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 39
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teacher of the Bible class and a member of the choir. When occasion required he often acted as lay reader.
STEPHEN BETTS WHITING, son of Willaim S., becanie a prominent mechanical and mining engi- neer. His business life began in New Haven, and he was also located at Urbana, Ohio, and Alton, Ill., building machinery and steam engines, and at Camden, N. J., he was engaged in ship building and the construction of marine engines, etc. He afterward became general manager of the Phila- delphia & Reading Coal & Iron Co., leaving it to accept a similar position with the Calumet and Hecla Mining Co. He retired from active work in 1901, and now lives in Cambridge, Mass., spend- ing his time between his home there and his summer home, known as "Rock Cottage, at Swampscott, Mass. In 1857 he was married in Alton, Ill., to Kate B. Draper, and their union was blessed with six children, of whom five are yet living. The only daughter, Clara Minnette ("Minnie") married Mil- lard Hunsiker, of Athens, Pa. (now residing in London, England, as the European representative of the United States Steel Corporation), and she died leaving one son, Harold W. ( 1) Charles Wil- cox, eldest of the five sons of Stephen Betts Whit- ing, is now living in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Eng- land, where he is works manager of the Broad Oaks Iron Works (he is married and has five children) ; (2) Walter Sherman is married, has three children and resides in. Milwaukee, Wis .: (3) Albert Dra- per, a practicing physician, is married and resides in Philadelphia (he has two sons) ; (4) Howard Earle, living with his father in Cambridge, is mar- ried and has one son; and (5) Stephen Edgar, a teacher in the Electrical Department at Harvard, is unmarried and resides with his father.
SAMUEL A. FLIGHT, one of the well-known farmers and dairymen of Highwood, Conn., is one of the prominent men in the town of Hamden, and for one of his years he is probably without an equal in his town, when his success in life, in contrast with his advantages, is considered. His career goes to show what a young man can do if he possesses application, energy, and, above all, a reputation for being honest and trustworthy.
Mr. Flight was born in the town of Fairfield. Conn., Dec. 17. 1860, son of Samuel J. and Sarah J. (Smith) Flight. Samuel J. Flight was born in England in 1822, second child of James Flight, who was for years a carriage maker in New Haven, Conn., where he was a well-known and respected citizen. He served for some time as organist of Trinity Church of New Haven. In Parish King Stanley, Gloucestershire, England, June 16, 1820, James Flight married Mary Bundy, by whom he had ten children.
Samuel J. Flight when a young man learned the trade of carriage maker in New Haven, and followed that business almost entirely during his
active life, working at same in several cities in Connecticut. His death occurred in August, 1886, when he was aged sixty-four. During the latter years of his life he made his home with his son Samuel A. He married twice, and by his first wife had two children: Albert, who died in infancy; and Mary, now Mrs. Joshua Kramer, of Pough- keepsie, N. Y. For his second wife Mr. Flight married, in 1851, Sarah J. Smith, who was born Oct. II, 1832, in East Windsor, Conn., a daugh- ter of Albert G. and Sarah ( Harger) Smithi, of East Granville, Mass., the latter a daughter of David Harger, a miller by trade. The children of this marriage were as follows: James H., who went West, and died in Kansas ; Samuel H., who died in childhood; Sarah J., Mrs. William Patterson, of Hamden ; Isabella J., Mrs. William Walbridge, of New Haven; Samuel A .; Harriet S., who died in childhood ; Emma I., who died in childhood ; Charles E., a joiner of New Haven ; William W., a journey- man barber ; Lillie, Mrs. Louis VanBuren, of New Haven; and Minnie, of New Haven. The mother makes her home in New Haven. The father was a man of quiet reserved manners. He was well read and thoroughly posted on the issues of the day. While in politics an independent voter, he was a warm admirer of Horace Greeley. He was a member of Center Church, New Haven, and was buried in Evergreen cemetery, that city. Mr. Flight served three years and three months in the war of the Rebellion, as a bugler in the First Connecticut Cavalry. As a musician he belonged to several dif- ferent musical organizations throughout the State, and was for some years a member of Wildman's Band, in New Haven, a well known organization in its day.
Samuel A. Flight was little more than a child when his parents removed to New Haven, where, at the Dixwell school, he received his early literary instruction. His educational advantages were vast- ly inferior to the opportunities of to-day. His par- ents were people of limited means, with a large family, and as soon as the boys became old enough they were put to work. When but a lad of ten years young Samuel went out to work, soon coming to Hamden, Conn., where he first worked for B. C. Woodin. He attended in District No. 10, in Ham- den, during the winter season. The scenes of his boyhood days at school were just across the street from where his present elegant home is located. Picture this youth attending school, and every day at recess, while engaged in play, no matter which way he would look, he saw land that was later to be his. As he trudged to school in the morning, or home in the evening, there was farm land on both sides of his route which in later years he was to own. In those days the future did not seemingly promise so much for him. He was a poor boy, whose entire capital was his energy and push, and his reputation as a steady, reliable worker. Work- ing for various farmers, he always tried to please
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Samuel A Flight
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his employer, and on leaving had always increased the number of those who would speak well of him. Working around as he did, his schooling was, of course, interrupted greatly, and really ended at a time when it was little more than begun. However, he possessed those traits of character which schools do not produce; so, while deficient in one respect, the loss was more than made up in others, as his later success gives evidence. Mr. Flight's life was that of a farmer boy until he reached about the age of sixteen, when he went to work in the Win- chester factory, in New Haven. Here he worked as a "swedger," and during the two years there employed saved some little money. When he left this factory it was to take up the business of peddling. From his savings he bought a horse, and began peddling vegetables, which business he fol- lowed for about one year, when he concluded to go to farming. He rented the George A. Dorman farm, which he now owns. Although but a lad of nineteen he was full of energy and ambition, and this step marked the inception of a business that he has followed ever since. When he first rented the Dorman farm he had a partner, and their first year in business resulted in the loss of practically all the money Mr. Flight had. Doubtless it was anything but encouraging to one of his means and age, but right here in his life came a period when the value of a good name was made evident to him. Mrs. George A. Dorman, who had the man- agement of the farm he had rented, knowing of his depleted financial condition, and also the kind of a young man he was, offered to advance him means sufficient to enable him to again carry on the farm, which offer he accepted, and at once success came to him. The experience of the previous year was just reversed, and each year thereafter saw an improvement of his condition as well as enlarge- ment of the business, which soon included dairy farming.
On .Nov. 17, 1881, Mr. Flight was married to Esther U. Dorman, eldest daughter of George and Ellen (Doolittle) Dorman. The death of his mother-in-law occurred in the spring of 1882, so that the management of the farm practically fell upon him. It proved to be a matter of simply giv- ing the man an opportunity to show his worth, as his management was able and profitable, and, un- der his direction, affairs prospered and have ever continued to do so. Improvements followed in land and buildings, the business was carried on more ex- tensively, and in connection with gardening he for eighteen years conducted a milk route in the city of New Haven. Although he has disposed of this route he has continued as a producer, and whole- sales his milk. Mr. Flight has bought land from time to time, as his business required, until he now owns about eighty acres, in the management and care of which he is thorough, systematic and highly successful. The old Dorman farm, on which he resides, has been improved by him in many ways.
He has built a new barn and outbuildings. and the well-kept condition of the entire place entitles it to rank among the very best kept farms in the town. An original idea of his, and one which he put into execution, was the construction of an ice house and dam, giving him storage for over 1,200 tons of ice, which he markets direct to consumer. In the man- agement of his extensive business Mr. Flight is familiar with every detail, his thorough practical knowledge of the work enabling him to be an ex- cellent judge of help and consequently the results are of the best. He is not wedded to any particular method of farming, but is ever on the alert to im- prove or modify, so as to meet the fitness of his land, or to secure the best results therefrom.
To succeed as Mr. Flight has requires close at- tention to business, yet he finds time to take quite a prominent part in town affairs. He served two years as chairman of town committees, three years as assessor and has been a member of the board of relief. In the session of 1899 he was doorkeeper of the Connecticut House of Representatives. He is thoroughly progressive, and ever ready to en- courage any movement for the benefit of his town, and just as ready to oppose the other kind. His first vote was Democratic, but since then he has been one of the stanchest members of the Repub- lican party in his town, where he wields no little influence, and can be said to be one of the advisers and counselors of his party.
Socially Mr. Flight is a member of Day Spring Lodge, No. 30, F. & A. M., of Hamden; Pulaski Chapter, of East Haven; Eli Whitney Council, O. U. A. M .; Sheffield Lodge, K. of P. ; and Israel Putnam Lodge, A. O. U. W. He is also a mem- ber of the Union League Club of New Haven. Mr. Flight's success has not been brought about by penuriousness, as he has lived well, enjoyed life, and has indulged in many of its pleasures. How- ever, success has not served to change him. He is a plain-going man, somewhat outspoken and al- ways understood, modest to a degree that would do him an injustice, if he were to be judged by his manner, as it is in no way suggestive of his thrift. He has always tried to do his duty as a good citi- zen; if he failed, it was because he was sincerely wrong. Mindful of his own struggles, he has shown himself ready and willing to help a friend or the needy. . He enjoys a large acquaintance, which in- cludes prominent men in different localities throughout the State. As a whole, he is one of the best examples of a self-made man in the town, and for his years he is probably without an equal in Hamden.
ALBION WINSLOW PENDEXTER, con- tractor in the sawing department of the Meriden Cutlery Co., and a leading citizen of South Meri- den, was born March 20, 1843. in Parsonsfield, York Co., Maine. His fitther, Henry Pendexter, was also a native of York County, born in 1799, and was a
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son of Paul Pendexter, a farmer and landowner, who spent his life in that region.
In the spring of 1843 Henry Pendexter settled in Bridgeton, Cumberland Co., Maine, where he ac- quired land and spent the rest of his days. He died there in 1881, at the advanced age of eighty- two years. He was a member of the Baptist Church and a loyal citizen, imbued with the true American spirit. Though not an active politician, he sup- ported the principles of the Whigs in early life, and when the Republican party succeeded the Whigs he affiliated with the new organization. He was mar- ried in Parsonsfield to Nancy Libby, who was born in New Hampshire, a daughter of James Libby ; she died in 1868, at the age of sixty-four years, and was buried in Bridgeton Cemetery. She was a faithful member of the Baptist Church, and a loving and faithful wife and mother. Twelve children were born to them, namely: Mary, Martha, Hannah, Olive and Nancy, all deceased ; Albion W .; Elmira and George, of Waltham, Mass .; Simeon, who re- sides in Maine; and Lydia and Sarah, both de- ceased ; and an infant (sixth) who died unnamed.
Albion W. Pendexter was educated in the dis- trict schools of Bridgeton, whither he was taken by his parents when only one month old. He re- mained on the home farm until nineteen years of age, when he enlisted in Co. I, IIth Maine V: I., in July, 1862, under Col. Plaisted and Capt. Merrill, and served until the close of the war, being pro- moted to the rank of sergeant. He took part in a number of battles and minor engagements, receiv- ing a bullet wound in the face at the battle of Deep Bottom, Va. He was in hospital several weeks and returned to the ranks near Petersburg, Va., and was mustered out at Richmond, Va., June 12, 1865. Returning home, he worked in a tannery about two years. In 1866 he became a resident of Connecti- cuit, and at once entered the employ of the Meriden Cutlery Co., at South Meriden, where he continued two years. He next engaged in the grocery busi- ness and continued two years (holding the office of postmaster during the same time), at the end of which period he sold out to Mr. E. B. Clark, with whom he remained as clerk thirteen years. Re- signing this position, he opened a grocery in the city of Meriden, and catered to the trade until 1885, when he sold out and took up contract work with the Meriden Cutlery Co. For the past seventeen years he lias been thus actively engaged, in the saw- ing department, and has earned and receives the re- spect and esteem of all who are brought into busi- ness or social relations with him. He fills a promi- nent place in the life of the community, and is everywhere regarded as a good citizen. With his family, he attends the M. E. Church. As a good soldier, who fought to abolish the institution of slavery, he naturally affiliates with the political party which brought about its abolition, and no one doubts his fealty to the Republican party, his coun- try and his friends. He is devoted to his home and
family, and has never sought a prominent part in public affairs. Having borne an active and hon- orable part in the strife of internecine warfare, he is now content to enjoy a well-earned repose in the companionship of those nearest and dearest to him, but is still active and industrious in the prosecution of his business.
On June 12, 1868, Mr. Pendexter was married in South Meriden, to Miss Roxana Eunice Stevens, a native of that place, and daughter of Philander Stevens. Mrs. Pendexter died at her home in South Meriden on her wedding anniversary in 1896, and was buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Meri- den. She was a consistent member of the M. E. Church, and in her demise the community lost a good neighbor and faithful Christian woman, and her family a most devoted wife and mother. Her children were: Nellie Myra, Flora Belle, Eunice May, Ralph Stevens and Frank Wasson. Of these, Eunice May died in infancy ; Nellie Myra married Frank G. Seeley, son of Mayor George S. Seeley, a traveling salesman residing in New Haven, and they have one child, Guy Pendexter Seeley; Flora Belle resides with her father; Ralph Stevens is employed at the Aeolian works in Meriden ; and Frank Was- son is a traveling salesman for the Cleveland Gas & Electric Fixture Company.
Philander Stevens ( deceased), son of Jeremiah Stevens, was a well-known citizen of South Meri- den. He was born in Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Conn .. and grew to manhood there. For forty-five years he was employed in the sawing department of the Meriden Cutlery Co., at South Meriden, and died there Dec. 16, 1896, his remains being interred in Walnut Grove Cemetery. He was a man of genial disposition, much devoted to his wife and family, and everywhere respected. Politically he was a Democrat. He owned a fine home in South Meriden, where it was his delight to entertain his friends. A leading citizen of the place, his depart- ure was widely regretted. He married Eunice Brown, a native of Windsor, Hartford Co., Conn., daughter of Silas Brown. Two children blessed this union, Roxana E. and Nellie M., of whom the former is the wife of Albion W. Pendexter, and the latter of William Garlick, of South Meriden, whose biography is a valuable feature of this work. Mrs. Stevens survives her husband, and takes delight in her grandchildren and great-grandchild, who are never tired of visiting at her pleasant home. She is a member of the M. E. Church, a lady of fine Christian character.
LEON D. MONKS. D. D. S., founder and proprietor of the Philadelphia Dental Rooms, at No. 781 Chapel street, New Haven, is one of the very foremost men in his profession in that city, and his success may be attributed solely to his close application and painstaking efforts in his calling. Dr. Monks in less than a decade has built up one of the most lucrative practices in his line in the
Leon P. Monks.
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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Elm City. Coming as he did to New Haven in 1892, an entire stranger, his future was dependent upon his merits entirely, and his subsequent suc- cess consequently reflects greater credit. His rapid rise, all considered, stands without a parallel in the city in his line.
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Dr. Monks was born Dec. 6, 1864, at Ansonia, Penn. His father, John Monks, was a native of New Jersey, and married Mary E. Ormsby, a na- tive of near Binghamton, N. Y. John Monks re- sides now at Chatham Valley, Penn., a highly re- spected citizen. Dr. Monks received his primary ed- ucation in the public schools, supplementing same by a course in higher instruction at Withamsport, Penn. His early work in his profession was in Pittsburg, Penn., after which he entered the Uni- versity of Cincinnati, graduating in 1892. He then located in New Haven, where his success has been extraordinary, not only as the result of his skill as an operator, but also because of his pleasant and genial personality. An extensive practice such as Dr. Monks has built up requires the services of several assistants, but all the work is done under his careful supervision.
Dr. Monks is well known in the Masonic fra- ternity, belonging to Wooster Lodge, No. 79, F. & A. M .; Franklin Chapter, No. 2; Harmony Council; New Haven Commandery ; and the Scot- tish Rite Masons, including the thirty-second de- gree and Pyramid Temple, Mystic Shrine. He is at present junior warden in his commandery, and is a member of the Knight Templar Club. The Doctor is also a member of Sheffield Lodge, No. 2, K. of P., of which he is past chancellor, a member of the Foot Guards, and of the Royal Arcanum, and takes an active interest in all these organizations, in which he has hosts of friends. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and a valuable member of the Young Men's Republican Club. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Church, as is also his wife.
The Doctor was married, in March, 1896, in New Haven, to Miss Ida Benoit, daughter of Charles Benoit, and they have two children : Leon C., born Nov. 30, 1897; and Leroy J., born March 2, 1899. Dr. Monks built his excellent home on Howe street. He is justly regarded as a repre- sentative citizen of New Haven.
EUGENE P. GOLDEN, the capable and effi- cient superintendent of the hollow ware manufac- turing department in Factory E, of the Interna- tional Silver Company, of Meriden, is a native of that city, born Sept. 16, 1852.
The Golden family was early implanted in New York, and in the city of Poughkeepsie, William H. Golden, father of Eugene I'., was born June 24, 1820, and there he was reared. His parents died when he was still a lad, and very early in life he was obliged to care for himself. After completing his apprenticeship with James Weeks & Co., of Pough-
keepsie, in the Britannia business, he engaged in this line of work on his own account in Newark, N. J., and was prospering, when he lost all of his effects by fire. The late Isaac C. Lewis and others were engaged in a similar enterprise in Meriden, and, as Mr. Golden was known to them as a skillful man in the business, he secured a position with them and took up his residence in Meriden in June, 1848. No mistake was made by these business men in this regard, and Mr. Golden remained in their employ for more than half a century, proving almost in- valuable to them. He was superintendent of the factory for many years, or until the occupation of the present plant, soon after the opening of the Civil war, and after that he had charge of the entire lower floor of the establishment, consisting of the spinning, buffing, casting and press departments. His devotion to the interests of his employers, his faithful and prompt attention to business, and his skill in his particular line of work, made him a suc- cessful manager of his charge. Mr. Golden served the interests of the Meriden Britannia Co., and its successor, the International Silver Co., from June, 1848, to Feb. 20, 1900, the date of his death-almost fifty-two years of continuous service. His even and genial disposition made him a great favorite with the employes of the factory, and his faithfulness and strict attention to business made him a most valuable man to his employers.
Mr. Golden was one of the founders of St. Paul's Universalist Church society, and in his early life took an active part in its work and support. When he came to man's estate he was a strong sup- porter of the political principles of the Whig party, and became identified with the Republicans when they succeeded the Whigs, giving his sympathy and support but never seeking, or accepting, any official position. He had long been a worthy member of Meriden Center Lodge, No. 68, 1. O. O. F., of Meriden, and was a man of most exemplary habits, temperate and considerate in all things, and one who was constantly interested in the welfare of his family. Few old citizens of Meriden were held in higher esteem.
William H. Golden was married in Newburg, N. Y., to Miss Lydia M. Turner, who was born in Walden, Orange Co., N. Y., a daughter of John and Hannah Turner. She died July 18, 1895, her interment being in East Cemetery. Mrs. Golden was a most estimable, Christian woman, an example of all the virtues of exalted womanhood, a devoted wife and a wise and judicious mother. She was connected with the First Methodist Church, where she was held in the highest esteem. The nine chil- dren born to William H. Golden and wife were: William H., of Meriden ( see sketch elsewhere) ; Mary, deceased wife of Henry M. Taylor, of Bos- ton ; Annie, deceased wife of Horace S. Catlin, of Meriden : Augusta, deceased wife of Charles L. Hinman ; Eugene P., whose name begins this article; Melissa, Mrs. Frank W. Dayton, of Meri-
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den ; Ida, wife of Henry C. Ludington, of Meriden ; Emma, Mrs. Charles E. Coates, of Meriden; and Charles H., also a resident of Meriden.
Eugene P. Golden grew up in this city, and in his early boyhood attended the public schools, but became wage-earner at the early age of thirteen years, entering the factory of the Meriden Britannia Co., after which he attended school only a part of the time. At the age of fifteen years he entered the spinning department, and thoroughly learned the art of metal-spinning, after which he worked for a considerable time as journeyman in this line. His skill and fidelity soon attracted the notice of his superiors, and he was made assistant foreman of this department, under his father. In this re- sponsible position the son continued for a number of years, his efficient qualities making him each year more valuable in the operation of the plant. No more faithful service could have been given had the business been his own, than Mr. Golden gave through that quarter of a century, and that he was appreciated is shown by the fact that he was ap- pointed in 1893 as superintendent of the hollow- ware manufacturing department. For the past nine years he has given the close and careful attention which this work demands, and his efforts to com- bine in an orderly and economical manner the work of men and machinery in his department for the benefit of all concerned have met with gratifying success.
On Oct. 2, 1872, Eugene P. Golden was united in marriage in Meriden, with Miss Irene A. Colvin, who was born in Hartford, a daughter of Timothy and Julia E. Colvin, well-known and esteemed citi- zens of Meriden. Two children were given to Mr. and Mrs. Golden. Ada, the first-born, died in in- fancy. Ida, who passed through the primary and high schools of the city, became the wife of Ed- ward J. Pooley, of Meriden ; she has one son. who bears the name of his paternal grandfather.
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