History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 32

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.)
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York : W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 1138

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 32
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 32

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).

267

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

William Shakespeare), and was made a freeman in Massachusetts, but afterward, in 1639, settled in the Connecticut township, to which the family gave the name of Stratford in honor of the English town from which they had emigrated. The town of Avon, N. Y., was also named by descendants of William Beardsley, who settled there, in honor of the old river in England. William Beardsley was a deputy for Strat- ford in 1645, and for seven years thereafter, and was a man of much prominence in early colonial times. He died in 1660, at the age of 56, leaving three children. The succession in the line of the subject of this sketch was through Joseph Beardsley, the youngest son. The generations from Joseph were John, Andrew, Henry, William Henry and Charles, the latter being the father of Charles W. Beardsley, the present subject. Charles W. is the oldest of a family of eight chil- dren, the brothers and sisters being the following, all of whom are now living and residents of Milford, except as otherwise stated: Abi- gail, now the wife of Charles R. Baldwin, of Milford; Alvira, Heze- kiah, an extensive contractor and builder in Milford; George, now residing in New Haven; Theodore, a prominent builder of Springfield, Mass .; Sarah J. wife of Edward Clark, of Milford; and Frederick, the youngest.

Mr. Charles W. Beardsley was educated in the common and select schools of his native town, and commenced learning the shoe business at the age of 15, which he followed for 18 years. His health partially failing by close confinement in his work, he engaged in the stock and produce business, importing the same from Montreal, Canada; and continued this business twelve years. He then bought one of the best farms in the town of Milford, and is engaged in the seed business for Peter Henderson & Company, of New York city. Mr. Beardsley has bred some of the finest Jersey cattle that have appeared in America, and for which he has obtained large prices. He has held the offices of town agent and first selectman for twelve successive years, and was one of the directors of the Milford Savings Bank. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge in Milford, a member of the board of educa- tion and a director of the Steam Power Manufacturing Company. He has been a member of the fire department for 22 years, and a member of the Second Company, Governor's Foot Guards (organized 1775) un- der Governor Buckingham. He was elected a member of the house of representatives of Connecticut by the democratic party in 1889 for two years, and served on the railroad committee, and was commissioner on the Washington bridge. He gave a full history of the old bridge, and when the bill came before the house to have the structure made a free bridge, supported by New Haven and Fairfield counties, he made a strong argument in favor of the free bridge system, and the bill was passed. He was reëlected a member of the house of representatives for the years 1891-2, and is again a member of the railroad committee, and he accepted from Governor Bulkeley an appointment as shell-fish commissioner.

268

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Mr. Beardsley joined the First Congregational church at Milford in the year 1850, and is esteemed in his native town and in the town where he resides, and wherever known, as an honorable and upright citizen. He married Sarah, daughter of Elnathan Baldwin, of Milford, in 1850, and has the following children: De Witt Clinton, who mar- ried Miss Martha P Avery, of Stratford, and has three children, Medo- rah H., Maud C. and Stanley A. Beardsley; Sarah Etta, who married Charles Clark, of Milford, and had two children, George W. and El- wood R. Clark; and Charles Frederick, the youngest, who resides at home, and is in company with his father in the seed business. The Beardsley family is a quite numerous one in Connecticut, and in all its branches has maintained the honorable reputation transmitted through succeeding generations from William Beardsley, the venerated an- cestor.

Hezekiah B. Beardsley, born in Stratford, is a brother of Charles W. Beardsley. He came to Milford with his parents when eight years old. He was educated in Milford, and studied mathematics in New Haven with George Beckwith, and architecture one year, then learned the trade of carpenter and builder with Jirah Stowe, of Milford, and finished with Elijah Baldwin. With a son of the latter, George G. Baldwin, Mr. Beardsley carried on the business of building until 1872, and since that time has continued alone. He has built many of the finest residences in Milford and other places. He married Mary, daughter of Marcus Stowe, of Milford, in 1861. They have one daughter, Helen, who married Frederick S. Beardsley, of Stratford. They reside in Brunswick, Georgia, and have one daughter, Helen May. Mr. H. B. Beardsley has been a director of the Milford Savings Bank for the past eight years.

Henry J. Bristol, born in Milford in 1830, is a son of Johnson Bris- tol. The latter established the store now kept by Henry J., on North avenue, Milford, about 1829, and conducted it until 1872, when Henry J. succeeded him. He is a dealer in groceries and feed. He has been assessor and member of the board of relief. He has been treasurer of the Masonic Lodge of Milford for 16 years, and is a member of the Royal Arch Chapter of Birmingham. He married Emma A. Thomas, of New Haven, in 1856. They have three children: Frank T. (in bus- iness in New York), Harry and Lillian F. Mrs. Bristol is a relative of the Kimberly family, of West Haven. Her mother, Mary Kimberly, daughter of Eliakim, of West Haven, married Captain Asahel Thomas.

Phineas S. Bristol, born in Milford, in 1823, was a son of Nehemiah and Elizabeth (Stowe) Bristol), and grandson of Nathan and Anna Bristol. Nathan was a soldier in the revolution, and fought in the battles of Long Island and White Plains. He was a son of Richard and Mary Bristol. Richard was a son of Daniel, whose father, Henry, came from England and settled in New Haven, about 1670. The ma-

269

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

ternal grandfather of Phineas S. Bristol was William Stowe, son of Stephen, who died from disease contracted while nursing the sick soldiers of the revolutionary war. He had four sons in the war: John, Stephen, Jedediah and Samuel. The father of Stephen Stowe was the Reverend Samuel Stowe, who settled and preached in Middletown, Conn., in 1652. He was a son of Deacon John Stowe, who came from England in 1634, settled in Boston, and from there moved to Roxbury in 1839. He was born in England in 1595. He was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery, of Boston, and a inember of the general court of the colony of Massachusetts, in 1639. Phineas S. Bristol was three times married: first to Elizabeth G., daughter of Captain Samuel Tibbals. By her he had one son, Reverend Cornelius Bristol, born in 1863. He is a minister in charge of St. Alban's Epis- copal church in Danielsonville, Conn. Mr. Bristol's second wife was Ann M., daughter of Isaac Baldwin. His third wife is Laura A., daughter of Samuel Peck. Mr. Bristol learned the trade of shoemaker when young, and afterward was a merchant in Wallingford, Conn., in New York city, and then in Milford from 1862 to 1875, when he be- came treasurer of the Milford Savings Bank. He represented Milford in the legislature in 1871, was first selectman in 1870, and was justice of the peace for 25 years. Shortly before the death of Mr. Bristol (which occurred March 14th, 1891), he was made a member of the Connecti- cut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Theodore Bristol, born in Milford in 1837, is a son of Johnson Bris- tol, and grandson of Jehial Bristol, both natives of Milford. He en- gaged in the livery business in Milford in 1873, with I. C. Smith, suc- ceeding Warren Bradley, who succeeded George B. Wheeler, the founder of the livery business in Milford. The firm of Smith & Bris- tol was dissolved in 1878, Mr. Smith retiring. Since this time Mr. Bristol has continued the business alone. He has been twice married: first to Caroline A. Merwin, of Milford. By her he had one daughter, Julia E., who married Walter Irving, of Milford. For his second wife he married Rachel C. Wright, of Clinton, Conn., by whom he has one daughter, Grace L., also one son, Royal M., who died at the age of six years and five months.

William B. Brotherton, born in Milford in 1849, is a son of William Brotherton, of Westport, Conn., who came to Milford in 1838, and was postmaster from 1852 to 1861, and from 1865 to 1869. William B. was educated in Milford, and married Mary A. Chappell, of New London county, Conn., in 1873. They have four children: Harold L., Gracie B., Frank C. and Edward B. Mr. Brotherton was appointed postmaster of Milford in 1887. The office of postmaster has been held in the Brotherton family under all democratic administrations since 1852.

Frank P. Buckingham, born in Milford in 1852, is a son of Daniel, and grandson of Daniel, descendants of Thomas Buckingham, who came from England and settled in Milford in 1639. Frank P. was edu-

270

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

cated in Milford, learned the carpenter's trade when a boy, and has since followed it. He has been boss carpenter of the Milford Straw Manufacturing Company for the last twenty years. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows societies, and a member of the American Provident Union of Milford. He is assessor of taxes. He married Saralı Judd, of Watertown, Conn., in 1875. They have two sons and two daughters: Marion L., Daniel F., Leah J. and For- rester L.

Alonzo W. Burns, son of Samuel L. and grandson of Samuel Burns, was born in Milford in 1840, was educated here and learned the trade of cooper. Since 1875 he has been engaged in the clam and fish trade. He married Maria E. Ford, of Milford. He was elected to the legislature in 1873 and 1891, and has been a member of the board of relief.

WV. Cecil Durand, born in Milford June 15th, 1851, is a son of Cal- vin and Sarah Cecil (Hunter) Durand (the latter a native of Savannalı, Ga.), and grandson of William Durand. Calvin Durand was born in Milford in 1802, and was a merchant in New York 56 years, for 17 years of the firm of Goodhue & Co., 64 South street. His brother, Mason A. Durand, was one of the founders of the National Blues of the city of New Haven. Another brother, William Durand, was sur- veyor of the port of New Haven eight years, was the first democrat elected to the legislature from Milford, and held the offices of judge of probate and town clerk. W. Cecil Durand was educated in New York and New Haven, completing his studies at the Sheffield Scien- tific School of New Haven in 1871. He was elected to the legislature from Milford in 1882, 1883 and 1888. He has been twice married; first to Lizzie C. Ford, of Milford, in 1885. She died August 18th, 1888; and June 17th, 1890, he married Clara Baldwin Clark, of Milford. In July, 1891, he was chosen treasurer and secretary of the Milford Savings Bank. He was a state auditor (Conn.), from July 1st, 1889, to July 1st, 1891.

Dennis Fenn, born in Milford in 1837, is a son of Dan and grand- son of Dan, whose father, Benjamin, was a son of Lieutenant Ben- jamin, all descendants from Benjamin Fenn, the settler of 1639. Dennis' mother was Maria Bradley. He had one brother, George Newton Fenn, who settled in Illinois in 1856. Dennis married, in 1865, Eva M., daughter of Ephraim Brown, of Milford. They have four children: Benjamin, Nathan H., Anna M. and Harry D. Mr. Fenn has been interested in the town affairs, was a member of the State Board of Agriculture two years, and is a member of the Indian River Grange of Milford. He has always been a farmer and seed grower. He owns the farm originally owned by Benjamin, the set- tler. It was given to him for settling outside the stockade, and has remained in the Fenn family 250 years.

271

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Doctor Elias Buell Heady was born in Norfolk, Conn .. July 28th, 1846, and is a son of Clark Heady, of the same town. He was edu- cated at the Norfolk high school and at the South Berkshire Institute, Mass. He taught school after this, and then took a course at East- man's Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., graduating February 15th, 1866. He commenced the study of medicine with Doctor H. M. Knight in 1869, was with him three years, and during this time at- tended the Yale Medical College, graduating in 1872. He commenced the practice of medicine in the spring of 1872 in Cornwall, Conn., practiced therc eight years, and came to Milford in March, 1880, where he has since practiced. He is a member of the New Haven County and State Medical societies, honorary member of the Bridge- port Medical Association, and a member of the I. O. O. F., of Milford. He makes a specialty of surgery. He married, in 1874, Julia V. Kel- logg, of Cornwall, Conn. They have two sons: Louis E. and Carlton K. Heady.

Frank M. Howe was born in Painesville, Ohio, in 1852, and re- ceived his education there. His father, George E. Howe, has had charge of the state reformatory at Meriden 12 years. Frank M. Howe was appointed superintendent of the reform school at Lansing, Mich., in 1872, when he was 20 years of age. He was called "the boy super- intendent," and was the youngest state officer in the country. He held this position seven years, when he resigned to come East to take the same position in the reform school at Providence, R. I., in 1880. He remained at the latter place over three years, when, on account of ill health, he was compelled to resign. He introduced many reforms both at Lansing and at Providence. He came to Milford in Septem- ber, 1884, and established a private school, known as Elmwood School for Boys.

James W. Kelley was born in Haverhill, Mass., in 1857, learned the shoemaking trade there, came to Milford in 1878, and engaged with Baldwin & Lamkin, shoe manufacturers. He married Mary Purcell, of Milford, in 1881. They have three children: David P., Agnes and Richard. Mr. Kelley is a retail dealer in liquors, teas and coffee. In politics he is a democrat, and has served his party on town and dis- trict committees. He is grand knight of Tinto Council, No. 47, K. of C. This council was organized September 5th, 1888.

James, McCarthy was born in Ireland in 1830, and came to America in 1860. He settled first in New York, and removed to Bridgeport, Conn., in 1863. He enlisted from there in Company F, 14th Connecti- cut Volunteers. He was wounded before Petersburg, in his right knee, and was discharged in April, 1865. He came to Milford in 1868, and has since been engaged in the clothing trade. He has been justice of the peace for the past 12 years, and selectman five years. He is a director and incorporator of the Milford Savings Bank. He was mar- ried in 1869, and has four children.

272

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

WILLIAM MERRITT MERWIN, a son of Merritt and Catherine (Peck) Merwin, was born in Milford in 1827. He is a lineal descendant of John, the son of Miles Merwin, one of the original settlers of the town, who was the progenitor of all those of that name in this part of the county. Miles Merwin died in 1697, and his grave, in the old burial plot of Milford, was the only one of the first Wepawaug planters marked by a headstone. He was a man of considerable property, and as his estate was entailed, a number of generations of his descendants remained in Milford, each one embracing representative citizens in this and adjoining towns. Among his descendants in New Haven is Lieutenant Governor Samuel E. Merwin, one of the leading attorneys of that city.

William M. Merwin, whose portrait appears in this book, has the well-merited distinction of being one of the most successful business men in Milford in the present period of time. He was reared in this town, and has ever been identified with its interests, but having ap- plied himself closely to his own affairs, became but little known in public capacities. After being engaged in the coasting trade, he suc- cessfully grew garden seeds, following that occupation a number of years. Later. nearly a score of years ago, he became interested in the cultivation of oysters in the waters of his native town, being one of the pioneers in that industry, which he developed to its present ini- portant condition, with beneficial results to himself and his family. In this avocation he has had abundant opportunity to exercise those characteristics which most distinguish him, and which have been such fruitful factors in his success. To his excellent habits of living and business he added an inexhaustible fund of energy, a worthy ambition to overcome every obstacle which interfered with his interests, and labored ceaselessly to accomplish his purposes. Although often beset with difficulties which would have discouraged a person of a less san- guine nature, he was indefatigable in every effort until his business was established upon a firm basis.

As related in the foregoing pages, the first efforts at oyster culture in the Gulf pond were failures, on account of the shallow waters and the impeded flow of sediment, which smothered the young plant. A bed of oysters placed in the outer waters of the bay in 1875 by Mr. Merwin and others, was also an expensive and disastrous experiment. A severe storm, which washed the sand into the sound, almost wholly destroyed it. After three years efforts of that nature, he began plant- ing for himself in deeper water, farther in the sound, in order to secure better protection from these external elements. His neighbors pre- dicted failure, but he risked the venture and succeeded in cultivating a very fine crop of superior oysters. His sons, Duinond P. and Mer- ritt W., now joined him, the firm becoming William M. Merwin & Sons, which has since been continued.

About this time they buoyed off 200 acres, near Pond Point, in

273

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

water from 20 to 50 feet deep, upon which they planted, on gravelly bottom,full grown oysters and shells. This venture was also entirely successful, a large set was secured, and the belief of Mr. Merwin that deep water oyster culture could here be profitably carried on was fully confirmed. After this the area of the beds was largely increased, there being in 1881 one hundred acres under successful cultivation. Other privileges were subsequently buoyed off, until ten years later the firm cultivated 1,000 acres on which 1,000,000 bushels of fine native oysters were growing. The product finds a ready sale in home markets, and a large export trade with Liverpool has been established. The indus- try hasbecome one of the largest of the kind in the county, and from 20 to 50 persons are employed in carrying it on. Since 1878 Mr. Mer- win has spent his winters at Rock Ledge, Florida, being the second citizen of Connecticut to locate at a point where is now such a numer- ous colony from the state of his nativity. There, as in Milford, his energy and practical ideas have greatly assisted in the development of the country, until it has become one of the most desirable sections of that state.

Mr. Merwin was married in 1849 to Sarah C., daughter of Harvey Peck. of Orange, and their only children are the foregoing sons. Dumond P., born August 9th, 1853, married October 1st, 1874, A. Berthena, daughter of David Bristol, and they have two children, Al. bert Dumond and William Harvey. The younger son, Merritt W., was born February 6th, 1856, and was married October 1st, 1877, to Julia, daughter of George Elmer, of Milford. The fruits of their union are three daughters: Lottie E., Grace and Katie.

I. Atwater Merwin was born April 26th, 1819, in Milford, on the farm he now occupies, which has been in the Merwin family for many generations. His father, Benedict, was a son of the fifth Miles Merwin that was born on the same farm. I. Atwater Merwin is in the seventh generation from the first Miles Merwin, one of the first settlers of Milford, in 1639. Mr. Merwin married Susan H., daughter of James A. Giddings, of New Milford, January 7th, 1857. She is a relative of Hon. Joshua R. Giddings, of Ohio. She was born July 4th, 1833. They have four children: Mary Belle, born 1857; Charles A., born 1862; James Dwight, born 1865; and Rosalie G., born 1873. Mr. Merwin was educated at Milford and Wilton, Conn. He has been en- gaged largely as dealer in cattle. He was major of the 3d Battalion of Light Artillery for six years. He resides at Pond Point, near where the British landed in the war of revolution. The house is on the site of one sacked by the British.

Edward G. Miles was born in Milford, February 2d, 1846, in the house where he now resides. He is a son of David and Martha (Baldwin) Miles, and grandson of David, all natives of Milford. David Miles held the office of selectman of Milford a number of years. The Miles family is among the old families of Milford. Edward G. was educated

274

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

in Milford, and has always been a farmer. He has been assessor and member of the board of relief, and was elected town treasurer in 1888, '89. '90 and '91. He married Mary, daughter of William Brooks, in 1870. They have one son, David Dewitt Brooks Miles. Mr. Miles is a member of the order of Odd Fellows, and has been secretary of the same 14 years, succeeding his father, who had been secretary 25 years. He is a member of the Grange, and clerk of the First Ecclesiastical Society.

Charles J. Morris, born in Woodbridge, Conn., in 1835, is a son of Nathan R., and grandson of Asa Morris. He learned blacksmithing in Bethany, with Sidney Sperry, commencing when 17 years old. He followed this trade in Bethany and Orange until 1861, when he en- listed in the 27th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, for nine months. He was in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. He was taken prisoner at the latter battle and sent to Richmond, but was soon paroled and sent North. He was discharged after serving one year. He came to Milford in 1863, and was engaged at blacksmithing with A. H. Alling nine years, then with N. R. Ford three years, then formed a partnership with the latter lasting three years. He came to the shop he now occupies on River street in 1879, and established business alone. He married Emma L. Buckingham, of Milford, in 1874. They have three children: George A., Bessie L. and Clifford B.

Joseph W. Nettleton, born in Milford in 1824, is a son of William and Nancy (Rogers) Nettleton, and grandson of Benajah Nettleton. Joseph W. is the only one of the family now living. He married in 1847 Elizabeth A., daughter of Stephen B. Ford, of Milford. Joseph WV. had one sister, Julia A., who married T. S. Ford, and died in New Haven, March 20th, 1848; and one brother, Garry Nettleton, who died at Janesville, Wisconsin, April 12th, 1869, aged 41. He was an archi- tect and builder. Mr. Nettleton has always been a farmer. He takes an active interest in political matters and is a republican.

John G. North was born in Berlin, Conn., in 1823, graduated from Berlin Academy at the age of 14, was clerk in post office, drug store, dry goods and grocery stores and railroad station until he was 20 years of age, then he commenced the insurance business in 1843, and is in continuance of the business the oldest life insurance agent living in the United States, and is the only agent now living that commenced with the Connecticut Mutual Life at its organization, in 1846. He has been fire insurance agent for 48 years. He represents the Aetna, Phoenix, Hartford, National Insurance Company of North America, Fire Asso- ciation, Liverpool, London & Globe, Royal and other insurance com- panies, that have aggregate assets of over $100,000,000. Mr. North married Elizabeth Dickinson in 1843, and has two sons and three daughters. Both sons are engaged in the insurance business, John C. with his father in New Haven, and Edward C. in Boston. His three daughters all married Yale graduates; Mary married Reverend Eras-

275

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

tus Blakesley, of Spencer, Mass .; Sarah married Doctor S. P. Warren, of Portland, Maine; and Nellie married S. T. Dutton, superintendent of public schools of Brookline, Mass. Mr. North moved to Milford in 1887, and has an office both here and in New Haven. He was an offi- cer in the Sunday School Union of New Haven over a quarter of a century, and more than fifty years a teacher or superintendent of Sun- day schools. He was for many years manager of the lectures of John B. Gough and Henry Ward Beecher and others. He is the noted judge who, by the large fines he has imposed upon violators of the liquor law and houses of ill-fame in 63 cases, has closed up several saloons and broken up every known house of ill-fame in the town.

Samuel N. Oviatt, born in Milford September 17th, 1840, is a son of Samuel, grandson of Abel and great-grandson of Samuel Oviatt. Abel built the first store at the junction of Tomlinson, Main and West streets, in Milford, in 1820. He was succeeded by his two sons, Samuel and Curtis, in 1821. They added tanning and the lumber business to their grocery trade about 1824. In 1825 they took in two new partners-Charles Baldwin and Nathan Botsford. Samuel Oviatt succeeded this firm in 1826, and continued until 1850, when he was succeeded by Tuttle & Nettleton. He bought them out in 1855, and continued until 1863. The store was afterward used for a dwelling house until 1871, when Samuel N. Oviatt commenced the general store business there and has continued since. He married Mary Furman, of Milford, in 1872. They have one son and one daughter: Rennie P. and Abby.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 32

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.) Publication date: 1892 Publisher: New York : W. W. Preston Number of Pages: 1138

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.)
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York : W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 1138