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 3 > Part 2
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William Bassett, the grandfather of the sub- ject of this article, was born in Derby July 18, 1781, and was for many years a successful mer- chant there, dying there Nov. 28, 1863, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-two years. He married Lucy Smith, also of Derby, and their only child, Sheldon, was the father of Royal M.
Sheldon Bassett was one of the leading, substan- tial and influential citizens of his native place. He held the office of town clerk. He was associated with his father in business during his early life, but in later years was identified with the Birmingham Iron Foundry Co., which was incorporated in 1850. He was a prominent Odd Fellow, having held the highest offices in the State within the gift of that fraternity, and organizing its first lodge in Derby. Mr. Bassett died June 26, 1864, honored and mourned by the community at large; and warmly beloved by the innumerable friends whom he had at- tracted to himself by his amiable disposition and his sterling moral worth. He married Harriet L. Hull, who survived him until July 22, 1872. She was a daughter of Lieut. Samuel Hull, and a niece of those distinguished patriots whose name are as familiar to every American, Gen. William and Commodore Isaac Hull. To Sheldon Bassett and his wife were born seven children, of whom Royal M. was second in order of birth. The eldest son, William H., was born Oct. 21, 1827, and died July 18. 1864; he was a hardware merchant in New York. Lavinia H., the third child and eldest
daughter, became the wife of Thomas D. De Forest, of Derby, and died Aug. 7, 1868. Lucy M. died in infancy. Lucy P. married Charles F. Colt, of New York, and died May 25, 1872. Ellen S. became Mrs. George H. Norton, of New Haven, and is also deceased, having passed away Oct. 26, 1853. Theo- dore S., the youngest member of the family, is a manufacturer of rubber goods in New York.
Royal M. Bassett was born in Derby Oct. 22, 1828. His training at the public schools was supplemented by a year at Haddani Acad- emy, and two years' attendance at the Stiles and Truman French Academy, at New Haven. His father destined him for business pur- suits, and time has abundantly and convinc- ingly demonstrated the soundness of the parental judgment. From youth and through his entire life Mr. Bassett has manifested commercial genius of the highest order. He has displayed a comprehen- sion of mercantile possibilities, a ready grasp of ex- isting situations, and a capability for handling en- terprises of the highest magnitude, which are ex- ceptional. The ability and fidelity with which he has met and discharged the onerous responsibilities devolving upon him are attested by the universal esteem in which he is held by the business world .. He began his long and successful career as sec- retary of the Birmingham Iron Foundry Co., which, as has been said above, was organized in 1850. This office he filled until the death of his father, Sheldon Bassett, in 1864, when he succeeded to the presidency, his brother Theodore S. becoming sec- retary and treasurer. In addition to his connec- tion with the concern named, he has extensive busi- ness interests in various parts of the country. From 1857 until 1887 he was associated with Nelson H. Downs in the manufacture of hoop skirts and corsets. The style of the firm was Downs & Bassett, and the co-partnership continued until Mr. Downs' death. Mr. Bassett was also one of the incorporators of the Housatonic Water and the Derby Gas Companies. With a keen foresight of the wants of the Pacific railways, he has built and operated extensive rolling mills along the lines of the Union and Kansas Pacific Companies. He has also been connected with various railroad enter- prises in the far West, having been president of the Utah Northern and trustee for the bondholders of the Utah Western Railway Co .; after it was reorganized, in Utah and Nevada, he was chosen president. He has also been a director of the Naugatuck Railroad Co. since 1870.
From the foregoing sketch of Mr. Bassett's life the reader may glean the more important facts of his ancestry and his business career. Of his per- sonal characteristics, it is enough to add that he is a public-spirited citizen, a devoted father. a truc friend and an upright man. He is deeply interested in the cause of popular education, and was for fif- teen or twenty years chairman of the Derby school board. He is a Freemason, being a member of
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King Hiram Lodge, No. 6, of Derby. His political affiliation is with the Democratic party.
On Nov. 9, 1858, Mr. Bassett J. married Miss Frances Stratton, a daughter of Sherwood E. Stratton, Esq., of Bridgeport.
She died Feb. 14, 1876, and Mr. Bas- set has not married again. To their union came three children : Lucy, who died Feb. 4, 1879, at the age of nineteen; Royal E., a lovable boy, who passed out of the world Jan. 9, 1865; and Sheldon H. The last named was born April 11, 1867, at Bir- mingham, Conn., and for a period of three years was connected with the Bradley Pulverizing Co., of Boston, who manufacture machines for crushing Cement Co., of Iola, Kans., whose main office is at ores. He is now at the head of the Iola Portland St. Louis, Mo., in which city Mr. Bassett makes his home. On May 3, 1896, he was married, at Kansas City, to Miss Florence Shaffenbergh.
HENRY MINOR. Ninety-two years of life, filled. with useful effort and crowned with the re- spect and esteem of his fellow citizens, have left this venerable resident of Wolcott still hale and hearty, with every prospect of continued health for years to come. He has served as town clerk for over half a century, and his faithful service in public life as well as his personal worth make the following history of general interest not only to the readers of the present day but to future historians of this section.
The progenitor of the Minor family in America was Thomas Minor, a native of Somerset, England, and one of the four children born to Clement Minor, who died in Somersetshire March 31. 1640. The son crossed the Atlantic and took up his residence in Stonington, Conn., in 1683. His children were John, who located in Woodbury, Conn .; Thomas; Clement, who settled in New London; Ephraim, who settled in Stonington; Judah; Manassah, who settled in Stonington; Joseph: Samuel; Ann; Maria ; Eunice : Elizabeth ; and Hannah.
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Jedediah Minor, the great-grandfather of our subject, and a descendant of Clement Minor, was born in Lyme, Conn., and came to Wolcott about 1756, locating near Wolcott Center. where he owned land and engaged in farming until his death. His remains were interred in Wolcott cemetery. He married Elizabeth Marvin, of Lyme, and to them were born ten children: Betsy, wife of William Roberts, of Bristol ; Joseph ; Esther, wife of Samuel Atkins ; Daniel, who was a Revolutionary soldier, and died of smallpox while in the army; Caleb ; Lucretia, wife of Michael Dayton, of Watertown ; Lucy, wife of Jesse Alcox; Theda, wife of William Barnes, of Southington ; Joshua ; and Elizabeth.
Joseph Minor, our subject's grandfather, was born in Lyme, and was twelve years of age when he came with his parents to Wolcott. He en- gaged in farming throughout life upon the farm where his father first located, and where our subject
now resides. For seven long years he fought for American independence as a soldier of the Revo- lutionary war and rose to the rank of sergeant. He was a supporter of the Democratic party, and as one of the prominent citizens of his community he was called upon to fill public offices. He died on the home farm, and was buried in the old Wolcott cemetery. He wedded Mary Upson, daughter of Capt. Samuel Upson, and to them were born chil- dren as follows: One who died in infancy, May 3, 1783; Archibald, born May 23, 1784; Joseph, April 23, 1786; Wealthy (wife of Elihu Moulthrop), Dec. 8, 1787; Marcus, July 17, 1790; Marvin, in August, 1792; Nancy (wife of Orrin Hall), July 12, 1798; and Mary ( wife of Ephraim Hall), Nov. 23, 1800.
Archibald Minor, father of our subject, spent his entire life on the old homestead in Wolcott and lived to a ripe old age. By occupation he was a farmer, and in politics he was first a Democrat and later a Republican. He was an accomplished pen- man, and was gifted with a rich voice. He was recognized as one of the most valued and useful citizens of his community, was honored with many town offices, and most efficiently served as justice of the peace, selectman of Wolcott, town clerk for twenty-five years, and member of the State Legis- lature when sessions were held both in New Haven and Hartford. On Oct. 27, 1808, he married Betsy Tuttle, a native of Plymouth, Conn., and a daughter of Daniel Tuttle. She died on the home farm, and was laid to rest by the side of her husband in Wol- cott cemetery. Both were members of the Episco- pal Church, and were held in high regard by all who knew them. They had two children, of whom our subject is the older. Harriet, born Dec. 8, 1811, married George W. Wilton, of Waterbury.
Henry Minor, whose name introduces this re- view, was born Dec. 17, 1809, and is now the oldest citizen of Wolcott. He attended the district schools of Wolcott and also a private school taught by John Clarke, but is mostly self-educated. He never left the parental roof, and when old enough to be of any assistance he began to aid in the work of the farm, having been engaged in agricultural pursuits on the homestead ever since. In 1836 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah T. Clark, a native of Waterbury, and a daughter of Elias and Eliza Clark. To them was born one son, Theron C. A., now a resident of Waterbury, who was married Dec. I, 1861, to Sarah J. Warner, a daughter of Erastus Warner, of Wolcott, and has two children, Martin WV. and Henry W. Mrs. Minor, who was a most estimable woman and faithful helpmeet, died in October. 1895, and was laid to rest in the old cemeterv.
Politically Mr. Minor has been a lifelong Demo- crat, casting his first Presidential vote for Andrew Jackson, and in 1896 voting for Palmer and Buck- ner. One of the prominent and influential citizens of his community, he has been called upon to fill a
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number of official positions of honor and trust, hav- ing served as assessor, justice of the peace, and selectman of Wolcott for twenty years. In 1847 he was first elected town clerk, and has since filled that office in a most creditable and satisfactory manner, having served as such longer than any other town clerk in the State. He has represented his town in the Legislature four times, both at New Haven and Hartford. He is still quite active, pos- sesses an excellent memory, and keeps well posted on the questions and issues of the day. as well as on topics of general interest. He is widely and favora- bly known, and is one of the most honored resi- dents of his section of the county.
DR. AMOS SHEPARD BLAKE, an inventor of considerable note, the first resident dentist at Waterbury, and for many years one of its leading manufacturers and citizens, was born Jan. 18, 1812, in Brookfield, Vt., son of Joseph and Prudence (Shepard) Blake.
Mr. Blake received his education at Southmade Academy and in Scott's Military School, at Mont- pelier, Vt. He studied dentistry under the direc- tion of his brother, Dr. E. W. Blake, and resided at Alstead, N. H., Montpelier and Chelsea, Vt., and Watertown, Conn., before coming to Waterbury, in 1844. Here he established himself, as the first resi- dent dentist of the place, and for a number of years enjoyed an extensive practice. From 1852 to 1855 he was superintendent of mines in the Lake Supe- rior region, making his home at Eagle Harbor, Mich. With that exception Dr. Blake made Water- bury his home from 1844 until called to his reward, Feb. 18, 1895. At the beginning of the Civil war he withdrew from the practice of his profession and became interested in manufacturing. He was quite a genius, and of an inventive turn of mind. During the winter of 1830-31 he constructed the first locomotive ever seen in New England. It was designed to illustrate the practicability of travel by railroad, and was large enough to carry two pas- sengers at a time, around a hall. on a circular track. This model engine was extensively exhibited throughout the New England States by Asa Har- rington, of Middlesex, Vt. During his lifetime Dr. Blake invented some nineteen devices and procured patents on the same. During the Civil war the Doc- tor was superintendent of the American Flask & Cap Co., which in a single year delivered one hun- dred tons of percussion caps to the National Gov- ernment. He was the originator of Blake. Lamb & Co., in 1865. manufacturers of articles patented by himself, the firm consisting then of Dr. Blake, Will- iam Lamb and Henry R. Chambers. The concern was incorporated in 1867, with a capital of $9.000, Dr. Blake becoming the first president. There was no change in the company until the death of Mr. Lamb, in 1872, at which time the other members purchased the interest previously held by him. Dr. Blake sold his interest in 1883.
For a number of years while in Vermont Dr. Blake was one of the judges of jail delivery, where until recent years the law authorized imprisonment for debt. He was one of the selectmen of Water- bury in 1846, and during his stay in Michigan he was a county commissioner. He held the position of councilman, alderman, assessor and road com- missioner, and represented Waterbury in the State Legislature in 1869, 1874 and 1875. He was one of the originators of the Riverside Cemetery Asso- ciation, and was active in promoting the scheme for raising money by subscription for the cemetery site. He also took an active part in naming the streets of Waterbury and getting the street names officially adopted.
Dr. Blake married Eliza Cordelia, daughter of Henry Woodward, of Chelsea, Vt., and children as follows were born of this union: Mrs. John A Hitchcock, of Liverpool, England ; Caroline B., wife of Edward T. Root; and two sons who died in child- hood. The mother of these died Feb. 25, 1895.
HON. ARTHUR H. BARTHOLOMEW, first mayor of the city of Ansonia, is one of the most active business men and most enterprising citizens, and has long held a high place in the esteem of the public. He is a son of the late Jeremiah H. Bar- tholomew, and was given unusual educational fa- cilities in his youth. After an attendance at the public schools he entered the "Gunnery," at Wash- ington, Conn., and from there went to Auburndale, Mass., where he spent several months in an acade- my. At the age of sixteen he began his apprentice- ship in the works of the Ansonia Brass & Copper Co. He was quick to take advantage of every op- portunity, and his insight into the mechanism of clocks soon made him invaluable to the company. He rapidly rose to an honored place. but he was ever looking to the time he could go into business for himself, and was endeavoring by strict economy to save enough to make his start. In 1881 he saw his ambition realized, and he became a member of the firm of Phelps & Bartholomew, and at once assumed a well-deserved place in the manufacturing world. The Phelps & Bartholomew Co. manufac- ture clocks, and their goods find a ready market. Through much competition and considerable perse- cution their business has rapidly increased. owing to the reliability of their goods. In 1886 the firm became a corporation, and now over one hundred hands are emploved.
Mr. Bartholomew has become largely interested in many concerns outside of the factory, and has worthily filled several positions of honor and trust, among them that of director of the Ansonia Na- tional Bank. trustee of the Ansonia Savings Bank, president of the Pine Grove Cemetery Association, director of the Ansonia Water Co .. secretary of the Ansonia Hall Co .. and president of the Ansonia Furniture and Carpet Co. He is also a member I of the Ansonia Board of Trade.
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In spite of his many duties connected with his commercial enterprises, he has had time to look after the public welfare as few busy men find time to do. When Ansonia was incorporated as a city, he was elected for the first mayor, and his careful business administration has proven of inestimable benefit to the town, and established a precedent for succeeding magistrates. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, but in local affairs he endeavors to avoid all partisan dealing, and steadfastly ad- heres to his determination to keep out of the so- called "ring." While in office he was loval to his friends, but at the same time he never lost sight of the fact that he was mayor of the city, and sworn to administer its affairs to the best of his ability, so that his appointments were often outside of the Re- publican ranks. Educational affairs find in him a warm friend, and for ten years he served as chair- man of the board of education. So popular is he that when his name appears on a ticket it is sure to win consideration from men of all parties, as he acts wisely and well for the general good. During the time he was in the Legislature, 1886, 1887 and 1893, he served on the committee on Cities and Bor- oughs, and in 1887 and in 1893 he was House chair- man of the committee on Corporations. His interest in his home city is unbounded, and he has given his hearty support to all things tending to develop its resources. Fraternally Mr. Bartholomew is a mem- ber of the Masonic and Odd Fellows organizations, having risen to the Knight Templar degree in the former. His home is one of the handsome modern residences of the city, and is substantially the same as that in which he passed his earlier days.
On Jan. 14, 1874. Mr. Bartholomew married Miss Henrietta E. Cable, of Oxford, Conn., and daughter of Horace and Ann (Curtis) Cable, and they have had four children. the eldest of whom, Emma, died when two years of age: the others are Henrietta Cable, Eloise, and Arthur H., Jr. Mrs. Bartholomew's father was a farmer by occupation, and was a fife major of the State militia for many years. He died some thirty years ago, his wife ten years ago. MIrs. Bartholomew's grandfather Curtis was a prominent man, a civil engineer, and repre- sented his district several years in the Connecticut Legislature.
JAMES PORTER, an honored and highly es- teemed citizen of Waterbury, now living a retired life, is the oldest representative of the Porter family in that town. He is a descendant of Daniel Porter, an early settler of the Connecticut Colony, who was one of the first to locate in Farmington. Daniel Porter was a physician, and was licensed to prac- tice by the General Court in 1654, his fees being established by law. He was also required to visit the sick in Hartford, Windsor. Wethersfield and Middletown. He was more particularly a bone set- ter. His death occurred in Farmington in 1690, and his remains were interred there. He and his
wife, Mary, had the following children: Daniel, born Feb. 2, 1652, is mentioned below ; Mary, born Feb. 5, 1654, married Eleazer Knowles, of Wood- bury ; Nehemiah, born Oct. 24, 1656, married Han- nah Lumm, of Woodbury; Richard was born March 24, 1658; Anna, born in 1660, died unmar- ried ; John, born Nov. 14, 1662, married Rebecca Woodford; and Samuel, born Oct. 24, 1665, was married in 1702 to Abigail Humphreys, of Sims- bury.
Daniel Porter, son of Dr. Daniel, after reaching manhood moved to Waterbury, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying there Jan. 18, 1726. He married Deborah Holcomb (daughter of Joshua and Ruth (Sherwood) Holcomb), who died May 4, 1765, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. Their children were as follows: Daniel, born March 5, 1699, is mentioned below ; James, born April 20, 1700, died in 1786; Thomas, born April I, 1702, died in 1797; Deborah, born March 6, 1703, married James Baldwin, and died in Water- bury in January, 1801 ; Ebenezer, born Dec. 24, 1708, died in 1803; and Ann, born April 28, 1712, mar- ried Thomas Judd and (second) James Nicholas, and died at an old age. The father of these chil- dren was also a physician and surgeon, and in addi- tion to his medical practice engaged in land sur- veying. He was quite a prominent citizen of Wat- erbury and died after making his home there for over half a century, leaving a large estate. His was a long-lived family. The Connecticut Journal of March 5, 1801, contains the following interesting item concerning persons whose descendants are numerous in this vicinity, and some of whom still give evidence that the vigor of the sturdy stock is but little impaired: "Died in Waterbury, Mrs. Deborah Baldwin, aged ninety-seven, daughter of Dr. Daniel Porter, Jr., one of the first settlers of Waterbury, who died at an advanced age. Her mother died aged ninety-three; her eldest brother, Dr. Daniel, died at seventy-six ; her second brother. Dr. James Porter, at eighty-six ; her third brother, Capt. Thomas Porter, at ninety-five; her fourth brother, Ebenezer, now living at ninety-three; and also one sister Ann (the wife of James Nichols), now living at ninety."
Daniel Porter (3) was born in Waterbury, and died there Nov. 14, 1772. Like his father and grandfather, he also engaged in the practice of med- icine and surgery. He was a man of influence in his community, and was honored and respected by all who knew him. He owned a tract of land be- tween East Main and Mill streets and Mad river. and lived on East Main street. On June 3, 1728, he married Hannah Hopkins, a daughter of John and Hannah Hopkins, and sister of Stephen and Timothy Hopkins. John Hopkins was a son of Stephen Hopkins and his wife Dorcas Bronson (daughter of John Bronson), and a grandson of John Hopkins. Daniel Porter and his wife Han- nah had children as follows: Preserve, born Nov.
:
James Porter
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23, 1729, was the eldest ; Daniel, born March 17, 1731, was a physician and surgeon, died of small- pox in 1759 at Crown Point, while in the army ; Hannah, born June 16, 1733, married Obediah Sco- ville; Timothy, born June 19, 1735, is mentioned helow ; Susanna, born July 7, 1737, married Daniel Killum and (second) John Cossett ; and Anna, born Dec. 6, 1738, married David Bronson. The mother of these children died Dec. 31, 1739. By his sec- ond wife, Joanna, the father had two children : Elizabeth, who was married in 1764, to Ard War- ner; and Jemima, was married in 1762 to Timothy Scoville.
Timothy Porter, son of Daniel Porter (3), was a lifelong resident of Waterbury. He, too, devoted his time and attention to the medical profession, was the principal practicing physician of his town and vicinity, and served as surgeon in the Revo- lutionary war. He was a man of marked ability, progressive and enterprising, and was a stanch advocate of higher education. He married Mar- garet Skinner, a daughter of Gidcon Skinner, of Bolton, Conn. She was born in 1739, and died in 1813. In their family were seven children : Daniel, born Sept. 23, 1768, was the grandfather of our subject ; Sylvia C. was born Feb. 24, 1771 ; Joseph, born Sept. 3. 1772, a physician, married Levinia Porter, and died May 6, 1848: Olive, born July 26, 1775, married Moses Hall; Anna, born April 5, 1777, married R. F. Welton : Chauncey, born April 24, 1779, moved to Pittsford, N. Y. ; Timothy Hop- kins, born Nov. 28, 1785, was a representative in the United States Congress about 1828.
Daniel Porter, grandfather of our subject. was a well-educated man and highly respected citizen of Waterbury. He was a surveyor, and also a lawyer of much ability, practicing in the justice courts of his town. He owned quite a large amount of land in Waterbury, where he spent his entire life. He always took an active part in politics and held many offices of trust and responsibility, including that of selectman. On June 9. 1789, he married Anna Clark, and they had six children, whose names and dates of birth were as follows: Horace, Sept. 30. 1700 ; Timothy, Jan. 30, 1792; Elias, May 14, 1795: Alma Anna (wife of William Orton), April 18. 1800: Daniel (a physician), May 20, 1805: and Joseph. July 11, 1807. Mrs. Anna (Clark) Porter was a daughter of Ingham Clark and his wife Sarah ( Beach), who were married in 1767. Ingham Clark was a son of Israel and Mehitable ( Ingham) Clark (married in 1743), a grandson of Samuel Clark (2) and his wife Mary Brown (married in . 1604), a great-grandson of Samuel ( 1) and Han- nah (Tuttle) Clark ( married in 1672). Mrs. Mary (Brown) Clark, wife of Samuel (2). was a daugh- ter of Ebenezer and Hannah (Vincent ) Brown. Mrs. Hannah ( Tuttle) Clark, wife of Samuel ( I ). was a daughter of John and Catherine ( Lane) Tut- tle (married in 1653), and granddaughter of Will- iam Tuttle.
Elias Porter, father of our subject, owned and operated a farm at Mill Plain, and always made his home in Waterbury, spending the latter part of his life with our subject. He died in 1871, at a ripe old age, and was laid to rest in Pine Grove cemetery. On Jan. 22, 1817, he married Alma Ty- ler, who was born Dec. 17, 1791, a daughter of Lyman and Esther ( Hoadley) Tyler, of Pros- pect, Conn., who were married
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