Ansonia Electrical Co. He married Miss Carrie
Nettleion, and has one son, Franklin Xewton. Airs.
I'hut is a communicant of the Episcopal Church,
anil one of the active workers in the vicinity.
SEREXO BARTHOLOMEW, one of the
prominent citizens of Wallingford and an active and
useful member of the Congregational Church, is the
subject of this biography. Mr. Bartholomew was
born in the old family homestead on Oct. 27, 1818, a
son of Samuel and Sylvia (Howd) Bartholomew.
Samuel Bartholomew had but a primitive education
and followed agricultural pursuits all his days. Own-
ing a farm of fifty acres, he continued to improve it,
and he was noted for his industry and energ}', and
as an example of temperate Christian living was
worthy of emulation.
Deacon Sereno Bartholomew attended school in
East Farms and North Durham, worked on his
father's farm, and also assisted on other farms, until
he was eighteen years old, at which time he took
charge of the homestead, where he has remained,
with the exception of two years, which were spent
in the factory of Hall & Elton, learning the trade
of silver plating. 'Sir. Bartholomew was one of the
first in this section to experiment successfully in to-
bacco raising, but now he devotes a small part of
his 200 acres to the growing of fine peaches.
Perhaps Mr. Bartholomew is better known with-
in the Congregational Church than in any other
place in the comnumity, as. for thirty-one years, he
has held the office of deacon in that body, with dig-
nity and efficiency. At the age of twenty-two, when
in the strength of young manhood, he joined the
church to which he has been devoted during a long
^nd useful life.
On Sept. 27. 1847, in Middlebury, Conn..
Sereno P.artholomew was united in marriage
with Sarah A. Benham. who died in t886.
The chiUlren born of this union were: Cath-
erine, born in 1848, died in 1865: and Franklyn
M., born in 1855. married Harriet E. Tibbals (who
was lx)rn in Durham, dautrhtcr of David and Nancv
(Strong) Tibbal.>), and died in i8<^7. Franklvn
M. Bartholomew grew up on the farm, was edu-
cated at a district school until, at the age of seven-
teen, he spent two school years at a private school.
He was well known throughout Connecticut as be-
ing prominent in Grange circles, and he was instru-
mental in procuring the Grange storehouse located
at the Air Line depot;, and in 1886 he was chosen
purchasing agent for the Wallingford Grange, hold-
ing the office until he resigned in 1892. The winter
of 1892 he spent in the employ of a well-known
Boston house, introducing feeds of various kinds,
after which he traveled for Mr. Lucicn Sanderson,
of Xew Haven, Conn., manufacturer of chemicals
and fertilizers, and in 1895 he was appointed by the
Governor of Connecticut treasurer of the State
Board of Agriculture, which office he held at the
time of his death. The death of the son left his
aged father to the care of his daughter-in-law, who
uuw ministers to him.
Deacon Sereno Bartholomew can look back over
many years of a well-spent life. He has always been
interested in public affairs, and his political affilia-
tions are with the Republican party. Hi? high char-
acter has won for him the esteem and respect of the
entire community.
WILLL'VM S. BISHOP, a worthy citizen and
representative well-to-do farmer of the town of
Madison, comes of a family which has for genera-
tions been respected as contributing many useful and
substantial citizens to this section. John Bishop,
the first of the name of whom we have record, had
a son John, who married Susan Goldham.
John Bishop, son of John and Susan (Goldham ),
born in 1655 in Guilford, Conn., died there Nov. 2^,
17;^ f. He was a life-long farmer, and a man of
influence in the community. On July 3, 1689, he
married Elizabeth Hitchcock, who died March 14,
1712, and on Nov. 18, 1713, he married Mary John-
son, by whom he had thirteen children.
John Bishop, eldest son of John, by the first
marriage, was born Aug. 12, 1692, in Guilford,
where he grew to manhood. He removed to East
Guilford, where he passed the remainder of his
life, dying there Jan. 28, 1752. On July i, 1719. he
married Abigail Spinning, born May 7, 1699, died
F>1). 22, 1 75 1, and they became the parents of five
children: Prudence, born July 28, 1722, died .-\u-
2, 1740; Elizabeth, born Dec. 20, 1725, died Se;jt.
19, 1754; Rachel, born Feb. 23, 1727, died Dec. i.
1750; John is mentioned below: Abigail, born Oct.
8, 1 73 1, married Dr. Nathaniel Welden.
John Bishop, born April 10, T729, in East Guil-
ford (now the town of Madison), died there .Xpril
3, 1807, and was buried in Madison cemetery. IT'-
was well known and highly respected in the con
munity, and was a devout member of tlic Congi'
gational Church. On Nov. i, 1753, he marriv.l
Hannah Hodgkins, born Feb. t6, 1733. died June n.
1820, and they had a family of five children: Pru-
dence, born Aug. 4, 1754, died Feb. 25, 1834, mar-
ried Sanuiel Foster: John, born Sept. 3, 1756, died
Sept. 24, 1848, married Irene Bartlett : Lois born in
July, 1759. died April 12, 1836, married Molly
i ludd: Rachel, born i/fu. married \\'illiri;n ll'ul\ :
I \\'illiam is mentioned below.
' William Bishop, born in 1763 in Madison, died
(2^'^^^^^?-^ UJ
'K -y
1^ co^^^-'^^yf'^^
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
837
Tunc 28, 1S4S, and was laid to rest in the East
cemetery in that town. He was a large land owner,
and engaged successfully in general farming; was
a Whig in politics, and held various local offices;
was liberal in religious matters, and an active mem-
ber of the Ecclesiastical Society. He married
Lucy Kelsey, who was born in 1778 in Killing-
worth, Conn., and died Aug. 31, 1806. and two chil-
dren came to this union: William Hull, born in
1801. who married Chloe Lee, and died Aug. 20,
1841 ; and Levi, father of our subject, who is men-
tioned below. Mr. Bishop married for his second
wife ^Libel Murray, a native of Guilford, born in
1776. who passed away Dec. 30, 1868. and to this
marriage were also born two children: John M.,
born in 1821, who married Cynthia Hull, and died
March 6, 1881 : and Lucy Ann, who married Fred-
crick Field, and died Oct. 25, 1881. All. this fam-
ily are buried in the East cemetery in Madison.
Levi Bishop was born in 1802 in the town of
Madison, and died there Nov. 25, 1887, his remains
being laid to rest in the East cemetery. In his
younger days he followed the water, liecoming
master of a vessel, and also for some time engaged
in the produce business, but he finally settled down
to the calling of his forefathers, and met with
substantial success in his agricultural pursuits. His
adaptability to any line of business or circumstances
stood him in good stead, and in every capacity,
whether public or private, be displayed marked in-
telligence and ability, as well as integrity and a
high sense of duty. Having early received a good
practical education, he broadened his views and his
knowledge by continued reading, and was well in-
formed on subjects of general interest. He was
quite active in public life in his locality. Originally
a Whig in political sentiment, he became a Repub-
lican on the organization of that party and was
quite active in its councils. In religion he was
liberal, striving alwavs to live up to the ("mlden Rule
in his relations with his fellow men, and his temper-
ate habits and industrious life won him universal
respect.
On Feb. 14, 1828. Mr. Bishop married Miss Polly
M. Coe, who was born Oct. 23, 1802, daughter
of Thomas and Submit (Griswold) Coe, and four
children blessed this imion : \\'illiam S., whose
name introduces this sketch : Harriet E., born in
1836: Catlierine E., burn in October, 1845, ^1'^*^!
I Jan. 27, 1849; '^"^1 Lucy, wife of John Spencer.
I Mrs. Bishop died Dec. 6, 1888, at the home of her
son. and was laid to rest in the East cemetery.
William S. Bisho]) was born Dec. 25, 1829. in
J the town of Madison, grew to manhood on the farm,
j and acquired his education in the district schools.
i All his life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits,
' for he remained on the home place, caring for his
> parents in their old age. His tract of seventy acres
j is well improved and valuable, and in addition to
I general farming he follows stock-raising and cattle
dealing to some extent, by energetic industry win-
ning success in his chosen calling. He is widely
and favorably known in his town as an honest, up-
right citizen, and, like his father, he endeavors to
make his daily life, in his intercourse with all, the
exemplification of his religious views. A Repub-
lican in politics, he is no office seeker, and his in-
fluence is given rather to the supcort of good men
than to party.
On Nov. 9, 1851, Mr. Bishop married Miss
Rosetta M. Cook, who was born in 1830, daughter
of Henry Cook, of Madison, and by her had three
children: (i) William L., born July 26, 1859, died
in infancy. (2) Catherine A., born Sept. 5, 1861,
married James H. Bradley, and they had one child,
Cora May; for her second husband she married
Almon Johnson, and they have two children, Olive
M. and" Wealthy R. (3) Lucy Rosetta, born Aug.
14, 1866, was married July 12, 1884, to James Mc-
Cann, and they have four children, Josephine, Le-
Roy, William and Raymond. On March 26, 1896,
Mr. Bishop wedded for his second wife Mrs. Hen-
rietta (Thomas) \'an Wart, widow of Frank Van
Wart, of an old Revolutionary family.
JOHN BEATTIE. This in his lifetime well-
known quarryman and contractor, late of Leete
Island, Guilford, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland,
June 18. 1820. John Beattie, his father, was a free-
man of that city, and a direct descendant of that
noted Beattie family of Eskdale Moor, in Dum-
friesshire. Scotland, whose ancestry has been traced
back more than six centuries, and whose valor and
exploits in peace and war have been celebrated in
the storv and song of that countrv bv Sir Walter
Scott and others. On the paternal side his grand-
mother was Nancy Armstrong, a descendant of the
Johnson family, of Dumfriesshire, also prominent
in the affairs of Scotland. The mother of John Be-
attie was Ann Richardson, a daughter of John and
Catherine (Tate) Richardson, both of families be-
longing to Haddington. Scotland.
In 1830, when John Beattie was ten years old,
his parents came to America and settled in Nova
Scotia, Canada, where the father carried on his
trade of stonemason and contractor. He was con-
tractor in the construction of the masonry work on
a canal from Halifax to Pictou. In that locality, on
a small farm, the paternal home in this country was
established; and there the .son was sent to school for
a short time : but, his robust nature r-ebe!!ing against
the restraint imposed by sedentary life, he preferred
to labor in the fields of his father's farm. In Nova
Scotia he attended with profit a few terms the school
of an excellent man. Rev. Mr. Morrison, andk to
these brief periods his school days were limited.
After a few years' residence in Halifax, Nova
Scotia, and when John would no lon.ger attend
school, his father proposed to indenture him to
learn the trade of a shoemaker, and had selected a
master for him, whereupon the independent lad gave
so emphatic a demonstration a.gainst the step that
838
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the plan was summarily abandoned. This opposi-
tion was probably the act in life which led him into
the vocation in which he for so many years was
most successfully engag:e(l. Being now thirteen
years old, strong and healthy, with a love for out-
door occupation, his father was persuaded to allow
him to learn the trade of stonecutting, which work
John took up with great spirit. In the course of a j
few years the failure of the canal company induced
the Beattics to make their home at Xewport. K. I.,
whence the father and John went to Xew York to
work at their trade. A year later they proceeded to
Boston, and not long after to Newport, where the
father died when John was sixteen years of age.
The care of the family, consisting of his mother and
four children, the next eldest being ten years of age,
now devolved upon John, who, deeply feeling the
responsibility placed upon him, entered ujion his
life work with an earnestness of application that
was bound to bring success. In his trade he became
very skillful, and was a rapid and thorough work-
man. During the next four years he was employed
at Fort Adams. R. I., having, when he was eighteen
years old, his first contract to do work for the Unit-
ed States Government. .\t the age of twenty years
he was appointed foreman ma.son of the bridge
builders on a section of the Boston & Troy railroad,
and there for the following two years he had his
first experience in overseeing large numbers of men.
In 1846 he returned to I'ort .\dams, where he was
appointed master stonecutter bv Gen. W. S. Rose-
crans, and superintended the preparation of the ma-
terial used in that fortification until work was sus-
pended l)y order of Jefferson Davis, at that time
Secretary of War. Again, for a year, Mr. Beattie
was with the Boston & Troy Railroad Co., in his old
capacity. He then went to California as a gold
miner, and for two years and two months had the
experience of an argonaut without rcalizine any of
the rewards sometimes associated therewith. Re-
turning to the East, poor in purse and with im-
paired health, his next work was building the stone
towers for the suspension bridge across the Ken-
tucky river at Pleasant \''allev. His health continu-
ing poor, however, he and his brother William next
opened a stonecutter's yard at Newport, in which he
worked a year with beneficial results to his health.
In 1855 Mr. Beattie was engaged in building the
towers for the great bridge across the Ohio, between
Cincinnati and Covington, after which he had an
interest in the construction of Section One. of the
Brooklyn Water Works, at Jamaica, N. Y. That
work being completed, at a loss to him. he spent
some time building bridges on the Wabash railroad
in Indiana, after which he returned to Jamaica, N.
Y., and contracted for the constniction of another
section of the water works. This job he personally
superintended, and to such great advantages that he
and his partner cleared $20,000 in eighteen months.
Afte<- this lie executed many contracts for mason
work, in bridges, on railroads, warehouse docks and
lighthouses ; built bridges on the Worcester &
.Vaslnia railroad, on the Old Colony line, and on the
Warren & I-'all River railroad ; constructed the piers
for the bridge at Warehouse Point (using sand
bags for coffer dams for the first time in bridge
construction in this country) and for the Old Col-
ony dock at Newport, all large public works.
In 1865 Mr. Beattie purchased the Harrkon
f|uarry, at Fall River, but after operating it one year
left it in charge of his brother William and sou John,
and opened another quarry at Niantic. Conn. In a
few years he disposed of that interest, and in Feb-
ruary, 1869, he came to Guilford, where he bought
sixteen acres of land at Hoadley's Point, upon which
were very fine ledges of excellent granite. During
the following season he built several houses upon
this tract, doing at the same time the mason work
for the Newport & Wickfurd railroad On Aug.
22, 1870, he removed pennanently to Leete Island,
where he continued to make his home luitil his
death, Nov. 18, 1899. Here he developed the large
quarry interests until the industry became one of the
largest of the kind in tlie state. His srranite lands
and real-estate holdings at Leete Island increased to
more than 400 acres, and employment was given to
from 125 to 600 men, their operations being con-
ducted in a systematic manner, aided by modem ap-
pliances. The products were readily transported to
many localities by the Shore Line railroad, running
through his lands, and by a fleet of vessels owned by
him and laden at his docks at Hoadley's Point. The
granite of these quarries is of several qualities ; blue,
pink and white — which are here cut. carved and pol-
ished into anv desired forms; and a coarse-grained
gray, having a carrying capacity of 18.000 pounds
to the square inch, which is much used for building
purposes. A large quantity was thus supplied for
the construction of the roadway of the New York
& Harlem railroad, from the river to the Grand Cen-
tral depot, in New York Citv. Much of the stone
in the Brooklyn suspension bridge in New York was
furnished from these quarries.
Mr. Beattie had a thorough, practical knowledge
of every department of work carried on by him.
and. being possessed of great industry, pluck and
executive ability, he prospered in his affairs and
earned the distinction of being one of the foremost
business men in the eastern part of the country. Of
a strong physique, and liberally endowed with many
of the distinguished characteristics of the Scottish
race, he was a typical son of the "land of the mount-
ain and the flood."
John Beattie was three times married, first, in
1839. to Ann Kelly, a native of Longford. Ireland,
who died in 1859. at Newport. R. I. By her he had
six children, viz.: Ann, born in 1840, deceased;
John, Jr., a sketch of whom follows : Catherine,
wife of Robert Evans (both deceased) ; Francis,
a sketch of whom follows ; George, deceased in
1887: and Isabella, wife of George Sanborn, of
Leete Island. For his second wife our subject
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
839
iiiarrioil Mary llarriiif^toii, of I<"all River, Mass.,
and ihrt-c cliiklreii, yet liviiisj, were born of this
union : JCninia, David H. and Charles, David H.
heiiij:;;^ spoken of more fully elsewhere. For his
third wife Mr. Beattie wedded, in 1870, Mary Gay,
of Guilford, and three children were born of this
nniiin: Elizabeth, who died in 1878; and Peter and
Tlionia-;. residing- at lloadley's J'oint, Leete Island.
Joii.N' l!i:.\TTiE, Jk., was born Aujj. 29, 1841, at
.\ewport, R. I., an(l there received a liberal public-
school education. At the age of sixteen he became
an apprentice to the stonecutter's trade under his
father and uncle (William Beattie), and completed
his apprenticeship in i860. In the year 1865 he be-
came foreman of the firm. In the following year
he was received into ])artnership, tlie firm name be-
ing changed to John and \\'illiam Beattie & Co., and
until 1867 he managed the business of the concern.
I le then bought out the interest of his father, the
style of the firm becoming William & John (Jr.)
r.eattie, which continued until i86g, in which year
the partnership was dissolved, the interests being
rc|nally divided between William and John, Jr. The
latter then conducted his portion of the business
until the financial depression of 1873 caused him to
abandon it (not being able to realize on his assets)
and move to his farm in Westport, with the honor-
able resolution of paying his creditors "one hun-
dred cents on the dollar" as soon as he was able.
.â– \t farming he engaged until 1887. during which
time he succeeded in accomplishing his desire with
his creditors, paying them in full, and also took up
the study of elcctricitv. ITe is the inventor of what
is known as "Beattie's batterv zinc." which is now
in general use, and used entirely on the New York,
Xew Haven & Hartford Railroad; he also manufac-
tured "X ray" machines, and invented other elec-
trical devices. Tn tSqo he was appointed by his
father to manage his business for him — both per-
sonal pror>erty and real-estate — which position of
trust he filled with characteristic fidelitv and preci-
sion, making his home in Fall River until the death
of his father, since when, as one of the executors, he
has been manajring the estate.
Tn i)olitics Mr. Beattie is a stanch Republican,
and has held various offices of honor and trust : in
1870, while a resident of Fall River, Mass.. he filled
the position of alderman : in 1S02 lie was elected
president of the board of aldermen, and served three
\ears. during which incumbencv he had the honor
of being the originator and introducer of the Police
Commission Bill, and he is known as the "father" of
that po))uIar ordinance. Sociallv he is a Knight
Templar, being a nieiuber of Godfrev de Bouillon
Commandery, Fall River: is also affiliated with the
I. O. O. F., at Fall River, and one of the first mem-
liers of the K. of P. in that city.
In 1864, at Somerset. Mass., John Beattie, Jr.,
married Ellen X. Powers, a native of Bedford coun-
ty, Va., and a daughter of Thomas and Delia Pow-
ers. To this union have come three children : John,
a gold and silver i)later at Fall River, Mass., who
married Lucinda Courtney ; (jrace, wife of John D.
.Monroe, of Fall River; and Ernest J., mechanical
engineer, married to Elizabeth Tripp.
I'k.xncis Beattii-: ("Frank"), superintendent of
the Beattie Quarry Co., Leete Island, was born June
2(t. 1845, in Newport, R. I., and there received his
education. .Xt the a,ge of sixteen he commenced to
learn the trade of machinist in I'rovidence, R. I.,
where after three years he enlisted, in 1863, becom-
ing a member of Company E, 2d R. 1. V. I. He
served until the end of the war, receiving an honor-
able discharge in 1865. Mr. Beattie took part in
several engagements, sen-ing under Gen. Sheridan
at Winchester, Cedar Creek, Hatcher's Run and
I'"ive Forks, and at the battle of Sailor's Creek, on
Lee's retreat from Petersburg, he was wounded by
a niinie ball. He was present at Lee's surrender at
.\.])])oniattox Court House, Va., and from there went
j on the pursuit after Johnston, making a march of 1 10
miles in forty-four hours on short rations.
In .Xiantic Mr. lieattie learned the trade of a
I stonecutter and mason. In 1870 he came to Leete
i Island, Guilford, and for thirty years was superin-
tendent of his father's business there, giving the
trust reposed in him the best of care an(l attention.
In Providence, R. I., in t868, Francis Beattie
was united in marria.ge with Merriam Caroline Mc-
Call, born at Fall River, Mass.. daughter of John
and Jane McCall, and seven children have graced
their union: Annie C, who was educated at the
Xotre Dame Convent, Waterburv, and is now the
wife of Thomas T. X'oel, tele.graph operator, Leete
Island; Carrie Isabelle, educated in the Guilford
high school, who was assistant postmaster at Leete
Island ; Rosie Frances, Marv Elizabeth and John
Richard, all of whom were educated in the Guilford
high school: and Frank Kellev and Rov Hamilton.
Mr. Beattie is a member of Parmelec Post, No.
j 42, G. A. R., Guilford, in whicii he has held all the
offices, including that of commander ; is affiliated
with the F. & .\. :\T., St. .Mban's Lodge, Guilford;
aLso with Hallock Chapter, and the Order of the
Eastern Star, of which latter his wife and daughter
Carrie are also members. Tn politics he is a Repub-
lican, and under Harrison's administration served as
postmaster at Leete Island. His wife and daugh-
ters are members of the Episcopal Church.
GEORGE ISAAC WILLIAI^IS. a prosperous
and successful fruit farmer, dairyman and general
farmer of Wallin.gford, was born in the Pond Hill
District of that town Oct. 12, 1838. He is a grand-
son of Herman Williams, who was a brother of
Willoughby Williams, grandfather of Street Will-
iams, of Wallingford. The family history and im-
portant data of the \\'illiams ancestry are given in
the biography of that gentleman, elsewhere.
Herman Williairis was a farmer and land owner
of Pond Hill, where he died ; he was buried in Cen-
' ter Street cemetery. He married a Miss Hoadley,
840
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and their children were Samuel, Hoadley, William,
Elizabeth, Edwin, Isaac, ^lary ( who married a Mr.
IMaltbv, of Northford), Caroline (who married
Harry Fowler, of Guilford), Julia (who married
John Bassett, of North Haven), and Elijah. All
are now deceased.
W'illiam Williams, the father of George Isaac,
was born on the farm where he grew to manhood.
Farming was his business all his life, and he was
a stock dealer as well, his judgment as to the fine
points of cattle being regarded as that of an ex-
pert. A fine tract of land in Pond Hill passed into
his possession, and there he settled, devoting his
life to its improvement, and prospering in an ac-
tive and honorable career. The land where the
Wallingford race track is now laid out belonged to
him at one time. Mr. W'illiams died in the home
of his son William H., and was buried in the Main
Street cemeterv. He was a Whig, and later a Re-