Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

evidence in a matter of infinitely less
magnitude and importance, saw that the
charter was surrendered and the chapter
became a circle in accordance with the
special plan of organization then adopted.
During the war he was chairman of vari-
ous committees and of the Wilton con-
tingent, also serving as chairman of the
Wilton four-minute men.
In the winter of 1919-20 the census
bureau solicited Mr. Marks' assistance in
taking the census of manufacturers. Mr.
Marks declined on the ground that he
had passed the age limit prescribed by
law, but a special representative sent
from Washington persuaded him to ac-
cept an appointment as a special agent to
cover the district from the New York
State line to the Bridgeport district, and
from the Danbury district to the sound.
He was allowed three months in which
to cover his territory, but he finished the
task within a month and a half, thus
placing himself at the head of the workers
in the Sixth District, and making a record
of remarkable activity for a man of his
years and for thoroughness and accuracy
unsurpassed.
On the completion of this important
work, Mr. Marks was assigned to the un-
finished district of Danbury, which he
finished in record time, refusing a third
appointment to the southern section of
Litchfield county. In taking the popula-
tion census he covered two districts in
the time usually allotted for one, and
after the canvass was supposed to be
complete scoured the town for people
who had been missed, doing this latter
work without compensation.
Through his ancestor, John Merwin,
Mr. Marks holds membership in the Sons
of the American Revolution of Connecticut.
The connection of the Merwins with
the Marks family is traced in the genealogy
contained in the biography of Amasa
Conn—9—
2
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
\y
A. Marks. Mr. Marks is a veteran Mason,
affiliated with Ark Lodge, No. 39, Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons, of Georgetown,
and also a member of Washington
Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and Clin-
ton Commandery, Knights Templar, of
Norwalk. He has served seven terms as
grand chaplain of the Grand Lodge of the
First Masonic District of Connecticut, an
unprecedented honor.
Mr. Marks married Mary Devine, born
in Brooklyn, New York, daughter of
Nicholas and Mary (Stoddard) Devine,
of that city. Mr. Devine was a native
of Ireland, and Mrs. Devine was born in
England. Mr. and Mrs. Marks became
the parents of the following children: 1.
Lucy May, educated (academically) in
St. Mary's School, Burlington, New Jer-
sey ;
received a thorough musical training
and is a well known vocalist; married Dr.
F. J. Morrison, of Norwalk, and is now
supervisor of vocal music in the schools
of New York City, examiner of the teach-
ers and graduates of the college, also a
musical director. 2. Anna Adelia, died
unmarried at the age of twenty-six; a
graduate of Holyoke College, and at the
time of her death teacher of political
economy in the Bethel (Connecticut)
High School. 3. Mary Esther, of Stam-
ford ; holds two degrees from Oberlin
College, and is supervisor of physical
training for the schools of Stamford. 4.
Charles Edwin, resides in New York
City ; superintendent of the Electric
Power House of the United Electric
Light Company, the largest in the
world; married Lillian Simpson, by
whom he has two children : Charles E.,
Jr., and Richard S. 5. Eliza Jeanette,
supervisor of physical training of the
high schools of Brooklyn, New York.
6. Amasa Abraham, has charge of physi-
cal training in the high schools of Passaic,
New Jersey ; this has been considered an