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 75
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Mr. Lyons was married in Meriden Jan. 30, 1884, to Miss May Rafferty, born in County Galway, Ireland, and a daughter of James and Mary Ann
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Rafferty, both of whom were County Galway people. To this very fortunate and happy union were born the following children: Mary Joseph died young ; John is at school; Walter died young ; Willie died young; Imilda; Eva died when four years old; Elmer; and Thomas Gerold. Mr. Lyons be- longs to the John Dillon Club, and Meriden Division of the A. O. H. He is a charter member of the Silver City Athletic Club, and also of the Catholic Club, and belongs to the I. O. of H. Mr. Lyons is a Democrat, but takes no interest in political ma- chinery. He and his family are all strict mem- bers of the Catholic Church. From early boyhood he has been a hard worker, and by his own in- dustry and perseverance he has won for himself a good standing in the world.
EDWARD MCGRATH, a retired business man of Waterbury, Conn., was born in County Tipper- ary, Ireland, April 1, 1851, a son of Thomas and . Margaret ( Powell) McGrath.
Thomas McGrath was born in 1814. in the same house in which his son had his nativity, a son of John McGrath, who was a farmer and passed his life in Ireland. To the marriage of Thomas Mc- Grath with Margaret Powell, who was of English extraction, and a descendant of Sir Edward Powell, there were born fifteen children, and they that were born in Ireland were brought to America by their parents about the year 1863, and comprised the largest family at that time in Waterbury. Of their children, we have the following record: Margaret is single; Alice is the wife of Michael J. Ryan, of Waterbury; John died in infancy; Edward is the subject of this sketch; Thomas is a cigar manu- facturer in Waterbury; James died after reaching maturity ; Bridget is unmarried; Robert is in busi- ness in Waterbury: Patrick has disappeared from the family view; Mary is single; Catherine died in infancy ; Dennis is a foreman in a street railroad shop in Chicago; Morgan lives in Waterbury : Cath- erine (2) is married to Edward S. Cullen, of Waterbury ; and John (2) is deceased. Thomas McGrath, the father of this family is still living, but his wife was called away in 1898.
Edward McGrath was eleven years of age when brought to Waterbury. He had attended school in Ireland, and supplemented the learning there ac- quired by an attendance at the Waterbury schools. His first work for wages was with Brown & Bros., brass manufacturers, with whom he remained one year ; he was next employed four years by Rogers & Bros., after which he spent fourteen years with the Holmes, Booth & Haydens Co. In company with his brother-in-law, Robert Fruin, he engaged in the retail meat trade, continuing four years, and he then embarked in the wholesale ale trade, which he carried on ten years, since which time he has confined his attention to the management of his real estate.
In 1872 Mr. McGrath was happily joined in
marriage with Miss Anna L. Fruin, whose parent- age is referred to in the sketch of her brother, John H. Fruin, on another page of this work. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McGrath have been born four children as follows: Thomas S., John (a student of law at Yale), Edward and William, both in school. Of these, Thomas S., a physician, died Jan. 11, 1897; his death was a severe blow to the family. While ministering to a comsumptive patient in the hospital he was infected with the disease, which caused his death ; but his loved ones have the consolation of knowing that, as the father, himself, feelingly expressed it, he "died at his post of duty."
In politics Mr. McGrath is a Democrat and has served on the school board for some years, and has been inspector of buildings and materials. In re- ligion a Catholic, he is a member of the Immaculate Conception parish and liberally contributes financial- ly to the support of the Church. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of the United Work- men.
P. A. OLSON, one of the industrious, enterpris- ing and prosperous young farmers of North Haven, Conn., was born in far distant Sweden, July 16, 1852, and he accompanied his parents to America when he was eighteen years of age. They first lo- cated in New Jersey, and there our subject engaged in farm work, and later came with them to Middle- sex county, Conn., where his first employment was on the Conn. Valley R. R. Shortly after this he engaged in the town of Essex with a farmer by the name of Roswell Bailey, and continued in his employ for a period of two years. Mr. B. F. Smith then engaged him as foreman of his country place, but a short time later, a better opportunity offering, Mr. Olson removed to Portland, Conn., where he did a flourishing business, driving ox-teams in the brown stone quarries. However, as he had given such universal satisfaction as foreman of Mr. Smith's place that gentleman fe1 that Mr. Olson's services were absolutely necessary, and after favor- able arrangements had been made, the latter re- turned, remaining several years.
At this time, wishing to see something more of the world, Mr. Olson journeyed to New York, and for nine years drove a truck wagon for Arbuckle Bros., during which time he carefully saved his earnings, until, at the expiration of that period, he came to North Haven and purchased a farm, known as the John Hoadley place, which was badly run down. By careful management and excellent farm- ing, Mr. Olson has brought the property up to a high state of cultivation, and has erected comfort- able buildings. He carries on a profitable fruit- growing and dairying business, conducting a large milk route in New Haven.
Mr. Olson was married, in Brooklyn, N. Y., to Charlotte Johnson, a native of Sweden, who died in North Haven, in 1896, leaving two children :
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John Walter, at home, assisting his father; and Hilma Matilda, who married Robert Clinton, a resi- dent of North Haven. Later Mr. Olson married Hannah Anderson, also Sweden, and one child has been born to them, Anna Eveline. In politics, Mr. | Olson is a stanch Republican, and has served as grand juror. Socially, he is a member of the New England Order of Protection and North Haven Grange, serving the latter as steward for three years, and one year as overseer. In religious mat- ters, he is a consistent member of St. John Street Lutheran Church, of New Haven. Commencing life as a poor boy, by his care, thrift, energy and perseverance, Mr. Olson has worked himself to his present comfortable position, as he is eminently a self-made man, and he deserves great credit for the success which has come to him.
JOHN HURLEY, ex-member of the board of aldermen, from the Fifth ward, Waterbury, and the present inspector of the city sewers, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, March 16, 1858, a son of John and Johanna ( Flaherty) Hurley, both now deceased.
John Hurley, the father, was a well digger. He married Johanna Flaherty, and they had seven chil- dren, viz: Thomas, a well digger in Ireland; Mich- ael, who died in Waterbury, Conn., at the age of forty-two years; Catherine, who is the wife of Pat- rick Mulvihill, of Waterbury; Mary, now Mrs. Daniel Sullivan, of the same city ; John, whose name opens this sketch; Timothy, deceased; and Mar- garet, who died at the age of eleven years.
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John Hurley, the subject of this article, was educated in the national schools of his native county, and in due course of time became a well digger un- der the instructions of his father. His parents hay- ing died in Ireland, he came, at the age of seven- teen years, to America, and first found employment with the Clock Case Company, in Waterbury, with which he remained thirteen years, and then em- barked in the liquor business.
Mr. Hurley has been twice married. His first wife was Margaret Fitzgerald, a native of Ireland, who bore him two children, Johanna and John. After her death he wedded Kate O'Brien, of Water- bury. In politics Mr. Hurley is a stanch Democrat and has represented the Fifth ward of Waterbury in the board of aldermen two years, 1898 and 1899, and was then appointed inspector of sewers. He has strong fraternal tendencies, and is a member of the Foresters of America, and also of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. A devoted member of the Catholic Church, he contributes liberally toward the support of Immaculate Conception parish, to which he belongs, and of which his wife and children are also members.
PATRICK FRANCIS STRAPP. M. D., is one of the most highly esteemed and successful citizens of Seymour. Although not yet attained to middle
age, he has successfully prosecuted a professional career as physician and surgeon, and in his com- munity life supported substantially his church as well as numerous other organizations of which he is a member. At an early age, Dr. Strapp learned the lesson of industry and application to the busi- ness in hand. He put into practice the principles inculcated into his mind and heart during the study period of his life; and now, in the prime of his success, he sees the "labor of his hands" bringing forth good fruit in his own city and adjacent towns. It will certainly be most interesting to trace the steps leading from the ancestral period of this life to the present height of success and renown.
Dr. . Strapp was born in Collinsvile, Conn., March 25, 1865, but his parents, Edward and Ann (O'Dwyer) Strapp, were both born in County Tipperary, Ireland. Edward Strapp came to Amer- ica when a young man, and immediately engaged in the axe business in Collinsville. In 1867 he re- moved to Seymour, and conducted a saloon and grocery for a number of years, and in connection herewith dealt extensively in real estate and build- ing. He died in 1878, at the age of fifty-four years, and was survived by his wife, who died in 1890, at the age of fifty-three years. Several children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Strapp, all of whom are still living. Of their children, Mary mar- ried Peter Moran, of Waterville; John Strapp is with the firm of James Swan & Co., an association amicably continued for the past twenty years; Patrick Francis is the subject of this sketch; Catherine ; Nora married Patrick McCormack, of Ansonia; the youngest daughter, Rose, is a grad- uate of the Seymour high school. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Strapp were prominent citizens and devoted attendants of the Catholic Church, the mother at one time having dedicated a memorial window. All of their children have followed the example of their parents, and each liberally supports the Church. A brother of Mrs. Strapp, the Rev. Father P. J. O'Dwyer, was one of the first parish priests in Ansonia, and at the same time had charge of the Catholic Church in this town. Afterward, he removed to Birmingham, and later to South Norwalk, where he died. Our subject's brother, John Strapp, was likewise active in Church affairs, and as a layman satisfactorily filled the position of trustee for ten years. He was chiefly instrumental in starting the local Council of Knights of Colum- bus, in which organization he held all of the offices, including that of treasurer. He was equally prom- inent in the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick for twelve years, at various times holding all of the offices. He was also a member and officer of the Second Division of A. O. H. of Ansonia, and he has been a member of the Fire Department since its organ- ization.
In his native town Dr. Strapp received his edu- cation in the Connecticut grammar and high schools, and, having worked his way through school, entercd
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the Holy Cross College of Worcester, Mass., for a four-years' course. Following this he took a two- years' course in the Yale Medical School, and after- ward a course in Bellevue Hospital Medical College. After his graduation in 1892, Dr. Strapp located in Seymour, where he has since met with gratifying success. He soon developed a special liking for surgery, and his services in that branch of his pro- fession are in great demand in Seymour, as well as in the surrounding country.
While discharging his professional responsi- bilities, Dr. Strapp succeeds in devoting consider- able time and energy to social, educational and Church work. He is a member of the Connecticut Medical Society, and of the Aurora Council of Kinghts of Columbus, of which he is examining surgeon. Six years ago, he was elected a member of the school board of Seymour, and has since served in that capacity. He was one of the promoters of the Water Company, and still retains an interest in this municipal enterprise. In politics Dr. Strapp sides with the Democratic party. He is a regular attendant of the Catholic Church.
Thus far the life of Dr. Patrick Francis Strapp has been a succession of deeds of service to human- ity and elevating influence to the community in which he resides, and it gives promise of continued activity and the further development of that sound judgment and ripe experience which are absolutely necessary in shaping the ideas of the rising genera- tion, and pointing out the conservative path which leads to the survival of all the noble principles that make life a success.
WILLIAM TIMOTHY CORCORAN, prac- tical plumber, and dealer in general hardware at Branford, is a native of Connecticut, and was born in Waterbury July 1, 1854.
. John Corcoran, his father, was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1833, and was reared in England until his tenth year, when he came to the United States, making his New World home in Connecticut. Here he learned the trade of wire drawer, which for many years he followed in Waterbury, and where, during the latter part of his life, he engaged in the grocery business. He married Elizabeth Neville, also a native of Ireland, who bore him twelve chil- dren, seven of whom grew to maturity, viz .: Margaret, now Mrs. Edgar Meagher; Mary A .; William T .; John; Fanny: Emma, the wife of J. Leeson; and Frederick. The father of these died in Waterbury in 1867.
William T. Corcoran received a liberal common- school education, and at the age of fourteen began a three-years' apprenticeship with a plumber at Bridgeport. At this he worked as a journeyman up to 1887, eight years being spent in Branford, where he had located in 1879. and in 1888 commenced business there on his own account, meeting with well-merited success.
In 1879 Mr. Corcoran married Marcella, daugh-
ter of Peter and Elizabeth Kane, of New Haven. Mrs. Corcoran, who died June 9, 1899, was the mother of three children: Emma A., Fred A. and William Neville. The family are members of the Catholic Church. Socially Mr. Corcoran is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, the American Order of Protection, and with the Connecticut Master Plumbers Association. Politically he is a Demo- crat.
JOHN W. KATT. One of the progressive Ger- man-American citizens of Meriden successfully en- gaged in the grocery business in this city for a number of years, is John William Katt, who was born in the town of Ottendorf, province of Han- over, Germany, Oct. 9, 1865.
William Katt, the father of John W., also a native of Ottendorf, was born in 1823, and was educated in the common schools, and engaged in farming up to the time of his death, in 1882. Mr. Katt was a stanch member of the Lutheran Church, a good and loyal citizen, an indulgent father and kind husband. Mrs. Katt, formerly Katherine Cornett, a native of Germany, was a woman of fine character and died while her children were still young. She also was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Katt were: Henry, now a resident of Union Hill, New Jersey; Herman, who is engaged in the grocery business in Union Hill, New Jersey ; August, a dealer in delicacies, in Hoboken, N. J. ; Julius, who is a prom- inent citizen of Meriden; John W., who is the sub- ject of this review; Katherine, who married and resides in Germany ; Anne, who married and resides in San Francisco, Cal .; Mamie, who married and lives in Germany ; all of the children reflecting credit upon their ancestry. For his second wife Mr. Katt married a Mrs. Troill, of Germany, who has also passed away.
John William Katt was well educated in his na- tive land, where he remained until the age of fifteen years. At this time he was induced to emigrate to America, in the hope of making a better future for himself, four of his brothers having already become citizens of the United States. June 4, 1881, he left his home, and after a pleasant voyage landed in New York, where he soon obtained a position as clerk in a store, remaining in the same place four years. In 1885 he came to Connecticut and ob- tained a clerkship in the grocery store of Fred Mueller, later securing a position at $12 per week with A. C. Block. in Meriden, with whom he re- mained until starting in business for himself in 1889. For the past twelve years he has continued with unabating success, and for eight years has oc- cupied his present commodious quarters on Twiss street. Through strict attention to business, an ac- commodating spirit and desire to please, together with methods which have assured his patrons of just dealings, he has built up one of the largest
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trades in this locality. In all his endeavors he is ably assisted by his capable wife, who is a woman of excellent business qualifications, besides being a model housekeeper, and a helpmate in every sense of the word.
Mr. Katt was married in Meriden, Conn., in De- cember, 1889, to Bertha J. Ketelhut, a native of Ger- many, a daughter of John Ketelhut, a respected citi- zen of Meriden. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Katt: Harry, who died young; William; Gertrude; and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Katt are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, and Mr. Katt is con- nected with the German Aid Society and the German school board. In politics he is a Democrat, but has not been a seeker for office. Mr. Katt enjoys the esteem of his fellow-citizens and is justly considered a representative of the best class of the German- Americans.
JOSEPH N. NORWOOD, D. V. S., one of the most popular and successful veterinary surgeons of Naugatuck and vicinity, was born in Lynn, Mass., Nov. 20, 1859, and belongs to a very old Massachu- setts family. His grandfather, John Norwood, was probably a native of Lynn, and as a Methodist minister he preached in various places throughout that State. He married Louisa Moore, and they made their home in Lynn, where both died. Their family consisted of three children: John P., the father of our subject; Lydia, wife of Frank Moss, a cabinet maker of Lynn; and Susan, wife of Will- iam Carleton, a shoemaker of the same place.
John P. Norwood was born in Lynn, Mass., and continued his residence there throughout life, being engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery in that vicinity. He was an earnest member of the | Methodist Episcopal Church, and an ardent Repub- lican in politics. In early manhood he married. Miss Ann F. Tate, who was born near Bangor, Maine, and was a daughter of Joshua Tate, also a native of that State, and a farmer by occupation. Her family was of English descent. She died in 1871, the father in 1896. Their children were Ada, now wife of Joseph Norwood, of Michigan; Charles, a veterinary dentist of Salem, Mass .; Joseph N., our subject; and Frederick, who when last heard from was in Washington, D. C.
Dr. Joseph N. Norwood, of this review, was reared in his native town, and was graduated from the high school of that place in 1878. He then attended the private veterinary school conducted by Prof. Abbott at Lynn, Mass., and shortly after leav- ing that institution, in 1881, he came to Naugatuck, Conn., where he has since successfully engaged in the practice of his chosen profession. At one time he also engaged in the livery business, but now de- votes his entire time and attention to veterinary surgery, having the largest practice of any man in the profession in his section of the county. He re- ceives calls from Waterbury, Middlebury, Seymour and all the surrounding towns. 1
On April 2, 1876, Dr. Norwood was united in marriage with Miss Emma E. Elliott, a native of Dunbarton, N. H., and a daughter of Sylvanus Elliott. Of the two children born of this union, Annie died at the age of three and a half years; Arthur N. was graduated from the Ontario Veterin- ary College with the class of 1899, and is now en- gaged in practice with his father. Politically our subject is not identified with any particular party, but endeavors to vote for the best men. Fraternally he is an lionored member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, at Waterbury ; and the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias, at Naugatuck.
REINHOLD BRENNER, senior member of the well-known firm of The Brenner Bros. Mfg. Co., Waterbury, is a native of Germany, and was born May 12, 1868.
The paternal grandfather, George Brenner, was born in Austria, near the Swiss frontier and died in Germany, where he held a position under the gov- ernment, and where Julius Brenner, the father of Reinhold, was born. The latter in his native land was a manufacturer on an extensive scale of iron and steel tools for use in glass factories all over Europe, his business giving employment to many hands. In 1884 he came to America, and is living retired in Meriden, Conn., although his wife, form- erly Albertina Zemke, of German birth and par- entage, died in Meriden July 28, 1890. Of this union there were nine children: Ida married Gus- tave WVidner: Lena married Julius Brenner ; Emil is a blacksmith ; Julius died at the age of four years ; Reinhold .; Johanna is unmarried; Richard is at- tending college at Springfield, Mass .: Walter is in business with his brother, Reinhold; and Julius is a mechanic in Meriden, Conn.
Reinhold Brenner received his education in Ger- many, and learned his trade under his father's able instruction. In 1884 he came with the rest of the family to America, and during his four years of resi- dence in Meriden followed his original trade, and learned others required in his present business. . In 1889 he came to Waterbury, in response to an offer made by the Mathews & Willard Mfg. Co., who knew of his skill and particular fitness for their special line of business. Mr. Brenner was the first man to make fancy wrought-iron articles, such as lamps and fixtures of all kinds, in Waterbury, and the industry has grown from a small beginning to one of surprising proportions. After five years of faithful service for Mathew & Willard, Mr. Brenner engaged in the manufacture of fancy articles at his own home, later renting a building, and finally, putting up his present commodious brick factory on Ward street. His business during all this time was increasing week by week, and has about doubled every year since he commenced in Waterbury. At first he had to supply the power with his own hands, turning a wheel, but now he has steam
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power, and employs several workmen. The products of his factory embrace all kinds of interior and ex- terior wrought iron and brass work for archi- tectural purposes, including fire escapes, gates, doors, window gratings, bank railings and office work, and iron tences, in which class of work the firm has no superior anywhere.
On Aug. 3, 1890, Mr. Brenner married Ida Kann, who was born in Germany, a daughter of John Kann. Three children have blessed this union, Erma, Edward, and Ruth. The family at- tend the German Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Brenner is Independent.
CLARK J. NETTLETON is one of the hon- ored and highly respected citizens of Naugatuck, who was for many years actively identified with her business interests, but is now living retired at his beautiful home in Union City. His is an honorable record of a conscientious man, who by his upright life has won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact.
Mr. Nettleton was born in Naugatuck, Feb. 28, 1856, a son of Clark Nettleton, a native of the same town. His grandfather, Caleb Nettleton, was prob- ably born in Milford, Conn., where he followed farming for a time, but after his marriage to Nancy A. Clark, hie located on a farm in Middlebury, where they reared their family of eight children, namely: George, a carpenter who resides on the old home farm in the town of Naugatuck; Royal, a carpenter of New Haven ; Clark, father of our subject ; Sarah, deceased wife of E. J. Stone, of Waterbury ; Julia, deceased wife of Chester Hitchcock, of New Haven ; Emmerett, wife of Henry Sperry, of New Haven; Mariette; and Alma.
Clark Nettleton remained upon the old home- stead, and there died in December, 1855, a short time before the birth of our subject. He married Laura Osborne, a native of what is known as Os- bornetown, a part of the town of Naugatuck. She is still living. Her father, Ezra Osborne, was born in the same locality, and was a famer by occupa- tion. Our subject is the youngest in a family of three children, the others being Elliott, a carpenter of Naugatuck; and Eugenia, wife of Alfred Platt, of Platts Mills, town of Waterbury.
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