, the age anywhere beyond the three-score limit, there can be no keener satisfaction than that given by a life of usefulness, spent in con- tented labor in one's appointed sphere, and marked by the approval of one's own conscience and the respect and affection of those with whom one's lot is cast. To an agricultural worker, liv- ing " close to Nature's heart," such a retrospect must show long years of peaceful routine toil; and assuredly this is the case with the subject of this sketch, who is considered, by all in the posi- tion to know, to be unexcelled, if equalled, in

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the State of Connecticut as an all-round agricult- urist and scientific farmer.

Mr. Meeker is a native of the State, born February 1, 1832, a son of Aaron and Abigail Platt (Saunders) Meeker, the former of whom was an oysterman by occupation, and throughout his brief life " followed the water." He died in October, 1833, at the early age of twenty-seven years, leaving a widow and three children: Aaron, who was a shoemaker by trade, and died in South- port, leaving a son and a daughter; David, a resi- dent of New Jersey; and C. A., our subject. The widowed mother subsequently married Nehe- miah Jennings (a sketch of whom appears else- where), and by him had a numerous family.

C. A. Meeker received but a slender educa- tion, not many months altogether, as his attend- ance at school was limited many times to three winter months, sometimes not even that, and when he was fourteen his schooling ceased. He lived with c.herent farmers, was always indus- trious and steady, and for nearly three years was with Capt. Ed Taylor, at Greens Farms. Lo- cating at Westport, he followed farming at times, also oystering, and being a skilled oarsman he frequently put to sea in a gale when others would not even venture. . He made money, and as he was also a good shot he often brought in quail along with oysters-combining business with pleasure. In 1863 Mr. Meeker enlisted in Com- pany C, 28th Conn. V. I., saw first duty in Flor- ida, and participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged up to Port Hudson, La., where he was taken prisoner, and held twenty-eight days, after which he rejoined his regiment. He served one year. and in Septem- ber, 1864, he was honorably discharged and re- turned home to his farm work.

In 1866 he bought a lot at Westport for $1,200, paying $200 in cash, which he had made in two weeks' oystering. He leased other land, and in 1884 he began farming on Sasco Hill, at Meeker's Point. He commenced with twenty- five acres, which he secured in a business trans- action, one year later removing to Meeker's Point, and by later purchase he now has fifty-six acres of the best land obtainable in the vicinity of Southport, and for which he claims he has re- fused $1,000 per acre. He built his residence upon one of the most delightful locations on Long Island Sound, situated as it is on a knoll and point of land commanding a magnificent view of the Sound as far as the eye can reach, both east and west, and easily as far as the Long Island shore, opposite. He has also put . up other dwellings in Southport, which he still owns, and moreover is the possessor of several farms

in Southington, all under a high state of cultiva- tion. So thoroughly versed is he in the art of farming, both scientific and practical, and so thorough a master is he of all the details con- nected with it, that he confidently asserts, and without fear of challenge, that he can take any one of the thousand of abandoned farms in Con- necticut, and make money out of it.

Mr. Meeker has been twice married, first time in 1853, before he was twenty-two years of age, to Miss Frances J. Northrup. daughter of Alvin and Sarah (Mckinnon) Northrup, a sketch of whom appears elswhere, and children as follows were born to them: Hattie E. (Mrs. John J. Lee), of Newark, N. J .; Frank M., of East Bridgeport; John H., of Southington, Conn .: Jennie (Mrs. Charles Parsell). of Southington; Louise (Mrs. Fred Parsell), also of Southington; Freddy. deceased at the age of eleven years; Mary, deceased at five; and Charles A., Jr. The mother of these died March 13, 1875. and June 11, 1877. Mr. Meeker wedded Miss Sarah E. Hubbell, a native of Greenfield, Conn., but reared in Fairfield, a daughter of William and Mary (Sturgis) Hubbell. By this marriage there is one son, Henry H., at home with his parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Meeker are consistent members of the Methodist Church at Southport, of which he is trustee. "In the village one of the most active, enterprising and noblest hearted men is

C. A. Meeker. But for his sagacity, enterprise and generosity, the new M. E. Church would hardly have been a possibility at this time. It was he who had the forethought and courage to purchase the site for the new church, on his own responsibility, in order to make certain of secur- ing an advantageous location, a site that is now deemed by many the finest for the purpose." In his political predilections Mr. Meeker was originally a Democrat, but after casting a few votes in the interest of that party he joined the Republican ranks, and has ever since been one of its stanchest supporters. He has frequently been offered nominations for office, but he has invariably declined such honors and his time and attention are completely absorbed with his farm work.

Not alone is Mr. Meeker a scientific and prac- tical farmer, second to none in the State, but he is also an inventor of no little fame, his ability in that line being directed, as would naturally be expected, to agricultural implements. In 1879, the Fairfield Agricultural Society gave him a di- ploma for a harrow which he invented, and which has become one of the most popular and valuable farm tools in existence. Inde d, his inventive genius has contributed several farm implements

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to the country, his greatest reward being the appreciation he finds everywhere for their use- fulness. He, himself, is among the foremost in having on his premises up-to-date machinery of the best make, which, no doubt, in a great mea- sure accounts for his unqualified success as a grower of crops, and as producer of potatoes and ·onions, which require the highest class of farming. In this specialty he is one of the best known growers in Connecticut. As a business man, also, his integrity is on a par with his pre-emi- nence as an agriculturist, and he is, withal, a man of almost inexhaustible energy and irrepres- .sible industry.

Mr. Meeker has always been an original 'thinker, and an investigator working along with independent lines, He is one of the self-made men of our times, and in business matters has proven himself to be a man of unusual foresight.

C HARLES H. HARTMANN (deceased). Much indeed has been written and said about " what we owe the Mother country." but in very truth we owe much more that is substan- tial and real to the Fatherland, for the class of citizens she has given us. Among our citizens most useful in peace, most loyal in times of trouble, and at all times ready and willing to ad- vance the interests of our country, are the Ger- man-Americans. Not that they have forgotten their old home, nor that they love it less, but because of the manly principles engendered in the minds and hearts by the educational system there, and we have Germany to thank for much that is good in America. To this class of citi- zens belonged the late Charles H. Hartmann, a native of Neuftardt-en-Hardt, Germany, born May 11, 1844, a son of George Frederick and Elizabeth (Prinz) Hartmann.

George Frederick Hartmann was a native of Germany, where he always made his home. For years he conducted a large wine business, and was ranked among the wealthy citizens in his home. He married Elizabeth Prinz, of the same place. In the family of children that resulted from this union, was Charles H .. who early learned the details necessary to the brewing of beer. His education was all received in his na- tive country, and the thorough systematic habits taught in the German schools fully disciplined him for the struggle in life's battles that ultimate- Jy placed him in the front rank of citizenship in this country, noted for his business ability and for his success as a financier.

When twenty-one years of age (1866) our subject came to this country, landing in New

York City. He was literally without a dollar, but armed only with a pair of stout hands and a willingness to work to earn an honest livelihood, he started out in the New World. He first worked for Conrad Stein, later entering the em- ploy of the Crescent Brewing Company, of New York City. His next employment was at Mor- risania (now called Morris), Otsego Co., N. Y., where he served in the capacity of foreman of a brewery, and then for six years he carried on a successful business for himself at a saloon on First avenue, between 58th and 59th streets. This he closed out in order to become foreman for the A. Hepfull Brewing Company, of New York, with which concern he remained four years. At the end of this time he determined to enter business for himself again, and much against the wishes of his employers he resigned. Then in 1888, he came to Bridgeport, Conn., and bought out the Bridgeport Brewing Com- pany, afterward known as the C. H. Hartmann Brewery, which controlled the largest trade in this section of the country. This plant he im- proved and enlarged, until at the time of his death he had the largest in the country.

On August 28, 1872, Mr. Hartmann was united in marriage with Susanna, daughter of Ludwig and Margaret Schonsiegel, of Neuftardt- en-Hardt, Germany, the former a prominent painter of that place. Mrs. Hartmann came to this country some time before her marriage, land- ing at New York, November 7, 1871. The happy home of our subject and his noble wife was brightened by twelve children, five of whom are living: Fritz, Margaretta, Charles H., William and Annie.

Mr. Hartmann's success in life was due wholly to his own exertions. The honesty, industry and frugality inherent in his race were his only aids, and his remarkable success makes him truly one of our self-made men. At his death he left an estate of at least $150,000. His employes had for bim that respect which a just but kind-hearted em- ployer always inspires, and he was accustomed to look upon them, not as mere machines that run so many hours per day, but as men, and among them he had many warm personal friends. With the mind to see, and the ability to execute, his business affairs were always in good shape and his executors found little to do. Socially, be was a member of the Brewing Masters, Odd Fel- lows, Heine Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Bavar- ians, Germania, and in fact, of all the German lodges and societies in Connecticut.

When on January 30, 1896, the rumor spread that Charles H. Hartmann was dead, it seemed as if the entire city was in mourning, so well was

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he known, and so greatly was he beloved. Long months of pain and suffering left no trace on his disposition, and the callers in the sick room could not realize that their sunny, genial friend was slowly dying, bearing his intense suffering with- out a single complaint. ever as thoughtful for those around him as in the days of his health. At the last the end came peacefully, and the well- known smile still hovered about the lips that would speak no more. Long before the hour of the funeral great throngs of people crowded the street, and it is estimated that over three thou- sand persons were in attendance, and among them, very, very few who came but because of a friendly interest in the deceased. Banked with flowers the casket lay in state as hundreds passed slowly by to catch the last glimpse of that kindly face: those whom his generosity had aided came in large numbers, and with them those who were proud to be called his " friends." Quiet and at- tentive, the dense crowds listened to the impres- sive services at the house, and again at the grave, and at the close, all that was mortal of Charles H. Hartmann was consigned to its last resting place; and amid the solemn stillness there seemed to be spoken in comforting tones:

"Life is ever Lord of Death, and Love can never lose its own."

The faithful wife, whose loving ministrations soothed his last hours, is still living with her children in a handsome home on the East side, devoted to her family, and, as only a true woman can, is carrying on the charitable work begun by her noble husband.

J OHN M. HAWLEY, the leading merchant tailor of Bridgeport, is a member of one of the oldest and most highly esteemed families of Fairfield county, and his excellent standing as a citizen shows that he is worthy of his ancestry.

The family originated in England, the first to cross the ocean being Joseph Hawley, who was born in 1603 in Derbyshire, and in 1629 set sail for America, landing at Boston, Mass. A few years later he settled in Connecticut, and his death occurred in 1690 in Stratford. He had five children: Ebenezer, Joseph, Samuel, Ephraim and John, the first two of whom left no descendants.

Abijah Hawley, our subject's grandfather, was born January 26, 1769, and became one of the prominent citizens of Bridgeport. For some years he was engaged in the coasting trade from Bridgeport to New York City and Southern ports, and later he was interested in railroad business,

being one of the promoters of the Housatonic Railroad Company, in which he was probably an officer. He married Polly Somers, and had three children: Thomas, a merchant at Bridge- port; Munson, our subject's father; and Abijah, who was engaged in the dry-goods business.

The late Munson Hawley, the father of our subject, was born in Bridgeport, April 10, 1803, and was always identified with that town. Be- ginning his business career as a poor boy, he made his way to a leading place in financial cir- cles in this section. He was the first to take command of a vessel from Bridgeport, and for many years he was interested in shipping between that point and the Southern and Metropolitan markets. During this time he also conducted a wholesale grocery on Water street, and on his retirement in 1870 from that line of business he engaged in banking. For ten years he was presi- dent of the Pequonnock Bank, at Bridgeport, and he was then elected president of the Bridge- port National Bank, a position which he held until his death in 1892, which occurred when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-nine years. In politics he was first a Whig, later a Republican, and while he was not especially act- ive in party work he was frequently chosen to important local offices. In 1865-66 he served as alderman, and in 1866 and 1869 he was elected mayor of Bridgeport. He was prominent in re- ligious work, and although he was a member of the Presbyterian Church in early life, he after- ward united with the Episcopal Church, becom- ing one of the leading members of St. John's parish, at Bridgeport. He married (first) Susan M. Hubbell, and (second) Jane Kirtland. By the first marriage he had the following children: Miss Adaline; Miss Susan; Fannie (Mrs. Edward W. Marsh); Louise, wife of John B. Hubbell, of the Bridgeport Steamboat Company; Levi, who is now in California. By the second marriage there were three children: Jobn M., our sub- ject; Harriet K., wife of Rev. Ernest Matthews, of Erie, Penn .; and Charles A., deceased.

Mrs. Jane Kirtland Hawley, our subject's mother, was a daughter of Samuel Kirtland, and granddaughter of Bostwick Kirtland. Her fam- ily was one of the oldest in Bridgeport, and her father was the owner of the greater portion of Golden Hill. He married Harriet Bostwick, and had four children: Harriet (Mrs. Joseph Thomp- son); Charles A., who made his home in New York City; Frederick K., and Jane (Mrs. Haw- ley).

John M. Hawley was born November 22, 1851, in the city of Bridgeport, and was educated in the public schools of the town. On leaving

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school, at the age of twenty-two, he engaged in clerking for Sammis, Robie & Fairchild, clothiers at Bridgeport, and when the firm was re-organ- ized as Sammis & Fairchild he continued in the same capacity. In 1880 he became a partner under the firm name of Sammis & Hawley, and in 1889 he purchased the interest of Mr. Sammis. He carried on business alone for a short time, but in 1891 he sold out to Jones, Keane & Co. Later he engaged in business as a merchant tail- or at his present stand, and from the first he has enjoyed a large patronage, his previous connec- tion with the business having gained for him the confidence of the best people of the vicinity. In 1881 he married Miss Stella Way, daughter of Jarvis Way, a well-known resident of Waterbury, Conn., and they have one child, Natalie. The family is prominent socially and Mr. Hawley is an active member of the Masonic Fraternity, be- longing to Corinthian Lodge, F. & A. M. : Hamil- ton Commandery No. 5. K. T .; and Pyramid Temple. Order of the Mystic Shrine. Politically, he is a Republican, and for a number of years he served as vice-president of the Republican League of this State, and as chairman of the Re- publican Committee of his town. As a good cit- izen he is interested in municipal affairs, and he served on the board of police commissioners in 1886-87, also on the board of charities in 1893.

W ILDMAN ADAMS, for many years a high- ly skilled carpenter, and of later years a prosperous farmer of the town of Weston, Fair- field county, has earned a success in business by his enterprise, his natural shrewdness, and his well-established reputation for integrity.

Mr. Adams is a native of Fairfield county, born March 6, 1823, and received his education at the district schools, after which he learned carpentry, working at same in the principal cities of Connecticut until 1890, in which year he abandoned his trade and took up farming in the town of Weston. In his political preferences he is an ardent Democrat, at one time was second selectman of his town, and also served in other town offices.

On January 14. 1871, Mr. Adams was united in marriage with Miss Eunice J. Smith, who was born July 31, 1847. a daughter of Peter and Mary A. Fitch, highly respectable farming peo- ple of the town of Weston, and three children have blessed their union, as follows: (1) George W., born December 29, 1871, was for a time employed in a steam sawmill, but of late years has been engaged in farming; Mary J., born April 16, 1874, and Lizzie, born April 13, 1878.

Silimon Adams, grandfather of our subject, was born in the town of Weston, Fairfield county, and was a lifelong farmer. In the Revolutionary war he beat the bass drum, which drum after- ward as a family relic was hard to beat. He had a family of seven children, to wit: Squire Adams, a sketch of whom follows; John, mar- ried to Eunice Raymond; David, married to Polly Lockwood; Arita, wife of Samuel Fairfield; Mary, wife of Sherwood 'Gray; Polly, who died unmar- ried. and Nancy, wife of John Crossman.

Squire Adams, father of our subject, was born in 1789. in the town of Weston, and all his life engaged in farming. An Old-line Democrat, be was active in the party, but no office holder. By his wife, Parmelia Waterbury, daughter of Thad- deus and Polly Waterbury, he had children as follows: Mary married David French; Wildman is our subject; Rufus married Esther Lockwood; Sherman married Maria Banks; Taylor J. married Caroline Disbrow; Sarah married William H. Davis; Nancy married Charles H. Sherman; and William H. died in infancy.

Lyman Smith, grandfather of our subject's wife, was born in the town of Weston, Fairfield county, and, like his father, was a lifelong tiller of the soil. He married, and had children as follows: Maria S. married David Sturges; Peter, sketch of whom follows; Isaac married Priscilla Edwards; Delia never married; Silas married (first) Eliza Godfrey, and (second) Sylvia Hotch- kiss; Lyman married Sallie J. Fitch; and Harriet died in infancy.

Peter Smith, father of our subject's wife and a farmer by occupation, was born in the town of Weston August 4, 1813, and is yet living. In politics he is an ardent Democrat. He married Miss Mary A. Fitch, who was born August 14. 1822, a daughter of Hezekiah and Eunice L. (Godfrey) Fitch, farming people of the town of Weston, and children as follows came of this union: Silas and Edwin (1) both died in in- fancy; George E. married Orpha Gregory; Eunice J. married Wildman Adams; Elizabeth E. mar- ried William Goodban; Lyman P. died single; Mary J. died young; Rachel A. married Lawrence Walker; and Edwin (2) married Jennie Werts.

F ETER H. MORGAN, junior member of the well-known drug firm of E. C. Goulden & Co., of Stamford, Fairfield county, is one of the rising young men of his community, and bids fair, in time, to place himself in the ranks of her prosperous and substantial citizens.

Mr. Morgan was born in Stamford, October 28, 1875, a son of Francis Morgan, who held a

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· position in the Yale & Towne Factory in Stam- ford. He, Francis Morgan, was born in Belfast, Ireland, in which country he was reared, coming thence to America in his early manhood. In New York City he married Margaret Hefferman, by whom he had three children, namely: John F., who is a member of the firm of Brennan & Morgan, plumbers, of Stamford; Peter H .; and Thomas, who is deceased. The entire family are members of St. John's Church, of Stamford, and Mr. Morgan was president of the Catholic Benevolent Legion until his death, which occurred January 29. 1899, from pneumonia.

Peter H. Morgan has always lived in Stam- ford, where he attended the public schools in his earlier years, acquiring a good practical edu- cation. When seventeen years old he entered the drug store of E. C. Goulden, where by steady habits and hard work he rose in time to the po- sition of manager. Mr. Goulden died in 1896, and since July 1, 1897, the business has been carried on under the firm name of E. C. Goul- den & Co., the members thereof being Mrs. E. C. Goulden and Peter H. Morgan. Mr. Morgan has already established for himself an enviable reputation for reliability and business talent, which, coupled with unceasing energy and a pro- gressive disposition, cannot fail to make his ca- reer useful and honorable, as well as successful in the best sense of the word.

PATRICK J. DOWLING, for the past decade a well-known resident of Bridgeport, is a native of Connecticut, having been born Septem- ber 19, 1859, in the city of Derby, New Haven county.

Joseph Dowling. father of our subject, was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, and coming to this country settled in Derby, Conn. He married Mary Campion, also a native of Kilkenny, and eleven children were born to them, seven of whom are yet living, viz. : James is a resident of Derby, and is in the employ of the city cor- poration; Patrick J., our subject, is the next in order of birth; Mary married John Ford, a me- chanic, of Derby; Catherine wedded Frank Ford, a wine merchant of Derby; Alice is the wife of B. J. McMannus, also a wine merchant; Joseph is a machinist in Derby; Agnes married William Knight, who is engaged in the Weiss-beer busi- ness in Derby.

Patrick J. Dowling attended the public schools of Derby, and in 1878 he went to Chica- go, where for two years he worked in a corset manufactory. Returning to his native town he there engaged in the liquor business some six

years and on August 14, 1889, he came to Bridgeport, here opening out in the same line of trade. Removing hence to Black Rock, Fair- field county, he there conducted a grocery and liquor business, combined, till 1895, in which year he returned to Bridgeport, bought three lots and erected his present fine building at No. 635 Fairfield avenue, where his place of business has since been.

On January 1, 1887, Mr. Dowling married Mary Kelley, who was born in Bridgeport, a daughter of John Kelley, and one child, Joseph, has come to brighten the home. In politics Mr. Dowling is a Democrat; socially, he is a member of the Foresters of America, and of the Knights of Columbus; in religious faith he and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Our subject is looked upon as a man truly upright and honorable in all things, and one whom his acquaintances can depend upon as a friend.

C' HARLES BOTSFORD. The Botsford fami- ly has been prominent in Fairfield county from an early day, the village of Botsford having been named in their honor, and the thrift and business sagacity of its members have become proverbial.

The subject of this biography, a prosperous agriculturist and blacksmith residing near Bots- ford, is a great-grandson of Philo Botsford, and a grandson of Capt. Sherman Botsford, who was born in 1775 and made his home in Newtown township, on a farm just above that now occu- pied by his grandson, Sherman Botsford. Cap- tain Botsford gained his title by service in the militia; he was a man of great influence in his locality, his large real-estate holdings in the vicinity of Botsford giving him rank among the wealthy citizens of that time. He died January 27, 1815. in his forty-first year, and his wife, Ann (Beardslee), died November 26, 1822, aged forty-eight years. They had three children, viz .: Josiah, our subject's father; Jerard, who married Juliette Beardslee, and Louisa, wife of Philip P. Porter.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 145

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