Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 243

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

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Aaron Mallett, the father of our subject, was born in the town of Redding. March 20, 1809, and died December 30, 1889. In early manhood he taught school, but the greater portion of his

life was spent in agricultural pursuits. He was married October 4, 1837, to Miss Abbie Jane Hill, a native of Redding, born October 25, 1820, who is still living at the old homestead. They had two children: Mary J., born October 17, 1840, who is unmarried and resides at home, and Aaron Hill, our subject.

On the maternal side Mr. Mallett is a de- scendant in the ninth generation from William Hill. who arrived in America in 1632 and died at Fairfield, Conn., in 1650. He married Sarah -, and had six children: Sarah, William, Joseph, Ignatius, James and Elizabeth. The succeeding generations in this branch of the family are as follows:

(II) William Hill. who died December 19, 1684, married Elizabeth and had seven children: Sarah, who married Richard Widdon; William, who is mentioned below; Joseph, who died in 1696 leaving no children; John, who married Jane , and died in 1727; Eliphalet, who

married Esther and died in 1695; Ignatius, and James.

(III) William Hill died in 1728 leaving four children: Sarah; William; Joseph; and David, who married Abigail , and died in 1737. (IV) Deacon William Hill, who died in 1739, married Sarah -, and had three children: Joseph: William, who died in 1775; and David. (V) Deacon Joseph Hill, born April 1, 1699, died March 6, 1797, aged over ninety-seven years. He was married March 30, 1731, to Abigail Dimon, who died April 25, 1774, and they had six children: Abigail, born March 21, 1732: Sarah, August 21, 1733; David, April 22, 1737 (died March 26, 1760): Ebenezer, who is men- tioned below; Jabez, June 17, 1744 (died October 9, 1779); and Moses, January 11, 1748 (died October 3, 1777).

(VI) Ebenezer Hill, born February 26, 1742. died March 27, 1798. On January 17, 1765. he married Mabel Sherwood, who was born Decem- ber 8, 1745, and died October 20, 1820. Their children were: David. born July 7, 1766, died December 24. 1848; Ebenezer, the next in the line of descent: Seth, born December 22, 1769. died December 10, 1825; Dimon, born October. 1771. died December 8, 1793: Joseph, born May 3, 1774, died April 19, 1816; Mabel, born Sep- tember, 1776. died July 8, 1779; Eleanor, born August 29, 1778. died July 22, 1779; Jabez, born June 13, 1780. died August 2, 1807; and Esther. born October 26, 1785, died August 27, 1804.

(VII) Ebenezer Hill, born in Fairfield, Febru- ary 20, 1768. died in Redding, May 5, 1842. In May, 1791, he married Sarah Barlow, daughter of Nathaniel Barlow, of Redding. She was

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born January 16, 1770. and died April 11, 1845. Their children were: Mabel, born December 17, 1791, who married Daniel Mallett, and died of consumption December 16, 1845, leaving no children; Nathaniel Barlow, born October 23, 1793; Gershom, our subject's grandfather; Eben- ezer, born October 11, 1797, died June 10, 1875; Moses, born October 7, 1804; Jabez, born March 5, 1808, who died of consumption at Key West, January 27, 1831, aged twenty-three years.

(VIII) Gershom Hill was born March 10, 1796, and died January 4. 1871. He married Samantha Gregory, daughter of Samuel and Roda (Ogden) Gregory, and had three children: Abbie Jane, born October 25, 1820, the mother of our subject; Moses, born January 4. 1824; and Mabel, born November 27, 1830, died Octo- ber 26; 1896. The Hill family has been promi- nent in various ways, and a cousin of Mrs. Abbie Jane Mallett. Hon. Ebenezer Jabez Hill, who was born in Redding, Conn., August 4, 1845, is a political leader in the State of Connecticut, and in 1896 was elected to the State Senate.

Through his mother Mr. Mallett is also related to the Sanford family, whose head in this country was Timothy Sanford. The succeeding genera- tions are here given: (II) Joseph Sanford married and had nine children, viz .: Nehemiah, born Jan- uary 10, 1725-26; Elnathan, October 11, 1727; Phebe, November 20, 1729; Ann, February, 1731-32; Timothy, February 8, 1733-34; Jo- seph, June 20, 1736; Nathan, August 15, 1738; James, December 14, 1740, and Stephen, July 16, 1743. (III) Timothy Sanford, son of Jo- seph, born February 8, 1733-34, died leaving a widow, Esther, and two children. She married, for her second husband, a Mr. Stebbins. The children of Timothy and Esther Sanford were Huldah, born August 29, 1770, and Mary, born November 21, 1779. (IV) Mary Sanford mar- ried (first) Thomas Couch, by whom she had five children: Edward; Esther, born January, 1799; Timothy Sanford; Moses, born March 20, 1803; and Thomas, born July 4, 1805. After the death of Thomas Couch his widow married Daniel Mallett, and they had three children, viz .: Aaron Mallett, the father of our subject, Mary and Samuel, all of whom are mentioned above.

Our subject's maternal grandmother, Sa- mantha (Gregory), was one of a family of ten children born to Samuel and Roda (Ogden) Gregory. Rebecca married a Mr. Jelliffe, and had seven children-Eliza, Polly, Derinda, Juletta, Samuel, William and Jane. * (2) Roda married Lewis Beers, and had four children-Sarah Ann, William, Mary Jane and Malvina. (3) Juletta married Seth Fillow, and had three children-

Roda Ann. George and Mary. (4) Samantha married Gersham Hill, as above stated. (5) Sallie married James Jeams, and had one daugh- ter, Esther, who lives in Danbury. (6) Mary married Le Grand Sturges. (7) Elizabeth mar- ried Benjamin Betts, and had four children- Elizah, Samuel, Charles and Mary. (8) Samuel I Gregory married Eleanor Fillow, and had three I children-Eleanor, Samuel and Lewis. (9) Lu- cinda married James Betts, and had three chil- dren-Harriet, Clarissa and William. (10) The youngest died in infancy.

W E. WEED, M. D., health officer of the town of Ridgefield, and one of its lead- ing general practitioners, was born July 9, 1861, in New Canaan, Fairfield county, Connecticut.

The Doctor is a grandson of Luther Weed, [ of North Stamford, Fairfield Co., Conn., and a son of Robert G. Weed, now of Bridgeport, this State. Our subject commenced his literary education in the public schools of Bridgeport, later attending for two and a half years the priv- ate school of Emery F. Strong, of that place. When this course was completed he was seven- I teen years of age, and he shortly after began the study of medicine with Dr. F. J. Young, of Bridgeport, under whom he continued same off and on until his medical education was com- pleted. After one year's continuous study with Doctor Young he matriculated at the Medical College of Yale University, where he remained for one year, and then rested a year on account of weak eyesight; the three years following he prosecuted his studies in the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons, New York, graduating there from in 1883.

Doctor Weed took up the active practice of his profession on his own account in the spring of 1884, locating at West Cornwall, Conn., where he continued for a period of three years. At the end of that time he removed to Ridgefield. where he has since made his home, and although- he began his career here in the face of much op- position, he has succeeded in acquiring an en- viable professional and personal reputation, and a lucrative general practice. He is progressive, enterprising and public-spirited, and as a citizen of his adopted town has shown decided interest in her welfare and improvement. He was ap- pointed health officer for a term of four years, and is filling the office to the satisfaction of all concerned. He does not take any active interest in politics, in National matters voting with the Republican party, and in local affairs supporting the man he considers best fitted for the office.

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Fraternally he affiliates with Jerusalem Lodge No. 49, F. & A. M., Ridgefield, of which he is master at present, and with Pilgrim Lodge No. 46, I. O. O. F., Ridgefield, of which he is past grand.

In 1884 Doctor Weed was married to Miss Minnie F. Hillman, daughter of Frederick Hill- man, of Bridgeport, Conn., and their union has been blessed with three children, namely: Ches- ter, Mabel and Louise. The family attend the Episcopal Church at Ridgefield.

J OHN E. AND JOSEPH A. MECHALEY, who, under the firm name of Mechaley Bros., have conducted a bicycle business in Stam- ford for the past six years, are the acknowledged leaders in their line in the city, and are classed among the most enterprising and solid young business men in this section.

The brothers have lived in this part of Fair- field county all their lives, both having been born in South Norwalk, John E. in 1855. and Joseph A. in 1873. They were educated in the public schools of Stamford, and both learned the print- er's trade with the Stamford Herald. later for about two years having the management of the Herald office, at No. 91 Main street. The elder brother now took a position on the Town Crier, and, Joseph joining him, they worked together on that paper for three years, until, in 1892, they embarked in the bicycle business. Their first establishment was at No. 82 Main street. in the stationery store of the Town Crier. and in 1893 they opened a store in Luther street, where they also did business one year, in 1894 moving into new quarters at the corner of Broad and Atlantic streets, where they have since remained. In August, 1897, they purchased the Seeley & Adams store and bicycle stock at No. 68 Atlantic street, next to the Congregational church, which they have also continued, John E. having charge of the first-named store and Joseph of the new one.

From the very start Mechaley Bros. have enjoyed the distinction of being the first in Stam- ford in their line, and in the face of competition -for new agencies are constantly appearing- they have had an increasing trade from year to year, in both their selling and repairing depart- ments. Though, as above related. they have re- moved several times to satisfy the demands of their growing business. they are at the present time obliged to economize their space very closely. Their stores are neat and well-appointed in every respect, and in their repair shop they pride them- selves upon being equipped with facilities for exe- .cuting even the most difficult work promptly and

satisfactorily. In addition they teach riding, and have an extensive trade in the renting line. Altogether these young men are to be congratu- lated for the substantial position they have already obtained, and the high regard in which they are held by the citizens of Stamford, who re- spect them for their industry, integrity and energetic business ways. They are prominent members of the Stamford Wheel Club, and Joseph is also a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M.

John E. Mechaley was married in Stamford to Miss Helen Tucker, and they have two chil- dren: Ada and Florence Virginia.

Joseph A. Mechaley was married in Stamford to Miss Adeline De Camp, daughter of Alexan- der De Camp.

Adam J. Mechaley, the father of the two young men above spoken of, was born in Ger- many, on the Rhine. His father was a mer- chant in that country. Adam received his edu- cation in his native land, and came to America when about twenty years of age, locating first at Yonkers, N. Y., where he was in the employ of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. Remor- ing thence to South Norwalk, Conn., he engaged in the retail shoe business, and in about 1878 he settled in Stamford, where he took the position of overseer for John Hubbard. Later he entered the service of John J. Taylor, in the same capac- ity, and he still remains with him. Mr. Mecha- ley was married, in South Norwalk, to Miss Fran- ces Hartwick, also a native of Germany, and they have reared a family of four children, viz .: John E., Jessie, Joseph A. and Frank. The daughter is now the wife of John J. O'Connell, a mason and builder of Stamford; they have one child-Frances.

J AMES H. RYAN, late of Bethel. The Ryan family originated in Ireland, and our subject's parents, Patrick and Winifred (Greagan) Ryan, were both natives of County Tipperary. They came to America early in life and located at Lee, Mass., where the father was employed for many years in a paper-mill. There were five children in their family-Patrick, de- ceased; Michael L., our subject's partner; James H .; Sarah, who married John Carr, of Williman- tic, Conn .; and Thomas F., who learned the drug business with O. P. Atwood, of Pittsfield. Mass., and is now a successful druggist at Dan- bury, this county.

Michael 1 .. Ryan learned the machinist's trade with E. P. Tanner, of Lee, Mass., and. after coming to this section, was employed for several years by the Danbury Machine Com-

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pany. He now gives his attention to the ma- chinist work in connection with the business of the firm. In religious faith he is a Catholic, be- longing to St. Mary's Church at Bethel. He was married at Danbury to Miss Nellie McCarthy, and they have one daughter. Sarah C.

The subject of our sketch was born July 14, 1859, at Lee, Mass, and at an early age he learned the plumber's trade with H. C. Phelps, of that place. After working there for some time as a journeyman he followed the trade in Lenox and Pittsfield, Mass .; Ottawa, Canada, and Balston Spa, Rodman, Watertown and Ogdens- burg, N. Y. Later he came to this county, and for three years before settling in Bethel was in the employ of C. S. Andrews, of Danbury. On October 1, 1889, he formed a partnership with W. S. Wortman, engaging in business in Bethel, and on April 1, 1890, the firm of Ryan Brothers was organized, our subject taking charge of the plumbing and tinsmithing. Mr. Ryan is a de- vout Catholic, as are all the members of his fam- ily, and is identified with St. Mary's parish at Bethel.

L EWIS F. JUDSON, of Stratford, is one of " the able and enterprising citizens of that town, and for a number of years has been suc- cessfully engaged in raising first-class vegetables and fruits for the local market.

Mr. Judson descends from a good old English family, and William Judson, the first of the name to come to America, was among the pioneer settlers of Stratford. Stiles Judson (1), our subject's great-grandfather, owned a large tract of farming land in this county, and made his home in the village of Stratford. Stiles Judson (2), the grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, his services being recognized by a pension, and he became a farmer by occupation, settling in the town of Stratford.

George T. Judson was born and reared in Stratford, where he followed agricultural pursuits throughout his life. For a number of years he also carried on mercantile business in a store on his farm, which fronted on Main street, Strat- ford. He was a Republican in politics, and for many years was a prominent member of the Con- gregational Church. His death occurred March 2, 1880, and his wife, Mary Fairchild, who was born in Stratford, May 10, 1S10, died in July, 1883. She belonged to one of the oldest and most highly respected families of the county, and her father, Lewis Fairchild, who was born in 1794, was a leading citizen of Stratford. Five

children were born to George T. and Mary Jud- son-Mary, who married Walter P. Beers, a salesman in New York City; Sarah, wife of Gil- bert Terry, also a salesman in the metropolis; Lewis F., our subject; George, a Congregational minister at Winsted, Conn .; and Thomas, an electricion, now residing in the South.

Our subject was born November 24, 1857, at the old home in the town of Stratford, and his education was obtained in the public schools and the academy. On leaving school he engaged in agricultural work at the homestead, in which he has ever since continued, building up a fine busi- ness as a market gardener. His farm comprises twenty-five acres, and is most advantageously located, a line of street cars running past it. Mr. Judson takes much interest in local affairs and in the work of the Republican party, and two years ago he was elected to the office of select- man, which he filled with characteristic fidelity. On September 27, 1881, he married Miss Anna Caldwell, a native of England, who came to America in childhood with her father, Thomas Caldwell, and was reared in New York. The only child of this union, Elsie, was born July 23, 1882, and died April 17, 1896. Mr. Judson and his wife contribute to the support of the Congrega- tional Church, and are in hearty sympathy with all progressive movements.

W ILLIAM SHELDON, a well-known con- tractor and builder of wide reputation, and whose work in that line in Norwalk, Fairfield county, alone will remain as lasting memorials of his skill, is a native of that town, born January 1, 1849, of Scottish descent.

Aaron Sheldon, grandfather of William, was a native of Massachusetts, where he followed farming all his life, and there was born his son Warren, father of our subject. Warren was a stone mason by trade, which he followed in Mas- sachusetts for a time, from there coming to Nor- walk, Conn., while yet a young man, and marry- ing Emeline Barnes, of that place. She was a daughter of Charles Barnes, a farmer of that locality, and a descendant of English immigrants. To Warren and Emily Sheldon were born five children, namely: Warren, Emeline, William, Frank, and one that died in infancy. Of these, Warren died in Norwalk in 1847; Emeline was twice married, first to Louis Elword, and after his decease she wedded Samuel Hull, of Norwalk. The father of this family died in August, 1885, a lifelong Democrat; his widow is yet living.

The subject proper of these lines was reared in Norwalk, and at the early age of nine years

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began working on a farm, etc., but before long he commenced learning the trade of stone mason with his father. When eighteen years old he began contracting and building for his own ac- count, and has ever since successfully continued in that line, doing an extensive business, and has taken and executed probably the largest building contracts in Norwalk, in fact, he is recognized as the leading stone mason in that town.

James A. House, the subject proper of this review, was born in New York City. where he passed his boyhood days, and attended the pub- lic schools. The education he here obtained Mr. Sheldon married Miss Mary Smith, a native of England, and seven children were born to them, four of whom are vet living, all still single. to wit: William, John, Anna M. and was supplemented by attendance at the schools in Little Meadows, Penn., and Owego, N. Y. He early developed the mathematical skill that is essential to the success of the true architect, Allesia. The mother of these departed this life, , and under the guidance of his father began the and Mr. Sheldon subsequently wedded Hannah Hartnett, a native of Ireland, who is now also deceased. His present wife was Miss Mary Nol- 1 an, a lady of Irish extraction, and two children, Lizzie and Stephen, grace their union.

The family are members of the Roman Cath- olic Church, and Mr. Sheldon is identified with a local Catholic organization: in his political pref- erences, up to three years ago, he was a pro- nounced Democrat, but since then he has been a stanch Republican. The entire family enjoy the respect and esteem of a wide circle of friends. while their home is a bower of hospitality and comfort.

J AMES A. HOUSE. When Robert Fulton's steamboat made its first trip, when Eli Whit- ney invented the cotton gin, such revolution the world of labor and mechanics took place that the working classes were startled. Could they have looked forward to to-day, and beheld the modern labor-saving devices, they would have stood aghast. We have Edison, with his mar- velous brain still working out some new wonder, and Tesla, and many others, with the descrip- tions of whose work the papers are filled; yet there are other inventors, whose inventions are fully as useful, but whose names are not so well known. Such a one is he whose name opens this sketch-James A. House, who was born April 6, 1838.

James House, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Vermont, and for some time made his home in Rutland. that State, but later lived in Little Meadows. Penn. He mar- ried Miss Hepzibah Newton, who was of English descent, and they had three children: Ezekiel N., father of our subject; William A. ; and Royal E .. who invented the first printing telegraph. Ezekiel Newton House was born in Rutland, Vt., and later lived in New York, where he was cor- poration architect in the 'forties. He married

Miss Susan King, of New York City, by whom he had three children: Hepzibah (who married George C. Bishop, of Rochester), James Alford and Henry A. The father of this family died in 1867.

study of architecture, later studying with O. L. Wheelock, and still later with J. M. Van Osdel, of Chicago. His abilities soon attracted the at- I tention of his teachers, and he was entrusted I with work far beyond that his years would have warranted. When only twenty-one he was as- sistant superintendent of the building of the large Jesuit church (Church of the Holy Family) on the West side, Chicago. Shortly after he had attained his majority he began the study of mechanical engineering, and for three years con- tinued this in Chicago. He began his actual work as a mechanical engineer at Rockford, Ill., work- ing on agricultural implements, but he soon decid- ed to return east. and in Brooklyn, N. Y., was asso- ciated with his brother, Henry A., in the manu- facture of button-hole machinery. They are the joint inventors of the button-hole machine, and the Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machine Com- pany are still running on their patents. During the progress of the Civil war our subject had the contract for making button-holes on the army clothes.

In 1862 they left Brooklyn, N. Y., and came to Bridgeport, licensing the Wheeler & Wilson Company to manufacture machines on a royalty. Five years later the Wheeler & Wilson Company bought out their interests in the patents, and employed the House Brothers on a salary. Our subject remained with them ten years, but his brother Henry A. staid only one year. Mr. House has, in all, over three hundred patents. on forty-six different articles, such as: cotton- harvesting machine, steam engine, sewing ma- chines, button holes, tucking edges. carpenter's brace, baby chair, belt tightener, lawn mower, button-hole cutter, rubber corner for trunks, trunk stays, trunk hinge. machine for making scroll-saw blades, scroll saws, corset-shaping machine, apparatus for molding corsets, for floss- ing corsets, mechanical foot power, plyers for setting buttons on shoes, stocking supporter clasp, bank check punch, method for making

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James Afford Itons

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sewing machines. boning and freepress, three

he in na! mind the House Latort Machinery ( a jam. of which he is procent. I mile H.

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li meget the womenof the travelig. and voted all the praagal cities of Ju je, and

Abraham Ince For thirty two years he has ind in his procent sesilence, and has report. 1.73 74 as alleman from the Third ward, and later from the Fifth. He can in he was be re- raided as an che queset, though the me ane in finical circles i always felt, and he is often created by the party leaders cosected with the Museum Internety, having become a member of Jogja Chapter. New York Caty, in went the the trueten degrees, is a Chatter member of Certain Lodge, Bridge. fort. menter of les arem Chapter No. 13. and of Hanaktion Contaniest Se & Mr. Hebert use of the next protestent men in the city, and is highly exerted is all who knew him ler le integrity and weight bearing He is a man of great executive ability and business tact, and his Great sense of peque wins for ham the high re- gard of all his en iived

J OSEPH BRUS !! Few young men in this section have made a most promising statt in he than has the date of rering business man of Greenwich, the way menterof the well in un tim of hanks A hitch, dealers in cial, wood. lumber, and all is lo of funding materials. They have the largest trade in their line of any num in the town, and Mr. Bruchs energy, ability, in- tegrity, and tact have been leading factors in their success.

Our subject is a native of Greenwich town- ship, having been born January 20. 1846, at les Cub, and he is a descendant of two of the old- 76

est families of the town. In the paternal line her of the fifth generation in descent from Ed- ward Brech, who came to Fairfield county from Long Island about 1700, accompanied by a brother, and engaged in agriculture. Benjamin bruch, a son of Edward, married Samantha hevnd's, and they had a son Joseph, our sub- pets grandfather, who became one of the lead- ny las he's men of this section in his day, con- ducting an extensive general mercantile store at Gratob. He also shipped large quantities of puis fre m that point to other markets, and was the ja trees meat packers and shipper of Green- with township. He married Sarah A. Mead, a teacher of another prominent family of the town

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 243

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