USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 9 > Part 40
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his religious interest is evidenced by the fact that he holds a pew in the South Con- gregational Church of Middletown.
S. Harris Warner was married, Novem- ber 16, 1903, in Seattle, Washington, to Catharine (Gray) Niblock, a former resi- dent of Chicago, and daughter of James Gray Niblock and Mary Elizabeth Nib- lock, the latter, late of that city, now deceased.
WARNER, Charles Winthrop, Manufacturer.
The junior son of the late Samuel Lar- kin Warner, of previous mention, Charles W. Warner, is a native of Middletown, born November 20, 1863. He was reared under most favorable auspices in a cul- tivated family, receiving instruction from a private teacher and pursuing special courses at Wesleyan University. Ow- ing to impaired health he was sent abroad to recuperate and there attended a uni- versity at Munich, Germany. Return- ing to Middletown, he was placed in charge of the quarries in Haddam, in 1887, and thus continued until 1892, when he was appointed receiver for the W. H. Chapman Company, a manufacturing establishment in Middletown. In 1894, after the affairs of the concern had been placed in good order by Mr. Warner, the company was reorganized and Mr. War- ner was elected treasurer and general manager. This position he has main- tained to the present time. The establish- ment is engaged largely in the manufac- ture of brass goods. Mr. Warner is active in the leading circles of Middletown and was its representative in the State Legis- lature in 1898. His political principles are represented by the Republican party. For sixteen years he has been a vestry- man of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Middletown, and he is a member of the
Sons of the American Revolution and of the Chamber of Commerce of his home city.
He married, June 17, 1891, Mary Lor- ing, a native of Great Barrington, Massa- chusetts, daughter of Almon and Amelia (Reasoner) Loring, and granddaughter of Almon Loring, of Salisbury, Massachu- setts, whose wife was a daughter of Abi- jah Savage, of Cromwell. Mr. and Mrs. Warner are the parents of a son. Win- throp Loring Warner, born May 17, 1900, who is a student at the Massachusetts In- stitute of Technology.
CORNELL, Minne Suydam, Manufacturer.
The head of one of the oldest indus- tries in Middletown, Mr. Cornell is rated among the enterprising and successful business men of the city. He is descended from one of the oldest New York families and has been identified with business in Middletown since 1905.
Thomas Cornell, first of the family in America, was born about 1595 in Essex, England, and died about 1655. He came to America in 1638, and was first at Bos- ton, where he kept an inn. He was ad- mitted a freeman in August, 1640, at Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and was con- stable the same year. In 1642, he was ensign and during the same year removed to New Amsterdam. He was very friendly with Roger Williams. Following some trouble with the Indians, he returned to Portsmouth and was granted land there, August 29, 1644, and again in 1646. He married Rebecca Briggs, born in 1600, died February 8, 1673.
Richard Cornell, son of Thomas and Rebecca (Briggs) Cornell, was born about 1625, in England, and died in 1694. Before 1656, he was settled in Flushing, Long Island, and in 1663, was sent to con-
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fer with the Governor on the "matter of tithes." In 1666, he was justice of the peace ; and was granted a permit to sell liquor and powder to the Indians. His will, dated November 7, 1693, was proved October 30, 1694. His marriage occurred about 1655, the Christian name of his wife being Elizabeth. Their son,
Richard Cornell, was born about 1656, and died after 1725. He was executor of his father's will, in 1694, and lived in Flushing, at Success, a little hamlet, now called Lakeville, partly in Flushing and partly in Hempstead. Before 1692 Rich- ard Cornell was married to Sarah, whose surname is not known. Their son,
Richard Cornell, was born before 1685, and died in 1772-78. In 1722 he served as fence viewer. He married, July 8, 1712, Miriam (or Marcy) Mott, and their son,
James Cornell, was born May 9, 1721, and died July 19, 1802. He received one- fifth of his father's lands and married, February 7, 1758, Margaret Hicks, born January 29, 1737, probably a daughter of Isaac Hicks. Their son,
Hallett Cornell, was born January 23, 1771, and died May 20, 1866. His will was dated in 1865 and was proved in 1867. He lived about three-quarters of a mile east of the court house in Mineola and, with his wife, is buried in St. George's churchyard, in Hempstead. He married, January 22, 1792, Elvira Hicks, born May 10, 1771, died September 10, 1841, daugh- ter of Jeffrey and Mary (Cornell) Hicks.
James Gilbert Cornell, their son, was born January 6, 1805, and died May 25, 1875. He inherited the homestead farm from his father, and in 1865 removed to Brooklyn, New York, where he engaged in the ship-building business. He mar- ried (first), July 7, 1828, in New York City, Ellinor Wood, who died August 7, 1829. Their son,
James Elwood Cornell, was born Au-
gust 7, 1829, and died in July, 1886. He married, October 22, 1850, Anna Priscilla Suydam, daughter of Minne and Eliza- beth W. (Smith) Suydam, born January 27, 1832, in Brooklyn. Mr. Cornell was a real estate agent and was much inter- ested in the genealogy of his family. He had in his possession many old wills and deeds relative to the ancestry of the family.
Minne Suydam Cornell, his son, was born April 6, 1854, and died November 6, 1913. He was long engaged in the manu- facture of hats in New York City, making his home in Brooklyn, New York. He was a Methodist in religious belief and led a most exemplary life. Politically, he was a Republican, but gave no attention to practical politics, refusing at all times to become a candidate for office.
Mr. Cornell married Margaret J. Mc- Cormick, who is still living, and they were the parents of the following children : Herbert S., born May 1, 1876, died young ; James A., deceased; Minne Suydam, of further mention; and Elwood North, born August 3, 1889.
Minne Suydam Cornell, son of Minne Suydam and Margaret J. (McCormick) Cornell, was born August 19, 1883, in Brooklyn, and received his primary edu- cation in the public schools of that city. He was subsequently a student at Wil- braham Academy, Wilbraham, Massa- chusetts, and graduated from Wesleyan University, Middletown, in 1905. Imme- diately after leaving college he entered the factory of the Middletown Silver Company, in which concern he now holds the office of president and the position of general manager. In January, 1910, he was made secretary and general manager, and was elected president in 1913. Pre- vious to 1910, the business has deterio- rated, but with Mr. Joseph Merriam, of Middletown, as treasurer, and Mr. Cor-
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nell as general manager, it rapidly ex- panded. Under the present management the business has been very greatly devel- oped, and is now doing the largest direct export business of any manufacturing plant in Middletown. Besides his inter- est in this plant, Mr. Cornell is also inter- ested in the Kirby Manufacturing Com- pany, of Middletown, of which he is sec- retary, and he is president of the Middle- sex Hudson Company; treasurer of the Frisbie Motor Company; and treasurer of the Mermaid Dishwasher Company. He is interested in everything calculated to promote the development of Middle- town as a community and as a manufac- turing center, and has contributed no small share toward such development. Politically, he is a Republican, but gives his entire attention to business and pays little attention to political activities. He married, June 19, 1906, Helen S. Mer- riam, daughter of Joseph Merriam, of Middletown (q. v.). Mr. and Mrs. Cor- nell have a daughter, Margaret Eleanor, born August 7, 1911.
WALSH, Thomas Patrick,
Physician, Medical Official.
A native of Middletown, Dr. Walsh has passed all of his active life in and about that town, and has established a large medical practice, gaining recognition from the profession, as well as from the public. He was born, September 12, 1876, a son of Thomas Walsh, who was for many years located in Middletown. The family had lived for several generations near Middle- ton, County Cork, Ireland, and held landed property there. Thomas Nicho- las Walsh, a son of Richard, married Catherine McKenna, who died in 1844, in Ireland. In 1850 he came to America and settled in Portland, where he was em- ployed for many years in the quarries,
later removing to Middletown. Connecti- cut, where he lived for twenty years, until his death, which occurred, in 1801, when he was in his eighty-ninth year. He had sons : Joseph, Nicholas, Thomas, and John.
Thomas Walsh, son of Thomas Nicho- las Walsh, conducted a grocery store in Middletown for many years, and died in 1914. He married Mary Joseph Gartley, daughter of Patrick and Mary Gartley, of Mount Savage, Cumberland county, Maryland, and among their children was: Dr. Thomas Patrick Walsh, of this review.
Dr. Thomas Patrick Walsh graduated from the Middletown High School in 1896, and in 1898 entered the medical de- partment of Yale University. He was subsequently a student at the University of Vermont, where he was graduated, in 1902, with the degree of M. D. For more than a year he was connected with St. Francis Hospital, in Hartford, as interne, and there gained much practical experi- ence. In the fall of 1903, he located in Middletown, where he has continued in general practice to the present time. Hav- ing thoroughly prepared himself for the practice of the healing art, he very soon acquired an excellent practice and in 1908 purchased a house at the corner of Main and Grand streets, in Middletown, one of the ancient landmarks of the town, in which he established his office. This build- ing he remodeled and improved at the time of purchase, and again in 1919 made many improvements in his home, which is now one of the handsome structures occupying the main street of the town. Dr. Walsh is the senior member of the medical faculty of Middlesex Hospital. He is a member of the American Medical Association, of the Hartford Medical So- ciety ; and of the Connecticut State, Mid- dlesex County, and Central Medical so- cieties. He is also identified with the
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Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and with the Knights of Columbus. Po- litically, of Democratic sympathies, he is independent of party domination, and supports candidates according to their merits, in his judgment. Under the ad- ministration of both leading parties, he has served twenty years in the Health Department of Middletown. His reli- gious affiliation is with St. John's Roman Catholic Church, one of the largest church organizations in the State. Of genial nature and courtly manners, Dr. Walsh impresses all with his native ability and general culture, and his professional skill has been amply demonstrated, and recog- nized.
He married, at Burlington, Vermont, July, 1902, Lucille Julia Meron, who was born December 19, 1880, in Montpelier, Vermont, daughter of Joseph and Julia (Jandrau) Meron, of that city, of which Mr. Meron is a native. His wife was born in Elmira, New York, but both are of Canadian-French ancestry. Dr. and Mrs. Walsh are the parents of two daugh- ters, Mary Lucille, born November 14, 1908; and Agnes Elizabeth, born March 7, 1914.
ODELL, William Francis,
Clergyman, in World War Service.
Rev. William Francis Odell, pastor of St. Bridget's Roman Catholic Church, of Elmwood, Hartford county, Connecticut, was born in New Britain, a nearby town, May 28, 1880, son of William J. and Catherine (Kelley) Odell, and grandson of William J. Odell.
William J. Odell was in the jewelry business on his own account on Patrick street, in the city of Cork, Ireland, and it was his claim that he belonged to the royal house of Ireland. He was a man of great superiority, a typical old country
gentleman. Mr. Odell came to New Bri- tain to spend his later years and died there in the early "eighties." He married Catherine Fitzgerald, who came from a suburb of Cork. The Fitzgerald family is of Italian origin ; they came from Nor- mandy with William the Conqueror to England. Later one of the family, a noted fighter, was sent to Ireland to put down a rebellion against the King of Leinster. Large territory was granted to him for his success. At that time the family were known as Geraldines. They adopted the Norman prefix, Fitz, which corresponds to the Gaelic Mc, and founded a numerous family in Ireland.
William J. Odell, son of William J. and Catherine (Fitzgerald) Odell, was born in the city of Cork, in 1847, and died in 1901. When he was sixteen years of age he came to America and settled in New Bri- tain, Connecticut, where he followed his occupation of watchmaker, which he had learned from his father in Ireland. Mr. Odell then entered the employ of the P. & F. Corbin Company as timekeeper. When the electric light plant was started, which was when electrical knowledge was possessed by few persons, his fine knowl- edge of mechanics made him valuable in repairing light machinery. He remained with the lighting company until his death, many years of this time as foreman of construction. Mr. Odell was a Republi- can in politics, served on the town com- mittee, and was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Council of New Britain. He married Catherine, daughter of John Kelley, of County Kerry, Ire- land. Mr. and Mrs. Odell were the par- ents of eight children, four of whom grew to maturity. They are: I. Rev. William Francis, of further mention. 2. Grace. 3. Catherine, of Hartford. 4. Aloysius, a graduate of Holy Cross College at Wor- cester, and now with the United States
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Rubber Company. The family attended St. Mary's parish in New Britain.
Rev. William Francis Odell attended St. Mary's parochial school in New Bri- tain and was a member of the New Britain high school, class of 1899. Thence he went to St. Charles College, Ellicott City, Maryland, graduating in 1902 with the degree of B. A. He then attended St. John's Seminary at Brighton, Massachu- setts, and was ordained at St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hartford, Connecticut, by the Rt. Rev. Michael Tierney, Bishop of Hartford, being assigned to St. Thomas' Seminary as prefect. His first assign- ment was to St. Mary's Church at Nor- walk, and after four months there was transferred to St. Francis' Orphan Asy- lum at New Haven, Connecticut. There he remained a year, and for the following four years was assistant at the Sacred Heart parish in the same city. For two years Father Odell served at St. Thomas' parish, Fairfield, Connecticut, and then for seven years was at St. Peter's parish, Hartford. His next assignment was as pastor of St. Bridget's parish, Elmwood, a suburb of Hartford; he was the first pastor of this church and it was also his first full pastorate. Besides the duties of this parish, Father Odell also officiates at the Newington Chapel, Newington, Connecticut. He is also chaplain of the State Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Newing- ton, and the Home for Crippled Children, Newington.
Father Odell was among those gallant and brave men who freely offered their services for the benefit and good of the soldiers during the World War, and his war record is a most creditable one. He endeared himself to many of the boys of the American Expeditionary Forces, and through his spiritual counsel enabled them to keep the morale which was char- acteristic of the American soldier. Many
of these young men now in the familiar walks of civilian life, with homes through- out the United States, remember Father Odell, and since the close of the war he has had many calls from those whose business brought them near to his pas- torate.
In April, 1919, Father Odell received his commission as first lieutenant chap- lain from the Northeastern Department, Boston, Massachusetts, and on the 15th of that month was sent to Camp Zachary Taylor, at Louisville, Kentucky. There he remained until June Ist, and on the 5th of that month went overseas as casualty officer. He was assigned from Chaumont general headquarters to the 39th Infan- try, Fourth Division, Regular Army, thence going to Chateau-Thierry, and was in that first engagement.
The following August, Father Odell prepared for the St. Mihiel offensive and went into action on September 10th, com- ing out the 16th. After this he was be- hind Verdun, until September 23rd, in preparation for the Argonne drive, and the company took their position on the night of the 25th on Hill No. 304, being in action until the 30th. They remained in the Argonne, going into action twice after this time, until October 20th. On this date the company withdrew and returned to the Toul sector ; after replacements and a rest they proceeded, on November 5, to take their place in front of Beaumont, near Sedan, and were in position on the night of the 10th, the plan being to out- flank Metz on the 14th. The armistice was signed the next day and Father Odell served in the Army of Occupation. The 39th Infantry was the first outfit to go across the bridge into Coblenz, where they arrived December 2nd. Father Odell was slightly gassed on several occasions. On December 3rd he received order from general headquarters to report at Aix-les-
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Bains to take charge of the leave area. He was senior chaplain from December, 1918, to June 1, 1919, was sent to St. Aig- non, from there to Brest, and home on the "Leviathan," landing July 15, 1919, and being discharged the next day at Camp Dix. While at Aix-les-Bains, Father Odell had five thousand boys to- gether every seven days. He is a mem- ber of the Knights of Columbus of Hart- ford, the American Legion, and Hartford Lodge, No. 19, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
GATES, George Woodward, Business Man, Public Official.
A successful merchant of Windsor Locks, Connecticut, at the time that the practical production of the automobile revolutionized commercial and pleasure transportation, Mr. Gates cast in his lot with the pioneers of the industry and con- tinued therein until his death in 1921. This record of his life is that of a son of a distinguished old New England family, who combined in his character and per- sonality the sturdy virtues of Colonial forebears and the constructive progres- siveness of the twentieth century, and who held a place of honor and respect in his community.
Mr. Gates was a son of Leroy DeFor- est and Ellen Fedora (Matthews) Gates, his parents having the following children : Nellie, born December 24, 1859, married Dr. William L. Burdick, head of the law department of the University of Kansas; Julius, born January 24, 1861, died July 27, 1879; George Woodward, of whom further; Edith, born June 30, 1871, mar- ried M. Stiles Lawrence, of South Nor- walk, Connecticut, and they had one child; and Frank, born August 25, 1874, died June 22, 1901.
George Woodward Gates was born in
Moodus, Connecticut, November 7, 1867, where he attended the public schools, then graduating from the East Green- wich Academy. For a time he was as- sistant postmaster at Moodus, and about 1887 came to Windsor Locks, entering the grocery business in association with Mr. Newton. Later he purchased Mr. New- ton's share in the enterprise and con- tinued its management alone, his affairs attended by steady prosperity.
To Mr. Gates belongs distinction as the pioneer in the automobile business in Windsor Locks, for he purchased and owned the first car in the community and opened the first agency in the district. Until about 1915 he divided his time be- tween his mercantile interest and his au- tomobile agency, but in that year he dis- posed of the former connection and gave himself entirely to the automobile line. As an automobile salesman he gained reputation that placed him among the leaders in his field in the New England territory and, holding the agencies for several cars of excellent name, among them the Dodge, Elmore and Buick, he added to his agency work the operation of a repair station and garage. This latter department of his business developed as satisfactorily as had the sales branch, and at the time of his death he controlled a large and flourishing enterprise. His salesroom and garage at Windsor Locks were widely known to motorists and he possessed a local patronage that was in itself a tribute to his fair dealing and the efficient workmanship there to be ob- tained.
Mr. Gates was first a member of the Business Men's Association and then of the Chamber of Commerce when the lat- ter organization succeeded the former, and he fraternized as a charter member with Euclid Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. His political faith was the Re-
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publican, and for many years he had served the town as a grand juror, also being elected to the Board of Relief. He was a communicant of the Congregational church.
Mr. Gates married, October 13. 1892, Lulu J. Pease, of Thompsonville, Con- necticut, a teacher in West Middle School of Hartford, daughter of Alvah and Mary Jane (Young) Pease, her father asso- ciated with his brother in furniture and housefurnishing dealings.
George Woodward Gates died at his Spring street home in Windsor Locks, February 2, 1921. In the circles in which he had long been known, his death brought the sorrow and regret that can only be felt when there passes a man who has lived worthily and has contributed his full share to the welfare of his fellowmen.
EDWARDS, William Clifford, Esteemed Citizen.
The Edwards family, of Middletown, is descended from William Edwards, who was at Taunton, as early as 1643, later at Lynn, Massachusetts, removing, with a large colony, from that town to South- ampton, Long Island, where he died about 1685. The baptismal name of his wife, whom he probably married in England, was Ann.
John Edwards, son of William and Ann Edwards, died in 1693, at Southampton. He married Mary Stansbrough, daughter of Josiah Stansbrough, and among their children was Josiah.
Josiah Edwards, son of John and Mary (Stansbrough) Edwards, was born about 1670, lived in Easthampton, Long Island, and died February 14, 1713. He married, in April, 1699, Mary Churchill, who was born, April 6, 1675, in Wethersfield, Con- necticut, eldest daughter of Joseph and Mary Churchill, and granddaughter of
Josiah Churchill, who had lands on the Connecticut river in Wethersfield, April 28, 1641, including a house lot of six acres. Josiah Churchill's residence was on the east side of High street, facing the south end of the common. He later purchased the Gildersleeve homestead on the west side of High street, a little south of his other residence. He served as constable, juryman and town surveyor, and died about 1687. His estate, including 210 acres of land, was valued at six hun- dred eighteen pounds, twelve shillings, and six pence. He married, in 1638, Eliz- abeth Foote, daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Deming) Foote, born about 1616, in England, died September 8, 1700, in Wethersfield. Nathaniel Foote settled near the south end of the present Broad street, where a monument to him now stands. Joseph Churchill, eldest son of Josiah Churchill, born December 7, 1649, received by will of his father, house and lands, including fifty acres at "Ye west end of Wethersfield Bounds," which is in the present town of Newington. He also received property by the will of his ma- ternal grandmother, Elizabeth (Deming) Foote, who became the second wife of Governor Thomas Wells, elsewhere de- scribed at length in this work. Joseph Churchill served as surveyor, assessor, collector, constable and selectman, was sergeant of militia, and died April 1, 1699, leaving an estate valued at 461 pounds. He married, May 13, 1674, Mary, whose surname does not appear in the records. She survived him, was living in 1729, and probably died early in 1730. They were the parents of Mary Churchill, wife of Josiah Edwards. After the death of Jo- siah Edwards, his widow returned to Wethersfield, accompanied by her fifth son, David Edwards.
David Edwards, son of Josiah and Mary (Churchill) Edwards, was born
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April 6, 1707, in Easthampton. He was a forty years in the lockshop of William trooper in the Canadian Expedition and afterwards settled in what is now Crom- well, where he died, January 7, 1795. He married Mary Butler, born 1703, died July 10, 1786, eldest daughter of Joseph and Mary (Goodrich) Butler, and grand- daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Bigelow) Butler. Among their children was David (2).
David (2) Edwards, youngest child of David and Mary (Butler) Edwards, was baptized December 24, 1749, and lived in what is now Rocky Hill, where he died October 23, 1825. He married Roxanna Hubbard, daughter of Samuel Hubbard, of Hartford. She died October 1, 1795. No record of their children can be dis- covered. Undoubtedly one of these was Horace Edwards.
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