A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II, Part 44

Author: Hill, Everett Gleason, 1867- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 986

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 44

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JUDGE FRANK S. FAY.

Judge Frank S. Fay, the dean of the legal fraternity in Meriden, who in July, 1917, retired from the bench of the city and police courts after fourteen years of nearly con- tinnous service thereon, was born in Marlborough, Massachusetts, September 26, 1848, and traces his ancestry back through six generations to John Fay, who was born in England about 1648 and became the progenitor of the family in the new world. He sailed from Gravesend on the ship Speedwell in 1651, landing at Boston in June of that year. He made his way at once to Sudbury, where he had relatives living, but as early as 1669 he was at Marlborough, where are recorded the births of his children. He afterward removed to Watertown, where he buried his wife and one of his sons. He first wedded Mary Brigham and in 1678 he married Mrs. Susanna Morse, who was born in 1643 and was the widow of Joseph Morse and a daughter of William Shattuck, of Watertown. It seems that John Fay removed from Marlborough to Watertown as a measure of safety from attack by the Indians and after the return of peace, following the close of King Philip's war, he returned to Marlborough, where he passed away in 1690. His son, John Fay Il, was born in Marlborough, November 30, 1669, and on the 1st of December, 1690, was married to Elizabeth Wellington, who was born December 29, 1673, her parents being Benjamin and Elizabeth (Sweetman) Wellington. Her death occurred in March, 1729, and John Fay afterward married Levinah Brigham on the 16th of December, 1729. They made their home in that part of Marlborough which afterward became Westborough and following the incorporation of the latter place, Mr. Fay became one of its prominent citizens and was called to serve in several public offices. He died in 1747, while his wife survived him until March 8, 1749.

John Fay III was born December 5, 1700, and on the 17th of April, 1721, married Hannah Child. He died November 10, 1732, and his widow later became the wife of Samuel Lyscomb, of Southborough. The ancestor of Frank S. Fay in the fourth generation was Josiah Fay, who was born February 4, 1731, and on the 22d of March, 1757, wedded Mary Bent, who was born April 18, 1737, a daughter of Peter Bent, of Marlborough. She became the mother of nine children and passed away in 1831, when almost one hundred years of age. She had long survived her husband, who died August 8, 1776. About 1750 he had become a resident of Southborough, Massachusetts, and the following year was sergeant in the expedition to Crown Point. He served as warden in 1769 and as selectman in 1770, 1771 and 1775. He was a member of the brave band of minute men, who on the 19th of April, 1775, marched to Concord. Although he arrived too late to participate in the engagement there he pressed on to Cambridge, was ordered to Dorchester Heights and there stayed during the occupation by the British of the town of Boston. He was promoted to the rank of major and was wounded in the battle of White Plains. Afterward he was ordered to New York city, where he passed away August 8, 1776, thus laying down his life on the altar of freedom.

Josiah Fay, son of Major Josiah Fay, was born June 10, 1758, and had a twin sister. Mary. He remained on the old homestead in Southborough until 1799 and then removed

frank & fay

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to Marlborough. In addition to farming he engaged in manufacturing there by hand and was a skilled mechanic. In 1775 he served as selectman, as field drummer in 1787 and as constable in 1791. He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war and held the title of captain. In 1788 he married Hepzibah Collins, of Southborough, Massachusetts, a descendant of Miles Standish. She was born in 1751 and died August 19, 1843, while Josiah Fay passed away in Marlborough, February 18, 1845. Their family numbered ten children, including George William Fay, who was born May 12, 1805, and died February 5, 1867. His wife, Amanda Almira Ward, was born April 20, 1814, her parents being Jeremiah and Eunice (Storrs) Ward of Willimantic, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Fay were married in Willimantic, October 5, 1835, and for some time resided in Marlborough, where Mrs. Fay passed away.

Frank S. Fay, whose name introduces this review, was the fifth in order of birth in their family of six children. Reared in his native city of Marlborough, he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1869 and, determining upon the practice of law as a life work, he at onee began preparation for the har, to which he was admitted in 1871, since which time he has followed his profession in Meriden, and is today the dean of the legal fraternity in his city. In 1877 he was chosen city attorney and filled the office for two years, and again from 1895 until 1902. He was prosecuting agent from 1882 until 1893 and in 1902 became judge of the city and police courts, in which position he continued until February, 1915. At the end of eighteen months he was returned to that position and continued to serve upon the bench until July, 1917. He made a most creditable and commendable record, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial, based upon the law and equity in the case. He has long been regarded as one of the most able lawyers of his part of the state, possessing a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, while in the application of these principles he is seldom if ever at fault. In 1891 he was town site trustee for U. S. Grant, Oklahoma.

On the 28th of September, 1881, Mr. Fay was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth B. Ham, of Stuyvesant, New York, who passed away September 1, 1912. In religious faith Judge Fay is an Episcopalian and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is well known in club circles, holding membership in the Home, Colonial and Meriden Bird Clubs, and in the last named he has been the president. He is also a member of the Audubon Society and he has been a frequent contributor to the press of articles on hunting, fishing, birds and wild flowers. He finds his chief recreation in fishing and in bird rambles. For many years he has been a most close and interested student of bird life and is now president of the American Bird Society. He is also a member of the committee to pass on the moral standing of applicants for admission to the bar in New Haven county. His religions faith is indicated by his membership in St. Andrew's Episcopal church. He is a man of scholarly attainments and of broad and liberal culture who bas ever recognized the fact that the keenest pleasure in life comes from intellectual stimulus, and his activities, therefore, have been directed largely to fields of educational worth and value, while in one of the foremost of the learned professions he has made for himself a position of distinction.

HARRY GRIFFING COOKE.

Harry Griffing Cooke, one of the extensive growers of fruit and vegetables for the city markets, is a resident of Branford, where his birth occurred May 30, 1878, his par- ents being Samuel Griffing and Cornelia (Palmer) Cooke. The father was born in Honey Creek township, Adams county, Illinois, August 31, 1835, and was a son of Increase W. and Harriet D. (Griffing) Cooke, who were natives of North Guilford and of Branford, Connecticut, respectively. The members of the family are descendants of Henry Cooke, who came from the west of England and settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts, prior to 1640.

Samuel Griffing Cooke was reared in Illinois to the age of twelve years and during that period became a pupil in the public schools near his home. At the age of twelve he accompanied his parents on their return to Branford, Connecticut, where he lived from 1848 until 1855. He then again went to Adams county, Illinois, where he followed farming

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and while there residing he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in defense of the Union as a member of Company A, Fiftieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which command he was promoted to the rank of corporal and of sergeant, while later he became second lieutenant and first lieutenant. While acting in the last named capacity he was in command of Company I of the Forty-fourth United States Colored Troops. He served throughout the entire period of bostilities and participated in many of the most hotly contested battles of that sanguinary conflict. When the war was over Samuel G. Cooke again came to Branford and in 1870 he leased a farm, which in 1872 he purchased, becom- ing owner of one hundred and forty-eight aeres of rich and productive land. He was a prominent fruit grower and continued to engage in that business until his demise, which occurred in Branford in October, 1915. His wife, who was born in Branford, still oc- cupies the old homestead. They were the parents of five children, all of whom are yet living: Charles W., who follows farming in Branford; Lizzie L., the wife of Louis Wileox, a resident of Guilford, Connecticut; Susie, at home; Harry G., of this review; and Addison, who is a farmer of Branford.

Harry Griffing Cooke acquired his education in the schools of Branford and has de- voted his entire life to agricultural and horticultural pursuits. He and his brother are associated in business under the firm style of C. W. & H. G. Cooke and they are now engaged in cultivating over three hundred acres of land on the Guilford road, being ex- tensively engaged in the raising of fruit and vegetables, which they ship to New York, New Haven and Boston markets. They are very careful concerning the excellence of their produet and by reason of this, as well as their honorable dealings, they have secured a very extensive and gratifying patronage.

On the 7th of January, 1907, Mr. Cooke was united in marriage to Miss Edith Hunt- ington, of Norwalk, Connecticut, who was born in Wilton, this state, but acquired her education at Norwalk. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children: Irving Huntington, Nelson Bradley and Mary Adelpha, all born in Branford.

Mr. Cooke is identified with the Congregational church and takes an active interest in all that pertains to its growth and the extension of its influence. His political allegianee is given to the republican party and fraternally he is connected with the Royal Arcanum. Along business lines he has become associated with the Connecticut Pomological Asso- ciation. He is one of the foremost fruit raisers of his seetion of the state and his long experience and ability enable him to speak with authority upon matters relating thereto.

MARCUS EBENEZER COOKE.

Mareus Ebenezer Cooke, orchardist, dairyman and banker, has also for the past eighteen years filled the position of selectman of the town of Wallingford and many publie improve- ments in his locality are attributable directly to his official activity. He has ever stood for progress and improvement and his efforts have been most resultant. Since December, 1857, he has occupied the Cooke homestead and through the intervening period of sixty years has figured most prominently in connection with public affairs and with business interests. He is a native of Hardenburg, New York, and is a descendant of one of the ohl New England families, tracing his ancestry baek to Henry Cooke, a native of Kent, Eng- land, who settled at Plymouth, Massachusetts, before 1640. The second generation was represented by Samuel Cooke, who was born in Plymouth and in 1663 removed to New Haven, Connecticut. In 1670 the family home was established in Wallingford, where the Cookes were among the first settlers, locating on what is now called Cooke's Hill, where the death of Samuel Cooke occurred in 1702. His son, Samuel Cooke, born in New Haven, devoted his life to farming at Wallingford and passed away in 1725. He was the father of Aaron Cooke, who was born on the Cooke Hill farm in 1696 and died there in 1756. The next in the line of direct deseent was Abel Cooke, who was born on the old family homestead in 1732 and there passed away in 1776. He was the father of Chester Cooke. who became the grandfather of Mareus E. Cooke. Chester Cooke was born October 6, 1774, on the Aaron Cooke homestead at Wallingford, was reared to manhood in that locality and in 1792 purchased the Cooke homestead farm upon which Mareus E. Cooke now resides.

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Chester Cooke devoted his entire life to farming and also was acquainted with the shoe- maker's trade. He was a prominent member of the democratic party and represented his district in the state legislature. He took an active and helpful part in all matters of citizenship and stood for progress and improvement at all times. He was twice married, his first union being with Thankful Hall, daughter of Hezekiah and Elizabeth (Merriman) Hall, while bis second marriage was with Polly Norton. He died August 13, 1864. His children were: Caroline, born September 5, 1801, the wife of Orrin Andrews; Marilda, who was born November 17, 1803, and became the wife of Sherlock Avery, of Wallingford; and Hiram.

The last named, Hiram Cooke, was born April 23, 1805, on the farm now occupied by his son Marens, and his entire life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. Ile was a man of affairs in his community and was called upon to fill various publie offices. He, too, was chosen to represent his district in the general assembly and, moreover, he was the first judge of the borough court of Wallingford. He took an active interest in the work of the democratic party and did everything in his power to further its interests. Like his father, he was twice married. He first wedded Anna M. Marks, who was born June 27, 1808, a daughter of Colonel William Marks, a prominent citizen, who was appointed delegate from Wallingford to the state constitutional convention in 1818 and who was one of the first woolen cloth manufacturers in America. The death of Mrs. Hiram Cooke occurred September 30, 1855, and on the 18th of March, 1856, Mr. Cooke wedded Margaret A. Todd, who was born Jaunary 1, 1833, and was called to the home beyond December 30, 1891. The death of Hiram Cooke occurred November 7, 1873, and his remains were interred in the Center Street cemetery. The children of the first marriage were six in number. Chester William, the eldest, born December 14, 1830, wedded Mary Merwin, May 29, 1855. Hiram D. was born October 18, 1832. Aurelius Baxter was born October 21, 1834, and died May 6, 1842. Martin Van Buren was born June 20, 1839. Jane Anna was born November 4, 1843. Marens E. was the youngest of that marriage. The children born of the second marriage were: Thankful Estella, whose birth occurred May 10, 1857; and Waldo D., born December 31, 1860.

Marcus E, Cooke, born November 2, 1849, was a little lad of but eight years when the family home was established upon what was known as the old Cooke homestead at Wallingford. He attended the district schools but his educational opportunities were some- what limited and it has been in the school of experience that he has learned life's most val- uable lessons. To a great extent he has made his own way in the world. His life has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits with dairying and fruit raising as a specialty. The homestead farm on which he resides originally embraced fifty acres. He purchased the interests of the other heirs in the property in 1873 and- has since added one hundred and twenty-five or one hundred and thirty acres to the farm. He is one of the prominent and progressive dairymen of his section of the state and is one of the leading fruit growers of Con- necticut, having over four thousand trees upon his place. He likewise makes a specialty of poultry raising and is actuated in all that he does by a most progressive spirit. He has a beau- tiful home on East Main street, having remodeled and improved the residence, while to the place he has added many substantial and commodious outbuildings. In addition to his other interests he is well known in banking circles, for through twenty years he has been a director of the Dime Savings Bank and since its organization has been the first vice president of the Wallingford Trust Company. Since 1873 he has been engaged in the sale of agricultural implements and it is said that he sells more farm machinery than anyone in Wallingford.

On the 12th of February, 1884, Marcus E. Cooke was united in marriage to Miss Clara E. Potts, of South Egremont, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and they have become the parents of four children: Lillian A., who was born May 19, 1886, and died October 6, 1888; Chester Herman, who was born April 19, 1888, and is upon the home farm; Mabel Anna, who was born March 30, 1892, and is the wife of George K. Vernon, of Windsor, Hartford county; and Florence Marks, who was born September 6, 1894, and is a graduate of Smith College of Northampton and now a teacher of mathematics in the Wallingford high school.

There is an interesting military chapter in the life record of Mr. Cooke, who served for nine years, from 1871 until 1880, as a member of Company K, Second Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard. In community affairs he has always taken a deep and helpful

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interest and has cooperated in many plans and measures which have led to the upbnild- ing and development of this section of the state. In 1879 he was appointed overseer and buikler of the town roads and occupied that position for several years. Recognition of needs in that direction led him to invent and patent several valuable pieces of road ma- chinery. For the past eighteen years he has been one of the selectmen of the town of Wallingford and remained at the head of that body until two years ago. During that period he was responsible for many improvements which others thought it impossible to secure. He was instrumental in establishing the state highway and in securing one or more cement bridges each year. He widened and improved Center street and organized the Center Street Cemetery Association. He also helped to raise a large fund for the improve- ment of the cemetery and its upkeep, had the land regraded, a cement wall built around it and all stones straightened up and restored, making the city of the dead an ornament to Wallingford. It is now considered one of the finest cemeteries of New England. In politics Mr. Cooke has always been a stanch democrat, but he has the support and approval of men of every party. Like his father and grandfather before him, he has been a member of the state legislature and has left the impress of his individuality upon the laws of Connecticut. He is president of the Wallingford Agricultural Society and was one of the organizers of the Wallingford Grange, of which he served as master for two years. The interests of his life have been broad and varied and his labors have been beneficial and resultant. No one has questioned the integrity of his purpose, for in all that he does he is actuated by a public-spirited devotion to the general good. His worth is widely acknowl- edged and he is accounted one of the valued citizens of Wallingford.

HON. DEXTER RUSSELL WRIGHT.

Hon. Dexter Russell Wright, whose death occurred in New Haven July 23, 1886, was & member of the New Haven county bar for nearly forty years and was widely known as an able and reliable corporation and business lawyer, and as a citizen and public man he at- tained distinction.

Mr. Wright was horn June 27, 1821, at Windsor, Vermont, a son of Alpheus and Anna (Loveland) Wright. The father was engaged in the milling and lumber business and subse- quently removed to the state of New York. After Dexter R. Wright was educationally pre- pared he entered Wesleyan at Middletown, from which he was graduated in 1845. For a brief period he was principal of the Meriden Academy and then entered the law department of Yale, from which he was graduated in 1848. While pursuing his studies he was for a time clerk in the office of E. K. Foster, of New Haven. In 1848 he was admitted to the bar and began the practice of his profession in Meriden. With the exception of a brief period of business and legal experience with the pioneers of California, in 1850 and 1851, he continued in practice in Meriden until 1862. In November, 1863, Mr. Wright opened an office in New Haven where he followed his professional career the remaining years of his life. Here his abilities as a commercial and business lawyer and counselor became noted and a large and lucrative practice was ready to his hand. The briefs which Mr. Wright submitted to the supreme court were prepared with great skill and showed remarkable familiarity with the English language. Courteous and affable to all with whom he came in contact, his commanding form and fine carriage, added to his learning and eloquence, gave him much influence with both court and jury.

Mr. Wright began life as a democrat and was a warm adherent of the principles of that party as they were declared prior to 1861. In 1849 he was elected to the state senate from the sixth district, being supported by both democrats and the free soilers. In the election in 1860 Mr. Wright agreed with those democrats who, under the leadership of the Hartford Times, supported Senator Breckenridge for president. When the secession movement took definite shape and could not be allayed Mr. Wright and his intimate personal and business friend, Charles Parker, of Meriden, without hesitation ranged themselves on the side of the Union and, in company with James T. Pratt, Roger Averill and other democrats, worked with surpassing devotion for its preservation.

Mr. Wright was made lieutenant colonel of the Fourteenth Connecticut Volunteer In-

HON. DEXTER R. WRIGHT

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fantry, and in August, 1862, was made colonel of a regiment composed of recruits from New Haven county. This was the Fifteenth Connecticut Volunteers which, under Colonel Wright's careful and thorough training, quickly became one of the most promising regiments camped around Washington in the fall of 1862. The Fifteenth Connecticut was brigaded with four other regiments and Colonel Wright became the commander. Early in 1863 he was directed to take his brigade to Fredericksburg, and though he had been seriously injured in the overturning of an ambulance he promptly led his troops to Falmouth and there reported for duty.

In March, 1863, Colonel Wright, still suffering from the effects of his injury at Alex- andrla and ill from the effects of exposure during Burnside's futile movements around Fredericksburg, resigned his command and returned home to throw himself into the cause of the Union republican party in the heated campaign then in progress between the dem- ocrats with Thomas H. Seymour, on a peace platform, and William A. Buckingham as the candidate of the Union party. Colonel Wright was elected to the state legislature as the representative from Meriden and during the sessions of May and November, 1863, acted as chairman of the committee on military affairs, at that time perhaps the most important in the house. He was an acknowledged leader in a house that contained some of the brainiest men of the state. He took a brilliant part in the protracted debate over the Vallandigham question and reported the bill for the organization of colored troops from the state. Colonel Wright took an active part in the organization of the Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth Connecti- cut Colored Volunteer Infantry, and materially assisted in securing their equipment. In the summer of 1863 he was made a member of the enrollment board for the second congressional district and filled this position with credit to the end of the war.

Following the advent of peace Colonel Wright allied himself with the republican party and became one of its recognized leaders in the state. He was president of the convention which nominated Joseph R. Hawley for governor in 1866 and manifested unusual gifts as a presiding officer. For several years he was a member of the city council and the board of aldermen of New Haven, and in 1873 was made corporation counsel of New Haven. For four years he was United States district attorney for Connecticut, and in 1878 was elected a representative to the general assembly and was chosen speaker of the house in January, 1879. He was a stanch supporter of James A. Garfield and James G. Blaine. During all these years of public activity no client of his ever suffered from a neglect of his interests, nor would he permit his earnest work in his profession to lag. As a citizen Colonel Wright was always deeply devoted to the growth, prosperity and general improvement of Meriden and New Haven. He had charge of the erection of many of the public buildings in both these places and his abilities were ever at the command of the community which he called home.

Colonel Wright was married Feb. 3, 1848, to Miss Maria H. Phelps, a daughter of Colonel Epaphras L. Phelps, of East Windsor, Connecticut, and this union was blessed with six children. Dexter R., born in 1852, died young. Maria A., born April 8, 1854, in 1872 mar- ried Henry L. Hinton, of New York city. Charles P., born in 1857, died young. Harriet P., born January 31, 1860, was married in 1886 to Elisha Hewitt, of New Haven. Paul, born February 23, 1862, was married to Minnie L. Crawford. Arthur B. is a lawyer. He married Harriet B. Sprague, a native of New York city.

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A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II, Part 44

Author: Hill, Everett Gleason, 1867- [from old catalog] Publication date: 1918 Publisher: New York, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 986

Author: Hill, Everett Gleason, 1867- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 986