Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 221

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

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The Perry family, into which Elias Bennett (2) married, have for generations been residents of Fairfield county. Thadeus Perry, great-grand- father of Mrs. Lucy (Bennett) Davis, was a native of the town of Fairfield. He learned the weaver's trade, and it is said that he wove the first piece of cotton cloth made in Connecticut; he followed his trade throughout life. He mar- ried Miss Grace Buckley, daughter of Nathan Buckley. and their children were: (1) Stephen learned the carpenter's trade which he followed, and he was also engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married Louisa Buckley, and their children were-Polly A. married Judson Webb: Sally re- mained single; Walter married a Miss Wilson, as did also Andrew; Hulda married a Mr. Godtrey; and Joel remained single. (2) Isaac, a weaver by occupation, married Sally Hendricks, and they had four children-Betsey married Moses Hubbell; George married Sally Whitlock; Will-

iam married Clarinda Lindly; and Nancy married Wakeman Godfrey. (3) Mary married Elias Bennett (2). (4) Thadeus (2) was a weaver by trade and occupation. He married Sally Cable, and they had children-Gersham, Grace, Mun- son, Thadeus (3), Charles and Curtis. (5) Mabel married David Rowland. (6) Eunice married Elias Andrews, and their children were-Maria married Burr Wood; Thadeus (4) married Mary Ferris; David married Belinda Morrison; and Norman married (first) Caroline Bennett, and (second) Lorinda Sherwood. (7) Nathaniel was a school teacher. He married Mary Wright, and had children-Jefferson and Jane; and by a sec- ond marriage-George and Caroline. (8) David was a manufacturer of musical instruments. although by trade he was a blacksmith. He lived to be eighty years of age. He never married.

F HOMAS S. STOUT. " Intellect and in- dustry are never incompatible." is a well- known truism. There is more wisdom and will be more benefit in combining them than scholars like to believe, or than the common, every-day world imagines. Life has time enough for both. and its happiness will be increased by the union. The life-history of the subject of these lines veri- fies, beyond a peradventure, the truth of the above aphorism.

Mr. Stout is descended from one of three brothers who came from Germany to America in early days, settling, one in Long Island, one in Philadelphia, and one in New Jersey, the latter being the ancestor of our subject. Richard Stout, father of Thomas S., was born and reared in New Jersey, became a ship carpenter by trade, in later life following agricultural pursuits. He married Hannah Strickland, also a native of that State, a daughter of Thomas Strickland, a farmer, who served in the war of 1812, and they then settled on a farm in New Jersey, where they reared their family of six children, a brief record of whom is as follows: (1) Jane married William Ferguson, a carpenter of New Jersey; (2) Eleanor A. mar- ried David Clayton, a farmer of New Jersey; (3) Adaline wedded James Dye, a carpenter (now deceased; (4) Thomas S. is our subject; (5) Jacob died young: and (6) Sarah married a Mr. Bugbee, who was originally a school teacher, but is nowa farmer in the town of Wallingford, Conn. The parents of this family are both deceased. They were members of the M. E. Church, and, in pol- itics, Mr. Stout was a lifelong Whig.

Thomas S. Stout, whose name introduces these lines, was born April 28, 1828, at Freehold, Monmouth Co., N. J., where he received a lib-

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eral education. At the age of sixteen he went to Brooklyn, N. Y., and there learned the trade of ·carpenter, serving his apprenticeship; then for two years worked there. as a journeyman, after which, in 1853, he came to Norwalk, where he has ever since (a period of about forty-six years) successfully followed his trade, during which long residence he has become more closely and more practically identified with the place than, prob- ably, any other citizen, many buildings.there, as well as in other parts of the county, having been erected by him.

In 1851 Mr. Stout married Miss Maria C. Wiseman, of Norwalk, a daughter of James Wise- man, a native of Scotland, whence, when he was twelve years old, he came to the United States, settling in Norwalk. Three children were born to this union. viz .: (1) William A., who was a jeweler in Norwalk, and died about 1875: (2) Marian L., who died in infancy; and (3) Ada M., who passed away at the age of eighteen. The mother was called from earth in June, 1894. Mr. Stout. although now seventy-one years of age, is still hale and hearty, looking and acting more like a man of fifty-five-in every respect a fine old gentleman-and he is still managing his business affairs. No one enjoys more generally the respect and esteem of everybody who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. When he came to Norwalk he was a comparatively poor man, but by assiduous attention to business, hard work and judicious economy he has accumulated a fine property, including his elegant and comfortable residence. He is and has always been temperate in all things, which, he claims, accounts for his yet vigorous physique. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F .; in politics, he was originally a Whig, and since the organization of the party has been an ardent and loyal Republican.

B ENJAMIN W., M. D., AND RICHARD L. BOHANNAN. M. D. Prominent among the physicians and surgeons of Fairfield county are the above named gentlemen, who for ten and twenty years, respectively, have been success- fully practicing medicine and surgery in Stam- ford and vicinity.

BENJAMIN W. BOHANNAN, the younger of the brothers, was born June 8, 1857, at Mathews Court House, Va He attended the private school of Prof. A. Olmstead, and in 1886 he en- tered the University of New York, graduating from the medical department in the class of '88. He then entered the medical department of the University of Maryland, from which he was graduated one year later. Following this he, in

1889, took a summer course at the University of Vermont, Burlington. In the fall of 1889 he practiced with his brother at Stamford, Conn., then in 1891 opened an office at Danbury, Conn., I remaining there two years. Returning to Stam- ford in 1893, he has ever since continuously practiced there. Doctor Bohannan is a member of the Stamford Medical Society; socially he is identified with numerous orders: Is a member of Empire Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Greenwich; of Wassecusse Encampment; and of the Daugh- ters of Rebekah. He is a member of Excelsior 1 1 Lodge K. of P .; and of. Phil H. Sheridan's Court. Foresters of America. He is also a mem- ber of the United Order of American Mechanics; and of the Daughters of Liberty.

On July 15, 1891, Dr. B. W. Bohannan was married at Danbury, Conn., to Miss Mollie Aus- tin, a daughter of T. J. Austin, Sr., and one . child, Claudine Austin, was born to them No- vember 16, 1892. The Doctor and his wife are identified with the Disciples Church of Danbury, and they are most estimable people.

RICHARD L. BOHANNAN, M. D., the elder of these brothers of whom we write, is a native of the Old Dominion State, having been born at Mathews Court House, November 12, 1850. He received his primary education in Chesapeake Academy, in his native town. Later he entered the medical department of the University of New York, from which he was graduated with the class of '74. After his graduation he had a two- years' experience in a hospital on Blackwell Island, New York, and in August, 1876, he located in the practice of medicine at Stamford, Conn .. where he has since remained. The Doctor has been studious, and has kept abreast of the times. He has built up a large practice among the best of the families in Stamford and surrounding coun- try, and is recognized as a citizen of ability. He is a conscientious man, and as a citizen is highly regarded by the community at large. He is a member of the Stamford Medical Society, and has served as its president, being third on the list who have presided over its deliberations. Socially, he is a member of Rippowam Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Stamford, of the A. O. U. M., and of the Knights of Pythias.

J OSEPH H. FOLSOM. Few occupations demand such constant advancement in meth- ods as does photography, in which so many wonders have been worked in recent years. Artistic taste, necessary as it is to success, is no less essential than a knowledge and love of sci- ence and a readiness to lead in research and ex-

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periment rather than to follow more progressive workers. The Jate Joseph H. Folsom, the well- known photographer of Danbury, possessed these admirable qualities in a marked degree, the high quality of his work winning him the title of "the Sarony of Connecticut." It is eminently fitting that a review of his career should have a place in this volume, where the names of the leaders of various lines of effort in this section are pre- served.

Mr. Folsom was born May 29, 1840, in New York City, the son of Benjamin and Martha (Culver) Folsom, who reared a family of six i and two daughters. Their son Joshua, born in children: John F., Joseph H., Edward S .. | Danbury, Conn .. was the great-grandfather of Martha. George and Harry. As his youth was i our subject. He married Eunice Seeley, who spent in his native city, Mr. Folsom obtained an | lived to be ninety years old, and they had one excellent education in the public schools, and on i son, Levi, and four daughters.

completing his course he at once turned to the

Levi Taylor (above), our subject's grandfather. study of photography, entering the employ of a i was born in Bethel in 1790 and spent his life Mr. Howell, who had a gallery on Broadway. | there, following the trade of hatter, his death or - 1 curring in 1833. He married (first) Sarah Ann | Wheeler (who died in 1824), and (second) wed- I ded Sally Taylor. By the first union he had | four children: William and Charles, hatters by | trade, who resided in the lower part of Newtown: Caroline, who married Harvey Briscoe; and Sarah, wife of Samuel Winton, of Danbury. Br He remained there some time, and then engaged in business on his own account at Brewsters. N. \ .. continuing there about five years. In 1872 he removed to Danbury, where he established a gallery and conducted it with constantly increas- ing success until his death, on September 10, 1883. He was devoted to his chosen calling, paying but little attention to public affairs, and | his second marriage he had two children: Sarah although he sympathized with the principles of | Elizabeth, wife of George Starr, of Bethel; and the Democratic party, he voted only once in his | Miss Pauline, a resident of Danbury.

life. Socially he was prominent, and he was a member of the Masonic Fraternity.

In 1869 Mr. Folsom married Miss Sarah E. Lockwood. a lady whose qualities of mind and heart made her a true helpmeet. So thoroughly and sympathetically did she enter into his work that after his death she continued it successfully, and their only daughter, Miss Jessie Louise Fol- som, who inherits the ability of both parents, now assists her. While thus demonstrating the capacity of women for this occupation, they do not neglect social claims, and are also prominent in religious work, attending regularly the First Congregational Church of Danbury. Mrs. Fol- som is a daughter of David and Nancy ( Hadden) Lockwood. of Carmel, Putnam county, New York.

| and his present high standing reflects all the more credit upon him because of that fact.

John Taylor, the progenitor of this family in [ America, came from England and settled at Windsor, Conn. He married a widow with two daughters. and died at sea, leaving two sons. Thomas and John, the latter of whom settled at Deerfield, Mass .. and had a large line of descend- ants. Thomas Taylor settled at Danbury, mar- ried Rebekah Ketcham, and had seven sons and I three daughters. One of the sons, Nathan, mar - ried Hannah Benedict, and they had two sons

William Taylor. our subject's father, was born in Bethel in 1819, and in his youth learned the hatter's trade, which he followed throughout his life in Hattertown, Brooklyn, and other places. although he always maintained his residence in Hattertown. He was an excellent workman, ont of the old-fashioned kind, who could take the raw. material and work it up into the finished product. In politics he was a Democrat, but he never took an active share in party work. For years he at- tended the services of the Methodist Church. He died January 20. 1862; his widow, whose maiden name was Polly A. Durand, is still (1899) living. They had three children: Theodore, bori. April 6, 1846, now a resident of Newtown; Cor- nelius B., our subject : and Ida M., born April 20 1852, who married William H. Hubbell.

The Durand family has been identified with this county for many years, and Glover B. Du- rand, our subject's maternal grandfather, was I born in Oxford in 1800. During his later lite ! he resided in Stepney, where he was engaged in | business as a wheelwright, making a specialty of manufacturing the old-fashioned spinning wheels. wife, Abiah (Hubbell), passed away March 27. 1887. They had the following children: Polly

ORNELIUS B. TAYLOR, station agent at Newtown for the Housatonic railroad, is one of the leading citizens of that pleasant village, and, while fulfilling ably the duties of the posi- tion mentioned, he has built up an extensive trade as a dealer in flour, feed and coal. Like many | He died in Stepney September 12, 1875, and his of the most successful business men of the county, Mr. Taylor has made his own way in the world,

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A. cur subject's mother. Cornelia. wife of George Briscoe; Jane, married to Orville John- son, who died May 30, 1805. Sarah, wife of Burr Mead. Abitare, wife of A. B. Lockwood, of Bethel. I meline, who married (free) William Peck, and isecondi George Ward, George, who Ined in Stepney and died March 17. 15, and Charles, who resides in Bridgeport

Cornelius B. Taylor, our subject, born in Newtown, Conn .. August 26, 1830 He received his education in the district schools of his native town, and after he reached the age of fifteen he atten ded only in the winter seasons, his summers being spent as a farm hand by the month Dur- in the water he received his board for work dane out of school hours, and three years he passed in this way before an opportunity appeared for an entrance into more profitable business. At the age of eighteen he went to Stepney to assist the station agent. C. H. Platt. n. w the general superintendent of the New York & New Haven railroad, and while there he learned telegraphy In 1870 he went to Newtown to take a position as clerk and operator under Jaber Botsford, the agent at that point, and three years later he was promoted. receiving an appointment as agent of the Housatonic rail- red at Danbury. In 1875 he became agent at Newtown, succeeding Mr. Botsford, and this p. sitten he has ever since filled to the satisfac- tion of both his employers and the public. In 18;5 he also engaged in a flour, feed and coal business in partnership with W. H Hubbell, and this is now one of the most prosperous time in the town. Mr Taylor is noted for his foresight and judgment, and at times his fellow workers in the Republican organization have sought to place him in an office where his abilities would be of wider service to the people In 18Gb he was a candidate for the Legislature, and his popularity is shown by the fact that he was beaten by sixty- fave votes only, while the Congressional candi- dates were defeated by a majority of five hun- dred. In 1898 he was elected selectman on the Citizens' ticket. He is a director in the New- town Savings Bank, and a member of the Loan- ing committee of the Bank: is also a director in the Newtown Agricultural Fair Association.

W ILLIAM B MCNAMARA. Hard work and close attention to business are cer- tain to bring success if one's efforts are controlled by sound practical judgment, and the career of this well known resident of Bridgeport could fur- nish many a helpful suggestion to young men who have their own way to make in the world.

Mr. McNamara is of Irish descent, and his paternal grandfather was a miller in County Clare, Ireland John McNamara, our subje. It's father, was born and reared in County Clare, where he learned the milling business. He married Miss Elizabeth Mara, a native of the same locality, and they soon afterward came to America, locating at Plymouth, Litchfield Co. Conn., where Mr. Mc Namara found employment as a miller; he was also engaged as a lockmaker. He is still living there, but his estimable wife died some years ago. They had ten children: Timothy B. a grocer and meat dealer in Bridgeport; William B., our subject: Mary, who is in a convent in Bridgeport; John, who is engaged in the butcher business in Bridgeport; Thomas J., a wholesale dealer in meats in the same city: James, a salesman in the employ of his brother Thomas; Elizabeth, who died at the age of twenty-six: Dennis, a meat dealer in Bridge- port and Stratford. Maggie, who is in a convent in Bridgeport, and Andrew J .. a physician in the Ohio State Hospital at Cleveland, Ohio.

Wilham B. McNamara was born Septeml.er 14. 1856, in Plymouth, Conn., where his youth was spent, and on leaving school he learned the lockmaker's trade. Finding this occupation un- congenial he engaged in the meat business, which he followed there about four years, and in ISS2 he settled in Bridgeport and opened a market at No. 213 Main street, where he soon built up a lucrative trade. After eight years at his original location he removed to Nos. 210- 212 Main street, where he continued in the same I'ne. enlarging his stock, and since that time he has established branch stores at No. 36 Allen street. and No. 160 Park avenue, keeping a fine stock of groceries and meat, vegetables and fruits, at each place. and commanding much of the bust trade in the city.

In 1886 Mr. McNamara married Miss Anna Spain, daughter of John Spain, of Torrington. Conn . and five children have blessed this union: John. Sarah. Elizabeth, William, and Charles. The family is identified with the Catholic Church at Bridge port, and Mr. Mc. Namara is also a mem- ber of various social orders, including the Knights of Columbus and the '98 Club. Politically he is , in partisan work, serving as a delegate to several

In 1879 Mr. Taylor married Miss Ella Jane Peck. daughter of Augustus Peck, a well-known resident of Newtown. Two children have blessed this union: Jessie Minette, a student at North- field (Mass. ) Seminary; and Mabel Louise, a student in Newtown Academy The family is identified with the Congregational Church of Newtown, of which Mr. Taylor is a prominent . a Democrat, and he has taken an active share member.

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conventions. In 1893 he was elected councilman from the First ward of Bridgeport, and served one year acceptably.

F. MARTIN, M. D., a leading physician and surgeon of Bridgeport, is a represen- tative citizen, whose influence is felt no less in public affairs than in his professional sphere.

Doctor Martin was born February 29, 1850, in Waterbury, Conn., and, like many of our most successful men, is of Irish descent. Thomas Martin, his father, was a native of the Emerald Isle, coming to America in boyhood. As a young man he engaged in business as a contractor, and later he loaned money extensively. His death occurred in 1889, and his wife, Margaret Mc- Cann, a native of Ireland, died when Thomas F., their only child, was an infant.

Doctor Martin's education was begun in the schools of Waterbury, and at the age of sixteen years he entered the classical department of Holy Cross College, at Worcester, Mass., where he remained two years. He then spent two and a half years in Seton Hall College in New Jersey, taking a classical course, and later he studied a year and a half in Manhattan College, in New York City, continuing his work in the classics. Having determined upon medicine as his field of effort, he took a course in the medical depart- ment of the University of New York, graduating in 1874, and at once opened an office in the metropolis, where he continued in practice until January, 1876. On February 8, 1876, he loca- ted in Bridgeport, where he speedily built up a large and lucrative practice, and since 1881 he has also been interested in the money-loaning business. The Doctor is a member of the city, county and State medical associations, and is prominently identified with the Catholic Church at Bridgeport. Although he is not now an act- ive worker in the Order of the Knights of Co- lumbus, he was the first to join the society in · Bridgeport, and he did much to establish it on a firm basis. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat, and he has always taken an active interest in local affairs. At present he is serving accepta- bly as a member of the board of health, and for six years he did effective work as a member of the board of education.

On December 25, 1881, Doctor Martin mar- ried Miss Anna Paddock, a native of New York State, who passed to the unseen life February 26, 1891, leaving the memory of a beautiful Chris- tian character. Five children blessed this union: Harry and Fred (both deceased), and Albert, Edith and Margaret.

A LEXANDER W. TWISS, a leading drug- gist of Bethel, is one of the enterprising self-made men, having worked his own way up from the foot of the ladder, and his success fur- nishes a suggestive lesson for others.

Mr. Twiss is a native of Canada, having been born at Seaforth. Ontario, June 2, 1858. The family is of English origin, and his parents, Alex- ander and Margaret T. (Saunders) Twiss, were born, reared and married in the old country. After settling in Canada our subject's father was for many years in charge of the butter and egg department of a large store at Seaforth, belong- ing to E. Hickson & Co. There were five chil- dren in his family: John, now a resident of Canada; George, who settled in Helena, Mont .; Mary, who resides in the Northwest Territory; Alexander W., our subject; and Katie, who re- sides in Canada. The mother died when our subject was a little over a year old, and the father survived her about eleven years.

Alexander W. Twiss attended school at Sea- forth until he was twelve years of age, when the death of his father compelled him to undertake the serious business of earning a livelihood. He found employment in the drug department of the same store in which his father had for so long a time been a trusted helper, and there he remained four years. In the meantime his thoughts often turned toward the United States, and be finally resolved to come to New Haven, Conn., where an uncle resided. Having saved one hundred dollars, he left his old home at the age of sixteen and started for New Haven, but failing on his arrival to find his uncle, he was for a time quite discouraged over his prospects. He fell into good hands, however, being taken under the kindly care of a Mr. Williams, and a railway con- ductor who became interested in him told him of a new drug store which was then being opened at South Norwalk by Mr. Hoyt. On applying for a situation Mr. Twiss was accepted, and he spent four years there, in 1879 removing to Bethel to take a position with S. S. Dunning. Before the expiration of a year Mr. Dunning sold out, and Mr. Twiss remained with his successor, B. H. Spark, about two months. In 1880 he estab- lished himself in business on his own account, and after a year and a half in the Fisher Build- ing, settled at his present location, Fountain Place.

In 1882 Mr. Twiss was married in Bethel to Miss Sarah B. Starr, the youngest daughter of George E. Starr, a well-known citizen, and three children have blessed this union: Helen Starr and Grace Belle, who are at home, and Hattie, who died at the age of six months.

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Mr. Twiss was naturalized in Bridgeport, Conn., and he has always taken keen interest in the political issues of the times as a stanch sup- porter of the Republican party. In the fall of 1896 he was a delegate to the State convention, and he is also active in municipal affairs, having served eight years as a member of the board of water commissioners. In religious faith he is a Congregationalist, being a prominent member of the Church at Bethel.

W ILLIAM THOMAS RITCH. In this busi- ness age, success in its more enlarged and distinctive sense comes to those who combine in themselves a born and acquired ability, and a taste or passion for labor, which amounts to unswerv- ing devotion. In that class may be included the name of William T. Ritch, whose genuis and application to the business career he has chosen in life have already made him eminent in industrial circles, although he is yet young. As manager of the Greenwich Stone Quarry and proprietor of its extensive properties, he conducts a business that stands foremost among its kind along the Sound in Connecticut. The burden of its man- agement has been shifted to his shoulders from the administration of his father, under whom it had grown amazingly from a feeble beginning back in the year 1845. Mr. Ritch is a member of one of the well-known families of Greenwich, where he was born, on the Steamboat road, No- vember 4, 1866, a son of Thomas and Sarah Frances (Selleck) Ritch.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 221

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