Biographies of Prominent Families
Town of Middlefield
Middlesex County Connecticut

Transcribed by Lynn Tooley

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Biographies of Prominent Families of Middlefield, Middlesex County, Connecticut, extracted from The History of Middlesex County 1635-1885, J. H. Beers & Co., 36 Vesey Street, New York, 1884, Pages 440-441

David Lyman, Biography

David Lyman, of Middlefield, was born in that town in 1820. He received his education in the public schools of his native town and at Guilford. He engaged early in business with his father, and afterward became the trustee of a large estate in Durham, in the management of which he displayed unconmion ability.

He was interested with others in the large wringer manufactory at Middlefield.

He was very active in promoting the construction of the Air Line Railroad, and was during three years its president. It was thought that the discharge of the arduous duties that devolved on him in this position impaired his health and hastened his death, which took place in 1871.

His wife was Elizabeth Hart, of Guilford, Connecticut. They had nine children, of whom three have died.

P. M. Augur, Biography

Phineas Miller Augur was born in Middlefield, February 8th 1826. He received a good education in the common English branches in the public schools, then in an acidemy, in Latin, higher mathematics, and the natural sciences. In early life he was appointed county surveyor and some years later surveyor general's deputy for Middlesex county, which office he held several years. He made a survey and maps of Middlefield with the necessary post route; compiling statistics, etc., which David Lyman used successfully at Washington in securing the establishment of a post office in Middlefield.

In 1866, when Middlefield was set off from Middletown, he was chosen as sole assessor, and made out the first assessment list of the town. He was also chosen a member of the board of education, and has held the position continuously since. He has been a justice of the peace since the organization of the town. In 1869, he was elected to the General Assembly. He was a member of the committee on incorporations, and was the author of several bills now on the statute books.

In early life Mr. Augur united with the Congregational church of Middlefield. In 1850, he was elected deacon of the church, and has filled the office since that time, but has recently resigned.

At the age of 20, he married Lucy E. Parmelee, of Guilford, a lady of noble worth and excellence. They have had five children, three sons and two daughters, all of whom are married. At their last Thanksgiving festival, they, with children and grandchildren, made up a number of 22, all happy, healthy, bright, and vigorous.

When the Middlefield Farmers' Club was organized, Mr. Augur was appointed secretary, and continues to hold that position. He was elected a member of the State Board of Agriculture in 1869, and after serving two terms, declined a re-election. He was, however, elected in 1872, as pomologist of the State Board of Agriculture, and has since acted in that capacity. In 1876, he was delegated by the board to make a collection of Connecticut products for the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia. Although a very small and inadequate sum was allowed by the State Centennial Commission, by close economy an exhibit was made which, in excellence, extent, and variety of grains, corn, fruits, vegetables, and seeds, was regarded as among the very best, being specially remarkable for the great number of fruits of Connecticut origin.

Mr. Augur has always been an independent thinker, sympathizing with anti-slavery, temperance reform, antimonopoly, and civil service reform. He is in favor of the best schools, the best common roads, and village improvement. He believes in economy, and condemns extravagance, either in public or private life.

Mr. Augur, in connection with his sons, is extensively engaged in raising fruits, trees, and plants, and their nurseries, greenhouse, vineyards, and orchards embrace a large variety.