USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 24
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Benedict Arnold, page 35 .- Since the printing of the paragraph ending with "there is nothing more to be said," it has occurred to the editors that the words just quoted may be misconstrued as an affront to Norwich. Such was not, of course, intended, and the writer, a native of that city, would be the last to pen such a reflection. The words were meant as a commentary on the later career of Benedict Arnold, than, had it been as glorious as his deeds before his fall, Norwich would have no richer memory to treasure. On pages 63, 64, 71, 76, 106-109, and again on page 138 of this History, the reader may get a picture of both sides of Benedict Arnold's life.
With regard to the Groton Massacre, pages 63-76, it is to be said that the editors have printed the narratives of Jonathan Rathbun, Rufus Avery and Stephen Hempstead, not because they give a true recital in all details of the Battle of Groton Heights, but rather because they are interesting source ma- terial for historical research, and have for years been out of print. On pages 107-109 will be found Benedict Arnold's account of the expedition. On page 75 is a comment on the death of Colonel Ledyard that leaves much doubt in the unprejudiced mind as to just how he was slain. It is, indeed, a purely academic question, for surely in American and in British hearts today there can hardly survive any bitterness on a matter so distant as the Revolutionary War, when, in the view of living historians in both countries, the Colonists were fighting not against fellow-Englishmen, but rather against the despotism of a foreign king and his sympathizers. Local anecdotes survive, but the truth persists that Englishmen even in that day believed that their fellow-English- men in the Colonies were fighting for the true principles of liberty as under- stood both in England and in America. The editors of this History admire Pitt and Edmund Burke as adherents of the same great ideals as those of Wash- ington and Franklin.
Fire Insurance in New London County, page 459 .- Reader will dis- regard entire paragraph beginning "The stage being thus set," and read as follows :
The stage being thus set with sufficient background to make an im- pression as to the antiquity of the event, we now come to a very important episode and one which relates intimately to our study of fire insurance in New London County-indeed, is the very inception of enduring fire insurance organization in Connecticut if not in New England. For, yielding only two years' priority to. the Insurance Company of North America, in 1794 were born twins into the fire insurance field. One was The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and the other The Norwich Mutual Assurance Company, in Norwich, Connecticut, the full dignified name of this company being The Mutual Assurance Company of the City of Norwich --- perhaps this abundant title is more in keeping with the char- ยท acteristic Philadelphia copiousness of the cognomen of its Pennsylvania twin. We may dispose of the Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania with but a word. In fact, it to some extent disposed of itself, when in 1913, after more than a century of honorable record, its individuality was somewhat sacrificed through merger with the American Fire Insurance Company of Philadelphia, a youngster (!) organized in 1810.
ADDENDA 619
On page 467, disregard last paragraph, and in its stead read as follows:
The first agent appointed to represent the company outside of Norwich was A. C. Lippitt in New London, on December 22nd, 1842; the second similar appointment was Samuel W. Wood of Ledyard, to cover the territory in the towns of Ledyard, Stonington, North Stonington, Groton, Preston and Griswold. Other appointments were slowly made until fifteen years later, in 1855, ten agents were in the field. On April 16th, 1849, Timothy T. Merwin was appointed agent for the City of New York, and on the same date Enoch Hobart was appointed "for taking insurance in the City of Boston and Vicin- ity." The name of Enoch Hobart appears on the records for some years succeeding.
Norwich Fire Department, page 487 .- The following additional informa- tion has been given since the narrative referred to passed through the press :
There were 167 alarms of fire during the year ending June 30, 1921, the largest fire being at the Kolb Carton Company at Thamesville, at end of city limits, the loss being $115,000. At this date there were twenty-eight perma- nent men and fifteen call men, with three horses left to haul the aerial truck. The appropriation for the year was $64,850.
The Department was improved during the year 1921-22 by the purchase of five pieces of motor apparatus and the displacing of all horses, thus ending the horse era in connection with fire apparatus. The pieces purchased were two Seagrave triple combination hose and pumps, one 75-foot American LaFrance truck, a Reo runabout for the deputy chief, and a Reo squad car for general work; $41,000 was appropriated to make the above change. Sev- enty-five fire alarm boxes are now in circuit. The station at Thamesville was overhauled, and a new company organized and known as Engine Com- pany No. 6, with one of the new pumpers placed therein.
All companies are now known as Engine Companies-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; and Trucks Nos. I and 2. Old No. 3 Station at the Falls was sold for $2,600, and the proceeds used to place No. 6 Station in condition. There were 180 alarms for fires during the year, the largest being at the pants factory fire, located on Thames street, March 21, 1922, with a loss of about $30,000. The appropriation was $65,550 in addition to the $41,000 for new apparatus and the $2,600 from sale of old No. 3 Station. Number of permanent men 31, call men 15.
The officiary is: Hon. Milo R. Waters, mayor; Anson R. Grover, chair- man of the Fire Committee ; Howard L. Stanton, Chief of Department ; Henry R. Taft, Deputy Chief.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
N.L .- 2-1
Roms & Bro v
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BIOGRAPHICAL
BENJAMIN T. MARSHALL-In the presidency of Connecticut College for Women, New London, Connecticut, Rev. Benjamin T. Marshall, A.M., D.D., heads the work of the youngest College for Women in New England, an independent, endowed college of liberal arts and sciences, which already enrolls, in its eighth year, a total of 425 students, represent- ing twenty-five different States, and three foreign nations. In the seven years of active academic life it has demonstrated to diseriminating educators and friends the need for its founding and the value and service of its purpose, ideal and program.
Dr. Marshall is the second president of the Col- lege. Dr. Frederiek H. Sykes served the College four years, two years in necessary preliminary work pre- eeding the opening of the College in September, 1915, and continuing two years to June, 1917. Dr. Sykes laid foundations, and gave the College a vision, which his successor, and all the latter's colleagues, have gratefully accepted as legaey and stimulus.
Dr. Marshall was born in Boston, Massachusetts, August 12, 1872, the son of Andrew and Emily Ann (Hentz) Marshall, his father a leather manufacturer in Boston. After passing through the Dudley Gram- mar School, Boston (1885), and the Roxbury High School (1888), with graduation, Dr. Marshall entered St. Johnsbury Academy, St. Johnsbury, Vermont, graduated in 1893, then entered Dartmouth College and received the degree of B. A. with high honors in 1897. He attended the Union Theological Semi- nary in the city of New York, and was graduated with honor, with the degree B. D. in 1900. Accom- panying his studies in the Seminary, he pursued post- graduate courses at Columbia University in history, economics and political science. He was ordained in his home church, the Eliot Congregational Church, Boston, Massachusetts, May 10, 1900, and was called, upon the completion of his theological studies, to be pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Scarborough, New York, where he had been assistant for two years, and where he served as pastor from 1900 to 1906. In 1906 he was called to the pulpit of the First Presbyterian Church in New Rochelle, New York, of old Hngnenot founding, a parish established in 1698 by a French Huguenot Protestant congre- gation. From 1912 to 1917 he was Phillips Professor of Biblical History and Literature in his alma mater, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire.
In 1917 he came to his present post as president of Connecticut College for Women, New London, Connecticut.
He married, July 11, 1900, Laura Alice Hatch, of Strafford, Vermont. There were four children : Andrew Marshall (2nd); Mary Hatch Marshall; Elizabeth Ripley Marshall; and Benjamin Tinkham Marshall, Jr. Their home is at the College, New London, Connecticut.
Dr. Marshall was chaplain of the Third Regiment, Connecticut State Guard, for one year, previous to the dissolution of that organization and the new development of the National Guard within the State. He is a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon, Phi Beta Kappa, of the Dartmouth Senior Society, Casque and Gauntlet, the Rotary Club of New Lon- don, the Chamber of Commerce of New London, in which he is now serving a second term as director. He retains his connection as a Presbyterian clergy- man with the Presbytery of Westchester, New York. He and his family attend, in New London, the Second Congregational Church. F. Y. H.
WILLIAM BISSELL WILCOX-This branch of the Wileox family came to the town of Norwich, New London county, Connecticut, from Rhode Is- Jand, Major John Wilcox buying the farm to which his grandson, William Bissell Wilcox, came as a boy of twelve, later became owner of the farm, there passed away, and there his widow yet resides (1921). Major John Wilcox obtained his title in the militia service. William Bissell Wilcox served his county as State Senator, and gave to his eoun- try a son, Frank A. Wilcox, who fell on a French battlefield with his face to the foe within fifty feet of the German lines in the Argonne. He was a good soldier and an honor to the Wilcox name.
(I) Major John Wilcox was a farmer of Rhode Island, and a prominent member of the militia. Later he moved to a farm on Scotland road in .the town of Norwich, New London county, Connectient, and there resided from 1856 until his passing. He was a substantial farmer. He was long survived by his widow, Mary (Barber) Wilcox, who died at the farm, aged one hundred and one years and three months.
(II) Abram Wilcox, son of Major John and Mary (Barber) Wilcox, was born in the town of Exeter, Rhode Island, but in youthful manhood moved to the town of Griswold, New London county, Connectient, and bought a farm near Glas- gow, also operated a small woolen mill there until his death. He married Rebecca Sheldon, born in South Kingston, Rhode Island, died in Voluntown, Connecticut, having moved to that town after the death of her husband.
(III) William Bissell Wilcox, son of Abram and Rebecca (Sheldon) Wilcox, was born in the town of Griswold, near Glasgow, New London county, Connecticut, August II, 1858. At the age of twelve he came to live with his grandfather, Major John Wilcox, at the farm on Scotland road in the town of Norwich, and there attended the public district school. Later he was his grandmother's farm as- sistant, but subsequently he established a livery business at West Kingston, Rhode Island, which
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he continued until 1885. In that year he returned to the Major Wilcox farm and there cultivated the acres with which he had become well acquainted when a boy. He was elected selectman of the town of Norwich, and in his official capacity had charge of all public town roads. He became well informed on road construction and repair while selectman, and after surrendering that office he established in business as a contractor of road building under the firm name, William B. Wilcox & Sons. He built many miles of State road in Eastern Connecticut, continuing the active head of the firm until 1914, when he retired from the management in favor of his sons. He became the owner of the Major Wilcox farm on Scotland road, and there died Oc- tober 1, 1919, being at the time of his passing a State Senator.
Senator Wilcox was a Democrat in politics, and a power in the party in Eastern Connecticut. In 1896 he was elected assessor of taxes, and in 1887- 88-89-1909, 11-13 second selectman. He was long a member of the Democratic town committee, and in 1918 was elected State Senator from New London county. He was a member of the Baptist church, and of Norwich Lodge, No. 430, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was highly esteemed in' his township, and was one of the strong and valuable men of Norwich.
Senator Wilcox married, January 21, 1884, in South Kingston, Mabel Kenyon, born in Richmond, Rhode Island, daughter of Senator Alfred Whitman and Susan Melissa (Hoxie) Kenyon. Five children were born to Senator and Mrs. Wilcox: 1. Lowell John, born July 20, 1885; he is a road contractor, succeeding his father, with whom he was previously associated; he married Almeda Capron, and resides on a farm in the town of Lisbon, New London county, Connecticut. 2. Frank A., of further and extended mention. 3. Erroll Kenyon, born July 26, 1891, in the town of Norwich, Connecticut; now principal of South Kingston, Rhode Island High School; he married Ethel P. Henderson, of Hop- kinton, Rhode Island, and they are the parents of three children: Erroll K. (2), William James and Philip De Haven Wilcox. 4. Emily Mabel, born in the town of Norwich, October 20, 1894; now a teacher in Norwich schools. 5. Susan Rebecca, born October 29, 1896; a teacher in the high school, Wallingford, Connecticut. Mrs. Wilcox, the mother of these children, survives her husband and con- tinues her residence at the old Wilcox homestead on Scotland road in the town of Norwich, first owned in the family by Major John Wilcox.
(IV) Frank 'A. Wilcox, second son of Senator William Bissell and Mabel (Kenyon) Wilcox, was born on the farm near Glasgow, in the town of Griswold, New London county, Connecticut, May 20, 1887, and died in battle in the Argonne, France, October 13, 1918, and there was buried. While he was still a boy his parents moved to the Wilcox farm on Scotland road, town of Norwich, and there attended the - district public school, finishing his
education at Norwich Free Academy with the graduating class of 1909. He then became associated with his father and brother in the firm of William B. Wilcox & Sons, road contractors. In 1914 the father retired, turning the business over to his sons, Lowell J. and Frank A. Wilcox, who thereafter con- ducted the business under the firm name of Wilcox Brothers. The brothers made the farm on Scot- land road the headquarters of their business, and executed contracts for road and bridge construction, doing a prosperous business.
Frank A. Wilcox was within age limit for the selective draft, and in October, 1917, was called for duty in the United States army for service in the war against Germany. He reported to the authori- ties at Camp Devens, Massachusetts, and was re- jected for physical reasons due to a previous opera- tion for appendicitis. On February 2, 1918, he was again called to Camp Devens, passed the required physical tests, and on February 26, 1918, was ac- cepted and a few days later was sent to Camp Up- ton, Long Island. There he was assigned to Com- pany L, 307th Regiment of Infantry, 77th Division, United States Army, and after training was sent overseas with the 77th Division. The division landed in England, going thence to France, in a front line sector, Corporal Wilcox being engaged in all the battles in which the 77th Division took part. In the fierce fighting in the Argonne, October 13, 1918, he fell when within fifty feet of the German trenches they were charging. He was buried in a soldier's cemetery on the battlefield, but later the precious dust was returned to his native town, and on Sep- tember 17, 1921, he was laid in Maplewood Cemetery in the city of Norwich, with suitable honors. He was a young man of lovable disposition, a good son, a good citizen, a good soldier, typical of the best in young American manhood.
JUDGE HENRY ARCHIBALD ROGERS - Coming of a family identified with the early history of New London county, Connecticut, and himself deeply interested in the progress of the community, Judge Henry Archibald Rogers may well be called a representative man of Salem, Connecticut.
Jonathan Rogers, Mr. Rogers' grandfather, was born in the city of New London, Connecticut, in Revolutionary times, and spent his lifetime in New London county. He married Sarah Rogers, daugh- ter of Jolin (3) and Delight (Green) Rogers, the latter a daughter of Benjamin and Alma (Angel) Green. Benjamin Green was a brother of Major- General Nathanael Greene, one of General Wash- ington's staff. (Judge Henry Archibald Rogers has a picture of General Washington bidding farewell to his officers on December 4, 1783, and General Greene is among them; this he prizes very highly). John Rogers (3) was a son of John Rogers, Jr .; he was a son of John Rogers, Sr., son of James Rogers, who came here from England about 1620.
Jonathan (2) Rogers was born in the city of New London, on August 10, 1800, and died at Salem,
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Connecticut, on November 19, 1882. He received his education in the schools of New London, and was in Fort Griswold, at New London, when the British burned the city. He picked up one of the cannon balls that was fired ashore by the British, and kept it as a souvenir, and now it is in the possession of one of liis grandsons. His first business activity was as a clerk in a store, but after the close of the War of 1812, he went to sea in a whaling vessel, making many trips to sea with Captain Joe Law- rence, a famous whaler of that time. Later, satis- fied with adventure, and tired of the hardships of the sea, he settled down in New London, and es- tablished a grocery store there, on Main street. He became a successful man of business, and prominent in the affairs of the city. He filled several minor offices, then, on June 10, 1839, was elected alderman. His son now preserves, among relics of other days, one of the ballots used at that election. In 1854 Jonathan (2) Rogers gave up his interest in the grocery business, and coming to Salem, took charge of the Elihu White farm, the home of his father-in- law, who was then becoming too old and decrepit to carry on the work of the place. This brought his wife back to her girlhood home and when the old man died, she, of course, inherited the place. They spent their remaining days on the old home- stead. Jonathan (2) Rogers married Lucretia White, daughter of Elihu and Lucretia (Maynard) White, who was born in Salem, Connecticut, on January 21, 1813, and died there on January 3, 1882. They had thirteen children, four still living.
Judge Henry Archibald Rogers, son of Jonathan (2) and Lucretia (White) Rogers, was born in New London, Connecticut, on July 28, 1852. The family moving to Salem, Connecticut, when he was two years of age, his education was begun at the district school on Ramson Hill, which is now called the Pond District School. Later he attended the public schools of New Haven, and still later a private school conducted by Rev. Warren N. Walden, at Plainfield. With this excellent preparation, the young man en- tered upon the profession of school teacher. He first taught the Tiffany District, now known as the Seventh District School, in the town of Salem, Con- necticut, then next in the Tiffany District, later teaching in the Walnut Hill District School in the town of Lyme, Connecticut.
During all these years Mr. Rogers was keenly alive to the public questions of the day, for in the stirring times of the Civil War and the following period of reconstruction, as vital a matter in the North as in the South, he was still too young to take an active hand. With three of his older brothers fighting for the Union, he was ciose to the heart of the struggle.
After seven years of teaching, Mr. Rogers turned to the out-door life, and located on a farm, which he rented, on Raymond Hill, in Montville. This was in 1876, the year of his marriage. The follow- ing year he returned to Salem, and working on a share basis, conducted his father-in-law's farm for
three years. Being a practical young man, well versed in farm lore as well as in the learning gained at school, he prospered in the agricultural line, and in 1880 purchased the Tiffany farm in Salem, where he lived and conducted extensive farming operations until 1890. In that year he sold the Tiffany farm and bought the Chadwick farm, in the Central School District. This was even then a splendid farm of 150 acres, and Mr. Rogers went into dairying, general farming and stock raising. He had large interests along these lines, but has of late done much less in the dairy line, turning his attention to the less exacting branches of farming. Mr. Rogers still re- sides here, and actively manages his still important interests, but has largely placed the heavy work in other hands. The place is now known as Echo Glen Farm.
Mr. Rogers' prominent position as one of the leading farmers of Salem has brought him many public responsibilities. He has been elected to every office in the town except town clerk and treasurer. He has been judge of probate for the past four years, and still holds that office. The period of his service as selectman covcred the period of our connection with the World War, when the problems of the day reached into every rami- fication of government. Mr. Rogers has always supported the principles and policies of the Re- publican party. In other activities Mr. Rogers is also prominent. He is an influential member of the New London County Farm Bureau, and always interested in forwarding the progress of that organi- zation, which is doing a most practical work in agricultural districts.
Mr. Rogers has always identified himself with the work of the church, and his religious views are broadly liberal. He is a member of the North Lyme Baptist Church, and was a member of the Chester- field Baptist Church, of which he was clerk for many years. He was superintendent of the Sunday school of the North Lyme Church, having held that office for three years, and never misses a Sunday in attendance. For four months during the illness of the pastor, he served this church as minister. At one time, also, Mr. Rogers acted as superintend- ent of the Sunday school of the Salem Congrega- tional Church.
On March 15, 1876, in Salem, Connecticut, Mr. Rogers married Susie Bailey Tiffany, of Salem, Con- necticut. She is a native of this town, and is a daughter of Charles and Susan (Bailey) Tiffany, both the Tiffany and the Bailey families being very old families in this vicinity, reaching back into early Colonial times, and always, in every generation, be- ing represented in the most progressive circles, in many branches of human endeavor.
Still active in the public service, although at an age when many men lay down their responsibilities, Judge Henry Archibald Rogers is perhaps most widely known in the work that has always been nearest his heart. For fifty years he has been con- nected with educational work, having been on the
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school board in some capacity ever since he re- signed from his profession as a teacher. Few men can serve the people more broadly or more wisely than those in whose hands the education of the chil- dren is entrusted.
CORNELIUS CONNOR COSTELLO- In the business world of New London, Connecticut, and in the social and political world of Mystic, where he resides, the name of Cornelius Connor Costello is familiarly known and held in the highest esteem. A prominent jeweler, and now (1921) State Senator from his district, Mr. Costello may truly be counted among the men of the day in New London county.
Mr. Costello is a son of Michael Edward and Mary C. (Connor) Costello, both natives of Cork, Ireland. Michael E. Costello came to the United States when a child, his family locating in Norwich, Con- necticut. There he was educated in the public schools, then, entering business life, he became a machinist by trade, following along this life all his life, and is still active. He now resides in Mystic. His wife, who also came to the United States when a child, died in 1902. They were the parents of six children, of whom four are now living.
Cornelius Connor Costello was born in Hope Val- ley, Rhode Island, on December 6, 1883. He received his early education in the public schools of Mystic, then attended the high school in the same town. In 1898 he went to New London, Connecticut, and there apprenticed himself to one of the leading jewelers of that city, Norman M. Ruddy. When he had completed his apprenticeship, Mr. Costello re- mined with Mr. Ruddy, his marked business ability making him a valuable acquisition to the working force. He is now manager of the store and part owner of the business.
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