USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > History of Bridgeport and vicinity > Part 11
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STEPHEN JACKSON PATTERSON.
Among the manufacturers of Bridgeport during the past generation who achieved suc- cess and national prominence was Stephen Jackson Patterson, founder of the Bridgeport Patent Leather Manufacturing Company and its president for fifty-five years. Mr. Patter- son was a native of Fairfield county, his birth occurring at Greens Farms on December 25, 1814, and in his youthful days he learned the tanning business. In 1832 he became a resident
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STEPHEN J. PATTERSON
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of Bridgeport and entered into partnership with William Rogers in the manufacture of shoe and harness leather. The business was successfully conducted for a number of years, but upon the death of Mr. Rogers, Mr. Patterson turned his attention to the manufacture of patent leather, becoming one of the pioneers in that undertaking in America. He conducted the business alone until 1849, when he organized the Bridgeport Patent Leather Manu- facturing Company and continued as president thereof for fifty-five years, or until his death on the 16th of August, 1904. He was a very energetic and conservative business man and was a most prominent figure in connection with the leather industry, having invented a number of valuable processes relative to the tanning and japanning of leather. Several of these he patented, including the Rocker system of tanning, which is universally used by the carriage leather manufacturers. He also invented an approved apparatus for leaching bark and he was the first to make patent side leather for shoes. He gave his attention to the manufacture of shoe, carriage and harness leather of the "Charter Oak" brand until within three years of his death, when he practically retired from active business, leaving, however, a substantial enterprise which is still conducted by his descendants. In 1841 he married Harriet S. Hoyt, of Stamford, Connecticut, who died only a few months prior to his demise, the period of their married life covering sixty-three years. They had two children, Silas H. Patterson and Emma C. Patterson. Emma C. Patterson became the wife of Charles Sher- wood, a well known lawyer in Bridgeport and a graduate of Yale University who later became president of the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company which position he retained until his death on June 7, 1904. Mrs. Sherwood now lives in Watertown, Connecticut, and has one son, Charles Sherwood, Jr., who married Harriett Curtiss, February 12, 1908. They also reside in Watertown, Connecticut, and have three sons: Charles Sherwood, III, Curtiss De- Forest Sherwood, and John Patterson Sherwood.
Nilas H. Patterson, was born in Bridgeport in 1845, and early became connected with the business interests of his father and so continued throughout his life, becoming secretary and treasurer of the firm and contributing much to the growth and development of the business. His death occurred February 21, 1899. He was a capable business man, of quiet tastes, and was much devoted to his home and family. He married Georgianna Moody, of Bridgeport, daughter of Thomas Moody, who was born in England and came to the United States when a young man. He established the first ice business in Bridgeport and was the owner of Moody's pond, now included in the site of Mountain Grove cemetery. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Silas H. Patterson, Stephen Hoyt and Marion Moody Patterson. The latter was married in December, 1906, to Frank Daniel Bell, who is manager of the large store of Meigs & Company, of Bridgeport. Mr. and Mrs. Bell have two children, Stephen Patterson and Frances Patterson Bell.
Stephen Hoyt Patterson, only son of Silas H. and Georgianna (Moody) Patterson and secretary-treasurer of the Bridgeport Patent Leather Manufacturing Company, is one of the well known and prosperous business men of his city. It is true that he entered upon a business already established, but in developing and enlarging this many a man of less reso- lute spirit and of more limited capacity would have failed. He was born in 1878, in Bridge- port. and received his education in the schools of his native city and attended Cornell Uni- versity. He then entered business in Bridgeport in connection with the Patent Leather Manufacturing Company, succeeding to his father's interests at the death of the latter. The present factory is a three-story structure, one hundred and eighty-one by one hundred and twenty feet. It is equipped with a sprinkler system and about twenty-five people are em- ployed. About ten years ago the company abandoned the manufacture of shoe leather and now concentrates upon the production of automobile leather, selling to manufacturers, the eastern trade largely utilizing their product. The house is represented on the road by two traveling salesmen and the plant has a capacity of from six hundred to seven hundred hides per week, the real leather going to the best motor car manufacturers. The Charter Oak Vol. 11-5
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trademark is still in use and it has become a recognized indication of high standard goods. The present officers are: F. C. Nichols, president ; and S. H. Patterson, secretary and treasurer.
That Mr. Patterson is not unappreciative of the social amenities of life is indicated in the fact that he is a member of the Country Club. Indeed he is well known socially in Bridgeport, where his entire life has been passed, and here he has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
JOHN MCCATHRON.
John McCathron, secretary and superintendent of the Bridgeport Boiler Works, has been since youth identified with the trade in which he is now engaged. He was born in O>wego, New York, January 23, 1867, and is a brother of Henry N. MeCathron, the president of the company, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. In his nineteenth year he began learning the boiler maker's trade and, mastering the business in principle and detail, he was advanced to the position of superintendent of the boiler department in the Kingsford Foundry & Machine Company at Oswego, New York. Subsequently he became foreman of a boiler shop at Philadelphia and eventually accepted the superintendency of the Cunningham shop at Brooklyn, New York. He was afterward superintendent of the Tonkin's Boiler Works at Oswego, and as "layer out" represented the American Shipbuilding Company at Cleveland, Ohio. He afterward became foreman with that company which he thus represented for a decade, his entire connection with the business covering thirty-one years. In May, 1910, he came to Bridgeport and was made superintendent of the Bridgeport Boiler Works, while in 1914 he was elected secretary and is now serving in the dual position, contributing in sub- stantial measure to the success of the industry.
On the 30th of June, 1913. Mr. MeCathron was married to Miss Elizabeth Effinger, a native of Brooklyn, New York, and they had one child, John Stark, who died, however, at the age of six days. Fraternally Mr. MeCathron is connected with the Masons and with the Woodmen of the World. He stands for that which is progressive in citizenship as well as in business, and his influence is always on the side of advancement and improvement.
WARD M. VAN NESS, D. D. S.
Dr. Ward M. Van Ness, secretary of the Bridgeport Dental Society and active as a successful practitioner, was born in this city, July 20. 1882, the only son of Fred E. Van Ness, now a well known citizen of Bridgeport, who was born at Newark, New Jersey, but for thirty-six years has here resided. He married Estelle Laura Winchell, who was born at Great Barrington, Massachusetts. and she, too, is living. The Doctor comes of Holland Dutch ancestry on the paternal side and is of English descent in the maternal line.
Dr. Van Ness acquired his early education in the public schools of Bridgeport and put aside his textbooks at the age of seventeen years to become a wage earner in the office of the Howland Dry Goods Company, with which he spent two years, starting as a salesman at the book counter and advancing to the position of bookkeeper. For a year or more thereatter he held a clerical position in the purchasing department of the New Haven Railroad in the- city of New Haven and then entered upon the study of dentistry. After three years spent in the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania he was graduated in 1906 and since then has been actively engaged in practice. He is very successful when judged by both professional and financial standards. His work represents the latest development and
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researches in dental seience and he possesses the adequate mechanical skill and ingenuity so necessary in the profession.
On the 19th of December, 1911, Dr. Van Ness was married to Miss Florence Harriet Muir, of Buffalo, New York, a native of that city. She is popular in local society circles and is secretary of the Woman's Club of the Universalist church, of which both Dr. and Mrs. Van Ness are members. He belongs also to the Odd Fellows lodge, of which he is a past noble grand, and he has membership in the Algonquin Club. He is fond of football and other out- door sports but his attention is chiefly directed in the line of his profession. He holds membership with the Bridgeport Dental Society, the Connecticut State Dental Society and the National Dental Society and for two years he has been the active secretary of the local organization. He studies broadly along professional lines and his ability is the foundation of a steadily growing practice.
WILLIAM BRADFORD BOARDMAN.
William Bradford Boardman comes of a family distinctively American in its lineal and collateral branches through many generations. His ancestry is traced back in a direct line to Governor William Bradford, who came from England on the Mayflower in 1620 and was the first governor of Massachusetts. Thomas boardman, from whom he is directly descended, came from England early in the seventeenth century and it was in the state which had been the home of his ancestors through most of the intervening period that William Bradford Boardman was born August 22, 1871, the place of his birth being Brimfield. His parents were Rev. M. Bradford and Ellen E. (Barber) Boardman, the former a minister of the Congregational church.
William Bradford Boardman spent his youth in New Britain, Connecticut, where he com- pleted the high school course, after which he became a student in Yale University and was there graduated in 1893 on the completion of an academic course. He afterward took up the study of law at Yale and won his professional degree in 1898, but in the meantime he had spent three years as a teacher in the University School at Bridgeport. On the completion of his law course he was admitted to practice at the bar of Fairfield county and immediately opened an office in Bridgeport, where he has since remained in the active practice of his profession, rising to prominence as a most able lawyer, especially in the field of railroad litigation. From 1898 until 1906 he practiced in partnership with Goodwin Stoddard and in September of the latter year he became assistant attorney for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, taking charge of the steam and trolley litigation in Connecticut, with office in New Haven. In November, 1907, he entered into partnership with George E. Hill, forming the law firm of Hill & Boardman, an association that was maintained until the death of Mr. Hill on the 30th of September, 1916. The firm enjoyed a very extensive practice, to which Mr. Boardman has succeeded, and his capability is attested by his colleagues and contemporaries at the bar. He has ever been most careful to conform his practice to a high standard of professional ethics. He gives to his clients a service of great talent, unwearied industry and rare learning, but he never forgets that there are certain things due to the court, to his own self-respect and above all to justice and the righteous administration of the law which neither the zeal of an advocate nor the pleasure of success permit him to disregard.
On the 22d of February, 1901, Mr. Boardman was united in marriage to Miss Alice Burr Hall and they have one child, Bradford. Mr. Boardman turns to tennis for recreation. He has membership with Zeta Psi, a college fraternity, the Corbey Court Law School Society, the Country Club, and the University Club. He is a member of the Park Street Congregational church. His political support is given to the epublican party. Since 1907 he has been a
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member of the state bar examining committee and from 1912 to 1916 he was a member of the board of education of the city of Bridgeport, for most of his term being secretary of the board. His interests and activities are thus broad and varied, maintaining that even balance which makes for strength of character and the uniform development of one's powers.
THE JUDSON FAMILY.
The Jndson family of Stratford, Connecticut, is one of the oldest and hest known in the state. The founder of this family in America was William Judson, who came from England and settled on Watchhouse Hill in Stratford in 1638, and from him all of the name in this section of New England are descended. Among his descendants was Daniel Judson, who made his home at Paradise Green, where he erected a residence, and in his household were two slaves, Cato and Phyllis. Daniel Jndson was a man of wealth and prominence. He married Sarah Curtis and their eldest son, Stiles Judson, became a Revolutionary war soldier, serving for two years as captain of a company and participating in the engagement at Ridgefield. In 1777 he wedded Naomi Lewis and they occupied the old home that was built by his father. He also became the owner of his father's two slaves, Cato and Phyllis, the former of whom served as captain of a company of colored troops during the Revolutionary war.
Stiles Judson, Jr., son of Stiles and Naomi (Lewis) Judson, was born on the farm at Paradise Green. in the town of Stratford, and after arriving at man's estate wedded Charity Wells, also a representative of an old Connecticut family. Their son, Stiles Judson, the third of the name, was born on the farm December 2, 1826, and as he was not in vigorous health in his early boyhood, he took up a seafaring life, which he followed for several years in order to regain his health. Shipping before the mast, he won advancement to the position of first mate and was offered a master's position but at that time decided to give up the sea. He sailed to all parts of the world upon the various great bodies of water surrounding the different continents, and his daughter possesses many valuable mementos of her father's trips which he obtained while abroad and these she cherishes highly.
After giving up the sea Mr. Judson went to California during 1849, attracted by the gold discoveries on the Pacific coast, and there he remained until 1857, when he returned to Con- necticut and took up agricultural pursuits. He was thus actively engaged for a number of years, developing the farm on the Ferry road, which came to his wife through inheritance. He was instrumental in organizing the Stratford Oyster Company, to which he gave much of his time and attention, his efforts resulting in the upbuilding of a successful business. Later in life he purchased the Dunbar property on East Broadway, now the home of his daughter, Alice C., and from that time he resided there. He died February 21, 1905, his remains being interred in the Union cemetery of Stratford.
In politics he was first a whig and afterward a republican, and he served two terms in the state legislature. He was also active in town affairs, filling the office of selectman, and he took a deep and helpful interest in promoting the growth and progress of the town in many ways. He was a man of progressive ideas and stood high in the estimation of his townsmen. He was a man of taste and artistic temperament, was a lover of nature and took a deep interest in his home and its improvement. He planted all of the trees around his place on the Ferry road and made it most attractive. In all of his life he was actuated by the highest Christian principles and the Congregational church numbered him among its liberal contributors. He was most devoted to his wife and family and the best traits of his character were manifest at his own fireside.
On the 18th of November, 1858, Mr. Judson was married to Caroline Elizabeth Peck,
Still Judson
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who was born May 2, 1830, and passed away February 17, 1866. She was a woman of many noble traits of character, of high Christian purpose and a member of the Congregational church. In the household she was a devoted wife and mother, counting no effort on her part too great if it would enhance the welfare and happiness of those of her own household. In the family were five children. Alice Caroline, born September 27, 1859, in Stratford, was educated in public and private schools and in the Sedgwick Academy. She gave much of her time and attention to the caro of her father and she has always taken a deep interest in church and Sunday school work. She is an ardent advocate of the cause of woman suffrage and was among the first to organize a woman suffrage movement in Stratford, in which association she has filled the office of vice president and treasurer and is now president. She has also served as a delegate to the county and state conventions and was foremost in the movement toward having the state legislature pass a bill to give women thie right to vote for president and also in municipal affairs and on the temperance question. She is a woman of broad intellect and takes an active part in all movements that have for their object the benefit of the poor and oppressed. In 1910 she took a trip around the world in the ship Cleveland, visiting all places of interest in different countries, including Japan, where she visited her sister, who is a teacher in that country. Miss Judson resides at the Dunbar homestead on East Broadway, where many attractive improvements have been made.
Cornelia Judson, the second child of Stiles Judson, was born in Stratford, October 20, 1860, and was educated in public and private schools and in the Sedgwick Academy, while later she continued her studies in Chicago. She has devoted her life to missionary teaching and for over a quarter of a century has taught in Japan in connection with the work of the American Congregational mission board, being now located at Matsuyama. She has given her life to the noble work of Christian teaching, endeavoring with untiring zeal to follow in the footsteps of the Master and to bring all people to Christ. Stiles Judson, born February 13, 1862, is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Maria, born December 10, 1863, after attend- ing public and private schools became a student in the State Normal School of New Britain and qualified for teaching in a Chicago school. She became principal of the primary depart- ment of the high school of Stratford, where she taught for six years, when her health failed her and she was obliged to give up her profession. She died August 3, 1911, and was laid to rest by the side of her parents. She was a young lady of high culture and refined taste, was devoted to her home, was a member of the Congregational church and a lady of most beautiful Christian character. Elizabeth Peck, the youngest of the family, born January 27, 1866, attended public and private schools and passed away February 9, 1889, as a flower cut off in the bud.
REV. MICHAEL J. O'CONNOR.
Rev. Michael J. O'Connor, pastor of St. James Roman Catholic church at Stratford, was born August 19, 1866, in Manchester. Connecticut, his parents being Timothy and Johanna (Kelliher) O'Connor, who in 1858 left Ireland and came to the new world, settling in Man- chester. Both have now passed away. They had a family of six sons and two daughters, all yet living in Connecticut.
After attending the public schools of his native city, Michael J. O'Connor pursued a four years' 'classical course at St. Charles in Baltimore, Maryland, and also spent one year at "Niagara University in New York. He devoted the succeeding five years to study in St. James Theological Seminary at Brighton, Massachusetts, and was ordained to the priesthood in Bos- ton, December 17, 1892, by the Rt. Rev. John J. Williams, archbishop of the diocese. He served as assistant priest of St. Augustine church at Bridgeport, of St. Patrick's at New
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Haven, of St. Peter's at Danbury and of St. Mary's at New Britain, Connecticut, and was assigned to his first parish at West Thompson and Pomfret, on the 12th of November, 1902, having charge of the Sacret Heart church in the former place and of Holy Trinity church in the latter. He continued in charge of the two churches for five years, when he was transferred to Stratford on the 13th of March, 1908, and has since been pastor of St. James. He has done a remarkable work here, for at the time of his arrival the church had little money and the families in the parish numbered only a few hundred people. He now has one of the finest churches in Connecticut and the value of the church property has been increased from ten thousand to one hundred thousand dollars. The membership is thirteen hundred and the work is in a most flourishing condition, while Rev. O'Connor is very popular.
TRACY BRONSON WARREN.
Every individual must essentially determine and shape his own character; at the same time one has every right to be proud of an honored ancestry and to rejoice in the possession of a name that has long stood as a synonym for those qualities which are most admirable in citizenship as well as in private life. The name of Warren has been associated with American history almost from the period of earliest colonization in the new world and, more than that, the ancestral line can be traced back through twenty-seven generations to William de Warrenne, Earl of Normandy, who died in 1088 and whose wife was Gundred, youngest daughter of William the Conqueror. Down the long line are found many dis- tinguished and notable names. William de Warrenne actively assisted in the conquest of England and was created Earl of Surrey. A contemporary writer has said: "An ancient genealogy of the family traces the lineage of this William de Warrenne back to the year 900 A. D., the year in which his Scandinavian forebears are said to have settled in Normandy. The Warrens of America have won distinction both as civilians and soldiers. Their record in the struggle for national independence is an exceedingly honorable one, and the valiant services of General Joseph Warren, who fell at Bunker Hill, are too well known to need further comment.
"(I) The family of Warren is traced to a Norman baron of Danish extraction, who had a son Hertastus, whose daughter married Walter de St. Martin.
"(II) Their son, William de Warrenne, Earl of Warren in Normandy, married a daughter of Ralph de Tosta. Also had a daughter, Gundred, who married Richard, Duke of Normandy.
"(111) Their son, Richard, Duke of Normandy, was the father of William the Conqueror, king of England, who married Maud, daughter of Baldwin, Earl of Flanders. They had a daughter, Gundred, who married William de Warren, the first Earl of Warren and Surrey. He accompanied William the Conqueror and was a powerful auxiliary in the battle of Hastings in 1066. William de Warren received the title of earl before coming to England. He is mentioned in Domesday Book as possessing land in almost every county in England, comprising one hundred and thirty-nine lordships. Earl William Warren selected his residence in the village of Lewes, county of Surrey. He erected there his beautiful castle, of which the ruins are still to be seen on an eminence surrounding the town. Although the principal parts are demolished, its gates are still standing, showing its massive construction. He and his wife Gundred erected the priory in the town of Lewes, and he continued his benefaction to it during his life. He died in 1088, and his countess died in 1085. They were first buried in the convent of Lewes built by Henry VIII. In 1775 their remains were removed to the old church at Southover to a little chapel at the end of the church. The traveler of the present. selecting one of the lanes running to the southward of Lewes, soon comes to the
J.2 Haven
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pleasant suburb of Southover, and passing its church will readily recognize the remains of the priory built by William de Warren and Gundred.
"From this point, Colonel Tracy B. Warren, mentioned below, traces his ancestry in a direct line for seventeen generations to Richard Warren, the Mayflower Pilgrim, from whom he is descended in the ninth generation, thus making twenty-seven generations in unbroken line from William de Warrenne, previously referred to, who married Gundred, the youngest daughter of William the Conqueror. He is also a descendant of William Bradford of the Mayflower, the first colonial governor.
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