USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 73
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 73
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In the early years of his life Doctor Wilson united with the Masonic order. He was the first commander of St. Elmo Commandery, No. 9, and passing through the chairs in order has attained to that of grand captain general of the Grand Commandery. He has taken the 32d degree in Lafayette Consistory, and is a member of Pyramid Temple. He is also an active member of the Ecclesiastical Society of the First Congregational church of Meriden, where he has been given oppor- tunity to show his appreciation of religious truth. Although some- what independent in regard to theological systems, he has, without being a member of the Christian church, never failed of supporting the measures of the Gospel, and holds to a rigid morality in all the ways of life. His religious sentiments are exalted, and his thoughts upon such subjects, profound and liberal, are often evinced in his actions in his social and professional life. He served on the building committee of the present First Congregational church edifice-one of the finest in the state-which was greatly embellished by his artistic taste and effort to elevate the style of architecture. The finely orna- mented capitals, designed by him, are examples of his love for this work, and show his knowledge of sacred symbolism, expressing in carved and enduring stone the course of natural and revealed religion. in the human heart.
Doctor Wilson has a genial and benevolent nature, is a ready con- versationalist, loving controversial discussions, but is, withal, conser- vative in his speech and actions, and is justly considered an influential and popular citizen.
BERTRAND L. YALE is the son of Levi and Anna (Guy) Yale, and was born in Meriden, November 17th, 1820. Levi Yale was the son of Nathaniel, grandson of Thomas, and great-grandson of David Yale, of Wrexham, Denbigh county, Wales, who married Ann Morton, daughter of Bishop Morton, of England, whose mother was daughter of Bishop Bonner. Upon the death of Mr. Vale she married The- ophilus Eaton, an opulent merchant of London, afterward governor of Connecticut. They, with David, Ann and Thomas, landed in Bos- ton in 1618, and in 1637 removed to New Haven, Conn. Thomas re- moved to "Wallingford plantation," and there resided until his
3 { Jaly
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
death, honored with many public trusts. Captain Thomas Yale was a revolutionary soldier, having volunteered at the first call of the " Lexington alarm," and with him his sons old enough to go. Nathaniel went into the service later, being too young at the time of the call. Levi Vale was in the war of 1812, ensign of his company and commissary of the troops stationed along the coast from New Haven to Branford. He was twelve years in the Southern states merchandizing, and afterward was twelve years postmaster in Meri- den, under Presidents Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren. He was representative to the general assembly, and held many honorary offices and trusts in Meriden.
The subject of this sketch, a son of Levi Yale, lived at home on the farm until twenty years old, when he commenced the manufac- ture of cigars in a small way, and afterward began business as a mer- chant tailor and dealer in furnishing goods. During this time he was appointed postmaster, which office he held eight years. In addi- tion to his other work, fire and life insurance were added, and this occupying so much of his time he disposed of his store and carried on the business of insurance for some 25 years. Mr. Vale then re- turned to his farm, which he has conducted since.
Early in life he took an active part in politics; in those days to be a politician did not compromise a man's honesty; "boodle " was not in vogue, and " bar'lls " and " soap " had not been introduced. For many years his business duties prevented Mr. Vale from active politi- cal work, until in 1888 he was induced to accept the nomination of alderman. He served on the finance and water committees, and in 1889, in addition to these, on the committee on by-laws. His finan- cial ability and sound common sense made him an invaluable mem- ber in the council. During his last year he acted as mayor pro tem. He was for many years a director in the Meriden Bank, until he de- clined a reëlection.
Mr. Vale married, February 4th, 1861. Chloe Elizabeth Holcombe, daughter of Honorable Raynor Holcombe, of East Granby, Conn., and has one daughter, Jennie Holcombe Vale.
PERSONAL PARAGRAPHS.
Warren C. Atkins, son of Benjamin and Emily (Clark) Atkins, was born in Meriden in 1812. He worked in the shop of Ashbel Griswold at what was then called Clarksville, for seven years, then in the tin shop of Stedman & Clark for many years. On account of poor health he gave up the business, and has since confined himself to farming. He married Lavina E., daughter of Anson Bradley, of Branford, Conn. His father served in the war of 1812.
Francis Atwater was born in 1857 in Plymouth, Litchfield county, Conn., and was educated in the common schools. For a long time he worked for Luther G. Riggs, who printed the Meriden Recorder. Later.
39
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
in 1877, he started the Wallingford Forum, which he conducted for over one year. After leaving Wallingford, he went to Phenix, R. I., and to Red Bank, N. J., working in both places on weekly papers. In 1883 he went to Red Bluff, Cal., where he did local work on the Daily Sentinel, until its editor, Abraham Townsend, was shot by a political enemy. He then took charge of the editorial department, and ran the paper until 1884, when he came East and went into the job printing business, and in August of the same year started the Meriden Evening Star, a two cent paper, but on account of health had to give it up. The same year he published for other parties The Sunday Whisper, a Cheshire weekly, and also a Hartford Sunday morning paper. In 1886 he transferred his entire plant to the Journal Publishing Company, since which time he has devoted his entire time to its management and development. The growth of the company has been phenom- enal, and to-day it has the most complete establishment of its kind in the state, including the publication of the Meriden Daily Journal, a large job printing business, book bindery, stereotyping and electro- typing plants.
A. E. Austin was born in 1839, in North Haven, Conn., and is a son of Joseph and Celia (Foote) Austin. His father died when he was 14 years of age. He came to Meriden in 1868 and established himself in the butchering business, under the firm name of Coe & Austin, which continued about five years. The business was then sold to Charles Gretha, Mr. Coe going into the packing business and Mr. Austin into the livery and sale stable business, which he has since carried on. He married Ruth B., daughter of Eben J. Coe, of Middle- field, Conn.
Ransom Baldwin, son of Ransom and Sarah (Twiss) Baldwin, was born in Meriden in 1836. He was brought up on his father's farm, and has followed the wholesale and retail flour business for the past 20 years, with farming. He married Mary, daughter of Orrin Hall, of Wallingford, Conn. His grandfathers, James Baldwin and Joseph Twiss, both served in the revolutionary war.
James M. Bartlett, son of Ashley and Mary (Fay) Bartlett, was born in 1828, in Vernon, Vt. His father moved to Worcester, Mass., when he was five years old, and a few years after moved to Northborough, Mass., where James was brought up on a farm. He afterward went to Hartford, Conn., where he learned the telegraph business, and in 1849 came to Meriden. He sent the first telegraphic dispatch that was sent out of Meriden. In 1857-8 he conducted the only livery business in Meriden. For eight years he was agent for Adams' Express Com- pany, also started the city baggage express, and for a long time car- ried on a teaming business, having at one time 23 horses. He has lately moved on his farm place, " The Merry Den," and is engaged in farming and stock raising. He has made many alterations and im- provements on his place, which is a delightful resort for summer
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boarders. He married Sina A., daughter of Lyman Hall, of Walling- ford, Conn.
Le Grand Bevins, son of Alvin E. and Lna (Booth) Bevins, was born in 1839, in Meriden, Conn. He was educated at the Meriden Academy, and afterward went to Ohio, where he studied for a year preparing for college. At the beginning of the war in 1861 he en- listed in the 29th Ohio Volunteers, and served there three years. The last year of service he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, stationed at Albany, N. Y. He married Jennie L., oldest daughter of Captain Henry H. Stiles, of North Haven, Conn. At the close of the war he engaged in the soda business at New Haven for one year, and afterward at Meriden for six years. After that, having taken stock in the Meriden Silver Plate Company, he entered their employ, hav- ing charge of the finishing department for eighteen years. He was elected to the common council in 1875, served one year as councilman and one as alderman, was again elected alderman in 1882, and re- ëlected in 1884 and 1886. He has been chairman of the committee of the Corner school district since 1883. In 1887 he was elected town agent and first selectman, which position he still holds.
Eli C. Birdsey, son of Eli C. and Rebecca C. (Wilcox) Birdsey, was born in 1843, in Meriden, and was educated in the common schools of Meriden and the high school of Middleborongh, Mass. He was first employed in the dry goods business, and in 1865 established a hard- ware and crockery business, under the firm name of Birdsey & Miles, buying out Harrison W. Curtis. They were also manufacturers of stationers' hardware. In 1876 they dissolved partnership, Mr. Miles taking the manufacturing business and Mr. Birdsey the store busi- ness, which has since been running under the firm name of Birdsey & Foster. He married Catherine, daughter of Lyman Butler, of Meriden.
William H. Booth, son of Henry D. and Eliza A. (Curtis) Booth, was born in 1834, in Philadelphia, Pa., and was educated in the Meri- den schools. His father located in Meriden when William H. was a child. The latter has served on the committee of East school district. He has always followed farming and butchering, on the farm where his father settled. He married Isabel A., daughter of Linus Wilcox, of Middletown, Conn. His father followed the sea for 22 years, as captain 18 years.
George H. Bowker was born in 1855, in Charlestown, N. H., and was educated in the schools of his native place. For the past twelve years he has been identified with the hotel business. first as the proprietor of the old Windsor, at Holyoke, Mass., which he ran from 1878 to 18SS. In 1884 he opened the Winthrop Hotel, Meriden, afterward started the Mellin House, Fall River, Mass., and later the Hotel Hamilton, at Holyoke, Mass., all of which, in company with his brother, he still carries on.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
Leonard H. Bradley, son of Major and Rosella (Baker) Bradley, was born in Branford, Conn., in 1840. At the age of nine years he went to live with his uncle, remaining seven years. He then engaged as apprentice with J. W. Russell, carriage manufacturer, Meriden, and served four years, after which he went to Plainville for a year and from there enlisted in Company G, 6th Connecticut Volunteers, serv- ing four years. At the close of the war he returned to Meriden, con- tinuing to follow the carriage making business, and March 4th, 1889, established business for himself as a member of the firm of Stickney & Bradley. He married Martha M., daughter of William Talmage, of Cheshire, Conn. He was elected alderman in 1886 and in 1888.
J. H. Breckenridge, son of Reuben and Sylvia (Cutter) Brecken- ridge, was born in Ware, Mass., in 1826, and came to Meriden in 1849. He was foreman of what was the Curtis, Morgan & Co. Lock Com- pany, then engaged in the machinery and tool manufacturing busi- ness which was later merged into the Meriden Machine Company. He afterward engaged in manufacturing powder flasks, etc., under firm name of Frary. Benham & Co., and then was for six years salesman for Edward Miller & Co. In 1865 he erected the building where the Meriden Silver Plate Company are, and sold it to J. H. Canfield & Co., hardware manufacturers, of which firm he was a member. In 1868 he built his present factory and manufactured special hardware and sheet metal goods, under the firm name of Breckenridge & Co., until 1886. In 1872 he sold out his manufacturing business and built a foundry which he ran for ten years, then began manufacturing again, also carrying on the foundry business. Since January, 1887, they have been manufacturers of gas fixtures and art metal goods. Mr. Breckenridge married Lydia, daughter of Drake Brockett, of Green, N. Y., formerly of Meriden. He has served as alderman two terms, and was first president of the Y. M. C. A., and connected with it for 15 years.
J. R. Briggs, son of Delavan and Almira (Dockstader) Briggs, was born in New York city in 1859, and was educated in the public schools. He came to Meriden in 1885 and established the drug busi- ness which he has since carried on. He is also secretary of Sands Ventilating Fan Company.
F. S. Brooks, son of Thomas and Louisa (Smith) Brooks, was born in 1857 in Meriden, and was educated in the common schools and at Yale Business College, New Haven. He has been employed for the past 14 years by the Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Company and for the past eight years has had charge of the salesroom.
William O. Butler, son of Eli and Juliette (Ives) Butler, was born in 1851 in Meriden, educated in the Meriden schools, at the "Gun- nery." Washington, Conn., and at Williston Academy, Easthampton, Mass. He was first employed by tlie Wilcox Silver Plate Company, then engaged in the shoe business a number of years, and afterward
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
had charge of the Gas Company until the fall of 1887. He served as alderman one term. Hle married Nellie A., daughter of A. J. Foster, of Westerly, R. I.
Bela Carter, son of Silas J. and Ruth (Vining) Carter, was born February 6th, 1828, at Hardwick, Worcester county, Mass., and was educated in the common schools of his native place. He learned his trade in Palmer, Mass., in 1846, then spent two years in Springfield, Mass., and came to Meriden in 1850. In 1852 he established business for himself, and was the first in the state that put in paper hangings in connection with the painting business. He held the office of first selectman during the war, was councilman 1 year, chairman of school committee 6 years, treasurer of military fund 4 years, alderman for 4 successive years, assessor 6 years, and notary public for the past 30 years. When 16 years of age he began teaching penmanship. He married December 5th, 1850, Mary J., daughter of Captain Butler Barrett of Belchertown, Mass.
J. H. Chase was born in 1847 in Minot, Maine. He came to Meri- den in 1886, and has since been superintendent and later also secre- tary of the Æolian Organ & Music Company. He was for seven years with the Mason & Hamlin Organ Company, and has been in the Automatic Organ business since it started. He is married to Emma R., daughter of A. M. Hitchcock, of Boston, Mass.
Henry J. Church, son of James and Hulda (Barnes) Church, was born in East Haven, Conn., August 1st, 1831. At the age of 17 he came to Meriden as apprentice for George R. Willmot, in the furni- ture and undertaking business, served his time and worked in Mr. Willmot's employ a few years. Afterward he worked for the Charles Parker Company a year or two, and about two years for Snow, Brooks & Co., manufacturers. He was next employed again in the furniture business up to the time the war broke out. He served three years in the 15th Connecticut Infantry, and after being mustered out, came home, and in the fall of 1865 bought out William M. Smith, then in the undertaking business, which he has since carried on, and which is the oldest undertaking establishment in Meriden. He married Elizabeth A., daughter of Luke T. and Elizabeth Draper, of Massa- chusetts. Since he has been in the business he has buried more people than the population of Meriden was at the time he started.
E. B. Clark, son of Lewis E. and Eliza (Benjamin) Clark, was born in 1841, in Milford, Conn., and was educated in the Milford schools and at boarding school at Dudley, Conn. He was for a time employed in New Haven as clerk in the grocery and meat business. He en- listed in the 27th Connecticut Volunteers, served his time, and in 1863 started a store in Birmingham, Conn. In the spring of 1865 he came to South Meriden, where he has since carried on the mercantile busi- ness, and for the past 15 years has been postinaster. He married Sarah L., daughter of Evans Williams, of Birmingham, Conn. His
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
father was a carriage painter by trade, but his health failing, he en- gaged in farming, and died when E. B. was five years old. His grand- father was Thomas Clark. His great-grandfather, Elisha Clark, did service as coast guard during the revolutionary war. His great-grand- inother was a Beach, and lived to be 93 years of age.
George L. Clark, son of Lyman and Mary S. (Highby) Clark, was born in 1841, in Westfield, Conn., and was educated in common schools and academy. He came with his father to Meriden when he was seven years old. He carried on the machine business four years, under the firm name of N. C. Stiles & Co., making power presses, dies and general machinery, afterward carried on the coal business for a few years, and for the past 15 years has dealt largely in horses from the West and North. He carries on the Silver City Stock Farm. When his father came to Meriden he took up his residence where George L. now resides. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, but followed the lumber and coal business, and at one time ran a planing mill. He was born in Westfield, August 16th, 1810, and died in Meri- den, February 10th, 1884. George L. first married Fannie, daughter of Cyrus Burroughs, of Meriden. His present wife is Junietta M., daughter of David L. Sawyer, of Deep River, Conn.
William S. Clark, son of William L. and Elizabeth N. (Dunham) Clark, was born in Middletown, Conn., in 1857, and was educated at the Middletown High School. He apprenticed himself to the city en- gineer of Middletown, remaining with him for four years, and has since followed civil engineering. His first railroad work was with the Air Line road, on bridge work, afterward on the Hartford & Con- necticut River extension, and later on the Meriden & Cromwell and Meriden & Waterbury roads. He was then elected street commis- sioner of the city of Middletown, and after serving in that capacity for 15 months, resigned to engage on work for the Meriden & Waterbury railroad, having charge of the first division of construction. He came to Meriden in 1887, was appointed city engineer in January, 1888, and reappointed in 1889, 1890 and 1891.
John W. Coe, son of Ebenezer J. and Phebe (Birdsey) Coe, was born in Middlefield, Conn., in 1841. He was first employed with Parker Brothers in the butcher business, and afterward with Deacon John Yale. In 1861 he established business for himself under the firm name of Coe & Hall, which continued about three years. Afterward he started the city market firm of Coe & Cahill. Since 1875 he has carried on a wholesale butcher business under the firm name of Bar- tholomew & Coe. He married Sarah A., daughter of Elisha Williams, of Wallingford, Conn. He has for many years been a director in the First National Bank.
W. R. Coe, son of Calvin and Harriet (Rice) Coe, was born in 1839, in Meriden, and was educated in the common schools and at Suffield Literary Institution, graduating in 1860. He then began business on
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
the farm where he was born, and remained there until 1870, when he located on the Bradley place, and in 1888 moved to his present place. He married Mary E., daughter of Amon Andrews, of Meriden. Amon Andrews ran the old grist mill known as Andrews' mill. which was also carried on by his father before him.
C. H. Collins, son of Lyman and Elizabeth (Carter) Collins, was born in Meriden in 1823, was educated at John D. Post's Meriden Academy, and taught school one winter. He was employed in the office of Isbell, Curtis & Co., manufacturers of door handles and locks, afterward changed to Curtis, Morgan & Co., and later removed to Norwalk, Conn., and known as the Norwalk Lock Company. He continued with them about two years, then went to Hartford for about two years in the Yankee notion business, afterward engaged with Butler & Collins in the grocery business, then established for himself under the firm name of A. L. & C. H. Collins, afterward Collins & Co., then Collins & Brooks, then C. H. Collins. He after- ward was connected with J. Wilcox & Co., woolen manufacturers, for ten years, and in 1875 again started in the grocery business, which has since been carried on under the firm name of Collins & Miller. He was at one time a director in the Home National Bank, also in the J. Wilcox & Co. woolen manufacturing company. He married Sarah C., daughter of James S. Brooks, of Meriden.
Reuben T. Cook, son of Ossian and Lucy (Pardee) Cook, was born in 1840 in Wallingford, Conn., and was educated in the common schools of Northford, and at Durham high school. He was brought up on his father's farm until 18 years old, then learned the carpenter trade, and at the age of 21 carried on business in Wallingford for one year. In 1862 he came to Meriden, working in a meat market, then ran the up town branch of S. J. Hall's feed business, and later estab- lished a grocery business under the firm name of Ives & Cook, which continued for five years. Mr. Ives then sold his interest, and Mr. Cook continued the business alone for 11 years. February 11th, 1884, he established a wholesale fruit business under the firm name of Curtis & Cook, which is still carried on. Mr. Cook represented the town in the legislature in 1883, and the same year went to California with the St. Elmo Knights Templars. He has been selectman, and has since been elected to various offices, all of which he has declined. He married Elnora M1., daughter of Richard Miller, of Meriden, and their children are: Althea M., Lulu (died in infancy), Florence and Vergil M.
Robert H. Curtis was born in 1845 in Meriden, educated in the common schools of Meriden, and at Cheshire Academy, and graduated from Trinity College, Hartford, in the class of '68. He was principal of Plattsville graded school until 1873, and since that time has been secretary and treasurer of the Meriden Silver Plate Company. He served two years as alderman, being chairman of finance committee.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
afterward auditor, and for a number of years a member of board of school visitors.
Samuel Dodd, son of Samuel and Frances (Bull) Dodd, was born in 1834, at Hartford, Conn., and was educated in the common and high schools of Hartford. He was for five years employed in the drug business of Lee & Butler, Hartford, was afterward in the City Bank, Hartford, as teller and discount clerk, and in 1857 came to Meriden as cashier in the Home National Bank. He is at present secretary and treasurer of the Wilcox Silver Plate Company. He is a director in the Home Bank and secretary and treasurer of the Meriden Gas Com- pany since its organization. He married Catherine, daughter of James S. Brooks, of Meriden. Mr. Dodd has· served as a member of the state legislature.
E. J. Doolittle, son of Reverend E. J. and Jane E. (Sage) Doolittle, was born in Hebron, Conn., in 1845, and was educated at the Guilford Institute. He has been engaged in the manufacture of paper boxes in Meriden since 1862. He served as alderman two terms, as mayor for five consecutive terms, as state senator in 1887 and 1888. He is a director in the Home National Bank and the Meriden Fire Insurance Company. He married Martha W., daughter of George Couch, of Meriden.
John E. Durand, son of George A. and Eunice (Clark) Durand, was born in 1833, in Cheshire, Conn., and was educated in the common schools. His father died when he was eight years old and he went to live with a farmer in Cheshire. When 15 years of age he came to Meriden to work for a Mr. Griswold, bone button maker, and lived with him and attended school in Hanover. He learned the joiner's trade, working for his brother, then went to Waterbury, finishing his trade there and working for the Waterbury Lumber & Coal Com- pany for 17 years. In 1862 he enlisted in the 14th Connecticut Volunteers, serving a little over one year; was injured at Bell Plain Landing, Va., and discharged from the service with a pension from that day, April, 1863. Returning to Waterbury he remained there until 1869, when he came to Meriden and engaged with the Meriden Steam Mill & Lumber Company, of which he was secretary and treas- urer one year. He afterward traveled for one year for C. P. Colt, in the patent medicine business, was then elected constable of the town of Meriden, holding that office one year, and at the same time was engaged in the real estate business, which he has carried on ever since. He has been a Mason for 20 years, and is a member of the G. A. R. He married Roxanna S., daughter of Doctor M. D. Root, of Waterbury, and granddaughter of Elder Samuel Potter, who was the old pioneer Baptist preacher of Woodbridge and Salem.
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