Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 52

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

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William Altoyh

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boat, designed on scientific principles to meet all of the special features required to bring the work of the oyster industry to a fine point. Her equipment is as fine as that of any steamer afloat, and in point of speed she is the fastest in the oyster business. She is used in the trans- planting and cultivation of the product, and in catching the oysters for market. A large force of workmen is needed to carry on the business of the firm, and the partners, who are experts, give their whole attention to the management. The plant at the foot of Raymond street, South Nor- walk, including docks, barges and store houses, is fitted with every known device for facilitating the proper handling and packing of the oysters. The business has always been conducted in a way to command the respect and confidence of cus- tomers, reliability and fair dealing having been the watchword of its management from the start.

Captain Hoyt was born in Norwalk in 1836, his youth was spent in S. Norwalk, and during that time he became acquainted with the details of the carpenter's trade; but as he thought the oyster business more congenial and promised greater profits, he worked only three months at his trade, and he has every reason to be satisfied with the result of his choice. He is fond of travel, and has made many trips to Europe. Politically he is a stanch Republican, as was his father before him, but he has never held office. The Captain mar- ried Miss Mary Bull, daughter of Ezra D. Bull, of Danbury.

Captain Hoyt's father, the late Major George Hoyt, was also a native of Norwalk, and was identified with all its interests. He was a pio- neer in Methodism, and the itinerant preacher always found a welcome at his home. He mar- ried Miss Lorinda Smith, daughter of Ephraim and Sally Smith, of Wilton, and they died at the advanced ages of seventy-nine and eighty-two years, respectively, after fifty-eight years of happy wedded life. They had four sons and one daugh- ter, of whom George A., a pioneer in the oyster business, became a soldier in the Civil war, and after serving in many battles, died on his way home. Charles W. is a boat builder, and is also engaged in the oyster business at Bridgeport. James W. is an oysterman of South Norwalk. The daughter is the wife of George N. Burbank, of Stratford.

TOHN H. ROMAINE, who is in the employ J, of the Yale & Towne Company in Stamford, as chief clerk of Department A, has during his residence in that city identified himself with

several of her important interests, and earned a place among her public-spirited and reliable citi- zens.

Mr. Romaine's father, Joseph Romaine, was born on what is now the corner of First and the Bowery, New York, but was then the Romaine family farm. The property had been obtained by patent from the Dutch in 1668. Joseph Ro- maine was married in New York City to Phebe A. Vredenburg, of White Plains, N. Y., and their family consisted of eight sons, of whom John H. was the second youngest. They were well represented in the Civil war, the father and four of the sons enlisting in the Union service, Mr. Romaine as a member of the First Regi- ment of New York City Volunteers. He was wounded at the battle of Big Bethel, and died from the effects of his injuries eight years later. During the greater part of his life he was en- gaged in the manufacture of shoes, but for some time he was a detective in the central office of New York City.

John H. Romaine was born December 20, 1850, in New York City, and was brought up there, attending the public schools, and graduat- ing from the grammar school when twelve years of age. He then entered the employ of the East New York Boot & Shoe Company, with whom he remained for a time, later finding work with a flour firm, and after that doing clerical work in the publishing department of a news- paper concern. For two years he was with the publishers of The Saturday Night, subsequently giving his attention to the publication of city guides, directories and souvenirs, and then be- coming weigh-master for the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. In April, 1889, he came to Stamford, Conn., where he was given the position of clerk in the special order depart- ment of the Yale & Towne Company, from which comparatively humble beginning he has made steady advancement until he is now holding the responsible position of chief clerk in Department A, an incumbency he is thoroughly qualified to fill. Mr. Romaine has also given his attention to various interests which have proved a benefit and credit to the city, and is a member and di- rector of the Stamford Co-operative Building & Loan Association, and a stockholder in the Stam- ford Telegram. In fraternal circles he is well- known and popular, being a member of Puritan Lodge, I. O. O. F., the Yale & Towne Mutual Benefit Society, and the New England Order of Protection in Stamford.

Mr. Romaine was married June 26, 1895, in Stamford to Mrs. Carrie A. (Smith) Hoyt, and they make their home in the comfortable resi-

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dence at No. 6 Woodland avenue, Stamford. Mrs. Romaine has six children by her first mar- riage. Our subject gives his political support to the Republican party; in religious faith he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

D ANIEL A. NICHOLS. Ability and energy are at a premium in any line of effort, and the subject of this sketch, a leading agriculturist and dairyman of the town of Huntington, has given abundant evidence that he possesses these admirable qualities. Having inherited a fine es- tate, he has made judicious use of his advantages, and is now regarded as one of the wealthiest citi- zens of his locality.

The Nichols family is one of the oldest in Huntington, and Daniel Nichols, our subject's | grandfather, was born and reared there. After his marriage to Miss Hannah Bennett, also a na- tive of that locality, he settled permanently upon a farm in the western part of the town. He had four children: George L., a farmer of Hunting- ton, who died there at the age of eighty-five years; Nathan B., our subject's father; Daniel A., a farmer and speculator, residing in the town of Monroe; and Clarinda, who married a Mr. Bur- ton, a farmer in the town of Trumbull.

Nathan B. Nichols, our subject's father, was born August 12, 1810, and grew to manhood at the old homestead. About 1833 he located on his late farm near the Center, and resided there till his death, which occurred when he was nearly eighty-nine years of age. As a citizen he was held in high esteem, and for many years he was a leading member of the Congregational Church. Politically, he was a stanch Republican, and throughout his life he took an interest in the various questions of his time. His real-estate holdings were extensive. On December 21, 1841, he married Miss Phoebe A. Drew, who was born May 11, 1819, in Dutchess county, N. Y., a daughter of James Drew, a prosperous farmer. Five children were born to the union, viz. : Nancy M., wife of Oliver Beard, a farmer in Huntington township; Hannah E., married to Charles B. Nichols, a farmer in the town of Trumbull; Dan- iel A., our subject; Alsadie, who died in early womanhood, unmarried; and Phoebe L., at home.

Daniel A. Nichols, our subject, was born September 1, 1850, and has always resided at the present homestead. After completing the course offered in the district schools of his locality he attended a select school in Huntington for a

cultivation, and for some time he has made a specialty of dairying, keeping about thirty cows. At present he conducts a milk route, supplying various points in his vicinity. He is one of the leading workers in the Republican party in his town, and he has held the office of assessor some fifteen years, a longer term than any other man has served in that position. His popularity is due no less to his genial manners than to his business-like way of discharging his duties, and his efficient service is appreciated by all classes of people.

On November 7. 1883, Mr. Nichols married Miss Ella M. Hawley. daughter of Deacon Ros- well Hawley, a well-known citizen of Hunting- ton; no children have blessed the union. Mr. Nichols and his wife are both members of the Congregational Church at Huntington, and he is now serving as treasurer of that society.

L EWIS E. FUNNELL, principal of the Elm street school in Stamford, Conn., is a well-known member of his profession in Fair- field county. Indeed, his renown may be said to extend over the entire State, for, in addition to his enviable record as a successful teacher, he has gained a reputation as a persistent and ener- getic advocate of advanced methods and modern ideas relating to educational work.

Mr. Funnell is of English descent, his father, Eliel W. Funnell, having been born in England. The latter was one of thirteen children of Henry Funnell, also a native of England, who came to America, when Eliel was six years old, settling in Huntington, L. 1. He, Eliel, learned the shipbuilder's trade at Setauket, L. I., and fol- lowed it for many years. For some time he worked at this business in Chicago, Ill., but he returned east in 1860, and was employed in the Brooklyn Navy Yard throughout the Civil war, after which he was in the employ of Pratt & Devoe, the oil men, erecting buildings for them. He passed away in 1869 at Long Island City. Mr. Funnell was united in marriage with Amelia D. Lewis, daughter of John Brush Lewis, of Huntington, L. I., and they became the parents of three children, viz .: Lewis E., Nellie S. (of Huntington) and Walter S. (Long Island editor of the Brooklyn Daily Times).

Lewis E. Funnell was born March 16, 1862, at Huntington, where he received most of his primary education, attending the common schools until he was about fifteen years of age. 1 time, securing a good practical education. He ! He then entered the service of the general coast- owns about 250 acres of land in different parts of the town of Huntington, much of it being under

ing trade, in which he continued for five years, and in 1882 he came to Stamford, Conn., where

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he has since had his home. In September, 1883, he began teaching, to which profession he has since devoted himself. The first two years of his experience were passed in the Bangall school, from which he was transferred to the Spring- dale school, where he taught one year and part of another. At the close of the fall term in 1886, he was appointed to a position in the Wil- lisville school, retaining same until June, 1889, when he was made principal of the Elm street school in Stamford. Mr. Funnell has nine as- sistants in this school, where nine grades are taught, and he has seen its attendance increase from eighty-five pupils to an average of about four hundred. However, he has proved himself equal to his growing responsibilities, and has kept himself abreast of the times in every way, winning the esteem of pupils and fellow teachers by his ability, tact and patience. Mr. Funnell's continued success and popularity leave no room for doubt as to his especial fitness for his life voca- tion, and his earnestness during his early years in preparing himself has been well rewarded by the high rank to which he has already attained.

On April 30. 1890, Mr. Funnell was married, in Stamford. to Miss Alice Mitchell Haslam, daughter of Thomas Haslam. They have had two children-Harry, who died at the age of five years, and Margaret.

LIVER D. TAYLOR, a highly respected resident of New Fairfield, can look back over an eventful life spent in railroading and other oc- cupations requiring activity of mind and body, while he also passed eighteen exciting years in financial operations in Wall street. As he is now free from business cares, he has wisely chosen to make his home among the picturesque hills and valleys of Fairfield county, an ideal location in which to enjoy the rewards of past years of effort.

Mr. Taylor was born in the town of Patter- son, Putnam Co., N. Y., May 13, 1828, and de- scended from good old Connecticut stock. An old Danbury record tells of Thomas Taylor, who died in that town in 1736, at the age of ninety- two, probably the second son of John Taylor, who came from England with Winthrop. He, Thomas, had ten children, who lived to old age: Thomas died at ninety; Joseph, ninety; John, seventy; Daniel, ninety-four; Timothy, fifty-six; Nathaniel, one hundred; Theophilus, eighty; Deborah, eighty; Rebecca, ninety-nine; Eunice, ninety. John Taylor's fourth son, David, was the father of Zalmon Taylor, our subject's grand- father. ' Zalmon Taylor was a native of Ridge-

bury, this county, where he engaged in farming, and for a number of years he carried the mail between New York City and Hartford, Conn., the journeys being made on his black mare, " Bess." He served as a soldier during the Revolutionary war, having enlisted May 16, 1775, in the Fifth Connecticut Regiment, and he spent some time in the suttler department; he received one wound while in the ranks. He was known as the "Little Captain," and in his later years was granted a pension by the government. His wife. Hannah Benedict, of Danbury, whom he married before the war broke out, was living in Ridge- bury, at the time of the burning of the former city, and some British soldiers who came to her home to demand cider were given a pail of soft soap by mistake instead. Those were troublous times, and being alarmed for their safety, the family left their home and did not return until peace was restored. Many domestic articles which they buried out of sight were afterward recovered, more or less damaged, however, and some are now in use in our subject's family.

Ezra Taylor, son of Zalmon, and our subject's father, was born February 26, 1785, in the town of Danbury, and his youth was passed in this county. As the schools were not of the best his education was mainly self-acquired, a fact which reflects great credit upon him, as he always held a high position in the community because of his intelligence. In his boyhood he learned the shoemaker's trade, and for some years he con- ducted an establishment in New York City in partnership with a Mr. Cole. While there he and his partner purchased some lots near what is now Broadway. near Canal street, but as the lo- cality was chiefly low land, and seemed unlikely to yield any returns, they sold out for a com- paratively trifling sum ($250 per lot). Later Mr. Taylor settled in the town of Patterson, Put- nam Co., N. Y., where he engaged in farming. In politics he was a Whig, and he took an in- fluential part in local affairs, being at one time a candidate for the Legislature of Connecticut. Although he was defeated, it was by one vote only, showing an enviable popularity. Socially he was prominent, his musical gifts making him a welcome addition to any circle. He was especially proficient as a performer on the violin, and was the first to introduce the cotillion into his locality. His death occurred August 27, 1867. His first wife, a Miss Stebbins, was the daughter of a wealthy importer of New York City, and his second wife, Miss Betsey Oyster Banks, was a native of the town of Sherman, this county, born August 17, 1801. By the first union he had four children: Zalmon, William

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S., Daniel B. (a prominent lawyer of New York City), and Ann Maria (wife of a Mr. Camp, a broker of New Haven, Conn). There were ten children by the second marriage: Esther, born 'August 15, 1826, died July 23, 1843; Oliver D. is our subject; Francis A., born May 24, 1830; Drusilla, born October 18, 1832; Nathan B., born June 14, 1834; Margaret E., born Septem- ber 15, 1835; Ferdinand, born July 21, 1837; Eunice, born August 30, 1839; Catherine, born September 7, 1841; and Laura B., born June 8, 1843.

The subject of our sketch was educated in the schools of his native town, and in the acad- emy at Danbury. Much of his time in boyhood was spent in farm work, but as he desired to enter business life he took the first opportunity and became a clerk in a large general store in Danbury. After two or three years in that in- cumbency, he went to New Haven to fill the position of clerk in a grocery for Asa Bradley & Sons (all the Faculty of Yale College were pa- trons of their store), and with them he remained for some time. He then found employment on a railroad as a fireman, and his first visit to New York City was made while firing on a locomotive on the first road built to that place from the East. The engineer of that train carried the President's message to the city of New Haven, Conn. Later, while working on the Canal road, Mr. Taylor was placed in charge of an engine, and for a time he ran a construction train on that line. He remained in the service of that road for about two years. One night during the time he slept in a room with the man who had that day murdered the Smith family at East Rock, New Haven, Conn. Mr. Taylor, with characteristic thoroughness, became an expert as an engineer, and at the opening of the Sara- toga and Washington line he was employed by that company, and had the honor of running the train. At the formal opening of the line he was in charge of the engine which took many officials from Boston to Buffalo on a tour of inspection, he being then the youngest engineer in the serv- ice. On leaving that road he spent two years on the Georgia Central railroad, and then after a short stay with the Michigan Southern railroad he was employed for a time in the shops of the Rock Island line.

Altogether Mr. Taylor was in the railroad business some seven years, and his experiences furnish the foundation for many interesting rem- iniscences. He was the engineer on the train which carried the first load of coal (consisting of about one hundred tons) to Collinsville, Conn., the great axe-manufacturing town. While em-

ployed on the Saratoga line he averted a collision on the Gansvort grade. There had been an ac- cident on the Vermont branch caused by a land- slide, and the train was off thirteen rails. A spe- cial train, loaded with flour, was on its way from Saratoga to Boston. Here we give Mr. Oliver's own version of the affair: "Mr. Van Renssaeler, the superintendent, was so anxious to save time that he decided to go on with the flour train and meet the expected passenger train. The master mechanic, W. B. Gage, told me to take a lan- tern and go with them, Mr. Van Renssaeler and myself riding on the engine. We knew there was a reckless engineer running the flour train. When we arrived at Gansvort station it was dark, and we had a long grade to go down with a bridge at the foot of it. There was a curve on the cut be- yond. Knowing this, I suggested to Mr. Van- Renssaeler that I take a gang of trackmen and a handcar and go ahead of the train. The engine that was coming was a day engine with no head- light. Our train was too heavy to be stopped readily, which made the situation more hazard- ous; but I got the men and started on. It was several miles to the cut, and when in it and on the curve, the only place where I could have seen the train far enough away to avert the disaster, I saw the flash of the lights in the car windows, although neither engineer could see my light. I left my car and ran toward the flour train swinging my lantern. It seemed as if I should never hear the signal 'down brakes' from either train; but it came just in time, and the trains were stopped when the engines were so close to- gether that I stood with one foot on each cow- catcher."

Mr. Taylor's last work at railroading on the C. & R. I. R. R. at Rock Island was repairing the old pioneer engine " Essex," built in Boston or Lowell, Mass. It might here be also men- tioned that when he was on the canal or New Haven & Northampton railroad in 1849 Seth Thomas presented him with a marine clock, which Mr. Taylor thinks was the first clock ever used on a locomotive in America. It kept good time, and they are now in general use.

On giving up railroading Mr. Taylor en- gaged in a general blacksmithing business at Rock Island, under the firm name of H. M. Adams & Co., and for four years was connected with what was known as a " jobbing shop," do- ing work for railroads and steamboats, and fur- nishing the iron work for the piers for the first bridge built across the Mississippi at that point. They did a one-hundred-dollar job on the steamer "Effie Afton, " bound for St. Paul, Minn., the day she was burned, and a span of the bridge floated

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down the river on the wreck, which was what started the first lawsuit between the railroads and the steamboat men. They fitted out Mormon trains for Salt Lake and many emigrants for the far West, and ran a stage line by the rapids in summer, up the Mississippi river. From that place Mr. Taylor went to lowa City, where he speculated in grain and " wild-cat money." His last transaction in the latter line was the sale of some paper of the Florence Bank, a Nebraska institution, to a Western man by the name of of Austin Corbin, later a great railroad magnate of New York. Mr. Taylor's next venture was in the shipping business in New York City, which he continued until shortly before the Civil war. He then became a broker, his first office being at No. 23 William street, New York, but on the day that Fort Sumter was fired on he moved into an office in Wall street, where he continued in business some eighteen years under the firm name of Taylor & Co

On February 2, 1864. Mr. Taylor married Miss Valeria Pearce, daughter of Alvah S. Pearce, and three children have blessed the union: (1) Josephine married Samuel T. Penny (now de- ceased), and they had two children-Louise and Samaola. (2) Miss Grace married Alfred Penny, April 20, 1899. (3) Oliver P. is at home.

ENRY C. MEAD, a well-known agricultur- ist of Greenwich township, Fairfield county, is a worthy representative of one of the best old families of that region, for the Meads have al- ways borne an enviable reputation as industrious, thrifty and valuable citizens. He is a native of the township, born June 16. 1850, a son of Abram and Jane (Selleck) Mead.

The great-grandfather of Henry C. Mead was Abram Mead, whose son, Job, reared a family of five children, namely: Zaccheus, Abram, Amanda, Eliza and Emeline. Of these, Abram was born in Clapboard Ridge District, and was but a young boy when his parents settled on the farm where he spent his days. He was educated in the primitive schools in vogue during his boy- hood, and grew up to the knowledge of farming under his father's instruction, proving an apt pupil in that line. After his father's death the home farm came into his possession, and he dis- played more than ordinary ability in its manage- ment and cultivation, always seeming to get the best results, and wresting more than a mere liv- ing from the soil. He added to the tract as in- creasing means enabled him, and at the time of his death was the owner of 300 acres of arable land. He passed away in January, 1867, at the

age of sixty-five years, highly respected by his neighbors, among whom he had a wide acquaint- ance. His remains were interred in the ceme- tery of the Congregational Church at Greenwich. of which he was a member. He was a Repub- lican politically. Mr. Mead married Abigail Sel- leck, who was born in Greenwich township. daughter of Sands Selleck, and seven children were born to their marriage, viz .: Henry C., the subject of this sketch; Elsie, deceased wife of Abram Close; Samuel, who has a butcher and grocery business at Five-Mile River, Fairfield county; Emeline (Mrs. Isaac Wilson), of Green- wich township; A. L., a farmer of Greenwich township; William E., also a farmer of Green- wich; and Frederick, of Five-Mile River. The mother, now aged seventy years, is passing her declining years on the old homestead with her son, A. L.

Henry C. Mead was given a good practical education, which was commenced in the * meet- ing house " school in Greenwich village, during which time, for the greater part of two years, he lived with his uncle, Zaccheus Mead, whose home was near the village. Later he was a pu- pil in the schools at Round Hill and Peck's Land, there being no school at that time in Clapboard Ridge, and then for some time in a school which had been established in Clapboard Ridge Dis- trict. He completed his literary training at Greenwich Academy under Prof. Shepherd, being obliged to leave on account of his father's death, which threw a great deal of responsibility on his shoulders, as he was the eldest son. However, he cheerfully set about the work which had fallen to his lot, aad proved a great help to his mother, who with his assistance was able to rear her large family in comfort. In 1872 Mr. Mead wed- ded Isabella La Forge, who was a native of New York City, daughter of B. S. La Forge, and they commenced housekeeping in April, living on a rented farm. About three years later they came to the place where they have since had their home, at that time a twenty-five-acre tract with but one building on it, a barn. The house which the family has occupied was erected by Mr. Mead in 1875, and he has put up all the buildings on his farm with the exception of the barn above mentioned, which has been remodeled and improved. As he prospered he has been able to add to the original tract, and is now the possessor of one hundred acres of fine land, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devotes all his time and attention. Mr. Mead formerly carried on a dairy business in addition to managing his farm, disposing of his own pro- duce in that line, but this he has discontinued.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 52

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