Dec. 16. 181 2. Abncr Deming wa.s a son of Abner
and Philinda (Stoddard) Deming. the latter a
daughter of Eli Stoddard, the first preacher in
Woodbury. This family was among the first to
settle in Litchfield.

John Deming, the emigrant, came from Eng-
land about 1630, as the recorils show that he was
in Wethersfield in 1635. and that he took part in
the I'cquot war. John Deming, his son. lived and
died in Wethersfield, where his son. Hezekiah Dem-
ing. also lived and died. It was in this generation
that Hartford became established. Hezekiah Dem-
ing. son of Hezekiah, lived and died in Canaan,
Conn. His son. Phineas Deming. was in Woodbury
in 1775. and took part in the siege of Ticonderoga.
Abner Deming, his son. and the grandfather of
Ferdinand, lived and died in ^^'oodburv. He and
his wife had six children, all now deceased: Maria,
who married Solomon Bishop, a farmer in Wood-
bury ; Henry, a farmer, who ilied in Collinsville,
Conn. ; Horace, who worked in the Springfield
armory, later in the South, went We.'^t overland, and
died while en route, being buried in Illinois; Sarah,
who never married ; George, who died young ; and
Abner.

Abner Deming married Miss Mary Whcaton,
who was born in Washington. Conn., daughter of
Calvin and Jessie (Phillips) Wheaton. This family
was of Welsh origin, and came to this country long
ago. Shortly after their marriage Abner Deming
and his wife went to Litchfield, where he was en-
gaged as a blacksmith, and some years later they
returned to Woodbury, where he died in 1883, Mrs.



COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.



1131



Dcmiiis: in 1857. Tlicy were Methodists, and in
jmlitics he was a Democrat.

Ferdinand Demintj. wliose name intrtxhices this
article, sjient his l)oyhi)od days in Woodbury, and
came to Waterl)ury in 1856, spending practically his
entire life in that city, though he has for short
I)eriods worked in other cities. When a boy he at-
tended public school in Woodbury. Waterbury and
Middlebury. Leaving the farm while still young,
he came to Waterbury and entered the shop of
Charles W. Johnson, to learn the machinist's trade,
which proved in every way so congenial that it has
been iiis business to the present time. He has devel-
o[)edenginceringgifts of a high order and is regard-
ed as an expert on difficuJt and abstruse mechanical
problems. He is not associated with the work of
any one establishment, and it is his intention to go
abroad during the \ear 1901 and devote consider-
able time to mechanical research.

Mr. Deming and Miss .\llhea Minor were mar-
ried June 16, 1869. Mrs. Deming was born in
."^tonington. Conn., daughter of James and Eliza
( Bennett) Minor, both natives of Stonington. The
Minor family comes of old English stock. Thomas
Minor, the first of the name to come to .Vmerica.
was born in Somersetshire, England, and arrived
in 163 1 in the ship ".Vrabella." Mrs. Althea
(Minor) Deming died in 1892. She was the mother
of nine children, five of whom grew to maturity.
Ferdinand, Jr., Eliza, James C, Grace P. and Her-
bert (who died Dec. 28, 1899), all at home but
the last name lican. He and his family attend the First Congre-
gational Church.

EDWIX LUZFRX WILFORD, a prominent
farmer of the town of P.ranford, was born March
13, 1846, a descendant of John W'ilford. a native
of England, who was among the first settlers of
P.ranford. where the family have been representative
citizens ever since. Edwin L. Wilford is a son of
Samuel and Susan (Cook) Wilford. and his pa-
ternal grandparents were John A. and Betsey (Fris-
bie) W'ilford. all residents of the same town, and
his birth occurred in that part of the town which
is known as Indian Xeck. He received a common-
school education, and began life as a fanner, which
vocation he has never forsaken, with the exception
of one year wdien he w-orked as a sailor along the
coast. On Aug. 22. 1862, he enlisted as a private
in Company B, 27th Conn. \^. I., and was wounded
at the battle of Fredericksburg on Dec. 13. 1862,
and was taken to the College Hospital at George-
town, D. C. From that hospital he w-as transferred
to the hospital at Xevv Flaven. where after nine
months' service he received an honorable discharge
from the government. He is an active member of
Mason Rogers Post, G. A. R., of P.ranford, and
has held the offices of adjutant and junior vice-com-
mander, and was delegate to the National Encamp-
ment of the G. A. R. held in St. Paul, Minn., in



1896. He lias traversed the United States from
ocean to ocean, having visited the World's Fair in
Chicago in 1893 and the Midwinter I'air in San
l-rancisco the following year. ]n ])olitics he is a
Republican.

ALMO.X J. DEANE, the well-known and pop-
ular postmaster of Mt. Carmel Centre, and agent
for the Xew York, New Haven & Hartford Rail-
way Co.. at that place, was born in Lyme, Conn.,
June 7, 1857. His father, Daniel Deane, was also
a native of this State, and in early life followed the
occupation of farming for several vears. During
the Civil war he enlisted in the 26th Conn. \'. L,
and participated in several engagements. After re-
ceiving his discharge he returned home and later
went to Long Island, where he engaged in fishing.
While following that pursuit he was accidentally
drowned in Long Island Sound, in 1865, but his
body was recovered and brought back to Lyme,
Conn., for interment. He married Sarah Eggles-
ton, a native of New London county, who died in
1866, and was buried in Niantic cemetery. In their
family were five children, of whom the eldest died
in infancy: Richard is now a steamboat engineer;
Arthur is deceased: Almon 1. is the next in order
of birth : and Henry is residing on the Pacific coast.

Almon I. Deane was but eight years old when he
lost his parents, and was thrown upon the world to
make his own waj' at an early age. He first worked
on a farm for two years for his board and clothes
and the privilege of attending school through the
winter season in Lyme, Conn., this being the only
way he could obtain the education which lie wished
so much to secure. On giving up farm work he
found employment in a silver plating shop at L}ine,
where he spent one year, and during that time man-
aged to save enough money out of his small wages
to enable him to study telegraphy with Mrs. Stan-
nard, of that town. After mastering the art he ob-
tained a position with the Xew York, Xew Haven
& Hartford Railway Co.. as operator and agent at
Cobalt, Conn., where he spent two years. In 1883
he was appointed station agent at Mt. Carmel
Centre in the town of Ilamdcn, Xew Haven coun-
ty, and for the past nineteen years he has faithfully
filled that position of trust and responsibility, giv-
ing general satisfaction to the public and the com-
pany. He is courteous and obliging, and his genial
disposition gains him many friends. His political
support is given to the men and measures of the
Republican party, and he takes quite an active inter-
est in educational affairs. In February, 1898, dur-
ing President McKinley's administration, he took
charge of the postoffice of Mt. Carmel Centre, which
office he is now filling with credit to himself and to
the entire satisfaction of all concerned.

On June 7, 1881, in Xew London, Mr. Deane
wedded Miss Mary Dodge, a daughter of Capt.
Daniel Dodge. The two children born of this union
died in infancy, and the wife and mother, who was a



113-



COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.



consistent Christian, died in Mt. Carmcl. and was
laid to rest in Hamden cemetery. For his second
wife Mr. Deane married Miss Hattie Swain, a na-
tive of Hamden, and a daughter of William Swain.
They have two cliildren : Inez Gertrude and Will-
iam Hudson. Mrs. Deane is a memhcr of the Con-
grejjational Church, and active in its work. They
make their home in the comfortable residence at
Mt. Carmcl, erected by Mr. Deane in 1900.

WALTER N. LOW'ELL has a position among
the skilled workers of this busy city of Waterbury
that could only be won and held bv genuine merit.
He knows his work, is honest and relialjle, and, pos-
sessing those qualities of directness and force that
are much in demand by those who would secure the
greatest results from their efforts, has risen to a
creditable and responsible place. Mr. Lowell was
born in New Bedford, Mass., July 22, 1852, a son
of Harrison G. Lowell. The family came from
England and settled in Massachusetts years ago.
and the city of Lowell, Mass., bears its name from
some one of the early members of the famih .

Jacob Lowell, the grandfather of Walter X., was
born in Massachusetts, and married Eliza Nichols,
also a native of that State, and thev settled at New
Bedford, where they lived and died. This family
was numerously represented in the Revolutionary
■war.

Harrison G. Lowell, son of Jacob and father of
A\'altcr X., was born in New Bedford Aug. 23,
1827. and died there Aug. 9, 1865. He grew to
manhood in his native town, and became teller in
the old Marine Bank, in the service of which cor-
poration he passed his entire business life. Sarah
E. Blake, his wife, was the daughter of James H.
and Sarah (Pitts) Blake, and was born in Dighlon.
Mass. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Harrison
Lowell settled in Xew Bedford, where they reared
a family of three children, of whom the eldest was
Walter X., whose name introduces this article ; the
others were Xellie. who married Clinton E. Stark.
M. D., of Norwich, Conn.: and James Harrison,
the youngest son, is a sheep raiser at Roswell, Idaho.
The mother of the children died Xov. 23, 1865.
Harrison Lowell was a Re])ublican in politics, and
a strong Universalist in religious belief.

Walter N. Lowell spent his boyhood days in
Xew I^edford. and was a pupil in the public schools
until he was seventeen years of age. At that age
he left school and went to Hartford, Conn., where
he began an ajjprenticeship to the machinist trade
that has proved the open door for an honorable and
useful life in which Mr. Lowell has achieved a very
conspicuous success. For ten years he followed his
trade in various shops in Connecticut, and in 1868
came to Waterbury, working for the Peter's Lock
Co. for some time. \'ery soon, however, after com-
ing here he entered the employ of the Waterbury
Brass Co., and has Ix^en with them ever since,
with the cNi-i-iiiiMii of a short time when he was



absent from the city, his period of service covering
some seventeen years. Mr. Lowell began as an as-
sistant in the manufacturing department, and is now
superintendent of this department, taking the place

j of the late T. B. Martin.

' On Dec. 24, 1879, Mr. Lowell married Miss
Xellie L. Wood, who was born in New York City
Oct. 19, 1861, daughter of Robert and Fannie
(Welton") W'ood. To this union two children were
born: Sarah F., born March 3 1885, died July
29, 1893: and Walter W., born Aug. 25, 1895. Mr.
Lowell is a Republican, and socially belongs to
Xosahogan Lodge, I. O. O. ¥.. and the Improved
Order of Red Men. W'ith his family he is an at-
tendant upon the services of the Episcopalian

I Church.

D.Wli) B. WHEELER owns and operates a
valuable. farm of 114 acres in Oxford. Xew Haven
county, the neat and thrifty appearance of which
well indicates his careful supervision. Substantial
improvements, well tilled fields, and all the acces-
' sories and conveniences of a model farm are there
to be found. The residence, which is one of the
' modern homes in the town, was erected by tur
subject in 1897.

Mr. Wheeler was born March 13. 1844. in the
town of Bridgewater, Litchfield Co., Conn., son
of Joel B. and Mary (Warner) Wheeler. The
father was a native of Roxbury, Conn., and a sdn
of Xirom Wheeler, who was born in Xewtown.
Our subject is third in the order of birth in a fam-
ily of seven children, the others being Mary .\.,
Laura J., Ellen A., Flora J., Sarah E. and Martha 1.

When quite young Mr. Wheeler accompanied
his parents on their removal to Roxbury, where
he grew to manhood and acquired his education in
the common schools. In 1865 he came with the
family to Oxford, and he remained under the pa-
rental roof until twenty-five years of age. On
Xov. 18. 1869, he was married to Miss Sarah J.
Tyrrell, and to them have been born six children,
namely: Charles H.. Jane M., Frank B., Frederick
L., Morris and Leslie. Charles H. married Jennie
Pope, daughter of John B. Pope, and they have
had three children, John D., Florence and one that
died in infancy. Frank B. married Etta Lockwood,
and has three children, Ernest W., Bessie and
Sadie B.

After his marriage Mr. Wlu'cler lucated on a
farm adjoining his father's, and has since success-
fully engaged in its operation. In connection with
general farming he also works at the mason's and
carpenter's trades as a contractor. As a business
man he is enterprising, energetic and always abreast
of the times, and has been rewarded bv a comfort-
able competence. In his jxilitical affiliations Mr.
Wheeler is a stanch Democrat. Though not a
member of any religious organization he contributes
toward the support of churches. He is public-
spirited and enterprising, and thoroughly inter-




JoahJ /S'MuuA^



COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.



"33



ested in whatever tends to promote the moral, in-
tellectual or material welfare of his town and coun-
ty. Fraternally he is a member of the United
Workmen.

WILLIAM !•:. QUIGLEY was bom Sept. 29,
1847. in the town of Orange, not far from Water-
bury, and is a son of Patrick Quigley, who was
boni in King's County, Ireland, and whose father
never came to America, but lived and died a farmer
in Ireland.

Patrick Ouigley came to the L'nited States early
in life, and settled in the town of Orange, where he
worked for John D. Davis, a farmer in that region.
Later in life he became a farmer and butcher. His
wife, Catherine Delaney, was born in Queen's
County, Ireland. He was killed in Orange while
lifting a telegra])h pole, helping in the construction
of a line from Derby to Xew Haven, for which he
had furnished all the poles. This was about forty-
six years ago, and twenty-six years later his wife
died. They were the parents of six children who
lived to attain maturity : James, Patrick J., Will-
iam E. (whose name appears above), Catherine,
Alice and Edward. James learned the pattern-
maker's trade in Derby, and when the Civil war
broke out enlisted, Aug. 9, 1862, in the 20th Conn.
V. I., came home in 1863, and died as a result of
his army experience. Patrick J., a farmer, enlisted
in the 15th Conn. V. L, serving until the close of
the war; he is living in Meriden, Conn. Catherine
married Owen IHannegan. and has her home in Mer-
idfii, Conn. Alice married John P.. (jardner, and
lives in Xew liritain. Edward lived in Waterbury :
he was sun-struck in Bridgeport.

William E. Quigley left the parental home when
twelve years of age and worked for A. H. & C.
B. Ailing, in their yam factory. When this exten-
sive concern was moved to Derby, Conn., the young
nian went with it, spending altogether five and a
half years with the Allings. and he thoroughly mas-
tered the art of making stockings by machinery.
From there Mr. Quigley went to Ansonia, where
he was engaged in learning the blacksmith trade at
the beginning of the war of the Rebellion. Mr.
Quigley desired to enlist, and made several efforts,
but was rejected each time on account of his ex-
treme youth. On Aug. 9, 1862, he enlisted in the
20th Conn. V. L, but was turned back. On Sept.
8, 1862, he enlisted in the 25th Conn. V. I., after
an ineffectual application to the 15th Conn., and
was transferred to the 22d Conn. \'. L In order to
be accepted he had to make oath that he was eight-
een years of age, though in reality he was nearer
fifteen. Mr. Quigley was discharged July 13, 1863,
and at once returned to Ansonia, where he resumed
his apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade. When
he had finished his trade he went to Bristol, Conn.,
and established himself in a blacknnithing business
which he carried on for about three \ears. At the
end of that time he sold out, and bought the Terrill



& Wilcox business, at Ansonia, where he remained
two and a half years. About 1869 he came to
Waterbury. and has been there ever since, for a time
having his shop on JefTerson street.

Mr. Quigley and Mary E. A. McNeil were mar-
ried Sept. 12, 1867. Mrs. Quigley is a daughter
of William McXcil. and was born in Waterbury,
Conn. She is the mother of one child, Charles V.
J., who is now an eminent physician in Chicago, and
a lecturer on medical topics in a university in that
city. Mr. Quigley was a Democrat until 1884,
when he voted the Republican ticket, and has since
cast his ballot for the men and measures of that
party. He is a member of Wadhams Post, G. A. R.,
and of the Anny and Xavy Club. As commander
of Wadhams Post he has enjoyed an honor that
has so far fallen to no other man, that of re-election
to this position, lie is also a member of Interna-
tional Lodge, Xo. 6, I. O. O. E., and is a charter
member of Lodge Xo. 265, B. P. O. E.. and in
the I. O. E. he is past high chief ranger of the high
court of Connecticut, and a member of the high
standing committee ; his wife is also a member of
the high court. Mr. Quigley also belongs to the
Foresters of America and the New England Order
of Protection. He is in the Service L'nion, and
the Masonic Mutual Benefit .'Kssociation, of Xew
Haven, the Xew England M. A. A. and the I. O.
H. He belongs to the Second Company, Gov-
ernor's Foot Guards, and also belongs to the vet-
erans' corps of the First Company of the Foot
Guards. In religious faith he is a Roman Catholic,
being a member of the Immaculate Conception
Parish, and has owned a pew there since the erec-
tion of the church building. Mr. Quigley has fre-
quently gone from Waterbury as a representative
to national conventions of the various orders with
which he is associated.

Mrs. Quigley is also prominent in social mat-
ters, and takes a prominent part in many good en-
deavors.

ADRIAN' F. WOLI'F, whose name is well
known in Waterbury a* that of a thoroughly hon^
orable and upright man. whose word needs no bond,
was l)orn in I-"rance in 1853, son of FVancis F.
\\'ollif, who was born in that country in 18 18, and
who died in Waterbury p-eb. i, 1870. The an-
cestors of this family left Switzerland some two
hundred and seventy years ago, and settled in Lor-
raine, I'-rance. They were a sturdy and upright
race, and many of them were ironsmiths by occupa-
tion. The grandfather of Adrian F. had a factory
in which he made all kinds of edge tools and agri-
cultural implements. This rugged representative of
the familv was born in 1777, and died in F" ranee.
Adolph C. Wolflf, a brother of Francis F. Wolff,
came to this country in 185 1, and died recently in
Bridgeport.

Francis F. Wolfif, the father of Adrian F.,
married Celestine Wolfif, a cousin, and they reared



II34



COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.



a family of three children: Lucian F., who is a
machinist in the employ of the Scovill Manufactur-
ing Co. ; Adrian 1*"., whose name introduces this
article; and Alfred J., whose sketch appears else-
where. Mrs. Celestine Wolff died in Waterbury in
1898.

Adrian F. Wolff was reared in France until he
reached the age of twelve years, and received such
schooling as was aft'orded the children at that time.
The father came to this country in 1861, and was
engaged as a blacksmith in Bridgeport and Water-
bury, Conn. At the close of the war he sent for his
wife and children, and they arrived in 1865.
Young Adrian F. went to a private school in
Bridgeport for two months, and then attended
the public schools in Waterbury, where he com-
pleted his schooling. In 1871 he entered the
factory of the Scovill Manufacturing Co. as
an apprentice at the toolmaker's trade, and he
has never changed his work. He is now fore-
man of the machine and tool department of that
extensive plant. As a capable and energetic work-
man, and as a public-spirited and progressive citi-
zen, he ranks deservedly among the respected resi-
dents of his adopted city.

Mr. Wolff' and Miss Elizabeth Lavin were mar-
ried Jan. 13, 1882. Mrs. W^olff was born in An-
sonia. this county, daughter of Terence Lavin, who
was born in Ireland. Air. and Mrs. Wolff' have
two children, Adrian L. and Victor A. Mr. Wolff
is independent in politics, preferring to select the
best men at every election, and not to be bound by
party ties. As a member of the Royal Arcanum
and the Woodmen of the World he has secured
financial protection for his family in case of his sud-
den death ; and as a member of the Catholic Church
he is loyal to the faith in which he was reared.

CHARLES S. BUCK, an energetic and capable
machinist of Ansonia, who is also engaged in the
manufacture of emery wheels, was born in New
York. March 25, 1854.

William J. P. Buck, his father, was born in
Connecticut, and was early trained to the trade of
a blacksmith, to which hii time was given until
1869, when he came to Ansonia, and bought a va-
riety store. This enterprise he conducted for sev-
eral years and then retired from business, to make
his home with his son, Charles S. Mr. Buck was
an honored veteran of the Civil war, and served in
both the 2d Heavy Artillery and the 19th Conn.
V. I., participating in many hard-fought battles,
hundreds of men being lost from his regimental and
company organizations ; he was a good soldier, and
made a fine record. He married Mary Collins, one
of the family of four children born to Henry and
Elizabeth (Cooper) Collins, the former of whom
studied medicine, and then became a clergyman,
preaching at many different points in New York,
where he died at the age of seventy years. Will-
iam J. P. Buck, though at the advanced age of



seventy-seven, is still living (1901), and is enjoying
the best of health. To Mr. and Mrs. William J.
P. Buck were born four children : William, who
is working in the foundry at Ansonia ; Anson, who
is in Kansas ; Charles S. ; and George, who is in
Milford. The mother died at the age of sixty-four
years. She and her husband belonged to the Meth-
odist Church, in which they were active workers.
Mr. Buck was a much respected member of the
Grand Army of the Republic.

Charles S. Buck spent his earlier years under
the parental roof, and secured his education in tiie
public schools and in Thomaston Academy. In
1869 he entered a store at Ansonia. After spend-
ing some time in that position he took up factory
life, working in several shops. He was in the hat
factory at Bridgeport, and with the A. B. C. Co. at
Ansonia; and in 1872 became a roll grinder with
the Farrell Foundry, which position he holds to the
present time. Since he went into the trade Mr. Buck
has jx;rformed about every part of its work with
credit to himself and satisfaction to his employers.
When he entered the roll room there were only
twelve men employed in it ; now there are aljout
350. Of this number he i« the oldest, and is highly
esteemed as a workman throughout the city. Mr.
Buck makes the emery wheels which are used in
the roll department, and he began this line of work
in 1887. His wheels are eipecially adapted for
rolls made of chilled iron and steel, used in the
manufacture of paper and metal goods. Many of
his emery wheels go to remote parts of the world.
even into Europe and Australia. These wheels arc
being constantly improved, and Air. Buck has a
reputation in this line that is world-wide.

In 1880 Mr. Buck was married to Margaret
Jackson, who was born in England, one of the
elevai children of John Jackson, a rollmaker and
turner, who spent many years in Derby following
his trade, and in 1857 came to Ansonia, where he
died at the age of sixty-four. Mr. Buck belongs to
the I. O. O. F., in which he has been an efficient
worker, and has held several official positions. He!
is a member of the Golden Cross, and was a char-
ter member of the Sons of \'eterans, of which order
he is chaplain. In his political relations he is a
Republican. He has dealt considerably in real cs
tate, and built the home in which he lives in 1SS5.
He is junior warden in the Episcopal Church, which
position he has filled for eighteen years, and ho
also served on the Building conmiittee. He take
much interest in the Sunday-school, and was acting
superintendent for two years. Mrs. Buck is also-
an active Avorker in all church and society affair-
and is known as one of the most reliable and earner
workers connected with that religious body.

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