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 73
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JOHN J. SULLIVAN, one of the progressive and successful business men of New Haven, occu- pying the important position of foreman of the plating department of the New Haven Clock Co., engaging also as proprietor of an undertaking es- tablishment, at 342 Grand avenue, is a native of New Haven, born in that city Dec. 17, 1864, and is of Irish ancestry. His father, William Sullivan, was well known in New Haven, where he located in 1840, but the paternal grandfather, who lived and farmed and died in Ireland, never came to
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America. William Sullivan, who was born in County Cork, Ireland, and who engaged in the shoe business during his years of activity, married Bridget Calahan, also of County Cork, Ireland, who survives him, his death having occurred in 1891. Five children were born of this marriage: Owen, who died at the age of twelve; Margaret, who died at the age of four ; Mary, who married James How- ard, of New Haven, the latter now deceased; Thomas, who is a successful contractor in this city ; and John J.
John J. Sullivan spent his boyhood days in New Haven, and received his education in the public schools, graduating from the high school in 1881. About this time he went to work for the New Ha- ven Clock Co., and has since been one of their valued employes, occupying the responsible posi- tion of foreman in the plating department. Although deeply interested in his work, and qualified there- for by years of practical experience, he is also en- gaged in other business enterprises, one of which is the undertaking business on Grand avenue.
. July 12, 1893, Mr. Sullivan married Nellie Hart, of New Haven, daughter of James Hart, who came to America from County Sligo, Ireland. Two chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan,- William and Mary. Mr. Sullivan has been a life- long Democrat, and for many years has taken an active interest in political undertakings. He was made one of the fire commissioners July 1, 1899. Socially he belongs to the Knights of St. Patrick and the Henry Grattan Club, and he is one of the leading members of St. Francis Parish Catholic Church. As a citizen, Mr. Sullivan stands high in this city and is a worthy representative of the pro- gressive and influential business men of New Haven.
JOHN BRENNAN COAKLEY, time-keeper at the Branford Lock Works, and express order clerk in the shipping department of the factory, was born in Durham, Conn., June 12, 1855, and is a son of Daniel F. and Catherine ( Brennan) Coak- ley, natives respectively of County Cork and County Roscommon, Ireland.
Daniel F. Coakley was by occupation a shoe- maker, and upon coming to this country in 1851 located in Branford, and worked at his trade for about a year and a half. He then lived in Water- bury for about the same length of time, going then to Durham, and returning to Branford in 1878. Here he spent his last days, dying Nov. 23, 1883, at the age of fifty-five years. Five children were born to Daniel and Catherine Coakley, of whom all but one grew to maturity: John B .; Ellen F., who became the wife of John Steigmuller; Daniel; and Peter.
After completing his education in Durham Academy, at the age of nineteen years John Bren- nan Coakley setled on a farm, and for five years engaged in its cultivation. In 1879 he came to
Branford and secured employment with the Bran- ford Lock Works, and for a time was employed in various capacities, securing his present position in 1882.
Oct. 14, 1885, Mr. Coakley was married to Cor- nelia E. McKennon, the adopted daughter of Jere- miah Daly, of Branford, and a native of this city. Of this union the following children have been born : Daniel F .; Anna, deceased; and John B., Jr.
Mr. Coakley and his family are members of the Catholic Church. He is connected with various fraternal orders, being an active worker in the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Foresters of America, the Knights of Columbus and the New England Order of Protection. He is a Democrat in politics and is registrar of voters in Branford.
MICHAEL J. LANGFORD, one of the worthy citizens that Ireland has furnished to the New World, has for several years been actively identified with the business interests of Naugatuck, New Haven county, and has also taken quite a prominent and influential part in her public affairs. He was born in County Kerry, Ireland, April 3, 1860, a son of Michael and Bridget ( Murphy) Langford, natives of the same place, where they still continue to make their home. To them were born six chil- dren, namely: John, a mechanic of Naugatuck, Conn .; Mary, wife of John Maley, of New Haven, foreman of the Sargent & Co.'s works, and also a contractor ; Michael J., our subject; Nora; Bar- tholomew, who died in America at about the age of twenty-two years; and Patrick, who is engaged in school teaching in Ireland, and with his wife conducts the post office at Ballybunnion.
Reared in his native land, Michael J. Langford acquired his literary education in the national schools, and at the age of seventeen years began life for himself by working as a farm hand for two years. On June 6, 1880, he came to America, and first located in Mt. Carmel, Conn., where he learned the iron molder's trade, at which he worked for about six years. At the end of that period hie em- barked in the meat and grocery business at Union City, Conn., with J. J. Linskey, under the firm name of Linskey & Langford, and this connection lasted about four years, when the partnership was dis- solved, but Mr. Langford continued to engage in the meat business at that place for about seven years. He is a wide-awake, energetic business man, who carries forward to successful completion what- ever he undertakes.
Mr. Langford wedded Miss Mary Patterson, a native of Cheshire, Conn., and a daughter of Thomas Patterson, who was of Irish extraction. Mrs. Langford died in 1894, leaving five children : Louis F., Agnes E., Alice M., Mary R. and Will- iam L. Fraternally Mr. Langford is a member of the Foresters of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and religiously is a member of St. Francis Catholic Church. His political support
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is given the men and measures of the Democratic party, and he takes quite an active and prominent part in public affairs. He was a member of the first board of burgesses after Naugatuck became a borough, and filled that office for one year, after which he was a member of the board of charities for a short time. He was next appointed superin- tendent of the poor, and has most efficiently served in that position for four years.
WILLIAM O'NEIL, senior member of the progressive firm of O'Neil & Warner, carriage builders, horse shoers and blacksmiths, at Water- bury, is a native of Scotland, and was born in Brechiin, Forfarshire, Jan. 28, 1852.
His father, William O'Neil, claims the same nativity, and is a son of Bernard O'Neil, who was born in County Antrim, Ireland, whence he mi- grated to Scotland, and there married Elizabeth Mill. A quarryman by occupation, the grandfather was killed in the performance of his at all times dangerous calling. William O'Neil is a paper maker by trade, and has passed all his life in Scot- land, his home still being in Brechin. He married Elizabeth Webster-now deceased,-also born in Brechin, a daughter of David Webster, a linen manufacturer. Four children were born of this union : David W., a member of the firm of Brad- ley, Currier & Co., stair builders, inside wood work- ers. etc., New York; James W., superintendent for James McCauley, of Boston ; Mary, wife of George H. Priest, of New Haven, Conn .; and William. The mother of this interesting family is deceased.
The youth of William O'Neil was passed in the historic town of Brechin, where he was educated in the public schools and served an apprenticeship of five years to a carriage blacksmith. In 1871 he came to the United States, working for a year each in Bos- ton, Mass., Amesbury, Mass., and in New Hamp- shire, eventually locating in New Haven, where he was employed at his trade until his removal to Waterbury in 1882. Here he formed a partnership with John R. Martin, under the firm name of Mar- tin & O'Neil, carriage makers and blacksmiths, but at the end of six and one-half years sold out to his partner, and for the following six years had charge of the blacksmithing department in C. F. Goodwin & Son's carriage factory. March 1, 1895, Mr. O'Neil formed a partnership with William P. Thoms, in the same line of business, under the firm name of Tlioms & O'Neil, and in course of time as- sociated with them William A. Warner, the name then being changed to Thoms, O'Neil & Warner. On account of the death of Mr. Thoms at the end of the same year the present firm name of O'Neil & Warner was assumed. The manufacturing facilities of the concern comprise two distinct plants, the car- riage factory being a three-story brick building, opposite which is the two-story forge. Both de- partments are equipped with all requisite tools and appliances, no machinery being used, and all the
products are the result of skilled hand labor. Mr. O'Neil is as practical a carriage maker as Mr. War- ner is horseshoer.
July 3, 1875, Mr. O'Neil married Emily E. Stone, born in Boston, Mass., a daughter of Elmer Stone, a native of England. Five children have been born of this union: James E., Webster, Will- iam H., Elizabeth and David. James E. is married and is associated with his father in business. The family are members of the First Baptist Church in Waterbury, in which Mr. O'Neil is a deacon. In national and State politics Mr. O'Neil is a Republi- can, but in local matters he is independent. Soci- ally he is a member of the F. & A. M., New Haven Lodge. Mr. O'Neil is devoted to the general wel- fare of the community, and may be counted on to further any reasonable effort at improvement. In his special department of activity he has few superiors, a tribute equally applicable to his partner in business.
WILLIAM MARTIN CASEY, a prominent citizen of the town of Wallingford, was born in Washington, D. C., Nov. 12, 1861.
William P. Casey, his father, was born in the old and historic County Tipperary, Ireland, but was reared in London. He served in the English navy during the Crimean war, and joined the Confederate army at the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion. For a time he was with Mosby's Guerrillas, and later with Jolinston's Raiders. While with Mosby he was captured and confined in the military prison on Morris Island. At the first battle of Bull Run he was badly wounded, but recovered, and served through the most critical years of the Confederacy. Coming north to Meriden, Conn., in 1868, he later removed to Wallingford, where he was connected for many years with the H. L. Judd Co. While going to his work on the morning of July 19, 1894, he was killed by a train on the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R., when he was aged sixty-five years. Mary Carroll, his wife, was born in England, and is now living in Meriden. To them were born: William Martin; Nora, who married John Bradley, of Waterbury; Mary, who married Patrick Towney, of Waterbury ; and two that died in infancy.
William M. Casey came when eight years of age with his parents to Meriden, where his educa- tion was completed in the public schools. At the age of sixteen years he took the burden of his own support on his shoulders, and entered the employ of the Breckenridge Co., and was also employed by Rogers Brothers and the Meriden Bronze Co. In October, 1886, he came to Wallingford to work as a polisher with H. L. Judd & Co., and in February of the following year was promoted to the foreman- ship of the polishing and buffing department, with thirty men under his instruction and management, and this position he is still holding. Mr. Casey is a self-made man in every respect. Against great difficulties he has made his way to a good position,
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and he holds the confidence of his associates to a marked degree.
Mr. Casey belongs to the Silver City Council, A. O. U. W., Court Robert Wallace, Foresters of America, and has been assistant fire chief of Wallace Hose Co. No. 2, for three years. For a number of years previous to his appointment he had been a meniber of the Company. Mr. Casey is a member of the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, of Wallingford, and is president of the Y. M. T. A. & B. Society. Much interested in out-of-door recre- ations, he is a great devotee of base-ball, and at one time was the very successful pitcher of the Walling- ford Club. He is a social young man of many friends, and is a dancer of more than local reputa- tion. A talented performer on the snare drum, he has given instruction in its playing both in Walling- ford and in Meriden for the last fifteen years or more. For the last three years Mr. Casey has been on the Democratic town committee, and is a hard worker for his party.
On June 2, 1886, Mr. Casey was married to Margaret Doonan, and they have three children : Mae, born Feb. 22, 1888; Edward, born July 19, 1890; and Frank W., born May 30, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Casey occupy a very pretty home on North Main street.
JOHN M. BLAKE, proprietor of Blake's Fourth Ward Cafe, in Branford, was born in War- rington, England, March 6, 1854, son of William and Mary ( Kation) Blake, both natives of County Galway, Ireland.
John Blake, the paternal grandfather, was the son of a steel plate shearer, and spent the most of his life in England, dying in Warrington in 1870. He was the father of eleven children, five of whom grew to maturity: John M .; Margaret, who after- ward became Mrs. James Burns ; William ; Thomas ; and George.
John M. Blake was reared in Oldham, England, and there he had his education in the public schools. When he had become old enough to assume the bur- den of his own support he served six years and seven months as an apprentice at the machinist business in Oldham, gaining a thorough knowledge of every branch of the trade. Mr. Blake followed this work for sixteen years in England, working as a journeyman machinist. In the month of March, 1886, determined to find a more favoring field for his industry, he came to the United States, locating in Branford, and finding employment in the Lock Works. Here he was employed for about four vears, and he then took a position as a elerk in the Totoket House, where he remained several years. In 1898 he embarked in business for himself, and has heen highly successful.
Mr. Blake was married June 12, 1800. to Mar- garet A., a daughter of Timothy and Margaret (O'Brien ) Fitzgerald, of Branford, formerly of Ireland. To this union has come one son, William.
Mr. Blake and wife are members of the Catholic Church, where they are known as loyal and earnest workers and zealous for any onward movement in the church and parish. In politics Mr. Blake is a Democrat.
JOHN L. SAXE, a well-known business man of Waterbury, and one of the most prominent and influential German-American citizens of the Nauga- tuck Valley, was born in Efford, Kingdom of Prus- sia, Germany, May 4, 1845. and is a son of Andrew and Amelia Saxe, also natives of Prussia, and born respectively Jan. 6, 1796, and Jan. 22, 1806. In 1852 the family came to America and took up their residence in Waterbury, Conn., where the father died Jan. 6, 1877, and the mother Aug. 11, 1886, and they were interred in Riverside cemetery. They were members of the Lutheran Church, and in poli- tics the father was a Democrat. In his native land he served as government inspector of cloth, or com- missary inspector, and during his residence in this country followed the occupation of a tailor. In his family were four children : William, who died in St. Paul, Minn .; Julius, who went west and died; John L .; and Charles F., a resident of Waterbury.
John L. Saxe accompanied his parents on their emigration to America, the ocean voyage lasting seven weeks and a half. They first located in Bir- mingham, Conn., and later in Ansonia, where he attended the public schools, and from where he came to Waterbury. He spent a short time in Bris- tol, and also worked in a factory at Terryville, Litchfield county, and at the age of fifteen visited St. Paul and St. Cloud, Minn., where he spent eight months with his brother in subduing the Indians. Returning east at the opening of the Civil war, he enlisted in New York City, Aug. 16, 1861, in the 4th New York Cavalry, under Col. Dickel, and spent three years in the service, being discharged at Washington, D. C. When peace was restored he returned to Waterbury, Conn., and for a short time worked as a brass finisher for the Waterbury Brass Co., and he next found employment with Holmes, Booth & Haydens, and as foreman of their silver plating department for twenty-one years traveled extensively through the New England and West- ern States. Subsequently he was connected with Plume & Atwood for six years, and while with this firm invented a riveting machine, known as the J. L. Saxe riveting machine, which bears the dis- tinction of being the only one of its kind in the world. This has proved a very useful and valuable invention, and it is now utilized in some of the largest belt and other factories in the country. Un- like the average human, the machine is capable of doing many things at the same time, and not only holds the work on the table but makes a hole through it, puts a rivet in the hole, a burr over the rivet, and rivets the same, all in one revolution of the machine. Mr. Saxe started the Belting Supply Co., and continued in that line until meeting with
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reverses in business, when he turned his attention to his present bric-a-brac, antique and second-hand furniture business, in which he is meeting with gratifying success.
On Sept. 22, 1868, Mr. Saxe was united in mar- riage with Elizabeth, daughter of Philip Gephardt, who died at Waterbury, Conn., Jan. 6, 1870, leav- ing one child, Amelia Josephine, who was born Dec. 27, 1869, and is now the wife of A. A. Hartman. . Mr. Saxe was again married, Jan. 1, 1875, his sec- ond union being with Miss Annie Maria O'Connor, daughter of Stephen O'Connor. They have five children : Laura Elizabeth (wife of Henry Kiser), born Aug. 29, 1876: Leonard John, born April 15, 1878; Andrew C., born Dec. 19, 1881 ; Annie Belle, born July 19, 1883; and John Leonard, Jr., born Sept. 22, 1887.
Mr. Saxe has taken an active part in public af- fairs, and is a recognized leader of the Democratic party in his community, and one of its stanch sup- porters. He served as constable of the town of Waterbury six years ; selectman one term ; assessor one term; grand juror many years; and was a member of the State Legislature during the ses- sions of 1891 and 1893, serving on several im- portant committees. He represented the Third ward in the city council of Waterbury for three terms, and was chairman of the committee on pub- lic lands and buildings. He has also served as alder- man two terms ; as a member of the school board of Waterbury and chairman two years, and during that service rendered valuable aid to the cause of education. He is a prominent member of Com- stock Lodge, N. 13, K. P .; the Uniformed Rank of the same order ; Uhland Lodge (a German branch ), I. O. R. M .; and the Grand Army Post of Water- bury, of which he was one of the organizers. He is now colonel and aide of military instruction in the public schools, a department of the Connecticut Grand Army of the Republic. He is broad-minded and liberal in his views, a good debater and a very intelligent and progressive man.
J. S. MOORE. The name of J. S. Moore is associated with more than thirty years of substan- tial business activity in Branford, during which time he has established a reputation for skill, enter- prise and honest dealing.
A native of Southoldtown, Long Island, N. Y., Mr. Moore was born Sept. 21, 1839, and is a son of Silas and Mehitable ( Terry ) Moore. The pa- ternal grandfather, Silas Moore, was of Scotch de- scent, and was among the very early settlers and farmers of Long Island. He embodied the sterling and worth while characteristics of his race, traits transmitted in a marked degree to his son and grandson.
J. S. Moore was reared in his native commun- ity, and his early training was not unlike that of other farmer boys of his time. When old enough to shift for himself he left the common schools and
served a three years' apprenticeship at the carpen- ter's and joiner's trade, having completed which he worked at his trade for two years. In 1862 Mr. Moore set up in business for himself as a wagon maker at Southoldtown, L. I., and at the end of seven years, in 1869, removed to Branford, and has since been successfully engaged in the same line of business.
In November, 1857, Mr. Moore married Matilda P., daughter of John P. Griffin, a resident and prominent citizen of Mason, Mich. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have one son, Wilford Lee, who was mar- ried to Luella Hubbard, daughter of Henry W. and Emma ( Linsley ) Hubbard, of Branford. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore has been born one daughter, Ethel, the only grandchild of the family. Mr. Moore and his wife are members of the First Baptist Church of Branford. In politics he is a Democrat.
JOHN H. FRUIN, a retired merchant at Waterbury, Conn., is a native of that town, born Feb. 22, 1859.
William Fruin, father of John H., was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, and married Johanna Magner, a native of the same county. Of this union there were born eight children in Ireland, John H. being the only child owning American nativity. In order of birth these children were named as fol- lows: Mary, Johanna, Robert and William, all de- ceased; James J., whose life record may be found elsewhere in this volume; Bridget is married to James Henebry, a molder residing in Waterbury; Margaret is the widow of Charles Hayes, of the same city; Anna is married to Edward McGrath, inspector of school buildings in Waterbury: and John H. William Fruin, the father of this family, came from Ireland to Waterbury in 1854, and died here in 1884, his wife surviving him until 1892.
John H. Fruin was educated and reared to inan- hood in Waterbury. In 1880 he engaged in the grocery and liquor trade at No. 455 West Main street, and of this he made a complete success, as he retired in 1892, and has since turned all his at- tention to his tenements, of which he owns a large number.
In May, 1883, Mr. Fruin was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Margaret Condon, who was born in Bethlehem, Conn., a daughter of Thomas Condon, a native of Ireland. Three chil- dren were born of this marriage: William, who died in 1898; Frank ; and Robert. Mrs. Margaret Fruin was called to the home of the blessed in 1887, and in July, 1891, Mr. Fruin married Miss Nellie Gibson, a native of Waterbury, and a daughter of Cornelieus Gibson. In politics Mr. Fruin is a Dem- ocrat, and as a prime favorite with his party, has served on the board of council two years and two years as street commissioner, but has served more through a sense of public duty than for reward or glory. He is a member of the Knights of Column- bus, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and
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the Catholic Legion. A. Roman Catholic, he is a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church, and is liberal in contributing to its support. The social position of himself, wife and children is quite enviable.
ESTELLA A. HUBBELL was for some time a successful and popular teacher of Bethany and Woodbridge, but now devotes her time and atten- tion to the management of her farm in the latter town. She is a woman of excellent business and executive ability, and has met with marked success in her undertakings. At the age of seventeen years she commenced teaching school in Hamden, and continued to follow that profession until 1897, since which time she has personally superintended the operation of her farm in Woodbridge.
Silas Hubbell, her grandfather, the eldest son of Silas Hubbell, Sr., an officer in the Revolutionary. war under Gen. Putnam, was born in Newtown, Fairfield Co., Conn., Feb. 22, 1772, and died in New Haven May 31, 1856. On April 20, 1820, he mar- ried Abiah Churchill, of Southampton, Mass., who was born in 1781, and died in Westfield, Conn., Dec. 27, 1855. To them were born three children, one son and two daughters.
Silas Churchill Hubbell, the only son of this worthy couple, was born in Montgomery, Mass., Sept. 17, 1826, and was married in Ballston Spa, Saratoga Co., N. Y., to Angeline Jones, who was born Aug. 26, 1827, daughter of Ebenezer and Angeline (Sear) Jones. Her father was born Aug. 10, 1798, her mother Sept. 11, 1798. In their fam- ily were the following children: Almira, born Dec. 14, 1820, a resident of New York State; Ma- tilda, born Aug. 22, 1822, a resident of Saratoga county ; Rufus, born Feb. 10, 1824, deceased; Angeline, mother of our subject; Juliette, born June 13, 1831, residing in Hop City, N. Y .; Wesley, born Nov. 23, 1832, deceased ; Catherine, born Aug. 19, 1834, who makes her home in Amsterdam, N. Y .; Emeline, born Aug. 20, 1836, deceased ; Ebenezer, born Feb. 8, 1841, living in Plymouth, Mass. ; and Isaac, born May 10, 1842, and Mary L., born Feb. 15, 1846, both deceased.
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