USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 52
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 52
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It is not purposed to now trace the lineage of the Birdseye family- a task which could only be embraced by a large volume. A writer of an article, published in " Lippincott's Magazine," July, 1879, says " the Birdseye pedigree is the central stem of all Stratford genealogies."
In the present day the Birdseye family is represented in Birming -. ham by Thomas S. Birdseye. His father, Thaddeus G. Birdseye, was born at the family homestead, a farm only a few miles from Birming- ham, in the town of Huntington. There is in the home of his son a large oil painting of great value, reproducing minutely the old home- stead. There is the ancient house, the well sweep, the servants, the horse, and the other buildings, all speaking of the home life of those early settlers. There Thaddeus G. Birdseye was born September 9th, 1810, and lived, until as clerk with a New York wholesale grocery house, he began his business life. Soon after he entered the post office at Bridgeport, Conn., where he remained some years. In the spring of 1836 he moved to Birmingham, and he was engaged succes- sively in the grocery and dry goods trades. He became postmaster as the successor of Henry Atwater, and held the office eight years; he was town clerk also four years, and was then chosen secretary and
This Friday
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treasurer of the Derby Savings Bank, a position he filled for 20 years, until his death at 70 years of age, August 15th, 1880.
Mr. Birdseye is described as a quiet, unobtrusive, genial man, one who always minded his own business, a devoted inember of the Epis- copal church, a faithful official, who gave great satisfaction in the dis- charge of his financial duties, a tried and trusted friend of the poor. There is an inner history here, beautiful as rare. There are many in every community who have but little of this world's goods and who are in need of a faithful, wise, loving counselor and friend, one who will kindly and discreetly help them, invest their money, counsel in its outlay, devise, make and be custodians of their wills, perhaps be- come administrators of their estates; and Mr. Birdseye was the rare person to whom this considerable class turned for that brotherly aid they needed. Without remuneration he did for the love of man all the helpful things that only those who so received can appreciate, and their numbers were amazingly large. He married Miss MaryA. Shel- ton, daughter of Alfred and Ruth B. Shelton, of Huntington, July 25th, 1839. Their children are Thomas Shelton and Mary Louisa Birdseye.
The same general and many of the special traits of the father ap- pear in the character of his only son, Thomas S. Birdseye. He en- tered the Birmingham post office and served as assistant for eight years, and later acted as assistant town clerk during his father's in- cumbency. After the death of his father, in 1880, he was chosen his successor as secretary and treasurer of the Derby Savings Bank, a position he fills with all the efficiency, fidelity and popularity of his honored predecessor. Cautious, wise, faithful, loving, he has suc- ceeded to all the respect and esteem in society which his father lield. The widow, the orphan and the aged all trust him and seek his coun- sel and his friendly service, and advice is given willingly and gra- tuitously to all. It is needless to say that a man of such character is held in high esteem and loving respect. The very gold of worth has been shown in the hearts of both father and son.
He married Miss Mary A., daughter of William and Eleanor Smith, of Birmingham, Conn. Their children are: Bessie Rebecca, Henry Shelton (teller in the Derby Savings Bank), Eleanor Louise and Mary Anna.
RUFUS W. BLAKE was born in Norfolk, Mass., May 3d, 1841. The careers of some of the typical self-made and prosperous business men of New England have a dramatic interest attaching to them, and all the more so since the dramatic element is enacted in real life rather than in the imagination of the playwright. Mr. Blake furnishes an excellent illustration of the self-made and properous business man. He was helped forward at the beginning by no favored birth or in- heritance of wealth. He was the son of a farmer, but did not take to farming as though he was born for it. Nor was he satisfied, when
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first he began work, with being a bobbin boy in a cotton factory, nor yet with the painter's trade, which he afterward learned. And yet the painter's trade seems now to have been genius seeking out its calling. He next learned the art of cabinet making, and this art in- troduced him to the employ of Taylor & Farley, of Worcester, Mass., manufacturers of melodeons. The smallness of that enterprise in 1863 demanded an all-around fitness in the employees, and they each and all became familiar and really expert in all parts of organ build- ing and finishing.
Four years later (1867) Mr. Blake formed a partnership with J. W. Loring, under the firm style of Loring & Blake, for the manufacture of organs. But six years later (1873) the Sterling Organ Company, of Derby, Conn., needed an infusion of new life, and Mr. Blake was offered the position of manager. The financial structure on which the company then rested was weak. To those who knew that struc- ture it is indeed surprising that the storm which centered in Black Friday, a date only a few months later than Mr. Blake's entrance into the company, did not sweep it away. But the manager's ability and indefatigable energy kept it intact in all those terrible stormy days.
Again, its recuperative energy was sorely tried in 1875, for fire swept away the entire plant, except what could not burn, and de- stroyed much of that. As fast as the factory could be restored it was, and organs were built as before. But in 1887 another disaster befell the company in the failure of a great musical house of New York, and a loss of $75,000 to the company seemed inevitable. But by methods carefully worked, which it seems no other than he could have devised, and at the same time worked them, the indebtedness to the company was paid. Since that time the company has been very prosperous, losing nothing and greatly increasing its product.
In 1885 it was deemed advisable to add piano making to the indus- try. Enlargement of the factory followed, until now it is one of the largest establishments of its kind in the country, having more than 150,000 feet of floor space. As an indication of its growth, the statis- tics show an output in the new factory, following the fire of 1876, of 100 organs per month, but in 1878 1,200 per month. And from the piano department have been sold more than 12,000 pianos since 1885. At the annual meeting, in August, 1890, the capital stock was in- creased to $210,000.
The credit of this great growth and thrift has been attributed chiefly to Mr. Blake, who was secretary and treasurer from 1874 until 1887, and, since that time, the president of the company.
An analysis of Mr. Blake's habits as a business man, places his suc- cess in life in three particulars.
1. A thrifty management of the factory he controls. He is the personal supervisor of the factory. Knowing by wide and long experience in organ building how every part can be most economically and rapidly
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made, he also knows at a glance when the workmen are best serving the factory's output. And trained himself, he can select trained men, and put them, only, in every department. There is no concealment under his eye, and the employees strive for the best results. Skilled in designing as well as construction, Mr. Blake exhibits an elegance in his organs and pianos which attracts public notice and makes his instruments popular.
2. Thrift in the outside management of the company's purchases and sales. The materials to be worked up into organs and pianos are pur- chased with keen foresight of the best interests of the company's treasury; while the completed goods of the factory are laid, by wide, judicious advertising. in sight, if possible, of the people of all lands.
3. Conscientiousness, or high quality in manufacture and the scrupulous keeping of all business engagements and contracts. The instruments offered to tlie public are found to have character in them, and to be void of disappointment, while the money centers where the company's financial transactions are done are inspired with perfect confidence in the pledges of the factory. The inner history of saving to the com- pany the impending loss occasioned by the New York failure already referred to, is a striking proof how fully the word and character of the company's president can be relied upon in business circles.
These three elements of business manhood have given Mr. Blake a very high standing as a business man. He has sought to be noth- ing else than equal to the most worthy of business men. Politics have not allured him from his industry, though his townsmen have insisted that he should serve them as one of the burgesses of the borough of Birmingham.
Mr. Blake's religious affiliations are Baptist. December 29th, 1865, he married Miss Hannah Marsh, of Worcester, Mass. His residence, on Elizabeth street, both within and without, exhibits everywhere the evidence of cultured taste and manners of life. Mr. and Mrs. Blake are much enjoyed by their friends for their domestic and social vir- tues and graces.
GEORGE BLAKEMAN, born in Derby October 10th, 1799, was the son of Gideon Blakeman, carpenter and builder. At that early date the school advantages were limited as compared with those of the present time; yet Derby could boast of an academy, situated on what is now known as Academy hill. Mr. Blakeman attended school there until he was 14 years of age, then learned the trade of shoemaking, and became master of his time at 17 years of age.
A few years were spent as journeyman, and then, at about 21 years of age, he began business for himself, employing men to manufacture shoes and boots and selling the surplus product in New York. He conducted this business until 1837, and then went into partnership with a well known Derby citizen for the sale of dry goods and grocer- ies. But in 1846 he entered as manager the joint stock enterprise of
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the Ansonia Boot & Shoe Company. But the term of service lasted only four years, when he became secretary and treasurer of the An- sonia Clothing Company. He then went to Birmingham, and at the organization of the Shelton Company-a company manufacturing tacks, all kinds of small nails and all sorts of bolts -- Mr. Blakeman be- came secretary and treasurer. Here he continued until December, 1889, when failing eyesight, at the age of 90 years, seemed to counsel him to put the work in charge of younger men.
A glance only at this long business life suffices for the conclusion that Mr. Blakeman has been a man of remarkable vitality. And now with intellectual power but slightly, if at all, impaired, he might go on casting up accounts and managing finances. His memory is vig- orous and quite ready, and his nerves are steady as those of much younger men. His powers of conversation are entertaining, and the past is a vivid panorama which he takes pleasure in reviewing by ex- planation and recital.
All this is the more remarkable since, in youth and early manhood, he was so sickly and feeble it was thought he could live but a very short time. In fevers and sickness, in pain and suffering, he was given over to die, and for more than 30 years was little better physi- cally than an invalid. But he had immense energy that could not be curbed into quietness, and hence he kept at business or work until his infirmities passed by, and now for 50 years has been comparatively rugged in health.
Mr. Blakeman attributes his long life and gradual physical im- provement to his total abstinence from all medicines whatever, and he desires to commend his habit to people in general. Not since earlier than his twenty-first year has he taken any medicine whatever, believing that nature is the great healer, nor has he employed a physi- cian, however sick he might be, believing that drugs are poisons rather than aids to the enfeebled body. He has aimed to select food, such as nature, in normal condition, craves, and has not drunk tea or coffee since 1833.
Mr. Blakeman has, at different times, held positions of trust out- side of his own office work, as director of the Birmingham National Bank, and of the Derby Savings Bank; but has now resigned all these to other hands. In politics he is a republican, and in religion casts his allegiance to the faith of his ancestors and of his family, who are Congregationalists.
Mr. Blakeman has been twice married; first in February, 1824, to Miss Julia Ann Tomlinson, of Derby, who died April 21st, 1879. He was married again April 14th, 1880, to Miss Mary A. Johnson, of Orange, N. J. Mr. Blakeman's residence is on Broad street, Derby, overlooking a picturesque portion of Birmingham and Shelton. And now retired from active business life, he occupies his time attending to his estate and family and entertaining friends. For amusement he
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plays the organ, of which he is fond, and takes photographic views with his camera, of beautiful scenes in Derby and vicinity.
Frederick N. Bradley, born in Derby in 1835, is descended from David, born 1803; Abijah, born 1769; Enos, born 1726; Enos, born 1699; John, born 1674; Abraham, born 1650, and William. The last named came to Saybrook from England in 1637, and was made a freeman in 1644. Enos, the second, was the first of the family to come to Derby in 1746. He had 11 children. One of his sons was killed in the revo- lutionary war, at New Haven. David Bradley married Susan C. Clark, of Milford, in 1834. Their children are: Frederick N. and Sarah F. Frederick N. married Louise G. Hooper, of Ansonia, in 1873. David Bradley died in 1885. He was the founder of the sash and blind fac- tory, situated in the southeast part of Derby on Two-mile brook, in 1832. Agur Gilbert was in company with him for a time. He retired and Mr. Bradley's son, Frederick N., became a partner. The business is still carried on by the latter, under the firm name of D. Bradley & Son
CHARLES S. CHAFFEE, machinist, Derby, Conn., was born in Wind- sor Locks, Conn., January 25th, 1836. His parents, Anson and Sally M. (Whipple) Chaffee, moved to Derby when he was quite young, and placed him early in the district school. But it was not his good for- tune to continue there longer than his tenth year of age. He then went out from home to work on a farm in Stratford. Four years passed by and he returned to Derby to work with his father in the rolling mill. But at 17 years of age he went to Meriden to learn the trade of machinist, and remained there until 1858. He then returned to Derby again, and after a few years found employment in the factory of R. N. Bassett, where he has been a trusted, efficient, superior workman ever since.
In this long period of service in a single factory, Mr. Chaffee has won to himself the good name which is better than riches. Histowns- men know they can rely upon two qualities, his good judgment and his integrity, and hence they have chosen him to responsible public positions. He was made justice of the peace, and before his court, during his two years of office, many cases came. He did not have the technical legal education, but he made of purpose the law of right be- tween man and man his guide, supplemented by what legal lore a private and diligent study of the statutes of the state might afford, and his court acquired the reputation of impartial justice, tempered by humanity.
It was the year 1886. Labor agitation had made the choice of a representative of the working classes desirable, and Mr. Chaffee, as an intelligent. upright citizen, trustworthy in the highest sense, was chosen by the people at the polls for representative to the general as- sembly. In the "House" he was made a member of the labor commit- tee. Again, in 18SS, the choice of the people rested on him for the
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same office, by an increased majority. And when his term of service at the capitol expired, he was chosen first selectman of the town of Derby for two successive years. a position he held in 1891.
His political status is that of moderate democracy, and he has so fully the confidence of his townsmen that, though he cannot command the patronage which wealth naturally bestows, numbers of the oppos- ing party have voted for him at different times. The tax-payer knows that while his administration may not be distinguished as bril- liant in new schemes, it is yet judicious and thoroughly honest and abreast of the times.
Mr. Chaffee is president of the Up-Town Burying Association and member of the school committee. He is also treasurer of the North American Endowment Association, a member of the Pequots, and of the Improved Order of Red Men, and of the United Friends. His re- lations to the G. A. R. are most cordial, and while he was never on the field with the veterans, his father and four brothers served in the Union army.
September 2d, 1858, he married Mary J., daughter of Benjamin and Polly Chalker, of Durham, Conn. One daughter has been born in the family, May 3d, 1859-Mrs. Ida May Hubbard, wife of Frank C. Hub- bard, of Middletown, Conn. They were married November 16th, 1881. Two daughters have been born to them-Ruth and Julia.
Captain Sanford E. Chaffee, born in East Windsor, Conn .. in 1833, is a son of Anson Chaffee. With his father and one brother, James W., he enlisted April 19th, 1861, in Company D, 2d Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, for three months. They were in the first battle of Bull Run. Sanford E. was then first lieutenant. At the expiration of the term the father, Anson, reënlisted in the 10th Regiment as mu- sician. Another son, Harvey, enlisted as private in the same regi- inent, and served till the close of the war. James W. reënlisted in the 1st Regiment Cavalry for three years, and was promoted to orderly sergeant of Company B. Sanford E. raised a company of 140, re- ceived his commission as captain, and joined the 20th Regiment. He was in all the battles with this regiment until after the battle of Gettysburg, when he was sent to the Baltimore Hospital. He after- ward rejoined his regiment, and was transferred to the Southwest, under General Hooker. He remained in the service until after the battle of Chattanooga, when on account of the injuries he had received, he resigned, and was appointed by the governor of the state as re- cruiting officer, serving as such until the close of the war. He then removed to Virginia, and took part in the reconstruction of the state as superintendent of registry of votes under the reconstruction act. He remained in Virginia till 1872, when he returned to Birmingham and entered the employ of the Derby Railroad Company as depot agent, which position he still holds. He was elected a member of the
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legislature in 1886. He has always taken a deep interest in the G. A. R., and has been post commander two terms.
CHARLES E. CLARK was born March 18th, 1850, in Derby, Conn. In the first years of the nineteenth century the town of Orange was peopled by many families by the name of Clark. One of those fami- lies was the ancestor of the subject of this sketch. His grandparents were Nehemiah and Sarah Clark, well-to-do and excellent farming people. In the year 1820 they both died, stricken with the same fever, and passed away each within a few days of the other.
Their son, Merritt Clark, and father of Charles E., was born in 1815, and was left an orphan at the tender age of five years. But a favoring Providence watched over him, and when he had grown to sufficient age he entered as an apprentice to the trade of carpenter. Having learned the trade he did joiner work for a few years in New Haven, and then came to Derby in December, 1839. Here he carried on the business of builder and contractor, in partnership with Mr. Willis P. Sperry, and later, in 1842, under the firm name of Hotchkiss, Clark & Co. This company was afterward merged in the Derby Build- ing & Lumber Company, in existence at this writing. It is remem- bered of him that during his career as a builder in 1845, he built the first house in Ansonia. He remained with the Derby Building & Lumber Company until 1861, when he retired to enter the coal trade. But in 1877 he turned over his coal interests to two of his sons, George B. and William J. Clark.
He was married October 27th, 1841, to Mary A., daughter of Benja- min and Anne Hodge of Derby, a woman of great motherly goodness and piety, whose instructions are not departed from by her large family. She died November 27th, 1889. Their children were: Emily, Mary E., wife of Edson L. Bryant, of Ansonia; George B., Julia V., wife of William R. Steele, of Ansonia; Charles E. and William J. All of this large family are living at this writing, and it is a very happy feature of the family life that all are settled near home. The three sons have built residences close to the homestead for the purpose of living as near as possible to the parents who gave them training and love for so many years. The family associations and life of these chil- dren, with their parents in the center, were of the most delightful kind. Possessing natures of great affability, these children worked steadily for the happiness of each other, and found their highest earthly joy within the family circle. And when the circle was broken in 1889 by the death of the mother, the common pleasure was only chastened into the greater fondness for each other.
Mr. Merritt Clark is a man of sterling virtue and character. He has lived a life of every day usefulness in the community in which he has so long had his home. His reputation for sound judgment and business ability is of the best, his keen perception and untiring in- dustry having brought him success in all his business undertakings.
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It is a tribute to his business standing that for over a quarter of a cen- tury he has been a member of the board of directors of the Birming- ham National Bank. He is now passing the evening of his life greatly respected and loved, and the more so where he is known best, and though he has retired out of the active business community to live principally in the circle of his special friends, he has left the good name which will not die in the wider world.
The second son of Merritt Clark is Charles E. His early fortune did not favor him with an extended period of school life, for at 14 years of age he went from the school to a clerkship in the Birmingham post office. This position he held for only two years, when at the age of 16 years he was chosen teller of the Birmingham National Bank, February 12th, 1866. So well did he discharge the duties of this position that he was certainly in the line of promotion, and was made assistant cashier June 22d, 1880. Scarcely four years passed by when Mr. Joseph Arnold, who had served as cashier with distinguished ability for more than 30 years, died, and Mr. Clark was unanimously chosen his successor January 15th, 1884.
The able president of the bank is Mr. Edward N. Shelton, of Bir- mingham, but outside business matters have rightfully absorbed much of his attention, and the internal management of the bank has fallen largely upon the cashier.
Mr. Clark's long acquaintance with the business men and business condition of Birmingham and vicinity, gave him the ground work for a successful administration. His own good judgment and affability in all circles, whether business or social, have made him a competent and popular officer, with whom the business community has ever been in the most cordial relations. The high standing of the Birmingham National Bank has not only been fully kept up, but advanced under Mr. Clark's administration. His wide acquaintance in Derby and elsewhere has been gained in part by his genial manners. Any one can approach him, and may be sure of coming from the interview with that feeling which great good nature inspires in one meeting another who has it. And this quality, united with unsullied business integrity and dispatch, has made him one of the most trusted and popular of officers.
Mr. Clark's banking duties have given little time for other matters, but he has been called to serve in many directorships, treasurerships, etc. He is a director of the Ousatonic Water Company, the Derby Silver Company, the Derby Gas Company and the Young Men's Christian Association, and has been the treasurer of the town of Derby for a number of years. He is also treasurer of the Derby and Shelton Board of Trade. He has been a member of Ousatonic Lodge, No. 6, I. O. O. F., for some 15 years, and an active supporter of the purposes of the order, and is the treasurer of the Lodge. He has re- cently become a member of King Hiram Lodge, No. 12, F. & A. M.
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