has been one of the most active members of the
Republican jiarty in this localitv ever since. In 1895
he was a member of his ward committee, and was \
elected alderman, and served through 1895-6, in
1895 the vote lieing a tie. A new election was called
and the result was the seating of our subject by
twenty-five votes, althcnigh the ward was some 40)
votes Domncrafic, which mddc Mr. Rattelsdorfer
the first Republican alderman ever elected in it.
Only one Republican has l>een elected since then,
which followed our subject's lenn of office, he hav-
ing declined a re-election. Ever since that time he
has been a leader in his ward, belongs to its com-
mittee: was elected a
tion at Hartford, one of the four from this city.
In I90t he wa.s app<:)intcd chairman of the board
of Charities, by Ma\-or Studley, which is considered
a wise selection on account of the conscientious
manner in which he performs public duties. Mr.
Rattelsdorfer has been very active in furthering
measures of public benefit, and it was through his
instrumentaliiv that permanent pavements were
laid.
Fraternally our subject is very popular, and is
connected with the Masonic fraternity in Connecti-
cut Rock Lodge, FVanklin Chapter, and Harmony
Council ; and he also belongs to the Royal Arca-
num, New England Order of Protection, Ancient
Order of United Workmen. Knights of the Mac-
cabees, Patriotic Sons of America, the German so-
ciety Deutsche Gesellschaft, and others, and he is
a member of the 2d Company of the Governors
Foot Guards.
On Oct. 20, 1878, Mr. Rattelsdorfer was mar-
ried to Miss Anna B. Oppel, who was born in New
Haven, although her parents were native Germans.
Five children have blessed this union: John \'.,
Jr. ; Charles D. ; Anna T. ; Bessie J. ; and Minnie \'.
Of these John \'., Jr., married Minnie Rogerson.
The religious connection of the family is with the
St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
EDWARD J. MORSE, a well-known and
highly esteemed citizen of Xew Haven, retired cap-
tain of the Second Company, Governor's Foot
Guards, and the owner and successful manager of
large greenhouses near Morris Cove, was born in
Durham, ^liddlesex Co., Conn., Aug. 9, 1851.
Joseph I. ^lorse, the father of Edward J., was
born in Wallingford May 24, 1810, a son of Jona-
than, Jr.. and grandson of Jonathan, Sr., and his
wife, Esther Curtis. Jonathan Morse, Jr., wdio was
a farmer in Wallingford, married Thankful Blakes-
lee. Joseph I. Morse married Elizabeth Hill, of
Guilford, in 1833. and four chiklrcn were born to
them, as follows : Jane A., wiio married Charles
L. Shepard and resides in New Haven ; Augustus
\V., who is married and lives in Guilford; Lois E..
who married Wilson Clark and lives in New-
Britain: and Joseph, the youngest, died in child-
hood. The mother of these children died in 1839.
Joseph I. Morse married (second) Mary Nettle-
ton, who was born in North Killingworth, and
passed out of life in 1861. A family of s^.ven chil-
dren W'Cre born of this union, five of whom grew
to maturity : Eckford I. is a painter in Durham ;
Rosella died young: Harriet L. married William
T. Ilayden and lives in Hartford: Frederick L.
is an engineer and lives in West Haven ; Herbert
H. is an engineer in North Haven : Nelson died in
infancy; Edward J. was the fourth in the family.
In 1863 Joseph I. Morse married a third time,
I'hiebc Wcdmore becoming his wife. Their chil-
dren were: Nellie, Joseph, Charlotte, George and
Bertha, some of whom are now deceased. In poli-
tics Mr. Morse was a lifelong Democrat, and both
he and wife were valued and consistent members
of the Methodist Church. He died in 1881.
The boyhood of Edward J. Morse was sper": in
Durhamt and there he attended school. When he
c/ ^ O^^P-v^U^
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
717
was twelve years old he began to assist neighbor-
ing farmers during the suiiuncr months, and at-
tended school during the winters, in both Xorth-
ford and Wallingford. At the age of fifteen his
school days were over, and a year later he went
to Westville, where for four years he clerked in a
meat market, and for seven years was a valued
employe of S. E. Merwin, the pork packer, going
then to Fairhavcn, where he opened up a meat
business of his own, which he conducted for ten
years. Returning to Mr. Merwin, he took charge
of his business in Allentown, and w-as successfully
engaged there for five years, but in January, 1897,
he opened up his present business, which is that of
a Horist. Mr. Morse is well situated for this line,
near Morris Cove, and has extensive grounds,
large greenhouses, fitted with all modern appli-
ances, and has a very large trade which is con-
stantly increasing.
On April 24, 1879. Mr. Morse was married to
Mi.'i.s Ida \'. Smith, of New Haven, a daughter of
Edward O. Smith, a.nd a family of three children
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Morse, Jessie M.,
Ruby A. and Edward S. In politics Mr. Morse has
been an active Republican, and is now efficiently
serving as alderman of the Fifteenth ward, to
which office he was elected in April, 1900. For
eight years he served as captain of the Foot (iuards,
but has since retired from that body. Socially he
was connected with Quinnipiac Lodge, No. i, I. O.
O. F., and he and family are highly regarded in
the Methodist Church.
FRANK HENRY WHEELER, :\r. D. The
subject of the present biography has been more
than a spectator in the evolution of medical practice
in the State of Connecticut, where he has passed
the best years of his. life, and is still an active fac-
tor in the profession. Dr. Wheeler was born in
Montville, New London Co.,' Conn., July 18, 1856.
Grandfather Henry Wheeler, also a native of Con-
necticut, married Lucretia Loomis, and reared a
family of three children : William IL ; Edwin ; and
Maria, who married Harvey Derrin, and resided in
New Haven, Connecticut.
William H. Wheeler, the father of our subject,
was a prominent man in Montville, and when he
removed in 1873, to New Haven, he threw himself
heartily into all public enterprises, soon after being
elected president of the board of councilmen. So-
cially he was connecte
Norwich, F. & A. M. Later he became a manufac-
turer of cotton goods, and also conducted both a
saw^ and grist mill, but late in life engaged in the
life insurance and real estate business. He mar-
ried Waitsellc E. Whalley, a native of Chesterfield.
Conn., a daughter of James Whallev, who was a
farmer of that locality, of English descent. :\rrs.
^\ heeler is still living, Mr. Wheeler having died in
r886, in New Haven.
An only child. ]"r;ink TTenr\- Wheeler had manv
47
educational advantages superior to those of many
of his present colleagues not so fortunately situated.
At the age of sixteen, after attendance on the dis-
trict schools in Montville, his parents decided to
leave the village in order to give their son oppor-
tunities he could not have at the old home. Mr.
Wheeler was a man of education himself, particu-
larly in the law, but our subject did not incline to
that profession. After passing through the FJ op-
kins Grannnar school, graduating in 1876, he en-
tered Yale College, graduating from the academic
department in 1880, and he then entered the Med-
ical school from which he graduated in 1882, the
next year becoming an interne in the New Haven
Hospital, acting for six months as house physician,
and as surgeon for seven months, following this
practice w'ith a special course in New York, in the
College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Enthusiastic in his profession. Dr. \\'heeler
then returned to New Haven, and here has won
many triumphs by his skill as a surgeon and his
! thorough knowledge as a physician. Dr. Wheeler
I was married on Feb. 28, 1889, to Miss Florence
i Woodhouse, of New Haven, a daughter of Capt.
James H. and Lucretia Charlotte (Gillette) \\'cod-
house, the latter of New Haven, the former of
Wethersfield. Two children have been borit
to Dr. and Mrs. Wheeler: James Woodhouse
born April 5, 1890, and Harold VVhallev, born Aug.
26, 1898.
Dr. Wheeler has been prominently identified
with the progress of medicine in New Haven, and
for nine years was assistant professor of Pathol-
ogy in Yale College, and at the same time at the
New Haven Hospital; for six years he was con-
nected with the New Haven Dispensary, and for
fifteen years has been attending physician at the
New Haven Orphan Asylum.
Politically Dr. Wheeler is a Democrat. In Julv,
1901, he was appointed by the Hon. Mayor John P.
Studley as a member of the Board of Police Com-
missioners. PVaternally he belongs to Hiram
Lodge, No. I, A. F. & A. M., of which he is Past
Master; is district deputy Grand Master for New
Haven County and is a member of Franklin Chap-
ter, No. 2; Harmony Council, No. 8; New Haven
Commandery, No. 2; New Haven Chapter, Rose
Croix ; Lafayette Consistory, of Bridgeport ; and
Pyramid Temple, of the ^lystic Shrine. For a
number of years he has been connected with the A.
O. U. W., and is now Grand Medical Examiner for
Connecticut ; in the Foresters he has been Supreme
Treasurer, and has held other offices, and he is a
valued member of the Graduates and of the Pe-
quot Clubs. He is now President of the Yale
Medical Alumni Association. Professionally. Dr.
Wheeler is a member of the New Haven Medical
Society, of which he is president : also of the New
FTaven County Medical Society and the Connecti-
cut State Medical Society.
Dr. Wheeler is one of the busiest of men, at-
y :>'
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
tends to the various organizations nicnlioneti, looks
carefully after a large jiractice, meets in consulta-
tion with other surgeons antl physicians, and pre-
serves the activities and meilical tests which have
made him well and favorably known over so wide
a field, and an honor to his profession. With all the
calls made upon him, he hntls time to keep thor-
oughly ix)ste
and to maintain an intimate accpiaintance with his
well tilled library.
IlLBERT LITTLK, a inemher of the well-
known firnt of Little, Somcrs & Myatt, wholesale
tlealers in paints, pai)ers and similar goods, is one
of the prominent business men of Meriden, and
was born in the town of Columbia, Tolland Co.,
Conn., Nov. 14, 1848, a descendant of one of the
oldest and best families of the State. .\ full his-
tory of the fajnily is found in connection with the
biography of Saxton Bailey Little, which appears
on another page.
William Uuckingham Little, the father of Hu-
bert, was born in Columbia, Conn., June 6, 1815,
and died Dec. 16, 1897. He was a son of Samuel
Little, and a brother of Sa.xton B. Little, of Meri-
His education was acquired in the Coliunbia schools,
and nearly all his life was spent on a farm which he
owned and operated in Columbia. He was a man
very well known and nuich respected by the com-
munity, in which he served as probate judge for
Columbia many years. As a member of the State
Senate, to which he was elected on the Republican
ticket, he served his constituency faithfully and
well. His remains are resting in the Columbia
Cemetery. In the Congregational Church he was
known as a faithful and devoted member, and his
iiiestic habits were keyed to high and pure mo-
tives. Mr. Little was married in \'ernon. May 19,
1841. to Harriet \. Palmer, of X'crnon, a daughter
of I'lliot and Ann (Loomis) I'almer. She is still
living in Columbia, Conn., and is known as a lady
of nmch domestic character, a devoted wife and
mother, and an earnest and consecrated member of
the Congregational Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Lit-
tle were born the following children: (t) Myron
Winslow, born Oct. 11, 1842. married Emily
Wright. Nov. 13, 1869; (2) Elliot Palmer, born
July T,. 1844. died June 31, 1855; (3) .Anna Maria,
June 23. 184^),
(3) .Mnnzo, torn .Vpril 17, 1831: (6) Elbert Cor-
nelius, born Oct. 24, 1853; (7) Prescott Palmer,
born Sept. 16, 1856; and (8) Payson Elliot, born
Aug. 31, 1839.
Hubert I^ittlc spent his boyhood days on the
parental farm, where he attended the local school,
and he finished his litcrar\- training in the high
school in Willimantic. Until he was eighteen years
old he worked at home, and at that age he came to
Meriden, where he learned the painter's trade with
Charles L. Little, his cousin, with whom he worked
' for several years. At the end of that period he
bought out his instructor's establishment, and
formed a partnership with his brother, Elbert C,
to
decorating, business under the firm name of H.
Little & Comjiany. This partnership continued
until 1884 when Mr. Somers bought out the inter-
j est of E. C. Little. In 1886 Isaac B. Hyatt bought
I into the firm, and for the past sixteen years it has
been Little, Somers & Hyatt.
On Nov. 14, 1871, Mr. Little was married to
.Mice L., a daughter of Egbert Brown, of Colum-
I bia; she died May 20, 1877. Three children were
born of this union : Flora L., born .\'ov. 18, 1872,
[ died Jan. 14, 1875; Clayton E., born Dec. 19, 1874,
died March 27, 1875; ^"^ Clinton E., who was
born ^lay 8, 1877, is a traveling salesman for the
Beacon Falls Rubber Company. Mr. Little mar-
ried for his second wife, Martha L., a daughter of
William Williams, of Westfield, Conn. To this
union were born : Edna M., born Jan. 28, 1879,
died April 9, 1883 ; Thomas Saxton, born Nov. 27,
1882, died May 12, 1883; Harold Saxton, born
July 7, 1884; and Burton Elbert, born May 4, 1890,
died Oct. 30, 1891.
Mr. and Mrs. Little are members of Trinity
Methodist Church, and he is a member of Pacific
Lodge, T. O. O. F., and Pilgrim's Harlx)r Council,
Royal .\rcanum, at Meriden. In politics he is a
Republican, but no office seeker. His domestic
habits are of the best, and he is a good citizen,
with a host of friends.
HORATIO NELSOX SMITH, one of the
leading citizens of Middlcbury, first selectman of
the town, and a butcher by occupation, is a native
of that village, born June 22, 1831, in the house
where the first Ecclesiastical society met over one
huntlred years ago.
Horatio Nelson Smith, his father, was a native
of Xaugatuck, Conn., and was a son of Elisha
Smith, an old settler of. that locality. Our sub-
ject's father received a common school education,
and further instructed himself by abundant reading.
He learned the trade of blacksmith in his native
toW'U. and when a ynung man removed to Middle-
bury, where he bought tlie home now owned by our
subject (the one above referred to"), and built a
shop, in which he did general blacksmithing and re-
pairing; he also engaged in general farming. Here
he passed the rest of his days, dying in 1866, and
was buried in Middlcbury. He w-as a member of
the M. E. Church, and in politics a Democrat.
Twice married, his first wife was Nancy Nichols,
of Naugatuck, who died in Middlebnrv, leaving
two children : Nancy, who married Marlin J.
I Matt, of TorrinErlon. Conn.: and .Anna, deccasicd
wife of .Alvic Woostcr. For his second wife Mr.
Snn'th wedded Maria Booth, daughter of Lewis
liooth. and children as follows were born to thcrn:
Frederick, of Seymour, Conn. ; Frank, proprietor
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
739
of a liverv in W'aterbiiry ; Perry, a farmer in the
town of ^licldlcl)iiry ; Charles, who dieil in Middle-
Ijury; Horatio Nelson, a sketch of whom follows;
Anna, wife of George Curtis, of Torrington, Conn.;
and Emma, who died unmarried. The mother of
these died at the home of her daughter in Torring-
ton. Conn., at the age of eighty-two years, and was
buried in ^lidtllebury. She was a member of the
.M. E. Church, a good Christian woman.
Horatio X. Smith, wliose name introduces this
sketch, received a liberal education at the schools
of Middlebury, and while yet a youth followed the
trade of carpenter, working as a jobber until 1881,
in that year commencing the butchering business,
which he has since followed in connection with
farming pursuits. Through perseverance, indus-
try, honorable dealing and politeness he has built
up a fine trade and a constantly-increasing custom.
In 1880, in the town of Bethany, Xew Haven
county, Horatio N. Smith was married to Mary A.
Wright, who was born in Sullivan county, N. Y.,
a daughter of Artemus Wright, and eight children
were born to them: Harry, Florence, Burton
Grover, Lyman, Rodger, Wynford, Ray, and Ken-
neth E. Mrs. Smith is a lady of refinement and cul-
ture, a sterling wife and mother. She and her hus- 1
band attend the Congregational Church. In poli-
tics Mr. Smith is a Democrat, and in 1895 he was I
elected to the State Legislature by the people of his
native town: in 1897 ^^'^^ elected first selectman of
the town, and re-elected in 1898, in itself showing 1
his well-merited popularity. ;
DR. GEORGE I. HEMINGWAY, whose office
is at No. 86 Broadway, New Haven, takes a promi-
nent position among the physicians of the city, not !
only by reason of his high attainments and scien-
tific spirit, but also by his personal attributes of
high character. He was born in Woodbridge,
Conn., May 26, 1867. a son of John I. Hemingway,
a native of the same town.
Isaac Hemingway (2), the grandfather of
George I., was born in Woodbridge in 1794, a son
of Deacon Isaac, who was born in East Haven, in
1762, and was an early settler in Woodbridge
where he followed farming. He was a deacon of
the Congregational Church, and a prominent man
in the community, and passed away at the age of
eighty-seven. Isaac Hemingway (2) was also a
farmer, and owned part of the original land grant
to the family. He died at the early age of thil'ty-
six. Abraham Heming^vay, his brother, lived in
Xew Haven, and died when seventy-five years old.
Isaac Hemingway (2) married Esther Smith, who.
was born in Woodbridge. in 1793. She was the
mother of only two children, John T. and Nancv. of
whom the latter is still living in Westville unmar-
ried, ^frs. Hcniingwav. who died at the atrc of
fifty-two years, belonged to the Congregational
^ hurch. and was a lady of much character and
many excellencies of mind and heart.
John I. Hemingway was born in Woodbridge,
Dec. 13, 1828. His education was obtained in the
l)ublic school and the Orange Free Academy. F'or
many years he was a painter and decorator, making
his home in Westville, and at New Haven. In his
old age he came back to Westville, where he died
March 25, 1901, at the age of seventy-two. Mary
Piatt Hemingway, his wife, who is still living, was
born in Milford, Conn., a daughter of Col. William
Piatt, prominent in Milford alifairs. One child.
Dr. George I., blessed the home of John I. and
Mary (Piatt) Hemingway.
Col. William Piatt, who was born in ^lilford in
1794, descended in the seventh generation from
Richard Piatt, the first settler in that town. He
was a Colonel of the militia, and was a large and
intluential farmer. By his marriage with .Anna
Stowe, daughter of Jedcdiah and Sarah (Clark)
Stowc, he became the father of seven children, six
of whom are still living: William, Richard and
Phineas all live in Milford: Charlotte married
William C. Hall, who was employed for fifty years
in the car shops in New Haven ; Sarah married
Linus Cornwall, of Berlin ; and Mary is i\Irs. Hem-
ingway. Mrs. Anna (Stowe) Piatt was born in Mil-
ford in 1793, and lived to be over ninety years old.
With her husband, she belonged to the Congrega-
tional Church. Jedediah Stowe, father of Mrs.
Piatt, was a soldier in the Revolution, and in his
later years drew a pension from the government for
his services ; he married Sarah Clark, who was
born in Alilford, and died in the faith of the Con-
gregational Church at the age of eighty-eight, the
mother of seven children. Stephen Stowe, the
father of Jedediah, was also a hero of the Revolu-
tion, and gave food and shelter to American pris-
oners who escaped from the British prison ships
by swimming ashore on a cold, bleak winter's night.
These prisoners brought ship fever and smallpox
with them, and while Mr. Stowe ministered to their
needs, he fell a victim to the disease and died in the
path of duty.
Dr. George I. Hemingway spent his early years
in Westville, where he received his elementary edu-
cation in the common schools, and in the Hopkins
Grammar School. His medical education was be-
gun in the College of Phvsicians and Surgeons,
and was continued in the University of \'ermont,
from which institution he was graduated in 1897.
The same year, after giving not a little thought to
the matter, he selected New Haven for his home,
and opened his office for practice here, Nov. 29,
1897. A very flattering success has attended his
career in this citv, and he has won an enviable
standing both professionally and personally.
On Nov. 29. 1892. Dr. ilemingway was married
to Miss Ida Hallcnbeck, a native of Catskill. N. 'N'.,
where her father was a prominent citizen. She was
the only child of her parents, and is the mother of
one hov, Thornton W. Dr. Heniincnvay is a Re-
jniblican, and is a member of the State and County
740
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Medical Societies of Xcw Haven, where liis devo-
tion to his i)rnftssion and high character command
attention and inspire res])cct.
lloKACIi; TK.Ml'LK SMITH, who died Aug.
14, iSijS. at his home in Meriden, was one of the
most respected residents of that city. He was born
Sept. 30, 1833, in Landgrove. Bennington Co., \'t.,
where his father, Solomon Smith, was a farmer.
Solomon Smith was a native of (iiiilford, \ t.
He continued to till the soil in Landgrovc and
Plymouth, that State (going to the latter town soon
after 1840, until past midtlle life. He came to
Meriden about 1867. making his home with his
son. He was killed by a train at Drury's crossing
Feb. 14, 1873, and was buried in the West cem-
eterv. Mr. Smith was much respected for his up-
right character. He married Hannah Holman,
who died Oct. 23. 1850, in Plymouth, \'t., and was
buried in Springtield, that State. They were the
parents of eight children. Chauncey, the eldest.
born Aug. 30, 1818, is a resident of Hiawatha,
Neb. Sally, born July 12, 1820, died in San Ber-
nardino county, Cal. Lucy died in infancy. Lydia,
born April 30, 1826, first married Charles P. Still-
well, and for her second husband James Lawton ;
all are now deceased. Alva, born Nov. 4, 1828, is
deceased. Lucy A., born June 30. 1821, is the
widow of .\lmon Pratt, who was killed by a train
in .Meriden. Horace T. was the seventh. Sibyl,
born March 30, 1836. married James Roberts, and
resides in Ludlow, X'ermont.
Horace T. Smith grew up in a rural com-
munitv, ami had such educational advantages as the
region afforded. Before attaining liis majority he
engaged in teaming on his own account in Plym-
outh. \'t. In 1855 he settled in Meriden, and was
emploved until 1859 by Deacon R. B. Perkins, in
the express business. At the end of this period he
set up in business for himself, beginning with
four horses. His genial manners, integrity and
faithful attention to the wants of the public had
alreadv made him popular, and his business stead-
ilv increased until at the tiiue of his death he was
the owner of thirty-six horses, and had the largest
patronage, by far, of the kind in Meriden. In
i8i;)7 he suffered a shock of paralysis, and further
attacks ultimately look away — Aug. 14. i8y8 — one
of the most enterprising and industrious citizens
Meriden ever held. His remains rest in the West
cemetery.
While not affiliated with any religious organi-
zation, Mr. Smith led an exemplary life, and
sought til follow the injunction laid down by the
Divine Master in the golden rule. He was not a
jx»litician. but supported the principles of the Re-
publican party, and served the city three years as
suiK-rintendent of streets. His broad and benevo-
kir ion is indicated by the fact that he was
afii til tiif three principal fraternal and
benevi.iUnt the world. He held member-
ship in Pa< . Xo. 87. I. O. O. F. : Myrtle
Lodge, Xo. 4, Knights of Pythias; and Meridian
Lodge, \o. yy, A. F. & .A. M., Keystone Chapter.
Xo. 27, R. A. M.. Hamilton Council, Xo. 22, R. &
S. M., and St. Elmo Commandery, K. T., all of
Meriden. He was always a patriotic supporter of
the govenmient, and when the Civil war began he
wished to go to the front as a soldier, but the de-
mands of his family kept him at home. However,
when his name was found among those drawn by