Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 154

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

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Mr. Adams. our subject, was born October 9. 1826, at the old home in Dutchess county, and | during his youth he attended school there and in 1 New Jersey, receiving a good practical education. For a time he worked on a farm, but as he pos- sessed a decided talent for carpentering he found more profitable employment in that line, and gradually becaine an expert workman, although he never served an apprenticeship. His own

handsome dwelling house is the work of his hands, literally speaking. as are also his farm buildings. In politics he is a Republican, and as a good citizen he has always been active in local affairs, having served in various offices, in- cluding those of selectman, assessor and member of the board of relief. He married Miss Clarissa Barnum, who was born February 22, 1834, a daughter of Silas and Clarissa (Jennings) Bar- num, of New Fairfield, and a granddaughter of Daniel Barnum.

Dr. Alpheus E. Adams, our subject's only child, is now a successful physician at New- burgh, N. Y., and has made a wide reputation by his special ability and skill in treating the eye and ear. He was born in New Fairfield June 26, 1857. and his education was begun in the local schools. At an early age he made choice of the medical profession, and as his parents encour- aged his ambition, he was sent to New York City to take a course of study in Columbia Col- lege and the College of Physicians and Surgeons. He graduated on February 8, 1879, after a thor- ough preparation for practice, which included some months of work in a charitable institution among the sick, and he commenced to practice at Danbury. this county. There he remained seven years, securing a good clientele, but having decided to make a specialty of treating the eye and ear he went to Bridgeport. and spent a year with Dr. Wilson. the oculist. At the end of that time he established an office at Newburgh. at No. 44 Grand street. and from the first he has met with success. Lately he published a valu- able work on the eye and ear, in which he gives to the world the results of his experience and observation. He is held in high esteem by his professional brethren, and is a member of the U. S. Medical Association, the Canadian Medi- cal Association and the Orange County Medical Society, of which he was president in 1895. He is also a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine, and has been instructor in the Post- Graduate Medical College, assistant-surgeon at the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital, ophthal- mic surgeon at St. Luke's Hospital, all in New York City. and consulting ophthalmologist to the Home for the Friendless at Newburgh.

On December 16, 1885. Dr. Adams married Miss Jessie Southworth. daughter of Judge South- worth, of Danbury. He and his wife are promi- nent socially, and he is an active member of the Masonic Fraternity. He was virtually the founder of the Danbury Hospital, having purchased a site and erected suitable buildings at his own ex- pense with a view to opening a hospital himself. Just as the buildings were nearly completed a

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hospital society was organized in Danbury, and they leased his buildings, since which time Dan- bury has had a hospital of charity.

P HILEMON WALKER, a well-to-do farmer of Long Ridge, town of Stamford, Fairfield county. Conn., has occupied his present farm for about ten years. He is a native of Massa- chusetts, born September 6, 1842, in Becket, Berkshire county, where he lived until sixteen years of age.

Mr. Walker's grandfather. James Walker, was born July 3. 1762, in Connecticut. He mar- ried Sarah Flint, who was born in February, 1761. Their son Ephraim was born July 25, 1798, in Becket. Mass., where he passed his en- tire life engaged in farming and lumbering. On January 3, 1828, he was united in marriage with Louisa Rice, who was born November 23, 1806, in Conway, Mass., and nine children came to them, of whom. Philemon, the subject of this sketch, was eighth in the order of birth. On November 10, 1845, Mr. Walker for his second wife married Emily Carter, who was born Nov- ember 3, 1810, and by her he had three children. He died April 12, 1859, at his home in Becket, a member of the Baptist Church.

In August. 1861, Philemon Walker enlisted in Company 1. 49th Mass. V. I. and remained in the service until September, 1862, when he was mustered out at Pittsfield, Mass. Returning to Becket, he engaged in farming and lumbering for about two years, when he went to New York City, and there established a honey, maple syrup and preserve business, which he conducted for some years. In the spring of 1887, finding him- self in poor health, he concluded to try rural life again, and accordingly, selling out his New York business, came to Fairfield county, Conn., set- tling on the farm at Long Ridge which he has since cultivated.

On November 1, 1871, Mr. Walker was married, at Becket, Mass., to Lydia N. Millard, daughter of Orrin Millard, of that place. They have reared a family of eight children, namely: Lucy R. (who is a teacher at High Ridge), Ada L., Sarah C., L. Mabel, Philemon, E. Addison, Orrin Millard and George Wayland. The family were active members in the Baptist Church in which Mr. Walker has served as treasurer and member of the board of trustees. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic Fraternity and Knights of Pythias at Brooklyn, N. Y., and of Barbara Fritchie Post, G. A. R., of New York City.

W ILLIAM A. LEONARD, the affable, gen- ial and whole-souled proprietor of the "Newtown Inn," Newtown, Conn., by virtue of his popularity and hospitality, not to speak of his reputation as a prominent business man, well deserves mention in this volume.

Mr. Leonard is a native of Connecticut, bora April 10, 1861, in Middletown, Fairfield county, and is descended from a worthy family, being a son of William W. and Amelia Leonard. His child- hood and boyhood were passed in the village of his birth, where he received a common-school and business education. Precipitating himself in his early manhood into the arena of business life, we find him, between the years 1878 and 1887, en- gaged in various occupations, and in the latter year he embarked in the hotel business, in which con- nection he has ever since held a prominent place among the "Bonifaces " of Fairfield county.

The "Newtown Inn" and its thorough man- agement are too well known to require much if any commendation or eulogy from the writer of this article; suffice it to say, in the true meaning of the words it is a "home" and a "haven of rest " for all who seek the hospitable shelter of its roof. Possessing also, as it does, all the essen- tials necessary for the comfort and health of its guests-fresh air, a delightful view of the sor- rounding scenery, sparkling spring water and a cuisine unsurpassed -- the house is well appointed and equipped, and will conveniently and comfort- ably entertain at least one hundred guests. In a word, conveniences and appointments to be found in any other modern hostelry are by no means lacking in the "Newtown Inn," made the more attractive and welcome to the weary way- farer by its cheery, free-hearted and ever-friendly host.

Mr. Leonard is not only a ne-plus-ultra hotel man, but is even more notable in insurance cir- cles, in which he controls a wide patronage. while at the same time he is interested in all that concerns the development of his town and county.

G ERARD H. VERMILYEA, one of Danbury's most enterprising and successful business men, is the proprietor of a popular meat market and grocery at No. 3 Elm street.

Mr. Vermilyea is a native of New York State. and a descendant of a well-known Dutchess county family. His grandparents, Isaac and Catherine (Kipp) Vermilyea, were prominent residents of the town of LaGrange, in that coun- ty, and his father, the late. Dr. John K. Vermil- yea, was born there September 16, 1802. Dr.

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Vermilyea located in Hopewell, Dutchess county. and was for many years a leading physician and surgeon of that section, his death occurring June 2, 1877. He married Miss Catherine L. Ham- lin, who was born at Red Hook. Dutchess Co., N. Y., and died at Hopewell in 1844. To Dr. Vermilyea and his wife nine children were born, viz .: Tavenier, Louisa Hamlin. Catherine L., John Peter and Marius C., all of whom are now deceased; Dupuytren, a Presbyterian clergyman, residing at Hackensack, N. J .; Ann Romeyn; Gerard H., and Lucy D.

married Miss Sarah E. Wilcox, daughter of John and Emily M. (Fairchild) Wilcox, of Dover Plains, Dutchess Co., N. Y. Mr. Vermilyea has had two children, Kate Estella, and John K., both by his first marriage. The family is promi- nently identified with the M. E. Church, of Danbury, and Mr. Vermilyea is also a member of several fraternal orders-the Knights of Pythias, Samaritan Lodge No. 7, 1. O. O. F., the Daughters of Rebekah and the Rathbone Sisters. He is a stanch Democrat is politics, and while living in Dutchess county was quite active in the work of the local organization. For three years he held the office of justice of the peace in the town of Beekman, and throughout his resi- dence there he served almost constantly as school trustee.

H ENRY BERRY, a designer for the Derby Silver Company, and well known in the town of Huntington, was born July 6, 1846, in Man- chester, England. He is a son of John Berry, a blacksmith by trade, who was born about the year 1820, and died about 1850.

Henry Berry was educated in private schools in Manchester, England. The family emigrated to the United States in 1857. when Henry was about eleven years of age, and settled at Taun- ton, Mass. They crossed the Atlantic in the ship " Dreadnaught," Captain Samuels, who was in command of her when she won her races in England, being at the time owned by Brunell. After reaching Taunton, Mr. Berry attended school there for a year or more, leaving school when thirteen or fourteen years of age. The family on the maternal grandmother's side were manufacturers of rope, twine and hammock cord- age, and on account of being unable to re-lease the ground on which their factories stood, they removed to Taunton with the view of renewing the business there; but owing to the panic in busi- ness that then prevailed (the panic of 1857), they considered it best to await the return of prosperous times. About the year 1863 he entered the em- ploy of the Silver Plating Company, of Taunton, beginning by learning the process of soldering, which he followed until 1868, when he removed to Meriden, where he continued in the same line until 1876. At this time Mr. Berry went to work in the designing room of the Wilcox Silver Plate Company, where he made up the patterns for the designer and operator. In 1878 he removed to Shelton, and there entered the employ of the Derby Silver Company in their designing depart- i ment. At that time the company were making

On November 24. 1865, Mr. Vermilyea mar- ried his first wife, Miss Catherine E. Patterson, daughter of Beekman V. and Elizabeth (Barnes) Patterson. She passed to the unseen life in September, 1881, and in 1883 Mr. Vermilyea i only flat ware, but afterward they engaged in

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The subject of our sketch was born at Hope- well, N. Y., November 4, 1839. and acquired his education in the public schools of that place. In 1860 he began his business career as a clerk for Van Wyck Brothers, in their store at Fishkill Plains, and after two years there he went to Cold Spring, N. Y., to take a position as inspector of shot and shell for the noted foundryman, Parrott. There he remained three years, and on leaving he rented a farm and spent a year in agricultural pursuits. For the next six years he was em- ployed as overseer of Stephen Conover's farm, near Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and he then purchased a farm in the town of Beekman, in the same county. While conducting that he took a con- tract from Albert Tower to haul iron ore from Beekman to Silvan Lake, employing five teams in this work, which he continued for seven years; but growing weary of a country life he engaged in mercantile business in Beekman, remaining two years. His next enterprise was to take a contract on the construction of the dam near Brewster, N. Y., and after filling that contract (which occupied his time for nearly a year). be sold out all his interests in Dutchess county and moved to Danbury. For a year and a half he worked as a hat finisher for Meeker Brothers, and Tweedy & Co., and for six years following he was employed in G. E. Stevens' meat market. Having decided to remain in Danbury, Mr. Ver- milyea purchased. a piece of property on Mont- gomery street, where he has built a residence, and a store at No. 62 Elm street, where he en- gaged in the meat and grocery business on his own account. A year later he sold the business to Frank L. Hatch, and in February, 1887, he bought his present store from I. W. Stillman. He carries a fine stock, including teas, coffees. spices and all kinds of staple and fancy groceries, and enjoys a large and profitable trade.

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the manufacture of hollow ware. Mr. Berry was placed in charge of the designing, and has done all the designing for the company for the past twenty years or more. It is only just to say that the output of the Derby Silver Company for artistic finish and beauty of design stands as high as any in the country, and that it is not matched in many other ways. Mr. Berry is the oldest employe of the company in years of service, fill- ing a position of great responsibility to the full satisfaction of all concerned, and in his line he has been eminently successful.

Ever since leaving school Mr. Berry has been a close student of current events, has been a great reader and is well informed. Politically. he has always been a Republican, and has relied to a great extent on the New York Tribune for his Republicanism and its defense. While he has never been an office seeker, yet he has always taken an interest in politics, and has been a mem- ber of the board of burgesses for the years 1887 and 1888. For twenty-three years he has been a member of Center Lodge No. 77, of Meriden, Conn. He was reared in the Protestant Episco- pal Church, and now attends the Church of the Good Shepherd, Shelton. The welfare of Shel- ton has always had his sympathy and active aid.

Mr. Berry was married in November, 1867, to Miss Mary Anderson, daughter of James An- derson, then of Wisconsin, and by this marriage i ter of Leman and Peeder (Emmons) Thomas, of he has two children: George H., a graduate of the Yale Art School, and now in the designing department of the Derby Silver Company; and Charles A., who is living at home.

C E. LEWIS, undertaker. of Derby. Fair- field county, was born August 25. 1853, in Sharon, Conn., and is a son of Elihu T. Lewis, who was born on the Lewis homestead, near the fair ground, October 13, 1817, and he is a grand- son of Capt. Cyrus Lewis, who was also born on the same place (but in a different house), in the year 1778.

Capt. Cyrus Lewis was one of the prominent men of Huntington. He was a prominent Epis- copalian, and had charge of the burying ground given to the Church by the Lewises. By occu- pation he was a farmer, and lived on a large tract of land owned by himself. He was captain of | them for about two years. For some time he was bookkeeper for the Underwood Belting Com- pany, of Tolland, Conn., and then he served in I the same capacity for Charles Bly, of Springheld.

of Israel, looked upon by the entire community as the best friend and adviser they had. Capt. Cyrus Lewis married Miss Alice Hawley, daugh- ter of Thomas Hawley, of Monroe township, and by her had the following children: Miles, George T .. Elihu T. and Alice Shelton.

Elihu T. Lewis was by trade a blacksmith. as were also his two brothers. He learned the trade in Monroe township, afterward removed to Derby and worked in the shipyards of the Hal- locks. Then removing to Sharon he entered into partnership with his brothers, removing in 1854 to Nichols Farms (now Nichols), working there for some years for Nichols, Peck & Co. Later he worked for the Amblers in the manu- facture of saddletrees. Then when the Howes began the manufacture of sewing machines, he went to work for them in Bridgeport, remaining with them until 1875, just after the death of Mr. Howe, of whom he was a strong friend, remov- ing then to Shelton, and was with the Wilkinson paper-mill four or five years. He never engaged in politics, and was everywhere regarded as a good citizen, highly esteemed. He was one of the strongest and healthiest of men, walking. | when seventy-three years of age, to his work on | Monday mornings and home again on Saturday nights.

Mr. Lewis married Joanna C. Thomas, daugh- | Litchfield county, Conn .; the Thomas family were of Welch descent. Leman Thomas was born in Unadilla, N. Y. Mrs. Thomas is heir to the Emmons estate in South Wales. The chil- dren of Elihu T. and his wife were as follows: Edgar, Elonora, Elihu N., Maria A., Eugene. Cyrus E. and Elbert O.

Cyrus Ellis Lewis, the subject of this sketch. received his education in Nichols, enjoying the educational advantages there afforded. After at- taining his majority he went for two years to Wilbraham, Mass., having previously worked for A. B. Fairchild for two years, and then for Brown & Parkington in Bridgeport, until the breaking down of his health. After leaving the latter firm he went to Glendale, Mass., and to Stockbridge. spending about a year in the two places; then spent a year in Great Barrington, Mass. Return- ing to Brown & Parkington, he remained with

the horse artillery, and was discharged therefrom i in September, 1817. As one of the leading men politically and otherwise in the town of Hunting- ton, he was tax collector for many years, and he | Mass., remaining in Springfield for three years, was the peace maker of the town, settling many and marrying there. He next moved to Catskill. N. Y., and served as bookkeeper for the Hopo- disputes which would otherwise have gone in the courts. For many years he was a kind of Father | nose Knitting Company, one year. Removing att-

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er this to New Haven, Conn., he was time keep- er for the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, in their shell department, remaining there one year, and then removing to Shelton. was with C. P. Nettleton as bookkeeper. On July 22. 1889, he entered the employ of George C. Bediant, who conducted a furniture and undertaking business in Derby. In 1894. on the death of George C. Bediant. Mr. Lewis succeeded to the business, which he has ever since pursued, and he now has the principal undertaking establishment in Derby. Mr. Lewis took a thorough course in the art of embalming the dead, has been unusually successful in this line of work, and has the Protestant un- dertaking of Derby and Shelton.

While Mr. Lewis has never taken an active part in politics, yet he is still loyal to his party and its principals, and always desires its success. He has been twice elected as a burgess of the bor- ough of Shelton. He is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and for a number of years was superintendent of the Sunday-school. For many years he has taken an active part in Free Masonry, and is a member of Hamil- ton Commandery of Bridgeport. He is also a member of Ousatonic Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is equally devoted to Odd Fellowship; he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, and of the Order of American Mechanics, of the Golden Cross, and of the Heptasophs. Of the order of American Mechanics he. has been treasurer for eight years, and he is also treasurer of the Hep- tasophs. He is also a director of the Y. M. C. A.

Mr. Lewis was married to Mary L. Skinner, daughter of Walter J. and Frances A. Lathrop Skinner. of Bridgeport, and they have four chil- dren: Oliver M .; Clifford E .; Lillian May and Cyrus Harold.

A' LBERT GREGORY BENEDICT, one of Danbury's representative citizens, is the proprietor of the leading grocery of that thriving city. and has also taken an active part in other business enterprises, being at present a director in the Danbury National Bank. His store at No. 193 Main street, is a model of its kind. its large and varied stock indicating the progressive ideas and practical business acumen of its owner.

Mr. Benedict is a descendant of a well-known family, and his father, Levi Starr Benedict, who was born in Burlington, Vt., December 24, 1805, established in 1835 the first store in Dan- bury to be devoted exclusively to groceries and meats. He had previously been a comb manu- facturer, but after engaging in the grocery busi- ness he continued it without interruption until

his death. The firm was first known as Benedict & Nichols, and although both of its members have now joined the silent majority, the property which they held in partnership still stands in the same name, the estate having never been settled. L. S. Benedict died March 13, 1892, and his wife, Mary (Gregory). who was born in Danbury November 21. 1808, passed away September 12, 1895. She was a daughter of Caleb Curtis Gregory, a prominent agriculturist. Her mother, Desire (Sears). who was a member of one of the old families of Putnam county, N. Y., lived more than a century, retaining her faculties to the last, and at a party given at L. S. Benedict's home in honor of her one hundredth anniversary, she seemed to enjoy the occasion as much as any one. At eight o'clock in the evening Mrs. Bene- dict said: "Mother you must be tired. Hadn't you better go to bed?" but her mother replied with spirit: " Mary, I'm one hundred years old today, and I am going to stay up just as long as I want to; I am able to receive my own guests."

Our subject was the youngest of three sons, the others being Charles Henry, late of Orange, N. J., who died February 4, 1899, and James Augustus, who lives at No. 325 Fifth avenue, New York City.

Albert G. Benedict was born August 11. 1841. at Danbury, where he received a good practical education in the common schools and the acad- emy. At the age of seventeen he began his busi- ness career as a clerk in his father's store, but his health failing after a few months, he was un- able for several years to follow any occupation. On attaining his majority he engaged in the manu- facture of wool hats, as a member of the firm of Sturdevant & Benedict, the partnership continu- ing five years. After disposing of his interest Mr. Benedict remained out of business two years, but in 1870 he became a partner in his father's store under the firm name of L. S. Bene- dict & Son. Since his father's death he has conducted the business in his own name, which is now a synonym in business circles for enter- prise and sagacity. In politics Mr. Benedict is a Republican, but official honors have no especial charms for him. Since 1854 he has been an active worker in the Second Baptist Church of Danbury, and for ten years past he has served as its treasurer. On June 10. 1863, he married Miss Emily L. Sturdevant, daughter of Elijah Sturdevant, a hat manufacturer of Danbury. and his wife, Sarah Maria Lyon. Two attractive daughters, Emma S. and Alberta, bless this union, and both with their mother are prominent in the work of the Second Baptist Church.

The younger daughter was married on June

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17, 1896, to William Francis Gordon, M. D., a rising young physician of Danbury, who was born at Woodbury, Conn., June 15, 1872, a son of William A. Gordon, and grandson of Alexan- der and Maria (Coggswell) Gordon. His father, who is now a prominent business man of Dan- bury, married Miss Sarah Blake, and of their five children-Carrie M., Susan L., Alexander 1., William B. and William Francis-all are living except Carrie M., who died January 19, 1899. The Doctor has resided in Danbury since childhood, and attended the public schools of that city during his youth. In 1891 he entered Long Island College Hospital, and was graduated in 1896 with the degree of M. D. He at once opened an office in Danbury, where he has met with gratifying success. He is a Republican in politics, and in religious faith is a Congrega- tionalist.

RANK LE GRAND GRISWOLD. Among the popular young men of Trumbull, who conduct themselves so as to merit the highest com- mendations of the community in which they live, is Frank Le Grand Griswold. who was born May 15. 1865, the youngest and only sur- viving child of the late Asael Morgan Griswold.

The father was born at Oxford, Conn., De- cember 25, 1833. In the spring of 1850 he left his old home, and on July 18, 1853, he located in Washington, Litchfield Co., Conn .. where he worked for six cents a day and board. By dint of economy he managed to save $100, of which he was robbed by a dishonest room-mate. Nothing daunted by this misfortune, young Griswold set bravely to work to regain his lost foothold. His high spirit, unconquered by adverse circumstan- ces, and his persistent effort were characteristic of his entire life. On June 5, 1856, he went to Bridgeport. and the following February he se- cured employment with the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company, contracting for them until February 10, 1879. He was married in Bridgeport, December 25, 1860, to Miss Delia A. Hodge, and three children were born to them: Charles A., born November 1, 1861, died Au- gust 28, 1890; Henry M., born December 11, 1862. died April 5. 1885; and Frank Le Grand. The mother passed away May 19, 1866, and on November 20, 1866. A. M. Griswold was wedded to Miss Lottie Hurlburt. He acknowledged his faith in God and accepted baptism March 28, 1858. and was a charter member of the East Washington Avenue Baptist Church. . Frater- nally, he belonged to the Knights Templar. The result of his wisdom and industry, and his

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 154

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