USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v.2 > Part 16
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1846 began its manufacture for the trade. From his own needs sprang the business which was incorporated in 1846 as the Parrott Varnish Company. When the founder laid down the reins in 1891, he was by several years the oldest active busi- ness man in Bridgeport, and he also left an honorable record of usefulness as a city official and citizen.
Henry R. Parrott, eldest child and only son of Frederick Wells and Lucelia Ann (Remer) Parrott, was born in Bridge- port, Connecticut, January 4, 1829, de- scending on the maternal side from Cap- tain Joseph Riggs, Sr., uncle of General David Humphreys, aide-de-camp to Gen- eral Washington, and through his grand- mother from Governor Wells, of Connec- ticut. Until eighteen years of age, Henry R. Parrott attended the public schools, the Ebenezer French and Warren Selleck private schools of Bridgeport, finishing his studies at Danbury Institute, then under the principalship of Rev. John W. Irving. For the succeeding eight years he was a clerk in the dry goods store of Beers & Oviatt, and then when that firm dissolved went to a similar position with James W. Beach. A few years later he entered the employ of Birdsey & Com- pany, remaining eight years. This brought him to the year 1854, and to a new line of activity. He became local agent for the Adams Express Company, and so well did he master the intricacies of the express business that during the Civil War he was sent to Washington, D. C .. to reorganize and take charge of the company's business at that very im- portant point. He continued in the serv- ice of the Adams Express Company until 1869.
While he had never taken an interest in his father's business, in 1869, when the Parrott Varnish Company was incor- porated, he gave up his bright prospects
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with the Adams Express Company and became associated with the varnish com- pany as secretary-treasurer and general manager. From that time he has known 110 other prime business interest, although he was formerly vice-president of the People's Steamboat Company of Bridge- port. From its inception the Parrott Var- nish Company has grown in importance, and the product of the works has gained national as well as international fame. The ownership and management has never been out of the Parrott family, the executive control having been vested in but two men, Frederick Wells Parrott, the founder, and his son, Henry R. Par- rott.
Mr. Parrott cast his first presidential vote for General Winfield Scott, the Whig candidate. In 1856 he voted for General John C. Fremont, the first candidate of the Republican party, and in 1860 for the first successful candidate of that party, Abraham Lincoln, and has supported every Republican candidate for the presi- dency from that time onward. During the first Lincoln campaign he was an ac- tive member of the "Wide Awakes," and aroused a good deal of resentment among the Adams Express Company employees, even to the extent of censure from the superintendent of the company. But after the battle of Bull Run, the government demanded that only men of proved loyalty be sent to Washington, and Mr. Parrott was called to that city to take charge of the company's business, his loyalty and devotion proving of great service to both the government and the company. Dur- ing that memorable first Lincoln cam- paign, Mr. Parrott was chairman of the town Republican committee, being prob- ably the only man living to have served from so early a period and for so long a time. That was a memorable campaign for the young man, and it was through
his efforts that Mr. Lincoln was induced to come to Bridgeport and deliver one of his characteristic campaign speeches. During the Cleveland-Blaine campaign of 1884, Mr. Parrott was the candidate of his party for State Senator; was one of the organizers and first president of the Bridgeport Republican Club in 1887 ; dele- gate to the National Convention of 1888 at Chicago which nominated Benjamin Harrison, and was secretary of the State delegation ; was a member of the State Republican Central Committee in 1889; served two terms as common councilman ; several terms as alderman; was one of the first board of police commissioners for eight years under the city charter which organized the present police force, and was one of the committee that framed the present charter. After his many years of valiant service, he is still earnest in the faith, but several years ago announced his unalterable determination "not for a mo- ment to consider accepting a nomination to any office."
During the Civil War period he was a member of the Bridgeport Battery, drilled as a home guard. For forty-seven years he has been a member of the society committee of the First Congregational Church, and long its chairman. He is a member of the Connecticut Historical So- ciety, the Home Market Club of Boston, the Associated Charities of Bridgeport, and was one of the founders and member of the board of governors of the Seaside Club; also a member of the American Tariff League of New York.
And so a life well along in its evening has been passed, "spending and being spent." He has stood at all times for that which was good and true, and has conducted himself under all circumstances as a man of character and integrity should. No man has taken a deeper interest in all that pertains to the uplift of his com-
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munity than he. He is a wise counselor, a true friend and a generous giver to all good causes.
Mr. Parrott married (first) October 17, 1854. Annie Jane Garland, who died March 26, 1895, daughter of Daniel and Mary Garland, of Boston. Mr. and Mrs. Parrott were the parents of two sons and a daughter: Frederick Welles (2), born July 17, 1855, died October 23, 1914, mar- ried Bessie Belja : Colonel Frank Spooner Parrott, born December 11. 1860. died January 30, 1889. was a member of Gov- ernor Bulkeley's staff. State of Connec- ticut : Harriet Garland, born March 16. 1862. died June 4, 1893. Mr. Parrott mar- ried (second) February 18, 1903, Helen Reinders, whose grandmother was a lady- in-waiting to Queen Wilhelmina, of Hol- land. is also a great-granddaughter of Stephens Von Rems, of Holland.
BURNHAM, Edward Goodwin, Manufacturer, Man of Enterprise.
Among the many descendants of the Englishman, Thomas Burnham, who first appeared in New England in 1649, have been men of eminence in each generation, but to none is special mention more justly due than to Edward Goodwin Burn- ham, of the seventh American generation, who after a lifetime of great usefulness was gathered to his fathers. He came upon the scene of action early in the nine- teenth century, and from the age of six- teen until his retirement in the dawn of the twentieth century was one of the world's workers, a veritable "captain of industry." His active years, 1843-1905, covered the greatest period of expansion, invention and progress in the mechanical arts the world has ever seen, and when in 1905 he retired from the presidency of the Eaton, Cole & Burnham Company of Bridgeport with its hundreds of em-
ployees he surrendered a place in the in- dustrial world which he had won through his own strong individuality in competi- tion with the strong men who with him had made that period an "epoch in his- tory."
While he was a most remarkable man and the architect of his own fortunes, heredity played an important part in his life. His father, Charles Burnham, was a man of great firmness of character, strict morality and sterling integrity. His mother, Persis (White) Burnham, was of equally strong character. with every womanly virtue, her influence over her son most beneficial and lasting. She was a descendant of the Puritan elder, John White, who came in 1632, one of the first settlers of Cambridge, Hartford and Had- ley. The line of descent is through the Elder White's son. Captain Nathaniel White, of Middletown, Connecticut; his son, Deacon Nathaniel White, of Hadley, Massachusetts ; his son, Daniel White, of West Springfield, Massachusetts ; his son, Preserved White, of West Springfield ; his son, Preserved (2) White, of Spring- field ; his daughter, Persis, wife of Charles Burnham, they the parents of Edward Goodwin Burnham.
On the paternal side Mr. Burnham traced in direct line to Thomas Burnham, Sr., the American ancestor, the English Burnhams descending from Walter de Ventre, who came with the Conqueror in 1066. In the distribution of favors by William the Conqueror. de Ventre was made Lord of Burnham and other Saxon villages and from Burnham he took the surname de Burnham. Arms: Sable a cross between four crescents argent.
Thomas Burnham, Sr., was an attor- ney-at-law and for his successful defense of Abigail Betts accused of blasphemy, or as the court expressed it, "for saving her neck," the court deprived of their expect-
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ed victim, sentenced her lawyer to "ye prison keep," rather a high-handed pro- ceeding, but a precedent later-day judges would no doubt be glad to follow at times. The sentence, however, was not carried into effect, though he was deprived of his citizenship for a time and prohibited from acting as attorney save in his own cases. The line of descent is through his son, Richard Burnham; his son, Lieutenant Richard Burnham ; his son, Elisha Burn- ham, who married Sarah Olmstead, of a noted family, great-granddaughter of James Olmstead, who came from Eng- land in 1632; their son, George Burnham ; their son, Charles Burnham, an inspector in the United States armory at Spring- field, Massachusetts, who married Persis White, previously referred to; their son, Edward Goodwin Burnham, the central figure of this review.
Edward Goodwin Burnham was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, June 2, 1827, died at his home, No. 768 Fairfield avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut, Febru- ary 28, 1908. His boyhood was spent on a farm and he attended public school, but he was of a decided mechanical bent of mind and his reading was mostly from books on mechanical subjects. But he improved his school years well and grew up under conditions which developed a strong body and a keen, alert mind. At the age of sixteen he left farm and school, went to Brattleboro, Vermont, entered the employ of Hines, Newman & Hunt as an apprentice, served a full term and became an expert machinist. That was his preparation for life's battle and it was sufficient as the sequel shows.
From Brattleboro he came to the United States Armory at Springfield, and there he was employed for several years as a machinist, also taking special con- tracts on certain lines of work. After leaving government employ he was for a
few years employed with Dwight, Chapin & Company, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, manufacturers of rifle parts and firearms for the government during the Civil War. After peace came Mr. Burnham formed a partnership with Charles F. Belknap, of Bridgeport, and began in a small way to manufacture fittings for steam, gas and water pipes. His inventive genius and mechanical skill were perseveringly em- ployed in building up this business, and in due course of time his hopes ended in fruition and the large business was in- corporated as Belknap & Burnham, with the last named as president. Expansion followed incorporation, and in 1874, to obtain greater capital and increase the executive force, the business was reorgan- ized and reincorporated as the Eaton, Cole & Burnham Company, with Mr. Burnham as vice-president, but in reality the active head as later he was officially designated.
The growth of the Eaton, Cole & Burn- ham Company was one of wonderful pro- portions, and in 1905, when Mr. Burnham retired from the presidency, fourteen hun- dred men were employed at their plant, one of the leading industries of a city of wonderful industrial development. Forty years were required to build up the busi- ness President Burnham voluntarily laid down, years in which he had put into action all his genius, strength, ingenuity and force. From nothing he built a great corporation and when he surrendered its cares and responsibilities he did so abso- lutely, by disposing of his interest and re- tiring to a well earned rest, carrying with him the best wishes of his associates and their unvarying respect. While his own business was his chief and all absorbing interest he had been officially connected with other important concerns, and as president of the Bridgeport Crucible Com- pany, vice-president of the United Illumi-
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nant Company and director of the City National Bank, had contributed to the strength of the management of those cor- porations. Three years after his retire- ment from business he died, aged eighty- one, leaving this word for young men : "Be honest, temperate, industrious and economical. In all that you undertake whether for yourself or others give your best efforts and honest work. Have char- ity for the poor and unfortunate. Be kind to and have a word of cheer for all with whom you are brought in contact. Live a life that shall be a good example to others. Live by the Golden Rule."
The foregoing minutely gives Mr. Burnham's scheme of life. He was "hon- est, temperate, industrious and economi- cal," and in all that he undertook he gave his "best efforts." Among his many splendid qualities his generosity shone brightly, and while the city knows of the large amount of money he gave away and of his splendid gift of a new wing to Bridgeport Hospital no one knows except the recipients of that far greater stream of help which flowed unceasingly to the poor and the needy. His charity was broad and unobtrusive, he had "charity for the poor and unfortunate;" he lived by the "Golden Rule," and his life is a "good example to others." He served Bridgeport Hospital as vice-president and was ever its generous friend; the Prot- estant Orphan Asylum appealed to his sympathetic nature and as a trustee and patron he aided wonderfully to enhance its usefulness. He was a devout church- man and a vestryman of St. John's Church of Bridgeport. In political faith he was a Republican after the formation of that party upon the ruins of the old Whig party with which he had been affiliated. He was elected State Senator in 1886 for a term of two years, and he was a mem- ber of the Bridgeport board of public
works for a number of years. He was always fond of the sports of the great out-of-doors, always kept good driving horses, which he enjoyed, and when the automobile came he found great pleasure in that form of riding. He loved yachting and that form of sport he indulged in largely.
Mr. Burnham married, in September, 1853, Mary Ferree, of Springfield. They were the parents of three children, all of whom survived their honored father : William Edward, Mary White, Belle.
BURNHAM, William Edward, Manufacturer, Man of Affairs.
From the age of seventeen until the sale of the Burnham interests in the great manufacturing corporation, the Eaton, Cole & Burnham Company of Bridgeport in 1905, William E. Burnham was closely associated with a business which, founded by his father, grew under their combined management to be one of Bridgeport's greatest industrial concerns. Son of a mechanical expert and business genius, he inherited a taste for mechanics and an aptitude for business management that made him a valued assistant, and after a period of preparation in shop and de- partment detail he took his place in the executive board, and as his father yielded to the inexorable demands of time, the son shouldered many of the burdens and became a vital factor in the growth and development of the company, one of the largest and best known brass and iron manufacturing corporations of the State He is of distinguished ancestry and in the review of the life of Edward Goodwin Burnham the genealogy is shown in de- tail. As a twentieth century representa- tive of an honored family he has added to the prestige of the name and in Bridge- port annals, business and civic, his service
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stands out in bold relief. His career gives weight to the words of counsel that he would suggest to young men as a rule of life. "Attend to your duties closely, work hard for your employer's interest. Don't spend every cent you earn but start a nest egg for the future, be honest and temper- ate and above all things be self reliant, active, energetic and you will succeed."
William E Burnham, son of Edward Goodwin and Mary (Ferree) Burnham, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, November 25, 1856. but from early boy- hood has been a resident of Bridgeport, Connecticut. He attended the public schools of that city. the Seabury Insti- tute, Saybrook. Connecticut, and studied in the Park Avenue Institute for six years which completed his education. At the age of seventeen he entered the employ of the Eaton, Cole & Burnham Company, and after extended experience in the various departments. during which he performed stated duties under the same conditions as all other employees of the company. he was promoted to high position, eventually becoming vice-presi- dent and assistant treasurer and manager From 1873 until the sale of the Burnham interests and retirement of both Edward Goodwin and William E. Burnham, the latter was closely identified with every phase of the company's development, and through his vision, sagacity and devotion, a large share of its success may justly be ascribed. In 1905 he retired from active connection with Eaton, Cole & Burnham Company, but only to assume other heavy responsibilities as president of the Pacific Iron Works, treasurer of the Thomas Philips Company, director of the Connec- ticut National Bank and director of the Bridgeport Crucible Company. As the years have progressed these have been largely surrendered and he is now (1917) practically retired from participation in
corporation mangement, his time being devoted to the care of his private estate.
Loyal in his devotion to Republican principles, his interest has been as a citi- zen not as a seeker for public office. He served his city as park commissioner for seven years, 1897-1904, and in 1908 he was a delegate to the National Republican Convention, and one of the presidential electors who cast the vote of Connecticut for William H. Taft. His interest in the Bridgeport Hospital and Public Library has been expressed by official service as a member of the board of directors of both ; he is a director of the Boys' Club, and interested in all that pertains to the public good. His recreations are those of the out-of-doors and in the Black Rock Yacht and New York Yacht clubs, he indulges his taste for aquatics and ath- letics. He is also a member of the Algon- quin and Sea Side clubs of Bridgeport and the Union League of New Haven. He is a member of lodge, chapter, council, com- mandery, shrine and consistory of the Masonic order, and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Burnham married, December 10, 1884, Harriet J. Kiefer.
PURCELL, John Leo,
Business Man, Legislator.
Senator John L. Purcell, who has been before the public eye for several years, is a man well known and highly honored and respected in Hartford. Honor and tenacity of ideals, which mount to the heights of sacrifice of personal ambition and deferring of hopes, are factors seldom encountered in political campaigns, and when found are noted and praised. The unusual and unselfish act which lost Sen- ator Purcell the mayoralty of Hartford brought him hosts of friends in his own party and compelled the admiration
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and support of broad minded and fair thinking men of the opposition. He is recognized universally as a man of im- peccable honor. Great force and deter - mination applied to the several lines of endeavor in which he has engaged have brought him at an early age into promi- nence. The Senator's initiative and ex- ecutive ability have been amply evidenced in his work in the State Senate where he leads the minority. He attained consider- able prestige and rallied around himself unusual support from the majority, his aggressiveness for party principles gain- ing their respect, at a time when, to quote the Hartford "Times", "Democrats were not supposed to be of any importance."
John Leo Purcell was born in Hartford. Connecticut, October 2, 1880, the son of John A. and Bridget M. (Kirby) Purcell. His grandfather was John Purcell. of Waterford. Ireland, who came to Hart- ford just after the Civil War. He mar- ried Catherine Coleman. Their son, John A. Purcell, father of Senator Purcell, was born in Waterford, Ireland, March 19, 1851, and came to Hartford with his par- ents. He was educated in the public schools, and later became foreman in the drayage business with Hebard & Com- pany. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He married Bridget MI., daughter of John Kirby, of Youghal. County Cork, Ireland. She was educated in her native city and came to Hartford with her brothers and sisters. Of her eight children, four have survived : Agnes G., wife of Francis P. Horan, of Hart- ford; Ella; Josephine ; and John L., of whom further.
As a boy of fifteen years, John L. Pur- cell decided to enter a mechanical field, and having completed his course in St. Patrick's Parochial School, he entered the employ of the late Edward Lawler to become a plumber. After a few years
work as a skilled journeyman, he en- tered in business for himself and set up as a contractor, remaining in the contract- ing business for nine years. In 1909 he started in the wholesale plumbing and supply business in which he is now en- gaged. Senator Purcell holds the rank of major in the First Connecticut Infantry, having enlisted in Company H as a pri- vate. He was promoted rapidly to corpo- ral and lieutenant, and was elected major by the line officers of the regiment on March 8, 1911. He now commands the Second Battalion, consisting of Com- panies E, of New Britain; G, of South Manchester ; and F, and H, of Hartford. Major Purcell is a student of military affairs, and is considered a field officer of ability, standing well in the estimation of the United States officers detailed with the regiment. He was chairman of the State commission appointed by the Legis- lature of 1913 to have charge of Connecti- cut's representation at the Gettysburg semi-centennial reunion of the veterans of the Blue and Gray. Senator Purcell is a member of many social and fraternal organizations. He is active in the Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus, the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Hartford Saengerbund, the Modern Woodmen, the Tigers of the World, and the Michael Davitt Club. He is a member of the Automobile Club of Hartford and of the Chamber of Commerce.
As a resident of the old Third Sena- torial District and of the Seventh Ward he took an active interest in the politics of the section. Senator Purcell's career in public service has been comparatively short, but eventful and useful. He has spent seven years as a member of the Board of Education, and two terms in the State Senate, and in these positions has had opportunity to become acquainted
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with many problems which deeply con- cern the people of Hartford. In Febru- ary, 1916, Senator Purcell announced his candidacy for the democratic nomination for mayor. He was among those serious- ly considered for the nomination before the party primaries two years ago. He was the first to accept the suggestion of some of the party leaders that all candi- dates withdraw their names that a har- monious choice might be made. As min- ority leader in the last session of the Senate, Senator Purcelll attained great prestige. One of the laws, in the passage of which he took an active part, applies to compulsory publication of unclaimed savings bank accounts in local papers. He took a strong stand against the civil service emasculation bill and rallied around him considerable Republican sup- port by his intelligent conduct of the leg- islative fight. In regard to bills applying to his own city Senator Purcell opposed vigorously the creation of a partisan pub- lic buildings commission and he forced modifications from the Republican major- ity in the form of the redistricting bill. He secured an appropriation of $60,000 for new buildings for the Institute for the Blind on Wethersfield avenue. As a member of the committee on appropri- ations Senator Purcell was brought into close touch with the big problems of the State. When he announced his candidacy for the mayoralty, he was the first in the field for nomination. Nearly three weeks after he entered the race, he withdrew in favor of Colonel Richard H. Goodman, commander of the First Connecticut In- fantry, in which Senator Purcell ranks as major. The conviction that a contest be- tween two officers of the same regiment for a place of civic honor would introduce partisan strife destructive to complete military efficiency was responsible for this move of patriotism and the waiving of personal ambition.
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