Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 209

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

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Wilton in less than two summers. He lived in several places about the town, and in 1824 set- Jesse L. James was born in the town of Bethel tled on his homestead, where he died of pneu- | February 9, 1837, and is now living in retire- I ment upon a small farm near Botsford Station. monitis, Apr. 20, 1871, and is buried in Joe's Hill cemetery. His children, by the second mar- | In his youth he learned the blacksmith's trad .. riage, were: Louisa, Sally, Harriet A., Mary, Ebenezer, William. Charles, Elizabeth. George Edgar, Sylvester, Antoinette, and Henry.

RINEAR VAN HOOSEAR was born about the vear 1756 or 57, probably in Holland. Tra- 1 dition asserts he came with his parents from that place, and settled on Long Island, New York. When about fifteen years of age he came to Westport. He soon began work in the neigh- borhood of where the girl was, who was to be his wife. "He enlisted from Weston, Conn., in | that time he has devoted his attention to the the fall of 1776," to serve in the Revolutionary war, serving as corporal and part of the time as sergeant, for three years. Some little time be- fore the end of the war " Ryoner Van Houser married Mercy or Marcy" Taylor (1782). " Rhyoneer Van Hooser" and wife renewed covenant at Weston, Conn. Removed to Bal- ston, N. Y., and afterward settled at Wilton. His children were: I. David (died young). II. Hezekiah, IJI. Maria, IV. Rhoda, and V. David (2nd.) He eventually settled at a place early known as . Wampum Hill," but later as " Dum- plin Hill," Wilton, and was killed by lightning April, 1819. His wife Mercy was a daughter of Jonathan and Lois (Coley*) Taylor, grand- daughter of Josiah and Thankful (French) Tay- lor, gt-gr.dau. of John and Wait (Clapp) Taylor, which John was a son of John Taylor, J1. She died at Poplar Plains, Norwalk, about 1833, and is buried in the cemetery near by.

*Dau. of John and Mercy (Gregory) Corey, grand- daughter of Samuel and Mary (Carles) Coley; great-grand- daughter of Samuel Coley, the immigrant.

J ESSE ALEXANDER JAMES, of Hawley ville. is an enterprising and successful young business man who has made his own way in life by sheer force of merit, as the history of his career will show.

in honor of his grandfather, a native of Nashville, Tenn., and a veteran of the Florida war, who came North about 1825 and located at Bethel. where he engaged in farming and following the hatter's trade. He married a Miss Taylor, and they had six children, viz .: Andrew; Minerva. Mrs. Mansfield; Delia, who married John Nichol- son; Caroline, who married George Keeler; Jesse L., our subject's father; and one who died when about eighteen years old.

I which he followed for three or four years in New Milford, Conn., later removing to Norwalk, th .: s I county, and engaging in business as a carriage manufacturer in partnership with a Mr. Ruby. This arrangement lasted only a few years, and after the dissolution of the firm Mr. James went to Brookfield and rebuilt the old . American | Hotel." which he christened the "Americar. House " and conducted for many years, until its I destruction by fire in February, 1896. Since i cultivation of his farm, and as he has been gener- ally successful in his business life he enjoys a comfortable competence. He is a man of ster- ling character, and is held in high esteem by all who know him. Mr. James is specially fond of a good horse, and no better judge of horseflesh car. be found in this section. Politically he is a Democrat, but he has never aspired to officia: position. During the Civil war he made an honorable record as a soldier, enlisting in the First Conn. V. 1. immediately after the first call was issued by the Government for defenders. At the expiration of his first term of three months ix re-enlisted for three years, "or during the war. I and he remained in the service as long as their was any fighting to be done. He belongs to Upson Post, G. A. R. of New Milford, and to tx Veterans' Union, and is also a member of the Masonic Fraternity, belonging to St. Peters Lodge No. 21, and Housatonic Chapter No. 74 both of New Milford. Mr. James married M .: Julia Ann McLean, daughter of Alexander Mi- Lean, a well-known resident of Danbury, and c: their two sons, Paul E. and Jesse A., the forme: now resides in Concord, N. H., and is the gt ... eral agent for New Hampshire and Vermont to: a portrait firm.

The subject proper of our sketch was prepared for the battle of life by a good practical ed ur. tion received in the public schools of New M :-

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ford and the Westport Academy, where he studied two years under the instruction of James E. Coley When about seventeen years old he was employed as an errand boy in the Bridge- port office of the Housatonic railroad, where he remained eight years and was promoted from time to time until he reached the position of bill-

became the parents of eight children: Susan, who married George Middlebrook, and lives on Staten Island (she has two sons-George and Frederick, : Stanley. deceased ; Charles, de- ceased: Sarah. of Mt. Vernon, who married Dr. ' Charles Merritt; Ida, who became the wife of William Henry Foote, of Chicago (she has two ing clerk. He resigned in order to engage in the . sons-Charles and Stanley): Henry, deceased; real-estate business in Bridgeport with James H.

Clarence; and Jesse M .. our subject. The fa- Sentner, but the venture was short-lived. lasting i ther of these children, who was a mason and only from February to July. Mr. James then ' builder in Bridgeport, died June 27. 1870. a went to brookfield and assisted his father in the ' faithful and consistent member of the Methodist hotel business for about four years, when he , Episcopal Church (as is his widow). He was an again entered the railroad business. On August . active member of the Sons of Temperance. His 1. 1891, he was appointed agent for the House- I widow is passing her declining years in rest and tonic & Shepag railroad at Hawleyville, and in | quiet at the home of our subject.

Jesse M. Hayes, whose name introduces this gamed control of the New England railroad, he i sketch, has passed his entire life in Bridgeport. was given charge of their interests in addition to ' where he was born March 3. 1864. He received his other duties. He is also apent for the United February. 1896. when the Consolidated Company his literary training in the public schools, but States Express Company, and in this position . early entered the arena of business, beginning has the sole supervision of the work of ten men. . as an errand boy in a store. He then, under the

In sagt Mr. James married Miss Orlean . able direction of A. D. Laws, learned the ma- Sturges Supple, daughter of Henry and Clarissa , chinist trade, at which he worked with great (Sturges) Supple, and two children have blessed their union. Jesse Loderick and Catherine Amanda. Socially Mr. James is identified with St. Peter's Lodge No. 21. F. & A. M .. and Housatonic Chapter No. 74. both of New Mil- ford. He takes much interest in public ques- tions, and is an influential member of the Demo- success until 1886. He then went to work for C. A. Hayes, in the fish market on Water street. where he remained until 1895, when C. A. Hayes , retired from business. Our subject then incor- porated the Hayes Fish Company, under the : laws of New Jersey, and he is the chief stock- holder of the company. He carries on business cratic organization of his locality, having held | at Nos. 449-451 Water street. In 1892 he also vanous town offices while residing in Brookfield.

I conducted a fish market at Danbury, Connect- | icut.

fishing is one of the important industries of the city of Bridgeport, and we here present to our readers a brief review of the hte of Jesse M. Haves, who is at the head of the Haves Fish Company

On May 30, 1887. Mr. Hayes was married to ESSE M. HAYES. As with all coast towns. I Miss Maggie Maud Mitchell, and they have two interesting children-Clarence Mitchell and Helen Louisa. Socially, Mr. Hayes is a member of the Order of Red Men, Konapotanauh Tribe No. 30; a member of the Park City Yacht Club; I and is also a member of the Progressive Club in Danbury. He is highly esteemed as a neighbor and citizen, and he and his wife are well known in social circles.

Uriah Haves, the grandfather of our subject, was a resident of Brookfield, Fairfield Lo .. Conn., where atter reaching man's estate he fol- lowed carpentering. He married Miss Ruth Lockwood. a native of Brookfield, and by this union he became the father of seven children- five sons and two daughters-namely: Homer, Polly, Hanford. William, Susan, Eh and Charies.

H ON. G. MORTIMER RUNDLE, one of the most prominent citizens of Danbury, is a man of comprehensive mind and unusual force of The father of this family was a devout member i character, as is shown by his successful manage- of the Methodist Episcopal Church. William ; ment of numerous enterprises, public and pri- Hayes, who was born in Brookfield. Conn .. Jan- vate. To mention the business firms with which uary 22. 1822, passed his boyhood in his native | he is connected would be to name a goodly pro- town. In 1842. at Woodbury. Conn .. he was | portion of the industries of Danbury, while his united in marriage with Miss Eliza J. ( oan, a na- ¡ political career has been signalized by active de- tive of Roxbury. Conn., where she was born , votion to municipal improvement. January 22. 1822. Mr. and Mrs. William Hayes

Mr. Rundle was born March 21, 1855. in

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Putnam county, N. Y., and is a member of a well-known family of that locality. Samuel H. Rundle, his father, now the president of the Danbury National Bank, was born near Brew- ster, N. Y., and after following mercantile pur- suits in New York City for some years of his early manhood-settled in Danbury. He has since been prominent among the business men of the place, and until 1890 was a member of the firm of Rundle & White, manufacturers of woolen hats, and he also conducted a stock farm in partnership with Mr. White. He married Miss Lavina C. White, and they had three sons: Anthony M., Rupert and G. Mortimer.

At the time of our subject's birth his father was a merchant in New York City, but the family removing to Danbury he received his edu- cation in the public schools of that city. from which he was graduated, following with a busi- ness course in Packard's Business College, New York City. On graduating from that institution Mr. Rundle returned home to enter the hat fac- tory of Rundle & White, where he was employed until the business was closed out in 1800. He then devoted his attention to the stock farm. and also became connected with the Rogers Silver Plate Company, of which he has been a stock- holder for more than six years. At present he is treasurer of the company and has general charge of its plant. He is a director in the Danbury National Bank, and is connected in a similar posi- tion with a number of other concerns in which he holds stock. For ten years past he has been a director in the Danbury Agricultural Society, serving throughout that time as secretary of the horse department, and for three years he has held the office of general secretary.

As an ardent Republican Mr. Rundle has always taken much interest in politics, and he has served several years as chairman of the city and town committees. In 1889 he was elected alder- man from the Second ward for a term of two years, during which he was chairman of the Street committee, and in March, 1895. he was the choice of the people for mayor, his term ex- piring April 15, 1897.

Mr. Rundle married Miss Eliza W. Bacon, daughter of John W. Bacon, president of the Danbury Savings Bank. Her mother, whose maiden name was Eliza Botsford, is a daughter of the late Doctor Botsford, who was for many years a leading physician of Danbury. Two children, Christine and Marguerite, have blessed this union. Mr. Rundle and his wife belong to the First Congregational Church of Danbury, and here also his ability and energy are brought into service as a member of various committees.

D AVID L. COLEY. Fairfield county has many prominent families whose record may well be perused by those to come, and they can- not fail to find therein admirable examples of thrift, progress and honesty well worthy of emu- | lation. Not the least among these families is | that of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch.

Mr. Coley was born October 13, 1815, in the city of Lansingburg, Rensselaer, Co., N. Y., whence at the age of ten years he came with his parents to Weston. He received his education in part at both places, attending also for a time Pro- fessor Olmstead's school. His first experience of work was obtained in a sawmill, where he was employed for some time, and later he established a machine shop and foundry in the town of Weston, which he conducted many years. He also manufactured sidearms for the army, stove repairs and other articles.

David L. Coley married Miss Catherine Sher- wood, who was born August 22, 1819. at West- port, Conn., daughter of Ebenezer and Elien (Andrews) Sherwood, the former the proprietor of a mill at Westport. A brief record of the children born to this union is as follows: Fred- erick, born July 11, 1845, married Carrie A. Eddy; Catherine S .. born November 20, 1840. died April 6, 1849; Julia F., born July 11, 1848. died March 20, 1849; Catherine E., born March 10, 1850, married Dwight E. Hewett; Julia D .. born November 12. 1851, married Fred She :- wood; Maria L., born August 8, 1854, is unma :- ried; Mary A., born January 10, 1856, died Dt- cember 3. 1867: and David L., born Novembe: 29, 1858, married Clara I. Sherwood.

Politically our subject is a Democrat, and hr has represented the town of Weston in the State Legislature. In religious faith he has been a lite- long member of the Congregational Church. uniting first with the Congregation at Norfeld and at present with the one at Weston, in which he has served as deacon and member of the Church committee. During the old " training days " Mr. Coley served in the State militia.

David Coley, great-grandfather of our subject. was born in the town of Weston, Conn., and was a lifelong farmer. He married a Miss Hyde. and we have record of two children: David, a sketch of whom follows, and Ebenezer.

David Coley. maternal grandfather of our 1 subject. was also born in the town of Weston. where he built a mill on the site now occupied by his grandson. David L. He married Miss Lydia Sturges, of Weston, and they had two chil- dren: Rachel, who married Samuel Rowland: I and Mary H., who married Levi Coley.

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Levi Coley, father of our subject. was born in had quite an extensive and profitable patronage, and was able to purchase a good home in kensico. N. Y., where he died in April. 1882, his remains the town of Weston, son of Ebenezer Coley, and received his education at Lansingburg, N. Y. When old enough he entered a store and com- i being interred in the Quaker Ridge cemetery. He weneed cleaning. continuing thus for a number was a stanch Democrat. and took a great in- terest in political affairs, but was never an office seches. His widow, who now finds a pleasant home with her children, is well preserved and very active, and at the age of eighty-four is able of years, after which he engaged in business for his own account until some time after his mai- nape. He wedded Mary H. Coley (as above re- ! corded), and they had children as follows: Mary ! A died young: David L. is our subject proper; I to sew without glasses.

Levi D. married Sarah M. Nichols: Ebenezer

Children were born to this worthy couple as married Jane Sturges; Frederick married Har- I follows: Amanda married Henry Finch, and net Banks; and Frances (twin of Frederick) mar- . died in North Castle, N. Y. Samuel R. is the ned William Lansing. The father of this family, ; second of the family. Theodore was in early though not a Church member, was a regular at- : lite a shoemaker, later formed a stock company tendant of the Congregational Church.

i and engaged in the manufacture of mowing ma- chines at Riverside, and subsequently became in- I terested in the nursery business, with which he S AMUEL R. LOUDEN. an honored and highly respected citizen of Riverside, is a worthy representative of one of the old families I he died. William is an expert shoemaker and of Fairfield county. was connected for several years; he left a good home and property in Middletown. N. Y .. where , well-to-do citizen of Middletown. Thomas C. is Our subject's grandfather. James Louden, who I mentioned elsewhere. Cornelius learned the was of Scotch extraction and a native of Green- . miller's trade in his younger days, but for some wich township, was a shoemaker by trade and years has been a jeweler of Gotham, N. Y. never accumulated much property He married ' Jul a married Newman Weeks, and died in Nyack, Eise Brown, by whom be had the following nated children: Ahren, a farmer, who lived at

N. ). One son, twin of Juha. died in infancy. Phu be is now Mrs. George A. Palmer, of Sound Quaker Ridge and died at Nach storner: Obediah, ! Beach, Conn. Mary D. is Mrs. Richard Banks,

the father of our subject: Charles, who was en-

of Chappaqua, N. Y. Euphemia is Mrs. Stephen

Foged in making stone walls, and died at Round : barnes, living near Pleasantville, New York. Hill in the spring of 1897; James, a farmer of Samuel R. Louden was born December 7, North Cos Cob; Ann A .. who marned Witham ( 1834. on King Street, on the State line between Platt, and died at Round Hill: Ehza, deceased I New York and Connecticut, and obtained his wife of Henry Vail: Sarah, who married Witham i education in the country schools of that locality. Sniftin, and died in Greenwich. in 1997; Elthera, ! Ha school days were over at the age of about Mrs. Hiram June, of Round Hill; and Mary, who . twelve years, however, previous to which he had . worked for his board with the privilege of attend-

wedded Erastus Birdsall and lives at Round Hill. The father of these children died at the age of , ing school. Leaving home soon afterward, he eighty years, the mother when nearly ninety, and went to New York, where he tried to enlist for service in the Mexican war, but was rejected on both were buried in Quaker Ridge cemetery. She was a Presbyterian in religious faith. Mr. Louden , account of his age, and he then stowed away on was a Democrat in politic :.

I the steamer " Connecticut " and went to Boston,

Obediah Louden, our subiect's father, was , where he also endeavored to join the army but born on Quaker Ridge, Greenwich township, in was again refused. He had no money, only a ' bundle of clothes which he carried under his arm. While standing at the Old Colony depot, he was accosted by S. F. Kato, who inquired his busi- ness. and on learning of our subject's destitution. The offered him work, taking care of horses in a invery stable at $12 per month. After nine months employment with that gentleman he re- turned to his home in Kensico, N. Y., and ac- cepted a position with a farmer. Not long after- ward he began learning the blacksmith's trade with his uncle. William Platt, on Quaker Ridge, but a few months later he was seriously injured 1810, received a rather limited education, and began life for himself at an early age. On reach- ing man's estate he was married, at Quaker Ridge, to Miss Jane Kauche art, a lady of French extraction, who was born in New York City, in 1814. daughter of Sammel Raucheart, and they began housekeeping in a humble way, as their mans were very limited. Mr. Louden first worked at his trade, that of stone mason, and also engaged in harvesting in season until he was able to secure work as a contractor, building cellar walls, stone walls, etc. In later years he

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by the kick of a horse and was obliged to give up that business. He then commenced to learn | Mrs. Louden are members of the Baptist Church, sash and blind manufacturing, but before he had : and wherever known are held in high regard. completed his apprenticeship machinery making those articles much cheaper than they could be made by hand was put in operation, and he was again thrown out of employment. Returning to the country he entered into partnership with his father in building stone fences, and some months later accepted a position as boss farmer for a l gentleman at Irvington. N. Y .. with whom he i record, was born in New York City, November later went to New York City, taking charge of a | 7, 1856. J YOHN MACKIE BROWN, a prominent busi- ness man and citizen of Stamford. Fairfield county. where he has been engaged in the | plumbing and steam-fitting business for ten years. during which time he has made a most creditable

planing-mill ward, where he was employed until the firm failed.

Mr. Brown has acquired more than a local reputation in the building trade, having executed

On July 2. 1857. in New York City. Mr. ! large contracts in both Connecticut and New Louden married Miss Charlotte Keves, of En- | York State; among others. all the sanitary work glishtown, N. J., who was born in 1837, the , at the St. John's Episcopal church, and the daughter of George Keves. a farmer. The chil- | Ferguson Memorial buildings, besides many of the dred born to them were: Charles E., who died at ! best residences of Stamford and surrounding the age of sixteen years: George K., a resident of | locality: also most of the sanitary and heating

work for Messrs. Ferguson and others at Fishers . New Haven. Conn .: Charlotte A., now Mrs. William A. Wilmot: Samuel R., Jr., who died at | Island, New York.

Mr. Brown is of Scottish parentage. John E., postmaster and a member of the firm of S. | Brown, his father, was, before he came to this

the age of five years and seven months; Samuel R. Louden & Son, at Riverside; and Walter W., who is employed by his father.

i country, associated with his father, who was an extensive builder and contractor in the County of

After his marriage Mr. Louden located at | Haddington, Scotland. Our subject's mother. Englishtown, N. J .. where he was engaged in i who was Miss Eliza Robina Greig, was a native driving a feed-wagon for a few months. He then i of Edinburgh, a daughter of a lawyer of that city. returned to New York City and. buying a horse i and was married in Edinburgh March 24. 1852. and cart in West Washington Market, started in | In March, 1856, the parents came to New York the draying business, which he has successfully i City from their native land, and in the spring of 1857 removed to Stamford. Conn., where, for I over sixteen years, John Brown, Sr., was a well- known and much esteemed citizen of the town. He was long connected with the building trade of Stamford and locality, and much of the best ! stone work done in Stamford was under his super- i vision. In 1873 he, with his wife and family, re- | Haddington, in the churchyard, rest (beside those 1 followed ever since. He continued to reside in that city until April. 1882. when he came to Riverside. Conn., and improved the property on which he located. In 1888 he erected his pres- ent pleasant residence, and has since built two other houses, which he rents, and also a house in Sound Beach. He owns a number of building- lots in Riverside, and has taken quite an active I turned to the place of his birth, and there at and prominent part in the development of that place. It is now forty years since he became in- I of his kinsfolk) the remains of himself, wife and terested in the draving and trucking business in | eldest son, James Sylvester, and daughter Janet New York City, starting with a capital of only To their marriage were born children as fol- $45. and he has steadily prospered, with the aid i flow: James Sylvester, who died in Haddington. of his estimable wile. who has proved a valuable | Scotland, in March, 1891; Janet, who died in in- helpmeet, succeeding in accumulating a hand- ! fancy; John Mackie (our subject); Jane Hoyt some property.

Under President Cleveland, Mr. Louden was appointed postmaster at Riverside, and is still acceptably filling that position. He cast his first ! ford: Mary Agnes, who resides with her brothers:

(Mrs. Thomas M. Ross); Alexander Raeburn | (deceased): Robert George. who is associated with his brother J. M. in the business in Stam- . and Thomas, who is with a New York house.

Presidential vote for John C. Fremont, and has ever since been an ardent Republican. Fra- John M. Brown passed his boyhood days in ternally, he is a member of Albion Lodge No. ' Stamford, where he attended the public schools. 26. F. & A. M .. of New York City. and John . In 1973 be accompanied his parents to Hadding- Stewart, who is now past grand master of the . ton. Scotland, and there he learned the business State of New York. was proposed by our subject . which he has since followed with marked success.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 209

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