Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 181

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 181

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

John Forsyth, father of our subject, was born August 16, 1825, in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, and being left an orphan in early boyhood was

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reared by an uncle on a farm until he was sixteen ' Harriet H. (Morris) Jennings, and children as years old, at which time he came to the United . follows were born to them: Clifford W., who States, a poor boy, and for some years worked at gardening in Flushing. Long Island. In New York he married Miss Sarah S. Arthur, born April 26, 1827. a daughter of John Arthur. wno. with his wife and family. came to the United

died at the age of eight years; Gracie M., Lil- han and Howard. who all died in infancy; and Helen, the only one living. Mr. and Mrs. For- syth are members of the Congregational Church In politics he is a Republican, and always votes States. He went to Hyde Park, N. Y .. in 1848. . that ticket in National and State issues, but in and there John Forsyth made his home, and for local affairs he is strictly non-partisan. casting some twenty-six years was in the employ of the I his ballot for the candidate best suited for the Fuller family, in the capacity of gardener; then , office Socially, he is a member of Pequonnock for three years conducted a garden of his own. In March. 1878. he and his family came to Fair- field. where he was given the position of gardener Lodge No. 4, Bridgeport, I. O. O. F., and of the Stratfield Encampment, also at Bridgeport; is also affiliated with P. T. Barnum Lodge No. 53.

for Frederick Sturgis, whose wife was a Miss . K. P., at Bridgeport.

Fuller. of the family with whom Mr. Forsyth had It is almost superfluous to say that Mr. For- syth is a successful man, his surroundings testify- ing to that fact more .potently than could words. In 1885 he built his home. which he has supplied with all modern conveniences, and he owns one latter employ, and he did no more work. He . other house in Fairfield. He is recognized as an honest. straightforward man. one who has se- cured prosperity by his own individual efforts, sound judgment and native skill. worked for so many years in Hyde Park. With Mr. Sturgis he remained till 1895, making forty- three years' service, practically, in one family. Failing health, alone. caused hun to leave the died July 16. 189 ;. and was buried in Oaklawn cemetery. He and his wife were members of the Congregational Church: in politics he was a stanch Republican, taking great interest in the welfare of the party. The children born to this honored couple were as follows: Elizabeth. wife of J. E. Deyo, of Fairfield: Thomas, our subject. W ILLIAM H. GILBERT. the well-known general contractor, was born in the town of Ridgefield. this county. June 20, 1842. a son Minnie, wife of C. B Summers, of Mamaroneck. N. Y .; John A .. a carpenter of Fairfield: and , of Harry Gilbert and a grandson of Ebenezer Sarah (Mrs. Oliver C. Jennings, of Fairfield). . Gilbert. The father was a quiet, plodding man. conserva- tive in his habits, honest and industrious, and re- spected by all.

Thomas Forsyth, of whom we more particu- larly write, received a limited education at the common schools of his place of birth, and assist- ed his father in gardening for several years In 1881. having decided to make a change in his line of business. our subject took up carpentry. learning the trade under Allen Anderson. in Fair - field, and for three years was in his employ. after which he worked for Northrup Brothers, carpen- ters and builders in Southport. nine years. dur- ing the last two or three years being in charge of . who married Eliza Stevens. The father of these died in 1848.

part of their work On January 1. 1893. Mr. Forsyth commenced business on his own account in Fairfield. as general carpenter. and in Febru- ary. 1898, assumed the contracting and building business of Northrup Brothers, combining it with his own. He conducts an extensive trade. and oversees it all himself. something well worthy of record for a man who received such a limited education as he did.

On May 17. 1883. Mr. Forsyth was married to Miss Helen Jennings, of Fairfield, who was born January 3. 1859. a daughter of Horace and

Ebenezer Gilbert lived on the homestead just west of that of our subject, and followed his oc- cupation of nail making all his life. He made the nails for nearly all the old buildings in the town -- the Abner Gilbert home. and also that of J. W. Rockwell. Occasionally, when the nail business was dull, he would engage in stone lay- ing. He married Betsey Roe. and had children as follows: Harvey; Mary Ann, who married David Sherwood; Alvah, who married Wealthy | Utter, and died young: Ebenezer. who married Julia Bundy; Charles. who married Harriet Keeler; Harry, mentioned below: and Samuel,

Harry Gilbert was born June 3. 1811, and was a carpenter by trade. He did all kinds of general contracting business, and a great deal in the way of moving buildings, being the only per- son in the county having proper appliances for this kind of work. The spirit of improvement had descended upon the people at this time, and the moving away of the old buildings to give place for new ones opened a field for quite an extensive trade. Among his enterprises Mr. Gil- bert put up the first grater cider and press mill in

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the town, and this mill is now owned by his son, Aaron B. Active in his work, he reaped his re- ward in what for his time was remarkable suc- cess. He married Eliza Ann Keeler, who was born April 22, 1816, a daughter of Bradley Keeler, and they became the parents of two sons: Aaron B., born August 15. 1838, now a miller in Titicus, this county; and William H., our sub- ject. Harry Gilbert was a Democrat in politics, but took no active part in political affairs, pre- ferring to attend strictly to his own business, and leave the control of the government to those whose ambition or attainments peculiarly fitted them for the position. In his religious connec- tion he was a member of St. Stephen's Episco- pal Church. He was called to rest May 7, 1873. and February 19, 1893, his wife laid aside all earthly cares, and followed him into the Un- known.

William H. Gilbert first saw the light of day June 20. 1842, in Ridgefield. He acquired his elementary training in the district schools, later attending the select school of William O. Sey- mour. His education, so far as attendance at school was concerned, was completed when he was seventeen years old; his memory was excel- lent. and having a natural liking for books, he has gratified this taste until he has become a well-informed man of superior attainments, and the high personality that is the offspring of a contact with such refining influences. He learned his trade of his father, and under his tuition acquired a proficiency that places him at the top of his profession. His operations are almost entirely confined to Ridgefield and its vicinity, and many of the beautiful homes, the town hall, the Masonic hall, etc., all bear marks of his workmanship. At times he had as many as twenty-five men working for him. About ten years ago Mr. Gilbert retired, and has since lived in quiet enjoyment of what his labor has wrought.

In 1863 Mr. Gilbert was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Loder. who was born June 3. 1841, one of the four children of William and Nancy (Piatte) Loder, of Salem. The Loder family is one of the old French families who came to' this country when in its infancy; one member of the Loder family. tradition says, came over with the army of LaFayette. The other three children of William and Nancy Loder were: William C., who married Mary Amelia Stone; Alfred (now deceased), who married Marguerite Curtis; and Frances, who married As a citizen Mr. Pinney is much esteemed. and he is a member of the Baptist Church at Stamford. Socially, he and his family move in Arthur Dickens. To Mr. and Mrs. William H. ! his public spirit being manifested in many ways. Gilbert has come one child, Ralph Whitney, who is now the efficient telegraph operator, clerk and stenographer of the Consolidated rail- | the best circles of the locality, and for a number

road at Ridgefield, by which he has been em- ployed eight years. Mr. Gilbert has steadfastly sworn allegiance to the Democratic party, and for five consecutive years was selectman of the town, and had charge of the roads. He served very acceptably both to his party and its oppo- I nents, and on leaving office carried the good will | and esteem of all his fellow townsmen.

D DAVID R. PINNEY. Energy and enterprise, directed by sound judgment, make a com- bination which will command success in life, and the career of the subject of this sketch, a well-to- do resident of Glenbrook, shows that he possesses these admirable qualities in full measure.

Mr. Pinney was born February 26. 1842, at Milford, Penn., and his early education was ob- tained in the academy at that place. His father, David R. Pinney. a native of Lewisboro, West- chester Co., N. Y., was for many years a resi- dent of Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in business as a shoemaker. During his boyhood i our subject went to Pound Ridge, Westchester county, where he worked for some time at the shoemaker's trade, later locating at New Canaan, this county, and engaging in the same occupation on his own account. While the Civil war was in progress he conducted the business of making shoes for soldiers, and after the war closed he went to Vista, N. Y .. where he carried on a prof- | itable business for a few years. Later he re- moved to Long Ridge. Conn., and there spent one year with Cook & Lounsbury, also seven years with Lounsbury & Soule, and on leaving that employ he went to Vineland, N. J., to take a position as a foreman in a shoe factory. After one year he decided to resume business as a manufacturer, and as the venture resulted satis- factorily he continued it for about five years. At the end of that time he found himself in need of rest, and wisely sought it in this favored region, the next two years being passed in retirement at Stamford. He then engaged in a decorator's business at South Norwalk, conducting also a paint and paper store at No. 11 Main street; after a year he removed to Derby, Conn., where he followed the same business for a year. In 1897 he settled at Glenbrook, where he engaged in a grocery and meat business as a member of the firm of Pinney & Wales, and this enterprise has met with well-deserved success.

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of years he has been identified with the Masonic Fraternity as a member of Harmony Lodge No. 67. F. & A. M., at New Canaan. Since his re- moval to Glenbrook he has built an elegant resi- dence, fitted up with every modern convenience. and making it one of the most desirable homes in the vicinity. On February 10, 1863, he was married at Found Ridge, N. Y., to Miss Emeline bonton, of that place, and the union has been blessed with three children: (1) Mary E. mar- ned C. T. Searles, and has one son. Carleton. (2) Frank R. resides at Glenbrook, Conn. (3) Alice married Charles Miller. of Stamford. who is engaged in the jewelry business with Clarson Host.

A USTIN H. WATSON .. The proper study of mankind is man " wrote that strange poet-teacher, and from biography is gleaned much to guide us through lite. Not only from the lives of law-abiding upright men and women, but even from the records of those whose paths have been crooked, whose wanderings vain. It is as well for the manner to know the rocks and shoals to be avoided. as it is for him to follow the sate and open channel But from the life of such a man as Austin H. Watson there is much to be found worthy of emulation

mington. Vt., a son of Patrick J. and Caroline (Lathrop) Watson, and secured his education in the village school at Wilmington. His youth was passed on the farm and in his father's mills, and in early manhood be offered his services to his country. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company F. 16th Regt. Vt. Vols., and on the promotion of one of his comrades became the clerk of the regiment, thus being relieved of all equipment and company duties. At Gettys- burg, however, hired by a desire to take a more active part in the defense of .. Old Glory." he seized an abandoned musket, and with a handful of cartridges sought out his company in the front, and there remained through the battle. His bravery was conspicuous, and won high com- mendation from all the officers of the regiment. Colonel Veazey knowing that this youth was the only detail man who voluntarily exposed himself on the battle-field. appointed him quartermas- ter sergeant of the regiment, the highest honor of his command. He was honorably discharged from service August 10. 1863, after a war record of which he may be justly proud.

store-keeper in charge of the main supply depots at New York. Continued advancement in salary made this an agreeable position, which he re- tained until 1879, when he resigned to become junior member of the firm of James E. Vail, Jr .. & Co., dry-goods and commission merchants, and manufacturers' agents, Worth street, New York. After six years of successful business operations, Mr. Watson purchased Mr. Vail's interest, and ' became the senior member of the well-known hrm of Watson, Bull & Co. This firm dissolved on January 1. 1897. consolidating their business with the extensive notion house of Noyes, Smith & Co., Mr. Watson becoming the head of the new firm of Watson, Porter. Giles & Co., to-day the largest house of the kind in New York City. In all his business ventures he has proven him- self singularly fortunate, and has become one of the substantial business men whose reputation for honesty and integrity is without spot or blem- ish.

On October 28, 1879, Mr. Watson was mar- ried to Miss Julia Brainard Vail, the accomplished daughter of James Everett and Ridelia (Kenyon) Vail. of Brooklyn, N. Y. Two children have brightened their fireside: Everett Vail and Beat- nice. For some time after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Watson resided in Brooklyn, mn 1886 removing to Stamford, where their beautiful

wam river. is noted for its cordial hospitality so freely extended alike to stranger and to friend.

Socially, Mr. Watson is quite prominent, and as an officer in various clubs has many duties to perform. He was the first treasurer of the well- known Apollo Glee Club, of Brooklyn; secretary of the Oxford Club, of Brooklyn, in 1883-85; director of the Suburban Club and the Stamford Yacht Club, of Stamford; a member of Lafayette Post. G. A. R., in New York City; secretary of the Telegraphers Mutual Benefit Association, 1876-79; a director of the Stamford Social Club, 1889-92, and its president in 1893; he is presi- dent of the Forest and Stream Club. of Wil- mington, Vt., and a member of other New York Clubs.

Quiet and unassuming in his manner, Mr. Watson is one of those strong characters that on occasion rises far beyond mediocrity; quick and far-seeing, he grasps the situation and becomes its master. As on those awful days in July, 1863. when he saw his duty, and so bravely bore a part on that sanguinary field. even so has he met the battles in the busy work-a-day world. He is ever ready to help the unfortunate, but of this the world at large knows little; wise in his

In 1864. Mr. Watson secured a clerkship with the Western Union Telegraph Company at Roch- ester, N. Y., and two years later was appointed , judgments, progressive in his ideas, firm in his

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Our subject was born April 27. 1842, at Wil- ' home. "Oakdale." on the banks of the Rippo-

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convictions, he is one of those men in whom his . was born May 22, 1793, in Banks South District. associates place implicit reliance both as a friend | a daughter of Jonathan and Molly (Wakeman) and as a man.

Banks. Zalmon was reared to agricultural pur- suits, and followed that occupation all his life. On their marriage he and his young wife com-

7 ALMON B. BRADLEY. From the ranks of ; menced housekeeping in the home which he had the quiet, persevering, vet prominent citizens of Fairfield county-prominent on account of what they have accomplished in life-there is no one more deserving of mention in a volume of this character than the gentleman whose name introduces this article. He is one of the pro- gressive and enterprising agriculturists of the town of Fairfield, and in advancing his own in- terests he has materially promoted the welfare 1 of the entire community. i built. and where their son, our subject, now lives. Their children, two in number, were as follows: (1) Clara A., born January 12, 1813. married Samuel Banks, of Weston, and had one daughter, Harriet, now living in Weston; and (2) Zalmon B., our subject. The mother passed from earth some years prior to the death of the father. which occurred January 5, 1871, and they lie side by side in Greenfield Cemetery. They were members of the Greenfield Congregational Church, and in politics the father was a Demo- crat. He was very successful as a general farm- er. including the raising, buying and selling of cattle which he would ship to Boston and New York-in fact he was a very extensive dealer for those days, made money, and at his death left a comfortable competence.

Mr. Bradley comes of one of the oldest fam- ilies in Connecticut, being of the seventh genera- tion in direct line from John Bradley1, who came from England to America in 1660. settling in Fairfield, Conn., where he died. In his family of children were the following: Francis?, John, Daniel and Joseph. Of these,

Francis' settled in Greenfield, on Bradley's Zalmon B. Bradley was born at the old fam- Long Lot, and died there about the year 1714, | ily homestead July 18, 1824, and received a lib- being the father of the following named chil- dren: Isaac. Francis. Samuel, Johnº. Gersham, Ephraim, Peter and Eleanor. Of these.

John& settled in the northern part of Green- field, in Deerfield District. On January 11, 1726, he married Sarah Gilbert, and they had twelve children as follows: John', Reuben, Lockwood, Seth, Enos, Moses, Ephraim, Abel, Isaac. Han- nah, Louise and Marian. The father of these died October 5, 1777. and the mother on April 14. 1767. Of the above named twelve children,

John', the great-grandfather of Zalmon B. (our subject), was born April 14, 1731, and De- cember 14, 175-, he married Abigail Merwin, who died December 19, 1787. The names and dates of birth of their children are as follows: David, January 10, 1752, died February 25, 1821; Lumon, February 16, 1754; Hannah, March 3, 1759: John5. September 5, 1764. died May 15, 1840; and Abigail, March 18, 1778, died February 5, 1798. Of these,

John5, the grandfather of Zalmon B., was married March 26, 1791, to Esther Sherwood. | the time of the "gold fever," he visited Califor- who was born May 6, 1763. and died July 19, 1847. Children: Zalmon", born May 22, 1793; Clara A., born March 26, 1798; and Medad, born September 9. 1803 (he was a farmer resid- ing in Banks North District, and died at an ad- vanced age leaving three children-John, Sophia and Alma). Of the children born to John',

Zalmon'. the father of our subject. when yet a young man, married Sally Banks. who | children, a brief sketch of them being as follows:

eral education at the schools of Banks North | District-Minot Banks. Eli Wakeman and James Lyon being among his old teachers. He after- į ward attended Greenfield Academy. at the time when Zalmon Wakeman was principal of that in- stitution. He assisted his father on the home farm until the latter's death, when he succeeded to the property, and has ever since lived thereon.

On September 21, 1853, Zalmon B. Bradley was married to Miss Sarah E. Sherwood, who was born in Southport, Conn., December 14, 1833, a I daughter of William and Esther (Hill) Sherwood. I the former of whom was a son of William Sher- wood, the latter being a daughter of Jabez Hill. Mrs. Bradley's father was a merchant and post- master at Southport for several years prior to retiring and removing into the country (Buck- ley's District), while at one time he was judge of the probate court of Fairfield county. In 1847 he took a trip to England for the purpose of searching genealogical records in the interest of the Jennings family of Connecticut; in 1850, at nia, subsequently "trying his luck " in Australia. in company with Nathaniel B. Hill and Edgar Pennover. Mrs. Bradley is the younger of two children born to her parents, the other being William C., who was a farmer of Banks North ' District, and died at the early age of thirty-six ; years, leaving a widow and seven children.

To our subject and his wife were born four

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(1) Clarence H., a farmer of Banks North Dis- the New York Belting & Packing Company, at trict. born August 12. 1854. married Miss Adda , Sandy Hook, in the curing rooms and the hose Belle Chase, and has two children-Florence and Irene. (2) Simon C., born July 29. 1858. the first selectman of Fairfield. married Anna Belle Bulkeley, and they have two children- Elizabeth B. and Sadie E. (3) Clara A., born May 14. 1861. is the wife of Wilbur Jennings. and they have one child-John B. (4) John S .. born October 4. 1863. died March 5, 1888. at Greenville, S. C. : he was a graduate of the East- man Business College, and was filling the post- tion of bookkeeper at the time of his departure for the South on account of failing health; he married Miss Elouise A. Arnold, of Bridgeport.

and tubing departments. On leaving this posi- tion he became a bar clerk in the ". Grand Central Hotel." at Newtown, and after two years he re- signed this position to commence the business of retail liquor dealer in Sandy Hook, on his own account. His store is one of the oldest of the kind in the town. having been started by Hall & Tilison some years ago, and continued, later, by Carroll & Boland, the bar being at the rear of the store. When the latter firm retired the place was taken by John Lillis for a saloon and bottling establishment, but previous to Mr. Houlihan's occupancy it had stood vacant for some time. Conn., a daughter of George and Sarah Arnold. . The present proprietor has made his own way in

A Democrat in politics, Mr. Bradley has at all times been loval to his party, and an efficient worker in its ranks. In 1874 he represented his district in the Legislature, and for some ten or twelve years he was a selectman of Fairfield. Socially, he is affiliated with Greenfield Hill Grange No. 133, and in religious faith he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church at Greenfield Hill. In the social circles of the community our subject and his estimabie wife occupy an enviable position. Their infiu- ence is always found on the side of right and

In 1890 Mr. Houlihan married Miss Anna progress, and it is safe to say that no couple in . Kilbride, daughter of Michael Kilbride. of Sandy the county have more friends than Mr. and Mrs. . Hook. where her family has long been well Zalmon B. Bradley. Mr. Bradley has been fond ' known. Two children. Maggie May and Helen Frances, brighten their home.

of hunting all his life, and though now seventy- four years of age he still enjoys a day's sport. He is a large man, six feet in height and weigh- ing two hundred pounds or over.

M ARTIN FRANCIS HOULIHAN, a suc- cessful business man of Sandy Hook, is a representative of a well-known family of New- prominent citizen, and a brother, Hon. Michael J. Houlihan, is now a member of the State Sen- I ate from that locality.

H 'ENRY EMIL DITTMAR. sergeant of po- lice of the City of Danbury, is an able and efficient officer whose faithfulness is highly appreciated by the people whose interest he guards.

Mr. Dittmar is of German birth, having been town township. His father, John Houlihan, is a | born November 20, 1854, in the Province of : Hesse-Cassel. Christoph Dittmar, his father. was born in the same locality. in 1812, and died when our subject was eight years old. Our .sub- ject's mother, whose maiden name was Julia Dautchman, was born in Minden, Hanover, Ger- . many, in 1813, and died in 1887. There were three children: William, now a resident of Danbury; Henry Emil, our subject; and Robert. 1 who remained in Germany.

Mr. Houlihan, our subject, was born Septem- ber 11, 1804, in the Newtown District of the town of Newtown, and was educated in the com- mon schools near his early home. Although for i some years his attendance was limited to the ! winter terms, he managed by the time he reached the age of sixteen to acquire a fair English edu- Mr. Dittmar was educated in the schools of i his native land, and did not acquire a knowledge cation, and as he is a constant reader of fiction and current news he can converse well upon . of the English language until after he came to these topics. His first employment was as a bell boy in the " Lake View House" at Litch-

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 181

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