Dec. 10, 1888, in Wolcott, Conn., Mr. Alexander
was united in marriage with Antoinette (Nettie)
Cornelia Hitchcock, a native of that town, and a
daughter of Sheldon T. and Cornelia (Andrews)
Hitchcock. She is a good house wife and presides
with gracious dignity over her home. Three chil-
dren have been born to them, namely : Elton H.
and Morton P., who are both attending school ; and
Earl G., who died at the age of four years.
Mr. Alexander is a Republican in politics. For
thirteen years he was a member of Company D, 2nd
Regiment Conn. Nat. Guards, and is now connected
with Mad River Grange. He is an active member
of the Congregational Church, and is a quiet, unas-
suming man, noted for his industry and integrity.
He has served as a member of the school committee,
and as collector of school taxes, and has discharged
the duties of both offices in a commendable and satis-
factory manner.
J. G. SCH\\TNK, dealer in milk, vegetables,
grain, feed and fertilizers, Meriden, New Haven
county, Connecticut.
E. J. HEINEMAN, tliough young in years, is
rapidly rising to the front in the business circles of
Wallingford, and in his chosen field confesses no
superior, either as to knowledge of his goods, or in
the character and quality of the carriages, harness
and farm implements he offers for sale. Upright
and honorable by nature and known to be fair and
square in all his dealings he has won a substantial
trade during a comparatively brief business career.
Born in Cheshire, Conn., Feb. 20, 1868, Mr.
Heineman is a son of John and Bridget (Reynolds)
Heineman, natives respectively of Germany and
Ireland, and at present passing their declining vears
in Wallingford. When but three years old Mr.
Heineman came with his parents to Wallingford,
where he attended the W'allingford schools, and was
reared to habits of industry and economy. While
still a lad he realized an income from the sale of
local and New York papers on the streets, and
while yet in his 'teens secured a position in the
factory of R. Wallace, where he learned the trade
of etcliing. For six years he worked as an etcher,
and then worked si.x years as a clerk in the store
of E. C. Morse Baker. In the meantime he was
also engaged in the carriage trade, carrying a fine
stock of harness, and other accessories to the road,
having a partnership interest, which he sold in 1897.
Immediately he opened another store on a different
street, and has at the present time the largest car-
riage repositorv between Hartford and New Haven.
Mr. Heineman is also agent for the McCormick
1524
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
farm implements, and in this line has secured an
equally satisfactory patronage. A Democrat, and a
member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, he he-
longs to the Catholic Church, and is highly re-
spected by all who know him.
GEORGE H. l'"OKU. IVomincnt among the
business men of Waterville, New Haven Co., Conn.,
is George H. Ford, who has served as postmaster
of the place for seventeen years. No one is better
known in that locality, for almost his entire life
has been spent there, and all of his interests from
boyhood have been closely associated with those of
the town of Waterbury. As a business man he has
met with excellent success, and by the energy and
zeal which he has manifested has won the confidence
and esteem of the public.
Mr. Ford was born in Tariffville, town of Sims-
bury, Hartford Co.. Conn., Aug. i6. 1854, a son of
Daniel and Jane (Wilson) Ford. In early life the
father engaged in the manufacture of spoons at
Spoonville, Hartford county, where he remained
until 1858, and then came to Waterville, New Haven
county, where he spent some time working in the
mills, but later engaged in general mercantile busi-
ness. He was a Republican in politics, was liberal
in his religious views, and was well known and
highly respected. Both he and his wife died and
were buried in Waterville. She was a good Chris-
tian woman. Their children were Frances, wife of
Mr. Ford ; Edgar, a resident of Waterville ; James
H., of California; Etta, deceased wife of Henry H.
B. Fisk: George H. ; Florence; and Walter D., of
\\'aterville.
To a limited extent, during his boyhood. George
H. Ford attended the district schools of Waterville,
but he is moistly self-educated. From an early age
he clerked in his father's store, and at the age of
sixteen accepted a similar position with L. G. Able,
remaining with him over three years. Later he was
with C. T. Yale, in the butcher business, and on
leaving his employment started in business for him-
self at Thomaston, Conn. He subsequentlv re-
turned to Waterville, where he has since conducted
a general store, carrying all kinds of merchandise,
including groceries and meats. He has built up
quite a large and profitable trade.
In Waterville, Mr. Ford was united in marriage
with Helen L. Carter, a daughter of D. S. Carter,
and to them has been born one child, Maude M.
Socially he is a charter member of Speedwell Lodge,
K. P., and the Foresters Lodge, both of Waterville.
and is now treasurer of the latter order. In his
political aflFiliations he is a Republican, and for si.x
years served as constable in Waterville. He was
first apfxiintcd jjostmaster of that place during Presi-
dent Garfield's administration, and has filled the of-
fice ever since with credit to himself, and to the en-
tire satisfaction of the general public. Of a social,
genial nature, he makes many friends, and is very
popular both in business and social circles.
E. A. BRADLEY is a dealer in carriages, horses,
harnesses, etc., and is the proprietor of the livery
and boarding stable at Nos. 202 and 204 North
Main St., W aierlniry. New Haven Co., Connecticut.
HANS RASML'SSEN, a well-known dairy
farmer of Town Plot, is one of the leading and in-
fluential citizens of Waterbury, and has taken an
active part in promoting its substantial material de-
velopment. An adopted 'son of America, his loyalty
is above question, and his labors in the interest of
the town have been most effective and beneficial.
Mr. Rasmussen was born May 17, 1857, on
Laaland Island, Denmark, of which place his par-
ents, Jens and Jensine (Jorgens) Rasmussen, were
also natives, and where the father followed the oc-
cupation of farming. With the younger members of
their family, the parents came to the L'nited States
in 1882, and have since made their home in Water-
bury, Conn. They are members of the Lutheran
Church, and highly respected by all who know them.
Their children are, Annie Marie, wife of Peter
Lund, of Mill Plain, Waterbury; Hannah Sophia,
widow of R. P. Peterson, of Prospect, Conn. ; Hans ;
George, a dairy farmer of Prospect ; Dorothea, a
resident of Waterbury; Rasmu'.-sen Scott, a florist
of Town Plot ; and Niels, a dairy farmer of the same
place.
In his youth Mr. Rasmussen attended the public
schools of his native land, and completed his edu-
cation at a military college, from which he was
graduated in due time. Subsequently he served for
five years in the regular army, and attained to fhe
rank of a 'second lieutenant of artillery. May 17,
1881, he sailed from Copenhagen, Denmark, for
America, and on landing in New York found that
he had only $4.50 with which to begin life in the
New World. Coming to Waterbury, Conn., he
found employment as a hod carrier for a mason, and
after a short time entered the employ of the .Amer-
ican Ring Co., and was in their burnishing depart-
ment until 1884. He then rented a farm of -Mr.
Nichols in Town Plot, and turned his attention to-
the dairy business, starting with only five cows.
Four years later he formed a partnership with his
brother-in-law, R. P. Peterson, and they continued
to carry on the business together until 1890, when
Mr. Peterson sold out and removed to Prospect. Mr.
Rasmussen then rented his farm to his brother
George, and went to New York, where he was en-
gaged in the construction of a shell factory for the
United States government at Brooklyn. After the-
completion of the factory he acted as assistant man-
ager of the works, under A. T. Porter, for four
years, and in the discharge of this responsibility
gave entire satisfaction, his experience, while an'
artillery man in Denmark, proving of great utility.
On accoimt of some difficulty he resigned his jwsi-
tion at the shell works and returned to his farm in
Waterbury, where he has since taken rank as one
of the most extensive and successful dairy farmers-
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1525
in the town. He owns a tract of 250 acres of land,
upon which he has made many improvements, in-
cluding the erection of two fine harns, both 32x108
feet in dimension. He keeps forty-six cows, and
conducts liis business according to the most ap-
proved methods of dairying.
Oct. 15, 1891, in New York, Mr. Rasmussen
married Anna Schaffner, a native of Canton Aargau,
Switzerland, and a daughter of Johannes and Anna
(Weidmer) SchatTner, of that country. Of this
imion has been born four children : Signc, Ernest,
Arnold Rudolph and Hans Floyd. In religious be-
lief Mr. Ra.'^nuissen is a Lutheran. He is inde-
pendent in politics, and in his social relations i.s a
member of the Mad River Grange and the Independ-
ent Order of Odd Fellows. Integrity, activity and
energy have characterized his business career, and
•without the aid of influence or wealth, he has risen
to a position among the prominent men of his town.
He is eminently public->pirited and with A. G.
Camp and C. M. Upson gave a tract of one hun-
dred acres of land to the city of Waterbury for a
park, now known as South Park, which generous
gift the city government thankfully accepted.
Rasmussen Scott Rasmussen, a brother of
Hans, and proprietor of the Town Plot Conserva-
tory, at Xo. 199 Bank street, Waterbury, was born
on Laaland Island, Denmark, June 9, 1865, and
was educated in the public schools, and the I-'Ioral
Culture School of ISethany, Rosenberg, Denmark,
from which latter institution he was graduated in
1884. Later in the same year he joined his family
in Waterbury, Conn., and soon afterward estab-
lished his present business at Town Plot. He is one
of the representative business men in his line in
Waterbury. and has built up an excellent trade. He
is admirably equipped for the successful prosecu-
tion of his business, his plant costing over $8,000.
His green houses, which cover two acres of ground,
are as perfectly arranged as the experience and
skill of the horticulturist can make them, and every
plant or flower of interest is found there. It has
heen the aim of the proprietor to make his estab-
lishment a complete exposition of the progress of
his chosen industry, and his salesrooms contain at
all times a choice assortment of the most po])ular
and beautiful flowers. The artistic and elaborate
designs in floral work, for which the house has
an enviable reputation, are marvels of exquisite
workmanship. Mr. Rasmussen is alwavs prepared
to furnish plants and flowers for weddings, funer-
als, banquets and parties, while a full supply of
roses, geraniums and other favorite varieties of
floriculture arc kept at his parlors for personal
adornment or ordinary use. He is a member of
the Florists Association of America, and thoroughly
imderstands the business which he follows so suc-
cessfully. He is a member of the First Congrega-
tional Church of Waterbury. Fraternally he is as-
sociated with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and in politics he is a Republican.
GEORGE A. GIBSON, foreman of the press
department, Waterbury Mfg. Co., and treasurer of
Waterburv, is a native of that citv, born Dec. 23,
1868.
Cornelius Gibson, his father, was born in Lon-
ilon, England, in 1822, a son of John Gibson, a
merchant in that metro|)olis, where he passed all his
days. Cornelius came to America when a young
man, locating first in Hartford, Conn., where for
many years he followed the trade of machinist, mov-
ing from there to Wethersfield. In Hartford he
married Catherine l-'anning, who was born in
Queen's County, Ireland, a daughter of John Fan-
ning, who did not come to America. Seven chil-
dren were born to this union, viz. : Charlotte mar-
ried Dennis J. Gaynor, and they live in Bridge-
port ; Mary is a school teacher ; Caroline is the
widow of David Hayes, formerly a merchant in
Waterbury ; Sarah married Eugene O. Martin, of
Waterbury, now a retired merchant ; Ellen married
John H. F"rain, of Waterbury; Cornelius, unmar-
ried, is a mechanic in Waterbury ; George A. is the
subject of this sketch. The parents of this family
died, the father in 1884, aged sixty-two y^ars, the
mother in February, 1894.
George A. Gibson attended the local schools of
his native place until he was sixteen years old, at
which time he went to work in the Waterbury Mfg.
Co.'s works, where he has ever since continued, be-
ing now foreman of the press department.
On Oct. 22, 1895, Mr. Gibson married Bridget
Coogan, who was born in Pottsville, Penn., a daugh-
ter of Patrick Coogan, a native of Ireland. She
was organist in St. Patrick's Catholic Church some
ten years, also leading soprano in the choir. Mr.
and Mrs. Gibson are members of the Church of the
Immaculate Conception, Waterbury. In politics he
has always been an uncomprising Democrat : in 1897
he was elected city treasurer, serving 1898-99. and
was re-elected to the office in October of 1899.
Socially he is a member of the Foresters of Amer-
ica, and for four years was treasurer of that society.
He is highly popular in the community in which he
lives, and he bears a good record as a loyal and
substantial citizen.
PETER J. CARNEY, the genial and popular
host of the "Griswold House," and proprietor of the
cafe in connection therewith, at Branford, is a native
of the city which is profiting by his successful
career, and was born Aug. 16, 1867. His parents,
James and Margaret (Cusick) Carney, are natives
respectively of County Tipperary and County Cavan,
Ireland.
James Carney emigrated to this country about
1846, and established himself for a time in Middle-
town, Conn., two years later removing to Branford,
where his death occurred in 1899. The family
fortunes are more fully narrated under the heading
of Thomas P. Carney, whose sketch appears on an-
other page.
1526
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Peter J. Carney was reared in Branford, and
completed the high school course at the age of six-
teen years. His initiation into self support was as
an employe in the store room of the Branford Lock
Works, where, at a later period, he worked as a
lock fitter and brass trimmer. Long before the
average youth has formulated political tendencies
he had allied himself with the Democratic party,
and in 1889, when only twenty-two years of age,
he was made chaimian of the Democratic town
committee. In June, 1891, he was appointed deputy
sheritT. a position which he held four years. Be-
ginning with June, 1895, he was for two years a
clerk in the office of the Branford Lock \\^orks, and
in 1897 engaged in the meat business, as a member
of the firm of Bailey & Carney. At the end of a
year this partnership was dissolved, Mr. Carney re-
tiring from the firm to take up his present occupa-
tion as host to the traveling public.
Nov. 16, 1892, Air. Carney married Catherine,
daughter of Joseph and Bridget (Curtin) Albinger,
of Branford, and of this union there are three chil-
dren, James J., Vera and Francis. Mr. Carney is a
member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and is fra-
ternally associated with the Knights of Columbus,
the New England Order of Protection, and the
Catholic Benevolent A.^sociation. He is a practical
business man of unquestioned integrity, and is gifted
with the requisite tact, good fellowship and op-
timism for the successful conduct of his present
calling.
GEORGE BARNES (deceased), for many
years associated with the industrial world of ^^'ater-
bury, was a man of more than usual strength of
character, and in his youth enjoyed educational
privileges of a high order. Born and reared in
Litchfield, he had his training in the local schools,
and when he went to Northfield, at the age of twen-
ty-two, was well prepared to take up the work of
public school teaching. This was his calling for a
number of years, as it was also the work of his wife.
They were married June 4, 1849, 2nd became the
parents of two children : Edwin D., who died at
the age of four years ; and Eva B., who lived only
one year.
Mr. and Mrs. Barnes lived at Northfield four
years after their marriage, and then resided for
short periods at several places. In 1859 they came
to Watcrbury, where they made their home until the
death of Mr. Barnes, April 14, 1894. After com-
ing to that city Mr. Barnes worked for the Scovill
Manufacturing Co. several years, and then entered
the store of E. T. Turner, his brother-in-law, the
eminent dry-goods merchant, with whom he con-
tinued for twenty-eight years. Mr. Barnes was a
Republican, and, while never an aspirant for po-
litical honors, was serving the city as alderman at
the time of his death. A member of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, he was highly re-
garded by the members of that fraternity. As a
genial and courteous gentleman, and a true-hearted
and generous man, he had many friends.
JOHX F. GALLAGHER, one of the most pro-
gressive and enterprising citizens of Waterbury,
now living on the Wolcott road, was 'born in the city
of Hartford, Conn., Nov. 25, 1856, and is a son of
John Gallagher, late of Waterbury. He was still
quite young on the removal of the family from Hart-
ford to Waterbury, and in the public schools of the
latter place he acquired his early education. He be-
gan his business career as a clerk in a store at Wat-
erbury, where he continued until 1877, and then em-
barked in the butcher business on a small scale. He
has increased his business to meet the growing de-
mands of his trade, and is now at the head of a large
and prosperous concern. He is also a large land
owner, and is extensively engaged in dairy farming
and stock dealing.
Mr. Gallagher married Miss Anna Ferguson, of
Waterbury. and to them was born a son, Frank,
who was educated in the high schools of that town,
and is now at home. The family have a fine home
on the Wolcott road in ^\'aterbury. Mr. Gallagher
•has traveled much in the South, and although his
school privileges were meager he has through his
own effort become a well informed man. He is
progressive in his ideas, is a good judge of human
nature, and possesses excellent business and execu-
tive ability, which characteristics have been im-
portant factors in his success, for he started out in
life for himself with no capital, and the prosperity
that has come to him is due to his own well-directed
efforts. He takes a deep interest in agricultural
matters, and both he and his wife are active and
promfnent members of Mad River Grange. In
politics he is independent, voting for the men whom
he believes best qualified to fill the offices regardless
of party lines. He is a good citizen, honest and
honorable in his dealings, and is well liked and
highly respected.
WILLIAM N. L.\D. for the past quarter of a
century or so proprietor of one of the leading retail
grocery stores in Waterbury, is a native of Con-
necticut, born in South Windham. Dec. 24. 1852.
A\''illiam Lad, gran
probably born in Franklin, Conn., where he was for
years in the grocers- business, as was his father be-
fore him. He died in the town of Windham in
1858. He married a Miss Peck, and of this union
there were six children, as follows : William was a
sailor; Fredus is the father of William L. : .Mfred
went to California in 1849. and died in Denver,
Col.; Merrell died in Chicago. 111., where he was
in the insurance business ; James was a dentist in
Providence. R. I., and died there : Elizabeth married
Waldo Bingham, now a retired farmer of Windham,
\\'indham Co., Connecticut.
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1527
I'redus Lad, fatlier of our aibject, was born in
Franklin, Windham Co., Conn., where he was reared
and educated. After leaving school he worked in
a hotel and grocery store, and thus gained prelim-
inary experience in the business to which he devoted
his mature energies. Later, in the grocery store
of Eli I'.ros., in Norwich, he received the slight re-
nnuKration of twelve and one-half cents per day.
He and his brother, Merrell, furnished ties for the
Hartford, Providence & Fishkill R. R., and for
years he was in the employ of that company. In
1856 he came to Waterbury, where his death
eventually occurred. He married Eliza M. Frink,
who was horn in South Windham, Conn., a member
of an old family in that part of the State. For her
second husband she wedded a Mr. Bingham, whose
father served in the war of 1812. Airs. Lad, who
died in September, 1883, became the mother,
through her first marriage, of the following chil-
dren: Agnes, who died in 1856, at the age of ten
years; Gertrude, who also is deceased; William N. ;
and Elizabeth, who died in 1874. The family in
religious faith were Episcopalians ; in politics the
father was a Democrat.
William N. Lad was four years old when his
parents came to Waterbury, and after attending the
local schools, entered Watertown Academy when
twelve years of age. His first business. experience
was acquired as a clerk in his father's grocery store,
this training being supplemented by work for two
years in a boot and shoe store in Waterbury. He
then entered upon an independent grocery business,
and, with the exception of twenty months in Water-
town, he has been in the retail grocery business in
Waterbury continuously for about twenty-five
years. Nineteen of these years his store was on
South Main street, two on Grand street, and the
remainder of the time on Center street, where his
present business is located.
In July, 1877, Mr. Lad was united in marriage
with Harriet Lowe, who was born in Waterbury, a
daughter of James Lowe, who was of Irish extrac-
tion. Three children have been born of this union:
William F., Gertrude H. and ClitTord. The family
attend the services of the Episcopal Church. In
politics Mr. Lad has always been a Democrat, and
fraternally he is associated with the Knights of
Pythias, and the Improved Order of Red Men.
LOUIS A. FISK. who ranks among the promi-
nent and successful young attorneys of Branford,
comes of a family for generations connected with
the professional and general stability of Connecti-
cut.
His father, Eugene D. Fisk, was long famous in
the State as an attorney, and distinguished himself
both on the Bench and at the Bar. He was also
prominent in political affairs, and was at one time
chairman of the State Democratic Convention.
For a number of years he was in business in Chi-
cago, where he was a member of the Board of
Trade. During the Civil war he organized a regi-
ment for the Union service. He is now living re-
tired at Sachem's Head, Conn., but his wife, for-
merly Cadierine Daniels, of Hartford, died July 2,
1880. She was the mother of five children, of
whom Emily, Clifford and James died in infancy.
Of the surviving children, Leonard D. is engaged in
the wholesale and retail grain business in Hart-
ford, Conn. He married Jennie Judd, of that city,
and they have two children, Leonard D. and Cath-
erine.
Louis A. Fisk was born in Hartford, Conn.,.
Nov. 14, 1873, ^"d received his literary education
in the Chicago public schools and under Prof. F. A.
Honey, of New Haven, Conn. After three years of
professional research in Chicago he graduated in
1897, and returning to New Haven, he entered
upon what has proved a lucrative and growing prac-
tice. In May, 1901, Mr. Fisk received substantial
evidence of his popularity in his election on the
Democratic ticket to the office of Warden of Bran-
ford. In 1899 Mr. Fisk opened the Branford Driv-
ing Park.
The marriage of Mr. Fisk and Ellen Lynch, of
New Haven, occurred Dec. 28, 1898, and two chil-
dren have been born of this union, Leonard D.,
born Nov. 8, 1899, died in October, 1900, and
Marian Catherine, bom Nov. 16, 1900.
GEORGE H. ENNIS, attorney at law, Derby,.
New Haven County, Connecticut.
MICHAEL E. JOHNSON, a leading liquor
dealer and a prominent and inthiential citizen of
Derby, Conn., was born in Scranton, Penn., Sept.
20, 1861, and is of Irish descent. His paternal
jgrand father, William Johnson, was a farmer of
Ireland, where he spent his entire life. The father,
William Johnson, Jr., father of Michael E., was