Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 256

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

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have gained a recognized place among the impor- tant industries of the locality. He is widely and favorably known in this region as a substantial, progressive citizen, one who has the welfare of the community at heart, and has done much to forward her best interests. In the fall of 1897 he was elected assessor of Greenwich township. He is a lifelong Republican in po- litical faith.

Mr. Cox was united in marriage, when twen- ty-five years old, to Miss Elizabeth Hawes, a native of Greenwich township, daughter of David Hawes, and four children have been born to them, namely: Jennie, who is the wife of F. G. C. Mead, of Greenwich township; Bessie M. and Harold R., both of whom are at home; and Harry. who died at the age of four years. The family attend the First Congregational Church at Sound Beach, of which Mrs. Cox is a member.

E ADWIN TARGETT, of Danbury. Fairfield county, is one of the proprietors of the City Steam Laundry, at No. 315 Main street, a suc- cessful enterprise, which reflects great credit upon its managers.

Mr. Targett was born March 10, 1848, in Hindon, Wiltshire, England, where his ancestors on both sides had resided for several generations. Charles Targett, his father, was a native of the same place, and in early life was a farmer. He married "Elizabeth Marshment, a daughter of Richard Marshment, an agriculturist in the same vicinity, and on May 12, 1851, they embarked on a sailing vessel from Bristol, England, arriv- ing at New York July 8, after a voyage of eight weeks. They located at Danbury, the journey from Hawleyville, Conn., being made by stage, as there were no railroads. At first Mr. Targett was employed at farm work by Col. E. Moss White, of Danbury, but later he engaged in the hatting business. While not specially active in local affairs, he was a stanch Republican politi- cally. He and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. He died March 2, 1862, and Mrs. Targett survived him twenty-eight years, passing away March 2, 1890. Of their nine children the following are living: Miss Eliza, residing at Danbury; Charlotte, wife of Charles H. Sieman, of Danbury, whose ancestors were Hessian soldiers during the Revolutionary war; George H., living in retirement at Newark, N. J .; Alfred S., engaged in the laundry business at .Cohoes, N. Y .; John, residing in Danbury; and Edwin, who is the youngest.

Edwin Targett was only two and one-half years of age when his parents came to Danbury,

and in 1856 he accompanied the family thence to Wisconsin, but after eighteen months they re- turned to Danbury, where he has since resided. After attending the public schools for a time he began to work upon a farm, where he remained from his twelfth to his sixteenth year. He then learned the carpenter's trade, and to make a livelihood sure he also served an apprenticeship to the hatting business. As occasion offered he worked at both trades until 1879, when he formed a partnership with D. E. Loewe in the manu- facture of hats, continuing in that firm, however, only a short time. For about nine years he fol- lowed the carpenter's trade, and during three years of this time he was president of the Car- penters Union.

On January 1, 1888, Mr. Targett re-engaged in the hatting business, and in 1892 he was elected president of the Hat Finishers Associa- tion, which position he held when, on Novem- ber 27, 1893, the doors of nineteen hat factories were closed against four thousand employees, the lockout lasting ten weeks. During this time law and order prevailed to a remarkable degree, making this labor struggle one of the most memorable on record. Our subject's energy and influence were used to the utmost to prevent any violence between the opposing interests. In 1895 Mr. Targett engaged in the laundry business in partnership with his nephew, H. M. Sieman, under the firm name of Targett & Sieman. Mr. Targett has always identified himself with public affairs. In politics he is an Independent, with Prohibition tendencies. At the age of sixteen he united with the Baptist Church, of which he is still a member, and he has held various official posi- tions, and is highly respected among his associates for his many sterling qualities of character.

In September, 1868, Mr. Targett married Miss M. Frances Miller, daughter of Enos C. and Sarah Miller, of Ridgefield, and a member of an old English family which traces its lineage back to the fifteenth century. Several children were born of this union, two only surviving: Harry E. is a member of the firm of Keeler & Targett, custom tailors, haberdashers and hatters, of Amsterdam, N. Y .; he married Aurilla Doty, of Newark, N. J. Frederick C. is engaged in the same business with his father.

S MOREHOUSE (deceased), who in his life- time was a prominent citizen of Wilton, Fairfield county, was born in that town Novem- ber 13. 1818. His early education was secured in the common schools of his native place, and after leaving school he learned the shoemaker's

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trade, which he followed for about twenty years. part of the time in Norwalk and the balance of the time in Wilton Owing to ill health he then took up farming, buying atmout 200 acres of land- a portion of his later farm-upon which he lived ever afterward. During training days he was a member of the militia, and in politis he was always a strong Democrat, on which ticket he was elected to represent the town of Wilton in the Legislature of the State, serving in that body Sy years For seven years he was seiertman of the town, and for eight years he was a justice of the peace He also served as a member of the to ard of relief and, for two years, as tax colier- tor In religious matters he was unusually art- ne and efficient, serving as a member of the Quarterly Conference of the Methodist Episco- sal Church for a number of years, and for more than fifty years was a member of the Church. in which he was also a class leader and an ex- horter He died June 2. 109

Mr. Morehouse married Miss Juha A. Gre- gary, who was born in Norwalk, Conn . April 21. 1:22. daughter of Giles and Althea Scribner) Gregory, the former a prominent manufacturer. To this union came the folk wang children: Sher nan, who is mentioned below. Jeanette. born March 25, 1845, who died in infancy, and Nettie F. born in January, The, who married O. L. Bassett.

Michael Morehouse. great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of Scotland, where he was educated, and came to America when yet a Young man. The greater part of his life was spent in farming. He married a Miss Oyster- banks, by whom he had numerous children. His son Michael. the grandfather of cur subject, was born in the town of Whiton, Conn., was edu- cated there, and afterward for the greater part of his life was engaged in farming. He served

as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was in many ways a prominent and influential man, taking special interest in the affairs of his town. His children were as follows: Nathan, Andrew. Michael. Esther. Julia, Caroline, and Sallie.

Nathan Morehouse, father of subject, was boorn in Wilton, Conn., and after completing his education learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for a livelihood nearly all his life. He served as a musician in the war of 1812. Pohtically, he was a strong Democrat, but he never aspired to public office. He married Miss Betsey Mills, of the town of Wilton, where she was born, a daughter of Joseph Mills, who served his country in the war of the Revolution. Nathan and Betsey Morehouse had the following chil- dren: Aaron and Abbie. both of whom re- mained single: Sherman, who married Julia A. Gregory; Michael, who lived single; Jane, who married Lewis Barnes; Ann and Caroline, who remained single; and Louisa, who married Louis Hanford. None of these are now (1899) living.

Benjamin Scribner, maternal grandfather of Mrs. Juha A. Morehouse, was born in the town of Norwalk, and was educated in the common schools of that town. With the exception of the time he served in the war of 1812 he followed farming for a livelihood. He married Miss Phebe Fillow, by whom he had the following children: Althea: Cynthia, who married (first) Henry Betts and (second) Roswell Betts; and Sherman Morehouse. Jr . was born April 28. 1831, and was e located in the common schools of Wilton, his native town Afterward he at- tended and graduated from Professor Olmstead's school, and he has since devoted his time almost exclusively to farming Politically he is a strong Democrat, and has held several of the minor local offices, but he has never cared for honors of this kind For his first wife he married Maria F. Mead. of Brewsters, and they had . he was several times elected to public office, and two children Wilton, born August 9. 1873. and May, born December 27. 1879. The mother Priscilla, who married Samuel Wyman. Althea Scribner was born in the town of Norwalk. Conn .. was educated there, and married Giles Gregory, who was born and educated in the town of Wilton, and after leaving school learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked for the most part throughout his life, though he also' gave some attention to farming. As a Democrat he was a man of eminent respectability and highly esteemed. He and his wife became the of these children died August 26, 1880, and he i parents of the following named children: subsequently married Miss Lizzie Gregory, of Norwalk, by whom he also has two children. viz. : Robert, born June 28, 18go, and Florence. born June 28. 1802.

Cynthia, who married Robert Green; Giles, who married Nancy Tuttle; Charles, who married Ella Finch; and Julia A., who married Sherman Morehouse.

J F. SMITH. M. D. The progress of med- ical science is so rapid that thorough knowl- edge of any one branch can be gained only by the specialist, who, prepared by a broad gen- eral training. proceeds to painstaking research in his chosen field. In devoting his attention to diseases of the eye. ear, nose, and throat. Doc- tor Smith, of Danbury, whose history is here

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outlined, has not restricted his usefulness, but has rather given his ability more direct and efficient application.

Doctor Smith was born January 4, 1865, at New Marlboro, Mass., son of John T. and Mary (Thompson) Smith. The father is a native of Norfolk, Conn., and now resides at Winsted, this State, where he is employed as "boss " tan- ner; the mother was born in Barkhamstead, Conn., and died in February, 1865, leaving three children: James W., Jessie E., and Junius F. The father subsequently formed a second union, with Mrs. Harriet Matilda Webster, a widow, and three children were born of this marriage: Beatrice S., Nellie L., and Walter W. (who died December 1, 1889).

During our subject's youth his father made several changes of residence, and thus it came about that he attended school in Norfolk, Conn., in Kansas, where the family resided five years, and in Batavia, N. Y., spending three years in the latter place. In his fourteenth year he left school and entered the employ of the Seth Thomas Clock Company, at Thomaston, Conn .. remaining there two years, when he went to Meriden to work two years for the Park & Whip- ple Clock Company. A less keen intellect would have found study impossible under these circum- stances, but the ambitious boy devoted his nights to his books, and in September, 1885, he entered Lewiston Seminary, at East Hampton, Mass., taking a place in an advanced class. After two years of hard study there his health failed. and he returned home for a few months, but on re- covering he went to Danbury to begin his medi- cal studies under the direction of Dr. Wilbur S. Watson. In the fall of 1887 he began a course in the Long Island Hospital College, at Brook- lyn, N. Y., and three years later, on March 13, 1890, he received his degree from that institu- tion. On May 1, of the same year, he opened an office at Brookfield, Conn., for general prac- tice, and continued same successfully until Janu- ary, 1895, when he went to New York for a course in the Post Graduate School of Medicine, his object being to make a special study of the eye and ear in that institution and in the various dispensaries and clinics in the city. In the fall of 1895 he accepted a position on the staff of the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital at the corner of Forty-first street and Park avenue, New York City, which he still holds, paying regular visits on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays of each week. Since February, 1898, he has had an of- fice at Danbury, at No. 19 West street, where he is to be found from 9 A. M. to 5 P. M. except on the days when he goes to New York, when his

hours at Danbury are limited to the morning, from 9 to 11 A. M. He still resides at Brookfield, and since June, 1896, he has been deputy coro- ner at that place. For five years he was health officer there, and for one year he held the same position for the town of New Fairfield, under appointment of the State board of health, but the pressure of other duties compelled him to relinquish that work. He is a member of the State Medical Society, the Fairfield County Med- ical Society, and the Danbury Medical Society, of which he was vice-president in 1893.

Doctor Smith is also active and influential in non-professional lines, and, although he has re- fused to become a candidate for political office, he is a stanch Republican and takes much inter- est in town and county affairs. For five years he served as a member of the Brookfield school board, and for two years was acting school vis- itor, but he resigned both offices. He is con- nected with numerous savings and loan associa- tions, and holds office in several of them, and he also belongs to various fraternal orders, including Union Lodge No. 40, F. & A. M., Eureka Chap- ter No. 26, Brookfield Grange No. 141, and Po- mona Grange No. 6, P. of H.

On November 29, 1888, Doctor Smith mar- ried Miss Emma J. Jennings, daughter of Edward and Lavina (Barnes) Jennings, and two children, Elroy Willis and Miriam Leona, brighten their home. Doctor and Mrs. Smith are both members of the First Congregational Church of Brookfield, and they take a leading part in the social and philanthropic movements connected with its work.

J 'OHN SANDFORD DAVENPORT, proprie- tor of hardware business in Stamford, Fair- field county, Connecticut.

H ERMON TAYLOR. That often-quoted phrase, " the dignity of labor," has seemed sometimes in danger of degenerating into empty verbiage, but the lives of such men as the subject of this biography exemplify its true significance and teach the world the possibilities that lie be- fore the American workingman.

Mr. Taylor is a native of Fairfield county, having been born in the town of Newtown, Feb- ruary 15, 1829. William B. Taylor, his father, was born in Litchfield county, Conn., August 6, 1802, but the greater part of his life was spent in this county, in Palestine District, town of Newtown. For many years he followed his trade, later engaging in farming. He was mar- ried in Newtown to Miss Lucy Shepard, daughter

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of Joseph Shepard, and children were born of the union as follows: Hermon, our subject; Joseph, a resident of Birmingham, Conn .; Sylvia, now Mrs. Seth A. Downs, of Danbury; George, deceased; Emma, Mrs. Edgar Weed, of Bethel; and Louise, wife of Harlowe S. Benedict, of Bethel. The father died August 6, 1883. and the mother did not long survive him, passing away in February, 1888.

The district schools of his native town fur- nished Mr. Taylor his only opportunity for ob- taining an education, and at an early age he was apprenticed to Peter Morgan, of Great Plain Dis- trict, town of Danbury, to learn the hatter's trade. Before his term was completed, however, he went to work with Charles Benedict, of Starrs Plain, in the same town, under whose instruction he finished his apprenticeship. From 1853 until April, 1894, he was almost continuously em- ployed as a journeyman hatter in Bethel, spend- ing twenty years with Cole & Ambler. At present he is living in retirement, the afternoon of his long life being made comfortable by the well- earned rewards of his past toil.

Mr. Taylor was married. November 6, 1850, in Danbury, for his first wife, to Miss Mary A. Mills, daughter of Edwin Mills. Two children blessed this union, Cornelia and Mary, and they and their mother died of diphtheria in 1862, within thirteen days of each other. Mr. Taylor married later, in the town of Monroe, Miss Jennie E. Judson, daughter of Levi Judson. Their only son, Edgar Judson Taylor, is now in the employ of Judd & Dunning, of Bethel. In 1871 Mr. Taylor built the home which he has ever since occupied.

Although Mr. Taylor was denied the benefits of a collegiate course, his reading and his habits of observation have kept him well informed upon general topics. Political affairs have always re- ceived close attention from him, and he has been a strong supporter of the principles of the Re- publican party ever since its organization. In 1889 he was elected to the State Legislature, where he served one term with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Socially he is identified with the Masonic Fraternity as a member of Eureka Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M.

TAMES GOLDEN, the proprietor of the South Norwalk Sentinel, published at South Nor- walk, Conn., is a native of the State of New York.

The early life of James Golden was spent in his native town, Glen Cove, Long Island, N. Y., his education being obtained in the local schools.

At the age of fourteen he entered the office of the Glen Cove Gazette, to learn the printer's trade, and for four years and six months he con- tinued to work there. In 1864 he enlisted in Company F, 142nd N. Y. V. I., but his term of service was cut short on October 27, 1864, dur- ing an engagement at Chapin's Falls, Va., by a severe wound, a shot passing through his body. In the spring of 1865 he was discharged from the hospital, and in 1868 he returned to New York City. One year he spent in the employ of the Brooklyn Union. In 1865 he went to Birming- ham, Conn., and became associated with Rev. William T. Bacon, as publisher of the Transcript, remaining with him one year. He then returned to New York, and was foreman of the job print- ing department of the New York Printing Com- pany. In February, 1873, he removed to Nor- walk and associated himself with E. A. Horton as joint proprietor of the Sentinel, which news- paper had been established in 1871. Not long after Mr. Golden became interested in the paper Mr. Horton retired, and our subject continued the business in partnership with his brother, Richard | H. Golden, who remained until 1887 in that con- | nection. Since that date Mr. Golden has been the sole proprietor of the Sentinel. In 1887 he established the Daily Sentinel.

E ADWARD TAYLOR, the popular hotel land- lord and liveryman of Sandy Hook, New- town, is a native of the town, born February 5, 1839.

Mr. Taylor's ancestors for several generations were natives of Newtown. Stephen Taylor, his grandfather, was a farmer, and lived at Bare Hills, or Cold Spring, in the lower part of New- town. He married Betsey Hull, August 20, 1786, and they had eleven children, namely: David, born March 25, 1787, lived in Middle Gate District; Jabez, born March 13, 1796, set- tled near Rochester, N. Y. ; Alonzo, born August 2S. 1803. is referred to below; Sherman, born June 29, 1790, a farmer, lived in Middle Gate District; Thomas B., born April 29, 1805, set- tled in Bridgeport as a woodworker and mover of buildings; Hannah, born January 2, 1791, married Eliza Hayes, a prominent man of War- ren. Conn .; Aurilla, born June 16, 1792, mar- ried E. Granniss, of Warren; Philo, born Feb- ruary 5, 1794; Sally, born November 30, 1797, married William Taylor, of another family of Taylors; Polly, born August 11, 1799, married Wate Plumb, of Monroe; and Rebecca, born February 21, 1802.

Alonzo Taylor, the father of Edward, was

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born August 28. 1803, and in his early manhood ber 3. 1863, one son, George F. This son is now one of the active and progressive business men of Sandy Hook, for years a member of the was for a number of years a successful school teacher. He then engaged in farming in Middle District, but continued teaching through the | firm of Warner, Taylor & Curtis, now Taylor, winters until sixty years of age. He was a well- | Curtis & Co. In 1890 he was representative informed man and a successful teacher, probably ! from Newtown in the Legislature. In 1895 he one of the best and most favorably known of all i married Miss Lorena, daughter of Hon. Smith the local teachers of his time. He was quite i P. Glover, of Sandy Hook.

successful. too, in his business affairs, and was

Chauncey Botsford, referred to in the fore- an active Democrat. Along in the early 'fifties | going, was a large and thrifty farmer, whose wife he was a representative from Newtown in the I was formerly Mary Peck, daughter of Daniel Legislature, and he also served as a justice of | Peck .. They had three children: David, George, the peace, assessor and in other official relations. i and Narcissa, who married Philo Beers. In religious faith he was a member of the Uni- George Botsford was born October, 1809, versalist Church. He married Louisa Peck, ! and died aged fifty-nine. On his father's death daughter of Philo Peck, and a granddaughter of | he succeeded to the homestead, where he farmed Isaac Peck. To this marriage came children as | largely, and was an influential and prominent citi- follows: Lucy, born May 3, 1832, married Birds- 1

zen of the town. He was first a Whig, then a eve McEwan, a blacksmith, of Monroe. Francis. | Republican, and ever took an active interest in born January 20. 1837, was a dry-goods mer- chant and lived in Bridgeport. where he died in October, 1894: he married Nellie R. Perry, of public and party affairs. He married Harriet Jennings, a daughter of Lemuel Jennings, and they had the following children: Marvette mar-

Bridgeport, daughter of Bennett and Amelia : ried John R. Tomlinson. of Bridgeport, formerly (Williams) Perry, of Litchfield, Conn. Ed- I of Oxford, Conn .; Israel is a resident of Muncie, ward is referred to farther on; and Martha L., | Ind .; Lemuel died in Newtown (both Israel and born in December. 1843. is unmarried. The | Lemuel were soldiers in the Civil war); Charles father of these died in October, 1883, and the | is deceased; Susan is the wife of Edward Taylor; mother in July, 1800. On September 6, 1880, Anna E. married Edson W'. Wilson, of Omaha, this worthy couple celebrated their golden | Neb .; Stanley resides in Wellingford, Conn .; wedding.

Hattie married Noves Thompson, of Windham,

Edward Taylor until seventeen years old at- I Conn .; Edward lives in Monroe, Fred in New- tended the schools of Newtown, and for a time . town: and Phebe died when young. The father a select school in Stepney. He then worked . of this family died in 1868, and the mother during the summers of 1857 and 1859 in the ! September 9, 1876, aged sixty-seven.

rubber factory. He next began farming and engaged in the horse and cattle business, which he followed until 1868, residing the greater part of the time on his farm a mile and a half above Sandy Hook, although for two years of that pe- riod he resided in Monroe. When the New Eng- land railroad was constructed he sold his prop- I erty and business to the company owning that road, and located in the borough of Sandy Hook, where he dealt exclusively in horses until 1871, then bought the hotel stand there, and has since 1 kept that hostelry. at the same time conducting I tober 5. 1828. Their children were: Betty, a livery stable, and dealing in horses. He has born September 15, 1770: Truman, September 11, 1772; Lazarus, October 5, 1774; Nathan, May 5, 1777; Samuel, July 10, 1779; Sueton, taken quite an active part in politics, and has held various town ofnces. In 1873 he was rep- resentative from Newtown in the Legislature, I October 5, 1781; Mabel, April 14, 1784; Abra- and he is a director in the Newtown Agricultural Fair Company.

A BRAHAM SHEPARD, whose death oc- curred June 13, 1832, in Newtown, was born in 1744.

Mr. Shepard was of the sixth generation from Edward Shepard, of Cambridge, Mass., the line of his descent being through John, John, John, John. [See Shepard genealogy.] On Septem- ber 9, 1769, he was married to Rhoda Ferris, who was born February 12, 1752, and died Oc-

I ham Ferris, March 12, 1789: and Rufus, April 30, 1792.

On July 13. 1859, Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Susan S. Botsford, who was born Novem- ! large landowner, and at one time, it was said,

John Shepard, the father of Abraham, was a I that he could walk on his own land to Bethel.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 256

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