B. Todd ; Delia, who married Mr. Todd after her
sister's death ; and Celia, wife of Lyman Bassett.
(\T) Lyman Clinton was born in Clin'tonville,
in 1818, and had but meager school advantages.
After a few years of work in his father's factory
he went to Xew Haven, and there established a
store for the sale of the implements made in the
factory-. Later, selling the store, he returned to
Clintonville, again to engage in the manufacture of
the machines. His death occurred there Jan. 29.
1888. He married Lavinia lUake.slce, a daughter of
Anson and Julia (Fro;t) Blakeslee, and their cliil-
dren were: Margaret, who married G. S. \'ibbert,
of Clintonville: Josephine J., wife of Edward S.
Minor, of Burrville, Conn.; David L. ; Frederick
L., who married Ida Marks, and engages in the
printing business in New Haven : Anson B., who
married Mary Stiles, and is proprietor of, and en-
gaged in, a music store in New Haven ; and Delia
E., Mrs. Willoughby Fowler, of Clintonville.
David L. Clinton was^ born June 11, 1849, and
after passing through the district school course in
his native place, he attended the New Haven Busi-
ness College. In company with his father and
brother, Frederick, he formed the firm of Clinton
& Sons, engaging in the manufacture of agricultur-
al implemetnts for many years. They finally sold
out to^ the firm of Carr & Hobson, of New York.
Mr. Clinton then became interested in the fancy
name card printing business, until his appointment
to the position of postmaster by President Harrison,
in 1888. Four years later a change in the adminis-
tration gave the place to a member of the Demo-
cratic party. For the following three years our
subject filled the duties of deputy sheriff, his resigna-
tion from this position being accepted when Presi-
dent McKinley re-appointed him postmaster, in
June, 1897; he was again re-appointed postmaster
March i, 1902. He is still a dealer in agricultural
implements.
Mr.. Clinton married Fanny M. \'ibbert, a daugh-
ter of Nelson and Lucy (Hosmer) \'ibbert, and
the only child of this union is Gertrude L., born
Jan. 5, 1879. Socially Mr. Clinton is a mqnber of
Corinthian Lodge, No. 103, A. F. & A. .M., of
Northford; of North Haven Lodge, No. 6i, A. ().
U. \V. ; and of the North Haven Grange. His
friends are many in Clintonville, and his adminis-
tration of the duties of his position is satisfactory to
the community at large. With his family he holds
membership in the North Haven Congregational
Church, and is a liberal and willing- contributor to the
cause of religion, always being ready to forward
any good work in the Church or the community.
JOHN HENRY BLACK. It is astonishing to
witness the ioicccss of young men who have emi-
grated to America without capital, and who from a
humble position have worked their way ujjward to
one of affluence. The readiness with which they
adapt themselves to circumstances and take ad-
vantage of opportunities offered, brings to them suc-
cess, and wins for them a place among the leading
men of the community in which they reside. To
this class belongs Mr. Black, owner and proprietor
of the well-known Hillside farm of Cheshire, Xew
Haven county.
Mr. Black was born in Bally-\'anen, County
Antrim, Ireland, Feb. 2, 1837, a son of Michael
and Margaret (Lynn) Black, who spent their entire
lives in that county. He was reared and educated
in bis native place, and was the first of the family
to come to America. He now has two sisters and a
half brother in New York City. It was in 1857
that our subject bade good-by to his old home and
friends, and after a voyage of seven weeks and
three days, landed in New York City. He pro-
ceeded at once to Westchester county, N. Y., where
he made his home for several years. While resid-
ing there he was married in New York CJty, July 6,
1862, to Miss Mary Smith, a native of Drogheda,
Ireland, and to them have been born five children,
namely: James, Edward, John, Grace and George.
Mr. Black continued his residence in Westchester
county, N. Y., until coming to Cheshire, in 18S1,
when he purchased of William L. Hinman the farm
of 100 acres upon which he has since made his
home. It was first occupied by Jared Ives, and is
one of the oldest places in the town, the house hav-
ing been built about 1774. Here Mr. Black is suc-
cessfully engaged in general fanning, but also gives
considerable attention to fruit culture. In political
principle, Mr. Black is a Democrat. He is well and
favorably known, and merits the high regard in
which he is uniformly held.
'â– ' FRANK NATHANIEL HASTINGS, chief
engineer of the Wilcox & White Co., and boiler in-
spector of the City of Meriden, is one of the best-
known and oldest engineers of the city. He was
born Sept. 17, 1850, at Scarborough, Cumberland
Co., Maine.
Nathaniel Hastings', his father, was a native of
the same county, where he s]x'iu all his days. He
was a landowner, and engaged in farming as an
occupation. He died there and was buried in the
local cemetery. His wife, Dorcas Johnson, died
when the subject of this siketch was a small boy.
Those living of her children are: Mary, Mattie,
Lizzie and Frank N. Of these Marv is the wife
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
13(^7
of James Small, of Taunton, Mass. ; Mattie married
Joseph Henry Alden, of the Foxborough (Mass.)
Rcz'icw; and Lizzie is the wife of WilHam Moss',
of Foxborough, Mass. Three are deceased, name-
ly : Alvin, a soldier of the Civil war, wlio died
in middle life; Louise, who died unmarried, at the
age of twenty-one years; and Ellen, who married
Joseph Lane, of Taunton.
I'rank N. Hastings was born and reared on the
home farm, and received such educational training
as the local schools atiforded. At the early age of
fourteen years he left home and went to Worcester,
Mass., where he learned the art of making machine
tools, in the employ of the L. W. Pond Tool Com-
pany. He spent four years in this connection, and
then engaged with the W'heelock Steam Engine
Company, of the same place. He ^traveled alx>ut
the country, engaged in setting up or repairing the
product of his employers. In 1877 he came to Meri-
den to set up the engine used by the Wilcox &
White (Jrgan Co., and his evident understanding
of his business attracted the attention of the pro-
prietors of the plant. The result was that, soon
after his work was completed, while doing similar
work in Maine, he was tendered the position of
engineer by the Meriden house, with which he has
ever since been connected. Before the close of
that year he came here an
charge of the machinery of this large plant, which
he has helped to build up and insitall. He is the
oldest engineer in Meriden, in \yo\nt of service, and
one of the best known in the State. He is not only
respected as a thorough mechanic, but enjoys the
public esteem as a man and gentlenian. During the
incumbency of Benjamin Page as mayor, Mr. Hast-
ings was appoinlted boiler inspector for the city,
and continued to serve under flavor Levi E. Coe.
He was re-appointed by Mayor E. E. W^est, ami is
now serving his fourth term under Mayor Seeley.
This fact alone demonstrates hisi faithful and ef-
ficient character as a public servant. He is a mem-
ber of the National Association of Stationary En-
gineers and assisted in organizing the State As.-o-
ciation, and was its first pres>ident. He is identified
with Meridian Lodge, Xo. yy, A. F. & A. M.; Key-
stone Chapter, Xo. 27, R. A. AL ; and Hamilton
Council, No. 22, R. & S. AL, besides being a memlber
of Pacific Lodge, No. 87, L O. O. F., of which he
is Past Grand, and which he has represented in the
Grand Lodge of the State. For some time he was
connected with Atlantic Encampment, of the latter
order, and is now affiliated with the Meriden
branches of the Ancient Order of United Workmen,
and the Order of United American Mechanics.
While he does not speak for political honors or
emoluments, Mr. Hastings takes an intelligent in-
terest in the progress of his country and votes with
the Republican jjarty. He seeks to follow the lines
laid down by the Savior for the conduct of human
life, though not connected with any religious organ-
ization. A man of broad mind and generous im-
pulses, he is justly popular with all classes of citi-
zens.
Mr. Hastings has been twice married. At Nor-
walk, Conn., Dec. 31,* 1878, he was joined in wed-
lock to Miss Annie Green, a native of that place,
daughter of Hiram and Adeline Green. She died
in 1887, and was buried in Xorwalk Cemetery.
Of her two children, Ida, the youngest, died in in-
fancy ; Addie L. was educated in the district and
high schools of Meri
School ait New liritain, and is now a successful
teacher in the public schools of Wallingford, Conn.
I'or his second wife, Mr. Hastings wedded Ida B.
Clark, a native of New Haven, Conn., daughter
of Elcazer Clark, who, it is claimed, was the in-
ventor an
and one of the greatest horticulturists of his day.
The only child of this marriage. Faith, died in in-
fancy. Mrs. Hastings is a member of St. Andrew's
Episcopal Church, and a lady of social and personal
graces, devoted to her home and husband, the true
helpmeet of a worthy citizen.
JA}dES MONROE HUNT, late owner and
proprietor of the "Guilford Point House," and a
well-known resident of Guilford, where his career
was honorable and successful, was bom in the town
of Glastonbury, Conn., March 4, 1823, son of Robert
Hunt, w+10 was born in the same town.
John Hunt, of Canaan, Conn., the grandfather of
James M., was an iron worker in Glastonbury,
where he was principally engaged in the manu-
facture of anchors. He died and was buried in
Glastonbury. Robert Hunt, noted above, was also
engaged in the iron business until 1836, when he
met with reverses, and was forced to give up the
factory and remove to Guilford, wdiere he took
charge of a hotel, renting the "Guilford House"
and conducting it succestsfully. In 1847 't passed
into his ownership, and for many years he was its
genial and hospitable landlord, being in charge at
the time of his death, April i, 1870. Robert Hunt
was a man of fine character, much ability, and took
a leading pant in the aflfairs of the town, where
he was 'highly respected, not only for his genial
spirit, but for his sterling manhood and genuine
worth. As a representative of his town to the State
Legislature he displayed much ability, and was re-
garded as a useful member of that lx)dy. In re-
ligion he was a meinlx-r of the Episcopal Church,
and in politics a Democrat. Robert Hunt and
Katurah Shipman were married in CJlastonbur\-,
where she was born, a daughter of John Shipman,
a successful farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt were the
parents of the following children: (i) Kate, wdio
is single; (2) James M. ; (3) Mary, widow of
Bemard McGee; (4) Ralph and (5) Martha, both
cf whom died young. Mrs. Robert Hunt died in
1857.
Janiesi M. Hunt attended the district school and
the academv at Glastonl)nrv, and came to Cjuilford
1368
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
with hisi i>arents while still young. Remaining at
home wirii his parents until he was seventeen years
of age, he had a good, practical education, and at
that age secured a good position in the post office
at Hartford. This he held only four months when
his father sent for him to have his help in the hotel,
and as the health of the senior Hunt gave way on
account of the infirmities of age, the son was pushed
more to the front, until it came about some years be-
fore his father's death that he had entire charge
of the hotel. As a hotel man he built up an en-
viable name, and enjoyed a repuitation second to
none in the State.
The "Guilford Point House" is an attractive es-
tablishment, finely furnished, and has accommoda-
tions for si.\ty guests. Part of the house was de-
stroyed by fire in 189", but with characteristic enter-
prise, many substantial and permanent improve-
ments have l)een made since that time, and the house
is more attractive and pleasant than ever. There
are gueits in the hotel who have been there twenty-
seven years and more. The table is supplied with
the best the market presents, served in an attractive
manner.
Mr. Hunt was married Nov. 9, 1854, in Guil-
ford, to Miss Lucy A. Norton, a daughter of Horace
Norton. Mr. and Mns'. Hunt had one child, Har-
riet L., who married Scott M. Bryan, and had three
children, Mabel Dudley, Catherine Hunt and Scott
M., Jr. Mr. Hunt was a Democrat, but did not
unite with any church. He was an honorable and
upright man, and his death, which occurred July
1^. 1901, at his home on Leete's Island, was sincerely
mourned.
The Norton- Family, to which Mrs. Hunt be-
longs, has long been settled in Guilford and Bran-
ford. Richard Norton, the first of the family in
Guilford, was a native of Sharpenham, England,
and wais a son of Williain, a grandson of Richard,
and a great-grandson of John Norton, all natives
of the same Bedfordshire town. Richard Norton
lived in London, England, where he married
Letitia, daughter of Luke Norton, and their son,
John, who was born in 1622, came to America and
located in Branford in 1644. Fourteen years later
he removed to Farmington, where he spent the re-
mainder of his life, and where he died Nov. 5, 1709.
He was three times married and became the father
of seven children.
John Norton, the oldest son of the above, was
born in Branford, May 24, 1651, and removed to
Farmington with his parent?, where he spent his life,
dying April 25, 1725. He married Ruth Moss,
who was bom Jan. 5, 1657. and was a daughter of
Deacon Isaac Moss. She becaane the mother of ten
children.
John Norton, a son of the above, was born in
Farniington in 1684, and six-nt the last part of his
life ill Kensington, where he died in 1750. On May
6, 1708, 'he married Anna Thompson, and to this
union were born thiriteen children.
Charles Norton, the second child of the above,
was born Dec. 17, 1710, in Farmington, and came
to Guilford, where he died Dec. 24, 1786. He was
married for the first time. -•\ug. 9, 1738, to Rebecca
Munson, of North Haven : and later married Mary
Gould, who was born Feb. 2, 1716, and who
died Sept. 25, 1793. He was the father of seven
children: (i) Rebecca was the oldest child; she
was born May 11, 1739, married Samuel Hart, and
died July 28, 1769. (2) Charles, born May 12,
1742, married Sarah Street, and died March 19,
1818. (3) Olive, born March 20, 1750, married
Timothy I3aldwin, and died March 7, 1805. (4)
Abel, born April 3, 1753, married Lucy Bartlett
Jan. 13, 1788. (5) Gould G., a physician, born
Aug. 18, 1751, married Martha Hitchcock, and died
Nov. 21, 1 81 3. (6) Henr}', born Nov. 11, 1756,
married Polly Brace. (7) Gideon, bom July 3,
1759, niarried Lucv Russell, and died April 16.
1822.
Gideon Norton and Lucy Russell, who were
married Dec. 2, 1787, were the parents of four chil-
dren: (i) Charles) Russell, born April 19, 1789,
married Sarah Wolcott, and died Feb. 21, 1818; (2)
Alfred, born May 12, 1791. married .Abigail Rus-
-sell, and died March 29. 1850. (3) Horace, born
June 29, 1794. (4) Ebenezer. lx)rn Dec. i, 1797,
died April 2, 1820. Lucy (Russell) Norton was
born Mav 24, 1760, and died .\\.\g. 23, 1831, in Guil-
ford.
Horace Norton, father of Mrs. Hunt, was a
farmer, landowner and man of affairs at Leete'-!
Island, where he spent his life, and where he died
March 12, 1886. He married .April 14. 1818. Par-
mielia Frishee, who was bom Oct. 22, 1796, and died
Sept. 20, 1876. She was a daughter of Daniel
Frisbee. and the mother of: (i) Charles Russell,
born Jan. 15, 1819, died July 27, 1825; (2) Lucy
Ann, born Sept. 20, 1829, married James M. Hunt,
and resided on the old Leete'i? Island homestead.
MICHAEL PATRICK COEN is an Irishman
by birth, but a loyal .American by instinct and train-
ing. His father and brother attested their love for
this country on the hotly contested battlefields of
Virginia and the Southwest during the Civil war.
Mr. Coen was born in Queens county. Ireland,
July 12, 1843, and had scarcely passed his eleventh
birthday when he crossed the ocean with his par-
ents. His first schooling was obtained in Ireland,
and his school life ended in W'aterbury, when, in
1861, he enlisted in the Federal army. His first
service was in the ranks of the three months' volun-
teers, and after that term had expired he re-enlisted
for three years in Company F, 9th Conn. \'. I.
Throughout his term he saw active service in the
field. It was not long before he was transferred
to the signal service. After receiving his honor-
able discharge, in 1865, he returned to W'aterbury,
and for the next four years was in the employ of
the Farrcll Foundry Co., bringing to the perform-
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1369
ance of his duties constant attention, industry and
intcijrity. He invested his savings in real estate,
and little by little drifted more and more into the
handling of jiroiierty, although not neglecting fa-
vorable opportunities for investment in stocks. His
ventures proved successful, thanks to his keen in-
tuition and sagacious foresight. Gradually his cap-
ital accumulated, the interest was managed with
rare discretion, and he is now an extensive owner
of real estate. In 1895 ^^^- Coen was chosen sec-
retary and treasurer of the Salem Spring Ice Co.,
of Xaugatuck, a position which he still tills, having
meanwhile served also as nresident of the company.
His intelligent supervision and constant, watchful
care have insured its prosperity.
Mr. Coen cherishes a deep interest in the G. A.
R., and it was through his efforts that posts of that
order were established at Xaugatuck and Water-
burv. He is also a member of the International
Order of Odd Fellows, a Catholic organization,
and of the Young Men's Catholic Institute, of which
society he was the first president. In private life
Mr. Coen is generous, kind and social, faithful to
every duty, and charitable to the faults and frailties
of others.
GEORGE GOERTNG. the intelligent and trust-
worthy foreman of the mechanical department of the
W. R. A. Co., at New Haven, was bom in Bavaria,
Germany, May 6, 1847, a son of Christopher Goer-
ing. also a native of Bavaria.
Christopher Goering was a cabinet-maker, and
followed that itrade all his life, in which were
comprised eighty vigorous and useful years. He
wedded his first wife, whose maiden name was
Meyer, in Germany, and she died there at the early
age of twent\ - sieven, the mother of several children,
of whom four are living: Jacob, who has been es-
tablished for forty years at Xo. 248 Water St., X.
Y. : George ; Christopher, who is in X'ew Haven ;
and Katie, w^ho married a Mr. Miller. In 1854 Mr.
Goering came to this country and located in Xew
York, where he worked at his trade, and then estab-
lished hini/self in business. For a time he was in
business in Pert Chester, and when he retired he
settled in Brooklyn. He took an active part in po-
litical affairs of the day, and he belonged to a num-
ber of German societies. For his second wife Mr.
Goering married a Miss Raber, who is; still living;
she became ithe mother of four children.
George Goering was only seven years of age
when his mother dicfl, and when he was ten years
old he came to the United States. Two years were
spent by him in school learning the English
language, and then he secured enTployment in a
screw factory in Port Chester, where he learned the
machinist trade. For some three years he worked
with Russell. Bird.-ell & Ward, and was employed
in Xew York and X'ew Haven until 187 1. Tliat
year he associated himself with the \\'. R. A. Co.,
as a journeyman. His rise was rapid, and he soon
became assistant foreman, and in 1890 waisi made
foreman of the mechanical department, having some
seventy men and an assistant foreman under his
direction. His services are in tlemand as an expert,
and he thoroughly under^ltands his business. There
is one man in his department that started with him;
all the others have sinc^ come on duty.
On Jan. 16, 1870, Mr. Goering was married to
Miss Kaitie Freedman, a native of Penjis^dvania,
and one of the six children born to Peter Freedman,
an old soldier. To this marriage have come five
children: George, a machinist, who married
Minnie Downs, and had two children — Harry C. and
Evalina — and died at the age of twenty-nine years
(he was a member of the Masons and the Odd
Fellows) ; William, a pattern maker at Pittsfield,
Mass., who married Ada Boutell, and has one child,
William ; Ida, who is at home, and who is a fine
l^ianist; F. J., who graduated from Hillhouse high
school, and then entered the W. R. A. Co. as an ap-
prentice to the machinist trade ; Harry, who is a
toolmaker umler Mr. Kelly in the \\'. R. A. Com-
pany. Mr. Goering is a stanch Republican, and was
a councilman in 1883. He is a member of Day
Spring Lodge, Xo. 30, F. & A. M., of Centerville.
In the A. O. U. W. and the K. P. he has been
very active. Mr. Goering hasi acquired some real
estate, ami the hoine in which he resides was erected
by him, as was also the house at Xo. 86 Henry
street, which he rents.
BELA CARTER (deceased), who during his
life was a well-known citizen of Meriden, was de-
scended from Rev. Thomas Carter, the first pastor
of the church in Woburn, Mass. Rev. Thomas
Carter died Sept. 5, 1684, in the seventy-fourth year
of his age, and in the forty-second year of his min-
istry. He was born in England, and wa;i educated
in St. John's College, at the Universiity of Cam-
bridge, where he received the degree of B. A., in
1629, and that of M. D., in 1633. He came to Xew
England in the ship "Planter," in 1635, and was ad-
mitted as an inihabitant of Dedham shortly after its
incorporation in September, 1636. He removed
thence to Watertown, where he united with the
church, and at once became active in the service
thereof. He preached first at Woburn, in 1641,
and was ordained Xov. 22, 1642. There is evi-
dence that he waisi a pious, exemplary man, and a
sound orthodox preacher. Prior to settling in
Woburn, he married Mary Dalton, who died ^Iarch
28, 1687. Their children, Sanuicl. Judith, The-
ophilus, Mary, Abigail, Deborah, Timothy and
Thomas, were born between the years 1640 and
1655.
Timothy Carter, son of Rev. Thomas, the pio-
neer, was born June 12, 1653, and married May 3,
1680, to .Anna Fiske, daughter of David Fiske, of
Cambridge Farms, Lexington. Timothy Carter
was a husbandman and with Thomas, his brother,
was proprietor of several large tracts of land in
I370
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
WobuTD. His thirteen children, born between 1681
and 1704, were: David, Timothy, Anna, Timothy
(2), Theophihis. Thomas, Abigail, Sarah, Elizabeth,
Benjamin, Mary, Martha and Benjamin (2). Anna,
wife of Timothy died Jan. 2/, 1715-16, and Timothy
died July 8. 1727.
Benjajnin Carter, son of Timothy, born Nov. 8,
1704, and whose birth is recorded in Woburn, made
his home in Sutton, Mass.. and died at the age of
one hundred and one years. Me married Sarah
Stone.
Timothy Carter (2), son of Benjamin, born
Dec. 15, 1738, married Sarali Walker, born Oct. 24,
1735. Their children were: Timothy, born Nov.
27, 1768; Sally, born May 10, 1770; John, born Oct.
29, 1771 ; Abigail, born Nov. 19. 1773; Luther, born
Aug. ID, 1779; and Elias. born May 30, 1781.
John Carter, son of Timotliy (2), boni Oct. 29,
1771, married Ruth Gootlnow.
Silas Johnson Carter, son of John, was born in
1796, in Petersham, Worcester Co., Mass., where
he married Ruth Vining, who died May 23, 1880, at
the age of eighty-three years. They were the par-
ents of eight sons and two daughters, viz. : Ed-
win, Ruth, Galen, Alba, Bela, Porter, Darius, Sarah,
J a red ami Calvin.
Bela Carter, son of Silas J., horn l-'eb. 6. 1828,
in Hardwick, Mass., married Dec. 5, 1850, Mary J.,
daughter of Capt. Butler and Polly (Convense)
Barrett, of Belchertown, Mass. Mr. Carter re-
ceived a common school education in his native
town, and at sixiteen years of age began teaching
penmanship. In the middle forties he learned the
trade of pain-ter ami paper hanger, at Palmer. Mass.,