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 82

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1010

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 82

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Robert W. Pain, father of Willard S., and the only son of Stephen, was but five years of age when brought to this country, having been born in 1832. He attended school in New York, but started early to learn a trade. He first essaved roofing. probably because it was the first thing that offered, but he was not born for climbing of that kind and

soon gave it up when opportunity opened in the factory of Nurmis & Clark, piano manufacturers of New York, where he served a three-years' appren- ticeship, and afterward followed the trade several years. When Carhart & Needham began the manu- .facture of Cabinet organs. he accepted a position with that firm and remained in it a number of years "during many of which he had the position of master mechanic and expert ; and when the mechanical mu- sical instruments were brought out he perfected them, and was with the firm of E. P. Needham & Son. Thereafter he was engaged with the old Or- ganet Company until the formation of the Aeolian Co., with which latter he is now. He is president of the company, and his employment is the important experimental work of this progressive concern, and though now in his seventieth year, he is acutely at- tentive and active in it. He is a great lover of music and musical instruments, has made many inventions and perfected many more, all musical. He is one of the best-known men in his business, is considered a "born genius," and is a thorough master of the art and craft to which his heart and life have been devoted, and in whose progress he still takes the keenest interest. He is a man of domestic tastes and habits, and a broad-minded citizen. He be- longs to Mariner's Lodge, No. 67, A. F. & A. M.,

and to the Consistory. His wife was Elizabeth Wilson, born in Brooklyn, N. Y., daughter of Cap- tain Wilson, a mariner who was lost at sea. She died in her home in 1871, and was buried in Ever- green cemetery, Brooklyn. She bore five children, three daughters and two sons, of whom only one of the sons survives. The others were George, Annie, Elizabeth and Mary.

Willard S. Pain, the only survivor of the five children of Robert W. and Elizabeth ( Wilson) Pain, has some right to the natural heritage of all. He attended the public schools of New York until he was about sixteen years of age. He then en- tered the employ of E. P. Needham & Son in the capacity of cabinetmaker and turner, and remained therein until 1880, when he accepted a position with the Automatic Musical Paper Co., of Boston. He continued with that company till 1888; and when! the Aeolian Co. came to Meriden he came with it, first in the capacity of foreman of the Music De- partment, in charge of the work of producing the rolls of music, its cutting, etc., at which he remained until 1900, when he was appointed general super- intendent of the works, succeeding Mr. Chase. He has now filled this important and responsible posi- tion for two years, with ever increasing credit to himself and gratification of his employers and asso- ciates. He has seen the business increase more than one-half, and now has employed upward of 350 hands, with all of whom he enjoys the utmost con- fidence and respect. He is a man of very genial disposition, and is of a nature generous to a fault. He is also a man of intellect and intelligence, of in- ventive mind and skillful hand. Among his inven- tions may be mentioned those for music cutting and duplicating, a stencil machine, a machine for pre- paring patterns, etc. He has made and perfected a number of useful inventions relating to music and musical instruments. Mr. Pain's health is like his character and attainments. His sound mind dwells in a sound body. He has not lost a day's pay in twenty-five years. His good health comes from right living. He exemplifies in his living the noble doctrine of doing unto others as you would that they should do unto you, and treats his body as he would another that it may do likewise with himself, and give him always the best thoughts and feelings with strength for his duties. Politically he acts as an independent Republican, but he is in no sense a politician. He is a member of Alfred H. Hall Coun- cil, No. 1423, Royal Arcanum, of Meriden. a good man well liked and respected by all who know him. It might easily be guessed that his habits are do- mestic, and well they may be, surrounded, as he is, by a loving and devoted wife, his son Robert-now with him at the Aeolian factory-and his daughter Emily, a charming young woman of the most pleas- ing personality and manners, of general culture, a graduate of the Meriden high school, and a culti- vated as well as natural musician.

Mrs. Pain was formerly Miss Emily Jane Swee-

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ney. She is a daughter of John and Avis (Chap- man) Sweeney, and, like her husband, is a native of New York, where they were married in 1878. She is also a lovely woman, a member of the Episco- pal Church, and devoted to her husband and chil- dren.

CAPT. LAURENCE O'BRIEN, whose name is written high in the military annals of his adopted country, and whose sacrifices for the freedom of his native land have endeared him to patriotic peo- ple everywhere, is one of those Irish-Americans we most delight to honor. He was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, April 7. 1842, a son of Edward O'Brien, a mason and builder, who came to New Haven in 1852. Edward O'Brien married Eliza- beth Hammel, who was born in Tipperary and died in America, the mother of seven children, namely : Margaret, Ellen, Laurence, Mary Ann (who mar- ried Capt. William O'Keefe, of New Haven, a soldier in the Civil war), Elizabeth, Catherine and Felix.

Laurence O'Brien was but ten years of age when his parents brought him to this country. In his native Ireland he had attended the National schools, and after coming to New Haven he for a time studied in St. Patrick's parochial school. When he left school he learned the brick-layer's trade, and was engaged in this calling at the out- break of the Civil war. In August, 1861, he en- listed in Company B, 9th Conn. V. I. Previous to this he had served in the Emmet Guards in New Haven, and the training there received enabled him to be of great assistance in the organization of the 9th Regiment. Gen. Russell. of the Mili- tary Academy, gave him considerable instruction, and in October, 1861, Mr. O'Brien was commis- sioned first lieutenant. On Oct. 15, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of captain, and given com- mand of Company D, same regiment. One month previous to this promotion he had been wounded in the left hip, while on an expedition against guerrillas in the parish of St. Charles, La., and the following March was detailed by Gen. Banks as provost marshal for the parish of St. James, La., and one month later was appointed provost judge. One of the first engagements in which the 9th par- ticipated, after their enlistment in 1861, was the battle of Pass Christian. Miss .. and for the part borne in this engagement Capt. O'Brien received honorable mention. He also took part in the cap- ture of New Orleans, in 1862, and was also pres- ent at the capture of Forts Jackson and St. Phillip, first siege of Vicksburg. the engagement at Baton Rouge, and many others. Capt. O'Brien com- manded the last detachment of the 19th Army Corps from Louisiana, reporting to Gen. Emery, commander of the 19th Army Corps, which was one of the corps under Gen. Sheridan in the Shen- andoah Valley, in August, 1864. and subsequently taking part in all the engagements of that noted

General in that valley, including Winchester, Fish- er's Hill and Cedar Creek. In October, 1864, the 9th Conn. V. I. was mustered out in New Haven. At the close of his army service Capt. O'Brien re- turned to New Haven, and followed his trade of bricklaying for eight months. Then came the call from Ireland to assist in a blow for freedom, and Capt. O'Brien was the first to respond. The record of that time is most graphically described by himself, as follows :

In 1865 I was State Center of the F. B. in Connecticut. In August I was informed that the fight for freedom would begin in Ireland as soon as the harvest was gathered. and we should see that none of it was allowed to go out of the country. I was also informed that all officers of military skill and ability, who expected to help in the fight, should be in Ireland before the rising as the blockade would be on, and it would be difficult to get in afterwards. I noti- fied the officers who lived in my district, and we reported at headquarters in New York, and received our instruc- tions, and when I was going aboard the steamer, to sail. I was informed that the council wanted me to remain in New York until further orders. After one week's delay in New York I was given a bag of 1.000 sovereigns in gold. a second bill of exchange of 1.500 pounds. I was also given a sealed dispatch, not to read until I was one day at sea. I was to commit it to memory and destroy it before I ar- rived in Ireland. I did so. I went to Tipperary and found all the young men willing and anxious to do their part. After one week in my native town. Cahir. I returned to Dublin. I was sent to Paris and received all money coming from America. During my stay in Paris. December. 1865. January. February and March. 1866. I received $113.000. all of which I sent to Ireland by messengers, and not one cent was lost or fell into the hands of the enemy. I left Paris for Dublin, but when I arrived in Liverpool, word was sent from headquarters to remain in Liverpool. and to ask the chief men there to find quarters for the officers who escaped arrest in Ireland. and I found places for all. among whom was Michael O'Brien, the Manchester martyr. who gave his life for the cause. whose last words were "God save Ireland." January. 1867. I went to Ireland, and at Clonmel prepared for action. I started for the place rendezvous by way of Cashel, where I tried to hire a car to take me to Golden, when I was arrested and com- mitted to jail. for being a stranger. Not having any reier- ences, I was detained in Cashel for two weeks. A warrant was read to me to remove me to Clonmel jail by order of the lord lieutenant. When arrested I gave the name of Osborne, but in the lord lieutenant's warrant was Osborne or O'Brien. They learned who I was. but not from me. I was escorted in irons by armed police to Clonmel jail. After five months in that jail. it was galling monotonous. and this time I was charged with high treason against Her Most Gracious Majesty, and a separate charge of treason felony. I then saw that they were bound to kill me. I determined to escane. I received files and tools that I cut the bars with.

Mr. O'Brien had friends both inside and out- side the prison. One of two prison guards was his chief aid. He informed his friends that he would come out between twelve and one o'clock on the night of September 18. which he did not quite succeed in doing, his escape being between four and five in the morning of the 19th. He describes his escape as follows :

My friends who were waiting for me went away in despair at three o'clock. and when I came to my senses. after being stunned in falling from the outside wall, at just before daybreak. I started for the country, and met friends four miles away where I remained two days for

Laurence Brun

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

rest. In the fall off the wall I broke my right shoulder- bone, and my face was badly disfigured. After four days I traveled nights by way of Mullinahone into the County of Kilkenny, along the Welsh mountains, crossed the river Snir at Granny Castle. by taking one of Lord Bess- borough's pleasure boats, and when on the Waterford side pushed the boat adrift and soon was among friends, and after a few days was again back in Paris.

The effect of his escape upon the authorities there, and their surmises as to the methods he pur- sted, are well told in the following article in the Irish Citizen (New York paper), issue of Oct. 19, 1867:

The editor of the Irish Citizen well knew Capt. O'Brien, who spent many months of last year in Paris. He is a genuine and gallant patriot, and an honorable man. It need not be added that we congratulate him heartily on his fortunate escape from the dangers of the enemy. We give the details of his escape from a Tipperary paper.

Considerable excitement was created at Clonmel on yesterday morning by the escape of Charles J. Osborne from our county jail, in which for some months past he has been confined on a charge of complicity in the Fenian movement. Osborne was arrested on the 28th of Febru- ary, in the vicinity of Cashel. He had visited Clonmel with Gen. Bourke, and soon after parting with the latter his capture was effected : he was immediately transmitted to Clonmel, where he remained to the 12th of August, incar- cerated under the Lord Lieutenant's warrant. On the 12th of August, however, the Honorable Martin J. French, R. M., held an investigation into the charges preferred against the prisoner, the result of which was his commitment for trial to the next assizes. Some time since informer Cori- don was confronted by the prisoner, and he stated that his real name war Laurence O'Brien, and he further gave evi- dence as to his connection with Fenianism. Osborne, or ('Brien, is a fine-looking young man, about six feet high, and built in proportion. During his confinement he obeyed the prison rules unmurmuringly, and no one entertained the remotest suspicion of his attempting to escape, which, in- deed, seemed hopeless. However, that he succeeded on Wednesday night, in a most daring manner, is now beyond a question. His cell was in the third story of the jail, and was lighted by a single window, which was guarded by thick wire bars. The prisoner was last seen by an official at half past ten o'clock on Tuesday night, when, having completed the inspection of the cells, the man on duty locked up the corridor for the night. On opening up the cell next morning at six o'clock, it was found that the prisoner had escaped. The bars had been cut through, leaving an apert- ure of eight inches by fourteen, a short rope was attached to another bar, and another rope was fastened around the embrasure of the main wall to the north side of the trap. Viewed from any point the escape appears most extraordin- ary. It he got through the window he must have had more than one accomplice outside, for he could not of himself Ket on to the parapet over the front of the jail. over which le must have passed, if he availed himself of the second rope A medical gentleman, who inspected the iron bars, of the opinion that they were cut by the clever employ- ment of acids, while they have also the appearance of hav- ik been severed by a saw and oil. It was evidently not the work of one night, for the prisoner had used a piece "! Jurk colored plaster to hide any indentation made from I me to time in the hars. The work of Wednesday night. however, must have been arduous in the extreme. The printer managed to keep a bar of iron in his cell, which he ent around with a file and broke off in the center. One end of it appears to be forged chisel shape, and with this he knocked away the sittings of the bars, and made an opening for him-elf. The ropes must have been given 10 han from the outside: and if such was the case, a ladder mittet have been used by his accomplice to scale the main wall. The wildest conjectures have been formed as to the

mode of his escape, and to a certainty, if he went through the window, the act was one of a character most daring. The matter was at once reported to the constabulary, and notwithstanding the most active and prompt exertion not the remotest trace of the fugitive has been discovered. Os- borne wore the prison dress and the police inquired of the people in the country, as they passed, if they had seen a lunatic in a gray dress going that way, but no one had seen or heard of such, and the search proved unavailing. We should mention that a small coil of rone was found un- used in the cell occupied by the prisoner, as also the bar alluded to, a felt hat, in which were placed the stones re- moved from the window frame. His hoots were found in the yard under the window of the cell. They had been fastened one to the other, and had evidently slipped off the arm or from the hold of the prisoner. The affair will, of course, undergo strict investigation, and the public will look forward eagerly to its further elucidation. The affair, in connection with the reports from Manchester, created unusual excitement in our town and vicinity.

After three years in the cause of the Fenians in Ireland, Capt. O'Brien returned to America and became superintendent of the Norwich water works. In 1870 he became interested in the build- ing business, and in this he continued in New Haven. He has been successful in his work, put- ting into his business the enthusiasm and energy that made him a forceful character in military af- fairs.

In February, 1869, Capt. O'Brien married Cath- erine Divine, who was born in Norwich, Conn., a daughter of Timothy Divine, a native of Kil- larney, Ireland. She passed away in 1890, the mother of five children : Mary, Edward, Laurence Burke, James T. and Elizabeth. Of these Edward alone is married; and all the boys are interested in their father's business. In his political affiliations Capt. O'Brien is independent, and, while he has never in any way sought office, he was police com- missioner for one term, and he has represented the Fifth ward in the common council. He belongs to the Knights of St. Patrick's Club, a social or- ganization of the best element of the Irish citi- zens: and fraternally he is a member of Admiral Foote Post, G. A. R. On Oct. 26, 1893, he was elected Department Commander of the U. V. U., an honor of which any soldier may well be proud, and one which is conferred on no one whose war record cannot bear the closest scrutiny. That he conscientiously performed the duties of this office need not be stated, as Capt. O'Brien is a man who shirks no duty, but by his faithful performance lends honor to every task.

THEODORE H. MACDONALD, who was born in New Haven, March II, 1862, takes a lead- ing part in the political, social and business interests of his native city, where he is respected alike for his genuine manliness, business ability and genial disposition.

William D. Macdonald, the father of Theodore H., was born in Scotland, and, coming to this coun- try a young man, attended Yale College, from which he was graduated with much credit. His death oc- curred when he was thirty-eight, and he left his

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

son Theodore only seven years old. He was a Mason, and was highly respected in his day. Har- riet Newell Nims, his wife, was born in Deerfield. the home of her parents being near the old stockade and associated with Revolutionary events of an in- teresting character.

Theodore H. Macdonald went to work at an early age. The untimely death of his father threw the care of his mother on his shoulders, and at the age of ten he was a telegraph messenger boy. He then became a carrier for the newspaper house of Thomas H. Pease, and at an early age entered tlie gentlemen's furnishing store of Warner & Dudley. For eight years he was with Bradstreet's Agency, and for eight and a half years he was in the news- paper business, being with the New Haven Union for the greater part of that time. After a year's service as clerk for the board of selectmen he en- tered the Internal Revenue Service of the United States, and was thus employed two years, at the end of which time he took an interest in the Evening Leader, which he assisted in starting, and with which he spent four years. His next position was in the office of the town agent, and for a year he was clerk of the board of selectmen. For six years he was chief clerk of the board of assessors, and at the present time he is a member of the board of assessors, his term extending to 1906. He is a strong Republican, and is chairman of the New Haven Republican town committee, secretary of the Connecticut Republican League : for five years was secretary of the Young Men's Republican Club, of which he is a life member, and which he is now serving on the executive committee; and is a member of the Union League. Fraternally Mr. Macdonald is associated with the Masons; the Odd Fellows ; the Knights of Pythias; New Haven Tent. No. 9, K. O. T. M., of which he is treasurer ; Israel Putnam Lodge, A. O. U. W .: the Legion of Honor, of New Haven; and the United Service Club. Mr. Macdonald has been a member of the Second Company, Governor's Foot Guards, for the past seven years, and holds the position of sergeant ; for ten years previous he was a member of the New Haven Grays, serving as private, corporal, sergeant, first sergeant and second lieutenant.

Mr. Macdonald was married in 1895 to Miss Flora L. Hitchcock, of New Haven, and to them has come one child, who bears the name of Harry Nims.

GEORGE HENRY HAAS (deceased) was one of the most respected German settlers in Meri- den, where for many years he was engaged in busi- ness as a very successful dairy farmer. He was born in Wilhelm. Wurtemberg, Germany, Nov. 5, 1829, a son of Henry Haas, who was also born in Wilhelm, and followed the occupation of farm- ing during his life time. For many generations the family was connected with the Lutheran Church.

George Henry Haas received a good education

in his native land, grew up on his father's farm, and remained under the parental roof until 1854, in which year he emigrated to this country. He had first engaged passage on a vessel which was lost at sea with all hands, but by some fortunate mistake missed it, and was obliged to take the next vessel, arriving safely in New York after a voyage of thirty days. Having a brother at Yalesville, he immediately sought that place, where he found work for a time in the auger factory, and for a number of years was in the employ of G. I. Mix & Co., where he worked in the polish- ing department. For a second time he became at- tached to the auger factory, and there remained until 1863, when he bought a farm in the town of Meriden, consisting of a tract of thirty acres. On this place he made many substantial and per- manent improvements, and there for over thirty years was engaged in farming and dairying, with the most satisfactory results. His herd of cows increased until it became one of the most extensive in the town. He died on his farm Oct. 18, 1900, and was buried at Walnut Grove cemetery, Meri- den.

Mr. Haas was one of the organizers of the Lutheran Church in Meriden, and was always an active worker in its behalf. In politics he was a Democrat, with independent proclivities. He be- longed to Teutonia Lodge, No. 95, I. O. O. F., and the German Mutual Aid Society. Well known as an honest, industrious man, he was highly es- teemed in the community in which he lived.

Mr. Haas was married in Yalesville, May 14, 1854, to Margaret Bader, a German compatriot, who came to this country on the same ship which brought him over. Mrs. Haas was born May 7, 1829, a daughter of George and Katherine ( Brown) Bader, and died Jan. 17, 1896, and was buried in Walnut Grove cemetery. She was a member of the Lutheran Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Haas were born three children, namely: Henry W .; Albert Frederick, who died Aug. 16, 1879, at the age of twenty-two years, from the effects of a fall from a load of hay; and Katie B., who is at home.

HENRY W. HAAS was born March 14, 1855, in Tracy, where he attended the district school. When he became a young man he engaged in farm- ing and dairying, with his father, and has now charge of the homestead. He is a skilled and pro- gressive farmer, and is rapidly winning a place among the most successful dairymen of this part of the State.

Henry W. Haas married Mary C. Duis, who was born in 1880, in New Orleans, daughter of Herman C. Duis, a police officer of Meriden. They have a family of three children: Mabel H., Ida Katie and George H. Mr. Haas belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is enrolled in Center Lodge, No. 87. He is also affiliated with Teutonia Lodge, No. 95. I. O. O. F., and belongs to the German Mutual Aid Society. In political matters

GEORGE H. HAAS.

MRS. MARGARET HAAS.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

he takes an independent stand, though preferring to act with the Democratic party. In the com- munity he stands well, and is highly regarded by all who know him.

ALBERT CHANDLER COE, one of the most popular and successful of West Haven's younger business men, whose home has been in that town since 1878, was born June 21. 1864, in Bethany, now Beacon Falls, Conn. His course in the common schools was supplemented by two years' attendance at the high school in West Haven, and at the age of sixteen he was given a clerkship in a banking house, remaining there four years : after that period he entered the employ of L. Candee & Co., of New Haven, manufacturers of rubber boots and shoes, with which concern he is still identified. His busi- ness career affords a noteworthy illustration of the success which attends capability and fidelity. Be- ginning in a clerical capacity, he has steadily mount- ed the ladder of official promotion. For several years he acted as purchasing agent, for five years filled the dual position of secretary and assistant treasurer, and is at the present time treasurer of the company. He is also director in and secretary of the Shoe Hardware Co., of Waterbury, Connecticut.

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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 82

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1010

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1010