History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 139

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1572

USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 139

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

George Hyatt, enl. Aug. 11, 1862 ; must. out June 28, 1865. R. J. Allen, enl. Aug. 9, 1862 ; trans. to Inv. Corps, Sept. 1, 1863. J. H. Armstrong, eul. Aug. 9, 1862; died Oct. 21, 1863. Lewis Arnold, enl. Aug. 13, 1862; died May 2, 1863. Nelson Beach, enl. Aug. 11, 1862; died July 20, 1863. John Bulger, enl. Aug. 9, 1862; must. out June 1, 1865. J. II. Batterson, enl. Aug. 11, 1862 ; must, out July 19, 1865. Martin Brophy, enl. Aug. 20, 1862. W. F. Benedict, eul. Aug. 23, 1862; must. out July 19, 1865. Edwin Barnes, enl. Aug. 13, 1862 ; must. out July 19, 1865. Alexander Bundy, enl. Aug. 13, 1862.

Theodore Brotherton, enl. Aug. 18, 1862; must. ont July 19, 1865. D. Cudmore, enl. Aug. 13, 1862; must. out July 19, 1865. Johu A. Comstock, enl. Aug. 12, 1862; must. out July 13, 1865. John Cahill, enl. Aug. 13, 1862; must. out July 19, 1865. Legrand Comstock, enl. Aug. 12, 1862 ; diseh. Dec. 7, 1863. C. Il. Castle, eul. Aug. 11, 1862 ; must. out Aug. 28, 1865. Isaac Camp, enl. Aug. 14, 1862; disch. July 19, 1863. E. Cahill, enl. Aug. 8, 1862; must. out July 19, 1865. A. W. Cutler, enl. Aug. 21, 1862 ; must. out July 19, 1865. Austin Cockefer, enl. Aug. 9, 1862; must. out July 19, 1865. F. W. Day, enl. Ang. 11, 1862; wounded May 2, 1863. R. S. Dowd, enl. Aug. 14, 1862 ; must. out July 19, 1865. John Duggan, enl. Aug. 11, 1862 ; must. out July 19, 1865. Michael Dougherty, enl. Aug. 12, 1862; disch. March 17, 1863. W. 11. Downs, enl. Ang. 11, 1862; must. out July 19, 1865. David Fields, enl. Ang. 12, 1862 ; must. out July 19, 1865. John Fayreweather, eul. Aug. 9, 1862 ; must. out July 19, 1865. W. W. Gilbert, enl. Aug. 13, 1862; must. out July 19, 1865. William Grace, enl. Aug. 19, 1862; wounded July 3, 1863. Henry H. Gray, enl. Aug. 11, 1862 ; disch. Oct. 21, 1864. Alfred Godfrey, enl. Aug. 9, 1862; trans. to U. S. S. C. William O. Godfrey, enl. Aug. 18, 1862; must. ont July 19, 1865. John L. Hayes, enl. Aug. 14, 1862 ; disch. July 6, 1865. George Hoyt, enl. Ang. 22, 1862.

William Hennagan, enl. Aug. 15, 1862. Sylvester Keeler, enl. Aug. 11, 1682 ; must. out July 19, 1865. J. Kellogg, enl. Aug. 12, 1862 ; must. out Aug. 28, 1865. W. R. Keyser, enl. Aug. 9, 1862; must. out July 19, 1865. James H. Lounsbury, enl. Ang. 13, 1862; must. out July 19, 1865. James Lyons, enl. Aug. 18, 1862; must. out July 19, 1865. J. Lounsbury, enl. Aug. 22, 1861 ; died June 23, 1865. Thomas MeLaughlin, enl. Aug. 8, 1861; died May 28, 1863. W. McDonald, enl. Aug. 8, 1861; must. out July 19, 1865. William McCormick, enl. Aug. 8, 1861 ; must. out July 19, 1865. Martin Mulligan, enl. Aug. 8, 1861; must. out July 19, 1865. J. W. Metcalf, enl. Aug. 12, 1861; killed July 2, 1863. John McCauley, eul. Aug. 12, 1861; disch. September, 1862. S. Newell, eul. Aug. 12, 1861; must. out July 19, 1865. P. Purden, eul. Ang. 9, 1861 ; must. out July 19, 1865. R. N. Perry, enl. Aug. 23, 1861 ; must. out July 19, 1865. G. S. Patrick, enl. Aug. 14, 1861 ; must. out July 19, 1865. R. A. Rogers, enl. Aug. 11, 1861; must. out July 19, 1865. W. A. Reynolds, eul. Aug. 11, 1861 ; must. out July 19, 1865. W. H. Raymond, enl. Aug. 13, 1861; must. out July 19, 1865. W. A. Reid, enl. Aug. 19, 1861 ; must. out July 19, 1865. John Ryan, enl. Aug. 8, 1862; must. out July 19, 1865. C. L. Smith, enl. Aug. 13, 1861; disch. Dec. 11, 1862. Henry Sherwood, eul. Aug. 14, 1861; disch. Mareh 29, 1863. Isaac A. Smitli, enl. Aug. 11, 1861 ; must. out July 19, 1865. Oscar Smith, enl. Aug. 11, 1861 ; must. out July 19, 1865. S. W. Smith, enl. Aug. 11, 1861 ; must. out July 19, 1865. L. W. Smith, enl. Aug. 8, 1861; disch. Jan. 20, 1863. W. W. R. Stanton, enl. Aug. 19, 1861.

J. E. Stevens, enl. Aug. 20, 1861; must. out July 19, 1865. John Tracy, enl. Aug. 21, 1861; must. out July 19, 1865. A. F. Taylor, enl. Aug. 11, 1861.

llenry 1. Webb, enl. Aug. 11, 1861; trans. to Vet. Res. Corps, March 13, 1864.

Osear Weed, enl. Aug. 8, 1861; must. out July 10, 1865. James Whitney, enl. Aug. 20, 1861 ; must. out July 8, 1865. Henry Britts, eul. Dec. 30, 1863; must. out July 19, 1865. C. M. Brotherton, enl. Aug. 31, 1864; must. out June 8, 1865. Charles Cargill, enl. March 9, 1864 ; must. out June 14, 1865. Thomas Farrell, enl. Dec. 13, 1863 ; must. out July 19, 1865. Byron Green, enl. Dec. 19, 1863 ; must. out July 19, 1865. H. P. llearn, enl. Feb. 20, 1863; must. out June 10, 1863.

Company G.

Edgar Aiken, enl. Aug. 21, 1864; must, out July 19, 1865. S. P. Elwood, enl. Sept. 1, 1864 ; must. out July 19, 1865. James Gaffuey, enl. Aug. 19, 1864; must. out July 19, 1865. S. L. Holly, enl. Aug. 27, 1864; must. out July 19, 1865. Robert Roberts, enl. Aug. 15, 1864 ; must. out July 19, 1865.

Company H.

Wm. HI. Mather, Jr., enl. Aug. 23, 1862; must. out July 19, 1865. F. McNally, enl. Aug. 25, 1862; must. out July 19, 1865. William Smedley, enl. Aug. 27, 1862; died June 20, 1865. A. F. Thomson, eul. Aug. 22, 1862; disch. Dee. 10, 1862. Anthony Comstock, eul. Dec. 30, 1863; must. out July 19, 1865. S. R. Rusco, enl. Dec. 30, 1863 ; must. out July 11, 1865.

Company I.

Robert Bones, enl. Nov. 16, 1864; must. out July 19, 1865. C. A. Clark, enl. Dec. 28, 1864; must. out July 19, 1865. G. Il. Meeker, enl. Aug. 11, 1864; must, out July 19, 1865. William Fitch, enl. Aug. 15, 1864; must. out Sept. 13, 1864. A. Sayres, enl. Feb. 1, 1865; must. out May 11, 1865.

TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT. Company E.

Andrew G. Armstrong, enl. Nov. 7, 1862 ; must. out Aug. 31, 1863. W. Il. Perry, enl. Nov. 7, 1862; must. out Aug. 31, 1863.

Company G. J. A. Comstock, enl. Oct. 27, 1862; must. out Aug. 31, 1863.

TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT.

Company A.

G. W. Thomson, eul. Dee. 28, 1863 ; must. ont Oet. 24, 1865. Company B.

C. Nash, enl. Dec. 1, 1863 ; died Aug. 10, 1864. A. Burton, enl. Dec. 4, 1863 ; must. out Nov. 9, 1865. Company C.

Andrew Nash, enl. Dec. 14, 1863; disch. Nov. 5, 1865. J. Y. Anthony, enl. Dec. 14, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865. Amos Carpenter, enl. Dec. 14, 1863. George E. Green, enl. Dec. 14, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865. Charles Jackson, eul. Dee. 14, 1863; must. out March 2, 1865.

Company E.

L. O. Drake, enl. Dec. 18, 1863 ; must. out Oct. 24, 1865. Joseph Fogg, enl. Dee. 21, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865. 1. J. Wilson, enl. Dec. 21, 1863; must. ont Oct. 24, 1865. B. Milton, enl. Dec. 21, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865.

Company F.

D. Chippie, enl. Dec. 21, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865. George Spywood, enl. Dec. 21, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865. William Frames, enl. Dec. 18, 1863 ; died Sept. 30, 1864. William II. Hathaway, enl. Dec. 19, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865. Lewis Jackson, enl. Dec. 26, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865. Thomas Johnson, enl. Dec. 9, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865.

Company G.

John Bailey, enl. Dec. 24, 1863; must. ont Oct. 24, 1865. D. Canklin, enl. Dec. 29, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865. 11. Deberty, enl. Dec. 29, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865. Silas Floyd, enl. Dee. 29, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865. Edwiu HIall, eul. Dec. 29, 1863; must. out Oet. 24, 1865. N. Harmoin, enl. Dec. 29, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865. Benjamin IIugee, enl. Dec. 29, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865. Robert Manley, enl. Dec. 26, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865. J. 11. Raymond, enl. Dec. 24, 1863; must. out Oct. 24, 1865. Robert Squier, eul. Dee. 28, 1863. James Smith, enl. Dee. 29, 1863.

Company H.

Stephen Farrew, enl. Dec. 30, 1863 ; must. out Oct. 24, 1865. llenry J. Jackson, enl. Dec. 13, 1863; killed Oct. 27, 1864. Jacob Pigay, enl. Dec. 30, 1863 ; wust. out Oct. 24, 1865.

Company K.

H. Parker, enl. Dec. 31, 1863 ; dischi. Feb, 11, 1865.

Dudley P. Ely

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NORWALK.

THIRTIETH REGIMENT (COLORED).

Company A. James Whitney, enl. Dec. 24, 1863; must. out June 27, 1865.

SEVENTHI REGIMENT.

Company D.

Thomas IIorten, second lieutenant ; com. Sept. 5, 1861; killed June 14, 1862.

FIFTEENTHI REGIMENT.

T. Benedict, enl. April 19, 1861; must. out July 31, 1861. T. D. Brown, enl. April 19, 1861; must. out July 31, 1861. Thomas looton, enl. April 19, 1861 ; must, out July 31, 1861. George Keeler, enl. April 19, 1861; must. out July 31, 1861. James Read, enl. April 19, 1861; must. out July 31, 1861. Joseph Tennary, enl. April 19, 1861; must. out July 31, 1861. H. W. Wheeler, onl. April 19, 1861; must, out July 31, 1861.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

DUDLEY P. ELY.

Dudley P. Ely, of South Norwalk, Conn., was born in Simsbury, Hartford Co., Conn., Nov. 16, 1817, and was the youngest child of Benjamin Ely, a farmer in comfortable circumstances and a prominent inan. He has a well-authenticated genealogy show- ing him of French ancestry. Richard Ely, his fore- father, was the first American of the name. His great-uncle, Daniel Ely, was colonel in the American army during the Revolutionary war, and had the French coat of arms engraved on his sword hilt, undoubtedly to gratify a feeling of pride in his line- age. Mr. Ely descends on his mother's side from Bigot Eggleston, who was born in England about 1580, aud came to America in 1630. He landed at Dorchester, Mass., and remained there until 1635, when he, with a company of sixty, removed to Wind- sor, Conn., and made the first settlement in Con- necticut. In the records of the town of Windsor it is recorded that " He d. Sept. 1, 1674, nere 100 yeres of age."

Mr. Ely attended common school until he was about fourteen years old, when he was sent to Hart- ford, where he received two years' tuition at the school of Mr. Olney, the author of Olney's geography.

When he had completed his education he was not content to follow farming, but, as all his brothers had done, and despite all efforts and influence to persuade him otherwise, he resolved to leave home and take his chances for success. He first obtained employment in a store in his native town, which position he filled for about a year and a half, and then, being but a few months over eighteen years of age, he was engaged by a Mr. Toby to take the entire charge of a store in West Hartland, Conn., where he remained a year. Having fulfilled his engagement with Mr. Toby, Mr. Ely next turned his mind toward the great metropolis, and Jan. 13, 1837, found 'him in New York City. He went into the employ of his brother, Nathan C. Ely, as book-keeper,

which position he filled four years, when he became his partner. Previous to this Mr. Ely had received no pecuniary aid from any source other than his salary. When he became partner with his brother he received, unsolicited, from his father two hundred and fifty dollars. Though unexpected, it was fully appreciated, and proved a kind help to him, and he has never forgotten this act of kindness. (This amount was accounted for in the settlement of his father's estate many years afterwards.) This was the only pecuniary aid he ever received other than usual mercantile credit.

He remained in partnership with his brother for several years, when, that gentleman retiring, Mr. Ely associated with him two gentlemen from Boston. He shortly after purchased their interests and con- dueted the business alone till 1867, when he ceased his connection therewith. Although he has passed through many panics and financial crises, he never failed to meet his obligations at maturity, and never asked special favors of his ereditors. He was a heavy loser by the Rebellion, his losses thereby amounting to over $50,000.

Nov. 28, 1844, Mr. Ely married Miss Charlotte W., daughter of Jeffery O. Phelps, of Simsbury, Conn., a most estimable lady, who lived about fourteen years thereafter, and bore five children, all girls. She died Oet. 3, 1858, in Brooklyn.

Mr. Ely's father-in-law, Judge Phelps, was an officer in the war of 1812, and well known through- out the State. He died in 1879, aged eighty-eight years.

Mr. Ely removed to South Norwalk May 1, 1861.

April 25, 1865, Mr. Ely was elected President of the First National Bank of South Norwalk. He still holds the office.

Since Mr. Ely became a resident of South Norwalk he has held various offices of trust and honor. When the village of Old Well was transformed into the city of South Norwalk, he was elected mayor, and twice re- elected, and, after a time, was again elected, and re- elected, thus serving five terms. He is at the present time President of the First National Bank, President of the Norwalk Gas-light Company, President of the South Norwalk Savings Bank, Treasurer of the Alden Mining Company, and a director in several other institutions. He has always taken a lively interest in agriculture, and was for several years President of the Fairfield County Agricultural Society.

Mr. Ely owns considerable real estate in the city and town where he resides, including the elegant hotel recently completed at South Norwalk. He owns over half of the capital stock of the First National Bank, is the owner of a large amount of gas company, insurance, and other stocks.

Beginning with nothing, Mr. Ely to-day pays, and for some time has paid, the largest tax of any one in the city or town, the assessed valuation of his prop- erty being nearly $200,000. He was one of the

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

original subscribers to the government for the first issue of bonds during the civil war, subscribing at the time when many were fearful as to the result of the contest, and consequently as to the payment of the bonds. He made a large amount of money in real estate operations in Brooklyn, N. Y., a few years since. In attendance upon business he is prompt and diligent ; has no extravagant habits; is social in his disposition and unassuming in his manners.

Mr. Ely's mother died in 1850, aged seventy-three, and his father in 1852, aged eighty-five. He had five brothers and three sisters, all now being dead except one brother. His eldest daughter, the wife of Hon. J. E. Wheeler, of Westport, died in 1868, at the early age of twenty-two years.

We can only enumerate the more prominent busi- ness transactions in the life of Mr. Ely. Commencing at the lowest round of the ladder, by strict attention to business, and a scrupulous regard for square deal- ing, paying every cent of his just obligations, taking no advantage of the many opportunities that offer in a business career to make money by the technicalitics of the law, he has risen to wealth and influence. His example illustrates what application, combined with business tact and honesty, can do. He has always taken a lively interest in the growth and prosperity of his town and city, and is ever ready to lend a helping hand and assist any enterprise that he can with a proper regard for his own interests and those of his fellow-townsmen.

EDWARD P. WEED.

Edward P. Weed, only son of John A. and Eme- line (Chichester) Weed, was born in the town of Norwalk, Conn., April 7, 1834. He received his education in the private schools of Norwalk, attend- ing among others the reputable one of Dr. Hall, and when a youth commenced clerking in the drug-store of his father, whom in time he succeeded in business, and which business he continued until his death.

Mr. Weed was at various times called to fill places of honor and trust : was twice elected member of the Legislature, was chosen warden for the borough several times, was chief engineer of Norwalk fire department, and intrusted with various other public positions. For many years he held the offices of president of Norwalk Savings Bank, and vice-presi- dent of the National Bank of Norwalk.

As a citizen he was quiet, unobtrusive, and un- assuming, and in his pleasing way made many strong and loving friends.

As a business man his judgment, talents, and integrity were well known and appreciated, and his advice sought for, listened to, and heeded to advantage. Broad and liberal in his views, he had the utmost charity for those differing from him in opinion, and from the natural kindness of his disposition all benevolent objects found in him a ready respondent.

Mr. Weed was always frank and outspoken in poli- tics, ever clinging to the constitution as the bulwark of our liberties, and cherishing the Democratie princi- ples enunciated by Thomas Jefferson as the only means of perpetuating the American republic.

Mr. Weed was united in marriage, Dec. 19, 1865, to Miss Sophia Lynes, of an old and highly respected Norwalk family, which traccs its ancestry to the early days of the commonwealth. This union was blessed with two children-Samuel Lynes and Edward Chi- chester.

Mr. Weed died suddenly, April 18, 1880. He re- ceived the three first degrees of Masonry in St. John's Lodge, No. 6, Norwalk, in 1856; was Junior Warden in 1857, Senior Warden in 1858, and Worshipful Master in 1859. He received the chapter degrees in Washington Chapter, No. 24, R. A. M., in the year 1856, and held the office of High Priest in 1863. He received the degrees of Royal and Select Master in Washington Council, No. 17, in 1858.

Special meetings of the directors of each of the banking institutions to which Mr. Weed belonged were held immediately after his death, and we can in no more fitting manner indicate the csteem in which his immediate associates and intimate friends held him than by transferring to these pages the resolu- tions following, which, among others, were passed at those meetings. The Directors of the National Bank of Norwalk said,-

" Resolved, That by the death of Mr. Weed, the Board of Directors of this Bank has lost one of its most faithful and trusted members, whose integrity of character, fidelity to the interests of the Bank, and sound business qualifications were fully recognized and valued; while, in the broader social and business relations of life, where his honorable principles, strict integrity, and kind and genial manners endeared him to all who knew him, his death will be most deeply felt and deplored."

The Directors of the Norwalk Savings Society passed this resolution :

" Resolved, That in recognition of his personal worth and faithful services as President and Director of this society, we hereby express our regrets and sor- row at this painful event. As a friend whose fidelity was never questioned; as a counselor whose wisdom commanded our respect; as a man whose name was synonymous with honor and integrity, we deplore his death as a great and irreparable loss."

HON. JAMES W. HYATT.

It is among the most pleasing tasks of the historian to place upon the pages of history for the perusal of coming generations the records of "self-made" men, and to show the results of the labor of those who, deprived in early life of those advantages which many claim to be necessary qualifications of success, of powerful friends, liberal education, and inherited

n. F

Photo, by Readman Bros , Norwalk,

Former. W. Kogatt

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NORWALK.

wealth, yet, by their own ability, determined will, and persistency of purpose, have carved out a niche in the granite column of life, and won success where many possessed of those advantages have faltered and failed.

No better exemplar for the truth of this can be taken than the one of whom we now write. Janes William Hyatt was born at Norwalk, Conn., Sept. 19, 1837. He attended the common schools of the villgae until lie was eleven years old, when he com- menced the active business of life by entering the employ of A. N. Holly, of Stamford, Conn., and working in a lumber-yard at fifty cents a week. Step by step he rapidly and steadily rose, and we find him from 1860 to 1872 a trusted clerk : first, in the gro- cery house of Bishop & Waterbury, in Stamford, afterwards with Legrand Lockwood & Co., bankers in New York City. Here he displayed that skill in rapid calculation which to-day makes him one of the best accountants in the State.

Mr. Hyatt removed to Norwalk, Conn., in 1873, and has since made that his residence. From his return to Norwalk Mr. Hyatt has had positions of trust placed in his charge in rapid succession. The same year he was elected justice of the peace. Jan- mary, 1874, he was elected vice-president of Danbury and Norwalk Railroad Company; in June, 1874, elected president of Norwalk Horse-Car Railroad Company; in October, 1874, elected selectman; in 1875, represented Norwalk in the State Legislature, and was appointed by Governor Hubbard bank com- missioner to succeed Hon. G. H. Landers, resigned. In 1876, Mr. Hyatt was again elected representative, and in 1877 was chosen warden of the borough of Norwalk. He was appointed bank commissioner by Governor Hubbard for the term of two years in 1878, and received the same appointment from Governor Andrews in 1880. He was re-elected warden of Nor- walk in the same year.

Mr. Hyatt was brought up under " old-line Whig" influences, and acted with the Republican party until 1872, when he supported Horace Greeley for Presi- dent. He has since been identified with the Demo- cratic party.

Mr. Hyatt is an attendant of the Episcopal church, and is a member of the Masonic fraterity ; hield one term the office of "Worshipful Master" of Sagamon Lodge, No. 371, F. and A. M., of New York city ; was twice thereafter re-elected, but refused to serve.

Mr. Hyatt was united in marriage, Dec. 25, 1860, to Miss Jane M., daughter of George Hoyt, Esq., of an old Norwalk family. They have three children living,-John, Jane, and Harry,-aged respectively ten, six, and two and a half years.

Mr. Hyatt is of nervous temperament, active and of postive character, quick to resolve and to act. He is a discriminating student of human nature. Strong and loyal in his friendships, he is justly popular with all classes, and, as his record shows, a man who is trusted and held in high esteem. He is a hard

worker, wastes no time in acting or speaking, but comes directly to the point, doing business in a clear, straightforward way, and accomplishing much, though, by his systematic habits, he is never in a hurry. In- dustry, economy, and perseverance are his guiding principles.

DR. ASA HILL.

Asa Hill was born in Norwalk, Conn., Nov. 20, 1815. He was the youngest of six children. His mother died when he was only three years old. Shortly after this event his father removed to Huntingdon, L. I., where Asa remained until about fourteen years old, when he went to live with his oldest brother at Danbury, Conn., and attended district school the next winter. This was his graduating course in school education, and at fifteen years of age he commenced the active eare and duties of life.

His was an carnest nature, and feeling thie neces- sity of a broader and deeper knowledge than his lim- ited opportunities had given him, and desirous of becoming more intelligent that he might be more use- ful, he surrounded himself with books and mastered the contents of all that came in his way. Religious in his nature, his preference was works on divinity, but scientific and philosophical ones were also almost literally devoured. Before his twentieth birthday he was noted for his attention to business, his zeal and activity in religion, and his carnest search for knowl- edge.

About this time came the pivotal event of his life,- one that marked and opened a life-career. While acting as mirse to a dying brother, under treatment of Dr. Howell Rogers, of Colchester, Conn., he made the acquaintance and friendship of that celebrated physician, but was not a little astonished when the doctor proposed that he should come and study medi- cine with him. On reflection he accepted, and com- menced at once the elementary studies with his ac- customed energy. While thus assiduously working, Dr. David P. Knapp, who was practicing dentistry in Danbury, suggested to him its study, offering to give him instruction. Thinking it might aid him finan- cially, Mr. Hill soon entered the office. Here lic con- tinned for several months, acquiring the use of tools, making and shaping his instruments. A love for the profession developed. In those days dentistry had not risen to the position it now occupies. There were no dental schools nor colleges, no dental maga- zines, and few text-books. With his steadiness of purpose Mr. Hill plodded on until he had acquired a superficial knowledge of dentistry, made a case of instruments, and returned to Colchester and his med- ical studies. By means of his new art he gained a scanty support, and, although there were times when money was all gone, he steadily persevered in. his course of study.

After several months of earnest labor, and after

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

much deliberation, he determined to give his whole time to dentistry, and, finding that Norwalk presented a good field, located there,-temporarily, as he sup- posed, but for life. At the first meeting of the American Dental Society, in Boston, Dr. Hill became a member and received the diploma of the society. Shortly after he became associate editor of the New York Dental Recorder. Continuing in this capacity for four years, he became for a time both editor and publisher. The subject of plastic fillings for teeth was at this time much agitated in dental circles, and to produce a substance fitted for the purpose was not only a great desideratum, but an exceedingly difficult thing to do. Many were the costly experiments, re- sulting in failure, made in all parts of the country. Dr. Hill early commenced to experiment, and after years of anxiety and trial brought out what has been since known to the profession as "Hill's Stopping." The first production was soon given a standard place in every dentist's office, and now, under a new and changed formula, the perfected work is kept as a most valuable secret. In 1847, Dr. Hill received the honorary degree of D.D.S. from the Baltimore Den- tal College. In the same year he was elected repre- sentative from Norwalk, and in 1856 was chosen to the same office. Up to the time of his death, which occurred Nov. 28, 1874, Dr. Hill was largely a con- tributor to dental journals. He built up a lucrative practice, and the proceeds of that, and his valuable invention, placed him in circumstances to gratify his taste for experiment and study. His marble-staining process was a novel and peculiar result of study. But would we do full justice to the many ramifications of this remarkable and versatile character, we would needs have to occupy much more space than can be afforded. He was a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, and was active in the Order of Sons of Temperance, presiding officer of the Grand Division of the State, and representative to the National Division.

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 139

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1572

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1572