Читать книгу History of Bridgeport and Vicinity, Volume 2: Biographical - George Curtis Waldo jr. - Страница 23

No history of Bridgeport would be complete without extended mention of Frederick Han ford Lyon, today one of the most venerable citizens of Fairfield county. He was born September 21, 1827, on Main street in Bridgeport, which at that time was a street of fine residences and beautiful gardens, and has therefore almost reached the ninetieth milestone on life's journey. He is especially well preserved for one of his years and has maintained in affairs of the day the interest which is usually attributed to men of much younger years.

His father, Han ford Lyon, was born at Easton, Connecticut, in the Rock House district, and was a son of Nathaniel Webb Lyon. The family is noted for longevity and Nathaniel W. Lyon reached the notable old age of one hundred and one years. He bought the first ton of coal in Bridgeport. Hanford Lyon was the eighth in order of birth in a family of nine children and in his youthful days he worked on his father's farm through the summer months and attended the public schools in the winter seasons until he reached the age of fourteen, when he was apprenticed at Danbury, Connecticut, to the saddler's trade. He removed from Easton. Connecticut, to Bridgeport, where he engaged in the saddlery business, but later he became a very prominent factor in financial circles. He became a director of the Connecticut Bank, a director and the president of the old Bridgeport Bank, a director of the Pequonnock Bank, the first president of the City Savings Bank, a director and president of the City Gas Light Company and was a valued representative of other important public and private interests. Although a self-educated man, his broad and active business experience developed in him capabilities and powers that would have enabled him to fill almost any position. Notwithstanding he was quiet and unassuming and did not seek public office or distinction. His early political allegiance was given to the old whig party and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the republican party, of which he was ever afterward a stalwart champion. During the Civil war he was a strong supporter of the Union cause. He served as a member of the common council of Bridgeport in the years 1837, 1842, 1844, 1845 and 1848 and during a portion of that time was alderman. In a word, he was a very public-spirited man, lending the weight of his aid and influence to every plan and project which he believed would prove of value and benefit to the community. His life was actuated by the highest principles. He was a member of the First Congregational Society from early manhood and in 1858 united with the North church, in which he was held in the highest esteem. He passed away September 21, 1879, but left the impress of his individuality and ability for good upon the life of the community in many of its most progressive phases. He had married Hetty Ann Thompson, of Stratford, whose ancestors were among the early settlers of Stratford and the family homestead there is still well preserved. A fine four poster bed belonging to the Thompson family is now in the Connecticut room at Mount Vernon. Lieutenant William Thompson, an ancestor of Mrs. Lyon, served with distinction in the war of the Revolution. Mr. and Mrs. Lyon became the parents of two sons and three daughters: Frederick H.; Sarah, the wife of Edward R. Sanford, who at one time was a judge of New Haven; William T., who lived in San Francisco, California; Josephine, the wife of Henry T. Shelton, of Bridgeport; and Adelaide, deceased. Having lost his first wife, Hanford Lyon was married to Annie Frye and their children were: Edward, who married Jessie, daughter of Dr. Porter, and has now passed away; Frank, who wedded Ida Mitchell, of Brooklyn, New York, and is now living in Bridgeport; Charles G., who married but has departed this life; and Alice, the wife of General Thomas L. Watson.

Frederick H. Lyon, after attending the school of Henry Jones on Washington avenue, Bridgeport, continued his education at Yale and later became connected with the hardware business as a member of the firm of Lyon & Kellogg, retail dealers on Water street. The business was there conducted for a number of years, after which Mr. Lyon retired from that connection and purchased property. For a considerable period he has derived his income from his realty, his investments having been made most judiciously.

Mr. Lyon was married in Bridgeport, in the old Hawley homestead, to Miss Bessie Hawley, who was born, reared, married and died in the same house. She was noted for her beauty, her culture and charming personality. Her parents were Abijah and Matilda (Benjamin) Hawley, the latter related to Colonel John Benjamin of Stratford. Mrs. Lyon traced her ancestry back to William Bradford, the first governor of the Plymouth colony, who came over on the Mayflower in 1620. Her father, Abijah Hawley, was a very prominent and influential citizen here at an early day. He was a member of the firm of Abijah Hawley & Company, engaged in the West India trade and also carrying on the Boston coasting grain and lumber business. He represented one of the oldest, most numerous and most prominent families of the state connected with the early settlement of Stratford and of Stratfield, Mrs. Frederick H. Lyon being of the sixth generation of the descendants of Joseph Hawley, who was the first settler of the name at Stratford. The line is traced down through Samuel, of Stratford, and Thomas to Abijah Hawley. In his own career Abijah Hawley illustrated the substantial qualities of his ancestors and through his business affairs contributed in substantial measure to the growth and development of Bridgeport. The firm of Abijah Hawley & Company was composed of Abijah, Aaron and Wilson Hawley and their coasting vessel was called the Three Sisters, probably because of the fact that the three partners married three daughters of Captain Stephen Summers. This vessel was used in the Boston trade, while their New York packet was the sloop Caroline. Abijah Hawley was not only prominent as a business man of Bridgeport but in 1842 was called upon to represent his district in the state legislature and he was also one of the organizers of St. John's Lodge, A. F. & A. M.

To Mr. and Mrs. Lyon were born seven children. Hanford died in infancy. Frederick Sanford was in the hardware business with his father and died unmarried. Julia became the wife of Frank Wilson. Josephine is living at the homestead. Henry Meigs, who was born in Bridgeport, became a wholesale hardware merchant of New York and a very active and prominent business man. He continued to live in Bridgeport and never married. He was a member of the Algonquin Club, was an active Knight Templar Mason and a very public-spirited and progressive citizen. In fact he possessed many substantial qualities which won him the high regard of all, and since passing away September 23, 1897, his memory has been revered by those who knew him. William Kellogg Lyon, the next of the family, was for years connected with the Housatonic Railway Company and is now living at the homestead. Helen became the wife of Charles Mills and is mentioned elsewhere in this work.

Mr. Lyon has given stalwart support to the republican party since its organization. He has lived a Christian life as a member of the North church, devoted to its teachings and active in furthering its work and extending its influence. He has also manifested the qualities of public-spirited citizenship, doing everything in his power to promote the welfare of the community in which he has so long made his home. He has lived to see remarkable changes in the ninety years of his active life — changes which have taken Bridgeport out of villagehood into metropolitan greatness — and in large measure he has left the impress of his individuality and ability upon the business development of the community. All who have known him speak of him in terms of high regard and his life record constitutes an important chapter in the history of the city.