Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 164

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

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In 1865 Mr. Hall married Miss Anna J. An- drews, a native of Newtown. and a daughter of Eden A. Andrews. Six children have blessed this union: George A. is a hatter in Danbury; Albert A. is in business with his father; Robert L. is engaged in the hatter's trade; Harriet A. married Benjamin E. Snow, of Hudson, N. Y .; Howard W. is in business with his father; and Fred E. is attending school. Mr. Hall and his family are all Methodists in religious faith, and are identified with various progressive move- ments. In politics he is a Republican, while so- cially he is an active member of the G. A. R., and of the order of American Mechanics.

C HARLES C. SALMON. It has been said that the beginning of civilization is the discov- ery of some useful arts, by which men acquire property, comforts or luxury. The necessity or desire of preserving them leads to laws and social institutions. In reality the origin, as well as the

progress and improvement, of civil society is founded on mechanical and chemical inventions. and in reviewing the circumstances of the life of Charles C. Salmon there is a pleasure in contem- plating an active and useful career passed for the most part in the development of some of the most useful industries.

Mr. Salmon was born in the town of Weston, Fairfield Co., Conn., July 26, 1856, and his earlier education was received at the district schools of the neighborhood, and at select schools. Subsequently he attended Betts Military Acad- emy at Stamford, Conn., and on laying aside his books he learned the horn-button manufacturing business of his father, at Lyons Plain, Fairfield county, continuing with him for some years. Leaving that industry in 1881 he took up edge- tool tempering, and since that year has been con- nected with the Bradley Bros. axe and edge-tool factory in Weston.

In 1876 Mr. Salmon was married to Miss Mary O. Sherwood, who was born September 29, 1851, a daughter of Bradley Sherwood, and they have one daughter. Ethel Salmon, born March 8, 1889. In politics Mr. Salmon is an ardent Republican, but has never been an aspirant to public office. In religious faith he is a member of the Centre street M. E. Church of Easton, of which he is one of the trustees, and steward.

Daniel C. Salmon, grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in the town of Trumbull, Fair- field Co., Conn., and received his education in the district schools, after which he learned the carpenter's trade. This trade he made his life work, in connection conducting an undertaking establishment, and he was a very successful man. Mr. Salmon's wife was Miss Mary Bradley, daugh- ter of Wakeman Bradley, of Fairfield and Wes- ton, and the children born to them were: Mor- ris, a sketch of whom follows; and David A., married to Augusta Morehouse. Grandfather Salmon died October 14, 1851.

Morris Salmon, father of our subject, was born August 1, 1832, in the town of Weston, and received his education at the district school of the neighborhood of his boyhood home, finishing at a select school in the town. He was a car- penter by trade, following same for several years, later buying a button factory, where he manu- factured horn buttons up to five years before his death. He married Miss Betsey A. Wakeman, daughter of Silas and Abbie (Wheeler) Wakeman, of Fairfield, Conn., and their children are: Fan- nie, wife of Frank Gorham, M. D .; and Charles C., our subject, one of Fairfield county's best representative citizens. Morris Salmon died Jan- uary 21, 1886.

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C ORNELIUS DWYER, of Bridgeport, is an able and enterprising business man, and for some years has carried on an extensive trade as a contractor in excavating, grading and supplying sand, stone, and other building materials. He is also engaged in the grocery business, in which he commands a large custom, his stock including a variety of liquors.

Mr. Dwver comes of Irish ancestry, the family being identified with County Tipperary, Ireland. Isaac D. Smith, the subject proper of this review, received his education at the schools at Burlington, Nova Scotia, after which he followed a seafaring life for some years, voyaging to At- | lantic ports, including the West Indies, North Michael O. Dwyer, the father of our subject, was a lifelong resident of the Emerald Isle. and was employed as a miner under the English Govern- ment. He and his wife, Margaret (Corcoran). who was also a native of Ireland, had a family i and South America and England, also to ports of three children: Johanna, deceased; Jeremiah. now a resident of Chicago, Ill .; and Cornelius.

Cornelius Dwyer was born December 23, 1845. in County Tipperary, Ireland, and on completing his course in the local schools he learned the carpenter's trade there, serving an apprenticeship of three years. In 1867 he came 1 to the United States, locating first on a farm near Brooklyn, N. Y., where he remained several | he also has a milk and vegetable route in Bridge- port, as already stated. He owns a nice resi- dence in Stratford, where he resides, which be built in 1897.

years. He then worked for a year in an oilcloth factory at Newtown, Long Island. but has since made his home in Bridgeport. For two years he was employed in the trucking business by George Stapleton, and later he engaged in truck- ing on his own account, continuing about seven years. In the meantime he became interested in the grocery and liquor business at No. 154 N. Washington avenue, also in contracting, his headquarters for the latter business being at No. 136 North avenue. Of late years he has devoted his attention exclusively to those lines of enter- prise, and his trade is both extensive and profit- able. Politically, he is a Democrat as far as national issues are concerned, but otherwise he is an Independent. In religious faith he is a Catholic, and he and his family are leading mem- bers in the Church of that denomination at Bridgeport. In 1866 he was married in Ireland to Miss Mary O'Donnell, a native of that country. They have had nine children: Maria and Marga- ret (both born in Ireland), Anna. John, Josephine, Bertha, Dennis, Michael and Bridget.

SAAC D. SMITH, farmer and proprietor of a milk route in the city of Bridgeport, is a na- tive of Nova Scotia, born in Newport, Hants county, March 27, 1858.

they had a family of twelve children-nine sons and three daughters-five of whom died in child- hood, the others being as follows: Edward is a merchant in Nova Scotia; Ezra C., who was a farmer and milk dealer, and resided in Nichols. Conn., died June 14, 1897; Isaac D. is our sub- ject; Eliza A. and Jeremiah died at the age of eleven years; Phillip S. is a resident of Bridge- port; and Murray is deceased.

in Russia, which latter took him into both the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, the Gulf of Fin- Jand, etc. In 1881 he came to Bridgeport. Conn., thence moved to Nichols, where he was proprietor of a farm for four years. In 1886 be bought his present property, a fifty-eight-acre farm, in the town of Stratford, and has here since i resided, in addition to the cultivation of which

In 1882 Mr. Smith married Miss Annie E. Rhodes, a daughter of Augustus Rhodes, a wel .- known mason and builder, all of Nova Scotia. and four children have graced their union: Charles I., Bessie V., Walter A., and Etta E .. all yet living except Walter A., who died at the age of nineteen months. Our subject and his wife are members of the M. E. Church, and of the Daughters of Rebekah, connected with the l. O. O F. He is also affiliated with that order, belonging to Samuel H. Harris Lodge No. 99, 21 Bridgeport, and he is past master of House- tonic Grange No. 79, P. of H., of Stratford. Io politics he is a stanch Republican, and takes a genuine interest in the welfare of his country.

FREDERICK C. PARSONS, whose printing and bicycle establishment has been for four vears No. 212 Main street, Stamford, removed to No. 206 Main street, April 1, 1899, as his business compelled him to have more space, is well-known to all the business men of this set- tion. He has worked his way up to his present position from humble circumstances through his own industry. He came to Stamford when a young man, from Massachusetts, where he was born August 11, 1856, at Barre.

Benjamin Smith. father of our subject, was a native of the same locality, where he was a coun- try blacksmith, as was his father before him. He Horace and Abigail (Prince) Parsons, parents married Eliza Burgess, of the same nativity, and | of our subject, were also natives of the Bay

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State, the mother born in Oxford. They passed their entire lives there. the father engaging in carpenter work and the manufacture of soap. Of their nine children, four are living, viz .: Martha E. (Mrs. Blair): Frank H .. who lives in Boston; Frederick Charles; and Ida May (Mrs. Ward), of Southville, Mass. By a previous mar- riage Mr. Parsons had one daughter. Mary J., who now makes her home in Sutton Centre, Massachusetts.

Frederick C. Parsons spent his boyhood in the towns of Sutton. West Sutton. Webster. Ox- ford and Millbury, Mass. After the death of his father. which occurred when he was fourteen years old, he went to Dudley. Mass., and re- mained there one year, subsequently, for three years, working in the shuttle factory at Marbles- ville. For two years after this he was employed in a printing office at Westboro, Mass., and in 1876 he started out with another boy to see the world, eventually settling in Stamford, Conn. Here he commenced work in the Herald office, later was employed in the Advocate, and then for six months was in the Yale & Towne factory. At the end of that time he again entered the Herald office. changed again to the Advocate, and then returned to the Herald, as foreman. In 1887 he opened a bicycle business in the Herald office. which. how- ever. he continued but a short time, in April, 1888, establishing the printing and bicycle busi- ness which he has ever since carried on. He commenced in one room over the S. C. Morrison drug store, and, business increasing, it was not Jong before he was obliged to seek larger quarters, moving into the Masonic building. Not many months later, in 1894. he removed to the store at No. 212 Main street, where he did a prosper- ous and steadily increasing business from the start, using every inch of available space. Mr. Parsons has been the architect of his own fortune, for he has had no financial means at his command to start with; arriving at Stamford as he did with only twenty-five cents in his pockets, and the clothes he had on. However, his trade, a good stock of industry and business ability and the hearty good-will which he has won from his fel- low citizens and patrons in Stamford, have proved sufficient in his case, and he has attained a stand- ing of which he may be proud. He now has clear a fine residence on Strawberry Hill, commanding a fine view of Long Island Sound, worth $5. 500, and $5.000 or over invested in his business. He now has the largest bicycle store in Stamford, it being eighty feet long, with basement also eighty feet long.

Mr. Parsons was married in May, 1877. in

Stamford. to Miss Annie E. Dravis, daughter of George Dravis. They have no children. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons attend the Presbyterian Church, with which he united in July, 1880, and he is both active and prominent in Church work, at present serving as deacon of the congregation at Stamford. Fraternally, he is united with the New England Order of Protection, of which he was one of the first members, and the Order of United American Mechanics, of which he was a charter member in Stamford

H HERBERT D. WHITNEY. one of the promi- nent, well-to-do farmers of the town of New Canaan, Fairfield Co., Conn., was born there March 31. 1859, in Park street. His paternal and maternal ancestors have been iden- tified with the progress of this region for some generations, and the family is an honored one wherever known.

Mr. Whitney's grandfather, Benjamin Whit- ney, was born in Wilton, Fairfield county, and lived there all his life, engaged in farming and butchering. For his first wife we wedded Abi- gail Fancher, by whom he had seven children, viz .: Lewis (who lives in Greenwich, Conn.), William, Harriet, Le Grand, Samuel (who died young), Samuel (father of Herbert) and James, all of who are now deceased except Lewis. Benjamin Whitney's second wife was Millie Mead, by whom he had eight children, viz .: Eliza (now living in California), David and Charles (both deceased). Polly (living in South Norwalk, Conn.). Noble (residing in Wilton, Conn.), Emily (residence unknown). George (living in Bridgeport), and Luther (in South Nor- walk). The parents of these children are both now deceased.

Samuel Whitney was born October 15, 1822, in Wilton, and there he passed his early life. at- tending the public schools of the neighborhood, where he obtained all his education. While still young he learned the shoemaker's trade, serving his apprenticeship in New Jersey, and finally settling in New Canaan, followed that business there for a number of years. In 1846 he com- menced farming in the town of New Canaan, and. like his father, carried on the butcher busi- ness in connection, opening the first market and grocery store in New Canaan. He took an active interest in local affairs, served as town assessor, and was also a great Church worker, filling nu- merous officers in the M. E. Church, of which he was an enthusiastic and faithful member. On October 24. 1841, Samuel Whitney married Amanda Elizabeth Everett, who was born Oc-

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tober 20, 1824, daughter of Joseph and Abi- gail Crissey (Seeley) Everett, and their family consisted of ten children, viz .: Mary Jane, born April 5, 1845, died February . 14, 1877; Martha Ann, born July 2, 1847. died October 27, 1857; Irving Green, born August 16. 1849, died May 9, 1851; Samuel Irving, born May 5, 1852. died May 24, 1853; Julia Minerva, born March 13. 1854, died September 9, 1855; Julia Albina, born April 16. 1856, married H. Seymour Miller, of New Canaan, now residing in Stam- ford, Conn. (they have no children): Herbert Denslow, born March 31, 1859; Jennie O., born May 8, 1863, died June 24, 1884 (she married George H. Jelliff, and left one child, Clifton W., born May 24, 1884); Louise Carroll, born Octo- ber 9, 1865, died December 13, 1866; Annie Louise, born February 28, 1868, married Will H. Arthur, of Stamford. Conn., and has one child, Dudley. The father of this family passed away June 13, 1874.

Richard Everett, maternal great-great-grand- father of Herbert D. Whitney, was a native of England, and was one of the earliest settlers of New Canaan. Fairfield county. There was born his son Joseph, who was twice married, first to a Miss Lockwood, and afterward to Esther St. John, by whom he had seven children-Easter, Joseph, Abigail, Polly, Susan, Hannah and Thomas. Joseph Everett was a farmer by occu - pation. He was a member of the Congregational Church.

Joseph Everett, son of Joseph and Esther Everett, was born May 13, 1791, in New Ca- naan, where he always made his home, dying February 12, 1843. He served a seven-years' apprenticeship under Nehemiah Benedict, learn- ing the trade of shoemaker, which was his life occupation. On May 2, 1813, he was united in marriage with Abigail Crissey Seeley, who was born June 9, 1793, and died July 6, 1877. This worthy couple were devout members of the New Canaan Congregational Church. They reared a family of nine children, as follows: Delia Ann, born August 21, 1815. married Alanson Waters, of Stamford, and is now deceased. William Henry, born January 26, 1817, is deceased. Juliette, born January 15, 1819, married David B. Mathers. Harriet N., born February 22, 1821, married J. E. Jones, and is now deceased. Amanda E. (Mrs. Whitney) was born October 20, 1824. Mary J., born August 10, 1826, and died May 11, 1898, was married June 22, 1868, to Lewis Lockwood, who was born February 15, 1803, and died February 3, 1882; they had no children. Cornelia S., born August 12, 1828, died March 29, 1841. Samuel O., born July 28, 1

1832, is a resident of New Canaan. Joseph W. born November 15, 1834, died August 15, 18;

Herbert D. Whitney, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared in New Canaan, and during his boyhood received the advantage al- forded by the public schools in the vicinity. He has been a lifelong agriculturist, and devotes al his time to his calling, in which he bas been de- cidedly successful. On March 31, 1887, he was married to Miss Anna Evelyn Everett, who was born February 5, 1861, a daughter of William Everett. Five children have blessed this unioz. born as follows: Samuel Hanlenbeek, Septem- ber 21, 1888; Irving Everett, August 2, 188g: Herbert Edwin, November 20, 1890; Emir Frances, November 30, 1891; Roger Seymour. February 15, 1896. Mr. Whitney is a member of the Odd Fellows' Fraternity, affiliating with Wooster Lodge No. 57, of New Canaan.

G EORGE RICHARDSON, whose death cr- curred at his home in Bridgeport on Decem- ber 11, 1898, and who for thirty years had beer the efficient superintendent of the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company, was born March 5. 184 ;. in Brooklyn, New York.

Mr. Richardson was the only son of the late Joseph Richardson, of New York, who was prom- inent in that city as one of its eminently success- ful men, and truthfully the architect of his own fortune to an extent rarely achieved by those to whom that credit is accorded. Born in England September 7, 1814, Joseph Richardson came to America at a very early age, and at ten was ap- prenticed to a mason in Albany, N. Y. While yet a young man he established himself in busi- ness as a master builder, and for upward of fifty years he was such in the true sense of the term. He was a promoter of many of the changes that took place in New York during that period. In 1852-53 he built the water works at Bridgeport. Conn., which were the third in the United States. He was ever ready to aid all enterprises promis- ing advancement. His money helped the first trans-Atlantic steamship, the Great Western. he aided with his means the laying of the first At- lantic cable; also backed the enterprise of the first elevated railroad in New York; established. probably a third of a century ago, a line of steam- boats between New York and Bridgeport, which were under his control up to the time of his death. He built the water works at Laramie City, and those at Houston, Texas. Mr. Rich- ardson invested liberally in the Credit Mobilier. which supplied the means for building the Union Pacific railroad. He led a well regulated and

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George Richardson

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vell occupied life, and for years before his death, which occurred June 8. 1897. he was vigorous in bind and body. Mr. Richardson was twice nar- ied, first to Miss Anne Painter, of New York, nd second to a widow. His children were: George and Della Grace, both born to the first narriage.

George Richardson received his education in his native city. At an early age he became con- jected with the Bridgeport (Conn. ) Hydraulic Company. In 1869, although but a boy, he was nade superintendent of the company, and most satisfactorily performed the duties of the office from that time until his death. Growing up as he did with the plant from boyhood with a natural adoption for the work he became famil- iar with every detail, and possessed a thorough knowledge of the works and the city's system. Mr. Richardson possessed executive ability, and showed his great skill in handling men. He was an inventor of considerable ability, and had taken out a number of patents, some of which inventions are in general use, and valuable.

Socially. Mr. Richardson stood high, having won his way into great popular favor, and few men indeed in Park City were more widely and favorably known than he. He was identified with many social and fraternal organizations. He was a member of the old Eclectic Club, the first successful social club in Bridgeport, organized in 1870. For years he was a member of the Sea Side Club; also of the Algonquin Club, and of the Park City Yacht Club. He was officially prom- inent in Corinthian Lodge, F. & A. M .; Pyramid Temple of Shrines; Hamilton Commandery, Knights Templar; and the Order of the Eastern Star. He also was identified with the Knights of Pythias; with Pequonnock Lodge of Odd Fel- lows and Stratfield Encampment. He was a member of the Bridgeport Scientific and Historical Societies. At the time of his death he was serv- ing a four-years' term, by appointment of the Legislature, as trustee of the Connecticut Indus- trial School for Boys.

In 1869 Mr. Richardson was married to Miss Rose Harriet, daughter of J. Frederick Huge, of Bridgeport, and one of the oldest artists of the State, and the marriage has been blessed with one child. Anne Shelton, who is descended, on the maternal side, from one of New England's best and oldest families. The family is identi- fied with Christ Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Richardson was a member of the vestry. For years he had been a liberal supporter of the Church, as he had also been of various benevo- lent and charitable causes. Politically. he was a Republican.

P ETER GABLER, the prominent and well-to- do cigar manufacturer, is a native of New York City, having been born there December 2, 1844. a son of John Peter and Barbara (Bra- decker) Gabler, the former a native of Prussia and the latter of Alsace, then a Province of France. The father had learned the shoemak- er's trade in the old country, and after coming to America worked in New York City and Philadel- phia. He died in 1861, and Mrs. Gabler makes her home in Trumbull with one of her sons.

Our subject passed his boyhood in New York City, and after attending school there began to learn the cigar maker's trade at the early age of twelve years. On April 15, 1861, when the Na- tion's life was endangered by Civil war, he en- listed in the 29th N. Y. V. I., and on June 4 of that year was mustered into the United States service. He was sent to the front, and bore an honorable part in the history of his regiment. participating in the battles of Cross Keys, first and second battles of Bull Run, Shiloh and An- tietam. At the second battle of Bull Run, August 29, 1862, he was wounded, and on June 9, 1863, he was mustered out of service. From that time until the fall of 1864 he worked at his trade, but the patriotism that inspired his first enlistment had not been shattered by the Rebel shot and shell, and he again enlisted, this time becoming a member of the 33rd N. J. V. I., and with this regiment he remained until the close of the war. After his second enlistment he took part in the battle of Nashville. When the last drum had sounded, and white-winged peace had once more spread her wings over the land, Mr. Gabler was for a time foreman of a shop at Pet- ersburg, Va., later returning to New York City. In May, 1868, he came to Long Hill, Conn., where for five years he worked for Louis M. Wakeley. He then began the manufacture of cigars on his own account, and has so continued ever since, catering especially to the Bridgeport and neighboring trade, and employing seven men as a rule.

At Long Hill, Conn., Mr. Gabler was united in marriage with Miss Mary Weidner, daughter of August Weidner, and they have nine children as follows: W. A. Gabler, who married Fannie Bogart, by whom he has one child, Erma; Julia, wife of William Griffin, of Passaic, N. J .; Fred- erick Peter, of Bridgeport, who married Miss Eva L. Barton; Frank; Maud; Leo C .; Arthur; Alice and Mabel.

Fraternally. Mr. Gabler is a member of Elias Howe, Jr., Post No. 3, G. A. R., at Bridgeport ; Steuben Lodge, I. O. O. F .; Cerber Lodge. Harugari, the American Mechanics, Parlor Rock

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Council No. 68, and the Elks; he is also a mem- ber of the Concordia Society. The Republican party claims him as one of its stanch political adherents, and his advice is often sought by party leaders. In spite of the attention he has found it necessary to give his business in the quarter of a century he has been actively engaged for himself, he has found time to keep well abreast with the times, and to have made a care- ful study of all issues of local or national im- portance. Quiet in manner, he is modest and unassuming, and has won hosts of friends. His business dealings have left him an untarnished reputation, and it is safe to say no man stands higher in the estimation of the people who know him.

C "HARLES G. WATERBURY is a leading cit- izen of Darien, and is now serving his third term as selectman of his town. As an able and successful business man he has gained a high standing in commercial circles, but his activity in local affairs has given him even more in- fluence.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 164

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