USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut, 1639-1928 > Part 39
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WILLIAM T. SCOFIELD
Energetic and purposeful, William T. Scofield utilized every opportunity to advance, and his industry and ability have brought him to the fore in the field of accounting. He is employed in the Grand Central station in New York city but resides in Stamford and is a scion of one of the colonial families of Connecticut. He was born in Greenwich, July 28, 1873, a son of Alfred Van Buren and Lucretia (Worden) Scofield. The grandfather, Louis Sco- field, was born in Stamford and always made his home in this city, of which his wife, Sarah (Thomas) Scofield, was also a life- long resident. As a successful contractor he contributed ma- terially toward the upbuilding of this section of Fairfield county, and his political support was given to the democratic party.
Alfred Van Buren Scofield was born February 21, 1838, in Stamford and enlisted in the Union army, which his brothers, George, Chauncey and "Tip," also joined. Alfred was sergeant of a company of sharpshooters and participated in the battle of Gettysburg, the siege of Richmond and other important engage- ments. He aided in pursuing the Morgan raiders and finally was
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captured. For a time he was incarcerated in Libby prison and was then transferred to Andersonville prison, suffering many hardships and privations. When exchanged he was sent to a hos- pital on Staten island and after recovering from an attack of typhoid fever he returned to the army. When his term of mili- tary service was completed, Mr. Scofield decided to develop his artistic talents and became an interior decorator. Later he turned his attention to the meat business and was thus engaged until his retirement. In politics he was a republican, and his life was governed by the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church. He attained the age of fifty-nine years, passing away January 31, 1898, in Greenwich, Connecticut. His wife was a native of that city, and there her demise occurred May 6, 1907, when she was seventy-four years of age. A notable feature in her life was the fact that she was born, married and died in the same room. She was a daughter of Andrew Worden and a great-great-grand- daughter of Dean Worden, who fought under General Washing- ton in the Revolutionary war. His son, Zein Worden, served in the War of 1812 and was the father of John Worden, who par- ticipated in Indian wars. The latter was born in Greenwich, Con- necticut, and there passed away. John and Sarah Worden were the parents of Andrew Worden, who was born in Greenwich and always lived in that section of the state. He followed the occu- pation of farming and was one of the large landowners of Fair- field county. His wife, Amanda (Mead) Worden, was also a lifelong resident of Greenwich, and three of their sons were Union soldiers.
William T. Scofield attended the public schools of his native city and was graduated from the Merrill Business College of Stamford, afterward taking a course in mechanical engineering with the Scranton Correspondence Schools. In 1891, when a young man of eighteen, he entered the employ of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company, acting as night agent for a year, and was next a telegrapher in their Stamford station. He is now chief accountant in the Grand Central station, New York city, and meets every requirement of the position, discharg- ing his duties with marked efficiency.
Mr. Scofield was married November 24, 1897, in Stamford to Miss Emma J. Gray, who was born July 5, 1877, in this city and is a high school graduate. Her father, Joseph Gray, was a native
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of England and became well known in Stamford as mason con- tractor and a landscape gardener. He was a member of the Epis- copal church and an independent voter. His wife was a native of Scotland, and both passed away in Stamford. Mr. and Mrs. Scofield have two children. The daughter, Florence Mildred, was graduated from the Stamford high school, and later became pri- vate secretary to George M. Skene, a prominent attorney of this city. She is now the wife of Victor Hanson, a designer in the em- ploy of the Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company of Stamford. The son, Ralph Gray Scofield, was born September 12, 1907, and is a graduate of the local high school. He also completed a course in the Pratt Institute of Brooklyn, New York, and is an equipment engineer for the New York Telephone Company, whose offices are located in New York City.
For three years William T. Scofield was a member of the Connecticut National Guard, subject to the call of the state under Governor Coffin, and was a sharpshooter whom Captain Holly designated as "the best guard on duty." He was an expert marks- man and won the silver medal at the state shooting contest at Niantic in 1894. In politics he is a republican but not a strong partisan and casts an independent ballot at local elections. Mrs. Scofield is a sister of Martin Gray, deceased, who was one of Stamford's well known jurists. She is active in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which her husband is also affiliated. He belongs to the Union Lodge of Masons, Greenwich Lodge of the Knights of Pythias and the Third Ward Republican Club. Mr. Scofield enjoys outdoor sports, and his hobby is ama- teur photography. His has been a symmetrical, well rounded development, and his genuine worth is attested by a wide circle of steadfast friends.
FRANK S. DAWLESS
One of the most successful and best known building contract- ors in Fairfield county is Frank S. Dawless, president of Frank S. Dawless & Sons, Inc., of Stamford, and he has also long been prominent in civic affairs, giving generously of his time and efforts to the advancement of the welfare of his community.
Mr. Dawless was born in New Haven, Connecticut, on the 28th
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of October, 1874, a son of Fred W. and Jane Isabell (Smith) Dawless. His paternal grandparents were Young S. and Adeline F. (Willard) Dawless, the former of whom was born in Providence, Rhode Island, October 1, 1801, and died in Sterling, Massachusetts, June 1, 1853, while the latter was born in Ster- ling, July 22, 1811, and died at that place, April 9, 1882.
Fred W. Dawless was born in Sterling, Massachusetts, July 31, 1846, and died in New Haven, Connecticut, September 17, 1925. He had followed the business of carriage building and was active in fraternal affairs, being at the time of his death the old- est past grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias in the state. He was a republican in politics and a member of the Congrega- tional church. His wife was born in Granby, Connecticut, Decem- ber 9, 1849, and died in New Haven, June 29, 1894. She was a daughter of Frederick James and Sabra (Alderman) Smith, of Granby. Her father was a farmer and merchant, and later a librarian. He supported the republican party, and his religious connection was with the Congregational church. His mother was the great-granddaughter of Captain Joseph Jewett, of Lyons, Connecticut, who was a Revolutionary soldier and to whom a monument is erected in Prospect park, Brooklyn, having been one of the men who marched from Lyons to Boston, Massachu- setts, and took part in the historic "Boston Tea Party."
Frank S. Dawless attended the public schools of New Haven and also night schools for seven years. He took up drafting under Professor Honey, of Yale College, and when seventeen years of age became an apprentice carpenter. In 1905 he embarked in the contracting business in New Canaan and two years later founded the business now being carried on by his two sons. In 1919 Mr. Dawless came to Stamford, where he continued the con- tracting business, and in 1920 he incorporated the business and took in his sons, Fred W. and Stanley A., under the name of Frank S. Dawless & Sons, Inc., of which he is president. This has been a very successful concern, having been identified with much important building work in this section of the county, and enjoys a high reputation for trustworthiness and dependability. Mr. Dawless is also vice president of the Pinehurst Realty Cor- poration.
Mr. Dawless was married February 26, 1896, to Miss Delia
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Frances Grant, who was born in New Haven, in which city her death occurred. She was a daughter of the late John and Helen (Maynard) Grant. Her father was a veteran of the Civil war, held a number of public offices in New Haven, was a republican in politics and a member of the Baptist church. To Mr. and Mrs. Dawless were born three sons: Fred William, who was born April 25, 1897, and is associated with his father in business, mar- ried Miss Gladys Jacobus, of New Jersey, and they have a daugh- ter, Dorothy Jane. Stanley A., who was born December 17, 1901, and is a member of the firm of Frank S. Dawless & Sons, married Miss Margaret Moore, of Danville, Illinois, and they have a son, Stanley A., Jr. Frank Smith, who was born December 17, 1907, is a student in California. On February 12, 1923, Mr. Dawless was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Murphy, who was born in Ware, Massachusetts, but at the time of her marriage was a resident of Brooklyn, New York, where she had been a teacher in high school. She is a daughter of John and Ann (O'Connell) Murphy, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Dawless is a member of St. John's Roman Catholic church, belongs to the Stamford Woman's Club and the Schubert Club, took an active part in Red Cross work during the World war, and is a member of the Council of Catholic Women.
In his political views Mr. Dawless is a stanch republican and has shown a good citizen's interest in local public affairs, having served for eight years as trial justice in New Canaan, as a mem- ber of the zoning commission in Stamford and as a member of the board of directors of the Taxpayers Association. He is a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 67, F. & A. M., at New Canaan; Rittenhouse Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M .; Washington Council, No. 6, R. & S. M .; Stamford Commandery, No. 12, K. T .; Bridgeport Consistory, A. A. S. R .; Pyramid Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Bridgeport, and belongs to the Stamford Chamber of Commerce, of which he is president; the Hubbard Heights Golf Club, of which he is president ; the Kiwanis Club, of which he is a past vice presi- dent and has been a director for a number of years; the Stam- ford Yacht Club and the Suburban Club. During his earlier years he was a member of the New Haven Greys, and during the late war was an officer in the Home Guards. He temporarily gave up his private business affairs and devoted his time to government service, acting as assistant superintendent of construction in the
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erection of the nitrate plant at Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He is an adherent of the Congregational church and no worthy benevolent or charitable cause appeals to him in vain. He has in his career exemplified the highest type of citizenship and in every relation of life has performed his full duty. Because of his business abil- ity, his stanch personal qualities and his kindly and affable man- ner, he is held in high regard by all who know him and has a large circle of loyal friends.
JUDGE BACON WAKEMAN
For sixteen years Judge Bacon Wakeman has presided over the probate court of Fairfield, displaying rare qualities as a pub- lic servant, and he has also achieved success in the practice of law. He was born on the old Wakeman homestead in the town of Fair- field and represents one of the oldest and most prominent families of this part of the state. He is a direct descendant of the Rev. Samuel Wakeman, a Congregational minister, who was pastor of a church in Fairfield during the colonial epoch in American history. Captain Andrew Wakeman, another ancestor, was an officer in the Revolutionary war and one of the Minute men who on Lexington Green bravely met the advance of the British troops and there fired the first shots in that struggle which won inde- pendence for the American colonists. Captain Wakeman mar- ried Hannah Allen and their son Joseph married Sarah Ann Bulkley. They were the parents of Andrew P. Wakeman, who was the father of Judge Bacon Wakeman.
Andrew P. Wakeman was born January 17, 1838, on the old home place in Fairfield county and supplemented his public school education by a course in Fairfield Academy. After completing his studies he became a clerk in the Wall street store of James W. Beach, a Bridgeport merchant, but later returned to the home- stead, on which he spent the remainder of his life, bringing the land to a high state of development. This is one of the most valuable farms in the county and has been in possession of the Wakeman family for many generations. The first house on the property was destroyed by the British during the Revolutionary war and the present dwelling, which was erected soon afterward,
JUDGE BACON WAKEMAN
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is occupied by J. Howard Wakeman, a brother of the Judge. After retiring from agricultural pursuits Andrew P. Wakeman built a small house on the farm and there resided until his death in 1918. He was a man of prominence in his district and filled the office of selectman for four years. In 1881 he was called to the state legislature and also served in the session of 1884-5, faithfully and efficiently fulfilling the duties and obligations of citizenship. For twenty years he was a deacon of the Congrega- tional church and conscientiously adhered to its teachings.
On the 15th of May, 1861, Mr. Wakeman married Miss Cornelia K. Burr, a daughter of Eben and Hannah Burr and also a member of one of the pioneer families of Fairfield county. Mrs. Wakeman is still living and is in her ninety-second year. They were the parents of nine children: Jennie L., now deceased, who was the wife of William Aiken, of Putnam, New York; Samuel B. and Andrew S., of Fairfield; Bacon; J. Howard, who cultivates the home farm; Florence, who married Harold C. Bullard; Emma F., who was placed in charge of the Fairfield public library; and Carrie P. and Bessie O., who died in childhood.
In the acquirement of an education Judge Wakeman attended the public schools and Fairfield Academy, later entering Yale University, from which he was graduated in 1888 with the degree of LL. B. Following his admission to the bar of Connecticut he located for practice in Bridgeport and there followed his pro- fession successfully until 1906, when he removed to Fairfield. He is well versed in the minutiae of the law and the court records bear proof of his power as an attorney, showing that he has won many verdicts favorable to the interests of his clients. In 1912 he was elected probate judge and has since filled that office, for which he possesses ideal qualifications, discharging his duties in a manner that has won for him the highest commendation.
In 1896 Judge Wakeman married Miss Helen Sturges, a daughter of Joseph H. and Mary (Whiting) Sturges, and they have become the parents of eight children: Mildred Sturges, at home; Joseph Allen, who is head of the Fairfield firm of Bacon Wakeman & Son, Inc., and who married Miss Virginia Travis; Andrew Eliot, who has charge of the shipping department of the business of Mckesson & Robbins, Inc .; Ruth Whiting, the wife of Arthur W. Taber, of Atlanta, Georgia; Esther Burr, who is
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at the head of the insurance department of the business of Bacon Wakeman & Son, Inc .; Robert Samuel, who is insurance solicitor and collector for the firm, and who married Miss Marjorie Lull, of Bridgeport; Henry Osborn, who is attending Colgate Univer- sity; and Stanley Bulkley, a student in the Fairfield high school. The Judge is a member of the Greenfield Country Club and the local, state and national bar associations. He has attained high standing in his profession and is known and honored throughout Fairfield county, where his life has been spent.
ALFRED MEAD BRISCOE
Alfred Mead Briscoe, of Sandy Hook, now devoting his atten- tion to farming, was born in Newtown, Connecticut, January 16, 1850, a son of Isaac and Cornelia (Fairchild) Briscoe, whose fam- ily numbered three children, of whom Alfred Mead is the eldest. Then there were two daughters, both named Anna and both now deceased. The grandparents were Lewis S. and Jane (Batts) Briscoe and the family is one of long connection with the history of New England.
At the usual age Alfred M. Briscoe entered the public schools and passed through consecutive grades until he put aside his text- books with the purpose of providing for his own support. As a boy he established a meat route through the country and con- tinued in the sale of meats in that manner for thirty-two years, a fact which stands in unmistakable proof of his capability and his loyalty to the interests which he represented. During that period he purchased two farms, upon one of which he now resides, having taken possession of this property in 1907. He conducted a wagon and sales business in conjunction with his farming op- erations until the introduction of the automobile rendered this business unprofitable. He now concentrates his efforts and atten- tion upon his agricultural interests and he has brought his land under a high state of cultivation.
On the 13th of October, 1869, Mr. Briscoe was married in Newtown to Miss Agnes C. Tomlinson, a daughter of John R. and Lydia (Davis) Tomlinson. Mrs. Briscoe passed away in 1919, at the age of sixty-nine years, leaving two children, Jennie L. and Louis T. The latter married Katherine La Field.
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Mr. Briscoe belongs to the Masonic fraternity, having mem- bership in Hiram Lodge, No. 18, F. & A. M., of which he has been the treasurer for thirty years, and in Hiram Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M. He also belongs to the Episcopal church and in his fra- ternal and church connections are indicated the rules which have governed him in all of his relations with his fellowmen. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and for four years, from 1913 until 1917, he filled the office of selectman of Newtown. Trustworthiness has always been one of his marked characteristics and his fidelity to duty and his enterprise have been salient features in winning him the high respect which is uniformly accorded him.
WILLIAM R. CURTIS
The family name of Curtis has long figured on the pages of Connecticut's history and through successive generations repre- sentatives of the family have borne their part in promoting the material development, civic interests and moral progress of the communities in which they have lived. The ancestral line is traced back to Gould Curtis, a son of Matthew Curtis, who was born December 17, 1763, and died March 5, 1840. He was mar- ried December 12, 1781, to Elizabeth Gould, of Fairfield, Con- necticut, and they had a family of nine children, including Gould Curtis, Jr., who was born December 27, 1787, and died in Feb- ruary, 1858. To him and his wife, Joanna Peck, were born five children. The direct ancestral line came down through their son, Samuel Curtis, who was born April 29, 1818, and he was the grandfather of William R. Curtis of this review. In early man- hood Samuel Curtis purchased the comb and button manufactur- ing business that had been established at Sandy Hook by his uncle, David Curtis. He closely applied himself to the business, which he thoroughly mastered in principle and detail, and after some time he removed the plant to its present site in Berkshire. He there built a factory which was later destroyed by fire and he afterward erected another building, which was equipped for the manufacture of several diffrent kinds of combs and buttons, the output being sent over a wide territory. Samuel Curtis was
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identified with this business continuously from 1838 until his demise. He married Miss Mary Nichols, a daughter of Henry Nichols, and they became the parents of two children, Henry G. and Julia.
The son, Henry G. Curtis, was born at Newtown, Connecticut, in 1848, and when he had attained a sufficient age to enter busi- ness circles he became identified with his father's business, which he carried on to a further point of development. He married Annie E. Beers and their family numbered two sons, Harry B. and William R.
The latter, born May 17, 1883, in Newtown, pursued his edu- cation in the local schools and in the high school at Bridgeport, and when his textbooks were put aside he became associated with his father in the box factory. He worked with thoroughness, gained a comprehensive knowledge of the business in every fea- ture and when qualified for management was admitted to a part- nership in 1903. Under the capable guidance of William R. Curtis substantial advance has been made, resulting in the de- velopment of a business of extensive proportions. The old plant was destroyed by fire in 1920 and a modern brick building was completed the same year, especially designed for box making. The father, Henry G. Curtis, retired from the active management a number of years ago, and in 1924 the business was incorporated, with William R. Curtis as president and treasurer and Herbert H. Cutler as secretary. The enterprise is most systematically conducted, with a recognition of the fact that real success comes when maximum results are achieved at a minimum expenditure of time, labor and material. Mr. Curtis has devoted his entire life to the industry and his intelligent direction of the plant, com- bined with his executive force, has made it one of the chief pro- ductive industries of this part of the county.
NORMAN JOSEPH GAYNOR
Norman Joseph Gaynor, assistant vice president of the Bridgeport Trust Company in charge of the investment depart- ment, was born in Brooklyn, New York, May 17, 1892. His par- ents were the Hon. William J. Gaynor and Augusta Cole (Mayer) Gaynor. His grandfather, Keiron K. Gaynor, was born in Ire-
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land, came to this country as a young man and settled at Orisk- any, New York. He later moved with his family to Utica, New York. He was one of the sixty thousand voters who cast their votes for Burney, the Abolitionist, at a time when the subject of abolition was a decidedly dangerous topic. His son, the Hon. William J. Gaynor, was born at Oriskany, New York, on the 23d of February, 1851. He studied law in Brooklyn, New York, en- tered politics, and after smashing the infamous John Y. McCane "ring," was elected to the supreme court bench of the state of New York by the voters of both parties. He served with dis- tinction for eighteen years. In 1909 he was elected mayor of New York city. He died in 1913, before his term of office had expired. His wife, Augusta Cole Mayer, was born in New York city, March 8, 1865. Her father, Augustus C. Mayer, was born in Albany, New York. He later moved to New York city, where he attained prominence as a lawyer. Mrs. Gaynor's mother's family had been native New Yorkers since before 1700. On her mother's side she also went back to colonial stock, being a descendant of Thomas Rogers, who arrived in this country in the Mayflower; and also of John Adams, who arrived at Plymouth in the ship Fortune, in 1623. She died December 6, 1926.
Norman Gaynor was educated at the Brooklyn Latin School, the Taft School at Watertown, Connecticut, and at Colgate Uni- versity. He was graduated from Colgate, as a Bachelor of Arts, in 1913. He later attended the Columbia University Law School, but left after a year and a half to accept the position of confiden- tial secretary to R. A. C. Smith, who was then dock commissioner of New York city. At the end of six months he resigned this position to enlist in the navy. He won a commission as ensign, spent three months as instructor in a training school for naval officers, and was then assigned to the transport Hancock, where he remained until the close of the war. He was honorably dis- charged in January, 1919. After his discharge he decided to complete his legal studies, and entered the Harvard Law School. He there completed his courses, but never practiced law. Instead, he accepted a position with Goodbody & Company, a New York brokerage house. In 1922 he came to Bridgeport to take charge of the investment department of the Bridgeport Trust Company ; and in 1926 was raised to an assistant vice presidency.
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Mr. Gaynor married Miss Betsey Page of Fairfax, Virginia, on April 16, 1914. Miss Page was born January 6, 1893, in Waco, Texas. Her parents were the Rev. Dr. Frank Page and Letitia (Woods) Page. Her father was an Episcopal clergyman. His brother, Thomas Nelson Page, famous author of historical southern dialect stories, served as ambassador to Italy for seven years, including the trying World war period, with great distinc- tion. Mrs. Gaynor is also of colonial stock, being a direct descend- ant of John Page, the first colonial governor of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Gaynor have two children, Norman Joseph, Jr., born January 20, 1915, and Betsey Page, born February 6, 1916.
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