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 16
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. On March 14. . 1869, was celebrated the mar- riage of Leroy J. Gaines to Miss Ann Ousterman Loweree, who was born at Flushing. Long Island, a daughter of Andrew G. and Martha ( Wolcott ) Loweree. Mr. Loweree passed his last days in Meriden, and his remains lie in Walnut Grove ceme- tery. The mother of Mrs. Gaines died in Branford. and she also sleeps in the beautiful Walnut Grove cemetery: A family of four children has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gaines: Annie M. Oliver Wol- cott, a graduate of the city's high school, is now a bookkeeper in the service of the Charles Parker Co .: he married Margaret Brown, of Yalesville, a daughter of Andrew J. Brown, of that place, and one daughter has been born to this union, Mar- garet Wolcott. George Loweree, a high-school at- tendant, is a clerk in the Parker clock department. Leroy John, Jr., died at the age of five years. In politics Mr. Gaines is a Republican, and he has taken an active part in civic affairs, on two occasions serv- ing as selectman, for two years as a member of the city council, and for six years as a member of the board of aldermen. During his term of service he was the chairman of the committees on Streets, Water, Lamps and Claims, many changes and im- provements being made in the public service during his tenure of office. Mrs. Gaines and the family are members of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.
JOSEPH C. KELLY. Among the leading and substantial citizens of New Haven, Joseph C. Kelly occupies a prominent position. Mr. Kelly came from an agricultural family of Ireland ; his father. James Kelly, a native of County Cavan, spent his life on a farm in that country. The mother of our subject was Sarah (Carson) Kelly, a daughter of Dr. Jo- seph Carson, of Longford, Ireland, and she still sur- vives. The family born to James Kelly and wife numbered eight children, all of whom survive, with the exception of George, the second child, the others being: Lizzie, who married John McCune, and resides in Burlington, Vt .: Rc. he married Dan- iel Miles, and resides in New Haven: Joseph C .: James, who is a member of the New Zealand Par-
liament. in Australasia: Margaret, who . married William McClure, resides in New Haven: Sarah, who is single ; and Emma, who married Betie Kerr, | and lives in Ireland.
Joseph C. Kelly was born in County Longford. Ireland. Oct. 8. 1853, and until he was fourteen years old remained on his father's farm. His edu- cation was acquired in the old district school, and also in the parochial school, but in 1868. he emi- grated to Canada, and settled in Canada West, on a farm. This, however, was not an active enough life for Mr. Kelly, and in 1871, he made his way to New Haven and took up the machinist's trade, and later went to work for the Winchester Repeating Arms Co., and it is somewhat remarkable, that with the exception of three years, he has been with the same company, for the past twenty-nine years, being a contractor in the concern over eighteen years. His energy and business capacity have made him a most valuable and desirable employe of this company. Mr. Kelly has accumulated large means during his long residence in this city, and owns much improved property, three of the beautiful houses on Shelton avenue belonging to him, while other houses in the city also bring him satisfactory returns. For sev- eral years following his marriage, he resided in the country, in the town of Bethany, but drove daily into the city, from his farm. A prominent and ar- dent Republican, Mr. Kelly has been called upon to fill many offices, has. in turn been a most acceptable alderman, councilman and selectman, from the Ninth ward, and at the last municipal election was so strongly urged to accept the nomination for mavor, that lie received the most votes on the first ballot, but he withdrew in favor of John B. Studley, who was elected. At present Mr. Kelly is serving as one of the police commissioners.
On Feb. 11, 1888, Mr. Kelly was married to Miss Addie M. Todd, a native of Bethany, a daughter of Streat B. Todd, a prominent farmer and cattle dealer. The Todd family is one of the old and hon- ored ones of New England. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelly: Frank J., George W., and Arthur J., all of them attending school in New Haven. Mr. Kelly is as prominent fraternally as he is politically, being a thirty-second-degree Mason, affiliated with Olive Branch, No. 84 ; Frank- lin Chapter, No. 2: Harmony Council : New Haven Commandery: La Fayette Consistory ; and Pyramid Temple. Mystic Shrine, of Bridgeport. The relig- ious connection of the family is with the Episcopal Church, where they are highly estcemed.
HENRY RUSS, one of the leading German- American citizens of West Haven, was born Ang. 18. 1855. in Munich, Germany, and is the only mem- ber of his family in this country.
His father, George Russ, was a native of Lan- dau. Germany, and followed the business of cigar manufacturing in the Fatherland throughout his life. He lived to the age of seventy years, and his
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wife, Mary Moser, a native of Munich, Germany, attained the same age. This worthy couple had five children : Bertha ; Henry ; Herman, who conducts his father's old business in Germany; Anna and Augusta.
Henry Russ was educated in his native land, and in May, 1873, came to this country, a clever, ambi- tious lad of eighteen. He landed in New York and was employed for short periods in the Havemeyer sugar factory and Goodwin's wholesale importing house on Water street, and later on Eighty-first street in various lines of work. In 1876 he located in the town of Orange, this county, being employed as a farm hand, and he once owned a fifty-acre farm in Milford. In 1889 he removed to West Haven, engaging in a general teaming business. He also carried on the ice business for six years, and since selling out has given his attention to the trucking business, keeping a number of horses. He has also made some successful real estate deals and at one time bought a tract of land, and opened up the street now known as Court street. He built four houses on the tract and still owns three, his own residence being one of the handsomest on the street. It was built in 1899, and has a fine location at the corner of Court street and Savin avenue. He has taken an active interest in promoting public movements of a beneficial nature, and he donated the lot for the Episcopal rectory at West Haven, he and his family being members of that Church. In 1888 he mar- ried Mrs. Anna Fisher, a native of Norway, who came to this country with her parents in 1866. Her father died in New Haven in 1871. Five children brighten our subject's home: Clara, Annie, George, Celia and Albert. Mrs. Russ' former marriage, which occurred in 1877, was blessed with two chil- dren, Josephine and Mary.
Politically Mr. Russ is a Democrat, but he votes for the best man in local affairs. Although the town is Republican his popularity. won him an election to the board of wardens and burgesses in 1893, 1894 and 1895, and when nominated for select- man he ran ahead of his ticket, although defeated. He is a member of the fire department, Engine No. I, and socially is identified with Annawan Lodge No. 15, F. & A. M., in which he has held office ; the Order of United Workmen in West Haven; the Heptasophs and the Harugari, a German order ; and at one time he was a member of the K. of P., at New Haven. He has taken special interest in the Haru- gari, being a charter member, and has held all the offices in the society including those of secretary and treasurer.
DEXTER LEETE BISHOP, of the Dexter L. Bishop Co., dealers in pure ice and native lumber. at Meriden, is a man of character and standing in the city where his business career has been so credit- able and successful.
Mr. Bishop was born in the town of Orange. New Haven county, Aug. 8, 1865, son of Walter
G. Bishop, one of the most prominent farmers of Guilford, a sketch of whom is to be found else- where. Dexter L. Bishop removed to the town of Guilford with his parents when quite young and secured his education in the public schools and in Guilford Academy, from which he was graduated in 1884. Growing up on the farm, he was inured to hard work. He remained at home until of age, when he came to Meriden, in 1886, to take a position as clerk with the firm of Little, Somers & Hyatt. For eight years he remained with this house, giving general satisfaction by his faithful performance of every duty devolving upon him and his genial and courteous treatment of the patrons of the firm. At the end of this time, Jan. 1, 1895, he resolved to enter business for himself and purchased an inter- est in the firm of Foster Brothers. Two years later he purchased the business, and in January, 1898, organized the Dexter L. Bishop Co., he being secre- tary, treasurer and general manager. The business to which this corporation addresses itself is, quite comprehensive, including among its principal objects the operation of saw and feed mills. They deal in every form of domestic lumber, from tool handles to piling. Recently the Dexter L. Bishop Co. have ac- quired the ice business of Dayton & Sherman and the Meriden Ice Co., which gives them the control of two-thirds of the ice business of Meriden. Mr. Bishop has built up a large patronage and has a fine outlook for the future. In his career he has dis- played good judgment, honorable dealing and strict integrity. What he is he has made himself by hard work and unflagging industry.
Mr. Bishop was married in Meriden in 1891 to Esther C. Jolinson, who was born in that city, daughter of the late Chauncey G. Johnson, a well- known real estate man, who died in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop have three children: Ethel Jolinson, Herbert Leete and Wilford Merriman. Mr. Bishop is Knight Templar, a Royal Arch Mason, and is enrolled in Centre Lodge, No. 97, and Keystone Chapter, No. 27, and St. Elmo Commandery No. 9. of Meriden. He is a member of the Congregational Church, and in politics a Republican, though taking an independent attitude. In 1899 he was elected alderman, representing the Fifth ward in the city council, where he has acquitted himself most credit- ably. A good citizen, an upright man, he is person- ally very popular with a wide circle of friends.
WILLIAM WOOSTER BUCKINGHAM is one of the younger business men to whom advance- ment came carly. He is now treasurer and manager of the well-known Buckingham Hardware Co., of New Haven, wholesale hardware dealers.
Nathan Lewis Buckingham, grandfather of Will- iam. Wooster, was a son of Nathan and Silena ( Lewis ) Buckingham, and was born about 1,02. Ile married Clarissa Wooster, and became the fa- ther of six children, of whom one died young. The others were: Mark, who married Martha Bristol ;
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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Martha, who married Styles French : Henry, men- 'in marriage with Laura Stevens Mor y, of Mayville, tioned below ; Joel, who was among the "missing" at Chancellorsville, in the war of the Rebellion, when he was about twenty-three years old; and Henriette, of Pasadena, California.
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Henry Buckingham was born Feb. 29, 1828, in Oxford, Conn., and there in the public schools he received his early training. At the age of seventeen he came to New Haven, and for a number of years was in the employ of D. W. Buckingham, and later of Jeremiah Atwater. He thien went to Derby, Conn., where he engaged in the retail butcher busi- ness, but soon returned to New Haven, where he started a grocery on Chapel street. The outbreak of the Civil war diverted his thoughts into other channels, and in company with Charles King, he went South as a sutler with a Rhode Island regi- ment. After he returned from the war, he engaged in the real estate business in New Haven, having offices in the Hoadley building for about twenty- five years. He spent over forty years of his life in New Haven, but the last six years he retired from active business. His death occurred Nov. 7, 1893. His wife was formerly Abbie Ogden ( Phillips ) Curtis, widow of Reuben Curtis. She was born in Fairfield, Conn., July 16, 1830, and died in Boston, while on a visit, Jan. 28, 1901. The children born of this marriage are as follows: Nathan Lewis. born June 25, 1855, married Emma Anderson, and resides in Boston : Charles Curtis, born Sept. 5. 1856. married Louella Broderick, and lives in New Haven ; William Wooster ; Alfred Whitney, born in Septem- ber, 1864, resides in New York City.
William Wooster Buckingham was born in New Haven, April 4. 1863. His education was obtained in the public schools. His early business ventures were along the line of mining, and for two years he was near Cartersville, Ga., engaged in man- ganese mining. He then returned to New Ha- ven, and entered the employ of F. S. Brad- ley & Co., wholesale hardware, the firm being composed of F. S. Bradley and Oscar Dikeman, the latter now of New York City. In 180 the firm became Buckingham, Clark & Jackson, who May 1, 1900, were succeeded by the Buckingham Hardware Co., Mr. Buckingham being the only one who retained connection with it. He is now serving as treasurer and general manager, while Mr. Brad- ley is president. Mr. Buckingham gives to the busi- ness the same careful attention to detail that char- acterized him when he became an employe of the company in 1880-an attention that has won him a large interest in the business, and a high place in the business world.
In 1885 Mr. Buckingham enlisted in the "New Haven Grays," becoming a member of Co. F, 2d Conn. N. G., serving his five years term of enlist- ment. He also served seven years in the Second Company. Governor's Foot Guards, being mustered out of service in June, 1900.
N. Y. Four children, two of whom are living, have blessed their happy home: Louella Beatrice, born June 19, 1890, died Nov. 28, 1892; William Root, born March 30, 1892, died April 27, 1892; Lenora Bishop, born June 29, 1893; and Charles Wooster, born Jan. 21, 1805.
ANDREW OEFINGER, proprietor of the Oefinger Cafe, on West Main street, Meriden, is a prominent citizen and valued business man of that place. His birth occurred March 6, 1860, in Tros- singen, Wurtemberg, Germany, and his father, John Oefinger, was a native of the same locality. In early life the latter was engaged in the bakery business, but later adopted the trade of box maker, establishing a large factory of his own where this business was carried on extensively. He died in his native land in 1897, a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. The mother of our subject, Anna (Neipp) Oefinger, was also a native of Tros- singen, where she died in 1862, mourned by a large family. She was the mother of eighteen children, but several died in infancy, those who reached ma- turity being : Jacob, who resides in Meriden ; Elias, also of Meriden; Martin, who lives at home: An- drew; Michael, who was accidentally killed by a horse in Meriden ; John, who was killed by the cars in Meriden ; Christian, who died in Massachusetts ; and Mathew, who died in Bridgeport.
Andrew Oefinger received an excellent educa- tion in his home schools, and until 1876 worked with his father in the box factory. Deciding at that time to follow a brother to the United States, he landed in New York at the age of sixteen years. His brother Jacob was located at Shelburne Falls, Mass., engaged in the manufacture of harmonicas, and with him Andrew worked for one year, coming to Meri- den in 1877. Here he secured employment in the cutlery factory of the Miller Bros. Cutlery Co., re- maining with that house from 1877 to 1886, during which time he was a contractor for four years. In the latter year he entered the Wilcox Silver Plate Co.'s factory, and there learned the trade of en- graver. He then became connected with the Meri- den Silver Plate Co. as engraver, remaining until 1894, when he bought an interest in the Turner Hall Cafe. He conducted the business at the old stand for a year and a half, changing then to No. 250 Pratt street, where he continued the business for the succeeding two years, selling out to remove to his present location. Here he managed the business for his brother until 1000, when he purchased his inter- est and since that time has ably conducted it for himself. Mr. Oefinger is very popular, and possesses the business qualifications necessary to success.
In 1882 Mr. Oefinger was married to Miss Ida Graebin, a lady of Prussian birth, daughter of Fred Graebin, of Providence, and four children have been born to this union: Robert, Max, Frances and
On Sept. 24, 1888, Mr. Buckingham was united , Arthur. Mr. Oefinger is an active member of Teu
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tonic Lodge, No. 95, I. O. O. F., has filled all the he also belongs to the Grange and the I. O. O. F. held in high esteem. chairs and has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge. ' Politically he is a Republican, and as a citizen he is For twenty-five years he has been a member of the Turnverein, and for a number of years of the Saen- gerbund of Meriden. He is also a member of the German American School Association, the Work- men's Sick and Death Benefit Society and the Meri- den Rifle Club. His religious belief he sums up in the Golden Rule, and is living up to it. He finds his political ideas best satisfied when he keeps free from all parties and votes independently. Mr. Oefinger has many friends in Meriden, where he is ranked among the good, reliable and substantial citizens. .
SHERMAN H. BALDWIN, a well-known resi- dent of Milford, was born in that town April 4, 1855, son of Charles R., and grandson of Elnathan Baldwin.
For several generations the family has been identified with the town, and Elnathan Baldwin was born there and became a leading farmer of the town. He married Sarah Stowe, of Milford, and had a large family of children, of whom several died in childhood. The others were: Elnathan. deceased, was a farmer in Milford : William, de- ceased, was engaged in the hat business in New Haven; Charles R., deceased, is mentioned below : Eunice, deceased, married Charles J. Baldwin, of Milford : Sarah is the wife of Charles W. Beardsley. of Milford: Esther, died unmarried: James is a farmer in Milford: and Phineas is a farmer.
Charles R. Baldwin was born in Milford. April 12, 1823, and was engaged in farming all his life. Soon after his marriage he settled upon a farm in West Milford. He married Miss Mary A. Beards- ley, daughter of Sarah Beardsley, of Stratford, and she survives him. Our subject was the youngest of a family of five children, and of the others the first died in infancy, unnamed : Edgar C. died at the age of fifteen ; George H., also died at fifteen ; and Will- iam died in infancy.
Sherman II. Baldwin was educated in the schools of Milford, and when seventeen years old went to Bridgeport to learn the carpenter's trade, but after a year he returned to Milford, and entered the em- plov of his uncle, H. B. Beardsley. Later he re- sumed the work in Bridgeport, and in 1888 he be- gan in contracting there, and his time is now chiefly devoted to building, although he has, as well, a farm of sixty-five acres to manage. While in Bridgeport he was a member of the Board of Trade. In 1879 he married Miss Lottie H. Warner, daughter of Noah- diah Warner, of Southbury, Conn .. and she died March 19, 1880. On Jan. 30, 1895, Mr. Baldwin married Miss Mary Blakeman, daughter of Ezra Blakeman, a farmer of Huntington, Fairfield county, Conn. Mr. Baldwin has one son by his first mar- riage. Clifford S., aged non 'un. As a member of Congregational Church of Milford, Mr. Baldwin has been active in religious work for many years, and
G. CLIFFORD FOOTE, who is a member of the well-known firm of H. C. Rowe & Co., oyster growers, and one of the public spirited and influ- ential business men of New Haven, was born in Fair Haven, Oet. 17, 1869, a son of George L. and Lucretia ( Way ) Foote, and a grandson of Augustus and Statira ( Whitney) Foote. The grandfather was a farmer of Northford, and there reared a fan- ily of six children, Mary, Sarah, Emily, Sam- uel, Henry and George L., of whom only the latter two survive, Henry, of North Haven, and George L., father of our subject.
George L. Foote was born in Northford, July 18, 1835. He married Lucretia Way, a native of Yalesville, and a daughter of David Way. Three children were born of this union, namely: Fred- eriek W., an oyster dealer in New Haven : Leah S., wife of Herbert Kanahan, of New Haven; and G. Clifford.
G. Clifford Foote was reared in Fair Haven. He attended the Woolsey school and also the Hillhouse High School, supplementing his public school edu- cation with a course in a business college. He be- gan his business career in 1887, at the age of eight- een years, as stenographer for H. C. Rowe & Co., oyster growers. Mr. Foote's faithful and conscien- tious discharge of his business duties immediately won the confidence of his employer, which has con- tinued and increased during the fifteen years' con- nection, which has ensued. His salary was raised repeatedly and voluntarily by the firm, and he has recently acquired a junior interest in the great and successful business enterprise conducted by this well-known house.
Mr. Foote married, May 29, 1893, Matilda A. Bostwick, of New Haven, daughter of Rev. Will- iam L. and Susan M. ( Smith) Bostwick. Her fa- ther was a clergyman of the Episcopal Church, hay- ing held the rectorship of several Parishes in Illinois and Connecticut. To G. Clifford and Matilda Foote. have been born four children, Ruth B., Bernice G., Marion I. and Dorothy M. Both Mr. and Mrs. Foote are active members of St. James Episcopal Parish, of which he is clerk. In politics Mr. Foote is a Republican, and in 1900 he was elected council- man from the Fourteenth Ward, and in 1901 was elected, for a term of two years, to the Aldermanic Board of the Court of Common Council of the City of New Haven.
RICHARD HENRY WOODRUFF, first select- man of the town of Guilford, where he is engaged in fruit farming and dairying, was born in that town Aug. 13, 1856, and comes from one of the most reputable families of New England. He is in the eighth generation from Matthew Woodruff. the first progenitor in America of this branch of the
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PATHfordruff
Eleazar Woodruff
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Woodruff family, the line of his descent being through Samuel, Daniel, Daniel (2), Dr. Eleazer, Alonzo and Eleazer.
(I) Matthew Woodruff was one of the original proprietors of Farmington, in 1672, coming thither from Hartford in 1640, and was admitted a free- man in 1667 .. His wife was admitted to the church in Farmington in 1654. He died at an advanced age in 1682.
(II) Samuel Woodruff, son of Matthew, was born in Farmington, in 1661, and was married in 1686 to Rebecca, daughter of John Clark. In 1698 he moved to what is now the town of Southington, and has a place in history as its first white settler. He died in 1742, his wife in 1737.
(III) Daniel Woodruff, son of Samuel, was born in 1696 in Farmington, and married Lydia, daughter of Ephraim and Rachel (Cole) Smith. He died in 1785.
(IV) Daniel Woodruff (2), son of Daniel, was born in 1728, and was married in 1750 to Lydia Porter, who died in 1796. He lived on what is known as the Edwin Woodruff place.
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(V) Dr. Eleazer Woodruff, son of Daniel (2), and great-grandfather of Richard H., was born in Southington, Conn., and baptized Sept. 24, 1752. He was a physician and located at Haddam, where he followed his profession. During the Revolution- ary war he served as surgeon and supplied the medi- cine he prescribed. He married Sophronia Porter, a daughter of Dr. Porter, of Southington. A letter from Dr. Woodruff, written to Dr. Pierson, while he was serving with his regiment, is preserved among the choice heirlooms of the family ; it reads as follows :
RESPECTED SIR:
It is common for a person uppon the reception of a letter to be well pleased but truly Sir you will be greatly disap- pointed upon opening this for I have nothing very special to acquaint you with. Theirfore, I shall only give you a short sketch of our encampment. Our circumstances are as favorable as can be expected. We are encamped on York Island about eighty rods east from Mount Washington in the woods. The place is universally liked. Would not exchange places with any regiment on the island. We have good tents to live in, straw to sleep on; salt pork and beef; good bread. plenty, and sometimes a few potatoes. Cider at seven coppers a quart and who can wish to live better than that?
As for news I shall not pretend to write much, for probably there is more with you than us. However last Wednesday three ships saded up North river, and as they passed the fort they fired some guns, but no damage was done. Our people fired from the Jersey side, but did little or no execution. The ships still continued up the river. It is said they have taken two of our new gallies and one vessel comeing down the river.
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