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 25
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GEORGE W. DIVINE (deceased). In every community there dwell men who rise by their own inherent ability to a recognized position as leaders in the social, intellectual and political life of the people. In the town of Seymour, the estimable busi- ness man whose name appears above, for many years took an active part in public affairs, wielding a wide influence for the general welfare, shaping and directing opinion by his clear insight into events and by his unflagging devotion to those causes which he believed essential to the public weal.
Mr. Divine was born in Newburgh, Orange Co., N. Y., Feb. 5, 1822, a son of Henry and Phoebe (Tilton) Divine, and grandson of Samuel Divine, who reared a large family and passed the declining years of his life in Sullivan county, N. Y. Henry Divine, the father of our subject, was born in New- burgh, N. Y., and acquired the blacksmith trade which he followed until his death at the age of thirty-eight years. His wife. Phoebe Tilton, was an aunt of Theodore Tilton, and was born in Sulli- van county, N. Y., a daughter of Joseph Tilton, .who served through the Revolutionary war on the staff of Gen. Washington. Like her husband, she died in middle life, at the age of thirty-nine years. They were members of the Baptist Church. To Henry and Phoebe Divine were born seven children, two of whom. Mrs. G. Leavenworth, of Seymour, and Mrs. Phoebe Blake, of North Haven, are yet living.
George W. Divine was reared at Newburgh. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted in the 2nd United States Infantry, and served five years, par- ticipating in the Seminole war. He followed brick making at North Haven, Conn., for a time, then en- gaged in the manufacture of bits at Hamden and later at Humphreysville, now Seymour. About 1853 he removed to Millville, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., where he lived four years. During that time he was actively engaged in politics, and was elected
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justice of the peace. Returning to Seymour he con- tinued bit making, and also the manufacture of edge tools until his death. April 18. 1887, at the age of sixty-five years. He was a skilled mechanic and was especially expert in operating the trip hammer, with which he manufactured bits. Mr. Divine pos- sessed a judicial turn of mind, and for twelve years served as justice of the peace. He also transacted a large amount of legal business. He was a thor- oughly informed man and was active in public af- fairs. He was elected in 1879 a member of the State Legislature, serving with credit to himself and to the complete satisfaction of his constituents. Among the local offices which he filled were select- man and grand juror. He was an eloquent speaker, convincing in argument, and conducted at one time in Westville a series of debates, which lasted four- teen weeks. In religious faith he was a zcalous member of the Disciple Church. For six years he was captain of the Humphreysville Grays, and dur- ing the Civil war he raised two companies ; one un- der Capt. William Wyant, became a part of the 5th regiment, and the other under Capt. W. Smith, a part of the 20th regiment. He also drilled many companies, preparatory to their active service in the field.
On Nov. 28. 1847, Mr. Divine married Miss Martha G. Bassett, a native of Humphreysville, now Seymour, daughter of Abel and Martha ( Peck) Bassett and granddaughter of Abraham Bassett, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Abel Bas- sett was a carpenter and millwright by trade, and spent his entire life at Seymour. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. To himself and wife were born nine children, of whom two are living, Julia A. (Clark), and the widow of our subject, who is the youngest of the family. Abel and Martha Peck were members of the Episcopal Church. He died March 23, 1864, aged seventy-seven years, and his wife Sept. 6, 1850. aged fifty-seven years. To our subject and his wife were born two children. Julia A. married Willard G. Mitchell, who was a soldier in the Civil war, a member of Company A, 52d Mass. V. I., and who died Aug. 22. 1876. His widow now makes her home with her mother.
George A. Divine, the other child of George IV. and Martha Divine, was born Sept. 6. 1850, in Seymour, where he was reared and educated, and where he spent most of his years. He is a skillful musician and in that profession he has traveled quite extensively. He was with P. T. Barnum one sum- mer, and has played with Washburn and a number of other noted persons. He is a leader of the band and is a skillful player of the cornet, bass viol and the violin. He transposes music rapidly, and is a member of the Concordia Singing Society, and has played with the Second Regiment Band. In politics George A. Divine is a Republican, and in October, 1898, he was elected selectman, acting as first se- lectman ; he is now serving his third term, having been re-elected in October, 1900, and again in 1901.
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He is a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., at Seymour, and a charter member of the Non- nawank Lodge, Red Men. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, of which he is treasurer, and is a member of the Citizens Hook & Ladder Co. He married. Jan. 13. 1873, Jennie E. Short, who was born in Derby, daughter of Ephraim Short, a black- smith of that town.
Both Mrs. Martha Divine and her daughter, Mrs. Mitchell, have been active and prominent men- bers of the Eastern Star for twenty-seven years. They are also members of the Amaranth Society, and of the Bassett Family Association. They are members of the Disciple Church, and among the leading social families of Seymour.
Jason Bassett. a brother of Mrs. Divine, was a builder and architect of rare ability. He erected the Episcopal churches at Hartford, Naugatuck and Huntington before he was twenty-one years old. He followed his profession at New York and later at Rochester, where he made the specifications for the handsome court house in that city. He removed to Buffalo, and had there designed and constructed some of its more elegant structures when his useful and brilliant career was cut short in 1850, at the age of forty-four years. Another brother, David Bassett, settled at Racine, Wis., where he bought land, cleared it, erected the first water wheel there, and became one of its most prominent citizens. He died in California in 1853.
JUDGE GEORGE DEFOREST BISSELL, who is now living a retired life in Naugatuck, was born in Torrington, this State, April 24, 1828. and is a representative of a good old Colonial family. His grandfather, Elisha Bissell, was born in Spring- field, Mass., in 1743, and died in 1808 in Torring- ton. He married Roxy Bissell, and located at Windsor Hill, Conn., where they reared a family of five children, namely: Seth, born in 1782, lived in Windsor, and died in 1798; Elisha, born in 1787, died in 1811 ; Roxy, born in 1788, married Richard Bristol, a farmer of Harwinton, Conn., and died in 1846; George, the father of our subject, was next in order of birth; and Sila, born in 1793, married Erastus Hodges, of Torrington, and (second) Ru- fus Pickett, of Morris, and died in 1869.
George Bissell, our subject's father, was born in Windsor Hill, in 1790, and there grew to man- hood. He married Sarah Woodruff, of Torring- ton. Her father, John Woodruff, was a native of Oxford, and was a farmer by occupation ; he served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and saw Major Andre executed. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bissell located in Torrington, where the father was first engaged in farming and later in tanning, so continuing until his death, April 19. 1835. His wife, who long survived him, passed away Sept. 4, 1894. They had but two children, the older being Sarah A., who was born July 7,
1824. and died unmarried, Sept. 8, 1898. In politics the father was a Whig, and in religious belief both he and his wife were Congregationalists.
George DeForest Bissell was seven years of age when, with his mother, he removed to Litchfield. Conn., where he was reared and educated. In early life he engaged in farming and school teaching. and then went to Rock Island, Ill., where he clerked in a commission house for three years. Returning to Litchfield. Cont., in 1859. he was engaged in clerking there until 1863, when he went to New Haven and was employed as clerk in the "Tremont House" for three years. At the end of that time he entered the office of the probate judge at Hart- ford, and remained there for three years. In 1869 he came to Naugatuck, where he served as book- keeper and secretary of the Tuttle Manufacturing Co .. for about seventeen years, or until appointed postmaster at that place. He assumed the duties of that office April 1, 1887, and capably discharged the same for two years and a half, since which time he has lived retired.
On June 5. 1870. Judge Bissell married Miss Lil- lian Adella Clarke, of Prospect, Conn., a daughter of Sela Clarke, and they have one son. George De Forest, Jr. They attend the Congregational Church, and are held in high regard by all who know them. Fraternally the Judge is a member of Shepherd's Lodge, No. 78, A. F. & A. M., of Naugatuck; and politically, he is a stanch supporter of the Demo- cratic party. He was the first warden of Nauga- tuck; has served as selectman ; was town clerk for about six years; and judge of probate four years. He has been found true to every trust reposed in him, and has made a most efficient and popular officer.
ENSIGN NORTHROP, an honored veteran of the Civil war, has been for many years a resident of Waterbury, where he has established an envia- ble reputation for himself both as a man of unques- tioned probity and as a skilled worker, connected with one of the largest industrial establishments of that busy city.
Mr. Northrop was born in Chili, Monroe Co., N. Y., March 13, 1834, son of Miles Northrop, who was born in Cornwall, Conn., July 20, 1805, and died in Orleans county, N. Y., in 1891. Miles Northrop left home at the age of sixteen, and what knowledge is now obtainable of his parentage and ancestry is very obscure. He went into Genesee county, N. Y., at that time far from the old home, not only in distance but in the time necessary to cover it. There was little communication, and the young man drifted away from all intimate touch with his family. He learned the cooper's trade, and worked at same in Genesee. Monroe and Orleans. counties, N. Y. He married Eliza Ensign, who was born in Sheffield, Mass., a daughter of Freeman Ensign, and died in Orleans county, N. Y., in 1890;
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she was about a year older than her husband. The Ensigns were long settled in Massachusetts, and were of French extraction. Miles Northrop was the father of nine children: George was a farmer in New York, and later removed to Florida where he died. Emeline married Edwin Hinche, a cooper in Chautauqua county, N. Y., and is now deceased. Sarah is the wife of George Phillips, a Genesee county farmer. Warren is a farmer in Orleans county. Ensign is our subject. Betsy married Henry Pierce ( who died in the Civil war), and is now deceased. Mary married George Oswell, and they are living in Cherry Creek, N. Y. Ellen mar- ried Henry Hale, and they live in Michigan. Es- ther died unmarried.
Ensign Northrop lived in Genesee county, N. Y., until he was twenty-two years of age, and then engaged in farming in Chautauqua county. At the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in Company K, 112th N. Y. V. I., serving three years. and seeing much active duty. He was a faithful soldier, and made a record of which he may be justly proud. In 1869 he went into Virginia to try northern farming in the South, but the result of the experiment was not encouraging, and in the spring of 1870, returning North, he located at Wat- erbury, where his home has been to the present time. Mr. Northrop entered the employ of the Scovill Manufacturing Co. in 1870, and is still with them. For twenty-seven years he has been engaged in saw- ing brass on the same machine.
Mr. Northrop and Miss Eunice Hinche were married Sept. 20, 1855. Mrs. Northrop was born in Chili, Monroe Co., N. Y., daughter of Joseph Hinche, a farmer, and is of French extraction. To this union were born three children: Miles, who died at the age of fourteen : Charles, a foreman in the White Dental Works. at Princess Bay. Staten Island ; and Anna, wife of Edward Smith, of Naug- atuck, Conn., a contractor and builder of more than local standing. Mr. Northrop is a Republican, and is a member of Wadhams Post. G. A. R. Since early youth he has been a member of the Baptist Church.
JOHN M. REDSHAW, the father of Samuel G. Redshaw, was born in Leeds, England, and re- mained in his native country, following the business of a cloth manufacturer. until after his marriage. When he came to this country he settled in Derby. where he resumed his trade. and followed it for some years in connection with the firm of Plumb & Beach. Mr. Plumb finally came to Ansonia, and started a business in this city under the name of Plumb & Co., John M. Redshaw being the "con- pany." When the establishment passed into the hands of a stock company, Mr. Redshaw remained as a stockholder and superintendent of a depart- ment as long as the business was continued. He lived retired from active labor for a time before his death, on Feb. 3, 1899, at the age of seventy-nine .
years. He married Sarah Gaunt, who was born in the same town as her husband, a daughter of Samuel Gaunt, and they had five children, three of whom are living: Moses W. living in Bridgeport. Conn. Samuel G. is mentioned below : and Joseph. who lives in West Haven. The father was a well- known and active member of the community in his time. He came to Ansonia about 1844. and saw it change from a farming community to a great indus- trial center. Fraternally he was a Mason, and was enrolled in George Washington Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Mt. Vernon Chapter, R. A. M .. and other Ma- sonic organizations. He belonged to the Congre- gational Church. Jolin M. Redshaw's only brother. Thomas M., served in the Union army during the Civil war, and was killed in the battle of Gettys- burg, and Thomas M. Redshaw Post, G. A. R .. at Ansonia, commemorates his name.
Samuel G. Redshaw was born in Ansonia. Conn., July 27, 1849, and there he spent his early life in attendance upon the local schools. On reach- ing manhood he entered the woolen mill, and after a time bought out the box factory of A. B. Hen- dricks, carrying on the business in a small way, without the aid of machinery, and employing only three girls. By close attention and the constant ef- fort to please his patrons he has steadily increased his trade. On July 1, 1896, he became the owner of the factory in Derby, and working the two to- gether he doubled his output, but he sold the latter in November, 1899, removing part of the machinery to his plant in Ansonia. His trade is strictly local, and the demand crowds the productive power of his business to the utmost.
Mr. Redshaw was married in 1877 to Amelia Lawton, a daughter of Lewis Lawton, who lived in Winsted. and was a spinner by trade. Mrs. Red- shaw is one of a family of four children. Her par- ents are both deceased, both passing away at the age of sixty-nine years, and within a month of one another. They were members of the Episcopal Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Redshaw have two sons: John Lewis, the elder, is a stenographer and book-keeper for his father. Charles Joseph, the younger boy, is fitting himself for college.
Mr. Redshaw is a Republican in politics, but has refused all propositions to accept local offices. Long ago he united with the Masonic fraternity, being now a veteran Mason, and holding membership in Washington Lodge, A. F. & A. M., the chapter, R. A. M., New Haven Commandery, and Pryamid Temple of the Mystic Shrine, having progressed as far as the 32d degree. He has held all the offices in the Blue Lodge, and those up to master in the chapter. He is also a member of the Eastern Star, of which he was grand patron of the State in 1808, in that year making more than forty official visits, calling on every chapter in the State. Mr. Redshaw is also a veteran Odd Fellow, being enrolled in
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Naugatuck Lodge, No. 63, where he has filled all the offices ; in Hope Encampment, No. 26, of which he is past chief patriarch; and in the Grand En- campment. He is connected with the A. O. U. W. and the Improved Order of Heptasophs. For twenty-five years Mr. Redshaw has been a member of Eagle Hose Co., No. 6. He and all his family are members of Christ Church.
FREDERICK WILLIAM BROCKSIEPER (deceased). The country that has produced a Bis- marck and a Schiller, a Von Moltke and a Goethe, has contributed in no small way to the best develop- ment of America, for the habits of industry, the stern self-denial, the sterling integrity and the faculty of true enjoyment and cheerful living are characteristic of the German race, and this com- bination forms a citizen of value to any country. A native of the Fatherland, Frederick Willian; Brocksieper was one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of North Haven, Connec- ticut.
Frederick W. Brocksieper, Sr., his father, was born in Iserlohn, in the northern part of West- phalia, Germany, where he engaged in the manu- facture of hardware very extensively. being the first manufacturer of screws in that country. A thrifty and industrious man, he never gave up labor until within three days of his demise, which occurred when he was eighty years old. He married Anna Maria Grueber, a native of Westphalia, the daugh- ter of a learned man of that country, and the fam- ily born to this union consisted of five children : Helena married in Germany, and came to America, her husband locating in Posey county. Ind. : Theo- dore, a scholarly man, speaking and writing six languages, died in Germany from over-study; Elizabeth married and lives in Germany ; Frederick W. is mentioned below: Moritz remained in Ger- many, where he is a skilled mechanic and engraver.
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Frederick W. Brocksieper was born July 25, 1826, in Iserlohn, Westphalia. Germany, and was given excellent educational advantages. At the age of eighteen years he was apprenticed to an engraver and modeler, where he was taught mechanical draw- ing, remaining in the employ of the same engraver for a number of years. However, he began to feel a desire to see more of the world, and the land across the Atlantic seemed to possess untold attrac- tions, hence the year 1849 found him on a sailing- vessel from Bremen, on his way to the United States. This vessel was a new one, requiring some work upon it when the time set for starting ar- rived, but the passengers were not willing to wait longer and volunteered to make the finishing touches themselves, in order to get under way. Our subject so impressed his companions with his super- ior knowledge of mechanics that he was unanimous- ly elected leader, and the tedium of the long voyage was relieved for him by painting the vessel as it ploughed the water. It required much stamina to
land in a strange country, with limited means and the necessity of facing a new language and new customs, but the courage that made liim finish the "Elbe," when already floated, finally brought hini employment, and he went to work making dies and patterns in the iron foundry of James Beche & Co., on the corner of Central and Reed streets, New York City. This concern afterward became a very wealthy one, and they were the first range makers in the United States, the Beebe range being thic most successful attempt in that kind of modern stoves. Going to New Britain, Mr. Brocksieper there engaged as a contractor with Peck & Walter, manufacturers of house and builders' hardware. The establishment passed into the hands of J. B. Sargent, still later to J. B. Sargent & Co., and at present Sargent & Co., and is now one of the largest manufactories in the country, the line of manufac- ture now including locks, builders' and harness hardware, in connection with former lines. When the business was removed to New Haven Mr. Brocksieper remained with them, and until Septem- ber, 1899, he so continued in their factory, but at that time he concluded that a faithful service of fifty-one years entitled him to take the remainder of his life at ease, and with regret parted with his employers, who had also been personal friends. He passed away at his home in Montowese, April 27, 1900.
When Mr. Brocksieper retired from the factory he was the oldest employe, having been a witness of its growth from infancy to sturdy maturity. The first firm consisted of Mr. Sargent as president and treasurer, and Mrs. Sargent as secretary, with Mr. Brocksieper as superintendent. That the long and faithful connection was appreciated by Mr. Sargent has been shown in many ways, perhaps in none more happily than in the presentation of a unique, valuable and beautiful work of art which now adorns the late home of our subject. While traveling in China, in 1887, Mr. Sargent purchased a beautiful painting, on rice paper, representing the native insects and butterflies of China, a work of art exquisite in design and workmanship. While this gift was valued for its beauty, Mr. Brock- sieper attached still more value to the inscription which was placed upon it by Mr. Sargent, viz. : "Canton, China, Oct. Ist, 1887, Annual Moon-day. To show that my long-time and true friend is in my memory forever, I purchase these four pictures of Chinese insect life for F. W. Brocksieper. J. B. Sargent."
In 1869 Mr. Brocksieper came with his family to Montowese, Conn., making their summer home at that place, spending their winters in the city. In the beautiful family lot is erected a monument in memory of the wife and mother who made a honie wherever she was, but who passed away Dec. 10, 1898. In New York Mr. Brocksieper married An- toinette Hoelschier, a native of Elberfeld, Rhine- land, Germany, born Nov. 2, 1828, and to her he.
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attributed much of his success in life, and her de- voted family will ever feel the value of her life of kindness, sympathy and encouragement. The foi- lowing named children were born to this union : Antoinette, who married Francis T. Busse, is now deceased ; Adrienne, born in 1851, died in the same year ; Frederick W. married Adella J. Moulthrop, and now lives in. Los Angeles. Cal., engaged in the fruit-growing business ; John H. married Lucy Cor- coran, and is a farmer in North Branford ; Theodore died young; Carl Moritz, who married Mrs. Jennie Buckley, is now lessee and manager of the Lyric Hall, New London, and was assistant secretary of the Y. M. C. A .; Anna Maria; Emma L .; Adele : Charles died when seven months old : Joseph Brad- ford, who graduated at Yale Medical School in 1897, is a leading physician of New Britain.
. In 1895 Mr. Brocksieper erected a home which is the largest and most complete and attractive in North Haven. For many years he had been a col- lector of butterflies, minerals and semi-precious stones, and had a large collection, gathered from all parts of the globe, some specimens of great rarity. He was the owner of considerable real es- tate, some of which he rented for farming purposes, . and also the property which is occupied by the Montowese Brick Co., from which he received royalties for the fine quality of clay used in the manufacture of its brick. Originally Mr. Brock- sieper was a Democrat, but later became a Repub- lican, and fraternally he had attained the 32d de- gree of Freemasonry. affiliating with Hiram Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Franklin Chapter. R. A. M. ; he was also a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and Order of Chosen Friends. Brought up in the Lutheran Church, he was always an attendant of the same, although he gave liberally to ever; religious denomination.
GEORGE W. NETTLETON, a representative and prominent citizen of Naugatuck, is a native of New Haven county, born Sept. 5. 1828, in what was then called Osborne Hollow, as there were many Osbornes living in that locality at the time. His father, Caleb Nettleton, was born in Old Milford, and was a son of Caleb and Anna ( Stone) Nettle- ton, farming people, who lived and died in Old Mil- ford. They had three children : Jehiel, a farmer of Goshen, Litchfield Co., Conn .: Elijah, a Baptist minister, who lived and died in Goshen : and Caleb, our subject's father. The grandfather was twice married, and by his second wife. Louise Clark, who was likewise a native of Old Milford, also had three children, Alfred, David and Amy.
Caleb Nettleton was a young man when he re- moved to Middlebury, and there he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy A. Clark, a native of that town, and a daughter of Andrew Clark, who was born in Old Milford. After their marriage they located on a farm in Middlebury, where they reared their family. They were consistent and faithful
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