History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 39

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 39

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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more important than any of them is the influence exerted by a constant and devoted, yet unostenta- tious, Christian life of more than forty years in this community.

Such a life is a more eloquent argument for the Christian religion than any sermon, however able, and such a character, together with

" That best portion of a good man's life, His little, nameless, unremembered acts Of kindness and of love,"

will at some future day be his legacy to those who bear his name, to the church of which he is a mem- ber, and to all who have in any way come within the sphere of his influence.

JOHN L. WESSELS.

The paternal ancestors of John L. Wessels were of German origin, and the maternal ones French Hu- guenots. Mr. Wessels was born in White Plains, Westchester Co., N. Y. He was son of James and Letitia Wessels. His grandfather, Hercules Wessels, was an old-time resident of White Plains, settling on the homestead (which was in the possession of his descendants until a few years ago) before the Revolu- tion. He was a sterling patriot, and served as ser- geant of Gen. Washington's body-guard during the entire period of the Revolutionary war, and was wounded at the battle of Yorktown.

James Wessels was a farmer, and John spent his early life at the old home, acquiring the physical vigor so essential to success in life, and also a common school education. When he was sixteen years old he entered his brother's store at Port Chester, in ca- pacity of clerk. After one year's time he was called to take charge of a store in East Bridgeport, and re- inained there two years, when, seeing a good opportu- nity to engage himself in business, Mr. Wessels formed a partnership with Elias Hall, and purchased the stock of goods (groceries and hardware), and con- tinued the trade for two years, when William H. Wessels, his brother, purchased Mr. Hall's interest. The brothers continued together in this business until 1877, when they sold the stock and fixtures, and opened a wholesale fruit and produce store on the corner of Wall and Water Streets, Bridgeport, where they are still in trade.

Mr. Wessels married, Sept. 23, 1862, Sarah A., daughter of James and Nancy Merritt, of Port Ches- ter, N. Y.

Brought up by a father who was an old-line Whig and afterwards a Republican, Mr. Wessels has ever affiliated with the Republican party. The first Re- publican parade in East Bridgeport consisted of eighteen men and one boy. Mr. Wessels was that boy. Believing in the necessity of the prevalence of Republican principles, Mr. Wessels has been active and ardent in their support, a valued leader and coun-

selor, a member of town, county, and State commit- tees, was placed in candidacy for the Legislature in 1878, but defeated with the entire Republican ticket ; was elected mayor of Bridgeport in 1879,-the only candidate on the Republican ticket that was not de- feated. He was unanimously renominated by accla- ination on expiration of his term of office as mayor, but deelined to accept on account of the pressure of business, which was rendered much heavier by the ill health of his brother.

Mr. Wessels has also been alderman for the Fifth Ward of Bridgeport for four years, and in the dis- charge of the duties of that office was chairman of several important committees. He was vice-president of the Republican State convention which met at New Haven in the spring of 1880 to elect delegates to the Republican National Convention at Chicago.

Mr. Wessels is a member of St. John's Lodge of Free Masons in Bridgeport, and for over twenty years has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, holding many offices in its gift, and is at present president of the board of trustees. He is largely engaged in Sunday-school work, and has held various positions in that connection.

Mr. Wessels was a charter member of Battery B, Light Artillery, Connecticut National Guards, organ- ized in 1858, and was commissioned gun-sergeant, but soon promoted to third lieutenant, again to second lieutenant, first lieutenant, and captain. As eaptain, was senior artillery offieer of the State.

As an individual, Mr. Wessels is social and pleasing, is very popular, and is justly considered one of Bridge- port's successful, progressive, public-spirited, and honorable citizens. While active and progressive he is also prudent, and never carried away by any vision- ary scheme or project, however brilliant it may ap- pear, and is thus a careful guardian of public trusts or private interests and a sound counselor.

ALISON AMOS PETTENGILL.

Alison Amos Pettengill, son of Rev. Amnos Pet- tengill, was born in the town of Champlain, Clin- ton Co., N. Y., Nov. 13, 1808. His father was a Con- gregational ininister, and removed to Morris, in Litch- field County, in this State, when Alisou A. was quite young, and here, at the Morris Academy, his educa- tion was commenced; and having prepared himself for a collegiate course, entered Middlebury College, Vt. He subsequently entered Yale College, where he graduated in the class of 1829. After graduation, during a period of nine years, he taught private select schools of a high grade in the towns of Stratford, Danbury, Fairfield, and Bridgeport. While conduct- ing the school in this city in 1839, he purchased the materials of the newspaper knowu as the Bridgeport Press and changed the name to the Republican Stan- dard, and continued as its editor and proprietor until

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

the spring of 1868, when H. B. Wildman and J. S. Han- over were admitted to an interest, and the paper was conducted under the firm-name of Pettengill & Co. Mr. Pettengill subsequently purchased their interest, and conducted the paper as sole editor and proprietor until 1863, when he disposed of it to John D. Can- dee, Esq.

Politically, Mr. Pettengill is a Republican, and was previously a Whig, and, although not an active poli- tician, has held various offices within the gift of his fellow-citizens. He was a senator in 1845, and has also been a representative. He held the office of United States marshal four years, and was the census marshal for this State and appointed the census su- pervisors for 1850. He has also been a member of the Common Council of this city, and alderman sev- eral years. In the early days of the telegraph he was much interested in the matter, and acted as di- rector of the company.

Mr. Pettengill is an earnest churchman, and a mem- ber of the vestry of St. John's Parish.

He has been twice married. His first wife was Elizabetlı Philipps, of Danbury, who died in 1862. His present wife is Catharine A., daughter of the late Isaac Burroughs. Her grandfather, Stephen Bur- roughs, opened the second store in this city. He was during a long period a successful merchant.

Since Mr. Pettengill disposed of his interest in the Standard newspaper, he has lived a retired private life, and is honored and respected by all.

PHILO HURD SKIDMORE.

Philo Hurd Skidmore was born in Bethlehem, Litchfield Co., Conn., Oct. 1, 1817, living with his parents to the age of sixteen, enjoying the privileges of the district school during the winter months, and laboring with his father on the farin through the sum- mer, securing thereby a healthy development of body and mind. He then went to New Haven as clerk in the wholesale grocery-store of Henry Oaks, where he served five years, securing the confidence and esteem of his employer. On completing his clerkship he was admitted a partner in the wholesale grocery-firm of Kidston & Hall,-Mr. Kidston retiring. He con- tinued in this connection five years, doing a success- ful trade. During all these years he was an active member of the Young Mechanics' and Young Men's Institute, and one of the original founders of the latter.

In 1843 he returned to his native town and kept a country store, doing a varied and extensive business up to the year 1853, and by rigid economy and strict attention to business increased his little savings of early days to a moderate competence. Confidence in his ability and integrity gave him during these years the positions of town and parish treasurer, town clerk, collector, etc.

On the organization of the Woodbury Bank he was made a director to represent the Bethlehem stock- holders. Its failure from the unwarranted trans- actions of the president and cashier was the first dis- aster of his life. Smarting under the chagrin of the failure of anything with which he was connected, in September, 1853, he came to Bridgeport, leaving his store in charge of his brother, and joined James E. Dunham in the dry-goods trade. He remained in this connection but a short time, retiring to accept the position of secretary and treasurer of the Pacific Iron-Works, vacant by the resignation of Hon. H. K. Harral. Wholly ignorant of mechanics, machinery, and manufacturing, it was a new existence to him, but with characteristic determination he grappled with the necessities of the situation, and after a struggle of eight years found the works with nothing to boast but safety from the almost universal wreck of the numerous joint-stock corporations organized at that period. The rising cloud of rebellion loomed a dark shadow over the future. The demand for armed vessels to enforce the blockade led to a contract with government to build and erect the machinery for the gunboat " Kanawha" for forty-five thousand dollars, in 1861. This resulted in a loss of twenty thousand dollars, which crippled the company and brought them to the verge of bankruptcy. At this time he was surety on a large amount of the company indebt- edness and bonds to the government. In 1862 he became owner of the entire works by purchase of the stock and assumed the debts. Wrestling with the difficulties that surrounded him for a while, the revi- val of business in 1863 found him fully prepared to reap the benefit of the tidal wave of success which swept over New England manufactures, and he gath- ered a rich harvest of profits for the next five years, the works attaining a reputation and extent second to but few in the country. In 1865 he removed to New- town, where he has since resided, and purchased the finc residence and farm of D. V. T. Baldwin, retiring somewhat from the immediate oversight of his manu- factory. He was representative from that town in the Legislature of 1869.

In January, 1870, he visited Florida, making a tour through the Southern States, visiting five State Cap- itols, in which the Legislatures were in session, com- posed largely of colored members. In May following he returned to Florida and arranged for the construc- tion of the St. John's Railway, running from the St. John's River to St. Augustine on the coast, furnishing the entire means for building and equipping the same, he and his two sons operating it for five years. In 1875 he disposed of his interest in the road to Mr. Lanier, of Winslow, Lanier & Co., New York. In 1876 he purchased the entire machinery, patterns, and material of the steam fire-engine works of William Jeffers, Pawtucket, R. I., and removed them to Bridge- port, and has since carried on that branch in con- nection with his other business, producing some of the

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BRIDGEPORT.

finest speeimens of steam fire-engines of the present times. Since that year his time has been divided be- tween the care and oversight of his farm and the works at Bridgeport. On the night of May 2d the works were destroyed by fire. His loss was heavy and insurance small, but undaunted by the seeming great disaster, and believing that God rules in the af- fairs of men, he set to work vigorously, and not only rebuilt but largely extended his works, and has now one of the most complete establishments for the manu- facture of machinery of all kinds, boilers, and foun- dry-work in the New England States.

The fire eaused the dissolution of the firm of Skid- more & Moore, and the works are now earried on by himself and two sons, under the firm-name of P. H. Skidmore & Sons. The revival of business has filled their shops with work to their utmost capacity. Rig- orous, almost severe, in his habits of diet and sleep, his vigor now at the age of sixty-three is unabated, and his health perfeet.

In January, 1880, he visited New Orleans, traveling through Texas and States bordering on the Missis- sippi River, and was so well pleased with New Or- leans, its people and elimate, and so fully impressed of its certain future growth and prosperity, that he not only made investments in real estate, but made arrangements for residing there permanently during the fall and winter months, and is at present (fall of 1880) there on his plantation near the eity.

Sueh is briefly the history of one of our successful self-made Connectieut men, based upon self-reliance, industry, and economy.

With a family of seven ehildren, five of whom are living, -- three sons and two daughters,-with a rea- sonable competence, his deelining years are the pleas- antest of his life, and amply repay the struggles and hardships of his early days.

JULIUS W. KNOWLTON.

Julius W. Knowlton was born in Southbridge, Wor- eester Co., Mass., Nov. 28, 1838. His boyhood until he was seven years of age was passed in his native town. He then went with his parents to Norwich, Conn., where they remained three years and then re- moved to Bridgeport. He was edueated at the publie and private sehools in this vicinity, giving partieular attention to mathematical studies and eivil engineer- ing. In 1860 he purchased a eoal interest in this city, and was condueting that business upon the breaking out of the Rebellion. He was not one of those to stand idly by when his imperiled country ealled for brave men to strike at the hideous head of rebellion, and iu 1862 saerifieed his business and enlisted as a private in Company A, Fourteenth Conneetieut Volunteer Infautry, and upon the organization of the regiment was made commissary-sergeant. He subsequently aeted as brigade-commissary in the brigade eom-

manded by Gen. Dwight Morris, colonel of the Four- teenth Regiment. In all the walks of life Mr. Knowl- ton has exhibited great executive ability, and at no time has this more conspicuously appeared than on the night of the memorable battle of Antictam, when with the utmost dispatch he pushed his provision- train to the front, and his brigade was the first to re- ecive supplies. He was complimented by his superior officers, and was promised promotion in the eominis- sary department,-a promise, however, which was never fulfilled. He was promoted to second lieuten- ant of Company C, the eolor company of his regi- ment, and was in command of that company at Gettysburg. On the third day of the battle of Get- tysburg he was severely wounded, and remained in a hospital on the field eleven days, and was then re- moved to Baltimore, and soon after eame home. Early in the following January he returned to the front, but was unable to perform arduous military duty, and, Mareh 29, 1864, was discharged for physi- eal disability, and at the surrender of Lee was elerk in the provost-marshal's office at Bridgeport.

Upon the elose of the war Mr. Knowlton received appointment in the Adams Express Company, and subsequently, in October, 1866, was one of three who purchased the Bridgeport Standard, which was organ- ized as a stoek company in the following January, with Mr. Knowlton as secretary and treasurer and business manager. He resigned this position in March, 1873, to take the superintendenee of the Moore Car-Wheel Company, of Jersey City, N. J., a large establishment doing an extensive business, but that ever-memorable "Black Friday" eame and the business was ruined.

Oet. 1, 1874, he aeeepted the position of chief of the division of dead letters at Washington, which division at that time was in a deplorable condition, the busi- ness being fourteen months in arrears. Here Mr. Knowlton's executive ability received a fresh demon- stration. He at onee redueed the whole business of the division to a system, and in less than three months the fourteen months' arrearages were eleared up and the vast machinery of the office was running smoothly. Postmaster-General Jewell then made him ehief elerk of the post-office department, a position which he held until Oct. 15, 1875, when he received the appointment of postmaster at Bridgeport, and November 1st took possession of the office and has sinee officiated in that capaeity.

His genial and courteous manners won him hosts of friends during his stay in Washington, and upon his departure he was the recipient of a vast number of letters both from the heads of the department and his subordinates regretting his departure aud express- ing the warmest friendship.

Politieally, Mr. Knowlton is a Republican, aud is aetive and prominent in the couneils of the party. He has served two terms in the Legislature, has been a member of the Republican State committee, ete.,

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

and was on Governor Jewell's staff with the rank of colonel.

He is also a prominent member of the Masonic fra- ternity, and at present is Captain-General of Hamilton Commandery. He still manifests a lively interest in the "Boys in Blue," and has been assistant adjutant- general of the Grand Army of the Republic of Con- necticut, and also a member of the National Council of administration of the Grand Army, and this year (1880) was a delegate to the National Encampment of the Grand Army.

Dec. 17, 1866, he united in marriage with Jennie E. Fairchild, a native of Newtown, Conn. They have had two children, both of whom are deceased.

Mr. Knowlton traces his genealogy back to Thomas Knowlton,* who was the youngest of three brothers who came to the United States in 1632 or 1633 and settled in Ipswich, Mass. He married Susanna-,t and was a deacon in the church in Ipswich. He had two sons,-Thomas, Jr., and Joseph. Deacon Thomas died April 3, 1692, aged seventy years.

Thomas (2) Jr., born 1643-44, married Hannah Green, November, 1668. He was jailer in Ipswich in 1680, and died Feb. 28, 1717, and had children as fol- lows : Thomas (3), Robert, Katherine, Deborah, Eze- kiel, Zerubbabel, Susannah.

Thomas (3), born May 11, 1670, married Margery Goodhue, Dec. 9, 1692 ; married (2) Margery Carter. Children, Robert, born Sept. 7, 1693, married Hannah Robinson ; Asher Knowlton, who resides in Stafford Springs, Conn., is one of his descendants ; Margery, Sarah, Abraham, Deborah, Joseph, Ezekiel (4).

Ezekiel (4), born March, 1707, married Susannalı Morgan in 1728. Ezekiel died March 14, 1774, and Susannah died March 19, 1794. Their children were Mary, Deboralı, Luke, Susannalı, Ezekiel, William (5), Sarah, Margery, Thomas.

William (5), born April 29, 1741, married Han- nah Hastings, Oct. 22, 1764. He resided in Shrews- bury. She was born in Watertown. Dr. William died Sept. 13, 1820; Hannah died Oct. 25, 1832. Their children were Hannah, Asa, Susannah, Arte- mas, William, Dr. Seth (6), and Joseph H.

Dr. Seth (6), born in Shrewsbury, May 11, 1781, married Relief Howe in 1802. He died April 12, 1832. Children of Dr. Seth were Darwin, Charles, Eunice (died when two years old), Artemas, William S.,-father of the subject of this sketch,-Eunice, Nancy, Calvin, and Dolly.

DAVID M. READ.

David M. Read was born in Hoosic Falls, N. Y., Oct. 12, 1832. His parents soon after removed to North Adams, Mass., where most of his boyhood days

were passed. He commenced his education at the district school, finishing it at the old Drury Academy, North Adams, at the age of fourteen, working during the summer vacation for farmers and in stores to help pay for clothes and schooling, as his parents were not able to keep him at the academy. After leaving school he engaged with a farmer at four dollars per month, and his first work was sawing and splitting wood in the hot sun. With blistered neck, but lots of "pluck," he kept at his task until one day the farmer came to him and said, "Now, David, I am going to set you to farming." Never was there a boy more de- lighted. With a quick step and a light heart he ac- companied the farmer away up on the mountain-side to an open lot in the rear of a piece of woods, and was set to picking up stone ! This capped the climax. If farming for him meant sawing wood and picking stone he was through with it. So he abandoned his dreams of agriculture and went with his older brother Charles, who had taken a cloth-mill in Pownal, Vt., for the manufacture of cloths for men's wear. This business, however, proved unsuccessful, and he was soon out of employment. He afterwards clerked successively in Williamstown, Stockbridge, and Lenox, continuing his studies during this time, and finally, in March, 1852, came to this city, and entered the employ of E. Birdsey & Co., with whom he remained until Aug. 15, 1857, enjoying the entire confidence of the firm in his honesty, judgment, and ability.

Sept. 1, 1857, having saved about one thousand dol- lars, he was kindly loaned fifteen hundred dollars by the late Hanford Lyon, and, associating with him W. B. Hall, opened a dry goods and carpet-store at 227 Main Street. This firm continued at the old stand until May, 1869, when they removed to the store in Wheeler's block now occupied by Mr. Read. The partnership of Hall & Read continued until Aug. 1, 1877, when Mr. Hall withdrew, and the business has since been continued by Mr. Read. The business of Hall & Read increased rapidly, and at one time their sales amounted to $500,000 per year. During the panics of 1857, 1861, and 1873 this house remained firm, and at their dissolution enjoyed the distinction of having always paid one hundred cents on the dollar.

Mr. Read, with his brother, Charles A., began the manufacture of ingrain carpets in a small way in Water Street, with two hand-looms. They sub- sequently purchased their present location on Middle Street, and increased their business until they were operating twenty looms. The business was conducted by this firm-D. M. & C. A. Rcad-until 1873, when a stock company was formed with a capital of fifty- five thousand dollars, under the name of the Read Carpet Company, David M. being president and sell- ing agent. This company owns the block corner of Fairfield Avenue and Middle Street, with a frontage of one hundred feet on the former and two hundred on the latter, and have now in process of erection a

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block adjoining one hundred and twenty by fifty-six feet. The establishment will be furnished with fifty power-looms, and will manufacture ingrain, Brussels, and Axminster carpets, with a capacity of four hun- dred and fifty thousand yards per year.

Mr. Read has been a member of the Common Coun- cil, first alderman of the city, member of the Board of Education, member of the school committee, is a di- reetor in the Bridgeport National Bank, and, with the exception of the first year, has been president of the Board of Trade since its organization ; a director in the Mountain Grove Cemetery Association and the Fair- field County Agricultural Society. He was a member of the Connectieut National Guard for eight years as a brigade commissary with the rank of major, and was an efficient officer. He was acting commissary-gen- eral at the encampment of the Connecticut National Guard at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876, and was highly complimented by Gen. Trow- bridge for the executive ability displayed in the man- agement of his department.

Politieally, he was a Republican until 1872, since which time he has been an Independent, although generally voting with the Democratic party. He is a member of the vestry of St. John's Church.

Dec. 3, 1855, he united in marriage with Helen Au- gusta, daughter of the late Philo F. Barnum. They have two sons-Charles Barnum, who is eashier in his father's business, and David F., who is in Yale College-and one daughter, May Louise. One daugh- ter, Helen A., died Oct. 13, 1872.

That Mr. Read's business carcer has been one of marked prosperity his large business interests and handsome residence in Park Avenue afford ample proof.

He is a public-spirited citizen, of a genial and social nature, and very popular with the masses.

CAPT. ISAAC BURROUGHS.

Capt. Isaae Burroughs, son of Stephen Burroughs, was born in Bridgeport or Newfield; Conn., in 1778, and died at his residenee in Bridgeport, Conn., Jan. 8, 1861. His father, Stephen Burroughs, was a native of Stratford, Conn., and was born in the year 1729.

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 39

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