USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut > Part 59
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IV. John Benjamin, born August 28, 1731, was a colonel in the Revolutionary army on General Wooster's staff, and fought with dis- tinction at Redding, Danbury and Ridgefield, Conn., at which latter he received a bullet in his shoulder which he carried the remainder of his life. Colonel Benjamin had extensive cordage manufacturing interests. He married, in 1752, Lucretia Backus, of Windham, Conn., the great- great-great-granddaughter of William Bradford, the first governor of Plymouth, who came over in the "Mayflower" in 1620.
Col. John Benjamin fourth (eldest son) had a son John (the fifth), who died without issue, and John's (the fourth) second son, Col. Aaron Ben- jamin, entered the Revolutionary army at the age of seventeen as lieutenant, and the family holds all his commissions, three in number-the first signed by John Jay and the other two signed by John Hancock. In the war of 1812 he com- manded the important post of New London, Conn. His commission as colonel, signed by James Madison, is also held by the family. Capt. Pulaski Benjamin, the eldest son of Col. Aaron Benjamin, was born in Stratford March 12, 1796. He married Susan Curtis, of Strat- ford. Clara Benjamin, daughter of Col. John Benjamin and sister of Col. Aaron Benjamin. married Josiah Meigs, of Philadelphia. John Benjamin, son of Capt. Pulaski Benjamin, mar- ried Hannah Seely Parkinson, daughter of Leon- ard Parkinson, who was a descendant of Richard Parkinson, of Kinnersley Castle, Hereford, Eng- land. Col. Aaron Benjamin was one of the original members of the order of the Society of the Cincinnati, to which John Benjamin, his grandson, has succeeded. Col. Aaron Benjamin married Dorothy Brooks, who was descended from an old and highly-respected Stratford family.
VII. John Benjamin, whose winters are spent in New York City, resides during the sum- mer season in Stratford, at his beautiful country seat in Elm street. The family holds a high po- sition in social life, its members being welcomed in the most exclusive circles of the metropolis, and Mr. Benjamin is related to many prominent citizens. A cousin, Col. Samuel Nicoll Benja- min, married Miss Julia Fish, a daughter of the Garrisons-on-Hudson. Hamilton Fish Benja- , min, Julian Arnold Benjamin and Willam Mas- I sena Benjamin are grandchildren of the late
II. John Benjamin, son of John the pioneer, married Lydia Allen, of Boston, and removed to Hartford in 1664, with his brother, which brother went to Norwich, Conn. The brother of John Benjamin (II), who removed from Hartford to Norwich, Conn., was the ancestor of Park Ben- : late Hon. Hamilton Fish, of New York and jamin, the poet, whose daughter married Motley, the historian, and whose granddaughter married Sir Vernon Harcourt, of London, England.
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Hamilton Fish and sons of Col. Samuel Nicoll Benjamin and Julia Fish. Mrs. John de Ruyter and Mrs. Moses Taylor Campbell, of New York. and Mrs. Willam Noble (ncc Brooks), of Bridge- port, Conn., are among his relatives, and are direct descendants of Governor Bradford through the marriage of Col. John Benjamin.
The handsome Benjamin homestead at Strat- ford, Conn., the residence of Arthur Bedell Ben- jamin, which he inherited from his father, the Hon. Frederick Augustus Benjamin, stands in a park which has been in the possession of the Benjamin family more than one hundred and ninety years, adjoining the celebrated Johnson country seat. Arthur Bedell Benjamin married Miss Jessamine Stagg, of Stratford. Arthur Bedell Benjamin's father, the Hon. Frederick Augustus Benjamin, a son of Col. Aaron Benja- min and a grandson of Col. John Benjamin, mar- ried Elizabeth Bedell, only daughter of Rev. Doctor Gregory Thurston Bedell, the eminent New York clergyman, and a sister of the Rt. Rev. Gregory Thurston Bedell, the Bishop of Ohio.
E PHRAIM MEAD, a prominent resident of Greenwich. is a worthy representative of one of the oldest and most highly esteemed fam- ilies of Fairfield county. While he is of an un- ostentatious disposition, being averse to public display, he ranks among the substantial citizens of his town, and his influence is none the less potent for being quietly exercised.
was born January 9, 1710, a son of Isaac (1), and the grandson of Nathaniel Howe, who mar- ried a Miss Bauers, and became one of the pioneers of Greenwich, where he died June 29, 1692. Isaac Howe (1) was born September 20, 1669, and was married June 1, 1701, to Eliza- beth Waterbury, his death occurring May 7. 1733. Elizabeth Waterbury was born January 19, 1683, a daughter of Lieut. David Waterbury, who served in King Philip's war, and a grand- daughter of John Waterbury, who located, in 1646, in Stamford, where he died July 31, 1658. Isaac Howe (2), the Revolutionary hero, was born January 9. 1710, and died October 8, 1779. He was married in 1736 to Keziah Mead. who was born February 10, 1707, and died Novem- ber 19, 180S. By this it will be seen that our subject is connected with several of the leading families of that county.
Ephraim Mead, the grandfather of our sub- ject, who bears his name, was the third son and the ninth child of Deliverance Mead and his wife Abigail (Howe). He was born March 15. 1775, and died July 16. 1850. On November 30, 1808, he married Azuba Mead, who was born January 9, 1787. and died January 21, 1861. She was also a descendant of John Mead and Jonah Mead, the second son and child of Lieut. Caleb Mead, who was the second son of Ebe- nezer Mead (1). Jonah Mead married (first) Mary Mead. (second) Rachel Husted (mother of Azuba) and (third) Hannah Mead. To Ephraim and Azuba Mead eight children were born, viz .: Mary, who married Willis J. Merritt, of Nor- walk: Huldah, wife of Daniel S. Mead; Thurza and Alathea, who died in childhood; Jane, who married Elkanah Mead; Isaac Howe, who is mentioned more fully below; Elizabeth L., born October 17, 1826, married, March 23, 1859, Au- gustus Mead; she died April 4, 1890; had Nelson B., Augustus 1., Oliver Z. (died in infancy), and Samuel C. (died in infancy); and Orphelia, who died in childhood.
Mr. Mead is of the eighth generation in de- scent from John Mead [other authorities say William], who came from England in 1642 [other authorities say 1635], and in 1660 located in Greenwich, where his posterity is now numer- ous. The line of descent was continued through John, son of the pioneer. and the first of the Mead family to acquire land in Greenwich. Ebenezer Mead (1). the next in order of descent, was the fourth son of John, the son of the pio- The late Isaac Howe Mead, our subject's 1 father, was born July 4, 1823, at Indian Field. | in the town of Greenwich, and as the only son he inherited the old homestead there. He pos- sessed a fine intellect, and although his educa- ! tional privileges were of a crude sort he acquired a wide range of information through his own ef- : fort. He was an energetic man, carrying through neer. Ebenezer Mead (2), son of Ebenezer (1), and the great-great-grandfather of our subject. was born October 25. 1692, and died May 3. 3775. He was married December 12, 1717, to Hannah Brown, of Rye. N. Y., and had twelve children-eleven sons and one daughter. De- liverance Mead, our subject's great-grandfather, was the sixth son of Ebenezer (2), and was born i an undertaking successfully, and was of good May 4, 1728. He was married in June, 1759, to physique, being about six feet tall and well pro- Miss Abigail Howe, who was born April 28, 1737. : portioned. He was a member of the Society of and died April 28, 1808: his own death occurred | the Second Congregational Church of Green- wich, which he attended, and to which he con- May 3, 1785. Abigail Howe was a daughter of Capt. Isaac Howe. a Revolutionary soldier, who i tributed of his means. He was respected through-
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out the community for his integrity and upright- ness. On March 1, 1855. he married Miss Mary E. Mead, and they made their home in the hand- some brick house built by his father in 1830. His death occurred December 13, 1889, and his wife passed away April 12, 1891, at Greenwich village, the remains of both being interred in the Putnam cemetery. Mrs. Mary E. Mead was a woman of refinement, and her influence as a kind mother and a loving wife made the home life an inspiration for good. She was a member of the Episcopal Church, and greatly beloved by her wide circle of friends. She died October 18, 1823, in New York City. She was of the seventh generation in descent from John Mead (1), the line being traced through John (2). Benja- min, fifth son of John (2). Captain Sylvanus (3) (Capt. Sylvanus Mead served as a corporal in the French and Indian war, 1759; ist Lieut. in the 8th Company, 7th Regiment, war of the Revolu- tion; was captured when Fort Washington was taken by the British on the 16th day of Novem- ber. 1776. He was afterward exchanged, and rendered valuable and efficient service in the struggle for liberty as captain of a company of Rangers until near the close of the war. when he was surprised by a party of Tories and shot by them at Greenwich, Conn., probably during the year 1781). Whitman, and Zophar Mead, her father. She was also of the eighth generation in descent from Capt. John Seaman, who, with his six sons, held the original patent, or grant, of Hempstead, Long Island, issued by the English Crown in 1665. Captain Seaman was engaged in various conflicts between the Dutch of New York and the English of Long Island, and in va- rious Indian wars from 1668 to 1676.
Zophar Mead married Martha Seaman, who died in New York City May 29, 1869, and he died October 3, 1838. Our subject was the first in a family of seven children, of which six are living, and are now occupying honorable positions in business and social life. Their father gave them the best opportunities that lay within his power, and by precept and example he impressed them with a value of true manly character. The sec- ond son, Elbert, died in infancy: Clarkson S., a graduate of Columbia College and the College of Physicians & Surgeons, of New York, is a physi- cian at Port Chester, N. Y .; Willard H. settled in Wyoming, where he conducts a ranch: Spencer P. graduated from the New York Law School, and is a member of the Bar of the State of New York; he resides in the metropolis, and is in the employ of the Standard Oil Company; Thomas M. is a farmer in the town of Greenwich, and Amos H. is engaged in business in Greenwich village.
Our subject was born September 7, 1856, and was reared in the old homestead, his education being begun in the Cos Cob district schools with Miss Kate Quintard as his first teacher. Later he attended the academy at Greenwich, studying under Profs. Shephard and Webster, and in the intervals of school life he assisted in the work of the farm. At the age of twenty he was employed as a clerk in a grocery store at Greenwich, owned by Mosier & Mead. and after two years in that position he went into business for himself, pur- chasing a crockery store at Greenwich from E. N. Healey. This enterprise he carried on success- fully until 1895, when he sold out, and since that time he has given his attention to various invest- ments. He is interested in local progress, and he and his family are identified with the Second Con- gregational Church at Greenwich. In politics he is a Republican, and at one time he held the office of borough assessor. As an active member of the Amogerone Fire Company he has done much to promote the usefulness of the valued organization, having served as foreman and also as secretary and treasurer. He has also a pleas- ant home in Millbank avenue, Greenwich, built by himself, and he and his wife are prominent in the best social circles of the town. In 1890 he married Miss Katy Mckinley, a native of New York, and a daughter of Hugh Mckinley, deceased. As both her parents died when she was a child she was reared by her aunt, her girlhood being chiefly spent in Dunellen, N. J. Three children brightened the home of our subject: Mary E., Clarkson H. and Richard O.
F RANK P. CLARK, M. D. Among the well-known citizens of Danbury, descend- ants of the pioneer families of Fairfield county, who have left clean and honorable records, we find Frank P. Clark, M. D., a physician and sur- geon of deservedly high rank in his chosen pro- fession.
John Clark, the grandfather of our subject, was born in the town of Danbury, where he grew to manhood and learned the hatter's trade. He married Miss Hulda Ambler, a daughter of Stephen and Rachell (Munson) Ambler. Stephen Ambler was one of those brave men who offered to die, if need be, for the independence of the thirteen colonies. He served as a private in the Eighth Company, Fifth Regiment, under Captain Kingsbury, enlisting at Danbury May 12, 1775, and serving until December 10. His country, recognizing his valuable services, pensioned him in his declining years. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Clark located in Danbury, and they be-
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came the parents of three children: James, a hatter by occupation, died in early manhood; Oliver P., a hat finisher and later a grocer in Danbury, died there in 1892; and William H., 1 who was the father of our subject. In politics, the father of these children was a Democrat and active in the interests of his party. He and his wife both lived until nearly three-score years and ten, and then sank quietly to rest at their home : Danbury, and associated himself with Dr. A. T. in Danbury.
William H. Clark, the third in the above mentioned family, was born November 19. 1819. He passed his early days in Danbury, and re- ceived his education in the common schools. At the age of fourteen he went to New York and began life for himself. He was first employed by J. H. & J. H. Tweedy in the capacity of clerk in their dry-goods store, and after one year there entered the dry-goods house of Ira W. Wheeler. with whom he remained until 1840, when he returned to Danbury and formed a co- partnership with his uncle. Irel Ambler, in the same kind of business. This co-partnership con- tinued until Mr. Ambler retired from business, since which Mr. Clark has conducted his affairs alone.
In 1841 occurred the marriage of William H. Clark and Miss Julia M. Andrews, a daughter of John Andrews, of Bethel, and to this union were born five children, two of whom died in infancy; the others are: Sarah C., who married Henry C. Smith, a salesman of Brookfield; Frank P., the subject proper of this sketch; and Harriet C., who married John C. Averill, a clerk of the courts, New London county, Conn. In 1891 Mr. Clark suffered a severe loss in the death of his noble and devoted wife. In politics he has always been a Democrat; and has efficiently served his party as alderman, and has held other offices. He is a liberal contributor to the Congregational Church, of which he is a faithful and consistent member, as was also his wife. Highly respected and esteemed by all, he is now the oldest mer- chant doing business in Danbury, and still hale and hearty, with a mind unimpaired, he bids fair to be an important factor in the commercial world of his town, for many years to come.
Frank P. Clark, whose name opens this re- view, was born July 14. 1852. in Danbury, where he passed his youth and received his elementary education. When quite young he manifested a decided liking for the study of medicine, and con- cluded to make it his life work. At the age of eighteen he entered the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons, and from that institu- tion was graduated with the class of 1876. His further study in the science only deepened his
liking for it, and besides the study outlined in the curriculum, his reading at college was ex- tended over a wide range of medical works penned by physicians and surgeons of world-wide reputa- tion. The ideas there acquired equipped him at graduation with a technical knowledge an older and more experienced surgeon might well envy.
On leaving school our subject returned to Clason, which association continued for about I two years. when Doctor Clark withdrew and until 1889 practiced alone. In that year he formed a co-partnership with D. C. Brown, and together they practiced until 1896, since which time our subject has continued alone.
In 18So Frank P. Clark was married to Miss Mary K. Benjamin, a daughter of George B. Benjamin, a representative of one of the oldest families of Fairfield county. To this union have been born two promising daughters: Susan B. and Julia C. Both the Doctor and his wife are interested in the Congregational Church. and con- tribute largely to its material interests. They occupy a prominent social position, and in their cheerful home delight to welcome their many friends. As far as his professional duties will per- mit him to engage in politics, the Doctor works for the interests of the Democratic party. He can, however, devote but little time to this, as his practice has become so large as to require almost all of his time-his thorough knowledge of medicine, his deep insight into human nature, and his firm, decisive manner, coupled with the kindly disposition, inspires confidence in his patients, and often wins for him success where others might meet failure. He is an ideal phy- sician-gentlemanly, courteous, firm and true.
H ON. MICHAEL JOHN BRADLEY, of Newtown, who is now serving his fifth term as judge of the probate court for his district, is a man of much ability and force of character, and the account of the manner in which he has made his way to success will be of interest to all our readers.
Judge Bradley is a native of this county, having been born in Newtown January 31, 1858, but he traces his descent from one of the oldest families of Kilbaha, County Clare, Ireland. John Bradley, his grandfather, a lifelong resident of that locality, married Johanna Finnell, and had six children, viz .: Patrick, who came to America, and for many years was an employe of the rub- ber factory at Sandy Hook; Michael comes next; John, our subject's father; Thomas, who is now postmaster at Sandy Hook; Bridget, who mar-
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ried Thomas Griffin, of Newtown; and Mary, wife of Martin Daily, of Bridgeport.
John Bradley, the father of our subject, crossed the ocean in or prior to 1847. and im- mediately settled at Sandy Hook, where he was employed for some time in the rubber factory. On July 5. 1861, he was accidentally killed, being caught by a belt in the factory. He was a S HEPARD. From old Colonial days this name has been *familiar as household words"in the New England States. The first of the family at present under consideration, of whom we have record was (1) Edward Shepard, mari- ner, who is supposed to have come from Eng- devout Catholic, and always took keen interest in all that concerned his adopted country, affiliating in politics with the Democratic party. After coming to America he married Miss Ellen Collins, daughter of Michael Collins, and a | land, and, as shown by old deeds, was a resident native of County Clare, Ireland. They had four children, as follows: Johanna, who died in in- fancy: Mary. wife of Cornelius DeLury, an un- dertaker and furniture dealer in Danbury; Michael John. our subject; and Maggie Frances, who married Thomas Kenny. a hatter of Danbury.
Judge Bradley was educated chiefly in New- town, where he attended the public schools and the academy, later purchasing a six-months' course in the Washington School, in the city of Bridgeport. By making good use of these opportunities he secured a practical education, and his reading has kept him well informed upon current topics. In 1877 he left school and en- tered the employ of the New York Belting and Packing Company, with whom he remained about seven years, his work there being terminated Oc- tober 29, 1883, when he received the nomination as representative from Newtown in the General Assembly. The campaign resulted in his elec- tion, and he served in the session of 1884 with credit to himself and satisfaction of his constitu- ents. In 1887 he was appointed deputy United States internal revenue collector for the Seventh district of Connecticut, and this office he held until the appointment of his successor in Octo- ber. 1889. In November, 1890. he was chosen judge of the probate court for the district of Newtown, for the term of two years, and so well did he perform the duties of this position that he was re-elected in 1892. 1894, 1896, and 1898, his fifth term beginning on January 1, 1899. He has always been active in the work of the Democratic party, and for five or six consecutive years served as registrar of voters. As he pos- sesses great energy, he is regarded as a valuable member of the organization, and has gained more than a local reputation.
Our subject's wife, whose maiden name was Julia Leavey, is a daughter of Matthew Leavey, now a resident of Newtown, but formerly of County West Meath, Ireland. They have had six children: John Thomas. William James, Samuel Charles, Mary Ellen, Wallace E., and Howard
Joseph, all at home. Mr. Bradley and his fam- ily are identified with St. Rose's Catholic Church at Newtown, and socially he is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
of Cambridge, Mass., as early as 1639. His first wife, Violet, died in 1648-49. the mother of I children as follows: John, born (in England) 1627; Elizabeth, born 1629; Abigail, born 1631; Debo- rah, born 1633: Sarah, born 1636. After the death of their mother the father married Mrs. Mary Pond, widow of Robert Pond. He died about 1680.
(II) John Shepard, son of above, was mar- ried October 1, 1649, to Rebecca, daughter of Samuel Greenhill; she died December 22, 1689. and August 3, 1691, he married Mrs. Susannah Goodwin, widow of William Goodwin; she died. and Mr. Shepard, September 8, 1698, wedded Mrs. Martha Henbury, widow of Arthur Hen- bury. John Shepard died June 12, 1707; his children (all by his first wife) were: Rebecca, born 1650; John, born January 22, 1653; Sarah, born March 5. 1656 (she married Benijah Stone, of Guilford, Conn.); Violet, born 16 -; Eliza- beth, born 1660; Edward, born July 1, 1662; Samuel, born 1664; Thomas, born November 12, 1666; Deborah, born 16 -; Abigail, born 16 -; and Hannah, born 16 -. Hinman says he was a man of prominence in the colony, and was known as "Sergeant John."
(III) John Shepard, eldest son of the above, married (first) May 12, 1680, Hannah, daughter of Deacon Paul Peck; and (second) Mrs. Mary (Benton) Bigelow, widow of John Bigelow, and he had these children-John, born November 4, 1681; Samuel, born February 2, 1684; Hannah, born January 29, 1688: Joseph, born April 29, 1689, Rebecca, born May 20, 1696; Timothy, born June 7. 1697, died April 21, 1716; and Re- becca, born May 20, 1698, died October 29, 1706. Of these, Hannah married May 22, 1712, Charles Buckland, and had issue-Jane, Hannah, Charles, and Mehitable.
(IV) John Shepard, eldest son of the above, was married October 9, 1707, at the Third Church, Boston, to Abigail, daughter of Gideon and Sarah Allen. He lived at Milford, Conn., and died in 1719, the father of these children:
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John, born October 26, 1708; Rebecca, born November 1, 1710, married June 20. 1732, Joseph Peck, and died 1773: Abigail, born Octo- ber 22, 1713, married October 21. 1734, Peter Perritt; Hannah, born November 11, 1715; and Timothy, born March 22, 1718.
(V) John Shepard. eldest in the above enumerated family, was an ensign in 1753. He married Mary Parsons, of Derby, May. 1732; re- moved to Newtown in 1737. Issue: Mary, born June 19, 1733; Abigail, July 6, 1735; John, 1737: Simeon, May 30. 1739: Abraham, 1744; David, 1747; Gideon, June 2. 1752: Stephen, 1753: Allen, 1756: and Abigail, born April 10, 1759. married August, 1787, Jehiel Foote, and died August 18, 1836.
(VI) Stephen Shepard, sixth son of above, died July 27, 1830; married Anna Foote; issue: William, Allen, Oliver, Joanna. Daniel Parsons and Anna Maria.
(VII) Oliver Shepard, third son of the above, and the grandfather of the subject proper of this biography, was born in Newtown. Conn .. in 1784, and died in 1861 aged seventy-seven years. When a boy he moved to Bethel, and served an apprenticeship there to the trade of hatter with Capt. Eli Taylor. In 1806 he engaged in the business for his own account on Fountain Place, and in 1830 took his son William C. into part- nership, which continued under the firm name of Oliver Shepard & Son till about 1833 when the senior member retired from the business. In Bethel, Oliver Shepard married Mercy Laura Comstock, daughter of Andrew Comstock, of that place, and children as follows came to their union: Charlotte (married Daniel Barnum, and died in 1881), William C .. Augustus C. (de- ceased), Frederick (deceased). Charles H. (de- ceased), Andrew and George (both in Missouri), Julia (in Brookfield, married to Philo C. Mer- win), and Mary (in Bethel ;. Oliver Shepard was the first postmaster at Bethel, and held most of the town offices, including that of justice of the peace. In 1826 he was a member of the House of Assembly, and in 1843 he was sent to the Senate.
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