USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Derby > The history of the old town of Derby, Connecticut, 1642-1880. With biographies and genealogies > Part 55
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REV. TRUEMAN COE
Was born in Derby, December 9, 1788, and obtained his early education mostly in the shoe-shop at the old Coe place on Sen- tinel Hill. While at work on the bench he always kept his book before him, making daily progress in a single study at a time. After learning his trade he commenced school- teaching, which occupation he followed some years with much satisfaction in the public school and academy at Up Town, and afterwards was engaged with Josiah Holbrook in the agricultu- ral college on the Holbrook place. Yale College conferred on him the degree of A. B. About 1828 he entered the ministry in the Congregational church, when forty years of age, and in 1832 settled in Kirkland, Ohio, and was a logical and entertain- ing preacher. In classical learning he is said to have been ahead of his time, and exerted a strong moral, religious and ed- ucational influence in Derby, where he was much respected and is still pleasantly remembered.
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BIOGRAPHIES.
THE BROTHERS COLBURN.
Sylvester and Sullivan M. Colburn, twin brothers, were born in Stafford, Conn., December 7, 1806, and were sons of Daniel Colburn who was the father of thirteen children, all being now deceased except the eldest, Dr. J. M. Colburn. These twin sons had no education save a few months in the district school. When they came to New Haven, they were employed as errand boys by different stores, by which they picked up a few pennies "to help themselves along."
They started, in Westville, the business of casting, on a small scale, and from that place removed to Birmingham in the infancy of the village. After a time they disposed of their interests in the iron foundry at Birmingham and removed to Ansonia, and became much interested in the growth and suc- cess of the place.
In their habits and methods of doing business, they were peculiar. Having married sisters, and both having large fami- lies, all bills were paid from the common stock of one pocket- book, and no account kept. Horace Greeley like, they often carried their valuable notes in the crown of their hats, dealing loosely with their customers, and yet they made money. The people said, "these Colburns are lucky." If flood or fire threat- ened their property, they generally "whistled," seemingly unconcerned, and everything came out right for them. Twice within six weeks was Sullivan, while at work on a water-wheel in Ansonia, thrown into a race and carried under-ground a distance of 150 feet without injury.
These brothers proved themselves valuable acquisitions to the town, and we take pleasure in recording them among the enter- prising men of Birmingham and Ansonia.
JOSIAH M. COLBURN, M. D.,
Was born at Stafford, December 20, 1799, and obtained his early education in the district school. He received his degree of M. D., August 22, 1822, at the Yale Medical College, and, soon after located in Orange, Conn., where he married Miss Clarke and conducted an extensive practice until he came to Derby in 1839. Here he practiced successfully for some years,
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HISTORY OF DERBY.
when his health becoming infirm by a dangerous illness he abandoned it and became a partner with his twin brothers in the Birmingham Iron Foundry. On their removal to Ansonia the Doctor followed, and was at one time president of the Ansonia Bank. He was assessor of the town, selectman, long a justice of the peace, and has always been a firm supporter of the Congregational church.
JOHN W. DE FOREST,
Son of John Hancock, and Dotha (Woodward) De Forest, was born March 31, 1826, at Humphreysville, Conn.
In 1846-7 he traveled eighteen months in the Levant ; visit- ing Greece, Constantinople, the Holy Land and Northern Syria. Returning home he collected the materials for the "History of the Indians of Connecticut," and finished that work dur- ing his twenty-third year.
He then went to Europe and remained four years ; visiting England, France, Germany and Italy, acquiring during the time the French, Italian and Spanish languages. Having found rest once more in his native America he devoted himself to lit- erature in connection with magazines and the publishing of books ; his earliest volumes being two books of travels, “ Ori- ental Acquaintance " and "European Acquaintance," and soon after followed two novels, "Witching Times " and " Sea- cliff."
The civil war breaking out he raised a company and entered the service as captain of company I, 12th regiment Connecticut volunteers, in which he saw over three years of field duty, in- cluding several battles in Louisiana and Virginia, and the siege of Port Hudson, in all forty-six days under fire, receiving one wound. Brevetted major and transferred to the invalid corps, he served over three years longer, acting as adjutant-general of the invalid corps, and subsequently as chief of a district un- der the Freedmen's Bureau.
Returning to civil life he re-commenced writing, and pro- duced successively the novels, " Miss Ravenel," " Overland," "Kate Beaumont," "The Wetherel Affair," " Honest John Vane," "Playing the Mischief," " Justine Vane," and "Alice the Missionary ;" several of them being published as serials in
Engraved by Samuel Sartain. Philada
Hoe Downes
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the leading magazines. Besides these he has written some fifty short stories, a number of articles and reviews, and many fugitive poems.
Mr. De Forest is residing in New Haven and pursuing his literary tastes.
SIDNEY A. DOWNES
Was born in Huntington, Conn., in 1817, and came to Birming- ham in 1838 and entered into mercantile business, but afterward engaged in the hardware business in the store now occupied by F. Hallock and Company. Still later he became interested in the manufacture of hoop skirts, and up to January, 1880, was business manager of the house of Downes and Bassett, corset manufacturers.
Mr. Downes has held many offices of trust, among them, judge of probate, town clerk and assessor, besides being admin- istrator on many estates. He is held in high esteem by the citizens of Derby, and in business relations has established a reputation for honesty and fidelity which few public men attain.
WILLIAM E. DOWNES
Was born in Milford, August 22, 1824. After leaving the com- mon school he prepared for college under the instruction of Rev. Asa M. Train, entered Yale in 1841, and was gradu- ated with honor in 1845. He read law with the Hon. Alfred Blackman one year; was in the law-school one year, was admitted to the bar in the autumn of 1848, and in December of the same year came to Derby, opened an office and com- menced the practice of his profession in which he continued about fifteen years, securing a growing business and a fine reputation as a lawyer at the New Haven county bar. On June 24, 1851, he was married by the Rev. Mr. Guion of the Episcopal church to Miss Jane Maria, the only daughter of the late Dr. John I. Howe. Doct. Howe, resigning the general management of the Howe Manufacturing Company in 1863, urged his son-in-law to relinquish his profession and take his place in the company. Mr. Downes hesitated, as his taste and legal habits had wedded him to his profession, but he finally yielded, assumed the position, and since the death of Doct.
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Howe in September, 1876, has been principally engaged with his father-in-law's estate and manufacturing interests. He has generally neglected political preferment, but consented to represent the town in the Legislature in 1855, and for years has been a valuable member of the Board of Education in the town. He has been a continuous director in the Ousatonic Water Company, and was very efficient in carrying forward the magnifi- cent project of building the Ousatonic dam.
A ripe scholar, progressive in literary attainments, kind, con- siderate and liberal to the poor, without ostentation ; identi- fied with various enterprises as a capitalist, Mr. Downes occupies a commanding and influential position in the community.
CHARLES DURAND
Was born in Derby, the son of Samuel Durand, a plain farmer who could give to his son only the benefits of a common school education. His entrance into public life was first as a clerk and afterwards a merchant in New Haven. Thence he went to New York city and entered business as a dry goods merchant, but subsequently turned his attention to manufacturing, and was active in forming the Osborn and Cheeseman Company of An- sonia.
Mr. Durand possesses considerable talent, is of pleasing ad- dress, a fine off-hand speaker, and in several whig and republi- can presidential campaigns has taken the platform and rendered good service to his political principles. He was twice elected from Derby as representative to the Legislature, and in 1877 was elected Speaker of the House, which position he discharged with fidelity and credit to his party.
DOCT. HOSEA DUTTON
Was born in Southington, Conn., and settled in Derby (now Ox- ford) about one hundred years ago. He was self-educated, made good progress in Latin, Greek and Hebrew without a tutor, and was an expert in mathematics. With these advant- ages he seems to have had full command of the place, holding nearly all the offices ; and was bitterly opposed to the settle- ment of a rival physician, especially when Doct. Noah Stone encroached upon his territory. He was rather changeable in
Ammon favrel ~
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his religious proclivities, being first a Presbyterian, then a Methodist, afterwards a Baptist, and finally an Episcopalian. On the purchase of a bell for the Congregational church, he gave one month's earnings from his profession, which amounted to $26. He was a strong whig in the Revolution and was roughly opposed by the tories. He died at Oxford in his ninety- second year.
His son, Thomas A. Dutton, succeeded him, and had an ex- tensive practice for several years, when he removed to New- town, Conn., in 1845, thence to Birmingham and afterwards to Milford, and finally to West Haven, where he now resides in feeble health at an advanced age. In all these places Doct. Dutton secured the confidence of the people as a physician.
ALMON FARRELL
Was a native of Waterbury, where he learned of his father the trade of a millwright, and for many years was the leading mill- wright, machinist, builder and contractor in his line, in the Naugatuck valley. There has been probably no other man in the state who superintended the construction of so many first mills and manufacturing establishments. He was noted for the strength and durability of his work. Specimens of his skill abound in Waterbury, Seymour, Derby, Thomaston, Wolcott- ville, Bristol, Westville, Pequonnock, Newtown, and many other places.4
Mr. Farrell was largely identified with the early history of Birmingham and Ansonia, being adviser to and in the employ of Anson G. Phelps and others. Through his instrumentality the Seymour dam, built by Raymond French, was purchased, it being necessary to the growth of Ansonia.
He was self taught, and his success in life was owing much to his native genius and perseverance. He died in the prime of life and in the midst of his usefulness, May 31, 1857.
FRANKLIN FARRELL,
Son of Almon Farrell, was born in Waterbury, Feb. 17, 1828. He had only a common school education, and, like many boys who have made their marks in the world, he "roughed it" in
+Bronson's History of Waterbury, 389.
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HISTORY OF DERBY.
early life. At fourteen he commenced to learn the trade of a millwright under the practical teaching of his father. In De- cember, 1844, he came to Derby and assisted his father in engineering for the water works and other projects within the limits of Ansonia. The place was then a sandy region, and, many times when Anson G. Phelps was watching the progress of the surveying, Franklin built fires under the trees or in some corner to secure warmth for the party in the winter months.
In 1849 he went into the foundry and machine business in the firm of Farrell and Johnson. Almon Farrell, his father, put into the firm $8,000, and S. and S. M. Colburn with Dr. Josiah M. Colburn put in $7,000. With this small capital as a start- ing point the concern (afterwards reorganized under the name of the Farrell Foundry and Machine Company) has increased to a capital of $500,000. This speaks for the capabilities of Mr. Farrell who is its manager.
He has devoted himself with great assiduity to his business, which has been varied and extensive, and his labors have been crowned with success.' He is liberal, especially to his church, and is a prominent citizen of the community.
ROSWELL FREEMAN.
Near by the old road that winds its way through the woods above Derby Neck, there stands a rude domicile, built nearly one hundred years ago. So secluded is the spot that its dwell- ers from within could never see the rising nor setting sun, though surrounded with romantic, beautiful and poetic scenery. Here was born, reared and educated the last sable governor of Connecticut, Roswell Freeman, who died October 6, 1877, aged seventy-four years.
His father was a slave to Agur Tomlinson, though he " bossed " his master, and when young was only known by the name of Quash. His mother, whose name was Rose, was a slave to the Rev. Mr. Yale, a minister of the Presbyterian church. When the state of Connecticut threw off the yoke of human bondage Quash took the name of Quash Freeman, which he always retained. Tomlinson gave him the above hut, a cow, and the use of some thirty acres of land, at his freedom.
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According to the custom of the colored freemen of that time, Quash was elected governor of the state. He held the office for many years. He was a man of herculean strength, a giant six-footer, and it is said of him that he could take a bull by the horns and the nose and at once prostrate him to the ground. No one ever dared to molest or tried to make him afraid, and when he was approaching from a distance he awakened the sense of a coming thunder cloud.
Tradition has it that one dark night he was out with his son Roswell, on the Ousatonic, fishing, and a party from the other side came in collision with his skiff and were much damaged. They sang out : "There is a lot of niggers over this side, and if you don't keep your net out of our way we will come over and flax you out." Quash curtly replied, "Nigger this side, , too." Enough was said; they knew his voice and dared not trouble him. Physically speaking, Quash was probably the strongest and largest man that ever shared the gubernatorial honors of this commonwealth.
Roswell, his son, was the father of thirteen children, by Nancy, who survives him. One of these children, a female, de- veloped the muscle of her grandfather, Quash, having repeat- edly, it is said, lifted a barrel of cider into a cart or on a wagon.
Roswell, by profession, it might be said, was a fox hunter, and the board whereon he stretched his fox skins from time to time showed that during his life he had shot and captured three hundred and thirty-one foxes. He was three times elected governor of the state, and there was fun and frolic in those days over the election of a colored governor. The writer of this well recollects a notice . some fifty years ago, published in the papers, which read as follows :
ATTENTION FREEMEN !
There will be a general election of the colored gentlemen of Con- necticut, October first, twelve o'clock, noon. The day will be cele- brated in the evening by a dance at Warner's tavern, where it will be shown that there is some power left in muscle, cat-gut and rosin.
By order of the Governor,
From Head-quarters.
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HISTORY OF DERBY.
Roswell was less popular as governor than some of his prede- cessors, for he was opposed to " treating" on election day. These elections were held at Oxford and Humphreysville, but more generally at Hawkins Point in Derby.
The method of choosing or electing the governor was changed from time to time, to meet the wishes of different can- didates. They had no ballot stuffing, returning boards, or cor- rupt and civilized practice of buying votes. On one occasion at Hawkins Point the election was decided on muscle, which might contrast oddly with the Olympic games of the ancient Greeks. There were four or five candidates. It will be recol- lected that the Old Point House well, which lives among the legends of Derby, and about which strange stories are still told, stood near the edge of the steep and long sand-bank which reached down to the Ousatonic turnpike. Up this bank it was almost impossible for mortal man to ascend, and many who at- tempted would fall and roll to the bottom before reaching the top. The candidates were to start with their heels drawn on a line from the turnpike, equidistant from each other, and the one who as- cended the sand-bank,'which stood at an angle of forty-five de- grees, reaching the top and planting his dexter upon the curb of that famous old well, was to be the victorious governor. The spectacle was amusing, exciting the risibilities of the most pious and long-faced man in town. Tobias, the elder, the bigger, alias Black Eben, the father of E. D. Bassett, our Haytian min- ister, was the successful competitor. Tobias came off with flying colors, for he was caparisoned with gay feathers, flowers and ribbons of red, white and blue, which gave a most laugha- ble and imposing character to the whole ceremony. Many amusing reminiscences in connection with these general elec- tions might be narrated.
Roswell Freeman was a Samson among the foxes of New Haven county. Many a sly Reynard, who had made his in- roads upon various barn-yards, was brought to bay by his hounds and fatal shots, and for this he was called the "farmer's bene- factor." Roswell, it is said, was never in a quarrel with his neighbors or anybody else. Living quietly, soberly and peace- fully, he enjoyed this world's goods in his own way, with little or none of the anxieties and perplexities incident to the life of
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the wisest of statesmen or the most fortunate of millionaires. The pen of eulogy might find much to record in favor of his life and character, springing as they did from humble birth.
"Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife His sober wishes never learned to stray ; Along the cool, sequestered vale of life He kept the noiseless tenor of his way."
DAVID FRENCH, ESQ.,
The eldest son of Israel French, was a patriot of the Revolu- tion, going to Boston after the battle of Bunker Hill to assist in resisting the encroachments of despotism. He was trial justice of the north part of the town of Woodbridge many years, having more cases than any other justice of his time. He rep- resented the town of Woodbridge in the General Assembly twenty successive years. He built his first log-house in Ny- umphs on land he afterwards gave to his son Luther. He was for many years a deacon of the First Congregational church of Bethany, under the Rev. Stephen Hawley, but in later life be- came a Methodist, although never of the enthusiastic kind. In his political life he was much accustomed to public speaking, having a strong voice and expressing his opinions with much frankness, energy and confidence, by which he commanded much respect and influence. He died August 4, 1821, aged eighty years.5
SAMUEL M. GARDNER
Was born in East Hampton, Long Island, N. Y., in 1841, and · died at Birmingham, Conn., March 29, 1880. He was gradu- ated at Princeton college, N. J., in 1864, devoted himself to the study of law and was admitted to the bar in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1866. He came to Derby in 1867, and a year later began his official connection with the town affairs, serving as town clerk from 1868 to 1874, and acting also as judge of pro- bate from 1871 to 1873. He was a member of the Board of Education of the town for three terms, being a member at the time of his death. He was a member of the republican town committee for several years, and represented the town in the Legislature from 1878 to 1880, serving two years on the most
5History of Seymour.
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HISTORY OF DERBY.
important of the joint standing committees, the judiciary, and acting as clerk of the committee in 1879. The last year, in ad- dition to his duties on that committee he was chairman of the committee on engrossed bills. He was one of the most indefa- tigable workers among the members, and was one of the lead- ers of the republican side of the House.
Mr. Gardner was at one time Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of this state, and at the time of his death was a supreme representative. He belonged to the endow- ment rank and his family will receive $3,000.
In his character he was exemplary ; for in all that consti- tutes nobility of manhood, true dignity of character, honesty and integrity of purpose, gentleness of manner, and a firm and conscientious reliance upon the fundamental principles of Christianity as his guide in life, he was the peer of any man in the community. All these traits were beautifully and consist- ently rounded out in his daily walk and conversation, and it was these that made him conspicuous in society, and won for him the kindly regard and warm esteem of everybody. In whatever relation he occupied, whether as town clerk, probate judge, or the framer of the laws of the commonwealth, he was the same earnest, patient, careful and conscientious worker ; and in many instances his sound judgment and keen perception have been advantageously employed in the interests of the state. Outside of his own community he won for himself a notable distinction by the devotion which he gave to public interests, and it was in the midst of this devotion that he was stricken down. He carried into his profession the same . characteristics that marked his other relations in life, and by such an honorable course has won for himself and his profes- sion lasting honor and respect.
ISAAC J. GILBERT.
Although radical in his notions of men and things, yet upon most great questions that have agitated the public mind, subse- quent events have proved that he was radically right. He was one of the earliest abolitionists, and when the news came of the hanging of John Brown his was the hand that scandalized a large portion of the community by tolling the church bell,
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commemorative of the event. He has been a life-long advo- cate of temperance, and during the early days of the Maine law prosecutions he was very active, perhaps vindictive, in seeing the law maintained, and this rendered him obnoxious to certain individuals, and secured him many enemies. Twice was his tannery destroyed by fire, as was at the time believed, by those who imagined they suffered from the course he pur- sued. Whatever his mistakes, in his old age he was a friend to the slave and to those who indulged in the cup, when it cost money and secured scorn to hold the principles which he did.
TRUMAN GILBERT
Was one of three brothers, Truman, Lucius and Ezekiel ; the last figuring in the history of ancient Derby as a merchant in what was then Humphreysville. Truman learned the house builder's trade of Agur Curtis at Huntington Landing, and came to Derby when twenty-one years of age, where he mar- ried Anna, daughter of Capt. Eneas Smith. He built the edi- fice known as the First Congregational church in Derby, and many dwellings, employing many men and apprentices. He built at Derby Landing Bristol's Wharf, and also the first house in Birmingham. He also established the first lumber-yard in the town, which business he continued until a short time before his death. His business partners were, Andrew Johnson, Chester Curtiss, Capt. Lyman Osborn and L. H. Russell, the last residing in Stratford. He was in the war of 1812, under Col. Robert Gates. He was one of the pioneers in the temper- ance cause, was eminently a religious man, served as one of the selectmen of the town several years, and died in 1857, at the age of fifty-eight years.
REV. THOMAS GUION, D. D.,
Was born in Bedford, N. Y., August 31, 1817 ; was educated at Trinity College, Harford, graduating in the year 1840. Advanced to the ministry, he first acted as a missionary in the Episcopal church at different places. On the resignation of Rev. Wm. B. Ashby he was called to the rectorship of St. James's parish, Derby, and for four and a half years was a most faithful, beloved and acceptable minister of God.
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Dr. Guion was called from Birmingham to the rectorship of St. John's Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., where in 1862, " he ceased from his labors." He was truly a good man, "full of faith and the Holy Ghost."
ZEPHANIAH HALLOCK
Was born on Long Island in 1792, and died in Derby, January II, 1870. He came to Derby about 1816 and engaged in ship
PHOTO-FING. CO.N.V
gethamdan thaloch
building, first at Sugar street and afterwards at Derby Nar- rows, where he built many vessels in company with his brother, Israel Hallock.
Few men, if any, ever lived in the town more universally respected than Zephaniah Hallock. In early life he became
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