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 72
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HARVEY BEAUMONT, one of the old and popular residents of the town of Wallingford. is a man whose high character merits the esteem in which he is held. A son of John and Ann ( Tyler) Beaumont, he was born on the Beaumont home- stead, May 5, 1840, and acquired his education in the neighboring district school. Harvey Beaumont remained on the family homestead. assisting his father in his farming operations, until he reached the age of forty years. In 1880 he bought a farmi of seventy acres of Elijah Hungerford, and since that time has been engaged in its cultivation. While he is classed as a general farmer, he is work- ing more and more into fruit culture. Since pur- chasing his place he has made many substantial and attractive improvements, building a house, barns and other structures necessary to the economical and profitable transaction of his business.
and domed the Union blue in 1862, when he en- listed as a member of Company B. 27th Conn. V. 1., and spent nine months in the service. He par- ticipated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chan- cellorsville, and was honorably discharged and mustered out at New Haven.
Mr. Beaumont has been twice married, Melissa Foster becoming his wife in 1881. Born at East River, Madison, Conn., she was a daughter of Alan- sen Foster, and died Dec. 10, 1882. Julia (Mix) Bailey, his second wife, was born in Wallingford, and was a daughter of Elihu and Polly (Hull) Mix, and the widow of Henry Bailey, of Durham. One child, Edmund Mix, born in June, 1890, has blessed this union. Mr. Beaumont is a Republican, but has never been an aspirant for office. A pio- neer in the culture of tobacco, he has been very suc- cessful in that line. Domestic in his habits and quiet in his tastes, he is liberal in his church views and upright in all his business dealings.
HON. CLIFFORD J. ATWATER, attorney and counselor at law, is one of the prominent and worthy citizens of Seymour. We will confine our- selves to a brief sketch of his life, leaving it to the readers individually to supply the spirit of court- eousness, integrity and uprightness which has ever characterized his dealings with his fellow men.
Clifford J. Atwater was born in Collinsville, Conn .. Nov. 8, 1858. He is of English descent, and his ancestors were among the carly settlers of New Haven, in 1635. James Atwater, his father, was also born in Collinsville, and his grandfather, Stephen H. Atwater, was born in Russell, Mass., a son of Benjamin Atwater, of that town. Stephen H. Atwater was a farmer, and pursued that voca- tion in Collinsville, to which town he removed when a young man. there residing until his death, at the age of seventy-eight years. He married Azubah Barber, who was born in Canton, and lived to be eighty years of age. Two children were born of this marriage. James, the father of our sub- ject, being the only son. Mr. and Mrs. Stephen H. Atwater were members of the Congregational Church in Collinsville.
James Atwater was reared on a farm, and re- ceived his education in the Connecticut schools. He took charge of the farm in Collinsville, and. at the age of seventy-seven years. still resides in that town. He married Mary G. Stewart, one of the eight children of James Stewart, a farmer of Bland- ford, Mass., who resided in that town until his death. Two children were born of this union, namely: Clifford J., our subject ; and Clayton W., a prosperous nurseryman. residing in Collinsville. Mr. and Mrs. James Atwater are members of the Congregational Church, and beloved by their friends and neighbors.
Clifford J. Atwater spent his early years on the farmi. was educated in the Connecticut schools, and
Mr. Beaumont was a soldier in the Civil war, I is a graduate of the Collinsville high school. At
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twenty years of age he began teaching, and later entered Bates College, at Lewiston, Maine, where he remained until he graduated from the academic course, in 1883. He then studied law with W. W. Bidwell, of Collinsville. satisfactorily passed his examination, and was admitted to the Bar in Hart- ford in 1885, after which he took a short trip to South Dakota. Returning to the East, he opened an office in November, 1885. in Seymour, where he has since followed his profession. He is the only lawyer there, and commands a fine general practice, coming in contact with all the older prac- titioners in the lower end of the valley, and practic- ing in all the courts.
In politics Mr. Atwater is a Republican, and he has been a member of the Republican committee for several years. He has satisfactorily served the people in various capacities for a number of years. In 1886 he was elected tax collector, and was re- elected to succeed himself each year from 1888 to 1900, inclusive, his services covering a period of fourteen years ; he has also been justice of the peace since 1887, the same length of time. In 1898 he was nominated and elected to the Legislature, to serve two years. Mr. Atwater is a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., in which he has passed all the chairs, and now is a past master of the lodge; he is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star : the Redmen ; and of Mechanics Lodge, I. O. O. F.
In 1890 Mr. Atwater was united in marriage with Miss Jennie C. Taylor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Taylor. of Seymour, who were born in England, as were also their children. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor had removed to Seymour a num- ber of years previous, and Mr. Taylor (now de- ceased) successfully conducted a store which is now owned by his widow. Their son, Ernest H., is a draughtsman with the Coe Brass Co., of Ansonia. He and Jennie C., Mrs. Atwater, were the only children of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor.
Mr. and Mrs. Clifford J. Atwater are devout and active members of the Seymour Congregational Church, and for the past twelve years he has been treasurer of that church and society. He has been superintendent of the Sunday-school for a number of years, and renders valuable service to both church and Sunday-school.
FREDERICK NEWTON BRADLEY is a prominent manufacturer and citizen of Derby. where he was born June 10, 1835. He comes of an old Connecticut family. His first American progenitor, William Bradley, came to this coun- try from England about 1637, and settled in Say- brook. Some of William's descendants settled in West Haven, where they became owners of a large tract of land.
Tracing down the family lineage to more recent times, the genealogist reaches the name of Enos. Bradley, the great-grandfather of Frederick N.,
a farmer, who lived and died in Derby. His son. Abijah Bradley, was also born there. He was a blacksmith by trade, and a citizen of prominence, being commissioned a captain in the State militia, as is shown by documentary evidence in the pos- session of his grandson. He married Polly Bas- sett, and they became the parents of eight chil- dren : David ( father of Frederick N.), Ira, Henry. Abijah, Charles, George, Edward and Maria. Ira and Henry were woolen manufacturers in South Britain : Ira died Sept. 10, 1900. Abijah was a grocer in New Haven. Charles was a farmer in Seymour. George was at first an augermaker, and later a woodworker. Edward was a carpenter and builder in Derby. Maria married Dan Finn, a prosperous farmer of Milford.
David Bradley was born and reared in Derby. He learned the trade of a joiner, and was esteemed one of the most skillful workmen of his time. He formed a partnership with Agur Gilbert, in connection with whom he established a sash and blind factory, on the stream-Two Mile brook- which forms the boundary line between the towns of Orange and Derby. They began in a modest way, their first structure covering an area of but 20 by 30 feet, and being only two stories high. Theirs, however, was the only factory of its kind outside of New Haven, and the second to be erected in the county. It is no cause for surprise, there- fore, that their business prospered and grew. Grad- ually the plant was enlarged as the development of business demanded, until it reached its present ex- tensive proportions. In politics David Bradley was originally an "Old-line" Whig, and later a Re- publican. He married Susan C., daughter of Elias Clark, a farmier of Oxford, and they had two chil- dren, Frederick N., our subject, and Sarah Fran- sania. Mr. Bradley died May 29, 1885 ; his widow survived until June 1, 1899, reaching the venerable age of ninety years." She traced her de- scent back to Thomas Hooker.
Frederick N. Bradley received his early educa- tion at the Derby common schools and the Bir- mingham high school. At the age of eighteen he entered his father's sash and blind factory, with a view of becoming thoroughly familiar with all the details of the business, mechanical as. well as commercial. He has succeeded his father in its management and control, and under his judicious conduct of affairs the business has suffered no im- pairment. Mr. Bradley, however, has a natural fondness for the soil, and besides being a manu- facture is a successful farmer. Originally he cultivated fifteen acres, but his holdings have since been enlarged to twenty-five acres. In one respect his life may be said to present somewhat of an anomaly: he has been an active politician and a consistent Christian. He is an ardent Republican and a zealous worker in the cause of his party, having organized various clubs and in other ways promoted Republican success. He is held in high
Frederick MBradley
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esteem in Derby, and is now for the fourth time representing the Third ward of the city in the city board of aldermen, his present term commencing Oct. 1, 1901. He has also held a high place in the counsels of the Congregational Church, and has served on the committee of the Society of the First Church for fourteen years.
In May, 1873, Mr. Bradley married Miss Louise .G. Hooper, a daughter of Henry A. and Caroline Hooper, of Ansonia. No children have been born to them.
It is of interest to note, incidentally, that Mr. Bradley was a schoolmate and boyhood "chum" of Gen. Wheeler, the dashing Confederate cavalry leader and at present distinguished major. general in the United States army.
HENRY ELSWORTH BALDWIN, a leading agriculturist of the town of Milford, was born Sept. 3, 1847, at his present homestead, son of Charles J. Baldwin.
The Baldwins are of pioneer stock, members of the family having settled in Hadley, Mass., at an early day, and our subject is a descendant of Joseph Baldwin, who was born in Milford in 1640 .. Joshua Baldwin, our subject's great-grandfather. was a resident of Milford. and among the inscrip- tions in an old Bible is the following: "Joshua Baldwin, His Bible, God give him grace therein to look : Bought November the 3. 1756. on Wednes- day. I was born December 14th, in the year 1726, on Wednesday morning. My honored mother. Elizabeth Baldwin, departed this life November the 20 day about 6 o'clock in the afternoon, and in the year 1753: which was the fifty second year of her age." A pair of Joshua's shoes, used in his in- fancy, are now in the possession of George E. Bald- win, of Milford.
Hezekiah Baldwin, our subject's grandfather. married Mary Ann Hine, and settled on the present homestead. He had ten children, as follows : Heze- kiah, who was a farmer all his life: Charles J., our subject's father : Elijah. a farmer in Milford : Mary, who married Joseph Beard, a farmer of Mil- ford : Betsey, who married William Stowe, a farmi- er of Milford: Abby, who married Lewis Smith, a fariner in Milford: Martha, who married Rogers Beard. a carpenter in Milford: Sally, who married Charles Beardsley, a farmer in Stratford: Anna. who married Addison Beard, a farmer : and Cath- erine, who married Nathan C. Tomlinson, of Mil- ford.
died March 19, 1851 ; Henry Elsworth is mentioned below ; George Edwin, born Sept. 16, 1851, is em- ployed by the New York, New Haven & Hart- ford Railway Co.
Henry Elsworth Baldwin was eduucated in the district schools near his home, and in a private school in Milford village, and has been engaged in general farming since early manhood. His farm presents a most attractive appearance, the buildings being tasteful and commodious, and everything about the place suggesting business-like manage- ment. In politics he is a Republican, and socially he is identified with the I. O. O. F. at Milford.
On Nov. 18. 1875, Mr. Baldwin married Miss Georgiana Lewis, who was born in Bridgeport Oct. 1, 1851, daughter of Edwin Lewis, and grand- daughter of Everett and Julia A. (Knapp) Lewis. The line of descent in the Knapp family has been traced through several generations. Mrs. Julia A. (Knapp) Lewis, who was born March 30, 1806, and died Dec. 3. 1867, was a daughter of Ephraim Knapp, born Nov. 25, 1779, and his wife. Sarah E., born April 17, 1782, died Sept. 29. 1847. Edwin Lewis, who was a tailor and cutter by trade, was born in Stratford, Conn., in 1830, and died July 4,
1857. His wife, Emily Stow, was born in Mil- ford Aug. 6, 1830, daughter of Capt. Elisha Hop- kins Stow, and died Oct. 25. 1878. Capt. Stow, born Jan. 9, 1798, son of Capt. Samuel Stow, fol- lowed the sea, as did his father, and died July 12, 1879. He married Susan Davidson, who was born Sept. 29, 1802, and died Jan. 20, 1879; she was the daughter of Richard Treat and Mary Stow David- son.
CHARLES SHUBEL BRADLEY, farmer, ice dealer, etc., of Branford, one of the most popular citizens of that locality, is native there, having been born at the Bradley homestead on Cherry Hill April 3, 1858.
Timothy and Sarah (Goodsell) Bradley, his pa- ternal great-grandparents, lived in the house in Branford now occupied by Seth Thomas Bradley. Their son, Timothy Bradley, grandfather of Charles S., was a farmer, sailor and vessel owner, for many years coasting along the Atlantic shores. He made his home in Branford. He married Irene Gordon, daughter of Alexander and Irene Gordon, of Bran- ford, and children as follows were born to them: James ; Irene, Mrs. William Bryan ; Nancy, who was thrice married, her husbands being, respect- ively, Sylvester Harrison, Henry Linsley and Will- iam Bryan; Lydia, who was twice married, first to Alden Pardee, and second to Benjamin Linsley; Sally, Mrs. James Waddell ; Mary, Mrs. Elias Lins- ley : Major Seth : and Gurdon.
Charles J. Baldwin, the father of our subject. was born in Milford Sept. 30, 1812, and passed his life in the town, locating at the present homestead after his marriage. He died March 21. 1891. He married Eunice Baldwin, who was born May 22, Gurdon Bradley, father of Charles S., was born in Branford Sept. 27, 1819. and as will be seen was the youngest of the family. He began life as a farmer, also owned a vessel and followed the coast 1814. daughter of Elnathan Baldwin. a farmer in Milford, and died Feb. 25. 1876. They had four children: Charles Watson, born April 9. 1840. resides in Milford ; William H., born April 7, 1846, 1 for three winters, in addition to which for many
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years lie conducted a saw and grist mill, and took . Southmayd, of Waterbury. The Bolsters were of contracts for the building of cellars, removing of Welsh extraction, and many of the family were deacons in the Presbyterian Church. Isaac Bolster, father of Col. Levi, married Hannah Cushman. The Cushmans were among the earliest of the Puri- tans to arrive at Plymouth settlement. buildings, etc., while for upward of twenty years he was engaged in the ice business. On July 29, 1843. he married Anna Maria, daughter of Samuel and . Esther (Tyler) Spinks, of Branford, and to this union were born fourteen children, as follows : Ebenezer T., deceased ; a son that died in infancy , Esther M., Mrs. Sherman Holcomb; Betsy, Mrs. Charles N. Holcomb; Willis; Richard; Eliza A., Mrs. Charles E. Bunnell : Albert C., deceased; A. Gurdon, deceased; F. Cline: Charles S .; John H .; Lee A., deceased : and Robert L., deceased.
Charles S. Bradley, .our subject, was educated in the public schools of Branford, and commenced his business career as a farmer. Since 1882 he has, in connection with his agricultural pursuits, been extensively engaged in the ice business. He has met with the prosperity his care and attention deserve, and is looked upon as one of the county's substantial citizens.
On Oct. 6, 1888, Mr. Bradley married Sarah Kerr, daughter of Richard and Christiana (Kerr) Kerr, of Branford, and they have two children, Fern and Gurdon. The family attend the services of the Episcopal Church. Socially our subject is affiliated with the K. of P., Woodland Lodge, No. 39, and the Woodmen of the World, Sycamore Camp, No. 5. In politics he is a Democrat. In 1896 he was elected a representative to the State Legislature, and was honored with re-election in 1898. In 1899 he was elected selectman of Bran- ford.
CHARLES J. PIERPONT, city water in- spector of Waterbury, was born Feb. 9, 1847, in the town of Waterbury, on a farm, son of Charles J. Pierpont, Sr., who is mentioned elsewhere.
Charles J. Pierpont passed his youth on the home farm, attending the district school in winter until sixteen years of age; he subsequently attended school in Cheshire, and later the Waterbury high school, and taught three years prior to reaching his majority. At the age of twenty he managed a farm in the town of Watertown for one season, and then went to live on the farm with his grandpar- ents, in the town of Waterbury, for four years. For the next fourteen years he had charge of the outside department of Holmes. Booth & Hayden's extensive concern, and then became bookkeeper and timekeeper for Floyd B. Smith, contractor and builder, with whom he remained four years. Since then, for the past ten years, he has filled the office of city water inspector.
On Feb. 23, 1873, Mr. Pierpont married Miss Juliet M. Bolster, a native of Waterbury, and a daughter of Col. Levi and Mercia (Warner) Bol- ster. She was a public-school teacher at the time of her marriage. Col. Levi Bolster wa's born in South Paris, Maine, and his wife in Waterbury. Conn. She was a direct descendant of Rev. John
In politics Mr. Pierpont is a Democrat, and does his full share in promoting the interests of his party. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. and Mrs. Pierpont and their child, Anna, are members of the Episcopal Church, in the affairs of which they are all active and deeply interested.
ERNST HERRMANN, keeper of the light- house on Faulkner's Island, is a native of Germany, born Dec. 31, 1853, in Nieder Seifersdorf.
Aaron Chrenfried Herrmann, his father, is also a native of that place, where he still resides, en- gaged in farming. He married Mary Bartel, of the same town, and five children were born to them: Ernst, our subject; Louisa, widow of Ernest Ha- mann ; Carl, living at the old home; Paulina, Mrs. Schmidt; and William, residing at the old home. who is a game-keeper. The family are all mem- bers of the Lutheran Church.
Ernst Herrmann acquired a good education in the schools of his native land, meanwhile assisting his father on the farm until fourteen years of age. For the next three years he was engaged as ap- prentice at blacksmithing, following with one year's apprenticeship to the machinist's trade. In 1872. believing that his ambition and enterprise would find wider scope in America, he came to this coun- try, going first to Liverpool, where he embarked on the steamer "England," bound for New York. He found employment at blacksmithing and locksmith- ing, receiving $8 per week for his services, and was thus engaged until 1875, when he returned to Ger- many on a short visit to his parents. On his re- turn to New York he embarked in the dry-goods business, in partnership with a Mr. Mirschel, and continued in that line, in New York and on Long Island, until 1878, when he removed to Northport, L. I. There he engaged in blacksmithing on his own account for one year, and the following year worked for Stehling & Co., at Lloyd's Neck. L. I .. thence returning to Northport, where for about ten years he was employed at his trade by a Mr. Dela- mater. In 1889, under President Harrison, he re- ceived the appointment of assistant keeper of the lighthouse at Eton's Neck, a position he held for fifteen months, at the end of that time receiving ap- pointment to his present position, in which he has since been continuously retained. He succeeded Capt. Jones. Mr. Herrmann has given general satisfaction in the discharge of his duties, and per- sonally he has, by his genial disposition and obliging manner, won the friendship and good-will of all with whom he has come in contact. Visitors to the island are always cordially received.
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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On Feb. 22, 1883, MIr. Herrmann married, at Eton's Neck, L. I., Miss Tillie J. Mason, who was born at that place, only child of Richard and Mary ( Wilson) Mason, natives of Ireland, who are still living at Eaton's Neck. They are members of the Episcopal Church. Two children have been born to Mr. and. Mrs. Herrmann : Frederick Mason, Aug. 11, 1886; and Herbert William, July 26, 1889. Both are attending school in Guilford. In political sentiment our subject is a Republican. His relig- ious connection is with the Lutheran Church, Mrs. Herrmann holding membership in the Third Con- gregational Church of Guilford. She is an intelli- gent woman, and has proved an able helpmeet to her husband, whose progressiveness and public spirit entitle him to rank among the substantial, valuable citizens of his adopted place.
HENRY BRISTOL CURTISS, one of the leading citizens of Cheshire, whose time and at- tention are devoted to market gardening and fruit growing, was born in that town, Aug. 26, 1846, a son of Orrin and Sally (Bristol) Curtiss, both of English descent, and natives of New Haven county.
John C. Curtiss, father of Orrin Curtiss, was born in Meriden, this county, a son of John C. Cur- tiss, Sr., a native of England, and an early settler of Meriden, where he followed farming through- out life. In early manhood young John went to Yalesville, and later removed to Wallingford. where he died in 1846. By occupation he was a farmer. His children were as follows: John .C. (3) ; Mary, wife of John Hitchcock; Orrin, mentioned below ; William ; and Harvey.
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Orrin Curtiss, son of John C., was born in Wallingford in 1800, and was reared and educated in his native town. Throughout his active life he engaged in farming in Cheshire, where he owned a good farm, and where he died Sept. 24, 1881. He married Sally Bristol, who was born in Cheshire in 1803, and died Feb. 23, 1879. She was a daughter of Thomas and Sarah ( Parker) Bristol, who were both born in Wallingford, but who spent the greater part of their lives as farming people in Cheshire ; the father died Feb. 13, 1814, and the mother in October, 1847. To Orrin Curtiss and his wife were born the following children: Jerusha, now Mrs. William Parker, of Wallingiord: Elizabeth, who died in Cheshire in May, 1849; Cornelia, wife of Edwin Parker, who died in Wallingford; Julia, de- ceased wife of James T. Harry, of Cheshire : James J., a resident of Meriden ; William O., of Walling- ford; Henry B .; Edgar A., who died in Middle- town, Conn .; and Jane, wife of James Johnson, of Cheshire. .
Henry B. Curtiss is indebted to the schools of Cheshire for his educational privileges, and since starting out in life for himself has engaged in farm- ing and gardening in that town, now owning what is known as the Jinney Hill farm. At one time he also worked in shops at Meriden, but now gives his
entire time to agricultural pursuits, making a speci- alty of fruit growing and market gardening. He is a wide-awake, energetic business man and thor- oughly understands the occupation he has chosen as a life work.
In 1887, in Cheshire, Mr. Curtiss was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Birkley, who died in March, 1899, and in June, 1899, he was again mar- ried, his second union being with Miss Katie Eliza Williams, a native of Cheshire, and a daughter of Thomas Williams, was born in Relubbus, Corn- wall, England, and had been in America only three years when he died, Sept. 16, 1869, aged thirty-one years. Mrs. Curtiss was born in the home where she now lives, and where her father died. Lucy A. (Rice) Williams, mother of Mrs. Curtiss, is now the wife of William King, and resides in Cheshire ; she is a native of the town, daughter of Amos and Lucy ( Beach ) Rice, natives of Vermont and Connecticut respectively.
RICHARD TENNANT, than whom Scotland has not contributed to this country a more reliable and upright man, was born in West Linton, Scot- land, Dec. 31, 1844, and received a broad and thor- ough education along mechanical lines in his own country before ever setting foot on American soil. Robert Tennant, his father, never came to this country, but lived and died near West Linton, where he was born, and where all his life he fol- lowed farming, which was the occupation of the Tennants for many generations back.
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