History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 80

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 80
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 80

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).

The monument of Israel Holmes shows that he was born Decem- ber 19th, 1800, and died July 15th, 1874, and bears this tribute to his worth:

" BECAUSE HE WAS OUR CITY IS."

The shaft which marks the grave of Aaron Benedict, another of the founders of the city, tells the visitor that this public-spirited man died February 9th, 1873, and that he was born August 9th, 1785.

On a high point of land is the Masonic Block, whose bounds are neatly marked, and in the center of which is a granite and bronze me-

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morial. On this lot are interred more than 20 members of the frater- nity, each grave having a humble marker.

In the entire cemetery 3,201 persons were interred from the time it was opened until April 1st, 1889. M. Begnal has been the custodian of the cemetery since 1853.

A brief account only of the military affairs of Waterbury can here find place. In the French and Indian wars five persons from the town served as officers, Samuel Hickox being a captain in 1745, and Eldad Lewis in 1762 .*

"A large majority of the people living in Waterbury at the break- ing out of the revolutionary war were firm champions of colonial rights. After the meeting of Congress in 1774 a resolution was adopted unanimously at a town meeting called for the purpose, to ad- here to the association entered into by Congress.

" During the war Waterbury furnished more men for the conti- nental army than many other towns in the state.+ The eighth com- pany of the first regiment of Connecticut troops was raised in Water- town. Phineas Porter was captain of this company, Stephen Matthews, first lieutenant; Isaac Bronson, second lieutenant; and David Smith, ensign. These troops were enlisted for seven months, and most of them reënlisted. In 1776 Congress made a requisition on Connecticut for troops, and the state legislature passed an act to raise seven regi- ments. Phineas Porter was major of the 5th Regiment, and the sixth company was from Waterbury. The officers were: John Lewis, Jr., captain; Jas. Warner, first lieutenant; M. Bronson, second lieutenant; Jas. Beach, Jr., ensign.

" In November of 1776 the legislature ordered that four battalions should be raised. The officers of one company in the second battalion, which was recruited in Waterbury, were: Benj. Richards, captain; J. Bronson, Jr., first lieutenant; Mr. Law, second lieutenant; Benj. Fenn, Jr., ensign."

" The main east and west road was the highway between Hartford and Fishkill, and was much used during the war for passage of troops and supplies. In the fall of 1777, after the capture of Burgoyne, a de- tachment of the American army, with the enemy's splendid train of artillery, passed over the road to the eastward. They pitched their tents and encamped for a night in Manhan Meadow, just over the bridge.

" General Lafayette, once during the war, passed through Water- bury. He lodged at the house of Captain Isaac Bronson, at Breakneck. The host introduced him to his best chamber, in which was his best bed. But Lafayette caused the feather bed to be removed, saying: ' Straw for the soldier,'and made the straw underbed his couch for the night. General Washington passed through also. He dined with * From Accounts by Bronson, Baldwin and Burpee.

+ It is claimed 250 in all capacities.

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Esq. Hopkins. Mr. Hopkins made many inquiries, and at last became decidedly inquisitive. After reflecting a little on his last question, Washington said: 'Mr. Hopkins, can you keep a secret?' ' I can.' 'So can I,' the general instantly replied.

"In the latter part of June, 1781, the French army, under Count Rochambeau, in their inarch from Newport westward and south to join Washington in Virginia, passed through Waterbury. They are said to have marched in four divisions, and to have encamped for a night just over the mountain in Southington, at a place since called French Hill. After the surrender of Cornwallis, or in October, 1782, they re- turned by the same route. They are said to have marched two and two, and at both times to have encamped at Breakneck hill, making Isaac Bronson's house headquarters."

The town was not especially active in the war of 1812 or the Mexi- can war, but did not lack in patriotism in its devotion to and defense of the Union cause in the civil war, 1861 to 1865. It is claimed that the town furnished about 900 men, 55 of whom were commissioned officers. Many of them rendered brave and highly meritorions ser- vice. None were more soldier-like and gallant than John L. Chatfield, who went out as a major in April, 1861, but was promoted to a colo- nelcy in the summer of that year. He was fatally wounded at Fort Wagner in July, 1863, and died at his home in Waterbury August 9th, 1863. A monument to his memory was dedicated in Riverside Ceme- tery September 13th, 1887.

Waterbury has taken a warm interest in the Militia and National Guard of the state, and several of its citizens have held high offices in that soldiery. S. W. Kellogg has been a major, colonel and brigadier general; John B. Doherty has been major, lieutenant-colonel, and is now colonel of the 2d Regiment, and Lucien F. Burpee is the major.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

WV. C. Bannon was born in Waterbury in 1844, and was educated in the common schools. In 1859 he went to Marshallville, Macon county, Georgia and established the general merchandise business un- der the firm name of Sperry & Bannon. He enlisted in the 12th Georgia Regiment in 1861, serving 4 years and 2 months; was sergeant major, and at close of war acting adjutant. He was wounded at An- tietam, Wilderness and Gettysburg. He returned to Waterbury in 1870 and established the grocery business with his brother, under the firm name of Bannon Brothers, which continued until 1880. He then established the soda bottling business, which he carried on about five years. Since 1885 he has been in the restaurant business at the New York & New England depot. He was chief of the police depart- ment for two years, member of council two years and town auditor three years. While in the council he was on the committee of public lands and buildings.

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

George G. Blakeslee was born in 1851, in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1857 he went to New Haven and was educated in the public schools there. In 1864 he came to Waterbury and worked in a store two years, and was afterward employed with the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company for 24 years. Since April 26th, 1890, he has been secretary and manager of the Matthew & Willard Manufacturing Company. He was elected quartermaster of the 2d Regiment, Conn. N. G., July 1st, 1889.

Ralph N. Blakeslee was born in Waterbury in 1856. He has car- ried on the teaming busines in Waterbury since September, 1879. The beginning of the business dates from the time when Henry Hotch- kiss drew freight from Waterbury to New Haven for a Mr. Peck. After the railroad was built the firm of Hotchkiss & Hoadley was formed, and they carried on the business about three years. After- ward C. B. Webster ran it for about 10 years, and later L. Beardsley conducted it 15 years. Then Mr. Blakeslee took the business, buying at the time 28 horses and now has over 100.

Thomas Bland, veterinary surgeon, was born in 1856, in Boston, England, where he was educated, and graduated from Boston Veter- inary Institute in 1874. He came to this country at the age of 20, lo- cating first in New York city, and came to Waterbury in January, 1878, where he has practiced since. He was one of the founders of the Con- necticut Veterinary Medical Association, organized February 13th, 1884, and incorporated March 8th, 1887, and was its recording secretary until June, 1891, when he was elected president. He is vice-president of the Waterbury Driving company.

Ralph L. Bronson, mason builder, was born September 10th, 1828, in Roxbury, Conn. He learned his trade with Oliver Smith, of Beek- man, Dutchess County, N. Y., came to Waterbury in the fall of 1848 and worked for George Welton five years, afterward for George Gil- bert, and in 1872 established business with him under the firm name of George Gilbert & Co., and later Gilbert & Bronson. Since 1888 he has conducted business alone. He was street inspector for six years.

Thomas F. Butler was born in 1856, in Ireland, came to this country in 1867, and located in Waterbury, where he learned his trade. He established himself in business in 1879. He did the plastering on the Cooley House, Franklin House, Bank street school, Parochial school, Windsor Locks, and Booth Block, New Britain.

Sainnel A. Chapman was born in Ellington, Tolland county, Conn., in 1832. He came from Hartford with Rogers & Brother as a con- tractor in 1858, remaining with them about seven years. Afterward he was superintendent for Holmes, Booth & Haydens for 18 years, un- til, in 1883, the Chapman & Armstrong Manufacturing Company was established, with Samuel A. Chapman, president; F. Armstrong, treas- urer; Charles Armstrong, secretary. They are manufacturers of goods of brass and other metals. Mr. Chapman is also president of

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the Hammond Buckle Company, of Rockville. Conn., established in 1889.

W. M. Cottle was born August 28th, 1841, at Martha's Vineyard, Mass., and was educated in the common schools. He worked for three years in ship yards at Mystic and Fair Haven, Conn. He learned the trade of carpenter around New Haven. He came to Waterbury in 1868, worked about four years for John Fogg, and in 1871 established business for himself. He built the Waterbury State Armory, the Waterbury Rink and the Commercial Block on Bank street.

D. E. Cronin was born in 1855 in Ireland, and came to this country with his parents when he was one year old. They located in Middle- town, Conn. He was educated at common schools, learned his trade of mason with Chester Sage, went to work for James Kane, of Meriden, and afterward was in business with him for one year under firm name of Kane & Cronin. In May, 1879, he came to Waterbury, and in 1887 established business with James F. Gaffney under firm name of Gaff- ney & Cronin, which continued until May, 1890, when he formed a partnership with John W. Gaffney under firm name of John W. Gaff- ney & Co. They built the Baptist church on Grand street, Industrial school, Lilley Block, St. John's parish house and nearly all of the Water- bury Manufacturing Company's shops; Catholic church, Torrington; parochial school, Windsor Locks; electric light works, Stamford; Booth Block, New Britain; State Armory, New London; State Armory, South Norwalk; County Court House, Litchfield, Conn .; White Dental Works, Staten Island.

Thomas Fitzsimons was born in Ireland in 1838, and came to this country in 1848, locating in New York. He remained there one year, and in 1849 came to Waterbury. He was superintendent for Steel & Johnson 14 years, and then with Edwin Putnam and W. H. Blake or- ganized the Novelty Manufacturing Company, in 1872, and has filled all the offices in the company, serving 15 years as secretary, two years as treasurer, and since 1889 as president.

William E. Fulton was born August 8th, 1852, in Brooklyn, N. Y. He was educated in the public schools of New York city and at the College of the City of New York. He came to Waterbury, in 1873, and was first employed with Holmes, Booth & Haydens, as clerk, re- maining four years. In 1877 he entered the employ of the Farrel Foundry & Machine Company. When the Waterbury Farrel Foundry & Machine Company was organized he was made secretary and treas- urer, which offices he still holds. He married Ida E., daughter of E. C. Lewis, of Waterbury.

Jaines F. Gaffney was born in 1861 in Waterbury, was educated in the public schools, served his time with John W. Gaffney, and in 1884 established the business of contracting and building under the firm name of Gaffney & Cronin. In 1888 he bought out Mr. Cronin's

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

interest, and has since conducted the business himself. He built the Bank street school house.

John W. Gaffney, contractor and builder, was born in Ireland in 1842. His parents came to America and located in Wolcottville for a short time, then cante to Waterbury. Mr. Gaffney learned his trade in New Haven in 1859, and in 1864 established business in Bridge- port, under the firm name of Rutherford & Gaffney, which continued until the spring of 1867, when he established business in Waterbury. He is also engaged in the real estate business. He married Mary A., daughter of George Byrnes, of Waterbury, in 1877.

Michael Guilfoile was born in 1837, in Ireland, and came to this country in 1863, locating for a short time in Hartford, then came to Waterbury, and soon after started in the butcher business, and later adding the grocery business. He has been secretary of the West Side Savings Bank since its organization, in 1889.

J. H. Guernsey was born in Watertown, Conn., in 1848, and is a son of John J. and Mary J. (Schofield) Guernsey. He was brought up on his father's farm and educated in the district schools. He came to Water- bury in 1870, and for four years kept books and did general office work. Afterward he entered the employ of D. B. Wilson, as salesman in the hardware business, remaining 10 years, and in the spring of 1885 es- tablished business for himself in Brown's Block, moving in 1889 to his present store in the Platt Building. He married Alice E., daugh- ter of W. L. Wooding, of Waterbury. He was elected to the council in 1890, serving one year, and was elected alderman in 1891, serving two years. He is vice-president of the Connecticut Indemnity Associa- tion, and has been connected with it since its organization. He is a member of Continental Lodge, No. 76, F. & A. M., of Nosahogan Lodge, No. 21, I. O. O. F., Ansantawae Encampment, Canton Water- bury, Valley City Lodge, K. of H., Tunxis Tribe, I. O. R. M., Seguses Council, D. of P.

W. M. Hurlburt was born in 1848, in Washington, Conn. Helearned the trade of carpenter with C. M. Rowley, of Woodbury, came to Water- bury in 1869, and worked for John Dutton and Tracy & Eldridge, also followed farming. He established business for himself in 1875.

STEPHEN W.KELLOGG was born in the town of Shelburne, Mass., April 5th, 1822, and was descended from revolutionary stock; his great-grand- father was first lieutenant in a company raised the first year of the struggle for independence and was with General Arnold in that won- derful winter march across the wilderness of Maine to Canada, and died before the walls of Quebec. His grandfather, at that time a lad of 16, served in the American army, the last year of the war.

The boyhood of Stephen W. Kellogg was spent on his father's farm, but when he was 16 years old he attended school at the Shel- burne Falls Academy, Reverend John Alden being the principal. After- ward he attended, for a short time, the select school of Alvin Ander-

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son, at the same place, when he was qualified to teach district school. He taught four winters, attending school himself. at the Falls, in the spring, and in the summer worked on his father's farm. At the age of 20 he entered Amherst College, but remained only two terms, when he became a student at Vale College, from which he graduated in 1846, taking, at commencement, one of the first three honors of his class. He now took charge, for a few months, of an academy at Wilbraham, Mass., when he entered the Yale Law School, teaching, at the same time, the Greek classes, in the classical school kept by Hon. Aaron N. Skinner, at New Haven. In two years he completed his law studies and was admitted to the New Haven county bar, in June, 1848. Soon after he located as an attorney at Naugatuck, but in 1854 he removed to Waterbury, where he has since resided. most of the time in the active practice of his profession, ranking now as one of the oldest law- yers in this part of the county. Since 1884 his son John P., has been associated with him, the law firm being Kellogg & Kellogg. For many years he has held a very prominent position in his profession, which has not been confined to this locality and few attorneys in the county are more widely or more favorably known. In 1854 he was appointed judge of the New Haven county court and for seven years was judge of probate, for the district of Waterbury, filling both positions with great ability.

Mr. Kellogg was clerk of the Conneticut senate in 1851, a member of the state senate from the Waterbury district in 1853, and a mem- ber of the Connecticut house of representatives in 1856. He was elected to the congress of the United States in 1869 and was reelected in 1871 and 1873. In that body he was very energetic and took a lead- ing part in its affairs. He served as a member upon the several com- mittees of the judiciary, patents, Pacific railroads and war claims, and was chairman of the committee on naval expenditures in the 42d con- gress and chairman of the committee on civil service reform in the 43d congress. He succeeded in procuring legislation for the improve- ment of the harbors on the coast of Connecticut, which had then been long neglected. He also helped to shape the tariff legislation of 1870 and 1872 so that the interests of his state were protected and his suc- cess in these efforts led to his reelection to congress twice in a district having 2,500 or more political majority against him. During the 43d congress he prepared and procured the passage of bills reorganizing both the treasury and war departments at Washington. The former department at that time had not been reorganized by any law for 40 years, but had grown to its immense proportions, by accretion as it were, by means of appropriation bills, as the necessities of the service required, especially during the civil war. That department is still carried on under the law as prepared by Mr. Kellogg. Since his re- tirement from congress he has been almost wholly devoted to the prac-

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tice of the law, but maintains to an unusual degree his interest in pub- lic matters.

At the close of the war Mr. Kellogg was active in organizing a na- tional guard to take the place of the state militia and drew the bill and procured its passage, which first gave the name national guard to the active militia of Connecticut. That name was subsequently adopted by a large number of other states, being now in general use. He was colonel of the 2d Regiment, Conn. N. G., for three years, and was af- terward brigadier general of the guard, resigning that position while in congress.

Mr. Kellogg was married September 10th, 1851, to Lucia Hosmer Andrews, a granddaughter of Chief Justice Hosmer, who for 30 years was a member of the supreme court of Connecticut. Major-General Samuel H. Parsons, of the American army, in the revolution, was her great-grandfather. By this union there were seven children, six now living. His three daughters are married to Frank C. Plume, of Water- bury; E. N. English, of New Haven; and Irving H. Chase, of Water- bury -- all active young business men. Of the three sons the eldest, Frank W., graduated from Annapolis in 1879, and is now an officer in the United States navy. John P. graduated from Yale in 1882, was in the law school of that university two years, and was admitted to the New Haven bar in 1884. He is now associated with his father. The youngest son, Charles P., graduated from Yale in June, 1890, and is now in its law school.

FREDERICK J. KINGSBURY, a son of Charles D. and Eliza Kingsbury, was born in Waterbury, January 1st, 1823. His mother was a daughter of Frederick Leavenworth, one of the most prominent citizens of this part of the county, and his paternal grandfather was John Kingsbury, Esq. He was a native of Norwich, Conn., and entered Vale College in 1780, but soon after left to enlist on board a privateer, and helped to capture several British vessels. At the close of the revolution he re- turned to Yale, from which he graduated in 1786. After studying law at the Litchfield Law School, he located in the practice of his profession at Waterbury in 1791, where he died in September, 1844. He served as judge of the probate court, and was appointed judge of the New Haven county court in 1801, becoming the presiding judge in 1820. His son, Charles D., was born November 7th, 1795, and was trained from youth for mercantile pursuits, in which he engaged and con- tinued until 1838, when, by reason of his ill health, he retired from trade, devoting thereafter his attention to his large landed interests. He.deceased January 16th, 1890.

Frederick J. Kingsbury was reared in Waterbury, and after gradu- ating from Yale College, in 1846, he pursued law studies in the same institution. He next entered the law office of Hon. Charles G. Loring, in Boston, and was admitted to practice by the Suffolk County Bar, March 10th, 1848. Soon after he removed to Hartford, where for six

rederich I. Kingsburg

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HHISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

months he was in the office of Hon. Thomas C. Perkins, one of the foremost attorneys of the state. In the spring of 1849 Mr. Kingsbury returned to his native town, where he opened a law office, and the following year was elected as one of the representatives of Waterbury in the state legislature. Twice thereafter he was elected to the same body, in which he creditably served. In his first term he secured a charter for the Waterbury Savings Bank, which he helped to organize, in 1850, and was elected its secretary and treasurer. These offices he has since filled, and to his constant services much of the splendid suc- cess of the bank may be attributed. He also aided, in 1853, in estab- lishing the Citizens' Bank, of which he was chosen the first cashier. In 1868 he succeeded Samnel W. Hall as president of that institution, and has remained identified with it in that relation ever since. The same year he was elected president of the Scovill Manufacturing Com- pany, and has also been continuously retained as the head of that cor- ' poration, which he had previously served as treasurer. Besides being interested in the foregoing, Mr. Kingsbury is also connected as trustee or director in many other financial, railway or manufacturing corpor- ations. He has been the treasurer of the Silas Bronson Free Library since it was opened, in 1870, and serves as the chairman of its book committee.

Although so active in these pursuits, Mr. Kingsbury has found time to encourage many other projects for the material development of Waterbury, or whose purpose was the elevation of the moral tone of this community. He urgently favored the construction of the present system of water works, and helped to establish the fine Riverside Cemetery. He is connected with various charitable and religious or- ganizations, serving as the treasurer of the Episcopal Diocese of Con- necticut, and was a member of the general convention in 1877. The interests of St. John's parish, to which he belongs, have his warm support.

Mr. Kingsbury is a gentleman of broad culture, having had a wide range of reading and study, and is also a writer of conceded ability. He published, in 1856, a sketch of the life of James G. Percival, and a sketch of Chicago; and in 1880 a series of Social Science Papers. He is a member of the Connecticut Academy of Science, and was elected a Fellow of Yale in 1881, serving since as an active member of that great corporation.

Gordon B. Lawrence was born in 1850, in Waterbury, and is a son of David S. and Mary C. Lawrence. He was educated in the public schools of Waterbury. He is a carpenter by trade, which he followed until 1875, then was foreman for the Waterbury Watch Company for five years, and January 1st, 1881, started in the real estate business. He drew the charter for the West Side Savings Bank, carried it to the legislature and lobbied it through. He has been treasurer since its organization in 1889. He was elected assessor of the town in 1883

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

and served four terms. In 1891 he was elected by the largest ma- jority ever given any assessor.

EDWARD C. LEWIS, a son of John and Mary Lewis, was born at Welsh Pool, North Wales, September 23d, 1826. When he was four years of age he came to America with his parents, who settled at Bridgeport, Conn. His father was a master spinner and secured work in the woolen mills of Thatcher & Bunnell, of that city, where in the course of half a dozen years young Lewis was also employed, having first for a short time attended the common schools of Bridgeport. At the age of 18 years he left the woolen factory and sought other occupation, entering as an apprentice the Bridgeport Iron Works, a concern which he and others in later life owned and operated. Here he served his time, thoroughly learning the founder's trade and becoming a master iron founder. This knowledge subsequently paved the way for his speedy advancement.

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History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 80

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