Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 13

Author: H. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1899
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1795

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ever made in reference to his management of the paper; but, however that may have been, the fearless attitude of The Farmer brought down upon it the vengeance of a mob, at a time when the senior editor was confined to his bed with sickness (where he had lain for three months), and the office was sacked. All the material, presses, forms, type and tools, together with the editor's books and private papers, were com- pletely destroyed. The accumulated property of a lifetime, gained by patient toil in the service of a party devoted to the Union, was in one brief hour swept completely away. The blow was a severe one to Mr. Pomeroy. He had lost all, but his faith in the saving grace of Democracy was only strengthened by the event, and with a sad heart but undaunted spirit he set about to acquire means to renew his life struggle. In this, by the help of his political friends, whose confidence in him was unlimited, he was entirely successful, and in a few months a new office with new material was at his disposal, and the old Farmer once more appeared to battle for the Constitution and the rights of the people.

In 1826 Mr. Pomeroy was married to Frances E., daughter of Zerah Eaton, of Hartford, who survived him; one daughter only-May S., born in 1839 and died in 1856-blessed their marriage.

JAMES L. GOULD retired from The Farmer in 1890. He had been managing editor for a quarter of a century. At the time of his retire- ment an acquaintance wrote of him: "When actively and successfully engaged in the practice of the law as a member of the Fairfield county Bar I knew him. As a judge of probate for the district of Bridgeport I knew him, and I have known him for the last twenty years that he has been editor and one of the proprietors of The Farmer, a man of high character and great worth. In whatever position he has been placed he has always exhibited the true characteristics of manhood, and has discharged every duty de- volving upon him with great fidelity and marked ability. But as a journalist he has spent the greater portion of his life, and as such he may be more appropriately spoken of at this time-at his retirement, with the exception of the Hon. A. E. Bun, of the Hartford Times, Mr. Gould is believed to be the oldest and most experienced. For twenty years he was unfaltering in his devo- tion to the interests of The Farmer. Seldom absent from the office a day, exemplarily punc- tual in his arrival and departure, vigilant and actively engaged every moment, and kind to and considerate of employes. he has been an exam- ple worthy to be copied by all who wish to be successful in business engagements. While he

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successfully and faithfully managed the business of The Farmer, he has never neglected the inter- .ests of Bridgeport. He advocated measures which in his judgment would result beneficially to the public, and which would contribute to the material prosperity of the people of Bridgeport. Politically he was trained in the school of the old Jeffersonian and Jacksonian Democracy, and has been all his life a true exponent of its teach- ings. The Farmer, during his connection with it, has fearlessly and consistently advocated the tenets of the Democratic faith, and while never attempting in any way to dictate or control nom- inations, insisting only that they should be good men and true Democrats- it has always given the warmest support to all regularly nominated Democratic candidates."

Since the incorporation of the paper a few years ago, H. B. Stiles has been the president of the company, and Floyd Tucker secretary and treasurer. Their long identity with the paper- Mr. Stiles since 1866 and Mr. Tucker since 1871 - associated with such men as Pomeroy and Gould, it is not to be wondered that, on their assuming ownership and afterward manage- ment, the general tone and scope of the paper should remain the same. Democrats each of them of the. old Jefferson and Jackson type, The Farmer still continues to advocate the same old sound Democratic principles as it has during the whole century of its existence. Mr. Tucker is a journalist of large experience and ability. He has been the editorial writer and news editor much of the time through his long connection with the paper. Mr. Stiles was born in South- bury, Conn., December 12, 1820. He held the position of foreman in the office of the New Haven Register from 1852 to 1866; removed to Bridgeport in 1866, and became a member of the firm of Pomeroy, Gould & Co. He has served terms in the common councils of both New Haven and Bridgeport. Floyd Tucker is a native of Redding, Conn., and was educated principally in the Easton (Conn.) Academy. After four years' residence in New York City he became a member of the editorial staff of The Farmer, in 1871, where he has since remained, being now, and since 1891, business manager of the paper.

C HARLES R. BROTHWELL (deceased). The growth of a modern American city is a won- derful thing, and fortunate is he whose lot is so cast that he can watch and note the successive stages by which the village expands its bounda- ries, enriches its productive resources, and ac-

quires the complex and multiform organizations which make up the impulses and energies of ur- ban life. The growth of Bridgeport has been in- teresting, like that of other cities, and among those few who witnessed its rapid progress from small beginnings was the late Mr. Charles R. Brothwell. He could remember when the city had but 3,000 to 4,000 inhabitants, and when all its business was done on Water street. And, while he individually was a spectator of this kind, it can be said that his ancestors had similarly, and by successive steps, watched the progress of the nation from its earliest infancy, for he came of Revolutionary stock.

It is family history that Joseph Brothwell, the great-grandfather of our subject, was one of a party attending a ball in England, in 1750, when a detachment of men surrounded the party and escorted the young men to a British man-of- war, which soon set sail for America, after the voyage anchoring in Long Island Sound. Young Brothwell, resenting this species of impressment, with a companion, jumped overboard, and suc- ceeded in reaching land. He located at Bridge- port, and later, during the Revolutionary war, joined the American army. He was of Welsh- English extraction. He married Miss Beach, and his son, Benjamin Brothwell, grandfather of our subject, married Anna Fairweather. Their son, Joseph Brothwell, was born at Fairfield, Conn., in 1790, and became a farmer. He mar- ried Anna Keeler, a native of the same town, born in 1800, a daughter of Patrick and Eunice (Hubbell) Keeler. Joseph Brothwell died in 1873. at the age of eighty-three years. They had three children: Emily, who married Charles Plumb, and died in 1866; Charles R., the sub- ject of this sketch; and John M., who married Ann Eliza Middlebrook.

Charles R. Brothwell, who, since 1863, was the real-estate agent for P. T. Barnum, was born in Fairfield, Conn., June 21, 1833. He was ed- ucated in the district schools, and at the age of sixteen years began to work steadily on his fa- ther's farm, the property now known as Brook- lawn, the home of Bridgeport's fashionable Country Club. Several years later he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1863-64 he traveled with General Tom Thumb and wife, Commodore Nutt and Minnie Warren, visiting all cities in America. From 1865-68 he had charge of the carpenter work of Barnum's American Museum, on Broadway. New York, and after it was de- stroyed by fire the second time (in 1869), he re- turned to Bridgeport, where he afterward made his permanent home, having charge of Mr. Bar- num's extensive property, and, from the time of

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the great showman's death, he managed it for the heirs. Mr. Brothwell died July 31. 1898.

Our subject was married in 1856 to Jane E. Jennings, of Easton, Conn. They had one child, Wilbur A. Brothwell, who is now treasurer and superintendent of the Russell Jennings Man- ufacturing Company, of Deep River, Conn. He married Lizzie M. Wilson, daughter of Alden- son and Catherine (Knapp) Wilson, and has one son, Charles Ransom. For his second wife Mr. Brothwell married, in 1870, Anna Bell F. Banks, daughter of Col. Horace Banks, of Green- field Hill, Conn. By this marriage he had four children, two of which are living: Nellie S., wife of Attorney Sidney N. Lockwood, son of the late Judge D. B. Lockwood; and Barbara. Mr. Broth- well, as is also his widow, was a member of Christ Episcopal Church. She resides at No. 18 Courtland street, Bridgeport.

In politics Mr. Brothwell was a Republican. He was one of the original members of the Board of Public Works at Bridgeport, held the office continuously some twelve years, and de- voted a great part of his time to that branch of the city government, one of his principal inter- ests being the building of the bridges, especially the lower one, which has the distinction of being the first bridge in the country to be operated by electricity. Not only did Mr. Brothwell intro- duce the electric motors for operating draws, but he provided a swinging stop-latch which, with the yielding abutment, makes it possible to oper- ate the draw very quickly. He also provided the swinging gates placed at either end of the bridge for the safety of the public.

Many large schemes of the real-estate world of Bridgeport originated with Mr. Brothwell, not least among which was the reclaiming of that tract of land adjoining Sea Side Park, east of Cedar creek, which added eighty acres of taxable property to the city. He was president of the Board of Trade for two years (1891-92), and in various ways was closely identified with the best interests of Bridgeport, of which he was es- teemed as a pioneer and as a valued citizen.

B ELDEN BAIN BROWN. As " good Amer- icans, when they die, go to Paris," so the successful New York business man, looking about for a thoroughly satisfactory place in which to spend his years of leisure, naturally turns to this favored region, where picturesque scenery and a refined and cultured social life combine to make an ideal home. The subject of this sketch, who was for some years connected with Wall Street, made choice of Stamford as his permanent resi-

dence, and he and his family are prominent in the best social circles of that locality. Mr. Brown is still identified with the business world, the care of his investments occupying much of his time and attention, but he wisely mingles recreation with financial affairs, being especially expert as a wheelman and on the golf links.

Mr. Brown comes of an excellent ancestry, and his great-grandfather, Capt. Isaac Brown, who married a Miss Belden, was a well-known sea captain. George Brown, the grandfather of our subject, was born at Stamford, but for some years of his early life was a resident of New York. City. Later he returned to Stamford, where he engaged in the hatter's trade, and his death oc- curred there in 1851. He married Miss Mary Benedict, a native of Norwalk, this county, and. of their eight children two died in infancy; Ed- ward F. and Elizabeth M. are residents of Stam- ford; and Charles, George L., Samuel D., and Catherine are deceased.

The late George Lockwood Brown, our sub- ject's father, was born in New York City March 5. 1817. but was educated chiefly in Stamford. He started in business life as a clerk in a dry- goods store in Providence, R. I., and after leav- ing Providence he came to live in Stamford and had his home there until 1874. when he moved to Brooklyn, and remained there until 1883, when he retired from business and lived in Washington, Conn., until his death in 1891. During his residence in Stamford he was largely interested in many public enterprises, and helped to organize the First National Bank, of which he was a director for many years. He was married (first) to Miss Catherine Bain, of New York City, and (second) to Miss Mary Brinsmade, and of the first union there was one son, Belden Bain.

Our subject was born February 17, 1846, in New York City, whence he came to Stamford in childhood, and with the exception of seven years spent in Brooklyn, has lived there ever since. He engaged in a brokerage business in Wall street with his father, continuing until 1883, and since returning to Stamford to reside he has been connected with the Grey Rock Land Company, at that place, as secretary. He and his family are identified with St. John's Episcopal Church, at Stamford, and he is a member of various social organizations, including the Wheelmen's Club and the Wee Burn Golf Club. On Janu- uary 13, 1870, he was married in Stamford to Miss Ida M. Hoyt, and four children have blessed the union: Mary Benedict, Sarah Hawley (deceased), George Lockwood, and Belden Bain, Jr.

Mrs. Brown belongs to a wealthy and promi-

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nent family, well-known in this section and in the metropolis. Her father, the late George A. Hoyt, was born August 16, 1811, in Stamford, where he received his education, and in early manhood he engaged in the clothing business in New York City. In 1851 he removed to Stam- ford, where he purchased a large amount of real estate, and for some years he held the office of president of the Pennsylvania Coal Company. He died there December 3, 1887. He was twice married, and by his first wife, Miss Sarah E. Hawley, he had four children, as follows: Francis S., a resident of Morristown, N. J .; Georgianna, wife of Albert S. Swords, of the same city; Ida M., wife of our subject; and Elizabeth, who married E. A. Day, of Elizabeth, N. J. Mr. Hoyt's second wife was Jennie P. Smith, daughter of Truman Smith, of Con- necticut.

R EV. CHARLES WALTER BOYLSTON, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church at Riverside, Conn., is a representative of an old Colonial family, and among his ancestors and relatives are many whose names will occupy a lasting place in the history of this country. The first ancestor of whom we have a definite account was Henry Boylston, of Litchfield, Staffordshire, England, who is mentioned in the records of that town.

II. Thomas Boylston, only child of Henry, married and had a son Thomas. III. Thomas Boylston, son of Thomas II, embarked for Amer- ica at London in 1635, on the ship " Defiance," and on his arrival settled at Watertown, Mass. IV. Dr. Thomas Boylston, son of Thomas III, was a noted physician in his day, and became one of the first settlers at Brookline, Mass., lo- cating there in 1665. Among his children were three sons: Dudley, Zabdiel, and Peter, whose daughter, Susanna, married John Adams, of Braintree, Mass., and became the mother of John Adams, President of the United States. Dr. Zabdiel Boylston took a notable part, about 1721, in the introduction of inoculation as a pre- ventive of smallpox. V. Dudley Boylston re- sided in Brookline, Mass. He had five sons and five daughters, the names of the sons being: Joshua, Caleb, Richard, Dudley and Edward.

VI. Edward Boylston served an apprentice- ship to the wheelwright's trade in his youth, and later went to sea. During the Revolutionary war he enlisted in the Continental army, and for some time was stationed at Newton, Mass., and Peekskill, N. Y. While on his way to visit his family at Elizabethtown, N. J., he was captured

by the British, by whom he was most cruelly treated, and for a time he was incarcerated in the notorious Jersey prison ship. His name ap- pears with the rank of captain of Wheelwrights in the Continental forces on the pay rolls of Major Eayr's company, Colonel Flower's regi- ment (artillery), where credit is given for services from January 1, 1777, to December 1. 1779. [See Massachusetts State Records Vol. XX, pages 1 and 28.] His name also appears on the ac- count of Captain Howe's company, as captain of Wheelwrights Corps, at Springfield, pay being allowed for services from January 1, 1780, to December 31, 1780. [See Massachusetts State Records Vol. XXI, part 4, page 69.] In 1781 he married Lydia Worthington, and his death oc- curred in December, 1814. He had four child- ren: Richard, Zabdiel (who died in 1810), Samuel, and Catherine.

VIII. Samuel Boylston, our subject's grand- father, was born in March, 1789, and died in August, 1863. He was a resident of Springfield, Mass., and was connected with the United States Armory there. His wife, Clarissa Chapin, was born February 27, 1793, died June 19, 1872, and they had four sons and four daughters.

IX. Richard H. Boylston, our subject's father, was born in Springfield, Mass., August 3, 1828, and for many years was engaged in the manufacture of baby carriages, having head- quarters at No. 102 William street, New York City, with factory at Green River, Vt., and later at Rowayton, Conn. He married Miss Emeline Grant, of Windsor, Conn., and Charles W. Boylston was the only issue of this marriage.

Rev. Charles W. Boylston was born Decem- ber 17, 1854, at Springfield, Mass., but his boy- hood was mainly spent in New York City, where he attended public and private schools for sev- eral years. His preparation for his collegiate course was completed at the school in Burling- ton, N. J., and he then entered Trinity College, at Hartford, Conn., where he was graduated in 1878. He had long cherished the intention of entering the ministry, and in 1881 he finished a course in Berkley Divinity School, at Middletown, Conn., being ordained deacon in the same year. His ordination as priest followed, and his first charge was the parish of St. James, at Glaston- bury, Conn. In 1883 he became rector of St. Andrew's Church, at Norwich, Conn., and on May 1, 1885, he took charge of the parishes of Grace Church, Long Hill, and Trinity Church. Nichols, where his devoted labors have brought gratifying results. Among the qualities which have contributed to Mr. Boylston's success in his chosen calling is an unfailing courtesy, and he is

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deservedly popular in social life. In 1881 he united with the Masonic Fraternity at Glaston- bury, and at present he is a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 3, Jerusalem Chapter, No. 13, and Jerusalem Council, No. 16, at Bridge- port, and Hamilton Commandery, No. 5. Knights Templar; in 1897 he was grand chaplain of the Grand Lodge, F. & A. M., of Connecticut. While at Trinity College he became a charter member of Beta Beta Chapter of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity. in which he still retains membership. In 1881 Mr. Boylston was married at Glaston- bury to Miss Eliza Bates Smith, a descendant of Thomas Wells, one of the early Colonial Gov- ernors of Connecticut, and two children have blessed this union: Clarence A. and Christine.

On January 1, 1899, Mr. Boylston removed to the town of Greenwich, Conn., and became the rector of St. Paul's Church, Riverside, in that town.

J JOHN WATSON BACON, president of the Savings Bank of Danbury, Conn., has been so intimately identified with some of the most important movements for the development of this and other sections of the country, that the omission of his name and history from this work would leave a noticeable blank. His successful career emphasizes the fact, too often overlooked in these days, that wealth and position may be obtained by judicious efforts on lines which are helpful to the community at large, and strength- ens the hope that some day our great generals of finance and commerce may unite their forces to develop the resources of this land that there may be no man lacking profitable employment, and no helpless children suffering for the neces- sities of life.

Mr. Bacon's kindly but dignified countenance furnishes a true index to his character, and be- neath his quiet and unassuming manner one in- stinctively feels the presence of a sympathetic nature. Yet one sees also the stamp of a firm will, ready to carry out inflexibly any plan or purpose once resolved upon, and realizes that kindness and consideration for others is not in- compatible with manly decision and force of char- acter.

Mr. Bacon was born June 9, 1827, at Hart- ford, Conn., a son of Leverett W. and Sarah (Wat- son) Bacon, and was educated in that city, gradu- ating from Trinity College in 1846. He received the first appointment in his class, and for one year had charge of an Academy at Essex, Conn. He then began the study of law under the direc- tion of Hon. Isaac Toucey, of Hartford, but in

1848 he adopted the profession of civil engineer- ing, his first work being the laying out and con- struction of the New York & New England rail- road from Hartford to Willimantic. This work included the building of the Union Depot and the bridge at Hartford, and the making of the heavy rock cut at Bolton Notch. On completing this enterprise he spent two years in the survey and construction of the Danbury & Norwalk railroad, and later he was recalled to Hartford to take a position as superintendent of the Hart- ford, Providence & Fishkill railroad between Providence and Waterbury, now the New Eng- land railroad. He remained five years, and then went to West Virginia to develop and operate some extensive coal mines and salt works at West Columbia, on the Ohio river. Two years later he returned to Connecticut, locating at Dan- bury, and in July, 1859, he was appointed su- perintendent and chief engineer of the Danbury & Norwalk railroad. This position he held until January 1, 1877, building the Ridgefield branch in 1869, and the Shepaug branch in 1872. In the fall of 1877 he was appointed by Gov. Hubbard on the board of railroad commissioners, and served for ten years under the administra- tions of both political parties. In 1877 he was elected a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and for some years past he has been one of the commissioners appointed to make a topographical survey of this State, the results of their labors being now embodied in a large atlas, recently published.

About thirty years ago Mr. Bacon became a director in the Savings Bank of Danbury, which was incorporated in 1849, and for some years past he has been its president. He is also a director of the Danbury National Bank, and president of the Danbury Mutual Fire Insurance Company. During his residence in Danbury he has given active support to all projects for pub- lic improvement, and in. 1860 he constructed the water works, of which he had charge for sixteen years. In 1860 he also organized a joint-stock company known as the Danbury Public Hall Company, and purchased the old Congregational church, which stood on the site now occupied by the soldiers' monument. The building was re- fitted, and served as a public hall until the open- ing of the present Opera House in 1873. In 1871 the Agricultural Society of the town seemed likely to die of inanition, and Mr. Bacon reor- ganized it, forming a stock company of which he was president for several years, and still is its treasurer. Under the new and energetic manage- ment the annual fairs have been very largely at- tended, and taken front rank among the fairs of

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New England. Mr. Bacon is also the president of the Danbury Cemetery Association, one of the trustees of the Public Library, and in fact it would be difficult to mention any public enter- prise of importance in that locality in which he is not or has been more or less directly con- nected. Educational affairs formerly received his especial care, and for many years he was a a member of the board of education, He was also for about twenty years chairman of the so- ciety committee of the First Congregational Church.

On December 20, 1852, Mr. Bacon married Miss Caroline E. Botsford, daughter of Dr. Rus- sell B. Botsford, who was for many years a lead- ing physician of Danbury. Her mother, whose maiden name was Eliza Whittlesey, was a daugh- ter of Matthew B. Whittlesey, a prominent law- yer of Danbury. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon have three children: Sarah W .; Eliza W., wife of Hon. G. M. Rundle, mayor of Danbury; and John R., now a well-known physician of the same city.

J OSEPH TOMLINSON, of Huntington, Coun- ty of Fairfield, Conn., residing in the bor- ough of Shelton, was born December 27, 1828, in Southbury, that State. He is a son of Joseph Tomlinson (3), born in the year 1802, who was a physician, practicing in Southbury for some years. In 1836 he went to Milford, and in 1839 to Huntington Center, where he followed his profession during the remainder of his life. He was one of the successful and substantial practitioners of Huntington, and is well remem- bered by many to this day. For some time prominent in politics, he was at one time deputy sheriff, and was also postmaster at Huntington for some years. In his youthful days he was a Whig, later becoming a Republican, and he re- mained a true friend of that party until his death. Religiously he was a member of the Congrega- tional Church at Huntington Center, and he died in that faith in April, 1865.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 13

Author: H. H. Beers & Co. Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1795

Author: H. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1899
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1795