History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 42

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 42

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returned to Providence, and was installed over the Fourth Congregational Church, which soon after came to be called the Free Evangelical Church. After leav- ing this church he held pastorates in the Second Presbyterian Church at Galena, Ill .; in the Congre- gational churches at Winona, Minn ; Dannielsonville, Conn .; Spencer, Mass; and Monroe, Conn.

During Mr. Waterman's pastorate in the various churches mentioned above he preached the doctrines of grace, as taught in the Bible and expressed in con- fession of faith, with great freedom, earnestness, and power, and left a lasting impression upon the minds of his hearers. His oratory was at times peculiarly effective, and partook somewhat of the manner of an advocate earnest in presenting and pleading for a just cause. At such times his definitions, illustrations, and incidents were so used that he kept the attention with unflagging interest. In 1856 he had been preaching in a series of meetings at Beloit, and on the last Sunday evening had for his subject the immateriality of the soul. He had prepared the sermon for two dis- courses, but was compelled to deliver it as one. Soon after, Professor Fisk, in his rhetoric class, instanced to the theological students the delivery of that sermon as worthy their careful study, as it was such an un- usual thing that a logical sermon of two hours in delivery would find a large and mixed audience re- gretting that it was ended.

Professor H. S. Osborn, LL.D., of Oxford College, Ohio, in speaking of Mr. Waterman, says, "The first acquaintance we made of the Rev. T. T. Waterman, was as pastor of the Arch Street Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. No man ever won the regard and warm-hearted confidence of the young men in that part of Philadelphia as he did; and at no period in the history of that church had the congregation shown so large an attendance of the young at its Sabbath and other public services. Mr. Waterman possessed an everlasting spring of enthusiasm, and it constantly overflowed. No one ever caught him unprepared to welcome a friend, sympathize with a stranger, or coun- sel, in the kindest way, an erring one; and his reproofs, when presented in the most earnest way of which he was capable, were always given so as to leave the im- pression of loving sincerity. During the writer's stay in Virginia, Mr. Waterman made a visit to that State, and at his invitation made a tour among the planta- tions. The influence of that yisit was most remark- able. The contrasts of society and conditions of life were peculiarly great. The master and slave-the wealthy, cducated, and aristocratic, and the poor, ig- norant, and prejudiced, in splendid mansion or log cabin-were alike won to him. Persons who were haughtily opposed to all approach on the subject of religious suggestion or instruction were even de- lighted with his conversation upon the subject. Walking in some elegantly-arranged garden, with a party of gay young people, he could with the most charming adroitness and apparent fitness draw a mo-

Per Thes Of Waterman

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BRIDGEPORT.

mentary attention to some striking feature of design, or inethod of arrangement, in some plant, or flower, or shrub, and, with perfect poetry in his purpose, make a winning allusion to the infinite heart of love above all things."

" Mr. Waterman's personal appearance was in itself an introduction at once. His countenance expressed just what we have been describing in character. There was a kind frankness commingled with a sym- pathizing houesty and intelligent ability expressed in his face which put his hearers into a favorable mood to hear him and disarmed suspicion. He was pecu- liarly a preacher to the hearts of his audience, and, though at times his appeals to the reason were forci- ble and pertinent, his great strength lay more in the appeals to conscience, to the claims of duty, and to the emotions of heart, and in these appeals his earn- estness, appositeness, and naturalness were singu- larly powerful. We have known him to address the roughest, ignorant, and almost brutally profane, sud- denly, yet with such wisdom and efficiency as to change the man addressed into an apparent friend, and that during the ntterance of an ordinary sen- tence.

"There are many now living whose memories turn from the recollections of many great speeches, elo- quent sermons, and masterly intellectual efforts, to the memories of the wonderful power of Mr. Water- man's earnest, plain, and yet remarkable appeals to the heart, to his warm and sincerely beautiful point- ings to the eternal Father and to the Saviour, and these memories are as pleasing as the lasting harmo- nies of those highest beauties with which his soul seemed always in sweet accord."

Politically Mr. Waterman was a Whig, subse- quently a Republican, and a vigorous exponent of the principles of that party. He was a powerful champion of the temperance cause, and was practical in his efforts to check this unholy traffic. It is re- lated of him that when he lived in Galena, Ill., the city had a large trade with the upper Mississippi River country, and it was the custom for the wholesale grocers to keep full supplies of liquors to fill the orders of customers, while they might deny that they were liquor dealers. One day one of his sons went iuto a large wholesale grocery on the levee, when the pro- prietor said to him, "Your father lias just been here aud given me a lecture on liquor selling. If it had been any one else I should have sent him off in short order, but you know he can say anything he plcases and one cannot get mad about it."

He possessed in a remarkable degree the power of adapting himself to people and circumstances indi- vidually his own. It is related of him that on one occasion he was making a journey of two or three days through Wisconsin. On the return the driver told an acquaintance, "That minister can go anywhere and do anything he thinks right, and the folks think it's all right too. You see, the first night out I didn't

want to stop at the regular place, because I found there was going to be a dance there, but he insisted on stopping there. At last I told him of the dance, and that it wouldn't be pleasant for him, but he in- sisted; and, if you'll believe me, he actually had the fiddler play Old Hundred, got them all to singing, and at last made a prayer and went up-stairs."

William F. De Wolf, who was a law-student in the office of Mr. Burgess, in Providence, when he first began to preach in that city, says his first reeollee- tion of him was his coming into the office and stand- ing for over an hour at the book-case reading, and remarking, as he closed the book, "Upon many points it is important that a minister should know the com- mon law." It was not an unusual custom for him thus to visit the law-office.

Senator Carpenter relates that upon one occasion lie was in his office, where a young man was reading for the profession. During a brief conversation lie re- marked that he trusted in his studies he would recog- nize the claims and merits of the religious law of the soul. The young man replied he was so occupied with his studies that he had no time for religious subjects. Mr. Waterman said to him, " Young man, you will never know civil law enough to rule out the law of your soul."

In speaking of his power as a Christian worker, an article published in the Congregationalist in 1873 says,-

" About the year 1826 or 1827, Dr. Lyman Beecher having become the pastor of Hanover Street Church, Boston, revivals of religion were fre- quent, and a new energy in religious things was developed. Especially the May anniversaries in Boston, as also iu New York, began to assume new importance, to commaud the attendance of multitudes, and to awaken a much higher measure of interest than had characterized theni before, or than has attended them for a few years just past. This year Rev. T. T. Waterman, then pastor of the Richmond Street Church in Providence, lately deceased, was invited to spend the Sabbath, imme- diately preceding anniversary week at Boston, in that city. He ac- ceded to the proposal, and in three different churches preached a sermon on the especial duties of Christians residents in cities.

" At each delivery attention was marked. The subject was much talked of through the week, and continued to be a theme for remark in conversation and in religious journals for subsequent months. By special invitation, this discourse was repeated in several cities, and the name of the young pastor of Providence became at once well known through New England and the Middle States. I have reason to think that this sermon had appreciable influence in preparing the way in later years for labor in cities to save young men and young women, and for the introduction of the whole work of Christian Associations."

While Mr. Waterman excelled as a sermonizer and a pulpit orator, and was engrossed in the multi farious duties of an active pastorate, still he found time to indulge the poetical promptings of his nature, and the poetry of his soul found vent in mauy sweet and sacred songs, which clearly indicate that the bent of his mind in this sphere also was of no ordinary cast. The following beautiful liues are from his pen, cu- titled "The Thrill at Parting :"

" Repress ! No, I would not, that thrill of the soul Which saddens the moment of parting with friend ;

That thrill, 'tis the strength of affections which roll Down the current of time, 'till paintings shall end.

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

"That thrill-let it come, in the might of its power; It bids us look upward and onward for peace ;

It hails the glad promise, and welcomes the hour When the sorrows of parting forever shall cease.

"O then, when in Heaven, what emotions will rise, As hearts which are holy in fellowship rest ; Nor distance, nor absence, nor tears reach the skies, Nor farewell is heard in the home of the blest.

"Then cease thy repining, and chase away gloom, By faith 'look aloft' where attachments abide; Our JESUS has triumphed o'er sin and the tomb, And by parting, we meet to be one at His side.

" This thought, then, shall cheer us when far and away 'Mid the changes and sorrows of life we are driven, We shall soon meet above, and in ecstasy say- There was nothing below like the friendship of Heaven.

"The friendship of Heavon !- by blood 'tis made sure, Everlastingly strong its raptures shall roll ;

It is union with Gon and the hearts of the pure, In the bosom of JESUS-the home of the soul."

Dec. 11, 1827, he united in marriage with Dclia, daughter of Dann Storrs, a native of Mansfield, Conu.,

and their family consists of five children,-Thomas S., Alfred T., George I., Lucy M., and Edwin S.

Dann Storrs, mentioned above, was the grandfather of the Hon. O. S. Seymour and Mrs. George C. Wood- ruff, of Litchfield Hill, Conn.

The Watermans trace their ancestry in this country to Thomas Waterman, who came with his family to Plymouth, Mass., in a very early day.

His son Thomas married Elizabeth Allen, of Gro- ton. They lived at Norwich, and died in their ninety- fifth and eighty-ninth year, respectively, having lived together sixty-eight years.

His son Nehemiah married Sarah Gifford.

His son Nehemiah married Susannah Isham, of Colchester.

His son Elijah married Lucy Abbe, of Windham, whose son was the subject of our sketch. Mr. Water- man died in Stratford, Conn., Aug. 7, 1873, aged seventy-one years.

JAMES D. FRARY.

James D. Frary was born at Meriden, Conn., Sept. 20, 1832. He remained with his father, who was a manufacturer of britannia ware, until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to New York City as clerk in the hardware business. Here he remained until 1852, when he returned to his father's factory, taking charge of the business. He was one of the organizers of the Meriden Britannia Co., Jan. 1, 1853. In the following year he disposed of his in- tercst, and purchased the stock of the Meriden Hard- ware Co. Jan. 1, 1855, he became one of the firm of Frary, Benham & Co., manufacturers of powder- flasks, shot-pouches, game-bags, and a general assort- ment of sportsmen's goods. In the spring of 1857 he sold his interest to a new company, known as the American Flask and Cap Co., located at Waterbury, Conn., and removed to that city. He returned to Meriden in the fall of the same year, and formed a company known as Frary & Co., subsequently Frary, Cary & Co., manufacturers of hardware. This com- pany was consolidated in the spring of 1861 with the

Landers & Smith Manufacturing Co., at New Britain, Conn., and the name changed to Landers, Frary & Clark, manufacturers of general hardware and cut- lery.

In spring of the year 1876, Mr. Frary removed to Bridgeport, Conn., and organized the Frary Cutlery Co., for the manufacture of table cutlery. To this manufacture was added, in July, 1879, the making of pocket cutlery and razors. At the beginning of the business there were about one hundred persons em- ployed. The business has rapidly increased, and at the present time the establishment gives employment to seven hundred and sixty-nine.

Mr. Frary is a public-spirited citizen and a thor- ough business man. Politically, he is a Republican, and was a member of the Legislature in 1868. Dec. 22, 1852, he united in marriage with Miss Hclen A. Peck, of Berlin, Conn. Their children have been as follows : James P., Harry L., Cora A., and Grace R., all of whom are living except James P., who died at Meriden in the spring of 1861. Mr. Frary attends the Episcopal Church.

Photo. by Wilson, Bridgeport.

&C. Pomlinson

THERE is no prouder or more enduring personal record than the story of a self-reliant, manly, and successful career. It declares that the individual has not only understood his duty and mission, but fulfilled them. The following biography is highly suggestive of these facts.

Russell Tomlinson, now a leading manufacturer of Bridgeport, Conn., was horn at Southbury, in that State, April 5, 1807. His father was a mechanic, and worked and owned a mill forge at Oxford, but died in 1819, when Russell was only twelve years of age. From the age of eight years he had lived about on the neighboring farms. At fifteen he went to Amenia, in Dutchess Co., N. Y., where he labored on a farm during the summer months, and worked in a blacksmith-shop in winter and at night. Not heing well treated hy his employer, he left and located in Salisbury, Conn., on what is known as the old Salisbury Ore Hill, where for two years he worked at black- smithing for the miserable pittance of fifteen dollars a year and board, clothing himself from his earnings. Ahout 1827 he joined one of his brothers, who had established a small fac- tory for making earriages at Bridgeport. He was engaged here for some time at the then wages of one dollar and a quarter a day. At this time I. & L. Shuman had a branch of their sad- dlery and carriage business at Columbia, S. C., and, knowing young Tomlinson to be a popular and intelligent workman, made an engagement with him to go to that place, and take charge of the blacksmith-shop. He went there, but remained only one winter, when he returned to Bridgeport. He was shrewd enough to see that the hest opportunities for success in business were in New England. He opened a small shop, where he attended to blacksmith work of different kinds and made car- riage-springs. Having now accumulated the sum of four hun- dred and fifty dollars, he closed up his affairs in Bridgeport, and went to Derby, Conn., where he built a shop, and carried on the manufacture of carriages in a small way. He continued in this for three years, when he sold out and found himself the possessor of fourteen hundred and fifty dollars. Returning to Bridgeport, he bought a steam-engine, and workod for a year or two making axles and sawing timber. By this timo his brother's carriage business had grown into considerable impor- tance, and was conducted under the firm of Tomlinson, Wood & Co. He hought half of his brother's interest, and Mr. Wood sold half of his interest to a brother, thus making four in the firm. Mr. Tomlinson was a member of this firm for about fifteen years. During this period it established a name over

the whole country for the manufacture of all descriptions of carriages. This branch of manufacture has given to Bridge- port much of its importance. The business of Tomlinson, Wood & Co. was conducted in all its departments with great judgment and success. Mr. Tomlinson at length sold his interest, and retired from said business. Not heing satisfied with a life of case, he next turned his attention to the organization of a company for the manufacture of springs and axles, which was in the year 1852. The present flourishing Tomlinson Spring and Axle Company, of Bridgeport, is the result of these efforts. In 1867 he resigned the presidency of the Naugatuck Railroad, an office which he had held for a number of years. The year 1863 saw him elected to the Legislature of Connecticut. In 1878 he was elected to the Senate for two years, and hy a vote of the Senate was appointed to fill the position of chairman of the State prison committec, which place he held for two years. He has also filled nearly all the different offices in the municipal government of the city and town of Bridgeport, and during the whole period of the late war was the active and efficient agent of the town in raising troops for the Union army. Though still interested in business enterprises, he has withdrawn from active participation in them. He resides in a fine mansion on Golden Hill, a beautiful locality of Bridgeport. Mr. Tomlinson was a large contributor to the building of Christ Episcopal Church, one of the finest edifices of Bridgeport, which is located in the same select neighborhood. He has always exhibited a great deal of public spirit, and aided in every possible manner the growth and improvement of the city in which he lives. Mr. Tomlinson is about of the average height, and equally proportioned. His face shows intelligence, foresight, and decision as tho chief elements of his character. He is practical and reflective in all things, and, wheu once his plans are formed, is diligent and obstinate in their speedy and complete execution. His success in life has been achieved by economy and industry in its earlier stages, and hy a prudent and skillful management of large business interests at a later period.

He has gainod nothing by mere luck, but everything by well- digested plans, and the intelligent appreciation of his energies to the end in view. In social life he is a gentlemanly and affa- ble person, and there is a considerable vein of humor in his composition which adds very much to his companiouable qual- itics. His business ability and integrity and popularity have placed him in the first rauk of the successful manufacturers and valuable citizeus of New England.

John Brooks

CAPT. JOHN BROOKS, son of John Brooks and Mary Coe, was born in Stratford, Sept. 18, 1795. His grandfather on the ma- ternal side was Ebenezer Coe, of Stratford, who was a captain in the war of the Revolution. He was in the vicinity of Dan- bury when it was burned hy the British, and lost an eye at the battle of Ridgefield, where the lamented Wooster was mortally wounded.

The subject of this sketch attended school at the old Strat- ford Academy, which was then under the control of David Plant, subsequently judge of Probate and Lieut .- Governor of Connecticut. In 1810 he was taken to New York City to live with John Vanderbilt. In 1811 he went as clerk with Gershom Smith, a grocer in Peck Slip, but, not being adapted to that business, he left the establishment, and soon after the breaking out of the war of 1812 came home.

About this time Elisha Wilcox built a sloop called the " Arab," to run as a packet between here and New York, and, knowing well the sterling qualities of young Brooks, offered to make him its commander. He accepted the position, and at the age of oighteen years Capt. John Brooks commenced his long career as a steamboat commander. He sailed the " Arab" until 1814, when he was transferred to a sloop owned by his father, called the "Intrepid." In 1815 he was captain of the regular packet " Patriot," owned by Beach & Peck, and in 1816 of his father's sloop called the " Mary Ann." In 1817, Capt. Brooks formed a copartnership with the late Isaac Sher- man which lasted about two years.

He continued in charge of one of the line of packets plying between Bridgeport and New York until 1824, when he became captain of the "John Marshall," a steamboat plying between New York and Norwalk. He remained here but one year, and then took charge of the steamer " United States," plying be- tween New Haven and New York, and soon became captain of the "S. B. Hudson," a fine boat built hy Montgomery Living- ston to run on the Hudson River, but was then plying between New York and New Haven. We next find Capt. Brooks in command of the " Franklin," a steamer running hetween New York and Poughkeepsie, and in 1827 of the "Governor Wol- cott" on the same line. A few weeks after assuming cominand of the " Governor Wolcott," the boat was chartered by Capt.

Vanderbilt to run to New Brunswick. While running on this line he lived with Mr. Vanderbilt as one of his family. About this time, the winter of 1826-27, he made the acquaintance of Capt. Cornelius Vanderbilt, which soon ripened into a warm friendship which lasted as long as Mr. Vanderbilt lived.

He subsequently commanded the "Emerald," running be- tween Norwalk and New York; the "Bellona," running to New Brunswick ; the " Thistle," from New York to New Bruns- wick ; the "S. B. Baltimore," from New York to Norwalk; the "Nimrod," and the "Westchester." Capt. Brooks' long and active business career closed in 1864, when he retired with a competency, and has since lived in the enjoyment and peace of a happy home. Capt. Brooks has a strong individuality and strength of character. Like his friend and colaborer the late Com. Vanderbilt, he was possessed of an indomitable will, which triumphed over all obstacles.

Capt. Brooks never allowed his multifarious business cares to interfere with his duty to Him who had given life, strength, and prosperity, and has ever been a faithful Christian. He was originally a member of the North Congregational Church of this city ; subsequently became one of the founders of the South Church, from which he with others seceded and united in organizing the First Presbyterian Church.

Politically he is a member of the Republican party, and has been an earnest exponent of its principles since its organization. He was previously a Whig.

Oct. 14, 1817, he united in marriage with Maria Hawley, a native of this town; hence it will he seen that this venerable couple have enjoyed the marital felicity of more than three- score years.

A prominent characteristic of Capt. Brooks is his benevo- lence ; charitable and religious objects ever find him ready to contribute with his counsel and his means. Warm-hearted and generous, no worthy poor were ever turned empty-handed from his door. He has ever manifested a decided interest in religious matters, and has contributed liberally, and almost lavishly, to the various churches with which he has been connected. He is a kind husband, a devoted friend, and an upright citizen. Although Capt. Brooks is now an octogenarian, he retains in a remarkable degree the vigor and elasticity of youth.

Photo. by Wilson, Bridgeport.

David B. Lockwood

REUBEN LOCKWOOD, whose father was Jolin Lockwood, was born April 17, 1762, at Fair- field, Conn. His wife, Elizabeth (Raymond) Lockwood, was born Nov. 23, 1761. Their son, father of the subject of this notice, was David Lockwood, who was born at Weston, Conn., April 27, 1791, and his wife, Abigail (Gray) Lockwood, was born at Westport, Conn., Jan. 2, 1802. Their children were Wakeman D., Rhoda Ann, and David Benjamin, the subject of this sketch, who was born Jan. 7, 1827, at Weston, Conn. He attended the Easton Academy, and graduated at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in 1849; studied law at Bridgeport, Conn., and was admitted to the Fairfield County bar in 1851. He practiced his profession in Bridgeport from 1851 to 1856, and from 1856 to 1861 in New York. From 1862 to 1865 he was first ser- geant of Second Connecticut Light Battery in | 14, 1872.

the war of the Rebellion. During the year 1866 he was assistant editor of the Waterbury Daily American. In 1867 he again resumed the practice of his profession in Bridgeport, which he has continued until the present time in con- nection with his other duties. From 1869 to 1871 he was judge of the City Court of Bridge- port, and in 1875 representative to the General Assembly. The present year (1880) he is city attorney for Bridgeport.

He was married Jan. 11, 1856, to Caroline Amelia Redfield, of Clinton, Conn., who died Nov. 5, 1865. The result of this union is Alice Redfield, born Oct. 2, 1856, and Lester Burchard, born Sept. 25, 1860. In 1868 he married for his second wife Lydia Ellen Nel- son. Their children are Harriet Eugenia, born Aug. 18, 1869, Lucy Bettie Josephine, born Nov. 19, 1870, and Sidney Nelson, born Nov.

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 42

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