History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 71

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 71
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 71

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).

On the 25th of December, 1877, when he was about 29 years of age, Charles H. Lounsbury married Jennie, daughter of John and Margaret (Alderson) Titley, at that time residing in Beacon Falls, but who was born in North Wales. She came with her parents to America, in 1854, when she was but two years of age, and the voyage made in a sailing vessel consumed six weeks. The children by this marriage have been: Jessie May, born June, 1879, died August 15th, 1881; Mary E., born September 12th, 1881; Charles H., born November 1st, 1883, and Jolin Titley, born November 13th, 1890.

All the ancestors of Charles H. Lounsbury were farmers, and to.

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that occupation he was also reared, having privilege in these years to attend the district school of his locality and a few sessions of a select school taught at Beacon Falls. But all his schooling was limited to a few years' attendance. He had, however, a studious disposition which prompted him to round out his education by self-study and intelligent observation, garnering from every source until he became a well- informed man.

In July, 1878, Mr. Lounsbury relinquished his farm work and re- moved to Seymour, where he has since resided. Here he engaged as a clerk in the general store of M. M. Randall, and learned the art of merchandising. Having thoroughly mastered that pursuit he ven- tured in trade for himself in March, 1881, establishing a business which under his prudent management has grown to fine proportions. His integrity, industry and perseverance in this avocation have been properly rewarded, and he has become one of the foremost tradesmen of this part of the Naugatuck valley. To the cares of his private busi- ness Mr. Lounsbury has added, at different periods, the responsibility of public trusts, all of which have been faithfully and efficiently dis- charged, and as a public official he has made an honorable record. When the town of Beacon Falls was organized, in 1871, he was one of the officers first chosen, and in 1877 was elected as its representative in the state legislature. In Seymour he served as the first select- man and town agent from October, 1885, until October, 1890, declining a sixth election to that office. In this period some of the most im- portant public improvements in the town were made under his direc- tion, and have reflected credit upon his judgment and executive ability.

Mr. Lounsbury has been a member of the order of Odd Fellows the past twenty years, belongs to Morning Star Lodge, No. 47, F. & A. M., to Castle Rock Lodge, A. O. of U. W., and the order of the Eastern Star. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, at Seymour, and has served it in official capacities.

Michael McNerney, born in Orange, Conn., April 15th, 1851, is a son of Michael and Mary McNerney, and grandson of James Mc- Nerney. The children of Michael, Sr., are: James, Margaret (deceased), Katie, Michael, Stephen, Andrew, Mary, Anne, Peter and John. Michael McNerney, Jr., settled in Seymour in 1877, and engaged in blacksmithing. He is a trustee and member of St. Augustine's R. C. church, a member and president of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Knights of Columbus, and A. O. H. of Ansonia. He was married in 1881, to Mary Callahan. Their children are: Michael, Dennis, John, Edward (deceased) and William. Mr. McNerney has been constable for upward of 12 years.

Harris B. Munson, born in Middlebury, Conn., in 1821, was a son of Joseph and Lucinda (Wooster) Munson. He learned the joiner's trade, but becoming dissatisfied with that, he took up the study of law

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with Judge Charles B. Phelps, of Woodbury. He was admitted to the bar in 1845. He was elected county judge of New Haven county about 1850. He settled in Seymour about 1846, was elected to the legisla- ture in 1853 and 1854, and again in 1863, and thereafter for four con- secutive years. He was elected justice of the peace in 1852, which office he held for 18 years. He was a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., of Seymour, and the Mt. Vernon Chapter, R. A. M., of Ansonia. He married for his first wife Maria Leavenworth. Their children were: Ella, Byron, Sophia, Iris, Harris and Mary. He was married the second time, in 1878, to Mrs. Harriet Sperry, widow of Mark Sperry. Her maiden name was Elder. Their children were: Iris E. and Marion H. Judge Munson died February 2d, 1885.

Edward Pritchard, born in Humphreysville (now Seymour) in 1830, is a son of Jabez E., he a son of Leverett, and he a son of James, a lieutenant in the revolutionary war. Leverett Pritchard married Charlotte Harger. Jabez E., son of Leverett, married Lucretia, daughter of Theophilus Miles. Edward Pritchard resides on the old Miles homestead, which was settled by one of that family more than 150 years ago. He is a member of the Episcopal church, of Seymour, the Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., and has been master of the Sey- mour Grange. He has been twice married; first in 1852, to Martha M. Daniels. They had one daughter, Lizzie M., who married Albert U. Smith, of Seymour. Mr. Pritchard was married the second time in 1884, to Mrs. Martha M. Smith. Her father, Hiram Upson, was a son of Obed, and he a son of Samuel Upson. Samuel married Ruth Coles. Obed married Sybil Howe. Hiram Upson was an auger manufactur- er, beginning the business about 1830 and continuing it until about 1865. He married Sarah Harrison. They had ten children: Harriet, Charles N., William A., Martha M., Hiram, George F., Sarah, Edwin, Henry and Esther.

Horace A. Radford, born in Middlebury, Conn., in 1811, is a son of Beers Radford, who married Harriet, daughter of Timothy Higgins, who was a major in the revolutionary war. They had four children: Lucius, Horace A., Augusta and Lizzie. Lizzie married Charles Ev- ans; Augusta married Julius Bronson; Horace A. was married in 1834 to Eliza Boughton, who died the same year. He married for his sec- ond wife Mrs. Marcus Lego, and in 1876 he was married for the third time to Kate C. Burwell. Mr. Radford came to Humphreysville in 1832. He was assistant auger maker. In 1847 he became a member of the firm of French, Swift & Co., auger manufacturers, and was a member of the firm for several years, also their traveling salesman during that time. He is one of the charter meinbers of the Mechanics' Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Seymour.

Henry A. Rider, born in Danbury, Conn., in 1832, is a son of Ralph and Harriet (Chapman) Rider. He came to Seymour in 1853, and in 1855 engaged in the livery business, which he still carries on. He is

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also extensively engaged in farming and deals in real estate. He is a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., of Seymour. In 1855 he married Sophia J. Carter. They have three children: Ada, George A. and Nettie S.

Harpin Riggs, born in what is now the town of Seymour, Decem- ber 9th, 1813, is a son of John and grandson of Captain John Riggs, who was a resident of Oxford, and captain in the revolutionary war. Captain Riggs was a farmer and one of the prominent men of Oxford. John Riggs, his son, was one of ten children, five sons and five daugh- ters. He settled near Humphreysville and engaged in farming. He mar- ried Mary Beecher. Harpin Riggs is also a farmer and owns and occu- pies the old homestead. He has been selectman for several years and has held other minor offices. He is a member of the Episcopal church. In 1840 he was married to Harriet, daughter of Hiram Upson. They had seven children: John, Royal and Hiram; Louise B., Sarah M., Hattie I. and Mary. All are living, except Hiram. John married Adella Kennedy; Royal married Mary Reynolds; Louise B. married Norman Sperry; Sarah married George James; Hattie I. married Jo- seph G. Redshaw, and Mary married Gilbert E. Osborne.

Thomas Sharpe was born in Southford, Conn., October 28th, 1834. His father, Lu Grand Sharpe, was born in Ridgefield, Conn., June 1st, 1797, and was a son of Thomas Sharpe, Sr. They are of English de- scent. Lu Grand Sharpe married Olive M. Boothe in 1823. Thomas Sharpe came to Seymour in 1841, and with the exception of six years (1854 to 1860) spent in Georgia, has resided there since. He is a lum- ber dealer and contractor and builder. He was justice of the peace four years and has held various other offices in the town, as assessor, etc. He is a member of the M. E. church, of Seymour, and president of its board of trustees, and was superintendent of its Sunday school for several years, and superintendent of Woodbridge Mission Sunday school.

Edwin Smith, born in Oxford, Conn., in 1817, is a son of John and grandson of John Smith. John Smith, father of Edwin, was a soldier in the war of 1812, holding the rank of corporal. He married Grace Wooster and their children were: Edwin, Lucy, Bennett, Laura, George and Mary. Edwin, George and Mary are living. Mary married Joel M. Wheeler. George married Esther Moulthrop, and Edwin married for his first wife Betsey A. Johnson, of Oxford, in 1839, and they had one daughter, Frances A., who married Robert N. Smith. For his second wife Edwin Smith married Sally A. Millard in 1880. Mr. Smith settled in Seymour in 1849. He is a mason and builder. He has held the office of selectman several terms, is a member of the Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., of Seymour, and of the Chapter at Ansonia.

James M. Smith, born in Scotland in 1838, came to America in 1848, and after a residence of several years in Syracuse and Utica, N. Y., settled in Seymour in 1862, and for several years had charge of the

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY,

bayonet department of the Humphreysville Manufacturing Company. In 1873 he engaged in the machine jobbing business, which he has conducted to the present time. He was married in 1864, to Martha Skeels. Their children are: Frank, Augustus, Agnes and Mabel.

Norman Sperry was born in Cheshire, Conn., February 12th, 1842. His father, Albert, was born in Cheshire, and his grandfather, Job Sperry, was born in Bethany, Conn. His mother, Phebe A. Tuttle, was born in New York state, but afterward lived in Southington, Conn. Norman lived at home on the farm, attended the common schools, the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire, and a short time at Lewis Academy, Southington, Conn. In 1873 he commenced manufacturing boring im- plements, and continues the same, as a member of the Humphreysville Manufacturing Company. From 1862 to 1875 he worked at the same business for H. B. Beecher, Douglass Manufacturing Company and Humphreysville Manufacturing Company. He has been representa- tive and selectman, and clerk and vestryman of the Episcopal church. He married Louise B. Riggs in November, 1869.

Ashbel Storrs, born in Humphreysville, Conn., in 1822, is a son of Edmund and Eunice (Loveland) Storrs. He is a carpenter by trade, and for many years has carried on an extensive business as a contrac- tor and builder. He has been assessor for several years, also justice of the peace and president of the board of health. He is a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., and has been master of the same. He married, in 1844, Harriet Terrell, of Naugatuck. Their children were: Alice, Marian, Arthur and Ada. Mr. Storrs married for his second wife, Elizabeth Edwards, in 1875.

CARLOS HOTCHKISS STORRS was born at Seymour July 4th, 1864. He is a son of Charles W. and Mary L. (Davis) Storrs, and grandson of John Roger Storrs, a shoe manufacturer at Humphreysville, where he died in 1844. The latter was also the father of another son, John Whiting Storrs, the gifted and respected poet editor, who died at Bir- mingham. John Roger Storrs was himself "of more than ordinary intelligence; a great reader of history and fond of poetry." His wife, Sarah G. Clark, was a granddaughter of Reverend Mr. Woodbridge, the first pastor of the church in the town named for him, and who was in his day one of the leading men of the county. Their son, Charles W. Storrs, was born March 5th, 1828, and died at Seymour January 26th, 1889. For more than 50 years he was one of the principal busi- ness men of the town and was esteemed for his many good qualities as a citizen. He had a strong, vigorous mind, and was very indepen- dent in his opinions and actions, but ever kept in view the public wel- fare, warmly supporting such measures as advanced it. In 1863 he was married, his wife, who survives him, being a daughter of Lewis Davis, of Oxford, who was a son of the well-known Colonel John Davis of that town. Two children were born to them, the subject of this sketch and another son, Louis, who died when four years of age.

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The Storrs ancestry in England has been clearly traced from the sixteenth century to the present time, and for more than two centuries the family has been established upon American soil. Nearly all of the name of Storrs in the United States have descended from Samuel Storrs, fourth child of Thomas Storrs, who came from the paternal home in Sutton Cum Lound, in Nottinghamshire, England, to Barn- stable, Mass., about 1663. In about 1698 he removed to Mansfield, Conn., where he died April 30th, 1719. The family in this county de- scended from Lemuel Storrs, the sixth son of Thomas Storrs, who was the second son of the above Samuel. Members of this branch of the family in various parts of the country became quite eminent.

The boyhood of Carlos H. Storrs was spent at Seymour, where he attended the common schools. But his parents having determined to give him a liberal education, he was sent to the high school at Bir- mingham when he was sixteen years of age, and three years later he graduated from that school. He now entered the Wesleyan Univer- sity at Middletown, where he completed the classical course in 1887 and graduated with the degree of B. A. In 1890 that institution con- ferred upon him the degree of M. A. In the meantime he had en- tered the Yale Law School, in 1887, graduating two years later. A practical training for a few months, the same year, in the law offices of the well-known jurists, Wooster, Williams & Gager, of Birmingham, still better prepared him for his professional life, which was begun at Ansonia in October, 1889, and which has been successfully continued at that place. In addition, he also maintains an office at his home in Seymour. Mr. Storrs has made a specialty of probate business, prac- ticing in the probate courts of Derby and New Haven, and has satis- factorily settled a number of important estates. He is intelligent, energetic, of temperate habits and of good principles, and will no doubt attain distinction in his chosen profession. He is, moreover, progressive and public-spirited and has aided the material develop- ment of his town by erecting a number of buildings and encouraging public improvements. Following the example of his parents, Mr. Storrs has become a member of Trinity Episcopal church, of Seymour, whose welfare he keeps warmly at heart

Politically, Mr. Storrs is a democrat, and enthusiastically advocates the principles of that party. He is an eloquent speaker, and in the campaign of 1888 made a number of public addresses, which were fa- vorably received. In 1890 he was elected one of the selectmen of the town, which he has also served in other capacities, creditably dis- charging every trust conferred upon him, and winning the esteem of his fellow-townsmen.

JAMES SWAN, the widely-known tool manufacturer, of Seymour, was born December 18th, 1833, in Dumfries, Scotland, and is a son of William and Mary (Beck) Swan. The mother was a sister of the father of the late Senator James B. Beck, of Kentucky, and in both

Carlos 96. ºcarro

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parents were embodied the many excellent traits of the sturdy Scotch race. The son was given a good common school education, but was early apprenticed to learn the trade of millwrighting, his master being one of the most skillful workmen in that craft, and his trade embraced work in both wood and iron. When James was 20 years old he com- pleted his apprenticeship, having obtained a thorough knowledge of an art which contributed materially toward his future success. He now determined to leave the paternal home and seek his fortune in Amer- ica. Accordingly, we find him, in the latter part of 1853, at the home of his uncle, Ebenezer Beck, at Wyoming, N. Y., a youth of 20 years, eager to begin life's battle. Not liking that part of the country, he came to Birmingham, Conn., where he secured employment in the Bassett iron works, but after a time he engaged with the Farrel Foun- dry & Machine Company, at Ansonia. At the latter works he was soon placed in charge of a shop, which he superintended about eight years. In this period his practical knowledge was largely increased, and he became still better fitted for independent action. Meantime his skill as a workman had become known, and in 1865 he was en- gaged to come to Seymour to superintend the tool manufacturing in- terests of Oliver Ames & Son, located in shops which later became a part of his own extensive plant .*

Since the latter date James Swan has been a resident of Seymour, and has thoroughly identified himself with its best interests. Few citizens of the town have been more progressive than he, or have given greater material aid in the development of the affairs of the village, which has become his adopted home. For numerous public objects he freely contributed time and means, taking an especial in- terest in those two important factors of a community, the schools and churches. Although a very busy man with his own affairs, he has felt much concern in the welfare of the schools, serving on the board of education, and was chairman of the committee which erected the handsome high school edifice. He is also an active member of the Congregational church, warmly supporting its several interests, and for a number of years was the superintendent of its Sunday school. In the organization of the town fire department he was most active, and has shown his interest in that body by since serving as the chief engineer In the improvement of his own large property he has set a commendable example, and has aided in securing some of the most desirable public improvements which have made Seymour attractive as a place of residence. This manifestation of public spirit has caused his townsmen to proffer him places of honor and trust, most of which his business compelled him to decline. But in 1872 he had the honor of being elected the first republican representative from Seymour, his personal qualities helping to overcome a naturally large democratic majority.

In 1857 Mr. Swan was married to Agnes, a daughter of William * See account of manufactures.

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Bell, also from Dumfries, Scotland. Of seven children born to them, three sons and one daughter survive, viz .: William Beck, a valuable assistant in his father's business, a skillful mechanic, and also pos- sessed of superior ability as an intelligent manufacturer; John, edu- cated at Cheshire Academy, where he graduated with the honors of his class, and also now engaged in manufacturing; Albert, a student in the high school at Seymour; and Mary Jessie, educated at Andover and in European countries, and now a resident of Seymour.

Mr. Swan remained with Oliver Ames & Son until 1873, when their interest was sold to the Douglas Manufacturing Company, of which he was a director, and he continued to superintend the business. A number of changes took place in the next four years, but, in 1877, through the financial aid tendered by the well-known tool house of Russell & Erwin, who have since acted as his sales agents in New York and Philadelphia, James Swan became the successor of the busi- ness of the Douglas Manufacturing Company at Seymour, and has since been the sole owner. The plant has been enlarged to embrace three distinct factories, and has become one of the largest concerns of the kind in this country. More than a hundred kinds of boring and edge tools are made, and the products find ready sale in most of the civilized countries of the world. Many of the tools were invented by Mr. Swan, who has a most fertile mechanical brain, and it is with- in the bounds of truth to say that he has designed and perfected as many labor-saving devices in the manufacturing arts as any other man in this country. He has an honorable career as a manufacturer, and by unflagging industry and persistent application has attained great success. His business has thus not only become very extensive, but the goods produced by him have a conceded superiority, which has been publicly acknowledged by the award of first prizes at all the principal expositions in the world, and which promise to secure for his works a permanent place among the industries of Seymour.

Owen D. Sykes, born in Woodstock, Conn., in 1846, is a son of Joseph and Phillis (Kenyon) Sykes. Joseph came from Yorkshire, England, about 1844, and settled in Woodstock. Conn. He had two children: Ruth, who died in 1848, and Owen D. Joseph Sykes was a son of Joseph. Owen D. settled in Seymour in 1882, and engaged in the hardware and house furnishing business. He is a member of the following societies of Seymour: F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., and I. O. R. M. He was married in 1867, to Nellie E. Moore.

James Willard Tomlinson, born in that part of Derby now Seymour, January 11th, 1835, is a son of James C., he a son of Russell, and he a son of Isaac. Russell Tomlinson's children were: Sarah, Isaac, Peter, Simon and James C. James C. Tomlinson married Laura, daughter of John Tomlinson. Their children were: John R., Elizabeth, Mary A., Agnes C. (deceased), James W., Edward D., Isaac C., and Laura C. (deceased). James C. was in the mill and lumber business for many

James Bran

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years. James W. is engaged in the same business. He was married in 1863, to Frances Wooster, of Oxford, and they have two children: Arthur R. and Laura R.

William L. Ward, born in Naugatuck, October 31st, 1858, is a son of James B. and Jane E. (Hotchkiss) Ward, grandson of Lewis and great-grandson of Richard Ward. The children of James and Jane E. Ward, were: William L. and Elmer J. William L. resided in Nau- gatuck until 1889, when he removed to Seymour and engaged in busi- ness as a dealer in furniture, carpets, crockery and undertaking. He was married, in 1889, to Lulu J., daughter of Isaac Tolles, of Nau- gatuck.

John Weaver, born in Overton, North Wales, in 1809, came to Amer- ica in 1851, and settled in Rome, N. Y., where he engaged in farming. He married Frances Rogers, and their children were: Lloyd, Eliza- beth, John (deceased), Fannie, Hardman, Lazarus G. and Charles. Lloyd Weaver came to Seymour in 1866, and Lazarus G. and Charles came a few years later. Lloyd Weaver has been connected with the Fowler Nail Company since its organization, and since 1870 has been superintendent. He was born in 1840, in Overton, North Wales. He was married in 1874 to Jemima Webster. They have one daughter, Lizzie. Charles Weaver married, in 1880, Fannie Beers. He is over- seer in the Fowler Nail Company. Lazarus G. was born in North Wales, March 19th, 1849. He is a contractor with the Fowler Nail Company. He was married in 1875 to Mary A., daughter of Harvey Hotchkiss. Their children are: George H., Harold L., Augusta S. and Clifford H.

Captain Henry Wooster was born in Derby (now Seymour) in 1802. He was a son of Henry, he a son of Henry and he a son of Henry, resi- dents of Derby. Captain Wooster followed the sea, sailing between New Haven and the West Indies. He married Harriet, daughter of Joseph Riggs, of Oxford. Their children were: Harriet, Henry, Olive, Cecilia and Leslie B. Henry was lost at sea, and Leslie B. met his death at the hands of the Indians in Arizona. Olive married Rodney Clark. Cecilia married Morris Tuttle. Harriet is unmarried and re- sides on the old homestead, which was settled by the Woosters more than 200 years ago. The residence is supposed to have been built as early as 1700. Captain Wooster died in 1842. His wife afterward mar- ried Captain Daniel Moss. She died in 1878.

Nathan R. Wooster, born in Oxford, Conn., in 1809, is a son of Na- thaniel and Charity (Plumb) Wooster, and grandson of Samuel Woos- ter. Mr. Wooster is a mason by trade. He came to Seymour in 1848, where he has since resided. He has held the office of selectman and was town treasurer in 1866. He was married in 1839, to Antoinette Bassett.

Leonard Wyant, born in Bavaria in 1827, came to America in 1849, and settled in Seymour, and was employed in the auger works of Ray-

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mond French for 20 years. From 1869 to 1886 he was in the milk business. He is now engaged in farming. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Seymour. He was married in 1851, to Elizabeth Graff. Their children are: Katie, deceased; Libbie, born 1854; Henry, born 1856; and Fannie, born 1869.

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History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 71

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