Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 218

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

USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut > Part 218

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

A USTIN BEERS BLAKEMAN. During his successful career as a merchant at Botsford the subject of this brief biography has won the esteem of his associates in the business world, while his excellent qualities of character as a man and citizen have secured for him the confi- dence of his fellow-townsmen of all classes. His family, which is of English descent, is well known in the county, and his grandfather. Isaac Blake- man, was a native and lifelong resident of New- town township, where he owned and cultivated a farm of moderate dimensions. He was prom-

inent in local affairs, and for many years held the office of justice of the peace. His death ox- curred October 23, 1859, at his home in Heri- ingtown District, town of Newtown. He was twice married, and by his first wife, Hannah (Dimon), he had the following children: Deiz. who married Philo Hall, of Easton, this county Stephen W., formerly a resident of Toddy H. District, town of Newtown, who went to Cal- fornia in 1849; Charles E., our subject's fatte: and Austin, a hatter by trade, formerly a tes- dent of Hattertown, who became a gold seeke: in California.

Charles E. Blakeman, the father of our sch- ject, was born in Newtown, August 15, 18 :; and during the greater portion of his life foliewet farming as an occupation. In 1849 he went !! California by way of Cape Horn, and returns": soon he afterward made a second trip, but wbur coming home with the proceeds of this venture he was shipwrecked, and the gold he had securec was stolen by pirates. He was a man of Ere natural abilities combined with much energy an: perseverance, and was held in high esteem by a. who knew him. His last years were spent c: his farm in Toddy Hill District. At one time be conducted a store in Woodbury. Conn. In pc .- tics he was a Democrat, and although he was re" a member he attended Trinity Episcopal Church at Newtown, to which his wile belonged. hit died June 2. 1862, and his wife, whose maitez. name was Mary J. Beers, passed away February 1, 1869. They had a family of four children. Austin B., our subject; Julia E., born February 8, 1859, died February 14, 1879; Ida. born Ac- gust 1, 1860. died August 24, 1886; and Cha :- lotte E .. born February 11, 1862, is now the wife of Frank H. Ives, a farmer of Middle Galt District, town of Newtown.

Our subject's mother was born September cf. 1834, and was a member of one of the m.s. highly respected families of this county. He: father, John Beers, and grandfather, Ebene .: Beers, were substantial agriculturists of Tedty Hill District, and were both public-spirited ard influential citizens. John Beers died October :». 1888, and his wife, Roxie A. (Glover), daught .: of Norman and Nancy Morris Glover, died lar .. ary 21, 1881. Their children were: Mary j .. our subject's mother; Sarah, wife of Lampse: B. Lake; John, who died in infancy; Ance ..? and Caroline (twins), of whom the former ca". ried William H. Beers, and the latter wedle Robert W. Burritt; and James M., who matt ed Emily Beach.

Mr. Blakeman, our subject, was born January 3, 1858, in Toddy Hill District, town of New

Digitized by Google

N.M.lakeman es

Digitized by Google

. -

Google

Digitized by

10.8

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

town, and was educated in the common schools of that locality and of Maddie Gate District. He made good use of his advantages, and in 1876 was employed as teacher in Middle Gate District, his mother and her mother having both taught in the same district. At the curse of the term he en- gaped in agricultural work on his grandfather s farm, and continued until 1881 when he became a clerk in the store of Daniel H. Botsford, at Botsford, a position be held for about three tears In 1883 he was appointed postmaster at that place by W. Q. Gresham, postmaster pen- since held that office. In INS4 be purchased

activities His career has been a remarkable one, and in whatever direction he has turned his energies he has easily risen to prominence. The friend of such men as President Pierce, Caleb Cushing. and Daniel Webster, he has enjoyed une qualed privileges in social life, while his influ- the has been a potent factor in important political movements.

The General traces his descent from some of the oldest families of Stratford, and his great- great-grandfather. William Curtis, was one of the most prominent citizens of that town in his day.

. eral under President Arthur, and he has ever ! being especially noted for his activity in military affan: Our subject's great-grandfather. Daniel Mr. botsford s general mercantile business, which Curtis (1). and grandfather, Daniel Curtis (2),

he has carried on with gratifying success, and in 1893 he bust his present store and residence its purposes. In 1884 he was appointed station agent, at Botsford but that position he resigned in 1894. For the past eight years he has been commis- sioned a notary public, and notwithstanding the

combined, a handsome structure. well adapted to , tracts of farming land there from pioneer times,

we're both natives of the town, and passed their Inves there. While the family has held large . its members have been largely interested in mer- cantile enterprises.

Daniel Curtis (3). the father of our subject, was born in Stratford in 1775. and died in 1849.

wanted nature of his enterpires he has been | His wife. Maria Fairweather, a native of Nor- uniformly successful in all his undertakings. Po- . walk, died in 1869. They had two children: litically he has always been a Democrat, and be James L. our subject; and Daniel H., formerly takes keen interest in local progress in all lines. , a merchant in New York City, who died about J. November, 1896. he was elected istice of the I twenty years ago. peace on the Citizens' ticket. his team of office beginning March 1, 1897.

On October 20, 188; Mr. Blakeman married Miss Ada MacGregor, who was also employed as teacher for two years in Middle Gate District, town of Newtown. She is a daughter of Alex- ander and Adelia Parker Martiepor, of Bridge- port. this county; two children blessed this , and when twenty years old he became a partner. While serving as clerk he showed such marked ability and judgment that he was entrusted with power to make purchases amounting to many umon: Marjorie, born January IS. 1889. died Jan- mary 25. same year; and Been M .. born Decem. ber 18. 1889. is now the joy of the home. Soc- ially Mr. Blakeman and his wife are popular, and I thousand de liars worth, and he was also an expert they are members of Trinity Epecopal Church. I bookkeeper. By this time he was taken into He brings to the Matonie Fraternity, being ; partnership, and he was virtually the manager of identified with Hiram Lodge No. 18. F. & A. M., ; the business of the firm, which commanded an and Hiram Chapter, No. 1. at Sandy Hook. 1

G EN. JAMES LANGDON CURTIS. candi- date in 1892 for the office of President of the United States on the People's Party ticket, is now a resident of Stratford. although his exten- . sive business interests in New Jersey, Texas, and other States often call lam from home for long : old he was said to be the wealthiest man of his periods. To look at him and note his fine phy- age in America. About that time he became in- I terested in zinc mines in New Jersey, taking sique and his undiminished vigor, both of mind and body, one would not imagine that he had . shares in the New Jersey Zinc Company, and the passed the ninetieth anniversary of his birth, and ; Jersey Franklinite Company. He is now the his appearance gives promise of many years of president of the latter company, which is chart- hfe before he will be compelled to suspend his i ered under the laws of New York with a capital

Digitized by Google

General ( urtis was born February 19. 1808. at the old homestead in Stratford, and was edu- cated in the schools of that town. At the age of fifteen he went to New York City to prepare for a mercantile career, beginning as a " general utility " boy in the store of Henry DeGroot & Co. Soon after he was promoted to a clerkship,

(hormons wholesale trade, supplying country merchants. Two years after he entered the firm it was reorganized under the name of Curtis & Little. our subject being the senior partner. When about twenty-six years old General Curtis retired from mercantile life, and invested in real estate in brooklyn, N. Y. The venture resulted most satisfactorily, and when twenty-eight years

c. and was er

stord use (

vicpored a!

sct astrid 2cagricult

az ard contir

ces in the

susi. a po-

23 In 1883

znace br V a oder Pres

med that

5.sxdsg

te beiit

-. zeć. a bar

# Basto

: Forthep:

Ka aclary

red rature : mr succe

all he has

Setiver .

kit on the (

chang Mare

i. Detche

% A&a Mac

rd Newt " and Ad

: Marjus

. N: Bla

baked wit

ate ir

rand

Digitized by Google

10,8

COMME MORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tran, and was ci ated in the cryon a bed's

made good use of his advantages and in 18;0 was engaged as reacties in Made e Coute District. the same dsnet. At the a rechte test hier faced man imal with on la Mandeabers laim. and continued until you when he Became a cieth in the store of I'm ei Ht Is tofeed, at bradford a porn he heid for fout there

that are tv SS! ! eral weer hissent Anter and he has ever

11.11. have, which het ... . neden with ginger and in

gled to

** d satın

. at ding the

1 0. :: . he has always been a format and he .- 1. I vember, goods be ware ated notice of the jar in the Citizens ticket. In terms of athree Letting March 1. 18

In treteles 20, 1%; Me 1. Anan matried V . Als MacGregor, who w. Prepared as I and Newtown. She ma copter of Alex- acer and Adela Patner Ma chepot of Badge- In this county, two changes tound this La !! 25. Nathe year, and !!. ber is. 1989. is now the pyof the me. mail Mr Bislett an and ha war mig ; wiat, and tim ate members of Trants Ie scopal ( March. He Langs to the Manera 1.uned with Ham Lodge . IS. FRAM .. and Histam Chapter. No. 1. at Sandy Hook.

GEN JAMES LANGDON CURTIS, candi- date in 1842 for the use of Ise dent of the listed States on the Jaggies Party to ket. is www a president of Stratt ro. altre ich his exten- Stel wares interests in New Jersey, Texas, and other States often call han then i the for long To look at han, and rate has ane phy- Have and his undiminished s yer, leth of mind and trees, one would not mangue that he had ; wed de ninetieth anniversary of his birth, and ha appearance gives promise of many years of He before he will be com ;. Med to suspend his . cred under the laws of New York with a capital

His career has been a remarkable one, and in whatever direction he has turned his ereifen he has easily misen to prominence The trend of such men as President Pierce. Caleb Cette and Daniel Webster, he has emoved ca wed puissepes in social life, while his influ- the has been a potent factor in important p bitte al movements.

The Gift etal traces his descent from some of the crust fancies of Stratford, and his great- prent ero Mather. William Curtis, was one of the most it : meet citizens of that town in his day, beate expecting noted for his activity in military Our subject s great-grandfather. Daniel Cortes the and grandfather, Daniel Curtis (2. were both natives of the town, and passed their While the family has held large traces of farming land there from pioneer times, it's nethers have been largely interested in mer-

Darrel ( wtis (3). the father of our subject, was it m m Stratford in 1775, and died in 1549. His wife, Mana Fairweather, a native of Nor- wait. ded in 1909 They had two children: lunes 1 .. our subject; and Daniel H . formerly a merchant in New York City, who died about twenty whats apo

General tuthis was born February 16. 1SS. at the old homestead in Stratford, and was edu- cated in the schools of that town. At the age of fifteen he went to New York City to prepare for a mercantile career, beginning as a . general utility " buy in the store of Henry DeGroot & to Sin after he was promoted to a clerkship. and when twenty years old he became a partner. Where serving as clerk he showed such marked alshits and judgment that he was entrusted with power to make purchases amounting to many the wander Hats worth, and he was also an expert In. Ances: By this time he was taken into fartherolup, and he was virtually the manager of the trapness of the firm, which commanded an theinn wholesale trade, supplying country merchants. Two years after he entered the firm It was recitamized under the name of Curtis & Little. our subject being the senior partner. When about twenty-six years old General Curtis retired from mercantile life, and invested in real estate in brooklyn, N. Y. The venture resulted most eat startenly, and when twenty-eight years old he was said to be the wealthiest man of his ape in Andra About that time he became in- terrated in zinc mines in New Jersey, taking shares in the New Jersey Zinc Company, and the Jersey Franklinite Company. He is now the president of the latter company, which is chart-

Digitized by Google

1074

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of five million dollars, and he is also at the head of the Franklinite Steel Company, incorporated with a capital of ten millions. Lately he has been interested in developing farming and mineral lands in Texas, being connected with a company which has received a grant of fifteen millions of acres, which they are colonizing with settlers from Germany, Italy and France. Politically he is a Jeffersonian Democrat, and although he has not held office he has twice declined to become a candidate for the gubernatorial chair in New Jersey, his wife being averse to his acceptance. He has taken an active part in practical politics, and at one time he controlled the New Jersey Legislature, while his influence has made senators and governors.

Gen. J. L. Curtis married a lady of English descent, Miss Clarissa M. Racey, a daughter of Charles and Eliza Racey, of New York City. She died in 1886, the mother of four children: Clara 1., who died in 1897, unmarried; Adelaide, who married Eastbur Hastings, and is now deceased; Laura (deceased about thirty years ago), who married Col. George Hastings, a brother of Eastbur; and Julia. who married James G. Mon- son, and now resides at Stratford with our sub- ject.

M RS. CHARLOTTE RAYMOND (nie Keeler) was born February 20, 1819, in the town of Wilton, on the place where she now lives, and she obtained her education mostly in the town of her birth. She has been a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church of Wilton, and is a woman of much more than ordinary abilities and womanly virtues. The is a daughter of Justus Keeler, of Wilton.

Our subject married Thomas M. Raymond, a native of the town of Norwalk, who was born May 8, 1811, educated in the common schools of the place, and afterward always engaged in farming, except for the short time he was cap- tain of a trading vessel. During the training days he was a member of the militia. In pol- itics he was first a Whig. later a Republican, though he never aspired to public office. In re- ligion he was a member of the Episcopal Church. To his marriage with Charlotte Keeler {the subject proper of this sketch) he had the

Justus Keeler, father of our subject, was born in the town of Norwalk, May 21. 1750, was following children: Charlotte A., a sketch of . educated in the district schools, and became a whom follows; Frances C., who remains single; | prominent and prosperous farmer. He was also Justus Keeler, who married Esther A. Webb;

Henry M., who died in the war of the Rebellion; , ox-vokes, etc. During the Revolutionary war he Harriet M., wife of John F. Wilson; and Katie | was a member of Captain Comstock's company, J., who married William A. Folwell.

Charlotte A. Raymond, eldest daughter of

our subject, married Jacob Fowler, a turner of Norwalk, and who was a soldier in the Civil war. Children as follows were born to them: John J .; Lottie K., who married Thomas Bird; Thomas G .; Charles; Justus K. Raymond; and Hattie May. Justus K. Raymond, third child and eldest son of our subject, learned the carpenter's trade in his youth, at which he worked in con- nection with farming. To his marriage with Miss Esther A. Webb there were born no chil- dren. Henry M. Raymond, second son of our subject, enlisted in Company G, 10th Conn. V. 1., and died at the age of seventeen in the serv- ice of his country. Harriet M. Raymond. fifth child and third daughter of our subject, was edu- cated in the common schools of Norwalk; she married John F. Wilson, a prosperous farmer of Ridgefield. Conn. They have six children: Bertha J .. who married Frederick Avery; Wilbur H., who married Dora Lasson; and Edward C., Lottie M., Ernest M., and Richard R., all four of whom remain single. Katie J. Raymond, youngest child of our subject, was educated in the schools of Norwalk; she married William A. Folwell, a butcher of Norwalk. Mr. Folwell at the time of this marriage was a widower. By his first wife. formerly Miss Pattison, of Watertown, he had one child, Frank M. B. Folwell; by his marriage. to Miss Grace Wheeler he has one child, Will- iam A. Folwell.

John Keeler, great-great-grandfather of Mrs. T. M. Raymond, was born in the town of Norwalk, Conn., was educated in the public schools of that locality, and followed farming during his entire life. His son John, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in the town of Norwalk, was educated there, and always followed farm- ing. His son Jehu, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in the town of Norwalk, was educated there in the common schools, and always followed farming. He married Miss Lydia Lockwood, of New Canaan, by whom he had the following children: James L., who was a soldier in the French and Indian wars, and died when about eighteen years old. John, who also died when about eighteen; Stephen; Martha: Lyd:a. who was burned to death; Isaac, Hustus, Justus and Mercy.

engaged to some extent in working wood, making

I went to New York, but was returned to Norwalk, and served through the entire war. In politics he

Digitized by Google

1075

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

was a Whig, and held several of the minor offices of his town. In religion he was a Congregation- alist. He married Miss Charlotte Olmstead, who was born September 10, 1788, a daughter of Asa and Bettie (Stuart) Olmstead, the former of whom was a prosperous farmer of the town of Wilton. To Mr. and Mrs. Justus Keeler were born two children: Charlotte, the subject of this sketch; and Frances L., who remained single.

Josiah Raymond, grandfather of our subject's husband, was born in the town of Norwalk, and was there educated in the common schools. He was a farmer during his entire life, except while serving as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He married a Miss Merwin, and had the follow- ing children: Thomas, who married Eunice Hanford; Platt, who married Hannah Benedict; Jabez, who married Sallie Fitch; Josiah, who married Clara Mott; George, who married Parmelia Banks; and Merwin, who married Phebe Marvin.

Merwin Raymond, father of our subject's husband, was born in Norwalk, and, after com- pleting his education in the common schools. learned the hatter's trade, at which he worked for a number of years. Afterward he engaged in farming. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812. He married Miss Phebe Marvin, a daughter of Stephen Marvin, of Westport, and had the following children: Isaac and Betsey, who both died young; Stephen, who married Amelia Fitch; Josiah, who married Abigail Crofut; Marvin, who married Laura Morehouse; and Thomas M., who married (first) Sallie More- house. and (second) Charlotte Keeler, the sub- ject proper of this sketch. By his first marriage Thomas M. Raymond had one son, Stephen Mar- vin Raymond, who is now deceased.

PERCY L. JOHNSON, a talented member of the Bridgeport Bar, is the junior member of the well-known legal firm of Hall & Johnson, and by his able management of important cases has won an enviable reputation.

Mr. Johnson comes of a good old English family. and his ancestors settled in this section of the country at an early date. John Johnson, his great-grandfather, who was born probably in Fairfield county, was a farmer in the town of Monroe. Zenas Johnson, the grandfather, was born in the town of Monroe and made his home in Easton, this county, where he followed agri- cultural pursuits for many years.

Joseph W. Johnson, our subject's father, was born in 1841, in the town of Easton, where he

grew to manhood and engaged in farming. About 1882 he became interested in the real-estate busi- ness. and at various times he was called upon to settle estates. his ability and integrity winning general confidence. In 1887 he removed to -Bridgeport, where he resided until his death, which occurred in July, 1896. Politically, he was a stanch Republican, and for many years he was regarded as one of the leaders of his party in this locality. He married Miss Martha J. Nickerson, who was of Scotch descent and a daughter of Rev. L. D. Nickerson, a noted Methodist clergyman in this section in the early days. Of their four children, the eldest, Carrie, died in infancy. Lorenzo, who died February, 1897, was a graduate from Wesleyan University and Harvard. Percy L., our subject, is men- tioned more fully below. Miss Ella A. is a stu- dent in Wesleyan University.

Percy L. Johnson was born February 10, 1865, in the town of Easton, and was prepared for college in the old academy in Easton village. At the age of twenty-one he entered Wesleyan University, and later he took a course in the Yale Law School, graduating in 1891. He be- gan the practice of his profession in Bridgeport in 1894, associating himself with Edwin F. Hall, of the present firm. In politics Mr. Johnson is a Republican, and his efficient work in the inter- ests of his party has already been recognized. In April, 1898, he was elected alderman-at-large from the First district of Bridgeport, still holding this office. In religion he inclines to the Meth- odist Church. to which the family have belonged; and socially he is a member of the Sea Side Club.

On October 5, 1892, Mr. Johnson married Miss Kate E. Judson, daughter of Charles Jud- son, of Huntington. this county. She died March 30, 1896, leaving one son, Wilbur Booth John- son, and on July 13, 1898, Mr. Johnson formed a second union, with Miss Edna A. Thompson, daughter of Edmund Thompson, of Bridgeport.

W WARREN KIRK, for the past third of a century a resident of Stamford, where he has been engaged in the carpentry business, is a native of New York State, having been born in the town of Kent, Putnam county, September 17, 1829.

William Kirk, father of our subject, also a native of Putnam county, N. Y., was a carpenter and 'builder, which trade he followed throughout life, at the same time operating a small farm owned by him in the town of Kent, Putnam county. He married Mary Hinckley, of Dutchess county, N. Y., daughter of Abijah Hinckley, and

Digitized by Google

1076

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

children as follows were born to them: James, Julia (deceased), Warren, Demond, Horace (who was killed in the army during the Civil war), and Laura.

Warren Kirk learned the trade of carpenter with his father, following same in the town of Kent, and also carrying on farming pursuits. In that township he was married, July 4, 1848, to Mary Lake, who was born there December 3, 1827, and they had a family of ten children: (1) Theodore H., born October 17, 1849, married Frances E. Bassett, and had two children-Ben- nett and Frank; (2) Andrew J. (of Glenbrook, Conn.), born February 10, 1851, married Bella Unckles, and has one son-John: (3) William Warren (a sketch of whom appears elsewhere) was married April 8, 1874, to Mary Adelaide Noyes, and they have one son, Will E. J. Kirk, a phy- sician; (4) Laura E., born March 14, 1853, mar- ried Julius A. Smith, and had three children- Caroline A., Jennie Irene and Marion Julia; (5) Phoebe J., born September 23, 1856, is deceased; (6) Charles A. (of Stamford, Conn.), born June 9, 1858, married Mary Looney, and had two chil- dren-Howard and Harry; (7) Walter, born October 31, 1860, is deceased; (8) Byron, born April 29, 1862, is deceased; (9) Frank, born August 3, 1865, is deceased; and (10) George C., born August 25, 1867, at Stamford, Conn., mar- ried Julia M. Scofield, and their daughter, Mar- jorie Scofield, was born June 26, 1898. The mother of these was called from earth May 20, 1897.

Removing from Putnam county, N. Y., about 1851, Warren Kirk carried on farming in Dan- bury, Conn., until 1861, after which he conducted a fish and vegetable market in Stamford until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. In the spring of 1862, in Fairfield. Conn., he enlisted in Company K, 17th Conn. V. I., and was mus- tered out of the service at Indianapolis, Ind., in 1865. After the battle of Gainesville he was placed on detailed service. Returning to Stam- ford, Conn., after his discharge, he has since re- sided there, engaged in the carpenter business. He is a member of the Baptist Church of Stam- ford, and, socially, of the G. A. R., belonging to Hobbie Post.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 218

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