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 85
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JAMES J. FRUIN, a retired business man and real-estate owner in Waterbury, Conn., was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, March 11, 1852, and was but three and a half years old when his parents brought their family here to permit nothing rest ...
Mr. Fruin learned stone cutting and monument inaking, and followed the trade about ten years in the city, and then for a short time worked in Win- sted, Conn., for J. E. Pine. On his return to Wat- erbury, he embarked in the retail meat business in partnership with Robert Fruin, but subsequently bought out his partner's interest in the concern, aml for three years conducted it alone. His next enterprise was hotel keeping on East Main street, and for ten years he there catered successfully to the public, after which he retired from active busi- ness life and now devotes his attention entirely to his large real-estate interests.
On April 28, 1880, Mr. Fruin was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary J. Slocum, who was born in Winsted, a daughter of Michael Slocum, who was the second native of the Emerald Isle to set- tle in Winsted. Two children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fruin-William, de- ceased ; and John.
Michael Slocum was born in County West- meath, and was rearcd a gardener. In about 1850 he settled in Winsted, Conn., where his death took place in December, 1875, and that of his wife in 1884. Of his children, six grew to maturity and bore the following names: Thomas was a mason by trade, but is now deceased; John, also deceased, was deputy sheriff of Winsted for nine years ; Mich- ael was also a deputy of Winsted, likewise served three years in the regular army, but has now passed away ; William was ordained a priest in 1876; Frank is a printer by trade; and Mary J., is now Mrs. Fruin.
James J. Fruin is a Democrat in his politics, but he has never sought nor held an office. In religion he is a devout Catholic, and with his family is a member of the Immaculate Conception parish. He is liberal in the contribution of his means to the sup- port of the Church and its good work, and few peo- ple stand higher in the public esteem than do James J. Fruin and his family.
GEORGE F. LEWIS, a leading farmer of Ken- sington, was born in Meriden, Conn., Jan. 6, 1835, a son of George Hallam Lewis, and grandson of Pat- rick Lewis, who was a native of Meriden, where he became a prosperous merchant and one of the weal -. thiest men of his day. He married Mary Hull, of Meriden, and died in Burlington, Iowa.
George II. Lewis laid down his life on the altar of his country during the dark days of the Rebel- lion. He was born Jan. 16, 1833, and was con- nected with, the East Meriden Britannia Co. until the opening of the war. He enlisted in Company F, 15th Conn. V. I., and died in Washington City Hospital Feb. 11, 1863. George H. Lewis married Miss Elizabeth Hotchkiss, who was born in Chesh- ire, Conn., June 24, 1837, a daughter of Israel and Elizabeth ( Brech) Hotchkiss, of Cheshire, and is still living in Mert how They had a family of four
After an attendance at the schools of the city, , children: ( 1) Josephine Elizabeth, born in 1854, is
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a highly educated lady, and is at present governess in a wealthy family in Cuba. She married Micial Le Fort, bookkeeper for a firm in Tampa, Fla. (2) George F. (3) Samuel Clinton, born in 1859, is a wood turner and scroll sawyer, running a plant of his own at Meriden, under the firm name of the Lewis Wood Turning Co. He married Mary Lam- bert, of Matawan, N. J. (4) Wilbur Alton, born March 9, 1862, was a machinist in the employ of the East Meriden Britannia Co., and died March 19, 1886.
George F. Lewis received a fair education for his day, attending first the schools of East Meriden, and later the Prattsville district school, then under the direction of a Mr. Finney and Robert Curtis, as principals. On laying aside his text books, at the age of thirteen years, he commenced working as errand boy for the Meriden Britannia Co., at three dollars per week, and remained with that firm one year. He then served a six-months apprentice- ship to the carriage painter's trade, with the Rus- sell Carriage Co., and continued in their employ two years, but as painting did not agree with his health he returned to the Meriden Britannia Co., with which he was connected for twenty-two years, being engaged in mold making and die sinking. On leaving the service of that company, in April, 1896, he came to Kensington and purchased ten acres of land of Jacob Sprewenburg, on which stood a large house and good outbuildings. Here he is now engaged in agricultural pursuits.
On May 1, 1881, Mr. Lewis married Miss Mar- ian Ellen Cook, a daughter of Andrew and Ellen (Cook) Cook. She was born in Meriden, and died at the age of twenty-four years, leaving one son, Frank Cook Lewis, born July 2, 1882. He passed through the grammar schools with a good percent- age, and studied stenography with Mrs. Graham, in Meriden. Mr. Lewis was again married, July 2, 1891, his second union being with Miss Lina Blakeslee, who was born May 12, 1865, a daughter of Charles Prelate and Delia Ann ( Brockett ) Blakeslee, of New Haven. To this marriage four children have come: Bessie Irene, born March 25, 1892, who died July 25, 1893; Wilbur Irvin, born Sept. 5, 1894, now attending the Fourth district school of Kensington; Charles, born Oct. 27, 1895; and Mildred Josephine, born March 5, 1897.
Politically Mr. Lewis is an ardent Republican, · and an earnest supporter of a high protective tariff. He was a member of Pacific Lodge, No. 87, I. O. O. F., of Meriden, for many years, and still belongs to Silver City Lodge O. U. A. M., of that place ; is a prominent and active member of Charles L. Upham Camp, No. 7. Connecticut Division, Sons of Veterans, in which he has served as first sergeant one term, quartermaster two terms, and first lieu- tenant two consecutive years; has represented the Camp at the State Encampment for seven consecu- tive years, and was State chaplain for one year. He and his wife are leading members of the Uni-
versalist Church of Meriden, in which he has served as librarian two years and usher six years. Mr. Lewis is a man of the strictest integrity, up- 'right and honorable in all things.
PATRICK S. HALLIGAN is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of North Haven, who has lived an honest, industrious and frugal life, and he is now reaping his reward in the possession of a competency for his age and the comfort of a credit- able family who have been reared to habits of in- dustry and honesty in the home circle.
William Halligan, the father of our subject, was born in County Killare, Ireland, in 1800, and in his native place was a farmer and laborer. He came to America with his wife and two children in 1845. like many others of his industrious countrymen de- siring to secure a better means of livelihood for his family. After locating in Newark, N. J., he soon secured temporary employment on the docks, and later removed to Prospect, New Haven Co., Com .. where he engaged in farm work for Capt. David Hotchkiss during the succeeding six years. After coming to North Haven he worked for a number of people, but finally was engaged by the Stiles family, brick manufacturers, and was a faithful employe of that family for the following forty years, his employ- ers gladly testifying to his honesty and industry. The last work of his life was the carting of clay for that firm, with a team of oxen. His death occurred Feb. 10, 1889, in North Haven.
William Halligan married Ann Mooney, a native of County Kildare, and her death occurred in 1891. They reared a large family, the majority of whom live in Middlesex county, respected citizens.
Patrick S. Halligan was born in Newark, N. J., and he received but limited schooling, as at the age of twelve years he left home to work for himself. The farmers in the neighborhood gave him employment, and in 1863 he went into the employ of Warner, Mansfield, Stiles & Co., brick manufac- turers, and for the last twenty years has been in the employ of the companies which have succeeded them, filling almost every capacity in and around the yards, doing a great deal of the teaming and losing very little time, the company knowing that all kinds of weather will find this trusty employe on hand, ready and willing for the work of the day. This confi- dence makes very pleasant the intercourse between Mr. Halligan and the members of the firm, which still inclutdes some members of the Stiles family.
Mr. Halligan was united in marriage with Jane Dunn, a native of County King's. Ireland, who came to America when nineteen years old, and children as follows have been born to this marriage: William J., who married Annie Kelley, and lives in North Haven ; Kate E .; John E., who married Minnie Daley, and lives in North Haven ; and James 11 .. an expert mechanic. All of these sons are employed by the 1. L. Stiles & Son Brick Co.
A Democrat in his political views, Mr. Halligan
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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votes for the man he thinks most fitted for the office in local affairs, and does not desire any office for himself. His three sons are members of Court Good Will, No. 27, Foresters of America, Mt. Carmel, and all the family are devout members of the Catholic Church at Mt. Carmel. In the community the fam- ily is respected highly, and Mr. Halligan is regarded as one of the worthiest citizens, who deserves all the success which has attended his honest efforts.
D. BURTON BROWN. one of the leading busi- ness men of New Haven, and one who for a number of years has been prominent in the municipal affairs of the city, as well as in its fraternal orders, is looked upon as one of the coming young men of his com- munity. He was born in New Haven, May 10, 1869, a son of Anson K. and Emma (Brooks) Brown.
Anson K. Brown for twenty years was one of the active and successful business men of New Haven, and a politician of local influence and power. As a fish and oyster dealer, he was located first on the corner of Chapel and Franklin streets, and later on Grand avenue, where he remained until his death, Aug. 5, 1894, at the age of fifty years, four months and one day. His demise, caused by a street car accident on Kimberly avenue, was a great shock to his family and the community at large. For three terms he had represented the Twelfth ward in the city council.
D. Burton Brown received a good common- school education in the public schools of New Haven, after which he entered his father's business house, and upon the latter's death, succeeded him not only in the commercial house, but also in the line of pub- lic affairs in which the father had been working, and the son was soon recognized as a Democratic leader in the Twelfth ward. In 1895 he was chosen a member of the city council to succeed his father, and ran well ahead of his ticket, and when he took his seat, he was but twenty-five-the youngest member of that body. At once, he became an active and con- spicuous working member of the council and was very popular. Within a short time, Mr. Brown as- sumed an aggressive attitude in all affairs pertain- ing to his ward and the public welfare in general. Through his efforts, the project of locating in the Twelfth ward a hospital for contagious diseases, was abandoned. He opposed what later became the somewhat famous street sprinkling advertising con- tracts, and with his colleague, Edward Rourke, of the Finance committee, signed a minority report op- posing the payment of $4.000 as proposed, and sug- gested that $500 be paid each paper. The result of this report was practically a victory for the minority. as the Finance committee, after careful considera- tion, finally recommended the sum of $600 be paid the papers entitled to remuneration. The leader- ship of young Brown in his ward was ably illes- trated when, in a contest at the primaries a few years ago, he received an overwhelming victory.
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Mr. Brown is prominent and active in various orders and fraternities. He is a member of Delphi Lodge No. 63, Pulaski Chapter and Crawford Coun- cil, A. F. & A. M., and also of the Connecticut State Firemen's Association with a record as volunteer fireman for ten years. Mr. Brown is an honorary member of the Annex Fire Department. He is also past grand master of Polar Star Lodge, No. 17, I. O. O. F. and has represented the lodge at several meetings of the Grand Lodge; and belongs to Can- ton Sassacus, No. I, of New Haven.
On Sept. 14, 1895. Mr. Brown was married to Miss Jennie, daughter of George H. Currass, and to this union have been born: William Morris, Ethel May and Dora Ethel.
HON. JULIU'S COLTON CABLE, judge of the Court of Common Pleas of New Haven county, is a representative of a sturdy New Eng- land ancestry and of a kind, too, whose love of liberty and freedom was beyond question. John Cable, his emigrant ancestor came from England to New England, settling at Roxbury, Mass., early in the seventeenth century. In 1636 he, in company with Gov. Pynchon, removed to Springfield, Mass. Seven of his lineal descendants served in the war of the Revolution, two of whom were wounded and were United States pensioners.
Judge Cable was born Oct. II, 1849, in New- town, Conn., son of Nathaniel J. and Phoebe (Law- rence ) Cable, now of Avon, Conn. He attended the schools of his native town, and later was a student in Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. He taught school in Newtown and Unionville, Conn., and in Ithaca, N. Y. Subsequently he entered Yale Law School, from which he was graduated in 1873. In June of that same year he was admitted to the Bar in New Haven county, settled in New Haven in the practice of his profession, so continuing up to the present time. 1 wo years of his early practice were in connection with the late Hon. Dexter R. Wright and Hon. H. Lynde Harrison, and for nine years he was associated with Wright & Harrison, of New Haven, and subsequently four years with Mr. Harrison alone. In 1876 he served as a member of the common council of New Haven. He has also served as clerk of the City Court and from 1883 to 1887, as city attorney. He was appointed judge of the City Court in 1893, a position he filled with dignity and great acceptancy, and four years later was appointed to the office of judge of the court of Common Pleas of New Haven county .. His long experience and good repute as a lawyer, his fine record as a wise and humane judge of the City Court, his excellent work as a substitute judge in the court of common pleas, his untarnished stand- ing as a man, and his usefulness as a citizen are all so well known that his appointment to his pres- ent office for which he is so well fitted is but a just recognization of merit and character.
Judge Cable's political affiliations are with the
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Republican party. Heis a member of Hiram Lodge F. & A. M., and New Haven Commandery, Knights Templar. He also belongs to the I. O. O. F., and the New Haven Colony Historical Society.
On Jan. 1, 1874, Judge Cable was married to Alathea B. Woodruff, of Avon, Conn., a daughter of Horace Woodruff, and to them have come two children : Nathaniel J. and William D.
HERBERT C. CLEVELAND WARREN, of the firm of H. C. Warren & Co., bankers and brokers of New Haven, is one of that city's widely and favor- ably known business men, as well as one of its lead- ing enterprising and public-spirited citizens. Born Feb. 5, 1843. in the town of Derby, Conn., son of the late Henry and Mary A. ( Clark) Warren, he is a representative on both sides of sturdy New Eng- land ancestry of the Colonial period. On his mother's side he descends from George Clark, one of the first settlers of Milford, Conn., 1639.
On the 250th anniversary of the settlement of his native town and was prepared for business as Milford there was erected in the town The Memor- ial Bridge, in honor of the founders of the town. This was dedicated Aug. 28. 1889. Two of the stones of this bridge are inscribed to the memory of the Clarks-one, No. 8. to "Deacon George Clark, Obit 1690, Mary His wife." and the other. No. 18, to "George Clark, Obit 1600, Sarah His wife." Concerning these Clarks. as named respectively, the writer of the Memorial Pamphlet remarks as fol- lows :
"As there were two George Clarks among the settlers of 1639. much error has grown out of it, as to the correct line of descent of the Clarks, but the writer is confident that from the Deacon descends all of that name in Milford. and those that trace to his son Samuel, who married Mary, the daughter of George. the 'Farmer,' have of course the blood of | both Georges. There has sprang an unusually large progeny from one man, and as a rule, they have been thrifty. He probably died without a will, but the probate records show that he left a large estate. His three sons were prominent, especially Ensign George, and his daughter Sarah was the mother of Gov. Jonathan Law, although Lambert says it was Farmer George's daughter.
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"This George Clark ( referring to the second mentioned ) was brother to John Clark, of Say- brook, who removed thence to Milford and was made deacon of the First Church, and married here the widow of Deacon John Fletcher. His brother Daniel was one of the patentees under the famous charter from Charles II. His only son. John, prob- ably died without issue soon after his father. His daughter Ruth married Thomas Fitch, of Norwalk. and her grandson was assistant of the Colony of . Connecticut. Her daughter Lydia married John Newton in 1680 ( probably son of the Pastor), was soon a widow. but evident1. a smart business wo- man, and reached a ripe old age."
Henry Warren, the father of Herbert C. C., was descended from the old Wilcoxson family of Derby, Conn., where he was born in 1810. At an early age he began teaching in his native town, and for nearly or quite half a century was the "Master" in Derby and neighboring towns, and from the schools over which he presided went forth many youths who attained honorable distinction and note in the Naugatuck Valley and elsewhere in the coun- try at large. Master Warren was especially fitted and adapted to his profession, and was eminently successful in it. He won and held the respect and esteem not only of the scholars, but of their parents, and died beloved by a host of friends and acquaint- ances. For the last fifteen or more years of his life he made his home in New Haven with his son Herbert C. C. Warren, going thither after the death of his wife. His own death occurred Nov. 17, 1896.
Herbert C. C. Warren attended the schools of clerk in a store and banking house. At the age of twenty-five years, in 1868, he established the present banking and brokerage house bearing his name. In 1878 Alexander McAlister became a partner, and so continued until his death, in 1885. since which time Mr. Warren has continued the business alone. To the business of this house Mr. Warren has given close application and attention. until he has developed an extensive and successful trade which extends throughout New England, in which section the establishment is well and favor- ably known. Mr. Warren has successfully handled many issues of trolley railroad and other invest- ment bonds, and has the confidence of a large clientele. The house does a general banking and investment brokerage business.
Mr. Warren is identified with a number of cor- porations and enterprises. He is a director of the Merchants Bank and the New Haven Electric Co., and is treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce. He has been a member of the New Haven city govern- · ment. Socially he belongs to the Quinnipiac Club and the Union League. In politics he is a Repub- lican.
On Oct. 9, 1867, Mr. Warren was married to Helen L. Perkins, daughter of Charles Perkins, of Meriden, a representative of an old Connecticut family, and to them came two children. namely : Louise and Harold P. The mother of these died March 23, 1896. On June 14, 1900, Mr. Warren married Mrs. Alice G. Bristol, who had a daughter, Naita.
MORSE. For about eighty years past the late Gardner Morse and his descendants have been close- lv identified with the history of New Haven, and have figured conspicuously in its business growth and development. The Morse family is one of the oldest among the early settlers of New England.
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Gardner Morse was a direct descendant of Joseph Morse, who came to this country from England in 1635, settling at Ipswich, Massachusetts.
GARDNER MORSE was born at Marlboro, Mass., April 11, 1809. When sixteen years old he came to New Haven to enter the employ of Timothy and Stephen Bishop, prominent merchants of the city. After six years' service with these gentlemen he engaged in the wholesale drug and oil business with the late Charles Peterson, under the firm name of Morse & Peterson, and founded the establish- ment now conducted by the well-known firm of Spencer & Matthews. At an early age Mr. Morse entered the State militia service, and soon became colonel of the Second Connecticut Regiment. Un- der his command the service was reorganized and brought to a state of high discipline and efficiency, which that admired organization has since well maintained. In this duty he had the good fortune to have the assistance on his staff of Major Minott E. Osborn, the late editor and proprietor of the New Haven Register, and attributed much of his success as a commander to the valued co-operation of that greatly beloved and esteemed fellow citizen and 'soldier. Col. Morse was also later honored with the commission of major of the Second Company of the Governor's Foot Guards, a command of his- toric renown for its participation in the war of the Revolution. In 1837 he retired from mercantile business, and thereafter during his long life was continuously and actively engaged in the discharge of many public official duties, and in the manage- ment of private trusts of considerable importance, for both individuals and corporations. Among the public offices filled by him may be mentioned the collectorship of taxes of the city, town and school district, which position he filled with marked ability for twenty years, front 1837 to 1857. He was also for about forty years trustee of the town deposit fund and the old Almshouse Farm corporation of New Haven. He was identified with the manage- ment of the affairs of the New Haven Savings Bank, of which he was a vice-president and trustee until his decease. His business connections as a real-estate and fire insurance agent were early es- tablished, and grew in extent and importance from year to year, and his knowledge and experience in all matters pertaining to real property were es- pecially well known and valued.
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Mr. Morse was accurate in judgment, quick in perception and prompt in acts of sympathy. His character presented a rare combination of dignity, firmness and gentleness, such as engaged to a marked degree the confidence, esteem and affection of all who knew him. His religious convictions were deep and strong. He was a lifelong member of Trinity Episcopal Church, and served that so- ciety as vestryman and treasurer for many years. In his political associations Col. Morse was first a Whig and later an unfaltering adherent of the Re- publican party. He was deeply interested in all
that pertained to the history and welfare of the town, and retained his activity in all social and business relations until nearly the end of his life, which came suddenly, in May, 1896, from an apo- plectic stroke.
Mr. Morse was three times married, and was the father of twelve children. Six of his sons grew to manhood in New Haven and attained consider- able prominence in business. The eldest son,
ALGERNON HULL MORSE, whose lamented death preceded that of his father by a few months, was a man of marked character and ability. He was born in 1835, and received an excellent common- school education in the schools of New Haven, and at Oxford, Conn., and began his business career at the age of fourteen in the office of Hooker & Os- born, a leading firm of carriage makers in New Haven. He early showed unusual skill as an ac- countant, and enjoyed an extensive experience and practice in that employment in various large es- tablishments, in Cambridge, New York and New Haven, until the year 1870, when he established himself as a public accountant in his native city and there remained in the practice of his calling for the remainder of his life. Algernon Morse was a thorough master and progressive student of his chosen profession and acquired a national reputa- tion, not only for the marvelous rapidity and ac- curacy and beauty of his work, but also for its prac- tical results, and the lasting value of the direction and advice given by him. He was ever ready to instruct and assist others ambitious to excel in the same line of work, and many were encouraged and stimulated to success by the example of his remark- able powers of appplication. Mr. Morse closely resembled his father in personal appearance, and was of large and powerful form. Socially he was extremely and deservedly popular, and his genial nature found its best expression in the work of the various fraternal societies with which he was con- nected. He was a lifelong and well-known mem- ber of Hiram Lodge, F. & A. M., and was es- pecially noted for his work in the order of the Sons of Temperance. Of this body he was grand scribe for several years, and labored effectively for twenty years in the cause of temperance, as a mem- ber of Harmony Lodge, New Haven. He was a fine reader and dramatic critic. His sudden death, from heart disease, in December. 1895, while ap- parently in the fullest vigor, closed an honored career full of promise of future usefulness.
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