Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 66

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

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he is prominent as a member of Ousatonic Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F., the N. E. Order of Pro- tection, the Order of United Workmen, and he is one of the charter members of Echo Hose Company, in which he has held every office, including that of chief engineer.

On April 14, 1881, Mr. Holmes married Miss Agnes T. Trumpbour, by whom he has had three children: Everett and Leslie, who are at home; and Gerald, who died July 28, 1888, when but five days old. Mrs. Holmes is a native of Ellen- ville, Ulster Co., N. Y., and a daughter of John C. and Julia (Collins) Trumpbour, in their day well-known residents of that town. Mr. Trump- bour, who was engaged in a very successful bakery business, died at Stamford, Conn., June 22, 1899, at the age of sixty-four years. Her family is noted for patriotism, her paternal grandfather and great-grandfather having served in the Revolutionary army, the latter having been aide to George Washington, while her father was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war. Her great-grandfather Craw- ford (on her grandmother's side) was the oldest Methodist minister in the New York Conference when he died at the age of ninety-one years.

J WOOLSEY SELLECK, whose sudden death on Saturday, January 8, 1898, is still fresh in the minds of the citizens of Stam- ford, was a prominent man in the locality in which he lived, and a native and lifelong resident of the town of Stamford. He was born February 22, 1840, in the house now occupied by David Bonner, and was the son of Joseph Selleck, who was in his day a well-known farmer of Stamford township.

Joseph Selleck, the grandfather of the subject of this memoir. was born in the town of Stam- ford February 14, 1759, and lived to a very ad- vanced age, dying March 16, 1846. On Decem- ber 31, 1786, he married Miss Phebe Clock, who was a native of Darien, Conn., born November 17, 1771. and they became the parents of six children. namely: Polly (who married James Bell), John, Jesse, Hannah, Joseph and Isaac. During the war of 1812 he enlisted in the army, and served as teamster.

Joseph Selleck, son of the above, was born in 1802 in the town of Stamford, in a house which then faced on Selleck street. He passed his entire life in his native place. where he en- gaged in farming, and, like his father, he also owned vessel interests. He married Emily F. Scofield, daughter of Richard Scofield, and their union was blessed with seven children-Emily

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Frances, the widow of Harvey Hoyt: Phebe C. ! tinued absence, sent an employe to Mr. Betts' to (deceased), who married Gideon C. Ferris: Hen- , ask whether he had spent the night with his ry R., living in West avenue, Stamford; J. Wool- sey; Isaac: Harvey, who was killed by lightning; and Annie. Joseph was an active member of ' the Connecticut State militia. in which he held the rank of captain. He was a Republican in politics. friends. and on his way through the fields Mr. ' Smith discovered the dead body of his employer. Hurrying back to the house with the news. the family notified Medical Examiner Rowell, who responded quickly and rendered a verdict of death from apoplexy. The body was removed to the house, not many yards distant, as soon as Dr. January 12. was laid to rest in Woodland Cem-

J. Woolsey Selleck attended the public schools of the town of his birth, and was reared to agri- ! Rowell gave permission, and on Wednesday. cultural pursuits. which he followed all his lite. also engaging in the market business. in Oliver i etery. Stamford. The funeral was largely at- street, from 1869 to 1875. His career was a : tended by people in all ranks of life. Mr. Sel- i jeck was deeply mourned by his wide circle of friends and acquaintances throughout the vicin- ity, who realized that in his death Stamford lost one of her best citizens. Mr. Selleck was a great lover of sport, and was an experienced hunter. having spent many weeks in the enjoyment of 1 that pastime in Canada. splendid example of a lite of industry and ener- getic purpose, for he rose by his own exertions to a position of affluence and influence. and made an enviable name for uprightness and honesty of character wherever he was known. His pleas- ant manners and kindly disposition won for him . friends on all sides, and his generosity to the poor and unfortunate. though quietly exercised. made him their special friend, for he was never known to refuse aid if deserved. Mr. Selleck R EV. THEODORE L. DIBBLE, now living retired in the town of New Canaan, Fairfield county. is a native of Westchester county, N. Y .. born July 8. 1836. in Pound Ridge. He is of English descent, his great-grandfather having been one of four brothers who came from Eng- land and settled in this country. was an ardent Democrat, always ready and will- ing to do all in his power for the welfare of the party, in which he was a local power. Public affairs in his neighborhood received a considera- ble share of his time and attention, especially during the later years of his life; and being an energetic and efficient worker, and a man worthy Simeon Dibble, grandfather of our subject, a farmer in Westchester county, N. Y., died in 1876, aged eighty-four years. He was a soldier i in the war of IS12. He married Mary Brown, and to this union were born one son and three daughters. The father was a worthy member the confidence of his fellowmen, he became very popular in the ranks of Stamford's politicians. In 1885 he was elected selectman. and so well did he fulfill the expectations of his constituency that he was re-elected annually for the five suc - ceeding years, during which time he discharged . of the Bedford M. E. Church.

Jonathan Dibble, son of Simeon and Mary faithfulness, never allowing outside influences or . (Brown) Dibble, was born at Pound Ridge, N. Y., personal feelings to draw him aside from the . and was reared in that place. In early manhood path of duty. His straightforwardness and in- ' he went from the home farm to New York City. tegrity were never questioned.

the duties of the incumbency with ability and

where he followed the trade of locksmith for a number of years. He married Mary M. Cogg- shall, a native of Pound Ridge, and they had five children: Theodore L .: Samuel, who is now a resident of Stamford, Conn .: George B., of Jer- sey City: and Frank B. and Annette A., both de- ceased The father passed from earth in 1855, a devout, lifelong member of the M. E. Church.

Mr. Selleck was married in Elmira. N. Y .. to Miss Helen M. St. John, daughter of Hiram St. John, and by her had four children. viz .: Emma Frances, Joseph Milton, Walter and Clara Helen ;. The daughters are both now deceased; Milton is employed in the St. John Wood Working Com- pany; he married Mary E. Williams. In 1869. Mr. Selleck erected the residence occupied by his Theodore L. Dibble in his youth lived in New York City, and was given a good education in the elementary branches, attending the public schools and also a private school. For seven years he was employed in mercantile business, after which he resumed study at Bedford. N. Y. In 1858 he commenced teaching at Pound Ridge, continuing to follow that profession for six and one-half widow, and which stands just east of the house in which he was born. Mr. Selleck's decease. on the night of January 8. 1898, was a shock to the entire community. Early in the evening he went to spend a few social hours with Dewitt Betts, a neighbor, and started for home about ten o'clock. At 6 o'clock Sunday morning Mrs. Sel- leck, unable to account for her husband's con- . years, until, in the spring of 1864, he en-

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tered the ministry of the M. P. Church. He was first ordained deacon March 12, 1865, and in 1868 was ordained elder, this time in Brooklyn, N. Y., in Grand street. His first pastorate was at Franklinton, Schoharie Co., N. Y., where he remained during 1864-65. and following that, in 1866-67-68, he was at Eastport, N. Y. In 1869-70 he was pastor of the Church in Graham avenue, Brooklyn. Next year he was transferred to the lowa Conference, in 1871-72 having a Church at Fairview. Iowa, and in 1873 at Green Bay, that State. From this time until 1879 he was in the Muskingum (Ohio) Conference, having charge of a Church at Mt. Vernon, in 1875; Mt. Pleasant, 1876-77: Zanesville, 1877: Newcom- erstown, 1878. In 1879 he was appointed to the Church at Silver Mine, Fairfield Co., Conn., in the New York Conference, and here he continued for about three years, at the end of which time he was made pastor of the Church at Vista, N. Y., where he continued for five years. After that he was located at Silver Mine for another vear, and on April 1. 1889. he received a call from the Rensselaerville (N. Y.) Baptist Church, which he accepted, being regularly installed as pastor of that congregation on June 5, 1889. His service in that covered a period of two years, after which he returned to Silver Mine, and passed the re- maining years of his ministry acting as pastor of the New Canaan Baptist Church from January, 1892, to January, 1896. Rev. Mr. Dibble was in active service in the Church for thirty-two years. and has all his days been a devoted servant of the Master. in his private life and intercourse with his fellow men striving to live up to those principles of faith and duty which he upheld in the pulpit. He is beloved and esteemed by all who know him, especially in the neighborhood where he is spending the days of his retirement. and where by years of service he has endeared himself to many and made hosts of warm friends.

Our subject was married, in 1861, at Pound Ridge, to Miss Mary M. Schofield, daughter of James Schofield, and they have one daughter. Fannie J., who is a source of comfort to them in their declining years.

ON. CHARLES H. PECK. Occasionally one meets a man whose abilities and force of character have enabled him to make such good use of meagre opportunities for mental develop- ment. that one queries what he might have be- come had he enjoyed a more favorable training in his youth. The subject of this sketch, a well- known agriculturist of Newtown township, re- ceived in his youth an academic education only,

yet he has displayed, in the preparation of papers | and the transaction of business for himself and others, a legal acumen which would be a credit to any licensed practitioner at the Bar. His I sound judgment is combined with a high sense of honor, and he holds the confidence of the com- munity in a marked degree, being frequently called upon to fill positions of trust and responsi- bility, and a host of friends will appreciate the following account of his life and family.

Mr. Peck was born April 19, 1827, in Middle District, of the town of Newtown, and is a de- scendant of one of the pioneer families of that locality. He is one of the seventh generation from Joseph Peck, of Milford, Conn. [See "Connecticut Pecks."] The line of his descent is through John, of the second generation, Jos- eph, Moses, Dan and Charles.

Joseph Peck, of the third generation, first settled in Milford, Conn., where he resided until about 1714. when he removed to Newtown, where he died. He was town clerk, and lived near what is now known as Newtown Street. On January 14. 1706, he married Abigail Bald- win, of Milford, and their children were: Joseph, Abigail, John, Mary, Elizabeth, Moses and Abi- gail (2).

Moses Peck was born December 28, 1719. He married Elizabeth Baldwin, December 1, 1748, and their children were: Ruth, Abel, Enos, Ann, Mary Coziah, Hezekiah, Caleb, Betty, Dan, Lois, Esther, Sarah, Nathan and Nathan (2). Moses Peck resided in the second house south of the village of Newtown, and for many years owned and cultivated a farm which remained in the family for three generations after him. His wife died December 25, 1798.

Capt. Dan Peck, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born at the old homestead June 10. 1763, and became a man of prominence in the town. His title was gained by service in the militia, and he was known far and near as "Cap- tain Dan." He died March 25, 1833; his wife, Hannah Peck, a daughter of Henry Peck, born April 6, 1770, died a few years before him. They had six children: (1) Marcia died unmarried. (2) Charles is referred to farther on. (3) Hezekiah died leaving one son, John Howard. (4) Herman married Maria Hawley, and had children-Sylvia M., Edward B., Elizabeth and Herman H. (5) Lorin married Jane A. Lawrence, and had chil- dren-Arthur L. and Edward. (6) Sylvia died unmarried.

Charles Peck, our subject's father, was born at the farm in 1800, and in early life learned the shoemaker's trade, but later engaged in comb making, in which he carried on an extensive busi-

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Charles A Pick

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ness for many years, employing a number of work- men. During the last years he resided at the old farm, and gave much attention to its culti- vation. As a business man he was quite success- ful, while as a citizen he was held in high es- teem. He died February 11, 1837; his wife, whose maiden name was Freelove Nash, died on December 9. 1835. She was a daughter of Micajah Nash, of Middle District, of New- town, and her cousin, Mrs. Hannah Morgan, was the mother of Hon. Daniel N. Morgan. While he was not a Church member. Charles Peck regularly attended divine service, and his sympathies were with every progressive move- | ment.

post he filled most acceptably for twelve years, when he declined to hold it longer. Since that time he has been largely engaged in semi-legal work, acting as guardian or as trustee for estates, and no higher evidence of his honesty and busi- ness capacity could be needed than is found in the large amount of business of this sort that has been given to his charge. In connection with his work as trustee for the Elon Booth estate, one of the largest ever probated in this section, it should be especially noted that he drew up the will, and although it has been twice tested in the courts of the State, yet it has been declared sound in every particular.

Mr. Peck, from his long years of service and Our subject, who was the only child of this worthy couple, after his mother's death was taken into the home of an uncle residing in the same town, and remained with him until nearly of age. His education was begun in the district schools of the locality. and later he studied in Newtown under the instruction of Philo Clarke, Abel Prin- dle, and Harry Peck, acquiring, by the time he reached the age of seventeen. sufficient know]- edge to enable him to teach. His first school was at Bennetts Bridge, in Wapping District, South- connection with the public affairs of the town, and from his long residence with its people, has become. as it were, a veritable encyclopedia con- cerning the town records and the history of the first. He possessed a taste in this line which has been cultivated until he has become a perfect storehouse of information, which is most valu- able to those who are now taking up the active work of public affairs. He is authority on the 1 bury. where he received the munificent salary of | of rare books of ancient print, as well as to all eight dollars per month. During the summer history of Newtown. For many years he has given a great deal of attention to the collection kinds of interesting articles of historic nature. season he worked to pay for his board, and to | He now possesses a large and valuable collection get money to purchase clothes, while two winters | of articles in these and many other lines-a cab- and one summer he spent in teaching in his native i inet of curios, most interesting and instructive.

town.

In January, 1848, Mr. Peck married Miss Hannah Dibble Fairchild, daughter of Herman Fairchild, of Newtown, and after that event he turned his attention to farming, locating first upon a farm south of Newtown belonging to his father-in-law, but in 1855 he removed to his own estate where he remained until 1868, at which time he sold his farm. His management is scien- tific, and he has been a zealous student of causes in the various lines of practical work connected with agriculture. His reading has been extensive, covering much of the best literature of the past and present times, and he has given much at- tention to the political issues of the day, being

In religious faith Mr. Peck is a Universalist; but while he takes a liberal view upon points of doctrine and creed, he holds strictly to the " Golden Rule " as a guide for conduct, his own daily life being an example of right-doing. His home has never been blessed with any children, I but his fatherly heart finds pleasure in making I all the little ones within his reach as happy as : possible, and every project for educational ad- 1 vancement receives his endorsement.

J OHN W. MELBOURNE, M. D. This well- known physician of Bridgeport is a success- ful exponent of the principles of the Homeo- a firm supporter of Democratic principles. In : pathic school of medicine, and his large and : lucrative practice is, in itself, an evidence of the value of the theories of Hahnemann. As his his- tory shows, his education was obtained through his own efforts, and his present success reflects ! the more credit upon him because of that fact. He was born December 3. 1855, in Manchester,

1863 he was sent to the State Legislature. In 1867 he was appointed postmaster of Newtown. : under President Johnson's administration, and this position he held until May, 1869. During his term of service he broke up the practice which had previously prevailed, one which required the postmaster to go to the Housatonic depot to ! England, and is a descendant of a well-known sort the mail. After leaving the post office he family, being a grandson of the seventh son of devoted his time to farming exclusively until ' Lord Melbourne, and himself the seventh son of 1873. when he was chosen town clerk. This | Samuel Melbourne.

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Samuel Melbourne, our subject's father, was born in Derbyshire. England, and graduated from Oxford College. He married Miss Harriet Wood, a member of a Yorkshire family which has long been prominent in the silk-manufacturing in- dustry, and in 1867 they came to America, locat- ing at Stafford Springs. Conn., and later at Cats- contractor. His death occurred there June 26, 1886, and his wife died January 22. 1876. Of their nine children four are now living: Samuel, now the manager of the Harder Knitting Com- pany's works at Hudson, N. Y .; William, a silver plater in Meriden. Conn .: Thomas, who has charge of a spinning-mill at Stafford Springs, Conn .; and John W., our subject

Doctor Melbourne's education was begun in | England, and after coming to America he attended a private school for some time. Asa boy he was employed in the cotton and woolen mills of Stafford Springs, and in early manhood he bought a farm near the village and engaged in agricult- ure. In 1876 he took charge of a cotton-card- ing department in a mill at Stafford Springs, and after five years he removed to Hartford, entering the employ of the Singer Sewing Machine Manu- I facturing Company. While there he began the i study of medicine with Dr. George Greene, con- I tinuing four years, and in 1892 he went to Phila- delphia and pursued a course of study in the Hahnemann Homeopathic College. On gradu-

in 1884, was a lady of English descent and was born at Stafford Springs, Conn., a daughter of Salmon Carpenter, a veteran of the war of 1812, 1 and a granddaughter of Jonathan Abel Carpenter, who served in the Revolutionary war. The Car- penters have been largely identified with agri- cultural pursuits. Mrs. Melbourne is the young- kill, N. Y., where he engaged in business as a | est in a family of three children, the others be-

ing: Charles L., a carpenter of Bridgeport, and Frank, who is engaged in the same business in Stafford Springs.

S SAMUEL B. MIDDLEBROOK, a prosperous farmer of Wilton, Conn., was born in that town February 24. 1828, and was there well educated in the common schools. From early boyhood he was engaged in farming, with the exception of the time he spent in California in the search for gold in 1852, making the journey thither by way of the Isthmus, during which time he had some remarkable experiences. In politics he was originally an Old-line Whig, and upon the organization of the Republican party he be- came identified therewith, and he still adheres thereto. As such he has held several of the local offices of his town, such as selectman, for seven years from 1861 to 1868, and most of the other town offices.

During the war of the Rebellion he was active and earnest in the support of the Government, i ating, he located at Bridgeport, where he prac- ' and was instrumental in sending many soldiers to ticed two years, and afterward he spent three years in practice in Wilton; but he then returned to Bridgeport and has since made his home there. He enjoys an excellent reputation as a prac- titioner, and is the official examiner for several societies in Bridgeport, while, socially, he is prominent as a member of the Sons of St. George and the Brotherhood of the Union. Politically, ! he is a Democrat, and in religious faith he is an Episcopalian. he and his wife being leading members of St. Luke's Church at Bridgeport. the front. He married Miss Sarah L. Lockwood, daughter of John and Mercy (Weed) Lockwood. of New Canaan, Conn. She was born June 8, 1831, and died October 4. 1878, the mother of the following children: George S., born January 3. 1857, died December 26, 1864; William L., born May 20, 1858, died December 29, 1864; John F., mentioned below; Samuel E., born April 22, 1853, died January 6, 1865; Joseph W., men- tioned below; Mercy W., mentioned below; and Miss Sarah L., born March 26, 1874. Mr. Mid- dlebrook is a man of more than ordinary mental qualities, keen and incisive in his grasp of ideas or in the expression of a thought. He must be accounted one of the interesting characters in New England life.

On August 3. 1876, Doctor Melbourne married Miss Hannah Westcott, and five children have blessed the union, three of whom are now living. viz .: Harriet, J. Frederick and Bessie M. Mrs. Melbourne is a native of New York City, and her paternal ancestors came from England at an early John F. Middlebrook, eldest living son of the period. Her grandfather, Zina Westcott, was i subject of this sketch, was born December 28, born on Rhode Island, but late in life settled at 1860, in the town of Wilton and educated there in the common schools, subsequently taking i academic work at Prof. Olmstead's school. Afterward he graduated at Columbia Law Col- lege of New York, and he is now practicing his profession in that city, and enjoying a large 1 degree of success. He married Miss Minnie Tolland, Conn., and, like many of the earlier generations of the family, he was a carpenter and joiner by trade. Lewis J. Westcott. Mrs. Melbourne's father, was a native of Rhode | Island, and became a manufacturer of soft drinks. His wife, Hopee Carpenter, who died

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Jones, of Brooklyn, N. Y., she having been born there in 1862. Two children have graced this union: Mary Ann and George. The mother of these died, and Mr. Middlebrook has not married again.

Joseph W. Middlebrook, second eldest living son of the subject of this sketch, was born July 31, 1865, and was educated in the common schools of his native town, subsequently prepar- ing for Yale College at Professor Olmstead's school in Wilton, afterward graduating at Yale College in 1887. Then attending Columbia Law College in New York, he graduated from that institution in 1889. He is now practicing his profession in Tarrytown, N. Y., where he was elected a director in the Tarrytown Bank. He is also a collector of collateral inheritance tax at Dobbs Ferry, N. Y. He married Miss Emma Bradley, daughter of David Ogden Bradley, of Dobbs Ferry, and they have two children- Bradley and Joseph.

Mercy W. Middlebrook, eldest daughter of our subject, was born January 22, 1870, in the town of Wilton, received her early education there, later graduating from St. Margaret's Sem- inary at Waterbury, Conn. She married George Boyd, of the firm of Root & Boyd, insurance agents at Waterbury, Conn. Mr. Boyd is a singer of renown, and leader of the choir in his Church. He and his wife have one child, Mercy.

Michael Middlebrook, great-grandfather of our subject, was born in the town of Fairfield, Conn., and was there educated, afterward en- gaging extensively in farming. He married Abiah Summers.

Summers Middlebrook, son of Michael and Abiah (Summers) Middlebrook, and grandfather of the subject proper of these lines, was born December 25, 1748, in the town of Wilton, and was there educated in the common schools. After leaving school he engaged in farming, and followed that honorable occupation all his life. He was also accustomed to do his own tanning and blacksmithing. He served his country faith- fully and effectively in the Revolutionary war, being in Captain Arnold's company, and later in Captain Gilbert's company. He married Susanna Beal. who was born February 11, 1755. She was a most ardent Christian, led a devoted and blameless life, and her influence has descended to the present generation of her descendants. The children born to Summers and Susanna (Beal) Middlebrook were as follows: Matthew, born November 10, 1781, married Betsey Abbott; William, born January 23, 1784, married Betsey Denton; Abijah, born September 8, 1786, re- mained single (he opened the first store in Mid-

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 66

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