USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 3 > Part 19
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in the North purchasing goods and man- aging his farm, the Southern business being well managed by the partners. The Civil War wrecked their business, and in addition Mr. Ives sustained a personal loss of $80,000 caused by the burning of the town by Union troops. Thereafter he confined his operations to Meriden and developed his farm as a stock raising property. He was a lover of fine horses, and during his career bred and reared many fine blooded animals which were sold at high figures. He was very charit- able, gave liberally to church and philan- thropy, was of such well known ability and integrity that he was called upon to administer many estates, and in his home life was a devoted husband and father. He was a Democrat in politics, served his city as councilman, alderman and street commissioner, declining the nomi- nation for mayor. He married, Septem- ber 1, 1841, Lucy Julia Birdsey, born in Meriden, a woman of great force of char- acter and the embodiment of every Chris- tian virtue. She was a daughter of Ger- shom (2) and Lucy (Coe) Birdsey, and grandaughter of Gershom, and Hannah (Bartlett) Birdsey, he the son of John (1) Birdsey, born in Reading, Berkshire, England, who came to New England in 1636, settling at Milford, Connecticut, in 1639. In the maternal line Mrs. Ives also traced descent to Thomas Welles, a Colo- nial governor of Connecticut. William Jackson and Lucy Julia (Birdsey) Ives were the parents of five children: Wil- liam Birdsey, of further mention ; Ellena Lucy, deceased; Elizabeth, died young ; Carrie, died young ; George W., deceased.
William Birdsey Ives, eldest son of William Jackson and Lucy Julia (Bird- sey) Ives, was born in Meriden, Connec- ticut, October 27, 1843, died at the Ives homestead on Broad street, Meriden, January 9, 1917. His education was be-
gun in the old East Side public school, and completed in old Meriden Academy, Suf- field School, Suffield, Connecticut, and Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York. His first venture in business was as a groceryman in partnership with R. T. Cooke, the store conducted by Ives & Cooke now being known as the F. L. Yale store on East Main street, Meriden. After retiring from the grocery business, he purchased the Meriden House block, and for a number of years made his home in the Meriden House, but spent a great deal of time in travel, accompanied by his wife. He owned the Meriden House and block for thirty years, but in May, 1915, he sold it and thereafter resided in the old Ives homestead on Broad street. In his earlier years, Mr. Ives was fond of the sports of forest and stream, and being a member of the Metabechowan Fish and Game Club he spent many of his summer seasons hunting and fishing in Canada. He was a member of the Masonic order, a charter member of the Highland Coun- try Club and a member of the Home Club. In later years he spent his summers at Crescent Beach in East Lyme, Connecti- cut, where he owned a summer home, "Meer-Heim." He was an attendant of the First Baptist Church of Meriden, and in his will generously remembered that church. He is buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery.
Mr. Ives married (first) S. Clarissa Rutty, of Meriden. He married (second) Rhoda J. Birdsey, who survives him (see Birdsey).
(The Birdsey Line).
The Birdsey family is among the earl- iest implanted .in Connecticut. John Birdsey, a native of Reading, Berkshire, England, came to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1636, bringing or accompanying his adult sons. He settled at Milford, Con- necticut, in 1639, and was one of the first
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planters there; died 1649. It is supposed that he had sons, Edward, Joseph and John (2). The last named was born 1616, and died in Stratford, Connecticut, April 4, 1690. He married Philippa, daughter of Rev. Henry Smith, and their son, John (3) Birdsey, was born March 28, 1641, died July 9, 1697. His will is found in Fairfield. He married, December II, 1669, Phoebe Wilcoxson, and they were the parents of Abel Birdsey, born No- vember 30, 1679, died May 14, 1747. His first wife, Comfort, daughter of John Welles, granddaughter of John Welles, great-granddaughter of Thomas Welles, died June 29, 1717, and was the mother of John (4) Birdsey, born September 26, 1712, died June 5, 1798. It is probable that John (4) Birdsey was twice married, as the Stratford records speak of his wife, Hannah, while the Middletown records give her name as Sarah. His will was proved September 24, 1798, at Middle- town. His son, Gershom Birdsey, born November 21, 1734, died November 17, 1789. His marriage, according to the family records, was to Hannah Bartlett, on November 12, 1772, although the Mid- dletown records place it one year earlier. Gershom (2) Birdsey, son of Gershom (1) and Hannah (Bartlett) Birdsey, born December 29, 1776, resided in Middle- field and Meriden, and died in the latter place, March 13, 1865. He married Lucy Coe, born March 7, 1779, died 1863, daughter of Captain Eli Coe. Their daughter, Lucy Julia Birdsey, born Feb- ruary 6, 1824, became the wife of William Jackson Ives, of Meriden (see Ives). Edwin Birdsey, third son of Gershom (2) and Lucy (Coe) Birdsey, born April 3, 1816, in Middlefield, Connecticut,died De- cember 21, 1888, in Meriden, Connecticut. At the age of one year he removed with his parents to Meriden, where he was reared on the old Birdsey homestead and
followed agricultural pursuits the better part of his life; he was a Democrat in politics, and sheriff of Meriden for many years. He married Lavinia Maria Bailey. They were the parents of Rhoda J. Bird- sey, who became the wife of William Birdsey Ives, of Meriden (see Ives).
BUCKINGHAM, Edward T., Lawyer, Public Official.
From his first coming, Mr. Buckingham so strongly impressed his individuality upon the electorate of his adopted city as a lawyer and city official that in 1909 he was elected chief executive, being one of the youngest mayors in the country to govern a city of the size and importance of Bridgeport. The office at that time carried unusually heavy responsibilities, and although he did not escape criticism -as what public official does-he gained many new friends, retained his old ones and left the mayor's chair higher in public esteem and confidence than when he en- tered it notwithstanding the trying con- ditions under which his administration labored. This test of character and ability passed with honor, he returned to the practice of his profession, and has be- come one of the leading members of the Fairfield county bar.
Mr. Buckingham is of the ninth gener- ation of the family founded in America by Thomas Buckingham, who sailed from London, England, and arrived at Boston, June 26, 1837. The following year he was in New Haven, Connecticut, and later settled in Milford. From Thomas Buck- ingham, the founder, the line of descent follows through his son, Samuel; his second son, Samuel (2) ; his son, Samuel (3) ; his son, Jared; his son, John; his son, Lucius E. : his eldest son, Walter T .; his son, Edward T. Buckingham, of Bridgeport.
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Edward T. Buckingham
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Walter T. Buckingham was born in Dover, Dutchess county, New York, Oc- tober 25, 1841, died in Bridgeport, Con- necticut. His business career was varied by frequent change of location and line until 1881, when he settled in Bridgeport. He was an expert accountant, was the first clerk of the city of Norwalk in 1869, and for eight and a half years was deputy collector of customs for the port of Bridgeport. He was an ardent Democrat, and a member of Connecticut's oldest Masonic Lodge, King Solomon, No. I, of Woodbury, of which he was secretary as long as he remained in that city. In Bridgeport he was affiliated with St. John's Lodge, No. 4, and held in high re- gard by his brethren. He married, No- vember 8, 1865, Helen E. Tolles, daughter of Robert Tolles, of Plymouth, Connecti- cut. They were the parents of a daugh- ter, Ida E., wife of T. W. Joyce, of Bridge- port, and of a son, Edward T., of further mention.
Edward T. Buckingham was born in Metuchen, New Jersey, May 12, 1874, his father at that time being superintendent of railroad construction in that section. In 1881 his parents moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he attended Grand street grade and Bridgeport High schools, graduating from the latter with the class of 1891. A strong and healthy boy, he developed under the best home influences both the intellectual and physical sides of his nature, and there being no obstacle to prevent, he pressed steadily forward toward the goal of his ambition, a legal education and a life of public service. He was equally interested in books and athletics, played hard and studied hard, learned considerable of history and biog- raphy, and entered college well developed mentally and physically. He entered Yale University in 1891, taking the academic course, received his Bachelor of Arts de-
gree in 1895, entered Yale Law School, and was graduated Bachelor of Laws, class of '97. The following year he be- gan practice in Bridgeport, where he has continued in his profession until the pres- ent time (1917). He is a member of the County and State Bar associations, has a large practice and serves an influential clientele.
A Democrat in politics, Mr. Bucking- ham has ever taken a keen interest in public affairs and has realized another ambition in the prominent part he has played in city affairs. He was elected justice of the peace in 1898, reelected in 1900, was elected city clerk in 1901 and re- elected in 1903 by a majority of 2,535, the largest ever given a city clerk. Reëlec- tions followed in 1905 and 1907, his ad- ministration of the city clerk's office giv- ing complete satisfaction. At the expira- tion of his term in 1909 he was "called higher" and by the largest majority ever given a candidate for that office, 3,034, was chosen mayor of Bridgeport. He was mentioned as a candidate for gov- ernor in 1910, but withdrew his name and seconded the nomination of Hon. Simeon E. Baldwin, the successful candidate. He was appointed, October 1, 1913, by Gov- ernor Baldwin, Workmen's Compensation Commissioner for the Fourth Congres- sional District of Connecticut, a position he still holds (1917). He is one of the strong men of his party in the city, and has gained influential position among State leaders.
In fraternal orders he has attained many honors, being past master of St. John's Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and is a thirty-second degree Mason of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite ; past sachem of Wowopon Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men ; past great sachem of the State order, elected in May, 1911; member of Bridgeport Lodge, Benevolent
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and Protective Order of Elks; Samuel H. Harris Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Fraternal Order of Eagles; the Foresters of America; and the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Arion Society, the Germania Society and the Young Men's Christian Associ- ation, taking an active interest in all. In religious faith he is a Congregationalist. The love of athletic sports which distin- guished his youth was continued through- ont his college years, and out-of-door life still has a deep attraction for him. At college he was pitcher on the Law School team, and in the various City Hall teams he was always in demand. He is also an expert at tennis, and displays several trophies won in city and State tourna- ments.
Mr. Buckingham married, June 3, 1910, Bessie R. Budau, daughter of John and Annie (Russell) Budau, of Bridgeport, and granddaughter of John Diederick and Louise Jane (French) Budau, her grandfather born in Lubeck, Germany, October 14, 1817, came to the United States in 1833, finally settled in Bridge- port, Connecticut, where he lived to an honored old age. He died November 2, 1888, and was buried with Masonic honors. His wife, Louise Jane (French) Budan, who died in very old age, was a daughter of Wheeler French, and grand- daughter of Gamaliel French, a Revolu- tionary soldier whose name is inscribed upon the tablets erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution at the gate- way of the old Stratfield burying ground in Bridgeport. Mr. and Mrs. Bucking- ham are the parents of two sons, Russell B. and Edward T. (2).
From his own experiences and observa- tion, Mr. Buckingham has this advice to give young men to which class he as yet belongs: "Be moderate and temperate, but do not try to be too prominent, mingle
and rub elbows with successful men and get their ideas. Relax-wherever it is possible and be ready at all times to listen to reason and profit by the experience of others. Make your dealings with men open and fair, be honest with yourself and you will be honest with others. Re- tain old friendships when you make new ones, remembering that most of the suc- cesses of life are attained by assistance from others and that by yourself and your own strength little can be accom- plished."
WHEELER, George Wakeman,
Jurist.
Prior to 1883, change of scene and en- vironment marked the life of Judge George W. Wheeler, justice of the Su- preme Court of Errors of Connecticut, the State of Mississippi claiming him as a native son, the State of New Jersey the home of his youth, Connecticut educating him for his profession, and then adopting him, as one of her eminent sons. The city of Bridgeport was the scene of his early professional endeavor, and there his par- ticular talents developed and he won a name which justified his appointment to the Superior Court of the State at the age of thirty-two, the youngest judge to ever sit in that august body. His ances- try accounts for a predilection for a pro- fession, as the same scholarly instincts have appeared in the three preceding generations. Stephen Wheeler, of Eas- ton, was a judge of the Fairfield County Court; his son, Charles Wheeler, was a member of the Connecticut House of As- sembly, a man of education and worth; his son, George W. Wheeler, was a grad- uate of Amherst College, class of '56, principal of a large school at Woodville. Mississippi, 1857-68, and a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Bergen coun-
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ty, New Jersey, residing in Hackensack from 1868 until the present time (1917). Judge George W. Wheeler married Lucy Dowie, daughter of Henry Dowie, of Andes, New York, they the parents of Judge George Wakeman Wheeler, of Bridgeport. Granting the influence of heredity and environment, so much re- mained for individual effort to accom- plish that it has been only by close appli- cation and deep study that Judge Wheeler has won his way to high position. As a lawyer he was noted for the careful pre- paration of his cases and during his ten years of practice in Bridgeport that qual- ity, more than his talent, learning and elo- quence, won him several notable cases. His career as a jurist has been marked by the same quality, his decisions and opin- ions only being issued atter convincing proof that they are in accord with the law. Fairness, courtesy and considera- tion distinguish his official intercourse with every member of the bar who ap- pears before him, and his love of justice amounts to a passion.
George Wakeman Wheeler, eldest son of Judge George W. and Lucy (Dowie) Wheeler, was born in Woodville, Missis- sippi, December 1, 1860, and there the first four years of his life were passed. In 1868 his parents returned North, settling in Hackensack, New Jersey, where he at- tended public schools and Hackensack Academy, receiving a diploma from the Academy in 1876. The following year was spent at Williston Seminary, where he was graduated with the class of 1877. He entered Yale Academy in 1877 and graduated in the class of 1881. He chose the law as his profession, entered Yale Law School in 1882, after a course of study under Garret Ackerson, of the Ber- gen county, New Jersey, bar, and was graduated Bachelor of Laws, class of '83. He was then confronted with the young
lawyer's problem-"where and how to be- gin practice." Mr. Wheeler solved his problem by selecting Bridgeport, Con- necticut, as his location, and a partnership as a manner of obtaining an introduction. He joined with Howard J. Curtis in form- ing the law firm of Wheeler & Curtis, and for ten years that firm continued a suc- cessful existence, only dissolving when both partners were "called higher," Mr. Curtis to the Common Pleas bench, Mr. Wheeler to the Superior Court of Connec- ticut.
During the years 1890-92, Mr. Wheeler was city attorney of Bridgeport, and on February 28, 1893, was appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Connecticut by Luzon B. Morris, Democratic Governor of the State. Although Judge Wheeler was the youngest man ever appointed to the Superior bench of the State, his choice gave general satisfaction to the bar, and the press of Connecticut favorably com- mented upon the Governor's action. Re- publican Governors have confirmed the wisdom of the appointment by renaming him, and until September 28, 1910. he ably filled his high office, only to leave it to become upon that date a justice of the Supreme Court of Errors, his present office. He is held in the highest esteem as a learned, just and upright judge by the profession and possesses the perfect confidence of the public. Judge Wheeler had been an active, ardent Democrat prior to his elevation to the bench, and is yet strong in the faith, but with the as- sumption of judicial position his activity ceased. He is a member of the various bar associations, and scientific societies, and gratifies the social side of his nature in association with his many friends through the medium of club membership in Bridgeport and elsewhere. He retains his residence at Bridgeport, his home No. 115 Park avenue.
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Judge Wheeler married, July 5, 1894, Agnes M. Mocy. They have a daughter, Helen Lucy, a student in Vassar, 1919, and a son, George Mocy Wheeler.
GOODSELL, Zalmon, Enterprising Citizen.
There are few men of the present day whose activity has found more varied ways of expression or who have lived a more useful life than Zalmon Goodsell, of Bridgeport. While his early inclina- tion was for a business career, he has from boyhood been connected with Bridgeport's business life, and is the head of a prosperous concern. Mr. Goodsell has been associated with all movements of a public nature, and in fraternity, Board of Trade, Builders' Exchange, he has freely used his personal influence and his ability as a speaker and writer to fur- ther the interests of each. As president of the Board of Trade, his administration was characterized by unusual activity, and the board became a useful and thor- oughly progressive body. While presi- dent of the Builders' Exchange, the mem- bership increased from ten to over eighty, while his year as president of the Master Plumbers' Association marked one of the most prosperous periods of its existence. In brief, he is one of the men who can be depended upon to do all in his power to aid every worthy cause, and freely to give of his time and his influence.
Mr. Goodsell is a great-grandson of Sergeant Epaphras Goodsell, a soldier of the Revolution, who was a son of the Rev. John Goodsell, son of Thomas Goodsell, the first of the name in New England. Rev. John Goodsell was born in East Haven, Connecticut, December 21, 1706, and was ordained May 18, 1726, pastor of the church at Greenfield, Fairfield county, Connecticut. There he labored for the
spiritual uplift of his people for thirty years, and died December 26, 1763. He married, July 20, 1725, Mary Lewis, daughter of Captain James Lewis, of Stratford, Connecticut, a descendant of Governor Thomas Welles.
Epaphras Goodsell, son of the Rev. John and Mary (Lewis) Goodsell, was born in 1742, and in 1776 enlisted with his three brothers in Captain Dimon's com- pany of Fairfield. On January 1, 1777, he enlisted in Captain Mills' company, Sec- ond Regiment, Connecticut Line, fought at Monmouth and suffered at Valley Forge. Zalmon Goodsell, son of Sergeant Epaphras Goodsell, was the father of Epaphras B. Goodsell, who, for eight years, 1853-61, was postmaster of Bridge- port and mayor of the city in 1871-72-73. He married Eliza Butts.
Zalmon (2) Goodsell, son of Epaphras B. and Eliza (Butts) Goodsell, was born in South Kent, Connecticut, March 19, 1845. but spent many years of his boy- hood at the home of his grandfather, Zal- mon Goodsell, at Brookfield, where he attended the public schools. Later he at- tended high school in Bridgeport, and fin- ished his studies at the private school of Rev. Mr. Noble, at Brookfield. It was his father's wish that his son enter the min- istry, but his inclination was all for a business career, and his own wishes pre- vailed. His first position was as clerk in the grocery of Andrew Nash, in Bridge- port, his next at the railroad station, where he was in charge of the newsstand. At the newsstand he made the acquaint- ance of many of the city's business men, among them Nathaniel Wheeler and Wil- liam D. Bishop, both of whom took a deep interest in the boy. Through Mr. Wheeler's influence he obtained a good position in the Wheeler & Wilson factory, but left it to go into business with Wheeler Beers. At the end of a year,
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with the financial aid of his friend, Wil- liam D. Bishop, he bought out Mr. Beers, and continued in the same business until 1875, part of that time as a member of the firm of Bradbury, Goodsell & Wilmot. After withdrawing from that firm in 1875, he resumed business independently, first on Fairfield avenue, later on Main street, then locating on Water street. There he conducted a prosperous steam heating and plumbing business, built up a large fire insurance agency, and dealt largely in real estate. He has ably conducted his private business, and in its various branches has won material success.
Mr. Goodsell's connection with the business world has extended far beyond the limits of his private affairs. From the date of his own membership he took a deep interest in the work of the Bridge- port Board of Trade, of which he is a charter member. He was also a member of the State Board of Trade, acting as vice-president under Lieutenant-Governor Dewell, and when the latter resigned, Mr. Goodsell was elected president, which office he held two years. He served on the "good roads" committee, and repre- sented the board at the Pan-American Conference held in Philadelphia. In be- half of "good roads" he appeared several times before a committee of the Legisla- ture to advocate the improvement of pub- lic highways and other matters in which the board was interested. As a repre- sentative of the Bridgeport Board of Trade, he attended State and national conventions, and his address "Boards of Trade. Their Uses and How to Conduct Them," has been delivered in many New England cities.
His connection with the Builders' Ex- change of Bridgeport began when it was a weakling. He infused new life into its ten members, and finally the exchange be- came a strong, effective organization, with
a membership including men engaged in every branch of the building trades. As president, Mr. Goodsell represented the Bridgeport body as a delegate to the meeting of the National Association of Master Builders, held in Baltimore. He was also president of the Master Plumb- ers' Association, and one of the founders of the State Association of Master Plumb- ers, calling the first meeting in Bridge- port. He was also a delegate to the na- tional meetings of the association in Bos- ton and Milwaukee, and served on the legislative committee of both the State and national association. In 1910 Mr. Goodsell was nominated for secretary of the State of Connecticut by the State Convention. This came as a great sur- prise to Mr. Goodsell, as he had not been consulted on the subject, and it was a great compliment to him personally.
His activity in private and public busi- ness affairs gained him a wide acquaint- ance, and as his reputation spread he had enormous demands made upon his time. He became a fluent, eloquent public speaker, filled many public appointments, presided at mass meetings and many ban- quets, his gracious, witty manner as toastmaster being so appreciated that he was often called upon for such duty at banquets given by the Board of Trade and the many organizations of which he is a member. At presentations, flag rais- ings, awarding of school prizes, celebra- tions and other occasions of civic interest, he is frequently the orator, and in all that means progress his interest has ever been intense.
A Democrat in politics, he served four years as a member of the Board of Public Works, by appointment of Mayor DeFor- rest ; was a candidate of his party for mayor of Bridgeport and for State Sena- tor, and when the issue became acute be- tween the followers of President Cleve-
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