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 60
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Mr. Hughes was married in Hampton, N. Y., to Elizabeth Jones, born in North Wales, daughter of Edward Jones. No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hughes. In politics Mr. Hughes is identified with the Republican party, but he has never sought any office, being a man who is com- pletely interested in his business and his home. He owns a beautiful home on Tremont street, Meri- den, built from his own plans, and there he and his devoted wife enjoy every comfort of life. In man- ner Mr. Hughes displays the kind feeling of friend- ship which he feels for every one, for his religious principles are based upon the Golden Rule. Both he and wife are highly esteemed in Meriden. In 1890 they visited his birthplace, and all points of interest in England and Wales. For a number of years Mr. Hughes has been connected with the order of Odd Fellows, and has taken a deep interest in this organization.
RILEY T. SMITH, of New Haven, Conn., is a member of the well-known and reliable firm of Smith Bros., oyster dealers and planters, of Oyster Point, and he is also a leading and influential citi- zen of his city.
Mr. Smith comes of a very old New England family, its founder in Connecticut having been George Smith, who was one of the first settlers who assisted in the establishment of the city of New Haven, as early as 1638. For many years the fam- ily engaged in farming and in sailing the sea, but about 1850, Willis Smith and his brother, Jeremiah Smith, became pioneer operators in the oyster farm- ing business, in the waters of Long Island sound, on the shores of Connecticut, at New Haven.
Riley T. Smith, of New Haven, a son of Willis Smith, was born in West Haven, Dec. 10, 1844, and was six years of age when his parents settled in New Haven, on Oyster Point. His mother, Sarah L. (Hinman) Smith, a native of Middlebury, still survives, but his father died in New Haven, at the age of seventy years. Mr. Smith received an ex- cellent education, attending the West Haven pub- lic school, later a school in New Haven, going then to the Washington school on Cedar street, com- pleting his studies in a boarding school in West Haven. Thus thoroughly equipped, Mr. Smith re- turned home and immediately became interested with his father in the oyster farming business, and later, with his two brothers, formed the strong and reliable firm known to the trade and the business world as Smith Bros. Capable and energetic. Mr. Smith has made a great success of this business, and in many ways is a leader. His adoption of new methods and machinery has resulted in an increase in quantity and also in the quality of his output. A taste for the bivalves raised under the favorable conditions at Oyster Point has been formed over the country, and many vessels are kept busy by this firm in order to supply the demand.
In 1861 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Ellen
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A. Barnes, of New Haven, a daughter of William S. Barnes, a most estimable lady, who passed out of life Feb. 5, 1895. She had been the devoted mother of six children, four of whom survive: Agnes M., who married Frank Eberth, of New Haven ; Herbert T .; Florence B .; and Wilbur I. In his political sympathy Mr. Smith has long been an active Republican, served efficiently as council- man in the Fourth ward, and is a member of the Young Men's Republican Club. For a number of years Mr. Smith has been a member of the How- ard Avenue M. E. Church, to which he is a liberal contributor.
CLARENCE G. AMES, the capable and efficient superintendent of the factory of L. Candee & Co., manufacturers of rubber boots and shoes, was born in New Haven, Oct. 29, 1852, a son of William B. Ames, who was born in Millborough, Mass., in 1829.
Bezer Ames, the grandfather of Clarence G., was born in Bridgewater, Mass., where he spent the earlier part of his life. later moving to New Haven, where he was engaged in the pork packing business, and where he died at the age of sixty. Lucy Good- enough, who became his wife, was born in Roxbury, Mass., and was the mother of a large family. Will- iam B. Ames came to New Haven while still a boy, and after attending the Lovell School learned the trade of rubber cutting. During the Civil war he served as a member of Company D. 15th Conn. V. I., and was at the front three years. Participating in many heavy battles, he was captured and kept for a time in Libby prison. After the war he returned to New Haven, where he resumed his trade as a rubber cutter, and there he died at the age of forty- seven. Ellen B. French, his wife, was born in Sey- mour, Conn., and was a daughter of William French and granddaughter of Walter French, the inventor of augers, who mannf ctured them at a very early day in Seymour.
Clarence G. Ames has spent his entire life in New Haven. His education was secured in the pub- lic schools, and at the age of fifteen he entered the Rubber Company's factory, mastering all its branches by degrees, until every process is thor- oughly familiar to him. For a time he was time- keeper ; then foreman of the shoe department ; next assistant superintendent ; and in 1896 he was made superintendent of the entire plant, with 1,600 people under his direction. The output of the plant is 25,000 pairs of boots and shoes daily. When Mr. Ames connected himself with the factory it was thought a big day's work to put out 2,000 pairs. The entire force at the factory then consisted of about 400 hands. There are but ten men now on the rolls of the company who were there in 1868. when Mr. Ames entered upon his connection with the company.
Mr. Ames was married in 1884 to Sarah Ellen Davis, who was born in Jamestown, Tenn., a daugh- ter of Edward Davis, of New York. Three children have been born to them, Clara Ellen, Walter Moore
and William Benton. Mr. Ames is a Republican, and was elected a fire commissioner in 1897, and when the law was changed he was appointed by the mayor. He is a prominent member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging also to the Encampment ; and he is connected with the Young Men's Republican Club. In his religions connection he is a member and treasurer of the Grand Avenue Baptist Church.
FREDERICK HENRY BROCKETT. The Brockett family in England dates back to the time of the Norman conquest, and the head of the house in the time of Henry III was knighted by that mon- arch. But a more honorable record still is that of Jolin Brockett, supposed to be the eldest son of Sir John, of Hertfordshire, England, who, having dis- agreed with his father on religious matters, when about twenty-eight years of age, in the time of, Charles I, relinquished the bright prospects which were his, and cast his lot with the Puritans, in 1638 coming with Rev. John Davenport to New England. He settled in New Haven, and his cognomen in the records was John, the planter. He had a good edu- cation, and was by profession a surveyor, laying out the original nine squares of New Haven; he was often employed in his profession both by the court and by the people. His house lot was near the corner of Chapel and York streets. In 1667 he removed to Wallingford, where he became one of its most prominent settlers, filling many impor- tant offices in the village, his death occurring there March 12, 1689. John Brockett's children were: John, Befruitful and Benjamin (twins), Mary, Si- lence, Abigail, Samuel and Jabez. Of these,
John Brockett was the first resident physician of New Haven. Educated at Oxford, England, he had the advantages of the . best European schools, and was a remarkable man. Dr. John Brockett had children: John, Mary, Mary (2), John (2), Elizabeth, Hannah, Moses, Abigail, John (3), Sam- uel and Benjamin.
Moses Brockett, born April 23, 1679, died in 1764. He married Jan. 8, 1706, Ann Grannis, and had children: Ann, Silence, Lydia, Moses, Eliza- beth, Mary, Abigail, John, Abel, Richard, Stephen, Sarah and Keziah.
John Brockett, son of Moses, born Dec. 31, 1722, married Thankful Frost, Dec. 14. 1745, and their children were: Thankful, Mary, Isaiah, John and Elizabeth.
Isaiah Brockett, son of John, was a Revolution- ary soldier, and was with Washington in the battle of Long Island and the retreat to New York, where he was taken sick. A neighbor from North Haven went down and brought him home on horseback, this good friend being obliged to walk all the way home, leading the horse. Mr. Brockett did not re- turn to the army, but furnished a substitute. Eli I. Brockett, of Holyoke. Mass., one of his great-grand- children, remembers hearing him tell of this. On Aug. 23, 1775, Isaiah Brockett married Sarah
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Cooper, and they had three children : Eli, born Sept. 15, 1776; Thomas, born April 12, 1778; Bethuel, June 22, 1780. He died Feb. 13, 1840, aged eighty- six years.
Fli Brockett, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, married Lucy Atwater, April 15. 1801, and to them were born: Bethuel. Oct. II, 1802; William, June 22, 1805; Lucy Adeline, May 23, 1810; and George, June 14, 1816. The father of these died Oct. 26, 1823, aged forty-seven.
William Brockett was an extensive farmer, living ing in North Haven, near Montowese. On May 27, 1829, he married Louisa Eaton, a descendant of Gov. Eaton, of the New Haven Colony. She died Sept. 29, 1884, he on Oct. 10, IS91. Their family consisted of four children: Eli Irwin, the father of Frederick H. ; Robert, who married Amanda Con- ner, of Ada, Ohio, and was a mine operator in Colo- rado for some years, now in Chicago: William, who married Carrie Clark, was a farmer, and is now engaged in the lumber business in Fair Haven ; and Ida, now deceased, who married Edgar Good- year, and later George W. Smith.
Eli Irwin Brockett was born April 6, 1834, in the North Hill District of North Haven, and re- ceived a district-school education. He learned the trade of carpenter, at which he worked until his enlistment in Company K, 15th Conn. V. I., for service in the Civil war. Entering the regiment as a private, he was promoted to sergeant, and con- tinued to serve through the entire struggle, being mustered out in 1865. Returning to North Haven, he again began work at his trade, at which he re- mained some time, afterward taking up the agency for New England for the Wrought Iron Bridge Co., of Canton, Ohio. In 1883 he removed to Hol- yoke, Mass., where he now resides. On Nov. 25. 1856, Mr. Brockett married Marv Todd, of North Haven, who was born Nov. 25, 1836, a daughter of . Orrin and Aurelia (Clinton) Todd. Her death took place Nov. 28, 1886, and on July 10, 1890, Mr. Brockett married Eliza Whitaker.
Frederick Henry Brockett, the only child of his parents, was born April 6, 1858. in North Haven. He enjoyed a district-school training, was given in- struction at a private school kept by Mrs. Dr. Lord and daughter, and attended Cargill's Business Col- lege, New Haven. With his father he worked at the. carpenter's trade and at bridge-building, and assisted in placing bridges in all parts of New England. He also worked in Carr & Hobson's agricultural im- plement shops, in Clintonville. removing with them, in 1882, to Bergen Point, N. J .. remaining there one year. Returning to North Haven, Mr. Brockett, in 1837, engaged with G. H. Todd and H. L. Thorpe in the manufacture of Bricks. The firm was known as Brockett & Todd, and continued in business five years. Then Mr. Brockett bought out his partners, and for several years was engaged in the business for himself. In 1896 he leased the Quinnipiac Brick Co.'s plant, and has continued to operate it since,
making annually 4,000,000 brick, of a superior quality.
On June 1, ISS2, Mr. Brockett was married to Charlotte T. Bishop, born March 11, 1859, a daugh- ter of Erns B. and Charlotte ( Thorpe) Bishop. To this union have come: Myron, born July 27, 1883, a student of the Boardman Manual Training School, class of 1902, in New Haven ; Joseph, born in 1885, who died in 1886; Horace, born April 25, 1887 ; and Nelson, born Nov. 28, 1895. In politics Mr. Brock- ett is a Prohibitionist, being conscientiously opposed to the liquor traffic; he is no office-seeker. Both he and his wife are valued members of the Congre- gational Church, in which he has been a deacon since 1896. Socially he is connected with North Haven Lodge, No. 61, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and has been its receiver each year since it was organized ; he is also a member of the North Haven Grange. Mr. Brockett has lived a busy life and reaps the just reward, being one of the most substantial citizens of North Haven, where he en- joys the esteem of all.
DANIEL H. BACON, one of the representative citizens of Derby, is a native of Connecticut, born in Woodbury, Litchfield county, June 1, 1855. and be- longs to quite a prominent and distinguished fam- ily. His great-grandfather, Jabez Bacon, was a very shrewd, enterprising and successful man, being well known throughout lower New England and eastern New York. He became very wealthy, for that day and generation, before he died, having ac- cumulated immense holdings in real estate as well as ready money.
Daniel Bacon, grandfather of our subject, spent his entire life as a farmer in Woodbury, Conn. He married Rebecca Thompson, a native of the same place, and to them were born eight children : Lydia, who married Charles C. Thompson : Rebecca and Fannie, who both died unmarried ; Maria, who mar- ried Gen. Chauncey Crafts ; Julia, who married John Marvin; John, a cripple, who married Augusta Walker, and spent his life in Woodbury; William T., father of our subject; and Daniel, who married Jane Green, of Woodbury, and lived in New Haven.
William T. Bacon was also born in Woodbury, and was educated at Yale, being a member of the celebrated class of 1837. his room-mate part of the time while he was at college being the late William M. Evarts, of New York. After graduating from the academic department he attended the divinity school, from where he graduated in 1840. While in New Haven he married Miss Elizabeth Ann Knight, daughter of Dr. Jonathan Knight, professor of surgery at Yale College, and one of the most celebrated surgeons of his day. Both had relatives who aided the Colonies in their struggle for inde- pendence as soldiers of the Revolutionary war. After his marriage William T. Bacon accepted the pastorate of the Congregational Church in Trum- bull, Conn., but was soon forced to give it up on
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account of ill health. He then moved to Woodbury, Conn., where he remained until 1866, when he came to Derby, where he died in 1880, his wife in 1887. There were nine children born to this couple: Jon- athan K. was a physician of New Milford, where he died in 1898; William T. was a veteran of the Civil war, and afterward engaged in the printing and publishing business in Derby, Conn., being edi- tor of the Derby Transcript at the time of his death, which occurred in Derby June 1, 1884; Frederick A. is a mechanic, now living at Pittsburg, Pa .; Walter C. is in the insurance business in Kansas City, and is one of the most prominent men of that place ; Daniel H. is our subject; James F. died young ; Rebecca T. is unmarried ; Annie F. is the widow of the late Hanford L. Shaw, of Middletown, N. Y .; and Bessie died in infancy.
Daniel H. Bacon passed the first eleven years of his life in Woodbury, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Derby, where he attended the common schools, but he completed his education at Great Barrington, Mass. In 1869 he commenced work in his father's printing establishment in Derby, and continued with him until he finally assumed charge and ownership of the business, which in- cluded the publishing and editing of the Derby Transcript. In 1889 he started the Daily Transcript, but the strain proving too much, he sold the paper the following year and has since successfully en- gaged in the general printing and publishing busi- ness in Shelton's Block, Derby.
On Oct. 15, 1879, Mr. Bacon was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary K. Stillman, a daughter of Dr. Rosswell Stillman, of North Haven, and to them have been born three children, namely: Ross- well, who is now with the Armour Packing Co., at Kansas City, Mo .; William T., who is being pre- pared for Yale College at Phillips Academy, Ando- ver, Mass .; and Marjorie, aged nine years. Mr. Bacon is a member of the Derby-Shelton Board of Trade, and fraternally is affiliated with King Hiram Lodge, F. & A. M. Politically he is a Republican, ever ready to give his support to any enterprise for the public good. In his religious connection he be- longs to the Second Congregational Church.
and Mr. Wilcox became its vice-president, a position which he fills with characteristic ability. Partaking of the keen business ability naturally to be expected from his father's son, he occupies a responsible and pleasant position among his contemporaries and business associates.
In manner Mr. Wilcox is genial and affable, and the humblest among his employes is sure of considerate and kind treatment from him. He has long been identified with the First Congregational Church of Meriden, and is a Mason of Knight Templar degree, affiliating with Meridian Lodge, No. 77; Keystone Chapter, No. 27; and St. Elmo Commandery, No. 9, all of Meriden. In political principle he is a Republican with independent ten- dencies, and has never accepted any political prefer- ment.
In 1884 Mr. Wilcox was married to Miss Net- tie B. Curtis, of New Britain, Conn., daughter of Lucius W. and Olive ( Hotchkiss ) Curtis, the for- mer a native of Bristol, Conn., and the latter of Meriden. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox in- cludes three sons, namely : Harold C., Roy C. and Horace Wilcox.
WILLIAM TAYLOR, the senior partner in the firm of Taylor & Taylor, plumbers, steam and gas fitters, and one of Meriden's busy and successful men, was born in Sheffield. England, Jan. 21, 1851.
Thomas Taylor, his father, was a native of the same place, where he grew to manhood, and worked in the cutlery business, for which that city is famous. He was married in England, to Mary A. Wright, but in 1852 Mr. Taylor came alone to America, making the trip on a sailing vessel, from Liverpool to New York. His destination was Naugatuck, Conn., where he had learned there were works en- gaged in his line, and there very soon he secured employment as a knife maker at the factory of the Union Knife Co., and there he spent the greater part of his succeeding life. When he gave up fac- tory work he bought a small farm in the town of Prospect, and there he died, an upright, industrious and honest man. His affiliation in politics was with the Republican party, and through life he had been a consistent member of the Methodist Church. Six months after Mr. Taylor came to America, and had established himself permanently, his wife, with their three children, embarked at Liverpool, and after a long and stormy passage, during which Mrs. Tay- lor gave birth to a child and died, and was buried at sea with her infant, the three bereaved children reached their father, at Naugatuck. These children were: Sarah, who married Charles E. Longden : John W., now a traveling salesman for a Boston firm ; and William, of this sketch. The father later married Mary Ann Hall, a native of Birmingham, Conn., to which union one child was born, Freder- ick H., who resides in the West.
GEORGE HORACE WILCOX, vice-president of the International Silver Co., of Meriden, is a native of that city, born Aug. 22, 1856. His father. Horace C. Wilcox, was founder of the Meriden Britannia Co., as elsewhere related. The son re- ceived his primary education in Washington, Conn., and after courses in a private preparatory school at Ithaca, N. Y., and the Hopkins Grammar School at New Haven, he entered Yale Scientific School, from which he was graduated in 1875. He at once entered the office of the Meriden Britannia Co .. as errand boy, and gradually won promotion until he assumed its presidency in 1893. Five years later, by consolidation of this and other silver-producing William Taylor was only two years old when he concerns, the International Silver Co. was formed, I left his native land, with his mother, brother and
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sister, to join his father. His schooling was re- ceived in the common schools of Naugatuck, and, being apt, he entered high school, although by the time he was twelve years old he started out to care for himself. His first employment was with the Union Knife Co., with his father, and there he re- mained until he had attained his majority. In 1870 he left home and went to Wallingford, where he engaged with the Miller Bros., in the cutlery busi- ness, and remained in their employ seventeen years, during which time he was foreman in the finishing department, enjoying the confidence of his employ- ers and the respect of those under his direction. In 1887 Mr. Taylor formed a partnership with James T. Kay, under the firm title of Kay & Taylor, gas fitters and plumbers, which continued for two years, and then a new combination was formed, with O'Connell & Meiklen; two years later he bought out these partners, and in 1892 the present strong firm was formed, the associating partner be- ing Charles Taylor, and the firm title, Taylor & Taylor, has for nine years stood as a synonym for excellent work and honest dealing.
Mr. William Taylor is one of the leading business men of Meriden, and is fraternally connected with the Masonic order, dating back twenty-five years, the Royal Arcanum, and the New England Order of Protection. In politics Mr. Taylor has always been an active Republican. He has represented the Third ward in the city council, and has been alderman for two terms, serving from that ward at the present date. In January, 1901, he was elected president pro tem. of the council, which office he fills with dignity and credit.
In 1876 Mr. Taylor was married in Meriden to Inez J. Gladwin, a daughter of Timothy O. and Lois (Case) Gladwin, a lady of beautiful character and one of education and culture. The children of this marriage number four : Ernest, a graduate of the Meriden high school, in business with his fa- ther ; Arthur W., a graduate of the Meriden high school, is engaged with the Aeolian Co., of Meri- den; Lewis I. and Louisa L. are students .. The family connection is with the Congregational Church, where Mr. Taylor is generous in its sup- port, and where Mrs. Taylor is a valued teacher in the Sunday-school. Her acquaintance in Meriden is large, as for several years she was a favorite teacher in the public schools. The esteem in which Mr. Taylor is held in Meriden is very genuine, and he is one of the substantial citizens of the city.
EDWARD S. PRITCHARD, an energetic and successful business man of Waterbury. belongs to one of the oldest and most highly respected fam- ilies of the Naugatuck Valley. The first to locate in Waterbury was Roger Pritchard, who was born in Milford, Conn .. a son of Benjamin Pritchard, and grandson of Roger Pritchard, who was the progeni- tor of the family in America and a resident of Mil- ford. The grandson of this worthy pioneer removed with his family to Waterbury at an early day, and
here spent the remainder of his life, dying May 18, 1760. He was married in his native town March 8, 1715, to Hannah Northrop, daughter of William Northrop. By that union were born five children, whose names and dates of birth were as follows: Roger, Dec. 25, 1716; Hannah, Oct. 2, 1718; Mary, March 4, 1722; Ann, Feb. 14, 1724; and Ephraim, 1726. The mother of these children died Nov. 28, 1726, and by his second wife, Saralı, Roger Pritch- ard had six children: Phebe, born April 16, 1731 ; Abigail, March 15, 1733; Sibella, Jan. 9, 1736; Abraham, Oct. 12, 1737 ; Amos, Aug. 27, 1739 ; and Elihu, Oct. 27, 1741. The two youngest were born in Waterbury, the others in Milford.
Amos Pritchard, son of Roger, engaged in farm- ing all his life on what is now known as Bucks Hill. He was married May 26, 1768, by Rev. Mark Leavenworth, to Lydia Blakeslee, by whom he had two children : Lydia ( wife of Eleazer Hall), born April 12, 1769; and Amos, born Oct. 22, 1770. The wife and mother died Sept. 21, 1771, and on Aug. 20, 1777, Amos Pritchard wedded Mrs. Mary Adams, widow of Samuel Adams. By that union there were seven children : Roger, born May 17, 1778, died Aug. 13, 1779; Sabra, born Jan. 6, 1780, married Isaac Allen; Roger, born March 7, 1782; Ora, born Oct. 26, 1783, married Dyer Hotchkiss ; Elias, born Jan. 28, 1786, was the grandfather of our subject ; Aaron, born Dec. 1, 1788, died March 31, 1795; and Ruth, born Oct. 7, 1791, died un- married.
Elias Pritchard, our subject's grandfather, spent his entire life on Bucks Hill, and was buried in the cemetery there. He was a stone mason by occupa- tion, and a Jeffersonian Democrat in politics. He married Hannah, daughter of David and Submit (Hotchkiss) Payne, and granddaughter of Capt. Gideon Hotchkiss. In their family were the follow- ing children : Luman, born Feb. 16, 1805; Aaron, born Jan. 5, 1807, died March 27, 1807; Minerva, born Oct. 2, 1808; Emeline, born Dec. 29, 1810, married first William Tulford, and second Bennett Scott; Rebecca, born July 2, 1814, married Norman Alling; Clarissa, born July 27, 1816, married M. WV. Welton ; Roxanna and one who died in infancy were twins, born Jan. 15, 1818; George Nelson, father of our subject, was next in order of birth; David Miles, born March 2, 1825; and William Harry, born June 21, 1826.
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