Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut

FRANK P. CLARK. M. D. Among the well-known citizens of Danbury, descend- ants of the pioneer families of Fairfield county, who have left clean and honorable records, we find Frank P. Clark, M. D., a physician and sur- geon of deservedly high rank in his chosen pro- fession. John Clark, the grandfather of our subject, was born in the town of Danbury, where he grew to manhood and learned the hatter's trade. He married Miss Hulda Ambler, a daughter of Stephen and Rachell (Munson) Ambler. Stephen Ambler was one of those brave men who offered to die, if need be, for the independence of the thirteen colonies. He served as a private in the Eighth Company, Fifth Regiment, under Captain Kingsbury, enlisting at Danbury May 12, 1775, and serving until December 10. His country, recognizing his valuable services, pensioned him in his declining years. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Clark located in Danbury, and they be- 286 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. came the parents of three children: James, a hatter by occupation, died in early manhood; Oliver P., a hat finisher and later a grocer in Danbury, died there in 1892; and William H., who was the father of our subject. In politics, the father of these children was a Democrat and acti\e in the interests of his party. He and his wife both lived until nearly three-score years and ten, and then sank cjuietly to rest at their home in Danbury. William H. Clark, the third in the above mentioned family, was born November 19, 1819. He passed his early days in Danbury, and re- ■ceived his education in the common schools. At the age of fourteen he went to New York and began life for himself. He was first employed by J. H. & J. H. Tweedy in the capacity of clerk in their dry-goods store, and after one year there entered the drj'-goods house of Ira W. Wheeler, with whom he remained until 1840, when he returned to Danbury and formed a co- partnership with his uncle, Irel Ambler, in the same kind of business. This co-partnership con- tinued until Mr. Ambler retired from business, since which Mr. Clark has conducted his affairs alone. In 1 84 1 occurred the marriage of William H. Clark and Miss Julia M. Andrews, a daughter of John Andrews, of Bethel, and to this union were born five children, two of whom died in infancy; the others are: Sarah C. , who married Henry C. Smith, a salesman of Brookfield; Frank P., the subject proper of this sketch; and Harriet C. , who married John C. Averill, a clerk of the courts, New London county. Conn. In 1891 Mr. Clark suffered a severe loss in the death of his noble and devoted wife. In politics he has always been a Democrat; and has efficiently served his party as alderman, and has held other offices. He is a liberal contributor to the Congregational Church, of which he is a faithful and consistent member, as was also his wife. Highly respected and esteemed by all, he is now the oldest mer- chant doing business in Danbury, and still hale and hearty, with a mind unimpaired, he bids fair to be an important factor in the commercial world of his town, for many years to come. Frank P. Clark, whose name opens this re- view, was born July 14, 1852, in Danbury, where he passed his youth and received his elementary education. When quite young he manifested a decided liking for the study of medicine, and con- cluded to make it his life work. At the age of eighteen he entered the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons, and from that institu- tion was graduated with the class of 1876. His further study in the science only deepened his liking for it, and besides the study outlined in the curriculum, his reading at college was ex- tended over a wide range of medical works penned by physicians and surgeons of world-wide reputa- tion. The ideas there acquired equipped him at graduation with a technical knowledge an older and more experienced surgeon might well envy. On leaving school our subject returned to Danbury, and associated hiiriself with Dr. A. T. Clason, which association continued for about two years, when Doctor Clark withdrew and until 1889 practiced alone. In that year he formed a co-partnership with D. C. Brown, and together they practiced until 1896, since which time our subject has continued alone. In 1880 Frank P. Clark was married to Miss Mary K. Benjamin, a daughter of George B. Benjamin, a representative of one of the oldest families of Fairfield county. To this union have been born two promising daughters: Susan B. and Julia C. Both the Doctor and his wife are interested in the Congregational Church, and con- tribute largely to its material interests. They occupy a prominent social position, and in their cheerful home delight to welcome their many friends. As far as his professional duties will per- mit him to engage in politics, the Doctor works for the interests of the Democratic party. He can, however, devote but little time to this, as his practice has become so large as to require almost all of his time — his thorough knowledge of medicine, his deep insight into human nature, and his firm, decisive manner, coupled with the kindly disposition, inspires confidence in his patients, and often wins for him success where others might meet failure. He is an ideal phy- sician— gentlemanly, courteous, firm and true. HON. MICHAEL JOHN BRADLEY, of Newtown, who is now serving his fifth term as judge of the probate court for his district, is a man of much ability and force of character, and the account of the manner in which he has made his way to success will be of interest to all our readers. Judge Bradley is a native of this county, having been born in Newtown January 31, 1858, but he traces his descent from one of the oldest families of Kilbaha, County Clare, Ireland. John Bradley, his grandfather, a lifelong resident of that locality, married Johanna Finnell, and had six children, viz.: Patrick, who came to America, and for many years was an employe of the rub- ber factory at Sandy Hook; Michael comes next; John, our subject's father; Thomas, who is now postmaster at Sandy Hook; Bridget, who mar- :!' :2i b-oisin ••.-. u;;'.Li..u ^2 ,?••'■ )..i.;. ;mr! ,;^iK COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 287 ried Thomas Griffin, of Newtown; and Mary, wife of Martin Daily, of Bridgeport. John Bradley, the father of our subject, crossed the ocean in or prior to 1847, and im- mediately settled at Sandy Hook, where he was employed for some time in the rubber factory. On July 5, 1861, he was accidentally killed, being caught by a belt in the factory. He was a devout Catholic, and always took keen interest in all that concerned his adopted country, affiliating in politics with the Democratic party. After coming to America he married ]\fiss Ellen Collins, daughter of Michael Collins, and a native of County Clare, Ireland. They had four children, as follows: Johanna, who died in in- fancy; Mary, wife of Cornelius DeLury, an un- dertakerand furniture dealer in Danbury; Michael John, our subject; and Maggie Frances, who married Thomas Kenny, a hatter of Danbury. Judge Bradley was educated chiefly in New- town, where he attended the public schools and the academy, later purchasing a six-months' course in the Washington School, in the city of Bridgeport. By making good use of these opportunities he secured a practical education, and his reading has kept him well informed upon current topics. In 1877 he left school and en- tered the employ of the New York Belting and Packing Company, with whom he remained about seven years, his work there being terminated Oc- tober 29, 1883, when he received the nomination as representative from Newtown in the General Assembly. The campaign resulted in his elec- tion, and he served in the session of 1884 with credit to himself and satisfaction of his constitu- ents. In 1887 he was appointed deputy United States internal revenue collector for the Seventh district of Connecticut, and this office he held until the appointment of his successor in Octo- ber, 1889. In November, 1890, he was chosen judge of the probate court for the district of Newtown, for the term of two years, and so well did he perform the duties of this position that he was re-elected in 1892, 1894, 1896, and 1 898, his fifth term beginning on January i , 1 899. He has always been active in the work of the Democratic party, and for five or six consecutive years served as registrar of voters. As he pos- sesses great energy, he is regarded as a valuable member of the organization, and lias gained more than a local reputation. Our subject's wife, whose maiden name was Julia Leavey, is a daughter of Matthew Leavey, now a resident of Newtown, but formerly of County West Meath, Ireland. They have had six children: John Thomas, ^^'iilianl James, Samuel Charles, Mary Ellen, Wallace E. , and Howard Joseph, all at home. Mr. Bradley and his fam- ily are identified with St. Rose's Catholic Church at Newtown, and socially he is a member of the Knights of Columbus. SHEPARD. From old Colonial days this ' name has been "familiar as household words" in the New England States. The first of the family at present under consideration, of whom we have record was (I) Edward Shepard, mari- ner, who is supposed to have come from Eng- land, and, as shown by old deeds, was a resident of Cambridge, Mass., as early as 1639. His first wife, Violet, died in 1648-49, the mother of children as follows: John, born (in England) 1627; Elizabeth, born 1629; Abigail, born 1631; Debo- rah, born 1633; Sarah, born 1636. After the death of their mother the father married Mrs. Mary Pond, widow of Robert Pond. He died about 1680.