USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > History of Bridgeport and vicinity > Part 75
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In 1893, Mr. Joyce was united in marriage to Miss Ida E. Buckingham, by whom he has two children, namely: Louis B., who was graduated from the Bridgeport high school and is now with The Joyce Press; and Helen L., who is being educated in a kindergarten training school. Mr. and Mrs. Joyce hold membership in the Olivet Congregational church, and he is prominently known in fraternal eireles. He holds membership in Harris Lodge, No. 99, I. O. O. F., and also with Stratfield Encampment; while in Masonry he has attained high rank, having memberhip in St. John's Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M .; Jerusalem Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M .; Jerusalem Council, No. 16, R. & S. M .; Hamilton Commandery, No. 5, K. T .: Lafayette Consistory, A. & A. S. R .; and Pyramid Temple, A. A. O. N. M.S.
JAMES STAPLES.
The life of every individual is a contribution or a hindrance to the progress of the world. The man who places a correct value on opportunities and utilizes them to good advantage pushes forward the wheels of progress and becomes an important factor in sub- stantial development in his city or community. His influence, too. becomes a potent factor the strength of which is immeasurable, and thus man is judged not by the good that comes to him, but the good that comes to the world through him. Considered by this standard, Vol. II-31
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the life work of James Staples was crowned with notable success, and if measured, too, by the standards of material gain his career could well be called a most successful one. He was widely known in Bridgeport as a banker, real estate dealer and prominent business man. Maine claimed him as a native son, his birth having occurred at Swanville, Waldo connty, January 19, 1824. The ancestral line is traced back to Peter Staples, who settled in that part of Massachusetts which is now Kittery, Maine, about 1640. His father, Hezekiah Staples, was a sea captain and farmer and his ancestors through various genera- tions were connected with navigation interests, displaying the qualities of courage, deter- mination and rectitude which such a vocation requires and engenders. Such were the traits of character manifest in Hezekiah Staples. He married Elizabeth Treat, who was charac- terized as "industrious, high-minded and sympathetic and displaying also excellent business ability, as shown in the management of her husband's business during his absence at sea and in the conduet of a large farm as well as in the rearing of her twelve children."
From such an ancestry came James Staples, who, according to a contemporary biographer, spent his youth in Swanville, working on his father's farm in summer and attending school in winter, until he was fourteen years old. He then went to the high school at Searsport, Maine, for three terms, for two terms to the academy in Belfast, Maine, and for one term to a school at Hyannis. Desirous of having a college education, he prepared himself and at the age of seventeen was prepared to enter, but too close application to his studies had undermined his health and he was compelled to forego the realizing of this ambition. After this great disappointment he accepted a position as teacher and until he was twenty-five he taught school in winter and managed his father's farm in summer and after that time for four years he taught continuously in Belfast, Maine. In this line of work he was pre- eminently successful and throughout his life held the profession of the teacher in the highest esteem as one of the noblest and most useful of avocations.
In 1851 he married Harrriet H. Shirly, daughter of Hugh Shirly. In the following year his wife and their infant died, and during that year three of his brothers were lost at sea and another seafaring brother died in the West Indies. These repeated blows affected his health and led him to leave his native state, give up his chosen profession and go to Bridgeport, Connecticut.
In 1854 he embarked in the lumber business in Bridgeport. entering into copartnership with S. C. Nickerson under the name of Staples & Nickerson. The firm did a prosperous and growing business and the future looked bright and promising. when the terrible crash of 1857 swept over the country and, with thousands of others, the firm was forced out of business.
In 1859 Mr. Staples opened a real estate office in Bridgeport, the first one in the city. His great energy and ability soon put him on the road to success, and he became the leading agent and one of the best and most consulted authorities on real estate in Bridgeport. In his later years, after he had attained a full measure of success, he was wont to say of this trying period of his career, "My friends told me 1 could not earn enough to season my food. I told them I was brought up in Maine and never had it very highly seasoned and I would take my chances."
In 1863 the business of fire insurance was added, Mr. Staples associating his brother, George A., with him under the firm name of J. and G. A. Staples. In 1874 a banking department was opened under the name of Staples & Company and placed in charge of Thomas R. Crottenden, one of the copartners.
In 1884 the firm of James Staples & Company, bankers, insurance and real estate agents, was formed. The members of the firm were James Staples, Philip L. Holzer and Frank T. Staples, the last named being the only son of James Staples by his union with Sarah Eliza- beth, the only daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Turney) Trubee of Bridgeport. Connecticut. whom he married in 1858. The business of the firm prospered to such a degree that larger offices were required and in 1892 a fine banking honse, known as the Staples bank building.
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was erected on the corner of State and Court streets, where the firm, one of the principal business houses in the city, is now located.
In his political views Mr. Staples was a republican, giving stanch support to the party yet never seeking or desiring office. However, at the earnest solicitation of his friends, in 1900 he consented to represent Bridgeport in the state legislature and was elected by a handsome majority. As a member of the house he displayed that same interest and force- ful activity on behalf of measures affecting his city that he did in private life and never feared to express the approval or opposition his judgment dictated. He had the distinction of being the oldest member of the legislature. He took the keenest interest in community affairs and for many years served as a member of the board of education, being called to that office on the organization of the board. He ever remained a stalwart champion of the public school system and did everything in his power to broaden its scope. He gave his time and effort unreservedly for the best interests of the city along many lines. He became one of the incorporators of the Board of Trade and as chairman of its executive committee he was enabled to do the greatest possible amount of work in advancing the growth and promoting the interests of Bridgeport. On the committee he had the aid and support of such men as P. T. Barnum, Nathaniel Wheeler, David M. Read and Frank Armstrong and their united efforts constituted a notable impetus to the city's development.
The death of Mr. Staples occurred February 28, 1903, and to his family and friends he left the record of a life that is an inspiration to all who knew him. He was a devoted member of the Universalist church and his faith was immovable in the doctrine of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. He was a member of the Seaside Club from its organization and he loved the society of his fellows yet lived simply and unostentatiously. His humor and ability as a story teller made him a delightful companion and the best traits of his character were ever reserved for his own family and fireside. He never used intoxicants nor tobacco and guided his life by the highest moral standards. Of him it was said: "Mr. Staples was a man of strong character. Honest, fearless, sagacious, positive. industrious, faithful to his engagements, ready to take responsibility and with a clear intellect, he mas- tered the problems of life and rose to the highest ranks of usefulness and distinction in his community. With him to decide was to act, and once started on a course of action, he pursued it with a singleness of purpose, an indefatigable energy and a tireless persistence that assured the certain accomplishment of his object. And yet withal be was a man of genial disposition, kindly nature, a human sympathy and generous responsiveness to the needs of suffering humanity that caused his presence to shed sunshine in every circle and won for him the respect and affectionate regard of his associates."
REV. HENRY A. DAVENPORT.
Rev. Henry A. Davenport, pastor of the People's Presbyterian church of Bridgeport, was born in Stamford, Connecticut, March 26, 1845, a son of William and Clarissa R. (Rockwell) Davenport, both of whom have now passed away. The former was a farmer who was born at Stamford, Connecticut, April 22, 1813, and was a direct descendant of John Davenport, founder of New Haven, who came from England in the decade following 1630. William Davenport was a member and deacon in the Congregational church and died in that faith at the age of sixty-nine years. His wife, who was born in Ohio in 1812, was eighty-four years of age at the time of her demise. In their family were six children but only two sons now survive, one of these being Rev. Merriam B. Davenport, a retired Congregationalist minister now residing in California.
Henry A. Davenport was reared in Stamford, Connecticut, and prepared for college in Williston Seminary of Massachusetts. He was graduated from Amherst College with the
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Bachelor of Arts degree in 1870, belonging to a class of which abont one-half became ministers. During his college days he tanght a six months' term of school. He studied for the ministry in the Union Theological Seminary of New York city, from which he was gradnated in 1873, and in June of that year he was ordained at Stamford, Connecticut, his native town. He has since constantly devoted his attention to the ministry of the Presbyterian church, covering a period of forty-four years. He first served a chapel in New York city for four and one-half years. this being a branch of the Fifth Avenne Presbyterian church, of which the Rev. Dr. John Hall was pastor, and Rev. Davenport's association with Dr. Hall was of great benefit to him in the initial stages of his ministry. Since the 14th of February, 1878, he has served but two churches. He was pastor of the First Pres- byterian church of Bridgeport for twenty-nine years and in April, 1907, was called to the People's Presbyterian church. It was during his pastorate at the former that the present commodions addition was made to the church for Sunday school purposes, and since accepting the pastorate of the People's church its present handsome church edifice and parsonage have been erected.
On the 29th of September. 1874, Rev. Davenport was married to Elizabeth M. Enright, who was born in County Limerick, Ireland, May 5, 1850, and came to the United States with her parents, John and Maria (O'Connell) Enright, when twelve years of age. They have three living children: Harry, who has become a Presbyterian minister but is now serving temporarily in the United States treasury department at Washington; William E., head of the German department in the Bridgeport high school; and May O., at home. All are college graduates, Harry having completed a course in the Wesleyan University, while William was graduated from the Yale academie course and also its Conservatory of Music. He is now the talented organist of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Bridgeport. The daughter is a graduate of Wellesley College.
Rev. Davenport has traveled extensively and has twice visited Europe. It would be almost tautological in this connection to enter into any series of statements showing him to be a man of broad scholarly attainments, for this has been shadowed forth between the lines of this review. It should be recognized, however, that he is also a man of broad sympathy and of keen intuition that enables him to correctly judge human nature. That he has the faculty of calling forth the cooperation of his people and working with them for the best interests of his church is manifested by the length of his pastorates, and his labors have been a strong and effective force in promoting the moral progress of his city.
CLAUDE A. HERMAN.
Claude A. Herman, secretary of the Modern Manufacturing Company of Bridgeport, was born in Winsted, Connecticut, April 2, 1881, his parents being Samuel A. and Augusta L. (Fenn) Herman. His father, who was born at Falls Village, Connecticut, is now filling the position of coroner in Litchfield county. The mother was born in Terryville, this state.
After attending the public schools Clande A. Herman continned his education in a prepara- tory school at Norfolk, Connecticut, and afterward became a student in the law department of Yale. but not entirely pleased with the law, he gave up the idea of entering the profession and turned his attention to the machinist's trade, which he learned in the establishment of C'arter & Hakes Machine Company at Winsted, Connecticut, there remaining for three and one-half years. He afterward took a trip to the Pacific coast and to Mexico, following his trade at varions points. Upon his return to Connectient he made his way to Hartford, where he was with the Royal Typewriter Company, and afterward he filled the position of job master with the Taft-Pierce Manufacturing Company at Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He next
CLAUDE A. HERMAN
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became chief inspector of the Greenfield Tap & Die Corporation, with which he remained for two years.
In June, 1915, Mr. Herman removed to Bridgeport. where in 1916 he organized the Modern Manufacturing Company at 75 Third street with Frank E. Seeley as president and treasurer, W. J. Bartley, vice president, and Claude A. Herman as secretary. Mr. Bartley has since sold out and was succeeded in the office of vice president by M. M. Seeley. The company manufactures a general line of tools and machines for special work of all kinds, including die work and jig work, and they employ from fifty to seventy skilled mechanics. They occupy a cement building equipped with electric power, and all of their machinery and equipment is of the very latest design. Their pay roll now amounts to about eighty thousand dollars per year and the business is steadily growing along substantial lines.
In 1912 Mr. Herman was married to Miss Agnes M. Morgan, of Amherst, Massachusetts, and they have one child, Robert S. Mr. Herman certainly made no mistake when he turned from the law to follow mechanical pursuits, for in the line of his chosen life work he has steadily progressed and is now actively engaged in a business which is steadily growing, hav- ing made rapid strides during the year of its existence.
C. A. BALDWIN.
C. A Baldwin, assistant general sales manager of the Bridgeport Brass Company, was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, September 6, 1876, a son of Charles F. and Ella (Adams) Bald- win. After acquiring a public school education he made his initial step in the business world as an employe of the Pope Manufacturing Company of Hartford, with which he remained for five years. In February, 1900, he entered the employ of the Gillette Brothers Company, a small sporting goods establishment in Hartford, as sales manager, continuing in that capacity for two years. In December. 1901, he became purchasing agent for the Bridgeport Brass Company and his worth led to his promotion to the position of head of a division of the sales department. His powers standing the test placed upon him in the new position and increasing with the exercise of effort as the years passed on, he was early in 1916 made assistant general sales manager, which position he is now filling, having charge of the Bridgeport end of the sales department.
In 1904 Mr. Baldwin was united in marriage to Miss Bertha G. Jones, of Bridgeport. and both are well known socially in the city. They are members of St. John's Episcopal church, in the work of which they are actively and helpfully interested. Mr. Baldwin is also well known in club circles and for the past three years has been the secretary of the Brooklawn Country Club, in which he has hekl membership for fifteen years. For eight years he served on its board of governors and has had much to do with the development and activities of that organiza- tion. In polities he votes independently but is not remiss in the duties of citizenship nor does he lightly regard the obligations that devolve upon the individual in his relation to civic affairs.
GEORGE D. PHILLIPS.
George D. Phillips, patent attorney and one of the old residents of Bridgeport, was born in Redding, Connecticut, March 5, 1842, a son of Henley E. and Luthena (Chamberlain) Phil- lips. Henley E. Phillips was born in Danbury, Connecticut, May 13, 1813. George D. is a descendant of the old Phillips family of Boston, Massachusetts. The founder of the Phillips family in Massachusetts was the Rev. George Phillips, a graduate of Cambridge, England,
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a passenger with Governor Winthrop, Sir Richard Saltonstall and others on the ship Arhella, which arrived at Salem, June 12, 1630. Sir Richard Saltonstall and the Rev. George Phillips obtained a grant of land fonr miles from Boston and founded the settlement of Watertown. the latter serving as pastor in the settlement for many years. The descendants of this ancestor were closely identified with both civie and military affairs in aud aronnd Boston during the Colonial and Revolutionary periods. Samuel Phillips was an active member of the "Long Room Club" with Adams, Hancock, Otis, Paul Revere, Warren and others, prior to the Revolution: was also one of the famous committee that demanded of Governor Hutchinson the removal of the British troops after the Boston massacre. Judge Samuel Henley Phillips. Jr., was a graduate of Harvard, founder of Andover Academy, member of the provincial congress and of the constitutional convention of 1779, state senator for twenty years, and 15 years president of the senate. Dr. John I. Phillips, a Harvard graduate, gave thirty-one thousand dollars to the Phillips Andover Academy and also founded the Phillips Academy at Exeter in 1781 and endowed it with one hundred and thirty-four thousand dollars. His son, Samuel Henley Phillips, was sent by Elbridge Gerry to take charge of the military stores in Danbury, where he married and died. One of the descendants of the Rev. George Phillips was a colonel on Washington's staff in the war of the Revolution.
On the maternal (Chamberlain) side. Henry Chamberlain eame over from England in the ship Diligent, arriving at Boston, Massachusetts, August 10, 1638-9. Representatives of these two families have participated in every war from colonial times to the Civil war.
The subject of this sketel attended the district schools of Bridgeport, Connectieut, and Yonkers, New York. He learned the machinist's trade, and for years filled many responsible positions in manufacturing establishments. He served in the Civil war in Company D. Seventeenth Connecticut Volunteers, was severely wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Chancellorsville and forced to lay on the battlefield from the 2d of May until the 16th before removed. He is identified fraternally with St. John's Lodge, No. 3. A. F. & A. M .; Pequonnoek Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F., and Elias Howe, Jr. Post, No. 3. G. A. R.
HARRY E. ASHMORE.
Harry E. Ashmore. a dealer in automobile supplies in Bridgeport, was born in this city. his parents being Henry and Clara (Beal) Ashmore, who were natives of England. The former was a son of Henry Ashmore, Sr., also of England, where he engaged in the manufacture of eutlery and razors. The maternal grandfather, John Beal, was engaged in the armor plate business. He came to the United States about 1864 and established the Beal Steel Works in Jersey City, New Jersey. Henry Asbmore, father of Harry E. Aslımore, arrived in the United States when a young man and for a time made his home at New Britain, Connecticut, but afterward engaged in the cutlery business in Bridgeport, where he is now practically living retired. He figured in manufacturing cireles for a long period and at length, having acquired a handsome competence, put aside business cares in order to enjoy the fruits of his former toil. To him and his wife were born six children.
The youngest of the family, Harry E. Ashmore, acquired a publie school edneation and after leaving high school entered the Worcester Technical school for the study of gas, steam and electrical engineering, completing his course by graduation with the class of 1898. He then returned to Bridgeport, after which he was employed in various places along the line of his chosen vocation. He entered the employ of the Alling Rubber Company as a salesman and subsequently was with the Atlas Garage of New York city. Later he became con- nected with the Twentieth Century Auto Supply Company of New York, but in 1907 returned to Bridgeport and for some time was associated with the Blue Ribbon Auto & Carriage
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HARRY E. ASHMORE
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Company as manager of the supply department, there remaining for three years. He then opened a Post & Lester Company store on Fairfield avenue and became supervisor of their chain of nine stores. He afterward opened the Jennings Garage, of which he became secre- tary and manager, and ultimately purchased the Blue Ribbon Garage of Meriden, Con- necticut. which he conducted for two years. In 1915 he organized his present business under the name of the Ashmore Auto Supply Company at No. 53 Sterling street. His store has a frontage of forty feet, a depth of sixty-seven feet, and is two stories in height. He carries a full line of automobile accessories of all kinds, including gas and oils, and his is one of the largest business enterprises of the kind in this city. Already his trade has reached extensive proportions and is continually growing as the motor car sale increases. He keeps in touch with the latest that the market produces in automobile supplies and his college training and early experience enable him to discuss most intelligently the real worth of any article which he sells.
In 1902 Mr. Ashmore was married to Miss Viola Maiden. of Bridgeport, who passed away in 1905. and on the 13th of May, 1911, he wedded Catherine H. Lewis, of Bridgeport. By his first marriage he bad a son, Alfred, and by his second marriage, a son, Harry.
Mr. Ashmore votes with the republican party and he keeps well informed on the vital questions before the country. He has membership with the Masons, the Red Men and the Woodmen and is also a member of the Methodist church. His has been an active and useful life in which there have been few leisure hours. He has worked persistently and with determination to reach the goal of success and step by step he has progressed until lie now occupies a most creditable and enviable position among the representative business men of the city.
GEORGE W. DANE.
George W. Dane, a member of the firm of Davis & Dane, architects of Bridgeport, was born April 14, 1878, in the city which is now his home, a son of Moses Warren and Amanda Melvina (Seaman) Dane. The father was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and there attended school to the age of fourteen years, when he went to Long Island. In early man- hood he came to Bridgeport and for thirty-five years was connected with and finally became superintendent of the steam and gas fitting department of the Union Metallic Cartridge Company, a position of large responsibility and importance. During the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops and became a member of the Hospital Corps of the United States Army. He represented one of the oldest families of Massachusetts, who endured their share of hardships with the Indians along with the other early settlers. His death occurred in Bridgeport, June 2, 1916, and in his passing the community lost one of its valued and representative citizens. He had wedded Amanda Melvina Seaman, who was born in Hempstead, Long Island, where she was reared and married. She is now a resident of Bridgeport. She belongs to the old Seaman family that was among the first established on Long Island, her ancestors, who were of Welsh origin, having settled there at a very early date.
In the attainment of his education George W. Dane passed through consecutive grades in the public and high schools of Bridgeport and also attended business college. He afterward served a nine years' apprenticeship in gaining his knowledge of architecture in the office of Joseph W. Northrup, of Bridgeport, obtaining expert knowledge during that period. He afterward became superintendent with the Frank Miller Lumber Company and continued in that connection until February 21, 1914, when he entered into partnership with Carl F. Davis under the firm style of Davis & Dane for the practice of his profession. They do a general business as architects and some fine examples of their work can be seen among
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