Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 83

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

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William S. White, whose name introduces this sketch, was born in the town of Danbury,

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August 16, 1832, on the farm where he still makes his home. His boyhood and youth were passed on the homestead, and his education was obtained in the district schools. On completing his school life he taught for some time; then took the home farm of 140 acres, and in its management has found his life work. He carries on general farm- ing, and his progressive spirit causes him to use the latest improved machinery and the most sci- entific methods. The carefully attended land, together with the neat and modern buildings, be- token the thrift of the farmer.

In 1856 Mr. White was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Nichols, a daughter of Hervey Nichols, of Roxbury, and five children were born to this couple, as follows: Hervey N., a hatter of Danbury; Edward A., at home; George S., an inventor of a number of small articles, such as a lamp-burner rest, pencil attachment, and hat rest, was formerly a bookkeeper in New Haven, but is now in the wholesale and retail dairy busi- ness at Yonkers, N. Y .; William S., Jr., a sales- man in California; and Esther C., unmarried and at home.

Mr. White is one of the substantial men of the town, and is interested in all enterprises for public improvement. He has been a Prohibi- tionist for years, and earnestly works for what he thinks will lessen the evils of intemperance. In their religious tendencies he and his family ad- here to the doctrines of John Wesley, and con- tribute to the support of the Methodist Church.

HE TENRY E. SCOFIELD is a highly respected resident of Stamford, Weed avenue, Fair- field county, Conn., where he was born March 4, 1832. His grandfather, Rufus Scofield, was. a native of Greenwich, Conn. His father, Lewis Scofield, was born in the town of Stamford, where he passed his entire life. He was a flour miller by occupation, and was for a number of years employed in the East mill, originally with the first proprietors and afterward with their suc- cessors, the Stamford Manufacturing Company, up to the time of his death. Mr. Scofield mar- ried Miss Sarah Palmer, of Stamford, and they reared a family of nine children, viz. : Henry Ells- worth, whose name introduces this sketch; George A., N. Franklin, Lewis W., Chauncey A., and Edgar H., all residents of Stamford; Charles W., of Bridgeport, Conn .; James Theo- dore, of Bedford, N. Y .; and Alfred V., of Mianus, Conn., who passed away January 31, 1898. Of these, James T., George A., Alfred V., N. Franklin and Lewis W. served in the Union army during the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Sco- 1

field were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Henry E. Scofield was educated in the public schools of Stamford, attending in the building which stood in St. John's Park. When thirteen years of age he entered the employ of the Stam- ford Manufacturing Company with his father, grinding brites, and here he has ever since been employed. In time he was transferred to the ex- tract department in. the mill, and for the past twenty-three years has been superintendent of the department, having risen to that position by faithful service. In December, 1895, occurred the fiftieth anniversary of his entrance in the mill, and on that occasion he. was presented by the company with a beautiful gold watch as a mark of esteem, engraved as follows: "1845-Presented to Henry Ellsworth Scofield by the Stamford Mfg. Co., in recognition of his fifty years faithful ser- vice and constant devotion to this company, December, 1895."

Mr. Scofield has proved himself a trustworthy and reliable man in the responsible position he has been placed in, and he has the confidence of his employers in an unusual degree. He is inter- ested in the Cove Transportation Company, of which he is vice-president, also one of the directors.

Mr. Scofield was married, in Stamford March 18, 1855, to Miss Lois A. Holly, the eldest daughter of the late Samuel Augustus and Phebe S. Holly, of Hunting Ridge, and they are the parents of one child, Mary L., who lives in Stam- ford. Mr. and Mrs. Scofield are members of the M. E. Church.

W ATSON DEXTER HAYDEN was born November 12, 1833, at North Adams, Mass. He is descended from an old English family, his ancestors having made their home in New England at an early day.

His father, Miles L. Hayden, was a native of Vermont, but settled in Massachusetts, where be was engaged in farming during his remaining years, his death occurring in 1889. Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Aminda Blood, was also of English descent, and her father, Silas Blood, was a prominent agriculturist at Clarksburg, Mass. To Miles and Aminda Hay- den ten children were born, viz .:. Betsie, widow of the late Elisha G. Ketcham, of Illinois; Reuben, deceased; Julia, wife of Hon. Calvin T. Sampson, of Washington, D. C., both deceased; Ruth Ann, widow of Hon. Charles Clisby, for- merly a United States Senator from Massachu- setts; Lester, deceased; Watson D., our subject;

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Mary and Wesley, both deceased; and Joseph and Myron, of Clarksburg, Massachusetts.

During his youth, our subject attended school at North Adams. On leaving school, he re- mained at home for some years, but finally de- cided to learn the carpenter's trade in North Adams, where he was employed until 1861. For four years he worked as a journeyman at Vine- land, N. J., but latter settled in Bridgeport, and established himself in an independent business as a builder. He is a member of the Master Car- penters' Association of Bridgeport, Conn., and is 'always ready to assist in any movement which will promote the welfare of his guild or of the public generally. Politically, he is a strong Re- publican, but he is not active in party work.

In 1856 Mr. Hayden married Miss Lealy L. Gould, who was born at North Adams, Mass., of English ancestry, and whose father, Samuel Gould, was a well-known citizen of that place. Eight children have blessed this union, viz .: 'Edwin L., a resident of Bridgeport, Frank, a machinist of Port Chester, N. Y .; Gertrude, deceased; Carrie B., wife of John W. Rose, of Bridgeport; Mildred L., wife of Arthur B. Rose, of Bridgeport; Walter, deceased; and Grace and Edith, who are at home.

W ILLIAM GRIESINGER. The country that produced a Bismarck and a Schiller, a Von Moltke and a Goethe, has contributed in no small way to the best development of this country. The habits of industry and economy, the stern self-denial, the sterling integrity, and the happy faculty of true enjoyment and cheer- ful living, are characteristics of the German race, and the combination forms a citizen that is an honor and a profit to any community. Germany has given us much that is best in our cosmopoli- tan civilization, and the sons of the Fatherland rank high among our representative citizens.

William Griesinger, whose name opens this review, and who is one of the best known and most prominent citizens of Bridgeport, was born in Stuttgart, Germany, August 27, 1832, and re- ceived his education at the Polytechnic Institute in his native city. In 1851, at the age of nine- teen, he left home and came to the New World, locating in New York City, where he was employed as a designer in a house decoration company. Here he remained until 1861, when. true to the country of his adoption, he entered the United States Sharpshooters under Col. Ber- dan. He passed examination as an officer on December 10, 1861, and on December 25 re- ceived bis promotion as lieutenant in the Third

German Rifles of New York Volunteers. After two years of faithful service, in which he unfalter- ingly obeyed the commands of his intrepid leader, he was mustered out in 1863. In 1870 he re- moved to Bridgeport, and for eleven years he was the publisher of the German newspaper, Bridgeport Anzeiger; he proved his ability as a newspaper man by the able manner in which he carried on the work. At one time he was en- gaged in the manufacturing of cabinet work, but is now in the insurance and real-estate business, his office being located at No. 51 Bank street; he is prepared to prosecute pension claims, negotiate loans, rent or sell real estate, make general col- lections, and besides all of these handles steam- ship tickets, and is a notary public. He began this varied line of work in 1889, and the success- he has attained betokens a careful and methodical business man, versatile and untiring. He has also made real-estate maps and an atlas of the city.

In 1858 in New York City, Mr. Griesinger was- married to Miss Barbara Kupfer, a native of Eisenach. Germany, and to them have been born three children: (1) Emma married William Nothnagle, the furniture man; she died and left. three children-William, Emma and Harry. (2) William married Lizzie Seaman, and is engaged in the millinery business. (3) Alfred is in busi- ness with his father.

In politics Mr. Griesinger is a Democrat, and has held a number of offices. In 1883, he was- elected assessor, and continued in that office for six years; and was a clerk of the board of relief from 1883 to 1889. For six years, from 1883. to 1889, he was president of the Progressive Union, this being a non-partisan club composed of the best citizens of the State, and intended to. "promote the general welfare." He is a mem- ber of the Board of Underwriters of Bridgeport, and represents fire insurance companies only. For twelve years he has been identified with the Germania Life Insurance Company, is also a repre- sentative of the Buffalo German Insurance Com- pany and many others. He is a member of Elias Howe Post No. 3, G. A. R., emulating in his life the noble trio of that order, "Fraternity. Charity and Loyalty;" for five years he was district deputy grand master of the I. O. O. F. For twenty- nine years our subject has made his home in Bridgeport.

William G. Griesinger, the father of our sub- ject, was a teacher in the old country, as was also his father before him. The maternal grand- father, an officer in the French army, was a Herbert, and was known as General Herbert, which title he bore in the French army.

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D DAVID J. STURGES is an enterprising and prosperous agriculturist of the town of New Fairfield, and his farm shows the results of ju- dicious management during his forty-four years of ownership.

The Sturges family has been identified with this section since Colonial times, and their de- scent is traced from Peter Sturges, who settled in Fairfield in 1680. David Sturges, the grand- ather of our subject, was born in old Fairfield in 1769, and after receiving a common-school edacation engaged in farming and carpet weav- jug. At the time of the burning of Fairfield he was a mere boy, and his mother brought him to New Fairfield for safety. He continued to re- side there during his life, and was a highly re- spected citizen of the locality. He married Jerusha Stevens, by whom he had seven children: Harry, who married Matilda Gregory; John H., our subject's father; Francis, who married Zubia Gardner; Horace, who married Permylea Hoyt; Sarah, wife of James McKay; Harriet, wife of Marvin Wildman; and Julia, who died in infancy.

John H. Sturges, our subject's father, was born September 15, 1807. in the town of New Fairfield, and was educated in the common schools of that town. He learned the shoe- maker's trade, but after following it for a number of years he gave it up and engaged in farming. He always took much interest in public affairs, and was a stanch Democrat in politics; but he neither sought nor held office. He was a life- long member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of New Fairfield, of which he was a liberal sup- porter, and in which he held all the offices. He married Miss Eliza Knapp, daughter of Elnathan Knapp (a well-to-do farmer of Danbury) and his wife Lydia (Barber.) They had three children, as follows: David J., our subject; Jerusha, born August 26, 1830; and Salina, born May 7, 1837.

David J. Sturges was born May 6, 1832, in the town of New Fairfield, and the common schools of that locality furnished him his only educational opportunities. From the age of six years he began to make himself useful in the work on his father's farm; and during the winter months he would help as he could at shoemak- ing. As soon as he reached his majority he pur- chased a farm near his father's homestead, and he has ever since continued to reside there, mak- ing improvements from time to time, and oc- casionally adding some coveted acres to the estate. He has much influence in the commun- ity and in the local Democratic organization, hav- ing held numerous offices, including those of selectman and assessor, and as a member of the board of relief.

On October 17, 1861, Mr. Sturges married Miss Mary J. Elwell, who was born June 8, 1835, in Patterson, Putnam Co., N. Y., a daughter of Hiram Elwell (a well-known farmer) and his wife Susan (Knapp). Three children have blessed this union, to wit: (1) Edgar F., born August 8, 1863, in New Fairfield, was edu- cated in the local schools, and is now engaged in farming with his father; he is not married. (2) Clifford W., born July 8, 1867, was educated in the public schools of New Fairfield, and attended the high school in Danbury, Conn., member of the class of '87; also graduated from the East- man Business College in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in August, 1889, and from the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, class of '90. For a time he was engaged in teaching school. At present he is bookkeeper for E. A. Mallory & Sons, a lead- ing firm of hat manufacturers in Danbury, where he has been employed for the last seven and one- half years, prior to which he was employed some twenty months in the offices of the N. Y. & N. E. R. R. Co. as bill clerk. He is at present a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, New Fairfield, Conn., having been treasurer of the board for the last eight years. (3) William E., born August 8, 1871, died April 26, 1872.

W TALTER WILCOXSON, a prominent agriculturist of Stratford township, is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of that section. The first of the name of whom we have an account was William Wil- coxson, a native of Lancashire, England, who came to America previous to 1636, and after spending a few years in Massachusetts settled in 1640 in this county, making his home in Strat- ford.

Ephraim Wilcoxson, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Stratford, and passed his life there. Colonel Ephraim Wilcoxson, our subject's grandfather, was born in the same locality November 13, 1761, and became a farmer, his death occurring January 15, 1838. He served in the Revolutionary army, and during the war of 1812 he held the rank of colonel. His wife, Mary (Wheeler), was also a native of Stratford, and they had three children: John, Lucius L., and Mary (Mrs. Oliver Beardsley).

Hon. John Wilcoxson, our subject's father, was born in Stratford in 1805, and died March 30, 1870. He became a leading farmer of the town, and was also active and influential in polit- ical life as a member of the Democratic party, representing Stratford three times in the Lower house of the Legislature, and served one term in

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the State Senate. He married Miss Susan Caroline Wells, daughter of Legrand Wells, of Stratford, and a descendant of pioneer stock. They had four children: Albert, a well-known citizen of Stratford; Walter, our subject; George S., who was drowned at sea; and Miss Susan C., a resident of Stratford.

. . Walter Wilcoxson was born October 24, 1832, and was reared upon the old farm, his education being secured at the common schools and the academy in the village of Stratford. When seventeen years old he began to learn the · carpenter's trade, which he followed for some time, but for twenty years past he has given his attention to general farming. Politically, he is a Democrat, though he has not been especially active in public affairs. As a citizen he is much esteemed, and in many ways he has shown his interest in the welfare of the community. He and his wife are prominent in social life, and are identified with the Episcopal Church at Strat- ford, in which he has held the office of warden for many years. In 1878 he married Miss Au- gusta Swartz, a native of New York City and a daughter of Augustus Swartz, who was born in South Carolina.

D ANIEL PECK, one of the leading agricult- urists of Greenwich township, was born September 25, 1833, upon the farm on Peck's Land, where he has always made his home. His family is one of the oldest and most prominent in Fairfield county, its founder being Theophilus Peck, who located upon a farm adjoining that on which our subject lives. The six sons of this gentleman were: Isaac, who lived and died in this locality; Israel, who remained on the old home- stead and reared one son, Israel; Abram, who removed to the Hudson river valley; Benjamin, who located on Clapboard Ridge, and whose descendants are still residents of Greenwich; Theophilus, who always made his home on Peck's Land; and Samuel, the grandfather of our subject.

The last named spent his entire married life upon the farm of our subject, the property being given him by his father, who erected the house upon the place. Here Samuel Peck died, and his remains were at first interred in Peck's Land, but afterward removed to the Greenwich Union cemetery. His children were as follows: Jared, who was a wealthy citizen of Port Chester, N. Y .; Samuel, who lived in Clapboard Ridge, and was the paternal grandfather of Zenas M. Peck, whose sketch appears elsewhere; Jabus, who resided in Riversville for some years, and had a family of three daughters; Daniel, the father of our sub-

ject; Isaac, a drover, who lived at Round Hill, and whose son Isaac was an Episcopal clergyman; Mrs. Benoni Peck, a resident of Genoa, N. Y., and the grandmother of Prof. Todd, wbo fills the chair of Astronomy in Amherst College; Rachel, who married Luther Peck, and died in Stanwich, Conn .; Mrs. Moses Husted; and Mrs. Darius Mead.

Daniel Peck, Sr., was born August 8, 1781, on our subject's farm, and throughout life gave the greater part of his time and attention to its cultivation and improvement, though at times he bought and sold cattle. He was married, May 25, 1814, to Hannah Mead, who was born March 7, 1799, above Glenville, on the place where Samuel Pine now lives. Her father was Platt Mead, and her mother was a daughter of Benjamin Peck, who was one of the six sons of Theophilus Peck, before mentioned. Our sub- ject's father died January 14, 1861, his mother on June 16, 1870, and both were laid to rest in a private cemetery at Clapboard Ridge. He was a stanch Whig in political sentiment, was a reg- ular voter, and a great reader of the New York Spectator. The mother held membership in the Second Congregational Church. In their family were four children: Harriet, born March 30, 1816, never married, and died November 12, 1842; Elizabeth, born December 20, 1820, died, unmarried, December 23, 1842; Samuel, born October 11, 1829, died April 9, 1891, at Port Chester, N. Y., where his widow still resides; Daniel, our subject, completes the family.

The subject of this sketch acquired his edu- cation in a local school taught by Leonard Mead at Peck's Land, and when he became old enough to be of any assistance on the farm he was allowed to attend school only during the winter. For a time he pursued his studies in the Riversville Dis- trict school, but never attended any higher insti- tution of learning. He early became familiar with every department of farm work, and is ac- counted one of the most thorough and skillful agriculturists of his community. By paying his brother for his share of the estate he secured the old homestead, which he successfully operates. It comprises one hundred and three acres of val- uable land under a high state of cultivation, and well improved.

On November 19, 1867, Mr. Peck married Miss Harriet F. Clark, who was born in the town of Haddam, Middlesex Co., Conn., March 18, 1841, a daughter of Albert M. and Harriet F. (Clark) Clark. Her father was a wool-dealer of New York. She is the third daughter and fourth child in a family of seven children, consisting of three sons and four daughters. Her education,

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begun in the district schools, was supplemented with a course in Brainard Academy at Haddam, Conn., and at the age of sixteen years she be- came a competent teacher. While following that profession she came to Peck's Land, where she met her future husband. They have no chil- dren. She is a faithful member of the Second Congregational Church in Greenwich, and a most estimable lady. While an ardent advocate of Republican principles, Mr. Peck is not a politician in the sense of office-seeking. He is one of the oldest representatives of the Pecks, of Peck's Land, that are left in Greenwich township, and, like the other members of this old and numerous family, he has the respect of the entire com- munity.

DETER GABRIEL. For nearly thirty years this well-known citizen of Bridgeport has been connected with the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company of that place, and his ability and fidelity have been tested in various responsible positions. As superintendent of one of the departments of the immense plant, he has won the esteem and confidence of the workmen to a notable degree, as is shown by his election to the office of president of the Sick Benefit Asso- ciation. As a citizen he is no less trusted, and for many years he has served in important offices in the municipality.

Mr. Gabriel was born March 19, 1833, in Neuenburg, Prussia, the son of Adolph and Mar- garet (Hoffman) Gabriel, both natives of that town. The father, who was engaged in business as a millwright, died there in 1837. The mother passed away in 1851. Of the two children of this worthy couple our subject is the only sur- vivor, a daughter having died in infancy.

Our subject's education was obtained in the schools of his native Province, and at the age of sixteen he came to America to seek his fortune. On landing at New York he found employment with a manufacturer of billiard supplies, and after serving an apprenticeship he went to Sey- mour, Conn., to take a position with A. G. Day & Co., manufacturers and dealers in rubber goods. With this firm he remained seventeen years, tak- ing charge of the manufacturing department, and on leaving he traveled two years in the West. In 1870 he located in Bridgeport, entering the employ of the Wheeler & Wilson Manufactur- ing Company, and at present he has charge of the assembling and adjusting department. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and in 1886-87-88-89 he was elected alderman from the Fifth ward, now the Ninth and Tenth districts.

In this position he did effective service, being a member of various committees, and chairman of the committee on streets and sidewalks, the com- mittee on sewers, and the committee on claims. Since 1893 he has been a member of the board of education, being vice-president for one year, and at present he is chairman of the building committee. He is a director in the Lake View Cemetery Association, and is identified with many philanthropic and ecclesiastical organiza- tions, being especially active in religious work as a member of the Park Street Congregational Church. Fraternally, he is connected with the . I. O. O. F., Pequonnock Lodge No. 4, and with the F. & A. M., St. John's Lodge No. 2, at Bridgeport.

In 1857 Mr. Gabriel married Miss Martha Jane Atkinson, daughter of William A. and Mary (Hartley) Atkinson. She was born in England, and was educated in Ansonia and Sey- mour, Conn., having come to the United States in childhood. Of the eight children of this union two-one son and one daughter-died in childhood; William A. is now the mechanical engineer of the Elgin Watch Company, Elgin, Ill .; Miss Mary H. and George P. are at home; Charles R. is experimental engineer in Brown & Sharp's factory in Hartford; Miss Martha A. is employed in Staples Bank at Bridgeport; and Allen F. is attending school.

E NOS BEAL LOCKWOOD is one of Stam- ford's well-known citizens, and his home in Prospect avenue is among the most beautiful and artistic residences in the town. A charming view of Long Island Sound adds to its attractiveness without, while within is to be found evidence of the refinement and taste of its owners. This home has been in the possession of the family for many years, and Mr. Lockwood, who was born November 30, 1833, has resided there all his life.

His ancestors .were early settlers in this county, and his grandfather, Enos Lockwood, was a native of the town of Greenwich. Enos Bennett Lockwood, the father of our subject, was born at Sound Beach, in the town of Green- wich, and grew to manhood in that locality, but the greater portion of his life was spent in Stam- ford, where he followed agricultural pursuits at the present homestead. " While he was never especially active in public affairs he took much interest in the political questions of his time, being an Old-line Whig in early life and later a Democrat. He was married in Greenwich to Miss Ann Mariah Lockwood, a daughter of Peter

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 83

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