Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 247

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 247

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).

cil, where he served as chairman of the commit- tee on lights, and made the contract for lighting the city for ten years. In 1895 he was elected mayor of Norwalk, and in October, 1896, was re-elected to the same office. His loyalty to his native town, his interest in her welfare, and his progressive spirit, make him truly a fitting per- | son for the first office of the city.

Born in Danbury June 15, 1859, of German par- graduating from that institution, in 1880, he en- I tered the University of Strassburg, and later studied in the university at Tubingen, where he took his first examination in medicine, then I studied at Munich, where he passed the State examination in 1887, and later at Leipsic. where he passed his special test for the degree of Doctor. In October, 1887, he went into the i service of the North German Lloyd Steamship Company, as physician on board their ships, and I remained with that company four years, making

On June 23. 1880, Arthur C. Wheeler was united in marriage with Miss Susan Cousins, a I daughter of Thomas Cousins, formerly of Brook- lyn, but now engaged in the manufacture of | trips between Bremen and South America, shoes at Norwalk (he came to this country from | Australia and New York City. In October, 1891, England in 1850. Two children have brought | he entered the hospitals at Berlin for clinical joy to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler- I work, and continued his studies there until May,

Digitized by Google

Ar Emil Preiss

Digitized by Google

1217

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1892, when he returned to the United States to engage in the practice of his profession. He first located in Ansonia, Conn., forming a part- nership with Dr. Henry Steudel, which still con- tinues. In November, 1893, he left that practice in the hands of Doctor Steudel, and removed to Danbury, there to open an office. His ability and skill speedily gained recognition, and he now enjoys an enviable practice. He is a prominent member of the German Medical Society of the State, and at present holds the office of treasurer thereof. While he takes a general interest in all movements of the times, he has always re- mained neutral in politics.

On November 1, 1894. Doctor Weiss was married to Miss Albertina Witte, a native of Bremen, Germany. where her father, Henry Witte, was stationed as consul from Brazil. Her mother, Joacquina (Machado) Witte, was of Brazilian blood.

The late Ernest Weiss, father of our subject, was born at Carlsruhe, Germany, and died at Bethel, Conn., in 1880. He had a family of seven children, as follows: (1) Louis, born De- cember 6, 1857, died January 24, 1859; (2) Emil Louis is our subject; (3) Charles Rudolph, born in May, 1861, died in May, 1868; (4) Ernest, born August 4, 1863, died October 5, same year; (5) W. Wilhelmina, born March 28, 1863, is now Mrs. W. G. Myers, of Bethel; (6) Louise Amelia, born June 9, 1865, died April 30, 1881 ; (7) Lizzie, born August 9, 1867, is the wife of Willis B. Judd, of Bethel, Connecticut.

TOHN BRIZELL. The advent of a man, who is well-informed in regard to his pro- fession is always to the advantage of any community, and he is sure to prove an acquisition to the social world. The gentleman whose name opens this brief review is a native of Liverpool, England, born August 18, 1860.

The father of our subject, also named John, was a native of the same place, but in early life he emigrated to the United States, settling in Philadelphia, where he became interested in a manufactory. He married Eliza Graham, also a native of Liverpool, and to them were born eight children, three of whom are living: James, a broker in Liverpool; John, our subject; and Robert, a contractor in Liverpool. The father of these children died in 1896, loved and honored by all who knew him. He served as a council- man in Liverpool, and was an elder in the Pres- byterian Church. The mother is still living.

John Brizell passed his boyhood days in Liverpool, England, and acquired his education

at a private school in his native city. After graduation he was placed under the tuition of Dr. G. Hayes, a veterinary surgeon, and a generally recognized leader in that line, with whom he remained about four years, or until the Doctor's death when he bought out the practice, and also the horse-shoeing department, which there, as it should be everywhere, is a part of the veterinary surgeon's profession. Immediately after buying out this practice, Doctor Brizell en- tered the Edinburgh New Veterinary College, re- maining there three years, and graduating there- from with the class of '82. In the meantime his Liverpool practice had been attended to by a partner, and after his graduation he continued same until 1887, when, in order to secure better facilities and wider scope for his work, he came to America, locating in Dayton, Ohio; he remained there only a short time, however, going thence to Cynthiana, Ky., where he remained six years. He was eminently successful here, but in 1894, he went to York, Penn., where he made his home for one and one-half years, on August 10, 1895, coming to Bridgeport. Here he has a large and lucrative practice. In November, 1895. he estab- lished the Veterinary Hospital, at the corner of Harrison and Fairfield avenues, the only institu- tion of its kind in Fairfield county, where he is also conducting a horse-shoeing and dentistry de- partment, thus making it the largest and most complete hospital for veterinary purposes in this section, with Doctor Brizell, who is conceded by all to be an expert in his line, at its head.

On October 15, 1881, at Edinburgh, Doctor Brizell was married to Miss Robina White, and two children have blessed this union: Ernest Graham and Ethel Frances. In politics the Doctor is an ardent Republican, and in religious faith he is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Socially he is connected with the Merchants Lodge of Masonry No. 241, at Liverpool, and the Knights of Pythias, in Kentucky.

G EORGE W. BARNUM. One of the most pleasant homes in the charming little city of Sherman is that of Mr. and Mrs. Barnum, char- acterized. as it is by an atmosphere of refine- ment and culture. Mr. Barnum is especially gifted as a musician, and both take much inter- est in all that pertains to that art. They are re- lated to several of the leading families of the sec- tion, as will be seen from the following account.

Mr. Barnum was born in the town of New Fairfield, April 1, 1826, the son of Gorham Bar- num. He received a common-school education, and has always held an honorable place in the

Digitized by Google

1218

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

community. In politics he is a stanch Repub- lican, but he has never been an aspirant for official rewards for party fealty. In July, 1888, he married Mrs. Jane (Spencer) Stuart, whose intelligence and force of character have made her a true helpmeet.

The Spencer family were early residents of the town of Sherman, and Nathan Spencer, Mrs. Bar- num's grandfather, who was born and reared there, was a successful farmer of his locality. During the war of 1812 he served in the army as a mu- sician, and the exposure and hardships to which he was subjected shortened his life, as he was never strong after his return. He married Miss Mary White, of Danbury, whose parents were either lost or killed at the time of the burning of that city by the British during the Revolutionary war. nothing being heard from them afterward. Nathan and Mary Spencer had four children: Betsey, who married Miles Dingey; Ferdinand, Mrs. Barnum's father: Mary, who married a Mr. Clever; and Esther, wife of Isaac Tripp. Ferdi- nand Spencer was born in February, 1811, in the town of Sherman, where he learned the mason's

Sarah, September 2, 1776; Eunice, October 3. 1778; Fannie, August 26, 1780; Mary, August 17, 1782; Thankful, September 24, 1784; Ru- hamah, October 29, 1786; Elizabeth, November 15, 1788; Silas, November 15, 1791; Margaret, April 15, 1793: Bethia, June 8, 1795; and Lydia, June, 1797. Fannie Paddock, Mrs. Bar- num's grandmother, was born and reared at Salem, N. Y., and attained the advanced age of eighty-four years, her death occurring December 10, 1864.

Mrs. Barnum was born April 3, 1836, in the town of Sherman, where she obtained a good common-school education. She married (first) Abel W. Stuart, a prosperous agriculturist of the same town. who was born there in October, 1826, and died October 15, 1885.

E RASTU'S RUSCOE, one of the substantial and well-to-do citizens of the town of Wil- ton. is a son of Stephen Ruscoe, and grandson of James Ruscoe.

James Ruscoe, the grandfather, was born in trade. following same during the greater part of . the town of South Salem, N. ) .. and was there his life, although he was also interested in agri- culture. He was an influential worker in the and he was very active in religious matters as a member of the Congregational Church at Sher- man. He married Miss Hannah Curtis, by whom he had two children: Jane (Mirs. Barnum), and Charles F., who was born April 8, 1839. educated. From the time of completing his edu- cation he followed farming the remainder of his Republican party, and held various town offices, ' lift. Politically he was a strong Republican, and he was a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Wilton. He married Miss Anna Hoyt, of Wilton, and by her had the fol- lowing children: Stephen. who married Annie Raymond: Darius, who married Ora Keeler: Ehza. who married Rumsey Fancher; Celesta, who married Richard Morgan; James, who mar- ried Celeste Brown; and Rufus. who married Sallie Ann Ruscoe. Of these sons, Stephen

On the maternal side Mrs. Barnum is de- scended from the Curtis and Paddock families. Her mother. Hannah Curtis. was born at Salem, N. Y .. the daughter of Abner and Fannie (Pad- dock) Curtis, and was educated there and in the . Kuscoe was born in the town of Lewisborough, common schools at Bridgewater. Conn .. whither I (formerly South Salem). September 23, 1794.

her parents removed during her girlhood. She was one of a family of seven children, whose . trict schools, afterward learning the shoemaker's names with dates of birth are as follows: Abner, trade. and then established a manufacturing busi- . ness at Vista, N. Y., which he conducted during Jr., January 28, 1804: Stiles, 1806; Phoebe, December 5, 1SOS: Hannah, February 27, 1811: ' his life. During training days he was lieutenant David. April 25. 1813: R -- , July 31, 1816: and Mary, May 13. 182 ;.

There he obtained his early education in the dis-

of a company, and in politics he was a strong Republican, holding the office of justice of the i peace for thirty years, and also other important ofnce :. For many years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Wilton. On October 19, 1815, he married Miss Annie Rav- mond. who was born December 24, 1795, a daughter of Sands and Esther Raymond, of Lew- isburg, N. Y. By her he had the following chil-

Nathaniel Paddock. Mrs. Barnum's great- grandfather. was born October 25, 1744, at Salem, N. Y., and his educational opportunities ' were limited to the common schools of that . time and locality. He possessed a remarkable memory, as an evidence of which it is stated that he could repeat a sermon aimost word for word the day after he heard it. By occupation he i dien: Julia, born October 9. 1816. married Wil- was a blacksmith. On September 24, 1773, he | liam Fancher; Chauncey, born May 29, 1818, married Miss Mary Crane, and they had the fol- , married Eliza J. Hoyt; Hiram, born January 15, lowing children: Abial, born October 5, 1774; | 1820, married Emily Hoyt; Erastus is our sub-

Digitized by

Google

1219

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ject; Alva L., born August 25, 1829, married Julia A. Sturgess; and Andrus, born August 2, 1831, married Jane Gilbert.

Erastus Ruscoe was born February 19, 1823, in the town in which he now resides. Having received his early education in the common schools, he then learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked until 1860, when for a time he engaged in the butcher business, and later fol- lowed farming. He enlisted in Company C, 2d Conn. H. A., and served twenty months. At the battle of Cold Harbor he was wounded, and now receives a pension on account of his wound. Politically, he has always been a strong Repub- lican, but has never aspired to public office, and in religion he is a Methodist, being a member of the Bald Hill Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as steward and trustec. He married Miss Mary F. Sturgess, daughter of William Sturgess, of Kent, or South Wilton. To this marriage there have been born two children: (1) Nettie, married Jesse Fillow, a butcher of Wilton, but died soon after her marriage. (2) William E. was born in the town of Wilton, was educated there and learned the stonecutter's trade, at which he has worked ever since. He married Miss Elizabeth LeRoy, by whom he has four children: Susie, Coley, Clarence and Edgar. Erastus Ruscoe, after the death of his first wife, married Mrs. Seymour, widow of the late Charles Seymour, and daughter of Walter Smith. Mr. Smith was born in Ridgefield, Conn., there learned the tailor's trade, and worked at the same the most of his life, but in his later years engaged in farming. Politically he was a strong Democrat. but never held public office. He married Miss Esther Treat, daughter of Richard and Esther (Hines) Treat, and by her had the following children: Richard, who married Eliza Pike; Sherman, who remains single: William, who married Mary Sommers; Sidney, who mar- ried Amelia Hull; Mary, wife of Jesse Bradley; Harriet, wife of William Abbott, and Jane Esther (Mrs. Erastus Ruscoe).

ALVA L. RUSCOE, a son of Stephen and An- nie (Raymond) Ruscoe, was born in the town of South Salem, N. Y., August 25, 1829. Having completed his education in the common schools of that town, he then learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked for a few years, and for eighteen years subsequently was engaged in the butcher business. Since then he has been engaged in farming. Owing to a deformity of his hand he was unable to serve in the Civil war. Politically he was originally a Whig, later a strong Republican. He is a member of the Sons of Temperance, and of the Methodist Episcopal

Church. He married Miss Julia Ann Sturgess, who was born August 1, 1829, a daughter of William and Caroline (Howlett) Sturgess, of Wilton. To this union have been born two children: Frank, who died young, and Elbert, who was born in the town of Wilton, August 25, 1852. After completing his education in the common schools he learned the stone mason's trade, and at this he has since been employed. He married Miss Celia Brown, by whom he has one child, Theron, born February 14, 1880. Our subject is held in high regard as a man and citizen by his many lifelong friends and acquaint- ances of Fairfield county.

& C. BENJAMIN & CO., of Danbury, deal- ers in flour, feed, grain, salt, concrete, roof- ing materials and other commodities, have scored a signal success in the business world, having built up an extensive trade since the organization of the firm in 1891. They own their elevator, which is three stories high, and covers 60 x 120 feet of ground, and also have a storehouse on the tracks of the New York & New Haven railroad. A thirty-horse power boiler and engine are required to do the work of grinding and elevat- ing, and in addition to this they use a five-horse power gas engine in certain lines of work. All their grain is shipped from the West directly to them, and an idea of the growth of their business may be obtained from the fact that they began with one carload of goods and now carry from twenty to twenty-five carloads. In connection with the concrete and roofing business they keep on hand all kinds of cements and paints. It would be difficult to find a more thoroughly progressive and enterprising firm than this, and the following brief personal account of the partners, Frederick C. and William Benjamin, will be read with interest.

Frederick C. Benjamin, the head of the firm, has been prominently identified with the manu- facture of hat wire, having been the sole proprietor of the patent three-fourths round hat wire. The business was founded by him in 1885 in partner- ship with C. S. Andrews and A. A. Trowbridge, under the name of the Hatters Supply Com- pany, but in 1890 he purchased the entire inter- est. In 1894, when the firm of F. C. Benjamin & Co. was formed, he discontinued the manu- facture of hat wire. This able and energetic young business man was born in Danbury, Feb- ruary 5, 1864, the son of Charles and Julia A. (Fairchild) Benjamin, and, after receiving a pub- lic-school education in his native city, left home at the age of fifteen to work on a farm. He

Digitized by Google

1220

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

spent two years in this occupation, and, finding the life less congenial than that of the city, he returned to Danbury and found employment in a hat shop, where he became familiar with all branches of the work. In 1885 he founded the Hatters Supply Company, as stated, and from that time his history contains only a record of widening effort rewarded by constant success. His business affairs are too engrossing to permit him to pay attention to practical politics, if he had the inclination, but he is a close observer of current events, and in sentiment is a stanch Democrat.

William B. Benjamin, the junior partner, was born August 23, 1861, in Danbury, and was edu- cated in the common schools of that city. On leaving school he began his business career as a clerk for L. S. Benedict & Son, now A. G. Ben- edict, and after six years with this firm he spent one year with Peck & Wildman. He was then appointed letter-carrier, the first in the city of Danbury, and held this position for nine years. Since then he has been engaged in business with his brother. He takes much interest in fraternal society work, and is a member of Union Lodge No. 40, F. & A. M .; Eureka Chapter, R. A. M .; the Royal Arcanum, the Knights of Honor, and the Improved Order of Red Men. Like his brother, he is a Democrat politically. On Jan- uary 12, 1897, Mr. Benjamin was married to Miss Lizzie Gavin, of Brooklyn, N. Y. Her father,'John Gavin, died in 1896; her mother, whose maiden name was Hannah Croxson, is still living.

The Benjamin family has been prominent in Danbury from an early date, and the late Charles Benjamin, the father of our subjects, was born there in 1818, the son of Delancy and Deroxy Benjamin. He was a hatter by trade. His death occurred in 1872, and his wife, who was born in Danbury in 1830, is still residing there. They had six children: Frank (who died in childhood), Jennie A., William B., Florence, Frederick C. and Thomas. The Fairchilds are of Colonial stock, and Mrs. Benjamin's grandfather Fair- child was a soldier in the Revolutionary army. Her father, Franklin Fairchild, was a leading politician of the locality in his day, serving for eight years. or two terms, as postmaster of Dan- bury, and for some time he was deputy sheriff of Fairfield county.

M RS. MARY F. PARTRICK was born in the town of Wilton, Conn., September 20, 1845. and received her education in the public schools there. For her first husband she mar-

ried Sturges Abbott, a shoemaker of Wilton. Mrs. Partrick is a granddaughter of Halsey and Phebe Partrick, the former of whom was also · born in the town of Wilton, and followed farm- ing all his life. He had the following named children: Noah, Bradford, Silas, George, Mary A., Fannie, William. Charles and Zilla.

Charles Partrick, the eighth child and sixth son of Halsey Partrick, and the father of Mrs. Mary F. Partrick, was born in the town of Wil- ton in 1815. After receiving an education in the public schools of that town he learned the shoe- maker's trade, at which he worked the greater part of his life, and he owned a farm which now belongs to our subject. Charles Partrick mar- ried, for his first wife, Miss Harriet Van Hoovier, a daughter of David Van Hoovier, of Wilton, Conn., and by her had one child, Mary F., the subject of this sketch, who as stated above mar- ried, for her first husband, Sturges Abbott. For his second wife, Mr. Partrick married Susan Hoyt, a daughter of Francis Hoyt, of Wilton; by this union there were no children.

Sturges Abbott was a patriotic soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in Company K, Third Conn. Vol. Inf., and serving three months. Mr. and Mrs. Abbott were parents of children as follows: Charles, who married Mary Hill; Arthur, who married Ettie Banks; Richard, unmarried; and two that died in infancy. After the death of Mr. Abbott, Mrs. Abbott married Henry B. Part- rick, her second cousin, and a son of Burr Part- rick, who is a farmer of Wilton township, and one child blessed this marriage, Martha Jane Partrick.

D OCTOR WILLIAM H. MURRAY is of Irish descent, and his parents, Patrick and Catherine (Conboy) Murray, were both born in the Emerald Isle: they are still living, both being past seventy. They resided in New York for a time after coming to America, but later settled in Danbury. Eight children blessed their union, of whom our subject is now the only survivor.

Doctor Murray was born September 22, 1865, in New York City. He was educated in the public schools of Danbury, the family having located there during his boyhood, and at Villa Nova College, in Delaware county, Penn., and on completing his course there he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. There he spent two years, subsequently completing his medical course at Bellevue Hos- pital Medical College, graduating in March, 1890. He immediately opened an office at Dan- bury, where he practiced, his success being es-

Digitized by

Google

1221

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tablished at the start. In politics the Doctor is a Democrat, and he is prominent socially as a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters of America. Court Pahquioque No. 38. In relig- ious faith he is a Roman Catholic.

On February 25, 1897. our subject was mar- ried, at St. Peter's Church, to Miss Mary Fee- ley, the ceremony being performed by Rev. M. J. Traynor.

M AURICE T. FITZGERALD (deceased) was for many years a prominent resident of Bridgeport, and his kindly heart and genial man- ner won for him a wide circle of friends. His death, which occurred October 2, 1898, cut short a career which had given many evidences of per- sonal worth, and keen sympathy was felt in the community for the bereaved family.

Mr. Fitzgerald was born December 13, 1859, in Guilford, Vt., son of Maurice and Mary (O'Donnell) Fitzgerald. The father, who was a native of County Kerry, Ireland, came to America in the "forties," and settled in Vermont, where he followed the slate-cutter's trade. Our subject was the second in a family of three children, the others being an elder brother, Thomas (now de- ceased), and a younger sister, Miss Eliza. The first eighteen years of his life were spent in Ver- mont, and in 1881 he came to Bridgeport, where he was employed for about four years by a Mr. Cullinan, an undertaker. In April, 1885, he es- tablished himself in the liquor business at the corner of Middle and Wall streets, and there he built up a fine trade. While he had a good local wholesale custom, he was chiefly engaged in the retail business, with a large family trade. Politically he was a Democrat, and his influence was a recognized factor in partisan affairs.

Mr. Fitzgerald married Miss Mary Morrissey, a native of Bridgeport, and daughter of Thomas Morrissey, a well-known citizen of that place. Three children were born of this union: Mary A., Maurice T., Jr., and Grace J., who are at home with the widowed mother. The family is connected with the Catholic Church, and Mr. Fitzgerald was slso identified with various fra- ternal orders, including the Foresters of America, the Knights of Columbus, and the brotherhood of the Union.

L OUIS JOFFEE, one of the bright pro- gressive younger men of Ridgefield, and a well-known merchant tailor and men's furnisher, is a native of Germany, born in 1867.

In his native land Mr. Joffee learned his trade,

and he followed it there until coming to America in 1887. In New York City he remained some time, taking a course of instruction in cutting and fitting, preparing himself to become master of all the details of his business. From New York City he removed to Bridgeport, Conn., where he worked at his trade until 1892, in that year coming to Ridgefield, where he opened out a merchant-tailoring establishment-the first that had been in the city for some sixteen years. Beginning in a small and unpretentious way, he has by careful application to business and skill- ful work built up a large and growing business, having among his patrons many of the New York summer residents of Ridgefield. In 1895 a large portion of the business part of the town was destroyed by fire, and Mr. Joffee suffered with the rest, his entire establishment being con- sumed. After that event he located in the new Masonic building on Main street, where he has added to his merchant-tailoring business a full line of men's furnishings. Socially, Mr. Joffee is a member of New Jerusalem Lodge No. 49, F. & A. M., and of Pilgrim Lodge No. 49, I. O. O. F.

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 247

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