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 60

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1040

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 60

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On May 16, 1867, Mr. Lewis married Emma F. Lewis, his first cousin, who was a daughter of Thomas Lewis, Esq. She died March 2, 1899, in Florida, whither she had gone in the vain hope of restoring her health. To this union was born one son, Tracy S., who is secretary and treasurer of the Beacon Falls Rubber Shoe Co., a position for which he had qualified himself by the perform- ance of similar duties in the employ of the Good- year's Metallic Rubber Shoe Co. On March 20, 1900, George A. Lewis married Harriet F. Rossiter. daughter of S. F. Rossiter, of Claremont, New Hampshire. One son, George Albert, Jr., has been born of this marriage.

BENJAMIN LOTT LAMBERT was born Dec. 28, 1825, in Orange, New Haven Co .. Conn., one of the family of six children of Benjamin Lott and Eunice (Hemingway) Lambert, and only brother of Denison D. Lambert, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Lambert's father died before he was born. At the age of seventeen he went to New Haven to learn the joiners trade at the same place as his brother, and after completing his apprentice- ship went South, assisting his brother in building houses and selling mills. He went to Georgia to 1

help his brother at two other times. The year of his brother's death-1871-he commenced the real- estate business, in which he has continued up to the present time. By his upright life and sterling in- tegrity he has gained the respect of his business as- sociates and the whole community. His residence has been for many years at No. 12 Eld street, New Haven.

In 1852 Mr. Lambert married Susan A. Treat, of Orange, who is still living. They have one daughter, Nettie Louise, now the wife of Rev. The- odore B. Willson, and two grand-daughters, Ger- trude and Marguerite.

WYLLYS PECK was during a long and busy life a prominent factor in commercial circles in New Haven, Conn. He was born Aug. 15, 1797, in Mil- ford, Conn., and he died April 9, 1869.

The Peck family is an old and honored one in Connecticut, and Nathan Peck, father of Wyllys, was until his death a very large land owner in this county. A native of Milford, he moved to New Haven in 1799, and owned much of the property which has been devoted to cemetery purposes in this vicinity, notably the land now comprised in Evergreen cemetery, in this city, as well as twenty- five acres just back of the New Haven Hospital. Nathan Peck married Mehitable Tibbels, of Mil- ford, and their four children were: (1) Wyllys, the subject of this sketch: (2) Nathan, who was in business for a time with his two brothers, and later became a financier and the president of the Merchants' National Bank; (3) Henry E., whose promising career was cut short by an early death ;. (4) Caroline, who married Rev. John Churchill, of Woodbury. All of the family with the excep- tion of Wyllys, who was the eldest, were born in New Haven.

Wyllys Peck obtained his education in the New Haven schools and then became a clerk in one of the city stores, still later engaging in the tailoring business. His success, however, was obtained in the shipping trade. Associated with his two broth- ers, he bought great numbers of mules, which were shipped to the West Indies and exchanged for molasses, sugar and other products of those isl- ands.

On Oct. 27, 1859. Mr. Peck was married to Miss Sarah Gillette, a daughter of the distinguished Rev. Moses Gillette, of Rome, N. Y. The latter was born in New Hartford, Conn., April 19, 1776, and married Harriet Mills, of West Hartford. Conn., who was a daughter of Jedediah Mills, a Revolutionary soldier and a son of Gideon Mills. The Mills family came from Canton, Conn. Rev. Moses Gillette's father, Mathew Gillette. was also a member of the patriot army. His father was also named Mathew Gillette, and the Gillettes are one of the old, honorable and loval families of New England. All were born in New Hartford. Eight children were born to Rev. Moses Gillette: Lucy;

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Catherine, wife of Rev. E. P. Ingersoll; John M .; Jedediah Mills; Annie; Harriet M., who died Jan. 2, 1901, in New Haven, Conn .; Henry ; and Sarah, Mrs. Peck, who was the youngest, and is the only survivor. As a testimonial of affection Mrs. Peck has had place in the First Presbyterian Church in Rome, N. Y., a beautiful brass tablet, 24x42 inches, inscribed as follows :

1776-In Memory of-1848 Rev. Moses Gillette First Pastor of this Church 1807-1837. Born in New Hartford, Conn., Apr. 19, 1776. Graduated from Yale College Class of 1804. Died in this city June 4, 1848. They that turn many to Righteousness shall shine as the stars forever and ever.

1 (Daniel xii, 3.) This tablet is placed here by his daughter, Sarah Gillette Peck.

This beautiful tablet has been justly admired and considered a fitting memorial to one who for so many years labored as the faithful pastor of this charge.

No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peck. Both were always connected with the United Con- gregational Church, and prominent in social life. In his political sympathies Mr. Peck was an ardent Republican, and for many years an influential mem- ber of that party.

ELI W. BLAKE, M. D., was for many years a leading physician in New Haven, widely known through the State for his skill and ability, and was much interested in educational matters.

Dr. Blake was born in New Haven in 1820, son of Philas and Esther ( Hotchkiss) Blake, the former of whom was born in Westboro, Mass., and for a number of years was engaged, with his two broth- ers, in business with Eli Whitney. Later he estab- lished a shop in which work was done on inventions in hardware specialties, and later a large factory was built for their manufacture in Westville, to which his attention was given until the close of his life. His most worthy wife, Esther Hotchkiss, was born in Westville. They became the parents of seven children, all now deceased. she surviving Mr. Blake and some of her children.

The early life of Dr. Eli W. Blake was passed in New Haven, where he received his preparatory education. Later he entered Yale College, gradu- ating in the class of 1839, and later in medicine from. Harvard College, in the class of 1842; he was a classmate of some of the most brilliant men of the time. Dr. Blake immediately engaged in the prac- tice of his noble profession, coming to New Haven in 1864, retiring from active work but a short time prior to his death, in 1873, at the age of fifty-three years.

In October, 1842, Dr. Blake was united in mar- riage to Miss Fannie T. Babcock, who was born in New Haven, a daughter of Sidney and Susan (Thompson) Babcock, the former of whom was a

bookseller and publisher in this city, a well-known and responsible man, and one who at that time was the leading exponent of the publishing business in New Haven. Mr. Babcock lived to the age of eighty years. He married Susan Thompson, who was a native of Stratford, and they reared a family of seven children, the two survivors being: Mrs. Blake, the widow of the late Dr. Eli W. Blake; and Cornelia, Mrs. Clark, of Pittsburg, Pa .; Henry H., a resident of this city, and for many years col- lector of the port, died Dec. 2, 1901. The mother of this family died at the age of sixty-three years. The family were members of Trinity Church, of which for a long period Mr. Babcock was a vestry- man.

To Dr. and Mrs. Blake were born four children, the only one growing to manhood being Frank Whitney, who was born in Boston, Mass. After a thorough preparatory education he entered Yale College, from which he graduated in 1872. Later he entered a Theological Seminary at Fairbault, Minn., graduating there, and being ordained dea- con in 1875. His health had become very precari- ous, and, although the invigorating climate of Colo- rado was sought, this bright and brilliant life went out in the same year. His ambition had ever been to be in the very front rank of intellectual life, and he had attained his wish, although a failure of eye- sight compelled him to acquire knowledge through the lips of others. Few young men have ever had seemingly brighter prospects. as he was gifted in both mind and heart. Although the family relig- ious home was in Trinity Church. Dr. Blake alter- nated, sometimes attending that place of worship. with his wife, and at other times joining in the services of the Congregational Church, but in either place he was the devont listener to Divine truth, its influence dominating his life.

HON. CHARLES F. BROOKER. The pres- idency of a large manufacturing corporation like that of the Coe Brass Works, at Ansonia, a position held by the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, is one that can only be attained after years of application and experience in business affairs. A man of tact and ability, earnest, energetic and faithful through a period of a third of a century's service with the Coe Company, Mr. Brooker con- tributed largely to its success, and the position he is so creditably filling is a recognition of his fitness for the high trust and of the confidence reposed in him.

Mr. Brooker is decended from an old and hon- orable New England ancestry. He is in the sixth generation from John Brooker, the line of his de- scent being through Abraham, Abraham (2), Sam- uel and Martin.

(I) John Brooker was at Guilford. Conn .. in 1695. Evidences point to his having been previ- ously at Boston, Mass., and he bought land in Kil- lingworth (now Clinton) in 1708. By occupation he was a shipwright. He united with the old

ELI W. BLAKE, M. D.

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church in Killingworth in 1711, and his wife, Mary, in 1714.

(II) Abraham Brooker, son of John Brooker, born in 1705, married prior to 1735, in which year he settled in Clinton near his father. He was a merchant and accumulated considerable of an es- tate for so young a man. His will was made in 1739.

(III) Abraham Brooker (2), son of Abraham Brooker, born Aug. 17, 1736, married in 1758, Tamar Murry, of Guilford, Conn. His father died when he was three years of age, and his mother and five children, probably remained in what is now Clinton some years. Some of the land left by his grandfather on Chestnut Hill fell to him, which he sold in 1759, when he was living in Branford. His marriage is recorded in Branford, where he was probably living at the time, and there his wife died in Branford. He died in Wolcottville.

(IV) Samuel Brooker, son of Abraham Brook- er (2), was born in 1774. He went to Torrington when a young man, and married Mary Cook, of Harwinton. He purchased a farm then located in Litchfield, a little south of Wolcottville, where he lived and died. He was a successful farmer. He died in 1856, and his wife died in 1852. Their chil- dren were: Warren : Russell, born in 1802, located in Medina county, Ohio; Ursula, born in 1804, mar- ried Salah Root; Mary, born in 1807, died in 1812; Chester, born in 1810; Samuel, born in 1813; and Martin, born in 1816.

(V) Martin Brooker, son of Samuel Brooker and the father of Hon. Charles F. Brooker, was born April 5, 1816. He was reared on a farm and followed agricultural pursuits. On May 3, 1838, he married, Sarah Maria, daughter of Samuel Sey- mour. He died Feb. 24, 1874, and his widow passed away April 3. 1876. They were esteemed and respected by the community in which they lived, and were useful citizens. Their children were: Eliza Seymour, born May 10, 1840, married Joseph Travis ; Emma Maria, born Aug. 17, 1842, married Stephen Oviatt; Charles F., born March 4, 1847; Edward Martin, born Nov. 20, 1850, died in 1853; Mary Lura, born Oct. 22, 1853; and Sarah Maria, born Aug. 9, 1856, died in 1872.

Charles F. Brooker, son of Martin Brooker and the subject proper of this sketch, was educated in the common schools of Litchfield county. He early be- came identified with the Coe Brass Manufacturing Co., in the interests of which he has given the best efforts of his life. He has risen, solely through merit, from the bottom round of the ladder to the top one. Mr. Brooker has made a dozen or more trips abroad in the interests of the company. travel- ing in Europe and the West Indies. In 1875 he represented the town of Torrington in the General Assembly, among his colleagues from Litchfield county being Henry Gay, the Winsted banker, and States Attorney James Huntington, of Woodbury. Mr. Brooker is a prominent Republican, and has |

served on the State Central Committee from his sec- tion of the State. In 1890 he was selected, owing to his fitness for the place gained from extensive travel and business experience, and appointed by Gov. Bulkeley, one of the alternate commissioners from Connecticut to the World's Fair. Mr. Brook- er is one of the most active and brightest business men in western Connecticut, and he is a director in various banks and manufacturing corporations. Socially he is a member of the Union League Club of New York, and of the Engineers' Club of that city. He is identified with the Congregational Church.

The Coe Brass Company, which has a world wide reputation and with which Mr. Brooker has been so long identified, was organized in 1863, when L. W. Coe bought all the stock of the Wol- cottville Brass Co., which in 1841 was the successor of a business established in 1834, at which time Israel Coe, Anson G. Phelps and John Hungerford began to make brass kettles. The company has gradually, but surely, gained a high position as one of the leading establishments of its kind in the United States, and its products find a ready market on both sides of the ocean. At the present time the manufacturing of the company is carried on by half a dozen steam-engines with water-power in addition, and it gives employment to hundreds of persons. The capital of the main company has been increased from $100,000 to $325,000, and few establishments in the State have advanced more rapidly and successfully. The mills at Ansonia were formerly conducted by Wallace & Sons. The main office and mills of the Coe Brass Company are located at Torrington, and they have an office at their branch plant at Ansonia, employing fifteen hundred people. At the Ansonia mills are manufac- tured braziers, sheeting and bolt copper. mirror- finished cold rolled copper, patent leveled cornice copper, and copper wire for all purposes.

REV. JOHN PARKER, whose name is inti- mately associated with the early history of Meri- den, was born Aug. 30, 1805, in Cheshire, New Ha- ven Co., Conn., son of Stephen and Rebecca ( Ray) Parker. His descent from William Parker. one of the proprietors of Hartford in 1636, through John. Edward, Joel and Stephen, is shown, with a brief sketch of each, in the biography of Charles Parker, elsewhere.

John Parker received the rudiments of an edu- cation in the public schools of his native town. His was a religious nature, and he very early decided to fit himself for the Christian ministry. In accord- ance with this resolution he engaged in the study of theology at the Wesleyan University. in Middle- town, Conn .. from which he was graduated at the age of twenty-six years. in 1831. Entering imme- diately upon his cherished task of preaching the Gospel, he was stationed two years at Webster. Mass. In 1833-34 he preached at Newton ; in 1835

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at Holliston; in 1836-37 at Lowell; in 1838-39 at Lynn; in 1840 he was again at Holliston, and be- fore the close of that year came to Meriden, to join his brother, Charles Parker, in a business under- taking. This move was made on account of the failure of his voice, which prevented further work in the pulpit, a great disappointment to both him- self and wife. However, he did not abandon relig- ious work, and preached occasionally, as he was able. In 1843 he was active in forming a society of Primitive Methodists, who held services in a building subsequently used by the Parker Brothers for a spectacle shop. Through the exertions of these brothers the Methodist Church in Meriden was greatly prospered, as they were far from nig- gardly in financial contributions. Their joint con- tributions toward the erection of the building at first occupied by the First Methodist Church of Meriden exceeded thirty thousand dollars. This structure is now occupied by the curtain fixture shop.

Throughout the years of his long and useful life John Parker continued to contribute, with voice, labor and money, to the promotion of every work or cause devoted to the uplifting and welfare of humanity. He was universally beloved and re- spected, and was called upon to fill many positions of responsibility and trust. It was most natural that he should abhor the evils of slavery, and he was among the first partisans of the Republican party. As in every other duty which confronted him, he ably served the community as selectman, justice of the peace, judge of probate and repre- sentative in the State Legislature, being elected to the latter body in 1870. Full of years and honors, he laid down his labors June 21, 1892, and loving friends gave his body sepulture in the East ceme- tery, Meriden. Among the most sincere mourners at his death were his brethren of the Masonic fra- ternity, in which he had long been active and useful. He was made a Master Mason Dec. 11, 1848. in Harmony Lodge, No. 20, of New Britain. He was a charter member and the first Worshipful Master of Meridian Lodge, No. 77, of Meriden, of which he also served as treasurer and chaplain : was made a Royal Arch Mason in Keystone Chapter, No. 27; and belonged to Hamilton Council, No. 22, Royal and Select Masters, and St. Elmo Commandery, No. 9, Knights Templar, all of Meriden. He was among the first Odd Fellows of Meriden.

Mr. Parker .was married, in March, 1832, to Miss Emily Ward, of Ashfield, Mass, who died June 1, 1867. Her children were: Emily, George White, Mary and Frank Milton, all of whom died without issue. On Jan. 22, 1868. Mr. Parker mar- ried Miss Grace A. Belden, of Meriden, who sur- vives him.

Mr. Parker was one fitted to lead, and was al- ways ready to participate in every good work. He ever sought to find good in people, rather than evil. and to aid those in need of instruction or material

assistance. With advancing age he was obliged to abandon most of his activities, but his faith and kind heart reached out to the world to the last. In his demise Meriden lost one of her most valuable citizens and the cause of humanity one of its most useful laborers.

HEZEKIAH BALDWIN BEARDSLEY, who passed away April 21, 190t, was a leading con- tractor and builder of Milford. Mr. Beardsley was born April 30. 1836, in Stratford. Conn., son of Charles and Sarah ( Baldwin ) Beardsley. His family is of the best pioneer stock, and his great- grandfather, Capt. William Beardsley, won dis- tinction during the Revolutionary war by his cour- age and leadership.

William Beardsley, our subject's grandfather, was born in Stratford, and followed farming there. He married Sarah Beach, and their children were: Henry (deceased) was a tinsmith in Bridgeport : Charles is mentioned more fully below: Stephen and Wilson ( both deceased) resided in Stratford; Lucretia married a Mr. Crofut ; Sarah married Benjamin Califf, a farmer in Fairfield county ; and Mirah died Oct. 11, 1839, at the age of twenty- four.

Charles Beardsley, the father of our subject, was born in 1806 in Stratford, and died in 1853. He was a shoemaker by trade. He took an active interest in local affairs as a member of the Whig party, and in religious faith was a Congrega- tionalist. His wife, Sarah ( Baldwin), who died in 1889, was a daughter of Hezekiah Baldwin, and a granddaughter of Joshua Baldwin, prominent farmers of Milford in their day. Eight children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley : Charles W., a farmer in Milford: Abigail, widow of Charles R. Baldwin, formerly a farmer of the same town; Alvira, who resides in Milford; Heze- kiah B., our subject ; George, a carpenter in New Haven : Theodore, a builder in Springfield, Mass .; Sarah J., wife of Edward Clark, a farmer in Mil- ford; and Frederick S., agent at Naugatuck Junc- tion for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railway Co.

Hezekiah B. Beardsley was a boy of eight years when the family removed from Stratford to Milford, where he grew to manhood. He attended the local schools until he reached the age of six- teen, when he began to learn the carpenter's trade with Jirah Stow, of Milford. He completed his apprenticeship with Elijah Baldwin, of the same town, continuing until he attained his majority, and then went to New Haven as foreman for Jonah F. Clark. While there he studied advanced math- ematics, in order to gain more perfect knowledge and skill in the builder's art. On entering upon independent business life he formed a copartrer- ship with George G. Baldwin, under the firm name of Baldwin & Beardsley, and they carried on the building trade successfully at New Haven and Mil -.

HB, Beardsley

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ford for six years, after which Mr. Beardsley was alone in the work. He built many of the large factories of New Haven and some of the finest residences in the State, including those of Richard M. Evarts, of New Haven, Winslow Williams, of Yantic, and C. H. Pond and O. S. Hubbell, of Mil- ford. Mr. Beardsley was a director and vice-presi- dent of the Milford Savings Bank, and was often called upon to settle estates and' appraise prop- erty, his judgment being much esteemed in busi- ness circles. He was also interested in real estate at Brunswick, Georgia.

In November, 1861, Mr. Beardsley married Miss Mary Stow, daughter of Capt. Marcus Stow, of Milford, Conn. She passed from earth March 22, 1899. Their only child, Helen Stow, married Frederick S. Beardsley, of Stratford. Mr. Beards- ley was a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Ma- sonic fraternity of Milford, and politically was a strong Republican. For five years he held the of- fice of assessor.

DOWNS. For several generations the family bearing this name have been prominently identified with the social and business life of the towns of Huntington and Derby, notably through the mid- dle and latter part of the century just closed in the persons of the late Sidney A. and Nelson H. Downs, sticceeded by their sons. Judge William Sidney Downs and Charles Nelson Downs, sons of Sidney A., the former at this tinte a leading lawyer of Derby, and the latter secretary and treasurer of the Home Trust Co., are sustaining themselves in the reputation made in the community by the older generations of the family.

The elder representatives of the Downs family were agriculturists in the town of Huntington, Fairfield Co., Conn., and were of sturdy New Eng- land stock who played well their part in the de- velopment of that section. Joseph Downs, the great-grandfather of Judge and Charles N. Downs, of Derby, was born Jan. 14, 1768, and was married to Hannah Patterson, born July 28, 1767. Mr. Downs died March 17, 1823, and his widow sur- vived until June 9, 1857. Their children were: James, born July 13, 1786, died Aug. 27, 1868; Philo, born Aug. 1, 1788, died June 15, 1862; Lewis is referred to farther on; Ezekiel, born March 2, 1793, died March 28, 1866; Hepsey, born Sept. 2, 1795, died Aug. 11, 1874; Beach, born Dec. 18, 1797, died July 28. 1865: Hannah, born Jan. 8, 1800, died Feb. 13, 1853; Webb, born July 25, 1802, died March 9, 1874; Eliza, born July 2. 1804, died Oct. 24, 1846.

Lewis Downs, son of Joseph and the grandfa- ther of Judge and Charles N. Downs, was born Dec. 19, 1790, in the town of Huntington, Conn. When a young man he was married to Mary, daughter of Eli Gilbert, and became a thrifty farm- er and influential citizen of his native town, where he commanded the respect and esteem of his fel-

low townsmen. He was honored by the citizens of Huntington with a seat in the General Assembly of the State in 1834, and served them judiciously. In 1848, he was one of the founders of the old Manufacturers' Bank at Birmingham, which in 1865 became the Birmingham National Bank, and he was chosen one of its first board of directors. Mr. Downs lived to be eighty-five years of age, dying March 19, 1876, and his wife died at the age of eighty years. The latter's parents, too, were long-lived people, her father dying Oct. 18, 1847, aged eighty-four years, and her mother Sept. 2, 1840, aged eighty-two. The children of Lewis Downs and his wife were: Sidney A., Henry L., and Nelson H. Henry L., born February 7, 1820, died February 10, 1872. An account of the other two follows.

SIDNEY A. DOWNS was born Ang. 13, 1817, on the home farm in the town of Huntington, where in boyhood he was occupied as was then the custom of the sons of the general New Eng- land farmer, alternating between work on the farm in season, and at school in the winters. In 1838 he located in the village of Birmingham, then in its infancy, engaging first in mercantile business, but later in the hardware trade in the old store which twenty years ago was occupied by F. Hal- lock & Co. He was a merchant for nearly forty years. Mr. Downs became interested in the mann- facture of hoop skirts, which, for a decade follow- ing 1854, was a popular industry in Birmingham, and up to January, 1880, he was manager of the house of Downs & Bassett, manufacturers of cor- sets. Mr. Downs' early business career was con- temporaneous with such men as John I. Howe, Donald Judson, Thomas Burlock, David W. Plumb, George W. Shelton, Fitch Smith, David Bassett, George Kellogg, Thomas Wallace and many others, all prominent and active business men of 1846, and with those named and others, he was a corporator of the Derby Savings Bank, under the Charter of May, that year. He was also one of the first board of directors in the old Manufacturers Bank at Birmingham, chartered in 1848, and which in 1865 became the Birmingham National Bank. Mr. Downs held many offices of honor and trust, and was the administrator of many estates. He was selectman of the town in 1844. 1846, 1850, 1851. 1875, and 1876. He also served as town clerk and assessor, and in 1860 was judge of probate. He was held in the highest esteem by the citizens of Derby. and in his business relations established a reputation for honesty and fidelity which few pub- lic men attain. His death occurred June 4. 1890.

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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 60

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1040

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1040