O. U. W., of Se\Tiiour, and he and his wife and
family arc attendants of the Congregational Church,
to the support of which he is a contributor.
On Aug. lo, 1873, ^l""- Culver was married to
Ilekn A. Downs, born April 25, 1853, in Bethlehem,
Conn., a daughter of Albert Z. and Sarah Pritchard
Downs, and to them has come one daughter, Helena
A., who is now the wife of O. M. Williams, of
Seymour; they have one son, Stephen Culver
Williams.
WILLIAM HASSETT was born .March 15,
1850, in County Tipperary, Ireland, and is a son
of Thomas Hassett, who was born in the same com-
munity, where he died in 1852 when he was about
thirty-five years of age. He was a farmer by oc-
cupation. Hannah Cummings, his wife, died in
New Haven, Conn., and was the mother of tli^
lowing children: (i) Bridget died at the ay
thirty-five years at Jersey City, N. J. (2) JolTn died
in the same city at the age of forty-five years. (3)
Patrick, a blacksmith by trade, is still living in
Jersey City. (4) William. (5) Thomas is in the
grocery business at Wallingford. John Hassett. the
grandfather of William, was a farmer in Ireland
and did a large contracting business.
\\'illiam Hassett was bom in Ireland, where he
received his somewhat limited schooling. When
thirteen years old he came with his mother to this
country and settled in Jersey City, where for a num-
ber of years he was engaged in various capacities,
clerking in a grocery store, and in 1870 he liccame
associated with the Judd Manufacturing Co., and
for fifteen years was in the iron finishing room of
their factory at New Haven. When their plant was
removed to Wallingford he came with them to do
contracting work in the brass department. In 1888
he was made assistant superintendent of the factory,
and in 1894 he became superintendent of the factory,
having charge of an industrial army of 550 men. A
few years ago Mr. Hassett bought out the coal busi-
ness of the late John Kendrick, which he has since
conducted, building up the largest business in this
line in the town. His yards have a capacity of 2,000
tons and are taxed to their utmost. Mr. Hasset:
has never hesitated to meet the responsibilities of
citizenship, and his services on the School Dis-
trict committee have been conspicuously valuable.
A stanch Democrat, for the third time he has been
elected by a large and flattering vote to the Court of
Burgesses. He has also served on the board of
relief.
Mr. Hassett is a member of the Court Winde-
mere, Foresters of America, and his name is on
the rolls of the Knights of Columbus and the Hepta-
sophs. where he is an active worker. Mr. Hassett
and his family arc members of the Holy Trinity
Church, of Wallingford.
Mr. Hassett was married May 18, 1880, to Miss
Helen M. Hoey, one of the brightest young women
of \\'aIlingford, and a daughter of Lawrence Hocy.
This union has been blessed with the birth of the
following children : Thomas, Esther. Mary, Robert,
Ellen, Ethel, George, Florence, Ruth, William H.
and Charles. In 1889 Mr. Hassett built one of the
most charming homes on Si, nth Whittlesey ave-
nue, in Wallingford.
GEORGE THOMSON, who is now success-
fully engaged in the dry goods and notion business
at No. 49 Sixth street, Derby, was born in Shelton,
Conn., Sept. 19, 1863, and is of Scotch descent, his
paternal grandfather being a lifelong resident of
Scotland. The father, John Thomson, is a native
of Galashiels, Scotland, and in that country he fol-
lowed the trade of a woolen spinner. When a young
man he came to America and located in Shelton.
Conn. He followed his trade in Derby for some
'ears, but is now living retired at that place, en-
joying a well-earned rest. He married ]\Iiss Eliza-
beth Watson, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland,
and was reared in that country. She died in 1897.
Of the nine children born to this worthy couple our
subject is the eldest. Thomas is engaged in farm-
ing in the town of Derby ; John is a machinist liv- -
ing in the West ; William is a die sinker in Platts-
ville. Conn. ; James is a mechanic of Bridgeport,
Conn.: Albert is a piano tuner of Derby; Annie is
the wife of Thomas Morgan, of Waterbury ; and
Jessie and Grace are at home with their father.
In early childhood George Thomson removed
with his parents to Mount Holly, N. J., where he
was reared and educated, but at the age of sixteen
years he returned to Bridgeport, Conn., where he
worked for the W'heeler & Wilson Manufacturing
Co. for two years. At the end of that time he came
to Derby and entered the employ of the Star Pin
Company, with which he remained for about four
years. Having learned the molder's trade ha
worked in the Birmingham Iron Foundry for about
eight years and also in other foundries, including
one at Ansonia for three years.
Mr. Thomson married Miss Bell Ruthford, ,1
native of Ireland, and a daughter of Frederick
Ruthford, who is a shoemaker by trade and now re-
sides in Derby, Conn. Our subject and his wife
have one child, Leslie. In 1893 Mr. Thomson
started his present store, and while away his wife
attends to the business. With her assistance he has
steadily prospered and is now the owner of two
large brick store buildings and has built up an ex-
cellent trade. They are highly respected and es-
teemed by all who know them.
EDWARD I. ATWATER. one of the leading
young business men of New Haven, is a son of
\\'illiani J. Atwater. for many years identified with
the real estate interests of this city and a man well-
known throughout the vicinity.
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
12/9
Edward I. Atvvater was born April 27, 1864,
and spent liis boyhood days in New Hiavcn, his na-
tive place, attending school, both public and private,
among which institutions was the well-known Jo-
seph Giles School, where he remained two years, and
the Vale Business College. After completing his
business course Mr. Atwater entered the employ
of McAllister & Warren, insurance and loans, re-
rraining with this firm for four years, when he
joined his father, at a time when the latter was en-
gaged in contracting for the construction of sewers
and cellars, and gave employment to many men.
Edward Atwater took charge of this branch of the
business and rendered very effective service. Three
years later the wholesale and retail paper, twine and
stationerv business was established under the firm
name of \V. J. Atwater & Co., of which Edward I.
became manager, and he remained in that capacity
for twelve years. Believing the time to be propiti-
ous for the real-estate business, Mr. Atwater entered
that field in 1 90 1, and expects to meet with well-
merited success, his knowledge of this line being
â– extensive and comprehensive. In 1901 W. J. At-
water & Co. discontinued the paper business and
engaged in the building material and mason supply
business, in the location occupied for more than
thirty years by li. S. Clark & Co.
On Sept. 19, 1888, Mr. Atwater was married to
Miss Lila Mather Brooks, of Cheshire, Conn., a
daughter of Samuel H. and Mary (Mather)
Brooks, of Cheshire, Conn., and Troy, N. Y., re-
spectively. The father of Samuel H. Brooks was
David Brooks, and the Mathers trace back directly
to the celebrated Cotton Mather family. Two chil-
dren have been born to ]\Ir. ami Mrs. Atwater, Mar-
garet Brooks and William Irving. Politically Mr.
Atwater is a strong Republican, and has been hon-
ored by his fellow townsmen with various offices of
prominence, he having served for a vear in the coun-
cil and fur two years on the board of aldermen. So-
cially Mr. .Atwater is a member of the A. O. U. W.,
and of the Red ^len ; he is also a member of the
Union League; the Young Men's Republican Club;
and president (elected March, 1901, re-elected in
March, 1902) of the Business Men's Association,
of which he has been director for eight years ; he
has also served five years as a member of the Gov-
ernor's Foot Guards, 2d Co. In religious matters
both Mr. and Mrs. Atwater are members of the Con-
gregational Church and earnest workers in that or-
ganization. Genial in manner, possessed in marked
degree of the qualities requisite to success in both
business and social life. Mr. Atwater stands high in
the comnumity and nuniliers his friends by legions.
JENS NIELSO.V, who has charge of the ex-
tensive business of Hotchkiss & Sons, at Ansonia,
was born in Denmark Feb. 16, 1852, a son of
Nielse Nielson.
His father was a native of Denmark, and, a
farmer, passed his life in that country. In religious
faith he was a Lutheran. He died in early manhood,
and his wife, Maren Olsen, also a native of Den-
mark, died aged sixty-eight years. She was a
daughter of Ole Xeilson, who was born in the town
of Jegindo, Denmark, and was engaged in farming
there throughout his life. H'e died at the age of
ninety-nine years, after seventy-five years of mar-
ried life. His wife, Anna, reached the advanced
age of one hundred years, and after she attained the
age of eighty sometimes walked four miles at a
time. Of their nine children three are living:
Christian Olsen, Anna Marie and Marianna, all
residents of Denmark. Our subject was the
younger of two children, and his elder brother,
Ole, is now a farmer in Oxford, Connecticut.
Jens Nielson remained in his native land until
he reached the age of eighteen, receiving a com-
mon-school education, and on coming to this coun-
try he located upon a farm in Oxford. During the
\e7.rs spent there he learned butchering and has
since been in the employ of Hotchkiss & Sons,
making twenty-three years in all with that firm.
For fifteen years he has acted as manager for the
Ansonia branch of their business, doing all the buy-
ing and selling for their enormous establishment,
where the output is sometimes 50.000 barrels per
week. He is now the oldest man in active business
in the town and has always been one of the most
progressive. Fle has built two handsome houses on
Cliff street, the finest residence street of the city,
and in addition to the duties of his position with
the firm mentioned he has always had some retail
business. At one time he engaged in the candy
business and for a time he carried on markets in
Seymour and Naugatuck. At present he conducts a
retail meat market in Ansonia known as the West
Side Market, which is exceptionally well-arranged,
and he employs three clerks and two wagons in con-
nection with the business.
In 1877 Mr- Nielson married Miss Sophia Iver-
son, a native of Denmark. He attends the Episco-
pal Church, and is identified with Morning Star
Lodge, F. & A. M., of Seymour, and the Danish
Brotherhood at Ansonia. Folitically he is a Repub-
lican, and in 1899 he was elected to the conunon
council, to serve until 1901.
WESLEY BENNETT ALLEN, a bright and
hustling young business man of New Haven, was
born in North Haven Dec- 24, 1868, and is a son
of Delo.s Allen, who was born in \\'aterbury, Conn.,
Dec. 10, 1820, and died Jan. 7, 1889.
Delos Allen was descended from one of the old-
est Allen families on record, and one of his
forefathers was among the earliest slaveholders in
the South. Delos Allen lived in various places in
Connecticut and followed an agricultural career.
Esther Bennett, his wife, was born Jan. 11, 183 1,
and died Jan. 10. 1878. To their union were born
five children : Frank E.. Martha L.. Merritt L.,
Weslev Bennett and Burton E. Merritt is an in-
I2SO
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
spector in the Winchester Repeating Arms Com- '
panv, and Frank and Burton arc emploves of Wes-
ley B.
Wesley B. Allen was born in North Haven, but
was reared to manhood in New Haven, where he
attended the local schools. When he became old
enough he was received as an employe into the
factory of the Winchester Repeating Arms Com-
pany, where at first he worked in the summer and
still attended school during the winter season. H'is
entire business life has been spent with this com-
pany, and he has worked himself up step by step un-
til now he is a contractor in the box department.
The details of the business are thoroughly under-
stood by him, and as an all-round mechanic his
reputation is very high.
On April lo, 1900, Mr. Allen was married to
Margaret H. Jaenicke, the eighteen-year-old daugh-
ter- of Franz Jaenicke. One child, Russell, born
May 23, 1901, has blessed this union.
Mr. Allen is a Republican, and belongs to Har-
mony Lodge, No. 5, I. O. O. F. ; he is also a mem-
ber of the Equitable Life Assurance of the United
States, the Golden Rule Encampment and the New
England Order of Protection. He attends the First
Methodist Church. Personally he is a man of fine
character, and has a host of friends in the commu-
nity who wish him all prosperity.
JOEL RICE HOUGH. The Hough family of
W'allingford is one of the oldest and most re-
spected families of New England, the first of that
name in Wallingford being Samuel Hough, who
was a native of New London, Conn. By trade he
was a millwright. He was a son of William Hough,
and a grandson of Edward Hough, whose home
was in Cheshire, England.
William Hough settled in New London, and
from there came Samuel, intending to build a mill
and then return, but the beauty of the surround-
ings and the fertility of the land caused him to re-
main, and in Wallingford his life ended, Alarch 14,
1 714. The first marriage of Samuel Hough was
to a native of his own locality; she died in 1684,
and on Aug. 18, 1685, he married Mary Bates, a
daughter of John Bates, of Haddam. Three chil-
dren were born of each marriage.
William Hough, the eldest son of Samuel, was
born in 1680, and was a farmer of W'allingford,
where he spent his entire life. The children of his
two marriages were: ]\Iary, Samuel, William and
Mehitable (twins), Deborah, Ann, Joseph, Abia,
Nathaniel and Simeon. Of this family, Joseph
Hough was born in 1719. and lived out his ninety-
two years in the town of Wallingford. On Jan. 27,
1745, he married Catherine Yale, a daughter of
Capt. Theophilus and Sarah (Street) Yale, and who
died Oct. 5, 1767. The children of this mar-
riage were: Joseph, born in 1745; Mary, in 1746;
Lois, in 1747; Lent, in 1751 ; Lo's, in 1752: David,
in 1754; Joel, in 1757; James, in 1762; Catherine,
who married Edmund Smith ; and Sarah, who mar-
ried and settled in Homer, New York.
James Hough, the grandfather of Joel Hough^
of this sketch, was an extensive farmer and owned
much land in North Farms, in Wallingford. He
was a man who had the respect of the whole com-
munity. His family of children consisted of two
sons and three daughters : James, who married
Mary Rice, a daughter of Nehemiah Rice; JocL
who became the father of Joel R. and of Aliss
Alice L. Hough, of North Farms; Mary, who al-
ways lived at the old homestead, and died in 1880,
aged eight) -two ; Lucy, who married Hezekiah Root,
of Mcriden, and died leaving no children ; Emcline,
who married William pjunce, a tailor and fanner of
Kensington, by whom she had four sons, William
(deceased), George (a farmer in Berlin, married
and has four sons), James (a successful dry-goods
merchant in Middletown, has two sons and two
daughters, of whom the eldest daughter married
and moved West, and the younger wedded a captaia
in the regular army, who served with his regiment
in Cuba in the Spanish-American war) and Leander
(who remained on the old farm until his retirement
a few years ago and he now lives in New Britain)^
Joel Hough received but a common-school edu- J
cation, and grew up an honest, capable and pro-
gressive farmer, following that occupation through
life. After buying the homestead he made many im-
provements and introduced into the neighborhood
much fine stock, becoming one of the most suc-
cessful and reliable raisers of stock in the coun-
ty. As an upright and honorable man, he is remem-
bered through Wallingford, where his influence was
felt in the direction of temperance and morality. An
Dld-line Whig, he naturally embraced the principles-
of the Republican party. His death occurred on his
farm, in Wallingford, Oct. i, 1886. Joel Hough
was married, in Meriden, to Mary Rice, who was
born March 9, 1809, daughter of Silas and Re-
becca (Hubbard) Rice, who died May 21, 1875, be-
loved and mourned not only by her immediate fam-
ily, but by a large circle of friends. Through life-
she displayed the traits of a beautiful Christian char-
acter, and was a consistent member of the Congrega-
tional Church. The children born of this marriage
were : Lucy, who died at the age of eighteen ;
Cornelia, the widow of Edward C. Hall, of Meri-
den; Joel Rice; Susan E., who resides at Berlin;
Albert P., who farms the old homestead ; James, a
resident of New Haven, employed in the Winches-
ter Arms Co. ; Alice L. ; and Rose, at home.
Joel Rice Hough grew up on the old homestead
in North I'arms, and attended the district school,
remaining at home until the breaking out of the
Civil war, when he determined to become a soldier
in defense of his country. On Aug. 6, 1862, he en-
listed in Co. K, 15th Conn. V. L, undor Col. Wright
and Capt. Stiles, of New Haven, and participated in
the battles of Fredericksburg and Suffolk, Va. Al-
though suffering from chills and fever, Mr. Hough
M
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1281
remained in the service until in July. 1863, when he
received his honorable discharge at Xewbern, N. C,
after which he returned home and resumed farm-
ing on the old homestead for the following two
years.
In i8r/), Mr. Hough bought a tract of land in
North l-'arms, consisting of forty acres, locally
knt>wn as the Lowery fami. and since that time he
has added thirty acres, and is now operating seventy
acres of as fine land as can be found in the State
of Connecticut. Mr. Hough conducts a successful
dairy and is one of the largest stockraisers in the lo-
cality. Much hard work, energy and good manage-
ment have been required to bring this estate to its
present valuable condition, and all the credit is due
Mr. Hough, who is conceded to be, not only one of
the most worthy citizens of Wallingford, but also
one of the best farmers.
In 1868, in Berlin, Conn., Joel R. Hough was
married to Mary, a daughter of Edward Edwards.
No children were born to this union, and she died
in 1874, and was buried in Wallingford cemetery.
On ^lay 30, 1877, he married Lucy Bassctt, a native
of Litchfield, and to this union one child was born.
Flora E., a graduate of the Meriden high school.
Both Mrs. Hough and her daughter are ladies of
culture and high attainments, and are leaders in the
social life of Wallingford.
In public life. Air. Hough has taken nuich in-
terest, and he has been identified with much of the
progress of this locality, .^s an ardent Republican,
he was selected by the party as their standard bearer
in the State Legislature, in 1895, where he most ef-
ficiently served on the committee on Agriculture. On
the board of Relief he has done much for his local-
ity, and since 1894 he has served on the board of
Assessors. Socially, Mr. Hough is a member of
Arthur Dutton Post. No. 36, G. A. R., of Walling-
ford ; is a member of Wallingford Grange, of which
he was Master for two years. He is financially in-
terested in the Wallingford Creamery, and is vice-
president of the Wallingford Agricultural society.
The religious connection of the family is with the
Congregational Church, where he is a generous and
cheerful giver, to all benevolent and charitable en-
terprises.
.•\ll)ert Pierson Hough, a brother of Joel Rice
Hough, was born on the old homestead May 6, 1846.
Since his father's death, he has operated the farm
of 125 acres, very successfully. With him reside
his sisters, ladies who are of the highest intelligence
and social position. Although no office-seeker, .M-
bert P. Hough has always supported the Re])ul)lican
party. For many years he has been connected with
the Congregational Church, and is a man who en-
joys the esteem of the community.
Miss Alice L. HorcH, the talented principal of
the Yalesville High school, was born in the old
home in North Farms. Her early education was
pursued in the district schools in Wallingford,
which was supplemented by private instruction, and
8 1
in 1873, she graduated from the Normal school, at
New Britain. For the past twenty-five years, she
has l>een one of the most successful educators of the
county, and for a number of years has held the im-
portant position of Principal of the Yalesville High
school, which is one rec|uiring extensive learning as
well as capacity for government, both of these at-
tributes being possessed by Miss Hough, in the
highest degree. Not only does she command the
respect of her jnipils, but also is dearly beloved by
them.
Rice. The Rice family, to which Mrs. Joel
Hough belonged, is one of the oldest in Connecticut.
The original s])elling of the name was Royce, and
the founder of the family in America was Robert
Royce, who came from England, and was in Staf-
ford in 1644. In 1671 Isaac and Nehemiah Royce
settled in Wallingford, and later Nathaniel, Samuel,
Joseph and Robert Royce, all supposed to be sons
of the (I) Robert, settled there.
(II) Deacon Samuel Royce settled in Walling-
ford in 1672. He married Sarah Baldwin, and for
his second wife, he married, Dec. 12, 1695, Hannah
Benedict, who died Jan. 12, 1761. He died May
14, 1757, in Meriden. His children were: Abigail,
born Nov. 24, 1677, married Joseph Cole; Prudence
was born July 26, 1680; Deborah, born Sept. 8,
1683, married Thomas Mix; Isaac was born March
10, i(')88; Ebenezer was born Sept. 25, 1690; Na-
thaniel was born Oct. 21, 1692; John was born
April 25, 1694;- Mary was born Feb. 17, 1695;
Jacob, born April 11, 1697, married Thankful, a
daughter of Moses Beach ; Hannah, born Feb. 19,
1699, married John Ives; Ezekiel married Anna
Merwin ; Samuel married Martha Moss, and settled
in Cheshire; .\bel was born Jan. 10, 1700; Ben-
jamin, born May 23, 1705: Alehitable; and Eben-
ezer. who died Oct. 18, 1752, in Meriden.
(III) Benjamin Rice, son of Deacon Samuel,
was born May 23, 1705, in Wallingford. was clerk
in the mines, and spent his life in that locality,
dying Jan. 30, 1758. To his marriage with Mind-
well Royce (or Rice), a relative, on April 10, 1729,
came two children, Benjamin and Solomon, the
latter born Jan. 31. 1740. The mother died May 13,
1776. in her seventy-third year.
(I\') Benjamin Rice, son of Benjamin, was
born April i, 1730, and married Phebe Halsey, of
Long Island. She died June 13, 1776, and he passed
away in February, 1777. Their children were:
f'hebe, born Oct. 18, 1757, who died Nov. 25, 1757;
I5enjamin, Ixirn Feb. 2, 1759; Halsey. born Jan.
10, 1761. who died June 13, 1764; Isaac, born Oct.
10. 1762: Halsey (2). born Oct. 29, 1764 (died in
Middletown) ; Elizabeth, born Oct. 10. 1766 (mar-
ried Nathaniel Stevens, of Norfolk); Silas; and
Levi, born Oct. 14, 1775. Benjamin Rice served as
a private at the Lexington Alarm, under Capt. John
Couch.
(\^) Silas Rice, the father of Mrs. Hough, was
Iwrn Oct. 19, 1770. He was a farmer all his life.
128:
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and in 1796 bought the farm now owned by the
family of Benjamin Rice, on Murdock avenue, Mer-
iden, and there he died in 1852: he was buried in
the East cemetery. Silas Rice was a deacon in the
Congregational Church and a iiieinl)er of the Wash-
ington Benevolent Society. In his political views
he was a stanch Whig. His first marriage, Aug. 4,
1796, was to Ruth Curtis, who was born in Meriden,
and was a sister of Alfred Curtis, of Meriden. The
children of this union were : Almira, born May 24,
1797, married Avery Hough; Phebe, born Feb. 3,
1799. '1'<-'<^1 Aug. 13, 1799. The mother died March
31, 1801. On March 8, 1803, in Meriden, Mr. Rice
married Rebecca Hubbard, who was born Nov. 25,
1783, a ilaughter of Isaac and Jane Hubbard, and
died in February, 1855. The children of this mar-
riage were: Ruth Curtis, born Oct. 14, 1803, mar-
ried, on Oct. 25, 1825, Lyman Hough. Jane, born
July I, 1805, died Feb. 13, 1824. Silas born June
29, 1807, died the same day. Mary, born March 9,
1809. married Joel Hough, of Wallingford. Silas
Hubbard, born April 5, 181 1, married Fanny
Brooks, of Chatham county, N. C, and they had
three children — Levi Woodley, born July 2, 1837;
Mary Ameret, born Sept. 23, 1841 ; and John Willis,
born March 8, 1844. Phebe Rebecca, born Sept. 9,
1812, died July 30. 1814. Henry, born Nov. 20,
1814, married Emily Lane. Jose])h, born March
29, 1817, died March 30, 1817. Benjamin Halscy,
born June 20, 1818, died June 25, 1898; he married