USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Seymour > Seymour, past and present > Part 18
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50
He was always ready to go when his services were needed and whether there was a prospect of getting his pay or not he would attend in the darkest night and the most inclement weather. He died Nov. 26, 1855. His son Jonathan graduated at Yale in 1831.
1
256
SEYMOUR
PAST AND PRESENT.
was a lawyer, living in New Haven, was appointed U. S. District Attorney for Connecticut by President Polk in 1846, and was ap- pointed attorney for New Haven county in 1853. Thomas Stod- dard, son of Abiram, graduated at Yale in 1836. William Stoddard, son of Abiram, studied law in New Haven and made his home there. He had the reputation of a thorough scholar and an able advocate.
SMITH BOTSFORD.
One who contributed largely and in a very practical way to the success of some of the industries of Humphreysville and Seymour, was Smith Botsford, who had charge of the fitting up of most of the mills in town during a long series of years, including the rebuilding of Smith's papermill at least three times after it had been destroyed by fire; the mill of DeForest & Hodge, built more than half a cen- tury ago, Beach's paper mill, etc. He also built many mills in va- rious towns throughout this state and in New York and Pennsylva- nia. He was not particularly active in public affairs, but when called on to serve the public he did so efficiently and to the satisfaction of his constituents. In 1844-5 he was the school committee of the Cedar Ridge district, in 1862 was elected a Justice of the Peace, and in 1870 was elected to represent the town in the General As- sembly. In 1843 he built the house on North street which he occupied until his death, making fiftysix years that it had been his home. He was a noted fox hunter, and even after passing four score years was successful in the hunt for those wary creatures. He was married on Christmas eve, 1829, to Miss Mary Ann Sanford, a sister of the late Elihu Sanford of New Haven. They had six children, five of whom are living. John E. and Edward N. Botsford and Mrs. Mary A. Carroll, wife of Rev. James H. Carroll, live in New Haven, Charles N. Botsford in Yalesville and Howard S. Botsford in Ne- braska. The other daughter, Ellen E., who married Henry S. Johnson, died in 1861.
He was for half a century a consistent member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, and was repeatly elected trustee and steward. He was spoken of "as a quiet, unpretending Chris- tian man, a man of sound judgment, much originality and strong convictions, but one who never burdened others with his opinions, with charity for his fellow men, and in the decline of life waiting patiently for the muffled oar of the conqueror of all to bear him to the other shore." He died Aug. 4, 1899, aged 93 years and 6 mo.
257
BIOGRAPHY.
GEORGE W. DIVINE,
Born in Newburg, N. Y., in 1822, was the grandson of Samuel Divine who served in the Revolutionary War, and of Gen. Joseph Chilton, who was on the staff of General Washington. He enlisted in the 2nd U. S. Infantry in 1840, as musician, for five years. He was in the army school at Fort Wood, on Bedloe's Island, for a year, and was then assigned to Co. D, U. S. Infantry, under Capt. Samuel Heinzel- man, afterward Gen. Heinzelman, and served two years in Florida, in the Seminole war. The regiment in which he served afterward furnished eighteen Union generals, among whom were Generals Casey, Heinzelman, Candee, ( killed by the Modocs) Steele, McKins- try, Lyon, Davidson and Scammon. The regiment was ordered to Buffalo, N. Y., in 1845, and while there he was one of the band that played Bonaparte's March at the reception of Marshal Bertrand, who was with Napoleon at St. Helena when he died.
Mr. Divine came to Seymour (then Humphreysville ) soon after he completed his term of service in the army and was for a number of years the Captain of the Humphreysville Greys, who had their armory in the second story of what is now the south wing of Mrs. M. M. Randall's store building. He was elected to various offices, including those of selectman and justice of the peace, filling the latter office for twelve years, and in 1879 was elected to represent
ct
258
SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
the town in the legislature. He became a member of Morning Star Lodge in 1852 and was Master of the Lodge in 1862. He died April 18, 1889, aged 65 years.
CHARLES COUPLAND,
This enterprising and successful manufacturer was born in Hud- dersfield, in Yorkshire, England, April 11th, 1840, His parents were Robert and Mary Coupland, and he was the second of a family of nine children. His father was a woolen manufacturer on a small scale, but thoroughly skilled in his occupation, and was considered an ingenious man. Charles Coupland learned the business with his father, getting in an apprenticeship of twelve years a thorough knowledge of it which was of immense value to him in later years,
He came to America in 1865 and was in charge of departments of the Baltic mills, Philadelphia, and afterward owned and oper- ated mills at Burrville, Ct., and later was in charge at Templeton, Mass., and Woodville, R. I. In 1871 he became manager and part owner of a mill at Thomaston and in 1874 he became superintendent of A. T. Stewart's thirteen woolen mills in four states.
In 1880 while still in the employ of A. T. Stewart, Mr. Coup- land invented a new and very speedy way to weave mohair pile goods, which he determined to utilize in a factory for himself, with the aid of interested capital. At this time he was introduced to John H. Tingue, a wealthy dry goods merchant, of New York, who consented to embark with him in this new enterprise, Mr. Coup- land agreeing to devise, construct and place in operation all the necessary machinery, Mr. Tingue to see that there was no lack of capital. Looking about for a suitable site for the factory they came to Seymour in 1880, and bought the Kalmia mills, and the work of building the machinery was begun by Mr. Coupland, and from that time until his death in April, 1901, he continued in charge of the works.
Mr. Coupland was a public spirited citizen and responded gen- erously to appeals for contributions for the advancement of local enterprises, especially for the public library.
ASHBEL BENEDICT STORRS,
Son of Edmund B. and Eunice L. Storrs, was born in Humphreys- ville in 1822. He was a builder, making a specialty of bridge work. He rebuilt the Smith papermill twice after it had been burned. and built two papermills in Westville. He went later to Cuba to
He ache the of Amgh Dec.
259
BIOGRAPHY.
superintend the erection of sugar mills for the Farrel Foundry & Machine Co.
He was a justice of the peace for many years and until he reached the age limit of seventy years. He became a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., in 1852, and in 1857 was Master of the Lodge. He was also a member of Solomon Chapter, R. A. M., of Union Council, R. & S. M., of New Haven Commandery, Knights Templar, and of Nonnawauk Tribe, I. O. R. M. He died Dec. 29, 1894, aged 73 years.
SAMUEL R. DEAN
Was born in Caroline, Tompkins county, N. Y., Feb. 13th, 1832. He spent a few years in Ithaca, N. Y., and from there he went to Owego, where for five years he was in a large dry goods store and became thoroughly familiar with the business, laying the founda- ion for his future success, but his health not being good he re- moved in 1858 to Minnesota, where he remained for a year and a half, during which time his health was restored and he returned to Owego and his former occupation.
26)
SEYMOUR PAST AND PRESENT.
In 1862 he was married to Miss Anna Curtis Fairchild, the wed ding taking place at the Congregational church in Oxford. They returned to Owego where they remained until 1868, when they came to Seymour and Mr. Dean became associated in business with V. H. McEwen, under the firm name of Dean & McEwen, in a store which stood where the Beach building now stands, at the cor. ner of Bank and Second streets.
In 1868 this partnership was dissolved, Mr. McEwen remaining at the old stand and Mr. Dean entering into a partnership with C. B. Wooster and Virgil Buckingham, under the firm name of Woos- ter, Dean & Buckingham, in the brick store opposite the depot, ir which he continued in business for thirtyone years. In 1882 he be- came the sole proprietor. He was a member of the board of relief for a number of years, and was twice elected to represent the town in the General Assembly, in 1885 and 1886.
He was a member of Morning Star Lodge and of New Haven Commandery, Knights Templar, and intermediate orders. He was a Baptist but since his residence in Seymour was a regular attendant of the Congregational church and for thirty years was treasurer of the Sundayschool. He died March 25, 1900, aged 68 years.
REV. SHELDON DAVIS,
Son of Anson and Sally (Prudden ) Davis, graduated at Washington College, now Trinity, in 1837, and received the degree of M. A. in 1840. His first pastorate was at Patterson, Putnam co., N. Y., afterward at Pleasant Valley and Hobart. For many years he la- bored as a missionary among the Indians of New York state, and was the author of a historical volume on the Indians and the work. of the Moravians among them.
From '63 to '66 he was warden of the Episcopal church chari -. ties foundation, living in Brooklyn, N. Y., and from '66 to '72 was rector of St. Andrew's church of Northford. After that date he made his home in Seymour, officiating in different parishes. He was very liberal in aiding parishes of limited means and in West Ansonia built the Immmanuel church entirely at his own expense and gave it to the parish which was then organized.
He was a member of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, of the Moravian Historical Society of Nazareth, Pa., of the New Haven County Historical Society, and was a corresponding member of the New York Historical Society. He died April 7, 1891, aged 78 years.
261
BIOGRAPHY.
HENRY KERSHAW
Was born in Halifax, Yorkshire county, England, June 28th, 1819. His father was an officer in the British army and was in India sev- enteen years, being at the taking of Seringapatam May 4th, 1799. He was then a lieutenant. He was also in active service in France two years, and was at the battle of Waterloo, being then Sergeant Major. Mr. Kershawhad two cousins in the service at the siege of Sebastopol and two brothers and a cousin served in the War of the Rebellion. He came to this country in 1849 and to Seymour in . 1851, and was for about forty years engineer at the works of the New Haven Copper Co. He was one of the vestrymen of Trinity ยท church, and was for thirtyeight years a member of Morning Star Lodge. He died suddenly in church March 23, 1894, aged 74 years.
S. H. CANFIELD,
Son of Samuel and Mary Canfield, and grandson of Abiel Canfield, a soldier of the Revolution, was postmaster for twentytwo years, from June 1, 1861, to Sept. 1, 1867, and from June 1, 1869, to April 1, 1887. He was town clerk from 1868 and town treasurer from 1869, holding both offices until sickness in 1889 and '90 prevented him from longer service. He was elected a member of the school board in 1875 and held that position until 1890, being also school treasurer. He was a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., and was a charter member of Nonnawauk Tribe, I. O. R. M. He was also one of the original members of Humphrey Lodge, K. of P. He died March 2, 1898, aged sixtyone years.
HORACE A. RADFORD,
Son of Beers and Harriet A. Radford, of Middlebury born in 1811, came to Humphreysville in 1832. He was an auger and bit maker and in 1847 became a member of the firm of French, Swift & Co., and was for several years the traveling salesman for the firm. In 1852 he became a member of the Upson Manufacturing Co., man- ufacturers of augers, bits, etc., and in 1878 he was elected first selectman. He was a member of the Methodist church and a charter member of Mechanics Lodge, I. (). O. F., and at his death, May 3, 1895, he left legacies to both of these organizations.
SHELDON SANFORD
Was a descendant of Zadoc Sanford, ist, who settled nearly two hun- dred years ago at Lopus, in the west part of what is now the town of Beacon Falls. His house stood where Andrew Culver's house now
262
SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
stands. His son Zadoc, 2nd, served in the Revolutionary War. The third son of Zadoc, end, was Philo Sanford, who married Charity Wheeler, daughter of Moses Wheeler. Their eldest son was Sheldon Sanford, born April 7. 1879. He was the oldest mem- ber of the Congregational church, of which he became a member Jan. 8. 1854. He lived for many years on Rimmon Hill where he had a large farm which he sold some thirty years ago to A. D. Car- rington, since when he had lived in Seymour.
LUGRAND SHARPE.
Son of Thomas and Mary Sharpe, was born in Ridgefield, June Ist, 1797. He was a great-grandson of Thomas Sharpe of Newtown, who was one of the original thirtysix proprietors and a sur- veyor of the town of Newtown. His father served in the Revo- lutionary War, in the regiment commanded by Col. Philip Burr Bradley, of Ridgefield, and at the close of the war he settled in Ridgefield, purchas- ing a gristmill and house, which later he sold and purchased a farm in Oxford, but died soon after. Lugrand Sharpe lived in Southford until 1842 and was an earnest and efficient laborer in the Methodist society formed there, of which Rev. Samuel Hickox of Seymour was the first pastor. It was to a great extent due to his efforts that a union meeting house was built there. In 1823 he married Olive M., daughter of Ebenezer Booth, cabinet inaker, who built a house, dam and factory half a inile west of South- ford. In 1842 he removed to Humphreysville and became one of the most efficient members of the M. E. church. He was superintendent of the Sundayschool from 1843 to 1850, and later for many years held various offices in the church. He contributed liberally to such religious and benevolent causes as received his approval, giving over $1,500 to the missionary cause during the last nine years of his life He died May Ist, 1876, aged 78 years.
G
263
BIOGRAPHY.
ELI GILLETTE,
Of Great Hill, carried on business for many years as a tanner in a building at the corner north of the church. He was active in main- taining a good school at Great Hill, and after the districts were consolidated he was elected a member of the town board of educa- tion. He was a member of the Great Hill Methodist church and for more than forty years was one of the trustees of the church. He died Aug. 22, 1899, aged eightynine years.
EDWARD F. BASSETT
Was born Sept. 17, 1824, in Woodbury, where his father, Zerah Bas- sett, was in the carriage business. While he was yet a boy his father sold out his business and moved down to the south part of Oxford, near the Wire mill. In 1847 Mr. Bassett, in company with David Johnson, bought out the furniture business then carried on by Albert J. Steele in the building in the south angle of Maple and Main streets, Mr. Johnson selling out to Mr. Bassett about a year later. Mr. Bassett soon after purchased a tract of land in the an- gle between Maple street and Washington avenue and built a house on the north end of it, on the avenue front, and a workshop and salesroom on the Maple street front. Some twenty years later he purchased a lot on Bank street and built a large store which he oc- cupied until he sold the business to Mr. Ward in 1889.
Mr. Bassett avoided politics and office seeking, but in 1851 he was one of those who were named in the act of incorporation of the High School Association for the purpose of helping in the estab- lishment of a school of a higher grade, and in 1866 he was elected town clerk, but it was only by nominating him without his knowl- edge or consent, and he only learned of his name being on the tick- et when he went to the polls to cast his vote. He consented to fill the office that year but positively declined a renomination. In this election as town clerk he is said to have been the first Republican elected to any office in Seymour. He died June 26, 1900.
STEPHEN HOPKINS CULVER, son of Stephen Culver of Naugatuck, was for about fifty years a resident of this place. He was named from Stephen Hopkins, one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- pendence, from whom his mother was descended. Mr. Culver was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1868 he was elect- ed first selectman, and again in 1869. He had two sons and two daughters. B. F. Culver, who died in Derby, S. Hart Culver of Sey-
264
SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
mour, Mrs. Chas. N. Hinman of Ansonia, and Mrs. L. Whitlock of Springfield, Mass. He died Oct. 7, 1887, aged nearly seventynine years.
BENNETT WOOSTER was a son of Nathaniel Wooster of Quaker Farms, who lived to the age of 94 years. He was a descendant of Edward Wooster of Derby, who was born in England in 1622, came to Milford in 1661, and to Derby in 1654, and was the grandfather of Gen. David Wooster who won fame in the French War and in the War of the Revolution. Bennett Wooster carried on the business of blacksmithing for many years where the copper mill now stands, and afterward carried on brick making near his residence on Pearl street. He was prominent in town and school affairs fifty to sixty years ago, and in 1851 was elected the first representative from the town of Seymour to the General Assembly. He died Oct. 1, 1833, aged eightysix years, leaving one son, Charles B. Wooster, who was town clerk of the town of Seymour from 1850 to 1863, and repre- sented the town in the Legislature in 1351. He afterward removed to New Haven, where for many years he was engaged in the manu- facture of carriages.
NATHAN R. WOOSTER, son of Nathaniel Wooster of Quaker Farms, was born Nov. 18, 1809. In his earlier years he worked at his trade, that of mason, in the southern states during the winter time. In the winter of 1832-33 and, 33-4 he worked on the fort at Mobile Point, Ala., and in the city of Mobile, and the two follow- ing winters in Georgia. Ransom Lum, brother of Dea. E. A. Lum, worked on the fort at the same time as Mr. Wooster, who returned in the spring of 1834 by a vessel which went to Havana for a part of her cargo, thence to Charleston, Mass. The vessel was blown out of her route by adverse winds to such a distance that thirteen days was lost by the divergence and return, so that it was not until thirty days after leaving Havana that the vessel reached Charles- ton. The ship's crew were not sufficient to handle the boat all through the storm and at the same time keep the pumps manned, and the passengers took their turns at the work, and in return had their passage money refunded. On arrival at Charleston, Mass., Mr. Wooster came home by stage by way of Providence, Putnam, Pomfret and Hartford, his home being then at Quaker Farms.
He moved to Seymour in 1852, and since then has filled the offices of justice of the peace, grand juror, assessor, member of the board of relief, town treasurer and first selectman and town agent.
265
BIOGRAPHY.
He was known as one of Seymour's most reliable and trustworthy citizens. He died Oct. 5, 1898, aged eightynine years.
JASON BASSETT, son of Abel Bassett, was a builder in Hum- phreysville from 1829 to 1833, but while his home was here he took large contracts elsewhere. He built Episcopal churches in Huntington, Naugatuck, Water- bury and Hartford. In 1833 he removed to New York City and four years later to Rochester, where he built the courthouse and other large buildings. About 1850 he removed to Buf- falo, where he was also a ver y successful builder and where he died.
EZEKIEL GILBERT was one of the leading business men of Humphreysville and Seymour for a period of over thirty years. He at first kept a store a little below Squantuck, then the principal travelled road from a large section of country up the river, to the Derby Landing, long a shipping point of considerable importanee. In 1824 he came to the 'Ville and leased the hotel on Broad street where he remained until 1830 when he bought the house on Main street, at the foot of Maple street, now owned by his daughter, Mrs. M. M. Randall, and built the store on the opposite side of the road, which was burned some years ago, and carried on business there for several years, finally selling out to Humphrey & Wooster.
Mr. Gilbert was in company with Bennett Wooster in the manu- facture of augers and bits, the forging being done in Mr. Wooster's blacksmith shop on the lower flat, and the finishing under the sawmill near the Falls. In 1845 Mr. Gilbert was associated with S. Y. Beach and Samuel Roselle in the purchase of the papermill at the Falls, the firm name being Gilbert, Beach & Co., and was actively engaged in that business when, in the midst of a busy life, he was called away, July 4, 1848, aged 55 years, leaving a son, Lucius Gil- bert, who died in 1852, and six daughters, who afterward became Mrs. Thomas Stoddard, Mrs. John J. Osborn, Mrs. Capt. Leslie Bryson, Mrs. Minot Osborn, Mrs. H. W . Randall and Mrs. H. P. Day.
266
SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
CHARLES SWIFT was born in Mansfield, Ct., April 29, 1810. He was left an orphan at an early age, and learned his trade, auger and bit making, of his uncle, Alfred Lilly, of Mansfield. Mr. Lilly boarded his young men and re- quired them to be called early in the morning, except Charles Swift, whom he would not al- low to be called, for he said Charles was so energetic that when he did get up he did more work than any of the rest. He came to Humphreysville in 1835, and in 1847 was one of the "six partners" who purchased the property on Little River and established an auger and bit factory there. He was a man of great executive ability, un- impeachable integrity, resolute in business, kind and sympa- thetic to the poor, especially so to his employees and their families. and interested in education and the suppression of intemperance, and aided by his membership and influence the two temperance societies in the place, the Total Abstinence Society and the Sons of Temperance. He was a public spirited man, taking a deep interest in any movement that tended towards the improvement of the town.
a H se 3
He married Frances Utley, daughter of Nathan Utlev, of Ash- ford, May 1, 1836, and died Sept. 28, 1855, aged fortyfive years, leaving two sons and three daughters; Theodore M. Swift, who served in the war of 1861-5, in the 27th Regt., N. Y. V .; Charles W. Swift, of Ansonia, who served in Co. H, 20th C. V .; Mrs. Fran- ces M. Eaton, of South Orange, N. J .; Mrs. Sarah S. Merrick, of Chicago, Ill .; and Miss Hortense V. Switt, of Seymour.
JOEL CHATFIELD, son of Elnathan and Hannah Chatfield, built a house on a plateau south of Bladens Brook, about a mile east of the Naugatuck river, and a few hundred feet west of his father's house. He was one of the first society's committee of the Episco- pal church, now Trinity church, in 1797. There was in his time a gristmill a few rods northeast of the house, with two run of stone.
N d
I
-
at
W
267
BIOGRAPHY.
One pair were French burr stones for which he sent to France, nothing of the kind having at that time been found in this country. He ground wheat extensively, large quantities of it being then grown in this vicinity, and for years he supplied Yale college with all the wheat flour used there. He died June 14, 1836, aged 79 years.
LEMAN CHATFIED, son of Joel and Ruth Chatfield, lived in the house built by his father. He was a selectman of the town of Der- by in 1838 and 1840, and in 1841 he represented the town of Derby in the legislature. He was one of the most active in the movement for the incorporation of the town of Seymour in 1850, his name was the first on the petition presented to the legislature, and in the act of incorporation he is named as the moderator of the first town meeting. At this meeting he was elected first selectman and he was re-elected to that office in 1853. In 1852 he was elected justice of the peace and in 1854 he was re-elected for two years. He is mentioned in the History of King Hiram Lodge as one of its mem- bers and as one who had the courage to affix his name to the mem- orable Masonic declaration of principles in 1832. He died Nov. 14, 1873. aged 84 years.
JARED BASSETT, son of Abram and Deborah Bassett, was a ma- son. The stone work of the Second Methodist church was laid by him and was remarkably fine work, and when it was torn down in 1892 it was remarked that the tenacity of the mortar was more like that of the ancient Roman walls than of ordinary modern work. He was a zealous and efficient member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died May 16, 1869, aged 77 years. His oldest son, Julius Bas- sett, enlisted at the first call for volunteers in April, 1861, in Co. B, 3d Regt., for three months, and at the close of his enlistment he re- enlisted as Captain of Co. A, 15th, C. V., and was killed in action at Kinston, N. C., March 8, 1865.
SAMUEL ROSELLE, son of Samuel and Sarah Roselle, of Cortland, N. Y., came to Humphreysville in 1817 and was for many years identified with the paper industry. In 1843 he was in company with George L. Hodge and Sharon Y. Beach in the manufacture of paper in the papermill at the Falls, and in 1845 he was associated with Ezekiel Gilbert and Mr. Beach in the purchase of the mill. They continued in business there until 1850, when Mr. Gilbert with- drew and Mr. Roselle with Mr. Beach pulled down the mill and rebuilt at Blueville, on Bladens Brook. Mr. Roselle sold out his share to Mr. Beach a few years later. Mr. Roselle never took much
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.