successfully engaged in teaching in Watcrtown,
Litchfield. Wolcott, Thomaston and Middlebury,
Conn. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have four children,
whose names and dates of birth are as follows:
Daisy Edith, March 28, 1884; Bella M., July 31,
i886; William F., April 30, 1889; and Archibald
L.. May 11, 1892. The family attend the Episcopal
Church, and are quite prominent socially in the
communitv where they reside.

Politically i\lr. Johnston is not identified with
any particular party, but casts his ballot for the
men whom he believes best qualified to fill the of-
fices. Fraternally he is a member of the I. O. O. F. ;
the Knights of Pythias ; the Benevolent and Pro-
tective Order of Elk.s ; the Independent Order of
Foresters ; and the Improved Order of Red Men.
He has traveled extensively in Europe and Amer-
ica, and has become, as every traveler .=houId, a
man of broad mind and liberal views. He is gen-
erous, progressive and charitable, and is very pop-
ular with a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

TIMOTHY O'ROURKE, proprietor of a pop-
ular grocery and grain and feed business in Water-
bury, is a native of Ireland, born in 1850 in County
Kerry, son of John and Honora (McEllegott)
O'Rourke, both also natives of County Kerry.

John O'Rourke came with his family to the
United States, settling in ^^'aterbury, where he was
employed in a button shop; he died in 1895. His
wife passed away in 1898. They were the parents
of six children : Timothy is the eldest ; Joanna is
the wife of John ?kIcCarty, of W'aterbury ; Eliza-
beth, the wife of Eugene Lynch, died in Water-
bury; Honora is the wife of ilichael Sheehan, of
W aterbury ; John lives in Bridgeport, where he



follows the business of collector ; and William died
in New York.

Timothy O'Rourke received his education in his
native land, and at the age of seventeen came to
America, settling in Waterbury, where he has ever
since made his liome. For a time he worked for
Brown Bros., also for Benedict & Burnham, and
later in the clock-case shops. In 1875 he embarked
in his present grocery and liquor business on Sco-
vill street, to which he in 1892 added grain and
feed, and has been most deservedly successful. He
is wholesale agent for the New England Brewing
Co. for the Naugatuck valley, and has been one
of the directors of same since April i, 1901. In
1878 he built a brick block on Scovill street, and
in 1888 another brick block on that street. He has
made all he possesses by hard work, coupled with
sound judgment and good management.

In 1871 Mr. O'Rourke married ICUen Allman,
a native of Ireland, and ten children have been Ijorn
to them, five of whom are yet living: James,
Norean, Timothy, Ellen and Josephine. The family
attend the services of the Church of the Immaculate
Conception, W^aterbury. Socially Mr. O'Rourke is
a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Hepta-
sophs, the h'oresters of America and the Ancient
Order of Hibernians. In politics he is a Democrat,
and has served as councilman, also as alderman
of the Fifth ward, and at the present time is a mem-
ber of the town committee.

NICHOLAS JENKINS, former assistant su-
perintendent and designer for the Holmes, Booth
& Ilaydens Mf.g. Co.. \\'aterbury. was born on the
Atlantic ocean between the years 1835 and 1840,
while his parents were on their way to this country.
Richard Jenkins, his father, born in ICngland,
was a blacksmith by trade, al,so a veterinary sur-
geon. On arriving in the L'nited States, he came
to Buflfalo, N. Y., and was there employed by the
Ohio Stage Co., and then went to Ontario to work
for the same company. He died about 1850, the
father of seven children : Mary, the eldest, is the
widow of Jacob Johnson, who was a tailor by trade,
and she lives in Hamilton, Ontario : Jane, Joseph
and William are deceased; two died in infancy;
Nicholas, our subject, is the youngest, and the
mother died about the time of his birth.

Nicholas Jenkins received his education in part
in Buflfalo, N. Y., in part in Niagara Falls, N. Y.,
i and he also attended school in Hamilton, Ont.,
while with his sister. At the age of fifteen he com-
menced learning the cabinet-making trade, paint-
ing and decorating, etc., serving his apprenticeship
in Hamilton and Buffalo. For two years he fol-
lowed painting and decorating in Wattsburg. Pa.,
and then returned to Buflfalo, and after considerable
time passed in that city in his line of work he re-
moved to New York City, where he was similarly
employed for some time. He was also in Boston,
Mass., and New Haven, Conn., where he exhibited



140



COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.



a machine lie had invented for sinking molds in
solid wood, for the niakiiiij of door panels. Tiiis
machine was known as the Jenkins Paneling Ma-
chine. He also invented tools to fink molds in
marble; and invented a substitute for whale bone,
which was made of braided wire. His ])aneling
machine was exhibited at the Centennial Exposi-
tion in 1876 at Philadelphia, but unfortunately for
Mr. Jenkins the invention did not prove a financial
success to him. In 1879, while in New Haven,
working at his inventions, the Holmes, Booth &
Haydens Mfg. Co., sought his services and the right
to manufacture his goods. Of the latter they made
a failure, but Mr'. Jenkins remained m their mii-
ploy until January, 1901.

While living in Buffalo Mr. Jenkins married
Miss M. J. Tucker, who died in New York City.
Three children were boni of this marriage, of whom
two died in infancy: ihe other, L. B., married H.
E. Brunt, had two children, and died in uS8o. In
1870 Mr. Jenkins married Fannie C. Doane, of Bos-
ton, Mass. They attend the services of the Con-
gregational Church. Socially he is a member of
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of the
New England Order of Protection, and other bene-
ficiary societies ; in politics he is independent.

JOHX MERRTAM PAGE comes of a family
of English descent. His grandfather, Benjamin
Page, was born in North Branford, New Haven
county, and was a farmer by occupation. His fam-
ily consisted of four children, Esther, Lois, Benja-
min (father of John M.) and Daniel. Esther mar-
ried Augustus Rogers, a young farmer of the town
in which she had been born and grown to woman-
hood, and after her death he married her sister
Lois. Daniel, who was also a farmer, died while
j'ct a young man.

Benjamin Page (2), the father of John 'SI., was
also born in North Branford. He married Sarah E.
Merriam, of .Meriden, and they became the parents
of five children: (i) John M. is mentioned below.
(2) Charles is a Congregational minister, residing
in North Branford, where he wields a strong po-
litical inlUience. (3) Benjamin is one of the promi-
nent and influential citizens of Meriden, w'here he
carries on an insurance bu.Uness. He has been
mayor of the city, and has represented his district
in the Legislature. (4) Martha married T. A.
Smith, a successful merchant and farmer of North-
ford. (5) Robert, who has never married, live.<
in the old homestead. Benjamin Page (2), the
father, inherited the old homestead and engaged in
farming. He was a man who commanded re-
spect alike by the force of his intellect and the
sturdy integrity of his character. He was a Dem-
ocrat in politics, and for many years filled various
local offices, among them those of town clerk, town
treasurer and justice of the peace.

John M. Page was born Feb. 14, 1838, in North
Branford. His attcTulancc at the district school



was supplemented by a year's training in Meriden,.
and at the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to
the tinner's trade, at Xorthford. After becoming a
journeyman he worked there, as well as at Clin-
ton and at Newark. .\'. J. In 1874 he •settled at
Xaugatuck, where he purchased a general hardware
and tinware business. To its management he brought
keen perception and deep penetration, untiring in-
dustry and practical knowledge, a laudable ambition
and the faculty of giving close attention to every
detail. He has prospered greatly, his success being
the natural outcome of his own efforts. The busi-
ness, now conducted by the firm of John M. I-'age &
Co., is located in the building in Church street,
and in addition to the general hardware business
they do plumbing, besides contracting for the in-
stallation of steam, hot-air and hot-water heating
a])paratus and plant.-. They also manufacture tin,
sheet iron, brass and copper ware.

Forty-one years ago Mr. Page married J^Iiss
Carrie C. Cook, a daughter of Leverelt Cook, of
Wallingford. The only child born of the union died
in infancy. After the death of his first wife Mr.
Page married Rebecca, daughter of Harry Will-
iams, also of Wallingford. They had four daugh-
ters : Carrie C, who married Horace E. Baldwin,
of Naugatuck; Nellie M.. who became the wife of
W. P. Clark, formerly of Prospect, but now of
Naugatuck; Leafie B., now Mrs. W. H. Miner, of
I the same town ; and Mattie R., who was united to
I Frank Squires, of Naugatuck. .\fter the death of
I Mrs. Rebecca Page our subject married Miss Sarah
C. Williams, of Meriden. whose father, Henry Will-
iams, was a citizen of Wallingford.

Mr. Page is a Democrat, and has been repeatedly
the successful candidate of his. party for various
important offices. For more than a decade he was
town treasurer, in 1898 he was chosen a member of
the Legislature, to which he was re-elected in ii/x).
1 For nearly twenty years he has been senior warden
I of St. Michael's Episcopal parish. He is a thirty-
second-degree Mason, affiliating with Corinthian
Lodge, No. 103, A. F. & A. M.; AUerton Chapter,
No. 39. R. A. M. ; Waterbury Council, No. 21, R.
& S. M. ; Clark Commandery, No. 7, K. T. ; Doric
Lodge of Perfection. No. 14, A. & A. S. R. ; Ionic
Council. No. 16. P. of J.. A. & A. S. R. : Lafayette
Sovereign Consistory ( 32d degree), A. & .\. S. R. :
l^yramid Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. ; Evergreen
Chapter. No. 22. O. E. S. : and Court No. 2. ( )r-
der of the Amaranth.

RE\'. FRANKLIN COUNTRYMAN". Only
the history of the good and great comes down to us
through the ages. The true religion has been the
strongest influence known to man through all time,
while the many false doctrines that have sprung up
have flourished only for a day and then vanished.
More potent at the present time than at any period
in the world's history are the work and influence
of Christianity, and among those who are devoting




,^ (flu fl^



COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.



1141



tlicir lives to its inculcation amonfj men is Mr.
Countryman, the honored pastor of the Congrega-
tional Cliurch of North Firanford.

The Countryn;an (or Landmann) family was
founded in America 1)y three brothers, who emi-
grated from tiermany in 1710 or 1711. and took up
land in the Mohawk \'alley. Xew York. From
Conrad, one of these brothers, our suliject traces
liis descent. He secured a tract of land near that
of his brothers, and while clearing the same for
farm purposes, he also engaged in hunting. His
son. Jacol) Countryman. bi5rn. proliahly, 1732. was
.-1 soldier of the Revolutionary war in Col. Clyde's

imcnt of the line, uiukr the immediate command
... Capt. Dicfendorf. and took part in various en-
gagements. The next in direct descent was Nich-
olas Countryman, who was born in 1762 or 1763.
and died in 1837. He first married Christina
■thont, who died in 1824, aged sixty years. His
Hid wife. Charity Petten. survived him several
years. One son bV the first union. Nicholas Coun-
tryman (2), was born in Stark, Herkimer Co., N.
v., in 1800, and was the youngest of the family.
He resided in his native county for many years and
followed stone cutting or the mason's trade. He
■tlied in Montgomery county, N. Y.. in 1873. His
wife, who bore the maiden name of Retsy Ann C.
l-"ekler. was also born in Stark, Herkimer Co.,
X. Y.. in 1799. and died in 1881. Her grandfa-
ther. Capt. Henry Eckler, served as a soldier in the
Kcvolutionary war. and attained considerable local
Eckler, was once carried away bv the red men. and
liad his ears pierced by them. In ilinden, N. Y..
he married a Miss Fetterly, and died in 1800. at
about the age of ninety-five years. The children
born to Nicholas and Betsy Ann (Eckler) Coun-
tryman were as follows : Jacob, deceased : Mary,
widow of Dewitt C. Richardson, of Michigan;
Lydia, who died at the age of twenty years; Caro-
line, who married John Cronkhite, deceased; Nich-
olas, father of our subject; Asa, a retired minister,
who has had charges in Massachusetts, Connecti-
cut, Iowa, Illinois and New Mexico; Levi, who went
to California in the early "fifties, and has not since
been heard from; Alfred, a resident of Brooklyn,
N. Y. ; Paul, a resident of Michigan ; Elizabeth, who
n^arried G. P. Cummings. and resides in Iowa ; and
Eliza, who married Alonzo Saunders.

Nicholas Comitryman (3). the father of our
sul)ject. was born in the town of Stark, Herkimer
Co., N. Y., Oct. 25, 1825, and is now a resident
of Xew Haven. Throughout his active business life
he was a contractor and builder, and erected many
of the fine.-t buildings in that city, including the city
hall, St. Thomas' Church. St. John's Roman Cath-
olic Church and the Church of the Sacred Heart.
He was also part owner of a planing mill for many
years, but is now living retired from active labor.
In his political views he is a Democrat, and has
served as alderman from his ward and as a mem-



ber of the board of selectmen, lor many years he
has been an active and prominent member of the
Howanl .Avenue Congregational Churcji, and is a
nian highly respected by all who know him. In
1848 he was married, in this State, to Louisa Hine,
who was born May 30, 1825. a daughter of Heze-
kiah and Abigail (Talmadge) Hine. By this union
were born seven children, namely: Franklin, our
subject; \V. A., who was employed on the Hartford
E^'cning Post, and was president of the board of
councilmen of that city, and now has a position in
the Census I'ureau at Washington. D. C. ; Charles,
a carpenter and joiner of Xew Haven ; Edwin, who
is engaged in the same business in that citv ; Louisa,
wife of E. H. Wight, of New Rochellc. N. Y. ;
Robert E., also a carpenter of New Haven : and
Stella, who died in infancy.

I'Vanklin Countryman, whose name introduces
this review, was born in Xew Haven Sept. 23. 1849,
and between the ages of nine and thirteen years at-
tended the Lovell school of that city, after which
he was a stuilent in the Hopkins Grammar school
for four years. In 1866 he entered Yale University,
from which he was graduated in 1870. Among his
associates there who have attained particular prom-
inence may be named : J. G. K. McClure. formerly
president of Lake I'orest University; Roderick Ter-
ry. D. D.. ])astor of the Madison Avenue Reformed
Church, Xew York Citv; E. S. Dana, a professor
at Yale; and Dr. W. H. Welch, of Johns Hopkins
University. The year following his graduation Mr.
Countryman taught in the academy at Clinton,
Conn., and then entered the Yale Divinity School,
completing the course in 1874. His first charge
was at Prospect. Conn., where he remained three
years. The following two vears were spent at
Georgetown, Conn., and in 1S82 he became pastor
of the Xorth Branford Congregational Church, with
which he is still connected.

In 1870 Mr. Countryman wedded ^liss Mary I.
Pickett, a daughter of Judge Pickett, of New Ha-
ven. She died in 1877, and in 1880 he married
Miss Ella S. Butricks, a daughter of G. H. But-
ricks, deceased, formerly a druggist of New Haven,
lie lias one child, Ella May, who was born Nov.
9, 1882, and has attended school in New Haven.
.\lthough he is somewhat independent in his po-
litical views, Mr. Countryman usually supports the
Republican party. Fraternally he is a member of
the Grange (being at present chaplain of tlie State
Grange); the Sons of the American Revolution;
Corinthian Lodge, No. 103, F. & .-\. !M.. of North-
ford ; Pulaski Chapter, No. 26, R. A. M.. of Fair
Haven; and Crawford Council. No. 19. R. & S.
M.. also of Fair Haven. He is a director of the
Missionary Society of Connecticut. Broad in his
views and sympathies, a friend of the poor and op-
pressed, ever ready with helpful counsel for the
])er]5lexed or sorrowful, he has a wide held of labor,
and well does he discharge its arduous and sacred
duties.



1 142



COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.



GEORGE A. BASSETT is a prominent con-
tractor and builder of Hamden, of whose skill many
notaiile examples are to be seen in various parts of
the county. Thoroughly reliable in all things, the
quality of his work is a convincing test of his own
personal worth. He was born in the town of Ham-
den Sept. 21, 1843, and there he continued to re-
side until his marriage, when he removed to the
farm upon which he now lives. At the age of eight-
een he commenced working at the carpenter's trade,
but after following it for two years he turned his
attention to the dairy business, which occupied his
time for the following ten years. Since then he has
engaged in contracting and building, and has erect-
ed some of the best houses in East Haven, Wood-
bridge, North Haven, Hamden and other surround-
ing towns. He also owns and operates a good
farm of fifty acres, and in all his undertakings he
has been quite successful.

On Oct. 12, 1865, Mr. Bassett was united in
marriage with Miss Evelena M. Goodyear, a daugh-
ter of Leverett F. Goodyear, of New Haven, and
to them have been born three children. Louis L.,
a resident of Ccnterville, Hamden, Conn., who is
engaged in drilling and sinking artesian wells : Dora
A., wife of W. Johnson, of New Haven, Conn.:
and Charles J., who is engaged in contracting and
building with his father. The political support of
Mr. Bassett and also of his sons is always given the
men and measures of the Re)niblican party, but he
has never sought nor desired official honors, pre-
ferring to devote his undivided attention to his
business interests. Fraternally he is a member of
Day Spring Lodge, No. 30. F. & A. M., of Ham-
den. He is a worthy representative of that class
of citizens who lead quiet, industrious, honest and
useful lives, and constitute the best portion of a
community.

HENRY HULL TODD is prominently identi-
fied with the business interests, of New Haven,
Conn., as a manufacturer of custom-made corsets,
his business being located at Nos. 282 and 284 York
street, in this city, and is one of the largest and
most prosperous, in its line, in this locality.

The birth of Henry H. Todd occurred in Stam-
ford, Conn., Sept. 2, 1856, the family having been
a prominent one in Connecticut through several
generations. Rev. Ambrose S. Todd, the honored
grandfather of Henry H., was born in Cheshire,
Conn., and later in life became the rector of St.
John's Episcopal Church, in Stamford, Conn., where
for forty years he mini5,tcred to a devoted congre-
gation, and was one of the best known clergymen
in Fairfield county.

Charles Jarvis Todd, the son of Rev. Ambrose,
and the father of Henry H. Todd, was born in
Stamford, Conn., in 1833. During the Civil war
he filled the position of pay-master in the Union
navy, and was connected with the vessel of which
the gallant William B. Gushing was the captain.



After the close of the war Mr. Todd became con-
nected with a wholesale tea and cofi'ee establish-
ment in New York, from 1884 to 1894, residing in
New Haven. Conn., although continuing his con-
nection with the same business in New York City.
He married Emily M.. the estimable and much be-
loved daughter of William L. HoHy, and she died in
1894. The three children born of this marriage
were: Henry H., Robert W. and Clara M. Air.
Todd was identified with the Republican party, and
a leading and consistent member of the Episcopal
Church.

Henry ?I. Todd spent his boyhood days in Stam-
ford, and attended the public schools and also the
Episcopal school connected w'ith St. John's Church
in that citv. He began his business career in con-
nection with the tea and coffee business of a whole-
sale house, in this line, in New York City, con-
tinuing with the same firm for five years, after
which he returned to Stamford, and for one year
was connected with the National Bank, of that citv.
Mr. Todd also engaged in hotel keeping, in Rock-
ford, 111., for a time, coming to New Haven in
1884. For three years he was connected with the
mechanical department of the N. Y., N. H. & TI.
R. R., and then entered the emplov of the Win-
chester Repeating Arms Co., remaining here for
the following nine years. In 1896 Air. Todd em-
barked in his present enterprise, which is the man-
ufacturing of custom-made corsets, and into this
has put energy and business experience, with the
result that he has become a leader in this line.

On June 27, 1897. Mr. Todd wasi united in mar-
riage with Mrs. Jennie AT. Reed, a daughter of
R. R. Walker, of Morenci. Mich. In his political
svmpathv Mr. Todd has been a life-long Repub-
lican. Fraternally he is prominent in the O. U. A.
M., Pioneer Council ; Harmonv Lodge, No. =;, I.
O. O. F. : Olive Branch. No.' 84, F. & A. "M.:
Pulaski Chapter, No. 26. Royal Arch Masons:
Crawford Council. No. 19. Royal Select Master?:
New Haven Commanderv. No. 2. Knights Templar:
and Pyramid Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine,
of Bridgeport, being one of the best known men in
fraternal circles in this part of the State. For a
long period Mr. Todd has been a member of Trinity
Episcopal Church.

ERWIX TURNBULL. for thirty years the ef-
ficient foreman of the rim-fire department of the
Winchester Repenting Arms Co.. was born in New
Haven Dec. 18, 1858, a son of William C. Turn-
bull, who was born in Canada.

William C. Turnbull was bound out very early
in life to learn the carriage blacksmith trade in
Canada, and this was his occupation through life.
He ran away from home and came to Boston, when
he was yet too young to retain much knowledge of
his father's family or of his ancestral history.
After several years spent in Boston he went to
Newark, N. J., where he met and married Jane M-



COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.



i'43



Bcacli, born in Ilancivi-r, X. J., in 1832. a daughter
of Stcplicn an were cousins, and both natives of Hanover, the
former 1)orn in 1799. a son ot Peter Beach, and the
latter in 1802, a daiigliter of Xoah Beach. Peter
and Noah iieach were sons of Stephen and sijjrand-
sons of Nordi iieach. Stephen Beach, father of
Mrs. Turnhull, was a mason, liut his progenitors
were all farmers as far Iiack as the annals of the
fannly run. After tlieir marriage Mr. and Mrs.
William C. Turnhull came to New Haven, w-here
they lived until his death. Nov. 7. 1895. at the age
of seventy-five. His widow is still hving. Ten
children were born of their union: William H., \
Edwin (i), lunma L.. Edwin (2), Erwin B., Anna
E.. George K.. Jennie il.. Florence E. and Ida
(who died as an infant). In politics Mr. Turnhull
was a Republican, and in religion a Cong'regation-
alist,

Erwin B, 'rurnbull was reared to manhood in
New Haven, where he attended the Webster School
until lie was thirteen vears old. In 1872 he entered
the em])l()y of the Winchester Repeating Arms Co,
and was assigned to the rim-fire priming depart-
ment, where liis natural aptitude and reliable char-
acter soon pushed him to the front. For thirty
years he has been foreman of that department, and
is regarded as one of the ablest and most reliable
employes of the company.

On Oct, II. 1882. Mr, Turnhull was married to
Mary J, Miller, a resident of New Flaven, but a
native of Scotland, and a daughter of John Miller,
She died Dec. 24. 1891, the mother of one child.
Mary J., who died in infancy. Politically Mr. Turn-
bull is a Republican ; and fraternallv he belongs
to Trumbull Lodge. No. 22, A. F. & A. M.. the
American Mechanics and the A. O. U. W, He is
also a member of Excelsior Lodge, ^\'inchester
Order of Good Fellows,

MRS, JOSEPH] \i-: C. MIX is among the old
residents of West Haven, where she resides in the
Domkee homestead, at Xo. 240 Main street. She
is of German-American descent, her father, Martin
Domkee, having been born in Prussia, Germany,
and her mother, whose maiden name was Catherine
Bradley, in Middlebury, Xew Haven Co,, Con-
necticut,

.Martin Domkee came to America when a boy,
and settled in West Haven, where he passed the
remainder of his life, dying in 1869, For many
years he worked as a stevedore, but in later life
was employed on his farm. His wife, a consistent

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