Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 177

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

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Mr. Bradley has a handsome home at No. 62 Franklin street, Norwalk, and he and his wife. who was formerly Miss Lavina Brotherton, of that city, are identified with a select social cir- cle. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and he is an active member of the G. A. R., in which he is a past commander.

G EORGE H. MILLS, a well-known and highly esteemed resident of Greenwich township. Fairfield county, is a direct descendant in the eighth generation of the Samuel Mills who was i one of the first settlers of that township. He was born September 13. 1840, on the farm four miles north of Greenwich village where the first Samuel Mills settled, and which has ever since been owned and occupied by his descendants, the present occupant, also named Samuel. be- ing of the eighth generation, and having a son Samuel of the ninth generation. Each genera- tion has had a representative bearing the name of Samuel.

Samuel Mills, the grandfather of George H. Mills, married Martha Husted, who also belonged to one of the old families of the township, and they reared a family of six children, namely: Samuel. Roswell (of North Greenwich), Mary. Sarah, Deborah and Ann Augusta. Only one of the daughters married, and she died at an early age. Grandfather Samuel Mills was a de- vout Methodist. in this respect following in the footsteps of his ancestors. The eldest son, Samuel, was born in March, 1814. in the house which was also the birthplace of his father and son, and grew to manhood on the homestead farm, where he passed his entire life. He mar- ried Maria Trowbridge, a native of Bedford, N. Y., who was the daughter of Samuel Trowbridge and a descendant of the Trowbridge family which settled New Haven, and three children blessed their union: Martha A. (now deceased). who married Augustus N. Reynolds; George H .; and Samuel Elbert, who carried on the farm in Green- wich; he served in the Civil war with the Tenth Connecticut: he married Mary H. Reynolds, daughter of Abram Reynolds, and has three children-Helen T., Samuel Harold and Jen- nette R. Mr. Mills was a Democrat in political

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Mr. Bradley was five years old when he crossed the Atlantic. and his youth was mainly spent in Cohoes. N. Y., where his education was begun in the public schools. As a boy he worked for some time in a cotton factory there, and at the age of sixteen he left home to enter the employ of a farmer in Orange county, N. Y .. with whom he remained three years, his winters being devoted to his studies in the local schools. On leaving this place he went to Newburg, and found employment in the factory of the America Dessicating Company, and later he was sent to Willamsburg. N. Y., to take charge of their fac- tory there. On September 4. 1802. he enlisted in Company B, 15th New York Volunteer En- gineers, and was shortly afterward made first sergeant of Company A, same repiment. which rank he held until the close of the war. He took part in a number of important engagements but, fortunately, was never wounded. On July 2. 1865, he received his discharge, and on the fol- lowing day he returned to his former residence in Newburg

Like many of our gallant soldiers, he found his service in the army a sad interruption in busi- ness life, and for some time he was obliged to work as a farm laborer. As he desired to fit himself for something more congenial and profit- able than this, he entered the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., on November 1, 1865. and in May of the next year he was grad- uated from that institution. He then went to New York City, and on June 21, 1866. he re- ceived an appointment as policeman, in which position he served satisfactorily for twenty years, | connection, and was one of the "wheel-horses " being released on June 22. 1886, at his own re- of the party in this section, taking a prominent part in its affairs. He was elected to office at different times, and was well known throughout the locality as an energetic, active man, one who gained the respect and friendship of all who knew him. Religiously, he was a member of quest. Since that date he has been a resident of Norwalk, where he was for a time employed as a shoe manufacturer. On February 10. 1894, he ! was appointed chief of police of that city, and his faithful and efficient service in that capacity has fully justified the confidence reposed in him. I the Second Congregational Church. He and

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his wife were laid to rest in the Episcopal ceme- tery, though his ancestors are all buried in a private cemetery on the Mills farm.

George H. Mills was reared on the place of his birth, and made his home there until his mar- riage, assisting his father with the farm work. His education he acquired in the Clapboard Ridge district school, which at that day was con- ducted in an old-fashioned building, and the liter- ary facilities were correspondingly meager. Henry Close was his first teacher. On Septem- ber 13, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Lucretia Mead, who was born November 30, 1846, in the house where they have since resided. She was the youngest child of Jonas and Abigail Mead. of Greenwich township, and the young couple took up their home with her parents, Mr. Mills, for the ten years following his marriage, carrying on a hardware and stove business in the village. They have a comfortable residence, and enjoy a goodly share of this world's goods, though they are quiet and unassuming in their manners and living. They have had two chil- dren: Maria A., who died when fourteen months old, and Winfield S., a son adopted when four- teen months old, who was born August 14. 1886.

Mr. Mills is regarded as a valuable citizen in his township, one who can be relied upon to take a public-spirited interest in any measure for progress or improvement, and who always has the welfare of the community at heart. He is non-partisan in political affairs, limiting his efforts in that line to seeing that good men are put into office. In religious connection he and his wife are prominent members of the Congre- rational Church, in which he has served as deacon for sixteen years. and for ten years he held the position of Sunday-school superintend- ent. He is a strong advocate of temperance, never using strong drink or tobacco in any form.

C HARLES E. PURDY, a prosperous and pro- gressive member of the agricultural class in Greenwich township, resides in King Street, on what is known as the "Old Field Homestead," which is situated partly in Fairfield county, Conn., and partly in Westchester county, New York.

Mr. Purdy is a native of Westchester county, born November 4, 1845. in North Castle town- ship. on the farm of his parents, Charles and Phoebe (Lane) Purdy. The father was born in Mt. Pleasant township. Westchester county, son of Eleazer Purdy, who died when Charles was a boy. The latter grew up in his native county, married there, and carried on farming all his act-

ive life, becoming well-to-do as time went on. He was a hard worker. although a man of very slight build, never weighing over 125 pounds. Mrs. Purdy was a daughter of Stephen Lane, a farmer, who lived to be ninety-five years old. She was the mother of five children: Elizabeth is the wife of Henry Mathews, of New York City, Mary (Mrs. Beebe) is now deceased; Charles E .; Stephen L., of North Castle township; and Annie, wife of Dr. Batchelor, of New York City. The father (now (1899) ninety years old) and mother are living retired in New York City. They are Friends in religious faith. Mr. Purdy has been a lifelong Democrat politically, and he served as supervisor of North Castle township for years.

Charles E. Purdy received a good common- school education, and also attended the Mt. Kisco (N. Y.) Academy for two years. From an early age he was trained to practical farm work, and until his marriage remained on the home place, in which he had an interest, working it after he reached his majority. After leaving the paternal farm he went to Mamaroneck, N. Y., for a year, and in the spring of 1877 settled on his present farm in Greenwich, which he rented for the first ten years of his residence there. He finally be- came the proprietor, purchasing from the heirs of Elias Hicks Field, and he is the first owner outside the Field family for generations. The tract contains 130 acres in all, and is one of the best farms in the vicinity, its present owner having added considerably to its value by his skillful methods in agriculture. He has remodeled the house, which is now one of the most com- fortable homes in King Street, and has made numerous other improvements about the place. the appearance of which gives every evidence of his good judgment and progressive nature, for he is up-to-date in every respect. Mr. Purdy de- votes much time and attention to apple growing, and does an extensive business in that branch, having a crop of from 600 to 1,000 barrels an- nually. He is well known throughout this sec- tion, and has a reputation surpassed by none for honesty and straightforwardness in all his deal- ings with his fellow men.

Mr. Purdy was united in marriage when thir- ty years of age, with Miss Joanna Pierce, who was the daughter of Moses Pierce and Esther Carpenter, his wife, of Pleasantville, N. Y., where she was born. They have five children: Eliza- beth M., Esther C., Arthur E., Helen C. and Charles E., Jr., all of whom live at home. Mr. and Mrs. Purdy are faithful members of the Friends Church at Purchase, N. Y. Politically, he is an ardent Democrat, one of the best work- ers for his party in the township, though he has,

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in local affairs, supported good men of the other ; specialty. Returning to Cos Cob, he resumed great party. He has served three years as a , farming, which he continued to follow until selectman of the town.

G EORGE E. HORTON, a well-known and representative business man of Greenwich township. Fairfield county, now employed as traveling salesman for A. J. Tower, of Boston, was born at Wilton, Conn .. June 12. 1859, a son of William and Sarah (Silkman) Horton.

Early in hfe the father engaged in the retail grocery business, subsequently was a commission

March, 1894, when he opened a retail grocery store at Mianus in partnership with J. D. Ayres. The firm conducted what was no doubt the larg- est business of the kind in Greenwich township. but on March 17. 1897. their store was destroyed by fire. Since January 1. 1898. Mr. Horton has been on the road for A. J. Tower, of Boston, selling oil clothing. He is a wide awake, ener- getic man, of good business ability, and has the full confidence and esteem of his employers. Politically, he is an ardent Republican.

On June 27. 1888. Mr. Horton was married merchant in New York City, dealing in flour and I to Miss Kate L. Duff, a native of Cos Cob. She grain. and later he owned and operated a farm is a member of the Episcopal Church, and, like her husband. is the center of a large circle of near Wilton. Conn. He was a self-made man in the truest sense of that term, and was very suc- | friends and acquaintances.

cessful, leaving to his family a comfortable com- petente. In 18So he came to Greenwich town- ship. Fairfield Co., Conn., and purchased from William Timpany a farm near ( os Cob, which JOHN DUFF. Mrs. Horton's father, was born in New York City. September 22. 1824. a son of John and Harriet Duff. He was but eleven years old when his father died be greatly improved. He was a Repubhcan in ! of cholera, and as his mother married again politics, but was not strictly partisan, always | and he could not agree with his stepfather. endeavoring to support the man best qualified ; he left home and came to Cos Cob, Fairfield Co. for the office. He died in his sixty-eighth year. and his remains were interred at Somers, N. Y. The mother of our subject had died some years 1 before, and his father. Wilham Borton, was a second time married. but by that umion had no children Two sons were born of the first mar- riage. Charles W., a farmer of Wilton, Conn .. and George E., of this sketch. Our subject's paternal grandfather was David Horton, a farm- er by occupation. Conn. He had one brother, Richard, who died in boyhood, and a sister. Mary A., of whom he has lost all trace. He arrived in Cos Cob on the sloop " Theodore," and for five years made his home with Mrs. Nehemiah Mead, a widow. doing chores, and for one quarter attending the district schools. The following six years he lived with Charles Timpany, a carpenter and farmer. living in North Cos Cob, and with him learned the carpenter's trade and worked as a journey- man until 1848. He then helped to build the George E. Horton began his education in the public schools of New York. After his mother's death. which occurred when he was eight years 1 old. he went to live with his paternal grand- father. but when his father re-married, about two or three years later, he returned home. For a time he attended Prof. Olmstead's school at Wilton, Conn., and afterward again entered the public schools of New York City, graduating from Public School No. 68 on 128th street, near 6th avenue. He also took a course at the New York College. first railroad bridge at Cos Cob, and soon after- ward purchased a half-interest in a shipyard at i that place, his partner being a Mr. Gilbert, whose interest he afterward purchased. Al- though he knew little concerning the business at the beginning, he employed experienced work- men and soon became thoroughly familiar with every branch of it. Soon after his marriage the firm of White. Barnes & Duff was organized. and as general ship builders they built the following vessels: ". Locomotive," .. James H. Holden." " Sacramento." ". Mary Elizabeth," and .. Phil- lips," all sioops. For half a century Mr. Duff

Mr. Horton began his business career as col- lector for the commission house of Pottle & Jacoby, with which he remained until 18So, when ! has now been interested in this business. and is his parents removed to Cos Cob. and he took the ! well known along the Sound. Although he started in life for himself a poor, homeless boy. management of the farm. Three years later he went on the road as traveling salesman for the . and endured many hardships and impositions, he Metropolitan Rubber Company, remaining with ' has become one of Fairfield county's most highly that him ten years. Subsequently he was en- , respected citizens, and has reared an excellent gaged in the hardware business, on his own ac- family. He is a Democrat in politics, has been affiliated with the Acacia Lodge, F. & A. M., for count, and also owned a half-interest in a patent

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over thirty years and is also a member of the Episcopal Church.

On November 3. 1851, Mr. Duff married Miss Deborah A. Palmer, who was born in North Cos Cob, March 15, 1831, a daughter of Henry and Anna (Pomeroy) Palmer. The children born to this union are as follows: Clarissa, who died when a young lady; Delia A., who died in child- hood; John H., who was for years in the employ of Yale & Towne Company, of Stamford, being the only one of their employes to go to the top of the tall chimney at the Yale Lock Works (he died in Stamford, leaving two daughters, Sadie being the only one now living); Charles R., of Mountainville, who is manager of the Lawson Valentine farm in Orange county, N. Y .; William J., a resident of Cos Cob; Denom G., who was accidentally killed by a shot gun at the age of eleven years; Annie P., deceased wife of Arthur Tingue, of Cobleskill; Kate L., wife of George E. Horton; and Ruth C., at home.

T HOMAS M. FAIRTY. who for the past thirty years has been successfully engaged in the butcher business in New Canaan, was born in that town August 28. 1832

The father of our subject. James Fairty, was a native of Ireland, and came to America when a young man of eighteen years of age, becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States. He settled in Connecticut, and was married in New Canaan to Eliza Monroe, daughter of Nathan Monroe. Five children were born to them, namely: Frank, who is now deceased; Thomas Monroe; James, a resident of New Canaan; Joseph, living in Canada; and Ann Eliza, who is deceased. The father was a shoemaker by trade, and followed the same in New Canaan. In 1862, during the war of the Rebellion, he was in New York City, and was there run over by a mob and killed. The mother survived him many years, dying in 1894.

Thomas M. Fairty grew to manhood in New Canaan, attending during boyhood the Clap- board Hill District school and the Silver Mine District school. where he received all his educa- tion. During his earlier years he worked a little at shoeinaking, and also farmed and dealt in cattle. When about eighteen years of age he removed to Wilton. Conn., where he engaged in farming and stock dealing until 1867, the year in which he settled in New Canaan. On his ar- rival here he embarked in the butcher business with Samuel Whitney, under the firm name of Whitney & Co., and this partnership continued for six years until Mr. Whitney's death dissolved

it. Mr. Fairty has since conducted the store alone, and he has met with well deserved suc- cess, as a result of persevering industry and un- tiring attention to the details of his business. In addition to the butcher business he handles a full line of groceries. Mr. Fairty began life with very little money and not many more clothes than he needed, and the comfortable home and income which he now enjoys have been acquired by the constant exercise of his business ability and good judgment in the management of his affairs. For many years he was a director and the vice-president of the New Canaan National Bank. He has gained the good-will and respect of his fellow citizens by his thoroughly honest methods in all his dealings, and is looked up to as a reliable. trustworthy man. He has held several minor offices in his town, and served as selectman for nine or ten years to the satisfac- tion of all concerned. In political sentiment he is a Democrat, but in voting he is guided by his own judgment and conscience, never sacrificing principle for the sake of being partisan.

In 1854 Mr. Fairty was married at Wilton to Miss Margaret C. Geddes, daughter of Jeremiah Geddes, and they have had two children: Thomas J. and Charles H. Thomas married Carrie Lockwood, and has one daughter-Flora L. Charles H. married Sophia C. Rover, and they have four children-Florence May. Charles Edwin, Henry C. and Frederick. Our subject and his wife have a comfortable home on East avenue, in the village of New Canaan. Thus it may be seen in summing up the life work of this gentleman that penury in boyhood does not al- ways prove a hindrance to success. His ambi- tion from a mere lad was to be independent, and that he has attained it his prosperity stands in evidence, for he to-day ranks among the wealthy and influential men of Fairfield county. Through his kindness of heart some losses have fallen to him, for it is said that the distressed were never turned from his door unaided. His life has been simple and blameless, " his word his bond," up- rightness and honesty his religion.

G EORGE H. DAYTON. Many of the most successful business men of New York have derived their vigor of mind and body from a youth spent amid the wholesome surroundings of country life in this section, and the subject of this sketch, a native of the town of Greenwich. is among the number who have demonstrated the ability of the "farmer boys" to make their way in the world.

The Dayton family is one of the best known

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in the town of Greenwich, its members being . York and Brooklyn until 1885. when he built his noted for the qualities that constitute good citi- present comfortable and attractive home at Belle zenship. Our subject was born August 22, 1842. | Haven. He was one of the first to recognize the on a farm at Stanwich, and is the youngest son I beauty of that picturesque locality, and the little and child of David Dayton, Jr., and his wife, I village, which had not yet received a name, has grown up since he settled there. As a citizen Mr. Dayton is highly esteemed. his energy and ability, as shown by his successful business ca- reer. winning the respect which is invariably ac- corded to the " self-made man." Politically. he has always been a stanch Republican, and while he is not an office seeker he votes regularly, and is at all times keenly interested in the success of 1 Congregational Church at Greenwich. While . residing in Brooklyn he held various offices in Elizabeth ( Brush), of whom mention is made elsewhere. A brother, John Dayton, is now a prominent resident of Greenwich. As the son of a busy farmer. our subject received a thor- ough training in the ancient and honorable busi- ness of agriculture, his attendance at school be- ing often interrupted by the work on the home- stead. With the exception of one term in the Greenwich Academy, then conducted by Prof. I his party. He and his wife are prominent in so- Philander Button, his opportunities were limited I cial life, and are both active members of the to the district schools of Stanwich, which were greatly inferior to those of the present time in

both methods and equipment. Among his ear- ' the Church there. As might be inferred from his military record. Mr. Dayton is a member of

her teachers was Charles Gorse. After leaving school he devoted his attention to the work of ' the G. A. R., belonging to Lombard Post No. the farm, but the outbreak of the Civil war | 24. at Greenwich, and he is also identified with aroused his patriotic spirit, and, mere boy as he ' the Indian Harbor Yacht Club. and the Green- was, he enlisted in August. 1861. as a private in ' wich Casino Association, being the present Company 1. 10th Conn. Vols. He was soon treasurer of the latter organization. promoted to the rank of corporal. and he did gallant service in several battles. his first serious engagement being at Roanoke Island. under Burnside. On March 14. 1862. he was wounded at Newbern, N. C., by a bullet which he

0 SCAR LEANDER WILLIAMS. "A little farm, well-tilled." makes an ideal home in the opinion of most men, and, where thrift and now has in his possession. It penetrated his ! industry combine to make the most of its re- right lung. striking a rib, where it was defiected, and coming out near the spinal column lodged in

sources, as comfortable a competence can be gained as from a larger estate upon which less his coat. While undergoing treatment in the . business-like methods prevail. Mr. Williams is hospital at Newbern he was taken with typhoid : the owner of thirty-five acres in the Pembroke fever, and in June. 1862. he was sent home, but later, his recovery being slow, he was transferred . to a hospital at New Haven. While he was I never again able to do field duty he found an op-

District, town of Danbury, and his judicious management has made the place a profitable in- vestment.

Mr. Williams was born December 16, 1841. portunity, before the war closed, to make him- ! in the town of Kent, Putnam Co., N. Y., a son self useful in the quartermaster's department at i of Harrison Williams and grandson of Thomas New York City, taking charge of the shipping of and Jane (Merritt) Williams. His father, who was born February 14. 1814. was a farmer by supplies from the ( anal street wharf, on the North river. When the war ended he became , occupation, and resided in early life in Putnam connected with the Pacific Mail Steamship Com- , county, N. Y., but later removed to New Fair- pany, at the same wharf. and after twelve years | field. Conn., where his death occurred August of continuous work with that corporation he re- signed to engage in the insurance business. From 1875 to 1883 he was associated with the Broadway Fire Insurance Company, and since that time he has been connected with the Eagle Fire Insurance Company. first as surveyor and later as superintendent of agencies.

In 1868 Mr. Dayton was married. in New York City, to Miss Elizabeth Louise Smith, a na- tive of the metropolis. and two children have blessed their union: Jennie Louise and Ethel Frances. Mr. Dayton made his home in New

26. 1884. He married Sarah Sturdevant, who was born May 16, 1814. in the town of Kent. Putnam Co., N. Y., and died June 10, 1889, at Farmers Mills. Our subject was the eldest of four children: Charles E., who died February 11, 1881. married Miss Jane Barnum, daughter of David and Jane (Gilbert) Barnum, and by this union had two children. Charles and David. Laura F. married Eli Mead, of Kent, Putnam county, and has six children-William S., Mary E., Ida F. and Ira E. (twins), and Cassie S. and Charles H. (also twins,. Merritt J. married (first)

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 177

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