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 61
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George Nelson Pritchard was born Aug. 17. 1819, and was educated in the district schools of Waterbury. He learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade with Bennett & Chatfield, and has always followed that occupation, being a contractor and builder for several years. He spent some time at work in Ohio and Pennsylvania, but for the past forty years has lived on the Wolcott road in the town of Waterbury. He is still quite active, and is employed in the wood working department of our subject's shop near Mill Plain. He is a Jacksonian Democrat in politics, and is liberal in his religious views, though he attends the Methodist Episcopal
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Church. On Nov. 4, 1843, in Waterbury, he was united in marriage with Miss Laura A. Peck, a native of Bethany, Conn., and a daughter of Titus Peck. They have now traveled life's journey to- gether for fifty-eight years, sharing its joys and sor- rows, its adversity and prosperity. To them were born nine children, namely: Elias, who died in Ohio; Hannah, deceased wife of William Sanford; Eliza M., who first married Thomas Linsley (de- ceased), second the late Charles Leonard, and third Robert J. Walker; Edward S., our subject; Mary, deceased; Anna, who died at the age of ten years ; Harry, a caster of Newark, N. J., married Carrie Andrews, of Waterbury; Elias, a carpenter and joiner, formerly of Waterbury, married first Sarah Barnes, and second Mrs. Annie Hoar, of Fall River ; and Mercy, who died young.
Edward S. Pritchard, whose name introduces this sketch, was born Feb. 7, 1851, in Waterville, Conn., and. attended the district schools of Mill Plain, Waterbury. In early life he worked with his father at the carpenter's trade, and also followed farming to some extent. After attaining his ma- jority he entered the employ of Brown Bros., of Waterbury, and worked under E. L. Frisbee as a caster in the brass shop for eighteen years. For the past twelve years he has been connected with the firm of Booth & Hayden as a contractor caster, and is one of the oldest in that line of busi- ness in the Naugatuck Valley. Since 1892 he has had a blacksmith and general repair shop at his home near Mill Plain, where he works during spare moments. For several years he has been interested in the ice business, and at present is also engaged in the meat business. He is very industrious, enter- prising and progressive, and to his own unaided efforts may be attributed his success. for he started out in life for himself with no capital or influential friends to assist him. He owns a well-improved place at Mill Plain, upon which he has erected a comfortable residence, a good barn and other build- ings. By his ballot he supports the men and meas- ures of the Republican party, but has never sought official honors. For five years he was a member of the State Militia, but has never taken a very active part in public affairs, preferring to devote his entire attention to his business interests.
Mr. Pritchard was married in Waterbury. Dec. 25, 1871, to Miss Jennie S. Warner, a native of Hamden and a step-daughter of Hobart Warner.
JAMES B. SCRANTON. Among the well- known business citizens of New Haven is James B. Scranton, the efficient superintendent of the Biglow Manufacturing Co., of this city. He was born in Augusta Center, Oneida Co .. N. Y., Jan. 5, 1847, a son of Harry and Eliza ( Ives) Scranton, the for- mer of whom was a son of Samuel Scranton, who was born in Guilford, Conn., where he engaged in farming. There he married and reared a family of four children, these being : Samuel, Harry, Amanda
and Julia. Samuel was a farmer in Guilford on the old homestead; Amanda married a Mr. Frisbie, a sea-faring man ; and Julia married a Mr. Benton, all of Guilford.
Harry Scranton, the father of our subject, was born in Guilford, Conn., in 1801, and died in Sep- tember, 1855. His early years were spent on a farm in Guilford, and while still a young man he went to Florida, later moving to Oneida county, N. Y., where he bought land and built a home. He mar- ried Eliza Ives, who died Dec. 25, 1855. The fam- ily born to Harry Scranton and wife numbered nine children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being : Samuel, who was a carpenter and lived in Augusta Center, N. Y .; William C. for many years has been a clothier in Utica. N. Y .; Henry A. for a time was a carpenter in Augusta Center, but later removed to Oil City, Pa .; Julia, deceased, married Charles Eastman and lived in Iowa; George I. lives in West Haven, Conn .; James B .; and Albert M., who was a ship carpenter on a whaler, later settled in Riceville, Pa., and for a time was postmaster of that place. In politics Harry Scranton was a Demo- crat, believing in the principles of that party, and he served as town clerk for many years. He was one of the leading members of the Methodist Church in his locality.
The boyhood days of James B. Scranton were spent in Augusta Center, and there he attended the district schools until he was ten years of age, at that time entering the Onondaga Academy, where he studied for four years. The next two years he occupied in work on the grounds under the direc- tion of the school principal, at the end of this period being apprenticed to the machinist's trade, entering the shops of the N. Y. C. R. R.
In 1868 Mr. Scranton made the trip to Califor- nia by way of the Isthmus, and remained in that section for two years engaged in work for the Cen- tral Pacific Railway Co., in the spring of 1870 locat- ing in Syracuse, N. Y., as foreman in one of the shops of the N. Y. C. R. R., where he remained so connected until 1874. For four years Mr. Scran- ton filled the responsible position of engineer on the route between Syracuse and Watertown, and then became general foreman in the shops in East Buf- falo, remaining until 1883, when he was made super- intendent of the D. Frisbie & Co. Manufactory, New Haven. Since 1892' lie has filled a sim- ilar position with the Biglow Company. Perhaps no man in his position has had more thorough training than Mr. Scranton. Beginning the work with a natural liking for it, he has made it a life study, and understands it both scientifically and practically, and he is considered one of the most reliable and careful men in his department in this city.
On Nov. 21, 1872, Mr. Scranton was married to Miss Jane Handwright, who was born in Marcy, N. Y., a daughter of James and Elizabeth Hand- wright, of the same locality, but of Irish extrac-
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tion. Four children have been born to this union : Edith M., James B., Jr., William J. and Mary T. Mr. Scranton has long been an active and influential member of the Republican party, and he is socially connected with the A. O. C. W. and Legion of Honor. The religious home of the family is with St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, to which he is a liberal and cheerful contributor. Mr. Scranton is not only highly estecmed by the company he so ably and faithfully serves, but is regarded as an excellent citizen and most desirable neighbor.
EDWARD A. HOTCHKISS, a well-known contractor and builder of Naugatuck. is one of the most energetic and enterprising business men of that place. The thoroughness and persistency with which he applied himself while learning his trade have characterized his entire business career and have been supplemented by careful attention to de -- tails and by honorable, straightforward effort that has gained him a most excellent and enviable repu- tation.
The Hotchkiss family have long resided in this county. Dyer Hotchkiss, grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in the town of Waterbury, and throughout life followed farming and carpentering. He married Orra Camp, and located upon a farm in Naugatuck, where he spent his remaining days. His remains were interred in that town. In his family were five children : Charles ( deceased ) was a con- tractor and builder of Torrington. Conn .; Henry (deceased) was a farmer of Cheshire; Mary (de- ceased) was the widow of Zenas Potter, a black- smith by trade, and made her home in Waterbury; Amos H. was the father of our subject ; and Sarah married Harmon Payne, a farmer and cattle dealer of Bristol, Connecticut.
Amos H. Hotchkiss, father of our subject, was a native of Naugatuck, and died there in 1893. In early life he also engaged in contracting and build- ing, but later followed the occupation of farming. In politics he was a Republican. He married Miss Sally M. Scott, a native of Middlebury, New Haven Co., Conn., and a daughter of Joseph Scott. She died in 1898. To this worthy couple were born nine children, as follows: Mary, deceased wife of David Morse; Jane, wife of James Megin. of Bethany,
he began contracting and building on his own ac- count, and is still successfully engaged in that busi- ness. He also owns and operates a sawmill and farm in Beacon Valley, where he makes his home, i and is accounted one of the leading business men of the community.
On Nov. 19, 1879, Mr. Hotchkiss married Miss Jennie Schofield, a daughter of Joseph Schofield, and they have had a family of five children: Wal- ter A., George B., Ida M., Tracy J. and Sarah R. (deceased). Mr. Hotchkiss is identified with no particular political party, voting for the man whom he believes best qualified to fill the office, regardless of party lines. Socially he is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Golden Cross and the Grange.
SANFORD HAWKINS, a leading business man of Milford, was born Feb. 19, 1854, in Say- ville, Long Island, son of Jonas N. and Keturah ( Newton ) Hawkins.
Jonas N. Hawkins was a native of Middle Island, born July 25, 1817, and in early manhood went to Smithtown, Long Island, where he learned the blacksmith's trade. For some years he followed hisi trade in Sayville, and in 1867 he removed to Mil- ford, engaging first in the oyster business, which he carried on two years. In about 1870 he became interested in the grocery business, and in 1873 the' store was removed to Broad street, on the north side of the "Green," where it is still located, our subject now conducting it. Mr. Hawkins died in! Milford July 26, 1892. His first wife, who died May 27, 1861, was a native of Smithtown, and a daughter of Benjamin Newton, a well-known resi- dent of that place. Of the eight children of Jonas N. and Keturah Hawkins the following is the rec- ord: Michael S. is a -druggist in Salem, Ohio; Theodore is deceased; Edgar W. is engaged in the real-estate business in San Francisco, Cal .; Jones N. died in boyhood ; Albert E. is deceased ; Miss Emma K. resides in Sayville, L. I .; Sanford and Annie E. are in Milford. The father married again in 1865, and his widow resides in Milford.
Sanford Hawkins attended the schools of Say- ville until he reached the age of fourteen, and on Jan. 2, 1868, went to Milford, where he continued he became a clerk in his father's store, and after
ness. He carries a large and well-selected stock of groceries, crockery, hardware, cutlery, paints, oils, window glass, woodenware, cordage, and similar commodities, and is the agent in Milford for the Belcher & Taylor Agricultural Tool Co., Masury's railroad colors, and Crockett's wood preservatives. He has always identified himself with matters of public interest in the town, and was an active mem- ber of the Board of Trade during its existence. He is now president of the Business Men's Associa-
Conn. : Dyer, a carpenter of Naugatuck : Alice, wife ; his studies in a private school. On leaving school of C. F. Wedge, of Naugatuck : Ann, wife of Henry Dudley, of Ansonia, Conn .; Sarah, deceased wife , the death of the latter he succeeded him in busi- of Stephen Johns ; Marcia, a resident of Naugatuck ; Esther, wife of Edmund F. Hoyt, of Middlebury; and Edward A., our subject.
Edward A. Hotchkiss was born in Naugatuck June 11, 1854. He attended the common schools of Naugatuck until eighteen years of age. and then assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until twenty-five. The following five years he de- voted to thoroughly learning the carpenter's trade with Hial Stevens, a contractor of Nangatuck. and for one year he worked at various places. In 1884 tion, in which his enterprise and foresight have
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found a wide field for useful effort. Politically Mr. Hawkins is a Republican. He has been town auditor, and is now town treasurer. He is one of the most active members of Wopowage Lodge, No. 14, I. O. O. F., of Milford, of which he has been treasurer for fourteen years. He and his family be- long to the Congregational Church of Milford, for many years he has served on the Society's commit- tee and the Church committee, and for fifteen years he has been secretary and treasurer of the Sunday- school.
In 1883 Mr. Hawkins married Miss Laura E. Cole, of Mansfield, Mass., who died in 1885, leaving one son, Harold S. For his second wife Mr. Hawkins married Miss Julia Smith, of Milford, and by her he has two children, Eleanor D. and Newton Smith, the latter born Dec. 24, 1899.
EDWARD M. WOODWARD, now living in the old Woodward home in New Haven, was for over thirty years engaged in the coal business in that city, and was ranked among its successful and substantial residents.
Mr. Woodward was born Aug. 20, 1842, in East Haven, now New Haven, and belongs to a family which has long been established this side of the Atlantic. His emigrant ancestor, Rev. John Wood- ward, was graduated from Cambridge College in 1693, and was ordained pastor of the church at Nor- wich, Conn., Dec. 6, 1699. He was admitted an in- habitant of New Haven Dec. 24, 1716. From hin our subject is descended through John, John (2), John (3), John (4) and Lyman.
John Woodward (4), like all his immediate fore- fathers, followed the occupation of a farmer. He lived on the site of St. Andrew's M. E. Church, of New Haven, in what was then East Haven, in the locality known as Woodwardtown. His wife, Mary (Davenport), was of the fourth generation in descent from Rev. John Davenport, the noted divine who early settled in New Haven. They had a family of seven children : Clarissa, Roswell, Eliza, Emeline, John, and Leura and Lyman (twins).
Lyman Woodward, father of Edward M., was born in 1810, in East Haven, and reached a good old age, dying Nov. 19, 1885. He commenced life on his own account at an early age, leaving home when a mere lad of twelve years, and for a time clerked in a store in Fair Haven conducted by H. & S. R. Hotchkiss. Later he was employed as clerk in a store in New Haven, and afterward, in partnership with a cousin, James C. Woodward, em- barked in the grocery business for himself, in Fair Haven, continuing thus some twenty-five years. The partnership was then dissolved, and Lyman Wood- ward started anew, but alone, in the grocery busi- ness in the same street ( East Grand avenue), where he continued for another twenty-five years, retiring about a year previous to his death. Mr. Woodward married Miss Jeannette R. Maltby, of East Haven, a daugliter of Degrasse Maltby, the latter born in
Northford, Conn. She passed away Sept. 20, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Woodward had two children, Edward M. and S. Isabelle. The parents were actively iden- tified with the Grand Avenue Congregational Church, in the founding of which Mr. Woodward took a prominent part, and he served for many years as treasurer of that congregation. He also served as treasurer of the school district, and in offi- cial position, as in private matters; proved himself a capable man of business. In 1851, having purchased the property, he built the house at No. 169 Grand avenue, which his children now occupy, neither hav- ing married.
Edward M. Woodward was born in Quinnipiac avenue, where he lived for nine years, and his home lias since been in the old family residence in Grand avenue. He received his education in the city schools, attending the Thomas G. Sloan school and Gen. Russell's Military Academy. Leaving school when about sixteen, he spent the next ten years with his father in the grocery business, and in October, 1868, engaged in business independently as a coal merchant, continuing in that line until June, 1900, since when he has lived retired. Mr. Woodward enjoyed a lucrative trade and the highest confidence of his business associates throughout his career, and ever maintained the standards of honor and integrity upheld by his ancestors through many generations. Like his father, he attends the Grand Avenue Church, in which he holds membership. He is a Republican in political sentiment.
CAPT. MAGNUS MANSON has been a resi- dent of New Haven since 1852, and throughout that long period has been identified with the marine in- terests of that city, though for the past several years he has lived semi-retired.
The Captain is a native of the Shetland Isles, born June 29, 1829, son of John and Mary ( Mouat) Manson, both of whom were born in Scotland, the former also a native of the Shetland Isles. They had six children, three of whom survive, our sub- jeet being the youngest ; Capt. Gilbert is a resident of Boston ; Ann married Dan A. Tulleck, of Scot- land, whom she survives, now living in New Ha- ven with her sons. The father was engaged as fish- erman, sawyer and weaver. He reached the ad- vanced age of ninety-five years, and the mother lived to be ninety. Both were members of the Established Church of Scotland.
Magnus Manson received his education in his native land, where he remained up to the age of twenty years. He then went to England, and hav- ing decided to adopt a sea-faring life served his time as apprentice on board ship. After two years. he came to New Haven on board a brig with coal from England for Benedict & Son, of New Haven. In the summer of 1852 he left the brig and worked on a farm for six days. He then went before the miast cn a coasting vessel, later becoming mate, and. in 1857 he rose to the rank of master, taking com-
Eafin M Manson - com
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mand of the schooner "Mary Eliza," and after run- Aug. 30, 1861, in New Haven, son of Magnus and Margaret ( Mouatt ) Manson, of New Haven, he re- ceived his elementary education in the public schools of his native town, and early in life entered the em- . ploy of the firm of H. W. Benedict & Son, as an office boy. He was faithful to his duties, industri- tous and energetic, and in time rewarded by pro- motions and finally admitted to membership in the firm which is now, as given in the foregoing. thie individual members other than himself. being Frank W. Benedict and Willis Downs. These gentlemen and those previously conducting the business are among New Haven's substantial citizens and busi- ness men. ning her for about two years took another boat, the "Isaac Merritt," of 160 tons, which he ran until 1860. Having had the "J. W. Hine" built he started in this schooner, remaining until 1866, when he took the schooner "Henry Hobart," making the voyage to Porto Rico with a general cargo, returning with sugar and molasses for L. W. & P. Armstrong. Ilis next vessel was the "Henry Hobart, No. 2," after which he built the "John T. Manson," 650 tons burden, which he took with a cargo to Balti- nore, thence to New York and thence to New Or- leans. In 1872 she crossed to Antwerp, thence sail- ing to Newcastle, England, and putting in at New London on her return; she was lost off Block Isl- . John T. Manson is one of the active and pro- gressive men of New Haven, and though young in years is old in experience, as he has been active in the duties of citizenship, and has been variously identified with the city's institutions. For a period of five years he was president of the Y. M. C. A., and has been a State director of the Association ; has served as president of the Young Men's Repub- and in 1880. Capt. Manson built the "James Boyce," in New Haven, 860 tons burden, launch- ing her in March, 1876, and ran this vessel four years. His next boat, the "Helen H. Benedict," 1,160 tons, was built in Bath, Maine, and carried coal along the coast for the Boston and Albany Rail- road, running from Baltimore and Norfolk and Philadelphia to Boston, and also taking ice out . lican Club, was president of the New Haven Or- from Maine. The Captain was especially success- phans Asylum Donation Day committee, and has been a member of the Board of Education. He has also been one of the board of harbor commission- ers. Fraternally he is a Freemason, a member of the New Haven Country Club and of the Republi- - can League. iul with this boat. In ISSo he built the "Agnes E. Manson," 1,370 tons, which, like the "Helen H. Benedict." is a large first class merchant vessel. He commanded her in the coast trade until 1893, since which year he has been practically retired, though he still manages his marine interests, being part owner of six vessels. Our subject was one of the oldest captains along the coast, and he is now one of the oldest residents of his adopted city, where he is highly respected by both friends and associ- ates.
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On June 14, 1860, Capt. Manson married Mar- garet R. Mouatt, like himself, a native of the Shet- land Isles, and six children have blessed this union : The eldest daughter. Agnes E., married Fred Wat- terson, of New Haven, and died at the age of thirty- one, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Mary E. became the wife of Edward Gruner, a tailor, of New Haven, and they have three children, Margaret. Leopold and Catherine. Margaret is the wife of Harry Hol- comb, a prominent carriage maker in New Haven. John T. is mentioned below. Daniel E. married Effie Comie, daughter of Dr. Comie, a physician of Worcester, Mass., and they have one child, Marion. Henry, who lives at home, is in the en- ploy of Byard, Minor & Read. The Captain built his present magnificent home at No. 31 Dwight street in 1894. He and his wife attend Grace M. F. Church; fraternally he is a member of Wooster Lodge, F. & A. M .; politically he is a Republican in sentiment, but he gives his support to the best nian.
JOHN T. MANSON, of the firm' of Benedict. Downs & Co., wholesale dealers in coal, with an office at No. 82 Church street, New Haven, is one of the prominent young business men of the city. Born
JAMES T. COUGHLAN, prominent as a meat dealer, druggist and city official in Waterbury. was. born in King's County, Ireland, May 17, 1856, the eldest child of Torrance F. and Mary (Condon) Coughlan, who were the parents of four children, the others, in order of birth, being named Patrick, John and Torrance F. All are mentioned elsewhere. The father of this family died when the subject of this sketch was but eight years of age, immediately after which event the mother brought her children to America, and after a trifling delay elsewhere at once settled in Waterbury, Connecticut.
James T. Coughlan had attended school for a short period before leaving Ireland, and the educa- tion there acquired was supplemented by instruc- tion at the public schools of Waterbury, which he attended until he was sixteen years of age. He then went to work in a shop at a compensation of eight dollars per month, and gave his earnings to his mother until he went to Hartford. Mr. Cough- lan now went to Hartford, where he passed about ten years in Colt's Armory, learning the trade of toolmaker and machinist, and thence went to New York City, and for five years and seven months had charge of the machine department of the Bishop Gutta Percha Co. He then returned to Connecti- cut, and for one year was in the machine shop at Forestville. In October, 1870, he came to Water- bury, and started in the retail butcher trade in Bald- , win street, in a rented store. A little later he erected
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his present block, and was for some time in the wholesale trade, having his cattle shipped from the West and slaughtered on his own premises, but the retail trade has been his chief reliance, and in this he has been remarkably prosperous.
About twelve years ago Mr. Coughlan opened a drug store, adjoining his meat market in Baldwin street. This store is kept constantly supplied with fresh drugs and chemicals, proprietary medicines and fancy articles, such as are usually kept in estab- lishments of the kind, is nicely furnished, and the whole is under the supervision of Mr. Coughlan's daughter, Miss Margaret E., with the aid of an as- sistant. Our subject's fortune has been made by close attention to business, push and affability, and he is still at work.
James T. Coughlan married Miss Lucy E. Laughlin, a daughter of James L. Laughlin, a farmer of Watertown, Conn., and this union has been blessed with six children, born in the following or- der: Mary E., who is a school teacher in Water- bury; Margaret E., the young lady in charge of Mr. Coughlan's drug store; Rose, Ann, Catherine and Gertrude, all four attending school.
Mr. Coughlan is in politics a Democrat, and has served as second selectman one year, as alderman four years, as councilman one year, as road and Sewer commissioner thirteen years, and in I891 was tax collector ; while an incumbent of the latter office he was under bonds for $150,000. Fraternally he is a Knight of Columbus, and a member of the Foresters of America and the United Workmen. He and family attend St. Francis Xavier Church, and are greatly respected wherever known.
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