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 8

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 8

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In politics Mr. Dewell is a stanch Republican. Among the charter members of the Republican League, now the Union League, he has since main- tained a lively interest in its welfare and has served several terms as its president. Deeply interested in: public affairs as he is, Mr. Dewell's extensive and varied interests have practically excluded him from the field of politics. In 1896, however, he consented to become a candidate for the position of lieutenant- governor, to which he was triumphantly elected. The duties of this office were discharged by him with ability, dignity and grace. Socially Mr. Dewell is genial and affable and he is popular wherever he is known. Mr. Dewell was first lieutenant of the New Haven Grays from 1865 to 1867.

On July 2, 1860, Mr. Dewell was married to Mary E., daughter of Aaron and Mary A. ( Winch) Keyes, of Norfolk, Conn., and to this union have been born six children: Jessie K., who graduated from Vassar in 1883: Charles K .; James D., Jr .; Robert P. ; and Franklin W. and Edward H. (twins) born in 1877, the latter of whom died in 1878.

HON. SAMUEL DODD, president of the In- ternational Silver Company, with headquarters in Meriden, a corporation representing millions of money and a dozen and more extensive factories and former companies, and a man who for many years has been one of the leading spirits in this line of manufacturing in Meriden, is one of the brainy business men of New England.

Mr. Dodd was born in 1834, in the city of Hart-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ford, a son of Samuel and Frances ( Bull) Dodd, and on both sides comes of early New England families. Ilinman, in his "Early Puritan Settlers" gives us an Edward Dodd, a son of John of North- amptonshire, England, as the first of the name that came to Hartford, coming thence with a sister Jo- hanna about 1682, when eighteen years of age. He married Lydia Flowers, of Hartford, and they had ten children. Savage in his Genealogical Diction- ary, gives us a Samuel Dodd at Brantord, 1644, all of whose sons excepting Stephen, removed to New Jersey. Stephen, baptized in New Haven in 1656, married in 1678, Mary or Sarah, daughter of Will- iam Stevens. From this couple descended Rev. Stephen Dodd, who for many years was pastor of the Congregational Church in East Haven, Conn., and who sixty or more years ago prepared and published a valuable work, or register, of East Haven history and genealogy.

The old Bull family, too, was early in New England and prominent in the annals of Hartford. Thomas Bull is noted in the Memorial History of Hartford County, edited by the late Dr. J. H. Trum- bull, as one of the original proprietors of Hartford. Capt. Bull was born in 1605; was first at Boston or Cambridge and accompanied Rev. Thomas Hook- er to Hartford in 1636. Winthrop refers to him as a "goodly and discreet man." He served in the Pequot war in 1637. He was appointed a lieutenant in 1653. He was in command of the fort at Say- brook when Sir Edmund Andros attempted to gain the place for his master, the Duke of York. in 1675. He and his wife, Susanna, were original members of South Church in 1670. Maj. Jonathan Bull, a

French and Indian wars, and was engaged in trade, owning a number of vessels. Dr. Jonathan, son of Maj. Jonathan, was one of the first highly educated physicians of Hartford. The Doctor's son, Judge Jonathan, was a distinguished lawyer and held many responsible offices. Again in the line of Jo- seph Bull, a son of the original settler, came men of prominence, Caleb Bull, son of Joseph, had nine ; sons, all prominent citizens of Hartford. So much for some of the early members of the family.

Samuel Dodd, of Meriden, the subject proper of this sketch, was educated in the public schools and High school of Hartford. Ile passed his youth and early manhood in his native city where his business career was begun. After his school days were closed he was for five years an employe in the drug house of Lee & Butler, then for a period in the City Bank, as teller and discount clerk. In 1857 he went to Meriden as cashier in the Ilome Bank, an insti- tution next to the oldest bank in the city. it being organized in 1854, and was incorporated in 1855 as the Home Bank of Meriden. The original capital of the bank was $100,000, which was increased to $600,000, and with a large surplus. In 1865 the institution was made the Home National Bank.

From the Home Bank Mr. Dodd entered other lines of business. He was one of the original Parker & Casper Co. (incorporated in May, 1867), of which E. Parker, Charles Casper, Philip S. Pelton and Samuel Dodd, Jr., were members. This body was merged with the Wilcox Silver Plate Co., which had its beginning as the Wilcox Britannia Co., in- corporated in December, 1865, the name of the Wil- cox Silver Plate Co. being adopted in May, 1867. The original capital of the latter company was $250,- 000, which was increased to $370,000, and the com- pany by growth and absorption became one of the strongest in Meriden. For many years Mr. Dodd, the subject of this article, was the efficient secretary and treasurer of the Wilcox Co., and recently, on the formation of the International Silver Co., he was made its executive officer. The Wilcox Com- pany occupied a plant, which gave employment to nearly 400 operatives, and manufactured an im- inense variety of silver plated goods. The output was about $700,000 per year.

Mr. Dodd is a director in the Home National Bank, and has been secretary and treasurer of the Meriden Gas Co., since its organization. In 1879 he served the city as member of the Connecticut General Assembly. Mr. Dodd married Catherine, daughter of the late James S. Brooks, one of Merid- en's prominent citizens, and of their children Charles T. Dodd is a leading manufacturer of Meriden, en- gaged in making boxes, casks, barrels, etc., at No. 164 State Street ; he married Etta S. Smith.

JAMES S. BROOKS, father of Mrs. Dodd, was born March 1, 1796, in East Haddam, Conn., son of Clark and Millicent E. (Clark) Brooks. At sixteen son of Capt. Thomas, was a brave officer of the , he was apprenticed to David Plant, and came to

Meriden to learn the carpenter's trade. After hay- ing served his apprenticeship he followed the busi- ness for some few years, after which he was em- ployed by Major Elisha A. Cowles, a merchant of Meriden, to travel and seil goods and Yankee no- tions for him. Young Brooks, with a single horse and wagon, loaded with goods, started South, driving to South Carolina, and in that State conducted-in connection with Mr. Cowles, under the firm name of J. S. Brooks & Co .- business for nearly twenty years, his family in the meantime residing in Meriden. Re- turning to the latter point, Mr. Brooks engaged in numerous enterprises, at one time manufacturing augers ; and at another as a member of the Parker. Snow, Brooks Co. Mr. Brooks was one of the pioneers in building the Hartford. New Haven & Springfield Railroad, and, besides being a director of the company, served several years as vice-presi- dent, and for a number of years as acting president of the road.

Mr. Brooks was largely identified with the af- fairs of the town of Meriden. He served as select- man, judge of probate, justice of the peace, and was a representative in the State Legislature in 1839,

COMMEMORATIU'E BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1844, 1855 and 1857. He was active and promi- nent, 1oo, in church affairs, and gave the land on which the West Meriden Congregational Church was built, as well as $t,ooo in money toward the erection of the building. He was a man of quick perception, and could readily judge of the character and intent of men. He was ardent in his tempera- ment, strong in his attachments, and kind as a neigh- bor and friend. He had what is termed good hard sense, and possessed a goodly share of mother-wit. His will was strong and he made his influence felt in the community.

On Aug. 31. 1823. Mr. Brooks was married to Millicent, daughter of Patrick Clark. He died Oct. 29, 1862, leaving ten children-six daughters and four sons. One of the latter, John C., died in 1864, after a service of nearly three years in the Union army.

HON. ERASTUS CLARK SCRANTON, late of Madison and New Haven, president of the New York & New Haven Railroad, long prominent by being connected with marine commerce and the banking interests of New Haven. State senator and member of the Lower House from his native town. and whose memory has been perpetuated in the erection of a substantial library building at Madi- son by his only surviving child, Miss Mary Eliza Scranton, of New Haven, was one of the eminently successful men of his period.

Born Nov. 16, 1807, in Madison, New Haven Co., Conn., Mr. Scranton was the son of Jonathan and Roxanna ( Crampton ) Scranton, of Madison, and a descendant in the seventh generation from Capt. John Scranton, one of the about twenty-five heads of families who made a settlement in Guilford. Conn., in October, 1639. These families came from Kent and Surrey. England, and in general were pious, intelligent and industrious men, most of them farmers. Capt. Scranton was twice married. the first time probably in England. and this wife. Joanna, died in 1661. His second marriage, in 1666, was to Ada (or Adaline), widow of Robert Hill : she died in 1685. Capt. Scranton was a farmer and was honored with a seat in the General Court in 1669 and 1670. His death occurred in 1671. His male descendants, to a great extent, have been farmers, and in general. useful, industrious and respected cit- izens of the communities in which they settled. From this Capt. John Scranton the late Hon. Eras- tus C. Scranton's line is through Capt. John (2), Capt. John (3), Capt. Ichabod, Theophilus and Jonathan Scranton.

(II) Capt. John Scranton (2). son of Capt. John, the settler, born as early as 1641, and the first of the name in East Guilford. now Madison, mar- ried ( first) March 12. 1674. Mary Seward, who was born Feb. 28, 1652, daughter of William Seward. His second marriage. on Dec. 10. 1601, was to Widow Elizabeth Clark, daughter of John Bishop. Capt. Scranton died Sept. 2, 1703.

(III) Capt. John Scranton (3), son of Capt. John (2), born about 1676 in Hammonassett, was a farmer and resided in what is now the town of Madi- son, where he died March 21, 1758. He married (first), Dec. 12, 1699, Mary Norton; his second wife was Mary or Sarah Everts, daughter of John : she died in October, 1749, and he married (third ) Mary, daughter of Deacon Francis Bushnell.

(IV) Capt. Ichabod Scranton, son of Capt. John (3), born Feb. 19, 1717, married Chloe Fowler, who was born March 3, 1723, daughter of Abraham Fow- ler, of Guilford. Capt. Scranton was a soldier, and held his rank in the French and Indian war; he was at Louisbourg and at Ticonderoga. He is de- scribed as a man of patriotism, strong and brave, and enterprising. His death occurred Dec. 1, 1760, while he was en route home from military service. His wife, Chloe, died Dec. 3, 1791.

(V) Theophilus Scranton, son of Capt. Ichabod. born Dec. 1, 1751, married Abigail Lee, who was born July 11. 1754, datighter of Jonathan Lee, of Madison. Mr. Scranton was a farmer in Madison, where he died Feb. 16, 1827, and his wife passed away Dec. 23, 1840.

(VI) Jonathan Scranton, son of Theophilus. born Oct. 10, 1781, married (first) Jan. 27, 1805, Roxanna Crampton, who was born May 30. 1789. a daughter of Ashbel Crampton. of Madison. She died Dec. 27, 1833, and in 1844 Mr. Scranton mar- ried (second) Jemima, daughter of Daniel Platt. Mr. Scranton was a prominent member of the church in Madison. He was engaged in farming and was also a contractor of breakwaters and wharfs. His death occurred July 27. 1847.

Erastus Clark Scranton, son of Jonathan. and of whose life it is the purpose of this article to es- pecially treat, received a common school education in his native town. He began his career as a cabin boy on board a vessel, and first began mercantile pursuits at Georgetown, D. C., where, however. he remained but a short time. Soon he owned a vessel and was a master. His advancement in commer- cial channels was rapid and attended with great success. In 1835 he became established as a whole- sale grocer at Augusta. Ga., where until 1842 he conducted an extensive business. Later, for a short period. he engaged in a banking business at Apalach- icola, Florida.

Returning about 1844 to his native State and town with a handsome fortune Mr. Scranton entered into a business partnership with several gentlemen in New York who were interested in the trade with South America. He became largely engaged in commerce, doing an extensive coasting trade as far south as Florida and was largely interested in a line of packets running between New York and Liverpool, England, also in ships making voyages to other ports. He also became identified with the business life of New Haven and its vicinity, being among the active promoters of the Shore Line Rail- road. In 1854 the business ties which had bound

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him to New York were severed and in 1855 he was elected president of the Elin City Bank, now the

second National Bank of New Haven. The bank was then a new institution and under his man- agement its business grew and prospered beyond all expectation. New Haven was Mr. Scranton's business home for years prior to 1864, when it be- came his permanent dwelling place. In 1865 he was honored with the presidency of the New York & New Haven Railroad, and was that year elected mayor of the city.

Not long after his return to his native town, in the early 'forties, Mr. Scranton became interested and active in the town's welfare and his old friends and fellow townsmen repeatedly honored him with positions of public trust and responsibility. He was elected to the State Legislature as a Democrat in 1845, 1846 and 1850; as an American in 1856; and as a Republican in 1862, to the State Senate. Throughout the Civil war he was prominent among the supporters of the National Government and was generously active in the organizations for sending contributions to the support of the Union cause.

In both Madison and New Haven Mr. Seranton's diligence, ability and generosity won for him wide recognition and made him many warm friends, and the people intrusted to him the laboring oar in many public affairs and improvements. At the head of many public trusts, Mr. Scranton remained until his sudden taking away, Dec. 29, 1866, by an accident, while stepping onto a moving train at South Nor- walk, when in the midst of his honors and great usefulness. In his death the commercial life of New Haven was deprived of a chief support and the community lost a sagacious, public-spirited and be- loved citizen. The erection of a public library building at Madison, the home of his youth, middle and later life, as well as the home for generations of his ancestors, is a fitting tribute to his memory by a loving daughter.

On Nov. 4, 1829, Mr. Scranton was married to Lydia Stannard, who was born Oct. 8, 1808, daugh- ter of Job' Stannard, of Westbrook, and to this union came children, as follows: Ezra Erastus, born Sept. 3. 1831, died May 19, 1855; Mary Eliza, born Sept. 27, 1837, died Dec. 16, 1839: Mary Eliza (2), born Sept. 23. 1840; and Francis Rathbone, born March 14, 1851, died Nov. 7, 1853.

HORATIO GATES REDFIELD, cashier of the New Haven County National Bank, at New Haven, was born Aug. 26, 1836, and is a descendant in the seventh generation from William Redfin, as the name was written in the early days before 1662. While the family resided at New London, the name seems gradually to have assumed its present form. William Redfin was probably one of the early emi- grants from England, and as early as 1639. occit- pied a house on the south side of the Charles River. some six miles from Boston. Later he removed to what is now the town of Ledyard, Conn., to a point

called Brewster's Neck, some seven miles north of the present city of New London. Mention of him is made in 1653, and again in 1657 his name appears in the public records. Ilis death occurred in 1662, and he was survived by his wife. Rebecca.

From this William Redfin, the descent of Hor- atio G. Redfield is through James, Theophilus, Theophilus (2), Nathan and Justin Redfield.

James Redfield, son of William the emigrant, was born about 1646, and contracted his first mar- riage in New Haven with Elizabeth How, and lived in Saybrook, and at Fairfield. His second wife was Deborah, the daughter of John Sturges.

Theophilus Redfield, the son of the foregoing James Redfield, was born in 1682, in Saybrook, and was married in 1706, to Priscilla Grinnell, great- granddaughter of John and Priscilla Alden, who came over in the "Mayflower." Mr. Redfield was a joiner by trade, and located in what is now Clinton, Conn. ; and about 1717 settled on Chestnut Hill, in Killingworth, where he spent the remainder of his life. He commanded the respect and esteem of the community in which he lived, and was frequently appointed on town committees to which were referred important matters. His death oc- curred in 1759, and that of his widow in 1770.

Theophilus Redfield (2), son of Theophilus, was born in 1718, and was first married about 1740, to Mary, the daughter of Benjamin and Hannah Buell. and granddaughter of Samuel Buell, who removed from Windsor to Killingworth in 1662. Mrs. Red- field died in 1749, and Mr. Redfield was married to Mrs. Martha Gray, of Killingworth, the widow of Philip Gray, who came to Killingworth from Long Island. Mr. Redfield had his home on Chestnut Hill, in Killingworth, and was a sergeant in the company commanded by his brother, Peleg Red- field, which formed a part of the provincial forces engaged in the campaigns of 1759 and the follow- ing year, and later became an ensign in the same company. His death occurred in 1770.

Nathan Redfield, son of Theophilus (2), was born in 1763, and was married in 1789. to Ruth. who was born in 1767, a daughter of Noah and Ruth (Dickinson) Benton, of Guilford, Conn. Mr. Redfield lived in Guilford, and moved from there to New Haven. He served as a musician in the Continental army, and from 1812 to 1814. was cus- tom house officer in New Haven. His wife died in 1833, and he passed away in Guilford, six years later.

Justin Redfield, son of Nathan, and the father of Horatio Gates, was born Aug. 3. 1795, and was married March 21. 1824. to Mary, daughter of Elisha and Mary ( Brintnall) Elderkin, of Clinton, Conn. Mr. Redfield lived in New Haven, where he was engaged in the fancy dry goods business. In 1836 he was collector of taxes. His death occurred February 6, 1850. and his widow passed away in 1880. Their children were as follows : Henry Will- ard, born in 1825, died in 1849; Justin Elderkin. horn

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD.

Sept. 30, 1827, died in September, 1868; James Sherman, born in 1829, died in 1851; Andrew Jackson, died in infancy ; Frank, born June 2, 1834 ; Horatio Gates; and Mary Wright, born Nov. 13, 1838, died in July, 1860.

Horatio Gates Redfield has mainly spent his life in New Haven, though from his fourth to sixth years he lived in New York State. In 1844 his par- ents returned to New Haven, and here he acquired his education in the Lancasterian school. In Febru- ary, 1860, he entered the bank as an assistant book- keeper, later becoming bookkeeper, and gradually rising in importance until he became cashier, in 1890. There is now in New Haven, only one man who has been connected with the banking interests as long as he has without a break in his continuous service. Four presidents have presided over the bank ;while he has toiled behind the counter, and today he is among the oldest and most highly re- spected banking men of the city.

Mr. Redfield was married in 1860 to Miss Sophronia Snell, a native of Massachusetts, who died in 1864. To this union was born one son, Henry W., now at home, and a bookkeeper by pro- fession, being employed in the office of the brick company of I. L. Stiles & Son. Mr. Redfield, in 1868. married Emma E. Goodrich, who died in 1876. To this union were born two children, of whom one died in infancy: the other, William G., who married Hattie Munson, is now an assistant cashier in the New Haven County National Bank. In 18SI MIr. Redfield married Laura E. Driver, and Florence M., the only child of the last marriage, is still at school.

Mr. Redfield is a Republican in politics, and in his religion belongs to St. John's Episcopal Church, in which he takes an active part. having been: treas- urer of the Church for fifteen years, and for more than twenty-five years has taken an active part in the vestry. In the building of the new church he was very helpful, and is regarded as one of the re- liable men connected with the parish.

WILLIAM LAMBERT BRADLEY, late a conspicuous figure in the business life of Boston, and for years previously identified with the interests ; ton and laid his project before Oakes Ames,

of the city of Meriden. the home of his earlier years. and where almost through a lifetime his brother, Nathaniel L. Bradley, has been at the head of one of the world's largest industries in its line, and also a leading and prominent character in so- cial life, was one of the forceful characters of his dav and generation in New England.

Born Mav 25, 1826. in Cheshire, New Haven Co., Conn., William L. Bradley was a son of Levi and Abigail A. (Atwater) Bradley, and was de- . scended in both lines from the earliest and first fam- ilies of New Haven of the Colonial period. Will- iam Bradley, the progenitor of the Bradley family of this section, was the friend of Cromwell and an officer in his army. He came to New England

from Bingley, England, and in 1643 to New Haven, and became one of the first settlers of what is now the town of North Haven. David Atwater, the progenitor of the Atwater family, was one of the first planters of New Haven, in 1639.

William L. Bradley, subject proper of this sketch, attended the district school in his native town, the Southington and Cheshire ( Conn.) Academies, and then for six months the Lancasterian School, at New Haven. At thirteen he became a clerk in a dry-goods store in New Haven, and at seventeen became a partner in one of the largest dry-goods houses in that. city. Ilis surroundings, however, not being in keeping with his tastes, he withdrew from this partnership a year later, and entered the employ-as traveling salesman-of Charles Parker, a large hardware manufacturer of Meriden. He soon became master of his new position. and con- tributed largely to the development of Mr. Parker's business. While thus associated with Mr. Parker and with his consent, Mr. Bradley became engaged with a friend in the manufacture of portemonnaies. The business proved remunerative, but through the mismanagement of his associate Mr. Bradley at the end of the first year found himself in debt to the extent of $20,000. This partnership was then dis- solved, and through the indomitable will and energy of Mr. Bradley ways and means were devised by which he in the course of a few years paid his in- debtedness dollar for dollar. He continued in the employ of Mr. Parker and with his consent had other business connections, one being a co-partner- ship with his brother, Nathaniel L. Bradley, and his brother-in-law, Walter Hubbard, for the manufac- ture of clocks and small metal wares, which after- ward became the Bradley & Hubbard Manufactur- ing Co., now the largest manufacturers of gas and electric fixtures and ornamental metal goods in the United States.

In 1861 William L. Bradley, attracted by new discoveries abroad in the art of agriculture, became convinced that chemical fertilizers were.destined to play an important part in the agriculture of our country, and he determined to embark in this new and wholly undeveloped industry. He visited Bos-

who was favorably impressed with his plans, and. recognizing his high character and ability. consented to endorse Mr. Bradley's notes for a limited amount on the oral promise that he should receive one- fourth of the profits of the business. With this backing as his only capital. Mr. Bradley began the manufacture of commercial fertilizers on the banks of the old South Bay, Boston, and then and there founded a business in the line indicated which in his lifetime became the very largest and most suc- cessful of its kind in this country. The small plant was soon outgrown. and works were established at Weymouth, Mass., which became the most extensive fertilizing plant in the world. This end, however. was not achieved without great effort. and persist-

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ent energy and study. Much experiment. research and laboratory work had to be done, many per- plexitics encountered and difficulties met and over- come, but these Mr. Bradley bravely met and solved, he having been made of that material which knew no "let up" until the desired end was accomplished. By this untiring zeal and able management Mr. Bradley's fertilizers came into common use among progressive farmers from Maine to Florida. Dur- ing the development of this business Mr. Ames continued to endorse for Mr. Bradley, and when the former became involved in his vast railroad projects Mr. Bradley became. in turn, an endorser on the paper of Mr. Ames for the latter's accommodation, so that when the great financial panic. of the early 'seventies swept over the country Mr. Ames found that he had overtaxed his resources. and both he and Mr. Bradley were obliged to temporarily sus- pend payment. Mr. Bradley in this, as in the previous crisis, was determined to pay dollar for dollar, and he earnestly solicited and obtained an extension from his creditors of six, twelve, eighteen and twenty-four months, with interest at seven per cent. All of these obligations were met at matur- ity, and at the end of two years he had paid in full an indebtedness of $523,000. with interest: he had saved his business, and had again maintained his credit and reputation, dearer to him than all else.

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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 8

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