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 67
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Amos, became a well-known farmer and miller, spending his active life on the farm, but he died in Chester, at the home of his daughter, Abigail, and was interred in the Westfield cemetery. Dur- ing life. he was known as a pronounced Whig, and a good and conscientious man.
Amos Doolittle married Margaret Graves, of Westfield, and reared a family of four children : Curtis, who removed to Ohio; Abisha; Sybil, who married Alfred Rood; and Abigail, who married Andrew Walton for her first husband, and later Charles Brook, of Cheshire, and died in Westfield, a valued member of the Baptist Church. Abisha Doolittle, the grandfather of the subject of this biography, was born on the old family homestead, where he grew to manhood, and bought a por- tion of the old place and carried on both farm- ing and shoemaking, and died at the age of eighty- three. Abisha Doolittle was a strong Republican, but in later life joined the Prohibition party on account of his pronounced views on temperance. 'A man of worth, he left behind him a reputation for morality and uprightness of life. He was mar- ried in Westfield to Mary, a daughter of Jesse Kelsey, and they reared a family of five children : Julia Ann; Frederick, of Meriden; Lewis; John, who served in the Civil war; and Margaret, who died young. The mother died in Westfield.
Lewis Doolittle, the father of Lewis T., was born June 5, 1836, in Westfield, and attended the district schools of his neighborhood. He remained on the farm until he was eighteen years old, when he came to Meriden and entered the Britannia shop of I. C. Lewis, where he worked for several years, and then became a traveling salesman for the same concern. Later, upon removal to Springfield, Mass., he there became superintendent of a sil- ver-plating company and remained with same four years. and then went back to the old homestead in Westfield, and remained there, farming, for nineteen years, and also conducted a dairy. In 1888 he removed to Meriden and for the past four- teen years has been engaged in the Britannia shop, a skilled workman and a most reliable man.
Mr. Doolittle is an independent Republican, but has never sought office, and has always given his influence in the direction of education, temperance and morality. For many years he has been a con- sistent member of the M. E. Church. On June 5, 1862, he was married at Higganum, Conn., to Melissa L. Baily, a daughter of Alvin and Susan ( Maff) Baily, and a granddaughter of Lyman W. Baily. Two sons have been born of this mar- riage: Lewis T., of this sketch; and A. Walter, a student in a dental college, in Baltimore, Mary- land.
With his parents Lewis T. Doolittle removed to Springfield, and later to Middlesex county, where he attended the schools in Middletown, and from there went to the Hannum Business College, at Hartford, where he graduated in 1885. Having
been offered a position in Wisconsin, with his uncle in the banking business, he was for a short time undecided as to his future. But for a long time his ambition had been to succeed in the profession of dentistry, and with this end in view he de- clined his uncle's offer and entered the office of Dr. Heller, in Hartford. Under this well-known practitioner he remained three years, and then came to Meriden and became the partner of Dr. Jones for one year. He then removed to Collins- ville, Hartford county, and there built up a large practice, remaining in that pleasant locality three years. However, as his parents had their residence in Meriden, he decided in 1892 to locate there, and has ever since been considered one of the most skilled in his line in that community. Dr. Doo- little is located on West Main street, and has one of the most complete offices, employing all the modern methods known in dentistry. His per- sonality is pleasant, and his success is permanent.
Dr. Doolittle was married in Meriden to Mary L. Broe, a daughter of Jesse Broe, and one son has been born to them, Winthrop T. Socially and fraternally Dr. Doolittle is popular; he is a mem- ber of the Masonic Lodge in Collinsville, and Key- stone Chapter in Meriden; belongs to the Elks ; the P. O. S. A., of Meriden, of which he is past master; and the Heptasophs. In politics he is a Republican. He has long been connected with the M. E. Church, and is a generous contributor to all benevolent and charitable enterprises.
FREDERICK W. LUTZ, one of the leading business citizens of New Haven, and dealer in groceries, meats, provisions, poultry, etc., located at No. 76 Sylvan avenue, corner Elliot street, was born in Collinsville, Conn., June 5, 1858. His father, George Lutz, was a prominent German- American citizen of New Haven, and died June 12, 1900, his wife having died in New Haven in 1889. The parents were members of the German Lutheran Church. They reared a family of four children, all of whom are residents of this city : George, a grocer ; Minnie, wife of George Mache- leidt ; and Robert, a grocer and leading citizen.
Frederick W. Lutz was brought by his parents to New Haven when but five months old. Until he was twelve years of age he attended the Dixwell Avenue and Dwight schools, and then went to work in the lock shop of Mallory, Wheeler & Co., where he remained a year and a half. One year was spent at work in the Scovill Manufactur- ing Co. paper shop, a year and a half as a clerk for Andrew Treatline in the meat business, and six months in the same business in New York City. Upon his return to New Haven he entered the employ of Rush & Lockyear for ahout two years, and the next two years were filled with valuable experience as clerk for F. S. Andrews in the city market. Mr. Lutz then made a trip through Western cities for about ten months, and
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upon his return was again clerk for Mr. Andrews, at the end of four years embarking in the business for himself. In 1882 he established a business on Elliott street, later coming to his present location and building his fine brick block in 1887. Mr. Lutz has been a very successful business man, and both he and his brother Robert are leaders in the grocery line in New Haven, both owning fine stores, conducting same in business blocks erected by themselves. Frederick Lutz is essentially a man of the people, and while making his own way in the world has adopted honesty, perseverance and industry as sound commercial principles. He is highly respected, and has a wide circle of friends in the city.
On Jan. 18, 1883, Mr. Lutz married Catherine Miller, who as born in New Haven, a daughter of Joseph A. Miller, a native of Germany, and who died in New Haven Dec. 9, 1899. Mrs. Miller, who came from the same place in Germany as her husband, is still living. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lutz, namely: Jennette Louisa; Alice May; and George Robert, all at home.
In politics Mr. Lutz is identified with the Dem- ocratic party, and fraternally is connected with the Germania Lodge, No. 78, I. O. O. F .; Connecti- cut Rock Lodge, No. 92, A. F. & A. M .; and the Knights of Honor. His religious connection is with the German Lutheran Church.
EVERETT STAPLES GRANT, formerly sec- retary and treasurer of the Stony Creek Red Granite Co., was born in what is now Stockton, Waldo Co., Maine, Oct. 8, 1850, a son of Giles C. and Desiah ( Hichborn) Grant. The father was a merchant in Stockton, a man of affairs and prom- inent local standing, and was a son of Josiah P. and Elizabeth K. (Staples) Grant. Josiah Grant was a farmer and a fisherman of Stockton, and was a son of Alexander and Abigail (Staples) Grant, who removed from York, Maine, to Pros- pect (now Stockton ) some time prior to 1800. The maternal grandfather of Everett S. Grant was Henry Hichborn, whose wife was Desiah Griffin. He was a carpenter and a farmer, and a son of Robert Hichborn, of Boston, Mass., removing at an early age to Stockton. Giles C. Grant was a prominent merchant in Stockton, Maine, where he died in 1853, and was the father of two children: (1) Henry Hichborn, of Portland, Maine, whose wife was Martha Pendleton ; and (2) Everett S., whose name opens this article.
Everett Staples Grant was reared in Stockton, Maine, where he was educated, taking his higher branches at Westbrook Seminary, Westbrook, Maine. At the age of seventeen years he began life for himself as a sailor, which he followed for half a year, wher he secured a position as a clerk in the general store at Scarsport, Maine. There he remained from 1868 to 1873 when he had be-
come sufficiently forehanded to embark in busi- ness for himself, as a member of the firm of Nick- erson, Grant & Co., at Searsport. For two years he maintained these relations, and then returned to Stockton, where he was engaged for two years as a manufacturer of clothing, when he entered the employ of Pierce, Rowe & Co., granite quarry- men at Frankfort, Maine. For two years he con- tinued with them, and for six months was book- keeper for a wholesale grocery house. In 1881 he located in Westborough, Mass., where he was local manager for C. Brigham & Co. in the grain busi- ness. For ten years he maintained this position with this widely connected Boston establishment. In 1890 Mr. Grant removed to Stony Creek at the solicitation of John Pierce, of New York City, formerly of the firm of Pierce, Rowe & Co., and there he held his position of secretary and treas- urer of the Stony Creek Red Granite Company un- til his removal to New York about a year ago. These quarries are located at Red Hill, in the Stony Creek district of the town of Branford, and. they produce a superior quality of red granite, closely resembling the celebrated Scotch granite of Aberdeen, Scotland. The Stony Creek granite is largely used for ornamental as well as build- ing purposes. The company gives employment to about two hundred men and has an output of granite amounting to about 50,000 cubic feet of dressed granite annually.
Mr. Grant was married Dec. 23, 1874, to Eva A., a daughter of Henry S. and Miranda J. (Griffin ) Staples, of Stockton, Maine, and by her he has three children : Marietta L., Lillias S. and Mary Helen. Mr. Grant is a member of Mariners' Lodge, No. 68, F. & A. M., of Sears- port, Maine, and Halleck Chapter, No. 44, R. A. M., of Guilford, Conn. Mr. Grant was elected to the Maine Legislature from Stockton in 1876, and served with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. In politics he is a stanch Re- publican.
MICHAEL G. REYNOLDS. The general aspect of prosperity and activity which character- izes the city of Meriden is due in a great measure to the efficiency of the men who manage the busi- ness interests of this locality. Among these is Michael G. Reynolds, one of the best known, highly respected and substantial citizens, who, although born in another land, for many years has been identified with this section, where he has built up an enviable business reputation.
Michael G. Reynolds was born in the parish of Anaduff, County Leitrim, Ireland, in September, 1838, a son of Thomas Reynolds, who also was a native of the same place. Thomas Reynolds was a farmer and lived and died in Ireland, a con- sistent member of the Roman Catholic Church. He married Ellen Gill, who lived a number of years, a devoted wife and mother and a consistent mem-
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ber of the Catholic Church1; she died in the old home. Of the ten children of this family, the six survivors are: Ann, who married James Maxwell, and resides in Ireland on the old homestead ; Jolin, who resides in Marshall, Clark Co .. Ill .; Francis, who lives in Terre Haute, Ind .: Hugh, who is also a resident of Marshall; Michael G .; and Catherine, who is the widow of James McCarthy and resides in New Haven.
Michael G. Reynolds grew up on the farm of his parents and received a good education in the primary branches, and remained at home until 1863. Not seeing any opportunities to better his condition in his native country, and possessing both ambition and energy, he decided to cross the ocean and make his way alone in the land where so many of his countrymen had established them- selves and had done much toward the developing of the natural resources of many sections of the United States.
Many difficulties were surmounted, and finally Michael found himself in Liverpool, where he em- barked on a steamer bound for New York, which he reached in due time, and immediately made his way to Connecticut, where he knew other lads of his age were employed, and his pleasant manner and honest face very soon obtained him work. In the following autumn he came to Meriden, after laboring for a short time in the auger shop at Tracy, and engaged in teaming in Meriden, con- tinuing until 1865, when he went to Illinois and re- mained there for the succeeding two years. Coming back to Connecticut, Mr. Reynolds located in Wall- ingford, where he started in business for himself in the grocery line, and conducted this store un- til 1870, at which time he removed to Meriden and opened up a fine grocery store on the corner of West Maine and Second streets. Here he dealt in groceries and also conducted a retail liquor busi- ness, and for twenty-six years was one of the most successful dealers in his line in the locality.
Since his withdrawal from this business Mr. Reynolds has been actively engaged in the real es- tate and insurance line, and has done much to adorn and beautify the city. His fine brick block on Main street is substantial and imposing, and his residence on North Second street is the finest in that locality. Mr. Reynolds represents the Royal Tailors, of Chicago; the Erie Insurance Co., of Buffalo; and two mutual insurance companies of well-known merit. In public life Michael Rey- nolds is an Independent Democrat, and has served on the board of assessors for five years, and has long been on the school committee, as he takes a deep interest in educational matters. Socially he is a member of the Amaranth Club, of Meriden; and of Silver City Council, K. of C., and of the latter was treasurer for five years.
Mr. Reynolds was married in New Haven to Miss Mary Campbell, a native of Ireland, a dangh- ter of Owen Campbell, and a niece of the late Rev.
Father John Campbell, a well-known Catholic priest of New York. Five children have been born of this union : Thomas Edward, who attended the schools of Meriden and graduated from Yale Uni- versity in the class of 1896, where he had taken a classical course, and he now occupies the responsible position of paymaster of The J. D. Bergen Co., of Meriden; Mary Ellen, who graduated from Mount St. Vincent, N. Y., and has taught in the public schools of Meriden very successfully; Eu- gene, who died young ; Anna Josephine, who is the capable stenographer and typewriter in her father's office; and Gerald Joseph, who is a promising stu- dent in the Meriden high school.
Mr. Reynolds is a broad-minded man, of gen- erous impulses and has many friends. A tireless worker, he has at heart many schemes for the benefit of the community, and especially for the advancement of education. His children have been afforded every advantage, and the affection and esteem in which he is held by his family is only equalled by the respect of his neighbors, all of whom are his friends. Having made his own way in the world, he gives ready assistance and help to others whom he deems deserving. In his wife Mr. Reynolds has a most estimable helpmate. Both are consistent members of St. Joseph's parish in Meriden.
CHARLES E. EGAN, the well-known dealer in scrap iron, babbit, lead, spelter, etc, at Nos. 284-290 Meadow street, Waterbury, Conn., was born in Boston, Mass., April 26, 1852, and bears the surname of his paternal, as well as his matern- al, ancestors, although no consanquinitv existed be- tween the two families.
The paternal grandfather of Charles E. Egan never came to America, while Charles Egan, the maternal grandfather, was the first of the name to settle in Waterbury. The latter was a gentleman of fair education, and was chiefly employed by sur- veying parties. He married Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, who bore him eight children, viz: Charles, Cather- ine, Ann, Anastasia, Lucy, Roger, Thomas and Bridget. The father of this family reached the patriarchial age of ninety-six years.
Peter Egan, who was born in County Kings, Ireland, in 1817, and came to America a young man, settled in Boston, Mass., where he followed his trade of tailor. He married Catherine Egan in that city, and they reared a family of three children- James, Charles E. (subject) and William. Of these, James is engaged in the transfer (cab) busi- ness in New York ; and William died in Waterbury, Conn., in January, 1898. The father had been called away in 1854.
Charles E. Egan was but two years of age when his recently widowed mother brought him to Water- bury. Here he received his schooling, grew to man- hood, worked among the different factories and served as janitor of the city-hall building until
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1881, when he was appointed deputy sheriff of New Haven county under the auspiees of the Democratic party. He resigned this deputyship to serve on the police force for a short time, and was then ap- pointed, or detailed, to detective work, which he followed for seven years. This he resigned to en- gage with the Waterbury Scrap Iron Co. He was also in partnership in the same line, with Michael Keeley for some time, and then on April 6, 1899, sold out and started his present business, in which he has met with abundant success, which is due entire- ly to his own attentiveness and fair dealing.
On May 14, 1877, Mr. Egan was ( first) married to Julia A. Finn, a native of Waterbury, and a daughter of Patrick and Ann ( Fitzpatrick) Finn, and this union has been crowned with four children. named in order of birth: Charles E., Jr., Julia A., Francis P. and Sarah L., all still single. Mrs. Egan was called hence July 24, 1893, and Mr. Egan remained without a helpmeet until April 14, 1895, when he married Jennie M. Sperry, of Oxford, Connecticut. In politics Mr. Egan is a Democrat, and fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the United Workmen. In Church affairs he is somewhat independent, although his children have been reared in the faith of the Church of Rome. Personally Mr. Egan is very popular, and his upright conduct as a business man has won him the esteem of all who have had any dealings with him.
OSMOND A. BOWE, who is engaged in gen- eral blacksmithing and horse-shoeing at Yalesville, is conspicuously associated with the Methodist Epis- copal Church, where he has been clerk for a num- ber of years. Mr. Bowe was born in the town of Middlefield, Middlesex Co., Conn., Feb. 12, 1858, a son of Allen Bowe, who was born in South Farms. Middlesex county, and is a son of Obadiah and Nancy (Skinner) Bowe, of Middletown. Obadiah A. Bowe was a tin and sheet iron worker, and spent his life in Middlesex county ; he was a Democrat.
still a hale and hearty man, and is temperate in his habits, and kind and generous in his disposition. Formerly he was a Democrat, but later has voted the Republican ticket. He is a member of the Bap- tist Church, and socially of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Bowe was married in Middlefield, Conn., to Miss Mary A. Coe, a native of that place and a daughter of Nelson Coe, also of Middlefield. Two children were born of this union: Osmond A. and Clifford, the latter now deceased. Mrs. Bowe is a lady of marked character, and has many friends, who admire her womanly qualities, and appreciate highly her kind and helpful spirit. She is a mem- ber of the Methodist Church.
Osmond A. Bowe was educated in the public schools of New Haven and in Middlesex county, and learned the blacksmithing trade under his father's instructions, with whom he worked until 1898. That year he removed to Yalesville, where he bought the Tompkins place, and since then has de- voted himself to horse-shoeing and general black- smithing. His industrious life, temperate habits, business integrity, and kindly spirit have won the respect of the community, and he is very highly esteemed today in his new home.
Mr. Bowe was married in 1884 to Miss Martha A. Atwood, a daughter of Francis Atwood, and a native of Woodbury, Conn. To them have come two children: Francis and Minnie. Mr. Bowe is a Republican in politics. Fraternally he belongs to Center Lodge, No. 68, A. F. & A. M., to Compass Lodge, and to the Rebekahs. He is also a member of the Grange, in which Mrs. Bowe is an active worker, as she is in the Daughters of Rebekah. Mr. Bowe is a member of the Methodist Church, where he has been steward, and is one of the pillars of the Church. A straightforward and upright man, he has many friends, and is bound to suc- ceed.
GEORGE L. TALMAGE, a prominent citizen of Prospect and a worthy representative of its agri- cultural interests, was born in that town, in May, 1855, and belongs to one of the old and honored families of New Haven county. His paternal great- grandfather, Josiah Talmage, was a life-long resi- dent of Cheshire, was a farmer by occupation, and was quite well-known and highly respected. Caleb Talmage, the grandfather, was also a farmer and land owner of Cheshire, as well as one of its highly esteemed citizens. There he married Polly Smith, and both died and were buried in Cheshire. Their children were: Lucius; Jason; Eliza; Hiram; Mary Ann ( Polly) ; and Orrin.
Allen Bowe, mentioned in the preceding para- graph, was born in 1822, and lost his father when he was nine years of age, when he was adopted by Deacon G. Birdsey, of East Meriden, with whom he remained until he was sixteen years old, working at farming for his board and clothes. At that age he went to Middletown and learned the blacksmith- ing trade. At Meriden he learned horse-shoeing, and after working as a journeyman for a time he started a shop for himself in Middlefield, where he i worked for some time. Then he located in Long | Island, where he worked two years in the town of Whitestone. At New Haven he worked two years for the Winchester Rifle Co., and then came to Lucius Talmage, father of our subject, was born Feb. 5, 1807, in Cheshire, where he obtained a dis- trict school education and also became familiar with every department of farm work, which occupation he made his life work. He lived in the towns of Meriden and spent a year in the gun shop of C. Parker. In 1870 he removed to North Farms, in the town of Wallingford. where he has maintained his home to the present time. Here he follows his trade, and owns a small farm. Mr. Bowe is | Cheshire, Oxford and New Haven, and finally came
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to Prospect, where he spent the remainder of his life engaged in general farming. He was a very industrious man and was noted for his upright and honorable dealings. His political support was given first the Whig and later the Republican parties, and both he and his wife were earnest mem- bers of the Congregational Church. He married Abigail Platt Gillette, a native of Milford, and a daughter of Garrett Gillette. He died Oct. 8, 1896, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years, and his re- mains, and also those of his wife, were laid -to rest in Prospect Centre cemetery. To this worthy couple were born eleven children, namely: George, who died young ; Mary J., wife of Lyman Gillette; Fred- erick, who died in the Civil war; John, who also died in the Civil war; Sarah, who first married Lorenzo Peck and second Martin Brooks; Maria A., a resident of Prospect; Caroline M., who first married Sherman Guernsey, and second James Hanks; Martha E., who first married William Sco- ville, and second Miles Payne; Alice, wife of John Pardis; Abbie, wife of Samuel Hart; and George L., our subject.
During his boyhood, George L. Talmage at- tended the district schools of Prospect, and remained upon the home farm with his parents until reaching man's estate. Subsequently he traveled quite ex- tensively through the Western States, where he spent several years, and on his return to Prospect, in 1885, located on the Garrett Gillette farm, a tract of 100 acres, to which he has since added fifty acres, making a fine farm of 150 acres that he has exten- sively improved. He follows general farming, dairy- ing and stock raising, and is also engaged in the wood business.
In June, 1880, in Cheshire, Mr. Talmage was united in marriage with Miss Ella Carrell, a native of that town, and to them have been born two chil- dren: Daisy Mildred and Bernice Abigail. The older daughter graduated from the Cheshire high school in 1898, and then entered the New Britain Normal School. She successfully engaged in teach- ing for a short time. James Carrell, Mrs. Tal- mage's father, and a son of George Carrell, was born in Cheshire, where he still continues to make his home. In early life he followed the occupation of farming, but is now living retired, enjoying a well- earned rest surrounded by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who esteem him highly for his sterling worth. Politically he is a Democrat. He married Miss Mary Carter, also a native of Cheshire, who died there and was laid to rest in Cheshire cemetery. By this union the following children were born: Lewis, who died in infancy; Mary, wife of Harry Collins ; Sarah and Julia, twins, the former of whom married Harry Hilman, while the latter died in infancy ; Ella, wife of our subject ; Margaret I .. , wife of Sereno Cook, of Mt. Carmel. this county; George, a resident of Naugatuck, Conn .; Alice, wife of John Brown, of Yalesville ;
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