traction. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are the parents of
five children, Edward, Willfred, George, Irving
and Joseph, Jr.
PORTER L. WOOD, attorney at law, ^^'atcr-
bury, who has been prominently and professionally
identified with educational interests, is a native of
Pittsfield, Mass., where he was born Feb. 19, 1852.
Richard A. Wood, father of our subject, was
born in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, England, Nov.
30, 1828. He was the second son of Ricliard Wood,
who was employed in the manufacture of woolen
goods, principally broadcloths, in England, and
passed all his days there. Richard A. when about
sixteen years of age came to the United States, mak-
ing his first New World home at Great Barring-
ton, Mass., where he had a cousin by the name of
Richard Wood. There he followed the woolen busi-
ness until 1850, when he removed to Pittsfield.
Until 1856 he was foreman in the woolen mills of
Barker Brothers, at West Pittsfield. He then went
West, to Illinois, where for three years he fol-
lowed farming at Galva. In 1850 he returned to
Massachusetts, and in Hinsdale took charge of the
woolen mills of Frank Hinsdale until 1863, in .Au-
gust of which year he went to Waterbury to take
charge as sujjcrintendent of the Great Brook Man-
ufacturing Company's mills, and continued in tliat
position until his death, on Aug. 19, 1867. In
politics he was a Republican, and at one time served
as an alderman of the I'irst ward in Waterbury.
In 1851 Richard A. Wood married Mary E.
Johnson, a descendant of a well-known New Eng-
land Puritan family by the name of Baker, and a
daughter of John and Wealthy (Baker) Johnson.
Mr. Johnson was an Englishman, and served at the
battle of Waterloo as an officer under the "Iron
Duke," Wellington. Mrs. Mary E. Wood died
June 20, 1876. She was a member of the First
Baptist Church of Waterbury, as was her husband
also. To Richard A. Wood and his wife were
barn eight children, as follows: (i) Porter L., our
suljject; (2) Frederick J., who is engaged in the
coal, wood, hay and grain business in Waterbury;
(3) Jessie, who died at the age of five years; (4)
William R., a coal dealer in Meriden. Conn.; (5)
Mary E. Parker, widow of Charles II. Camp, re-
siding in Waterbury; (6) Frank H., who is con-
nected with the Standard Oil Co., with residence
in Watc^rbury; (7) Charles II.. formerly superin-
tendent of tile Pope Tool Works, at Hartford,
Conn., now of Detroit, Mich. ; and (8) Richard,
who died in infancy.
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1203
Porter L. Wood, the subject proper of this 1
sketch, received his early education in Waterbury,
and was fifteen years old when his father died.
Being the eldest of the children he had to com-
mence work at that age, his tirst experience being
in the shops of which his father had been super-
intendent, where lie worked two years. The year
following he was employed in the Waterbury post-
oftice, under Dr. J. J. Jacques as postmaster. He
then went to Lowville, N. Y., where he attended
school at the academy under Prof. A. J. Barrett-
for two years. His studies were continued at the
Connecticut Literary Institute, in Suffield. under
the instruction of Prof. E. Benjamin Andrews, and
he graduated with the class of 1872, taking first
prize in public debates. He entered Brown Uni-
versity in the class of 1876, but in the summer of
1874, owing to a serious illness, he was obliged
to abandon his studies at Brown. Before he had
recovered his health sufficiently to return to college
his mother died and the charge of the younger
members of the family fell upon him. In the fall
of 1875 he tot>k up the profession of teaching and
for a year taught the Town Plot district school in
"Waterbury. From 1876 to 1879 he was principal of
the schools at Union City, in the town of Nauga-
tuck. From there he went to New Milford, where
he was principal of the public schools and taught
high school. Next he was principal of the schools
of the first district in Bristol, Conn., where he also
taught high school for three years. Mr. Wood
then began the study of law in the office of Judge
Robert A. Lowe, Waterbury, remaining there until
the fall of 1886, at which time, having been admitted
to the Bar, he opened his present law office in
that city.
On Aug. 12, 1879, Mr. Wood married Jennie
S. (jridley. a graduate of the New Britain Normal
School, class of 1875, who had taught with him
for three years at Union City. Miss Gridley was
the second daughter of Senator Silas R. Gridley,
of Bristol, Co.nn. I-'our children were born to Mr.
and ^Irs. Wood: Lena Emily, Ethel Cynthia and
Richard Porter, who are living ; and Amy, who
died in infancy. The devoted wife, mother and
friend was called from earth to heaven Nov. 28,
1899. '"None knew her but to love her." She was
3 member of the First r>aptist Church, as is also
her h.usband. In politics Mr. W'ood is a Republican
and has served as member of the board of school
visitors. Socially he is identified with the New
England Order of Protection, the United Order of
the Golden Cross, and the Sons of Temperance.
As a lawyer he is engaged in general practice, and
is widely known and respected.
LOUIS De GONZAGUE L.\ BONTE, 1M. D.
(deceased), attained Uiat measure of distinction
and success which can be comriianded only by in-
horn talent, when developed and sustained by scien-
tific training, though at the time of his death he was,
comparatively speaking, only on the threshold of the
great humanitarian ])rofession which he had chosen
for his life work. He was born Aug. 3, 1870, and,
as may be inferred from his name, he was of French
descent. Both his father and grandfather were
born in the New World, being natives of Canada.
The father, Godfrey La Bonte, was a successful
merchant, engaged in the sale of boots and shoes
in .Manchester, N. H., to which city he removed
after his marriage. He also conducted a store at
Stafford Springs, Conn., and through integrity, ap- •
plication to business and hard work he achieved
moderate success. He married an American-born
girl, of French descent, Miss Elizabeth Metro, of
Benson, \'t., but l>orn in New York State. God-
frey La Bonte died in 1878, his widow Aug. 13,
1900. Three children were born to them: Francis,
who has received priest's orders in the Catholic
church, and is stationed at New Haven, Ind. ; Louis
D., our subject ; and Mary, who was married Aug.
13, 1900, to Edward Gladieux, of Zulu, Indiana.
Like his brother Francis, Louis D. La Bonte
v.-as anxious for a higher education, yet unlike him,
he felt no vocation for the priesthood. His boyhood
was passed at Stafford Springs, where he attended
the parochial schools. From 1884 to 1889 he was
a student at the College de L'Assumption, at Mon-
treal, Canada, where he took an academic course.
After his graduation from the college, in 1889. he
accepted an offer of a clerical position in a drug
store. However he felt no special fondness for the
pursuit, and in 1890 he matriculated at Bellevue
Hospital Medical College, New York. After one
year spent at that institution he concluded to prose-
cute his studies at the College of Physicians and
Surgeons, in ])altimore, Md., and completed his
four-years' professional course there, receiving his
degree in 1894. After graduation he located at
Shclton. but very soon removed to Derby, in which
city he afterward engaged in active and successful
practice. Dr. La Bonte was a man of kindly
impulse and genial temperament, popular and re-
spected, beloved by his friends, and constantly grew
in public favor. His professional standing was of
the highest, and his character as a man without re-
proach. He was city health officer for four years,
a member of the board of education, and surgeon
for the Hook and Ladder Company. He was a
Democrat in politics, and in religion a devout, jjrac-
tical Catholic. He belonged to various societies,
which, recognizing his distinguished professional
attainments, made him examiner as to the physical
Cjualifications of ap])licants for membership. Among
these were the A. O. U. W., the Foresters of Amer-
ica, the Catholic Benevolent Legion, the Knights of
Columbus and the St. Louis French Society.
On June 12, 1895. Dr. La Bonte was married
to Miss Cora I. Goodwin, of Yonkers, N. Y., for-
merly of Ansonia, Conn., a daughter of L. P. Good-
win, Esq., of Bristol. The Goodwins are an old
family, of English stock, well known and univer-
I204
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
sally estetMncil. Dr. ami Mrs. La lionte became the
parents of one cliikl. a dausjliter. Lncile K. After
an illness of hut two weeks l')r. La lionte entered
into rest (.V-t. 21. lyoi. The Ihiily .\'c:.s of that
ilate says of him :
No death in Derby except that of Dr. O' Sullivan has
called out such universal expressions of grief and sorrow as
that of Dr. La Home. His bearinij in his fatal afltiction
.las challenged admiration and inspired faith in the greatne.-is
of human nature. During all his painful illness the example
of his patience, his meekness, his fortitude, and above all of
moved his many friends to tears. His devoted wife and sor-
rowing friends can have hut one thought to-day, and that is of
the cruelty of his taking oft, and the lo.ss they have sustained.
a loss unmitigable only by the. consolation that comes from
above.
GEORGE A. EDWARDS, one of the ener-
ofttic and enterprising workers in Waterbury, to
\vhom that city is largely imlebted for industrial
supremacy, was born in New Preston. Litchfield
Co.. Conn.. Feb. 9, i860, son of Jerome S. Ed-
wards, a native of the same county. Abel Ed-
Avards. the grandfather of George A., was horn in
Fairfield. Conn., and was a shoemaker by trade.
The Edwanls are an old English family.
Jeroiue S. Edwards grew up in New Preston,
and was a carriage painter a number of years. For
the last thirty-seven years he has lived in Hart-
ford county. Conn. He married Louisa .M. Holt.
who was born in Xew Preston, daughter of Syl-
vester G. Holt, a native of Waterbury. The first
few years of their married life were spent in Xew
Preston, where George A. was born. Thev then
moved to Burlington. Harttord county, where their
second son, Milton H. was born ; he is at present
engaged in the dairy and gardening business.
Jerotue S. Edwards is a Republican, changnig from
liis original political affiliation, which was with the
old Democracy. The family are all associated wuh
the Episcopal Church.
George .\. Edwards spent the first twelve years
of his life in Xew Preston, where he received his
schooling, and was graduated from th; Whittlesey
Academy. As a teacher he was engaged aliout five
years in LitchfieUl county, and then came to Water-
bury to serve his apprenticeship at the machinist
trade with tho Parrel I'oundry Co. With that in-
stitution he worked some ten years, and was a fore-
man in one of their departments for three years.
At the expiration of his connection with the Par-
rel foundry Mr. Edwards, in coiripany with four
othtr gentlemen, started what is now known as the
Waterbury Machine Co.. and has been connected
therewith to the present time. His asjociatcs have
nia«le hiiu superintendent of the enterprise, which
is in a nourishing condition.
Mr. Edwards and Miss .\ddie M. Elton were
fuarried ( )ct. 30, 1882, and of the four chiUlren born
to them Harriet L. and George E. are living: Leo
and Charles S. died in carlv childhood. Mrs. Ed-
wanls was born Jan. 22. 1862, in West Purlington.
I'a., where she lived until she was twelve years of
age. Her father, Jaiues Elton, then retiirned to-
lUflington, Coim., his native town.
In national politics Mr. Edwards is a Repub-
lican, but he supports the men best (jualified for the
i oftice in all local affairs
HCCrll HEARXS, the iiresent efficient and
jiopular town clerk of .Vaugatuck, was born in that
town .\pril 4. 1807. His jKUernal graiuliather was
James lUarns, a native of County Kilkcimy. In-
laiul, who died in Xaugatuck; his wife, who bore
j the maiden name of Julia Glendon, died in 15ri.stol,
j Conn. They had four children : John, the father
of our subject; Michael, a laborer, who dieil in
Bristol ; Mary, widow of David Wise and a rcsitUnt
of Bristol: and one who died young. John 1 learns,
our subject's father, was born in Countv Kilkeiuiy,
Irelaml, is a rubber worker by trade, and makes
his hoiue in Xaugatuck. When a young man he
married Catherine Murray, who was born in Countjr
Louth. Ireland, and died in Xaugatuck Jan. 17.
1899. To them were born eight children: James,
a rubber shoe luaker of Xaugatuck ; Hugh, our sub-
ject ; Michael, who died young: John M., a rubber
sl'.oe worker: antl Catherine. Julia, Mary and .Mar-
garet, all at home with iluir father. In politics he
is a Democrat.
Hugh Hearns grew to manhood in Xaugatuck.
and attended the local schools until fourteen years^
of age, when he entered the employ of the Goodyear
Metallic Rubber Shoe Co.. and remained with them
for twelve years. In the fall of i8()3 he was ilected
town clerk, and has since most faithfully and ac-
ceptably discharged the duties of that oftice. In
January. 1895, he was also appointed clerk of the
probate court for the district of Xaugatuck under
Judge Thomas H. Benton, and filled that positioir
in a most satisfactory manner. In fact, he has al-
ways been found true to every trust reposed in him,
and merits and receives the confidence and respect
of the entire conunuiiity.
On Sept. 15, 1898, Mr. Hearns was married to
Miss Mary \Valsh, of Xaugatuck, daughter of
Michael and Johanna (Burke) Walsh, natives of
Ireland. He is a charter meiuber of Division No.
2. A. O. H., and was its first treasurer. He is also
a member of Ojeda Council, Xo. 33, K. of C, and
St. l-"rancis Catholic Church, in which he is serving
as pew collector at the present tiiue, and is one
of the incorporators of St. Francis Cinictory .\s-
sociation.
FRED M. SMITH, one of the prosperous and
well-known citizens of Xew Haven, who carries on
a large retail feed business in Congress avenue, is
the oldest merchant in his line in that city, where
he has led an honorable and successful mercantile
career for over a quarter of a century.
Mr. Smith was born in that city April 9, 1S46.
Samuel M. Smith, his father, was a native of Mil-
<::::J,A-^C/L ' ^-^^ X^U-i-^-^^/^^t^L
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1205
ford, Conn., Ijorn in 1808, and died in New Haven
in i8i>,^. When a young- man he came to New
Haven, and conducted a cabinetniakinj;;^ antl under-
taking business for a number of years. He was a
highly respected citizen, a Republican in ]X)litics,
and a consistent member of the IJaptist Church.
He marriefl Miss Mary Main, of Wellington, Conn.,
wiio became the mother of six children : Edward
A., S. Miles, Jennie I'., Fred M., Dryden P. and
JElias .M. The three last named are living.
]-"red M. Smith grew up in the city of Xew
Haven and attended school until he was thirteen
\ears t>kl, when he engaged as clerk for A. J. Beers
in a fruit store, remaining tliere until he was six-
teen. He then enlisted for service in the Civil war,
in spite of his youth, entering Company I, 27th
•Conn. \'. I., and faithfully served nine months.
After he was honorably discharged he returned to
New Haven, and later went into business in Hart-
ford, where for some years he was engaged on his
own account in contracting. In 1876 he returned to
his native city and opened up a retail feed business,
locating on Coneress avenue, and since that time
has been one of the leading men in his line in the
city. When he first entered the feed business it was
as a member of the firm of Allen & Smith, which
later became Smith & Fowler, after which Mr.
Smith continued alone. Mr. Smith built his home
on Howard avenue as well as his business block on
Congress avenue. He is a substantial citizen, mod-
est, has fought his own way in the world, and has
cic(|uired a comfortable competence and an excel-
lent name as a straightforward business man, up-
right in his dealings. He is thoroughly progress-
ive, and, all in all, a valuable citizen. He enjoys life
tiioroughly, and, being a courteous gentleman, has
the rnqualified esteem of a large circle of friends.
Mr. Smith was married Oct. 23, 1883, to Lizzie
A. Maltby, of Xew Haven, a daughter of George
-Maltby. and three children have been born to this
union, of whom two are living: I'ercv M., born
Oct. 7, 1885: and Florence M., born Sept. 5, i888.
In politics Mr. Smith has always upheld the prin-
ciples of the Republican party, and has taken a deep
interest in its success. However, he has declined
to engage actively in politics beyond voting regu-
larly and taking an interest in supporting good
issues and men. The religious connection of the
family is with the Congregational Church, in which
they are highly esteemed.
MICHAEL J. RYAX, city clerk of Waterbury,
Conn., is a native of this city and was born March
28, 1874, a son of Michael and Catherine (Moran)
Ryan, who were both born in Countv Queens,
Ireland, but married in \\'aterbury. "^
Michael Ryan, the father, came to W'aterbury
about the year i860, and entered the service of
Brown & Brothers, now known as the firm of
Randolph & Clowes, remaining forty years. In
this city he met and married Miss Moran, who.
although born in Ireland, had been reared in Eng-
land, and v.as a daughter of Michael and Ann
Moran, and a sister of Thomas Moran, keeper of
the almshouse, whose life sketch may be found on
.nnothcr page of this volume. Three children came
to bless the marriage of Michael Ryan and wife,
but two of these. Catherine and Thoma.-, died
young, leaving Michael J., our subject, as the only
survivor of the family. The father died in 1900,
and the mother passed away Xov. 26, 1897.
Michael J. Ryan attended the public schools of
Waterbury in his boyhood, also the Mattoon Busi-
ness College, of the same city. After quitting
school he was employed by the White & Wells Co.,
as stenographer and cleric for about seven years,
and then I)ecame a reiwrter for the Evening Dem-
ocrat, acting in this capacity for two years. In
October, 1899, he was elected on the Democratic
ticket as city clerk of Waterbur\-, taking his office
Jan. I, 1900.
In his societary connections Mr. Ryan is a mem-
ber of the L'nion Club of Waterbury. also of the
Concordia Singing Society, and of the Foresters
of America. He is a faithfid member of the Sacred
Heart Catholic Church, and contributes liberally
of his means to its su])])ort. He is genial in his
manners, pleasant in dispositicn, and has made
many warm friends. He is unmarried.
RICHARD F. CUDDIHY is one of the pros-
perous and rising young business men of Derbv, in
'which city he was born. He comes of strong, siurdv
'Irish stock, and throughout his life of forty-four
'years has manifested that courage, indu.-try, reso-
'luteness of purpose, and fidelity to duty, for which
his race has long been pre-eminently conspicuous.
'His father, Michael, was born in County Water-
ford, Ireland, where his ancestors, for manv genera-
tions, lived and died. His mother, before marriage,
'was Hannah (Gallagher, and l>oth parents came to
'America in 1847. Michael Cuddihy was a skill-
ful machinist, and settled first in Boston. From
that city he removed, first to Lowell, Mass.. and
afterward (in 1S53) to Derby, Conn., following
his trade at all three points, until he gave up active
toil to enjoy the rest earned by a well spent, useful
life. He and his wife, both of whom are still liv-
ing, have been the parents of eleven children, of
whom six have died. Those who survive are Rich-
ard F., Anna, Mary, John and Agnes. Anna has
remained single : ^lary became the wife of W. A.
Dibbell, who was born in W'est Brook, Conn., but
afterward moved to Brooklyn, X. Y. : John is em-
ployed in Derby ; and Agnes, the ycungest, married
'Janus Ennis. of .Ansonia. Connecticut.
At the age of fourteen Richard F. Cuddihy's
school days ended, and during the next three years
he worked in various shops in Ansonia and Derbv.
When he was seventeen years old he followed the
advice of Horace Greeley to "go West;"' but not
meeting with the success which he had anticipated
I206
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
in that section, after seven years be returned to
Connecticut, and for the three years following found
xlesultory employment in Derby and Ansonia. His
next situation, which was more permanent in dura-
tion, and its character really moulded the whole
future course of his life. This was in the bakery
of J. H. Wise, of Derby, in whose employ he
remained for three years and eight months. He
Avas industrious, temperate and economical, and al-
though his earnings were small he found himself,
in 1892, possessed of sufficient capital to enable him
to embark in modest business of his own as a dealer
in confectionery and school supplies. It was not
long before he opened a grocery, which he still
•conducts, at the corner of Anson and Sixth streets.
'Under his personal supervision the business has
•greatly flourished. His enterprise and integrity
have built up a remunerative trade, and his repu-
tation in business circles is such that for several
vears he has been the treasurer of the Retail Mer-
â– chants' Association. His career is an interesting
and instructive one. Born on July 9, 1856, he is
yet in the prime of life, and enjoys the gratifying
reflection that the success which he has achieved
he owes to no adventitious aid. He is a Democrat
in politics ; and in religious connection both he and
his family are earnest members of St. IMary's Cath-
olic Church. In the community at large he is both
popular and respected. He is a member of Court
â– Housatonic, of the Foresters of America, the
Knights of the Maccabees, and the A. O. U. W.
On April 22, 1889, ^Mr. Cuddihy was united in
marriage to Miss Margaret Fanning, of Derby,
whose father, Michael Fanning, was a native of
Ireland. Two children — Edward and Alice — have
blessed their union.
ALFRED G. XADLER, 'SI. D. The medical
profession is well represented in the city of New
Haven, some of the most skillful and successful
practitioners of the State having residence in this
intellectual center, and among those who have won
the esteem of the community, in late years, is Dr.
Alfred G. Nadler.
Dr. Nadler is a native of New Haven, born Nov.
19, 1873, a son of Isaac H. and Lena (Goldstein)
Nadler, the former a native of Tacha, Bohemia,
the latter of Wilhclmsdorf, Bavaria, although they
were married in New York City. Mr. Nadler died
in New Haven in July, 1893. When a young man
he had come to New York, and during the progress
of the Civil war he was engaged in the mercantile
business in Columbus, Ga., and conducted a cloth-
ing store after removal to New Haven. Mrs. Nad-
ler is still surviving, as are also seven of her fam-
ily of twelve children, cur subject being the young-
est. The others are : Hugo, a citizen of New Ha-
ven ; Rachel; Julia and Molly, teachers in New Ha-
ven ; Dora, a bookkeeper in New Haven ; and Han-
nah, now Mrs. Nathan C. Myers, of New Haven.
Dr. Alfred G. Nadler spent his boyhood days
in his native city, W'as an apt pu])il in the public
schools, and a graduate of the academic department
of Yale as early as 1893. and three years later was
a graduate from the Yale Medical school, having,
with most commendable energy, worked his wav
through school. The succeeding year and one-
half was occupied in gaining valuable experience
in the New Haven Hospital, but since November,
1897, he has been actively engaged in practice, and
has a large and increasing territory to cover, his
thorough knowledge and plea.sing personality mak-
ing him deservedly successful.
Although his father was a Democrat in his po-
litical belief, Dr. Nadler has become a stanch Re-
publican. Socially he is connected with Quinnipiac
Lodge, No. I, I. O. O. F., as was also his father, and
the Doctor is also a member of the I. O. H. : the
Woodmen of the ^^'orld; and Horeb Lodge, I. O.
B. B., being medical examiner for all these orders.
During his college life he became identified with
the D. E. I. Greek letter fraternity, and since be-
ginning practice has become associated with many
medical societies. Not only is he a valued mem-
ber of the New Haven County Medical .\ssocia-
tion, but also of the City Medical Association, of
which he is secretary and treasurer, and is one of
the medical inspectors of the schools, and he is as-
sistant in the pathological laboratory of the Med-