USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 9 > Part 24
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(VI) Lucius Parker, son of Ephraim (2) and Lucy (Prior) Parker, was born in Wil- lington, Connecticut, November 27, 1807, and attended the district schools there. At an early age he entered the employ of Peter Dobson, a pioneer in the cotton mill business, coming to America from Pres- ton, Lancashire, England. Subsequently, Mr. Parker was in business on his own account, located at Hop River, Connecti- cut, and later at Manchester, where he founded the Mutual Manufacturing Com- pany, and also built the Pacific Knitting Mills at Manchester Green. Yarn, twine, cotton warps, and sheeting, were the goods manufactured by his mills, and the business was large and flourishing for many years, until his death in 1888. Mr. Parker married (first) Bathsheba Bel- cher, descended from an old East Wind- sor family. They were the parents of two sons: Rienzi B., of further mention ; and Adelbert C.
(VII) Rienzi Belcher Parker, son of Lucius and Bathsheba (Belcher) Parker, graduated from the Ellington High School, and subsequently entered the mills of his father in Manchester. Seven years later he was engaged in similar business in Vernon, Connecticut, where he remained until 1890. In that year he removed to Hartford, Connecticut, and
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three years later was elected to the presi- dency of the Hartford Life Insurance Company. Mr. Parker conducted the duties incumbent on this office in a most creditable manner until 1900, when he retired. He was a director in several of Hartford's financial institutions, a public- spirited citizen and respected member of the community.
Mr. Parker married, in September, 1865, Emma S. Dobson, daughter of Hon. John Strong Dobson, and granddaughter of Peter Dobson, previously mentioned. John Strong Dobson was the first Dem- ocratic Senator elected in the Twenty- first District, as it was then (1852) known. Mr. and Mrs. Parker were the parents of the following children : John D., Julia W., and Lucius R.
BEATON, Captain Charles H.,
Retired Merchant, Civil War Veteran.
The Beaton family was founded in America by Henry Thomas Beaton, father of Charles H. Beaton of New Britain, Connecticut. The name "Beaton" was originally derived from location; that is, some remote ancestor's home was near a bee yard or apiary. This was a very common way of deriving a surname in the early days, as was also the derivation from the occupation of a man. The grandfather of Mr. Beaton was Alexan- der Beaton. He was a mason contractor, and lived in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland.
His son, Henry Thomas Beaton, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and after receiving a good grounding in the funda- mentals of an education, he learned the trade of mason. An older brother, Alex- ander, had emigrated to Canada, where he followed his profession of artist. Henry Beaton joined him there, and later went to Boston. After working at his trade
for a time he engaged in his own busi- ness as a contractor, and was very suc- cessful. After a lapse of time, he reinoved to New York City and engaged in the same business. His home was at the cor- ner of Broadway and Bond street. In New York Mr. Beaton also did interior decorating, and made imitation Italian marble, specializing on fine residences. Among his patrons were numbered many of the leading citizens of New York at that time. Mr. Beaton's successful and active career was cut short by death in 1857, while he was still in his early "for -. ties." He married Margaret Wilkins, a native of St. John, New Brunswick, and they were the parents of three children : Allan J., a sketch of whom follows ; Nor- man W., resided in Washington, now de- ceased ; Charles H., of further mention.
Charles H. Beaton was born in Boston, August 30, 1842, and was educated in pri- vate schools, including a military school at Peekskill, New York. The Civil War broke out when he was at school, and May 24, 1861, he enlisted in Hawkins' New York Zouaves. Mr. Beaton always regretted the interruption to his formal education caused by the Civil War, but by travel and wide reading, he has more than made up for the lack of a regular college training. He has a large and well selected library and has always been a deep reader. History, economics and sociology are his favorites, and these sub- jects enable him to keep abreast of mod- ern thought.
On the tenth of the following June after his enlistment, Mr. Beaton was in the battle of Big Bethel and Lee's Farms, and not long after this time, he was stricken with typhoid fever, also suffer- ing a partial sunstroke. His condition was so bad that he was sent home and discharged. He had scarcely recovered his strength when his brother, Norman,
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enlisted as a drummer boy in the 13th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, and Mr. Beaton reënlisted in Company E, of that regiment. Just before they started away he was made orderly sergeant. This reg- iment was sent to New Orleans, and there Mr. Beaton was provost guard of Gen- eral Butler's personal guard. He came in close contact with the General, and learned at first hand the many sterling quali- ties and great ability of the man, who afterwards was so much in the public eye and who has been much maligned. Shortly before the close of the war, Mr. Beaton was discharged as lieutenant. Upon his return to Connecticut, he organized Bat- tery E of New Britain, and was made cap- tain of the battery which was known as Sheridan's Light Artillery. It never reached the front. The statement in Camp's "History of New Britain," re- garding this, is not correct.
During his service in New Orleans, Captain Beaton was wounded in the leg, and for sixteen years carried the ball. Captain Beaton has two mementoes of the war, which will be greatly valued by his descendants. In order that the state- ments may be preserved in case the pa- pers themselves should be destroyed, they are given herewith verbatim:
Headquarters, Second Brigade, Second Division, 19th Army Corps, October 25, 1864. Respectfully forwarded, Approved.
Lieutenant Beaton has been mentioned in my report for bravery in the field.
(Signed) E. L. MOLINEUX, Commandant.
Another by Homer B. Sprague :
Madison, New Jersey, January 8, 1898. The Thirteenth, though intended by General Weitzel to operate in the rear of several other regi- ments in the general assault that day (June 14. 1863), had with unspeakable difficulty worked its way past innumerable obstacles, and in the face of a heavy fire, to a small ravine lying almost directly under the enemy's breastworks. Some of our best
men had fallen, among them several officers. The approaches to our practically shattered position were ploughed by shot and shell, and rendered well- nigh impassable by logs, gullies, tangled brush, trenches and every sort of obstruction the enemy had been able to devise. Yet, a goodly number of the Thirteenth had reached the spot, in compact though broken mass. About a thousand men in all, fragments of different regiments, were huddled in positions where the felled timber or the irregulari- ties of the ground afforded slight temporary shel- ter. The senior officer in command of the Thir- teenth being away for an hour or two, I was the ranking captain at the spot. I immediately got the Connecticut men by themselves, each company with its own commissioned or non-commissioned officer, as far as possible. During this rearrangement we were excessively annoyed by the rebel sharpshoot- ers from the long line of their fortifications, and particularly from a redoubt which we had come to know as the "Priest's Cap." There was need of brave men under a cool-headed daring officer to put a stop to that sharpshooting.
Beaton was present, and I pointed out to him a partial shelter on high ground near us, and ordered him to take his company swiftly to that shelter of logs and silence the scattering fire of the enemy. I had known and admired Beaton before, though I sometimes thought he had too much of the dare- devil in his makeup. He with his company occu- pied the designated spot in the twinkling of an eye, and soon stopped the singing of bullets in our ears, and the irregular firing which sounded like explod- ing fire-crackers on the top of the enemy's ram- parts.
Soon the ranking captain of our regiment, Cap- tain Comstock, arrived, and he withdrew Beaton from his dangerous post, though I think Beaton would have enjoyed staying there longer.
The commanders of several regiments, whose broken and scattered ranks lay all about us within a few rods of the hostile breastworks, arrived. one after another, now that the fusillade had been sub- stantially suppressed. Colonels Gerard, Hubbard, Morgan, Day, Major Burt, Major De Forcst, and other officers were among them. Hour after hour we lay under scorching sun. At least three times preëmptory orders came from General Banks to the senior officer to move instantly upon the Con- federate works, and penetrate them at all haz- ards. But the two senior colonels disobeyed these commands greatly to the disgust of Beaton and myself, who thought it the duty of a soldier to obey orders.
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"Their's not to make reply, Their's not to reason why."
General Banks at last sent Lieutenant Francis, formerly adjutant of Wilson's Zouaves, calling for two hundred volunteers to form a storming col- umn to press with all speed and energy into the Confederate works at this point. The regimental commander present, still held aloof, knowing the terrible nature of the struggle that was required of them. Colonel Hubbard, brigade commander, pro- mulgated the order, however. I ventured to appeal to the officers and men of the Thirteenth Connecti- cut. Lieutenant Beaton leaped to his feet and in a loud voice declared his readiness to go in. The example was quickly followed by other members of our regiment and from other battalions. Every man present of my own company ("H"), Thir- teenth Connecticut Volunteers, promised to stand by me, Private Blackman being the first. In spite of the discouraging remarks of every regimental commander, the number of two hundred volunteers was nearly completed; when an aide-de-camp came from General Banks countermanding the order for this forlorn hope.
I have never heard a word in disparagement of Beaton's splendid bravery on that eventful day, nor on any other occasion. I have always believed that had the thousand officers and men at that critical time and place been animated by a like heroism, we should that day have carried the Confederate stronghold at the point of the bayonet.
I wish that some suitable recognition, though tardy now, might come to show that his distin- guished services are not forgotten, not unappre- ciated.
This is my only motive in making the fore-going statement.
(Signed) HOMER B. SPRAGUE,
Once Captain of the Thirteenth Connecticut Regiment, Volunteers.
After the war, Captain Beaton became bookkeeper and clerk for the man who became his father-in-law, and was given charge of the hardware business until Mr. Bulkley died. He then retired from active cares, and has since been enjoying well- deserved rest. He has been very fond of travel and has been abroad four times and has also made a tour of Northern Africa.
Captain Beaton is a Republican and has ever been keenly interested in public
matters. He was water commissioner for six years, and during his term built the new dam for the water works. For over twelve years he was chairman of the Fire Board ; for some years he was a member of the Council and was a leader in the movement to reorganize the fire depart- ment, changing it from a volunteer force to a salaried one. He is a member of Stanley Post, No. 1I, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he has been com- mander several times ; is a member of the Loyal Legion of Boston. He is affiliated with Harmony Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Giddings Chapter, No. 25, Royal Arch Masons; Washington Chapter, Knights Templar; Connecticut Consistory, and Sphinx Temple, Mystic Shrine.
Captain Beaton married Mary Ann Bulkley, daughter of William J. Bulkley, of New Britain, and they were the par- ents of two children, of whom one is Min- nie L., born August 31, 1868, now the widow of Samuel Sloan, residing in Bran- ford, Connecticut, and she is the mother of two children, Grace Mabel and Wil- liam. Mrs. Beaton died in 1906, at the age of sixty-four years.
BEATON, Allan J.,
Manufacturer.
Allan J. Beaton, son of Henry Thomas and Margaret (Wilkins) Beaton, whose ancestry precedes, was born in New York City, and was educated in the public schools there. In 1862 he came to New Britain, Connecticut, and found his first employment with a manufacturer of spring needles. This business was later removed to New Jersey, and at this time Mr. Beaton formed a partnership with his brother, Captain Beaton, and they engaged in the manufacture of cigars, which they sold both wholesale and retail. After a few years Mr. Beaton sold his
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interests to his brother, and engaged in business as a steam-heating contractor. He built up a large business for a town the size of New Britain at that time, and employed as many as thirty or forty men. While in this business, Mr. Beaton began the manufacture of steam heating sup- plies, and was also successful in this ven- ture. In fact his success was great enough to enable him to retire from the contracting work, and devote his entire time to the manufacturing business. The contracting work was sold to Samuel Beers, and the new business was con- ducted under the name of A. J. Beaton until Hezekiah Corbin was admitted a partner and the firm name became Bea- ton & Corbin. Subsequently Mr. Beaton withdrew, and formed a partnership with two brothers named Bradley, under the firm name of Beaton & Bradley. This company was engaged in the same line of manufacture, and carried on business in the neighboring town of Southington. For several years this arrangement con- tinued successful and prosperous, and then the Bradley interests were bought by William H. Cadwell, and at the same time the business was removed to New Britain. This new arrangement neces- sitated a change of the firm name which became Beaton & Cadwell. A factory was purchased and the business increased. In 1917 Mr. Beaton sold his stock in the company, of which he had long been presi- dent, and organized the company of which he is now the executive head, the A. J. Beaton Manufacturing Company.
The product is steam heating and plumbing specialties, marketed all over the United States through jobbers, and also a large export trade. When Mr. Beaton was in the heating business as a contractor, he did work for practically all the New Britain manufacturers, and also for the city water works. Mr. Beaton is
a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand, and at one time was a member of the En- campment and Uniform Rank.
He married Mary E. Boone, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, and they were the parents of two daughters: Jessie, married Harry Shibles, of Hartford, and has two children, Allen Beaton and Bar- bara Isabelle; Belle, married Dr. W. W. Christian, of St. Paul, Minnesota, and they are the parents of a son, Stuart. Mr. and Mrs. Beaton are regular attendants of the Congregational church.
PURNEY, John, M. D., Physician, World War Veteran.
A native of Nova Scotia, representative of a family long resident there, Dr. Pur- ney left his Canadian home in young manhood and has, since the completion of his professional studies, been a practi- tioner of New Britain, Connecticut. Only once has this association been broken- when Dr. Purney returned to his Canad- ian home to offer his services with the sons of the Dominion against the com- mon enemy in the World War.
Dr. Purney is a son of Dr. John Alex- ander Purney, and grandson of Captain John Purney. Captain John Purney was born in Sandy Point, Shelburne, Nova Scotia, and as a young man commanded a packet ship, later engaging in mercan- tile dealings. He was the leading busi- ness man of the community, and an in- fluential factor in political affairs. He was a devout Episcopalian, built the church for that denomination, and was its prin- cipal financial support throughout his life.
Dr. John Alexander Purney, son of Captain John Purney, was born in Shel- burne, Nova Scotia, in 1845, and died in 1881. His preparatory studies were pur- sued at a collegiate academy of Windsor,
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Nova Scotia, and he was subsequently a student in the Harvard Medical School, after one year transferring to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City. Here he was graduated Doctor of Medicine in the class of 1865, and at once entered the Union service as a contract surgeon, a position he filled until the close of the Civil War. Then returning to his home in Nova Scotia, he was engaged in professional practice until his death at the early age of thirty-six years. He was a warden of the Episcopal church. In pol- itics he was a Liberal and throughout the period of sharp discussion concerning the annexation of Nova Scotia by Canada he favored annexation. He filled various local offices, but refused to become a can- didate for the provincial parliament. His fraternal affiliations were with Albert Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. He married Amelia (Muir) Fraser, daughter of Samuel Muir, both natives of Shel- burne. Samuel Muir followed the chief industry of the town, shipbuilding, and was a man of standing in his community. Of the five children of Dr. John Alex- ander and Amelia Purney, four grew to mature years: Jessie Jameson, married Rupert Metzler, of Montreal, Canada; Willard Parker, a resident of Halifax, Nova Scotia; John, of whom further; Gladys, married L. O. Fuller, M. D.
Dr. John Purney, son of Dr. John Alex- ander and Amelia (Muir-Fraser) Purney, was born in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, De- cember 5, 1878. After attending Shel- burne Academy and the provincial normal school of Nova Scotia, he taught school for a time, then, following the course of his father, came to the United States for professional study. He was graduated Doctor of Medicine from the Baltimore Medical School in the class of 1906, and in that year established in professional practice in New Britain, Connecticut, the
place of his present residence. Dr. Pur- ney is a member of the staff of the New Britain Hospital and the City Contagious Hospital, has an excellent practice, and is well and favorably known in medical circles.
In the latter part of 1917 Dr. Purney enlisted in the medical corps of the Can- adian army and was commissioned cap- tain. Until August, 1918, he was detailed to transport duty, then being assigned to duty with different units in England and France. In September, 1919, after an honorable discharge from the army, he returned to New Britain, resuming his in- terrupted work. Dr. Purney holds the thirty-second degree in the Masonic order, affiliating with Hiram Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia; Giddings Chapter, No. 25, Royal Arch Masons, of New Britain; Doric Council, No. 24, Royal and Select Mas- ters, of New Britain; Washington Com- mandery, Knights Templar, of Hartford ; and Connecticut Consistory, of Norwich ; Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Dr. Pur- ney has confined himself closely to the pursuit of his calling but, while he has not entered public life, has been interested in progressive movements and is a supporter of works of improvement.
Dr. Purney married Mary Elizabeth Brandegee, daughter of William Sylvester and Elizabeth A. (Reed) Brandegee. Dr. and Mrs. Purney have two children, John, Jr., and Elizabeth Muir. William S. Brandegee is a prominent manufacturer and citizen of Berlin, Connecticut, well known as a sportsman.
The surname Brandegee is spelled also Brundig, Brandig, Brandish, Brandiger, Brondigee, Brandigat, Brandisley, Bron- dish and Boundikee, and all these spell-
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ings are found relating to John Brandigee, who was in Wethersfield as early as 1635. He was doubtless of English birth, though the name is possibly German or Dutch originally. He died before Octo- ber 27, 1639, the date of the inventory of his estate. He left a widow and five chil- dren. It is believed that he was killed by the Indians in the massacre of 1637. He was at Watertown for a short time before coming to Wethersfield and was a free- man there. His widow Rachel married Anthony Wilson.
John Brandegee, probably a son, was a settler in Rye, New York, and signed the declaration of loyalty to Charles II., July 26, 1662, spelling his name Brondish, but in January, 1663, he spelled his name Brondig. He was the first town clerk of Rye; was deputy to the General Court in 1677 and 1681; died in 1697. In the ac- counts of those days he is called "Stout Old John Brundig." He was in 1662 one of the original proprietors of Manursing Island, Rye, and of Poringoe Neck. He left four sons, John, Joseph, David and Joshua, and they have had many de- scendants in Westchester county, New York.
Jacob Brandegee, believed to be son of John Brandegee, of Rye, grandson of "Stout Old John Brundig," of Rye, settled in Stepney, in the town of Wethersfield. According to family tradition he ran away from home. He is said to have been born in 1729, and to have come from Nine Partners, New York, to Great Swamp, when thirteen years old. He was by trade a weaver, and at one time kept a store in Great Swamp Village, now Berlin. He married, at Newington, Connecticut, October II, 1752, Abigail Dunham. He owned the covenant in the Newington church, July 27, 1755. In later life he was engaged in the West India trade, sailing vessels from Rocky Hill, and died at sea
on a return voyage from Guadaloupe, March 25, 1765. His widow married (second) Major Eells, son of Rev. Edward Eells, of Upper Middletown, Connecticut, now Cromwell. She died January 25, 1825.
Elishama Brandegee, son of Jacob Brandegee, was born in Berlin, Connecti- cut, April 17, 1754. He was also a sea captain and engaged in the West India trade and had a store at Berlin. He was a soldier in the Revolution, enlisting in the Second Company, under Captain Wyl- lys. He was recruited in Middlesex county, and took part in the battle of Bunker Hill, after which he was de- tached and assigned to Captain Han- chett's company, September 1, 1775, taking part in the Arnold expedition against Canada. After the assault on Quebec he was taken prisoner. The Sec- ond Regiment was organized under Colonel Wyllys as a continental regiment. He married, March 10, 1778, Lucy (Plumb) Weston, widow of Jeremiah Weston, daughter of Samuel and Patience (Ward) Plumb. She died February I, 1827; he died February 26, 1832.
Elishama (2) Brandegee, son of Cap- tain Elishama (1) Brandegee, was born in Berlin, Connecticut, November 5, 1784, died April 10, 1854. He married (first), October 14, 1811, Emily Stocking, born 1792, died June 7, 1833, descendant of George Stocking, who came to Hartford with Hooker in 1636; married (second), November 28, 1835, Amna Booth Mygatt, born March 8, 1798. He was a large land owner and conducted a store on Main street, Berlin, near where the Town Hall now stands. He conducted a prosperous business, people coming from all the neighboring towns to purchase goods at his store ; it was like the large department store of today, because everything was to be found there, groceries, dry goods,
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medicines, ploughs, and also the post office. Twice a year he went to New York by stage coach to replenish his stock, and most of his buying of dry goods was done on Pearl street. He was a man of excellent ability and very public- spirited.
John Brandegee, father of William S. Brandegee, aforementioned, was born Au- gust 18, 1826, in Berlin, and throughout his active business life engaged in mer- chandising in that town until about twelve years before his death. He died June 6. 1881, and was buried in the South bury- ing-ground at Berlin. He married, in 1845, Mary Ann Norris Bulkeley, of the same town, born March 18, 1822, daugh- ter of Dr. Sylvester Bulkeley.
DAVIS, Stephen Brooks, Lawyer, Jurist.
The surname of Davis is one of the most ancient. It dates back to the period be- fore the general adoption of surnames in Great Britain, when the Welsh people were accustomed to distinguish those bearing the same Christian name from one another, by adding the father's name with a possessive, as "Harry's," "David's," and these were in time shortened and slightly varied, thus forming the very frequent name among those people of Williams, Jones, Harris and Davis. Record of the name is found as early as 1590.
Evan Davis was a native of Myrthyr Tydvyl, Wales, and came to America in 1821, with his father, David Davis. The latter died in Brooklyn. Evan Davis was a merchant in New York, and in 1840 re- moved to Middletown, Connecticut, where he conducted a coal business until his death, in 1869. He married Rachel Brooks, whose ancestors were settled in New England in 1650. Mr. and Mrs. Davis were the parents of the following
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