USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 8 > Part 4
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He was one of the incorporators of the home at Wallingford, was elected a mem- ber of the board of managers and became its first president. On May 9, 1865, he was elcted grand high priest of the Grand Chapter and was reëlected in 1866. His adininistration was distinguished for ability and a high moral tone, leaving the impress of a master's hand, more endur- ing than marble, upon every page of its history. During almost the entire con- nection of Mr. Lockwood with these bod- ies, he was honored as chairman of the committee on jurisprudence. and his legal mind wrought order out of chaos, fur- nishing for the government of the craft a system of masonic law unexcelled by that of any jurisdiction. He wrote "Lock- wood's Masonic Law and Practice," a most valuable book of jurisprudence, which has been adopted by the Grand Bod- ies of Connecticut, and is recognized as a standard work throughout the country. Of Mr. Lockwood, it was said by a fel- low craftsman :
To Freemasonry in Connecticut, he has been a tower of strength-a Father in Israel-and his in- fluence has been the means, to a great extent, of laying the foundations of the order in Con- necticut on a broad, deep and enduring basis. As a student of the philosophy and symbolism of freemasonry, he is not excelled, and as a teacher of its grand and uplifting precepts, he has few equals, being himself controlled by the highest principles of morality, and virtue that underlie its teachings, and which are wrought out in his daily life. He has delivered many masonic ad- dresses and written numerous articles on the subject of Freemasonry.
Mr. Lockwood married, September II, 1862, Mary -Louise Lyon, daughter of Captain James and Catherine (Mead) Lyon. She was born in Greenwich, Con- necticut, March 10, 1841. Her father, Captain James Lyon, was one of the most prominent citizens of Greenwich. He sailed regularly between America and
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Liverpool. At one time he owned the "Fairfield," and at another time the "Oceanic." At the time he became mas- ter of a vessel, Mr. Lyon was only about twenty-two years of age; he retired from the sea early in life, having acquired quite a competence. He was interested in the New York, New Haven & Hartford Rail- road at the time it was organized, being one of the directors. His home was the large house with the cupola on the post road in Greenwich, next to the hotel known now as "The Maples." The chil- dren of Luke A. and Mary Louise (Lyon) Lockwood were: Theodora Lyon, born January 12, 1868; Gertrude Louise, born October 29, 1869; Luke Vincent, of fur- ther mention; William Frederic, who died young.
(VIII) Luke Vincent Lockwood, eld- est son of Luke Adolphus and Mary Louise (Lyon) Lockwood, was born in Brooklyn, New York, February I, 1872. He prepared for college at King's School in Stamford, and was graduated from Trinity College in 1893 with the degree of A. B. He then entered the New York Law School, from which he was gradu- ated in 1895 with the degree of LL. B., and was admitted to the bar the same year in New York City. In 1895 he re- ceived the degree of M. A. from Trinity College. About 1911 Mr. Lockwood was admitted to the Connecticut bar. The same year in which he graduated also marked the beginning of his association with the firm of Lockwood & Hill, and in 1901 he was admitted to partnership. After the death of his father, the firm name was changed to Hill, Lockwood, Redfield & Lydon. Mr. Lockwood makes a specialty of corporate and estate work.
In politics, Mr. Lockwood holds inde- pendent views; he is chairman of the Highway Commission in Greenwich, and is a member of the Board of Estimate and
Taxation. His interests are not solely confined to his legal work; he has an active share in the executive manage- ment of several industrial and financial institutions. He is a director of the Greenwich Trust Company; president of the News & Graphic; president of the Greenwich Hospital; president of the Beaumont Glass Company of Morgan- town, West Virginia ; director of the Nor- folk Southern Railroad; director of the Thatcher Furnace Company; director of Flint & Horner Company, of New York ; director of the Commercial Acetylene & Supply Company, and of several other corporations.
Mr. Lockwood's hobby is antiquarian- ism, and he has written a number of books on the subject which are recog- nized as standard authority. Among them are: "Colonial Furniture in Amer- ica," "Pendleton Collection," "A Collec- tion of English Furniture of the Seven- teenth and Eighteenth Centuries," "Fur- niture Collection Glossary," "Articles on Colonial Silver."
At the time of the Hudson-Fulton Cel- ebration, Mr. Lockwood gave valuable assistance to the Metropolitan Museum in making up their exhibitions; he has personally one of the largest private col- lections of American furniture and Amer- ican silver and needle work and textiles in the country. Mr. Lockwood is a mem- ber of the Municipal Art Commission of New York; a trustee of the Brooklyn In- stitute of Arts and Sciences ; an honor- ary fellow of the Metropolitan Museum of Art; a life member of the National Arts Club of New York. Socially, Mr. Lockwood is a member of the Field Club ; the Riverside Marine and Field Club, of Greenwich; the Century and University clubs of New York; the Twentieth Cen- tury and Rembrandt clubs of Brooklyn ; he is an executive member of the Wal-
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pole Society, member of the Society of Colonial Wars, and of the fraternities, Alpha Delta Phi and Phi Beta Kappa. Through the entire war he served as chairman of Local Board, No. 15, Fair- field county, Connecticut.
On November 16, 1897, Mr. Lockwood married Alice Gardner Burnell, daughter of Calvin J. Burnell, of Hartford. They are the parents of two children, Luke Bur- nell, born 1901, and Jane, born 1904.
LOCKWOOD, Capt. Nelson Uriah, Man of Varied Activities.
High on the list of Stamford's citizens stands the name of Captain Lockwood. In his early manhood Captain Lockwood was actively identified with the oyster business, and later devoted some years to agricultural pursuits. Since becoming a resident of Stamford he has taken a help- ful and public-spirited interest in all that makes for the truest welfare of his com- munity.
(VIII) Nelson Uriah Lockwood was born October 14, 1851, in Greenwich, and is a son of Captain Henry Smith and Sarah Elizabeth (White) Lockwood (q. v.), and a brother of Captain Elbert F. Lockwood, who is represented in this work by a biography which follows.
oyster business with his brother, Cap- tain Elbert F. Lockwood, and on with- drawing from that he turned his atter .- tion to farming, purchasing some land in Greenwich. At the same time he con- ducted a small wholesale and retail oys- ter business on his own account. In 1911 he sold the farm and moved to Stamford, where he has since resided.
On moving to Stamford, Captain Lock- wood withdrew from active business life. He was one of the charter members of the Greenwich Farmers' Club, and for three years served as its vice-president. HIe and his wife are members of the Congregational church of Stamford, of which he has been a deacon, and he is also a teacher in the young men's class of the Sunday school. While a resident of Stanwich, in the town of Greenwich, he served as deacon of the Congregational church and also as superintendent of the Sunday school. Captain Lockwood is in- terested in work among the younger gen- eration, and for several years was a mem- ber of the religious work committee of the Young Men's Christian Association. He is active in the Boy Scout movement, a member of Stamford Council of Boy Scouts, and one of the committee of Troop No. 2. Captain Lockwood has chosen well those things to which he gives his aid and support, for in the suc- cess and perpetuation of such organiza- tions, aiming toward the welfare of the men of to-morrow, is the hope of Amer- ican institutions and ideals.
The education of Captain Lockwood was obtained in the public schools of Greenwich and at the old Greenwich Academy. After completing his course of study he served for about a year as clerk in a dry goods store, and was then Captain Lockwood married, June 8, 1875, Adeline, daughter of Samuel Wood- hull and Sarah Louisa Hopkins, grand- daughter of General Gilbert Hopkins. The name of Hopkins occupies distin- guished position throughout New Eng- land's history. General Gilbert Hopkins was for many years a major-general of associated with his father in the latter's oyster business. Thenceforth he "fol- lowed the water" for a number of years, becoming a captain at the age of twenty- five years. About 1884 Captain Lock- wood was compelled by impaired health to abandon a seafaring life. He had then been for some year associated in the New York Militia, and was grand mar-
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Elbert . Lockwood
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shal of the military services held in New York City on the occasion of the death of General Lafayette, also acting as grand marshal of the parade held in celebration of the bringing of Croton water into New York City. He was a man of importance and distinction of his day, and filled hon- orable place in military and private life. Captain and Mrs. Lockwood are the par- ents of two daughters: Grace, married Lewis Mead Close, of Stamford; and Sarah May, wife of William D. Rich, of Woodbury, Connecticut, and mother of two children : William Nelson, born March 24, 1905; and Elberta Grace, born September 8, 1908.
The career of Captain Lockwood has been singularly well-rounded. He has touched life at many points, moving in different spheres of action and gaining varied experiences. After years spent in the activities of a seafaring life, and in those of a business man and farmer, he is now, in his retirement, doing all in his power to further the best interests of his community and lending his influence and aid to those movements and institutions which in his judgment bring enlighten- ment and encourage loyalty to higher standards of living.
LOCKWOOD, Capt. Elbert F., Business Man, Public Official.
As president of The Sea Coast Oyster Company, Captain Lockwood is a figure of prominence in the business world, his position being rendered more command- ing by his office of shell fish commis- sioner, to which he had been recently reappointed after having held it for sev- eral years. Notwithstanding his exten- sive business connections and their heavy responsibilities, Captain Lockwood is always faithful to the duties of citizenship
and has never been found lacking in a laudable degree of public spirit.
(VIII) Captain Elbert F. Lockwood, son of Captain Henry Smith and Sarah Elizabeth (White) Lockwood (q. v.), was born October 16, 1853, in Greenwich, Con- necticut. He received his education in the public schools of his native town and at the Greenwich Academy. Then, at the age of seventeen, he became associated with his father and brother, Nelson U., in the oyster business under the firm name of H. S. Lockwood & Sons. During the following three years he assisted his father in the running of the boat and then, on reaching his twentieth year, was given charge of it. On attaining his majority he took out his master's license and sailed until 1882, when the firm built a steamer, the first ever used in the oyster business in Connecticut. About a year after they sold the boat to H. C. Rowe, of New Haven. Captain Lockwood and his brother took over the business from their father, who retired to the enjoyment of a period of well-earned leisure, and the firm name was changed to Lockwood Broth- ers. After a time Captain Lockwood pur- chased his brother's interest and carried on the business under his own name, Elbert F. Lockwood. On becoming sole owner of the concern he began buying land for oyster beds, and conducted his business transactions by wholesale and on a very extensive scale. After the lapse of a few years, Captain Lockwood and Alden Solomon, of South Norwalk, com- bined their oyster interests under the name of the Standard Oyster Company, Mr. Solomon holding the office of presi- dent and Captain Lockwood that of vice- president, combining with it the duties of treasurer. A few years later they sold out and Captain Lockwood retired from business.
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It is not easy, however, for a man of Captain Lockwood's mental and physical vigor to remain for a long time without a definite occupation, and at the end of ten years he reëntered the business arena, signalizing the event by the purchase of the Andrew Radell oyster plant at Rock- away, Long Island. Later he bought sixty acres at Mattituck, Long Island, and three hundred and fifty acres at Port Jef- ferson, the property of the Sewasset Oyster Company. Still later he became by purchase the owner of the Seal-shipped Oyster Company at Cape Cod, Massa- chusetts, taking as an associate Frank W. Rowley, of New Haven. The busi- ness was conducted under the name of The Cape Cod Oyster Farms Company, with headquarters at Wellfleet, Massachu- setts. On July 1, 1919, Captain Lockwood bought out the firm of Smith Brothers, of New Haven, adding to this the pur- chase of the interests of the F. G. Lane Company, of the same city, whose oyster beds were situated at New Haven and Milford, Connecticut ; also at Newport, Rhode Island. These various purchases gave to Captain Lockwood and his asso- ciates four thousand five hundred acres of oyster beds, the largest plant in New England. Their equipment consists of the latest and most modern appliances for handling oysters from the time the seed oysters are planted until the grown oyster is shipped to the consumer.
On July 1, 1919, all these properties were combined and incorporated under the name of The Sea Coast Oyster Com- pany, Captain Lockwood holding the of- fice of president of the amalgamated or- ganization. The company ships its products packed in barrels from Cape Cod to Canada and to all other parts of its extensive territory. From Wickford it ships oysters, both opened and in bar- rels. The other plants are used as feeders
to the Wellfleet and Wickford establish- ments. They also sell seed oysters to planters all along the coast. During the oyster season they employ a large num- ber of men. In 1915, in association with Charles W. Raymond, Captain Lockwood founded the firm of Lockwood & Ray- mond, purchasing oyster beds in Stam- ford and near Oyster Bay, Long Island. They now have about five hundred acres. In 1915 Captain Lockwood was appointed by Governor Holcomb to the office of shell fish commissioner, and on July 1, 1919, was reappointed. The tribute to Captain Lockwood's exceptional quali- fications for the office which the appoint- ment implied was richly merited as the fact of its renewal most conclusively proved.
Captain Lockwood married (first) June 8, 1892, Emma Frances Peck, daughter of George A. and Eliza (Valentine) Peck, of Greenwich, the former a representative of a well known family of English origin. Mrs. Lockwood died September 15, 1909. Captain Lockwood married (second) June 30, 1910, Jennie Mead, widow of Frederick Mead, and daughter of Rich- ard and Elizabeth (Hawes) Cox, of Greenwich.
The home of Captain Lockwood at Coscob, Connecticut, which he built about twelve years ago, and which is a beautiful house in the English style of architecture, is in one respect truly unique. The foun- dation consists of a solid rock out of which the cellar was blasted. On this sure basis, provided by Nature, he has reared the fabric of a charming structure.
Captain Elbert F. Lockwood is a rep- resentative of a family the history of which is inextricably interwoven with the narrative of the development and progress of New England, and more es- pecially, of Connecticut. As the acknowl- edged head of one of New England's
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THE RESIDENCE OF CAPTAIN ELBERT F. LOCKWOOD COSCOB, CONNECTICUT
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
leading industries he has faithfully main- tained his ancestral traditions, not only in the upbuilding of his own fortunes, but in rendering valuable public service and in advancing the welfare and prosperity of large numbers of his fellowmen.
LOCKWOOD, Fred E., Merchant.
For many years Fred E. Lockwood stood in the public eye in Norwalk as a merchant, and the record of progressive, straightforward dealing that stands in his name is one of the highest tributes to his memory. Not alone as a man of affairs and as a public-spirited citizen, willing and diligent in his efforts to advance the general good, is Mr. Lockwood remem- bered, but for his work in fraternal orders and his sponsorship of the cause of good sportsmanship in its broadest sense. This memorial to his life and work, among those of the men who were his daily as- sociates, is dedicated in recognition of the high ideals that guided his daily walk.
Charles W. Lockwood, father of Fred E. Lockwood, was born in Norwalk, Con- necticut. He was educated in the public schools. He learned the trade of carriage trimmer and followed this occupation for some years. Later an opportunity to buy a gravel and roofing business offered bet- ter advantages and Mr. Lockwood bought this business, in which he was very suc- cessful, and for many years he was the leading man in that line in his section. After selling his interests in the roofing business, he purchased a fish market from Charles Scofield, which was located on Wall street, about fifty feet east of the cigar store which is now opposite the foot of Main street (1921). Until his retire- ment from active business duties Mr. Lockwood was engaged in carrying on the fish market, and sold it when he re- tired. Mr. Lockwood was a staunch
Republican, and took a keen interest in all matters of public welfare. On several occasions he was asked to be a candidate for public office, which he always de- clined, preferring to serve his party and the interests of his community in the role of a private citizen.
Mr. Lockwood married Jane Capstick, a daughter of Miles Capstick. The latter was a native of Scotland, but his daughter was born in Norwalk. Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood were the parents of the follow- ing children : Fred E., of further mention ; William F., a resident of Norwalk; George, of the firm of F. E. Lockwood & Company, of Norwalk; Minnie L., wife of Charles Betts, 'of Norwalk; Edward, of Norwalk.
Fred E. Lockwood was born June 4, 1855, in Norwalk, Connecticut. He at- tended the public schools there. After completing his schooling, he secured em- ployment in the dry goods store of John F. Bennett, where he remained for almost five years. Following this period Mr Lockwood was in the employ of several concerns in the capacity of salesman on the road. While traveling in this way he became identified with the Singer Sew- ing Machine Company, first as salesman and later as manager of their Norwalk office. His service covered a period of eighteen years, Mr. Lockwood resigning in 1884 to enter the employ of the Sho- ninger Piano Company. In 1894 he established in business, independently, selling and repairing bicycles, also deal- ing in sewing machines and musical in- struments. As the automobile business became more flourishing, Mr. Lockwood was quick to see the opportunities af- forded in the repairing line and he was the pioneer repairman and auto dealer in Norwalk. At first he handled the Olds- mobile, and later had the agency for the Cadillac, Kissel and Hubmobile cars, and the Kissel and Mack trucks. In addition
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he maintained a store in which was car- ried a general line of auto supplies and sporting goods, in connection with this a large service station and garage. His brother, George Lockwood, was in part- nership with him, and the business was conducted under the firm name of F. E. Lockwood & Company. Mr. Lockwood met with well deserved success in his business, the result of intelligently ap- plied effort and a keen initiative. He was a Republican in politics, and active in municipal affairs though not a seeker for political preferment.
Mr. Lockwood was interested in mili- tary affairs at the time of the formation of the old Lockwood Rifles of the Connecti- cut National Guard, and was an original member and officer of the company. He was a prominent member of the old Nor- walk Gun Club, and was long considered one of the best shots in the town. He was also a devotee of rod and reel, and it had been his custom for some years to offer a prize to the sportsman bringing in the largest trout of the season. He was a member of Our Brothers Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows ; St. John's Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; and was also a member of the Roxbury Club, the Phoenix Engine Company, and the Norwalk Boat Club. His associates in these organizations felt in his death the loss of a man whose life exemplified fra- ternity and loyalty, and who possessed many commendable virtues in a manly personality.
Fred E. Lockwood married Laura Ar- nold, daughter of Theodore and Laura Arnold, who survives him. His death occurred January 25, 1921.
MEAD FAMILY,
Ancestral History.
The founders of our civilization, com- ing to the shores of the New World while
yet that world was a wilderness, brought with them something of far greater value than the material possessions which they left behind; greater even than the de- cadent principles and institutions which they had foresworn. They brought the spirit of independence which supported them through all the hardships of pio- neer life, and which has been transmitted from generation to generation, making their descendants of the present day lead- ers among men, upholding and cherishing that which their forebears created, and sustaining the National progress which received its first impulse from these early pioneers. The Mead family, in the early part of the seventeenth century, came to New England and established the name which has become significant of high at- tainment.
The surname Mead is of undoubted English origin. The various forms now in use have been derived from the root, "Ate Med," and have been handed down through very many generations from ancient times. The name clearly origi- nated in the location of the home of this family on the mead, or meadow.
The Connecticut Meads are descended front one, William Mead, who is believed to have been a brother of Gabriel Mead, the immigrant ancestor of the Massachu- setts family. Probably these two broth- ers, with their families, sailed from Lydd, County Kent, England, in the good ship, "Elizabeth," in April, 1635.
(I) William Mead was born in Eng- land, about 1600. He was married, about 1625, and died in Stamford, Connecticut, about 1663. He was a man of great fear- lessness of spirit, perhaps not as out- spoken as some men of that day, but holding fast to the principles which he believed to be right, and willing, for their sake, to face the unknown. He was a man of uncompromising attitude, never
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satisfied short of the utmost possibility. He came to the Massachusetts Colony in the summer of 1635, then pressed farther inland, and settled in Wethersfield, Con- necticut. Later he removed to Stamford, Connecticut, and was granted land there on December 7, 1641. His wife's death is recorded on September 19, 1657.
(II) John Mead, son of William Mead, was born in England, about 1634, and died February 5, 1699. He married, about 1657, Hannah Potter, daughter of Wil- liam Potter. John Mead was at one time in Hempstead, Long Island, removed to Old Greenwich, now Sound Beach, in 1660, then became one of the original pro- prietors of Horse Neck (Greenwich), in 1672. He was a very broad-minded, pub- lic-spirited man, and did much for the wellbeing of the little community. He was made a freeman in 1670, and took a prominent part in all the public affairs of the section. He served as a member of the General Assembly in 1679, 1680 and I686.
(III) John (2) Mead, son of John (1) and Hannah (Potter) Mead, lived in Stamford, Connecticut, and also in Hemp- stead, Long Island. Later he located permanently in Horse Neck. He mar- ried, in 1671, Ruth Hardy, daughter of Richard Hardy. The second John Mead was, like his father, a man interested and active in the public good, bearing his share in the responsibilities of the com- munity. He served in different offices, and was constable in 1682.
(IV) Samuel Mead, son of John (2) and Ruth (Hardy) Mead, was born about 1673, and died in 1713, in the prime of life. He married, in 1695, and his wife's Christian name was Hannah. One of the most regrettable things about this period of Colonial history is that the records of the growth and development of the colo- nies are so very meager. In those days
men were scarcely aware of the meaning to posterity of the constructive work they were doing. To them it was largely a daily grind, hallowed only by those ideals of which they were so steadfastly ten- acious, and the cost, many times, in peace as well as in war was a sad shortening of useful lives.
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