this work was finished Mr. French accepted a po-
sition with the Connecticnt Indemnity Association
and had charge of their renewal department in New
York Cit\-, retaining his residence, however, in
Waterbnr\-. After fonr years with this company he
engaged with the Monarch Manufacturing Co., of
Waterhury, which later changed its name to the
Consolidated Engine Stop Co., and has for several
vears been representative and salesman of this con-
cern in the United States.
Mr. French in politics has always been a Re-
publican, and he has taken an active part in the work
of the party in his city. He represented his ward
for twelve consecutive terms (twelve years) as
councilman and alderman in the city government.
In i8y2 he was elected ta.x collector, and he has
filled other positions of honor and trust in Water-
bury. In i860 he entered the military service, join-
ing the Connecticut National Cuard, and served
continuously until his honorable discharge, in 1871.
He is a jiast noble grand in the 1. ( ). (_). I'., a mem-
ber of the Cjrand Lodge, also of the Royal .\rcanuni
and other lodges and societies.
On Oct. 28, 1857, Mr. French married Anna
Maria Taylor, wiio was born in Waterbury March
13, 1838, and has always lived on Cherry street, in
that city. Samuel Taylor, her father, was born in
1S12 in Birmingham, England, and came to this
country at the age of nineteen to assist in the manu-
facture of gilt buttons, his work being the burnish-
ing or polishing. He was first employed in Attle-
boro, Mass., but in 1835 removed to Waterbury,
and was almost continuously employed by the Sco-
vill Manufacturing Co. for over fifty years, until
his death, in 18133. Mr. Taylor married Harriet H.
Price, daughter of Edward Price, of Attleboro,
Mass., who came from England to engage in the
manufacture of jewelry. Both Mr. and Mrs. Tay-
lor were life-long members of the Methodist Church,
and were much respected.
Four children have blessed the union of Mr.
and Mrs. French: (i) Charles Henry, born Jan.
29, 1850; (2) George Taylor, horn Jan. i, 1865,
who died ]March 25, 1870: (3) Edward Rutledgc,
bom l-'eb. 8, 1871 : and' (4) Chcrrie Morton, born
April 8, 1876.
Charles Henry l-"rcnch commenced his education
in the schools of W'aterbury, and continued his
studies at the Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham,
Mass., Yale Medical College, New Haven, and
Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City,
where he graduated in the class of 1880. After two
years of service on the medical stafif of the Charity
Hospital, Blackwell";) Island, he connncnced the
practice of medicine in his native city, W'aterbury,
and three years later located in Pawtucket, R. I.,
where he now resides. He is a prominent citizen
of that city, is president of the Rhode Island Medi-
cal .'^ocietv. State medical director, on the brigade
staff of the Rhode Island National Guard (with the
rank of lieutenant colonel), an associate member
of the United States Military Association of Sur-
geons, trustee of the Providence County Savings
Bank, director in the National Bank, a vestryman
of St. Paul's Church, and a member of various
lodges and clubs. In 1884 Dr. French married Flor-
ence S. Wells, daughter of Horace and Lydia Ann
Wells, of Waterbury, and three children have been
born to them, Horace Wells, Morton Taylor and
Dorothy.
Edward Rutledge French attended the local
schools and graduated from the Waterbury high
school, class of 1888, receiving the highest honors,
at the age of seventeen. Two months later he pre-
sented himself as candidate for admission to the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston,
Mass., and entered that institution the same year,
graduating four years later, in the class of 1892,
course of Electrical Engineering, receiving the de-
gree of B. S. He at once accepted the position of
assistant manager of the Sulnirban Electric Co.,
Elizabeth, N. J., and on the death of the manager
was advanced to his position. After five years'
service with this company he accepted a position
with the American Electric Heating Cori)oration at
their New York office, and later at the main office,
Cambridge, Mass., where he now resides. In 1895
he married Miss Josephenc W. Nelson, of Stam-
ford, Conn., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John C.
i Nelson, of that city. They have had one child.
' Reba, born Nov. 28, 1898.
Cherrie Morton French attended the public
schools of her native city. Waterbury, up to the age
of fifteen, and continued her education at the Wes-
leyan Academy, Wilbraham, Mass., St. Margaret's
School, Waterbury, and graduated valedictorian of
the class of 1896 from the Drew Ladies College,
Carmel, N. Y., at the age of twenty, receiving the
degree of A. M. She took a post-graduate course
at the same college the year following, winning a
scholarship for the Woman's College of Baltimore,
and is a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. At tiie
breaking out of the Spanish-American war, having
had previous experience at hospitals, she volun-
teered her services to the American National Red
Cross Society. She was accepted, and went im-
mediately on duty at the Red Cross Hos])ital. New
York, and on July 4. 1898, with others, left New
York to join Clara Barton in Cuba, entering the
harbor of Santiago the day after its capitulation.
Later on she sailed with Gen. Miles on his expedi-
tion to Porto Rico, and was present at the shell-
ing and capture of the forts in Guanica harbor, by
Lieut. Wainwright. of the "Glocester." She was
one of the first ladies to accompany a fleet of war
vessels in actual duty and service. She returned
to the United States on the U. S. transport "Lam-
passes," with about one hundred and fiftv sick and
wounded soldiers of the armv bound for the govern-
ment hospital at Old Point Comfort, Va., and later
8oS
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
was detailed to duty at Camp WikofF, Montauk
Point, L. I. Here slie was stricken with Spanish
malarial fever and taken to Bellevue Hospital, New
York, and later to her home in Waterbury, Conn.
She recovered from this illness, and is now on the
staff of nurses at the Presbvterian Hospital, New
York City.
Miss French received much praise and honor
for her heroic work during the war. She was pre-
sented with a valuable token by the ladies of Auxil-
iary No. 3, New York Red Cross Society, accom-
panied by a letter from Mrs. Whitelaw Reid, which
read :
• New Yokk, Jan. 14, 189ii.
De.\k Miss French:
I have been instructed by the ladies of the board of
managers of Auxiliary No. 3 to send you the enclosed ring
as a token of their appreciation of the faithful and most
satisfactory work you have accomplished for the said Auxil-
iary this suinnier. The ladies also herewith tender you their
thanks and feel they are much indebted to you for your aid
in so worthily fulfilling the purpose for which this Auxiliary
was formed. I am yours very sincerely,
[Signed] E1.1/.AHF.TH Mills Reid,
Secretary Auxiliary No. 3, New York.
Upon the return of Miss French to her home in
Waterbury the citizens, through the mayor and
board of aldermen, presented her with a very beau-
tiful and valuable gold and diamond-studded badge
of honor especially prepared for her. She is a mem-
ber of the Daughters of the American Revolution,
and distributed many articles of comfort sent her
by that society during her stay in Porto Rico.
I'LINY HITCHCOCK ("deceased) was one of
the honored citizens and leading farmers of Chesh-
ire, and a representative of one of the pioneer
families of New Haven county.
The first to settle here was John Hitchcock, who
took up his residence in the town of Wallingford
about 1675. To him and his wife Abigail came nine
children, namely: Mary, born Dec. 10, 1676; Na-
thaniel, born April 18. 1670, who died May 12, 1710;
Margery, born Sept. 9, 1681 : Elizabeth, born April
8, 1684; John, born Oct. 18. 1685, who was married
Nov. 21, 1712. to Marlon Munson ; Matliias, bom
May 26. 1688. who is mentioned below. Hannah,
born Jan. 9, i6go; Damaris, born Juiie 11, 1693:
and Benjamin, born ^larch 24, 1696, who married
Elizabeth Ives.
Mathias Hitchcock, son of John, spent his entire
life in Wallingford, and his remains were interred
there. He was married in the year 1710 to Thank-
ful .Andrews, and thev had thirteen children, whose
name.-; and dates of birth were as follows : Mathias,
Tune 19, 171 T (who died April 7, 1726) : Nathan-
iel. Oct. 15, 1712 (who died young) : Valentine,
Feb. 14. 1715: Oliver, Nov. 14, 1716; Jason. Aug.
\f>. 1718: Wiiliam, Oct. 16, T720; Thankful, March
29. 172^: Mathias, Feb. 11, 1727: Fbenezer. Sept.
14, 1728: Tabitha, Feb. 26. 1730; Nathaniel. May
7, 1733; and Fnos and Hannah, twins, .\pril 27,
1735- "
Jason Hitchcock, son of Mathias, was also a life
long resident of Wallingford and a farmer by oc-
cupation. He married Lydia Cook, Sept. 20, 1743,
and to them were born seven children : William,
June 26, 1744; Thomas, Dec. 20, 1746; Lemuel,
Dec. 20, 1749; Jason, July 12, 1752 (died in in-
fancy) ; Jason (2), Oct. 10, 1755; Ichabod, Dec.
18, 1756; and Thankful, March 20, 1761.
Ichabod. Hitchcock, son of Jason, and father of
our subject, was born in Wallingford, and from
there removed to Cheshire, where he spent his last
days. During his entire life he engaged in agricul-
tural pursuits. He was twice married, his first
wife being Lurinda Cook, by whom he had five chil-
dren, namely: Pliny, our subject; Sarilla, wife of
George Stevens, of Burton, Ohio; Jason; Hannah,
wife of T. L. Gaylord ; and Lucinda, wife of Rich-
ard Beach, of Burton, Ohio. By the second mar-
riage there was one child, Abigail, who married and
went South.
During his boyhood Pliny Hitchcock pursued
his studies in the public schools of Cheshire and the
Cheshire Academy, and also learned the stonema-
son's trade, which he followed during the greater
part of his life. He was born June 30, 1791, and
always made his home in Cheshire, where he owned
two farms near Cheshire Centre, in the southern
part of the town, aggregating 100 acres. To the
improvement and cultivation of these he devoted
a part of his time. He was a worthy member of
the Congregational Church , and in politics
was a supporter of the Whig and Republi-
can parties. â– He was domestic in his tastes,
temperate in his habits and a good Chris-
tian man. one who commanded the respect and con-
fidence of all with whom he came in contact, in
cither business or social life. He died upon his
farm March 13, 1864, am! was buried in Cheshire
cemetery.
I Mr. Hitchcock married Miss Sally Bradley, a
native of Cheshire, born Jan. 18, 1703, a daughter
of Reuben and Roxanna (Frisbie) Bradley. She,
too, was a mcmlier of the Congregational Church,
and a most estimable lady. She died on the home
farm, Jan. 13. 1874, and was laid to rest by the side
of her husband. In their family were the follow-
ing children : ( 1 ) Jason Cook, the eldest, is de-
ceased. (2) Lydia (deceased) engaged in school
teaching and later married Levi Munson, by whom
she had one child, Marv, now deceased, f O Rox-
anna is one of the best-known women in Cheshire,
where she was successfully engaged in dressmaking
and the millinery business for a number of years.
She is well-read and refined, and presides with
gracious dignity over a beautiful home in Cheshire,
planned by herself. (4) Sarah was also a school
teacher, and is now the widow of Norman Steele, of
\\'atcrbury. (5) Lucinda married .Samuel Cook,
and both are now deceased. (6) Jason died in in-
fancy. (7) John .Augustus is engaged in mercan-
tile business in Liverpool. England. (8) Ann
COMMEMUKATiyE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
809
Amelia, who in early life engaged in school teach-
ing, and (9j Cornelia A. both reside with their sis-
ter Roxanna, in Cheshire. The family is well-
known and very highly respected in the community
where its members have so long made their
home.
STILLMAX KASSETT DOOLITTLE, a suc-
cessful farmer of I'ond liill, Wallingford, was born
on the old family homestead on Pond Hill Xov. 15,
1S41.
Abraham Doolittlc, our subject's emigrant an-
cestor, was the progenitor of all who bear the name
in this country, lie and his brother John were in
Massachusetts at a very early day. John died child-
less. Abraham Doolittle was in New Haven before
1642, and was the owner of a house. In 1644 he
took the freeman's oath, and was made the chief
executive officer (or sheriff) of the county. He
was chosen by the people of Xew Haven as one
of the committee to superintend the affairs of the
new settlement, then (1669) just commenced at the
village. The name of the village w-as changed to
\\'allingford, and it was incorporated May 12, 1670,
by an act of the General Court, then sitting at Hart-
ford. Abraham Doolittle was one of the first to set-
tle in the place, and was there some two or three
years before the incorporation. He died Aug. 11,
1690, aged seventy.
Abraham Doolittle (2), son of Abraham, was
born Feb. 12, 1649, and died in 1732, aged eighty-
three years.
Samuel Doolittle (i), son of Abraham (2), was
born March 14, 1698.
Samuel Doolittle (2), son of Samuel (i), was
born Feb. 28, 1725.
Samuel Doolittle (3), son of Samuel (2), was
born .Ajjril 11, 1749.
Chauncey Doolittle, Sr., son of Samuel (3), was
born in 1777 in Wallingford, and died May 17, 1833,
in his fifty-sixth year. He was a wagon-maker by
trade, had a shop at Pond Hill, and supplied the
surroundine: country for a wide extent with his
wares. His trade included joiner work, and he also
farmed his estate, continuing in the active perform-
ance of his duties until his death. Mr. Doolittle
was well known, and no man was more highly re-
spected. His political convictions made him a Dem-
ocrat, and he was one of the pillars of the M. E.
Church in Wallingford.
Chauncey Doolittle, Jr.. son of Chauncey. Sr.,
was lx)rn July 2, 1810, at Pond Hill, and lived out
his exemplary life in this quiet village, dying Feb.
T5. 1854. Like his father, he was a member of the
Democratic party. He worked as an apprentice un-
til he became of age (1831), and was subsequently
employed at his trade bv Tared Mansfield, in North
Haven, until about the time of his marriage, when
he returned to the old homestead. On Dec. 28. 1834,
he married Betsey Hassett, of North Haven, daugh-
ter of Tocl and Betscv Rassett, and thcv became the
' parents of three children: Jannette, born Oct. 17.
1836, died Jan. i, 1837. Stillman Bassett is our
subject. Sophronia, born July 2, 1844, died July il,
i860. Mrs. Doolittle made her home with her only
: son until her death, on June i, 1894, when she was
j aged eighty years, eleven days.
; As a loving and unselfish mother, as a Christian
woman and a kind sympathizing friend, she set
an example worthy of record. Her religious con-
nection was with tiic Congregational Church.
Stillman Bassett Doolittle was educated in the
common schools, and grew to manhood on the
farm, to which he has devoted the greater portion
of his time during many years. Agriculture inter-
ests him, and he has found a general line of farming
j quite profitable. He has also been quite successful
' in breeding good cattle from poor stock.
The death of his mother was a severe blow to
Mr. Doolittle, as, beyond e\erything. he was a de-
voted son. Her last years were made comfortable
through his loving care. Probably there is no more
highlv esteemed citizen in his part of Wallingford
than Stillman Bassett Doolittle.
WALTER GOODRICH BISHOP, one of the
honorable and meritorious citizens of the town of
Guilford, where he has long conducted a fine farm,
was born in Aleriden. New Haven county, June 26,
1827, and is a descendant of one of the oldest famil-
ies in the State. Benjamin Bishop, his grandfather,
was a native of North Haven, where he lived and
died. He owned a gristmill and was engaged in
farming.
Martin Bishop, father of Walter G., was born in
North Haven, He was very largely self-educated,
and became a good mathematician. At the age
of fourteen Mr. Bisho]) er.tered a factory in
Meriden. and was employed by 'Squire Vale,
learning the tinner's trade, at which he worked for
a number of years, being for many years employed
as a journe\man tinner. He made pocket lanterns,
and was the first in this country to manufacture lan-
terns for policemen's use. Later in life he moved
to Stony Creek, where he kept a boarding house
and continued the manufacture of lanterns. There
he died and was buried. He was a man of active
spirit and progressive ideas. He contracted for
and built one mile of the New Haven & Hartford
Railroad. In religion he was a member of the Bap-
tist Church, and in politics a Democrat, In Meri-
den he married Salvina E, Bradley, a daughter of
James Bradlev, and a native of Meriden, Their chil-
dren were: Walter G. ; Sarah H.. who died young;
Nathaniel H., a resident of Stony Creek : and Fran-
ces, who died in early womanhood. Mrs. Salvina
E, Bishop died at Stonv Creek, She had been a
member of the Baptist Church at Meriden for many
years,
Walter Goodrich Bishop attended the district
school and later the high school. He remained on
the farm with his father until he was fifteen vcars
8io
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
old, and his first employment away from home was
with Coles & Stephens, under whom he learned mon-
ument stonecutting-. While still in his 'teens he en-
tered the Parker foundry and learned the molder's
trade thoroughly, working there sixteen years.
After some months' employment in Hartford he
returned to Meriden and worked two years for the
Isabel Curtis Co. From Meriden he went to the
town of Orange, where he bought a farm once
owned by Deacon Pardee, and cultivated same for
seven years, selling at the end of that time and com-
ing to Guilford, where he bought the Charles Fow-
ler farm. This place consisted of twenty-four acres,
and Mr. Bishop has since purchased two other
farms, aggregating in all 162 acres. He also bought
100 acres which he sold. He has made extensive
improvements on his place, and is engaged in gen-
eral and dairy farming, doing a very successful
business. He is president of the Dexter L. Bishop
Co., and by his energy and enterprise has won a
good ]X)sition in commercial circles.
Walter G. Bishop was married in Meriden to
Dorcas J. Hungerford, by whom he had one child.
Sarah H., now deceased. His first wife dying, Mr.
Bishop -married Nancy M. Leete, a daughter of the
late Rufus N. Leete, and a native of Leete Island,
and to this union came three children : Dexter L.
is an ice and lumber dealer in Meriden: he married
Esther John.son. Burton W., a farmer in Guilford,
married Lillian R. Remington. Grace S., a gradu-
ate of the Guilford high school, was a bookkeeper
for her brother Dexter, but now resides at home.
Mrs. Nancy M. Bishop died in 1886, and Mr.
Bishop married her sister Ellen M.
In politics Mr. Bishop was originally a Demo-
crat, but is now a Repul)lican. He belongs to the
Baptist Church at Meriden, but attends the First
Congregational Church of Guilford. Sociallv he
holds membership in Center Lodge, No. 68, I. O.
O. F., Meriden, of which he is past grand.
WILLIAM M, TYLER is one of the most suc-
cessful and progressive agriculturists on Bucks
Hill, W'aterbury. He devotes considerable atten-
tion to fruit growing and dairy farming, and has
made his special field of industrv an eminent suc-
cess.
.\ native of New Haven county, Mr. Tyler was
born in the town of Middlebury Jan. 30, 1837, and
is descended from one of its old and highly respected
families, founded here by three brothers, James, Jo-
siah and Daniel Tvler, who came from Branford,
Conn., and located in what is now known as Tylers-
town, Middlebury. There they married and reared
families. Thev were land owners and farmers.
Their remains were interred in the old cemetery of
Middlebury.
Daniel Tyler, Jr., son of the Daniel jireviotislv
mentioned, was a large land owner and farmer in
Middlebury, as well as one of the leading citizens,
taking quite a prominent part in public affairs. He
was a Whig in politics, represented the town in the
State Legislature and held many local offices. He
was a member of the church. His death occurred
upon his farm in Middlebury, and his remains were
interred in the old cemetery there. He married
Miss Sally, daughter of Asahel lironson, a soldier
of the Revolutionary war, and to them were born
eight children, namely: Asahel, father of our sub-
ject ; Daniel ; Lucius ; Mary, wife of Samuel Bloss ;
James : William O. ; Eli ; and Sally, who died at the
age of three years.
Asahel Tyler was born on the old homestead at
Tylerstown, where he grew to manhood, and was
reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1843 he re-
moved to Woodbury, Litchfield Co., Conn., where
he engaged in farming and stock dealing until 1864,
when he located in Oakville, same county. In 187 1
he came to Bucks Hill, New Haven county, later re-
moved to Plymouth, Conn., and from there to Leb-
anon, Mo., where he spent two years. At the end
of that time he returned to Waterbury, Conn., ami
he passed the remaining years of his life on Bucks
Hill, where he died; he was buried in Woodbury
cemetery. Mr. Tyler was a well-to-do farmer, own-
ing considerable property. He was liberal in liis re-
ligious views, attended the Congregational Church,
and in politics was first a Democrat and later a Re-
puljlican. Fie married Amy Amalga Morris, of
Woodbury, by whom he had two children : Will-
iam M., our subject; and Jennette, wife of Nathan
Burton. Mrs. Tyler died in her native town and
was buried there.' She was a consistent member of
I the Congregational Church. For his second wife
1 Asahel Tyler married \'irginia Shea, who was of
French descent.
During his boyhood William M. Tyler attended
the district schools of \\'oodbury and Roxbury, and
completed his education in the high schools of
^^'oodbury and Waterbury. Fie remained at home
until twenty-two years of age, when he settled on
Bunker Hill, Waterbury, and he was one of the first
men of that section to engage in the dairy business.
In 1869 he removed to P)ucks Hill, locating on the
Col. W'elton farm, a tract of 140 acres, which he
has greatly improved. He is still extensively en-
gaged in the dairv business, and is one of the largest
peach growers in the Naugatuck \'alley. having
over thirty-five acres of land devoted to peaches.
Fle also buvs and sells produce, and in all his un-
dertakings has been remarkably successful. Be-
sides his property in this countv he owns land in
Missouri and other parts of the West.
On Tan. 4. 1871, in Plymouth, Conn., Mr. Tyler
was united in marriage with Miss Ida J.#Painter,
a native of that place, daughter of Capt. Edward
and Clarinda f Palmer) Painter, and granddaughter
of Thoinas Painter and John Palmer. .She was
educated in the high school of East Hampton, Mass.
Mrs. Tyler has many noble traits of character. She
has been an invalid for several years, but bears her
sufferings with patience and Christian fortitude.
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
8ii
Mr. ami Mrs. Tykr havf twii children: Bessie
Clarinda, who graduated from the W'aterbury high
school and has successfully engaged in teaching for
four years; and Robert William, who is engaged
in peach growing. lie married Inza tiertrudc
I 'hillips. The father and daughter arc members of
-Mad River Grange, in which he has served as mas-
ter, and she as organist. Mr. and Mrs. Tyler hold
membership in St. John's Episcopal Church of Wat-
erlniry. In politics he is an independent Democrat.
As a public-spirited, ])rogressive citizen, he takes a
deep and commendable interest in all enterprises
calculated to prove of public benefit.
\\ILLIAM EDWIX WELD, one of the oldest
and most highly respected citizens of the town of
Guilford, is a native of that localit\-, born Aug. 30,
1815, and is descended from one of the earliest and
best families of Xew England.
Rev. Thomas Weld and his brother Joseph were
the first of the name in .\merica. The former came
from England to these shores on the ship "William
Francis," landing at Boston, June 5, 1632, his
brother Joseph arriving a year later, and both re-
sided in Roxbury, ^lass., the former becoming min-
ister of a church there.
Daniel Weld, supposed to be a son or grandson
of one of the above brothers, was born in Roxbury,
and there grew to manhood, afterward removing
of Long Meadow. Mass.. thence to Durham, Conn.,
where he passed the rest of his days. He married
Mary Warren, a sister of Gen. Joseph Warren,