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 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
CHARLES THERON HOTCHKISS, a prom- inent and influential citizen of Cheshire, was born in the town of Bethany, July 9, 1834, and traces his ancestry back to Samuel and Elizabeth ( Clev- erly) Hotchkiss, natives of Essex, England, who came to New Haven, Conn., in 1641, and were mar- ried there the following year. Samuel Hotchkiss was a tiller of the soil, and was the founder of the settlement in Wallingford, where he died. His chil- dren were John, who was born in 1643, and died iu 1682; Samuel. born in 1645; James, born in 1647; Joshua, born in 1651; Thomas, born in 1654: and David, born in 1657. Of this family. Joshua Hotch- kiss was born in Wallingford, and wedded Mary Hotchkiss, of New Haven, by whom he had twelve children, namely: Mary, Stephen, Martha, Pris- cilla, Abraham, Desire, Isaac, Jacob. John, Eliza- beth, Mary (2), and Mary (3). Jabez Hotchkiss,
a son of one of these, was born in Bethany, New Haven county, and there spent his entire life. His children were Stephen, the grandfather of Charles T .; Mary, born June 3. 1763: Timothy, born Jan. 22, 1766; Lydia, born April 1, 1768, died in 1773; Eleazer, born June 4. 1770: Lydia (2), born June 7, 1774.
Stephen Hotchkiss was also a life-long resident of Bethany, where he was born Oct. 31, 1761, and he died in 1847, at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years. His wife. who bore the maiden name of Hannah Brown, passed away at the age of eighty. In their family were the following children: Har- ley, father of Charles T .: Rebecca, wife of Minott Collins ; Wealthy, who died young : Eber, who mar- ried Thurza Driver: Stephen, who married Abi- gail Hotchkiss; Hannah, wife of John Russell : Jared, who married Amy French, still a resident of Bethany; Jesse, who married Caroline Lounsbury : and George, who married Laura Sperry, who died in New Haven. All lived in Bethany and are now deceased.
Harley Hotchkiss was born Sept. 12. 1791, and reared in Bethany, where he married Harriet Col- lins, also a native of that town and a daughter of Benjamin Collins. (Her mother's maiden name was Ford.) They continued to make their home there throughout life, the father devoting his time and attention to agriculture. He died March 29, 1860, and his wife was burned to death by the destruction of a house two years later, when she was aged seventy years. To them were born four children : (1) Wealthy Ann married William Gil- yard, of Seymour, and died in 1892, leaving three children, Mary, Thomas F. and Sarah L. (2) An- drew T. married Belinda Buckingham, and died in Bethany in 1877, leaving four children: Ernest Z., Isa A., Harley D., and Andrew T., now of New Haven. (3) Harris died young. (4) Charles T. completes the family.
Charles T. Hotchkiss was reared in his native town and obtained a good practical education, which enabled him to successfully engage in teaching for a period of thirty-six winters. As a teacher he came to Cheshire in carly life, and here he pur- chased a farm in April, 1861. While following his profession during the winter season until recently he has engaged in farming, with marked success, through the summer months. He also gives con- siderable time to work at the mason's trade.
In 1861 Mr. Hotchkiss was married, in South Canaan, to Miss Emma Victoria Watson, a native of Torrington, Conn., and a daughter of George and Jane (Belden) Watson, the former of whom died in Roseville, Illinois, the latter in Norfolk. Conn. By this union were born three children, namely: Mary Claribel, Mrs. Warren Andrews, of Cheshire; Clarence H., who died at the age of six and one-half years; and Harriet I., wife of Everett Pardee, of New Haven. Both of the daughters have been teachers. Fraternally Mr. Hotchkiss is a member of the Patrons of Hus-
899
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
bandry, and politically is a stanch Democrat. He is now serving as justice of the peace, and is the present chairman of the board of education. He is also secretary and treasurer of the Hotchkiss re- unions, which held their twentieth annual meeting in 1900, when 175 representatives of the family were present. He is regarded as one of the lead- ing and most highly respected citizens of Cheshire, and it is, therefore, consistent that he be repre- sented in a work whose province is the portrayal of the lives of the prominent men of New Haven county.
ALBERT PHELPS is the president of the Phelps & Bartholomew Co., well known as manu- facturers of clocks of all grades, and is prominent among the business men whose enterprise and en- ergy have created the thriving city of Ansonia. The product of their factory is in demand in all parts of the United States, and the reputation of the firm for excellent workmanship is constantly increasing their trade. The business, which was established nineteen years ago under the firm name of P'helps & Bartholomew, was reorganized in 1886 as a stock company, with a capital of $15.000, and our subject has been at its head ever since. At present the other officers are A. H. Bartholomew, treasurer, and Howard D. Phelps, secretary. They started with twelve hands and a small shop, the Gardner building, and now employ over a hundred hands, and have a factory 125 feet long, 45 feet wide and four stories high, with a wing 30x25 feet in size. The firm has had some difficulties to overcome on account of persecution by larger firms on the question of patent rights, but they have for- tunately been free from labor troubles and in the regular receipt of good orders.
Albert Phelps was born July 13, 1839, in Marl- boro, Conn., where his ancestors were early set- tlers. Oliver Phelps, his grandfather, was a lead- ing farmer of that locality and an active supporter of the work of the Methodist Church. He died at the age of sixty-seven, and his wife, Mary ( Hills). who was born in that vicinity, died at the age of seventy-four. Their family consisted of six chil- dren, all of whom are deceased. David Phelps, our subject's father, was born in 1810, and reared at Marlboro, and learned the trade of stonemason. Later he went to Bristol and. worked in a clock factory for a time, and for twenty years he was similarly employed in Hartford, but he retired a few years previous to his death, which occurred July 10, 1873. Politically he was a Republican, and he took an active interest in local affairs, serving on the board of relief and as justice of the peace. He was prominent in religious work as a member of the Methodist Church and for a number of years he led the choir, his voice being unusually fine. He married Hannah Freeman. a native of Hebron, Conn., who is now living in Bristol. Of their five children four are living, viz .: Jane, wife
of William Garlick, of Bristol ; Albert, our subject ; Mary, wife of George Lewis, of Bristol; and George, who is employed in cur subject's factory at Ansonia.
At the age of fourteen Albert Phelps accom- panied the family to Bristol, and his education was secured in the common schools. At eighteen he be- gan work in the Bristol clock shop, where he re- mained a number of years, and in 1871 he located in Ansonia, taking the contract to make movements for the Ansonia Clock Co. After a time he was made superintendent of the movement department. but on the removal of the company to Brooklyn he engaged in business for himself, in partnership with Arthur H. Bartholomew, as stated above. In pol- itics Mr. Phelps is a Democrat, and he has served on the board of relief. Socially the family is promi- nent, and he is a member of Franklin Lodge, F. & A. M., of Bristol. He is identified with the Episcopal Church, his family being active workers in that organization.
In 1864 Mr. Phelps married Miss Nellie Oakley, a native of New York City, and they have two chil- dren: (1) Howard D., who is connected with our subject's factory, married Miss Annie Tuttle, and has two children, Helen and Albert. (2) Miss Maud is at home.
HON. DANA BARTHOLOMEW, whose ac- tive, busy and useful life closed Sept. 1. 1900, while he was' staying temporarily with his family at Saratoga, N. Y., was for many years one of the leading citizens and business men of Ansonia, and a representative of one of the State's early families.
The branch of the Bartholomew family to which our subject belonged traces its ancestry into the sixteenth century to John Bartholomew, of War- borough, England, who was married there in 1551. William Bartholomew, a great-grandson of this John, grandson of John, and son of William, all of England, born there in 1602-03. married Anna Lord, and came to Boston in the ship "Griffin" in 1634. In 1635 he was chosen a deputy to the Gen- eral Court of Ispwich, Mass. From this first Amer- ican ancestor the subject of this sketch was a de- scendant in the eighth generation, his line being through William (2), Isaac, Abraham, Abraham (2). Jonathan and Jeremiah H. Bartholomew.
Hon. Jeremiah Hotchkiss Bartholomew, the fa- ther of our subject, was born April 18, 1814, in that part of Farmington, Conn., now Plainville. He received a limited education only, attending the district school until fifteen years of age, and then learned the tanner's trade. Subsequently he clerked for a time for Adna Whiting, of Plainville, and fol- lowed varicus occupations, always with application. intelligence and perseverance, characteristics which afterward brought him power and influence. He was employed in the Wolcottville Brass Kettle Fac- tory, became superintendent and ultimately general agent of a large business of the same character in
.
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
900
Ansonia, for which Anson G. Phelps, of New York. furnished the capital. Here Mr. Bartholomew's business capacity was given a field, and the Battery Mills, Brass & Copper, and Brass, Copper & Iron Wire Mills, with their numerous branches-which were built, started and operated most successfully for some twenty-five and more years by him as agent, superintendent, etc., of the very extensive manufacturing firm of Phelps, Dodge & Co .- are evidences of his ability. Mr. Bartholomew heid such position until ill health, in 1876, compelled him to retire.
By the personal efforts of Mr. Bartholomew the New Haven & Derby railroad was built to Bir- mingham and Ansonia. He became its president in 1874, and continued as such until the time of liis death, in 1884. In all matters of public interest Mr. Bartholomew was foremost in action, liberal in aid, and completed all his undertakings successfully. He represented his town and district in the House and Senate. His political affiliations were with the Republican party. He was a member of the Congre- gational Church from 1843 until his death.
On Sept. 15. 1834, Mr. Bartholomew was mar- ried to Polly H., daughter of Truman Root, of Bristol, Conn., and to the union were born chil- dren as follows : Sophronia, Adele ( who died when ten years old), Dana, Frances, Arthur H. and Emma.
Dana Bartholomew, our subject proper, was born April 8, 1847, in what was formerly Wolcott- ville, now Torrington, Conn., where he attended the district school until he was sixteen years old, and he was also a student at the Eastman Business College. Then, in keeping with his father's opinion that the best school for a business life is the busi- ness life itself, he entered the employ of the An- sonia Brass & Copper Co. For fourteen years he familiarized himself with all the process of brass manufacture, and became a stockholder of the com- pany. In 1877 he severed his managerial connec- tion with the company and entered into partner- ship with A. B. Hendryx for the manufacture of wire bird-cages. This business venture was very prosperous, and when the business was moved to New Haven, Mr. Bartholomew's many interests at home requiring his attention, he severed his con- nection with this company and formed another for the manufacture, under patent, of bits, augers, screw-drivers and braces ; but in 1884 the floods swept the entire plant away by the breaking of the dam of the Ansonia Water Co., in which he was a large owner. From that time until his death Mr. Bartholomew was occupied in caring for his many invested interests. He served as secretary, man- ager, then as president of the Ansonia Water Co .; also as president, treasurer and agent of the An- sonia Hall Co., owning the principal building in the town for offices and hall. He was a director of the Ansonia Savings Bank, the Ansonia Ice. Co. and the Naugatuck Valley Ice Co., of Bridgeport, a di-
rector and treasurer of the Meriden Ice Co., and vice-president of the Mallett Cattle Co. of Texas. At the time of his death he was president of the Ansonia Novelty Co. and the Ansonia Telephone Co. He was an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, and held at various times a number of the town offices. In 1880 hie was a representative in the General Assembly from Derby.
Throughout life Mr. Bartholomew was closely identified with the Christian forces of the town. For years he was deacon in the Congregational Church and also church clerk. He was a Sabbath- school worker and teacher of great popularity. Like his father, too, he was for years one of the foremost supporters of the Young Men's Christian Association of the town, and whenever the general Christian enterprises of the section were in need of special help their appeals to him were not unheeded.
Mr. Bartholomew was twice married. On Sept. 17, 1867, he married Miss Lanette Wightman, of Southington, who died July 21, 1886, and on March 17, 1888, he married Miss Isabel H. Warner, of Springfield, Mass., a daughter of one of the old and honored families of Enfield, Conn. To the first union were born four children, namely: Elleu E., Dana W., Jeremiah Hotchkiss, and Valentine (who died in infancy). To the second marriage came Pauline, who died in infancy ; and Helen Ger- trude, born Nov. 25, 1890. The family home on South Cliff street is one where wealth has set its adornments and one from which its occupants have dispensed a generous hospitality.
ALLING. The New Haven branch of the Alling family to which the late Truman Alling and sons, Francis A. and John T. Alling, belonged. were descended from the first settlers of the Colony of New Haven.
Roger Alling, the first American ancestor of the New Haven branch of the family under considera- tion, was born in England, son of James, and came to New England, about 1638; he settled in the Colony of New Haven, then called Quinnipiac. About 1642 he married Mary, eldest daughter of Thomas Nash, of Bendley, England.
From this first settler the late Francis A. and John T. Alling, of New Haven, were in the eighth generation, their line being through John, Capt. Jonathan, John (2), Ebenezer, Jonathan (2), and Truman Alling.
John Alling, son of Roger, was born October 2, 1647, married at New Haven, in 1671, Susannah Coe, born in 1653. Mr. Alling died in 1717, and his widow in 1746.
Capt. Jonathan Alling, son of John, was born in 1683, and married in 1713, Sarah, born in 1693. daughter of John Sacket. Capt. Alling died in 1755 and his widow in 1766. His life had been a successful one, he became a prominent citizen, and was captain of a militia company. For twenty- three times he served in the Legislature, after 1730.
901
-
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
John Alling (2), son of Capt. Jonathan, was born in 1714, and married, in 1738. Abiah Hitch- cock, born in 1715. They resided in Allingtown, where he died in 1761, and his widow in 1783.
Ebenezer Alling, son of John (2), was born in 1741 and married Lydia Punderson, born in 1745, and they resided in Allingtown, where he died in 1800, and she in 1832.
Jonathan Alling (2), son of Ebenezer, was born July 15. 1775. and Nov. 20, 1798. married Susannah Platt, born Jan. 3. 1780. By trade he was a carpenter, and his last days were spent in New Haven, where he died in 1861. and his wife passed away in 1854.
Trimman Alling, son of Jonathan (2), was born on Feb. 7, 1800, and was married Aug. 20. 1820, to Clarissa Hendrick, born in 1801. He died June 15, 1892, and his wife Jan. 9. 1871. By trade Truman Alling was a carpenter, his principal work being the making of boats and suitably fitting them for the carriage of horses to the West Indies. A part of his time was occupied in farming. His children were: Mary, who married M. Armstrong. a.skilled carriage builder ; William. deceased, left two sons, Burton and Leonard. of New Haven ; Francis A .: Robert: Julia, who is Mrs. Pat- rick, of Norwalk, Conn .; Amelia, who died at the age of eleven years ; John Truman : and Harriet.
FRANCIS A. ALLING, son of Truman, was born Sept. 8, 1825. and married Dec. 29, 1853, Mary J. Briggs, born Dec. 13, 1829. Their children were: Charles F. Alling, born Dec. 29. 1854, married Oct. 31, 1888, Carlie A. Sweet, born Oct. 9. 1867, and the tenth generation came in with the birth of Gladys H., born Jan. 17, 1892; Truman F., born March 8, 1894; Hazel Z., born Nov. 14. 1896; and Olive A., born Dec. 27. 1897.
Francis A. Alling spent his early school days in New Haven, attending the public schools. His first important work in building was on the rail- road on the first bridge across the meadows on the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R., and he was foreman at the time the second track and bridge were put in. Early in his business career, he went into partner- ship with Charles Waterhouse, as bridge builders, pile drivers, joiners, etc., later continued in the busi- ness alone, and then the partnership of Case & Alling was formed about 1866. but this business was dissolved by the death of Mr. Case. A partner- ship was then formed between F. A. and D. R. Alling, cousins, this association still continuing.
John T. Alling, son of Truman, was born July 23, 1833, in New Haven, and in December, 1857, married Editha E. Baldwin, who died April 16, 1895. One daughter, Eva E .. was born of this union, Nov. 23, 1863.
The early school days of John T. Alling were spent in New Haven, and he also worked on his father's farm, which was located where Spring street and vicinity make a thoroughfare through the city. When he began to learn the trade of
builder, he was under the instruction of M. Weaver, and continued in active life until his retirement, in 1893. Mr. Alling was well known in the building and contracting business where he possessed the es- teem of his associates. His residence is at No. 203 Spring street. Mr. Alling has always been opposed to secret societies and also to insurance.
David Alling, son of Jonathan (2), was born in New Haven May 26, 1802, and died May 4, 1883. His education was obtained in New Haven and later he engaged in farming in this city, in Orange and in Westville. As a matter of interest, it is related that Mr. Alling was a winner in a plowing contest, which was held on the New Haven Green, many years ago, and he was considered one of the hest judges of cattle in New Haven county. For many years he had been a member of Trinity Church. David Alling married Anna, daughter of Philo Beers, of Trumbull, Conn., and their children were: Jane, deceased; Phebe Ann, who married Eli Page, and has a daughter, Mrs. B. G. Skilton ; Emily, deceased ; Eliza, who married D. O. Camp; Jonathan B., deceased ; David Royal and Augusta Jane, twins, of whom the latter married C. G. Smith, and has one daughter, Lillian J.
DAVID ROYAL ALLING was born Sept. 15, 1845. in New Haven, where his youth has been spent. Af- ter leaving the public school, he entered the Charles Fabrique school, later the Stevens & Wells Busi- ness College in New Haven. Then he became clerk, and later bookkeeper for Case & Alling, and in 1873 bought the interest of F. A. Alling. In 1876, upon the death of Mr. Case, F. A. Alling pur- chased his interest, and the firm became F. A. & D. R. Alling, and this house is now one of the leading business firms of New Haven.
David R. Alling is a member of Quinnipiac Lodge, No. 1, I. O. O. F., Past Noble Grand ; Sas- sacus Encampment, No. 1, I. O. O. F., Past Chief Patriarch; Grand Grand Canton Sassacus, No. 1, Patriarchs Militant, Past Commandant: Grand Lodge I. O. O. F., Past Grand Master and Past Grand Representative to Sovereign Grand Lodge; Naomi Rebekah Lodge, No. 1, I. O. O. F. In Ma- sonic circles he is also prominent. Raised in Hiram Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M .: affiliated with Wooster Lodge, No. 79, Past Master; Franklin Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M .; Harmony Council, No. 8, R. & S. M., Past Thrice Illustrious Master ; New Haven Commandery, No. 2, K. T., Past Eminent Commander ; E. G. Storer Lodge of Perfection. A. & A. S. R., Valorous Junior Grand Warden ; Elm City Council, P. of J., A. & A. S. R., Most Excellent Senior Grand Warden: New Haven Chapter Rose Croix, A. & A. S. R., Most Wise and Perfect Mas- ter ; Lafayette Consistory of Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret, A. & A. S. R., Second Lieutenant Commander : Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors-General of the thirty-third and last de- gree of A. & A. S. R. For some time he has been auditor in the Grand Lodge of Masons of Connecti-
902
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
cut, and is one of the managers of the Masonic and Odd Fellows Home. In his religious belief he is an Episcopalian, and is now serving as a vestryman in Trinity Church.
ALONZO GRANNISS was born March 27, 1820, in Waterbury, where lie still resides, at his home on Prospect street, honored and respected by all who know him, and hale and hearty at the ad- vanced age of eighty-two years.
Simeon Granniss, grandfather of Alonzo, was a native of New Haven county, Conn., and on marry- ing settled in Naugatuck. New Haven county, where he reared a family of five children, who were born in the following order: Emerilla married Leverett Benham; Polly married Lemuel Austin ; Estella became the wife of Friend Sanford; Caleb was the father of Alonzo, our subject ; Simeon set- tled in New York State, and was a farmer by oc- cupation.
Caleb Granniss was doubtless born in Nauga- tuck, and was reared to blacksmithing and shoe- making. He married Miss Ruth Arnst, a native of Naugatuck, and a daughter of John Arnst, who came from France as captain's mate, and was the first professional tailor to settle at Salem Bridge, in that town. To Caleb Granniss and his wife were born children as follows: Edward was a carpenter and joiner in New York State, where his death , took place (he served gallantly throughout the Civil war) ; Marshall was a mechanic in Waterbury, Conn., where he passed his life; James MI. was a mechanic in Waterbury; Sarah became the wife of Frank Curtiss, and later r .. arried a Mr. Bas- ford, and is still living; Alonzo is our subject. After the deatlı of Caleb Granniss, the father of this family, his widow was united in marriage with Joseph Cook, to whom she bore two children: An infant that died unnamed and Sarah. She passed the remainder of her life in Waterbury.
Alonzo Granniss migrated back and forth with his parents between Waterbury and Salem Bridge (Naugatuck). and was a child when they last re- moved to the latter town. There he had his home for four years. when with his mother he returned to Waterbury, his father having died in the mean- time. Here lie has since resided. Mr. Granniss did not enjoy to any great extent the advantages of early education. At the early age of twelve years, or in 1832, he went to work in the factory of Benedict & Burnham. was shrewd and showed marked ability, and when sixteen years of age was made foreman of the roiling department, which po- sition he held until 1893, making a continuous service of fifty-nine years-an unprecedented length of time in one employ in Waterbury.
--
In 1837 Mr. Granniss was married to Miss Esther D. Payne, who lived in the village of Pros- pect, New Haven Co., Conn., but was born in Ohio, a daughter of Silas Payne. This marriage was crowned with four children, viz .: Margaret, who
died at the age of nine years; Frederick .A., who survives ; and two that died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Granniss have been united in mat- rimony for sixty-five years, and together have at- tended the Episcopal Church that long period of time. In politics he was a Democrat in his early days, but of late he has affiliated with the Repub- lican party. He has served his fellow townsmen six or seven years as a member of the council and as a member of the board of relief. as street com- missioner, and was one of the organizers of the Mattatuck Engine Company, in 1839. He has never. belonged to any of the fraternities. He has always relied on liis own sterling integrity, and no man in Waterbury has ever been more respected for this than himself.
Hon. Frederick A. Granniss, only surviving child of Alonzo Granniss, was born Oct. 18. 1851, attended school in New Haven, in Litchfield, the Gunn School of Washington, Conn., the Episcopal Academy in Cheshire ( Military Academy ), and also a commercial college in Hartford, being better prepared in this respect, for the activities of busi- ness, than his father had been. He was educated practically in politics, and early became an adherent of the Republican party. In 1884 he was the Re- publican representative of the town of Cheshire in the State Legislature, but since then he has been attending to his father's and his own real-estate matters, being the owner of considerable real es- tate. Fraternally Hon. Frederick A. Granniss is a member of Temple Lodge. No. 16, F. & A. M .. of Cheshire. and also of the Waterbury Club.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.