USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 10 > Part 36
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his estate at his death to be five thousand pounds. On December 13, 1704, he was appointed lieutenant by the Council (Queen Anne's War), and he was ap- pointed captain in Fairfield, May, 1708. Captain Wakeman held many offices of trust and responsibility, and was held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens. He served as justice of Fairfield, and as pro- bate judge and judge of the County Court; he was a member of the Gov- ernor's Council from 1724 to 1725, and was deputy for twenty-eight sessions. His house, which was built in 1770, was for many years a landmark in Fairfield. This house and that of his grandson were the only ones the British did not burn. At one time Captain Wakeman had been kind to some prisoners, and it was in consideration of this that they spared his house. It is said that Captain Wakeman often wished they did not spare it as he was afraid his neighbors would think he was a Tory. At one time several British officers were quartered in his home, and in one of the rooms they had considerable gold money. One of Captain Wakeman's daughters, hoping to save some of it, concealed a gold piece under each bed post, but it was discovered. Captain Wakeman married, in 1697-98, Elizabeth Hawley, born May 6, 1679, died August 18, 1753, daughter of Ebenezer and Esther (Ward) Hawley.
(IV) Stephen Wakeman, son of Cap- tain Joseph and Elizabeth (Hawley) Wakeman, was born in 1716, and died March 23, 1760. He graduated from Yale College in 1738 with the degree of B. A. On January II, 1734, Stephen Wakeman married Mary Adams, born in 1717-18, died August 16, 1741, daughter of Stephen Adams.
(V) Jesup Wakeman, son of Stephen and Mary (Adams) Wakeman, baptized September 25, 1748, died January 2, 1780.
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He married, in Greenfield, Connecticut, December 29, 1768, Amelia Banks, born 1746, died December 17, 1833, daughter of Nehemiah and Abigail (Bradley) Banks.
(VI) Banks Wakeman, son of Jesup and Amelia (Banks) Wakeman, was born September 12, 1769, and died March 29, 1835. He married, in Fairfield, Novem- ber 20, 1796, for his second wife, Eleanor Jennings, born April 28, 1776, died March 25, 1861, daughter of Joshua Jennings.
(VII) Captain Charles Wakeman, son of Banks and Eleanor (Jennings) Wake- man, was born January 23, 1800, and died January 5, 1880. He was engaged in farming. He married, in Greenfield Hill, April 4, 1824, Elizabeth Bradley, born March 18, 1800, died July 9, 1874, daugh- ter of Stephen Bradley.
(VIII) Frederick Wakeman, son of Captain Charles and Elizabeth (Bradley) Wakeman, was born February 12, 1842, on what is known as the old Wakeman homestead in Westport. He grew to manhood upon the home farm, which he cultivated all his life. He served in the Civil War in Company E, 17th Connecti- cut Volunteer Infantry, from August 9, 1862, to July 19, 1865. He was taken prisoner and confined in Libby Prison until his exchange. After the war, Mr. Wakeman returned to Westport and en- gaged in onion growing on an extensive scale. He was one of the pioneer onion growers in his section of the State, and onions with other produce were his prin- cipal crops. For about the first ten years Mr. Wakeman engaged in market gar- dening and sold his products in South Norwalk. He married, September 12, 1867, Sophia Fairchild, daughter of George and Polly Ann (Nash) Fairchild, born November 25, 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Wakeman's children were: Frederick
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Dwight, born February 16, 1878, and Charles Clifford, of further mention.
(IX) Charles Clifford Wakeman, son of Frederick and Sophia (Fairchild) Wakeman, was born in the house he now occupies, May 3, 1881. He was educated in the grammar and Staples High School, and then became associated with his father on the home farm. For about eight years after the death of his father, he continued to carry on the cultivation of the farm. In 1910 he established his pres- ent business as a dealer in sand and gravel, also doing a trucking business. The business was incorporated under the name of Wakeman Brothers in 1919. Two auto trucks are operated and eight horses employed. Besides his brother, Mr. Wakeman employs ten persons on an average. In politics Mr. Wakeman is a Republican, though by no means a politician. He takes the interest of every good citizen in municipal affairs, but does not seek to hold office. Mr. Wakeman is a member of the Westport Club.
Mr. Wakeman married Edna C. Ben- nett, daughter of Arthur B. Bennett, of Norwalk, originally of Weston, and they are the parents of a daughter, Dorothy Frances Wakeman. Mrs. Wakeman is an attendant of the Congregational church of Westport.
CRAWFORD, Henry P., County Official.
One who deserves, in the very best sense of the word, the title of self-made man is Henry P. Crawford, county com- missioner, who was born April 12, 1880, in Greenwich, Connecticut, the son of Wil- liam Henry and Sarah (McBride) Craw- ford. The surname of Crawford is a very old one and has a most interesting origin. According to "Arthur," an authority on
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the derivation of surnames, it was derived thus :
The name was first assumed by the proprietor of the lands and barony of Crawford, in Lanark- shire, Scotland. The extreme ancestor of the ancient family of Crawford, in Scotland, was Reginald, youngest son of Alan, the fourth Earl of Richmond. He seems to have accompanied David the First to the North and to have re- ceived extensive grants of land in Strath Cluyd, or Clydesdale, whence his immediate descendants adopted the name of Crawford, then forming one of the largest baronies in Scotland, and signify- ing in Gaelic "The pass of blood," from cru, bloody, and ford, a pass or way, as commemora- tive, probably, of some sanguinary conflict be- tween the Aborigines and the Roman invaders.
The ancestors of Mr. Crawford were early settled in Ireland, in County An- trim. There his father, William Henry Crawford, was born. He learned the trade of butcher, and after the birth of his second child came to America, where he located in Stamford, Connecticut. There he followed his trade of butcher for a time, and later went to Greenwich. His wife did not accompany him on the first trip, and after his removal to Green- wich he sent for her. Mr. Crawford mar- ried, in Ireland, Sarah McBride, daughter of John McBride. They were the parents of the following children : Mary, wife of James Stewart, of Greenwich ; Hugh F., resides in Dover, New Jersey; William J., in charge of the Fairfield County Tem- porary Home for Children at Westport; Robert, of Greenwich; Henry P., of fur- ther mention ; Freeman J., now deceased ; and Joseph L., of Greenwich.
Henry P. Crawford was educated in the public schools of Greenwich, and early learned the trade of barber, which he fol- lowed for twenty-seven years. During the last twenty years of this time, he was in business for himself. His appointment to the office of county commissioner re- quired his full attention, and in view of
this fact, Mr. Crawford disposed of his barbering business in order that he might give the office his entire time. In politics Mr. Crawford is a Republican, and has ever been active in public matters. He was a member of the Greenwich Board of Burgesses for three years, and also select- man of that town for two years. He was elected first selectman, which office he held until October, 1914, in which year he was appointed county commissioner. In the performance of the duties incum- bent on these different offices, Mr. Craw- ford has always given satisfaction to his constituents, and he is highly respected among his fellow-citizens. He is a mem- ber of the Bridgeport Club, the Algon- quin Club, and fraternally is a member of Acacia Lodge, No. 86, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Improved Or- der of Red Men, and is past grand sachem of the Grand Tribe of Connecticut.
Mr. Crawford married Sarah E. Ku- roski, daughter of John Kuroski, of Greenwich, and their children are : Marion E., Henry P., Jr., Kenneth John.
WRIGHT, Luther M.,
Business Man.
Many centuries ago when men, in order to distinguish themselves more readily, took surnames, many assumed the name of the art or craft at which they worked. "Wright" originally denoted a workman, an artificer, a maker, and was a designa- tion usually applied to those who wrought in wood, as smith was applied to those who worked in metal. It is highly prob- able that almost every person bearing the name Wright as his original surname is descended from an English ancestor who was an artificer. The name appears in the Colonial records at an early date, and
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Luther M. Wright
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has been borne by many distinguished citizens both in Colonial and recent times.
One who bears this name, and who has distinguished himself in the business life of Norwalk, Connecticut, is Luther M. Wright, who was born September" 21, 1867, in Whitestone, Long Island, son of John Wright. John Wright was a fisherman, and was drowned in 1870. His father, Jonathan Wright, followed farm- ing, and lived to the grand old age of ninety-seven.
Luther M. Wright lost his parents while still a small boy, and was placed in an orphan asylum in Brooklyn, New York. When thirteen years of age, he came to South Norwalk and there learned the blacksmith's trade. His ambition was great, and this, combined with his tire- less energy, soon placed him in a position where he was able to open his own shop. Mr. Wright's success in one measure has been due to his keen ability in keeping abreast of the times. He added carriage making and repairing to his blacksmith work, and as time wore on, the automo- bile replacing the horse, Mr. Wright branched out into that business. In his establishment he employed as many as thirty-five men. His workmanship achieved a wide reputation for its de- pendability, and the esteem in which he is held by his contemporaries is well de- served. In January, 1920, he sold his three-story brick building to the Wrigley Paper Box Company. Today, he con- ducts one of the largest automobile agencies in Connecticut, and also a re- pair shop.
Mr. Wright's political affiliations are with the Republican party. For many years he has been a member of the Com- mon Council, and for four years was pres- ident of that body, prior to the union of the two Norwalks in 1913. He also filled
the office of street commissioner for seven and one-half years.
Mr. Wright was one of the organizers of the Uncas Tribe, No. 26, Improved Order of Red Men, in South Norwalk, and is a past chief sachem of the tribe. For many years he was a member of But- ler Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is identified with Old Well Lodge, No. 108, Free and Accepted Ma- sons. For thirty-five years he has been a member of the local volunteer fire de- partment, and he has been on the roll of the South Norwalk Club since its organ- ization. Prior to his coming to South Norwalk, Mr. Wright was active in the 12th Regiment, New York National Guard, and for eight and one-half years was a member of Company D, 4th Regi- ment, Connecticut National Guard.
In June, 1914, Mr. Wright was one of a party of business men of South Nor- walk who organized the People's Trust Company of South Norwalk. He has been a director since its organization, and in 1919 was made vice-president of the organization.
Luther M. Wright married, in 1889, Angeline Smith, daughter of William P. Smith, of Norwalk. She was born in South Norwalk, July 31, 1867. Her fa- ther, William P. Smith, was born in 1841, in Norwalk, and was employed in the foundry of the Norwalk Lock Shop most of his life. He served all through the Civil War in Company C, 12th Battalion, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, enlisting January 21, 1864, and was discharged August 12, 1865. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic Post in South Norwalk. William P. Smith mar- ried Caroline Crawford, of South Nor- walk, and their daughter became the wife of Luther M. Wright. Mr. and Mrs. Wright were the parents of nine children,
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and of these seven grew to maturity, as follows: 1. Robert, born June 21, 1890, married Alice Roberts, and is the father of Luther R. Wright. 2. Frank, born June 3, 1893, married Eva Knowlton, and has three children: Eva, Mildred and Dorothy. 3. Edna, born June 20, 1894, married Adelbert Knapp, and has two children : Blanch B. and Kenneth H. 4. Ethel May, born June 28, 1899. 5. Stan- ley Irvine, born December 17, 1901. 6. Frances Mildred, born May 24, 1903. 7. Percy Crawford, born September 14, 1904. The family attend and aid in the support of the Methodist Episcopal church.
HOBBIE, Charles Edwin, Master Mariner, Public Official.
The passing of an upright, useful mem- ber of society is a loss not only to his family and friends, but to the community in which he has been a familiar figure. The world can ill afford to spare the in- dustrious, straight-forward, progressive men whose every act tends to strengthen the security of our government. Such a man was Captain Charles Edwin Hobbie, late of Stamford, Connecticut. In the business world, in the vital interests of political life, and in the ordinary, every- day exchange of friendly greetings, his genial manner and frank, wholesome out- look on life will long be missed by the many friends who mourn his loss.
(I) Harvey Hobbie, grandfather of Captain Charles E. Hobbie, was a lifelong resident of Stamford, an up- right, highly-respected citizen, actively interested in all public affairs, and in the time of need one of the first to offer his services to his country. He served in the Mexican War, mak- ing an honorable record. He learned the trade of blacksmith in his youth, and was in business for himself along that line
for many years. In those days the black- smith shop was the clearing house for the ideas of the more prosperous citizens, and weighty matters of public interest and political import were discussed there. That these discussions were of genuinely constructive character cannot be doubted, for these were the men who laid the foun- dations for the Stamford of the present day. The Hobbie blacksmith shop was located on the site which is now the cor- ner of Westover street and Stillwater road. Mr. Hobbie remained actively busy at his trade almost to the time of his death. He married Patty Newman. They had seven sons, six of whom served in the Civil War.
(II) George Edwin Hobbie, son of Harvey and Patty (Newman) Hobbie, followed the water all his life. As a young lad he was fascinated with the shipping in the harbor. He became a captain when he was only twenty-one years of age. For two or three years he sailed between Baltimore and Boston ; then the rapidly increasing trade between Stamford and New York City offered such excellent opportunity for profit that he gave up the longer route, and followed the Stamford-New York line as long as he lived, making Stamford his home. Al- though not so closely identified with the daily life of Stamford as his father, he was an important figure in business and shipping circles, and keenly interested in the development of the town. He was a member of Union Lodge, No. 5, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He mar- ried Emily Morrell, a daughter of Darius Morrell, and they were the parents of one son, Charles Edwin, of whom further.
(III) Captain Charles Edwin Hobbie, the only child of Captain George Edwin and Emily (Morrell) Hobbie, was born in Darien, Connecticut, January 11, 1857. He received his education in the public
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Chase Hobbie ـے
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schools of his native town. From his earliest boyhood he took the greatest in- terest in his father's life on shipboard. As soon as he left school he became a deck hand on one of the many schooners then forming the principle means of freight traffic between Stamford and New York City. Beginning at the bottom he worked up, and in 1878, when his father died, the young man took his ship, run- ning it for eight years. Thrifty and am- bitious, with an eye for the future, he saved his money, and in 1885, with a group of interested friends, formed the Cove Transportation Company, of which later he was president. He did not, how- ever, give up his active interest in sea- faring life, and up to 1913 ran a steamer for the Stamford Manufacturing Com- pany, plying between Stamford and New York. His father had sailed for this company for over twenty years. In all he followed the life of a seaman for forty years, winning for himself the same re- spect and loyalty which his father had enjoyed.
Captain Hobbie was long affiliated with the Democratic party, and was often sought for public service. He was elected first as a member of the School Commit- tee, in which capacity he served for three years. This was in 1900. In 1902 he was elected selectman, and served for four years. Was again elected in 1914, reëlected in 1916, and still again in 1918. Captain Hobbie was always considered one of the strongest candidates that could be nominated by the Democratic party in Stamford. His general popularity was very great. He was well known as a friend of the people, in fact, was one of them, always genial and friendly, while his strict integrity and utter fearlessness gave him the full confidence of the party leaders and the respect of every oppos-
ing element. Socially, Captain Hobbie was connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Royal Ar- canum, and the New England Order of Protection.
Captain Hobbie married Mary E. Pren- dergast, daughter of John Prendergast, of Stamford. They were the parents of one child, George Edwin, born December 15, 1879, in Stamford ; he is successfully engaged in the plumbing business; is a member of St. Augustin Council, No. 41, Knights of Columbus, and a Democrat in politics; he married Elizabeth U. Gal- lagher, and they have one child, Charles Edwin, born February 7, 1907, in Stam- ford.
The name of Hobbie holds an honored place in the history of Stamford, and it is eminently fitting that the memory of Cap- tain Hobbie should be kept alive in these records, as it is cherished in the hearts of those who knew him best. He lived out in full measure the principles of truth and justice for which his grandfather fought in the Mexican War, and gave his sons in the War of the Rebellion. This record of family devotion to duty has long been commemorated in the name of Hobbie Post, Grand Army of the Repub- lic. Captain Charles Edwin Hobbie's name will live in the annals of peaceful citizenship as they have lived in the rec- ords of military honor.
FAWCETT, George Gifford, Physician.
The pioneer spirit of his forefathers has been imbibed in the character of Dr. George Gifford Fawcett, of South Nor- walk, Connecticut. Having chosen the medical profession for his career in life, he has come far from his native haunts to make his success. He was born in
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Cedar Rapids, Iowa, June 30, 1884, son of William Hamilton and Rachel (Por- ter) Fawcett.
William Hamilton Fawcett, his father, was born in Ohio, and died in Moscow, Idaho. When he was a small lad his parents removed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and there he grew to manhood on a farm, and agricultural pursuits formed his life's occupation. He was but a youth of sev- enteen years when the Civil War broke out, and he enlisted in Company F, 13th Regular Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Colo- nel Crocker's brigade, in 1861. He was with Sherman, and was captured in the first day of battle at Atlanta, Georgia, and spent some time in Andersonville and Libby prisons. He was slightly wounded in the leg, and altogether served four years. After the war he farmed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, until 1892, when he removed to Aster, same State, and engaged in farming. Six years later he removed to Stanberry, Missouri, remaining until 1902, thence removing to Fresno, California. His last place of residence was in Mos- cow, Idaho, where he lived until his death. Mr. Fawcett was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic Post at Shellsburg, Iowa. He married Rachel Porter, and they were members of the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Faw- cett was an elder for many years. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Fawcett were: I. Mary, wife of Charles Henry, of Pull- man, Washington. 2. Inez, wife of Thomas Morgan, of Rock Springs, Wyo- ming. 3. Elma, who married Edward Theodald, of Manilla, Iowa. 4. Charles, of Alberta, Canada. 5. George G., of further mention. 6. Myrle, who married Rev. Joseph Adams, of Spokane, Wash- ington. 7. Vernon Porter, now residing in Portland, Oregon, where he is em-
ployed in the seed department of the United States Agricultural Service.
George Gifford Fawcett was educated in the public schools and completed his college preparation in the preparatory de- partment of the University of Idaho. He was graduated from that institution in 1909 with the degree of B. S., and the sub- sequent two years were spent at the Rush Medical College of Chicago. From there he went to Cornell University, and was engaged in research work, as well as com- pleting his medical studies. He received his M. D. degree in 1915. Until 1917 he was associated with St. Francis' Hos- pital of New York City, and in April of the same year came to Norwalk, Con- necticut. Dr. Fawcett established himself there in the practice of his profession, and in the two years since has made very commendable progress. His practice is a general one, with a tendency to special- ize.on surgery.
Outside of his professional duties, Dr. Fawcett has entered into the social life of Norwalk, and is a member of several organizations and clubs, among them being: Old Well Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, of South Norwalk; the South Norwalk Club; Business Men's Club; Norwalk Country Club; New Ca- naan Country Club ; the fraternities, Phi Delta Theta and Nu Sigma Nu. Dr. Fawcett also holds membership in the Norwalk Medical Association, and is a member of the staff of the Norwalk Hos- pital.
Dr. Fawcett married Gertrude Lang, daughter of Horatio Seymour Lang, of Hornell, New York, and they are the parents of a daughter, Georgine Elizabeth, born October 25, 1917, and a son, George Gifford Fawcett, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Faw- cett attend the South Norwalk Congrega- tional Church.
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SCHLICHTING, George M. V., Jr., Merchant, Soldier in World War.
That this is the name of one of the most aggressive of South Norwalk's business men of the younger generation is some- thing of which Mr. Schlichting's fellow- citizens do not need to be informed. It may be added that he is equally well known as a patriotic American, having made a most honorable record of active service in France during the late World War.
George M. V. Schlichting, father of George M. V. Schlichting, Jr., was born in Freiburg, on the Elbe, Germany, and there received his education. When about sixteen years of age he came with his parents to the United States, settling in Brooklyn, New York, where he attended night school, thus completing his formal education and at the same time acquiring a knowledge of the English language. After a brief experience as clerk in a grocery store he went into the cracker business on his own account, and from the beginning was successful, building up an extensive trade. Upon the organiza- tion of the National Biscuit Company they purchased his business and he be- came their general manager in Brooklyn, New York. This position he retained until about ten years ago, when he re- tired, later becoming a resident of Darien, Connecticut. He is a Republican, and in 1916-17 served as selectman of Darien. Mr. Schlichting married Frieda Seeliger, and they are the parents of the follow- ing children : Bertha, married Frank R. De Courcy, of Darien; Henry C., of Darien, who was in the 56th Artillery and served nine months in France; George M. V., mentioned below; and Frieda. The family are members of a German Lutheran church in Brooklyn.
George M. V. Schlichting, Jr., son of
George M. V. and Frieda (Seeliger) Schlichting, was born November 24, 1887, in Brooklyn, New York, and received his education in the public schools of his native city and in those of Darien, Con- necticut. He then entered the service of the National Biscuit Company and had been with them about six years when his father resigned the position of manager. During the next two years Mr. Schlicht- ing was employed first in a hardware store and then in a grocery store, serving one year in each.
After getting acquainted with these different lines of business, Mr. Schlicht- ing purchased a store in Darien, which in 1918 was destroyed by fire. It was re- built by Mr. Schlichting, Sr., and in 1915 the business was sold to the Walter Stewart Company.
In 1916 Mr. Schlichting, Jr., went into business at Hickory Bluff, a summer resort in South Norwalk, Connecticut. At first he rented his present quarters, but in 1920 purchased the entire property, including the store, a fine bathing beach and about eighty bath houses. He added to the bath houses, which he rents by the season, and also rents canoes and boats. The business has flourished continuously since its inception, thus proving Mr. Schlichting possessed of a large amount of initiative and also of the executive talent which causes that initiative to re- sult in marked and substantial success.
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