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 33
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Josiah Whitney, son of Henry, was born in Derby, in 1764, and became a master mariner. In 1784 he married, in Derby, Hannah Riggs, daugh- ter of Capt. Joseph and Rachel ( Chatfield) Riggs, of Derby, where she was born March 6, 1767. He dwelt in Derby, and was a-member of the Congre- gational Church in that place. He was commander of a vessel in the South American trade and was cast away in 1794, dying in Demerara in August of that year, in consequence of his sufferings and exposure in the shipwreck. His widow joined the Congre- gational Church in Derby, Nov. 13, 1808.
Hannah ( Whitney) Remer, daughter of Josiah Whitney, was born at Derby, Conn., June 20, 1785. On Aug. 20, 1805, she was married at Derby to Abram Remer, who was born at Carlisle. Pa .. June 7, 1783, son of Lewis Remer ( a Revolutionary sol- dier, who served in Capt. Jacob Ten Eyck's Com- pany, First Battalion, Somerset County, New Jer- sey, Militia) and Rebecca ( Runion ) Remer. They dwelt in Derby, where he carried on a large business, employing many men in the manufacture of shoes, till May, 1827, when he removed to Seneca Falls, N. Y., and after ten years to Montezuma, N. Y .. where he kept a tavern and grocery for more than
twenty years. They then dwelt with their son, Sam- ue! Whitney Remer, at Davenport, Iowa, for three years, and with their daughter, Mrs. Henrietta Downs, at Downey Station, Iowa, till 1863, when he returned to Bridgeport. She died there Sept. 30, 1864, and he passed away in New York City March 20, 1866. Both were buried in Mountain Grove cemetery, Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Jennette ( Remer) Waldron, daughter of Han- nah ( Whitney) Remer, was born in Derby, Conn., June II, 1815, and died Aug. 23, 1853. On April II, 1836, she married Abram G. Waldron, and, as is stated above, four children blessed this union.
Frederick H. Waldron was born in Buffalo, N. Y., March 14, 1840, and was a boy when brought by his parents to Bridgeport, Conn., and after two years moved to New Haven, Conn., where practic- ally all of his life has been passed. During his early boyhood he attended the public schools of the city, later being a student at a boarding school in Oxford and at Wheeler's Academy, in Norwalk. At the age of seventeen he went to Davenport, Iowa, and until 1859 was in the employ of the Mississippi & Missouri Railway Co., being in the shops with his uncle, Samuel W. Remer, who was the superintend- ent of motive power. On his return to New Haven he was in the employ of the New York, New Ha- ven & Hartford Railway Co., for a year prior to his enlistment in Co. F. 4th Conn. V. I. This regiment was afterward changed to the Ist Conn. Artillery. Mr. Waldron served three full years with his regi- ment, and was honorably discharged at the expira- tion of his term of service as Corporal of artillery. He participated in a number of hard fought battles, among which was the siege of Yorktown ( the heaviest siege of the war), Hanover Court House, Old Church, Mechanicsville, Gaines Mills, Golden Farms, White Oak Swamp; Malvern Hill, and But- ler's campaign about Petersburg, where for eleven months this regiment fought in the trenches and where its services were most conspicuous and hon- orable, exposed to constant artillery and musket fire. One of the 13-inch mortars used before Petersburg by this regiment is to be placed on a monument to be erected in the Capitol grounds at Hartford in Sept., 1902. This regiment was the first to volun- teer for three years, and was attached to several different army corps.
After his return from the service, Mr. Waldron followed the trade of carpenter and pattern maker until 1870, when he was appointed clerk of the board of Public Works. He continued to hold office by appointment for three-year terms until 1892, regard- less of the political complexion of the board, and the length of time of his service is sufficient testi- mony of its quality. Since his retirement from pub- lic office Mr. Waldron had devoted much time to Masonic work, and a record of his career in the fraternity, on account of his activity and zeal for the institution, is extremely interesting.
Mr. Waldron was made a Master Mason in
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Wooster Lodge, No. 79, of New Haven, while home on a furlough from the army, March 13, 1863; a Royal Arch Mason and Royal and Select Master in Washington, D. C., in April, 1864, afterward affiliat- . ing with the Chapter and Council in New Haven; was made a Knight Templar in New Haven Com- mandery, No. 2, in 1869, and in all of these bodies he still holds an active membership. He was wor- shipful Master of his lodge during 1871 and 1872, regularly passed through the chairs of Harmony Council, R. & S. M., serving as Tlirice Illustrious Master for two years, 1871-72. During 1871-72 he was on the committee for the erection of the new Masonic Temple in New Haven, and on its erection and completion he conferred the first degrees in the building, in the presence of a large assembly of Masons. Passing through the several chairs, he was elected Eminent Commander of New Haven Commandery, and served two years, 1881-82. He has been actively connected with all the Grand bodies of the State, passing through the several chairs, serving as Most Puissant Grand Master of the Grand Council during 1875; Grand Master of Masons in 1883; Grand Commander of Knights Templar during 1886; and Trustee for the Grand Chapter for a number of years. He is a charter member of all the bodies of the A. & A. S. R. in New Haven, and has been elected as presiding officer of all the bodies of the Rite in the city, and he has served as Second Lieutenant Commander of Lafayette Consistory, and for a long term of years served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Council of Deliberation for Connecticut. He received the thirty-third degree of this Rite in Sept, 1883, and is an honorary member of the Supreme Council, Northern Jurisdiction, and also a member of the Grand Encampment, Knights Templar, of the Uni- ted States. He organized the Masonic Mutual Bene- fit Association of New Haven, and was its Secretary for twenty-three years, dispensing to the widows and orphans of Masons during that time over SI,- 400,000, and leaving the association in a prosperous condition.
financial lines. He consented to serve the Post of- ' in Hamden dates back to about 1809, when Heze-
Mr. Waldron has also been a zealous and earnest member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and he is Past Commander of Admiral Foote Post, No. 17, to which with others he rendered special service in ficially in 1881. The Post at this time, so to speak, was below par, with a membership of but 104, and an indebtedness of over $1,400; under the new re- gime within two years the Post numbered over 500 members, with over $2.550 in the Treasury, and in 1887 the Post numbered over 900, with over $12.000. Mr. Waldron was appointed an aid on the staff of the Commander-in-chief in 1882.
been said by another, "He is courteous in manner, quick in preception, voice well-modulated, delivery graceful, and in general is gifted with those talents which constitute a successful presiding officer." In his household hospitality is a marked feature, and those who know him best can testify to his liber- ality, courtesy and attention to his guests. He dis- charges well the duties of domestic life. and is faith- ful to the trust which rests on the husband and father. He is one who is noble minded, generous to a fault, genial and kindhearted, earnest in his convictions, and never hesitating to express opinions freely ; his intimacies are not hastily formed, but when once made are never sundered, following well the motto on the Coat of Arnis: Nec Beneficii- Nec injuriae-Immemor.
On Sept. 20, 1871, Mr. Waldron married Miss Alice Bottoniley, who was born in Bridgeport, Conn., March 9, 1847, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Platt) Bottomley, who were from Delph, England. She was baptized in September, 1874, by Rev. Thomas W. Coit, D. D., at St. John's Epis- copal Church, and she died in New Haven Jan. 7, 1898, a faithful member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Waldron, viz : George R., born Dec. 2, 1874, is an accountant ; he married Phoebe Rice, now deceased, and had one child, Phoebe May. Alice May was born May 1, 1878, Charles W. was born Nov. 25, 1881. Fred H., Jr., was born Aug. 10, 1883. Harry P. was born March 29, 1885.
HORACE D. JOHNSON, one of the thrifty and substantial residents of Hamden, is one of the prominent citizens of that town, where he is ex- tensively and successfully engaged in the dairy and general trucking business. Mr. Johnson comes from one of the very oldest families of New Haven county, one whose members have been prominent and influential, and 'in types of citizenship wherein patriotism and public spirit have never been lack- ing. His great-grandfather, Hezekiah Johnson, took a prominent part in the Revolutionary war. Another ancestor, William Johnson, was one of the original proprietors of Wallingford. Through marriage the family is connected with many of the old and prominent families. The Johnson family kiah Johnson, grandfather of our subject, removed from Wallingford and settled on what is now the northeast corner of Circular and Gilbert avenues, in Hamden.
The family in America descends from Thomas Johnson, of New Haven, our subject being a rep- resentative of the eighth generation, his line being from Thomas through William, Jacob, Capt. Ab- ner, Capt. Hezekiah, Hezekiah and Alfonso. Thom- as Johnson, of New Haven, came from Kingston- upon-Hull, Yorkshire, England, 1638. He was drowned in New Haven harbor in 1640, and left
Mr. Waldron still maintains an active interest in all the bodies of which he is a member, and in whatever position he is placed he never ceases to labor for the interests of others, nor fails to show his love and devotion for his friends, and, as has | four sons, Thomas, Daniel, Jeremiah and Willian.
It. D. Johnson
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His widow Helena, married Arthur Bostwick, of Stratford, Connecticut.
(II) William Johnson was deputy from New Haven to the General Assembly several times. He was one of the original proprietors of Wallingford, founded in 1670. He was married, in December, 1664, to Sarah Hall, daughter of John and Jane Hall. Sarah Hall was baptized Aug. 19, 1646, by Rev. Mr. Davenport.
(III) Jacob Johnson, born Sept. 25. 1674, in Wallingford, died there July 17, 1749. He was a prominent man in that town, and was deputy from Wallingford to the General Assembly in 1736. He was married Dec. 14, 1603, to Abigail Hitchcock, who was born April 10, 1674, a daughter of John and Abigail ( Merriman ) Hitchcock.
(IV) Capt. Abner Johnson, born in August, 1702, in Wallingford, passed his entire life there, and died there Sept. 28. 1754. In November, 1749, he was chosen deputy of the first train band of Wall- ingford. On Dec. 14, 1726, he married Charity Day- ton, a daughter of Israel Dayton.
. (V) Capt. Hezekiah Jolinson, born March 12, 1732, in Wallingford, died Feb. 21, 1810, in Ham- den, where he and his wife were living with their son Hezekiah. Capt. Hezekiah Johnson married, in November, 1758, Ruth Merriman, born Nov. I. 1741, daughter of Caleb and great-granddaughter of Lieut. Nathaniel Merriman, one of the original proprietors of Wallingford. Capt. Hezekiah John- son was at one time in life a man of considerable wealth for his day, and he was a citizen of influ- ence in Wallingford. His fortune became reduced during the latter years of his life. He took a prom- inent part in the Revolutionary war, his name ap- pearing in the list of men who marched from the Connecticut towns for the relief of Boston, at the Lexington alarm, April, 1775. He enlisted, from Wallingford, in Capt. Nathaniel Johnson's Com- pany, Col. Douglass' regiment. He was among the troops sent from Connecticut, in June, 1776, to rein- force Washington's army at New York, saw service in that city and on the Brooklyn front, being at the right of the line of works during the battle of Long Island, Aug. 20, 1776. He was in the retreat to New York, and took part in the battle of White Plains. During his service he was under Washing- ton ; under Gen. Gates ; was at Saratoga : and at the surrender of Burgoyne. He was captain of the troops that went from Wallingford, to the relief of New London in 1781, and was in the engagement at that place. Capt. Hezekiah Johnson's children : Caleb, George, Belcher, Lucinda, Ruth, Diantha, Sophia and Hezekiah. Of the sons who lived to adult age, Caleb graduated from Yale in 1785, be- came a Congregational clergyman, went South and was a prominent divine in his church. Belcher set- tled at Salisbury, New York.
northeast corner of Gilbert and Circular avenues. He was a farmer and brick maker, and was one of the pioneer brick makers of that part of the town. He was a successful man, and accumulated a very handsome competence for those days. He was a prominent member of the Congregational Church, and took an active part in its work. He was the leader of the choir for a number of years, having been a musician of ability, both vocal and instru- mental. In his family were a number of musi- cians, nearly every member being able to play one or more musical instruments. While not a public man he took an interest in affairs of the town, and held various minor offices. Politically he was once a Democrat, later a Whig. He first married Eliza- beth Tuttle, of Bethany, who was the mother of his children. Her death occurred Jan. 27, 1845. He later married Roxana Judd, by which union there were no children. His children were as follows: ( I) Edwin H., born Jan. 15, 1810, died May 5, 1874. unmarried. As the result of an attack of scar- let fever, in childhood, he was left an invalid. (2) Charles E., born July 25, 1811, was a contractor and builder. He went South where he died. (3) Syl- vanus, born Nov. 12, 1813, was a pioneer of Iowa City, Iowa, whither he went when the town con- sisted of but two log cabins. He bought land which later became very valuable, and on which consid- erable of that city is built. He was a brick manu- facturer, became quite wealthy and now lives re- tired. He married Emily Bradley, of Hamden. (4) Sylvester, born July 17, 1816, died April 7. 1836. (5) Elizabeth died in infancy. (6) Alfonso, born Feb. 6. 1821, is mentioned below. (7) Lorenzo A., born May 22, 1823. died April 18, 1851, unmarried. He located at Chester, Ill .. when a young man, and practiced his profession, that of attorney. (8) Nor- ris M., born June 23. 1825, is mentioned elsewhere .. (9) Frances E., born June 18, 1828. is the widow of Hon. Ezra Stiles, of North Haven, where she now lives.
Alfonso Johnson, the father of our subject, was born Feb. 6, 1821, on the farm where his father settled. He had such opportunities as the schools of his town afforded, was reared on the farm, and under his father received good training to agricul- tural pursuits. For some years he carried on the . business of brick making, in which he was success- ful. Later he took up the business of a market gardener, on an extensive scale, and success at- tended his efforts in that line also. He was system- atic in his management, and invariably secured the best results. A hard worker, full of energy and activity, he always set an example to those work- ing with him. He was of the progressive type of farmers, and was classed with the intelligent agri- culturists of his day. Somewhat retiring in his dis- position, he never hesitated about advocating a good, or opposing a bad cause. He took the interest of a good citizen in the town. In politics he sup-
Hezekiah Johnson, grandfather of our subject. was born Dec. 25. 1780. in Wallingford. About 1809 he settled in Hamden, on what is now the i ported the rest men, no matter which party they be- 83
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longed to, especially when he had personal knowl- edge of the candidates or issue, but in State and National matters his sympathy was more often with the Democratic party. He held office in his town, but was by no means an office seeker. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. About 1860 Mr. Johnson built the brick dwelling, where our subject now resides, and there made his home ever afterward. He left a good name and a very con- fortable competence. His death occurred Nov. 22, 1883, and he was buried on Hamden Plains ceme- tery, by the side of his wife, who preceded him to the grave some years. There is an elegant shaft on the family lot.
Mr. Johnson married Charlotte M. Beecher, who was born Dec. 3, 1830, and died April 15, 1874. Their children were as follows: Minnie is now Mrs. Henry B. Harrison, of New Haven. Elton A., born May 29, 1859, died Dec. 1, 1881. Horace D. was born June 8, 1861. Frances A., born Sept. 21, 1869, married. April 18, 1890, A. E. Hayward, and lives in Handen ; she is a member of Mary Clapp Wooster Chapter, Daughters American Revolution,
Horace D. Johnson was born in the same house where he lives, June 8, 1861. He was reared as all farmer boys of his time, and received a good com- mon-school education. When quite young he showed natural business tact, taking much more than a boy's interest in his father's business of which he early acquired practical knowledge. When little more than past his 'teens he went into business for himself, first on a tract of twenty acres, that his father gave him, and engaging as a market gar- dener, he met with marked success, the beginning of an unusually successful career in various lines. He followed market gardening a few years, and then added the business of retailing milk. For some years previous to his father's death, he had taken a prominent part in the business of his father's farm as well, so when the father died he had additional responsibilities. Although a young man he proved his ability to successfully handle the business which fell upon him. Soon afterward he went into the dairy business as a producer, and he has continued in that line ever since, with more than ordinary success, being one of the best-known men in this business, supplying New Haven consumers. He lias twenty cows.
Of late years Mr. Johnson has branched out into other lines, prominent among which is the cut- ting and marketing of timber, consisting of cord wood, ties, piles, etc. This line he carries on exten- sively, marketing as many as fifteen hundred cords of wood alone, in a season, to say nothing of the other timber he handles. In this branch of his business he employs a number of men, and from fifteen to twenty teams are required in his opera- tions. He owns large tracts of timber land, in ad- joining towns, cutting his timber from these tracts. His business also includes contracting an ! trucking, which he has found profitable, and he formerly did
considerable grading. Mr. Johnson still carries on these various lines, in addition to dairying, on an extensive and remunerative scale, and his manage- ment gives evidence of much more than ordinary business ability and energy. Like his father he is systematic in all his transactions. His property holdings have increased from time to time, as the demands of his busines required, until now he owns over 300 acres of land in Hamden, Bethany and Woodbridge, and real estate in New Haven as well.
In affairs involving the welfare of his town, Mr. Johnson takes an active and prominent part. A stanch and influential member of the Republican party, he is also one of its advisers and counselors in Hamden. He was elected selectman in 1893, and served until 1899, except for two years. In 1898 he was elected first selectman. His service in this incumbency was marked by the same business-like discharge of his duties that characterizes his man- agement of his private enterprises. He has shown great interest and gives his valuable support to all movements of benefit to his town, and he has as vig- orously opposed those having any other object. In town affairs his opposition or support is keenly felt. Socially he is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity and the I. O. O. F., affiliating with Day Spring Lodge, No. 30, A. F. & A. M., of Hamden ; Pulaski Chapter, of Fair Haven ; New Haven Com- mandery, K. T .; and Pyramid Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Bridgeport. In the I. O. O. F. he is a member of Montowese Lodge, and Golden Rule Encampment. He also holds membership in Cru- sade Castle, Knights of the Golden Eagle; and is a charter member of Hamden Grange. He is eligi- ble to membership in the Sons of the American Revolution.
Mr. Johnson has won his success by thrift, not by denying himself, takes considerable pleasure in life, and indulging in such luxuries as his tastes incline him to. Ile has shown in a substantial way his willingness to help a friend or the needy, but he never parades such acts of kindness or generosity. In all his undertakings, though he has steadily prospered, his methods have been such as to up- hold the honorable name he bears. Mr. Johnson is not married.
JOHN GOODRICH NORTH ( deceased ) was born in Berlin, Conn., Feb. 22, 1823, and died March 9, 1892, at Milford, Connecticut.
The history of the North family in America be- gins with John North, who was born in England in 1615. and sailed from London in April, 1635, on the "Susan and Ellen." E. Payne, master, in com- pany with Sir Richard Saltonstall, Rev. Peter Bulk- ley, and ninety others [see Gov. Thomas Welles, p. Io]. There is no record that he previously resided in Hartford, like most of the first settlers of Farm- ington. Ilis land in Farmington was entered to him in 1653, during which year he had a daughter
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baptized there. He and his sons John and Samuel whole farm, besides buying more of the Dunhams. He carried on an industry (besides caring for his farm) now entirely superseded. He had a small tin-shop near his house, where he put in the little tubes in the whale-oil lamps then in general use, and also made small tin boxes, and other things of the were among the eighty-four proprietors among whom the unoccupied lands of the ancient town were divided in 1672. John North died in 1691. In the "Lists of names of persons of quality emigrating from England to America 1600-1700" his name is given, aged twenty. He married Hannah Bird, of kind. Such shops as his, scattered up and down the Farmington, and his first child, John, was born in 1641.
Thomas North, fifth son of John, was born in Farmington, about 1649, and died in 1712. He married Hannah Newell, who was born 1658. He was a soldier in the Indian wars, had a soldier's grant of land, and was one of the pioneers. in the settlement of Worthington, now Avon, living on the east of the river, near Marshall's tavern, under the mountain, and north of the Hartford and Albany turnpike.
Thomas North (2), son of Thomas, married Martha Royce in December, 1698, and died in 1725. Martha (Royce) North was born in 1679.
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Isaac North, of Wethersfield and Berlin, son of Thomas (2), was born in 1702, and died in 1788. He married Mary Woodford, who was born in 1709. He was the first enrolled member and the first dea- con of what is now the Second Congregational Church, Berlin, Conn. This church was organized Feb. 9, 1775. Mary Woodford North, wife of Isaac, joined the same church Feb. 22, 1775. Isaac served as Second lieutenant of Capt. Wells' com- pany, Brig. Gen. Wolcott's Brigade, Militia, April 10-22, 1777, in the Revolutionary war.
Jedediah North, also of Wethersfield and Ber- lin, was born in 1734, and died Dec. 16, 1816. In 1757. he married Sarah Wilcox, who was born in in 1739, and died Oct. 5, 1775.
David North, son of Jedediah, was born in 1761, and lived in Berlin. In 1781 he married Salome Wilcox, and died in 1831. His wife, who was born in 1761, died March 15, 1807.
hills and valleys of Connecticut, especially near water-courses, and numerous small industries like his, made Connecticut the "'land of Yankee notions." Such work is now done by steam power or electric- ity in great manufacturing centers. Lemuel North was a very industrious man. The clip-clip of his tinsmith's hammer was heard "the last thing at night, sometimes till one o'clock, and the first thing in the morning." His daughter says, "When he got one day's work done, he began on the next day's, to see how it was going." He was a kindly man, very fond of all children, and always carried pepper- mints in his pockets to give to them. He married Rebecca Goodrich, who was born June 26, 1783, and died July 5, 1857. He died Aug. 25, 1845.
John Goodrich North, son of Lemuel, grew up on his father's farm, with only such educational advantages as the district school furnished, and little if any of those after he was fourteen. But he showed his Goodrich characteristics in that he made the most of what little opportunity he had. He had a fine mind, and a retentive memory. A lawyer who knew him in his later life said he would have made a fine lawyer, for he had remarkable power to seize upon the salient points of a subject, and most excellent powers of reasoning. His active life did not give him much time for reading, but he was al- ways interested in Connecticut history and tradi- tion, and he kept himself well informed on the events of the day. At the age of eighteen he went to New Haven, Conn., entering Durand & Mygatt's dry-goods store as clerk, and before he was twenty- five was partner. He was always very quick in his motions, and was called by his fellow clerks. "Step- and-fetch-it." In 1843 he entered the insurance business, in which he was very successful, and in which he continued until his death, and he was re- garded as one of the best posted and most success- ful men in that line in his section of his State. He was agent for the Etna Life of Hartford for forty- two years, and for the Connecticut Mutual for forty-five years. In 1865 was formed the firm of North & Blakeslee, which was dissolved in 1874. In 1878 he took his son John into partnership, under the title of John G. & John C. North.
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