USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 19
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during the forty-two years of his residence here, and in the work of development and improvement he has borne a leading part. Denied the privilege of a college education, Mr. Neth mastered the lessons of life day by day until his postgraduate course in the school of experience placed him with the men of learning, ability and influence. He may well be proud of his record of achievement and is deserving of the distinctive title of "self-made man."
ROBERT HENRY GERRISH
Much constructive work has been accomplished by Robert Henry Gerrish, who is serving for the fourth consecutive term as first selectman of East Haven and is also prominently iden- tified with business affairs as a member of the well known firm of W. H. Gerrish & Son, stair builders. Born in New Haven, December 22, 1886, he is a son of Walter Henry and Helen Amelia (Wildman) Gerrish, the former a native of East Haven lished here by the grandfather, Charles Ernest Gerrish, who, on and the latter of Stepney, Connecticut. The family was estab- leaving his home in Bristol, England, crossed the Atlantic on a ship bound for America and about 1850 settled in East Haven, becoming well known as a market gardener. His son, Walter H. Gerrish, engaged in the business of stair building, to which he has given his attention for about fifty-three years but is now practically retired.
Reared in his native city, Robert H. Gerrish attended its public schools and on laying aside his textbooks entered the Sar- gent plant, where he worked for four and a half years as a tool maker, becoming a skilled mechanic. In 1907 he joined his father in his stair building operations and was admitted to a partner- ship in the enterprise, which is conducted under the style of W. H. Gerrish & Son. Although still a member of the firm, the father is not active in its management and the burden of administration now devolves upon Robert H. Gerrish, whose sagacity, enterprise and forcefulness have been productive of gratifying results. The factory at 430 Quinnipiac avenue is equipped for all kinds of stair building as well as light mill work, and the uniform excel- lence of its output insures a ready market. This firm excels as stair builders, attaining that degree of craftsmanship which fol-
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lows years of striving for perfection, and since its inception the business has constantly expanded, becoming one of the important manufacturing interests of New Haven.
On the 2d of February, 1908, Mr. Gerrish was married to Wilhelmina (Willadson) Pendleton, of New Haven, and they have one son, Thomas Franklin, who was born July 5, 1910, and is attending the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University. The residence of the family is at 45 Bradley avenue in East Haven.
In religious faith Mr. Gerrish is a Congregationalist, being a member of the congregation of the Old Stone Church. Fra- ternally he is a Mason and since 1907 has been a member of Delphi Lodge, No. 63, A. F. & A. M. During the World war period he was identified with the work of manufacturing rifles for the government while with the Marlin-Rockwell Corporation, acting as assistant chief of inspection, and for about three years thereafter continued with the corporation, which was then en- gaged in making machine guns. In recognition of his public spirit and devotion to the general good he was made chairman of the board of relief of East Haven and acted in that capacity for three years. He was the choice of his fellow townsmen for first select- man of East Haven in 1924 and a year later was again called to that office for a term of two years. He was reelected in 1927 and 1929 and has made an enviable record in this connection, proving exceptionally well qualified for public service of this character. Mr. Gerrish has never used politics as a means of personal ag- grandizement and throughout life has been governed by those principles and standards which inspire confidence and command esteem.
LOUIS ANTHONY LERZ
Louis Anthony Lerz, president of the Italian Democratic Club of Waterbury, is an influential factor in political circles of the city and also has official connection with other organizations. Born in Cerreto-Sannita, in the Campania district of Italy, on the 31st of December, 1882, he is a son of Pasquale and Rose (Adone) Lerz, who now make their home in Waterbury, and the father is living retired.
The educational advantages enjoyed by Louis A. Lerz were
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those afforded by the public schools of his native land, and after his textbooks were laid aside he entered his father's printing shop, assisting in its conduct until 1902. When a young man of twenty he sailed for the United States and on reaching Waterbury ob- tained work in the office of the Progresso New England, an Italian newspaper, with which he was connected for eighteen months. His next employment was in the plating room of the American Pin Company, with which he remained for twenty years, and during a portion of the time acted as assistant foreman.
In 1922 Mr. Lerz became a city employe, starting in the street department, of which he was made assistant superintendent in 1926, and filled the position until January 11, 1930. He capably directed the labors of the men placed in his charge, and under his supervision much important work was accomplished in the way of street improvements. Mr. Lerz is now a director of the Industrial Bank of the Sons of Italy and exerts considerable in- fluence in organizations composed of his fellow countrymen. He became a charter member of the Connecticut branch of the Sons of Italy, which now has sixteen thousand members in the state, and of this society he was assistant grand for eight years, while for the past two years his title has been that of grand lecturer. In the affairs of the Foresters of America he has long been active, joining Court Welch, now known as Court Verdi, which has four hundred and fifty members, and of this court he is chief ranger. Owing to his keen insight into political affairs he was chosen president of the Italian Democratic Club of Waterbury and suc- cessfully manages its activities.
On the 5th of November, 1905, Mr. Lerz was united in mar- riage to Miss Antoinette Zanzari, a native of Altoona, Pennsyl- vania, and they became the parents of nine children: Pasquale, born September 22, 1906, who was graduated from the Boston College of Pharmacy, afterward entering the drug business in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he has since been located, and who married Miss Grace Aldrich; Adolph, who was born July 23, 1908, and is in the employ of a publishing house in Waterbury; Joseph, who was born June 10, 1910, and died October 14, 1911; Vincent, who was born January 17, 1912, and was graduated from the Crosby high school in 1930; Rose, who was born May 13, 1914, and is a member of the sophomore class of the Crosby high school; Sylvia, born March 16, 1916; Louis A., Jr., January 17,
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1919; Francis, January 17, 1922; and Anna Maria, January 21, 1925. Mr. Lerz is a broad-minded man of progressive spirit and high standards and has long been regarded as one of the leading Italian-American citizens of Waterbury.
FRANK DAINESI
Coming to the new world with no assets save youth, energy and ambition, Frank Dainesi has made the most of this capital and today is numbered among the substantial business men and successful builders and realtors of New Haven, which is indebted to him for many of its fine apartment houses, while other parts of the state have also benefited by his enterprising spirit and his constructive labors.
Mr. Dainesi was born in Lonato, a town in the province of Brescia, Italy, May 25, 1882, a son of Joseph and Louise Dainesi, and was there reared and educated, pursuing his studies in the public schools. He remained on the home farm until he reached the age of twenty and in 1902 sailed for America, landing in New York. When he arrived in this country he had only a ten dollar gold piece and was utterly alone, having no relatives or friends here to aid him. Moreover, he had no knowledge of the English language, which he learned by association. Going to New Ro- chelle, New York, he worked as a day laborer for about two and a half years but had higher ambitions and decided to give up the pick and shovel and hod and brick carrying.
In 1905 Mr. Dainesi came to New Haven and was in the employ of a contracting firm for about four years, mastering the mason's trade during that period. He then made his initial ven- ture as a mason contractor and was thus engaged until about 1920. In the meanwhile he had accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to enter the field of real estate and speculative building, and in these lines of activity he has been notably suc- cessful, ranking with the largest operators in the city. He incorporated the D. Ruda Construction Company and erected a six-story building at 40 Wall street containing eighty-four apart- ments; and several other apartment buildings in New Haven as well as other Connecticut towns and cities, all of which feature in the architectural adornment of the state. These buildings have
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been erected since 1926 and are modern and substantial. Mr. Dainesi purchased the interest of his partner in April, 1928, and has since controlled the business, which is highly systematized in all of its departments. He has also contributed toward the up- building and improvement of Westville, Connecticut, where he erected nineteen attractive residences, which were readily sold, and is continuously applying his efforts to further his real estate developments. Possessing keen powers of discernment, he at once recognizes the difficulties as well as the opportunities of a busi- ness situation and carefully avoids the former while utilizing the latter to the fullest extent.
On the 23d of December, 1906, Mr. Dainesi was married to Miss Alegrone Teresa, also a native of Italy, and they reside in one of the beautiful homes of West Haven. They have become the parents of three children : Louise M., who is a graduate of Colum- bia University of New York; and Matilda T. and Frank, Jr., both in high school.
Mr. Dainesi is a member of the North Italian League, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and religiously is connected with St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church in West Haven. A man of resolute purpose, tireless energy and clear vision, he has directed his labors in directions where fruition is certain, and the record of his achievements should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, indicating what may be accomplish- ed by the individual who has the courage to dare and the will to do.
ARTHUR H. MERRIMAN
Arthur H. Merriman, numbered among the representative and substantial business men of Waterbury, is at the head of a successful dairy enterprise as president of A. H. Merriman & Sons, Inc. He was born in Southington, Hartford county, Con- necticut, April 5, 1866, his parents being John Brainard and Phi- linda (Humiston) Merriman. The father, who is deceased, was for many years employed as a box-maker by the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Company of Southington.
Arthur H. Merriman is forty-eighth in descent from Na- thaniel Merriman, who was born in England in 1613 and came
BACHRACH
ARTHUR H. MERRIMAN
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to Boston in 1632. He served in the Pequot war of 1637, arrived in New Haven about 1640 and there resided until 1670, when he became one of the principal founders of Wallingford, where he died in 1694. He was ensign of the military company in New Haven, lieutenant of that in Wallingford, and was appointed a captain to raise troops for King Philip's War of 1675. He was town clerk of Wallingford for eight years, selectman for five years, and was nine times a deputy from Wallingford to the gen- eral court of the colony of Connecticut. To him and his wife were born the following children, all natives of New Haven, namely: Nathaniel, John, Hannah, Abigail, Mary, John, Samuel, Caleb, twin sons and Elizabeth. The ancestral records of this second generation in America show that Nathaniel Merriman (II) was born about 1647, was made a freeman of New Haven in October, 1669, and had land assigned to him the following year at Walling- ford. He was killed in King Philip's War December 19, 1675, in the attack on the Indian fort in Rhode Island. The next of the family, John, born about 1649, died September 26, 1651. Hannah, born May 16, 1651, was married first, at New Haven, November 12, 1668, to John Ives, who died at Wallingford in 1682. On the 17th of August of the same year she became the wife of Joseph Benham, who died at Wallingford in 1702. Abigail Merriman was born at New Haven, April 18, 1654, and died at Wallingford. She was married at New Haven, January 18, 1670, to John Hitch- cock, who died at Wallingford, July 6, 1716. Mary Merriman, born July 12, 1657, was married at Wallingford, June 9, 1674, to Thomas Curtis, who was born at Stratford, Connecticut, Janu- ary 14, 1648. John Merriman, born February 29, 1659, or 1660, died at Wallingford in 1741. He was first married March 28, 1683, to Hannah Lines, who was born at New Haven, November 21, 1665, and died at Wallingford about 1688. On the 20th of No- vember, 1690, he married Elizabeth Peck, who was born Decem- ber 29, 1673, and died at Wallingford after 1709. For his third wife, whom he married after 1720, John Merriman chose Mrs. Elizabeth (Brown) Street. He was captain of the Wallingford train band and, for fourteen years, deputy to the general court of the colony of Connecticut. Samuel Merriman, born Septem- 29, 1662, died at Wallingford September 25, 1694. He married Anna Street, who was born at New Haven, August 17, 1665, and died at Wallingford in 1705. Caleb Merriman was born in May,
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1665, and died at Wallingford, July 19, 1703. On the 9th of July, 1690, he married Mary Preston, who was born at Stratford, Con- necticut, April 12, 1674, and died at Wallingford, November 28, 1755. The twin sons of Nathaniel Merriman (I) were born in 1667 and died young. Elizabeth Merriman, born September 14, 1669, was married at Wallingford, December 2, 1685, to Ebenezer Lewis, who died in 1709.
The facts given below concern the third generation of the Merriman family in this country. George Merriman, son of John and Hannah (Lines) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, July 14, 1688, and died there in 1736. On the 8th of January, 1713, he married Susannah Abernathy, who was born at Wallingford, July 18, 1689. John Merriman, son of John and Elizabeth (Peck) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, October 16, 1691, and died at Southington, February 17, 1784. He was married at Walling- ford, February 24, 1726, to Jemima Wilcox, who was born at Guil- ford, October 30, 1699, and died at Southington, October 11, 1764. He was an anti-pedo Baptist minister at Wallingford and after 1750 at Southington. Israel Merriman, second son of John and Elizabeth (Peck) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, January 23, 1694, and was married June 23, 1714, to Comfort Benham, who was born at New Haven, August 15, 1692. On April 6, 1734, Israel Merriman sold his entire estate in Wallingford to John Merriman, Jr., and Caleb Merriman. He removed to Harwin- ton, Connecticut, where he was selectman in 1737. He died after 1753. Caleb Merriman, the sixth of the seven children born to John and Elizabeth (Peck) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, April 24, 1707, and died there June 2, 1770. He was married August 31, 1732, to Ruth Sedgwick, who was born at Hartford, January 21, 1711, and died at Wallingford in 1799.
Nathaniel Merriman (III), son of Samuel and Anna (Street) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, March 16, 1690, and died there June 9, 1767. He married Mehitable Hall, who was born at Wallingford, August 15, 1691, and died in 1772. Theophilus Merriman, third son of Samuel and Anna (Street) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, April 28, 1693, and removed to North- field, Massachusetts, about 1718, where he was killed by Indians on the 21st of August, 1723. He was married at Wallingford, September 9, 1714, to Mary Tune. Samuel Merriman, fourth son of Samuel and Anna (Street) Merriman, was born at Walling-
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ford, December 19, 1694, and there passed away between the years 1779 and 1783. He was married at Wallingford, Novem- ber 9, 1727, to Sarah Welcher, who was born at Wallingford, May 16, 1707, and died after 1768.
Moses Merriman, son of Caleb and Mary (Preston) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, October 31, 1691, and died there Febru- ary 4, 1743 or 1744. On the 6th of February, 1713, he married Martha Beach, who was born about 1690. Eliasaph Merriman, second son and third child of Caleb and Mary (Preston) Merri- man, was born at Wallingford, May 20, 1695, and died there August 19, 1758. He was married December 10, 1719, to Abigail Hulls, who was born at Wallingford, February 14, 1704, and died there January 20, 1774. He was ensign of the military company in Wallingford in 1735, lieutenant in 1740 and captain in 1743.
The fourth and fifth generations of the Merriman family in the United States are recorded in part as shown below. Nathan Merriman, third child of George and Susannah (Abernathy) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, July 16, 1717, and died there in 1755. On the 3d of August, 1741, he married Sarah Bartholo- mew.
John Merriman, son of John and Jemima (Wilcox) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, September 12, 1728, removed to South- ington, Connecticut, about 1750 and died April 13, 1801. He mar- ried Mabel Thorp, who was born at Wallingford, January 12, 1724. Silas Merriman, third child of John and Jemima (Wilcox) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, January 3, 1734, and died at New Haven, May 8, 1805. He was married at Wallingford, October 15, 1760, to Hannah Upson, who died at New Haven, April 28, 1820. Ever Merriman, fourth child of John and Jemima (Wilcox) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, February 26, 1736, moved to Southington about 1750 and died there on the 22nd of October, 1813. He was first married to a Miss Hastings and for his second wife chose Hannah Rogers of Waterford.
Joseph Merriman, son of Israel and Comfort (Benham) Mer- riman, was born at Wallingford, August 28, 1716, removed with his parents to Harwinton, Connecticut, in 1735 and was married in 1745. Israel Merriman, sixth and youngest child of Israel and Comfort (Benham) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, Novem- ber 30, 1732, removed with his parents to Harwinton, Connecti-
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cut, and on the 29th of April, 1777, enlisted for eight months' service in the Revolution in Captain Munson's company.
Caleb Merriman, youngest of the ten children of Caleb and Ruth (Sedgwick) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, September 30, 1754, and died there April 17, 1816. On the 18th of January, 1778, he was married (first) to Mary Peck, who died December 15, 1779. On the 14th of December, 1780, he wedded Amy Lewis; on the 20th of October, 1785, married Statira Halls, who was born at Wallingford, January 15, 1759; on the 5th of February, 1800, at Cheshire, he was married for the fourth time, his wife being Mrs. Hannah Hall, who was born at Wallingford, November 27, 1754.
Samuel Merriman, son of Nathaniel and Mehitable (Hall) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, May 3, 1712, and died be- fore 1765. He probably married Sarah Clark, who was born in 1707. David Merriman, second son of Nathaniel and Mehitable (Hall) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, February 11, 1715, and died there October 13, 1771. He married Elizabeth Benham, who was born at Wallingford about 1725 and there died May 24, 1784. Nathaniel Merriman (IV), fourth child of Nathaniel and Mehitable (Hall) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, May 31, 1720, and there died July 10, 1765. On the 19th of December, 1743, he married Prudence Austin, who was born at Wallingford, November 10, 1723, and died there in 1806. Theophilus Merri- man, fifth child of Nathaniel and Mehitable (Hall) Merriman, lived at Wallingford, where he died in 1807. On the 16th of Oc- tober, 1772, he married Margery Eliot, who was born March 19, 1742. Abel Merriman, sixth and youngest child of Nathaniel and Mehitable (Hall) Merriman, was born at Wallingford and died at Wells, Vermont. At Wallingford, March 9, 1756, he married Elizabeth Merriman. About 1771 they removed to Wells, Ver- mont. He was lieutenant in Captain Daniel Culver's company in the Revolution and captain in Colonel Ebenezer Allen's regiment at Ticonderoga in 1778-81. He was several times town represen- tative from Wells.
Samuel Merriman, fifth and youngest child of Theophilus and Mary (Tune) Merriman, was born at Northfield, Massachusetts, February 13, 1722, or 1723, and died there June 22, 1803. On the 3d of March, 1747, he married Mary Hawks, who was born at Deerfield, Massachusetts, and died August 24, 1759. On the 21st
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of December, 1759, he was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Lydia (Harwood) Stebbins.
Jehiel Merriman, eldest of the eight children of Moses and Martha (Beach) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, October 28, 1713, and was buried at Cheshire, July 25, 1772. At Wallingford, August 1, 1740, he married Hannah Jones, who was born at Wal- lingford, October 4, 1720, and buried at Cheshire, August 26, 1783. Benjamin Merriman, fourth child of Moses and Martha (Beach) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, January 21, 1722, and died after 1764. He was married at Wallingford, January 2, 1744, or 1745, to Susannah Crittenden of Durham. Moses Mer- riman, seventh child of Moses and Martha (Beach) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, February 14, 1728, and died in the French and Indian war September 20, 1758. About 1752 he mar- ried Joanna Mix, who was born at Wallingford, March 13, 1726. Moses Merriman enlisted April 6, 1758, in the Second Regiment, First Company, Captain Wadsworth commanding, and was re- ported dead the following September. Lent Merriman, youngest child of Moses and Martha (Beach) Merriman, was born at Wal- lingford, May 25, 1731, and died at Southington, September 3, 1800. At Wallingford, January 30, 1754, he married Katharine Wright, who was buried at Cheshire, January 11, 1797.
Caleb Merriman, fourth of the fifteen children born to Elias- aph and Abigail (Hulls) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, September 3, 1725, and there died August 6, 1797. At Wallingford, May 12, 1747, he married Margaret Robinson, who was born there June 26, 1729, and died in July, 1795. Titus Merriman, fifth child of Eliasaph and Abigail (Hulls) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, August 28, 1727, and died at Meriden about 1806. He was married at Wallingford, February 20, 1748, or 1749, to Dinah Andrews, who was born March 23, 1729. Amasa Merriman, sixth child of Eliasaph and Abigail (Hulls) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, June 17, 1729. He was married at Wallingford, September 26, 1750, to Sarah Ives, who was born May 29, 1733, and died July 29, 1776. On the 18th of February, 1778, he was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Tabitha (Sex- ton) Adkins. He was in Captain Hough's company in the alarms at New Haven and Fairfield in July, 1779. Eliasaph Merriman, tenth child of Eliasaph and Abigail (Hulls) Merriman, was born at Wallingford, November 2, 1736, and died there in 1815. On the
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13th of January, 1762, he was there married to Jerusha Mattoon, by whom he had nine children. The complete record of the above genealogy includes four hundred and twenty-two persons born with the name Merriman, there being one of the first generation, eleven of the second, twenty-one of the third, sixty-eight of the fourth, one hundred and twenty-four of the fifth and one hun- dred and ninety-seven of the sixth generation. It also refers to over three hundred persons who were connected with the family by marriage. A reunion of the descendants of Nathaniel Merri- man was held at Wallingford, Connecticut, June 4, 1913, in the three hundredth year after his birth.
Arthur H. Merriman, whose name introduces this review, acquired his education as a public school pupil of Southington and after putting aside his textbooks worked on his mother's farm until the year 1898, when he began delivering milk in Water- bury with a team. About two decades later, in 1917, he estab- lished a milk business in Waterbury which has since been devel- oped to extensive proportions, covering seventeen retail and three wholesale routes. The products of the Merriman dairy in- clude milk, cream, buttermilk, acidophilus milk, butter, eggs, prepared chocolate and ice cream of the finest quality. The name of Merriman has always stood for honest merchandise and square dealing, and the company's books show that among its patrons have been representatives of three generations of many families. The Merriman plant is most modernly equipped throughout and has an average output of seventy-five hundred quarts of milk daily. The business is conducted under the name of A. H. Merri- man & Sons, Inc., the founder being now associated with his three sons, Warren E., Walter F. and Roy V. Merriman.
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