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 80
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January, 1871, he was elral cashier and took charge of its affairs; in 1874 he was elected presi- dent, and continued as such until his resignation. He was widely known'as a capable and honorable man. Mr. Everitt and Miss Louisa Armstrong were married Oct. 9, 1860. She was born in Montague, N. J., and died leaving a family of three children : John E., who is a conductor on the Erie Railroad; Charles B .; and George, who died in April, 1892, at the age of twenty-seven years. Mr. Everitt was a Republican in politics, and a Pres- byterian in religious belief. He was a prominent Freemason.
Charles B. Everitt grew to manhood under the parental roof in Port Jervis, N. Y., where he at- tended the public school until he attained the age of sixteen. He then entered the bank with his father, but this business did not prove entirely satis- factory to him, and after one year clerking in a dry goods store, he canie in 1881 to Waterbury, and was employed by The Plume & Atwood Mfg. Co., with whom he was connected for sixteen years, rising to important positions. On Jan. 1, 1897, he purchased an interest in the City Ice Co., and since that date he has been engaged in its business, filling the positions of president and treasurer.
Charles B. Everitt and Miss Susie H. Quick were married Oct. 5, 1887. Mrs. Everitt was born in Port Jervis, N. Y., Feb. 26, 1867, a daughter of Thomas J. and Margaret E. ( Bonnell) Quick. Thomas J. Quick was born March 17, 1838, in New York, and lived there until twenty-one years of age. During the Civil war, he served three months from New York, and hearing that troops were being en- listed at Port Jervis, went there, and joined the army, serving until the close of the war; he was twice wounded. When the war was over he re- turned to Port Jervis, and clerked in a furniture store. Since 1874 he has been engaged there in the furniture business on his own account. Thomas J. Quick married Margaret E. Bonnell, who was born in Montague, N. J., daughter of LaForge Bonnell, a merchant of Port Jervis, and granddaughter of Hon. Isaac Bonnell, a prominent man in that part of the State. Capt. James Bonnell, the father of Isaac, served in the Revolutionary war. Lawrence Quick, the father of Thomas J. Quick, came from England with his wife and family, and died in Nyack, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Quick were the parents of three chil- dren : Susie H., Mrs. Everitt; Edwin, born Jan. 28, 1870, who lives in Port Jervis ; and Grace, born | Aug. 28, 1874, who died at the age of twenty- three. Mr. Quick is a Republican, and has always taken an active part in political matters. He has been president of his town, and is now president of
Charles B. Everitt and his wife are the parents of two children: Charles M., who was born in Port Jervis, Aug. 4, 1888; and Hazel, who was born 96
in Waterbury June 19, 1890. They have a beautiful home in Columbia Heights. Socially Mr. Everitt belongs to the Ancient Order of Heptasophs. For a time he was superintendent of the First Congre- gational Church Sunday-school, and he is counted among the inost valued citizens of the day.
J. W. NETTLETON, in his lifetime a prom- inent agriculturist of the town of Milford, was born in the northern part of that town, Feb. 17, 1824, son of William and Nancy ( Rogers) Nettleton.
The family has been identified with the town for several generations. Benajah Nettleton, our sub- ject's grandfather, was born there and became a leading farmer of the locality. He married Com- fort Beard, of Milford township, and had eight children, viz: William, our subject's father ; Heze- kiah, a farmer, who died in early manhood; Ed- ward, a shoe dealer in Fulton, N. Y .; Leaman, a shoemaker, and later a farmer in New York State; | Joseph, a farmer ; Charles, a contractor and builder in New Haven: Anna, wife of Joseph Rogers, a farmer of Milford; and Abigail, who died un- married.
William Nettleton was born in the town of Mil- ford, Sept. 20, 1790, and learned the builder's trade, which he followed there and in the South. Later he settled upon a farm in Milford, where his death occurred. In politics he was first a Whig, and after- ward a Republican. His wife, Nancy Rogers, was a native of Milford, and a daughter of Joseph Rog- ers, an influential citizen and the owner of about 500 acres of land in the town. Our subject was the first of a family of three children, the others being: Julia A., deceased wife of Treat I. Ford, the latter an architect now residing in Columbus, Ohio: and Garry, an architect and builder, who died in Janes- ville, Wisconsin.
J. W. Nettleton gained an education in the schools of Milford, attending until he reached the age of seventeen years. From early manhood he engaged in general farming, and his homestead, which contained 100 acres of land, showed the value of careful management. As a citizen he was much esteemed, and he attended the Congregational Church of Milford. Politically he was always af- filiated with the Republican party. On May I, 1847, he married Miss Elizabeth Ann Ford, daugh- ter of Stephen B. Ford, of Milford. She died leav- ing no children, and Mr. Nettleton passed away in 1900.
HENRY L. FOWLER was born in Guilford, Conn., Aug. 5, 1855, son of Reuben L. Fowler, who was born in Madison, Conn. The Fowlers the Republican Club. He is a member of the Epis- , were an old New England family, and were de- copal Church. Mrs. Quick died in November, 1877, in the faith of the Congregational Church. scended from John Fowler, who came into this country from England at an early day. Reuben Fowler. the grandfather of Henry L .. was a resident of Madison, and a soldier in the Revolution.
Reuben L. Fowler, the father of Henry L., in
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early life was a farmer in Guilford, Conn., and then followed the sea until about forty years of age. After that time until very recently he has been en- gaged in manufacturing "Manhaden" oil. He mar- ried Sarah M. Bishop, a native of Guilford, and a daughter of Philo Bishop, of an old settled family in this part of the country; she died Jan. 4, 1892. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fowler: Sarah J., Ellen, Clara N., Henry L., Frank E., Hattie E., Frederick A. and Fannie L. Of these, Sarah married Charles Kimberly, of Guilford, and died in New Haven; Ellen married Charles Black- man, of Caledonia, New York, a manufacturer of agricultural implements, and at one time post- master ; Clara married George S. Benton, and lives in New Haven; Hattie married Robert Hawley, and lives in Unionville, Conn., where her husband is in business as a lumber dealer : Frank E. is of the firm of F. E. Fowler, of New Haven, Conn; Fred- erick is a tool maker in Meriden ; and Fannie mar- ried Burton Brewer, and lives in Guilford, Conn., where her husband is engaged in farming.
Henry L. Fowler spent his boyhood days in Guilford, where he went to school until he reached the age of seventeen, when he spent a year working with his father. In 1873 he came to Waterbury, and entering the foundry of the Farrell Foundry Co., learned the machinist trade, working at it with that firm for three and a half years .. For about the same time he was with Cross & Spears, two years was with the Waterbury Watch Co., five years with the Seovill Manufacturing Co., and two and a half years with the Plume & Atwood Manufacturing Co. Mr. Fowler then returned to the Scovill Company, and has been with them to the present time. having special charge of the drafting and making of new machinery.
Henry L. Fowler and Miss Jennie M. Pickett were married Sept. 18, 1878. Mrs. Fowler was born in Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of John Pickett. To this union were born eight children : Edith, born April 3, 1880, and died July 7, 1880; Clifford, born July 12, 18SI ; Ralph L., born Aug. 29, 1883 ; Lewis A., born May 30, 1887; Alfred P., born Nov. 13, 1888; Earl F., born April 27, 1891; Dorathy E., born Dec. 23, 1894. and died April 16, 1896; and Frederick J., born July 3, 1897. Mr. Fowler lives on Wolcott street, and has a handsome residence which overlooks the city. In politics he is a Republican, and in religion the family are asso- ciated with the Baptist church. Mr. Fowler be- longs to Court America, No. 98, of the Foresters of America, and has passed through all the chairs of the lodge. He is a good citizen and commands the respeet of all who know him.
IRVING WHITING, a leading citizen of An- sonia, was born Nov. 16, 1859. in Forestville. Conn., a son of Henry B. and Sarah ( Reynolds ) Whiting.
at the time of the construction of the canal, being employed upon the masonry. He followed his trade there many years, but afterward went to Ansonia, where he died aged eighty-three. In politics he was a Democrat. His wife, Candace Hotchkiss, of Plainville, died aged sixty-seven years, and of their seven children, only two are now living, viz : Will- iam, a resident of Bridgeport, and J. H., publisher of the Gardner News, at Gardner, Massachusetts.
Henry B. Whiting, our subject's father, was born and reared in Plainville, and first learned the tailor's trade, but soon afterward became a clock maker in Forestville, where he followed that trade twenty years. Later he went to Ansonia, and spent ten years in the employ of a clock company there, and for a time he was engaged in the manufacture of fishing rods, until a flood swept away his shop. He then went to New Haven, where he was em- ployed by A. B. Hendrick, as a fishing reel maker. until the time came for retirement from active work. In 1896 he removed to Ansonia, where he died Nov. 13, 1899, aged sixty-seven. He was a man who commanded respect wherever he was known and was exceptionally well informed upon the topies of his time, his library being unusually large and his general reading extensive. In religious faith he was a Congregationalist, and politically he affiliated with the Democratic party. At one time he was a representative from Forestville, and later he served as elerk of that borough and warden of Ansonia. His wife, Sarah Reynolds, who is still living, was born in Pawtucket, R. I. Our subject was one of a family of five children, of whom four are living: Bela R., a resident of Ansonia ; Irving, our subject ; Adna, a resident of Bridgeport; and Ruby, who married Clifford Cook, of New Haven.
Irving Whiting was educated in the public schools of Forestville and Ansonia, and his first regular employment was in the making of fishing rods with his father. After five years in that busi- ness he spent four years in the wire mill of the A. B. C. Co., and in 1887 he entered the employ of the Farrell Foundry Co., taking a position in the rule room, where he is still engaged. At different times he has invested in land and built houses, and he now owns three houses which are rented to seven families. In 1886 he married Miss Annie L. Vine." a native of Norwalk. Her father, George Vine, is the present chief engineer of the Farrell Foundry Co., a most responsible position, and she has a younger sister, Sadie. In politics Mr. Whiting is a Republican, and in 1899 the people of his ward elected him alderman by a majority of 172, to serve until 1901. He is especially interested in the social and industrial problems of the day, and was one of the chief promoters of the Rule Workers Union in Ansonia, of which he has been president. He be- longs to the order of the Golden Cross, and is an active worker in the Congregational Church, having served on the prudential committee for sev-
Hawley Whiting, his paternal grandfather, was born in New York State, and settled in Plainville | eral years and hield other offices. At one time he was
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assistant superintendent of the Sunday school and he and his wife have both taught classes for years. Mrs. Whiting is an Episcopalian, but attends church with her husband, and her fine musical gifts are devoted to the service of the church and Sunday school. Mr. Whiting is also prominent in the work of the Y. P. S. C. E., and has held various offices, including that of president, to which he has been elected a number of times.
GEORGE J. ALEXANDER, a leading dairy- man and farmer of Waterbury, New Haven Co., Conn., residing on the Meriden road, was born in Paterson, N. J., April 2, 1850. His father, John Alexander, was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, where, in carly life, he received a good education, and also learned the blacksmiths' trade. Subse- quently he traveled through England, France and other European countries, working at his trade, and in 1844. came to America. The voyage was made on a sailing vessel, and on landing in New York, he proceeded at once to Paterson, N. J., where he followed his trade until the gold fever took him to California in 1849. The trip overland was attended with many dangers, but, arriving on the Pacific coast, he spent three years among the mines, meet- ing with fair success in the venture. Upon return- ing to the east by way of the Panama route, he continued to make his home in Paterson, N. J., until coming to Waterbury, Conn., in 1853. For several years he owned and conducted a blacksmith shop on the present site of the Poli Theatre, East Main street, but finally sold out and entered the employ of Brown Brothers. Later he spent sixteen years with Benedict & Co., as blacksmith, and at the end of that time retired from business and pur- chased a small farin on the Meriden road, Water- bury. Here he spent the remainder of his life in ease and quiet, dying Dec. 4, 1895, and was interred in Riverside cemetery. A stanch Republican in politics, he was a strong Abolitionist during the Civil war, and a great admirer of Horace Greeley ! and Henry Ward Beecher. In religious views he was a Presbyterian. Fraternally he was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Paterson, N. J., and he had many other interests, to all of which he gave devoted service and won the respect and esteem of all who knew him.
In Paterson, John Alexander married Agnes Gillespie, who was born in Johnson, near Glasgow, Scotland, and is still living on the home farm in Waterbury. She is a Christian woman, and a faith- ful member of the Congregational Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Alexander were born five children, name- ly: Ellen, wife of George B. Hitchcock; George J .; Mary I., at home with her mother ; John. de- ceased : and Jessie M., wife of M. J. Fogg, of Waterbury.
cultural pursuits upon the home farm. Since at- taining man's estate he has engaged quite extensive- ly in the wood business and in general farming, and has made many improvements upon his place, in- cluding the erection of a fine residence, good barns and other outbuildings.
Dec. 10, 1888, in Wolcott, Conn., Mr. Alexander was united in marriage with Antoinette (Nettie) Cornelia Hitchcock, a native of that town, and a daughter of Sheldon T. and Cornelia (Andrews ) Hitchcock. She is a good house wife and presides with gracious dignity over her home. Three chil- dren have been born to them, namely: Elton H. and Morton P., who are both attending school ; and Earl G., who died at the age of four years.
Mr. Alexander is a Republican in politics. For thirteen years he was a member of Company D, 2nd Regiment Conn. Nat. Guards, and is now connected with Mad River Grange. He is an active member of the Congregational Church, and is a quiet, unas- suming man, noted for his industry and integrity. He has served as a member of the school committee, and as collector of school taxes, and has discharged the duties of both offices in a commendable and satis- factory manner.
J. G. SCHWINK, dealer in milk, vegetables, grain, feed and fertilizers, Meriden, New Haven county, Connecticut.
E. J. HEINEMAN, though young in years, is rapidly rising to the front in the business circles of Wallingford, and in his chosen field confesses no superior, either as to knowledge of his goods, or in the character and quality of the carriages, harness and farm implements he offers for sale. Upright and honorable by nature and known to be fair and square in all his dealings he has won a substantial trade during a comparatively brief business career.
Born in Cheshire, Conn., Feb. 20, 1868, Mr. Heineman is a son of John and Bridget ( Reynolds) Heineman, natives respectively of Germany and Ireland, and at present passing their declining years in Wallingford. When but three years old Mr. Heineman came with his parents to Wallingford, where he attended the Wallingford schools, and was reared to habits of industry and economy. While still a lad he realized an income from the sale of local and New York papers on the streets, and while yet in his 'teens secured a position in the factory of R. Wallace, where he learned the trade of etching. For six years he worked as an etcher, and then worked six years as a clerk in the store of E. C. Morse Baker. In the meantime he was also engaged in the carriage trade, carrying a fine stock of harness, and other accessories to the road, having a partnership interest, which he sold in 1807. Immediately he opened another store on a different street, and has at the present time the largest car- riage repository between Hartford and New Haven.
During his boyhood George T. Alexander pur- sued his studies in the public schools of the East Farms district, Waterbury, and was reared to agri- , Mr. Heineman is also agent for the McCormick
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farm implements, and in this line has secured an equally satisfactory patronage. A Democrat, and a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, lie be- longs to the Catholic Church, and is highly re- spected by all who know him.
GEORGE H. FORD. Prominent among the business men of Waterville, New Haven Co., Conn., is George H. Ford, who has served as postmaster of the place for seventeen years. No one is better known in that locality, for almost his entire life has been spent there, and all of his interests from boyhood have been closely associated with those of the town of Waterbury. As a business man he has met with excellent success, and by the energy and zeal which he has manifested has won the confidence and esteem of the public.
Mr. Ford was born in Tariffville, town of Sims- bury, Hartford Co., Conn., Aug. 16, 1854, a son of Daniel and Jane ( Wilson) Ford. In early life the father engaged in the manufacture of spoons at Spoonville, Hartford county, where he remained until 1858, and then came to Waterville, New Haven county, where he spent some time working in the mills, but later engaged in general mercantile busi- ness. He was a Republican in politics, was liberal in his religious views, and was well known and highly respected. Both he and his wife died and were buried in Waterville. She was a good Chris- tian woman. Their children were Frances, wife of Mr. Ford; Edgar, a resident of Waterville; James H., of California ; Etta, deceased wife of Henry H. B. Fisk; George H .; Florence; and Walter D., of Waterville.
To a limited extent, during his boyhood, George H. Ford attended the district schools of Waterville. but he is mostly self-educated. From an early age he clerked in his father's store, and at the age of sixteen accepted a similar position with L. G. Able, remaining with him over three years. Later he was with C. T. Yale, in the butcher business, and on leaving his employment started in business for him- self at Thomaston, Conn. He subsequently re- turned to Waterville, where he has since conducted a general store, carrying all kinds of merchandise, including groceries and meats. He has built up quite a large and profitable trade.
In Waterville, Mr. Ford was united in marriage with Helen L. Carter, a daughter of D. S. Carter, and to them has been born one child, Maude M. Socially he is a charter member of Speedwell Lodge, K. P., and the Foresters Lodge, both of Waterville, and is now treasurer of the latter order. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and for six years served as constable in Waterville. He was first appointed postmaster of that place during Presi- dent Garfield's administration, and has filled the of- fice ever since with credit to himself, and to the en- tire satisfaction of the general public. Of a social. genial nature, he makes many friends, and is very popular both in business and social circles.
E. A. BRADLEY is a dealer in carriages, horses, harnesses, etc., and is the proprietor of the livery and boarding stable at Nos. 202 and 204 North Main St., Waterbury, New Haven Co., Connecticut.
HANS RASMUSSEN, a well-known dairy farmer of Town Plot, is one of the leading and in- fluential citizens of Waterbury, and has taken an active part in promoting its substantial material de- velopment. An adopted son of America, his loyalty is above question, and his labors in the interest of the town have been most effective and beneficial.
Mr. Rasmussen was born May 17, 1857, on Laaland Island, Denmark, of which place his par- ents, Jens and Jensine (Jorgens) Rasmussen, were also natives, and where the father followed the oc- cupation of farming. With the younger members of their family, the parents came to the United States in 1882, and have since made their home in Water- bury, Conn. They are members of the Lutheran Church, and highly respected by all who know them. Their children are, Annie Marie, wife of Peter Lund, of Mill Plain, Waterbury; Hannah Sophia, widow of R. P. Peterson, of Prospect, Conn .; Hans ; George; a dairy farmer of Prospect; Dorothea, a resident of Waterbury; Rasmussen Scott, a florist of Town Plot ; and Niels, a dairy farmer of the same place.
In his youth Mr. Rasmussen attended the public schools of his native land, and completed his edu- cation at a military college, from which he was graduated in due time. Subsequently he served for five years in the regular army, and attained to the rank of a second lieutenant of artillery. May 17, 1881, he sailed from Copenhagen, Denmark, for America, and on landing in New York found that he had only $4.50 with which to begin life in the New World. Coming to Waterbury, Conn., he- found employment as a hod carrier for a mason, and after a short time entered the employ of the Amer- ican Ring Co., and was in their burnishing depart- ment until 1884. He then rented a farm of Mr. Nichols in Town Plot, and turned his attention to. the dairy business, starting with only five cows. Four years later he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, R. P. Peterson, and they continued to carry on the business together until 1890, when . Mr. Peterson sold out and removed to Prospect. Mr. Rasmussen then rented his farm to his brother George, and went to New York, where he was en- gaged in the construction of a shell factory for the United States government at Brooklyn. After the completion of the factory he acted as assistant man- ager of the works, under A. T. Porter, for four years, and in the discharge of this responsibility gave entire satisfaction, his experience, while an- artillery man in Denmark, proving of great utility. On account of some difficulty he resigned his posi- tion at the shell works and returned to his farm in Waterbury, where he has since taken rank as one | of the most extensive and successful dairy farmers.
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in the town. He owns a tract of 250 acres of land, upon which he has made many improvements, in- cluding the erection of two fine barns, both 32×108 feet in dimension. He keeps forty-six cows, and conducts his business according to the most ap- proved methods of dairying.
Oct. 15, 1891, in New York, Mr. Rasmussen married Anna Schaffner, a native of Canton Aargau, Switzerland, and a daughter of Johannes and Anna (Weidmer) Schaffner, of that country. Of this union has been born four children: Signe, Ernest, Arnold Rudolph and Hans Floyd. In religious be- lief Mr. Rasmussen is a Lutheran. He is inde- pendent in politics, and in his social relations is a member of the Mad River Grange and the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. Integrity, activity and energy have characterized his business career, and without the aid of influence or wealth, he has risen to a position among the prominent men of his town. He is eminently public-spirited and with A. G. Camp and C. M. Upson gave a tract of one hun- dred acres of land to the city of Waterbury for a park, now known as South Park, which generous gift the city government thankfully accepted.
RASMUSSEN SCOTT RASMUSSEN, a brother of Hans, and proprietor of the Town Plot Conserva- tory, at No. 199 Bank street, Waterbury, was born on Laaland Island, Denmark, June 9, 1865, and was educated in the public schools, and the Floral Culture School of Bethany, Rosenberg, Denmark, from which latter institution he was graduated in 1884. Later in the same year he joined his family in Waterbury, Conn., and soon afterward estab- lished his present business at Town Plot. He is one of the representative business men in his line in Waterbury, and has built up an excellent trade. He is admirably equipped for the successful prosecu- tion of his business, his plant costing over $8,000. His green houses, which cover two acres of ground, are as perfectly arranged as the experience and skill of the horticulturist can make them, and every plant or flower of interest is found there. It has been the aim of the proprietor to make his estab- lishment a complete exposition of the progress of his chosen industry, and his salesrooms contain at all times a choice assortment of the most popular and beautiful flowers. The artistic and elaborate designs in floral work, for which the house has an enviable reputation, are marvels of exquisite workmanship. Mr. Rasmussen is always prepared to furnish plants and flowers for weddings, funer- als, banquets and parties, while a full supply of roses, geraniums and other favorite varieties of floriculture are kept at his parlors for personal adornment or ordinary use. He is a member of the Florists Association of America, and thoroughly understands the business which he follows so suc- cessfully. He is a member of the First Congrega- tional Church of Waterbury. Fraternally he is as- sociated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in politics he is a Republican.
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