USA > Connecticut > Evening post annual 1884: biographical sketches (with portraits) of the state officers, representatives in Congress, governor's staff, and senators and members of the General Assembly of the state of Connecticut > Part 9
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STEPHEN LAVERY
Of Windsor, was born at Belfast, Ireland, June 1, 1838, and was brought to this country by his parents when he was only ten months of age. His father was of Scotch deseent, and his mother was of Irish parentage. He was brought up in Middletown and at New York, and seenred a good practical education in the schools of the two cities. He enlisted in the Fourth Connecticut regiment, serving as a private in Company G of that command. He also served as Sergeant in Company A of the Twenty-fourth Connecticut. He is a book-pressman by trade, and has been employed by The Case, Lockwood & Brainard Company of Hartford, for over nineteen years. In polities Mr. Lavery is a Republican.
SIDNEY MILLER HOLLISTER
Of Windsor, is engaged in farming and is a Dem- ocrat in politics. He was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., March 27, 1856, and completed his education at Wilbraham Academy. He has not before held public office.
JOHN COATS
Of Windsor Locks, was born at North Stoning- ton, May 9, 1842, and was educated at the Liter- ary Institute at Suffield, and at Yale College, gradnating in the class of 1868. Among his classmates at Yale were ex-Secretary of State Charles E. Searles, Professor I. T. Beckwith of Trinity College, William Parsons, editor of the Hartford Telegram, Dr. Wm. T. Bacon, of Hart- ford, and LeBaron Bradford Colt, Attorney-Gen- eral of Rhode Island. Mr. Coats graduated from the Columbia Law School in 1871, and is a mem- ber of the Hartford County bar. He has had considerable experience in teaching, but for sev- eral years back he has given his attention wholly to the practice of his profession. During the war he was a member of the Twenty-second Connecticut, serving as a non-commissioned offi- eer in Company G of that command. Mr. Coats is a man of fine ability, and makes a valuable member of the House.
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WILLIAM CECIL DURAND
Of Milford, was in the House last year, and returns this year with much legislative experience. He was born in Milford, June 15, 1-51, studied at the Chartie's French School in New York, graduated at the Sheffield Scientific School in 1571, and traveled extensively in Europe, Egypt. and Syria, making three trips abroad. Up to 1×7 he was connected in New York with a
honse doing business with Uruguay, Central America and Montevidio. He was appointed one of two to superintend the cenon- of 150 in Milford, and has served in the Board of Einea- tion. Mr. Durand's Democracy is inherited, coming to him from his father and nucle, Willam Durand, who was for eight years surveyor of the port of New Haven.
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WILLIAM HENRY LAW
Of New Haven, whose popularity seems to have been thoroughly tested in his re-election, was born in Norwich, Conn., July 25, 1856, and is therefore, twenty-seven years of age. He pre- pared for college at Hopkins' Grammar School and graduated at Yale in 1878. In 1880 he finished the regular course at the Yale Law School and began the practice of law. He was chosen an Alderman of New Haven from a Republican Ward; his term closed January 1, 1884. He was a member of the last House of Representatives, and served with much credit upon the Committee on Incorporations. He is of the law firm of Mills & Law, and acts with the Democratic party. Four generations of his ancestors served in the Assembly, and his grand- father and great-grandfather were members of Congress. His great-grandfather was also Chief Justice of the Colony of Connecticut, and its Governor from 1741 to 1750.
HERBERT C. BALDWIN
Of Beacon Falls, who represented the town in the House of 1876, 1880, and 1883, was born in Oxford, September 3, 1840, and is therefore forty- three years of age. His educational advantages were derived from the common schools. He is now First Selectman of Beacon Falls, an office lie has been called to fill since 1873, and Justice of the Peace. His business has been that of a farmer. He served in the war of 1861, first as private of the 13th C. V., and afterward as second lieutenant and the intermediate positions. It is a part of his record that he has provided for himself since he was fifteen years of age, his father dying then. He is a Republican.
EVELYN O. PARDEE
Of Bethany, was born in that town, October 11, 1839. The common schools gave him his edu- cation. During the last three years he has been Selectman and Highway Commissioner. He has held a number of other minor offices, and has been Vice-President of the Woodbridge and Bethany Agricultural Society. He is now a director in that Society. His business has been that of a farmer, and he is a Democrat.
JAMES EDWARD MATTHEWS
Of Branford, the second Republican representa- tive ever chosen in that Democratic stronghold, was born of Irish parents in Easton; Mass., Feb- ruary 14, 1856, and was educated in the common schools. He is a mechanic and a Republican. Has been a member of St. Mary's Temperance Society of Branford since its organization in 1872, but is not a fanatic. Is in favor of the present- license law strictly enforced.
HENRY BEADLE
Of Cheshire, is thirty-nine years of age and born in Cheshire. The common school and the aca- demy, supplemented with a course at the Cheshire Episcopal Academy, made him an educated man, and service as Chairman of the Republican Town Committee, Registrar of Voters for five years, Assistant Town Clerk, and as Constable for five years, gave him experience in politics. All these offices he now holds. His general bus- iness is that of a painter and paper-hanger. Hle is a Republican.
FREDERICK A. GRANNISS
Of Cheshire, a Republican, was born in Water- bury, Conn., in 1851, and is thirty-two years of age. Hannum's Business College, Hartford, fur- nished him an education, and he is now a retail coal dealer. In 1871 and 1873 he was employed as a clerk in the office of James MeIntire & Co., railway contractors.
FRANKLIN D. JACKSON
Of Derby, was born in Birmingham, February 8, 1847. After studying in the common schools lie entered the mercantile business, and is now a dealer in dry goods and groceries. He was a member of Company I, First Connecticut Heavy Artillery, and received a slight wound in the shoulder in front of Petersburg, Va. He is now Registrar of Voters, a member of the Republican Town Committee, and of State Committee for the Seventh District-a position to which he was chosen at the convention that nominated William H. Bulkeley for Governor. He has been Chair- inan of the School District Committee, and Clerk of the School District. He is a Republican.
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JOHN CHRISTOPHER CONNOR
Of Milford, married a daughter of the late Cap- tain Richard Hepburn of Milford, and has resided at Milford upwards of thirty years. He is the son of the late Captain Nicholas O'Connor of Philadelphia; was born in that city on the 9th of March, 1811, and although nearly seventy-three years of age is extremely vigorons and active. Ile received a common school and academic education, studied law for a year or two in the office of the late Henry M. Western of New York, then went to sea, held a warrant in the United States Navy, resigned therefrom in 1539, became successively a sail-maker, a ship-owner, and a shipping and commission merchant. From
this last-mentioned business, which he followed for fifteen years in New York, he retired in Ist5. Mr. Connor's father also served in the United States Navy; was wounded in the war of 1-12. from the effects of which would he subsequently died: his maternal ancestors came to Pel vania with William Penn. Mr. Connor is reputed to be the head of a once prominent Irish family of O'connors, that were stripped of their power at the time of the Cromwellian settlement. but he seldom employs the prefix to his name. except in purely family matters. He is a Repub- lican.
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JONAH C. PLATT
Of Derby, is fifty-one years of age, and was born in Milford. The common schools educated him. He became a builder, was chosen Tax Collector of Derby, and is a Director of the Ansonia Savings Bank. He is identified with the Repub- lican party.
ALEXANDER W. FORBES
Of East Haven, was born at New Haven, Sep- tember 5, 1833, and was educated in the public and private schools of that city. He was a mem- ber of the Honse in 1863, and again in 1883, serving last year as Clerk of the Committee on Forfeited Rights. Mr. Forbes has had more or less experience in public affairs, and is now serv- ing his third term in the Legislature, being the present session on the Committee on Corpo- rations. From early life he has followed agricul- tural pursuits, and for the past ten years he has been engaged in the grain business in East Haven. In politics he is a Republican.
JOHN W. NORTON.
Of Guilford, served in the House of 1876. He is a Republican and a farmer. He is now a Grand Juror, and has been a Selectman and a member of the Board of Relief. He was born in Guilford October 19, 1839.
OTIS J. RANGE
Of Guilford, who is forty-three years of age, was born in Meriden, September 28, 1840, and edu- cated in the common and the high schools. He is now the preacher in charge of the Methodist Church in Guilford, and has been Grand Worthy Chief Templar of the Good Templars of Connec- tient for eight years. He is a Republican.
FREDERICK E. TUTTLE
Of Hamden, for whom the common schools did much, is a butcher and a farmer; was born in North Haven in 1840, and is a Republican.
PHINEAS M. GRISWOLD
Of Madison, for the past thirty-six years has been a ship builder and a railway bridge builder. He has served repeatedly on Juries, and the School District Committee, and has been chosen a Justice of the Peace. He was born in Madison May 5, 1829, and studied in the common schools. He is a Republican.
GEORGE O. HIGBY
Of Meriden, a silver polisher, now employed in the shipping room of the Meriden Britannia Company, was born in Milford, Conn., February 7, 1844. He was educated in the common schools, and served as a private in Company L, First Connectiont Heavy Artillery. His politics is that of the Democratic party.
WILLIAM H. GOLDEN, JR.
Of Meriden, was born in the town he represents, December 6, 1845, and is now thirty-eight years of age. Received his education at the public schools. Is a mechanic, and works at his trade at the Meriden Britannia Company. He served five years in Company I, Second Regiment Con- nectient National Guard. In politics Mr. Golden is a Democrat.
DAVID M. FENN
Of Middlebury, was born in that town August 31, 1837. Had a common school education. Has been a Selectman for three years, which office he now holds. Is a member of the Demo- cratic Town Committee, and has held the office of Grand Juror. By occupation a farmer, and in politics a Democrat.
EDWARD H. CARRINGTON
Of Naugatuck, who acts with the Republican party when he thinks it is right, was born in Bethany, March 21, 1836; was educated in the common school and academy, and is a merchant. He was Orderly Sergeant of Co. C, 27th C. V.
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ISAAC L. STILES
Of North Haven, was born in that town June 25, 1819, and is now 64 years of age. He has always resided in North Haven, and has held positions there as Postmaster, Justice of the Peace, Selectman, with other minor offices. He represented his town in the General Assembly in 1554, and with a single exception is the oldest
member of the present House. He is an exten- sive manufacturer and dealer in brick, of the common, pressed, and fancy varieties. In poli- ties Mr. Stiles is a Conservative Republican, and is serving the present session on the State Prison Committee. His education was derived from the common school of his native town.
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JEROME HARRISON
Of North Branford, is seventy-seven years of age, having been born in North Branford, October 26, 1806. He is a Democrat, and has the honor to represent a Republican constituency. Having received the unanimous vote of the Democratic party, and a goodly number of the leading Repub- licans of the town, he feels in duty bound to act for the good of all. His business has been that of a farmer exclusively. The common and aca- demical schools and a course of general reading, " with the exception of dime novels," furnished him his education. Althoughi never an office seeker he has held several offices in the town's gift.
JAMES RUSSEL AYRES
Of Orange, has been Postmaster for ten years at Woodmont Station, and for eight years a Justice of the Peace. He was born in Poundridge, Westchester county, N. Y., September 20, 1819, was given a common-school course with a year at an academy at Paterson, N. J., and was a jeweler and watchmaker from 1841 to 1848 at Peekskill, N. Y. For twenty-four years lie kept the lead- ing jewelry store in Waterbury, selling out in 1872 and purchasing a farm at Woodmont where he raises small fruits, poultry, and general farm produce. He is a Republican except when better men and measures seem necessary. His first presidential vote was cast for General Harrison in 1840, and his first gubernatorial for Hon. William H. Seward of New York.
SMITH C. WHEELER
Of Oxford, was representative from this town once before-in 1875. He was born in Oxford in 1832, and after becoming a farmer resigned his interest in cereals when thirty years of age for one in the wholesale and retail meat business. He is a Republican.
JOHN R. PLATT
Of Prospect, a Republican, has been Constable, an office he still holds, and Registrar of Voters, served in the Lower House in 1869, and is now a
Selectman. He was Second [Lieutenant in the 20tlı C. V .; before and since that he has been a farmer in Prospect, where he was born March 13, 1824. He is a common-school graduate.
THOMAS L. JAMES
Of Seymour, who was born in Birmingham, May 7, 1846, studied in the common schools, and had a three years' course at the Collegiate and Coni- mercial Institute, New Haven. He has been interested in the manufacture of sheet copper. In January, 1877, he was chosen a Director of a New Haven Copper Company, and in January, 1880, was elected President, which office he still holds. He is a Republican.
IIENRY S. WHEELER
Of Sonthbury, was in the House in 1878. He is thirty-four years of age, graduated at the Bridge- port Business College, was in the dry goods trade at Rockford, Ill., and afterward in the confection- ary line at New Haven. Has been a Justice of the Peace, Registrar of Voters, Selectman, and a member of the Board of Education. His party is the Democratic.
WILLIAM SPENCER RUSSELL
Of Wallingford, twenty-five years of age, was born in Prospect, September 7, 1858, graduated at the Yale Medical College in 1880, studied in New York City, and is now practicing medicine. He is a Democrat.
GEORGE ANDREWS HOPSON
Of Wallingford, was born in that town July 1, 1859. After studying in the common schools he took a three years' course at the Hartford High School, class of 1881. In 1880 and 1881 he was a Notary Public. Farming and stock-raising he has pursued for a business generally, but is now building a highway for the town. He is a Dem- ocrat.
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EDWARD C. LEWIS
Of Waterbury, was born in North Wales in 1826. At the early age of four years he came to this country with his father and mother, who located at Bridgeport in this State. His parents being possessed of but a little money, they could only give him a common-school education, and early in life he was compelled by force of circumstances to go to work in cotton and woolen mills, where he was engaged for eight years. He then sought other occupation and entered as an apprentice to the Bridgeport Iron Works, a concern which he with others, in later life, owned and managed. In 1847 he removed to Birmingham and worked for Colburn & Bassett, who were then prominent iron founders in that vicinity. In 1549 he became foreman for the Farrall Foundry & Machine Com. pany of Ansonia, und it was here that Me. Lewis demonstrated his thorough knowledge of the busi ness, and also his excentive ability, which ron resulted in his being transferred to Waterbury as
foreman for the same concern, which had a branch foundry and machine shop at that locality. Mr. Lewis rapidly rose in the estimation of those by whom he was employed, and by the simple force of his ability and character soon secured an inter- est in the business, and in a short time became the active manager and head of the concern at Waterbury.
The Farrall Foundry & Machine Company have long been known throughout the Naugatuck Valley as successful iron founders and builders of machinery, and no one concern in that section ha- done more to build up its material interests than they. In this work Mr. Lewis has done much by giving it his best thought and unitiring effort. In all his business enterprise he has been uniformly successful, and as a result has now secured a well earned competency.
Politically he has always been a promoneed Republican, but has never sought office, although
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lie was a candidate for his present position in 1869 and laeked only a few votes of an election at a time when the town was decidedly Democratie. IIe has held several offiees under the eity govern- ment, having been elected twice as a member of the Common Council, and also served one terin as Police Commissioner. He was one of the original projeetors of the Manufacturers' National Bank of Waterbury, and has been a director in it ever since its organization. At the present time he is president and manager of the Farrall Foundry & Machine Company at Waterbury, to which he devotes a large portion of his time and attention. He is also an owner in several other manufacturing coneerns, and has a large real estate interest in the town which he represents, and is thoroughly identified with the prosperity and welfare of his section. At the last election he was reluctant to accept a nomination for Rep- resentative, but was prevailed upon to do so, and was handsomely elected against an able political . opponent, and that in a town which usually gives a Democratic majority-a sufficient tribute to his popularity and ability. He is serving the present session on the Finance Committee.
J. RICHARD SMITII
Of Waterbury, was born there in 1850. His father was John E. Smith, who was for many years a successful manufacturer in that city, and who died in New Haven in 1882. From him the son inherited not only a large interest in certain manufacturing enterprises but also the devotion to business and the persevering attention to details which have secured to him the prominent place he already holds among business inen. Mr. Smithi received only a common-school education. At the age of sixteen years lie entered the brass- mill of the Holmes & Griggs Manufacturing Company in New York city, for the purpose of acquiring a thoroughi, practical knowledge of the brass business. He remained in that establish- ment six years, familiarizing himself with all ope- rations involved in the manufacture of brass, and
seeuring at the same time a diseipline which has proved of great value in his subsequent career. In 1872 he went to Colorado, with a view to undertaking the mining business, but remained there only six months. He returned to Water- bury in January, 1873, and took charge of the affairs of the Waterbury Button Company, in which his father was the largest stoekholder. He is at present secretary and treasurer of that eom- pany, and devotes to it his time and his best thought. This, however, has not prevented him from serving for two terins in the Waterbury Common Council, or from taking an active part in the duties of the Church and the Masonic order. At the last eleetion for Mayor, Mr. Smith barely eseaped being the Republican candidate. He was elected to the House by a majority of 190,-a fact which affords strong evidence of his popu- larity among the voters of Waterbury, and their appreciation of his ability and integrity.
HENRY B. CARTER
Of Wolcott, is a farmer and contractor in wood, is forty-four years of age, and represented Wolcott in 1883. He is Registrar of Voters, Chairman of the Town Committee, a Road Commissioner, and a member of the Board of Education. He was born in Woleott, December 2, 1839, was educated in the common schools, and is a Repub- lican.
JOHN M. LINES
Of Woodbridge, is much more widely known out of his town than in it, because New Haven and New York are larger places ; but he is thor- onghly popular at home for his liberality and enterprise. His popularity led to his election in a Republican town, for he is a Demoerat, He was born in Woodbridge, September 15, 1830, was educated in public and private schools, has never held public office before, and pursues farm- ing as an occupation.
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GEORGE WILLIAMS
Of New London, was born in Leamington, England, May, 1814, and came to the United States in 1837. In his native place he learned his trade as a baker, and, after his arrival in this country, worked as a journey- man in the city of New York for about eight years. He moved to New London in 1545. lle came there friendless and without a dollar of accumulated capital, but with an abundant stock of energy and pluck, and a determination to make his way. He found himself in a commun nity where every one had been accustomed to do his own baking, and when he started a bakery it was a novel enterprise, upon which the good people of the old whaling port looked with sur prise, if not with suspicion. He began business in a modest way, and upon i most limited scale, and for a time the results were disheartening, but the sturdy Englishmmn, with the indomitable
perseverance that was hi- birthright, kept on hi- way. Master of his trade, understanding its every detail, he soon taught the people in hi- new home that there were things the domestic oven could not accomplish. This little cake shop steadily grew in public favor, and he gradually won the esteem med confidence of his fellow town-men by his strict attention to bisiness, his fair and honorable dealing, and his probity and courtesy. Year after year his business extended itself, until now it has become one of metropoli tan proportions, and is probably the largest of it- kind in Gestern Connecticut, It gives employment to about twenty five hands, and daily converts into bread and cake nearly the same number of barrels of flour, A little over a year since the firm of George Williams & Sontthe latter low ing been admitted to partnership in Iobj de pied their new bakery, a fine brick building it
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three stories. 33 by 100 feet, one of the most complete establishments of its kind in the State, fitted up with the most modern labor-saving machinery of the trade, and built throughout under the personal supervision of the senior partner, and from plans of his own drawing, based upon an experience of half a century. The salesroom of the firm is handsomely finished in hard wood, and is one of the finest in the city. Mr. Williams can point to a business career of uninterrupted suceess, earned by hard work, untiring industry, the strictest integrity and unfailing courtesy. In public affairs in the home of his adoption, he has been long and actively interested, and no citizen of New London has, during the last quarter of a century, borne a more honorable or conspicuous part in municipal politics. His term of service in the Court of Common Council as alderman and councilman has covered more than twenty years, and has always been marked by a strict attention to his official duties and an intelligent and hearty inter- est in the welfare and prosperity of the city. He has, at different times, been chairman of nearly all the important committees of the city government, and was for four years Chief Engi- neer of the fire department, in which he has always taken a lively interest, and no citizen possesses a wider or more intelligent aequaintanee with every department of municipal affairs. His
reeord as one of the eity fathers is such that his eareer ought to be rounded off with the mayor- alty, a position for which he is admirably fitted, and to which his fellow-citizens, withont distinc- tion of party, would doubtless gladly elevate him if he would consent to the use of his name. Three years ago a nomination for this office was urged upon him, but the demands of his private business were such as to imperatively forbid his acceptance. The present is Mr. Williams's see- ond term in the Assembly. As a representative he discharges his duties with the same eonscien- tiousness and fidelity he has always displayed in whatever he has undertaken, whether in private or official station. He is not a talking member, as a rule, though few members of the House can make a better and clearer statement on any question of fact calling for common sense and good judgment. In the committee room, from which he is rarely absent when his committee is in session, his views command attention and respect, as he always speaks from the practical standpoint of a shrewd and successful man of business. His entire career as a publie man and as a citizen has been free from spot or blemish, and is a notable example of what may be accon- plished by industry and integrity, supplemented by an abundant stock of common sense and a never-failing courtesy that manifests itself on every occasion.
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