Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

SUCCesa until I904. In the latter year the
other interests of Mr. Brook so occupied
his time that he found it necessary to
lie had
withdraw. Previously, about [895,
become identified with the Broad Hrook
Woohn Company, as a member of its
directorate, subsequently becoming presi-
dent of the corporation in 1897. The year
following, Mr. Brook removed to Hart-
ford, and from that time until his death
he made that city his home. In 1897, the
year he assumed the office of president
of the Broad Brook Company, it was in
a very precarious condition, but through
the able management of Mr. Brook it was
soon placed on a sound financial basis,
developing into one of the most successful
plants in the State. Mr. Brook was
possessed of a kindly and generous per-
sonality ;
he
KWYCLOl'HDIA OF I5K KIKAI'I I Y
was honored and respected
for his high standards. As a man he was
admired for his cultured mind, and his
industrious and public-spirited life. He
was affiliated with the Masonic order, a
member of Huddersfield Lodge in Eng-
land. He was a valued member of St.
John's Episcopal Church of Hartford, and
served many years as vestryman there.
Mr. Brook married Hannah, daughter
of George Thompson, and they were the
parents of six children, five of whom reside
in England. They are : James Wil-
liam, Elizabeth Lillian, George E., John
H., and Frank Herman. Harry Clement
Brook, the fourth son, receives extended
mention below.
Harry Clement Brook, son of James
and Hannah (Thompson) Brook, was
born November 5, 1883, in Huddersfield,
England. He received the advantages of
an excellent education, attending Tetenhall
College and subsequently pursuing
a course at the Huddersfield Technical
School, where he specialized in textile
designing and weaving. Thus the foun-
dation of a career was laid which bids
8:
fair to be one of signal Success. After
completing his course, Mr. Brook came
to America with his father, in due course
of time becoming associated in busini
witli him. Alter the death of hi- father,
Mr. Brook succeeded him as director and
is also manager of the corporation. From
his honored father, Mr. Brook has in-
herited worthy characteristics, and possesses
many of those qualities which
make for success. He has a fine mind,
and the ability to understand men and
conditions, which in his official capacity
form an important factor to his value as
an executive.
Mr. Brook married Amy Katharine
Pearson, of Arizona, and they are attend-
ants of St. John's Episcopal Church, of
Hartford.
PECK, Charles Erasmus,
Head of Important Business.
The name of Peck is of great antiquity,
i> found in Belton, Yorkshire, England, at
an early date, and from there scattered
over not only England, but every civilized
country. A branch of the family of Hesden
and Wakefield, Yorkshire, removed
to Beccles, County of Suffolk, and were
the ancestors of Joseph Peck, of Hingham,
County Norfolk, who founded the
family in this country. The arms to which
the descendants of Joseph Peck are en-
titled are as follows:
Anns—Argent, on a chevron, engrailed gules,
three heads formed of the first.
Crest—Cubit arm erected habited azure, cuff
argent, hand proper, holding on one stalk, enfiled
with a scroll, three roses gules leaved vertical.
John Peck, of Belton, Yorkshire, mar-
ried a Melgrave, and had Thomas Peck,
whose wife was a Middleton. Their son,
Robert Peck, married at Tunstall. and he
was the father of Robert Peck, of Belton,
whose wife was a Musgrove. Their son,