Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 17

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

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Mr. Mills comes of good Colonial stock, and his grandfather, John Mills, who was born prob- ably in the town of Westport, served eight years in the Revolutionary army under Washington, enlisting when he was but sixteen years old. After the war closed he settled upon a farm in Westport, where his remaining years were spent. In politics he was a Democrat, and he and his wife, whose maiden name was Frazier, were members of the Congregational Church. They reared a family of nine children, as follows: Moses, who engaged in farming in Massachu- setts; Seth, a farmer in Weston, this county; Samuel, a resident of Greens Farms, where he was engaged in farming and also followed the mason's trade; John, our subject's father; David and Ebenezer, who were farmers in Westport; Charity, who married Hezekiah Mills, a black- smith by trade and a veteran of the war of 1812; Mary, wife of Robert McClure, a machinist of Stamford; and Sally, who married Samuel Bar- low, of Westport.

John Mills (2), the father of our subject, was

born at Greens Farms, in the town of Westport, where he followed farming for many years, his death occurring in 1855. For about thirty years he followed the trade of stone mason in addition to the management of his homestead. Like his father he was a Democrat in politics, and a de- vout member of the Congregational Church, the family having always taken an active part in re- ligious work in their locality. His wife, Sarah (Batterson), who died in 1883, was a daughter of Burr Batterson, a well-known citizen of West- port. Our subject is the eldest in a family of three children, the others being John, a farmer and stone mason now residing in the town of Westport; and David, a carpenter in Bridge- port.

Hon. Charles Mills was born February 25, 1833, on the old homestead at Greens Farms, and during his youth he learned the details of farm work by assisting his father. He also learned the stone-mason's trade, which he has followed at intervals up to the present time, and, as he possesses marked ability in various lines, he has at times turned his attention to other occupations, making a notable success in each. He has speculated profitably, but he has especial reason to be proud of his skill as a landscape gardener, many of the most attractive estates in town having been improved under his direction. His farm, which contains eighty acres of choice land, is devoted to general crops, and he has the reputation of raising larger and better crops to the acre than any other farmer in the township. His beautiful dwelling house was built in 1882, previous to which he resided at the old home- stead at Greens Farms. He is a stanch Demo- crat, and, aside from his service as a representa- tive, he has held various township offices, includ- ing that of highway surveyor. At one time he was appointed justice of the peace, but declined to qualify. Though not a member of the Church, he believes in Christianity, and any movement which promises to benefit the community re- ceives from him hearty sympathy.

In 1855, Mr. Mills married Miss Mary E. Hoyt, daughter of Ezra and Hannah (Weed) Hoyt, of Stamford, and granddaughter of Seth Hoyt, a Revolutionary soldier. Eight children blessed this union: Mary E., who married John Tyler, of Maine, and died January 27, 1897; Charles E., a farmer and stone-mason in West- port; Albert W., a farmer and stone-mason, re- siding in Greens Farms; Martha E., who is at home; Edward P., a carpenter at Bridgeport; Hattie A., who married Edward McElwee, a farmer in Westport; and Robert R. and Leroy, who are engaged in farming in Westport.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

C NOL. WATSON JOHN MILLER, president of the Derby Silver Company, Shelton, was born in Middletown, Conn., November 23, 1849, a son of Watrous Ives and Ruth Lucretia (Prout) Miller. He is descended from notable stock on both paternal and maternal sides, Thomas Miller, one of his ancestors, having come from England about 1630 and established himself in 1660 at Middletown, where he erected and operated suc- cessfully its first mill. Governor Benjamin Mil- ler, another forbear, had the title of Governor of the Colony of Connecticut in Colonial times, and thereby secured to his prominent descendant the right to enroll himself among the members of the Sons of the Colonial Wars. From the ma- ternal branch of his family Mr. Miller is lineally descended from Timothy Prout, who came from England to Boston about 1640, and after resid- ing there some thirty years or more removed to Middletown, Conn., where he took an active part in encouraging many of its most important en- terprises, not the least of which was his interest in the building of the first sailing vessel ever launched upon the Connecticut river at Middle- town.

The subject of this sketch received his educa- tion at the Middletown High School, and later was a student in the Chase Institute, a school, by the way, of unique character, which ranked among the first of its day in excellence and im- portance, and from which many of the most prominent men of this and other States were graduated. From the Chase Institute Colonel Miller repaired to the New Haven Business Col- lege, where he received the foundation of that thorough mercantile training which has subse- quently characterized his successful commercial career. In March, 1868, he first entered into the manufacture of silver-plated ware in his native town, and six years later, in 1874, he re- moved to New York, residing in that city for about five years or so, and continuing there with the Webster Manufacturing Company in the same business of silver-plated ware manufacture which he had formerly carried on in Middletown. In the meantime the Derby Silver Company, of Shelton, Conn., desiring a secretary, treasurer and general manager, and realizing Colonel Mil- ler's value as an organizer and able director, promptly opened negotiations with him with a view to securing his services. A mutually satis- factory conclusion was reached, and in 1879 Col- onel Miller removed to Shelton, where, ten years later, he became president as well as manager of the company, whose capital and surplus is now five hundred thousand dollars, and the growth of whose business is largely due to his rare personal

abilities, untiring energy and capable manage- ment. The excellence of the goods made by the Derby Silver Company, and Colonel Miller's long connection and successful association with the concern, place him easily in the first rank of silverware manufacturers in the country.

Mr. Miller has repeatedly declined political honors, to the regret of his townsmen, who, on several occasions, have urged him to accept the nomination for representative from the town of Huntington, in which Shelton is located. Upon the election of Governor Coffin, the subject of this sketch was appointed a member of his staff, and, since becoming colonel, has acted in the capacity of aide-de-camp to His Excellency, the Governor, who is at the same time his most hearty friend. Besides having held the promi- nent position aforesaid, Colonel Miller is one of the founders and president of the South End Land Company, president of the Shelton Savings Bank, the Riverside Cemetery Association, the Shelton Building and Loan Association, and a director in the Home Trust Company, the Derby and Shelton Board of Trade, and has succeeded the late Edward N. Shelton as a director of the Birmingham National Bank. He is also a prominent thirty-second degree Mason, a mem- ber of the Mystic Shrine, and also a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston.

Colonel Miller's residence in Shelton is one of the handsomest in the State, and from his charming home he dispenses most hospitable entertainment to his host of appreciative and eminent friends. In 1874, Mr. Miller was mar- ried to Miss Susie J. Waite, daughter of Alonzo Waite, of Chicopee, Massachusetts.

W ILLIAM F. H. LOCKWOOD, a promi- nent young business man of Greenwich, is the representative of one of the prominent families of Fairfield county, Conn., where his ancestors have figured conspicuously through a period of two hundred and fifty years.

Mr. Lockwood is of the eighth generation of the family in America from Robert Lockwood, the immigrant, who came from England and set- tled in Watertown, Mass., in 1630, thence re- moving to Fairfield county, Conn., in 1646. An extensive genealogy of the family prepared some ten years ago shows over four thousand descend- ants of this Robert Lockwood. It also shows that one hundred and forty-seven of them served in the war of the Revolution and earlier wars with the French and Indians, giving the rank of service from private to that of brigadier-general.

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From these descendants have come men who have held honorable places not only on the roll of fame in military lines, but whose genius, tact, intelligence and learning have given them places honorable and high in the professions and busi- ness world.

The line of descent of our subject is as fol- lows : Robert Lockwood, the immigrant, Jona- than, Gersham, Nathan, Thaddeus, Ira, Hanford, William F. H.

The Lockwood family trace their genealogy as far back a as 1465, when Ann, the only daughter of Richard Lockwood, married Thomas Henshaw, who thereby became possessed of a large estate in Staffordshire, England.

Lieut. Jonathan Lockwood, of the second generation, and Lieut. Gersham Lockwood, of the third generation, were prominent and influ- ential men of Greenwich, Connecticut.

Thaddeus Lockwood, of the fifth generation, was a farmer by occupation. He married and had a large family. He was a good man and citizen, and lived to the advanced age of ninety- three years, dying in about 1812.

Ira Lockwood, of the sixth generation, was born October 19, 1769, on a farm in the town of Greenwich, and resided on the place nearly seventy-seven years. He was a farmer, and one of the most successful ones in the town, though not an extensive one. He commenced life poor, but by his energy, industry, economy and good management he became well off. It is related of him that at one time during the war of the Revo- lution he was standing guard, though not a sol- dier, and one dark night he heard the footsteps of something coming, and three times he called out: " Who comes there ?" No answer coming, he fired, when he discovered he had shot a colt, thinking it was a Tory. He married Clementine Mills, and the marriage was blessed with children as follows: Alva, Lydia, Ira, Ralph and Han- ford, all now dead. Of these, Lydia married Isaac Ostrander, of New York City, and had a large family. In his political views Ira Lock- wood (the father) was a Whig. He served as constable and collector of the town of Green- wich a number of years. During the earlier part of his life he and his wife were identified with the Baptist Church, both later becoming members of the Episcopal Church.

HANFORD LOCKWOOD, of the seventh generation of the family in the county, and the father of the gentleman whose name opens this sketch, was in many respects quite a remarkable man, a very useful one in the community in which his long life was passed, as well as a most successful business man and prominent citizen. He was born June

7, 1808, on the farm on which his father before him was born, and was there reared to habits of industry and economy, working on the farm through the summer seasons, and attending the neighboring schools in winters until fifteen years of age, when he went to New York City and be- came a clerk in the employ of William J. Romer, a grocer, receiving for his services five dollars a month. At the close of the first year he had saved more than thirty dollars (which he gave to his father), besides having properly clothed him- self. This was the beginning of a successful business life. Owing to sickness he returned home, and there remained two years, working on his father's farm; subsequently he returned to New York and entered the grocery-store of his brother-in-law, Isaac Ostrander, as clerk, receiv- ing eight dollars per month for the first year's work, twelve for the second, and fifteen dollars for the third.

Young Lockwood passed the summer in which he became of age at home, and in the fall and winter following he was engaged in teaching school, receiving for his services twelve dollars per month. In the following spring he engaged to teach for one year the school in what was known as "Nash District," receiving for his services fifteen dollars per month, and " boarding round." In after years he related that he had a good time and made many warm friends. Dur- ing the period of this school work he made the acquaintance of Susan, daughter of James Nash, the man who had engaged him to teach the school, and on October 6, 1830, they were married. In April, 1831, he went to New York City, and there engaged in the grocery business. He con- tinued therein twenty-one years, when he retired from active employment, returned to his native town, and resided on the old homestead where he was born until in February. 1878, when he settled at Greenwich.

In early life Mr. Lockwood became interested in the cause of religion, under the influence of one Mary Ostrander, and united with the Method- ist Episcopal Church, under the ministry of Rev. William Jewett, becoming one of the most devout Christians and active workers in the Church at Greenwich, and laboring unceasingly throughout his life for the cause of Christ. From the very beginning of his identification with the Church he took hold of the work of his home Church, and remained to the day of his death officially connected therewith, having served in various capacities, among them as steward, trus- tee, recording secretary, licensed exhorter, and superintendent of the Sunday-school. His liber- ality to the Church was in keeping with his

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

earnestness as a worker. He not only gave to his own Church but to the Churches of other denominations. He attributed his success in life more to his early Christian training than to any other cause, which, no doubt, led him to such close and liberal relations to it. He was also a friend to the poor, and gave much to charity. Mr. Lockwood was as prominent and influential in business circles as he was in the Church. He was a shrewd business man and financier, and met with eminent success in his undertakings; a good manager and far-sighted, his investments proved his wisdom in making them; success followed also his farming oper- ations. For years he served as president of the Greenwich Trust, Loan & Deposit Company, and to his efforts and ability is due the firm foundation on which that institution now rests. He was enterprising and progressive, and did much toward the advancement of the interests of his locality. A man of high honor and in- tegrity, and of great usefulness as a citizen, his death, January 27, 1896, caused a loss to the community which was keenly felt. He had so lived that "His death seemed to him a most pleasant event."

Mr. Lockwood was twice married, his first wife, Susan (Nash), passing away October 27, 1869, and she was interred at Stanwich, Conn. On January 31, 1872, Mr. Lockwood was again married, this time to Mrs. Fannie Lounsbury, widow of S. D. F. Lounsbury, and daughter of William and Anna (Brown) Roscoe. Mrs. Fannie Lockwood was born in the town of Greenwich, but late in her 'teens moved with her father's family to Port Chester, N. Y. She is a great Methodist and a worker in the auxiliary societies of the Church at Greenwich; she united with the Church when a child of twelve years. Mrs. Lockwood is one of four children. For fourteen years she was successfully engaged in school teaching. To Hanford Lockwood and his wife Fannie was born a son, William F. H.

William F. H. Lockwood, whose name opens this article, is a native of the town of Green- wich, born May 22, 1875, on the old homestead where his father and grandfather first saw the light. He was liberally educated, receiving the advantages afforded by the best schools of the country, and inherits from his intelligent parents much of their ability. He is energetic, pro- gressive, ambitious, and a bright future evidently awaits him. He is one of the most prominent of the young men of Greenwich, and is simple in his bearing, entirely without ostentation. On De- cember 27, 1897, Mr. Lockwood was elected a member of the board of directors of the Green-

wich Trust, Loan & Deposit Company, which company ranks high among such institutions in the United States, and to occupy such a position is no little honor to one so young. Mr. Lock- wood is a Republican in political preference.

On December 18, 1895, our subject was mar- ried to Miss Daisy Lucile Jackson, of Middle- town, N. Y., whom he met at the Centenary Collegiate Institute, Hackettstown, New Jersey.

R' EV. BENJAMIN MOWATT YARRING- TON, deceased.

Through the clear silence of the moonless dark, Leaving no impress of the road it trod, Straight as an arrow cleaving to its mark, A soul went home to God.

Alas! they cried, he never saw the morn, But fell asleep, outwearied with the strife- Nay, rather he arose and met the dawn Of everlasting life.

On March 19, 1898, in the "first watch of the night," there passed from earth a beloved and venerated citizen of Greenwich, whose long and useful life has left a lasting impress upon that community. Mr. Yarrington had served fifty-six years as rector of Christ Church (Protest- ant Episcopal) and as rector emeritus for three years, making fifty-nine years continuous labor in that parish, and the present prosperity of the Church is due, in the main, to his untiring efforts. During his residence in Greenwich the little village developed into a wealthy and thriving town, and his sympathies and energies were freely given to advance its best interests. He was a man of fine intellectual gifts, courteous manners and commanding presence, and his self- denying zeal as a pastor and public-spirit as a citizen met with appreciative recognition by the people of all denominations.

The Yarrington family is of English origin, and the American branches are descended from three brothers who settled in this country in Colonial times, one brother locating in Virginia, where his descendants are now numerous. Our subject's grandfather, William Yarrington, was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, and Uriah Yarrington, the father of our subject, served in the war of 1812, while during the Rebellion members of the family, including several of our subject's nephews, took part on both sides of the controversy. Uriah Yarrington was born January 24, 1780, one of a family of ten chil- dren, and became a builder by occupation. He was not blessed with a strong constitution, and he died at Flushing, L. I., at the early age of thirty-seven. His wife, Ann Tier, survived him many years, passing away at the age of eighty-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

two in our subject's home at Greenwich. Five children were born to this estimable couple: Jacob, who died in California at the age of eighty-eight; Ann E. (deceased), who married Melancthon Hoyt, D. D., a noted clergyman of the Episcopal Church; William, who died in New York in early manhood; Benjamin M., our subject; and Charles, who died in New York.

Rev. Mr. Yarrington was born at Flushing, L. I., March 15, 1812, and received his academ- ical education chiefly in New York City under Dr. Edmund D. Barry. a famous educator of that day, who conducted a classical school in which many able clergymen were instructed in youth. From childhood Mr. Yarrington cher- ished the hope of entering the ministry, and on leaving Dr. Barry's school he pursued a course of study with Dr. Clarkson Dunn, of Newton, N. J., later entering the general theological sem- inary of the Episcopal Church located in New York City. When near the end of his course there, overwork brought on an illness which compelled him to abandon his books, but after "rusticating" for a time in western New York, he returned to his studies at the seminary. He was obliged to proceed slowly for fear of a relapse, but after two years he was ordained as a deacon on December 23, 1838, at St. Thomas Church, New York City, being presented by Dr. Hawks and ordained by Bishop Onderdonk. On April 28, 1839, he received a call to the Church at Greenwich, and his acceptance marked the be- ginning of one of the longest pastorates known in the history of the denomination. The Church had been in existence for many years, and previous to 1826 the building was located on the top of Put's Hill. It was around that building that the British gathered to watch Putnam's famous ride. In 1821 the old structure was blown down by a gale, and a small wooden building was erected at the present site. In 1856 the congre- gation had outgrown this building, and it was re- placed by the present handsome stone edifice, which was consecrated January 14, 1857. At that time it was considered one of the finest churches in the State. In April, 1889, the church was enlarged by an addition on the southeast side, and it was consecrated in a service of blessing by Bishop Williams. This was a fitting memorial to crown Mr. Yarrington's work of fifty years in the parish.

Mr. Yarrington could never be induced to take a vacation. Being a strong and robust man he did not feel the need of rest. He was rarely, if ever sick, and during all these years scarcely missed a Sunday. In 1884, after a severe attack of pneumonia, he was persuaded to take a short

rest, and went to Saratoga, but a few weeks la- ter he came back with his health fully restored. He knew no Church or Creed when appealed to by those in want or distress, and was always ready to officiate at a funeral or wedding, whether the parties were Church-goers or not. During the fifty-six years of his rectorship he baptized 1, 235 persons, attended 1, 112 funerals, performed 248 marriage ceremonies, confirmed 648 applicants, and made 12,646 pastoral calls among his pa- rishioners. From the bare handful of communi- cants-twenty only-when Mr. Yarrington came to Greenwich, the parish has grown to 275 com- municants in the Mother Church, with Calvary Chapel, Round Hill; Emanuel, at Glenville, St. Paul's Riverside and Byram Chapel, prosperous auxiliaries of the present organization, 1, 340 families having been under his pastoral care. A few years ago Riverside Chapel was made a dis- tinct Church, and as the time passed Mr. Yarring- ton's duties became so arduous that an assistant was appointed.

On Sunday, February 10, 1895, Mr. Yarring- ton resigned as rector of Christ Church, having been its pastor for fifty-six years. He read his resignation from the pulpit, as follows:

DEAR BRETHREN-I have a few words to tell you that I have postponed saying for some time because my heart an- tagonized my lips; it is this: The 28th day of April will com- plete my ministry of fifty-six years in your service, when I shall resign the sweet and pleasant work entrusted to me by your honored fathers. You have my grateful acknowledg- ment of your unvarying kindness. And your sainted parents and kinsfolk, how I admired and loved them they never knew, but they shall know some future day, if God permits. I have only to add that you, their children and representa- tives, will always have my poor prayers for your prosperity. God bless you.

On March 2, 1895, at a parish meeting, Mr. Yarrington's resignation was accepted, and the following resolutions were passed:

Resolved, That the members of Christ Church, Green- wich, whilst viewing with sorrow the severance of such long and close ties as have existed between their reverend rector, the Rev. B. M. Yarrington, and their predecessors and them- selves, yet recognize his right at his advanced age to retire- ment and a restful period from the labors which now devolve upon him, and therefore do hereby accept his resignation, taking effect April 28, prox.

Resolved, That the wardens and vestry are hereby au- thorized to offer the free use and occupancy of the rectory to Mr. Yarrington during his natural life, and in case the war- dens and vestry shall hereafter deem the said rectory needed for any future minister in charge, they be authorized to hire and supply for the free use of Mr. Yarrington of some other suitable residence in the parish, the expense thereof to be borne by this Church, and ample notice to be given to Mr. Yarrington of such contemplated change.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 17

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