USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 53
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 53
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Chastelclark
4
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
He has from his youth been a member of St. James Episcopal church, Birmingham, and for many years a member of the vestry. He is a broad churchman.
There are only two questions respecting a matter, and upon the answer his cooperation hinges. Is the matter in question a positive good in itself? and secondly, will it advance either the material, social or moral welfare of the community? If these questions are answered in the affirmative, he becomes at once a friend, and his friendship is not cool or sluggish, but ardent and active.
He married October 21st, 1874, Miss Lillie Hawkins, daughter of Moses H. and Eunice E. Hawkins, of New Haven. Their children are: Frank M., born August 11th, 1877; Emma A., born August 25th, 1879, and Ralph H., born April 24th, 1888. Mr. Clark lives on Academy hill, Uptown Derby, the oldest and one of the most pleasant portions of the town. There the friends and acquaintances of the family meet a cordial welcome, which makes them desire to come again.
JOSIAH M. COLBURN, M. D., was born in Stafford, Conn., Decem- ber 20th, 1799. Doctor Colburn's ancestors are easily traced backward a little way to Daniel Colburn. Trumbull, in his " History of Connec- ticut," says that the town of Stafford was surveyed in 1718, and that the settlement of the town began the next spring, 1719. And one of the few pioneer settlers whose name he records, was Daniel Colburn. It is the tradition of him preserved in the family that he owned a large tract of land in the town, and by division of it was able to fur- nish his several sons with farms. He is described as a man of many ideas and enterprises. In addition to farming he manufactured potash and bricks. He built a saw mill and grist mill for their several uses. He was a man of very generous nature, so that the amount of his own estate was several times lessened by reason of his endorsements of his neighbors' financial paper. Certain it is that the family stock has been thrifty in all worldly affairs. So marked has this quality been that there was such a thing recognized as " Colburn luck," and fre- quently referred to. From the precision of many counting houses, the place of storing securities and vouchers, often, indeed quite con- stantly used, does not seem to be as safe as it was handy, but what if the hat worn from day to day should be half full of valuable papers they seemed to be safe enough, while also "Colburn luck " attended the daily business.
There was in the family stock a vein of wit and pleasantry which would even turn an occasional misfortune into an occasion of merri- ment. So everything was made to go well and not ill; and the Col- burns shared to an unusual degree the pleasant side of life. They were hearty in manner, humorous, happy, and sometimes apparently careless, yet always fortunate in the outcome of events.
Doctor Josiah M. Colburn sprang from this stock. He lived in his native town in early boyhood, and while yet a boy of only 14 sum-
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
mers walked to New Haven, for the purpose of entering a lawyer's office there as office boy. As soon as he could he undertook the man- agement and tuition of district schools in the suburbs of New Haven, and afterward he moved within the city to be instructor in a private school. In these years of opening manhood he gathered the means for a course of medical training at Yale University.
He commenced the practice of a physician in Orange in the sum- mer of 1822. His patients were not numerous for the few first years, for the young physician must have time to win the confidence and patronage of the community; but his patrons multiplied with every year, until they spread far beyond the limits of the town, and espe- cially into Derby and vicinity. Doctor Colburn now felt the need of being in the midst of a larger population; hence in 1840 he moved to Derby, taking up his residence nearly opposite the Congregational church. Here a large practice demanded his attention; but after a few years failing health made him less able to care for his patients. But his interest in them did not allow him to deny to them his ser- vices so much desired, until he was absolutely obliged to. In 1849 he gave up his practice, and attended, as he was able, other matters which claimed his attention.
As a physician Doctor Colburn was painstaking and self-sacrificing. Whatever he might do, he threw all his energy and power into. His temperament was so sympathetic, that he bore his patients as a con- stant anxiety on his heart, often losing sleep in wakeful thought of them. And no sacrifice was too great to be made, if only by making it he could give his patients relief from suffering.
But Doctor Colburn's tastes led him outside of his special profes- sion. He possessed the practical judicial mind, and but few people were better equipped than he, by mental poise, to be arbitrator, or referee, or judge, in matters of difference between man and man, while his sense of right made him unswerving and unbiased. His fellow townsmen perceived these qualities in him, and chose him to be justice of the peace. Very naturally then a large volume of busi- ness drifted to him; and not a little of his time was occupied in busi- ness of a legal nature.
It should be said, too, that the Colburn's proverbially thrifty in- stincts in worldly affairs enabled him to gather property. He made investments wisely and nurtured dividends, and multiplied them in new investments. He held a number of important positions in busi- ness. At one time he was president of the Ansonia National Bank. He was also United States assistant assessor, besides being selectman of his town.
In matters of religion and piety, Doctor Colburn bore a likeness to the old-time Congregational physician. His Christianity was not so emotional as practical. It consisted more in good living than in the lively singing of hymns. In his opinion the old forms of faith and
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
long recognized institutions of religion were true and steadfast, and must be observed for peace of mind and virtue in society. Hence he was a strict observer of the quietness and restfulness, as of the wor- ship, of the Christian Lord's day. The recreative manners of Sabbath observance wounded his feelings, for he believed that the purpose of the day did not make it a holiday, but a holy day.
Doctor Colburn's partner in life was Miss Susan Clark, of Orange, Conn. They were married September 18th, 1825. Mrs. Colburn is a lady of fine tastes and cultivated manners. Her kindness of heart has made her always a very valuable friend, while her genial nature has made her a very agreeable companion.
Five children were born in Doctor Colburn's family, three of whom lived to adult years and two passed away in infancy. But the father and the mother outlived their children, and an untold pathos in their bereavements is felt here. Doctor Colburn was very domestic in his habits and loves, and the life of his family was one continuous sum- mer day, except as clouded so dark by the death of every one of his children. One by one his grown daughter and two sons passed away, and he lived to bury them all. Then the father, too, passed out of sight, March 19th, 1882, leaving the wife and mother, whose evening of life already referred to, is beautiful.
The children were: Susan M., wife of Doctor William J. Whiting, died March 29th, 1874 (Doctor Whiting died August, 1889); Benjamin Colburn, manufacturer, Bridgeport, died June 25th, 1860; Addell Col- burn, died in infancy, March 6th, 1837; Howard Colburn, manufacturer, Bridgeport, died February 4th, 1872; and Charlotte Colburn, who died in infancy August 14th, 1849. The grandchildren and great-grand- children of Doctor and Mrs. Colburn are now living, and any of them who knew him cherish the fondest love of him, and honor his mem- ory for the noble qualities he possessed. In these memories, and in the traditions of him which linger in the family, as inspiration and example, he still lives in the higher life of his descendants.
Edward J. Condon was born in Middlebury, Conn., in 1848, and came to Birmingham in 1859. He first engaged in manufacturing hoop-skirts in 1866. He was engaged with the Birmingham Iron Foun- dry as apprentice boy and was made foreman of the foundry depart- ment in 1880. He is a member of the A. O. F. of Birmingham. He married Bridget McMahon, of Derby, in 1870. They have three sons and four daughters.
Martin Fennelly, born in Ireland in 1841, came to America when nine years old. He came to Birmingham and learned the machinist trade here with the Birmingham Iron & Steel Company, remaining with them from 1858 to 1874. Since the latter year he has been in the employ of the Whitlock Machine Company, and has been foreman since 1880. He has about 60 men under his charge. He was married in 1868 to Mary A. Commerford, of Boston, Mass. They have three children.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
EDWIN B. GAGER, lawyer, Birmingham, Conn., was born in Scot- land, Conn., August 30th, 1852. It was his fortune to be a farmer's boy, son of Lewis and Harriet Gager, and to gather from farm life as from inheritance, a good stock of health and of practical sense for use in after years. Like most farmer's boys, he worked in the summer and attended school in winter until he was 17 years of age. Then, perceiving the advantages of a college education, he began to prepare for college at the Natchaug School, Willimantic, Conn. Among the first lessons he learned was that of self-reliance, for to gain the funds for further study he taught school in Hampton and Abington, Conn., and after completing his preparation he taught school in East Hamp- ton, Conn., for one year. He then entered the Academic Department of Yale University, class of 1877, and during his academic life at Yale taught school two terms. In the university he so distinguished him- self that he received several of the honors open to students. He was one of the editors of the Yale Courant, one of the Townsend speakers, and the class orator of the class of 1877. He was one of the competi- tors for prizes in English composition in both the sophomore and senior years, and won highest honors in both years.
After graduation, and in the fall of 1877, he accepted the position of principal of the Ansonia, Conn., public schools, and held it for four years. In the first of those four years he pursued post-graduate studies in history at Yale, and in the remaining three, law studies under the direction of Wooster & Torrance, of Birmingham. In the second year of public duty in the schools, Mr. Gager determined to study law, and applied for counsel to Judge Torrance, of Birmingham. The result of the conference was the selection of elementary law books, and Judge Torrance entered him in the firm of Wooster & Torrance as a student at law, little thinking of the close business relation which would exist between them before many years had passed.
Mr. Gager entered the office of Wooster & Torrance in July, 1881, and was admitted to the bar of Connecticut in October, 1881. He be- came a partner in the old and established firm in which he had been a law student, and the firm name of "Wooster & Torrance" was made to read "Wooster, Torrance & Gager," January 1st, 1882. After three years of prosperous law business had been conducted, in 1885 the firm was dissolved because of the appointment of Judge Torrance to the bench of the superior court. On April 1st of that year Mr. Gager en- tered into the new law partnership of " Wooster, Williams & Gager," and since then has continued in the active practice of the law.
Mr. Gager's interest in education has not died out, and he has served on the school board of the town of Derby. He became judge of the town court of Derby in May, 1889. He is a republican in poli- tics, though never a seeker for political preferment. In June, 1890, he was appointed by the superior court one of the "Examining Com- mittee for Admission to the Bar" of Connecticut. This is a distinction
Edwin Blsagen
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
worthy of notice, since it was the first state committee appointed for that purpose, and Mr. Gager is the only appointee from the bar of New Haven county, other than three of the professors of the Yale Law School.
Mr. Gager has literary tastes of a high order. His English is pure and chaste, idiomatic and expressive. He is an excellent literary critic. His speeches are sought for at local banquets and public meet- ings both in his town and elsewhere; and they always exhibit the thought and taste of the scholar. His law papers, so far as they betray the sources whence they come, are manifestly drawn as to form and literary style, from a scholarly mind and a cultured taste. He is fond of the work being done week by week by the Nous Club, of which he is a member, and follows the line of philosophical inquiry with keen relish. He has shown his interest not merely in the weekly discus- sions, but on the anniversary occasions, when his poems and addresses are among the exquisite parts of the programme.
Mr. Gager was married in October, 1885, to Miss Nellie A. Cotter, daughter of Samuel A. Cotter, who was for many years superintendent of the Ansonia Brass & Copper Company. He continued his residence in Ansonia until the spring of 1889, when he moved to his present residence on Atwater avenue, Birmingham. There himself and wife make their home delightful, not only to themselves, but for all their numerous friends. One son. Edwin B., Jr., was born to them July 15th, 1889.
Sidney E. Gesner, born in East Haven in 1852, is a son of John E. and Maria N. (Knapp) Gesner, and grandson of William H. Gesner. John E. died in July, 1858, when Sidney was six years old. Six years later he came to Birmingham with his mother. He had one brother, Eugene N., who died in 1876, and one sister, Araminta S. Sidney E. commenced to learn the carpenter trade when he was 18 years old, with the Beardsley Building Company, and finished when he was 21 years old. He has since followed his trade. He became a contractor and builder, and has built some of the finest structures in Ansonia, in- cluding the houses of Franklin Farrel, Thomas Wallace, Jr., and R. H. Tucker, and the Colburn Block, Ansonia, and many in Birmingham, including the residences of Frederick Hull, Henry Haugh, H. B. Peck and D. E. McMahon. He employs about 15 men. Mr. Gesner is also gaining quite a reputation as an architect, and is doing a large amount of work. He has held the office of selectman and member of the town committee of Derby. He married in 1872, Frances Beardsley, of Derby, and they have two children: Ada M. and Edwin S.
Agur Gilbert was born in Huntington, Conn., in 1807, and came to Derby in 1828. He learned the joiner's trade, and was at one time in company with David Bradley, in the manufacture of sash and blinds. Afterward, with his three sons, he built the turning factory in the southeast part of the town of Derby, on the Two-mile brook, in 1866.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
He married Mary L. Johnson, of Orange. They had two daughters and three sons: David J., died 1872; William F., and Alfred L. The father died in 1887, and since this time the business has been con- ducted by the sons, William F. and Alfred L. The daughters are: Susan M. and Mary E. William F. married Sarah B. Clark, of Milford, Conn., in 1877. Alfred L. married Harriet E. Williams, of Milford, in 1880, and has one son, Harry F., born in 1887.
Patrick Gorman, born in Ireland in 1849, came to this country in 1869, and settled in Derby. He was baggage master at the Derby depot of the Naugatuck railroad for eight years, then resigned that position and engaged in the grocery business of Mrs. P. McEnerney three years. He married Mrs. P. McEnerney in 1883, engaged in the coal trade at Derby in 1884, and succeeded the Scully Brothers after being in company with them one year. He is still in the same busi- ness. He was elected representative to represent Derby with G. H. Peck for two years, commencing January 7th, 1891. He has one brother, Timothy, and two sisters living in this country.
EDWIN HALLOCK' is a son of Zephaniah® (William5, born 1764, died 1817; William4, born 1722, died 1782; John3, died 1737; William?, died 1684; Peter'). Prominent in the history of Derby are the names of two brothers, Zephaniah and Israel Hallock. They came to Derby from Stony Brook, Long Island, in 1816, and engaged in ship-building at what is called Sugar street, near the Ousatonic Water Company's dam, in Birmingham.
The Hallocks, as are nearly all who bear that name in this country, are the descendants of Peter Hallock, one of thirteen pilgrim fathers who landed at the colony of New Haven in 1640, removing the same year to Long Island. A portion of land near Orient, Long Island, bears the name of "Hallock's Neck," and marks the original location of the name on the island.
The grandfather and father of Zephaniah and Israel Hallock, both named William, served in the war of the revolution. The father was taken prisoner and confined by the British in the famous old Sugar House in New York, and his son, Zephaniah, was a pensioner of the war of 1812.
The two brothers, Zephaniah and Israel, carried on ship-building at Sugar street in Birmingham from 1816 to 1824. At that date it was evident Derby needed more docks for the loading and unloading of the increasing ship trade, of which the Housatonic river was the nat- ural channel. The Hallock brothers, discovering the most favored spot for the location of docks, purchased it. A distillery was already there, but the new owners at once ordered the business carried on in it stopped, in obedience to their strict temperance principles. New docks were built, and the ship-building interest at Sugar street moved to the vicinity of the new landing, known since as the Derby Land- ing. Here ship-building was carried on extensively, and came to its
Edwin Hallock
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
ending only in 1868. The firm of Hallock Brothers bore on excellent name, and was successful from a business point of view. It aided materially in establishing the business reputation of Derby in the state, besides the incidental advantages accruing to the town itself. It gave employment to a large force of workmen during the 54 years of its existence. The Hallock brothers were men of strict integrity, and were in some respects radical reformers. They were strong apos- tles of anti-slavery and of total abstinence, at a time when the advo- cacy of these measures was less popular than they are at present.
Israel Hallock married Rosanah Easton, of New Haven, Novem- ber 1st, 1826, and died September 5th, 1864, aged 69, leaving no chil- dren. Zephaniah Hallock married Miss Sarah Hall, of Cairo, N. Y., at Oxford, Conn., November 12th, 1823. Five children were born to them, as follows: William Henry, who died October 6th, 1861; Frank- lin, who died May 6th, 1890; Frederick, who died August 2d, 1833; Mrs. Ann Augusta Viets, and Edwin.
Franklin was engaged for a period of 40 years in the wholesale and retail hardware trade in Birmingham, first in 1850 as clerk for the firm of Downs & Sanford, then as partner under the firm name of Downs, Sanford & Co., and in 1865 in partnership with his brother, Edwin, who bought out the other owners in the business, under the firm name of F. Hallock & Co.
Franklin Hallock died May 6th, 1890, aged 62 years, after an ill- ness of a few days. His long business associations in Birmingham, his integrity and social qualities made his death deeply regretted by the whole community. His widow, Mrs. Mary B. Sherwood Hallock, and two children, F. William and Edith May, survive him. F. Will- iam Hallock married Miss Minnie Adams, of Springfield, Mass., Feb- ruary 18th, 1885, and to them was born Donald Adams Hallock, Aug- ust 28tl1, 1889. Edith May Hallock married Robert S. Gardner, of Birmingham, May 29th, 1890.
Edwin Hallock, the surviving partner of F. Hallock & Co., con- tinues the business, and is the personal manager. Mr. Hallock was born in Derby, Conn., August 16th, 1840, and was educated in the public schools of Derby; and by the maintenance of the good princi- ples taught him and imbibed in early life, he has the confidence and esteem of the community. He is a strong advocate of social reforms, as temperance, and earnestly promotes all measures which work for the well-being of society. He has never entered the political arena, but has given his attention closely and almost exclusively to the large and many-sided business in which he is engaged.
Merritt L. Hotchkiss, born in Derby in 1839, is a son of Merritt, who was also a native of Derby. Merritt L. began work for Robert N. Bassett in his factory in 1857, and was made superintendent in 1869. He is a member of Ousatonic Lodge, No. 6, I. O. O. F. He married Ellen C. Smith, of Orange, Conn., in 1862. They have three children: Jennie A., Harriet S. and William M.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
C. R. Howard was born among the rock-ribbed hills of New Hampshire at Amherst, in 1851. Graduating from the Milford Nor- mal Academy at the age of 18 years, he at once entered upon his busi- ness career as clerk in the largest dry goods store in the last named town. He remained in this town as clerk, and later as proprietor. (with the exception of one year spent in the West) until shortly be- fore the formation of the present partnership of Howard & Barber in January, 1884. Mr. Howard is an ardent admirer of the principles of Odd Fellowship, and has filled the chairs in both the subordinate and encampment branches of the order. He was also chosen by his brethren as their representative to the Grand Lodge of New Hamp- shire.
Isaac P. Howe is manager of The Wilcox & Howe Company of Shelton, manufacturers of carriage hardware. The business was established on a modest scale by Messrs. Terrill & Wilcox in 1866, who began making fifth wheels in Ansonia. Mr. Wilcox removed to Birmingham in 1869, and in 1885 Mr. Howe bought one-half interest in the business. Both are natives of New York, and are practical business men. Mr. Wilcox retired from the firm in March, 1890, and is now president of the D. Wilcox Manufacturing Company, Howard, Centre county, Pa. A stock company was organized January 1st, 1891, under the name of The Wilcox & Howe Company, with Mr. Howe as manager.
Lyman L. Loomer, born in South Hadley, Mass., in 1814, removed to Collinsville when 18 years old, and two years later went to Sey- mour, where he learned the trade of auger maker with Wheeler & French of that town. In 1836, he came to Birmingham, and worked at his trade for David Bassett. A few years later he engaged in the butcher and market business in Birmingham, and continued six years. He then ran a stage route from Birmingham to Bridgeport, six years before the Naugatuck railroad was built. Afterward he ran a stage from Seymour to Woodbury, and carried the mails from Litchfield to Newtown. This was about 1850. He returned to Birmingham, and was again engaged in the butcher and market business for 14 years. In 1865 he engaged in manufacturing corsets with his sons. In 1880 he retired, and since that time the firm has been L. L. Loomer's Sons. Mr. Loomer was married, in 1836, to Lucy Ann Sperry, of Woodbridge. They have had four sons and six daughters. Mrs. Loomer died August 30th, 1890.
GEORGE HOBART PECK, manufacturer, Birmingham, Conn., traces back his family pedigree to Joseph Peck, of Milford, Conn. Ephraim Birdsey Peck, of the sixth generation, the father of George H., moved to Woodbury, Conn., in 1792. The mother was Mrs. Betsey (Porter) Peck. The father is described as " a Christian gentleman in faith and manners, in walk and conversation ;" the mother as a woman of deep piety and earnest devotion to duty. They gave a combination
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
of these qualities as an inheritance to their son, George H. Peck, which has been a benediction to him all his life.
In his early years he attended the district school, and when old enough to be of real service, worked on the farm in summer. Wood- bury was favored in those days with having an academy excellently managed and taught by its founder, and named for him Thompson's Academy. There Master Peck pursued the ordinary academic studies. At his 19th year, and afterward for four winters he taught school, but went back upon the farm in summer to aid his parents, and later gave all his attention to the homestead farm.
But his marriage was a turning point in his life. It took him to Tecumseh, Michigan, and there he married Miss Maria P. Stillson, December 25th, 1856. He now saw the growing West, and was cap- tivated by its promise. In 1858 himself and wife moved to Tecumseh, and he entered into the drug business. But in 1860 he returned to Woodbury and purchased the drug store and good will, of George P. Allen.
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