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 31
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On March 5, 1889. in Cheshire, Mr. Todd was united in marriage with Miss Jennie B. Hotchkiss, a native of that tower, and a daughter of Henry and Rosetta ( Beecher ) Hotchkiss, the former of whom was born in Naugatuck, Conn., and died in Chesh-
ire, May 8, 1893. The mother was born Sept. I, 1816. in Litchfield. Conn., and died May 13, 1897, in Naugatuck. Mr. Todd and his wife have one child, Louise Beecher. In his political views Mr. Todd is independent, and supports the men whom he believes best qualified to fill public offices, regard- less of party lines. He is a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, as is also his wife, and of the Grange in Cheshire. He has always the good of the community at heart, and is justly regarded as one of the most progressive citizens of his town.
ISRAEL A. KELSEY, capitalist, financier and promoter, who died Sept. 4, 1900, was one of the most enterprising and successful business men in New Haven county, if not in the State of Connecti- cut, his name in connection with the development of mines, electric street railroads and other enterprises of magnitude being "familiar as household words."
Mr. Kelsey was a native of Connecticut, and a son of George R. and Virginia ( Wright) Kelsey, and was born May 6, 1859, in West Haven, New Haven county, near the elegant home still occupied by his family. He received his earlier education at the common schools of the dis- trict, subsequently attended for a time Gen. Rus- sell's military school, in New Haven city. Dur- ing his vacations he clerked on a steamboat, and at the age of sixteen years accompanied by his father, he made a trip to Jacksonville, Fla., as manager of his father's steamboat "Pastime," commanded by Capt. Robert Eldridge, of Fair Ha- ven. His father sent this boat originally to St. Augustine, used it one winter in the passenger ser- vice, and the next year took a government contract for carrying the mail. When Israel A. went to Florida the "Pastime" was running on the St. John river from Jacksonville past Palatka, and as far up the river as Enterprise. The father took his son to the Ambler Bank, in Jacksonville, and said to the president : "This is my son Israel A. Kelsey; he isn't of age, but he has the management of the steamboat on St. Jolin's river. Whenever he wants any money or any financial assistance let him have it, and I will be responsible." The official assented readily, and young Kelsey was thus launched upon ¡ a business career which was uniformly successful to the close of his life, His training had been thor- ough and practical, having been carried on in the : school of actual experience, and its value was amply : proved. Father and son corresponded daily. Shortly after the latter's location in Jacksonville, Capt. Eldridge returned to Fair Haven sick with con- sumption, leaving cur subject in entire charge of affairs. His father built and sent down other boats, the "Georgia," "G. R. Kelsey," and "Spitfire,' which ran on the St. John and its tributaries, and the son was manager of the line, having the super- vision of no less than seven hatte, he became the owner of stock in this hme. During his four years' experience in Florida, as captain of the "Pastime,"
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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general manager of the business, keeping all the accounts and seeing to the carrying of the mails, he developed rare business ability, seldom equaled by one of his age.
In 1880, having sold the "Pastime" and the "Georgia," Mr. Kelsey returned North and settled in West Haven, where he embarked in the manu- facture of suspenders, soon afterward, however, selling out and engaging for a time in the making of shot and shell cartridges. first in New Haven, and later in West Haven. In 1883 when the Amer- ican Buckle & Cartridge Co. was established, he be- came president and treasurer of the corporation. In 1885 he was elected secretary of the New Haven & West Haven Horse Railway Co., to which position he gave considerable attention. In 1889, after the death of his father, he was elected president of the company, and continued as such until it was sold to a Boston syndicate, when A. C. Pond became presi- dent, and Mr. Kelsey vice-president. In 1892 he became general manager of the Winchester Avenue Road, of which he was a large stockholder until a few weeks before his decease, and with which the New Haven & West Haven Electric Railway was consolidated. He was made vice-president, secre- tary and treasurer thereof, and these incumbencies he filled with the utmost satisfaction to all con- cerned until 1898, when he resigned the offices of secretary and treasurer, and continued in that of vice-president until July, 1899. Under the manage- ment the West Haven railroad receipts increased from $5,000 to $27,000 per annum. Mr. Kelsey was a pioneer in the successful use of electricity as a motive power for street cars, and a prominent promoter of electric street railways. During the last ten years of his life he acquired and equipped in Connecticut, putting in electricity, the Middle- town Electric road (of which he was president), extending it to the limits of Portland; the Portland street road : the Enfield & Long Meadow & West Shore road to Woodmont, via Savin Rock; the Corning street road; the New London street road ( which he bought but retained only a few months ) ; and the Ohio Central Traction road (of which he was president). At the time of his death he was a director of a road in Bangor, Maine: one in Dan- bury. Conn .; the Milford, Holliston & Framing- ham Street Railroad Co .; the Middletown Street Railroad Co. ; the Enfield & Long Meadow Tram- way Co .; the Puerto-Principe Tramway Co .; and the Puerto-Principe Electric Co. While connected with the New Haven road he had it double tracked. from end to end, and, taken all in all, it may be truthfully said of him that he built and super- intended more street railroads than any other man in the United States. In addition, Mr. Kelsey was one of the organizers and treasurer of the Bingham & Eastern Copper Mining Co., at No. 42 Church street, New Haven, where he had his office: was a stockholder in the West Haven Buckle Co. : presi- dent of the West Haven Water Co. : and vice-presi-
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dent and a director of the New Haven Evening Leader Co. He was also a large stockholder in various other enterprises. In real estate he dealt extensively, and owned considerable. He developed much of West Haven, and built as many as twenty houses there, his own residence being one of the largest and handsomest in the village. On March 20, 1892, Mr. Kelsey was elected a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He was endowed with wonderful executive ability, was progressive and enterprising, a close student of public affairs, broad- minded on all questions, and had the highest repu- tation for strict honesty and sterling integrity. His influence was always exerted for good.
In politics Mr. Kelsey was a Republican, and served on the town and State committees, as chair- man of the former, and as a delegate to several conventions. He held various offices of responsi- bility and trust, such as burgess several years. In 1893 he represented Orange in the State Legisla- ture, and was chairman of the Finance committee and also of the Library committee; he introduced and carried several measures in the interest of his town, including a system of concrete sidewalks all over the village of West Haven, thereby making it one of the finest of its size in the State, which measure was put through by him in the face of great opposition, the "fight" lasting some six months. Fraternally Mr. Kelsey was a member of the F. & A. M., Annawan Lodge, No. 115: of the R. A. M., Franklin Chapter: Harmony Council ; and of the Commandery-all of New Haven ; and of Pyramid Temple, Mystic Shrine, Bridgeport. He was a charter member of Samoset Club, of which he was vice-president, having declined the presidency. While in Florida he was a member of the Ist Florida Light Artillery.
On Nov. 11, 1879, in Palatka, Fla., Israel A. Kelsey married Miss Elizabeth Lyle Fairbrother, who was born in New York, eldest child of Albert C. Fairbrother, who for some years was in business at Mystic, Conn. Three children were born to this union : George R. and Alberta (twins), and Vir- ginia W. The family home is at No. 124 Center street, West Haven.
Mr. Kelsey had hosts of friends. among whom he was highly popular, always affable and polite; and ever ready to assist any enterprise tending to the public convenience or welfare. An enthusiastic yachtsman, he was the owner of a fine yacht, and, withal, he was a royal entertainer and a generous- hearted man.
SEYMOUR GILBERT LINSLEY, one of the popular citizens of Branford, is a capable and ener- getic business man, with every indication of a rosy future. He was born in Branford, Nov. 10, 1865, a son of Gilbert and Maria ( Hill) Linsley.
Malachi Linsley, his paternal grandfather, was a native of Branford. He made his home at what was known as Double Beach, and was engaged in
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
farming all his life. His children were as follows: William; Franklin ; Ellen, who became the wife of John Bradley; Gilbert; Charles; Mariette, who married C. O. Russell; Edgar ; and George.
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Gilbert Linsley, the father of Seymour G., was reared to manhood in Branford, and in early life became a farmer. From 1865 to 1874 he held the position of a sleeping car conductor on the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R., between New York and Boston. In 1876 he took charge of a hotel at Branford, and for sixteen years was the popular and successful landlord of the Linsley House. He died Jan. 23, 1893, at the age of sixty-two years, mourned by a host of friends, and greatly missed by the traveling public. His wife was Maria Hill, a daughter of Philip and Anna (Cross) Hill, the former a tailor of Westbrook. Their children were as follows : Russell L .; Seymour G. and Dora (twins ) of whom the latter married Daniel E. Linsley ; Ellen M., who married Thomas Matczynski; Sarah E., wife of Sedgwick Allen ; and Malachi H.
Seymour Gilbert Linsley was reared in Bran- ford, where he attended the public schools, and for twelve years assisted his father in the hotel business. For some three and a half years he had the entire management of the hotel, and in 1896 became the proprietor of a cafe and buffet, in which he still continues.
On May 16, 1893, Mr. Linsley was married to Margaret, a daughter of Daniel and Ellen Gorman, of Ansonia, Conn., and one son, Herbert Seymour, has blessed their union. In his religious connections Mr. Linsley belongs to the Episcopal Church. So- cially he is a member of Totoket Lodge, No. 22, Foresters of America, at Branford, and Lodge No. 25, B. P. O. of E. at New Haven. In politics he is a Democrat.
SHERWOOD S. THOMPSON, whose stand- ing in the social and commercial world of New. Ha- ven is without a blemish, is one of the progressive and honorable business men of the city whom all good citizens are delighted to honor.
The name of Thompson has been handed down in the annals. of New England from the time of Anthony Thompson, who emigrated from England. and settled in New Haven in 1639. He signed the Colony Constitution the same year, and took the oath of allegiance in 1644. He was mentioned in the first and second divisions of land, and as having an estate of £150. Four persons, were mentioned in his family, himself and three children. Nothing is known of his first wife. After his death, which occurred in the latter part of March, 1648. his sec- ond wife, Katherine, married Nicholas Camp, of Milford, Conn. Anthony Thompson in his will mentions his sons John and Anthony and his daugh- ter Bridgett, by his first wife, his two younger daughters, and his brothers John and William. His son Ebenezer was born after his death.
(II) John Thompson, a mariner, son of the
emigrant, was born about 1632 in England. He and his wife Ellen had the following children : John, Joseph, Mary, Samuel and Sarah L.
(III) Joseph Thompson, son of John, was born April 8, 1664, and died Dec. 14, 1711. He married Elizabeth Smith. and they had the following chil- dren : Anna, Joseph, Stephen, Jonathan and Eben- ezer.
(IV) Joseph Thompson, son of Joseph, was born March 5, 1703, and died July 5, 1745. He married Hannah Smith, and their children were: Mabel, Esther, Jeduthian and Mary.
(V) Jeduthian Thompson, son of Joseph, was killed by the British where the Webster school now stands, at the corner of York and George streets. ["Connecticut Men in the Revolution."] He mar- ried Thankful Beardsley, and became the father of Thankful, Eunice and Joseph.
(VI) Joseph Thompson, son of Jeduthan, died July 23, 1856. He married Mary Ann Sharp, and they had the following children: Fanny, Cynthia, Louisa, Jeduthan ( father of our subject), Charles, George, Lucinda, Joseph and Jane.
(VII) Jeduthan Thompson was born Feb. 8, 1809, and died Dec. 19, 1850. He married Amanda C. Hockin, who was born in New Haven in 1814, and died Jan. 24, 1889. She was a daughter of Charles and Clarinda Hockin, and granddaughter of Joseph Hockin, who came from Massachusetts. Joseph Hockin and his son Charles were merchants on Broadway, in New Haven. To Jeduthan and Amanda C. Thompson were born four children, as follows: Elias, Horace, Susie and Sherwood Stratton.
(VIII) Sherwood Stratton Thompson was born in New Haven Nov. 14, 1844, and attended the Webster school. He was only six years of age when his father died, and was obliged to go to work at the age of fifteen, when he entered the dry-goods store of S. L. Smith, as clerk; he slept on the counter nights. Here he continued for a period of about two years, when the Civil war broke out, and at the age of seventeen, in 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany A, 27th C. V. During his service he was pro- moted to corporal. When his term of enlistment expired, at the end of nine months, he returned to New Haven and engaged in the baking business with S. S. Twitchell, under the firm name of Twitchell & Thompson, on York street, where he is now located. It was an old business, established in 1829. Upon the death of Mr. Twitchell, in 1874, Mr. Thompson assumed entire control, under the firm name of S. S. Thompson & Co., which is the style of the firm to-day; Mr. Thompson is sole owner. The business has grown until it is now the finest bakery in New England. He has built a large brick factory, well equipped with all modern machinery, and does a wholesale business exclu- sively.
For his first wife Mr. Thompson married Mary | J. Blair, by whom he had one daughter, Nellie B.,
Sherwood & Thompson
& Louise Thompson.
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who married Henry L. Pardee, of New Haven. On Dec. 24. 1878, he married Ellen Louise Sanford, who was born in Newtown, Conn., Jan. 22, 1850, dangliter of Capt. Julius and Mary Elizabeth ( Par- sons ) Sanford. Mr. Sanford was born Aug. 27, 1819, and died Nov. 1. 1879. His father, Josiah, traced his line back through Samuel (4), Samuel (3), Samuel (2), and Samuel ( I), to Thomas San- ford, the settler. Mary Elizabeth Parsons traced her line back through her father, Moses Parsons, of Newtown, William, Nathaniel and Phillip (2), to Phillip Parsons. Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood S. Thompson have one son, Paul Sanford, born Sept. 10, 1882. Politically Mr. Thompson is a Republi- can, and he has always taken a live interest in his city, politically, socially and religiously. He served as councilman, two years; alderman and acting mayor ; park commissioner, two years ; member of the board of education, one year ; and is now police commissioner. He is a member of Adnural Foote Post, G. A. R. ; the Army and Navy Club : Union League; Young Men's Republican Club; New Ha- ven Colony Historical Society: Sons of the Ameri- can Revolution ; Waltonian Club : Chamber of Com- merce ; and is a member of the Founders and Patri- ots Association. Fraternally he has been identified with Harmony Lodge, I. O. O. F., since Jan. 2. 1867; Hiram Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M., since Nov. 22, 1866; Franklin Chapter, R. A. M., since Nov. 7, 1871 ; Harmony Council, R. & S. M .; New Haven Commandery, Knights Templar, since Dec. 15, 1871 ; the Mystic Shrine, since December, 1899; and Israel Putnam Lodge, A. O. U. W., since March 8, 1888. In religious faith he is an Episco- palian, and he is. a vestryman of Trinity Church.
The following appeared in the New Haven Leader of April 29, 1893, under the caption "A Gifted Soprano:"
"Mrs. Thompson has long been a favorite with all who appreciate the worth of the human voice. Even those whose musical talents are almost wholly undeveloped have never failed to be charmed with the singing of Mrs. Thompson. She has long been a favorite with the New Haven public and audi- ences in other cities, where the highest praise has been accorded her. Mrs. Thompson is a daughter of Capt. Julius Sanford, of Newtown. Conn., and was born in New Haven. Conn. She began sing- ing almost before she could talk, and at the age of nine years began singing in the historical Trinity Church of Newtown, continuing to delight all who heard her, during which time her mother played the church organ. When Mrs. Thompson was sixteen years old her father returned from the war; he found his health impaired, and he determined to sell his little house in Newtown and moved to New Haven; hence Mrs. Thompson, then Miss Sanford, became a resident of the city. She had resided in the city but a little while when her remarkable ability and splendid voice attracted the attention of the leading musical people. In July, 1867, at the
age of seventeen, she became a member of the Cen- ter Church choir. It was then thought that her voice was too weak for church work and only good for concerts, and she was sent as a substitute to the old Third Church, and was so successful that she received more encouragement.
"In April, 1868, she became a soprano singer in the quartet choir in Trinity Church at Bridgeport. She remained there two years, and then returned to the Center Church, as soloist, receiving a very much larger salary than had ever been paid her at Bridgeport. Her voice had grown much stronger, and she was considered by far the best soprano singer in the State. She made her debut in concert music in old Music Hall, April 8, 1869. She re- ceived most extravagant applause and merited it. It was during June of 1860 that the Peace Jubilee was given in Boston. There was a chorus of 160 voices from New Haven, and the morning the sing- ers departed a concert was given at which Mrs. Thompson sang the 'Inflammatus,' which was thought to be one of the most remarkable perform- ances of the period, for her success was complete, and she was then only nineteen years of age. She sang in the second Peace Jubilee in 1872, in Boston, being a member of the 'Bouquet of Artists.' Dur- ing several of the following years she sang fre- quently, two or three times a week in concerts in different cities, besides teaching a large class of pu- pils. As a teacher she was always successful. She remained in Center Church until 1874. She then accepted a position in the College Street Congrega- tional Church for two years, returning to Center Church at the end of that time at a salary of one thousand dollars. She sang solo parts in the follow- ing oratorios given by the New Haven Oratorio Society: "The Prodigal Son," "The Woman of Samaria," "Naaman" and "Elijah."
"In 1885 she sang with success in Congress Park, Saratoga, the large and critical audiences there according her applause and attentions that were of the most flattering character-singers and artists of world-wide reputation complimented her highly on the excellence of her performances and the rich, delightful quality of her voice. In 1891 she became soprano in the Church of the Redeemer ; in 1892 she sang 'Elijah' at the State Musical Con- . vention at Hartford. New Haven has long been proud of Mrs. Thompson, and that pride is entirely justifiable. She is not only a charming lady, but she has talent that renders her capable of entertain- ing the most critical audiences that the world can produce." Since that time Mrs. Thompson has been ten years at the Church of the Redeemer. Upon her resignation, the society's committee of that church presented her with a most beautiful book of resolutions and thanks.
HON. JACOB DANIEL WALTER, of Chesh- ire, who is now serving on his second four-years' term as county commissioner of New Haven county,
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and who for years has been prominent in the local councils of his party- the Republican-is one of the substantial men and leading citizens of the com- munity in which he lives.
Commissioner Walter was born Feb. 21, 1856, in the town of Hamden, Conn., a son of John Jacob and Julia M. ( Ford) Walter, and a descendant from ancestors of the Colonial period of the State's history. The Ford family of Hamden sprang from the old family of that name in Devonshire, Eng- land, where it was prominent at the time, and before, New England began to be settled. The Devon- shire family was connected with the Drakes, of Ashe, who engaged actively in the emigration to the New England colonies. Sir Henry Ford, born about 1620, the only son of John and Catherine (Drake) Ford (he of Bagtor, and she a daughter of George Drake, of Sprattsbays, a lieutenant-colonel under his kinsman Sir John Drake, of Ashe), was twice principal Secretary of State to Charles II in Ireland. Timothy Ford, from the Devonshire Fords, appeared at Charlestown in 1637, removed to New Haven, Conn., in 1639, where his death oc- curred in 1684, and his widow, whose Christian and maiden names were unknown, says Savage, died in 1681. Of their four children, two were sons, Samuel and Matthew, from one of whom came the Hamden Fords.
Jacob D. Walter received his education in the public schools of New Haven, Conn., and in similar schools in the State of New York. He began his business career as a clerk in a store in Port Jervis, N. Y., and later engaged in general merchandising for himself in Cheshire, Conn. He was thus occu- pied for several years, and then engaged in farm- ing, which has since been his chief occupation, and in which he has been successful. Mr. Walter has managed his own business affairs in such a manner that his fellow citizens have a number of times called him to positions of trust, responsibility and honor in the public affairs of the town and county. He served one year as town assessor and was for eight years a member of the Republican town com- mittee. In 1894 he was elected a member of the State Legislature for that session, from the town of Cheshire, and served in that body on the committee on Roads and Bridges. He was elected a county commissioner for New Haven county in 1895, for a term of four years, and re-elected for a second term in 1899, and is now serving as chairman of the board. In 1901 he was chosen first selectman. All of the duties of these important trusts he has per- formed to the satisfaction of his constituents, and with credit to himself. He is a member of the Union League Club, of the Young Men's Repub- lican Club of New Haven, of the Masonic Frater- nity, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
On Oct. 24, 1883, Mr. Walter was married to Miss Abbie L. Atwater, of Cheshire, a descendant of one of the first planters of the Colony of New Haven. One daughter, Nellie B., was born of this
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union. Mr. Walter is a member of the First Con- gregational Church of Cheshire, and for the last six years lias been chairman of the Society's committee, the First Ecclesiastical Society of Cheshire.
MAJOR BENJAMIN E. BROWN, city con- troller and late city auditor, New Haven, is one of the well-known military men of Connecticut, and a man whose fidelity to official trusts and responsi- bility has won for him the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.
Born in 1845, in Somersetshire, England, Ben- jamin E. Brown was brought to this country by his parents when eight years of age, and nine years later, when but seventeen, fired by the stirring scenes of the times, he enlisted, in the summer of 1862, as a drummer boy in Company E; 27th Conn. V. I.,. and was mustered into the United States service with his company not long thereafter. He bore an honorable part in the regiment's history in the Civil war, participating in its several great battles and otherwise sharing its fortunes in camp and on the march.
The term of service of the 27th Regiment, though not an extended one, was active and thrill- ing. For a short period the regiment was in a di- vision under Gen. Abercrombie, of the Army for the defense of Washington, but later it was a part of the Second Brigade. First Division (under Gen. Hancock), Second Army Corps, and formed a part of the Right Grand Division of the Army of the Potomac under Gen. Sumner. At the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862, that portion of the regiment not detached for picket duty along the Rappahannock, was in line of battle on the open plain between the city and Mary's Heights, where they were exposed to a terrible fire from the enemy's batteries, and when night set in, one-third of the regiment engaged lay dead or wounded on the field or in the hospital. In the change that soon after took place, when Hooker succeeded Burnside, the 27th Connecticut was transferred to the Fourth Brigade under Col. John K. Brooke, and after com- ing out of winter quarters in April, 1863. moved forward and was active in preliminary movements toward Chancellorsville. From the beginning of the second day's fight there on May Ist, till midday of the 3d, the men had little time for sleeping or eat- ing. The regiment, which, on Sunday morning, oc- cupied the entrenchments which it had thrown up the previous Friday evening and which at the time of occupation formed a part of the picket line of the army, held an important position, and subjected to terrible fire, soon found themselves surrounded and captured. Companies D and F of the 27th Con- necticut, however, escaped the fate of the remainder of the regiment, having been previously detached for other duty. The 27th continued to remain a part of the Army of the Potomac until the battle of Gettysburg was fought and won. It reached Gettys- burg July 2d, moved forward to take the line of
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