USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Commemorative biographical record of New Haven county, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, V. I, Pt 1 > Part 5
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In 1819 Mr. Lyon was married to Harriet Can- field, of East Haddam, where they lived until 1826, coming to Meriden in 1849. To Mr. and Mrs. Lyon were born three sons and one daughter: George WV .; Ira C., of Baltimore : William II., who died at the age of twenty-four years; and Martha Emma, who now resides in Meriden. At an early age Mr. Lyon united with St. Stephen's Church, of which his father and grandfather, Robert Lyon, had both been active members, his grandfather giving the land on which the church building stood.
GEORGE W. LYON, son of Humphrey, was born Feb. 22, 1822, in East Haddam, and when a young mian, late in the 'forties, came to Meriden on a visit and prospecting tour. This city was but a borough of three thousand inhabitants and offered no special inducements, but its citizens were energetic and dis- played. enterprise and public spirit. A young man of energy himself and full of ambition, he was in- duced by this atmosphere to accept employment for two months, which would enable him to prolong his visit and look around. Previously he had harbored and planned for going to the West, but this he aban- doned, deciding to locate permanently in Meriden and take a hand in its business affairs. In less than a year he was engaged in a contracting and building business, which he entered with only a few hundred dollars in money, but with a will and ambition worth much. In the second year of his business career in partnership with John D. Billard, under the firm name of Lyon & Billard, he hath some one hundred men on his pay roll and was filling contracts for erecting twenty-seven dwelling houses at one time, as well as building factories and other structures. The company built the State Reform School, one of the most substantial edifices of that period. About this time the plant, on which there was no insurance. was destroyed by fire, resulting in the loss of nearly every penny Mr. Lyon had. But undaunted and with a will and determination to retrieve his loss, he was soon on his feet again and became most pros- perous and successful. Later he assumed control of
the factory, which was developed into that of the Meriden Malleable Iron Co., of which he is now the president and has for so many years been at the head. This company was incorporated in 1868 with a cap- ital of $75,000, which has been since increased to $125,000 and now gives employment to 150 hands. The company was formed for the purpose of mak- ing malleable iron but soon it was decided to mann- facture a line of kerosene goods, consisting of chandeliers, brackets, lamps, etc. The goods now made consist of cabinet hardware, including furni- ture castors, draw pulls, drop handles, towel racks, shelf brackets and a number of patented specialties.
In the carly 'fifties Mr. Lyon engaged in the coal and lumber business, or rather added that as a branch to the Lyon & Billard Co., which carried on the business of contracting and building. and in which he is still a large stockholder and director. Mr: Lyon has probably been instrumental in start- ing in as many industries and enterprises as any man in Meriden, and in many of these he is a direc- tor. He was most active in organizing the Meri- den Fire Insurance Co. Although never seeking public office he served several years as alderman and was a prime mover in obtaining the city charter and, along with Levi Coe, called a meeting of citizens with this object in view. Mr. Lyon is a man of po- sition and wealth in Meriden and is favorably known throughout New England.
On Jan. 27. 1852, George W. Lyon was married to Harriet A. Snow, of Westbrook, Conn., daughter of David and Matilda ( Doane) Snow, of that town. Two sons and one daughter were given to Mr. and Mrs. Lyon. The eldest, Emma J., died in Septem- ber, 1892, seven months after the demise of her husband, Dr. Charles J. Mansfield. William H. is spoken of below : Charles L. is manager of the Mer- iden Malleable Iron Co. Joel Doane, Mrs. Lyon's maternal grandfather, served as a private soldier during the last three years of the Revolutionary war.
WILLIAM H. LYON, secretary of the Lyon & Billard Co. and the Charles Parker Co., is one of the best-known business men in the city of Meri- den. His birth occurred in that city Ang. 11, 1854, and he received his education in the Meriden schools. At a comparatively early age he began his business career in the office of the Lyon & Billard Co., of which his father was the head, and by his faithfulness and efficient discharge of duties has won his way to the responsible position he now holds. Duty has been a watchword with him for the past thirteen years, during which time he has acted as the efficient secretary of this large corporation. In 1886 he entered the Charles Parker Co. as as- sistant to Dexter W. Parker. who at that time was secretary and treasurer of the organization, and in 1889 Mr. Lyon was elected secretary and for the past twelve years has had charge of the whole vol- ume of business of the Charles Parker Co. He is also president of the Parker Clock Co. and assistant secretary of the Meriden Curtain Fixture Co. In
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business circles Mr. Lyon is acknowledged as a man of ability and integrity. He is unassuming and unostentatious in manner. His life is that of a good citizen, busy with the duties of such and de- voted to his family and friends. In politics he is a Republican, but the manifold cares of business levy so heavily upon his time that he never consents to hold public office.
In 18So MIr. Lyon was married to Miss Annie D. Parker, a daughter of the venerable Charles Parker, of Meriden, and one child has blessed this union, El- sie Parker, who graduated from Rosemary Hall, Greenwich, Conn., in 1901. Mrs. Lyon is a leading member of the 'Methodist Church in Meriden and belongs to Ruth Hart Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. The family is one of high social standing in Meriden and Mr. Lyon a thor- oughly representative business man.
HON. WALTER BOOTH, whose death oc- curred at his home in Meriden, on April 30, 1870, was for many years a prominent man not only of the city in which he lived but in the state, and he was eminently a good man.
Mr. Booth was born Dec. 8, 1791, in Wood- bridge, Conn. When about sixteen years of age he came to Meriden, where with little exception his life was passed. In his earlier life he served by appointment as Brigadier General and also as Major General of the State militia. In 1850 , he was sent to Washington as a representative from his district in Congress. He had previously held sundry offices in both town and State. At twenty- two years of age he was chosen deacon in the Centre Congregational Church. of Meriden, and held such office for fifty-six years. At the time of his death he had been a director in the Meriden National Bank, for twenty years, and at one time was its President. Deacon Booth was a Christian man, and, as stated, an eminently good man, ever active in all Church work. He had served as teach- er and Sabbath-school superintendent, and was sel- dom absent from his place in the sanctuary.
Deacon Booth was a man of great simplicity and plainness of manner, was averse to all parade, and was strictly economical in his expenditures. He was ever ready to aid any enterprise, either in business, civil or religious affairs, which promised to promote the secular or religious interests of his native town. His first wife, Laura, died April 5, 1841, and his second, Sarah H., died Oct. 24, 1871.
LEVERETT CANDEE (deceased). The
name of Candce is an old and honored one in the business life and annals of New Haven, where the distinguished gentleman whose name introduces this article made for himself an enviable standing as the founder of the factory that has so long borne his name, from which has gone out such a vast volume of high grade rubber boots and shoes. Here reside and are still active in business some of his
descendants, notably a grandson and a namesake- Leverett Candec, the secretary and treasurer of the Fair Haven and Westville Railway Company.
The late Leverett Candee was born June 20, 1795, in Oxford, Conn., a son of Job and Sarah (Benham) Candee, and was descended in the fifth generation from Zaccheus Candee, who was born about 1640, and appears of record in New Haven at the time of his marriage, in 1670, to Rebecca Bristow, or Bristol. She was born Feb. 4, 1650, and was a daughter of Henry Bristol, of New Haven. This couple resided in West Haven, where they died and are buried, Mr. Candee dying in 1720, and his widow nineteen years later, at the ages of eighty and ninety-one years, respectively. From this settler the lineage of the late Leverett Candee runs through Capt. Samuel, Caleb and Capt. Job Candee.
Capt. Samuel Candee, son of Zaccheus, was born July 24, 1678, in West Haven, and was married April 28, 1703. to Abigail Pineon, of New Hart- ford. She was a daughter of Thomas Pineon, and resided in West Haven, where the name frequently occurs in the records of the town. He served, re- spectively, as lieutenant and as captain of the local military company. Capt. Candee died about 1748, his wife having passed away Jan. 9, 1743, at the age of sixty-three years.
Caleb Candee, the son of Capt. Samuel, was born in 1722, and married Lois Mallory. They settled in the town of Oxford and were farming people. On his tombstone his death is recorded as occurring Oct. 4, 1777. His widow passed away in 1790.
Capt. Job Candee, son of Caleb, was born in 1759, and was married in the town of Southbury, Oct. 3, 1784. to Sarah Benham. both of whom united with the Church at Oxford, where they re- sided in 1788. Mr. Candee was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and became a captain in the militia service. For his Revolutionary experiences he received a pension from the General Government. A man of prominence in his town, he represented it in the State Legislature. Capt. Candee died Dec. 2, 1845 ; and his wife March 20, 1840, at the age of seventy-five years.
Leverett Candee, whose name introduces this article, was a son of Capt. Job Candee, and left his rural home in Oxford at the age of fifteen years, going to New Haven, where he began his busi- ness career as a clerk in the store of Capt. Gad Peck, a merchant engaged in the foreign trade. After a time Mr. Candee was identified with the dry-goods trade, as a member of the firm of Can- dec, Dean & Cutler. In 1833 Mr. Candee withdrew from the firm, went to New York, where he was in the commission business for two years. In 1835 lic returned to New Haven to become a partner in the firm of Candee, Lester & Page, commission merchants. At Westville he was engaged in the manufacture of paper, the firm then consisting of Candce, Page & Lester. After a time Mr. Lester
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD.
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withdrew from the firm, which then became Can- dee & Page. This enterprise resulted disastrously, and all the fortune which Mr. Candee had accumu- lated through years of toil was swept away. The mill was closed, and shortly after Mr. Candee be- gan the manufacture of suspenders on East street in New Haven. In that same year ( 18.12) Charles Goodyear gave Mr. Candee a temporary license to use his vulcanized rubber in the manufacture of rubber shoes. Not having any capital himself. he enlisted the aid of Henry and Lucius Hotchkiss, at that time lumber merchants in New Haven. These gentlemen loaned Mr. Candee $3,000, and he immediately began operations, being the first person in the world to make rubber overshoes un- der the Goodyear patents.
On Sept. 5, 1843. the L. Candee & Company was formed, consisting of Mr. Candee and Henry and Lucius Hotelikiss. The following year Abra- ham Heaton was admitted to the firm. He added $3,000 to the capital of the business, making it $9,000 in all. Ilenry Hotchkiss bought out Mr. Heaton in 1847.' So rapidly did the business of the Company increase that in 1852 a joint stock company was formed with a capital of $200,000. In 1869 this was increased to $300,000, under the present corporate title of L. Candee & Company. The four original subscribers to the capital stock were Mr. Candee, Henry and Lucius Hotchkiss and Timothy Lester; they were also the original directors of the Company. Mr. Candee was presi- dent, and C. T. Candee was secretary. In 1859 Mr. Isaac C. Hawthorne became President, and in 1863 Mr. Candee sold his interest in the Company to Henry Hotchkiss, withdrawing from the corporation, which has still continued to grow until it is one of the most important en- terprises of the kind in all the world. From the first modest factory in a single small building to the present plant, comprising more than a dozen large brick buildings four or five stories high. oc- cupying nearly four acres, giving employment to more than fifteen hundred hands, with an output of more than 20,000 pairs of boots a day, the change is vast, and largely has been accomplished through the profound business and executive ability of Mr. Candee.
Mr. Candee passed from his labors May 23. 1865, and a monument to his memory more durable than marble or bronze is the great manufacturing plant which still bears his name. He was an active member of St. Paul's Church, and contributed very liberally to all its needs. For many years he was president of the New Haven County Bank, and was heavily interested in the Hard Rubber Co., at Bea- con Falls, being also president of the Home Woolen Co., at the same place, at the time of his death. For some years he was an associate trustee of the Mutual Life Insurance and Trust Company, and was also connected as a director with the Home Insur- ance Company.
Mr. Candee was married to Jane Caroline Tom- linson, and this union was blessed with the birth of one son, Charles Tomlinson, who was born Sept. 1, 1830, and was married in 1858 to Susan P. Scranton, by whom he had two children : Levereti, born Nov. 28, 1859; and Susan Jane, born Dec. 6, 1865.
BRONSON. In the annals of the towns of Waterbury and New Haven. for generations. we find the family bearing the name which introduces this sketch has held a high place in the social, re- ligious, professional, business and public life of those communities. Among the notable characters of the family of whom it is the purpose of this article to treat are the late Hon. Bennett Bronson. of Waterbury: his son, the late distinguished Dr. Henry Bronson, of Waterbury and New Haven : and the latter's son, Hon. Samuel Lathrop Bronson. lawyer, legislator and judge.
John Bronson, Brunson or Brownson, as it is spelled in the early records of Hartford, Farming- ton and Waterbury, the emigrant ancestor of this branch of the family, is believed to have come to. America from England in 1636 in the party of Rev. Thomas Icoker, of whose church he was a mem- ber. He was a soldier in the Pequot war, in 1637, and is of record in Hartford in 1639. It is known that he removed, about 1641, to Farmington, where he was one of the seven pillars of the church at its organization there, in 1652, and he became a public man of that town, where he died in IGSo. From this emigrant ancestor Samuel L. Bronson, of New Haven. is a descendant in the eighth generation, his line being through Isaac, Lieut. Thomas, Thon1- as (2), Deacon Stephen, Judge Bennett and Dr. Henry Bronson.
Isaac Bronson, son of John, of Hartford and Farmington, was born in 1645. and married Mary, a daughter of John Root. Lieut. Thomas Bron- son, son of Isaac, born in 1685, married in 1719 Elizabeth, daughter of Stephen Nepson. Thomas Bronson (2), son of Lieut. Thomas, born in 1711. married in 1734 Susanna. daughter of John South- mayd. Deacon Stephen Bronson, son of Thomas (2), born in 1735. married in 1764 Sarah, daughter of Caleb Humaston, and was a thrifty farmer.
Judge Bennett Bronson, son of Deacon Stephen. was born Nov. 14, 1775. married May II. 1801. Anna, daughter of Richard Smith, of Roxbury. Mr. Bronson was graduated from Vale in the ciass of 1797, from which went out into the world a number of men who became distinguished in their various callings, among them being Lyman Beech- er. Horatio Seymour and Seth Staples. In his young life Mr. Bronson for a period was a lieu- tenant in the United States army, then studied law. and was admitted to the Bar in Litchfield county in 1802. Industrious and studious in his early life. le rose to prominence, not only in his profession. but in business and public life also. For many years
MAL
2
Samuel L. Brandon
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD.
he served as a magistrate and justice of the peace in the town of Waterbury, and in 1824 was elected judge of the courts of New Haven county, and remained on the Bench for six years. In 1829 Judge Bronson was chosen to represent the town in the Legislature. He was very efficient and thor- ough in all his undertakings, and performed the duties of his various public trusts with signal abil- ity and to the satisfaction of all concerned. Judge Bronson was a good lawyer, of sound judgment and discriminating mind, and made a thoroughly com- petent judge, proving himself a man of truth, fidel- ity and probity. His reading was comprehensive, and his opinions were often sought and relied upon. In 1814 Judge Bronson became interested in man- ufacturing. His death occurred Dec. 11, 1850.
Dr. Henry Bronson, son of Judge Bronson, and the father of Hon. Samuel Lathrop Bronson, was born Jan. 30, 1804, the fourth son of the family. The other sons had received collegiate educations, but Henry received only a common-school and aca- demic education. However, his tastes were not in the line pointed out. His inclination was for a pro- fessional career, and he finally won the father's con- sent for preparation for the medical profession, and studied under Dr. Alden Marsh, of Albany. When through with the course he was immediately taken into partnership with his preceptor. During the epidemie of cholera, in Canada, in 1832, young Bronson was sent thither by his medical brethren to investigate the disease. His report was so re- markable for its exactness, profundity and scientific insight that it at once gave the physician an ex- tended professional reputation. On returning to Albany, he was placed in charge of the three hos- pitals of the city.
On June 3, 1831, Dr. Bronson was married to Sarah M., daughter of Samuel Lathrop, of West Springfield. Three years later he removed to Waterbury, which continued to be his place of resi- dence until Jan. 1, 1845, when he removed to New Haven. In 1842 he had been elected Professor of Materia Medica in the Medical Department of Vale College, but he retained his residence in Waterbury for two years thereafter. Dr. Bronson wrote vari- ons articles and sketches contributed to the New Haven Colony Historical Society, and also con- tributed articles to the Connecticut Medical Society. Of his writings Dr. Francis Bacon said: "These productions show everywhere a conscientious indus- try in the collection of obscure materials, an intel- lectual skill in the use of them, and an unswerving justice in the estimates of character that make them models for that kind of work. Dr. Bronson cheapens that of any successor he is likely to have in the field."
Dr. Bronson prepared a history of Waterbury, which was published in 1858. and it has formed the basis on which much has since been written. His mind was strong and original, and despised super- ficial methods. His diagnosis of cases was ex-
haustive and accurate. Dr. Bronsen is remembered as having a somewhat rugged exterior, but he was a great favorite with the members of his profes- sion, and those who knew him intimately discovered beneath a brusque manner a softness of heart. and kindliness of nature, that endeared him to his friends. He gave the sum of ten thousand dollars to the Waterbury Hospital among the bequests in his will, and he liberally remembered the New Ha- ven Hospital and Yale College.
Dr. Bronson passed away Nov. 26, 1893, his wife preceding him to the grave on April 29, 1889. Their children were: Samuel L., born Jan. 12, 1834; George, born in 1836, who died in 1837; Nathan S., born Nov. 20, 1837; and Stephen Henry, born Feb. 18, 1844, who died Aug. 19, 1880.
JUDGE SAMUEL LATHROP BRONSON, son of Dr. Henry, was born in the town of Waterbury, was prepared for Yale College in the famous Gen. Rus- sell Military School, of New Haven, and was grad- uated from Vale in the class of 1855. After re- ceiving his diploma from Yale College he studied law at Yale Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1857. After becoming a member of the Bar he removed to Seymour, and in 1861 was mar- ried to Miss Frances E. Stoddard, daughter of Dr. Thomas and Esther Gilbert Stoddard, of that town. Almost immediately after graduation he became a leader in the community, and in 1859 was sent to the General Assembly from Seymour. Early in the 'sixties he returned to New Haven, opened a law of- fice, and very soon secured a large and lucrative practice. In 1866 he was made recorder of the city court of New Haven, and held that position for three years, his administration being strong in ex- ecutive force and popular in its service to the pub- lic. In 1869 Mr. Bronson was sent from New Ha- ven as a representative in the General Assembly, and was re-elected in 1875-76. As a member of that body he was recognized as the shrewdest leader of the Democratic side, and no man had a larger following in his Republican associates.
Judge Bronson was judge of the court of com- mon pleas of New Haven county from 1870 to 1871, and then declined election, and from 1873 to 1878 he was corporation counsel, being re-elected annually, and filling both these positions with ability and distinction. Everybody liked him, trusted him, and had no occasion to regret the confidence. As a lawyer he very soon became completely occupied in attending to the clients who came to him in con- sultation. He was not known as a court lawyer, although he appeared in very many important cases, and always with a marked degree of success, and his practice became very large and profitable. In 1885 Judge Bronson retired from active practice, but has continued his relations with large corpora- tions and business interests in the city. Evidently he inherited his father's business instinct, for even in his boyhood days he became noted as a remark- ably successful business man, judicious in his invest-
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ments and far-sighted in his consideration of busi- ness affairs. Today he is among the few million- aires of the State.
On Sept. 21, 1900, at Hartford, Judge Bronson was made the unanimous choice of the Democratic State Convention as the party's candidate for gov- ernor of Connecticut. Ex-Congressman Pigott, of New Haven, in presenting the name of Judge Bron- son to the convention, among other things said : "No good word can be said in behalf of any other before you to-day that cannot be justly said of the one to be named by me. He combines in himself all of the good qualities of the gentlemen whose names have been considered for the head of our ticket. No virtue can be ascribed to any of them that he does not possess in full measure. This being so, it follows that your wisdom will demand his selec-
tion. He has filled and graced many offices of trust and honor. For years he has been a count- selor of his party. In age he is mature, not old. In education he is a product of Yale. To the older members of our party throughout the State he is well and familiarly known. To the younger men- bers of the party I need only say he has the re- spect of all who know him. He is able and willing to lead in all the doctrines of the party. Possess- ing as he does all the attributes of success, why should he not be nominated? He .is the unanimous choice of the party in his own city. No Democrat can be found in New Haven who opposes him. Due regard to the obligations of personal confidence forbids me to say how many thousands of New Haven Republicans will vote for him. Nominate him, and New Haven will indicate, by 5,000 ma- jority at least, the esteem in which he is held at home. Nominate him, and every citizen in Con- necticut can for the next two years have the pleas- ure of knowing that the honor, integrity, dignity and fair name of the State are in charge of one beyond reproach. Gentlemen of the convention, in behalf of my associates and on my own part, I pre- sent for your favorable consideration the name of New Haven's favored son, Samuel L. Bron- son."
Judge Bronson is six feet in height, slender and straight as an arrow. He has keen gray eyes and hair of the same shade. He is a man of striking appearance and exceedingly pleasing address. The keen mind for which he was noted when he prac- ticed law has not dimmed in the slightest degree. He impresses all who meet him as being a man of large mental and moral strength, and with more than an average supply of the milk of human kind- ness in his character. He is of the highest char- acter, strict integrity, keen in ability, the soul of generosity, and always a plain, sympathetic man of the people.
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