USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 10 > Part 46
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Mr. Kelley is a son of John and Mary (Gannon) Kelley (q. v.), was born in New Canaan, May 22, 1864. He was edu- cated in the public schools of his native town. He then entered the employ of Stephen Hoyt's Sons Company, owners of large nurseries, where his father spent his lifetime. He was a lad of ten years when he went there, remaining with this com- pany until about 1914, the last fifteen years filling the office of superintendent. In 1914 Mr. Kelley resigned his position with the above company to enter the nur- sery business on his own account, and in this venture his years of experience have been of untold value to him. Many of the beautiful estates in and around New
Mr. Kelley is the owner of some finely located real estate. His own attractive house on Harrison avenue is surrounded by beautifully laid out grounds, to which Mr. Kelley gives his special care. He is very fond of outdoor sports, and often takes part in the local games of baseball and other sports with the activity of a much younger man. Local matters which tend to the improvement of the town re- ceive much of his attention. He is a Dem- ocrat in politics, and active in the affairs of the party.
Mr. Kelley married Catherine Brown, of New Canaan, and they are the parents of three children: 1. James J., Jr., who is associated in business with his father, and who has taken an active part in the man- agement of the business ; he enlisted dur- ing the World War, 1917-18, and served overseas. He married Knapp, of New Canaan, and they have a very at- tractive residence on Harrison avenue near the home of his father. 2. Mary. 3. Pauline.
LIGHT, John Henry,
Jurist, Legislator, Litterateur.
The New York branch of the Light family, to which Judge John Henry Light belongs, is stated in the published gen- ealogy of the family to have come to this district from the State of Maine, and to that locality from its English home. This is the record, in outline, of a distinguished member of the present day, whose stand- ing in the law, in the public service, and in the world of letters reflects high credit upon an honorable name.
(I) David Light, grandfather of John Henry Light, was of Carmel, New York, and it was there that his death occurred.
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Tradition says that he served in the War of 1812 with the rank of captain.
(II) Belden Light, son of David Light, was born in Carmel, New York, and in middle life removed to New Canaan, Con- necticut. There, as well as in Carmel, he engaged in agricultural pursuits. While an upholder of Republican principles, he was never a political worker. He married Ann Keenan, daughter of Owen Keenan. Their children were: Mary E., married Charles E. Hall, of South Norwalk; , of Bridgeport; John Henry, of whom further ; Frederick B., of Stamford ; William, of Butte City, Montana ; Melin- da, of Norwalk; Rodney, a sketch of whom follows ; and two children who died young. The family were members of the Congregational church. Belden Light died in New Canaan.
(III) John Henry Light, son of Belden and Ann (Keenan) Light, was born March 27, 1855, in Carmel, New York, and was in his 'teens when the family re- moved to New Canaan. His early educa- tion was received in local public schools, and he afterward studied at the Chamber- lain Institute, Randolph, New York, grad- uating in 1880. For several years there- after he was engaged in teaching, at the same time pursuing the study of law, and in September, 1883, was admitted to the bar. His preceptor during his course of preparation was the Hon. Levi Warner, of Norwalk, former member of Congress. From the time of his admission to the bar, Mr. Light has been engaged in the active practice of his profession. His ad- vancement was rapid, and he reached, at a comparatively early period in his ca- reer, the commanding position which he has so long held. For twenty-four years, from 1884 to 1908, he was corporation counsel of the old city of South Norwalk, the fact that he retained his office under both parties showing how great was the
confidence inspired by his ability and character. From 1896 to 1900 he was prosecuting attorney, an office for which he was peculiarly fitted by reason of his keen insight into the motives and merits of men.
In 1900 Mr. Light was made judge of the Criminal Court of Common Pleas, of Fairfield county, and the same qualities which had made him a leader of the bar found a wider sphere of action and at- tained greater development while he sat upon the bench. When he retired in 1905 and his record passed into the history of the county, he was followed by the sin- cere gratitude, hearty approval, and pro- found respect of law-abiding citizens of all classes and every shade of political opin- ion. The principles advocated by the Re- publican party have always been those to which Judge Light has given his undi- vided allegiance, and even as a young man he came to the front in their support. In 1898, in the State Convention of his party, he nominated the Hon. George E. Louns- bury for governor, the speech in which he placed his name before the convention at once ranking him among the foremost or- ators of Connecticut. He served a term as county treasurer, and occupied a seat on the school board, also acting for many years as school visitor.
Higher honors and greater trusts awaited him and were not slow in seek- ing his acceptance. During the adminis- tration of Governor Simeon E. Baldwin, Mr. Light filled the office of attorney gen- eral of the State, and in 1898 he was a member of the State House of Represen- tatives, serving as house chairman of the committee on incorporations and consti- tutional amendments. In 1899 he was re- turned to the Legislature, and in 1901 was speaker of the House. Times without number he has served as a delegate to conventions, and he has been constantly
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in demand as orator for Memorial Day services and on other patriotic occasions.
The interest taken by Judge Light in the welfare and progress of his home com- munity has always been actively mani- fested, his desire to further these ends having induced him to accept many trusts and responsibilities. He is a director of the City National Bank of South Nor- walk and the South Norwalk Savings Bank. He affiliates with Old Well Lodge, No. 108, Free and Accepted Masons ; the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; also Clinton Commandery, No. 3, Knights Templar, and Butler Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is past grand. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church of South Nor- walk, in which Mr. Light has served as a member of the business committee for several years.
The jurist, the public-spirited citizen and the orator-all these phases of Judge Light's many sided nature are strongly marked. But there is yet another side of his nature almost as dominant, and nearly, if not quite as well known to the world as any of these. That is the literary side. Rarely, indeed, is there found a man whose intellectual development is so symmetrical as to render him capable of interpretating Blackstone and Kent and also of communing with poets, philosoph- ers and scholars, from Plato to Spencer, and from Homer to Browning, but in these directions Judge Light's tastes run. Convincing, brilliant, fair and logical as a pleader, he is equally so as a lecturer, and the platform knows him nearly as well as the courtroom. His private library com- prises six thousand volumes, and for many years he has been a close student of Shakespeare. Among those of his lec- tures which have attracted the most pro- found and widespread attention are "The Men of Shakespeare," "The Women of
Shakespeare," and "Shakespeare's Relig- ion." His lectures on Owen Meredith and George Eliot are scarcely less remarkable. It might naturally be suposed that, in de- scribing character, Judge Light would ex- cel chiefly in portraying the nature of men, but those who have read or listened to his lectures can testify to his analysis of the feminine nature as equalling if not surpassing his interpretation of the mas- culine. His lecture on "The Women of Shakespeare" is held by good judges as exceptionally fine. Judge Light has made a number of lecture tours.
The impress which John Henry Light has placed upon his day and generation is both enduring and widespread. As jur- ist, public official, orator and scholar, he has been largely instrumental in influenc- ing, shaping and modifying the laws of Connecticut and their administration, and has molded public sentiment regarding questions of government and political re- form. He has assisted to an unusual de- gree in the advancement of general cul- ture, and in inspiring an interest in liter- ature and philosophy, and his work along these different lines will live and bear fruit in the years to come.
LIGHT, Rodney,
General Contractor.
(III) Rodney Light, son of Belden and Ann (Keenan) Light (q. v.), was born in Somers, New York, July 22, 1867. Dur- ing his infancy, Wilton, Connecticut, be- came the family home, and about a year later they moved to New Canaan, where he attended the public schools. For five or six years after leaving school he was employed as a clerk in a grocery store, and he then formed a business partner- ship with his brother, Frederick B., under the firm name of Light Brothers, and un- til 1902, a period of thirteen years, this
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association continued. At the end of this time Rodney Light took over the man- agement and cultivation of Mrs. Light's mother's farm, and was so engaged until 1910, when he returned to New Canaan. Since that time he has followed general contracting, principally road work, in this district, employing a force of men vary- ing from twenty to fifty. Mr. Light has executed many contracts in the decade of his activity in this calling, and has built up a reputation for efficiency and reliabil- ity that is a valuable asset.
He is a Democrat in political faith, and it is a tribute to his personal standing in the community that in a town with a nor- mal Republican majority of three hundred he was elected to the office of selectman. During one term each he served as third and second selectman, and he is now serv- ing as first selectman. For thirty years he has been a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 67, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, of New Canaan, and he also affil- iates with Wooster Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Light married Hattie May Ward- well, daughter of Isaac Wardwell, of New Canaan. Their one child, Ralph Ward- well, died aged seventeen years.
FERRIS, William Jacob, Lawyer.
As a former deputy judge of the Bor- ough Court, and as a leader of long stand- ing of the Fairfield county bar Mr. Ferris requires no introduction to his fellow-cit- izens of Greenwich. He has recently ac- quired a new claim to distinction as the proprietor of an inn which, in the splendid success achieved by its novel plan of op- eration, adds to his high reputation as a lawyer that of an original and sagacious executant.
The Ferris family traces its origin from
the Norman house of Ferriers, Ferrerr, or Ferries, or, as the name is written now, Ferris. The first of the race to appear in history is Guelchelme de Feriers, Master of the House of the Duke of Normandy. Henry de Feriers, son of Guelchelme de Feriers, accompanied William the Con- queror to England and took an active part in the battle of Hastings in return for which he received large grants of land in Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Leicester- shire. The family is entitled to display the following escutcheon :
Arms-Azure, on a chevron or, three horse- shoes of the first, between three cinquefoils argent. Crest-Out of a ducal coronet a hand proper between two wings.
Motto-Multum in florius artae.
Jeffrey Ferris was born about 1610, in Leicestershire, England, and about 1634 came to America. In 1635 he was made a freeman at Boston, and subsequently removed to Wethersfield, thence to Stam- ford, and finally to Greenwich, where he died. His descendants have ever since been numerously represented there, and also in Stamford, New Milford and other towns and cities of New England, also in different parts of the American Union.
(I) Jacob Ferris, grandfather of Wil- liam Jacob Ferris, married Mary . and resided in New York City.
(II) Jacob Wesley Ferris, son of Jacob and Mary Ferris, was born in New York City. He learned the carpenter's trade, following it for some years as a journey- man. About the time of his marriage he established himself as a contractor and carried on that business during the re- mainder of his life, engaging for the most part in residential work. He was also as- sociated with the real estate business, building and selling houses on his own account. About thirty years ago the fam- ily became residents of Greenwich. They were members of the Congregational
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church. Mr. Ferris married Sarah Mur- gatroyd, born in Manchester, England, daughter of William Murgatroyd, the family name being derived from Murga- troyd road. Mr. and Mrs. Ferris were the parents of a son and a daughter : William Jacob, mentioned below; and Esther.
(III) William Jacob Ferris, son of Ja- cob Wesley and Sarah (Murgatroyd) Ferris, was born January 26, 1876, in New York City. He prepared for college at Greenwich Academy. In 1903 he grad- uated from Yale Law School, and later was admitted to the bar. He has always practised alone. For two years he served with marked ability as judge of the Bor- ough Court. Politically Mr. Ferris is an Independent, and, while always public- spirited, has never taken an active part in local or State affairs. He affiliates with Ocean Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, of Greenwich, and is a member of the Congregational church.
About a year ago Mr. Ferris began op- erating an inn in Bridgewater, Litchfield county, Connecticut. It is called Hilltop Farm, the estate comprising 250 acres. On this land he breeds cattle and raises produce, thus providing for the demands of the inn. The motto of the establish- ment is "Goode aire and poore victuals." The novelty of this slogan has attracted many who have been disappointed in the hopes raised by the flowery advertise- ments of some other resorts, and as it is the policy of the managers of the inn to let the quality of the service do their ad- vertising, the establishment has already acquired an extremely high reputation.
Mr. Ferris married Lydia S. Mead, born March 3, 1882, daughter of Oliver D. and Cornelia A. (Scofield) Mead, of Green- wich, and they are the parents of one daughter, Lydia S. Ferris.
As a man of versatile talents and
remarkable initiative, Mr. Ferris has achieved the success, both as lawyer and executant, which invariably attends the possession of these qualities when accom- panied by requisite force of character.
HOYT, Stephen Benjamin, Landscape Architect.
Among the early settlers of Dorchester, Massachusetts, was Simon Hoyt, the im- migrant ancestor of the Hoyt family. In 1635 he removed to Scituate, Massachu- setts, and in 1639 to Windsor. Ten years later he is found in Fairfield, Connecticut, residing in Stamford, where he died Sep- tember 1, 1657. Simon Hoyt was born before 1600, and it would appear from records that he is among the first settlers of about seven towns, a very remarkable record. He was one of those courageous pioneers who braved the unknown wil- derness and aided in the establishing of the country enjoyed to-day. Simon Hoyt was the father of Benjamin, of whom further.
(II) Benjamin Hoyt, son of Simon Hoyt, was born February 2, 1644, in Windsor, Connecticut, and died in Stam- ford, January 26, 1735-36. In 1683, Benja- min Hoyt served as fence viewer ; in 1690 was selectman, and surveyor in 1700. He married (first), January 5, 1670, Hannah Weed, daughter of Jonas Weed, and she died November 9, 171I.
(III) Samuel Hoyt, son of Benjamin and Hannah (Weed) Hoyt, was born in 1679 or 1684. He was a very prominent man, and held many local offices. Ste- phen Hoyt held the rank of captain, and was a deacon of the church for many years. He married (first) Mary Jagger, daughter of Jeremiah Jagger, March 29, 1704-05.
(IV) Samuel (2) Hoyt, son of Samuel (1) and Mary (Jagger) Hoyt, was born
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between 1709 and 1718, and died April 6, 1756. On March 8, 1738-39, he married Abigail Bell.
(V) John Hoyt, son of Samuel (2) and Abigail (Bell) Hoyt, was born Novem- ber 24, 1740, and died March 1, 1825. He made his home in Stamford, and was a teacher. For over thirty years he was town clerk, and the records show the beautiful hand he wrote. In 1777, he was represntative to the Legislature, and also held the office of town treasurer. In 1792 he bought property in Westchester county, New York. Mr. Hoyt married (first), December 31, 1761, Abigail Hait, and she died February 27, 1796.
(VI) Benjamin (2) Hoyt, son of John Hoyt, was born in Stamford, Connecti- cut, November 26, 1802, and died Febru- ary 14, 1886. His father died when he was a lad, and he was bound out to his cousin, Warren Hoyt, who was a tailor. Benja- min Hoyt learned that trade and went about the town, as was the custom in those days, living at the homes of his pat- rons while he made their clothing. That custom was known as "whipping the cat." He went to make clothes for Stephen Hoyt's family, whose daughter, Sally Carter Hoyt, he afterwards married, her father giving his consent only on con- dition that she always reside on the home place. Benjamin Hoyt continued to follow his trade, and also engaged in the mercantile business with his wife's brother, Captain Stephen Hoyt, Jr., until his health compelled him to give it up. The post office was located in their store, and he was appointed postmaster by President Tyler. Just fifty years from the time of his appointment, his son, Ben- jamin Hoyt, was appointed to the same office. Benjamin Hoyt was a Whig in politics, and was several times honored with public office. He was town treas- urer; was a member of the Legislature
for several sessions ; and during the Civil War paid to the soldiers' wives their al- lowances. He kept the money in a tin box under the bed and never locked the door. His wife, Sally (Carter) Hoyt, was born July 1, 1809, and died in 1878; they were married October 13, 1828.
(VII) Stephen Benjamin Hoyt, son of Benjamin (2) and Sally (Carter) Hoyt, was born in what is known as the old Hoyt homestead on Main street, New Canaan, Connecticut, July 26, 1832, and died March 20, 1906. He was only a young man when he went to New York City and entered the employ of his un- cle, Seymour Hoyt, a jeweler. However, he did not remain there long, resigning to work for Frank Hutchins, at that time one of the leading linen merchants of New York City, with whom he remained sev- eral years. Then in partnership with a nephew of Mr. Hutchins, they purchased the business. In the meantime Mr. Hoyt had become owner of a farm on Smith Ridge in the town of New Canaan. He had a passion for farming, and had com- muted from the farm to New York City before the railroad was built into New Canaan, via Darien. He spent his even- ings and mornings developing the farm, which he finally sold at a great sacrifice. The trade of their linen business was high class Southern trade and was badly hurt by the Civil War. Mr. Hoyt retired from the business in New York City and formed a partnership with his cousin, Noah Hoyt, in New Canaan, under the firm name of the Hoyt Manufacturing Company, and they manufactured men's linens. They had several locations in New Canaan, and finally were established in a building which the father of Mr. Hoyt had erected for a private school for his daughters. That venture was not very successful, and he afterwards en- gaged in the real estate and insurance
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business. Mr. Hoyt tried to enlist for service in the Civil War, but because he did not have any upper teeth to bite the cartridges, he was rejected. In politics he was a Republican, and served as registrar of voters, was chairman of the school board, and also served as assessor, and was much more of a worker than an office seeker.
Mr. Hoyt married, October 31, 1855, Elizabeth Shaw, born August 18, 1835, in Marlboro, New York, daughter of Rev. Jacob and Jane Ann (Shoemaker) Shaw. Rev. Jacob Shaw was a graduate of Wes- leyan University of Middletown, and his wife, Jane Anne (Shoemaker) Shaw, was born in Clinton, Connecticut, December 5, 1811, and died in New Canaan, August 7, 1890. She married Rev. Jacob Shaw, October 30, 1828. He was born in Wash- ington, New York, July 4, 1806, and died April 22, 1861, in Redding, Connecticut ; his parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Boyce) Shaw. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt were: 1. Martha Louise, born November 10, 1856, resides in the old homestead. 2. Annie Shaw, born Septem- ber 14, 1860, married, September 14, 1882, W. S. Raymond, of New Canaan. 3. Eliz- abeth Reed, born July 16, 1862, married, June 2, 1884, William H. Barrett, of New Canaan. 4. Catherine Carter, born Jan- uary 12, 1867, married, July 22, 1891, William A. Wheeler, of New Canaan. 5. Phoebe Jane, born August 13, 1872, mar- ried, September 1, 1901, James Hoyt Silli- man, of New Canaan. 6. Stephen Benja- min, of further mention.
(VIII) Stephen Benjamin (2) Hoyt, youngest child of Stephen Benjamin (1) and Elizabeth (Shaw) Hoyt, was born in New Canaan, Connecticut, September 23, 1877. He received his college prepara- tion there. During the meanwhile he supported himself by teaching school, and was graduated from Wesleyan Univer-
sity in 1901 with a Ph. D. degree. He was especially interested in the study of ge- ology, and now finds the knowledge thus gained of immense value in his present profession. In order to intelligently handle rocks in landscape gardening, to make it look natural, it is necessary to know the anatomy of the rocks just as a physician must know human anatomy in order to treat human bodies intelligently. In placing rocks artificially in a landscape, if they are to be natural, they must be set like natural outcroppings in harmonious surroundings. Much more interest is be- ing taken in landscape gardening, and this art is being developed on constantly broadening lines. After his graduation from college, Mr. Hoyt went to Port Huron, Michigan, and entered the office of his cousin, Henry Benjamin Hoyt, who was treasurer of the Port Huron Engine and Thresher Company, and there he re- mained for three years. Thence, he went to New York City and went to work in the studios, remaining in all six years. Subsequently he went to Chicago, where he was with the Tobey Furniture Com- pany, representing a New York firm. In a year's time he was back in New York City, and worked for a time for the Sterl- ing Bronze Company, manufacturers of lighting fixtures, and F. A. Munsey's Mohican Company.
In 1909, Mr. Hoyt purchased his pres- ent business in New Canaan, and also bought the greenhouses of B. S. Woundy ; these he moved on to the old homestead property. Mr. Hoyt has many feet of glass and raises all kinds of flowers, ferns and shrubs. He re-purchased a portion of the old Hoyt homestead, in the rear, and put it under cultivation as an herbacious nursery. He has a large clientele among the owners of fine estates in New Can- aan and adjoining towns. He is a Repub- lican in politics, and for nine years has
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been a member of the school board, and is a member of the Board of Burgesses. He is also a member of the following frater- nities : Beta Theta Pi, Theta Nu Epsilon, Skull and Serpent.
Mr. Hoyt married (first) Anna Crenan, and has two children: Elizabeth and Jus- tus. He married (second) Mrs. Anna Finch, daughter of John Rudolph, of New York City.
ROBINS, George H., Master Builder.
The surname of Robins is very old and is found frequently in England and is de- rived from the personal name Robin. The ancestors of George H. Robins lived for many years in Hertfordshire and it was there that the grandfather of Mr. Robins, Thomas Robins, was probably born. His father, Leonard Robins, was born in Pun- sel, near Ross, Herefordshire. He was a mason by occupation and for many years was in business for himself. He married Ann, daughter of William Sims, a native of the same place and they were the par- ents of ten children. George H. Robins and his brother, Thomas, are the only two of the family to come to America. The others who make their home in England are: Mary; Bessie; Orlando; Philip; Edith ; Ann; Amily.
George H. Robins grew to manhood in England and learned the trade of mason with his father, remaining associated with him until he was twenty-two years of age. Previous to coming to America in 1890 Mr. Robins was employed in various Eng- lish towns among them being Hastings- in-Sussex and Pontypridd, in Wales.
In 1890 Mr. Robins located in Norwalk and there he has been very successful.
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