Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 235

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

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

cal sympathies are with the Democratic party, and, while not exactly a politician, he takes a keen interest in the welfare of his party and in local public affairs, and he served ably as town- ship assessor. Mr. Bradley has a wide circle of friends in Fairfield, and he is one of the most popular men in the neighborhood.

Mr. and Mrs. Bradley have had two children, Florence C. and Irene S., both of whom are living.

G JEORGE W. BARNUM, of Danbury, an hon- ored veteran of the Civil war, belongs to a family which distinguished itself for patriotism and valor during those troublous times, as will be seen. Our subject is a successful business man and a representative American citizen, lend- ing his influence to the various movements that tend toward progression.

Mr. Barnum was born March 7, 1842, in New Fairfield, this county, where he obtained his early education in the common schools. At the age of.ten he hired out to a farmer there with whom he remained six years, receiving his board and clothes and a few months' schooling each year. When sixteen he went to Richmond, Va., to learn the sash and blind business, but in 1860 he re- turned North, locating in Danbury, where he was first employed as a clerk in a store and later worked in a hat factory. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in Company C, 3d Conn. V. I., for four months, and at the expiration of his term resumed the work of clerking in a store at Danbury. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, 23d Conn. V. I. for one year, and served under General Banks at New Orleans. On his return to Danbury he followed the hatter's trade for a time, after which he re-entered the service. After the close of the war he engaged in carpentering, but in 1870 he embarked in the grocery business in partnership with his cousin, Hendrick Barnum. A few years later he formed another partnership with Albert B. Reed, under the name of Barnum & Reed, and their store at No. 307 Main street enjoyed a large and profitable trade, their stock of groceries and provisions being an excellent one.

On April 26, 1866, Mr. Barnum was married to Miss Sarah L. Raymond, daughter of John D. and Eliza Raymond, prominent residents of Dan- bury. She died August 11, 1886. and on July 11, 1890, our subject formed a second matri- monial union, this time with Miss Anna E. Platt, of Danbury, whose father, George Platt, is a well-known citizen of this county. Mr. Barnum is the father of five children, all by his first mar-

riage: Fannie E .. born September 8, 1870, married to Charles F. Wilson, of Danbury; Laura E., born October 3, 1872, who married Ward B. Dann, and has one son, Ward C., born January 30, 1896; Charles W. and Charline W., twins, born February 28, 1875, the latter of whom died on August 15 of the same year; and Clara D., born April 26, 1882, living at home.

In politics Mr. Barnum is a Republican, and he has held several offices, and in 1869 he was elected constable for three years. In 1882 he was elected burgess of his borough, and was also appointed a grand juror. His service in the war was supplemented by five years in the State militia, and he was a charter member of the local company, of which he was made second lieuten- ant at its organization, and was later promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. He belongs to numerous fraternal and military societies, includ- ing the I. O. O. F., the I. O. R. M., the K. of P. (in which he is Past Chancellor); the G. A. R., and the Sons of Veterans.

The Barnum family traces its descent from Thomas Barnum. or Barnham, as the name was originally spelled. He was born in England in 1625, and about 1640 came to America, locating at Springfield, Mass. In 1643 he removed to Fairfield, Conn., and in 1660 to Norwalk, and later he. with seven other heads of families, in- cluding James Beebe, of Stratford, Conn., set- tled at Danbury, at what is now the south end of Main street. He was twice married, and by his second wife had five children: Thomas, Jr., Francis, Richard, John and Ebenezer. Of these, Francis and Richard both represented Danbury in the Colonial Legislature.

Francis Barnum. the next in the line of de- scent, was born in Norwalk, and died about 1736. He married Mary ___ -, and had six sons: Isaac, David, Samuel, Thomas, Nathan and Abel. Nathan Barnum, the next ancestor in the di- rect line, married Rebecca Lockwood, of Norwalk. and in 1742 they removed to New Fairfield. They had two children: Nathan, Jr., and David.

David Barnum, our subject's great-grand- father, was born in Danbury, March 30, 1733. and died January 30, 1822. On July 13, 1756. he married, for his first wife, Anna, daughter of Samuel Towner, and five children were born of the union, their names, with dates of birth and death, being as follows: Nathan, March 28, 1757-September 13, 1758; David, August 9. 1758-December 31, 1793; Rebecca, November 3, 1760-October 20, 1817; Annie, October 21, 1762-December 7, 1793; and Diantha, Septem- ber 11, 1764- March 24, 1834. David Barnum married, for his second wife, Jemima, daughter

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- da? Flereer and Melodie Pech Stevens. They had six

Ser at B. b in November ar. I'm, died February 11. 1011: Samuel I .. b. in November 18. 1;26. d'ed January 15. 1856. Herever and Metastable, Is me. c! when the ist. - Ja na. In May 12. 175 ded May 8. 15 :. Thaddeus, I in Sep-

Freie.es Barnun .. the grandfather of our Short, was! in in New Fairfield, October 31. 1 ;; 2. and died October a. sagt, having been a farmer throughout his Ite he his first wife. hottes, daughter of Capt Riskin Nash. of Waten. this county, he had eight children. Vz : Amy. I. on May 10. 1858. dand May 14. 1:30; I wier, In in February as. Hos, died Septem- Her er B. car colvert s father. Horace. Flaki N. B."ed in it : in the ( al war, Harvey, and mid wife of Here,er hattum was Rebecca Mead. daughter of his Unah and Rebecca Mad She died March 6. 1576 Their chil- den were George. tien June 23. 1818, died July 2. 12: John. I. in May 31. 1821, died March 21. 1223; Letter M. b. in January 10. i'20, a farmer, new home retired at No 449 Main street, Danbury

and an extensive producer of petroleum. (He was formerly a noted oil operator.)

The patriotic zeal of Homer B. Barnum and his sons is well described in an article in the Na- inmal Lestra of Washington, D. C., entitled .. A Fighting Family. A Father and Five Sons in the Army " The writer says:

.. Mr. Editor .- The following extract from the Providence (R. I.) Press of October, 1862, is furnished by a Danbury correspondent: Among the numerous volunteers from Danbury is an old n.an named Homer B. Barnum and five sons. A thore patriotic fighting family is not to be found in this region. If the sons fight as well as the father they will do their share toward crushing out the Rebellion. The father, who is nearly sixty years of age, passed himself off to the mus- tering offwer as forty-four, and was mustered in over a year ago, and as a member of Company A. 11th Connecticut, has since followed in the devision of the brave Burnside. At the battle of Antietam he was on the skirmish line at the stone bridge, and was stationed behind a post, and did not leave his position until he had emp- hed his Sharp's rifle fifty-nine times. As he is an old experienced fox hunter, it may be pre- "med that few, if any, of his shots were wasted. He had one narrow escape. Soon after seating himself he discovered a hole in the post opposite his heart; reaching outside the post he put in a stine and went to work again. In a few min- utes the stone covering the hole was shattered by a ball from a Rebel sharpshooter, pieces of the stone and ball falling through into his lap. but the old hero's time had not come yet. He coolly closed up as before and resumed his labors. A number of gentlemen, learning the facts of the devotion of the family to our cause, yesterday quietly made a donation visit to the mother and remaining son, and left goods and money to the amount of over $50 as a slight token of their ap- preciation of the sacrifice of this household. It was well deserved. May all the worthy heroes

Homer B. Barnum, cor culvert's father, was horn May 18, Je, at New Hatfield, and on September 8, 1830, matted Mas Elza Foote, a native of Newtown. to in February 27, 1812. She was a daughter of Phuo and Phobie Foote, and her family was tre of the first to settle at Sowieun. After his mariage Homer B. har- num settled upon a farm in New Fairfield, where he ki wed the occupation of a stone mason, and also worked as a comb maker. He was a man of remarkable force of character, as was shown by his gallant support of the government during the Civil war, in which he lost his life. He was one of the first to win the Republican jarty, and with his tave cous enlisted in the i of our grand, noble army be remembered and I'man army, their record being given below. His . rewarded.

". As a sequel to the above ] will give a brief sketch of the service of this patriotic family dur- ing the war. The father. Homer B. Barnum, enlisted October 25, 1861, in Company A, Eleventh Connecticut, and was in all the battles

wife, who died October 12. 1547, bore him six s.r.s. William A .. In August 24. 1834. 15 a farmer at Canton Staten, this county; Theo- dore H., born Jane 16, 1835. died April 18. 1879: Eben L., Man August 13. 1839, is a Butcher and merchant at Danbury: George W. . of the regiment until July 12, 1864. when he was is the subject proper of this sietch. Frederick C .. shot through the head by a sharpshooter and in- siantly killed in the trenches in front of Peters- burg. Va. His time would have expired October following. When the regiment veteranized he offered his services for three years more, but our . old surgeon, Doctor Whitcomb, said to him :- be In October 14. 1543. r.et a soldier's death on June 21. 1803. at La Fourche Crossing, La. ; and Edwin H., born October 28. 1847, is now a successful business man of Bradford, Jenn., be- ing a director in banking and other corporations

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' Homer, you are too old a man to go for three years more. There are plenty of younger but not better men to take your place. Stay your other year out and then go home. Your family is well represented now. I will get you a thirty-days' furlough to go home with the boys; but do not stay in the army any longer than your present enlistment.' At his death his remains were brought home to Danbury, where they peacefully rest in our beautiful cemetery, and he is yearly remembered on . Memorial Day,' to- gether with nearly two hundred other gallant heroes.

"The eldest son, William A. Barnum, was rejected as a soldier, being subject to epileptic fits, but served as a steward for about two years on various government transports. Theodore H. Barnum enlisted for three years in Company B, Fourteenth United States In- fantry, Second Battalion, and contracted inflam- matory rheumatism and chronic diarrhea, from the effects of which he died several years later. He was in several engagements, including the battle of Bull Run. Eben L. Barnum enlisted April 25, 1861, in Company C, Third Conn. Vol. Inf., for three months, and on November 13, 1861, in Company A, Eleventh Conn. Vol. Inf., for three years, and received honorable discharges from both regiments, having served both enlistments in full.

"George W. Barnum, Jr., enlisted April 25, I duces this article, was born in Bridgeport, Conn., 1861, for three months, in Company C, 23d | February 14, 1829, a son of Samuel B. and Mar- Conn. Vol. Inf., and on August 25, 1862, in | garet (Rickert) Middlebrook, the former also a Company G, 23d Conn. Regiment, for nine : native of Bridgeport, and the latter a native of months, and served both terms in full. Fred- | Dutchess county, N. Y., of good old Holland erick C. Barnum enlisted for nine months in I stock. Samuel B. Middlebrook was a son of Company K, 23d Conn. Vol. Inf., and was shot | and instantly killed in the battle at La Fourche i county, of English extraction). He spent his life

Crossing, La. He is buried where he fell. This

left the sixth and youngest son (eleven years of | & Middlebrook, vessel and house painters. He

age) at home with his mother, where he stayed until the Eleventh Connecticut came home on a veteran furlough, and he returned to the seat of | war with them as sutler's clerk."

The Danbury Evening News of April 26, 1889, says: "Two G. A. R. men became Sons of Veterans to-night-Eben L. Barnum and G. W. Barnum, brothers. The family have not only an honorable but also a very patriotic war record. It was a sight seldom witnessed, two brothers, one fifty years and the other forty-eight, wearing

gracefully performed the duties of the occasion. James E. Moore Post, No. 18, of which E. L. Barnum is senior vice-commander, was especially invited to be present. A beautiful collation was served by the ladies and society after the serv- ices."

M ENRY B. MIDDLEBROOK. Whether by politics or by literature, by the professions or by manual labor, the path leading to success is a thorny one. Perseverance and industry, wis- dom and judgment, physical and mental endur- ance, are the requisite stepping-stones. Few men, comparatively, combine in their general make-up these necessary qualifications, and he who does is more often called "lucky " by the world, that looks, not at the toiler, but at the man who stands firm before the people on the topmost point. The hope of result gives the charm to all labor, and, as we contemplate on the lives of the successful men of to-day, how little do we realize the despair, the' heart-aches i and almost hopelessness of the worker that pre- cedes the crowning glory of success. The life- i story of men who have achieved success is a fit- | ting study for the coming generations of Amer- ican citizens, and we here present to our readers one worthy of emulation.

Henry B. Middlebrook, whose name intro-

Samuel Middlebrook (born in Southbury, this in Bridgeport, and was one of the firm of Curtis

married Margaret Rickert, and by her had eight children, of whom the following is the record: Maria married George Augur, a carpenter and builder of New Haven; Susan married George S. 1 Stevenson, a jeweler of Bridgeport; Sarah Ann married George S. Curtis, a cabinet-maker of Trumbull (both she and her husband are now de- ceased); Margaret S. did not marry; George, de- i ceased, was in the market business; Charles, de- ceased, was a house painter; John, deceased, fol- | lowed carpentering as an occupation; and Henry

upon their breast the honorable badge of the G. | B. is our subject. The father of this family kept A. R., going through the beautiful and impress- I a paint store for a number of years. In politics he ive service of initiation and coming out full-fledged I was a Democrat, and had served as deputy sheriff Sons of Veterans as members of Nelson L. I of the county. During the war of 1812 he had Capt. Tobert Davis, ably | performed guard duty near the city of Bridge- assisted by inspector Edward S. Whiton, very ; port. He and his entire family were communi-

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cants of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Mr. Middlebrook died October 20, 1838, and his wife passed away April 27, 1882.

Henry B. Middlebrook spent his early days in Bridgeport, and here in the local schools re- ceived his education. At the age of seventeen he began to learn the tinning and sheet-iron trade, and later the plumbing trade, at which he served a four-years' apprenticeship. Following this he worked as a journeyman until 1860, when he formed a co-partnership with P. R. Bishop under the firm name of Bishop & Middlebrook, this partnership lasting four years, when our sub- ject formed another business alliance, this time with J. W. and Charles E. Wilmot; they con- tinued together until 1871, when one of the members of the firm died, the other two carry- ing on the business for two years under the name of Middlebrook & Wilmot. Mr. Middlebrook sold out his share to Zalmon Goodsell, and re- moved to Naugatuck; but after remaining there a short time he returned to Bridgeport and opened his present business-plumbing, gas and steam fitting, etc. He has made a thorough study of his trade, and is therefore capable of giving the best satisfaction possible for first-class workman- ship.

On November 29, 1849, Mr. Middlebrook was united in marriage to Miss Louisa A. Hay- den, of Litchfield, a daughter of Canfield and Candis Hayden. Mrs. Middlebrook died De- cember 26, 1892. One child came to bless this union-Fred H., who married Estella J. Hanson, of Bridgeport, and has one child, Grace E. Fred is in charge of his father's store, and bids fair to be a most successful man, his genial man- ner and gentlemanly bearing winning for him a high place both socially and commercially among the citizens of his native town. Among the pa- trons of this establishment are many of the old settlers of the county, and it is one of the finest of the kind in the city.

Henry B. Middlebrook, though loyally de- voted to and interested in the well-being of our government, is no politician. He gives liberally to any movement that tends to the develop- ment of home industries, and the progress of civilization. For twelve years he has served in the military company, and for the same length of time with Engine Company No. 2. In the Master Plumbers Association of Bridgeport he has been president, and in fact has held all the offices, even now serving as vice-president; he also holds a State office in this order. In his re- ligious views he has clung to the faith of his fathers, and is active in the work of the Episco- pal Church. In all local movements he has

taken an active part, and few men attain to such prominence as his, in their native towns. He has always been interested in literature, and has contributed some gems to the poetic world-that are worthy of reproduction. On the death of J. J. Weaver, Master Plumber of Philadelphia, he wrote :

As leaves in golden Autumn Are strewn by every blast, Frail man must meet death's summons And turn to death at last.

Our dear departed brother, Death calls him home to his rest,

To dwell among the angels In mansions of the blest.

We've missed his ways so kindly, His friendship and his voice

No more on earth shall greet us, To make our hearts rejoice.

Life's battle scenes are over, His armor is laid down, To every trust so faithful, He now receives a crown.

All thoughts of him are golden In noble honest name, We close his eyes in slumber, And wreathe sweet mem'ry's framt.

So let the waiting angels Bear him on to the shore

Where sweetest rest awaits him In bliss forever more.

For like the patriarch olden He sought a home above, Where saints and angels tune their harps And sing e'er "God is Love."

Sleep long, sleep well, dear brother, Peace be to thee, and rest, And some day may we meet thee In mansions of the blest.

And again on the occasion of the meeting of the Master Plumbers Association in Philadelphia, in answer to the words of welcome from the mayor, he wrote:

We come to your beautiful historic city, The home of old Liberty bell, We wish the dead and departed Were with us its glories to tell.

McDonald, Weaver, Remick and Weldon, Struck down by Death's sickle at last, Though gone, yet as ever their memory Is engraved on our hearts deep and fast.

Once more we meet in convention As bound by a golden chain, One more will look on together, That knows not a shadow of stain.

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We come thankfully to this re-union With another year passed away. Oh ! joy to the living here with us, And peace to the dead, we say.

You welcome us so fraternally. Friendship's stream flows brightly and clear, Jis waters will hear us forever The joy of our visit here.

Let us pass the hours there together In a glad and fraternal way, So the good of another re-union Will linger for many a day.

Nature shows us its complete beauty, All the flowers and birds are in tune; 'Tis pleasant thus to be assembled In the rosy month of June.

All hail to the brethren who greet us ! All hail to the children of Penn ! We hope to be able to meet them For many a time and again.

The newspaper writers may say it, Philadelphia is awfully slow, Let them meet in convention of plumbers, And they will never say it is so.

J TOHN J. KEARNS, a well-known business han of Stamford, Fairfield county, is a na- tive of that town, born in 1855. He is a son of Martin Kearns, who was born in Ireland.

Mr. 'Kearns attended the public schools of . of this union, the names, with dates of birth, etc., Stamford in early life. and acquired a good prac- | being as follows: James, September 1, 1699, died tical education. For fifteen years after com- mencing work he was engaged in railroading. running for some time on the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad; and for four years on a road in Illinois. In 1888 Mr. Kearns com-

1 after August 1, 1759; David, October 12, 1701, died April 10, 175 -; Ebenezer, April 7, 1706, died in 1734; John, November 3, 1708, died in 1783; Zebulon, about 1709, died May 2, 1778; Mark, about 1711, died August 20, 1797; Thomas menced the retail liquor business in Stamford, I died after 1795; Mary, about 1717, died at the which he has since conducted, and which brings age of ninety-six; Hannah, about 1719; Sarah, November 6, 1721; Edmund, born in 1725, died July 17, 1785. him in a comfortable income. His first location was on Railroad avenue, but he subsequently re- moved to his present quarters, on Pacific street, where he has a commodious business room. is a prominent member of the Liquor Dealers Association of Stamford. By thrift and economy | 1747. he has succeeded in acquiring considerable valu- 1 able property, and he holds several good pieces 1 of real estate in Stamford.

Mr. Kearns was married in Stamford to Miss i about 1737 or 1738; Abigail, born about 1739; Julia Hayes, and two children have been born to them, namely: Martin, and Julia, who died | born October 9, 1743, died April 30, 1825; and when thirteen months old. The family are Catholics in religious belief, and are members of | children by the second wife: Sybil, born 1747; St. John's parish. Socially, Mr. Kearns is a | member of the Knights of Columbus. He is a | field, N. Y., September 2, 1828; Avis, born 1754; Democrat in political sentiment.

W ILLIAM D. BALDWIN, of the well- known firm of McGraw & Baldwin, deal- ers in groceries and provisions at No. 93 White street, Danbury, is a man who has won success in life by energetic and persistent effort in his chosen line.

Mr. Baldwin was born October 13, 1856, in Newtown, Conn., and is connected with several of the old families of this State. His paternal grandfather, William Baldwin, who was born November 28, 1803, and died January 11, 1847, was married not earlier than 1827 to Miss Eme- line Leavenworth, a native of Woodbury, Conn., who was born August 14, 1807. The Leaven- worth family is descended from Thomas and Grace Leavenworth, who were born in England, and, according to tradition, came to America in 1664, or later, and settled at Woodbury, Conn. Thomas Leavenworth died there August 3, 1683, but it is thought that his wife lived until 1715. They had three children: Thomas; John, who was still living in 1718; and a daughter, whose name is not known. IJ. Dr. Thomas Leavenworth, eldest child of Thomas and Grace Leavenworth, was born in 1673, probably at Woodbury, but possibly in England, and died at Ripton, Eng- | land, August 4, 1754. In 1698 he was married I at Stratford, Conn., to Miss Mary Jenkins, daugh- ter of David and Grace Jenkins. She was born i in 1680, and died at Ripton in June, 1768, in her eighty-ninth year. Eleven children were born

Ill. John Leavenworth was born at Strat- He ! ford, and about 1737 married Deborah Hurd, who died January 1, 1746. On January 29, he married Mary Bronson, who was born July 21, 1719, a daughter of Ebenezer Bronson and Mary (Mann). The i children of the first wife were: David, born John, who is mentioned again below; Lemuel. Deborah, born May 8, 1745. There were six Amos, baptized August 9, 1753. died at Deer-

| Elihu, born October 5, 1756, died December 25,

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go Inha. Raptured Ja's 5. 1;0 8. Miho. la In The 1. 11.3. dard July 1. IN; All were bit in W ... !: ary. 1\ ] an Leavenworth malajined July 10. 1;31, and died in 1221 in in W . Hunt He served in the Revolutionary SI On November 20. 1. he married And Ira, of Newton, who died Jne 3. Their children were hertha. tern Match 14. 1971. Captain John Jeck. I. in November April is. 1775, Kassel, out sob rets great-grand- father, and Amanlis, b in December 11. 1775 she was a twin, the other child dring in infancy .. V Kiwell Leavenworth. I in January is,

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 235

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