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 84
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The Doctor is of remote English ancestry, George Marsh, the first of the family in this country, having conte to America in 1635, from England. He landed at Charlestown, Mass., on June 8th, of that year, thence went to Hingham, Mass., and in 1674 to Haverhill. His descendants in the line in which we are interested remained in Massachusetts for several generations, the Doctor's great-grandfather moving to New Hampshire. James Marsh, his: grandfather, was born at Salisbury, that State, and moved to Cabot, Vt., where he passed the remain- der of his days, living to be over ninety. He fol- lowed farming. He was a strong Congregationalist and served as deacon of the church for many years. Of his large family there is now but one survivor, James, a resident of Cabot.
Barachias W. Marsh, father of our subject, was- born Sept. 15, 1813, in Cabot, Vt., was reared to. farming, and followed that calling throughout life. He also engaged successfully in the insurance busi- ness, doing the largest business for the Vermont Fire Insurance Co. of any local agent in Vermont, and traded considerably in other lines. He reached the age of seventy, dying March 28, 1884, at Cabot. Mr. Marsh married Lomira Cannon, also a native of that town, and five children were born to them: Julian H., who is mentioned fully below; William R. and Mary L. (Mrs. Phineas P. Garney), both residing in Cabot; Arthur W., whose name intro- duces these lines ; and Ellen S., wife of William W. Cole, of New Hampshire. Mrs. Marsh's death oc- curred in 1878, when she was fifty-six years of age. Both parents were members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Marsh served two terms as selectman.
Arthur W. Marsh was born Sept. 13, 1857, in Cabot, where he spent his early years. He attended the common schools there and the academy at St. Johnsbury. His medical education was acquired in the University at Burlington, Vt., from which he was graduated in 1882; he was president of his class. The Doctor's first location for practice was at Oriskanv Falls, N. Y., where he followed his profession for nine years, until his removal, in 1891, to Westville, where he has since remained. He is located at No. 1012 Whaley avenue. Dr. Marsh has, by close attention to the many demands of a growing practice, gained a wide patronage in his section of New Haven county, and he occupies a
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high position among his brother practitioners as well. He has written some valuable papers on medi- cal topics. He is a member of the New Haven City, New Haven County and Connecticut State Medical Societies, and while in New York served as presi- dent of the Oneida County Medical Society. He also served as a member of the town committee, as town physician and health officer while in Oriskany Falls. The Doctor has always taken an active in- terest in public affairs, and in matters political as a stanch Republican, and he is a member of the Young Republican Club. Fraternally he affiliates with Olive Branch Lodge, F. & A. M., of which he is past master, and he has taken all the Masonic degrees up to and including the Scottish Rite; he is also a member of the A. O. U. W. and Woodmen of the World.
In 1883 Dr. Marsh married Miss Nellie S. Drought, who was born in Burlington, Vt., daugh- ter of William and Margaret ( Cummings ) Drought, who had three children. Mr. Drought was a native of Scotland, but passed the greater part of his life in Burlington, where he died. A teacher by pro- fession, he was in his day one of the prominent and representative citizens of Burlington. Two chil- dren have blessed the union of Dr. and Mrs. Marsh, a daughter who died in infancy, and a son named Arthur. The Doctor attends the Congregational Church, of which he is a member. Mrs. Marsh unites with the Episcopal Church.
JULIAN H. MARSH was born Feb. 19, 1845, in Cabot, Vt., received his education in the local public schools, and was reared to farming, remaining at home until he reached the age of twenty. For the next three years he was engaged in a general store, but he was obliged to give up that work on account of his health, and he spent the year following in the office of the general agent of the American Encyclo- pedia, at Cincinnati. He has since been engaged in the drug business, which he learned in Lyndonville, Vt., remaining in the store where he commenced for six years. At the end of that time lie came to West- ville and bought the store he now conducts, meeting with such success here that he has remained con- tinuously to the present. His establishment, which is located at No. 919 Whaley avenue, is the largest in Westville, and is conceded to be the finest and best equipped in the city. Mr. Marsh carries a com- plete line of drugs, perfumes, etc., and he commands a fine trade, won by fair dealing and intelligent business methods. He is a member of the Connecti- cut State Pharmaceutical Association.
In November, 1880, Mr. Marsh married Miss Effie M. Norris, a native of Cabot, Vt., whose father. was a farmer in that locality. He entered the army ; during the Civil war, and died while in the service, in 1863. Mrs. Marsh is one of a family of three children, all yet living, the other ,two in Cabot. To Mr. and Mrs. Marsh have been born two children : Eva L., a stenographer with the Greist Manufactur- ing Co .; and Ralph J., who is still attending school.
Our subject and his wife attend the Congregational Church, in which he has held office. He is a Re- publican in political opinion, and socially unites with the A. O. U. W. and the Masons, holding member- ship in Green Mountain Lodge, No. 63, in Vermont. Mr. Marsh's standing in business circles is unques- tioned, and he is equally well thought of in every other relation of life.
HERMAN L. BALDWIN, a member of one of the oldest and best known families of Milford, was born in that town May 12, 1852, son of James and grandson of Elnathan Baldwin.
Elnathan Baldwin was born in Milford, and after marriage he settled upon a farm there. His wife, Sally Stowe, was also a native of Milford: They had eight children, as follows: Elnathan and Charles were farmers; James is mentioned below; Esther died unmarried ; Sarah married Charles Beardsley, of Milford; Phineas is a farmer in Milford; Will- iam was a cabinetmaker; Eunice, who died Nov. 25, 1876, was the wife of Joshua Baldwin, son of Hezekiah and Mary Ann Baldwin.
James Baldwin, our subject's father, was born in Milford Nov. 10, 1824, and grew to manhood upon the farm, but also learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for some years. He made his home upon the present farm at his marriage, and he and his wife, Elizabeth A. Smith, are both living. Of their five children our subject is the oldest ; Ida L. married Edward Tuttle, of Milford; Henry M., unmarried, is a farmer in Milford; Frank E. is a carpenter and builder in Fairfield county ; and Elizabeth L. married Frederick Wood- ward, of New Haven. Mrs. Baldwin is a daughter of Lewis Smith, and granddaughter of Amos Smith, of Milford. Her mother, whose maiden name was Abigail A. Baldwin, was a daughter of Hezekiah and Mary Ann Baldwin, of Milford. Mrs. Baldwin is the oldest in a family of four children, the others being Mary J., wife of Henry Smith, a farmer in Milford ; Miss Martha A. ; and Miles L., a carpenter in New Haven, who married Miss Kate Smith.
Our subject was reared upon the homestead, and his education was secured at the district schools. He learned the patternmaker's trade at Bridgeport, and followed it for many years, but at present he is not engaged in any business. Politically he is independent, and he and his family are members of the Congregational Church of Milford. He mar- ried Miss Sarah W. Bradley, of Bridgeport, and has one child, Edna H.
JOHN ALOYSIUS HURLEY, secretary and treasurer of the Meriden, Southington & Compounce Tramway Co., and one of Meriden's progressive and active business men, is a native of New Haven coun- ty, born April 30, 1854, in the city of New Haven. His parents, William and Ellen ( Ray) Hurley, were natives of Ireland, born in Counties Tipperary and Limerick, respectively. The mother died in New
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Haven Oct. 9, 1892, and the father, now in the sixty- ninth year of his age, is a resident of Bridgeport, Connecticut.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools of his native city, and began his business career at the age of eighteen years, in January, 1872. He entered the dry-goods establish- mient of Edward Malley, in New Haven, his first occupation being that of wrapper. Being capable, faithful and industrious, he steadily earned and re- ceived promotion, so that when he closed his con- nection with the house, at the end of the year 1878, he occupied the position of head bookkeeper and cashier. At this time he entered the employ of Mc- Mahon & Wren, wholesale liquor dealers of Bridge- port, in the capacity of bookkeeper. On Feb. I, 1886, he became a partner in the business, and the name was changed to McMahon, Wren & Co. On Jan. 1, 1888, Mr. Hurley came to Meriden, where he has ever since resided, to take charge of the business of the Meriden Brewing Co., and continued in that connection until the close of the nineteenth century, resigning the position Jan. 1, 1901. His business ability was soon established among Meri- den business men, and his genial nature and upright character readily made and retained friends. He was one of those who foresaw the capabilities of trolley systems, and his energetic and enterprising nature led him to join Francis Atwater in securing the charter under which they are now successfully operating, with benefit to themselves and the general public. This took place in August, 1897, the com- pany was incorporated the next month, and such was the energy and industry of the promoters that the road was in operation by July 2, 1898, and has been continuously at the service of the public. with- out a hitch, ever since. Much credit for this state of affairs is due to the active manager, whose name heads this article. Mr. Hurley is president and treasurer of the Acme Manufacturing Co., of Plants- ville, a recently organized industry, devoted to the production of a patent wagon wrench. a patent screw-driver, chisels and kindred articles. He is also a director and vice-president of the Connecticut Breweries Co.
On July 16, 1877, Mr. Hurley married Miss Margaret A. Byrne, who was born in New York City, daughter of Thomas Stanford and Mary ( Mallon) Byrne, of Ireland. Mr. Byrne died in 1888. at the age of seventy-three years, and his widow, now in her eighty-sixth year. makes her home with her daughter in Meriden. She came to New York more than sixty years ago. Three of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hurley are now liv- ing. namely: Grace L., Margaret M. and John A .. Jr., all of whom reside at home with their parents.
Being of a social disposition, Mr. Hurley is among the cherished members of the Amaranth Club, of Meriden Lodge, No. 35, B. P. O. E., and of Silver City Council, No. 2. Knights of Columbus. lfe is a trustee of St. Joseph's Church corporation.
In political affiliation our subject is a Democrat. When Mayor West took the chair, in 1901, he ap- pointed Mr. Hurley a member of the board of ap- portionment and taxation for a term of two years. This is a fitting testimonial to his business standing, integrity and judgment, and indicates the cordial esteem in which he is held by all who are privileged to enjoy his acquaintance.
SEYMOUR CRANE LOOMIS, a substantial citizen and highly successful lawyer of New Haven, is a representative of an old and prominent Con- necticut family.
Born in the town of Suffield, Conn., Nov. 12, 1861, Mr. Loomis is the son of George Wells and Ellen (Norton) Loomis, and a descendant in the eighth generation from Joseph Loomis, one of the first settlers of Windsor, Conn. This original American settler was a linen draper at Braintree, in the county of Essex, England, and was born probably about 1590. He sailed from London in 1638, in the ship "Susan and Ellen," to Boston, and as early as 1640 was at Windsor, where he had a plantation of twenty-one acres on the west side of the Connecticut river, adjoining the Farmington river, and also some land on the east side of the river. Five sons and three daughters came with him to New England. His wife died in 1652, and his death occurred six years later. From this im- migrant settler the lineage of Seymour Crane Loom- is is through Lieut. Samuel, William, Capt. Noah, Ham, John Wells and George Wells.
Lieut. Samuel Loomis, son of Joseph, was born in England, and was married Dec. 27, 1653, to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Judd. Lieut. Loomis was made a freeman at Windsor in 1654, and was admitted to the church in 1661. About 1672 he re- moved to Westfield, Mass., where he died Oct. I, 1689, his widow surviving until May 7, 1696. His grandson, Capt. Noah Loomis, of Southwick, Mass., served in the war of the Revolution.
George Wells Loomis, son of John Wells and Eliza (Whitney) Loomis, was born June 24, 1832, at Southwick. He removed to Suffield in 1852, and was married Jan. 4. 1860, to Ellen Norton, who was born June 6, 1836, daughter of Daniel W. and Mindwell ( Pease) Norton, of Suffield. To this union came two children, Seymour Crane and Mind- well Pease, the latter born Jan. 18, 1865. The family home is in the town of Suffield, Connecticut.
Seymour Crane Loomis, son of George W., passed his boyhood days in the town of his nativity, where he prepared for college at the Connecticut Literary Institute, one of the old-established schools of the State, graduating as valedictorian in 1878. He received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Yale University in 1882, and of LL. B., cum laude, from its law department two years later. Admitted to the Bar in June, 1884, he engaged in the practice of his chosen profession in New Haven, where for three years he was in the office of John
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W. Alling. From 1887 until 1893 he was associated with William B. Stoddard. Since that time he has conducted his office at No. 81 Church street, in the Connecticut Savings Bank building. Mr. Loomis was assistant city clerk in 1885 and 1886, serving as city clerk the latter part of the time. In1 1893 and 1894 he was the Executive Secretary of the State of Connecticut, during the administration of the late Gov. Luzon B. Morris.
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Mr. Loomis was married April 20, 1892, to Miss Catherine Canfield Northrop, a daugliter of Samuel C. and Caroline ( Bassett) Northrop, of New Mil- ford, Connecticut.
CHARLES A. BEVAN, M. D., has for four- teen years been one of West Haven's successful and highly esteemed physicians, at the same time filling a prominent position in both social and fra- ternal circles.
Dr. Bevan is of English descent, and the name is of Welsh origin, being derived from "Ap Evan." The Doctor's great-grandfather served in the Rev- olution, and his grandfather in the war of 1812.
The latter, Timothy V. Bevan, was born in Stratford, Conn., and was one of five children. His father was a sea captain, and he too was a sea captain in early life. After abandoning that vocation he made his home at Trumbull, and engaged in farming there and at Monroe. He died after passing life's eighty-eighth mile- stone, in the faith of the Episcopal Church. Politically he was first a Whig and later a Repub- lican. He married Samantha Hurd, who lived to the age of sixty-five, and they had nine children, viz .: (1) Julia, who married Cyrus Botsford, died in Humphreysville. Conn. (2) Russell, who was a hatter, died in Danbury, Conn. He was the fa- ther of George R. Bevan, chief of police of Dan- bury. (3) Charles was first a shoemaker and later a farmer ; he died in Trumbull. (4) Lucy Ann married Samuel French, and died in Trumbull. (5) David C. was the father of our subject. (6) John, a carpenter and builder, lives in Bethel, Conn. (7) Samantha is the widow of Louis French, and resides in Bridgeport, Conn. (8) Ira Nichols, now living retired in Bristol, Conn., was born July 5, 1825, in Trumbull. (9) Susan N., Mrs. Knuppe lives in New York City.
David C. Bevan was born Sept. 29, 1816, in Trumbull, and in the common schools of that place received his rudimentary education. After leaving school he learned the trade of a carriage- maker, and later worked as a journeyman in Mid- dlebury, Bridgeport and Plymouth. At the point last named he was for twenty-three years a fore- man in the employ of Shelton & Tuttle. On leav- ing that firm he went to South Amenia, N. Y., engaging in the carriage business there for fif- teen years. Feeling himself growing old, he re- tired and moved to West Haven, making his home
with his son Charles A., at whose home he died March 20, 1895.
On April 7, 1839, David C. Bevan married Laura Wilson, a daughter of Charles and Martha ( Bennett ) Wilson, of Newtown, and a lineal de- scendant of John Rogers, who was burned at the stake in Rhode Island. Jonathan Bennett, grand- father of Mrs. Laura (Wilson) Bevan, was the inventor of the first shingle mill. He was a resi- dent of Dutchess county, N. Y. Charles Wilson was a large land owner and prosperous farmer in Dutchess county, N. Y. He died at the age of sixty, and his wife at seventy-eight. Nine children were born to them. To the union of David C. Bevan and his wife were born three children, as follows: Samuel, who was in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., at Jersey City, N. J., up to the date of his death, which occurred Oct. 15, 1899; Emma J., who married Evelyn Beecher, and lives in New Haven; and Charles A., our sub- ject. The mother of this family is still living, at the age of seventy-nine years, and has her home with our subject. Mr. Bevan and his wife were active members of the M. E. Church ; he was chair- man of the committee which built the edifice at Thomaston, and also served as steward. He was a Republican, always active in politics, and served as grand juror.
Charles A. Bevan was born Nov. 29, 1849, in Middlebury, and received his early education in the common schools of Plymouth and in the high school at Thomaston. After leaving the high school he acquired a thorough knowledge of the trade of machinist, which he followed for nine years at New Haven and Hartford, passing several years in Colt's Armory, with the Wetmore Machine Co. and Sargent & Co., of New Haven. Although a proficient workman, his tastes inclined toward a professional life, wherein he might gratify his in- nate yearning toward a higher training and a more scholarly pursuit. He began the study of medi- cine in the office of Dr. B. S. Lewis, of New Haven, and finally received the degree of M. D. from the Medico Chirurgical College, of Philadelphia, April 6, 1887. Immediately upon graduation he settled in West Haven, where he has since been engaged in active practice, endearing himself to his patients alike by his scientific skill and the gentle kindliness of his sympathetic nature. He is a member of An- nawon Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of West Haven; Joseph Andrews Chapter, R. A. M .; City Lodge, I. O. O. F .; and Sassacus Encampment.
On June 27, 1885. the Doctor was married to Mary J. Andrews, of New Haven, daughter of James M. Andrews, a carriage painter of that city : her mother, Maria H. (Grinnell), was of English descent. her forefathers having been among the founders of New Haven. Mrs. Bevan is the sole survivor of a family of five children. To the union of Dr. Bevan and Mary J. Andrews
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Charles A Beran M. D. .
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have been born two children, Laura A. and Mary J. The Doctor is a Democrat in politics, has been a member of the school board for four years, and is at present filling the responsible position of health officer for Orange town. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has held the post of steward.
JOHN SHANE CRABB, who has been connect- ed with the Connecticut School for Boys, at Meriden, since 1890, and is now supervisor of Cottage E, was born Oct. 1I, 1845, in Ross township, Jefferson Co., Ohio. He is of German descent, his grand- father, Henry Krebs ( as the name was then spelled ), having been born in Germany. On his emigration to America he located in Ross township, Jefferson Co., Ohio, and was one of the early pioneers of that section, which was then virtually a wilderness. He engaged in farming, became a land owner, and spent the rest of his life there. In religious connection he was a Presbyterian.
John Crabb, son of Henry, and father of John S., was born on the home place in Ross township, and there grew to manhood, receiving such education as the schools of the locality afforded. He spent his entire life in his native township. He was a large land owner, and engaged in general farming and. on an extensive scale, wool growing, from which latter business he derived his principal revenue. He reached the ripe old age of ninety-two, and his death was caused by an accident; he tripped on a carpet and fell, breaking his hip, and died from his injuries. His remains rest in the family cemetery. Mr. Crabb was a stanch Republican in political sym- pathy, was one of the first anti-slavery advocates, and was not afraid to voice his sentiments at a time when such principles were considered a disgrace and their support was nothing short of dangerous. He was a conductor on the "underground railroad." lle was a man of upright life, a good citizen. a kind husband and father, and thoroughly domestic in his tastes. He was especially fond of horses and fine stock, and gave all his interests the best of care.
John Crabb was married to Jane Mclaughlin, who was born in Carroll county, Ohio, of Scotch- Irish descent, and belonged to one of the early fam- ilies of that section, being a daughter of Robert Mclaughlin. Mrs. Crabb is still living ( 1902). at the ripe old age of eiglity-eight years, and makes her home on the homestead, with her son. She is a good Christian woman, a faithful member of the I'nited Presbyterian Church, to which her husband also belonged, and proved a worthy and competent helpmeet to Mr. Crabb in his active career. Chil- dren as follows blessed their union: Henry K. en- listed for service in the Civil war, becoming a mem- ber of Company K, 52d O. V. I., and died while in the army; Robert Mitchell, who served a term in the Civil war, is a farmer and stock raiser near the old home : John S. is mentioned below ; Ross lives on the old homestead with his mother; Annie is the
wife of William K. Smith, a farmer and stock raiser and dealer in Ross township.
John Shane Crabb was reared on the home farm and attended the local schools during his boyhood. It was his ambition to become an educator, and he accordingly continued his studies in the college at Hopedale, Harrison Co., Ohio, where he fitted him- self for his profession. He commenced teaching at the age of eighteen years, in his native town, and was engaged six years in the public schools, his vacations and spare time being spent at home, as- sisting his father with the farm. Having managed to save a little, he engaged in the mercantile business with J. M. George, under the firm name of Crabb & George, and they carried on a store in Moores- town, Jefferson Co., Ohio, for five years, at the end of which time our subject withdrew to become a member of the Salineville Lumber Co. Mr. Crabb was manager of the business, and he continued thus for three years, when, not having met with the suc- cess he anticipated, he sold out and returned to his profession. He accepted a position at the Ohio State Reform School, Lancaster, where he was supervisor of a cottage, and remained there four years, having under his charge seventy or more boys, in whose care he was ably assisted by his wife, who was engaged as teacher. This incumbency he was ob- liged to relinquish because of political changes, and took a similar charge in the House of Refuge, Cin- cinnati, under Major Oliver, retaining this situation until 1890. Having been tendered a position in the Connecticut School for Boys by Mr. Howe, who was then superintendent, he accepted and came to Mer- iden, and has ever since been connected with the in- stitution, where he is regarded as one of the most efficient and painstaking officials. He was made supervisor of the North Division and the chair shop, Having over 130 boys under his charge, and since 1896 he has held his present position, that of super- visor at Cottage E. Here he has fifty boys under him, and he has faithfully performed all the duties of this responsible charge, taking a deep interest in the welfare of his boys, and showing genuine de- votion to his work, in which he takes personal pride and pleasure. He has won recognition by his own earnest efforts, and the high esteem in which he is held is ample testimony of his worth as a man, apart from his usefulness in his chosen field.
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