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 87
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Mr. Woodruff was born Feb. 22, 1859, in Sharon, Conn., and comes of an excellent family which has been identified with that section for many years. Daniel S. Woodruff, our subject's father, spent his life in Sharon, following the shoemaker's trade, and his death occurred there at the age of sixty-one. He and his wife, Harriet Benton, who died at the age of seventy-eight, were devout and consistent members of the Congregational church. They had three children : Jane, who married Henry S. Lindsey, of Ashley Falls, Mass. ; Charles Y., our subject; and Gilbert H., a tinner, who died in Sharon, aged twenty-seven.
Charles Y. Woodruff was but eleven years old when his father died, and he remained at home un- til he reached the age of eighteen, receiving a com- mon-school education. At fifteen he began to learn the carpenter's trade in Sharon with L. Van Aletyne and at eighteen he located in Ansonia, the first year being spent in work under instruction for Charles H. Stillson, of the firm of Powe & Stillson. Later, as a journeyman, he worked two years for this firm and four years for F. A. Lines & Co., where he was made foreman. In 1883 he formed a partnership
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with W. R. Mott, and bought out the business of Lines & Co., and they continued a general con- tracting business until the death of Mr. Mott in 1895. They built up the largest business in their line in that section, employing from ten to twenty- five men, and under Mr. Woodruff's management there has been no decrease of prosperity. He con- tracts for brick, wood or stone work, and completes the entire building from cellar to roof. and much of his draughting is done by him. He has won praise by his fine cabinet work in interiors, and in many of the stores in town the fittings, as well as the building, have been completed under his su- pervision. His office is located at No. 3 Mechanic street, where he has a shop and improved machinery. and he also owns a house which he rents. He is a charter member of the Ansonia Board of Trade, and he is active in municipal affairs as a member of the Republican party, having served as councilman from his ward on the first board elected after All- sonia became a city. For sixteen years he has been a prominent worker in the I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all the chairs. and he is a leading member of Eagle Hose Co., in which he has held various offices, including those of steward and second as- sistant foreman. He attends the Congregational Church, of which his wife is a member, and at pres- ent he is a member of the Ecclesiastical Society.
In .1888 Mr. Woodruff married Miss Emma J. Tiffany, who was born in Ansonia, the only child of Joseph Tiffany and his third wife, Margaret Davidson. Her father, who was a weaver by occul- pation, was an early settler in the town, and his death occurred there in 1868. Her mother now makes her home with our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff have had three children, of whom two are living, Margaret H. and Elsie T.
GEORGE BEAUMONT is a noteworthy de- scendant of the Beaumont family, which is of French origin remotely, during the days of William the Conqueror entered England, and has long been settled in Hartford county.
Deodate Beaumont. the grandfather of George. was born in East Hartford, and was the first of that name in Wallingford. He was a son of Ed- mund Beaumont, who was a native of East Hart- ford, and was a soldier in the French and Indian war and the Revolutionary war. He spent his life in East Hartford. During the latter part of the eighteenth century Deodate Beaumont left the fam- ily homestead in East Hartford and established himself in Wallingford. where he became the owner of 200 acres of land. A mechanic in early lite, he was an active and energetic man, and amassed a comfortable fortune. A member of the Congrega- tional Church, a veteran of the Revolutionary strug- gle, he was a man well known and highly esteemed. Six children were born to him: Esther, Saphina. Edmund, John, Elijah and Elizabeth.
John Beaumont, son of Deodate and father of
George, was born in Wallingford, where he re- ceived a common-school education. At a very early age he went to sea as a cabin boy, and was a sailor the greater part of his life, becoming mate of a sealing vessel in the service of John Jacob Astor, the great fur trader. In his later years he settled on the farm owned by his son, consisting at that time of 120 acres. Here he spent the remainder of his life, a good and true man, who followed closely the Golden Rule, and here he died in 1879, and was buried in Center Street Cemetery. A Whig in early life, he became a Republican on the formation of that party. Mr. Beaumont married Ann Tyler, who was born in Branford, Conn .. a daughter of Jolin Tyler, a soldier of the Revolution, a sketch of whom appears in the biography of his grandson, Henry W. Tyler. To this union came ten children : Elizabeth : Edmund, who died in California in 1852: Julius, now residing in New Haven ; Lucina, who died in 1890; Harvey; Francis, of North Haven : Lewellyn: Albert ; George; Cynthia, who married Palmer Townsend. Mrs. John Beaumont died at the home of her son George, and was buried in the Center street cemetery.
George Beaumont attended the district schools of Wallingford and grew up on the old homestead. which has now become his property. He remained with his father as long as he lived, and, in com- pany with his brother Albert, bought out the other heirs in 1881. They farmed together a number of years, engaging in general farming, fruit growing and wine making until 1898, when George Beaut- mont bought out his brother, and is now the sole proprietor of the place. Here he has a fine home. an elegant dwelling house, ample barns and every improvement necessary to conduct the place profit- ably. Mr. Beaumont has good judgment and is well read, being thoroughly posted on all current topics. He is a strong Republican in his political convictions.
On Sept. 1, 1892, Mr. Beaumont married Miss Nettie M. Edell, who was born in Wallingford, a daughter of John Edell. They are the parents of three children : Esther, born July 30, 1893 ; George, born June 29, 1897 ; and John, born Jan. 26, 1901. The Beaumonts are good people, highly respected by all.
WILLIAM H. BORCHARDT, one of Water- bury's well-known and prosperous citizens, is a na- tive of that city, born Oct. 10, 1858. He is a son of William Borchardt, and a grandson of Gustav Borchardt, who followed the trade of baker in Ber- lin, Germany.
William Borchardt, father of William H., was born in 1824. in Berlin, Germany, whence when a young man he came to the United States, settling in Waterbury. Here, in 1857, he married Charlotte Giertz. also a native of Germany, born at Rostock. and children as follows were born to them: Will- iam H. ; Florence, wife of Thomas Guest, of Water-
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bury; and Jennie, wife of Walter French, of Bridgeport, Conn. For some twenty years Mr. Borchardt was a toolmaker in the employ of the Steele & Johnson Co., Waterbury.
William H. Borchardt, whose name introduces these lines, received a liberal education at the local schools of .Waterbury, and at the age of sixteen years entered the employ of the Plume & Atwood Co., remaining with that firm about twelve years, serving his time as toolmaker, and afterward mak- ing good wages as journeyman. In 1884 he pur- chased his present bottling business, of which the Hellmann Brewing Co. are the proprietors, and he has met with well-merited success in the under- taking.
In 1883 Mr. Borchardt married Agnes M. Kun- kel, of Waterbury, daughter of Joseph Kunkel, a native of Germany, and formerly proprietor of the "Germania Hotel," Waterbury. Six children. all vet living, have blessed this union: Joseph, Will- iam, John, Louisa, Louis and Margaret. In his po- litical preferences Mr. Borchardt has always been a Democrat : for two terms he served as councilman of the Third ward, and for one year was on the committee of Public Lands and Buildings. He is a member of several societies, among which may be mentioned the following: Frederick Wilhelm Lodge, No. 47. K. of P., of which he was treasurer ten years, and is now past chancellor ; Stephen J. Meany Lodge, No. 37. Foresters of America; the New England Order of Protection ; the Improved Order of Heptasophs, Silas Bronson Conclave ; the Harmony Benevolent Association ; Steuben Lodge, No. 391, D. O. H. : the Concordia Singing Society, of which he is a prominent member ; the Waterbury Turnverein ; and the Schull-Verein. He is also :1 member of the German Lutheran Church of Water -. bury, having been one of the prime movers in start- ing a German Lutheran Church in the city.
JAMES E. SWEENEY. a well-known real- estate and insurance agent of Naugatuck. is pre- eminently a self-made man. Depending upon his own resources. looking for no outside aid or sup- port, he has risen to a place of prominence in the business world, and his career illustrates in no un- certain manner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determination form the key- note of a man's life.
. Mr. Sweeney was born in Naugatuck, Nov. 6, 1856, a son of Edward and Ann ( Mckeon) Sweeney, both natives of Ireland, the father born in County Cavan. When a young man he came to the United States. and shortly after his marriage, which was celebrated in Tarrytown. N. Y., he came to Naugatuck, Conn., where he has since made his home, and for forty years has been employed as watchman by the Goodyear Glove Co. In his fam- ily were eight children. namely: John M .. a lawyer of Naugatuck: James E .. our subject: Mary, wife of Daniel McCarty, of Naugatuck; Eliza A., prin-
cipal of the Iligli street school of Naugatuck ; Pat- rick, who died in infancy ; Teressa MI., principal of the Rubber street school; Winnifred, stenographer for our subject; and Frank J., who is clerking in New Haven.
James E. Sweeney grew to manhood in Nauga- tuck and there acquired the greater part of his edu- cation, graduating from the high school at that place. Subsequently he attended Cargill Commer- cial Institute, New Haven, from which he was grad- uated in April, 1878. and he engaged in school teaching for two years thereafter in Naugatuck, and also one year in Litchfield, Conn. He was next em- ploved as bookkeeper in a dry-goods store in Naug- atuck, and later clerked in the office of Baldwin & Sweeney, attorneys and insurance agents, of that place. He had charge of their insurance business until the firm dissolved partnership, Feb. 1, 1887, when he purchased that branch of their business, and has since carried it on in connection with the real-estate business. He represents the leading in- surance companies of America, England and Ger- many, and also furnishes bonds, etc. He has set- tled more estates than any other man of his age in this section of the county, and is now doing a large and profitable business. He occupies quite a fine suite of offices.
In February, 1884, Mr. Sweeney was united in marriage with Miss Frank E. Platt. a native of Naugatuck, and the only child of Samuel Platt, who was born in the town of Orange, this county, of English extraction. Our subject and his wife have three children : James Platt, Arthur Lewis and Emily Frances.
Religiously Mr. Sweeney is a member of St. Francis Catholic Church, and politically he is a Democrat, but not an aggressive partisan. On June I, 1884, he was appointed deputy sheriff, which office he has filled ever since ; has served as assist- ant town clerk ; was tax collector of the Union Cen- ter school district, of Naugatuck, and also of the town taxes, from 1882 to 1888, and again in 1891. By strict attention to business, and by the conscien- tious discharge of all duties imposed upon him, he has been successful in life, and has won the respect and esteem of all.
EDWIN P. PITMAN, M. D. Among the dis- ciples of Esculapius in New Haven, Conn., one of the leaders is Dr. Edwin P. Pitman, who, although still a young man, has gained an enviable position for himself in the profession.
Dr. Pitman was born in Boston, Mass., Sept. 26, 1863, a son of John W. and Anna R. ( Kelley ) Pitman. The family is of English extraction, the grandfather, Stephen Pitman, having come from that country to America and married Olive B. French, a native of New Hampshire. To them were born four children: William H., Oscar V .. Charles J., and John W. William II. and Oscar V. were merchants for many years in Concord, N. II. ;
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Charles J. was a carpenter and contractor : and the youngest, John W., the father of our subject, was a noted Baptist clergyman. The latter removed to Boston, Mass., prior to the birth of our subject, but later located in Concord, N. H. His wife was born at St. Johns, N. B., and our subject was their only child.
Dr. Pitman was taken by his parents, when but three years of age, to Concord. N. H., where he ac- quired his elementary education, graduating with distinction from the Concord High School. He then went to Dartmouth, and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1886. The next step in his upward progress was the acceptance of a professorship in a Soldiers' Orphans School, at Chester Springs, Pa., where he remained one year. and then entered Martha Washington College at Edington, Va., as professor of French and Ger- man and teacher of vocal music. Although very successful, Dr. Pitman felt that his calling was that of a physician, and he therefore began the study of medicine. With this idea in view, he entered the Medical Department of Dartmouth College, grad- uating in the class of 1891 ; thence to the New York Polyclinic for a post-graduate course .. After this labored preparation for his life work, Dr. Pitman settled in Colchester, Conn., where he remained six months, and in September, 1891, located in New Haven, and has since built up one of the finest prac- tices in this locality.
On Aug. 30, 1887. Dr. Pitman married Miss Catherine Crowley, who was born in Maine, a daughter of James and Mary Crowley, natives of Ireland. MIr. Crowley was a railroad contractor and a man of considerable prominence. In politics Dr. Pitman is a Republican, and takes an active part in the fraternal organizations of New Haven. being a member of the I. O. O. F .: New England Order of Protection ; Woodmen of the World, and also the Heptasophis of New Haven. In medical circles Dr. Pitman has always borne a prominent part, and is a member of the city, county and State medical societies. Both he and Mrs. Pitman are consistent members of the Baptist Church, and are highly respected not only among its congregation but throughout the community.
MARK WALLACE HOBSON. a die sinker and molder of Wallingford, was born in Birming- ham, England. April 3, 1856, a son of Edwin Hob- son, one of the respected citizens of Wallingford.
Mr. Hobson was only ten years old when he came to this country with his parents. His school- ing, which began in his native town, was continued in Newark, N. J. Coming to Wallingford with his father, he mastered the art of die sinking under the instruction of that gentleman in the factory of Simpson, Hall & Miller. Here he began when only fourteen years of age. and for more than thirty years he has remained in the employ of that famous firm. His close application, thorough knowledge of , has not had the use of her limbs. Mr. and Mrs.
his work, and his absolute trustworthiness have commanded the respect and confidence of his em- plovers to a marked degree.
In 1877. in Wallingford, Mr. Hobson and Eliza. beth Folsom Valentine were united in marriage. Mrs. Hobson was born in Albany, N. Y., a daughter of Edward Valentine, but was living with her par- ents in Wallingford at the time of her marriage. To this union were born two children : ( 1) Rich- ard Thurston, now a student in the high school : ( 2) Russell Valentine, also in school. Mr. and Mrs. Hobson belong to the Baptist Church. He is affiliated with no lodges of any kind, and is re- garded in the community where he is so well known, as a man far above the average both in in- telligence and character.
ZERAH PIERPONT BEACH, one of the leading agriculturists and fruit growers of Wall- ingford, was born on what is known locally as Parkers Farm, in West Wallingford, Nov. 7. 1845. Mr. Beach is a descendant of one of the oldest and best families of New Haven county.
Stephen Beach, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in 1751 in this locality, where he engaged in farming all his life, leaving his plow to become a drummer in Capt. Stanley's company during the Revolutionary war. His death occurred on Parkers Farm in 1821. In 1774 he married Miriam Parker, who was born in 1753 ; the children of their family were: Jason, Eleanor. Miriam. Silvia, Chancey, Whiting, Stephen, Lyman and Polly.
Jason Beach, the grandfather, was born on the homestead. and was a farmer all his life, well known and respected, being remembered especially on account of his musical talent. In the church lie led the choir and played the bass viol, and was a man of exceeding intelligence. He married Susanna Hotchkiss, and the children of these worthy people were: One that died in infancy. William, Roger, Norman, Susan, Lucy, Nathan and Eliza.
Nathan Beach, the father of our subject, was born in 1811. on the old homestead, where he grew to manhood, receiving a common-school education. and he lived near the old home all his life, engaged in general farming, being one of the pioneers in tobacco growing. In 1882 this worthy man was prostrated, and many mourned his decease, as he had been a good neighbor, and one whose example was for the benefit of the community. On May I. 1834, he married Lucy Pierpont, who was born in North Haven in 1814. a member of one of the old- est and most distinguished families of New Haven, being a daughter of Joel and Abigail (Cooper ) Pierpont, and granddaughter of Giles Pierpont. This intelligent and lovely old lady is a member of the family on the homestead. possessing a bright mind and wonderful memory, but for several years
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Beach had children as follows: Joel, born in 1835; Stephen E., born in 1837; Zerah P., our subject ; and Esther, born in 1850.
Zerah P. Beach was given the advantages of the best schools of the locality, and was also sent to the United States Business College, in New Haven. Returning to the farm he took up the business as a profession, and has been one of the pioneers in the peach-growing business, having now an orchard covering twenty-five acres, his trees all in prosperous condition.
Mr. Beach was married, June 5, 1875, to Sarah M. Beard, of Bethany, daughter of Allen and Abigail (Smith) Beard. She was a woman of rare Christian character, and a consistent member of the Congregational Church, in which faith she died Nov. 28, 1896; her remains rest in the Centre Street cemetery, in Wallingford. The children bereft of a devoted mother are: Lorenzo A., born in 1876; Flora C., born in 1880; and Zerah N., born in 1885. Mr. Beach has taken a prominent part in town and county affairs, has served in the National Guards, being corporal five years, sergeant twenty-three years, and company treasurer for twenty years ; has been a justice of the peace whose judgments have been upheld by the higher courts; and was assessor. Fraternally he is connected with the 1. O. O. F. at Wallingford, and in 1885 he was the first lecturer of the Grange of this place, was in 1900 its master, and with some of his children still takes an active interest in that organization. His associations with his fellow citizens are pleasant. and he possesses the esteem and confidence of the community, and is regarded as one of the sub- stantial residents of Wallingford.
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ANDREW JAMES COYLE, the leading ton- sorial artist of Branford, was born in New Haven Sept. 23, 1859. a son of John and Rose ( Gallagan ) Coyle. The parents, who were natives of County Cavan, Ireland, came to this country in 1850, locat- ing in New Haven, where the father was employed as a section boss on the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad until 1871, when he was made track-walker, which position he filled until his death, in 1875. He was the father of ten children, eight of whom lived to reach adult age: Mary A., Mrs. Nicholas H. O'Brien : Andrew J., whose name appears at the beginning of this article: Charles H .; Rose, wife of Michael Fitzgerald: Maggie : John : Lena, Mrs. John H. Toby; and Nicholas.
Andrew James Coyle spent his early life in New Haven and Branford, receiving his education in ' the public schools, and early applying himself to work, for his own support. In 1871 he came to Branford, and when he was a little over eleven years of age entered the Branford Lock Works, where he was steadily employed until 1897. Dur- ing these years he had learned the barber's trade with his brother, assisting him evenings, and in January, 1898, he set up in the barber business for
himself, and to-day owns one of the best equipped shops in Branford. He is capable and energetic, and is much liked and esteemed for his many good qualities.
Mr. Coyle was married, April 19, 1889, to Frances Evelyn, a daughter of James and Eliza (Regan ) Clancy, of Branford. Mr. and Mrs. Coyle are the happy parents of a bright and attractive family of three children : Helena, William and Francis. Mr. Coyle and his wife belong to St. Mary's Catholic Church, and he is a member of the T. A. B., the Foresters, the K. of C., the N. E. O. P., the Emerald Social Club, and the Bran- ford Fire Department. In politics he is a Demo- crat.
GEORGE C. SUMMERS, a well-known busi- ness man of Derby, New Haven county, was born in that town July 12, 1854, son of Stephen N. Sum- mers, who was for almost half a century promi- nently identified with the business interests of this county.
Stephen N. Summers was a native of the town of Trumbull, Fairfield Co., Conn. At the early age of thirteen he began his business career, working as a farm hand at $6 per month for one year. Hav- ing saved $too, he went to New Haven, and there learned the cabinetmaker's trade, which he subse- quently followed in Stratford and Bridgeport, Conn., for some time. At the age of twenty-three vears he came to Derby and opened a small furni- ture store in East Derby. While there he was mar- ried, in 1835, to Miss Mary E. Phillips, who was born in Fairfield, Conn., and he afterward located in Birmingham, where he was engaged in the furni- ture business on a limited scale for about a year. He then erected a building on Minerva street, Derby, which he occupied for many years, doing an extensive retail furniture business under the name the Birmingham Furniture Co. He was in partner- ship first with a Mr. Coe and later with a Mr. Lewis and continued his connection with the furniture trade for forty-nine years. He was also a director in the Birmingham National Bank, and president of the Birmingham Water Co. He belonged to that class of men whom the world terms self-made, for. starting out in life for himself empty-handed, he conquered all obstacles in the path to success, and not only secured for himself a handsome compe- tence, but by his efforts materially advanced the in- terests of the community with which he was asso- ciated. In political sentiment he was a Republican, and in religious belief both he and his wife were Methodists. He died Dec. 23, 1884, and she has also passed away. To them were born seven chil- dren, namely: Jennie M., Carrie, Sarah, Sadie, Henry, George C. and Charles. All are deceased with the exception of Jennie (a resident of Water- bury) and our subject.
The early education of George C. Summers was acquired in the public schools of Derby, and was
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supplemented by a course at Wilbraham, Mass. On returning home he worked for his father for a time, and then went to New Haven, Conn., where he at- tended the National College of Business. He then acted as bookkeeper, collector and general manager in his father's furniture establishment, where an ex- tensive wholesale and retail business was carried on, employment being given to as many as seventy-five men. Mr. Summers remained with his father until the latter's death, and became thoroughly familiar with every department of the business, including the cabinetmaking. For the past two years he has en- gaged in the manufacture of extracts and essences, for which he finds a ready sale, and has built up a good trade in that line. A portion of his time is also devoted to his property interests, as he owns and rents many houses in Derby.
In 1892 Mr. Summers married Miss Jennette Clapper, a native of Albany, N. Y., and a daughter of William Clapper, who was also born in that city. To this union have been born four children: Les- ter E., Grace E., Millicent L. and Alton B. Mr. Summers and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are quite prominent socially. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the Republi- can party.
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