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 2 > Part 59
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Truman Sheldon, born May 17, 1803, married May 26, 1840, Almira Apley ( born Feb. 2, 1805), at Goshen, Conn., and died June 14, 1886. She died May 10, 1871. ( The parents of Almira Apley were John Apley and Sarah Van Dyke. Their children were: Almira, Clarence, Philo, Alanson, John, Sarah Ann and Amanda ). The children of Truman Sheldon and Almira Sheldon were Sarah Cornelia, born Aug. 2, 1841 ( she is now the wife of Charles A. Young) ; Edwards Doolittle, born April 18, 1843; George Lewis, born April 7, 1845; and Franklin Luther, born March 13, 1847.
Of the above, Truman Sheldon. the father of Edwards D., settled with his parents, in 1820, on the property at Pine Orchard now occupied by our subject and his brother. George L. During his earlier life for a number of years he was a "coaster," and built two vessels: but after his marriage, in 1840, he disposed of these vessels and took up the hotel business, which he conducted until succeeded by his sons in 1870.
Edwards D. Sheldon, whose name opens this sketch, was born in Branford. Conn .. April 18, 1843, and received his education at the common schools and academy of the place. In August. 1862, he en- listed in Company B, 27th Conn. V. I., and after nine months' service was honorably discharged at New Haven. Conn. He participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville. and Gettysburg. On his return to the paths of peace, he assisted his father in the hotel and on the farm. and in 1870 he and his brother George L. succeeded to the business.
On Nov. 29, 1870, Edwards D. Sheldon married Eunice E., daughter of Robert A. and Eunice ( Bail- ey) Geer, of Norfolk. Conn .. who bore him one son, Robert Truman. The mother died Feb. 10, 1874, and for his second wife Mr. Sheldon, on Oct. 19,
1877, wedded Marion Geer, sister to his first wife. In religious faith they are members of the Congre- gational Church. In politics Mr. Sheldon has al- ways been a stanch Republican, and for ten years served on the Branford Town Republican commit- tee, while in 1895 he was a member of the Legis- lature, overcoming a previous Democratic majority of one hundred, a difference of two hundred votes between the two elections. He was one of the char- ter members of Mason Rogers Post, G. A. R., of which he is the present commander.
Robert Truman Sheldon, son of our subject, was born Nov. 14, 1871, and received his education in the common and high schools. He is now employed as private secretary in a private trust office in New York City.
George Lewis Sheldon, brother of Edwards D., was born in Branford, Conn., April 7. 1845, and received his education in the common schools and academy of that place. When old enough he as- sisted his father in the hotel and on the farm, and in 1870 he and his brother, Edwards D., suc- ceeded to the business, as already recorded. He married, Dec. 8, 1868, Alice E., daughter of Russell and Lydia (Tyler) Pond, of Branford, and they have one child, Cornelia I .. now Mrs. Thomas Parker Preble. Mrs. Sheldon is a member of the Congregational Church. In politics he is a Republi- can. The "Sheldon House." with its adjacent cot- tages, is a well-known resort and was established in 1845 by the Sheldons. It is situated on Long IsI- and Sound, near Thimble Islands, and has enjoyed the reputation of being one of the best located of the Sound resorts. It is open each year from June I to October 1.
HENRY D. HOTCHKISS, the enterprising real-estate dealer, road builder and general con- tractor at Waterbury, was born in the town of Pros- pect, New Haven county, June 21, 1850, a son of Harry and Sarah (Hoppin) Hotchkiss, and in the paternal line is of ante-Revolutionary descent.
Gideon Hotchkiss. great-great-grandfather of Henry D., reared a family of nineteen children, many of whom took part in the war of the Revolu- tion. His son Eben was born in Prospect, and Gid- eon M., son of Eben, was born in the same town. Both were farmers. Gideon M. Hotchkiss. grand- father of Henry D., married Arvilla Brooks, and they reared three children, viz .: Harry, father of our subject : Brooks, who lived and died, a farmer, in the town of Prospect : and Mary, who was mar- ried to George Sloper. a farmer, and died in Che- shire. Connecticut.
Harry Hotchkiss was born in the town of Pros- pect in 1814, and became a farmer. His family consisted of three children, viz. : Henry D .. the subject of this sketch; Ellen M., who married Levi Elton. of Berlin, Conn .. and is now living in Water- bury ; and Elizabeth F., wife of John R. Platt, of Prospect. In politics Harry Hotchkiss was a Re-
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publican, at one time represented his district in the State Legislature, and was also assessor for a ntill- ber of years. Personally he was very popular. He died on his farm in Prospect, a faithful member of the Congregational Church, and his widow died in Waterbury, in the same faith.
Henry D. Hotchkiss was reared on the Prospect homestead, and was educated in the district school. In 1879 he came to Waterbury and commenced con- tracting for the building of roads, etc., and has prob- ably constructed more miles of road than any other man in the city. He also engaged in trucking, and has been in the grocery business. Real estate, how- ever, has afforded him his chief and most lucrative occupation, and he has made strenuous efforts in the development of North Waterbury, having sold most of the property which has since been improved, or built upon, and having laid out all the streets.
On March 16, 1870, Mr. Hotchkiss was united in marriage with Miss Ella E. Kimball, daughter of William E. Kimball, of Prospect, and to this marriage has come one child, H. Ray Hotchkiss, who is a resident of Waterbury. In politics Mr. Hotchkiss is a Republican. He has represented his fellow citizens in the board of aldermen as a mem- ber from the First ward. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. He and family worship at the Second Congregational Church. Socially they stand very high, and all are greatly esteemed for their many personal merits.
THOMAS BERKLEY ROBERTSON has. since 1871, been one of the most highly respected business citizens of New Haven, where he conducts a granite and marble business of large proportions.
Hugh Robertson, the father of Thomas B., was born near Edinburgh, Scotland, but removed to Eng- land, where he carried on the business of paper mak- ing, and married Isabella Berkley, a native of Eng- land. The parents spent their lives in that country. They had a family of five children, of whom Thomas B. and Annie Isabella were the only members to come to America.
Thomas B. Robertson was born near New Castle, England, Sept. 21, 1847, and attended school in Hexham. He was apprenticed to the stone cutter's trade for five years, which he thoroughly learned, becoming a finished workman in stone, granite and marble. He was employed in England, and in Edin- burgh and Glasgow, Scotland, before crossing the ocean to the United States. In 1871 he located in New Haven, and very soon won recognition as a reliable and competent marble and stone worker. On March 9, 1876, he opened up his commodious yards and began a business in marble, stone and granite, which has prospered ever since. Much of the excellent work in this line to be seen in the city has been produced in his establishment. He has just added to his polishing plant, compressed air and pneumatic tools, all of the best and latest inventions, for marble and granite lettering and carving.
On May 13, 1874, Mr. Robertson was married to Miss Maria Elizabeth Downs, of Woodbury, Conn., a daughter of Albert Zeri and Sarah Cook (Pritchard) Downs, the former a well-known cabi- net-maker of Waterbury. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Robertson : Luella Alma and Hattie Berkley. Luella Alma married Fred Harri- son Lincoln, of New Haven, and has one child, Es- ther Berkley Lincoln. Mr. Robertson is a Repub- lican, and always exercises the rights of an Amer- ican citizen. Fraternally he is connected with Quin- nipiac Lodge, No. 1, I. O. O. F .; Olive Branch Lodge, No. 84. F. & A. M .; the A. O. U. W .; the Woodmen of the World; and the Heptasophs. In religion the family are identified with the Congre- gational Church. Mr. Robertson has proven him- self an excellent man of business, and has won the esteem and confidence of the community by his up- right dealings, no one in his line in New Haven be- ing more highly regarded.
BURTON A. DAVIS, superintendent of the Country Club Grounds at Whitneyville, is one of the well and favorably known of the younger citizens in the town of Hamden, where he was born Sept. 15, 1862, youngest son of Edward and Betsey M. (Augur) Davis.
Mr. Davis was a child of but five years when his parents removed to the farm where he has since re- sided. He obtained a good practical education in the common and private schools, and when his school days were over at once took up the work of a farmer, to which he had been for the most part reared. After his marriage he located on the farm with his father, with whom he was associated until the lat- ter's death, after which he took charge of the place. He carried on the dairy business extensively, being one of the best known men in that line around New Haven. He had a most excellent herd and com- modious buildings, everything well kept and up to date. as he has always been known for his sys- tematic and thorough manner of doing anything he undertakes. He continued the dairy business until 1897, when he leased the greater part of his farm of eighty-five acres to the New Haven Country Club for ten years, with the privilege of extending the time to twenty years. They purchased five acres of the land, upon which they have erected a very fine club-house, while the remainder of the farm is leased for golf grounds. This beautiful place is located on the old Hartford turnpike, only three and a half miles from New Haven. Mr. Davis has since been superintendent of the grounds for the Club, and the reputation enjoyed by this organiza- tion as having one of the finest golf courses in America, certainly reflects credit upon his efficiency in that position.
On Feb. 3, 1885, Mr. Davis was married to Miss Martha E. Augur, who was born Oct. 1, 1861, in New Haven, the second daughter and fourth child of James Minott and Esther ( Morrell) Augur. The
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father, who is now deceased, was formerly a mer- chant of New Haven, in Chapel street. Mrs. Davis is of the seventh generation in descent from Robert Augur, whose wife was Mary, daughter of Deputy Gov. Matthew Gilbert, hier line being from Robert Augur through John, Abraham, Hezekiah, James and James Minott. Mr. and Mrs. Davis had three children: Marjorie M. was born July 26, 18go; Minott Augur was born Dec. 17, 1891 ; Rich- ard B. died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are prominent in social circles. In political sentiment lie is a Republican, but not a politician, for when he has held office it has been simply from a sense of his duty as a citizen, and not for any personal benefit. For some years he has been a member of the school board, of which he is now chairman. He and his wife are active and prominent in the support and work of the Whitneyville Congrega- tional Church, of which he is treasurer and a trus- tee. For over twenty-five years she has been a mem- ber of the choir, and for a long period one of the teachers and earnest workers in the Sunday-school. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are eligible for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution, respectively, although they have not joined.
From an early age Mr. Davis has been an ad- mirer of a good horse, and during years of associa- tion with good ones he has become an excellent judge of horseflesh and a good amateur reinsman. He has owned many good horses, and he has at present in his stable "Martha Marshall," with a rec- ord of 2:0714, and "Robert W.," 2:20, as well as others of promise and ability in the matter of speed. Mr. Davis' interest in horses springs more from a desire for ex reise and from love for a good horse rather than from any idea of revenue. As a citizen Mr. Davis is well known in his community as one of the progressive type, and a man whose generos- ity and kind heartedness are surpassed only by his genuine modesty. He began his active business ca- reer when a comparatively young man, and early displayed the business tact which has always marked his dealings. In all his transactions Mr. Davis' in- tegrity is never questioned, showing as he does a clear record for principle, and he is a lover of fair- ness in everything. Possessed of a genial disposi- tion, he is altogether popular with associates, a val- uable citizen, and a credit to an honored old family of Hamden.
CHARLES HENRY THORPE is a well- known citizen of North Haven, and is a descendant of one of the old families of New England. some of his ancestors being among the earliest settlers of New Haven. . Among the passengers who sailed from England to America in 1638 was William Thorpe, who became a resident of New Haven, the name frequently appearing in the Colonial rec- ords.
Titus Thorpe, the great-grandfather of the sub-
ject of this sketch, lived in what was then the North Parish of New Haven, in a house which stood on the farm now occupied by Charles II. Thorpe. The house was torn down, and in 1878 upon its site was erected the handsome residence now occupied by our subject. The old house was commenced previous to 1756, by one of the brotli- ers of Titus who was killed at the battle of Lake George, in the French and Indian war. It was completed by Titus, who was the village blacksmith, hence a man of affairs, and he took his bride there in 1764; it is recorded that his wedding feast lasted for three days. Later he left his wife, Miriam, to care for the farm while he became a member of the
Revolutionary army. While her husband served his country, with her own hands she harvested the rye. When he returned home sick with dysentery, she nursed him until he recovered, but a young son was taken ill of the same disease and died. Mrs. Miriam Thorpe was a woman of noble character, and lived to be 100 years old, ever full of charity and good will to all.
Joshua Thorpe, son of Titus and Miriam, was born in 1777, and became a prominent farmer of North Haven. On Nov. 25, 1801, he married Re- becca Dickerman, who died Dec. 9, 1805, at the age of twenty, leaving one daughter, Harriet, who mar- ried Horace Stiles. On June 2, 1806. Joshua Thorpe married (second) Mary Ann Cook, and the children of this union were, Rebecca, James H., Anson Cook, Abigail and Willis.
James Hervey Thorpe was born on the old homestead, and had the educational advantages afforded by the district schools and the North Ha- ven Academy. After finishing his schooling he took up the work of the farm, where he was busily em- ployed for a part of the time, and then learned the joiner's trade, but spent the later years of his life in peaceful vocations at his old home, the house where he lived and died having now given place to the commodious structure as before noted. In re- ligious matters, MIr. Thorpe was a conscientious man, and he was so imbued with temperance prin- ciples that during 1840-41 he became prominently identified with the Washingtonians. At his death, July 21, 1876, many mourned the decease of a good and worthy citizen, whose influence had ever been for the best interests of the community. His wife was Caroline E. Flint, a native of Williamstown. Vt., and her death occurred, in 1888. at the liome of her son, in North Haven. The children of this marriage were: (1) Edwin A., born in 1841, mar- ried Alice Stackhouse; he was over three years a soldier in the Civil war, and is now an employee of the Custom House in Philadelphia. (2) Ma.v. A., born in 1842, resides with our subier+ . 3) Henry C. is deceased. (4) Charles H. was born Dec. 9, 1845. (5) Ellen, born in 1847, died in 1864. (6) Caroline, born in 1850, resides in North Haven. (7) Jane, born in 1854, resides in Weston, Massa- chusetts.
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The educational advantages enjoyed by Charles H. Thorpe were superior to those of many others of his locality. After he had completed the course at the district schools, he enjoyed one term's in- struction under Miss Eunice Linsley, and another under Mr. Rossiter, both of these private schools being conducted in North Haven. When he had finished his education, he returned to the care of the farm, where his services were needed, and has remained there continuously ever since, carrying on general farming and stock raising, and makes a specialty of fattening calves, his veal being consid- ered the most desirable of the local market. Mr. Thorpe has made a success of his enterprises, and has one of the largest and best cultivated farms in this vicinity.
On March 12, 1879, Mr. Thorpe married Han- nah Lewis, a native of Radnor. Pa., a daughter of Lewis and Rachel ( Milner) Lewis, the father a farmer of that locality. One child, Alfred Lewis, born Sept. 19, 1883, blessed this union. The politi- cal opinions of Mr. Thorpe attach him to the Re- publican party, and he has been called upon to serve as constable and to hold many minor offices, and also succeeded to the position of sexton of North Haven cemetery, his father having long held that position. Socially he is connected with North Haven Grange, of which he has been chaplain, and for five years has efficiently filled the office of sec- retary. Both Mr. Thorpe and his wife are valued members of the Congregational Church, of which he is one of the trustees. The community esteems both Mr. and Mrs. Thorpe highly, her reputation being established as a liberal and kind-hearted mem- ber of society, while the good citizenship of her hus- band is never questioned. An intelligent and public- spirited man, Mr. Thorpe lives up to the demands of the day, and takes a deep interest in the progress of the institutions which will build up North Haven, his purse and influence being ever ready to assist all worthy objects.
IMRI A. SPENCER. an ex-soldier of the Civil war and the well-known head of the grocery firm of The Spencer & Pierpont Co., Waterbury, was born in Canton, Hartford Co., Conn., May 3, 1842, son of Imri L. Spencer, and grandson of Amos Spencer. all natives of the same place. Caleb Spencer, father of Amos, lived in Hartford, Conn., and was a farmer early in life. He afterward settled in Canton, where he died.
Amos Spencer was reared to manhood in Can- ton, Conn. He married Candice Case, a native of Granby, Conn .. and then settled on a farm, devoting his life to agricultural pursuits. To his marriage were born three children: Seth, who located in Rootstown. Ohio, and engaged in farming ; Imri L., mentioned below; and Dayton, who died while in the army during the Seminole war.
Imri L. Spencer grew to manhood in Connect- icut. After his marriage he followed farming and
stock droving in Canton for many years, and then moved to Bloomfield, Conn., where for fourteen years he engaged in mercantile business. In 1865 he located in Waterbury, and passed the remainder of his active life as a merchant there. He married Susan Barber, who was born in Canton, a daughter of Jonathan Barber, a farmer of the same town. They reared a family of six children, of whom we have the following record: Amos L., who was a farmer, and died in Manchester, Conn .; Susan, who married Franklin Moses, and lived in New York State, where she died at the age of twenty-four years ; Hannah, who never married; Jane, who died at the age of three years; Imri A .; and Jonathan, who died when three years old. Imri L. Spencer was a Republican in politics. Both he and his wife died in the faith of the Congregational Church.
Imri A. Spencer passed the first twelve years of his life on the farm in Canton, Conn .. and attended the school in the district. He clerked for his father in a general store in Bloomfield, Conn., until the call for volunteers to assist in crushing out the Re- bellion. In July, 1862, he enlisted in Co. F. 14th Conn. V. I. This regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and served until mustered out at Hartford in June. 1865. Mr. Spencer's ser- vice was onerous and dangerous, but he endured the privations of a soldier's life with courage and fortitude. He was wounded in 1862; and in August, 1864, was taken prisoner at Reams Station, and confined about six months. The war over, Mr. Spencer returned home, and in October, 1865, joined his father in business in Waterbury. this partnership lasting until the death of the latter. Our subject carried on the business on his own account for some time, and then formed a partnership with R. D. Pierpont, under the firm name of Spencer & Pier- pont. Within the past four years a joint stock com- pany was formed under the name of The Spencer & Pierpont Co., and this company now does the largest business in groceries, provisions, feed, grain and flour in Waterbury.
In December, 1865, Imri A. Spencer married Miss Christiana Whiton, of Bloomfield, Conn., a daughter of Augustus Whiton, who was born in Westford, Conn. This union has been blessed with one child. Alice, now Mrs. Davis Rich, of Water- bury. In politics Mr. Spencer is a Republican, and although no office seeker, has filled. as a matter of public duty, several local offices. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Royal Arcanum and the G. A. R. His social standing is very high, and as a business man he bears a name second to none in the county of New Haven. The family at- tend the Methodist. Episcopal Church, of. Water- bury.
EVAN E. HUGHES, cabinetmaker, a respected resident of Tremont street, Meriden, where his at- tractive and comfortable home is located. was born in Bangor, Carnarvonshire, Wales, March 10, 1847.
Jimmie A. Spencer
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Evan Hughes, father of Evan E., was a native of the same place, where he engaged in farming. He married Mary Williams, born in Anglesea, Wales, and they had these children born to them: Mary ; William, of Winnebago, Wis .; Robert, wlio died at Brattleboro, Vt .; John ; Catherine, who mar- ried Hugh Pritchard, resides at Fairhaven, Vt .; Jane, who married Benjamin Williams, lives at Fairhaven ; Evan E., of this sketch; Grace, who married Thomas Hogan, of Salem, N. Y .; Joseph, of Fairhaven, Vt .; Llewellyn, of Hydeville, Vt .; Anne, who married John Roberts, of Fairhaven ; Hugh F., who lives at Saratoga, N. Y .; and Maggie, who married Edward Green. In 1854 Mr. Hughes with his wife and eight children started for Amer- ica, on a sailing vessel bearing the name of "Moses Wheeler," reaching Boston, Mass., in safety. Mr.
Hughes and his family left the vessel at that city, and it started on its way to New York City, but was never heard of afterward. The Hughes fam- ily removed to Vermont and located at Castleton, being pioneers of their countrymen in that locality. William Hughes, the brother of Evan Hughes, and the uncle of Evan E., was the discoverer of the slate quarries both in Vermont and Maine, these quarries being of great value to the sections in which they are located. Evan Hughes worked in the slate quarries in the neighborhood of Castleton until his death, in 1868, and his remains repose in the ceme- tery in Fairhaven. In his native country Mr. Hughes had been a member of the Established Church, and in Vermont both he and his wife became worthy members of the Episcopal Church. In politics he was a Republican. Mrs. Hughes died in Vermont also, where their memory is still cherished as kind neighbors and highly esteemed residents.
Evan E. Hughes has passed almost the whole of his life in the United States, as he was but six years old when the long voyage was made from Wales. His educational advantages were limited to the dis- trict school in his Vermont home, and when he was but thirteen years old his services were required to assist in the support of the family. He soon went to work on a farm. first in Castleton, later at Brat- tleboro, but his inclinations lay in another direction. and as soon as he could accomplish it he started in to learn the trade of cabinetmaker, with S. & H. S. Smith, at Brattleboro. He remained there until 1877, coming to Meriden at that time to accept the position of foreman of the milling department of the Wilcox & White Organ Co .. where his ability made him a valued employe, and where he remained until 1898, at which time the company was re-or- ganized, and Mr. Hughes severed his long connec- tion with it. Partially with a view of seeing the country, and also with the idea of trying the gold fieldis for himself, Mr. Hughes went to Alaska, in 1898. but not meeting with satisfactory success, he remained only eight months. Since his return to Meriden, he has continued to follow his trade of cabinetmaker, a trade in which he has few superiors.
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