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 76
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George S. Gillette was reared on the old home- stead in Milford, and after completing a course in the neighboring district school attended the Mil- ford high school and a private school conducted by Jonas French. At the age of twenty-two he went to Kansas and worked on a farm for a year, and he spent the next five years in Nevada, in various em- ployments. In 1878 he returned to the homestead, a farm of thirty-eight acres, and made a specialty of raising garden seeds. Recently he came into possession of the old Buckingham homestead, the place where his mother was born, and has taken up his home there.
On Dec. 13, 1893, Mr. Gillette married Miss Flora Belle Hanscome, of Maine, daughter of Rev. Alva H. Hanscome, and a member of an old fam- ily of that State. They have one child, William Buckingham. Mr. Gillette is a Republican in poli- tics, and has served many years as assessor and a member of the board of relief. He and his wife belong to the Congregational Church, and he is also an active worker in the Royal Arcanum and of the I. O. O. F. at Milford.
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NATHAN W. GREENMAN, a well-known resident of Waterbury, is a native of Connecticut. born April 12, 1840, in Bozrahville, New London county.
Prior to the year 1800 three brothers by the name of Greenman came to this country from Eng- land, one settling in New York, one in the eastern part of Connecticut, the third in New London coun- ty, Conn .. the last named being James Greenman, the grandfather of Nathan W .; he was a farmer by occupation.
Nathan Greenman, father of Nathan W., was born in 1815 in New London county, and for years was superintendent of the cotton mills there. He is now living retired near New Haven. At the early age of seventeen years he married Julia A. Wilkin- son, who was born in 1815 in Stonington, Conn., a daughter of Jonathan Wilkinson, a farmer of that locality. Mr. Wilkinson served in the war of 1812. He married Ann Cranston. also a native of Ston- ington, and descended from ancestry who came to America early in the seventeenth century. Grand- father Wilkinson was one of the "frontiersmen." but the Indians were very friendly to him and his family, frequently abiding under their hospitable roof. The Wilkinsons took active part in all the early struggles of the country, including the French and Indian troubles, the Revolution and the war of 1812, as well as the Indian wars since that period.
After marriage Nathan Greenman and his wife
settled in New London county, at Bozrahville, and there reared the following children: Anna E. (de- ceased) was the wife of George Nettleton; Jennie E. (deceased) was the wife of Frederick A. Cook, of Southington, Conn .; Nathan W. is our subject ; Ellen L. (deceased) was the wife.of Samuel A. Bayliss; Charles A. died unmarried; Imogene E. is now the wife of Frederick A. Cook, mentioned above.
In 1842, when two years old, Nathan W. Green- man, our subject, was taken by liis parents to Green- ville, a suburb of Norwich, this state, and at the public and high schools of that place received a liberal education. On May 15, 1853, he came to Waterbury, which has since been his home. Tak- ing up the profession of dentistry, he in 1858 fol- lowed same in Charleston, S. C .. and while there saw slaves sold by auction. During the year 1859 he for some time sold books throughout Michigan. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army, as will be presently recorded; from 1865 to 1866 was a clerk in the Waterbury postoffice, and then embarked in the coal business, in which line he is actively en- gaged at the present time.
In November, 1875, Mr. Greenman married Edith G. Webster, a daughter of Chauncey B. Webster, of Waterbury. No children have been born to this union. Mr. and Mrs. Greenman are members of the Congregational Church. In polities he is a Republican, and he has served his adopted city as tax collector, also on the board of relief. Socially he is affiliated with the F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., Concordia Society and G. A. R.
On Aug. 11, 1862, Mr. Greenman enlisted in the service of the United States in Company H, 20th Conn. V. I., for three years, or during the war, and the following succinct war record, written by himself, will be of interest :
"I was mustered as corporal at New Haven, Conn., Sept. S, 1862, left the State Sept. 11, 1862, served in the defence of Washington, D. C .; from Oct. 2, 1862, 2d Brigade, Ist Division, 12th Corps, Army of the Potomac; and Army of the Cumber- land from June, 1863, Ist Brigade, Ist Division, 20th Corps : from April, 1864, 2d Brigade, 3d Di- vision, 20th Corps, Army of the Cumberland ; trans- ferred to the 3d Brigade, 3d Division, Armies of the Cumberland and Georgia, May 29, 1864, re- maining with last mentioned brigade, division and corps, until the ending of the Civil war, April, 1865, holding the rank of sergeant until that event. I was on duty with my regiment. in defence of Washington. D. C., until Sept. 29, 1862; moved to Sandy Hook, thence to Harper's Ferry, Mary- land Heights, Loudon Heights, Keys and Manning Fords, on the Shenandoah river, Va., then to Fair- fax Station, Va. Advanced on Fredericksburg, during the cold and severe rains of December, 1862, when, from the depth of the mud. it was impossible for men and trains to move more than four or five miles a day. Not an article of apparel, outside or
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inside of the knapsack, but was thoroughly soaked with the icy rain. For ten consecutive days and nights these conditions were the experiences of all in the command. The cold, wet ground served for a bed, and a wet knapsack for a pillow. With all these discomforts the men appeared to be cheerful and in good spirits and health. I was with my command during the Confederate Gen. Stuart's raid, from Dec. 27 to Dec. 31, 1862, and in other operations against the enemy, until ordered into winter quarters at Stafford Court House, Va., Jan. 19, 1863, there remaining until April 27, 1863. During the latter part of the month of January, 1863, by order of Brig. Gen. Kane, commanding our brigade, myself and a detail of six men from my company (each with three days' rations) were ordered to take possession of and occupy Aquia Creek church, some four or five miles distant from our camp, to prevent its defilement by scouting or other parties of soldiers. *
* We carried into the church several cords of wood, built a fire in the center of the floor with which we cooked our rations, and kept warm (the weather being very cold), remaining there nearly five days, the last thirty-six hours without food, headquarters having forgotten or overlooked the fact that we were on duty there. The church at that time was between the lines, and we were liable to capture by . the enemy at any time during the period of our guard. The waning of the fifth day brought to our ears the sound of horses' hoofs upon the frozen ground, and from our outlook within the church there came into a view a regiment of cavalry which proved to be the 8th New York, which not only relieved our apprehension and anxiety, but also our hunger. Through the dispatch of an orderly to Gen. Kane's headquarters, we were ordered to re-
turn to our camip. * * * On April 26, .1863, came orders to break up camp and march to the scenes of battle in the coming campaigns of the spring and summer of 1863. Eight days' rations and eighty rounds of ammunition is the order. A forced march of three days brought the command to Germania Ford on the Rapidan river. Order to strip off all our clothing, put them in a roll, and wade through the rapidly flowing stream, where we found foothold difficult to maintain. Lined up to roll-call on the opposite bank of the river, prepara- tory to imminent battle at Chancellorsville. Virginia.
ing my confinement at Camp Parole. Annapolis, Ald., and my exchange during the month of Au- gust, 1863, I joined my regiment and company at Cowan, Tenn., and was promoted to the position of sergeant April 22, 1864, performing duty along the line of the Louisville & Nashville railroad and Chattanooga line of communications until the open- ing of the Atlanta campaign, May 4, 1864, partici- pating in the following engagements: Buzzard Roost Gap, May 8 and 9; holding Boyd's Trail, May Io and II; battle of Resaca, May 13 and 15; Cassville, May 19; advance to Etowah, May 20 and 23, 1864. At this date I was detached for duty in the Ambulance Corps, a duty I found to be arduous, tedious and compassionate, constantly drawing upon my sympathy, because of the mutil- ation and suffering I witnessed during a series of engagements that consumed one hundred consecu- tive days of time when fighting in one contingent or other of those armies took place. It has been designated by some of those who endured thie cam- paign, the 'one hundred days' battle.'
. "Entered Altanta, Ga., Sept. 3, 1864, and was assigned to duty at the headquarters of Gen. H. W. Slocum, commandant, in charge of ten of the ani- bulances used to convey the citizens of that city to Rough and Ready (Confederate line), in accord- ance with the order issued by Gen. Sherman, mak- ing it imperative that all non-combatants should be removed from within our lines. Citizens had the option of going North or South, and from my observation comparatively few went North. Sept. 20, 1864, was relieved from duty in the Ambulance Corps, and ordered to join my regiment, then in camp on the outlying hills east of the city. Nov. 15, 1864, started and marched through the State of Georgia with Gen. Sherman's army, which ar- rived at Savannah, Ga., Dec. 10, 1864, serving with my company and regiment during the siege of that city, entering it with our victorious army Dec. 21. 1864. I was on duty in that place until Jan. 3. 1865, crossed the Savannah river Jan. 4, and camped on the rice fields on South Carolina soil, opposite the city, for a week; marched to Hardee- ville, S. C., helped in the leveling of that place with the ground; remained there some ten days. marched to Sisters Ferry. on the Savannah river, then accompanied Gen. Sherman's army in its fani- ous march through the Carolinas. from January to April, 1865. I was in the skirmish near Law- tonville, Feb. 2, 1865. with a reconnoissance to Silver River, N. C., March 14-15; fought in the battle of Averysboro, N. C .: was in action, March 16, near Taylor's. Hole creek, N. C .; also in the engagement at Bentonville. N. C., March 19-20. 1865; was with a detail of thirty men (Capt. Ezra Sprague in command) who were foraging, when lost amongst the pines of South Carolina, for three days and nights, pursued by Gen. Joe Wheeler's cavalry, when capture meant instant death. as 110
"This is to be my first important engagement, and questions surge the mind, like the incoming and receding waves of the ocean. that are un- answerable until the conflict ends. Killed. wound- ed or unscathed, and will you perform all of the duties of a soldier, bravely and unflinchingly in the coming contest, whatever the result? My fate proved capture, the third day of the battle. Sun- day, May 3, 1863. This was the only time I was made a prisoner of war during my three years service. I was confined in Libby Prison. and on Belle Isle, in and opposite Richmond, Va. Follow- | quarter was given to our foragers, if taken prison-
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ers. The battle of Bentonville, N. C., was the last fought by Gen. Sherman's army in the Civil war. I was on duty at Goldsboro, N. C., from March 31 to April 10, 1865; at Raleigh, the State capital, April 13-22; guarding supply trains to Jones' Cross Roads, N. C., April 22-24; and at the sur- render of Gen. Johnston's army to Gen. Sherman, April 26, 1865. Then left my company and regi- ment, by order of the regimental surgeon, Dr. Jewett, proceeded by rail to Beaufort, N. C., thence by steamer to Fort Schuyler, N. Y., there detailed as chief clerk in the muster-out department, by Major Thieman of the United States Army, and was honorably discharged from the United States service July 6, 1865. I never was wounded, ex- perienced but little sickness (none of a serious nature), an inmate of the hospital one week, at Parole Camp, Annapolis, Md., from hip injury that proved slight, acted as assistant steward in that hospital after my recovery during the term of my parole, returned to my citizenship July 8. 1865, in a better physical condition than when I joined the service."
COL. JOHN B. DOHERTY was born at Hard Ledge, Westmoreland Co., New Brunswick, Sept. 10, 1853, a son of William A. and Matilda G. Doherty. The mother died in 1895, aged sev- enty-six years, and the father, who was born in Engiand in 1820, died in Waterbury in June, 1900, aged eighty years. Tames G. Doherty. the grand- father of Col. John B., was born in Colerain, Ire- land, and was a farmer.
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William A. Doherty when a boy left England with his parents, and went to New Brunswick, where he engaged in shipbuilding after reaching manhood. St. John's was for years his head- quarters. He located for a time in Westmoreland county, New Brunswick, engaged as a shipbuilder, and then, returning to St. John's, was for a long term of years superintendent in the shipyards of Jewett & Scammel, a very large concern at that time. About 1865 he came to Waterbury for a time. He went back to New Brunswick, but his home was in Waterbury after 1890. Mrs. Matilda (Gallaway) Doherty was born in Colerain, Ireland. a daughter of James Gallaway, who removed to Thompsonville. Conn., when she was very young. To Mr. and Mrs. William A. Doherty was born a family of ten children, seven of whom lived to maturity : James G., William A., Eliza, John B., Anna, Rebecca and Mary J. James G. lives in Waterbury, and William A: in Green Bay. Wis. Anna married Leonard Burr, and has her home in Bridgeport, Conn. The other members of the fam- ily live in Waterbury.
Col. John B. Doherty spent his boyhood days in St. John's, New Brunswick, and attended school there. In 1865 he came to Waterbury, where he has continued to live up to the present time. He commenced to learn the machinist's and toolmak-
er's trades, but did not finish his apprenticeship. preferring to take a position as clerk in the jewelry store of C. H. Perkins & Co. In 1872 young Doherty became entry clerk for Benedict, Meriman & Co., and remained with them until they went out of business, in 1875. when he bought the gentle- men's furnishing store at the corner of Bank street and Exchange place, and conducted it until 1878. That year he closed the store and began keeping books for the A. Burrett Hardware Co., a concern very extensively engaged in the manufacture of gas and waterpipe fittings. Mr. Doherty became secretary of the company, disposed of the retail store, built new factories, and started out on a very ambitious career, but was caught by the panic of 1884 and crowded to the wail. After the failure of the Burrett Hardware Co. he secured a posi- tion as corresponding clerk with the Holmes, Booth & Hayden Manufacturing Co., which he held until the reorganization of Brown & Brothers, when he went with them as chief bookkeeper, remaining with them until they went into liquidation.
Mr. Doherty was elected second selectman in 1885, and at that time was the only Republican on the board. The next year he was made first selectman, and on the meeting of the board be- came its chairman. The Democrat who had held the chairmanship was defeated by an adverse vote of twelve hundred. and lost every ward in the city to Mr. Doherty. In October, 1887. the same ticket was renominated and elected. In 1888 Mr. Doherty declined a renomination, and announced himself as a candidate for the position of postmaster. He was appointed to the postmastership in 1889 by President Harrison, and officiated in that capacity four years and four months. From time to time other flattering political honors have been extended to Mr. Doherty. In 1888 and again in 1892 he was asked to take the nomination for Congress. He has been requested to become candidate for sheriff of the county, but his business relations did not admit of his acceptance. In 1890 he was of- fered the nomination for the position of mayor of Waterbury, but, much as he would like to serve the people. his business relations again compelled him to decline.
Mr. Doherty was chosen secretary of the Con- necticut Indemnity Life Insurance Co. in February, 1893. This company was not in good condition, and its business had become very much run down. but under the new management-of which Mr. Doherty was secretary and a director-it was in- tended to change the basis of the company's busi- ness from that of assessment to the legal reserve, or so-called "old line." During his management the business increased from four and a half million dol- lars to more than twelve millions of insurance up to July. 1898, when he resigned his office, and de- voted himself to the real-estate, insurance and brokerage business, with the same gratifying suc- cess.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Col. Doherty has been associated with the State National Guard for many years. He became a pri- vate in Company A, 2d Regiment, C. N. G., in Feb- ruary, 1872, and gradually rose from one position to another until July 1. 1892, when he was elected colonel of the regiment. He served in that office six years, and then asked to be placed. on the retired list. Col. Doherty is a Mason of high degree, be- longing to the blue lodge, the chapter, the con- sistory and the Temple. He takes an active part in the Odd Fellows, the Knights of l'ythias and the Red Men, and wherever he is encountered he is always the same genial and polished gentleman. The Colonel has always taken a leading part in the affairs of the Republican party, and his is a fa- miliar presence at county and State Conventions. He was acting alternate delegate at the Chicago convention which nominated President Harrison, and a regular alternate at the Minneapolis conven- tion which renominated President Harrison.
Col. Doherty has been twice married. His first marriage was to Miss Jennie M. Barton, of Win- chester, Conn., in 1875. Mrs. Doherty had very delicate health, and spent much of her married life in the balmy South : she died in 1882. There were no children by that union. In September, 1892, our subject married Katherine Sedgwick Bnel, of Waterbury, daughter of Mrs. Cornelia A. Buel and the late Theodore S. Buel, and niece of the late Judge Norton J. Buel. To this union has come one child, Cornelia Buel, born Aug. 15, 1896.
FREDERICK A. LINES, secretary and treas- urer of the Ansonia Lumber Co .. at Ansonia, is one of the leading business men of that town, and his energy and sound judgment have been recognized factors in carrying many enterprises to success. In addition to attending to his lumber business he served as president of the Ansonia Board of Trade. vice-president of the Connecticut State Board of Trade, and a director in the Ansonia Savings Bank and the Ansonia Flour & Grain Co. As a citizen he takes an active part in local affairs.
Mr. Lines was born Oct. 25, 1849, at New Mil- ford, Litchfield Co., Conn., where his family has been prominent from pioneer times. Joseph Lines, his great-grandfather. came from New Haven in 1750, and settled at New Milford. and Philo Lines, his grandfather, was born there in 1769, and fol- lowed farming in that vicinity throughout all his life:
Frederick A., our subject; and Charles, who con- ducts a flour and grain business in New Britain.
The common schools near his home afforded our subject an education, and at eighteen he went to South Norwalk to learn the carpenter's trade. When twenty-one years old he located in Ansonia, and after following his trade three years as a jour- neyman began contracting, many of the best dwell- ings and other buildings in the town having been built by hin. In 1883 he became a member of the Ansonia Lumber Co., and in February, ISSS, when Mr. Smith was chosen president, our subject was made secretary and treasurer. The yard is the larg- est in this section, and is the only one in the locality having first-class railroad facilities, and carrying a full stock of all kinds of rough and dressed lum- ber. They order directly from the manufacturers, and have an extensive business in all lines.
Mr. Lines is a Republican in politics, and was assessor and one of the burgesses of Ansonia for a number of years. He was also president of the first board of aldermen of the city of Ansonia, and took an active part in organizing the first city gov- ernment. Socially he and his family are prominent, and he is a member of George Washington Lodge, F. & A. M., of Ansonia ; Mount Vernon Chapter, R A. M .; Union Council, of Derby; New Haven Commandery, Knights Templar, of New Haven ; Pyramid Temple, of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Bridgeport ; the Heptasophis, of Ansonia ; the A. O. U. W .; and the New England Order of Protection.
In 1874 Mr. Lines married Miss Lottie A. Hotchkiss, and they have two children: Miss Bes- sie A., a graduate of Fort Edward Collegiate In- stitutte, and later a teacher there: and William H. The family attend the Congregational Church, of which Mrs. Lines and Miss Bessie are members. Mrs. Lines was born in Ansonia, daughter of Lock- wood and Augusta Hotchkiss, both of whom sur- vive. Mr. Hotchkiss is a well-known hardware dealer and capitalist of Ansonia. This worthy couple had six children, of whom five are living : Lottie A. (Mrs. Lines). Albert, Nettie, Lockwood, Jr., and Frederick D. Hotchkiss.
HERBERT M. ROSE, a well-known miller of the town of Milford, is a native of North Branford, this county, born May 9, 1842. His family has been identified with North Branford for many years, and his great-grandfather. Solomon Rose, was among the first settlers in that locality.
William A. Lines, our subject's father, was born in New Milford in 1809, and died there in 1885. David Rose, our subject's grandfather, was born and reared in North Branford, and became a farm- er there. He married Anna Russell, and they had five children, as follows: Major (deceased), who took charge of the homestead, never married; Re- becca married Eloyda Harrison, a farmer in North Branford: Joshua is mentioned more fully below ; Laura married a Mr. Loper, and subsequently be- He was a substantial farmer and respected citizen, and he and his wife were devout members of the Congregational Church. In politics he was a Dem- ocrat. He married Betsy A. Sullivan, who was born in New Milford, daughter of Henry Sulli- van, and died aged forty-five years. They had four children. of whom three are living: George, who is in the lumber business in New Milford; I came the wife of Russell Rose, and resided in
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Herbert M Rose
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
North Guilford, this county; Damaris (deceased) never married.
Joshua Rose, our subject's father, was born Jan. 9, 1797, and was a lifelong resident of North Branford. In connection with farming he operated a sawmill. As a citizen he was much esteemed, and, while not active in politics. he affiliated with the Democratic party. His death occurred at his farm Oct. 8, 1878, when he was aged eighty-one. In 1838 Mr. Rose married Harriet W. Smith, who died Feb. 4, 1883, at the age of seventy-five. She was a native of West Haven, this county, and her father, Laban Smith, was a wheelwright of that town. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rose, viz .: Russell M., who operates the home- stead ; Herbert M., our subject : George H., a mer- chant in Douglas, Kans .; Charles J., a farmer and truckman in North Branford; and David S., who was in mercantile business in Douglas, Kans., at the time of his death. in 1892.
Herbert M. Rose remained at the old homestead until he reached the age of eighteen, and for one year taught school in a country district. He then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in New Haven for some time, and has occasionally. engaged in it since, but his attention has been given chiefly to the millwright's trade. His services were in demand for setting up water-wheels and ma- chinery in different places, and in 1868 he located in the town of Milford, two and a half miles from the village of that name. His homestead com- prises twenty aeres, and on settling there he put up substantial buildings, including a saw and grist- mill, which he conducts. He also owns and oper- ates a gasoline launch. carrying about twenty-five people, and takes parties cruising down the Sound and up the Hudson river. Politically our subject is a stanch Republican. but he is not an office- seeker.
On Nov. 16, 1860, Mr. Rose married Miss Florence E. Treat, who was born in Woodmont, this county, daughter of Richard Treat, a promi- nent farmer and a descendant of Gov. Robert Treat. The only child of this union. Florence E., died at the age of seventeen years. Mrs. Rose is a mem- ber of the First Congregational Church of Mil- ford.
HENRY . FRANCIS WANNING, president and general manager of the Birmingham Iron Foundry, of Derby, Conn., was born in Massa- chusetts, March 30. 1846. After receiving his earlier education in the public schools of his na- tive town, he entered the high school of Taunton, Mass., where he graduated in 1862.
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