Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 80

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

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J JUDGE HOWARD B. SCOTT, a member of the firm of Tweedy, Scott & Whittlesey, leading lawyers of Danbury, is an able and talented man, and his grasp of legal principles has made him especially prominent in the judicial branch of the profession. For many years he has been a justice of the peace and an associate judge of the city court, and he now presides over the latter tribunal.

Judge Scott was born August 25, 1851, at

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Bridgeport, this county, and comes of excellent ancestry. On the paternal side he is a great- grandson of James and Sally Scott, and a grand- son of David and Betsey (Burr) Scott, residents of Ridgefield. Albert Scott, the father of our subject, was born June 2, 1815, at Ridgefield, and became first a harnessmaker and then a dealer in harness. His death occurred in 1893, and his wife, Caroline (Seeley), died in 1891. She was born in Cheshire, Conn., August 15, 1819, the daughter of David and Theodosia (Lewis) Seeley, and was a member of an old family. Four children were born to Albert and Caroline Scott, viz .: Mary E .; Howard B .; Albert L., who is a physician in New York City; and William D., now a resident of Portland, Oregon.

The Judge passed his early life at Bridgeport, where he attended the public schools, also a pri- vate school for boys taught by William O. Seymour, afterward a railroad commissioner. In 1870 he entered Amherst College, and on grad- uating four years later he engaged in teaching at Greenwich, Conn., continuing thus until July, 1876. He then entered the law office of Brewster & Tweedy, at Danbury, and prepared for the Bar, to which he was admitted in July, 1878. He has since been identified with the firm with which he began his legal studies, the style being for some time Brewster, Tweedy & Scott. In September, 1892, Judge Brewster retired, and the firm of Tweedy, Scott & Whittlesey was formed, They have a large business, handling many important cases, and all the members stand high in the profession.

Judge Scott is a member of the First Congre- gational Church of Danbury, and is active in various progressive movements, being especially interested in educational affairs; for a number of years he has served on the board of education as acting school visitor. Politically he upholds the doctrines of the Republican party. The Judge is not married.

DOCTOR JOHN HENRY MCARDLE. Of the young professional men of Fairfield county, none stands higher in the estimation of his numerous friends and acquaintances than the gentleman whose name introduces this review.

Born September 2, 1873, in Brooklyn, N. Y., Doctor McArdle is a son of Patrick McArdle, a native of County Armagh, Ireland, who came to America when a young man, settling in Brook- lyn. He is a stone-cutter by trade, and has fol- lowed that occupation thus far through life. His wife, formerly Ellen Murphy, was also a native

of Ireland, born in Wexford. Their marriage was blessed with five children, namely: Edward, deceased; Francis, chief examiner in the Law- yers Title Insurance Company, Brooklyn, with residence in New York; Ellen, a member of one of the Sisterhoods of the Catholic Church in New York City; John H., mentioned more fully far- ther on; and Mary, deceased. The father of this father is a Democrat in his political views. He is a member of the Catholic Church, as was also the mother. She died July 7, 1880.

Dr. John H. McArdle came to Westport when seven years of age to reside with his aunt, Mrs. Michael Cluar, and here he received his element- ary education. In April, 1892, at the age of eighteen years, he entered the New York College of Dentistry, from which he was graduated in the class of 1895, and during the summer months of each year practiced in the City Infirmary. In his senior year he and a classmate were appointed to take charge of the Dental Department con- nected with the Good Samaritan Hospital in New York City. . The same year he returned to West- port, where he located in practice and has ever since remained. He is well up in his profession, and, having the reputation of being a skillful and a most careful dentist, he has succeeded in build- ing up a good practice, and is making the record and success to which his studies, habits and en- ergy entitle him. Socially, he is a member of the Order of Foresters, and in his religious views he is a Roman Catholic, holding membership with the Church of that denomination at West- port. In politics he is a Democrat, and he is at present serving as a member of the board of edu- cation. As yet he is unmarried.

C RODMAN TOWNSEND, M. D., a success- ful physician and surgeon of Bridgeport, is a representative of a family which has long been noted for ability, enterprise and public spirit, its members having distinguished themselves in vari- ous lines of effort.

All of the name in the United States are sup- posed to be descended from one common ances- tor, the Doctor's great-great-grandfather, Martin Townsend, who came from England about 1700, and whose large family of children settled in dif- ferent parts of the country, the great-grandfather of our subject locating in Massachusetts. Among the men of note who have sprung up from this stock is Hon. Martin I. Townsend, of Troy, N. Y. (a cousin of our subject's father), a leader in the Republican party and formerly a United States senator. By inter-marriage the family has become connected with honorable lines of rela-

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tionship, and an uncle of our subject, the late Col. Daniel Rodman, of Hartford, Conn., served as an officer in the Civil war.

Daniel Norton Townsend, the Doctor's grand- father, was born in Dunham, Province of Quebec, Canada, and a portion of his life was spent in Canada, where he was extensively engaged in business as a merchant and hotel-keeper. He married Charlotte Cross, of the same place.

Charles M. Townsend, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Canada, and in early manhood went to Troy, N. Y., tolearn the harnessmaker's trade. For thirty years past he has made his home in Lansingburg, N. Y., being still con- nected with the harness business. He married Miss Martha A. Pullinger, a native of Philadel- phia, who was reared in Hartford, Conn. Her father, Thomas Pullinger, was probably of Ger- man descent, and was for many years a resident of Philadelphia. To Charles M. and Martha Townsend five children were born: Albert C., a florist in Troy, N. Y .; Hattie S., wife of Dr. Stephen Welsh, a physician in Providence, R. I .; C. Rodman, our subject; and Bessie and Grace (twins), of whom Grace died in 1889.

Doctor Townsend was born April 6, 1870, in Lansingburg, N. Y., where he received a good practical education, graduating from both the academy and high school. He then entered Al- bany Medical College, and on completing his course, in 1894, he took a competitive examina- tion for the post of junior and senior assistant and house physician and surgeon of the Albany Hospital. Being successful in this difficult test, he served sixteen months in that position, and on November 10, 1896, he established himself in practice at Bridgeport, where he quickly won recognition. During the first four months of his stay he filled the unexpired term of the former city physician, and he has since been in active general practice. The Doctor is popular socially. He is a member of the City, County and State Medical Associations, and is the official physician, and Chief Washington of the Brotherhood of the Union, Progressive Circle No. 2, at Bridgeport; also medical examiner for the A. O. U. W .; and is a member of the Ancient Essenic Order at Al- bany, N. Y. Politically he is an Independent. He is unmarried.

C HESTER E. BLACKMAN, M. D., of Bridge- port, is a young man of marked ability, and his success in professional work points to a bril- liant career. He was born February 5, 1873. in Danbury, this county, and is of English descent in the paternal line.

Dr. Blackman's education was begun in Dan- bury, and on leaving the high school he learned the tool-maker's trade, which he followed some six years. He then entered upon a preparatory course of medical reading under the direction of Dr. F. C. Graves, of Bridgeport, with whom he studied about two years. Two years were spent in the medical department of the University of Vermont, but his course was completed at the Long Island College Hospital, where he was graduated in 1897, receiving Dudley Memorial medal for prize-essay on a surgical case. He re- ceived an appointment as physician for the Bridgeport City Hospital, but, declining, he en- gaged in practice, opening an office at No. 280 State street, Bridgeport. From the first he met with success, and after six months he removed to his present office at No. 1184 Stratford avenue. He is a member of the Bridgeport Medical Asso- ciation, and socially he is identified with various clubs and other organizations, including the Park City Yacht Club, Scottish Clans, the Sons of St. George, the I. O. O. F. (Adelphine Lodge No. 80, at Bridgeport), and the Alpha Kappa Kappa (Delta Chapter), a college fraternity. In poli- tics he is a stanch Republican, but does not aspire to prominence in official life, his profes- sion absorbing his attention.

NDWIN S. GIFFORD. justice of the peace at Long Ridge, in the town of Stamford, Fairfield county, where for many years he has carried on his carriage and wagon-making busi- ness, was born March 29, 1830, at Canaan, Co- lumbia Co., N. Y. He comes of good old Revo- lutionary stock, his grandfather, Amaziah Gifford, having been a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was a native of Rhode Island, and removing thence settled in Canaan; Columbia Co., N. Y., where he spent his remaining years engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Rev. Isaac S. Gifford, father of Edwin S., was born at Canaan, N. Y., was reared there, and became a member of the Baptist Church.' After entering the ministry he preached for four years in his native town, later having charge at Berlin, N. Y., for eight years, after which he was in Bedford, N. Y., where he preached ten years, when he returned to his first Church, which had been removed to the town of Chatham; subse- quently he took charge of the Baptist Church at Banksville, in the town of Greenwich, Fairfield Co., Conn. He passed away at Berlin, N. Y., aged seventy-eight years. At Canaan, N. Y., he was united in marriage to Annice Ford, and they became the parents of five children: Amanda L.,

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who lives in New York City; Horace C., a resi- dent of Berlin, N. Y .; Silas D., who is deceased; Edwin S .; and Sarah Jane, deceased.

Edwin S. Gifford spent his early years in the town of his birth, receiving the advantages af- forded by the public schools of Canaan and Ber- lin, N. Y., of which he made good use. He commenced to learn his trade, carriage and wagon making, before he was eighteen years old, but at that time he worked at it only a few weeks when he commenced teaching school, to which profession he devoted himself until he was twen- ty-one, having the school at Bedford, N. Y. Here he resumed his trade and served an apprentice- ship of two years, finally, in 1856, coming to Fairfield county, Conn., and settling at Long Ridge, in the town of Stamford, where he has since made his home. During the forty odd years of his residence here he has been success- fully engaged in business on his own account, at first giving all his attention to carriage and wagon making, in 1872 adding the undertaking business, which he has since continued. Mr. Gif- ford has worked steadily all his life, and his present circumstances are sufficient evidence that his industry has been to some purpose. His neighbors all around admire and respect him for his sterling qualities of mind and heart, and he has had their good will and more substantial cheer in the way of patronage all along his path to suc- cess. As above stated, he is at present serving as · justice of the peace, and has held that position for a number of years. Originally a Know-Noth- ing in political sentiment, his views have changed with the progress of the times, and he is now an ardent Republican in national issues, holding himself independent in local affairs.

Mr. Gifford's first marriage took place in Bed- ford, N. Y., where he wedded Hannah M. Brown, daughter of Hezekiah M. Brown. She

died in 1860, and he was subsequently married, January 30, 1862, at Chatham, N. Y., to Harriet J. Searles, of Stamford, daughter of Ira Searles, his father performing the ceremony. To this union were born six children, namely: George E., Charles L., Annice Ford, Ira Searles, Jennie L., and May E., of whom two are deceased-Charles L. and Annice Ford. George is a civil engineer in Stamford, and Ira S. is a bookkeeper in Cleve- land, Ohio. Mr. Gifford is a Baptist in religious belief.

HADDEUS BELL, who is at present hold- ing the offices of clerk and treasurer of the town of Darien, is one of the leading citizens of that locality, and for many years he has been

active in business and political life. His family is well known in this county, his ancestors hav- ing settled here at an early date.

Mr. Bell is a descendant of Francis Bell, who located at Stamford in 1641, and a grandson of Thaddeus Bell, a member of the Legislature for thirteen terms from the towns of Darien and Stamford. Hon. Holly Bell, the father of the present Thaddeus, was a native of Darien, and made his home there throughout his life, engag- ing first in agricultural pursuits, and later taking the position of station agent in the village. He was influential in local affairs, being elected five times to the State Legislature, and for a number of years he served as colonel in the militia. He died in 1887, aged ninety-three, and the death of his wife, whose maiden name was Abigail Scofield, occurred six months later. They had eight chil- dren, four of whom are now living: Charles E., a resident of California; Thaddeus; Julia F., widow of Charles G. Morehouse; and Mary L., widow of John G. Simonds. Abigail Scofield was a descendant of John Howland and Elizabeth Tilley, daughter of John Tilley and wife, all pas- sengers on the " Mayflower."

Mr. Bell was born in 1831 at the old home in Darien, and was educated in the common schools of that locality. At the age of eighteen he went to New York City and engaged in shipbuilding. in which he spent about four years in that and other places. Some work in connection with a railroad took him to Chicago, Ill., for a year, but owing to illness he returned home. On his recovery he engaged in railroad business in this locality, and in 1861 he resumed the work of shipbuilding at the navy yard, Brooklyn, N. Y. His next employment was as station agent at Darien, and after a year in that position he spent two years in the United States navy as assistant paymaster. Since locating permanently at Da- rien he has been engaged in contracting, and of late has been interested in mercantile business. As a.citizen he is held in high esteem, and he is one of the trusted leaders of the Republican or- ganization of his neighborhood. For eight years he was selectman of his town, and for four years he held the office of postmaster, while he is now serving as town clerk and treasurer, and repre- sents the town of Darien in the General Assem- bly of Connecticut.

In 1854 Mr. Bell married Miss Caroline E. Morehouse, daughter of Henry Morehouse, of this county (who was a member of the State Legislature for five terms), and five children have blessed their union. Three are yet living: Alfred B., now a resident of Denver, Colo., who in 1897 married Miss Grace Dauchy Smith, of

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that city; Miss Grace L., a student at Pratt In- stitute, Brooklyn, N. Y .; and Clarence W., now teller in the First National Bank at Stamford, Conn., and who resides in Darien. Mr. and Mrs. Bell are both members of the Congrega- tional Church at Darien, and the family have always been active in the various branches of work carried on by that society.

TORACE BURR BANKS, an intelligent, well- to-do farmer, and one of the upright and respected citizens of Fairfield township, Fairfield county, Conn., is a worthy example of the type of progressive and thrifty agriculturists who make their home in this community, and he is " native here," having been born January 29, 1831, on the farm adjoining the one he now owns and occupies.

Mr. Banks is a grandson of Nehemiah and Sarah (Sherwood) Banks, farming people, who removed about 1816 from Ridgefield to near Westport, Conn., and later took up their residence in Hulls Farms, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Their family was a large one, and John, the father of Horace B. Banks, was the youngest. He was born in September, 1802, and was reared to farm life, receiving in his boy- hood such advantages for education as were afforded by the public schools of his day. He came to Fairfield from Woodchuck, in the town of Ridgefield, and was married, in Cross High- way, to Miss Caroline Ogden, a daughter of Hezekiah Ogden, after which he and his wife commenced housekeeping on the farm where they passed the rest of their days, in Fairfield town- ship. Mr. Banks owned but a small tract at first, on which he built his home and commenced farming on his own account, but by constant in- dustry and thrift he prospered as the years went by, became a successful farmer, and at his death left a very comfortable estate. He and his family were prominent members of the Congregational Church, in whose work he took an active part, and he held the office of deacon for forty years. He was a Republican in politics, and a regular voter. During his prime Mr. Banks was a vig- orous, active man, always a hard worker, and he was unusually powerful, his feats of strength being unequalled here in his day, though he never under any circumstances boasted of his strength, and his disposition was kind and peaceable. His death, which occurred in 1886, was the result of an accident, a nail which had run into his foot causing gangrene, which proved fatal. Mrs. Banks passed away in 1891, and both are interred in Oaklawn cemetery. They had a family of

three children: Angeline, who became the wife of Moses Banks, and died in Greenfield Hill; Horace B .; and Eliza F., wife of Rev. George W. Banks, of Guilford, Connecticut.

Horace B. Banks received his early training in the Hulls Farms District school, where Timothy M. Banks was one of his earliest teach- ers, and later he attended Zalmon Wakeman's private school, at Greenfield Hill, where he finished his literary education. He was reared at home to farm life, and immediately after his marriage settled on the land which he has since cultivated, which at that time was entirely unim- proved and without buildings of any sort. He is at present the owner of seventy-two acres of valuable and desirable land, improved and worked in the most modern manner, and he has the reputation of being one of the most intelligent, successful farmers of this region, a man who is respected and looked up to by all, not only for the prosperous position he has gained by his own efforts, but also for the sterling integrity and high principle which has marked all his life. He is a good citizen and well-liked as a neighbor and friend, while his circle of acquaintances is a wide one, for he is possessed of a jovial, good- natured disposition which makes him a favorite with all.

On February 25, 1855, Mr. Banks was united in marriage with Miss Sally M. Burr, of Fair- field, an intelligent young lady, who was born December 11, 1837, in Burr's Highway, daugh- ter of John and Sarah (Nichols) Burr. Mrs. Banks received her education in the schools of the district in which she lived, Seth Bradley be- ing one of her first teachers, and when fourteen years old she commenced teaching in Hoyden's Hill District, engaging as teacher for five or six terms in all. Mr. and Mrs. Banks have two sons-John E. and George A .- the former of whom is a carpenter at Hulls Farms; he married Miss Sarah L. Fanton, of Weston, and has three children-Georgia Anna, Sarah F. and John Horace. When Georgia was one year old she was one of a group in a family picture in which five generations were represented. George A., the second son, who is a painter in Southport, mar- ried Minnie V. Jennings, daughter of Edwin and Helen (Gould) Jennings.

Mr. and Mrs. Banks are prominent members and active workers in the Congregational Church at Greenfield Hill, where he has served as leader of the choir and on the committee of the society. Politically, he is a stanch member of the Repub- lican party, and votes regularly, but he is no office-seeker, preferring to devote all his time and attention to his private interests.

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ENRY H. BAIRD. The life of the subject of this sketch, a representative self-made man, presents a striking example of enterprise, industry and integrity conducting to eminent suc- cess. He was a native of Connecticut, born in Trumbull, Fairfield county, October 1, 1825.

Ebenezer Beard, grandfather of our subject, was born in Huntington, Fairfield Co., Conn. He served his country in the Revolutionary war. By marriage with Anna Thompson he had chil- dren as follows, all now deceased: Samuel (died young), Ebenezer, Aaron, William, Pamelia, Elam and Ely.

Elam Beard, father of Henry H. Baird, was born, in 1801, in Huntington, Conn., and died in 1880. He taught school when a young man, later becoming a manufacturer of broadcloth at Trumbull, Conn. His health becoming impaired, he removed to Stepney, Conn., where he became a farmer. He was a member of the M. E. Church. He married Esther, daughter of Isaac Cables, who died in 1840. By her he had the following children: Henry H., the subject of this sketch; John Judson, a resident of Stepney; Eliza, widow of A. L. Winton, of Bridgeport; Julia A., deceased; William, living in Bethel; Pamelia, wife of Charles B. Wheeler, of Step- ney; Sarah, married to Ira Penfield, of Danbury; and George H. (deceased). For his second wife he married Minerva Bennett, who died in 1883, the mother of the following children: Mary E., wife of Edward Corning, of Stepney; Katherine, who married Thomas Trimble, of Brooklyn; Frances, wife of Benjamin Hurd, of Monroe; Caroline, wife of Birdsye Sherman, of Stepney; and Anson (deceased).

Henry H. Baird, whose name introduces this sketch, received a common-school education in the schools of Trumbull and Stepney, and worked on a farm until he was seventeen years old, at which time he entered upon an apprentice- ship with Henry Bodwell, of Newark, N. J., to learn the trade of hatter. Prior to this, however, he had been associated with Marcellus Jackson, at Stepney, two years, learning the boot-making trade, but had to abandon it on account of ill health. At the age of twenty-two years he moved to Bethel, and worked as journeyman hatter until 1854, when he commenced in the general merchandise business on Main street. Bethel, and continued in same until 1869. He served as first selectman eleven years, and during the Civil war period was, by virtue of his posi- tion, recruiting officer; he was also first constable of the town of Bethel. In 1869 he exchanged his store for a farm, whereon he remained two years. In August, 1871, he bought stock in the

Bethel Hat Forming Company, which was organ- ized November 18, 1865, by G. A. Hickok (now deceased), Nathan Seeley, Horace E. Hickok, A. R. Stevens (of Danbury), George J. Hopkins, Peter Starr and Isaac H. Seeley (the last four being now deceased). He was secretary and manager of the company from 1871 until his death.

In November, 1853, Henry H. Baird was united in marriage at Newtown, Conn., with Orphia C. Shepard, daughter of Hart and Char- lotte (Platt) Shepard. Children as follows were born to them: John H .; and George S., who died at the age of twenty-six years. Our subject had always been an active Republican, was a member of the Congregational Church for nearly thirty years, and one of its trustees, holding this office continually for many years. To some ex- tent Mr. Baird dealt in real estate, and in all his efforts he met with well-earned success. He died September 26, 1897, aged seventy-two years.

Few men of the town have been more closely identified with its industrial or general interests. He was one whose influence was felt, and his judgment consulted in all public affairs. Fore- most in all moral reforms having to do with the thrift and sobriety of working men, he was es- pecially their friend; his assistance was never withheld, when sought by worthy young men. His benevolence toward the needy, while never ostentatious, was very wide. No good cause solicited his interest in vain. In the Church of which he was a member, he was always active in seeking its welfare, and one of the most liberal givers. His manner was quiet, even reserved; he never sought the favor of preferment of his townsmen, but was foremost in their esteem. He was an intense worker, carrying every detail of his private or corporate business in his mind almost to the day of his death.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 80

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