Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 173

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

USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut > Part 173

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On November 4. 1869, Mr. Whitney was mar- ned at Stamford to Miss Antoinette H. Lockwood. a daughter of John Lockwood, of that place, and the union has been blessed with one child, Ed- ward Percival, who was born at Stamford. For his life work he chose dentistry, and entered the when Stamford was a borough. Religiously. he

and, socially, he is connected with the Order of married, this time to Lina Opie, at Elizabeth, N. ' American Mechanics Lodge, No. 79; Housatonic J .: she died June, 1894. leaving a son-Louis ,

Grange No. 67; the I. O. O. F., Oronoque Opie. Politically, Mr. Whitney is a Democrat, | Lodge No. 90, and the Daughters of Rebekah, and served two terms as member of the council ! Evening Star Lodge No. 22, at Stratford. For

many years he has been an active member of is a member of the St. Andrews Episcopal Church. | the Congregational Church, being a member of I the choir and chairman of the music committee. and for some time he served as president of the C HARLES W. BLAKESLEE. Few residents ' Christian Endeavor Society. He has always been an advocate of progress in various lines. and at present he is the superintendent of the Congregational Cemetery Association, and an

of Stratford, outside of public life, are as well known as this enterprising and successful contractor, who has now been connected with the mason's trade there longer than any other ; officer in the village Improvement Company. builder. As a citizen he is held in high esteem, and he is prominent in social and religious circles, being identified with vanous organizations in which his genial manners. his mental gifts and his talent have made him a leader.

Mr. Blakeslee's ancestors settled at an early day in the vicinity of Plymouth. ( onn., where his father, Asaph H. Blakeslee, was born and reared, and for many years followed the cooper's trade, his death occurring there in 1883. Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Emily Churchill, is still living. She was born at Camp- ville. Litchfield Co., Conn .. in 1814. daughter of Witham Churchill, a prominent citizen of that town. Eight children were born to Asaph and Emily Blakeslee, of whom two died in infancy; Arthur R. is a retired agriculturist in the town of Milford, New Haven county; John is a farmer in the town of Stratford, this county; Charles W. is mentioned more fully below: Henry (deceased) |

Dennis Finlan, father of our subject, was born, lived and died in Ireland, where he followed farming. By his wife, Catherine (Brophy), he had a family of thirteen children, six of whom are yet living. three of them coming to the United States as follows: Peter is with his brother Ed- ward; Josephine is married to Patrick Morrissey, a grocery and saloon keeper; and Edward.

Our subject received his education at the parish schools of his native place, and remained with his parents until he was eighteen years old, at which time. in 1868. he came to the United States, landing at New York City. For some

was a mason by trade, and served as a soldier i time he worked in Brooklyn, and then. in 1869, during the Civil war; Edmund died in early man- | he removed to Bridgeport, where he found em-

hood; and Julia married Horace Whitlesey, of New Haven.

: ployment in Wheeler & Wilson's factory until 1875. in that year establishing his present grocery and liquor business at No. 56 Washington ave-

Our subject was born April 8, 1842, in Plym- outh, Conn., but his youth was mainly spent | nue. In 1886 he removed to Nos. 59-61, same 54

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E ADWARD FINLAN. proprietor of a grocery, liquor and wholesale beer business in Bridge- port, of which city he has been a resident some thirty years, is a native of Ireland, born April 11, 1850. in County Carlow.

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avenue, and in 1888 he added a wholesale beer trade, in all of which he has met with well- merited success.

In 1873 Mr. Finlan was, united in marriage with Miss Kate Mclaughlin, also a native of Ireland, and nine children were born to them, five of whom are living, viz .: Kate, Margaret, Josephine, Jennie and John. The mother of these passed from earth in 1884, and in 1886 our subject wedded Mrs. Sarah Poland, of Bridge- port, a daughter of John Laverty, an old resi- dent of that city, and of Irish descent. Three children graced this union, only one of whom survives, Anna. The mother died in April, 1892.

In religious faith Mr. Finlan is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, to which he con- tributes freely of his means; socially, he is affili- ated with the Knights of Columbus, and the Catholic Legion; in politics he is a Democrat. His genial, pleasant manner has made him quite popular in both business and social circles, and as a public-spirited, enterprising man. he is rec- ognized as a valued citizen of the community.

TOHN W. ECKEL, a well-known resident of Bridgeport, is not only prominent in busi- ness circles, but he has been for many years a "power behind the throne " in political move- ments in his locality. His efforts for the success of the Democratic party are not conditioned, however, upon official rewards, as he has, so far, kept his name from the ticket.

Mr. Eckel is a native of the United States, born of German ancestry, his family having orig- inated in Bavaria. John Eckel, the grandfather of our subject, was a successful merchant in the Fatherland, and during the Napoleonic wars he served as an officer in the French army. Late in life he came to America, and his last days were spent in retirement in Newark, N. J. He and his wife, Apolinia (Schwartz), reared a fam- ily of seven children-four daughters and three sons-the sons being: John. our subject's father; Adam, who was a whaler by occupation, and when last heard from, many years ago, was at the Sandwich Islands; Fred died at New Orleans of vellow fever.

John Eckel, the father of our subject, was born in 1818. in Bavaria, and in the fall of 1834 came to the United States. Soon after his arri- val he applied for naturalization at Newark, N. J., and his papers, which are dated October 22, 1840, are now among our subject's most cherished possessions. John Eckel was educated in the schools of Bavaria, and after locating at Newark, N. J., he served an apprenticeship to

the saddler's trade, which he followed as a jour- neyman until 1860, removing in 1850 to Bridge- port. In 1860 he established a saloon at No. 849 Main street, Bridgeport. Conn., which he named the "Bull's Head," from the fact that it became a favorite resort with cat- tlemen. This business he continued until his death, which occurred June 5. 1871, at Bridgeport, and his remains now repose in Mountain Grove cemetery. He took keen inter- est in all public questions, being first a Whig and later a Democrat, but aside from voting regularly he did not actively assist his party. While he was unostentatious in manner and avoided pub- licity, he was much esteemed among his asso- ciates and was a member of several German societies. His business success was achieved through close and persistent application, and he was noted for his strict integrity, his word being considered as good as his bond. In 1843 he was married in Newark, N. J., to Miss Henrietta Horstmann, who was born June 14, 1825. in Hanover, and came to America in 1838 with her parents, William and Margaret Horstmann, She now resides with our subject. Of the four chil- dren of this union, the eldest, Henrietta, who married William Lieberum, died in Bridgeport; John W., our subject, was the second in order of birth; Eliza married Conrad Mueller, and died in Bridgeport; and Rosa. who also died in that city, was formerly the wife of F. W. Zingsem.

Our subject was born August 19, 1847. in Newark, N. J., and was three years old when his parents came to Bridgeport, where he re- ceived a public-school education. In 1864 he entered the employ of Wood Brothers, serving an apprenticeship as a body-maker in their car- riage factory at $50 per year. As the only son he took charge of his father's business after the death of the latter in 1871, and he has since conducted the saloon successfully at the old establishment, which is now one of the oldest of the kind in the city, and has the reputation of being orderly in every respect. He owns some valuable real estate in the locality. and as a citi- zen is public spirited, taking an active part in beneficial movements. His genial disposition and generosity have won for him a host of friends, and he never refuses to help an acquaint- ance in time of need. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat. and although he has never sought of- fice his friends and enemies alike have felt the effects of his work and influence in partisan af- fairs He is a member of Mythra Lodge No. 8, K. of P., also of the I. O. O. F., Lessing Lodge No. 94, and he has always been active in the

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

work of the local fire companies. At the time of the great parade in 1883 he was foreman of Pacific Engine Company, and in the days of the volunteer hre brigades he served for years as a !

In 1871 Mr. Eckel married Miss Emma Eb- erhardt, daughter of Ulrich Eberhardt. of New- ark, N. J .. and a member of a wealthy family of that locality. her relatives being extensively en- Kaged in manufacturing. Six children have blessed this union: Henry, formerly in business with our subject, died at the age of twenty-four; Henrietta died in infancy: Rosalind, John J. and Josephine and Susannah are at home. The fam- ily is identified with the German Reformed Church, of which Mrs. Eckel is an active mem- ber.

0 RVILLE B. BURTON is a representative of the fourth generation of the family of Burton that have been born in the town of Trumbull. Fairfield Co., Conn. Benjamin Burton, Jr., his father, was the son of Eli P. Burton, the son of Benjamin Burton, Sr.

Benjamin Burton, Jr., passed his entire life in Trumbull, engaging in farming at Trumbull Center. The Puritan blood of his ancestors showed itself in his strict adherence to the tenets of the Congregational Church. In politics he was an earnest Whig, and in all matters of public welfare he took an active part. He served as captain of the local military company for many years. In music he found rest from his daily labors, and was a good performer on the bass viol, which he played in Church until the introduction

J OHN F. HINCKLEY, a well-known grocer in Bridgeport, conducts an establishment on

the corner of Barnum and Seaview avenue, 1 where he has built up an extensive and lucrative | of an organ. He married Harriett Plumb, and

business, his stock including a fine supply of liquors.

Mr. Hinckley was born September 24. 1850, in Preston, Conn., a son of John H. and Ida F. (Tubbs) Hinckley. both now deceased. William Hinckley, our subject's paternal grandfather, was a native of Manchester, England, and came to

John H. Hinckley, the father of our subject, was born at Preston, and became an engineer by trade. His wife, who was also of English ances- try, was a native of Greenville. Conn. Of their six children the following lived to adult age: Ida, who married William T. Howes, a coal dealer in Bridgeport; John F., our subject: Frank, engin- ter in the Wheeler & Howe coal yard at Bridge- port ; and Ella, wife of Lawrence Baker, of the same city.

Mr. Burton is very public spirited, and has Our subject was four years old when he came , always found time to keep well informed on to Bridgeport, and his education was acquired in the schools of that city. As a young man he was employed for some time by the Wheeler & Wil-

matters of general interest. He is an active worker in the Republican party. In 1895 he was appointed clerk, registrar and treasurer of son Manufacturing Company, and later he en- i the town to fill the unexpired term of the former fered the service of the Bridgeport Street Rail- ' incumbent. In 1896 he was elected town clerk i and treasurer for one year, and in 1897 was elected for two years. For many years he served road Company, with which he remained twenty- one years, working his way up from the position of driver to that of superintendent. In August, ' as clerk of the Congregational Church, of which 1894. he opened his present grocery and liquor | he is a faithful member, as is also Mrs. Burton.

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i to them were born children as follows: Caroline. the deceased wife of Oragne Plumb; Eli, of Trumbull. who wedded Mary Brewer; Lorena, wife of Ahaz Bradley, of Riverhead, Long Island; Rollin, who died while in service during the Civil war, and our subject.

Orville B. Burton was born October 22, 1853. America in early manhood. locating at Preston, ; and passed his boyhood in his native town. His where he followed farming as an occupation. . education was obtained by an attendance at the ¡ public schools, and right well did he take advan- tage of what opportunity he had. In the summer he worked on the farm, and there acquired the knowledge of agricultural work that was the 1 foundation of his later success. When about twelve years of age he began market gardening, : and for thirty years he followed this industry. 1 In 1895 he began the dairy business, and is now following that with small profit.

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store, and from the first he met with gratifying success. Politically, he is a Democrat, and in re- ligion he inclines to the Methodist faith, in which he was reared. He married Miss Esther Lynch, member of Fountain Hose Company No. 3. He i daughter of John Lynch, of Bridgeport, and has has a fine collection of badges, presented to him at various times by that company, and he prizes them highly. not only as testimonials of his own effective service, but as reminders of the gallant men with whom he was so long a comrade.

had two children: Ellen Frances, wife of Will- iam H. Skinner, of Bridgeport, and John H., who is at home.

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Since twelve years of age Mr. Burton has been one of the choristers in that Church. being a | unfailing, and this, combined with unquestioned tenor singer of some renown. Mrs. Burton is a fine alto singer, and she and her husband com- pose part of a quartet choir.

On November 25. 1879, Mr. Burton was united in marriage with Miss C. Rosabelle Hurd, a daughter of Harvey Hurd, of Huntington, this county, and their home has been gladdened by one daughter, Melissa.

N NEHEMIAH JENNINGS. In every com- > and the post office is located in the same build- munity some man of more than ordinary ing. In addition to his other cares Mr. Jennings is agent for the Columbia bicycle, and is inter- ested in real estate, in which he has been very in his hands at various times. enterprise and acumen develops his chosen line of business so ably that it assumes pre-eminence over others, and in the thriving little city of | successful, some valuable property having been Southport this position is occupied by the meat business as built up by the subject of this sketch, the well-known proprietor of the Union Market, corner of Main and Water streets. In volume of business done and territory covered it compares well with any establishment of the kind in the State, the regular patronage extending from Bridgeport on the east to New York City on the west, while three wagons supply a large miscel- laneous trade throughout that region. As a citi- zen Mr. Jennings is much esteemed, and he is not only prominent in business circles in con- nection with this and other enterprises, but has been in political life: of late he has given en- tire attention to his private business, serving, however, as postmaster of Southport.

Mr. Jennings was born in Fairfield township, January 1, 1842, the son of Nehemiah Jennings and his second wife, Abby Platt Saunders, who are mentioned more fully elsewhere. He was reared to farm work in the good old-fashioned way, and as he was among the youngest of a large family the " chores " occupied much of his time. His educational opportunities were re- stricted to the local schools, but as a mere lad he displayed marked ability and energy in busi- ness lines, the necessity of having to make his own living having been impressed upon him at M TOSES H. GLOVER, the popular shoe dealer at Nos. 40-42 Wall street, Norwalk, was born in that city July 15, 1846, a son of | Henry Glover. an early age. In 1859. when but seventeen years old, he invested his hard earnings, from various sources. in the meat business, opening a The Glover family are of English descent, and for several generations have lived in the town i of Reading, this county. Lemuel Glover, the grandfather of our subject, was a hotel-keeper in that town, and his son Henry there grew to man- : hood and learned the shoemaker's trade. Henry Glover married Laura Sherwood, a descendant from a prominent Colonial family of Scotch extraction. After their marriage they came, market in Southport. which he has ever since continued successfully, at one time also conduct- ing a branch in Stamford. His management is thoroughly progressive, any improvement which occurs to his alert and practical mind being promptly introduced. and his personal attention is given to all branches of the work, his familiar- ' ity with every detail making it possible for him to turn his hand, if he chooses, to any task which ! about 1840, to Norwalk and settled on a farm,

his six employes have in hand. His courtesy is integrity in his dealings with his customers, has won for him the confidence and friendship of the people in a marked degree. His large and varied stock enables him to suit the tastes of any cus- ! tomer, and as orders are filled with the utmost care the busy housewife can supply her table sat- isfactorily without making a visit to the market. while the extent of the business done permits a | low range of prices. The store, which is elegant- ly finished in hard wood, is 25 x 50 feet in size,

Politically. Mr. Jennings is an Independent, although his views are probably more in harmony with the Democratic party than any other. His business interests have not prevented him from taking an influential part in local affairs; he has served as a member of the school committee, and spent two terms as deputy sheriff, resigning the latter position to take charge of the post office at Southport. His service, which began in 1886 under President Cleveland's first administration, has been so efficient that, without solicitation on his part, he has been continued in office ever since. ' Mr. Jennings, like the rest of us, has one hobby, and in his case it is a fondness for good horses. He has owned several noted animals in the past, and among the horses required in his business he has some excellent stock. His home is one of the most attractive in Southport, and he and his wife, formerly Miss Jane A. Banks, are prominent in the social life of their city. They have two sons, Walter H., assistant post- master, and Harry B., both being connected with their father's business.

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though Mr. Glover worked at his trade also. A

family of four children were born to them: Charles L., a grocer at Norwalk: Moses H. our subject : Carne, deceased; and Isabel. the wife of Frederick Buckley, rubber manufacturer of Nor- walk. The father of this family was a Democrat. He died March 28. 189%. The mother passed away January 24. 1890.

Moses H. Glover attended the public schools - in Norwalk until he was sixteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith trade, which he followed for about four years. : a Congregationalist. His estimable wife, who and then he entered the grocery store of his father. With the latter be formed a co-partner- ship under the firm name of H. Glover & Son, which lasted until September, 1884. when our subject sold out his interest in the firm to his brother Charles, and entered into a co-partner- ; ship with Theodore H. Olsen, to carry on a retail boot and shoe business under the firm name of ' Glover & Olsen. They conducted two stores, i one in South Norwalk and one here. The busi- Sterling H. Booth was born September 29. 1842. at his present homestead, and his educa- tion was begun in the schools of that neighbor- hood Later he attended Day's Institute, at Golden Hill, making such good use of his oppor- tunities that he was qualified at an early age to ness was continued under this management until July 1. 1894. when the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Glover continued the business alone. His careful, honorable dealings, and his superior stock of goods, have tended to make this one of the most popular as his busness ability has made . engage in the work of teaching. During his long it one of the most successful in the line in the county.

On June 20, 1876. Mr. Glover was united in marriage with May A. Gregory, who was born in Norwalk, a daughter of Seth K. Gregory. In his political affiliations Mr. Giover seeks the men ! and principles, rather than lund himself to party. . In his social relations he is a member of the F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. He is a public-spirited, progressive man, and has won his success in this hte through his own unaided efforts. He is a director in the Fairfield County National Bank, also in the Norwalk Savings Society. His store is a model of its kind. and is one of the finest in Norwalk, as is also his store in South Norwalk. There are few more popular men in any com- munity than Moses H. Glover

S TERLING HENRY BOOTH. of Trumbull. has been engaged in business for some time as a wholesale dealer in milk, but is better known through his able and successful work as an edu- cator. extending over a period of thirty years.

children: John M , Lucinda L. (Mrs Dr. George Dyer), and Marshall P., none of whom are now living. The father of these died September 20, 1833. at the age of forty-five years.

The late John M. Booth, our subject's father. was born in White Plains District, town of Trum- bull, and was educated in the local schools and at the academy in Fairfield. On leaving school he engaged in farming, which occupation he fol- lowed until his death in 1888. In politics he was a Democrat, while in religious faith he was survives him, united with the Congregational Church in 1832, and is now the oldest living member. Her maiden name was Mary Sterling. and her father was Philip Sterling, a prominent resident of Trumbull. To Mr. and Mrs. John M. Booth were born four children: Sterling Henry; Frances E., widow of the late R. H. Sherwood; Ann Augusta. deceased; and Mary Louisa, who married Frank H. Dibble.

connection with that profession he has taught at various times in Huntington, Bridgeport, Trum- bull and Fairfield, winning an excellent reputa- ' tion. For two years in early life he was em- ployed in a shirt factory in Bridgeport, but he has always been more or less engaged in farming. and for some time has devoted his attention to wholesaling milk. He has never married. He I is much esteemed socially, and for years has been I a leading member of the Congregational Church. He is active and influential in local politics as a member of the Democratic party, and among the offices which he has held are those of town audit- , or, justice of the peace, grand juror, and assess- i or. in which he served three years. His inter- est in educational progress has been shown in many ways, and for years he has been a member of the board of school visitors, while at present he is chairman of the school committee of his township.

D AYTON BROS., SILAS S. AND JAMES H. DAYTON, are widely known over Greenwich township. Fairfield county, as extensive dairy- men and farmers of Stanwich, and belong to any community has a right to feel proud. The

Mr. Booth is a member of one of the oldest families of the town of Trumbull, and his grand- father. Philo Booth, Jr., was a well-known farm- . that ciass of upright, thrifty citizens of which er there. This worthy pioneer married Anna beach, of Daniels Farms, and they had three . Dayton family is one of the oldest in New Eng-

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land, having been founded in this country in 1640, when two brothers, Ralph and Robert Dayton, settled in Long Island and East Hamp- ton, respectively.

Gilbert Dayton, grandfather of the gentlemen whose names introduce these lines, was born in 1766, and died in 1825. He was twice married, I tended the Friends Church, and in political the first time, in 1786, to Ruth Cunningham, | faith he was a stanch Democrat.

who was born in 1764, and became the mother of four children, born as follows: Abigail, Feb-

until the last years of his life. When seventy- ! eight years old he put on skates, and went skat- ing, just to prove that he could do so, and he seemed to be one of those men who never really grow old, retaining his jovial disposition : and wonderful memory to the end. He at-

Silas S. and James H. Dayton were born in | King Street, Greenwich, and have been engaged

Charles, February 21, 1791 ; and Ruth, July 16, ruary 5, 1787; Elizabeth, May 14, 1788; | in farming all their lives, at first for their father | and then on their own account. They own 125

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 173

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