USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 49
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 49
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He was married four times; the last to Miss Catharine N. Maynes of Meriden, Conn., January 6th, 1886, who survives him. He died June 11th, 1890. Mrs. Banks, in loving memory of him, has given to St. Paul's church of Wallingford an elegant lectern, consisting of a polished, ornamented, carved brass pillar, a large eagle standing on the capital of the pillar. Its wings are outspread, and on the oblique upper surface of the wings rests the Bible. Upon the crown of the pedestal is engraved the dedication: " To the Glory of God and in Memory of Nehemiah Banks, M. D., a faithful Communicant of this Parish." On the circular base is also inscribed: "Born A. D. 1813 ; Baptized A. D. 1880; Died A. D. 1890." It is a beautiful memorial in the church he loved and where he worshipped.
Doctor Banks was a Mason, and at his burial both the service of his church and of the Masonic fraternity committed him to rest in peace, while the community mourned for an esteemed citizen who should no more be seen on earth.
Augustus H. Bartholomew is the eldest of four children of Ira and Eunice (Hall) Bartholomew, and grandson of Isaac Bartholomew. He followed farming until 1885, when he retired. His first marriage was with Mrs. Mary Pomeroy, who died. His second marriage was with Mary E. Camp. They have four children: Elisabeth M. (Mrs. H. N. Childs). James D., William H. and Charles F .; and one daughter that died in infancy.
Francis C. Bartholomew, born in 1821. in Northford, Conn., is a son of Timothy and Mariette (Cook) Bartholomew, grandson of Tim- othy, great-grandson of Samuel, whose father, Andrew. came to Wal- lingford in about 1729. Andrew's father, William, was a resident of Branford, and his grandfather, William Bartholomew, came from England to Massachusetts in 1634. Mr. Bartholomew was a school teacher and farmer until 1848. He was several years president and principal stockholder in the Northford Rivet Manufacturing Com- pany. He was town clerk and treasurer six years, 35 consecutive years justice of the peace, commissioner of the superior court, and in 1875 and 1877 he was representative in the legislature. Since 1883 he has been a resident of Wallingford, where he holds the offices of deputy judge of borough court, auditor of town accounts, and regis- trar of voters. His first marriage was with Erry Ann Lee. She died in
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1873, and he married for his second wife Jennie E. Harrison. He has lost two sons: Frank L. and Charles A.
Lyman Beckley, born in 1826, is a son of Theodore and Eliza (Bel- den) Beckley. He is a painter and paper hanger. He married Mary E., daughter of Andrew S. and Mary (Hobart) Page. They have one daughter, Jennie E., now Mrs. F. G. Hull.
John Beaumont, son of Deodate and Lucina (Rose) Beaumont, and grandson of Edmund, died in 1879, aged 88 years. Mr. Beaumont fol- lowed the sea in the fur trade until he was about 60 years old, and after that was a farmer. He married Ann, daughter of John and granddaughter of George Tyler. Their children are: Elisabeth (Mrs. S. Pond), Edmund (deceased), Julius, Lucina (deceased), Harvey, Fran- cis, Lewellyn, Albert, George and Cynthia.
Harvey Beaumont, born in 1838, is a son of John and Ann (Tyler) · Beaumont. Mr. Beaumont is a farmer. He married Melissa Foster for his first wife, and for his second wife Mrs. Julia Bailey, daughter of Elihu Mix. They have one son, Edmund Mix Beaumont, born June 18th, 1890.
William A. Booth, born at Newark, N. J., in 1856, is a son of Charles W. and Chloe (Caufield) Booth. Mr. Booth removed to Strat- ford, Conn., with his parents when a small boy, and resided there until 1877, when he went to New Haven, where he was engaged in various occupations until December, 1886, when, in company with his brother, he bought the New Haven & Wallingford Express, and in 1887 they bought a livery business at Wallingford of George B. Allen. In February, 1889, the firm of Booth Brothers was dissolved, and since then William A. has run the livery business alone. He has lived in Wallingford since 1887. He married Lillie Farmer and has four chil- dren: Charles F., Clara L., Harry W., and Robert, died March 4th, 1890. They also lost one daughter.
Allen Bowe, born in 1822 in Middletown, Conn., is a son of Oba- diah A. and Nancy (Skinner) Bowe and grandson of Obadiah Bowe. He has worked at the blacksmith's trade since 1838, and since April, 1870, has run a blacksmith and wagon shop at North Farms, Walling- ford. He married Mary A. Coe, and has two sons : Osman and Clif- ford.
Andrew J. Brown, born at Burlington, Conn., in 1834, is the young- est of twelve children of Ervin and Louise (Bronson) Brown and grandson of James Brown. Mr. Brown came to Yalesville in March, 1857, and shortly after became foreman of the wood department for the Charles Parker Company. He married Mary H. Mckenzie. Their children are: Mary H., Andrew J., Jr., Nettie A., Evaline E., Margaret, Harriet, William, Sarah A., Fannie M., Robert and Alice. One son, Julius E., died.
Edwin V. Bull, son of William and Ruth (Hall) Bull, and grandson of Caleb Bull, was born in 1823. His grandfather, Benajah Hall, was
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a fifer in the revolutionary war. Mr. Bull learned the trade of tin- smith and sheet-iron worker, and after following it ten years, began work as a die sinker and machinist, continning until about ten years ago. He is a natural mechanic and has made some violins, and has also given lessons in playing them.
John M. Cannon, born in 1860, is a son of Burdett and Juliette Cannon and grandson of Lyman and Sally (Smith) Cannon. He had been in the employ of Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co. until March, 1887, when he bought a men's furnishing and boot and shoe business, which he still continues, having substituted clothing for boots and shoes. He is a member of Accanant Lodge, No. 71, I. O.O. F.
Patrick Concannon, born in Meriden in 1853, is a son of Peter and Deborah Concannon. He is an engraver by trade. He came from Meriden to Wallingford in 1880. He was two years a member of the court of burgesses, three terms justice of the peace, and has been assessor for the borough for four terms. He is married and has three children : John, Deborah and Mary.
Marcus E. Cook, born in 1849, is the youngest son of Hiram and Anna M. (Marks) Cook, and grandson of Chester, whose father, Abel, was a son of Aaron Cook. Mr. Cook is a farmer. Since 1880 he has had charge of the roads of the town and borough, and has invented several machines for doing road work with horse power. He was representative in the legislature in 1883 His father and grandfather each held the office one term. He is a member of Wallingford Grange, No. 33, P. of H., and has been its master two years. He mar- ried Clara E. Potts, of Berkshire county, Mass. They have one son, Chester H.
D. J. Curtin, M. D., born in July, 1863, at New Britain, is a son of John and Ellen Curtin. He graduated in June, 1883, from the Holy Cross College, Worcester, Mass. He then took a two and a half years' course in the Medical University of New York city, and then one year in Bellevue Hospital and other schools, and in November, 1887, came to Wallingford, where he now practices.
Silas Noel Edmonds, born in Westmoreland county, Va., in 1828, is a son of Captain Meredith, and grandson of Vincent Edmonds, who was sheriff of Westmoreland county, and was overseer of General Washington's farm in the same county. Mr. Edmonds came to Wal- lingford in October, 1849, and after working at his trade as a carpen- ter and joiner for seven years, he was made station agent for the N. Y., N. H. & H. railroad here, which position he has filled since that time. He is a member of Compass Lodge, No. 9, F. & A. M. He married Seraphina, danghter of John D. Reynolds.
John W. Fitzgerald, born in Wallingford in 1855, is a son of Will- iam and Joanna (Carey) Fitzgerald. He was employed in the silver manufactories here until April, 1887, when he started the furniture and undertaking business. He was married May 25th, 1882, to Mar-
26
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
garet Maher, and they have five children. He is a member of the National Band of Wallingford.
George B. Francis, youngest and only surviving child of Lyman and Mary Francis, grandson of Jacob, whose father, Jacob, was a son of Joseph Francis, was born in 1841. He is a farmer on the home- stead of his father. He is a member of Meriden Grange, No. 29. P. of H. He married Emily J., daughter of Horace and Esther R. (John- son ) Andrews, and has one son, Howard A.
WILLIAM FRANCIS was born in Wallingford, Conn., March 3d, 1804. On the northern border of the town of Wallingford and just east of the central point, lies a large plot of ground which has been owned in the Francis family for several generations. Old deeds are in posses- sion of the younger Francis sons which give proof of the assertion. Here lived the subject of this sketch during his long life, and here he died at the age of 75 years, April 14th, 1879.
Mr. Francis in boyhood attended the district school, kept at what is called North Farms, but only until he was fifteen years of age. The schools of those days gave instruction in the fundamental branches of an English education denominated the three " R's." The arith- metic taught was not the advanced arithmetic of the better schools of to-day, but the simpler processes of numbers. Hence those who would acquire advanced knowledge in the science of numbers, must avail themselves of special opportunities, such as were denominated " ciphering schools." A private instructor, expert in the science of numbers as far as " navigation," held a private school, perhaps in a private house. The more ambitious young men of the early part of the 19th century in this district, and young William Francis as one of them, learned advanced arithmetic in a "ciphering school." In this way his talent for numbers was developed. After all, his schooling was mostly of the practical business sort gained in the great school of business and trading life.
At first he quite despaired of becoming a farmer, for his physical constitution was weak and his physical weight light. His physician advised him to adopt an out-door industry which would call for no really hard labor. He took the advice, and undertook the perambula- tions of a peddler in the state of New York. Meriden was then head- quarters for much small ware, the product of small factories, and Mr. Francis loaded his wagon with what he termed " Yankee notions." such as wood-combs, wooden bowls, thread, coffee-mills, Britannia and tin ware, and went to and fro in the state of New York. But upon return home, while his purse was satisfactorily filled in these peregri- nations, he yet would declare he did not like the business.
He determined upon a farmer's life as the next choice of industry and trusted that by carefulness his physical strength might endure the hardship. His father, Jacob Francis, died July 14th, 1829, and the next spring, William Francis began the building of the residence
William Francis
4
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where he lived the rest of his life, and where his family of four chil- dren were born.
Perhaps it was the result of a necessary caution exercised in young manhood to save the physical strength, but Mr. Francis was noted always for doing work in the easiest manner; " take advantage " was a constant phrase of his respecting all farm work, so that it should be done with the least expense of physical strength. Let the laborer be constantly thoughtful, use his mind to relieve his muscle. Mr. Francis was always a student of farm methods, and watchful for im- provements in farm machinery. Labor saving machinery was always popular with him. He was the first farmer in all his district to place on his farm a mowing machine, and horse rake and reaper. It was said among the neighbors that they too must purchase machines, for Mr. Francis got his work done before them.
The enterprise of Mr. Francis showed itself in another way. It seemed to him that the farmer's great source of power in the raising of crops lay in the abundant fertilization of the land. The old time sources of supply were not sufficient. He sought for new fertilizers and new sources of supply. He began the use of special fertilizers, as the bone dust which fell from the saw in the button shops, before his neighbors did. He watched the newspapers for hints and pointers. He listened with an intelligent ear to what might be said on the topic ·of fertilizers and made all information practical by applying it in farming. Besides he was always observant to discover new crops. Living in an excellent farming section, he introduced the raising of tobacco, made himself familiar with the best processes of harvesting and cure of the leaf, so as to offer on the market the best article.
Hence by good sense in management, and by these improved methods, Mr. Francis became a leading farmer in his town, as success- ful as he was intelligent and far-seeing. To him one season was fol- lowed by another, and one year by another; and he was short-sighted who did not plan for the future as well as for the present. As a far- mer, Mr. Francis looked far ahead, and he made money. If his in- vestments were traced out, they would be found in safe places where they yield their dividends. His sons are to-day reaping the benefit of his wisdom in management. They have only to follow his example to go on to greater fortune than they have inherited. Though frail of physique, he was what is called a very " hard worker," and yet so wisely did he lay out his strength from day to day as to live to a ripe old age.
Mr. Francis was recognized in his town asa man of excellent, ener- getic business quality, and of high moral worth. His townsmen put him in positions of trust, and kept him in some of them for a long term of years. He was tax collector for fifteen years, at a time when he must visit every house in the town annually, and some of them several times, to get the annual tax. He was also road commissioner
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for three years, when the labor of inspection fell almost wholly upon him; and besides at one period, the town entrusted him with the repairs on all the town roads.
In religious faith and alliance, Mr. Francis was an Episcopalian the greater portion of his life, though he came from excellent Baptist stock. He and his family were members of St. Paul's church of Wal- lingford, and regular attendants -- the family still maintaining the excellent example set them by the father and mother.
He was married twice-the first time to Emily Blakesley, of Wal- lingford, March 30th, 1831. To them were born two children: William J., who resides on a part of the original farm of his father, and Emery Francis, born February 10th, 1837, died July 14th, 1837. Mr. Francis married, the second time, Julia (Cook) Tuttle, of Hamden, Conn. Two sons were born: Henry, December 18th, 1842, died February 22d, 1843; and John H., born June 20th, 1858, who enjoys the great privi- lege of having his mother in his family on the old homestead. John H. Francis married Carrie P. Wooding October 10th, 1883. She died December 18th, 1887. He married again Mabel A. Wooding, Feb- ruary 21st, 1889. To them has been born Isabel Alicc, October 4th, 1890.
Mr. Francis' last illness was brief. He had been subject to rheu- matism, but seemed on the day of his death not to be dangerously ill, when rheumatism seized upon his heart and he was gone, the com- munity losing a citizen of great worth, who had set an example of high virtue and ability in all the walks of his life.
William J. Francis, born in 1832, is the eldest son of William and Emily Francis, and grandson of Jacob, whose father, Jacob, was a son of Joseph Francis. Mr. Francis is a farmer, owning some of the same farm which was owned by his great-great-grandfather. He is a mem- ber of Meriden Grange, No. 29, P. of H. He married Marietta J., daughter of Justus and Jane (French) Peck, and has one son, Lyman H.
Russell Frisbie, born in Branford in 1812, is one of eleven children of Thomas, and grandson of Thomas Frisbie. Mr. Frisbie came from Branford to Wallingford in 1833, and after working eleven years at the blacksmith trade, built the blacksmith shop and grist mill where he has since carried on business at East Farms. He has been a member of Wallingford Baptist church since 1837. He married Laura Mat- toon, and of her eight children four survive her: Susan J., Mary A., William R. and Cornelia. His second marriage was with Harriet L. Hubbard.
Daniel P. Griswold, born in 1856, in Essex. Conn., is a son of Sam- uel Griswold. He began in 1874 to learn the cabinet maker's trade, and in 1880 he came from New Britain to Wallingford and opened a furniture and undertaking store, having previously been three years in the business. He married Emily Page, and has one son, Morton D.
Augustus J. Hall, born in 1842, is the youngest son of Joel and
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTV.
Hannah (Beach) Hall, grandson of Augustus and great-grandson of Joel, whose father, Asahel, was a son of John Hall. Mr. Hall is a farmer on the farm where his father lived and died. He is one of seven children, six of whom are living: Julia (Mrs. Henry Martin), John H., Sarah E. (Mrs. B. F. Harrison), Augustus J., Alice and Agnes (Mrs. F. H. Hall).
David M. Hall, born in 1818, is one of eleven children of Josiah and Martha Hall, grandson of Hial and great-grandson of Peter, whose father, Thomas, was a son of Thomas and grandson of John Hall. Mr. Hall learned the trade of sheet iron and tin worker, and after fol- lowing it for a few years began farming, which he has since continued. He married Catharine M., daughter of Thaddeus Cook. Their chil- dren are: Edward T., George D., and one that died, James C. Edward T. married Georgie A., daughter of George F. Pardee. George D. married Jennie B., daughter of Elijah Hough, and they have one child, Louis Cook Hall.
Elihu Hall, born in 1807, was a son of Chauney and Marilla Hall, grandson of Hial and great-grandson of Peter Hall. Mr. Hall was a wheel and wheel material manufacturer until ten years ago, and after- ward followed the insurance and loan business. He died May 27th, 1891. He married Martha Ann, daughter of Samuel Cook and grand- daughter of Ambrose and Colonel Isaac Cook, who was the grandson of Isaac Cook, who was the first to emigrate to this country by the name of Cook. She died, leaving two children living : John M. and Martha C. (Mrs. Gustavus Phelps). Two died, Henry C. and Lucy E.
Henry D. Hall, oldest son of Jeremiah A. and Jemima (Field) Hall, grandson of John and great-grandson of Elisha Hall, was born in 1836. October 12th, 1859, he began the butcher business at Wallingford, which he has continued since that time, with the exception of about one year. The present market was built in 1877.
J. Atwater Hall, son of Jeremiah A. Hall, was born in October, 1838. He enlisted July 22d, 1861, in the 5th Connecticut Volunteers, in the band, serving fourteen months. Jannary 1st, 1864, he became a partner in the meat business with his brother, under the firm name of H. D. & J. A. Hall. They have been in business since, with the exception of one year. He is a member of Compass Lodge, No. 9, F. & A. M., and a member of Arthur H. Dutton Post, No. 36, G. A. R. He married Cora A., daughter of Sheldon Brayman, and has one daughter, Eva L.
Julius C. Hall, youngest son of Jeremiah A. Hall, was born in 1840. He served in the civil war from November 9th, 1861, to November 29th, 1864, in Company K, First California Volunteer Infantry, and official report shows that this company inarched 4,245 miles during their time of service, through Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Kansas. Since 1865 Mr. Hall has been a partner in the meat business with his two brothers, firm of Hall Brothers.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
He is a member of Arthur H. Dutton Post, No. 36, G. A. R. He mar- ried Mary B. Higgins, of Maine, and has one daughter, Mabel C.
Henry L. Hall, 2d, born in 1840, is a son of Jared and Emily (Aus- tin) Hall. grandson of Samuel and great-grandson of Samuel Hall. Mr. Hall was a farmer until 1880, when he bought the coal and fertil- izer business which he now carries on. He was assessor one term and four years chairman of the board of selectmen. He married Emma L., daughter of John H. Allen, and has one son, Allen L., one daugh- ter having died in infancy. Emma L., his wife, died in June, 1888. In June, 1890, he married Ann E. Loper, of New Haven. She was a teacher in the Skinner school for twenty years.
Hezekiah Hall, born in 1817, and died in 1883, was a son of Nathan, grandson of Hezekiah and great-grandson of Eliakim Hall. Mr. Hall was a farmer. He was three terms in the house of representatives and selectman several years. He married Harriet, daughter of Calvin and Harriet (Rice) Coe, and granddaughter of Joseph Coe. Their children were: Lillie C. (Mrs. H. M. Comer), Ida M., Nathan, Linus H., Emma C. (Mrs. Charles Lyman), Jane M., and one daughter that died in in- fancy. Linus H. occupies the homestead at East Farms. He married Zoe L., daughter of Albert M. Phillips, of Monson, Mass. They have one daughter, Catharine.
Isaac K. Hall, youngest son of Peter and Delight (Kurtland) Hall, and grandson of Hial Hall, was born in 1834 and died in 1886. He was a farmer. He was in the war, in Company B, 27th Connecticut Volunteers, from October, 1862, for about five months. He was a member of Arthur Dutton Post. G. A. R. He married Ellen M., daughter of William A. Hart, of Durham. She died January 24th, 1891, aged 50 years.
J. Walter Hall, born in 1847, is the youngest son of Solomon and Cornelia (Andrews) Hall, and grandson of Aaron, whose father, Asa- hel, was a son of John Hall. Mr. Hall is a farmer. He married Agnes McGhee. They have two children: Delano W. and Zilla B. He is a member of Wallingford Grange, No. 33. P. of H.
Sidney J. Hall, son of Elizur and Eunice J. (Nettleton) Hall, and grandson of John Hall, was born in 1856. Mr. Hall has kept a gen- eral store for ten years. For four years prior to that he was in the butcher business. He was three years town treasurer. He married Ida A. Sutlief. Their children are: Stuart W., Esther V., and one that died, Edna C.
W. Burr Hall, born in 1845, in Hamden, is a son of William D). and Harriet (Perkins) Hall, and grandson of Jared, whose father Samuel, was a son of Samuel Hall. Mr. Hall was engaged in the hide, tallow and fertilizer business until April, 1888. He has lived in Wal- lingford since October, 1885. He held the office of burgess ten months, selectman and town clerk each one year. He was appointed post- master of Wallingford January 16th, 1890, and took charge of the
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office February 18th following. He joined the Governor's Horse Guards in 1870, ten years later was elected senior second lieutenant, afterward senior first lieutenant, and later captain, which office he held until February, 1890, when he received an honorable discharge. He married Ella M., daughter of Edwin H. Skinner, and has one daughter, Maude.
William E. Hall, born in 1837, is a son of Solomon and Cornelia (Andrews) Hall, and grandson of Aaron, whose father Asahel, was a son of John Hall, one of the first settlers of Wallingford. Aaron Hall served in the revolutionary war and participated in the battles of Monmouth and Germantown. His son, Solomon, served in the war of 1812, and was stationed at New London. William E. Hall is a member of Wallingford Grange, No. 33, P. of H., and a member of Compass Lodge, No. 9, F. & A. M. He has been selectman and has held other town offices. He married Lydia J., daughter of Samuel and Lydia R. Hart. Their children are: Edgar S., Hattie C., Wilbur H., Ellen J. and S. Ellsworth. They lost one, Francis K.
GEORGE M. HALLENBECK was born in Spencertown (Chatham Four Corners), New York, October 8th, 1848, and is the son of Albert and Mary H. (Munson) Hallenbeck. The earliest remembrances of George MI. are of Wallingford, its streets, hills, valleys, rivers, its schools. its factories and its churches. His education had only been well entered upon when he left school at the age of fourteen to work in the electro- plating room of the factory of Hall, Elton & Co., of Wallingford. March 2d, 1863. Six years of steady employment in the plating-room left their warning mark upon his physical health, and in the fall of 1869 he had quite resolved to leave the factory and enter upon some employment which would require out-door exercise. But by the qualities of industrious earnestness and steady, bright, pleasing. busi- ness and social manners, he won the very favorable opinion of the governing powers of the factory. They desired to retain his efficient help, and offered him a position in the office. His first duties in the new relation were those of entry clerk, and since 1869, he has passed up through all the grades of responsibility, until he became in 1882 the general manager of the factory. Since that date he has held that position. It is a position of great responsibility. The plant represents a capital of $125,000, and employs a large number of hands in the manufacture of German silver goods plated with silver.
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