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 61
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the fine brick block at Nos. 107-109 West Main street. He also erected the handsome dwelling which he occupies, and owns considerable other property in and near Meriden, which under his careful management, yields him a handsome in- come. By a life of sobriety and thrift Mr. Schwan- der has gained the unqualified respect of all his as- sociates, and his career is a splendid example of what may be accomplished by industry and perse- verance, coupled with honesty and integrity of a high order.
Mr. Schwander was married in Hartford, Conn., in 1867, to Mary Nagel, a native of Ger- many, and three children blessed their union, name- ly: Ellen Mary, who died young; Walter Arthur, who died young; and William Gage Nagel, born July 8, 1885. Mrs. Schwander died very suddenly July 3, 1900, at the home in Meriden, and was laid to rest in West cemetery, by the side of her mother, whom she loved devotedly. She was a good Chris- tian woman, faithful to all her duties as wife and mother, and was an earnest member of St. John's Lutheran Church of Meriden, to which Mr. Schwander also belonged. Our subject is a plain -. going, unassuming man, domestic in his tastes and habits, a fact which has made the loss of his wife doubly hard to bear, for she was a companion and helpmeet in the truest sense of the word.
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WILLIAM JULIUS MUELLER. Among the most enterprising and successful citizens of New Haven county are many of foreign birth, who have brought to this country the thrift and economy of the Old World. Prominent among those who have located in Cheshire is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He was born in Remse, the Kingdom of Saxony, Germany, Nov. 12, 1862, a son of Bernard and Mary Magdelena (Weinhold) Mueller, also natives of Saxony, in whose family were three children, the others being Mary and Richard, who are still residents of Ger- many. In his native land the father engaged in the manufacture of windows until called from this life about the close of the nineteenth century. In 1870 the mother came to America and first located in Holyoke, Mass., where she married Frank Eger. They lived in Meriden, Conn., for some time but now make their home with our subject in Cheshire. There were no children by the second marriage.
is known as the Smith farm, a well improved and valuable tract of seventy five acres, on which is a good house and barn, and here he has since success- fully engaged in general farming. Through his own well-directed efforts he has prospered, and his upright, honorable life has gained him the confi- dence and good will of those with whom he has come in contact.
In 1887, in Meriden, Mr. Mueller was mar- ried to Miss Julia Albertine Zemke, a native of Green Sea, West Prussia, and a daughter of Fred- erick and Paulina Zemke, who now reside in Meri- den. By this union four children were born, and three are now living, namely: Emil Charles, Edith, Emma and Gustaf Richard. The family worship in the German Lutheran Church, and Mr Mueller votes independent of party dictates.
DURELL SHEPARD, M. D. The family of this distinguished physician-the oldest practi- tioner in West Haven, venerated for his long and useful life, honored for his professional skill, and beloved for his many noble, personal traits-was among the first to settle in Cambridge, Mass., about 1639, Edward Shepard, the emigrant, com- ing from England. From this historic starting point branches spread out here and there, one lo- cating in and near Milford and Newtown, Conn., after a short stay in Hartford. It is from this branch that Dr. Shepard traces his descent. His grandfather, George Shepard, who was a large land owner and a successful farmer, died at the age of eighty-five years. He married Phoebe Hull, and they had ten children.
Hiram Shepard, the Doctor's father, was born at Newtown, and was educated in the common schools of that town. Hs passed his life there as a farmer, although, having acquired considerable skill in veterinary surgery, he practiced that call- ing, too, with much success. He married Lucretia Ann Sherman, of Newtown, the youngest of seven children born to Andrew and Betsey (Wright) Sherman, the former of whom was a tanner, cur- rier and shoemaker, and respected alike as a work- man, a citizen and a man. Both Hiram Shepard and his wife are now deceased, he having passed away in his seventy-sixth year, and she in her fifty-third. They were the parents of six chil- dren, two of whom are yet living: Durell; and Charles S., the youngest survivor, now a resident of New Haven.
Reared in his native land, William Julius Mueller acquired a fair education in the German language. At the age of eighteen years he de- Dr. Durell Shepard was born at Newtown, Fairfield county, Sept. 19, 1831. He received his early education in the common schools of his na- tive place and at Wilbraham Academy, Mass. He left the last named institution at the age of six- teen, fully resolved to obtain a higher, and a pro- fessional, education. In 1852 he matriculated at Yale University, but, his course being interrupted termined to try his fortune in the United States, and accordingly, in 1880, crossed the broad At- latic and took up his residence in Meriden, Conn., where he made his home for seven years, working first in the shops of Bradley & Hubbard. For two years he was employed as a farm laborer by William Bankburn, of Che-tire, and later on the farm of Newton Baldwin, in Kensington. In July, ' for several years by failing health, he did not grad- 1887, he came to Cheshire, where he purchased what
uate with the degree of M. D. until 1864. His
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Durell Shepard
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pecuniary circumstances were such as to necessi- tate his supporting himself, in a large measure, during his collegiate course, and it is chiefly through his own indomitable energy, joined to self-denying effort and tireless application, that he occupies to-day his present proud position. Finding it necessary to leave college, he started upon a mechanical career, and for a time worked in various factories.
The outbreak of the Civil war found Dr. Shep- ard with physical energy restored, and his patri- otic impulses were stirred to their depths by the trailing of the National ensign across the shoals and through the mud of Charleston harbor. He enlisted as a private in Company F, Ist Connecti- cut Heavy Artillery, and performed gallant serv- ice. Although the recognition of his attainments and scientific knowledge induced his assignment to hospital service, he was made a prisoner at Cold Harbor in 1862, and carried to Savage Sta- tion. He remained in confinement, however, only for thirty days, and during the greater portion of that period was assigned to the care of the sick and wounded. At the end of his month of cap- tivity he was paroled and exchanged; after cross- ing the Federal lines he was ordered to the mili- tary hospital in Philadelphia, and in November, 1862, he received his honorable discharge. He at once followed his own first and best impulse. No sooner had the embryo surgeon quit the ser- vice than (in November, 1862) he restumed his professional studies, which he pursued until-about. a year following-he received his degree. For a while he practiced at Bridgeport, and then re- entered the service, as assistant surgeon. His field of duty was North Carolina, he being located first at Fort Schuyler and afterward at Newbern. His experience covered an epidemic of yellow fever through which he passed personally unscathed, al- though his ministrations to the victims of the scourge testified, by their assiduity, to his earnest- ness of purpose and unflinching courage.
In July, 1865, the Doctor resigned his com- mission, and during the year following practiced at Ballston Spa, N. Y. From that point, in 1866, he removed to West Haven, Conn., in which town he has resided for thirty-six years, a successful practitioner and an honored citizen. In 1867 he opened a small store for the sale of drugs. The venture proved successful, and his business grad- ually increased and uniformly prospered until his establishment became one of the best stocked and best patronized in the locality.
Dr. Shepard has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was married in 1856, was Miss Ellen Hart, daughter of Ruel IIart, a respected and well-to-do farmer of Southington : her moth- er's maiden name was Barnes. Mrs. Ellen Shep- ard had one child (now deceased), and died in 1863, in her twenty-fifth year. The Doctor's sec- ond wife, Eleanor M. Tyler, was born in Essex. Conn. Her father, Sylvanus Tyler, was captain of
a coasting vessel. To the second marriage have been born four children, two of whom are living. The elder, George S, resides in West Haven. Th younger, Gussie S., is unmarried, and lives with her parents. Another son, Carroll S., died at the age of twenty-four; he had one son, Durell B.
In politics the Doctor is a Republican; in re- ligious faith a Methodist. He is of generous im- pulses and social instincts, with many friends who esteem him for his moral worth and love him for his whole-souled, genial temperament. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being connected with Annawan Lodge, No. 115, A. F. & A. M., West Haven, in which he is past master, and Franklin Chapter, R. A. M. He also belongs to the County and State Medical Societies, and the American Medical Association. His life has been a busy one, but by careful and constant study he keeps fully abreast of the rapid advance made in medical science.
THOMAS PATRICK CARNEY, for many years superintendent of the Branford Lock Works, and one of the popular and progressive citizens and a native son of Branford was born April 26, 1854.
James Carney, his father, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, whence, about the year 1846, he came to America, locating in Middletown, Conn., where he worked as a farm hand a couple of years. In 1848 he removed to Branford, Conn., and en- tered the employ of the Branford Lock Works, as a polisher, continuing with that company up to the time of his death, in May, 1899, at the age of seventy-four years. To James Carney and his wife, formerly Margaret Cusick, also a native of County Tipperary, Ireland, were born the follow- ing children: Anna Mary, now Mrs. John J. Matthews; Thomas P .; Alice, the wife of John P. Callahan; Margaret, now Mrs. James O'Con- nor ; James, deceased; Peter J .; and Elizabeth.
Thomas P. Carney received his education at the public schools of Branford, and at the age of fourteen years entered the employ of the Bran- ford Lock Works, where his industry and ready adaptability won continuous promotion. At the early age of nineteen he was appointed assistant superintendent of the works, and in 1879, was pro- moted to the position of superintendent.
Mr. Carney has been twice married. On April 24, 1878, he married Margaret, daughter of James and Elizabeth ( Rogers) Clancy, of Branford, and by her he had six children : James, Grace, William, Margaret, Thomas and Genevieve. The mother of these children died April 2, 1888, and in 1892, Mr. Carney married Agnes, daughter of David and Mary ( Regan ) Carney, of Branford, by which union he has one son. Arthur C. The entire family are members of the Catholic Church.
Socially Mr. Carney is affiliated with the K. of
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C., the Emerald Social Club, Court Totoket, and with the New England Order of Protection. In his political predilections he has always been a Democrat, and has served as chairman of the Demo- cratic town committee two years, on the board of education fifteen years, and as warden one term.
HON. HART DAVID MUNSON, of New Haven, one of the board of County Commissioners of New Haven county, is a representative of a fam- ily whose history in New Haven covers a period of more than two hundred and sixty years.
Thomas Munson, the progenitor of the New Hayen branch of the Munson family, was born in 1612, and was a participant in the Pequot war of 1637. He was a carpenter by trade, and came to New Haven in 1639 or 1640 and died in 1685; the death of his wife Joanna occurred in 1678.
From this first American ancestor Commis- sioner Munson, of New Haven, is in the eighth generation, his line of descent being through Sam- uel, Theophilus, Daniel, Daniel (2), Gorham and David Munson.
(II) Samuel Munson, son of Thomas of Hart- ford and New Haven, born about 1643, in New Haven, married in 1665 Martha, daughter of Will- iam and Alice ( Pritchard ) Bradley. Mr. Munson was a shoemaker and tanner by trade, and resided in New Haven, Wallingford and New Haven, re- spectively, and. died in 1693.
(III) Theophilus Munson, son of Samuel, born in 1675, in New Haven, married Esther, daughter of John Mix, who died in 1746, and her husband in 1740. By trade he was a locksmith, and took a part in the affairs of the town.
(IV) Daniel Munson, son of Theophilus, born in 1708-9, married in 1730, Mary, daughter of Jo- seph Graham, of Stratford. Daniel Munson be- came a well-known physician of Stratford, gradu- ating from Yale College in 1726, and for the school year 1729-30, was an instructor in the Hopkins Grammar school, at New Haven. His maternal ancestors had all been connected with the Congre- gational Church of their several communities, but the Doctor cast his lot with the Episcopal Church. He died in 1746.
(V) Daniel Munson (2), son of Dr. Daniel, was born in 1745, in Stratford, and in 1766 mar- ried Mary Sears and resided in Milford, Conn., in 1782, and in 1786 was chosen a vestryman of St. George's Church. His death was in 1827, in Mil- ford, and his widow died in 1833, in the same town. (VI) Gorham Munson, son of Daniel Munson (2), born in 1786, married and had a family, but he disappeared and was lost track of.
(VII) David F. Munson, son of Gorham, born in Milford, married on Sept. 18, 1836, Huldah Baldwin, of Woodbridge, Conn., and resided in the latter town where he followed the occupation of a blacksmith and carpenter. He and his wife united with the Congregational Church, in Wood-
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bridge, in 1841, and. they were esteemed and re- spected citizens of their community. To this couple were born Mary J., Sarah E., Anna E., and Hart David.
(VIII) Hart David Munson, son of David F., and the subject of this review, was born June 20, 1849, in the town of Woodbridge, Conn., and at- tended the public schools of the neighborhood. At seventeen years of age, desiring to see the great West, he went to the Pacific coast, and for a time was in the employ of millionaire Dougherty in California. Returning to the East laden with three years of Western experience, he located in New Haven, and engaged in the grocery and other lines of business. Beginning with 1892, he was the busi- ness manager of the Leader Publishing Company, of New Haven.
As a Republican, Mr. Munson has for years been active in politics, is vice-president of the Union League Club, having previously held all of the other offices, and is prominent in the Young Men's Republican Club, in which he is a member of the executive committee. Since July 1, 1897, he has been a member of the board of County Commis- sioners for New Haven county, and has been most efficient in the performance of the important duties devolving upon such an officer. He is now serving his second term (which will extend until 1904) as trustee of the Middletown Insane asylum; is a member of the executive committee of National Charities and Corrections ; is president of the Coun- ty House Association ; and is on the New Haven committee of the New Haven Orphan Asylum. As a Mason, he is a member of Hiram Lodge, Chap- ter and Council.
In March, 1875, Mr. Munson married Anna E. Treat, born in Oxford, Conn., and daughter of Robert Treat, formerly a farmer near Oxford, and now a resident of New Haven. Mrs. Munson is descended on the paternal side from Governor Treat, and on the maternal side from President Stiles, of Yale College.
The family attends the M. E. Church, and is one of the most highly respected in New Haven, where Mr. Munson wields a wide influence and has the confidence of all who are associated with him in whatsoever capacity.
WILLIAM WOODLEY, one of Meriden's leading florists and a well-known and highly re- spected citizen, was born Dec. 31, 1852, in Ecchingswell, Hampshire, England. His father, Thomas Woodley, was a native of the same place, and was a thatcher by occupation, making roofs for many houses and other buildings. He died while his children were still young, and was buried in his native place. His wife, Caroline Cannings, a native of the same place, is still living there, at the ripe age of eighty-two years. Both she and her husband were identified with the Estab- lished Church. They were the parents of seven
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sons, namely : Charles, who died in England; Daniel, a blacksmith, who died in his native place ; James, who died in England: John, who resides in England; William, the subject of this sketch; Ar- thur and Oliver, both of whom are deceased.
William Woodley attended the public schools of Hampshire. He was but four year's of age when his father died, and at the early age of nine years, he set out to make his own way in the world. After working two years on a farm, he was employed in the garden of 'Squire William Kingsmill, whose wife was a daughter of the Archbishop of Canter- bury. After four years of this service, he was employed as assistant gardener by 'Squire Ar- buthnot, with whom he remained two years. Wish- ing to better his condition, and hearing flattering accounts of the opportunities existing in the United States, he determined to emigrate thither. Being without means, he borrowed his passage money from a friend, and set out by steamer in 1871. Landing in New York, he soon proceeded to Meriden, where he carried on gardening by con- tract one year, during which time he managed to save enough to repay the loan made by his kind friend to enable him to reach the scene of these labors. In 1872 he accepted a position with the late Isaac C. Lewis, as gardener, in which capacity he spent more than twenty-one years. In 1893, through .the aid of his employer, he was enabled to purchase his present property, on the corner of Broad and Silver streets, where he immediately engaged in flower culture. He has expended over seven thousand dollars in improvements on tlie property, including a fine conservatory and the ad- dition of land. He purchased his present resi- dence, which was formerly the home of Dr. A. H. Churchill, at the foot of Elm street, removed it to Silver street, remodeled it and made one of the finest residences in that section of the city. Through his own indefatigable efforts, he has conquered success, and is a leader in his line. Being possessed of artistic instincts, he is able to cater to the best demands for floral designs for balls, weddings and funerals, and is ably assisted by his daughter, who possesses fine artistic taste.
On July 15, 1879, Mr. Woodley was married in Torrington, Litchfield Co., Conn., to Eliza Ann Davy, a native of Devonshire, England, and daugh- ter of John Davy, a retired shoe dealer of Torring- ton .. Mr. and Mrs. Woodley are the parents of two daughters, Emma Louise and Harriet Lewis, both of whom were educated at the grammar and high schools of the city. The former is assistant librarian of the Meriden Public Library, and the latter is her father's assistant in business. The family is identified with St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, and Mr. Woodley is a member of Center Lodge, No. 97. A. F. & \. M. He was farmerly connected with Pacific Ledge. No. 87. I. O. O. F., and is now a leading member of Pilgrims' Harbor Council, No. 543, Royal Arcanum. He is one of
the three who organized Court Silver City, No. 7060, A. O. F., and is a charter member of Court Meriden, No. 42. A self-made man and repre- sentative citizen, Mr. Woodley is of domestic and temperate habits, a Republican in politics, though not an office-seeker, and enjoys the esteem and re- spect of all who are privileged to know him.
HARRY EVERTS NORTHROP, of Meriden, comes of good old Colonial stock, and was born Aug. 14, 1858, at West Haven, in the town of Orange, New Haven Co., Connecticut.
The original spelling of the name was North- rup, but it was changed to its present form by sev- eral members of the family about the time of the Revolutionary war. Joseph Northrup, the head of the family in America, came from England, being probably a Welshman, and was one of the first set- tlers at Milford, Conn., about 1639.
Caleb Northrop, great-grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch, was a native of Milford, where his youth was passed. He became a sea-faring man, was commander of a vessel many years, and was drowned in Milford Harbor. He married Patty Munson, of Milford, and had three children, named as follows: Mary, Allen and Jennette, of whom Mary became the wife of Capt. George Heald; and Jennette married (first) Henry Hungerford and (second) Newell Lounsbury. After the death of Capt. Northrop, his widow married Capt. Shubael Lines. She died in New York and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, leaving a daugh- ter by the second marriage, Elizabeth, who married Charles Stone.
Allen Northrop, only son of Caleb, was born in Milford, and went with his mother and step-father to New York when thirteen years of age. There he learned the trade of shoemaker. When a young man he came to Connecticut and located in Orange. where he spent the remainder of his days engaged in farming. He died in 1880, at the age of seventy- four years, and was interred in West Haven. He was an old-line Democrat, and was one of the first supporters of Andrew Jackson in his town. A member of the Congregational Church, he was an exemplary citizen, widely known and respected. He married Martha, daughter of Isaac Morgan, of Orange, who bore him eleven children, named as follows: George Heald, now deceased ; Henry Hun- gerford; Charles Stone, a farmer residing in Berlin, Conn .; Sarah, deceased wife of William Starr; Mary, married to Albert Perry, of New Haven, and now residing in Boston; Jane, who died young ; Leveritt Allen, deceased ; Newell Lounsbury, a resi- dent of South Lyme, Conn .; Julia, who died unmar- ried : Annie, wife of David Wolcott, resides in New Haven ; and William Wales, living in Orange. The mother of these died in Orange, and lies beside her husband in West Haven Cemetery. She, too, was a member of the Congregational Church.
Henry Hungerford Northrop was born and edu-
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cated in the town of Orange, growing up on the farm and governed by the conditions of rural life of the time. At the age of fifteen years he went to Hamden and learned the blacksmith's trade with Edward Dickerman of that town. After complet- ing his trade, he returned to his native town and after operating a shop of his own for a period of five years, he came to Meriden and was employed as a blacksmith by Parker & Perkins. Later, he be- came a member of the firm of Perry, Northrop & Bryden, carriage-builders and general blacksmiths. of Meriden, and after the dissolution of this firm, he continued to conduct a shop alone, being twenty years in North Branford and fourteen in New Ha- ven. Since 1900 he has operated a shop in Meriden, while continuing to make his home in New Haven. He is well and favorably known to the people of Meriden, both old and recent residents. Of sturdy, industrious character, he is respected wherever known.
On Dec. 28, 1855, in Guilford, Conn., Mr. Northrop was married to Sarah Everts, a native of that town and daughter of Eben Everts. Four chil- dren comprise their family, namely: Jane, Harry E. and Harriet E. (twins) and Edda. Of these, Jane married George Anthony, of Wallingford, and later became the wife of Frank Anthony, of the same place. Like his father, Mr. Northrop is a Democrat in politics, and while not affiliated with any religious society, strives to make his life con- form to the Golden Rule.
Harry E. Northrop was reared on the farm of his grandfather, Allen Northrop, in the town of Orange, where he remained until he was twenty- two years of age. He then entered the shop of the Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Co., of Meriden, where he continued four years and learned the art of pattern-making. He then spent upward of four years as pattern-maker in the shops of the Meriden Bronze Co., whence he returned to his former em- ployers and continued another year. He was next employed by H. L. Judd & Co., of Wallingford, un- til 1892, when he entered upon his present engage- ment as pattern-maker for Foster, Merriam & Co., of Meriden. In 1894, he built his present handsome home on "Harrington Hill," a beautiful location near South Meriden.
Mr. Northrop is a man of genial nature, and his happy disposition makes him friends wherever he is known. His social instincts find opportunity for exercise in the workings of several fraternal and benevolent organizations. He is a member of Cor- inthian Lodge, No. 103, A. F. & A. M., of North- ford; Silver City Lodge, No. 3, A. O. U. W., of Meriden ; and was a member of Columbia Council, No. 5, O. U. A. M., of Meriden. He is an ardent lover of horses, and always has some fine specimens of man's noblest friend in his stable.
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