USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > History of Bridgeport and vicinity > Part 16
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Benjamin Lewis, son of Benjamin (I), was born in Stratford in 1696 and married Sarah De Forest, a daughter of Daniel De Forest. For his second wife he chose Saralı Nicolls, whom he wedded February 26, 1791, and he was the father of six children.
Benjamin Lewis (III) of this family was born in Stratford, September 14, 1729, and there became a land owner and farmer, devoting his life to the cultivation of his fields and spending his last days upon the home farm. To him and his wife, Elizabeth, were born seven children.
Freemund Lewis, son of Benjamin (III), was born in the town of Stratford and was baptized 1764. He made his home on what is now Stratford avenne, where he owned one hundred acres of land, the greater part of which has been divided into building lots on which many homes have been erected, while various streets have been cut through. The entire tract is within the corporation limits of Bridgeport. Freemund Lewis spent his entire life on that farm and when called to the home beyond his remains were interred in Lake- view cemetery in Bridgeport. He married Cherree French, who was born January 11, 1763, a daughter of Benoni and Mehitable (Booth) French. They became parents of two children, Alanson Freemund and Eliza Mehitable, who became the wife of Eliakim Hongh.
Alanson Freemund Lewis was born August 30, 1795, upon the homestead farm at Stratford, and there grew to manhood. He devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits on the old home place save through the period of the War of 1812, when he defended American interests on the battlefields. He took a deep interest in the town and its public affairs and was active in support of church and school. His political endorsement was given to the whig party and his religious belief was indicated in his attendance at the Congregational church. He passed away on the home farm May 22, 1859, and was laid to rest in Lakeview cemetery. Ilis wife, who bore the maiden name of Julia Waterman, was a daughter of Rev. Elijalı and Lucy (Abbe) Waterman. the former a Civil war veteran. Mrs. Lewis died
Thomas Edum Leur.
Max. James, Je. Moore,
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on the homestead August 19, 1884, at the age of eighty-five years, and her grave is by the side of her husband's in Lakeview cemetery. She, too, attended the Congregational church. Their children were: Julia, who hecame the wife of Nathan B. McEwen, but both are now deceased; Thomas Edwin, who died in 1907 and whose sketch follows; Margaret Isham, who resides on the old homestead; Elizabeth Waterman, who is the widow of James H. Moore; and Mary Isabelle, who died in young womanhood.
THOMAS EDWIN LEWIS.
Thomas Edwin Lewis, the only . son of his parents, Alanson Freemund and Julia (Waterman) Lewis, was born at the old Lewis homestead in East Bridgeport, July 5, 1831, and there grew to manhood. He attended the public schools of the locality and later was a student in what was known as the Johnson School which was conducted in the South Church basement in Bridgeport. Reared as other farm boys of his time and locality, he followed that business, first under his father. After that parent's death in 1859 the care and management of the home farm fell upon him. Mr. Lewis conducted that business successfully. With the expansion of the city the farm property was gradually transformed into residence and manu- facturing sites. Mr. Lewis also took a prominent part in town affairs and at one time served as selectman, also burgess. His judgment and opinion in business matters carried weight, while his duties as an official were discharged as conscientiously as if they had involved his own private affairs.
In politics he was a republican and, while he filled public office, he was not a politician in the sense of desiring and seeking office. He was modest and unassuming in manner and whatever his public service it was prompted by his interpretation of the duties of a citizen who held uppermost the best interests of the town. He was well known and engaged the highest respect of all. His death occurred July 2, 1907, and his burial took place in Lakeview cemetery. Mr. Lewis was unmarried.
JAMES HOVEY MOORE.
James Hovey Moore, who for years was one of Bridgeport's leading business men and well known citizens, was born in Derby, Connecticut, in 1804 and was a son of Stephen Moore, who at one time was lighthouse keeper on Fayerweather island. The son attended school in his native town and when a lad of eleven years was sent all alone to drive a flock of sheep from Derby to Fayerweather island, where his father was lighthouse keeper. When he reached Bridgeport the tide was too high to ford the river and he had to wait for low tide, safely arriving later with his flock. He was afterward employed for a time by Isaac Hinman to make similar trips. Subsequently he learned the trade of ship carpenter, at which he worked as a journeyman for some time, and he also acquired a working knowledge of seafaring life. At length he engaged in business on his own account in Bridgeport as a ship carpenter, his yard being located on the site now owned by the New England Transporta- tion Company, and there he laid the foundation of his future greatness. In his yard there he built over forty vessels, which were engaged in trade and which were constructed mostly through Bridgeport capital. These proved good paying ventures and he made a success of his enterprise. He was also a master mariner and commanded vessels in the mercantile trade on various occasions. He followed most enterprising methods and possessed progres- sive ideas and became one of the best known ship builders on Long Island Sound. The bark "Bridgeport," a fine example of the product of his shipyard, is shown in an illustration Vol. II-7
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on the page opposite this sketch. He was widely known for his industry and businesslike propensities and he ever manifested the most thorough interest in all that he undertook. He was not only widely known as a most capable business man but was also deeply interested in Bridgeport, its people, its institutions and its welfare. He served as a member of the school board, also as a member of the board of selectmen of Bridgeport while it was a town, and his cooperation could ever he counted upon to further measures and movements for the general upbuilding. In 1881 he became a director of the Pequonnock Bank and he possessed a thorough knowledge of the value of real estate, so that his opinions upon questions relative thereto were considered valuable.
Mr. Moore was married first to Betsey Leete, of Leete Island, Connecticut. In 1872 he wedded Elizabeth Waterman Lewis, who was born on the old Lewis homestead at Stratford and was educated in the public schools, in the Stratford Academy and in Miss Ward's select school. She afterward successfully taught school for nine years in Bridgeport and she proved the possessor of various other admirable qualities, for, following the death of Mr. Moore, she continued the business for a short time and then disposed of the yard and plant to the New England Transportation Company.
Mr. Moore passed away on the 7th of December, 1889, and was laid to rest in Mountain Grove cemetery in Bridgeport. He attended the Congregational church and wherever known he was held in high esteem, being respected as a good citizen, a faithful friend, a devoted husband and an enterprising, progressive and successful business man. Mrs. Moore is a inember of the Society of Patriots and Founders, also of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Society of the War of 1812, being a "real daughter" of the last named. She is thoroughly patriotic in spirit, devoted to the country in which her ancestors have so long resided and in which they have rendered active service in days of peace and days of war. Mrs. Moore belongs to the United Congregational church, is active in all branches of the church work and is also interested in various other lines of good work.
JAMES J. SEXTON.
James J. Sexton, proprietor of the granite works conducted under the name of James Sexton & Son, is accounted one of the active and representative business men of Stratford. It was his father, James Sexton, Sr., who founded the business. He was born in Cork, Ire- land, in 1827, and was a young man of twenty years when he left the Emerald Isle to emigrate to the new world, becoming a resident of Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1847. He entered the employ of John Beatty and engaged in lighthouse construction but following the discovery of gold in California and the rush to the Pacific coast, he, too, made his way westward and while in that section of the country became acquainted and worked with Flood, Mackey, O'Brien and other of the early Californians who afterward became wealthy and famous. Not desiring to continue his residence on the western coast, Mr. Sexton returned to New England, in 1860, and superintended the construction work on the Sandy Hook forts during the Civil war, that work occupying him until 1866. Later he went to Plymouth, near Waterbury, Connecticut, and in 1869 removed to Bridgeport. He founded the present business in East Bridgeport, but twenty-one years ago removed to the present location in Stratford. It is today the oldest granite works in Connecticut, and this has been a union shop for fifty years. He did all the stone work on St. Mary's Roman Catholic church in Bridgeport, in which he also gave the memorial window. The cornerstone and the statue of St. James in the St. James Catholic church, Stratford, was given by his son, James J. Sexton. In 1845 James Sexton, Sr., was united in marriage to Miss Mary Sullivan, of Killarney, Ireland, and they became the parents of a large family. The father departed this life in 1899, while his wife survived until the following year.
THE BARK "BRIDGEPORT"
Built at the James H. Moore shipyard near the foot of East Main Street. This vessel was completed in 1865 at a cost of $59,454, and was the fortieth one launched from this shipyard during Mr. Moore's ownership.
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Their son. James J. Sexton, was the seventh son of a seventh son, and was born in Long Island City, in 1866. In early life he was trained to granite cutting in his father's shop and became proficient at the business. He was eventually admitted to a partnership under the present firm style of James Sexton & Son, and is now at the head of the granite works founded by his father and successfully conducted in this state for half a century The work turned out is of a high grade and the business has been liberally patronized.
On the 16th of September, 1891, Mr. Sexton was married to Miss Elizabeth McAuliffe, and they became the parents of five children: Mrs. Michael Gill, who was born July 5, 1892, and now resides in Bridgeport; Vincent, who was born July 5, 1893, and has traveled all over the globe and while engaged as a newspaper man of Salt Lake City was appointed first lieutenant in a Utah regiment for duty in the war with Germany; Mildred, who was born January 5, 1895; Leo, born August 18, 1898; and Clair, who was born in 1907, and is now attending school in Stratford.
Mr. Sexton holds membership with St. James' Roman Catholic church of Stratford and is one of its trustees. He also has membership with the Knights of Columbus and has attained the fourth degree. He has filled the office of justice of the peace and is a public- spirited man, cooperating in many plans and projects for the general good. At the same time his devotion to business, his close application and his enterprise have won him sub- stantial success in his chosen line of activity.
JOHN SMITH.
John Smith, engaged in the practice of law at Bridgeport as a member of the firm of Hull & Smith, was born in Coventry, England, November 23, 1867. His father was Henry Smith, a ribbon manufacturer of England, who spent his entire life in Coventry, Warwick- shire. There he married Martha Bidmead, a representative of an old Coventry family.
John Smith of this review attended the Bablake preparatory school of Coventry and in his youth served a four years' apprenticeship as a mechanical engineer. He was after- ward employed for four years in a bicycle factory in Coventry which was owned by J. K. Starley, in which factory was built the first safety bicycle such as is now in use. While thus engaged Mr. Smith assisted in building the first half dozen safety bicycles produced in the Starley factory and he has reason to be proud of the fact that he did some of the mechanical work thereon, thus becoming a pioneer in the building of a machine which is now in uni- versal use. He also aided in the establishment of two other bicycle factories in Coventry in which safeties were built.
Before leaving his native city Mr. Smith was there married on the 28th of December, 1889, to Miss Helena Bidmead. In 1894 they crossed the Atlantic and have since been residents at Bridgeport. Mrs. Smith's parents were Joseph and Harriet (Houghton) Bid- mead. who were natives of Coventry but were residents of Bridgeport at the time of the marriage of their daughter to Mr. Smith, at which time she was visiting in Coventry. Mr. Bidmead was largely interested in the Bridgeport Elastic Web Company at Bridgeport, and was thus actively identified with its productive industries, and for five years after coming to the new world Mr. Smith acted as assistant superintendent of that factory. Later he filled the position of assistant clerk in the office of the judge of the probate court for six years and while thus engaged he studied law. Admitted to the bar in June. 1909, he has since practiced, giving his entire attention to the duties of his profession. He served as clerk of the Bridgeport city court from 1910 until 1912. He is careful in the preparation of his cases, strong in argument and clear in his reasoning and has conducted considerable important litigation. He belongs to both the Bridgeport Bar Association and the Connecti- cut State Bar Association.
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To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born two children, Mabel B. and Kenneth B., the former an accomplished musician and vocal soloist well known in Bridgeport. Mr. Smith belongs to the Order of the Sons of St. George, being a past president of Magna Charta Lodge of that order. He is also a Royal Arch and Council Mason and a Knight of Pythias. and a member of the Independent Order of Foresters. He belongs to the Algonquin Club and to the Weatogue Golf Club of Stratford. Mr. Smith resided in Bridgeport for more than twenty-two years or until 1916, when he erected his modern home adjoining the Weatogue Golf Club property in Stratford. His political allegiance is given to the republi- can party and in 1912 he was a candidate for judge of the probate court, but a division in the party ranks that year led to his defeat. Laudable ambition has enabled him to work his way upward in business connections and he is now a well known and prominent repre- sentative of professional interests in his adopted state.
S. E. VINCENT.
Death removed one of the substantial, enterprising, highly respected business men of Bridgeport, when S. E. Vincent passed away in July, 1915. He was born in Sherman, Connecticut, in 1854, a son of Egbert and Rhoda Green Vincent, who were farming people of that locality. His early training was that which usually falls to the lot of the farm bred boy, who divides his time between the work of the fields, and the duty of the school room. After mastering the public school course, he entered Yale Law School, and met his tuition and other expenses by individual effort. For several years he taught school, and for a time was principal of the school at Staten Island. In 1886 however, he came to Bridge- port where he began business as a merchant in groceries and grain. The business established by him is still carried on by the Vincent Brothers Company.
ALLEN E. VINCENT.
Allen E. Vincent, president of the Vincent Brothers Company, was born in Sherman, Connecticut, in 1864, a son of Egbert and Rhoda Green Vincent, the former a farmer by occupation. At an early date in his business carreer, he became dependent upon his own resources and is now rated as one of the leading citizens of Bridgeport. He is assisted in the management of the Vincent Brothers Company by his nephew, Noble E. Vincent. son of S. E. Vincent, who is vice president.
STEPHEN CURTIS.
Stephen Curtis, who during his life was a well known agriculturist of Stratford and a local minister of the Baptist church, was a native of the town of Stratford, born in 1796, his parents being Levi and Betsey (Ufford) Curtis. He was descended from one of the oldest families in that section of New England. He was .reared upon the home farm and the local schools afforded him his educational opportunities. He was a man of broad intelli- gence and of high Christian character, was fond of reading and well versed in the Bible. From early boyhood he followed farming and made that work his principal occupation. In his youth he became a member of the Congregational church but afterward was con- verted to the Baptist faith and then joined that church and lived up to its principles and
S. E. VINCENT
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teachings during the remainder of his life. He was a firm believer in its doctrines and for a number of years he engaged in preaching the gospel as a representative of its ministry. Like Pani of old, he fought a good fight and kept the faith. He passed away at his home at Oronoque, town of Stratford, January 20, 1862, and was there laid to rest. He had been active in public affairs and had been called to serve in a number of town offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity.
He wedded Maria Birdseye, a native of Stratford and a daughter of Thaddeus and Helen (Lewis) Birdseye and a granddaughter of the Rev. Nathan Birdseye, who was a well known minister of Stratford. He lived to the notable old age of one hundred and three years and five months and on the one hundredth anniversary of his birth he preached and made a prayer from the pulpit. Thaddeus Birdseye held a commission in the American army during the Revolutionary war and he represented one of the best known families of Fairfield county. His daughter, Mrs. Curtis, died at the home of her son at Paradise Green in Stratford and was laid to rest by the side of her husband. She, too, was a devoted member of the Baptist church. In their family were five children. Thaddeus Birdseye, who married Eliza Libbey, died in Danbury, Connecticut. Calvin died in infancy. Calvin (II), who married Elizabeth Wicks, of New York, passed away in Stratford. Robert G., who wedded Sarah Wells, died at Paradise Green, Stratford. Sarah M. is the youngest of the family.
She was married on the 16th of January, 1879, to Preston H. Hodges, who was a native of Mansfield, Bristol county, Massachusetts, born on the 23rd of January, 1814. When young he removed with his parents to Providence, Rhode Island, and in early manhood went to New York city, where he became a hotel clerk. He afterward purchased the Carle- ton Hotel, which he conducted for a number of years and then sold out. He next turned his attention to the importation of teas, in which business he continued until 1874, when he came to Stratford, Connecticut, and purchased a small farm on which he began the growing of fruits. He also made an artificial pond on the farm for the propagation of trout but this did not prove a successful venture. He erected a fine residence in the village of Stratford, in which he made his home up to the time of his death, which occurred Sep- tember 30, 1901. His widow, a lady of culture and refined taste, still occupies the home on Main street. The building stands in the midst of beautiful grounds decorated with fine flowers and splendid shade trees. Mrs. Hodges has always regarded her home as her chief interest, centering her activities there. She is well preserved for one of her years and she is honored for her personal worth and for her connection with one of Connecticut's most prominent and valued families.
EDWARD H. WILMOT.
Edward H. Wilmot, junior partner in the firm of Hawley & Wilmot, engaged in the undertaking business at Bridgeport, his native city, was born on the 14th of May, 1865, and at the usual age entered the public schools, in which he pursued his studies until he reached the high school. He made his initial step in the business world as an employe of the banking firm of T. L. Watson & Company and later was for years in the employ of the Consolidated Rolling Stock Company. Upon the death of his father, in 1899, he succeeded to the interest in the undertaking business, in which he is now engaged. The firm has a well appointed establishment and is accorded a liberal share of the publie patronage.
Mr. Wilmot belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also well known in local musical circles, possessing a fine tenor voice, as did his father before him, and the latter sang for sixteen years in the church in which Edward H. Wilmot is now well known as a choir member. He also sang in Christ Episcopal church at Bridgeport for
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four years, was tenor soloist in the Congregational church at Fairfield for four years, in the Church of the Redeemer at Bridgeport for fifteen years and in the Second Baptist church at Bridgeport for four years. He is indeed widely known in the musical circles of the city and his powers in this direction are a contributing factor to enjoyment on many social occasions.
ALEX L. DE LANEY.
Alex L. De Laney, a member of the Bridgeport bar, now serving as city prosecuting attorney, entered upon active practice here in 1900 and through the intervening years has steadily progressed in his profession, owing to his close application, unremitting energy and clear reasoning. He was born in Bridgeport, September 10, 1877, his parents being William A. and Ellen E. (Leverty) De Laney, whose family numbered sixteen children, one of whom was a twin sister of Alex L. The latter pursued his education through attendance at the Bridgeport public schools and then, determining upon the practice of law as a life work, he became a student in the New York Law School and was graduated therefrom in 1899. The following year he was admitted to the bar and has since practiced here. He worked his way through both the high school and the law school, providing for his own support and the expenses of his education, and thus he displayed the elemental strength of his character and the forcefulness which has brought him to his present creditable posi- tion as a representative of the bar.
On the 28th of September. 1904, Mr. De Laney was married to Miss Grace E. Fisher, of Philadelphia, Jefferson county, New York. He belongs to several social organizations, hav- ing membership with the Seaside Club, the Algonquin Chib and the University Club, and his chief diversion perhaps is found in motoring. Fraternally he is an Elk and is also connected with the Royal Arcanum and the Red Men. His religions belief is that of the Roman Catholic church. In politics he is a republican and is a member of both the city and state republican central committees. He served as assistant clerk of the city court for two years and afterward as clerk of that court for a similar period, and he is now serv- ing for the sixth eonseentive term in the office of city prosecutor, his continued reelections to that office being an indication of his merit and ability. He belongs to hoth the local and state bar associations and he enjoys in full measure the high regard of his professional colleagues and contemporaries.
ISAAC BREWSTER PRINDLE.
Isaac Brewster Prindle, deceased, was for many years a well known financier of Bridgeport, serving for almost forty years as cashier of the Peqnonnock Bank, and the prominent position which he occupied in banking circles well entitles him to mention with the representative residents who have been the real builders and promoters of the city. He was a native son of Bridgeport, born March 15, 1834, and had reached the age of seventy-five years when 'on the 11th of March, 1910, he was called to his final rest. His education was acquired in the schools of this city and in early manhood he entered into active relations with the banking business, becoming connected with the National Machine Bank at Great Barrington, Massachusetts, in the capacity of cashier. After remaining there for some time he returned to Bridgeport and on the 20th of February, 1869, was elected a director and the cashier of the Pequonnock Bank, continuing to serve as cashier until January 1, 1908, when after thirty-nine years' connection with the institution he with-
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drew and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. He had been devoted to the welfare and upbuilding of the bank, had been a close student of financial problems and had exerted his influence to safeguard in every way the interests of deposi- tors. In a word, his labors contributed much to the fair name and his efforts to the stability of this well known institution.
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