Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 236

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

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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).

S. benedict & Son, of Danbury. After six years with this employer he took a similar position with barom & Reed, and there remained five of six years. In 1989 he formed his present partnership with Edward McGraw, and estab- Ished himself in business at No. 101 White Street. Danbury, but on November 1, 1806. the tim re moved to No. 93. where they have con- umed Their business is an extensive one. hav- i.e straday increased under their energetic and judiones management, and their stock, which i occupies one floor and a cellar, 20 x 75 feet, is well-selected and admirably arranged.

In ISSO, Mr. Baldwin married Miss Annie Monroe, daughter of Colonel James and Virginia M. (Martin) Monroe. Her father, who was a nephew of President Monroe, was a graduate of West Point, and served in the regular army for He commanded at Fort Spelling, Mert. . for some time, and participated in the Metran was and in the Civil war. He died of typhoid fever in 1862, at Harper's Ferry, while serving as colonel of the 22nd N. Y. V. J. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin have a pleasant home at No. as Online street, Danbury, and are prominent in coral hte and in the work of the Congrega-

ie r att ed Althea De Fastest, to im September ;. 1 ;; and died February 21. 1814 On. Septem- (+8 13. 115. be married Folly Warner, dauph. tero! kes Nrahigh Waiter, a ciarvaran, then d! Sostan, later of Dan ay K cell Leaven- wir'n was a mechani and tammer. He removed ined in New Milford on a fait. In 1930 he settled in Bridgewater. Inchfeld county. He had tive children Ihn D. b in January 2. iNej. Alpail, b. in Fine a. I.s. died February Et, race, Emeline, bern August 14. IN ;. Mark. . tional Church. They have had tive children: 1 in March 25. 150g, and Lorenzo W., born James Monroe, John (who died in infancy), Louis. Wilham D., Jr., and Eugenia. Mr. Bald- win is a director in the Y. M. C. A. He also takes an interest in fraternal society work as a member of the Knights of Honor. In political faith he is a Republican. JE. 1921. William and I meline Baldwin tadoreson. Hon. James D Baldwin, cur subjects ferrer, who was born Felt ary 21. 1832. and after . telling for some years of the early manhood at Hawieville, Conn .. removed to Bethel, where he was erpaged in mercantile business for many years, his death occurring February 1. 1888. He --- - W ILLIAM E. HENNEBRY, whose name in the city of Danbury is inseparably con- nected with the Opera Café, is a native of Water- i bury, Conn., born June 9. 1850. was a man of much indiverse, and in thby was a a ember of the State Lep d'ature. His wife, Marpa- ret . Blackman , was born in Newte wn. Her grand- father. Samuel Blackrain, is mentioned in the ine of P. T. Barnum, and her parents, James and Hannah (Turner, Blackman, were highly se- I born in County Tipperary, Ireland, and there spected residents of Newt. w.

William Henebry, father of our subject, was , Flew to manhood and married a native of the

To James D. and Marcaret Baldwin seven . same place. For some years afterward they

made their home in the Emerald Isle, coming to . America about 1846 and settling in Waterbury, where they made a permanent home. They had nine children, viz .: Two daughters who died in infancy; James, a brass molder in Waterbury; Marguerite; Robert J. d.d Having a widow, ; John, a police officer in Chicago, who was killed in the " Haymarket riot;" Patrick, a machinist "radon) and two children. Robert Gordon and . by trade, who is now in the sewing machine busi- Hazel; John, bern Auguste. je, and Dwight, , ness in Danbury: Thomas F .. who is a brass lin in 1872. reside in Dant ary.

moider by trade, but is now in the butcher busi- He's in Danbury; Timothy, a miner in Califor- " ation schools of Father and Danbury, and , ma: Garrett, a brass molder, residing at Water- when about sixteen years did began his buss-

Mr. Baldwin, our con ect. was educated in the

bury; and William E., our subject. The father It's career as a clerk in the grocery store of L. . of there is a laboring man at Waterbury. In

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children were born. vez .: Mary E., born May ;. 15:3. married Witham Wheeler, and died in isty; William D. is next red note fully below; Louis T., is deceased; femme M married W. F. " They, of Danbury, and had one daughter. Mis. Carne Gordon Baldwin daughter of W. A.

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politics he is an ardent Democrat. The mother died in 1867.

William E. Henebry passed his early days at Waterbury, and with his brothers attended the local schools, afterward learning the brass molder's trade, which he followed until 1881, principally in Waterbury: for periods of short duration, however, he was at various places, going as far west as Chicago. He finally located at Danbury and engaged in the saloon business, in which he has continued ever since with stead- ily increasing patronage. He conducts the Opera Café, and vigilant to the interests of the place maintains the strictest order.

On April 27, 1887, Mr. Henebry was mar- ried to Miss Anna McDermott, a daughter of Thomas McDermott, a native of Ireland, who for many years has been closely identified with the interests of Danbury. Mr. Henebry is a wide-awake business man. and well posted on the issues of the day. In his political affiliations he has always supported the doctrines of the Democratic party except at the last Presidential election. In local affairs he has always been in- dependent, voting for the man who in his opin- ion is best qualified for the office to be filled. He is an active member of the B. P. O. E. In religious connection he and his wife adhere to the faith of the Roman Catholic Church, and contribute liberally to its support.

A LLEN T. SANDFORD, veteran of the Civil war, has been for some years a resident of Bethel, where he is successfully engaged in the undertaking business.

Mr. Sandford was born November 26, 1844, at Newark, N. J., where the family has resided for several generations, son of Enoch Sandford, a native of the same city, who passed his life there, following the mason's trade. He married Miss Elizabeth Kissam, a native of New York City, and they had six children: Ebenezer, a resident of Brooklyn, N. Y .; Catherine, Mrs. Bowers; Phoebe, deceased; Allen T., our sub- ject; Mary B .; and Emily N., deceased.

daughters, Emily N. and Alice H., blessed their union, but both are deceased.

During the " dark days " of 1863 Mr. Sand- ford enlisted in the 33rd New Jersey V. I., giving his services throughout the remainder of the war. He is now a valued member of James E. Moore Post G. A. R., at Danbury, and he also belongs to the Masonic Fraternity, uniting with St. John's Lodge No. 6, F. & A. M., and Washing- ton Chapter, No. 24, R. A. M., at Norwalk.

J OHN B. SULLIVAN, a prominent citizen of Bridgeport, is an extensive dealer in grocer- ies, meats and liquors, and his store at the corner of East Main and Steuben streets con- tains a well-selected stock of goods in those lines. Mr. Sullivan believes in giving close personal at- tention to his business, and has found this to be the key of success; but he also finds time to take an active part in political affairs, and has fre- quently been chosen to office by the people of his city.

Mr. Sullivan was born November 3, 1856, in Colchester, Conn., and is of Irish descent on both sides. Michael Sullivan, his father, was born in Ireland, and came to America in 1848, locating in Colchester. He married Miss Mary Sullivan, a native of County kerry, Ireland, and they had three children: John B .; Ellen, wife of James Flynn, of Willimantic, Conn .; and E. L .. a merchant in Bridgeport. Our subject re- mained at home until he reached the age of six- teen years, and during this time he worked for one year in the Hayward Rubber Works at Col- chester. As his time was mainly occupied with farm work in boyhood his educational advantages were somewhat limited, but his earnest desire for improvement led him to spend his evenings in study, thus laying the foundation for a good prac- tical knowledge of the common branches. When sixteen years of age he went to East Had- dam, Conn., where he was employed as clerk by D. B. Warner, who carried on a lumber yard and general store, and while there also continued his studies in the evenings. During his two years of service he discharged his duties so well that on leaving he received a good letter of rec- ommendation from Mr. Warner. In 1874 he removed to Bridgeport, and after working six months in a cartridge factory he took an agency for a history and other books, canvassing for some time. Being familiar with farm work, he

Mr. Sandford was educated in the schools of his native place, and at an early age learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked for some ! time in New York City. Later he engaged in shoe fitting in that city, and for ten years he followed the same business in Norwalk, Conn. In Novem- ber, 1883, he removed to Bethel to enter upon his present business, in which he has ever since | found employment with Mr. Brice, the milkman, been continuously engaged. He is ably assisted I for one season, and at its close, on October 28, by his wife, formerly Miss Alice H. Hand, to | he began to work for the Wheeler & Wilson whom he was married in Norwalk, Conn. Two | Company in Bridgeport, with whom he continued

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for nine years. In the meantime, as his health required change of activity, Mr. Sullivan began to give attention to municipal affairs, becoming an influential worker in the Democratic organi- zation. In 1884 he was elected to the board of councilmen, and after serving acceptably through 1885-86 he was chosen to the office of alder- man in the latter year. About this time he left the Wheeler & Wilson Company, having been appointed letter carrier under Postmaster Ed- ward F. Meeker, and after serving two years he resigned, Mr. Meeker giving him a hearty writ- ten recommendation.

In 1889 Mr. Sullivan and his brother, E. L., purchased the business of Johnson & Rickle, grocers and liquor dealers, at the corner of East Main and Steuben streets, and for five years conducted the establishment under the firm name of Sullivan Bros. Since the dissolution of part- nership our subject has continued the business alone, adding a meat market to the other de- partments. Although he has handled liquors for some years he is strictly temperate in his habits. His business averages $50,000 annually, and in addition to his large stock he owns two hand- some residences in Bridgeport.

On February 9, 1880, Mr. Sullivan married Miss Anna M. Clark, of Bridgeport, a daughter of John Clark, who was born in Ireland, and five children have blessed this union: Edward J .. Eugene F., John B., Jr., Mary M., and Vin- cent T. Mr. Sullivan and his family are leading members of the Catholic Church at Bridgeport, and he is also connected with the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

RANK SHEA is well known to the residents of Stratford, Fairfield county, as the builder of some of her most substantial edifices, and though he is not one of the old citizens of that place, he has become thoroughly interested in her welfare, and is regarded as one of the reliable men of the city.

Mr. Shea is a native of Lisbon, Androscoggin Co., Maine, born September 15, 1854, and lived there until he was eleven years old, when he re- moved to Bowdoin, same State. There he at- tended public school for a time, and, with the intention of preparing himself for college, later entered the Litchfield (Maine) Academy, where he received a good practical training. His father's death changed his educational plans, and coming to Hartford, Conn., he apprenticed himself to Henry R. Tryon, a mason builder, with whom he served three years, during which time he acquired a thorough knowledge of the

details of the business. Two years later he be- came Mr. Tryon's partner, continuing as such until 1882, since when he has contracted on his own account, and also engaged in other branches of industry. In 1881 Mr. Shea came to Stam- ford to construct a chimney for the Yale & Towne Company, for whom he has put up several build- ings, and among other specimens of his handi- work we mention the Lincrusta Walton works, the Stamford high school building, the Stamford National bank, the C. O. Miller, Lyman Hoyt's Sons and Ayres Bros. buildings, and the M. E. parsonage, all in Stamford. In 1888 Mr. Shea went west, locating in Tacoma, Wash., where he commenced speculating in real estate, and he remained there several years, engaged in various enterprises, returning to Stamford in 1894. For the past two years he has been in the employ of T. W. Hall, of Tallmadge Hill.

Mr. Shea was first married to Miss Charity E. Whitmore, a native of Maine, who died in Stam- ford, leaving one son, Walter F. In 1896 he wedded, for his second wife, Miss Hattie L. Jones, daughter of D. C. Jones, of Bridgeport, Conn. Our subject is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge in Stamford, and united with the Ma- sonic Fraternity in Maine. He has served as burgess of Stamford.

D AVID O'DONNELL, a leading grocer of Bridgeport, has built up a flourishing busi- ness through his judicious and enterprising man- agement. His store at No. 628 Main street is well patronized, and in addition to a fine stock of groceries he keeps on hand a variety of liquors for the retail trade.

Mr. O'Donnell is of Irish descent, and his paternal grandparents reside upon a farm in County Limerick, Ireland. Patrick O'Donnell, the father of our subject, was born in that county, and came to America in early manhood, spending some time in New York City engaged in con- tracting and building, afterward engaging in the construction of railroad beds on the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad, the Nauga- tuck division of the New York and New England railroad. His business changes caused the family to make numerous removals during his active years, and for some time he was a watchman in North Bridgeport, but he finally settled upon a farm in Litchfield county, where he died. He was married in Bridgeport to Miss Mary Carey, a daughter of David Carey. Of the thirteen chil- dren born to this unionall but two lived to matur- ity: Jeremiah is foreman in the Meriden lock factory at Meriden, Conn .; John is a molder in

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Terryville, Conn .: David is the third in order of birth; Dennis became a molder by trade; Will- jam is employed as a brass molder in Bridge- port; Thomas (deceased) was an iron molder; the seventh child died in infancy unnamed; Mor- ris, who was formerly a brass molder, is now in the employ of our subject; Patrick is a lock maker in Terryville; Mary Jane married Joseph Mc- Auliff, who is engaged in the concrete business in Waterbury, Conn .; and Catherine died un- married.

Our subject was born March 3, 1851, in New York City, and when about three years old he ac- companied his parents to Terryville, where he re- mained until he reached the age of thirteen. He then removed to Bridgeport, and for some time he was employed as a clerk in a grocery there. Later he served an apprenticeship to the mold- er's trade in the Pacific Iron Works at Bridge- port, where he was afterward employed as a workman, remaining nine years in all. He then visited various places, including Cleveland, De- troit and Chicago, following his trade as he found opportunity, and on returning to Bridgeport he continued for some time in that line of work. Four years he then spent in the grocery business in partnership with John Driscoll, on the dis- solution of that firm resuming his work as a molder. In 1883 he engaged in the grocery and liquor business at No. 659 Main street, meeting with success from the start, and after four years he removed to his present store. Politically he is a Democrat, and he has served one term as councilman, and one year as collector of assess- ments, while at present he is a member of the board of public charities. He is a prominent member of the Catholic Church at Bridgeport, and is an active worker in the Catholic Benevo- lent Legion and the Knights of Columbus.

On September 25, 1875, Mr. O'Donnell mar- ried Miss Julia A. Barry, daughter of James Barry, of Bridgeport, and seven children have blessed this union: Agnes is a graduate of the Bridgeport High School, and at this writing is under training lor the profession of teaching; William, a graduate from the same school, is connected with his father's business; Julia is a dressmaker; Catherine is a graduate from the Bridgeport High School; Estella is attending school in a convent; and George and Margaret are at home.

D ANIEL H. WARD. the successful feed and grain dealer of Trumbull, has passed nearly all his life in that town. He was born there September 5, 1846, a son of John and Marietta (Hamlin) Ward.

John Ward was born in Bridgeport, the son of Thomas Ward, who resided there and in Trum- bull. His early days were passed in Bridgeport, and later he followed the water on coasting ves- sels in the grain and lumber trade. He after- ward engaged in the raising of small fruits in the town of Trumbull. He married Miss Marietta Hamlin, daughter of Joseph Hamlin, of Trum- bull, and seven children were born to their union: Franklin, who is deceased; Julia, wife of Peter Ritchie, of Bridgeport; Daniel Hamlin; Elizabeth, who married James R. Vans, of New York City; Samuel, of Trumbull; Mary, widow of David H. Williams; and Edward. John Ward passed away in 1895, and his widow makes her home in Trumbull.

Daniel H. Ward was educated in White Plains District, town of Trumbull. He early took up the burden of life for himself, commencing work in a paper-mill in Trumbull, where he remained, however, but a short time. He then for several seasons was on the water with his father. His first venture for himself was in the lumber busi- ness, in which he has now been constantly en- gaged for over thirty years. Later, in connec- tion with the lumber trade, he began the feed and grain business, handling hay and fertilizers, and in this line he has met with much success during the twelve years that have passed since his first venture therein. He rebuilt the mill in its present form, and has. otherwise greatly im- proved his facilities for handling the business.

In May, 1896, Mr. Ward was united in mar- riage with Miss Jennie Patchen, a daughter of Lemuel Patchen, of Bridgeport, and one child, Earl Daniel, has been born to their union. Mr. Ward is greatly interested in the events of the day and is well posted on important issues. In politics he is a stanch supporter of the Demo- cratic party, and in religious belief he adheres to the Congregational Church, of which he has been a member for many years.

T HOMAS F. HENEBRY, the well-known butcher of Danbury, was born in Water- bury, Conn., August 27, 1852, a son of William Henebry, who was born and married in County Tipperary, Ireland. The other children in the family who grew to maturity were: James, a brass molder in Waterbury; John, a policeman in Chicago, who was killed during the Haymarket riot; Patrick, now in the sewing-machine busi- ness in Danbury; Timothy, a minor in California; Garrett. a brass molder in Waterbury; and William E., proprietor of the Opera Café, at Danbury.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Our subject spent his youth at his native place, and attended the local schools. He learned brass molding, serving an apprenticeship of two and one-half years under Seymore & Judd, and after mastering the details of the trade went to Chicago, where he followed it for one and one-half years. Returning to Connecticut he ac- cepted the position of foreman of the Davis & Wilson brass foundry, in Watertown, remaining in this capacity about one year, after which he became foreman of the Foster & Mervin Com- pany's brass foundry, at Meriden, New Haven county. There he continued for eight years, coming to Danbury in 1880. In connection with his brother, P. F. Henebry, he engaged in the grocery business on Liberty street; this co- partnership lasting a little over two months, when our subject started in the butcher business on the same street, later removing to his present location. For a little less than two years of this time Mr. Henebry was in partnership with Henry Rothforth, but he bought out his partner's in- terest and now conducts the market alone, most successfully.

On May 26, 1875, Thomas F. Henebry was united in marriage with Miss Mary Hines, a native of Watertown, Conn., and a daughter of Patrick Hines, native of Ireland. They have become the parents of eight children: Nellie H., Mary, Wilburt. Charlotte, Albert, Thomas, Grace and Walter, all at home except Mary, who is deceased. Mr. Henebry is a prominent man socially, holding membership with the Knights of Columbus, in which he has served as president, and as treasurer of the State Associa- tion. He takes a keen interest in political issues, and on National questions casts his ballot in sup- port of the Democratic party, though in local affairs he is independent, voting for the men and measures he thinks best qualified to contribute to the general good of the public. He is ever to be found among those whose motto is " progress," and gives liberally of his time and means to the advancement of all that works for improvement. Like his parents before him he is a faithful ad- herent of the Roman Catholic faith, as are the other members of the family.

CHAUNCEY WARREN is one of Bridge- port's most highly esteemed citizens, and lasting evidences of his business sagacity and en- terprise are to be seen in the many tasteful and attractive dwelling houses with which he has im- proved the east end.

Mr. Warren was born June 9, 1848, at Staf- ford Springs, Conn., the son of Samuel B. and

Marilla (Orcutt) Warren, both of whom died at Stafford Springs, where the father had been en- gaged in business for many years as a carpenter and builder. There were seven children in their family, namely: Charles, now the president of the Stafford Springs Savings Bank; Chauncey, our subject; Charlotte, wife of Frank Willis, of Stafford Springs; Augusta, widow of Daniel. Webster; Emily, wife of Anson Bartlett,' of Grand Rapids, Mich; and Ellen and Ann, both. deceased.

Chauncey Warren was educated in the pub- lic schools of his native place, and at the age of sixteen years entered the Union army as a pri- vate in Company C of a regiment of Connecticut Light Artillery, with which he served in several battles. On his return to the North he became a traveling salesman for the Canfield Rubber Company, of Bridgeport, of which company he was subsequently vice-president for five years .. They had branch agencies in many of the largest cities of Europe, and during his connection with the firm he made several trips abroad in their in- terest. In 1895 he retired from the business, and he has since been investing in real estate in East Bridgeport, and building houses to rent. Politically, Mr. Warren is a stanch Republican, but he has not sought official honors. He and his family are prominent in social life, and he is a member of the M. E. Church and a Free- mason of the thirty-second degree, belonging to. Hamilton Lodge and Lafayette Commandery.

E AUGENE ALBIN is one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of Stamford, Conn., one who has a wide circle of friends, and by his genial manner and kindly disposition is constant- ly adding to that number.

Mr. Albin is a native of Connecticut, hav -. ing been born October 17, 1851, in the town of Wilton, Fairfield county, a grandson of Nathan Albin, and son of Charles Albin, both also of that nativity. Nathan Albin, who was a farmer in the towns of Wilton and Norwalk, married a Miss Wood. Charles Albin was a manufacturer of curled hair in Georgetown, Conn., but since 1882 has lived in Stamford, engaged in business with his son Eugene. He married Miss Harriet E. Platt, of Ridgefield, Conn. (who died in Stam- ford), and children as follows were born to them: Francis Platt (deceased) and Eugene. There is also an adopted daughter, named Jennie.

Eugene Albin received a liberal education at the public schools of Georgetown, Conn., and then commenced work in his father's factory. Removing thence to Naugatuck, Conn., he re-

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mained there in the employ of the Goodyear Me- tallic Rubber Company some six years, at the end of which time he accepted the position of glue sorter with the H. D. Rolph Mig. Co., at Georgetown, Conn. With that firm he remained only a year, however, for in the fall of 1880 we find him a resident of Stamford, Conn .. he hav- ing bought out J. W. Alphonse's market. He has since been prosperously engaged in business there, having met with well-merited success, and built up an enviable trade.

In Stamford, Mr. Albin was married to Miss R. S. Waterbury, daughter of Samuel C. Water- bury, and two children have blessed their union: Harriet Frances and Harold C. Socially, Mr. Albin is affiliated with Council No. 999, Royal Arcanum; with Puritan Lodge, I. O. O. F .; with Shepherd Lodge, F. & A. M., at Naugatuck, Conn., and is also a member of the Chapter. In religious faith he is a Methodist; Mrs. Albin is an Episcopalian.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 236

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