fnim English shores to seek a new home and better
fortune in the land where so many of his fellow
countrymen had become affluent, while not a few
had risen to posts of high honor in the service of
the State. After reaching America he first went to
Girardville, Pa., where he entered the employ of
James Connor, an extensive mine owner, as fore-
nian. Here his previous experience stood him in
good stead, and he soon became one of the most
valued and trusted men about the mines. Yet he
did not find his surroundings wholly to his liking,
and after a short time he removed to Birmingham,
Conn., where he first found work in the Ailing mill,
and later in and about the building of the dam
across the Housatonic river, then in process of con-
struction. An opportunity presenting itself to en-
gage in the retail liquor business, Mr. Flaherty
embraced it, and was at once made local agent for
the Albany Brewing Co. and given control of all
the territory lying within the Housatonic Valley.
This agency he still holds, and the energetic, up-
right, business-like way in which he has discharged
the duties of the trust has rendered the same a
source of mutual profit to himself and the well-
known corporation which he represents.
Mr. Flaherty is a man of rare native intelligence,
sound business sense and tireless energy. Indus-
try, perseverance and honesty have raised him from
a contractor's employe to the position of a wealthy
land owner and the heaviest individual tax payer in
the localitv in which he lives. His assessment is
$122,000 in Sheldon, Ansonia and Derby, the fifth
highest on the tax list. Generally speaking, his
policy has been to buy real estate and hold it, and
time has abundantly justified his judgment. Yet,
while watchfully caring for his own interests, he
has never for a moment forgotten his obligations
as a citizen. Broad-minded and public-spirited, he
has ever been quick to recognize the fact that public
and private interests, in the highest and truest sense,
must go hand in hand, and advance or retrograde
together. He has been intimately identified with the
building up of Derby, and no history of that city
would be complete which failed to chronicle his
early struggles and ultimate success. In politics
Mr. Flaherty is a Democrat. Yet, while acting with
his party on National and State issues, in local elec-
tions he is able to rise above partisanship, holding
the best interests of the community as higher than
any mere claim of political managers to blind party
fealty. His religious faith is that of his forefa-
thers, and he is a most generous contributor to St.
Mary's Catholic Church.
On Aug. 5, 1865. Mr. Flaherty was married, in
England, to Margaret Garrity. who, like her hus-
band, is a native of Ireland. Their union has been
blessed with seven children : Mary married George
H. Ennis, an attorney of Derby, and has four
children, George, Margaret, Madclina and Adri-
cnne. William is deceased. Elizabeth is unmar-
ried, and lives at home. Michael, Jr., is a grad-
uate of Vale, and an attorney in Derby. Hugh F.
is attending school at Moiuit St. Mary's College,
Maryland. Margaret and John are deceased.
FRANK S. NICHOLS, a well-known grocer
and prominent citizen of Millville, is a native of
New Haven county, born in Naugatuck, Oct. 28,
1842, and is a representative of one of its old and
highly respected families. Isaac Nichols, Sr., his
grandfather, made his home throughout life in
Naugatuck, and followed the occupation of farm-
ing. He married Esther Sperry, a native of Beth-
any, Conn., and to them were born thirteen chil-
dren : Mary, Clara, Maria, Esther, Joseph, Will-
iam, Jerome, Horace, Isaac, Nathan, Joel, Noys
and George. The sons were either farmers or
mechanics, and all made their home in this State.
Isaac Nichols, Jr., father of our subject, was
born in Naugatuck, June 14, 1820, and in that town
grew to manhood Learning the joiner's and wheel-
wright's trades, he built many houses and water-
wheels in early life, and later erected the store
building now occupied by our subject, where he en-
gaged in the grocery business for six or eight years.
He served one year as a member of Covnpany H,
23d Conn. V. I. He was a Republican in politics.
Isaac Nichols wedded Mary E. Hotchkiss, of Pros-
pect, Conn., a daughter of Avery Hotchkiss, who
was a farmer by occupation. Mr. Nichols died in
October, 1882, and his wife in 1888. In their fam-
ily were five children, namely : Frank S., our sub-
ject; Frederick O., agent for the Armour Beef Co.
at Troy, N. Y. ; Charles B., a traveling salesman
residing in Bridgeport, Conn. ; Deetle A., who mar-
ried George Myers, of Pennsylvania, and resides in
Naugatuck, where he is a master mechanic ; and
Ida E., who married Henry Richards, and subse-
quently l.iecame the wife of Frederick Clark, of
Naugatuck.
Our subject passed his boyhood and youth in
his native town, and his education was received in
its public schools. He was one of the boys in blue
during the dark days of the Rebellion, serving
three years as a member of Company K, 6th Conn.
V. I., and taking part in thirteen pitched battles,
besides many skirmishes. He enlisted Sept. 12,
1861 and was discharged at New Haven, Sept. 16,
1864. On his return to Naugatuck he worked for
the Goodyear Glove Co. for six years, and then
went to Titusville, Pa., where he spent two years in
the oil regions. The following year he was em-
ployed at Miller Brothers cutlery establishment, in
Meriden, Conn., and was next a member of the
police force of that place for about two years. Re-
signing his position, he returned to Naugatuck,
Sept. 10, 1877, ^""^ purchased the grocery store in
Millville which he has since successfully conducted,
receiving a liberal share of the public patronage.
I 102
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
On Sept. 12, 1866, Mr. Nichols was united in
marriage with Miss Maria Camp, a native of Terry-
ville, Conn., and a daughter of Jerome Camp, who
was also born in that place. Our subject and his
wife have two children: Lewis F., superintendent
cif the making department of the Goodyear Metal-
lic Shoe Co.; and Emma J., wife of Walter Brown,
a meat dealer of Naugaluck.
Mr. Nicnols is a member of the Board of Trade
and is quite prominent in business circles. Politi-
cally he affiliates with the Republican party, and has
been called u]X)n to serve as assessor of his town
for five consecutive years and as a meml)er of the
board of charities three years. He attends the
Iipiscopal Church, and is a prominent member of
the following societies: P. C. Isbell Post, No. 43,
G. A. R.; Shephard Lodge, No. 78, F. & A. M. ;
Allerton Chapter, No. 39, R. A. M.; Evergreen
Chapter, No. 22, O. E. S. ; Hancock Lodge, No.
28, L O. O. F. ; Columbia R. D. Lodge, No. 30,
L O. O. F.; Mattatuck Tribe, No. 25, L O. R. M.;
and Salem Lodge, No. 36, A. O. U. W.
JOSEPH W. ZWIEBEL, the well-known and
popular proprietor of the Belleview Lake summer
resort of W'aterbury, was born in Tapfheim, Ba-
varia, Germany, July 7, 1847, ^ son of John and
^^'alburga (Koettel) Zwiebel, also natives of Ba-
varia, where they continued to make their home
throughout life. Both were members of the Cath-
olic Church, and the father was a brewer by occu-
pation. In their family were nine children, namely:
Josepha, who is living at the old home in Germany ;
V ictoria, deceased ; John, a resident of New Eng-
land; George, of Gennany; Joseph W., our sub-
ject; Anthony, of Germany; Ulrich, of Germany;
John N., in London, England; and Kreszenz, at
home in Germany.
Joseph W. Zwiebel received a good education in
his native tongue, and in early life learned the ma-
chinist's trade, which he followed for several years.
He was married in Bavaria to Miss Kreszenz Dirr,
a native of the. same county as her husband and u
daughter of Joseph Dirr. She is a well-educated
woman of good business ability. To Mr. and Mrs.
Zwiebel were born seven children, as follows:
Adolph, at home; Otto, Walburga and Eugen,
who all died young; Grace and Otto (2), both at
home ; and Joseph, who died young.
In 1881 Mr. Zwiebel and his family emigrated
to America, sailing from Antwerp, and landing in
New York City. They first located in Torrington,
Conn., where he worked at his trade. After spend-
ing two years and a half at that place, he came to
W'aterbury and found employment in Benedict &
Burnham's factory, where he remained until 1893.
Having saved some money, he purchased the
grounds called Belleview Lake Grove, and has since
made extensive improvements upon the place. He
has erected a dance hall, built pleasure toats, and
added many other attractions, so that it is now one
of the most beautiful and popular summer resorts
of the locality. In carrying on this place Mr. Zwie-
bel has met with most ixcellent success. He is of a
genial disposition, courteous and obliging, and
caters to the wants of his patrons. He is also in-
dustrious and possesses good business ability and
sound judgment. In his political views he is lib-
eral, and in religious faith he and his family are
Catholics.
MARTIN BURKE, one of Branford's well-
respected citizens, and foreman of the carpenter
department of the Branford Lock Works, Bran-
ford, is a native of that city, born July 12, 1855, a
son of John and Bridget (Gibbs) Burke, who were
natives of County Galway, Ireland. In 1847
John Burke came to America, and here in Con-
necticut, was employed for a time as a laborer on
the Shore Line railroad, and later found work as
a polisher in the Lock Works at Branford, where
he has since remained. He married Bridget Gibbs,
and thirteen children were born to them, seven of
whom grew to maturity: Mary (Mrs. W'illiam H.
Farrell), Bridget (Mrs. Richard O'Neil), :Martin,
John (now deceased), Patrick, ^lichael, and Nel-
lie (now deceased).
Martin Burke, whose name introduces these
lines, received a limited education at the public
schools of Branford, and at the age of fourteen en-
I tered the Branford Lock W'orks as a helper in the
japanning room. Later he was promoted to the
spindle room, and since 1882 has been foreman of
the carpenter department.
Mr. Burke has been twice married, first time
in 1880, to Joanna Welch, who was a daughter of
John Welch, and died in 1881, leaving one son
jonn P. In 1892 our subject wedded Kate Hurley,
who has borne him six children: Ellen, Martin,
Jr., Edward F., Thomas J., Mary and Catherine.
The family attend services at St. Mary's Catholic
Church of Branford; socially Mr. Burke is affili-
ated with the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the
Knights of Columbus : in politics he is a stanch
Democrat, and he has been chairman of the Town
Democratic Committee nine years, and through his
push and energ}' the party has been victorious on
many close elections. In municipal affairs he has
served on the board of relief nine years, and as as-
.'essor four years. He was captain of the Yale &
Towne fire department from its organization in
1898; and he organized the Branford fire depart-
ment in September, 1899. l>econiing its chief, and
served until January, 1901.
AMITY A. HOLSER, a dairy farmer and
fruit grower of the East Farms section of the town,
of Wallingford, was born in New York City, AugJ
! 29, 1847. Ignate Holser, his father, was born inj
Baden, (lermany, son of Anthony Holser, a farmer,|
whose entire life was spent in Baden.
Ignate Holser was educated in the German
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1 103
>cliools, and learned the trade of shoemaking.
While still young- he came to this country, on
a sailinjj vessel, and landed in Xew York, poor in
everything save the strength and courage of youth,
l-'-inding eiiiploynient at his trade, he worked as a
journeyman for a time, and then started up a shop
of his own, doing custom work. In 1874 he left
New York and came to Wallingford, huying the
farm on which his son Amity now resides. It con-
tains 108 acres, and under his industrious labors
was greatly improved. Here ^Ir. Ilolser died in
1894, and he was buried in Wcstfield, Mass. In
politics he was a Democrat, and in religion a mem-
ber of the Catholic Church. Ignate Holser was
married in July, 1841, in the city of New York, to
Miss Susan Wolff, a native of Worms, Germany,
and daughter of John Wolff, a carpenter, who died
in Chicago. Mrs. Holser is still living with her
.>;on, .Vmity A. To their union were born the fol-
lowing children: Onrine married John Snyder, of
Westheld. Mass., and is now deceased: Amity .\.
is our subject; Martin is a resident of Northford,
Conn. : Kmma married John Welsh ; Susan died
young; Susan (2) died unmarried; two children
died in infancy.
Amity A. Holser attended the public schools of
the city of New York and Westfield, Mass. Learn-
ing the trade of a carpenter, he worked at same for
nine years in New York, and then came to the farm
to help his father. After the death of the latter the
farm passed into his possession, and he has become
deeply interested in dairying and in peach culture.
A hard-working and industrious man, he has made
many substantial improvements in the farm and its
management, and has become quite prosperous. In
politics he is independent, and beheves in a business
administration of local and general affairs. Domes-
tic in his habits, he devotes himself to a tender and
beautiful care for his mother in her old age. lie
has never married.
WILLIAM G. HARD, a prominent merchant
and honored citizen of Naugatuck, was born in
Watertown, Litchfield Co., Conn., August 31, 1858.
He is a representative of old and highly respected
families of Connecticut, hi; ancestors for over
two hundred years having- been residents of this
State. On the paternal side he is a descendant in
the eighth generation of James Hard, who settled
in Derby about 1680, and married Elizabeth Tom-
linson. daughter nf William Toni'lnsfMi, in 1603.
So far as is known no other progenitor by the name
of Hard ever came to this country until after 1800.
The descendants of James Hard are now legion ;
besides the hundreds in this State there are a great
many in northern \'ermont, and as is the case with
the posterity of many of our early settlers, they are
now scattered thronghcut the I'nited States.
I Andrew C. Hard, our subject's father, was also
a native of Litchfield county, born July 3, 1828,
â– and grew to manhood in \\atertown. Before the
days of railroads he drove a stage from that place
to New Haven, and is still engaged in the trucking
business. His home is in Watertown. He mar-
ried Miss Mary Aim Russell, who was born in
Waterbury June 30, 1831, and they became the
])arents of seven children, as follows : Charles G.,
bom Sept. 19, 1856, died Jan. 18, 1889; William
G., our subject, is next in order of birth; Myron
R., born Feb. ii, 1861, is a resident of Waterbury;
Lottie B., born Sept. 14, 1867, is assistant post-
master at Watertown; Andrew M., born March
7, 1869, Russell H., born Dec. 15, 1870, and John
M., born April 15, 1874, are all at home.
Chester Russell, the maternal grandfather of
our subject, was a native of Waterburj-, and a
farmer by occupation. He died Dec. 5, 1841, at
the early age of thirty-one years. His father
Stephen Russell, was also a fanner and a resident
of Waterbury. The latter married Sabria Hotch-
kiss, who w-as born July 19, 1773, a daughter of
Amos and Abigail Hotchkiss ; her father was the
sixth son of Gideon Hotchkiss, a very prominent
man of his time and a property owner in New
Haven county, who was born in Prospect Dec. 5,
1 716, and died Sept. 3, 1807. Gideon Hotchkiss
was deacon of the church, and served as selectman
and rejjresentative from the town of Prospect (then
called Columbia) to the State Legislature. He
was a soldiir of the j'rench and Indian war, and
also aided the Colonies in achieving their in-
dependence as a soldier of the Revolution, and had
several sons in the latter conflict. He was the fa-
ther of nineteen children, by two marriages, his
second wife being Mabel Stiles, a daughter of Isaac
Stiles, of Southbury. To this union were born
most of his children. At his death two hundred
and sixtv-five of his descendants were living around
him in New Haven county. He was the seventh
child of Stephen Hotchkiss, a native of New
Haven, wdio was born Aug. 12, 1681, and married
Elizabeth Sperry, daughter of John Sperry, of New
Haven. Stephen I lotchkiss was an extensive
farmer, and made his home in the parish of
Cheshire, in the town of Wallingford. His father,
Joshua Hotchkiss, was born in New Haven Sept.
I 16, 1651, and became a leading citizen of the place.
He was a son of Samuel Hotchkiss, a native of
Essex, England.
William G. Hard, whose name introduces this
sketch, passed his boyhood and youth in Water-
town, and received his education there. He began
his business career as clerk in a general store at
that jilace, working for his board and clothes, and
during the seven years that w'cre thus passed thor-
oughly mastered the business in all its details. In
1880 he went to Waterbury, where he clerked for
two years, and then came to Naugatuck as head
clerk for the K. II. Carrington Co.. with
which he was connected for five years. In 1886
he opened a general store of his own in Nauga-
tuck, and now enjoys a large and lucrative trade.
1 104
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
On Aug. 24, 1881, Mr. Hard married Miss
Eiulora E. Holt, of Waterbury, a daughter of Nel-
son Holt, who was a soldier of the Civil war and
died in one of the Southern prisons during that
struggle. To this union have been born four chil-
dren, namely: Frank N. : Eva M., who died Jan.
12, 1893; Jrma E. ; and Mildred H.
Politically Mr. Hard is independent, and so-
cially is a member of the Independent Order of
Odd I'^ellows ; Ancient Order of United Workmen ;
Knights of the Maccabees ; Modern Woodmen of
America ; United Order of the Golden Cross ; and
Inde])cndent Order Foresters. In nearly all these
societies he holds some responsible position of
trust. He is a prominent member of the Congre-
gational Church of Naugatuck, and is an active
worker in the Christian Endeavor Society, in which
he has held all the offices. He was president of
the \N'aterto\vn Union for some time, and was in-
strumental in organizing the society at that place.
He was also one of the founders of the Yoimg
Men's Christian Association at that place ; was a
member of its board of directors ; and has always
taken an active interest in all church work. He
is a busy man, yet he is ever ready to pause in the
midst of his duties to listen to appeals and relieve
the needy. He is wholly worthy the respect which
is everywhere tendered him, for his name is a syno-
nym with honorable dealing and with all that is
elevating to the individual and beneficial to the
city.
HARRY S. HOTCHKISS, late of Xaugaluck,
was one of the wealthiest and most popular citizens
of that town. He was born in New Haven in No-
vember, 1845.
Mark Hotchkiss, his grandfather, was a pros-
perous farmer of New Haven county and a suc-
cessful teacher. He married Polly Hotchkiss (no
relative), and five children were born to them:
George, Lucius E., Mary A., Grace and Rosette.
Lucius E., the second son, was the father of Harry
S. Hotchkiss, and was born in Prospect, Conn. He
was a mason and contractor by occupation, con-
ducting business first in New Haven and afterward
in Naugatuck, where he died Jan. 6, 1877. He mar-
ried Harriet Cooper, and they had two children :
Mary, who died when four years old ; and Harry S.
Harry S. Hotchkiss received his early educa-
tion in the schools of his native town and at
Hackettstown, N. J. He learned the trade of a
mason from his father, and followed same, in con-
nection with contracting, until his death, which
occurred Feb. i, 1899. He was successful beyond
expectation, being naturally endowed with brains,
pluck and perseverance, to which were joined stead-
fast industry and close attention. He was a man
of kindly disposition and generous impulses, and
noted for his probity. In his political creed Mr.
Hotchkiss was a Republican. He served as town
assessor, and also four years as selectman. He
\ wa> a iliirty-second-degree Freemason and a mem-
ber of the I. O. R. M.
Mr. Hotchkiss married, Feb. 16, 1872, Mrs.
Maria R. (Beach) Seymour, who by her first hus-
band had a daughter, Cora, now the wife of Harry
A. Jlennett, of New York, who is connected with
the Title & Trust Guaranty Co. of that city. Mrs.
Hotchkiss was born in Winchester, Conn., of which
town her paternal grandfather, Caleb Beach, was
an early settler, having renuived there from Goshen,
this Stale. He erected a log cal)in there about 1740,
and some time during the decade 1760-70 built the
first frame house ever put up in the town. It is
still standing, and one of its most notable features
is its huge stone chimney, 12x7 feet at the base.
Hczekiah Beach, son of Caleb, was the father of
Mrs. Hotchkiss. He, too, was born in Winchester,
where he married Caroline Clark, a daughter of
Jude Clark, a farmer of Burlington, Conn. Mrs.
-Maria R. Hotchkiss was the fourth in the family
of ten children born to Hezekiah and Caroline
Beach, of whom three — Julius, Sarah J. and Charles
— died in infancy or early childhood. Of those who
reached mature years, George, Frank and Harry
arc farmers, the two first named in ^\'inchester, and
the latter in Naugatuck. Ellen married John Baker,
a sash and door manufacturer of Pleasant Valley,
Conn., and is now deceased. Samuel is a mechanic,
and resides in Beacon Falls. Hczekiah Beach died
in September, 1872, and his wife passed away in
1854. He was a man of influence and was sin-
cerely beloved for his manly character and many
virtues. In early manhood he was a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, but in later years
was a Second Adventist. In politics he was a Re-
publican.
HORACE G. FOSDICK. a well-known and
.successful wholesale baker in Ansonia, was born in
Sandisfield, Berkshire Co., Mass., March 24, 1859,
son of Robbins I'osdick, who was born in the
saiue place. George Fosdick, his father, was born
in Wethersfield, Conn., and was a son of William
Fosdick, a sea captain, who was also born in Weth-
ersfield.
Tlie Fosdicks settled early in Ne^v England, and
an ancestor of the family purchased land in Giarlcs-
town as early as 1635. From that point he went to
New London. Horace G. Fosdick is in the ninth
generation of his family in this country. His
grandfatber served in the war of 1812. Pie was a
saddler, and spent his life in Sandisfield, where he
died at the age of eighty-four years. He married
Rachel Parrot, who was born in Canaan, and her
father was a Quaker from Pennsylvania, though
she attended the Congregational Church with her
husband. They had a large family. Mrs. Fosdick
died at the age of eighty-two.
Robbins Fosdick, noted above as the father of
Horace G., was reared in Sandisfield. where he
received his education in the public schools. He
^/ /44^t3^>^^
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1 105
learned the trade of harnessmaking, remained at
home, and followed farming in connection with his
trade. He resided in Sandisfield up to 1884, when
he removed to An&onia, Conn., and has since lived
witfi his son Horace (I. Mr. Fosdick took an active
part in the "Kno\v-Nothin
that curious uprising in politics has been a Repub-
lican, reading widely and being well posted on all
questions at issue. He married Lucinda Collins,
who was born in Tvringham, Mass., a daughter of
Chester Collins, a farmer at that place. They had
five children, three of whom are still living:
Amisinda married Alphonso Merrell, of Westfickl,
Mass.; Horace G. is the subject proper of these
lines ; George, who lives in Derby, is foreman of the
rolling stock of the electric railway. The mother
died in 1894, at the age of sixtv-five years. She
was a member of the Baptist Church, and is re-
membered as a good wife and mother. James Fos-
dick, a brother of Robbins, served in the Civil war.
Horace G. Fosdick spent his earlier years under
the parental roof and was educated in the public
schools. At the age of fourteen years he went to
Derby, and drove team for a business man of that
place ; he attended sciiool during the winter for
five seasons. After this he spent one year in a
grocery and meat market, and another year as clerk
in a confectionery establishment. In 1880 he came
to Ansonia and began business as a confectioner,
continuing in this line for eighteen months, and