Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 159

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

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M., born April 30, 1875. Charles A. Ambler, the father, died April 6, 1897.

David Ambler, grandfather of our subject, was born in the city of Danbury, Conn., re- ceived his early education there, and after leav- ing school engaged in farming. following this occupation all his life. At one time, in addition to his farm, he ran a large hat factory near Dan- bury, being one of the first to engage in that business in that place, and was widely known as one of the pioneer hat manufacturers of Dan- bury. He was an ardent devotee of religion, and was a member of the Baptist Church of Danbury. He married Miss Nancy Carey, of that city, by whom he had the following children: David A., sketch of whom appears presently: George W., who married Catherine Fuller; Ed- ward, who married Ann Day; Susan, who died unmarried; Julius, who also died single; and Andrew S., who married Miss Augusta Parsons.

David A. Ambler, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in the city of Danbury. Conn., and was educated in the common schools of that place. After leaving school he engaged in the manufacture of hats in Danbury, and after- ward went to Charleston, S. C., where he con- ducted a large wholesale store during the Civil war. He is now living in Port Chester, N. Y .. where he is engaged in real-estate and insurance business. His experience has been varied and valuable, and his success in business has been unusual. He is a man of high character and standing in his community, respected and hon- ored, as a citizen and as a man, by all who know him. In religious faith he has been a lifelong member of the Congregational Church; socially. he is a Freemason. Politically, he is a Repot- lican, and has been honored with election to sev- eral of the minor offices of his town. For bie first wife he married Martha Coburn, daughter of John Coburn, of Huntington, Long Island. To this marriage there were born four children: Charles A., the subject of this sketch; Emery Thayer and Harry S., sketches of whom follow. and Samuel, who died in infancy. By his set- ond wife David A. Ambler had two children: Weeden F., who died at the age of twenty-sever years; and Charlotte.

Emery Thayer Ambler was born in Danbury. and educated in the public schools of that city. At the age of fifteen he went to Texas, locating at Dallas, and engaged in the wholesale hard- ware business; he has resided in Dallas ever since going there; he is married. Harry S. Ambler was born in Huntington, L. I., and is nowa resident of Bridgeport, where he is engaged in the confectionery and bakery business. He mar-

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ried Elizabeth Sherwood, daughter of Purdy Sherwood, of Wilton, Conn., but has no chil- dren.

W ILLIAM H. NELSON, of Holland Hill District, Fairfield township, is a young man whose energy and sagacity have won for him a high standing as an agriculturist and dairy- man. Beginning his business career when only eighteen years old, he has continued it for ten years with marked success, and without undue economy has acquired a fine property. His suc- cess does him the more credit from the fact that it has not been stained by the memory of un- worthy methods, and he enjoys a high reputation for strictly honorable dealings.

Mr. Nelson is a native of Fairfield township, but his family is of Danish origin, and Olaf Nel- son, our subject's grandfather, passed his life in Denmark as a laboring man. Andrew Nelson, the father of our subject, was born in Denmark, November 2, 1844, and after receiving a fair practical education in his native land he shipped as a sailor on board a brigantine bound from Copenhagen to Iceland, where a cargo of codfish was to be secured for Barcelona, Spain. They reached Iceland in safety, but after leaving the island bad weather set in, as it was the month of November, and at the end of the first week of the voyage the vessel suffered serious injuries, losing its mast and springing a leak. The water caused the codfish to swell, making it neces- sary to throw much of the cargo over- board. After spending more than a week at the pumps, the crew had begun to despair of saving the ship when an English brig carrying wheat from New York City to Galway passed by and picked them off the doomed vessel. On entering Galway Bay the brig was wrecked on the rocks, but all hands were saved. One. might imagine that this experience of the perils of the deep would be enough for any one; but the young sailor promptly shipped at Galway as cabin boy on a Danish vessel bound for New York, thus securing an opportunity to visit the land in which he afterward made his home. He followed the sea many years, visiting different European ports and traveling over the Atlantic, north and south. At the age of eighteen he served as boatswain and second mate, and later was first mate on an American schooner. In 1868, having ended his sea-going career by several trips in the fruit and sj.onge trade to the West Indies, the cargo being landed at Bridgeport, this county, and Boston, Mass., he left the sea and settled in Bridgeport.

He was employed as a machinist seven years

in the Howe Sewing Machine Works, and three years in the Eaton, Cole & Burnham Factory at Bridgeport, his natural ability as a mechanic enabling him to take readily to the work. In April, 1879, he removed to a rented farm in Jen- ning's Woods District, town of Fairfield, and finding agricultural work congenial he soon after- ward purchased the place, going in debt for the greater portion of the amount required. The farm consisted of thirty acres in poor condition, the buildings being uninhabitable, but he speed- ily made radical improvements, putting up ex- cellent buildings and bringing the land to a high state of cultivation. As prosperity came to him he added to his farm until he now owns seventy acres, making an attractive and valuable home- stead. He gives special attention to the raising of small fruits, and for a number of years he has been engaged extensively in dairying, being one of the few in his section who supply a dairy route from their own herds. He is full of energy and industry, and devotes close attention to his busi- ness, his quiet, unassuming disposition making him disinclined to public life. He takes no part in political work, but socially he is much es- teemed, and for some time he has been a mem- ber of Pequonnock Lodge No. 4, 1. O. O. F., of Bridgeport. At the age of twenty-four he was married in New York City to Miss Margaret Fitzgerald, a native of Ireland, and three chil- dren blessed the union: William H., Gracie A. and Alice C.

William H. Nelson, our subject was born May 9, 1870, at Bridgeport, the family residence being on State street. His education was begun in the public schools of that place, and later he grad- uated from the Bridgeport Business College. After the removal to Jenning's Woods District he assisted his father in the work of the farm and dairy, receiving a training which has since been invaluable to him, and as a boy he demonstrated his business ability while in charge of a milk route in Bridgeport. This line of business he has continued without interruption, and he has a long list of patrons among the best people of that thriving city. In 1895 he located upon his present farm in the Holland Hill District, where he now has a comfortable and pleasant home. From boyhood he has been a great admirer of that noble animal, the dog, and he recently be- gan to breed beagle hounds, his stock being from the best strains in the country. While the busi- ness promises to be profitable, it was undertaken through interest in the animals rather than for gain. Politically, he is a stanch Republican so far as national issues are concerned, but in local affairs he votes independently. On June 19,

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1895, Mr. Nelson married Miss Catherine Sherry, of New York, and they hold an enviable place in the social life of the neighborhood.

ENRY S. KNAPP, the owner of a fine farm of seventy-five acres in Fairfield township, Fairfield Co., Conn., is a representative of one of the old families of this region, and one of the model citizens of the community in which he re- sides. He is a native of the township, born March 10, 1834, in the Holland Heights District, son of John and Esther (Turney) Knapp, the mother a native of Fairfield village. The grand- father was also named John.

John Knapp, father of Henry S., was a suc- cessful self-made man, for he began life a poor boy, and by his own industry accumulated a com- fortable competence. During his early manhood he followed the water for several years, but farm- ing was his life occupation. He and his wife died at about the same age, both passing the three-score-and-ten mark, and their remains rest in Fairfield East cemetery. They were Congre- gationalists in religious faith, and, politically, Mr. Knapp affiliated with the Democratic party. Their family consisted of six children: Eliza A. (Mrs. William Trubee), deceased; Rufus, who was lost at sea between New York City and Liverpool, while acting as captain of the "Leviathan"; John, who died at Holland Heights; William, who was captain of the "Morning Star," which went down between New York and New Orleans; Mary, widow of Alfred A. Hubbell, of Bridgeport; and Henry S., whose name introduces this sketch.

Henry S. Knapp received the advantages af- forded by the district schools of his boyhood, and for a short time afterward studied at Fairfield Academy. He was married October 4, 1856, in Bridgeport, to Miss Sarah E. Peet, who was born November 29, 1833, daughter of Ezra and Mary Seely (Banks) Peet, the former of whom was a son of Elijah Peet, the latter being a daughter of Hezekiah Banks, of Easton, Conn. Mrs. Knapp was reared in Bridgeport, and attended Easton Academy under Prof. Lucius Wilcox. The young couple commenced housekeeping on the Knapp farm, where they resided until their re- moval to the farm which has since been their home. They have a fine home. Mr. Knapp has erected all the buildings on this place, and made numerous improvements during his residence here, the farm being a highly productive and valuable one. In addition to general agriculture, he has also engaged in dairying for a number of years, and by constant industry and attention to his work he has reached an enviable degree

of prosperity, ranking among the successful men of the locality. Politically, Mr. Knapp attaches himself to no party, selecting the man he thinks best fitted for office and best able to serve his country's interests; at the last Presidential elec- tion he cast his ballot in support of Mckinley. He and his wife are members of the Congrega- tional Church. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp have had three children, as follows: (1) Edwin H. Lives at home; (2) Richmond B., who is a farmer of Fairfield Woods, is married and has four children-Marguerite, Daisy, Rufus and Henry Du Mond. (3) Ella J. is the wife of Capt. John Prout, and has one child, Mabel E.

EORGE WILLIAM SOUTHWICK. One of the most attractive country homes of this section is the residence of the subject of this sketch, near Noroton Heights, a locality noted for its picturesque scenery and refined social life. Mr. Southwick is actively engaged in business, but he has found time to identify himself with the best interests of the community in which be has made his home, and he and his wife are re- garded as valuable additions to the society of that vicinity.

His ancestors in the paternal line were early settlers in New York State (Troy). His father, the late George William Southwick, Sr., was a wholesale dealer in drugs in New York City, and resided in New York, where he died in 1878. Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Charlotte Louise Quackenbos, is still living. The Quackenbos family originated in Holland, and the head of the American line came to this country several generations ago. Our subject was one of four children, the others being: Mrs. John G. Boyd (of New York); Arthur Q. and Renwick.

Mr. Southwick, our subject, was born in Brooklyn in 1851, and received his education in the schools of New York City. At the age of sixteen he entered his father's store to acquire : knowledge of the drug business, and when he was twenty years old he started on his own ac- count as a dealer in mill supplies and patent arti- cles. In 1873 he married Miss Anna B. Ham- mond, a lineal descendant of William Penn, and a daughter of Edson D. and Louise Marian (Thurston) Hammond, of New York, where sbe was born and reared, receiving a careful educa- tion. Mr. and Mrs. Southwick have three sons: Frank Herbert, born April 27, 1879; Arthur Q .. December 6, 1880, and Louis Thurston, Septem- ber 27, 1883. About 1883 Mr. Southwick re- moved with his family to Stamford, and later be

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purchased his present home for a permanent residence. He and his wife are both members of the Episcopal Church, and he also belongs to several fraternal societies, including the Royal Arcanum. Politically, he affiliates with the Re- publican party, but he has never aspired to of- ficial honors.

TOSEPH B. BRADLEY, a well-to-do agri- culturist of the town of Fairfield, is a mem- ber of a family which has long been held in high esteem in that section, and although he is a quiet, unostentatious citizen, decidedly averse to public life, he enjoys in a marked degree the re- spect of his associates. He is now the only liv- ing male descendant of his grandfather. Joseph Bradley, who was a well-known resident of Greenfield.

Our subject was born at the old homestead in Greenfield, and his education was begun in the schools of that locality. After his mother's death, which occurred when he was but a child, he was sent to a school at Saugatuck, and later he attended Green's Farms Academy for a time. Having some inclination toward mercantile life in boyhood he became a clerk in a store at West- port for David Salmons; however, after two years he returned home, where he has followed agricult- ure as an occupation. Of late years he has con- tented himself with taking general oversight of the farm, but his management is most skillful and it is regarded as one of the best cultivated estates

- in the vicinity. In 1877 he completed an ele- gant residence upon his portion of the homestead. While he takes an intelligent interest in the ques-

tions of the day, and is a strong believer in the doctrines of the Republican party, he has never been an office seeker. In religious faith he is an Episcopalian, and he and his family are identified with the Church of that denomination at South- port.

In November, 1876, Mr. Bradley was married at Greenfield, to Miss Mary E. P. Lobdell, and four children have blessed the union: Two sons, Joseph and Francis, died in infancy; Miss Mary Galetta, who is at home, is an accomplished young lady, having attended school in Norwalk, Fairfield and Bridgeport; Miss Sarah Eleanor is also at home. Mrs. Bradley is a native of North Salem, Westchester Co., N. Y., and the Lobdell family is well known in that section. Her fa- ther, William Lobdell, was an edge-tool maker in early life, but later engaged in farming, and is now residing at his farm at Greenfield, at the advanced age of seventy years. Her mother, whose maiden name was Galetta Angeline Wood, is sixty-eight, and both parents have been for | many years leading members of the Episcopal

Francis Burr Bradley, our subject's father. 1 was born in Greenfield, and his boyhood was mainly spent there upon a farm. Like many country youths, he had a great desire to go to sea. but a trip to the West Indies satisfied him | Church at Weston. Mrs. Bradley's grandparents in that respect, and on his return he settled i on the maternal side were Damaras Hyde, and down to agricultural pursuits. He was a thrifty | Thomas Wood, who owned a number of vessels man, accumulating a fine competence, and was i and did a large shipping business at Westport, devoted to his business, giving but little atten- Conn. The Lobdells came from Wales in 1640, and located at Milford, Conn., but the family soon scattered, some going to Vermont, some to New Orleans, and some to Westchester county, N. Y., where Mrs. Bradley's grandfather was born. There he married Eliza Miller, whose fa- ther was a renowned pedagogue at that time, her mother being a Miss James, of Philadelphia. tion to public affairs. In his later years he was a Republican, but beyond voting regularly he did not assist in party work. When about fifty years old he married Miss Sarah Bradley, daugh- ter of William Bradley, a prominent resident of Greenfield. She died at the age of forty-five; be survived her, passing away in his eighty- seventh year, the remains of both being interred at Greenfield. Of their two children our subject is the elder: the other, Mary L., who married Lloyd N. Sherwood. now resides at Greenfield Hill.

TOHN J. TAYLOR. While the world, it is true, owes much of its advancement to the professional and the commercial circles, yet is it equally true that much of the broader culture and more daring thought comes from a class of men whoes lives have been passed in study and travel. The contact with the ideas of the great thinkers through their writings, the actual con- tact with human beings of all classes and nations, drives out the narrowness of conception that so often is found in those whose lives are given over to business or to a single profession.

John J. Taylor, a prominent citizen of Stam- ford, was born in New York City, February 17, 1845, a son of John Jacob Taylor, and a grand- son of Jacob Bloomingdale Taylor, of English ancestry. The grandfather was a merchant in New York City, and was at one time manager of the vast estate of John Jacob Astor.

John Jacob Taylor passed his entire life in

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New York City, engaged in mercantile pur- suits, trading chiefly with Cuba, as did also his brother, the widely-known Moses Taylor. He married Frances Wetmore, a daughter of Samuel Wetmore, a resident of Providence, R. I., and a native of Middletown, Conn. (he was a Chinese trader). The following children came to bless this union: John J., Jacob B., Frances W., Amelia M., and Elizabeth C.

John J. Taylor, the only surviving child of the above named family, passed his boyhood days in New York City, in Newport, R. I., and in Europe. His education was obtained wholly under the instruction of private tutors and in private schools, and he has never engaged in business. The greater portion of his life has been spent in traveling over Europe, Asia, Africa and America, wherever and however his fancy led him. In 1883 he took up his residence in Stamford, purchasing a beautiful home.

Mr. Taylor was married, in England, to Miss Caroline Clarke, of Ringwood, and they have the following children: Zenobia E .; Hiram H., con- nected with the paymaster's department of the New York Central railroad; Bessie H .; and Wyatt W. In his political affiliations Mr. Tay- lor is a Democrat, and has served on campaign committees. Socially, he became a Freemason in Cornwall, England, is past master of the Lodge at Penzance, in that county, and is Past Provin- cial Grand Director of Ceremonies of the County of Cornwall.

J ACOB S. MAYHEW, of the town of Bethel, is one of the most enterprising and success- ful business men of that section, being well- known as a dealer in leaf tobacco, and a breeder of fancy live stock. "Clover Side Farm," his estate, in the Plum Trees District, town of Bethel, is conducted on modern principles as a breeding farm, Mr. Mayhew taking a scientific interest in securing the highest possible results in its management.

A brief review of his life and ancestry will be of value to our readers, especially as his fore- fathers became identified with this section many years ago. Jacob Mayhew, his grandfather (born in 1790 and died in 1839), who married Hannah Williams (born in 1793 and died in 1872), was a farmer in the town of Newtown, this county, and Theodore Mayhew, the father of our subject, was born in that town April 1, 1822, and died September 21, 1880, and was reared to manhood there, receiving his education in the local schools. In 1845 he removed to the Plum Trees District, of the town of Bethel, where he

engaged in farming and in the hatting business. He was prominent in local affairs, and a member of the Democratic party. On October 11, 1843, he married Miss Betsy Sherman, who was born June 2, 1822, and died September 20, 1873, the daughter of Zalmon W. Sherman, who was born in 1795 and died in 1838, and who married Hannah P. Crofut, who was born in 1805 and died in 1881. They had five children: Emma Clar- inda, born September 1, 1844, who married Charles E. Edmonds; Jane L., born April 12, 1848; Harriet A., born July 12, 1851, who mar- ried Frederick A. Judd, of Danbury, and died March 2, 1880; Jacob Sherman, our subject, and Marriette L., born December 17, 1855.

Mr. Mayhew, our subject, was born March 30, 1854, at the old homestead in the Plum Trees District, and his education was acquired in the district schools of the town. At the age of nine- teen he went to Syracuse, N. Y., where he was employed for a time as a clerk in a hardware store, and on his return he worked one season at the cigar business in New Haven, after which he spent some time in a leaf tobacco warehouse in New York City. In 1875 he came to Bethel and engaged in business in the Plum Trees District, opening a cigar manufactory and leaf-tobacco warehouse, conducting a wholesale trade. In 1880 he purchased the old homestead from the other heirs, and also started hisstock farm, where he has since made a specialty of raising Jer- sey cattle, fancy poultry, etc., his motto be- ing " thoroughbreds or nothing." He also deals in carriages of all kinds, and he has an extensive trade in all these lines.

On November 24, 1880, Mr. Mayhew married Miss Lillie A. Fairchild, and four children have blessed the union: Susan Clara, born September 6, 1881; Theodore F., December 1, 1882; Joseph B., November 17, 1886, and Gala E., August - 1889. Socially, Mr. Mayhew is connected with Eureka Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M., at Bethel. and Eureka Chapter No. 23, R. A. M., at Dan- bury. He has always been a Democrat in pol- tics, for several years has been justice of the peace, and in 1896 he was the candidate of bis party for second selectman, but was defeated. the town being Republican by 135 majority.

IRVING LOCKWOOD is the proprietor of the largest and best equipped livery business in New Canaan, and enjoys an extensive patron- age from the best people in the town. He was born September 4, 1865, on his father's farm, in the town of New Canaan, Fairfield county, Connecticut.

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The father. WILLIAM LOCKWOOD, was also born in New Canaan, and there passed all his days, dying May 23. 1878. He attended the district school in his boyhood; and was reared to agricultural life. in which he also engaged. At Lewisboro, Westchester county. N. Y., he was united in marriage with Sarah Jane Raymond, daughter of Amos N. Raymond, and the young couple took up their residence on the farm in New Canaan, still occupied by Mrs. Lockwood. Ten children were born to this union, of whom Lucy A. married Edwin K. Hoyt, and lives at Ridgefield. Fairfield county; Jennie E. is the wife of Philo S. Green, of Stamford. Conn .; Ada makes her home in New Canaan; W. Stanley is engaged in the butcher business in New Canaan (he married Carrie Bishop): George E., now de- ceased, married Carrie Lambert; Irving is the subject proper of this review: Alice C. lives in New Canaan; Homer travels for a leather firm, and has his residence in Boston (he married Mary Wills); Emily lives in New Canaan; Raymond died in infancy.

Irving Lockwood spent his boyhood days on the home farm, meanwhile receiving his educa- tion in the public school of the district, and Mrs. Ayres' private school at New Canaan. He fol- lowed in the footsteps of his father until 1889, engaging in farming, but has since given all of his time to the livery business which he now owns and conducts. He was in partnership with his brother George E. until 1891, when he bought his brother's interest. and he has since been sole proprietor. The well appointed and commodious stables give accommodation to twenty-eight or thirty horses, and conveyances from this stable are sent out to all trains. Mr. Lockwood caters to the best class of trade in New Canaan. and his efforts to have everything in his business "up-to-date" and satisfactory to the most ex- acting have been duly appreciated by his patrons, who increase in number every year. Mr. Lock- wood is a member of Harmony Lodge No. 67, F. and A. M .; he is identified with St. Mark's Episcopal Church of New Canaan. [Since the above was written, Mr. Irving Lockwood sold his livery business March 29. 1899, and is now en- gaged in the coal business in New Canaan and South Norwalk, Connecticut. ]

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 159

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