Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

1913 he was called to a larger field of usefulness
in the public business, and was
elected to the State Senate, and received
the further distinction of reelection to the
same important office. In the Senate he
was a member of the committee on pub-
lic welfare and of the committee on the
sale of lands. Dr. Foster is a member
of Union Lodge, No. 5, Free and Accepted
Masons ; Clinton Commandery, Knights
Templar, of Norwalk, Connecticut, and is
also affiliated with Pyramid Temple,
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Bridgeport.
His club is the Suburban of Stam-
ford.
Dr. Foster married Mabel E. Neale,
daughter of Frederick and Kathryn
Neale, of Toronto, Canada, and they are
the parents of: Alice Dean, Kathryn E.,
and Mabel N.
BRUSH, Ralph Emerson,
Iiawyer, Served in 'World War.
While a resident of Greenwich, Mr.
Brush as the possesor of a lucrative and
growing clientele maintains an office not
only in his home town but also in New
York City. During the recent World
War he made an honorable record in the
United States Navy, and in the promotion
of the best interests of his community he
is always actively interested.
The Brush family is of long standing
in Greenwich, having been founded there
by one of two brothers who went thither
from Long Island soon after 1700. Their
descendants in the successive genera-
tions have been actively instrumental in
the upbuilding and development of the
town and neighborhood.
Joseph Brush, great-grandfather of
Ralph Emerson Brush, was the owner of
a large part of the town of Greenwich,
from Putnam avenue through Rock Ridge
and Edgewood Park. Mr. Brush mar-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
437
ried Sarah A. Mead, daughter of Richard
Mead.
Amos M. Brush, son of Joseph and
Sarah A. (Mead) Brush, was born January
9, 1825, in Greenwich, and as a young
man was in business at Coscob, where he
was the proprietor of a general store, purchasing
produce from farmers and running
market sloops to New York. He
also dealt extensively in cattle, driving
them on the hoof to the New York stock-
yards. In this enterprise he was associated
with his brother Benjamin, under
the firm name of A. and B. Brush. When
Amos M. Brush was about forty years
old he retired from business and for a few
years resided in New York City, eventu-
ally returning to Greenwich. He was a
Democrat, and for many years held the
office of justice of the peace. Active in
town affairs, he at one time served as
lieutenant-colonel on the staff of the Gov-
ernor. He was an active member of the
Congregational church, occupying a seat
on the board of deacons. Mr. Brush
married Sarah P. Mead, daughter of
Amos Mead, and his death occurred July
30, 1905-
Augustus Mead Brush, son of Amos
M. and Sarah P. (Mead) Brush, was born
May 13, 1856, in Greenwich, and educated
in Prof. Peck's private school. On
reaching manhood he entered the iron,
steel and plumbing supply business. He
resided in New York during the winters,
spending his summers in Greenwich.
Yachting was his recreation, and he was
a member of the Riverside Yacht Club.
He and his wife were members of Christ
Protestant Episcopal Church.
Mr. Brush married Sarah Hodgman,
daughter of Dr. Abbott Hodgman, of
New York City. Dr. Abbott Hodgman
was educated at Dartmouth College and
received his professional training at the
College of Physicians and Surgeons, New