History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 40

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1572

USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 40

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

From the personal recollections of an old friend and partner in business, Isaac Sherman, we glean the following. Stephen Burroughs, Esq., a farmer, shipbuilder, Boston coaster, slipmaster, mathema- tician, astronomer, and surveyor, was a self-made man. He was about five feet eiglit inehes in height, strongly built, never siek during his long life, a cold- water man. He died in the year 1817, aged eighty- eight years. It is related that lie and Isaae Sherman sent the first American vessel into the port of Mobile, in June, 1817, after that city came into the possession of the United States. He was an active patriot dur- ing the Revolutionary war, raised a militia company

called "Householders," of which he was made cap- tain. He was often a representative to the General Assembly and magistrate of his town for many years.

Besides his extensive business in the shipping trade he owned the parish grist-inill, called Burroughs' Mills, that stood where the Pequonnock Woolen Mills now do.

He was blind several years before his death, when it is said he invented, in 1798, the present system of Federal money.

It is said of him that he was the first man in Bridgeport to take a daily New York paper, called the Daily Journal of Commerce, which he took for its marine intelligenee, as he was then engaged in trading between New York and Richmond, Va. Upon the arrival of the mail, by the consent of Mr. Burroughs, his paper was considered public property for a short time, and the citizens would assemble to hear the news read by some good reader ehosen for the occa- sion.

His children were as follows: Stephen, Jr., Isaac, David, Abijah, Eunice, Betsey, and Huldah. David died of fever taken from a German while in Boston, and was buried at Martha's Vineyard in 1796, Abijah was lost at sca, Eunice married a Mr. Pendleton, Betsey married Capt. Joseph Sterling Edwards, and Huldah married Joseph Backus, of Bridgeport and Glaston- bury, Conn.

Isaac Burroughs, like his father before him, was ex- tensively engaged in navigation, and owned a large number of vessels, which plied between Boston, New York, and nearly all the Southern ports, besides vis- iting many of the islands of the sea. He was a large owner of real estate in this city. He was a director in the old Bridgeport Bank, of which Isaae Brunson was its first president. He was a life-long Whig and Republican, and as such represented his town in the State Legislature. He was a warden for several years of St. John's Episcopal Church of Bridgeport, Conn., and one of its most liberal supporters. He married Rebecea, daughter of Andrew Hurd, of Old Mill, Conn. Their children were six in number, all of whom are dead except Catharine A., who married A. A. Pettengill, an accomplished gentleman and seholar, of Bridgeport, Conn.

WILLIAM R. HIGBY.

William R. Higby, son of Hervey and Charlotte Baldwin, both of whom were natives of Milford, Conn., was born in Bridgeport, Conn., Aug. 6, 1825. His father, Hervey Higby, was born Jan. 27, 1801, and in 1820 located in Bridgeport and became one of the leading and substantial citizens of the town. In addition to the saddlery business, in which he was engaged until 1853, he occupied nunicrous official positions. His good judgment, ability, and correct- ness were recognized in the community, and brought

158

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

into requisition as appraisor, distributor, executor, or administrator on numerous estates. He was presi- dent of the Farmers' (now First National) Bank, and subsequently of the Connecticut National Bank ; was special and financial agent of the city and town, and agent and active manager of city and town sinking- funds, trustee and president of the Bridgeport Savings Bank, etc.

William R., the subject of this sketch, was educated at the private schools in this city and in New Haven. He commenced business as teller and book-keeper in the Connecticut Bank, where he remained seven years, and then engaged in the manufacturing business, which was destroyed by a fire a few months later. He then assisted in organizing the Pequonnock Bank, became its first cashier, and officiated in that capacity until 1869, when he resigned and engaged in the busi- ness of fire insurance, and has continued in that to the present time. In 1871, T. B. De Forest became associated with him in the business, and the firm has since been Higby & De Forest.

Mr. Higby has ever been alive to the interests of his native city, and has occupied numerous positions of trust and responsibility. He was treasurer of the city of Bridgeport in 1853, '54, '55, '56, and 1857, and town treasurer in 1858, '59, '60, '61, '63, '64, '65, '66, '67, '68, and 1872. He was a member of the Common Coun- cil two years; is director, secretary, and treasurer of Mountain Grove Cemetery Association, and has been since 1861 ; was a director in the Bridgeport Savings Bank about fifteen years; is a director in the Con- necticut National Bank, and also in the Bridgeport Gas-Light Company.

Mr. Higby has always manifested a decided interest in Masonic matters, and is one of the highest mem- bers of the fraternity in the State, having taken the Thirty-third Degree. He was initiated in St. John's Lodge, No. 3, in 1852, and was the first templar in Hamilton Commandery in 1855. He is one of the two active members of the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States. He has also been Commander of the Grand Commandery of Connecticut.

Mr. Higby is a Republican in politics, and attends the South Congregational church, in which his father was for a long time a deacon.

In 1846 he united in marriage with Mary Ann Johnson, a native of New Haven, Conn., and has two children living,-Martha Louisa and Helen Augusta. A son, Henry Cornelius, is deceased.

FREDERICK AUGUSTUS BARTRAM.

The Bartram family was among the pioneers of Fairfield County, and has an honorable record from that time to the present. Several of the family served in the Revolution, among them Daniel, grandfather

of the subject of this sketch, who marched to the de- fense of Danbury when that town was invaded and burned by Tryon in 1777. The Redding branch of this family removed from Fairfield in 1733. This was David Bartram, and he located in Lonetown.

Frederick A. Bartram, son of Gurdon and Lorraine Sanford Bartram,* was born in Redding, Sept. 13, 1824, and was the youngest of eight sons. He re- mained with his father on the farm until sixteen years of age, when he entered as an apprentice the employ of Bartram & Wilson, carriage-makers at Redding. In 1848 he removed to Fairfield and com- menced the butchering business. In 1854 he established the business of pork-packing in Fairfield, and con- ducted the business at that place until 1867, when he disposed of his interest in the Fairfield establishment and removed to this city. Mr. Bartram is an energetic and thorough business man, and every year from the beginning of the business to the present time his sales have increased, until from one thousand dollars the first year they now aggregate over two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. He conducted the business as sole proprietor until 1874, when George H., a nephew, and Edgar B., a son, became associated with him, and the business is now carried on under the firm-name of F. A. Bartram & Co.

Nov. 11, 1851, he united in marriage with Amelia Burr, a native of Fairfield, and they have four chil- dren living,-viz., Edgar B., Lillian Francis, Belle, and Jesse. He is a staunch Republican, and although never an active politician has held various city offices. He has been a member of the Common Council, and is a present alderman. He is in all respects a practi- cal man, and has lent his aid to all projects which in his judgment would advance the interests of the people, and was the prime mover and manager of the movement which resulted in giving the people of Bridgeport the "Rosedale Line" of steamers with New York City, and is now the general manager and agent of the line.

Mr. Bartram is essentially a self-made man, and his great success has been the natural result of an in- domitable will coupled with good judgment, keen business foresight, and integrity of character.

ASAHIEL LEWIS LYON.

Asahel L. Lyon was of Scottish ancestry, and the family trace their lineage back to 1681, when the first of the name in this country emigrated from "old Scotia." He was a son of Hezekiah Lyon and Sarah Hendricks, both natives of the old town of Fairfield. The latter was a daughter of Samuel Hendricks and Catharine Jennings.

Asahel L. was born in Louthbury, Conn., Sept. 26, 1810, and obtained his education at the common

* See history of Redding, elsewhere in this work.

Photo. by Wilson, Bridgeport.

8h A Bartram

S 江

the

seti- L'in the

This in- keen

the

el's

A. L. LYON.

RESIDENCE OF JAMES WALKER BEARDSLEY, BRIDGEPORT CONN.

to Be to

ca ha ou ad

po he

for

ERECTED BY JAMES WALKER IN /739.

sch

COL

shi

fir

bo 18

th in

a 0

fat

res

18 0c

BRIDGEPORT.

159

schools. At the carly age of sixteen lie commenced working at the trade of carpenter and joiner, and continued as an apprentice until he was twenty years of age, when he purchased his "time" and removed to New Haven, Conn., where he forined a copartner- ship with one Brown, which was continued under the firm-name of Lyon & Brown until 1846, when he came to Bridgeport and entered into business with his brother-in-law, the late Ezra Curtis. This firin built up a large and prosperous lumber business, which is still carried on by their licirs under the firm-name of Lyon, Curtis & Co., and they rank among the largest dealers in the State.

Sept. 14, 1837, he united in marriage with Lucy Loomis, a native of Torrington, Conn., born July 16, 1817, by whom he had one child, Lucy Loomis, born Oct. 15, 1838, and died in 1859. His wife died in 1839, and in 1843 he married Marietta Clarke, a na- tive of East Haven, Conn., born May 20, 1816, and died in 1859. Their family consisted of two children, Marietta Francis, born Nov. 23, 1846, and died in 1863, and Louis H. Lyon, born May 4, 1857, a resi- dent of Bridgeport and engaged in the lumber busi- ness. In 1861, Mr. Lyon was married to Louisa, daughter of Frederick P. and Mary A. Whiting, of Torrington, Conn., by whom he had three children, -Louisa K., born July 16, 1868; Frederick W., born May 24, 1872; and Asahel L., born Aug. 26, 1874.

Mr. Lyon was a public-spirited citizen, and one of the substantial men of the city. Although not active in political matters he was an carnest Democrat, and a member of the Congregational Society. He died Oct. 4, 1874.

JAMES W. BEARDSLEY.

James W. Beardsley, son of Elisha H. and Betsey Walker Beardsley, was born in Monroe, May 8, 1820. He was educated in the district schools of his native town and at the preparatory school of Samuel B. Beardsley. In 1850 he removed from Monroe to this town and located on the premises where he has since resided. He occupies the old Walker homestead, which was built by James Walker, his great-grand- father, in 1739. (See accompanying view.)

Mr. Beardsley commenced business for himself as a cattle-dealer at the early age of seventeen years, and has since continued in that vocation. He is a gener- ous and public-spirited citizen, and has done much to advance the welfare of the city and town of Bridge- port. As an evidence of the above statement, in 1878 he donated to the city of Bridgeport Beardsley's Park, a tract of land containing one hundred acres, delightfully located in the northeast part of the city, for which he had been offered the sum of twenty thou- sand dollars. When thoroughly improved it will be one of the finest public parks in New England. He

commenced the ornamentation of the park in 1876 by planting with his own hands two rows, four rods apart, of fine elm-trees, extending a mile in length.

Politically, Mr. Beardsley is a Democrat, who cast his first vote for James K. Polk. He is an Episco- palian and attends service at Trinity church, Nichols' Farmns. He has in his possession many interesting relics of "ye olden time," one of the most interesting being a huge clock which originally belonged to the Rev. Mr. Muirson, the first Episcopal clergyman in the State of Connecticut.

STEPHEN NICHOLS.

Stephen Nichols, son of William and Huldah Nichols, was born Sept. 16, 1804, in Trumbull, Fair- field Co., Conn. His great-grandfather, Theophilus Nichols, was one of the early settlers of the county; died April 7, 1774, aged seventy-one years, and was interred in the old cemetery in Stratford. His grand- father, Philip Nichols, was a man of much influenee in the county. A magistrate for many years. Was a large landholder; owned several slaves; dealt ex- tensively in horses and mules, many of which he ex- ported to the West Indies, together with produce of various kinds. He owned several vessels, in which he made several trips to the West Indies. William Nichols was a farmer by occupation. He was a mem- ber of the Episcopal Church, as was also his father and all of his family ; two of his sisters married Epis- copal clergymen,-viz., Rev. Philo Shelton and Rev. Mr. Allen. He died July 22, 1837, and was buried in the Pequonnock Cemetery. He was twice married ; eight children were born of the first marriage, and

RESIDENCE OF JAMES WALKER BEARDSLEY, BRIDGEPORT CONN.

160

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

seven by the second. Stephen Nichols was one of the latter. When he was thirteen years old his mother died, and he was foreed to seek a home for himself, which he did by coming to Bridgeport, where he had a sister residing, with whom he made his home. He worked by the month for farmers for several years, and tlien learned the boot and shoe trade, which business he followed as an occupation for about twenty years, and then gradually turned his attention to farming, which business he has since been engaged in. Mr. Nichols has taken an active part in politics. He was a Whig before the organization of the Republican party, but since that time he has been a strong advo- cate of the principles of the Republican party. He was elected to represent the town of Bridgeport in the State Legislature in 1878, and was appointed a mem- ber of the committee on cities and boroughs. He has been justice of the peace, assessor, selectman, and a member of the Common Council.

Mr. Nichols was married March 4, 1829, to Emeline, daughter of Aaron Beardsley, of Trumbull. They have had two children,-viz., Jane E., who died in childhood, and Stephen M., who was born July 10, 1838, and died July 29, 1870. He was in the late war about one year; served as first lieutenant of Co. D, Twenty-third Regiment Connecticut Volunteers; was in the crockery trade in Bridgeport before and after the war. Hc married Julia G. Hall, of Trnnibnll, who survives him, and is living with her children, Lizzie H. and Wilbur E., in Bridgeport. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are members of the North Congrega- tional Church. He is in his seventy-seventh year, genial, hale, and hearty, and is a good specimen of a well-preserved, temperate man.

REV. HENRY JONES.

Henry Jones, the son of Maj. Daniel Jones and Rhoda Mather, was born in Hartford, Conn., Oct. 15, 1801, where he spent his early years. He was fitted for college at the grammar school in that city, in com- pany with his eminent surviving college classmates, President Theodore D. Woolsey and Rev. Leonard Bacon, D.D., between whom and the subject of this sketch there was life-long friendship and appreciation.

His father, who was a man of a noble type, died when the son was but three months old. That he was thus deprived of the personal influence of such a father was ever and keenly regretted by him. His mother was the daughter of Charles Mather, M.D., a descendant of the distinguished Richard Mathier, of early colonial times. Though crushed and made despondent by her early widowhood, she lived to a good old age.

Mr. Jones entered Yale College at the age of six- teen years, and was graduated in the class of 1820. He pursued his theological studies at Andover Semi- nary, and was graduated by that institution in 1824.

He was married to Eliza S. Webster, daughter of the late Noah Webster, LL.D., Sept. 5, 1825; was or- dained to the gospel ministry, and settled as pastor of the Second Society in Berlin, Conn. (now the First Congregational Society of New Britain), Oct. 12, 1825. This position he filled with acceptance to his people, gaining the respect and confidence of neigh- boring pastors also, and his ministry was fruitful. Many were added to the church during his pastorate.

Possessing a highly sensitive nature, cultured, eon- scientious, and exacting, the responsibilities resting upon him as a Christian pastor and teacher, however successfully discharged according to the judgment of others, so oppressed him with a painful sense of his own inadequaey and unworthiness, as to seriously im- pair his health. This led to an early relinquishment of his ministry at Berlin, and to his entrance upon the work for which he was eminently fitted, and which proved to be the work of his lifetime.

He was dismissed from his pastorate Dec. 19, 1827, and the following year opened a select school for yonng ladies at Greenfield, Mass., which was snccess- fully continned for a period of nearly ten years. In 1838 le removed to Bridgeport, and erected the cottage he ever afterwards occupied, on the western slope of Golden Hill. Here he opened the classical school for yonng men and boys, so well and favorably known in its day as the "Cottage School," in December of that year. Both this and his first school attraeted and enjoyed patronage of the highest order from all parts of the country.

The large list of alumni embraces names distin- guished in literature, the professions, in politics, and in business. Mr. Jones was respected and beloved by his pnpils, and rarely failed, even in the most unprom- ising cases, to find and develop redeeming qualities.

After thirty years of successful and almost unin- terrupted labor as an instructor, he gradnally with- drew, to enjoy in a green old age the competence which he had acquired. Soon after his removal to Bridgeport, Mr. Jones and family united with the First Congregational Churchi, of which he remained a valued and useful member until his death, Nov. 9, 1878.

While the responsibilities of his school were upon him, his devotion to his professional duties left little time for Christian work in other ranges.

When measurably relieved, in 1858, he was elected to and accepted the office of deacon of the First Church, and fulfilled its dnties most acceptably until his voluntary retirement, in March, 1873. Oftener than any other brother, he represented the church in tlie stated and special meetings of the Conncil of Consociation. The church was fortunate in so fit a representative, and he was welcomed as a genial and valuable member.

A constant attendant upon public worship on the Sabbatlı, in heat and in cold, in sunshine and in storm, and upon the other stated meetings of the

LOG

Photo. by Wilson, Bridgeport.

Henry Jones.

. 9

red Test uril

the in

nce

the

und

in- und

iz. ent the

ate.

Photo. by Wilson, Bridgeport.

22+ 1(Parrot

161

BRIDGEPORT.

church, he was ever the appreciative hearer and the faithful, yet unobtrusive friend and ally of his pastor. His presence in the social meetings was always much eujoyed, and his usually brief but beautiful remarks and prayers were prized by and helpful to both old and young.

His generous nature responded quickly to the va- rious calls of charity and Christian benevolence, at home and abroad, and his gifts were only limited by his means. Of Puritan ancestry, orthodox in senti- ment, and of sterling integrity, he was yet liberal and genial, eminently social, and a great lover of the beautiful in nature and art. These traits, together with his perfect transparency of character, sccured the confidence and love of a large circle of friends. Meetly helped by his lovely wife, both young in spirit, even in their old age, his house was a model Christian home, and the many friends, ministerial and others, who have enjoyed its hospitalities, ever carried away pleasant remembrances, and refer to such visits as among the happiest of their lives. Such a home could but leave a deep and abiding impression upon the pupils of the school, and most happily supple- mented its otherwise superior advantages.

The golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Jones occurred in September, 1875, and was a most interesting and memorable occasion. The large attendance, numer- ous and elegant gifts from old pupils and friends, from far and near, attested the interest felt in the happiness and welfare of the venerable pair.

The names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Jones are as follows: Frances Julia, born July 15, 1826, married to Rev. Thomas K. Beecher; Emily Ells- worth, born Nov. 8, 1827, married to Daniel J. Day ; Eliza Webster, born Feb. 16, 1833, died in infancy ; Henry Webster, M.D., born March 10, 1835, of Chi- cago, Ill.

Emily Ellsworth Day, deceased July 23, 1869, leaving one son, Robert Webster Day,-the only grandchild.

Mr. Jones was much interested in genealogical re- searches. He searched out and compiled the geneal- ogies of the several branches of his own family, with great fullness and particularity. His library was rich in this department, and his reading and study enabled him to afford valuable aid to others, which he cheer- fully rendered. He was a life-member of the New England Historical Genealogieal Society of Boston, aud a valued contributor to its publications.

Mr. Jones' positive religious convictions dated very early in life. He professed his faith in Christ at the age of twelve years, and united with the old Centre Church in Hartford, then under the pastoral care of Rev. Nathan Strong, D.D., for whose memory he ever cherished a reverent regard.

Though naturally self-distrustful, he possessed and maintained a strong reliance upon the truths of the inspired word, increasing cach year of his life. His personal trust in the promises of God through Christ

was unfailing, ripening most beautifully in his closing years, and rendering his end, though attended with extreme physical suffering, peaceful and happy. The sting of death was taken away. Though life to him here was pleasant, and this world and its relations beautiful and attractive, yet he felt that his work was done, and to depart and be with Christ was far better. Mr. Jones was connected with the Ministerial Asso- ciation of Fairfield East, where, as also in frequent Consociational councils, his presence and co-operation were highly valued, and are beautifully attested by the following minute, extracted from the records of that body :

" Fairfield East Association in annual meeting, Park Street church, Bridgeport, May 27, 1878.

" Whereas, The Rev. Henry Jones, of Bridgeport, for many years a member of this Association, rested from his labors Nov. 9, 1878, in his seventy-eighth year,

" Resolved, That the Association holds in abiding remembrance the character of this departed brother and his services to his generation.

" His unaffected piety, his Christian kindliness, his scholarly spirit and varied attainments, his fidelity to his matured convictions, and his dili- gence in the duties of his vocation, won for him the cordial esteem and the sincere friendship of all his brethren. They make this minute in devont and affectionate commemoration of him as an exemplary Christian, a brother beloved, and a trite man."

FREDERICK WELLS PARROTT.

Frederick Wells Parrott, one of our oldest business men, was born in Bridgeport, July 25, 1807. His great-grandfather, Capt. Jedediah F. Wells, and grandfather, Jedediah Wells, were also residents of this town, the former being the original owner of the eutire lower portion of this eity (including Sea-Side Park), and the latter a soldier of the war of 1812.

Mr. Parrott, in 1827, at the early age of twenty years, commenced business as a manufacturer of furniture, and built the first sofa and hearse that was ever used in Bridgeport. It was while engaged in this business that his attention was directed towards the manufac- ture of varnishes, which he commenced in 1846, and laid the foundation for the present firm kuown as the Parrott Varnish Company, which was organized in 1869 by his associating with himself his son, Henry R. Parrott, and son-in-law, John D. Whituey. By strict attention to business and the manufacture of the best quality of goods, this industry has increased from a small beginning to its present large proportions. The inereasing demand for their varnishes from all quar- ters of the globe has given them a world-wide reputa- tion. Mr. Parrott has been in active business over half a century, and, so far as can be ascertained, is the only man now still in active life who was thus engaged. Fifty years ago! within this time the city and town, with its entire commerce, has passed into other hands. and has doubled and quadrupled and changed over and over again. Mr. Parrott has always been an active business man, taking great interest in local affairs and prominently identified with our municipal government, in the management of which he served

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 40

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1572

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1572