Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 144

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Beers
Number of Pages: 1502

USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 144

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NATHAN H. SMITH, first selectman of Middletown, Middlesex county, is a descend- ant of the old Smith family of Lyme, Conn. He was born in that town July 21. 1854. son of Fitch C. and Lois ( Watrous) Smith, and his mother's family is also an okl and honored one in New England.

Fitch C. Smith was born in Old Lyme. was a ship carpenter by occupation, and was employed at Essex, New London, Mystic and Gildersleeve, at the last named place work- ing during the Civil war on vessels construct- ed for the Goverment. In his later years lie was a farmer. His death, on April 5, 1900. was the result of his being burned while work-

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ing on his farm, burning brush. His widow died September 6, 1901, in Lyme, having at- tained a ripe old age. Mr. Smith was a Jef- fersonian Democrat until he voted for Lincoln. In religion he was a member of the Baptist Church, and he was a good man. He mar- ried Lois Watrous, daughter of Jared Watrous, and they had children as follows: Jared, who lives in Louisiana, was for some years a com- mercial traveler for a St. Louis firm dealing in agricultural implements. Hannah died when six years old. Nathan H. is the subject of this article. Hattie is unmarried and lives in Lyme. Her twin brother died in infancy. Herbert G. lives at Lyme. Jennie is Mrs. Frank Martin, of Lyme.

Fitch C. Smith was a son of Nathan Smith, who was four times married, and had children by two of his wives. The grandmother of Nathan H. was a Miss Stark, of Lyme, and besides Fitch C. she had Henry, a dentist at Waterford; and Matilda, who died in middle life

Nathan H. Smith was five years old when his parents removed to Saybrook, Conn., where he attended school. After a few years his parents went to New London, where he attended the North Huntington street school. From New London they moved to Waterford, Conn., at which place he was a pupil in a private school kept by Miss Munger. When a young man Mr. Smith went out fishing un- der Capt. Joe Crocker, and another season on a Sound boat. He was a short time engaged as a workman on the Shore Line of the Con- solidated Railroad, and in 1873 went to Col- chester, and began to learn the blacksmith trade under Joseph Smith. For three years he was an apprentice, receiving $50, $75 and $100 per annum, respectively. He learned his trade thoroughly, and for two years was in the employ of Ephraim Reynolds, in Ham- burg, Conn., in which shop were constantly engaged from eighteen to twenty men. In 1879 Mr. Smith came to Middletown and worked for Alfred Cornwall, an old carriage- maker on Washington street, remaining with him twelve years, after which for a time he was with the Schuyler Manufacturing Com- pany. The closing down of that concern threw him out of work, and he opened a shop for himself on Church street, which he after- ward sold to Thomas G. Broderick, and be- came a member of the wagonmaking firm of

Carrier & Smith. After a time he sold his interest in this business and was made fore- man of the blacksmith department of the bi- cycle factory conducted by the Worcester Company. This closed down, and he was again out of work. In 1898 he was elected as first selectman. In political sentiment he is a stanch Republican. In 1880 he joined the old Forest City Hose Company, with which he has been connected to the present time. He was second assistant engineer five years, and first engineer two years, under Chief Willey.

Mr. Smith was a member of Company H, Second Regiment, Mansfield Guards, for thir- teen years, rising from private to first lieuten- ant. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and for several years was commander of the local lodge of the Uniformed Rank of that order; he was a charter member of the United Friends ; belongs to the Order of Hep- tasophs, of which he was also a charter mem- ber, and was also a charter member of Mid- dletown Lodge, No. 771, B. P. O. E., or- ganized in 1902.

Nathan H. Smith and Miss Anna B. Bailey were married February 24, 1883. She was born October 31, 1866, in Middletown, daughter of Ogden T. and Mary M. (Bald- win) Bailey. They have had children as fol- lows: Warren L., born November 19, 1885; Tracy W., July 15, 1887; Barbara, March 13, 1890; Lois, March 17, 1902. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Congregational Church, and is an active worker in the Home and Foreign Missionary Societies ; a member of the ladies' auxiliary of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation; and of the Order of Chosen Friends. She is also a director of the Middlesex County Orphans' Home.

Mr. Smith is a painstaking and efficient workman, and his life has not been marred by any questionable transactions. He is al- ways ready to work heartily in any moral movement, lives an upright and manly career, and has scores of friends.

THOMAS WHITE BEAUMONT, the present postmaster at Cromwell, Middlesex county, and a good representative of the busi- ness and social interests of that town, is a grandson of Joseph Beaumont, and a son of Edmund Beaumont.

Joseph Beaumont was born in Derby, Eng- land, and at the age of eighteen years came to

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America, whither his brother James had already journeyed, bringing with him a sturdy spirit and love of liberty. He located at Cromwell, Conn., where he was employed in a skate fac- tory in the northern part of the town, and there remained until the failure of the pro- prietors, the Messrs. Lee, threw him out of a situation ; he also lost considerable in unpaid wages. From Cromwell Mr. Beaumont went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he was fore- man in a cotton factory for some time. Fol- lowing this he formed a company for the manufacture of cotton and wool goods in Cromwell, associating with himself Horace Stocking, Asa Holland and Anson Treat. They put up a factory-the first of the kind in Connecticut-and made cotton batting, cloth, and candle wicks. After a number of years of successful operation the place was burned down, leaving Mr. Beaumont once more a poor man. Possessed of indomitable spirit and courage, however, he again set his face to the making of a fortune, and in a small building and modest way he began the manu- facture of axes and hammers in company with his son Edmund, continuing in that business until shortly before his death, in 1865. Joseph Beaumont married Bathsheba Hubbard, who was born in 1788, at Haddam, and when five years old came to Cromwell with her parents, Jeremialı and Flora ( Hazleton ) Hubbard. She died April 12, 1876, the mother of the following named children: Edmund; John, who married Keziah Roberts, and is living in Waterville, Douglas Co., Wash .; Flora A., widow of Robert S. Sage, and now living in Cromwell ; and Mary B., widow of Sylvester Griswold, in Cromwell.

Edmund Beaumont, father of Thomas W., was born in Cromwell, where he lived all his days. A farmer and mechanic, he was en- gaged in the manufacture of axes and ham- mers in company with his father, on the site of the water works plant. In his later years he disposed of the factory to Mr. Allison, and retired to a farm in Cromwell. For some years he was a timekeeper and bookkeeper in the Cromwell quarry. He died in Cromwell in 1872. He married Ruth White, who was born in Cromwell, daughter of Thomas and Rebecca ( Edwards) White, the former of whom was a farmer, and in his more active years a sea captain. To Edmund Beaumont and his wife came one child. Thomas White.

Thomas White Beaumont was born Sep- tember 3, 1856, in Cromwell, and was edu- cated in the district school, Cromwell Academy, and the Middletown high school. On the death of his parents, both of whom departed this life while he was young, he came to his Aunt Au- gusta White's home. After completing his schooling Mr. Beaumont secured a position as clerk with L. H. Williams, a Cromwell grocer, and remained with him for some time. His next engagement was with W. R. McDonald, the well-known merchant of Cromwell. as clerk : and when that gentleman was appointed post- master, under Harrison, Mr. Beaumont became assistant postmaster. He remained with Mr. McDonald as clerk and bookkeeper until Au- gust 5, 1897, when he became postmaster under the administration of President Mc- Kinley, and has since conducted the office to the marked satisfaction of the community. He is a director in the Cromwell Savings Bank, and represents the Phoenix and Hartford Fire Insurance Companies.

Mr. Beaumont was married in Cromwell to Miss Jennie Hanmer, daughter of John J. Hanmer, a retired New York merchant, who moved to Cromwell in 1869. Mr. Beaumont is a Republican, has been tax collector and has filled several other minor town offices. He is a prominent and ardent member of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Washing- ton Lodge, No. 81, at Cromwell, which he has served as master, and he is now secretary. Mrs. Beaumont is a member of the Congrega- tional Church, and Mr. Beaumont also at- tends its services.

FRANK BRAINERD. For nearly two hundred fifty years the name of Brainerd has been associated with the growth and develop- ment of what is now Middlesex county, and from the coming to this country of the Amer- ican ancestor of this family, to the present time. members of the several generations have been among the wealthiest and most inthiential of their different localities.

Daniel Brainerd came from England when a lad of eight years, and in 1062 settled in the "one of Haddam, Com., becoming there a prosperous and influential citizen, a deacon in the church, and a justice of the peace. Eight children were born to him: Daniel, Hannah. James, Joshua. William, Caleb, Elijah and Hezekiah.

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David Brainerd and Rev. John Brainerd, of the early family coming to America, earned world-wide fame as missionaries among the Indians. Of the Haddam family, Hon. Heze- kiah and Jeremiah were able legislators, and Daniel and Hezekiah were eminent physicians. From James Brainerd, son of the Haddam an- cestor, Daniel Brainerd, descended Silas and Erastus Brainerd, of Portland brown-stone quarry fame.

Erastus Brainerd was born October 16, 1792, in Portland, and died June 15, 1861. His wife, Mary Wells Brainerd, was born in December, 1793, and died May II, 1880; both are buried in the cemetery at Trinity Episcopal Church, Portland. Erastus Brainerd was an excellent citizen and good man throughout his life, and was interested in the development of the large brown-stone quarries of Portland- the stone from which has gone into some of the handsomest public and private buildings in this country and Canada. What were known as the Brainerd quarries have been worked since 1783, Silas and Erastus Brainerd buying from Hurlburt & Roberts. The Brainerd brothers came from Middle Haddam and took hold of the quarries in about 1812, and remained together in the business until the death of Silas Brainerd in 1857, after which it was conducted under the name of Erastus Brainerd & Co. In 1884 the Brainerd Quarry Co. was organ- ized, of which Erastus Brainerd, Jr., was made president, and Benjamin F. Brainerd, treas- urer.

Erastus Brainerd, Jr., and Benjamin F. Brainerd, sons of Erastus Brainerd, Sr., were largely connected with these quarries and the business throughout their lives and were pro- gressive and public-spirited men of Portland. Erastus Brainerd, Jr., was born July 27, 1819, in Portland, and received a fair education. When twenty-one he entered the business of his father and uncle, then a partnership affair. Sub- sequently the management devolved greatly upon him, and on his father's death he assumed the entire control. He was a man of sterling worth, and was deeply interested in the welfare of the Episcopal Church, of which he was a lifelong member. In October, 1845, he mar- ried Emily H., daughter of Henry Churchill, of Portland, and one daughter was born, Emily C., who first married Charles L. Buckley, and is now the widow of George Hart, and who lives in New York.

Benjamin F. Brainerd was born November 29, 1823, on the old homestead in Portland, and was educated in the local schools and in Cheshire Academy. Like his brother, he be- came identified with the business of his father, and passed his life so occupied, following also in the latter's footsteps, inheriting and display- ing those sterling qualities which made him successful, and was, through life, a highly re- spected and esteemed citizen of the community. Until a few years before his decease, Mr. Brainerd was actively engaged. In politics he was a Republican, and desired to exercise his right of citizenship, but neither cared for nor accepted public office. The trend of his mind was in the direction of business, and at his death he was treasurer of the great company his relatives had founded. Reared in the Epis- . copal Church, he was ever a devout churchman and a generous supporter of the faith. A direc- tor in both the Savings and the National Bank of Portland, his associates found his judgment excellent and his opinion worthy of regard. On March 28, 1851, Benjamin F. Brainerd married Amelia A. Davis, born in Portland, Conn., July 8, 1822, a daughter of Asa Davis. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Brainerd were: Mary Wells, born in 1852, died in 1867; Frank; Amelia, died in 1858; Judson B., treasurer of the Brainerd, Shaler & Hall Quarry Co., married Harriet Anderson, of Newburgh, N. Y .; Bessie D., resides in Port- land ; and Adelaide E. is the wife of Rev. O. H. Raferty, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church of Portland.

Frank Brainerd is one of the best known of the business citizens of Portland-a fit repre- sentative of the prominent family to which he belongs. He was born October 23, 1854, on the site of the old Brainerd homestead at Port- land, now destroyed by excavations for stone in the quarry business. His early education was pursued in the common school in Portland, at the old Stone school, and then he was sent to Cheshire Academy, at that time one of the best educational institutions of the locality, and, indeed, in all New England. After two years there, he went to Phillips Academy at Exeter, N. H., graduating in the class of 1873, after which he entered Harvard College, where he remained to finish his junior year, and then left to enter business. Eventually in April, 1877, he entered the employ of Brainerds & Com- pany, acting as first measurer in the quarry,

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this being the beginning of a career in which Mr. Brainerd has filled various positions of responsibility in and about the quarry. In 1891, he became treasurer of what was then the Brainerd Quarry Co., it having been incorpor- ated as such in 1884. In 1896, when the Brainerd, Shaler & Hall Co. was formed, and consolidated two properties, Mr. Brainerd be- came the vice-president and is filling that posi- tion at present.

On October 8, 1879, Mr. Brainerd wedded Miss Ida Gillum, of Hartford, a native of Portland, and a daughter of Henry Hobart and Isabella ( Gildersleeve) Gillum. The chil- dren born of this union are: George Gillum, born July 10, 1880, is a graduate of the High School of Portland, of St. Paul's school, Con - cord, N. H., and also of Harvard University, class of 1901; Amelia, born May 22, 1882, died July 14, 1887: and Frank Judson, born October 26, 1888.

Although Mr. Brainerd is a stanch Repub- lican, he has no desire for public recognition, his varied business and social duties occupy- ing his time and attention. For many years he has been a vestryman and treasurer in Trinity Episcopal Church, in which the Brainerd fam- ily has been a tower of strength; is a director in the Portland National Bank and a trustee in the Freestone Savings Co. Socially he is connected with the Sons of the Revolution, and the Harvard Club, of New York. This fam- ily, more than any other, has been the back- bone of the industrial life which has made the town famous, and as private citizens they have been of the best. The quiet and unassuming representative, of whom this too-brief bio- graphy is written, is no exception.

FRANK EDWARD POTTER, M. D., stands well to the front in the ranks of the medical fraternity, and is a close student of the healing art. He is known throughout Mid- dlesex county as a capable and conscientious physician, and his standing as a citizen and a man in his home town, Portland, is beyond reproach. Dr. Potter comes of a good ances- try, and his people have long been known in New England.

Dr. Potter was born at Bennington, Vt .. September 17, 1854, 5011 of Austin W. and Angeline ( Wilcox ) Potter. The Potters had long been residents of that vicinity, and de-

scended from three brothers who located there at an early day, coming from R. I. The family has given quite a number of good men to the medical profession in Vermont and neighbor- ing states. Austin W. Potter was a representa- tive farmer in North Pownall, Vt., and his es- tate contained over four hundred acres. He usually cultivated about eighty acres a season- a great undertaking when one recalls the prim- itive agriculture of his time. He was an exten- sive producer of farm products, and a very successful man. His death. the result of an attack of pneumonia, occurred in the spring of 1882. The father was a Democrat, but never took any active part in political affairs. His widow yet lives in North Pownal, Vt .. and is a most estimable lady. Dr. Potter was one of a family of six children, two of whom are yet living: George W. Potter, a suc- cessful farmer of North Pownal, Vt., is now living on the old homestead. Of those de- ceased, Rosina. although still in her 'teens at the time of her death, had taught school.

Dr. Potter was reared as a farmer boy, and from his earlier years had practical experience in hard work. He was one of two boys on a four-hundred-acre farm, and there was much to be done for all hands. He attended the district school, and from the first manifested a thirst for knowledge. His higher education was entirely the result of his own grit and de- termination. His father was not very enthusi- astic over professional studies, and tried to keep his son at home, but when the young man (leclared he would "rather have a good educa- fion than the whole State of Vermont." his father no longer opposed the inclinations of his son, but afforded such assistance as was necessary. Dr. Potter began his education in the public school, continued it at select schools, and then entered Wilbraham Acad- emy, graduating from that institution in the class of 1880. He attended Williams College four years and graduated in 1885. after which he entered the College of Physicians and Sur- geons at New York City for his professional training, and had a thorough course of in- struction in the fundamental principles of the healing art. He graduated in 1888, and took a post-graduate course in the hospital and clinics. The young doctor cast about for a lo- cation, and came to Portland an entire strang- er, trusting to his medical skill and personal

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integrity to make a way for him. He has built up a good practice, and his professional rela- tions are constantly enlarging, bringing him into contact with new families and winning new friends. He is known as a good citizen, and is a practitioner who does credit to the profession.

In 1890, Dr. Potter married Miss Ella Agnes Fiske, of Holliston, Mass., a descend- ant of a family which is one of the oldest in that part of the town.

Lovett Fiske, father of Mrs. Potter, is now in his eighty-ninth year, and resides in Port- land. He is a native of Holliston, Mass., where his life was passed until he came to Portland in 1902. His wife, Alma Remington Greenhalgh, was born in Rhode Island and died in Holliston in March, 1902. Their son, Arthur Irving Fiske, was professor of Greek at the Boston Latin School for a period of twenty-eight years, and is now head master of that institution. Mirs. Potter is a graduate of Wilbraham Academy, in the class of 1880, and had previously attended the Boston Con- servatory of Music. To the Doctor and his wife were born the following children: Anna M., Arthur Fiske, Francis Wilcox and Lillian Hall, all of whom are living, and constitute a bright and promising band of young people. Dr. Potter is a member of Warren Lodge, No. 51, A. F. & A. M., of Portland, and of the Mid- dlesex County Medical Society. He is a mem- ber and a trustee in the Methodist Church. In the earlier part of his life he was a Repub- lican, then became a Democrat, but supported William McKinley for President.

ARTHUR BROOKES, one of the lead- ing business men of Higganum, town of Had- dam, Middlesex county, was born in New York City September 29, 1859, son of Robert A. and Catherine (Carpenter) Brookes.

Robert Brookes, his grandfather, was a na -; tive of England, and followed his trade of tailor in Birmingham, England, at which place he married and reared a large family. He died in 1864, aged sixty-two.

Robert A. Brooks, the father of Arthur, was born in Birmingham, England, April 6, 1823, and died July 1, 1893. In 1849 he came to America with his wife and four children, locating in New York City. Having learned the tailor's trade in England, and also that of silver plating, he chose the former, upon his

arrival in this country, and continued to work at it until 1875. In a business way he was suc cessful owing to his careful management and prompt execution. For many years Robert A. Brookes was a volunteer member of Hook & Ladder Company No. 7, of New York, which was well known in the business portion of the city. Upon leaving New York, in 1875, he moved to Higganum, where he purchased a hotel, which he successfully carried on until his death. Before leaving England he had married Catherine Carpenter, daughter of James Carpenter, of Birmingham, the mar- riage taking place October 5, 1843, in the parish of St. Philip, Birmingham, Warwick- shire, England. Mrs. Brookes died in New York City in October, 1872, aged forty-six years, the mother of seven children: James, who is living in Cambridgeport, Mass. ; Matil- da, deceased; another, deceased; Robert A., who died young: Charles, who died in 1881; William H .; and Arthur. The father was for many years a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, having become a master Mason Janu- ary 25, 1866, in Corinthian Lodge, No. 488, of New York City. After removing to Higga- num, he became a member of Granite Lodge, No. 119, of Haddam.

Arthur Brookes, born September 29, 1859, received a good, practical education in the com- mon schools of the city of New York, and at the age of eighteen engaged in commercial life for himself, embarking in the wood business in Higganum; he was also very successful in buying and selling all kinds of railroad sup- plies. Later he added to his supplies, and now conducts an extensive business in these several lines. Since his father's death he has conducted the hotel. Like his father before him, Mr. Brookes is a strong Demo- crat in National politics, but in local affairs votes for the men he deems best suited for the position. Mr. Brookes, whether as a bus- iness man, the genial host of a hospitable ho- tel, or a public citizen, commands the highest respect of the community, and has proved himself an efficient and capable manager in every line in which he has engaged.

Mr. Brookes was brought up in the faith of the Protestant Episcopal Church, as were his parents before him. Socially he is a mem- ber of Lodge No. 771, B. P. O. E., of Mid- dletown, Connecticut.

Mr. Brookes was married, on August 10,

RA Brookes

ـصبيان

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1882, to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Anna (Lowry) McGhee, residents of John- stone, Scotland, near Paisley, in the County of Renfrew, to whom were born seven children. Mrs. McGhee died in Scotland. After coming to this country, Mr. McGhee was engaged as foreman in a wringer shop in Middlefield. Conn., and later lived in Middletown. After the death of his second wife, he came to Hig- ganum and lived with his daughter, Mrs. Brookes, until his death, in 1896. Mr. Mc- Ghee was a member of the Masonic fraternity for over fifty years in Scotland, and later con- nected himself with St. John's Lodge, No. 4, of Middletown, Conn. Mrs. Brookes was born in Scotland December 6, 1862. She was educated in Middlefield, and when four- teen returned to Scotland with her father, both remaining there about two years, during which time she attended school in Johnstone, her na- tive town. Mr. and Mrs. Brookes have had born to them seven children: Ida L., de- ceased; Robert A., deceased; Charles A., de- ceased ; Frederick E., born November 8, 1887 ; Robert A., born August 12, 1890; Thomas B., born October 4, 1892 ; and Arthur W., born October 4, 1898.

SHERMAN. MITCHELL BACON, one of the prominent business men of Middletown, Middlesex county, is an important factor in the commercial life of that city, as well as one of its most popular citizens.

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Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 144

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : Beers Number of Pages: 1502

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Beers
Number of Pages: 1502