Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 245

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

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! employ of Smith, Gray & Co., in the clothing business in Brooklyn, and then coming back to Ridgefield commenced the flour, feed and grain I business, to which he has since given his entire time. The concern has been materially en- | larged during the past few years, and Mr. Ab- bott has the largest patronage, in his line, in the section. He has met with most satisfactory suc- cess, and may well be proud of the position he

lican in political faith, but is not active in party

Mr. Abbott was united in marriage with Miss

1 1 years in this place he sold out to Mr. Keeler and | has attained and the property he has acquired. went to Brooklyn, where he embarked in the ! He takes a lively interest in local affairs, and furniture business. continuing same for a period gives his influence and support to all measures of about five years. when he again sold out. I for the welfare and advancement of his town and Removing to Irvington, N. Y., he entered into , county. Like his father he is a stanch Repub- partnership with his brother-in-law, Charles Adams, in the grocery business, conducting the | affairs. same for about six years at Irvington, and for the

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Catharine Barry, daughter of John Barry, of New York City, and three children have blessed this union, namely: Robert Oakley, Louis Ar- nold and Catharine Murial. The family attend the M. E. Church.

JAMES MILLER. This well-known citizen owns a fine farm in the town of Danbury, Fairfield county, and another in the town of Kent, Putman Co., N. Y., and ranks among the successful agriculturists of his vicinity. He has devoted much attention to the breeding of fine grades of cattle and horses, making a specialty of the latter. Several fast horses of wide reputa- tion have been reared by him, one of them the celebrated "Lady Bismarck." now a six-year- old with a record of 2:254. which has since been lowered to 2:213. She was bought two years ago by Mr. Bennett, of Danielsonville, Conn., but Mr. Miller has some promising colts in his stables at the present time.

Our subject was born July 1, 1849, in the town of Kent, Putnam Co., N. Y., son of Charles Henry and grandson of Henry Miller. His father, who was born in the same town in 1829, married Miss Matilda Lee, a native of that local- ity, born in 1832, and both are still living at the old homestead. The Lees were early settlers in the town, Obadiah and Rachel Lee, our subject's great-grandparents, and Thomas and Esther (Meade) Lee, his grandparents, having had their home there. Our subject was the eldest of a family of three children, the others being Violet and Robert.

James Miller was educated in the public schools of the towns of Kent and Patterson, and in a private institution at Patterson, N. Y. At the age of fifteen he began to work as a farm hand for various parties, and after his marriage, which occurred when he was about twenty-one years old, he rented a farm in his native town and operated it for six years. He then bought the "Moses Mead farm" of 125 acres in the same town, but soon disposed of it, realizing a profit of $1,000 on the transaction. His next purchase was a large farm belonging to F. H. Ludington, of the town of Kent, and although he soon sold a portion of this he still owns 100 acres. Another profitable deal was made in the purchase of an estate from Aaron Disbrow, which he sold two years later at an advance. In 1881 Mr. Miller moved across the State line and located upon a rented farm at Balls Pond, in the town of New Fairfield, this county, where he remained five years, engaging extensively in dairying and keeping from seventy-five to eighty cows. In

1888 he bought his present homestead of 100 acres in Danbury District. He raises general crops, and also keeps from twenty-five to thirty head of cattle in addition to a goodly number of horses.

In 1869 Mr. Miller married Miss Susie E. Tompkins, of the town of Kent, Putnam Co., N. Y., a daughter of Howard and a granddaughter of Samuel Tompkins. Her mother, whose maiden name was Julia Washburn, was a daugh- ter of Samuel and Phoebe Washburn. Five chil- dren were born of this union, four now living, viz .: Carrie B. is the wife of Henry C. Osborn, foreman in the hat factory of the Tweedy Manu- facturing Company; Arthur H., Maude L. and George 1. are at home. Another son, a twin of George, lived but a short time. Mr. Miller and his wife are Baptists, and while residing near Ludingtonville, N. Y., he was a trustee of the Church of that place. He also takes an interest in fraternal society work, and belongs to the Knights of Honor, Danbury Lodge. In politics he is a Republican, but no aspirations for office have disturbed the even tenor of his way.

FREDERICK H. RICHMOND is a native of Batavia, N. Y., where his father, William Richmond, was for many years engaged in the livery business. He married Miss Lydia Durant, a sister of George G. Durant, of Bethel, and three sons were born to them, the eldest, Harry, dying at the age of twenty-one; Edward B., born July 31, 1849, and Frederick H., born No- vember 5. 1856, are now partners in the busi- ness at Bethel. After receiving a practical education in the schools of his native place our subject decided to seek his fortune in this sec- tion, being prompted, doubtless, by the fact that his uncle. George G. Durant, was then a suc- cessful hatter at Bethel. On January 1, 1871, Edward Richmond, our subject's brother, en- tered Mr. Durant's factory to learn the trade, and on August 19, 1872, Frederick H. followed his example. Edward finally became superin- tendent and bookkeeper in the establishment, and in 1877 Frederick took charge of the factory as foreman. They continued thus until October 1, 1884, when, having saved some money from their earnings, they purchased the business, and on May 1, 1892, Mr. Durant re-entering the business, the firm became Durant & Richmond Brothers. On October 15, 1892, the factory was destroyed by fire, and the partnership was dissolved. The brothers were not discouraged, however, and on April 1, 1893. they purchased George A. Kinner's factory, where they after-

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ward carried on the business successfully. Dur- ing the period when soft hats were universally worn they made a specialty of manufacturing them, their profit enabling them to " get on their feet " financially. Later they manufactured stiff hats only, and in this line they commanded a good trade, about seventy-five hands being em- ployed in the shop.

Frederick H. Richmond gave much of his time to traveling in the interests of the firm, and his ability as a salesman was an important factor in the success of the business. On November 15, 1876, he was married in Bethel to Miss Eva- | he has been coroner's medical examiner, and in lyn L. Manly, daughter of Ira Manly, and four | 1896 and 1898 he served the city of Stamford as children brighten their home: Frank F., Julia i member of the health board. He has been very Evalyn, George Howard and William Frederick Socially, the family is prominent. The brothers 1 . 1 are both identified with Eureka Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M .. in which Frederick H. holds the rank of past master: Chapter No. 23, R. A. M .; Crusader Commandery, K. T .; and Pyramid i mittee for the town, borough and city of Stam- Temple, Mystic Shrinc.

Edward B. Richmond was married at Bethel to Miss Mary Reid. daughter of Hugh Reid, and , cumbency he has discharged his duties with a five children have blessed this union, viz. : Lilly, Hugh. Harvey. Charles and Eunice. Mr. Rich- mond takes great interest in local affairs, is a ! leading Republican, and at present is one of the burgesses of the borough. He is a member of ! the Congregational Church at Bethel, and is active in the work of the Masonic Fraternity

HARLES E. ROWELL, M. D., who is widely-known in professional and public circles throughout Fairfield county and, indeed, ! this section of Connecticut. has held numerous offices of honor and trust, and made a most envia- ble record in the service of his town and county. He makes his home in the city of Stamford.

Doctor Rowell was born May 2, 1849, in West Concord, Vt .. son of Frederick and Rosa- line (Banfil) Rowell, and is descended from Rev-

cine with Dr. Charles Snell, of Whitefield, N. H., and in 1872 he continned his studies under Dr. George Norton. of New York City. In 1873 he graduated from the New York Homeopathic College, and the succeeding year from the New York Ophthalmic Hospital, in March, 1874, commencing practice in Lancaster. N. H., where he resided for several years. In February, 1880, he settled in Stamford, Fairfield Co., Conn., where he has since been successfully engaged in the duties of his profession, and at the same time followed a busy public career. Since 1886

I active in political circles, being one of the "wheel horses " of the Republican party in this section of the State, was deputy and registrar of voters from 1885 to 1896, and for a number of ; years acted as chairman of the Republican com- ford. He has been councilman from the First ward, serving in 1894 and 1897. and in every in- 1 promptness and fidelity which proved him de- serving of the continued honors his fellow towns- men bestowed upon him. In November, 1896, he was chosen to represent his district in the State Legislature, and he became an active mem- ber of the House.

Doctor Rowell is prominent in fraternal cir- I cles as a Mason, Odd Fellow, member of the O. | U. A. M., and the New England Order of Pro- | tection, and he also finds time to devote to com- i mercial affairs, being a director of the Board of Trade and the Schleicher Piano Company. He was post surgeon for Fairfield county from 1887 to 1897, and while in New Hampshire was pen- sion surgeon for the northern part of that State from 1876 to 1880. In 1874-76 he served as | health officer and highway surveyor at Lancaster, New Hampshire.

On December 25, 1872. Doctor Rowell was

olutionary stock, his great-grandfather, Samuel i united in marriage with Miss Arletta Bolles, of Rowell, having been a soldier in that war. His | Dalton, N. H., by whom he has had three chil- preliminary education was obtained in the com- | dren: Dr. J. F. Rowell; George P., who is a mon schools, and was materially improved by a ; graduate of the law school of Yale University; period of service in the Coes Republican office, , and Dr. Edward E. Rowell. at Lancaster. N. H., where he acquired a knowl- edge of printing. Later he learned the machin- ist's trade at the Spencer Rifie factory, located I SRAEL P. TAFFT takes a prominent part in the business, political and social life of the . city of Stamford, Fairfield county, where he has resided since 1885. in the old Chickering building. in Boston, Mass. In the fall of 1869 he joined the original Greeley Colony which made a settlement in Colorado, and the year following joined the Chicago Colony. Col. Henry S. Tafft, his father, was born at His residence in Colorado was a comparatively . Charleton. Mass. He was one of those who brief one, for in 1871 we find him studying medi- . went to California in 1849, and crossed the Isth-

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mus of Panama on foot. He lived in California ·several years, and was a member of the Vigilance Committee at San Francisco in 1857. Col- -onel Tafft returned east before the Civil war, dur- ing which struggle he was chief signal officer of the Department of the South, with rank of lieu- tenant-colonel. The seven years succeeding the war he spent on a plantaion, which he owned, in South Carolina, and engaged in raising cotton; he now makes his home in Providence, R. l., where he is carrying on a granite business. He is an active member of the G. A. R., and for years was president of the Signal Corps Associa- tion. Colonel Tafft was married at Northbridge, Mass., to Miss Emma A. Plummer, who is now deceased, and they had four children, viz .: Israel P .; Anita, Mrs. William B. Bradford, of Somer- ville, Mass .; Grace C., Mrs. James A. Anderson, of Chicago, Ill .; and Harry J., of Somerville, Mass. They trace their descent on both ma- ternal and paternal sides from Robert Tafft, who came from England and settled in Mendon, Mass., in the year 1679.

Israel P. Tafit was born February 1, 1857. in San Francisco. Cal. During the Civil war the family lived at Hilton Head, S. C., and after- ward for seven years on a cotton plontation on St. Helena Island, S. C .. and our subject ac- ·quired his education at different places, first at- tending school in Washington, D. C. He grad- uated from the high school at Northbridge, Mass., after which he entered Dean Academy, at Frank- lin, Mass., and on leaving that institution he went to work in the general store of Peter M. Tafft, at Whitinsville, Mass., where he remained for a year and a half, in the meantime rising to the position of first clerk. For two years and a half following he was engaged in cotton buying at Beaufort, N. C., and on his return north he became traveling salesman for the Hall Safe and Lock Company for one year. After that for short periods he was with the Diamond Hill (R. I.) Granite Company, and the dry-doods house of H. B. Keith & Co., of Worcester, Mass., re- spectively, in 18So entering the employ of Wil- liam Knowlton & Sons, of West Upton, Mass., manufacturers of straw goods, with whom he re- mained four years, learning this business thor- oughly. The next two years he traveled for Royston, Hedges & Co., straw hat manufactur- ers, of Adrian, Mich., having the western terri- tory, and in 1885 he came to Stamford, where he took the position of bookkeeper and cashier with Smart, Patterson & Rice, straw hat manu- facturers. He continued with the house in this capacity till 1891, when he became a member of the firm of T. B. Smart & Co., from which he

withdrew in 1893, and bought an interest in the business of George W. Southwick, dealer in mill supplies. This partnership was dissolved Jan- uary 1, 1897, but Mr. Tafft continued the busi- ness in Stamford for some months. In June, 1897. in company with John S. Davenport, he purchased the hardware business of J. G. Houghton, which they are now carrying on.

In 1878 Mr. Tafft was married in Beaufort, S. C., to Miss Mary A. Nichols, daughter of Dr. E. G. Nichols, who during the Civil war was driven from Florida on account of his sympathies with the Union. Mr. and Mrs. Tafft have had born to them a family of five children: Annie Louise, Emma Anita (in West Upton, Mass), Jennie May (at Adrian, Mich.), George Knowl- ton (in Stamford), and Edith Alston (in Stam- ford).

Mr. Tafft has always been active in the life of the community wherein his home has been made, has held various public offices, and is interested in all of the progressive movements of | the day, especially those calculated to do the greatest good to the greatest number. While living at Upton, Mass., he served as selectman of the town, was secretary of the Farmers Club and of the Fire Department, and was chosen as a delegate from Upton to several County and State conventions. He was an officer in Com- pany M, Sixth Regiment M. V. M. for four years, and during his residence in Adrian, Mich., he was secretary of Company B, First Regiment Mich- igan State Troops, for two years. In Stamford he has acted as justice of the peace for six years, and in 1897 was elected a member of the city council from the Third ward, and re-elected in 1898, being nominated for that office by the Re- publican party, of which he is a stanch supporter. He is also president of the city council. Relig- ious societies and interests have always received a large share of Mr. Tafft's attention, and he is at present secretary of the Church Extension So- ciety, director and chairman of the gymnasium committee of the Y. M. C. A., and parish clerk for St. John's Episcopal Church, of which he is a member. In fraternal affiliation he is connected with Union Lodge No. 5, and Rittenhouse Chapter, F. & A. M .; with Puritan Lodge No. 43, I. O. O. F., in which order he is prominent, be- ing grand guardian of the grand lodge of the State of Connecticut; with Stamford Council, No. 999, Royal Arcanum, in which order he holds the position of grand chaplain of the grand coun- cil of the State of Connecticut; and with the New England Order of Protection. He was at one time secretary of the Stamford Rod and Gun Club.

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CHARLES F. CRABB, of the well-known firm of Crabb Bros., builders and contract- ors, Stamford, Conn., is a native of the town of Stamford, Fairfield Co., Conn., born July 13, 1859.

Charles Crabb, father of our subject, was also born in the town of Stamford, and the greater part of his life has been passed in agri- cultural pursuits. He married Miss Ann Amelia Sarles, and children were born to them: Sarah, Charles F., Wilbur L. (in Stamford), Jennie E., Velina, Theodore A. (in Stamford), Nettie (in Norwalk), Lizzie, Chester, Harold, and Mary (in Norwalk). In his political predilections Charles Crabb is a Republican.

Charles F. Crabb, whose name introduces these lines, passed his boyhood days on his father's farm, during the winter months attend- ing the district schools. At the age of twenty- one he commenced learning his trade with War- ren Kirk. of Stamford, and after serving his ap- prenticeship worked at same until 1894. in which year he and his brothers. Wilbur L. and Theo- dore A., under the firm name of Crabb Bros., established their present prosperous business. This enterprising firm have a wide reputation in their line, and have built many houses in Stam- ford.

At Stamford our subject was united in mar- riage with Miss Florence Mead. daughter of Abel Mead. of Greenwich, Conn., and three children have been born to them: Clarence, Lester and Carleton. Socially, Mr. Crabb is a member of Stamford Council No. 999. Royal Arcanum, at Stamford; and in politics he is a stanch Republican. By the exercise of resolute will and persevering industry he has secured a prominent place in the business world.

M (RS. AUGUSTA B. GIDDINGS. This es- timable lady is a resident of the town of Sherman. where she is held in high regard for her excellent qualities of mind and heart. Her husband, the late George C. Giddings, whose death occurred May 2, 1892, was a man whose influence was widely recognized as a power for good, and Mrs. Giddings has at all times been a friend to progress. her sympathies being none the less effective because expressed in the quiet ways to which woman's efforts are usually restricted. As the object of this work is to preserve for future generations accurate individual histories of lead- ing men and women, the following finds an ap- propriate place here :

The late George C. Giddings was born May 5, 1847, in the town of Sherman, where his fam- |

ily, of whom an account is given below, has been prominent from pioneer times. He attended the common schools of his native town for some years, and then pursued the higher branches of study at Fort Edward, Suffield, and New Marl- boro. It was his intention to enter the ministry, but, owing to ill health, he gave up the idea, and devoted his time to agriculture as a business. His interest in religious work did not lessen, how- ever, and throughout his life he was an active supporter of the Congregational Church in his locality, holding the office of deacon for many years. On November 16, 1875, he married the lady whose name opens this sketch, and four chil- dren blessed the union: Eliza G., born August 16, 1878, died September 29, 1879; Alfred S., born August 3, 1882; Ella M. B., born June 19, 1885; and Howard C., born November 21, 1887.

Mrs. Augusta B. Giddings was born January 3, 1852, a daughter of John Gibbs, a native of Scotland, who came to America at the age of five years. He received a practical education, I and in early manhood engaged in mercantile I business in Rochester. where he died September 27, 1871. His wife, Eliza (Goodwin), who was born April 13, 1819. died November 12, 1853. Mrs. Giddings was the youngest in a family of eight children, the others being Benjamin D., born, October 16, 1838; Juliet P., March 24, 1841, died September 19, 1850; James A., May 28. 1843, died July 15, 1865; Calvin B., February 25, 1845, died July 28, 1845; Alvira A., May 12, 1846, died April 15, 1851; John F .. May 31, 1848, died July 29, 1852; and Ella C., June 30, 1850, died July 13, 1850. In 1853 Mrs. Gid- dings was legally adopted by Calvin H. Briggs, of the town of Sherman, and his wife, Lois H. (Goodwin), a sister of Mrs. Giddings' mother. She was carefully educated under their kindly direction, and at their death inherited their prop- erty, as they had no other children.

The Briggs family has been identified with this county since 1770, when Zephaniah Briggs, the grandfather of Calvin H. Briggs, came to the town of Sherman. The date of his birth is given as 1735, therefore, at his death in 1837. he was 102 years old. He served in the French and Indian war, also in the Revo- lutionary war, a being afterward granted pension for his gallant conduct during the latter struggle. His stories of his experience at Ticonderoga and elsewhere are cherished tra- ditions in the family, and the rusty flint-lock musket which he left to his descendants is treas- ured as a priceless relic of that early time. He married, and had the following children: Phœbe, born April 15, 1777: Lucy, October 3, 1778;

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James, who is mentioned more fully below; Newton, born July 8, 1782; Elizabeth, July 26, 1785; Solomon, May 2, 1787; John, August 27, 1788; Abigail, February -, 17 -; and Patience, February 23, 17 -. James Briggs, the father of Calvin H., was born in the town of Sherman August 31, 1780. on the homestead which is now occupied by our subject. At an early age he engaged in farming, and his success in this calling gave him a reputation as a judicious manager. He died in 1859 in his seventy-ninth year, and his wife, Phoebe Ferris, who was born November 16, 1784, died in 18 -. They had three children: Ophelia, born April 1, 1809, died in November, 18-, unmarried; Calvin H. was our subject's father; and Eusebia, born April 28, 1814. was married October 15, 1840, to Ralph Giddings. The late Calvin H. Briggs was born January 3, 1811, at the old homestead in the town of Sherman, where he was educated and later engaged in agriculture. He was active and influential in local affairs, and held various offices, including that of justice of the peace. The questions of his day always interested him greatly, and in politics he was in his later years a strong Republican, having joined that party at an early period in its history. He was married February 4, 1845, to Miss Lois H. Goodwin, who died November 13, 1890, and his own death occurred September 28, 1880.

As has been already noted. George C. Gid- dings was a member of one of the oldest families of the county. Joseph Giddings, his great-great- grandfather, was born in 1714 in Gloucester, Mass., and in 1722 or 1723 removed with his father to Lyme, Conn. On October 24, 1737, he married Eunice Andruss (or Andrews), of Ips- wich, Mass., and about 1752 he located with his family in what was known as the North Society of New Fairfield, Conn., his lands being included in the tract afterward set off as the town of Sher- man. Owing to the destruction of the early records of New Fairfield by fire, the precise date of his removal there cannot be obtained, but the records of Lyme show that in 1752 he gave a deed of a tract of land there to Jasper Griffin for 1,450 pounds sterling, and in 1755, while resid- ing in New Fairfield, he gave another deed to the heirs of Dr. Benjamin Coult, of Lyme. His name first appears on the Church records of the North Society October 6, 1752, in connection with the baptism of a daughter, Sarah. On July 15, 1754, he was admitted to the Church by letter from the Third Church at Lyme. In 1772 he was chosen one of the committee to represent the Church be- fore a body composed of Rev. Daniel Farand and others, and in 1775 he was at the head of a | than Giddings, caused the said township and the

committee to build a new house of worship. He took an active part in the French and Indian war, and in the Colonial records for 1760 we find the following: " This assembly do establish Mr. Joseph Giddings to be captain of the North Com- pany or train band in the North Society in New Fairfield." He died January 10, 1803, and his wife, Elizabeth (Hungerford), passed away Sep- tember 5, 1815, at the advanced age of ninety- nine years, eleven months. She had two brothers, Joseph and Josiah Hungerford, and a sister Susan, who married Nehemiah Stuart, the father of Dr. Morgan Stuart, of Milan, Ohio. Joseph and Elizabeth Giddings had nine children: James, Jonathan, Solomon, Benjamin, Sarah, Joseph, Mary, Hannah, and Lydia.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 245

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