USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Litchfield County, Connecticut > Part 27
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HOMAS H. BROWN, a highly intel- ligent and respected business man of Thomaston, where he is engaged in the tea and coffee and crockery business, and also follows the vocation of an undertaker, was born in Plymouth, Conn., March 17, 1857, son of Thomas and Mary (Brown) Brown. Patrick Brown, the grandfather of Thomas H., was born in Ireland, of Irish parentage. His life was spent in that country, where he fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer.
His son, Thomas Brown, who was also a na- tive of Ireland, was brought up in the calling of his father, and received his education in that country. At the age of twenty years he came to this country, where upon his arrival he settled in Plymouth, Conn. He went to work as a carriage-painter in the large carriage factory which was then located in that town, and was there employed for several years. He next secured a position with the Seth Thomas Clock Company, remaining with them until within five years of his death, which occurred in 1893, in the sixty-third year of his age. His wife, who, though bearing the same sur- name as himself, was not a relative, was of Irish descent, and the daughter of James . Brown, who spent his life in Ireland as a farmer. She bore her husband seven children, of whom five are now living, namely : Thomas Il., the subject of this sketch; Joseph J., re- siding at South Norwalk, where he has charge of a restaurant ; Katy, employed in her brother's store; Maggie, a successful dress- maker; and Mary, who is employed in the office of the Seth Thomas Clock Company. Their mother died in April, 1891, sixty-one years of age. Both parents were consistent members of the Catholic church, the daughters being members of the choir.
Thomas H. Brown remained with his par- ents during his carly years, and acquired a
good common and high school education. lle then secured a position with the Seth Thomas Clock Company, and continued in their employ for nine years. At the expiration of that time he entered into business for himself; and since April, 1883, he has conducted a constantly increasing trade, winning by his upright deal- ings the respect and friendship of those with whom he comes in daily contact. Ile carries a complete line of teas and coffees and an ex- cellent assortment of crockery and glass ware, being the only merchant in Thomaston to make a specialty of these lines. In 1893 he added to his other business that of an undertaker, the serious duties of which he is well qualified to perform.
His political views are those of a stanch Democrat. He has served two years on the Board of Assessors, and has been a member of the Board of Relief. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters, being Treasurer of his court, of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and of the Knights of Columbus. He is a member of the Fire De- partment, and Treasurer of the Crescent Hose Company. In his religious belief he is a Catholic, and a communicant of St. Thomas Church.
ON. GUY C. FORD, of Washing ton, who is Judge of Probate and holds other important positions, was born on the Ford homestead in Washington, September 3, 1826, son of Captain Simeon and Mary (Fenn) Ford. The first representative of the Ford family in Washington was Sammel, the great-grandfather of Mr. Gay C Ford. Samuel Ford was born in Old Milford, and settled in Washington at an early date, He fought for independence in the Revolution, bravely undergoing the trials and privations that fell to the lot of the sturdy soldiers of
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the Continental army. His son Samuel, the grandfather of Mr. Ford, was also a native of Old Milford. He moved to Washington with his father, and spent his life there in the calm avocations of a farmer. He died in 1841, at the age of seventy-one years. His wife, whose maiden name was Betsey Platt, was a daughter of Samuel Platt, who also was a Revolutionary soldier. Mrs. Ford died at the age of seventy- five, laying down the burdens of life in 1850. They had but one son, Simeon.
Captain Simeon Ford, born in Washington in 1800, was content to follow in the footsteps of his father, tilling the paternal acres up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1871. His wife, who was the daughter of Gershom Fenn, a farmer of Washington, lived to be eighty-eight years old, passing from life in 1891. Simeon and Mary (Fenn) Ford reared the following children : Guy C., the subject of this sketch; Isabella, who died at the age of seven years; Frances H., who married John Woodruff, and has one child, Addie H. ; and Isabella B., who married Ray T. Kipp.
Guy C. Ford has also devoted a good part of his life to agriculture, tilling the farm which supported his father and grandfather. How- ever, being a man of unusual ability, he has been called to fill various official positions of responsibility, political and otherwise. His services are in frequent demand to settle es- tates. He has been a Justice of the Peace since 1856, and was appointed Judge of Pro- bate in 1891. He was elected to the legisla- ture on the Republican ticket in 1855, 1887, and 1891, serving in 1887 as Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Revision, and in 1889 as a member of the Educational Com- mittee.
In 1860 Judge Ford was united in marriage with Celia J., daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Canfield) Nettleton. Mrs. Ford died in
1884, in her fifty-seventh year, leaving one daughter, Ellen A., who is married to C. I. Parsley, and has one son, Anthony R. Judge Ford occupies a prominent place in Masonic circles, being First Past Master of Rising Sun Lodge, No. 27, A. F. & A. M., of Washing- ton, a member of Darius Chapter, No. 16, and of Buell Council of Litchfield. He also belongs to Washington Grange, No. 10. In religious matters he favors the Episcopal church, having been Warden and Lay Reader for alternate Sundays for nearly thirty years.
ENJAMIN F. LAMPHIER, a prom- inent farmer of Goshen, Conn., son of George and Elizabeth B. (Robin- son) Lamphier, was born in this town, Febru- ary 20, 1836. Mr. Lamphier's father, who was a native of Rhode Island, settled in Goshen at the age of twenty years, and here followed agriculture during the active period of his life. He owned a good farm, upon which he made various improvements, and was an industrious and highly respected member of the community. He died at the age of eighty- two years. His wife, Elizabeth B. Robinson, who was a daughter of Thomas Robinson, of Stonington, Conn., became the mother of six children. The following is a brief record of the family : Elizabeth Lamphier became Mrs. George H. Crandal; George W. married Emily Richardson, and reared five children - Ed- ward P., Emily E., George W., Origin S., and Alfred; Joseph married Elvira Clemens, and reared six children - Arthur G., Lydia E., Minnie J., Burton, Frederick, and Eugene; Homer died at the age of eighteen ; Benjamin F. is further spoken of in the paragraph below ; Lucretia died aged twenty-two years. Mrs. George Lamphier lived to reach the advanced age of ninety years.
B. F. LAMPHIER.
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Benjamin F. Lamphier attended the district schools of his native town, and was reared to farm life. He has always resided at the home- stead, which consists of one hundred and sixty acres of well-improved land; and he has man- aged his property with a degree of success that can only be attained through industry and a thorough practical knowledge of the principles and processes of agriculture. He is a Demo- crat in politics; and, although he has always closely applied himself to his legitimate occu- pation, he has found time to take part in pub- lic affairs, in which he has been called upon to serve in various responsible positions of im- portance. He has filled the offices of Consta- ble and Collector with ability, and in 1881 was elected to represent his town in the State legislature, in which capacity he rendered effi- cient service to the community whose interests were intrusted to his charge.
On November 3, 1858, Mr. Lamphier was united in marriage to Jerusha M. Howe, who was born in Canaan, May 21, 1839. Her father, Lyman Howe, who was a prosperous farmer of Canaan, Conn., died at the age of fifty-seven years. Ile and his wife, Jerusha Lowery Howe, reared a family of five children. The first, Erastus L., married Esther Bradley, and has one daughter, named Fanny, who is married and has four children --- Clinton E., Minnie E., Mande L., and Mabel. The sec- ond, Olive, is the wife of William W. Millard, of Canaan, and has three children - Fitch, who married Nettie Sardham; Mary, who mar- ried William Marsh, and has four children -- Charles, John, Ray, and William I .. , who married Mary Marsh, of Cornwall. The third, Henry, married Mary Merwin, and has six children - Elizabeth, Lyman, Sarah, Harriet, Julia, and Emma. The fourth was Jerusha. The fifth was Elisha, who died aged eighteen years. The mother died aged thirty-seven years.
Mr. and Mrs. Lamphier have four children, namely: George Lyman, born July 4, 1865 : Ada Lucretia and Ida Jerusha, twins, born August 20, 1868; and Elizabeth Olive, born January 20, 1871. George Lyman Lamphier fitted for college at Phillips Academy, An- dover, Mass., taking both scientific and classi- cal courses, was graduated at Yale in the class of 1889, and has since been successfully en- gaged in educational work. His first field of labor was at Winton College, Columbus, Ga. Obliged to return North at the end of the year on account of ill-health, he was principal of the West Winsted High School for the next four years. He then resigned, and went to South Hadley, Mass., remaining there until called to Pepperell, Middlesex County, Mass., where he now holds a position as superintendent of schools. lle was married on June 22, 1889. to Louise Davis. Their two children are : Louise Lyman Lamphier, born July 18, 1892 ; and Edward George Lamphier, born February 27, 1894.
Ida Jerusha Lamphier was married April 18, 1889, to Willis M. Hurlburt, who was born at Cornwall Hollow, September 7. 1868. They have three children : Ruth Minnie, born January 23. 1890; Mark, born June 15, 1891 : and Roy Benjamin, born September 23. 1803. Ada Lucretia Lamphier was married March 25, 1890, to Allyn H. Vaill, a native of Goshen, born May 23, 1870. They have two children : Edna Rebecca Vaill, born August 13, 1892 ; and Robert Lamphier Vaill. bom April 16, 1803. Elizabeth Olive Lamphier was married March 14, 1894. to William II Harrison, formerly of Waterloo, la., who was born at Cornwall Hollow, Conn .. Februny 2 ;. 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Lamphier attend the Congregational church. A portrait of A Lamphier occupies another page of this volume.
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LBERT S. PEARSALL, a resident Hotchkissville, Woodbury town- ship, was born in Bronxville, West-
chester County, N. Y., August 1, 1853. James Pearsall, the grandfather of Albert Pearsall, was also a native of Westchester. He was a piano-maker by trade, and both he and his wife lived fourscore years. They left three sons, one of whom, Jarvis Pearsall, was the father of Albert S.
Jarvis Pearsall was born in Nyack, N. Y. He became in after years a resident of Kings- bridge, N. Y., where he learned the trades of blacksmith and carriage-maker. To these branches of industry, after putting up a trip- hammer, he added the making of wagon axles. He finally established himself in Bronxville, N. Y., where he died. Both his wife, who was Catherine Cole before marriage, and him- self died young, though the exact ages are not known. A family of six small children were thus left to face the difficult problem of life without parental protection. These children were : John H., James C., William, David C., Catherine, and Albert S. John H., who fought in the late Civil War, married Mary Valentine, and died at twenty-five years of age, leaving one child, John. James C., who also served in the late war, is a cooper, living in Sing Sing, N. Y., married to Kate Davis, and the father of two children - Kate and Jar- vis. David C. likewise served in the war, and Catherine died young.
The life-story of a man or woman who has unusual odds to fight against, and has yet main- tained an honorable name, is always full of interest to other strugglers. In reviewing the life of Albert S. Pearsall, one finds encourage- ment and example. Left an orphan when of tender years, he was taken by a Mr. Pease, who cared for him until an elder brother claimed the privilege of becoming the child's protec-
tor. He was now sent to school, but very soon after this second adoption he was again left utterly alone by this brother's death. The boy secured work in the knife factory at Bronxville, where he became by care and in- dustry a skilled workman. In 1876 he was sufficient of an adept in his trade to venture elsewhere, so he came to Hotchkissville, where he found employment in the American Knife and Shears Company. So competent a workman did he show himself to be that in time he became a foreman in the grinding and finishing department, a situation he held until 1893. At this time he exchanged factory work for the lighter duties of a head clerkship in the store of Mr. G. F. Morris, of Hotch- kissville. In this position he has gained the esteem of his employer and the merited com- mendation of his friends. On the 25th of June, 1874, Mr. Pearsall obtained the dearest wish of his heart by becoming united in mar- riage to Miss Ellen E. Garrity. Her parents, James and Ellen Garrity, were residents of Roxbury township, where the father cultivated a farm. Mr. Pearsall is a Republican in poli- tics, and is a member of the Congregational church.
ENJAMIN TREAT, of the firm of Treat & Starr, large dry-goods mer- chants in New Milford, was born in Bridgewater, July 17, 1823, son of Joseph C. and Lucy (Gorham) Treat, and grandson of Abijah and Abigail (Canfield) Treat.
His first paternal ancestor in this country was Governor Robert Treat, who was born in England in 1621. He came to America when hardly more than a boy, resided for a time in Wethersfield, Conn., and removed to Milford in his eighteenth year, thereby becom- ing one of the first settlers in that town. In 1670 he was appointed Major of the Connecti-
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cut troops, and three years later was advanced to the rank of Colonel. He served in the Indian war. In 1674 he was elected Deputy Governor, and in 1683 he became Governor, and for fifteen years was re-elected annually, after which he declined to serve further. His son, Lieutenant Joseph Treat, was one of the original land-owners of New Milford; and his grandson, a son of Joseph Treat, Jr., and the great-grandfather of Benjamin Treat, was the first of the family to settle in New Milford, although the portion of the town in which he settled is now known as Bridgewater. He was a large land-owner, and was successfully en- gaged in agriculture. He died at eighty years of age. His wife, Phoebe Hawley, bore him ten children. Of these, Abijah turned his at- tention to farming ; and at his parents' death he purchased the old homestead. He lived to be seventy-six years old; and his wife, née Abi- gail (Canfield) Treat, attained the age of eighty-two years.
Joseph C., born in Bridgewater, August 11, 1783, was one of the five children of Abijah Treat. When he started in life for himself, he purchased a farm, on which he erected a new house and barns. He was profitably engaged in general farming throughout his life, and died at the age of sixty-nine years. His wife reared him eight children; namely, Madison A., Royal, Sarah A., Mary A., Daniel, Jo- seph Eli, Benjamin, and Arza. She lived but forty-five years.
After Benjamin Treat attained his majority, he purchased the old home, and followed agri- cultural occupations until 1861, when he re- moved to Brookfield, Conn., where he engaged in the milling business during the following ten years. He then came to New Milford, and purchased the store built by his brother. Joseph Eli, who was one of the first to en- gage in mercantile business in New Milford.
For fourteen years he carried on a thriving trade in dry goods and hardware; and then, in 1885, he formed an equal partnership with George Emmons. Two years afterward he bought out his partner's interest ; and, dropping the sale of hardware, he refitted his store, and put in a more complete line of dry goods, so that he now has one of the best stores of that description in the county. In 1887 he sold a half-interest to Edward W. Starr; and the business has since been conducted under the firm title of Treat & Starr, although on ac- count of ill-health Mr. Treat is now only a silent partner.
On December 11, 1851, he was joined in marriage with Miss Betsey Ruggles, of Brook- field. She died in 1872, thirty-nine years of age, leaving one daughter, Susan O., now the wife of H. S. Beers, an undertaker of Middle- town, Conn. Mr. Treat afterward formed : second union with Mrs. Mary A. Alvord, a daughter of Nickerson and Elizabeth S. ( Lev- erich) Millis. She was the widow of John J. M. Alvord, who died when but forty-two years old, leaving three daughters, as follows : Eva E., the wife of William Jenning: Delia M., who married J. Harris; and Ida C., the wife of William Stilson. Her parents were born in Virginia: but the later years of their lives were spent in New York City and at Oswego, N. Y., where her father followed the business of a shoe merchant. Mr. and Mrs. Millis had ten children ; namely, Marv .V .. John L., William N., Ellison (deceased). Elizabeth, Ellison D., Lysander T., Joseph, Louisa, and Charles D. Mis. Millis was a great-grand daughter of General Provost, at Revolutionary fame.
Mr. Treat is a stanch Republican, and while a resident of Bridgewater he served in town office, but since he has lived in New Milford his time has been too tully occupied
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to admit of his accepting official positions. He resides in his -pleasant home on Grove Street, which he purchased when he came to New Milford. The house was built by the Rev. A. Elliott in '1812. Since he bought the place, he has been to considerable expense in improving it, building a new barn, filling in and making a terraced lawn, and setting out shade and fruit trees, so that he now has a very attractive place.
YMAN L. CLARK, a well-known car- penter and builder of Washington, was born in Torrington, Conn., October 5, 1819, son of Joel and Candis (Bown) Clark. Mr. Clark's father was born near Simsbury, Conn., and was a farmer by occupation. He passed his latter years in Torrington, and died at the age of sixty-five. . His wife, Candis Bown, of Torrington, became the mother of ten children, as follows: Emily, who is now Mrs. Apley, and has three children - Diantha, Sherman, and Julia; Mary, who became Mrs. Hill, and has six children - Fred, Frances, Julia, Melvin, Catlin, and Sidney ; Lyman L., the subject of this sketch; Marilla, who is now Mrs. Woodruff, and has one son, Walter ; Sidney, who married Miss Johnson; Truman P., who married Jane Tibbles, and has two children - Abbie, Luella; Sabra; Henry ; Ed- win, who married Mary Pendleton ; and Amelia, who is now Mrs. Harris. The mother died at the age of sixty-five years.
Lyman L. Clark was educated in the schools of Torrington, and at an early age began to contribute toward his own support. When nineteen, he commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter and joiner, which has been his occu- pation through life. He followed his trade in Torrington for fifteen years; but for the past thirty-five years he has resided in Washington,
where he has conducted extensive business operations. He has had charge of the con- struction of many of the largest and most prominent residences in this vicinity, which is sufficient indication of the confidence felt in his ability and trustworthiness. He has for several years made a specialty of turning out mantels and fireplaces, in the construction of which he has displayed much original talent. In 1854 Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Elizabeth F. Gibson, daughter of Brindsmade Gibson, of Washington, and has two children, namely : Edward G., who married Anna M. North, and has two children - Fred N. and Russell F. ; and Sarah A. Mrs. Clark died . in 1889, aged seventy years. Mr. Clark is a Democrat in politics, and attends the Congre- gational church.
T HEODORE JUDSON, a progressive and successful business man in the town of Woodbury, where he was born, March 25, 1818, belongs to a family which has lived in Connecticut since his first American progenitor settled in this State, in 1639. Mr. Judson is eighth in lineal descent from Will- iam Judson, who came from Yorkshire, Eng- land, in 1634, and, after living four years in Concord, Mass., moved to Stratford, Conn., and thence to New Haven. William Judson brought with him to the New World three sons - Joseph, Jeremiah, and Joshua.
Mr. Theodore Judson is of the lineage of Joseph, the eldest son. Joseph's son John, who married Elizabeth Chapman, was born in Stratford, Conn., December 2, 1647, and in 1672 was one of the signers of the Funda- mental Articles for the settlement of Wood- bury, whither he came with the first company of pioneers. He took up a tract of unbroken land, which has remained in possession of his
THEODORE JUDSON.
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name and blood to the present time. John Judson's estate was small, and the wild land was difficult to cultivate; but by dint of ener- getic and untiring effort he at last established a home. His habitation, which was built of heavy timbers, after the good old fashion of those days, was one of the first frame buildings erected in the town. Here he died at sixty- two years of age. His son, John, Jr., marricd Sarah Beers, and was the father of a third John, whose wife Sarah bore him a son and namesake. John, fourth, married Martha Camp. He died in 1808, aged sixty-two. His wife died in 1834, at the age of ninety-three. Their children were: John and Phineas, the former of whom became the father of Mr. Theodore Judson. John Judson, the fifth of the name, inherited the old homestead. He extended the boundaries of his domain by pur- chasing more land, and improved his property by building new barns and keeping it in good order. Discovering that the soil he owned was a peculiarly fine quality of clay, he estab- lished a brick yard, which proved a profitable venture. The bricks made of this clay were very durable, and some of his make are still in use. Mr. John Judson was prominent in local politics, representing his county in the legis- lature in 1835-40; and his death was a blow to the Democratic party, to which he had always stanchly adhered. He was a communi- cant of the Episcopal church, and was a man of influence in religion as well as political circles. He died on the 14th of August, 1849, aged seventy-one years. His wife, Jernsha, who was a daughter of Abijah Mitch- ell, was born August 4, 1785, and died on May 20, 1845. The children of this union were: Betsey C. ; Antoinette; Phineas A. ; John A. ; Theodore, whose name stands at the head of this sketch; Martha E. ; and Frank- lin M.
Theodore Judson, after leaving school, de- voted himself to home interests, and continued manufacturing bricks until 1862. In 1854 he took down the old house, and built a large, handsome mansion, made after his own design and of his own brick. He also remodelled the other buildings on the place, and thus rehabili- tated the old homestead. In 1852 he married Miss Julia Mariah Colton. This lady, who was a daughter of Benjamin and Jerusha W. (Porter) Colton, was born March 2, 1819. Mrs. Judson's father, Benjamin Colton, was an early settler in Woodbury Centre, where he was engaged as a dealer in general merchan- dise. He died in 1850, aged fifty-seven. Mrs. Colton's maternal grandfather was Per- point Porter. Her mother died at the early age of twenty-seven.
Although Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Judson have never had children born to them, they carly took into their home four little ones. who have enjoyed all the love, care, and pro- tection that parents bestow. Julia, Harriett, Augusta, and Frederick are the fortunate chil- dren of this generous, large-hearted couple. Mr. Judson, like his father, is a strong Demo- crat. He has held office of Selectman for five years. The happily mated husband and wife are both in the communion of the Episcopal church.
The accompanying portrait will be recog nized and appreciated by the neighbors and friends of Mr. Judson as a very good likeness of this excellent representative of an old Colo nial family.
RANK H. LEE. M. D., a practising physician of Canaan, was born in Shet field, Mass., July 17, 1862, son of Seth and Mary (Lee) Lee. Dr. Lee is a descend ant of John Lee, who emigrated from England about the year 1645, and was one of the
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founders of the New England colony. Dr. Lee's grandfather was Dennis Lee, a native of Farmington, Conn., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his life. He died at the age of eighty-five years. His wife was Caroline Squire; and she became the mother of five children; namely, Seth, Curtis, Earl, Jennie, and Fanny. Dr. Lee's grand- mother still survives at the age of eighty-one. Seth Lee, father of our subject, was born in Sheffield, Mass., and has all his life remained a resident of that town. He adopted agricult- ure as an occupation, and became a prosperous farmer. His wife, Mary Lee, was the mother of four children, whose names follow: Frank H., the subject of this sketch; Alice A .; Caroline B. ; and M. Luella.
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