Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

(VII) David Gorham, son of Jabez (3)
Gorham, was born (according to the fam-
ily Bible) in Redding, January 9, 1802,
and died August 1, 1882. He owned a
farm, and was also what was known in
his day as a "tin-peddler," a type of mer-
chant rarely seen now, but numerous in
that time. These peddlers traveled
through the country with a high-boxed
body, usually painted red, his stock of
merchandise consisting of kitchen fur-
nishings, such as pans, and cooking utensils,
brooms, etc. This merchandise was
sold for cash or bartered with farmers for
produce, which the peddler later sold to
store-keepers and commission merchants.
David Gorham traveled through Western
Connecticut and the Eastern counties of
New York State. David Gorham mar-
ried (first) January 29, 1823, Fannie Jen-
nings, daughter of Nehemiah Jennings,
and she died March 28, 1844. Mr. Gorham
was active in the work of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church, and a member of
the official board.
(VIII) Henry Burr Gorham, son of
David and Fannie (Jennings) Gorham,
was born at Weston, Connecticut, January
1, 1832, and died at Norwalk, January
29, 1862. He attended the public schools,
and learned the trade of shoemaker, which
he followed in East Norwalk most of his
life. Mr. Gorham married Mary Eliza
Jones, daughter of Hiram C. Jones. She
was born in Norwalk, and her father was
a native of New Hampshire. They were
the parents of four children : Frederick
W., of Katonah, New York ; Charles, de-
ceased ; Edward
and Henry Burr.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
E., of further mention
(IX) Edward Everett Gorham, son of
Henry B. and Mary E. (Jones) Gorham,
was born in Norwalk, July 12, i860, and
attended the public schools. In 1875 he
entered the employ of Colonel Hiram K.
Scott, general merchant, of Ridgefield,
Connecticut, and remained with him for
;
21:
three years. For several years subse-
quent, he traveled on the road as a whole-
sale tea salesman. About thirty years
ago, Mr. Gorham established himself in
business as an interior decorator, han-
dling wall paper as well as painting. In
1919 he removed to South Norwalk and
opened a store on Washington street ; he
is the oldest man in his line of business in
his section of the State, and can look
backward over a very successful career
and forward to further success. An average
of between twelve and twenty men
are employed to cover the territory com-
prising Southwestern Connecticut.
Mr. Gorham is a Republican, and held
the office of registrar of voters for nearly
a quarter of a century. He was tax col-
lector for the East Norwalk school and
fire districts for nearly as long. His fraternal
affiliations include : Member of Old
Well Lodge, No. 108, Free and Accepted
Masons, of South Norwalk ; Butler Chapter,
No. 38, Royal Arch Masons, of South
Norwalk ; Clinton Commandery, No. 3,
Knights Templar, of Norwalk; Lafayette
Consistory ; and Pyramid Temple, Mystic
Shrine, both of Bridgeport. Mr. Gorham
is past grand of Butler Lodge, No. 97,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of
South Norwalk, and past commander of
Clinton Commandery, No. 3, of Norwalk.
Mr. Gorham married Annie E. Hoyt,
daughter of James M. and Maria L.
(Webber) Hoyt. The Hoyt family is an
old one in Fairfield county, and Maria L.
Webber was a native of Switzerland. Mr.
and Mrs. Gorham were the parents of two
children : Edward Everett, died at the age
of nineteen years ; and Leslie Webber,
born in 1887, married Laura M. Berns,
and has two children : Earl Edward and
Ray Elizabeth. The family are members
of the Methodist Episcopal church of East
Norwalk, and aid in the support of its
good works.