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 68
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182
Albert Hale was a farmer lad, and attended district school No. 5, in Portland, where Mr. Porter was one of his earlier teachers, as was also Norman Turner. He was put to work early, and has always been an industrious man. Farming has been his life work, and he even now follows that business.
Mr. Hale is a Democrat, and considers the election of honest and capable men to offi- cial position the duty of all true citizens. He reads much, and is well posted on the political situation and the general condition of the world. Quiet and unassuming and of the strict- est integrity, he bears the good will of the com- munity. His farm is in the north end of Port- land, and borders on Hartford county. He has never married.
WILLIAM M. SISSON, one of the best known citizens in the thriving, town of East Haddam is a successful business man as well as an enterprising farmer. He was born in East Haddam, December 29, 1843, a son of Nathan H. and Mary A. ( Morgan) Sisson.
Jonathan Sisson, his great-grandfather. was born in Rhode Island in 1753. He mar- ried Elizabeth Bliven, and nearly all of his family were natives of that State. About 1800 they removed to Lyme, New London Co., Coun., where Jonathan bought a farm on which the original house is now standing. He op- crated a grist and saw mill, and in everything he undertook was very energetic. His death oc-
curred December 8, 1833, and his wife passed away October 9, 1842. To them were born: Betsey; William, grandfather of our subject, born in 1778; Oliver : Jonathan ; Mary ; Sarah; Nancy ; Frances; Deziah ; Nathan ; and Henry.
William Sisson, the grandfather, married Phoebe Holdridge, a native of Groton, Conn., and to them were born: Elizabeth; Nathan H., the father of our subject, born in 1809; Mary; Phoebe; Jonathan; and Harriet. Will- iam Sisson died February 8, 1837, aged fifty- nine; and his wife survived him until Decem- ber 2, 1859, when she was aged seventy-three.
Nathan H. Sisson inherited a part of the old homestead, almost on the line dividing the towns of East Haddam and Lyme, improved it extensively and engaged in farming and lum- bering. In early life, he also taught school in East Haddam. He became one of the repre- sentative men, and held various town offices. On October 30, 1838, he married a daughter of Daniel Morgan of Groton, and to this union were born: Jane E. and Wiliam M. Both Mr. Sisson and his wife were members of the North Lyme Baptist Church, in which faith they died ; he died on December 10, 1875, aged sixty-five, and his wife on March 18, 1865, aged fifty-four.
William M. Sisson received more than usual educational advantages, attending, in ad- dition to the local schools, Bacon Academy at Colchester, Con1., and Bartlett High School at New London. His first essay on his own account was as a school teacher, and he then became a book-agent, continuing for two years in Long Island, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. His next venture was as a clerk at Hamburg, Conn., in the employ of Mr. Brockway, and as soon as lie learned the de- tails of the business, he entered into a mercan- tile life at Hamburg with his cousin, Henry B. Sisson, ex-Probate Judge. continuing the same two or three years. In 1870 Mr. Sisson began in a small way, in a mercantile line, at North Plain, a farming community, his patrons being in East Haddam, Lyme and Salei. Later Gilbert H. Strong became interested in the business, and under the superintendence of the two, the large farm property has increased in value, while the store which at first had a trade amounting to $500 per year, now does an annual business of $12,000. Mr. Sisson de- votes nearly all of his time to mercantile pur-
372
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
suits, and the firm also own an extract mill, which they rent to a firm manufacturing win- tergreen, witch-hazel, etc. Another pursuit in which he has been very successful is that of in- surance agent, and among other well-known companies which he represents may be men- tioned, the Hartford Mutual Company. Mr. Gilbert H. Strong, who so ably assists him, is his brother-in-law, and a gentleman of much business acumen.
On November 28, 1878, Mr. Sisson mar- ried Mary S. Tiffany, a daughter of Charles and Susan ( Bailey) Tiffany, and one son was born to this union : William M., Jr., born February 15, 1884, now engaged in assisting his father. Mr. Sisson is a stanch Republican, and has held a number of offices, having served as justice of the peace for nearly twenty years, represented the town in the Legislature in 1883, where he served on the committee on School Funds, and he has also been assessor and member of the board of relief. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sisson are consistent members of the North Lymne Baptist Church, of which Mr. Sisson has been a member since he was four- teen, and in which he is now a deacon. Fra- ternally, Mr. Sisson has been for thirty years a Mason, belonging to Pythagoras Lodge, No. 45, while Mrs. Sisson is connected with the Grange, established in this vicinity by Gilbert H. Strong. Mr. Sisson is a good representa- tive of the American man of today, being self- inade, self-educated, and a credit to himself, to the parents who bore him, and to the com- munity in which he has made his home for so many years.
WILBUR A. BROTHWELL, one of the leading and public-spirited citizens of Chester, Middlesex county, whose efforts are always directed toward the advancement of the best interests of the community, was born February 12, 1857, in Easton, Conn., a son of Charles Ransom and Jennie E. (Jennings) Brothwell.
Joseph Brothwell the grandfather of Wil- bur A., was born in 1790, and followed farm- ing. in Stratford, Fairfield Co., Conn. He served in the war of 1812, with the rank of captain. His death occurred in 1873. He married Anna Keeler, who was born in Fair- field, in 1800, a daughter of Patrick and Eu- nice (Hubbell) Keeler. The following chil- dren were born of this union: Emily, who
married Charles Plumb, and lived in Bridge- port, Conn., where she died; Charles Ransom, our subject's father ; John, who married Anna Middlebrook, a farmer, and lived in Greenfield, Conn .; and Delia, who died in in- fancy.
Charles Ransom Brothwell, son of Joseph was born January 21, 1833, on his father's farm in Bridgeport, Conn., the property now being known as Brooklawn Park. His boy- hood and youth were spent there, and he re- ceived his early education in the district schools of the neighborhood. Early in life, he learned the carpenter trade, following same until 1863, when he became connected with the Hon. Phin- eas T. Barnum, eventually becoming the lat- ter's real estate agent, which responsible po- sition he retained until Mr. Barnum's death. His relations with Mr. Barnum were always of the most pleasant character. After the latter's death he was retained by the estate in the same relation, which position he con- tinued to hold during his life time. Mr. Bar- num recognized Mr. Brothwell's value to him, and many of the large business enterprises originated in the fertile brain of the able as- sistant-for instance, the reclaiming of that tract adjoining Seaside Park, east of Cedar Creek, which added forty acres of taxable property to the city of Bridgeport. Charles R. Brothwell was one of the original members of the board of Public Works, which position he held for twelve years, his principal inter- est in connection with the board being the building of the bridges, especially the lower bridge, which was the first in the United States to be operated by electricity, and which was Mr. Brothwell's own idea. Not only did he introduce the electric motor, but he provided a swinging stop latch, which made the use of electricity complete, for without that, and the yielding abutment, it would be impossible to open as rapidly as at present. Mr. Broth- well also provided the swinging gates, which are placed at either side of the bridge, for the safety of the public. One of the features of the semi-centennial celebration of Bridgeport in 1888, was the great industrial parade, of which Mr. Brothwell had the honor of being grand marshal. For several years previous, he was interested in the Board of Trade, and not only during the time he served as presi- dent, 1891 to 1892, but at all times, was instru-
Heller A Brochureto
373
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
mental in getting a large number of manufac- turers to locate in Bridgeport. In politics he was a Republican, and although honored with many offers of office by his party, he invaria- bly declined, except in 1892, when he was a candidate for the senatorship, running against D. M. Morgan at a time when the Democratic party was in the majority. Although he was defeated, the count was very close. Mr. Brothwell was a vestryman in Christ Episco- pal Church, of Bridgeport, and very liberal in his subscriptions. His death occurred August I, 1898, and his remains rest in Bridgeport, near the tomb of his old employer, P. T. Bar- num. The property he left was a large one, accumulated entirely by his own efforts.
On June 4. 1856, Mr. Brothwell was mar- ried to Jennie E. Jennings, who was born Feb- ruary 21, 1833, a daughter of Isaac and Esther (French) Jennings, the French family 'being an old one in Easton, Conn. Mrs. Brothwell died February 25, 1870, leaving one child, Wilbur A. For his second wife Charles R. Brothwell married Annabelle F. Banks, a na- tive of Greenfield, Conn., and a daughter of Horace Banks ; she survives him, and resides in Greenfield, Conn. To the second marriage were born four children: Nellie, who mar- ried Sydney N. Lockwood, present assistant town clerk of Bridgeport; Mildred and Fred- die, who both died while young; and Barbara, who lives with his mother in Greenfield.
Wilbur A. Brothwell attended the district schools, and was also educated in the Strong's Military Academy at Bridgeport. He left school when he was fifteen years old, and en- tered the employ of Alfred Hopkins, a stove and hardware merchant at Bridgeport. For six years he faithfully served his employer as bookkeeper and clerk, and when he left, in 1876, it was to accept a favorable offer from the late P. T. Barnum, to become the assist- ant superintendent of his real estate business, aiding his father who was superintendent. He remained in that position for five years, and in 1882 he severed relations with Mr. Barnum to remove to Chester, Conn., to enter the employ of his great-uncle, the late Rev. Russell Jennings. That same year he was ap- pointed assistant superintendent and placed in charge of the West factory. In 1885 the present corporation known as the Russell Jen- nings Manufacturing Company was organized,
and Mr. Brothwell became interested as a stockholder, and was re-appointed assistant su- perintendent. In 1896 he was elected treasurer of the company and is now filling both posi- tions. He has also entire charge of the de- partment of sales and correspondence, the of- fices and salesrooms of the company being located at Deep River.
Mr. Brothwell has been prominently ident- ified with the Republican party of this section of the State. He was elected a member of the House of Representatives for 1891, dur- ing the famous deadlock session, and was re- elected for the session of 1893, serving on the committee on Incorporations in both sessions, and was its clerk in 1891. In 1892 lie was chosen a member of the World's Fair board of managers for the Columbian Exposition at Chicago. He was selected as delegate to the National Republican Convention in 1896, which met in St. Louis, and first nominated President Mckinley. At the election in 1900 he was elected Senator from the Twenty-first District by the second largest majority ever given a candidate since the formation of the district. He served as senator, on the commit- tees on Capitol Furniture and Grounds, School Fund and Labor. He was unanimously nomi- nated by the Republicans of Cliester as dele- gate to the Constitutional Convention and was elected by over two-thirds of the number cast at the election of November 5. 1901. In local affairs he has held the offices of town treasurer and agent, and treasurer of the town deposit fund since 1887.
On October 10, 1877, Mr. Brothwell was married in Fairfield. Conn., to Lizzie M. Wil- son, who was born in Fairfield, July 26, 1856, and is an adopted daughter of Alden and Catli- erine Wilson. Mrs. Brothiwell was educated in the public schools of Fairfield. To this un- ion have been born two children : Willie R .. died in 1884; and Charles R., born April 27. 1883. was educated in the Holbrook Military Academy at Ossinning, New York, and was graduated in the class of 1902. The family reside on West Main street. Chester, where they have a handsome residence, one of the miost attractive houses in the town.
Mr. and Mrs. Brothwell are consistent mem- bers of the Baptist Church, to which they are liberal supporters, and of which Mr. Brothwell has been first trustee and treasurer
374
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
since 1885. When the Deep River town hall was erected in 1892, Mr. Brothwell was the largest subscriber, and his name is always to be found on subscription lists of this nature, or associated with all measures looking to- wards the public advancement of his town. Kindly by nature and genial in manner, he numbers his friends by legions and is one of the most popular men in the entire county.
LEWIS O. AND EDDIE S. DAVIS, of Middletown, the members of a firm which does the largest business in its line in that por- tion of Connecticut, were farmer boys in Ver- mont, were reared in that State, and obtained their schooling there. Their parents were Charles E. and Marcia ( Albee) Davis, the former a son of Nathaniel Davis, who lived in the town of Rockingham, Vt., and is buried in the old cemetery in that place. The great- grandfather, also named Nathaniel, was born in 1715, and died October 28, 1802. He was twice married, and his second wife, who was born in 1717, and who died July 30, 1795, was the mother of his children.
Nathaniel Davis, grandfather of Lewis O. and Eddie S., was a farmer by occupation. He was born in 1754, and died June 10, 1835 ; his wife, Lydia (Harwood), born in 1761, died March 10, 1838, and her remains were interred in the same cemetery. Their chil- dren were as follows: (1) Susan married Luke Prouty, and lived and died in Vermont; they had six children, Valeria, Davis, Lydia, Luke, John and Susan. (2) Fannie married Jonathan Burt, and had four children, George, who went to Henry county, Ill .; Cyrus who went West, but returned to Vermont where he died (he remained a bachelor) ; Mary; and Frank. (3) Lydia married Frank Lovell, and lived in Putney, Vt. ; they had children, Lucia, Minerva, Abby, Oliver, Royal, Fanny, Lydia and Charles. (4) Mary married John Moore, and was the mother of a numerous family, Hi- ram, Elijah, Sarah, Charles, Adeline, Clark (a Universalist preacher, who died at Cambridge, Mass. ) and Jane (who married Chauncey Sherwin, and after his death Lewis Albee, and is now a widow living at Bellows Falls, Vt.). (5) Hiram married Malinda Stevens, and died in Rockingham, Vt .; his wife survived him. He was the father of the following children : Ann (who married Lucius Weston), Simon
(who became mayor of Cincinnati), Helen, Hi- ram, James, Theodore, Eliza, Henry, Ira and Frank (who became a broker in New York, and died in that city). (6) Elijah married Nancy Tyler, and lived and died in Alstead, N. H. He was the father of four children, Tyler, Martha, Francis and Julia. (7) Char- lotte married Manassa Divoll, and became the mother of eight children, Charlotte, Ira, Sarah, George, Susan H., Eliza, John and Josiah. (8) Betsey married John Boynton, went West with him, and became the mother of seven chil- dren, Mary, Eliza, Charles, Laura, John, Henry and Lydia. (9) John married Susan Billings, and lived on the old Davis homestead at Rockingham. They had seven children, Louisa, Harriet, Susan, Sarah, Nathaniel, El- len and Flora. (10) James married Amanda Grimes, and lived in Rockingham, Vt., where he was engaged in farming. They had a large family of children, Harriet, Emeline, Betsey, Mary, Henry, Fanny, Oliver (a soldier in the Civil war, serving in the Twelfth Vermont Volunteer Infantry), Melinda and Helen. (II) Charles E. is mentioned below. (12) Valeria married Xenophon Earl, and was the mother of a numerous family, Sydney, Eliza- beth, Harriet, George, Henry, Ira, Fanny, Valeria, Charles and Martha.
Charles E. Davis was born March 30, 1807, in the town of Rockingham, Vt., was reared on a farm, and had such schooling as the time provided. In October, 1828, he mar- ried Marcia Albee, who was born April 17, 1811, daughter of Eleazer and Hepzibah ( Ban- croft) Albee. Eleazer Albee was born June 17, 1785, and died August 28, 1864, at Stan- stead, Canada East. He was a son of Eben- ezer and Rachel Albee, of whom, the former, born in 1742, died August 8, 1818, and the latter born in 1745, died November 4, 1815. Their children were, Mary, Submit, Sarah, Elijah and Eleazer. Hepzibah Ban- croft was born October 1, 1785, daughter of James and Lucy Bancroft, whose family were as follows: Timothy, Lucy, Polly, James, John, Charles, Hepzibah, Lucy (2), Polly (2), Timothy (2), Thomas and Lois. Eleazer and Hepzibah (Bancroft) Albee were the parents of nine children : Harriet married Samuel Ransom, and became the mother of three chil- dren, Newell, Samuel and Emeline; Mr. Ran- som died, and his widow married Joseph Kim-
375
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ball, by whom she had one son, Gustavus. Lu- cinda married Matthew Davis, and had no children, Julia married Joel Bancroft, and had Julia, Abigail, Washington, Joel, Clark, Fi- delia, Marietta, Rachel and Harriet. Marcia became the wife of Charles E. Davis. Fidelia never married. Calista married Lucius Adams, and had one son, Henry. 'Alfred mar- ried Emily Cheney, and had one son, Ellery. Ellery died young. Gustavus married Ma- linda Albee, and was the father of a numerous family, Calista, Elbert, Eleazer, George, Ar- rozina, Malvina and Theda.
Charles E. Davis was a farmer and lived on his farm until April, 1874, when he moved into the town of Westminster, Vt., there liv- ing retired until his death, May 21, 1890, at the age of eighty-three. His wife died Oct. 22, 1880. They lived together fifty-two years before this happy union was broken, celebrat- ing their golden wedding in 1878. They had children as follows: (1) Marion M., born July II, 1830, is the widow of Charles New- man, and lives at Bellows Falls, Vt. ; she is the mother of one daughter, Alice, who married Frank Willis, of Middletown, and has three children. (2) Eleazer A., born April 16, 1832, lives at Galva, Ill .; he has been twice married, to Lucy and Emma Davis, sisters, of Vermont, and is the father of two children, Julia and Frank, of whom Julia is the widow of Jerry Mehigan, and Frank is at Galva, Ill. (3) Delia, born January 20, 1834, married Rodney Ober, of Saxton's River, Vt. (4) Charles E., born October 19, 1835, died in Galva, Ill., where he was a stove and tinware dealer; his wife's name is Jennie. (5) Mar- tha C., born December 29, 1838, is the widow of Oscar Olcott, and lives in Bellows Falls. (6) Charlotte A., born November 10, 1840, married George Billings, by whom she had one son, George; at his death she married John Minard, and she now lives at Saxton's River, Vt. (7) John F., born October 4, 1842, mar- ried Mary Ayres, and died in the summer of 1889, at Centerville, S. Dak., where he was a merchant and successful business man ; he left three children, Mortimer of Bellows Falls; George, of San Jose, Cal .; and Charlotte. (8) Lewis O. and (9) Eddie S. are the gen- tlemen whose names introduce this biography. The father of this family was a Democrat in political faith.' Physically he was a man of
1
small frame, but was well built, and had a strong constitution. At seventy-five he could do a day's work in the meadow, mowing as readily as he ever could. He was a plain sub- stantial man, commanding and retaining the general respect of the community by his many good qualities and sincere manliness. He reared a large family, and accumulated a very comfortable competence.
Lewis O. Davis was born September 13, 1844, in the town of Rockingham, Vt., where he attended the district school. On the out- break of the Civil war he enlisted, when less than eighteen years old, August 17, 1862, in Company I, Twelfth Vermont Volunteer In- fantry, which regiment lay in front of Wash- ington the greater part of the time up to the battle of Gettysburg: At the time of that great battle, the regiment was detailed to guard the baggage train of the First Corps, and so did not participate in it. They were later detailed to guard prisoners on the way from the battlefield to Baltimore. He was discharged July 14, 1863.
Mr. Davis had a very fair education de- spite the interruption of the war. He took himself through school and has made his own way in the world. He attended the Kimball Union Academy, at Meriden, N. H., also the Chester (Vt.) Academy, and taught school two winter terms in the town of Rockingham, and in the Bartsonville District. From the age of sixteen he had been singing in church choirs, possessing an unusually good tenor voice. Rev. E. S. Foster, then the pastor of the Universalist church at Middletown, heard Mr. Davis render a selection, and was so much pleased with his singing that he requested him to come to Middletown, that he might have him sing in his church. In July, 1866. Mr. Davis came to Middletown to reside, and for sixteen years sang almost every Sunday in the churches of that city. He was employed on his arrival in the city as a helper for carpen- ters for a short time, and then clerked in the store of E. B. & F. J. Chaffee, and subsequent- ly for Hubbard Bros., remaining with this firm from March, 1867. until 1875. when he and his brother, Eddie S., started a sash, door and blind business. They were selling agents at a later period for J. W. Hubbard & Co., in the lumber business, and in 1890 L. O. & E. S. Davis succeeded to the business of this
.
376
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
firm. They have handled paints, oils, glass, carpenters' and masons' supplies, since they started in business, and have met with fair success.
On November 18, 1868, Lewis O. Davis and Miss Helen T. Stillman were married in Middletown. Mrs. Davis was born May 25, 1849, in that town, daughter of Edwin and Mary (Hopkins) Stillman, was reared and educated in her native city, and has many friends. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had chil- dren as follows: (I) Lewis E., born May 24, 1870, is a clerk for L. O. & E. S. Davis. He was married June 7, 1898, to Miss Jennie Tryon, of Middletown, and has one son, Charles E., born August 22, 1901. (2) Charles Edwin, born June 25, 1872, married Miss Liz- zie F. Wood; he is with the Oakville Co., of Oakville, Conn. (3) Marcia A., born April 4, 1874, married John J. Cone, Jr., of Dor- chester, Mass., where they reside; they have one son, John J., born August 1, 1901. (4) Ernest S., born September 6, 1876, married Miss Ella F. Roberts, and is with the Rogers & Hubbard Company, of Middletown. (5) Rodney O., born August 19, 1879, died June 23, 1880. (6) Martha Helen, born May 20, 1883, is at home. (7) Harold Whitney was born September 8, 1885. (8) Frank Twitch- ell was born December 25, 1888. (9) Marion May was born April 21, 1892.
Mr. Davis has served on the board of edu- cation, and was in the common council one term. He is a man of high character, and his word is accepted as perfectly good anywhere. Fraternally he is a Mason of high degree, be- longing to St. John's Lodge, Washington Chapter, and Cyrene Commandery. and takes a deep interest in the prosperity of the Masonic fraternity, being one of its most popular mem- bers in his section. He also belongs to the Royal Arcanum and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. Davis is a Democrat in his political sympathies, but repudiates the doctrine of free silver. He is a plain unas- suming man, easily approachable, gentlemanly and courteous in his manner, and is one of the representative business men of Middletown.
Eddie S. Davis was born September 2, 1851, at Rockingham, Vt., and remained on the farm until he was sixteen years of age. He attended school a mile from his home, and also the Chester (Vt.) Academy. In the sum-
mer he worked on the farm, and obtained a very practical knowledge of hard work. At sixteen he went into a general country store at Rockingham, Vt., and proved a success as a clerk. He began with a salary of two hun- dred dollars a year and his board, good wages for a boy of that age, but he earned it. On March 1, 1870, he came to Middletown, where his brother, Lewis O., had been since 1866, and entered the employment of Hubbard Brothers as a clerk. It was radically new bus- iness for him, but he soon became familiar with it, and was with the firm until 1873. In 1875, when the firm of L. O. & E. S. Davis was formed, he became identified with their business. Their beginning was modest com- pared with the extensive trade which they now enjoy. For a number of years Davis Brothers were selling agents for J. W. Hubbard & Co., and in 1890 bought their business. In 1895 L. O. & E. S. Davis purchased the property where they were doing business, as it was very valuable on account of its proximity to the river front and its other shipping facilities. The business has expanded from time to time until it has become the most extensive in their section of the State. The stock includes all kind of builders' lumber, paints and oils, and their patronage covers a wide area. Mr. Davis is one of the prominent men in Masonic cir- cles in Connecticut. He was raised in St. John's Lodge, Middletown, receiving the third degree November 28, 1873; is a member of Washington Chapter, No. 6; was knighted July 15, 1879, by J. B. Kilbourne; became eminent commander of Cyrene Commandery in 1891, holding that position two years, and is now treasurer of same; was elected grand senior warden of the grand commandery March 19, 1895; has received the thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite, and is held in high honor in the Masonic bodies with which he is identified. In 1900 Mr. Davis was made R. E. grand commander, Knights Templar, of Connecticut. Mr. Davis also belongs to the Royal Arcanum, and was the first elected regent of the local lodge; and he is a member of the Ancient Or- der of the United Workmen. He is president of the Middletown Building & Loan Associa- tion, is treasurer of the Middletown Board of Trade, and is chairman of the Trades' Com- mittee. He is treasurer of the Masonic Build- ing Association, has been director in the Cen-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.