Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

Mead, whose ancestral record is included
in the biography of her brother, Charles
N. Mead, which appears elsewhere in this
work. Mr. Brush passed away June 19,
1875, leaving the record of an excellent
citizen and a truly successful man.
(VIII) Joseph (2) Brush, son of Benjamin
Piatt and Sarah A. (Mead) Brush,
was born April 30, 1866, at Cos Cob, Con-
necticut, and received his earliest edu-
cation in a private school, afterward at-
tending a public school in Greenwich,
where it might almost be said that his
whole life, thus far, has been spent, as
it was in his childhood that his parents
moved there. At the age of sixteen Mr.
Brush accepted a desirable position in
New York City, but after retaining it
about six years he returned to Greenwich
to become teller in the Greenwich Trust
and Deposit Company. After the lapse
of about five years he found himself in
circumstances which justified him in making
an independent business venture and
in 1893 he resigned his position. Imme-
diately, thereafter, he organized the firm
of Banks, Brush & Mead, buying out
Waterbury & June. In 1895 the firm became
Banks & Brush, Mr. Mead having
retired, and in 1896 it absorbed the trade
of another firm. In April, 1910, Mr. Brush
disposed of the business to Maher Broth-
ers, Inc.
The political principles of Mr. Brush
were those upheld by the Republican
party and in public affairs he has always
taken the keenest interest, invariably
adding the weight of his influence to any
movement having for its object the promotion
of needed reforms and the advancement
of the general welfare. His
fellow-citizens testified to their confidence
in him by making him township auditor,
and since 1915 he has been a member of
the board of assessors. He is identified
with the Amogerone Fire Company. He
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
282
and his wife and family are members of
the Congregational church.
Mr. Brush married Ella H. Lyon, whose
ancestral record is appended to this bi-
ography, and they are the parents of two
Annie Louise, and Ruth Sea-
daughters :
man. Joseph Brush is the bearer of a
name old and honored in Greenwich
township, and by his career both as busi-
ness man and citizen has done much for
the maintenance of its ancient prestige.
(The Mead Line).
The first mention of this historic family
is found in Norman records of the twelfth
century and it appears in English records
from the close of that century to the pres-
ent time. The name, in its various forms,
Mead, Meade, Mede and Meads, is the
English translation of the Norman de
Prato, meaning meadow. The escutch-
eon of the family is as follows:
Arms—Sable, a chevron between three pelicans
or, vulned gules.
Crest—An eagle displayed.
Motto—Semper paratus.
Thomas Meade, Esq., was the first of
the family who came from Somersetshire,
England, into County Essex in the reign
of Henry VI. He settled at Elmdon,
where his descendants were numbered
among the leading families of the county.
In other counties, also, the Meades were
represented, some of them attaining dis-
tinction in various walks of life.
(I) William Mead, founder of the Fair-
field county and Greenwich Meads, is
thought to have sailed from Lydd, County
of Kent, in the ship "Elizabeth," in April,
I 635 > with Gabriel, or Goodman, Mead,
whose brother he is supposed to have
been. When they arrived in Massachusetts
Gabriel remained there, but Wil-
liam proceeded to Connecticut, settling,
probably at Wethersfield, and in 1641 removing
to Stamford, where he received