Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 234

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

USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut > Part 234

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Digitized by Google

1151

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

father, Edward A. Nichols, is now a resident of New York City, his office being located at room 32, No. 13 Astor place. After his marriage Oliver P. Tweedy settled in New York City, where he died in 1883. his wife, who survived him about twelve years, passing away in 1895.

The subject of this sketch was born Septem- ber 22, 1865, in New York City, and when one year old came to the more healthful surroundings of Danbury, where his education was begun in the public schools. Later he attended a private school in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and Doctor Hol- brook's Military Academy at Sing Sing, N. Y., and then began his preparation for business by working as an office boy in a hat factory. After gaining an insight into the practical details of the trade, he went on the road as a salesman for trimming goods, and a few years later, in 1887, he formed a partnership with F. L. Butler, and established his present business. The firm of Butler & Tweedy continued until 1895, when Mr. Tweedy purchased his partner's interest, and he has since conducted the business alone. This in- dustry was built up from a small beginning after many discouragements, and has finally been es- tablished on a very sound basis, Mr. Tweedy be- ing now the largest manufacturer of hat bands in the country, and from present indications this will soon supersede to a great extent the same class of goods which are now imported. This very desirable state of affairs has been brought about by and is one of the great benefits of our pro- tective tariff. Mr. Tweedy's financial investments are varied, and he is interested in a number of corporations, including the Pahquioque National Bank and the Danbury & Bethel Street Railway Company, in both of which he holds the office of director. In his political affiliations he is a Re- publican, as was his father, and he inclines to the doctrines of the Congregational Church, to which his family has always adhered.

In 1888 Mr. Tweedy married Miss Grace L. Pulling, daughter of J. L. Pulling, a well-known citizen of Danbury, and two children, Donald and Margaret, have blessed the union.

J H. BEARD, grocer and real-estate dealer of Shelton, was born January 16, 1839, in Long Hill school district, in the town of Hunting- ton, Fairfield county, a son of Joel Beard, of the same place.

Mr. Beard received a common-school and academic education, and labored with and for his parents until he was twenty-one. For the next eight years he was engaged in the wood and timber business, after which he moved to Shelton

and built the first business block on the newly laid-out grounds of the present borough, a sub- stantial and respectable-looking structure which is now, as it always has been, the best buiness stand in the borough, being situated on the corner of Howe avenue and Bridge street. Mr. Beard commenced trading in groceries and provis- ions on October 1, 1868, in the new block, and continued the business until October 1, 1871, when he sold it to Horace Wheeler. After this for about fifteen years, he was in different enter- prises, and he has since spent most of his time in the grocery business, now carrying on same at No. 476 Howe avenue. From the age of twenty- one years to the present time he has been quite an extensive dealer in real estate. He has served his fellow citizens as first selectman, town agent and justice of the peace for several years, and has filled most of the other offices of the town and borough; was representative to the Legislature of the State during the winter of 1883-84. and served on several important com- mittees. Politically, Mr. Beard has always been a Democrat.

In 1868 Mr. Beard married Miss Emily Eliz- abeth Hurd, daughter of Ezra A. Hurd, of Mon- roe. She died in 1888, leaving one daughter, Helen Willard Beard. He was married, in 1889, to his present wife, Margaret Elizabeth Blue, daughter of James U. Blue, of Defiance, Ohio. Mr. Beard has always been a true and loyal citi- zen of Shelton, laboring for its development in every practical way, and is a public-spirited man.

H (ENRY LEE, a prominent resident of Bridge- port, is favorably known throughout the State of Connecticut, being considered an author- ity on the history of the commonwealth, and his collection of books published in Connecticut is one of the largest in existence to-day. He also holds an influential place in business and politi- cal life, and at present is serving as a commis- sioner of Fairfield county under appointment | from the General Assembly.

Mr. Lee was born March 24. 1848, in Coven- try, Conn., and at an early age entered the em- ploy of the Union Metallic Cartridge Company, then located in that town. He became thor- oughly acquainted with the business, and in No- vember, 1868, soon after the removal of the plant to Bridgeport, he came hither to take charge of the priming department. In 1881 he severed his connection with the company, and engaged in the grocery business in partnership with the late George M. Robertson, a year later forming his I partnership with Charles J. Ketcham, and con-

Digitized by Google

1152

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tinuing in the same line of business under the firm port. This firm, then among the most prominent in that line of business, was composed of F. Woodham, James McQueen, of London, Eng- land, and a Mr. ' Johnson, of Paris, France. Their manager, William Battersby, is now the head of the firm of William Battersby & Sons, the well- known hat manufacturers of Stockport. For seven years and a half Mr. Higson remained with F. Woodham & Co., acquiring a complete knowledge of the business, and then he became superintendent of W. J. Taafe's factory in the same town. After eight years in this position he became interested in a commission business in hats at Stockport, and continued in same for his own account two years, when he began work as a manufacturer under the firm name of D. Higson & Co. A few years later he decided to come to America to establish a jobbing trade in hats, and in October, 1889, he landed at New York City from the steamer City of Berlin, of the Inman line. He found the American methods of manu- facture greatly inferior to those of England, and instead of carrying out his original plan he began to introduce improvements in different factories whose progressive owners desired to put his ideas into operation. The first man to make such an arrangement with him was Mr. Brown, of Dicker- son & Brown, Kosciusko street, Brooklyn, N. Y .. and after introducing his system in their shop he spent about two years as superintendent of the name of Lee & Ketcham. In June, 1895, Mr. Lee retired, but he retains his connection with business interests as a director and stockholder in the Lee Brothers Furniture Company, an ex- tensive and prosperous enterprise. Politically he is an ardent Republican, and since locating in Bridgeport has held numerous official positions, elective and appointive. In 1881 he was elected registrar of the old Sixth ward, being re-elected to the same post in 1882. In 1885 he was elected to the board of selectmen, and in 1887 and 1888 he represented the Third ward in the board of aldermen. In 1889 Mr. Lee was the candidate of his party for the mayor- alty, but was defeated, and during the last term of Mayor Marigold he served fifteen months as fire commissioner, resigning at the end of that time. On August 1, 1895, he was appointed to his present office 'of county commissioner for the term of four years, and he is now serving as secre- tary and treasurer of the board. In this incum- bency he displays the same tact and acumen which brought him success in business life, and his services have met with the unqualified ap- proval of the people, irrespective of party ties. Socially Mr. Lee is identified with numerous organizations, including the Ancient Order of Essenes: the Sea Side Club; Seaside Court of Foresters; St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M., and Jerusalem Chapter, while his attainments as a | stiff-hat department in the factory of H. H. historian have made him a valued member of the Bridgeport Historical Society and the Connecti- cut Historical Association.

D AVID HIGSON, a well-known resident of Danbury, was born December 29, 1855, at Stockport, England, where his ancestors have had their home for generations. The late Giles Hig- son, our subject's father, who was born there, died in March, 1895, and the mother, Jane (Bur- I dred hands, was unable to fill all their orders. gess) Higson, a native of Adlington, England, is still living at Stockport. They had six children: Sarah Jane, David. Elizabeth Ann, Charles, I George, and Kate.

| Haelofs & Co., Twelfth and Brown streets, Phil- adelphia, and one year in the same capacity with John B. Stetson & Co., Philadelphia. He then came to Danbury and had charge of Crofut & White's shop for a year, during which he inaugu- rated similar improvements there. On leaving that firm in 1894, he organized the business he was lately connected with, and so rapidly has 1 their business increased that their factory on Rail- ! road avenue, which employed about three hun- | They were the sole manufacturers in America of I the noted velvet pile-finish hats, for which the well-known firm of E. V. Connett & Co., of New York City, became the exclusive selling agents.

The schools of his native town afforded Mr. In March, 1879, Mr. Higson was united in Higson, our subject, his educational opportuni- I marriage with Miss Lucy Elizabeth Bayley, ties, and he was in the grammar school when he ! daughter of John and Sarah (Shawcross) Bayley, gave up his studies at the age of thirteen to take | the former of whom was employed during the a position as clerk in the correspondence office of greater portion of his life as superintendent of the London & Northwestern Railway Company. I large cotton mills in different parts of England. He had already determined to learn the hatter's | Mrs. Higson was one of a family of ten children. trade, but as he was not old enough to enter upon | an apprenticeship, he continued his work for the | railway company for a year, and then entered the | hat factory of F. Woodham & Co., of Stock-

The Higson residence at No. 6 Stevens street, Danbury, is a pleasant one, and Mr. Higson and his wife are prominent in social life and in the work of the Unitarian Church at Danbury.

Digitized by Google

David Angsons

Digitized by Google

1153

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. Higson having become a citizen of the United States, he, in November, 1896, cast his first Presidential vote, balloting for William Mc- Kinley, whose policy of protection he heartily ap- proves. Socially he is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and is a past master of the Lodge of Peace, No. 322, at Stockport, England.

E DWARD VON GAL, one of the leading citi- zens of Danbury, is extensively engaged in hat manufacturing, his success in this line being based upon sound business sagacity, untiring en- ergy and a thorough knowledge of the details of the trade.

Mr. Von Gal is a descendant of an old Ger- man family, and the ancestral estate in the Fath- erland has been held by the Barons Von Gal since 1100. Our subject's grandfather, who was a member of the king's bodyguard, lived and died in Germany. Jacob Von Gal, the father of our subject, was born in Cologne, Germany, and mar- ried Gertrude -- , a native of a neighboring vil- lage. He was a wealthy man. and never engaged in any occupation. In 1848 he came to America, and after traveling for a number of years located permanently in Danbury, where his death occurred June 27, 1875. His intelligence and his sympa- thy with progress led him to espouse the cause of liberty during the Civil war, and he served with distinction as a soldier in the Union army. His widow is now receiving a pension, and some time ago received back pension amounting to $4.000. In his early years Mr. Von Gal united with the Lutheran Church, with which the family have ever since been identified. Of his children, the twins, Jacob and Jacobina, were born in Ger- many, the former now a hatter in Norwalk, Conn., and the latter, who is unmarried. residing at home; Lewis, who was born in Illinois, is a hatter in Norwalk; George, born in Brooklyn, N. Y., died at the age of thirty-six; Edward, our subject, is fifth in the order of birth; Constant is a hatter in Danbury.

The subject of our sketch was born January 19, 1862, in Danbury, where he grew to man- hood. He attended the local schools until he was fifteen years old, when he entered the box shop of E. S. Davis, with whom he remained three years. Having then decided to learn the hatter's trade, he served an apprenticeship of four years in Henry Crofut's factory, where he afterward became superintendent of the finishing department. After continuing about two and a half years in that position he, on June 1, 1888, formed a partnership with A. B. Davenport under the firm name of Davenport & Von Gal, and be-

gan the manufacture of stiff and soft hats. They did an extensive business until April 22, 1896, when their factory was destroyed by fire, and they dissolved partnership on June I following. Mr. Von Gal, however, rebuilt the factory, and has since conducted the business alone, manufact- uring stiff hats exclusively. He has the advan- tage of understanding the business from the standpoint both of the workman and of the man- ufacturer. For two years he was master work- man of the Hatters' Assembly, Knights of Labor, at Danbury, and during that time represented them at various meetings. When only twenty- one years of age he became the vice-president of the Hat-Finishers' Association, and in the follow- ing year he was elected to the office of president, which he held until he went into business for himself, and became a member of the Manufact- urers' Association.

On October 20, 1886, Mr. Von Gal married Miss Theodora Bloomer, daughter of Theodore Bloomer, a well-known citizen of Danbury; the Bloomer family is of English descent, and has an old and honorable ancestry. Four children were born of this union: Nettie, who died October 15, 1895; Marjorie and George, who are both at home; and Edward Jr., who died in July, 1895. Mr. Von Gal and his wife are leaders in social affairs, and he is a member of various fraternal societies, including the order of Foresters and the B. P. O. E., in which he was elected in 1895 to the highest office. In politics he is a Repub- lican.

R A. CLANCY. Among the brave men who fought for the preservation of the Union were many gallant sons of " Old Erin," and the subject of this biography, who is a wealthy re- tired resident of Bridgeport, won an honorable record in the service. In private life also his name has been associated with a high ideal of citizenship, and in his extensive business opera- tions as a foundryman in the firm of Giles & Clancy he gained an enviable standing in finan- cial circles, the firm's plants at Bridgeport and Norwalk being conducted for years without giv- ing a note or passing a pay-day.

Mr. Clancy was born July 18, 1833, in County Cork, Ireland, where his ancestors have made their homes for generations. Morris Clancy, his grandfather, was a merchant tailor there, and of his seven sons all followed that business, and all but one, William, remained in the old country. A son of the latter, also named William, served with distinction in the Civil war, attaining the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and met a soldier's

Digitized by Google

1154

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

death in the war with Spain, being killed in the first engagement.

Thomas Clancy, the father of our subject, was a lifelong resident of Ireland. He married Miss Catherine Fitzgibbon, also a native of that country, and our subject is the eldest of the family of six children born of this union, the others being: Mary A., deceased; John, a book- keeper, who has been employed for twenty-five years by the Adams Express Company, in New York City; Ann, deceased; Thomas, a toolmaker for the Belknapp Manufacturing Company, of Bridgeport; and Catherine (deceased), who mar- ried Daniel Murphy, of Providence, Rhode Island.

Richard A. Clancy obtained his education in the schools of his native land previous to the age of fourteen years, when he came to America, ar- riving at Bridgeport June 15, 1848, and soon afterward he was bound out to Wheeler & Clark to learn the foundry business. After completing his term of three years he spent one year under special instruction at the Crescent Iron Works, where he remained, and after two years was placed in charge, filling this position acceptably until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he enlisted in Company D, oth Conn. V. I. He was given the rank of hrst lieutenant, and served nineteen months, part of the time in command of his company, and after his discharge he re- turned to Bridgeport. Finding the business out- look unpromising he went to New Haven to find employment at his trade, and three weeks later he was made foreman of the plant of Osborn & Gaylord, with whom he remained two years. He then went back to Bridgeport as assistant foreman of the Pacific Iron Works, and subse- quently took a similar position with the old Bridgeport Iron Works, after eight months being appointed foreman of that establishment. This post he held until January, 1876, when he formed a partnership with John V. Giles, and engaged in the foundry business in Bridgeport, under the firm name of Giles & Clancy, who continued in

salem Council, Hamilton Commandery, K. T., and Pyramid Temple, Order of the Mystic Shrine. In religious faith he is a Catholic, having been reared in that Church, and politically he is an Independent, though previous to 1896 he gave his allegiance to the Democratic party. At all times he has taken keen interest in public affairs. but official honors have no charms for him, and he has frequently declined to appear as a candidate.

G EORGE M. BENNETT, a military veteran, is now a prominent agriculturist of Trum- bull township, and his farm at Long Hill shows the same judicious management that has charac- terized his efforts in other lines of business. As will be seen, he is a self-made man, and his biog- raphy will be of general interest.

In both paternal and maternal lines Mr. Ben- nett is descended from old Holland stock. and his ancestors settled at Jamaica, Long Island, in an early day. His great-grandfather-Bennett- was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Aury Ben- nett, the grandfather of our subject, was a carpen- ter by trade, and a lifelong resident of Jamaica. Aury Bennett (2), our subject's father, was born at Jamaica, and for some years followed farming there, but his last days were spent at Long Hill, Fairfield county, where he died in 1883. His wife, whose maiden name was Lucy Hicks, is also deceased.

Mr. Bennett, our subject, was born May 15, 1834, at the old home in Jamaica, and his youth was mainly spent there. He was educated in the public schools of the locality, and at Union Hall Academy, and on leaving school he learned the carriage maker's trade, which he followed in Jamaica until 1859. He then engaged in busi- ness on his own account as a member of the firm of Spaulding & Bennett, but in 1861 he left this and entered the army as second lieutenant of Company 1, 40th N. Y. V. I., his business successfully sixteen years, the New i commission being signed by Governor Seward. York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Com- I For the fourteen months following he saw active pany giving them all the work of that road. service with the Army of the Potomac, and at the

They also conducted the South Norwalk Iron . end of that time he was mustered out with the Works, at South Norwalk, Conn., for some i rank of first lieutenant. On his return from the time. In 1892 Mr. Clancy sold his interest, and | front he found employment in the street railway retired to spend the afternoon of life in well- I shops at Brooklyn, N. Y., where he remained earned leisure.

thirteen years, as foreman of the repair depart- I ment. and for two years of this time he ran a boarding house on Twenty-first street, New York ! fectionery store at Jamaica for seven years, and | in March, 1881, he removed to his present home-

Mr. Clancy married Miss Helen M. Daly. daughter of Dennis Daly, a native of Bridgeport, and a descendant of an old Irish family. So- I City. In the meantime he also conducted a con- cially Mr. Clancy and his wife are prominent, and he is a member of Corinthian Lodge, F. & A. M., at Bridgeport; Jerusalem Chapter, Jeru- , stead at Long Hill. Mr. Bennett was married

Digitized by Google

1155

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in Jamaica to Miss Conger, a native of New York City, and three children have blessed the union: George Thomson Conger died in in- fancy; Harry Hicks resides in Bridgeport, this county, where he is employed as superintendent by D. T. Conger; Charlotte Thomson (deceased), married A. E. Poland, and had one daughter, Charlotte Bennett.

E ADWARD BURKE is one of the prosperous business men of Danbury. Like many of our enterprising citizens, he is of Irish parentage, but he can claim Danbury as his native place, having been born there October 17, 1852. His ancestors had their home in County Galway, Ireland, and his grandfather, James Burke, was a farmer there throughout life.

The late Patrick Burke, father of our sub- ject, was the only one of a large family of chil- dren to come to America, the others remaining in Ireland. He crossed the ocean in 1850, ac- companied by his wife, Mary (Kelly), and six children, of whom four died from ship fever shortly after landing. Of the surviving two, the elder, Patrick Burke, Jr., is a hatter in Danbury, and Bridget is the wife of Edward McPhelemy, of the same place. Our subject was the first of five children born in America: Michael, deceased, was the superintendent of O. Benedict's hat shop in Bethel; James died at the age of twenty- one; John, deceased, was a hatter by trade; Mary died at the age of six. The mother of this family died March 9, 1866, and the father on March 12, 1896. He took much interest in politics, casting his vote regularly for the Demo- cratic party, and he and his wife were both members of the Roman Catholic Church, to which faith our subject also adheres.

Edward Burke spent his youth in Danbury, where he attended school and later learned the hatter's trade, following same in different fac- tories there and in Boston. In June, 1882, he engaged in his present occupation, starting on a small scale, and he succeeded so well that in a few years he was able to build the brick block which was opened for business December 19, 1885. His trade is now extensive, and his stock includes all kinds of groceries and provisions, a full assortment of ales, wines, liquors and cigars, and a line of old Maryland whiskies. His estab- lishment is at Nos. 109-111 South street. As he began his business career without capital, his success must be attributed to hard work and careful management, those unfailing factors in success. Mr. Burke is president of the Wine, Liquor and Beer Dealers' Association of Dan-

bury, and is on the executive board of the State association.

Until the campaign of 1896, Mr. Burke was a supporter of the Democratic ticket, but his vote was then cast with the Republican party for honest money. Before Danbury became a city he held the office of burgess for two years, from 1888 to 1890, and was chairman of the commit- tee on streets and sidewalks.

On November 28, 1876, Mr. Burke married Miss Mary J. Sweeney, daughter of Patrick and Mary Sweeney, of Danbury. She died June 3, 1890, and on June 11, 1892. he married her sis- ter Elizabeth, who died on October 27 of the following year. On November 28, 1895, he formed a third union, this time with Mrs. Mary (Lavin) Braumfeldt, daughter of Patrick and Mary Lavin, of Danbury, and they have one child, Edward Keys, born May 17, 1897.

C LARENCE H. BRADLEY, one of the intel- ligent, energetic farmers of Greenfield, is well known in this part of Fairfield county, and the name he bears is always suggestive of the best type of citizenship in Fairfield township. He was born here, in Banks North District, on August 12, 1854, and is the eldest in the family of Zalmon B. and Sarah E. (Sherwood) Bradley, who are mentioned elsewhere. The family is one of the oldest in this region.

Mr. Bradley acquired his earlier education in the schools of the district in which he was born, and was reared to farm life on the old home- stead, living at home until his marriage, with the exception of the three years he spent in Toledo, Ohio, where he attended the high school. Dur- ing vacation he was employed in a sash, door and blind factory. When twenty-one years old he was united in marriage with Miss Adda Chase, daughter of Stephen P. Chase, and they made their home with Mrs. Bradley's parents on their farm at Greenfield for a time, later removing to Bridgeport, where our subject engaged in the meat business. He had a partner for several years, after which he continued the business alone, remaining in Bridgeport until 1893, since which time he has occupied his father's farm at Greenfield. Here he has engaged in farming, having charge of the property, and he is re- garded as one of the most progressive and up- to-date agriculturists in the locality, where he is widely and favorably known. He is a member of the Greenfield Grange, of which organization he served as secretary for three years, and while in Bridgeport he was an active member of the Butchers' Association of that city. His politi-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 234

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