Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 79

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 79

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William Purdy's education was all acquired in the district schools, the first one he attended be- ing a school near his home which has long since been discontinued, Jerome Sands (later Dr. Sands) being his first teacher. For a time he assisted his father at cabinet-making, seeming to take naturally to the work, for he never had any

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special instruction, and he also helped about the farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to New York. His first position there was that of clerk in a clothing store at No. 56 Bowery, and he followed that occupation for seven con- secutive years, when he was obliged to relinquish it on account of ill health. He returned home to recuperate, and later, resuming clerking, was so engaged for over a year. Ill health again induced him to return to the farm, and he was at times employed thereon, living with his parents. He had saved some money during his stay in the city. At the death of his father he inherited a third of the place, which he cultivates, and he is also the owner of his grandfather Brown's farm, which is near Port Chester, New York.

On March 4, 1873, William Purdy was united in marriage with Miss Caroline E. Peck, who was born at Mianus, a daughter of Solomon and Caro- line E. (Selleck) Peck. They have two daugh- ters, Minnie and Carrie, both of whom live at home. The family occupy the house erected by Daniel Purdy in 1797, and our subject has re- modeled it twice, the last time in 1895; it is a pleasant and comfortable dwelling, surrounded by well-kept fields, the appearance of which gives ample evidence of the neatness and thrift of the owner. The family hold a high position in the social life of the neighborhood, and well deserve the respect and popularity which they enjoy. Mr. Purdy is a Republican in political sympathy.

H ARRIS FENTON BROWNLEE, M. D., was born at Lawyersville, Schoharie Co., N. Y., September 14, 1866. His grandfather, Robert Brownlee, was born in Scotland, the home of all Brownlees, and came to this country with his wife and one child, James, settling near Cobleskill, N. Y. Other children were born in this country: Robert, John and Eliza.

James Brownlee, the eldest son, and father of Harris F. Brownlee, followed farm life until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when, at the age of twenty, he enlisted, in Au- gust, 1862, in the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth New York Volunteers, becoming a member of Company G. He served until the battle of Gettysburg, where he was so seriously wounded as to terminate his service. He was commis- sioned a lieutenant for bravery at this battle, and he received his discharge in June, 1865. He is at present a respected merchant of Coble- skill, N. Y. After the war James Brownlee mar- ried Mary J. Stryker, of Middleburg, N. Y., and they had four sons: Harris F., Clarence, Eugene and John Clayton. Mrs. Brownlee is a lineal

descendant of the Bouck and Vrooman families, both of which held prominent positions in the country from which they originally came, and since in the country of their adoption. A Ger- man map of Lorraine published in 1808 describes the village and castle of the Boucks on the west side of the Moselle, their seigniories being located chiefly within a distance of twelve miles from Thionville, and seventeen miles north of Metz. Bergen, in his biography of the Moselle, pub- lished at Metz in 1829, speaks of the Bouck family as one of the most illustrious in the Prov- ince. The name is variously spelled in Germany -Bouck, Pauch and Bauch-while in early Bel- gium and Holland it is spelled Bock and Bouck. During the past five centuries the family has fur- nished to Germany, France, Holland and Bel- gium statesmen, warriors and scholars. The tombs of the early families of the Boucks are in Strassburg cathedral, notably the monument erected to Conrad Bouch (an eminent citizen who died in 1480), which is much admired for the beauty of its statuary. Valentine Bouch was one of the councilors of Charles V, emperor of Germany and the Netherlands. Nicholas Bouck, author of several historical and philosophical works, was also a lieutenant-marshal of France; he died at Metz in 1772, aged eighty-seven years. Jacob Bouck is spoken of in history as an author, Jerome Bouck as a noted botanist, born at Heidsbach, near the Rhine, and Samuel and Na- thaniel Bouck were distinguished engravers and antiquarians from 1714 to 1799. Dr. Adam Bouck, born at Aix-la-chapelle in 1832, is a member of the present German parliament. That the various divisions of the family scattered through Germany, France, Holland and Belgium are all from the same source, though the name varies in spelling, is evidenced by their all hav- ing the same coat of arms, which was originally granted to a member of the Bouck family during the wars of the Crusaders on a victorious field of battle against the Moslems for the recovery of the Holy Lance. The red or vermillion color of the shield is proof of this, which is an honor that could be bestowed only under such circum- stances by those in high authority.

William Bouck and his wife left their home on the Rhine on New Year's Day, 1710, finally landing in America and entering the Schoharie Valley in 1711. Their experience here was that of all the pioneer settlers, a constant struggle in a new country infested with Indians, and many of the incidents of their life are recorded in the early histories of Schoharie county. They had three sons. William, the eldest, being the first white child born in Schoharie county. The

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other two were John Frederick and Christian. They purchased large tracts of land from the British Crown in 1727 and again in 1755. Bouck's Island, in Fulton, near Middleburg, the old home of Gov. William C. Bouck, and the present home of his son, the Hon. Charles Bouck, is a part of the Bouck patent granted to William Bouck by George II in 1755. The original deed, on parch- ment, bearing the seal of Great Britain, is still in the possession of the family. William C. Bouck was elected governor of New York State in 1842.

The Vrooman family came from Holland. Hendrick Mees Vrooman was born in that country in 1649, and came to America while yet a young man. His son, Adam Vrooman, was a wealthy citizen of Schenectady in 1714. He took up a patent of land lying between the present towns of Fulton and Middleburg, which was known afterward as Vrooman's land. His son, Col. Peter Vrooman, was one of the chief leaders of the patriots of New York during Revolutionary times, especially during the Indian warfare in Schoharie county. Much interesting history re- lating to both the Bouck and Vrooman families can be found in J. R. Simon's " Frontiersmen of New York," published in 1883.

Dr. Harris F. Brownlee attended the district school at Lawyersville and later at Warnerville, whither the family moved, he finally entering the Cobleskill high school. He was ambitious to study medicine, but he was too young to enter college when he completed his high-school course, and coming to Danbury, Conn., he obtained em- ployment in a hat factory for three years. Dur- ing the last year he studied medicine with Dr. E. E. Snow, of Danbury, and he finally, in 1885, entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City, graduating in the class of '88. The following two years he spent as resi- dent physician at St. John's Riverside Hospital, at Yonkers, N. Y., and in 1890 he settled in Danbury, where he now commands one of the largest general practices, Dr. Brownlee is a Re- publican in political faith. Fraternally, he holds membership with the Masons, Odd Fellows, K. of P., and K. of H. He is first lieutenant assist- ant-surgeon in the Fourth Regiment, Connecticut National Guard, on the staff of Colonel Sheridan.

J ACOB M. NOLAN, M. D., is one of the talented and successful young physicians of the town of Westport, Fairfiel dcounty, and, though of only brief residence there, he is taking an active interest in the place of his adoption ..

Doctor Nolan is of Irish extraction on both sides. His father, M. F. Nolan, was born in

Ireland, and there lived until twenty-one years of age, when he came to America, locating in Shamokin, Penn. By profession he was a school teacher, and was engaged there in that work. He was married to Mary McAnery, who was born in this country, and two children blessed the marriage: Jacob M .; and Joseph, who died in infancy. For a number of years the father served as justice of the peace, and he held various other town offices. In politics he is a Democrat, and is influential in public affairs. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, as was also his wife.

Doctor Nolan is a native of Pennsylvania, born at Shamokin August 27, 1871. He attended the schools of the borough, and was a resident of the place until about twenty-three years of age. From the time he was thirteen years old until he was fifteen he taught public school in West Mahanoy, Schuylkill Co., Penn. He read medi- cine and attended the College of Physicians and and Surgeons at Baltimore, Md., from which he was graduated with the class of '94. After his graduation he located in practice at Wilkesbarre, Penn., and in 1896 came to Westport. He is a genial gentleman, studious, industrious and ener- getic, and is building up a good practice. In 1894 he was married to Miss Katherine A. Burns, of Shamokin, a lady of Irish extraction, though both of her parents were born in this country. To the marriage of the Doctor and wife have come three children: Mary, Joseph and Harold, of whom, Mary died when young. The family are Roman Catholics in their religious faith, and the Doctor in his political views is a Democrat. He is a member of the Order of Foresters.

H 'ON. SEAMAN MEAD, who at this writing is ably representing Greenwich in the Gen- eral Assembly of the State, and is a man of prom- inence in the county in business and social life, has descended from one of the old and distin- guished families of Connecticut.

Mr. Mead is of the seventh generation in line of descent from John Mead (1), the progenitor of the family in Greenwich, who was a son of John Mead, the ancestor of all the Fairfield county Meads, the line of descent being John (1), Eben- ezer (1), Ebenezer (2), Amos, Richard, Thomas A., and Seaman (our subject).

John Mead emigrated from England about 1635, the family being an ancient and honorable one. His two sons, who grew to manhood- John and Joseph-accompanied him, and after remaining a short time in Massachusetts moved to Hempstead, L. I., where they remained until Oc-

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tober, 1660, when they settled in the town of Green- wich, Fairfield Co., Conn., where many of their descendants still reside. [Either John, the father, did not come to Greenwich, 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, he being the elder. John Mead (1) married a Miss Hannah Potter, of Stamford, Conn., and, on his death in 1696, left, as appears by bis will, eight sons, and, tradition says, three daughters. Of these, Ebenezer (1), who was fourth in the order of birth, was born in 1663, married Sarah Knapp, of Stamford, and, of their children, Ebenezer (2) was born Octo- ber 25, 1692, and died May 3, 1775; he married Hannah Brown, of Rye, N. Y., December 12, 1717, and, of their thirteen children, Amos was the seventh son in order of birth.

Amos Mead, who was a physician by profes- sion, served as surgeon of the Third Connecticut Regiment in the French and Indian war. He was a prominent man during the Revolutionary war, was many times the representative of his town in the Colonial Legislature, and after the adoption of the Constitution of the United States was a member of the State Legislature. He was a member of that grand body of men who adopted the Constitution of the United States. He mar- ried Ruth Bush, and their children were Richard, and Thomas, who died soon after he had com- pleted his college course in 1773. Dr. Amos Mead died in 1807. He was a member of the Congregational Church at Greenwich.

Richard Mead was born in September, 1753, and by occupation was a farmer. During the war of the Revolution he rendered valuable aid to the American army, relative to which the fol- lowing is a matter of history and of interest not only to the Mead family but to the public in general.

"Andrew Mead, Humphrey Denton, and Richard Mead; these men more, perhaps, than any others deserve the highest praise for their brave and daring acts. It was not so much their province to counsel and advise as to act. Old men for counsel, as Dr. Amos Mead, John Mackay and Abraham Mead, were of great service to the inhabitants as counselors. They were past the meridian of life, and one of them, Dr. Amos Mead, had gained much experience by active service in the French war. But was any daring deed to be accomplished, where hardy, brave and reliable men were necessary, the former three were always selected. After all control of the town (Greenwich) was lost to the Americans by the destructive expedition of Governor Tryon, it was not safe for a patriot to remain publicly in

the limits for an hour. Yet these three hung about the place ready to assist the defenseless population against the brutalities of the Tories. Each possessed of his arms, a faithful dog, and a fleet horse, they spent their time about the vil- lage, hidden in the by and secret places. The winter of 1780 was one of the severest on record. The Sound was frozen across, and a great amount of snow accumulated. Yet these men scarcely knew a night. during the early part of the winter, in which they didn't sleep with their horses and dogs in the snow. During that win- ter some dozen or twenty head of cattle, the most of which belonged to Mr. Jared Mead, were taken off in haste by the Tories and driven toward New York. After much earnest solicitation on the part of the owner the trio con- sented to make the most daring attempt of cross- ing the enemy's lines to retake them. There had recently been a storm of rain, which bad frozen as it fell and rendered the roads extremely slippery, and made a hard sharp crust upon the snow. The pursuers therefore went upon the Sound with their horses, and kept the ice as far as Mamaroneck, and, then taking the road, could track the cattle by the blood which had trickled from the wounds of the bayonets which had forced them along. At Mount Vernon they re- took the cattle, and were returning when they found they were pursued by a body of the enemy under a lieutenant. Their horses were tired by the swift ride, and they soon knew that their only safety was in separation, and in that case even one must be inevitably taken. Accordingly they left the cattle and plunged separately in different directions. The enemy selected Richard Mead, pursued and took him prisoner. This was about the middle of January, 1780. He was taken to New York and thrown into the famous Sugar-House, where he remained for a period of six weeks until exchanged. These three men were held in high estimation by the people. Their known patriotism and courage, which could ever be relied on, caused the other citizens, long after the Revolutionary war, to remember their acts with the greatest gratitude."

Richard Mead was married (first) to Sarah Mead; to this marriage was born a daughter, Sophia, who married Peter De Mille. By his second wife, Rachel Mead, were born Thomas A., Elizabeth R. and Sarah A. Of these, Eliza- beth R. married George Webb, of New York, and is now dead; Sarah A. married Joseph Brush, of Greenwich, and died leaving a family of ten children. Richard Mead was a man highly re- spected by all who knew him; he died on April 19, 1824.

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Col. Thomas A. Mead, the only son of Rich- ard Mead, became probably the most conspicu- ous character of the name of his generation. Born at the close of the preceding century, his life was spared until the last decade of the pres- ent century, and, spanning as it did almost one hundred years, he witnessed the century of the greatest achievements of our country, and was an active participant in some of its chief scenes. His birth occurred May 29, 1799, in the same house in the town of Greenwich, Fairfield Co., Conn., in which he was residing when he died, the house having been built by his father in 1797, and the land upon which it stood having been in the family since 1785. Colonel Mead was a farmer throughout his lifetime. He acquired his title through service rendered his State in the days of the militia, having been made a colonel of a regiment, in which capacity he served many years. Possessed of a bright mind, and inherit- ing many of the sterling qualities of his an- cestors, he early took an interest in public affairs, and became one of the leading men of his locality. In politics he was identified with the Whig party until the organization of the Republican party, when he cast his lot with it and ever remained one of its most ardent supporters. He was the assessor of the town of Greenwich for ten years, served a number of years as selectinan, was county commissioner two terms, and twice repre- sented Greenwich in the State Legislature, once in 1852 and again in 1872. In that body he served on important committees, among them railroads. He was often appointed appraiser for different railroads, a juryman many times in important cases, and settled many estates. He was a man of rare judgment, intelligent, a Christian gentleman, whose life was such as commended him to all. A man of honor, his in- tegrity was never questioned. In all of the vari- ous positions that he has been called upon to fill he performed his duty faithfully, reflecting credit to himself and in a manner most satisfac- tory to his constituents.

On February 23, 1833, Colonel Mead was married to Hannah Seaman, daughter of David Seaman, of New York, and to them were born eight children, as follows: (1) Louisa Stafford, born June 29, 1834, was married (first) to D. Merritt Mead, who went into the Civil war as captain of Company I, 10th Conn. V. I .; he be- came a major, and died at Greenwich in Septem- ber, 1862; his widow married Thomas Ritch, of Greenwich, and died in October, 1894. (2) Thomas R., was born April 23, 1836; entered the Civil war as a lieutenant of Company I, 10th Conn. V. I., later became captain of Company

G, in which position he was acting in North Car- olina when called to his reward on October 25, 1862; his remains were interred in the cemetery at Greenwich, Conn .; he was a prepossessing young man of much more than ordinary intellect, and gave great promise; he died unmarried. (3) Seaman, our subject, was next in order of birth, and is referred to farther on. (4) Abigail R., born September 29, 1839, married Benjamin Wright, and died in October, 1897, at Green- wich, leaving four children. (5) Elizabeth H., born July 7, 1841, married Henry Webb, of Greenwich, and has one child, Nathaniel. (6) Delia, born February 8, 1843, married W. E. Mead, and lives in Brooklyn; they have two chil- dren. (7) Zophar, born May 22, 1845, died at Greenwich in July, 1891; he married Mary E. Mead, a daughter of Charles Mead, and they had one daughter, Bertha; he was a farmer, an excel- lent citizen, and in his political views a Repub- lican. (8) Lucinda P., born August 10, 1847, is yet a resident of the old homestead at Green- wich. The father of these eight children passed to his reward after a brief illness of La Grippe, January 4, 1892. His wife died November 18, 1880. Both were members of the Congregational Church in Greenwich, and their remains rest in the cemetery of that Church.

We now return to Seaman Mead, the subject proper of this sketch, who was born November 5, 1837, at the Mead homestead in the town of Greenwich. He was reared on that farm, attend- ing the schools of the neighborhood, his first teacher being a Mr. Lounsbury; subsequently he attended the Greenwich Academy. Much of his early life was given especially to agricultural pur- suits, and in this line he was successful. He has ever taken a deep interest in agriculture, and has aided much in its advancement throughout the State. He is now a member of the State Board of Agriculture, having been appointed to that position by the State Legislature in 1897 for a period of four years.

Mr. Mead has inherited many of the traits which brought his father and his ancestors into prominence, and gave them that distinction they merited. He has followed in their footsteps, and through his own force of character, too, has been brought into prominence, and his worth as a useful citizen has not been without apprecia- tion. He is of the same religious faith and polit- ical complexion as his forefathers, has enjoyed some of the same honors and distinction given them, and has been faithful in the discharge of those duties. He cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. For many years he was chairman of the Republican Town Committee;

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he has served as assessor of Greenwich town since 1877, excepting the year 1892, when he was too busily engaged in superintending the erection of his house to accept the office, which was tendered him; has also served as borough assessor. In 1895, also in 1897 and 1899, he was elected representative from Greenwich to the State Legislature, and is giving his time and talents to matters best calculated to advance the interests of his constituents. In his business ventures Mr. Mead has been successful, and has a fair share of this world's goods. He was one of the incorporators of the Greenwich Loan and Deposit Company, and has ever since been one of the directors of same. He is also a director of the Rippowam Manufacturing Company.

On January 11, 1860, Mr. Mead was married to Miss Sarah E. Mead, and to them have been born children as follows: Susan H., Louisa Merritt, Thomas A. (assistant cashier Greenwich Trust and Deposit Company, married May B. Roys, of Brooklyn), Amelia Willis, Seaman Mott, and Edward (died in infancy). Seaman Mott Mead was mustered into the United States service for the Spanish-American war, at Niantic, Conn., July 2, 1898, and became a member of Company K, Third Conn. Vol. Inf .; was stationed at Camp Meade, Middletown, Penn., Camp Marion, Summerville, S. C., and Camp Onward, Savannah, Ga. He was mustered out at Savan- nah, March 20, 1899. Mrs. Mead was born February 2, 1839, a daughter of Edward and Susan (Merritt) Mead. After their marriage our subject and his wife resided at Stanwich for a short time, then came to Greenwich, where they have since resided. In 1892 Mr. Mead built his present commodious and modern home, which is one of the most beautiful and complete in its ap- pointments of any in that locality. Socially, the family occupy a high position in the community.

HARLES HENDRIE, a highly esteemed C

resident of Stamford, has been for many years prominently identified with agricultural in- terests in that locality. He was born about seventy years ago in the house in which he now resides, a pleasant residence on Prospect avenue, Stamford, and the place was formerly owned and operated as a farm by his father, Capt. Charles Hendrie.

Captain Hendrie, who was of Scotch ances- try, was born August 26, 1790. He became connected with a line of boats running from Boston, Mass., and later was captain of the steamboat "Citizen," running from New York City to Stamford, where he made his home. On

November 16, 1818, he married his first wife, Hannah Maria Lockwood, of Greenwich, who was born November 29, 1793, and died March 19, 1849. On October 12, 1850, he married Sarah Ann Lounsbury. He died October 8, 1873. By his first marriage he had eight chil- dren, whose names with dates of birth are as fol- lows: Letitia L., October 15, 1819; John W., November 18, 1821; Hannah M., November 20, 1823; Amelia Ann and Emily Jane (twins), April 6, 1826; Charles, May 8, 1828; Joshua Beal, April 19, 1830; and James Albert, May 31, 1834. By the second marriage there were four children: Hannah M., March 7, 1852; Emma Jane, Octo- ber 22, 1853; Mary A., October 29, 1855, and Hannah M., October 28, 1857, who married C. O. Millen.

Our subject grew to manhood at the old home- stead in Stamford, his education being obtained in the schools of that locality and in Greenwich. Being reared to agricultural work, and finding it congenial, he has always followed it as an occu- pation, and his judicious management has won for him a substantial success in this calling. He is in sympathy with all movements which tend to benefit the community, and is a leading member of the Congregational Church at Sound Beach. On November 4, 1850, he married Miss Caroline E. Ferris, daughter of Gideon Ferris, a well- known citizen of Greenwich. Of the seven chil- dren of this union three are now living: (1) William Albert, born January 20, 1852, died April 4, 1889. (2) Gideon Ferris, born Septem- ber 28, 1853, was married September 10, 1881, to Miss Fannie L. Ayers, daughter of David Ayers, and they have had five children-Daisy (deceased), Mabel Louise, Grace Elizabeth, Harold Russell and Florence. (3) Caroline E., born August 26, 1855, married Joel B. Ford, of Sound Beach. (4) Mary L., born April 7, 1858, married H. G. Ridabock, of New York City. (5) Clinton, born October 15, 1860, died June 23, 1897. (6) Charles F., born June 19, 1863, died February 2, 1893. (7) Emma Jane, born Sep- tember 8, 1868, died October 18, 1868.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 79

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