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 75
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HORACE G. FOSDICK, a well-known and successful wholesale baker in Ansonia, was born in Sandisfield, Berkshire Co., Mass., March 24, 1859. son of Robbins Fosdick, who was born in the same place. George Fosdick, his father, was born in Wethersfield, Conn .. and was a son of William Fosdick, a sea captain, who was also born in Weth- ersfield.
The Fosdicks settled early in New England, and an ancestor of the family purchased land in Charles- town as early as 1635. From that point he went to New London. Horace G. Fosdick is in the ninth generation of his family in this country. His grandfather served in the war of 1812. He was a saddler, and spent his life in Sandisfield, where he died at the age of eighty-four years. He married Rachel Parrot, who was born in Canaan, and her father was a Quaker from Pennsylvania, though she attended the Congregational Church with her husband. They had a large family. Mrs. Fosdick died at the age of eighty-two.
Harry S. Hotchkiss received his early educa- tion in the schools of his native town and at Hackettstown, N. J. He learned the trade of a mason from his father, and followed same, in con- nection with contracting, until his death, which occurred Feb. 1, 1899. He was successful beyond expectation, being naturally endowed with brains, pluck and perseverance, to which were joined stead- fast industry and close attention. He was a man of kindly disposition and generous impulses, and noted for his probity. In his political creed Mr. Robbins Fosdick, noted above as the father of Horace G., was reared in Sandisfield, where he Hotchkiss was a Republican. He served as town assessor, and also four years as selectman. He : received his education in the public schools. He
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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learned the trade of harnessmaking. remained at home, and followed farming in connection with his trade. He resided in Sandisfield up to 1884, when he removed to Ansonia, Conn., and has since lived with his son Horace G. Mr. Fosdiek took an active part in the "Know-Nothing" movement, and since that curious uprising in politics has been a Repub- liean, reading widely and being well posted on all questions at issue. He married Lucinda Collins. who was born in Tyringham, Mass., a daughter of Chester Collins, a farmer at that place. They had five children, three of whom are still living: Amisinda married Alphonso Merrell. of Westfield, Mass .; Horace G. is the subject proper of these lines; George, who lives in Derby, is foreman of the rolling stock of the electric railway. The mother died in 1894, at the age of sixty-five years. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and is re- membered as a good wife and mother. James Fos- dick, a brother of Robbins, served in the Civil war.
Horace G. Fosdiek spent his earlier years under the parental roof and was educated in the public schools. At the age of fourteen years he went to Derby, and drove team for a business man of that place; he attended school during the winter for five seasons. After this he spent one year in a grocery and meat market. and another year as clerk in a confectionery establishment. In 1880 he came to Ansonia and began business as a confectioner. continuing in this line for eighteen months, and selling out to Charles Blair. Mr. Fosdick was not long idle, and bought his present establishment from a Mr. Trumpbour, who had done both a wholesale and retail business in a small way. Under the en- ergetic management of Mr. Fosdick the business has steadily increased until now five wagons are in use, and as many bakers are employed. Mr. Fosdick undoubtedly commands the most extensive patron- age of any man in his line in the city, and is known as one of the oldest business men there, having been engaged in his present place for more than twenty years. His customers, both wholesale and retail. are found in Seymour, Shelton and Derby, as well as Ansonia, and as he turns out the best of goods they are more than satisfied. Mr. Fosdick gives close personal attention to all the details of his business. In 1889 he purchased his present prop- erty, on which he has made many and expensive improvements. He also owns a small farm, where he keeps cows to provide the milk for his baking business. There are ten horses in his stables, and they receive the best of care; he has not lost a horse for sixteen years, and their fine appearance shows the touch of a kindly hand.
Mr. Fosdick was married, in 1887. to Miss Katy Vandercook, a daughter of William Vandercook, of Albany. N. Y., where she was born. Mrs. Fos- dick is one of a family of four children. To her union with our subject have come five children : Horace G., Willard, Annie. Lottie and Charles H. In political sentiment Mr. Fosdick is a Repub- | to the present time.
lican. He is regarded as one of the leading citi- zens of his community. He is a member of Nauga- tuck Lodge, I. O. O. F., with which he has been connected since he was twenty-one, was secretary of the lodge three terms, and for several years was an active worker in the Temple of Honor. In re- ligious connection he unites with the Baptist Church, where he has served as trustee and secre- tary for three years.
EDWARD M. STANLEY, one of the many renable and capable workmen of which the city of Waterbury boasts, was born Feb. 24, 1859, in Hopeville, town of Waterbury.
William Stanley, his father, was born in Bir- mingham, England. son of William Stanley, who came from Birmingham in 1829. The latter was the grandfather of William J., J. L. and Frederick E. Stanley, whose sketches appear elsewhere. William Stanley, father of Edward MI., was brought to Waterbury by his parents when a lad of seven years, and died there Sept. 30, 1875. When a boy he entered the button shop of Mr. Benedict, and when old enough he learned the trade of brass roll- ing. Failing health drove him from the factory, and in 1848 lie engaged in the carriage trimming business, catering to the trade. For some years he was engaged in business in New York City and Newark, N. J. In 1863 he came back to Water- bury and helped to form the Carrington Manufac- turing Co., of which he was treasurer for some time. Then, disposing of his interest in that firm, he helped form the Matthews & Stanley Manufac- turing Co., of which he was treasurer until his death. He was a devoted friend, and earnest in his advocacy of every good cause. He was well known in Masonic circles, and was recognized as a faith- ful worker in the First Methodist Church. For his first wife William Stanley married Phoebe For- rest, who died early in life. Betsey Miller, his sec- ond wife, was born in Ancram, Columbia Co., N. Y., daughter of Silas Miller, a farmer of that region, who spent his later life at Salisbury, Conn., wnere he died at the age of ninety years. William Stanley and his wife Betsey were the parents of three children: William, Perry and Edward M. William died April 11. 1857, at the age of three years, and Perry died Nov. 16, 1862, at the age of five years.
Edward M. Stanley spent his boyhood days in Hopeville, where he attended the local school. His higher education was obtained in the Waterbury high school and a private school at Riverside. where he spent three years. The young man be- gan his life work in the shops of the Matthews & Willard Manufacturing Co., where he became a skilled burnisher and toolmaker, and where he worked for seven years. In 1889 he entered the factory of the Scovill Manufacturing Co., as a tool- . maker, and has remained with that well-known firnt
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On Nov. 1, 1893, Mr. Stanley married Miss Helen M. Moshier, who was born in Waterbury, March 15, 1870, a daughter of Augustus and Georgiana (Darling) Moshier. Her grandfather, Charles Mosier, changed his name to Moshier. He was of German extraction. In early life he was or- dained an Episcopal minister, but in later years he followed the trade of a wheel-wright. He died Nov. 24, 1855. Augustus Moshier was born in the city of New York, Feb. 7, 1841, and died Jan. 27, 1900. He was a carpenter by trade, and carried on the business of contractor and builder. . His wife was born in New York City, Dec. 25, 1850, and is still living. They had six children: Helen M. (Mrs. Stanley); Charles A .. Sarah A., Georgiana, Susan A. and Edith M .. Charles A. is a machinist with the Scovill Manufacturing Co. Sarah A. mar- ried George W. Morse, of Cheshire, Conn. Georgi- ana married Edwin A. Jessell, of Waterbury. . Susan and Edith are still in school.
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley are the parents of two children: Margaret M., born Sept. 26, 1899, died Oct. 3, 1899; William A. was born June 24, 1901. Mr. Stanley is a Republican politically. He be- longs to Townsend Lodge, No. 89. I. O. O. F .. Comstock Lodge. No. 13. K. of P., and to Mizpah Colony, No. 163, United Order of Pilgrim Fathers. He attends St. Jolin's Episcopal Church.
JOHN PATRICK CALLAHAN. assistant su- perintendent of the Branford Lock Works, Bran- ford, is a native of Connecticut, born June 30, 1856, in New Haven.
John P. Callahan, son of John Callaghan (for so he spelled his name), was born in County Cork, Ireland, and about the year 1845 came to this coun- try, landing at New York, where for a time he was master . workman at the carriage-spring making trade. He made carriage springs that were ex- hibited at the "Great Exhibition" ( World's Ex- position ) held in London, England, at the "Crystal Palace," in 1851. He married Ellen Collins in New York City, then removed from there to Newark, N. J., and thence, about the year 1850, to New Haven, where he spent the remainder of his days. dying in 1868. His children who grew to maturity were: Ellen, Mother Basilia, of St. Patrick's Academy, Chicago, Ill. ; Mary, Mother Philomena, of St. Bernard's Convent, Nashville, Tenn .; John Patrick ; and William J.
John P. Callahan, our subject, was reared in his native city, New Haven, and received his education in part at the public and parochial schools; after · commencing work he attended night school. In 1868, when but twelve years old, he began work in the lock works of Mallory, Wheeler & Co., New Haven, and in course of time learned the trade of lock fitter. remaining in their employ ten years. In 1879 he removed to Branford, where he has since been engaged with the Branford Lock Works.
On Jan. 7,- 1880, Mr. Callahan was united in
marriage with Alice T. Carney, daughter of James and Margaret ( Cusick) Carney, of Branford, form- erly of Ireland, and six children, all yet living, have been born to them: Margaret, B. T., John L., James P., William Vincent and Gerald. The entire family are members of the Catholic Church. Socially Mr. Callahan is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and one of the organizers of Eldred Council, No. 10, of Branford, of which he is financial secretary ; is also a member of the N. E. O. of P., and of the Y. & T. Mutual Benefit Society ; and a member of the Branford Agriculture and Hor- ticultural Society, of which he is secretary. He has held various public positions, having served as grand juror, auditor and tax collector, and at present he represents Branford in the State Legislature ; he is clerk of the committee on Manual and Roll.
The Callaghans ( for such is the usual spelling of the name) are prominent people in Ireland. Pat- rick Callaghan, an uncle of our subject, is a large land owner in County Cork, and enjoys the dis- tinetion of never having had trouble with his ten- ants, something unusual on the "ould sod." One of his sons is a bishop in the Catholic Church in Ire- land, and altogether the family enjoy high standing.
AUSTIN B. PIERPONT. proprietor of a thriv- ing meat market, milk depot, etc., in the city of Waterbury, was born in that town Feb. 11, 1849, on the same farm on which his father, Charles J. Pierpont, was born.
Ezra Pierpont, great-grandfather of our sub- ject, was also in all probability born in the town of Waterbury. He was a farmer, served in the war of the Revolution, and was quite prominent in town affairs, serving long as a selectman, and also filling several other offices. He reared several chil- dren, among whom were Seabury, Luther. Austin (grandfather of our subject), Stiles and Joseph. All the sons became farmers and lived in the town of Waterbury. Luther and Austin served in the war of 1812.
Austin Pierpont, grandfather of Austin B., was a prosperous farmer. He married Sally Beecher, of Waterbury. Of the children born to them seven reached maturity, viz .: Enos A., Ezra A., Minerva, Charles J. ( father of our subject), Jennette, Will- iam S. and Ellen. Enos A. was a farmer and butcher in Waterbury, where he died. Ezra A. was also a farmer and oyster peddler in the same town, and there ended his days. Minerva married Amos Moss, a farmer, carpenter and sawmill and cidermill proprietor of Cheshire. Jennette became the wife of Amos J. Beers, a wholesale fruit dealer in New Haven. William S. was a carpenter in Waterbury. Ellen married Lorenzo Peck, a mer- chant of New Haven. The father of this family met an untimely fate by a stroke of lightning, but not until he had rounded out a useful and bene- ficent career.
Charles J. Pierpont, father of our subject, was
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a farmer and butcher in Waterbury, where he passed his entire life. He married Mary A. Warn- er, a native of the town, and a daughter of Jared Warner, a farmer; lie was a soldier of the war of 1812. Justis Warner, father of Jared, was also a farmer, and descended from one of the oldest families in the county. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Pierpont settled on the home farm, where they reared their six children, viz. : Charles J. is water inspector of Waterbury (he is · mentioned elsewhere) ; Austin B. is the subject proper of this sketch ; Ellen C. married George W. Conner, proprietor of an express line from Water- bury to New Haven; Wilson L. is a farmer and milkdealer in Waterbury: Merritt E. is a grocer in the city; Mary Ann married Charles S. Miller, a mechanic of Waterbury. In politics the father of this family was a Democrat, and in their church relationship the family are Episcopalians.
Austin B. Pierpont passed his boyhood on the home farm, and was educated in the district school. He then taught one season, and later attended the Waterbury high school, after leaving which he hired out to his uncle, Enos Pierpont, and worked 'for him seventeen years in the meat business. At the end of that time he bought him out, and has ever since conducted a most prosperous trade in meats, dairy products, etc.
In 1872 Mr. Pierpont married Lucy A. Welton, a daughter of Joseph Welton, of Waterville, and to this union have been born three children: Arthur J., born in 1876, is still on the farm ; Herbert, born in 1883, died at the age of five months; Morton E., 'born in 1885, is now attending Storrs' Agricultural College.
Mr. Pierpont is a Republican in politics, and has twice represented New Haven county on the State Board of Agriculture. He has been master of Mad River Grange, Excelsior Pomona Grange, and has always been actively interested in the promotion of agricultural affairs, having served as vice-presi- dent of the Wolcott Agricultural Society, a position he still fills ; he is also active in other affairs, and lends a helpful hand in all. He is president of the East Farms Cemetery Association, and a trustee. of Mill Plain Chapel Society, which he helped to estab- lish. His influence is, felt in many undertakings. He is of a genial, benevolent and fraternal disposi- tion, and is. a prominent member of Nosahogan Lodge, I. O. O. F., Waterbury, in which he has passed all the chairs, and of Ansantawae Encamp- ment. Mr. Pierpont is a vestryman in Trinity Episcopal Church. Socially he is very highly es- teemed, and his family share with him the regard of their neighbors and friends generally.
GEORGE SMITH DAVIS, member of the firm of Landon & Davis, general merchants, Guil- ford. is a native of the town of Guilford. born Dec. 20, 1854. of Welsh ancestry.
Joel Davis, his grandfather, was born in Kill-
ingworth. Middlesex Co .. Conn., whence after his marriage he moved to Guilford, where he pur- chased a farm, and where he passed the rest of liis days, dying in 1860. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, a Whig in politics, and was progressive and prosperous. In Killingworth, Conn., he married Achsalı Davis, of that town, and seven children were born to them: Henry, Sarah, George W. (deceased), George W. (2) (sketch of whom follows), Harriet. Leonard and James. The parents both died at the farm, and are buried in the West Side cemetery.
George W. Davis, father of George S., was born in 1822 in Guilford, and there passed his entire life in agricultural pursuits, dying in 1800. He attended the Episcopal Church, was a Demo- crat in politics, and was a highly honored man. In 1850, in Guilford. he married Cornelia Smith, who was born in 1827, daughter of Tabor and Myra. (Hoadley) Smith, and three children were born to them: Cornelia, deceased in infancy ; George S., sketch of whom follows; and Charles W., who is engaged in business with his brother.
George S. Davis, the subject proper of this sketch, attended the district school of Guilford, also the high school, and at the age of sixteen years went to Hartford, Conn., where he secured employment as clerk in a dry-goods store. He remained there eight years, in 1878 returning to Guilford and becoming clerk in the postoffice. Then, at the end of five years, in 1883. being pos- sessed of a small capital. he and S. W. Landon embarked in the grocery business in Guilford, un- der the firm name of Landon & Davis. Mr. Lan- don died in 1890, and Mr. Davis has since con- tinued the business under the same name, and, through courtesy. genial manners, and close atten- tion to business, has built up an extensive trade.
Mr. Davis is a Republican. In 1885 he was elected town treasurer, and has since filled the office with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the public ; has also for the past ten years filled the office of borough and town treasurer with equal acceptance. In 1889 he was elected to the State Legislature, and served one term at Hartford, dur- ing which time he was on the committee on New Towns and Probate Districts. In 1891 he was re- elected. He filled the office of burgess of the borough one term, and in 1881 was appointed a notary public by. the governor. Socially he is a member of the F. & A. M .. affiliating with St. Alban's Lodge, No. 38. of which he is past master and treasurer ; he is a Knight Templar, connected with New Haven Commandery, No. 2, and with Halleck Chapter. also with the Eastern Star: is also a member of the New England Order of Pro- tection and the Royal Arcanum. In religious faith he is a member of the Episcopal Church, of which he has been warden for the past twelve years, also treasurer.
On Dec. 16, 1885, in Guilford, George S.
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Davis was married to Annie G. Fowler, daughter of Henry Fowler, and three children have been born to them: Henry Fowler died in infancy; Elizabeth G. and Annie C. are both attending school.
LEWIS MONROE PHELPS was born Aug. 22, 1841, in Northampton, Mass., where his father, Spencer Phelps, was born in September, 1797, and died in 1873. . Spencer Phelps was a farmer, and was also engaged in the butchering business. He was a Whig in political faith, and became a Re- publican on the formation of the party. He at- tended the First Congregational Church. In 1823 he married Miss Annie Harris, of Northampton, who was born Dec. 21, 1801, in Norwich, and died in 1873 in Northampton, Mass., where Mr. and Mrs. Phelps were buried. Their family comprised the following children: (1) George S. has a carriage business at Northampton, Mass. (2) Anna Maria married Enos Wright, of Northampton. (3) Ed- ward died in infancy. (4) Edward H. is a re- tired tinsmith of Northampton. (5) Martha mar- ried Henry Cobb, of Saxton's River, Vt. (6) Henry S. was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, serving as a member of Company C, IIth United States Regulars, was taken prisoner, and died in Andersonville. (7) Chiarles W. died at the age of eighteen years. (8) Lewis Monroe is the gentleman whose name appears at the introduc- tion of this article.
Ebenezer Phelps. father of Spencer, was born in Northampton, and was in his lifetime a very prom- inent farmer and large land owner. A large tract of land which belonged to him is now the center of the city of Northampton. He married Kezia Parsons, and they had eight children. The Phelps family descends from three brothers who came over from England very early in the history of the Colonies and settled in Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut, respectively.
Lewis M. Phelps spent his boyhood and youth in Northampton, Mass., and obtained his educa- tion under the shadow of Mt. Tom. At fourteen he left school and went to work, on different farms, three years later going to the West, and spending two years in Illinois and Iowa. Returning to Northampton, he set himself to the trade of car- riagemaker, which he followed until he reached the age of twenty-four. Mr. Phelps enlisted, in August. 1862, as a member of Company C. 52d Mass. V. I., and served until Aug. 14, 1863. He was at Port Hudson, and in many notable battles of the war.
Railway Co., and in 1875 lie came to Wallingford to open a tinning, plumbing, heating and stove busi- ness, in which line he has accumulated a substantial fortune. Twelve years ago he leased his present store in the Wallace block, and purchased a half interest therein. In 1898 he bought the other half of the block. Mr. Phelps is largely interested in real estate and owns several very desirable tene- ment houses, which he has built in recent years. Politically he is a Republican, and he is now serv- ing as justice of the peace; since his location in the city he has had charge of the department of weights and measures; for two years he was a member of the court of burgesses ; in October, 1901, he was appointed electrical commissioner, for three years.
Mr. Phelps was married, June 1, 1864, to Miss Jennie M. Hastings, of South Deerfield, Mass., daughter of Samuel Hastings. Mr. Phelps is a member of Arthur Dutton Post, G. A. R., and Compass Lodge, F. & A. M. He is also a promi- nent Odd Fellow, has passed all the chairs of the Subordinate Lodge, and for a number of years has been a member of the Grand Lodge of the State. He is also a member of the Encampment, Rebekah and Canton branches of the order. He was a prime mover in the organization of Accanant Lodge, and was its first vice-grand; has served as treasurer of Friendship Encampment, and is now a member of the board of trustees. ·
GEORGE S. GILLETTE, a highly-esteemed resident of the town of Milford, was born Jan. 14, . 1850, in the house in which he resided until recently.
Benjamin Gillette, his great-grandfather, served as a soldier during the Revolutionary war, and the family has long been noted for the qual- ities that go to the making of good citizen- ship. Garriet Gillette, our subject's grandfather, was born in Milford, and became a farmer by occupation. He married Nancy Platt, and had a large family of children. as follows : John, a builder in Prospect, died in that town ; George died in Naugatuck ; Garriet. a farmer, died in Prospect ; Bennett, a carpenter, died at his home in Prospect ; Rufus, a carpenter, is living in retire- ment in Naugatuck : William, our subject's father, . is mentioned more fully below; Sarah A. married Harry Morse, and resides in Prospect; Mary (de- ceased) married Harry Smith, of Prospect : Abby married Lucius Talmadge. of Prospect (both are now deceased ) ; two died in childhood.
William Gillette was born in 1822, in Prospect, and died April 14, 1878. After his marriage he located on a farm on Long Island Sound, in the southern part of Milford, the old homestead of the grandfather, where his remaining years were spent. As a citizen he was much respected, and for years he took an active interest in local affairs as a mem- ber of the Republican party. He was also very ac-
Mr. Phelps began a contracting business when he was twenty-four years old, and followed same for about one year. At Springfield he was em- ployed for six years by the Wesson Manufacturing Co., where he was foreman in charge of a gang of men. He held a similar position in the shops of the New York, New Haven & Hartford | tive in the church. He married Susan Bucking-
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ham, daughter of John Buckingham, a native of Milford. She died Oct. 4. 1879. Of their six chil- dren, the eldest, Mary E., married N. Truman Smith, a farmer in Milford : George S. is mentioned below; Miss Martha N. resides in Milford ; Charles W. conducts the old homestead; Miss Susan C. re- sides in Milford ; and Nettie died in infancy.
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