Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 188

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

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James M. Middlebrook, father of our subject, was born in the town of Wilton, Conn., January 22, 1820. After receiving his education in the common schools of that town he became a farmer, and followed that occupation until 1849, i man, thus becoming a sailor. afterward becom- when he and a number of friends started for the

ing an officer on one of the vessels. and remain- gold fields of California. Remaining there for ing on the sea thus engaged until 1888. At this about six months, he returned and resumed his I time he located in Winston, Conn., where he farm life in Wilton. In 1885 he married Miss , purchased a farm. and later removed to Wilton, Emily Olmstead, who was born February 22. , where he purchased another farm, which he still

183 ;. a daughter of Lorenzo D). and Julia (Lee) Olmstead, the former of whom was a farmer at Wilton, Conn. By this umon there were chil- dien as follows: Sarah, who married Stephen Thayer; Julia A., who died young; and James L .. the subject of this sketch. The father of these children died in 1866 at the age of forty, and the mother then married Charles E. Morris, of Brookfield, Conn., becoming the third wife.

, owns and manages. He is a member of the Episcopal Church of Wilton. He was married in London, England, June 22, 1892, to Miss Emily B. Little, who was born in Kilmilston, Hampshire, England. February 3, 1866. a daugh- ter of John and Harriet (Aked) Little. They have two children, as follows: Dorothy, born July 9, 1893; and Edith, born April 6, 1895.

'John Biand, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Camby, Lincolnshire, England, and there received his education, and he always followed farming. He was a member of the Church of England. He married a Miss Sowerby, of Messingham, Lincolnshire, England. by whom he had the following children: George,

Mary Little, (third) Alice Dobbs; Thomas, who married Mary Little; John, who married Eliza Sowerby; Harry, who died young; Frederick; Marion, who married James Bennett: and Grace, who married George Ellison.

Alden Olmstead, maternal great-grandfather of our subject, was born in the town of Wilton, and was there educated. He was always a farmer, except during the time he was serving as a soldier in the war of 1812. He married Miss 1 Sarah Smith, by whom he had children as fol- lows: Lorenzo D., who married Julia Lee; I who married (first) Mary Hinchfief, (second) Betsey, who married (first; a Mr. Cogswell, and (second) William Lockwood; Seth, who died young; and Marvin, who married (first) Sarah Beers, and (second) Abigail

Lorenzo Olmstead, grandfather of our sub- ject on the maternal side, was born in the town John Bland, father of the subject, was born : in Camby, Lincolnshire, England, in 1835. His education was received in the schools of that place. He became a farmer after leaving school, of Wilton in 1808, and was educated in the public schools of that town. At first he learned the comb-maker's trade, and later that of shoe- maker, but never worked on the bench. He en- ; and continued in that occupation nearly all his

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life, retiring, however, in his old age, removing to London, and there dying August 25, 1891. His wife, Eliza Sowerby, was a daughter of William and Ann Sowerby, of Messingham, Eng- land, and she bore him three children, as follows: Catharine; William P., the subject of this sketch; and Harry, who died young. Catharine married Earnest Little, and has one child, Edward B.

John George Little, great-grandfather of Em- ily B. Little, wife of the subject of this sketch, was born in Blyborough, Lincolnshire, England, and there received his education. He became an extensive land owner, and there is now 1,000 acres of land in that place which still belongs to the family. He married a Miss Hill, and by her had the following children: John G., Thomas and Mary A.

John G. Little, Jr., grandfather of subject's wife, was born in the same place as his father, was educated there and always engaged in farm- ing. He married Miss Elizabeth Sowerby, a daughter of William Sowerby, of England, and by her had children as follows: John G., who married Harriet Aked; Thomas, deceased: George, also deceased; William, who married Grace Danby; Mary, who married George Bland; and Elizabeth, deceased.

John G. Little, father of our subject's wife, was born in the same town as his father and grandfather, and he succeeded to the estate, thus becoming a large land owner. This property he cultivated until his death in 1886. He married Miss Harriet Aked, a daughter of Thomas and Jane (Bent) Aked, of Bradford, Yorkshire, Eng- land. She was born in 1841, and died in 1885. Their marriage took place April 16, 1864, and to them were born children as follows: Emily B., wife of our subject: Earnest W .. who married Catharine Bland: Sidney, John G, Arthur and Nora, all four of whom are single, and there were six that died in infancy.

TSAAC M. SCOFIELD. The Scofield family has been identified with the town of Stam- ford from an early period, and its members are now numerous, the name being borne by more people than is any other in the town. The town records mention, under date of December 7. 1641, an award of a home lot and woodland to " Dan Scofield," the progenitor of the various branches of the family in Stamford.

Peter Scofield, the great-great-grandfather of the well-known citizen whose name opens this sketch, was a deacon in the Congregational Church, and did gallant service in the French and Indian war under General Abercrombie and

General Amherst. He attained the advanced age of ninety-one or ninety-two years, and his mental and physical vigor during his last days is illustrated by the following incident: About a year previous to his death a militia company. of which he had long been a member, decided to honor him with a salute as they passed his house on their return from "trooping." but their pistols. snapped and their plan was, per- force, given up. The old gentleman was sitting by a window watching them, and as they were about to ride away he rushed to the door and shouted "Hold on, boys, I will bring you a coal of fire."

Warren Scofield, the great-grandfather of our subject, married a daughter of Capt. Reuben Scofield, who was a captain of the town guards during the Revolutionary war, and, like Peter Scofield, was a deacon in the Congregational Church and a soldier in the French and Indian war.

Amzi Scofield, the only son of Warren and the grandfather of our subject, was born Sep- tember 26, 1794. in Newfield, in the town of Stamford. He inherited the old farm and passed his life there, his early education being obtained in the local schools. His active and progressive management did much to develop the resources of the place, and at the age of | twenty-four he built a house for himself upon the farm. On November 24. 1819. he married Polly A. Davenport, daughter of Deodate and Abigail (Sanford) Davenport, old settlers of New Canaan. Mr. Scofield died February 20, 1863, and his wife, who was born June 19, 1796. died July 23, 1891. Her faculties were well preserved, and she looked many years younger than some women who have not attained near her age. Of their children the following lived to maturity: Amzi L., Cyrus, William W., Abigail Louise and Henry.

Hon. William Wallace Scofield, our subject's father, was born March 2, 1825, in the New- field District, of the town of Stamford, and was reared at the old homestead. He had the usual educational opportunities of a country boy of "the olden time," attending the local schools and later a private school in Stamford, in win- ter, while working on the farm in summer, and never received more than four months' instruc- tion in any one year. In 1849, becoming affect- ed by the "gold fever," he joined a company bound for California, where he spent a year in the mountains searching for the precious metal. | He had fair success, although he suffered through- out his stay from the effects of a severe attack | of Panama fever. Altogether he was absent

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from home about eighteen months, and on his to command success, and his unswerving honesty return he resumed his work at the homestead. has at the same time won for him the respect of which he conducted in a thoroughly scientific . all who know him. manner, making it one of the best farins in the

The Martin family has been identified with neighborhood. He acquired a handsome com- I the oyster business at Port Chester for four gen- petence as a result of his excellent management. I erations, their grounds, which are among the

and enjoyed in a high degree the esteem of his

oldest in the States of New York and Connecti- fellow-citizens, not only for his ability and sound i cut. having been in their possession over a cen- judgment but for his personal worth. In politics , tury. Isaac Martin, our subject's great-grand- he was first an Old-line Whig. but in 1858 he ! father, was the pioneer oysterman of that sec- was identified with the Know-Nothing party. be- I tion. He made his home at Port Chester, and ing elected on that ticket to the State Legisla- ! he and his wife, Mary (Sands), had a large family ture from Stamford, but later he gave his alle- i of children, of whom the following lived to ma- glance to the Republican party. He was frequent-

turity: Jarvis (now residing at Port Chester at ly chosen to local ofnce, serving as selectman i the age of ninety-eight years), John, Isaac, Sally. for six years, and for the same length of time he , Mary Ann. Sarah and William.

was a member of the school committee. On

Jarvis Martin, the grandfather of our subject. December 17, 1855. he married Louisianna Cor- . was also engaged in the oyster business through- delia Mead, who was born September 12. 1834. . out his life. He married Rebecca Seaman, and ' had children as follows: Lauretta, Caroline, James, Maria. Phoebe, George W. and Martin.

the daughter of John and Lucinda (Robinson; Mead, of New York. The Mead family is of Eng. lish extraction. Her father, who was a native of England, was a tailor by occupation and import-

George W. Martin, our subject's father, is now a prominent resident of Port Chester, and ed his goods from the old country, crossing the : for forty-eight years he has followed the oyster ocean seventeen times on his business trips. W. ' business successfully. He is in his sixty-fifth year. W. Scofield died October 10, 1895: Mrs. Sco- , while his estimable wife, whose maiden name field resides at the old home. They had three was Emily Jessup, is nearly sixty. They have children, of whom our subject is the eldest. (2) . six children: Warren, who resides at Port Ches- Frank Robinson, born May 29, 1861, married ter, and is employed in the register's office at May Edson Ryan, of New York City, and died | White Plains, N. Y .; Henry, an oysterman and November 28. 1894. (3) Mary Louisa, born No- ! boat builder at East Port Chester; Chester N., vember 5, 1863. married George Sawter, United States Consul at Glauchau, Germany.

our subject; Emma R., widow of the late John Tompkins, and a resident of Port Chester; Phoebe S .. now Mrs. John L. Thompson, of Port Ches- ter. and Ida E., a successful teacher in the schools of Port Chester.

Isaac M. Scofield, who is one of the most highly respected residents of Stamford, was born March 8. 1859, at the old homestead in the Newfield District. He now owns and occupies this farm, endeared to him by so many mem- ories, and is an enterprising and successful agri- culturist. He was first married, in New Canaan,

Our subject was born October 2, 1862, at the old home in Port Chester, and his education was , obtained in the public schools of that town. ' From early boyhood he assisted his father in the March 21, 1882, to Jessie S. Hurlbert, who died | oyster business, and the thorough familiarity

December 1, 1882, and on November 12, 1889, . with every detail of the management which was he was again married. this time in Stamford. to , thus gained has been of great value to him. Pos- Jessie Strang, daughter of James B. Strang, a well-known citizen of that town. One son, Henry Nelson, has blessed this union, his birth occurring October 17. 1890. The family is prom- 1 inent socially, and Mr. Scofield is a member of the New England Order of Protection. sessing a keen, practical mind, he has made a scientific study of the business, and he is now re- garded as an authority in many of its branches. At the age of sixteen he was given a one-eighth interest in his father's business, and they are still in partnership. By judicious investments in real estate at East Port Chester, Mr. Martin has HESTER N. MARTIN. The village of East C greatly increased his capital, and his natural abil- ity in mechanical lines has been used to good : purposes in connection with the dwelling houses built by him in recent years. His own residence is one of the most attractive in the village, and

Port Chester is fortunate in numbering among its residents this enterprising and public- spirited citizen, who has done much toward the improvement and development of that locality. . he also owns a double house and three single Thrifty, industrious and far-sighted, he is a man | houses, which were chiefly built under his per-

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sonal supervision. In the repair or improvement of these buildings he often exercises his own in- genuity, being apparently competent to turn his hand to any task. He is a close observer, and is quick to note and apply any idea which may be of use to him. Throughout his life he has been strictly correct in his habits, having never gam- bled or used either liquors or tobacco; the same is true of his brothers, and no better type of citi- zenship can be found. While he is not a poli- tician he takes an intelligent interest in the ques- tions of the day, and is a regular voter, his sup- port being given to the Republican party.

In 1889 Mr. Martin married Miss Mary New- man, of Riverside, the daughter of John New- man, and a descendant of one of the prominent pioneer families of the town of Stamford.

H ERBERT B. SHERWOOD. The career of this enterprising young business man of Southport illustrates well the energy, ability and sound judgment of the typical American. The Pequot Spring Lake Ice, now controlled solely by him, has a high reputation for purity, and in his extensive business as a shipper of produce and dealer in supplies of various kinds he has made it a rule to secure trade by placing on the market the best goods, and his success suggests the forcible wisdom of that time-worn proverb, "Honesty is the best policy."

Mr. Sherwood, who is a member of one of the leading families of the county, was born Au- gust 22, 1870, in the Mill Plain District of the town of Fairfield, a son of J. H. and Salina (Beecher) Sherwood, of whom mention is made elsewhere. During boyhood much of his time in the summer season was spent in farm work at the homestead under the direction of his father, who has been for many years prominently iden- tified with the agricultural interests of that local- ity, but in winter he attended the schools of the district. As he had a decided inclination for a mercantile career. he also took a course in the Loveridge Business College at New Haven, choos- ing those studies which bore directly upon his chosen calling rather than the general training engaged in business as an ice dealer at Southport, Fairfield and Greens Farms, and in 1891 he built a dam at Pequot Lake, by which he secured a large quantity of ice, while gaining good water power. His storage buildings, which have a ca- pacity of more than two thousand tons, were built by him, and he also conducts a sawmill, with a turning lathe, and has good trade in saw and split wood kindlings, in addition to the other

branches of business. On January 1, 1896, he took charge of the feed and coal business for- merly conducted by the late Simon Banks, of Southport, one of the oldest establishments of the kind in that city, and in connection with this he utilizes a large feed grinder run by water power. He commands an extensive trade in general supplies, including grain, stone, loam and fertilizers of all sorts, and the schooner "George Edwin " is constantly engaged in shipping his cargoes of produce to market. His integrity is unquestioned, while as a citizen he is much es- teemed, his public spirit being shown in the ready and practical sugport given all progressive move- ments. Politically. he is a stanch Republican. and while he is not an office seeker he takes an active share in party work, holding at present the post of secretary of the Republican Club of Fair field township.

On October 23, 1895. Mr. Sherwood married Miss Clara L. Banks, and one daughter has blessed the union: Marion Louise Banks, born August 2, 1896. Mrs. Sherwood is a member of a well-known family of this county, and her fa- ther, the late Simon Banks, was one of the most successful merchants of Southport, accumulating through his own industry and shrewd manage- ment a handsome fortune. He was born May 16, 1830, in Banks North District, Fairfield township, a son of Aaron and Polly A. (Sher- wood) Banks, and his death occurred May 20, 1897. He married Miss Nancy M. Brown, who survives him with three children: E. S., now judge of probate of Fairfield township; Miss Grace E., who resides in Southport; and Clara L. (Mrs. Sherwood).

J YOHN J. HANLON, of Norwalk, is a member of the well-known firm of Hanlon Brothers. manufacturers of a superior brand of baking powder, which has become a prime favorite with the best housewives in the world-those of New England. This firm has now been in existence about seventeen years, and their trade is quite extensive.

commonly given. At the age of twenty-one he | Daniel Hanlon, our subject's father, was born in

The Hanlon family originated in Ireland, and that country, in County Wicklow, whence he came to America as a young man to settle in Norwalk, where he engaged in the business of making wells. He took much interest in public questions, being an ardent Democrat, and he and his family were devout members of the Roman Catholic Church. He died in 1878; his estimable wife, Julia (Connor), who was also a native of | Ireland, is still living. They had fifteen children,

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of whom the following reached adult age: Sons | the latter in early manhood was thrown from his -John J .. William P. and D. J .: daughters- ! horse and killed, the accident happening on his - Mary. Lizzie (deceased . Ella (deceased), Ag- I farm at Stanwich. William H. Lockwood, a son nes. Katie (deceased) and Honora. of Mills Lockwood and his wife Phobe A.

Our subject was born in 1800, in Norwalk, I Holmes, was born April 27, 1832, in Stanwich, and and after attending school there for some years . as he was but a child at the time of his father's

he entered the Eastman Business College at

death he was reared by a paternal aunt. As a " where he still resides. He has never been es-

Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he was graduated in . young man he engaged in the teaming business 1879. During his boyhood he assisted his father i in New York City, and later he was employed in making wells, but after his graduation he i for some time by the Erie Railway Company. opened a tea store in Norwalk, at No. 11 Main . On his return from the metropolis he located street. under the firm name of J. J. Hanlon. I first in Greenwich and then in Port Chester, N. This lasted several years, and on its dissolution ! Y., but in June, 1897, he removed to Stanwich Mr. Hanion engaged in his present business at Nos. 8 and 9 Wall street. Norwalk, with his , pecially active in politics, but he takes an intel- brother. Wilham P. Hanlon, as partner. They i higent interest in the questions of the day, and manufacture baking powder and shirt waist starch while he was formerly a Democrat he declines exclusively, and have continued the business at ' to follow the present policy of that party, and the same location during all these years. They . so affiliates with the Republicans. He married have just finished a handsome brick block on , (first) Miss Jane Reynolds, who died a few years Wall street to be known as the Hanlon Broth- I later, and on November 27. 1861, he formed a ers' building, and since their modest start in second union, this time with Miss Ophelia Finch, 1878 their trade has been extended to all parts , who was born July 21, 1845, at North Castle. of New England.

John J. Hanlon owns considerable property in the town of Norwalk, and has a high standing as a citizen. On June 17. 1888. he married Miss Theresa Hinzes, who was born in Norwalk, a daughter of August Hinzes, a native of Germany, and for some years an employe of the woolen-mills at Winnepauk, in the town of Norwalk. this county. Three children-Leonella. Veronica and John J., J' - have blessed this union. Mr. Hanlon is a prominent member of the Roman Catholic Church at Norwalk, and is an active worker in the Catholic Club. In politics he has always been a stanch Democrat.

Westchester Co., N. Y., daughter of Jonathan and Jane (Davids) Finch, and niece of the late : Thaddeus Davids, the millionaire ink manufact- I urer of New Rochelle, N. Y. She is still living. and is a devout and consistent member of the Methodist Church. The only child of the first i marriage died in infancy; by the second mar- nage there were six children, as follows: Ly- man F., our subject; Miss Jennie and Miss Jose- phine, who are at home; May E., wife of J. A. Sibley. of Washington, D. C. : and William Ever- ett and Raymond L., who are both residing with their parents.

Our subject was born July 13. 1863, at Mianus, this county, and was chiefly educated in L YMAN F. LOCKWOOD The energy, ability and enterprise of this well-known young agriculturist of Greenwich has won for him the esteem of all who know him, and al- senous accident he conducts his farm success- fully. He is emphatically a self-made man, hav- ing begun as a poor boy and. through shrewd management of his opportunities, gained a hand- some competence. the schools of Stanwich, Miss Hannah P. Close being his first teacher. He remained upon the i farm until he reached the age of nineteen, when | he began to learn the moulder's trade at Abend- . rath's foundry in Port Chester, N. Y. After though he is now suffering from the effects of a i completing his apprenticeship he worked at the trade for four years, then engaged in teaming. and soon afterward in general contracting, and | the supplying of sand and similar material. His profits were judiciously invested in real estate, and he made a number of profitable deals. He Mr. Lockwood is a member of one of the , now owns a home in Port Chester, built by him- oldest families of Greenwich, and is of the ninth generation in direct descent from Robert Lock- wood. the immigrant, who came from England, 1 of whom an account is given in the sketch of William F. H. Lockwood. His great-grand- father, Jonathan Lockwood, and grandfather, Mills Lockwood, were residents of Greenwich; self, and in June, 1897, he purchased from Eras- tus Burns his present homestead at Stanwich, a fine farm of 109 acres. On October 2, of the same year, he fell from a tree.while picking ap- ples, and his spine was so injured that he has been confined to the house ever since, partial par- I alysis resulting.

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Mr. Lockwood possesses more than ordinary | wife of Ezra Morgan, of Newtown, and mother intellectual ability, and although his educational i of Daniel N. Morgan; she died about 1880.

opportunities were limited to a common-school VIJ. Edward H. Nash was reared upon a farm near Westport village, and has always been course he has acquired a wide range of informa- tion through observation and reading, of which i engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is a public- he is extremely fond. Political issues interest him greatly, and at present his sympathies are with the Republican party. although he was formerly a Democrat. So far Mr. Lockwood has not I time to Christ Church, Westport. While he donned the matrimonial yoke.

E DWARD H. NASH. The Nash family is one of the oldest in the town of Norwalk, and none stands higher in public esteem and con- fidence, its members in every generation having been known as thrifty, upright, law-abiding citi- zens. The venerable gentleman whose name opens this sketch was born in Norwalk August 6, 1809, and is of the seventh generation in direct descent from Edward Nash, the pioneer, who settled in that town in 1652, and whose only son, John, was the first child born there of Eng- lish parentage. An only daughter, Anne, died in childhood.

II. John Nash had two children: John, Jr., and Nathan, but the latter left no descendants.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 188

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