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 82
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
Mortimer Connor, father of our subject, wa's born in County Kerry, Ireland, a son of Daniel Connor, a native of the same county, and a weaver by trade. He came to the United States, locating first.in Albany, N. Y., later in Waterbury, Conn., where he died. Mortimer was a young man when he came to America, settling in Waterbury, where he followed the trade of blacksmithing up to his death, which occurred about twenty-five years ago. In that city he married Catherine Sullivan, also a native of Ireland. daughter of Dennis Sullivan, who was a butcher, followed his trade in the old coun- Jonathan R. Crampton was born in Madison in 1809, and in early life engaged in school teaching in New York State and Ohio. Subsequently he was employed as a bookkeeper in New York City, and still later conducted a woolen mill in Water- 1 ville, Conn. He was also internal revenue collector for some years, and was an ardent Republican in try, and died there. To Mortimer Connor and his wife were born eleven children. as follows: Roger is the subject of these lines : Daniel is in the liquor business in Waterbury; Dennis is a mechanic in Waterbury: Mathew's whereabouts are not known ; Mortimer died in 1898: Joseph is a member of the Bridgeport B. B. C. : Hannah married Robert Wil- : politics. Honored and respected by all who knew son; and they live in New York; Mary married | him, he passed away in Waterbury, in 1873. He
1136
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
married Susan Starkey, a native of Essex, Conn .. and a daughter of Richard Starkey, who was a ship carpenter by trade. She is still living and now makes her home in New Haven.
.
Harry I. Crampton is sixth in the order of birth ยท in a family of seven children, the others being as follows: William, deceased, was employed by the Goodyear India Rubber Glove Co., of Naugatuck; Ella died in infancy; Charles is station agent at Branford, Conn .: Emma died in infancy; George is a machinist and engraver for the Goodyear Me- tallic Rubber Shoe Co., of Naugatuck ; and How- ard is employed in the office of a ribbon manufactory of New York.
The education of Harry I. Crampton was ob- tained in the public schools of Waterbury, where he pursued his studies until thirteen years of age, and then entered a real estate office in that place, where he was employed for three years. He next engaged in house and sign painting until the fall of 1880, when he came to Naugatuck and entered the office of the Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe Co., with which he has since been connected with the exception of two years from 1886 to 1888. He has worked his way steadily upward from office box to his present responsible position, that of assist- ant superintendent.
1
Mr. Crampton was married, May 3, 1883, to Miss Mary Schenck, of Waterbury, a daughter of John Schenck, who came from New Jersey and was of German extraction. They have one child, Charles. Mr. Crampton was reared in the Congre- gational Church, to which his ancestors all be- longed. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men at Naugatuck, and affiliates with the Republican party. For twen- ty years he has been a resident of Naugatuck, and is not only highly esteemed by his fellow citizens, but has the confidence and respect of the company with which he has long been connected, as is at- tested by his frequent promotions and his appoint- ment to the important position which he is now so creditably and satisfactorily filling.
FREDERICK M. STEVENS has in his influ- ential and useful career aided materially in making the enviable reputation which Waterbury enjoys. He has mastered his business, and knows all its details, and those for whom he works have every confidence in his honesty and ability. Important responsibilities are placed upon him, and never has he failed to meet the expectations of ability and in- tegrity.
Mr. Stevens was born in Danbury, Conn., son of Charles T. Stevens, and passed his early days in his native place, where he was a student in the public school. The scene of his first labor when he left school to care for himself was the Pacific Iron Works, at Bridgeport, this State. To prepare himself adequately for a successful career in the in- dustrial world the young man went to Cornell Uni-
1
versity, in the State of New York, where he studied mechanical engineering for three years. In 1875 Mr. Stevens came to Waterbury, and in company with A. S. Upson for a time manufactured sewing machine needles. After this the Waterbury Needle Co. was formed, and Mr. Stevens became secretary of the concern. When this house passed out of business he associated himself with W. G. Creamer & Co., and was superintendent of their factory in Brooklyn. In the development and management of several other enterprises Mr. Stevens was active- ly interested until he came back to Waterbury, in 1890, in which year he was made superintendent of the Mathews & Willard Manufacturing Co., and is still engaged in that capacity.
Mr. Stevens and Miss Cornelia M. Upson were married June 1, 1875. Mrs. Stevens was born in Farmington, but has always lived in Waterbury. Mr. Stevens is a Republican in political opinion. Fraternally he belongs to Commonwealthi Lodge. No. 409, F. & A. M., of Brooklyn, and to Townsend' Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Waterbury. He attends the Second Congregational Church, to which his family belong.
SAMUEL PARMELEE WILLIAMS, a prom- inent real-estate and insurance man of Waterbury,. and doing an extensive loan business as well, sus- tains a fine reputation for probity and ability. Mr. Williams was born in Litchfield, Conn., Aug. 8,. 1846, son of Robert Williams, who was born in Watertown, Connecticut.
Samuel Williams, his great-grandfather, was. born in Berlin, Conn., and engaged in farming in. that locality, becoming an extensive land owner. He was a representative of a family that had mi- grated to Connecticut from Roxbury, Mass., many members of whom have held high place and proven themselves men of more than ordinary ability and standing.
William Russell Williams, the grandfather of Samuel P., was born in Berlin, Conn., and there grew to manhood. He served as a private in the war of 1812. By his marriage with Rebecca Castle he had a family of eight children, as follows : (1) Adeska, who married Allan Castle, a farmer in Watertown; (2) Robert, the father of Samuel' P .: (3) William, a farmer in the town of Litch- field, Conn., where he died; (4) Betsey, who mar- ried Sheldon Morris, of Bridgeport; (5) Amelia, who married Bennett Perry, an employe of the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Co., at Bridge -- port; (6) Samuel, a merchant at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he died; (7) Mary, who married James. Canfield, a wholesale grocer ; and (8) Abbie, who married Henry Neal, a mechanic of Litchfield. Mr. Williams was a farmer and cattle dealer.
Robert Williams, the father of Samuel P., was born in 1810, and died in Litchfield, Conn., at the age of eighty-one. He was a tailor for sixty years in the latter place. At the time the "Astor House"
.
-
FA
SOWrittaus
1137
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
was being built in New York City, and its pro- prietor, Jolin Jacob Astor, was incurring consider- able ridicule for building so far out of town, Mr. Williams was in that city learning his trade. He married Helen E. Trowbridge, who was born in Litchfield, daughter of James Trowbridge. She died in Waterbury. The Trowbridge family is of English origin, and for many years has been lo- cated in this State. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Will- iams were the parents of four children: Helen, who died at the carly age of twenty-one ; William R., connected with the Waterbury Brass Co .; Charles P., who died in 1873. an employe of the Miller & Peck Dry Goods Co. for many years ; and Samuel P.
Samuel P. Williams spent the first nineteen years of his life in Litchfield, and on leaving his home secured a position with Cowles & Leete, wholesale druggists at New Haven. For two years he was with that firm, gaining a good knowledge of the drug business, and then went back to Litch- field to hold the chief clerkship in the postoffice there. In 1868 Mr. Williams came to Waterbury and entered the employ of the Apothecaries Hall Co., where he was engaged until 1870. That year, in company with William C. Hillard, he engaged in the drug business under the firm name of Hillard & Williams. The new firm did a good business, and in 1875 Mr. Williams bought out his partner, becoming sole proprietor of the establishment. For some twelve years he continued in the business, and in 1887 sold out his store, engaging in the real-estate, loan and insurance business, which he has followed to the present time. Mr. Williams is a very extensive money loaner, and has probably handled more money in this way than some of the local banks, who are his customers. He made one loan of $300,000, and another of $125.000. He is president of the Tennessee River Navigation Co., doing business on the Tennessee river from Kings- ton, Tenn., to Decatur, Ala., about four hundred miles, with headquarters at Chattanooga.
In 1873 Mr. Williams married Ella S. Rice, daughter of 'A. F. Rice, whose sketch appears else- where. Three children were born to this union : Helen T., Samuel P., Jr., and Dorothy E. Mr. Williams is a Republican, and has been elected treas- urer of the town. In local politics he has taken an active part, and for many years has been a member of the town committee, serving as its chairman for about eight years. For nearly thirty-five years he has attended the services of St. John's Church, and has filled the position of vestryman in that body. Mr. Williams has always identified himself with all kinds of open-air athletics, and with William B. Merriman has held the State championship in lawn tennis. Socially he belongs to the Waterbury Club.
EDWIN HAMPSON WIRTEMBURG. a pro- gressive and enterprising business man of Ansonia. was born Aug. 29, 1857, in Bridgeport, Conn., son 72
of Valton Wirtemburg, and grandson of Bartholo- mew Wirtemburg. He is of German and English extraction, and lias held an honorable place for many years. In the early history of South Germany that country was ruled by a number of large land own- ers, who often took their names from their prop- erty or from some achievement in their family his- tory. The former was the case with the Wirtem- burg family, who ruled over a large tract of moun- tainous country bordering on the Black Forest. The name was originally Writt-um-berg, meaning "lord of mountain," which afterward became a por- tion of what is now South Germany, the state of Wurtemberg.
Bartholomew Wirtemburg was an officer in that part of the German army that saw service under Napoleon Bonaparte, and he took part in the famous. Moscow campaign, serving fourteen years in the army, and receiving a gold medal for his service. He was a prominent citizen of Augmesingen, Wur- temberg, Germany. After retiring from the army he held the position of burgomaster of the city of Augmesingen until his death, the office passing down to the eldest male child, next in line, living in that country ; it is held at the present time by a cousin of our subject.
Valton Wirtemburg, our subject's father, was born in Augmesingen, Germany, Feb. 12, 1832, was- graduated from the theological seminary at Obern- dorf, Germany, and came to America soon after- ward. settling in New Milford, Conn. In 1861 he moved to Derby, Conn., where he had charge of the furniture factory of Summers & Lewis. In 1865 he formed a partnership with O. B. Coles, of New Milford, for the manufacture of furniture. in Bridgeport, Conn. In 1876 he moved back to Derby and took a position with the Sterling Piano & Organ Co., but finally located in Ansonia. In 1890 he retired from active business. Mr. Wirtemburg was the first senior warden elected in Emmanuel P. E. Church, and has held that position continu- ously ever since ; he has been superintendent of the Sunday-school from its incorporation. He is a member of Housatonic Lodge, No. 6, I. O. O. F., of Derby. He married Elizabeth Hampson Shaw, who was born in Ripenden, near Halifax. York- shire, England, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Shaw, and granddaughter of. Sir John Hampson, of Hampson Court, Yorkshire. Her father was an officer in the British dragoons, and fought under the Duke of Wellington at the battle of Waterloo. He died at the age of eighty-nine years. Our sub- ject's mother died in the year 1878, at the age of forty-five years. She was the mother of seven chil- dren, of whom four are living: Edwin Hampson. our subject : Emma E., wife of David S. Miles. superintendent of the Seymour Mig. Co .; George H., foreman of the Mathews Mfg. Co., of Seymour : and Joseph B., chief engineer of the Seymour Mig. Co.
Our subject's early years were spent in Bridge-
1138
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
port. Conn., where he received a public-school ed- ucation. In 1874 he moved to Derby to take a po- sition with the Sterling Piano & Organ Co., and on leaving there, five years later, he spent five years engaged in the manufacture of cigars at Southing- ton, Conn. In 1888 he located at Columbus, Ohio. whence he removed to Ansonia. In 1894 he went to California, where he took charge of the Eagle Milling & Gold Mining Co., located at Placerville, Eldorado county, as manager and part owner. Re- turning later to Ansonia, he started the grocery business, which was very successful. In the early part of 1901 he retired from the grocery business in Ansonia, and has since divided his time between his property in Ansonia and at Cedar Beach, Mil- ford, Conn. He is also interested in a large prop- erty in Virginia.
1
On Jan. 10, 1877, Mr. Wirtemburg married Miss Susan Jackson, a daughter of John and Eliza- beth Jackson, and they had one daughter, Jessie Norma Wirtemburg, who was married, April 20. 1897, to Jerome D. Perkins. She was a member of the local musical circle, and organist of the Em- manuel Church for several years ; she died Nov. 24, 1900.
Politically our subject is a Republican. He also takes active interest in church work. having been clerk of Emmanuel Church parish since it was incorporated, and took charge of the musical part of the service for a number of years. Fraternally he is a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 75. I. O. O. F., of Plantsville, in which he has held various of- fices. He is one of the oldest living members of the Hotchkiss Hose Company, of Derby, and a charter member of the Southington Hook & Ladder Co., No. I.
SAMUEL N. OVIATT, a leading merchant of Milford; was born in that town Sept. 17. 1840, son of Samuel and Abigail ( Ford) Oviatt.
The Oviatt family is probably of Welsh origin, and our subject traces nis descent from Thomas Oviatt, one of the first settlers in Milford. Samuel Oviatt (I), his great-great-grandfather, and Sam- uel Oviatt (2), his great-grandfather. were both born in Milford. Abel Oviatt, our subject's grand- father, was also a native of Milford, and for many years followed the sea. While on his trips he made a practice of purchasing molasses for his sons to sell in Milford, and it may be said that their grocery business was established there in that way in 1820. He died in 1850, aged eighty-one years. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Mal- lory, became the parents of two children : Samuel, our subject's father ; and Curtis, who was in part- nership in the grocery business with his brother for a short time, and also in a tannery and lumber yard. and on selling his interest to his brother engaged in teaching school.
Samuel Oviatt. our subject's father, was born and reared in Milford, and died there Sept. 4,
!
1876. Ile was an independent in politics and a Congregationalist in religion. He continued the grocery business until 1850, when he retired to his farm to spend his declining years. He married Abigail Ford, of Milford, whose mother, Eunice ( Treat) Ford, was a granddaughter of Gov. Treat. Mrs. Oviatt died leaving a family of three children : Juliette, wife of Charles Tuttle, a shoemaker and tailor in Milford: Mary, wife of Lewis B. Malett, a butcher of Stratford ; and Samuel N., our subject. The father served for some time in the local gren- adiers.
During boyhood Samuel N. Oviatt attended the schools of Milford, and later Williston Seminary, where he was graduated in 1867. He then entered Yale College, but sickness compelled him to give up his course, although he afterward tutored for a time and studied theology in Union Theological Seminary, New York. While there he sang in one of the churches, and was in W. H. Dana's orchestra, playing the 'cello. In 1872 he engaged in his present business, as a dealer in dry goods and gro- ceries, feed, hardware and similar commodities, in which he has been very successful, his store on West Main street being well patronized.
On July 16, 1873, Mr. Oviatt married Miss Mary Furman, of Milford, a daughter of Henry Furman, of western New York. Two children have blessed this union : Lorenzo Pratt and Abbie, both at home. Lorenzo is now ( 1902) in his sec- ond year as a student in the music department of Yale, and is musical director for the Y. M. C. A. of his county. His instrument is the organ. Mr. Oviatt, like others of his family, is independent in politics. He is connected with various organiza- tions, including the National Provident Union and the Masonic fraternity, in which latter he was made master in 1866. As a member of the First Congre- gational Church he has been active in religious work, serving as superintendent of the Sunday- school, and as deacon.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSTON, a leading agri- culturist and highly esteemed citizen of Waterbury, New Haven county, residing on the Bradleyville road, was born in Newark, N. J., Nov. 15, 1857, and is of Scotch-Irish descent.
Archibald Johnston, his father, was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, and came to America when a young man. He first located in Newark, N. J., where for some years he served as foreman for his father-in-law, William Beard, a contractor and dealer in coal, and later had charge of his busi- ness in Brooklyn, making his home there. There he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Ann Beard, a native of Brooklyn, and to them were born three children : Mary and Edith, who died young ; and William H., our subject. The parents both died in Brooklyn, the father in 1884, the mother in 1862, and their remains were interred in Greenwood cem- etery. They were members of the Episcopal Church
1
1139
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and were held in high regard by all who knew them. In his political views the father was a Democrat. For his second wife he married Della Norton, who died in Brooklyn in 1886, and was also buried in Greenwood cemetery. By that union there was one son, Charles Francis, who is a resident of Water- bury, Connecticut.
William H. Johnston attended the public schools of Brooklyn, and also a polytechnic school, from which he was graduated. He began his business life in the office of J. P. and G. C. Robinson, of New York, with whom he remained seven years, and in 1878 came to Waterbury, New Haven Co., Conn., and purchased the Wheaton farm of IOS acres, on the Bradleyville road, upon which he has made many useful and valuable improvements that add greatly to its attractive appearance. As an agricult- urist he has met with success, becoming quite well- to-do.
On Aug. 3. 1881, in Waterbury. Mr. Johnston married Miss Fanny Tracy, a native of Morris. Conn., and a sister of George Tracy, a contractor of Waterbury, in whose sketch will be found a history of her family. Mrs. Johnston received a good high-school education, and for seventeen years successfully engaged in teaching in Watertown, Litchfield, Wolcott, Thomaston and Middlebury, Conn. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have four children. whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Daisy Edith, March 28, 1884; Bella M., July 31. 1886; William F., April 30, 1889; and Archibald L., May 11, 1892. The family attend the Episcopal Church, and are quite prominent socially in the community where they reside.
Politically Mr. Johnston is not identified with any particular party, but casts his ballot for the men whom he believes best qualified to fill the of- fices. Fraternally he is a member of the I. O. O. F .; the Knights of Pythias; the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks: the Independent Order of Foresters; and the Improved Order of Red Men. He has traveled extensively in Europe and Amer- ica, and has become, as every traveler should, a man of broad mind and liberal views. He is gen- erous, progressive and charitable, and is very pop- ular with a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
TIMOTHY O'ROURKE, proprietor of a pop- ular grocery and grain and feed business in Water- bury, is a native of Ireland, born in 1850 in County Kerry, son of John and Honora ( McEllegott) O'Rourke, both also natives of County Kerry.
follows the business of collector ; and William died in New York.
Timothy O'Rourke received his education in his native land, and at the age of seventeen came to America, settling in Waterbury, where he has ever since made his home. For a time he worked for Brown Bros., also for Benedict & Burnham, and later in the clock-case shops. In 1875 he embarked in his present grocery and liquor business on Sco- vill street, to which he in 1892 added grain and feed, and has been most deservedly successful. He is wholesale agent for the New England Brewing Co. for the Naugatuck valley, and has been one of the directors of same since April 1, 1901. In 1878 he built a brick block on Scovill street, and in 1888 another brick block on that street. He has made all he possesses by hard work, coupled with sound judgment and good management.
In 1871 Mr. O'Rourke married . Ellen Allman, a native of Ireland, and ten children have been born to them, five of whom are yet living: James, Norean, Timothy, Ellen and Josephine. The family attend the services of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Waterbury. Socially Mr. O'Rourke is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Hepta- sophs, the Foresters of America and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. In politics he is a Democrat, and has served as councilman, also as alderman of the Fifth ward, and at the present time is a mem- ber of the town committee.
NICHOLAS JENKINS, former assistant su- perintendent and designer for the Holmes, Booth. & Haydens Mfg. Co., Waterbury, was born on the Atlantic ocean between the years 1835 and 1840, while his parents were on their way to this country.
Richard Jenkins, his father, born in England, was a blacksmith by trade, also a veterinary sur- geon. On arriving in the United States, he came to Buffalo, N. Y., and was there employed by the Ohio Stage Co., and then went to Ontario to work for the same company. He died about 1850, the father of seven children: Mary, the eldest, is the widow of Jacob Johnson, who was a tailor by trade, and she lives in Hamilton, Ontario; Jane, Joseph and William are deceased; two died in infancy ; Nicholas, our subject, is the youngest, and the mother died about the time of his birth.
Nicholas Jenkins received his education in part in Buffalo, N. Y., in part in Niagara Falls, N. Y., and he also attended school in Hamilton, Ont., while with his sister. At the age of fifteen he com- menced learning the cabinet-making trade, paint- ing and decorating, etc., serving his apprenticeship in Hamilton and Buffalo. For two years he fol- lowed painting and decorating in Wattsburg, Pa., and then returned to Buffalo, and after considerable time passed in that city in his line of work he re- moved to New York City, where he was similarly
John O'Rourke came with his family to the United States, settling in Waterbury, where he was employed in a button shop: he died in 1895. His wife passed away in 1898. They were the parents of six children: Timothy is the eldest; Joanna is the wife of John McCarty, of Waterbury; Eliza- beth. the wife of Eugene Lynch, died in Water- bury; Honora is the wife of Michael Sheehan, of . employed for some time. He was also in Boston, Waterbury; Jolin lives in Bridgeport, where he . Mass., and New Haven, Conn., where he exhibited
--
1140
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
a machine he had invented for sinking molds in solid wood, for the making of door panels. This machine was known as the Jenkins Paneling Ma- chine. He also invented tools to sink molds in marble ; and invented a substitute for whale bone, which was made of braided wire. His paneling machine was exhibited at the Centennial Exposi- tion in 1876 at Philadelphia, but unfortunately for Mr. Jenkins the invention did not prove a financial success to hiin. In 1879, while in New Haven, working at his inventions, the Holmes, Booth & Haydens Mfg. Co., sought his services and the right to manufacture his goods. Of the latter they made a failure, but Mr. Jenkins remained in their em- ploy until January, 1901.
While living in Buffalo Mr. Jenkins married Miss M. J. Tucker, who died in New York City. Three children were born of this marriage, of whom two died in infancy; the other, L. B., married H. E. Brunt, had two children, and died in 1880. In 1870 Mr. Jenkins married Fannie C. Doane, of Bos- ton, Mass. They attend the services of the Con- gregational Church. Socially he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of the New England Order of Protection, and other bene- ficiary societies ; in politics he is independent.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.