JOSHUA E. BROCKWAY, a prosperous
farmer of Old Lyme, living near the village of Lyme, was born in East Lyme,
Conn., February 18, 1840, son of Ezra C. and Lucy A. (Howard) Brockway.
His great-grandfather was Elias Brockway, a farmer of this country and
a man universally esteemed. Christopher, son of Elias, was mate of a vessel,
and was lost at sea in 1832, when in the prime of life. He left a wife,
whose maiden name was Christiana Chapel, and who reared and educated their
family of four sons and five daughters on her small farm. Of this family,
one daughter, "Aunt" Caroline Beckwith, and two sons, Christopher Brockway,
a resident of Denver, and Ezra C., father of the subject of this sketch,
are living. Ezra C. Brockway was born in this town, then known as Lyme,
on March 6, 1814. He married Lucy A., daughter of Joshua Howard. She died
October 3, 1889. Her four children were: Joshua E., Joseph B., Christiana
C., and Lucy J. Christiana C. married Irving Watrous, and died May 14,
1874, leaving an infant son, Walter, now a resident of East Lyme. Lucy
J. Brockway, who was born August 27, 1854, and became a successful teacher,
died November 19, 1875.
Joshua E. Brockway was reared on his father's
farm, and received but a limited schooling. In the spring of 1861 he shipped
as a sailor on a vessel engaged in the halibut-fishing industry; and he
continued to follow the sea for some nine years. On his marriage, in 1872,
he made a wedding journey to Ohio, where he rented a farm for two years.
At the end of that time he bought fifty acres, which he cultivated until
1892, when he returned to Lyme, to take charge of the farm owned by Mrs.
Brockway's father. Here he carries on general farming, and keeps a dairy
of four good cows, besides a yoke of oxen. He still retains the ownership
of the Ohio farm. Mr. Brockway is a Democrat politically, and has always
voted the straight party ticket. He stands firm for "honest money," and
in 1896 he voted the gold ticket. He has been Selectman of Lyme, and has
served on the Board of Relief. As a citizen his probity is unquestioned,
and his word is as good as his bond.
On the 10th of March, 1872, Mr. Brockway
married Sarah H. Huntley, of this town, by whom he had one daughter, who
died in infancy. Mrs. Brockway is a devoted member of the Congregational
church and an active worker in its varied charitable and benevolent interests.
Her parents were Sylvanus H. and Lydia L. (Caulkins) Huntley, both of whom
have passed away. Mr. Huntley was shot when only thirty-two years of age,
while in the discharge of his duty as constable; and his death made orphans
of four children. Mrs. Huntley died in 1883, at the age of seventy-four.
The living children of this family are: Louisa C. Huntley, living in this
town; David C., a well-known farmer of Lyme; and Mrs. Brockway. Mary K.
Huntley, now deceased, was for some years a most successful teacher. She
lived a life of great usefulness and helpful service to others, being active
in church and Sunday-school work, and helpfully interested in every reform
movement.
Biographical Review Volume
XXVI
Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens
of New London County Connecticut
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1898
pgs 291 - 292
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