Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 228

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

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therefrom. After his graduation he returned to Stamford, and there located in the practice of his profession. He was soon chosen health officer of the city, and has very acceptably discharged the duties of the position. He is also at this time post surgeon of the militia at this point. He is a bright, talented, young man, just on the threshold of his professional career with a record vet to be made; but untiring, studious, and ambitious, there is no doubt but that his reward will come. He is a genial and sociable, and popular with the masses.

I the order of Red Men. He is Vice Chancellor of | Excelsior Lodge No. 49, K. of P. He is also a

E ADWARD DUFFY, one of the prosperous mechanics and extensive real-estate owners of Stamford, Fairfield Co., Conn., is a native o | Ireland, having been born August 1, 1832, in I County Monaghan. His father, also named Ed-

home. On his arrival in America he came to I the Stamford Manufacturing Company, in their By ously from July, 1852, to August, 1869.

1 wholesale liquor house at Nos. 34-36 Pacific street. Stamford, where he does a thriving busi- ness. In the course of years he has acquired extensive real-estate holdings there. and he is I ranked among the most successful self-made men in the town which has been the scene of his active :

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member of the city council from the Second ward, during this period acting on the committee on Sidewalks, Crosswalks and Parks, and on the one having supervision of fire districts, electric lights, etc.

On April 27, 1857, Mr. Duffy was married, in Stamford, to Bridget Gaskin, who died in 1880. Of their family of nine children only two are living: James F. and Margaret Jane. For his second wife Mr. Duffy was married in New York City, to Miss Winnifred Morrin, of that place. They are Roman Catholics in religious faith, and Mr. Duffy is a member of St. John's Roman Catho- lic Church, one of the trustees of the parish, and a member of the Catholic Benevolent Legion.

A' RTHUR J. CLARK. The advice that Horace Greeley gave to the rising genera- tion to "go west" does not necessarily imply that there are no opportunities in the East, and with the requisite amount of courage the Ameri- can youth can succeed in any part of the country. This is aply illustrated in the life and career of Arthur J. Clark, whe is the president of the Union Transfer Company, located at No. 334 Water street, Bridgeport.

Albert Clark, the father of our subject, was a native of Monticello, N. Y., and received a good common-school education in New York City. During the Civil war he offered his services for the de ense of his country, becoming a member of the 7th N. Y. V. I., known as the " Washing- ton Grays," with which he served two years. At the battle of Bull Run he was severely wounded, as a result losing the sight of one eye, and being unfitted for further service he returned home. Mr. Clark engaged in the manufacture of burlap bags for grain, and acted as head salesman for five years, after which he began the manufacture of papier-maché goods for himself. He was united in marriage at Tashua, Fairfield county, with Miss Mary E. Mallette, daughter of George Mallette, who was of French ancestry, and they became the parents of the following named chil- dren: Bertha E., who married George B. Ferris, of Newtown, Conn., and has four children-El- sie, Herbert, George and Arthur; George A., of Tashua, who married Edith Turney, and has one child, Beatrice; and Arthur J., our subject. Al- bert Clark passed away in August, 1891, after suffering for twelve years with locomotor ataxia, deeply mourned by his devoted wife and children.

Arthur J. Clark was born June 15, 1870, in Tashua (the Indian name for "High Hill"), town of Trumbull, Fairfield Co., Conn. His facilities for securing an education were unusually 71

good; at the age of fourteen he left the district schools and entered the Hills high school, re- maining two years, and then for the same length of time was a student at the Easton Academy. On leaving school, at the age of eighteen, he went on the road for the Deverall Perfection Manu- facturing Company, of Brooklyn, and continued with this firm until his marriage.

In September, 1891, Mr. Clark was married, at Plattsville, to Miss Addie M. Godfrey, and in June of the following year he located at Bridge- port, becoming secretary of the S. M. Gate, Jr., Transfer Company. The name of the company was changed in February, 1893, to the Union Transfer Company, and on July 5, 1894, Mr. Clark was elected president and treasurer of same, still holding this responsible position with great credit to himself and with satisfaction to those most con- cerned. The company does heavy trucking, and makes a specialty of moving the heaviest ma- chinery, employing usually about fifteen men, and, judging by the patronage which the firm en- joys, it is safe to assume that the company gives the best to the public it serves. Mr. Clark is an active worker among the young men of the Re- publican party, and is public spirited and pro- gressive, ever ready to assist in any movement that tends to the advancement of the town or county. Fraternally, he is a member of Pequon- nock Lodge No. 4. I. O. O. F., of Bridgeport,. and he and his wife occupy a prominent social position. During the winter they make their home in Bridgeport, but in the warm weather they reside at their delightful summer home at Plattsville.

J JOHN GREENWALD, JR., well-known in New Canaan and the surrounding district as a member of the firm of Wolfel & Greenwald, was born in that town January 30, 1862.

John Greenwald. Sr., our subject's father, was a native of the Fatherland, born in 1831, in Wittenberg, where he grew to manhood. He received his education in the public schools, and in common with all boys in Germany was soon afterward put at a trade, learning shoemaking. When a young man he came to America, and settling in New Canaan, Conn., commenced working at his trade. For the greater part of the time he has been in the employ of the Bene- dict Shoe Company at New Canaan, but he has also worked for Lounsbury & Soule, of Stam- ford. During the Civil war he enlisted in Com- pany H, of a Connecticut Volunteer regiment, and served throughout the struggle. Mr. Green- wald was married at New Canaan to Mary Eliza-

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beth Cabler, who, like himself, was born in Wit- tenberg. Germany, and three children were born to them-Theodore, who is a resident of Port Chester, N. Y .; John, Jr .; and Lizzie, Mrs. Ralph Burchard, of Darien, who has had two children-Ivy, and a daughter. In social connection Mr. Greenwald is a member of Woos- ter Lodge, No. 37. 1. O. O. F., and of the G. A. R. Post at New Canaan.

John Greenwald, Jr .. whose name introduces this sketch, attended the Center District school of New Canaan during his boyhood. After his school days were over he commenced to learn the tailor's trade, but he soon abandoned it for the one he now follows, tinsmithing. He served his apprenticeship under John E. Whitney at New Canaan, and subsequently acquired a thor- ough knowledge of steam and gas-fitting with E. I then State treasurer, and one year in travel- J. Yeemans. of Bethel, with whom he remained ing through New York, New Jersey, Connecticut. and Massachusetts in the interests of Isaac W. | Ives, selling his medicine, "The Wine of the Woods." Mr. Stevens was by this time pre- pared to engage in business on his own account. i and purchasing a fish market in Danbury, he I conducted it successfully for four years, for three years of this time carrying on another establish- ment of the same kind in South Norwalk, in partnership with Leroy Adams. In 1878 ht formed a partnership with A. W. Cole, under the firm name of Cole & Stevens, and went into the retail meat business at No. 1 Liberty street, five years. He was also in the employ of Ryan Bros., at Bethel, worked two years for John Powell, at South Norwalk, and one year for Lum in the plumbing and tinning business at Stam- ford. In 1895 Mr. Greenwald came back to New Canaan, and on April i formed his present part- nership with F. J. Wolfel, under the firm name of Wolfel & Greenwald. Their first establish- ment was on Railroad avenue, where they re- mained until April, 1896, since which time they have occupied the store formerly used by John E. Whitney. They do a thriving business in this locality, giving special attention to tinning and | Danbury. This partnership continued twelve steam and hot-water heating.

Our subject was married, in 1894, at Nor- walk, Conn .. to Miss Susie Smith, daughter of Frank Smith. of that place. Three children have come to bless this union-Theodore. Henry and Lilly. Fraternally, Mr. Greenwald is an Odd Fellow. being a member of Wooster Lodge, No. 37, New Canaan.

Company, No. 72 White street. Danbury, I success of the business is due to his judicious and

is one of the enterprising and successful citizens ! of that pleasant city. He is a self-made man, deserving great credit for the foresight and en- ergy with which he has made his way through unpromising circumstances to his present posi- I wholesale business with dealers in various States tion in the business world.

The Stevens family has been identified for generations past with Wiltshire, England, where | our subject's grandfather, James Stevens. and i father. Charles Stevens, Sr., were both born. | The latter was a laborer by occupation, and always made his home in Wiltshire, where he ! died. He married Emma Goodwin, daughter of | several fraternal orders, holding membership in

John Goodwin, who was born at the same place, and they had five children: Jane, Luke, Edward, Charles and Eliza.

Charles Stevens was born at the old home in Wiltshire, and his education was obtained in the public schools of that locality. At the age of ten years he began the serious work of bread- winning, finding employment on a farm. Being too ambitious to be contented with the prospect of continuing at day labor all his life, he deter- mined to come to America, and at the age of twenty-one he carried out his resolution, landing in New York City. He spent a day in viewing the unaccustomed scenes, and then went to Danbury to work on a farm for Orlando Wildman, with whom he remained five months. He spent the next three years in the employ of D. P. Nichols.

years, and in 1890 Mr. Stevens accepted the po- sition of manager for the Phoenix Beef Company. which was then composed of M. H. Griffin, of Danbury, and Thomas N. Purdy, of Purdy Sta- tion, N. Y. After some time Mr. Stevens joined I the McElroy Brothers, of Bridgeport, and pur- i chased the business of the Phoenix Beef Com- pany, re-naming it the Omaha Beef Company. and in 1895 A. W. Cole was also admitted into the firm. Mr. Stevens has continued to act as

HARLES STEVENS, of the Omaha Beef | manager throughout this entire period, and the

well-directed efforts. They handle large quanti- I ties of western-dressed beef, hogs. sheep, lambs. poultry, hams, lard and general produce, and have an extensive local trade in addition to a

Mr. Stevens married Miss Isabella M. Cole. of Wiltshire, England, a daughter of Luke and Sophia (Newberry) Cole, and a sister of A. W. Cole, mentioned above. One daughter, Emma, blesses this union. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are prominent members of St. James Episcopal Church at Danbury, and he also belongs to

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:he Sons of St. George; Union Lodge, F. & A. M., and the Royal Arcanum. He takes an intelli- gent interest in all that concerns the welfare of jis adopted country, and while he is by no neans a politician he is an ardent believer in the principles of the Republican party.

W ILLIAM THOMPSON, one of the pros- perous self-made men of Glenville, Fair- ield county, has made his home there since 1867, .nd in that time has established himself in busi- less and become the owner of a nice property.

Mr. Thompson is a native of England, born April 30, 1848, in Manchester, and came to | Fitzroy, of West Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

America with his parents in the spring of 1863, ; anding in New York City. He followed in the potsteps of his father, working at the weaver's rade from an early age, and after coming to .merica found employment at weaving in the ifferent towns in which the family lived, New Hamburg, Glenhaven (near Fishkill). Cornwall- n-the-Hudson (all in New York), Philadelphia, renton, and Rockville (Conn.). Up to his wentieth year he gave his earnings to his parents, nd in 1867 started out in life for himself, in that ear settling in Glenville, where he has since re- lained. For over fifteen years after his removal ere he was employed in the Hawthorne Woolen ills, then known as the Glenville Woolen Mills, id in April, 1882, he opened the liquor store hich he has since conducted, renting during the 'st two years. In 1884 he erected the commo- ous business room and dwelling which he still :cupies, building on the site of the "Old Sher- ood Place," which was one of the oldest houses

the town of Greenwich; when it was torn own people flocked from miles around to get eces of timber, etc., for relics. Mr. Thomp- n has now a comfortable home and thriving isiness, which he has acquired by industry and onomy, and he and his family are respected embers of the community. He married Miss ana Boles, of Greenwich, daughter of David id Ann (Haggerty) Boles, and she has proved a pable and reliable helpmeet. They have reared family of five children, namely: Mary F., who the wife of Orville Sheldon, of Greenwich, ass .; Charles, living at home; Eva, Mrs. John cheever, of Glenville; William, Jr., and Helen, th at home. George, twin of Helen, died in ildhood. Mrs. Thompson attends the Cath- c Church. Politically Mr. Thompson is a emocrat, but he votes independently in town- ip affairs, supporting the candidate he consid- 3 most worthy of office.

George and Ann (Brilay) Thompson, parents

of our subject, sailed from England with their family March 31, 1863, on the "Ætna," and landed in New York City April 13 following. They proceeded first to New Hamburg, N. Y., whence they moved to Glenhaven (near Fishkill) and Cornwall-on-the-Hudson, where they are still living, the father aged seventy-three years, the mother seventy-one. He followed his trade of weaver in all these places. Their family con- sisted of five children, as follows: Joseph, who is a resident of Cornwall-on-the-Hudson; Will- iam: Mark, who is a boss weaver in Philadelphia; George, living in California; and Mary H., born in the United States, who is the wife of Robert

W WILLIAM B. BRISTOL, of Stratford, senior member of the firm of Bristol & Jewell. the well-known dealers in meats and vegetables, is an able and enterprising business man, and enjoys a high reputation as a citizen, being both popular and influential in social life.

Mr. Bristol comes of an excellent family, and his great-grandfather, Isaac B. Bristol, was a farmer at Milford, New Haven Co., this State, where his remains are interred. Isaac C. Bristol (2), our subject's grandfather, was born in Mil- ford, whence in early manhood he came to Strat- ford, where he engaged in business as a comb manufacturer. He married Miss Susan Booth, sister of Silas C. Booth, a prominent resident of Bridgeport, where he served at one time as mayor. Two children were born of this union: Mary (now Mrs. Edwin Davis, of Stratford), and Walter B.

The last named was born in Stratford, and after completing a course of study in the local schools he learned the trade of gas fitter. He was a pioneer in this business, and for thirty years he conducted an establishment at No. 40 Wall street. Bridgeport, being regarded as one of the substantial citizens of that thriving town. His death occurred there January 17, 1889, but our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Dibble, is still living. She was born in Stratford, a daughter of Jabez B. Dibble. a native of Bethel, this county, and granddaughter of James Dibble, a farmer of the latter town. Jabez Dibble, who was a saddler by trade, mar- ried Mary A. Peck, of Stratford, daughter of Judson Peck (2), and granddaughter of Judson Peck (1), who was buried in Stratford. The Bristol family has been identified with the Metho- dist Church from an early date, and our subject's mother is a member of that Society, but his father attended the Episcopal Church. Our subject

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was the elder of two children, the younger of whom, Fred, died in infancy.

William B. Bristol was born in Stratford, April 21, 1860, and, alter attending the common schools of the town for some years, he, at the age of sixteen, went to New Haven to take a course in Yale Business College. On leaving school he became a bookkeeper for Lewis W. Booth, a druggist in Bridgeport, with whom he remained five years. He then spent five years with another concern, and later formed a part- nership with E. S. Youngs, under the firm name of Youngs & Bristol. For five years they carried In 1876 Mr. Delafield married Miss Mary Anna Baker, of New York City. Both are members of the Protestant Episcopal Church at Noroton, and they hold a leading place in the best social circles. Mr. Delafield is a member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers, and also of the societies of 1812, and of the Military Order of Foreign Wars. He was one of the founders of the Wee Burn Golf Club of Noroton. on a retail hat business at No. 40 Wall street, Bridgeport, and since the dissolution of the firm he has been engaged in dealing in meats and veg- etables in Stratford in partnership with George F. Jewell. On April 29, 1891, he married Miss Alice P. Lillingston, a native of Stratford, and | the Sons of the Revolution, and of the War of daughter of David Lillingston, a well-known citi- zen. Three children brighten our subject's home: Ruth Bryant, Lewis Patterson and Harold Wal- ter. Mr. Bristol and his wife are prominent so- cially, and he is one of the leading Freemasons of his locality, being a member of St. John's A LBERT WILLIAM COLE, a member of the Omaha Beef Company, a prosperous Danbury firm, is a young man of energy and ability, as his history indicates. Lodge No. 8, F. & A. M., at Stratford, in which he served as master for three years, and now holds the office of treasurer; of Jerusalem Chapter No. 13, and Jerusalem Council No. 16, of Bridgeport, and Hamilton Commandery No. 5, K. T. He is also interested in military affairs, and has served twelve years in the Fourth Regiment Conn. N. G., : holding every rank up to that of first lieutenant. Politically, he is a Republican, "dyed in the wool," his father and grandfather having been firm sup- porters of the principles of that party.

A FLOYD DELAFIELD, a prominent resi- dent of the town of Darien, is a descendant of two old and influential families of New York State.

Dr. Edward Delafield, father of our subject, and who was of New York State nativity, was for many years a leading practitioner in New York 1 City, and also served as a surgeon during the war of 1812. He died in 1875, and his wife, whose maiden name was Julia Floyd, did not long sur- vive him, passing away in 1879. She was a native of the Empire State, and her grandfather, William Floyd, was a delegate from that section to the Colonial Congress of 1776, and signed the Declaration of Independence. Our subject was the fourth in a family of five children, the others 1 being: Dr. Francis Delafield, of New York City; . Mrs. Catherine D. Wright; Mrs. Clarkson; and Miss E. H. Delafield.

Mr. Delafield was born in New York City in 1847, and after completing a course of study in Columbia College went to Europe for the study of mining engineering, spending two years at Freiberg, Saxony. In 1875 he located in the town of Darien, this county, and built a smelting establishment; but finding the investment un- profitable he abandoned the works, retiring from active business. In politics he is a Democrat, being conscientiously opposed to monopolies of any kind, and he is one of the trusted advisers of that party in his locality.

Mr. Cole is a native of Connecticut, but is of English blood, both his parents having been born in Wiltshire, England. His father, Luke Cole, was born in 1821, the son of Job and Mary Cole, and his mother, whose maiden name was Sophia Newberry, was born in 1822, the daughter of John and Mary Newberry. This worthy couple came to America early in their married life, and they are now highly-respected residents of Dan- bury. They had eight children-the first three born in England and the others in the United States-as follows: Isabella (now Mrs. Charles Stevens), Alfred Henry, Emily, Andrew George, Matilda (who died at the age of twelve years), Albert William, Anna and Fanny.

Albert W. Cole was born November 1, 1862. in Litchfield county, Conn., and was educated in the public schools of Bridgewater. At the age 1 of fourteen he entered the employ of his brother- in-law, Charles Stevens, who conducted a fish | and vegetable market in Danbury, remaining with him for six years, with the exception of one 1 vear when he was engaged in packing hats for the Tweedy Manufacturing Company. They then formed a partnership under the firm name of Cole & Stevens, adding a meat market to the original establishment, and this partnership lasted about twelve years, when Mr. Cole took the | business and conducted it in his own name for

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:ighteen months. On selling out to Elon Fair- I schools. From early manhood he has been en- ee he became a salesman for the Omaha Beef Company, and after serving in that capacity for I year became, in 1895, a partner in the con- :ern. his popularity and business sagacity mak- ng him a valued member.

Mr. Cole married Sarah Baker, daughter of Nicholas and Esther (White) Baker, of Sylvan Lake, Dutchess Co., N. Y., and two children nave been born of this union -- Etta Irene and Alfred Henry. Mr. Cole and his wife are mem- bers of St. James Episcopal Church of Danbury, and take an active part in social life. Frater- nally he is a member of the Royal Arcanum; in politics he adheres to the principles of the Demo- cratic party.

DANIEL B. SHELTON, an enterprising young agriculturist and dairyman of the town of Huntington, is the owner of a fine farm four and one-half miles from the village of Shel- ton, and his management of the estate is marked by the scientific knowledge and skill which char- acterize the modern farmer.

Mr. Shelton is a representative of one of the leading families of his town, his great-grandfather, James Shelton, grandfather, Elisha Shelton, and father, Beach Shelton, having all been prosper- ous agriculturists there. Elisha Shelton married Miss Betsy Shelton, of the same town, and they had three children: Beach, our subject's father; James, a farmer and surveyor, who is still living; and Amanda, who died at the age of thirty, un- married.

The late Beach Shelton was born in 1833 at the old homestead, where he grew to manhood. He was a Republican in politics, and was for many years an active member of the Episcopal Church. His death occurred March 9, 1893, and his estimable wife, whose maiden name was Sarah E. Smith, survives him. She was born in New Haven county, the daughter of Ephraim and Esther (Holbrook) Smith, and granddaugh- ter of John Smith. They became the parents of six children, namely: Annie, who married War- ren C. Hubbell, a farmer of Huntington town- ship; Daniel B., our subject, who is mentioned more fully below; Abbie C., who is unmarried; Frederick, a watchmaker in Shelton, who mar- ried Carrie C. Curtis, daughter of David Curtis; Sarah E., a successful teacher in Shelton, and Lucy, who is employed as a typewriter in the same village.

Our subject was born July 14. 1863, in the town of Huntington, and was reared upon a farm, his education being obtained in the local

gaged in farming and dairying, and his tract of 250 acres enables him to do business on a large scale; he has an extensive milk route. He also conducts a cider mill and a steam sawmill upon the estate. Like his father, he is a stanch Re- publican. As a public-spirited citizen he can be relied upon to forward any worthy movement in his locality, and he contributes regularly to the support of the Episcopal Church.

On February 24, 1886, Mr. Shelton married Miss Hattie . I. Beardsley, and five children brighten their home: Raymond B., Sarah E., Ada L., Gladys E. and Roy. Mrs. Shelton was born in the town of Monroe, the daughter of Charles A. Beardsley, granddaughter of John G. Beardsley, a farmer and shoemaker by occupa- tion, and great-granddaughter of James F. Beardsley. Her father was also a native of Monroe township, and her mother, whose maiden name was Mary J. Peck, was born in Newtown, the daughter of Norman S. Peck.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 228

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