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 42

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 988

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 42

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The deceased leaves two daughters, aged respectively 12 and 14 years, and a mother and father. He was the last child, his brother dying several years ago. Both parents were with him at his death, but his father was the only one recognized by him in the interval of a long period of unconsciousness. He was insured in the Life Union, the New York Equitable and the Knights of Honor association.

Mr. Weld was made a Mason in Continental lodge of this city in 1884. He afterward became exalted to the Royal Arch in Eureka chapter, November 11, 1885. A friend says of him: "He has held an official position in the chapter during the past four years with great credit to himself and honor to the fraternity. His usefulness as an officer, and quiet demonstration of an intelligent and upright Mason, had won for him the esteem of all his brothers and companions."

Mr. Weld was a most efficient member of the city board of health. Always watching the health of others and so prominently connected with the establishment of the sewer system which plays so important a part in pre- serving the city's health, it seems particularly sad that he should fall a victim to this disease through impure milk from the Middlebury farm.

Alderman H. W. French on behalf of the aldermanic board extended the sympathy and offered the services of the members of the court of common council to the family.

Though a thorough business man, and devoted to his profession, Mr. Weld was a man of genial social qualities, and he had a special tact for "get- ting along" with the various people with whom he came in contact during his professional career. se- curing compliance with his plans without arousing aggression or unpleasant antagonism. With a rep- utation for strict integrity, he gained a high stand- ing in his ingenuity, which was considerable, united with a sound common sense which characterized all his actions. He was quick and accurate in the per- formance of his duties, and the work which he ex- ecuted will long be a silent witness to the thor-

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oughness and painstaking effort which marked all his undertakings, for he neglected no detail of a work, however seemingly unimportant. His serv- ices were especially valuable in New Haven and Waterbury. Mr. Weld did not reap large pecuniary reward in his calling, but he leaves a name unspotted for integrity and honesty, and he was esteemed by all who knew him as a true friend and an upright man. On Dec. 15, 1874, Mr. Weld married Miss Mary V. Crockett, and they had two children, Mary Washburn and Fredericka Floyd, who have been reared by their grandmother, Mrs. Weld.

DAVID MERRIMAN HALL, an old and prominent farmer of the town of Wallingford, whose character exacts the veneration his years de- mand, was born in South Elm street, in that borough, May 27, 1818. John Hall, his remote pro- genitor, was an early settler of New England. and his sons, John, Thomas and Samuel, were among the first settlers of Wallingford.

Thomas Hall was born March 25, 1649. and came from New Haven, where he married Grace Watson June 5, 1673. She died May 1, 1731. and he on the 17th of the following November. Both were buried in Wallingford. He was a farmer by occupation. His family consisted of eleven chil- dren : (1) Abigail, born Jan. 7, 1674, married John Tyler; (2) Thomas, born July 17, 1676, married Abigail Atwater, daughter of John Atwater: (3) Mary was born Nov. 22, 1677; (4) Jonathan, born July 25, 1679, married Dinah Andrews May 12, 1703; (5) Joseph, born July 8, 1681, married Bertha Terrel; (6) Esther, born Feb. 23, 1683, married Benoni Atkins; (7) Benjamin, born April 19, 1684, married Mary Ives; (8) Peter was born Dec. 28, 1686; (9) Daniel was born Jan. 27, 1689; (10) Rebecca, born Jan. 6, 1691, married Daniel Holt ; (11) Israel, born Oct. 8, 1696, married Abigail Palmer.

Peter Hall, noted above, was born in Walling- ford, and was reared on the farm. Farming was his life occupation, and he became an extensive land owner. At the time of his death, which oc- curred in Wallingford, he had reached the age of ninety years. He was married, Oct. 19, 1732, to Rebecca Bartholomew, who died Oct. 31. 1798, and to their marriage came children as follows : (1) Susannah, born Feb. 26, 1734; (2) Hiel, May 6, 1735; (3) Abigail, May 15, 1737; (4) Rebecca, born July 3, 1740; (5) Eunice, Nov. 8, 1742; (6) Josiah, born July 3, 1745; (7) Peter, June 7, 1748; (8) Andrew, Sept. 12, 1750 (died Oct. 14, 1776) : (9) Anna, March 30, 1753; (10) Keziah, June 16, 1755; (II) Lois, Sept. 25, 1757.

Hiel Hall was born in the town of Wallingford, and like his father was engaged in farming, and owned extensive tracts of land there. Catherine, his wife, died Jan. 4, 1788, at the age of forty-two years. She was the mother of the following named children: (1) Josiah, born in 1775, died Dec. 15,

1821; (2) Catherine was born Jan. 2, 1776; (3) Andrew, born in 1777, died Jan. 25, 1812; (4) Chauncey, born Sept. 8, 1778, married Marilla Hall; (5) Peter, born May 31, 1780, married De- light Kirkland; (6) Hiel, born Feb. 7, 1782, mar- ried Sarah Kirkland; (7) Rice was born May 2, 1784; (8) Justus was born Feb. 14, 1787.

Deacon Josiah Hall, the father of David Merri- man Hall, was born in Wallingford, where he grew to manhood. In his mature years he had a large farm on Elm street, and he died while still in middle life, in Wallingford, at the age of nearly forty-seven years. In politics lie was a Democrat. and in religion a member of the Congregational Church, in which he officiated as deacon. He is re -. membered as a useful citizen, a good husband and a kind father. Deacon Hall was married April 7, 1795, to Martha R. Hall, who was born Aug. 22, 1777, daughter of Giles Hall, of Wallingford, and granddaughter of John and Mary (Street) Hall. To them were born children as follows: (I) Thankful, born May 23, 1796, married Col. Thad- dens Cook; (2) Catherine, born May 18, 1798, died unmarried; (3) Eliza, born May 15, 1800, died young ; (4) Eliza, born July 25, 1801, married James Reynolds ; (5) Edward L., born May 15, 1804, married Mary K. Cook, daughter of Billions Cook; (6) George Chauncey was born April 19. 1806: (7) Martha R., born Oct. 19, 1808, married Col. Thaddeus Cook; (8) Josiah was born June 15, 1812: (9) Ogden, Sept. 13, 1815; (10) David Merriman, May 27, 1818; and ( II) James, April II, 1821. David M. is the only survivor. The mother died in Wallingford, and was buried in the Center street cemetery.

David M. Hall was very young when he lost his father. His education was begun in the district school of Wallingford, and later he attended the school at Cook Hill, where he went to live with his sister, Mrs. Thaddeus Cook, after his father's death. He was also a pupil in the academy at Ber- lin and the one at Middletown. Remaining in the hospitable home of his sister until he was sixteen years of age, he went to New Haven and learned the tin and sheet-iron trade. To do this prop- erly and in the old-fashioned, thorough-going way, required his time until he was twenty-one years of age. Then he became a journeyman, and worked at his trade. A few years later he bought a farm on Cook Hill, where he lived until 1854, in that year settling on his present farm, which is part of the original Cook estate. For nearly half a cen- tury he has been engaged in farming and stock raising, and to-day he is known as one of the most successful farmers in Wallingford.

On Dec. 24, 1843, Mr. Hall married Catherine Maria Cook, who was born on Cook Hill, daugh- ter of Col. Thaddeus and Sylvia ( Hall) Cook. and sister of Mrs. William Francis, of North Farms. Mrs. Hall is a lady of innate refinement, and of kindly disposition, and all who know her speak well

Catharine In Hall

D. M. Hall

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of her. She has been a good wife and a loving mother. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have had three chil- dren : (I) James Cook, born July 6, 1845, died at the age of seventeen years. (2) Edward Thad- deus, born Oct. 16, 1849. married Georgiana Par- dee, and has one child, Sarah Edna, born July 8, 1897. (3) George David, born June 20, 1859, is now living on the homestead ; he married, Oct. 23, 1884, Jennie Blakeslee Hough, daughter of Elijah Hough, and has three children-Louis Cook, born March 27, 1888; Almon Blakeslee, born Nov. 27, 1891 ; and Mabel Hough, horn March 7, 1898.

'David Merriman Hall is one of the thoughtful, leading men of his community. In his religious belief he is a consistent follower of the rules of the Episcopal Church. He is domestic in his tastes, and upright in his habits. In politics he is a Dem- ocrat, but puts the good of the community before any question of party expediency.

BLATCHLEY. There was a Thomas Blatch- ley who sailed for New England in 1635; was in Hartford in 1640; New Haven in 1643: Branford in 1645 ; and in Guilford in 1666. In the last named place he was admitted as a planter April 23. 1668. His business was that of a merchant, and he died in Boston in 1674. Some of his descendants are yet in Guilford.

There was a Samuel Blatchley who removed from Guilford in about 1653, where he was an early planter, to that part of the town which later be- came Madison.

Soon after 1725, the time of the permanent set- tlement of Madison, there was a Joshua Blatchley who settled in the south part of the town.

Few men have been more prominently identified with the growth of New Haven. through the past fifty years, than the family introducing this article. The extensive real estate firm of S. L. Blatchley & Sons was established in 1852 by the fa- ther, the late Samuel L. Blatchley, who, along in the late 'sixties, took his sons, Samuel R., the late Charles Carroll, and later Joel Blatchley, in the business with him, and, from the beginning. these men together, or in turn, have carried on ex- tensive building operations and real estate trans- actions, and have been interested in public improve- ments which have materially aided in New Haven's growth.

The late Samuel L. Blatchley was born Feb. 13, 1804, in North Madison, Conn., a son of Joel and Ruth (Loper) Blatchley, of that town. Joel Blatchley was one of the prominent men of his day in the town, and at the first town meeting, in 1826, was chosen one of the selectmen. The name of Blatchley has been identified with the towns of Guilford and Madison from the early Colonial pe- riod, and the name is on record from that section in the war of the Revolution, in the professions, and a number of times as graduates of Yale College.

Samuel Loper Blatchley received his boyhood

education in the common schools of his native town, and. by application as he advanced to manhood, suc- ceeded in obtaining a good business education. His business career was commenced as an insurance agent in his town, and later he kept a country store there, in which the handling of clocks was a chief feature of the business. In those days it was no un- common thing for a merchant to travel over the country, and especially in the South, selling goods and Yankee notions. Mr. Blatchley had some ex- perience in this line, making his headquarters in Baltimore. In 1846 he removed to New Haven, Conn .. and ever afterward made that city his home. Here he opened a co-operative grocery store on State street. and the "Commercial Union" is still remembered by the older people of the city.

In 1852 Mr. Blatchley engaged in the real es- tate business and his efforts were soon crowned with an assured success. and in time he built many business houses and dwellings, and bought and sold real estate quite extensively. Among the structures built by him were: The "Madison House," later called the "Selden House:" the building of the Daily Courier; the building on the corner of State. and Court streets, and a number of brick buildings- on State and St. John streets. In 1866 he pur- chased of the Maltby heirs and the Yale College corporation a large tract of land south of Grand street. in Fair Haven, and opened the avenue bear- ing his name, and at its junction with East Grand street erected the large brick house which there- after was his place of residence. At the time of the opening of Blatchley avenue, there were few buildings in that part of the Eleventh ward. Just south of his residence he gave a lot to Grace Epis- copal Church, on which a hne church edifice and parsonage were afterward erected, and in this en- terprise he was largely interested. Mr. Blatchley sold many building lots on Exchange and Woolsey streets, which streets were opened by him, and he also purchased, at a cost of something like $40,000, some forty acres of land on Fair Haven Heights. which he subdivided and sold in building lots. Also he purchased some twelve acres of ground of Deacon John Farren at a cost of about $40,000. and opened up Farren avenue, selling the land in building lots; he purchased other building sites on Grand avenue and Bright street, from Grand avenue north.

In 1869 Mr. Blatchley associated in the business with him his sons, Charles C. and Samuel R., bothi young, active men. who were chiefly instrumental in building up and conducting the extensive real estate business of the firm of S. L. Blatchley & Sons. These gentlemen were largely instrumental in projecting and building the old State Street Horse Railway. They operated largely in the vi- cinity of Cedar Hill, and greatly developed the city eastward and northward. They also were promi- nent in advancing the projects resulting in the Quin- nipiac and Chapel street draw-bridges, and caused

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many streets to be opened, crecting many build- ings, and were most potent factors in the progress of New Haven.

The senior Mr. Blatchley in early life was a member of the Masonic fraternity. While residing in the city proper lic attended the North Congre- gational and Third Churches, and later Grace Epis- copal Church, in Blatchley avenue. Of a genial and cheerful disposition, he had many friends ; was of commanding personality, standing six feet three and one-half inches in height, and in his prime had an erect form and a fine carriage.

On Dec. 23, 1827, Mr. Blatchley married Mary A. Robinson, who was born July 20, 1805, daugh- ter of Ebenezer Robinson, of Durham, Conn., and died Dec. 9, 1874. Mr. Blatchley survived her, passing away July 26, 1883. Of their nine chil- dren : (6) Samuel Robinson and (7) Charles Car- roll are mentioned below. (1) Joel S., who died Jan. 8, 1874, was a graduate of Yale, class of 1850, and was a lawyer by profession, practicing at Du- buque, Iowa, and later at San Francisco. Losing his health, he returned to New Haven, where until his death he was a member of the firm of S. L. Blatchley & Sons. He married Marion Hall, who survives him, with two children, Louise and Mar- gery; they reside in Denver, Colo. (2) Helen Lavinia is the wife of Rev. H. C. Hovey, of New- buryport, Mass. They are the parents of three chil- dren-Edmund Otis, one of the curators of the New York Museum of Natural History in Central Park; Helen Carter, wife of Rev. Henry F. Ellin- wood, of Medina, N. Y .; and Clara, wife of Rev. Royal W. Raymond, of Stratford, Conn. (3) Mary J. is Mrs. William Ludden, of Brooklyn, N. Y .; they have had no children, but have an adopted daughter, Gertrude. (4) Ann Elizabeth, who died June 19, 1892, was the wife of Alexander Emery, of the firm of Steel & Emery, New Haven. They had several children-Jacob E., now deceased, who was in the employ of S. L. Blatchley & Sons; Mary C., deceased; Alice S .; Charles A., of Bridgeport ; Louise and Elizabeth, twins, both deceased ; Helen, deceased; Joel, deceased ; and Samuel W., of New Haven. (5) Alice C., who died Nov. 15, 1877, un- married, was a teacher in the Woodward high school, Cincinnati. (8) Sarah Louise, who died March 13, 1873, was a member and valedictorian of the first class graduated from Vassar. (9) Clara I. died unmarried Dec. 28, 1882.

CHARLES CARROLL BLATCHLEY, a son of Samuel L., and late of the firm of S. L. Blatchley & Sons, was born July 28, 1841, in North Madison, Conn. His parents having removed to New Haven when he was but a lad, he there passed his boyhood, at- tending the public schools, and was graduated from the high school. Then he entered Yale College, from which he was graduated in 1863, studied law in New York, and was admitted to the Bar in that city in December, 1864. In May, 1865, he opened an office in New Haven, but after several years'

practice in that place lie associated himself with his father and brother, Samuel R., in the real estate business, which engrossed his entire attention, and in which he was most successful. Mr. Blatchley was a director and large owner in the State Street Horse Railroad, and was a life member and sec- retary of the East Rock Park commission, and a director in the Young Men's Institute. About the middle of January, 1887, Mr. Blatchley became seriously ill with Bright's disease, and died at his home March 5, 1887, in his forty-sixth year.

On Nov. 27, 1863, Mr. Blatchley was married to Susannah, daughter of Jacob Emery, of Hogans- burg, N. Y., who survives him with five children. Of their family Catherine E., a graduate of the Musical Department of Yale, is a music teacher and musical supervisor of the Westville schools. Mary Nancy graduated from high school, and is now an eighth grade teacher in the Strong school. Susan L. and Charles C. are deceased. Jacob Emery and Samuel L. were twins, and the latter is deceased ; the former is a member of the firm of Blatchley & Shepard. Alice is deceased. William Joel is a sophomore in the Sheffield Scientific School. Charles Alexander is attending the Boardman Training School for Boys. Henry died in infancy. Charles C. Blatchley was a man of correct morals, and of the highest integrity, possessed good judg- ment, and was an excellent business man. He was straightforward and true in his friendships.

SAMUEL ROBINSON BLATCHLEY was born at North Madison Nov. 15, 1839, and spent his school days in New Haven and Cincinnati, attending the high schools in both cities, passed through the Hop- kins grammar school in New Haven, and graduated at Yale in 1862. For five years he taught school in Cincinnati, and then returned to New Haven. Mr. Blatchley was president of the old Horse Railroad Company at the time of its sale to the syndicate, and his brother Charles had previously served in the same capacity. He now deals extensively in real estate, laying out lots, etc., having a large interest on Prospect street, where in company with Dr. Phillips he owns thirty-two acres. On June 23, 1864, he was married, in Cincinnati, to Miss Nancy McM. Evans, a daughter of Hugh Evans, of that city.

JARED A. BASSETT (deceased), an energetic and skillful agriculturist, who owned and operated a fine farm of forty acres on Dixwell avenue, Ham- den, was born Nov. 1, 1832, a son of Jared and Eliza (Bradley) Bassett, and grandson of Timothy Bassett. His birth occurred in the same house in which he lived all his life, and in which he died Dec. 31, 1899.

Jared Bassett, the father, was also born upon the same farm, and throughout life successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a good sized man, being five feet, eleven inches in height and weighing 165 pounds. Being one of the lead-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

963

ing and influential citizens of his community, he was called upon to serve his fellow citizens as se- lectmian of Handen, and member of the Legislature. In religious faith he was an Episcopalian and a member of the church of that denomination in Ham- den. He died at the age of sixty-six years, and his wife at the age of fifty-five. In their family were three children, namely: Eunice, deceased wife of James T. Mix, of New Haven; Cornelia. who died at about the age of sixty years; and Jared A., our subject.

Upon the home farm Jared A. Bassett early be- came familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and his literary education was obtained in the common schools of Hamden and Everest's private school of Centerville. He as- sisted in the operation of the farm until his father's death, and then took complete charge of the same. He engaged in general farming and the dairy busi- ness, and in his labors met with well-deserved success.

Mr. Bassett was married, Feb. 26, 1862, to Miss Elizabeth A. Percy, of Watertown, Conn., and to them was born a daughter, Annie E., who died at the age of twenty-one years. The Democratic party always found in Mr. Bassett a stanch supporter of its principles, and as a citizen he was ever ready to discharge any duty that devolved upon him.

LYMAN A. GRANNISS, a well-known and reliable contractor and builder at No. 116 Franklin street, New Haven, was born in the house where he now lives in East Haven, March 3, 1837, a son of Joseph Granniss, who was also born in East Haven, as was also his father, Samuel. The latter was probably a farmer, and died at a great age.

Joseph Granniss was one of a number of chil- dren, and was reared on a farm. His life was de- voted to the cultivation of the soil, though for a number of years he was largely engaged in the oyster business, carrying oysters from New Haven to Albany, N. Y., by team, and later from Bridge- port to the same destination by boat. He lived in East Haven all his life, and died there at the ad- vanced age of eighty-five years. His wife, Louisa Luddington, was born in East Haven, a daughter of one of the old families of that section. She be- came the mother of thirteen children, of whom three only are living: Daniel H., Collis B. and Lyman A., all of whom are now residing in New Haven. Mrs. Granniss died at the age of sixty-five years. Both she and her husband belonged to the Con- gregational Church. Politically he was a Repub- lican.

Lyman A. Granniss spent his early years at home, where he had his education in the local schools. After the demise of his father, he bought out the other heirs, and still owns the old home- stead. Under his energetic management the farm is well cultivated, and produces fine crops. About 1880 Mr. Granniss began a contract business, very

largely in street work, laying macadam, setting telegraph poles, and doing similar work, in company with E. J. Upson. In 1890 he took up the ice busi- ness, and for ten years did both a large wholesale and retail business. He has been a director of the Hygienic Ice Co. since its organization, and he is also interested in the Swift Beef Co., of New Haven and Chicago.

Mr. Granniss was married, in April, 1862, to Antoinette Thompson, a native of East Haven, and a daughter of Elizer Thompson, for years the keeper of the New Haven Light House, and previous to that a groceryman. Mrs. Granniss was one of a family of nine children, and is herself the mother of two children, both of whom are dead. Mr. Granniss is a Republican, and was elected first se- lectman in 1868, a position he held until 1875, hav- ing been chosen to this on several subsequent oc- casions. In the General Assembly of 1871 he held a seat with credit. Mr. and Mrs. Granniss attend the Old Street Congregational Church of East Haven.

JOHN PINNEY PHELPS, until the spring of 1901, was one of Hamden's worthy citizens and prominent dairy farmers. He was born in the town of Winchester, Conn .. Dec. 24, 1834, and is de- scended from one of the old and honored families of New England. His father, Ralzemon Phelps, was a native of West Granville, Mass., and a son of John and Betsey (Bingham) Phelps, both of whom were born in Enfield, Conn., and at an early day removed from West Granville, Mass .. to Ohio, locating in Granville, Licking county, where they spent their remaining days. The father of our sub- ject was but two years old on the removal of the family to Ohio, and in Granville he grew to man- hood and learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade. On attaining his majority he returned East and took up his residence in Colebrook, Litchfield Co., Conn., and after his marriage he located in the town of Winchester, Conn., where he continued to make his home throughout life. There he followed his trade and also conducted a hotel and store with marked success, and became the owner of prop- erty in that town. In his religious views he was a Universalist, and in political sentiment was a Dem- ocrat. He married Miss Emma Pinney, daughter of Asaph Pinney, and to them were born two chil- dren : Emeret E., who died at the age of twelve years ; and John P., our subject. Both parents died in Winchester, and were laid to rest in the cemetery at Colebrook, Connecticut.

John P. Phelps received his education in the district schools of his native town, and began his business career as an emplove in the factory of the Winsted Auger Co., of Winsted. Conn., where he remained until 1861. After the death of his father he located on the home farm, and engaged in its cultivation until 1885, when he came to the town of Hamden, New Haven county, where until April,

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Commemorative biographical record of New Haven county, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, V. I, Pt 3, Part 42

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 988

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 988