is in the hair felt business in Pittsburg. (2) Frank
Harley is a baker in Wallingford. (3) Ernest C.
is our subject. (4) Clifton Jackson is a real estate
dealer in Wallingford. Harley Morse, the grand-
father of Ernest C, was born in Yalesville, where
he followed farming. He married Harriet Morse.
Ernest Cook Morse was educated in the local
schools of his birthplace, in a boarding school at
Clinton. Conn., and in the Business College at New
Haven. At the age of eighteen he left school, and
entered into business by purchasing the Byron
Johnson Bakery, conducting same until October,
1900, when he sold out to the wife of his brother,
who is now carrying on the business. In 1895 Mr.
Morse started, the harness and wagon business,
which has increased so greatly that he is now de-
voting his entire time to it. Sociallv :Mr. INIorse
is a member of Accanant Lodge, I. O. O. F., and
with his familv he belongs to St. Paul's Episcopal
Church. Politically he is a Democrat, and is an
honorable and upright citizen.
Mr. Morse was married Mav 29. 1888, to Miss
Elizabeth Yale Bullard, a daughter of John Bullard,
of Middletown, Conn. To this union have come:
Emery Yale, born Feb. 25, 1890: Carleton Emest,
lx)rn Oct. 29, 1892: and Gladys Elizabeth, born
Oct. 8. 1896. In 1897 Mr. Morse built for himself
one of the most pleasant and thoroughly modern
houses in Wallingford. He and his familv are
counted among the most genial and hospitable peo-
ple of the town.
LEROY JOHN GAIXES. who has for the; past
thirty years been connected with the Charles Parker
Co., is a well-known and respected citizen of Meri-
den. He was born in the town of Granbv. Hartford
Co.. Conn., Sept. 17. 1846. and is descended from an
old and sub.stantial familv of England.
John Gaines, the grandfather of Leroy J., re-
sided in the town of Granbv. where he was engaged
in agricultural pursuits, and was a respected citi-
zen. His death occurred May 23, 1851, and he was
buried in the North Granbv cemetery. He was
married, first, in November, 1802, to Martha Hitcli-
I cock, who was born April 14, 1780, and died June
] 28, 1829; she was also buried in the old cemetery in
that town. She was a daughter of Capt. Luther
and Beulah (Chaiiman) Hitchcock, the former a
Revolutionary hero, who took pat-t in the engai;i-
ments at Ticonderoga and New London; Caj)!.
Hitchcock died at S])ringfield, Mass., Nov. i, i
To John and Martha (.Hitchcock) Gaines came
nine children : One son, born Dec. 19, 1803, who
died Dec. 25, 1803 ; Evaline, born Feb. Q, 1805 ; Will-
iam, born Oct. 19, 1806, who died in the West ; Har-
vey, born Jan. 3, 1809; Theodore, born July 22^
1810; John Richard, born June 19, 1812; Martha,
born Dec. 12, 1815, who died May 29, 1819; Mar-
tha (2), born Feb. 12, 1819, who married Mila
Dyke; and Maria, born March 26, 1821, who died
Aug. 2, 1821. F^or his second wife, John Gaines
married Abbie Cossett, who lived and died in
Granby.
John Richard Gaines, son of John, and father of
Leroy J., of Meriden, was born in North Granby,
Conn., June 19, 18 12. His educational advantages
were confined to the district schools of his native
town. At an earlv age he learned the trade of mill-
wright, which business he followed through most of
his life in various sections of the States of .Massa-
chusetts and Connecticut. Mr. Gaines was noted for
his industry and uprightness of character. His de-
clining years were spent with his children, his death
taking place, Sept. 21, 1893, at the home of his
daughter Mrs. Warner; his remains were laid in
the family lot on Granby street. In political sym-
pathy Mr. Gaines was a life-long Democrat. On
May 13, 1835, John Richard Gaines was united in
marriage with Sarah M. Bennett, of Belchertown,
Mass., where she was born July 10. 1814. Mrs.
Gaines passed away Nov. 7, 1866, in Granby, Conn.
For manv years she was a most worthy member
of the Congregational Church, esteemed and beloved
as a faithful Christian wife and mother. Six chil-
dren were lx)rn to Mr. and Mrs. Gaines: .-Monzo,
bom March 5, 1837, died in Hartland, Conn., ia
1891 : Marshall R. is president of the Tdlotson Col-
lege for colored people, in Austin. Texas : Mary .\.,
born Sept. 16, 1844, married James Warner, and
now resides in Winsted. Conn.; Leroy J. was born
Sept. 17, 1846: Robert J., born March 26. 1854. died
in Wallingford, Conn., in June. 1899: and Will)ur
11.. born .-Kpril 4, 1859, resides in New Jersey.
Leroy John Gaines, who is now a valued member
of the business and commercial circles of Meriden,
is a native of North Granby, Conn., where he passed
his boyhood, attending the public schools and later
becoming a student in the Granbv Academy, which
at that time was in the charge of a well-known edu-
cator. Rev. William Page. .\s early as the age of
nine years Mr. Gaines began his business career,
working for Henry J. Dewey, a well-known agri-
culturist of that section, while attending school. Dc-
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1237
tcrmiiuil to olitain an education, Mr. Gaines took
advanlajjc of every opportunity. In 1862 he be-
came a clerk in a store in East Ciranby. kept by
James R. \ iets, and there he remained until 1866,
at which time he came to Meriden. Two years later
he removed to Springfield, and was clerk and later
travelinjj salesman for Kibbe Bros. & Co., whole-
sale confectioners, reniaininy; with that house for
two years. It was in 1870 that Mr. (Jaines returned
to Meriden to accept a position with the Charles
Parker Co., as clerk in the gun departinent. An
association of thirty-one years with this house testi-
fies to his efficiency. In a marked degree, Mr. Gaines
possesses those attributes which contribute to sue- ;
cess in any line, and he is not only esteemed by his
â– employers, but is respected by those with whom he
is daily associated.
Un March 14, 1869, was celebrated the mar-
riage of Leroy J. Gaines to Miss Ann Oustemiau
Loweree. who was born at Flushing. Long Island,
a dau;,'ht.er of Andrew G- and Martha' (Wolcott)
Loweree. Mr. Loweree passed his last days in
Meriden, and his remains lie in ^^"alnut (irove ceme-
terv. The mother of Mrs. (iaines died in Branford,
and she also sleeps in the beautiful Walnut (irove
cemetery. A family of four children has been born
to Mr. and Mrs. Gaines: Annie M. Oliver VVol-
cctt, a graduate of the city's high school, is now
a bookkeeper in the service of the Charles Parker
Co.; he married Margaret F>rown, of Yalesville, a
daughter of Andrew J. Brown, of that place, and
one daughter has been born to this union, Mar-
garet Wolcott, George Loweree, a high-school at-
tendant, is a clerk in the Parker clock departmenr.
Leroy John, Jr., died at the age of five years. In
lK)litics Mr. Gaines is a Republican, and he has taken
an active part in civic affairs, on two occasions serv-
ing as selectman, for two years as a member of the
city council, and for six years as a member of the
board of aldermen. During his term of service he
was the chairman of the committees on Streets,
Water, Lamps and Claims, many changes and im-
provements being made in the puljlic service during
his tenure of office. Mrs. Gaines and the family are
members of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.
JOSEPH. C. KELLY. Among the leading and
substantial citizens of New Haven, Joseph C. Kelly
occupies a prominent position. JNIr. Kelly came from
an agricultural family of Ireland : his father, James
Kelly, a native of County Cavan, spent his life on
a farm in that country. The mother of our subject
was Sarah (Carson) Kelly, a daughter of Dr. Jo-
seph Carson, of Longford, Ireland, and she still sur-
vives. The family born to James Kelly and wife
numbered eight children, all of whom survive, w-itli
the exception of George, the second child, the others
being: Lizzie, who married John McCune, and
resides in Burlington, Vt. ; Rose, who married Dan-
iel Miles, and resides in New Haven : Joseph C. ;
James, who is a member of the New Zealand Par-
liament, in Australasia; Margaret, who married
William McClure, resides in ."S'ew Haven; Sarah,
who is single; and Emma, who married lietie Kerr,
and lives in Ireland.
Joseph C. Kelly was born in County Longford,
Ireland, Oct. 8, 1853, and until he was fourteen
years old remained on his father's farm. His edu -
cation was acquired in the old district school, and
also in the parochial school, but in 1868, he emi-
grated to Canada, and settled in Canada West, on
a farm. This, however, was not an active enough
life for Mr. Kelly, and in 1871. he made his way to
New Haven and took up the machinist's trade, and
later went to work for the Winchester Repeating
Amis Co., and it is somewhat remarkable, that with
the exception of three years, he has been with the
same ccm]5any, for the past twenty-nine years, being
a contractor in the concern over eighteen years. His
energv and Ijusiness capacity have made him a most
valuable and desirable employe of this company.
Mr. Kelly has accumulated large means during his
long residence in this citv, and owns much improved
propertv, three of the beautiful houses on Shelton
avenue belonging to him, while other houses in the
city also bring him satisfactory returns. For sev-
eral years follow'ing his marriage, he resided in the
country, in the town of Bethany, but drove daily
into the city, from his farm. A prominent and ar-
dent Republican, Mr. Kelly has been called upon to
fill manv offices, has. in turn been a most acccjjtable
alderman, councilman and selectman, from the
Ninth ward, and at the last municipal election was
so strongly urg'ed to accept the nomination for
mayor, that he received the most votes on the first
ballot, but he withdrew in favor of John B. Studley,
who was elected. At present Mr. Kelly is serving
as one of the police commissioners.
On Feb. 11. 1888, Mr. Kellv was married to Miss
Addie M. Todd, a native of Bethany, a daughter of
Streat B. Todd, a prominent farmer and* cattle
dealer. The Todd familv is one of the old and hon-
ored ones of New England. Three children have
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelly: Frank J., George
W., and Arthur J., all of them attending school in
New Haven. Mr. Kelly is as prominent fraternally
as he is politically, being a thirty-second-degree
Ma&on, affiliated with Olive Branch, No. 84; Frank-
lin Cha]Dter, No. 2 ; Harmony Council ; New Haven
Commandery; La Fayette Consistory; and Pyramid
Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Bridgeport. The relig-
ious connection of the family is with the Episcopal
Church, where they are highly esteemed.
HENRY RUSS, one of the leading German-
American citizens of West Haven, w^as born Aug.
18, 1855, in Munich, Germany, and is the only mem-
ber of his family in this country.
His father, George Russ, was a native of Lan-
dau, Germany, and followed the business of cigar
manufacturing in the P\itherland throughout his
life. He lived to the age of seventy years, and his
1238
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
wife, Mary Moser, a native of Munich, Germany,
attained the same age. This worthy couple had five
children : Bertha ; Henry ; Herman, who conducts
his father's old business in Clerniany; Anna and
Augusta.
Henry Russ was educateil in his native land, and
in May, 1873, came to this country, a clever, ambi-
tious lad of eighteen. He landed in New York and
was employed for short periods in the Havemeyer
sugar factory and Goodwin's wholesale importing
house on Water street, and later on Eighty-first
street in various lines of work. In 1876 he located
in the town of Orange, this county, being employed
as a farm hand, and he once owned a fifty-acre farm
in Milford. In 1889 he removed to West Haven,
engaging In a general teaming business. He also
carried on the ice business for six years, and since
selling out has given his attention to the trucking
business, keeping a number of horses. He has also
made some successful real estate deals and at one
time lx)ught a tract of land, and opened up the street
now known as Court street. He built four houses
on the tract and still owns three, his own residence
being one of the handsomest on the street. It was
built in 1899, and has a fine location at the corner of
Court street and Savin avenue. He has taken an
active interest in promoting public movements of
a beneficial nature, and he donated the lot for the
Episcopal rectory at West Haven, he and his family
being members of that Church. In 1888 he mar-
ried Mrs. Anna Fisher, a native of Norway, who
came to this country with her parents in 1866. Her
father died in New Haven in 1871. Five children
brighten our subject's home: Clara, Annie, George,
Celia and Albert. Mrs. Russ' former marriage,
which occurred in 1877, was blessed with two chil-
dren, Josephine and Alary.
Politically Mr. Russ is a Democrat, but he votes
for the best man in local affairs. Although the
town is Republican his poi)ularity won him an
election to the board of wardens and burgesses in
1893, 1894 and 1895, and when nominated for select-
man he ran ahead of his ticket, although defeated.
He is a member of the fire department. Engine No.
1, and socially is identified with Annawan Lodge
No. 15, F. & A. M., in which he has held office; the
Order of United Workmen in West Haven ; the
Heptasophs and the Harugari, a German order; and
at cue time he was a member of the K. of P., at New
Haven. He has taken special interest in the Haru-
gari, being a charter member, and has held all the
ofifices in the society including those of secretary and
treasurer.
DEXTER LEETE BISHOP, of the Dexter L.
Bishop Co., dealers in pure ice and native lumber,
at Meriden, is a man of character and standing in
the city where his business career has been so credit-
able and successful.
Mr. Bishop was born in the town of Orange.
New Haven county, Aug. 8, 1865, son of Walter
G. Bishop, one of the most prominent farmers of
Guilford, a sketch of whom is to be found else-
where. Dexter L. Bishop removed to the town of
Guilford with his parents when quite young and
secured his education in the public schools and in
Guilford Academy, from which he was graduated in
1884. Growing up on the farm, he was inured to
hard work. He remained at home until of age,
when he came to Meriden, in 1886, to take a position
as clerk with the firm of Little, Somers & Hyatt.
For eight years he remained with this house, giving
general satisfaction by his faithful perfonnance of
every duty devolving upon him and his genial and
courteous treatment of the patrons of the firm. At
the end of this time, Jan. i, 1895, '^^ resolved to
enter business for himself and purchased an inter-
est in the firm of Foster Brothers. Two years later
he purchased the business, and in January, 1898,
organized the Dexler L. Bishop Co., he being secre-
tary, treasurer and general manager. The business
to which this corporation addresses itself is quite
comprehensive, including among its principal objects
the operation of saw and feed mills. They deal in
every form of domestic lumber, from tool handles to
piling. Recently the Dexter L. Bishop Co. have ac-
quired the ice business of Dayton & Sherman and
the ^leriden Ice Co., which gives them the control
of two-thirds of the ice business of Meriden. Mr.
Bishop has built up a large patronage and has a fine
outlook for the future. In his career he has dis-
played good judgment, honorable dealing and strict
integrity. What he is he has made himself by hard
work and unilagging industry.
Mr. Bishop was married in Meriden in 1891 to
Esther C. Johnson, who was born in that city,
daughter of the late Chauncey G. Johnson, a well-
known real estate man, who died in 1893. .Mr. and
Mrs. Bishop have three children: Ethel Johnson.
Herbert Leete and Wilford Merriman. Mr. Bislioj)
is Knight Templar, a Royal Arch Mason, an
enrolled in Centre Lodge, No. 97, and Keystone
Chapter, No. 27, and St. Elmo Commandery No. 9,
of Meriden. He is a member of the Congregational
Church, and in iwlitics a Rei;u])lican, though taking
an independent attitude. In 1899 he was electetl
alderman, representing the I'ifth ward in the city
council, where he has acquitted himself most credit-
ably. A good citizen, an upright man, he is person-
ally very popular with a wide circle of friends.
WILLIAM WOOSTER BUCKINGHAM is
one of the younger business men to whom advance-
ment came early. He is now treasurer and manager
of the well-known lUickingham Hardware Co., 01
New Haven, wholesale hardware dealers.
Nathan Lewis Buckingham, grandfather of Will-
iam Wooster. was a son of Nathan and Silena
(Lewis) Buckingham, and was born about 1792.
He married Clarissa Wooster. and became the fa-
ther of six children, of whom one died, young. The
others were: Mark, who married Martha llristol;
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1239
Arartha, who married Styles French ; Henry, men-
tioned below ; Joel, who was among the "missing"
at Chancellorsville, in the war of the Rebellion,
wlicn he was aliout twenty-three years old ; and
Jknriette. of Pasadena, California.
Henry linckingham was born Feb. 29, 1828, in
O.xford, Conn., and there in the public schools he
received his early training. At the age erf seventeen
he came to New Haven, and for a number of years
was in the emplov of U. W. Linckingham, and later
of Jeremiah Atwater. He then went to Derby,
Conn., where he engaged in the retail butcher busi-
ness, but soon returned to New Haven, where he
started a grocery on Chapel street. The outbreak
of the Civil war diverted his thoughts into other
channels, and in company with Charles King, he
wuit Sijuth as a sutler with a Rhode Island regi-
ment. -After he returned from the war, he engaged
in the real estate business in New Haven, having
offices in the Hoadley building for about twemy-
tive years. He spent over forty years of his life in
Xew Haven, but the last six years he retired from
active business. His death occurred Nov. 7, 1893.
His wife was formerly Abbie Ogden (Phillips)
Curtis, widow of Reuben Curtis. She was born in
l-'airfield. Conn., July 16, 1830, and died in Boston,
while ou a visit, Jan. 28, 1901. The children born
of this marriage are as follows : Nathan Lewis,
born June 25, 1855, married Emma Anderson, and
resides in Boston ; Charles Curtis, born Sept. 5, 1856,
married Louella P)rodcrick, and lives in New Haven ;
William Wooster : .Alfred Whitney, born in Septem-
ber, 1864. resides in New York City.
William Wooster Buckingham was born in New
Haven, April 4, 1863. His education was obtained
in the public schools. His earh- business ventures
were along the line of mining, and for two years
he was near Cartersville, Ga.. engaged in man-
ganese mining. He then returned to New Ha-
ven, and entered the emjjloy of F. S. Brad-
ley & Co., wholesale hardware, the firm being
composed of F. S. Bradley and Oscar Dikeman,
the latter now of New York City. In 1890 the
tirm became Buckingham, Clark & Jackson, who
May I, 1900, were succeeded by the Buckingham
Hardware Co., Mr. Buckingham being the only one
who retained connection with it. He is now ser\-ing
as treasurer and general manager, while Mr. Brad-
ley is uresident. Mr. Buckingham gives to the busi-
ness the same careful attention to detail that char-
acterized him when he became an employe of the
comjiany in 1880 — an attention that has won him a
large interest in the business, and a high place in the
business world.
In 1885 Mr. Buckingham enlisted in the "New
Haven Grays," becoming a member of Co. F, 2d
Conn. N. G., serving his five years term of enlist-
ment. He also served seven years in the Second
Company, Governor's Foot Guards, being nnistcrcd
out of service in June, 1900.
On Sept. 24, 1888, Mr. Buckingham was united
in marriage with Laura Stevens Morey, of Mayville,
N. Y. Four children, two of whom are living, have
blessed their happy liome: Louella iieatrice, born
June 19, 1890, died Nov. 28, 1892; William Root,
born ^larch 30, 1892, died A])ril 2~, 1892; Lenora
Bishop, born June 29, 18^3: and Charles Wooster,
born Jan. 21, i8qv
ANDREW OEFINGER, proi)rietor of the
Oefinger Cafe, on West Main street, Meriden, is a
prominent citizen and valued business man of that
place. His birth occurred March 6, i860, in Tros-
singen, Wurtemberg, Germany, and his father, John
Oefinger, was a native of the same locality.
In early life the latter was engaged in the bakery
business, but later adopted the trade of box maker,
establishing a large factorv of his own where this
business was carried on extensively. He died in his
native land in 1897, a consistent member of the
Lutheran Church. The mother of our subject,
Anna (Neipp) Oefinger, was also a native of Tros-
singen, where she died in 1862, mourned by a large
family. She was the mother of eighteen children,
but several died in infancy, those who reached ma-
turity being: Jacob, who resides in Meriden: Elias,
also of Meriden; Martin, who lives at home: .An-
drew; Michael, who was accidentally killed by a
horse in Aleriden ; John, who was killed by the cars
in Meriden; Christian, who died in Massachusetts;
and Mathew, who died in Bridgeport.
Andrew Oefinger received an excellent educa-
tion in his home schools, and until 1876 worked with
his father in the box factory. Deciding at that time
to follow a brother to the United States, he landed
in New York at the age of sixteen years. His
brother Jacob was located at Shelburne Falls, Mass.,
engaged in the manufacture of harmonicas, and with
him Andrew worked for one year, coming to Meri-
den in 1877. Here he secured emi)loyment in the
cutlcrv factory of the Miller Bros. Cutlery Co., re-
maining with that house from 1877 to 1886, during
which time he was a contractor for four years. In
the latter year he entered the Wilcox Silver Plate
Co.'s factory, and there learned the trade of enr
graver. He then became connected with the Meri-
den Silver Plate Co. as engraver, remaining until
1894, when he bought an interest in the Turner Hall
Cafe. He coirducteeL the Ijusiness at the okl stand
for a year and a half, changing then to No. 250
Pratt street, where he continued the business for the
succeeding two years, selling out to remove to liis
present location. Here he managed the business for
his brother until 1900, when he purchased his inter-
est and since that time has ablv condncted it for
himself. Mr. Oefinger is very popular, and possesses
the business qualifications necessary to success.
In 1882 ^Ir. Oefinger was married to ^liss Ida
Graebin, a lady of Prussian birth, daughter of Fred
Graebin, of Providence, and four children have been
bom to this union: Robert,- Max, Frances and
Arthur. Mr. Oefinger is an active member of Ten
I240
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
tonic Lodge, No. 95, 1. O. O. F., has filled all the
chairs and has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge.
For twenty-five years he has been a member of the
Tiirnverein, and for a number of years of the Saen-
gerbnnd of Mcriden. He is also a member of the
German American School Association, the \Vork-
men's Sick and Death IJenefit Society and the Meri-
den Rifle Club. His religious belief he sums up in
the Golden Rule, and is livmg up to it. He finds
his political ideas best satisfied when he keeps free
from all parties and votes independently. Mr.
Oefinger has many friends in Meriden, where he is
ranked among the good, reliable and substantial
citizens.
SHEK.M AX H. liALDWIX. a well-known resi-
dent of Mil ford, was born in that town April 4,
1855. son of Charles R., and grandson of Elnathan
Baldwin.
l'\)r several generations the familv has been
identified with the town, and Elnathan Baldwin
was born there and became a leading farmer of the
town. He married Sarah Stowe, of Milford, and
had a large family of children, of whom several
died in childhood. The others were: Elnathan,
deceased, was a farmer in Milford; William, de-
ceased, was engaged in the hat business in New
Haven; Charles R., deceased, is mentioned below;
Eunice, deceased, married Charles J. Baldwin, of
Milford; Sarah is the wife of Charles W. Beardsley,
of Milford; Esther, died unmarried; James is a
farmer in Milfordi; and Phineas is a farmer.
Charles R. Baldwin was born in :\Iilford, April
12, 1823, and was engaged in farming all his life.
Soon after his marriage he settled upon a farm in
West Milford. He married Aliss Mary A. Beards-
ley, daughter of Sarah Beardsley, of Stratford, and
slie survives him. Our subject was the youngest of
a family of five children, and of tlie others the first
died in infancy, unnamed; Edgar C. died at the age