Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 178

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

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Miss Olivia Palmer, daughter of Wright Palmer, and (second) Miss Maggie Barrington; he had two children by his first wife: Fannie O., who died in March, 1896, at the age of eleven years, and Louisa.

The boyhood of our subject was spent partly in his native county, his parents residing for a time in the town of Kent, and then in the town of Patterson. When he was about four years of age they located at New Fairfield, Fairfield Co., Conn., where he received his education in the public schools and in a private school conducted by Levi Treadwell, now president of the Union Savings Bank of Danbury. The work of the home farm occupied Mr. Williams' spare time until he was twenty-one, when he found employ- ment in a wagon shop, and a year later he began to work at the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed some ten years. In 1874 he married his first wife, Miss Melinda Barrett, a daughter of Peter and Mary (Sprague) Barrett, and soon afterward he purchased his present farm, where he has since been engaged .in agricultural pur- suits. He raises general crops, but for many years he made a specialty of tobacco growing. while at another time he was interested in dairy work, keeping about ten cows. His farm is bounded on the north by the lands of Widow Rachel Hull and Levi Peck; on the east by those of Levi Peck and Isaac Haviland; on the south by the Bradley property, and on the West by the estates of John Robinson and Leopold Jacobs.

In 1888 his first wife passed to the unseen world leaving no children, and in 1893 he mar- ried Miss Annie A. Conklin, a daughter of Joseph G. and Martha E. (Adams) Conklin, of the town of Kent, Putnam county, N. Y. Her paternal grandfather was William Conklin, who married Maria Barrett, daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Tompkins) Barrett. On her mother's side Mrs. Williams is a granddaughter of Daniel and Mary (Barrett) Adams, and a great-granddaughter of Asa and Elizabeth (Hunt) Adams. Mr. Williams and his wife have four children: Martha, who died in childhood; Martha I .. Lillian M. and Oscar H., who are at home. The family attend the Baptist Church at Kent Cliff, of which Mrs. [ Williams is a member. Politically, Mr. Williams is a Republican, but he has never been especially active in party work.

is prominent, and before he attained his majority his fellow-citizens began electing him to office- an excellent habit which is still continued.

Mr. Northrop is a descendant of Joseph Northrup, a pioneer settler at Milford, Conn., and was born November 9, 1862, in Newtown, a son of William N. Northrop. His education was obtained mainly at the Newtown Academy, where he practically completed the course, and at the age of seventeen he was qualified to teach. For one year he had charge of a school in the Head of the Meadow District, but he afterward devot- ed some time to assisting in the management of the homestead. Being an ardent Democrat, and possessing both ability and inclination for public affairs, he soon attracted attention among the local managers of the party, and when only nineteen was chosen the school committee for his district. In 1889 he was elected as a mem- ber of the board of education for Newtown, a po- sition which he has ever since held by three-year re-elections, and during this time he has served continuously as secretary of that body.

He remained upon the farm until June, 1893. when he was appointed postmaster of Newtown by Postmaster-General Bissell. under the admin- istration of President Cleveland. This office he held four years. At the time of the organization of the Bee Publishing Company Mr. Northrop was one of the incorporators, and served two vears as secretary, while at present he is a stock- holder.

Mr. Northrop is popular socially, and is an active member of the Grange, of which he was secretary in 1896, and is now lecturer; is also affiliated with the Knights of Honor, having some time ago joined Lodge No. 3720. of Newtown. now consolidated with Lodge No. 3159, of Bethel. He belongs to the Congregational Church of Newtown, and at present is secretary of that So- ciety.

E T. DOOLITTLE. The Doolittle family. which has long been prominent in this sec- tion, is of English origin, and the subject of this biography, a leading business man of Bridgeport, is of the fifth generation in descent from Abraham Doolittle, who came from England at an early period and was in New Haven, Conn., prior to 1642. His brother, John, who accompanied him from England, left no children, but Abraham had one son, Daniel, and there has been a Daniel

Daniel Doolittle, our subject's grandfather, J TOHN J. NORTHROP is one of the success- | in the family in direct line to the fifth generation. ful business men of Newtown, and is identi- fied with various enterprises, including the / was born in Wallingford, and his life was spent Bee Publishing Company. In political affairs he | upon a farm there. He married, and had nine-

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teen children, named as follows: Giles, Johnson, ' in the past. He is an active member of the Sarah. Daniel. Michel. Rebecca. Nathan, Abi- , gal. Rhoda, Isaac, Polly, John, Stephen, Lois, | Lodge No. 104, F. & A. M., and to Jerusalem Elizabeth, Abram, Hannah, Jacob and Ruth.

Jacob Doolittle, the father of our subject, was / born in Wallingford July 13. 1796, and became a farmer in North Haven, Conn., where he died June 22. 1850 His wife, Esther Tuttle, who died August 21. 1892, at the advanced age of | ninety-three. was born in North Haven, February 3. 1,99. a daughter of Samoel Tuttle, also a

Masonic Fraternity, belonging to Corinthian Chapter, R. A. M.

N ICHOLAS McKEON. a well-known citizen of Bridgeport. was born in Derby, Conn .. March 24. 1850, and is of Irish descent in both paternal and maternal lines. Peter Mckeon, his I father, was a native of County Louth, Ireland, native of that town. Of the four children of this i and came to Connecticut, in early manhood be- umon, the eldest. George W., born March 21, i ing employed for some time in the construction 1825. is a farmer in North Haven, and for some i of the New York and New Haven railroad. Later ume was engaged in business as a blacksmith ! he started the first grocery and liquor store es- and tool-maker: Willis E., born March 29. 1827, I tablished in Derby, and while making a success died in 1829. E. T., our subiect. is mentioned more fully below; and Esther E . born February 21. 1834. died in infancy.

of this enterprise he also carried on an extensive i business as a contractor, the moving of houses I being his specialty. He died at Ansonia in Jan- i vary, 1892. His wife. Mary (Coss), who died in 1867, was a native of Queens County, Ireland, a

E. T. Doolittle was born August 28, 1831. in North Haven, and was feared upon the old farm. 1 his education being secured in the schools of | daughter of Nicholas Coss, who came to America that locality. At the age of sixteen he went to I many years ago. Of the ten children born to 1 Mary and Peter Mckeon, five are now living. our subject being the eldest: Catherine married P. J. Melvin, of Bethel, this county: Peter resides in Bridgeport; Thomas, who is engaged in rail- road building as a section boss, is in the West ; and Henry is seeking his fortune in the Klondike region. New Britain, Conn .. to learn the jewelers trade, which he followed for fifteen years. In 1862 he was employed in Sharps ntie factory in Hart- ford, and in 1865 he took a position in Pratt & Whitney's machine shop. In 1807 he removed to Bridgeport, and for twelve years was in the employ of Samuel E. Todd, who was engaged in the cement, pipe and sewer business. In 1879 since conducted it alone, occupying hrst a shop

Our subject's early life was mainly spent in Mr. Doolittle purchased the business, and he has | Ansonia, where he obtained a common-school [ education. On leaving school he found employ- on Gilbert street, thence in 1802 removing to his | ment in H. C. Miles' grocery and dry-goods store present location. Nos. 10-12-14- 16 Cowles street, [ in Ansoma for a year and a half, and for the East end, near Stratford avenue. He owns an extensive business as a contractor for construct- ing sewers, laying drains, digging wells, cement- ing floors and similar work, and has a large trade in ornamental chimney tops, well curbs, and hydraulic cement pipes, of which he makes a specialty. I same length of time was in W. & L. Hotchkiss' lumber yard. He then entered the employ of his father ( who had a contract for railroad work), and spent one year near Derby driving piles for a new railroad. For thirteen years he was em- ployed as train hand on various roads, but in March, 1881. he settled in Bridgeport and en- i gaged in the liquor business at the corner of Green and Walter streets. After three years he removed to No. 437 Water street, and from the i first he has enjoyed an extensive and profitable trade.

On February 12. 1854. Mr. Doolittle married Miss Mary E. Hamlin, a descendant of a pioneer ! family, and who was born in Farmington, Conn., daughter of Daniel D. and Julia ( Mallory) Ham- hin. well-known residents of Middlebury, Conn. | Five children have blessed this union: William E .. who died in infancy; Carlos E., who is in business with his father; Julia E., wife of William J. Martin. of Bridgeport; Walter J., who is in- terested in his father's business; and Cora A. The family is prominent socially, and is identi- fied with the Congregational Church, of which our subject's ancestors were devout members. Politically, Mr. Doolittle is an Independent, al- though he has usually voted the Democratic ticket

On August 24. 1881, Mr. Mckeon married Miss Anna Lavey, a native of Newtown, a daugh- ter of Peter Lavey, who was born in Ireland. Three children have blessed this union: Mary, Henry C. and Frances N. The family is con- nected with the Catholic Church at Bridgeport, and Mr. Mckeon is affiliated with several fra- ternal orders, including the Order of Foresters of America and the Knights of Columbus. In pol- itics he is identified with the Democratic party.

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TEREMIAH C. KLINEFELTER is a success- ful business man of Darien, where he has built up a substantial trade in ice. the enter- prise being one of the largest of the kind in that city. He was born March 3, 1839, in York county, Penn .. and was reared to habits of in- dustry by his father, Abraham Klinefelter, who was a farmer and tanner by occupation. Abra- ham Klinefelter was a native of the Keystone State, and for many years was regarded as a leading citizen of York county, his advice being constantly sought on political affairs in his local- ity. He died in 1872; his widow, Eliza (Rhule), who was also a native of Pennsylvania, is still living at the advanced age of seventy-nine, and enjoys excellent health. They had seven chil- dren: Julia, widow of Charles Sechrist; Jere- miah C., our subject; Miss Catherine; Margaret, wife of William Walmsley; Susan. wife of Will- iam Gilbert; Joseph K. and Daniel.

Mr. Klinefelter's educational advantages were not of the best, as the work on the farm and in the tannery interfered greatly with his attend- ance at the local schools, but he made good use of the opportunities that fell in his way. At the age of twenty he went to New York City, and found employment on the 86th street reservoir, where he worked from August, 1859, to April, 1860. He then went to Lewisboro. N. Y., and remained until 1862, when he concluded to offer his services to the Government in response to the call for nine-months men in the army. He en- listed at Ridgefield, this county. in Company G, 23rd Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, and served a full year before receiving his discharge. The next few years he spent in Lewisboro, N. Y., but in 1868 he removed to Stamford, this county, and engaged in business, remaining about four years, and for the six years following he devoted his attention to farming in the town of Darien. He then engaged in contracting: four years later he purchased his present estate, and began in a small way in the ice business. At first he had but one ice wagon, but as trade increased he has enlarged his facilities until he now employs ten men all the year round, and during the busy sea- son has from twenty-five to thirty men at work. He keeps two delivery wagons on the road all the time, and twelve or thirteen wagons are re- quired during a part of the year. He is an alert, "wide-awake " business man, and his pros- perity may be attributed to the fact that he does not allow opportunities to go by default.

In November, 1869, Mr. Klinefelter married Anna Minerva Rusco Hartson, of Fairfield county, | uring Company, which he filled acceptably and they have had two daughters: Kathryn, and Florina, wife of Dr. O. G. Palmer, V. S., of Stam-

ford. Mr. Klinefelter is not a member of any Church, although he gives generously to the sup- port of all denominations, but his wife and daugh- ters belong to the Baptist Church at Stamford. He is identified with various fraternal orders, in- cluding the K. of P .; the Order of American Me- chanics; the Knights of the Maccabees; the Royal Arcanum; the New England Order of Protection; and the I. O. O. F., in which he has attained the Encampment and Uniform degrees. He cher- ishes an abiding faith in the principles of the Re- publican party, but except for five years of serv- ice as a selectman in his town, he has never entered the political arena.

ISAAC H. BAKER, one of Stamford's most ! highly esteemed citizens, is a man whose quiet and unassuming disposition makes him dis- inclined to seek public notice, but during his residence in that city, he has won many friends by his excellent qualities of character.

Mr. Baker comes of a good old Pilgrim or Peregrine family, his ancestors having settled in New Jersey several generations ago. His grand- father, James Baker, was born at Salem, N. J .. and throughout his life resided in that vicinity following farming as an occupation, his death occurring there in 1862, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-two years. The grandmother died comparatively young. The late John F. Baker, our subject's father, was born at Salem, January 16, 1816, and continued to reside there until his death on February 4. 1895. In early life he followed the occupation of waterman, being captain of a vessel, but later he engaged in agriculture. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Maull, died in 1886, and of their five children only two are now living. viz .: Isaac H. (our subject); and Samuel M., a resident of Camden, New Jersey.

Our subject's birth occurred June 27, 1848. at the old home in Salem, N. J., and he received his education in the public schools of that city. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority. when he engaged in the steamboat business on the Delaware river. Later he spent a few years in the West, and on his return he began the study of the science of steam and me- chanical engineering. After one year of prepara- tory work he was employed as an engineer at Wilmington, Del., and in October, 1884, he came to Stamford to take the position of I engineer with the Yale & Towne Manufact- for eight years, at the end of that time retiring. Mr. Baker now devotes his time to looking after

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

his real estate, owning considerable property in Frances A. Watkins, daughter of William A. Watkins, of New York. Six children blessed this union: Frederick D. (who is now in busi- ness in New York City). Elsie G., Grace E. and Chfford W., living; and Editha and Archer E .. both deceased. the latter of whom died when a young man just entering Yale College. Mr. Street I and his wife are leading members of St. Luke's . Episcopal Church at Darien, in which he has held offices as warden and vestryman for a quar - and about Stamford. He has never taken an active part in politics, but socially he is identi- hed with various fraternal Orders, including the I O. O. F .. Washington Lodge No. 21, and the F. & A. M. Excelsior Lodge No 54. both at ' Salem, N. J. He was also a charter member of the Stationary Engineers Association, of Wil- mington, Del., being twice president and twice their deierate -- first in New York, where the National Association of Engineers was first in- Iter of a century. The family is prominent so- stituted in October, 1882, and again in Chicago, I cially, and Mr. Street is a member of several on October 5. 1883. when he became a member i clubs in the metropolis. Politically, he inclines of the National Association of Stationary Engin- cets

toward the Democratic faith, but he is not a , radical partisan.

On July 18. 1888. Mr. Baker was married in Stamford to Miss Sarah A. Brown, daughter of Phimp H. Brown, and sister of Mortimer S. Brown, well-known residents of Stamford. She was one of the leading workers in the Congrega-

G EORGE H. SOULE is a member of the firm of Lounsbury & Soule, of Stamford, Fairfield Co .. Conn., who do a good business in tional Church at Stamford for thirty-four years, I the manufacture of ladies' and children's shoes.

and is highly respected for her ability and worth. Of late years she has been identified with the Presbyterian Church. No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Baker. Their home is incated at the corner of Richmond Hill and Greenwich avenue

' His parents. Thomas Jefferson and Mary A. (Gilbert) Soule. were both natives of Waterville. Mame, where the father was a prominent con- tractor and builder. They had a family of nine children, four of whom are now living. viz. : ' Charles S , in Chicago; William G., in Portland. Maine: Horatio M .. in Waterville. Maine: and George H., whose name introduces this article.

W ILLIAM E. STREET. a prominent resi- George H. Soule was born July 19, 1846, at cated, receiving the advantages afforded by the neighboring public schools and academy. At dent of Danen. is engaged in business in i Waterville, Maine, where he was reared and edu- New York, and by his daily trips to and from the metropolis manages to combine in a satisfactory manner the advantages of city and country life. ! the age of sixteen years he went to Worcester.

Mr. Street is a native of this county, having | Mass .. to take a position in a railroad office been born at Norwalk, in December, 1840, and , there, where he was employed for five years. | He then became interested in the shoe manufact-

is connected with several of the oldest families of the county. The late Chauncey Street, our I uring and jobbing business in Worcester, with subject's father, was also born in Norwalk, and Smyth Bros., continuing there until 1873. from which time until 18So he traveled for different shoe firms, including the firm of Cook & Louns- bury, shoe manufacturers of Long Ridge, in the town of Stamford, Fairfield Co., Conn. In the year esteem among his associates. He died in 1886, | last mentioned he became connected exclusively with this house, and in 1884, Mr. Cook retiring. the firm became Lounsbury & Soule. In 1885 they established their factory at their present location became by occupation a ship-builder, while for a time he carried on a milling busmess in addition to his other interests. In disposition he was quiet and unassuming, but he was held in high and his wife. Eliza Hoyt, who was born in Danen, is still living, at the advanced age of 1 three children, the others being Mrs. Fleet and . in Stamford. where they carry on operations, eighty- one years. Our subject was the eldest of Miss Ella M. Street, both residents of Norwalk.

Mr. Street obtained his education in the pub- lic schools of Norwalk, and on leaving the high school, at the age of sixteen, he went to New York City to engage in business. For some years he resided there, but for about twenty- I of his immediate business associations. He is eight years he has made his home in Darien, | president of the Stamford Branch of the Con- where he owns a handsome and commodious ' necticut Co-operative Savings Society, a position residence. In October, 1868, he married Miss I for which he is admirably fitted, and has served

| giving steady employment to one hundred hands. During his residence in Stamford, Mr. Soule has shown himself a worthy citizen of this thriving. enterprising community, and has taken con- I siderable interest in the life of the place outside

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as a member of the town school board continu- ously for the past eight years.

In 1868 Mr. Soule was married at Worcester, Mass., to Ellen Smyth, daughter of Robert L. Smyth, and three children have blessed the union-Mabel Winter, Eva Linnett and George H., Jr. The eldest daughter is the wife of Arthur D. Call, a superintendent of schools in Massachu- setts.

M TORTIMER S. BROWN, a prosperous con- tractor of Stamford, Fairfield Co., Conn., is one of her native-born citizens, and is a son of Philip H. Brown, who lived in that city for about fifty years.

Philip H. Brown was born in England in 1810. and was reared in his native country, which he left when about seventeen years old, coming to the United States, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was a mason by trade, and in time took up contract work, putting up many substantial business buildings and resi- dences in Stamford-the town hall. the First National bank, the Fessenden block and the Quintard block being erected under his direction. He became a prominent man in other circles as well. was active in the public affairs of his adopted town, of which he served as burgess and select- man, and was a deacon in the Congregational Church, being one of its most faithful members and zealous workers. In Ridgefield, Conn., he was married to Miss Mary Betts, and their family consisted of eight children, as follows: Julia Emma, the eldest, is deceased: Amanda M. is the wife of W. H. Thomas, of New York City; Sarah A. married Isaac H. Baker, of Stamford; Eliza C. is the wife of Joseph H. Noble, of Wash- ington, D. C .; Philip H. is the next in order of birth; William T. is a mason builder of Stam- ford. Mortimer S. is spoken of below; A. Lin- coln is deceased. Mr. Brown passed away in 1891. Mrs. Brown surviving until 1894. Socially, he belonged to the I. O. O. F .: in political be- lief he was a Republican.

Mortimer S. Brown was born February 21, 1856, and during his early years was given a good practical education in the public schools of Stam- ford. When twenty years old he went to New York City, where he found a position as clerk in the establishment of Lord & Taylor, in whose employ he remained one year, after which he went west, spending a year and a half in Kansas. On his return east he began work with his father, learning the mason's trade, at which he worked as a journeyman eight years. and he has since handled contract work, doing a profitable busi- | hopac, one year; Peekskill, eight years. and

ness and making a good reputation as a reliable workman, who does his best to give satisfaction to all his patrons. Among other products of his skill we mention the Bell block, the opera house, the Florence block, and many private residences in Belle Haven, Greenwich township, and the new power house for the electric light plant at Waterside.

Mr. Brown was married, in Stamford, Conn., to Miss Delia Webb, daughter of William Webb, of Stamford, and they have had five children- William, Marion, Hattie, Mortimer S., Jr., and Gertrude. The family have a pleasant home at No. 91 Summer street, in Stamford. Mr. Brown gives his political allegiance to the Republican party.

C HARLES M. PINCKNEY. In 1812, when it became necessary for the young American Republic to force, by means of arms, the recognition of her rights on the seas, and to defend her citizens against the encroachment of Great Britain, there went from Putnam county, N. Y., one Stephen Pinckney, to take his part in the storm of battle. History records the bravery of this man, a carpenter by trade, and at the close of the war we find him-General Pinckney. His wife was a Miss Hill, and among their family of sons and daughters was William Pinckney. William Pinckney was born in the town of Car- mel, Putnam Co., N. Y., and there grew to man- hood, following the occupation of a farmer all his life. He married Miss Sarah Farrington, and by this union became the father of four children: Antha Jane (deceased); Franklin, of Brookfield: Lafayette, of Mahopac Falls, N. Y., and Charles M., mentioned below. William Pinckney was prominent in the affairs of his town, and, always a Democrat in politics, served his townsmen in various offices, such as constable and collector, in public life proving himself a faithful official, and in private life a courteous and honorable gentleman.

Charles M. Pinckney was born July 24, 1851, and passed his early days at the family home in Putnam county, N. Y. His education was ac- quired in the district schools of Mahopac Falls and Bedford, and in the latter place he learned the carpenter's trade, being apprenticed to his uncle, and later to a Mr. Watson, a wheelwright at Croton Falls, N. Y. After learning his trade, he was for a short time in the employ of a Mr. Hall at Brewsters, but soon returned to Mahopac Falls and opened up a shop for himself. He then worked in a number of places-Lake Ma-

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 178

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