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 67

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 67

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(VII) Washington E. Griswold, whose name in- troduces this sketch, was born Dec. 24, 1830, and was reared upon the old homestead. He attended the district schools of his native town, later pursu- ing his studies at the Madison high school, and at the State Normal School, New Britain, Hartford county, and for some years he taught school during the winter months, working on the farm in summer. In Killingworth, lie married, Oct. 4, 1854, Miss Cor- , and is still serving.

delia Barnum, who was born there July 13. 1833, daughter of Nathaniel E. and Juliett ( Evarts) Barnum, granddaughter of Luther and Mabel (Stephens) Barnum, and great-granddaughter of Capt. Aaron Stephens, who was an officer in the Revolutionary war. After his marriage Mr. Gris- wold obtained from his father a tract of land, and there began liis successful career as a farmer. From time to time he made notable improvements, erected a handsome dwelling and other buildings, the total improvements costing more than $6,000. Through his thrift and business ability he prospered, and fi- nally acquired over 250 acres of fine farming land, which he devoted to stock raising and general farm- ing.

To our subject and wife two children were born ; Charles Edwards died in infancy. Edith I., born Sept. 5, 1860, graduated from the Morgan high school in the English Classics, and for a number of years taught school in Killingworth. She mar- ried Albert H. Phelps, of Guilford, and lived in the beautiful home in that town (purchased for her by her father) until her death, Dec. 20, 1894, at the birth of her daughter, Edith Griswold. She was a member of the Congregational Church, a young lady of beauty and many accomplishments, well-educated, cultured and refined, a loving wife and affectionate daughter. Her death was a sad blow to her parents, and a shock to her wide circle of friends. Between parents and child the attachment was unusually strong and close, and in their declining years her sweet and winning personality is sadly missed.

In 1894, after the death of his daughter, Mr. Griswold removed to Guilford, and sold most of his farming lands, retaining only 100 acres. He still manages his property, but since his residence at Guilford he has practically lived a retired life. In public life Mr. Griswold has been notably prominent. He represented the town of Killingworth in the State Legislature in 1866-67 and in 1885, serving in the old State Houses at Hartford and New Haven, and in the new State House at Hartford. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and he has held nearly all the offices within the gift of his fellow townsmen. For eight years he was judge of pro- bate for the district of Killingworth. For fourteen years he filled the office of selectman, serving as chairman of the board most of the time, and he held that office during the Civil war, when the duties were more exacting than they ever were before or have been since. He has been assessor and tax col- lector of Killingworth, served on the board of relief, and for twenty years was a justice of the peace. Mr. Griswold has ever taken a deep interest in the pub- lic schools, and has served as chairman of the school board most of the time for twenty years. Since his removal to Guilford he has declined many of- fices, consenting, however, in 1897, to his nomina- tion as first selectman, and serving the term. In 1809 he was elected a member of the school board,

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In religious belief Mr. Griswold is a member of the Church Society at Guilford and a liberal sup- porter of same. A living exponent of the Golden Rule, his personal habits have always been above reproach, and he is opposed to the use of strong drink or tobacco in any form. Mrs. Griswold is a member of the Congregational Church, a lady of refinement, modesty and intelligence, devoted to her husband and to her home. Both were members of the Grange in Killingworth, and both are well in- formed upon the leading events and subjects of the day. They are most highly esteemed and respected by all who know them, and now, in the afternoon of their life, they are enjoying the fruits of their earlier labor, and dispensing with generous and discrim- inating care the material blessings which it is theirs to command.

GEORGE BLAKESLEE FRANCIS, a well- to-do and much respected farmer and stock raiser in the North Farms district of the town of Walling- ford, was born on the farm of his father, Feb. 13, 1841, a son of Lyman Francis, who was born on the old Francis homestead in North Farms, March 21, 1806. Lyman Francis was a brother of the late William Francis, and a son of Jacob and Content (Hall) Francis. A student in the district school of the North Farms, he grew up under the paternal roof, and remained with his parents until his mar- riage, when he settled on the Hall Farm, where George Blakeslee now lives. Devoting much at- tention to the advanced and progressive farming of the day, he was one of the pioneers in that field that has proved so profitable to Connecticut farmers, and has made a record as a tobacco grower. His was a busy but brief life, as he died when but forty- three years old. In politics he was a Democrat, but independent in his voting. Of domestic habits he was a good and kind-hearted man, of whom it is said that he lived very close to the Golden Rule. On Oct. 10, 1832, Lyman Francis was mar- ried to Mary Blakeslee, who was born in North Farms, Sept. 6, 1803, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Andrews) Blakeslee, and died April 19. 1875. Both Mr. and Mrs. Francis were buried in Center Street Cemetery in Wallingford. To them were born four children: Olive E., born Oct. 10, 1833, married Edwin Crocker, and is now deceased ; Lucretia E., born June 26, 1835, is now deceased ; George B., born July 31, 1838, died Aug. 26, 1839; and .George B. (2) born Feb. 13, 1841. The mother was a member of the Congregational Church.

George Blakeslee Francis was only eight years old when he lost his father. A district school edu- cation was given him, and he remained with his mother as long as she lived, and after her death, continued in the operation of the farm, which had passed into his possession. It contains one hun- dred acres, twenty-five acres being in the town of Meriden. Here he carries on dairy farming, stock

raising and fruit culture, and is known as one of the most successful farmers in all this region.

On Nov. 19, 1885, Mr. Francis was married to Miss Emily J. Andrews, born in Cheshire, Conn., a daughter of Horace and Esther R. (Johnson) An- drews, both of whom have entered into rest. Mrs. Andrews was the daughter of the Rev. Ransom Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. George B. Francis have had four children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Howard A., March 23, 1887 ; Will- iam L., March 15, 1890, died May 20, 1890; Clay- ton H., July 23, 1891 ; and Joseph B., July 11, 1893.

Mr. Francis is liberal in his church views, and is a stanchi advocate of temperance. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never been a candidate for official honors. In religion Mrs. Francis is a mem- ber of the Advent Church. Both our subject and his wife are intelligent and cultured people, widely read, and thoroughly posted on all the great ques- tions of the day. He is a hard-working and honest man, of whom the community speaks well.

C. WATSON BALDWIN. This well known citizen of Milford was born in that town April 9, 1840, and is a descendant of pioneer stock, his an- cestors having been early settlers at Hadley, Mass., and later at Milford. Joseph Baldwin, of whom further account is given elsewhere in this volume, was born in Milford in 1640, and from his large family of children numerous lines of descendants are now traced.

Hezekiah Baldwin, our subject's grandfather, was a native of Milford, and followed farming there throughout his life.

Charles J. Baldwin, son of Hezekiah, was born in Milford Sept. 30, 1812, and engaged in agri- culture there. In religious faith he was a Congre- gationalist. He was a leading Democrat of the locality and was elected to various offices of the town. He married Eunice Baldwin, a native of Milford, and a daughter of Elnathan Baldwin, her descent being traced to Joseph, the pioneer. Her death occurred Feb. 25, 1876, at the age of sixty- one years and nine months. Our subject was the first in a family of four children, the others being : William H., who died aged seven years; Henry E., a farmer at the old homestead; and George E., now in the employ of the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Company.

During boyhood C. Watson Baldwin attended public and private schools in his native town. As a young man he engaged in farming, but in 1880 he entered the employ of the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co., with whom he has continued. In politics he is a Republican, but he was formerly prominent as a Democrat, and was elected on that ticket to different offices including those of assessor, mem- ber of the board of relief, and member of the board of education, in which he served twelve years.

On Jan. 1, 1861, Mr. Baldwin married Miss Mary A. Clute, of Bridgeport, who was born in

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Schenectady, N. Y., the daughter of Frederick and Helen Clute. Her parents were both natives of Schenectady, but in later years resided in Bridge- port. She died Aug. 21, 1889. leaving one daugh- ter, Helen W., born Feb. 22, 1863, who was mar- ried to William H. Hubbard, of Greenwich, and has one daughter, Hazel W., born Sept. 28. 1885. Socially the Baldwin family is prominent. and Mr. Baldwin is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being identified with Ansantawae Lodge, No. 89. Both he and his wife were members of the Congre- gational Church, in which he continues to take an active interest.

ANTONIO LAZZARI, a prominent. Italian citizen of Branford, whose home is in Stony Creek, was born in Milan, Italy, March 1, 1852, son of Francisco and Caroline ( Macke) Lazzari. His pa- ternal grandfather was Joseph Lazzari, and his ma- ternal grandfather was George Macke.

Antonio Lazzari was reared to manhood in Milan and vicinity, where he received a common- school education. When he became a young man he began for himself by serving an apprenticeship of three years at watchmaking. and this was his. occupation for seven years after he had learned the trade. The first year he received twenty cents a day ; the second and third years his income had increased to sixty cents per day; and during the last four years he worked at the trade in his native land he earned a daily stipend of one dollar and twenty-five cents a day. In 1880 Mr. Lazzari came to America, landing at Castle Garden Jan. 28th, and going at once to Bay View, Mass., where he worked at his trade and in a quarry, during the season, for two years. Mr. Lazzari made his first important business venture after this, opening a jewelry, candy and cigar store in Boston. There he remained three years, and then removed to Braggville, Mass., where he had charge of a boarding house five years for the stone- quarry firm of Norcross Brothers. In 1890 Mr. Lazzari was employed by the same firm at Stony Creek, where he has had a boarding house and has served as watchman for their plant.

Mr. Lazzari was married, in 1877, to Caroline, daughter of John and Antoinette ( Colomba) Am- brosoli, of Milan, Italy. This union has been blessed with twelve children, five of whom are now living: Amelia V., who is now Mrs. Alexander Banca; Lena A .; Annie K .; Delena A .; and Victor A.

Mr. Lazzari has been successful in his line, and has accumulated a very handsome competency. He and all his family are members of the Catholic Church. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow. In polities he is a Republican, and he has served as constable of Branford seven years. His career is interesting, as showing what has been demonstrated over and over again, the possibilities of this coun- try for the bright and capable ones who, shut out i

from honor and fame by old world conditions, see here a chance to accomplish something substantial for themselves and their children.

WILLIAM H. MORRIS, a prominent resident of Ansonia, was born May 25, 1840, in County Dublin, Ireland, a son of William and Mary A. ( Blackburn) Morris.

The family is of English origin, and William Morris, our subject's grandfather, was born in England, but made his permanent home in Ire- land. The great-grandfather, who was also named William, was a man of means and a lifelong resi- dent of England. William H. Morris, our sub- ject's father, was born in Ireland, and remained at the old home until he reached the age of nineteen years. During the Revolution of 1798 he was cap- tured and compelled to serve twenty-one years in the English navy, but his health broke down and he was discharged. Later he was a captain in the coast guard service, and his death occurred in County Dublin, at the age of sixty-six. His wife, who- was also a native of Ireland, died aged thirty-six. Both were devout members of the Catholic Church, in which their children were reared. Of their large family, six are still living, as follows: Michael ; Isabella, widow of Stephen Murphy, of Seymour ; Eliza, who married Christopher Kelley, of Ansonia ; Peressa, of Atlanta, Ga .; Rebecca; and William H., of this sketch.

William H. Morris was but eight years old when he came to America, and after a short stay in New York the family resided for a time in New Haven, Seymour and Woodbridge, but later re- turned to Seymour. During the four years at Woodbridge Mr. Morris attended the public schools, but after his return to Seymour he found work in the auger shop and a few years later, in 1861, he went to Hartford, where he spent three years in the Colt revolver factory. The next two years were spent in the armory at Yonkers, N. Y., and for six months he was employed in the Win- chester armory at Bridgeport. For four years he was with Sargents, of New Haven, but in 1869 he located in Ansonia, being first employed as a piper by Wallace & Sons. On leaving them in 1880, he engaged in the grocery business, so continuing un- til April, 1885, when he sold out to George Mc- Cabe, and retired from business. In January, 1896, he again entered business life, opening a gents' fur- nishing store at 23 High street, and in addition to a large and well selected stock of goods in that line, he carries a stock of fancy goods. His career has been successful, and he owns a block of real estate, a large amusement hall, three residences, a grocery store next door, and the store in which he is at present located.

In 1863 Mr. Morris married Miss Jane Ma- loney, a native of Ireland. Socially he and his wife are much esteemed, and he is a member of Ansonia Lodge, No. 24, Knights of Pythias, in

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which he has frequently served as an official; he · was, also, a charter member of the Lodge of Elks located in Derby, Conn. On questions relating to religion he takes a liberal view ; and while he in- clines to the Democratic party in politics, he votes independently on occasion. At times he has taken an active interest in military affairs, and for five years he was private in Company C, 2nd Regiment Conn. National Guards.

ELIJAH JAMES HOUGH was born in Wall- ingford, New Haven county, July 28, 1829, a son of James and Mary Tyler ( Rice ) Hough.

James Hough was born in 1799, and died April 25, 1855. He was married March 17, 1823, to Mary Tyler Rice, who was born in Wallingford in 1799, daughter of Nehemiah Rice, a lifelong farni- er, who occupied a part of the farm where our subject now lives. Mr. Hough was a Whig and in his later days a Republican. A member of the Congregational Church, he was much devoted to the Society, and earnestly interested in its welfare. To James Hough and his wife came the following chil- dren: Ellen, born Feb. 1, 1825, married Ellison Smith, a farmer of Northford, Conn .; Mary R., born March 28, 1827, died May 17, 1831 ; Elijah James was born July 28, 1829 ; Mary E., born March 13, 1832, married Walstein Smith, of North Haven (their daughter, Mrs. Charles E. Ewing, was sup- posed to have been one of the victims of the uprising in China in 1900, but has since returned ) ; Sarah E., born Nov. 21, 1834, married the late Philander W. Hall, of Wallingford ; Nehemiah R., born Jan. 24, 1837, died June 4, 1865, at Vicksburg, Miss., from disease contracted in the army; Henry T., born April 28, 1841, died June 25, 1865, at Newbern, N. C., where he was serving as a member of the 15th Conn. V. I.

Elijah James Hough received his early educa- tion under the teachers of the public schools of his native community, supplementing their instruction with a year at the Wallingford Academy. Leaving school, he found employment in the factory of Charles Parker, where he remained about three years. At the death of his father he returned to the farm and assumed its management. He now has 175 acres of good land, in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Hough is devoted to his work, and takes pride in the evidences of the touch of a practiced hand which every acre of his presents. At the present time he has fine peach orchards growing, covering thirty-five acres, and containing 4.375 trees in fruit- bearing condition. His peaches are largely sold in Springfield and Boston, and the business is prov- ing very remunerative.

Mr. Hough has served on the board of selectmen, to which he was first elected in 1887, and for five years has been a member of the board of relief. He is one of the best-known and most enterprising far- mers in New Haven county, and is most highly re- spected in the community. An enlightened and pa-

triotic citizen, he is a Democrat, because he is sure that the best interests of the country lie in the old path wherein Jefferson and Jackson walked. Mr. Hough is connected with the Baptist Church, and is one of its most generous supporters. Interested in school matters, he has willingly served as a mem- ber of the school board for several terms. He is a charter member of the Wallingford Grange, and one of its most faithful workers, for about ten years serving as treasurer, but he declined a re-election in 1897.

On Oct. 4, 1856, Mr. Hough married Miss Ruth Blakeslee, who was born Oct. 31, 1836, daughter of Silas and Estlier ( Buel) Blakeslee, of Wallingford. To this union have been born the following children : (I) Jennie Blakeslee, born Jan. 15, 1864, married George D. Hall, a farmer of Wallingford, in 1885, and is the mother of Lewis Cook, born March 27, 1888; Almon Blakeslee, born Nov. 27, 1891; and Mabel Hough, born March 7. 1898. (2) Hattie Blakeslee, born Oct. 22, 1868. married James Nor- ris Barnes, of Wallingford, Jan. 16, 1889, and is the mother of four children-Norman Hough, born Nov. 18, 1891 ; James Penniwell, born Dee. 6, 1893 : Blakeslee Hough, born July 14, 1895; and Russell Elijah Hough, born Jan. 18, 1901.

(3) George Elijah, born Oct. 3, 1873, is interested in the farm with his father. He married Nov. 1, 1894, Miss Jennie Day Paddock, who was born Nov. 1, 1873, at Wallingford, daughter of Joel H. and Delphine (Hall) Paddock. They have one child, Ruth Della, born March 12, 1897.

Silas Blakeslee, father of Mrs. Hough, was born in Wallingford Sept. 13, 1808, son of John Webb and Ruth (Ives) Blakeslee. On Jan. 17, 1832, he . married Esther Buel, who was born Nov. 20, 1808. daughter of Robert and Betsey ( Peck) Buel. They made their home on the old Blakeslee homestead in Wallingford, and there they both died, he on June 6, 1893, and his wife on April 17, 1889. Their re- mains were interred in "In Memoriam" cemetery. Children, as follows, came to them: (I) Lois, born Jan. 24, 1833, married Oct. 14, 1860, Seth J. Hall. who was born Sept. 4, 1829, in Middletown, West- field Society, a son of Sylvester and Rosetta (John- son ) Hall ; they removed to Meriden, Conn., in Jan- uary, 1861. On Dec. 21, 1851, Lois Blakeslee ( now Mrs. Hall) was baptized by Rev. Charles Keyser, and united with the Baptist Church in Wallingford. (2) Ruth is Mrs. Elijah James Hough. (3) John. Webb, born Oct. 22, 1840, married Oct. 22, 1861, Emerett Atwater, of Cheshire, born Dec. 5, 1840. They resided on the Blakeslee homestead until the fall of 1900, when they removed to the borough of Wallingford. (4) James Ellis, born Feb. 13, 1843, died July 17, 1847.

CHARLES R. HOWARD (deceased) was for many years one of Derby's leading merchants. He was a great-grandson of Josiah Howard, who was born in Ipswich, Mass., Jan. 3, 1758, and died in

Ruth Blakesle Hough

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Amherst, N. H., Feb. 6, 1833. He- married Mary Stanley, who was born Nov. 25, 1709, in Beverly, Mass. Their son, Henry Howard, was born in Amherst April 24, 1788, and died there April 15, 1871. He was a farmer. In 1809 he married Polly Odell, who was born Oct. 13. 1789. and sur- vived her husband until Nov. 6, 1875. They were the parents of twelve children: George, Henry, Mary, Herbert, Rodney, Mary Jane. Calvin, Abig- ail, Maria, Susannah, Edward and Edward S.

Rodney Howard, father of the late Charles R. Howard, was also a farmer. He was born March 20, 1817, in Amherst, and married Nancy Jane Parker, a native of the same town, born there in February, 1825. Her father and grandfather were both named Isaac, and were members of an old English family which settled in Massachusetts be- fore the Revolutionary war. Her mother's maiden name was Nancy Dowse. To Rodney Howard and his wife were born two children, Charles R. and Ada, the younger dying at the age of two years. Both parents are yet living.

Charles R. Howard was educated at the Apple- ton Academy, Mount Vernon, and the Normal School at Milford, N. H. After graduating from the last named institution, in 1870, he entered a dry-goods store in Milford as clerk, and when he was twenty-two years old embarked in the same line of trade for himself, having formed a partner- ship with a Mr. Gray under the firm name of Gray & Howard. At the end of four years the firm dis- posed of its business and dissolved, Mr. Howard going West with the intention of engaging in busi- ness in that section. Ill health, however, obliged him to return to the East, and for some time he was engaged in no active business. In 1884 he settled at Birmingham, now called Derby, Conn., and with George E. Barber as a partner again be- gan business as a dry-goods merchant, the firm being Howard & Barber. The business prospered steadily, and the partnership continued until Mr. Howard's death, which occurred June 17, 1898. The premises occupied embraced two large stores, and the establishment is the largest in its line in the locality.

On Nov. 27, 1873, Mr. Howard married Miss Emma F. Wallingford. They had no children. He was a Republican in politics, and fraternally was a member of the I. O. O. F., having con- nected himself with the lodge of that order in Mil- ford. Religiously he united with the Congrega- tional Church of Derby. Mrs. Howard survives him, living in a comfortable home on Elizabeth street, in the city of Derby, whose appointments speak of the ease and culture, as well as the native refinement of the occupant. She is a daughter of Rufus N. and Susan ( Farlev) Wallingford. who had four children: Eliza Ann, who died when three years old; Charles R .. who is married, and lives in Old Town, Maine: Emma F. ( Mrs. How- ard) ; Horace A., who married Josephine Coffrey,

and has two children, Howard and Mariam. The father, who was a wholesale merchant in Boston, died Aug. 24, 1900.

CHARLES S. CHAPMAN was born in Waterbury, New Haven county, Oct. 6, 1856, son of George P. Chapman, who was born in Warwick, R. I., March 30, 1830, and died Nov. 4, 1900, at his home in Bridgeport, Conn. Sherman Chap- man, the grandfather of Charles S., was a farmer and a blacksmith at Tolland, Conn., where he served the public as a justice of the peace for many years. He was a son of Ezra Chapman, a farmer, who served with distinction in the Revolutionary war, and died in the service.

Sherman Chapman, grandfather of Charles S., married Miss Sarah Leonard, of Coventry, Conn., and located in Rhode Island. They reared a fam- ily of three children, George P., Ezra L. and Sarah. Ezra L. was a farmer in early life, and later became a blacksmith. Sarah is the widow of George A. Morse, a Methodist minister.

George P. Chapman, father of Charles S., was engaged as a blacksmith in New Haven and Water- bury. In 1855 he married Jane E. Brown, who died in 1885. She was born in New Milford, Pa., daughter of Charles MI. Brown, a millwright, who was a native of Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Chap- man were the parents of three children: Charles S., our subject ; George M., an electrician at Water- bury; and Frederick E., who also lives at Water- bury. George P. Chapman was a Republican, and was a conspicuous man in local matters. He was a member of the school board two terms, a council- man three years, and president of the board two years. While he lived in Bridgeport he served in the city council two terms, and is well remem- bered in that city as a public spirited and pro- gressive man.

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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 67

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