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 87

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 87

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ALEXANDER THAYER.

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of the United States and foreign countries, and was noted for its excellency. For a time, also, Mr. Thayer was associated with his brother Sewell in business at Worcester. Alexander Thayer remained in Worcester until about 1865, when he removed to New Haven. During his long residence in the former city he became one of its prominent citi- zens, and took an active part in public affairs, serv- ing as a member of the city council, as well as be- ing honored with election as a member of the Mas- sachusetts Legislature. In his political affiliations he was a stanch supporter of Republican principles. Disposing of his manufacturing interests in Wor- cester, Mr. Thayer came to New Haven about 1865 to become superintendent of the New Haven Manufacturing Co., a position he afterward held for twenty-five years. In that capacity he proved to be a most efficient man, and his retirement, as a result of his advanced years and impaired health, was the source of much regret to the stockholders of the concern. He was a director and stockholder in that business, in which capacity he was succeeded by his son, our subject. After becoming a citizen of New Haven he gave his attention entirely to his duties in the business with which he was connected, refraining from any part in public affairs. In re- . ligious matters he took an active and prominent part, and was one of the founders of Calvary Bap- tist Church, in which he held the office of deacon from its organization up to the time of his death, which occurred March 23, 1895. He was ever strong in example of his religious professions, and a man who was respected by all. His successful life was marked by a conscientious discharge of his duties toward his fellow man. From a penni- less start he had amassed a comfortable com- petence, but it was the result of his industry and frugality, not of oppression or speculation. Alex- ander Thayer married Miss Lucinda Weaver, of Central Village, Conn., where she was born Dec. 31, 1814, daughter of Remington Weaver, a farm- er. Mrs. Thayer died June 3, 1880, while on a visit to Worcester, Mass. The only child born of this union was Sumner T., our subject.

Sumner T. Thayer spent his early life in Wor- cester, Mass., and there attended the public schools and later a private school. He was about sixteen years old when his parents removed to New Haven, where he was enrolled as a student in John Lovell's School, and later in the Hopkins Grammar School. For a considerable period he worked at the trade of a carriage trimmer, but for a number of years has lived retired from business. On Nov. 1, 1882, Mr. Thayer was married to Miss Anna Mary Platt, born in Chester, Conn., daughter of William Platt, who was born in Westbrook, Conn .. Aug. 1, 1826, son of Elisha Platt, who was also born probably in Westbrook. The mother of Mrs. Thayer, Marilla (Smith) Platt, was born in Chester, Conn., Oct. 31, 1844. Both parents still survive, the father, however, being unable to follow his trade of molder

on account of injuries received during his service as a soldier in the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Platt had four children, namely: Alice M .; Florence L .; Anna M .; and Rosa, who died young. Mr. and Mrs. Thayer have no children. In politics Mr. Thayer is a Republican. Both he and his wife are valued members of Calvary Baptist Church. Their very pleasant home is located at No. 140 Dwight street, and their summer home is at Woodmont, Conn. Both enjoy the esteem of a wide circle of friends. Mrs. Thayer is a member of the Womans Relief Corps of New Haven.

REV. EDWARD E. ATWATER, late of New Haven, whose death occurred Dec. 2, 1887, was one of the able men of the Gospel ministry in his day. He was descended from one of the earliest settled families in Connecticut, having been in the seventh generation from David Atwater, a planter of New Haven, to whom a tract of land was assigned in the first division of lands in the prospective town. His assignment was in what was known as the "Neck," a strip of land between the Mill and the Quinnipiac rivers, and there it is believed he lived until his death, in 1692. Mr. Atwater's line of descent was through David (2), Joshua, David (3), Jared and Elihu Atwater.

David Atwater (2), son of David, of New Ha- ven, was born in 1650, cultivated a part of the land assigned to his father, and died in 1736.

Joshua Atwater, son of David (2), born in 1687, was married in 1721, to Anna Bradley, and spent his life on the old homestead, where his son,

David Atwater (3), was born in 1728. In 1746 he married Elizabeth Bassett, who was his first wife, and the mother of all his children.

Jared Atwater, son of David (3), was born in 1758, married Eunice Dickerman, and lived on Cedar Hill, where he died in 1813.

Elihu Atwater, his son, born in 1786, married Julia Thompson in 1811, and Betsy Tyler in 1819. He was the father of the following children: Lydia H., born in 1812; Elihu W., born in 1814: Edward Elias, whose name introduces this article, born May 28, 1816; and John T., born in 1820. Edward E. was the only one of these four children to survive infancy, none of the other three living to complete their second year.

Edward E. Atwater was born in New Haven. and, graduating from Yale College in the class of 1836, became a Congregational minister, having his first church in Ravenna, Ohio. Later he was called to Salmon Falls, N. H., and while yet a young man returned to New Haven to assume the pastorate of the Davenport Congregational Church. The hand- some structure of that society on Green street is an enduring monument to the liberality of the Atwaters, father and son. The father gave the land for the church, and the son contributed the money to the building. During the latter years of his life Mr. Atwater was considerably engaged in literary work,

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and wrote a history that throws much light on the early Colonial days. In 1851 he prepared in pamph- let form a genealogy of the Atwater family that was complete to the fifth generation, and a second edition of this was prepared and issued by him in 1873, brought up to the sixth generation. He was the editor of what is called Atwater's History of New Haven, which was published in 1887. Mr. Atwater was a Congregationalist of the Old School, and was highly esteemed in New Haven, both in and out of the church. At Ravenna, Ohio, he was married to Miss Rebecca Dana, a native of Pomfret, Vt. Their only child, a son, died in childhood, and their adopted son, Harry T. Clark, has his home at No. 212 English street, New Haven.

On the death of Mr. Atwater, the Davenport Congregational Church had the following minute made a matter of record: "This Church has learned with great sorrow and regret the recent death of Rev. Edward E. Atwater, its first founder and pas- tor. We wish to express in the most fitting way our sincere regard and earnest love for this loyal servant of Jesus Christ. In the years of our beginning as a church, he was faithful, hopeful, self-sacrificing and laborious in the pastoral office among us, exhibit- ing Christian love and zeal in all his work as our minister. Since he left us we have loved and revered him scarcely less even as his generous and tender affection for us never changed, and our hearts are grieved at his departure. We believe him to have been a man of God, in mind, heart and life ; one who was glad to labor for his Lord, and willing and ready to obey the summons out of life."

HORACE WILLIAM DE LES DERNIERS, M. D., a leading physician of Meriden, was born at St. Scholastique, Canada, April 6, 1851. The de les Derniers are of Swiss extraction, and are supposed to have originated close to the line of France. Three brothers of that name came to America at an early day, one settling in Nova Scotia, another in Maine, and another, the grandfather of the subject of this notice, in Vermont.

Horace Nelson de les Derniers was born in Ver- mont, and was quite young when his parents re- moved to Canada, locating at Vaudreuil, in the Province of Quebec, where the father carried on the mercantile business, and where he died while still in middle age. There Horace N'. de les Derniers grew to manhood, and became a clerk in the store of Francois Exavier Desjardins, a prominent mer- chant, who married his aunt. When he became of age he secured an interest in the business of his uncle. and married his partner's daughter. Her parents opposed this union. and the partnership was dissolved in consequence of the bitterness de- veloped by the controversy. Young de les Derniers took his bride to St. Scholastique, where he en- gaged in mercantile business and prospered until a fire destroyed all his accumulations in both store and house, leaving him penniless. In 1869 he and

his family removed to Meriden, Conn., where he was employed as a salesman in the dry-goods store of D. S. Williams. After this he opened a grocery for himself, on East Main street, and the venture was attended with much success. Horace N. de les Derniers and a partner invested considerable money in real estate. A period of hard times ensued, and he was left to meet all obligations, with the result of financial ruin. After this he retired from busi- ness and he died in Meriden in 1894, being buried in St. Patrick's cemetery in that city. In his young- er days he belonged to the Episcopal Church, but on his marriage he united with the Roman Cath- olic Church, in the faith of which he died. In Can- ada he was a supporter of the Liberal party, and while in St. Scholastique served as mayor of the city.

Horace Nelson de les Derniers was married, in Vaudreuil, Canada, to Normantine Desjardins, his cousin, who died in 1880, and rests beside her hus- band. Her paternal ancestors belonged to an old Quebec family, and were firm adherents of France in the early days. Mrs. de les Derniers received her education at the famous Notre Dame Convent, in Montreal ( being especially proficient in music and art), and was a devout Catholic. She had a sweet disposition, and bore her trials patiently. Devoted- to her family, she was a good and true woman. She became the mother of sixteen children, eight of whom lived to reach maturity: Nelson, now a groceryman in Meriden ; Horace William; Ferdi- nand, employed at the factory of the Bradley & Hubbard Mfg. Co., Meriden ; Edward, of Meriden ; Mary, who married William C. Knipfer; Ida, a saleswoman in Meriden; Sophia, who married Frank Talbot, of Meriden; and Emilia, who died unmarried.

Horace William de les Derniers attended a pri- vate school in his native town, and also St. Theresa College, where he remained until fifteen years old. Having a strong passion for music, he gave it much attention, and while at college took first honors in that study. His parents, having a large family, could not give him the opportunities in that line he craved, and he resolved to do what he could to help them. In his native country there was little outlook for a boy, however bright and ambitious he might be, so at the age of fifteen years, in 1866, he came to the United States, and located at South Meriden, Conn., where he obtained a position with the Meriden Cutlery Co., continuing with that house until 1872. During the first year he re- ceived as compensation a dollar and a quarter a day, and after that he was engaged at piece work. In 1872 he bought a piano with his surplus earn- ings, in order to keep up his practice. At a later period our subject entered the employ of the Meri- den Britannia Co., and was a burnisher in their factory nine years, during which time he began the reading of medicine with Dr. Jenigor, and later read with Dr. E. W. Smith. The young man, ready to

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Ho. W. de les Derniers M.D

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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go to college, was desirous of retaining his position in the factory in case of untoward experiences, and asked Ilorace Wilcox, president of the concern, if he might not feel that his position was open for him in case he should wish to return. This was assured him. He attended the University of Ver- mont, and was graduated from the Medical Depart- ment after a full course of four years. The first summer's vacation he spent in the factory, and the last in the drug store of H. K. Rice. Graduating in the class of 1885, he returned to Meriden and took up the practice of medicine, but after a year moved to Gilbertville, Mass., where he followed his profession three years. In 1889 Dr. de les Derniers came back to Meriden, and since that time has been one of the busy physicians of the city. A good clientage has come to him, he has given his calling hard work and close attention, and is one of the leading French-Americans in New Haven county. Possessing a pleasing and courteous manner, he has many friends, and is much respected.

Dr. de les Derniers was married, in 1889, in Montreal, Canada, to Marie Louise Valentine La- londe, who was born in Montreal, daughter of Charles F. Lalonde, a prominent man of St. Cune- gonde ( Montreal West), who was mayor of the city for six years. Three children were born to this union : Leath and Lionel, who are living; and an infant that died unnamed. The Doctor and his wife are much esteemed in the community as people of culture and refinement. Mrs. de les Derniers obtained her education at Mount St. Marie's Sem- inary in Montreal, and is an artist of much ability.

Dr. de les Derniers has served as physician of the town of Meriden, to which position he was ap- pointed by the board of selectmen. He is a mem- ber of the various medical organizations of the city, county and State, and also holds membership · in the National Medical Association. He is not a politician, but supports the principles of Democracy, and was nominated by his party as candidate for alderman in the First ward in 1900. He is a mem- ber of the French Catholic Church. Socially he belongs to Myrtle Lodge, K. of P., being assistant surgeon of the Second Regiment, Uniformed Rank, Division 12; he fills the office of medical examiner in the A. O. U. W., and also in the N. E. O. P., the K. O. T. M. and the R. A.

GEORGE HENRY ELLSBREE, a well-known and respected citizen of Meriden, died at his home in that city, April 6, 1901, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. His ancestry was English, and his family was planted in this country about the middle of the eighteenth century, at which time three broth- ers of the name came to America. Two of them re- turned to their native country. The third, Boomer Ellsbree, settled in Rhode Island, and reared a large family, viz .: Ephraim. Jemima, John, James, Joshua, Nathaniel, David, Benjamin, Norman, Aaron, Thomas, Edmond and Mercy.

Ephraim Ellsbree, the eldest of the family, had ten children, namely: Harriet, Bradford B., Will- iam, James, Isaac, Jemima, Mercy, Julius, Lewis and Ruth. Ephraim Ellsbree died Jan. 1, 1831, aged sixty-one years.

Bradford B. Ellsbree, eldest son of Ephraim, was born at Fall River, in 1801, and died in Sep- tember, 1880, at Chicopee Falls, Mass. His wife, Waity Aldrich, born in 1799 in Simsbury, Conn., died Sept. 4, 1873. Their children were: James, George Henry, Susan E., Lyman A., Elizabeth R., Ephraim B., Mary, Irving A., Charles M. and Ed- mond S. Only two of these are now living-Ed- mond S., who resides in Chicopee Falls, Mass., and the eldest daughter, Mrs. Susan E. Squires, of Athol, Massachusetts.

George Henry Ellsbree was born Aug. 12, 1823, in Smithfield, R. I., and most of his life was passed in Massachusetts. During nearly all of his active life he was connected with the cotton industry, and for a period of eleven years was overseer in a cotton cloth mill at West Springfield, Mass. He gave three years of willing service to his country during the Civil war, enlisting first in the 8th Mass. Light Bat- tery, and subsequently in the 3rd Mass. Heavy Ar- tillery. He participated in the second battle of Bull Run, the battles of Antietam and South Moun- tain, besides numerous engagements of less prom- inence, and returned to the arts of peace with honor. He was a valued member of Merriam Post, G. A. R., of Meriden, and was also identified with the Order of Chosen Friends. Mr. Ellsbree took up his residence in Meriden in 1877, and, while doing some occasional clerical work, gave much of his attention to meteorology. With self-registering thermometer and barometer he kept a daily record of weather and barometric conditions and temperature, and his data were often sought by parties interested in such records. In the enjoyment of the respect and es- teem of the community he thus passed his declining years in congenial pursuits, and closed a long and useful life in peace and contentment.

On March 20, 1846, Mr. Ellsbree was married, at Three Rivers, Palmer, Mass., to Emeline Pierce, a native of Orange, Mass., daughter of Emery and Sophronia ( Barnes) Pierce, both born in that State, the former a son of Ichabod Pierce, a farmer of Hopkinton, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Ellsbree had four children, George Lyman, Clarence Eugene, Flora Emeline and Effie Marian. The daughters died before reaching adult age; Clarence Eugene is en- gaged in business in Boston, and resides in Cam- bridge, Massachusetts.

GEORGE LYMAN ELLSBREE, a leading business man of Meriden, has been identified with its material and moral interests since 1875. He was born Nov. 1, 1851, in Palmer, Mass., and his education was supplied by the public schools of his native State, chiefly in New Bedford and Belchertown. In Oc- tober, 1867, having just completed his sixteenth year, he set out to equip himself for business life,

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and entered a store at Pittsfield, Mass., to master the mysteries of the drug business. That he was diligent and apt is shown by the fact that he has ever since been successfully following the same line, and for more than a quarter of a century as pro- prietor. His first drug store was in Amherst, Mass., where he established himself in 1871, and continued until obliged by ill health, two years later, to seek outdoor employment. In 1875, after a year of botanizing, he came to Meriden to take charge of the drug store of N. B. Welton, in the Palace block. This business he purchased in 1877, and has ever since conducted it, with profit to himself and with satisfaction to his patrons. The location is a most desirable one, and the genial and courteous manners of the proprietor have attracted and held a desirable line of trade. Mr. Ellsbree has become interested in local manufacturing, and is recognized as a sound and reliable business man.

It is but natural that the public should make demands for service upon one who has demon- strated ability in the direction of his own concerns, and Mr. Ellsbree is no exception to this rule. Just previous to the town election in 1894 he was pur- suaded to become the candidate for first selectman, and the subsequent vote demonstrated his popular- ity with the people. After being twice re-elected in succession, he declined to be again a candidate, feeling that he had devoted his share of time to the service which only a sense of public duty induced him to accept. In 1899 he represented the town in the Legislature, and during his term was chair- man of the House committee on Manufactures and a member of the committee on Roads, Rivers and Bridges. He was one of the authors of the "good roads bill," which became a law at that session. Mr. Ellsbree has served several years as a member of the city council and board of Education. He is now a member and treasurer of the State Board of Pharmacy. Fraternally he is a Freemason, being identified with Pacific Lodge, of Amherst, Mass., and Keystone Chapter and St. Elmo Commandery, of Meriden.

In November, 1876, Mr. Ellsbree was married to Miss Elizabeth Russell, a native of Amherst, Mass., and a daughter of Emerson and Barbara Russell. of old Massachusetts families. The only child of this union is Edward Clarence, born Nov. 6, 1877.

THOMAS BRIGHT, who passed away Jan. 15, 1876, was in his day one of the most respected self-made men of New Haven, where, though he died in the prime of life, he had succeeded in gaining a substantial position in the business world.

Mr. Bright was a native of London, England, born Dec. 9, 1827, son of James and Elizabeth (Tuffs) Bright, the former a native of Oxford, England, the latter of Kent. They had a family of ten children, none of whom survive. The father served a number of years in the English navy, and his last years were spent in London, where he died

in 1830. The mother lived to the advanced age of seventy-five years, and died in Thompsonville, Conn., where she is buried; she was a member of the Methodist Church. Thomas Bright remained in London until he was eighteen years old, and re- ceived his education in the public schools. At the age mentioned he came to America with his mother and several children, locating first in Thompson- ville, Conn., where he followed weaving for a few years. He next spent a year in Hartford, this state, where he was in the crockery business, and in 1859 came to New Haven and engaged in business, open- ing a store for himself at the corner of Elm and Howe streets, where he continued for eight years ; he then removed to Broadway, where he was lo- cated during the remainder of his life. He car- ried on a crockery and glassware establishment in Broadway, and also conducted a junk business, and by industry and good management he succeeded in amassing a comfortable fortune, although he began with no financial capital whatever. Mr. Bright was successful in more than the ordinary acceptance of that term, for he won and retained the respect of all who had dealings with him for his integrity and genuine worth, as well as his executive ability. He was cut off at the height of his career. being only forty-eight at the time of his death. He took an active interest in the public affairs of the city, and was a Democrat in political affiliation.

In January, 1849. Mr. Bright married Jean Mc- Crone, a native of Scotland, who was born June 23, 1830, daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth ( Nesbit) McCrone, and granddaughter of Robert McCrone, all born in Scotland. Hugh McCrone came to America in 1832 and settled in Thompsonville. Conn. In 1834 he sent for his family, and the wife and six children started for America. On the way over the eldest daughter died. The remainder, after a voyage of several weeks, reached New York. Mr. McCrone followed weaving throughout his long life, reaching the great age of eighty-eight years. and died in Thompsonville. The parents of Mrs. Bright had a family of nine children. three of whom survive at this writing (1902) ; Hugh. who is a resident of Philadelphia, Penn .; Jean, Mrs. Bright; and Mary. Mrs. Richard Nesbit, of Norwalk, Conn. The mother died at the age of forty-three, in Thompsonville. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bright, seven of whom are yet living. Thom- as died when four months old, Elizabeth when two and a half years old. Thomas (2) died Nov. 17, 1883, at the age of thirty-three years; he married Nellie Mercer, and their daughter, Kitty, now Mrs. Mitchell, of Florida, has one child. Of the living, (1) Robert C. (twin of Thomas, who died) fol- lowed in his father's footsteps, engaging in the crockery and glassware business. He is a well- known resident of New Haven, and takes an active part in political matters in the city. He first mar- ried Florence Bodge, who died at the age of twenty- nine years, and by whom he had four children, Rob-

THOMAS BRIGHT.

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ert, Ida (wife of Marcellin Adams, of Pittsburg, Penn.), Florence and Mabel. For his second wife Robert C. Bright married Annie Sumner, and they have two children, Thomas S. and Jean. (2) Charles C. is a letter carrier in New Haven. He married Emma Heubisch, and they have two chil- dren, Thomas and Helen. (3) Jennie is the wife of George Robinson, a machinist, and has two chil- dren, Jessie and Georgie. They reside in Belvi- dere, Ill. (4) Jessie, twin of Jennie, married Will- iam Fleury (deceased), and had two children, Jen- nie and John. (5) Mary married Benjamin Vann, of New Haven. (6) Ida is the wife of Walter Crump, a railroad man of Shelton, Conn., and they have one daughter, Alice. (7) Alice married Fred- erick Osborn, a civil engineer for the city of New Haven, and they have one child, Marion.

Mrs. Bright occupies the comfortable home at No. 140 Goffe street which her husband erected, and which stands on a large lot, comprising one and a quarter acres besides a regular building lot. Mr. Bright also erected a block at the corner of Elm and Park streets. Mrs. Bright and her family at- tend the Congregational Church, of which her par- ents were devout members. Mr. Bright was identi- fied with Christ Episcopal Church. He is laid to rest in Thompsonville, near his parents.

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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 87

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