Laura, born Oct. 15, 1791. The father of above
faniily was a sergeant in the RevolutionarA- war.
His wife, Martha, began drawing a pension Oct. 10,
1836, at which time she was eighty-six years old.
She died in 1842.
(VI) Levi Morse, son of Levi and Martha Sher-
man, married Oct. 26, 1796, Thalia Sanford. Their
children were: Barthena, born Sept. 16, 1797; Flar-
riot, March 17, 1800; Philena, Oct. 13, 1803; Au-
rilla, Oct. 19, 1806; Thalia Ann, June 19, 1811 ;
Levi Andrew, July 14. 1814; Polly, Nov. 25, 1817;
and Levi, March 14, 1822.
JOHN E. WUSTERBARTH, senior partner
of the well-known firm of Wusterbarth Bros., lo-
cated at No. 106 Miller street, Mcriden. manu-
facturers of "Yankee," "Improved"' and "Boss"
eaves-trough hangers, light mantel goods, high-
grade bicycles, etc., was born in Beacon Falls, New
Haven Co., Conn., Jan. 11, 1875, a son of Albert
and .Augusta (Ross) Wusterbarth.
.•Mbert Wusterbarth was a native of the northern
part of Germany, and there learned the trade of
weaver. When a young man he came to .Atnerica,
and located in Aleriden, Conn., where he engaged
at his trade, later finding a better situation at
Beacon Falls, Conn. In the latter city he married
Miss Augusta Ross, who was also a native of
Germany. In 1880 he returned to Meriden and
entered the employ of Rogers & Bros., where he
continued until the time of his death, -n 1897, at
the age of fifty-four years. His life had been an
industnous and useful one, and he was sincerely
mourned by his many friends. Thirteen children
were born of his marriage with Augusta Ross, as
follows: John F. (tiie eldest of the familv),
.•\dolph (partner with bis elder brother in busi-
ness), William. Edward, Robert, Henry, Bertha,
Hattie, Harold, .\lbert, Elsie, Emil and Flora, all
of whom with their beloved mother reside in
Meriden.
John E. Wusterbarth was a pupil in the public
schools until he was eleven years of age, but be-
ing the eldest in a large family he at that age ac-
cepted a position as cash boy in the mercantile
house of Ives, L'pham & Rand, receiving tor his
services five dollars per week. He continued with
this firai for three years, in the meantime attend-
ing night school. The next business situation he
accepted was in the casting dei>artment of C.
Rogers & Bros., where he remained one year, and
he then spent four years in the packing de]>artment
of the Meriden Bronze Co., receiving at first one.
dollar per day, which was later increased by fifty
cents, in his next position, which was with the
Charles Parker Co.. he was able to obtain ten dol-
lars per week, and later entered the employ of the
firm of Proudman Bros., in the bicycle business.
Here he continued six years, and became a trusted
foreman, and in 1898 he accepted a position with
the Eclipse Bicycle Co., of Elmira, N. Y., as man-
ager of their business in London, England, ac-
ceptablv filling this important position for a ]>eriod
of two years. Mr. \\usterbarth had, however, no
idea of making an Englishman of himself, and
resigned the position in order to return to .\merica.
which he did in August, 1900. In the following
September, in connection with his brother .\doli)li,
he bought out the business interests of the Pnnul-
man Bros., and formed the firm of Wusterbarth
Bros., engaging in the manufacture of high-grade
bicycles and hardware supplies, in which they have
been unusually successful, as the wide experience
of our subject enables him to manage the business
most advantageously.
AnoLrii \VusTERB.\RTH, the junior partner, was
born at Beacon Falls, Conn., in 1877, and after a
short time spent at school followed' the example
of his brother and obtained employment with the
Meriden Bronze Co., thence going to the Charles
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
I4C9
Parker Co. He finally obtained a position as fore-
man for Proiidnian Bros., and remained in that
position until lie and his brother formed their pres-
ent partnershij). These young men are a credit to
Meriden, almost self-educated, good and worthy
sons, supporting the younger members of the large
family until able to care for themselves, and their
example entitles them to the esteem and respect
which is theirs. Independent in politics, they vote
for the man who best represents their ideas of
right and of good government, and both are con-
sistent members of the Lutheran Church.
SOLOMON T. RIGGS. The Riggs family is
one of the old ones of New England, Edward Riggs,
the emigrant ancestor, having come to America from
England, with wife and six childrei\, and settled at
Roxbury, Mass., in 1634. Sergeant Edward, son
of Edward, was an officer in the army during the
Pequot war, and distinguished himself by saving
his commander from the Indians. He settled in
Milford, Conn., in 1654, later with a man by the
name of Woostcr, moving to Derby, which was
the home and birthplace of Nathaniel Riggs, the
great-grandfather of Solomon T. Riggs, of New
Haven. Sergeant Edward gave shelter to the regi-
cides Whalley and Gofife, in 1661. Nathaniel Riggs
removed from Derby to Orange, Conn., where his
grandson, Charles Henry Riggs, was born.
Burr Riggisi, son of Nathaniel, married Annie
Crawford, of New York City, and they became the
parents of Charles Henry Riggs.
Charles Henry Riggs, the father of our subject,
was born in Orange, Conn., in June, 1833, his death
occurring in Hartford Feb. 9, 1883. He was reared
in Orange, and became a machinist, a designer and
a skilled mechanical worker well known in New
Haven and Hartford counties. He married Rollina
Terry Whipple, in New York City, who was born
in Hartford county, Conn., daughter of James' and
Eliza (Terry) Whipple, both natives of W'arehouse
Point. The former was a son of James Whipple,
who came from New London, and the latter was a
daughter of Solomon and Betsia (Button) Terry.
Solomon Terry was a cousin of Gen. Alfred Terry.
After marriage Charles Henry Riggs and wife
settled in Meriden, Conn., and later lived at several
places, finally locating at Warehouse Point. The
two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Riggs were:
Solomon T., our subject; and Medora R., born in
1858, who died in 1862. Mrs. Riggs is a member
of the Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Riggs
was identified with the Republican party.
Solomon Terry Riggs was born in Meriden,
Conn., April 28, 1856, and spent his' early youth in
I Warehouse Point, where he attended school, com-
ing later to New Haven for more advanced instruc-
' tions. As he wished to become a machinist, he
i worked in various shops for a time, but learned his
j trade in the railroad shops, in New Haven, In
I February, 1881, he entered into the employ of the
89
Winchester Repeating Arms Co., as a machinist,
and has continued with this great establishment ever
since. Since Jan. i, 1891, Mr. Riggs has been en-
gaged as one of the contractors in the cartridge de-
partment, having climbed step by step to this posi-
tion of responsibility.
On May 23, 1878, Mr. Riggs was united in mar-
riage with Annie Louise Ailing, born in West Hav-
en, daughter of Henry Munson and Louise (Thomp-
son) Ailing, the former of whom was born in
New Haven, son of Jonathan .\lling, and nephew
of David Ailing, of New Haven. Mrs. Ailing was
born in Huntington, Fairfield Co., Conn., a daugh-
ter of John Thompson. Two children were born
to Mr. and Mrs. Riggs, namely: Grace Whipple,
who married Allen C. Curtis, and has one daughter,
(irace Riggs, born Nov. 6, lyoi ; and Roberta
lliompson. In political life Mr. Riggs adheres to
the principles of the Republican party. He is ac-
tively identified with the Masonic fraternity, being
a thirty-second degree Maison, enrolled in Olive
Branch Lodge, No. 84, of which he is past master;
Pulaski Chapter; Crawford Council; New Haven
Commandery, No. 2, Knights Templar, in which he
is past eminent commander; and Pyramid Temple,
Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Knight
Teinplar Club. The religious connection of the
family is with the Methodist Church.
The Riggs family is one somewhat noted for its
longevity, four generations frequently gathering in
the pleasant home of our subject. They enjoy the
esteem of the community in which they are well-
known.
OTTO GILBERT ll.VL'SClllLD, a well-
known citizen of Meriden, and a respected veteran
of the Civil war, was born in Ellenville, Ulster Co.,
N. Y., March 25, 1841, son of Henry Hauschild,
who was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1799.
Henry Hauschild, our subject's father, not wish-
ing to :serve in the army of his native land, left
home, and at the age cf twelve years became a
sailor, being employed most of the time in the Amer-
ican merchant marine. After about nineteen years
of this occupation he located in Ellenville, Ulster
Co., N. Y.. as foreman of the packing department of
the Ellenville Glass Works, continuing to hold that
ixisition as long as he lived. His death occurred
in 1865, and he wrts' buried in the cemeters' at
Ellenville. For thirteen years he was an elder in
the Reformed Church of North America, and for
twelve years previously had been deacon of the local
body. In politics he was originally a Whig, later a
Republican. In 1832 Henry Hauschild was mar-
ried, in New York, to Mary Deistell, who was bom
in Salem, Mass., in 1809, daughter of John Deis-
tell. The latter was a soldier in the war of 181 2,
was taken prisoner by the British, and carried to
England, where he remained a prisoner of war until
after the declaration of peace. His wife's ancestry
ran back to the time of the "Mayflower," and her
I410
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
forefathers sustained an honorable name in New
England. To Henry and Mary (Deistell) Haus-
child were born the following named children:
Lucina, who married Philo 1*". Beers, of Danbury;
Mary C, born in 1836, who died in 1856; William
H., born in 1837, who died in 1856 at Ellenville, N.
Y.; Otto G. ; Alvan A., born in 1843, who was a
brass niolder in Norwalk, Conn. ; and .Mary D., born
in 1848, who married Frank H. Chamberlain, of
Norwalk, Conn. The widowed mother of this fam-
ily came to Meriden, spending her last years with
her son, Otto G. When she died in 1884, her re-
mains were taken back to Ellenville, N. Y., for in-
terment at tliat place, where she held membership
in the Reformed Church, and was much esteemed by
all who knew her for her many good qualities and
Christian character.
Otto G. llauschiid attended the district schools
at Ellenville, and when he was fifteen years of age
entered the glass factory at that point, being there
employed until he was nineteen years of age. His
compensation did not exceed fifty cents a day.
When he was nineteen he left his native town to go
to Newark, N. J., that he might learn the iron
molder's trade in the shops of S. D. Barnett & Co.
Later he went to Norwalk, Conn., to work at his
trade, returning from there to Ellenville, N. Y.,
where he was a partner with Charles D. Miller in
the iron business until 1862. In that year he en-
listed as a soldier in Company E, 20th N. Y. State
Militia, which became the 80th N. Y. V. I. Mr.
Hauschild made a creditable record in the army, and
sustained a faithful soldier's part in eleven heavy
battles, among which were those at Cedar Moun-
tain, Bull Run and South Mountain. The regiment
was a part of Patrick's brigade which covered
Pope's retreat from Culpepcr. On tEe battlefield
of Antictam Mr. Hauschild was seriouily wounded,
and as his injuries were such as to incapacitate him
for farther service, he was discharged in February,
1863. He was subsequently connected for a period
of nine years with Company D, 4th Connecticut
National Guard.
At the conclusion of his military service, Mr.
Hauschild betook himself to Newark, N. J., and re-
sumed work at the iron molding trade, which he
followed until 1864. In Febniary of that year he
came to Norwalk, Conn., and entered the employ
of the Norwalk Lock Co. In 1873 he founded the
Riverside Foundry Co., in partnership with A. C.
Arnold, Mr. Hauschild having chartje of all the
work that belonged to his trade. The firm was
caught in the panic of 1873, and went under, after
which Mr. Hauschild worked at his trade in the
lock shop until 1879. In that year he came to Meri-
den to take a position with the Bradley & Hubbard
Manufacturing Co., which he has held to the present
time, standing very high with the members of that
extensive corporation. In 1880 he built his present
comfortable and attractive home on Linsley avenue,
where he and his wife are spending the evening of
life in contentment and happiness.
On June 15, 1864, Otto G. Hauschild married
Deborah M. Haynes, who was born in Pawling, N.
Y., a daughter of Andrew and Esther (Dibble)
Haynes. To this union have come the following chil-
dren: (i) Henry Belden, who died in 1887, was
possessed of much artistic ability, and left fine ex-
amples of crayon and medallion work. (2) Howard
O., born in 1867, died the following year. (3)
Cliiford A., born March 19, 1876, was educated ni
the Meriden schools, and in Morse's Business Col-
lege, in Hartford. He was holding a position as
bookkeeper with the Bradley & Hubbard Mfg. Co.,
when the Spanish-American war broke out, and he
at once enlisted in Company L, 2d Connecticut Vol-
unteers. He was made first corporal and company
clerk, and wrote many interesting letters to the
press during the war. At the present time he is
holding a position as bookkeeper in New York. In
ix)litics he is a Republican, and socially he belongs
to the Royal Arcanum. His wife, Clara Peck, was
born in Colchester, Conn. (4) Winford Gilbert,
born March 26, 1882, graduated from the grammar
school in Meriden, and is now with his brother in
New York.
Mr. Hauschild is a member of the Baptist
Church, and was a deacon in the church, at Norwalk,
for several years. In politics he is a Republican,
and in 1886 and 1887 represented his ward as a
councilman. In fraternal circles he is widely known,
and has manv friends, being a member of Mcrriam
Post, No. 8, G. A. R. ; Butler Lodge, of South Nor-
walk and Atlantic Encampment. RIeriden, I. O. O.
F. ; Meriden Council, Chosen Friends ; and Pilgrims
Harbor Council, R. A., of which h.e is past regent;
hp is a life member of the Grand Council, Royal
Arcanum.
The H.WNES Family, to which Mrs. Hauschild
belongs, traces its history back to that John
Haynes who was born in 1594, served as deputy
governor of Massachusetts, and in April, 1639, be-
came the first governor of Connecticut. He died in
Hartford, Conn., March i, 1653-54. He married
(first) Mary Thornton, and (second) Mabel Har-
lakendon, widow of Samuel Eaton, of New Haven
('who was a son of Gov. Eaton), and who died in
July, 1655.
Caleb Haynes, one of the descendants of Goy.
Haynes, was bom Oct. 21, 1737, and died July 28,
1823. His wife, Sophia, was born May 7, I737i
and died Sept. 26, 1822. Their children were:
Caleb, born Jan. 30, 1761 (grandfather of Mrs.
Hauschild) ; Sanford, born in February, 1765; and
Lucy, born in September, 1768.
Caleb Haynes, the grandfather of Mrs. Haus-
child, married Delx)rah Lewis, who was born April
2, 1762. He died Feb. 6, 1841, and she died April
26, 1842. To them came the following named chil-
dren: (i) Andrew, born April 23, 1783, died Feb.
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
141 1
3, 1857; (2) Sylvester, born Oct. 21, 1787, died
Feb. 26, 1816; (3) Charles, born June 29, 1789,
died Sept. 20, 1871 ; (4) James, born June 13, 1791,
died Jan. 20, 1871 ; (5) Pele
died Jan. 5, 1871 ; (6) Chauncey, born Oct. 8, 1795,
died Jan. 16, 1861 ; (7) William, was born Jan. 17,
1798; (8) Sarah, born May i, 1801, married Ben-
jamin Sheldon, and died April 24, i860.
Andrew Haynes married for his first wife,
I'hoebc Howard, who was born Dec. 22, 1787, and
])y her had the following cliildrcn: (i) ilaria,
born Jan. 2, 181 1; (2) Richard, born March 2,
1812; (3) Sallie, born Feb. i, 1814; (4) William,
born April 22, 1816; (5) Deborah, born Feb. 10,
1818, who died about 1844; (6) Amy, born March
16, 1819; (7) Belden, born March 16, 1822, who
died about 1844; (8) Mary, born Oct. 14, 1823;
(9) Garrison, born Oct. 26, 1825; and (10) Jane,
born June 13, 1830. Mr. Haynes married for his
second wife Esther Dibble, and they had three chil-
dren: Deborah M. and Belden, twins, born in 1843,
the former of whom became Mrs. Hauschild, as
noted above, and the latter married Elizabeth Boyce,
sister of Marion Boyce, now livinpr in Glendora,
Mich ; and Laura, born in 1844, married July 18,
1873, Marion Boyce, of New Troy, Berrien Co.,
Michigan.
EDGAR H. SMITH, one of the progressive and
enterprising agriculturists of the town of Milford,
was born Dec. 12, 1849, at his present homestead,
two miles out of Milford village.
The family were early settlers in that locality,
and Hezekiah Smith, our subject's grandfather, was
born at the homestead and passed his life there as
a farmer. His wife, whose maiden name was Dick-
inson, was a native of Milford, and became the
mother of eight children, as follows: Henry, a
farmer ; William, a wholesale boat and shoe dealer
in Cleveland, Ohio; Isaac, who owned a plantation
in South Virginia, but died in Milford; Hezekiah,
i of whom nothing is known ; Nathan C, our subject's
father ; Sidney, fomierly in the school supply busi-
ness in Kansas and in Chicago ; Susan, who became
Mrs-. Keith; and Ruth, who married Garry Smith,
a farmer in Milford.
Nathan C. Smith, father of our subject, was
also born at the homestead, where he followed farm-
ing in manhood. He was an excellent citizen, a de-
I vout Presbyterian, and an ardent advocate of tem-
f perance. In politics he was first a \\'hig, but his
strong Abolition sympathies led him into the Re-
publican party on its organization. He died in No-
vember, 1874, leaving a widow, Mrs. Georgiana
(IngersoU) Smith, and one son, our subject. The
Ingersoll family is well known in Milford. and Mrs.
Smith was born there, a daughter of George R. and
Phoebe (Baldwin) Ingersoll.
Edgar H. Smith was reared upon the old farm,
obtaining his education in the neighboring district
school and the high school in Milford. In 1866 he
went to New York City, as clerk for Ingersoll &
Glenney, dealers in men's furnishing goods at Nos.
095-699 Jiroadway, but since returning to the
homestead, in 1875, he has devoted his attention to
farming. The place contains about seventy acres, and
under his intelligent management the products have
gained a high reputation. He makes a specialty of
dairying and conducts a milk route. Politically he
is a stanch Republican, but he does not aspire to
official honors.
Mr. Smith married Miss Emma L. Sniffin, of
New York, daughter of Elisha Sniffin, a leading
contractor and builder of that city. Eight children
have blessed this union : Harry C, a traveling sales-
man for the New York Metal Ceiling Company;
Edgar H., Jr., Agnes M., Clarence, Arthur, Ollie,
Jennie and Mollie.
JOHN MILTON KINDER, the efficient super-
intendent of the Water Department of the city of
^leriden, and alderman for the Fifth ward, is one
of the well-known and highly respected citizens of
that city, where he has long sustained a good name
and standing as a man in the activities of modern
Hfe. He was born in Hartford, Conn., Sept. 10,
1847.
I John Kinder, the father of John Milton, was
! born in Hyde, Cheshire, England, about 1822, and
was reared to manhood in his native community,
where he entered business life as a wool worker.
There he was married to Mrs. Hannah (Ke>
worthy) Cottrell, a daughter of James Kenworthy,
and a sister of that James C. Kenworthy whose
history appears on another page. By her first mar-
riage she was the mother of three children : Thomas,
who resides in Taunton, Mass., and is foreman of
the German silver department of Reed & Barton ;
Samuel, who is now dead ; and Henry, who is em-
ployed with G. I. Mix & Co., at Yalesville, Conn.
After the marriage of John Kinder to r^Irs. Cottrell,
they came to this country bringing with them her
three children. Locating at Spoonville, Hartford
Co., Conn., he became engaged in the spoon business
with his brother-in-law, James Kenworthy. They
were the first manufacturers of stamped silverware,
spoons and forks, and their business was continued
until the firm became involved in legal difficulties
with the Rogers Brothers, by which they were com-
jH-lled to go out of business. John Kinder betook
himself to Hartford with his family, and entered
the employ of William Rogers, with whom he con-
tinued for some time. Later he removed to Wall-
ingford, to take a place with the Charles Parker
Company, long prominent in the britannia ware
trade, remaining with that house until 1865. In
that year Mr. Kinder brought his family to Meri-
den, and entered the employ of the Meriden Brit-
annia Co., with whom he remained until 1888, the
year of his death. His remains rest in Walnut
Grove Cemetery. In politics he was a Republican,
and in religion he lived verv close to the Golden
1412
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Rule. Mr. Kinder is remembered as a devoted
husband and father, as well as a faithful and public-
spirited citizen, and his sixty-six years of an earnest
and useful life were marked by a spirit and dis-
position very much above the average. His wife
died in 1885, and was buried in Walnut Grove
cemetery. She is remembered as a devoted wife
and a faithful mother, as well as a good woman,
being much esteemed and beloved by those wlio
knew her best. To Mr. and Mrs. Kinder were born
three children : Edith, who married John A. Leeds,
of Meriden ; Mary, who married Charles W. Patten,
of Meriden ; and John Milton.
John Milton Kinder, whose name introduces this
articlCj came with his parents from Hartford to
W'allingford, where he attended school, and was pre-
pared for active life when his parents sought a home
in Meriden, in 1865. Here he entered the employ
of the Meriden Britannia Co., to learn the solderer's
trade, and here he labored for thirty-seven years
in the same department, giving general satisfaction,
and proving himself one of the. most reliable and
trustworthy men connected with that great institu-
tion. In February, 1902, he was appointed, under
Majnr George S. Seeley, as superintendent of the
Water \\'orks, which position he is now filling to
the eminent satisfaction of the general public. In
political matters Mr. Kinder is a Republican, and
though not a politician, wasi elected on that ticket
in 1899, as a member of the city council, repre-
senting the Fifth ward, and serving on the Fire and
Water committees, being clerk of the last body.
Mr. Kinder was re-elected in 1901, and is now chair-
man of the Claims committee, and a member of
the committee on Finance. Mr. Kinder is not form-
ally united with any Church, but like his parents,
holds to the Golden Rule, and is living an honorable
and useful life.
Mr. Kinder was married in Eaist Hampton,,
Conn., to Edith Brown, a daughter of H. B. Brown,
senior member of the manufacturing firm of H. B.
Bro^vn & Co., of East Hampton, Conn. Mrs. Kinder
is a lady of culture and refinement, and with her
highly respected husband commands the confidence
and esteem of the community to a marked degree.
JAMES RHOADES LAXYOX, one of the
most popular and influential young men of Che-
shire, New Haven county, now serving as town
clerk and State senator, was born in New Ham-
burg, X. Y., X'ov. 28, 1870, and on the paternal
side is of English descent.
James Lanyon, his grandfather, was born in the
parish of Ludgvan, County of Cornwall, England,
May 6, 181 7, a son of William and Mary (Martin)
Lanyon, who passed their lives in their native land,
and died in the above named parish, aged eighty-
one and eighty years, respectively. They were
members of the Lanyon family, who trace their
lineage in Ludgvan to a period as remote as the fif-
teenth century. Although poor, they were hon-
ored and respected members of the comnnmity.
Force of circumstances limited the educational ad-
vantages of James Lanyon to a few years' school-
hig in his early youth. Like most Cornish boySj
his labors were soon needed for the family sup-
port, and he early began to earn his own liveli-
hood. At the age of sixteen he began work in the
tin mines, and during the seven years he con-
tinued in that service he became a practical and
skillful miner, the knowledge there obtained con-
tributing to his future success. In 1840, when he
was twenty-three years old, he came to America
under contraci. with a London company to work