years of his death. His constitution had never licen
robust, and iie fell a victim to consumption, passing
away Feb.. 25, 1859. In his business af?airs he
had displayed rare judgment, and had accumulated
quite a fortune. In his religious faith he was
reared a Congregationalist, but after marriage he
united with Uie Episcopal Church, in which faith
he, as well as his family, remained.
(VH) Frederick C.\tlix C.\ndee, son of
Frederic A., was born in Oxford. Conn,, Aug. 15,
1854. He was educated in the schools of his na-
tive village and at Lovell's Lancastcrian Schtxil, in
New Haven. His training in his youth was chiefly
along agricultural lines, and after leaving school
he engaged in fanning, and he owns a valuable
farm in Prospect, Conn. Public affairs occupied
his attention to a considerable degree, and he
served three terms as selectman in Oxford at a
time when the Democrats had a majority of fifty.
Politicallv he is a Republican, and a stanch mem-
ber of the party. Tn 1884 he located in New
Haven, where he has since been successfully en-
gaged in the livcrv business.
On May 28, '1874, Mr. Candee married Lucy
Ann Davis, who died the same year. She was a
daughter of William H. Davis. (Dn Nov. 13, 1878,
Mr. Candee wedded Julia Allison Keeney, of
Southford, Conn., daughter of Frederick Keeney.
Children as follows were lKini to this union:
Frederick (born in 1880), Harry E., Agnes and
Julia. living: and two others, a boy and a girl, who
died in infancy.
FRANCIS FOOTE ANDREWS, a representa-
tive farmer and leading citizen of East Haven,
New Haven Co., Conn., was born jn that town
where his brother Samuel W. now lives, March
18. 1828. and belongs to one of its old and hon-
ored families. His grandfather, Nathan Andrews.
I was also a native of East Haven and a soldier of
the Revolutionarv war. Both he and his father,
Elisha Andrews,' lived to the advanced age of
ninetv-thrce vears, while his wife, who bore the
; maiden name'of Maluitable Pardee, lived to the age
of niitetv-one.
Roucl Andrews, father of our subject, was born
ill East Haven, March 18, 1800, and in early man-
hood married Olive Foote, daughter of Samuel
Foote. To them were born seven children, namely:
; Celesta, who married Noah W. Bradley, and is
still living: Francis F., our subject: Ann L., who
died at the age of sixteen years; Minerva, who
married John A. Blackstone and lives in Branford,
Conn. ; one who died in infancy ; Eveline, who mar-
ried Samuel Thompson and is deceased; and \\ .
F., a merchant and postmaster of New Ijaven.
The father carried on the old tavern at Last Haven,
and also ran a hav press, baling hay which was
shipped to the West Indies. He took a very active
and prominent part in public affairs, serving as
selectman of East Haven for a great many years;
774
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
town clerk for twenty years ; postmaster for thirty
consecutive years; and justice of tlie peace many
years. lie was also a deacon in the Congrega-
tional Church for fifteen years, and took a great
interest in the Church and its work. He was wide-
ly known and held in high regard by all with whom
lie came in contact. He died at the age of sixty-
four years, his wife at the age of ninety-one.
Our subject aciiuired his literary education in the
common schools of his native town, and has spent
his entire life in East Haven, his time and attention
being devoted to general farming and the dairy
business since attaining to man's estate. He owns
a valuable farm of about loo acres partly in the
town of Branford, and has placed the land under
a high state of cultivation and made many im-
provements there<^in.
Mr. Andrews was married, July 5, 1852, to Miss
Mary A. Hemingway, a daughter of Harvey
Hemingway, and to them were born three children:
Mary O., who died in infancy; I'rancis Rouel and
Harvey Lincoln, both farmers of East Haven. The
wife and mother died in 1895. The Republican
party finds in Mr. Andrews an earnest advocate
and stanch sup^wrter of its principles, and he has
been (|uite prominently identified with local poli-
tics. He has served as justice of tlie peace several
years ; was selectman of East Haven two years ;
and rejjresented his town in the State Legislature
in 1896 and 1897, with credit to himself and to
the entire satisfaction of bis constituents.
DA\ID BLOOMFIELD. The city of Meri-
den numbers among its intelligent resident profes-
sional men several who take high rank with the
architects of this country, and a prominent repre-
sentative of this branch of art is David Bloomfield.
Mr. Bloomfield was born Nov. 6, 1851, in the
town of Cromwell. Middlesex Co., Conn. David
Bloomfield, his grandfather, was a native of Wood-
bridge, X. ]., where he spent his entire life engaged
in farming. He was an earnest member of the
Congregational Church. The family, which is of
Welsh origin, was planted in this country soon
after the Revolution.
Xathan Bloomfield, a son of David (1), and
father of Davjd (2), the subject of this notice, was
born on his father's farm in New Jersey, and his
txjyhood days were spent in farming and attend-
ing the district school. When he had attained to
man's estate he went to Hoboken, N. J., and learned
tlie trade of shipbuilder. After his marriage he
removed to Cromwell, Conn., and worked as a ship
carpenter; later locating in Middle Haddam and
forming a partnership with Andrew F. Parker, in
a ship building business, which continued for sev-
eral years, during which time he helped in the con-
struction of the I". S. gunlwat "Cayuga." He was
also associated with a Mr. Gildcrsleeve, in Port-
lanfl, Conn., in shipbuilding, and in all of his ven-
tures was eminently successful. The immediate
cause of his death, which occurred in April, 1861,
was the breaking of a blood vessel, and he was
interred in Middle Haddam, where his wife also
lies. Mr. Bloomfield was married in Staten Isl-
and, N. Y., to Elizabeth Butler, a woman of fine
character and many lovable qualities. She was
a consistent member of the Congregational Church,
and her husband was liberal in his religious views ;
both were most excellent people. In political mat-
ters the father was a Democrat, but aside from
giving his earnest support to the candidates of his
party he never took an active part in politics. To
himself and wife were born seven children, name-
ly. Emily, who died young; Garry, a builder of
Meriden, Conn. ; Mary, who was killed while only
twenty years of age by bemg thrown from a car-
riage, in Middle Haddam; David; Franklin, who
died when young; Frank, deceased; and Xathan,
who died at the age of twenty.
Davifl Blo
Middle Haddam. and while attending school, also
helped his father. When but seventeen years old,
he began to learn the caqientcr's trade, and in 1869
came to Mcriden with his brother, following his
trade in this city. Being ambitious, he began the
study of architecture and mechanical drawing,
later taking a course under the celebrated architect,
Henry C. Shute, of Massachusetts. While still
studying under this gentleman, Mr. Bloomfield de-
signed several private residences that gave evidence
of his great ability in this line. In 1887, Mr.
Bloomfield opened an office at No. 129 State
street, Meriden, and he has met with unqualified
success. Among the buildings which bear testi-
mony to his skill may be mentioned the residences
of W. L. Squire, A. S. Thomas. Mrs. Mary \k'\\-
son, and scores of others. The Pacific Lodge and
Journal Pitblishing Co. buildings, the Turner Hall,
the Columbia, Franklin and Center street schools,
St. Mary's Roman Catholic and the German Luth-
eran Immanuel churches, and many other public
and private buildings in Meriden, were designed
by him, as well as elegant structures in Hartford
and New Haven. In all of his work Mr. Bloom-
field displays a thorough understanding of all
[ modern requirements and an originality of design
that mark it as distinctively his own, and his suc-
cess has been almost phenomenal.
Mr. Bloomfield was married June 12, 1884. in
Bristol, Conn., to Clara R. Richards, who was born
at Goshen, Conn., a daughter of Cliarles A. Rich-
ards. No children have been born of this union.
Socially, Mr. Bloomfield is a member of Monto-
wese Tribe. I. O. O. F. In political matters he has
always taken a leading part, in 1893 representing
the I'lftli warfl in the citv council, having been
elected on the Republican ticket. He is now Fire
Marshal, having served in that capacity for nine
years ; and he has been inspector of plumbing seven
years. Religiously Mr. Bloomfield is very liberal,
i giving freely to works designed to relieve suf-
/\(/t^Vuz<^ /dr^^'-zn-^yc^Liyc^
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
775
ferin;,'- and to ]3roniotc the general betterment of
luinianity. rcf^ardless of cIuutIi affiliations. Trust-
worthy and talented, iiprii^lit, thoroughly conver-
sant with all the details of his profession, Mr.
liloomfield is one of the men of wliom Meriden feels
justly proud, and who numbers his friends by
legions.
W ILLIA.M J11':.\RV ICLV, the subject of this
biography, is a prominent member of the Connecti-
cut Bar, and former Corporation Counsel of the
city of New Haven. His descent in several lines
is from an early Puritan ancestry who were among
the first settlers of Xew England, one line reach-
ing back to the coming of the "Mayflower."
Mr. Ely was born Nov. 27, i85(). in the city
of Hartford, a son of William Brewster and Eliza-
beth Smith (Morgan) Ely, descending, on his
mother's side from the iVlorgans of Stonington,
who figured in the war of the Revolution, and also
from Thomas Seymour, who was King's attorney
before the Revolution, as well as from a Hugue-
not family by the name of Chenevard, while on
his father's side his descent was no less illus-
trious. Among his ancestors are Elder Will-
iam Brewster, of "Mayflower" fame, and Na-
than Ely, who came from Kent, England, in 1625.
Nathan Ely was made a freeman in New England,
at Cambridge, Mass., in 1635, and went to Hart-
ford, Conn., with Rev. Thomas Hooker in 1636,
and Ix'came one of the original jiroprietors of the
town in 1639. From this eni'igrant ancestor Will-
iam Henry Ely, of New Haven, is a descendant
in the eighth generation, his line being through
Sanuiel, Deacon John, Calcl), WilUam, Eli and
William B.
Samuel Ely, son of Nathan Ely, was born in
Cambridge, and in 1659 married Mary Day, born
in 1641, in Hartford, a daughter of Robert and
Editha (Stebbins) Day, -and accompanied his fa-
ther to Springfield, Mass., where he was success-
ful in the acquisition of property, and where he
died.
Deacon John Ely, son of Samuel, was born in
1678, in Springfield, Mass., and in 1703. married
Mercy Bliss, born in lOSo, a daughter of Samuel
and ^lary (Leonard) Bliss. Deacon Ely died in
1758, and his widow in 176^, both in West Spring-
field.
Caleb Ely, a son of Deacon John, was born in
1714, in West Springfield, and in 1740 married
Mary Edwards, who was born in Hartford in 1721,
a daughter of Deacon John and Christianna (Will-
iamson ) Edwards, the former of whom was an
uncle to Rev. Jonatiian Edwards, once president of
Princeton College.
William VA\. son of Caleb, was born in 1743,
in West Springfield, and in 1766 marriad Drusilla
Tirewster, born in 1745, a daughter of William
Brewster, who was a descendant of the Elder
Brewster of the "Mavflower." William Elv died
in West Springfield, in 1825, and his widow two
years later.
Eli Ely, son of WiUiam, was born in 1772, in
\yest Springfield, and in 1798, in Hartford, mar-
ried Bathsheba Blake, torn in 1777, a daughter of
Abraham and Hannah (Babcock) Blake, of Milton,
Mass. I'or years he was a successful merchant of
Hartford, tlis wife died in 1832, and he survived
ten years.
William B. Ely, son of Eli, was born in 1812,
in Hartford, and in 1845, •" tl'at city, married
Elizabeth Smith Morgan, born in 1821, a daughter
of William H. and Margaret J. (Chenevard) Mor-
gan. Mr. Ely was long known in the wholesale
grocery, flour and feed business, in Hartford.
Wlilliam Henry Ely, son of William B., was
reared in Hartford, Conn., \v'here he received his
early education, and graduated from the Hartford
lligh school, in 1873, and then entered Amherst
(;\lass.) College, from which he graduated in the
class of 1877, with credit to himself and his Alma
Plater. Selecting the law as his choice of profes-
sion, our suljject became a student in the office
of the well-known firm of Bniscoe & Maltbie, of
Hartford, and applied himself so diligently that he
was admitted to the Bar in that city. May 27, 1879,
commencing the practice of his profession in Win-
sted, Conn., in the following September. Possess-
ing those qualities which insure success, Mr. Ely
came rapidly to the front, and remained in Win-
sted until he desired a wider field, locating in New
Haven on June 28, 1884, where he entered into a
partnership with Wilham C. Case, and this con-
nection has lasted until the present time.
Taking a prominent position among the leaders
of thought, Mr. Ely soon became identified with
l*!!!' active wing of the Republican party, and in
January, 1895, was elected to the honorable posi-
tion of Corixjration Counsel of the city of New
Haven, so efficiently performing the duties of this
position that he was unanimously chosen as his
own successor in 1897, irrespective of party lines,
a testimony of value to any public citizen.
On Oct. 18, 1881, .Mr. Ely was married to
;\liss Mary Gertrude Little, a native of Sheffield,
Mass., and one son has been Irorn to this union,
William Brewster, born C)ct. 19, 1882. Activity
has marked the career of our subject in almost
every line, his social relations being with the
Ouinnipiac Club, the Sons of the Revolution, and
his political affiliations with the Republican League
antl the Young Men's Republican Club.
L P. BRONSON, a well-known contractor and
builder, who now makes his home in Hamdcn, is
a native of New Haven county, born in Middle-
bury, Aug. 4, 1854. His father, Lester Bronson,
and his gramlfather, Jarcd Bronson, were born on
the same farm in that town. The first of the fam-
ily to locate there was Amos Bronson, the great-
grandfather of our subject, who was born in ^^'ood-
776
COMMEMUUATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
bury. Litchfield Co.. Conn., and became a large
land owner and extensive farmer of Middlebury.
lie lived to be nearly ninety years of ajje. By oc-
cupation the father of our subject was a farmer,
woeid and lumber dealer, and also engaged in the
manufacture of charcoal. He was quite a promi-
nent and influential man in his community, and
was elected to several local offices, including those
of selectman and assessor. Me married .Miss Sarah
Scoville, of .Middlelniry. and to them were born
si.\ children: l-'rancis E., Chester B., Alice I., I.
P., Julia K. and Beverly, all residents of .Middle-
bury with the exception of our subject. The fa-
ther died at the age of fifty-six years, and the
mother at the age of forty-eight.
The first fifteen years of his life, I. P. Bronson
si)ent upon the home farm, and then went to Sey-
mour, Conn., to learn the carpenter's trade with
Samuel D. Bronson, serving a three years' ap-
prenticeship. He continued to work at his trade
in Seymour for fourteen years, the last two as a
contractor and Iniilder, and then went to Florida,"
where after a year spent in contracting and build-
ing he went to St. .-\u.gusline, that State, and ac-
cepted a position as fi)reman with the contractors
building the Ponce de LetMi Hotel at that place,
where he remained three years and two months.
On his return ,\orth, he located in Hamden, where
he workeil at his trade two years, and since that time
has bet-n principally cnga.ged in contracting and
building houses in .\"ew Haven.
Mr. Bronson was married, Xov. 14, 1880, to
Miss Lizzie J. Benham. of Hamden, and to them
have been born two children : Isabella 1". and Irvin
P., Jr. In iSyo our subject erected a beautiful
motlern residence on Dixwell avenue, where he an(J
his family now reside, and where they delight to
entertain tlieir many friends. Politically he is iden-
tified with the Rei)ublican party, and fraternally is
a member of the .Masonic Lodge of New Haven,
and the Knights of Pythias. He also belongs to
the Higbwtmd Club. He is quite popular botli in
business and social circles, and wherever known is
held in high regard.
EnC.VR K. P.\RKER, one of the prominent
and highly respected citizens of New Haven, was
bom in W'inrlsor, \'t., ( )ct. 12. 1845, son of Reuben
M. Parker, who was born in \\'oodstock, Vt., in
1818. and died Xov. n, 1S82.
Ebenezcr Parker was 3ilis greait-grandfather,
and his grandfather was named Josepli Parker, a
shoemaker anfl tavern-kee|)cr. who married a Miss
Muzzy anfl settled in WiXidstock. where he reared
a family of four children: Sarah. Reuben M. (fa-
ther of Edgar K.), John and VXv/.n. John Par-
ker, the third in this family, was a dealer in shoes
until the war broke out. when he went to Washing-
Ion. D. C. and there held a govemmcnt position
until his death, which occurred after many years
of faithful service.
Reuben M. Parker grew to manhood in Wood-
stock, following the trade of shoemaker. Later he
was employed in a government gun factory at
Windsor, Vt., wliere he died. He married Julia
Burnham, a native of \\ indsor, Vt., who died Sept.
25, 1855, »"'! fi^'^' children were born to them:
Harriet, who married John I'arker, and resides in
New Haven; Marian, who died unmarried; Ella,
who married John Boyd ; Edgar K. ; and Lizzie,
who is unmarried. Politicallv Reuben ^L Parker
was a Republican, but never an office seeker. The
entiire family were members of the l-^piscopal
Church.
Edgar K. I'arker spent his boyhood days in
Windsor, \'t., attending school in Windsor and
Woodstock. At the age of fifteen, in i86o, he re-
moved to New Haven, Conn., and worked in a
gun shop for a short period, and later was a con-
ductor on the New York, New Haven & Hartford
Railroad from New Haven to New York, being
engaged o'l that line for about twenty years in all.
His first service was from i860 until September,
1863, when he enlisted in the L'nited States navy
for one year, .serving under Lieut. Commander
William B. Cushnian. He previously had made two
trips to Euro])e. .\t the expiration of his term he
returned to the enr|)loy of the New York & New
Haven Railroad Co. (now known as the New York,
New Haven & Hartford Railroad Co.), and re-
mained with them until Jan. 2, 1879, after which he
.was in the electro])lating business until 1881. On
the request of the officers of the railroad company
be returned to them lor about one year. In ^lay,
1883. he entered the employ of the Connecticut
Li.glning Co., continuing with them until the.'
discontinued business, in .\ugust of the same year.
On Sept. 23, 1883, he was engaged by the New
Haven Electric Co.. which was absorbed by the
United llluminatin.g Co., of which he is now super-
intendent in New Haven..
On Feb. 21, 1876, Mr. Parker was married to
Louisa E. Gedncy, of r^Iamaroneck, Westchester
Co., N. Y., daughter of John Gcdney, of the same
place. The Gedncy family is an old one in New
York State. Four children have been born of this
union: May L. (who died in 1891. at the age of
fifteen), Herbert G., Edgar K. and Julia B.
Mr. Parker is a Republican, but has never ac-
cepted office, although nomination to various po-
sitions within the gift of the people has been of-
fered him : he has also refused ap]xiintment as
police commissioner. Sixially he is a member of
the Masonic fraternity, uniting with Wooster
Lodge, No. 79; New Haven Commandery, No. 2:
Lafavette Consistorv. of Bridgeport ; and Pyramid
Temple, .\. A. O. 'N. M. S., having attained to
the thirty-second degree. Mr. Parker is also a
member of- the N'eterans of the Navy and .\
Foote Post, G. A. R. The family are members of
the Episcopal Church, and are very active in its
work.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
777
I'.vcV since coming to Xew Haven Mr. Parker
has had the welfare of the city at heart, and has
proved himself a puhlic-spirited, energetic man.
'Siv. J'arker is a past master in his line of business,
thoroughly understanding its every detail. In man-
ner he is genial and pleasant, and makes friends
wherever he goes.
JESSE EDWL\ STILLMAX, the popular and
successful manager of the Singer Sewing Machine
Co., for the district of ^Icriden, which includes
W'allingford tmd Cheshire, is a descendant of one
of the old and honorable families of Connecticut.
George Stillman, the founder of the family in
America, was a native of London, England, where
he was born in 1659, a son of a London merchant.
The family were stanch supporters of Oliver Crom-
well, during the days of the Commonwealth, and
upon the restoration of Charles, the Second, were
forced, for safety, to assume another name, select-
ing that of Prilchard, or Pickering. George Still-
man became a merchant. He was married in Lon-
don, and had a son. George. Those were stormy
times and soon many of the Cromwell advocates
found it necessary to secretly emigrate to America.
This was the case with Mr. Stillman. and in 1680,
leaving little George with friends in London, he
with his wife, set out on the voyage to the free
land across the ocean. Mrs. Stillman never readied
it. dying on the voyage, but her husband located
at Hadley, Mass., and in 1685 there married Re-
hctca Smith. Later, he moved to Wethersfield,
Conn., and there spent the remainder of his days,
d\ing there in 1728, and his remains lie in the
old cemetery there, with the dust of so many other
early settlers. George and wife were the parents
of eleven cliildren: George, whom he left in Eng-
land, came later to America, with a party of Sev-
enth Day Baptists, and settled in Rhode Island ;
Nathaniel; Benjamin; John; Henry; ^Lartha; Re-
"becca ; and others.
John Stillman, son of George, was born in Had-
ley. Mass.. on Feb. ig. 1^93. and removed to Weth-
ersfield, Conn., with his parents, where he spent
the remainder of his days, engaged in farming.
A prominent citizen, and a deacon in the church.
he died, full of years, in 1775, and was buried in
Wethersfield. lie was married May 26, 171 5, to
Mary Wolcott. bom May 14. 1694. a daughter of
^Irs. Judith Wolcott and a granddaughter of Sam-
uel .\ppleton, of Wethersfield. and she died in 1777,
the mother of the following children : Jo1in ; ]\Iay ;
Abigail; Martha; Sarah; Elislia; Abigail (2) ; Ap-
pleton ; Huldah ; and Benjamin.
John Stillman, son of Deacon John, was born
in \\'ethersfie!d. Aug. 9. 1717. and there he grew
to manhood, and married, on Oct. 26, 1738, Rachel
Robbins, a daughter of Richard and Martha
(Curtis) Rol)bins. of that town. In 1757, he re-
moved with his wife and family to Sandisfield,
Berkshire Co., Mass., where he s])ent tlio remainder
of bis days, and died July 15, 1782. His widow
removed to Colebrook, Litchfield Co., Conn., where
she died, July 12, 1807, at the age of eighty-nine
y-ears, and was buried in the old cemetery there.
\ John Stillman was one of the founders of the
church in Sandisfield. The children born to John
' and Rachel were; Joseph, born April i, 1740;
Hannah, born Feb. 13, 1742; John, born Jan. 6,
1744; Joshua; Roger; Appleton ; and Robert.
Roger Stillman. son of John, was born in
Wethersfield, on July 4, 1754, and removed with
bis parents to Sandisfield, where he grew to man-
hood, and later removed to Colebrook. Conn.,
where he located. Roger Stillman was one of the
first to enlist in the patriot army, for service in the
Revolutionary war, participating im the battle of
Bunker Hill, and many other engagements, being
finally honorably discharged at Lake Champlain.
In 1780 he located at Colebrook, where he spent
the remainder of his days. d\ing Dec. 8, 1832. and
was engaged in building his house on the morning
of the Dark Day. Both his name and that of his
wife occur among the founders of the church in
Colebrook. His wife was Mehitable Hurd. who
was born March 4. 1757. in Killingworth. Conn.,
now Clinton, and died in Colebrook. Aug. 24. 1828.
She was buried there, having been the mother of
ten children, five of whom were sons: William,
Daniel. Osburn. Edmund and Chester.
Chester Stillman. son of Roger, was born in