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 32
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battle, and was stationed some mile and a half south of Cemetery Hill in the line occupied by the Second Corps, and was hurried forward to the support of the Third corps, which in the afternoon, having marched toward the Emmitsburg road, was en- gaged. The 27th regiment, with others of the Fourth Brigade entered the wheatfield as the broken and disordered columns of the Third corps were slowly retiring to the rear, closely followed by the enemy. They moved toward the advancing foe which was now within close range, and the men became exposed to a sweeping fire, in which Lieut. Col. Merwin fell mortally wounded while leading the command with all his accustomed bravery. The line passed forward forcing the enemy from the wheatfield and into the woods beyond. The . 27th went into action with seventy-five men, all that could be mustered for duty after an active service of not quite nine months, and at dark, eleven had been killed and twenty-seven wounded. The position of the 27th on July 3d was in the main line and a few yards to the left of the point attacked by the Con- federates in the last charge made by them in that great battle. From Gettysburg the 27th moved to Falling Waters, a short distance from Williamsport, arriving in time to participate in the closing scenes of that engagement. Thence it went to Harper's Ferry, and from there, home, and was mustered out July 27, 1863.
On his return home after the expiration of his term of service, Mr. Brown, in 1866, joined the New Haven Grays, Company F, Second Regiment, and continued in it for seven and a half years, serving as a private, corporal, sergeant and captain, receiv- ing command Jan. 9, 1889. He was the command- ing officer of the company for four and a half years during which period the company was recruited from forty-five members to its full maximum strength of sixty-eight, with men on the waiting list for active membership. Capt. Brown was one of the re-organizers of the Second Company Gov- ernor's Foot Guard, and is now the commanding officer of that organization. Under his adminis- tration this old-time company, organized in 1775, has from forty-five members ( when he was elected to its command ) reached its maximum strength of 118, with fifty applicants on the waiting list, its membership being composed of old soldiers of the War of the Rebellion and of the National Guard.
Major Brown has served in former years two terms as councilman and one term as alderman and during the four years of service in the two bodies was on important committees and was largely in- strumental in securing for the city the present iron bridge at the steamboat landing, known as Tomlin- son Bridge, and replacing the former dilapidated wooden structure. In January, 1895, he was elected city auditor, holding office for two years, and was re-elected for a second term by a large majority, when by virtue of a change of charter he became controller of the city.
Major Brown was married to Irene E. Hall, who was born in Guilford, a daughter of James H. Hall. They have one child, Harriet B., who is now living in New Haven. Major Brown was one of the first members of the Admiral Foote Post, G. A. R., and is a prominent Mason, having risen to the Knight Templar degree. The Major is also con- nected with several other organizations, being a member of the Odd Fellows, the A. O. U. W., and the Heptasophs as well as the Young Men's League.
WASHINGTON MORTIMER ROWLAND, who for many years has been prominently identified. with the oyster growing industry in New Haven, and who is one of the city's substantial and esteemed citizens, was born at Patchogue, Long Island, Jan. 9, 1848.
John Rowland, the father of Washington M. Rowland, was also born in Patchogue, this having been the family home for several generations. John Rowland has been a sea-faring man, and is still actively interested in the oyster business in his lo- cality. He married Adeline Mott, a native of the same place, daughter of Martin Mott, who, at the time of his death, was one of the largest wholesale oyster dealers on Long Island. Both parents still reside in the old Long Island home. They had a family of five children, two of whom died in infancy, the survivors being: Washington M., of this sketch ; Retta, who married Fremont Hammond, of Patchogue, L. I .; and Fannie, who is unmarried. In politics, John Rowland has affiliated with the Democratic party, and at one time he had charge of one of the Government houses at Patchogue, now known as Life Saving Stations. All of the maternal ancestors of our subject's family have been con- nected with the Methodist Church.
Washington M. Rowland remained in his native place until twenty years of age, with the exception of the time spent at Northville Seminary, Long Isl- and, his instruction there succeeding his common school course in Patchogue. Growing up sur- rounded by sea-faring people, he naturally imbibed a love for the water, and after leaving school, en- gaged for a time in the coasting trade, subsequent- ly buying shares in a schooner, and managing it for one year. Shortly after the close of the Civil war, Mr. Rowland came to New Haven and became interested in the oyster growing business. With the exception of two years' residence in Norwalk, Conn., where he was also interested in the oyster trade. Mr. Rowland engaged in the oyster planting and growing business until Sept. 10, 1900, continuously from his first location in this city. His knowledge of the business, and his honest and upright meth- ods of dealing with the public, combined to bring him great success, and Mr. Rowland is now re- garded as one of the substantial men of New Haven. His ownership of city property is large, and his efforts have been directed to the improvement of the localities in which it is situated. He has just com-
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. pleted one of the most beautiful homes on Howard avenue, which has been fitted with all modern im- provements, making it a comfortable residence and one of the most attractive structures in that vicinity.
In 1868 Mr. Rowland was married to Arletta S. Fordham, born on Long Island, daughter of Capt. Samuel Fordham, a sea-faring man, and a family of four children have come to our subject and wife: Addie, who married Rolin Palmier, of New Haven : | crat. Socially he is a member of the B. P. O. Elks. Jessie; Hazel, who died aged four years; and Charles, who died in infancy. In politics, Mr. Row- land supports the Republican party, and is a mem- ber of the Young Men's Republican Club, and the Union League Club. He is well known and enjoys a wide acquaintance with the trade as well as with the general public. Since retiring from activity, he has been engaged in looking after his property, and in enjoying the ease won by long years of close at- tention to business.
PATRICK HOLOHAN, well and favorably known in real-estate circles in New Haven county, is a native of County Kilkenny, Ireland, born June 1, 1837, and has been a resident of Waterbury about half a century.
Maurice Holohan, his father, passed all his life in Ireland, where in his younger days he was clerk in a bank, and later followed farming. His wife also died in Ireland. They had a family of seven children : Francis, Joseph, John, Bridget T., Ann, Patrick and Elizabeth. The two last named reside in Waterbury, and are the only survivors.
Patrick Holohan, at the age of twelve years, came to America, first making his home in Pater- son, N. J., from there coming to Waterbury about fifty years ago. For a time he worked as a laborer, but in 1865 he engaged in the grocery business, and carried on same some twenty-six years, amassing a comfortable competence by care and diligence, in conjunction with strict temperance in his habits. After retiring from the grocery, he put up some business blocks on South Main street, and he now occupies his time chiefly in looking after his rents, and conducting a real-estate business.
In 1867 Mr. Holohan married Catherine Galvin, who was born in Waterbury, Conn., a daughter of John Galvin, a native of County Kerry, Ireland, and six children were born to this union, as follows : John F., Mary A., Thomas J., Elizabeth G., Theresa L. and Joseph. Of these, Mary A. married C. A. Jackson, of Waterbury; Thomas J. died when twenty-two years of age; Elizabeth and Theresa are single ; and Joseph died in infancy.
John F. Holohan, the eldest son, graduated from the Waterbury high school, class of 1885, and then entered the law office of Gillette & Webster, where he remained four years, at the end of which time he was appointed court messenger, an incumbency he held three years, resigning to enter Yale Law School in 1889, where he graduated with the class of 1892. After graduation he found clerical work
in the office of D. F. Webster; but this lasted for one year only, as in July, 1893, he was appointed prosecuting agent, which office he held until Octo- ber, 185, when he formed a partnership with H. J. Durant, for the practice of law. At the end of a year Mr. Durant retired, and Mr. Holohan has since conducted the business alone, his office being on South Main street. In politics he is a Demo-
Patrick Holohan, our subject, is also a Demo- crat, has served as councilman many terms, and during the year 1898-99 was an alderman. In 1898 he was appointed, by the Republican party, a mem- ber of the board of public safety, which is a fair indication of his popularity, irrespective of party lines. In religious faith he is a Roman Catholic, belonging to Immaculate Conception Parish, of . Waterbury.
JAMES RUSSELL SLOANE, bookkeeper and confidential clerk for the Charles Parker Co., Meri- den, is one of that city's most respected residents. He was born in Thompsonville, Hartford Co., Conn., Jan. 1, 1847.
John Sloane, grandfather of James R., was a native of Scotland, born in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, which is noted for its carpet and woolen manufac- turers. Here he grew to manhood and learned the trade of carpet weaver, which he followed in his native home. He there married Mary Lamie, and they had five children, viz: William, who for many years was the head of the well known firm of W. & J. Sloane, carpet dealers, New York: John, who was the junior member of W. & J. Sloane, and whose sons now conduct the business in New York : James, who was a rug manufacturer in West Farms, N. Y .; Andrew, father of James R .; and Margaret, who married Thomas Watson, and died in Oak- land, Cal. After his sons came to America, John Sloane, with his wife and the remainder of his fam- ily, came to the New World, locating at Thompson- ville, where he found employment in the Thomp- sonville Carpet Works. He spent the remainder of his life in that town, and died at a ripe age ; his re- mains were interred in Thompsonville cemetery, as were also those of his loving and devoted wife. They were both faithful members of the Presbyter- ian Church, and good Christian people, honest and upright in all their dealings.
Andrew Sloane was born in Kilmarnock, the home of his father, and there obtained a plain but useful education. He began life by working in a factory at an early age, learning the carpet business, as did also his brothers. After his older brothers came to America and met with some success, he, too, wishing to better his condition and to gain a wider experience, resolved to try his fortune in the Western World. He landed in New York after a voyage of seven weeks in a sailing vessel, and after remaining but a short time in that city came to Thompsonville, where he found employment at his
Patrick, Holoham
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trade as a weaver in the employ of Orrin Thomp- son & Co., now the Hartford Carpet Co., working at Brussels carpet making. He also worked for a short time in Rahway, N. J., but returned to Thomp- ville. Through his strict attention to business, and his painstaking efforts, he was soon promoted to the position of foreman of the ingrain department, which he held to within ten years of his death, when he resigned. He passed the remaining years of his life in retirement, dying at the ripe old age of eighty- two years, and his remains were buried in the family lot in Thompsonville cemetery. He was a consist- ent member of the Presbyterian Church, a good Christian man, devoted to his wife and family, and temperate in all his habits. In politics he was a Republican, but never sought office or honors.
In New York City Andrew Sloane married Han- nah Robinson, who was a member of an old and re- spected family of Danbury, Conn., and eleven chil- dren blessed this union: William, who is post- master at Conway, N. H .; George, who is a me- chanic, residing at Auburn, N. Y .; John, a book- keeper, in Hartford; Miss Mary; James Russell; Frederick D., with the H. Wales Lines Co., Meri- den; Edgar C., foreman with the Charles Parker Co., in Meriden; Joseph H., who resides in Hart- ford; Ellen (better known as Nellie), who married Frederick Parsons, and resides in Thompsonville; Hattie; and Annie, who died in infancy.
James Russell Sloane received but a district- school education, attending in the town of Enfield. Being imbued with that noble trait for which the Scotch are noted, self-reliance, he started out to make his own way at a very early age, and when but twelve years old was working as a farmer boy in Enfield. This work was not congenial to him, and he soon gave it up for something more ad- vantageous. He started in the early sixties, as a newsboy on the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, at which work he spent a year, when he left home and came to Yalesville to enter the employ of Garry I. Mix, working one year in the press de- partment. From there he went to Edward Miller & Co., engaging at the same kind of work, and com- manding at the age of fifteen years twelve dollars per week. He spent one year with the latter firm, and then accepted a position in the spectacle works of Charles Parker, where he spent nine months.
Fired with the patriotic desire to defend his country, Mr. Sloane enlisted in 1863 in Company C, Ist Conn. Heavy Artillery, under Col. Henry L. Abbott, and Capt. Henry H. Pierce, of Hartford, and remained in the service until the close of the war. He participated in all of Grant's last cam- paign. He was mustered out and discharged from the service Sept. 25, 1865, at Hartford. Desiring to improve his education, he attended a business col- lege for six months, and soon fitted himself for bookkeeping. For two and a half years he was bookkeeper in a grocery store in Hartford, after which he accepted a position with Smith, Northam
& Robinson, grain dealers of Hartford, as entry clerk, where he worked eighteen months. He next entered the employ of J. D. Burnham & Co., whole- sale tobacco dealers, in Hartford, as bookkeeper, and faithfully performed the duties of that position for twelve years. Having saved some money he returned to the home of his birth, and embarked in the grocery business, conducting same for some years, but as it did not prove a financial success he gave it up in 1881, and came to Meriden, where he accepted a position as bookkeeper with the Meriden Malleable Iron Co., where he spent three years. In 1890 he secured his present position, that of head bookkeeper and confidential clerk with the Charles Parker Co., filling same with credit to himself, and meriting the high esteem of his employers. He is a modest man, genial in his manner, and honest and exact in his dealings.
In 1869 MIr. Sloane was married, in Hartford, to Sarah Hills, daughter of David and Salome (Strickland) Hills; the former is now deceased, while the latter makes her home with Mr. Sloane, who is caring for her during old age. Mrs. Sloane died March II, 1899, at her home on Main street, Meriden, and was laid to rest in Walnut Grove Cemetery. She attended the Universalist Church. Six children were born to them: (1) Eva H., born in Hartford, was educated in the Thompsonville and Meriden schools, graduating from the latter, and is now engaged in teaching in the Franklin street school, Meriden. (2) Lillian E. married B. E. Carpenter, and has two children, Bessie and Rus- sell. (3) Amy B., married to and divorced from Samuel B. Maguire, is residing at home with her daughter, Edith Maguire. (4) Charles H., who is with the Charles Parker Co., married Bessie Kerr, and has one child, Muriel. (5) Mabel married James Noble, and has one child, Dorothy. (6) Edna H. is a student at the High school. Mr. Sloane is a Republican, and represented the Fourth Ward in the city council for four years; has been an alder- man two years; and was chairman of the Police committee of the board of aldermen. He is no politician, but is a stanch supporter of his party. In religious views he is broad minded and liberal. Fra- ternally he belongs to Meriden Post, No. 8, G. A. R., of Meriden; he was one of the organizers and is past commander of Nathaniel Lyon Post, Hartford. He also belongs to Charter Oak Lodge, I. O. O. F., Hartford, is a past noble grand and a member of the Grand Lodge; and he is a member of Silver City Lodge, No. 3, A. O. U. W., Meriden, in which he has passed all the chairs, and is now grand receiver of the State. Mr. Sloane is deservedly popular, and few men can point to records as stainless as his.
FREDERICK HEMINGWAY WALDRON has become widely known in New Haven in various connections, and his activity in Masonic circles has brought him into prominence all over the State.
Mr. Waldron traces his ancestry back to about
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1100, to Baron Rudolph Von Waldron, who won his coat of arms fighting against the Turks on the plains | of Palestine, and in 1156 Richard, son of Rudolph, won his coat of arms for valiant services in the field under Henry II, who was the first Plantagenet on the throne of England, and who united the Nor- man and Saxon races. Copies of these coats of arms have been handed down through the several genera- tions to the present time, and copies are in Mr. Waldron's possession.
Mr. Waldron comes from sturdy Dutch stock, and in this country traces his ancestry back to about 1646. The first of whom we have record, Baron Resolve Waldron, son of Count Johannas Von Wal- dron, was born in 1610, in Amsterdam, Holland. He was well educated in Latin, French and Eng- lish, and was an extensive traveler in Europe and South America, spending some time in Brazil. He returned to his native land in 1645, became ac- quainted with Lady Tanka Neigle, daughter of Baron Von Neigle, whom he married March IO, | 1646. Baron Resolve Waldron joined the staff of Governor Peter Stuyvesant in May, 1647, and he continued to serve the Dutch Government during Stuyvesant's administration until James, Duke of York, sent four ships of war here during a time of peace, 1664, and robbed the Dutch of all their pos- sessions in America. The Baron acted as ambassa- dor to all the petty English Courts in New Eng- land, Virginia and Baltimore. He obtained the first grant from Gov. Stuyvesant for New Harlem 'in 1645, and established the first ferry and erected the first Dutch Church in that town. He also built for himself a stone mansion on East River (called by the Dutch "Helengat," or Roaring Water, and by the Indians "Sevandican," or Mad Water, while the Indian name for the land, or Bowery, was called "Rrhawainus," or Crooked Land). This Bowery or Plantation was about a mile along the water, and here the Baron lived a number of years, or until his sons grew up and married, and then as chief magis- trate he removed to near King's bridge. The old stone mansion at Horn Hook was erected in 1660, and was kept in good repair until 1870-two hun- dred and ten years. The old Baron departed this life about 1706, when he was ninety-six years of age, and he was buried in "God's acre" beside the little church on the banks of the Harlem river.
William Waldron, the eldest son of the Baron, was born in old Amsterdam, Holland, Feb. 1, 1047, and was brought to New Amsterdam (now New York City) in his nurse's arms when three months old. This William married Engelse Stautenburgh, Feb. 10, 1671, daughter of Peter Stautenburgh, Bur- gomaster of New Amsterdam. They had seven chil- dren, among whom was Peter, the next in line of descent.
Peter Waldron, son of William, was born June 25, 1675, in Harlem, New York. He married Frynty Vandenburgh, Sept. 9. 1006, and they had ten children, among whom was Cornelias Waldron.
Cornelias Waldron, son of Peter, was born Nov. 18, 1705. He married Jennette Van Ness, Sept. 26, 1732, and was kaled by a Hessian, May II, 1756, leaving six children.
Garret Waldron, son of Cornelias, was born June 4, 1738. He married Catherine Vandenburg, Nov. 2, 1761. They had four children, among whom was Gilbert Waldron, grandfather of the gentleman whose name introduces these lines.
Gilbert Waldron, son of Garret, was born Feb. II, 1778, and died May 6, 1830, at Honesdale, Pa., where he had large contracts on the Delaware and Hudson canal, then in process of construction. He married, in 1802, Margaret Grawberger, who was born May 6, 1782, and died in the autumn of 1848. They moved in 1811 to Jonesburg, N. Y., and about 1820 to Fort Edward, thence to Milford, Pa., and finally to Honesdale. They left ten children, among whom was Abram G., father of Frederick H.
Abram G. Waldron, son of Gilbert, was born Jan. 8, 1803, in Batavia, N. Y. He was an account- ant by profession. He resided in Buffalo, N. Y., from 1838 to 1848, when he came to Connecticut, locating in Bridgeport, but in a short time removed to New Haven, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1872, at the age of seventy. He was actively engaged in his chosen line up to the time of his death, keeping books for the N. Y., N. H., & H. R. R. Co. Mr. Waldron was an Odd Fel- low and a Mason, holding membership in the Lodge, Chapter and Council, and was buried with Masonic honors. On April 11, 1836, Abram G. Waldron married Jennette Remer, who was born in Derby, Conn., June 11, 1815. and who died in New Haven in 1853. Four children blessed this union, of whom our subject is the eldest; Henry and Samuel are residents of Providence, R. I .; and Frances is a widow, living in Kansas. The mother attended St. Thomas Church, of which Mr. Waldron was a member at one time, but had previously united with St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and finally became a member of the Third Methodist Episcopal Church, retaining his membership at the time of his death.
Through his mother Frederick H. Waldron is descended from several families long held in the highest esteem in this State. Henry Whitney was born in England in 1620, came to America and was associated with others in buying lands in Southold, L. I., in 1649. He afterward settled in Hunting- ton, L. I., where he was selectman, and about 1665 he came to Norwalk, Conn., where he died about 1673.
John Whitney, son of Henry, was probably born before his father had gone to Southold, as he was full age before Jan. 20, 1665-66. He settled with his father in Norwalk, following his business of millwright and miller, and succeeding him in the possession of the mill and homestead. He there married March 17. 1674-75. Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Richard Smith.
Josialı Whitney, son of John, born at Norwalk,
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Conn. (date unknown), married 'Oct. 20, 1729, at Norwalk, Eunice Hanford, daughter of Elezur Han- ford and his wife Hannah. They lived in Nor- walk, where he died early in 1750.
Henry Whitney, son of Josiah, was married in 1761, at Derby, to Eunice Clark, daughter of Will- iam and Hannah Clark, of Derby, where she was born April 15, 1746. They settled in Derby. An obituary notice of him quaintly says: "He was the founder of King Hiram Lodge, No. 12, in Derby (was its first treasurer, 1783). He squared his life by the rules of Masonry, and, directed by the in- variable compass of rectitude, he entered the harbor of rest. His Masonic brethren honored his inter- ment with the sprig of evergreen, emblem of that eternal life, the donation of the Grand Architect who | will hail with the voice of brotherly love every free and well accepted Mason unto the Grand Lodge above." He was for many years an active and use- ful inhabitant of the town, and he died much la- mented and respected by his relations and acquaint- ances. He was a member and a communicant of the Episcopal Church, and was buried according to the rites and ceremonies of that church. He was a sol- dier of the Revolution, and held the rank of captain.
William Clark, father of Eunice ( Clark) Whit- ney, is said ( see Clark's Descendants of R. Hull, p. 5.) to have gone from Lyme to Derby in 1733, and to have been a descendant of Thomas Clark, who is thought to have been mate of the "Mayflower" in 1620. Hannah, wife of William Clark, died in 1801, aged ninety-one, leaving descendants to the number of 333. Eliza, daughter of William and Hannah, married Joseph Hull, of Derby, in 1749, and became the mother of Gen. William Hull, and grandmother of Commodore Isaac Hull.
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