Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 201

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

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August 7. 1816, he married Polly, daughter of Capt. Enos Johnson, and his children, eight in number, were as follows: Edwin, Julius, Henry and Frederick, all deceased; Charlotte (Mrs. George B. Wheeler), born January 6. 1828, lives in Howard. S. Dakota; Margarette (Mrs. Albert Northrop), born June 6. 1830, lives in Pittsburg. Penn .; Josiah, born January 26, 1836, lives in Los Angeles, Cal .; Miss Augusta, born September 22, 1838, lives in Pittsburg, Penn. Our subject died July 26, 1851. He was a lead- ing member of Trinity Episcopal Church, and one of the founders of Newtown Academy.

CAPT. JULIUS SANFORD, second son of Josiah (above), was born August 27, 1819. At the age of eighteen years he went to Naugatuck to learn the machinist's trade in the shops of War-

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ner & Isbel. At the close of his apprenticeship he returned to Sandy Hook, and there learned the hatter's trade with Moses Parsons, with whom he remained several years. On leaving his em- ploy he commenced the manufacturing of hats in the same village, in which industry he continued until the breaking out of the war of the Rebel- lion, when he enlisted in Company C, 23d Conn. V. I., and was elected captain of his company. At Brashear City, La., he surrendered to a supe- rior force of the enemy, and for fourteen months he suffered imprisonment at Camp Ford, near Tyler, Texas. At the close of the war Captain Sanford made his home in New Haven, Conn., and there passed the rest of his days, dying No- vember 1, 1879.

Capt. Julius Sanford married Miss Mary Par- sons, daughter of Moses Parsons, his former em- ployer, and children as follows were born to them: Ellen Louisa (Mrs. Sherwood S. Thomp- son). Katie and Gertrude. In politics Captain Sanford was first a Whig, later a Republican; socially he was affiliated with the F. & A. M .; and in religious faith he was an Episcopalian.

HENRY SANFORD, third son of Josiah (above). was born in Newtown, June 2, 1822. At the age of fourteen he was placed by his father in the general store of Baldwin & Beers, with whom he remained some nine years. When twenty-three years old he purchased a half-interest in the store, in time became sole proprietor, and still later purchased the grounds and buildings. For forty years or more he conducted a large business alone or with others, and became a very success- ful and prosperous man. He was enterprising and public-spirited, and at his death left several monuments to his enterprise in Newtown. He was largely instrumental in building the pres- ent beautiful Trinity Episcopal church edifice, of which Church he was for years a vestryman and treasurer. On November 9. 1845, he married Mary E., daughter of Dr. Cyrenius H. Booth, and their children were Anna E. and Sarah E. Henry Sanford, the father. died November 19, 1 882.

FREDERICK SANFORD, fourth son of Josiah, was born in Newtown. Conn., September 18, 1825. and at the age of eighteen he commenced business life. After some time spent in the South and West, he returned to Newtown on the death of his father in 1851, and engaged in vari- ous business ventures. In 1867 he retired from active life, and made his home once more at the old homestead. where for five generations the family had lived, and there he died of apoplexy July 8, 1899. In politics he was a Whig and Republican, and he filled many town offices and i mother, Linda (Adams). she was a descendant of

other positions of trust. In religious faith be was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, at Newtown, of which he at one time served as treasurer. He was unmarried.

FRANCIS HENRY AUSTIN was born in New Haven, Conn., in 1827. The sudden death of his father led his mother to remove with her young child to Fairfield, Pickens Co., Ala., where her relatives resided, having settled in that locality and given it that honored name in re- membrance of the Connecticut home. Mr. Aus- tin bore the full name of his father. His grand- father. Daniel Austin, was of French descent. Another ancestor of note was the Rev. Mr. Ogden, the * fighting parson " of Revolutionary fame. Mr. Austin traced his maternal ancestry through the Chappells of England. one of whom was William, a tutor of John Milton, a position which he left to take the provostship of Dublin University. He came to this country in com- pany with Bishop Berkley, and settled in New London.

Francis H. Austin spent his boyhood days in his Southern home, which he left at the age of fifteen years for New Haven, Conn., where he engaged in the shipping and grocery trade with marked success, remaining there for several years . Later he removed to Danbury, Conn .. where he conducted a general mercantile busi- ness for more than twenty years. As a mer- chant, he was watchful of commercial markets, sagacious, prudent, and possessed of good judg- ment-qualities which, with his social nature, his strict integrity. and his unquestioned credit, made the way comparatively easy and direct to the success which crowned his business ventures. His elder sons, having become familiar with his mercantile habits of management, succeeded him in the business, while he retired from commer- cial lile to rest and give personal direction to the improvement and development of the real estate of which he had become possessed.

During his residence in New Haven, Mr. Aus- tin married Miss Jane L. Hughes. of that city. whose mother, Jane (Beecher) Hughes, was a direct descendant of Dr. Lyman Beecher, of Litchfield. Conn. She died after a brief wedded | life. leaving one son, the well-known citizen, Willis Henry Austin. A few years later, Mr. | Austin married Miss Adeline. daughter of Joel and Linda Taylor, of Danbury. and sister of James T. Taylor. On her father's side she was a descendant of some of the first settlers of Windsor and Danbury, Conn. Through her

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Francis It Austin

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the Adams family, who were among the earliest

At his father's home he spent the years of his settlers of Massachusetts and Connecticut. To , boyhood, faithfully discharging his varied round this union were born four sons, who survive their . of duties upon the farm, and improving what honored mother: Francis Taylor, Nelson Ellis. Major Chifford and Leonard Adams; they are to- day worthy and respected citizens in the business and social life of Danbury .

A few years after the death of his second wife, Mr. Austin married Mrs. Hennetta Stevens, widow of Henry Reed Stevens, of Danbury, and daughter of Wilham Washburn, and a grand- daughter of LaFayette Washburn, of Giovers- ville, N. Y. Her mother. Ehza K. (Blackman ), was the daughter of Dr. J. Blackman, whose name for fifty years has been ". familiar as house- hold words " on various proprietary and medical preparations well-known to the public. Her maternal grandmother, the wife of Dr. J. Black- man, died July 4. 1885, at the age of seventy- eight years; she distinctly remembered her grand- father, Jared Bartholomew, who was born in France in 1750, and during the civil and religious commotion that agitated the country in atter . character, caused him to relinquish the study of years escaped the guillotine by secret flight. Being a personal friend of Lafayette, he sought his aid and with hin sailed to this country, bid- ding his native land a sad adieu forever. To the marriage of Mr. Austin and Mrs. Stevens one son, Frederick W., was born, making six sons, who have all reached the age of manhood and survive their honored father.

Francis H. Austin was a prominent and act- ive member of the Episcopal Church and a ves- tryman for twenty-five years or more. His ma- ture judgment and advice were sought, and as a member of the various working committees of the Society he rendered efficient service; he was a liberal supporter of the Church financially.

In political life, Mr. Austin's convictions were decided. He was a constant reader, keep- ing well informed in regard to the public move- ments of the day, and was alert and liberal to- ward any measures intended to advance the growth and prosperity of the town. He was His first charge was at Trinity Church, Bridge- water, Mass., then for a short time at Christ Church. Salmon Falls, Somersworth, N. H. one of the incorporators of the Union Savings Bank, and a director to within one year of his death, which occurred March 27, 1895. and : Resigning the latter charge March 1, 1846, he closed the career of one of Danbury's best- known and estermed citizens.

R EV. NEWTON E. MARBLE, D. D., who for twenty-one years was the beloved pas- tor of Trinity Parish, at Newtown. Fairfield county, was born September 1, 1808, at Bradford, Mass., the eldest of six children-five brothers and one sister.

time and opportunities he had for study. He was fitted for college in the academy of his na- tive town under the tuition of the celebrated mathematician, Benjamin Greenleaf, and was graduated with honors from Dartmouth College, in New Hampshire. His early preferences were for the law, which he studied in connection with teaching. He taught at Hampton. N. H., and at Dover. N. H .. in Franklin Academy. In 1838 he was appointed professor of mathematics and natural philosophy in the collegiate institute. Petersburg. Va. In 1839 he was confirmed in St. Paul's Church, Petersburg. Va., by Bishop Moore. In 1840 he was elected principal of the Petersburg Classical Institute. He had up to this time vigorously prosecuted his law studies; but God had a higher work for him to do. His convictions of duty, his earnestness of purpose, and the sincerity and consistency of his Christian

' law and prepare for the work of the ministry. He accordingly resigned his position in August, 1840, and a few days thereafter received from Bishop Morris letters transferring him as a candi- date for orders to the Eastern Diocese. In Octo- ber, 1840, he entered the Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary in New York, where he studied Divinity one year, completing his course at Philadelphia, and was admitted to the Holy Order of Deacons by Bishop Eastburn in Trinity Church, Boston, September 7. 1843. He preached his first sermon in Trinity Church. Bridgewater, Mass., September 17, 1843. In December, 1844. he was admitted to the Order of the Priesthood by Bishop Eastburn, in Trinity Church, Boston, and at once entered upon his ministerial work, which he prosecuted with untir- ing devotion and fidelity until compelled by in- firmities that could not be overcome to retire to ; private life.

became principal of the Classical School at Taunton, Mass., holding the same for two years, continuing at the same time his ministerial work. In February, 1848, he resigned his office as prin- cipal of the school at Taunton, and accepted a call to the rectorship of St. Paul's Church, Con- cord, N. H., which Church he served until April 1, 1857. On August ro, 1854. he received the hon- orary degree of D. D. from Norwich University, : Vermont. On August 1, 1855, he was chosen

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chaplain of the New Hampshire Legislature. On | daughter, Annie J. (5) Hermon H., who is October 1. 1855, he was elected chaplain for : more fully spoken of farther on. In his earlier Concord Insane Asylum. In 1855. he was very years, and at a time when comb-making was one active in founding St. Paul's School, Concord, N. I of the leading industries of Newtown, Mr. Peck H. He accepted a call to Trinity Parish, New- I followed that occupation; later, he was engaged town, Conn., began his work there April 5, 1857. and remained in charge for twenty-one years and : ity Episcopal Church, in which he was warden

: in farming. He was a zealous member of Trin- i for sixteen years. In his political affiliations he was a Whig, and he was held in high esteem by 13. 1872; his widow survives, now at the ad-

five months, his resignation taking effect Septem- ber 1, 1878, occasioned by infirmities, having suffered greatly from rheumatic difficulties. I the community. His death occurred February

"His beautiful Christian life has been to the I Church and to all who knew him a benediction. . vanced age of ninety-two years.

Truly may it be said of him, he was in its broad-

Hermon H. Peck, son of Hermon, resides at est sense one of Christ's servants, who in doing | the old homestead. He was born in 1846, in his most noble work, practiced self-denial and ' Newtown, and was there educated, attending endured even unto the end; daily showing that . the academy under Beach Hill and others. Mr. he was actuated by that spirit that enables one : Peck is a substantial farmer of the town, and at not to count his life dear, if by any means he I this time is a director of the Newtown Fair As- might aid in extending Christ's Kingdom and, by . sociation, while he is an enthusiastic member of God's blessing, save souls for whom he died." ' the Grange. In religious faith, he is a member His death occurred at Newtown, September 28, I of Trinity Church, in which he is a vestryman. 1881.

| Mr. Peck married Emily J. French, of Easton.

Doctor Marble was twice married, the first . and has one daughter. Sylvia Marion.

time April 6, 1847, to the daughter of Hon. Asa Freeman, of Dover, N. H., to which union three children-two sons and one daughter-were born. Of these, Frances Atkinson only survives. The wife and mother passed away September 6, 1854. to Miss Mary Gillis, of Wilmington, Mass., I

W ARNER. John Warner, one of the early settlers of Hartford, Conn., was a soldier in the Pequot war of 1637, and received a pen- and in June. 1857. Doctor Marble was married ! sion for his services. He was one of the com- missioners sent to view Mattatuck (now Water- daughter of Josiah and Mary (Stark) Gillis. To | bury), Conn. In 1649 he married Ann Norton. this union two children were born, namely: i a daughter of Thomas Norton, one of signers of Frederick Parker, and Mary Gillis, who died | the Guilford Compact, which Compact, historic- March 29, 1874. On a tablet, beautiful in de- I ally speaking, is second only to that of the " May- sign, which adorns the walls of the church, is this | flower" in interest. He settled in Farmington. inscription, composed by Bishop Williams:

Sacred to the memory of the Rev. Newton E. Marble, D. D. For twenty-one years the faithful and beloved Rector of this Parish. This Church, erected during his rectorship, stands as his monument; but a nobler and more enduring one will be found in the souls he won to Christ. Born Sep- tember 1, 1808. He slept in Jesus September 28, 1881, hav- ing lived on earth seventy-three years.

III. Dr. Ephraim Warner (son of John, Jr.) H ERMON PECK (deceased), son of Dan Peck, of the sixth generation from Joseph i was born in 1670 in Farmington, and went with Peck, of Milford [see " Connecticut Pecks "], his line of descent being through John, Joseph, Moses and Dan.

Hermon Peck was born October 24, 1805, and married Maria Hawley. They had children: (1) Edward Hezekiah Booth, deceased October 10, 1838, aged three years. (2) Sylvia M., who married E. T. Clarke, November 5, 1848, and died May 4. 1889. (3) Edward Booth, deccased February 1, 1859. (4) Elizabeth, who married | former townsmen took action at a town meeting J. A. Morris, November 4, 1865, and has one | to secure his return to Waterbury. They voted

and there died in 1679. His children were: Daniel, John, Thomas and Sarah.

Il. John Warner, Jr., was a freeman of Farmington in 1669, and became one of the original proprietors of Waterbury, Conn. He I died at Farmington, while on a visit, in 170 ;. His children were: John, Ephraim, Robert. Ebenezer, Lydia and Thomas. Of these, Lydia married Samuel Bronson.

| his parents in boyhood to " Mattatuck." He I received his first grant of land on January 21. 1689-90 (on the northeast corner of Willow and | Grove streets), built a house, and resided in the | town until in 1701. He lived for a time at |Bucks Hill and at Woodbury, in which latter place his skill as a * practitioner " became man- ifest, although there is no evidence that he practiced before his removal, and in 1714 his

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in April, that " to encourage Dr. Ephraim Warner to come and live with us the town grant him the use of the school land for three years." They also voted him " ten actes in the sequester." on condition that he remain four years. He , Austin, Loretta and Hermon.

V. Dr. William Warner (son of Ephraim, Jr. j. born in 1740, married, in 1702. Mary Chambers, of Newtown. He died about 1784 on Long Island, N. Y. Their children were:

accepted their " call." and became the " physi- can ' of the town He again selected Books Hall for his residence, and as the years passed on his sons settled around him and he gave them houses and lands. In 1735, or rather, he re- moved again into the village, and occupied the northwest corner of Look and Grove streets. After his return to Waterbury, Doctor Warner bec ame one of promment man of the town. He was selectman, school committeeman and town collector. He was sent as a deputy to the General Court in 1717. 1719, 1720 and 1722, and in this last mentioned year was chosen captain of the . daughter of Silas Camp, to whom he was mar- train-band, being the second who was thus dis- tinguished in the town

On August 16. 1002. Doctor Warner was married to Esther, daughter of Obadiah Richards. and tive of their seven children were born in Waterbury before the Doctor Stemoval to Wood- bury. He died August 1, 175: His children. where names we have. were Ephraim, Margaret, Bemamin, John and Obadiai.

III. Robert Wagner and Ebenezer Warner asons of John, Jr ). weare Cothen . settled in , gust 2. 1503; Mary, December 22. 1805 : Charles Woodbury, Conn. Dr. Ebenezer Warner mar- C., October 19, 1807; Wooster, July 24. 1809; ried, in 1704. Martha Galpin, who died in 1745. Rebecca, November 21, 1811; and Hermon, Jr., He died April 23. 1755 of othien, in his second | December 15, 1813. By the second union there edition says that the inscription on the first Dr. were hve sons: David, March 4. 1817: John, November 1. 1818; Curtis, April 23. 1820; a son, who died in April, 1823, unnamed; and David C., born March 30, 1830. Of these. John and David C. are now residents of New Haven, Con- necticut. Ebenezer Warners tombstone reads: .. In memory of Ebenezer Warner, Captain and Doc- 101. He deceased. April 20, 1700, aped seven- ty-eight years " Their children were: Eben- ezer, Martha, Dr. Benjamin, Margaret. Rebec- ca. Tamar, Lydia, Thomas. Frances and Rachel.

IV. Dr. Ephraim Warner, Jr. (son of Dr. Ephraim). baptized in 1093. married Eleanor Smith, of Farmington, Conn., and settled in

M ON. CHARLES CAMP WARNER (de- ceased), late of Newtown, where through born October 19, 1807, in the town, and there died July 24. 1885, in his seventy-eighth year.

Waterbury. Their children were: William, : a long lifetime he was a conspicuous figure, was Abijah, Rebecca, Epha, Seth, Seth (2), Eleanor and Esther.

IV. Dr. Benjamin Warner son of Dr. Eben- Judge Warner was descended from one of the ezer), born May 6, 1709. married Silence Hurd, : old Colonial families of Connecticut, being of the in 1736: she died November 15, 1785. Their children were: Hannab. Dr. Benjamin, Jr., Daniel, Col. Seth (of Revolutionary fame). John, Dr. Reuben, Elijah. A-ahe !. David and Tamar.

seventh generation from John Warner, of Hart- ford. Conn. The line of descent was through John, Jr .. Dr. Ephraim, Dr. Ephraim, Jr., Dr. Wilham and Hermon. [See Warner genealogy above.]

V. Dr. Benjamin Warner, Jr. (son of Dr. Benjamin), born in May. 1739. married (first) Judge Warner in early life left home to live with his uncle, James Bennett. near Bennett's Bridge, in Wapping District. He worked on a farn at first, and later acquired local fame as a Rebecca Castle, November 2. 1761, and ( second) Jemima Chambers, of Newtown, Conn., and had ' children: Benjamin, Allyn, Rebecca, Silenee, and Rhoda (married to Maior Abraham Bronson). I successful school teacher; he also took up land

VI. Hermon Warner (son of Dr. William) was born April 16, 1769. in Woodbury, Conn. He settled in and for many years was a promi- nent resident of the village of Newtown, Conn .. where he engaged in business as a saddler and hattess makes. He was a man of influence in the community, and at one time held the office of sheriff of Fairfield county, while he was also active in religious work, being a regular attend- ant of the Episcopal Church. He died January 30. 1835. in his eighty-sixth year, leaving a large family of children. His first wife, Rebecca, ned January 30, 1793, was born April 28. 1771, and died May 21, 1815. at the age of forty-four tears. He was married on April 21. 1816, to his second wife. Deborah Curtis, born March 19, 1; 20, daughter of Gould Curtis; she died No- Vember 10, 1861. By the first manage there were ten children, whose names with dates of birth are as follows: Bennett, November 15. 1793; Wilham Bennett, July 15, 1796: Harry, October 16, 1798: George, June 21, 1801: Abigail. Au-

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surveying. For many years he followed agri- ! ter of Hermon and Phebe (Sherman) Beers (both now deceased), well known residents of Newtown in their day. Six children have blessed this union: Mary S .. Howard C. (who died Nc- vember 26. 1886). Paul B. (a sketch of whom follows), Florence A., Hobart G., and William cultural pursuits, retiring some twenty-five years before his death. His sound judgment gave him great influence among all classes of people. He was regarded as one of the leaders of the Democratic party in this section, and was long in public service. In 1843. 1850. 1859 and 1870 | A. (who died September 19. 1882). The family he was a representative in the State Legislature. i attend St. John's Episcopal Church, Sandy Hook. He served as judge of probate from 1860 to 1877; I in which Mr. Warner held the office of senior warden for many years. In politics he was a as selectman six terms during the period from I 1847 to 1853; and was town clerk from 1863 to | Democrat, but as his time was given to his busi- 1870; he also for a time was a justice of the | ness interests, he never took an active part in peace. "His popularity was such that he al- ways led his ticket at an election, for his faithful-

partisan work, although as a citizen he fully sustained the reputation of the family for public ness to trust, his remarkable probity, and his i spirit so far as non-political movements were con- cerned.

Paul B. (above) was born October 8, 1870, | in Sandy Hook. town of Newtown, Connecticut. He graduated from the Episcopal Academy of Connecticut in 1887. after three years of study in family, he took much interest in the advance- I the scientific department, and afterward studied

Episcopal Church of Newtown. On November | In the fall of 1889 he commenced clerking for

one year (1888-89) at the Yale Law School. the firm of Warner, Clark & Taylor, of Sandy Hook, Conn., and remained with them until the 1 firm was changed to Warner. Taylor & Curtis, remaining with the last named firm until May 1, 1891. On June 1, 1891. he left for Chicago, and i engaged with his uncle, Augustus Warner, in the

continues. He married, January 8, 1896, Anna

(1) JAMES HOBART WARNER, born in Wapping | Teresa, daughter of Elliott Foote and Anna Av- District, town of Newtown. November 6, 1835, | gusta (née Way) Driggs, of Brooklyn, N. Y. One I son, born December 12. 1896, has blessed this I union. In politics Mr. Warner is a Republican, in religion he is an Episcopalian. was for many years one of the leading merchants of the town. He was identified in business in Sandy Hook, either as clerk or partner, for nearly fifty years, during which period his record as a citizen and business man was a most honorable one. In 1852 he engaged as clerk in the store in which he became a partner. William B. Glover

being then the proprietor. A few years later he became a member of the firm of William B. Glover & Co., being associated with Mr. Glover and his son, Smith P. Glover. The partnership

1 1 lasted about six years. when the firm of Glover & | ing senior member of the Warner & Searles Co., Warner was organized, and in 1881 Abel F. Clark took an interest in the business, the firm name and holds various positions of trust and respon- sibility. He is an enterprising and public-spir- being Glover, Warner & Clark. On the retirement | ited citizen, and one of the substantial men of of Mr. Glover, the firm became Warner & Clark, I the South, where he is widely and favorably

and later George F. Taylor joined and caused a | known. further change to Warner, Clark & Taylor. After

In 1866 Mr. Warner was married to Miss Belle T., a daughter of Eli M. Lawrence,

the retirement of Mr. Clark, some years ago, the I of Vicksburg, and their children are: C. Law- business was continued under the style of War-

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 201

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