Genealogical and family history of the state of Connecticut, a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Volume IV, Part 76

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918, ed; Clement, E. H. (Edward Henry), 1843- joint ed. cn; Hart, Samuel, 1845-1917, joint ed; Talcott, Mary Kingsbury, 1847-1917, joint ed; Bostwick, Frederick, 1852- , joint ed; Stearns, Ezra Scollay, 1838-1915, joint ed
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 1178

USA > Connecticut > Genealogical and family history of the state of Connecticut, a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Volume IV > Part 76

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(III ) Burton Henry, son of Levi Dorman. was born at New Haven, Connecticut. July 15, 1859. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, and after com- pleting his studies took up the trade of his father, horticulture and landscape gardening. Under his plans and supervision many of the finest public parks and private grounds and conservatories about New Haven and Yale College have been constructed. In addition to this he assisted his father materially in set - ting out large numbers of the present beauti- ful elm trees in New Haven and he made a special study of the trec. When the scourge of the elm tree beetle. which has since then destroyed so large a number of the grand old eims, first appeared in New Haven, he saved large numbers of these beautiful trees by spe- cial treatment. He remained in New Haven until 1804. when he came to Bridgeport. Con- nectient, to become superintendent of Moun- tain Grove Cemetery, one of the largest and most beautiful cemeteries in the state, con- taining a hundred and fifty acres. of which ninety acres are in use for cemetery purposes. Much of the credit for the present attractive- ness of this "city of the dead" is due to the skill and taste of the superintendent, who is reckoned among the best landscare gardeners in the state. His family for three genera- tions, including grandfather, father and him- self, have followed this profession over seventy-five years. Probably few families in the state have a longer record in this or any similar line of business. Not only is Mr. Dorman thoroughly versed in his partic- ular line of work, but he is a man who by his straightforward business methods, and kind and gentlemanly manner toward all with whom he is brought in contact. has won for

himself the respect of the entire community in which he lives and in which he has a large number of friends. He is a member of St. John's Lodge. No. 3. Free and Accepted Ma- sons, of Bridgeport ; Ancient Order of United Workmen : Workmen's Benefit Association : National Masonic Fraternal League and the Association of American Cemetery Superin- tendents. In politics he is an Independent.

Hle married. in 1888, Flora MI. Steepleton, of Paulding county, Ohio, daughter of Dr. Wil- liam .1. Steepleton, who is by profession an osteopath. Children : Harold Burton, born March 19, 1895; Keith Levi, born August S, 1899.

(The' Taft Line).

(VI) Frederick Augustus Taft, son of Frederick Taft (q. v.), was born at Ux- bridge. April 7. 1791, died at Dedham. Mas- sachusetts, September 18. 1837. He was the founder of the Dedhand Manufacturing Com- pany. He married (first) Amanda Wheaton, born November 20. 1793, died September 10. 1831. He married ( second) Eliza Flagg. Children of first wife: Gustavus. Cincinnatus A., mentioned below, Lauretta Wheaton and Amanda. Children of second wife: Fred- erick Augustus. Foster Flagg and Walter.

(VID) Dr. Cincinnatus A. Taft, son of Frederick Augustus Taft. was born at Ded- ham. Massachusetts. in March. 1882, died at Hartford, Connecticut. June 26. 1884. He at- tended the public schools. He studied medi- cine in the office of Dr. Lewis, of Boston, ant of his brother. Dr. G. M. Taft, of Hartford. the first to practice homeopathy in Hartford. He attended lectures at Harvard Medical School and was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City in 1846. Notwithstanding his allopathic preparation he followed his brother in the practice of homeopathy, though he exercised a certain eclectic independence which looked rather to enre than to creed and was not en- tirely within the limitations of any one school. Before Hartford had any homeopathic phy- sician, the late Dr. Gray, of New York, was frequently consulted by people in Hartford and at length he sent to that city a young physician who had been a student in his of- fice. Dr. G. M. Taft, who soon acquired a large practice. Believing that he could suc- cessfully cope with yellow fever, Dr. G. M. Taft went south in 18445 and lost his life in the attempr. himself a victim of yellow fever. His brother, Dr. C. A. Taft came to Hart- ford in 1847, and was at that time a tall, slender young man of very delicate health. Indeed, his medical friends said that it might interest him to begin practice. but they said

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he could not live a year. He suffered from frequent and severe hemorrliages of the lungs, and though he lived to practice nearly forty years, it is a fact that he had the full use of but one lung. Few people ever thought that Dr. Taft with his erect frame and broad shoulders was not strong and well, but he told a friend not long before he died that he had never run as much as the length of a single block since he had been in Hartford. He could not do it. He was able to endure the strain which his large practice brought upon him, by a life as regular in its methods as the interruptions that come to every phy- sician would permit, and by as nourishing and liberal a diet as possible, and when his appetite failed his strength rapidly failed. He went about his practice long after he would have ordered to bed any of his patients sim- ilarly run down, and from the day when he was compelled by weakness to cease making professional calls, he was unable to leave his bed and hardly able to raise his head from the pillow. His breakdown, when it came, was complete. The last day he was out was May 22, 1884.

It is impossible to say in how many homes and to how many persons Dr. Taft occupied and so ably filled the important office of fam- ily physician, but his practice was undoubted- ly larger than that of any other physician of his day and probably larger than any other physician who ever has practiced at any time in Hartford. His professional calls were brief, as a rule, and his words few, but his manner in a sick room was so cheerful and self-possessed that he always inspired the ful- lest possible confidence in the patient and fam- ily. He was very reserved by nature and to many he seemed to have a certain harshness of manner, but it was merely a shield behind which beat a tender heart and much more sympathy than he cared to show. Yet, in spite of his reserve. the affection of his pa- tients was irresistibly drawn toward him and in spite of the lack of words. the trust of his patients in his skill was unbounded. Many there were who believed they owed to him their lives and health. Ile himself seemed scarcely aware of the confidence and grati- tude of his patients, and when reminded of their sentiments he treated the matter with a humility that was in striking contrast to his positiveness in other affairs. How entirely he devoted himself to his profession may be inferred from the fact that for a period of more than twenty years he was not absent from the city forty-eight consecutive hours. As if by clock work his life was ordered and when not keeping his office hours he was mak-

ing professional calls. He took no time for social calls and social pleasures. Outside of his own home, his entire life was levoted to his practice, going from one sick room to an- other. He found most enjoyment in life in relieving sickness and in conquering pain and disease. In his later years, his friends urged him to abandon his calls and continue only his office practice and consultation, but he was unwilling to lay aside the duties he had per- formed so long and so well. In personal appearance Dr. Taft was distinguished -- ta !! and of great breadth of shoulders, with a long white beard in later years, of scrupu- lous neatness in clothing and person. He was quick at repartee, keen of wit and sharp mn retort, but original and frank in speech to such a degree that many of his epigrams and sayings have been remembered and treasured by his patients and their friends and families. His practice brought him a handsome income and he invested his savings wisely. Various corporations sought his services as a director. but he always declined, saying that he lacked the time to perform the duties of the office and he would not take any position in which he could not do his duty. During his long career he had but one medical student under his instruction, Dr. G. B. Cooley, now of New Britain, and but one partner, Dr. F. S. Stare, with whom he was associated from 1872 to IS,7.

Dr. Taft married, in 1834, Ellen. daughter of Ezra Clark, of Hartford. One of his chil- dren was Laura W., who married Robert H. Schutz, of Hartford.

Sidney Elbridge Clarke, son of

CLARKE Elbridge W. and Sarah P. (Chamberlain) Clarke, grand- son of Reuben Chamberlain, was born in Pe- tersborough, New Hampshire. February 16, 1852. His family removed to Hartford, Con- necticut, when he was five years old and he attended the public schools of that city and graduated from the Hartford public high school. He studied his profession in the Vale Law School and received his degree in 18SI. He was admitted to the bar, September r. 1881. and since then has been in practice in Hartford. He has taken an active part in public affairs and held various offices of trust and honor. He was a member of the common council of Hartford in 1884 from the fifth ward. He was a member of the board of school visitors of West Hartford for three years and of the school visitors of Hartford from 1884 to 1896. In politics he is a Demo- crat. He has been judge advocate and his- torian of the Putnam Phalanx of Hartford

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for many years. lle is a thirty-second dc- gree Mason, past master of Wyllys Lodge. Free and Accepted Masons, of West Hart- ford; Royal Arch Masons: Royal and Select Masters: Knights Templar : Mystic Shrine ; Crescent Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and the Odd Fellow. He is a communicant of Christ Church, Hartford. He married, May 19. 1893. Mary Moore, daughter of Thomas and Margaret ( Moore) Robinson, of Middletown, Connecticut. They have one child, Arthur Robinson, born June 15, 1895.

BATTERS Janies Batters, son of Thom- as and Margaret ( Reale) Batters, was born in the par- ish of Cullen, county Tipperary, Ireland, 1797. died in Torrington, Connecticut. August 30, 1893. Thomas Batters ( father ) lived and died in Ireland, where he was a farmer through his active life. James Batters came to America in 1853, the only one of a family of ten to come to this country. He married Mary, daughter of Michael and Margaret Burke (O'Brien) Hennessy: she was born near Limerick. Ireland, 1812, died February 14. 1892. Children: Thomas, Robert, Mar- garet. Michael, mentioned below ; William, James, Martin, Annie.

(IH) Michael, son of James and Mary ( Hennessy ) Batters.was born in College. par- ish of Lattin, county Tipperary, Ireland. March 1. 1846. died at Torrington, Connecti- cut, September 7. 1901. He came with his parents in 1853 and located at Torrington. ITe was educated there in the public schools. He began his business career as clerk in the store of Mr. Wadhams and afterward bought the grocery business of his brother Robert and carried it on some twenty years, selling it in 1893. He engaged in the coal and wood business for a time. He also dealt in real estate to a considerable extent and was agent for the Cunard and White Star lines and other transportation companies. During his last years he lived retired, residing at his home in Torrington. In 1882 he built a resi- dence in that town and in 1900 he erected the house now occupied by his widow. He was a useful and substantial citizen, interested in the welfare and development of the town and imbued with a wholesome public spirit. He served on the board of assessors, the bor- oughi board and was burgess of the board. In politics he was a Democrat. He married. September 13, 1882, Catherine Mary, born in Torrington, Connecticut, February 19, 1855. daughter of Owen F. and Bridget (O'Grady) Cummings. Her father was born in Ireland. March 16, 1822, and came to

America in 1849. Ile is a carpenter by trade and during his active years worked for Hotch- kiss Brothers, contractors and builders. Ile resides at Torrington. Her mother, Bridget (O'Grady) Cummings, was born in Ireland in 1825 and is now living in Torrington. Chil- dren of Owen F. and Bridget Cummings: Mary, died in infancy ; Catherine Mary, mar- ried Michael Batter-, mentioned above: Owen E. : Michael : Mary : James. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Batters: Mary. born March 14. 1SS4, died May 13, 188 ;; Loretta; April 28. 1885; James F., October 5, 1857. now en- gaged in the insurance business at Torring- ton : Katherine, January 22, 1890.

Frederic Holly Reed, son of

REED Jesse A. and 'Martha A. ( Holly ) Reed, was born at Stamford. Con- necticut, August 22, 1865. He attended the public schools of his native town and was graduated from the Stamford high school. From 1881 to 1883 he was employed as draughtsman and as surveyor during the fol- lowing two years. In 1884-85 he was first assistant engineer of construction ci the Tenth Avenue Cable Railroad in New York City, and from 1885 to 1890 chief engineer of the Daft Electric Company. He designed apparatus for the first commercial electric railway installed in this country at Baltimore Maryland, and was the first to make use of the word "trolley" as applied to electric rail- ways. He was one of the most prominent electrical engineers in planning and construct- ing electric street railways in the day of ex- periment and construction. He designed and equipped electric railways in Ithaca. New York; Camden and Asbury Park. New Ter- sey : Easton, Pennsylvania ; Meriden, Con- necticut. From 1891 to 1899 he was a part- ner in the firm of Reed & McKibbin. electri- cal engineers and contractors of New York City, and built electric railways at Norwalk. Connecticut : Lockport and Kingston. New York: Paterson. Passaic and Hoboken. New Jersey : Fall River. Massachusetts, and else- where. Since 1899 he has been successively secretary, treasurer and first vice-president of J. G. White & Company, engineers and con- tractors, New York City and London : also president of Electrical Finance Corporation : vice-president and director of Engineering Securities Corporation, Investors Securities Corporation, Manila Electric Railroad & Lighting Corporation, Manila Electric Rad !- road & Light Company. Manila Suburban Railways Company, Philippine Railway Company. J. G. White & Co. ( Inc. ). Also di- rector (but not officer) of Augusta Railway

Michael Batters

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& Electric Company, Augusta-Aiken Railway & Electric Corporation, Augusta & Aiken Railway Company, Eastern Pennsylvania Railways Company, Granville Mines Devel- opment Company, Helena Light & Railway Company, North Augusta Electric & Improve- ment Company, North Augusta Hotel Com- pany, North Augusta Land Company, Peoria Light Company, Philippine Railway Con- struction Company, Tri-City Railway & Light Company. Tri-State Railway & Electric Com- pany. In politics he is a Republican ; in re- ligion a Presbyterian. He is a member of the National Geographic Society; associate of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers ; member of the Sons of the Revolution, and Pilgrims of the United States. He belongs to the Engineers, Metropolitan, New York Yacht, City Midday. Recess, New York Rail- road, Deal Golf and Country, and other clubs.

He married, at Jersey City, New Jersey, June 3, 1890. Mary Chichester Thomas. They have one child, Kenneth M., born 1895.

SANFORD Dr. Charles Edwin Sanford, one of the leading physicians of Bridgeport, whose skill and ingenuity in the diagnosis and treatment of disease has been instrumental in the sav- ing of life. is a native of North Haven, Con- necticut, born May 31, 1830, son of and Maria ( Abbott ) Sanford. On the pater- nal side he is a descendant of Thomas San- ford, who settled in Milford. Connecticut, in 1639, and whose descendants settled in the vicinity of New Haven, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. His mother was a direct descendant of Rev. Abraham Pierson, the first president of Yale Univer- sity. His maternal grandmother was named after President Pierson's daughter. Anna Pierson.

Dr. Sanford attended the schools of his na- tive town and the private school of Rev. Ammi Lindsley. At this time the current of his life was changed by a serious illness of his eyes and he was advised to take a com- plete rest. He engaged in commercial pur- suits for five years, at the expiration of which time, his eyes having grown stronger, he con- cluded to devote his life to the profession of medicine. Again pursuing his studies, he en- tered the high school taught by H. P. Smith, where he remained one year, then taught one year, and then entered Yale Medical School, from which he graduated in 1853. He en- tered into practice with his preceptor, Dr. G. H. Moody. of Plainville, Connecticut, with whom he was associated for several years.

During a sojourn in Brooklyn, New York, in 1856, his attention was directed to the Ho- meopathic code of practice and soon after set- tling in Bristol, Connecticut, circumstances led him to devote much time to the principles of this new mode of practice. Selecting some of the most reliable books upon the theory and practice of Homeopathy, he soon began to use its remedies, and after two years of earnest work he verified the truth of the "new teachings" by daily use in a large practice. He concluded to accept Homeopathy, and at the same time he sought a wider and more congenial field for his life's work, and on Au- gust 23, 1859, removed to Bridgeport, Con- necticut, where he has since resided, and where he attained a large degree of success in his chosen line. In addition to his private practice, he served for a number of years as president of the city board of health. He is ex-president of both the City and State Ho- meopathic societies, and a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy and, the Seaside Club. He cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, and has been an adherent of the Republican party ever since.

Dr. Sanford married, October 26, 1855. An- nie Fuller Neale, of Southington, Connecti- cit, by whom he had four children, two of whom are living at the present time ( 19II ).

BOGEY Among the representative fami- lies of the state of Connecticut who, although only represented in this country for one or two generations, vet by virtue of those sterling qualities which go far toward the making of the best Ameri- can citizens, should be mentioned the Roger family whose origin is traced to Ireland. where Patrick Bogey, the first of the line un- der consideration, was born in 1821. Here he received the rudiments of an education an 1 was reared on a farm, and as a young man learned the trade of ax-handle maker. He then came to America, landing in New York: City, where he followed his trade for a while. and later followed farming in different places. When the civil war broke out he answered the call to arms, enlisting from Waterbury. September 16, 1861, in Company F. Ninth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. and was discharged at the close of the war. June 10, 1865. This regiment was organized at Camp English, New Haven, and was com- posed mainly of men of Irish birth, under the command of Colonel Thomas W. Cahill. of Hartford, Connecticut, with Richard Fitz- gibbon, of Bridgeport, as lieutenant-colonel. Its principal engagements were at Baton

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Rouge, Chattahoola Station, Deep Bottom and Cedar Creek. At the close of the war he re- turned to New York, where he died in 1896. He married Fliza Coleman, who was also born in Ireland, and they were the parents of four children: Daniel Francis, see forward; Mary J., born in New Britain : Lizzie, married Al- bert Aldrich; child, died in infancy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bogey are buried in Calvary cemetery.

(II) Daniel Francis, eldest son of Pat- rick Bogey, was born December 25, 1848, at New Britain, Connecticut, died at Bridgeport, Connecticut, September 23, 1906. He re- ceived the rudiments of an education in the public schools of his native town, but at an early age was apprenticed to the trade of painter and served four years, thoroughly mastering all the details of the business. He then took a position as a journeyman, which position he filled for some years, coming to Bridgeport in 18;2, where he was employed by Patrick Coughlin, one of the leading house painters of the city. Here he remained until he started in business for himself, in which, as a reward of his perseverance and strict attention to all the details, he made most suc- cessful. His headquarters were on State street for many years, where he rose to one of the leading house painters of the city, do- ing work in the finest homes and having the largest contracts. not only in Bridgeport, but in all the surrounding towns. He later in- vested in real estate, and giving to his son Howard D. the active management of the painting busines, he devoted his attention to the purchasing of land and building houses to rent, in which line he was also very suc- cessful. He was a self-made man, starting from. the bottom of the ladder and reaching a place of prominence in the business world. He was always deeply interested in all the affairs of his adopted city in which he was a useful citizen. He was of a charitable nature and gave freely to the needy and unfortunate in any worthy cause brought to his attention. While taking an active interest in the political life of the city, he declined all offices, devot- ing himself almost exclusively to his business, home and family, by whom he was greatly beloved. He was a member of Knights of Columbus, and he and his wife were faithful members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and in this faith they reared their family. His life was an excellent illustration of what is possible for earnest, industrious and prudent men to accomplish. He married. January 19, IS79. in Bridgeport, Mary Casey, who was born in Ireland, died June 15, 1910, at her home, 1159 North avenue, Bridgeport. She

had resided in the North End for years and was highly respected. Both she and her hus- band are buried in St. Michael's cemetery. She was a daughter of Patrick Casey, who was also born in Ireland and died there. He was a farmer. Her mother, Mary ( Nugent) Casey, was also born and died in Ireland, and of her eight children, but four came to Amer- ica, William, who died October 15, 1910; John ; Mrs. Bogey; Mrs. John Reilly, all of Bridgeport. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel F. Bogey were the parents of three children: 1. Mary. born at Bridgeport, March 17, 1871, married. October 25. 1906, Charles Laufer : child, Dan- iel Bogey Laufer, born March 1. 1909. 2. Howard D., mentioned below. 3. Ellen, born at Bridgeport, January 20, 1883, married, Oc- tober 28. 1909, Fred Lynch, proprietor of a livery and boarding stable at Bridgeport.

(III) Howard D., son of Daniel Francis Bogey, was born November 10. 18;9. at Bridgeport. He was educated there in the public schools. He learned the trade of paint- er with his father, and since the latter's death has continued the business of contracting painter with much success. In politics he is a Democrat, and a Catholic in religioni. He is unmarried. The portrait of Daniel F. Bo- gey, found upon the preceding page, has been placed there by his son Heward D., in loving memory of his father's many fine traits.

HALL Rev. David B. Hall, in liis book of 1883, "The Halls of New Eng- land." mentions twenty early im- migrants named John Hall. Savage mmes nearly as many. and says that great confusion results. The name comes from aula, part of a castle, Halle, a country, and thus is next most common to Smith, etc. A writer follow- ing one John Hall, merely by the name. con- stantly accepts another John Hall as his own. John Hall of Hartford and Middletown can be identified by several distinctive features which others Jack.

First, an entry made by his son in the regu- lar course of thirty years' duty as town clerk of Middletown fixes John Hall's day of death. year of birth, and of reaching this country -- facts which all other John Halls lack, and, by the date. the place of entry is fixed, which was at Boston or Cambridge, as Ellis Island 110W.

Second, the entries on the Middletown book show that John Hall and family were ship- builders and church-builders. Also that John Hall reached Boston in 1633-spring being the usual time of landing in a new country -- most probably April, and that he was a wid- ower of 49 years, with four children. the old-

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est of them a boy of 14 years, with two more boys, the next to the youngest, a girl of II. With wages made by law 25. per day at Bos- ton, with wheat meal 14s. per bushel, thus taking, with bad weather, a month's work to buy a barrel of flour, it is certain that the public demand for his work and his family's need for his wages would keep John Hall in one place till some special reason called him elsewhere. We must not expect to find many records of him unless where he built an oc- casional house from his spare hours and part rainy days as house-builders do. The trades of ship-building and house-building (like sea warfare and land warfare) were not kept dis- tinet in early times, neither that of mill-build- er or wheelwright : the same kit of tools, hard enough to get. built all three.

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