lectman ; he is now serving his third term, having
been re-elected in October, 1900, and again in 1901.
886
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
He is a member of .Moniiiiy; Star Lodge, F. & A.
M., at Seymour, and a charter member of the Non-
iiawank Lodtje, Red Men. lie is affiliated with the
Knights of IVlhias, of wliich he is treasurer, and
is a member of the Citizens Hook & Ladder Co. He
married, Jan. 13. 1873, Jennie E. Short, who was
born in Derby, daughter of Ephraim Short, a black-
smith of that town.
Both Mrs. Martha Divine and her daughter,
Mrs. Mitchell, have been active and prominent mem-
bers of the I-;astern Star for twenty-seven years.
They are also members of the Amaranth Society,
and of the Bassett Family Association. They are
members of the Disciple Church, and among the
leading social families of Seymour.
Jason Bassett, a brother of Mrs. Divine, was a
builder and architect of rare ability. He erccfed
the Episcopal churches at Hartford, Xaugatuck and
Huntington before he was twenty-one years old.
He followed his profession at New York and later
at Rochester, where he made the specifications for
the handsome court house in that city. He removed
to Buffalo, and had there designed and constructed
some of its more elegant structures when his useful
and brilliant career was cut short in 1850, at the
age of forty-four years. Another brother, David
Bassett, settled at Racine, Wis., where he bought
land, cleared it, erected the first water wheel there,
and became one of its most prominent citizens. He
died in California in 1853.
JUDGE GEORGE DEFOREST BISSELL,
who is now living a retired life in Xaugatuck, was
born in Torrington, this State, April 24, 1828, and
is a representative of a good old Colonial family.
His grandfather, Elisha Bissell, was born in Spring-
field," Mass., in 1743, and died in 1808 in Torring-
ton. He married Roxy Bissell, and located at
Windsor Hill, Conn., where they reared a family of
five children, namely: Seth, born in 1782, lived in
Windsor, and died in 1798; Elisha, born in 1787,
died in 181 1 ; Roxy, Iwrn in 1788, married Richard
Bristol, a farmer of Harwinton, Conn., and died in
1846; George, the father of our subject, was next
in order of birth; and Sila, born in 1793, married
Erastus Hodges, of Torrington, and (second) Ru-
fus Pickett, of Morris, and died in 1869.
George Bissell, our subject's father, was born
in Windsor Hill, in 1790. and there grew to man-
hood. He married Sarah ^^'oodruff, of Torring-
ton. Her father, John Woodruff, was a native of
Oxford, and was a farmer by occupation ; he served
as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and saw
Major Andre executed. After their marriage Mr.
and Mrs. Bissell located in Torrington, where the
father was first engaged in farming and later in
tanning, so continuing until his death, April 19,
1835. His wife, who long survived him, passed
away Sept. 4, 1894. Tliey had but two children,
the older being Sarah A., who was born July 7,
1824, and died unmarried, Sept. 8, 1898. Tn ])olitics
the father was a N\ big, and in religious belief both
he and his wife were Congregationalists.
George DeForest Bissell was seven years of age
when, with his mother, he removed to Litchfield,
Conn., where he was reared and educated. In early
life he engaged in farming and school teaching,
and then went to Rock Island, 111., where he clerked
in a commission house for three years. Returning
to Litchfield, Conn., in 1859, he was engaged in
clerking there until 1863, when he w^ent to New
Haven and was employed as clerk in the "Tremont
House" for three j'ears. At the end of that time
he entered the office of the probate judge at Hart-
ford, and remained there for three years. In 1869
he came to Naugatuck, where he served as book-
keeper and secretary of the Tultle Manufacturing
Co., for about seventeen years, or until appointed
postmaster at that place. He assumed the duties of
that office April i, 1887, and capably discharged the
same for two years and a half, since which time he
has lived retired.
On June 5, 1870, Judge Bissell married Miss Lil-
lian Adella Clarke, of Prospect, Conn., a daughter
of Sela Clarke, and they have one son. George De
Forest, Jr. They attend the Congregational Church,
and are held in high regard by all who know them.
Fraternally the Judge is a member of Shepherd's
Lodge, No. 78, A. F. & A. M., of Naugatuck; and
politically, he is a stanch supporter of the Demo-
cratic party. He was the first warden of Nauga-
tuck ; has served as selectman ; was town clerk for
about six years; and judge of probate four years.
He has been found true to every trust reposed in
him, and has made a most efficient and popular ■
officer.
ENSIGN NORTHROP, an honored veteran of
the Civil war, has been for many years a resident
of Waterbury, where he has established an envia-
ble reputation for himself both as a man of unques-
tioned probity and as a skilled worker, connected
with one of the largest industrial establishments of
that busy city.
Mr. Northrop was born in Chili, Monroe Co.,
N. Y., March 13, 1834, son of Miles Northrop, who
was born in Cornwall, Conn., July 20, 1805, and
died in Orleans county, N. Y., in 1891. Miles
Northrop left home at the age of sixteen, and what
knowledge is now obtainable of his parentage and
ancestry is very obscure. He went into Genesee
county, N. Y., at that time far from the old home,
not only in distance but in the time necessary to
cover it. There was little communication, and the
young man drifted away from all intimate touch
with his family. He learned the cooper's trade, and
worked at same in Genesee, Monroe and Orleans
cou'nties, N. Y. He married Eliza Ensign, who
was born in Sheffield, Mass., a daughter of Freeman
Ensign, and died in Orleans county, N. Y., in 1890:
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
887
slic was about a year older than her luisband. The
J-jisigns were loiifj settled in Massachusetts, and
were of French extraction. Miles Northrop was
the father of nine children: George was a farmer
in Xew York, and later removed to Florida where
ho died. Fmeline married Edwin Hinchc, a cooper
in Chautau(iua county, N. Y., and is now deceased.
Sarah is the wife of George Phillips, a Genesee
county farmer. Warren is a farmer in Orleans
county. Ensign is our subject. Betsy married
Mcnry fierce (who died in the Civil war), and' is
now deceased. Mary married George Oswell, and
they are living in Cherry Creek, N. Y. Ellen mar-
ried Henry Hale, and they live in Michigan. Es-
ther died unmarried.
Ensign Xorthrop lived in Genesee county, X.
\'.. until he was twenty-two years of age, and then
engaged in farming in Chautauqua county. At
the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in
Company K. 1 12th X. Y. V. I., serving three years,
and seeing much active duty. He was a faithful
soldier, and made a record of which he mav be
justly proud. In 1869 he went into \'irginia to try
northern farming in the South, but the result of
the experiment was not encouraging, and in the
spring of 1870. returning North, he located at Wat-
erbury, where his home has been to the present time.
Mr. Xorthrop entered the employ of the Scovill
Manufacturing Co. in 1870, and is still with them.
For twenty-seven years he has been engaged in saw-
ing brass on the same machine.
Mr. Northrop and Miss Eunice Hinche v.-ere
married Sept. 20, 1855. Mrs. Xorthrop was born
in Chili, ^fonroe Co., X''. Y.. daughter of Joseph
Hinclie. a farmer, and is of French extraction. To
this union were born three children: Miles, who
died at the age of fourteen ; Charles, a foreman in
the White Dental Works, at Princess Bay, Staten
Island ; and Anna, wife of Edward Smith, of Naug-
atuck. Conn., a contractor and builder of more than
local standing. Mr. Northrop is a Republican, and
is a member of Wadhams Post. G. .A. R. Since early
youth he has been a member of the Baptist Church.
JOHN M. REDSHAW, the father of Samuel
G. Redshaw, was born in Leeds, England, and re-
mained in his native country, followintr the business
of a cloth manufacturer, initil after his marriage.
When he came to this coimtry he settled in Derliy,
where he resumed his trade, and followed it for
some years in connection with the firm of PlunA
& Beach. Mr. Plumb finally came to Ansonia, ancl
started a business in this city under the name of
Plumb & Co., John .M. Redshaw being the "com-
pany." When the establishment passed into the
hands of a stock company, Mr. Redshaw remained
as a stockholder and superintendent of a depart-
ment as long as the business was continued. He
lived retired from active labor for a time before
his death, on Feb. 3, 1899. at the age of seventy-nine
years. He married Sarah Gaunt, who was born
in the same town as her husband, a daughter of
Samuel tiannt, and they had five children, three ofl
whom are living: Moses W. living in Bridgeport,
Conn. Samuel G. is mentioned below ; and Joseph,
who lives in West Haven. The father was a well-
known and active member of the community in his
time. He came to Ansonia about 1844. and saw it
change from a farming community to a great indus-
trial center. I-'raternally he was a Mason; and was
enrolled in George Washington Lodge, A. F. & A.
M., Mt. \'ernon Chapter, R. A. M., and other Ma-
sonic organizations. He belonged to the Congre-
gational Church. John AL Redshaw's only brother.
Thomas M,, served in the Union army during the
Civil war, and was killed in the battle of Gettys-
burg, and Thomas M. Redshaw Post, G. A. R., at
Ansonia, commemorates his name.
Samuel G. Redshaw was born in Ansonia,
Conn., July 27, 1849, and there he spent his early
life in attendance upon the local schools. On reach-
ing manhood he entered the woolen mill, and after
a time bought out the box factory of A. B. Hen-
dricks, carrying on the business in a small way,
without the aid of machinery, and employing only
three girls. By close attention and the constant ef-
fort to please his patrons he has steadily increased
his trade. On July i. 1896, he became the owner
of the factory in Derby, and working the two to-
gether he doubled his output, but he sold the latter
in November, 1899, removing part of the machinery
to his plant in Ansonia. His trade is strictly local,
and the demand crowds the productive power of his
business to the utmost.
Mr. Redshaw was married in 1877 to .Amelia
Lawton, a daughter of Lewis Lawton, who lived in
Winsted, and was a spinner by trade. Mrs. Red-
shaw is one of a family of four children. Her par-
ents are both deceased, both passing away at the
age of sixty-nine years, and within a month of one
another. They were members of the Episcopal
Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Redshaw have two sons : John
Lewis, the elder, is a stenographer and book-keeper
for his father. Charles Joseph, the younger boy,
is fitting himself for college.
Mr. Redshaw is a Republican in politics, but has
refused all propositions to accept local offices. Long
ago he united with the Masonic fraternity, being
now a veteran Mason, and holding membership in
Washington Lodge, A. F. & A. M., the chapter, R.
A. M., New Haven Commandery, and Pryamid
Temple of the Mystic Shrine, having progressed as
far as the 32d degree. He has held all the offices
in the Blue Lodge, and those up to master in the
chapter. lie is also a member of the Eastern Star,
of which he was grand patron of the State in 1898,
in that year making more than forty official visits,
calling on every chapter in the State. Mr. Redshaw
is also a veteran Odd Fellow, being enrolled in
888
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Naugatuck Lodge, No. 63, where he has filled all
the offices ; in Hope Encampment, No. 26, of which
he is past chief patriarch ; and in the Grand En-
camimient. He is connected willi the A. O. U. W.
and the Improved Order of Heptasophs. For
twenty-five years Mr. Redshaw has been a member
of Eagle Hose Co., No. 6. He and all his family are
members of Christ Church.
FREDERICK WILLIAM HROCKSIEPER
(deceased). The coniitry that has produced a Bis-
marck and a Schiller, a Von Moltke and a Goethe,
has contributed in no small way to the best develop-
ment of America, for the habits of industry, the
stern self-denial, the sterling integrity, and the
faculty of true enjoyment and cheerful living are
characteristic of the German race, and this com-
binatinn forms a citizen of value to any country.
A native of the Fatherland, Frederick William
Brockfieper was one of the best known and most
highly respected citizens of North Haven, Connec-
ticut.
Frederick W. P.rocksieper, Sr.. his father, was
born in Iserlohn, in the northern part of West-
phalia. Germany, where he engaged in the manu-
facture of hardware very extensively, being the first
manufacturer of screws in that country. A thrifty
and industrious man, he never gave up labor until
within three days of his demise, which occurred
when he was eighty years old. He married Anna
Maria Grueber. a native of Westphalia, the daugh-
ter of a learned man of that country, and the fam-
ily born to this union consisted oi' five children :
Helena married in Germany, and came to America,
her husband locating in Posey county, Ind. ; Theo-
dore, a scholarly man, speaking and writing six
languages, died in Germany from over-study ;
Elizabeth married and lives in Germany ; Frederick
W. is mentioned below ; Moritz remained in Ger-
many, where he is a jkilled mechanic and engraver.
I'Vederick W. Brocksiepcr was born July 25, 1826,
in Iserlohn, Westphalia. Germany, and was given
excellent educational advantages. At the age of
eighteen years he was apprenticed to an engraver
and modeler, where he was taught mechanical draw-
ing, remaining in the employ of the same engraver
for a number of years. However, he began to feel
a desire to see more of the world, and the land
across the Atlantic seemed to possess untold attrac-
tions, hence the year 1849 found him on a sailing-
vessel from Bremen, on his way to the United
States. This vessel was a new one, requiring some
work upon it when the time set for starting ar-
rived, but the passengers were not willing to wait
longer and volunteered to make the finishing
touches themselves, in order to get under way. Our
subject so impressed his companions with his super-
ior knowledge of mechanics that he was unanimous-
ly elected leader, and the tedium of the long voyage
was relieved for him by painting the vessel as it
ploughed the water. It required nuich stamina to
! land in a strange country, with limited means and
i the necessity of facing a new language and new
customs, but the courage that made him finish the
"Elbe," when already Hoated, finally brought him
eni])loyment, and he went to work making dies and
patterns in the iron foundry of James Beebe & Co.,
, on the corner of Central and Reed streets. New
I York City. This concern afterward became a very
i wealthy one, and they were the first range makers
in the United States, the Beebe range being the
most successful attempt in that kind of modern
stoves. Going to New Britain, Mr. Brocksieper
; there engaged as a contractor with Peck & Walter,
', manufacturers of house and builders' hardware.
The establishment passed into the hands of J. B.
Sargent, still later to J. B. Sargent & Co., and at
present Sargent & Co., and is now one of the largest
manufactories in the country, the line of manufac-
ture now including locks, builders' and harness
hardware, in connection with former lines. When
I the business was removed to New Haven Mr.
i Brocksiepcr remained with them, and until Septem-
ber, 1899, he so continued in their factory, but at
that time he concluded that a faithful service of
fifty-one years eiuitled him to take the remainder
of his life at ease, and with regret parted with his
employers, who had also been personal friends.
; He passed away at his home in Montowese, .\])ril
i 27, 1900.
j When Mr. Brocksiepcr retired from the factory
he was the oldest employe, having been a witness
of its growth from infancy to sturdy maturity.
The first firm consisted of Mr. .Sargent as president
[ and treasurer, and Mrs. Sargent as secretary, with
IMr. Brocksiepcr as superintendent. That the long
and faithful connection was appreciated by Mr.
Sargent has been shown in many ways, perhaps in
none more happily than in the presentation of a
unique, valualjle and beautiful work of art which
now adorns the late home of our subject, ^^'hile
traveling in China, in 1887, ]\Ir. Sargent purchased
a beautiful painting, on rice ])aper, representing the
native insects and butterflies of China, a work of
art exquisite in design and workmanship. While
this gift was valued for its beauty, ^Ir. Brock-
siepcr attached still more value to the inscription
which was placed upon it by Mr. Sargent, viz.:
■"Canton, China, Oct. ist, 1887, Annual Moon-day.
To show that my long-time and true friend is in my
memory forever, I purchase these four pictures i
I Chinese insect life for F. W. Brocksiepcr. J. B.
Sargent."
In 1869 Mr. Brocksiepcr came with his family
to Montowese, Conn., making their summer home
at that place, spending their winters in the city.
I In the beautiful family lot is erccte
memory of the wife and mother who made a home
, wherever she was, but who passed away Dec. 10,
' 1898. In New York Mr. Brocksiepcr married An-
j toinette Hoelscher, a native of Elberfeld, Rhine-
land, Germany, born Nov. 2, 1828, and to her he
^^i/s/y/j/^
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
889
attribiUi'd imich oi his success in life, and her de-
voted family will ever feel the value of her life of
kindness, sympathy and cncourag:enient. The fol-
luwins;- named children were horn to this union:
Antoinette, who married Francis T. lUisse, is now
deceased; Adrienne, horn in 1S51, died in the same
vear: Frederick W. married Adella J. :\roulthrop,
and now lives in Los Angeles, Cal., engagfcd in the
fruit-growing business ; John H. married Lucy Cor-
coran, and is a farmer in North I'.ranford : Theodore
died young; Carl Moritz, who married Mrs. Jennie
Buckley, is now lessee and manager of the Lyric
Hall, New London, and was assistant secretary .of
the V. M. C. .\.: Anna Maria; Fnima L. ; Adele:
Charles died when seven months old : Joseph Brad-
ford, who graduated at Yale !\Iedical School in
1897, is a leading physician of New Britain.
Tn 1S05 Mr. Brocksieper erected a home which
is the largest and most complete and attractive in
North Haven. For many years he had been a col-
lector of butterflies, minerals and semi-precious
stones, and had a large collection, gathered from
all parts of the globe, some specimens of great
rarity. He was the owner of considerable real es-
tate, some of which he rented for farming purposes,
and also the property which is occu])ied by the
Montowese Brick Co.. from which he received
royalties for the fine quality of clay used in the
manufacture of its brick. Originally Mr. Brock-
sieper was a Democrat, but later became a Repub-
lican, and fraternally he had attained the 32d de-
gree of Freemasonry, affiliating with Hiram Lodge,
A. F. & A. M., and'Franklin Chanter, R. A. M. ; he
was also a member of the Improved Order of Red
Men and ( )rder of Chosen Friends. Brought up
in the Lutheran (luirch, he was always an attendant
•of the same, although he gave liberally to every
religious denomination.
GEORGE W. NETTLETON, a representative
and prominent citizen of Naugatuck, is a native of
New Haven county, born Sept. 5. 182S, in what was
then called Osborne Hollow, as there were many
Osbornes living in that locality at the time. His
father, Caleb Nettleton, was born in Old Milford,
and was a son of Caleb and .Anna (Stone) Nettle-
ton, farming people, who lived and died in Old Mil-
ford. Thev had three children: Tehiel. a farmer of
Gosiien. Litchfield Co., Conn.; I'llijah. a Baptist
minister, who lived and died in Goshen : and Caleb,
our subject's father. The grandfather was twice
married, and by his second wife, Louise Clark, who
was likewise a native of Old ]\IiIford, also had three
children, .Mfrcd, David and Amy.
Caleb Nettleton was a young man when he re-
moved to Middlebury. and there he was united in
marriage with .Miss .Nancy A. Clark, a native of
that tinvn, and a daughter of Andrew Clark. >vho
was born in C)l(l Milford. .\fter their marriage they
located on a farm in Middlebury. where they reared
their family. Thev- were consistent and faithful
members of the Congregational Church, and the
father was a Whig in politics. Their children were :
Clark, a farmer, who is now deceased ; Sarah A.,
who married E. G. Stone, a farmer of Middlebury,
both now deceased; Julia .A., who married Ches-
ter C. Hitchcock, a wheelmaker of New Haven, both
also deceased : Mariette, who married Charles C.
Woodruflf, a farmer of Watertown, Conn., both de-
ceased ; Emmerett L., wife of Henry \V. Spcrry,
a carpenter of New Haven ; Alma C, who married
Walter Lake, a farmer of Bethany, both deceased ;
Royal O., who married Louise Sperry, of Bethany,
and has been a carpenter of New Haven for half a
century ; and George W., our subject.
George W. Nettleton is indebted to the district
schools near his boyhood home for his educational
advantages. On leaving the parental roof, at the
age of si.xteen years, he went to New Haven to
learn the carpenter's trade with his brother Royal O.,
and remained there until twenty-five. During the
following six months he worked at his trade in
Cheshire, this county, and then followed that occu-
pation in Waterbury for some time. \Miile there
Mr. Nettleton was married, April 8, 1855, to Miss
Eunice Morris, w'lio was born in that town Aug. 26,
1832. and died Sept. 2, 1896. Her father. Amos
Morris, a cooper by trade, was also born in \N'ater-
burv, in 1790. Our subject and his wife had two
children : Mary, now the wife of Charles A. Smith,
a laborer of N.angatuck : and Charles L.. a carpenter
of Middlebury.
Shortly after his marriage Mr. Nettleton re-
moved to the farm in the town of Nausjatuck,
w-hich has since been his home. It consists of sixty-
two acres of well-improved and highly-cultivated
land, pleasantly located two and a half miles from
Naugatuck borough. Mr. Nettleton has devoted
his time and attention principally to his trade, leav-
ing his fami to be operated by hired hel)). He is
an earnest member of the Congregational Church
and is highly respected and esteemed by all who
know him. Tn politics he is a Republican.
JOHN SMITH TYLER, a popular and influ-
ential citizen of East Haven, was born in the house
where he now resides, on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 1834.
His father, William Tyler, was born June 26, 1799,
in the same dwelling.
John Tyler, the paternal grandfather, was a
native of Branford — near a well-known sea-side re-
sort. Short Beach — and liy occupation a shoemaker.
He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. After
residing in East Haven a short time he married
Mabel Bradley, who was also born on the farm now
owned and occupied by the subject of this notice.
Simeon Bradley, her father, built the house about
one hundred and fifty years ago, and it is still in
excellent repair. He died July 22, 1802, aged sev-
enty-one years : his wife, .Abigail, passed away May
18, 1810, aged si.xty-eight. To John and Mabel
890
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
(Bradley) Tyler caiiic six children: Aiiimi, horn
Feb. 20. 1789; John, June 29, 1792: twins, June,
1796: William, June 26, 1799; Jerusha Louisa. Mav
2, 1805.
Upon the farm mentioned, tlie ownershii) of
which has descended down through many genera-
tions, and a portion of which is in the center of the
town and very valuable, \Yilliam Tyler spent his
entire life. He was a shoemaker by trade, an ac-
tive worker in and a prominent member of the Con-
gregational Church, and widely known as a useful
and respected citizen. He married Julia A. Thomp-
son, who was born in 1799, a daughter of Abraham
Thompson, and they had two children : Harriet A.,
born Feb. 6, 1838, who died at the early age of
fourteen years ; and John Smith, the only son. The
father died at the age of sixty-four years, and the
mother was fifty-six years old when she entered into
rest, both of them honored and esteemed.
John Smith Tyler passed his youth upon the an-
cestral farm, and accjuired a good practical educa-
tion in the public schools and in the select or acad-
emic institute at the town hall, Messrs. Potter and
Wolcott, instructors and principals. Although he
was born within a few miles of the third largest