SHELDEN CHURCH, of Seymour, was a native of the town of Oxford, where he was extensively engaged in the timber business, getting out vessel frames and taking them to New York. He was obliged to cart the timber as far as Derby, and there load it on vessels, that being the only method of transportation in those days. When' Ansonia was built he furnished the frames for many of the buildings, factories, and residences from chestnut timber, cut on his own land, and sawed at his own mills (which were run by water pov/er) with the old-fashioned "up and down" saws. Mr. Church was an extensive land owner, and carried on farming on a large scale. When some fifty years of age he moved into Seymour, and retired from active participation in business affairs.

Shelden Church married Laura Lines, of Bethany, and of this union were born five sons and one daughter—Henry, William, John, Charles, Noyes and Alice—all of whom survived their parents. But one son, Charles (who lives in Cincinnati), and the daughter, Alice (who married Frederick Beecher, of Seymour), are now living (1902).

Although not an active politician, Mr. Church was an unfaltering Democrat, and decided in his views; he held a number of offices of trust in connection with town affairs. He died highly respected and esteemed in 1874; his wife passed away in 1871.

William Church, father of Shelden, was a contractor and road builder, and operated chiefly in New York and New Jersey.

JOHN CHURCH, third son of Sheldon Church, was born in Oxford June 30, 1830. His home was in his native town, but so near the Seymour line that he was well known in that town, and virtually a part of it. Like his father he was a large land owner, and engaged extensively in the timber and wood business. Of a retiring disposition, he took only such part in public affairs as he regarded the duty of each citizen. His death occurred Aug. 2, 1888.

In 1861 John Church was united in marriage with Sarah M., daughter of William S. Whiting, and two sons blessed their home:(I) Lewis Waiting, born in Oxford, in June, 1862, has charge of the landed estate left by his father, and assists his brother in his business. He is an earnest churchman, serving at present as junior warden of Trinity Episcopal Church in Seymour.(2) Stephen Betts, born in August, 1866, is extensively engaged in erecting suburban water works, the sale of gasoline engines and agricultural machinery; he has a large store house in Seymour, and one at his home in Oxford; his offices are in Seymour and Boston. His business is conducted on so large a scale as to necessitate agents throughout New England and the employment of a large force the year round. Both sons are unmarried, and make their home with their mother on the old homestead.