By Olivia Drake, HVFC Information Officer.
Guests of honor Glenn Scovil, visiting from North Carolina, and his son, Ben Scovil, visiting from South Carolina aren’t only the great-cousins of the Scovil Hoe Company’s founders, but are direct descendants of Haddam Volunteer Fire Company’s first chief, Robert Albert Brookes (1890-1967).
Glenn and Ben noted the connection while making remarks at the ceremony and later shared a photo of Robert and his grandson, Glenn, donning HVFC uniforms prior to marching in Haddam’s Memorial Day parade in 1951.
“That’s me,” Glenn said, pointing at the photo, which was taken at Robert’s home on Christian Hill Road. “At this time, relatives of current [fire company members] were allowed to walk in the parade with the firefighters.”
Robert Brookes (1890-1967), a lifelong Higganum resident, served as the postmaster in town for 25 years and a member of HVFC for 30 years. He was chief for 13 of those years and took Life Membership in 1956.
Robert was among several members of the Brookes family to serve—and found—Haddam Volunteer Fire Company in 1930. His brother Arthur Wellington Brookes (1898-1970) served in the 1930s; brother Whitney Kenneth Brookes (1903-1993) served for 33 years and took Life Membership in 1964; and brother Frederick E. Brookes (1887-1977) served as a trustee for two years in the 1950s. Robert’s nephews Whitney Brookes, Jr. (still living) served 16 years and took Life Membership in 1965; Fred A. Brookes (1908-1986) served 34 years and took Life Membership in 1964; Arthur Brookes (1915-1994) served in the 1930s; and Harry Edward Brookes (1912-1976) served 10 years. In addition, Scott Brookes (still living), formerly the Town of Haddam Fire Marshal, is the grandson of Arthur Wellington Brookes and served the company for 25 years, taking Life Membership in 2002.
Glenn and Ben also are relatives of Francis B. Scovil (1886-1965), who was present at the firehouse dedication in 1930 and served the company for 26 years. Francis— who was Glenn’s grandfather’s brother— took Life Membership in 1956.
Following the groundbreaking, Haddam Volunteer Fire Company member Bob Kadrle offered Glenn and Ben a short tour of the southern building, which was constructed in 1866 and converted to a Department of Transportation garage in 1942. Kadrle worked as a mechanic there for 35 years as did Glenn’s other grandfather, Wilton Burr Scovil. Wilton died on the job of a heart attack in 1948. 
“It’s very humbling to have these buildings here and everyone being in [so] supportive of our family’s history,” Ben said during the groundbreaking. “These buildings are still very special to our family … and we’re so very thankful that (almost) 200 years later, it’s still appreciated.”
Photos by & courtesy of Olivia Drake.
