Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 37

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 37

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George R. Finley had scarcely entered his ens when he suffered the loss of his mother, nd went to live with her brother, George Red- eld. He attended school, and when about ighteen returned to Clinton, where he re- lained until his marriage. When a young ian he worked on the farm until he obtained

sufficient money to purchase a team, after which he peddled "Yankee notions" for some years, very successfully. In 1842 occurred his marriage, after which he located in Durham, though he still continued his trips about the country with his wagon, buying his stock from the store of Henry Coe. Tiring of this life, however, in 1847, Mr. Finley removed to Mid- dletown, and engaged with the Douglas Pump Company, but an attack of sickness ne- cessitated a change of occupation, and he opened a cigar and tobacco store. In the fall of 1862, feeling that his country had a claim' upon him, Mr. Finley became a private in Com- pany D, Twenty-fourth Connecticut Regiment, enlisting for nine months, but his term of serv- ice extended over thirteen months. After his honorable discharge he returned to Middle- town and conducted a restaurant, his place of business being next door to the Middlesex building on Main street. After a number of successful years in this line ill health obliged Mr. Finley to retire, but unfortunately rest and the best of medical care could not save him, and he passed away in 1885, deeply mourned. by a large circle of friends. A beautiful monu- ment in Indian Hill cemetery marks his last resting-place.

Although a stanch Republican, Mr. Finley believed that he demonstrated his patriotism sufficiently as a private citizen, and would not assume the responsibilities of office. Beginning his business career with nothing but his own pluck, courage and industry, with the aid of his good wife, he prospered, and left behind him a comfortable fortune, including the brick resi- dence on Crescent street, where he died, which was completed in May, 1873. Modest and re- tiring in disposition, Mr. Finley believed in attending strictly to his own affairs, and, by not interfering in the business of other people, made and retained many friends. For many: years he was a consistent member of the Methi- odist Church, and to the last enjoyed the con- solation of his religious belief.

On May 9. 1842, Mr. Finley was married, in Westbrook, Conn., to Miss Rachel Kelsey, a native of Clinton. Conn., born January 6, 1820, daughter of Jerry and Hannah ( Mer- rells) Kelsey: her father was a farmer. Mrs. Finley was one of nine children, viz. : Ora died in childhood: Alva died when about twenty- one : Ora (2) married Elisha Platts, of West- brook, Conn. : Edward died at the age of twen-

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ty-four ; Richard, a miller, died at Clinton, aged fifty-nine; Frances died at Clinton, aged sev- enty-eight; Emily married Spencer Platts, of Westbrook, Conn .; Rachel is Mrs. Finley; Benjamin died when thirty-three, at Clinton, being struck by a tree.

Mr. and Mrs. Finley had one daughter, of whom they might well be proud, Frances Elizabeth, born February 9, 1844. She en- joyed excellent advantages for education, and is now the wife of James Henry Eastman, gen- eral superintendent of four of the penal in- stitutions at Howard, R. I., and one of the' best known men in his line in that State, as well as in Connecticut, having been connected with the Meriden Reform School for Boys, and also with the Connecticut Industrial School for Girls, at Middletown; for ten years he was superintendent of the State Institution ať Jamesburg, N. J. Mr. and Mrs. Eastman, have four children: George L., of Danbury, Conn .; Frank Gaylord, a physician of East Greenwich, R. I., who has one child, James H. ; Alice May, wife of Edward Trowbridge of Providence, who has three children, Charles, Ruth and Edward; and Grace.

Mrs. Finley, although now over eighty-two years of age, is very well preserved, and in possession of her faculties. For sixty-six years she has been a consistent member of the Methodist Church. Throughout the com- munity where she has resided so many years' she is highly respected, and has lived to see her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up about her.

SAMUEL MERRITT COMSTOCK (de- ceased). The Comstocks, or Van Comstocks, as the name was originally written by the Ger- man ancestors, trace their history back nine generations previous to 1547, when Charles Van Comstock went from Germany to Eng- land. In the very earliest history of Connecti- cut, and of Old Saybrook in particular, we find the family thoroughly associated with the military, religious and social advancement of the settlement. Descendants of the same line still reside in and about New London, while others of the family located in the western part of the State. The members of this Co- lonial family now living in Middlesex county descend from a line of Samuels, that name hav- ing been prominent in the family for a num- ber of generations.

Samuel Comstock, the great-grandfather of several of the Ivoryton families of that name was a man of considerable military renown. At the age of twenty-one he enlisted in the French and Indian war, and he served under Wolfe in the Canadian invasion. Tradition says that he was wounded by a skulking Indian, and re- turned to camp, complaining that he did not feel quite right, as the wind blew threw him, the bullet having passed through his shoulder, but that was the last shot that Indian ever made. When the war for independence broke out he enlisted from the town of Saybrook un- der Col. Parsons, in the first authorized call for troops, serving in the Sixth regiment, with Capt. John Ely, and remaining in the Patriot army during the whole eight-years struggle, only returning to his home after they had suc- ceeded in throwing off the yoke of England. In 1817 the new government recognized his services, and he was granted a pension. While in Canada he became acquainted with a Miss; Merritt, whom he married and brought to his Saybrook home, and to this union came a nu- merous family; the eldest son was killed in the massacre at Fort Trumbull, near New Lon- don.

Samuel Comstock, the grandfather of the Ivoryton families, was born in that part of the town of Essex commonly spoken of as the Pettipaug Quarter, and there always had his home. He was captain of a vessel in the West Indies trade. He married Rebecca Car- ter, of North Madison, whom he first met at the Baptist Church at Winthrop, where they both attended, and to this union were born ten children : Marshall, John, - -, William, Jo- seph Arnold, Sarah, Laura, Nancy, Samuel Merritt and Mehitable. John and his next brother in the order of birth moved to Iowa. The old inhabitants of Essex still remember the tales told by the grandfather of our subject when they were children, through the long winter evenings, and the Revolutionary war was to them as is the Civil war to the children of the present.

Samuel Merritt Comstock, the honored sub- ject of this review, was a son of Samuel and Rebecca Comstock, and was born August 14, 1809, in that part of Pettipaug parish now known as Ivoryton, in the present town of Es- sex. Enjoying the usual advantages of a com- mon school education, he commenced early in life to earn his own living. When twenty years of age he went to work in the comb fac-

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ory, located on the present site of the Connecti- ut Valley Manufacturing Company's plant, nd there acquired a knowledge of the details f the business, and doubtless saw, at that time, There improvements could be made in the pro- ess of manufacture. In 1834 he commenced ne manufacture of screw drivers in company ith Joseph A., his brother, and Edwin Gris- old, in the building now occupied by the Com- :ock, Cheney & Co. The business proving nprofitable, it was discontinued at the end of x months, and the building was fitted up ith new machinery for the manufacture of mbs and ivory goods. In this line Mr. Com- ock had ample opportunity for the display of s inventive genius and mechanical ingenuity, d methods were discarded, and improvements, the way of labor-saving machinery, substi- ted. The old-fashioned toothpicks and fine- oth combs were at that time about the only ings manufactured from ivory, but the pro- ic brain of Mr. Comstock was continually at ork, devising new plans and opening new Ids for utilizing the material and economiz- g the cost of production. No sooner was a w article of manufacture decided upon by e firm than his inventive genius contrived the ethod for its production.

Mr. Comstock had a thoroughly practical nd, had no visionary theories, and his plans pre put into immediate execution as fast as Hey were developed. In 1847 he sold his in- test in and severed his connection with the mstock & Griswold Company, and, having jrchased the water privileges now used by the mstock, Chency & Co., started in the same I siness alone. Later he associated with him young nephews, and for many years con- tued the business under the firm name of S. I Comstock & Co. New buildings were erect- € and further improvements made in the r thods of manufacture, and an almost endless viety of goods produced, of every conceiva- style and pattern. With inventive and me- C nical genius in Mr. Comstock were united fe business qualifications, seldom found in a' one man, a fact which accounts for his form success, his progress from the start bag of steady growth. 1

Mr. Comstock lived to see the village of ryton, which a few years before was almost ilderness, grow into one of the most attrac- ti towns in the State, a transformation ac- iplished mainly through his efforts. While CI

deservedly popular in the community he had little time to devote to politics, but in 1869 he accepted the nomination for the Legislature, and was elected by a large majority. In 1860 he became connected with the Deep River Comb Company, and was its president and treasurer until its reorganization, in 1864.

On November, 29, 1838, Mr. Comstock married Harriet Hovey, of Mansfield, Conn., whose ancestor, Rev. John Russell, of Hadley, Mass., was famous for the active part he took in sheltering the regicides, who fled to this country during the reign of Charles II. Mrs. Comstock was a niece of Rev. Aaron Hovey, for a number of years pastor of the Congrega- tional Church at Centerbrook. Eleven children _ were born to Mr. and Mrs. Comstock, of whom two died in infancy; Walter, a promising youth, died in early manhood; Elliott, after devoting the mature years of his life to the successful enlargement of the business of the Comstock, Cheney & Co., died at the age of thirty-three; Harriet, after a life devoted to the pleasure of others, died at the age of forty- three; George H .; Elizabeth A .: Robert H. is mentioned elsewhere; and Archibald Welch. Mrs. Comstock was born in November, 1817, and died October 10, 1877.

The death of Samuel Merritt Comstock took place in Wilmington, N. C., January 18, 1878, when passed away one of the most gen- erous, large-hearted and liberal-minded of men. While not connected with any particular sect or denomination, he gave liberally to the support of religion, and to the aid of benevo- lent objects. Kind and considerate to his em- ploves, while at work he required faithful serv- ice, yet when the labors of the day were com- pleted he engaged heartily in the sport of his men, and took an interest in everything that concerned their welfare or happiness. It was a common saying among his friends that he "laid his plans three years ahead, and saw the end from the beginning," being a man of great foresight and of unflinching courage, strong will and determination of character.

COL. GEORGE N. LEWIS, deceased. Among the heroes of the Civil war whose mem- ory will ever be cherished in the annals of a grateful country was Col. George N. Lewis. who sleeps his last sleep in the old churchyard at Essex, Middlesex Co .. Conn., far from war's shrill alarm, surrounded by the remains of the

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peaceful residents who long before had passed to the other land.

George N. Lewis was a native of Middle- sex county, having been born in 1828, in Mid- dletown, where he grew. to young manhood, receiving his education in the common schools of the district. When of sufficient age he en- tered Colt's Armory, at Hartford, becoming one of the steel inspectors there, but when the Civil war broke out he was one of the first to engage in the raising of a company to subdue rebellion. This was known as Company Al, Third Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, and he was made captain of the company, which was mustered in May II, 1861, and participated in the first battle of Bull Run; the regiment was mustered out August 12, 1861. Im- mediately re-enlisting, he was assigned to Company A, Twelfth Connecticut Volunteers, and was mustered in January 1, 1862, serving at Georgia Landing, Pattersonville, Bisland and the Siege of Port Hudson, at which place he was so seriously wounded, on May 27, 1863, that he died as a result of his injuries Septem- ber 12, 1876. The fearful wound from, which Col. Lewis suffered untold agony, was made by a half-pound grapeshot, one and one-half inches in diameter, through the right shoulder, the ball passing through the lung and body, being removed from the back. Picked up on the field of carnage for dead, he was taken to a hospital, later to his home in Middletown, where, to the delight of his friends and the surprise of the medical fraternity, he recovered sufficiently to rejoin his command, which he insisted upon doing, in time to take part in the battles of Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek and the rest of the engagements of Gen. Sheridan's campaign in the Shenandoah valley, in the summer and autumn of 1864. During his faithful service he was promoted to the posi- tion of major, for meritorious conduct, and when Col. Peck, of New Haven, who was col- onel of the Twelfth Regiment, was killed, Major Lewis succeeded him, being colonel of his regiment when it was mustered out, Au- gust 12, 1865. Col. Lewis served in the De- partments of Washington, of the Gulf, -of the Shenandoah, and of the South, in every com- mand distinguishing himself by gallant conduct.

However, the wound which the Colonel received had only temporarily healed, weaken-

ing his constitution, and finally did its fa work. A man of splendid health and physiq he sacrificed all for the sacred cause of country. His survival was so remarkable ti his case was cited in the medical journals a was investigated by the best surgeons of time. Returning 'to Middletown, he for himself popular and beloved, and was i mediately made tax collector, on the Der cratic ticket, which position he held for a tir until he was elected sheriff of Middlesex con ty, holding this important office at the time his decease, which occurred at his home Essex, where he had removed at the time his marriage.

Colonel Lewis was married in 1870, Philadelphia, Pa., to Janette S. Hayden, w was born June 16, 1828, in Essex, a daugh of William S. and Phebe (Starkey) Hayd The ancestors of Mrs. Lewis can be traced John Hayden, who was made a freeman Saybrook in 1704. His son Ebenezer, sł builder, 'born in 1697, died in 1786; he marr Susannah Avery. His son, Ebenezer, dieda 1818; he married Prudence Pratt. Their s Uriah, was the grandfather of Mrs. Lev his eldest son, William S., being her father

WILLIAM S. HAYDEN was born in 17981 Essex, where he resided all his life. He 1; independent, having inherited means, and li 1 a quiet life. In politics, he was a Democ, fraternally a Royal Arch Mason. He dl March 3, 1861. He married Phebe, daugl r of Capt. Timothy Starkey, and she died A. 1 19, 1888, at the age of eighty-five. Their c - dren were: Mary A., widow of Elias Par- lee, of Essex; Electa, widow of Natha /1 Starkey, of Deep River; Janette S., Mi. Lewis; Timothy Starkey, who married Ery King Parker, of Essex, and died March , 1887. All were well-known and highly spected people.

Col. Lewis was socially connected vh the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities n which he was highly valued. He was 1 g an attendant at the Episcopal Church. S body lies in the Hayden lot in beautiful Ri view cemetery, at Essex, and on the sr erected to his memory is the touching 1- scription :

Lowly may be the turf that covers

The sacred grave of his last repose; But oh, there's a glory round it hovers Broad as the daylight, and bright as its close

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

WILLIAM FISK BRAINERD, one of th most prominent citizens of the town of Eldam, Middlesex county, claims as birth- pile the spot where for generations his fam- il have been born. Successful in business, Brainerd has resided in Portland since 189, having removed from the old homestead at Haddam Neck at that time.

Mr. Brainerd is a most worthy representa- ti of one of the old families who have made N'y 'England what she is. Daniel Brainerd, hi first ancestor in America, was brought from' Elland, when eight years old, to Hartford, Con., where he lived in the Willis family un- til e was of legal age. About 1662 he became a oprietor of Haddam, and he was a pros- pepus, influential and respected man, before hi death becoming the largest landholder in HIdam, a justice of the peace, and a deacon' inthe church. He married Hannah Spencer, ar after her decease, Hannah Saxton. From' th ancestor William F. Brainerd is a descend- in the seventh generation.

William Brainerd, son of Daniel, born in [5 105, married Sarah Bidwell, and had seven ch Iren, all of whom lived on Haddam Neck, "2 with became the old home.

josiah Brainerd, the next in line, was born in 711. After the death of his first wife, Sach, he married Hannah Spencer. Josiah if Bi nerd resided on Quarry Hill, in Haddam Ne‹, where he died in 1792.

Ezra Brainerd, son of Josiah, born in 1744,

= ma ied Jerusha Smith, who died in 18II. SH was the mother of his children. He then ied Bethiah Wilder, and, for his third wi Lucretia Post, a widow. Ezra Brainerd lat ed in the quarry many years. He was a of sterling good sense, of deep religious chilicter, and was elected deacon in the chich at Middle Haddam. He served as jus- tic of the peace, and for many years repre- ser d his town in the General Assembly, hold- ing o an unusual degree the respect and con- fid

ce of that body. His life was an example of mperance and piety. He died in 1837. -

frederick Brainerd, son of Ezra, born in

17 . married Anna, daughter of Nehemiah Br. ierd, of Haddam, and their son, Alfred, wa the father of William F.

Ifred Brainerd was born December 6, 178 and on January 27, 1806, married Tal- ith Brainerd, daughter of Simon Brainerd, a

Revolutionary soldier. For the greater part of his life Mr. Brainerd was engaged in the quarry business, and he resided a half mile north of where his son William F. was born, buying the old family homestead in the early part of the last century. He was a man of powerful frame, with such unusual head de- velopment that a special size of hat had to be made to accommodate him, and possessed un- usual powers of observation. He was a man who lived up to his convictions, and by many was regarded as a stern man. "Always an at- tendant at religious services, he never became connected with any organization, desiring to attend all. His children were: Diodate lived to be seventy-two years of age; he was a real- estate dealer in Brooklyn, N. Y. David spent his life at Haddam Neck. Sabina married Benjamin Day, and died at Haddam Neck. Marietta married Charles Brainerd, and died at Haddam Neck. Mary died at the age of twenty years. Sarah married Deacon David Dickinson. . Alfred. who was engaged in the feld-spar business, died at South Farms, Conn. Rebecca. William F.

William F. Brainerd was born February 3, 1828, at Haddam Neck, and attended the schools of that district, later entering Brainerd Academy ; his school days ended at the age of eighteen years. Reared on the farm of his father, he was never encouraged in idleness, and when he tired of agricultural pursuits went into the quarry business, continuing at same until 1862, when he entered upon his success- ful career as a lumber dealer. The plan he pursued was to buy the timber tracts and cut the trees down, and some of his customers now are the sons of the men to whom he sold thirty years ago. During recent years Mr. Brainerd has been a jobber, and has probably shipped more lumber than any other dealer along the Connecticut river. Always active in body and mind, Mr. Brainerd presents the appearance of a much younger man. He can relate many most interesting reminiscences of his own and other old and prominent families of the lo- cality.

Although a stanch Republican Mr. Brain- erd would never vote for the choice of his party if convinced that the candidate was not fit for the position. He has had the honor of being a representative in the General Assem- bly from the town of Haddam, the first one of

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

his party in forty years, during which time he did effective service on the committee on Agri- culture; he has also been selectman several terms. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Congregational Church of Haddam Neck, in which he has officiated both' as treasurer and clerk, and of which he would long since have been made deacon had he not .

·declined.

· Mr. Brainerd takes pride in the old home- stead which he owns, pointing to it as "the - farm which never bore a mortgage," and it is an estate of which any possessor might be proud, being one of the best in the vicinity.

Mr. Brainerd was married December 24, - 1850, to Miss Sarah Sexton, daughter of Jus- tin and Narcissa (Brainerd) Sexton, the former of whom was a clothier by occupation and at one time manufactured broadcloth. Both he and his wife were devout members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Sexton became Fá prominent and influential man in Haddam' Neck, 'especially noted for his anti-slavery pro- clivities. He died at that place. Mr. and Mrs. Brainerd had three children : ( 1 ) Justin S. mar- ried Almeda Clark, and died May 16, 1892, at the age of thirty-nine years, leaving one daugh- "ter. Jessie, who fills a position as stenographer in the Deep River Savings Bank. He was a suc- cessful business man. His widow is still re- siding at Haddam Neck. (2) Hattie L. at- tended the Connecticut Literary Institute, and -later taught school successfully for fifteen -years. (3) Sarah Nellie was married to Luke Horsfall, of the Hartford firm of Horsfall & Rothschild, and is the mother of Olive Brain- erd and Carolyn' Sarah.

Mr. Brainerd is one of the best known cit- "izen's in the locality, his prominence in the lumber business exceeding that of any other dealer in the lower valley, and possesses the esteem of all.

ABEL C. ALLISON, one of the well known business men and manufacturers of Middletown, is the head of the firm of Allison Brothers, soap manufacturers of that city. The name of Allison has with but one excep- tion, had a longer connection with the soap business than any other in America, and a longer connection with one line of business than any other in Middletown. On January 3, 1810, Samuel Allison, the grandfather of

our subiect, established the business there two years prior to this, however, was the da of the establishment of the business in Ha ford. Abel C. Allison is the third generati that has been the head of the business in Mi dletown, and since his connection with th industry there have been many changes. For erly the major portion of the soap used w soft soap, and the lye used in manufacturi it was made by leaching wood ashes; t changes from this method of soap manufa turing to the up-to-date methods now in 1 have all been seen by our subject, whose lo connection with the soap manufacturing bu ness entitles him to a prominent positi among the practical men in that line of mar facturing in this country.

The Allison family is of Scotch-Iri extraction. Samuel Allison, the grar father of Abel C., came from Cour Tyrone, Ireland, when a young man, a in America married Elizabeth Pratt, daughter of the Earl of Camden, En land. He was a poor boy, but he h boundless energy, and with his brother-in-la Francis Pratt, started in the soap busine in Hartford under the firm name of Pratt Allison, soap manufacturers. They dissolv; partnership in 1810 and Mr. Allison came Middletown, starting in the same business South street. He died in 1826, aged forty-thi years, his widow reaching the age of sixt seven years, dying in 1852. We have the f lowing record of their children: (1) Willia P. married Emily Miller, and died in Cro well, where he had established a good busine in the manufacture of hammers. (2) Sami S. was the father of Abel C. (3) Elizabe married Abel Chapman, and died in Midd town. (4) Jane married Harvey Dickins and died in Hartford. (5) Frances marri William H. Willard, and died in Middletow

Samuel S. Allison the father of Abel was born in New York City, September 1809, and was early introduced into his fathe factory, acquiring an insight into the busine The health of his father was poor, and you Allison early assumed the management of 1 business, and was but seventeen years old wł his father died. Taking full charge of 1 business, he carried it on quite successful paying all obligations against his father's tate, and supporting his widowed mother a the family. He occupied the factory on Sot

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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 37

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