Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 54

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 54

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Mr. Fessenden has always been a stanch sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party. and his political career began when he was but twenty-seven years old, by his election in 1874 to the State Legislature. During the session he attracted favorable notice by his work as a mem- ber of the judiciary committee, as well as by his eloquent and forceful speeches on various topics, and in 1879, when he again became a member of the House of Representatives, he entered upon his labors with the influence belonging to a recognized leader. In 1895 he again served as a representative in that body, and was chosen

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speaker of the House, on honor which was well and ably sustained by him. In 1876 he was a delegate to the National Republican Convention at Cincinnati, which nominated President Hayes, and in 1880 he was a delegate-at-large from his State. In 1884, at the opening of Blaine's cam- paign, he was made secretary of the National Republican Committee, and during his service in that capacity he displayed executive ability of the highest order, his natural desire for the suc- cess of his party being stimulated to even greater force by his admiration for the great statesman from Maine, with whom he was on terms of in- timate friendship. In 1888 Mr. Fessenden was again made delegate-at-large from Connecticut to the National Republican Convention, and served as chairman of the delegation, and was again selected for the same position as delegate- at-large to the Republican National Convention of 1896 at St. Louis, where he took a con- spicuous part as a member of the committee on Resolutions in framing the platform which was subsequently ratified and adopted by the con- vention. Throughout his life he has continued to manifest an interest in military affairs, and in 1872 he was appointed by Governor Jewell to the position of judge advocate of the Fourth Regimental District of the National Guard of Connecticut, with the rank of major.

Mr. Fessenden's popularity rests upon a solid basis, the confidence of his fellow-citizens having been confirmed by many years of faithful effort in public life, and his friends anticipate for him the highest honors, State and National, which Connecticut can bestow.

HE POST PUBLISHING COMPANY, of Bridgeport, of which George W. Hills is president and general manager, William H. Comley, vice-president, Frank W. Bolande, secre- tary, and Robert N. Blakeslee, assistant general manager and treasurer, are issuing two papers- The Bridgeport Evening Post and The Bridge- port Morning Telegram, both newsy and at- tractive papers.

The Post was established in 1883 by George W. Hills, as both publisher and proprietor, the first issue appearing on February 7, from its home in a little one-story wooden building at No. 304 East Main street. The paper was started and published in the interests of East Bridgeport, and did not circulate beyond its en- vironments. East Bridgeport then, as now, teemed with busy factories, and the Post started with the idea of being the " People's Paper ", a privilege and honor which it has from that day

to this jealously guarded. "Independence in politics and the cause of the people," was a sen- timent followed zealously from the first day. When first started the Post was a four-page, four-column paper with patent inside. Vincent Dawson was one of its early local editors. His successor was Louis C. Prindle, who retired (in 1884) after a term of eleven months. After Mr. Prindle's retirement Frank W. Bolande, the present editor, having less than a year's exper- ience, filled a period of three months, and was succeeded by Thomas W. Wood, who before had been night editor of the News. During this time Mr. Hills acted as business manager, but his varied experience qualified him to help out in the editorial room, the composing room or the press room as the occasion warranted, which was often. From 1883 until 1884 the Post was was owned and controlled by George W. Hills solely.

In the latter year Mr. Hills, realizing the ad- vantage of having assistance in the management of the business which was rapidly growing, gave his brother, Henry M. Hills, a half-interest. They conducted the Post as partners until Sep- tember 15, 1891, when a stock company was formed with the following officers: President, George W. Hills; vice-president, Henry M. Hills; secretary, Frank W. Bolande; treasurer, Robert N. Blakeslee. The formation of the stock company was made under circumstances and conditions which rendered such a move a great advantage to the Post, and helped to in- crease its popularity and prominence. Since then its line of enterprise and progress has been followed with renewed zeal and energy. The erection of the new Post building, the enlarge- ment of the paper, the putting in of two new web perfecting presses and a type-setting ma- chine, the donning of a new dress of type, and the publication of a mammoth forty-four-page souvenir edition on November 30, 1892, were the most prominent features of the busy first year of the company's existence. We quote from the souvenir edition: "The occupancy of the finest and best appointed newspaper building in the State is certainly cause enough for the issuance of a souvenir that will mark an important epoch in the paper's history. . Very few papers in a city of the size of Bridgeport accomplish as much as the Post has during its first ten years of life. The early years were full of that grim struggle which means life or death to any enterprise, while the latter years have been signalled by the growing favor of the public which has gradually developed into a stanch and appreciative support. The clientage of the Post has not been confined to

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any one class; rich and poor finding features of interest that no other paper furnished. The Post is eminently the people's paper, and has always been ready and aggressive in advocating the greatest good to the greatest number. In has been steadfast in urging municipal reform and city improvements, and being bound by no party lines and subject to no clique its tone has been fearless and independent."

The Bridgeport Morning Telegram was established several years ago by the company mentioned in the foregoing. It has at this writ- I the Morning Telegram on a secure footing. It ing (December, 1898) a circulation of 4,552, while the average circulation of the Post for No- vember is given as 11, 368.

George W. Hills, president of the Post Pub- lishing Company, and general manager of both the Post and Telegram. when a lad sold papers for the Brooklyn Eagle. It is presumed that here he gained the true newspaper instinct, for from that time on he gazed longingly at the pon- derous presses, and gradually became filled with the determination that bore fruit in later years. He came to Bridgeport in 1870, and in 1875, while attending school, embarked in the visiting- card business, printing cards for the school chil- dren. His office was a very primitive one, and the capital invested was small, indeed, but the venture was a success from the start. It was not long before he had card agents in all the princi- pal factories in the city, which brought him orders that compelled him to work from the closing of school until late at night. The money derived from the work was put into new stock and a varied assortment of type. Young Hills finally left school and went to work in the Howe Sew- ing Machine factory, later on, for several years, working in the Wheeler & Wilson factory. He continued of evenings his printing business until in the fall of 1881 he left the factory to devote his whole attention to the printing business, and he then rented the small building that was located on East Main street, which little wooden struct- ure was the birthplace of the Post. The history of the paper as told in the foregoing is practically the history of its founder. Very seldom is a paper started with a paid-up capital of only six dollars, but that was the exact status; such was the reso- lute character of the proprietor. If ever he looks back on those early years of toil, and thinks of the many struggles when it seemed the little paper would totter and fall, Mr. Hills can breathe a great sigh of relief and behold the legitimate re- sults of his labors. The Post first circulated in East Bridgeport, but by dint of hard work its scope was broadened until it moved over to the center of the city. Six years ago it moved into

its present building at No. 49 Cannon street. All that pulled the paper through in its early days was the dogged will, hard work and grim de- termination of the founder. During those pioneer years he acquired an experience and familiarity with surmounting the most stubborn obstacles that have proven a valuable heritage, and steadied his hand in solving the difficult problems which continually arise in the management of an aggres- sive newspaper. During the past three years Mr. Hills has given special attention to placing

now has a circulation of upward of four thou- sand, is served by the Associated Press, and in brief space of time has taken a prominent place with the newspapers of the city.

Frank W. Bolande, managing editor of the Post, has been well known in newspaper work in Bridgeport for the past fourteen years. In 1884 he joined the city staff of the Bridgeport Farmer. He was later local editor of the Meriden Repub- lican, and for several years reporter and then city editor of the Bridgeport Standard. Besides this he corresponded for a number of papers, and ! did special work for various publications. In 1891 he cast his fortunes with the newly-formed Post Publishing Company, as secretary, and has | been the editor of the Post ever since. Mr. | Bolande is a firm believer in special enterprise and attractive features, and the Post is first in all matters of public enterprise. Its mammoth bicy- cle parades on July 4, 1896 and 1897; Sound Money bicycle parade in 1896; Good Roads parade October 27, 1898; the celebrated "red wagon" collections for the poor in 1897, are only a few of the demonstrations which the Post and Telegram have undertaken with success and credit. · Mr. Bolande endeavors to maintain a clean, healthy tone in the columns of the Post, and, to make the paper bright with illustrations, telling cartoons and various features of enter- prise that are out of the usual rut. The Post strives to handle news matter originally, and in a way that attracts attention. An instance of this is the Boinay trial, when some of the most promi- nent clergymen in the city were induced to write their impressions of the day's scenes in court as an introduction to the newspaper report of the trial. From his knowledge of Bridgeport poli- tics, public men and newspaper opportunities Mr. Bolande is able to direct the editorial department of the Post with an appreciative idea of the pub- lic's wishes and demands.

Robert N. Blakeslee, the assistant general manager of the Post Publishing Company, en- tered the employ of the counting room of the Bridgeport Farmer in 1890. At one time he

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was connected with the Post as bookkeeper. He resigned from the Farmer to become treasurer of the Post Publishing Company.

When Mr. Blakeslee entered the Post Pub- lishing Company as treasurer, the Bridgeport Farmer took occasion to publicly comment upon the fact that he was not required to give a bond, which it considered a splendid tribute to his hon- esty and integrity. Mr. Blakeslee handles many thousand dollars during a year. all of the moneys in the business of both the Post and Telegram going through his hands. In the eight years dur- ing which he has been connected with the com- pany every dollar has been properly accounted for. Mr. Blakeslee also has had much success in securing new business for both papers, and in his dealings among the business men with whom he comes in contact he endeavors to be fair and square, never promising anything but what he can perform. The remarkably prosperous con- ditions of the advertising columns of these papers is due in some degree to the energy and alertness of the subject of this sketch.

Thomas W. Wood has been editor of the Bridgeport Morning Telegram for the past two years. He has had a newspaper experience in Bridgeport extending over a number of years; he 'was once night editor of the Morning News ; has been city editor of the Post and connected with the Farmer. He is an industrious, hardworking newspaper man, thoroughly faithful to the inter- ests which he represents. The Telegram has progressed steadily since it was launched three years ago, and has a large residential circulation. It is credited with being one of the neatest and .most enterprising papers in the city.

H ON. LYMAN SHELDON CATLIN. Rising above the masses are many men of sterling worth and value, who by sheer perseverance and pluck have conquered fortune, and by their own .unaided efforts have risen from the ranks of com- paratively common place to eminence and posi- tions of respect and trust. Prominent among these is the gentleman whose name here appears. He has been a leader in thought and action in Fairfield county, and is also one of the represent- ative and leading business men of Bridgeport," where he is the able and efficient secretary and treasurer of the Mechanics and Farmers Savings Bank of that borough.

Mr. Catlin is a representative of one of the families of that name of Harwinton, Litchfield county, where he was born January 21, 1840.

the family name is frequent at Newington, Rochi- lan, County of Kent, England. They have held property in that county since the Norman Con- quest. "R. de Catlin was one of the followers of William the Conqueror, and is mentioned in . Domesday Book' as possessing two Knight's fees of land at the time of his succession in the County of Kent, and several individuals of the same name appear in England as honorably employed in the King's service. Sir Robert Catlin was knighted for honorable services at the battle of Agincourt under Edward the Black Prince, and the Catlin coat of arms is that granted to him." [Hinman's " Puritan Settlers," p. 869.] The Arms are: Per chevron Or and Azure. Three lions passant guardant in pal, counter charged in chief Argent. Crest: A leopard's head couped at the neck Argent, ducally collared and lined Or reguardant. Motto: Semper Fides. ["English Annals."]

The first Catlin who appears to have come to this country was a boy. Thomas Catlin came to Hartford, Conn., in 1632. Later he left his master and went to Saybrook, Conn. He re- turned to Hartford about 1645-46, where he settled. He acquired a good deal of property, and took great pains with the education of his only son John. It is stated in the . Memorial History of Hartford County." edited by the late J. Hammond Trumbull, LL. D., that Thomas Catlin was born about 1612, was first mentioned in the Colonial Records in 1644; was chimney viewer 1647-48 and '53; surveyor of highways in 1655; townsman in 1659; constable in 1662- 74. "an office at that time one of the most hon- orable and trustworthy in the colony;" that he married (first) Mary, and (second) Mary. widow of Edward Elmer, and died in 1690. [Elsewhere it is stated that Thomas Catlin was living in 1687, when testified in court that he was eighty- seven years old. Savage says that "he died in 1690, aged about seventy-eight."]

Lyman Sheldon Catlin, our subject, son of Sheldon Catlin, is in the seventh generation on his father's side from Thomas Catlin, the Ameri- can ancestor, the line of his descent being through John, Benjamin, Jacob, Benjamin (2) and Sheldon.

II. John Catlin (son of Thomas Catlin) mar- ried, July 27, 1665, Mary, daughter of Capt. Samuel Marshall, of Windsor. She died in Hartford, October 20, 1716. Their children were: Mary, Samuel, John, Thomas and Benjamin.

III. Benjamin Catlin (son of John Catlin), born February 1, 1680, died in 1767. He mar- i ried, May 6, 1714, Margaret Kellogg, born in 1689, in Hartford, Conn., and died in Harwin-

Going back to the Mother country, we find : ton, Conn., in 1786, aged ninety-seven. Their

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children were: Jonathan, Daniel, Sarah, Abra- ham, Joel, Benjamin, Jacob, Amos and George. IV. Sergeant Jacob Catlin (son of Benja- min Catlin), born December 7, 1723, in Hart- ford, Conn., died in Harwinton, Conn., July 1, 1802. He was a farmer in Harwinton. He married Hannah Phelps, who was born March 13, 1731, in Windsor, Conn., and died at Har- winton in 1812, aged eighty-one years.

V. Benjamin Catlin (2) (son of Sergeant Jacob Catlin), born October 6, 1772, in Harwin- ton, Conn., died there (a farmer) July 10, 1835. He was for twenty years a deacon in the Congre- gational Church. He married, November 27. 1797, Rhoda Catlin, daughter of Isaac Catlin (2) (a son of Isaac Catlin, a son of Samuel Catlin). who was of the third generation of Thomas Cat- lin, the ancestor. Rhoda Catlin was born No- vember 8, 1774, at Litchfield, Conn., and died at Harwinton. September 3, 1863. Her chil- dren were: Anna, Rhoda, Lucy, Benjamin, George, Sheldon, Clarinda, Henry and Julius.

VI. Sheldon Catlin (son of Benjamin Cat- lin, and father of Hon. Lyman S. Catlin) was born October 8, 1805, in Harwinton, Conn. He married, October 22, 1834. Cornelia Baldwin, of Harwinton. born there December 23. 1806, daughter of Nehemiah Baldwin, of Woodbridge. To this marriage were born children as follows: Ellen C. and Lyman S.

Sheldon Catlin was by occupation a worker of stone, and also a farmer. He died July 29, 1840, at the early age of thirty-four. Samuel Hine, the maternal grandfather of Cornelia (Baldwin) Catlin, served in the war of the Revolution.

Returning to the third generation to get the ancestry of Rhoda (Catlin) Catlin:

III. Samuel Catlin (son of John Catlin and grandson of Thomas Catlin), born in 1672-73, married Elizabeth North, of Farmington (now Berlin), Conn., and their children were: John, Thomas, Samuel, Isaac, Abigail, Job, Mary, Adam and Ebenezer.

IV. Isaac Catlin (son of Samuel Catlin), born November 11, 1712, died May 5, 1803. He married (first) Betsey Kilbourn, of Litchfield, and (second) Widow Abigail (Desire Ives) Tuttle. The children of the first marriage were: Isaac. Elisha, Charles, Irene, Polly, Betsey, Ruth, Sarah and Bradly. Those of the second marriage were: Samuel. Caroline, Hannah, Abigail and Desire.

His children, all by his first wife, were: Betsey, Isaac, Irene, Amy, Rhoda, Hosea, Clarinda, Elisha and Sofronia. Isaac Catlin (2) served in the French and Indian war, also in the war of the Revolution.

The name of Catlin has been a prominent one in the history of New England from the Colonial period, and from Harwinton and Litchfield county, Conn., have gone out men that have achieved distinction in public affairs, and success in the professions and various callings of life.

VII. Lyman Sheldon Catlin (son of Sheldon Catlin), the subject proper of this sketch, re- ceived his education in the public school and academy of his native town, and remained in the town until the breaking out of the Civil war, or early in its progress. From 1862 until 1866 young Catlin was in the service of his country, in which he made an honorable record. Enlisting in 1862 as a private in Company A, 19th Conn. V. I., he remained two years with the regiment, and at the end of that period was commissioned as first lieutenant in the 13th U. S. Colored Ar- tillery. While with the colored troops Lieuten- ant Catlin was in an engagement on the Cumber- land river, in southwestern Kentucky, in which the entire company was captured by General Forrest's cavalry. The officers connected with the colored troops were ordered to be hung, but they escaped by means of a gunboat. In 1865 this command was mustered out, and its first lieutenant was commissioned by Secretary Stan- ton as lieutenant and quartermaster in the 5th U. S. Cavalry. He served with this command in Arkansas until 1866, when it was mustered out of the service.

Since the Civil war Mr. Catlin has passed most of the time in Bridgeport, his only absence being between 1870 and 1873. Early in 1870 he located in Alabama as the agent of a Chicago insurance company, but in a few months was driven out by the "Ku-Klux." The same com- pany then sent him to Kansas, where he re- mained until 1873, when he returned to Bridge- port, Conn., and organized the Mechanics and Farmer Savings Bank of that city, and has since been its chief executive officer. The well- known success of this institution has been largely due to his energy and business talent. He is ap- proachable and genial, and commands the re- spect of all of his business associates.

Mr. Catlin is universally regarded as an able and faithful exponent of Republican principles. He has filled various offices for the town of Stratford, and was elected to represent the town

V. Isaac Catlin (2) (son of Isaac Catlin). born August 20, 1739, married (first) Anna Barnes, of Litchfield, and (second) Huldah Matthews, of Plymouth. She was born in 1750, and died July 4, 1825. He died April 9, 1828. | in the General Assemblies of 1881 and 1883.

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The first year he served on the House committee on School Funds, and in 1883 he was House chairman of the committee on Banks. In 1888 he was elected senator from the Thirteenth dis- trict, and in the session of 1889 was chairman of the joint committee on Banks, and was appointed by the Governor chairman of the committee on Further Accommodation for the Insane. That committee made reports to the General Assembly sessions of 1891 and 1893. His career was one of prominence and usefulness in both branches of the Legislature. Mr. Catlin is a member of Elias Howe, Jr., Post No. 3, G. A. R., of Bridgeport, of the military order of the Loyal Legion, of the ex-Prisoners of War Association, and of the I. O. O. F. He is a thorough busi- ness man and a valued citizen.

On September 28, 1871, Mr. Catlin was married to Miss Helen J. Lewis, of Stratford, and their marriage has been blessed with four children, namely: Sheldon, a graduate of Yale, class of '94; Lucy Jeannette, married to Egbert Marsh, of Bridgeport, Conn .; George Lewis, a sophomore in Yale College; and Cornelia Jud- son, at home.

JOHN M. WILLIAMS, a prosperous attor- ney of New York City, who resides at Mianus, Fairfield Co., Conn., is the son of a man whose history is perhaps more remarkable and unique than falls to the common lot of humanity. Isaac Williams, the father, was one of four brothers, who when mere lads living in a home where economy and honesty were active virtues, started in business for themselves, and without training or experience, without means or assistance, with only their pluck and determina- tion, started out, life's battles to win.

Their career exemplified the maxim that in union there is strength. Each subordinated his personal interest in the common good. There was but one treasury and one fund. It was used by the four brothers to advance their mu- tual good.

The grandfather of our subject, Matthias Williams, was a man whose greatest legacy to his four boys was the inculcation of sound prin- ciples. He married Miss Elizabeth Maxwell, and attained only a very moderate success in the accumulation of worldly goods.

Isaac, our subject's father, was born in New York City in 1816. He had meager opportuni- ties for an education. He was only a lad of ten years when he entered the strange business part- nership with his brothers. The business at its start was a little grocery store, so small that it

scarcely deserved the name. It may be said to have begun with almost nothing. But the boys were attentive and industrious. They prospered, and the business grew larger and larger, until they launched out in other business enterprises. They bought real estate and city property as money came in and was not required in their business. Thus for twenty-five years their busi- ness was conducted, and when settlement came, each took his share according to his age, and an amicable settlement resulted. Their property had become valuable as a result of judicious in- vestments, and their business interests were by no means small.

Isaac was the only one of the four brothers who married. His wife was Miss Susan Crane, of Elizabeth, N. J. In 1866 Isaac Williams, seeking retirement from his active life, removed from New York to Mianus, Fairfield Co., Conn., where he had bought the Lot Palmer place. His forty years of active business life had developed energies that could not endure a complete retire- ment, and he opened a grocery store at Mianus. After discontinuing this business he, for a pastime, devoted his attention to horticulture; he erected green-houses and built up an extensive florist business, the management of which afforded him a pleasant and healthful occupation. He was a man quite well preserved in mind and body, for his years. He liked good horses, and had them. He was fond of driving. and drove a great deal; was a reinsman; his horses were not of the gentle kind, and his death was directly attributed to injuries received in collision while he was en- gaged in his favorite and exciting pastime. He was thrown from his vehicle, and sustained in- juries from which he died December 31, 1895; he was buried at Woodland cemetery, Stam- ford. His wife died January 19, 1885. Isaac Williams was a member of the Universalist Church at Stamford, which his wife also at- tended, though a member of the Presbyterian Church. No stancher supporter of the Demo- cratic party could be found than he, being twice elected a representative from Greenwich town- ship; he declined a renomination for a third term. He served on the school committee, but was not an office-seeker. He was fully conscious of the evils of the liquor traffic, and so expressed him- self frequently. He possessed good judgment, and was a practical man, one who was thoroughly self-made, and who enjoyed the respect of all. He was progressive in his ideas, and spent much money in improving his home and estate at Mianus. He established the business of ex- tensive ice-cutting at Mianus, with which he was later identified, and a large ice-house was

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 54

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