History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I, Part 75

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.)
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: N. Y. : W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 966

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 75
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 75

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).

John A. Hurley, born in 1854 at New Haven, Conn., is a son of William and Ellen (Ray) Hurley. He was employed in the dry goods business with Edward Malley, New Haven, Conn., from 1871 to 1879, and from January, 1879, was employed as bookkeeper for McMahon & Wren, wholesale liquor dealers, Bridgeport, Conn. He was admitted to the firin February 1st, 1886, the firm name becoming McMahon, Wren & Co., and went to Meriden June 1st, 1888, to take active part in the management of the Meriden Brewing Company. He married Margaret A., daughter of Thomas S. Byrne, of New Haven. The Meriden Brewing Company was organized in 1887. The members of the company were J. H. MeMahon and P. W. Wren, of the wholesale liquor firm of McMahon, Wren & Co., Bridgeport, Conn., and W. E. Green and J. A. Hurley. The company advanced and developed more rapidly than any other brewery in the country. In a little over two years they built up a business that reached into every corner of this state, and that extended to all or nearly all the commercial centers of the country. It is the largest brewery between New York and Boston, and possesses an annual produeing capacity of 100.000 barrels. One great advantage it has over other breweries is that the beer is made from spring water obtained from wells located on the premises. Its plant is in every way superior to that of any other brewery in New England. Mr. Green left the concern January 1st, 1891. The com- pany, with A. Wintter & Co., of Bridgeport, formed a joint stock com- pany under the title of The Connecticut Breweries Company, October 18th, 1890. The corporation purchased all the property of both con- cerns. Peter W. Wren is president; A. Wintter, secretary and treas- urer; J. A. Hurley, manager of Meriden Brewery.

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Isaac B. Hyatt, son of Roswell and Elizabeth (Curtis) Hyatt, was born in 1848 in Norwalk, Conn., and was educated in the common schools. He enlisted in the 17th Connecticut Volunteers in January, 1864, and was mustered out in July, 1865. He then returned to Nor- walk and came to Meriden in 1867. He learned his trade of Britannia working with the Meriden Britannia Company.

Julius I. Ives, of Sonth Meriden, son of Jotham and Mary R. (Way) Ives, was born in 1842 on the farm where he now lives, and was educated in the common schools. He went South for two winters and was in the lumber business, connected with the Wilmington Lumber Company. Since that time he has carried on farming. He married Mary A., daughter of William Johnson, of Middletown. His father was born in Meriden, located on his farm at South Meriden (then called Hanover) in 1830, and died in 1863. His mother died in 1878.

James Kane, son of James and Mary (Keating) Kane, was born in 1836, in Ireland, and came to America when 15 years of age. His par- ents died in Ireland. After remaining a short time in New York he located at Hartford, Conn., where he learned his trade of James S. Hooker. He then went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., as foreman for sev- eral contractors, among whom were William Harlow and Jared & Boyd, of Newburgh, N. Y., afterward returned to Hartford and was foreman for Joel Hills & Brother. In 1864 he came to Meriden and was foreman for Robert Oughton. In 1868 he established business for himself, and about 1881 returned to Hartford, on account of his health, where he carried on business until 1885, when he again came to Meriden, where he has since carried on business. In 1887 he went to Florida on account of his health, and while there superintended the mason work on the Ponce De Leon Hotel, at St. Augustine. He was foreman on the Meriden woolen mill, built the Æolian Organ & Music Company's factory, assisted in building the Meriden Britannia and the Wilcox & White Organ Company's buildings, erected buildings for Edward Miller & Co., built the convent school and addition to the Catholic church. On a wager that he could lay 3,000 brick in a day, he once performed what is called the greatest feat on record, at Bridgeport, by laying 3,500 brick in 5 hours and 35 minutes. He has served as councilman. He married Bridget, daughter of James and Mary Whalen, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and their children are: James T., Robert E., William M., Joseph P., Mamie E. and Kittie B. James T. was born in 1862, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and was only two years old when he came to Meriden. He learned his trade with his father, and has been a member of the firm of James Kane & Son for the past eight years. In 1888 he was elected alderman.

Silas W. Kent, son of Chester G. and Polly (Bly) Kent, was born in 1850, in Remsen, Oneida county, N. Y., and was educated at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., graduating in 1872. He came to Mer- iden in 1873, and has since been connected with the Beecher Manufac-

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

turing Company, and is now the manufacturer of the Blizzard horse shoe ice creeper. He married Mary E., daughter of Elisha and Rox- anna Chapman, of Southington, Conn.

WVm. Wallace Lee was born July 20th, 1828, in Barkhamsted, Litchfield county, Conn., and is the second son in a family of five sons and one daughter that grew to maturity. He is of the fifth genera- tion from John Lee, who came from Colchester, England, in 1634, and was one of the original proprietors of Farmington, Conn., in 1641. His education was obtained in the common schools. He learned the machinist trade, and has always followed it as a journeyman. He was five years a constable, two years a justice of the peace, four years alderman and two years a member of the legislature. He was mar- ried, July 24th, 1851, to Mary Jane Carrington, of an old New Haven county family. They had three sons (all died young) and one daugh- ter, now the wife of Edwin E. Smith, business manager of the Meri- den Republican. In politics Mr. Lee is a republican. He was a dele- gate to the first republican convention in Connecticut, and voted for Fremont, Lincoln and Horace Greeley.

Isaac C. Lewis, son of Isaac and Esther (Beaumont) Lewis, was born in Meriden in 1812, and was educated in the common schools. He was first president of the Meriden Britannia Company, continuing in that office for 12 years. He represented the town in the legisla- ture four terms, and was twice mayor of Meriden. He married Har- riet, daughter of Noah Pomeroy, of Meriden.

Lew Allen Lipsette was born in 1852 in New York city, and was educated at the College of New York. He came to Meriden about twenty years ago. He married Amelia E., daughter of Jacob Urick, of Meriden. He has editorial charge of the Meriden Daily Journal.

George H. Lohmann, son of Carl and Minna (Taeger) Lohmann, was born in 1847. in Brunswick, Germany, was educated in the com- mon schools of his native town, and learned the wood engraving busi- ness. He came to America in 1872, locating first in New York, where he followed his trade for about three years. In 1875 he came to Mer- iden, establishing himself in the wood engraving business under the firm name of Sanford & Co., which continued for four years. In 1879 Mr. Lohmann made a contract with the Meriden Britannia Company as engraver. He was elected alderman in 1887. He married Annie Schrader, of Brunswick, Germany. Mr. Lohmann served one year in the German Prussian war. His father is a pensioner, having served the German government for 50 years.

Reverend Paul F. M'Alenney, son of Bernard and Mary (Cassidy) M'Alenney, was born March 8th, 1848, in the north of Ireland. His father died in Ireland in 1851, and his mother and family came to America. They landed in New York, where they resided a short time, and then located in Waterbury, Conn., where they remained several years, and finally removed to Plainville, Conn., where the

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

mother died in 1869. He went to live, when about twelve years of age, with relatives in Manchester, Conn., where he attended a public school for a short time. He learned the blacksmith trade, and having finished, returned to the home of his mother in Waterbury, moved to Plainville, and remained with the family until her death. He entered St. Francis' College, Brooklyn, N. Y., where he graduated with honors in 1871. The following year he studied at St. Bonaventure's College, Alleghany, N. Y. He completed his studies in Montreal College and the Grand Seminary, and was ordained December 23d, 1876. His first charge was as assistant pastor of St. Peter's, Hartford, Conn., until August, 1881. He was appointed pastor of St. Paul's church, Kensing- ton, with Plainville as a mission. During his pastorate of Kensington and Plainville he paid over $5,000 debt and made many needed im- provements in the former, and in the latter he organized the parish, secured the land, built the church of Our Lady of Mercy, and left the property, which cost about $15,000, entirely free of debt. He was ap- pointed pastor of St. Rose's church, Meriden, and took charge Febru- ary 22d, 1885. During his years in Meriden he built the Church of the Holy Angels, South Meriden, erected a convent chapel for the Sisters, remodelled the schools and church, built a boiler house from which all the buildings are heated, purchased 50 acres of land at the city limit on Broad street, for a cemetery, and secured land in the western part of the city, where he intends soon to erect a church and school.

John McWeeney, born in 1842 in Ireland, is a son of Thomas and Catherine (McKeon) McWeeney. He came to America in 1858, locat- ing in Branford, and came to Meriden in 1859. He was employed by the Meriden Cutlery Company for 16 years, and established a coal and wood business, under the firm name of McWeeney & Sabin, in 1873. He has also been engaged in the insurance business since 1886. He was elected councilman in 1887 and alderman in 1889, and has been a member of the town board of relief since 1886. He married Mary, daughter of Edward Burke, of Cheshire, Conn.

C. J. Mansfield, M. D., born in 1843 in Brooklyn, N. Y., is a son of Charles and Eliza (Buckingham) Mansfield, the latter a cousin of Governor Buckingham, of Connecticut. He was educated at the high school, Sheffield, Mass., and graduated from New York Homeopathic Medical College in 1868. For two years he practiced in New York city, and in 1870 came to Meriden. He is a member of the Connecticut State Medical Society. He married Emma, daughter of George W. Lyon, of Meriden.

Edward M. Merriam. son of Alvah and Mary A. (Sperry) Merriam, was born November 1st, 1843, in Woodbury, Litchfield county, Conn., was educated in the schools of Woodbury, Meriden, and Washington Academy, and has followed farming in Meriden. He has served as clerk and treasurer of Northwest school district. His father was born in Meriden on the farm where Edward M. lives, in 1799, was brought

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

up on the farm until 21, then started in the peddling business, which he followed until shortly after he settled again in Meriden, in 1861. After that he followed farming, and died in 1878. He kept store in Woodbury from 1830 to 1850, where he manufactured goods and sent out peddlers, then followed the wholesale Yankee notion business for ten years. His grandfather, Amasa Merriam, bought the farm place in Meriden in 1795 for £300.

George C. Merriam, son of Nelson and Rosetta (Couch) Merriam, was born in Meriden in 1834, and received a common school educa- tion. In 1851 he went to New York in the employ of Hopkins, Allen & Co., remaining until 1859, then went to Wilmington, N. C., entering business as a member of the firm of J. M. McCarter & Co. The day Sumter was fired on he came home, and in July, 1862. en- listed in and was appointed second lieutenant of Company A, 15th Connecticut Regiment. He was promoted to first lieutenant of Com- pany E, in 1864 was made captain in the 8th Regiment, and in 1865 was mustered out. At the expiration of a year he went to Vermont, engaging in the lumber business for two years, then returned to Mer- iden. After spending one year in the office of Foster, Merriam & Co., he went to Nevada, and two years later returned to Meriden and en- tered the office of the Charles Parker Company, remaining there eight years. On the death of Albert Foster, he became secretary and treas- urer of Foster, Merriam & Co. He has served six years as councilman and two years as alderman. He married Helen R., daughter of Charles and Sarah Bradley.

Eli I. Merriman, son of Ira and Elizabeth (Hubbard) Merriman, was born in Meriden in 1837, and was educated at the Meriden Acad- emy. He was clerk in the grocery business for Collins & Co. for about five years, then engaged in hoop skirt manufacturing in the firm of J. Wilcox & Co., which was afterward made a joint stock company for making balmoral skirts, Mr. Merriman being secretary and treasurer of the company. They afterward went into the woolen business as the Meriden Woolen Company, of which he was for five years secre- tary and treasurer. Since 1879 he has been secretary and treasurer of the Meriden Malleable Iron Company. He married Mary Ely, daugh- ter of N. F. and Nancy (Ely) Miller, of Bloomfield, Conn.

Wallace A. Miles, son of Almeron and Caroline (Lawrence) Miles, was born in 1841 in Southington, Conn., where his parents temporar- ily resided, moving to Meriden when he was six months old. He was educated by private tutor and at Meriden Academy. He was first em- ployed as clerk in the Meriden post office under Postmasters Vale and Asel H. Curtis. He afterward for many years had charge of shipping for the Charles Parker Company, then went into the hardware and crockery business in the firm of Birdsey & Miles, who were also manu- facturers of stationers' hardware. In the spring of 1876 they dissolved partnership, Mr. Miles taking the manufacturing business, which he

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continued until 1888. He was collector of taxes for 1875, '76 and '77, has been assessor of town and city since 1877, is a member of the board of compensation for the city, to which place he was unani- mously chosen by the city council in 1886, was a member of the legis- lature in 1875, '76 and '77, and was elected mayor in 1888. He enlisted in the 27th Regiment in April, 1862, and went out in October, return- ing in August, 1863. He married Angeline Patterson, of Bloomfield, Conn.

William H. Miller was born April 29th, 1822, at Ramapo Works, Rockland county, N. Y. He attended a private school until he was 16 years old, when he engaged with the Colts Patent Fire Arms Com- pany, at Paterson, N. J., to learn the trade of gun maker, continuing with them until the spring of 1841. He then went to Chicopee Falls, Mass., and was employed by the Ames Manufacturing Company in the manufacture of the Jenks breech loading carbine. In the fall of 1843 he went to Mill Creek, Pa., in the armory of a Mr. Nippes, who manufactured muskets for the government. In the spring of 1844 he engaged in company with Mr. Hosea Ball, to make the tools and start up the rifle manufactory at Cincinnati, O., of John Griffeth, who had a contract with the government to make 5,000 rifles. After completing this work, Mr Miller returned in the fall of 1844 to Paterson, and in the spring of 1845 went to Chicopee, Mass., to work on pin machinery for Charles Benedict and William Ball. In the fall of the same year he engaged at Springfield Armory, Mass., to work on tools for a new carbine under the superintendence of Cyrus Buckland. In the sum- mer of 1846 he was engaged by Colonel Samuel Colt to work on his pistols at Whitneyville, this county. When the business was removed to Hartford in 1847, Mr. Miller went with it as a contractor to make the lock work of pistols. While at Hartford Joshua Stevens (now president of the Stevens Tool & Fire Arms Company, of Chicopee Falls) and Mr. Miller made an improvement in revolving pistols and had it patented. In the fall of 1849 they formed what is called the Massachusetts Arms Company, and engaged in the manufacture of these pistols, which he continued until 1862, when he was engaged as superintendent of the gun manufactory of Parker, Snow, Brooks & Co., at Meriden. In 1864-5 he made several inventions and improve- ments in fire arms, one of which is now the celebrated Parker Shot Gun. Another, invented in company with his brother, George W. Miller, is the cartridge extractor now used in the Springfield musket. In 1848, in company with his brother, George W., Mr. Miller engaged in the manufacture of pocket cutlery, and in 1870 formed the Miller Brothers Cutlery Company. He continued in that business until 1885. In January, 1886, Mr. Miller was appointed and commissioned as post- master at Meriden, which position he held until February, 1890.

Henry L. Morehouse, son of Cyrus A. and Cornelia (Canfield) More- house, was born in 1845 in New Milford, Conn., and graduated from

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Eastman's College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He learned his trade in Bridgeport with his brother, and in 1869 established business for him self in New Haven. Since 1872 he has carried on the contracting and building business in Meriden. He married Mattie C., daughter of Charles D. Wright, of Meriden.

George N Morse, son of Joseph and Lucy (Hall) Morse, was born in Meriden October 16th, 1853, and was educated in the common schools of Meriden and at Connecticut Literary Institution, Suffield. He first worked in a paint store a short time, was afterward employed in the Meriden Britannia Company, then in the grocery business, and later with his father in the hardware business. After his father sold out he went to New York and worked for A. T. Stewart, and after- ward with the Whiting Manufacturing Company. Returning to Meriden, he established himself in the fire insurance business, which he carried on for ten years. He then engaged in the real estate business for one year in the West, and in January, 1884, established the furniture business in Meriden, which he has since carried on. He was elected to the senate in 1888 by the largest plurality ever given in his district for a democratic candidate. He ran for city clerk, also · for alderman, and in 1889 was democratic candidate for mayor. He was correspondent for the New York Mirror and the Turf, Field & Farm, contributing a number of valuable articles to the latter; was delegate from his town at the state convention at Hartford, to choose delegates to the national convention, and was a member of Charter Oak Hose, Volunteer Fire Department. He is a descendant of John Morse, one of the founders of Wallingford in 1670, a deputy and com- missioner to the general court for 14 years, and who died in 1707.at the age of 103. On his maternal side, are Governor Johnathan Law, and Brenton Hall, first representative from Meriden in 1806. Mr. Morse married Mary A., daughter of John C. Byxbee, of Meriden.

D. K. Murphy was born April 13th, 1841, in Rome, N. Y., and was educated at Springfield, Mass., where he lived from the time he was 2} years old until about 21, when he learned the cigar making trade in Westfield, Mass., working at that until 1872. He then went into the millinery and fancy goods business for a year in Middletown, Conn., and in the fall of 1873 came to Meriden, and in January, 1874, established the millinery business in Meriden, which he carried on four years. Since that time he has been in the undertaking business, also fire insurance business since 1886. He served as a member of the water board two years. He married Anna B., daughter of Edward Comer, of Winchester, N. H., and for many years a resident of Keene, N. H.

J. S. Norton, Jr., son of J. S. & Anna M. (Sage) Norton, was born in Guilford, Conn., January 31st, 1851. He left Guilford when he was 10 years of age and has since resided in Meriden. He entered the Home Bank in 1866, filling various positions up to cashier, which position he has held since 1881.

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Samuel D. Otis, M. D., son of Israel S. and Caroline (Dickinson) Otis, was born in 1856 at Old Saybrook, Conn., was educated at the University of New York, graduating from the medical department in 1876. He began practice in Tuckerton, N. J., and in the spring of 1877 located in Meriden, where he has since practiced. He is a member of state, county and city medical societies. His preceptor was Doctor John H. Granniss, of Old Saybrook. He was elected alderman in 1887. He married Mary, daughter of Doctor Edward C. Newport, of Meriden.

William Parker was born in 1825 in Hartford, Conn. His father moved from Hartford to Albany, N. Y., and from there to New Haven, where he died. William, at the age of 11 years, went to Wallingford, where he was brought up on a farm, and afterward worked in the shop of Hall & Elton. He established a livery business, under the firm name of Bartholomew & Parker. In 1853 he came to Meriden, where he also carried on the livery business for 10 years in the rear of where the old Central Hotel stood. He afterward kept the Meriden House stables for five years, and in 1868 started the business on West Main street, which he sold out in 1873, on account of his health. He served four years in the council and was assessor two years. He married Nancy L. Whiting, of Branford, Conn.

C. W. Patten, son of William and Louisa (Harrison) Patten, was born in 1845 at Montville, Conn., and was educated at old Bacon Acad- emy, Colchester. He worked for Clark & Smith, New London, Conn., for a number of years, and about 18 years ago came to Meriden and established a butcher business, which he has since continued. He married for his first wife Elizabeth, daugliter of Allen Sisson, of Say- brook, Conn., and for his second Mary G., daughter of John Kinder, of Meriden.

James M. Perkins, son of Russell G. and Sarah (Bartlett) Perkins, was born in 1823, in Ludlow, Mass. His father moved to Pittstown, N. Y., where James M. went to school. His father afterward moved to Franklin, N. Y. James M. learned his trade of carpenter and joiner in Oneonta, N. Y., and afterward engaged in putting in water wheels at different places on the Delaware. Later he was engineer on the New York & Erie railroad. He came to Meriden about 35 years ago, taking charge of the hammer forging at what was then Parker & Per- kins, now the Charles Parker Company, spoon shop, East Meriden, of which he is now superintendent. He has served on the board of re- lief. He married, first, Almira Allen, of Gilboa, N. Y. His present wife is Abby E., daughter of Edward O. Belden, of Meriden.

Reverend J. T. Pettee was born in the town of Sharon, Norfolk county, Mass., September 5th, 1822. His father was Tyler Pettee, son of Hezekiah and Chloe (Ware) Pettee, of Foxboro, Mass. His mother was Esther M., daughter of John Hews, of Foxboro, and Esther Mann, of Wrentham. Mr. Pettee was educated at the district school, Rice's Academy, Newton and Holliston, Lowell high school and Wesleyan

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University, Middietown, Conn. His life has been devoted to preach- ing, writing, superintending and teaching. He has served as judge of probate, selectman and school superintendent. He was married, October 26th, 1843, to Mariette R. Clark, of Meriden. They have had but one child, Emily Parker Pettee, deceased. Mr. Pettee is a democrat in politics and a Methodist in religion.

August Pistorius, son of August and Charlotte (Weaver) Pistorius, was born in Prussia in 1829. He learned the tailoring trade in the city of Berlin, served from 1849 to 1853 in the Prussian army, and came to America in 1855, locating first in New Haven. In October, 1855, he came to Meriden and was employed by Joseph Stevens in the tailoring business. Mr. Pistorius started business in 1870 as a mem- ber of the firm of Pistorius & O'Neil, which continued one year, since which time he has conducted business alone. He married Catherine, daughter of Conrad Fisher, of Germany. She died December, 1863. His present wife, Louisa, is a sister of his first wife. The children living by first wife are Henry and Charles, and by present wife: Louisa, Gussie, Annie, William, Minnie and Frederick. Mr. Pistorius has been Corner School District committee since 1883. He was one of the originators of the first German Lutheran church, was elected chairman of the meeting and afterward chairman of the trustees, which position he held while a member of that church. He was one of the original starters of the German Mutual Aid Society and held the office of treasurer for the first eleven years, afterward was presi- dent and is now trustee. He is a member of St. Elmo Commandery, No. 9, K. T., of Meriden, Conn.

James T. Pomeroy, son of Noah and Nancy (Merriman) Pomeroy, was born in Meriden in 1827, and was brought up on his father's farm, where he has always lived and followed farming. The old homestead is supposed to be nearly 200 years old, and was moved a short distance from the old site in 1882, when he built his present house. He mar- ried Delilah F., daughter of William H. Guild, who was engaged in the steam pump business for 35 years, in Brooklyn, N. Y., and who came to Meriden in 1846. Their children are: Leanora E., married J. H. Beckett, of Meriden; Nellie J., married R. J. Molloy, of Meriden; Carrie F., died 1881, and was the wife of David Flansburgh, of Meriden; and Charles Lewis and William H. Pomeroy. His father, Noah Pomeroy, was born in Saybrook, Conn., and was a son of Charles Pomeroy, a merchant of that place. The family trace their ancestry back to the eleventh century to a distinguished Norman knight, who fought at the battle of Hastings under William. After the death of his father, Noah Pomeroy moved with his mother to Meriden in 1818. In his early days he peddled tin ware, and afterward engaged in its manufacture, which he carried on for over 20 years. His sons after- ward conducted the business for about 18 years, when they sold out. His son, Norman, afterward engaged in the grocery business, which

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History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I, Part 75

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.) Publication date: 1892 Publisher: N. Y. : W. W. Preston Number of Pages: 966

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.)
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: N. Y. : W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 966