HON. ERASTUS CLARK SCRANTON

Whether the individual will or no, he leaves his impress indelibly for good or ill upon his day and generation. Time gives the perspective of all things and proves the right of the individual to a place in the memory of his fellowmen. If he has contributed to the world's work, if his course has been honorable, his actions manly and sincere, and the results of .his labors beneficial to mankind, his memory is cherished and revered and his life work becomes an integral part of the history of his community. Such was the record of Erastus Clark Scranton, and though a half century has come and gone since he was an active factor in the business life of New Haven and this section of the state, he is yet remembered by reason of his genuine worth and his valuable contribution to the material, political, social, intellectual and moral upbuilding of his state. He contributed to material progress through his establishment and conduct of various important business interests and promoted the welfare of the commonwealth through active service as a member of both houses of the Connecticut legislature.

Mr. Scranton was born in East Guilford, now Madison, New Haven county, November 16, 1807, his parents being Jonathan and Roxanna (Crampton) Scranton, who were also of Madison. The ancestral line is traced back through several generations to Captain John Scranton. In October, 1639, about twenty-five heads of families made a settlement at Guilford, Connecticut, coming from Kent and Surrey, England. Most of them were farmers and they were a pious, intelligent and industrious class. To this number belonged Captain John Scranton, who concentrated his attention upon agricultural pursuits and also served as a member of the general court in 1669 and 1670. He was married twice, the first time probably in England, and this wife, Joanna, died in 1661. In 1666 he married Ada (or Adaline) Hill, the widow of Robert Hill, and her death occurred in 1685. Captain Scranton passed away in 1671. His son, also Captain John Scranton, was born as early as 1641 and became the first of the name in East Guilford, now Madison, Connecticut. On the 12th of March, 1674, he wedded Mary Seward, who was born February 28, 1652, and was a daughter of William Seward. On the 10th of December, 1691, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Clark, a widow and a daughter of John Bishop. The death of Captain John Scranton (II) occurred September 2, 1703. The line of descent comes down through a third Captain John Scranton, who was born in Hammonassett about 1676 and resided in what is now the town of Madison through the greater part of his life, there devoting his time and energies to the occupation of farming until his death, which occurred March 21, 1758. On the 12th of December, 1699, he had wedded Mary Norton and his second wife was Mary or Sarah Everts, a daughter of John Everts. She died in October, 1749, after which Captain John Scranton (III) married Miss Mary Bushnell, a daughter of Deacon Francis Buslmell. The line of descent comes down through Captain Ichabod Scranton, who was born February 19, 1717, and who married Chloe Fowler, whose birth occurred March 3, 1723, and who was a daughter of Abraham Fowler, of Guilford. Through active participation in the French and Indian war, including the battles of Louisbourg and Ticonderoga, Captain Ichabod Scranton won his military title. He was noted for his bravery and for his loyalty to his country and while returning home after his military service passed away December 1, 1760. His wife long survived him, her death occurring December 3, 1791.

Theophilus Scranton, son of Captain Ichabod Scranton and grandfather of Erastus C. Scranton, was born December 1, 1751, and having attained his majority was married to Abigail Lee, whose birth occurred July 11, 1754, her father being Jonathan Lee, of Madison. Like his forebears, Theophilus Scranton followed farming in Madison, where he passed away February 16, 1827, while his wife survived until December 23, 1840. Their son, Jonathan Scranton, was born October 10, 1781, and on the 27th of January, 1805, married Roxanna Crampton, who was born May 30, 1789, a daughter of Ashbel Crampton, of Madison. Her death occurred on the 27th of December, 1833, and in 1844 Mr. Scranton wedded Jemima Platt, a daughter of Daniel Platt. In addition to following the occupation of farming, which had engaged the attention of his ancestors, Jonathan Scranton became a contractor in the building of breakwaters and wharfs. He was also a prominent member of the church at Madison and passed away July 27. 1847.

Looking through the long perspective of the years, one sees Erastus Clark Scranton as a cabin boy, in which position he was found after completing a common school education in his native town. Through much of his life, however, he was identified with commercial and banking interests. He first became connected with mercantile pursuits in Georgetown, D. C., where he remained, however, for but a brief period. Almost from the beginning of his business career lie prospered and soon became the owner and master of a vessel. In 1835 in company with Daniel M. Hand lie established a wholesale grocery house at Augusta, Georgia, where he built up an extensive business which he conducted with success until 1842. He afterward became identified with banking at Apalachicola, Florida, and about 1844 returned to Connecticut with a very substantial fortune, which he had won through the capable conduct of his business interests in the south. He then became associated with several New York gentlemen in South American trade and figured prominently in commercial circles for a number of years, having an extensive coasting trade as far south as Florida. He was also interested to a considerable extent in a line of packets running between New York and Liverpool, England, and in ships making voyages to other ports. Strong and resourceful, his fellowmen recognized his marked business ability and sought his cooperation in other lines. He became one of the factors in railroad, building and operation in this section of the country and was one of the active promoters of the Shore Line Railroad. In 1854 he severed his business connections with New York interests and in 1855 was elected to the presidency of the Elm City Bank, now the Second National Bank of New Haven, which had recently been organized. He largely formulated its policy and shaped its destiny. His plans were well defined and carefully executed and the soundness of his judgment was manifest in the success which attended the institution. In 1864 he took up his permanent abode in New Haven, with the business interests of which he had been identified for a number of years previous, and in 1865 he was elected to the presidency of the New York & New Haven Railroad. To the problems of railroad management he brought to bear the same sound judgment which had made him a successful merchant and a prosperous financier. Obstacles and difficulties in his path seemed to serve but as an impetus for renewed effort and concentration on his part. His ideas and plans were always well defined and his progressiveness had as a foundation the most practical methods.

On the 4th of November, 1829, Mr. Scranton was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Stannard, who was born October 8, 1808, a daughter of Job Stannard, of Westbrook. They became the parents of the following named: Ezra Krastus, who was born September 3, 1831, and died May 19, 1855; Mary Eliza, who was born September 27, 1837, and died December 16, 1839; Mary Eliza (II), who was born September 23, 1840; and Francis Rathbone, who was born March 14, 1851, and died November 7, 1853.

The death of Mr. Scranton was accidental. Attempting to step onto a moving train at South Norwalk, he was killed in so doing, December 29, 1866. The community had occasion for deep regret at his passing because of the important part which he had played not only in the business life but in public affairs. Throughout the period of the Civil war he was one of the stanch supporters of the national government and was very generous and active in the work of organizations that made contributions to the Union cause. In 1845, again in 1846 and in 1850 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature on the democratic ticket. In 1856 he was reelected on the American ticket and in 18fi2 his name was placed on the republican ticket as the candidate for the state senate and he was sent to the upper house of the legislature. He was ever deeply interested in the welfare and progress of Madison, of New Haven and, in fact, of the entire state and in 1863 he was elected mayor of New Haven. His daughter, Miss Mary E. Scranton, 1ms always mani-fested a deep interest in Madison and she gave to that city a public library as a memorial to her honored father. His life record is indeed one which any individual may stop to consider. He was a man of well balanced capabilities and powers and long occupied a central place on the stage of action. He never allowed personal interests or ambition to dwarf his public spirit or activities. His breadth of view not only saw possibilities for his own advancement but for his city's development and his lofty patriotism prompted him to utilize the latter as quickly and as effectively as the former.