The Newtown bee., 1900-02-23

During his successful career as mer-
chant at BOtsford the subject of this
brief biography has won the esteem OF
| his associates in the business world, while
his excellent qualities of character as q
man and citizen have secured for him the
confidence of his fellow-townsmen Of all
| classes. His family, which is of English
descent, is well known in the county, and
his grandfather, Isaac Brakeman, was q
native and lifelong resident of Newtown
township, where he owned and cultiva-
ged farm of moderate Dimensions He
was prominent ia local affairs, and many
years held the Office of Justice of peace.
His death occurred October %, 1859, at
his home in Huntingtown district, town
of Newtown. He was twice married,
and by his first wife, Hannah (Dimon)
he had the following children: Della,
who married Philo Hall OF Esston, this
county; Stephen W., formerly resident
of Teddy Hill district, NewtowD, who
went to California in 1849; and Austin,
halter by trade, formerly a resident
of Hattertown, who became a gold seek
er in California.
Charles e. Brakeman, the father of our
subject, was born in NewtoWn, August
10, 1927, and during the greater portion
OF his life followed farming as an Occu'
patton. In 1849 he went to California by
way Of Cape Horn, and returning soon
he afterWard made second trip, but
while coming home with the proceeds of
this venture he was shipwrecked, and the
gold he had secured was stolen by pi-
rates. He was a man Of fine natural
abilities combined with much energy
and perseverance, and was held in high
esteem by aIl who knew him. His last
years were spent on his farm In Toddy
Hill 1irSrSaS no fo1
store in Woodbury., Conn. In politics
he was democrat, and although he was
not a member he attended Trinity (Epis
copaD church at Newtown, to which his
wife belonged. He died June 2, 1862, and
his wife, whose maiden name was Mary
j. Beers, passed away February l, 1863.
They had family of four children: Aus
tin B., our subject; Julia E., born
February s, 1859, died February IA,
1879, Ida, born August 1, 1860, died
August %, 1886; and Charlotte E.,
born February IL, 1862, is now the wife
or Frank FL. Ives, farmer Of Middle
Gate district, town of Newtown.
Our subjects mother was born Septem-
Der %, 1884, and was a member OF one of
the most highly respected families of this
county. Her father, John Beers, and
grandfather, EbenezerBeers, were sub
stantial agriculturists of Teddy Hill dis
trict, and were both public-spirited and
influential citizens. John Beers died Oc-
tober 20, 1888, and his wife, ROxie a.
(Glover), daughter of Norman and Nam
cy Morris Glover, died January u, 1881.
Their children we're: Mary j., our sub
iect's mother Sarah, wife of Lampson B.
Lake John, who died in infancy Ange-
line and Caroline (twins) of whom the
former married William FL. Beers, and
the latter welded Robert W. Burritt
and James M, who married Emily
Beach.
Mr. Blskeman, our subject. was born
January 3, 1858, in Toddy Hill district,
town Of Newtown, and was educated in
the common schools of that locality and
of Middle Gate district. He made good
use of his advantages, and in 1876 was
employed as Ceacher in Middle Gate dis
trict, his mother and her mother both
taught in the same district. At the close
Of the term he engaged in agricultural
work on his grandfather's farm, and coz
tinued until 1881 when he became clerk
in the store of Daniel H. Botsford at
Botsford, position he held for about
three years. In 1883 he was appointed
postmaster at that place by W. Q. Gres-
ham, postmaster generalluHd der President
Arthur and he has since held that office.
In 1884 he purchased Mr. Botsford's gen
eral mercantile business, which he has
carried on with gratifying success, and
IN 1893 he built his present store and res
idence combined, handsome structure,
well-adapted to it's purposes. In 1884 he
was appointed station agent at Botsford,
but that position he resigned in 1894.
For the past eight years he has been
commissioned notary public, and not
| withstanding the varied nature Of his en-
terprises he has been uniformity success
full in all his undertakings. POLITICAL
| ae has always been democrat, and he
takes keen interest in local progress in
all lines. In November, 1896, he was
elected justice of the peace on the Citi-
| izen's ticket, his term Of Office beginning
March l, 1897.
On October 20, 1887, Mr. Brakeman
married Miss Ada MacGregor, who was
also employed as teacher for two years
in Middle Gate district, town of New
town. She is daughter OF Alexander
and Adelia Parker MacGregor Of
Bridgeport this county; two children
blessed this union: MaiorIe, born Janua.
ry Is, 1899, died January 25, same year :;
and Helen M, born December IS, 1889,
il now the Joy Of tho home. Socially MI
Brakeman and his wife are popular and
they are members of Trinity (Episcopal)
church. He belongs to the Masonic Fra
ternity, being identified with Hiram
Lodge, No. IS, r. 6 A. M, and Hiram
Chapter, MOL, at Sandy Hook.