Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 190

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 190

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).

Politically, Mr. Morse is a Republican.

i whom he has had six children: Adelaide, wife of Charles E. Stevens; Gordon E .; Carrie, wife of David Hart Weeks; Mamie Henrietta, who mar- HOMAS P. CAVE. Sk .. a military vet- . ned Curtis Rile; Thomas P., Jr., and Lillian. Socially, Mr. Cave is identified with the G. A. R., the United Americans and the Masonic Fra-

eran, is a prominent resident of Danen. where he has been engaged for a number of years in the business of painting and decorating. . ternity, during the war being a member at large In his line he has no supenor in this State. and , of the latter society. In politics he is a Repub- as his success has been won by his own efforts, not withstanding a most discouraging environ- ' ment in youth, his history will be read with un- usual interest.

Ican, being a strong advocate for protection, but he is not especially active in party work, , preferring to give his time to business. How- , ever, his fellow-citizens are not disposed to allow placed in nomination by them for the General

Mr. Cave was born in 1833 in New York , him to remain in private life, and in 1895, when City. a son of Richard and Theresa Peck Cave, who were natives of England but came to this : Assembly, he came within nine votes of election. country early in their married lite. They spent ; although he did not personally solicit the support several years in the metropolis, but later they i of any one.

removed to Providence. R. I., where their re-

maining years were passed. The father was a stevedore by occupation, and as he was of a quiet, unassuming disposition, he never sought prominence in any way. There were seven children, but they became scattered during their i early years, and our subject does not now know the whereabouts of any of them.

J .OHN H. DONOVAN, a prominent wholesale and retail liquor dealer at Shelton, is an en- prising young business man who may be said to have grown up with that village. He remem- bers the time when there were but three houses there, and when the farm which occupied the site was laid out in lots; he watched the plow

Mr. Cave had no educational advantages whatever, his boyhood being spent in such | that marked out the streets of the new town.

work as his strength permitted, and he learned Mr. Donovan was born in September, 1854. resided for generations. Stephen O. Donovan. our subject's father. who was also born in County Cork, came to America in 1860, locating first at Baltic (now Sprague). Conn., where he followed the blacksmith's trade, in which he had been en- gaged in his native land. About 1878 he removed to Shelton to spend his remaining years, his death occurring there in 1886. His wife, Ellen (Reilly), a native of Cork. Ireland, died in the same year. Both were members of the Catholic Church, and in politics our subject's father was a Democrat. This worthy couple had seven chil- i others are: Ann married John Reilly; Catherine to read by taking notice of the letters on the | in County Cork, Ireland, where his family has business signs in the streets of New York City. When he was thirteen years old he began to learn the painter's trade. his apprenticeship last- ing six years, four months and twenty-one days. For a time he worked as a journeyman in Rochester. Buffalo, and other places, and one year he passed in the South. Later he located at New Haven and established a business of his own, employing eleven men for a time, but in 1859 he removed to Stamford, this county, hoping that the change would benefit the health of his daughters. During his residence there the Civil war broke out. and he enlisted in Company | dren, two of whom died in childhood. The F, 3rd Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, for a term

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is the widow of Dennis Sullivan; Johanna J. married Nicholas Larkins; John H. is the subject proper of this sketch; and Daniel (now deceased) followed the blacksmith's trade. All of this fam- ily settled in Shelton.

Our subject was about seven years old when he came to America, and for some time he at- tended school at Baltic. At the age of fifteen he removed to Shelton; and as he had already learned the blacksmith's trade with his father he soon secured employment in that line of work with the Housatonic Water Company, of Derby. Later he engaged in the grocery business in Shel- ton, at the corner of Howe avenue and Center street, and he also carried a stock of liquors. He continued the business about fifteen years, but has since devoted his attention to his trade in malt liquors. He owns a farin in Huntington township, containing about one hundred acres, and has won success as a general farmer, while he is also a member of the Board of Trade of Shelton. In 1876 he married Miss Martha An- nie Kelley, a daughter of John Kelley, a well- known resident of Norwich, Conn. Five chil- dren were born of this union: Stephen F., El- len E., John J., Mary C. and Daniel N. H., all at home.

Mr. Donovan is not a member of any Church, but he is in sympathy with progress, and says that his religion is to do unto others as he would wish them to do unto him. Politically he is a stanch Democrat, and he is active in local affairs. For a number of years he has served on the grand jury, and he was one of the incorporators of the borough of Shelton. He is well known also in social life, being a member of King Hir- am Lodge No. 12, F. & A. M., at Derby, and of the Order of Foresters, in which he belongs to the ranks of both Shepherds and Knights.

T THEODORE TURNEY, a well-known and highly honored citizen of Fairfield, now liv- ing retired and in the enjoyment of a well-earned rest, comes of an old family of the town of Fair- field, noted for their industry and honesty.

captain, who was killed at a railroad crossing in Fairfield; Levi, who was also a sea-faring man, and resided in Fairfield; Emma, who married a Mr. DeForest; Mrs. Hubbell; and Samuel, who died unmarried, in Fairfield. For his second wife Abel Turney married a sister of his first wife, but had no children by her. During the Revo- lutionary war he served in the American navy. He was a prominent citizen, and a man of in- fluence and means.

Andrew Turney, the father of our subject, was born on the old home farm, and received a liberal education at the schools of the neighbor- hood. In connection with general farming, to which he was reared, he followed the produce business extensively, personally making three- day trips into the country, collecting eggs, but- ter, etc., for miles around Fairfield. Like his father before him, he became a successful man in all his enterprises, and was influential and wealthy.

Mr. Turney was married in Fairfield to Miss Hannah J. Knapp. Their first housekeeping ex- perience was in that borough, they later moving to a home on the land where they passed the rest of their lives, and which our subject now owns and lives on. The father passed from earth at the age of eighty-five years, the mother six years later when seventy-five years old, and they sleep their last sleep in Fairfield East cemetery. They were members of the Congregational Church, and in politics Mr. Turney was a Whig. The follow- ing is a brief record of their children: Julia A., born August 18, 1812, married Walter Bradley, of Newtown, Conn., and died February 14, 1884. Mary, born June 10, 1814, married David Wake- man, and died July 24, 1888. Deborah F., born November 25, 1815, married (first) A. N. Bus- kirk, and (second) Martin Gibbs, and died Jan- I uary 28, 1888. Albert, born September 27, 1817, died February 2, 1898, in Fairfield, where he had his home; he was a successful produce dealer, and left a large estate. Elizabeth, born October 1, 1819, married George Van Buskirk, and died March 29, 1848. Isaac W., born June 11, 1821, died January 15, 1852, in California. Andrew, born August 29, 1823, died November 18, 1862, in Iowa. Henry, born March 18, 1826, died February 19, 1850. Emeline, born Octo- ber 5, 1827, is the widow of Henry Smith, and lives in Hartford, Conn. Theodore, the subject proper of this memoir, is the youngest.

Abel Turney, grandfather of our subject, was a farmer by occupation, also a produce dealer, and in the latter connection had a process of preserving eggs unknown outside the family, which process is still in use by them. He owned an extensive tract of land running between Fair- field and Redding. which is still in the possession Theodore Turney was born August 17, 1829, on the portion of the old homestead owned by: | his father, and attended the public schools of of the family. Abel Turney was twice married, and by his first wife had children as follows: An- drew, father of our subject; Esther, who married | Fairfield, also the academy, later going to Green's John Knapp, and died in Fairfield; Wilson, a sea | Farms Academy, where he studied navigation.

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After laying aside his books, he went to George-

obtaining an education in the local schools. later town. D. C., where he entered the employ of | learning the moulder's trade there. After fol- the Sturgis-Clayman line of steamers, and was so engaged a few years. When the " gold fever " of 1840 broke out, he went to California that lowing that occupation for some time he removed to Bridgeport in 1876, and for seven years was I employed by James Horan, the florist. He year, traveling by way of the Isthmus of Panama; . then spent two years in New York City in the but at the end of an eighteen-months' visit in the : florist business, and on returning to Bridgeport " Golden State "he returned home by way of | he conducted Mr. Horan's store for three years. Central America. After a few years residence . During some twelve years he was employed as in vanous localities, Mr. Turney settled down to I bartender by M. T. Fitzgerald, and in February, farming, etc .. on the old home place.

In 1853 our subject was married to Miss Cor- nelia D. Baldwin, who was born in Bridgeport, | ginning. Conn .. a daughter of Deacon Josiah and Sarah Dimon (Burr) Baldwin, and children as follows were born to them: Emma C unmarried; lives at home George B. died in Newark, N. J., at the age of twenty-five years. Josiah B. is a member of the hrm of Turney Brothers, on Water street, Bridgeport, Conn. Theodore Lyman is a member of the firm of Cochran & Co., produce merchants, New York. Julia B. B. Inves in New- ark. N. J. Walter died in infancy. Sarah D. is the wife of Dr. A. Irwin Thaver, of Newark. N. ] Elizabeth also lives in Newark, N. J. Andrew, who was a member of the firm of Tur- ney Brothers, of Bridgeport. Conn .. died when twenty-four years old. Harriet lives in Bridge- port The surviving sons are all prosperous business men.

Mr. Turney has always followed agricultural pursuits, and in connection has also dealt exten- sively in produce, buying and selling. He is a public-spirited, enterprising citizen, giving his support to all objects calculated to promote the general welfare.

J OHN M. SEARS, an enterprising citizen of Bridgeport. is engaged in the retail hquor business at No. 59 State street, and his well- ordered establishment commands an extensive patronage.

Mr. Sears is a native of Norwalk, Conn., born March 21, 1859. Heis of Irish descent, in both paternal and maternal lines. Patrick Sears, his father. was born in Ireland aud came to the United States in early manhood. locating in Nor- walk. where he died in 1891. His wife, Alice (Farrell), also a native of Ireland, died in Nor- walk in 188 ;; they had the following children: Thomas. an engineer in Bridgeport; Miss Jane, who resides in Bridgeport; Nelhe, wife of Hugh O'Neill, formerly of Norwalk, and now of Mas- sachusetts, where he is engaged in the shoe busi- ness: and John M.

Our subject spent his boyhood in Norwalk,

1897. he engaged in the liquor business on his own account, meeting with success from the be-

On August 18, 1886, Mr. Sears married Miss 1 Elizabeth Plude, a native of Brandon, Vt .. but no children have blessed the union. Mr. Sears | and his wife are members of the Catholic Church at Bridgeport, and he is an active worker in va- nous fraternal orders, including the Brotherhood of the Union, and the Order of Foresters of America, belonging to Sanctuary Waldemere, in the latter organization. He is also a patron of the Mutual Reserve Fund of the New York Life Insurance Company. Politically. he affili- ates with the Democratic party, in which he takes keen interest.

G EORGE H. ALLEN, of Norwalk, was born in the City of New York September 26, 1857. and there passed his boyhood days. He attended school until the age of twenty-one, at which time he entered the gents' furnishing store of Adams & Co. as clerk. After four years in this establishment he commenced in the drug business with Curry & Davis, No. 103 Maiden Lane, as clerk, remaining four years. Mr. Allen then accepted a clerkship in the Post Office De- partment, to which he was appointed on the recommendation of Roscoe Conkling. Here he was employed for two years, and then entered his brother's restaurant, where he served in the capacity of cashier. On April 1, 1888, he came to Norwalk, and during the summer of that year he managed the Dorland Point Summer Resort. In December, 1891, he established his present business, which by dint of perseverance and at- tention to his work has proven very lucrative, and he is now regarded as one of the substantial men of his town.

On August 15. 1887, George H. Allen was married to Miss Abbie J. Hall (now deceased), a daughter of Washington Hall, of Norwalk. and their union has been blessed with four children: Annie C. ; Robert F .; Edna H .; and George W. In his political affiliations Mr. Allen is a Repub- lican, tried and true, and he never counts the

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cost too great if by any sacrifice he can further the interests of his party. At present he is fire inspector for the city of Norwalk. Socially, he is very popular: is affiliated with the I. O. O. F., and is president of the Alpha Wheel Club of Norwalk. He is also a member of the Phoenix, No. 1, Fire Department. Well educated and naturally quick-witted and intelligent. he is an interesting conversationalist, and much sought after on all occasions.

Jesse Allen, the father of George H. Allen, was born in Albany county. New York, one of the two sons of Harry and Emeline (Coles) Al- len, the former of whom was a farmer of Penn- sylvania-Dutch stock (the other son was Martin V. B., now deceased). Jesse Allen engaged in the manufacture of sash and blinds in Albany county for a number of years, and then was ap- pointed Custom House Inspector in New York, which office he held all through the Republican administration, or up to the time of his death, in 1880. He married Miss Harriet E. Staley, who was born in Troy, N. Y., a daughter of Oliver and Mary Staley, the former of whom was en- gaged in the sawmill business. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Allen: Emma, who died at the age of three years: George H., our subject; and William O. and Frank L., both in the employ of the Union News Company, of New York. Mr. Allen was an active worker in the Republican party, and a faithful adherent to the doctrine of Methodism. His wife died in 1887.

C HARLES R. EVITTS, of Nichols. town of Trumbull, is one of the leading business men of that vicinity, and is also prominent in local politics.

Mr. Evitts belongs to an old family of this section, and his grandfather. Elijah Evitts, was a well-known resident of Bridgeport in the early days. Thomas Evitts, our subiect's father, was born in Bridgeport in 1780, became a mason by occupation, and resided in New Milford. He married Miss Betsey Reed, a native of New Mil- ford. and had four children: Alanson, who died- while serving as a soldier in the Civil war: Mun- son. deceased; Charles R., our subject: and Burr. who met a soldier's death in the Civil war.

Our subject was born December 24. 1830, in New Milford, where his youth was spent, his ed- ucation being obtained in the local schools. In 1860 he went to Bridgeport, where he was em- ployed in the Wheeler & Wilson factory for thir- teen years. He then engaged in the meat busi- ness, opening a market on Water street, Bridge-

port, and in 1883 he removed to Nichols, where he became interested in general mercantile busi- ness, succeeding Henry B. Curtis. This enter- prise has proved entirely successful, and be com- mands an excellent trade. In 1883 he was ap- pointed to the office of postmaster, which he has since held with the exception of nine months.

In 1860 Mr .. Evitts was married, in Bridge- port, to Miss Jane Catherine Evitts, and they have had seven children: Jane. Sarah, Alice (wife of Frank T. Noonan, bookkeeper for the Brass Company at Bridgeport). Luella, Fred- erick, Roscoe, and James (deceased). The fam- ily is identified with the Episcopal Church, and Mr. Evitts is a valued member of the congrega- tion at New Milford. In politics he aids the party or parties which in his opinion will best subserve the interests of the public.

M YRON E. CRAWFORD is descended from one of the oldest families of New Canaan, his great-grandfather, Joseph Crawford, having been a resident of the town. He was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. His son Thaddeus was born February 10, 1806, at the family resi- dence in Ponus street, grew to manhood there. and learned the trade of shoemaker. He mar- ried Juliette Lockwood, of the same town, and they lived for many years on the Fairview farm in New Canaan. Of their five children, Mary (Mrs. John E. Selleck) lives in Oneoke avenue, New Canaan; Joseph is the father of Myron E. Crawford; Julia Anna is the wife of Samuel G. Lockwood, of Wilton. Conn .; John Lewis died October 10, 1868, aged twenty-six years: Henry died when sixteen years old. The father lived to an advanced age, dying April 8, 1892, while the mother passed away May 9, 1859.

JOSEPH CRAWFORD was born November 2. 1839, in Oneoke avenue, New Canaan, and spent his early life on Fairview farm, helping with the work at home and attending the district school. For a short time Mr. Crawford lived in New York City, where he learned the mason's trade, but with that exception he passed his life in New Canaan, where he carried on farming. He was an active man, taking a keen interest in all that went on around him, and served his fellow-citi- zens in the offices of selectman, assessor, and member of the board of relief. He was a mem- ber of the Grange, and of the Episcopal Church. On December 8, 1863, he was married in New Canaan, to Harriet Wakeman, daughter of Sam- uel Wakeman, and by her had two children- Cora Frances and Myron Elmer, the former of whom was married October 15, 1891, to Urban

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Joseph Crawford

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ness at Katonah, Westchester Co., N. Y., where he passed his lifetime, dying September 6, 1896. citizen. His wife, who was Miss Mary J. Louns-

G. Seymour, of Lewisboro, N. Y., and to them was born a daughter-Harriette Frances. Feb. ' ruary 1. 1899. Joseph Crawford ended his days ; He was a good business man and an excellent on September 16, 1896.

Myron E. Crawford was born June 20. 1873. , bury, a native of New Castle, Westchester Co. in New Canaan, District No. 4. and has always , N. Y., died in 1863. The children born to them made his home in the town of his birth. During . were: Annie E. (Mrs. E. E. Brady), and Steph- his boyhood he was a pupil at the neighboring I en S. (our subject).

public school, and at H. U. King's private school

Stephen S. Chadeayne passed his boyhood at in Stamford. He remained upon the home farm | Katonah. where his primary education was re- until his marriage. October 28. 1896, to Miss Marion E. Benedict, daughter of Theodore W. benedict. The young couple occupy a very com- fortabie, pleasant house across the street from the old Crawford homestead. He is a member of the New Canaan Episcopal Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Crawford was born, August to, 1897, a - son-Joseph Myron. I ceived in the public schools. Subsequently he attended Drew Seminary, Carmel, N. Y. At a time when he was laid up with a broken leg he studied telegraphy, "picking it up," as it were. himself. He became quite an adept in this call- ing, and on recovering from the effects of his broken limb he accepted a position with the Western Union Telegraph Company, in one of their offices in New York City, and remained change in business-engaging in the trucking cupied until in April, 1888, then came to Stam- ford. Conn., where, in connection with Elmer E. | Brady, he formed the firm of Brady & Chadeayne, dealers in furniture and undertakers' materials. Their first location was in the Bell Block, where I they carried on business until 1891. then remot - ing to their present stand. This is a most enter - prising firm, and their goods and materials are new in design, as well as of superior quality.

Walker Wakeman, maternal great grandla- ther of Myron E. Crawford, was a resident of . there some three years. Next he made a radical Westchester county, N. Y. He married Molly Osborn. Their son. Samuel Wakeman, was born ! business in the same city. He remained so oc- September 19, 1805, at Lewishoro. N. Y., and removed to New Canaan, where he died January 3. 1800 He was a lifelong farmer. On Sep- tember 18. 1828. he married Harnet Whitlock. who was born March 25. 1868, and died Novem- ; ber 16. 1844. They teared a family of eight children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Louisa. August 5, 1829: Huan., De- cember 29. 1830. Ruth, January 23, 1834: Lesier, 1 October 20. 1835 : Samuel Sherwood. August 28, In January, 1897, Mr. Chadeayne was mar- ried to Fannie L. Stevens, a daughter of Stiles C. Stevens, a sketch of whom follows. Socially, our subject is a member of Puritan Lodge No. 43, I. O. O. F., of Stamford, and of the Royal Arcanum. 1838; Andrus. March 11, 1841; Hammet (Mrs. Crawford), June 1, 1843; Alsop. May 29, 1845. Louisa married Charles Raymond and lives in Montague, Mass .; Ruth (now deceased) was the wife of Andrew Hovt; Samuel lives in New Ca- naan; Andrus is a resident of Vista, N. Y. the served in the Civil war); Alsop makes his home in South Dakota.

STEPHEN S. CHADEAYNE, a member of the well-known undertaking and furniture establishment of Brady & Chadeayne, which is located in the Florence Block, Stamford. Fair- | the town of Stamford, and died in the summer field county, is one of the enterprising and pop- ular business men of the city.

The Chadeayne family is of French origin. David Chadeayne (the grandfather of Stephen S. ), a farmer by occupation, was a resident of the town of New Castle, Westchester Lo .. N. Y. John Chadeayne, the father of Stephen S .. was a native of Sing Sing. N. Y. He passed his boy- hood at New Castle, and after completing his primary education in the village schools, he be- came engaged in the lumber and hardware busi-

Stiles C. Stevens, father of Mrs. Stephen S. Chadeayne, and a well-known and prominent citizen of Stamford, Conn., was born Septem- ber 13, 1840, at Pound Ridge, Westchester Co., N. Y. Capt. Jacob Stevens, his grandfather, was a native of Stamford, Conn., and was a brother of the grandfather of Sipsco Stevens. He was a lifelong resident and farmer of High Ridge, in 1 of 1865. He married Phebe Curtis, of High I Ridge, and had a family of children as follows: Jared, Henry, Cephas, Andrew, Mrs. Jones, Al- mira, Ann Eliza (Mrs. T. B. Fitch), and Mary Jane, all now deceased except Mrs. Fitch. The father of this family was a Presbyterian in re- ligious faith, and in politics was a Whig.

Jared Stevens, father of Stiles C., was born in the town of Stamford, Conn., and passed his boyhood at High Ridge, remaining upon the home farm until his marriage with Sarah Provost,

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daughter of John Provost, of High Ridge. Chil- dren as follows were born to this union: Phebe and Alonzo (both deceased), Stiles C., Mary (wife of John G. Thatcher, of New Canaan, Conn.) and George (of ,Long Ridge). . The par- ents of this family died, the father in 1865, the mother in 1876. From the time of their mar- riage they resided at Pound Ridge, Westchester Co., N. Y. They were members of the M. E. Church, and in politics he was first a Whig, later a Republican.

Stiles C. Stevens attended the district schools at Pound Ridge, and had his home upon the old farmstead until 1868, in which year he engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own ac- count. He subsequently resided some two years at High Ridge, during which time he engaged in the retail meat business. In 1870 he came to | Stamford. Conn., and here continued in that line until 1887, being located in the .. People's Market." For the past ten years, however, he has given his attention solely to the wholesale local live-stock business.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 190

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