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 20
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Meriden one year ; and again in Orange for a year. In 1869 he settled in West Haven, and in 1870 start- ed in business for himself which he has continued with one exception from 1884 to 1887 when he was engaged in the manufacture of adjustable poles, in Mt. Carmel. His shop at West Haven was burned in 1895 and he then built the present shop on Union ยท street where he carries on a general blacksmith busi- ness. In 1860 he married Jane I. Bradley, a na- tive of Hamden, this county, and they have two sons : Fred A., born in 1874, is an electrician, and resides with our subject; and Elford B., born in 1876, is a carpenter in New Haven. Our subject is a Democrat in politics and was elected to the board of selectmen in 1897 and re-elected in 1898, 1899 and 1901. He has been connected with the Ma- sonic order for twenty-five years and is a member of Annawan Lodge, No. 115, F. & A. M., in which he has held nearly all the offices and is a past master. He is also a member of Josepli Andrews Chapter No. 46, being High Priest at the present time, and of Crawford Council of Fair Haven and New Ha- ven Commandery, K. T. He is an active worker in the I. O. O. F., Harmony Lodge, No. 5, and the Encampment, and is a charter member of the order of American Mechanics in which he is a past officer. He and his family are much esteemed socially and his wife is a member of the Congregational Church at West Haven.
CHRISTIAN THOGERSON, the proprietor and successful manager of a retail meat market at No. 290 Main street, Ansonia, was born in Den- mark, Jan. 7, 1847, where his ancestors had long been native to the soil. There his father, Christian Thogerson, Sr., was born and reared, and there his grandfather spent his entire life engaged in the work of a farmer. The father died at seventy-five years of age, and the grandfather when past ninety years. Elsie Christenson, the wife of Christian Thogerson. Sr., was born in Denmark, and reared a family of four children. Two of her children, Christenson and Christian, are living, and two are dead. She died at the age of forty-five.
Christian Thogerson spent the earlier years of his life in Denmark, where he had such educational advantages as were afforded the children of his day, and became a farmer, in which occupation he was engaged until he reached the age of thirty-four years. At that age he determined to find a home in the western world, and crossing the ocean, located in Ansonia. Conn., where he worked in the shops while mastering the mysteries of the English speech. After a time he went into the confectionery business, in which he was engaged some ten years. Disposing of that interest, he opened a retail meat market, and in this enterprise has met with remarkable success. His is now the largest market in the city, and de- mands the services of four clerks as well as of a cashier, besides three wagons, and the business calls are of a high grade. Mr. Thogerson carries
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everything in ineats and provisions that the best trade demands. He is now among the oldest and most popular merchants on the street.
Mr. Thogerson was married when he was twen- ty-four years of age to Catherine Madsor, of Den- mark. Fraternally he belongs to Washington Lodge, F. & A. M., and the Foresters of America. In both these organizations, and in the social walks of life he is regarded as a genial and pleasant gen- tleman, thoroughly reliable, and honest and upright to the last degree. He attends the Episcopal Church, though both he and his wife were reared in the Lutheran fold.
ALBERT KENNEDY, a prominent citizen of Derby, New Haven county, was born in Scotland. Ang. 6, 1865, but accompanied his parents to this country while a mere child. He traces his lineage back to the Scottish Covenanters of the seventeenth century, who attested the sincerity of their con- victions by the willing sacrifice of their lives in the struggle for religious freedom. His father was James Kennedy, who married Elizabeth Gegie, a native of Edinburgh. The elder Kennedy, on com- ing to America, took up his residence in Chicago, where he died in 1871. His widow still survives him. Albert was one of a family of seven children, whose names, in the order of their birth, are as fol- lows: John P., James S., Albert, Mary, Bessie, Charles and Jennie. John, the eldest, is a clothier in Birmingham, England ; he takes an active interest in politics and has been a member of the city council. James and Charles are residents of Philadelphia, the first named being connected with a house dealing in optical goods. May, now Mrs. Coffman, lives in England. Bessie and Jennie are still unmarried.
Albert Kennedy received his scholastic training in Philadelphia, but his broader and higher educa- tion has been self acquired during his contact with the world and the men who live in it. While yet a youth he went from Philadelphia to Derby, where he found employment with the corset manufacturing concern known as the Leopold Kraus Company. Not finding his situation congenial, he left to enter the law office of Senator Frederick W. Holden, with whom he remained for two years. At the end of that time he embarked in journalism, organizing the Transcript Company, of which he was secretary and treasurer, besides having editorial management of the paper. The venture did not prove a financial success, and after seven years the company went into insolvency, and Mr. Kennedy went into business as a job printer.
nizing at once his mental and moral worth, should have delighted to do him honor. For three years he served as clerk of the board of Burgesses of Derby, and was for two years a member of the board of Aldermen. He served in the General As- sentbly during two terms, and for four years sat in the State Senate. He has a rich, well-modu- lated voice, easy grace of diction, and keen argu- mentative power. He is a fluent speaker, often heard in the legislative chambers and always com- manding attentive and respectful hearing.
Mr. Kennedy is a member of various societies, being connected with the Poototuck Tribe of Red Men ; the Court of Indian Well, F. of A .; and the Knights of the Golden Cross. He is also a member of the Hotchkiss Hose Company, of Derby.
GEORGE ERNEST MYERS, M. D., a leading physician and prominent citizen of Cheshire, was born in Newington, Conn., Feb. 10, 1867, and is a son of George W. and Anna A. ( Huntley ) Myers, both of whom survive, and make their home in Hartford. The Doctor acquired his literary educa- tion in the public schools of his native town and those of Hartford. and began the study of medicine with Dr. Howe of that city. Subsequently he at- tended lectures at the New York University, and the medical college of Burlington, Vt., and was grad- uated from the latter institution with the degree of M. D., in 1896. Immediately afterward he came to Cheshire and opened an office, and for the past five years has successfully engaged in the practice of his chosen profession at this place. Since the death of Dr. Cornwall, he is the senior practitioner of the town, and he is now serving as health officer. He enjoys a large practice which extends throughout the towns of Prospect, Wolcott, Bethany and Cheshire.
In 1804, in Hartford, Dr. Myers was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Deane, daughter of Edward John- son, and widow of John Deane. Politically the Doctor is a stanch supporter of the men and meas- ures of the Republican party, and fraternally is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of Hartford Lodge and Pythagoras Chapter at Hartford, and also a member of Charter Oak Lodge, I. O. O. F. In social as well as professional circles he stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens, for he is a pleas- ant, genial gentleman, and makes friends of all with whom he comes in contact. He is a skilled physi- cian and surgeon, and is meeting with well de- served success in his chosen calling.
HOBART W. CURTIS, conspicuous among the skilled workers who have made Waterbury known the world over, was born in Bridgeport. Conn., Dec. 28, 1850, a son of Hobart Curtis, and a grandson of Phillip Curtis.
Mr. Kennedy is an ardent Democrat, and has al- ways taken an active interest in politics. He is a man of extraordinary native intellectual power, pos- sessing a well regulated, well stored mind, and en- dowed with remarkable fertility of resource. It is not surprising. therefore, that he should have been Phillip Curtis was born in 1783. probably at Stratford, Conn., and died May 24, 1857. He wel- successful in public life. Ner, on the other hand, is it cause for wonder that his fellow citizens, recog- ; ded Lucy Marland, and after their marriage, they
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settled in New Haven, Conn., where he followed the saddle-maker's trade. They had a family of ten children: Clarence W .. Teressa, Hobart ( the father of Hobart W.), John, Thomas P., Lucy, Mary E., Jane, Lucy and Henry. All the chil- dren with the exception of Hobart, lived in New Haven.
Hobart Curtis was born in New Haven Sept. 14, 1815, and died in Derby, Conn., Sept. 14. 1869. He married Miss Emma Francis, of Durham, Conn., a daughter of Friend W. Francis. The ancestor of the American branch of the Francis family came from England in 1651, and settled first at Wethers- field, later moving to Durham. Mrs. Emma Curtis died Oct. 7, 1887. Mr. Curtis was a Democrat, and in religion a member of the Episcopal Church. They had a family of seven children: Thomas P. is a printer in Bridgeport : Edward W., a sash and blind maker in Derby, died in 1878: Hobart W .: Frank. H. died in 1885: John B. and Mary E. both died young ; and Charles B. is a draughtsman, and is now living in New York City.
Hobart W. Curtis was but a boy when his par- ents moved from Bridgeport to Litchfield. and he also lived for a time at Waterbury, and then at Derby. He attended school wherever his people were living, but in 1870. he came to Waterbury to serve an apprenticeship as a pat- tern maker in the shops of the Farrell Found- ry Co. In this work he developed marked ability, and the house. has kept him with them to the pres- ent tinie. Six months before completing his ap- prenticeship, he was put in charge of the pattern department, and has been its foreman many years. He is now a director and a stockholder in the Com- pany, and for twenty years he has been financially interested in its prosperity.
On Sept. 18. 1873. Mr. Curtis was married to Miss Julia Drake, of Cheshire, Conn., a daughter of James S. Drake, who was one of the first busi- ness men of Waterbury, a generation ago. To this union were born three children: Charles D .. a suc- cessful civil engineer ; Elizabeth: and Laura. Mr. Curtis is a Democrat, and a reliable and patriotic citizen. With the Odd Fellow fraternity his relations are elose and intimate, and he has been an active worker in Townsend Lodge, No. 89, I. O. O. F. for some years, and has passed through all the chairs. Mr. Curtis and his family attend the Trin- ity Episcopal Church, and he is a member of the Waterbury Scientific Society.
GEORGE SIMEON SEELEY, widely known in Meriden, where he is serving his fourth term as a member of the board of selectmen of the town. and is now the popular mayor, was born in Water- bury Feb. 2, 1846, son of Charles and Amy ( Pritch- ard) Seeley. Both the parents were born in Water- bury. The paternal grandirents were William and Patty Seeley, who reared a large family.
Roger Pritchard, the maternal grandfather of
Mr. Seeley, served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and his father was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Roger Pritchard lived in the town of Waterbury, where he was engaged in farming. He married Chloe Nichols. George S. Seeley and his mother were both born on the old Pritchard home- stead.
Charles Seeley, father of George S., was a farm- er in his earlier years, but later became a con- tractor for stonemason work, locating in Meriden as early as 1858. He died Nov. 25, 1890, at the age of sixty-nine years. He was the father of six children, of whom five lived to reach maturity: Chloe J., who became the wife of William Reming- ton ; George Simeon : Charles B., who died in Meri- den in 1871: Grace A., wife of Henry Hurlburt ; and Polly, Mrs. Joseph Fredericks, the last three deceased.
George Simeon Seeley was reared in Waterbury, and accompanied his parents to Meriden when he .was twelve years old. His education was received in the common schools, and at the age of nineteen he began an apprenticeship to the metal turner's trade, at which he was engaged for twenty-five years. At the expiration of that long period he went into his present business, conducting a real- estate and rent collection agency, in which he has achieved a decided success.
Mr. Seeley was married Nov. 24. 1867, to Anna G., daughter of Melvin C. and Esther (Guy) Lee, of Meriden. To this marriage have come three children : Frank Guy : Candora Anna, Mrs. James H. Guernsey : and Arthur Deshon. Mr. Seeley and his family are members of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, of which he has been a vestryman for four- teen years and treasurer since April 4, 1899. and he is highly esteemed by his associates in that body. He belongs to several fraternal orders, holding membership in Meriden Center Lodge, No. 68. I. O. O. F., of which he has been treasurer since March 17, 1888 : and Silver City Lodge, No. 3. A. O. U. WV. In politics Mr. Seeley is a Republican, and he is one of the workers in his city. He has been chairman of the Republican town committee since May, 1900, and has served as alderman and coun- cilman from the Third ward. In December, 1901. he was elected mayor, was installed in that office in January, 1902, and is now efficiently performing the duties appertaining to the incumbency.
HORACE WARNER KIBBE, superintendent of the farm for the Connecticut School for Boys, at Meriden, was born April 27, 1857, in Ellington, Tolland Co .. Conn., a son of Julius A. and Ellen ( Warner ) Kibbe.
The Kibbe family which is the most numerous in the northern part of Tolland county traces its history back to Edward Kibbe and Deborah, his wife, who were residents of Exeter. England, in 1611. In May of that year his son, Edward Kibbe. was born; he married Mary Partridge, of Exeter,
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and came to New England in 1639, and owned and conducted a sawmill at Brookline, Mass., in 1640.
Elisha Kibbe, son of Edward, was born in Bos- ton, Feb. 20, 1643, and came to Enfield. Conn., from Brookline, in 1682, accompanied by his wife, Rachel Cook, whom he married May 7. 1667, and who died Sept. 10, 1740, aged ninety-six years, ten months; he died in Enfield, April 3, 1735, aged ninety-two years. According to the records, his three sons, Edward, Elisha and James, went to what is now known as Somers, Conn., in 1713, and from these ancestors, the Somers and Ellington branches of the Kibbe family have descended.
The children of James Kibbe were: Jane, Stephen, Daniel, Jacob, Israel, Moses, Aaron, Rach- el and Miriam.
Daniel Kibbe, son of James, was born in North Somers, where he owned much land and carried on a saw and gristmill, on a branch of the Scantic river, on the site of the present North Somers batting mill. Successful in farming, he became one of the most prominent men of the town, and his life ex- tended to the age of ninety years. From Tolland county he went into the Revolutionary army, and served in Capt. Wills' company, in Col. Spencer's regiment, and was engaged eight months, partici- pating in many severe engagements, and taking part in the battle of Bunker Hill. Daniel Kibbe married Mary Pratt. in 1741, became a landowner and farmer, in North Somers, and had these children : Amariah, Daniel, Abner, Lemuel, Frederick, Molly, Sarah and Jerusha.
Amariah Kibbe, son of Daniel, was born in 1747, in Somers, Conn., and became a wheelwright and joiner, in his early manhood. His home continued to be in Somers, where he owned much property and where he made many improvements, one of these being the building of the Somers hotel .. A gristmill was one of his sources of revenue, and he became wealthy and influential. In his politics, he was a Democrat and held many of the town offices. His death occurred in 1829, after a long life of use- fulness, crowned with the esteem of all who had known him.
On Nov. 19. 1778, Amariah Kibbe was married to Hannah Kibbe, the latter being born in 1760, a daughter of Zerah Kibbe, and a granddaughter of Elisha Kibbe. To this union were born: (1) Amariah, born Feb. 15, 1780, married Charlotte Mckinney, and died in 1840, more extended men- tion being found elsewhere. (2) Walter R., born Sept. 8, 1781, married first a Miss Paine, second Mrs. Sabina Norton, third Mrs. Hannah ( Warner ) Brown, and fourth Flenda Reed: Walter R. Kibbe was a graduate of Yale College, became a lawyer of Somers, where he died on April 22, 1864. (3) Rudolphus, born . April 8, 1783, married Sybil Pease, and was a farmer in North Somers, where he died, in 1810. (4) Peggy, born June 24, 1785. married Daniel Grover, lived in Tolland, and died there in 1834, on their farm. (5) Horatio, born June 22, 1 1I, 1825, married Hester Hall, was a farmer and
1787, was a farmer in Somers, married Control Gowdy, and died in 1837. (6) Valirus, born June 2, 1780, was the grandfather of Horace W. Kibbe, of Meriden. (7) Sophia, born in 1701. married Stedman Nash, and died in Ellington, where he had followed the trade of mason. (8) Harriet, born April 26, 1793, married Emory Pease, a merchant in Somers, where both died. (9) Hannah, born Nov. 21, 1795, married Jonah Griswold, lived first in Sturbridge, Mass., later in Springfield, where the latter died ; she lived to be nearly one hundred years old. (10) Jairus, born June 25. 1798, married Clarissa Billings, became a merchant at Somers, and in his later years moved to Jacksonville, Ill., where he died. After the death of the mother of these children, Amariah Kibbe was married on May 4, 1825, to Maria Grover, of Tolland, who survived him. Their children were: Julia, born in 1826, married Loren Percival, and died in Somers; and James P., born in 1828, married a Mrs. Brown, and died in New York city.
Valirus Kibbe, son of Amariah, was born at the Center, in Somers, Conn., secured his education at the district school, and while still a lad, was em- ployed in his father's gristmill. His residence was at home until his marriage, when he assumed the support and care of his wife's parents, for some years, taking charge of the estate after their death. In 1835. this place was sold, and a farm was pur- chased, in Ellington, April 1, 1838, known locally as the "Ellis Wallace farm," consisting of over 200 acres. Here Mr. Kibbe was engaged in farming and stockraising and here he lived until his death, on Nov. 30, 1866. As a breeder of fine horses and cattle, he had a great reputation, and his stock was always in demand. In politics he was a Democrat.
On April 27, 1809, Valirus Kibbe was married to Eunice Cushman, a native of Somers, and a daughter of Allerton and Anna ( Clark ) Cushman, and a direct descendant of Mary Allerton, who came over in the "Mayflower" and also of Gov. Bradford. Her parents were farming people of Somers, where both died. Mrs. Kibbe was born in 1791 and died on March 30, 1885, lacking but a few days of being ninety-four years of age. To this union were born Eunice Leonora, June 30, 1810, married John Payne, a miller, and died in Vernon: Ethelinda Lidora, Nov. 17, 1811, married Luman S. Allen, a farmer, and died in East Windsor : Valirus, Oct. 3, 1813, married Laura Wood, and is living at Somers : Carlos E., Nov. 30, 1815. married Elizabeth Jen- nings, of Becket, Mass., and second Louisa Collins, and was a successful farmer, but is now leading a retired life. in Ellington : Hancy Ann. April 14. 1817. the widow of Roland Sellew, resides in Long Meadow, Mass. : Rodolphus, April 5, 1819. died in young manhood: Abigail Matilda, Dec. 20. 1820, married William Brainard, lives in Windsor, Conn., where he is a retired farmer ; Julius A., of whom mention will be made later : Daniel Cushman, Feb.
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died in South Windsor, Conn .; Horatio, Nov. 16, 1826, married Alice Phelps, and is a retired farmer of Ellington; Marcus, Nov. 7, 1828, married Jane Bradley, was a farmer and died in Somers ; Helen Cornelia, May 23, 1830, married Nelson Warner, and died in Ellington, where he was a farmer ; Jairus Rodolphus, July 22, 1833, first married Ida Endicott, and second Abigail Pease, and is a farmer in Long Meadow, Mass.
Julius A. Kibbe, son of Valirus Kibbe and the father of Horace W. Kibbe, of Meriden, was born May 7, 1823, and was fourteen years old when his parents moved from his birthplace, Somers, Conn., to Ellington, obtaining his education at the district school, supplemented by a term each at the Glaston- bury and Ellington Academies, the latter being un- der the care of Rust & Merrill at that time. After leaving school, Julius A. Kibbe was engaged during the summer season, for a time, in peddling Yankee notions, through rural Connecticut, with a horse and wagon. In 1850, he spent a season in Delaware. City, Del., where he engaged in raising tobacco, raising the first tobacco raised in that State. In 1851, Mr. Kibbe returned to his native place and bought at auction his present farm, locally known at that time as the "Col. Belcher place." and in 1865 he began improving and remodeling his prem- ises, moving the farm barns from across the street to their present location, and adding to their num- ber and appearance. This was followed by other improvements and in 1872 he built his present com- fortable and attractive home. Here Mr. Kibbe has successfully engaged in general farming, giving also considerable attention to tobacco culture and dairy- ing. His farm consists of 200 acres, and the con- dition in which it is at the present time shows con- clusively that Mr. Kibbe is a practical and com- petent farmer. At the time of his purchase of this estate the land had been neglected and required careful management, drainage and fertilization, but now it compares favorably with any place of its size in Tolland county. Of late years, Mr. Kibbe has lived retired from active operations, and has passed the management of the farm to his efficient son, William H. For a long period Mr. Kibbe dealt largely in cattle and was a successful handler of oxen for the local market. -
On Jan. 21, 1851, Julius A. Kibbe was married to Ellen Warner, who was born Aug. 30, 1830, in Ellington, Conn., a daughter of Horace and Matilda ( Martin) Warner. These children were born to this union : ( 1 ) Edwin Brainard, born July 17, 1854, was for a time engaged in farming, in Ellington, and while residing there, was town clerk for several years, and for four years was county sheriff. At present he is the General Agent for Connecticut of the Russia Cement Company, of Gloucester, Mass., with his residence in Hartford; on Sept. 24, 1878, he married Anise Warver. and they have had these children : Ellen Maude thorn July 19, 1879, mar- ried Winfred E. Chapin, and has one son, W. Ern-
est, born April 5, 1901), Edna L. (born Nov. 4. 1880), Lucius Warner (born April 16, 1883, died March 29, 1897) and Henrietta E. (born March 15, 1891). (2) Horace W., of Meriden. (3) Mary E., born March 16, 1859, died Oct. 3. 1870. (4) George F., born April 17, 1861, married Ida Ray- mond, of Hebron, Conn., and is engaged in a hotel and livery business, in Brimfield, Mass .; they have one child, Ida Rae. (5) Jessie Ella, born March 2, 1865, died Sept. 11, 1867. (6) William H., born Aug. 19, 1869, married Estella F. Yost, and is engaged in the cultivation of the family estate. Mr. Kibbe is a Democrat and served as a member of the General Assembly, in 1856, being a member of the committee on Claims. For four years he has been selectman, and chairman of the board for three years, and for several years he has acted as con- stable, for one year as tax collector and for twenty years prior to his resignation of the office, was regis- trar of voters. Mr. and Mrs. Kibbe are members of the Ellington Congregational Church, in which Mr. Kibbe has held a number of the official posi- tions, and he is a man much respected in this com- munity where his sterling worth is known. Mrs. Kibbe belongs to the Warner family, which is an old and familiar name in the annals of Tolland county. At one time it had many local representa- tives, but at present the family is almost extinct.
Daniel Warner was the first of the family to come to Ellington, about 1760, from Stafford, Conn. By trade he was a weaver, but with the hope of providing better for his family, he decided to be- come a farmer and purchased an estate in Ellington, Conn., which remained in the family for five genera- tions and recently passed into the possession of a native of Switzerland. From the marriage of Dan- iel Warner to Hannah Russell, these children sprang : Horace, who died in infancy ; Daniel, who also died in infancy ; Horace (2), who died young ; Lemuel, who married Hannah Darby; Nathaniel ; Ebenezer, who married Ruby Herrick, a singer of ability, and an astronomer; Daniel, who married Arzuba Clark, and spent his life in South Hadley, Mass., engaged in the mercantile line ; and Hannah, who married Stephen Gifford, and removed to Wat- ertown, N. Y.
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