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 79
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Returning to his old home, Mr. Worthington resumed his old trade at once, and has ever since been prominently identified with the same. Most of his work has been in New Haven, but occasion- ally business called him to other cities, and one year, 1877, he spent in St. John's, N. B., where he built three churches.
On Sept. 3. 1867, Mr. Worthington married Mary Jane Pardee, a native of Oxford, daughter of William L. and Sarah E. (Sackett) Pardee. Her father was born in Madison, and her mother in what is now Beacon Falls. Mr. and Mrs. Worthing- ton are members of the Universalist Church. Mr. Worthington is prominent in the fraternal benevo- lent and social orders. He is a member of Admiral Foote Post, G. A. R., No. 17; Garfield Council, American Mechanics : Camp No. 8. Patriotic Order Sons of America ; Hammonasset Tribe. No. I, Red Men; Vetrain Lodge, No. 1, Good Fellows; and also a member of the Bricklayers' Union. In poli- tics he has always identified himself with Repub- lican principles, and he has been an active and influ- ential worker in the ranks of the party organiza- tion. For eleven years he has been the sewer in- spector of New Haven, and in 1901 he received from Mayor John P. Studley the appointment of superintendent of sewers. He is highly respected, successful in business, and one of the prominent, self-made men of New Haven.
GEORGE BRONSON MURDOCK. whose standing in Meriden as a man of affairs and as an honorable citizen is unquestioned, was born in the town of Waterbury, New Haven county, Feb. 25, 1846, and is connected by both maternal and pa- ternal ancestry with old Connecticut families.
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The Murdocks are of Scottish descent. The first of the family in America was Peter Murdock, a native of Limerick, Ireland. He was a son of John Murdock, a wool comber by occupation, whose parents were natives of Scotland, but set- tled in Limerick on account of religious persecu- tion at home. John Murdock was a stanch sup- porter of William of Orange, losing nearly all his property because of this lovalty. He married Mary Munson, who became the mother of four -
children, Peter Murdock, our subject's emigrant an- cestor being of the number.
Peter Murdock was eleven years old when he was sent from his native place, because of his father's losses and the troublous times, to seek a home with his uncle, Peter Murdock, who re- sided in the North of England. There he re- mained until seventeen years old, when he came to the New World, landing at Philadelphia with only a crown in his pocket. Finding employment with a Quaker family, he worked on the farm for a time, and finally, having saved a few shillings, he invested in cutlery and notions, which he ped- dled. Coming North, he settled in Long Island, and married Mary E. Fithin, at Southampton. He bought a small store at East Hampton, the care of which fell to his wife, while he devoted himself to the coast trade with a small vessel. Making some money, he bought 2,200 acres of land in Little Egg Harbor, N. J., and 840 acres in what is now Westbrook, Conn., to which latter point he moved his store. There he died Nov. 6, 1753, in the seventy-fourth year of his age, and there he was buried. His wife died Oct. 29, 1755, in her sixty-ninth year. Becoming established on Long Island, Peter Murdock sent for his three sisters, Abigail, Elizabeth and Dorcas. The first of these had died in the meantime, but the other two came. The last named married John Conklin ; those of the name mentioned in this article were of the same lineage as United States Senator Roscoe Conkling. Elizabeth married a Mr. Sing, a goldsmith of Phila- delphia.
John Murdock, only child of Peter, was born in 1706 on Long Island, and accompanied his father to Saybrook, where he became engaged in farming, and was an extensive land owner. He was a dea- con in the Congregational Church from 1764 to 1778; was a major in the Colonial militia; judge of the common pleas court of the county of New London ; and represented his town, then Say- brook, in the Legislature. He died in Saybrook, and was buried in the local cemetery. John Mur- dock was twice married. Phoebe Sill, his first wife, was born in Lyme, Conn., and died ten months after marriage. Frances Conklin, his sec- ond wife, was a native of East Hampton, Long Island, and became the mother of thirteen children : Peter. who graduated from Yale College, and died the same year; Mary, who married Nathaniel Hunting. Jr .; John: Phoebe, who married Rev. John Devotion ; William; Abigail, Mrs. Lee, who had nine children : Enoch ; Jonathan, a graduate of Yale and a clergyman in after life; Anna, Mrs. Lav; Miriam, Mrs. Morgan: Abraham: Frances, who married Lewis Jones and had a large family ; and James. a graduate of Yale College.
William Murdock, son of Major John, was born Aug. 31, 1740, and was a farmer in Westbrook. He married Jerusha Lay, of Lyme, who bore him
Harrest R. Murdock. 1
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thirteen children : John: William; Phebe, who was twice married, first to a Mr. Hambleton, sec- ond to a MIr. Richardson; Peter, grandfather of our subject; Elisha ( twin of Peter), who was drowned; Polly, Mrs. Zachariah Hurd: Miriam, Mrs. Isa Hurd; Anna, Mrs. Daniel Anderson ; Frances, Mrs. Benjamin Smith; Enoch; Jonathan ; James ; and Abigail. Mrs. Samuel Whitney. The mother of these died in 1796, aged fifty-five years, and the father subsequently married Thankful War- ner, widow of David Warner, of Millington; she died in 1816. There were no children by this union. William Murdock, the father, died in 1821 or 1822.
Peter Murdock, son of William, was born in Westbrook in 1768, died March 20, 1852, and was buried in Westbrook cemetery. He was a cabin boy on three privateers during the Revolution, and in later life a farmer and land owner, becoming one of the substantial citizens of his day. He married Mrs. Bathsheba ( Dodge) Bush, widow of John Bush, in East Lyme, and to this union were born : Polly U., who married a Mr. DeWolfe, of Clinton, Conn .; Charles and Delia, twins, the latter of whom married Edwin Dowd, and was the mother of Zina Dowd, of Meriden; Emeline, who married Horace Nettleton; Zina Kelsey; and Mathew Griswold. Mrs. Murdock was the mother of three children by her first marriage: Fenner, a promi- nent manufacturer of Meriden; John; and Ama- ziah. Mrs. Murdock died in Westbrook in 1852.
ZINA KELSEY MURDOCK, the father of George B., was born in Westbrook, March 2, ISII, and his education was obtained in the district schools of his native town. In early boyhood he had delicate health. Endowed with a restless disposition, he left home at the age of fourteen years to make his way in the world, walking from Westbrook to Meriden, where his brother, Fenner Bush, was en- gaged in the business of manufacturing ivory combs. For several years he worked in this fac- tory, and then became engaged in a mercantile business in partnership with Curtis L. North, Mr. North managing the local business, while Mr. Mur- dock carried on trading along the Ohio and Mis- sissippi rivers. This arrangement did not prove satisfactory and Mr. Murdock retired, leaving Mr. North in possession. He bought the farm where his son George Bronson now resides, in Murdock avenue, then known as the Curtis farm, and here spent his last days, dying Jan. 30, 1874. He was at the time among the large land owners in the town. A broad-minded man, he was a lover of fair play and liberty, and left a fine reputation. His courage and regard for free speech were fully demonstrated during the so-called riots of 1837 in Meriden. In the fall of 1837 Rev. Mr. Ludlow came to Meriden to lecture on Anti-slavery, and as Meriden was a pro-slavery town it was proposed to shut him out. Mr. Murdock and several other advocates of free speech insisted on hearing him,
and in consequence a mob gathered which inflicted serious injuries on the brave defenders of free speech. A Whig in early life, Mr. Murdock had no sympathy with slavery and no patience with those who brought on the Civil war. In his last years he supported the Democratic party. He never sought political honors. In his early life he was a Congregationalist in religious connection ; after his marriage he and his wife united with the Episcopal Church, and in that communion he died. He mar- ried Harriet M. Bronson, who was born in Water- bury, daughter of Judge Bennet and Anna ( Smith ) Bronson. To this union were born three children : Mary E., Oct. 8, 1843; George Bronson, Feb. 25, 1846; and Charles Z., May 1, 1850. Mrs. Mur- dock died on the farm in 1895, and was buried in Meriden cemetery,
George Bronson Murdock attended the district schools, and the Russell Military Academy, at New Haven. He grew to manhood on the farm, where he has always remained, engaged in general agri- culture, and he is one of the better known farmers of his section, highly respected for his industrious habits, kindly disposition and intelligence.
Mr. Murdock was married, in April, 1896, in Meriden, to Harriet Elizabeth Graves, a native of New Haven, a lady of charming disposition, a vocal artist of much ability, and known as a model wife and mother. They have three children, George Peter, Harriet Josephine and Bennet Bronson. Mr. Murdock is a Democrat, and has served on the school committee of the town. As one of the or- ganizers of Mediden Grange he takes nuch interest in its work, and held the office of master for the first three years. Mrs. Murdock is also a member of this society.
JOHN N. POPP, late of Seymour, Conn., where his death occurred Oct. 2, 1897, was for nearly a third of a century one of the town's business men and commanded the esteem and respect of his fellow citizens and townsmen.
Mr. Popp was born in 1841 or 1842, in Bavaria, Germany, a son of Conrad and Katherina Popp, and in about 1865 came to America, and not long there- after to Seymour, Conn., which place he ever after- ward made his home. He was a merchant tailor by trade, and for a short time was employed at journey work. He then went into business for himself at Seymour, and continued therein up to the time of his death, meeting with deserved suc- cess. Of a kind disposition and generous nature. he was popular in the community and made a good citizen. Socially he was identified with a number of different orders or fraternities, among which were the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was also a member of the A. O. U. W., and of the New England Benefit Association, and of the German Society of Her- manns-Sohne. On Mr. Popp's death marked respect was shown his memory, the business houses of Sey-
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ยท mour closed during the funeral. Many beautiful floral tokens of esteem and respect came on that occasion from the various orders to which the de- ceased had belonged, and from personal friends. The funeral was largely attended, attesting the af- fection, esteem and respect of the community at large in the deceased as a friend, neighbor and citi- zen. The pall-bearers were Charles Monwhiler, Henry Schneider, Antone Noe, Leonard Wyont, Wolfgang Schaeffer and Louis Miller.
Mr. Popp in his religious faith was a German Lutheran, but, there being no church of that de- nomination at Seymour. he attended there, with his wife, the Congregational Church. In his political views Mr. Popp had been a Democrat up to the campaign of 1896, but voted in that year for Will- iam Mckinley for President.
In 1867 Mr. Popp was married to Miss Sarah E. Wirth, born in Seymour, Conn., the only daugli- ter of Peter and Mary A. (Andrews) Wirth, the former a native of Bavaria, Germany, born in about 1825, and the latter a native of Olneyville, R. I., born in about 1828, a daughter of Denison and Lu- cinda Andrews. Peter Wirth came to America in a sailing vessel when quite a young man and located in the town of Seymour, Conn., many years ago, and here lived the rest of his days. He was an industrious and law-abiding citizen, and he and his wife were respected and esteemed citizens. Mr. Wirth for years was connected as an employe with the manufacturing concern of Raymond French. His death occurred Nov. 16, 1871, and that of his wife April 6, 1886, when they were aged, respect- ively, forty-six and fifty-eight years.
THOMAS H. MAGUIRE, supervisor of the South Division of the Connecticut School for Boys, is not only a competent official of that institution, but is also well known in musical circles as leader of the Meriden Military Band. He has been a worthy resident of Meriden from early manhood.
Mr. Maguire was born Nov. 30, 1863, in Bos- ton, Mass., one of the three children of Thomas and Catherine (Keys) Maguire, the former of whom died in Milwaukee, Wis .. the latter in New Haven, Conn. Thomas H. attended the Boston public schools until he was ten years old, when he removed to Milwaukee, Wis., and there attended school until about eighteen years of age. His school days over, he returned East, locating at Mer- iden, and obtained employment at the Connecticut School for Boys, commencing in the engine room, where he had charge of the boilers. He faithfully performed his duties, and in time was promoted to the position of night watchman, where he exhibited the same fidelity to every trust. He rose by degrees until he reached his present position, that of super- visor of the South Division, the duties of which he has discharged with general satisfaction to all con- cerned.
Concerning Mr. Maguire's musical career we
quote from the Dominant, a musical journal, of April, 1898:
At the age of fifteen he became deeply interested in band music, and chose the baritone as his favorite instru- ment. Studying under the direction of first-class teach- ers. he has nearly all the better class of solos for baritone. and is recognized as one of the best baritone players in his vicinity. Mr. Maguire has attained his present position by dint of hard work and constant study. He is the owner of a splended library of music for band, orchestra, voice and piano, embracing some of the best European publica- tions. and was for some years a regular subscriber to J. R. Lafleur Sons' Challenge Journal for Band, and Wright & Rounds Liverpool Brass Band News. He has scored for military band such overtures as "William Tell." "Semira- mide." "Oberon." and "Tannhauser." and the labor and care of scoring such works for band can only be appre- ciated by those who are familiar with the compositions. Recognizing the fact that in order to teach intelligently one must be familiar with the compass of all ordinary in- struments. he has studied instrumentation in a most prac- tical manner, viz .: Getting full scores of compositions di- rect from the composers.
At the last quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut School for Boys. the matter of having a band was t is taken up, and as a result Mr. Maguire was ap- pointed bandmaster. The course of instruction imparted the thirty boys who compose the school band may prove interestin- to readers of The Dominant. The boys are divided into three classes, according to ability. and at their daily meetings, which occupy several hours. rehearse the scales in every form from key of C to Gb, and from C to key of A for bases, making key of F sharp for Eb instru- ments. The blowing of sustained tones being the founda- tion of all instrumental practice, a great deal of attention is given to that much neglected course of instruction ; and it is surprising the beautiful tone that can be produced by a well balanced band. If the time be taken up in this man- ner. the benefit will soon be noticed.
Mr. Maguire has studied voice culture, and the knowl- edge gained from that study is of great benefit in band work. He has adopted a new idea for so far as I am aware it has not been tried before. Every teacher knows how hard it is to teach players to read readily. He has taken Greenwood's two-part exercises for singing classes, and arranged the most important of them in different keys for full band. Scale practice is usually looked upon as dry stud -- but with the above exercises, you combine time with tune. The band is divided into sections : those on the right playing the simple scale in time: those on the left playing the counterpoint, four quarters to the measure; then re- versing the parts, and so on till the value of all notes are mastered. Any one who adopts that method with new mia - terial will be amply repaid for his labor. After but three months' practice the boys play such pieces as "Sweet Brier Overture," "Philo Senate March." "American Belle March" etc. etc.
The school has a fine room which has been placed at the disposal of the band, and the boys have made it ad- ditionally attractive by adorning the walls with pictures of musical organizations and portraits of all the well-known band leaders. Among whom. here as elsewhere the only Sousa seems to be the favorite. Leader Maguire is very much attached to his art, and we have every reason to be- lieve has a bright future before him.
We may add that the Meriden Military Band. which now has thirty-six members, has tinder Mr. Maguire's direction filled some very im- portant engagements, chief of which might be mentioned the trips of ten days with Merriam Post, G. A. R., to the battlefields of Gettys- burg and to Washington, D. C. Mr. Ma- guire has studied under Bandmaster John Lyon;
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
harmony and composition with Prof. F. T. South- wick, of Meriden; voice culture with J. Jerome Hayes, of New Haven, and with George M. Greene, of New York. He has sung at various times in several of the local churches. He makes a practice "i spending his annual vacation where the best of band music is performed, and in numerous other ways displays his enthusiastic devotion to his pro- fession. His musical library, mentioned in the foregoing, embraces also many valuable works on mmusical literature, including some of the principal works of the masters.
Mr. Maguire was married in New York City, by Rev. Dr. Burtsell, to Miss Catherine Mulvaney, and they have two children, Mary Elizabeth and Francis Lawrence, both pupils at St. Rose's School Mrs. Maguire is a woman of refinement and strong character. She fills the position of supervisor of the dining room in the Connecticut School for Boys. Mr. and Mrs. Maguire are members of St. Joseph's Church, Meriden. Socially he unites with Silver City Lodge, A. O. U. W .; the Modern Woodmen of America: the Amaranth Club: the Catholic Club; and the Meriden Turner Society.
JOHN HARWOOD PEARCE. A leading citi- zen of New Haven, who for many years has been prominently identified with the rubber industries of the country, is John H. Pearce, of this city, now the efficient superintendent of L. Candee & Co.
Richard Pearce, his grandfather, was born, reared and married in England, and Was a miller by occupation. In his later years he moved to Center- ville, Canada, where he died at a good old age, re- spected by the community.
Richard M. Pearce, son of Richard and father of John H., of this biography, was born in Barn- stable, England, Feb. 1. 1828, and was married to Mary A. Harwood. in his native land. He was a leather shoemaker by trade in the old country. In 1850 he brought his family to Montreal, Canada, and there became the superintendent of the Cana- dian Rubber Co .; remaining in that capacity for thirty years. He then removed to Boston, Mass., and entered the employ of the Boston Rubber Shoe Co., later becoming interested in the Lycoming Rubber Co., at Williamsport, Pa. His death took place in New Haven, while on a visit to his son, .April 15, 1886, his widow surviving until April I, 1889, when she passed away in New Haven. llis political sympathies were with the Re- publican party, and both he and wife were devoted to the Episcopal Church. The children born to Richard M. Pearce and wife were: Richard M., who is with the Hood Rubber Co., of Boston ; Eliza- beth A., who died at the age of twenty; and John Harwood, of this sketch.
John H. Pearce was born in Montreal, Canada, May 16, 1855, and spent his boyhood days in that city, remaining there until he was twenty-three, Ilis education was acquired in the public and normal
schools, upon the completion of which he entered into the rubber business, under his father, with the Canadian Rubber Co., remaining about eight years, and thoroughly mastering every detail. He then accepted a position with the Boston Rubber Shoe Co., at Malden, Mass., continuing there for the succeeding two years, when he was appointed as- sistant superintendent, with his father, at Will- iamsport, Pa., and remained with the Lycoming Rubber Co., of that city, for four years. On May 20, 1884, he accepted the responsible position of foreman with L. Candee & Co., of New Haven, and efficiently and acceptably performed the duties of that position until 1892, when he became assistant superintendent, so continuing until Nov. 1, 1901, when he was made superintendent.
Although Mr. Pearce has been immersed in busi- ness ever since his location in New Haven, he has taken an active part in the civic life of the com- munity, his services being recognized by his elec- tion as councilman in 1895, and as alderman from the Fifth ward in 1897, his friends regarding these elections as personal tributes, as the ward is de- cidedly Democratic, and Mr. Pearce is an ardent and active Republican. Mayor John P. Studley has recently recognized his merits by appointing him fire commissioner, showing a high degree of confidence.
On May 16, 1883, Mr. Pearce was married to Miss Estella A. Nichols, of Williamsport, a daugh- ter of Jared P. Nichols, of old Connecticut stock, and five children have been born of this union : Jolin Harwood, Jr .: Walter Nichols: Frederick Richard ; and Bessie and Charles J., both deceased. Fraternally Mr. Pearce is connected with Hiram Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master ; with Franklin Chapter. No. 2; Harmony Council. No. 8; Pyramid Temple. Mystic Shrine, of Bridgeport : New Haven Commandery, No. 2. Knights Templar ; and has taken all the higher de- grees, including the thirty-second. As a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church he is highly esteemed and in business and social circles is favorably re- garded. Aside from all his other duties, Mr. Pearce has interested himself in perfecting a number of useful inventions in the rubber business, and owns the patents on a number of them.
JOHN V. RATTELSDORFER. One of the prominent citizens of New Haven who has done much in the way of city legislation for its improve- ment, and who also is a successful man of business, is John V. Rattelsdorfer, who was born in New Haven April 21, 1858.
His father. John V. Rattelsdorfer, Sr., was born in Bavaria, Germany, and came to New York in 1848. and one year later to New Haven, serving in the Civil war as sergeant of Company C, 6th Conn. V. I., and he died from wounds and disease con- tracted at that time. By trade he was a weaver, and manufacturer of silk vests and similar goods,
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
while his father was a gentleman of leisure. In Vienna he married Thekla Drexler, who was born in the province of Moravia, Austria, and who died in 1879. After coming to New Haven John V. Rattelsdorfer. Sr., went to work as a weaver in some of the numerous shops, and for a short time was employed by the New Haven Clock Co., and then engaged in business for himself, opening up a refreshment hall, and soon becoming a force in politics, and was the very first German Republican in New Haven. In his political ambitions he was encouraged by his able wife, who was a woman of great force of character, and together they had much influence with the German element. Twelve chil- dren were born to these most worthy people, but the others before the birth of our subject.
John V. Rattelsdorfer, our subject, spent his boyhood days in what was then the Fifth city ward, but is now the Sixth, and attended the Wooster grammar school, and later graduated from the Rus- sell Commercial Collegiate Institute. After finish- ing his education he became a clerk in a meat busi- ness, but when he was about eighteen his careful and devoted mother sent him to Vienna for a visit of six months as a finish to his education. Upon his return he engaged in the meat business, on the corner of State and Clark streets, for a short time, later opening on State street, where he remained until other interests claimed his attention. The six following years were spent by Mr. Rattelsdorfer in clerking, and then he went to Fairhaven and started into business on the corner of Poplar and Grand streets, where he remained one year, later clerking for his old firm for some six months. He then opened up a business in his own ward, on the corner of Green and Wallace streets, where he was located for eight years, later purchasing his present location on the corner of Green and Chestnut streets. Here he has built up a fine brick block, and has conducted a large business in the meat and grocery line ever since April 5, 1892.
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