common evening school of Xew "S'ork City. At
the Cooper L'nion he graduated with the class of
1868, and took a first-class certificate for superior
ability. Afterward he had experience in various
machine shops, and in perfecting machinery for
Ketchum Brothers, McDougal & Co., Xew York,
for the makinsT of silver thimbles from a solid disk
of silver. He invented a bevel and tapering gauge,
a necktie fastener, and a lathe ciiuck by the use of
which work may be adjusted to the one-thousandth
part of an inch in the lathe.
After a residence of three years in Xew York
Mr. Tierney worked for a short time in Danbury.
Conn., in a sewing-machine factory; then went to
Forest ville, Hartford county, where he made dies
in the liristol Brass & Clock Co., in the burner de-
partment : and after ten years there he invented
what is known as "Tierney's Diamond Dust Hard-
ening Powder," for hardening steel, and which af-
terwards proved a great success. He also invented
a toy that gained considerable popularity.
Returning to Waterbury, Mr. Tierney in the
vear 1881 opened the Xaugatuck X'alley Patent
Agency, shortly afterward adding the real-estate,
general insurance, and bond ami surety busine.-s.
His first office, a room about 4x9 feet, made from
a small hallwav. was at Xo. 39 Bank street : he was
then on East Main street, and later moved to Xo.
167 Bank street, where he is now located. In addi-
tion to his regular Inisiness interests he was ])resi-
dent of the Globe Publishing Co.. Waterbury ( who
l)ublish the Evening Globe), and a stockholder in
the Commercial Record, jniblished in Xew Haven.
In 1893 he was chairman of the Central school dis-
trict financial connnittee.
Mr. Tierney has been three times married, first
time. Jan. 28. 187.^, to Julia .\. Smith, who wa«
born in County \Vestmeath, Ireland, whence sht
came to \\'aterbury in childhood. She died in 187^.
the mother of one child, Henry S.. who was in
Cuba, as chief engineer of the government steam
launch "Percy." In 1885 our subject marrieil
Annie Fisher, of Danbury. who was born in the cit\
of Cork. Ireland, whence she came to this countr\
in childhood. She died June 20, 1887. without
issue. In 1889 Mr. Tierney married Margaret E.
Cassiily. who was born in Cireenwood. X. Y.. and
seven children came to this union : John D..
Mathew D.. Mav M., Mark. Madeline "C, Cer-
(iTu
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1 165
alfliiK' J., ami l.iikL- (ckcca?ccl). The family are
iiKiitificil with the Church of the Immaculate Con-
cc'iJtion, and Mr. Ticrncy is very prominent in
Catholic circles, as well as in all matters of public
niterest, irresjjective of creed or politics.
Socially Mr. Tierney is a member of the
Knij,dits of Columbus, and w-as jjrand knight of
CarroUtcn Council. He was president of the Sec-
ond Division, A. O. H., and was chairman of the
Reception conmiittee, which had in charge the care
and feeding of thousands of Hibernians who came
fri'ni all jjarts of Connecticut, as well as other
Slates, to the centennial celebration on May 23,
i8<>^. I le is |)resident of an association organized
for the purjiose of erecting a monument to the
memory of James Reynolds, the Irish i)atriot, and
he was treasurer of the conunittee in raising funds
to send the remains of Stephen J. Meany (another
Irish ])atriot) to Irelantl. He also belongs to the
Anurican-lrish Historical Society. In 1880 he was
president of the Young Men's Catholic Institute, of
Naugatuck, Conn., and he was one of the fore-
inost to advocate the u.-e of its books to the public
without regard to color, creed, or nationality, and
the Institute so voted. In 1882 he organized a
Father Matthew Total Abstinence and Benevolent
Society, in liristol. Conn., and was its first presi-
dent, and he has adhered to the principles of total
abstinence from that time to the present. Our
subject was one of the active workers, trea?urer as
well as a member, of the "Manila Testimonial Com-
mittee," representing the people of Waterbury in
showing their a])preciation of her loyal citizens by
presenting a highly embellished sword to a lieuten-
ant, and a gold watch and chain to a common sea-
man, both of whom were with Commodore Dewey
and took part in that memorable engagement in
Manila. May I, i8g8: through the same committee
the town presented a solid silver medal to each and
every one of the Waterbury people who served their
country in the Spanish-.American war. Mr. Tier-
ney has been active to aid the Boers in South Af-
rica. He was chairman of a mass meeting com-
IM.scd of all classes of citizens, held at Waterbury
March 6, lyoo, which adopted resolutions of sym-
pathy with the Boers in their struggles for liberty.
These lesolutions were sent to many ijrominent
men, including the President of the L'nited States.
Our subject is intensely patriotic, and is loyal to
his native land. Like all true Irishmen, he is a
lover of liberty. In ]K)litics Mr. Tierney is a Demo-
crat, and as a man of refinement and sterling
qualities of character he is most highly esteemed.
JAMF,S CLIFFORD DOOLITTLI-:, an en-
ergetic and progressive farmer and lumber manu-
facturer of West Woods, Hamden, New Haven
county, was born there, on the Doolittle homestead,
Feb. 22, 1874, and is a worthy representative of one
of the honored old families of the. county. His
great-grandfather, Daniel Doolittle, was born in
the town of Wallingford, but when a young man
came to Hamden and purchased a farni, on which
he spent the remainder of his life, engaged in gen-
eral farming and stock raising. He married Miss
Druce Chaiterton, who also died in Hamden, and
both were laid to rest in the Mt. Carmel cemeterv.
They were consistent members of the Congrega-
tional Church and most estimable people. In their
family were si.x children : Lura, who died unmar-
ried ; Julia, wife 01 \\'illiani Ellis; I'ercv ; Arilla ;
Heman antl Morris.
Heman Doolittle, the grandfather of our sub-
ject, was born in Hamden, .March 19, 1799, and
was educated in the district schools of the town.
He ispent his entire life in Hamden, where he
ow-ned and operated a large tract of land, was suc-
cessfully engaged in general farming, and also
dealt in wood quite extensively. He died u])on his
farm, July 26, 1875, and was buried in .Mt. Carmel
cemetery. (Jn Xov. 11, 1824, he married Julia
Allen, who was born in Wallingford, Dec. 24, 1802,
a daughter of Ernest Allen, and died July 26. 1854.
She was an earnest memher of the Baptist Church.
In their family were eight children : Emily, born
Sept. 2, 1826, died Dec. 30. 1885; Amanda, born
May 18, 1828. was married, Sept. 8, 1852, to Anson
Doolittle; Oswin, the father of cur subject, was
ne.xt in order of birth : Julia A., born Oct. 9, 1832,
was married, Sept. 9, i860, to Lewis Jovce, of
Hamden; Samuel D., born March 12, 1835. was
married, Nov. 28, 1861, to Cornelia A. Sanford;
Caroline, born .Ajiril 20, 1836, died Sept. 19, 1836;
Ellen AT, born March 30, 1840. died Oct. i, 1843;
and Sarah J., born Oct. 5, 1844, married Jerome
C. Munson.
Oswin Doolittle, father of our .-ubject, was born
in West Woods, Hamden, July 30, 1830, was reared
upon a farm, and educated in the district schools.
Throughout life he followed agricultural pursuits,
and owned and operated a fine farm of seventv-five
acres, upon which he made many useful and sub-
stantial improvements. He also owned a sawmill
and was engaged in the manufacture of lumber. He
was a stanch supporter of the Republican ])arty,
but never a politician in the sense of office seeking.
On May 10, 1865, he married Sarah Josephine
Root, widow of Capt. Henry Gerrish, and to them
were born five children, namely: Howard, a resi-
dent of Torrington, Conn. ; Sherwood, of New
York State; Warren; Christina, wife of Edward
Haynes; and James C, our subject. The father
died in 1893. the mother in 1886, honored and re-
spected by all who knew them, and were laid to
rest in the Mt. Carmel cemetery.
James C. Doolittle obtained his education in the
district schools of Hamden, and a business college
of New Haven. During his youth he aided his
father in the labors of the farm and mill, and re-
sided upon the old homestead until 1896. when he
purchased the farm of 100 acres, in Hamden, upon
which he now resides. In connection with farm-
ii66
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ing, he is also engaged in the dairy business and
carries on the mill once owned by his father. He
is one of the most enterprising and progressive
yc ung men of the town, is industrious and ener-
getic, and carries forward to successful completion
whatever he undertakes. In September, 1899, he
was married, in Hamdcn, to Miss Mabel Gilnian, of
Glover, Vt., a daughter of Marshall Oilman. Po-
litically he is identified with the Republican party,
and religiously is an active and prominent member
of the Congregational Church, in which he serves
as a teacher in the Sunday school.
THOMAS F. McGRATII, proprietor of the
cigar manufactory at No. 119 South Main street,
^^'aterbury, was born in County Limerick. Ireland,
May I, 1856, son of Thomas and Margaret (Pow-
ell) McGrath, of whcm mention in full is made
elsewhere.
Thomas F. McGrath was about five years of age
when brought by his parents to Waterbury, and
there he attended school until eleven years old,
when he went to work in the old woolen mill, well
known at that day. After laboring there for a
short time he started out on a tour of the country,
sight-seeing and working in various towns and
cities, and was gone al)out fifteen years, during
which period he was employed chiefly in silk fac-
tories.
On his return to Waterbury, in 1882, Mr. Mc-
Grath sold cigars for T. J. Jackson for a while, and
then handled beer and cigars together. In 1890 he
began the manufacture of cigars on his own ac-
count, and this has been his business ever since. He
employs ten or fifteen men, and his sales are made
largely in the neighboring towns, as well as at
home. He makes private brands a specialty, and
his product is principally of the higher grade, cigars
that retail at ten cents apiece.
In 1889 Mr. McGrath married Miss Margaret
E. Lynch, who was born in Wallingford, Conn.,
daughter of John Lynch, a native of Wallingford.
Two children have blessed this union. Florence and
Irene, who are being reared in the faith of the
Catholic Church, of which the parents are mem-
bers. Mr. McGrath is a member of the Ancient
Order of United Workmen ; of the Catholic Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of Waterbury ; and
also of the L'nion club. In politics he is independ-
ent, and casts his franchise for the candidate he
deems best fitted for office. He is an industrious
and sagacious business man, and is respected
wherever known.
JAMES G. CURTISS. the well-known livery-
man of Ansonia, is a representative of a prominent
family of the town of Woodbury, Litchfield Co.,
Conn., where he was born Sept. 13, 1863. His an-
cestors located at Woodbury at an early day, and
his grandfather, David H. Curtiss, was a native of
the locality and spent his entire life there, his home-
stead being located on the main road between
Woodbury and Southbury. This worthy citizen
died at a good old age, the father of two children.
James G. Curtiss, Sr., our subject's father, was
born and reared at the old homestead in Wood-
bury, where he still resides at the age of sixty-sev-
en, having followed farming all his life. He is re-
spected by all who know him for his intelligence,
culture and sound judgment, and has taken an ac-
tive part in political affairs, living one of the leading
Republicans of the town. His fellow citizens have
frequently chosen him to office, and he has served
two terms as selectman and two as representative
in the Legislature. For many years he has been
an active worker in St. Paul's Eoiscopal Church,
Woodbury, in which he has held numerous offices,
including those of superintendent of the Sunday
school and teacher of a Bible class. In the ab-
sence of the rector he has read the service in the
Church for months at a time. His estimable wife,
Mary J. Styles, who died in 1894, was born in
Southbury, and was one of three sisters of whom
Nellie and Alice still reside at their old family
homestead. To James G. Curtiss, Sr., and his
wife seven children were born, of whom four are
living, namely: Henry S., Annie M. (Mrs. Soni-
ers, of Woodbury), James G.. Jr., and Flora P.
(Mrs. L. N. Carrington. of Woodbury). Nellie,
now deceased, married II. E. r>arnes, of Water-
town.
The common schools of A\'oodbury afforded
James G. Curtiss his early educational opportun-
ities, and at the age of seventeen he went to Water-
bury, where he was employed for three years by
Megg & Trott as a clerk in a Ijakery. He then
spent a year in Iowa, after which he went to Chi-
cago, and then returned to the homestead, where
he was engaged in farming for two and a half
years. For two years he was emploj-ed as a clerk
in H. M. Heine's grocery and meat market in
Chicago, and on his return to Connecticut he
spent two years on a farm in Woodbury. In
1 891 he settled in Ansonia, purchasing a trucking
business with a stable on Water street. Later he
bought his present stable. No. 26 Water street, and
in 1897 Ive leased a stable at No. 267 Main street,
and later bought his extensive business, requiring
offices at both. He has a fine line of livery teams,
fourteen horses being kept at the Water street
stable for that purpose, and there are usually twelve
boarders there. At the Main street stable he keeps
about forty-five horses for trucking, and in this line
he does the largest business in the city, being reg-
ularly employed by the principal firms, including
the S. O. & C. Co., the Union Fabric Co., the An-
sonia Lumber Co., the Ansonia O. & C. Co., the
Ansonia Novelty Co., the A. B. C. Co., the Coe
Brass Co.. and the Farrell Foundry Co. He also
runs a line of express and freight teams to the dif-
ferent de])Ots, and has the contract for watering the
streets, for which he keeps two carts especially con-
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1 167
striicted. At one tiino he was a member of the
lioard of Trade, and as a business man lie is held
in high esteem. In politics he is a Republican, and
he is identified with the A. O. I'. \V.. the Eagle
Hose Company of Ansonia, and King Hiram
Lodge, No. 12. He attends Emmanuel Episcopal
Church, of which his wife is a member, and both
are interested in the work of the society.
In 1890 Mr. Curtiss married Miss Alma M.
Bassctt, daughter of William H. Bassett, a well
known agriculturist of Bethlehem, and they have
one son, James G. (3).
LOUIS A. MAXSFIELD. Since 1855 ^lie
business of which Louis A. Mansfield is the capable
and efficient owner and manager, has been one of
the most prosperous among the business circles of
New Haven. The original firm name was Gower
& Mansfield, the owners being George D. Gower
and Austin Mansfield, later becoming Austin Mans-
field & Son, and still later, Louis A. Mansfield, all
these years representing a policy of strict honesty
anfl unimpeachable integrity.
Louis A. Mansfield was born in Xcw Haven,
^larch II. 1863, a son of Austin and a grandson
of Jesse Merrick Mansfield. The latter was a
farmer in Hamden, Conn., where he married a
number of the Eaton family, and settled 'down on
a farm in that locality, where they reared three
children : Austin ; Ellen, who married George D.
Gower, of New Haven; and Susan, who, after the
death of her sister, married Mr. Gower.
Austin Mansfield was born in Hamden, Conn..
April 7, 1833, grew up on the farm and attended
the district schools, in 1855 he removed to New-
Haven and started a lumber business, in association
with George D. Gower, which continued until 1885.
when Mr. Gower died and the business continued
until 1890, when Mr. Mansfield associated his son
Louis with him, and the firm style became Austin
Mansfield & Son. In 1899, "pon the death of his
father. Louis Mansfield assumed sole charge under
the name of Louis A. Alansficld, dealer in lumber
and coal, located at No. 505 Grand avenue.
On ^^ay 12, 1858, Austin Mansfield was mar-
ried to Emily A. Ford, who was born in Hamden.
Conn., a daughter of Merritt Ford, a farmer of
Hamden, and died Aug. 13, 1879. The only child
of this union was Louis A. Politically. Mr. Mans-
field was a Democrat, and both he and wife were
consistent and devoted members of the Episcopal
Church. In 1885, Mr. Austin Mansfield married
Charlotte E. Judson, of New Haven, who survives
him.
Louis A. Mansfield spent his early bovhood in
New Haven, and had exceptional educational ad-
vantages, attending private schools, and later pass-
ing through the Hopkins' Grammar school. He
entered Yale College, and graduated with the class
of 1885, immediately becoming associated with his
father in business. Since taking charge, Mr. Mans-
field has carried out the former policy of the house,
and enjoys all of the old patronage and a constant-
ly increasing one.
On August 14, 1890. Mr. Mansfield was mar-
ried to Miss Mary I-". Hurd, of New Haven, a
daugiiter of F'rances (Wheeler) Hurd, of South-
ford, Conn., a member of an old and honored fam-
ily of that locality. In politics, Mr. Mansfield is
in sympathy with the Democratic party, and is fra-
ternally connected with the D. K. E. College" so-
ciety: the (Iraduate Club, and is a member of the
Chamber of Conuncrce, and the Builders' Ex-
change. Since 1892, he has been secretary of the
Lumber Dealers' Association of the State, in all
lines being one of the most progressive among the
younger business men of the city. His church
connection is ' with the Episcopal Church, where
both be and wife are highly esteemed.
WILLL\M A. F.VBER, a progressive and cn-
ter])rising citizen of Waterbury, who is successfully
engaged in dairy farming on Bucks Hill, was born
at that place April 27, 1858, son of George Faber,
one of the most highlv respected citizens of Bucks
Hill.
( )ur subject attended the district schools near
his boyhood home, and also the Waterbury high
school. After his education was completed he
worked at general farming on his father's place
four years, and then learned the trade of a caster
with "the Scovill Manufacturing Co., by whom he
was employed three years. He then bought a milk
route and engaged in the dairy business three years,
after which be sold out and worked for the Bene-
dict & Burnham Manufacturing Co., as caster, for
the .=ame length of time. He next turned his at-
tention to farming, near his father's place on Bucks
Hill, where he purchased a tract of 105 acres, and
in connection with its operation he carries on his
father's farm of seventy-five acres. He keeps thir-
ty cows, and is one of the largest dairy and vege-
table farmers in the town of Waterbury. He is
very industrious, enterprising and energetic, and
is meeting with well-deserved success in his labors.
Mr. Faber married Miss Harriet Scott, also a
native of Waterbury, and a daughter of Merritt E.
Scott, and they have four children : Lucy, Sarah,
Malxl and George. Politicallv Mr. Faber is a sup-
porter of the Democratic party and its principles,
but has never been an office seeker. However, he
has served since 1880 as secretary, treasurer or
member of the committee of the Bucks Hill school
district. He is a prominent member of St. John's
Episcopal Church of Waterbury, in which he is
serving as vestryman, and is a trustee of the Bucks
Hill Union Chapel, and also Sunday-school super-
intendent. He is a charter member of Mad River
Grange, of which he has been master and member
of the executive connnittee. and is now the trustee
of the Grange hall and property. He is quite pop-
ular with tlie members of that organization, and
ii68
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
takes a deep interest in its affairs. He is secretary
and sexton of the IJucks Hill Cem.tery Association.
Wherever known Mr. l-ai)er is hold in high regard,
and his friends are many.
GEORGE B. MIXGF.R, a nieniher of the firm
of Muiiger & Son. and one of the leading husiness
men and ]iroininent manufacturers of .Madison,
was horn Mav i8. 1854, in East River, New Haven
county, and is a desctndant of rne of the oldest
families of New England.
Nicholas Munger was the first of th.e name in
Guilford. Emigrating to America with William
Chittenden, he left his home at the age of sixteen
years. Locating in (hiilford, he spent the re-
mainder of his life there, and died, in 1668. He
was huried in Guilford. On June 2. 1639. he mar-
ried Sarah Hall, who, after his (Kath, married]
Dinis Crampton. To her first marriage were horn
two children, John and Samuel, of whom the last
named married Sarah Hand, and died March 5,
1717-
John Munger, son of Nicholas, was horn m
Guilford April 26, 1640, and died there Nov. 3,
1732. On June 3, 1684, he married Mary Everts,
who was born May i. 1664, and died in June, 1734.
Tlieir children were: (i) Mary, horn June 16,
1685, died young; (2) John, born Aug. 19, 1687,
married Oct. 5. 1725, Deborah French; (3) Mary,
born Aug. 19, 1689, married Joshua Leete, and died
March 18, 1722; (4) Abigail, born Feb. 26, 1691,
married Jonathan Dudley, and died Oct. 23, 1766;
(5) Ebenezer was born July 4, 1693; (6) Caleb
was born May 16, 1695; (7) Jonathan, born April
14, 1697, married Sarah Graves; (8) Josiah, born
July 20. 169 — , married Elizabeth Hubbard, and
died Feb. 21, 1750; (9) Rachel was bom in 1706.
Ebenezer Munger married, in Guilford, Annie
Scranton, who w-as born Dec. 22, 1693, and died
April 20, 1725. On July 7, 1726, • ^Ir. Munger
married, for his second wife, Susanna Hubbard,
who married for her second husband Josiah Cramp-
ton, and died March 25, 1788. Ebenezer Munger
died June 29, 1729. His children w-ere: (i)
Ebenezer, born Sept. 2, 171 8, married Ami Lee,
who died June 20, 1793. (2) Caleb, born Sept. 24,
1722, married .Sarah Stanard, and died F^b. 15,
'797- (3) Reuben and (4) Simeon, twins, were
born March 28, 1725; the latter died May 11, 1725.
Reuben married Elizabeth Dudley. (5) Simeon
(2) was born in .April, 1727.
Simeon Munger lived in Bergen, N. \'.. where
he died March if), 1815. On July 3, 1751, he mar-
ried Sarah Scranton, who was born Jan. 2('), 1733,
and died Dec. 15, 1815. Their children were as
follows: (1) Simeon, born Dec. 7, 1752, died Oct.
'^. •^.^3: li*^ married Lois Lyon. (2) Josiah was
born Oct. \(>. 1754. (3) Mary, born Nov. 3, 1756,
married Andrew L. Stone, and died in June, 1840.
(4) Willis, born Feb. 9, 1761, married Esther
Hanrl, and died June 31, 1815. (5) Mabel, born
Dec. 17, 1762, married Timothy Graves, and died
Nov. 19, 1837.
Josiah Munger was born Oct. 16, 1754, in East
Guilford, and made his home in his native com-
munity, where he was engaged in farming. He
was a private in the Revolutionary war, and died
in .August. 1838. His first wife was .Vnne Lee.
Hannah Coe, his second wife, died Jan. 14. 1837.
His children were: (i) George was born Feb.
17, 1781 ; (2) Sarah, born I'eb. 10, 1784. died Jan.
30, 1816; (3) .•\nna, born March 4, 1792, married
Deacon Josiah Prudden, and died in January, 1820:
(4) Mabel, born Sept. 21. 1802. married George
Cram; (5) Josiah, born Nov. 3, 1804, married
Maria Fowler, and died Dec. 18, 1863.
George Munger, great-grandfather of (jeorge
B., was an artist, and also taught school. He died
in Madison June 2, 1822. On Dec. 2},. 1802, he
married Parnel Kelsey, who was born Jan. 21, 1781,
and died Oct. 25. i860. She married for her sec-
ond husband Minor Bradley. Mr. and Mrs. George
Munger were the jiarents of the following childrcTi:
(i) Cieorge Nicholas, born Sept. 23, 1803, is men-
tioned below; (2) Clarissa, burn May 20, 1806, mar-
ried Rev. Milton Badger, and died Dec. 14, 1889;
(3) Caroline, born May 15, 1808, married Horace
Washburn; (4) Amanda M\n, born Nov. 9. 1813.
married Samuel C. Chittenden; (5) Susan, bom
March 22, 1821, died July 19, 1826.
George N. Munger, grandfather of (ieorge B.,
was born in Madison, grew to manhood under the
])arental roof, and spent the greater part of his life
in New Haven, wdiere his okl age was passed. For
a number of years he was engaged in making
mathematical instruments, ]5rinci])ally for college
use. He died Aug. i, 1882, in East River, while
on a visit to that place. He was an old-time Whig,
and a man of force and character. His first wife
was .Amy Merwin. whom he married June 2, 1825.
and his second wife was Mary Merwin. His chil-
dren were: (i) Caroline .Amanda, born .April 5.
1826, married Alfred N. Wilcox; (2) George, born