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 57
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HENRY CHRISTIAN PICKHARDT, a well- known real-estate dealer of Meriden, and one of its leading citizens, was born in Broad Brook, East Windsor, Hartford Co., Conn., Sept. 9, 1850.
Christian Pickhardt, the father of Henry C., was a native of Germany, born in Gummersbach, in the Rhine province, where he attended school and learned the trade of wool sorter. The family is an old one there, and still operates a woolen mill. When Christian Pickhardt reached manhood, with many more of his countrymen, he emigrated to America, locating at Broad Brook, Conn., where lie had no trouble in securing employment at his trade. Later lie removed to the Naugatuck Valley, locating at Seymour, and here he started into the hotel busi- ness and followed same until the close of his life. His death took place while on a visit to his daughter, in Yalesville, in 1800, and he was buried in West cemetery, in Meriden. Although Mr. Pickhardt became an ardent Republican, he never sought office.
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In his religious views he was liberal, living up to a standard which he believed to be right, and all his days was an industrious and honest man. His fraternal connection was with the German Order Harugari. He married Louisa Floto, who was also born in Germany, and who died in Bridgeport, , of Seymour, and with Pacific Lodge, No. 87, I. O. O. F., of Meriden. As a citizen Mr. Pickhardt is held in high esteem, while his genial manner and domestic virtues make him highly regarded in social circles.
Conn., the mother of three children: Charles, de- ceased; Henry C., of this biography ; and William, now deceased.
tilda, Etta and Henry. Mrs. Pickhardt is a lady of strong character, a most devoted wife and mother, and with her daughters belongs to the Con- gregational Church. Fraternally our subject is con- nected with Morning Star Lodge, A. F. & A. M.,
Henry Christian Pickhardt removed with his parents to the Naugatuck Valley, and attended school in Derby, and also assisted his father in JOHN H. DAVIS is one of the prominent young men of Hamden, a leader in social and po- litical circles, and a worthy representative of the agricultural and business interests of the town. Whether in public or private life he is a courteous, genial gentleman, well deserving the high regard in which he is held. the management of the hotel. At the age of seven- teen years, he came to Meriden and obtained em- ployment as pressman with the Bradley & Hubbard ! 1 Manufacturing Co., and here he remained for sey- eral years, returning then to Seymour with the in- tention of attending school, as he was ambitious to have more advantages. With characteristic energy Mr. Davis was born March 28, 1868, on the farm where he now resides, son of Samuel and Emily ( Mansfield) Davis, grandson of Avery and Hannah (Tyler) Davis, and great-grandson of Avery Davis. Avery Davis, Jr., was born in the town of Willington, Conn., where he was a pros- perous farmer and prominent citizen. He reared an excellent family, consisting of seven children, viz .: Charles, Eliza, Mary, Edward ( who is men- tioned elsewhere), William, Samuel and John. The last named settled in Rockville, where he became a large real-estate owner. That city's growth rendered his land valuable, and much of it was cut up in iots and streets, Davis avenue in that city being named after him. He left considerable property. Mr. Pickhardt attended both day and night school, and fitted himself for a clerkship, in which position he remained for three years. Returning then to Meriden, Mr. Pickhardt embarked in the grocery business, carrying a line of German goods, and doing very well, a fine trade having been built up at the end of two years, but a disastrous fire de- stroyed his business. Then he made a trip to Eu- rope, during which time he visited his father's birthplace and old home. While abroad he married Miss Matilda Schroeder, and with his bride, re- turned to the United States and located in Meriden. Here he accepted a clerkship in a grocery store, re- maining two years, removing then to Bay State, ! Hampshire Co., Mass., and worked there in the cut- lery factory for one year. Mr. Pickhardt then Samuel Davis was born Sept. 22, 1822, in the town of Stafford, Conn., and his wife was born removed with his family to Ansonia, Conn., and for three years worked in Farrell's foundry, going : Jan. 8, 1828, in Hamden, Conn., a daughter of then to the E. J. Day Rubber Co., of Seymour, finally returning to his old friends and associations in Meriden. John and Martha ( Burnham) Mansfield. Samuel Davis died Jan. 28, 1887, and his wife survived until Nov. 25, 1896. Both are buried in Whitney- Here Mr. Pickhardt embarked in the life in- surance business as agent for the Metropolitan and Hartford Life, the Equitable, of New York, and other leading companies, which he represented for some years, becoming then the manager of the real- estate business of Joseph Morse, while that gentle- man was in the West. His management during three and one-half years convinced him that he could. make a success of this line himself, and he has been engaged thus ever since. His business includes the sale, renting and general supervision of all ki 's of property, and the collecting of rents, and on account of his strict attention to business, he has become well and favorably known through Hart- ford and New Haven counties. Perhaps no man in this locality has a better knowledge of the con- ditions governing the real-estate market than has Mr. Pickhardt, while his well-known integrity has gained him the confidence of owners of vantile property. ville cemetery. When Samuel Davis was a young man he came to New Haven, and for some time was associated in business with Elihu Sanford, the father of Judge Edward I. and Dr. L. G. San- ford. After his marriage Samuel Davis was chosen superintendent of the New Haven alms house, a position he filled for eighteen consecutive years with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the tax payers of the town. On resigning this position he purchased the farm near Whitney- ville where his son, J. H., now lives, and for a number of years was engaged in market garden- ing. He supplied most of the leading grocers of New Haven with produce, and was always noted . for liis uprightness of character and honest con- duct. In 1874 he suspended active operations and removed to New Haven, taking up his residence at No. 28; Orange street, where his death oc- curred. He was a consistent member of thic Con- gregational Church, and was one of its most Mr. Pickhardt has three children, all living, Ma- punctual and regular attendants. He was held in
John J. Davis
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high esteem by all who knew him. The Hon. N. D. Sperry, in referring to him, said: "None knew him but to respect and admire him. He was one of the most upright of friends, and noble hearted citizens of my acquaintance. I considered him a man of unusual character, and I regret exceed- ingly that he has been taken away." Politically he was a stanch Democrat, yet not a politician. He had the courage of his convictions, but he .was not a man who was constantly trying to make converts to his political belief. He was self-made, and acquired a comfortable competence, in the ac- cumulation of which he won an honored name to leave to his posterity. In his family were eight children, namely: Eliliu S., a farmer and mar- ket gardener of Hamden; Avery, a miner of Lead- ville, Colo .; Charles L., a farmer of East Haven ; Mary E., and Martha E., twins, the former the wife of Charles B. Bates, of New Haven, the lat- ter (now deceased) the wife of Alexander M. Hall, of the same place; Susan, a teacher in the public schools of New Haven; Benjamin J., an Episcopal minister of Easton, Penn .; and John H., our subject.
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John H. Davis was only five years old when his parents left the farm and moved to New Ha- ven, and in the public schools of that city he ac- quired his education. On leaving school, at the age of fifteen years, he returned to the farm, and in connection with his brother, Elihu S., has since successfully engaged in market gardening. The farm comprises eighty acres of rich and arable land, pleasantly located on the Ridge road, three miles from New Haven, and under its present management is made to yield a valuable return for the care and labor bestowed upon it.
Mr. Davis has been twice married, first in 1891 to Miss Jennie G. Holmes, who was born Oct. 22, 1868, and died Nov. 26, 1897. They had two children, Kathleen and Marion. His marriage to Evalyn S. Collins, daughter of ex-Senator Will- iam A. Collins, of Columbia, took place July 18, 1899. Twin sons, Joiin Hubbard, Jr., and Will- iam Collins, born Oct. 6. 1901, died in infancy. Since attaining his majority he has been a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and has ever taken an active and influential part in local pol- itics. His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to office, and he served as selectman of Hamden from 1895 to 1898, in- clusive, and as a member of the State Legislature during the sessions of 1869 and 1900, during which he was a member of the committee on Cities and Boroughs. He is a member of the Young Men's Republican Club of New Haven; Hamden Grange; Sons of the American Revolution ; Yale Conclave, No. 244, I. O. H .; Lodge, No. 46, A. O. U. W .; Day Spring Lodge. No. 30. F. & A. M., of Hamden; Roval Chapter. R. A. M. ; Crawford Council, No. 19, R. & S. M .; New Ha- ven Commandery, No. 2, K. T .; and Pyramid
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Bridgeport. He is also a member and trustee of the Congrega- tional Church of Whitneyville, and is one of the most popular and prominent young men of the community. Seldom is found a young man of his age who occupies as foremost a position in his town, and his acquaintances including prominent and well-known nien all over the State. A thor- oughly progressive man, and up to date in every particular, he is an excellent representative of an honorable father, and the type of a citizen to per- petuate the lionorable name of Davis in the town of Handen.
ROBERT WILSON, a noted iron worker of New Haven, Conn., has his place of business at No. 115 Commerce street, where he manufactures all kinds of iron articles for building, such as iron railings, doors, shutters, balconies and stairs, bolts and girders for bridges and buildings, awnings and hitching posts. He solicits orders from builders, and is able to meet any demand the trade may make upon him. .
Mr. Wilson was born in Lancashire, Eng- land, Sept. 4, 1837, a son of Thomas Wilson, a native of England, and who lived and died in his native land.
Robert Wilson came to the United States when about ten years old, and in Brooklyn, N. Y., at- tended school for a time before learning the iron smithing trade. In 1855 he came to New Haven, and has made his home here to the present time. Until 1874 he followed his trade as a journeyman iron worker, and that year went into business for himself, and has since maintained a shop on Com- mierce street. From a comparatively small be- ginning he has branched out extensively and has a truly enviable reputation as a master workman.
Mr. Wilson married Gertrude Sperry, of Wood- bridge, a daughter of William Fitch Sperry, and of this union there is one son, Robert W. Mr. Wilson is a Republican, and is fraternally associated with Hiram Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M. The family at- tends the Episcopal Church. Mr. Wilson is a hard- working nian, and well deserves the success that has crowned his industrious and useful career.
FRANCIS WILLIAMS, a much respected citi- zen of Meriden, where his industrious years and patriotie service's in the Civil war entitle him to the regard of the public, was born on the Williams farm in Middletown. Sept. 21, 1839, and is a brother of Selden C. Williams.
Francis Williams acquired his education in the district school and in the Meriden Academy, and worked at home on the farm until of age. When the war called the stalwart and the loyal to the. front, to battle for the life of the Republic, he did not hesitate to make prompt reply, and enlisted Aug. 11, 18GI, in Co. C, Ist Conn. V. I., under Col. Terry and Capt. Sanford, serving throughout the war
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with honor and distinction, and was mustered out at its termination. He was in the battle of Port Royal, and was promoted to be first sergeant, on account of his signal bravery. At Bermuda Hun- dred he was captured by the Rebels, June 2, 1864, and was incarcerated in Andersonville, Charleston, and Florence prisons, where he was kept for six months, suffering greatly from the privations of these terrible places of confinement. In Decem- ber, 1864, he was paroled, and was honorably dis- charged June 2, 1865.
After his return from the army Mr. Williams was unable to work for nearly a year, so greatly had he been reduced by prison life. When he had recovered from his chills and fever, he went to Middletown, where he worked for a time in a sew- ing machine factory, and then, coming to Meriden, secured a position in the factory of the Bradley & Hubbard Mfg. Co., being assigned to the machine department. Here he was employed for a number of years, when he had a good position offered him with the Malleable Iron Company. This he ac- cepted, but after six years resumed his work with the Bradley & Hubbard Mfg. Co. Later in life he worked for the Charles Parker Company.
On Nov. 24, 1878, Mr. Williams was married in Bristol, Conn., to Harriet E. Downs, who was born in Wolcott, Conn., a daughter of Willard and Maria (Minor) Downs, and a granddaughter of Marcus Minor. Since their marriage they have resided on a farm in East Meriden, which Mrs. Williams in- herited from her father. Mr. Williams belongs to the local post of the G. A. R. In politics he is an independent Democrat, and in religion holds to the Golden Rule as a sufficient law of life. He be- longs to the Prisoners of War Association, and looks back to that dark experience with a feeling of brotherhood for all the unfortunate soldiers of the Union army, who were compelled to pass through it. Mrs. Williams is a lady of much re- finement, and she and her husband are regarded as worthy and honorable people, thoroughly upright in all their ways, genuinely kind as neighbors and loyal as friends.
CAPT. AUSTIN P. KIRKHAM. In the eyes of an American there can be no higher honor than the record of service in the war which established beyond further question the permanent union of the States, and made our country truly "one and indivisible." Happily we still have with us many of the veterans of that struggle, and prominent among them is the highly respected citizen of An- sonia whose name opens this biography. Capt. Kirkham not only served with distinction himself, but his father, Isaac J. Kirkham, and three brotli- ers were in active service, making a notable rec- ord for the family.
The first call for soldiers was promptly re- sponded to by Isaac J. Kirkham and two of his sons, Austin P. and Guilford M., who enlisted
April 19, 1861, in Company D, 2d Conn. V. I., and served three months, taking part in the first battle of Bull Run, for service in which Austin P. re- ceived a gold medal. They were mustered out Aug. 7, 1861, but our subject immediately re-en- listed, in the navy, as master's mate, and while in that service participated in the engagements of Roanoke Island, Elizabeth City, Newbern, Plym- outh and others. He resigned from the navy in the fall of 1863, and in February, 1864, enlisted in the 2d Connecticut Heavy Artillery, with which he served in the peninsular campaign under Grant. He was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, June 1, 1864, a bullet passing through his head, but after an absence of forty-four days rejoined his regiment and was engaged in the defense of Washington when Early made his raid. He was wounded again at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864, the day of Sheridan's famous ride, and .was cap- tured, being taken first to Libby prison, later to Danville, and then back to Libby prison. He was one of three who volunteered to try to escape, and disarming the guard they succeeded in leav- ing and getting free, but were recaptured the next day, after they had walked five miles in the snow ; Mr. Kirkham's feet were frozen causing him ter- rible suffering. He was released in March, 1865, rejoining lis regiment in time to participate in the closing scenes of the war at Appomattox, and was mustercd out of the service Sept. 11, 1865. He . entered as a private, and was mustered out at the close of the war with the rank of captain. He was color sergeant in the 2d Conn. V. I. Isaac J. Kirkham, the father, re-enlisted with his two sons, Guilford and Leveritt, in Company A, roth Conn. V. I., Isaac J. and Guilford enlisting as musicians. Leveritt, the youngest son, took part in the cap- ture of Roanoke, Elizabeth City and Newbern, N. C., March 12, 1862, where he was wounded. He was removed to the hospital, and was discharged the following December, in consequence of wounds received in action. He died in Florida some years ago, and Guilford M. died in Goshen about 1894. Calvin C. Kirkham, the eldest son now living, resided in New Orleans at the outbreak of the war, and escaped with his wife (Ellen S. Cliid- sey) and infant son, George C., on the last steam- er (the "Ohio Belle") that went up the Missis- sippi river in 1861. They were captured at Na- poleon, Ark., and held prisoners six weeks, but were then paroled, and up to the present date (1901) have not been exchanged. He came East, leaving his family at East Haven, enlisted in the . navy as landsman, and was immediately appointed paymaster's clerk, in charge of the paymaster's department on the U. S. S. "Satellite." He was in the campaigns of the Potomac and James rivers, on the "Satellite," which was destroyed later, and assisted in destroying the forts and batteries on the Potomac, James and York rivers, and in cov- cring the retreat of Mcclellan. He was pro-
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moted to the rank of acting master's mate by Gideon Wills, Secretary of the Navy, but his health failed and he resigned. He now ( June, 1901) resides in East Haven with his wife and two sons, George C. and LeRoy J., and is the pres- ent town clerk and collector of taxes for that town.
The Kirkham family is of Revolutionary stock, and our subject's ancestors were early settlers in Guilford, Conn., where the name frequently ap- pears on the town records. Isaac J. Kirkham, our subject's father, was born in Guilford May 26, 1809, and removed to Ohio in early life, returning to Connecticut in 1844. He died at Derby in 1872 and his wife, Delana Elizabeth, died at Ansonia in 1893. This worthy couple had eight sons and two daughters, some of whom were born in Con- necticut and some in Ohio. Calvin C. and Austin P. are the only survivors.
Austin P. Kirkham, who is now town and city clerk of Ansonia, was born in Middlefield, Ohio, Dec. 25, 1837, and is now one of the oldest resi- dents of Ansonia. Soon after the war he was ap- pointed United States postal clerk between New York and Boston, which position he held a few years, but he resigned to enter the employ of his brother, Leveritt G. About 1881 he removed to Ansonia, where he has since resided. In 1890 he was appointed chief clerk in the United States postal card agency, but after serving four years was removed from office, soon after the Cleveland administration took the reins of government into their hands. He returned to his home in Ansonia, and at the following election was chosen town and city clerk; at the end of the term of two years he was again elected, for his present term. In this office, as in all the affairs of life, he is most courteous and af- fable, giving respectful attention to everyone alike, regardless of their station in life. Being of a sym- pathetic nature, he is ever ready to listen to the story of the weak, the oppressed and the unfor- tunate, and his purse is ever open to assist any suf- ferer or to promote any good cause. His life has ever been one of unselfish sacrifice for the good of others, and in the four years' struggle for home and country through which he passed his genial disposition and cheery smile did much to brighten the spirits and raise the hopes of those with whom he came in contact. This brief sketch conveys but a faint idea of the man, but his innate modesty is averse to praise, no matter how well deserved. His highest ambition is to please those around him and in this attempt he has gone beyond his strength, but although he has been a constant sufferer for years he is a marvel of patience. He will ever be remembered by hundreds whom he has helped in many ways. Upon the field of battle and in the navy, while amidst the awful carnage, he was cool, calm and collected. He saw no danger. He thought not of himself, but of others. The deeds he did are not to be recorded here, but in that great
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book kept by the recording angel will be found written high upon the scroll of fidelity to country and love of fellow man the name of Capt. Austin P. Kirkham.
Capt. Kirkham was married, March 12, 1857, to Miss Eunice A. Smalley, of West Dennis, Mass., and they had two sons: Frank A., born Dec. 25, 1857, and Charles A., born May 30, 1864. Frank A. Kirkham was educated in the common schools in Derby, learned the trade of a silver burnisher, later worked as a clerk in the grocery business in Ansonia, and then took a position in the Indus- trial Insurance. At the present time he is lo- cated in Marlboro, Mass. He has been twice mar- ried, and has one child by his first wife, Irene (Conklin), of Sloatsburg, N. Y., now deceased. His present wife, Louise Tuguer, was born in Zurich, Switzerland; they had one child, who died in infancy. Charles A. Kirkham received a com- mon-school education and learned the trade of ma- chinist and toolmaker, and for a number of years has been employed by the Wheeler & Wilson Sew- ing Machine Co. He married Miss Sylvia Downes, of Newtown, Connecticut.
HON. WILLIAM H. WILLIAMS, of the law firm of Williams & Gager, of Derby, and for a number of years past State's Attorney for New Haven county, is, as his official position would indicate, one of the leading members of the New Haven County Bar.
Mr. Williams was born June 7, 1850, in the town of Bethany, Conn., son of E. J. and Laura J. (Baldwin) Williams. His advantages for ob- taining an education were meagre indeed, and his only schooling was limited to a few years at- tendance at the district schools of the neighbor- hood in which he passed his early boyhood-in Durham, Conn. At seven years of age he left home for the varied fortunes of a farmer's boy, working on a farm in the summer season, and at- tending school through the winters. He then worked in a woolen mill or a grist mill, or sold goods from a peddler's wagon, as the exigencies of the time might determine. In 1870 he went to live with the late Judge Harris P. Munson, of Seymour, under conditions which admitted of his studying law in the Judge's office and under his direction. For the first two years about one-half of the time was passed in work and the other in study, and the third year was given assiduously to legal studies and to those preliminary attempts at legal practice allowed to law students before justices of the peace. He was examined for ad- mission to the Bar at the November term of court in 1873, and passed, and at the following term of the Superior Court at New Haven, in January, 1874, he was admitted to practice law in all the courts of the State.
Mr. Williams was appointed, under the new liquor law of 1874, prosecuting agent, and came
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under obligation to the State to administer the law faithfully. Its intent and spirit were manifest, its language was plain, and it threw on the prose- cuting attorney an onerous responsibility, espe- cially in those towns which refused to grant li- censes. Liquor men in some of those towns were defiant, and sought in various ways to intimidate the prosecuting attorney, and, failing to quiet him, turned their efforts to removing him from office. But in all the long struggle Mr. Williams retained the support of the moral and law-abiding forces of the Commonwealth to such an extent as to vindicate completely his course as a faithful pro- teetor of the public good. He issued from the struggle bearing the confidence and honor of the best portions of society, and really laid the foun- dations for rising to higher distinctions than he had yet attained to, for in the judgment of men of high virtue he bore himself honorably throughout, and won a good name over all the State.
In the spring of 1880 Mr. Williams opened a branch office at Birmingham, retaining his prac- tice at Seymour, and also his home, until the spring of 1882, when he settled permanently in the town of Derby. In April, 1885, he became a member of the law firm of Wooster, Williams & Gager, succeeding in the old firm of Wooster, Torrance & Gager David Torrance, whose ac- ceptance of an appointment to the Bench of the Superior Court had made a vacancy. The co- partnership thus formed so remained until broken by the death of Col. Wooster in September, 1900. This firm is one of the strongest and most suc- cessful law firms of the State, and among the ablest, as. was also the old firm, and an invitation on the part of such men extended to Mr. Will- iams to succeed a man like Judge Torrance, and join such men as Col. Wooster and Mr. Gager, is of itself an eloquent tribute to our subject's abil- ity, as is also the official relations he has sustained to the county and to Connecticut since January, 1896, when he was tendered and accepted the high, honorable and important office of State's Attorney for New Haven county.
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