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 68
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and John, an undertaker and embalmer of New York City.
Fraternally Mr. Talmage is a member of the Grange of Prospect, and politically is a stanch sup- porter of the Republican party. As one of the prominent and influential citizens of his community he has been called to public office, and has most ac- ceptably served as a member of the board of relief and as grand juror of the town. In 1894 he was also elected to the State Legislature, and most ably represented Prospect in that body for one term.
JOHN MACKRILLE, well and favorably known throughout the length and breadth of Con- necticut, as well as through New England, was born May 25, 1844, at Halifax, England, the home of his ancestors. His grandfather, William Mack- rille, was a native of Halifax, where he was engaged for many years in the manufacture of cloth, and here he died in middle life.
Thomas Mackrille, son of William, was also born in Halifax, and followed the occupation of cabinet maker all his active life. He took a prom- inent part in public affairs, and became a leading citizen of the town. His wife, who in her maiden- hood was Martha Spencer, was one of a large fam- ily of children born to Thomas Spencer, a stone merchant of Halifax, who was an active worker in the cause of Wesleyan Methodism.
John Mackrille was educated in a private school, and began his business career as a telegraph opera- tor, later becoming manager at Halifax and other places for the Electric Telegraph Company. In the same capacity he was engaged in the telegraph service of the London & Northwestern and Midland Railway Companies, and on leaving this service engaged in private business as an accountant until he came to the United States in 1881. Entering the employ of the New York & New England road as clerk, he afterward became traveling auditor, and in 1887 the position of traveling auditor with the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. was offered and accepted, under the then new regime of President Clark. Since. 1888 he has occupied the onerous andere- sponsible position of auditor of freight receipts of this road, with headquarters at New Haven.
The activities of Mr. Mackrille are by no means confined to business affairs, as he is a man of many interests. He is one of the most active workers and best-known members of the fraternal orders in the State of Connecticut. For some years he was one of the standard bearers for the Royal Arcanum in Massachusetts, having been initiated into that order in 1884, while a resident of Hyde Park. In 1886 he was elected to the highest office in the gift of his council, and in 1888 was representative to the Grand Council of Massachusetts. Removing to Connecticut, he was instrumental in forming a Council at his home in West Haven, of which he was elected first past regent, and he was sent as
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representative to the Grand Council of Connecticut in 1889, and at that session was elected Grand Orator. In 1891 he was advanced to the office of Vice-Regent, and elected Grand Regent of Connecti- cut the following year. In the A. O. U. W. Mr. Mackrille soon came to the front, for the talents he possesses are quickly recognized and utilized. He is a member of Phoenix Lodge of New Haven, was elected Master Workman in 1892, and representa- tive to the Grand Lodge in 1893. He was the first president of Lodge No. 1; of Connecticut, Work- men's Benefit Association, and representative to the Supreme Lodge in 1896. In 1897 he was appointed Supreme Chaplain ; in 1899 elected Vice-President, and is now Supreme President of the order. As he is possessed of oratorical powers of no mean order, he is in great request at all festive gatherings of the various orders with which he is identified, frequent- ly holding his listeners spellbound by his impas- sioned and earnest addresses. The secret of his success in this line lies in the fact that he does not speak merely in order to say something, but because he has something to say-something in which he believes, and has the faculty of making others be- lieve. For some years he has been a prominent member of the Improved Order of Heptasophs, and has ably filled many of the most responsible offices in both the subordinate and supreme conclaves. He is also a member of Annawon Lodge, No. 115, Ma- sonic Order, and has been Chaplain of Joseph An- drews Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He is also a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and Home Circle, a director in the Co-operative Savings Society of Connecticut, and the American Service Union.
A Republican, Mr. Mackrille enters heartily into local affairs, and in 1896 and 1898 served as a mem- ber of the board of Wardens and Burgesses in West Haven, being chairman of the board of Fire Com- missioners in 1898-1900. He has enthusiastically championed the cause of education, and has for eight years been a school visitor in West Haven and Orange. In religious circles Mr. Mackrille is influential and active, and as a lay preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church his services are in considerable demand, both in his own and other denominations. For some years he was Superin- tendent of the Sunday school, and in general re- ligion and humanitarian work has been indefatigable in his labors for more than a quarter of a cen- tury.
In 1867 Mr. Mackrille married Harriet Corney, daughter of John and Edna Corney, the former a well-known grocer and provision dealer of Halifax, England. Of their union four children have been born, viz: Alfred, born.and educated in England, is a traveling auditor for the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R., in whose employ he has been since 1887, having formerly been with the New England R. R .; he married Marion Winchenbaugh, and has three chil- dren, Ruth E., John E. and Allen A. Edgar is a
cabinet maker and carver with the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R .; he married Olive M. Clark. Edith E. was educated at Hyde Park, Mass., in West Haven, and the State Normal school in New Haven, and is now teaching in the West Haven public schools. Eveline C. is at home attending school. Since it was established Mr. Mackrille and family have been members of the Pine Orchard Summer Colony.
JOSEPH GUEST (deceased), for many years a leading business man of Waterbury, Conn., was a native of Wakefield, Yorkshire, England, and a son of William Guest. He received only a very lim- ited education as he was obliged to begin work in the shops of his native land at a very early age, be- ing thus employed until he attained his twentieth year.
With the hope of bettering his financial condi- tion, Mr. Guest came to the United States in 1859, and first located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he found employment in the shops for two years. He then returned to his native land, where he remained until 1862, when he again came to America, and this time took up his residence in Waterbury, where he worked in the woolen mills as foreman of the spinning department. Later he was in the employ of the Scovill Manufacturing Co., until 1870, when he went to Wilton, Conn., and engaged in the stone cutting business for a short time. From there he removed to Reynolds Bridge, Litchfield Co., Conn., where he was employed as boss carder until 1872, when he returned to Waterbury and embarked in the retail liquor business on South Main street, continuing to engage in that trade up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1897.
At Reynolds Bridge, Mr. Guest was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte Mann, a native of Torrington, Conn., and a daughter of William and Jane Mann. She died in 1886, and they now sleep side by side in Riverside cemetery. She was a member of the Episcopal Church, and a most esti- mable woman. For his second wife Mr. Guest married Catherine Martin, who died in 1895. For thirty years Mr. Guest was an active member of the Blue Lodge, F. & A. M., of Waterbury, and was also a member of the Sons of St. George, and a charter member of Court Fruitful, F. of A. In re- ligious faith he was an Episcopalian, and was organ- ist of the church for many years, possessing much musical talent. He was no office seeker, and in poli- tics voted independently of party lines, supporting the men whom he believed best qualified for the offices. He was upright and honorable in all things, and was highly respected by his many friends and acquaintances.
THOMAS E. GUEST, the only child of Joseph and Charlotte (Mann) Guest, was born Oct. 25, 1865, and was educated in the district and high schools of Waterbury. He always remained at home, as- sisting his father, an I on the death of the latter succeeded to the business, which he has since carried
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on with marked success. He is very fond of all kinds of sport, taking especial interest in base ball and polo, and in 1884 was catcher for the Water- bury Base Ball team, which won the State cham- pionship that season. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party, and fraternally is af- filiated with Court Fruitful, No. 123, F. of A .; the Sons of St. George; and the B. P. O. E., No. 265, of Waterbury.
In 1890, Mr. Guest was married, in Waterbury, to Miss Florence Borchardt, a native of that place, and a daughter of William and Charlotte Borchardt. To this union was born a son, William Joseph, in 1894.
BLAKESLEE. The name of Blakeslee has for years held an honored place in the business world of New Haven, and the family of that name have had prominent representative citizens in each gen- eration since the early days of Connecticut. Those of whom we write are the son and grandsons of Matthew Gilbert and Rhoda (Dorman) Blakeslee, the former of New Haven and the latter of Ham- den.
Charles Wells Blakeslee, son of Matthew, was born in Westfield, Mass., Aug. 11, 1824. At the age of ten years he was brought to Connecticut, and for a time resided in Hamden with his brother, Matthew. He attended school during the winters and engaged in farm work in the summers for sev- eral seasons, but while yet a mere boy he began teaming, and shortly after began taking small con- tracts in the city of New Haven. In 1844 he bought his home property of the English family. George street was then but a cow path, and most of the neighboring land was used for pasture, and Mr. Blakeslee engaged in farming on the land now oc- cupied by Grace Hospital. In 1872 he began taking contracts for street paving, and the building of street railways. This he has continued to follow, and his business has assumed mammoth propor- tions. His sons are associated with him in the busi- ness and take the greater part of the responsibility from the father's shoulders
Mr. Blakeslee was married in New Haven to Miss Eliza Clark, a native of Milford, who died in New Haven, the mother of seven children, of whom two died in infancy, and one, Albert, died when three and a half years old. The others are Charles W., Jr., mention of whom is made further on ; Jean- nette; Isabella and Mary. For his second wife, Mr. Blakeslee married Mrs. Martha Jane Blair, of New Haven. By her first marriage she had two children: William H. Blair, a superintendent with the Charles W. Blakeslee & Co .; and Jane, who be- came Mrs. Copley, and died in 1900. By his sec- ond marriage Mr. Blakeslee has become the father of six children: Dennis A .; Dwight W .; Fhebe; Clarence; Martha, who married Lyman Law, and has two children, Ellen and Alice; and Theodore R. In his political views in early life, Mr. Blakes-
lee was a Whig, but since 1857 he has been a firm supporter of Republican principles. He is a Meth- odist in his religious belief, and is a member of the church of that denomination on George street, in New Haven.
MAJOR CHARLES WELLS BLAKESLEE, JR., was born in New Haven, Conn., June 9, 1844, at what is now No. 550 George street, and by his life has emulated the examples set by his maternal grand- father and great-grandfather (who fought in the war of the Revolution ) by answering his country's call for volunteer soldiers. At the age of eighteen he became a member of Co. G, Ist Connecticut Heavy Artillery, and served in the army of the Potomac. He participated in the siege of York- town, Hanover Court House, Seven Days Fight and Malvern Hill. On Aug. 15, 1864, he was hon- orably discharged on account of wounds and injuries sustained from his horse. He returned to New Haven, and the following winter began business with his father. Then he branched out for himself, and between the ages of twenty-one and forty-two was engaged in business alone. At the end of that time he again entered business with his father, and has engaged in contract work on a percentage basis.
Mr. Blakeslee was married in New Haven to Miss Grace Caroline Fowler, sister of ex-city engin- eer Fowler, and of the three children who blessed this union but one is living, Edith May. Mr. Blakes- lee has always taken a prominent part in public af- fairs, and has done his share toward promoting good government. At the present time he is serving as first selectman, and previously served as councilman and alderman, two terms each, from the Tenth ward. For twelve years he was a member of the Gov- ernor's Horse Guards, and during five years of that time he held the rank of major. Fraternally he is a member of Admiral Foote Post, G. A. R., and also belongs to the Knights of Honor. Mr. and Mrs. Blakeslee are members of Christ Episcopal Church, of which he is a vestryman.
GOTFRIED STERNBERG. Among the pros- perous and successful farmers and dairymen of Cheshire none stand higher in public esteem than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He was born in Germany Feb. 23, 1854, a son of John and Katharine Sternberg, also natives of the Fatherland, who emigrated to America in 1873, and located in Meriden, Conn., where both died. In their family were six children, namely: Mary, wife of Charles Darmon ; William; Carrie, wife of Gotfried Schwartz; Minnie, wife of Henry Schif- fen; Gotfried; and Charles.
Gotfried Sternberg remained in his native land until eighteen years of age, and received a rather limited education in its common schools. Crossing the Atlantic, he landed in New York in January, 1872, and the first three months spent in this country were passed on Long Island. He then went to White Plains, N. Y., where he worked on a farm
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for eight months, and at the end of that time came to Meriden, New Haven Co., Conn., where he was employed by the Malleable Iron Co., for eight years. On leaving there in 1879, he purchased the farm in Cheshire upon which he now makes his home, and has since engaged in agricultural pursuits with marked success. In 1883 he established a milk route in Meriden, and has devoted a part of his time to the dairy business with most gratifying results.
In 1877, Mr. Sternberg married Miss Ardelia Greiner, daughter of Maurice Greiner, of Meriden, and to them were born four children, but only one, Emma, is now living. For his second wife he mar- rid Miss Carrie Stromlan, a native of Germany, by whom he has had ten children, four living, namely: Charles, Minnie, John and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Sternberg are both members of the Ger- man Lutheran Church of Meriden, and he is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Work- men at that place. Politically lie is a stanch Demo- crat, and as every true American citizen should, he takes an active interest in public affairs, giving his support to every enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit.
BILLIOUS C. HALL, the well-known postmas- ter of Union City, Conn., is a native of New Haven county, born in the town of Wallingford, Sept. 5, 1833, and belongs to one of the old and highly re- spected families of that section. To this family belonged Hon. Lyman Hall, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Deacon Josiah Hall, the grandfather of our subject, spent his entire life as a farmer in Wallingford, and was deacon of the Congregational Church there. He became the father of nine children: Edward L., father of our subject ; Ogden, who was engaged in the daguerreo- type business in New Haven for some time; George, a merchant of Georgia ; David M., a farmer of Wall- ingford; James, a cattle dealer of Ohio; Catherine, who died unmarried; Thankful, the first wife of Thaddeus Cook; Eliza, wife of James Rounds, of West Haven ; and Martha, the second wife of Thad- deus Cook.
Edward L. Hall, father of our subject, was also born in Wallingford, and continued to reside on the old home farm throughout life, dying there in 1858. He wedded Miss Mary K. Cook, a native of Wall- ingford, and a daughter of Capt. Billions Cook, a farmer by occupation. A family of five children were born to this worthy couple, namely: Josiah, deceased, was engaged in the silver plating business in Hartford and Meriden, Conn .; Billious C., our subject, is next in order of birth; Charles K. is a farmer of Wallingford; Mary K. married Daniel Pattee, of Wallingford; and George is a farmer of the same town.
On the old homestead in Wallingford, the sub- ject of this sketch grew to manliood, and was edu- cated in the public schools of the neighborhood.
He came to Naugatuck in 1858, and now owns and successfully operates a good farm of sixty acres about one mile east of Union City. He makes a specialty of the milk business, and has met with well-deserved success during his residence here.
In 1860, Mr. Hall was united in marriage with Miss Adelaide Smith, a native of Naugatuck and a daughter of Ashel Smith. They now have a fam- ily of three sons, Clarence D., Edward C. and Lewis H. The family are members of the Congregational Church, and are held in high regard by all who know them. During the Civil war, Mr. Hall served for nine months as a member of Company B, 27th Conn. V. I., and was taken prisoner at the battle .of Chancellorsville. The Republican party finds in him a stanch supporter of its principles, and in August, 1897, he was appointed postmaster of Union City, which office he is now most creditably filling. He is one of the honored and valued citizens of the community, his upright and honorable career having won him the respect and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact, either in business or social life.
W. B. DAVIS, a well-known farmer of Ox- ford, New Haven county, and a faithful and valiant soldier of the Civil war, was born in Newtown, Fairfield county, this State, Feb. 17, 1845, and is one of five brothers, three of whom were among the defenders of the Union during her hour of peril. Our subject was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys, receiving a common school educa- tion, and he remained at home until he responded to his country's call to arms. He enlisted, in De- cember, 1863, in Company F, 8th Conn. V. I., which was assigned to the Ninth Army Corps, and with his command took part in the engagements at Swift Creek and Drury's Bluff. Illness, brought on by exposure, confined him to the hospital for some time. He was honorably discharged at Hartford, and returned to Newtown, where he remained for a time. Subsequently he spent fifteen years in Dutch- ess and Putnam counties, N. Y., and then, in 1890, came to Oxford, locating on the farm where he now lives. Here he has a well-improved place of seventy-two acres and is successfully engaged in general farming and fruit growing, raising over 1,000 bushels of apples and other fruit in 1897. As an agriculturist he is systematic and methodical, and as a business man is energetic and reliable, and the prosperity that has crowned his efforts is cer- tainly well merited.
Mr. Davis was married, April 6, 1890, to Mrs. Laura M. Towner, a widow of Albert Towner, and daughter of J. Buckingham. Politically Mr. Davis is a strong Republican, and he takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs.
ANDREW B. CLEMENS. Energy and enter- prise, directed by good judgment, make a combina- tion which will command success in any line of life,
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and the career of the subject of this sketch, a well- known resident ot Ansonia, would indicate that he possesses these admirable qualities in full measure. He is widely recognized as an expert on draughting and all sorts of machinery, forty years of experience as superintendent of different factories having given him practical knowledge seldom gained by one man, and although he is now living in retirement, his opinions are sought as authoritative.
Mr. Clemens was born July 1, 1824, in Stratford, Conn., and comes of good pioneer stock. Samuel P. Clemens, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Hartford, but removed to Stratford in ear- ly manhood to make a permanent home, and his death occurred there at the age of seventy-five. An- drew Clemens, our subject's father, was born and reared upon his father's farm at Stratford, and be- came a mason by trade, serving his apprenticeship in Milford. He followed his trade in Stratford for many years, doing much work on contract, and he lived to the good old age of seventy-five. In re- ligions faith he was a Methodist, and he and his es- timable wife were prominent members of the church at Stratford. He married Amy J. Bristol, a native of Milford, who died at the age of eighty-four. She was one of the eight children of Samuel A. Bristol, a well-known farmer of Milford, and his wife, Bet- sey Van Nostrom, a native of Fairfield, Conn. Of the children of Andrew and Amy Clemens, we have record of the following: Mary; Andrew B., our subject ; Louis, who settled in Iowa; Lucy; Jane, wife of Wilson Clark; and Emily, wife of David Judson.
Our subject's early life was spent in Stratford, and he secured his education in the common schools of the locality. When seventeen years old he went to Derby to learn the cabinet maker's trade, and on completing his apprenticeship took a position in the pattern shop of the foundry of Colburn Brothers, remaining three years. For five years he had charge of the machine and pattern room of the Far- | rell foundry at Ansonia, and spent the next eight years as superintendent of the Birmingham Iron Foundry, at Derby, his work being of recognized value in building up that business. He then re- turned to the Farrell foundry to remain as super- ยท intendent until his retirement from active work thirty years later ( 1893), and he is still in the em- ploy of the company as adviser, and also superin- tends the work of draughting. At the time he took charge of the plant there were only two small build- ings, one forty by sixty feet, and the other forty feet square, while the works now cover two blocks. Only forty men were then employed, but during his term -- as superintendent the force was increased to 700 men in all departments. His ability as an inventor was called into play to furnish suitable machinery for the business as it expanded, and he secured a num- ber of valuable patents. for some time he was a director and stockholder in the company, and his in- vestments now include several houses in the bor-
ougli. In politics he is a Republican, and he has served three ternis as burgess.
In 1845 Mr. Clemens married Catherine E. Ger- ard, a native of Long Island, who died aged sixty- six years. She was a Congregationalist in religion, and her ideal of Christian life was daily exemplified by her in the home and social circle. She was one of the eight children of Azel Gerard, a blacksmith, now deceased, who was employed for some time in the Halleck ship yard at Derby, and later in the Bassett auger factory. Mr. Clemens has three living chil- dren: (1) Marie married Thomas Wood, superin- tendent of the Coe Brass Co., at Ansonia, and has one son, Robert, who married Miss Eva Perkins, and is now superintendent of a brass mill in New York. (2) Frank, superintendent of the pattern shop in the Farrell foundry, married Miss Elizabeth Van Dusen, and has one son, Frank, now a pattern maker in the same factory. (3) Jessie married Bradley Doty, a contractor in New York, and has one son, George, a pattern maker.
MICHAEL J. LAWLOR, proprietor of the "South End Hotel," Waterbury, is a native of Ire- land, born in County Kilkenny in 1842. His father, John Lawlor, was a coal miner in Ireland, where he passed his entire life, and married Mary Coogan, of County Kilkenny. Ten children were born of this union, eight of whom attained maturity, and five of whom are living at present: Margaret, Mary, John, James and Michael J. Of these, Margaret married Gilbert Keller, of New Haven; Eleanor, deceased, married a Mr. Dolan, of New Haven; Mary is the wife of Patrick Fenneley, of Albany ; John is a liquor dealer in Waterbury; James is a mechanic in New Haven; and Michael J. is our subject.
Michael J. Lawlor received his education in his native land, and in 1861, at the age of eighteen, came to this country, where he engaged in mining in Pennsylvania. Upon locating in Waterbury, in 1864, he became interested in the making of ivory articles, such as buttons and billiard balls, and later was employed for seven years by the firm of Holmes, Booth & Haydens. At the end of that time he engaged in the grocery and liquor business in Brooklyn (Waterbury), and in 1882 built his fine brick block on South Main street, in which he has conducted his hotel business since 1890.
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