USA > Connecticut > Representative men of Connecticut, 1861-1894 > Part 62
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Massachusetts Publishing Co. Everett, Mass,
385
OF CONNECTICUT, 1861-1894.
Some things came of this change, too. He had loved the church before. But now he loved it with the fondest affection, and he gave his heart to the work in such a way that it became his ambition to serve the church in the highest and strongest way. He also developed a much stronger love for the Holy Scriptures and strove to fill his mind with them.
After the completion of his public bequests, which were exceedingly liberal, the remainder of Mr. Camp's property was equally divided between his three daughters, Mrs. Mary A. White, a widow, who has been a resident at-the home of her father for some time; Mrs. Sarah Jane Cruttenden, wife of George Cruttenden, and Mrs. Jeannette Harmount, also a widow.
AMMOND, GEORGE ASAHEL, of Putnam, senior member of the firm of Hammond, Knowlton & Company, silk manufacturers, was born May 26, 1841, in Hampton, Conn.
The first representative of the Hammond family in America emigrated from England and settled in the suburbs of Boston now Newton. His grand- father, Asahel, and a brother, Hezekiah, each settled upon farms in the town of Hamnp- ton early in the century, and later both bought homes at Brooklyn, the county seat, moving there soon after 1840. Three sons and five daughters were born to Asahiel. George Robinson, the second son, father of George A., purchased the farm, after teaching in Wind- ham County schools, where he always lived, for a terin of years. There were four sons and four daughters, of whom one-half died in childhood. Charles Storrs was married and died at the age of thirty-seven. His son, Clarence Asahel, is now living. Lucy Ann married George Hart and died at the age of thirty. William Henry occupies the old farm, well known as "Red Roof," which in the census of 1890 showed the largest production of any in Windliam County. He has two daughters living. The mother of George A. Hammond was the eldest of nine children, he was the eldest grandchild, and his son, Charles Henry, the eldest great- grandchild; the latter died in Colorado at the age of twenty, April 15, 1888. There is a group picture in existence, showing four generations living, of Mr. Hammond's grandmother, his mother, himself and son, with about twenty-five years difference in their ages.
His education was obtained at the county schools, and for two terms at Williston Seminary, Easthampton, Mass. While there he took a thorough course in penmanship, and for one term was assistant teacher in that branch in the seminary. Following in the footsteps of his father, he taught five terms in Windham County schools.
The War of the Rebellion was in progress, and just after Mr. Hammond attained his majority, the town of Hampton had a call for nine men to fill its quota. A meeting was called for the purpose of securing enlistments, and the authorities invited men to state what inducement in money would cause them to enlist. Stirred by patriotic impulses, he announced promptly that he would go to the defence of his country without any money consideration. His example was immediately followed by four others, and as soon as this fact became know11 the quota was filled without further trouble and a draft on the town prevented.
He joined Company G, Twenty-sixth Connecticut Volunteers as private, but by vote of the company was soon elevated to the rank of orderly sergeant. The regiment was con- manded by Col. Thomas G. Kingsley and served under General Banks through that ineinora- ble siege at Port Hudson. The Twenty-sixth Connecticut was brigaded with the Fifteenth New Hampshire, of which Senator Henry W. Blair was colonel, the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth New York and Twenty-fourth Maine. The brigadier general was Neal Dow, the noted leader in the temperance cause. Captain Stanton of Company G was killed May 27, in the first assault made on Port Hudson, and Orderly Sergeant Hammond was then
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appointed by the colonel acting lieutenant the remainder of his terin. His teri of service did not relieve him from possibility of draft, and wishing to enter business furnishicd a substitute for full three years' terin. He entered the silk business with his uncle, Charles L. Bottum, August, 1864, in the town of Mansfield, Conn.
Mr. Hammond was especially fortunate in having as instructor in the spooling and finishing department Goodrich Holland, brother of "Timothy Titcomb," and Anson Swift, a well known throwster, and having as co-workers John A. Conant and his brother Hiram. At the close of the second year, liis constant application to the details of manufacturing gained him the position of superintendent of the mill, and at the end of the third was given an interest, and five years later he was made a member of the concern. Mr. Hammond was early recognized as an expert in the spooling of silk, and this reputation caused him to be invited to set up spoolers in three new mills and assisting in the work of starting many others. Twice flattering inducements have been made to go to other mills, but he always remained loyal to the concern with which he first engaged.
With his cousin, Charles C. Knowlton, as 'an active partner, and George M. Morse as a special partner, Mr. Hammond established a silk mill at Putnam, Conn., in 1878. The two partners purchased Mr. Morse's interest in 1881, and in 1885, Louis Hauchhaus, who had served three years as salesman, was taken into the concern. It is a favorite saying of his, "Pretty good will not do, the best attainable is poor enough." The factory has always been proverbial for its neat appearance, and this has no little effect on the quality of the goods produced. He prefers to lead and let his competitors follow or imitate his successes. Year by year the sales of the firm have steadily increased until in 1893, probably no concern in the country made a larger output in their specialties of sewing silks, machine twists and silk braids. January Ist, 1894, his firm with two others formed the New London Wash Silk Company at New London, Conn., and they produce " wash silk " embroideries of superior merit, which are growing in popularity in the market. Mr. Hammond is now recognized as one of the leading manufacturers in his line, and this reputation has been gained by fair dealing and persistent work, backed up by a thorough knowledge of all the processes and details which enter into the manufactured product.
Men of his stamp and character must expect to be called upon to serve their fellow citizens in official stations. At an early period after his arrival in Mansfield, he was placed upon the school board, and retained his membership as long as he resided in the town. After coming to Putnamn, he was again made a member of the school board, serving one year as acting school visitor, and is now a member of the board. In 1876, he represented the town of Mansfield in the state legislature, and served on several important committees. Mr. Hammond was elected to the legislature in 1885, from the town of Putnam, and was reelected by the popular vote the following year. He was appointed chairman of the com - mittee on manufactures, and a member of the railroad committee, and was generally acknowledged as one of the active working members of the House. It was mainly through his efforts that the charter for the Putnam Water Works was granted, being one of the first legislative acts of the session. For two years lie served as a member of the executive committee of the Home Market Club, Boston. The second year, Gen. Win. Draper, now a member of Congress, was president of the club. On the same committee with Mr. Hammond were T. J. Coolidge, ex-minister to France ; W. H. Bent, now president of the club ; Win. A. Russell, ex-member of Congress, and other men of equal prominence.
He took great interest in the fact that Putnam was the first town in the county to intro- duce a system of city water works, as well as an electric light plant, and was active in promoting both enterprises. For two years he was president of the Electric Light Company
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OF CONNECTICUT, 1861-1894.
of Putnam, his mill and residence being the first in the town to introduce the new light. Having but just rounded out the first half century of life, he has yet inany years of useful- ness before him, and one need not be a prophet to make the prediction that the future has still higher honors in store for his acceptance.
George A. Hammond was married Oct. 12, 1862, to Jane, daughter of Hezekiah Crandall, and niece of Prudence Crandall who was prominent in anti-slavery days. Of their two children, a son and a daughter, the latter, Bertha Elizabeth, is still living.
B REWSTER, LYMAN . DENISON, of Danbury, Conn., was born in Salisbury, Conn., July 31, 1832. He is the son of Daniel and Harriet Averill Brewster. His grandfather, Daniel Brewster, Sr., was born in 1730, at Preston, Conn., and was the great-grandson of Jonathan Brewster, eldest son of "Elder William Brewster," the "Chief of the Pilgrimns."
Few, indeed none, of his contemporary statesmen can boast of a inore distinguished and heroic ancestor. Williamn Brewster was born of an ancient family, educated at the University of Cambridge, acquainted with the splendid court of Queen Elizabeth, and conversant with public affairs. He was the intimate and confidential servant and friend of William Davison, the trusted secretary of the sovereign ; and when his patron was disgraced and wickedly imprisoned in the Tower of London, Brewster "remained with him, rendering many faithful offices of service in the time of his troubles." Two years after the fall of Davison, Brewster - who was then about twenty-three years of age- went to reside with his father at the stately old manor-house of Scrooby, near the northern boundary of Notting- hamshire. There he acted for his infirin old father, who held an office in the service of the Queen. Five years after that he was himself the postmaster at Scrooby, and lived "in good esteem among his friends and the gentlemen of those parts, especially the godly and religious.". He was an earnest, godly inan, had accepted Puritan views at the university, and did much for the promotion of religion in his own locality. He was especially active in securing the services of good preachers, and earned the praise that Paul gave to some of his converts, by giving beyond the measure of his ability for their support.
In 1617, the Pilgrims discussed the project of removal to the new world, and, in 1618, Brewster and Cushman secretly repaired to London to negotiate in behalf of the church with the Virginia company. In 1619, it was decided that the pioneers in the daring enter- prise should be accompanied by Ruling-Elder Brewster, the pastor's colleague in the oversight of the flock. On July 22, 1620, the pioneer Pilgrims embarked on board the "Speedwell," at Delft-Haven, for Southampton, in their native land; whence they were to sail for America. The "Speedwell " was a minute vessel of only sixty tons, and was designed to serve as a tender to the " Mayflower," a ship of a hundred and eighty tons. On the fifteenth of August, 1620, the two insignificant vessels sailed from Southampton with a hundred and twenty passengers, and all the material needful for founding a colony in the wilderness. It was a "day of small things" for the Pilgrims. But in those small things were the germs of mighty religious and political revolutions that were to change the face of Christendom, and hasten the evangelization of the human race.
On board the " Mayflower " the church worshipped under the presidency of its teaching and ruling elder, William Brewster; and at Christmas landed on Plymouth Rock -the American Mecca. In the privations, hardships, sicknesses, and deaths which followed dis-
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embarkation, William Brewster proved himself to be a truc follower of the Lord, who washed His disciples' feet. Gravest and statelicst of all his company, Elder Brewster was revered and loved by all who knew him. In 1623, hic was rejoined by two of his daughters, who had been left behind in Holland. For nine years he was practically the pastor as well as the teacher of "the church in the wilderness." When he died it was in green and flourishing age, full of honors, and cnrichied by the reverence, love, and trust of multitudes in both licmispheres. It is not too much to add that William Brewster's head and heart have impressed their characteristics upon the American people as profoundly, perhaps, though not as visibly, as those of George Washington.
It was with strictest propriety that the descendant of the old Cambridge University student was destined to receive a liberal education. Lyman D. Brewster was fitted for college -chiefly at Williams Academy, in Stockbridge, Mass. I11 1851, he entered the freshinan class at Yale, and graduated from that venerable institution in 1855. He was the poet of his class. Subsequent to graduation, he studied law under the direction of the Hon. Roger Averill, at Danbury, Conn., and was admitted to the bar on the twenty-first of January, 1858. There he soon rose to the dignity and influence of a leading member, and became the first judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Fairfield County -holding the office with credit and distinction from 1870 to 1874. He has also interested himself in all public matters germane to the best interests of his neighborhood. He has served as judge of probate, school visitor of Danbury for sixteen years, and also as one of the directors of the Danbury Savings Bank.
I11 1870, and again in 1878 and 1879, Judge Brewster was elected to the lower house of the Connecticut legislature. In 1878, he was an influential member of the judiciary committee, on which he served with Governor Andrews; and, in 1879, was on the same com- mittee in company with Hon. Henry C. Robinson of Hartford. During the session of 1878, he was chairman on the part of the House of the committee on state expenditures, and also of the committee on constitutional amendments. He also effectively advocated various important measures, including the repeal of the "omnibus " clause in the divorce law. In the same year he was appointed by Governor Hubbard a member of the commission for revising the civil procedure code. When the report of the commission was presented in the session of 1879, Mr. Brewster bore an active part in the two days' debate which ended in its adoption, and also in the subsequent work of the commission in preparing new forms and rules of practice under it. The result of the work of the two years was the adoption by the legislature of the "Practice Act " and "Book of Forms," which placed Connecticut first of the New England states among the so-called "code states " of the Union. These have done away with the technical differences in forms of actions prevailing under the old common law system. He also, at the opening of this session, secured the adoption of a new joint rule, making the committee on engrossed bills a committee of correction, to correct all mistakes and report back to the House all defective bills. The object of the committee on correction is to prevent imperfect acts from becoming laws, until they have been carefully revised and considered by it. The work itself is of cardinal importance to careful legislation.
This is not the only beneficent legislative measure for which the people of Connecticut are indebted to Judge Brewster. In the House journal of 1870, appears the record of bills introduced by him for the economy and protection of labor. One of these, No. 23, pro- vides that "every railroad company shall require sufficient security from the contractors for the payment of all labor performed in the construction of said road : and such company shall be liable to the laborer for labor actually performed on the road." This clause became
OF CONNECTICUT, 1861-1894. 389
a law. An act for the protection of labor, No. 88, providing that preferred debts due from insolvent estates for labor and services performed, be allowed to the amount of fifty dollars, instead of twenty-five as now provided, also became a law. Twelve bills which passed into law, introduced by him in 1878, greatly reduced thie expenses of the state.
In November, 1879, Judge Brewster was elected by the Republican party to the state Senate from the Eleventh District, by a majority of 315. His victory was all the more flattering because the district had been carried by the Democrats since 1865; and further, because the hatters, who constitute a considerable fraction of the voters in Danbury, voted largely for him, without reference to party, in view of his advocacy, in the previous session of the legislature, of a state commission to examine into the feasibility of regulating prison labor, so that it shall not injuriously affect outside laborers. In the session of 1880, he again served on the judiciary committee, but in the capacity of chairinan.
Since the close of his judicial and legislative terms, the mnost noticeable event in his professional history has been his connection with the Tilden will case. As one of the counsel for the heirs, Mr. Brewster spent a liberal share of four years' time investigating the merits of the case and preparing briefs. It was an exceedingly intricate affair, with wide-spread ramifications, and it gave him an excellent opportunity for legal research. Mr. Brewster is a member of the American Bar Association, and several years has been chairman of the committee on uniforin state laws. At Danbury he has been interested in public matters in a marked degree, and in addition to official stations previously mentioned, he has been chairman of the book committee in the Danbury Library since it started, about 1869.
Hitherto, on common testimony, Senator Brewster has maintained a character for purity, public spirit, ability and useful service in strict harmony with the reputation of that heroic and godly Pilgrim leader whose inemnory cannot die, and whose fame will be greener and more luxuriant as the centuries roll onward into eternity. As a politician Mr. Brewster has never stood in with the "heelers," or run with the "machine " men. In public life he has displayed the qualities of an honest and public spirited citizen. He is one of the best known members of the bar of the state, serving often on important committees and is a gentleman of very pleasant manners.
In 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Ives, daughter of George W. Ives of Danbury.
URNER, EDWARD THOMAS, a prominent citizen of Waterbury, late president of the Fourth National Bank of that city, late representative of the fifth sena- torial district in the state Senate, and distinguished in mercantile circles as a leading business man of the Naugatuck Valley, was born in the town of Litch- field, Litchfield County, Conn., March 21, 1835, and died at his home in Waterbury, Dec. 2, 1891. His father, Eber Turner, who died at Litchfield, in 1857, aged seventy-five years, was a native of the same town, and a farmer by occupation. His mother, Malita Wilmot Turner, was a daughter of Asa Wilmot of Woodbridge. She also reached the mature age of seventy-five years, dying at Litchfield, in 1863.
The subject of this sketch was brought up on the paternal farm, and had the usual opportunities for obtaining an English education enjoyed by farmer's sons in the section in which he lived. At an early age he was apprenticed to the shoe trade, but in his later youth followed farming. When of age he engaged in business in a small way on
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his own account, at Plainville, Com., carrying on what is known as a general store. In 1863, having acquired sufficient capital to warrant his engaging in a larger enterprise, lie removed to Waterbury, and, in partnership with Mr. William Newton, opened a dry-goods store there. I11 1864, the firm of Newton & Turner was dissolved, Mr. Newton retiring. Mr. Turner continued the business alone until 1883, when he admitted Mr. H. A. Skid- more as partner, the firm then becoming Turner & Co. In 1890, liis only son, Mr. Charles E. Turner, was given an interest in the business, the firm then adopting the name of E. T. Turner & Co.
In the selection of Waterbury as a promising location in which to start a large dry-goods business, says the " Biography of Connecticut," Mr. Turner displayed rare perspicacity. At the time he opened his store the town had a population of about eight thousand, and was already a flourishing manufacturing centre. Its business men were among the most pro- gressive in the state, and neglected no opportunities for advancing the interests of their town. The place itself possessed inany natural advantages which attracted outside capital, and this, together with the enterprising character of its people as a whole, made its development rapid, and placed its prosperity on a substantial basis. Probably no town of its size in the Eastern states derived inore solid advantages from the phenomenal increase in general business which followed the termination of the Civil War. But the notable increase which has taken place in its trade, wealth and population, has not been the result of accident. Men of courage, enterprise and ability toiled unceasingly to effect it, and prominent among them from the day he set foot in the town, was Mr. E. T. Turner.
Beginning within his own domain of enterprise he pushed his business with so much intelligence and energy that in a short time it stood at the head of the dry-goods trade of Waterbury. A wholesale department was finally added to the business, and many sinaller concerns in the same line of trade, both in Waterbury and the surrounding country, drew no inconsiderable portion of their supplies from the firm. Good judgment in buying, and the command of sufficient capital, enabled the firmn to hold and increase its trade despite all competition, so that to-day, its customers, both wholesale and retail, may be found throughout the length and breadth of the Naugatuck Valley. In every part of this territory, as well as in Waterbury, the name of Mr. Turner is synonymous with honesty and fair dealing. He won his business successes by legitimate means, and the ample fortune which he enjoyed was the outcome of his applied brains and energy. The extensive busi- ness of the house of which he was the head, has been carried on for many years in the commodious and central quarters at 38, 40 and 42 Bank street. The establishment is the largest and finest in the city, and probably has no superior between New York and Boston.
Mr. Turner's excellent judgment in financial matters led to his being chosen a member of the board of directors of the Manufacturers' Bank of Waterbury, He resigned this position, after holding it several years, in order to accept the presidency of the Fourth National Bank of Waterbury, one of the most flourishing institutions of its class in the state. This position he held until he died. Notwithstanding his apparent absorption in business affairs, Mr. Turner found ample time in which to serve his fellow citizens in a public capacity. As a member of the Common Council of the city, in 1886, he was earnest and persevering in instituting and promoting many measures of great public utility. At a later period, as fire and water commissioner of the city, he helped to bring this department to a high degree of excellence. In 1884 and 1885, he represented the fifth senatorial district in the state Senate, serving during the entire terin as chairman of the committee on banks and banking, and, during 1885, as chairman of the committee on military affairs. An examination of his record in the Senate shows that he was one of the mnost painstaking and intelligent members of
A. Margar
Th- Century Publislung & Engraving Co.Clucago.
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OF CONNECTICUT, 1861-1894.
that body. His labors in committee were performed with zeal and discretion, and it is known that in his capacity as chairman he never reported a bill that was not passed. Although a Republican in politics and the nominee of the Republican party, he was elected to the Senate in a district strongly Democratic, a substantial attestation of the general confi- dence reposed in his integrity and ability.
To enumerate in detail all the public movements in Waterbury in which he took an active part, would be to mention nearly every one of any importance set on foot while he was a resident of the city. One of the most important was the introduction of the street- railroad system into the city, a movement in which he took the initiative, and which he was successful in carrying forward over every opposition. The lapse of but a short time was sufficient to prove the wisdom of his enthusiastic labors to secure this result. He was also one of the pioneers in promoting the introduction of the electric light system in Water- bury. Mr. Turner was one of those progressive citizens who believe in adopting and apply- ing the marvelous inventions and discoveries mnade by science, perceiving their advantages long before they begin to appeal to the general public. His prevision frequently arrayed him for a time against the unthinking majority, but he was so diligent and earnest in explaining the benefits and advantages of whatever project he advanced or upheld, that in the end he invariably succeeded in breaking down all rational opposition, and in carrying his point. It happened inore than once that what was at first opposed as a more or less selfish enterprise was finally enthusiastically supported as a work of immediate public neces- sity. It may be said to his credit that Mr. Turner was never inixed up in any jobs or dubious schemes. His work was always open and above board; and in no single instance did he aid or abet any but the most useful enterprises. His most striking characteristic was a restless energy, which, when once enlisted in favor of a project, nothing could arrest save success. To this energy, so honorably exercised, the people of Waterbury are heavily indebted, and it is doubtful if there was any man in the city who was more sincerely respected, or whose labors received more grateful acknowledgment.
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