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 76
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Company, and remained in their employ until his retirement from business in March, 1898.
Mr. Nettleton was married, March 25, 1898, to Mrs. Ella A. Smith, of Naugatuck, a daughter of S. A. Andrews. In his political views he is a Re- publican, and in his social relations is a member of the I. O. O. F., and I. O. R. M., of Naugatuck. He contributes to the support of the Congregational Church, of which his ancestors were members, and never withholds his aid from any enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit.
CHARLES BREWER was born Sept. 21, 1856, in England, a son of William Brewer, who was born in Cornwall, England, March 15, 1830, and whose ancestors for several generations were Cor- nishmen.
Thomas Brewer, the grandfather of Charles, was born about 1800 in Cornwall, England, and there followed farming all his life. He was a prominent man in his community, especially in church affairs, and died in 1868. He married Mary Tink, who was born in Cornwall, a daughter of Gerrans Tink, a farmer, and died in England at the advanced age of about ninety. To this union came five children : Reuben, who was drowned at the age of nineteen ; William, mention of whom will later be made; Thomas, a harness maker at Mamaroneck, N. Y., now living retired; James, a carpenter and builder in London (he has a son, James, now living in Waterbury) ; and one that died. The father of Thomas Brewer also bore the name of Thomas, and he passed his life as a farmer in Cornwall.
William Brewer learned the shoemaker's trade, and followed it all the time he was in England. In 1854 he married Ann James, a native of his birthplace, and a daughter of Henry James, a cur- rier by trade. She died in England in 1862, and four years later Mr. Brewer came to the United States, locating in Stamford, Conn., where he fol- lowed shoemaking. There were three children in his family: Bessie, who married George O. Booth, of Waterbury, Conn .; Charles, whose name appears at the introduction of this article; and Reuben, a traveling salesman, of Waterbury. Mr. Brewer has been a Republican since the organization of the party.
In 1866 Charles Brewer came with his father to Stamford, where he attended public school until he was eighteen years of age. at that time entering the employ of the Yale Lock Manufacturing Co. In 1877 he came to Waterbury, and for ten years was employed by the Matthew & Stanley Co. In 1887 he went to Toronto, Canada, and for three years was superintendent of the Toronto Light & Lamp Co. Returning to Waterbury at the expira- tion of this period, he was appointed foreman in the Scovill Manufacturing Co.'s plant, and continued with that establishment until July, 1899. when he entered upon the duties of his present position as Clark J. Nettleton spent the first fourteen years of his life on the home farm in Naugatuck, and pursued his studies in the schools of that locality. He then went to Platts Mills, where he worked for a farmer some time, and for a year and a half was in the employ of A. L. Platt. Subsequently he clerked in the grocery store of C. H. Smith at Union City for five years, and then entered the Malleable Iron Works, where he learned the pattern maker's trade, and where he continued to work for about eight years. He was next engaged in the livery business with Joseph Norwood at Naugatuck, under the firm name of Clark J. Nettleton for three years. after which he returned to the Naugatuck Iron | county commissioner. Mr. Brewer has always taken
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an active part in politics, and has been an influential force in town and county affairs. In 1891 he was elected a member of the common council, and served in that body five years. In 1897 he was elected second selectman, but declined a renomination, and in 1899 was made county commissioner, an office with a four years' tenure. Mr. Brewer belongs to the Young Men's Republican Club, the Union League Club of New Haven, the Knights of Pythias, and Townsend Lodge. I. O. O. F.
Mr. Brewer and Miss Jennie M. Carswell were married Dec. 26, 1881. Mrs. Brewer was born in Walden, Vt., a daughter of Norman W. Carswell, who was born in Woodstock Ang. 8. 1819, and died Aug. 18, 1898. Mariette ( Oviatt) Carswell, his wife, was born in Unionville, Conn., and is now living in Waterbury. They were the parents of six children, of whom Frank was killed in the Civil war; Maria is the widow of Henry Cummings ; Stella married Samuel Sloan, and lives in Water- bury ; Henry was a mechanic and a music teacher, and died in California in 1893 ; and Jennie M. be- came Mrs. Brewer. Mr. Carswell was an expert millwright, and did considerable work in the South. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, while his wife was a Baptist. Turner Carswell, his father, was born in Woodstock, Vt., was a farmer, and married Eunice Hagar. They reared a family of four children, of whom Norman W. is men- tioned above ; Maria married William Bullock : Ann married Hiram Phillips, a farmer at Plainfield. Vt .; Eunice married Asher Moore, and both are de- ceased. Caleb Carswell was the father of Turner Carswell. This family came originally from Wales, and the Oviatts, Mrs. Brewer's ancestors in the ma- ternal line, descended from a man of that name who came from France at an early day and settled in Milford.
Mr. and Mrs. Brewer have made their home in Waterbury since their marriage, and have many friends, who value them for their sterling charac- teristics.
THOMAS J. KILMARTIN, M. D., one of the younger physicians of Waterbury, who is rapidly coming to the front, was born in that city Nov. 3. 1872, son of Thomas Kilmartin, who was born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1848, and died in June, 1899. Thomas Kilmartin, his father, kept a general store in Ireland, and died in the old country.
opened a grocery store on West Main street, which he carried on for seventeen years. Mr. Kilmartin was a Democrat, and was tendered official posi- tions, but repeatedly declined. He was a member of the Catholic Benevolent Legion at the time of his death, and was always a faithful son of the Catholic Church, to the support of which he freely contributed.
Thomas J. Kilmartin grew up in Waterbury, where he attended the public schools, and was grad- uated from the high school in 1889, at the age of sixteen, the next fall entering Niagara University, and graduating in 1892 from that well-known school. Mr. Kilmartin entered the Medical De- partment of the University of New York the same year, and was graduated with the class of 1895. He received an appointment to the Fordham branch of Bellevue Hospital, and spent a year and a half in that position. In the fall of 1896 he returned to Waterbury, and opened an office for the practice of his profession. His success has been immediate and pronounced, his patients including some of the best people of the city, and he has a fine standing in the community, both as a gentleman and an able and conscientious physician. Dr. Kilmartin is not married. Educational matters greatly interest him, and he is serving his third year on the board of edu- cation, where for two years he has been chairman of the committee on school houses and hygiene. This is regarded as the most important committee of the board, as all the school houses are under its supervision, and it is expected to look after their ventilation, sanitary condition, and general care, as well as after the insurance and the erection of new buildings. Dr. Kilmartin served on the board of health for two years under Republican rule, al- though he is a Democrat, and was for some years town physician. Dr. Kilmartin is assistant surgeon of the 2d Regiment, holding the rank of first lieu- tenant. Fraternallv he is connected with the Knights of Columbus, the Independent Order of Foresters and the Ancient Order of Foresters, in all of which he is examining physician; and also belongs to the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the- International Order of Odd Fellows. As might be expected, he is a member of the State and County Medical Societies. Dr. Kilmartin is a member of Immaculate Conception Parish, of the Catholic Church.
GEORGE R. WHEELER. a well-known farmer and dairyman of Woodbridge, is a native of New Haven county, born in Southford Feb. 16, 1863. His paternal grandfather. Ambrose Wheeler, was a resident of Monroe, Conn., where he died when our subject's father. David N. Wheeler, was but two years old. The latter was born in Monroe Nov. 16, 1837, and throughout life was employed at various pursuits in Southford, working in a paper manufactory for some years. In Hotchkissville,
Thomas Kilmartin, father of Thomas J., came to Waterbury when about nineteen years old, and mar- ried Margaret Hennesy, who was born in County Limerick, daughter of James Hennesy, a large farmer of that county. She died in 1801. Seven children were born to this union: Thomas J., Mar- garet. Catherine, Mary (deceased), James, Eleanor and Mary (2) ( deceased). Margaret is at home. Catherine is a school teacher. James ha- surses led his father in business. Mr. Kilmartin was a silver plater in Waterbury for many years. Then he | Conn., he married Ellen F. Judson, and to them
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were born four children, namely: Alvin D., a resi- dent of Shelton, Conn .; George Russell, our sub- ject ; Lillian Adelia, wife of William R. Alcott, of Ansonia ; and Nellie May, wife of John B. Shepherd, of Hartford, Connecticut.
On the maternal side Mr. Wheeler comes of a family of English origin of the better middle class. They did not flee from persecution, but voluntarily emigrated from Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suf- folk, England, to America. William Judson, from whom our subject can trace direct descent, came to America in 1634, and first located in Concord, Mass., but later removed to Stratford, Conn, and after a short time spent there came to New Haven, where he died in 1660. His son, Lieut. Joseph Judson, died at Stratford Oct. 9, 1690, and the latter's son, John Judson, died Jan. 12, 1710. John Judson was the father of children as follows: John, Joshua, Joseph, Chapman, Martha, Ephraim, Isaac, Daniel and Mary. One of the sons was our sub- ject's great-great-grandfather, which one we are unable to state. The great-grandfather married Ruth Hine, and the grandfather, Russell Judson, married Phoebe Homan.
George R. Wheeler spent the first sixteen years of his life in his native town. His opportunities for obtaining an education were limited to the ad- vantages afforded by the common schools, and at the early age of ten and a half years he began earning his own livelihood, working for his board and clothes among the neighboring farmers, and attend- ing school for a few weeks during the winter months. When a young man he worked a few months in a paper mill at Southford, from there went to Ansonia, and farmed for a short time near Seymour. He worked in shops at Ansonia, and also with Wallace & Sons, and was employed in a fish market for a time. He next obtained a position in Franklin Farrell's foundry, and was with the Bas- sett Co., at Derby, for a time. For three years he had a milk route at Seymour, and worked during `that period in the Bassett machine shop. For a short time he engaged in the milk business in West Haven, and also worked in the grocery store of a Mr. Roberts, of Ansonia. Subsequently he en- gaged in farming upon a large farm in Orange, which he rented, and then carried on the milk and vegetable business there for three years, keeping a herd of from twelve to sixteen cows and also three horses. On first coming to Woodbridge. Mr. Wheeler rented property, and on Nov. 15, 1898. he purchased a farm of eighteen acres, having one of the most beautiful homes in the entire town. Here he follows the milk business and farming, buying large quantities of milk, which he retails.
In West Haven Mr. Wheeler was united in mar- riage with Miss Emma E. Warner, who was born Oct. 21, 1864, a daughter of Charles F. and Harriet ( Thompson ) Warner, and das have two children : Edith Alfretta, born Sept. 13, 1886; and Glenna May, born Jan. 18, 1895. Mrs. Wheeler is a mem- $5
ber of the Episcopal Church, and the family . all at- tend service there. Politically our subject is iden- tified with the Republican party, and socially he is a member of Naugatuck Lodge, No. 63, I. O. O. F., and Friendship Lodge, No. 34, A. O. U. W., both of Ansonia. He is widely and favorably known, and those who know him best are numbered among his warmest friends.
CLARENCE V. SEWELL, one of the leading young business men of Naugatuck and a prominent contractor and builder of that place, was born in Chestertown, Md., Jan. 28, 1867, a son of William P. and Sarah J. (Price) Sewell. The father was a native of Delaware and a miller by trade, oper- ating both a grist and saw mill. He died in Feb- ruary, 1898, at Trappe, Md., where his widow still resides. Both were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was a Repub- lican in politics. Their children were Clarence V., our subject ; Harrison G., a resident of Trappe, Md .; and Charles S., a blacksmith of St. Michael's, Maryland.
When a small boy Clarence V. Sewell accom- panied his parents on their removal to St. Michael's, MId., where he attended school until sixteen years of age, and then went to Bridgeville, Del., where he commenced learning the carpenter's trade, though he finished his apprenticeship at Trappe, Md. In 1888 he came to Naugatuck, New Haven County, where for two years he worked at his trade for the Goodyear India Rubber Shoe Co., and later was in the employ of local contractors and builders for the same length of time. On Dec. 25, 1893, he be- gan taking contracts for himself, and is to-day one of the leading architects and builders of the place. He has a shop on South Water street, where he does jobbing, and also manufactures inside wood- work of all kinds, his machines being run by elec- tricity. He is progressive, enterprising and in- dustrious, and the success that he has achieved is due entirely to his own well-directed and energetic efforts.
On March 28, 1889, Mr. Sewell was united in marriage with Miss Abbie L. Stillson, a native of Woodbury, Conn., and a daughter of John B. Still- son, and to them have been born two children: Elsie L. and Frank V. Politically Mr. Sewell is identified with the Republican party, and socially affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Naugatuck. He is an active and prominent member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church of that place, and is also a member of the Young Men's Christian Association.
DAVID S. ASHMAN, quarryman and select- man, Stonycreek, and one of the popular and pro- gressive citizens of the town of Branford, is a native of New York State, born June 27, 1856, in Monroe, Orange county. He was reared and educated in his native town, whence in 1875, being then nineteen
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years old, he came to Connecticut, settling at Stony- creek, town of Branford, New Haven county, where he has since been engaged in the quarry business.
On Sept. 24, 1880, David S. Ashman was mar- ried to Alice, daughter of John Hotchkiss, of Stony- creek, and four children were born to them: Jessie, Samuel, Minnie and Sarah. In his political prefer- ences our subject is a Republican; has held the office of constable two years, and has served as grand juror, and as selectman four consecutive years, still filling the latter incumbency. Socially, he is affiliated with the F. & A. M., Widows' Sons' Lodge, No. 66, and Charles Halleck Chapter, also with the I. O. O. F., of Branford. In religious faith he and his wife are consistent members of the M. E. Church.
JOHN SACHSENHAUSER was born in Ger- many, June 13, 1855, a son of Alweis and Mary ( Weinzel) Sachsenhauser, both natives of that country.
Alweis Sachsenhauser followed farming as an occupation, as had his father before him, and he lived and died in his native town. He married Mary Weinzel, and they had five children: Joseph (in Germany), Mary ( who died in St. Johns, Minn.), Michael ( deceased), John and Theresa (in Germany).
John Sachsenhauser spent the first fifteen years of his life on the home farm, and received his education in the local school. At that age he had to shift for himself, and worked for a time among the neighboring farmers. On July 2, 1881, he landed in New York City, where he found work as a sausage maker, a trade he had learned in Ger- many, and worked for a time in a brewery. For about two and a half years he worked for a cele- brated sausage maker in that city, and then engaged in the same line for himself on Spring street, con- tinuing for almost two years. In 1886 Mr. Sach- senhauser removed to Waterbury, and continued in the sausage making business. For a short time he had a partner, but the greater part of the time he was alone until 1896, when he connected himself with Valentine Bohl, and formed The Valentine Bohl Company. This company was incorporated Jan. 1, 1900, and is doing a fine business.
On July 6, 1884, Mr. Sachsenhauser was mar- ried to Miss Mary Lange, who was born in Ger- many, where Henry Lange, her father, was a car- riage maker and farmer ; both he and his wife, Cath- erine Bontous, the latter of French extraction, died in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Lange were the par- ents of three children: Eugene, a farmer in Ger- many; William a meat dealer in the city of New York; and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Sachsenhauser are the parents of a family of five children, all of whom are living: John H., William, Ennaa. Carl O. and Theressa. Mr. Sachsenhauser is independent in his political relations. He is a member of the Con- , business.
cordia Singing Society and the Turnverein. In re- ligious belief he is a Roman Catholic, but his wife and children are Protestants.
CLIFTON E. HOYT, a prominent and suc- cessful contractor and builder of Derby, Conn., was born in that town, July 21, 1865, and is descended from an old Fairfield county family. His paternal grandfather, Warren Hoyt, was a native of that county and was a farmer by occupation. He mar- ried Elizabeth Boughton, of Pound Ridge, who died April 22, 1870, and he departed this life July II, 1880. In their family were thirteen children, name- ly: Nancy J., born Nov. 8, 1820, died in 1842; Dan- iel B., born March 16, 1822, was the father of our subject ; Thomas MI., born April 17, 1824, is a re- tired contractor living in Iowa; Betsy Ann, born April 3, 1826; Aaron E., born April 21, 1829, died in 1855; David N., born Oct. 26, 1831, is a farmer in Iowa; Henry A., born April 9, 1833, is a farmer in Baltimore; Elias F. and Louis S., twins, were born Jan. 13, 1835, and the former is a farmer of Ridgefield, Fairfield county, the latter a rubber manufacturer of Boston, Mass .; Warren T., born May 14, 1838, is a veterinary surgeon of Hanover, Penn .; John W., born Jan. 24, 1841, died in 1863; Jane E., born April 2, 1843; and Peter F., born Aug. 28, 1846, died in 1847.
Daniel B. Hoyt, father of our subject, was born and reared in Ridgefield, Fairfield Co., Conn., and there learned the carpenter's trade, which he later followed in Derby, where he removed when a young man. He married Miss Lucy C. Smith, a native of Burlington, Conn., and a daughter of Nelson Smith, a farmer by occupation. She died March 27, 1889, the father, Dec. 23, 1894. Both were earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Church, and in politics he was a Republican. They were the parents of six children, namely: Edwin B., whose , whereabouts are now unknown, was born May 2, 1860; Clifton E., our subject, is the next in order of birth ; Lamont W., born Feb. 13, 1868, is a car -* penter of Bridgeport ; Bertha M., born Oct. 30, 1870, is the wife of Benjamin A. Thayer, a railroad engi- neer of Springfield, Mass .; Benjamin H., born July 28, 1876, died May 18, 1896; and Everett H., born Jan. 8, 1879, is a carpenter working with our sub- ject.
The boyhood and youth of Clifton E. Hoyt were passed in Derby in attendance at the local school un- til nineteen years of age, when he commenced learning the carpenter's trade. After working for his father for-a time, he was admitted to a partner- ship in the business, and when his father retired our subject and his brother, Lamont W., carried on the business under the firm name of Hoyt Brothers, but at present our subject is alone, hav- ing purchased his brother's interest. He does gen- cal contracting in masonry, as well as carpenter work, and hids established a large and profitable
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On Oct. 13, 1886, Mr. Il3yt was united in mar- riage with Miss Carrie F. Hoyt, a native of Ridge- field and a daughter of Elias F. and Martha ( Les- . sey ) Hoyt. Her paternal grandfather was Warren . Hoyt, also the grandfather of our subject. Her mother was born in New Fairfield and was a daugh- ter of Alanson Lessey, a native of the same place. Our subject and his wife have three children: Frances S., born July 1, 1889; Helen M., born June 22, 1892; and Elsie M., born July 4, 1895. The family attend and contribute to the support of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Hoyt is a member of Housatonic Lodge, No. 6, I. O. O. F., of Derby. His political support is given the men and measures of the Republican party, and as a public-spirited and progressive citizen he does all in his power to advance the interests of his town and county.
MORTIMER DORAN, a selectman of the city of Waterbury, Conn., was born in Branchdale, Schuylkill Co., Penn., July 26, 1863, and is of Irish extraction.
The paternal grandfather was interested in a coal mine in Ireland, and the maternal grandfather was the owner of a lime kiln. John Doran, father of Mortimer, was born in Queens County, Ireland, and was a coal merchant. During the famine of 1846 and the persecution by the English govern- ment, John Doran left his native land to seek relief in America, and. in New York City married Miss Catherine Coss, a native of County Queens, Ire- land, who was likewise driven to America by the terrible famine. For a short time after marriage Mr. Doran worked as a silversmith at Tiffany's famous jewelry establishment in New York, and then started with his wife for the coal mines of Pennsylvania, in which he worked for over thirty years. Of the children of John Doran and wife we have the following record: William, who died at the age of twenty-eight years; Anna and Julia, both single ; Mortimer, who died in infancy; Thomas, a merchant in Waterbury; Mortimer (2), the subject of this sketch; Mary, married to Dennis MeCarthy, a prosperous meat dealer of Waterbury; and Cath- erine, the wife of Henry Comisky, an insurance agent, of Waterbury. John Doran died in Febru- ary, 1891, and his wife passed away in October, 1884.
Mortimer Doran resided in the coal region of Pennsylvania until nineteen years of age, attend- ing school in the meanwhile. In February, 1882, he came to Waterbury, worked for Brown Brothers about a month, and then was employed in the Plume & Atwood factory for a considerable time. For about three years he held the responsible position of foreman of the dipping department of the Water- bury Button factory, and then embarked in the grocery trade, but after a short time he entered the employ of the Waterbury Watch Co., with whom he continued about three years.
On Feb. 8, 1888, Mr. Doran was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Hannah F. Walsh, a daughter of John Walsh, who assisted in the construction of the mammoth steamer, the "Great Eastern." The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Doran has been blessed with four children, viz. : Mary, Kittie, Grace and Gertrude. Politically Mr. Doran is a Democrat. He was elected first select- man, and has devoted most of his attention to city affairs. Fraternally Mr. Doran is a Knight of La- bor. For about eigliteen years he has been a men- ber of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and is now county president of the order; he also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and to the Heptasophs. In local military matters he has al- ways taken a lively interest, and has filled the posi- tion of captain of Company E, Hibernian Rifles, and has been captain of Company G. Mr. Doran and family are members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, to which they liberally contribute of their means, and they are universally esteemed by their neighbors, irrespective of religious considerations.
F. F. NORMAN, president and treasurer of The Norman Printers Supply Co. ; office and ware- rooms, Nos. 391-5 State street ; machine and repair shop, No. 22 Artizan street, New Haven, Con- necticut.
EVERETT L. MOORE, formerly engaged in the livery business at Branford, was born at Cutch- ogue, Long Island, Nov. 12, 1863, a son of Joseph T. and Lucretia A. ( Mapes) Moore, both natives of the State of New York.
Joseph T. Moore has made his home in Bran- ford since 1885, and is connected with the market of which C. H. Wilford is proprietor. A kindly spirit and a thorough knowledge of his business have won for him many friends since his advent in Branford.
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