Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 166

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

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W ILLIAM LORENZO DURANT. One of the most popular hostelries of this region is the " Lake House." at Lake Kanosia, near Danbury, and its genial owner and manager, the subject of this biography, is an ideal host. As Mr. Durant is a self-made man, his past life affords some sharp contrasts with the present, and the story of his success!ul efforts to overcome his early disadvantages will give a warmer tinge to the esteem of his wide circle of acquaintances.

On the paternal side he is of French descent, his grandfather. Wilham Durant, having crossed the ocean with a brother. Thomas. The latter settled in New Jersey. William Durant making his home in Massachusetts. His son, William Durant, the father of our subject, was born in Massachusetts, and for many years owned and operated a large paper-mill at Newton Lower Falls He was also in business for some time in Niagara Falls, N. Y., where he died in 1856. His wife. Elizabeth (Gibson), was a native of Newton Lower Falls. They had four children: George Thomas, Elizabeth Jane. Wilham L. | and Frederick.

Mr. Durant, our subject. was born October 25. 1831, at the old home in Newton Lower Falls, where his education was begun in the common schools. At the age of fourteen he was compelled to turn his attention to a bread- win- 1 1 . 1 ning occupation, and five years were spent in the employ of Daniel Buck, a paper manufacturer at Windsor, Conn. His active mind refused to be content with the limited educational opportu- nities that fate had vouchsafed, and during all these years of hard work he spent his evenings in study. thus securing a goodly store of knowledge and invaluable mental discipline. His next em- ployment was in a paper-mill at Westville, Conn., where he remained two years, and then he went to New Haven, and for the same length of time was engaged in contract work in a rubber shop. Receiving an appointment on the New Haven police force, he entered that service, but as it ' life.

the same business about eight years, and then sold out in order to take charge of his present hotel, which he leased lor a year. From that i time to this he has been more or less closely con- nected with the hotel business, and after manag- [ ing two other houses on leases, one at Mill Plain for four years and ten months, and the " Bassett House," at Birmingham, Conn., for three years and two months. he purchased the " Lake House," where his first experience in the busi- ness had proven so auspicious. For three years he conducted the hotel himself, and then leased it to different parties, George Ferry keeping it for five years, John R. Clark for four years, and others for shorter periods amounting to about four years. On December 1, 1896, Mr. Durant again took possession, and he is now actively superintending it. his residence being situated near the hotel.

Mr. Durant married Miss Frances Lucy Hol- laday. daughter of Roland and Annie Holladay, of Herkimer county, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Durant are members of the Universalist Church, and both are identified with Rebekah Lodge No. 16. of Danbury, Mr. Durant being an active worker in the 1. O. O. F. He also belongs to the B. P. O. E. Of their two sons, the elder. Edward Eugene. born in 1866, married Miss Ella Sackett, i of New Haven, and now resides on Whitney ave- nue in that city. Frederick B. married Miss Bertha Connors, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and also resides in New Haven. Neither of the sons has had any children.

On questions of national policy Mr. Durant supports the Democratic party, but in local af- fairs he votes independently. He has served on the Democratic town committee, and held va- rious offices of trust and responsibility, but in all his public career he has never made an error in an account. In 1873-74 he was a member of the school committee of the town of Danbury, and during his term he was elected justice of the peace. On retiring from that office at the end of a year he served a year as constable of the town. For two years and a half (from 1883 to 1886) he was a deputy sheriff of Fairfield county, and later he held office as collector for the town for a year, and then as collector for the borough of Danbury for a like term. In 1886 he was ap- pointed superintendent of the Town farm, but after holding the position four years he resigned. i and has since kept free from the cares of public

A genial disposition and temperate habits

was not congenial he retired at the end of a year and went to Palmer, Mass., where he conducted . tend to health of body and mind, and Mr. Du-

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rant, despite his years of hard work, is "as sound as a dollar." He is six feet tall and weighs 238 pounds at present, though he has "tipped the scales" at 265 pounds. He has never tasted a drop of intoxicating liquor in his life, nor chewed tobacco, but he does confess to a fondness for his pipe. [Since the above was written we regret to be informed that Mr. Durant was, in January, 1897, stricken with paralysis, and has been in poor health since that time .- Editor. ]

P ETER LORILLARD RONALDS. Nature has wrought so generously in this favored region, that the most artistic taste is satisfied with the charming views of hill, valley and spark- ling waters, displayed on every hand, and it is significant that the beauty of the landscape is best appreciated by those who have traveled farthest, and are thus enabled to compare this with other localities famous for picturesque scenery.

One of the most highly prized treasures of Mr. Ronalds is a copy of the family genealogy, procured from the family register in the Lyon office, Edinburgh, Scotland. It contains an epitome of the history of his family, from Ronald, Earl of Marca, who was created Earl of Zetland and sovereign of the Orkney Islands, by Harold Harfragh, King of Norway, A. D. 875. Earl Ronald was for a time deprived of his sovereignty, which was conferred upon his brother Sigwid; but he was restored in 915. Not many families can trace their lineage back in an unbroken line for over one thousand years, with the conscious- ness that royal blood flows in their veins. The trunk of Mr. Ronalds' ancestral tree descends through Earls Einar, Sigard, 2, to Erland, cous- in of William of Normandy, who conquered England, and was a great-grandson of Earl Ron- ald. Earl Magnus VI was the last male of the Norwegian Earls of Orkney and Shetland. He was succeeded by Margaret, Countess of Orkney and Shetland, who married Malise, Earl of Stratherne. John, Earl of Orkney and Caith- ness, sixth in descent from Margaret, sur- rendered the islands to the King of Scot- land, throwing off allegiance to the King of Norway. Allied to this ancient family are the roval families of England, France, Spain and Prussia. Earl John, the fourth from Margaret by another branch, finding his title to the sov- ereignty disputed, put himself at the head of the Norwegians. In honor of his illustrious ances- tor. Earl Ronald, he took the latter's name, and it has since been borne by his descendants as a surname. He married the granddaughter of

King Robert Bruce, 2, in 1409. His son, Earl John, was counselor of state to King James V. Sir Patrick Ronald, born in 1540, was one of those who assisted in the impeachment and im- prisonment of Queen Mary. His son, Patrick, dropped the "Sir," and married Mary, daughter of Sir Robert Stuart. Patrick's son John fought with the King againt Oliver Cromwell, escaped to France, and returned to Scotland after the Restoration in 1659. His grandson, Lieut. - Gen. Sir John Ronalds, K. B., first added the final "s" to his surname. He was a distinguished soldier in the British army, and died at Calcutta. A brother, James, grandfather of our subject. was born in 1752; he emigrated to America and married Margaret Ritchie, also a native of Scot- land. He had seven children, of whom the fourth, Thomas A., will be spoken of farther on. The entire genealogy shows that members of the Ronalds family were prominent and worthy in the land of their birth, and were true Highland- ers. The records of the twenty-eight genera- tions have been well kept, and are looked upon with pride.

Thomas Alexander Ronalds, father of PeterL. Ronalds, was born in April, 1788, and died in 1835. He was a successful merchant in New York, being engaged in the wholesale stationery business, and was highly respected among his associates as a man of ability and charater. His wife, Maria Dorothea Ann Lorillard, who died May 20, 1847, was a daughter of Pierre A. Lorillard, the famous tobacco manufacturer of New York City. This remarkable man began his career with limited capital, opening a small shop in Chatham street, New York, and by patient, persevering effort he increased his busi- ness until it became the largest in that line in the country. As it outgrew the resources of his first establishment he removed to a larger factory in Wooster street, which afterward was transferred to Jersey City. He was never prominent politic- ally, his business interests requiring his attention to the exclusion of public matters; but he held an influential position in the community. At his death his business descended to his only son, Peter, while his large estate was divided among ·all of his surviving children, another having died in childhood. Our subject's mother was the eldest of the four daughters, the others being Elenore (Mrs. Spencer), Dora Ann (Mrs. John David Wolfe), and Catherine (who married the husband of her deceased sister Elenore).

Thomas A. Ronalds and his wife had the following children: Mary, Margaret, and Dorothea Ann, none of whom married; Catherine, wife of J. Addison Thomas, a graduate of West Point;

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Elenora, who married Frederick A. Conkling, a brother of Hon. Roscoe Conkling; Julia, who died in childhood; Thomas Alexander; Peter Lorillard (1), who died in infancy; Peter Lorill- ard (2), our subject: George Lorillard; and Mason, who died in childhood. Of these, Thomas Alexander married Adeline Freeman, daughter of Doctor Freeman, of Woodbridge, N. J .; and George Lorillard married Miss Pauline Withaus.

Peter L. Ronalds, of whom this sketch more particularly relates, is a native of New York City, having been born September 19, 1826, at No. 5 Cliff street, and received an excellent edu- cation. After attending school for some time at Rye, Westchester Co., N. Y., under the in- struction of Samuel A. Berrian, he spent three years at the College Hill School, at Poughkeep- sie, N. Y., under Professor Bartlett, and two years at Irving Institute, at Tarrytown, N. Y. When about eighteen years old he took a posi- tion as clerk with Allen & Paxon, of No. 134 Front street, and after remaining with them twenty months he enjoyed a vacation of about six months. He then entered the employ of Schuyler Skaats, with whom he spent two months; but the death of his mother occurring about this time, he decided to gratify his love of travel, and much of his time has since been spent in this way. While his long absences from the country have prevented him from tak- ing any active part in politics, he has never lost his interest in public questions, and whenever he has been at home he has voted according to his own judgment for the best man, irrespective of party. He is exceptionally well informed, and is liberal and broad in his ideas on all subjects. In religion the Lorillard family was originally identified with the Lutheran Church, but Mr. Ronalds is a Rationalist in belief, and as he in- dulges in a broad and generous sympathy with every effort of man toward spiritual and intellec- tual development, he has "charity for all and malice toward none " in his relations with those who may differ in thought on these subjects. He is the largest stockholder in the Driving As- sociation of Newtown, and the grounds of the association are known as "Ronald Park."

On November 16, 1859, Mr. Ronalds mar- ried Miss Mary Frances Carter, daughter of Joseph B. Carter, a well-known resident of Bos- ton, Mass. Four children were born of this union: (1) Fanny Florence, born in 1860, mar- ried Thomas Hay Ritchie (now deceased), and resides in Belfast, Ireland. (2) Pierre Lorillard, born in Paris, France, April 10, 1862, married Miss Bertha Constance Perry, and resides in 52

New York City. (3) Reginald, born December 10, 1864, is also a resident of New York, where he and his brother, Pierre Lorillard, are en- gaged in business as wholesale dealers in plumb- ers' supplies. (4) Walter Ernest, born in Jan- uary, 1866, died in 1873.

"Castle Ronald," occupying a grand and picturesque position on the brow of one of the loftiest hills in the town of Newtown, and of which Mr. Ronald is at once owner, architect and builder, is probably, considering its pretensions and cost, the most remarkable dwelling on the American continent. Although he has traveled much, and spent years in preparing and perfect- ing plans for the erection of the Castle-which he intends to be an enduring memorial of the an- cient Ronald family-Mr. Ronalds in all the lands he has visited found no site so well suited to his purpose, or one that pleases him so well, as Ron- ald's Peak, in the near vicinity of the village of Newtown. The building, which for marvelous completeness in each and every detail baffles any attempt at an exhaustive description in a work of this nature, may truthfully be said to be the re- sult of Mr. Ronalds' personal study and observa- tion of foreign buildings, added to and perfected with many unique ideas of his own. Ronald Castle is a two-story edifice, with a flower con- servatory on top, and is built of Roxbury gray stone. The principal building is 110 feet long by 42 feet wide, while to its highest point it reaches 55 feet. In its design no architectural school has been followed; its battlemented walls give it a baronial aspect, yet it has neither tower nor turret; it is antiquated here and modern there; and while its arches are suggestive of the Italian style of architecture, it is French in one corner, and distinctly American in another- withal truly cosmopolitan in general respects, and yet the combination does not fail to harmon- ize. Its interior is worthy of its surroundings, and Mr. Ronalds, who is noted for his cultured taste, has added to the skill of the decorator his remarkable collection of curios, paintings and antique articles, including some rare specimens of ancient armory.

Mr. Ronalds has been an extensive traveler, having crossed the Atlantic forty-six times, while he has also visited many points of interest in the Western Hemisphere, including Cuba. Outside of Russia (and yet he has been within eight miles of the Czar's territory), he has wandered about every country in the Old World. He can show a land yacht in which he traveled about in for- eign countries, while in his collection of carriages is a waggonette that formerly belonged to the son of the late Duke of Wellington (the "Iron

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Duke "), in which Mr. Ronalds drove, four-in- hand, from the Mediterranean to Antwerp, and later on through part of England. At one time he made a pilgrimage to the Holy land, stopping at Jerusalem and other places mentioned in Sa- cred History. and has visited the continent of Africa four times. At different periods he has resided in England, Germany, France and Italy, maintaining an establishment in each of these countries, with a corps of attendants and all the appointments of a luxurious home. At present he has a residence at Monte Carlo, his servants being retained, and his stables, horses and vehi- cles kept ready, against his return at any time. Mr. Ronalds has been fortunate, or "lucky." in all his travels, never having met with an accident

on any of his trips. Once, to be sure, while near Cherbourg, the steamer he was a passenger on was run into; and another time, while he was traveling by train, the piston rod of the locomo- tive was broken, but no injury ever befel him. He speaks half a dozen languages. and is very affable and entertaining, while the many visitors to Castle Ronald are courteously received, not a few being right royally entertained by the gen- tlemanly and hospitable host.

E DWARD BERGIN, section foreman on the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad. is one of the respected residents of Fairfield. Fair- field Co., Conn., where he has made his home for a number of years. He is a native of Ireland, born August 5. 1842. in County Kilkenny. where his parents. Edmund and Mary (Haley) Bergin, were farming people in comfortable circumstances. They passed their entire lives in Ireland. The family consisted of seven children-six sons and one daughter-of whom four came to the United States: James, Daniel. Kayran and Edward. James is deceased; Daniel resides in New York City; Kayran makes his home in Boston.

on the Dutchess & Columbia railways; it was on the last named road that he first acted as fore- man, and he remained on that line for ten years. In 1882 Mr. Bergin went to work for the New England Railway Company, and afterward for the New York, Susquehanna & Western road, in whose employ he continued until, in August, 1884, he came to Fairfield to take charge of Sec- tion 18 of the New York, New Haven & Hart- ford railroad as foreman, in which position he he has since been retained. Mr. Bergin is a thor- oughly capable and experienced railroad man, a fact which accounts for his long service in the one employ, for the corporation which he serves has probably the best roadbed in the United States, and is particular to engage only the most competent and reliable men, especially in a posi- tion of such responsibility. His section has since been changed to No. 19.

On February 12, 1871, Mr. Bergin was united in marriage. at Amenia, N. Y., to Miss Kate Barrett, of Pine Plains, that State, who was born May 8, 1853, and grew to womanhood in Dutch- ess county. Mrs. Bergin was the only daughter in the family of five children born to John and Ann (Preston) Barrett, highly-respected residents of Dutchess county, N. Y., the former of whom was a section foreman on the Dutchess & Colum- bia railway. The only son now living is John E. I Barrett, who is roadmaster for the Lehigh & Hudson River railroad, and resides at Warwick. N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Bergin have had a large family. several of whom died in infancy; the liv- | ing are: Mary E., Daniel S. (who resides in ! Chicago, where he is an agent on the elevated road), Anna F., Katy T., Edward F. (assistant agent on the railroad at Fairfield). James R., Bessie, Maggie and Charles L. All the members of this family are industrious, useful and respect- ed by the community in which they reside, and they are children of whom any parents might well be proud. In religious connection the par- ents are members of St. Thomas Catholic Church. of Fairfield, and politically Mr. Bergin is a stanch Democrat, though he is not a politician. He is a quiet, peaceable man and a good citizen, and cumstances in which, by his own efforts, he has placed himself and family. Their home is one of the old Revolutionary residences of Fairfield.

Edward Bergin attended, the public schools in his boyhood. receiving more than the ordinary advantages for education in that day, and he lived at home with his parents until coming to this country. His older brother, Daniel, had | he deserves great credit for the comfortable cir- been to the United States and returned to Ire- land, and, when he came to this country again, Edward accompanied him, taking passage on the steamer " City of Manchester, " from Queenstown, in the latter part of April, 1860, and landing in New York City after a fourteen-days' voyage. He commeneed work almort immediately as a laborer on the Camden & Amboy railway, on which he was employed for six years, subsequent- ly working on the New York Central and later

M ISS AGNES MURRAY, who has made her home at Greenfield Hill, in Fairfield town- ship, Fairfield county, for a number of years, is the daughter of Col. James B. Murray, who dur- ing his lifetime had his summer residence there.

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The Murrays are one of the most highly con- ' Murray was a member of the Presbyterian nected New York families, and one of the oldest ' Church. The Colonel was an old-time Demo- Scotch families who came over with William the . crat in politics. Conqueror. their arms being quartered with the town arms of Selkirk, Scotland, and they are men-

Miss Agnes Murray had the advantages of the best private institutions at home and abroad, tioned by Sir Walter Scott in his .. Minstrelsy of . attending school in this country and in Paris, and the Scottish Border. " The family still retains receiving all the benefits to be derived from ex- the privilege of hunting in the Royal forests. i tensive travel, and is a lady of thorough educa- Miss Murray's grandfather, John B. Murray, was born in England, was highly educated and settled in New York City, where he was a wealthy mer- chant and vessel owner, at one time having and owning fourteen vessels in the Mediterranean. . His first cousin was the prebendary of St. Paul's Cathedral. London: another cousin was the Mas- ter of the Rolls. in London, having charge of the Queen's will. the contents of which it is death to disclose. tion and culture. She has crossed the ocean ten times. Miss Murray has many personal friends among New York's best families, but within a short time after her father's decease she took up her home permanently at Greenfield Hill, re- specting the wish of her mother that some mem- ber of the family should occupy the old home there. Her parents entertained some noted guests at this pleasant home, among others, some of England's highest nobility, one of the govern-

James B. Murray was a native of Alexandria, . ors of the Bank of England, and many persons Va. He received a thorough education, and at ' of national reputation.

the age of twenty-one was a Spanish consul at New York. where he resided for many years. He was an officer in the war of 1812. during which he was sent to England with despatches for the Russian government, the Emperor of Rus- sia having offered to mediate between England and America with a view of settling the war. He was captured in England, being taken for a spy, but was released after three weeks' imprison- ment, when his mission was proved. Being pos- sessed of ample means Colonel Murray lived a life of enjoyable leisure, traveled abroad contin- ually, and had his summer residence at Green- . field Hill, Conn .. in the home now occupied by his daughter. The family moved in the most 1 exclusive circles in New York society, and Mr. - - Murray numbered many noted men among his personal friends. one of them being Washington . Irving. with whom he made many long voyages to Europe in sailing ships, before steamships ex- ' isted.

W ILLIAM S. CRAFT is one of the prosper- ous business men and land owners of Greenwich township, Fairfield county. He was born September 19, 1842, on the farm where he makes his home. He is a son of William H. and Ann E. (Strang) Craft, who were highly respected residents of this neighborhood. The mother lived on this farm at the time of her marriage.

The Craft family is of German origin. Sam- uel, the grandfather of William S., lived in Har- rison township. Westchester Co., N. Y., where he carried on farming. In his family were five sons: Joseph, Samuel. Jonas, Tompkins and William H .; and one daughter, Ann, Mrs. Jonas Halstead, of Genesee county, N. Y., who is the only survivor. All the sons except William H. migrated to what in that early day was called the West, settling in Genesee county, N. Y., where Joseph had bought 160 acres of primitive land. and removed on it before the Erie canal was

Colonel Murray married Miss Maria Bronson, a native of New York City and a member of one . completed.

of its best famihes, she being a daughter of Isaac William H. Craft was born December 28. 1818. on the paternal farm in Harrison township. Westchester Co., N. Y., where he was reared to manhood. When sixteen years old he com- menced to learn the carpenter's trade under Silas Brundage, in King Street, in Greenwich, Fair- field Co., Conn .. and followed same for a num- ber of years, when he abandoned it to go into the meat and vegetable business on his own account, opening a store in Glenville. He continued this during the remainder of his active business life, making his home in Glenville. For Bronson, who was a surgeon in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war. To this union were born seven children, viz .: Maria, de- ceased, who married Cambridge Livingston; Bronson, living in Fifty-second street. New York City; John, who died in New York: Caroline, who died in Paris, France, unmarried; Washing- ton, deceased in New York; Agnes; and Anna B., Mrs. William Parsons Winchester Dana, liv- ing in Paris. The father of this family passed away in his New York home at the advanced age of seventy-six years, the mother when over fifty, I ten years (including the period of the Civil war) and both lie buried at Greenfield Hill. Mrs. I he held a contract for the trucking business of the

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 166

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