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 77

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 988

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Commemorative biographical record of New Haven county, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, V. I, Pt 3 > Part 77

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Soon after laying aside his text books Mr. Wanning began work in the office of the woolen- mills . of Samuel Slater's Sons at Webster, Mass., but after a time he removed to New York City. where he entered the employ of the New York City Steel Works, and while there became ac-

quainted with the proprietors of the Birminghamn Iron Foundry, of Derby, Conn. Subsequently he was induced by that company to accept the posi- tion of bookkeeper for their establishment, and ever since 1865 he has been identified with that firm in different capacities. In 1879 he was elected their secretary; in 1888 he became treasurer; and in 1891 having acquired a larger interest in the cor- poration, he succeeded Royal M. Bassett as its president and general manager. He has served as a director of the Birmingham National Bank since 1888.

In 1870 Mr. Wanning was married to Miss Har- riet Wallace, eldest daughter of the late Nelson H. Downs, of Shelton, Conn., a lady of marked re- finement and charming personality. Since his mar- riage Mr. Wanning has resided in Shelton, having previously, from 1865, made his home in Derby. He and his wife have three living children: Grace Elizabeth, born in 1871, who was married in 1896, to Julius G. Day ; Francis Downs, secretary of the Birmingham Iron Foundry, born in 1873; and Harriet Downs, born in 1879. Though not a mem- ber, Mr. Wanning is interested in the Second Con- gregational Church of Derby, of which he has been a regular attendant and cheerful supporter since settling at his present locality.

CHARLES CLIFFORD FENN, one of the successful dairymen and fruit growers of Walling- ford, was born in Waterbury, this county, Nov. 15. 1859, a son of Samuel Fenn, who came from Middlebury to Waterbury, where he died. The mother of our subject, Caroline (Smith) Fenn, was a daughter of John Smith, of Bristol, Conn. Two children were born of this union: Frank, a dairy- man of Middlebury, who married Emily Clark ; and Charles C., our subject. Mr. Fenn died in 1860, and Mrs. Fenn subsequently married Alexander Graham. of Bristol. She passed away in Ansonia, Connecticut.

Our subject was but one year old when he was deprived by death of his father. At the age of eight years he was taken to the home of his uncle, Warren Smith, in Ohio, where he was cared for and sent to school, later removing to Iowa, where, in attendance upon school and in farm work, he passed several years. Returning then to Bristol. Conn., he remained there until he was sixteen years old. The opportunities of the West induced him to return to Iowa, and around Des Moines he found employment on farms for a year. He then went to Erie county, Ohio, where he engaged in farm- ing for three years. In 1881 Mr. Fenn came to Wallingford and engaged at farm work with Robert Wallace, later entering the toolmaking room of R. Wallace & Sons spoon factory, and learning the trade, at which he continued for thir- teen years. During that time he bought the pres- ent farin, consisting of sixty-six acres of valuable land in East Wallingford. For the past nine years

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Mr. Fenn has been giving his special attention to dairy farming, making a great success. In addi- tion to making constant improvements. building barns, fences, ete., on this place, Mr. Fenn has es- tablished in Wallingford a machine repair shop, a much needed convenience, which since 1900 has been one of the busiest places in the town.

In 1881 Mr. Fenn married Nellie Bailey, daugh- ter of Stephen Bailey. of Durham, and five chil- dren have been born of this union: Carrie, Wilber, Olive, Mable and Lottie, all living except Mable, who died at the age of four years, leaving a blank in the family circle which can never be filled.

The improvements made upon his place have cost Mr. Fenn much money, his substantial barn alone costing $2.500. The success which has at- tended him is richly deserved, being but the natural result of the energy, frugality and industry . which he has displayed ever since he was thrown upon the world to carve his own fortune. Although not a member of church he accompanies his wife in attendance upon the M. E. Church, to the support of which he is a liberal contributor, and he is always ready to further any enterprise promising good to the community. Mr. Fenn is most highly respected, a good citizen, a Republican who is not too closely tied by party lines, and one of the repre- sentative citizens of New Haven county.

BENJAMIN LOUIS LOUDON was born Dec. 29, 1854, in Greenwich, Conn., and is a son of Allen Loudon, who was born in New York. Thomas Loudon, the father of Allen, served in the Revolutionary war, and is buried in Horse Neck.

Allen Loudon was a shoemaker and was in busi- ness many years in Greenwich, where he died at the age of sixty-three. He was a Democrat. and a faithful and useful citizen. He married Elizabeth Rouschart, who was of French descent. a native of New York, and died at Port Chester, that State. They had ten children : (1) Jackson is a stone- mason and contractor at Greenwich. (2) John is a mechanic in Port Chester, N. Y. (3) Sarah is a widow, and resides in Greenwich. (4) David is a carpenter in Greenwich. (5) Clara is living in Bridgeport. (6) Benjamin Louis is our subject. (7) Elbert is in the teaming business at Port Ches- ter. (8) Hattie is married and living in Port Chester. Two died young. The Loudons are of Scottish descent.

Benjamin Louis Loudon received his schooling in Greenwich, attending until he reached the age of nine years, when he left home to shift for himself. Going to Ridgefield, Conn., he was engaged in farming seven years, and part of his compensation was the privilege of attending the school of the district. At Cheshire he spent some months learn- ing the tinsmith trade with George Keeler, and then returned to farming, working for Almon Ives. with whom he remained about two years. At Mid- dletown he was employed four years as a silver-

plater in the factory of the Simmons & Miller Co .. and was three years with G. I. Mix & Co., at Yales- ville. In 1879 Mr. Loudon came to Wallingford to enter the employ of Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co., with whom he is still engaged. In 1892 he was made general superintendent of the entire plant, and has about three hundred men under his super- vision. Mr. Loudon is a Free Mason. Politically he is an active Republican, but has never been an office seeker.

Mr. Loudon was married Jan. 1, 1878, to Miss Jennie Rhoda Emily Turner, a daughter of Lewis W. Turner, the patentee of the Turner heater. To their union have been born: Elsie Juliette; and Clarence Turner, who is in business with his father.

JAY H. HART, for many years a prominent figure in the manufacturing circles of Waterbury, and widely known as a most capable and reliable man, was born in Berkshire county, Mass., Dec. II, 1847, and comes of a family long established in New England. Alfred Hart, his father, was also born in Berkshire county, Feb. 12, 1812, and died in New Marlborough Feb. 19, 1864. Solomon Hart. his father, was born at Cornwall, Conn., May 8, 1766, and died June 26, 1861. He was the first settler at Hartsville, Mass., which took his name, was a lifelong farmer, and also conducted a gristmill, to which he had a set of saws attached, .also doing sawmill work. Throughout his life he was a busy and industrious man. Solomon Hart, his father, born at Kensington, Conn., was the son of Deacon John Hart, and grandson of Capt. John Hart. John Hart, father of the last named, was the son of Deacon Stephen Hart, who was born in Braintree, county of Essex, England, came to Mas- sachusetts Bay in 1632, and was one of the fifty- four original settlers of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Alfred Hart, father of Jay H., married Miss Cynthia L. Nettleton, who was born in Cornwall. Conn., in 1814, daughter of Jehiel and Annie Net- tleton, and died Sept. 6, 1877. The Nettleton fan- ily has long been identified with Cornwall. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hart settled in Harts- ville, Mass., where he engaged in agricultural pur- suits. To them were born four children: Alonzo M., Lucus W .. Amy J. and Jay H. Alonzo and Amy died in childhood. Lueus W. is a resident of Springfield, Mass. Alfred Hart was originally a Whig, and on the formation of the Republican party associated himself therewith. He was a devout member of the Methodist Church, and an honorable and upright man.

Jay H. Hart was reared to farming at Harts- ville, Mass., where he remained until he was fifteen years of age. He was given a good education, at- tending the local school at Hartsville, and later was a pupil at the Berkshire Institute. As soon as his school days had ended Mr. Hart secured a position as a special agent of the Adams Express Co., and for five years was engaged in traveling all over

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New England, on both railroad and steamer lines. In 1869 he came to Waterbury as freight master at the depot, and held this position for a year and a half. For the same length of time he was with the Plume & Atwood Manufacturing Co., and in Au- gust, 1872, entered the employ of A. Platt & Sons. When that concern became an incorporation. under the name of Platt Brothers & Co., in 1876, Mr. Hart became one of its directors, and the secretary of The Patent Button Co., one of its subsidiary en- terprises.

Mr. Hart and Miss Bertha Platt were united in marriage May 20, 1873, and they are the parents of seven children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows : Amy L., Oct. 4, 1874; Bertha M., Oct. 10, 1876; Lewis J., Aug. 21, 1878; Alfred L .. Dec. 11, 1880; Ruth S., Sept. 22, 1882 ; Dorothy N., Feb. 27, 1889; and Howard P., Aug. 10, 1891. These children are all living, and constitute a very bright and charming circle of young people. Mrs. Hart is a daughter of Clark M. Hart, whose sketch ap- pears elsewhere, and is a lady of many charins and graces.

Mr. Hart has always been a Republican, was a member of the town Republican committee twelve years, and acted several years as its chairman. He has taken a prominent part in town affairs for many years. For fifteen years he was a member of the city council, was secretary of same for five years, and president of the board three years. He was receiver of taxes four years, and a member of the board of fire commissioners ten years. For two years he was on the board of safety. He was an active member of the water committee that built the new reservoir, spending three-quarters of a million dollars in that great undertaking, and was

. also a member of the sewerage disposal committee. Mr. Hart is a member of several of the fraternities, and is prominently associated with both the Free Masons and the Odd Fellows, affiliating with Con- tinental Lodge, A. F. & A. M .. and Nosahogan Lodge, No. 21, I. O. O. F. He is especially adept in Odd Fellowship, and has filled all the chairs in the local lodge. Mr. Hart and his family attend the Second Congregational Church, of which he is a member.

ALFRED SAMUEL BENNETT. Among the representative business men of Cheshire, none are more deserving of representation in this volume than Alfred S. Bennett, who for many years has been connected with the business interests of the community, and who has, through his well-directed efforts, gained a handsome competence that num- bers him among the substantial citizens of the town. Keen discrimination, unflagging industry and. resolute purpose are numbered among his salient characteristics, and thus he has won that prosperity which is the merited reward of honest effort.

England, May 25, 1858, and belongs to an old and prominent family of that county, many of its rep- resentatives holding high positions both in church and State. They have a coat of arms and crest. George Bennett, Jr., father of our subject, is also a native of Camborne, and is a son of George Ben- nett, Sr., a land owner and minister of the Gospel, who spent his entire life in Cornwall. George Ben- nett, Jr., was educated in the schools of his native land, and was a land owner and farmer of Corn- wall until 1882, when he came to America, and now makes his home with his son in Cheshire. He mar- ried Emma Edmonds, a native of the same place, and a daughter of Richard and Mary (Lanyon) Edmonds. By this union were born five children : George, a Methodist Episcopal local preacher, Glenbrook, Conn. ; Richard E., an Episcopal min- ister of Cincinnati, Ohio; William L., a Wesleyan Methodist minister of Sussex, England; Alfred S., our subject : and James, local preacher and meat dealer of South Meriden, Conn. The mother, who was a faithful and consistent member of the Wes- leyan Methodist Church, died in her native land. George, the oldest son of George, Jr., also has a son called George, who is of the seventh genera- tion bearing the name of George, all of whom have been eldest sons and, with three exceptions, min- isters of the gospel-a remarkable fact : the second of these was captain of the Dolcoath mine, of Cam- borne, the richest tin mine in the world; and the fifth, George, Jr., father of Alfred S., has been a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and is a true and earnest Christian.

Alfred Samuel Bennett grew to manhood on the home farm, and was educated in public and private schools of his native land. He remained at home with his parents during his minority, and on May 25, 1879, when he reached the age of twenty-one, he sailed for the New World with the hope of bet- tering his financial condition. He was accon- panied by his brother James. They landed in Hali- fax. Nova Scotia, and from there went to Chatham, Ontario, but a year later came to Connecticut and located on a small farm in Cheshire, where they lived two years, during which time they embarked in the butcher business. From the farm they re- moved to Cheshire Center, where they continued to engage in the meat business and deal in cattle until 1887, when the partnership was dissolved, James going to South Meriden and Alfred retaining the old stand. He is still engaged in that business, and also deals in fertilizers, engages in farming in Cheshire, and has acted as auctioneer since 1803, and by his own well-directed efforts, untiring in- dustry and strict attention to business he has stead- ily prospered, and is now quite well-to-do.

Mr. Bennett has visited his native land several times, and on March 9, 1885, was married in St. Mabyn, Cornwall, to Miss Annie Cleave, a native of St. Kew. the same county, and a daughter of

Mr. Bennett was born in Camborne, Cornwall, | Nicholas Thomas Cleave, of Lanow Barton, St.

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Kew. They have three children: Jane, Evelyn and Melville. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bennett belong to the Grange, and in religious connection both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Bennett takes a very active part in church work, serving as class-leader, has been Sunday-school superintendent sixteen years, Sunday-school teacher, and at the present time is chairman of the board of trustees. Socially he is a charter member of L. A. Thomas Lodge, No. 9. I. O. O. F., of Cheshire, and a member of Temple Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of the same place. His political support is given the men and measures of the Republican party, and he takes a deep interest in the welfare of his party and works earnestly for its success. For eight years he has been a member of the board of seleetmen, and for the past three years has been first selectman. He takes a commendable interest in public affairs, and never withholds his support from any enterprise calculated to advance the moral. edu- cational or material welfare of his town and county. He is therefore numbered among the most valued and useful citizens of the community.

GEORGE C. MINOR has earned an enviable reputation among the successful business men of Waterbury by honorable methods, and has worked his way upward with commendable success. Mr. Minor was born in Woodbury, Conn., May 24, 1847. this town being also the birthplace of his father, Nathaniel D., and of his grandfather, Ephraim.

Ephraim Minor married Olive Judson and reared a family of three children : George C., who became a farmer and lived in Woodbury, where he died while still a young man: Charles, who lived and died on the old homestead; and Nathaniel D.

Nathaniel D. was born May 25, 1817, and was farmer, at present having a farm in the town of Waterbury. He married Frances Arm- strong, a native of Woodbury, and they are the parents of two children : George C .; and Mary Jane, who married Frank R. Baldwin and lives in Jersey City, N. J. The father is a Republican, and an upright and respected citizen. He and wife at- tend the Congregational Church.

George C. Minor spent his boyhood and youth on the farm in Woodbury, and gained his educa- tion at the hands of the teachers of the district school. He attended winter terms until he reached the age of twenty, and when his parents moved to Waterbury he remained on the old farm. and for some eight years, was engaged in its cultivation. Mr. Minor and Miss Ella Louise Waters were mar- ried Jan. 1, 1875. Mrs. Minor was born in New Britain, Conn., and is a daughter of Dr. G. H. Waters. After their marriage they left the farm. and, coming to Waterbury, the young husband set up a retail milk business, which he followed for some twelve years. In 1885 the milk business was sold to other management, and Mr. Minor went into the boot and shoe business on South Main street.

It was a new business venture, but it proved highly successful, and after seven years had attained such proportions that more commodious quarters were needed. These were found at No. 52 Bank street, and here Mr. Minor has since remained. This is a fine store, in the heart of the city, and the center of a flattering trade. Mr. Minor is a Republican, and with his wife attends the Congregational Church.

GEORGE TALCOTT BENTON, Branford. The ancestor in this country of the branch of the Benton family of which the gentleman whose name here appears is a worthy member was (I) Edward Benton, who was born in Wiltshire, England, in 1628, and died in Glastonbury, Conn., in 1698.

(I) Edward Benton first located in Guilford, Conn., where he was admitted as a freeman in 1650. Previous to 1669, together with fifty other families, he and his family moved to Wethersfield, where he became the owner of 150 acres of land by purchase from the Indians for the sum of three shillings, three pence. In 1713 his widow, Marv Benton, was granted by the town of Glastonbury fifty acres of land at a cost of twenty-five pounds, five shillings ; and again, in 1723, she was granted fifty-eight acres of land for fifty-six pounds; still again, in 1743. Edward Benton's heirs were granted twelve acres of land for fifty pounds.

(II) Edward Benton, Jr., son of the emigrant, was born in Glastonbury, Conn., in 1674, and in 1702 married Mary Hale, of that town, who died in 1713.

(III) Josiah Benton, son of Edward, Jr., was born in Glastonbury in 1705, and died there in 1793. In 1735 he married Hannah House, of the same place. At the beginning of the Revolutionary war ; he took the oath of fidelity to the State and coun- try, and also became a member of the First Ecclesi- astical Society of. Glastonbury. At the age of sev- enty he enlisted in the Connecticut militia, went from the town of Tolland, Conn., and served in the first "Lexington Alarm," April 19. 1775.

(IV) Josialı Benton, Jr., son of Josiah, was born in Glastonbury, Conn., in 1745, and died at his Glastonbury home in 1826. In 1769 he married Dorothy Smith. At the age of thirty he joined the Continental army, going with his father as a pri- vate in the Connecticut militia from Tolland, and serving in the first "Lexington Alarm." On May 3, 1775, he enlisted in the 5th Company, 2d Regi- ment, Connecticut Militia, Col. Spencer command- ing. The next year he served as a private in Capt. Abram Tyler's Company, 17th Regiment, Connecti- cut Continental Infantry, Col. Jedidiah Hunting- ton commanding, and was in the battle of Long Island.

(V) Josiah Benton. third son of Josiah and Dorothy ( Smith) Benton, was born in Glastonbury in 1771, and in 1703 married Sarah Talcott, who was also a native of that town, born of an old Con-

George 1. Benton

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

necticut family. In 1799, with his wife and fam- ily, he removed to Greenport, Columbia Co., N. Y., and he died at Hudson, N. Y., in 1853. His farm, consisting of 125 acres, was always in a high state of cultivation, and a solid stone house there- on, erected in 1729, is still in good repair.

(VI) Orsmer Benton, son of above, was born in Glastonbury Aug. 21, 1799, and was reared in Columbia county, N. Y. For about fourteen years he was in the whaling and merchant service, and for forty years was engaged in the grocery busi- ness in New York City. On June 18, 1829, lie married Mary C. De Re Vere, daughter of Abra- ham and Catherine (Van Wyck) De Re Vere, of New York. She bore him five sons, Josiah H., Walter De R .. Orsmer H., George T. and Frank WV. Orsmer Benton died Sept. 5, 1879, in Brook- lyn. Of his sons,

(VII) Josiah H. Benton was born in New York City June 14, 1830. In March. 1862, he enlisted in the United States navy for service in the war of the Rebellion, and received his commission as act- ing assistant paymaster in the navy Sept. 11, 1862. Being ordered to the Mississippi Squadron, he re- ported to Rear-Admiral Charles H. Davis, com- manding at Cairo, Ill. He reported at Helena, Ark., Sept. 21, 1862, and was assigned for duty to the United States ship "Cairo" (iron-clad) Oct. I, same year. The "Cairo" was sunk by a torpedo in the Yazoo river Dec. 12, 1862. On Dec. 15. of that year he was ordered to the United States naval sta- tion at Memphis, Tenn., which included the navy yard and the United States hospital ship "Pinck- ney." On Jan. 20, 1864, he was ordered to the United States ship "Meteor" (a new iron-clad ves- sel), at Cincinnati, Ohio, and was ordered to turn that vessel over to Admiral D. G. Farragut, at New Orleans, and reported to that officer Feb. I, 1864. He next reported for duty at Alexandria, La., March 21, 1864. on board the United States monitor "Osage," which ship took an active part in the Red river expedition. The "Osage" was the second vessel to pass over the Red river dam at Alexandria Falls on the morning of May 9, 1864; also was the last vessel to leave the Red river, and she was ordered to Cairo, Ill., for repairs. She grounded at the mouth of the St. Francis river, on her way up the Mississippi river, May 22, 1864, and remained there until the river rose and floated her off, Nov. 22, 1864, when she was ordered to the West Gulf Squadron, and reported in January, 1865, at Mobile, where she was sunk by a torpedo in the battle of Mobile. Paymaster Benton was at the surrender of Spanish Fort and Fort Alexis, April 8, 1865 ; also at the surrender of Mobile, April 12, 1865. He was next ordered to Washington to settle. his account. and was honorably discharged Sept. 25, 1865. He died at Copake. N. Y., Sept. 4, 1895. He married Elizabeth Haws Edwards, of Hudson, N. Y .; they had no children.

(VII) Walter De R. Benton, who was a con-

tractor, was born Dec. 30, 1831, and died in Pough- keepsie, N. Y., Oct. 15, 1884. He married Rachel Leonard, of Albany, N. Y .. and had two children, Saralı M. and Walter.

(VII) Orsmer H. Benton, son of Orsmer and Mary C. (De Re Vere) Benton, was born in New York City June 26. 1839. He settled in Memphis, Tenn., where he married Susan M. Lamdin. He entered the United States navy in the war of the Rebellion as paymaster's clerk, in September, 1862, was honorably discharged in 1863, and still resides in Memphis.

(VII) George Talcott Benton, fourth son of Orsmer and Mary C. (De Re Vere) Benton, was born in New York City Oct. 13, 1846, and was reared and educated in his native city. Since 1866 he has been a resident of Branford, where he has been engaged in various occupations, though by trade he is a bricklayer. On June 19, 1873, he mar- ried Ellen Foote Stedman, daughter of Harry and Betsy (Foote) Stedman, of Branford, and they have one son, (VIII) Josiah H., born in Branford Feb. 10, 1881, who is a student at Yale.

(VII) Frank W. Benton was born in New York City Oct. 2, 1848, and is now a resident of New Orleans. He married Annie Lovell, of that city.

Mr. and Mrs. George T. Benton are members of the Episcopal Church. Socially he is affiliated with the F. & A. M., Lodge No. 66. Politically he is a Republican. He has in his possession a rare collection of relics, handed down through the fam- ily, all of which are catalogued, and too numerous to mention here. Among those, however, that are most interesting are the following: A set of Lowestoft china. nineteen pieces, nine pieces of glassware, and sixteen pieces of pewterware, which have been in the Benton family since 1660; a large collection of old books dating from 1771 to 1818, which include an English primer of 1800, a gram- mar, 1818, and arithmetic, 1809; Washington's "Farewell address to the People," printed at Hud- son, N. Y., in 1811, and a Latin book, printed in 1715; a pack of playing cards left by his grandfa- ther, 1820; an old-fashioned shawl, 1830; piece of Sandwich Island cloth made from bark; piece of tile from St. John's Church. Hampton, Va .. 1630; silver medal from King of Sweden: besides other interesting relics from fifty to two hundred years old.

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Commemorative biographical record of New Haven county, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, V. I, Pt 3, Part 77

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 988

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 988