History of Bethel, (New London County) Connecticut United States of America

Our database does not include an historic photo for Bethel, (New London County) Connecticut, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us!

Biographies:

Phineas Taylor Barnum, showman, was born at Bethel, Conn., July 5, 1810, the son of a country store and tavern keeper. His father died when he was quite young, and he went to New York to find employment. Having accumulated some money, he opened a small store in Bethel, and became connected with the lottery chartered by the state for the purpose of building the Groton monument opposite New London. In 1829 he established and edited The Herald of Freedom, was charged with libel and imprisoned sixty days. In 1834 he removed to New York city, and placed on exhibition an old slave woman called Joyce Heth, advertised as the nurse of George Washington, and one hundred and sixty years old. He paid one thousand dollars for the right to exhibit her, advertised her extensively, and realized large returns. Thereafter Barnum travelled through the Southern states, exhibiting several small shows. In 1841 he bought Scudder's American museum, entirely on credit, and by shrewd management he was able to pay for it within a year. This became known as "Barnum's Museum," and was a favorite resort for many years. In 1842 he brought before the public Charles S. Stratton, of Bridgeport, Conn., a dwarf whom he named Gen. Tom Thumb and exhibited in America and Europe with great success. In 1849 he engaged Jenny Lind for one hundred and fifty nights, at one thousand dollars per night, brought her to America, and provided a concert company to assist her. This venture returned him a large profit. In 1855 he retired from the show business and built an elegant home in Bridgeport, Conn. Here he entered into several local business schemes which eventually absorbed his fortune. He again visited England with Tom Thumb, returning in 1857, and his earnings enabled him to extricate himself from his financial difficulties. He once more took charge of the old museum which was burned on the 13th of July, 1865. Another museum in a different locality was quickly extemporized, which was also burned. In 1871 he established a vast travelling menagerie and circus, which attracted much patronage and earned him a large fortune. He was four times a member of the lower house of the Connecticut legislature, and Mayor of Bridgeport for many years. He was a man of decided public spirit, and his benefactions, which were most liberal, included a public park in Bridgeport and a stone museum building for Tufts college, filled with specimens of natural history. He also delivered popular lectures in all parts of the country for many years, and wrote his own life, which had a wide circulation, and is as entertaining as any romance. He also published in 1845, "The Humbugs of the World," and in 1876, "Lion Jack." He died at his home at Bridgeport, April 7, 1891.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Orris Sandford Ferry, senator, was born in Bethel, Conn., Aug. 15, 1823. His father was a hat manufacturer, and intended the son to succeed to the business. A trial proving this course inexpedient, he was prepared for college and was graduated from Yale in 1844. He was admitted to the bar in 1846, and practised in Norwalk. He was made lieutenant-colonel in the state militia in 1847; a judge of probate in 1849, and was elected by the American party a state senator in 1855 and 1856. He was district attorney for Fairfield county, 1857-59; an unsuccessful candidate for representative in the 35th and 37th congresses, a representative in the 36th congress, and a member of the committee of thirty-three on the relations of the seceding states. He entered the volunteer army as colonel of the 5th Connecticut regiment, served with General Banks in Maryland, and on March 17, 1862, was commissioned brigadier-general, serving in Shields's division, and afterward in Peck's. He served throughout the civil war, and in 1866 was elected by the legislature of Connecticut U.S. senator, and was re-elected in 1872 by a coalition of the Democrats and liberal Republicans. He voted against the civil rights bill, for the impeachment of President Johnson, May 16, 1868, and supported General Grant for the presidency in 1872. He died in Norwalk, Conn., Nov. 21, 1875.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor