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 66
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GEORGE H. THOMAS was born in New Ha- ven Oct. 16, 1851, grandson of Amos C. and Ama- rilla Thomas, and son of Edward and Harriet E. (Kimberly ) Thomas. His grandfather and father were natives of West Haven, and the former was captain of a coasting vessel. The family were identified with the Episcopal Church.
Edward Thomas was born Aug. 19, 1819. He
learred the trade of a carpenter, and removing to New Haven at first embarked in business as a con- tractor, succeeding so well, through energy and tact, integrity and industry, that it was not long before he found himself in a position to erect buildings on his own account. In 1867 he removed to West Ha- ven, where he continued to reside until he passed from earth, in 1881, aged sixty-one years. He was an early member of Harmony Lodge, I. O. O. F., and a popular man in the community. He married Harriet E. Kimberly, who was born at Guilford, and was one of the family of ten children born to Abraham Kimberly and his wife, whose maiden name was Collins, and who, with her husband, at- tained to fourscore years. Mr. Kimberly was a farmer. Mrs. Thomas, like her husband, was an Episcopalian. She reached the age of eighty-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas had two children: George H., our subject; and Charles A., who died in 1853, aged four years.
George H. Thomas was educated in the city schools of New Haven, and was a lad of sixteen when he accompanied his parents to their new home in West Haven. Entering the shops of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railway Co., he remained there ten or twelve years, first as an apprentice and later as a journeyman. In 1881 he abandoned mechanical pursuits to enter the gro- cery and general store of Wilmot & Warner, in West Haven, as a clerk, and remained with this firm four and a half years, when he was appointed assistant postmaster, and eighteen months later ( in 1887) postmaster. He resigned the office in 1890, and re-entered the employ of Wilmot & Warner. In 1891 he was elected town clerk, which office he still holds (December, 1901), having been annu- ally re-elected until 1897, when he was chosen for a term of two years, to expire Jan. 1, 1900; in October, 1900, he was re-elected for a term of two years. It is a high tribute to the efficiency with which he discharged his official duties, and to his fidelity to his trust, that, although politically a Dem- ocrat, he has been the candidate of both parties several times. He is one of the oldest officeholders in the town in point of consecutive service, and one of its most honored citizens. Mr. Thomas is sec- retary and director of the Oak Grove Cemetery Association. In 1872 he joined the I. O. O. F., and holds membership in Harmony Lodge, No. 5 (of which he is a past grand), New Haven, and in Sassacus Encampment. He is a charter member of Savin Rock Council, No. 1068, Royal Arcanum, in which he is a past regent. In 1874 he joined the Masonic fraternity, and now affiliates with An- nawon Lodge, No. 115, A. F: & A. M., of West Haven, of which he is a past master; with Har- mony Council, No. 8, R. & S. M .; Joseph An- drews Chapter, No. 46, R. A. M .; New Haven Commandery. K. T .; and Pyramid Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.
Mr. Thomas was married, June 19, 1878, to
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Chloe A., daughter of Seeley and Harriet A. (Hotchkiss) Smith, of Prospect, both of whom survive. They are the parents of four children, one of whom is deceased: Chloe A. is the wife of our subject; Mrs. Humphrey Hyde and Mrs. Alphonzo M. Hyde reside in West Haven. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have one daughter, Bertha M. The family attend Christ Episcopal Church, West Haven, of which Mr. Thomas is vestryman and treasurer.
JOHN WILLIAMS (deceased), who was for sixteen years a well-known and prosperous citizen of Branford, where his sterling manhood, kindly disposition and industrious habits commanded re- spect and won the confidence of his fellow towns- men, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1838. He was the son of Edward and Margaret (Casey) Williams, and came to this country in June, 1864, and in the month of his arrival was married to Ellen, a daughter of Patrick and Mary (Keily) Gallahue, of County Limerick, Ireland. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Williams, six of whom lived to reach maturity: Edward J., now deceased; Patrick F .; John G .; Thomas D .; Mary A. ; and David W.
Mr. Williams and his wife came to make their home in Branford in 1867, where he was em- ployed two years as a molder in the Branford Lock Works. Leaving the shop at the end of this time, he embarked in the liquor business, and ac- cumulated a very comfortable fortune.
Mr. Williams died May 5, 1883, at the age of forty-five years. His widow lived until Feb. 3, 1899, when she passed away at the age of fifty- five years. Both were active members of the Cath- olic Church, and Mr. Williams was a member of the A. O. H. Politically he was a Democrat.
WILLIAM A. KENDRICK has apparently in- herited the sterling traits which made his imme- diate ancestors esteemed and valued members of the communities in which their lives were passed -integrity, unflinching courage and an energy which never knows defeat.
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Mathew Kendrick, his grandfather, is still re- membered in his lifelong home, on Cape Cod, Mass., where he was noted for his many estimable qualities. He reared a family which reflected honor upon the name.
John Kendrick, the father of our subject, was born at Cape Cod Nov. 1, 1818, and received but a meager education, the facilities being poor in that locality in his early days. The conditions of living, at that time, for a boy of twelve were hard. his only opportunity being the sea, and al- though John was not of a particularly adventurous spirit he did as his companions, and at that ten- der age shipped before the mast, and bravely dis- charged the duties which finally brought him to the position of master of a vessel, when he had reached his majority. As master in the merchant
marine service he sailed to almost all of the open ports of the world, and when he became part owner of the "Defiance" he took command of it, from 1846 to 1858, becoming one of the best- known captains in the trade. In the last named year he gave up the sea and returned to Walling- ford, where he engaged in the coal and lumber business, and until his death was one of the most esteemed residents of that city. Socially he was connected with the Masonic fraternity and the I. O. O. F., and was as popular in these orders as in all other associations, being of a peculiarly genial and agreeable disposition. His death, which oc- curred Jan. 16, 1887, in Wallingford, was sincerely mourned.
Capt. Kendrick was married in Washington, D. C., to Miss Frances M. Edmonds, who was born in Westmoreland, Va., a daughter of Mere- dith Edmonds, and a sister of Silas N. Edmonds. Mrs. Kendrick is still living. She accompanied her husband on many of his voyages, when he could make them comfortable for her. Of the children born to Capt. and Mrs. Kendrick, Thomas resides at Bishop, Cal .; William A. is our subject ; Jolın B. is a resident of Wallingford, and is at present a member of the State Legislature; Henry D. is superintendent of G. I. Mix & Co.'s factory, at Yalesville ; and Mary.
William A. Kendrick, who is one of Walling- ford's well-known business men, was born Nov. 17, 1848, in Wallingford, where he spent his boy- hood days and attended the district school. Later he was an apt student in the Connecticut Literary Institute at Suffield, Conn. At the age of twenty he entered upon his active business career, going to New York, where he entered the employ of Hall, Elton & Co., as a clerk, remaining with that firm for eleven years, and gaining such knowl- edge as secured for him an engagement, in 1879, with the firm of G. I. Mix & Co., manufacturers of Yalesville, as salesman. He was their repre- sentative through the Central and Western States until 1886, when he became general superintendent of the company. Mr. Kendrick filled that office with credit until the death of Mr. Mix, when he assumed control of the business, and has success- fully conducted it ever since. He is one of those employers who inspire confidence and esteem in employees, and in his establishment it is remark- able to note how keenly alive cach seems to be to the recognition of the other's interests. None among the more than one hundred employes of this factory have reason to doubt that Mr. Kendrick takes a real pleasure in their prosperity, and at the same time none can doubt his grasp of all busi- ness possibilities.
In 1873 Mr. Kendrick was married in Yales- ville to Frances A. Mix, who was born there, a daughter of Gatty Ives and Almira ( White) Mix. and to this union five children have been born : Clara F .. born in 1875. a graduate of McLain Sem- inary; Bessie M., who was educated at Rosemary
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Hall, in Wallingford; Camilla, born in 1886; Jose- phine Virginia, born in 1888; and Olive, who died in infancy.
Mr. Kendrick is a prominent member of Meri- den Chapter, No. 8, O. E. S .; and St. Elmo Commandery, No. 9, K. T. In politics he is an Independent, and no office seeker. For many years the entire family has been prominent in the Bap- tist Church, and the daughters are members of the Christian Endeavor Society, the youngest being president of the Junior organization of that name. Mrs. Kendrick and her daughters are ladies of re- finement and culture, who well represent the noblest types of womanhood.
Gatty Ives Mix, father of Mrs. Kendrick, was one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of New Haven county. He was born in Wallingford, son of John Mix, a spoonmaker, and was reared on a farm. His literary education was limited, but he had natural ability which came to his assistance, and became a successful man. In his early days he peddled Yankee notions through Pennsylvania and New York, and upon his return to Yalesville, in 1853, in association with Charles Parker he started the business of manufacturing tinware, etc., built a factory and did a large busi- ness, shipping his product over the whole coun- try. He was active in this line until the time of his death, in 1892. In 1868 Mr. Mix was senator from the Sixth District. For three years he was a captain in the old Connecticut National Guard of Wallingford.
Mr. Mix was married to Almira White, who still survives, at an advanced age, residing in Yalesville. Their two children are Eliza, the wife of Dr. George Glenney; and Frances A., Mrs. Kendrick.
Upon both sides of her family Mrs. Kendrick is well connected, and the names of Ives and Mix have been known in Wallingford for many years, the record of the Mix family being easily traced as far back as 1678. John Mix, her great-grand- father, was born in Wallingford, was a blacksmith in North Farms, and was in the Revolutionary war. He left a son John, who followed his fa- ther's business at Tyler's Mills, near Yalesville. He married Olive Ives, of Wallingford, a daugh- ter of Joel Ives, who lost his right arm at the battle of White Plains, during the Revolutionary war.
FRANK STAHNKE. Poverty in early life is a blessing to him who wins success. Achievement is always commendable, and a competence secured by persistent and earnest endeavor in connection with good management, brings an enjoyment which is wholly absent from inherited wealth. Strength of character is developed in its attainment, and the stimulation to others which the example presents is incalculable. When a lad of twenty years, the subject of this sketch came to America without
means and without friends. He has. hiere won financial independence and high standing in the community where now for many years he has lived and prospered.
Mr. Stahnke was born in Germany March 6, 1850, and in his native land was reared upon a farm. He received a good common-school edu- cation, but filled with a desire to share the oppor- tunities and advantages of the New World he crossed the ocean during the summer of 1870, landing at Boston Aug. 12. He soon after went to New York and thence to Hoboken, N. J., where he secured a position in a brewery and remained a year. The home feeling was not wholly over- come, and he paid a visit to the Fatherland, work- ing his passage across the waters by serving as fireman on the steamer. While at his old home on this visit he married Miss Henrietta Callis. Re- turning to America with his young wife our sub- ject settled at New Haven, Conn., and began farm life in the new land. For seven years he worked faithfully and continuously for one employer, Reuben Augur, of Northford, Conn., then with his savings he purchased the farm which he now oc- cupies. Upon this tract of land he has made all the improvements and there he now conducts upon his 200 acres a most successful farming business. He is engaged in dairying and general farming ; has over thirty head of cattle, milks twenty cows and for many years has run a milk wagon to New Haven.
Mr. Stahnke has been twice married. By his first wife he had three children, Albert, Pauline and William, of whom Pauline only is living ; she is now Mrs. Louis Ferdinandus. His second wife was Emma Engle, and by this marriage he has five children, namely: Emma (Mrs. Francis Fer- dinandus, of New Haven). Minnie ( Mrs. Byron Webler, of Woodbridge, Conn.), Mary, Carl and Nellie. Mrs. Stahnke was born in Germany and came to the United States when twenty-two years old.
GEORGE KNOTH, proprietor of the Silver City Iron Works, is one of the leading manu- facturers of architectural and ornamental iron work, and has a name and a patronage far beyond . the limits of Meriden.
Mr. Knoth was born in Darmstadt, in the Grand Duchy of Hesse, Germany, Jan. 6, 1869, a son of Peter Knoth, who was born in the same place, and followed, during his active life, the business of a grain merchant. He is still living, and is a promi- nent man in his native town. Katherine Schick, his wife, is also living, and both are members of the Lutheran Church. They have two children : Henry, who lives with them; and George, whose name appears at the opening of this writing.
George Knoth attended the schools of his na- tive community, where he had a good education, after which he was sent to an art school, where he
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studied modelling and artistic iron work. When he became of age he left his home and sought a field for his activities in the United States, and in October, 1890, landed in the city of New York, with little resources beyond a skilled knowledge of his trade and a ready mind. For some two years he remained in that city employed in his work, and then went to Chicago to do the same labor, spend- ing some two years in that city. In 1894 he came back to New York to engage in his professional labors there, and in August, 1895, made his first ap- pearance in Meriden, which was to be the scene of a very creditable career for him. ' For several years Mr. Knoth worked at architectural and wrought iron construction for the Bradley & Hubbard Mfg. Co., and in 1899 bought out the firm of Jacob Mugler & Co., and established the Silver City Iron Works. He is a capable and energetic young man, with advanced and progressive ideas, and has made many improvements in the business. His patron- age is rapidly extending over all parts of the coun- try, and many important orders are coming from Canada.
Mr. Knoth was married, in Meriden, in 1896, to Miss Pauline Kirschman, who was born in Ober- stein, Oldenburg, Germany, and they have become the parents of three children, George, Lucy and Edith. Mr. Knoth is a Democrat, but gives no time to practical politics, as it is called, devoting his entire thought to his growing business. He belongs to the Lyra of Meriden, and is very pop- ular in the social as well as the commercial circles of the city.
JOHN WHITAKER, representative business man, and one of the leading young Republicans of New Haven, was born at Southbridge, Mass., Aug. 17, 1856, a son of Thomas and Harriet ( Mason) Whitaker.
The paternal grandfather, whose given name is not known, was a successful dry goods merchant, of England, and, according to the custom of the times, bound out his son, Thomas, to an uncle who operated a large lace mill. Thomas was born at Bingley, England, in 1814, and came to America, settling at Southbridge. Being at this time but sixteen, he was bound cut to another uncle, under whose able instruction he became an expert wool grader. Later, while wool buyer for the Man- chester Print Works, he conducted an experimental farm at Needham, Mass., and branching out to an interest in scientific agriculture bought and edited The Boston Cultivator, issued at Boston. The death of this excellent man occurred at Needham, in 1882. His wife was born in Southbridge, Mass., and she was a daughter of Jonathan Mason, a farmer, and descendant of Capt. Mason, one of the Pilgrim Fathers. The original settlement of the Mason family was in Mellfor 1. Mass. The maternal great-grandfather Mason was a captain in the Revolution. Mrs. Thomas Whitaker, who
died in February of 1901, was the mother of five children: George, editor and proprietor of The New England Farmer, and assistant secretary of Agriculture for the State of Massachusetts, has also been secretary of the Boston Press Club; Thomas, a printer on the Cambridge Chronicle; Arthur, a farmer in Needham; Richard, a printer of Boston ; and John, who was the second in order of birthi.
John Whitaker attained the age of twelve in Southbridge, Mass., and then removed with his parents to Needham, and combined educational re- search with performing his share of the farm work. When eighteen he entered the machine shop of N. C. Monson, who was a railroad builder, and after three years had become so competent tliat his serv- ices were required in the shops of the New York and New England railroad. There he remained until 1887, when he was put in charge of the Woon- socket Division as foreman, and after five years was made general foreman of the Eastern Division, with headquarters at Boston. At the expiration of two years, in 1894, he engaged with the Old Colony Road, and was transferred to Falls Village in charge of the Housatonic shops. The next change was made in 1895, when he was placed in the motive power shops as general foreman, a very re- sponsible position.
In 1876 Mr. Whitaker married Frances Bur- bank, a native of Winchendon, Mass., and daugh- ter of James Burbank, of the same city, a book- keeper, and a descendant of an old New England family. To Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker three children have been born, Albert, Grace and Frank. Po- litically Mr. Whitaker is a Republican, and as evi- dence of his popularity was elected to the Board of Aldermen from the decidedly Democratic Fourth ward. He takes a deep interest in party affairs, is an active member of the Young Men's Repub- lican Club, and has a host of friends among the business and social contingents of the city. The family are earnest members of the Congregational Church, and are among the most cultured and pop- ular in the town.
PRAGEMANN. Among the many German families who have been represented in Connecti- cut the Pragemanns have been quite prominent, and are worthily represented in this generation by August Pragemann, of the town of Meriden.
Henry Pragemann, Sr., the father of this worthy citizen, was born in Polle, Hanover, Germany, son of Louis Pragemann, who lived and died in the Fatherland. Henry Pragemann learned the shoe- maker's trade, and continued to make his home in Polle until 1857, when he came to the United States and located in Yalesville, this county. Here he bought a tract of forty acres, and settled down to farming, making his home there until his death, in 1872. His remains were laid to rest in Wall- ingford. In politics he was a Democrat, and in
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religion a member of the Lutheran Church. A hard-working and honest man, he was quite pop- ular and much respected in his community. In Polle, Hanover, he was married to Wilhelmina Stuenburg, a native of that village, a member of the Lutheran Church, and a woman of excellent char- acter. She died in Yalesville, and was buried in Wallingford cemetery. To them were given nine children: Frederick who died in Yalesville; Wil- helmina, deceased wife of Charles Halın; Fred- erica, wife of Christian Nebelsick; Caroline, who married Frederick Burghoff, and died in Yales- ville; August, of Meriden; Johanna, widow of Henry Langheher; Henry, of Wallingford; and two that died in infancy.
AUGUST PRAGEMANN, well known and popular in Meriden as a grocery merchant, was born in Germany March 3, 1834, and received a good ed- ucation in the German schools, remaining with his parents until he had attained his twenty-third year. Feeling that his future would be far better spent amid the richer opportunities of the Western World than at home, he camne with his parents to the United States, leaving Bremen June 27, 1857, on a sailing vessel bound for New York, which port was reached after a voyage of seven weeks. The young German made his way to Yalesville, where he secured employment as a buffer in the factory of the Charles Parker Co., receiving wages of eighteen dollars a month. His parents also came to Yalesville. There he remained until the breaking out of the Civil war, when, unknown to his parents he went to New York and enlisted in a company of engineers. He served several years at the front, and distinguished himself by his fi- delity and bravery. After his military experience had ended Mr. Pragemann returned to Yalesville, but soon removed to Middlefield, where he worked in a wringer factory for a time, and then located in Meriden, where he entered the tin shop of Mr. Clark. With this gentleman he spent some four years, and during the latter part of this time was in charge of the shop. His next employment was in the factory of the Britannia Company, where he rose to the position of foreman in the spoon de- partment. In 1869 he began business for himself, opening a grocery store in State street. The en- terprise proved highly successful, and three years later he removed to his present quarters, where for nearly thirty years he has carried on a growing business, in which his sterling character, courteous manner and reliable goods have been prominent factors. He is honorable in all his dealings, studies the needs of his patrons, and has won a large suc- cess in life.
Mr. Pragemann was married in 1863 to Eva Barker, a native of Offenbach, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, daughter of Chester Barker. To this union have been born : Henry, paymaster at Bradley & Hubbard's and one of the prominent and popular young Masons of the city; Emma, wife of N.
C. Brackett, of Meriden; August; Susan, who died young; Charles, in business with his father ; and Eva, at home. Mr. Pragemann and his family attend the Episcopal Church, although he was one of the organizers of the Meriden Lutheran Church, of which he was at one time secretary and treas- urer. He is a member of the German Mutual Aid Society, and has served as its president. He be- longs to Teutonic Lodge, No. 95, I. O. O. F., of Meriden, where he has filled all the chairs, be- ing a past grand. A public-spirited man, he has attended many conventions, and was an organizer and treasurer of the German schools. In politics he is a strong Republican, and has been a mem- ber of the city council for ten years.
DR. LEWIS T. DOOLITTLE, one of the most popular and prosperous young professional men of Meriden, was born in Springfield, Mass., Oct. 14, 1870, and is descended from one of the oldest and most respected families of Connecticut.
Abraham Doolittle, the founder of the family in this State, came to America from England, in company with his brother, John, and located at Salem, Mass., but later removed to New Haven and then to Wallingford, where he died Aug. 11, 1690. His first marriage was to Abigail Moss, a daughter of John Moss, of New Haven, and he became the father of eleven children. Samuel Doolittle, his son, was born July 7, 1665, and he re- moved to Middlesex county and located at Mid- dletown with his family, where he died, having been twice married and the father of thirteen chil- dren.
Joseph Doolittle, son of Samuel, was born June 20, 1704, and May 24, 1729, married Mary Hitch- cox, who died in Middletown. On May 24, 1759, he married Mary Strickland, of Middletown, and these children were born to him: Mary and Elizabeth, who died young; Joseph, who died Aug. 6, 1771; Seth, born Jan. 4, 1745, married Hannah Dow Feb. 4, 1768; Abisha, who died in Cheshire; Mary; Elizabeth ; Jared, born July 13, 1769; Joel, born July 7, 1770; and Joseph.
Joseph Doolittle, son of Joseph, was born in Middletown, and there grew to manhood. He fol- lowed farming in what is now Westfield, which at that time was but a wilderness, and here he built his house and made extensive improvements upon a large estate, was active in religious af- fairs and assisted in the establishment of a Con- gregational church in Westfield, being a consist- ent member of that faith. His death and burial were in Westfield, where he had married. Abisha, the only son of Joseph, was born on the homestead and followed an agricultural life and also operated a gristmill. His home was always in Westfield, from which he went as a soldier during the war of 1812. He was a consistent member of the Bap- tist Church, and a worthy, honest citizen. His marriage occurred in Westfield and his one son,
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