den. He is connected with Teutonia I-odge, Xo. 95,
I. O. O. F. , of Meriden, in which he is a past
grand, and he also belongs to the Grand Lodge of
the State, in this order.
FRANKLIX 1;. Slll'STI':R.a well-known res-
ident of New Haven, was Ixirn in that citv May to,
1866, son of John Shuster. His fatiier was a na-
tive of Vienna, Austria, born in 1844. His grand-
father, Fabian Sinister, came to New Haven luany
years ago, being one of the early German settlers
of this section. Fabian Shuster died in i8<;7.
John Sinister, the father, was six years of age
when his jiarenls brought him to New Haven, an
here attended the district schools. He then learned
ornamental jjainting, and fomied a partnership
with Henry D. Phillips, in the sign ]>aintiiig imsi-
ness, which lasted for thirteen years. F"or nine
years he was with Henry Hooker, doing orna-
mental painting in ]iis carriage manufactory, his
work being so excellent that sam])les were sent to
the National Carriage Builders' Association of the
United States, and on two occasions received first
prize. Mr. Sinister has done much ornamental
jiainting, and is an expert in that line. In 18(^4 be
ojiened up his present dry goods store in State
street, where he carries an immense stock, owning
(he commodious building, which he erected in 1884.
In 1879 Mr. Shuster was elected town clerk, on the
Democratic ticket, and) held the position four years,
being the first German who ever filled that incum-
bency in New Haven.
On June 3. 1865, Mr. Sinister married Ophelia
A. Talmage, the widow of William Talmage, and
a daughter of David Camp, of Woodbridge, the
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1541
latter being a member of one of the oldest fam-
ilies in New England. The children of Mr. and
Mrs. Shuster are: Franklin B., Edson P., Ella L.
and Estella. In politics he is independent. So-
cially he is connected with Hiram Lodge, Xo. i. ¥.
& A. M.: and with Humboldt Lodfte. No. 91, I. O.
O. F. ; he is also a mcmlier of the 2d Comjianr,
Governor's Foot Guards.
Franklin B. Shuster grew to manhood in New
Haven, and completed the primary school course
when but twelve years of age, at which time, on
account of family reverses, he was obliged to look
after himself to some degree, beginning by enter-
ing the machine shop of John Adt. There he
remained for fifteen, months, and then accepted
other work in the same line. But he had not
given up hope of pursuing a higher education.
When other lads were at play he was at study,
and, nuich to his credit, kept up with his class and
prepared himself for the Sheflfield Scientific School.
However, this overwork broke him clown, and he
was obliged to relinquish the course, and later re-
turned to work at his trade. At the age of twenty-
one he was made fo'-cman in the machine depart-
ment of the New Haven Clock Co., with which
linn he remained four years, and tlien fcKik charge
of the mechanical work of the E. Ingrabam Clock
Co.. of Bristol, where he remained six months. He
was next with Wilmot & Hohbs, of Bridgeport,
who made him their superintendent, and wi(li them
be continued five years. On Mav 14, iRqc;. ]•'. V>.
Sinister purchased his jiresent business, of the heirs
of John -Adt, with whom be learned his trade, and
since then has controlled a large volume of busi-
ness. He started in with six men, which num1>er
lias increased' to eightv-two. The business was es-
tablished in 1866 bv John Adt and bis son under
the firm name of John Aflt & Son,_ was incorporated
ii; |8<>S, and now has foreign agents in Glasgow.
Brussels, Christiania. Paris. Yokohama. Berlin and
.S|. Petersburg, the fame of the macbinerv turned
out bv this company extending all over the world.
The corporation is now known as The F. B. Shuster
Co., and Frnnklin Vi Sinister is president and
treasurer.
On Nov. 17, 188^. Franklin B. Shuster was mar-
ried to Miss I.uella Tvrrill. who was born in Nauga-
tuck, daughter of E. S. Tyrrill, of Newtown, Conn.,
and two children have been l>orn of this marriage.
Elmore F. and Corinne O. In bis political belief
Mr. Sinister is an ardent Republican, audi sociallv
he is connected with St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M.,
No. T, of Bridgeport, the A. O. U. W. and the
(^)uinnipiac Club ; lie is also a member of the Gov-
ernor's Foot Guards and of the Chamber of Com-
merce, and displavs interest in all, derpitc the busv
life he leads.
Not all of Mr. Shuster's time is given to busi-
ness, however, for the fertile brain of this entcr-
prisiing young man is teeming with new ideas, of
strong intellectual fiber, and he is filled with that
restless energy that is a constant incentive to un-
tiring effort in the line of machinery. It is no
wonder that he has won such rapid promotion, as
he says his hobby is "anything in the machinery
line." He has a number of inventions, and has
nine patents ])ending at the i^rescnt time, besides
many which have been granted, one of the latter
being the machine by which cotton can be baled liy
wire.
Mr. Shuster is justly proud of his father's
talents as an artist, some of the landscapes which
have come from the latter's brush, painted for
pastime, having won the ai)probation of the public
wherever exhibited.
WILLIAM G. NEWTON, superintendent of
Peck Bros. & Co.'s manufacturing plant, is prob-
ably the youngest man in New Haven to hold so
responsible position. He was born in Kent, Conn.,
Feb. 15, 1867, and has from a very early age
looked after his own affairs.
James Newton, his grandfather, came from Mas-
sachusetts, and located in Kent. He married a
Miss Calkins, and then located in Cornwall, where
be reared his family of ten children, viz.: Henry,
William (father of our subject), George, PIdward,
Frederick, John, Charles, Mary, Nancy and Pbrcbe.
Some of the boys became mechanics, aixl the others
engaged in farming.
William Newton, son of James, grew uj) and
married in Cornwall. Immeclialely after his mar-
riage lu' went to Kent, and engaged in farming,
later, at difTcrent times, living in Branford and
East Haven, where he continued in the same occu-
pation. After his removal to New Haven he fol-
lowed the trade of car])enter and moldcr. which he
had learned, continuing at tliis until obliged bv age
to refrain from active lalwr. His wife, Lois Stone,
was a native of Ellsworth, Conn. They bad a
family of five diildrcn: Jennie, who married Fred
A. Forbes, who is engaged in the gristmill business
in East Haven (he is a .son of Alexander Forbes,
who reprcscnte
Legislature three terms) : Fannie, who married
Frank A. Woodward, a farmer of New Haven;
Hattic, who married Samuel A. Smith, a farmer
and milk dealer of East Haven ; William G., our
subject: and Royal S., a patternmaker in the em-
l)loy of Sargent & Co.
William G. Newton passed his bovbood days in
F.ast Haven on the farm, and until the age of
thirteen attended the district school and a private
school in the vicinity of his home. I'or a thiie be
went to school in New Haven, but soon found em-
ployment with Peck Bros. & Co. On Oct. 25, 1882,
he entered the machine department, and learned the
brass finisher's trade, serving a three-years ap-
prenticeship. Thence be was transferred to the
jobbing department, where he remained up to the
'542
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ajjc of twcnty-onc, at whicli time lie was made fore-
man of that tlcpartment. At the end of five years
lie was promoted to the position of assistant su-
perintendent, in which capacity he had charge of
the repairs of the entire plant, boilers, machines,
buildings, etc. On July i, 1900, he became super-
intendent, and in this position he is to-day fulfill-
ing the prophesies made concerning him when, as
a boy, he took such a keen interest in the details
of the work in the various departments in which
he found himself. There is no part of the work
of which he is not master, and which he has not
learned in this particular factory. The product of
the plant consists of plumbers' brass supplies for
water, gas and steam. About five hundred hands
are under Mr. Newton's care, and the ability with
which he discharges his duties has won the praise
and admiration of his employers, and by those cm-
ployed about the plant he is justly regarded as a
wise and efficient executive, who will in every way
look after the interests of his men. He is the same
friendly comrade to the men that he was when he
worked side by side with them, and in time of
trouble they appeal to him just as of old, when
his cheery greeting made the day's work seem
lighter.
On Oct. 2, 1893, Mr. Newton married Jessie
Nickerson, who was born in New Canaan, Fair-
field Co., Conn., daughter of Richard Nickerson,
who is in charge of the New Canaan branch of
the New York, New Haven & Hartford Rail-
road." Three children have by their presence lent
joy and gladness to the home: Lois A., William
Irving and Ralph Hudson. In politics Mr. New-
ton is a Republican, but though he takes an active
interest in the work of his party, and has fre-
quently been offered nominations to various offices,
he has ever declined official honors. He has found
it necessary to supplement the education he re-
ceived at school by night study at home, and he has
taken a good course in mechanical drafting and en-
gineering, which has been of inestimable benefit to
him in his work. Socially he is identified with a
number of societies. He is a thirty-second-degree
Mason, and holds membership in Adelphi Lodge,
No. 63, F. & A. M., of which he is past master, for
two rears was treasurer and is now trustee. He
also Ix^longs to Quinnipiac Lodge, No. 21, I. O. O.
F., which he joined when he attained his majority.
He and his family attend the East Pearl Street M.
E. Church, and all are highly esteemed.
LUCIUS W. MOODY— twelfth and sole sur-
vivor of the thirteen children of Joel and Betsy
Amadon Moody — was born in Springfield. Mass..
March 4, 1831. His parents died while he was yet
a small boy, and he spent his youth in farm work,
receiving such schooling as could be obtained dur-
ing the winter. At eighteen he entered Wilbraham
Academy. He taught scliool successively in Belch-
ertown, Mass., Deposit, Broome Co., N. Y., and
Fairhaven, Conn. At the age of twenty-five he be-
came school commissioner for the Eastern district
of Broome county, having under his supervision
about one hundred schools. This office he filled for
nearly five years. In i860 he married .Mary J.
Blair, of Chenango. They made their first home
in Binghamton, N. Y., where he was principal of
some of the public schools. Early in 1863 he en-
tered the life insurance business, and the following
year gioved to Buffalo, N. Y., where he continued
in the same business for twenty-two years, success-
fully representing leading companies. In 1883.
having been offered the general agency for Con-
necticut of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insur-
ance Co. of Milwaukee, he moved with his family
to New Haven, where he has remained ever since.
The business built up by himself and his staff of
efficient helpers is one of the largest of the kind in
the State. Mr. Moody is a Republican in politics;
for fifty years has been a member of the Methodist
Church, in which he has long held official posi-
tions; is a member of Hiram Lodge, No. i, F. & .'\.
M. ; of the .A.nierican Association for the Advance-
ment of Science ; of the New Haven Historical So-
ciety ; the Republican League ; and several social
organizations.
Dr. Mary B. Moody, wife of Lucius W. Moody,
born in Barker, Broome Co., New York, in 1837,
is, like himself, descended from the earliest New
England settlers. Her father, Edson A. Blair, was
a fanner; her mother, Caroline (Pease) Blair, a
writer of magazine poetry under the pen name of
"Waif Woodland." She is a niece of the late Rev.
L. M. Pease, who founded the Five Points House
of Industry in New York, and while yet in her
'teens was calle
was a part of the work of this institution for im-
proving the condition of the children of the
"slums." In 1876 Dr. Moody graduated with hon-
ors from the Medical Department of the Univer-
sity of Buffalo, being the first woman admitted to
that University as a 6tu
profession in I'ufFalo until the removal of the fam-
ily to New Ilavcn, and continues to do so in her
present beautiful home on Fairhaven Heights. .Ml
her life she has been active in good works, and a
leader in charitable, philanthropic and educational
movements. She is a member of the County, State
and National Medical Associations, and of various
scientific and philanthropic lx)dies.
Seven children have been born to Lucius W.
an
the first, Lucius Wilbui , dying in infancy. Charles
Amadon resides with his family in Ix)s Angeles,
Cal., being one of the publishers and editors of the
magazine "Out West." Dr. Robert Orton is a
graduate of Cornell University, and of the Medical
Department of Yale ; he is now instructor in anat-
omy in tlic Medical Department of the University
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1543
uf California, at San l-rancisco. Frederick Stowcll
is in the life insurance business in New London,
Conn. Rev. Francis Miner (M. A., Yale, B. D., ;
Northwestern University) is pastor of the Mcth- |
odist Church at Elsinore, Cal. Arthur Blair is in
the life insurance business with his father in New
Haven, Conn. Mary Grace, the youngest, the only
and beloved daughter, who recently graduated
from Cornell University, resides with her parents.
lliome comings at intervals and correspondence
keep the family still united, though its members
are in widely sepaialed localities, with families of
their own to cherish.
HENRY BOHN, whose name was familiar in
I'.ranford, was born in the town of Wcyer, Alsace-
Lorraine, April II, 1859.
Michael Bohn, his father, was also born in
Alsace-Lorraine, and by occupation was a contractor
and buililer. ' He married Catherine Lux, of the
same nativity. His father, Joseph ]>ohn, married
Maria Cuni, whose mother in her maidenhood was
Mary Zenus.
Henry Bohn, whose name opens this sketch, re-
ceived a good education at the public schools of his
native place, and served a five years' apprenticeship
at the general mason's trade, afterward working as
a journeyman in Weyer, and seven months in Paris,
France. In 1879 he came to the United States,
landing in New York City April 1, that year, thence
at once proceeding to New Haven, Conn., where he
entered the employ of his uncle, George Bohn, gen-
eral contractor. With him he remained some eight-
een months, after which for a year he was in the
emjjloy of Philip Fresones, brewer ; he was with the
Quinnipiac Brewing Co. five and one-half years.
On Dec. 26, 1886, he opened the "Oak Hall Cafe,"
which he successfully conducted, and he also had a
branch establishment at Branford Point, besides be-
ing owner of the "Bay View Hotel," Stony Creek.
His death occurred in September, 1899.
On Oct. 12, 1884, Mr. Bohn was united in mar-
riage with Anne Miller, daughter of Frank and
Ann N. (Weber) Miller, of Germany. In relig-
ious faith our subject was a member of the Catholic
Church, as is his wife. Mr. Bohn's name was on the
rolls of the following fraternities : Rock Lodge,
No. 92, F. & A. M.; Humboldt Lodge, No. 91, I.
O. O. F. ; Woodland Lodge, No. 39, K. P. ; U. R.
K. of P., No. 13; New Haven Lodge, No. 25, B.
P. O. E. ; Court Herman, No. 8, Foresters of Amer-
ica; and the Harugari, No. 600. In politics he was
a Republican.
JAMES J. FRUIN, a retired business man and
real-estate owner in Waterbury, Conn., was born
in County Tippcrary, Ireland, March 11, 1852, and
was but three and a half years old when his parents
brought their family here to permanently reside.
After an attendance at the schools of the city,
Mr. I'ruin learned stone cutting and moniunent
making, and followed the trade about ten years in
the city, and then for a short time worked m Win-
sted, Conn., for J. E. Pine. On his return to Wat-
erbury, he emibarked in the retail meat business in
partnership with Robert Fruin, but subsequently
Ixjught out his partner's interest in the concern,
ami for three years conducted it alone. His next
enterprise was hotel keeping on East Main street,
and for ten years he there catered successfully to
the public, after which he retired from active busi-
ness li^e and now devotes his attention entirely to
his large real-estate interests.
On April 28, 1880, Mr. Fruin was joined in
wedlock with Miss Mary J. Slocum, who was born
in Winsted, a daughter of Michael Slocum, who
was the second native of the Emerald Isle to set-
tle in Winsted. Two children have blessed the
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fruin — William, de-
ceased ; and John.
Michael Slocum was born in County West-
meath, and was reared a gardener. In about 1850
he settled in Winsted, Conn., where his death took
place in December, 1875, and that of his -wife in
1884. Of his children, six grew to maturity and
bore the following names : 'Ihoma-i was a niason by
trade, but is now deceased; John, also deceased,
was deputy s'herifif of Winstetl for nine years; Mich-
ael was also a deputy of Winsted, likewise served
three years in the regular army, but has now passed
away; William was ordained a priest in 1876; Frank
is a printer by trade ; and Mary J., is now Mrs.
Fruin.
James J. Fruin is a Democrat in his politics, but
he has never sought nor held an office. In religion
he is a devout Catholic, and with his family is a
member of the Immaculate Conception parish. He
is liberal in the contribution of his means to the sup-
port of the Church and its good work, and few peo-
ple stand higher in the public esteem than do James
J. Fruin anfl his family.
GEORGE F. LEWIS, a leading farmer of Ken-
sington, was born in Meriden, Conn., Jan. 6, 1855, a
son of George Ilallam Lewis, and grandson of Pat-
rick Lewis, who was a native of Meriden, where he
became a prosperous merchant and one of the weail-
thiest men of his tlay. He married Mary Hull, of
Meriden, and died in Burlington, Iowa.
George H. Lewis laid down his life on the altar
of his country during thv; dark days of the Rebel-
lion. He was torn Jan. 16, 1833, and was con-
nected with the East Meriden Britannia Co. until
the opening of the war. He enlisted in Company
F, 15th Conn. V. I., and died in Washington City
Hospital Feb. 11, 1863. George H. Lewis married
Miss Elizabeth llotchkiss, who was born in Chesh-
ire, Comi., June 24, 1837, a daughter of Israel and
Elizabeth (Beech) Hotchkiss, of Cheshire, and is
,still living in Meriden. They had a family of four
children: (i) Josephine Elizabeth, born in 1854, is
»544
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
a highly educated lady, and is at present governess
in a wealthy family in Cuba. She nifirricd Micial
Lc Fort, bookkeeper for a lirni in Tampa, Fla. (2)
(ieorge F. (3) bainuel Clinton, born m i^S'j, is a
wood turner and scroll sawyer, running a plant of
his own at iVleriden, under the lirm name of the
Lewis Wood Turning Co. lie married Mary Lam-
bert, of Matawan, X. J. (4) Wilbur Alton, born
March y, 1862, was a machinist in the employ of
the Fast Meriden Britannia Co., and died March nj,
George F. Lewis received a fair education for
hib day, attending first the schools of Hast Meriden,
and later the I'rattsville district school, then under
tht direction of a Mr. Finney and Robert Curtis,
as principals. On laying aside his text Iwoks, at
the age of thirteen years, he commenced working
as errand boy for tlie Meriden Britannia Co., at
three dollars per week, and remained witli that firm
one year. He then served a si.x-months apprentice-
ship to the carriage painter's trade, with the Rus-
sell Carriage Co., and continued in their employ
two years, but as painting did not agree with his
health he returned to the Meriden Britannia Co.,
w'ith which he was connected for twenty-two years,
being engaged in mold making and die sinking.
.On leaving the service of that company, in April,
1896, he came to Kensington and jxirchased ten
acres of land of Jacob Sprewenburg, on which
stood a large house and good outbuildings. Here
he is now engaged in agricultural pursuits.
On May i, 1881, Mr. Lewis married Miss Mar-
ian Ellen Cook, a daughter of Andrew and Ellen
(Cook) Cook. She was born in Meriden, and died
at the age of twenty-four years, leaving one son,
Frank Cook Lewis, born July 2, 1882. He passed
through the grammar schools with a good percent-
age, and sttidied stenography with Mrs. Graham,
in Meriden. Mr. Lewis was again married, July
2, i8«ji, his second union being with Miss Lina
Blakeslee, who was born xMay 12, 18O5, a daughter
of Charles Prelate and Delia Ann (Brockett)
Clakeslee, of New Haven. To this marriage four
children have come: Bessie Irene, born March 25,
1892, who died July 25, 1893; Wilbur Irvin, born
Sept. 5, 1894, now attending the Fourth district
school of Kensington ; Charles, lx)m Oct. 27, 1895 ;
and Mildred Josephine, born March 5, 1897.
Politically Mr. Lewis is an ardent Republican,
and an earnest supix)rtcr of a high protective tariff.
He was a member of Pacific Lodge, No. 87, L O.
(). F., of Merid'-n, for many years, and still belongs
to Silver City Lodge O. U. A. M., of that place;
is a prominent and activ member of Charles L.
Upham Camp, No. 7, Connecticut Division, Sons
of Veterans, in wdiich he has served as first sergeant
one term, quartermaster two terms, and first lieu-
tenant two consecutive years ; has rc()resented the
Camp at the State Encaminnent for seven consecu-
tive years, and was State chaplain for one year.
He and his wife are leading members of the b'ni-
vcrsalist Cliurch of Meriden, in which he has
served as librarian two years and usher si.\ years.
Mr. Lewis is a man of the strictest integrity, uj)-
right and honorable in all things.
PATRICK S. HALLIGAN is one of the most
highly esteemed citizens of North Haven, who has
lived an honest, industrious and frugal life, and
he is n(jw reaping his reward in the possession of a
competency for his age and the comfort of a credit-
able family who have been reared to habits of in-
dustry and honesty in the home circle.
William Halligan, the father of our subject, was
born in County Kildare, Ireland, in 1809, and in his
native place was a farmer and lalxircr. He came
to America with his wife and two children in 1845,
like many others of his industrious countrymen de-
siring to secure a better means of livelihood for his
family. After locating in Newark, X. J., he soon
secured temporary employment on the docks, and
later removed to Prospect, New Haven Co., Conn.,
where he engaged in farm W'Ork for Capt. David
Hotchkiss during the succeeding six years. After
coming to North Haven lie worked for a number of
people, but finally was engaged by the Stiles family,
brick manufacturers, and was a faithful employe of
that family for the following forty years, his employ-
ers gladly testifying to his honesty and industry.
The last work of his life was the carting of clay for
that firm, with a team of oxen. His death occurred
Feb. 10, 1889, in North Haven.
William Halligan married Ann Mooney. a native
of County Kildare, and her death occurred in 1S91.
They reared a large family, the majority of whom
live in Middlesex county, respected citizens.
Patrick S. Halligan was born in Newark, N. J.,
and he received but limited schooling, as at
the age of twelve years he left home to work for
himself. The farmers in the neighborhood gave him
employment, and in 1863 he went into the employ of
Warner, Mansfield, Stiles & Co.. brick manufac-
turers, and for the last twenty years has 'been in the
employ of the companies which have succeeded them,
filling almost every capacity in and around the yards,
doing a great deal of the teaming and losing very
little time, the com])any knowing that all kinds of
weather wmII find this trusty employe on hand, ready
and willing for the work of the day. This confi-
dence makes very pleasant the intercourse between
Mr. Halligan and the members of the firm, which
still includes some members of the Stiles family.
Mr. Halligan was united in marriage with Jane
Dunn, a native of County King's. Ireland, who came
to America when nineteen years old, and children as
follows have been l)orn to this marriage: William
J., who married Annie Kelley, and lives in North
Haven; Kate E. ; John E., who married Minnie
Daley, and lives in North Haven; and James 11.,