Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 35

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 35

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¡ ROBERT G. PIKE, one of the well-known and public-spirited citizens of Middletown, Middlesex county, is descended from one of the old Puritan families of New England, be- ing in the eighth generation from John Pike, a Puritan, who came from England in 1632 and settled in Salisbury, N. H. He brought

with him two sons, one of whom was Majo: Robert Pike, commander of all the Massachus etts forces east of the Merrimac during the Indian wars of his time, and for a period o over fifty years a prominent and influentia officer of the Colony.

The Pike family has produced not a few men of note, famous alike in literature, the arts science and diplomacy, as well as in othe public spheres. Albert Pike, prominent il Masonry, was a cousin of Robert G. Pik (father of our subject), and Nicholas Pike the celebrated mathematician, who at the sam time excelled in literature and science, wa: also a member of the family. He was a well known able contributor to the columns of the "Scientific American;" for several years wa United States consul to the island of Mau ritius, and at one time was consul to Portugal he accompanied Stanley in his African explor ations. In connection with this mention o Nicholas Pike it may be noted that to excel in mathematics is a family trait-a trait inher ited by our subject's father, who was an ex cellent mathematician.

Judge Robert Gordon Pike, the father o our subject, was born April 14, 1822, at New buryport, Mass., one of a family of thirteen children. He was graduated at Harvard Unit versity in 1843; became private secretary t. Hon. Caleb Cushing, in Washington, D. C. subsequently studied law with Hon. Seth F Staples, and was admitted to the Bar in 1848 He practiced law in New York City until 1859 when important business duties in Connecticut led him to give up a lucrative practice and mov to Middletown, where he continued to resid until his death, December 17, 1898. Judg Pike was a man of strong intellect an scholarly tastes, and possessed a wide rang of information. He was a fine writer an speaker, an accomplished lawyer and a wist counselor, and counted among his clients man of the most prominent and wealthy familie of Middletown and vicinity. He served a judge of the city court, alderman, presider of the board of education for eighteen or moi years, president of the Russell Library froi its organization, and senior warden of Trinit parish for about twenty years. In all the pertains to public schools he always took a active interest, and it was largely through h efforts that the Central and Johnson schor buildings were erected. He was president (

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Robt. G. Podle . 5

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he board of education ( Middletown) during he entire period of his membership on the ame.

Judge Pike was State fish commissioner for wenty years, chairman of the Shell Fish Com- nission from its organization, and did much oward increasing fish food in the State. He lso did much for the oyster industry, and when, in 1889, he signified his intention to esign his office on the board, over three hund- ed leading oystermen petitioned him not to o so. In establishing the boundary line be- ween Rhode Island and Connecticut, in 1887, e was unanimously elected by the commis- ioners of the two States as chairman of the oint Commission, of which his ripe experi- nce and full legal knowledge made him a aluable member. Judge Pike was active in eviving the Air Line railroad and securing or it a bridge charter. He was a Republican, nd twice candidate for mayor, although taking ttle personal interest in politics. In fraternal elationship he was at one time an Odd Fellow, hough in his later years he was not active in le working of that organization. He also elonged to the "Hasty Pudding Club," of oston, and retained his membership up to le time of his death.

On August 3, 1852, Judge Pike was mar- ed to Ellen M. Brainerd, who was born May 1, 1823, only child of Silas and Mary ( Miles) rainerd, of Portland, Conn., and children as allows were born to them: Miss Grace Gor- on, residing in Middletown, Conn .; Nellie ., who died January 15, 1861; Robert G. .. , the subject proper of these lines; George urtiss, who died January 27, 1860; Elizabeth rnst, a resident of New York; Gordon rainerd, an architect in New York (he was member of the class of 1895 at Yale, and ent some time in study abroad) ; Catherine riffin, also a resident of New York; and harles Joseph, who studied abroad, and is present an instructor in the life class of aryland Institute, at Baltimore; he was one those who submitted designs for the Grant questrian statue at Washington, D. C .; his ans received favorable mention, and were e only ones submitted that could be carried it within the subscribed fund. The mother this family died March 3, 1891, and hus- und and wife are interred in Greenwood cem- ery, Brooklyn.

! Robert G. Pike, whose name opens this- sketch, was born March II, 1857, in Brook- lyn, N. Y. The foundation of his education was laid in the public schools of that city, after which he attended Adelphi Academy (now known as Pratt Institute). In 1871 he: was graduated from the Cheshire (Conn.) Military Academy, a famous institution .. Then for two years he attended Racine Col- lege, at Racine, Wis., taking a course in civil. engineering. After completing his college course he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Ansonia, Conn., then for a few years was. traveling salesman for P. W. Turner in the silk business. Later he purchased the Sentinel. and Witness, a weekly newspaper in Middle- town, Conn. (now the Penny Press), which. he successfully conducted for a period. He then sold his interest, and afterward started and for one year conducted the Sunday News,. which proved a success as a Sunday paper. In. 188I he received the appointment of civil en- gineer on the Connecticut Shell Fish Com- mission under James P. Bogart, a position he held for five years. While holding this office he was instrumental in establishing stations by the triangulation system, successfully used in locating, surveying and buoying oyster grounds. After leaving this office he went to New York, being employed by the State for three years, after which he went to New Jer- sey where he was engaged in real-estate development, building and selling houses. Later he returned to Middletown and con- tinued in the same business there in company with his father Robert G. Pike, Sr. They made a specialty of selling to the people pleas- ant and comfortable homes, modern in style and conveniences, on easy terms. Recently the Penny Press of Middletown said: "No one has done more toward the development of the city in the past few years than Robert G. Pike, Jr. Mr. Pike has erected a number of handsome cottages on high ground in the western part of the city and has provided. pleasant homes for many people. The loca- tion is one of the most healthful in the city, noted for its low death rate, and is also one of the most sightly. New streets have been cut through and improved, and modern conven- iences have been provided for the owners of these buildings. Much property has been added to the tax lists of the city, and surround-

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ing property has been increased in value by the location there of a thriving community of householders and house owners."

On December 29, 1885, Mr. Pike was mar- ried to Miss Ella M. Johnson, a native of Waterville, Nova Scotia. The names and dates of birth of their children are as fol- lows: Robert G., Jr., December 26, 1887; William) N., August 2, 1890; Dorothy B., March 30, 1893; and Sydney, June I, 1896. The parents are members of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Mr. Pike is eligi- ble to the society of the Sons of the American Revolution. In politics he is a Republican, and in January, 1898, he was elected a mem- ber of the common council for a term of two years. In November, same year, he was elect- ed to the Legislature from Middletown, and was chairman of the committee on Fisheries and Game. He is at present chairman of the Republican town committee. In January, 1900, he was appointed street commissioner of Middletown, and he was reappointed in 1901 and 1902. On July 1, 1901, he was ap- pointed, by Gov. George P. McLean, State Fish and Game Commissioner for a period of two years. Mr. Pike was a member for two terms of the Second Regiment, State militia, having enlisted twice, first time serving the full term, afterward serving the latter part of the second term, he having been absent from the State during the earlier portion of the time.

JOHN N. CLARK. The Clark family, to which Judge Clark belongs, has been estab- lished for many generations in New England, where it has had many honorable and distin- guished representatives.

John Clark's home in England was at Great Mundon, Hertfordshire. He settled in Cambridge, Mass., as early as 1632, and re- moved with Thomas Hooker to Hartford in 1636. He was a soldier in the Pequot war the following year, and served as a juror in Hartford in 1641. In 1649 he is noted in such a way as to indicate his removal to Say- brook. He was one of the nineteen petitioners to King Charles II. for the charter secured by Gov. John Winthrop. In 1647 he was ap- pointed by the General Court, in company with Capt. John Mason, to carry on the building of the fort at Saybrook. Mr. Clark was a large landowner. In his old age he removed to

Milford, where his brother George was living and there he died, leaving a will made i 1673. He married a Miss Cooley, and ha the following children: (1) John is mer tioned below. (2) Joseph was lost at sea. (3 Elizabeth married Lieut. William Pratt, an settled in what is now Essex. (4) Sarah mar ried Deacon Huntington, who removed to No wich in 1660; he was the grandfather of the Samuel Huntington whose name appears of the Declaration of Independence.

John Clark, son of John, in 1650 marrie Rebecca Parker, and they had two children Major John, born in 1655; and Samuel, wł married Mary Kirtland.

Major John Clark, born in 1655, marrie Rebecca Beaumont in 1684, and they had tl following children: (I) Rebecca, born 1685, married Judge Samuel Lynde in 171 (2) John, born in 1689, settled at Patchogu His children were Leramiah (who marrie Josiah Nott), Temperance (who married E Bull), Abigail (who married John Pratt Jerusha, Sarah and John. (3) Joseph, wl settled in Haddam, was born in 1692, ar married Lydia Gomill. (4) Nathaniel, born 1694, is the next in line of descent. (5) Ter perance was born in 1698. (6) Samuel, bo in 1702, and his wife Mary had children- Samuel (born in 1723), Joanna, Stephen, Da forth and Titus.

Nathaniel Clark, born in 1694, graduat from Yale in 1714, and prepared for the mi istry, but did not preach. He located on Mar Hill, in Ivoryton, where he owned all the la1 in sight, and he built one of the earliest say mills on the stream at Ivoryton. He was surveyor. His children were John, Nathan (born in 1716), William, Peter, Andre Christopher and George Beaumont.

Peter Clark, born November 14, 1723, S. of Nathaniel, married April 17, 1755, Than ful Pratt, and died May 8, 1814. His ch dren were: Thankful (born in 1757), Miria Martha, Hepzibah, David, and Nathaniel.

Nathaniel Clark, youngest son of Pet and grandfather of Judge Clark, was bc April 25, 1765, on Mares Hill, near Ivoryto and died December 1, 1846. Hannah Cha man, his wife, died April 5, 1851, at the a of eighty years. Shortly after his marria Nathaniel Clark rented the Elisha Hart pla at Saybrook, on shares, and then lived in 1:

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ouse which is now part of the "Coulter "otel." He was a farmer by occupation. Mov- g to the neighborhood of Oneida, N. Y., he irchased a farm there, which he cultivated ght years, and then returned to the old home Mares Hill. Later he lived near the Oyster ver bridge, where both he and his wife died .. hey were buried in the Saybrook Cemetery. 1 politics he was an old-fashioned Democrat, id in religion a devout Congregationalist. o Nathaniel Clark and his wife were born te following children: (1) Nathaniel, born ine 14, 1795, died March 5, 1876. (2)

rastus, born August 20, 1797, died Septem- r 21, 1841. He married Amelia Shepard, ster of Deacon R. C. Shepard, whose sketch ay be found elsewhere. She died September [, 1856, at the age of forty-nine years, the other of two children-Erastus, of Saybrook; id Sarah, wife of Robert B. Chalker. (3) aria died when nineteen years old, and was tried in Westbrook. (4) David, who died ily 21, 1891, married Abigail Clark, who ed at the age of sixty-eight years, June 8, 371. (5) Chapman, born in 1804, died March 5, 1875; he was twice married, first to Rox- ina Clark, later to Mary Chapman. Charles Clark, his son, is mentioned elsewhere. (6) olly, who married Lewis Clark, lived in hio, where she died in 1839, at the age of irty-two. (7) Emeline died March 11, 1847, hen thirty-seven years old. . She married harles E. L. Brockway, and one of their chil- 'en is now living in East Haddam. (8)} ynthia Ann married John Bull, and died Jan- ry 5, 1841, at the age of twenty-six ars.

Nathaniel Clark, father of John N., and e eldest of the above named family, was born what is now known as the "Coulter House." e accompanied his parents in their removal the State of New York, and came back with em to Connecticut. When he was seven- en years of age he began working as a farm- for John Yale, in Meriden, Conn., a direct scendant of a brother of Elihu Yale. There married Mr. Yale's daughter Mary some ars later. Her maternal grandfather Ives rved in the war of the Revolution, and was rried on the pension rolls many years. Mrs. ary Clark died April 27, 1882, at the age of venty-seven years. Nathaniel Clark pur-

chased a share in a vessel on which he began coast trading, serving on board as mate. The following winter he attended a private school in Westbrook. In company with his brother Erastus he built two vessels on Oyster river, and one at Westbrook, and for many years fol- lowed a seafaring life, full of adventures and perils. He sailed a packet from New York to Savannah and the Bermuda Islands, and spent a winter on the St. John river, in Florida about the time of the close of the Seminole war. Losing heavily in the famous September gale, he engaged in fishing at the mouth of the Connecticut river, and later bought a farm. devoting the remainder of his life to agricult- ure. Mr. Clark voted for Franklin Pierce, and later became a Republican. In religion he was a member of the Congregational Church. His children were as follows: (1) Elisha Yale, born January 17, 1829, married Mary Slosson, and was for fifty-one years a successful teach- er at Newburgh, N. Y. ; he is now a resident of Saybrook. (2) John Nathaniel, born Janu- ary 14, 1831, is mentioned below. (3) Mary Ann, born September 24, 1837, married Hud- son E. Gladwin, of West Haven, Conn. (4) Henry Ives, born August 16, 1840, married Emma R. Chittenden.

John Nathaniel Clark was born in Say- brook, and received his education in the pub- lic schools and in the academy, making such progress that when he was eighteen years old he became a teacher himself, for twenty-five years following that profession in Middlesex and New Haven counties. On January 19, 1875, he was married to Henrietta Werden. a native of Richmond, Mass., daughter of Hen- ry Werden, and to this union came : (1) Olive N., born in 1876, is now at home; (2) J. Werden, born in 1878, graduated from Yale; (3) Arthur N. was born in 1881.

John Nathaniel Clark has made his home all his life in Old Saybrook, where his career has been creditable and honorable in the ex- treme. Early commanding the confidence and respect of the community, he has been called upon to serve its interests in many important and responsible positions. For twenty-five years he has been tax collector, and in his time has held other town offices. For sixteen years he held the office of judge of probate, from which he retired in 1901. having reached the age limit. He is widely known, not only for

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his upright character and unusual business abilities, but also for his ambition to conduct his office so as to cause the estates of the widow and the orphan the least expense and to handle them with the utmost expedition.

Judge Clark attends the Congregational Church, of which Mrs. Clark is a member, He is a member of the Grange, to which he has belonged since its organization. Taking a keen interest in the mounting of birds, he has mastered the art himself, and now has one of the largest private collections in the State.

HENRY SMITH NOBLE, M. D., super- intendent of the Connecticut Hospital for the Insane, at Middletown, is a descendant in the seventh generation from Thomas Noble, who founded one of the old and honored families of New England.

Thomas Noble, the emigrant ancestor, was born as early as 1632, probably in England, and died in Westfield, Mass., January 20, 1704. Without doubt he was in this country prior to 1653, as on January 5th, of that year, he is on record as an inhabitant of Boston. The same year he removed to Springfield, Mass,. and later he was in Westfield. From Thomas Noble the line to Dr. Noble is as fol- lows: Mark, 1670-1741; Noah, 1713-1781; Gad, 1739-1823 ; Enoch, 1773-1856; A. Smith, 1800-1886; Dr. Henry Smith, 1845.

Henry Smith Noble was born October 8, 1845, at Hinesburg, Vt., son of A. Smith and Susan (Patrick) Noble. The boy made full use of the common schools and the academy of his native town in the beginning of his educa- tion, and also of the Green Mountain Insti- tute, at South Woodstock, where he was a teacher while fitting himself for matriculation at Tufts College. He was graduated from Tufts with the degree of A. B., in the class of 1869, in which he stood second. As a young man he had practical knowledge of hard work in his father's shop, and on the farm, working in the field and doing the day's work along with hired men. He learned the trade of blacksmith in his father's smithy, and is com- petent to carry it on. It was an idea of his father that every man should have a trade, and if reverses came it would be always an availa- ble as well as a valuable asset.

Dr. Noble began his medical studies with D. W. Hazeltown, at Cavendish, Vt., in 1869, and took the first course of lectures at the Ver-

mont University. He took his second course in 1871 at the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, in New York, from which institution he received his degree of M. D. He passec the next year at the Hartford (Conn.) City Hospital, and began the practice of his profes- sion in 1872 at Chester, Vt., where he remained until the fall of 1879. In 1880 Dr. Noble was appointed second assistant physician at the Hartford Retreat. In the same year he be came assistant physician at the Connecticu Hospital for the Insane. In 1882 he held the same position at the Michigan Hospital for the Insane, at Kalamazoo. He returned to Con. necticut in 1884, and became connected with the institution of which he is now superintend- ent. The summer of 1886 he spent in Europe engaged in study and recreation, and while abroad received the appointment of first assist ant in the hospital. In September, 1898, h was made assistant superintendent of the hospital, and in October, 1901, was made superintendent. The Connecticut Hospita for the Insane at Middletown is probably one of the best known institutions of its kind in the United States, as well as one of the largest, and it ranks very highly as regard: good management. Dr. Noble is one of the oldest doctors in point of service connected therewith. He is a very modest man, mos. approachable, and his personal popularity il great.

On March 14, 1871, Dr. Noble was united in marriage with Miss Edna J. Chaffee, daugh ter of John and Rose (Lowell) Chaffee. Sh is a lady of much ability, and possessed o unusual endowments as an instructor of young in the refinements and the amenities of life and has won for herself a high standing as ar instructor and a teacher in the fields of litera ture and art, manifesting histrionic ability o a high order. She has successfully taugh abroad as well as in the United States. He pupils include noted artists, and a number o celebrities.

Fraternally Dr. Noble belongs to Oliv Branch Lodge, F. & A. M., at Chester, Vi He is a member of the Middlesex County Medi cal Society and also belongs to the America Academy of Medicine, and the American M'edi co-Psychological Association. The Doctor i a man of marked ability in his profession, an has acquired a National reputation as an alier ist among medical men.

Henry S. Noble

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

CHARLES F. BROWNING (deceased), for many years a well-known and highly es- :eemed citizen of Middletown, was born April 22, 1822, in Griswold, New London Co., Con- hecticut.

Mr. Browning was a son of Hon. Welcome Arnold Browning, a prominent man in his day, who represented his town in the State Legis- ature two terms. This Browning family were originally (in this country) from Rhode Isl- ind, coming in an early day to Waterford, New London Co., Connecticut, the father of our subject being the first of the family to ocate in Griswold. Welcome A. Browning vas a large farmer, and the owner of a con- iderable amount of land in that town, situated bout one and one-half miles distant from ewett City. He married Martha Hull, daugh- er of Squire Latham Hull, of North Stoning- on, Conn., a man of wealth and a member of prominent family in that part of the State. To Welcome A. and Martha ( Hull) Brown- ng was born a numerous family, those who reached adult age being as follows: George went to Vermontville, Mich., and died here; Almira married Henry Johnson, and ied in Griswold, Conn .; Susan married tannton Browning, and died in Griswold; Tartha, wife of Shepard Brown, also died in riswold; Welcome A. inherited, along with ur subject, the home farm, and died thereon ; id Charles F. is the subject proper of these nes. The parents of this interesting family th died in Griswold, the father when over eventy years of age, the mother at the ad- inced age of eighty-nine. They took an active terest in church work, with a leaning toward e Baptist persuasion, and their home was the padquarters in Griswold for ministers of all nominations, hospitality to everybody being le of their chief virtues. Welcome A. Brown- g was a son of Ephraim Browning, a Quaker, farmer of Waterford, Conn., and at one time e owner of a slave, to whom he gave his verty.

Charles F. Browning, whose name intro- ces these lines, was educated in part at pri- te and public schools of his native town, part at an academy in Jewett City, and, ving prepared for the profession of teacher, ight school in the town of Griswold for sev- il years. Up to the age of twenty-four he edl at home, helping on the farm when not 13

engaged in teaching, and then moved to Mid- dletown, where he entered the employ of the Sanseer Manufacturing Company. With that firm he remained a couple of years, afterward for a short time, being interested in the busi- ness conducted by the Ames & Russell Manu- facturing Company. We next find Mr. Brown- ing at Pameacha, Middlesex county, in part -. nership with Alfred Bemis, manufacturing bone buttons, which industry they conducted until the factory was destroyed by fire, and then Mr. Browning removed to Meriden. Here, for six years, he was superintendent of Edwin Birdsey's bone button factory, at the end of that period, in the fall of 1855, return- ing to Middletown, and entering into partner- ship with the Sanseer Manufacturing Com- pany, manufacturers of iron castings, etc. ; he remained in that concern, and held various po- sitions, including that of president of the com- pany, till 1871, when the business was sold. For the following twelve or fifteen years Mr. Browning was engaged as secretary of the N. C. Stiles Company, at Middletown, and this ended his active business life. Yet he con- tinued to maintain equal interest in lines of a more social character, for he was a man who knew naught of inactivity or inaction, his entire life having been a remarkably busy one. For over twenty years he was closely identified with the Connecticut Industrial School for Girls, at Middletown, in the capacity of di- rector and treasurer, which position he was holding at the time of his death, and he had much to do with the erection of several of the buildings, etc., of that institution, including the chapel and the reservoir, which were con- structed under his supervision, his interest in the school never flagging for a moment. By taking advantage of the market, and paying close attention, he succeeded in reducing the cost of the chapel from $22,000 to $10,500. For years he was a director of the old Hart- ford & New York Steamboat Company; was a director of the Middlesex Quarry Company, of the Middletown Ferry Company, and of the Farmers' & Mechanics' Savings Bank ; he was also a director and president of the Middlesex Manufacturing Company in its dav.

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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 35

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