Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 147

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 147

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creased from year to year, the trade extending throughout the United States, South America and the Sandwich Islands, the West Indies, Australia, Europe and Asia. The Douglas pump was practically the only really good pump on the market for many years, and there was a monopoly so far as their manufacture was concerned. The plant was rapidly en- larged from time to time to keep pace with the business, and to-day the company has fac- tories on both sides of William street, and em- ploys hundreds of hands in good times. Our subject always pursued a very liberal policy toward his employes, and had their entire re- spect, confidence and love. He was a man of fine business ability, and could enter any part of the shop and do the work that was being done by any workman had occasion demanded.

Mr. Douglas was greatly interested in pub- lic enterprises, and was noted for his benevol- ence. He was a faithful and earnest friend of the colored people, and when the irrepressi- ble conflict was brought to a final issue by force of arms he was foremost among his fellow citizens in providing the means for crushing the Rebellion. During the war he was a strong Abolitionist, and he with others was often assaulted in some manner; on more than one occasion when he was in some house stones were hurled through the windows by those of opposite views. Mr. Douglas was in New York at the time of the great riots and his presence there really saved the life of Ephraim Dixon. Dixon was closely beset by a mob that would not have hesitated to take his life, and in his extremity appealed to Mr. Douglas, who succeeded in concealing him for a time and afterward smuggled him out of the city on a ferry-boat, bringing him to Middletown. In the early part of the Civil war Mr. Douglas made an impassioned address in favor of the preservation of the Union, which was in- strumental in the formation of one of the companies of the First Connecticut Heavy Ar- tillery, that went from Middletown and did such splendid service in the field. Mr. Doug- las filled many positions of honor and trust during his long life. From 1850 to 1855 he was mayor of Middletown ; in 1854 and again in 1872 he was a member of the General As- sembly ; in 1860 he was a Presidential elector, casting one of the six electoral votes of the State for Abraham Lincoln; in 1861 and 1862

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he was lieutenant-governor of the State under Gov. Buckingham, and he was a warm sup- porter of the policy of the Governor.

Mr. Douglas was a trustee of Wesleyan University, and for many years was president of the First National Bank of Middletown. It is probable that he brought the first national bank bills into that town. He went to Wash- ington and arranged for the necessary papers for the organization of the First National Bank, and most of the preliminary meetings were held in his private office. Until age made his resignation necessary he was president of the Farners & Mechanics Savings Bank, and it is owing to his good business management that the institution was placed upon so sound a financial basis in the comparatively few years since its incorporation. He was a trustee of the Middlesex Banking Company and a director of the First National Bank; a trustee of the Asylum Line Railroad; president of the Middlesex Branch of the Connecticut Bible Society, and succeeded William A. Buck- ingham as president of the Connecticut State Temperance Union. In religious connection he was a prominent member of the Congrega- tional Church in Connecticut. With a fore- sight that characterized all the acts of the man he saw many years ago that the system of voting then in vogue would have to give way to something more satisfactory, and in connec- tion with Judge A. B. Calif he went before the selectmen and advocated the use of a registry list such as was afterward generally used elsewhere. In politics Mr. Douglas was a strong Republican, having been identified with the party from its formation. He was a dele- gate to the convention that nominated John C. Fremont for President in 1856.

On April 3, 1838, Mr. Douglas was mar- ried to Mary A., daughter of Elias and Grace Totten Mansfield Parker, and a niece of Major- Gen. Joseph K. Mansfield. To this union were born six children, namely: John M. ( who is mentioned below), Sarah K., Benjamin, Will- iam, Edward and Benjamin (2), of whom John M., Benjamin (2) and William survived the father. The mother of these died June 27. 1885. aged sixty-four.

HON. JOHN M. DOUGLAS, son of the late Hon. Benjamin Douglas, on the decease of his father succeeded to the presidency of the ex- tensive pump establishment of W. & B. Dong- las, and under his direction the splendid repu-

tation and standing of the company have been fully maintained. Mr. Douglas was born Feb- ruary 6, 1839, in Norwich, Conn. He is a graduate of the old Chase Academy, Middle- town, from whose halls went out into the world many men who are filling honorable and useful stations in life. When eighteen years of age he entered the establishment of which he is now the executive head, and has grown up with it. He has held various positions with the concern, and at the time he was called to the presidency of the company was acting as sec- retary and treasurer. Few men in Middletown are more widely known, and in addition to a markedly successful business career he has since attaining his majority figured prom- inently in public affairs. He was a representa- tive to the State Legislature in 1864, and though the youngest member of the House was one two of the most important committees, the Judiciary and Railroad. The following year he was again in the House, and again was appointed to the committee on Railroads. In 1871 he was the youngest member of the State Senate, and was chairman of the Railroad committee. In 1896 he was again State sen- ator from the Middletown District. In 1876 Mr. Douglas was a delegate to the Republican National Convention which nominated Hon. Rutherford B. Hayes for President, and again in 1880, as delegate-at-large from Connecticut, he was a member of the memorable and able convention which nominated Gen. James .1. Garfield for the Presidential chair.

In every position to which he is called Mr. Douglas makes his presence felt. He has the happy faculty of thinking while on his feet, and is ever ready at short notice to clearly ex- press his views on any subject. His grasp of a situation seems intuitive, language comes easily to him, and few men are listened to as attentively. He is an earnest supporter of measures or movements aiming toward the im- provement of advancement of Middletown's interests, and aside from the offices held by him in the Douglas pin p works he is president of the Farmers & Mechanics Savings Bank, president of the Middletown Street Railway Company, and a iren ber of the directory board of the First National Bank, and the Middle- sex Banking Con pany.

In September, 1800, Mr. Douglas was mar- ried to Ellen Andrews, of Slatersville. R. I. Their son, John M., Jr., was born May 23.

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1872, in Middletown, Conn., commenced his literary training at Riverview Military Acad- emy, New York, and in 1892 graduated from Yale Law School, being admitted to the Bar at Middletown, Conn., in 1893.

JOSEPH W. DOUGLAS, who for a gen- eration had been actively identified with the manufacturing firm of W. & B. Douglas, of Middletown, and was one of the city's promi- nent residents, died at his home May 20, 1885. Born January 29, 1838, in Middletown, Mr. Douglas was a son of William and Grace Douglas, the former of whom was the late senior member of the firm of W. & B. Douglas.

William Douglas ( father of Joseph W.) was born April 19, 1812, in Branford, Conn., son of William Douglas, of Northford, Conn., and grandson of Col. William Douglas, who served as an officer of a New Haven regiment in the war of the Revolution. When quite a lad he left home and went to New Haven, entering the employ of his brother John, who was carrying on a machine shop and brass foundry. Later he went to Hartford, remain- ing a year. In 1832 he located in Middletown, Conn., where he joined W. H. Guild in the manufacture of steam engines and other ma- chinery, under the firm name of Guild & Doug- las. They were in business together some six years. In the meantime Mr. Douglas had re- ceived (in 1835) a patent on a pump of his own invention. In 1839, in connection with his brother Benjamin, he established the pres- ent business of the W. & B. Douglas Manu- facturing Company, which has been so suc- cessfully carried on by members of the family through all the intervening years. William Douglas was a quiet and unostentatious man, retiring in his habits, devoted to his family, and charitable, one of the best of men and citizens. In 1835 he married Grace, daughter of Elias and Grace T. Mansfield Parker, and two children were born to this union, William and Joseph W. The mother of these died in 1840, and in 1845 the father married Cather- ine C., daughter of Capt. Allen Riley, of Wethersfield, Conn., the union being blessed with five children, namely: George T., Grace C., Mary A., Ellen and Sarah C. The father died in 1858.

Joseph W. Douglas, son of William, from early manhood grew up associated with his father and uncle in the pump works, being

made foreman when only eighteen years of age. On the breaking out of the Rebellion he offered his services to the Government, en- listing in Company A, Second Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, of which he was made second lieutenant. He was with his command at the first battle of Bull Run, Va., and at the expiration of his term of enlistment-three months-returned to his home and to the business which through life he did so much to- ward developing. In 1878, as a Republican, he was elected mayor of Middletown. He was a member of the city for six years and an alderman for two years. He was treasurer of McDonough Lodge, K. of H., from its or- ganization, for many years, and was also a member of Mansfield Post, G. A. R., the Knights of Pythias, and the United Friends. He was for a time president of the Century Club. He was a trustee of the Farmers & Mechanics Savings Bank, and a director of the People's Insurance Company. He was known to the greater part of the people of Middletown and Middlesex county, who held him in high esteem as a warm and generous- hearted man, ready at all times to perform acts of kindness and goodness for his numer- ous friends.

Several years before his death Mr. Douglas took a trip for his health from New York to San Francisco on a sailing vessel. He married Julia W. Dobney, daughter of William Dob- ney, and granddaughter of Capt. Robert John- son, who was a prominent manufacturer of fire arms during the war of 1812. To this mar- riage were born Kate, William B. and Grace, all of whom survive the husband and father.

EDWARD DOUGLAS, whose death oc- curred May 22, 1889, at the "Hotel Nor- mandie," in Paris, France, was a member of the firm of W. & B. Douglas, manufacturers of pumps in Middletown.

| Mr. Douglas was born June 17, 1854, youngest son of Hon. Benjamin Douglas, and had always resided in Middletown. He was well and widely known, and had been connect- ed with the firm from boyhood, and during the years just prior to his death was superin- tendent of the works of the firm in Middle- town. He had been an extensive traveler, having been to nearly all the foreign lands on business for the firm. He had always re- turned much improved in health, and as he was

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not of a robust constitution the extensive tours he made appeared to benefit him greatly. He had crossed the ocean many times, and had on several occasions entertained the resi- dents of Middletown and adjoining places with descriptions of his travels in Egypt and other countries. While abroad he had con- tributed interesting letters to the press of Mid- dletown, which, coming as they did from so young and prominent a citizen, were perused with more than a feeling of interest by thou- sands of this townspeople. In April, 1889, he was sent to represent the firm of which he was a member at the Paris Exposition, and it was while on this mission that his death occurred there. Young Douglas was large-hearted, had broad views, and announced himself months before his death as an ardent supporter of the secret ballot and a reform in politics in gen- eral. He was closely associated with the South Church from boyhood, served as a dea- con and first assistant in the Sunday-school, had a class of his own, and was president of the Y. P. S. C. E. He was a general favorite in his community. He was a director in the People's Fire Insurance Company, active in the Middletown Building Association, and in many other organizations in his district.

REV. W. A. BRONSON, at present pas- tor of the Baptist Church, was born at Anns- ville, Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1840. His father, also a minister, after whom he was named, married Miss James, of Utica, N. Y. He grad- uated at Madison University, and in 1833 was commissioned by the American Home Mis- sionary Society of the Baptist denomination as a missionary to Michigan, then a territory, later filling many prominent pulpits in Michi- gan and in New York State. The children of this couple were four sons and four daugh- ters, James Dexter, William A., George 111- gersoll, Edwin Horatio, Vera M., Frances, Anna and Sarah Ella.

Mr. Bronson, the subject of this sketch. descended from a line of ministers, statesmen and soldiers. His grandfather was a sur- geon in the war of 1812. His great-grand- father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Bronson enlisted, soon after the breaking out of the Civil war, in the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Regiment, New York State Volunteers, commanded by Steward L. Wood- ford, late Minister to Spain, and his younger

brother, George, enlisted in the Thirty-seventh Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, and fell before Petersburg, his grave being among the unknown. At the close of the war, and soon after Mr. Bronson returned from the army, he was commissioned by Hugh McCullock, Sec- retary of the Treasury, and at the age of twenty-three entered upon his duties, as United States Storekeeper and Transfer Offi- cer in New Jersey. This position he held satisfactorily to the Government for several years. He had a liberal education before en- tering the United States service. Later, when a choice of professions presented itself, Mr. Bronson's first choice was the law, but he found later that he was strongly impressed, and that his duty compelled him to enter the ministry, and after a preparation for the sacred calling he was licensed by the Haddam Bap- tist Church in 1875, and was ordained No- vember 18th, of the same year, and called to the pastorate of the Winthrop Baptist Church, of this State. He served that church three years, and after the expiration of that pastor- ate was called to Batavia, Ill., to Streator. and also to Sandwich, and finally accepted the call to the First Church of Perth Amboy. N. J., where he had a successful pastorate of over eleven years. He was subsequently called to Port Jefferson, L. I., and finally to the church in Haddam. where he was licensed. During his pastorate, in Perth Amboy, he became very prominent in the Grand Army. and was elected chaplain twice for the De- partment of New Jersey. His oratorical gifts and orations made him very popular. He represented the State for his denomination in the Baptist Congress hekl at Saratoga in 1881. He has also been a lecturer : among his pop- ular subjects, "We, the People" and "The Price of Constitutional Government" have been well received by the public. In politics Mr. Bronson is a Republican, and twice has been asked to become a candidate for the Legisla- tire in the States where he was preaching.

Mr. Bronson married Miss Tillie Russell. daughter of Hon. J. 11. Russell, of Haddam. and has a family of three daughters and one 5011. Mr. Bronson is a Mason, and at one time was assistant chaplain of the Grand Chaplain for Middleses county, Conn. His children have received liberal educations at Warner's Institute, N. J., the high school on Long Island, and two of his daughters are

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in college at present, and one in the preparatory department; his son is in the insurance busi- ness in Bridgeport, Conn. His brother, E. H. Bronson (now deceased), was a prominent pastor in Philadelphia, Pa., author of the 'King's Household" of Bible readers, and other works.

Mr. Bronson has lately been called to Bridgeport, Conn., to become pastor of a Bap- tist Church in that city. His ministry covers a period of nearly twenty-eight years of un- broken labor. Wherever he has ministered his people have shown their appreciation, and he has made a host of friends. He has a pleasant home in Haddam, Middlesex Co., Conn., and his townsmen have ever shown him the highest respect as a man, a preacher and a citizen. He is ever interested in all that goes to make a good government, as well as the sociological questions and demands of the day.

VINE BARTON STARR, secretary of the Starr Brothers Bell Company, is among the most substantial and reliable citizens of East Hampton, and a worthy successor and namesake of his honored father. The history of the Starr family in Connecticut is given at length in the biography of John M. Starr, on another page of this work.

Vine B. Starr was born November 7, 1853, in East Hampton, and his early years were spent after the manner of rural life in Con- necticut, his education being supplied by the public schools of the place. Being possessed of an enterprising spirit, he early set out to make his way in the world. Before he was seventeen years old he was numbered among the prospectors and miners of Colorado, where he remained five years. He had accompanied the Greeley colony to that State, and helped lay out the town of Greeley. Afterward he was employed one year in Montreal, Canada, in the bell factory of O. L. Clark, a former resi- dent of Chatham. His natural mechanical genius made him ready in the use of tools and appliances, and he soon found a desirable en- gagement as machinist with the Thompson- Houston Electric Light Company of New Brit- ain, Conn., where he continued more than one year. Upon the formation of the Starr Broth- ers Bell Company, in January, 1882, he be- came one of its members, and in the following March he removed to East Hampton, to take

an active part in the management. To his en- ergy, industry and sound judgment is large- ly attributable the solid success of this con- cern, as well as of the Starr Net & Twine Company, a recent industry which has helped to swell the fame of East Hampton as the abode of ingenious manufacturing. In the so- cial life of East Hampton Mr. Starr and his accomplished wife bear no unimportant part, and they are ever ready to encourage any move- ment for the moral and material welfare of the town and State. He served four years on the school committee, and in the session of 1895 represented the town of Chatham in the State Legislature, where he served on the commit- tee on Temperance, being House chairman. In political principles he is a Republican, and wields an influence in the councils of his party. He is a member of the Congregational Soci- ety of East Hampton, and is active in the Ma- sonic fraternity, affiliating with Anchor Lodge, No. 112, of East Hampton; Freestone Chap- ter, No. 34, of Portland; and Cyrene Com- mandery, No. 8, of Middletown. He is also a member of Patriot Council, No. 45, Order of United American Mechanics, of East Hampton.

On June 21, 1881, Mr. Starr was married' to Miss Bessie C. Birdsey, of Middlefield, Conn., daughter of the late Daniel H. Birdsey, an honored resident of that town, and repre- sentative of one of the oldest families in New England. The five children of Mr. and Mrs. Starr are still members of the home family, namely : Albert B., Sophie B., Helen, Daniel and Vine R.

COE. The Coe family, who for some gen- erations have lived at Middletown, are a branch of an old New England family, and Hon. Levi Elmore Coe, of Meriden, for eight- een years judge of the city and police courts, former mayor of the city, and president of the Meriden Savings Bank and the Meriden Na- tional Bank, is a notable descendant and a con- spicuous representative of same. He is in the eighth generation from Robert Coe, his first American ancestor, through Robert (2), Capt. John, Capt. Joseph, Capt. David, Squire Eli and Col. Levi, a line of illustrious and noble men, all of whom were prominent and useful citizens.

(I) Robert Coe, who came from the Coun- ty of Suffolk, England, with his wife and three

Vino B Starr.

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sons, arriving in Boston in June, 1634, was the first settler at Watertown, Mass. The fol- lowing year he removed to Wethersfield, Conn., and he was one of the first purchasers of Stamford. He was among the original set- tlers at Hempstead, I .. I., and with others be- gan a settlement at Jamaica, L. I., in 1656.

(II) Robert Coe (2) was born in England in 1627, accompanied his father to Watertown, Wethersfield and Stamford, and located at Stratford, Conn., where he married Hannah, daughter of Matthew and Susan ( Butterfield) Mitchell.

(III) Capt. John Coe, son of Robert (2), born in 1658, in 1682 married Mary, daughter of Joseph Hawley. In his mature life he was a prominent character in Stratford, serving in the French and Indian war, and becoming a captain. He was also deputy to the General Court, and held other positions.

(IV) Capt. Joseph Coe, son of Capt. John, born in 1686, was married in 1708 to Abigail. daughter of David Robinson. He was one of the early settlers of Durham, becoming one of the prominent men of his time. He was com- missioned ensign and lieutenant, rising to the rank of captain in the militia service. He at- tended the General Court as a deputy, and held several important local positions.

(V) Capt. David Coe, son of Capt. Joseph, born in 1717, was married to Hannah, daugh- ter of Nathan Camp. One of the carly set- tlers of Middlefield, he took an active interest in military affairs, in 1759 was appointed by the General Court lieutenant in the militia, and in 1764 captain. During the Revolutionary war his services were important and valuable.

(VI) Squire Eli Coe, son of Capt. David, born in 1758, was married to Rachel, daugh- ter of Deacon Ichabod Miller, and made his home in Middlefield. Their children were: Bela, Lucy, Rachel, Eli and Levi. For many years Eli Coe was a justice of the peace, and he was also a selectman many years.

( VII) Col. Levi Coe, son of Eli, and the father of Hon. Levi E. Coc, was born July 11. 1788, and was married February 14. 1811, to Sarah Ward, born April 2, 1788, daughter of William and Mary ( Miller ) Ward. After a signally happy married life of fifty-three years Col. Coe died January 16, 1864, and his widow passed away December 10. 1871. They had the following family: (1) Benjamin Ward, born April 28, 1812, married Betsy M. Bird-

sey. (2) Amelia M., born October 15. 1815, married Ichabod Miller. (3) Alvin Bennett, born February 15, 1821, was married to Har- riet T. Coe. (4) Levi Elmore, born June 6, 1828, is mentioned below.

Col. Levi Coe was educated in the public schools. He followed farming all his life, and was a thoroughly practical and common sense man, doing what he attempted, and attempting no more than what he could do well. He would break no more ground than could be well cultivated, and kept no more stock than could be properly fed. His farming was prac- tical rather than theoretical. and he took pride in his fences, his crops and his stocks. He ac- quired an enviable reputation in the breeding and raising of good horses and cattle, being especially fond of Devons. The ambition which moved him was always for the best. His disposition was hopeful, his demeanor modest and courteous, and his relations with his fam- ily tender and indulgent. In his transactions he was cautious, and he was firm in his con- victions of the right. Many sought his advice. and his judgment had great weight. He

creditably filled several positions of responsi- bility and trust, and he had the respect and con- fidence of the community to a marked degree. For many years he was an active member of the State Militia, and was advanced to a colo- nelcy when military honors were worthy the ambition of any man, and when merit alone was the test of success. That he merited the title was attested by its universal use in ad- dressing or speaking of "Col. Coe." He took a deep interest in the affairs of his town. and of the Congregational Church, of which he was a devout member, punctual in his attend- ance at all meetings. In 1842 he was active in the construction of the new church building. and was instrumental in raising the funds for that purpose. Col. Coe had a social nature. loved his friends, and greatly enjoved enter- taining his friends and relatives, His was a hospitable home, and the best the home afford- ed was none too good. He was fond of amuse- ments, innocent stories and harmless jokes.

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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 147

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