Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 18

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

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On Sunday, July 7, 1895, the Rev. M. George Thompson became rector of Christ Church, and Rev. Mr. Yarrington rector emeritus.

Mr. Yarrington was the oldest rector in the State, and had the record of being the longest in active service in any one parish of any minister

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in the United States. The silver-headed cane given to the rector who has been longest in service in this diocese was held by Mr. Yarring- ton for a number of years, and he valued it very highly for the honor connected with it.

On October 2, 1834, Mr. Yarrington married Miss Margaret King Dominick, who was born May 10, 1815, the daughter of Jacob F. and Isabella (Needham) Dominick, of New York City, where her family has long been prominent. The only child of this union, Benjamin M., Jr., died in infancy, and during their sixty-three years of wedded life Mr. and Mrs. Yarrington made a practice of having some of their nephews and nieces constantly with them. In 1872 they spent four months in Europe, accompanied by a niece, and during that time they visited the principal cities of the Continent. The house in which they resided for more than half a century, a white cottage next door to the church, was built for them in 1844. On October 2, 1884, they celebrated their golden wedding, a recep- tion being given at their home, and a large number of friends and acquaintances met to show their esteem and offer congratulations. Time treated them kindly, vigor of mind and body remaining in spite of advancing years. In his youth, Mr. Yarrington was an ardent ad- mirer of good horses, and throughout his life he took pleasure in driving a spirited team. He was of a retiring disposition, never seeking pub- licity, and at various times he purposely evaded opportunities for gaining public notice. His keen interest in educational progress was shown by his long service as a trustee of Cheshire Academy, and he also held a similar office in connection with the Theological Seminary in New York for many years. While he never took a share in political work, his sympathies were with the Democratic party, and he was also keenly alive to the important and various movements of the day.

SHADRACH M. BRUSH, a venerable gentle- man of Stanwich, Fairfield county, now over four-score years of age, which in main have been passed among the people of Fairfield county, where he has been one of the leading citizens and active business men, was born December 11, 1818, in the house in which he now resides in Stanwich.

Benjamin Brush, his grandfather, was an agriculturist of the town of Greenwich. He mar- ried Semantha Reynolds, and of their children, Edward, the eldest, was born in the town of Greenwich. He became a civil engineer by pro-

fession, and soon after the war of 1812 moved to Franklin county, Ind., where he was among the pioneers, driving through from Connecticut to that then far-away point. There he was em- ployed in the construction of the Whitewater canal. He was a man of intelligence and ca- pacity, and became prominent in the early pub- lic affairs of Indiana. He served as a member of the first Legislature of that State, and was known as Captain Brush. Physically he was almost perfect, being powerfully built. He married Ann Ingersoll, who was a native of Stanwich, a daugh- ter of Nathaniel Ingersoll. The children born to the marriage of Captain Brush and his wife were: Elma C., who married Job L. Husted, and died in 1896 at Greenwich; Joseph E. (deceased), who for twenty years was postmaster of Greenwich (he married Mary Wright); Shadrach M., our subject, is again referred to farther on; Rebecca A. married L. C. Hoyt, and died at Long Ridge, Fairfield county; Mary A. married Hobby Husted, and died at Greenwich; and Semantha, a teacher, died unmarried. The father of these children died August 10, 1825, at Ft. Wayne, Ind., from typhoid fever contracted while at work on the construction of the canal previously referred to. Ft. Wayne being some distance from the place of residence of his family, they never knew where his remains were interred. After his death Will- iam Rundle, who had married Fannie Brush, a sister of the deceased, went out to Indiana and drove from there to Connecticut, bringing the family back to their old home, where the chil- dren were reared and where the mother died.

Shadrach M. Brush, after the death of his fa- ther and the return of the family to Fairfield county, lived with his grandfather until seventeen years of age, attended school through the winters and worked on the farm the rest of the year. For two winters he attended the Greenwich Academy. At the age of nineteen he entered as a clerk the store of Joseph Brush, an uncle, at Cos Cob. He remained there several years, then went to Stan- wich, where he taught school one winter. He next joined his brother Joseph E. in business at Mianus, with whom he remained several years. Later he was engaged in the lumber and coal business. After the partnership with his brother was dissolved he took as a partner Joseph Horne. Later. on selling out, Mr. Brush went to the farm on which he now resides, intending to there re- main, but after farming some three years he again turned his attention to business, engaging in same at Mianus. He built up a good trade and estab- lished a flourishing business at that point. In after years he gave up several branches of the business, and latterly carried a stock of coal and

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lumber only. He built a dock, etc., there. He finally disposed of these interests and moved to Greenwich, where he established a lumber and coal business, and for years conducted it success- fully. His partners at Greenwich were Henry Webb and George Waterbury. For about forty years Mr. Brush resided in Greenwich. Since retiring from active business some years ago, his family have lived at the old Ingersoll homestead, which stands on property purchased by his an- cestors from the Indians. He has been a suc- cessful business man, and a self-made one; is a man of good judgment, and has been a very useful citizen in the several communities in which he has lived, and has enjoyed the esteem of his fellow- citizens.

In politics Mr. Brush was first a Whig, then became a Republican. He has been active and influential in party affairs, and has held various positions of trust and honor. Three times he was a candidate for the State Legislature, and once elected. He has ever been a temperate man, never uses tobacco, nor do his sons. On June 6, 1848, he married Miss Emeline M. Ingersoll, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Hobby) Ingersoll, born September 4, 1820. To this union were born children as follows: William P., a civil engineer, who died in New York City at the age of forty years; Semantha Reynolds is at home; S. Augustus is a resident of Greenwich; Henry L. also lives in Greenwich; and Emily Ingersoll is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Brush cele- brated their fiftieth anniversary June 6, 1898. Both are members of the Congregational Church at Stanwich. He has been largely indentified with Church work; for ten years was an elder of the Presbyerian Church, the edifice for which so- ciety he helped to erect, and he is now a deacon in the Congregational Church at Stanwich.

A RNOLD C. HAWES, D. D. S., who passed to the unseen life April 7, 1895, was a prominent resident of Noroton Heights, and for many years was a leader in the various pro- gressive movements of his locality. His life was prolonged beyond the ordinary limits, as he had entered upon his ninth decade when death called him, but to the last he showed the same kindly interest in all that concerned the welfare of the community in which he had made his home.

Dr. Arnold Hawes was born November 5, 1813, in Massachusetts, a son of Samuel and Polly (Moore) Hawes, both of whom were na- tives of that State and spent their lives there. After acquiring an academic education he pre- pared for his profession, and in time he became

so proficient that he felt justified in opening an office in New York City, where from the first he met with success. In 1865 he built a summer residence at Noroton Heights, and here spent much of his time while continuing his practice in the metropolis, but after 1880 he made his home there all the year round. The society of the place was most congenial to a man of his refined tastes, and he soon identified himself with it, taking an active part in the Masonic Frater- nity as a member of the F. & A. M., and in re- ligious work as a member of the Episcopal Church, in which he held the office of warden. In politics he was a stanch Republican, but he never sought official honors.

On February 25, 1853, the Doctor married Miss Eliza Cooke Wardlow, daughter of James and Eliza Cooke Wardlow, lifelong residents of Massachusetts, where Mr. Wardlow was a mer- chant for many years. Mrs. Hawes has two sisters living: Mary, wife of Amos B. Hawes, of Providence, R. I., and Miss Charlotte C. Wardlow, of Noroton Heights. Her fine men- tal gifts have made Mrs. Hawes a valued addi- tion to the best social circles of her neighbor- hood, and she is actively interested in the work of St. Luke's Episcopal Church at Noroton.

P ETER S. SCHUTT is a typical representa- tive of the class of citizens found in this community, men who after years of activity in the business world delight in the peaceful se- clusion of this, the most popular residence town along Long Island Sound, where amid beautiful natural surroundings and congenial social con- ditions they can enjoy to the full the wealth they have amassed. For thirty years Mr. Schutt has been one of the most prominent residents of Riverside, Fairfield county, and he has taken an active and substantial interest in the progress and development of the place, where he is re- garded as a liberal, public-spirited man, and a citizen worthy in every way of the respect and esteem of his fellowmen.

Mr. Schutt is a native of New York State, born July 30, 1818, in Roxbury, Delaware coun- ty, where his father, John S. Schutt, was for years a well-known man. The family is of Dutch origin, the first American ancestors being three brothers who came from Amsterdam and settled in Dutchess county, N. Y., in Greene county, N. Y., and Ithaca, N. Y., respectively. John S. Schutt was born in 1790 at Catskill-on- Hudson, and was the son of Solomon Schutt. He married Miss Catherine Overbaugh, of Cats- kill, daughter of Peter Overbaugh, and they be-

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came the parents of eleven children, of whom Peter S. was the fifth in the order of birth; he and four daughters are all who survive of this large family. John S. Schutt was a prominent Whig in his time and place, and served for years as collector in Delaware county, becoming widely acquainted during his long career as a public servant and active politician. He was a large man, six-foot tall, and was well preserved up to the last, being a temperate man in every way except as regards smoking. He was especially well posted in the managment of distilleries, in which he had wide experience, providing his large family with every comfort, and rearing them well. He passed away in 1870, when about eighty years old, and his wife lived to the ad- vanced age of eighty-nine. Both were buried at Bristol, Ulster Co., New York.

Peter S. Schutt attended the log school in the vicinity of his boyhood home in Delaware county, in the days when public schools were provided with only the most primitive equipment, and for some years after commencing work he was engaged at farming, when a boy of eighteen receiving ten dollars per month at farm work. When twenty years old he set out from his home, with all his extra clothing in a bundle, and walked forty miles to Catskill, N. Y., where his uncle, Peter Schutt, kept. the " Falls House," and also the " Plank House." He worked for his uncle two years, during the summer season taking charge of the hotel for him, and in the spring of 1839 he went to New York City, where he com- menced his business life as clerk in a grocery store at No. 47 Jay street, receiving fifty dollars and board as his first year's wages. Later he was employed at the corner of Twenty-seventh street and Third avenue, and still later in the wholesale provision house of D. B. & W. Moses, in West street, where he remained six years as salesman and bookkeeper. In 1846 he embarked in the provision and produce business on his own account, in Barclay street, as a member of the firm of Schutt & Potter, from which he re- tired three years later, and he spent the follow- ing winter in Cuba. Upon his return he engaged in the same line in partnership with John Moses, under the firm name of Schutt & Moses, their place of business being in Fulton street, near Greenwich, and after a year he took another partner, with whom he also continued for a short time. He then abandoned the provision business, engaging in pork packing and general packing at Nos. 444-446 Greenwich Street, which be conducted from 1861 until his retirement into private life in the fall of 1867. Mr. Schutt was an energetic and tireless worker during his

commercial career, and he met with unusual success, accumulating a handsome competence, which he fully appeciates and knows how to en- joy. For years he was a member of the Pro- duce Exhange in New York City.

Mr. Schutt was married in 1850, in New York, to Miss Jane Cunningham, by whom he had no children. His present wife was Miss Alice Palmer, of Cos Cob, Fairfield Co., Conn., daughter of Denham Palmer. Mr. Schutt took up his home in Riverside in 1868, buying his first home here from George Hobby, and later pur- chasing a residence nearer the Post road, which he occupied until 1890, when he acquired the property on which he now lives. The dwelling was the first erected in the section of Riverside where it is located, and was built by Dr. Hud- son. Mr. Schutt was one of the charter mem- bers of the Riverside Yacht Club, was vice-com- modore of the club during the first two years of its existence, and later served as trustee, being one of its most active members until his resigna- tion two years ago. He is still fond of aquatic sport, however, and owns a naphtha launch, from which he derives much pleasure. He is a well-preserved man, mentally and physically, and at the age of eighty looks no older than many men of sixty. Quiet and unostentatious in his habits, he is nevertheless well known and liked, and he has taken a lively interest in the social and public life of the community where he has made his home for so many years. Formerly he was quite active in local politics, and he was once nominated for representative from Green- wich township. He is a Democrat in political faith, and cast his first Presidential vote for Martin Van Buren; but in local affairs he looks to the fitness of the candidate rather than to his party connection. While in New York City Mr. Schutt united with the Odd Fellows and Masonic Fraternities.

J JAMES WILSON (deceased). Among the honored citizens of Bridgeport, who have gone to their rest, was the venerable James Wilson, who after a brief illness passed away at his home, No. 305 Seaview avenue, Bridgeport, June 4, 1898, at the advanced age of eighty-two years and ten months.

Mr. Wilson was born July 31, 1815, at En- field, Conn., a son of David and Zeviah (Parsons) Wilson, the former of whom was also a native of Enfield, where he spent his youth and followed the occupation of farming all his days. In this fam- ily were six children besides our subject, namely: Sons-Orvin P., George C., David and Parsons;

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daughters-Elizabeth and Susan-all now de- ceased.

Our subject spent his boyhood days at Enfield, and attended the public schools. He remained on the home farm for a time, but desiring a change learned the harness maker's trade, which he followed for a time, and then returned to the farm. After staying on the home place for a short time, he again started out in the world, and began a varied business career. He first entered the chair business at Springfield; then went to Hartford, where for several years he was in the harness business; then to Enfield and later to Ware House Point, following the same line, finally locating at Springfield, Mass. At the last named place he was employed in the United States Armory for a number of years, and then went to Hartford and took a contract for the mak- ing of Sharp's rifles at the time of the Crimean war. In 1857 he came to Bridgeport, and took a contract for making parts of sewing machines in the Wheeler & Wilson factory. He built the foun- dry operated under the firm name of Wilson, Parsons & Co., but finally sold out to Parsons & Landon, and then started the Monumental Bronze Works, in which he continued for some time. He was also one of the projectors and charter members of the Bridgeport Horse R. R. Co., remaining a director until the property was acquired by the Traction Company. At the time of Mr. Wilson's coming, Bridgeport was a place of about seven thousand inhabitants, and he wit- nessed its rapid development to a beautiful city of nearly seventy thousand, at all times earnest- ly striving to do his part in aiding every move- ment that would advance home interests.

On November 5. 1838, at Ware House Point, Conn., Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Parsons, daughter of William and Sally Parsons, of that place. They became the parents of four children, two only of whom are living at this writing: James E., a mechanical engineer, and Charles H., a metallurgist and founder.

Mr. Wilson was always somewhat conserva- tive in politics; in early life was a Whig, and later a Republican. He was frequently called upon to represent his fellow townsmen in the various councils, serving as alderman, one term as councilman, and two terms as justice of the peace. Socially, he was a member of the I. O. O. F., having joined at Springfield in 1844, and was a member of the Grand Lodge of Massa- chusetts; he became a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 3, F. & A. M; Jerusalem Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M., and Hamilton Commandery, No. 5, K. T., of Bridgeport, and he faithfully dis-

charged the duties of every position to which he was called. He was proud of his record, to which he frequently alluded in the following words: "During my varied experiences I have never been sued and never sued anyone, and I don't owe any man a dollar." A man of sterling integrity and unquestionable probity, he left an honored memory and a good name, unsullied and exemplary.

H ON. LOUIS KUTSCHER, SR. This well- known citizen of Bridgeport is now less act- ive in business and political life than formerly, but his long and useful career has won for him a prominent place in the community. His history is that of the typical German-American, display- ing thrift, enterprise and public spirit, and as a citizen he is held in high esteem.

The Kutscher family originated in the Prov- ince of Hanover, Germany, the ancestral home being at Clausthal on Harz. Frederich Kutscher, our subject's father, was born and reared there, learning the carriage maker's trade in his youth. He married Louisa Zeuner, a native of the same place, and in 1854 they came to America, locat- ing at Rahway, N. J., where he followed his trade for some years, his death occurring in 1866. His wife died eight years before, passing away in 1858. This worthy couple were members of the German Lutheran Church, and their family was reared in that faith. Of their eleven children the eldest, Frederick (now deceased), was a car- riage maker in New Haven; Lena (deceased) married Ernest Loewe in Germany; Louis is the subject proper of this sketch; Charles is a grocer in New Haven; four died in infancy; Julius is a carriage maker in New Haven; Rachel married a Mr. Wurr, a mechanic in New Haven; and Louisa married William Beckman, a barber in the same city.

Mr. Kutscher, our subject, was born October 14, 1834, at the old home in Germany, where he grew to manhood. He learned the carriage mak- er's trade with his father, and after coming to America with his parents he followed that busi- ness for a number of years. For some time he remained in New Jersey, but in 1857 he removed to New Haven. Later he went to New York City for a time, but he returned to New Haven, and was married in that city, in 1859, to Miss Helen Droege, a native of Hamburg, Germany. For a year and a half affer his marriage he made his home on a farm near New Haven, but in 1868 he removed to Bridgeport where he has since re- mained. During his residence in Bridgeport he has been engaged in the manufacture of Weiss

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beer, but of late years he has been living in re- tirement, his business being continued by his son William.

Mr. Kutscher has always felt a keen interest in politics, and while he was a Republican for some time after his arrival in this country he is now a Democrat. In 1888-89 and 1890-91 he represented his town in the State Legislature, and he has held a number of other positions, be- ing now a member of the board of local chari- ities, while he also served for some time on the board of relief at Bridgeport. He belongs to the German Lutheran Church, and is connected with numerous fraternal organizations, including the I. O. O. F.

Mr. and Mrs. Kutscher have had ten children, of whom the following are living: William, who conducts the old brewery; Louisa, wife of Garry Sanger, a policeman at Bridgeport; Bertha, who married Fred Schuessler, formerly of New Haven but now of Bridgeport; Louis, Jr., president of the Hartmann Brewing Company at Bridgeport; Minnie, wife of Charles Beardsley, of Stratford; and Oscar, a tool maker at Bridgeport.

C CHARLES H. SEAMAN, a most highly-re- spected resident of Greenwich, Fairfield Co., Conn., has made his home here for over halt a century, and he and his estimable wife hold an honored place among the old residents of the community with whose interests they have so long been identified.

Mr. Seaman is descended from a family of English origin, his first ancestry in this country, Capt. John Seaman, coming from England, and settling in Long Island, in 1660, being a land- owner in Hempstead, L. I. He was twice mar- ried, first to a Miss Strickland and (second) to Martha Moore, and he had a family of six sons, among whom was John, Jr., the great-great-great- grandfather of the gentleman whose name opens this sketch. His son, Jonathan, was the father of David, the great-grandfather, who was born October 15, 1709. The latter's son, David, was born August 30, 1739, and was married January 27, 1762, to Miss Hannah Hicks, who was born February 18, 1743, and came from a very select Long Island family.

David Seaman, son of David and Hannah (Hicks) Seaman, was born February 16, 1774, on Long Island, and on January 16, 1798, mar- ried Miss Abigail Mott, also a native of Long Island, born January 22, 1776. Her father, John Mott, was born April 17, 1748, and on Oc- tober 17, 1771, wedded Martha Summers, who was born August 4, 1755; he died October 30,

1828, his wife on August 8, 1805. Mr. Mott was a farmer by occupation. To David and Abigail (Mott) Seaman were born seven children, as follows: Martha, February, 14, 1799; Han- nah, November 15, 1801; John M., September 14, 1803; Elizabeth H., October 11, 1806; Lu- cinda, July 12, 1808; David, October 8, 1814; Charles H., February 21, 1819. Of these, Mar- tha was married, on April 6, 1820, to Zophar Mead; she died May 29, 1869, in New York, and was buried in Woodlawn cemetery. Han- nah became the wife of Col. Thomas Mead, and died November 18, 1880, in Greenwich. John M. was prosperously engaged in the butcher business in New York City for many years, and in his later years was a prominent politician in the metropolis, served as alderman, and was identified with various public institu- tions; he died November 7, 1884. Elizabeth H. was married November 28, 1831, to Clarkson Crolius, and died July 27, 1854, without issue; her husband was a prominent Whig and Repub- lican in New York City, where they resided, and was a political leader in the Sixth ward. Lucinda was married in April, 1853, to John H. Paillon, and died November 16, 1851, in New York; Mr. Paillon was also a prominent member of the Whig and Republican parties in New York City. David was a butcher by occupation, and in his later years engaged in real-estate dealing; he died April 28, 1881. David Seaman, the father of this family, was a striking example of the in- dustrious, self-made man, one who, by prudence and good management, rose from an humble position to one of affluence. He was a butcher by trade, doing business at was known as the Old Fly Market in New York, at the site of the Ful- ton Market of the present day., and when he commenced he used to bring his meat in a row-boat from Long Island, and carry it on his shoulder to the market. His business in- creased steadily, and he became what was in those days considered a rich man, accumulating a large property and establishing his family in an elegant home at the corner of Christy and Stan- ton streets, New York, where he passed his closing years. He departed this life October 7, 1828, and was followed to the grave by his wife on February 18, 1832. Both were laid to rest in a vault in St. Stephen's Churchyard, and after- terward removed to Woodlawn, where the other members of the family have been laid. They worshiped at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, on the corner of Broom and Christy streets.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 18

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