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 2

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 2


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Henry Martin, son of Wooster Martin, was born in Meriden. Feb. 14. 1820, and acquired his preliminary education in that town, after which he was for three years a student in the Suffield


Institute. He left school at the age of twenty, and went to California by the Isthmus Route. After spending two years in the mines, he went to San Francisco to set up in the auction business in com- pany with A. I. Hall, and the two presently joined with themselves H. M. Newhall. The three con- tinued in business until July, 1851, when Mr. Mar- tin sold out, returned to Wallingford, where he became a stockholder in the New England Cutlery Co. In 1855 and 1856 he served as Bank Com- missioner ot the State. Mr. Martin is a Mason, be- ing affiliated with Compass Lodge, of Wallingford, of which he was Master fourteen years, and he also belongs to Keystone Chapter, of Meriden. With his family he belongs to the Congregational Church of Wallingford. He has always been a stanch Republican, but has never sought office. On May 24, 1853, Henry Martin and Julia .A. Hall, daughter of Joel Hall, were united in marriage. Mrs. Martin died May 5, 1898, the mother of the following children: Charles W., a grain merchant in Grand Meadow, Minn., who married Alba l'ad- dock, a daughter of Selden Yale Paddock; Harry H., who married Martha L. Judd, and died Feb. 26, 1896, leaving two children; Cornelia J., who married George M. Judd, and is living at Walling- ford; John Augustus; Almer I., mentioned below ; Mary Alice, Jessie Beach, and Mabel Hitchcock are all at home.


Almer Ives Martin, son of Henry Martin, was born Aug. 28, 1865, and received his education in the schools of Wallingford, his native village. Leaving school when sixteen years old he entered the employ of Simpson, Hall & Miller Co., to learn the trade of a solderer. Remaining there three years, at the expiration of that time he bought out. in company with his brother John A., the grocery and grain business of C. N. Jones. The firm of Martin Brothers continued until 1889, when Almer Ives bought out the business. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F .; and politically he is a Republican, but has never sought office. He is an attendant at the Congregational Church. On Nov. 11, 1891, Almer Ives Martin married Miss Caroline R. Cook, of Wallingford, a daughter of Edward F. and Emeline ( Cook) Cook.


John Augustus Martin, the subject proper of this review, was born in Wallingford, where he acquired his education. 'At the age of sixteen years he became a clerk in the store of Charles N. Jones, which later he and Almer I. purchased. After remaining there a few months the young man was taken into the office of Simpson; Hall, Miller & Co., with which celebrated concern he remained tor seven years, and there received a good business training. In 1885 he purchased an interest in the store of C. N. Jones, in company with his brother Almer I., as noted above, retaining, however, his position in the office of Simpson, Hall. Miller & Co. for two years. Ill health, however, competed him to give up lus office position, and after ses -


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eral months in the store he had to abandon that work. Devoting his time to the restoration of his health, he spent his winters in' Georgia, and his ' summers in Colorado and Nebraska, engaged in the real estate business in company with his father and brothers. In 1803 he returned to Wallingford, and bought out the real estate and fire insurance business of F. B. Camp, which he has since con- ducted. He has been active in the work of the Republican party, and in 1894 he was elected Judge of Probate and in 1897 clerk of the town of Wallingford.


On Dec. 10, 1901, Judge Martin was married to Miss Genevieve Louise Persiani, of Wallingford. They attend the Congregational Church. Mr. Martin has risen to high rank in the Masonic fra- ternity, and has received the thirty-second degree and he is also a member of the Pyramid Temple, Shriners of Bridgeport. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F .; the O. C. A. M., of which he has been trustee: the K. of P., being identified with Ivy Lodge, No. 43, in which he has been a trustee and keeper of records and seals, and of which he is also a past chancellor. He also be- longs to the Foresters of America.


GEORGE FRANCIS HUCKINS, who is suc- cessfully engaged in market gardening on the old Daniel Hitchcock farm of twenty-six acres in the town of Cheshire, was born in Derby, this county, Feb. 7, 1867. His parents, David and Catherine (Lay ) Huckins, were natives of Oxfordshire. Eng- land, where they were reared, educated and mar- ried. In 1858 they crossed the broad Atlantic and took up their residence in Derby, where the father was employed in the iron and steel works for a period of twenty-four years. During the Civil war he enlisted at Derby, in Company D, 23d Conn. V. 1., for three years, had previously been in the nine months service, and remained at the front until hos- tilities ceased. Returning home, he worked some years in an iron axle factory in Derby. He died at Shelton, this state, in 1877, and his widow now lives with our subject. They had five children, namely : Addie, born in England, and who is now Mrs. Joseph Lyons, of Cheshire; Frank, born in Derby, who died when three years old; David, a resident of Shelton; Walter, of Mixville, town of Cheshire ; and George Francis.


During his boyhood and youth George Francis Huckins attended school in Derby and also in Cheshire, and in early life worked at drawing brass and copper wire in the former place for five years. Since then he has engaged in agricultural pursuits, raising principally fruits and vegetables, in which undertaking he has steadily prospered. In Pros- pect. in 1894, Mr. Huckins married Miss Emma Blackman, a native of Derby, and a daughter of Miner and Hattie ( Johnson) Blackman, now resi- dents of Prospect. Mrs. fucking del Jan 7. 1895. leaving one child, Raymond. On July 3, 1900, Mr. , tiful home on Hawthorne avenue which his widow


Huckins married Dora Jane Brooks, a native of Cheshire, and daughter of Simeon and Julia ( Bottsford ) Brooks, natives of Cheshire and New- town, respectively.


In his political views our subject is a Repub- lican. He is a member of L. A. Thomas Lodge, No. 9. 1. O. O. F., and of the Patrons of Hus- bandry, Grange No. 23. in which he has served as steward and assistant steward.


MRS. JANE (REILLY) McDONNELL is a daughter of Farrell and Bridget ( Reynolds ) Reilly, who were both born in the same county in Ireland, and were residents of Derby, New Haven county, for many years.


Farrell Reilly was one of the first of his race to settle in that city, with whose growth and develop- ment he was long identified. He was a citizen who took a deep and lasting interest in all measures cal- culated to promote the public welfare, and a liberal supporter of every good work. Possessed of keen intelligence and sound business sense, he accumu- lated a handsome competence. Shrewd and far- seeing, his advice was constantly sought in both public and private affairs. His generosity and genial disposition won for him numerous friends, while his sterling character and blameless life earn- ed the universal respect of his neighbors and fellow townsmen. He was a Democrat in politics, and in religion a devout Catholic, one who attested the vitality of his faith in his daily dealings with the world. He was a liberal contributor to the work of the church, aiding in the erection of its house of worship by generous gifts and purchasing and do- nating the ground for a cemetery. He died June 6, 1861, lus widow passing away May 23, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Reilly were married in Brooklyn, N. Y., and were the parents of six children : James, Ber- nard, Bridget, Jane, John and Farrell. James and Farrell died in young manhood. Bridget died un- married. John and Bernard are residents of Derby. Jane, the fourth of this family in order of birth, is the widow of Charles McDonnell.


CHARLES MCDONNELL was for a quarter of a century actively and honorably identified with the police force of New York City. His father, Peter McDonnell, was a native of Ireland, where he mar- ried. . He emigrated to America, landing at New York, in which city he made his home and where he reared his family of five children, all of whom are deceased. Charles, the third in the family, was born in the historic Sixth ward of the metropolis, where he grew to manhood. He learned the trade of a cooper, and followed same until his appoint- ment on the police force. Jan. 25, 1863. He proved himself a capable, fearless and incorruptible offi- cer, and was promoted, step by step, until he reached the rank of captain. He was fond of Derby, its people and its ways, and for eight years annually spent three months in that city. He built the beau-


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CHARLES MCDONNELL.


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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


now occupies, and took an interest in public affairs. being a member of the Derby "Storm Hose Com- pany" for several years. He died in the city of New York Aug. 14, 1888. Capt. McDonnell was con- sidered one of the most efficient officers in the de- partment of which he was so long an honored mem- ber. As a disciplinarian he was strict, yet just ; as an officer, brave and efficient ; as a citizen, progress- ive and public-spirited; as a friend, generous and true ; as a man, courageous and upright.


Capt: McDonnell married Miss Jane Reilly Feb. 17, 1870, and their union was blessed with three children, all of whom died in childhood. The Cap- tain was a member of the Catholic Church, as is also his widow.


WILSON F. CLARK, who is now successfully engaged in the trucking business in Naugatuck, was born in that town, Jan. 3, 1862.


Hezekiah Clark, his grandfather, was born near Schenectady, N. Y., and from there removed to Millville, this county, following the occupation of farming at both places. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and died in Naugutuck, in 1872. In his family were three children: Francis, the fa- ther of our subject; Eliza, deceased wife of Ed- ward Marks, a farmer of Naugatuck ; and Amos, a farmer, who died at about the age of thirty years.


Francis Clark was born in Millville, in 1830. and reared in that town. On starting out in life for himself he engaged in farming, but he after- ward turned his attention to the livery business, and still later was employed in the rubber factory at Nangattick. He married Miss Mary O'Donnell. a native of Londonderry, Ireland, and both died in Naugatuck, in -1884, honored and respected by all who knew them. They had three children : Wilbur, who was drowned at the age of three years and nine months; Wilson F., our subject; and Frank, who resides at Naugatuck, and is in the employ of our subject.


During his boyhood Wilson F. Clark pursued his studies in the public schools of Naugatuck, and after the completion of his education he worked for the Goodyear India Rubber Glove Co. five years. after which he went to Cambridge, Mass., and spent one year in the employ of the American Rub- ber Co. Returning to his native town, he was with the Goodyear Shoe Co. for nine months, and then went to Framingham, Mass., to take charge of a department for the Para Rubber Co., remain- ing with them until 1887. During that year he again came to Naugatuck and superintended the placing of the machinery in factory No. 2 of the Goodyear India Rubber Shoe Co., and was in their employ until November. 1880. On Dec. 1, 1889, he embarked in the trucking business, which he has since successfully carried on, and though he started with but one horse, he now has ten, and is doing a large and profitable business. In ISI Mr. Clark went to Helsingborg, Sweden, to set up


the machinery in a rubber factory, and remained there eleven months, showing how to operate the same. During this time he was still interested in the trucking business in Naugatuck, and so rapidly has his business grown that he now furnishes employment to eight men. He attributes his success to hard work and strict attention to business.


In 1887, Mr. Clark married Miss Susan Burns, of Milford, Mass., who died in 1890, leaving two children, May and Gertrude. He was again mar- ried in June, 1892, his second union being with Bridget Dalton, of Framingham, Mass., by whom he has three children, namely: Wilson, John and Frank. Mr. Clark is independent in politics. He is a member of the Foresters of America; and the Naugatuck Fire Department. In his religious con- nection he belongs to St. Francis Catholic Church. Widely and favorably known, he has a host of warm friends in the community where he resides.


WILLIAM SEYMOUR STRONG, a leading dairy farmer and progressive and enterprising citi- zen of Prospect. is a native of New Haven county, born in the town of Wallingford April 27. 1865, son of William Henry and Rhoda M. ( Hotchkiss) Strong.


The Strong family was originally located in Shropshire, England. One of its members married the heiress of Griffith, in Caernarvonshire, Wales, whither he removed in 1545. Richard Strong, ac- cording to tradition a Roman Catholic, was of this branch of the family, and was born in Caernarvon- shire in 1561. In 1590 he removed to Taunton, Somersetshire, England, where he died in 1613, leaving one son, John, then eight years of age, and one daughter, Eleanor.


John Strong, born in Taunton, England, in 1605, removed to London, thence to Plymouth, England, and in 1630 formed one of the Warham company, which settled in Dorchester, Mass. On his emigration to the New World he was accom- panied by his sister Eleanor, who married Walter Deane, tanner, of Taunton, England. In 1630 John Strong married (second) Abigail. daughter of John Ford. In 1635 he was at Hingham, Mass., and became a freeman of Boston March 9, 1636. In December, 1638, he was an inhabitant of Taunton, Mass., and a freeman of Plymouth Colony. He represented the town of Taunton in the General Assembly in 1641-43-44: removed to Windsor, Conn., and from there, in 1650, to North- ampton, where he became the first ruling elder of the church. He was a leading man in church and town affairs. By occupation he was a tanner, and he owned at different times some 200 acres of land. He died at Northampton, April 14, 1699; his wife, Abigail, died in Windsor April 28, 1663. His chil- dren were: John, born in England in 1626, died at Windsor Feb. 20, 1608; one died in infancy in Dorchester, in 1630: Thomas, born in 1033. died Oct. 3. 108g: Jedediah, bern May 7, 1637, died May


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22, 1733; Jacob was born in 1639: Rebecca, born in 1641, died in April, 1726; Elder Ebenezer, born in 1643, died Feb. II, 1729; Abigail, born in 1645, married Rev. Nathaniel Chauncey, of Hatfield; Elizabeth, born Feb. 24, 1647, married Joseph Par- sons, and died May 12, 1736; Experience, born Aug. 4, 1650, married Zerubbabel Filer, of Wind- sor ; Samuel, born Aug. 5, 1652, died Oct. 29, 1732; Joseph, twin of Samuel, died young: Mary, born Oct. 26, 1654, married Deacon John Clark, of Northampton, and died Dec. 26, 1738; Sarah, born in 1656, married Joseph Barnard, of Hadley, Mass., and died Feb. 10, 1733; Hannah, born May 30, 1659, married William Clark, of Northampton, and died Jan. 31, 1693 ; Hester. born June 7, 1661, mar- ried Thomas Bessell, of Windsor, and died March 4, 1726; Thankful, born July 25, 1663, married William Baldwin, of Milford; Jerizah, born Dec. 12, 1665, died April 24, 1754.


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Thomas Strong, son of John, born in 1633, was a trooper in 1658, in Windsor, under Major Mason .. In 1659 he removed to Northampton, Mass., with his father. On Dec. 5, 1660, he mar- ried Mary Herritt, daughter of Rev. Ephraim Her- ritt, of Windsor. She died Feb. 20, 1670, and Oct. 10, 1671, he married Rachel Hilton, daughter of Deacon William Hilton, of Northampton, Mass. Thomas Strong died Oct. 3. 1689, and his widow married, May 16, 1608, Nathan Bradley, of East Guilford, now Madison. Children of Thomas Strong by first marriage: Thomas, born Nov. 16, 1661, died at Durham, Conn .: Maria, born Ang. 31, 1663, married Sammuel Judd, of Northampton, and died May 18, 1751 : John, born March 9. 1665, died at Deerfield, Mass., May 21, 1699: Herritt. born Dec. 2, 1666, was one of the first settlers of Durham, Conn., and died Sept. 29, 1689; Ashel, born Nov. 14, 1668, died at Farmington, Conn., Oct. 8, 1739. By second marriage: Joseph, born Dec. 2, 1672, is mentioned below; Benjamin, born in 1674, died Aug. 27, 1755, at East Guilford, Conn .; Adam, born Jan. 25. 1676, died at Wood- bury, Conn., Dec. 31, 1749; Waitstill, born in 1677. died at Northampton Dec. 13, 1762; Rachel, born July 15, 1679, married Miles Dudley, of Guilford. Jan. 23, 1705: Selah, born Dec. 23, 1680, died at ! Brookhaven April 8, 1732; Benajah, born Sept. 24, 1682, died in 1714; Ephraim, born Jan. 4, 1685, died at Milford, Conn .: Elnathan, born Aug. 20, 1686, died at Woodbury May 22, 1727; Ruth, born Feb. 4, 1688, married Deacon William Dudley, of North Guilford; Submit was born Feb. 28, 1690.


Joseph Strong, son of Thomas, born Dec. 2. 1672, at Northampton, married, in 1604. Sarah Allen, who was born Aug. 22, 1672, daughter of Nehemiah Allen, of Northampton. He was known as "Justice Joseph," and was quite a prominent man. In 1716 he removed to Coventry, Conn., where he was among the first settlers. In 1721 he represented the people in the General Assembly, the Colonial Legislature, being the first to represent


that town, and he continued to serve for fifty-two sessions. He was justice of the peace for many years, also selectman and town treasurer, and held other local offices. By occupation he was a farmer, and he was a large land owner in Coventry, where he died Dec. 3. 1763. Children: Sarah, born in 1699 (married Ebenezer Root) ; Capt. Joseph, July 25, 1701; Rachel, Aug. 13, 1703 (died young) ; Phinehas, 1704; Simeon, Oct. 17, 1705: Jemima, Dec. 1, 1709 ( married in 1727. Noah Rush ) ; Rachel. June 30, 1711 (married Aaron Strong) ; Elizabeth, July 16, 1713.


Deacon Phinehas Strong, born in Coventry in 1704, married, Nov. 5, 1724, Mary Parker, daugh- ter of Deacon Thomas Parker, of Coventry. He was a member of the General Assembly fifty-three sessions, including extra sessions, having been thir- ty-eight times elected for the Legislature; was selectman six years ; justice of the peace many years, and was deacon of the church many years. His wife died April 13, 1767. Children: Phinehas, born Nov. 9. 1725; Mary, March II, 1727; Sarah. April 2, 1729; Azubah, Oct. 11, 1731 (married James Pinneo) : Iranah, Jan. 27, 1741 (died March 11, 1773) ; Elijah and Elisha, twins, Aug. 15, 1743; Beulah, March 7, 1746 ( died Aug. 22, 1750) ; Han- nah, March 16, 1748 ( died April 24, 1767).


Elijah Strong, born Aug. 15, 1743, in Coventry, married Anna Pinneo, who was born in 1746, daughter of Deacon James and Priscilla ( New- comb) Pinneo, of Lebanon, Conn. Mr. Strong was a farmer in Coventry and Sharon, Conn., and later, in 1785, removed to Ashland, Greene Co., N. Y., where he owned a tract of land and where he died April 13, 1805, his death being caused by the kick of a horse. His wife died Nov. 18, 1818, at Ashland, N. Y. Children : Aznbah, born in 1760. married Deacon Augustus White, of Ashland, and died March 9, 1838; James, born in 1772. died at Detroit, Mich., March 16, 1865; Hon. Jairus B., born May 4, 1774, died June 12, 1838; Deacon Elijah, born in 1776, is mentioned below ; Sylvia, born in 1779, married Noah Rockwell, and died Sept. 6, 1840, in Delaware county, N. Y. ; Elisha. born in 1782, died at Friendship, N. Y., in Jan- uary, 1841 ; Anna, born in 1784, married James Chase, of New York, and died Dec. 24, 1848; Bet- sey, born Oct. 19, 1787, married Jacob Raynolds, and died March 7, 1832.


Elijah Strong. Jr., was born in 1776. On Jan. 7, 1798, he married Betsey Sadd, born in 1779, daughter of Noah and Delight ( Warner) Sadd, of South Windsor. She died March 14, 1821. and he married July 18, 1821, Lavina Barber, born Sept. 25, 1787, who died in Hudson, Ohio, April 2, 1855. Elijah Strong. Jr., was a carpenter and tanner of New Hartford, Conn., and also taught music. He died Sept. 1, 1850. Children: Irene, born March 25. 1700, married in September, 1820, Ira Hubbell, of Rocky Hill, and died Feb. 10, 1841, in Hartford; Ebenezer Warner, born Jan. 10, 1802, died Ang.


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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


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31, 1802; Edward Warner, born May IS, 1804, mar- ried Sally Shepard, of Highgate, Vt .; Thomas Parker, born Sept. 11, 1806, is mentioned below ; Elizabeth Woodbridge, born .April 11, 1809, mar- ried Nathan Strong, a hatter of Iludson, Ohio; Mary Lyman, born April 20, 1811, married April 6, 1836, Samuel Eleazer Judd, of Hudson, Ohio; Julia, born June 5, 1814, married Jehiel Hart, of Hartford.


Thomas Parker Strong, grandfather of the gentleman whose name introduces these lines, was born in New Hartford, Conn., Sept. 11, 1806. He married a Miss Gear, and their children were: Louise died young ; Edwin, now deceased, resided in West Haven; William Henry was the father of our subjeet. Thomas P. Strong was reared in New York State, where he died.


William Henry Strong, born in New York State Oct. 7, 1840, came while still young to New Hart- ford, Conn., where he grew to manhood. He en- listed during the Civil war in Company D, 15th Conn. V. I., served five months, and then enlisted a second time in the same command, at West Ha- ven, becoming sergeant. He was mustered out of the service in 1864 on account of disability, and received an honorable discharge. He had been sta- tioned at New Orleans, where he was deputy sher- iff. After his return from the army Mr. Strong located at Wallingford, where he worked as a ma- chinist and caster, and from there he went to Win- sted, Conn., where he worked at the same trade. On account of ill health, however, he had to give up, and went to farming in New Hartford, where he remained a year, coming thence to New Haven county, and locating at Prospect in 1870. There he spent the remainder of his life on the farm now owned by his son William S. He died April 29, 1882, and was buried in Prospect cemetery. Mr. Strong was a member of the Adventist Church ; he was a Republican in politics. On July 3, 1864, he married, in Wallingford, Rhoda M. Hotchkiss, who was born in Cheshire, daughter of Sheldon and Sarah ( Blakslee ) Hotchkiss, and granddaughter of Isaac and Rhoda (Atwater ) Hotchkiss. Three children blessed this union: William S., who is mentioned below ; Frank E., a salesman in Water- bury ; and Harry A., who died at the age of sixteen years. Mrs. Strong married for her second hus- band, in 1897, Thomas Fitzsimmons, of Waterbury, president of the Novelty Mfg. Co., of that city.


Our subjeet grew to manhood in the town of Prospeet, and is indebted to its district schools for his educational advantages. He began his busi- ness career as an agriculturist, and engaged in the dairy business on a small scale, at the same time having charge of the Waterbury reservoir. Being industrious, energetic and enterprising, he pros -. pered in his labors, and is to-day the largest dairy farmer in Prospect, where Le mans and operates a valuable tract of sixty-five acres, upon which he has made many excellent improvements, including


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the erection-in 1895- of a beautiful residence, one of the finest in town. He has upon the place a fine grade of thoroughbred stock, and the products of his farm, owing to their excellence, find a ready sale at the highest market price.


In 1887 Mr. Strong married Miss Hattie R. Hotchkiss, a native of Waterbury, and a daughter of Deacon Gilbert Hotchkiss. To this union has been born one child. Emma, who is now attending school. Mr. Strong affiliates with the Republican party, and is a member of the Grange and the Ad- ventist Church. Upright and honorable in all his dealings, he has won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contaet, and his friends are many throughout the county.


JOHN J. GORMAN is one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Naugatuck, and the respect paid him is neither lacking in sin- cerity nor destitute of foundation. A bright mind and a keen moral sense have commanded admira- tion and won confidence. Of Irish parentage, he is of American nativity, born in Naugatuck, Oct. I, 1860.


Thomas Gorman, his father, was born in Ire- land and reared in England. By trade he was a blacksmith. He emigrated to this country while yet a young man, making his home at Litchfield, Conn., and there married an Irish maiden, Margaret Mc- Carty. Not long afterward the young couple re- moved to Naugatuck, where he worked as a laborer for the India Rubber Co., and there he died in 1887; his wife died twenty-one years previously. A Democrat in politics, Mr. Gorman was a Catholic in religious faith, and he and his faithful wife reared their five children in that communion. Of their family, John J. was third in order of birth, and the eldest son. The first-born died in infancy. The others were Mary E., who married John Dermody, a native of Pennsylvania, and now a resident of Naugatuck; Dennis, a liquor dealer in that town; and James, a contractor at Wilkesbarre, Pennsyl- vania.




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