Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 211

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

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have brought them prosperity, it is a satisfaction ; the Thirteenth Company, Ninth Regiment of to reflect that they have never yielded to the , Connecticut Militia, which served in the Revolu-

temptation to try to escape from responsibility for the full payment of their obligations.

The esteem and confidence which Thomas K. 's honorable dealings have gained for him can be inferred from the frequency with which the interests of others have been placed in his charge.

tionary war. In February, 1736, he married Keziah Mead, who was born February 10, 170 ;. and died November 19. 1808. The children born to them were Abigail, Sarah, Isaac, Keziah and Elizabeth.

Isaac Howe, only son of Isaac and Keziah The late Munson Wade made him his executor, ; Howe, was born February 11, 1748, and May 8.

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1778, married Lucy Mead, by whom he had the wich. They were leading members of that following children: Sally. Laura, Betsey, Keziah, | Church, and were most highly respected and hot- Rachel. Esther, Jonas (grandfather of our sub- ject), Laura (2), Lucy, Isaac, Nehemiah, Cor- nelia, Samuel and Samuel (2). As will be seen, this family has several times intermarried with the Mead family

Jonas Howe was born August 24. 1787, near Peck's Land school house, in Greenwich town- ship, and was married September 11, 1816, to Anna Mead, who was born August 17. 1787, near Greenwich village, daughter of Peter and Han- nah (Close) Mead. Children were born to this union as follows: (1) Deborah, born September 5. 1817. is the widow of Mark Mead, and lives in East Port Chester. (2) Allen, our subject's | father, was the second of the family. (3) Isaac, i born July 27, 1822, removed to Ohio. and died at Ruggles, that State, December 27. 1860: he | married Hannah R. Finch, and of the four chil- dren born to them, two sons reached adult age. (4) Lewis, born August 6, 1827, was a graduate of Yale College, and followed the profession of teaching, conducting a select school in Green- wich. He married Mary L. Brush, a sister of ex-Judge Amos Brush, of Greenwich, and died leaving three children. Of this family the youngest died first, followed by the second youngest and so on, leaving only the oldest now living. When a young man the grandfather located upon the present farm of our subject, and there followed agricultural pursuits through- out life. He was known as Captain Howe. hav- ing been an officer in the State militia. He was a very intelligent man, but had received little education. was widely and favorably known, and acquired a comfortable competence. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican. He died on the old homestead, February 23, 1867, and his wife passed away September 19, 1871; the remains of both were interred in the cem- etery of the Congregational Church, of which she was a consistent member.

Allen Howe, our subject's father, spent his entire life upon the home farm, where he was born June 10, 1819, and received a district-school education, pursuing his studies in the Peck's Land school house. He was married. December 9, 1856, to Eliza A. Lyon, who was born in North Cos Cob, Fairfield county, April 29. 1822, a daughter of Daniel and Hannah (Holly) Lyon, and they lived on the old homestead with his

ored people. The father was one of the few Abolitionists in Greenwich township, and fear- lessly advocated his views. He joined the Re- publican party on its organization, was always a great reader and kept himself well posted on. the leading questions and issues of the day. Physically he was of ordinary build, and of sandy complexion.

Lewis L. Howe, whose name introduces this sketch, was born November 26. 1858, in the house where he still lives and where four genera- ions of the family have been born. He began is education in Peck's Land school house under hhe direction of Jennie E. Kellogg, and after at- ending school there until fifteen years of age ntered the Greenwich Academy, where he con- ttinued his studies under the guidance of Profes- sor Webster for over two years. Thus well equipped for life's responsible duties, he returned to the home farm, and has since devoted his en- ergies to its cultivation and improvement with. most gratifying results.

On January 7, 1891, Mr. Howe was united in marriage with Miss Elouise C. Mead, who was born in Stanwich, Fairfield county, August 25. 1866, a daughter of Herman H. and Mary ). (Timpany) Mead. One child blesses this unior .. Alice L .. born December 16, 1891. Mrs. Howt holds membership in the Congregational Church. at Greenwich. Since casting his first Presidentia. vote for' James A. Garfield, our subject has beer. a stanch Republican in politics, and he has made a thorough study of all political issues and ques- tions of the day. Of this old family, once sc numerous in Fairfield county, he is the only rer- resentative still engaged in agricultural pursuits. and one of the very few left in Greenwich town .- ship.

G MALEN A. CARTER, JR., of the law firm of Fessenden. Carter & Cummings, of Stan .. ford, and who for nearly twenty years has been prominently identified with the legal profession. and in the business of the courts of Fairfield county, has descended from forefathers who lived and figured in the City of New York.

Dr. Galen Carter, his grandfather, practiced medicine in New York City for years, and diec there in 1870. Hon. Galen A. Carter Sr., a son of parents until the latter were called to the world | the Doctor, and the father of our subject, was bern bevond. Our subject is the only child born of | in New York City in 1831. He was liberally ed. this union. The mother died December 24. ucated for the medical profession, which, however. he never followed. He is a graduate of Columbia 1865. the father June 20, 1892, and both were buried in the Congregational cemetery at Green- | College, New York. He was engaged for many

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years in New York City as a broker. In 1871 have been seafaring men. Jeremiah G. Smith, he came to Stamford, and has since, practically , grandfather of Mrs. Galen A. Carter. Jr., was speaking, led a retired lite. In 1874 he was born in the town of Chatham, Conn. He was a honored by an election to the State Senate from sea captain employed chiefly on vessels crossing Fairfield County District. He made a good re- ' the ocean to European cities. In about 1851 he cord while serving in that body, as he did also in other positions of honor and trust to which his fellow-citizens elevated him; at one time he

came to Stamford, and here resided until his death. His wife was Annie G. Hurd. of the town of Chatham, and their children were: Jeremiah served as burgess of Stamford, and has been a ' G. (deceased); Wilham D., mentioned farther member of the board of wardens of the city. , on; Heman S. (deceased); Charles F., of East Aurora, N. Y .; and Elizabeth P., the widow of

He is a member of the Suburban Club and of the Columbia College, been member of a Chapter. octa:

Chi Phi Greek Society, having. when attending . Charles F. Loshe, of the U. S. army.

Of these, William D. Smith, next in line of Politically, he is now and has always been a Dem- , descent, is a native of the town of Chatham, Con- On November 9. 1853. he was married , hecticut, born February 16, 1830. Until sixteen at Stamford to Miss Mary (. Davenport, a years of age he was at school at Middle Haddam, a daughter of Theodore Davenport, and to them , and at Stamford, respectively. At that age he were born children as follows. E. B. L .. Galen A .. Jr., and Theodora 'Mis Daniel F. Treacy). the husband being of the firm of Davenport & Treacy, manufacturers of plantes . shipped on a vessel which crossed the ocean to and from European points, and for thirteen years was a seafaring man, and reached the position of first officer of the ship. Returning to Stamford. Galen A. Carter, Jr .. was born November i 23. 1857. in the City of New York, where he he in March, 1867, engaged in the coal and wood business at the foot of Atlantic street, where he passed his early boyhood, and when he was this- I has since been so occupied. He is one of the teen years of age came to Stamford, where he substantial and well-to-do citizens of Stamford. where his career has been a creditable one, and he is a successful business man. Socially he is College. New York City, and on January 1. 1870, ' a member of the Suburban Club. Mr. Smith was married at Stamford to Esther M. Smith, a attended the schools of St. John's Church. In 1875 he was graduated from Packard's Business he entered the office of Jesus & Fessenden as a law student. He was admitted to the Bar in a sister of James D. Smith, of Stamford, and their ISSO at Bridgeport. Seven years later, or in , home has been blessed with children as follows: 188 ;. Mr. Fessenden and himself formed the law , Anna G. (Mrs. Galen A. Carter, Jr.), and Susan hirn of Fessenden & Carter, and in January, ! W. (deceased).

1895, a Mr. Cummings became a member of the firm. This is one of the strongest and most successful law firms in Faitheld county. In 1883 Mr. Carter was made assistant prosecuting B EACH J. ALABY. The Alaby family is of German origin, and the subject of this biog- raphy, a well-known resident of New Fairfield, is of the fourth generation of the American line. His great-grandfather came from the Fatherland attorney for the city court; he was also appointed borough attorney the same year, and has since served as such a number of times. In 1887 he was appointed prosecuting attorney for the city , in early manhood and settled in the town of of Stamford. He has been assistant States attorney of Fairfield for the past fourteen years, during all of which time he has most satisfactorily assisted in discharging the duties of the office. and in a manner which has reflected great credit to him. He is a member of U'mon Lodge No. 5. F. & A. M. ; also a member of the Suburban Club, of the Stamford Yacht Club. and of the East Side Rod and Gun Club On April 12. ISSS. he was married to Miss Anna G. Smith, a daughter of William 1) Smith. of Stamford, and to the marriage there was born January 23. 1889 one child, Kenneth W.

Newtown, Fairfield Co .. Conn .. where Isaac Alaby, our subject's grandfather. was born and . seated, receiving a common-school education. He engaged in farming. He was a man of quiet tastes, not caring for public life. but he took much interest in the issues of his day, and was a stanch Democrat in political sentiment. He married a Miss Lattin, and they had eight chil- dien: Roswell; James; Curtis; Henry; Sallie, who married (first) Mr. Jordan. (second) Mr. Cogswell, and (third) Mr. Eaton: Polly, who mar- ried (hrst) Mr. Merritt, and (second) Mr. Wood; Imeline, who married a Mr. Parker; and Harriet, Mrs. Northrop.

The SMITH FAMILY, into which Galen A. Carter, Jr., married, is an old Connecticut family. James Alaby, our subject's father, was born several members of which at some time in life , in the town of Newtown in 1807, and, after re-

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ceiving a good common-school education, learned the business of combmaking. Finding this un- D AVID W. EHLE, the proprietor of the Cer- tral Market, No. 3 W. Street, Danbury. has won by his own efforts a prominent place in congenial. he decided to adopt a seafaring life, and for some time he was a sailor; he subse- | the business life of that city, and, in fact, his quently became a mason and bricklayer, follow- | reputation and influence extend far beyond loca. bounds. He was one of the organizers of the i Butchers Protective Association of this Statt. ! and for one year held the office of secretary. | while he has been president of the Danbury ing this occupation for a number of years. Like his father he was a firm believer in Democratic principles, but he never aspired to office. He married Miss Violetta Bassett, and they had three children, of whom our subject was the youngest; | branch of the society ever since it was estab- Emeline married David Belding. and Isaac T. died at an early age.

lished. He deals in provisions as well as meats. and was the first man in Danbury to open a fruit- packing house, and to engage in the manufacture of sausage, and the first to offer fruit, meats, and vegetables in the same store. Going to Danbury I in 1879, he has built up a large trade, and at one

The subject of our sketch was born June 21. I commission business, the first to 'establish a 1836, in the town of Newtown, and during his boyhood attended school there and in Monroe, this county. When a young man he engaged in the manufacture of "stump joints," the joints which are used on carriages to raise or lower the | time he conducted three markets there. He is tops, there being only two factories of the kind | a stockholder in the Danbury National Bank. in the United States at that time. He then I and his sound common sense makes him a valued worked for one year at farming, and on January I adviser in various enterprises. 28, 1856, he enlisted in the regular army, be-

Mr. Ehle's. success is the more notable be- coming a member of Company M. First United i cause he had none of the ordinary education.a. States Heavy Artillery. This regiment was placed | advantages in youth, his schooling coming to a on the frontier, and Mr. Alaby had a number of i close before he finished the First Reader. He exciting experiences. On one occasion he was a : was born February 2, 1850, in Canajoharie. member of a force of three hundred Americans ! N. Y., and his father, Francis Ehle, dying In that defeated a band of five hundred Mexicans | 1854, life became an uphill struggle at the ou :- under Cortena, the famous Mexican outlaw, and set. Francis Ehle was born in Germany in 1819. and married Deretta Pfarre, also a native of the he now has in his possession a shot which was fired during that engagement. He also took part i Fatherland, who was born in 1827 and died ir. in some of the battles with the Seminoles in 1 1875. They had two children, viz .: Heler. who died at the age of sixteen; and David W. Florida, and during his term of service was twice promoted, first to the rank of corporal and then to that of sergeant. which he held until honor- . subject was obliged to help as he could in secur- ably discharged.

At the expiration of his term of service in 1861, Mr. Alaby returned to his native county, ! Nooney, a meat and provision dealer in New and not long afterward he married Miss Sylvia A. Terrell. daughter of James and Polly Terrell, I ing goods in a basket. After a short time he the former of whom was a shoemaker of New | returned to Canajoharie to work for William J. Scharff, a dealer in the same line, with whom he : remained until 1869. He then began busines:

This family being left with slender means our ing a livelihood. At thirteen he found regula: employment as errand boy with Robert B. 1 York City, his work consisting largely in deliver-

Fairfield. Two children have blessed this union: ' (1) Polly M., born February 11, 1862, married

Stephen Yaple, a native of the town of Liberty, I on his own account, opening a market at Morris. who was formerly a prosperous farmer at Quaker | Otsego Co., N. Y., and after continuing same Hill, N. Y., and now owns a large farm in the I five years he removed to the neighboring towa town of Brookfield. this county. They have three i of Oneonta and purchased the Oneonta Marke .. children: Lulu, John D. and Annie. * (2) MILES B., born June 9. 1872, in the town of New Fair- . This he conducted successfully until 1879, wher. as has been noted, he established his presen:

field, is a young man whose excellent qualities of | business. Mr. Ehle controls the entire product character have already won him the esteem of | trade in Danbury for Dutchess and Ulster coun- his fellow citizens. He was educated in the | ties, N. Y., employing five men constantly in his schools of New Fairfield, and at an early age be- I market, and three delivery teams. He is also gan to learn the hatter's trade, which he has , engaged in the manufacture of "Hoeshalnan," since followed continuously. He married Miss | grease used by hatters, for which there is a large Bertha Sherwood, of Lanesville, Conn., and they | demand all over the country. Mr. Ehle is vice- have had one child, who died in infancy.

president of the Danbury Board of Trade.

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Mr. Ehle has been twice manied. By his first wife, Joanna (Leland), a native of Scotland. he had one son. George W., who is now in busi- ness with his father. In 1886 he formed a sec- and onion, this time with Miss M. Carrie Kan- dall. daughter of William G. and Almira Agnes Randall, and by this marriage he has two chil- dren: Lillian Agnes and Randall I. Mr. Ehle was reared in the Lutheran faith. but he and his wife attend the M. E. Church He is a Demo- crat in politics, but has never aspired to office. Si cially. he is identified with Tiennderrah Lodge No. 605. F. & A. M .: with Progressive Lodge No 18. 1. O. O. F .: with the Order of Elks. and has been a member of Lodge of Red Men: he is also afinated with the Society of Good Fellous.

C HARLES M. FRENCH. Fortune's favors have been abundantly bestowed upon the subject of this biography, who is a highly-re- spected resident of Fairfield township. his ex- tersie estates comprising some of the most valu- able land in this section. His homestead, near the village of Black Rock, is one of the finest farms in the town, by his judicious management maintained in a high state of cultivation, and in addition to other property he owns two charming summer residences at Fairfield beach, known as " beechcraft" and " Sound View '

Mr. French belongs to one of the prominent families of Fairfield county. his ancestors having I be purchased tracts of land, all adjoining. thus settled in the town of Trumbull at an early period Samuel French, the great-grandfather . of our subject, was born in Chestnut Hill Dis- trict, of Trumbull township, and for many years followed farming there. while at one time he was also engaged in business at North Bridge- port as a builder of vessels and wagons and car- nape: During the Revolutionary war he showed his courage and patriotism by paliant service as a soldier. He married Rebecca Sherman, and they had children: Rhoda (wife of Ress Jennings) and Sherman (the grandfather of our subject).

Sherman French, the second child of Samuel French, became a successful farmer in Trumbull township, where he died at the advanced age of nearly ninety-two years. He was a man of influence in his locality, politically was a Demo- crat. and in religious faith he and his family were Congregationalists. By his first wife. Charity (Beach). he had seven children. George and Samuel, both deceased; Levi, a resident of Eas- ton: Legrand, deceased; Mary Ann, who married Wilham Hawley and resides in Monroe. this , 22, 1895. His remains rest in Oak Lawn ceme- county: Eunice Seldem Allen, a resident of Wyom- tery at Southport. Mr. French was genial an

ing. N. Y. : and Selina, deceased wife of Richard Cook. The second wife of Sherman French, Parmelia ( Hallı, daughter of Esbon and Rhoda (Brinsmade) Hall, of Easton, died August 11, 18So; she was born May 4, 1795. of one of the oldest families of the county. They had four children: Almon H .. a resident of Easton; Nelson S., of Trumbull township; Charles S., our sub- ject's father: and Charity P .. now Mrs. Merlin Clark, of Hartford. Connecticut.

Hon. Charles S. French. the father of our subject, was born May 18, 1829. in Chestnut Hill District, of the town of Trumbull, and his education was begun in the schools of the neigh. borhood. Later he attended the academy at Easton for some time while making his home there temporarily with a maiden aunt, Rhoda Hall. On May 13. 1850, he married Miss Mary Bibbins, who was born April 13. 1830, a daugh- ter of Nathaniel S. and Ruth (Peet) Bibbins, of Fairfield township, whose farm is now owned and occupied by our subject. After his marriage Charles S. French settled at his present home- stead, with his wife's parents, and engaged in a wholesale butchering business, buying stock in different parts of Connecticut and New York State. He was well-known in Eastern New York, and did a large business in his line He was considered an excellent judge of stock. and. in fact, his success in life was based upon a shrewd and accurate insight into practical affairs, coupled with sound judgment. At different times

acquiring a hne farm of his own, and at the time of his death he possessed a handsome competence as a reward of his well directed efforts. In 1870 be built the residence which our subject now i occupies As a citizen he was influential. and in his day he took an active part in politics as a Democrat and member of the Know-Nothing party. For three years, 1873, 1874 and 1876. he served as a representative in the State Legis- lature, and was a member of the committee on Banks and of the committee on State Prisons. He also held various important offices in his township. including those of treasurer and assessor, and for nine years he was first select- man. Religious and philanthropic work received his hearty support. he and his estimable wife. who survives him, having united many years ago with the First Congregational Church of Fair- field. He was a robust man, five feet. eleven inches in height, weighing 190 pounds. and en- joyed good health up to within ten years of the time of his sudden death, which occurred June

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hearty in disposition, and a man "four square to every wind that blows."

Charles M. French was born August 5. 1852, at the present homestead, of which, as the only child, he has come into possession. During boy- hood he attended the local schools for a time, but on completing the course of study there he en- tered Fairfield Academy, and later he attended Rev. Guy Day's school, in Bridgeport. In the meantime he gained a practical knowledge of business methods under his father's instruction, and as he grew older he took charge of the lat- ter's extensive real-estate interests. At present his time is largely occupied with their manage- ment, as the development of the locality is rap- idly adding to the value of the property, and the State street extension of Bridgeport passes through much of his land, and directly by his res- idence. All projects for local improvement find in him a ready and efficient helper, as he is thoroughly progressive in his ideas, and his pub- lic spirit is recognized and appreciated by his fel- low citizens. Politically, he is an Independent, but while he does not seek office he casts his vote regularly for the men and measures that meet with his approval.

In February, 1876, Mr. French married Miss Ciara B. Olmstead, daughter of John and Juliette Olmstead, well-known residents of Monroe, Conn. She died March 18. 1896, and her remains were interred in Oak Lawn Cemetery. In June, 1897, Mr. French formed a second union, this time with Miss Ella B. Barnum, a native of Dutchess county, N. Y .. and a member of a noted pioneer family of that name, her parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Adams) Barnum, being residents of Danbury, this county. She is a member of the First Con- gregational Church of Fairfield, taking part in its various lines of work, and is popular in the best social circles. Her family is wealthy, and she holds in her own right the beautiful property known as "Beach Knoll," at Fairfield Beach. Mr. French has had three children, all by his first marriage: Harry, who died in infancy; Affy M., at home; and Lottie, who also died in infancy.

SETH CHAUNCEY WEED will be remem- bered as having been for many years one of the prosperous merchants of New Canaan, where the Weed family were among the earliest settlers, and they have always been prominent in the public and private life of the community.

Mr. Weed's grandfather, Seth Weed, was an carly resident of the town of New Canaan, where the father, Samuel Andros Weed. was born, in Weed street. The latter removed when a young

! man to New York City, and there engaged in mercantile business for some years, returning when our subject was three years old to New 1 Canaan, where he passed the remainder of his days. He carried on a general mercantile busi- . ness, in which his son succeeded him, and was a respected and prosperous citizen. He was the first president of the New Canaan Savings Bank. Samuel A. Weed married Anna Smith, of Tall- madge Hill, and Seth Chauncey Weed was the only child.

Seth Chauncey Weed was born in 1838 in | New York City, and when three years old camt. with his parents to New Canaan, where he at- tended the district school in his early years. H- afterward studied in an academy at Niagara Falls. Commencing active life by clerking to: I his father in his store. he finally succeeded hum in the business. which he conducted successfully for many years, adding a line of hardware to the original stock. Mr. Weed was married in New | York City to Miss Jennie A. Smith, who passed | from earth March 5. 1877, leaving the following named children: Jennie Christeen Anna, Amanda Priscilla. Samuel Andros, Hanford Smith (who is a graduate of Yale University and is now ar. attorney at law in New York City). Chauncey James (deceased), Sherman Chauncey (of New Canaan). Naomi and William St. John vof New Canaan . The father of this family ended his days January 26, 1895, in New Canaan.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 211

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