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 74
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Leroy C. Beecher was born June 4, 1859, in the house where he now lives, and was educated in public and private schools, one of his teachers being William H. Warner, who is still a resident of Woodbridge. Our subject began to provide for himself as a school teacher and continued to follow that profession for five years, four in the Middle School of Woodbridge and one in Hamden. Since that time his energies have been devoted to agri- cultural pursuits with marked success.
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tention and he is a correspondent of several papers, furnishing the crop reports to the Department of Agriculture. He and his wife are both members of Woodbridge Grange, No. 108, P. O. H., of which he was secretary for the first two years, and his wife was lecturer. They are also members of the New Haven County Pomona, No. 5, and of the State Grange, as well as of the New England Order of Protection, Charter Oak Lodge, No. 88, of New Haven.
MICHAEL FLAHERTY, one of the solid citi- zens of New Haven county, is essentially a self- educated and self-made man, and yet without that ever-present self-assertion so common among men who have been the architects of their own fortunes. Both by nationality and by lineage he comes of rug- ged, hardy stock, and his life has reflected credit alike upon his ancestry and the land of his birth.
Born in County Galway, Ireiand, March 29, 1834, the son of a tenant farmer, it may be imag- ined that in the years of his boyhood Mr. Flaherty underwent many privations. Yet it can scarcely be doubted that this part of his life was for him a fruitful school of experience, in which he learned the rudiments of those qualities of industry, patience and fortitude which have characterized him throughout life. His parents, Hugh and Mary ( Farraher ) Flaherty, were both natives of County Galway, as were also his forefathers for many generations. He was one of a family of three chil- dren. His educational advantages were of the most meager sort, and at the age of fourteen, see- ing how impossible the practice of "absenteeism" had made it for the hard-working Irish peasant to do more than earn a bare subsistence, he resolved to go into the world himself, breast its billows while vet a boy, and conquer success through his own resolute will. The tale of his struggles and tri- umphs is told below.
On July 26, 1885, Mr. Beecher married Miss Gertrude A. Ladd, who was born in Straitsville, New Haven county, May 5, 1861, a daughter of Theodore S. and Sarah A. ( Johnson ) Ladd. They have no children of their own, but Mrs. Beecher's nephew lives with them and enjoys the same ad- Leaving Galway, he went to Wolverhampton, England, where he found employment in an inferior capacity with Richard Dean & Son, then a well known firm of railroad builders and contractors. A green Irish lad, with nothing to aid him but a willingness to work and a firm resolve to do his best, it would not have been surprising had he - found. the road to advancement slow and toilsome. But he was animated by a courage that laughed at obstacles and a resolute purpose that could not be discouraged. For seventeen years he remained in the employ of Richard Dean & Son, rising from one position of trust to another. Yet he could see scant chance for further advancement, and little prospect for the fruition of his ambitious hopes. His announcement of his intention to emigrate was received with an outcry of dissent and protest on the part of his employers. Every effort was made to dissuade him : pound notes were stitched into his wearing apparel: and. when it was perceived that vantages as if he were their own child. They are active and prominent members of the Congrega- tional Church of Woodbridge, in which his father collected the pew rents for sixteen years, and our subject is now a member of the society committee. The Republican party finds in him a stanch sup- porter of its principles, and he has been a member of the Republican township committee for the past sixteen years, and has been delegate to several State conventions. He was also register of voters thirteen years and town auditor several terms, and is still filling the latter position. He is a member of the school board, of which he was secretary five years, and chairman an equal length of time. In 1890 and 1900 he took the census. Mr. Beecher is one of the most popular citizens of his com- munity, and, as has already been said, he takes a very prominent and influential part in public affairs and local politics. The advancement of agricultural matters has also occupied a large share of his at- ; his determination was inflexible, a request to return
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Michal Flaherty
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
was accompanied by a promise that the position which he was vacating would be open to him in that event. It was in June, 1866, that he set sail from English shores to seek a new home and better fortune in the land where so many of his fellow countrymen had become affluent. while not a few had risen to posts of high honor in the service of the State. After reaching America he first went to Girardville, Pa., where he entered the employ of Jamies Connor, an extensive mine owner, as fore- man. Here his previous experience stood him in good stead, and he soon became one of the most valued and trusted men about the mines. Yet he did not find his surroundings wholly to his liking, and after a short time he removed to Birmingham, Conn., where he first found work in the Alling mill, and later in and about the building of the dam across the Housatonic river, then in process of con- struction. An opportunity presenting itself to en- gage in the retail liquor business, Mr. Flaherty embraced it, and was at once made local agent for the Albany Brewing Co. and given control of all the territory lying within the Housatonic Valley. This agency he still holds, and the energetic, up- right, business-like way in which he has discharged the duties of the trust has rendered the same a source of mutual profit to himself and the well- known corporation which he represents.
Mr. Flaherty is a man of rare native intelligence, sound business sense and tireless energy. Indus- try, perseverance and honesty have raised him from a contractor's employe to the position of a wealthy land owner and the heaviest individual tax payer in the locality in which he lives. His assessment is $122,000 in Sheldon, Ansonia and Derby, the fifth highest on the tax list. Generally speaking, his policy has been to buy real estate and hold it, and time has abundantly justified his judgment. Yet. while watchfully caring for his own interests, he has never for a moment forgotten his obligations as a citizen. Broad-minded and public-spirited, he has ever been quick to recognize the fact that public and private interests, in the highest and truest sense, must go hand in hand, and advance or retrograde together. He has been intimately identified with the building up of Derby, and no history of that city would be complete which failed to chronicle his early struggles and ultimate success. In politics Mr. Flaherty is a Democrat. Yet, while acting with his party on National and State issues, in local elec- tions he is able to rise above partisanship, holding the best interests of the community a's higher than any mere claim of political managers to hlind party fealty. His religious faith is. that of his forefa- thers, and he is a most generous contributor to St. Mary's Catholic Church.
On Aug. 5, 1865, Mr. Flaherty was married, in England, to Margaret Garrity, who, like her hus- band, is a native of Ireland. Their union has been blessed with seven children : Mary married George H. Ennis, an attorney of Derby, and has four
children, George, Margaret, Madelina and Adri- enne. William is deceased. Elizabeth is unmar- ried, and lives at home. Michael, Jr., is a grad- uate of Yale, and an attorney in Derby. Hugh F. is attending school at Mount St. Mary's College, Maryland. Margaret and Jolin are deceased.
FRANK S. NICHOLS, a well-known grocer and prominent citizen of Millville, is a native of New Haven county, born in Naugatuck, Oct. 28, 1842, and is a representative of one of its old and highly respected families. Isaac Nichols, Sr., his grandfather, made his home throughout life in Naugatuck, and followed the occupation of farnl- ing. He married Esther Sperry, a native of Beth- any, Conn., and to them were born thirteen chil- dren: Mary, Clara, Maria, Esther, Joseph, Will- ianı, Jerome, Horace, Isaac, Nathan, Joel, Noys and George. The sons were either farmers or mechanics, and all made their home in this State.
Isaac Nichols, Jr., father of our subject, was born in Naugatuck, June 14, 1820, and in that town grew to manhood Learning the joiner's and wheel- wright's trades, he built many houses and water- wheels in early life, and later erected the store building now occupied by our subject, where he en- gaged in the grocery business for six or eight years. He served one year as a member of Company H, 23d Conn. V. I. He was a Republican in politics. Isaac Nichols wedded Mary E. Hotchkiss, of Pros- pect, Conn., a daughter of Avery Hotchkiss, who was a farmer by occupation. Mr. Nichols died in October, 1882, and his wife in 1888. In their fam- · ily were five children, namely: Frank S., our sub- ject ; Frederick O., agent for the Armour Beef Co. at Troy, N. Y .: Charles B., a traveling salesman residing in Bridgeport, Conn .: Deetle A., who mar- ried George Myers, of Pennsylvania, and resides in Naugatuck, where he is a master mechanic; and Ida E., who married Henry Richards, and subse- quently became the wife of Frederick Clark, of Naugatuck.
Our subject passed his boyhood and youth in his native town, and his education was received in its public schools. He was one of the boys in blue during the dark days of the Rebellion, serving three years as a member of Company K, 6th Conn .. V. I., and taking part in thirteen pitched battles, hesides many skirmishes. He enlisted Sept. 12. 1861 and was discharged at New Haven, Sept. 16. 1864. On his return to Naugatuck he worked for the Goodyear Glove Co. for six years, and then went to Titusville, Pa., where he spent two years in the oil regions. The following year he was em- ployed at Miller Brothers cutlery establishment, in Meriden, Conn., and was next a member of the police force of that place for about two years. Re- signing his position, he returned to Naugatuck, Sept. 19. 1877, and purchased the grocery store in Millville which he has since successfully conducted, receiving a liberal share of the public patronage.
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On Sept. 12, 1866, Mr. Nichols was united in marriage with Miss Maria Camp, a native of Terry- ville, Conn., and a daughter of Jerome Camp, who was also born in that place. Our subject and his wife have two children: Lewis F., superintendent of the making department of the Goodyear Metal- lic Shoe Co .; and Emma J., wife of Walter Brown, a meat dealer of Naugatuck.
Mr. Nichols is a member of the Board of Trade and is quite prominent in business circles. Politi- cally he affiliates with the Republican party, and lias been called upon to serve as assessor of his town for five consecutive years and as a member of the board of charities three years. He attends the Episcopal Church, and is a prominent member of the following societies: P. C. Isbell Post, No. 43, G. A. R .; Shephard Lodge, No. 78, F. & A. M .; Allerton Chapter, No. 39, R. A. M .; Evergreen Chapter, No. 22, O. E. S .; Hancock Lodge, No. 28, I. O. O. F .; Columbia R. D. Lodge, No. 30, I. O. O. F. ; Mattatuck Tribe, No. 25, I. O. R. M .; and Salem Lodge, No. 36, A. O. U. W.
JOSEPH W. ZWIEBEL, the well-known and popular proprietor of the Belleview Lake summer resort of Waterbury, was born in Tapfheim, Ba- varia, Germany, July 7, 1847, a son of John and Walburga ( Koettel) Zwiebel, also natives of Ba- varia, where they continued to make their home throughout life. Both were members of the Cath- olic Church, and the father was a brewer by occu- pation. In their family were nine children, namely: Josepha, who is living at the old home in Germany ; Victoria, deceased; John, a resident of New Eng- land; George, of Germany; Joseph WV., our sub- ject; Anthony, of Germany; Ulrich, of Germany; John N., in London, England; and Kreszenz, at home in Germany.
Joseph W. Zwiebel received a good education in his native tongue, and in early life learned the ma- chinist's trade, which he followed for several years. He was married in Bavaria to Miss Kreszenz Dirr, a native of the same county as her husband and a daughter of Joseph Dirr. She is a well-educated woman of good business ability. To Mr. and Mrs. Zwiebel were born seven children, as follows: Adolph, at home; Otto, Walburga and Eugen, who all died young; Grace and Otto (2), both at home; and Joseph, who died young.
In 1881 Mr. Zwiebel and his family emigrated to America, sailing from Antwerp, and landing in New York City. They first located in Torrington, Conn., where he worked at his trade. After spend- ing two years and a half at that place, he came to Waterbury and found employment in Benedict & Burnham's factory, where he remained until 1893. Having saved some money, he purchased the . grounds called Belleview Lake Grove, and has since made extensive improvements upon the place. He has erected a dance hall. built pleasure boats, and added many other attractions, so that it is now one
of the most beautiful and popular summer resorts of the locality. In carrying on this place Mr. Zwie- bel has met with most excellent success. He is of a genial disposition, courteous and obliging, and caters to the wants of his patrons. He is also in- dustrious and possesses good business ability and sound judgment. In his political views he is lib- eral, and in religious faith he and his family are Catholics.
MARTIN BURKE, one of Branford's well- respected citizens, and foreman of the carpenter department of the Branford Lock Works, Bran- ford, is a native of that city, born July 12, 1855, a son of John and Bridget (Gibbs) Burke, who were natives of County Galway, Ireland. In 1847 John Burke came to America, and here in Con- necticut, was employed for a time as a laborer on the Shore Line railroad, and later found work as a polisher in the Lock Works at Branford, where he has since remained. He married Bridget Gibbs, and thirteen children were born to them, seven of whom grew to maturity: Mary ( Mrs. William H. Farrell ), Bridget ( Mrs. Richard O'Neil), Martin, John (now deceased), Patrick, Michael, and Nel- lie (now deceased).
Martin Burke, whose name introduces these lines, received a limited education at the public schools of Branford, and at the age of fourteen en- tered the Branford Lock Works as a helper in the japanning room. Later he was promoted to the spindle room, and since 1882 has been foreman of the carpenter department.
Mr. Burke has been twice married, first time in 1880, to Joanna Welch, who was a daughter of John Welch, and died in 1881, leaving one son John P. In 1892 our subject wedded Kate Hurley, who has borne him six children: Ellen, Martin, Jr., Edward F., Thomas J., Mary and Catherine. The family attend services at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Branford: socially Mr. Burke is affili- ated with the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Knights of Columbus; in politics he is a stanch Democrat, and he has been chairman of the Town Democratic Committee nine years, and through his push and energy the party has been victorious on many close elections. In municipal affairs he has served on the board of relief nine years, and as as- sessor four years. He was captain of the Yale & Towne fire department from its organization in 1898; and he organized the Branford fire depart- ment in September, 1899, becoming its chief, and served until January, 1901.
AMITY A. HOLSER, a dairy farmer and fruit grower of the East Farms section of the town of Wallingford, was born in New York City, Aug. 29, 1847. Ignate Holser, his father, was born in Baden, Germany, son of Anthony Holser, a farmer, whose entire life was spent in Baden.
Ignate Holser was educated in the German
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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schools, and learned the trade of shoemaking. While still young he came to this country, on a sailing vessel, and landed in New York, poor in everything save the strength and courage of youth. Finding employment at his trade, he worked as a journeyman for a time, and then started up a shop of his own, doing custom work. In 1874 he left New York and came to Wallingford, buying the farm on which his son Amity now resides. It con- tains IO8 acres, and under his industrious labors was greatly improved. Here Mr. Holser died in 1894, and he was buried in Westfield, Mass. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religion a mem- ber of the Catholic Church. Ignate Holser was married in July, 1841, in the city of New York, to Miss Susan Wolff, a native of Worms, Germany, and daughter of John Wolff, a carpenter, who died in Chicago. Mrs. Holser is still living with her son, Amity A. To their union were born the fol- lowing children: Onrine married John Snyder, of Westfield, Mass., and is now deceased; Amity A. is our subject; Martin is a resident of Northford, Conn .; Emma married John Welsh; Susan died young; Susan (2) died unmarried; two children died in infancy.
Amity A. Holser attended the public schools of the city of New York and Westfield, Mass. Learn- ing the trade of a carpenter, he worked at same for nine years in New York, and then came to the farm to help his father. After the death of the latter the farm passed into his possession, and he has become deeply interested in dairying and in peach culture. A hard-working and industrious man, he has made many substantial improvements in the farm and its management, and has become quite prosperous. In politics he is independent, and believes in a business administration of local and general affairs. Domes- tic in his habits, he devotes himself to a tender and beautiful care for his mother in her old age. He has never married.
WILLIAM G. HARD, a prominent merchant and honored citizen of Naugatuck, was born in Watertown, Litchfield Co., Conn., August 31, 1858. He is a representative of old and highly respected families of Connecticut. his ancestors for over two hundred years having been residents of this State. On the paternal side he is a descendant in the eighth generation of James Hard, who settled in Derby about 1680, and married Elizabeth Tom- linson, daughter of William Tomlinson. in 1603. So far as is known no other progenitor by the name of Hard ever came to this country until after 1800. The descendants of James Hard are now legion ; besides the hundreds in this State there are a great many in northern Vermont. and as is the case with the posterity of many of our early settlers, they are now scattered throughout the United States .:
days of railroads he drove a stage from that place to New Haven, and is still engaged in the trucking business. His home is in Watertown. He mar- ried Miss Mary Ann Russell, who was born in Waterbury June 30, 1831, and they became the parents of seven children, as follows: Charles G., born Sept. 19, 1856, died Jan. IS, 1889; William G., our subject, is next in order of birth; Myron R., born Feb. 11, 1861, is a resident of Waterbury ; Lottie B., born Sept. 14, 1867, is assistant post- master at Watertown; Andrew M., born March 7, 1869, Russell H., born Dec. 15, 1870, and John MI., born April 15, 1874, are all at home.
Chester Russell, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Waterbury, and a farmer by occupation. He died Dec. 5, 1841, at the early age of thirty-one years. His father Stephen Russell, was also a farmer and a resident of Waterbury. The latter married Sabria Hotch- kiss, who was born July 19, 1773, a daughter of Amos and Abigail Hotchkiss; her father was the sixth son of Gideon Hotchkiss, a very prominent man of his time and a property owner in New Haven county, who was born in Prospect Dec. 5, 1716, and died Sept. 3, 1807. Gideon Hotchkiss was deacon of the church, and served as selectman and representative from the town of Prospect ( then called Columbia) to the State Legislature. He was a soldier of the French and Indian war, and also aided the Colonies in achieving their in- dependence as a soldier of the Revolution, and had several sons in the latter conflict. He was the fa- ther of nineteen children, by two marriages, his second wife being Mabel Stiles, a daughter of Isaac Stiles, of Southbury. To this union were born most of his children. At his death two hundred and sixty-five of his descendants were living around him in New Haven county. He was the seventh child of Stephen Hotchkiss, a native of New Haven, who was born Aug. 12, 1681, and married Elizabeth Sperry, daughter of John Sperry, of New Haven: Stephen Hotchkiss was an extensive farmer, and made his home in the parish of Cheshire, in the town of Wallingford. His father, Joshua Hotchkiss, was born in New Haven Sept. 16, 1651, and became a leading citizen of the place. He was a son of Samuel . Hotchkiss, a native of Essex, England.
William G. Hard, whose name introduces this sketch, passed his boyhood and youth in Water- town, and received his education there. He began his business career as clerk in a general store at that place, working for his board and clothes, and during the seven years that were thus passed thor- oughly mastered the business in all its details. In ISSo he went to Waterbury, where he clerked for two years, and then came to Naugatuck as head clerk for the E. H. Carrington Co., with which he was connected for five years. In 1886 he opened a general store of his own in Nauga-
Andrew C. Hard, our subject's father, was also a native of Litchfield county, born July 3, 1828, and grew to manhood in Watertown. Before the , tuck, and now enjoys a large and lucrative trade.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
On Aug. 24. 1881, Mr. Hard married Miss Eudora E. Holt, of Waterbury, a daughter of Nel- son Holt, who was a soldier of the Civil war and died in one of the Southern prisons during that struggle. To this union have been born four chil- dren, namely: Frank N .: Eva ML., who died Jan. 12, 1893; Irma E .; and Mildred H.
Politically. Mr. Hard is independent, and so- cially is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; Ancient Order of United Workmen ; Knights of the Maccabees; Modern Woodmen of America ; United Order of the Golden Cross: and Independent Order Foresters. In nearly all these societies he holds some responsible position of trust. He is a prominent member of the Congre- gational Church of Naugatuck, and is an active worker in the Christian Endeavor Society, in which he has held all the offices. He was president of the Watertown Union for some time, and was in- strumental in organizing the society at that place. He was also one of the founders of the Young Men's Christian Association at that place : was a member of its board of directors; and has always taken an active interest in all church work. He is a busy man, yet he is ever ready to pause in the midst of his duties to listen to appeals and relieve the needy. He is wholly worthy the respect which is everywhere tendered him, for his name is a syno- nym with honorable dealing and with all that is elevating to the individual and beneficial to the city.
HARRY S. HOTCHKISS, late of Naugatuck, was one of the wealthiest and most popular citizens of that town. He was born in New Haven in No- vember, 1845.
Mark Hotchkiss, his grandfather, was a pros- perous farmer of New Haven county and a suc- cessful teacher. He married Polly Hotchkiss ( no relative), and five children were born to them: George, Lucius `E., Mary A., Grace and Rosette. Lucius E., the second son. was the father of Harry S. Hotchkiss, and was born in Prospect, Conn. He was a mason and contractor by occupation, con- ducting business first in New Haven and afterward in Naugatuck, where he died Jan. 6, 1877. He mar- ried Harriet Cooper, and they had two children : Mary, who died when four years old ; and Harry S.
was a thirty-second-degree Freemason and a meni- ber of the I. O. R. M.
Mr. Hotchkiss married. Feb. 16, 1872, Mrs. Maria R. ( Beach ) Seymour, who by her first hus- band had a daughter, Cora, now the wife of Harry A. Bennett, of New York, who is connected with the Title & Trust Guaranty Co. of that city. Mrs. Hotchkiss was born in Winchester, Conn., of which town her paternal grandfather, Caleb Beach, was an early settler, having removed there from Goshen, this State. He erected a log cabin there about 1740, and some time during the decade 1760-70 built the first frame house ever put up in the town. It is still standing, and one of its most notable features is its huge stone chimney, 12x7 feet at the base. Hezekiah Beach, son of Caleb, was the father of Mrs. Hotchkiss. He, too, was born in Winchester. where he married Caroline Clark, a daughter of Jude Clark, a fariner of Burlington, Conn. Mrs. Maria R. Hotchkiss was the fourth in the family of ten children born to Hezekiah and Caroline Beach, of whom three-Julius, Sarah J. and Charles -died in infancy or early childhood. Of those who. reached mature years, George, Frank and Harry are farmers, the two first named in Winchester, and the latter in Naugatuck. Ellen married John Baker. a sash and door manufacturer of Pleasant Valley, Conn., and is now deceased. Samuel is a mechanic, and resides in Beacon Falls. Hezekiah Beach died in September, 1872, and his wife passed away in 1854. He was a man of influence and was sin- cerely beloved for his manly character and many virtues. In early manhood he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but in later years was a Second Adventist. In politics he was a Re- publican.
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