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 83
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JOHN MERRIAM PAGE comes of a family of English descent. His grandfather, Benjamin Page, was born in North Branford. New Haven county, and was a farmer by occupation. His fam- ily consisted of four children, Esther, Lois, Benja- min ( father of John M.) and Daniel. Esther mar- ried Augustus Rogers, a young farmer of the town ' in which she had been born and grown to woman- hood, and after her death he married her sister Lois. Daniel, who was also a farmer, died while yet a young man.
Benjamin Page (2), the father of John M., was also born in North Branford. He married Sarah E. Merriam, of Meriden, and they became the parents of five children : ( 1) Jolin M. is mentioned below. (2) Charles is a Congregational minister, residing in North Branford, where he wields a strong po- litical influence. (3) Benjamin is one of the promi- nent and influential citizens of Meriden, where he carries on an insurance business. He has been mayor of the city, and has represented his district in the Legislature. (4) Martha married T. A. Smith, a successful merchant and farmer of North- ford. (5) Robert, who has never married. lives in the old homestead. Benjamin Page (2), the father, inherited the old homestead and engaged in farming. He was a man who commanded re- spect alike by the force of his intellect and the sturdy integrity of his character. He was a Dem- ocrat in politics, and for many years filled various local offices. among them those of town clerk, town . treasurer and justice of the peace.
was supplemented by a year's training in Meriden. and at the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to the tinner's trade, at Northford. After becoming a journeyman he worked there, as well as at Clin- ton and at Newark, N. J. In 1874 he settled at Naugatuck, where he purchased a general hardware and tinware business. To its management he brought keen perception and deep penetration, untiring in- dustry and practical knowledge, a landable ambition and the faculty of giving close attention to every detail. He has prospered greatly, his success being the natural outcome of his own efforts. The busi- ness, now conducted by the firm of John M. Page & Co., is located in the building in Church street, and in addition to the general hardware business they do plumbing, besides contracting for the in- stallation of steam, hot-air and hot-water heating apparatus and plants. They also manufacture tin, sheet iron, brass and copper ware.
Forty-one years ago Mr. Page married Miss Carrie C. Cook, a daughter of Leverett Cook, of "Wallingford. The only child born of the union died in infancy. After the death of his first wife Mr. Page married Rebecca, daughter of Harry Will- iams, also of Wallingford. They had four daugh- ters: Carrie C., who married Horace E. Baldwin, of Naugatuck ; Nellie M., who became the wife of WV. P. Clark, formerly of Prospect, but now of Naugatuck ; Leafie B., now Mrs. W. H. Miner, of the same town ; and Mattie R., who was united to Frank Squires, of Naugatuck. After the death of Mrs. Rebecca Page our subject married Miss Sarah C. Williams, of Meriden, whose father, Henry Will- iams, was a citizen of Wallingford.
Mr. Page is a Democrat, and has been repeatedly the successful candidate of his party for various important offices. For more than a decade he was town treasurer, in 1898 he was chosen a member of the Legislature, to which he was re-elected in 1900. For nearly twenty years he has been senior warden of St. Michael's Episcopal parish. He is a thirty- second-degree Mason, affiliating with Corinthian Lodge, No. 103, A. F. & A. M. : Allerton Chapter, No. 39. R. A. M. ; Waterbury Council. No. 21, R. & S. M .: Clark Commandery, No. 7, K. T. ; Doric Lodge of Perfection, No. 14, A. & A. S. R .: Ionic Council, No. 16, P. of J., A. & A. S. R. ; Lafayette Sovereign Consistory ( 32d degree), A. & A. S. R. : Pyramid Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .: Evergreen Chapter, No. 22. O. E. S .; and Court No. 2, Or- der of the Amaranth.
REV. FRANKLIN COUNTRYMAN. Only the history of the good and great comes down to us through the ages. The true religion has been the strongest influence known to man through all time, while the many false doctrines that have sprung up have flourished only for a day and then vanished. More potent at the present time than at any period i in the world's history are the work and influence
John M. Page was born Feb. 14. 1838. in North Branford. His attendance at the district school , of Christianity, and among those who are devoting
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John M Page
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their lives to its inculcation among men is Mr. . Countryman, the honored pastor of the Congrega- tional Church of North Branford.
The Countryman (or Landmann) family was founded in America by three brothers, who emi- grated from Germany in 1710 or 1711, and took up land in the Mohawk Valley, New York. From Conrad, one of. these brothers, our subject traces his descent. He secured a tract of land near that of his brothers, and while clearing the same for farm purposes, he also engaged in hunting. His son, Jacob Countryman, born, probably, 1732, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war in Col. Clyde's regiment of the line. under the immediate command of Capt. Diefendorf. and took part in various en- gagements. The next in direct descent was Nich- olas Countryman, who was born in 1762 or 1763, and died in 1837. He first married Christina Outhout, who died in 1824, aged sixty years. His second wife, Charity Petten, survived him several years. One son by the first union, Nicholas Coun- tryman (2), was born in Stark, Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1800, and was the youngest of the family. He resided in his native county for many years and followed stone cutting or the mason's trade. He died in Montgomery county, N. Y., in 1873. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Betsy Ann C. Eckler, was also born in Stark, Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1799, and died in 1881. Her grandfa- ther, Capt. Henry Eckler, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and attained considerable local distinction as an Indian fighter. Her father, Jacob Eckler, was once carried away by the red men, and had his ears pierced by them. In Minden, N. Y .. he married a Miss Fetterly, and died in 1800, at about the age of ninety-five years. The children born to Nicholas and Betsy Ann (Eckler) Coun- tryman were as follows: Jacob, deceased ; Mary. widow of Dewitt C. Richardson, of Michigan; Lydia, who died at the age of twenty years; Caro- line, who married John Cronkhite, deceased ; Nich- olas, father of our subject : Asa, a retired minister, who has had charges in Massachusetts, Connecti- cut, Iowa, Illinois and New Mexico; Levi, who went to California in the early 'fifties, and has not since been heard from; Alfred, a resident of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Paul, a resident of Michigan ; Elizabeth, who married G. P. Cummings, and resides in Iowa ; and Eliza, who married Alonzo Saunders.
Nicholas Countryman (3). the father of our subject, was born in the town of Stark, Herkimer Co., N. Y., Oct. 25, 1825, and is now a resident of New Haven. Throughout his active business life he was a contractor and builder, and erected many of the finest buildings in that city, including the city hall, St. Thomas' Church, St. John's Roman Cath- olic Church and the Church of the Sacred Heart. He was also part owner of a planing mill for many years, but is now living retired from active labor. In his political views he is a Democrat, and has served as alderman from his ward and as a mem-
ber of the board of selectmen. For many years he has been an active and prominent member of the Howard Avenue Congregational Church, and is a man highly respected by all who know him. In 1848 he was married, in this State, to Louisa Hine, who was born May 30, 1825. a daughter of Heze- kiah and Abigail (Talmadge) . Hine. By this union were born seven children, namely: Franklin, our subject ; W. A., who was employed on the Hartford Evening Post, and was president of the board of councilmen of that city, and now has a position in the Census Bureau at Washington, D. C .: Charles, a carpenter and joiner of New Haven ; Edwin, who is engaged in the same business in that city; Louisa, wife of E. H. Wight, of New Rochelle, N. Y .; Robert E., also a carpenter of New Haven; and Stella, who died in infancy.
Franklin Countryman, whose name introduces this review. was born in New Haven Sept. 23, 1849, and between the ages of nine and thirteen years at- tended the Lovell school of that city, after which he was a student in the Hopkins Grammar school for four years. In 1866 he entered Yale University, from which he was graduated in 1870. Among his associates there who have attained particular prom- inence may be named: J. G. K. McClure, formerly president of Lake Forest University ; Roderick Ter- ry, D. D., pastor of the Madison Avenue Reformed Church, New York City: E. S. Dana, a professor at Yale : and Dr. W. H. Welch, of Johns Hopkins University. The year following his graduation Mr. Countryman taught in the academy at Clinton, Conn., and then entered the Yale Divinity School, completing the course in 1874. His first charge was at Prospect, Conn., where he remained three years. The following two years were spent at Georgetown, Conn., and in 1882 he became pastor of the North Branford Congregational Church, with which he is still connected.
In 1870 Mr. Countryman wedded Miss Mary I. Pickett, a daughter of Judge Pickett, of New Ha- Ven. She died in 1877, and in 1880 he married Miss Ella S. Butricks, a daughter of G. H. But- ricks. deceased, formerly a druggist of New Haven. He has one child, Ella May, who was born Nov. 9. 1882, and has attended school in New Haven. Although he is somewhat independent in his po- litical views, Mr. Countryman usually supports the Republican party. Fraternally he is a member of the Grange ( being at present chaplain of the State Grange) : the Sons of the American Revolution ; Corinthian Lodge, No. 103, F. & A. M., of North- ford: Pulaski Chapter, No. 26, R. A. M., of Fair Haven ; and Crawford Council, No. 19, R. & S. M., also of Fair Haven. He is a director of the Missionary Society of Connecticut. Broad in his views and sympathies, a friend of the poor and op- pressed, ever ready with helpful counsel for the perplexed or sorrowful, he has a wide field of labor, andl well does he discharge its arduous and sacred duties.
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GEORGE A. BASSETT is a prominent con- tractor and builder of Hamden, of whose skill many notable examples are to be seen in various parts of the county. Thoroughly reliable in all things, the quality of his work is a convincing test of his own personal worth. He was born in the town of Ham- den Sept. 21, 1843, and there he. continued to re- side until his marriage, when he removed to the farm upon which he now lives. At the age of eight- een he commenced working at the carpenter's trade, but after following it for two years he turned his attention to the dairy business, which occupied his time for the following ten years. Since then he has engaged in contracting and building, and has erect- ed some of the best houses in East Haven, Wood- bridge, North Haven, Hamden and other surround- ing towns. He also owns and operates a good farm of fifty acres, and in all his undertakings he has been quite successful.
On Oct. 12. 1865. Mr. . Bassett was united in marriage with Miss Evelena M. Goodyear. a daugh- ter of Leverett F. Goodyear, of New Haven, and to them have been born three children. Louis L., a resident of Centerville, Hamden, Conn., who is engaged in drilling and sinking artesian wells ; Dora A., wife of W. Johnson, of New Haven, Conn. : and Charles J., who is engaged in contracting and building with his father. The political support of Mr. Bassett and also of his sons is always given the men and measures of the Republican party, but he has never sought nor desired official honors, pre- ferring to devote his undivided attention to his business interests. Fraternally he is a member of Day Spring Lodge, No. 30, F. & A. M., of Ham- den. He is a worthy representative of that class of citizens who lead quiet, industrious, honest and useful lives, and constitute the best portion of a community.
HENRY HULL TODD is prominently identi- fied with the business interests of New Haven, Conn., as a manufacturer of custom-made corsets, his business being located at Nos. 282 and 284 York street, in this city, and is one of the largest and most prosperous, in its line, in this locality.
The birth of Henry H. Todd occurred in Stam- ford, Conn., Sept. 2, 1856, the family having been a prominent one in Connecticut through several generations. Rev. Ambrose S. Todd, the honored grandfather of Henry H., was born in Cheshire, Conn., and later in life became the rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, in Stamford, Conn., where for forty years he ministered to a devoted congre- gation, and was one of the best known clergymen in Fairfield county.
Charles Jarvis Todd, the son of Rev. Ambrose, and the father of Henry H. Todd, was born in Stamford, Conn., in 1833. During the Civil war he filled the position of pay-master in the Union navy, and was connected with the vessel of which the gallant William B. Cushing was the captain.
After the close of the war Mr. Todd became con- nected with a wholesale tea and coffee establish- ment in New York, from 1884 to 1894, residing in New Haven, Conn., although continuing his con- nection with the same business in New York City. He married Emily M., the estimable and much be- loved daughter of William L. Holly, and she died in 1894. The three children born of this marriage were: Henry H., Robert W. and Clara M. Mr. Todd was identified with the Republican party, and a leading and consistent member of the Episcopal Church.
Henry H. Todd spent his boyhood days in Stam- ford, and attended the public schools and also the Episcopal school connected with St. John's Church in that city. He began his business career in con- nection with the tea and coffee business of a whole- sale house, in this line, in New York City, con- tinuing with the same firm for five years. after which he returned to Stamford, and for one year was connected with the National Bank, of that city. Mr. Todd also engaged in hotel keeping, in Rock- ford, Ill., for a time, coming to New Haven in 1884. For three years he was connected with the mechanical department of the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R., and then entered the employ of the Win- chester Repeating Arms Co., remaining here for the following nine years. In 1896 Mr. Todd em- barked in his present enterprise, which is the man- ufacturing of custom-made corsets. and into this has put energy and business experience, with the result that he has become a leader in this line.
On June 27, 1897, Mr. Todd was united in mar- riage with Mrs. Jennie M. Reed, a daughter of R. R. Walker, of Morenci, Mich. In his political sympathy Mr. Todd has been a life-long Reputh- lican. Fraternally he is prominent in the O. U. A. M., Pioneer Council; Harmony Lodge, No. 5. I. O. O. F .: Olive Branch. No. 84, F. & A. M .: Pulaski Chapter. No. 26. Royal Arch Masons : Crawford Council, No. 19. Royal Select Masters : New Haven Commandery. No. 2, Knights Templar ; and Pyramid Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Bridgeport. being one of the best known men in fraternal circles in this part of the State. For a long period Mr. Todd has been a member of Trinity Episcopal Church.
ERWIN TURNBULL, for thirty years the ef- ficient foreman of the rim-fire department of the Winchester Repeating Arms Co., was born in New Haven Dec. 18, 1858, a son of William C. Turn- bull, who was born in Canada.
William C. Turnbull was bound out very early in life to learn the carriage blacksmith trade in Canada, and this was his occupation through life. He ran away from home and came to Boston, when he was yet too young to retain much knowledge of his father's family or of his ancestral history. After several years spent in Boston he went to Newark, N. J., where he met and married Jane M.
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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Beach, born in Hanover, N. J., in 1832, a daughter of Stephen and Jemima M. ( Beach ) Beach, who were cousins, and both natives of Hanover, the former born in 1799, a son of Peter Beach, and the latter in 1802, a daughter of Noah Beach. Peter and Noah Beach were sons of Stephen and grand- sons of Noah Beach. Stephen Beach, father of Mrs. Turnbull, was a mason, but his progenitors were all farmers as far back as the annals of the family run. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. William C. Turnbull came to New Haven, where they lived until his death. Nov. 7. 1895, at the age of seventy-five. His widow is still living. Ten children were born of their union: William H .. Edwin (1), Emma L .. Edwin (2), Erwin B., Anna E .. George R .. Jennie HI .. Florence E. and Ida ( who died as an infant). In politics Mr. Turnbull was a Republican, and in religion a Congregation- alist.
Erwin B. Turnbull was reared to manhood in New Haven, where he attended the Webster School until he was thirteen years old. In 1872 he entered the employ of the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. and was assigned to the rim-fire priming depart- ment, where his natural aptitude and reliable char- acter soon pushed him to the front. For thirty years he has been foreman of that department. and is regarded as one of the ablest and most reliable employes of the company.
On Oct. II. 1882, Mr. Turnbull was married to Mary J. Miller, a resident of New Haven, but a native of Scotland, and a daughter of John Miller. She died Dec. 24. 1891. the mother of one child. Mary J., who died in infancy. Politically Mr. Turn- bull is a Republican : and fraternally he belongs to Trumbull Lodge. No. 22, A. F. & A. M., the American Mechanics and the A. O. U. W. He is also a member of Excelsior Lodge, Winchester Order of Good Fellows.
MRS. JOSEPHINE C. MIX is among the old residents of West Haven, where she resides in the Domkee homestead. at No. 240 Main street. She is of German-American descent, her father. Martin Domkee, having been born in Prussia, Germany, and her mother. whose maiden name was Catherine Bradley, in Middlebury, New Haven Co., Con- necticut.
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Martin Domkee came to America when a boy, and settled in West Haven, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1869. For many years he worked as a stevedore, but in later life was employed on his farm. Ilis wife, a consistent member of the Congregational Church, entered into rest in April. 1864. They were the parents of twelve children. seven of whom are yet living in West Haven: Charlotte, who married James Pit- kin; Mary J., Mrs. Sherlock H. Bishop: Maria, Mrs. George Wheeler: George R .: Josephine C .. our subject : Sarah II .. Mrs. Leonard Pardee; and Anna, who married Albert Loomis.
On Sept. 10. 1874. Josephine C. Domkee was united in marriage to Edward Mix, who died June 16, 1892, at the age of seventy-six years. He was for many years a prosperous grocer of New Haven, but having, through industry, good management and integrity, accumulated a competence, he retired from active business and settled in West Haven, where, in addition to his own residence, he erected three houses on Martin street. which he owned and rented up to the time of his death. He was a man universally respected and beloved, and prom- inent in town affairs. A man of sincere piety. for many years he was an active member and a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church of West Haven, whose house of worship he aided in building, and toward its support contributed liberally, as well as to all deserving charities. Mrs. Mix is a member of the same church, earnest and devoted in promoting its work : she is president of the Ladies Aid Society connected therewith.
ALBERT F. SCHROEDER, superintendent of the F. L. Gaylord Co .. of Ansonia, was born in Germany June 22. 1857, a son of Bernhard Schroe- der, who was also a native of Germany, where the family has long been native to the soil.
Bernhard Schroeder was a shoemaker, and came to America in 1868. He was quite successful in his business dealings, and accumulated a very fair fortune. His death occurred in 1887 when he had reached his fifty-eighth year. He was inter- ested in local politics, and belonged to several Ger- man orders. Marie Karnbach, his wife, was born in Germany, and became the mother of seven chil- dren, three of whom are living: Albert F. : Louise. who married Joseph Kramp, of New Haven ; Bern- hard, who is living in Ansonia. The mother died in Germany at the age of forty years. Both par- ents were members of the Lutheran Church.
Albert F. Schroeder spent the first twelve years of his life in Germany, and then accompanied his father to this country. In the schools of his native community he had the beginnings of. a very fair ed- ucation, which was increased by study and observa- tion of life under the changed conditions of the new world. When he was fourteen years of age he began learning the trade of molding, which he pursued until he became an expert workman in the house where he is still employed. As a journeyman molder he worked for houses in Brooklyn and in New York, and then in Shelton for two years. After this he came to Ansonia, to take a place as a foreman in the present factory, and for twenty- seven years has been connected with this company. Mr. Schroeder has charge of the entire output of this establishment, which includes all varieties of brass castings. He hires the men, buys stock, and receives all the orders from the trade. In the foun- dry department of the factory are employed fifteen men in the making of fine goods, silver plating and filling a vast variety of orders from a custom trade
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that is very widely extendel. Mr. Schroeder has been married three times. In 1880 he married Miss Anna Ullrich, who was born in Germany, a daugh- ter of William and Caroline ( Mueller) Ullrich. William Ullrich came to America and located in Ansonia, where he died at the age of fifty-eight years ; his wife, also a native of Germany, was one of four children, and is still living. In their family were three children, Oswald, Anna ( Mrs. Schroe- der ) and Otto. Four children were born to Mr. and 'Mrs. Schroeder : William, Albert. Marie and Lou- isa. Mrs. Anna Schroeder died in 1892 at the early age of thirty-five years. She was a member of the Congregational Church, and is remembered as a lady of more than the usual character and ability. Miss Marie Schroeder is a fine musician, and dis- plays wonderful talent in music; her education is largely in the cultivation of this precious endow- ment. For his second wife Mr. Schroeder wedded Miss Anna Lenhard, who was born in Germany, a daughter of John Lenhard, a tailor who came to Derby and followed his trade for many years, later moving to Brooklyn, where he died. Mrs. Anna (Lenliard ) Schroeder died at the early age of thirty-eight years. She was a faithful member of the Episcopal Church. Miss Anna Neumann be- came Mr. Schroeder's third wife.
Politically Mr. Schroeder is a Republican; so- · cially he is a member of the Fraternal Order of Connecticut, and of the German order, "Harugari." where he has held all the offices in turn. He is secretary and treasurer of the German Ulk Club, of which he was at one time president ; and he is a director of the German Hall Company. In religious connection he attends the Episcopal Church. His comfortable home was erccted by him some time ago.
THEODORE J. WARNER. a well-known citi- zen of West Haven, residing at Savin Rock, was born May 14, 1862, in Hamden, this county, and belongs to one of the pioneer families of that town.
Miner Warner, his grandfather. was a native of Hamden, became a prominent agriculturist there, and died aged seventy years. His first wife, our · subject's grandmother, died in early womanhood, leaving seven children, of whom five are still liv- ing: Charles, our subject's father ; Robert, wlio resides at Pond Hill, Wallingford: Mariette. Mrs. Stone, of Holyoke, Mass .: Hulda. wife of Belson Munson, of Hamden ; and Betsey, who married Frederick Mix, of Hamden.
homestead. He married Miss Mary A. Oviatt, a native of Watertown, and daughter of Joseph and Charlotte ( Johnson ) Oviatt. Of their nine children two are living, Theodore J. and Grace, the latter residing at home. The mother died Jan. 21, 1890, aged forty-eight. Mrs. Warner attended the Epis- copal Church, and Mr. Warner attended the M. E. Churchi.
Theodore J. Warner remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-five, and while complet- ing a district-school course learned lessons in busi- ness management under his father's directions. At the age of thirteen he began driving a milk wagon in West Haven for his father, and he afterward en- gaged in this business on his own account, having purchased it Nov. 16, 1887. He carried it on until Nov. 1, 1899, when he sold the business. It was the oldest milk business in that section, and during the twenty-five years in which Mr. Warner was con- nected with it the trade increased constantly, about 600 quarts of milk being handled daily, all of which was purchased, although he formerly kept a num- ber of cows. Our subject buys and sells wood, hay and stone, and owned a quarry from which he sold stone to contractors. He also does a gen- eral contracting business. The wood, in which he deals extensively, is shipped on the railroad to dif- ferent points.
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