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 4 > Part 13
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Mr. Pfleghar was married in 1867 to Miss Ha- gar, German born and bred. She died in 1888. leav- ing Mr. Pileghar with three children: Frank H., Ferdinand C. and Minnie. Charles F. is deceased. Mr. Pfleghar was married to his present wife, Hedweg Brelowski, in 1892. She, too, was born in Germany. Mr. Pfleghar is a Republican, and in his fraternal affiliations belongs to St. Peter's Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and the Chapter, No. 33, R. A. M., of New Milford. He also belongs to Good Shepherd Lodge. No. 65. I. O. O. F., of New Mil- ford, the A. O. U. W. and the N. E. O. P. From his long and honorable career in the Union army it is not to be expected that Mr. Pfleghar should stand outside the fraternities of the old soldiers, and he is found a faithful member of the Admiral Foote Post, G. A. R. Mr. Pfleghar, loyal to the faith of his fathers, is a communicant of the Roman Catho- lic faith.
HENRY SUTTON. whose death occurred at his handsome home, the Ward place, in West Ha- ven, Nov. 8, 1896, was for years one of New Ha- ven and vicinity's most active and energetic business men and substantial citizens, interested in its wel- fare, and a promoter of measures looking to its ad- vancement and progress.
Harry Sutton, his father, was born, reared and educated in New York State, but moved to Oxford, Conn., and was engaged in business there as a car- penter, builder and contractor for many years, his death occurring at the age of seventy-eight. He was one of the substantial citizens of the place and took a prominent part in religious work as a miem- ber of St. Peter's Church, holding office in the church and Sunday-school. Politically he affili- ated with the Democratic party, being a valued worker in the local organization. His wife, Mary A. Smith, a native of Oxford. died at the age of seventy-four. Of their five children, Frederick K. resides in Fair Haven ; and Nancy J. married Louis Tucker, of Plainville, Conn. Harry Sutton was a son of John Sutton. who died in early manhood. In the maternal line Mr. Sutton was a great-grand- son of the Rev. Chauncey Prindle, a graduate of Yale College, who died Ang. 25. 1833, atter more than fifty years of service in the ministry ; during
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his active pastorate he had charge of churches in Salem, Oxford, Waterbury, and his last work was done at St. Peter's Church, Plymouth. His daugh- ter, Hannah, was the mother of Mr. Sutton's mother.
Born May 3. 1843, in the town of Oxford, Conn., Henry Sutton was a son of Harry and Mary A. (Smuth) Sutton, of Oxford, Conn. He was reared on a farm in Oxford and received a common school education. In early life he learned the trade of a carriage trimmer in Naugatuck and followed that trade there and in Canada until his coming to New Haven in 1865. He followed that occupation for sonie years with the Henry Manville & Co. Car- riage Works. In 1870 he began the grocery busi- ness on Chapel street. Some years later, 1872, the business was removed to the corner of Chapel and Franklin streets, and in addition to the stock of gro- ceries he handled a ship chandlery business, the lat- ter of which grew to such an extent that it became his sole business. Some half dozen years subse- quently he removed to State street.
Mr. Sutton was active and prominent in ship building for a period beginning in the middle sev- enties. He built and owned in his time a fleet of vessels. Among the fifteen or more vessels lie con- structed were some of the best schooners afloat. Of all he was part owner and manager, and three of them he owned individually. Mr. Sutton was one of the men instrumental in bringing to West Haven the Connecticut building from the World's Fair at Chicago, and erecting it in Colonial Park, West Ha- ven Shore, and was the manager of the building after its establishment here. In 1895 he turned his attention to electric roads and became stockholder, secretary and director in the West Shore road running from New Haven to Woodmont. The de- ceased was widely known and had hosts of friends. He was a member of Wooster Lodge, F. & A. M., and a Mason of Thirty-second degree: Politically he was a Republican and belonged to the Republi- can League. Ile was an attendant of the West Ha- ven Congregational Church.
Mrs. Sutton, whose maiden name was Lucinda Doney, was born in Napanee, Ontario, where Mr. Sutton met and married her. She is one of the social leaders of West Haven and her beautiful home on the corner of Campbell avenue and Elm street is the center of a refined and gracious hos- pitality. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton have had one child. Harry D., who married Miss Addie D. Somers, of West Haven, Conn., and has one child, Gladys ; he was educated in the common schools of New Ha- ven and Russell's Military school, of New Haven. and since his marriage resides in a separate home near his mother's. For some years he was success- fully engaged in the furniture business with the Bowditch Furniture Co., but later took the manage- ment of vessels and has added a number to his Rect.
Mrs. Sutton was a daughter of Solomen D mer, who was born in Middleburg, Schoharie Co., N. Y.,
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HEDry Sutton
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March 12, 1810, the seventh son of William and
taught school for several years. She is a lady of Rebecca (Seeley) Doney, the former of whom was high attainments and a devoted wife and mother. an officer in the Revolutionary war and lived to be . Their only child, Sarah Alice, is a student in the more than a hundred years of age. Solomon Doney Meriden high school and is a bright and intelligent girl. Mr. Sloane belongs to the Hancock Lodge, No. 28, I. O. O. F., of South Meriden, and is also a member of Pilgrims' Harbor Council, No. 543, R. A., at Meriden; Washington Camp, P. O. S. of A., and both himself and wife belong to the P. O. of A., and both also belong to Rachel Rebekah Lodge, No. 2. He is a Republican, but in no sense an active politician. He and his family belong to the Universalist Church. In the community he is very much respected and is known as a good man. was a shoemaker by trade and dealt largely in leather. He married Mary Scott, of Napanee, On- tario, who died at the age of forty-five ; he died aged eighty-seven years. Both parents were devout mem- bers of the Congregational Church. Of their eleven children, six are living, as follows: Mar- garet, who married George Baldwin, of Canada; Homer, residing in Clayton, New York ; Mrs. Sut- ton ; Marie, who married Albert Hartman, of Utica. N. Y .; Lisle, who married Capt. H. A. Obrien, of Thomaston, Maine; and Alzadia, widow of E. P. Sherwood, and residing in Copenhagen, New York.
EDGAR C. SLOANE, foreman of the piano stool department of the Charles Parker Co.'s works at Meriden, was born in Thompsonville, Hartford Co., Conn., Ang. 29, 1854, a son of the late Andrew Sloane, and a brother of James R. Sloane, of Meri- den.
Mr. Sloane received all liis schooling in the local schools before he was twelve years of age, at which time he became a clerk, at small wages, in a gro- cery store at Thompsonville, which was conducted by Henry Warner. Later he worked at the same business in the store of D. F. Hayes, where he re- mained until 1871. In that year he went to Hart- ford and took a position with A. H. Tillinghast. where he was a clerk, receiving for compensation for one year of work, $480, or forty dollars a month. Returning to Thompsonville he resumed his posi- tion with Hayes, but after a year with him again went to Hartford to enter the employ of J. D. Burn- ham & Co., wholesale tobacco dealers, with whom he remained eight years. At the expiration of that period he took a position with Allen & Blanchard, remaining with them until 1881, when, in company with his brothers, James . R. and Frederick D. Sloane, he entered into the grocery business in Thompsonville. This firm soon went out of busi- ness, and in 1883 Mr. Sloane came to Meriden, se- curing a position in the freight department of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, where he spent nine years, the last six of that time being head clerk. This position he resigned in 1892 to accept a position as bookkeeper in the office of the Charles Parker Co. At the end of a year he be- came foreman of the piano stool department of that firm, a position he has filled for the last nine years with credit to himself and satisfaction to his em- ployers. In his work he is much interested, and in the years which he has spent in Meriden, he has become one of the leading citizens of the place.
Mr. Sloane was married in October, 1884. in Marlborough. Windham Co .. Ve .. to Retsie ( Bes- sie ) Houghton, who was born in Vermont, a daugh- ter of Rufus A. and Sarah A. ( Winchester ) Hough- ton. Mrs. Sloane was educated in Marlborough and
The Houghton family, to which Mrs. Sloane be- longs, was long settled in Vermont, and comes of English origin. Bradley Houghton, the grandfather of Mrs. Sloane, was a native of Marlborough, where he spent his life and where he owned a large amount of land. He was a member of the Congre- gational Church. For his first wife he married Lucy Adams, a native of Marlborough, Vt., and a daughter of Capt. Simeon Adams, an officer of the State militia. She died at the age of thirty-two. For his second wife Bradley Houghton married Eliza Rutter. a native of Townshend, Vt., and for his third wife, Samantha, a sister of Eliza Rutter. To the first marriage were born : Triplets, all dying in infancy ; George, who died at the age of twenty- two years; Sarah, who married James P. Mather ; Elizabeth, who married Asa Winchester : Rufus A .; and Bradley, who is still living in Marlborough. To the second Mrs. Houghton were born, twins, who died in infancy ; Charles, who died in the Civil war ; Susan, who died unmarried; and Sydney, who died young.
Rufus A. Houghton, the father of Mrs. Sloane, was born April 1. 1834, in Marlborough, Vt., on the homestead farm, where he grew to manhood. In his early manhood he removed to Brattleboro, where he spent seventeen years as a professional nurse, when he went to Boston, going from there to Meriden to take a place in the piano stool department of Charles Parker Company. Here he continued until his death, Dec. 27, 1901, and his remains were carried back to Brattleboro, Vt. His handsome and well appointed home was on Curtis street. In poli- tics he was a Democrat, and in his native town he filled the office of selectman. Religiously he was a Universalist. Domestic in character and temper- ate in his habits. he held an assured position of re- spectability where he lived and is remembered as a good and true man.
Mr. Houghton was married to Sarah Alice Win- chester, who was born in Marlborough. Vt., a daughter of Antipas and Lois ( Kelsey) Winches- ter, and a granddaughter of Luther Winchester and of Seymour Kelsey, of whom the last named was born in Middlesex county, Vt., and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war : he married Sarah Augur, also a native of Winchester county, Vt. To Mr.
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and Mrs. Houghton were born the following fam- ily: Romanzo, who died at the age of forty-seven ; Maverett, who married Samuel H. Holcomb, of Thompsonville, Conn .; Betsie ( Bessie ), who mar- ried Edgar C. Sloane; Mary, residing in Boston ; Sarah Lucy, who married Fred F. Loy, of Spring- field, Mass .; and Hannah Lois, of Boston. Four members of this family died in infancy. Mrs. Hough- ton makes her home on Curtis street, Meriden. She is a member of the Universalist Church and is a lady of refinement and learning.
COL. THEODORE H. SUCHER, who for a period of twenty years and more has been prominent in the business and social life of New Haven, and whose military career covers that period, is one of the most widely known of the younger men in Connecticut, his long service in the National Guard of the State, as an officer in the 2d Regiment, giving him an extended acquaintance and a deserved pop- ularity.
August Sucher, the father of our subject, was born at Brostau. Province of Silesia, Prussia, in 1808, his death occurring in New Haven July 12, 1891. In 1850 he came from his home to New York, going from there to California where he re- mained until 1858, when he located in New Haven, Conn., and thereafter lived a retired life. He mar- ried Alvina Meyer, a native of Saxony, Germany, who came to the United States, where she first met her husband. A family of three children were born to this union : Col. Theodore H., our subject : Anna, who married Richard Gubitz and resides in Hart- ford: and Gustave, a resident of California.
Col. Sucher was born on Feb. 26, 1859, in New Haven, and attended the public schools, after his school days were over entering a business career in the avocation of brass and metal worker in the en- ploy of Peck Brothers, remaining with that firm for seventeen years, pursuing it with fidelity and success. Following this period he became engaged in New Haven in the business of gentlemen's fur- nishings, at which he continued with success until 1897, since which time he has had the management of Springside Home, an institution for the homeless and afflicted, located some four miles from the cen- ter of the city, near West Rock Park, and, includ- ing the Park property, comprises 385 acres of land.
A stanch Republican in politics, Col. Sucher has been actively interested in party and public affairs and, a born leader, his influence has been felt in municipal and county affairs, especially in military lines. As a member of the common council he has efficiently served, and also as selectman of the town. Early in his career he evinced a taste and liking for military affairs, and in manner and presence was adapted to such service. On May 7, 1877, he en- listed in Co. E. 2d Regiment, National Guard of Connecticut, and from that day to this he has been most actively interested in that organization, and in the National Guard of the State in general. His
career in the Second Regiment has been one useful to his city and State, as well as most creditable to him- self and friends. Rising from the ranks he has ac- ceptably filled the positions and was made colonel of the regiment in January, 1901, his first pro- motion being May 1, 1879, made captain Dec. 15, 1884, and to his credit, along with others, his com- pany, Co. E, was made to rank among the first in the National Guard of the State. On June 16, 1891, Capt. Sucher resigned his commission but again assumed command Jan. 16, 1892; was elected major July HI, 1895; lieutenant-colonel Aug. 3, 1900; and colonel Jan. 11, 1901.
On June 5, 1883, Col. Sucher was married to Bertha Hax, of New Haven, who was born in New Jersey, a daughter of Daniel Hax, a veteran of the Mexican and Civil wars, who, with his wife, was born in Germany. To Col. and Mrs. Sucher have been born: Theodore, Clara, Carl and AAlfred ; the last named died when seventeen months old. Col. Sucher is a genial, social man and has hosts of friends. Progressive and liberal, he believes in the motto, "live and let live"; is a member of many so- cieties and served officially in them. Among these are the Knights of Honor; Knights of the Golden Eagle ; A. O. U. W. : Arctic Coterie Benefit Associa- tion ; Peck Brothers & Co. Mutual Aid Association ; German Funeral Aid Association : the German Aid Society : and Connecticut Rock Lodge, No. 92, F. & A. M. Col. Sucher and his wife are members of Trinity German Lutheran Church, of New Ha- ven, and are popular and highly esteemed people.
SIDNEY S. KELSEY, foreman of the sole cut- ting department of the Candee Rubber Co., and I rising business man of New Haven, was born in Clinton, Conn., Nov. 8, 1854, being a son of Lyman and Eunice ( Carter ) Kelsey.
The Kelsey family is an old one in the history of New England. the originator of it in the New World coming from England. Lyman Kelsey was born in Clinton and there passed his life and died. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade. In his na- tive town he wedded Eunice Carter, who still sur- vives. Eight children were born of this union : Al- bert, a farmer of Clinton ; Ogilvie, who died at the age of thirty : Henry, foreman in the Candee Rubber Co., of New Haven; George, who died at the age of twenty-one: Susan, deceased wife of John Whip- ple. of New London ; Leander, a farmer of Clinton ; Sidney S. ; Elizabeth, who married William Meigs and lives in Madison, Connecticut.
The father dying when Sidney was but eight years of age, the latter's opportunities for attend- ing school were limited, and when twelve he be- gan to work for neighboring farmers. continuing in this line until sixteen, but whenever he could, he availed himself of the advantages offered by the district schools. For two years he worked for the Clinton Manufacturing Co., and in 1874 came to New Haven and entered the employ of the Candee
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Rubber Co. By faithful performance of duty. care- ful work and earnest endeavor to learn all the de- tails of his work, Mr. Kelsey finally attained to his present excellent position as foreman of the sole cutting department.
On April 22, 1880, Mr. Kelsey was married to Blanche Mills, a native of New Brunswick, N. J., and a daughter of Stephen A. Mills, the latter hay- ing been born in the town of East Haven. A fam- ily of three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey: Arthur, Eunice L. and Amie Elise, of whom Eunice L. died when but thirteen months old. In political matters Mr. Kelsey is a Democrat, and has ably represented the Fifteenth Ward as alderman for four years, being the first elected from that ward, and has also acted as first assistant chief of the Annex Fire Department. Fraternally Mr. Kelsey is an active member of the K. of P. and has filled all the chairs in that order : is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Hiram Lodge, No. 1 ; the New England Order of Protection ; and of the Woodmen of the World.
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JOSEPH BUCKHOLZ, a well known dairyman and general farmer of the town of Orange, who by his own individual efforts has achieved his present prosperity, is a native of Germany, born in Baden April 23, 1849.
Andrew. Buckholz, his father, was a farmer in the Fatherland and passed all his life there. There were only two children in the family, Joseph, of whom we write, and Amanda, who died young.
Joseph Buckholz received his education in the schools of his native place and assisted his father on the farm. During the Franco-German war of 1871-72 he served in the Prussian army some eight- een months and saw considerable service. In 1873 he came to America, landing at New York, from that city proceeding direct to Milford, New Haven Co., Conn., where he worked on various farms for a time. Later he found employment on the George Clark farm at ten dollars per month, and so con- tinned until 1877, in which year he came to the town of Orange and rented Mr. Lane's farm of fifty-six acres. Thereon he spent about nine years engaged in general agriculture and dairying, after which he bought the Lambert farm of eighty-five acres, his present property. On this he has made many improvements, including the building of a fine, commodious barn ; he does a large dairy bnsi- ness, having over twenty milch cows and delivers milk to customers in New Haven.
Ilelen : Carrie, attending school : and Ernest. The entire family are members of the Catholic Church, which they attend at New Haven, and the parents are widely and. favorably known for their many deeds of charity. Mrs. Buckholz is a woman of sound common sense, a great help to her husband, and a good motlier, besides being a devoted wife. He, himself, is a hardworking, upright, honest citi- zen, attending strictly to his business affairs-hence his success in life.
JAMES BENNETT, one of the leading meat dealers of Meriden and a man who is highly es- teemed by the community for his good life and manly character, was born in Camborne, Cornwall, England, March 31, 1860, and is a good representa- tive of the modern, sturdy and upright Englishman with his robust nature and virile spirit, trans- planted to the soil of America, making a broad- minded and progressive citizen of the great Re- public.
James Bennett received his education in the pub- lic schools of his native community, which was cut short by his beginning work with his father on the farm. In 1878, when he left home for the western world, he was but eighteen years old. Sailing from Liverpool he landed at Quebec and for a number of years was employed in lumbering and farming in Ouvry, Ontario, where a year later he was joined by his brother. There he remained until December, 1880, when he came to the United States and lo- cated at Cheshire, Conn., where he farmed until 1882, when he formed a partnership with his brother, A. S. Bennett, of Cheshire, and engaged in the meat business under the firm name of Ben- nett Bros. They had a branch route in South Meri- den where they established a market the following year under the management of James Bennett. In 1884 the firm was dissolved and the South Meri- den market remained in the hands of its manager, A. S. Bennett taking the business at Cheshire. James Bennett has been engaged in a good business for seventeen years and has a flattering patronage. He has bought a good farm and deals very largelys in high grade stock and also conducts an extensive trade in fertilizers.
Mr. Bennett is a hard working and most indus- trious man and has won his present creditable stand- ing in the world by hard work and most patient ap- plication. At the present time he is running several delivery wagons to Yalesville, Tracy and Meriden.
In 1884 Mr. Bennett was married to Miss . Julia C. Andrews, of Cheshire, a daughter of the late Horace E. and Esther ( Johnson ) Andrews. Mrs. Bennett is a sister of Mrs. George Francis, of North Farms, Wallingford, and is the mother of five chil- diren : Milton L., who attends the high school : Emma Esther; Marion Edmonds : Amy Julia : and James Stanley. Mr. Bennett is connected with the local lodges of the I. O. O. F., being for seventeen
In 1873, in Baden. Germany, Mr. Buckholz mar- ried Helen Fulmer, a native of that city, and a daughter of Kinsley Fulmer, and the day after the wedding they came to the United States. Seven children have graced this union, viz .: Otto M., a farmer and dairyman, married to Anna Ziegler ( he is a member of the Governor's Horse Guards: Fanny, deceased wife of Henry Chindler (they had one child, Otto) ; Joseph, at home; Charles Casper ; years identified with Hancock Lodge, No. 28. He
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belongs to the Methodist Church, in which he is a local preacher and has served as superintendent of the Sunday-school several years, and for seventeen years has been a trustee of the church. In politi- cal affairs he is a Republican, and while no office- seeker, takes an intelligent interest in public affairs. He is a companionable and whole-souled gentle- man, very popular in the community and very pros- perous in his business.
ALBERT EDWARD PLANT, one of the best horticulturists in New England, was born Nov. 6. 1841, on the farm where he now resides, son of William and Polly ( Beach) Plant, both natives of Branford.
Elias Plant, the father of William, was born in Branford July 9, 1774, son of Benjamin and Loana ( Beckwith) Plant. Benjamin Plant was born in Branford about 1732 and died there Aug. 11, 1808. He was a son of John Plant, born in Branford in 1678, who died Feb. 10, 1752; he married Hannah. daughter of Thomas and Hannah ( Barns ) Whea- don. He was a son of John Plant, the progenitor of the family in Connecticut, who died in 1691. Elias Plant married Ruhamah Hall, and they reared a family of ten children : William : Mary ; Thomas, who married Lucretia Chidsey: Edward, who mar- ried Harriet J. Street ; Jane : James : Harriet, who married James Morris: Julia Ann, who married James T. Leet; Elias, who married Delia Beach; and Jane M.
William Plant, the father of Albert E., was born in Branford Jan. 4, 1800. He was a farmer and a surveyor, and for many years filled the office of county surveyor in his home county. In June, 1831. he married Polly, daughter of Asher and Statira (Baldwin) Beach, of Branford, and they had six children: Louisa B., now the wife of James B. Evens; Alonzo A., who married Mary E. Hough : Edwin E., who married Amelia E. Finch : Luzerne W., who married Elizabeth Lambert: Albert E .: and William H.
Albert Edward Plant was reared on the home farm, and since the Civil war has been prominently engaged in fruit growing and horticulture. His extensive operations frequently demand the services of twelve or fifteen men, and some seasons more than that number are employed. He is active in promot- ing the best interests of his particular line, and is a member of the Pomological Society of Connecticut and a regular attendant at the meetings of the State Board of Agriculture. He was one of the State's exhibitors, of various kinds of fruit, at the recent Pan-American Exposition.
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