USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v.2 > Part 31
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The political allegiance of Mr. Calhoun is given to the Republican party and he has ever been an active worker for the advancement of the measures and the support of the principles advocated by the organization. From 1883 to 1889 he
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served as clerk of the City Police Court, and in 1890-91 he was a member of the Common Council. From 1906 to 1909 he held the office of police commissioner, and since 1905 he has served continuously as coroner of Hartford county. From 1906 to 1910 he was a member of the Republican State Central Committee. As a public official Mr. Calhoun has given the best that was in him to the service of his fellow citizens, placing the discharge of his duties and responsibilities before all personal considerations. He has always thrown the weight of his influence on the side of good government and his straight- forward methods have won the unhesita- ting approval of all public-spirited mem- bers of the community. As a lawyer Mr. Calhoun has the faculty of making a client's cause his own and marshals his facts and arguments in a forceful, logical manner which produces in the minds of his hearers strong conviction of the sound- ness of his position.
Despite the engrossing nature of the demands of his profession, Mr. Calhoun has found time for literary work of a high order. He was one of the editors of "Ju- dicial and Civil History of Connecticut" and accomplished practically all the labor of writing and compiling this large vol- ume, the only work on the subject thus far published. The only clubs in which Mr. Calhoun holds membership are the Hartford, the Hartford Golf and the Twentieth Century. For many years he has attended the Center Church. Any at- tempt to describe the appearance and per- sonality of a man so well known to a ma- jority of his fellow citizens would be clearly superfluous. It could be justified only on the ground that such a description might be desired by generations of the future and that, it is needless to say, can be furnished more acceptably by the artist than by the biographer. Mr. Calhoun is
the bearer of an ancient name, honorable in two hemispheres, and by his record as lawyer and citizen has worthily main- tained and increased its reputation.
Mr. Calhoun married, November 20, 1889, Sarah Cornelia, born April 5, 1861, in Brooklyn, daughter of Oren Milton and Jeannette M. (Johnson) Beach. Mr. Beach was a banker in Albany for some years, later becoming president of the Broadway Bank of Brooklyn.
(The Scoville Line).
Elisha Scoville, grandfather of Mrs. Betsey (Scoville) Calhoun, was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, serving with the rank of lieutenant in the Twenty- fourth Regiment organized from the in- habitants of the Wyoming Valley. At the time of the terrible massacre Lieu- tenant Scoville was in command of Fort Wintermort, he and his family having moved, in 1770, from Colchester to the valley. On July 1, 1778, the fort was sur- rendered to Major Jonathan Butler and in the massacre that followed Lieutenant Scoville and his wife lost everything but some clothing. They fled with their in- fant child to Connecticut, where they re- mained until the close of the war, later returning to the Wyoming Valley and there spending the remainder of their days. Their son, Jonathan Scoville, mar- ried Sarah Church (see Church line). Their daughter, Betsey Scoville, became the wife of the Rev. George Albion Cal- houn, as stated above.
(The Church Line).
Richard Church was of London, Eng- land, and cast in his lot with the Pilgrims of the "Mayflower." It would, perhaps, be more accurate to say that it appears probable that he did so by reason of the fact that he married Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Warren, who is stated to have been one of that heroic band. Richard
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Warren came from London, a fact which makes it appear that his son-in-law might also have been of that city. The name of Warren is found among the signatures affixed to the famous "Compact" and it is known that Richard Warren settled at Plymouth. His wife and children came in the "Anne" in 1623. He died before 1628, and his widow passed away October 2, 1673, aged about ninety years. Their son, Isaac Church, was the father of Caleb Church, who was the father of Samuel Church, who was the father of Sarah Church, who became the wife of Jonathan Scoville (see Scoville line).
EAMES, George Manson,
Head of Important Industry.
Upon leaving school, George M. Eames began his business career with the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company, manu .. facturers of sewing machines. He liter- ally "worked his way" from the foundry through every department of the business until he became vice-president. No higher encomium is needed than the foregoing facts to convince the reader that his whole soul was in his work and that he "did with his might that which his hands found to do." He comes honestly both by his business ability and his public spirit, for his father, Albert Eames, was one of Bridgeport's noted business men and fore- most citizens, particularly interested in the establishment and development of a park system, and when after twenty-two years of service as park commissioner he surrendered to the "Grim Reaper," his son took up the work and has rendered equally unselfish and valuable service on the park board.
Mr. Eames traces descent in direct pa- ternal line to Thomas Eames, born in England, who came to Massachusetts not later than 1634. He was a soldier of the
Pequot War in 1637, and after several re- movals settled in Framingham, Massa- chusetts. During King Philip's War, on February I, 1676, while absent from his home Indians attacked and killed his wife, and several of his children were either killed or carried away captives. He did not long survive this cruel blow, dying suddenly, January 25, 1680.
Nathaniel Eames was one of the chil- dren captured by the Indians, but later he regained his freedom and was one of Framingham's valued citizens until his death, January 1, 1746. His son, Nathaniel (2) Eames, was a corporal in the Indian War in 1725, served in the French and Indian War in 1757, and although seven- ty-two years of age was a "minute-man" at Concord and Lexington, April 19, 1775. He died March 13, 1796.
Nathaniel (3) Eames, son of the Revo- lutionary patriot, was a prosperous farmer in Framingham, and also rendered Revo- lutionary service. His son, Lovell Eames, was a substantial farmer and landowner of Framingham, and was generous in the gifts of land for church purposes. He married Lucy Eames, daughter of Henry (2) Eames, a Revolutionary soldier, and a descendant of Thomas Eames, through his son. John Eames, and his son, Henry (I) Eames.
Albert Eames, son of Lovell and Lucy (Eames) Eames, was born at Framing- ham, Massachusetts, March 9, 1811, died in Bridgeport, Connecticut, December 14, 1889. He learned the machinist's trade at Springfield, Massachusetts, and later was employed in the United States mints at Savannah and New Orleans. In 1846 he engaged with the Remingtons at Ilion, New York, they then having an important contract for firearms for the government. His services were of great value in invent- ing a new way of making parts, his system one now generally adopted by gunsmiths
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and machine makers. Later Mr. Eames organized the American Machine Works at Springfield, Massachusetts, and in 1856 located in Bridgeport. He entered the employ of the Wheeler & Wilson Manu- facturing Company, and until his death was identified with that company. He was president of the Bridgeport Horse Railroad Company, took an active part in municipal affairs, and was one of the men to whom Bridgeport owes the inception and development of her first park system. He served as park commissioner twenty- two years, term expiring with his death, and gave to the duties of his office serv- ice of a high order. He was a member of Hampden Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Springfield, until his death, although for thirty-five years Bridgeport was his home. He married, in 1844, Harriet Avery Ferre, born at Monson, Massachusetts, March 26, 1819, died at Bridgeport, September 3, 1889, a descendant of Charles and Sarah (Her- mon) Ferre, early settlers of Springfield, Massachusetts. The Ferre descent is traced through Charles Ferre, the founder ; his son, John (1) Ferre ; his son, John (2) Ferre; his son, John (3) Ferre; his son, Solomon Ferre, a soldier of the Revolu- tion ; his son, Horace Ferre, who married Harriet Avery, a descendant of Captain James Avery, of New London, Connec- ticut ; their daughter, Harriet Avery Ferre, married Albert Eames, and they are the parents of George Manson Eames, of Bridgeport.
George Manson Eames, youngest son of Albert and Harriet Avery (Ferre) Eames, was born in Springfield, Massa- chusetts, January 19, 1859, but has spent his life largely in Bridgeport. After completing courses in Bridgeport public schools he entered the employ of the Wneeler & Wilson Manufacturing Com- pany in the foundry department. He was
advanced from one department of the plant to another, each position held being an upward step. His interest and apti- tude carried him to constantly increasing positions of responsibility until he was elected vice-president. When the busi- ness was sold to the Singer Manufactur- ing Company, Mr. Eames was retained as manager of the Bridgeport plant.
Mr. Eames is a member of the Bridge- port Board of Trade and of the executive committee of the Manufacturers' Associ- ation. He has ever taken a deep interest in municipal affairs, that interest being particularly directed toward the develop- ment of Bridgeport's park system. He was elected a member the park commis- sion, and has served continuously as presi- dent of the board, his colleagues unani- mously awarding him the honor although he asked that it be conferred upon an- other. He is an ex-president of the Algonquin Club, ex-commodore of the Bridgeport Yacht Club, and a member of other clubs of his city. In political faith he is a Republican.
Mr. Eames married Helen Augusta Higby, daughter of William Riley and Mary Ann (Johnson) Higby, the former named a leading business man and official of Bridgeport, now deceased, a descendant of the eighth generation of Edward Hig- bee. who settled in New London, Connec- ticut, in 1648. Mr. and Mrs. Eames are the parents of five children : Charlotte M., married George W. Ellis, of Monson, Massachusetts; Helen, married Noble E. Vincent ; Martha, twin with Helen, de- ceased ; William, deceased ; George Man- son (2).
TINKER, Berlin Wright,
Prominent in Educational Circles.
There is no more vital factor in com- munity life than public education. The
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training of the youthful mind, in the formative state, along those lines which will prove most beneficial to it in later life, is a task which confronts every com- munity, as a large and life-sized problem. The more progressive the community, the greater the care and attention given to this problem. The more intelligent and capable the men in whose hands the direc- tion of education is given, the greater the value to themselves and to the world are the recipients of it. It is admitted that a sound education is the best basis on which to begin a career in any walk of life. For this reason, the sending of a child or youth into the battle of life equipped poor- ly and without the necessary tools for combat, is no less criminal than the send- ing of an ocean liner on a voyage un- equipped with life savers sufficient for its passengers. The element of chance that the ship will sink is no less great than that the man will fail. The improvement in the quality of public education has in- creased a hundred fold within the past few decades, due to an awakening on the part of the people to the absolute neces- sity of a good school training. New Eng- land has always been noted for its ex- cellent schools; the New England con- science has ever been quick to appreciate its duties. The city of Waterbury, Con- necticut, may well be taken as an example of what is being done throughout that entire section. Its educational institu- tions are admittedly of the finest grade, and the credit for this is largely due to the ability, capability and strict integrity of the men who have superintended them.
year 1897, prior to which time he taught schools throughout the states of Connec- ticut and Massachusetts, filling the post of principal in several high schools. A lifelong study of educational conditions, and actual experience in the teaching force, have thoroughly acquainted him with the many problems which face modern education. It is impossible for the theorist, whose work is not backed up by practical planning, to accomplish any permanent or effective reform. What is needed in the ranks of education are men with constructive imaginations, great enough to conceive adequate solutions for these problems, and strong and practical enough to see their solutions through to the finish. This is the type of men who have been responsible for the great strides forward that education has taken com- paratively recently, and in Mr. Tinker the schools of Waterbury have such a man.
Mr. Tinker was born in Jerusalem, New York State, February 7, 1867, the son of Ezra and Sarah J. (Wright) Tinker. Ezra Tinker, D. D., LL. D., was born in Norwich, New York, and died in Marine City, Michigan, in April, 1912. The greater part of his life was spent in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he was pastor of the church at Marine City when he died. Mr. Tinker held honorary degrees from Yale and Chicago univer- sities. The Tinker name is a well known one in Connecticut, reaching very far back in the history of the State. John Tinker, paternal grandfather of Mr. Tinker, was born at Lyme, Connecticut. He had four- teen children, of whom only three are now living: Jeremiah, who is a resident of the State of Kansas; Mary, resident of Wis- consin ; and Sarah, resident of New York. Ezra Tinker married Sarah J. Wright, who was born at Dundee, New York, and died in 1908 at Lyons, New York.
Berlin Wright Tinker, present Superin- tendent of High Schools of the city of Waterbury, has steadfastly upheld the high standard set by his predecessors, and has also added to the prestige of his depart- ment improvement of his own. He has held his present incumbency since the They had five children, and of these Berlin
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W. Tinker is the only one living. Their children were: Viola, died at the age of fourteen years ; Theodore, died at thirteen years; Belle, died at twelve years; and Samuel, died at twenty-one years.
Mr. Tinker grew up in the wholesome, beneficial atmosphere of the home of the Methodist minister. When quite young he went with his parents to Norwich, Con- uecticut, where his father was minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was given all the advantages of a good educa- tion, and completed a course at the Nor- wich Academy, preparatory for college. Upon being graduated from this institu- tion he attended Bates College, pursuing the regular academic course. He was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and for a year thereafter attended the Boston University, with the purpose of making teaching his life work. Upon leaving Boston University he immediately began teaching, and was the first principal of the high school at Chelmsford, Massa- chusetts, after that filling the same posi- tion in the high schools of Southborough. Marblehead, and Marlboro, and later was appointed superintendent of schools in Marlboro. He came to Waterbury in 1897, as superintendent of schools and has held that post up to the present time. Mr. Tinker is a member of the First Con- gregational Church.
He was married, in Portland, Maine, on August 25, 1889, to Elizabeth French Wyer, daughter of Hiram and Martha J. (Alexander) Wyer, both of whom were members of old families of Portland, Maine, and are now dead. Mr. and Mrs. Tinker have no children.
The success of Mr. Tinker's administra- tion as superintendent of schools is evi- dent in the schools themselves, which have been brought up to a state of effi- ciency and competency greater than ever before. Mr. Tinker is thoroughly imbued
with the responsibility of his position, and has shown that he is thoroughly equipped to handle the exigencies which arise in it. That this fact is appreciated by the citi- zens of Waterbury is attested by his suc- cessive reappointment to the post.
WILBY, Stephen William, Well-Known Educator.
Another prominent figure in the educa- tional affairs of the city of Waterbury, Connecticut, is Stephen William Wilby, principal of the Crosby High School. The position of principal in a high school de- mands for its successful administration a man of much wisdom and human under- standing. The high school is a world by itself, and it presents problems which as- sume colossal proportions and require in- finite delicacy in their handling. The high school education is even more important than that of the elementary schools, for it is here that character is formed. The im- print of the high school life is left clear long after that of the elementary has be- come a blurred memory. Many great men have admitted that the influence of their teachers on their lives has been greater by far than that of their parents. The charge and responsibility which rests on the shoulders of the teacher and prin- cipal is as great and important in early life as that of the minister. It is in fact a ministry, and an all absorbing one, call- ing for sacrifices continually on the part of those who enter it. There are occa- sionally men who enter this profession who mistake their vocations, men whose presence in the calling causes the unrest and lack of cooperation found among students. They arouse antagonism, as natural as it is harmful to the student. The true teacher is born a teacher. He is the man filled with the spirit of his call- ing, the desire to impart knowledge, a
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love of humanity, and an infinite gift of patience. This is the sort of teacher who leaves the imprint of his character and teaching indelible on the minds and hearts of his pupils, who is loved, honored, re- vered and respected. The place of such a teacher in the hearts of the younger generation is truly an enviable one; and it is such a place that Stephen W. Wilby, of Crosby High School of Waterbury, Connecticut, holds in the hearts of the thousands of students who have passed through the portals of the high school since he first assumed the post of its principal.
Stephen William Wilby was born in Spencer, Massachusetts, November 27, 1865, the son of John James and Louise B. Wilby. He was given a thorough edu- cation, both elementary and secondary, and upon graduation from the David Prouty High School of Spencer, Massa- chusetts, in 1881, was entered in Montreal College, in Montreal, Canada. After fin- ishing there, he came back to Massachu- setts and attended Holy Cross College in Worcester. He was graduated from that institution in 1888. At the age of twenty- three Mr. Wilby began his career as a teacher. With the exception of one year's time, his entire life since that time has been spent in the educational profession. That year he spent in New York City, engaged in magazine work. Previous to his coming to Waterbury, Mr. Wilby taught in academies in Baltimore, Mary- land, and in Rochester, New York, at Epiphany College in Baltimore, and at St. Andrew's Seminary in Rochester. He came to Waterbury in 1895 and in 1896 assumed the post of principal of Crosby High School.
Mr. Wilby was married on August 12, 1902, in Waterbury, Connecticut, to Cath- erine G. Charters, daughter of William and Ellen (Sexton) Charters; Mrs. Wil-
by's parents are both dead. Mr. and Mrs. Wilby have no children. They are mem- bers of St. Margaret's Roman Catholic Church of Waterbury.
Mr. Wilby has held the post of principal of Crosby High School for twenty-one years, and in consequence has had under his care and guidance many of the men who are to-day Waterbury's leading citi- zens, business men and professional men. He is a keen observer, and possessed of the ability to read and understand men, without which he could not have reached the height in his profession which he has reached. He is a man of genial, kindly and forgiving nature ; a deep student, and a lover of art and letters. He is well known in Waterbury, and has made scores of friends in the city, among whom are numbered some of the most influential men of the city, many of them former pupils of his, men who have never for- gotten his beneficial influence on their earlier lives.
FANNING, William Edmund, Head of Large Industry.
The name of Fanning is in all probabil- ity derived from the old Norman and was probably brought to Ireland by the first settlers of that race. Many and varied are the spellings which we find of it in the early days, the affix "ing" having been established some time during the six- teenth century. Other more archaic forms are those of Fanyng, Fannyng, Fannynge. Fanynge, Fanyin, Fannying, Fannyn, Fanninge, Fannen, Fanan, Fan- nin, and Fannon. The progenitor of the Fanning family of which William Edmund Fanning, the distinguished gentleman whose name heads this brief appreciation, is a member, was one Edmund Fanning, born about 1620 in Ireland. We know comparatively little concerning his life
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and of his marriage only that his wife's Christian name was Ellen. Edmund Fan- ning came to America at an unknown date.
Their eldest son, Edmund (2) Fanning, was born in Ireland about 1651, and when a child came to American colonies with his parents and lived at Groton, Connec- ticut, where his father had given him a farm. He was one of the English volun- teers in the Narragansett War and for his services received a grant of land at Vol- untown. He was married at Stonington, Connecticut, to Margaret Billings, a daughter of William and Mary Billings, in the year 1678. They made their home on the farm at Groton.
Their son. Edmund (3) Fanning, was born in New London, Connecticut, about 1682. He lived all his lifetime on the farm inherited from his father. He was a very prominent man in town affairs. He died at Groton, Connecticut, in March, 1768. He married (first) at Preston, Con- necticut, about 1710, Hannah, a daughter of William and Hannah (Frink) Parke. She was born at Preston, September 10, 1685, and died at Groton, Connecticut, June, 1772.
Their son, William Fanning, was born at Groton, Connecticut, December 23, 1715. He lived on the homestead of his ancestors, and died at Groton, Connec- ticut, previous to 1762. On March 17, 1738, he married at Groton, Connecticut, Ann, a daughter of James and Abigail (Eldridge) Minor.
Their son, George Fanning, was born at Groton, Connecticut, about 1743. He lived near Lantern Hill on the old home- stead where he followed the occupation of farming. He married, about 1770, at Groton, Connecticut, Eunice, a daughter of Asa Barnes. He died early in 1776, and his wife died August 21, 1829, at Groton.
Their son, James Fanning, was born at Groton, Connecticut, July 5, 1772. He followed the trade of carpenter and re- moved to Preston, Connecticut. Here he was made a freeman, September 17, 1804. He returned to Groton in 1812 and lived in Ledyard. He married, at Preston, Con- necticut, February 17, 1799, Elizabeth, a daughter of Isaac and Annah (Brown) Williams. She was born at Groton, Con- necticut, June 24, 1776. He died at Led- yard, July 9, 1839, and she died at Led- yard, October 1, 1857.
Their son, William Fanning, was born at Preston, Connecticut, December 14, 1808. At the age of four years he re- moved to Groton with his parents, and lived there the remainder of his life. He followed the occupation of farming and was a representative to the State Legis- lature in 1863. He died at Ledyard, May I, 1880, at the age of seventy-one years. He married, July 21, 1836, at Ledyard, Mary Ann, a daughter of Nehemiah Ma- son and Huldah (Wheeler) Gallup. She was born at Stonington, Connecticut, April 17, 1815, and died at Ledyard, Con- necticut, October 3, 1901.
Their son, George Fanning, was born at Ledyard, Connecticut, October 4, 1837. He was the owner and cultivator of one of the finest farms in the State of Con- necticut. He was very active in civic life. was elected school visitor in October, 1859, and served as acting school visitor and secretary of the board for several years. In October, 1895, he was reelected for a term of three years. In November, 1880, he was elected judge of probate over Colonel William T. Cork, his opponent. In 1884 he was defeated by James A. Billings, and in November, 1888, was re- elected again. He retired in 1895 and was succeeded by Russell Gallup. He was in office for a period of ten years. He married, at Ledyard, Connecticut,
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