USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 7 > Part 12
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DART, Fred W.,
Automobile Agent.
Within the last quarter of a century the industrial world has been made over. Towards the last of the nineteenth cen- tury, the wonderful developments in elec- trical science gave an unprecedented im- pulse to every allied interest, because in one form or another the force was applied to nearly every line of production. When the automobile began to promise a future of real, practical usefulness, it opened one of the broadest avenues of effort ever offered to the business world. It was the energetic, well informed, alert business man, with a breadth of experience in other interests, who entered this business and has kept pace with its rapid strides. Fred W. Dart, of the Palace Auto Service Company, is one of these men.
The derivation of the name Dart is clearly shown, as it originated from that form of weapon, as it was used in warfare. Dart is the generally accepted form of spelling, but in some old English records it is found Darte. The earliest record of this name in New England records is at
ConD-7-6
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
New London, and it is found widely scat- tered through the eastern part of the State, and some members of the family are found in New Hampshire.
(I) Richard Dart, of New London, the founder of the family in this section, mar- ried, in 1664, and the records give the, name of his wife as Bethia. He died Sep- tember 24, 1724, aged eighty-nine years.
(II) Daniel Dart, son of Richard Dart, was born in New London, May 3, 1666. He married, August 4, 1686, Elizabeth, eldest daughter of William Douglas, and removed to Bolton about 1716.
(III) Daniel (2) Dart, son of Daniel (1) Dart, was born August 31, 1691, and died February 19, 1791. On April 13, 1719, he married Jemima, daughter of Abel Shaylor, who came of a prominent Haddam family.
(IV) Jonathan Dart, son of Daniel (2) Dart, was born January 10, 1733. He married Lucy Whitney, of Canaan, June 16, 1755. He was admitted to the Bolton church, May 28, 1758. They were the parents of eleven children.
(V) Aaron Dart, seventh child and sixth son of Jonathan Dart, was born January 12, 1768, in Bolton, Connecticut. He married Sarah Shaylor. He became an extensive farmer in what is now the town of West Hartford.
(VI) Edmund Dart, fifth child and second son of Aaron Dart, was born March 10, 1797, in Tolland, Connecticut, where the family lived during his early school days. He married Mary Ann Bar- tram Withenbury, of Hartford, who was of English descent, and a daughter of Benjamin Withenbury. They lived in Hartford and West Hartford, and be- came prosperous farmers, Mr. Dart fol- lowing this calling as long as he lived. He died March 8, 1861.
(VII) Joseph Dart, eighth child and fourth son of Edmund Dart, was born
August 5, 1839, in West Hartford, near the old Wadsworth Tavern. He was edu- cated in the schools of West Hartford and Hartford, and being a quiet, studious boy was very thorough in his work. After leaving school he went South and then West, interesting himself in the steam- boat business. He made the last trip up the Mississippi river before the blockade of the river at the beginning of the War of the Rebellion. He returned to Hart- ford, and during the war engaged in the picture frame business in Hartford. Sub- sequent to that period, and up to 1874, he was associated with his father-in-law in the manufacture of cotton twines in South Woodstock, Connecticut, and Ox- ford, Massachusetts. Later on, Mr. Dart removed to New York and engaged in the cotton goods commission business. He remained in this line for about nineteen years, during a portion of that time sell- ing goods on the road. He returned to Hartford and was engaged in stock farm- ing for some years, in connection with which he made extensive improvements on his real estate, and opened up many streets on his own property, in the vicin- ity of New Britain avenue.
Mr. Dart married, on September 18, 1862, Adelaide A. Warner, of South Woodstock, Windham county, Connecti- cut. They were members of the Baptist church. Daniel Warner, father of Mrs. Dart, was born in Smithfield, Rhode Island, and died in Hartford, eighteen or twenty years ago, at the age of ninety-six or ninety-eight years. He spent his early life in Oxford, Massachusetts, and Wood- stock, Connecticut. While yet a young man he began the manufacture of cotton twine and warp. At one time he owned a chain of mills numbering six or seven. He had the distinction of making the first ball of hand-wound twine in America.
(VIII) Fred W. Dart, second child
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and eldest son of Joseph Dart, was born September 2, 1872. He was quite a lad when his father removed to New York City, and the boy grew up there, remain- ing in the city for eighteen years. He received his education at the Polytechnic Institute, Brooklyn. After completing his formal studies, he entered the employ of C. P. Rogers. For some time he rep- resented them on the road, and later was buyer for the firm in their silk and drap- ery department. Salesmanship itself is a liberal education, and this experience fitted the young man for larger endeav- ors. About twenty years ago, he came to Hartford, and for several years en- gaged in the real estate business, buying unimproved land, and developing the sub- divisions. The southwestern section of ,the city, especially, bears enduring testi- mony of Mr. Dart's activities in the de- velopment of barren acres into comfort- able, suburban homes. He still continues in this line, but not so extensively as formerly, as it is crowded to one side by the more pressing demands of his recent interests. Some years ago he became in- terested in the automobile business, which now takes up nearly all of his attention. At first he sold the Northern automobile, but has handled a number of other cars, principally the Thomas Flyer, the Mitchell and Haynes. He has handled the last two for the past four or five years. In this work he finds ample opportunity for the exercise of his splendid abilities. Mr. Dart is a genial man, and his work, which has brought him in touch with "all sorts and conditions of men," has made him an interesting talker. He is a thorough bus- iness man, one of those men who make Hartford the mercantile as well as the social and legislative center of the State. Mr. Dart is a member of the City Club, the Rotary Club, the Automobile Club, the Country Club, of Springfield, the
Hartford Chamber of Commerce, and the Automobile Dealers' Association.
Mr. Dart married Claribel Ashton, of Philadelphia, and they have one son, Harold Ashton, who was called into the United States service in the war with Germany, but finally had no opportunity to go overseas.
ST. JOHN, George H.,
Business Man.
Among the well known business men of the city of Hartford, George H. St. John has attained a respected and esteemed place because of his fairness and uprightness in business dealings. He is a scion of an old Colonial family of Connecticut, whose members have been true patriots and citizens of upright, sterling character. In early days the name of St. John was also spelled Sen- sion and Sention, the latter two styles being evidently a phonetic representation of a very short pronunciation of St. John. The following excerpt is taken from the New England Historical and Genealogical Register :
I believe these families (St. John, Throckmor- ton, Willoughby, and Sands) are the four great pillars of Elizabethan England, replacing the great feudal earls.
The St. John family was essentially English, and brethren of the royal family of Tudor by the half blood, hence their powerful position. In the first generation they were divided into two sections-the senior line at Bletsoe in Bedford- shire; and the junior line at Lidiard Tegoze, in Wiltshire. Both these localities were hotbeds of Puritanism, and many of our early pioneers were connected with the two St. John houses.
George H. St. John was born March 25, 1871, in Phelps, New York, son of Charles R. St. John, and grandson of Charles G. St. John. The latter made his home in Hartford and was long engaged in farming. In early life the son, Charles
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R., also followed agricultural pursuits, and owned a large farm on Asylum Hill. This he sold and removed to Phelps, New York, where he continued farming for fif- teen years. On his return to Connecticut he settled at Windsor, where he operated an old fashioned saw-mill in addition to his farm work. In his later life he sought a change from the arduous labors of the farm and engaged in mercantile business, and he was for more than twenty years employed by the large dry goods house of Brown-Thomson & Company, of Hart- ford. Mr. St. John married Caroline Hicks, and they were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, six of whom are as follows: William E., George H., Arthur R., Robert, Luella, Annetta. Mr. and Mrs. St. John were regular attend- ants of the Methodist Episcopal church of Hartford, and in the good works of that institution they took an active part.
George H. St. John, the second son and child of this marriage, of whom this article more particularly treats, received his education in the public schools of Hart- ford. He early displayed in his char- acter those qualities of resourcefulness and business acumen which prophesy the successful man in business. He served his apprenticeship to learn the plumbing business under George Mahl. Sufficient evidence of his ability in this line is the fact that in 1905 he engaged in business on his own account, doing general plumb- ing and steam heating, also including re- pairs and contracting work. The high standard of his work and his strict integ- rity in business details have won for him a well defined place among his business associates. Outside of his business ab- sorptions, Mr. St. John has few other interests. Devoted to his home and fam- ily he takes little part in civic affairs, although willing to foster and aid in any
welfare movement, and those who desire his assistance in the furthering of any worthy project find him most easy of access. Quiet and unassuming in man- ner, he finds his keenest enjoyment within his own family circle.
Mr. St. John married Elizabeth Hart, daughter of William Hart, a native of Barkhamstead, Connecticut. The ancestry of Mrs. St. John also traces to early Con- necticut families. The marriage of Mr. St. John has been blessed with six chil- dren: Eleanor M., Dorothy, Russell G., Gladys, Lawrence, Mildred. With his family, Mr. St. John attends the St. Thomas Episcopal Church of Hartford, and is active in the works of that institu- tion.
BURKE, Augustus M., Enterprising Citizen.
Among the well known and prominent business men of the city of Rockville, Connecticut, Augustus M. Burke is held in high esteem for his integrity and up- right business dealings. Mr. Burke was born November 18, 1873, in the city where he has attained his success, the son of Henry and Ann (Norton) Burke. The Irish family of Burke are traced to the Anglo-Norman, De Burghs, one of whom settled in Ireland soon after the acquisi- tion of that country by the English mon- archs. The name, Afric de Burc, appar- ently of Saxon origin, appears in the Domesday of Suffolk.
Henry Burke, father, was born May 31, 1835, in County Galway, Ireland, son of John Burke. He died April 3, 1916, at his home in Rockville, Connecticut. Henry Burke landed in New York, July 3, 1850. Locating in Dedham, Massachu- setts, Henry found employment there in driving the stage between Dedham and West Dedham, and this incident, trivial
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
in itself, determined the course of his fu- ture activities. In 1853 he removed to Rockville, Connecticut, where he entered the American Mill as a spinner, having previously learned that branch of textile manufacturing in Lawrence, Massachu- setts. He gave up mill work to do team- ing for Mr. Gaynor, who was in the flock business. His driving took him through Hartford, Manchester, Broad Brook and neighboring towns.
He was ambitious and thrifty, and after a time he acquired sufficient means to purchase three horses from his employer. With this equipment, he established him- self in the teaming business, hauling goods between Rockville and Hartford. As business increased he added other teams and in 1858 had prospered to such an extent that he was able to start a liv- ery business. In 1860, he bought the business of his competitor, David Dart. In the early days of Rockville, before the railroads had been built, Henry Burke was a familiar figure on the road between Rockville and Hartford. For nearly half a century he was known as one of the most reliable men in the teaming and liv- ery business in his section of the State. Enterprising and energetic he permitted no obstacle to bar his progress to the goal of his ambition. Careful to keep his promises and punctual in making deliv- eries, he established an enviable reputa- tion.
In 1861 he acquired an excellent farm which at the time of his death comprised about 130 acres. To this farm he had retired in 1898, leaving the practical man- agement of his livery and teaming in the efficient hands of his son. In his later years Mr. Burke made a specialty of tobacco culture. Concentrating all his excellent powers and abilities in the intel- ligent direction of his business, and never forgetting his early lessons of thrift and
frugality, Mr. Burke attained a degree of success not attained by many in his line and became an extensive real estate owner. Mr. Burke's career offers a splen- did example of the accomplishments of a self-made man. Plain and unassuming in manner he had the courage of his con- victions. He was honest and upright in his dealings, and won the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. Possessing many splendid qualities of mind and heart, he had a host of staunch and loyal friends. He was a tireless worker until his health became enfeebled. The spot- light had no attraction for him, for he was domestic in his tastes and was fond of the companionship of his intimate friends. He was always interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of Rockville, and his generous nature and warm heart responded quickly to all those appeals that commended them- selves to his judgment as being for the good of the community. His private charities were many and unostentatious. It embarrassed him to have the knowl- edge of his many kindly acts come to light. He loved the great out-of-doors and took a keen interest in Rockville's annual fairs. He never sought or desired political office, but was a consistent mem- ber of the Democratic party.
In October, 1856, he married Ann Nor- ton, born December, 1836, daughter of Michael and Bridget (O'Donnell) Nor- ton, a native of his own section of Ire- land, who came to America in 1852. She proved to be an ideal helpmeet and com- panion, contributing her share to the suc- cess and prosperity of the family. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom grew to maturity: Francis H., member of the undertaking firm of Cav- anaugh & Burke; William T .; Arthur B., deceased ; Augustus M., of further mention ; Mary Jane, wife of Louis P.
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Matthews, of Baltimore; and Rosella (Burke) Harrington.
Augustus M. Burke was educated in the Rockville grammar and high school of Rockville. During intervals when school was not in session, he assisted his father on the home farm and in the livery busi- ness, and as his father advanced in years, the young man assumed more and more of the responsibilities of the management of the business, thus permitting his father in his declining years to enjoy well earned leisure. The business was re- moved to its present location in the rear of the Rockville hotel on February I, 1901, where the livery business was con- tinued until about two years ago, when the inroads of the automobile made it no longer profitable. Mr. Burke established himself in the garage business in the spring of 1911. Five years later his pres- ent garage, enclosing nearly one-half acre of ground and one of the largest in the State, was erected. He is agent for many of the leading automobiles and trucks, and conducts a general service station. Mr. Burke has attained a prominent posi- tion among the business men of Rock- ville, and is looked upon as a success in his line. He is a director of the Rockville Fair Association ; member of the Knights of Columbus, and charter member of Rockville Lodge, No. 1350, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Burke married Jennie, daughter of Roger and Mary (Hurley) Crough, and they are the parents of one daughter, Helen Mary Burke. Roger Crough was a resident of Rockville for many years, re- moving in the seventies to Meriden, Con- necticut, and there was long engaged in building. A native of the County Tipper- ary, Ireland, in 1863, he came to America, and located in Rockville, where he mar- ried Mary Hurley. He learned the trade of mason, and has attained a well de-
served reputation as a builder in the city of Meriden, where he and his wife now reside. Mr. Crough has also been prom- inent in the civic and church activities of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Crough were the parents of six children, two of whom sur- vive; they are: Jennie, wife of Augustus M. Burke; and Mary A., who resides at home with her parents.
BROOK, James,
Manufacturer.
For many generations the family of Brook has been an honored one in Scis- sett, Yorkshire, England, and the name has been borne worthily and well by its descendants. James Brook, for many years president and manager of the Board Brook Company, attained deservedly high rank in both business and social circles by virtue of his capabilities and sterling worth.
Mr. Brook was born December 18, 1848, in Scissett, son of George and Hannah Brook. He was educated in private schools and at the Tattersfield Academy for Gentlemen. It was with the firm of John Brook & Son, cloth exporters, that Mr. Brook entered upon his business career, and as a matter of coincidence it is interesting to note that throughout his life he was associated with enterprises carrying the same name as his own, yet none of the other Brooks were related to him. After ten years Mr. Brook resigned from his connection with the above named firm to accept the position of man- ager of the English branch of E. H. Van Ingen & Company, of New York City, importers of fabrics for the clothing trade. Subsequently, in partnership with a Mr. Ogden, the English branch of Van Ingen & Company was purchased, and the business conducted under the firm name of Ogden & Brook with marked
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success until 1904. In the latter year the other interests of Mr. Brook so occupied his time that he found it necessary to withdraw. Previously, about 1895, he had become identified with the Broad Brook Woolen Company, as a member of its directorate, subsequently becoming presi- dent of the corporation in 1897. The year following, Mr. Brook removed to Hart- ford, and from that time until his death he made that city his home. In 1897, the year he assumed the office of president of the Broad Brook Company, it was in a very precarious condition, but through the able management of Mr. Brook it was soon placed on a sound financial basis, developing into one of the most success- ful plants in the State. Mr. Brook was possessed of a kindly and generous per- sonality ; he was honored and respected for his high standards. As a man he was admired for his cultured mind, and his industrious and public-spirited life. He was affiliated with the Masonic order, a member of Huddersfield Lodge in Eng- land. He was a valued member of St. John's Episcopal Church of Hartford, and served many years as vestryman there.
Mr. Brook married Hannah, daughter of George Thompson, and they were the parents of six children, five of whom re- side in England. They are: James Wil- liam, Elizabeth Lillian, George E., John H., and Frank Herman. Harry Clement Brook, the fourth son, receives extended mention below.
Harry Clement Brook, son of James and Hannah (Thompson) Brook, was born November 5, 1883, in Huddersfield, England. He received the advantages of an excellent education, attending Teten- hall College and subsequently pursuing a course at the Huddersfield Technical School, where he specialized in textile designing and weaving. Thus the foun- dation of a career was laid which bids
fair to be one of signal success. After completing his course, Mr. Brook came to America with his father, in due course of time becoming associated in business with him. After the death of his father, Mr. Brook succeeded him as director and is also manager of the corporation. From his honored father, Mr. Brook has in- herited worthy characteristics, and pos- sesses many of those qualities which make for success. He has a fine mind, and the ability to understand men and conditions, which in his official capacity form an important factor to his value as an executive.
Mr. Brook married Amy Katharine Pearson, of Arizona, and they are attend- ants of St. John's Episcopal Church, of Hartford.
PECK, Charles Erasmus,
Head of Important Business.
The name of Peck is of great antiquity, is found in Belton, Yorkshire, England, at an early date, and from there scattered over not only England, but every civilized country. A branch of the family of Hes- den and Wakefield, Yorkshire, removed to Beccles, County of Suffolk, and were the ancestors of Joseph Peck, of Hing- ham, County Norfolk, who founded the family in this country. The arms to which the descendants of Joseph Peck are en- titled are as follows :
Arms-Argent, on a chevron, engrailed gules, three heads formed of the first.
Crest-Cubit arm erected habited azure, cuff argent, hand proper, holding on one stalk, enfiled with a scroll, three roses gules leaved vertical.
John Peck, of Belton, Yorkshire, mar- ried a Melgrave, and had Thomas Peck, whose wife was a Middleton. Their son, Robert Peck, married at Tunstall, and he was the father of Robert Peck, of Belton, whose wife was a Musgrove. Their son,
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John Peck, married a Watford, and was the father of Thomas Peck, who married a Blaxton, of Blaxton. Their eldest child, Thomas Peck, of Belton, married a Lit- tleton, and had John Peck, who married a Carre. Their son, John Peck, of Bel- ton, married a Fleming, and was the father of John Peck, who married a Wenebourne. Their second son, Richard Peck, was the father of Richard Peck, of Hesden, whose son, Thomas Peck, mar- ried a Bradley. His son, Richard Peck, was the father of John Peck, whose son, Richard Peck, of Wakefield, married Johanne, daughter of John Harrington, esquire. Their eldest child, Richard Peck, married Alice, daughter of Sir Peter Middleton. Their eldest child, John Peck, of Wakefield, married Johanne, daughter of John Anne, of Trickley. Their youngest son, Robert Peck, lived at Beccels, County Suffolk, and was the father of Robert Peck, of that place, who died in 1593, aged forty-seven years. He married Helen, daughter of Nicholas Babbs, of Gilford.
(I) Joseph Peck, fourth son of Robert Peck, was the founder of the family in this country. He was baptized in Beccels, and in 1638, in company with other Puritans, including his brother, Rev. Robert Peck, their pastor, came to America in the ship "Diligent," of Ips- wich, England. He was accompanied by his wife, three sons, two daughters, two men servants and three maid servants, and settled at Hingham, Massachusetts, where he was granted a home lot of seven acres adjoining that of his brother. After seven years he removed to See- konk, later known as Rehoboth. In 1639 he represented Hingham in the General Court, was active in town affairs, and was one of the principal purchasers of See- konk from the Indians in 1641. Thither he removed in 1645, and was active in the
affairs of the new town. In 1650 he was authorized to perform marriages and to assist in matters of controversy at court. Some of the land granted to him is still held by his descendants. His home was near the present railroad station of the Boston & Providence line. There he died December 23, 1663. He married at Hing-
ham, England, May 21, 1617, Rebecca Clark, who died there October 24, 1637.
(II) Joseph (2) Peck, eldest child of Joseph (1) Peck, was baptized August 23, 1623, in England, and was fifteen years of age when he came with his father to America. He settled at Reho- both, 1647, residing near his father until 1660, when he removed to the southwest- ern part of the town on Palmer's river. He was active in promoting town affairs. He died in November, 1705.
(III) Jathniel Peck, eldest son of Jos- eph (2) Peck, was born July 4, 1660, in Rehoboth, inherited lands, resided near his father, became wealthy and influential, and died April 5, 1742. From 1721 to 1731, with the exception of one year, he was representative, was active in church
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