Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 230

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

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D ANIEL A. GORMAN, member of the firm of Gorman, Wixted & Crowe, manufacturers of hats, Bethel, Fairfield county, is a native of that borough. born December 4, 1870.

Anthony Gorman, father of our subject, was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1838, and died February 24, 1872. When a young man he came to the United States and to Bethel, Conn., where he learned the trade of hatter with Orrin Benedict. following same in that factory some years. In Bethel he was married to Johanna Culahane. also a native of County Clare, Ire- land. and they had one child, Daniel A. The father was a member of the Roman Catholic Church at Danbury, and in politics was a Dem- ocrat.

Daniel A. Gorman, our subject, received his education at the public schools of Bethel, and at the age of thirteen years entered Meeker's hat factory in Danbury, remaining there one year,

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after which he was in the employ of the Bethel Hat Forming Company, also for a year. He then worked for Cole & Ambler four years; in F. W. Smith's factory, at Bethel, two years; for Andrews & Mackenzie, two years: and for Schoonmaker & Burns a short time. In 1893 he went into partnership with Anthony A Gor- man, John P. Wixted, James M. Wixted and Lawrence C. Crowe, under the firm name of Gorman, Wixted & Crowe, manufacturers of hand-made stiff hats. After occupying the Reed factory for six months, they rented the "Wil- lows." which was burned in January, 1894, when they returned to the Reid building; in July, 1894, they bought the "Willows" property, rebuilt the factory, and once more occupied it; but in January, 1896, it was again destroyed by fire, and the firm a second time returned to the Reid building, where they have since remained. Mr. Gorman is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Bethel; socially he is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, Pavia Council, at Bethel; and in politics he is a Democrat.

J 'AMES C. FIELD, a well-to-do agriculturist of the town of Easton, owns a fine farm of 225 acres near the village of Stepney, and his scientific management of the estate shows that he possesses the progressive spirit and foresight which should characterize the typical American farmer.

Mr. Field comes of a good old Colonial family, and his great-grandfather Field was a resident of the town of Ridgefield, this county. Joseph Field, his grandfather, was born in Ridgefield January 30, 1771, and was married February 11, 1801, to Miss Mary Rundle, of New Fairfield, who was born January 28, 1781. Soon afterward he settled upon a farm in Ridgefield near the New York line, and his remaining days were spent there. His wife died November 17, 1826. Of their eleven children our subject's father was the youngest. The eldest, Delight, born 1803, married, but the name of her husband is not now remembered; Selah, 1805, married Ruth Ann Birch and became a farmer in Putnam county, N. Y .; Electa, 1807, married John Fair- child, a farmer in the town of Danbury; Harriet, 1809, died at the age of three years; Betsey, 1811, died unmarried; Isaac P., 1812, married Ann Brush, and became a farmer in the town of Danbury; George, 1814, died in early manhood; Mary Ann, 1817, married William Cole, a wagon- maker in New York State, and is still living; William R., 1819, married, and died in 1848; Jane, 1821, married a Mr. Dixon, of Ohio.

Hon. Joseph E. Field, our subject's father, was born March 3, 1823, in the town of Ridge- field, and followed farming throughout life, although he became familiar in his youth with the practical details of the hatter's trade. He married Miss Julia Ann Cole, who was born March 17, 1823, the daughter of Curtis Cole, a prominent citizen of Weston township, and they made their home in the town of Huntington, where Mr. Field's death occurred December 1, 1895. He was one of the leading residents of the locality, taking an active part for many years in the business, political and social life of the town, and he was also active in religious work as a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he was a Democrat, and in addition to filling numerous local offices he served at one time as representative in the State Legislature from the towns of Easton and Huntington. His estimable wife survives him with three children: Mary D., who married William S. Wheeler, of Easton, now a merchant in Shelton; James C., our subject : and Anna J., wife of H. W. Wright, a farmer in Newtown.

James C. Field was born in the town of Huntington, May 2, 1853; and during his youth gained a knowledge of farm work by assisting his father on the homestead. He attended the local schools until he reached the age of sixteen. In 1869 he came to his present farm, to the cultiva- tion of which his attention has since been mainly devoted. For about twelve years he resided in Shelton, where he held the office of chief of police. but he returned to the homestead and resumed general farming. Mr. Field has always taken a keen interest in politics, and he is one of the in- fluential Democrats of his town, having held several important official positions, including that of selectman, in which he is now serving his second term. Socially he is identified with the Masonic Fraternity.

On September 26, 1876, our subject married Miss Mary Platt, daughter of Allen Platt, a highly- esteemed resident of the town of Monroe. She died December 21, 1889, and on February 11, 1890, he remarried. He has three attractive daughters, two by the first marriage, Hattie T. and Julia, and one, Adelaide, by the second.

J OHN REYNOLDS, wholesale dealer in wines and liquors at Bridgeport, is the proprietor of a large establishment at Nos. 386 and 388 Water street, and enjoys an extensive patronage. He is the agent in that city for P. Ballantine & Son's celebrated ales and lager, and also bottles a superior variety of lager for family use.

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Our subject was born in 1848 in County Tyrone, Ireland, a son of Edward and Susan (Mullen) Reynolds, reputable farming people of that locality. This worthy couple had several children, but John is the only one now living.

Mr. Reynolds was educated in the schools of his native land, and at the age of sixteen came to the United States, where he hoped to find better business opportunities than his own country offered. Soon after his arrival in the New World he settled in Bridgeport, Conn., and for some five years was employed driving a grocery wagon. He then engaged in the grocery busi- ness for his own account at No. 104 N. Washing- ton avenue, where he carried on an extensive and profitable trade until 1888. On retiring from that business he bought the liquor store at the corner of Grand and Main streets formerly owned by John Bee, and this he conducted at the old stand, corner of Grand and Main streets, until 1890. when he removed to his present place of business. Politically Mr. Reynolds affiliates with the Democratic party.

P ATRICK J. DONOVAN. The brave sons of Ireland have never been found wanting where there was need for gallant fighters in the cause of freedom, and during the Civil war many a native of the Emerald Isle marched shoulder to shoulder with the descendants of Revolution- ary soldiers. The subject of this sketch, a prominent business man of Bridgeport, won an honorable record by his courage and daring in battle, and the story of his life cannot fail to in- lerest every true American.

Mr. Donovan was born March 20, 1843, in County Tipperary, Ireland, where his family has resided for many generations. James Donovan, our subject's father, was born and reared in that county, and in early manhood engaged in farm- ing there, but in 1849 he came to America, lo- cating first in Haydenville, Mass., where he was employed in a brass foundry. Later he pur- chased a farm near Hampden, Mass., where his death occurred in 1881. He married Margaret Hennessey, of County Tipperary, Ireland, and had children as follows: John, James, Patrick J., Edward, Peter, Mary and Johanna, Patrick be- ing now the only survivor.

Our subject was six years old when he crossed the Atlantic, and his education was chiefly ob- tained in the public schools of Haydenville, Mass. At the age of thirteen he began to learn the brass worker's trade, which he followed until his enlistment in 1862 in Company H, 37th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. His regiment

was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and he saw much active service, his first serious en- gagement being at Fredericksburg on the 11th and 12th of December, 1862. He also took part in the battles of Chancellorsville and Get- tysburg, being slightly wounded in the leg dur- ing the latter fight, and his regiment was then sent to New York City to assist in quelling the great riot there. Later he was in the battles of Rappahannock Station, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania, where he was wounded in the head, and Petersburg, Va., his regiment being then ordered to Washington to guard that city against Early's threatened raid .. His next battle was the famous struggle at Winchester. and there he was left for dead upon the field, a bullet going through his right arm and body, and breaking off a piece of the shoulder blade. On finding that there was a chance for recovery, he was taken to a field hospital where he spent three weeks, and later was transferred to Chest- nut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia, where he re- mained until discharged from the service on June 15, 1865. He enlisted as a private, and for gal- lant conduct at Fredericksburg was promoted to the rank of corporal. At the battle of the Wild- erness the color sergeant was shot, and Mr. Don- ovan saved the flag from falling at the risk of his own life, a feat which was rewarded by an ap- pointment to the now vacant post.

On leaving the army Mr. Donovan returned to Haydenville, but in the fall of 1865 he re- moved to New Britain, Conn., where he was employed for a year and a half at his trade, that of a brass worker. In February, 1867, he lo- cated at Bridgeport, and after working ten years for Belknapp & Burnham, in their brass foundry on Cannon street, he took charge of the plant for two years, as foreman of the brass foundry. He then operated the Belknapp foundry some four years as foreman for them, and in 1883 he engaged in the same business on his own account, establishing his present foundry at No. 125 Rail- road avenue. He commenced with one or two men, and has increased his business until he now employs about fifteen men the year around.

On November 4, 1872, Mr. Donovan was married in Bridgeport to Miss Catherine A. Handlon, and their home is brightened by three children: Alice, Ruth, Frank and John Russell. The family is much esteemed socially, and Mr. Donovan is regarded as one of the representative members of the G. A. R., of his city, having been an active worker in Elias Howe, Jr., Post No 3. since 1867, while at the same time he is among the oldest members of the order in the

city. In his business he has been successful,

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and has accumulated a comfortable competence. The same spirit which made a good soldier of him has made him the successful business man he is, and has pushed him to the front. Mr. Donovan is a Republican on National matters; and independent in local affairs.

JOSIAH L. DAY, a prominent business man of Danbury, is one of the honored veterans of the Civil war, having served in the cause of freedom until disabled by the hardships inci- dent to army life:

On the paternal side Mr. Day is of English descent, but as both his parents died during his boyhood he has but little knowledge of his ances- try. David D. Day, his father, was born in New Jersey, and married Ruth A. Wakeman, a lady of French descent, who was born probably in Connecticut. Soon after their marriage they settled at Troy, N. Y., Mr. Day following his trade of ship carpenter there until 1842, when he moved to Georgetown, Conn., where his death occurred about 1848 .. His wife died in 1845, and of their seven children the first two died in infancy; Charles was drowned when six- teen years old; Rosalind E. married C. C. Hart- man, a claim agent and collector, and both are now deceased; Henry M. is in the post office at St. Louis, Mo .; Josiah L., our subject, is men- tioned more fully below; and Amos C .. the youngest of the family, has disappeared, nothing being now known of him.

Josiah L. Day was born October 21, 1840, at Troy, N. Y., and removed with his parents to Georgetown, this county. After his father's death our subject had to earn his own livelihood, and for some years did what work he could upon a farm, attending district school in the meantime. At the age of thirteen he began to learn the hat- ter's trade, spending about four years as an apprentice, and when seventeen he went to Dan- bury and found employment in the hat shop of Tweedy Brothers, remaining with them until 1857, when he went to Illinois. In 1859 he re- turned to Danbury and entered the hat shop of Reuben Johnson, where he remained for some time, and he was afterward employed by Mal- lory & Sutton. In 1861 he enlisted in Com- pany E, First Connecticut V. I., on the three- months' call, took part in the first battle of Bull Run, and at the expiration of his term came back to Connecticut, being mustered out at New Haven on July 31, 1861. Returning to Danbury he wasmarried there December 24, 1861, to Miss Ellen M. Baldwin, daughter of Nathaniel S. Bald- win, of Danbury, and a member of an old family

of that place. Shortly afterward he went to New Haven to take charge as drill master of recruits, but his patriotic spirit prompted him to again take up arms in defense of the government, and on July 19, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, 17th Conn. V. 1. He was enrolled as a private, but before leaving for the field he was appointed (at Bridgeport) a commissary sergeant. His regi- ment went to Washington, but Mr. Day being taken sick there was sent to New York to recu- perate. In the spring he rejoined his regiment in Virginia, but as he was still sick he was unableto serve, and was discharged and sent back to Connecticut, his papers being dated May 6, 1863. He could do nothing except to obey orders, so he reluctantly returned. In 1867 Mr. Day became the proprietor of a meat market, to which he afterward added a stock of groceries, and later he ran a bakery wagon for six years. He then worked for a time in a hat factory, in 1884 en- gaging in his present business as a dealer in car- riages, harness, saddles and similar goods. Our subject is an ardent Republican, and at one time served as a councilman for the Second ward of Danbury. As might be supposed, he is a mem- ber of the G. A. R., having been connected for years with James E. Moore post.

Mr. and Mrs. Day are highly esteemed among their neighbors, and their two children are well settled in life. Arthur M., a graduate of Harvard College, is an assistant instructor in Columbia College. Iolia M., the younger child, is the wife of William F. Swartz, of Danbury.

EORGE H. COLE. The Cole family has been prominently identified with this section for many years, and the great-grandparents of this well-known business man of Bethel were early residents of the town of Sherman.

Hiram Cole, the grandfather of our subject, was born in that town in 1801, and at the age of sixteen years went to Danbury, where the hatting industry had already begun to attract the atten- tion of enterprising business men. He served an apprenticeship in a small factory at Woolpits, in the town of Danbury, learning to do all branches of the work by hand, as was then customary. In 1822 he was married in the town of Newtown to Miss Mary Gilbert, daughter of Ichabod and Tamar Gilbert, and they made their home at Hopewell, in the town of Redding. There Mr. Cole engaged in hat manufacturing in partnership with Preston Durant, father of George G. Durant, continuing until the business was interrupted by the panic of 1837, when he removed to Bethel, where he was employed as a journeyman hatter

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by Ferry & Co. until the time of his death in age of twenty his father established him in busi- I ness as a stationer and news dealer. He also 1855. He was an excellent citizen, politically a lifelong Democrat, and in religious faith a con- | holds a commission as notary public. The ven- sistent member of the Episcopal Church. So- 1 ture was a success from the beginning, and he now owns his attractive store on Center street. So far he has devoted his attention to business, and has not taken an active part in politics. cially he was connected with the F. & A. M. Of the thirteen children born to Hiram and Mary Cole, we have mention of the following: George M., our subject's father; Samantha, deceased, Mr. Cole was married at Butler, Ind., to Miss Georgia Belle Holcomb, daughter of Harvey and Eliza Holcomb, of South Canaan, Connecticut. His happiness was short-lived, as the young wife died within three months of her wedding day. Mr. Cole is a member of the Congregational Church at Bethel, and, fra- ternally. belongs to Progressive Lodge, I. O. O. | F., at Danbury, and Bethel Lodge No. 3159, Knights of Honor. being a charter member of the latter. who married John Beavans; Charles L., a resi- dent of Danbury; Mary Ann, Mrs. Beach, of Trumbull, this county; Andrew, who served as a soldier in the Mexican war and in the Rebellion Jerome, who died in Kansas; Theodore, a resi- dent of Philadelphia; Hiram Munson, who mar- ried a daughter of Horace Quick, and resides in Bethel; Harriette Emma, deceased wife of Beecher B. Bassett; Elizabeth, deceased, who married Orrin Wood; and Frederick, deceased.

Hon. George Munson Cole, was born August 3. 1823, in Redding, this county, where he at- tended the district schools in his boyhood. He learned the hatter's trade in his father's shop and in the factories of Hiram Benjamin and Charles & F. Shepard, of Bethel, and after- ward worked as a journeyman for a number of years. After starting in business on his own ac- count he was in partnership first with Mr. Judd, and later with S. S. Ambler, with whom he con- tinued for more than twenty years in the manu- facture of stiff hats. About 1896 he retired from business, but he still resides at Bethel, where he has a host of friends whom he has won by his sterling qualities of character. Mr. Cole's abilities have often been called into the service of the community, as he is an active worker in the Democratic organization of his locality. In 1892 he was an elector, and he has twice represented the Fifteenth district. in the State Senate. For sixteen years he was warden of the village, and during that time was instrumental in securing the admirable water-works system of Bethel. At present he is serving as selectman, which office he has held for the past twelve years. In religious connection he belongs to the Episcopal Church, and he also holds membership in various social orders, including the I. O. O. F. and the F. & A. M., Eureka Lodge No. 83. Mr. Cole was married in Monroe, this county, to Miss Elizabeth M. French, daughter of Ebenezer French. a well-known citizen. She died in April, 1892. deeply mourned by a large circle of friends.

The subject of this sketch, who is the only child of George M. and Elizabeth M. Cole. was born October 25, 1860, in Bethel, and his educa- tion was begun there in the public and private schools. Later he attended a school at Can- non's Station, in the town of Wilton, and at the |

T H. ROBINSON. the well-known baker and confectioner of Bethel, has shown in his career a most commendable energy and de- termination, and success has justly rewarded his efforts.

Mr. Robinson comes of good old Puritan an- cestry. being a direct descendant of John Robin- son, of honored memory in New England. Eph- raim E. Robinson, our subject's father, was a | successful agriculturist at Sunderland, Mass., where he and his wife, Mary Ann Rider, spent their lives. The birth of our subject occurred there March 6, 1849, and he was reared to man- hood upon the old homestead, his education be- | ing acquired in the schools of Sunderland. In 1879 he came to Fairfield county, and for some time was engaged in farming at Brookfield, later spending four years at Hawleyville and one year at Newtown village. He then bought a farm at Maybrook, in the town of Danbury, where he re- mained four years and a half, and for the next five years he resided in the city of Danbury and worked at the carpenter's trade for Foster Brothers. In 1894 he removed to Bethel to en- gage in his present business in partnership with Edward Baldwin, of Danbury, under the firm name of T. H. Robinson & Co. They have an attractive establishment at No. 81 Center street, and enjoy an extensive patronage, their wagons running to Danbury, Newtown and Redding.

In 1871 Mr. Robinson was married, at Whately, Mass .. to Miss Jennie H. Littlejohn, daughter of James Littlejohn. She was born in Deerfield, Mass., but was reared at Brookfield, this county, in the home of her uncle, Mr. Churchill. Three children have blessed this union: William F .; Walter Frank, who is now

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with Dr. J. Chester Whaley, a dentist at Dan- bury; and Miss Mary E., who is at home. The family is identified with the Congregational Church, and Mr. Robinson has been a member of the Societies at Sunderland, Mass., and at New- town, Danbury, and Bethel, always taking an active part in Church work. Socially he belongs to the Order of Heptasophs, and he and his son, William, are both members of Eureka Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M., at Bethel.

W G. ADAMS, member of the firm of Ritch & Adams, is one of the enterprising mer- chants of Greenwich, Fairfield county, where his family is a highly respected one. He is de- scended from sturdy New England Revolutionary ancestry, coming from the same stock as Presi- dents John Adams and John Quincy Adams.

The Adams family settled originally in Quincy, Mass., whence in an early day Samuel Adams, the founder of the family in Fairfield county, Conn., came to Greenwich, and settled on land which is still in the possession of his descendants. He was a blacksmith by trade, and had a shop on his farm in that township. John Adams, son of Samuel, was born in 1744, and passed his days on the farm settled by his father, cultivat- ing the land and following his trade, that of ship carpenter. He was a soldier in the Revolution- ary war, and his outfit and musket (bearing the date of 1761) are now in the possession of his great-grandson, Wellet G. Adams. John Adams was twice married, and reared a family of five ·children, all born to his second union, with Mary Conorey, of Elizabeth, N. J., viz .: Betsey, who married David Ferris, and died at Carmel, Put- nam Co., N. Y .; John, who lived and died in .Greenwich; Nathaniel; and Abram and Isaac, who died unmarried in early manhood. The mother, who was of excellent Irish parentage, was the only daughter in her family; her brothers were successful merchants in New York. She and her husband lived to advanced ages, the latter being ninety years old at the time of his ·demise, and they were buried in a private cem- etery on the Adams farm.

Nathaniel Adams, son of John, was born May 3, 1784, at the home in Post road, Greenwich township, grew up in his native place, and when a young man learned the carpenter's trade with .a Mr. Street, of Darien, Conn. On October 15, 1809, he was married, in Stamford township, Fairfield county. to Miss Polly Lounsbury, who was born June 11, 1786, in Stamford, the daugh- ter of Nathaniel and Jane (Clason) Lounsbury. .She was one of seven children-Justus, Amasa,

John, Samuel, Polly, Sally and Abigail. The young couple located in Greenwich township, and Mr. Adams soon erected a small house, which is vet standing. A few years later he bought the Elias Peck farm, near by, and built an excellent dwelling. which his son afterward remodeled and occupied, and which still stands. He followed his trade for many years in addition to managing his farm, and left many substantial monuments to his skill and industry, but in his later years he de- voted himself exclusively to agriculture. His family consisted of thirteen children, born as fol- lows: Betsey, August 16, 1810; Aaron, Novem- ber 14, 1811; Jane A., December 31, 1812; Samuel, September 8, 1814; Sarah, December 19, 1815; Frances, June 26, 1817; Phoebe, De- cember 9, 1818; Laura, September 3, 1820; Elithere, November 25, 1822; David, April 12, 1824; Henry, September 11, 1825; Elizabeth, May 23, 1829; Charles E., November 17, 1831. (1) Betsey died before reaching the age of seven- teen. (2) Aaron married Margaret Dodgson; he became a wealthy real-estate man and builder of New York City, where he died December 27, 1890. (3) Jane A. married Bates Fox, of Stam- ford, and died in that town. (4) Samuel is men- tioned more fully below. (5) Sarah became the wife of William Gray, and died in New York City. (6) Frances was the first wife of Charles G. Powellson. (7) Phoebe was first married to Joseph W. Youngs, by whom she had five child- ren, and after his death became the second wife of Charles G. Powellson; she makes her home in Stamford. (8) Laura married Andrew Hatha- way and died in Norwalk, Conn. (9) Elithere wedded Jarvis Steadwell, and died in Hackensack, N. J. (10) David died in his twelfth year; his death was caused by an accident. (11) Henry went in 1849 to California, and thence to Seattle, Wash., where he was a pioneer settler; he still resides in King county, that State. (12) Eliza- beth, who became the wife of George Bissell, died January 6, 1871, on the Pacific coast. (13) Charles E. is a contractor and builder in Seattle, Washington.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 230

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