Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
in Middletown, Connecticut. In 1887 he of the National Association of Horse-
entered the employ of John Coleman, a
blacksmith of Meriden, now deceased, and
after two and one-half years engaged with
the Berlin Iron Bridge Company at East
Berlin, Connecticut. There he continued
until 1892, when he became associated
with G. F. Peckham, who operated a shop
on Court Street, Middletown, since which
time he has continued in business there.
In time he became a partner with his
former employer and, when the latter re-
tired, Mr. Thompson became sole propri-
etor, including the ownership of the property
occupied. This he sold in 192 1, and
moved to Center Street, where he may
now be found in business hours. Through
his skill and industry, Mr. Thompson has
made his own way and is now reckoned
among the enterprising and public-spir-
ited men of the growing city of Middletown.
In 191 1 he purchased his handsome
home at 186 Washington Street, and
he is also the owner of the large house at
the corner of Broad and Washington
streets. His worth has been recognized
by his contemporaries, and he has re-
cently been called upon to serve on a very
important committee to revise the entire
assessment system of the city. He is a
member of the board of water commis-
sioners of the city, and is ever ready to
contribute his share in promoting the
progress and welfare of his home community.
He has served as a member
of the common council, and has long been
a member of the O. V. Coffin Hook and
Ladder Company, a very efficient volunteer
fire company. He is a faithful mem-
ber of St. John's Roman Catholic Church ;
of Forest City Council, No. 3, Knights of
Columbus, of which he has been a trustee :
of Division No. i, Ancient Order of Hi-
bernians and is now president of the
county organization ; he is also a member
229
shoers, and at one time was the secretary
of the State organization of that body.
In political registration he is listed among
the Democrats, but his patriotism ex-
tends far beyond the boundary of partizan
lines.
Mr. Thompson was married, in November,
1898, to Abigail Dennan, who was
born November 24, 1870, in Moodus, Con-
necticut, daughter of Thomas and Ellen
(Pumfrey) Dennan, natives of County
Cork, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson
are the parents of a worthy son, Thomas
Finton, who, at the age of nineteen years,
became manager of the Middletown
branch of the Elmer Automobile Company
of Hartford and continues in that
position.
BRAINERD, Erastus LeRoy,
Civil Engineer.
A scion of one of the most prolific families
in Connecticut, Mr. Brainerd was
born May 5, 1881, in Portland, son of
LeRoy Brainerd. The founder of the fam-
ily in America was Daniel Brainerd, a
pioneer settler of Haddam. James Brain-
erd, second son of Daniel, born June 2,
1669, in Haddam, was a farmer there, a
deacon of the church, ensign and captain
of militia, representative in 171 1, and
from 1726 to 1737, and died February 10,
1743. He married, April i, 1696, Deborah
Dudley, of Saybrook, born November
II, 1670, died July 22, 1709, daughter
of William and Mary (Poe) Dudley.
Abiah Brainerd, third son of James and
Deborah, born November 26, 1705, in
Haddam, was a farmer at Haddam Neck,
and died in September, 1782. Fle mar-
ried, December 28, 1727, Esther Smith, of
Haddam, born November 20, 1706, daugh-
ter of Simon and Elizabeth (Wells)