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 23
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88
Samuel Virgin. The beautiful family home is lo- cated on North Colony street and is one where taste and refinement make it one of the social centers of the city. Fraternally Mr. Lane belongs to Alfred Hall Council, No. 1423, of which he was the first charter member ; and he is active in the social affairs of the Home Club. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lane belong to the First Congregational Church, in which Mr. Lane has been an official member and a most liberal supporter and where Mrs. Lane is well known for her interest in all good work. Both in public and private life Mr. Lane is a popular and representative citizen of Meriden.
GEORGE D. MOSHER. Mr. Mosher's im- mediate ancestors were residents of the "Pine Tree State." Both his grandfather and father were born in Maine, where his English progenitors first made their home. Both were tillers of the soil and his father, Careb Mosher, whose birthplace was Mercer, Maine, is still living at the age of ninety years after a life spent in farming. Careb married Johanna Hancock, whose father was one of the far- mer-patriots who lost his life in the war of 1812. George D. Mosher was one of a family of thirteen children, the youngest of whom died in infancy. The names of the others were Ruth, Reuben, Stephen, Caroline, Susan, Emily, Adelia, Adriana, Wheelock, George D., Milton and Ellen. Of these, Reuben is a farmer and still lives in Maine. Ste- phen was a resident of Pittsfield, Maine, until his death, which occurred in 1895: he was a man of prominence in his neighborhood, took an active interest in public affairs and accumulated what in his time was considered a comfortable competence. Wheelock is still a Maine farmer. Milton is in the employ of his brother, George D. Careb Mosher is a Republican in political faith and a Baptist in re- ligious conviction.
George D. Mosher was born in Rome, Maine, April 10, 1851. Until he reached the age of seven- teen years he lived and worked upon his father's farm, attending the district school as necessity per- mitted and opportunity afforded. The natural bent of his mind was turned to mechanical pursuits, and at the age of seventeen he began his active business life as an employe in a scythe factory in Maine. In 1860 he ventured to go West as far as New Hart- ford, Conn., where he spent two years more as a liand in a scythe factory. Some men might have re- garded at least a portion of this time as wasted. Not so Mr. Mosher. He had learned just enough of mechanical work to stimulate his desire to fur- ther knowledge, while at the same time laying a foundation for future success in what was to be the business of his life. Going from New Hartford to New Britain he entered the employ of the Stanley Rule and Level Company where he learned the manufacture of planes. After remaining five years with this concern be returned to New Hartford, where he entered into business for himself as a
J268
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
manufacturer of harness snaps. His partners changed from time to time and in 1880 he removed to Shelton where he carried on the manufacture of harness trimmings alone, his specialty being snaps, in which he has patented a new device. Not long afterward le invented a new description of plane, and in 1885 organized a stock company for the manufacture and sale of the same, as well as of other hardware. The concern in which Mr. Mosher was the principal stockholder was at first called the Birmingham Plane Manufacturing Co., but in 1891 the name was changed to the Derby Plane Co. Some three years ago Mr. Mosher bought the re- mainder of the stock and is now sole owner of the business. In addition to planes, various specialties are made at the works, among them being pat- ented combination spoke shaves with champfering gauges attachment. Mr. Mosher is pre-eminently a practical man : there is not a detail of the process of manufacture with which he is not familiar, and dressed in old clothes he goes about here and there among his men working with them and keeping his experienced watchful eye ever open and his active busy brain ever at work. The supervision of the work of the office he entrusts to his oldest son. Both his factories are located at Shelton and both are kept constantly at work to their full capacity. His business is large and constantly growing and as he looks through his works and examines his books of accounts he has the proud satisfaction of know- ing that he laid the foundation of his own prosperity and that from an underpakl apprentice in a scythe factory in Maine he has risen to be owner and head of a great manufacturing industry through his own hard work, sound sense, patience and probity. In addition to his business as a manufacturer he owns and conducts a large stock farm at Milford, where he resides. In politics he is a Republican.
In 1871 Mr. Mosher was married to Miss Alice Rust, of New Hartford. They are the parents of two sons-Durwood and Bertram. Durwood, as has been already said, takes charge of his father's office and Bertram is yet at school.
GERSON STRAUSS, M. D., one of the lead- ing physicians of New Haven, and one whose skill is unquestioned. is a native of Bavaria. Germany. where he was born July 3, 1866, a son of Isaac and Amelia (Kalın ) Strauss.
The paternal grandfather. also Gerson Strauss, was a successful grocer and merchant in his native land, and died respected by a large circle of friends and business associates.
Isaac Strauss, the father of our subject, was also a merchant, but never came to America, dying in Bavaria, about twenty years ago. The honored mother passed away about the same date, having borne her husband a family of five children: Leo, | daughter. Mrs. Botham. Joseph Sanford, the father Clara, Fannie, Joseph and our subiect.
Dr. Gerson Strauss, the subject of this article. spent his boyhood days in Bavaria, but when only |
twelve, after having attended the public schools at Bruckenau, he came to America, settling at Fred- erick, Md. Being anxious to improve every oppor- tunity, he then attended school at Frederick for one year, after which he elerked for four years. The next change was made to Cleveland, Ohio, and here the ambitious young man was connected with a clothing store. Through all these years, however, his great desire had been to enter the medical pro- fession, and as a preliminary step, he finally came to New Haven, Conn., entering the drug store of Mr. Fleishner. Saving the money he so indus- triously earned, and carefully storing his mind, Dr. Strauss. in 1891, entered the medical department of the Baltimore University, from which he graduated with high honors in 1805. Having completed his course, Dr. Strauss returned to New Haven, and has since remained in this community, building up a fine and constantly increasing practice.
In 1894, Dr. Strauss married Miss Anna Morris, a native of Prussia, and two interesting children have been added to their family. Both the Doctor and Mrs. Strauss are members of Orange Street Temple of Mishkan Israel. By their many kind actions and excellent qualities, they have endeared themselves to all who know them.
HENRY W. SANFORD, of New Haven, is ? worthy and representative member of the Sanford family, which has possessed, in combination with talent of a high order, an energy and capacity for work that has given it prominence through genera- tions.
Joseph Sanford, grandfather of Henry W., was a native of East Granville, Mass., where he ac- quired a knowledge of the tanner's trade and carried on what was an extensive business, becoming quite prominent and successful. During the war of 1812 he secured the contract for sup- plying the government with leather and purchased a large number of hides. At that time the process of tanning was necessarily slow and before the leather was ready for use the war closed and the contract was never filled. The latter years of Mr. Sanford's life were spent upon a farm in Bloomfield, Conn., purchased for him by his son, George W. Joseph Sanford was a member of the Congregational Church and a good and worthy mian. He married in Northfield, Hope Wilmot, a native of that town, and to them were born: George W., who is men- tioned below ; Hope, who married a Mr. Trumbell, and removed to Ohio ; Hannah, who married Henry Neil. of Sherborn, Mass .; Roena, who married Reuben Barker and removed to Michigan: Joseph D., who died in infancy; Joseph D. (2), who mar- ried Mary Smith, and was at one time a merchant in Tariffville, later residing in Granby ; and another
of these children, died in 1846 and is buried at Tar- iffville.
Dr. George W. Sanford, the father of Henry
1
1269
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
W., was born in Litchfield, Conn., Dec. 20, 1807, and received a good education, completing a course at Dr. Corley's Classical School, East Granville. Mass., in 1827. After this he studied medicine and several years later commenced practice in Granville, Mass. In 1836 he graduated from the Medical De- partment of Williams College. Shortly before 1830 he located at Tariffville, where he continued in ac- tive practice for over sixty years. While on his way to Tariffville he went over the toll bridge at North Bloomfield without paying toll. As he passed on a young lady who was attending to the toll gate rushed after him and threatened to prose- cute the physician if he did not make the legal pay- mient. The Doctor related the incident to a friend whom he met a little later on his trip, expressing his admiration of the courage of the girl and said he intended to make her acquaintance. Following up this intention Dr. Sanford found out that she was Miss Jane Elizabeth Adams, who was born in Bloomfield, Conn., Sept. 11, 1813, a daughter of Ambrose and Catherine (Eno) Adams, and upon Feb. 4, 1830, the young lady became Mrs. Sanford.
In his extensive practice at Tariffville Dr. San- ford was eminently successful and he soon became one of the leading citizens of the town. In 1835 he became a member of the Hartford County Medical Society and at the time of his death was its oldest member. In 1874 he was elected president of the society and again in 1881 the honor was conferred upon him. Dr. Sanford was also a member of the State Medical Society; the American Medical So- ciety; and the Lyceum of Natural History of the Berkshire Medical Institute. His usefulness, how- ever, was not limited to his profession, for he was a prominent member of society and as a public- spirited citizen accomplished much good.
The declining years of Dr. Sanford's life were burdened by a misfortune which, however, he did not allow to deter him from continuing his practice. In 1885 he became totally blind as a result of two accidents, he having been thrown from his carriage Feb. 21, 1883, and again on May 3. of the same year. These successive shocks caused a congestion of the nerve of the eye which produced blindness. yet he continued to practice. His patients visited him preferring him, with his wonderful skill, to strangers. His faculties were unimpaired to the last and he retained through life the kind regard and respect of the people whom he had known and served for over sixty years. Dr. Sanford died at Tariffville Sept. 23. 1802, aged eighty-five, and in his death the town lost one of its most valued citi- zens.
peace. During the administration of Harrison and Tyler he was postmaster; for fifty years he was school visitor; and for several years was keeper of the town poor. In 1845, 1871 and 1875 Dr. Sanford served in the House of Representatives and during his first term served most acceptably on the commit- tee on Banks ; during his other two terms he served on the committee on Humane Institutions. Not only in his immediate vicinity but throughout the surrounding country he was widely known and numbered among his friends many prominent men. Fraternally he was a Mason.
Dr. Sanford and his wife had children, as fol- lows: Jane Geraldine, born June 16, 1831, married Charles L. Roberts; both are deceased. George Ambrose, born Nov. 26, 1832, died Feb. 5, 1851. Joseph Willis, born Sept. 1, 1835, of the Scovill Mfg. Co., of Waterbury, Conn .; married Emma Woodward, by whom he had one son, Frank Willis, who married Susan Goodman, and they have one child, Mary Ellen. Marvin H., born Sept. 20, 1837, died Dec. 8, 1896. James Honor, born May 8, 1840, died March 25, 1892, at Meriden, where for many years he was connected with the street department. Ophelia, born April 15, 1842, died Sept. 16, 1860. Morton, born July 6, 1844, is keeper of the State poor ; his sketch appeared in the history of Hart- ford county. Mary, born July 11, 1846, died Feb. 8, 1847. Mary Alice, born Nov. 27, 1847. died July 8, 1848. Henry W. is mentioned below. George Ambrose, born Aug. 15. 1852, resides in Winsted, Conn. Ellen B., born Oct. 28, 1855, died Aug. 19, 1870. The mother of this family died March 9, 1872, and Dr. Sanford married Ada L. Eno, who now resides in New Britain, Connecticut.
Henry W. Sanford spent his early school days in the public schools of Tariffville and latter at- tended the Connecticut Literary Institute at Suffield for two years, after which he joined his brother in caring for the State poor. After four years he went to Saunders county, Neb., on the Platte river, where for three years he was in the cattle business. At the expiration of this time he returned to Tariff- ville and for two years more was in business with his brother, M. H. On March 1, 1878, he came to New Haven as superintendent of the New Haven Alms House, and for twelve years had charge of that institution, then located on the western end of Martin street. He was in charge when its four hundred inmates were removed to Springside Home, near Evergreen Lake, which is one of the best ap- pointed institutions of the kind in New England. In the building and arrangement of this new home Mr. Sanford took a keen interest and worked hard to include in its arrangement plans and conveniences that his experience had taught him were needed. In that line of work ( Almshouse-keeper ) he was one of the well-known men in New England. He labored constantly for improvements and it was en-
For many years the Doctor was a prominent member of the Baptist Church and often when the church was in debt and in urgent need of funds he at his own expense and inconvenience made trips among the members and solicited the necessary money. In politics he was a Whig and later a Re- . tirely through his labors and untiring efforts that publican and for many years served as justice of the | in 1885 an ambulance wagon became part of the
.
1270
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
institution. This was the first ambulance wagon in New Haven and a feature that was soon copied by the police department there. Few people have any idea of the care and responsibility incident to such a position. Mr. Sanford took a deep interest in the work and it was with considerable regret that his resignation was received in 1895 when he be- came manager of the New Haven Ice Co., which position he still holds.
On May 17, 1877, Mr. Sanford was married in Avon, Conn., to Helen E., daughter of Newton Mil- ler, and one son has come to this union, Newton Waldo, born in New Haven Nov. 27, 1891. Fra- ternally Mr. Sanford is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of New Haven Commandery, K. T .; the Red Men : the Heptasophs ; the A. O. U. W .; and the Knights of Honor.
JEREMIAH FRANCIS DONOVAN. Promi- nent among the young professional citizens of New Haven is Jeremiah Francis Donovan, a well-known lawyer, a prominent Democrat and senior represent- ative of the city of New Haven in the General As- sembly, having been elected to that honorable posi- tion in November, 1900. The paternal ancestors of Representative Donovan were prosperous farmers in Ireland and there at Castle Donovan, County Cork, was the ancestral domicile for over five gen- erations.
: Jeremiah C. Donovan, his father, located when a young man in New Haven and has since resided there, being one of the oldest Irish residents of the city. He was by trade a silver-plater and for many years he was engaged in the grocery business but has now retired. In 1856 he was married in New Haven to Miss Ellen Collins, of Skibbereen, County Cork, Ireland, and of their marriage were born eight children.
Jeremiah F. Donovan was born in New Haven Feb. 1, 1872, and was educated in the public schools and the high school of his native city. After leav- ing school he engaged in business for two years and entered Yale University Law School in 1892, graduating in June, 1894, at which time he was admitted to the New Haven county Bar. He has since practiced his profession in New Haven. Mr. Donovan has always taken an interest in public questions and his city's welfare, by reason of which fact he was elected at the comparatively youthful age of twenty-eight years as representative to the General Assembly by the largest constituency in the State of Connecticut. His record as a legislator of ability and integrity has been unsurpassed by any young man in the General Assembly. Mr. Dono- van was active in debate and in the councils of his party and was a champion of the cause of Constitu- tional Reform. He is one of the few men of the General Assembly having the honor to serve on three committees, each of which was important : Contested Election committee. Joint Constitutional Amendment committee and Revision of Statutes committee, all of them requiring close attention and
involving complicated legal questions. His record argues for further political consideration and ad- vancement at the hands of his fellow citizens.
On Oct. 12, 1898, at St. John's Roman Catholic Church Mr. Donovan was married to Miss Mary E., daughter of Mrs. Margaret J. Faby, and two children have been born of this union: Jerome F., born in August. 1899, and Mary E., born in: November, 1900. During his college days Mr Donovan was prominent in athletics and was also one of New Haven's amateur actors. He is a prom- inent member of many societies and clubs and is in- terested in the National Guard of the State of Con- necticut, holding a commission as captain of the Sarsfield Guard of New Haven.
JOSEPH ANSELL, one of the prominent and successful business citizens of Meriden, Conn., who conducts a business in meats, poultry and green groceries on West Main street in Meriden, is rapidly coming to the front as one of the substantial as well as one of the most reliable merchants in the city.
Mr. Ansell was born in Birmingham, England. Feb. 4, 1870, coming from an old family of that city, his forefathers having successfully engaged in business pursuits there for a great many years- good, honest men and devoted members of the Church of England. Joseph Ansell, Sr., the father of our subject, was born in Birmingham, England. July 25, 1838, and there he grew to manhood and opened up a large trade in fruits and vegetables. at which business he continued until the time of his death, in 1876. On Jan. 1, 1859, at All Saint's Church, Birmingham, he was united in marriage with Sarah Butwill, a native of the same place, and she still resides in Birmingham. Seven children were born to this marriage, of whom two are de- ceased: Elizabeth, who married Benjamin Davis, of New York City; John, who resides in Norwich, Conn., where he is foreman of the Crescent Arms Co. and a prominent member of the Masonic fra- ternity : Sarah Ann, who married Charles Madley. a prominent railroad contractor, of Crudington, Wales : Joseph ; and Charles, who is foreman in the glass works of L. Strauss & Son, in New York.
Joseph Ansell, our subject, was but six years of age when his father was removed by death and his mother was left to care for the family. Thus Jos- eph had few educational advantages beyond those offered by the common schools and he started out while yet a youth to earn his own living. Being a bright and prepossessing youth he easily secured employment with the wholesale grocery firm of Henry Clay & Co., where he continued until he had saved enough money to gratify his ambition and start for America, an older brother having become a resident of New York City, and to him the four- teen year old traveler made his way. After a short visit with his brother. John, he came to Men'a :
soon secured employment with the Meriden Br.t .: mia Co .. and with wages at fifty cents per day, re- mained with them for a year, leaving to take a pusi-
.
1271
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
tion in the chandelier department of the Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Co., and for thirteen years was one of its most trusted and valued em- ployes.
During this period Mr. Ansell had worked his way up to a responsible position in this house and left it only to take a more lucrative one with the American Pin Co., of Waterbury. Through 1895 he sold the goods of this latter firm through all the New England States and also handled goods for the Excelsior Faucet Co., of New York, and local firms of Meriden. Our subject is still the agent for the American Pin Co., Waterbury, in connection with his other line of business. In May, 1897. he opened up his present line in meats, poultry and green goods on West Main street, in this city, and immediately received encouragement from the citi- zens, his strict attention to business, with his hon- esty in dealing, gaining for him the confidence of the public.
Joseph Ansell was married in 1891. in this. city, to. Miss Frances Kibner, who was born in Glens Falls, N. Y., a daughter of John Kib- ner, of that place, but was born in Chani- bly, Canada. John Kibner married Susan Paro, a native of Vermont, and they had nine children, two sons and seven daughters. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ansell: Joseph Wilbur, who died in infancy; Victoria Stella. born on the birthday of the late lamented Queen of Eng- land, May 24, 1895: Henry William, born Aug. 7. 1897; and Steward, born Dec. 9. 1899.
Of a pleasing personality and genial nature MIr. Ansell has connected himself with a number of or- ganizations for social and educational purposes, in all of them being very popular : and he is active in the management of the fairs and bazaars, which form a pleasant feature of their entertainments. In April, 1890, he joined Court Excelsior, No. 6, For- esters of America, and the following year was elected to the office of Chief Ranger, filling the du- ties of the position for more than a year, and in 1893 was elected the Court delegate to the Grand Court in Danbury. In 1892 he joined Charles Dickens Lodge, No. 89. Sons of St. George, and in 1895 was made its president and in 1896 took his Grand Lodge degree at Stamford, Conn .. and was the District Deputy Grand President for both Mer- iden and Wallingford. Mr. Ansell is also a charter member of I. C. Lewis Lodge, Knights and Ladies of Honor, which was organized in 1895 and is an active member of the Friendly Circle Companions. In politics lie votes independently. He is a member of All Saints Memorial Episcopal Church.
years old he came to America in the employ of the Jerome Clock Co., Ansonia, and subsequently car- ried on for his own account the clock trimming business, in which he remained until his death, Jan. 25, 1891. By his wife, Mary Jane (Gregory), he had a family of children as follows: Horace, who died young; Sturgis G .; Louis F., our subject ; Annie L., wife of Emile Schultz, a lawyer in New York; John, who died at the age of fifteen; Mary C. and Charlotte G., both single. The mother passed away Aug. 27, 1890. The father was a Re- publican in politics, served as warden in Ansonia for many years and was a justice of the peace and deputy judge there.
Louis F. Gardner, whose name introduces these lines, received his education in part at the local schools of Ansonia, in part at boarding schools and then commenced business life along with his father. On the latter's death Louis became a member of the firm, the name thereof being now John B. Gardner's Sons.
On Oct. 27, 1898, Mr. Gardner married Cecile Banks, born in Easton, Conn., a daughter of Moses E. and Amelia (Collins) Banks, of Bridgeport, Conn. Mr. Banks was born June 15, 1835, in the town of Easton (at that time known as Weston), a son of William Banks, who was born in Weston, in 1808, and followed agricultural pursuits all liis life. By his wife, Ellen ( Burr), he had two chil- dren, Moses E. and Eliza M. (Mrs. Tuttle, of Bridgeport ). Moses E. has for many years been connected with a book publishing business in New York and is also owner of a fine farm in the town of Easton. On Dec. 24, 1853, he married Amelia Collins, of New York, and four children were born to them, viz. : Cecile, Mrs. Louis Gardner ; Jane E., wife of Major J. Taylor Amiss, of Asheville, N. C .: Mildred, widow of James H. Torry, late of Bridgeport ; and C. Lincoln, a medical practitioner in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
In politics Mr. Gardner is a Republican, and although not a fraternity man in the strict sense of the term, he belongs to several clubs : is a member of the Board of Trade, of the Knickerbocker, Hol- land and Imperial Clubs and an honorary member of several other clubs. He has a fine residence in Derby, though all his business interests are in Ansonia, and he and his wife enjoy the esteem and regard of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.