Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 16

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

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above all, his indomitable will and intelligent de- termination, overcame all obstacles, and won for him a success most richly deserved. With ample resources, so worthily gained, having established himself in his new home on the heights, and, looking out from its commanding position, as he surveys the scene of his future activity, this thoughtful man doubtless outlines the plan of his life. His purpose is revealed in the important part taken by him in carrying to destined com- pletion that great public work known as the Housatonic Water Company; in fostering and en- couraging new enterprises; in adding another name to the long list of towns made strong and prosperous by the thrift and energy of New Eng- land manufacturers; in contributing to the en- dowment of a hospital in the place where he was born; and in the gift which made possible and actual a public park in the place where he died. "As in adversity he had shown himself equal to all its exigencies, so his spotless integ- rity, sound judgment, independence in thought and action, coolness in time of financial or other excitement, and faithfulness to duty. revealed him equally well equipped for the difficulties, may it not be said, greater difficulties, which prosperity brings. As adversity could not de- press, so prosperity could not elate him. Mr. Plumb was a man of character, strong character, simple in his tastes and ways, of pure life, hap- piest at his home. His fondness for reading, and a most retentive memory, made his knowledge extensive, accurate and responsive to call. His opinions were his own, and when formed were not easily changed.

"Summoned many times by a confiding con- stituency to the legislative councils of the State, his fidelity was as conspicuous as his knowledge of the needs and aids, which wise legislation should supply, was varied and accurate. With him public office was indeed a public trust. In his death this bank has lost an intelligent, effi- cient and faithful officer, one who, believing that the acceptance of office involved the obligation of fulfilling strictly all its duties, was uniformly present at its meetings, and by his watchful care and wise counsel rendered invaluable services to this institution.

"The members of this board keenly feel the loss of a courteous and most intelligent member, association with whom has given them the high- est appreciation of his character and worth. To the family of Mr. Plumb they tender their sin- cere condolence, and direct the secretary to transmit to them this expression of their own loss and their sympathy with them in their bereave- ment." [July, 1893.]

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

A BIJAH M. JONES was born in the town of Wilton, Conn., July 5, 1818, and re- ceived his earlier education in the common schools of the neighborhood of his home. He afterward entered Prof. Hawley Olmstead's school, where he was graduated at the age of seventeen years, securing a good education for his time. On laying aside his books he com- menced his life work, that of farming. In 1848 he bought the old Stewart farm, at that time owned by Moses Stewart (professor of theology at Andover (Mass.) Theological Seminary), the grandfather of Elizabeth (Stewart) Phelps. Mr. Jones has been extensively engaged in fruit grow- ing, in the culture of asparagus, and in dairying. During the training days (a custom in vogue a little before and after the year 1838) he was cap- tain of a militia company. In politics he was first a Whig, in 1856 becoming a Republican, and has recorded his vote for every Republican President candidate since. While he has taken little active interest in politics, yet he has held some of the local offices of trust, such as assessor etc., and he has been a delegate to many conven- tions. In religious matters he is a member of the Congregational Church, and has been an officer in same for many years.

On June 17, 1841, Mr. Jones was married to Elizabeth Law, daughter of David and Mary (Aldis) Law, the former of whom was a manu- facturer of shoes at New Canaan, Conn., and at New Orleans, La. She was born March 29, 1817, and was educated at Miss Seely's Semi- nary, New Haven, Conn. ; she died February 22, 1893, after a married life of nearly fifty-two years. To Mr. and Mrs. Jones were born seven children, as follows: (1) John A., who died March 18, 1870, at the age of twenty-seven. (2) Eliz- abeth L., born June 17, 1844, a brief sketch of whom follows. (3) Mary A., born May 12, 1847, died December 4, 1869. (4) Isabella A., born September 4, 1850, educated at Wilton Academy by Professor Olmstead, and married William H. Benjamin, of Wilton; they have no children; William Benjamin was born in New York, and educated in Wilton, Conn., they are now with our subject. (5) David L., born Feb- ruary 18, 1853, in the town of Wilton, Conn., was educated in the common schools and at Professor Olmstead's academy, Wilton, and has always followed farming; politically he is a Re- publican, in religious faith he is a member of the Congregational Church; he married Mary C. Seymour, and they have two children-Christie L., and Helen. Mrs. David L. Jones is a daugh- ter of a railroad commissioner, William O. Sey- mour, of Ridgefield, Conn., and was educated at

Mt. Holyoke Seminary, Massachusetts. (6) Nellie B., born March 24, 1859, died unmarried October 15, 1882. (7) William A., born May 7, 1863, is a good farmer, and is still at home; he is a member of the Congregational Church.

Elizabeth L. Jones, daughter of the subject of this sketch, was born at New Canaan, Conn., and educated at Professor Olmstead's school at Wilton. She married Joseph C. Ayers, a shoe manufacturer of New Canaan, and had two chil- dren: Emma E., who died at the age of seven- teen years; and Jennie M., who married Elbert Adams, of Great Bend, Indiana. The mother of these children died April 3, 1871, at the age of twenty-seven years, and the father then married Miss Xarepia Barnet, by whom he had one child. Joseph Ayers died in May, 1897.

Lieut. John Jones, great-grandfather of our subject, was a descendant of General Jones of Oliver Cromwell's army, and who married Crom- well's sister. He (John Jones) was born in the town of New Haven early in the last century, a son of William Jones, who left England soon after the restoration of Charles II, probably 1860-61. This William Jones (Gov. ) married a daughter of Governor Eaton, lieutenant-gover- nor of New Haven, afterward devoting most of his life to farming. When yet a young man he removed to Ridgefield, where he married.

Jacob Jones, son of John Jones, and the grandfather of our subject, was born at Ridge- field, and was there educated, ever afterward de- voting himself to farming. He married Miss Ruth Morgan, a daughter of Caleb and (Banks) Morgan, the former of Ridgefield, the Jatter of Redding, and by her had the following children: James, Stephen, Russell (who mar- ried Eliza Jelliff), John (our subject's father), and Abigal (married to Samuel St. John).

John Jones was born in the town of Ridge- field, Conn., September 11, 1792. After com- pleting his education in the common-schools of the time he devoted the rest of his life to farm- ing, except during the war of 1812, in which he took an active part; afterward, during the train- ing days, he was a captain of artillery. He was three times married, first time February 19, 1815, to Miss Anna Middlebrook, who was born November 21, 1788, in the town of Wilton, a daughter of Summers and Susanna (Beal) Middle- brook, the latter of whom was a sister of the wife of Dr. Isaac Lewis, who for a long time was pastor in Wilton and Greenwich. Michael and Abia (nce Summers) Middlebrook, parents of Summers Middlebrook, removed from Fairfield to Wilton. To the marriage of John and Anna (Middlebrook) Jones came children as follows:

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Samuel, born July 3, 1816, died May 11, 1826; Abijah M., the subject proper of this sketch, born July 5, 1818; Charles, born July 19, 1820; William, born December 12, 1822, married Ann Knapp; and Elizabeth, born March 6, 1825.

Charles Jones, next younger brother of the subject proper of this sketch, was born at Wil- ton, and after attending the common schools was prepared for college by Prof. Hawley Olmstead, of Wilton. He then attended and graduated from Yale College in 1843. For a number of years, in fact for the rest of his life, he prac- ticed law in New York, and at one time he was representative of Wilton in the Legislature of the State. This was before he took up his resi- dence in New York, where he became a very prominent man in his profession. He was a can- didate for city judge of Brooklyn; was chairman of the State Central Committee that at the con- vention nominated General Grant for President. On April 15, 1852, he married Miss Mary Anna Moore, by whom he had children: (1) Mary, who married Herbert Ogden, and had one son, Charles Jones Ogden, who is studying in college; and (2) Margaret, who married Frederick Mid- dlebrook, by whom she has one son and one daughter; Herbert Ogden and Frederick Mid- dlebrook are both lawyers in New York City. Charles Jones died September 2, 1892.

Elizabeth Jones, only sister of our subject, and the youngest member of the family, was educated in Wilton, her native place, and mar- ried Edwin Gilbert, president of the Gilbert & Bennett Manufacturing Company, at George- town, Conn. They have no children.

William Jones, youngest brother of our sub- ject, was born in the town of Wilton, Conn., and after completing his education followed farm- ing the rest of his life. He married Miss Ann Knapp, a daughter of a prosperous and promi- nent farmer of Ridgefield. To this marriage there was born one son, William, who married and settled in New Haven. The husband and father died January 19, 1850.

John Jones, the father of our subject, for his second wife married Mary Thorp, daughter of Samuel and Sallie Thorp, of Westport, and to this marriage there were born two children: Sophia W., who died in infancy October 7, 1832; and Samuel, who studied law in New York City, became a very prominent man in his profession, and was United States Commissioner, holding several other important offices. For his first wife he married Phebe Lockwood, by whom he had one child, Edward Fairfield (single), who is traveling agent for the Gilbert & Bennett Manu- facturing Company. The mother of this child

dying, Mr. Jones married Miss Mary Lockwood, and by her had one child, Florence, unmarried, and living with her mother. Samuel Jones died in 1873, and his widow married Daniel Davenport, a lawyer of Bridgeport, by whom she had one child, Beatrice. John Jones for his third wife married Mrs. Mary Berry Grimes, by whom he had no children. He (John) died February 27, 1886, aged ninety-four years.

David Law, grandfather of the wife of the sub- ject of this sketch, was born in Northumberland, England, and was educated there. Removing to Scotland, he there married a Scotch lady, Jacoba Wallace, a descendant of the historic William Wal- lace. David Law and his wife came to the United States, settling in the City of New York, where he established a shoe-manufacturing business, which he followed the rest of his life. The chil- drnn of David and Jacoba Law were Isabella and David, the former of whom remained single.

David Law, the younger of the two, and fa- ther of the wife of our subject, was born in Edin- burgh, Scotland, came to the United States with his parents, and was educated in the City of New York. There he learned the shoe-manufacturing business of his father, and removing to New Canaan, Conn., established there a manufactur- ing business of his own. He also established a similar institution at New Orleans, La., and followed the business of manufacturing shoes the rest of his life. He died December 25, 1835. He married Mrs. Mary Adams (née Aldis) daugh- ter of Charles and Widow Barnaby Aldis, of England, the former of whom, a draper and tailor by occupation, and something of a sporting man, lived on the Raydon estate near Yarmouth. Mrs. David Law, by her first husband, Captain Adams (who was lost at sea), had two children, William, who was a silversmith, and president of the board of aldermen of New York City; and Mary, who married Dennie Sayer, a banker of New York. By her marriage with David Law, she had children as follows: David, who died of yellow fever in New Orleans in 1832; Elizabeth, wife of our subject; and James, Alexander and Henry, mention of whom follows.

James Law was born in New York City, was educated there and learned the trade of silver- smith, at which he worked most of his life. He was twice married, first time to Eliza Knapp, of Stamford, by whom he had two children: Mary, who married Wyland Keith, a manufacturer of drugs at Stamford, Conn .; and James, who is also married. By his second wife, James Law had two children, both of whom died young.

Alexander Law was born in New Canaan, Conn., was there educated in the common schools

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and in New Haven, after which he engaged in mercantile business, having a large cast-iron hol- low ware foundry in Jersey City, and a store in New York City. He married Miss Polly Savory, of Carver, Mass., and by her had one child, Emma W. Law, who married Charles DeMerit, of Bos- ton, Mass., by whom she had two children- Charles and Harold, the former of whom is prac- ticing medicine in Baltimore, Md. Alexander Law died February 22, 1894.

Henry Law was born in New Canaan, Conn., and was educated in the common schools of that place. Having learned the plumber's trade he was engaged in that business most of his life, twenty-two years of which were spent in Cali- fornia. He married Amelia Endros, by whom he has one son, Henry, at present engaged in the furniture business in New York, is married and has two children. Henry Law died in 1886.

A MASA A. MARKS, owner of the magnifi- cent villa and grounds known as " Willow- mere," at Sound Beach, is one of the many re- tired business men of New York City who have found the charming region along the shore of Long Island Sound, in Fairfield county, Conn., an ideal place for a life of repose after years of turmoil in the commercial world. He has had his residence here since 1871, and during that time has been one of the most active citizens of the place, prominently identified with its im- provement and progress along various lines, and manifesting a keen interest in the welfare of his adopted town, where his zeal and effective work are thoroughly appreciated. He has been a no less active worker, however, in business circles, and the Marks establishment, located at No. 701 Broadway, in New York City, has been a landmark of the metropolis for years, and ranks high in its line. In the making of artifi- cial limbs Mr. Marks has long been regarded as an authority, and he is widely known as the in- ventor of many important devices and improve- ments now in general use.

Mr. Marks is descended from good New Eng- land stock, prominent among his ancestors be- ing the Tuttles, Ives, Coopers and Eatons, all of whom were in their day useful and honored citizens, and many of whom bore an important part in the early history of our country. Abra- ham Marks, the grandfather of the gentleman introduced by this sketch, was a farmer by oc- cupation and lived in Milford, Conn. He mar- ried a Miss Merwin, whose father was a Rovolu- tionary soldier, and they had a family of five

children, as follows: Abraham, John, Levi, Con- tent and Nehemiah.

Levi Marks was born in Milford, Conn., re- ceived his education in the public schools of the home neighborhood, and was reared to farming, which he followed, engaging also in teaming be- tween Waterbury and New Haven, Conn., until 1836; he was one of the pioneers in that line in his section. He remained at home until his marriage with Miss Esther T. Tuttle, who was born in Bethany (then Woodbridge), Conn., and was the daughter of Amasa Tuttle, a farmer. This union was blessed with six children, viz .: Mary E., who died at the age of seventy-five at the home of her brother Amasa, unmarried: Minerva C., who married Elias Clark and re- moved to Cuyahoga county, Ohio; David B., who followed the profession of dentist; William, who died at the age of ten; Amasa A .; and Eliza J.

Amasa A. Marks was born April 3, 1825, in Waterbury, Conn. He received all his school- ing before he was sixteen, and after he was seven years old he attended only in the winter time, even then going only one full term of three months. His father was engaged in teaming, and our subject became an expert ox-team driver at an early age, for he commenced work when a mere boy and had plenty of opportunity in this line. When sixteen years old he began life on on his own account, obtaining employment as a farm hand, and before he was twenty he was given charge of the Woodruff farm, a large and well-known property near New Haven, receiving at first twelve dollars and later fifteen dollars per month, the latter being then the highest wages paid for this service. Mr. Marks next embarked in the milling business for himself, buying a small mill at a cost of two hundred and fifty dollars, and paying forty dollars from his own savings, going into debt for the remainder. After running the mill three years he sold it, and having now some capital he went to New Haven, where for a short time he carried on a sawmill and turning business, in 1851 locating in New York City, and commencing work as a journey- man in the same line. It was not long, how- ever, before he started in business on his own ac- count, and in 1853 he and his brother, David, formed a partnership for the manufacture of arti- ficial limbs. Our subject had but one hundred dollars to invest, and that was borrowed, and al- though his brother was the patentee of a limb it was a constant struggle for the first four years, and David withdrew from the partnership within a short time. Mr. Marks had become interested in this branch, his sympathies being aroused by

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the large number of cripples at that time found in all our large cities, when prosthetical art had not reached its present stage of development, and moved by an humanitariun impulse he had set him- self to work to devise some means of ameliorating the sufferings of these unfortunates. The result of his labors was an artificial leg quite superior to the noisy, clumsy one then in use, and far more com- fortable to the wearer, and in 1863 he invented the rubber foot, a new feature, which was the means of giving his business its first important impetus, and from that time on he met with most encouraging success. Continued study and ex- perimenting led to discoveries which in a short time brought Mr. Marks prominently before the public and gave him a high reputation in this line, and his name became synonymous with prog- ress in the science of prosthesis, governments, corporations, hospitals, societies, etc., being quick to recognize his talent and adopt his pro- ductions, for he is the inventor of such useful devices as the rubber foot, the adjustable knee- joint, and the rubber hand with ductile fingers. Through his enterprising business methods these products of his thought and experiment have become known and used in every country on the globe, and he has been repeatedly honored at expositions, etc., with medals, first diplomas and premiums. In 1864 he received a contract from the United States Government to furnish artificial limbs to the unfortunate soldiers and sailors of the war of the Rebellion, and he has since carried a perpetual contract to renew these limbs as required. The American Institute in its palmiest days acknowledged Mr. Marks as the authority in his profession, the Franklin Institute has awarded him its medals in recognition of his inventive skill, and the press has often presented his achievements to the public with glowing en- comiums.

Mr. Marks removed his business from its first stand to No. 307 Broadway, and in 1863 to No. 575 Broadway, being a tenant of W. B. Astor for eighteen years; thence he located at No. 691 Broadway, and later at his present quarters, No. 701 Broadway. He remained sole proprietor until ten years ago, when his sons were taken into co-partnership, but the firm name re- mains the same, and the Marks establishment has been, as above remarked, a land mark in New York for nearly a half century, and has attracted notice and patronage from many dis- tinguished persons, of both this country and for- eign lands. Santa Ana, the Mexican warrior, made his first visit to New York for the purpose of having Mr. Marks replace the limb he lost in 1838, during the French assault on Vera Cruz,

and General Larranaga, the Peruvian Revolu- tionist, Iglasius, the son of the president of Peru, Okuma, Japanese count, are among the world- renowned people who have been able to sub- stantially appreciate his productions. As will be judged by this brief narration of his business. career and success, Mr. Marks is an indefatiga- ble worker, and like his father he is a man of strong character, sincere in all his actions, and progressive and impressive in everything he has undertaken. It is through his efforts and study that the science of prosthesis in New York, and indeed, in the United States, has been brought to. its present high state, and he is deservedly hon- ored by all who realize the importance of this art from any point of view.

In 1850 Mr. Marks was united in marriage with Miss Lucy A. Platt, of New York, daughter of Charles Platt, and seven children blessed this. union, namely: Charles A., who was educated for the Episcopal ministry; George E. (a member of the firm), who graduated from Union College ;. Lucy E., who died in 1863; Frederick, deceased: in 1866; Mary, who died young; William L. (member of the Marks firm), and Anna A. (un- married), who lives at home. The mother died at the age of sixty-three years, and her remains rest in Sound Beach. Mr. Marks resided in New York City until 1871, since which time he has. had his home in Sound Beach, selecting the beautiful spot now known as "Willowmere " for his residence, which he had built. He first pur- chased twenty-five acres, and he has been con- stantly improving and beautifying his grounds. until his property is now one of the most charm- ing in this region. The grounds border the waters of Long Island Sound for over half a mile, and are equipped with every convenience for comfort or luxury, no expense having been spared in this direction. A reservoir of 40,000 gallons capacity, supplied from living springs, furnishes water to the house. Mr. Marks has been equally zealous in the improvement of the town where he has chosen to reside; it was he who suggested the name "Sound Beach" when the place was named. He has given liberally of his time and means to all worthy enterprises, and was partic- ularly influential in having the railway station at Sound Beach established. Although retired from business, he has continued his interest in local afiairs, and works hard and zealously for the prog- ress of Greenwich and particulary Sound Beach. Though past "three score and ten " he is the pic- ture of health and vigor, and his unassuming man- ners and habits have made him popular with all classes in this part of Fairfield county.

Mr. Marks cast his first Presidential vote for

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Martin Van Buren in 1848, and is a stanch Re- publican to this day, taking a deep interest in the welfare of the party and keeping himself well posted in public issues. For twelve years he served as school visitor in Greenwich town- ship, during the greater part of that time acting as chairman of the board; he was an active worker for the new schoolhouse in Sound Beach, which at the time it was erected was the best in the town. He was a most efficient member of the board. Mr. Marks has been justice of the peace. Religiously, he is a prominent member and liberal supporter of the South Beach Con- gregational Church Society, and he acted as chairman of the building and finance committee when the present beautiful stone house of wor- ship was built. Fraternally, he is a member of Manitou Lodge No. 106, F. & A. M., New York, and, socially, he holds membership with the Riverside Yacht Club.

H ON. CHARLES MILLS, of Westport, is one of the ablest and best-known citizens of Fairfield county. As the representative of his town in the State Legislature in 1885 and 1886, he did notable service, and in private life he has given his influence toward developing and sustaining the interests upon which the progress of a community depends. His fine farm in West- port is a model, his artistic taste and his sound practical judgment as an agriculturist combining happily in its management.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 16

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