History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 87

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 87
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 87

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).

Charles F. Hungerford was born in Watertown, Conn., in 1857. He was educated in the common schools of that town, and at a business college in New Haven. He came to Naugatuck in 1877 and was em- ployed as bookkeeper until 1887, when he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in partnership with W. F. York. The lat- ter retired in July, 1889, and Mr. Hungerford has since conducted the business alone as the Naugatuck Furniture Company. He was elected town clerk in 1890. He was married in 1883, to Carrie, daughter of S. Seabury Scott, of Naugatuck. They have one son, Seabury S.

John L. Isbell was born in Roxbury, Conn., in 1815, removed to Union City in 1832, and engaged in making machinery for woolen and cotton mills. He died in 1877. He was twice married; first to Eliza Botsford, by whom he had one son, John D., who was first lieu- tenant of the 18th Massachusetts regiment in the war of the rebellion, and died in the service; and one daughter, Frances E., who married John B. Vale. Mrs. Isbell died in 1861, and in 1863, Mr. Isbell mar- ried Amy S. Curtiss, of Bridgeport, Conn., daughter of William Cur- tiss .. By this marriage he had three children: Howard L., born 1865; Maud, born 1870; and Arthur C., born 1876.

Hubert H. Johnson was born in Naugatuck in 1837 and was edu- cated at the high school of Naugatuck. He is a brother of the late Professor E. E. Johnson, of Trinity College, and rector of Trinity Parish, Hartford. Mr. Johnson has been principal of the Union City school for 14 years; prior to that he was teacher of the Naugatuck school 11 years. He married Catherine A. Smith, of Naugatuck, in September, 1858. They have six children.

Andrew Knapp was born in Newtown, Conn., June Sth, 1844, and

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

came to Naugatuck in 1873. He is a son of Andrew Knapp, who was at one time engaged in manufacturing combs at Newtown. Since he came to Naugatuck he has been engaged in keeping the Knapp Club House. This club was organized by him iu June, 1875, with a mem- bership of 30. Doctor F. B. Tuttle was president, Andrew Knapp, secretary, and J. T. Garrison, treasurer. This club now has a mem- bership of 169, with E. H. Carrington, president, M. H. Lawless, secretary, and Andrew Knapp, treasurer. Mr. Knapp has always had charge of the club. He is a member of F. & A. M. Lodge of Winsted, of the Ansonia Chapter, and of the Waterbury Council.

James S. Lewis, born in Naugatuck in 1827, is a son of Selden, born 1791, whose father Ezra, born 1768, was a son of John. They all lived and died on the farm now owned by James S. Selden had five children: Albert, Burritt, Amelia, James S. and John E., all living but Albert, who died in 1889. Selden died in 1874. James S. was educated in the common schools of Naugatuck and has always fol- lowed farming. He has held the offices of selectman and assessor. He was inarried in 1852, to Mary J., daughter of Larmon Osborn. She was born in 1829. They have one daughter, Jennie E., who is mar- ried to Noyes T. Andrews, and has three children: Lewis F., Alice T. and Mabel.

James O. May, born in Naugatuck in 1853, is a son of James W. and Abigail P. (Hotchkiss) May, who was born in Prospect, Conn. The father of James W. was Calvin, son of Luke, whose father Wil- liam, was a son of Eleazer, who was the head of the Pomfret branch. James W. settled in Naugatuck about 1844. He had four children: Martha B., Calvin S., Jenny L. and James O., who married, in 1876, Ida E. Judd, daughter of Rufus and Louise Judd, of Waterbury, and has one child, Pauline L., born in 1886. Mr. May is engaged in the drug business, and is manager of the Diamond Laboratory Company of Naugatuck. One Hickox, an ancestor of Mr. May, was the first set- tler on the east side of the river in Naugatuck. Mr. May's grand- father, Major Orrin Hotchkiss, a prominent officer in the war of 1812' and a man well known in civil authority in New Haven county, was one of the first settlers in Ohio. His farm is supposed to have been where is now Columbus, Ohio, the state capital.

Enoch Newton, born in Naugatuck in 1821. is a son of John and Sybil (Thomas) Newton. John Newton was born in 1788, and died in 1866. He came to Naugatuck with his wife in 1810. They had five children: Thomas H .. Hannah F., John, Enoch and Harriet M. They were all born in Naugatuck. The mother was born in 1789, and died in 1867. Thomas H. has been twice married; first to Ellen M. Lewis of Roxbury, and second, to Philura C. Gilbert. Hannah married An- sel Spencer. John married Eliza Thomas. Enoch is a bachelor. His grandfather, Miles Newton, came from Milford and settled in Water- bury. Enoch owns the old Newton homestead in Naugatuck.

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Frank S. Nichols was born in Naugatuck October 28th, 1842. His father, Isaac Nichols, of the same town, was born in 1820, and died in 1882. He was a wheelwright and also carried on the grocery business. He served nine months in the 23d Connecticut Volunteers in the re- bellion. Frank S. was connected with the Rubber G. M. R. G. Com- pany seven years, then went into the oil business, but finally returned to Naugatuck in 1875, where he bought out his brother, Fred. O. Nichols' grocery, and has since conducted it. He was educated in Naugatuck and at a boarding school in West Haven. He enlisted in the war of the rebellion in 1861, in Company K, 6th Regiment, Con- necticut Volunteers, was in several sharply contested battles, and be- fore Richmond with General Butler, and was discharged in 1864. He was married to Maria Camp, of Plymouth, Conn., and they have two children: Lewis F. and Emma J. Fred. O. Nichols served three years in the 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery.

William J. Noble, born in Pittsfield, Mass., in 1857, is a son of William and Ann Noble, who came from England and settled in Pittsfield in 1855. They had ten children, six now living: William J., Henry W., George, Walter, Wallace and Charles. William J. came to Naugatuck in 1879, and was with the Dunham Hosiery Company nearly seven years. He then established the livery business which is still known as Noble's Stable, and is now run by John Breen. In 1884 he married Delia Fallon, of New York state. They have four children: Frank N., Alphonse, May and Myron.

John A. Peck, born in Monroe, Conn., May 6th, 1820, is a son of John, and grandson of Shadrach, natives of Fairfield, Conn. John A. and his father came to Naugatuck in 1840. The former bought the Naugatuck Hotel and ran it for eight years. He remodelled and re- furnished it and sold it to Stephen H. Nichols in 1849. He was ap- pointed postmaster of Naugatuck in 1844, and resigned in 1849. He engaged in the manufacture of pocket cutlery, as president of a joint stock company in 1850, and continued the business over 30 years. He temporarily moved to Chicago in 1879, and established a store there in connection with the factory here. Five years later, in 1885, he returned to Naugatuck. He married, in 1840, Eunice, daughter of Enos Candee, of Oxford. They have three children living: Mary E., E. Louise, and Lelia. Mr. Peck served in the legislature from Nau- gatuck in 1856 and 1869.

Luther S. Platt, born in Middlebury, Conn., July 4th, 1820, is a son of Gideon, and his ancestors for four generations have borne the same name. The grandfather of Luther came from that part of the town of Milford now Orange to Waterbury, now Middlebury. The father of Luther married Lydia Sperry, of Waterbury. They had six chil- dren, of whom Luther was the youngest. He married, in 1847, Di- antha Thompson, of Middlebury, Conn. They have one son, Freder- ick G., born in 1848, now engaged in the lumber trade in New Britain,

yy Schaffen

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY,

Conn. Luther S. was first selectman of the town of Middlebury 14 years, and served in all the offices in that town, except town clerk and treasurer. He represented the town in the legislature in 1861 and 1868. He moved to Naugatuck in 1872, was appointed postmaster, and held this office 11 years, when he resigned in favor of A. J. Wood. Mr. Platt was treasurer of the Naugatuck Savings Bank eight years. He is now engaged in the insurance business and settling estates. He has been collector and trial justice.

FREDERICK F. SCHAFFER, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Prussia. He was born June 12th, 1853, a son of William E. and Dorothy Schaffer, and came with his parents to America when he was a mere child, living first in this country in a small village near New Brunswick, New Jersey. When he was about ten years old his parents removed to that city, where Frederick obtained a limited common school education, being deprived of these advantages when he was 13 years of age, when he began to earn his own livelihood in one of the mills of the New Brunswick Rubber Company. His future education was wholly self-acquired, as the result of a thoughtful, inquiring mind and studious habits, which have greatly aided him in his business suc- cesses.

After serving the New Brunswick Company six years, he secured a position with the New Jersey Rubber Company, where he indus- triously applied himself and learned all the details of manufacturing rubber boots and shoes, becoming very proficient in that business. In November, 1876, he came to Naugatuck, where he took the position of superintendent of the boot and shoe department of the Goodyear India Rubber Glove Manufacturing Company, ably serving in that capacity until the spring of 1885, when he became the general superintendent of the works of that extensive corporation, continuing as such to the present time. Here he has been afforded ample opportunity to demon- strate his thorough knowledge of the manifold details connected with that industry, and his management of its affairs has evinced executive ability of a high order. The corporation has become one of the fore- most of the kind in this country. These attributes of skill, tact, and good judgment have also been exercised by Mr. Schaffer in other re- lations of his life, and being reinforced by a genial disposition, have deservedly made him popular in this community. He has been called to fill positions of honor and trust and in 1891 was elected as the first selectman of the town, in spite of former adverse political majorities. In politics he is a republican, but he has never allowed partisan feeling to obscure his recognition of right and justice outside of his own party lines.

Mr. Schaffer is a member of the Naugatuck Episcopal society and serves as a vestryman. He is also an active secret society man, be- longing to both the Masonic and Odd Fellow Lodges of this town, and takes a warm interest in the affairs of these orders. He has been

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

twice married: first, in December, 1877, to Minnie M., the daughter of Wales Perkins, of Naugatuck, who deceased March 7th, 1888. By this union there were three children: Frederick W., born December 18th, 1878; Winnabel May, born October 20th, 1879, and Hazel J., born July 13th, 1882. For his second wife he married October Sth, 1889, Melicent M., daughter of Richard and Almira Nichols, of Litchfield, Conn., and there is one child, Dorothy A., born April 10th, 1891. All the children survive, and the domestic life of the family is singularly happy and interesting, Mr. Schaffer being a generous husband and a kind and indulgent father.

Joseph Schofield, born in Sheffield, England, in 1830, came to this country in 1862, and worked at cutlery making in Shelburne Falls, Mass., at New Britain, Conn., and at Waldon, N. Y. He then came to Naugatuck and worked for the Naugatuck Cutlery Company until 1886, when he bought the business and is now operating the factory. He manufactures all kinds of pocket cutlery, and his reputation for fine and durable work is acknowledged throughout the country. The business is still carried on under the name of the Naugatuck Cutlery Company. He employs 20 hands. The business was established about 1870. Mr. Schofield was married in England, and brought his wife and five children with him to this country. They now have ten children.

S. Seabury Scott, born in Derby, Conn., in 1838, is a son of Rev- erend Joseph Scott, an Episcopal minister, who died in Naugatuck in 1859. S. Seabury came to Naugatuck with his parents in 1849, and has since made this place his home. He was engaged in the manufacture of hair pins until 1887. He served as judge of probate, for the dis- trict comprising Naugatuck and Beacon Falls, in 1885 and 1886. He is secretary and treasurer of the Naugatuck Water Works. He mar- ried Laura Jacobs, of North Haven, in 1860. They have one daughter, wife of Charles F. Hungerford.

CHARLES HENRY SMITII, the popular merchant and postmaster of Union City, was the third child of Richard Lewis and Lydia Ann (Boughton) Smith, of Milford. The father was the oldest child of Eb- enezer Smith, who was the second son of David Smith, a descendant of one of the early settlers of Milford. Like his ancestors he was a farmer and was esteemed a good and useful man. He died November 24th, 1884. The mother was born March 12th, 1814, and was the eiglith of the ten children of Jonas and Lydia (Hine) Bough- ton-an old and honored family in the western part of the county. She still survives. Jonas Boughton died in 1859, aged 80 years, and his wife deceased five years later, aged 86 years. Several of their children have also become octogenarians, their lives being full of hon- ors as well as years.

The five children of Richard L. and Lydia A. Smith were: Lewis Brainerd, born September 22d, 1840, who was a captain in the Union

Charles Hidewith

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

army, in the civil war, and who was killed April 2d, 1865, at Fort Gregg, in front of Richmond : Charlotte Ann, born October 26th, 1842, died September 4th, 1844; Charles Henry, born December 16th, 1844; Emma Engenia, born July 6th, 1847, became the wife of Otis Street, of Milford ; George Franklin, born March 1st, 1852, who is a business man in New York, but resides in Milford.

The boyhood of Charles H. Smith was spent on his father's farm in Milford, attending the high school in the village of Milford, where he received the most of his education. After this he was engaged as a elerk in the store of E. T. Turner, in Waterbury, when he worked five more years in the same capacity for Wilcox, Hall & Co., of New Haven. In April, 1871, he came to Union City when, in partnership with Floyd L. Andrew, he established a mercantile business, which be- eame, by purchase, his own in 1877. His trade has been successfully continued and he is now one of the oldest merchants in the town. On the 18th of June, 1879, he was appointed postmaster of the Union City office and has sinee filled that position in connection with his mercan- tile pursuits. He has also been interested in manufacturing, serving as vice-president of the Shepard Manufacturing Company of Union City, from 1886 to 1889.

Mr. Smith has manifested a proper interest in public affairs and was elected third selectman in 1889 and second seleetman in 1880. He also serves as treasurer of the Union City school district. In all these relations he has been progressive and public spirited. He has taken an active interest in several secret orders, being a member of Shepherd Masonic Lodge, of Naugatuck, and of the Salem Lodge, Ancient Order of United Workmen. Of the latter body he was the past master in 1889.

In politics Mr. Smith is a republican, and gives his support to the Congregational society in religious matters. He was married October 3d, 1871, to Ella A., daughter of Samuel Noyes Andrew, and sister of Floyd L. Andrew, his former partner. This family is one of the oldest and most respected in Naugatuek. Two children were born as the fruit of that union : a daughter, Madeline, who died February 20th, 1890, at the age of seven years ; and a son, Brainerd A., born March 16th, 1889. Mr. Smith is still a young man, but by his industry and busi- ness eapaeity, has fairly worked out a place for himself among the foremost citizens of the town.

James Smith, born in Middlebury, Conn., in 1815, is a son of Wil- liam H. Smith, who was born in 1793 and died in 1873. The latter had six sons and four daughters. The father of William H. was Eb- enezer, and his grandfather Ebenezer, one of the first settlers of Mid- dlebury. James Smith was the eldest son of William H. He was engaged in the mercantile business in New Haven for about five years, then resided in Middlebury, Conn., two years, after which he removed to Exeter, Otsego county, N. Y., where he was engaged in

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

farming for 11 years. He then moved to Waterbury, from there to Southbury, then to Middlebury, and in 1873 came to Naugatuck. He was a member of the legislature from Middlebury in 1870. He was married in 1841 to Mary W. Curtiss, of Exeter, N. Y. They have had nine children, seven of whom are living: Floyd B., Mary E., Sarah D., Julia M., William H., George B. (died in infancy), Edward C., Robert M. (died at the age of six years), and Frederick A.

Theodore A. Smith, born in Naugatuck March 12th, 1831, is a son of Lewis Smith and Clara Nichols, a sister of Isaac Nichols. They had two children: Theodore A. and Eliza J., who married Samuel Platt, of West Haven. Theodore married Bertha L. Dennis, of Mid- dlebury, in 1864. They have no children. His grandfather was Eli- sha Smith. All three generations were blacksmiths. Theodore A. still works at his trade in Millville, Naugatuck. He has been for seven years past, justice of the peace.

Charles Spencer is a son of Thomas and grandson of Deacon Cal- vin Spencer, all born in what is now Naugatuck. In early life Charles engaged in the millwright and carpenter business. He helped build the large water wheel at the shoe shop, which was at that time said to be the largest one in the United States. Since his father's death he has been farming. He has been twice married; first to Charlotte Pat- terson, who had one son, Charles, born in 1858. Mrs. Spencer died in 1858. His second wife was Emily, widow of Charles Patterson. She had one daughter, Mary E. Patterson, who married Alvin D. Ayres.

Hiel S. Stevens, born in Waterbury in 1814, is a son of David, and grandson of Elisha Stevens. The family settled early in Naugatuck and has been identified with its industries for nearly a century. Hiel S. Stevens learned the carpenter's trade and has worked at it nearly all his life, and has helped construct a large number of buildings in Naugatuck. He has held the offices of town treasurer and select- man, has represented the town three terms in the legislature and has twice represented the district as senator. He married Rebecca Lines, of Bethany, February 14th, 1850. They have had three children: Alice E., born in 1850; Emma F., born in 1852: and Edward E., born in 1863. Mrs. Stevens died in 1874. Edward E. is the only survivor of the children.

Edward J. Sweeney, born in Tarrytown, N. Y., in 1857, is a son of Eugene and Mary A. (Webb) Sweeney, both born in Ireland. They had six children, who came to Naugatuck with their parents in 1860. One son, Eugene, is a lawyer in New York, William is a banker in Montana, Dennis is foreman of the arctic department Rubber Company, G. M. R. Edward J. was educated in Naugatuck, and engaged first at carpenter work. He started in business in 1884, as an art dealer and picture framer. He married Ellen Leary, of New York, in 1882. They have three children: Mary, Nellie and

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Eugene. Mr. Sweeney is a member of the Ancient Order of For- resters.

James E. Sweeney, son of Edward Sweeney, was born in Nauga- tuck November 6th. 1856. He was educated at the high school of Naugatuck, and one term at Cargill Commercial School, New Haven. He was employed for two years as a teacher in Naugatuck, and one year in Litchfield, Litchfield county. He was appointed deputy sheriff in 1884, was reappointed in June, 1887, and again in 1891 for four years. He also engaged in the insurance and real estate business. He married Frank E., daughter of Samuel Platt, of Naugatuck. They have one son, James P., born October 23d, 1888.

Isaac B. Tolles, born in Bethany in 1816, was a son of Daniel, and grandson of Daniel, both natives of Bethany, and among the pioneers of that town. Jared Tolles, an uncle of Isaac's father, served in the revolutionary war, and was a pensioner. Isaac B. was engaged in mer- cantile business in Bethany until 1847, when he came to Naugatuck and engaged in business in a general store one year. He then re- turned to Bethany and remained there four years. Moving back to Naugatuck in 1852. he has since made that place his home. He con- tinned the mercantile business until 1882, then retired, and has since been a farmer. He married Maria W. Buckingham of Middlebury, in 1843. They had eight children, of whom Colonel Fremont W. is in the furniture and undertaking business in Naugatuck. He succeeded David Smith in 1874. E. F. Bassett established the business in 1850. Under Mr. Tolles' management the business has been prosperous, and to- day six men finu employment in this establishment. Fremont W. Tolles was a member of the legislature from Naugatuck in 1883, fill- ing the office of clerk of the committee on banks. He has been elected town treasurer three times; is an incorporator of the Naugatuck Sav- ings Bank, took an active part in the organization of the Naugatuck National Bank, and is director and vice-president of same: is agent of Hillside Cemetery and superintendent and secretary of the Grove Cemetery Association; has been for 10 years treasurer of Centennial Lodge of Odd Fellows, and a director of the Odd Fellows' Mutual Aid Association of Connecticut. He is an ardent lover of the gun and rod, and although one of Naugatuck's busy men, annually finds time for an outing in the woods of Maine and Canada, and takes pride in showing his friends the various heads he has taken during these out- ings, which include moose, caribou, deer and bear.

Bronson B. Tuttle, born in Prospect, Conn., December 28th, 1835, · is a son of E. C. Tuttle, who is well known as the manufacturer of light farming tools, of the Tuttle Manufacturing Company, and E. C. Tuttle Manufacturing Company, of Naugatuck, also the founder of the Auburn Manufacturing Company, of Auburn, N. Y. The early life of our subject was spent with his father in managing the business. After his father's works burned, he formed a partnership with J. H. Whitte-

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

more in manufacturing malleable iron castings, not only in his own town, but also in Troy, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Chicago. He has been connected with the Naugatuck Savings Bank and Naugatuck National Bank, both as a trustee and director. He has been elected as senator from the 5th district.

HOMER TWITCHELL was born in Oxford, Conn, August 19th, 1826, his parents being Isaac and Frances (Smith) Twitchell. The father was a son of Enoch Twitchell, also of Oxford, who was in the sixth generation in descent from Jacob Twitchell, one of the first set- tlers of Massachusetts. Isaac Twitchell died September 1st, 1849, aged 721 years, and his wife deceased April 2d, 1865, at the age of 83 years. Their son, Homer, was the youngest member of a family of nine sons and three daughters, all of whom grew to mature years, and was the only one to remain continuously in the county. He has always been identified with the interests of the Naugatuck valley. His boyhood was spent on his father's farm, where he received a common school education. When he was 18 years of age he went to Waterbury to learn the trade of a pocket cutler, and since 1844 he has followed manu- facturing pursuits. After being engaged some years as a workman in the shops of the Union Knife Company and other establishments, he became the superintendent of the Connecticut Cutlery Company, being connected with that industry until 1870. In that year he began the manufacture of umbrella trimmings at Union City, adding safety pins in 1872. These specialties he has since successfully produced, their manufacture constituting an extensive and lucrative business. In 1879 his son became an associate member of the firm, which then became Homer Twitchell & Son, and as such has been continued.

Besides being at the head of this enterprise Mr. Twitchell has been actively connected with the advancement of other industries, identify- ing himself with such projects as would, in his opinion, best advance the interests of his adopted town, in whose welfare he has always manifested a proper concern. He was active in forming the Nauga- tuck Water Company, and was first president of that corporation. He was, also, one of the organizers of the Naugatuck Savings and Na- tional Banks, serving as president of the former institution until 1889 and since as a trustee. Of the latter bank he is a director.

Mr. Twitchell has always been an advocate of the principles of democracy, and has been elevated by that party and others of his townsmen to many positions of honor and trust, in all of which he has given most creditable service. His later preferments were unsought on his part, the nominations being freely tendered to him, and his worth and popularity easily secured his election. In addition to fill- ing a number of minor offices in the town, he was the first selectman a number of years. In 1864 he was elected the representative from Naugatuck in the state legislature. Twenty years later, in 1884, he was a delegate to the national democratic convention, which nomi-

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History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 87

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