Commemorative biographical record of New Haven county, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, V. I, Pt 1, Part 81

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1040

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Commemorative biographical record of New Haven county, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, V. I, Pt 1 > Part 81

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was a devoted wife and mother. She was a con- sistent member of the Episcopal Church. Her death occurred in 1862, at Waterbury, and her re- mains repose beside those of her husband, in Waterville. They were the parents of five chil- dren, namely: Gertrude Bowles, Victoria, Robert W., Mary J. and Albert C. The last named was a successful physician in Brooklyn, N. Y., where he died, and where his sister Victoria resides with her husband, Franklin Summers. Mary J. is the wife of Albert Beman, of Derby, Connecticut.

Gertrude Bowles Hallam, who became the wife of Charles G. Downs, of Bridgeport, Conn., in- herited a talent for letters from both her parents, and is not unknown to literary fame. She died at Los Angeles, Cal., March 18, 1891, and was in- terred in Mountain Grove cemetery, Bridgeport. Like her father she was a frequent contributor to current literature, beginning at the age of four- teen years to write verse. Many gems from her pen appeared in the Winsted Herald, Meriden Lit- erary Recorder and Bridgeport Standard. "Mrs. Downs was a sufferer for several years from ill health, but her cheerful spirit made her a cherished friend to the last, and she penned a number of her compositions in her sick chamber." With her pen she earned the beautiful home, "Maple Terrace," which she caused to be erected at Seaside Park, near Bridgeport. The following lines serve to show the kind and affectionate, pure nature of her who has gone to "show the way:"

LITTLE CHILDREN.

Oh! children fair, With beauty rare, How drear this earth without them; Their tender eyes, So bright and wise, Bear much of heaven about them.

Their voices sweet, And ways petite. Their little sayings witty; Their faces bright, With love's own light, Naught, so sweet in all the city!

Their dainty feet, Like zephyrs fleet, Skipping lightly o'er the ground; With dimpled face, And form of grace, What sweeter sight in nature found?

Oh, treasurers rare, Beyond compare, Little ones, the Saviour blest, We pray no harm Shall ever come, To these-His arms caressed.

-GERTRUDE B. DOWNS. April 20, 1887.

Robert W. Hallam was four years old when he went with his parents to Bridgeport, where his boyhood days were passed. receiving such edu- cational training as the district school afforded. Before he had attained his majority he accompanied

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Robert It Hallam

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the family to Waterville, and was there engaged under his father's instruction in learning the art of making cutlery. At the age of twenty years he started out to make his own way, armed with a sound mind 'in a sound body and the determination to attain something for himself. Such sturdy am- bition made him alert and industrious, and his progress was certain. Coming to Meriden, young Hallam found an engagement as ordinary hand in the shops of the Meriden Cutlery Co., where he received one dollar per day. For the past forty- two years he has continued in the service of this establishment, and the length of his service is ample guaranty of his industry, ability and integrity. He advanced gradually, through several departments, mastering all the details of the business, and upon the death of the superintendent-Edwin Cady-in 1895, took his place. In this appointment the man- agers made no mistake, and he has continued the same course of patient and persistent endeavor which has characterized his whole life.

Mr. Hallam's genial nature and universal fair- ness have made him justly popular with the di- rectors of the company, as well as with those who are subject to his orders, and he is welcome in every circle of business or social life. The Amer- ican youth, who seeks too often for some short road to wealth, may well profit by Mr. Hallam's example. It was by patient endeavor, and satis- faction with steady, though slow, rewards, that he worked his way up from a humble laborer to his present station, in charge of over two hundred workmen, whose respect and esteem he enjoys and deserves. In the course of his arduous labors Mr. Hallam did not overlook the value of mental train- ing, and continued to study, so that he largely made up for his lack of early education, and he is fitted to mingle with the great current of social and lit- erary life in the world. Being of a studious mind, he finds recreation in his own library and home, and has never sought political honors or emolu- ments, though he seeks to perform his duty as a citizen and acts with the Republican party. He and his wife arc members of the Congregational Church, and he is also identified with the Order of United American Mechanics.

Mr. Hallam was married, June 14. 1863. in South Meriden, to Miss Betsey Marilla Ives, a native of Mcriden, daughter of Jotham and Mary R. (Way) Ives. She is a fit helpmeet for her husband, a lady of graceful character and person, an active worker in her church, and a useful factor in the social life of the community.

Mrs. Hallam traces her ancestry to John Ives. the first of the family of this name to locate in Wallingford and found the family in New Eng- land, who was a farmer there, and the old records tell that his son Gideon was a resident of Walling- ford prior to 1700. Gideon Ives, son of John, mar- ried Mary Royce, and their son, Jotham Ives, mar- ried Abigail Burroughs, and died Sept. 2, 1753, at the age of forty-three years. Zachariah Ives, son

of Jotham, was born Jan. 31, 1737. and settled near Honey Pot brook, in Cheshire, where he died March 9. 1815; he and his wife, Lois, are buried in the Episcopal churchyard in Cheshire. Jesse Ives, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Hallam, of Meriden, a son of Zachariah and Lois Ives, was bonn in Cheshire and settled on a farm in Meriden, where he died ; he married Marilla Johnson.

Jotham Ives, son of Jesse, was a native of Meri- den, and spent his life as an agriculturist there. He married Mary R., daughter of John and Betsey ( Preston) Way, and children as follows were born to this union: Edward. deceased ; Amos; Betsey Marilla, who married Robert W. Hallam; Julius I .; and Aimon J.

WILLIAM HALL MCKENZIE, a store keep- er of Tracy, and a selectman of the town of Walling- ford, was born in Yalesville, Dec. 2, 1839, a son of the late William Mckenzie, and his wife, Mary Hall. Interesting data concerning this family may be found in connection with the sketch of John Mc- Kenzie, an engineer of Yalesville.

William H. Mckenzie acquired his education in the district school at Yalesville, and at Westfield, Mass., finishing in the Meriden high school. He also attended a private school at Southford, taught by Deacon R. B. Curtis. Young McKenzie worked on the farm at an early age, and remained at home until he was seventeen years old, when he began to learn the trade of carpenter and joiner with Lauren Tuttle, a very successful contractor and builder. He remained with that gentleman three years, and then started in life for himself with a most honora- ble trade very completely mastered.

Mr. Mckenzie worked as a carpenter and build- er until 1889, when ill-health compelled a change of occupation. During that time he took contracts and built many of the more pretentious structures of Yalesville, among them being the Methodist church, and a school house. In Wallingford.he built the resi- dence in which Mr. Hough lives, and the Old Rec- tory that was attached to Catholic church. After giving up his trade he was clerk for one year at Tracy with Almon J. Ives, merchant and postmaster. Since 1891 he has been a merchant and postmaster at Tracy. He opened a store in that village, and during the past ten years has succeeded in building up a very fine business.

Mr. Mckenzie was married in 1863 to Miss Sa- rah C. Tuttle, of Meriden, a daughter of Lauren and Harriet D. (Todd) Tuttle. To this union were born three children, of whom one died in infancy: William L. is at home; and Hattie Elizabeth died young. Mr. Mckenzie is a Democrat, but in al. local matters seeks the best men for the office, re- gardless of party questions, and he has been con- stable, grand and special juror, and was elected se- lectman in 1900. He commands the respect of the community, and is much esteemed for his business- like propensities.

Andrews Hall, grandfather of William H. Mc-

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Kenzie, is supposed to have been born in Walling- ford, Aug. 15, 1753, a son of Benjamin and Phebe Hall, and a brother of Adnah Hall, who was the fa- ther of Mrs. Temperance Mckenzie, step-mother of William Hall Mckenzie. Andrews Hall married, Dec. 3, 1800, Miss Sylvia Blakeslee, and became the father of the following children : William, born June 8, 1803; Sylvia, born April 18, 1805; Abigail, born June 14, 1807; and Mary, born April 24, 1810, married William McKenzie, and became the mother of William Hall Mckenzie.

WILLARD H. DIBBLE, a representative citi- zen, farme: and dairyman, of the town of Middle- bury, is a native of Connecticut, born June 2, 1845, in the town of Danbury, Fairfield county, and is a worthy member of an old family of the State.

Thomas Dibble, the first of the name in New England, was a native of England, whence he came to America, first located in Dorchester, Mass., from there moving to Windsor, Conn., where he passed the remainder of his days, dying Oct. 17, 1700. In 1676 he contributed one shilling and three pence to the Connecticut fund for the relief of the poor in the other colonies. For his second wife he married Elizabeth Hayden, of Hadley, Mass., who died Sept. 25,1685. The names and dates of birth, etc., of his children are as follows: Israel, Aug. 27, 1637; Ebenezer, baptized Sept. 26, 1641 ; Hepzibah, bap- tized Dec. 25, 1642; Samuel, baptized March 24, 1643; Miriam, baptized Feb. 19, 1645; Thomas, Sept. 3, 1647 ; and Joanna, Feb. 1, 1650, died 1651. (The family, of whom the subject of this sketch is a member, removed from Hartford to Fairfield coun- ty, where they are still located.)

Nathan Dibble, commonly known as Col. Na- than, and the father of Willard Dibbie, was born June 14, 1803, in the town of Danbury, Fairfield Co., Conn., a son of Nathan Dibble, an old settler of Fairfield county. Col. Nathan was by occupa- tion a carpenter and farmer, and spent his entire life in his native town, where he was a well-known and highly respected citizen. Politically he was an old time Democrat. He represented his town in the Legislature, and served in the old State house ; was also a selectman, and filled other local offices with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents.

Col. Nathan Dibble married Hannah Wood. who was born in Danbury May 31, 1807, a daughter of Moses and Hannah (Gunn) Wood, and children as follows were born to them: Sarah died single ; Nathan M. lives in Shelton, Conn .; Samantha was the wife of W. C. Benedict, of Bridgeport, Conn .; Leonard W. lives in Wilton; Willard is next in order of birth; and Hannah Elizabeth is the wife of William McArthur, of Danbury. The father died Sept. 30, 1891, a Universalist in religion, well liked and respected; the mother passed away Feb. 22, 1874.

Willard Dibble, the subject proper of these lines, attended the Beaver Brook District schools, also

Danbury high school, and remained on the home- stead with his parents until he was twenty-four years old, at which time he rented a farm in Brookfield. There he remained a couple of years, then for two .years farmed on the homestead at Danbury, after which he made his home in New Fairfield, for thir- teen years engaging in general farming, including stock raising, dairying, etc. In 1887 he came to New Haven county, locating at Middlebury, where he bought the Munson farm of 140 acres, on which he has made many improvements, building a commo- dious barn, silo, etc., and has now one of the finest stock and dairy farms in Middlebury.

On Nov. 1, 1866, Willard Dibble was married in New Fairfield, to Lucy Ann Kellogg, of that locality, a cultured, accomplished and refined lady, who taught school for nine terms in Bethel, New Fair- field and New York State. She is a daughter of Medad R. Kellogg, and is descended from Daniel Kellogg, an original settler of Norwalk, Conn., who, in 1655, married Bridget Bouton, daughter of John Bouton. Samuel, their son, born Feb. 17, 1673, mar- ried Sept. 6, 1704, Sarah Platt, daughter of John Platt. Martin Kellogg, great-grandfather of Mrs. Dibble, came from Norwalk, and bought of the In- dians in New Fairfield, a square mile of land, for which he gave a barrel of pork and a blanket. Ira Kellogg, son of Martin, married and became the fa- ther of Medad R. Kellogg, mentioned above. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dibble, Anna Belle, who, in 1899, graduated from the Waterbury high school, with high honors, and is a very popular young lady.

In politics Mr. Dibble is a stanch Democrat. standing among the foremost ranks of his party, and in 1887 he represented the town of New Fairfield in the State Legislature; also in 1891, the town of Middlebury, serving on the Agricultural committee. For two terms he was selectman, and was a member of the board of Relief, assessor of the town, etc. In religious faith he is identified with the Second Con- gregational Church, of Waterbury. He is domestic in his tastes and habits, temperate and genial, and is popular with all classes.

ALBERT FITZROY HALL. of Meriden, a veteran of the Civil war and for more than twenty years a member of the office force of Manning, Bowman & Co., of that city, is a representative of one of Connecticut's substantial families of the Co- lonial period.

Born Sept. 25, 1841, in the town of Chatham, Conn., Mr. Hall is a son of Lewis Lawrence and Lucy Ann (Bush) Hall, and is descended in the ninth generation from John Hall, the progenitor of the Middletown Halls, the branch to which the Chatham family in question belongs. John Hall was born in 1584. in County Kent, England, and in 1633 came to New England, being of record in Roxbury, Mass., in 1634, and his family then con- sisting of four members. He with others visited

7. Itall

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the Connecticut River country in 1633, and on their return to the Massachusetts Colony made the re- port, which, it is said, led to the migration soon made there from Dorchester to Wethersfield and Windsor, and from Cambridge to Hartford in 1635-6. Mr. Hall probably joined the Hooker and Stone party and went to Hartford soon thereafter, but it seems that he did not move his family there until in 1639. He was by trade a carpenter ; and served as surveyor of highways in 1640. His home lot was what afterward became the Sigourney and Cather home site. In 1650 he removed to Middle- town, and there died May 26, 1673. The Christian name of his wife was Esther. Mr. Hall held a number of public trusts.

From this John Hall Albert F. Hall's line is through Richard, John (2), Giles, John Hamlin. Calvin, Giles Cowdrey, and Lewis Lawrence Hall.

(II) Richard Hall, son of the emigrant settler, was born in England in 1620. He settled in Middle- town in the fall of 1650. He was a weaver by trade and was a large landholder. His death oc- curred March 27, 1691, and that of his wife, Mary, March 30, of the same year.

(III) John Hall (2), son of Richard, born Sept. 20, 1648, in Hartford, married Elizabeth, daughter of William Cornwell, of Roxbury, Mass. Mr. Hall died Nov. 25, 1711.

(IV) Giles Hall, son of John (2), born Oct. 3, 1680, married Feb. 26, 1714, Esther, born Jan. 7, 1695, daughter of Hon. John Hamlin. She died Oct. 8, 1751, and Mr. Hall passed away Feb. 16, 1750.

(V) Jolın Hamlin Hall, son of Giles, born Sept. 10, 1720, was a resident of that part of the town that became the town of Chatham, and died there.

(VI) Calvin Hall, son of John Hamlin, born in 1766, married Huldah Cowdrey.

(VII) Giles Cowdrev Hall, son of Calvin, born in 1793, married Dolly Stephens Parmelee. He re- sided in Chatham, Conn., where he was engaged in farming and manufacturing. He was a man of very large stature.

(VIII) Lewis Lawrence Hall, son of Giles C., born Aug. 30, 1818, in Easthampton, Conn., was engaged in manufacturing. He married, Nov. 27, 1840, Lucy Ann Bush, who was born Feb. 24, 1819, daughter of Henry and Lydia (Strong) Bush, Lydia Strong being a lineal descendant of Elder John Strong, of Connecticut history. Henry Bush was an active participant in the war of 1812, and was stationed at New London, Conn. Their children were: Albert F., born Sept. 25, 1841 ; Robert Henry, born Sept. 30, 1845; Marion Lydia, born Feb. 18, 1848, married May 30, 1870, E. Dwight Barton, a manufacturer of Easthampton ; and John Smith, born May 6, 1858.

Albert F. Hall in youth attended both the public and private schools of the town of his birth, and completed his school education at Fall River, Mass.

Subsequently he was interested in the manufacture of horseshoe nails in New London, Conn., and from that town on Aug. 14, 1862, enlisted in Co. H, 14th Conn. V. I., and was mustered into the United States service on the 23d of the same month and year. The 14th was recruited from the State at large, and was rendezvoused at "Camp Foote," Hartford. Its colonel was then Dwight Morris. The regiment was assigned to the Third Division, Second Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, and later to the Third Brigade of Second Division and Corps. Its services were exceptional among Con- necticut regiments, and of them it was in the great- est number of battles, and, in proportion to its num- bers and length of service, lost much the largest percentage of men in killed, and by death through disease. The regiment participated in thirty-four battles and skirmishes, among them Antietam, Md., Sept. 17. 1862: Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13. 1862; Chancellorsville, Va., May 1 to 3. 1863: Gettys- burg. Penn., July 2 and 3. 1863: the Wilderness, Va., May 5 and 6, 1864: Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 13, 14. 18, 22, 1864: Cold Harbor, Va., June 3 and 6, 1864: Petersburg, Va., June 11 to July 6, 1864. Mr. Hall, on July 20, 1863, was trans- ferred to Co. F, 3d Regiment, V. R. C., and to the ranks Sept. 22, of that year, and was finally dis- charged from the service July 6, 1865. His army record was an honorable one and while in the service he shared the fortunes of his regiment.

Since the war Mr. Hall has been variously oc- cupied, mainly identified with manufacturing. In 1869 he went to Canton, Ohio, and there organized a stock company for the manufacture of steam en- gines and machinery. He had earlier been for a period engaged in manufacturing in New Haven. At Canton he was identified with the business, was a director in the company, and in charge of the office. Later he went to Montreal and there as- sumed charge of the agency for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of Boston, sustaining such re- lations with that company for six or seven years. Since 1880 Mr. Hall has been located in Meriden, and in the employ of Manning, Bowman & Co., as cashier, accountant and paymaster. In 1888 he was elected as a member of the common council of the city and served with distinction for two years. Sub- sequently he was elected and served as town auditor six years. He was then elected as city auditor and served in that capacity, and as city paymaster for five years. Mr. Hall has also been a popular and active member of Merriam Post, No. 8. G. A. R., of Meriden, since March 1, 1881, and has ably filled all the offices within the gift of the Post, being its commander in 1887, and was last elected a trustee for three years. He was also chief mus- tering officer of the Department of Connecticut in 1890, member of the Council of Administration in 1895, and aide-de-camp in the staff of the com- mander in chief in 1891. He also holds a commis- sion as notary public for the county. He is an

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authorized pension attorney for the town of Meri- den, and has been instrumental in obtaining many pensions for soldiers or soldiers' widows. He is a man of unusual intelligence, and is well-informed on the leading current events. In his domestic re- lations he is a devoted husband and father. Mr. Hall attends the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Hall is a member.

Mr. Hall was married Aug. 6. 1866, to Martha Helen, daughter of Byron W. and Mary Josephine (Olds) Nichols, of New Haven, and to them were born three children, as follows: Willie, who died in infancy ; Robert, born Aug. 24, 1869: and Edwin W., born Aug. 9, 1871. Mrs. Hall is a lady of talent and many accomplishments. She acquired a good literary and musical education in New Ha- ven, and was a singer of prominence. She was a meniber of the Center Church choir for several years, and sang also in the North and other churches in New Haven, also in Montreal, Canada : . St. John's, New Brunswick: Canton, Ohio; and in Meriden, Conn. She was one of the organizers, and has served as president of the Woman's Re- lief Corps. She is prominent in church work and is an earnest worker of the Ladies Aid Society in the First Methodist Church, being now its secre- tary. Zealous in the cause of religion and charity, her character has that sweetness and modesty which find expression in her devotion to home and hus- band.

Robert Hall, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Hall, was born in Easthampton. Conn., and edu- cated in the district and high schools of Meriden. He acquired the trade of engraver in the works of the Meriden Silver Plate Co., Meriden, but inherit- ing vocal talent he developed his voice under the instruction of Prof. Barington, and later with Prof. Albin R. Reed, of Boston. He is now tenor in "The Meeting House Hill" Presbyterian Church at Boston, and also in a Hebrew church in that city. His musical work includes leading parts in con- certs, entertainments and opera. He married Ella Thompson, of Minneapolis, Minn., daughter of one of the oldest and first families. He is widely known and has hosts of friends and well-wishers, who hold him in highest esteem.

Edwin W. Hall, the younger son of Albert F. and Martha H. Hall, was educated in Meriden, and there learned the trade of die sinker. He is now employed by the R. Wallace & Sons Manufacturing Co., of· Wallingford, is skillful in his business, and highly respected. He owns his home in that city. He married Emma Dryhurst, sister of H. Dryhurst, postmaster, and has one child, Eleanor MI., born March 8, 1897.

These two sons are not only a credit to their family, but to the town of Meriden as well. They are prospering in their respective vocations and possess that inherent strength of character which alone is a splendid equipment in life.

Byron W. Nichols, father of Mrs. Hall, was a son of Rev. James and Elsie ( Hayden) Nichols, of Haydenville, Mass, The Hayden family included several prominent citizens of Massachusetts, among them a governor of that commonwealth.

HON. LUZERNE ITHIEL MUNSON, whose memory will ever be honored in Waterbury, was a native of Wallingford, New Haven county, born March 1, 1838, son of Titus Munson, and grandson of Ithiel Munson, both also natives of Wallingford.

Titus Munson was born in the year 1799, and passed away May 2, 1842. He married Anna Har- rison, who was born June 22, 1801. and they settled on a farm near Wallingford, where they reared a family of five children: Sarah M. married Enoch Camp, and lives at Durham. Mary L. married Levi Fowler, and lives in Waterbury. Caroline A., who married Henry Foote, lives in Warren, Conn. Eliza H. died when twenty years old. Luzerne Ithiel is the subject proper of these lines.

Luzerne I. Munson spent his boyhood days at Wallingford, where he received a district-school education. This was supplemented by a course at Durham Academy. In 1854, when he was sixteen years old, he came to Waterbury, entering the em- ploy of the Apothecaries Hall Co., which had been organized five years previously. In 1861 he left the Apothecaries Hall Co., and became shipping clerk and bookkeeper for the City Manufacturing Co. After spending a year with them he moved to Meriden, becoming secretary for Julius Pratt & Co., for whom he was also treasurer, and he filled the same positions for Pratt, Read & Co. In 1863 Mr. Munson returned to the Apothecaries Hall Co., and on the removal of Dr. Fish to New York became his successor as general manager of that concern, at once assuming the duties of secretary and treas- urer. In later years he was president and treasurer, and at the time of his death was president, with John Blair as secretary and Frederick Wilcox as treasurer. By close application he succeeded in increasing the business of the concern to large proportions, and a large share of credit for the success of the enterprise was due to him.

Mr. Munson was one of the original members of the Pharmaceutical Association of Connecticut, which he served one year as president, and for sev- eral years as chairman of its executive committee. He was also a member of the American Pharma- ceutical Association.

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Commemorative biographical record of New Haven county, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, V. I, Pt 1, Part 81

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1040

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1040