Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 45

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

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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).

Zadoc Fairchild, who became one of the prominent residents of Newtown, had ten sons, viz .: Hawley, Ezra, Ziba, Clark, Louis, Levi, Samuel, Burtis, Beers and Moss.

Ziba Fairchild, our subject's grandfather, fol- lowed agricultural pursuits on a moderate scale, and his life was spent at Newtown and New Mil- ford. He was twice married, and had four sons and two daughters, the latter dying when young, but the sons lived to maturity and married. (1) Edmund, born January 3, 1814, died July 22, 1883. He married (first) Harriet Whitney, and (second) Louise Peck, who is still living at the head of the street, in Newtown. He had two children by his first wife, Julia A. (1), who died in childhood; and Lucy A., who married Edgar Northrop, of Newton, and had three children- Edgar, George and Lucy; and one child by second wife, Julia A. (2), who married Eugene Buckley. (2) David Wheeler, second son of Ziba, resided about sixty rods west of the home of our subject, and with the exception of a few years spent in Wisconsin, his life was passed in Newtown. He married Emeline Whitmore, of Newtown, and had six children: (a) Mary Jane married William Lawrence, and had five chil- dren-Lottie, Frances, William, Katharine and Bertha. (b) Augustine married E. A. Good- emote, and had one son, Claude, who married in Canada, and has one child now living in Buffalo. N. Y. (c) Sarah M. married (first) Myron Colby, and has one child. (d) Henry W. was married in western New York, and after- ward settled in Minnesota. (e) Arthur died in childhood. (f) Julia. (3) Le Grand, the third son of Ziba, is mentioned more fully in the next paragraph. (4) Samuel, youngest son of Ziba by his second marriage, married and had one daugh- ter, Mary.

Le Grand Fairchild, our subject's father, was born February 1, 1820, and died October 15, 1895. By occupation he was a carpenter and joiner, and many of the buildings in and around Newtown were constructed under his supervision. He pos- sessed fine natural abilities, and although he started in business life without capital, he man- aged to acquire a goodly competence, by thrift and enterprise, so that he was able to retire at the age of sixty-eight in the enjoyment of the re- sults of his early labors. For many years he was a leading member of Trinity Episcopal Church, of Newtown. In politics he was a Republican, but he never took an active share in partisan work. His wife, Emily Whitney, a daughter of Abel Whitney, was born in 1821, and died March 25, 1891. They had a family of four children: J. Botsford, our subject; Julius Burr, born August 24,

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1847, died May 1, 1873; James Burtis, born Feb- ruary 4, 1858, died February 20, 1858; and Emily Aurelia, who married a Mr. Mayhew, and has had four children-Susan C., Theodore F., Joseph B. and Gala.

The subject of our sketch was born March 4, 1844, and since he was about four weeks old has had his home in Taunton District, town of Newtown. He was educated in the common schools of that locality and in Newtown, attend- ing until he reached the age of seventeen years. He then began to learn the carpenter's trade with his father, and this business he continued for a quarter of a century, the firm being considered the leading carpenters of the town. Among the buildings erected by them we may mention the Grand Central Hotel, the store of E. F. Hawley. the residence of D. G. Beers, and St. John's Epis- copal church at Sandy Hook. Since 1886 Mr. Fairchild has been engaged in farming upon his homestead near Hawleyville, which is a fine tract of eighty acres. He is also interested in the sale of agricultural implements, and is the principal dealer in this line of goods in this town, being the exclusive agent for the Wiard Plow Company, of Batavia, N. Y. His energy and good judgment have been rewarded by a fair re- turn, and he ranks among the substantial busi- ness men of his neighborhood. As a citizen he has shown much public spirit, but is not an act- ive worker in politics, and, while he is a Repub- lican so far as national issues are concerned, he votes independently on local questions.

On December 13, 1865, Mr. Fairchild mar- ried Miss Emma J. Jennings, who was born May 4, 1843, a daughter of William B. Jennings. Three children have blessed this union: Mary Ella, born October 11, 1867; Jennie Louise, born April 24, 1869, both now at home, and Emma Irene, born January 1, 1879, who died August 1, 1879. The family is identified with the Congregational Church at Newtown, and Mr. Fairchild is one of the prominent members of that society.

ORACE S. PLUMB, a highly esteemed resi- dent of Bridgeport. is now spending the afternoon of a long and useful life, having re- tired to the home of his childhood to enjoy well- earned leisure.

Mr. Plumb was born January 18, 1827,. at his present residence, and comes of good pioneer stock, his ancestors having settled in this coun- try at an early day. David Plumb, his grand- father, was born in the town of Trumbull, June 25, 1751, and made his home there upon a farm, his death occurring May 31, 1813. On Decem-

ber 19, 1776, he married Miss Mary Beach, who was born March 11, 1758, and died August 10, 1833. They had the following children: Han- nah, who married Silas Nichols; Noah, our sub- ject's father; Polly, born September 8, 1787, married Eli Booth; David Beach; and Camilla, wife of Nelson C. Nichols.

Noah Plumb, the father of our subject, was born May 3. 1782, in Nichols, town of Trumbull, where he grew to manhood. He became a farmer by occupation, and in April, 1814. settled upon a homestead in the town of Bridgeport, where he died July 8, 1862. On November 22, 1804, he was married in Trumbull to Thank- ful Beach, who died soon afterward. On April 8, 1807, he married Eurania Wells, who was born November 15, 1784. a daughter of Elias Wells, of Stratford, and died December 27, 1866. Our subject was the youngest in a family of eight children, the others being: David W., deceased; Louisa P., wife of Peter E. Capel; Mary N., who married James Fitch; Hepsa B .; Sally E .; Elias N., a farmer by occupation; and Emily U. David W., who married (first) Clarissa Allen, and (second) Louisa Wakely, was en- gaged in a manufacturing business at Birming- ham and Ansonia, and, later, resided in Shelton.

1 Horace S. Plumb was educated in the schools of Bridgeport, and in early manhood became in- terested in agricultural pursuits. From 1854 to 1860 he was engaged in railroading, and he sub- sequently embarked in business as a dealer in flour and feed, carrying on this line from 1861 to 1880, part of the time at Titusville, Penn. In 1880, returning to Bridgeport, he opened a flour ; and feed business there, continuing same until 1892, since when he has been living in retire- ment.

JAMES L. G. CANNON. The Cannon family is of French descent, the first settlers of that name in America having been Huguenots who fled from their native land to escape religious per- secution. Their descendants in every generation have shown themselves worthy of their ancestry, filling honorable positions in life, and manifest- ing the qualities that constitute good citizenship. In the early days the family was identified with New York City, and one of the streets of the metropolis was named in their honor. Commo- dore Cannon, the great-grandfather of the well- known citizen whose name opens this sketch, commanded a vessel during the French and In- dian war. He removed from New York to Nor- walk, this county, at an early period in the his- tory of the latter town.

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John Cannon (1), our subject's grandfather, was born in Norwalk, where he was married in early manhood to a Miss St. John, a member of an old family of that locality. They died in Norwalk leaving a large family.

John Cannon (2), our subject's father, was born in Norwalk in 1780, and passed his life there, becoming a wealthy and prominent citi- zen. In politics he was first a Whig. later a Democrat. His death occurred at Norwalk in 1840, and a few years later the family removed to Newark, N. J. His wife, who died in New- ark in 1860, was formerly Miss Fanny Lock- wood, daughter of Joseph Lockwood, of Nor- walk. Five children were born to this union, viz .: Harriet (deceased); Jeannette, who mar- ried John A. Bioren, of Philadelphia (both now deceased); John, who was engaged in business in New York City; Rebecca, who married Dr. John F. Morse, and died in California ; and James L. G.

Our subject was born in Norwalk, Conn .. where he remained unnil he was fourteen years old. He then went to Newark, N. J., and for four years was employed as a clerk in the drug store of Charles W. Badger. In 1849 he went to California, by way of Cape Horn, and during his four-years' residence there he was proprietor of a drug store. On his return to the East he again located at Newark, N. J., but in 1867 he removed to Westport. this county, and estab- lished a drug store, which he has since conducted successfully. As a citizen he is held in high esteem, and he is one of the leading Democrats of the locality, having served as treasurer of the township for seventeen years. Socially, he and his family are popular, and he is an active mem- ber of the Masonic Fraternity, with which he united in 1868.

Mr. Cannon married Miss Caroline F. Coombs, of Brunswick, Maine, and four children have been born to them: John F., Fanny B., Le- grand B. and Carrie G.

BRADLEY BROTHERS, of Westport, Fair- field county. Industry puts an entirely new face upon the products of nature. By labor man had subjugated the world, reduced it to his dominion, and clothed the earth with a new gar- ment. The first rude plough that man thrust into the soil; the first rude axe of stone with which he felled the pine; the first rude cance scooped by him from its trunk to cross the river and search the green fields beyond, were each the outcome of a human faculty which brought within his reach some physical comfort he had never before enjoyed. The mechanic is King,

when we consider that all material things become subject to the influence of his labor, and in this connection it is with pleasure we read the life history of such well-known citizens as De Witt C. and Gershom W. Bradley.

DEWITT C. BRADLEY is a native of the town of Weston, Conn., born December 26, 1846, and received his early education in the district schools of his native town, later attending both the academy at Easton and Adams Academy in Greens Farms, from which he was graduated. After leaving school he entered his father's edge- tool factory and learned the business thoroughly. At the age of twenty-two he enlisted in the reg- ular army, joining Troop D. U. S. Cavalry, sta- tioned at Fort Lapway, Idaho, and served two years and three months. On his discharge and return home he resumed his trade, and since 1886 has been prominently identified with his brother, Gershom W., in the manufacture of axes and edge-tools at Westport.

In 1877, on Christmas Day, De Witt C. Brad- ley was married to Miss Emma J. Sherwood, who was born February 13, 1855. a daughter of William C. and Esther A. (Merwin) Sherwood, respectable farming people of the town of West- port. No children have been born to this union. In politics Mr. Bradley is a strong Republican. and in 1887-89-91-93. he was elected a member of the State Legislature. Socially, he is affiliated with the F. & A. M., Temple Lodge No. 65, Westport; of Washington Chapter, R. A. M., Norwalk; of Clinton Commandery No. 3, and of Pyramid Temple, Bridgeport.

GERSHOM W. BRADLEY was born in the town of Weston, Fairfield Co., Conn., October 2, 1858, and his earlier education was secured at the district schools. Later, he attended Easton Academy, from which institute he was graduated, and he then learned the manufacture of edge- tools, which business he has followed in West- port, along with his brother DeWitt C., since 1886.

On June 24. 1885, Gershom WV. Bradley was married to Miss Emma Becker, who was born April 22, 1859, a daughter of Moses and Emeline (Goodsell) Becker, of Hillsdale, Columbia Co., N. Y., and two children graced their union: Edith M., born December 7, 1886, and Gershom W., born June 22, 1889, died August 29, 1890. Mr. Bradley in his political preferments is an ar- dent Republican, and for the past few years has efficiently filled the position of town treasurer; he is a director of the Willow Brook Cemetery As- sociation, at Westport. Socially, he is a mem- ber of the Grand Lodge of Good Templars; in religious faith he is identified with the Methodist

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Church at Westport, in which he is serving as trustee.

Wakeman Bradley, the grandfather of our subjects, was born in the town of Fairfield, Fair- field Co., Conn., was educated at the common schools of his day, and learned the business of axe and edge-tool manufacturing. In 1812 he settled in Weston, where he built an edge-tool factory, and engaged in that line of trade the rest of his days. He married Miss Catherine An- drews, of Weston, and children as follows were born to them: Abigail married Peter Williams; Gershom W. will be mentioned farther on; Mor- ris married Mary Fanton; Abram W. married Mary Eliza Merwin; Angeline and Eveline (twins), the former of whom married Thomas Couch, the latter wedding Harry Fanton; Mary Catherine is the wife of Daniel C. Salmon; Amelia is the wife of Burr Sturgis; Eliza married Charles Sherwood; and Susan is the wife of Hanford Lyon. Grand- father Bradley died in 1862.

Gershom W. Bradley, father of our subjects, was also a native of the town of Fairfield, Fair- field Co., Conn., born in 1804, and after secur- ing a liberal education in that town went to Wes- ton; he learned the edge-tool manufacturing in- dustry, at which he continued up to the time of his death, March 23. 1886. In 1832, he built a large factory at Weston. In 1827 he married Lydia, daughter of Miles Merwin, of Weston, and their children were: Miles married Emily H. Ogden; George died at the age of twenty-one; and DeWitt C., the elder of our subjects. The mother of these died in 1851, and for his second wife Gershom W. Bradley wedded Miss Mary J. Goodsell, daughter of Silas Goodsell. of West- port. To this union were born children as fol- lows: Twins, who died in infancy; Gershom W., the younger of our subjects; Warren, who married Emma Becker; Eliza J., wife of Lewis A. Burr; and Catherine, wife of Charles Candee. The father of our subjects died March 23, 1886.

The Bradley Brothers stand high in the com- munity in which they live, and enjoy the respect and esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances.

S ILAS E. MEAD, a well-known citizen and agriculturist of the town of Greenwich, where his life, almost without exception, has been passed, is a representative of one of the old fam- ilies of Connecticut, his ancestors coming to : Greenwich nearly two and a half centuries ago.

Mr. Mead is of the ninth generation from John [other authorities say William] Mead, the pro- genitor of the family in America, the line of de- scent being: John (1), John (2), Ebenezer (1),

Ebenezer (2), Silas (1), Silas (2), Silas H., Silas D., and Silas E.

John Mead was one of two brothers who emi- grated from England about 1642 [other authori- ties say 1635], the family being an ancient and honorable one; one of their ancestors had been the friend and physician of the talented Queen Elizabeth. One of the two brothers settled in Virginia, where the family still exists. The other, John Mead, with his two sons, John and Joseph, after remaining a short time in Massachusetts, moved to Hempstead, L. I., where they remained until October, 1660, when the sons, at least, settled in the town of Greenwich, Fairfield Co., Conn., where many of their descendants still reside. [John, the father, either did not come to Green- wich, or, if so, he took no active part in public life. ] The two sons bought land of Richard Crab and others, which was deeded to John Mead, son of the pioneer. He married a Miss Hannah Pot- ter, of Stamford, Conn., and on his death in 1699, left, as appears by his will, eight sons and three daughters. Of these, Ebenezer, the fourth son, was born in 1663, married Sarah Knapp, of Stamford, and of their children. Ebenezer (2) was born October 25, 1692, and died May 3, 1775; he married Hannah Brown, of Rye, N. Y., on December 12, 1717, and of their children Silas (1), the second son, was born May 22, 1720, and died in 1817; his wife, Mary, was born in 1724, and died in 1787, and among their children was a son, Silas (2). Silas Mead (1) settled at North Greenwich, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and was a member of the Second Con- gregational Church at Greenwich. He built his barns of trees standing near by. without having to draw any from a distance.

Silas Mead (2) was born in 1748, and died in 1813. His wife was Sarah Mead, a daughter of Deliverance Mead, and their children were: Sa- rah, Silas H., and Francis, who died in youth. The father lived on the old home farm, and was a substantial citizen of North Greenwich, Conn. He was killed by being thrown from a wagon near his home; his wife died in 1812.

Silas H. Mead was born December 12, 1796, at North Greenwich, Conn. He was a large farmer and leading man in the community. In politics he was an uncompromising Abolitionist, one of thirteen voting that way, and by voice and vote did all he could to educate the people of his community to the idea of human liberty. He united with the Second Congregational Church at Greenwich in 1826, and immediately took a deep interest in religious matters. The Congregational church at North Greenwich was built in 1827, and its erection was largely due to

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the interest and efforts of Mr. Mead. He was one of the active men in the formation of the Church, and was chosen deacon the day the Church was organized. He held his office and performed all the duties of it until his death. He died after a few days' illness, December 14. 1878, aged eighty-two, having been in office fifty-one years lacking eleven days. He was a man of wisdom, perseverance, and success in promoting the interests of the Church, and was a model for men of that office in prayerfulness, self-sacrifice and diligence. The land, twelve acres, on which the church building and parson- age stand, was his gift, and the position of the Church early taken against slavery and intem- perance was largely due to him. He always took a deep interest in missionary matters, and was very liberal toward all religious enterprises. He was one of Greenwich's best and most re- spected citizens and, dying, left the record of a good man. Silas H. Mead married Harriet Mead, daughter of Jehial Mead, and they had the following children: Sarah M. (who married Selah Savage, a farmer of North Greenwich, and had two children: William L. and Roxa M.), and Silas D. Mrs. Mead passed away July 1,1870.

Silas D. Mead was born January 31, 1819, at North Greenwich, Conn. In addition to the district schools of his neighborhood, he attended a ! in the town of Greenwich, Fairfield Co., Conn. select school taught by a Mr. Buffett at Stanwich and the academy at North Greenwich. He was reared on the farm and became successful in that occupation. On starting out in life for himself he went into debt for his buildings, but through his industrious habits, good manage- ment and judicious investments he became owner of a large farm. He possessed upward of three hundred acres of land, a part of which had for many years been in the possession of his an- cestors. In 1838 he united with the Congrega- tional Church of North Greenwich, and was throughout his life one of its best workers and most liberal supporters. For a half century or more he had charge of the singing, and remained at his post of duty until old age. In March, 1879, he was chosen deacon to take the place so long and faithfully filled by his honored father. He was always with the Sunday-school interests of his Church, and was for years a teacher in the same. He was a thorough temperance man, never having used liquor of any kind, or tobacco. In all matters pertaining to educational or re- | Greenwich on a part of the large estate of his ligious work he was most liberal, and through a ' father. Here he has since continued to reside. The children born to this couple were: Silas F. : (died when not quite four years of age), Mabel long life was one of the strong pillars of the Congregational Church at North Greenwich. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Repub- | W. (died when eleven years old), Louise C. (now

lican, joining the latter party on its organiza- tion in 1856. He seldom missed an election, never unless sickness kept him from going to the polls. He served his town as road-commis- sioner once, and was on the district school com- mittee for a long time. In the days of the Abolition party he was one of its strong sup- porters, being one of the "thirteen" in Green- wich. He was a man of intelligence and integ- rity, and at his death, August 9, 1896, there passed from this earth a good man-one whose life was worthy of emulation.

On September 22, 1840, Silas D. Mead was- married to Emily L., daughter of Ezekiel and Althea (Palmer) Close, born December 21, 1820, : at Greenwich, Conn. The children born to this union were: Myrtilla (now Mrs. Livingston Dis- brow, of New Rochelle, N. Y.), Silas E. (our subject), Emily C. (of North Greenwich), Sarah 1 C. (who died in infancy), Horatio B. (a lumber i dealer, of Douglas county. S. D.), Harriet A. i (who died in February. 1895, the wife of Living- ston Mead, of North Greenwich), and Ezekiel C. (a farmer of North Greenwich). The mother of this family is still living, a respected and highly esteemed resident of the town of Greenwich.

Silas E. Mead, the subject proper of this sketch, was born March 15. 1844, in what is known as the Clapboard Ridge School District, He received a common-school education, his first teacher being Miss Julia Hovey. Later he at- tended the North Greenwich Academy under the principalship of Whitman Peck and others, also under a Mr. Foote. He was reared on a farm. On August 14, 1862, he enlisted in the Civil war, casting his fortune with Company I, 10th C. V. 1 .. and serving with honor and credit throughout the war. His first engagement was at Kingston, N. C., thence he saw active duty, participating in all of the battles in which his company was engaged until August, 1864, when he was detailed to the ambulance train, soon be- coming clerk to the commander, in which capac- ity he served until the close of the war. He was discharged June 20, 1865, at Richmond, Va. Returning home, Mr. Mead was married, Sep- tember 12, 1867. to Miss Cornelia M. Wilcox, who was born June 22, 1843, a daughter of Josiah and Celestia (Wilcox) Wilcox. After their marriage our subject and his wife for a I time resided in Round Hill, then settled in North

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in attendance at Mt. Holyoke Seminary), and Josiah (died in infancy).

Our subject possesses the faculty of winning friends, and is by the community at large es- teemed as a citizen. He has inherited many of the traits of character possessed by his worthy father and grandfather, and has carried forward commendable work in good lines begun by them. He is a deacon in the North Greenwich Congre- gational Church, to which Church his wife also belongs, and in politics he adheres to the line in which his father and grandfather led. being a stanch Republican. He cast his first Presiden- tial vote for General Grant. He is active in the interests of his party, and has at different times served the people of his town in a public capaci- ty. His intelligence and worth as a citizen bring him into counsel with those who direct political movements. He is a member of the board of education, and since 1887 has been town assessor. He is a member of Lombard Post No. 24. G. A. R., at Greenwich, and has filled nearly all of the offices in the same, being at this writing grand vice. He is one of the substantial citizens of Fairfield county.

W ALTER NICHOLS is a son of Charles Lewis Nichols, who was born at what was then known as Nichols' Farms, town of Trumbull, Fairfield Co., Conn., but which has since been re-christened . Nichols." by the con- siderate edict of the good townspeople, in honor of the Nichols family, who were its first settlers, they having, about the year 1639, by Colonial grant, acquired all the land embraced within the township, some ten thousand acres.

Charles Lewis Nichols was a man of signal business ability. He started out in life as a dis- trict school teacher, which calling he followed for several years, but finding that the role of pedagogue afforded hardly sufficient scope for the development and utilization of those business qualities with which he was inherently endowed, and which distinguished his future career, he re- signed his preceptorship and embarked in the wholesale grocery business, in company with Jar- vis Lyon. The store of the firm was located on Water street, near the foot of State street. The house of Lyon & Nichols, as it was styled, thus entered upon a most successful career, and con- tinued for several years, when Mr. Lyon retired and was succeeded by a gentleman of the name of Birch. The new firm, recognizing the essen- tially limited territorial area of Bridgeport, and its environs for commercial development, decided to remove to New York City, where they soon

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 45

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