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 22

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 22

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BENJAMIN W. PORTER. While the home of this popular and successful young business man is at Newton Centre, Mass., the town of Derby loves to claim him as one of its citizens, inasmuch as he is prominently identified with some of its most important commercial enterprises. He is yet in the prime of manhood, having been born at Free- port, Ill., June 3. 1865. He comes of Green Moun- tain ancestry, both his father and grandfather hav- ing been natives of Vermont. His grandfather- Henry-conducted a drug store at Rutland. in that State, and died there at the age of eighty years. His father, whose baptismal name was Benjamin was born in that town, but laid to heart the advice of the sage of Chautauqua and "went West." He setttled at Freeport. Ill., where he engaged exten- sively in handling grain. In this enterprise he was successful, but death put an end to his business schemes in 1871, when Benjamin W. Porter was but six years old. The older Benjamin married Sarah, a daughter of Warren Clark, whose family were among the early pioneers of Stephenson coun- ty, Ill., removing thither from New York. After coming West Mr. Clark devoted himself to business as an insurance agent, but so thoroughly command- ed the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens that for several years he was chosen to fill the office of city elerk. His wife's maiden name was Emily Everett, and the issue of their marriage was two children, both of whom are yet living, as also is Mrs. Clark herself, the latter at the age of eighty years. Mr. Porter's mother is also living, at Free- port. She is a communicant in the Episcopal Church, as was her husband.

and after the death of his father he was reared by an uncle, who educated him at the common and high schools of his native town. He began his business career in the wholly unostentatious role of office boy for a firm of carriage manufacturers, but gradually worked himself up to the position of bookkeeper, holding that until 1884. It is not diffi- eult for those who have known him in later years and who appreciate his naturally keen intelleet and his capacity for business affairs to understand the causes for his advancement. Freeport proved to him, however, a sort of "pentup Utica." He had learned both the science and art of surveyor, and he found a field for practice in the employ of the Free- port and St. Paul Railroad Company. One year of this life satisfied his seientifie aspirations ; and at its conclusion he returned to office work entering the employ of the Henry Buggy Company, at that time one of the most important and flourishing con- cerns in the West, in its own line of trade. He was commissioned city clerk of Freeport for two years, but tired of the office within nine months and ten- dered his resignation. Thereupon, he reversed the idea of Mr. Greeley and went East, making no pause until he reached the town of Derby, Conn. His means were comparatively small, and he willingly began work as a bookkeeper for the Derby Street Railway and the Naugatuck Steamboat Companies, both concerns being under one management. Here he manifested such aptitude, sagacity, quick percep- tion and his ready grasp of affairs, that in August, 1897, he was tendered the office of general manager. This he accepted and has ever since continued to discharge the grave duties of that responsible post with that cool judgment, genuine common sens: and unswerving integrity, which have character- ized him throughout life. Meanwhile-from 1892 to 1897 -- he had served as secretary of the National Box Company, of Derby, of which concern, in 1897, he was made general manager, and in 1898 vice- president. The output of the company is enor- mous, and perhaps it is not too much to say that it is one of the largest concerns, if not the largest, of its sort in the world, owning large well equipped manufacturing plants at Baldwinville and Orange, Mass., as well as at Manchester and Ashuelot. N. H. The Derby Street Railway Company, of which Mr. Porter is at present general manager and as- sistant treasurer, was probably the first local trans- portation company in the New England States to employ electricity as a motive power, starting the first car over its lines on May 1, 1888, and it was the first to use air brakes. The line is well equipped and its service is of the best, and the management has opened a charming park, on the Housatonic, where attractive concerts and exhibitions are given throughout the summer season, free of charge to the patrons of the road. \ fine ball field adjoins the park. which is much used during the seasonable months. It is not surprising that under such wise

Benjamin W. Porter was his parents' only child. , and liberal management the line has become one of

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the most profitable in the State, paying large divi- dends to its stockholders. The road is but three and a half miles in length running between An- sonia, Derby and Housatonic Park, but has an equipment of twenty-five cars, while the number of employes is sixty. The selection of these is a mat- ter of great concern with Mr. Porter, who has raised the personnel of his subordinates to an excep- tionally high standard. He is much esteemed by his men, who as well as the public, look upon him as a model manager. His rare executive capacity has been also shown in his conduct of the affairs of the Box Company. When he assumed its superin- tendency there were seventy-five hands employed, and but one mill was in operation. At present ( 1900) four mills are constantly running, giving work to five hundred employes. In 1897 he was chosen a director in and general manager of the Saratoga Traction Company, but resigned both po- sitions within a year. He has other important busi- ness interests as well, being a member of the rail- way engineering firm C. H. Davis, of New York. He was for a time confidential secretary for Mr. Wood, president of the Derby Street Railway Co., . and is secretary and a member of the executive com- mittee of the Connecticut Street Railway Associa- tion. He is also chairman of the house committee of the Derby Board of . Trade. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and in 1896 was a member of the State Central Committee of the "gold" wing of his party. For a year he served as borough treasurer of Derby, and for a like period as police commissioner. He is a communicant in the Epis- copal Church, and was for many years a vestryman. In 1890 he was married to Miss Harriet Downs, a daughter of D. J. Downs, a sketch of whose life may be found elsewhere.

Personally Mr. Porter is exceedingly popular, his warm heart and frank, genial manners win- ning for him hosts of friends. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and also belongs to Housatonic Lodge, No. 6. I. O. O. F. In 1808 he removed his residence to Newton Centre, Mass., but he still claims Derby as his home.

IRA W. BEERS. The world instinctively pays deference to the man whose success has been worth- ily achieved and who has overcome the obstacles in his path and reached a high position in the business world. This is a progressive age, and he who does not advance is soon left far behind. Mr. Beers, by the improvement of the opportunities with which all are surrounded, has steadily and honorably worked his way upward and is now at the head of a profit- able business as a dealer in flour, grain, feed and hay. and proprietor of the Excelsior and Central Mills, of Hamden.

Trumbull. Fairfield county, and began his business career as a workman in the woolen mills at that place. Later he was similarly employed at Nauga- tuck, Conn .. and while there invented a spoke ma- chine, which he patented. Coming to Hamden, he erected the first flourmill at Centerville, where he successfully engaged in the manufacture of flour and feed up to the time of his death, in September. : 1875. His remains were interred in the cemetery . at that place. Ile was a man of good business and mechanical ability, noted for his industry, honesty and fair dealing, and was well-known and highly respected. He was a worthy member of the Epis- copal Church of Hamden, and in politics was first a Whig and later a Republican. Philo S. Beers married Miss Marietta Fenn, a native of Middle- bury. Conn., and a daughter of John and Sarah Fenn. She was a woman of many noble qualities. and like her husband was a consistent member of the Episcopal Church. She died in Centerville Jan. 21, 1808, and was laid to rest in the cemetery there. In the family were four children : John and George, both residents of Hamden: Mary L., wife of George Dickerman, of the same place; and Ira W .. our subject.

Ira W. Beers attended the Centerville district schools during his boyhood. and after the death of his father, which occurred when he was thirteen years old, he commenced work in the shop of J. T. Henry, a manufacturer of pruning shears at Center- ville, where he was employed eight years. In 1883 he leased the mill which had formerly belonged to his father ( and later purchased it ) and embarked in business for himself as a manufacturer of flour. Meeting with success in this undertaking, he subse- quently built another mill, for the grinding of feeds. and in connection with the operation of both mills he also deals in grain, hay, etc., doing quite an ex- tensive and profitable business along that line : he also conducts a branch store at Mt. Carmel. Mr. Beers made many improvements in his property, and now has a well equipped plant. Early in 1001 he took possession of the Algona Milling & Grain Co.'s business, at Algona, Iowa, of which he is sole owner. and in connection with same he deals in coal and runs a grain elevator, having. altogether, quite an extensive business, which will no doubt under his management take on the same degree of prosperity that has marked his connection with other enter- prises. All in all Mr. Beers has shown himself to be a man of unusual ability, prompt and notably re- liable. His dealings are all characterized by the strictest honesty, without which he could never have gained the reputation he enjoys, his name being second to no other in his town for fairness and up- righitness. As his standing in commercial circle-, so is his standing socially and as a citizen, and he is quite popular. having won many friends by his genial disposition.

Mr. Beers is a native of that town, born in Cen- terville Time 18. 1862, and belongs to one of the old- est and best families of Connecticut. His father. ( 1 Jan. 21. 1843. Mr. Beers was unitel in mar- Philo S. Beers, was born, reared and educated in . riage with Mi -- Florence A. Mead, a native of Win-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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sted, Conn., and a daughter of Charles and Jane A. (Burr) Mead, both representatives of old New Eng- land families. Mrs. Beers is a lady of culture and refinement, is an accomplished musician, and has served as organist of churches in Winsted and for eight years as organist in the Central Presbyterian Church of Auburn, N. Y. Her frequent appear- ances in public have been attended with unvarying success. She and her husband belong to the Epis- copal Church, of which he is clerk and treasurer, and one of the vestrymen. They are also members of Hamden Grange, of which he has served as master and is at present treasurer, and in social cir- cles they occupy an enviable position. Mr. Beers is identified with the Republican party, but he has never desired political notoriety. Fraternally he affiliates with Day Spring Lodge, No. 30, F. & A. M., of Centerville ; and with Montowese Lodge, I. O. O. F., and Golden Rule Encampment, both of New Haven.

PHINEAS TRUMAN IVES, who enjoys the distinction of holding a leading position as jeweler in Meriden, was born in Yalesville, in the town of Wallingford, and is a descendant of the oldest fam- ilies of New Haven. John Ives, the first of that name in Wallingford, was a son of William Ives, who came from England during the old days, and was the first of the name in America. John Ives was a farmer and land owner in what is now Meriden town, and had a family of eight children.

Joseph Ives, second son of John, was born in Meriden Oct. 14, 1674, and was married to Esther Benedict May 11, 1697. For his second wife he married Minnie Munson, who was born June 13, 1733. He was a farmer and land owner in the southwest part of Wallingford, where he held the position of Deacon in the Church, and died March 18, 1775, when much advanced in years. His chil- dren were ten in number.

Ephraim Ives, youngest child of Joseph, was born Jan. 4, 1717. Elizabeth Atwater became his wife March 12, 1741, and they made their home in Plymouth. He was a soldier in the French and In- dian war, and died at Crown Point, from sickness, his remains being interred at that place. To him and his wife were born: ( 1) Sarah, born Nov. 19. 1741, married a Mr. . Baldwin, of Waterbury; (2) Ephraim, born Jan. 7. 1744; (3) Phineas, born June 12, 1746; (4) Elnathan, born Dec. 21, 1751; (5) Eunice, born Feb. 19, 1755, married Capt. Bradley, a noted sea-faring man in his day ; and (6) Ichabod, who was born after the death of his father, served in the Revolution, although young, and drew a pension of eighty dollars a year.

Phineas Ives, born June 12, 1746, lived in Plymouth, Mass. Later he removed to Cheshire, where he engaged in farming. During the Revolu- tion, with two of his brothers, he served in the Continental army. His life was spent in Cheshire. where he died, and his remains were buried in the

Episcopal churchyard at Cheshire Centre. He was married Dec. 1, 1774, in Cheshire, to Martha Moss, who was born in 1745, a daughter of Benjamin and Abigail Moss, and by her had eight children: (I) Nehemiah Rice, born in August, 1776; (2) Loyal, born in 1778, a farmer, who died at Crown Point, N. Y., in 1802; (3) Phineas Truman, born Oct. 5, 1781; (4) Noble died at Ticonderoga, N. Y .; (5) Justus died at Russell, N. Y .; (6) Martha; (7) Hannah died young : (8) Samuel died Jan. 26, 1851.

Phineas Truman Ives, the grandfather of P'hin- eas T. Ives, was born at Cheshire Oct. 5, 1781, and was engaged in farming and sawmilling, owning a part of a sawmill. He died in the southi part of Meriden, near the Cheshire line, April 19, 1870. His remains were also placed to rest in the Cheshire Street cemetery. In his younger days he was a member of the Episcopal Church, but in his later years became a supporter of the Universalist faith. In politics he was a Democrat, and heartily sup- ported Jeffersonian doctrines, but was no office seeker. Phineas T. Ives was married in Cheshire to Salome Rice, who was born in Cheshire, a daugh- ter of Col. Reuben Rice. To this union were born four children: (1) Martha M., born Jan. 3, 1813, died March 10, 1879. (2) Augusta Ann, born Oct. 18, 1814, married Rev. Anson A. Beach, a Meth- odist clergyman, who was born Oct. 1, 1837; she died April 10, 1898 .. (3) Lois Louise, born Aug. 9, 1816, married Rev. Hart F. Pease, of the Methodist Church ; she died at Norwalk, Conn. (4) Nehemiah Rice, born Feb. 17, 1819, died at Troy, N. Y. The mother of these children died Dec. 15, 1820, and Mr. Ives married for his second wife Fannie Baldwin, of Cheshire, Conn., and to this union were born two children: (1) Phineas Tru- man, who was born Feb. 15, 1822, and died Aug. 23, 1895, married Julia Doolittle, of Wallingford, Conn., and to them were born two children-Fran- ces Salome ( who died in April, 1848) and Friend Augustus (born April 19, 1848). He twice repre- sented the town of Wallingford in the Legislature, and he was a director in the Savings Bank. (2) Amasa B., born Sept. 29, 1823, died in Meriden Jan. 26, 1901. Mrs. Ives died Sept. 17, 1824, at the age of forty years, and Mr. Ives married, for his third wife, Julia A., daughter of Ichabod Ives. She was born April 6, 1793, and died April 19, 1874. In her early years she was a member of the Baptist Church, but later became associated with the Universalist Church. She was the mother of four children : Isaac S., who is still living, was born Aug. 5. 1828; John Augustus, born Dec. 12, 1829, died May 3, 1836; Ebenezer Clark, born Feb. 16, 1832, died June 28, 1872 ; James Ichabod, born May 13, 1834, died March 3, 1848.

Ebenezer Clark Ives, father of Phineas Tru- man, was educated in the district schools. He was reared on a farm, but after reaching manhood en- Kaged in the grocery business at Yalesville, Conn. He died there June 28, 1872, and his remains rest in

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the Cheshire Street cemetery. In politics he was a Democrat, and in all his intercourse with the world around him lived very close to the Golden Rule. He was married Aug. 5, 1854, to Mary J. Potter, who was born in New Haven, a daughter of Syl- vester and Mary E. ( Campbell) Potter. Her mother was of Scottish descent, and her father of English. To them were born four children: Julia, who died young; Jennie M. ; Hattie C .; and Phin- eas Truman, whose name introduces this article. The mother died Jan. 31, 1879, and her remains re- pose in the Cheshire Street cemetery.

Phineas Truman Ives removed with his mother from Yalesville, where he attended the public school, and entered the Cheshire Episcopal Acad- emy. In September, 1890, he opened a jewelry store in a modest way on West Main street, and in 1895 he removed to the Meriden House Block, where he has since won recognition as the leading jeweler of the city. In 1897 he opened a branch store in Wallingford, Conn. In politics he is a Re- publican, but he is no politician. Socially he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Meridian Lodge, No. 77; Chapter No. 27, R. A. M .; Hamilton Council, No. 22, R. & S. M .; St. Elmo Commandery, K. T .; and of Pilgrim Harbor Council, No. 543, Royal Arcanum. In religious matters he is a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Y. M. C. A.

LEONARD BURTON WOODING is a repre- sentative young farmer, and a descendant of an old and prominent family in Bethany, Conn., being a grandson of Silas Wooding, who can still be re- called in that neighborhood. Silas Wooding mar- ried Mary Sperry, and their family included : Den- nis M., the father of our subject : Burton, who died young ; Edwin, who died in July, 1881, in Westville; and Guy, who is a mechanic.

Dennis M. Wooding was born in Bethany, where he grew up, later removing to Woodbridge, where he engaged in the butcher business, dealing in a ' wholesale way in New Haven, and managing a wagon that went through the town of Woodbridge, much to the accommodation of the residents. His death occurred in July, 1881, in Woodbridge, and his burial took place in Westville, Conn. He mar- ried Elizabeth S., a daughter of Alva Munson, a native of Hamden, and the children born to this union were: Nellie A .: Jessie, the wife of Freder- ick Prentice ; Leonard B., our subject ; and John T., who died young.

Leonard Burton Wooding was born Nov. 27, 1866, in Woodbridge, where he went to school until the death of his father, which occurred before he had completed more than a primary course. Thrown upon his own resources, he engaged in any labor that would bring returns, and followed many kinds of occupation, being of an energetic nature. In 1898 he settled in North Haven and bought the farm he now occupies, consisting of eighty-four

acres formerly belonging to Franklin Shepherd, and upon this he carries on general and dairy farming, succeeding beyond his expectations.

Mr. Wooding was married in 1890 to Lizzie A. Judge, a native of Woodbridge, a daughter of Ed- win W. Judge, a farmier of that locality, and to this union five children have been born: Edwin M .; Leonard B., who died in infancy; Henry W .; Franklin W. ; and Nellie Angeline. .

In political affiliations Mr. Wooding is a Repub- lican ; he has never accepted any office. Socially he is connected with North Haven Lodge, No. 61, A. O. U. W .; and Olive Branch Lodge, No. 84. A. F. & A. M., of Westville. Of an earnest and up- right nature, Mr. Wooding has made many friends. He is a valued member of the Congregational Church in Woodbridge, and Mrs. Wooding belongs to the M. E. Church of Westville.

JOHN C. PETTIBONE, a manufacturer of brass goods in Ansonia, was born in Burlington April 12, 1859, a son of DeForest Pettibone, who was born in Canton, Conn., the birthplace also of his father, Oliver Pettibone. His parents came from England, and settled in Canton at an early date in the history of the Colony. They were farmers, and spent their lives in the cultivation of the soil. They died in Burlington. The grandmother, Harriet Pet- tibone, was the mother of eight children, all of whom are living, and we have record of the follow- ing: Stephen, in Iowa; Gordon, in Des Moines, Iowa; De Forest; William and Oliver, both in the West; Edwin, in the State of California ; Catherine, married and in the West. Both Oliver Pettibone and his wife were members of the Methodist Church.

DeForest Pettibone spent his early life in Bur- lington, where he learned the carpenter trade, and became a carpenter and contractor, which business he followed all his life, until the failure of his health, in 1897, compelled a retirement from active labor. Aurelia Pond, his wife, was born in West Hartford. Philena (Crandall) Pond, her mother, is still living, and has reached the venerable age of eighty-five. Aurelia (Pond) Pettibone was the mother of five children, three of whom are living: Fred R .; John C .; and Myrtie, who married M. I. Ryder, of Plainville, Conn. The parents were both ; members of the Methodist Church, and the father was a man of affairs in the town, where he was elected to several offices.

John C. Pettibone spent the first fourteen years of his life under the parental roof, and was engaged in the acquisition of an education. He entered a clock factory at Forestville when he was fourteen, and began the clock maker's trade, which became his business n life up to 1881. That year he came to Anson'a and entered the employ of the Ansonia Electric Company, remaining with that corporation three years. From that institution he passed to the Ansonia Brass Casting Co., and was in their ser- vice until 1894, when he began the manufacture

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of his present line of brass specialties. He is mak- ing a large variety of these goods, and as he has thoroughly mastered every line of his trade, his suc- cess was assured from the start.

Mr. Pettibone was married in 1880 to Carrie B. Crane, a daughter of Thomas Crane, and she is the happy mother of two children, Clarence E. and Edna Marion. Mr. Pettibone is a Democrat in his poli- tics, and at different times has appeared on the ticket of that party as a candidate for various official positions. He is a member of the A. O. C. W., and was formerly associated with the Red Men, in which he was an active and popular member. being honored by election to all the chairs. He is a charter member of the Workmen, and belongs to the Eagle Hose Company, No. 6. Mrs. Pettibone belongs to the Congregational Church.

ARTHUR SHERMAN LANE, a member of the firm of J. S. Lane & Son, a well-known business house of Meriden, Conn., was born in Kent, Litch- field county, Conn., Oct. 27, 1864, and is the eldest son of John Sherman Lane ( see biography on an- other page). His education was acquired at a select school at Lime Rock, in his native county, and after completing the course he entered the em- ploy of the Housatonic Railroad Company, as freight agent at West Stockbridge, Mass., and was afterward located at Bridgeport in a clerical capacity with the same company. After one year at this point, he was made freight cashier of the New York, New Haven & Hartford road at the Harlem River terminal, N. Y., and for ten years Mr. Lane ably filled the important duties connected with this position. In 1891 he resigned in order to become a partner with his father in the stone business, and for eleven years his energies have been devoted to the Meriden and Westfield works of the firm, where he is not only respected for his excellent business and executive ability, but also for an energy that prompts him personally to give assistance in any case where it may be demanded by the exigencies of the occasion. His example is an excellent one, and he is held in the highest esteem by his employes. Although his business cares are engrossing, Mr. Lane is a public spirited man, and has taken an active interest in the development of Meriden along all lines of improvement. During his term of office as alderman from the First ward, he made the committee on Streets and Parks, of which he was the chairman, among the most important of all. In 1807 Mr. Lane was nominated by his Republican fellow-citizens as their candidate for Mayor, but was defeated, that being the year which was noted for the "land-slide" for the Democratic party.

In 1884 Mr. Lane was married in New York, to Miss Carrie E. Shove, a native of that city and a daughter of Oliver P. Shove. She is noted for her many winning traits of character. The three chil- dren born to this marriage are: Gertrud. C. and Grace L., charming twin daughters ; and one son,

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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 22

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