USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut, 1639-1928 > Part 8
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position of foreman. In that connection he had charge of the. men employed in the plumbing and steam-fitting departments and remained with the Yale & Towne Company for twenty-six years. He became a call fireman of Stamford, January 14, 1895, and was assigned to Engine Company No. 2. His worth was soon recognized and on June 10, 1901, he was chosen captain of En- gine Company No. 1. His next promotion made him assistant call chief, October 13, 1905, and on June 30, 1915, when the office of deputy chief was created as a permanent post, Mr. Veit was selected as its incumbent. Owing to his work in that connection he was made chief of the department July 1, 1920, and his achievements during the intervening period of eight years have amply justified the wisdom of the appointment. A strict disciplin- arian, he has perfected a fine system of training, also instituting other improvements, and has brought the department up to a high standard of efficiency. His work has elicted high commenda- tion. He is also a director of the Stamford Building & Loan Association.
In 1895 Mr. Veit married Miss Lucy Gill, who was a daughter of Alfred and Ann Gill, of Stamford, and passed away May 2, 1920. She had become the mother of six children, three of whom are deceased. Three sons living were educated in the public schools of Stamford. Frank F., the eldest, who was born Decem- ber 13, 1898, is an expert electrician and superintendent of Stam- ford's system of fire alarms. He married Miss Augusta Speh, of this city, and they have a daughter, Barbara Louise. Victor A., born April 14, 1902, took a course in the Scranton Correspondence School and Pratt Institute of New York city, receiving his diploma as an electrical engineer, and is an instructor of the employes of the Edison Electric Company of New York city. In Stamford he married Miss Bessie Parks, by whom he has a . daughter, Bettie Jean. Howard C., born October 21, 1906, is connected with the Stamford Water Company. Mr. Veit's second marriage, in June, 1921, was with Mrs. Goldie (Banks) Barrett, who received her education in the public schools of Pleasantville, New York. Her father was George Banks, of Pleasantville, now deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Veit are Episcopalians in religious faith, the former being affiliated with St. John's church of Stamford and the latter with St. Andrew's church. He is a member and direc-
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tor of the local Kiwanis Club and his wife is connected with sev- eral women's organizations in White Plains, New York. Along fraternal lines he is identified with Stamford Lodge of the Knights of Pythias, Union Lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M., and is also connected with the Sons of Herman and a member of the Council of Boy Scouts. At one time he was a member of the city and town republican committee and served for six years as city sheriff of Stamford. He is state vice president of the New England Associ- ation of Fire Chiefs, and also vice president for Fairfield county of the Connecticut State Firemen's Association. In the discharge of his duties he was fearless and capable, leaving nothing undone in his efforts to secure the strict enforcement of the law and the protection of the lives and property of the citizens of the city. His record is unsullied and reflects credit and honor upon the city in which his life has been spent, while his personal qualities are such as make for strong and enduring regard.
ANDREW RUSSELL JONES
Choosing a definite objective, Andrew Russell Jones utilized intelligence, energy and perseverance in its attainment and now enjoys the distinction of being Danbury's leading hardware mer- chant. He was born at Orange Springs, Florida, in 1861, a son of William Burr and Jane (Donnan) Jones, the latter a native of Scotland. They settled in Danbury when Andrew R. Jones was an infant and afterward removed to Ridgefield, Connecticut. There William B. Jones was associated with his father in the manu- facture of hats, operating a factory located in the rear of the pres- ent site of the Ridgefield post office.
Andrew R. Jones attended the public schools of Danbury and obtained his first experience in commercial affairs with the firm of Hull & Rogers, hardware dealers, with whom he remained for ten years. In 1896 he bought out C. S. Andrews, engaged in the same line of business, and organized the Danbury Hardware Com- pany. In 1918 he was joined by his brother, William Burr Jones, a dealer in furniture, floor covering and china, and they are now officers of Danbury's greatest store. Andrew R. Jones is president of the Danbury Hardware Company and for ten years has been
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the executive head of the Hull-Grippen Company, a New York hardware firm which was established in 1849. He knows every phase of the trade, of which he has made a life study, and this knowledge is supplemented by broad vision and mature judgment. Under his expert administration both corporations have made notable strides and he is also a trustee of the Savings Bank of Danbury.
In 1888 Mr. Jones was married in Danbury to Edith G. (Wil- cox) Bradley, of this city. Mrs. Jones died December 6, 1926. Mr. Jones belongs to the Progressive Lodge of Odd Fellows, the various Masonic bodies, including the Shrine, and the Rotary Club of New York city. At one time he was president of the Danbury Business Men's Association and later represented the Connecticut Business Men's Association and the Connecticut Hardware Deal- ers Association in the same capacity, serving for a year. In mat- ters of citizenship he is loyal and public-spirited and his standing as a business man is shown by the offices which he has filled.
3/1/49 HON. HENRY C. STEVENSON
Hon. Henry C. Stevenson, a well known attorney of Bridge- port, where he maintains offices at 83 Fairfield avenue, has been continuously identified with professional interests for more than three decades. He has also figured prominently in public affairs and has made a commendable record on the bench. He was born July 15, 1873, a son of William H. and Mary H. (Shelton) Stev- enson, also natives of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and representa- tives of colonial families who became pioneers of Fairfield county. Henry C. Stevenson boasts five ancestors who served as officers in the Revolutionary war. Among his forebears in the maternal line were the Eliots, colonial settlers of Boston, Massachusetts, who came thence to the town of Fairfield, this state, and participated actively in the pioneer development of both Fairfield and Strat- ford. The Stevenson family were Tories in England under the reign of George III, and representatives of the name who came to America took up their abode among the early settlers of Fair- field county and became leading townsmen. A separate biog- raphy of William H. Stevenson, father of Henry C. Stevenson, may be found on another page of this work.
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Afforded excellent educational opportunities, Judge Steven- son completed a high school course in Bridgeport by graduation in 1891 and three years later, in 1894, was graduated from the Sheffield Scientific School of New Haven. His professional train- ing was received in the Yale Law School, from which he was graduated in 1897, and in June of that year he was admitted to the bar. Through the intervening period of thirty-two years he has continued an active and successful representative of the legal profession in Bridgeport. Recognition of his ability brought him to the front in the public life of the community. He filled the office of deputy probate judge of the district court for a number of years, served as judge of the Bridgeport city court for four years and for a similar period was alderman at large for the city of Bridgeport. He was chosen president of the board and became acting mayor, while for a period covering two decades he has been deputy coroner of Fairfield county.
On the 11th of November, 1913, Judge Stevenson was united. in marriage to Marthena Crump, of Bridgeport. They are the parents of two children, Stuart Shelton and Frances, and main- tain an attractive home in Fairfield.
Judge Stevenson served as captain in the Connecticut Na- tional Guard for many years prior to the World war, and when the United States became involved in the conflict he was made adjutant for the Connecticut State Guard with the rank of cap- tain. He has membership connection with the Sons of the Ameri- can Revolution, with the Fairfield Beach Club and with the Bridgeport Bar Association. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in Trinity Episcopal church, in which he is serv- ing as vestryman. His has been an active and useful life. Judge Stevenson always carefully maintains the highest standards of the law and he enjoys in full measure the high regard of his pro- fessional colleagues and contemporaries.
CLIFFORD R. WRIGHT
Clifford R. Wright, of Darien, who for many years followed the profession of designer of mortuary art, in which he gained wide recognition for his ability, is now, in partnership with his wife, engaged in the real estate business in Darien and is meet-
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ing with very satisfactory success. Born in Stamford, Connecti- cut, on the 16th of October, 1878, he is a son of Theodore B. and Ida (Rawson) Wright. His paternal grandfather, Stephen Wright, was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, followed the stone- mason trade for many years, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and died in Albany, New York. His wife, Elizabeth Blakeman, was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, and died in Coscob, this state. They were the parents of Theodore B. Wright, who was born in New York state, October 25, 1849, and now makes his home with his son, Clifford R., in Darien. He was a railroad engineer in the employ of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad for over thirty years, but is now retired. He is a democrat in his political views and is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. Ida (Rawson) Wright was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, April 25, 1853, a daughter of Chauncey and Anna Eliza (Lyon) Rawson, the latter born in Greenwich, Connecticut, and died in Jersey City. Chauncey Rawson was born in Little Falls, New York, and died in Nyack, that state. He organized and operated a number of bus lines over the plank roads of that state. He was an active democrat in politics and served at one time in the New York legislature. His father, Chauncey Rawson, Sr., owned a whaling ship, the Wayne Rawson, which plied between New Bedford and the island of Madagascar.
Clifford R. Wright received his education in the public schools of New Rochelle, New York, after which, for one year, he was employed as a bookkeeper by G. P. Putnam & Company, of New Rochelle and New York city. He then became an understudy in sculptuary for W. Liance Cottrell, of Woodlawn, New York, with whom he remained two years, after which he studied sculp- ture in Boston with John Edwards & Company for three years. During this period he also attended night school at the Mechanics Art Institute, from which he was graduated. He then went to New York city as assistant designer to W. Liance Cottrell, who at that time was associated with the Harrison Granite Company, designers and builders of mortuary art. He held that position for ten years, after which he became associated with the Presbey- Leland Company, mortuary architects and builders, for whom he worked as a designer for twelve years. During this period he
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resided in Darien and on severing his connection with that com- pany Mr. Wright joined his wife in the real estate business, which she had previously established under her own name, Mrs. C. R. Wright, by which style it is still known, though the business is owned by them jointly.
On February 7, 1907, in New York city, Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Miss Thyra Augusta Wallin, who was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and is a daughter of John Peter and Clara Augusta (Lannes) Wallin, also natives of Sweden. Her father, who had studied art abroad, followed that profession in New York city for many years, and his death occurred in Stamford, Con- necticut, in November, 1927. He was a republican and a mem- ber of the Episcopal church. His wife, who was born October 30, 1843, died in New York city, February 27, 1921. Mrs. Wright was educated in the public schools of Stamford, Connecticut, Newark, New Jersey, and New York city, and in 1919 organized the present business at Darien, in which she has met with well merited success. During the World war she served as a volun- teer clerical worker in the government hospital in New York city. She is a member of the Darien Improvement Association. Mr. Wright is a member of the Stamford Yacht Club, sailing being his favorite form of recreation, and he and his wife are members of St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal church, Mrs. Wright being also a member of the Guild. They belong to the Stamford Real Estate Board, the Connecticut State Real Estate Board and the National Real Estate Board, and are held in high regard in the business circles of their locality.
JUDGE WILLIAM EDMOND
Judge William Edmond, in whose memory the magnificent new Edmond Town Hall at Newtown was donated by his great- granddaughter, Miss Mary E. Hawley, was born in Woodbury, Connecticut, on September 28, 1755, son of Robert and Mary (Marks) Edmond. Robert Edmond was a native of London- derry, Ireland, while his father was born in Scotland. Robert Edmond married Mary Marks in Londonderry and came to America in 1754, landing at Philadelphia, where he remained for
William Edmon
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about two years. From that city he made his way to New York and soon afterward removed to Southbury, Connecticut, where he resided several years and then took up his abode in Ridgefield, Connecticut, there passing away at the advanced age of ninety- three years.
Judge William Edmond, the second son of Robert Edmond, was graduated from Yale College in 1777. He took part in an engagement with the British in Ridgefield and was severely wounded in the knee on the 27th of April, 1777. In May, 1782, he established himself in Newtown in the practice of the law and there resided until his death, which occurred August 1, 1838. He enjoyed an extensive and lucrative practice. He belonged to the old federal party and in 1797 was elected a member of congress, serving four years. Subsequently he was repeatedly a member of the council, which then acted as a court of errors, until 1805, when he was appointed a judge of the superior court. This office he retained until the change in politics in 1819. He was a re- markable man, plain and unassuming in his manners, mild and amiable in his deportment, just and honest in his dealings, and honorable and magnanimous in his feelings. He was constant in his attendance on divine service in the Congregational church.
He was twice married, first to Elizabeth J. Chandler, who died in 1795, and second to Elizabeth Payne of Hartford. A daughter of the second union, Sarah, became the wife of Dr. Cyrenius H. Booth and they were parents of the late Mrs. Marcus C. Hawley and grandparents of Miss Mary E. Hawley of Newtown.
CLARENCE WYLLIS PALMER
Clarence W. Palmer, of Stamford, engaged in the real estate business, was born in Stamford on the 3d of March, 1896, a son of Frank Wyllis and Cordelia M. (Whitehead) Palmer. His father was born in Stamford, September 16, 1859, and died in this city, April 11, 1925. He was a son of Charles Scofield and Mary E. (Ferris) Palmer, the former of whom was born near Stamford on July 30, 1827, and died there on March 13, 1904. He devoted the active years of his life to farming pursuits, his
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homestead being known as "Westover Farm." The house was erected by his grandfather, Jeremiah Palmer, who was the great- great-grandson of Henry Palmer, the progenitor of the family in this country, believed to have been born in county Somerset, Eng- land, about 1600 and settled in Watertown, Massachusetts, be- fore 1636. After completing his education in the public schools, Frank W. Palmer went to work in woolen mills at Roxbury, where he remained four years, after which he was with the Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company, of Stamford, for five years. He then entered the employ of the late Henry Lockwood and after thirteen years of faithful service he was invited to become a partner in the business. In July, 1897, the firm of Lockwood & Palmer was formed, and in 1914 the business was incorporated under the name of the Lockwood & Palmer Company, of which Mr. Lockwood was president. They were wholesale and retail dealers in hardware, house furnishings and agricultural imple- ments and commanded a large and important trade. Mr. Palmer became vice president and treasurer of the Lockwood & Palmer Company, which positions he held to the time of his death. The business is now located at 92 Park place, and this is one of the leading firms in its line in this section of the county. Mr. Palmer was a member of the First Congregational church, which he had served as deacon and treasurer, and was a member of the building committee that erected the present church edifice. He was a stanch republican and was a man of strong opinions on questions of public policy, while in matters affecting the welfare of the com- munity he always stood for progress and advancement. Cordelia M. (Whitehead) Palmer, who was born in Durham, New York, and now resides in Stamford, is a daughter of Martin L. and Cassandra (Hood) Whitehead. The father was a native of New York state and died at Pound Ridge, that state, where he had been engaged in farming for many years. He was a veteran of the Civil war, was a member of the Dutch Reformed church, and was an active supporter of the democratic party, particularly in local affairs. His wife, who was born in New York, died in Stam- ford, Connecticut.
Clarence W. Palmer attended the public schools of Stamford and graduated from Professor King's school in 1914. He then entered New York University, and won the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1917. At about the time of his graduation he enlisted in
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the Red Cross ambulance service in New York city and went direct to France with the Third Unit of the Ambulance Corps of the American Red Cross. He was overseas nine months, during which time he was attached to the British army, and was also in the French and American sectors. He took part in the American drive at Chateau Thiery and in the Argonne offensive and saw much active service. He was honorably discharged in New York city in January, 1919, and at once returned to Stamford, where he was associated with the Lockwood & Palmer Company until his father's death, after which he turned his attention to the real estate business, establishing offices in the Gurley building, at 322 Main street, where he is still located. He possesses a wide and accurate knowledge of property values and is thus in a position to be of material assistance to his clients as an adviser.
On January 19, 1924, in Stamford, Mr. Palmer was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Ingell, who was born at Ravenna, Ohio, a daughter of Judge Cheney D. and Isabel (Catlin) Ingell. Her father was born at Mantua, Portage county, Ohio, July 20, 1847, and died at Ravenna, August 7, 1915. He was graduated from the law department of Hillsdale College, at Hillsdale, Mich- . igan, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1875, and then located at Ravenna, where he engaged in the active practice of his profession for many years. He was a republican and was active in local public affairs, having served as postmaster at Mantua, later as a justice of the peace, and several years as judge of the probate court of Portage county. He attended the Congrega- tional church and was a member of the Masonic order. He was a son of Nelson and Thankful (Leonard) Ingell, the former of whom was born at Chester, Massachusetts, on January 31, 1806, and died at Mantua, Ohio, on January 31, 1875. He was a pioneer farmer at the latter locality, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and influential in local affairs. He was a son of Zadock and Christian (Bell) Ingell, the former of whom originally spelled his name "Ingalls." He was born May 9, 1760, and joined the Revolutionary army from Oakham, Mas- sachusetts. Isabel (Catlin) Ingell was born at Ravenna, Ohio, October 17, 1859, and died in that city, August 15, 1921. She was a daughter of Judge Joshua and Elizabeth (Swineheart) Catlin, of whom the former was born in Burlington, Vermont,
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and died at Ravenna, Ohio, in 1899. He was engaged in the fur business, and also served as probate judge of his county. He was a whig in politics and was a member of the Congregational church. His wife was born at Washington, Pennsylvania, in 1815, and died at Ravenna, Ohio, in 1896. Mrs. Palmer gradu- ated from the Ravenna high school in 1913 and attended the State Normal School at Kent, Ohio. She is a member of the Women's Guild, of which she is secretary, the Woman's Club and the Schu- bert Club. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer became the parents of a daugh- ter, Janice Elizabeth, who was born December 14, 1924, and died January 4, 1925.
Politically Mr. Palmer is nominally a republican, but is in- clined to be independent in his voting, particularly in local elec- tions, when he invariably supports the men whom he regards as best qualified for the office. He is a member of Union Lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M., at Stamford; Lafayette Consistory, A. A. S. R., at Bridgeport; Pyramid Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Bridgeport; the Sons of the American Revolution and the Stam- ford Yacht Club. He and his wife are members of the First Con- gregational church, of which he was assistant treasurer. He has taken a deep interest in the activities of the Chamber of Com- merce and stands ready at all times to cooperate in movements for the betterment of the city along material, civic or moral lines.
JOHN WOLTHAUSEN
Liberally endowed with those qualities through which success comes as a natural sequence, John Wolthausen has made his own way in the world and is a conspicuous member of that select com- pany of enterprising business men to whom Danbury is indebted for its preeminence in the hat manufacturing industry. A native of Germany, he was born in 1866 and received a public school education. When a youth of fifteen, he left the fatherland and sought the opportunities offered in the United States. He secured work in a fur factory in South Norwalk, Connecticut, spending two years in that plant, and then entered the employ of the Volk Hat Company, with which he remained for several years, dis- charging the duties of a maker and sizer. In 1895 he came to
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Danbury, continuing in the same line of work, and at the end of three years ventured in business for himself as a member of the firm of Wolthausen & Messinger. For two years they utilized the old Taylor factory for making hats in the rough and the business was then moved to Grove street, at which time the style was changed to the Hoyt-Wolthausen Company. Since 1914 Mr. Wolthausen has been an independent operator, conducting the business under the name of The Wolthausen Rough Hat Com- pany, Inc., of which he is the president, and under his expert guidance the industry has steadily expanded. His large and com- pletely equipped factory is located at No. 22 North street and operated on a highly efficient basis. The Wolthausen hats are well made and a constantly increasing demand is evidence of their popularity.
In 1899 Mr. Wolthausen married Miss Theresa Daritz, also a native of Germany, and they have become the parents of five children: Elsie; Edna; Lawrence, who is associated with his father in the hat business; and Gretchen and John, at home. The Benevolent Protective Order of Elks is the only organization with which Mr. Wolthausen is connected, as his interest centers in the industry which has constituted his life work. His commercial transactions have always balanced up with the principles of truth and honor and he is accorded the respect which the world ever yields to the self-made man and upright, valuable citizen.
MRS. MARY BRADY CULHANE
One of Danbury's most successful enterprises is the extensive insurance and steamship agency of Mrs. Mary B. Culhane, at 181 Main street, which bears the distinction of being the pioneer agency of the kind operated by a woman in this city. She has carried the business on for the past ten years and by her clear headed judgment and sound principles has commanded the re- spect and patronage of the community. Mrs. Culhane was born and reared in Danbury and is a daughter of John J. and Anna (Melvin) Brady. Her father, a native of Bridgewater, Con- necticut, was an able and well known educator, having served for many years as principal of the South Center school. After grad-
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