Historic People

John Tyler 1834-1914

On Jan 21, 1900, 56 East Haven townsmen joined the volunteer fire dept. Mr. Tyler was one of the charter members. This was the first time the volunteers organized formally into The East Haven Hose Co. No 1, The previous 8 years being an informal arrangement to keep the fire equipment in good order and to run it out in event of fire.  In Feb 1900, Chief Hagaman assigned Mr. Tyler to be one of the Hydrant men in event of a fire

Grove J. Tuttle    1851-1928

Grove J. Tuttle attended Yale Law School and graduated in 1873 and was also a community activist, with particular interest in education.  Between 1910 and 1920, the population began to grow rapidly and Judge Tuttle was drumming up support for the construction of more schools.  In 1925 he retired after getting Laurel Street School approved.  Once the Prospect Street School was erected, it was named Grove J Tuttle School in 1929, a year after his death.  He is at eternal rest in Greenlawn Cemetery.  

Lottie Street    1858-1942

Miss Lottie Street became best known for being the founder of the East Haven Library in 1909.  The state offered to furnish a case of books which Miss Street unpacked in the empty cloak room on the second floor of the Old Town Hall (located where the old Metcalf's Building is now) and opened the Public Library.  In 1917, the old Post Office, (which was located on the west side of the present Hagaman Library), became available so Miss Street helped make arrangements to rent the building and move the library.  Since the new Library's location was right next door to Isaac Hagaman's house and Miss Street became friends with his housekeeper it led to the bequest to the library by Mr. Hagaman.

Rev. Jacob Hemingway  1683-1754

The Rev. Jacob Hemingway was the first graduate in 1703 of the college at Saybrook (now Yale University) in 1703 and became the first minister of the East Haven Congregational Church (presently known as the Old Stone Church) in 1711.  His home was on the southeast corner of the Green.  Hemingway Avenue was named after Rev. Hemingway by the Town Council in 1903.