Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut

While.the Professor is not a politician, he has always affiliated with the Republican party, and is a steadfast supporter of its principles. He is an ardent advocate of the temperance cause, and for many years was connected with the Sons of Temperance and the Temple of Honor. Early in life he united with the M. E. Church, and wherever he has lived he has taken deep interest in the work of the denomination, serving in various offices, including that of steward. As Sunday-school superintendent he has ever given assistance to the cause in different places. On April 8, 1846, Professor Starr married Miss Frances Eliza Andrews, who was born in .-•A't COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 99 Danbury, November 7, 1819, a daughter of Capt. Oliver Andrews and his wife, formerly Mrs. Eliza Ferry Raymond. Mrs. Starr died in Danbury, April 20, 1885, leaving one son, Oliver Andrews Starr. A daughter, Sarah Frances, born March 10, 1857, died September 28, 1859. Oliver A. Starr was born November i, 1848, and went to Boston, Mass., in 1871, as salesman and bookkeeper for a business firm, and remained until 1893, when he engaged in the shoe business at Charlestown, Mass., under the firm name of Starr & Spaulding. In 1890, he married Miss Annie Hook, of Charlestown, Mass., a daughter of Aaron and Anstrice (Levey) Hook, of Boston, Massachusetts. TrjvvLONZO SETH WHEELER, president of -E!// the Saugatuck Manufacturing Company, at Saugatuck, one of the largest business firms in this county, is a man of marked ability and en- terprise, and his many inventions in connection with his business are now in practical use in all parts of the United States. Although he is now less active than formerly, the impress of his en- ergy and careful management remains upon the operations of the firm in which he has so long been a chief factor, his connection with the business having lasted continuously for more than sixty years. Mr. Wheeler was one of the first in this country to engage in the manufacture of covered buttons, and for forty years the silk and velvet buttons made by this firm have been in demand. Among the patents taken out by him is one for the " rivet pants button " which is now so popu- lar throughout the country, and the success of this and his other devices has done much to en- large the trade and advance the reputation of the company. The plant occupies a large brick building, and the greater portion of the product is shipped to the general offices in Broadway, New York, although orders from all sections of the United States are at times filled directly from the factory. The stock is held exclusively by members of the Wheeler family, and our sub- ject's son, E. Sterne Wheeler, is now serving as secretary and treasurer. The business was es- tablished in 1837 at Naugatuck, Conn., under the firm name of Hopkins & Wheeler, our sub- ject being the junior partner, and in the spring of i860 it was removed to Saugatuck, the lirm name being changed to E. S. Wheeler & Co. In 1875, when articles of incorporation were taken out, the present name was adopted. At the time of the removal to Saugatuck, our subject's brother, Hon. Jonathan Wheeler, was one of the firm, and on its incorporation he became its president, which office he held until his death in February; 1886. The Wheeler family is of English extraction, but has long been identified with this country, our subject's grandfather, Ager Wheeler, having been a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Capt. Samuel Wheeler, the father of our subject, was born in South Britain, Conn., where he followed agricultural pursuits during his active life. He is descended through his mother, Oria Hinman, from Titus Hinman, one of the very first settlers of Woodbury, Conn., 1672. Hon. Jonathan E. Wheeler, our subject's brother, mentioned above, was one of the leading Democratic politicians of this State, and for many years he represented his locality in the Legislature and Senate of Connecticut, his ability and public spirit being recognized by his fellow citizens irrespective of party lines. Our subject was born March 29, 18 16, at the old homestead in South Britain. At an early age he began to give evidence of practical business sagacity, and his energies found an appropriate channel in the establishment of the manufactur- ing business which has occupied his attention. He has a handsome residence at Saugatuck near the factory, and is regarded as one of the most prominent citizens of that locality. In politics he is a Democrat, as are all the members of his family, and he is an adherent of the Episcopal Church, in which faith he was reared. He has always taken an active interest in local improve- ment— in fact, the family name is a synonym for public spirit. Among the important movements fostered by him we mention especially the build- ing of the bridge at his town across the Sauga- tuck river, while Hon. Jonathan Wheeler was in the State Senate. Mr. Wheeler and his wife, who was formerly Miss Caroline Smith, of Naugatuck, hold an en- viable position socially. They have five chil- dren : Robinson H., Clarence L., Kate W., Bertha C. (Mrs. Hazelton), and E. Sterne. JEDUTHAN PECK, one of the oldest citizens of Riverside, Fairfield county, who is ripe in honors as well as years, is now retired from the labors of a long and active life, and is spend- ing his declining days in the midst of ease and plenty upon a part of the old Peck homestead which has been in the possession of the family for over a century. Mr. Peck is a native of Fairfield county, borrL at Mianus, March 17, 181 1, and is a son of Capt. Solomon and Mary (Ferris) Peck. The father. 'f.'.v:'i . l.-f.!.^ 100 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. who was a son of Joseph Peck, was born March 15, 1768, and was married, December 29, 1799, to Miss Mary Ferris, who was born February 6, 1782, a daughter of Jeduthan Ferris, whose home was on the old Post road east of ^fianus. After his marriage Captain Peck always resided at Mianus, and was engaged in the boating busi- ness. Although he started out in life for himself in limited circumstances, he was very successful in his business ventures and accumulated much wealth, leaving to his family a comfortable prop- erty. His death occurred June 2, 1816, and his remains were interred in the Sound Beach ceme- tery. He was a large man, weighing consider- able, and was held in high regard by all who knew him. After his death his widow removed to what is now Riverside avenue, where she reared her family and spent her remaining days, dying there in 1845. She was also laid to rest in the Sound Beach cemetery. Our subject was third in the order of birth in their family of four children, the others being as follows; Solomon, born December 31, 1802, was a boatman and lived at Mianus, where he died. He married Caroline Selleck, and left a family. Emeline, born December 29, 1805, married Lemuel Wells, and went to St. Catharines, South America, where her death occurred. John F., born No- vember 16, 1814, ditd July 5, 1839. Mr. Peck was only five years old when his father died, and at an early age he began to assist his mother in the care of her property. On November 23, 1845, he was married, in Port Chester, N. Y., to Miss Frances M. Jessup, a native of Fairfield county, Conn., born February 14, 1826, along the Post road in Riverside. Her parents were Samuel and Susan (Dibble) Jessup, the former a native of Sound Beach, Conn., the the latter of Bedford, N. Y. By occupation the father was a farmer. In his family of ten chil- dren, Mrs. Peck was the ninth child and fifth daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Peck have four children: (i) Samuel J. married Mary A. Underbill, and lives at Riverside. (2) Isaac A. married Emma L. Underbill, and has two children — Anita and Marion. (3) John F. is engaged in agricultural pursuits upon his father's farm. (4) William J. also assists in the operation of the old homestead at Riverside. After his marriage Mr. Peck located where his mother had lived for some years previous to her death, and when the estate was divided he took the portion he has since occupied, along Indian Head road. Most of the farm was still in its primitive condition, and he has erected all of the buildings upon the place. As his health was poor, his sons assumed the management of the place as soon as old enough, and in connection with its operation have successfully engaged in the dairy business. They are upright, reliable business men, who command the confidence and respect of all with whom they come in contact. In politics Mr. Peck is a Democrat, and in relig- ious connection his wife is a faithful member of the Sound Beach Congregational Church. For fifty-three years they have traveled life's journey together, sharing its joys and sorrows, and now in their declining years they are surrounded by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances wkio appreciate their sterling worth. PECK FAMILY. One of the oldest families of Connecticut, and one whose representa- tives in each generation have played an import- ant part in public affairs, bears the name of Peck. In 1643 the records show the name of Joseph Peck, and tradition says he came over from England in 1637 on the good ship "Hec- tor" with Governor Eaton and Rev. John Dav- enport. Certain it is that he left New Haven in 1649, and settled in Milford, where we find his name recordad as a Church member in 1652. He was twice married, his first wife being Mrs. Alice Burwell, widow of John Burwell, who died at Milford, Conn., in 1649; he was one of the first Free Planters under the first Planters' Agree- ment at Milford, dated November 29, 1639, having previously removed from Wethersfield to Milford. Joseph Peck's second wife was Miss Marie Richards. He died in 1701, leaving six children, namely: Elizabeth, baptized in 165 1, married October, 1677, to Sergeant Thomas Hayes; Joseph (II), baptized 1653; John, baptized 1655; Mary, baptized 1670, married William Northrup; Ann, baptized 1672; and Hannah.