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 17

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 934

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 17

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[Signed]

ELEAZER WOODRUFF.

the father of Richard IL., and interred in the family plat. During the war of 1812 he served as a sol- dier for a short time. Hannah Davis, his wife, was born in Killingworth, and was the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. Their children were: ( I) Eleazer was the father of Richard H. (2) Adelia married Aden Parmelee, of Killingworth, and had one daughter Clementine, who became Mrs. War- ren Tucker. Mr. Parmelee died in Newark, N. J. (3) Harriet married Justin Dudley, of Killing- worth. (4) Orvill died in Killingworth. (5) Or- vill (2), married Angeline Parmelee; he died in Killingworth.

( VII) ELEAZER WOODRUFF, father of our sub- ject, was born July 3. 1819, and lost his father while still a young boy. He attended school only a few terms, for at the age of nine years he was bound out to a farmer, with whom he remained until he was sixteen years old, when he entered a grist mill at Cornwall. There he was employed two years, and next spent two years in a tanyard at Guilford, working there in the summer and in the winter fol- lowing shoemaking, a trade he had already acquired. Leaving his wages in his emplovers hands, by the failure of that gentleman he was made penniless, but with stout and brave heart, he went to work again, as a farm hand. In 1840 he came to Guilford and found work in the mill of the town, and became its keeper and operator for twenty-three years. Dur- ing a part of this time he had as a helper the after- ward well-known Prof. Loper, of Middletown, Conn. In 1863 he bought a tract of land in Hun- gary Hill, in the town of Guilford, which was then a wilderness. When he entered into possession of this tract of land, it was encumbered to the extent of $2.700, but by hard work he paid off the indebted- ness, and was able subsequently to make numerous improvements. He was an extensive grower of to- bacco and a pioneer in that field. On account of old age Mr. Woodruff has now given up active farm work, and his son, Richard II., has charge of the family interests. However, he is quite active, and still retains command of all his faculties, being noted .for his clear and active mind. He has always been strictly temperate, and has never used tobacco in any form. In early manhood he had a strong ambition for an education, and attended school at Killingworth, where he acquired at least a work- ing education. Mr. Woodruff is the oldest member of St. Alban's Lodge, No. 38, F. & A. M., in Guil- ford. William Henry Harrison, Whig candidate for president, received his first vote, and William Mckinley his last. He belongs to the Third Con- gregational Church. He has ever been known as an active, industrious man, and is highly respected in every walk of life.

(VI) Alonzo Woodruff, son of Dr. Eleazer and the grandfather of Richard H .. was born in Haddam, and removed to Killingworth, where he followed. Mr. Woodruff was married in Guilford to Har- riet A. Davis, who was born in Guilford, a daugh- ter of Christopher B. Davis. She died on the farm the blacksmith's trade, and where he died in the prime of life. Ile was buried there but his remains were afterward removed to Guilford by his son, ; Dec. 14, 1890, and was buried in the family come-

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tery, leaving precious memories as a wife and mother. Five children were born to them: (I) Ellen, born Jan. 5, 1850, died in 1853. (2) Edwin C., born Jan. 25, 1852, graduated from Yale in 1872; he was elected town clerk and probate judge of Guilford; acting in that capacity at the time of his death, which occurred May 17, 1886. He was married July 15, 1884, to Charlotte Simes, of Yon- kers, N. Y. (3) Richard H. is mentioned below. (4) John, born Jan. 27, 1859. died June 16, 1862. (5) Lucy, born March 20, 1862, married Frank Griswold.

Richard H. Woodruff attended the Guilford schools and grew up on the home farm, where he has always remained. Since his father retired from active work, he has carried on the extensive farm of over 200 acres, largely devoting himself to dairy- ing, having fifty head of Jersey cattle. He is giv- ing much attention to peach culture, and has over a thousand trees growing. A man of enterprising and active spirit, he is much respected for his busi- ness ability. In ISSo he built a fine house and barn, which latter, in 1895, together with seventy-five tons of hay, two horses and all his farm implements, was destroyed by fire, Mr. Woodruff losing in all $3,000: The barn with which he has replaced the one he has lost, is about the finest in the town; some of the stones in its foundation weigh over five tons. It holds one hundred tons of hay, and has ample accommodation for stock and machinery.

Mr. Woodruff was married Nov. 1, 1882, to Isabelle Parmelee, a native of Madison, and a · daughter of Henry Parmelee. She died April 27, 1885, at the age of twenty-six years, leaving one son, Henry Edwin, born March 8, 1885, who is now living in Madison with his grandparents. Mr. Woodruff married for his second wife, Nellie R. Brewer, who was born in Guilford, daughter of Alva G. Brewer. To this union have come three chil- dren : Hattie, born May 29. 1889: Alva; born March 20, 1801 ; and Raymond, born Dec. 17, 1893 : all are attending school .. Mr. Woodruff was elected selectman of Guilford in 1898, in 1809, and agan in 1900, and is chairman of the town board. He is a stanch Republican. For many years he has been president and director of the Guilford Agricultural Society. He belongs to the Third Congregational Church, and fraternally is a Mason, affiliating with St. Alban's Lodge, No. 38, Guilford.

Alva Goldsmith Brewer, the father of Mrs. Woodruff, was born in Port Chester, N. Y., June 7, 1838, son of Thomas Brewer, a native of Devon- shire, England, who came to New York. For some years he worked as a carpenter and joiner, and in his later life located with his family at Moose Hill, New Haven county, where he bought a farm. He was a member of the Baptist Church. He married Phehe Conklin, of Long Island. and they had two children : Lydia Ann ( who married Albert Conk- lin ) and Alva G. Alva G. Brewer was three years old when he came to Guilford with his parents. He

was educated in the public schools, became a farmer. and also dealt in railroad ties and ship timber. He died May 13, 1887, and was buried in the West cemetery. He was a Congregationalist in religious connection, and was well known and highly re- garded. In 1861 he was married, in Branford, to Harriet Alice Palmer, a daughter of Wilmot and Susan C. ( Bradley ) Palmer, and by her became the father of eight children: Nellie R. married Rich- ard H. Woodruff ; Albert C. married Fannie Fow- ler ; Fannie married Lovell Stone, of Florida ; Eliza- beth married William Blatchley; Angeline married William Leete, of Leete Island: Harry is living at home; Mary ; Hattie is at school.

HENRY DRYHURST, postmaster of the city of Meriden, and a well known attorney, is one of the leading citizens of that community, and has long been connected with public affairs there. He came to Meriden from Massachusetts in March, 1865.

Henry Dryhurst, the father of our subject, learned the trade of silversmith in his native place, Birmingham, England, and came to America to pursue it while still a young man, locating in Provi- dence, R. I. In that city he followed his trade a short time, then removed to Taunton, Mass., in 1864 coming to Meriden, where he entered the en- ploy of the Meriden Britannia Co., with whom he remained for many years. Mr. Dryhurst's fame as a skillful workman was known all over England and the United States wherever the best class of silver- plate was manufactured. His wife, formerly Elea- nor Lewis, died in Meriden, Oct. 2, 1881. Our sub- ject's brothers and sisters are all living at this writ- ing: Rowland L., in Rockford, Ill. ; Hugh, in Hart- ford, Conn .; Louisa E. ( wife of Montgomery R. Budd), Eleanor and Laura A., all of Meriden ; and Emma, wife of Edwin W. Hall, of Wallingford. Connecticut.

Henry Dryhurst, the subject proper of this bio- graphy, received his education in the district school, leaving his books early to engage in work in a saw- mill in Meriden. A short time afterward he entered the employ of George R. Wilmot, and remained with him for a number of years. Ambitious and energetic the youth resolved to supplement the knowledge he already possessed by attendance at night school, and as a most excellent one was conducted by Rev. John T. and Mrs. Pettee, he was enabled to continue his studies. In 1877 he entered the postal service un- der postmaster Erwin D. Hall, with whom he con- tinued for nine years. The law was the profession he had in view, and in the course of time he was able to enter upon its study under Hon. Ratcliffe Hicks, then city attorney. Still later he studied with Hon. O. H. Platt, and finished his course under the .wise direction of Hon. George A. Fay. In January, 1884, he was admitted to the New Haven County Bar and entered bro practice, immediately coming to the front in politics For eight years he was chairman of the Republican town committee and

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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efficiently filled the office through the Presidential campaigns of 1888 and 1896. In 18go he was ap- pointed postmaster at Meriden by President Harri- son. At the expiration of his term in 1894. he re- sumed the practice of law, and held the position of assistant city attorney. In 1808 he was re-appointed postmaster, and the general consensus of opinion is that this city has never enjoyed better postal facili- ties than under his administration. His care and evident desire to facilitate all of the work of the office in such a way as to best accommodate the public, has won him well-deserved popularity with all classes. During his first term he brought about the promotion of the Meriden office from the second to the first-class, and succeeded in having the carrier force increased from eight to thirteen men. During his second term he induced the department to aban- don the old quarters on the west side of Colony street, and to lease the large and commodious office now occupied, in the Byxbee block, and to increase the carrier force to seventeen men.

Mr. Dryhurst married Miss Margaret C. Dut- cher, who was born in Sag Harbor, L. I., and chil- dren as follows have been born to them : Jennie E., who graduated from the Meriden high school, and married Guy A. Palmer, of Meriden ; Henry, Jr., a student in the Meriden high school; and Orville J. Mr. Dryhurst is a man of domestic habits. He is a member of no secret societies, but has long been connected with the First Baptist Church, and with the Home Club.

EDWARD N. WARNER, a thorough and skillful farmer living on Munson street, Hamden, was born on the farm where he now lives, May II, 1852, and is a representative of one of the old and honored families of the town. His grandfather, Elam Warner, a son of Hezekiah Warner, was born on the same farm and married Betsey Merriman, by whom he had four children: Orchard ; Horace ; John, father of our subject; and Catherine, wife of ,Merrick Mansfield. All are now deceased.

".John Warner, father of our subject, was also born on the old homestead in Handen. in 1822, and continued his residence there throughout life, his time and attention being devoted to farming. He married Miss Sarah J. Riggs, a native of Oxford, Conn., and to them were born four children: Ed- ward N., our subject ; Bernard A., a farmer of Ham- den; and Richard L. and George W., both carpen- ters of that town. The father died in 1869 and the mother departed this life Jan. 12, 1898, at the age of sixty-five years. They were highly respected and esteemed by all who knew them.

The boyhood of Edward N. Warner was passed upon the home farm and his early education was obtained in the common schools of the neighborhood. At the age of sixteen years he went to Michigan, where he attended school for two years, and on his return home took charge of the farm, as his father had died in the meantime. He now owns fifty acres

of rich and arable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, and upon which he is successfully engaged in general farming and dairy- ing. Politically he is not identified with any party but votes for the men whom he considers best qual- ified to fill the offices, and fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Order of United American Mechanics.

Mr. Warner was married Dec. 31, 1888, to Miss Ella Warner, and they now have two children : Freda E., born June 12, 1894; and Earl, born Dec. 9, 1897. The family are prominent in the con- munity where they reside.

CHARLES W. HOFFMANN, a highly pros- perous farmer and butcher, and one of the substan- tial citizens of the town of Orange, is a native of New Haven county, born Sept. 22, 1864.

John W. Hoffmann, his father, was a native of Germany, born July 8, 1827. in .Saxe-Coburg, a son of Peter and Catherine Hoffmann, the former of whom was a butcher, successful business man of the above named Duchy. John W. Hoffmann re- ceived a liberal education in his native land and learned the butchering business with his father ; but inclining his ear to the bright promises ex- tended by the New World, he concluded to try his fortune on these shores. Accordingly, in 1853, he set sail, and after a passage of seventy days in a sailing vessel, landed at New York, soon afterward finding employment with Gen. Blanket, of New Jersey. Here he remained a couple of years and then, having married in the meantime, he opened a boarding house in New York and conducted it for a time, after which he removed to New Haven, where he operated the Miller Garden. Not mak- ing a success of this, however, he moved to the Bassett farm in the town of Hamden, and in 1858 rented the Captain White farm. For three years he engaged in general agriculture, dairying, etc. His next venture was in the butchering business on Congress avenue, New Haven, in which he con- tinued until 1876. in that year removing to the town of Orange and locating on the Milford pike, where he bought a tract of land known as the Gen. Ives farm, This he carried on. in connection withthe butchering business, working hard and making many improvements on the property. There he passed the rest of his industrious life, and his death occurred in 1880, and his remains were interred in Evergreen Cemetery, New Haven.

In 1856, in New York City, John W. Hoffmann was married to Barbara Lutz, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth ( Bender ) Lutz, and four children came of this union: Minnie, deceased at the age of six years : Charles W., our subject : Augusta, wife of Charles Fravlich, of New Haven : and Lydia, wife of Robert Pastorrus. The mother of these is now living with her son, Charles W. The father was a corporal in Company B. 2d Regiment National Guard; in religious faith he was a member of the

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German Baptist Church. He was much respceted for his industrious and upright life and was known far and wide as a loving husband, an indulgent father and a useful, loyal citizen.

Charles W. Hoffmann, whose name introduces this sketch, received a good education at the district schools of his native town and learned the butcher- ing business under his father's instruction. On the death of the latter the son, although but sixteen years of age at the time, at once took hold of the business and has well and successfully conducted it ; moreover he farms over forty acres of land and con- ducts a thriving dairy. In addition to his prop- erty in the town of Orange he owns town lots in West Haven.

In 1888, in the town of Orange, Charles W. Hoffmann was united in marriage with Martha Spiesecke, born in Germany, a daughter of Fred- erick Spiesecke, and two children were born to them: Lydia Barbara and Walter C. The family attend the services of the German Baptist Church, and Mr. Hoffmann is treasurer of the Sunday- school. In politics he is a Republican, is a meni- ber of the town committee, treasurer of the school board, etc., while socially he is affiliated with the · Grange in the town of Orange. Since 1884 he has been a member of the Governor's Horse Guard, and in 1898 was appointed by the Governor of Connecti- cut lieutenant of his company. Successful in busi- ness, honest in all his dealings, there is no citizen of the town of Orange held in higher esteem and re- gard than Charles W. Hoffmann.

FREDERICK BURTON STREET, a descend- ant of the noted family of Streets of East Haven. whose reputation for sterling integrity ranks in the highest degree among the early settlers of the town, in Church and State, as the records abundantly tes- tify, is one of the prominent and successful business men of New Haven. He was born in East Haven Sept. 29, 1853, a son of Thaddeus and Elizabethi Amelia ( Hotchkiss ) Street. He is of the eighth generation from Rev. Nicholas Street. the founder of the family in America. The line of descent is as follows :

(I) Rev. Nicholas Street, born at Bridgewater. England, in 1603, son of Nicholas and grandson of Richard of Atogumba. Somersetshire, England, re- ceived the degree of B. A. at Oxford in 1624-5. and came to New England sometime between 1630 and 1638. He was first known as a colleague of Mr. Hooker in Taunton, Mass., where their joint pastorate continued for seven years. Mr. Hooker was then called to New Haven, Conn., as colleague of Mr. Davenport, Mr. Street continuing as sole pastor for fifteen years. He followed Mr. Hooker to New Haven where he took the latter's place as colleague of Rev. Davenport in 1650. and from 1667. until his own death in 1074. bad ade charge of the First Church, now Center Church. A tablet has since been placed in that church in his memory.

Rev. Street lived in College street, on the site where now stands College Hall. He was associated with William Jones and John Davenport, in giving aid to the regicides, Goffe and Whalley. His second wife was Mrs. Mary Newman, widow of Gov. Fran- cis Newman, of New Haven. After Mr. Street's death, she became the third wife of Gov. Leete.

( II) Rev. Samuel Street, son of Nicholas, born 1635, married in New Haven in 1664, Anna, daugh- ter of Richard and Katherine ( Constable ) Miles. Mr. Street was graduated from Harvard in 1664. He lived in New Haven and taught in the school Davenport had founded. He was installed in 1674. the first settled clergyman at Wallingford, Conn., and remained pastor forty-five years. His death occurred in 1717, and that of his wife in 1730.

(III) Lieut. Samuel Street (2), son of Rev. Samuel, born in New Haven in 166 ;. married ( first ) in 1600, Hannah Glover, born in 1672, daughter of John Glover, of New Haven. She died in 1715, and he married ( second ) in 1716, Mrs. Elizabeth ( Brown) Todd, daughter of Eleazer and Sarah ( Pulkley ) Brown, and widow of Michael Todd, by whom she had nine children.

(IV) Capt. Elnathan Street, son of Lieut. Sam- uel, born in 1695, married in 1722, Damariss Hull. | daughter of Dr. Benjamin and Elizabeth ( Andrews ) Hull, of Wallingford, Conn., born in 1700. Mr. . Street was ensign and later captain of the train- band of Wallingford. Both Mr. and Mrs. Street 1 died in 1787.

(V) Rev. Nicholas Street (2), son of Capt. . Elnathan, born in 1730, graduated from Yale. He married ( first ) in 1758, Desire Thompson, born il. 1745, and died in 1765, daughter of Moses and De- sire ( Hemingway ) Thompson, of East Haven. Mr. Street married ( second ) in 1706, Hannah Austin, born in 1741, daughter of David, Jr., and Hannah ( Punderson ) Austin. She died in 1802. Mr. Street was ordained in 1755 and became the second pastor of the Congregational Church in Fast Ha- ven, and early in his pastorate the Stone Church was built and still stands a monument to his memory. He continued in the ministry fifty-one years, or until | his death, which occurred on the anniversary of his ordination Oct. 8th. During the Revolution he was in ardent sympathy with the American cause and did much to kindle and encourage the spirit of patri- otism. In theology he was conservative and Cal- vinistic.

(VI) Elnathan Street (2), son of Rev. Nicho- las (2), born in 1774. married in 1802, Clarissa Morris, born in 1783, daughter of Amos and Bet- sey ( Woodward ) Morris, and resided in East Ha- ven a farmer. Mr. Street died Nov. 13, 1849. Mrs. Betsey (Woodward ) Morris descended from the Huguenots through the De Luce line.

(VII) Thaddens Street, son of Elnathan ( 2). born April 22. 1821, married Jan. 0, 1850, Eliza- beth Amelia Hotchkiss, born Oct. 26, 1826, and re- sided in East Haven, a farmer. He died Jan. 16,

Frederick B. Street

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1882. Their children were: Samuel Hotchkiss. Frederick Burton ( the subject of this sketch), and Clifford Herbert. Samuel Hotchkiss Street was born Nov. 14. 1850, married Sept. 22, 1880, Alice May, daughter of Samuel Peck Newton, and their children are, Ruby Elizabeth, born July 14, 1881 ; Bertha May, born Aug. 16, 1884; Mildred Dorothy, born Aug. 12, 1888; and Newton Herbert, born March 16, 1895. Clifford Herbert was born Feb. 1, 1861, and on Oct. 27, 1887, married Elizabeth A. Forbes, daughter of Albert and Harriett ( Heming- way) Forbes; their children are: Albert Burton. born Jan. 8, 1894; and Helen Madolyn, born Feb. 25, 1901.

(VIII) Frederick Burton Street, born Sept. 29, 1853, married Sept. 20, 1882, Eveline Jane Jones, born May 18, 1858, daughter of Daniel A. and Emeline ( Roberts ) Jones, of Danielsonville, Conn., and their two children are: Emeline Amelia. born Sept. 13, 1884, entered Vassar College in 1901 ; Grace Hotchkiss, born Sept. 10, 1890.

Mr. Street spent his boyhood days on the home- stead farm in East Haven, attending the neighbor- ing schools, and he finished his education at the New Milford Institute. He returned to the farmi where he remained some years, then with his brother, Samuel H., he engaged in the cereal and flour business, continuing successfully for about fifteen years. In 1896 Mr. Street associated himself with Lieut. Governor J. D. Dewell, as sole partner in the wholesale grocery business of J. D. Dewell & Co., with whom he has since been actively asso- ciated. True to the religious spirit of his ancestors. Mr. Street has been active in church work through- out the years of his manhood. He is a member of the Congregational Church, and has been a deacon of the church for more than twenty years. He is also superintendent of the Sunday-school, a posi- tion which he has filled for more than a quarter of a century. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the New England Order of Protection, the Sons of the American Revolution and the Founders and Patriots.

WILBUR BIRDSEY HALL, an able and ener- getic business man of Meriden, engaged in the man- ufacture of hard white metal and electro-plated ware. is an enterprising young man, native to that town. born Feb. 1. 1860, a descendant of one of the oldest families in New England.

The emigrant ancestor of the Halls of New Ha- ven and Wallingford, was John Hall, who was born in England in 1605 and died in Wallingford in 1676. aged seventy-one years. In 1641 he married Jane Wollen, who was born in England and died before Nov. 14. 1690. The records show the following concerning their children : ( I) Richard, born July II. 1645, married. 1600. Hannah Miles, Sugar of John and Mary (Alsony Miles, and died in New Haven in 1726. (2) John, baptized Aug. 9, 1646.

married Dec. 6, 1650. Mary Parker, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth ( Potter ) Parker, and died Sept. 2, 1721. (3) Sarah, twin to John, married in December, 1664, William Johnson, son of Thomas Johnson, of New Haven. (4) Daniel, born in 1047, married, 1670, Mary Rutherford, daughter of Henry Rutherford, and died at Barbadoes. West Indies, in 1675. (5) Samuel, born May 21, 1648, married Hannah, daughter of John Walker, and died March 5. 1725. (6) Thomas, born March 25, 1649, mar- ried Grace Watson and died Sept. 17, 1731. (7) Jonathan, born April 5, 1651. (8) David. born March 18, 1652, married Sarah Rockwell, and died July 7. 1727. (9) Mary, born in 1653, married Henry Cook, and died Oct. 31. 1718.

Thomas Hall, sixth in the above named family, removed from his native New Haven to Walling- tord with his two brothers, John and Samuel, and was one of the signers of the Plantation Covenant in 1669-70. He spent the remainder of his life in Wallingford, where he was a land holder and where he died Sept. 17, 1731. He married on June 5, 1673. Grace Watson, who was born in 1653, a daughter of Edward and Grace ( Walker ) Watson. This was the first marriage on record in Walling- ford. Grace ( Watson ) Hall died May 1, 1731. Her children were: Abigail, born Jan. 7, 1674. married John Tyler; Thomas, born July 17, 1676, married Abigail Atwater, daughter of John Atwater ; Mary, born Nov. 22, 1677; Jonathan, born July 25, 1679, married Dinah Andrews May 12, 1703 : Joseph, born July 8, 1681 ; Esther, born Feb. 23. 1683, married Benoni Atkins : Benjamin, born April 19, 1684, mar- ried Mary Ives : Peter, born Dec. 28, 1686, married Rebecca Bartholomew; Daniel, born Jan. 27, 1689: Rebecca, born Jan. 6. 1691, married Daniel Holt : and Israel, born Oct. 8, 1696, married Abigail Powel.

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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 17

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 934

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 934