Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

and in 1882 came to America, locating in
New York City. He continued to follow
the sea out of that port, but on steam
vessels, and was only about twenty-two
years old when he was given his master's
license. Captain Anderson engaged in the
coastwise trade until about 1885, in which
year he entered the oyster business on
his own account. He located in Rockaway
and Princess bay, and in 1890 became
a resident of East Norwalk, acquir-
ing oyster grounds along the Connecticut
shore. It was at this time that the J. & J.
Ellsworth Company was organized, of
which Captain Anderson is the outside
manager.
Captain Anderson has taken a promi-
nent and leading part in the public affairs
of Norwalk since making his residence
there. He is held in high esteem by his
townsmen, and has several times been
called upon to occupy positions of trust
and responsibility. He is a Democrat in
a town which is staunchly Republican,
and in 1891 was chosen to represent his
party in the State Legislature, which was
a high honor to a man, not native born
and a member of a minority party. While
in the legislature Captain Anderson served
as a member of the shell-fisheries com-
mittee.
Captain Anderson married, February 3,
1886, Lovise Knudsen, daughter of Silas
Knudsen, born in Twedestrand, Norway.
They were the parents of six children : 1.
Bessie, born August 25, 1887. 2. Clara,
born December 6, 1889, married George
Glover, and is the mother of a son, Carl
A. 3. Howard S., born December 22,
1891 ; he enlisted in the United States
Navy and served as machinist on the de-
stroyer, "Drayton," and made many trips
across the ocean ; he is married and is the
father of a child, Margaret. 4. Lillian
M., born April 26, 1896
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
; married Charles
354
Vaast, and has a daughter, Lillian. 5.
Henry M., born December 27, 1901. 6.
Frederick W., born September 11, 1904.
Captain Anderson and his wife are mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and he is a member of Ichoda Yacht Club,
of South Norwalk; of Old Well Lodge,
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; But-
ler Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows ;
Elks ;
Benevolent and Protective Order of
Loyal Order of Moose ; Uncas
Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men ;
Foresters
of America, and the Putnam Hose
Company.
CROOKER, Captain Frederic S.,
Boatyard Proprietor.
There are few citizens of Greenwich,
Connecticut, better known than the one
whose name stands at the head of this
article, and in addition to being an able,
aggressive business man, Captain Crooker
is a highly esteemed citizen, always inter-
ested in promoting the welfare and prog-
ress of his home town.
Ephraim Crooker, grandfather of Frederic
S. Crooker, was a scion of old Dutch
stock, his ancestors having belonged to
the race which made the first settlement
on Manhattan Island and founded the
city of New Amsterdam, later named the
city of New York. Mr. Crooker was a
sea captain all his life, running a market
boat between New York City and Port
Washington, New York, and having his
home for the most part in the latter place.
Simeon Weeks Crooker, son of Ephraim
Crooker. spent much of his boyhood
at Hempstead, Long Island, and when he
grew to manhood engaged for a few years
in boating. He and his father purchased
a market sloop and ran it for a considerable
period. Simeon Weeks Crooker
learned the trade of a ship carpenter and