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 78
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JOHN T. KENT. The large industrial com- panies reach out and select as foremen and super- intendents of their various departments the best men they can find for their responsible places. It is a guarantee of superior ability for one to hold a position of that nature. For nineteen years the sub- ject of this sketch has been foreman in the wood- working department of the Farrell foundry at An- sonia.
Mr. Kent was born in Meriden, Conn., Dec. 27. 1851, a son of Timothy and Ellen ( Rowan) Kent. The father, a native of Ireland, migrated when a young man to America, locating first in Massachu- setts and later in Connecticut. He was a carpenter and builder and worked as a journeyman until his death at Ansonia at the age of forty-eight years. His wife, also a native of Ireland, lived to the age ! of fifty-three years. To Timothy. and Ellen Kent were born five children, three of whom. John T .. 1 Anna and Nora, survived. Anna married William Conklyn, of Waterbury; and Nora is married and lives in Bridgeport.
John T. Kent, when ten years of age, left his home and worked as a farmer in Cheshire, Conn., until he was sixteen years old, attending the con- inon schools. He then began to learn his trade with
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his father, remaining with him and his partner until 1871. He then came to Ansonia with his father and here worked at his trade, first with Jolm Dixbury and later successively with D. F. Johnson and Platt, Lines & Co., with the latter company acting occa- sionally as foreman and he was sent by them to Farrell Foundry and was engaged in its construc- tion about a year. He was then employed by the Farrell Foundry and a few months later, in 1880, was made foreman of the wood-working department, a position which he lias since held uninterruptedly. At first he had seven men in his department and now he has eighteen, and at times when constructing some of the buildings he has employed sixty men. Mr. Kent does all the drafting for new buildings or alterations. He has seen the business of the foundry grow to more than double in size and its employes increase from 200 to 500. He is a thor- ough wheelwright also, one of the few masters of that trade that can now be found.
Mr. Kent is prominent in the fraternal organiza- tions of America. He is a member of the Macca- bees, Tent No. 5, and has served as its commander. He has been through all the chairs and is chief of the Ancient Order of Foresters and also of the Cir- cle of Foresters. For twenty-six years he has been a member of the Young Men's Temperance Society, has filled all the offices and he takes a deep interest in its affairs. He is also a prominent member of the Farrell Foundry Beneficial Association and is one of the oldest and most active members of the Knights of Columbus. He is an attendant of the Catholic Church, of Ansonia.
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Mr. Kent is one of the, public-spirited citizens of Ansonia. His sound business principles, stern integrity and high attainments have commended him to the good wishes of the community and he com- mands a host of friends. He is not only conversant with current affairs but has a large and well se- lected library, including standard works of history, poetry and mechanics, and of these and the latest literature he is an appreciative student.
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BENJAMIN LOTT LAMBERT, M. D., one of the prominent and respected physicians of New Haven, whose pleasant home is at No. 358 Howard avenue, in that city, was born in New Haven Feb. 16, 1856, son of Denison David Lambert, who was born Sept. 20, 1820.
The Lambert family can trace its descent from high antiquity, going back with all the certainty of written records to the time of William the Con- queror, in the eleventh century, and by history of undoubted credibility to the Kingdom of the Lom- bards, in Italy. The earliest account we have of the Lombards is that they were a roving clan from Norway, that they settled awhile in Vindili (in Germany), till, attracted by the fair plains of Modena, they rushed from their mountain fast- nesses, took possession, and founded one of the most powerful States in Italy. The signification of the
name in their language was long beard, as his- tory states that "this clan parted their hair and sut- fered it to grow to whatever length it might at- tain." This clan is described as being of a warlike temper, as the fact and manner of their establish- ing themselves in Italy would prove. Upon the - subversion of the Kingdom the descendants of the clan were dispersed into various parts of Europe, many of them settling in cities and large towns in that part of the world. The family from which i the Milford (Conn.) branch is descended we find in history had established itself in Normandy, France. It appears from the records of heraldry that they were of the highest respectability in the said place, and on them were bestowed the various orders. of knighthood. When William the Con- queror invaded England he took with him Rodolph de Lambert as his armor bearer, or knight at arms. Cardinal Lambertini, of this family, was elected Bishop of Rome Aug. 27, 1730, and took the title of Benedict XIV.
Rodolph' de Lambert left one son, Hugh, and from him are descended all of the name in Eng- land and North America. Among the most noted of these were John Lambert, who commanded the Parliamentary forces against King Charles I; also Richard, ancestor of the Earl of Cavan; his heir, the first baron, who was created Lord Lambert, and Earl of the County of Cavan, in 1617 ( he died July 9, 1718) ; his son Charles on May 12, 1642, was made governor of the city of Dublin. Jesse Lambert, the ancestor of the Lambert family of Milford, Conn., emigrated from England about 1680. He was from a branch of the Earl of Cavan's family who settled in Wiltshire (or Devon). Jesse Lambert, previous to his coming to New Eng- land, had been an officer in the British navy, and had been up the Mediterranean sea against the Turks. His first landing in America was at Boston, but in a few days he proceeded on to New Haven, and soon after to Milford, where he settled in 1684. His residence was on the west side of the Wepo- wage river, a few rods north of the First Presby- terian meeting-house, on No. 7 of the lots of the early planters. On May 10, 1688, he married De- borah Fowler, daughter of Capt. William Fowler, and granddaughter of William Fowler, magis- trate. Jesse Lambert died in the autumn of 1718; his will is recorded on Probate Records, New Ha- ven, Lib. IV, page 553. His son Jesse was born April 20, 1693, and died Dec. 26, 1773.
David Lambert, great-grandfather of the Doc- tor, and third son of Jesse (2) was born Dec. 2, 1731, in Milford, settled in the family homestead there, and was the owner of a large real estate. He was a farmer by occupation. In 1755 he mar- ried Martha (Gunn) Northrop, and they had ten children. He died Nov. 8, 1815, aged eighty-four ; his wife, born July 21, 1737, died Oct. 27, 1815, aged seventy-eight. Mr. Lambert was a large, well-built man, of dignified carriage. He had a
Very. L. Lambert. M. D.
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firm, unbending spirit, and was noted for his de- cision and independence of mind.' He was sincere in his attachments as a friend, and stubborn and uncompromising to those who offended him. Truly benevolent, his house was ever opened to the poor and friendless. In his active years he was one of the leading men of the community, serving as town clerk, justice of the peace, and in other capacities.
Benjamin Lott Lambert, seventh son of David and grandfather of our subject, was born Sept. 20, 1782, in' Milford ( now the town of Orange), Conn. He taught in the academy in Milford for eleven years, then settled on a farm in Orange. He was the first representative sent to the Legis- lature from the town of Milford, and was also town clerk for several years. He died Oct. II, 1825, at the early age of forty-three, from an overdose of root given for swamp fever. He was buried in the Orange cemetery. He was married Sept. 8, 1817, to Eunice, daughter of Isaac Hemingway, of Wood- bridge, Conn. One of their sons, Benjamin Lott Lambert, born Dec. 28, 1825, is still living in New Haven.
Denison David Lambert: son of Benjamin L .. was reared upon the farm in North Milford, and was educated in the common schools. Until 1840 he was engaged in the cultivation of the old honie- stead. For a number of years he was employed as a carpenter and builder in New Haven; was also engaged in erecting mills in the South, at Atlanta, Ga., for a time; and for fifteen years was in busi- ness at Milledgeville, Ga., after which he retired. After his return to New Haven he entered the real- estate business, which he followed for only a few wears, his death occurring May 13, 1871. He mar- ried Jane Adams Hinman, who was born in Wood- bury April 27, 1827, and they had three children, vi whom Benjamin Lott and David Denison sur- vive. Jennie Celia, twin sister of Benjamin L., died Aug. 4. 1898, after a life of usefulness in the U'nited Church. Mrs. Lambert belonged to the Minor family through her mother, Mrs. Hinman, who died when Mrs. Lambert was a little girl. The father married for his second wife a lady of the same name, Hinman, who lived to the advanced age of ninety-six years.
Dr. Benjamin L. Lambert has spent his life in New Haven, where he received his literary edu- cation, finishing at Yale. In 1883 he graduated from the Medical Department of the University of New York. For two years he was engaged in the practice of his profession in Brooklyn, and in 1882 became a resident of his native city. His home and business have been maintained here since that time with most excellent and satisfactory results. In his medical practice. while he was broad and thor- ough in his preparation, he makes a specialty of the diseases of children.
Dr. Lambert was married Dec. 15, 1881, to Mary Durant Gilbert, of Durant, Ohio, who was the first child born in that town, hence her name ;
she received two building lots for the honor. She was one of five children born to Isaac U. and Mary ( Husson) Gilbert; her mother, a native of Lancaster, Pa., is still living. Dr. and Mrs. Lani- bert have had one son, Harold Denison, who died Aug. 22, 1899. The Doctor built the house in which he resides.
Dr. Lambert is a Republican, and was the first of his political faith to be elected from his ward to the court of common council. For the four and | one-half years ensuing he was elected alderman, in 1895, 1896, 1897 and until July 1, 1898, being a member of the board of aldermen, and during this time he served as chairman of the lamp committee, and as president of the board of aldermen in 1897 and six months of 1898. In 1895 and 1896 he was on the board of finance, and for one year was a member of the park commission. For the past two years he has been police surgeon of the Third precinct ; he was chairman of the committee to improve Beecher pond and the adjacent land.
Dr. Lambert takes pride in his social relations, and is highly esteemed in fraternal circles. In Masonry he is an adept, having risen to the thirty-second degree, belonging to Trumbull Lodge ; Franklin Chapter; Harmony Council; Lafayette Consistory, No. 2; Pyramid Temple; and other bodies. He is also affiliated with the I. O. O. F .; the A. O. U. W., in which he is past master ; and the K. P., having assisted in organizing the local lodge, in which he is now past chancellor. He is past archon of the Order of Heptasophs, and be- longs to the Red Men at New Haven ; is past presi- dent of the American Guild; also supreme medical director of the American Mutual Life Society. The Doctor since he began life for himself has been a member of fifty-two different societies and associations, and in all these relations he has been much esteemed, winning a host of friends who wish him well and are glad to see him prosper. He is identified with the Howard Avenue Congre- gational Church, and has placed a memorial win- dow in this church for his son.
In his professional associations Dr. Lambert stands well among his brethren of the science of practice as well as with the general public. His membership in the city, county and State medi- cal societies and the American Medical Associa- tion serves to display his professional enthusiasm and to emphasize his kindly and fraternal feeling toward all who are walking in the same lines with him. He has acted as vice-president of the City and County Medical Societies, and has written often for publication on important medical themes.
DAVID DENISON LAMBERT, the present popular and capable supervising principal of the Day District, in New Haven, was born in that city Aug. 7, 1862, a son of Denison David and Jane Adams ( Hinman ) Lambert. He acquired his edu- cation in the New Haven schools, and was grad-
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uated from the Academic Department of Yale in 1886, receiving his degree of M. A. two years later. After this special course of two years he began teaching mathematics in New York city, where, after a year of good work, he received a call to the schools at West Ansonia, in New Haven county, Conn. At this place he spent two years, after which for three years he was principal of the public schools at Westville. In 1894 he entered upon his present work, as supervising principal of the Day District, which in 1901 consisted of five buildings, forty teachers and 1,700 pupils.
In 1888 Mr. Lambert was married to Katie A. Latham, who was born in New York, a daughter of Joseph A. Latham, who was a rare mechanical genius, and moved to New Haven to take up the steam fitting business, later becoming a pattern and model maker, and he died there in 1893. Ellen A. (Atkins) Latham, mother of Mrs. Lambert, was a daughter of Samuel Atkins, of Waterbury. Three children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lambert, namely: Cecile, Rheta and Deni- son Latham.
Mr. Lambert is a Republican, and belongs to . the Union League and the Young Men's Republican Club. He is also a member of the Young Men's Institute, the A. O. U. W., the New Haven Golf Club and the American Mu- tual Life Society. As a mathematician he has more than a local reputation, and he has perfected a perpetual calendar, which shows any day of any year by a simple change which re- quires but a moment to effect. With his family he has attended for eight years the Howard Ave- nue Congregational Church.
WILLIAM A. PENFIELD, of Meriden, is a scion of one of the early families of New England.
Nathaniel Penfield, the first of the American branch of the family, was a member of the New Haven Colony, and settled at Wallingford, where he died in January, 1776.
Nathaniel Penfield (2), son of Nathaniel and his wife Hannah, was a farmer in what is now Meri- den. On June 9, 1755, he married Lydia Barnes, and died in Meriden May 18, 1777. His widow married Jeremiah H. Osgood. April 23, 1778, and died Jan. 31, 1811, aged seventy-six years.
Phineas Penfield, son of Nathaniel (2) and his wife Lydia, was born June 6. 1756. From Farming- ton, Conn., he became an enlisted private soldier in the Continental army, and saw actual service for the space of twelve months and twenty-three days. a part of this time being under Capt. Curtis and Col. Enos. On April 9, 1778. he married Lucy, daughter of Jeremiah H. and Lucy ( Churchill) Osgood, and he died March 28, 1834. in Hartford county, at the age of seventy-seven years. Nathaniel. a brother to Phineas Penfield, but four years his junior. also enlisted at Farmington, as a private, in the Con- necticut troops, and his service lasted for eighteen
months and twelve days, during a portion of which time he served under Capt. Bray and Col. Butler.
Phineas Penfield (2), son of Phineas and Lucy, was born Oct. 18, 1785, and Nov. 25, 1812, he mar- ried Ruth Judd Hart, who was born May 3, 1793. a daughter of Linus Hart, of Farmington. She died Dec. 11, 1848, at the age of fifty-five years. Phineas Penfield was a farmer and cooper and died in his sixtieth year, Aug. 3. 1845.
Lemuel Penfield, son of Phineas (2), was born in New Britain, and died in 1876, aged fifty-six years. He was reared in his native place, and while still a youth he entered the shipping department of the Stanley Rule & Level Co., where he remained for several years. Mr. Penfield was the first policeman appointed under the city government of New Brit- ain, and continued on the force until his death. His remains rest in the New Britain cemetery. His
first wife was Caroline Allen, who bore him four children, the eldest of these died in infancy; Henry B. resides in Meriden ; William A .: and Caroline married Spencer Page and lives in New Britain. Lemuel Penfield was married a second time, Miss Hattie Terrell becoming his wife. During life he was a faithful and valued member of the Congrega- tional Church, and espoused the principles of the Republican party from its first organization.
William Allen Penfield, son of Lemuel and Caro- line (Allen) Penfield, was born March 30, 1852. in New Britain, Conn., and there attended the district school, passing through the course at the high school. When but fourteen years of age he entered the employ of the Stanley Rule & Level Co., in the rule department, where he continued for twelve yars, eight of these being employed on piece work. Then he came to Meriden, and here accepted a position with the Meriden Britannia Co., in the German silver department, remaining in this city for three years in the same capacity. When Mr. Penfield returned to his old home. New Britain, he worked in the lock shop for one year, but decided to come back to Meri- den and accepted a position in the brass department of the Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Co., as a contractor, and for seventeen years he has continued with this well-known concern. His reliability and substantiality are well established in this city, where he is regarded as a representative citizen.
Mr. Penfield has been prominently identified with public affairs in this city for a number of years. Until 1901 his political connection was with the Democratic party, but the issues of that time caused him to vote with the Republicans and he has been warmly welcomed into that party. In 1896 he was elected on the Democratic ticket as alderman from the Third ward, in this city. was chairman of the Claims committee, and in 1899 he was appointed a member of the board of Public Works. having two years yet to serve. Under Mayor Ives he also served as .fire commissioner for one year.
On Oct. 16, 1874, Mr. Penfield was married in New Britain, Conn., to Sarah Briggs, who was born
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in New Brunswick, Canada, a daughter of Eben and Mehitable (Taylor) Briggs, and the four chil- dren born to this union were: Harry Briggs, who died young ; Mattie May, who married Lorenzo T. Fuller, has one child, Briggs Penfield: William Lemmel, with the Bradley & Hubbard Manufactur- ing Co .; and Charles Larkin. The home which Mr. Penfield erected on Randolph avenue, in Meri- den, is one of the most attractive and stately on that beautiful thoroughfare, and it is presided over with ease and grace by his most estimable wife, who is prominent in both religious and social circles in Meriden. She is an active member of All Saints' Episcopal Church, while Mr. Penfield shows by an exemplary life liis liberal and discerning bequests to all deserving objects and his public spirit on all oc- casions, that he is actuated by true Christian prin- ciples.
· Fraternally Mr. Penfield is a member of Myrtle Lodge, No. 6, K. of P., also of Meriden Lodge, No. 35. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. and Montowese Tribe, I. O. R. M., Silver City Lodge, O. U. A. M., and Pilgrim's Harbor Coun- cil, R. A. Perhaps Mr. Penfield's first interest, outside his business and his family, is the posses- sion of fine horses, and usually he owns some speedy trotters. Several specimens which have attracted attention have been trained under his eye. Although in no way a sporting man, the interest he takes in horses is an enjoyable diversion from business cares.
E. EUGENE HUBBARD, a well-known agri- culturist of the town of Orange, was born June 10. 1848, on his present farm, an attractive homestead at Oyster River, or Woodmont, about three miles from West Haven.
The family has been prominent in this section from an early day, and our subject's great-grand- father, Gen. John Hubbard, served as a general in the training of the old-time militia, under appoint- ment from the governor. He resided in New Haven in early manhood, and for more than twenty years was chorister of the Center Church, but his last days were spent in Litchfield, Conn., where he died at the age of eighty-six.
John Hubbard, our subject's grandfather, was born in Hamden and became a farmer by occupa- tion, locating at the present homestead in 1817. He died there in 1861, aged eighty-three years. In 1802 he married Sally Peck, of Woodbridge, who died in 1855, at the age of seventy-three. They were devout members of the Congregational Church and attended for a time in New Haven and later in West Haven. They had two children, a son and a daughter.
John P. Hubbard, our subject's father, was born in Handen, and much of his early life was spent at the present homestead. For some years he was in the show business in Norfolk, Va., but he then re- turned to agricultural pursuits at the farm where
he died at the age of seventy. In religious faith he was a Congregationalist, and politically he was first a Whig, and later active as a member of the Re- publican party. At times lie held offices in the town- ship, including that of assessor. He married Miss Saralı Ann Clark, a native of Woodmont, and the! dangliter of Thomas Clark, a well-known tailor and farmer of that town. Her mother, Eunice Mallett, of Bridgeport, lived to eighty-three years of age, and of the seven children six lived to maturity. Of these one is still living, Mrs. Harriet Law, of New Haven. Our subject's mother died in 1899, at the advanced age of eighty-two. John P. Hubbard and his wife had seven children, of whom six are now living, the other having died in childhood. John M. and Lewis C. reside near our subject : E. Eu- gene ; Anna married William Cottle, of Waterbury, who conducts the West Side Hill greenhouses ; Rev. George H., who has been in China as, a mis- sionary since 1884: and Mary E., wife of Charles R. Lawrence, of Waterbury.
As a boy our subject assisted his father on the homestead, of which he took charge at the latter's death. The place contains about eighty acres, which he devotes to general farming and gardening, with excellent results. In politics he is a Republican, and at one time he served as a constable. He was reared in the Congregational Church, to which his parents belonged, and he and his wife are active members of the First Congregational Church of West Haven and of the Sunday-school. In 1877 he married Miss Vara Smith, and they have had six children, of whom five are living, viz. : Minnie. Ber- tha, William. Florence and Clarence. Mrs. Hubbard is a native of the town of Orange, and a daughter of Marcus Smith, a prominent agriculturist, who died there aged eighty-two years. Her mother, Lucy Garlick, was born in Clyde. N. Y., and died in 1888, aged sixty-five years. Of the four chil- dren of Marcus and Lucy Smith, three are living, viz. : Brace, a resident of West Haven : Fanny. wife of Lewis Hubbard (our subject's brother) ; and Mrs. Hubbard.
THOMAS ENGLISH WORTHINGTON. a representative of one of the oldest and best known families of Massachusetts, and for many years a prominent contracting brick mason of New Haven. was born in Oxford, Conn., Ang. 25, 1842, a son of Thomas and Nancy ( Hoyt) Worthington. The fa- ther was a native of Agawam, Mass., and by occu- pation a hatter. He died in Oxford. in 1848. when our subject, second of a family of four boys, was six years old. The mother, Nancy Hoyt. was a native of New York City, where she was educated. remov- ing later to Connecticut, where hier father engaged in farming. She died in 1873. The four children of Thomas and Nancy ( Hoyt) Worthington were Harvey, Thomas E .. George and Albert. Harvey was a carriage builder. head of the Concord Car- riage Co., of Concord, N. H., and he died in 1892;
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George, also a carriage maker of Gilmanton, N. H., died in 1898; Albert was a rubber boot manufact- urer, and died in 1881.
Thomas E. Worthington spent his boyhood days on a farm in Oxford. He attended the old district school until he was fifteen years of age, and a year later he came to New Haven and began an appren- ticeship at the mason trade. He continued steadily at his trade until August, 1862. when he enlisted for three years or until the close of the Civil war, in Company B, 20th Conn. V. I. He saw much active service and was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg in July, 1863, and was mustered out of service at Washiington at the close of the war.
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