Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 187

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 187

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).

holding numerous public offices including those of clerk, selectman, and judge of probate. Phi- lander was a farmer in the same town.

Norman Hamilton grew to manhood at the old homestead where he first saw the light, and engaged in agriculture in his native town. He married Ann Hopkins, of Putnam county, N. Y., and had four children, George N., our subject's father. being the eldest. After passing his youth upon the old farm he learned the hatter's trade, which he followed for many years. He married Miss Mary E. Thorp, whose father, Joel Thorp, was a well-known resident of Danbury. They have three children: (1) Edgar E. is our sub- ject; (2) Mary A. married George M. Stebbins, of Danbury; and (3) Miss Georgia B. is now a successful school teacher.

The subject of our sketch was educated in the schools of Danbury, and at the age of seventeen began to work at the hatter's trade. This not being congenial, however, he after a year en- gaged in his present line of business, beginning on a small scale. The first outfit that he pur- chased (in 1878) was a very small one, but as his business increased he improved his facilities un- til he has now one of the best equipped printing offices in this section of the State, his twenty years of active business having made him a past master at his chosen occupation.

In 1887 Mr. Hamilton married Miss Minnie E. Starr. daughter of Harry and Eliza (Hodges) Starr, of Danbury. Two children have come to this union: Mildred S., born in 1890; and George E., born in 1892. Mr. Hamilton and his wife are prominent socially, and he is a mem- ber of various fraternal orders, including the Masonic bodies, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Royal Arcanum. He is also a di- rector of the Danbury Board of Trade.

A RTHUR G. JESSUP, proprietor of a lead- ing blacksmith and horse-shoeing establish- Inent in Stamford, Conn., is a native of the State, born August 19, 1866, in the town of Stamford, Fairfield county.

William Jessup, his grandfather, was for many years a resident of Stamford, where he followed the trades of carpenter and miller. In social life he was a Freemason of high degree.

Charles Henry Jessup, father of our subject, was born in Strawberry Hill, in the town of Stamford. He first learned the trade of carpen- ter. at which he worked three years, then took up blacksmithing at Long Ridge, Conn., under the instruction of Sylvester Lockwood. At High Ridge he commenced business for himself, later,

Digitized by

Google

919

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in 1868, removing to River Bank, in the town of has since resided with the exception of some six Stamford. where he has since remained. By his | years he was on a farm in the town of Hunting- wife. Jane B. (Merritt), of Portchester, N. Y., he . ton. For about two years after his arrival he had four children: Arthur Grant, our subject; I was employed in the lumber business, and for Josephine. wife of Granville Pierce, of Stamford; | many years he has been connected with the Annie E. and Benjamin Harrison. Charles H. Bridgeport Brass Co., being at present foreman Jessup in religious faith is a member of the Con- I of the forging department. He was married in gregational Church, and in politics he has always . been an active Republican since the organization I of that party.

Germany to Fraulein Christina Schraeder, and hve children were born to them, viz .: Lizzie, wife of Frank Kienart, of Derby; William, who pany; Jennie, widow of Henry Eckel, of Bridge-

Arthur G. Jessup received his education at 1 15 employed in the Union Metalic Cartridge Com- the public schools of River Bank, after which he served a regular apprenticeship at his trade, { port; John H .. our subject; and Antonia, de- blacksmithing, at Portchester, N. Y. In 1886 . ceased. he established himself in business in Stamford.

Our subject was born January 12, 1875. in and for some three years had a partner, a Mr. | the East end of Bridgeport, and remained in that Sargent, the style of the firm being Sargent & city until he reached the age of twelve years, his Jessup. Since 1889 he has been alone, enjoying i education being begun in the local schools. He a well-mented patronage, his reputation being i then removed with his parents to the farm in wide-spread both in blacksmithing and horse- shoeing. of which latter he makes a specialty.

Huntington, where he also attended school, and on returning to Bridgeport as a youth of seven- 1

On March 20. 1888. Mr. Jessup was united . teen he found employment in a cutlery shop, re- in marriage with Miss Laura E. Studwell. daugh- ter of W. W. Studwell, and one child, Edith A .. has been born to them. Socially, our subject is affiliated with Excelsior Lodge No. 49. Knights of Pythias, of which he is district deputy grand chancellor; he is a member of Leeds Council No. . 16. Order of United American Mechanics, and a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, in which he is past sachen of Powahay No. 33 Tribe. While a resident of Portchester, N. Y., !

maining about a year. After spending six months in a hat shop he returned to his first em- plover, and later he was employed by A. G. Felix in the meat business for five years. In October, 1895, he engaged in business on his own account, opening his present grocery and meat market on Carroll avenue, and he has met with well-deserved success, having a large trade I through the north end of the city. Politically, Mr. Schutt is a stanch Republican, but he has he was a member of Putnam Hose Company. | not aspired to office, is popular socially, and is In religious faith, he and Mrs. Jessup are identi- I an active member of the German Reformed fied with the Congregational Church at Stam- | Church. He is not married.

ford. They are deservedly respected and es- teemed by a wide circle of friends and acquaint- ances.

L OUIS KUTSCHER, JR., president of the Hartmann Brewing Company, of Bridgeport, is a clever and successful young business man

JOHN H. SCHUTT, of Bridgeport, is an en- I whose abilities have already won recognition in terprising young business man, and has es- | financial circles.

tablished a fine trade in meats and groceries

Mr Kutscher comes of German ancestry, and at No. 135 Carroll avenue. His career demon- | his grandparents, Frederick and Louisa (Zeuner) strates the fact that ability and well-directed en- | Kutscher, who came to America in 1854, were ergy will command success in business life not- I both natives of Clausthal on Harz, Hanover. withstanding the limitations imposed by lack of | Louis Kutscher, Sr., the father of our subject, outside aid.

was born there, but as a youth he accompanied the family to this country, and for some years he tended account of his life appears elsewhere in

Like many of the successful citizens of Fair - 1 field county. Mr. Schutt is of German ancestry. 1 has been a resident of Bridgeport. [A more ex-

the old home of the family being at Holstein, Germany, near the Denmark boundary line. His | this volume. ]

paternal grandparents, Christian and Johanna Our subject was born April 16, 1868, in New Schutt, passed their lives there upon a farm. and ' York City, but during his infancy his parents re- his father, John Diedrick Schutt, was born there moved to Bridgeport where he has since resided, in 1858, coming thence to America about thirty ; He was educated in the public schools and busi- years ago and locating in Bridgeport, where he ' ness college there, attending until he reached the

Digitized by Google

920

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

age of seventeen, and at twenty-one he engaged he soon acquired a perfect knowledge of lodge work and ritual, and was made senior deacon of the lodge in 1859, serving in that capacity three years. From this position he was advanced to junior warden, then to senior warden, and in 1865 he was elected worshipful master, and in the brewing and bottling business with his fa- ther. Later he and his brother, William F. | Kutscher, became interested in brewing and bot- tling Weiss beer under the firm name of Kutscher Brothers. and their partnership lasted until March 15, 1896, when it was formally dissolved. : served two years. On April 25. 1859, he was Soon afterward our subject became associated i exalted to a Roval Arch Mason in Solomon with the Hartmann Brewing Company, and his I Chapter No. 3. R. A. M., and. there also his judicious management as president has done i capabilities as a workman were quickly recog- much to increase the prosperity of that well- | nized; he was elected High Priest of the Chap- known firm. Notwithstanding his business cares | ter in 1864, serving three years, and was again · elected in 1870, serving two years more. On January 26, 1860, he was received and greeted in Union Council No. 27, R. & S. M., was its

Mr. Kutscher finds time to take part in local af- fairs, and in the spring of 1894 he was elected to the city council of Bridgeport. in which he served acceptably for a term. Politically. he is | Thrice Illustrious Master from 1864 to 1868, and a Democrat, and he is identified with a number , on August 5, 1863, he was knighted in New Ha- of societies, including the I. O. O. F., the K. of P., and the German Rifle Club.

On April 20, 1897. Mr. Kutscher married Miss Flora Weber, daughter of Robert Weber, I Grand Lodge was in 1863, and since then an an- a well-known citizen of Bridgeport. at present, and for a number of years past. being town 1 clerk of the City of Bridgeport. Conn .. and of whom further mention is made elsewhere.

ven Commandery No. 2, Knights Templar, of | New Haven.

Brother Barlow's first appearance in the

I nual communication has rarely passed without his being present. In 1871 he was elected Grand Junior Deacon, passing regularly through the chairs; in 1879 he was elected Deputy Grand Master under Israel M. Bullock, and on account I of his death was called to fill the chair of Grand

TOHN HENRY BARLOW was born in the ! Master for the remainder of the term. He was

town of Ridgefield, Conn., November 7. 1832, | elected Grand Master in 1880. Mr. Barlow has and there spent the days of his childhood i also served in subordinate positions in the Grand and received his early education. His ancestry - Chapter and Grand Council, and has regularly is traced to one of two brothers who came from | advanced to the highest station, having served in England to America, settling in Connecticut, during the early part of the eighteenth century, one of them locating in the town of Redding, from whom descended the celebrated poet and politi- cian: the other located in Fairfield, and it is to him that the subject of this sketch traces his descent. Mr. Barlow comes from honorable Masonic stock, both his father and grandfather having been Freemasons, and the latter was one of the signers of the famous declaration of Ma- sonic principles. issued in 1832. At the age of seventeen Mr. Barlow removed to Birmingham, and there engaged in a grocery and hardware store as clerk. serving four years. In April, 1854, he entered the employ of the Shelton Company, manufacturers of tacks, as superintend- ent of the packing and shipping department, and remained in their establishment until July, 1891.

The Masonic career of Mr. Barlow has been an active and earnest one. for he has entered into the labors of the craft with zeal. He be- | Barlow has become widely known as correspond- came a member of King Hiram Lodge No. 12, 1 ent of the Grand Chapter of Connecticut, which F. & A. M., in 1858, being initiated September i office he has held since 1879, and in the Grand 28, passed October 5. and raised October 12. of | Lodge and Grand Council since 1894, and he has that year. Possessed of a wonderful memory, I won the respect and confidence of the craft at

Digitized by

Google

1870 and 1871 as Grand High Priest, and in 1874 as M. P. Grand Master of the Grand Coun- cil. He held the office of secretary of his lodge from 1868 to 1899 (when he was compelled to | decline further service). and has done much to place the history of this lodge on permanent rec- ord, besides serving for nine years as the head of the Grand Convention of the Order of High Priesthood. In 1894, on the death of Joseph K. Wheeler, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, he was appointed to fill the va- cancy by Grand Master H. O. Warner, of New Milford. At the session of the Grand Lodge in January, 1895. he was elected Grand Secretary. i and has been re-elected annually ever since. He is a thirty-second-degree Scottish Rite Mason. and is a member of the Lafayette Consistory of Bridgeport. Mr. Barlow is one of the managers I of the Masonic Home, which is located at Wall- ingford, and is secretary of the same. Brother

Johan Barlow

Digitized by Google

Google

Digitized by

921

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

large for the terseness and practical common . been a great reader and a close student of ancient sense of his reports. As a man he is courteous i and modern history, and is generally well in- and unassuming, with a quiet demeanor and yet . formed. He is in every way a self-made man. with a determined will, which, combined with

On May 13. 1861, Mr. Barlow was married good judgment. helps to mold a character noted ! to Miss Emeline Gilbert, daughter of George for its inflexibility and tenacity of purpose in the cause of right and justice. Having many friends and scarcely an enemy, he fully enjoys the con- fidence of the fraternity of Connecticut

Gilbert, of Newtown, and by her had three chil- dren, as follows: Antoinette L., born July 14. 1863. living at home; Morris David, born Octo- ber 18, 1869, who died November 24, 1875, and

John Henry Barlow is a son of David Scott . George Henry, born August 5, 1871, who grad- Barlow, who was born May 8. 1808. in Ridge- I uated from the Yale Law School in 1897, be- field, and a grandson of John Barlow, who was born in the year 1778 in Fairfield. John Barlow.

came a member of the Fairfield County Bar. and | met an accidental death on September 10 of the grandfather of our subject, had a blacksmith I that year. The mother of these children died shop on Barlow Mountain. Ridgefield, and David | October 20, 1875. and Mr. Barlow, on May 29. Scott barlow carried on the same business in the 1 1877, married Miss Lina Ells, daughter of Edwin Ells, of Ansonia.

same place until he removed to what was then known as Birmingham (now Derby. ) At this place he entered a machine shop. following the trade of a machinist up to the time of his death. John Barlow married Rane Scott, and by her had the following named children: Amy, who mar-

J .OHN MAHER. To the young man who is determined to succeed, who is restlessly, eagerly, irresistibly impelled along the line ried Philo Wood; Phebe, who marned Nathaniel | of industry, as it opens before him, success comes Wood, of Danbury: Hannah, who married David easy. Combined with integrity of character. in- Scott The sons were all blacksmiths. without exception, though John became a hardware dealer in Sing Sing. N. Y. Thaddeus moved to Somers. Westchester ( o .. N. ) .. and Gould died young.

Smith: Gould; John; Thaddeus: Caroline, who | dustry of that kind is a sure winner in life's bat- married David Pulling, of Ridgefield: and David ' tles. An admirable example is found in the career of the worthy young business man whose I name opens this sketch.

David Scott Barlow married Elizabeth Ab- bott, of Ridgebury, a daughter of Silas and Mary (Kendrick) Abbott. They had four children, viz .: John Henry. the subject of this sketch; David Edson, born December 1. 1834, now de- ceased; Mary Elizabeth, born September 30, 1837. and Morris Keeler. born March 1. 1843. both deceased. David Scott Barlow died in November, 1862, and his wife in May, 1888.

In 1891 John H. Barlow retired from the employ of the Shelton company, and established himself in the insurance and real estate business; he is vice-president of the Shelton Savings Bank. In 1893-94-95 he was wardien of the borough of Shelton, and he has served as chairman of the board of assessors from 1893 to the present time. Politically, he was a Democrat up to 1884. when he became a Republican, and he has been ardent in his devotion to the party since that time. He was a member of St. James Episcopal Church, of Derby, for many years, and a vestryman thereof for more than twenty-hve years; on his removal to Shelton in 1889 he was one of the first to assist in the formation of an Episcopal parish, the Church of the Good Shepherd, of which he is senior warden. Mr. Barlow has

John Maher, ice dealer and general contractor. of Greenwich, who is thoroughly practical, and who from boyhood has always been at work, was born January 1, 1864, in Brooklyn, N. Y., and was a child when his parents, Daniel and Ellen (Ivery) Maher, removed to Sound Beach, where he was reared. He was the eldest child, and as his parents in those days were of limited means, his schooling at Sound Beach was often inter- rupted by the duties that fell to him. He was at an early age initiated into farm work, his father being a tenant for Samuel Adams. John, too, was often employed by Samuel Adams. When twelve years old he was employed by A. R. Ferris, of Sound Beach, at $7.00 per month, and at the end of five months he had saved $35.00. which sum was turned over to his parents. He was variously employed, and, being a steady young fellow brought up to work, he was gen- erally regarded as a superior hand. For example, at dropping potatoes he was able to command $ 1.00 per day .. and his dinner," and as he was very rapid, his services were in steady demand. The young man hardly knew what it was to be without work. He was in employ of John Mel- ville at Riverside as a general utility boy, and for James Hammel he served in a similar capacity. He worked with horse and cart on the con- struction of the driving track that William Rocke-

Digitized by Google

. - 1

922

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

feller built at Greenwich, working until the track was finished in June, 1882. He was then coach- man for Mr. Johns, at Riverside. When the paper-mill was being constructed in Stamford, he worked on the building of the foundation as driver of horse and cart.

In 1885, when Belle Haven was being laid out, he worked there for the contractor, Mr. Cramm, and on the morning of June 11, 1885, while repairing his cart saddle, a nail that he was attempting to drive flew up and struck his right eye, causing an injury that resulted in the loss of its sight. He was confined to the Park Row Eve and Ear Hospital, New York, for two weeks, and after returning home he found profitable employment in the use of a mowing machine (which he had previously bought at a very low price). and which investment, made on his own judgment, afforded light work for him until his recovery from the injury. This machine paid for itself many times over. during the several seasons he ran it. The purchase suggested busi- ness foresight. In September, 1885, he returned to the grading at Belle Haven, and was employed there until the work was finished. In the spring of 1886 he began the ice business, on a small scale. He bought an ice wagon from C. M. Scofield, of Mianus, and buying ice from the same man, he supplied customers in Cos Cob and Riverside, Mianus and Sound Beach. Against very strong competition he built up a business that promised well.

In the fall of 1886 he leased the Isaac Will- iams ice house at Mianus, and harvested, that winter, his first crop. It not being sufficient to supply the demand, he was compelled to buy elsewhere. His success in the ice business, like everything else he had undertaken, caused addi- tional requests. Greenwich residents asked that he supply that town also, and their requests led to his purchasing, in 1887, the ice business and property around "Ten Acre Pond."that belonged to Henry Webb. For some years Mr. Maher, in addition to this new trade, carried on the busi- ness previously established at Mianus, Sound Beach, Riverside, and Cos Cob. Since 1891 he has confined his attention entirely to the exten- sive business that had been built up in Green- wich. Under Mr. Maher's management the ice business of Greenwich and suburbs has become quite extensive, and the able manner in which it is conducted is of great convenience to the patrons.

Mr. Maher, in addition to his ice business, does general contract work, and supplies sand and gravel, also builds houses. In a year's time he employs many men, and "they get their pay every

Saturday night." Mr. Maher oversees his busi- ness personally, his practical knowledge and his natural sagacity contributing in no small degree to his success.

Mr. Maher was married March 27, 1889, to Miss Lizzie M. Reilly, of Sound Beach, a daugh- I ter of James and Mary (Hoggerty) Reilly, and the children born to them are as follows: Mary E., Katie E., Virgie (who died aged six months), Doratha and John D. In politics Mr. Maher is a stanch Democrat. He is no politician, but is loyal to his party and to its candidates. He is of that type of a Democrat of whom it is said, "they always knew how he stands," not because he tells everybody, but because he is true to his party. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church at Greenwich, and he holds the office of trustee of St. Mary's R. C. Church. It is but proper to add here also that Mr. Maher bought fourteen acres of ground for a Catholic cemetery, which will make one of the finest cemeteries in the State. In conclusion, it may be said that Mr. Maher is enterprising, and a citizen who is of great value to any community. He has greatly improved his home and estate, and has one of the most charming homes around Greenwich. Though a young man, he is one of the substantial and prosperous business men of Greenwich. There are none whose reputation for fairness and honesty is better, none who can point to an early life more faithfully spent, none upon whom the crown of popular commendation can more fittingly descend.

TAMES L. MIDDLEBROOK was born in the town of Wilton, Conn., January 16, 1865, and there received his early education, later attending the academy at Wilton. After leaving school he went to New Haven with the New York & Eastern News Co., and was connected with that firm some nine years. At the end of that time he returned to Wilton, where he was engaged in the fish, oyster, fruit and vegetable trade, in connection with a store at the depot, until April, 1897, when he removed to Norwalk for a few months, returning to his old home in Wilton about October I, same year. Mr. Middle- brook has been a very successful business man; and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his neighbors and friends. He is a member of the Congregational Church of Wilton.

On November 17, 1886, Mr. Middlebrook married Miss Henrietta C. Farnham, who was born November 29, 1867, in Worcester, Mass., a daughter of Elisha G. and Caroline A. (Ed- wards) Farnham, the former of whom was an

Digitized by

Google

923

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

undertaker and manufacturer, of the same place. | paged in cattle buying and auctioneering, which The children born to this union were as follows; , he continued to follow most of his life. Polit- Louis F., born September 21, 1887. died in in- | ically, he was a strong Republican, and was hon- fancy; Carlton M., born July 4. 1888. also died ored by his fellow citizens with election to a in infancy; Lillie G., born March 7. 1889; Lin- . number of minor offices, such as constable, tax wood G., born April 3. 1892, died in infancy; } collector, etc. He was a member of the Method- James M., born March 15, 1893: Hennetta F., , ist Episcopal Church, standing well in his so- born July 2, 1895; and Farnham Drunzer, born ciety. He married Miss Julia Lee, of Dutchess county. N. Y., who was born in 1812. By this June 25. 1897.

Charles O. H. Middlebrook, paternal grand- { marriage there were born the following children: father of the subject, was born in the town of | Charles, who died in infancy; Artemesia, who married Samuel Middlebrook; Emily. who mar- Wilton. Conn., and educated in the public schools of that town. He always followed farm- i ried (first) James M. Middlebrook, and (second) ing. his father before him having been an ex- tensive land owner. He married Miss Sarah Charles I. Morris; Stephen D., who married Martha Morenus: Sarah I., who married Frank

Monroe, and by her had children as follows: i Mills; Lorenzo V., who was twice married, his Mary, who married Henry Flower: Samuel, 1 first wife being Lavina Bennett; and Mary F.,

who married Artemesia Olmstead: Charles, who : who died at the age of nine years.

married Ella Murphy; James M., who married Emily Olmstead; and Sarah, who married Orsemun Sexton.

W WILLIAM P. BLAND was born in the vil- lage of Glentham, Lincolnshire, England, September 21, 1866, and was educated in Lin- coln and other places in Lincolnshire. After leaving school he was apprenticed to a merchant-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 187

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