Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 51

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 51

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).

Digitized by Google

. .

244

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1774. and died in Texas in 1833, after a success- ful career as a merchant. He married Miss Susan Rogers, of Greenfield Hill, this county, who was a member of a well-known family which furnished several good soldiers to the Revolution- . ary army during the struggle for independence. Thirteen children were born of this union: Mary, Julia, John, Andrew, Susan, David R., William T., Lydia, Martha, Samuel H., Rebecca, Willis R. and Alfred J.

Rev. David R. Austin, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Bridgeport, this county, Febru- ary 28, 1807, and grew to manhood there. For some time he was engaged in educational work, and then, desiring to enter the ministry, he pursued a course of study in Union College, at Schenectady, N. Y. On leaving that institution he took charge of the academy at Monson, Mass .. where he remained several years. He then en- tered upon his pastoral labors, and spent two years at Ludlow, Mass; also fourteen at Stur- bridge, Mass., and in 1851 was settled at South Norwalk as the minister of the Congregational Church. He died there in October, 1879, deeply lamented by a large number of people in differ- ent places, whose lives had been made better by his helpful ministrations. While residing at Mon- son, Mass., he met and married Miss Lucinda Ely. daughter of Rev. Alfred Ely, who was pastor of the Congregational Church, at that place, some sixty-six years, his death occurring there in 1866. His father, Alfred Ely, a resident of West Spring- field, Mass., married Drusilla Brewster. a lineal descendant of Elder William Brewster, who came to this country, in 1620, in the "Mayflower." The line of descent is traced from this honored pilgrim through his son Jonathan, his grandson William, and his great-grandson Benjamin to William Brewster, the grandfather of Lucinda Ely, our subject's mother, who died in March, 1864.

Mr. Austin's birth occurred June 1, 1848, at Sturbridge, Mass .. and when he was about three years old his parents removed to Norwalk, where much of his youth was spent. After acquiring an elementary education he went to Monson, Mass., to prepare for college, and later took a complete course at Yale, graduating in 1869. The next seven years were passed in travel, and in 1876 he began his professional studies in the office of Judge Woodward, of Norwalk. In 1878 he was admitted to the Bar, and for twelve years served ably as trial justice and justice of the peace, more than two thousand three hun- dred cases passing before him in that time. He now has an extensive office practice, and is often engaged in the settlement of estates, being skill-

ful in that branch of the law as well as in his chosen specialty of real-estate practice.

On April 29, 1885, Mr. Austin married Miss Caroline R. Converse, daughter of Col. Charles A. Converse, of Norwich, Conn., and they have one child, Mary Elizabeth. Mr. Austin is a mem- ber of various fraternal bodies, including the F. & A. M. and the Norwalk Club. Politically, he is a firm supporter of the Republican party, and his influence is recognized in the councils of the local organization.

H TON. CYRUS RAYMOND, a prominent business man of Danbury. is a veteran of the Civil war, in which he gained an enviable rec- ord for courage and devotion to his country, en- during not only the hardships of active service but the horrors of prison life.

Mr. Raymond was born January 29, 1843. in the town of New Canaan, this county, and comes | of good old Colonial stock. The family origin- ated in France, but the first American ancestor came from England, where so many persecuted members of the French nation sought refuge in the early times. The name of Richard Raymond appears in the records of Salem, Mass., for the year 1634. John Raymond, a son of Richard, was born in Norwalk, Conn., and his son Thom- as was also born at that place. Comfort Ray- mond, a son of Thomas, was born in either Nor- walk or New Canaan, and his son, Comfort, our subject's great-grandfather, was certainly a na- tive of New Canaan.

Russell G. Raymond, the grandfather of our subject, was born in New Canaan in 1782, and passed his life there in agricultural pursuits. He married Asenath Hoyt. and had five children: Arza B., a farmer at Lewisboro, N. Y., died in 1834; Joseph H., a farmer in Norwalk, died in 1882; Russell G., Jr., our subject's father, is mentioned more fully below; Cyrus E., a hatter in Danbury, died in 1895; Polly A., who married Samuel Scribner, died in New Canaan in 1880.

Russell G. Raymond, Jr., grew to manhood upon a farm, following that occupation in con- nection with grist milling. He died in Novem- ber, 1851. His wife, Sally M. Dann, a daugh- ter of Cook Dann, a farmer in New Canaan, died June 28. 1863. They had four children: Arza, who served three years in Company H. 17th Conn. Vol., and for twenty years was an agent for the Adams Express Company, is now a resident of New Canaan; Julia M. is the wife of Samuel Malkin, of Norwalk; Cyrus, our subject, is the third in order of birth; Sarah A., who married George Badger, of Michigan, died in. 1884.

Digitized by Google

245

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Our subject's youth was spent in the town of New Canaan, where he attended school, and he afterward worked in a gristmill, becoming thoroughly familiar with the details of that busi- ness. In April, 1862, he removed to Danbury and was employed for a few months in a mill be- longing to George Crofutt. On August 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, 17th Conn. V. I., from New Canaan, and went to the front where he saw much severe fighting, taking part in nu- merous battles including those of Chancellors- ville and Gettysburg. At the latter place he was taken prisoner on July 2, 1863, and he remained in captivity until August 22, of that year. His experiences so injured his health that he was obliged to stay in hospital for a time, but he finally rejoined his regiment, which was then in Florida, and remained in active service until mustered out July 19, 1865. On returning to Connecticut, he received his discharge from the State service at New Haven, on August 1, 1865. The next three years he spent in Danbury, where he carried on a trucking business, but August 1, 1868, he went to New Canaan to enter the em- ploy of the Adams Express Company. After two years in this business he returned to Danbury where he was employed some 14 years by the Tweedy Manufacturing Company. While there he began the business of designing, engraving and printing on special order work in a small way, and as his business increased he enlarged and improved his equipment, and since 1884 he has devoted his attention entirely to that line of business. His work is most artistic in design and finish, as he makes a specialty of embossing and other high grades of work, printing in gold and silver, steel engravings, and in ink on silk and other materials. The hatters of Danbury give him many orders for fine printing, as his work is especially fitted for tips and other ma- terials used in the trade. Mr. Raymond's indus- try has brought him excellent financial returns, and among his investments we may mention an orange grove in Florida.

In 1862 Mr. Raymond married Miss Mary J. Slawson, daughter of Eleazer Slawson, of Pond Ridge. West Chester Co., N. Y. Seven children were born of this union, two of whom died in in- fancy. Of the others: C. Frank, a resident of Dan- bury, is an engineer by occupation; G. Bert is also an engineer; Mary L. married C. R. Morse, former- ly of Portland, N. Y., but now in the tip-print- ing business at Bethel. this county; Sarah I. married John T. Boughton, of Danbury; and Miss Jennie E. is at home.

In politics Mr. Raymond is an Independent with inclinations toward the Greenback move-

ment. In 1886 he was a member of the State Legislature, and he has also taken an active part in municipal affairs, having served two years as alderman from the First ward of Danbury, and in 1895 he was made superintendent of public works. In social as well as in public life he is highly esteemed, and he is a member of the G. A. R. and the Union Veteran Legion.

E ADWIN H. ABRAMS, editor of The Green- wich News, was born June 1, 1861, at Cro- ton Falls, Westchester Co., N. Y., son of George W. and Susan M. (Reeve) Abrams. His ances- tors, who were of English origin, settled in New York State probably early in 1700. His great- grandfather, John Abrams, who lived at Rossville, Ulster Co., N. Y., took part in the Revolutionary war, fighting for American liberty. Mr. Abrams' maternal ancestors for several generations lived on Long Island, his maternal grandfather, Hew- lett Reeve, residing at Southampton. The Reeves were also an English family, and came to Long Island among the early settlers.

Mr. Abrams lived at Croton Falls until 1888, being engaged in newspaper work as publisher of the Croton Falls Folio, and coming to Green- wich in that year he assumed control of The Greenwich News, which had been recently es- tablished. In 1889 he purchased the paper, which he has since edited and published.

S STEPHEN C. PECK. Among the prominent residents of Greenwich township a century ago none perhaps were better known, certainly none lived more worthily, than the Rev. David Peck. In his day the assumption of ministerial duties did not always involve the abandonment of more material pursuits, and in addition to the religious charge of the First Congregational Church at Greenwich, Rev. Peck engaged in the work of farmer. He owned a farm on the river road in Greenwich township, and rode on horse- back to and from Greenwich, where he was the minister of the First Congregational Church. His son, David, was a farmer. Stephen C. Peck a son of the latter, and the subject of this sketch, was born April 2, 1836, and early acquired the habits of industry, patience and thrift, which have crowned his life.

Rev. David Peck was the son of Eliphalet Peck. David was twice married and had twenty- one children-ten by his first wife, and eleven by his second wife. David, a son by the second wife, was born March 16, 1805, and was reared on the farm. His educational opportunities

Digitized by Google

: :

...

246

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

were quite limited, for he attended the district schools only for a short period during the winter months. His summers were devoted wholly to farming. David Peck was married March 11, 1829, to Miss Mary B. Miller, who was born July 19, 1806, in Bedford, N. Y., a daughter of Lewis Miller, a blacksmith. After his marriage David began housekeeping just across Byram river from his father's farm, and frequently both he and his wife forded the stream on horseback before the construction of a bridge. He remained on this farm till his death, which occurred Au- gust 15, 1888. His wife, mother of our subject, died April 10, 1879, and both are buried in the Baptist cemetery on King Street, Greenwich. David Peck was by political faith a Democrat until the Civil war, when he became a Republic- an. From 1840 he was deacon of the Baptist Church, and until death was devout in his Church life. He followed farming throughout life, and was highly esteemed for his many estimable qualities. The children of David and Mary B. (Miller) Peck were as follows: Cephas, born Jan- uary 3, 1830, was a carpenter at Brookville, and died April 14, 1894; Andrew, born May 7, 1831, died September 15, 1831; Annie A., born Septem- ber 9, 1833, is now living at Port Chester, N. Y., the widow of Samuel Peck; Mary A., born January 27, 1835, is the wife of Samuel K. Wil- cox, of Bridgeport; Stephen C. is the subject of our sketch; Clarissa R., born October 9, 1838, died October 19, 1839: Catherine M., born De- cember 30, 1839, died March 4, 1863; Sarah M., born January 29, 1841, died in childhood; Alvord. born June 26, 1843, is a farmer of Alamo, Mich .; Elizabeth C., born June 25, 1847, married Frank Bronson, and died at Port Chester.

Stephen C. Peck in his boyhood attended the Riverside school, and for a few weeks was a student at Greenwich Academy, but he was attacked with quinsy, and so reluctantly was obliged to forego further instruction. He was a ready pupil, and acquired his limited education easily. Returning to the home farm, he was "put into harness" early in life, and assumed the obligations and hardships with cheerfulness. Stephen remained on the home farm until his marriage, at the age of twenty-nine years. In youth, after the home work was done, he was al- lowed the use of the oxen to earn money else- where. He was married November 20, 1865, to Miss Eliza B. Sherwood, who was born, in 1840, near Glenville, a daughter of William B. and Eliza (Burns) Sherwood. Mr. Sherwood was by trade a shoemaker, but he following farming, and lived at Greenwich to the age of eighty-three.

Our subject, in the spring of 1866, began

housekeeping. He had purchased sixty-five acres of land off the John B. Wilson farm, and there he resided until he removed to his present home, near Glenville, the Sherwood homestead. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peck: Eme- line, now Mrs. Daniel Denton, of Greenwich; Frank, who died at the age of four years; Will- iam D., at home; and Frederick C., who died an infant. In politics Mr. Peck is non-partisan. He has strong convictions, and votes from principle. Both he and his wife are prominent members of the Congregational Church of Greenwich. He is a total abstainer from the liquor habit. He worthily represents one of the oldest families of Fairfield county, is a substantial farmer, well- known and well-esteemed, intelligent in his grasp of public affairs, and fearless in his support of measures of right and justice.

M ILO MEAD, a highly esteemed resident of the town of Greenwich, is a man whose personality and achievements have left an in- delible impression upon that locality, his work and influence having been potent factors in the development of the thriving villages in the south- western part of the town. Coming of good old pioneer ancestry, Mr. Mead preserves the tra- ditions of his race in his handsome, finely pro- portioned physique, full of vigor and life, and in the sound judgment, enterprise and public spirit which have always characterized his actions.

Mr. Mead is of the seventh generation in de- scent from John Mead, who came from England in 1642, bringing his son John with him, and, after a temporary residence in Massachusetts and on Long Island, located in 1660 in the town of Greenwich, Fairfield Co., Conn., with two sons, John (2) and Joseph. The younger son after- ward removed to New Jersey.

John (2). from whom the Mead family in this section trace their descent, had the following children: John, Joseph, Jonathan, Ebenezer (1), David, Benjamin, Nathaniel, Samuel, Hannah, Abigail and Mary Elizabeth.

Ebenezer (1) reared a family of children, among whom was a son and namesake known to posterity as Ebenezer (2), who was born Octo- ber 25. 1692, and died May, 1775. He married Hannah Brown and had twelve children, as fol- lows: (1) Ebenezer, born October 8, 1718, died February 25, 1758; (2) Silas, born May 22, 1720, died October, 1816; (3) Abraham (1). born June 15, 1721, died in 1742; (4) Jonas, our subject's paternal grandfather, born December 25, 1725, died September 14. 1783; (5) Solomon (twin of Jonas), born December 25, 1725 (date of death

Digitized by Google

247

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

not known); (6) Deliverance, born May 4, 1728, died May 3, 1785; (7) Amos, born November 22, 1730, died February 24, 1807; (8) Edmond, born 1732, died 1755; (9) Hannah, born in 1735, died June 25, 1757; (10) Jabez, born March 1, 1737, died September 14, 1866; (11) Jared, our subject's maternal grandfather, born December 15, 1738, died May, 1830; (12) Abraham (2), born December 14, 1724, died December 24, 1827. He was known as Capt. Potter Mead, and became the progenitor of the Belle Haven branch of the family. He was an officer in the Revolutionary army, and did gallant service at the battle of White Plains. The place where Capt. Abraham Mead lived was at Indian Har- bor, east of what is now called Indian Field, where formerly vessels were built and fitted out, and had quite a trade with the West Indies. At that time bread was baked in what was called brick ovens, which would contain loaves enough to last a week for a large family; a fire would be made in the oven, and when the oven was hot enough to bake the bread, the coals and ashes would be taken out and the dough for the bread made in the shape of loaves and put into the oven with a long-handled shovel, and left a sufficient time to bake. Then what was called a lid was placed where the loaves were put in, to keep the heat from escaping. The oven faced the street, "out of doors," as they say, and they had a little dog they called "Cider," which some cruel fisherman, who happened to be passing just at the time the oven was ready for baking the bread, threw into the oven (having taken down the lid), and the poor animal was baked with the bread; so they said they had " bread and cider."

Jonas Mead, the grandfather of our subject, was a lifelong resident of Indian Field, in the town of Greenwich, where he owned an extensive farm, and was prominent in the various activities of his time. He was especially interested in the support of the Congregational Church, in which he held the office of deacon for many years. By his second wife, Sarah (Howe), he had three sons who lived to adult age, viz .: Noah, Mark and Jonas. Their mother died when Jonas (2) was about ten months old, and their father when he was three years old. Being consequently left minors, the three children were placed under the guardianship of their uncle. Capt. Potter Mead, of Greenwich. Mark, one of the three brothers, chose to receive an education for the ministry instead of taking his share in his father's home- stead, which was accordingly assigned to the other brothers.

Jonas Mead (2), our subject's father, known far and near in later life as " Old Deacon Jonas,"

was born at the old homestead in Indian Field April 13, 1784, and in 1820 removed from that place to another farm, at Byram Shore, in the extreme southwestern portion of the township. The locality was then in an almost primitive con- dition, but has since become quite thickly settled, and some years before his death he sold seven- teen acres of land, upon which the first buildings in the present village of East Port (by some per- sons now called New Lebanon) were erected. He was a man of firm will and strong convic- tions, being immovable as to any course which he thought right, and in his time he was an ear- nest champion of various reform movements. He was one of the early promoters of what was known as the "new temperance pledge." He was an ardent Liberty-party man at first, after- ward a Free-soiler and Republican, and in 1840 he was one of the six men in his town who voted for James G. Birney, the others being his son, Mark Mead, Nehemiah Howe, Allen Howe, Gilbert Close and David Banks. As a citizen he was much esteemed, and he was a devout mem- ber of the Congregational Church (of which he was deacon) at Greenwich from 1828 to the time of his death, which occurred August 2, 1871, at the old homestead. He married (first) Miss Hannah Hibbard, and (second) Miss Hannah Mead, his cousin, who was born May 25. 1788, and died January 27, 1874, her remains being interred beside those of their son in the Con- gregational cemetery at Greenwich. She was a daughter of Jared Mead, and granddaughter of Ebenezer Mead (2). By the first marriage there were three children: Sarah (who died young). Charles and Hannah. Of these, Charles died January 10, 1895, at his home in Indian Field, and Hannah, who became the wife of Benjamin Mead, of the town of Rye, N. Y., died October 10, 1895. There were three children by the second union: Mark (deceased), formerly a resident of Byram; Sarah, who died at the age of nine years; and Milo, our subject, who is men- tioned more fully farther on.

Abraham Mead (brother of Jonas Mead (1), grandfather of Milo Mead), was the only man in this section who understood the manufacturing and glazing of stoneware, and it is said that he learned from the Dutch the secret of glazing, adding salt in the burning of the kiln. This Abraham Mead bought one hundred and fifty acres of land called Horseneck Field, for two thousand dollars, which he paid all in silver dol- lars, almost as much as he could carry in his overcoat pockets. He had to keep his money over night, and fearing robbers he collected clubs. axes and other weapons, for protection against

Digitized by Google

24S

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

possible intruders, at the house at Belle Haven formerly occupied by Oliver Mead, now occupied by Oliver D. Mead, farther south across what is called Byram Cove of Belle Haven, where our subject's father, mother and his aunt Alma re- sided, and where they died. Abraham Mead bought the farm which is now owned by Oliver D. Mead, for his two sons, Zopher and Isaac; Zopher Mead was the father of Oliver Mead, from whom the property was inherited by Oliver D. Mead, and Isaac was the father of Augustus, the father of the present Augustus and Nelson B. Mead.

In 1851 William P. Abendroth, William Pro- vost and a William Jones bought seventeen acres of Jonas Mead, and laid out a village opposite Port Chester. They also built a draw-bridge in Connecticut nearly opposite the Aberdroth foun- dry. and later another bridge farther north nearly at the head of navigation, but without a draw, to avoid expense. At the death of Deacon Jonas Mead, that part of his farm which adjoined the village known as East Port Chester was inherited by his son Milo, who extended streets farther to the east, and called the place New Lebanon.

Milo Mead, the subject proper of these lines, has always resided at the old farm house, at Byram Shore, and at his father's death he and his brother Mark inherited the estate. He was extensively engaged in farming, but of late years the rapid development of the locality has made his land valuable for building purposes, and he has laid out and sold many lots at large prices. With his good judgment he has been quick to en- courage local improvements, and he has made liberal expenditures of money from his own pocket, especially in the building up of the village of New Lebanon, where he has laid out numerous roads and assisted in various public enterprises. He is a man of intelligence, and as he is fond of reading, and possesses an excellent memory, his conversation is both interesting and instructive. His education was largely self-acquired, as in his youth the schools of the locality were of a crude sort. The old Byram school house, 15 x 15, which was moved to where William Newman formerly lived, and where Abraham Slater now lives, was occupied as a corn crib a number of years, and at the most liberal estimate could not have cost $300 for labor and materials, while the box stove, the uncomfortable wooden benches, and the other features of the place were in sharp contrast with the furnishings of the modern school. Our subject's first teacher was a Mr. McFunn, and his other instructors in the old school were William Dusenberry and John Tyler. The methods of teaching were as primitive as the building, but in

spite of that the scholars, who usually numbered forty, learned the elements of reading, writing (with quill pens made for the scholars by the teacher) and arithmetic, and laid a good foun- dation for further progress. When thirteen years old Mr. Mead began attending the academy at Greenwich during the winter, walking to and fro every school day, and while there he enjoyed the able instruction of Jeremiah Spencer and Prof. Philander Button.

While Mr. Mead has never united with any religious society, he attended the Congregational Church regularly in his younger days, and has always contributed generously to its support and to the work of other denominations. For many years he served as assistant librarian of the Sec- ond Congregational Church at Greenwich. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and at one time he held the office of tax collector; but he does not care for official positions, preferring a quiet life, devoted to his own business and to the companionship of his books. It is the wish of all who know him that he may keep up the family record for longevity, the average age being eighty-five years.

APTAIN WILLIAM H. HOYT, of South Norwalk, Fairfield Co., Conn., is at the head C of one of the leading business enterprises of that city, being the senior member of the firm of W. H. Hoyt & Son, planters, exporters and whole- sale dealers in East River oysters and seed.

The Captain is regarded as a veteran in his line, having begun the business when only four- teen years old, with an elder brother. George A. Hoyt, afterward being in partnership with Charles W. Hoyt, under the firm name of Hoyt Brothers, for eight years. He was also con- nected with a similar enterprise at New Haven, in addition to his business at South Norwalk. The latter was established in 1865, and in July, 1880, a stock company was formed under the name of The Hoyt Brothers Company, the sub- scribers being Charles W. and William H. Hoyt and George H. Townsend. In 1887 this firm was succeeded by that of W. H. Hoyt & Son, and the trade has been constantly extended by them, their seed trade and European orders tak- ing their entire product. They own large oyster beds in Long Island Sound, and the bivalves, after being packed in the establishment at South Norwalk, are shipped by propellers from the firm's docks to steamships at New York, by which they are carried to the European consign- ees. The firm has built several fine steamers ; the last one, the "Mildred," is a remarkable

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 51

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