USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 31
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William Henry Tingley was born in South Wind- ham, Connecticut, in 1834, and spent his youth there, coming to Norwich, Connecticut, a young man. Ins Norwich he engaged in the manufacture of small- arms during the Civil War period, 1861-65, but later was interested in a flax growing enterprise. He finally engaged in business in Norwich as a whole- sale grocer, and there died in 1872, at the carly age of thirty-eight. He married Sarah Kinney, born in Norwich in 1832, who resided there all her life, and died in 1908, aged seventy-six, surviving her hus- band thirty-six years. William H. and Sarah (Kin- ney) Tingley were the parents of three children: Witter Kinney, the eminent physician of Norwich, Connecticut, to whom this review is inscribed; Wil- liam Henry, a medical student, who was lost at sea, a young unmarried man; Harriet Clarke, mar- ried John Dixon Hall, a lawyer and former prosecu- ting attorney for the city of Norwich.
Sarah (Kinney) Tingley, wife of William H. Tingley, was a daughter of Jacob Witter and Har- riet (Clarke) Kinney, her father born in Preston, New London county, Connecticut, son of Newcomb Kinney, who was long proprietor of the Merchant's Hotel, a famous Norwich hostelry of "Ye olden time," which stood on the present site of the Por- teous Mitchell Department Store.
Witter Kinney Tingley, eldest of the children of William H. and Sarah (Kinney) Tingley, was born in Norwich, Connecticut, at the Kinney homestead, July 25, 1862. His graduations were from Broadway Grammar School in 1878, and Norwich Free Acad-
emy, class of 1882. From boyhood he had a desire which ripened into a fixed ambition to become a physician. This ambition was encouraged by his uncle, Dr. Elijah Clarke Kinney, who was a physi- cian of Norwich, and after graduation from the academy, the young man was admitted to his uncle's offices, No. 28 Washington street, Norwich, as a medical student. He advanced there as far as possi- ble, then entered Bellevue Hospital Medical Col- lege, New York City, whence he was graduated M.D., March 26, 1886, one of the four honor men of that class.
His high standing secured him appointment to the post of interne at Bellevue Hospital, together with thee others of the class who were marked for that distinction, it being Bellevue's custom to honor the four highest honor men of each class. It is an honor highly prized, and perhaps there is no dis- tinction which has come to Dr. Tingley through his professional life which he values above the ap- pointment as interne in Bellevue Hospital. For two years he remained with the hospital, gaining an experience equal to many years of private practice in the average community. With such experience reinforcing his theoretical attainments, he began private practice in 1888, associating himself with his uncle and former perceptor, Dr. Elijah C. Ken- ney, of Norwich. He occupied offices at No. 28 Washington street with his uncle until the latter's death, October 19, 1892, then continued alone at the same location until 1900, when he caused his present office building to be erected on Main street, a building devoted to his own personal office use.
Dr. Tingley, during the years 1889-94, was surgeon on the private yachts "Sagamore" and "Eleanor," owned by his friend, William A. Slater, a man of great wealth, residing in Norwich, and with Mr. Slater he cruised the world over. After his return from a voyage to Europe with Mr. Slater in 1894, he decided to make surgery his special line of prac- tice, and in that year he took advanced post-gradu- ate courses at the University of Vienna, the hospi- tals of Vienna, Dresden, Brussels, Paris and Lon- don. After completing his self-imposed course of study he returned to Norwich and resumed practice.
In 1892 Dr. Tingley became one of the incorpo- rators of the newly organized William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, and from that year has been a member of the staff of that institution. His serv- ice to the hospital has been invaluable, his skill as a surgeon, coupled with the high reputation he bears, being a guarantee of the excellence of the institution he serves. From its organization in 1892 until January 1, 1920, he was surgeon and gynae- cologist to the hospital, and since the latter date surgeon in chief, the first man to hold that rank at the hospital.
Dr. Tingley has a very large practice, and in the line of professional duty in the old days he fre- quently drove his team to patients twenty-five miles from Norwich, but with the modern motor car distance is not considered. He has won high
Elijah Clarke Muncy
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BIOGRAPHICAL
reputation, and while the demands upon him are heavy he gives himself freely to professional duty and meets every demand made upon him if hu- manely possible. He filled the post of city health officer for four years; served the city of Norwich as common councilman two years; is a member of Norwich Medical Society; New London County Medical Society; Connecticut State Medical Society; American Medical Association; Bellevue Hospital Alumni Association; and shares with his uncle, Dr. Elijah C. Kinney, and the late Dr. Anthony Peck, the distinction of being the only three physicians in Norwich medical history to serve as internes at Bellevue Hospital. Dr. Tingley is a Republican in politics; a member of Christ Episcopal Church; Somerset Lodge, No. 34, Free and Accepted Ma- sons; Franklin Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Franklin Council, Royal and Select Masters; Colum- bian Commandery, Knights Templar; and in the An- cient Accepted Scottish Rite holds the degrees of King Solomon Lodge of Perfection; Council of Princes of Jerusalem; Norwich Chapter of Rose Croix and Connecticut Consistory. He is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, and one of the original members of the Norwich Lodge of Elks.
Dr. Tingley married, at Norwich, Connecticut, September 29, 1910, Ethel Frances Ryan, of Nova Scotia ancestry, a graduate of the William W. Backus Hospital Training School for nurses. Dr. and Mrs. Tingley are the parents of three children: John Kinney, born September 30, 1911; Barbara Kinney, born June 2, 1913; Sarah Kinney, born Oc- tober 30, 1915.
ELIJAH CLARKE KINNEY, M.D .- A "native son," Dr. Kinney gave thirty-one years of his valua- ble life to the practice of medicine in Norwich, and there his useful life ended "in the harness," for he practiced until his last illnesss. He came to Nor- wich, not only a graduate of Bellevue Hospital Medical College, but with the experience of an in- terne, for as an honor man of his class he had earned appointment to an internship in Bellevue Hospital. This experience had been supplemented by some years of study abroad, so that when he began private practice in Norwich, in 1861, he was the physician of experience, and ordinary standards had been applied. During those thirty-one years of practice, Dr. Kinney developed a wonderfully strong character, and to use the words of a comtem- porary, "he was one of the finest men that ever lived, loved by all who knew him and a physician of the highest type." His professional strength was acknowledged and rejoiced in by his brethren of the profession in that State, and they expressed their satisfaction by elevating him to the highest office within their gift, the presidency of the Connec- ticut State Medical Association. Generous, sympa- thetic and helpful, his good will and his great in- terest in his native city was expressed in many ways, but no where was it more apparent than in his atti- N.L .- 2-3
tude toward the William W. Backus Hospital, which he lived to see completed and in operation.
Dr. Elijah Clarke Kinney, son of Jacob Witter and Harriet (Clarke) Kinney, and grandson of New- comb Kinney, was born in the city of Norwich, Connecticut, July 25, 1829, there spent his life, and died October 19, 1892. After completing his classi- cal education, he began the study of medicine under the perceptorship of Dr. Fordyce Barker in Nor- wich, going thence to Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, whence he was graduated M.D. with honors. His standing in the class brought him appointment as interne on the house staff of the Bellevue Hospital, and later he held the same relation to Nursery and Child's Hospitals, New York City. He then spent some years abroad in medical study, returning in 1861 and beginning practice in his native Norwich, Connecticut.
His offices in Norwich were at No. 28 Washington street, and these he occupied during his entire pro- fessional career (thirty-one years), until his passing, October 19, 1892. Starting thoroughly equipped, Dr. Kenney, during his thirty-one years of practice, kept well abreast of all advance in diagnosis or treatment, and never was so well satisfied with hin- self that he ceased to study and read. He stood at the head of the medical profession in Norwich as a physician (he made no pretension in surgery) and enjoyed not only a lucrative practice, but the love, confidence and respect of his community. Many families retained him as their physician for a quarter of a century or more, and he was the wel- come guest in their merrymakings as well as their refuge and support when trouble came to them in the form of sickness.
Dr. Kinney was well known throughout the State. He was president of the Connecticut State Medical Society for one term and served his time; was presi- dent of New London County Medical and Norwich Medical societies. He served William W. Backus Hospital, of Norwich, as vice-president, and did a great deal toward the founding and completion of that institution. He was generous to the poor and gave freely of professional service even though no fee was to be charged or paid. His life was a useful one, and he gave to his day and generation faithful service, and to medical annals a page of honorable history. Dr. Kinney never married, but made his home with his sister, Sarah, who is the wife of the late William H. Tingley, and mother of Dr. Witter Kinney Tingley and Mrs. Harriet Clarke (Tingley) Hall.
GEORGE EDGAR FELLOWS-Since the year 1894, Mr. Fellows has alternately been engaged in private business in the city of Norwich, and the in- cumbent of the office of street commissioner of the city and commissioner of New London county. A successful business man, he has faithfully served the public as an official and is one of the best known and highly regarded citizens of the Norwich district.
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George E. Fellows is a son of Joshua E. Fellows, who was born in Connecticut, a mason and builder of New London until 1858, when he disposed of his New London interest and moved with his family to Norwich, where he continued in business as a mason and builder until his death. He was a veteran of the Civil War, serving for one year in Company F, 26th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, en- listing from Norwich. He was a Republican in poli- tics, and an official member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. Joshua E. Fellows married Eunice Hannah Hemstead, and they were the parents of five children, all born in New London, Connecticut: Ed- win H., born August 25, 1847, died March 28, 1855; George Edgar, born October II, 1850, died Decem- ber 6, 1850; Anna Elizabeth, born October 20, 1851, married J. M. Currier, and now lives in Chelsea, Massachusetts; George Edgar (2), mentioned below; Lizzie Hannah, born January 1, 1856, died in Nor- wich, October 3, 1917. Mr. Fellows died in Norwich, February 21, 1885, and his wife died July 31, 1913, having survived her husband twenty-eight years. Both were highly esteemed residents of the city which for so many years was their home and the hirthplace of their children.
George Edgar Fellows, fourth child of Joshua E. and Eunice Hannah (Hemstead) Fellows, was born in New London, Connecticut, August 9, 1853, but five years later, Norwich became the family home and there he spent the years which have since in- tervened. He was educated in Norwich public schools and East Greenwich Academy, then, school years being over, he began learning the mason's trade under his capable father. He became a skilled worker and continued his father's assistant in the building business until the latter's death in 1885. He then succeeded his father, and as head of the firm, Fellows & Rice, continued the business until September, 1893, when he became sole owner by purchasing his partner's interest. He continued alone as a contractor and builder for about one year, then accepted appointment as street commissioner for the city of Norwich. He served a full term of three years, then, in 1898, resumed his former busi- ness and gave it his entire attention until 1908, when he again accepted appointment as street commis- sioner, He served two years under that appointment, then resigned to become county commissioner, un- dler appointment of the governor, to fill out an un- expired terit. He was appointed in May, 1910, and at the close of his term was chosen for a full term of four years in the same office. At the expiration of his term as county commissioner, he returned to his private business, but in 1916 was again called to the office of street commissioner of Norwich, holding until July, 1918. From that date until July 1, 1920, he was engaged in private business, but on the latter date again assumed the duties of the street commissioner's office, serving Norwich in that capacity until July 1, 1921. At the present time (1922) he is holding the office of County Commis- sioner. He is a Republican in politics; an attend-
ant of the Methodist Episcopal church; and affiliated with St. James Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Norwich.
Mr. Fellows married, in Norwich, Lila E. Harvey, born in Preston, Connecticut, daughter of Henry and Elvira (Friswell) Harvey, her parents both de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Fellows are the parents of four children, all born in Norwich: Elizabeth Amanda, born October 27, 1877, now employed in the Norwich Savings Bank; Lillie Louise, born April 20, 1880; Alice Helen, born November 2, 1882, died November 13, 1896; George Robert, born October 13, 1897, now employed in the Thames Na- tional Bank, Norwich, married, March 31, 1916, Edith Lane, born in Norwich, and has two children.
That he has been so often called to serve as street commissioner is the best proof that Mr. Fel- lows has satisfactorily discharged the duties which pertain to that office. He is highly esteemed as a citizen and as a neighbor, and the name of his friends is legion.
CHARLES JUDSON ABELL- In Lebanon, Connecticut, the northernmost town of New Lon- don county, Connecticut, the name of Abell has stood for generations, and Charles Judson Abell, who for more than thirty years has filled the office of town clerk, is still active in the community.
Silas Abell, Mr. Abell's grandfather, was born in Lebanon, and spent his entire lifetime there. He was a cooper by trade, and also had considerable farming interests. He died at the comparatively early age of forty-two years. He married Rhoda Webster, who was born in Cooperstown, New York, and died in Lebanon, Connecticut.
James Madison Abell, son of Silas and Rhoda (Webster) Abell, was born in Lebanon, on Novem- ber 14, 1810, in the first frame house ever built in Exeter Society, the village of Exeter being a small settlement in the western part of the town of Leb- anon. He received his education in the district schools of the neighborhood, but at the age of four- teen years was obliged to leave school and go to work on account of the death of his father. He fol- lowed farm labor by the month for several years, eventually renting a farm, and conducting it for himself. This first rented farm was in Lebanon, then, after his marriage, he rented a farm in Abing- ton, a part of the town of Pomfret, Windham county, where he continued for eight years, return- ing thereafter to Lebanon. Still interested in farm- ing operations, he rented land, and then purchased from his wife's parents, the old James Congdon place, on Goshen Road. He continued to run this farm until his wife died, when he sold out his in- terests and made his home with his son, Charles J., during the rest of his lifetime, for fifteen years, his death occurring in March, 1896. He married Sarah Congdon, who also was born in Lebanon, and there passed away. They were the parents of four chil- dren, all but the youngest being born in Pomfret. They were as follows: I. Thomas Congdon, a car-
Y
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BIOGRAPHICAL
penter, and later farmer, who went West and con- ducted farming operations there, he dying in Blue Rapids, Kansas. 2. James Madison, Jr., carpenter, contractor and builder, of Middletown, Connecticut, who died in Lebanon. 3. John Webster, who was also a farmer, served for three years in the Civil War, from 1861 to 1864, in Company C of the 18th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, then went West, conducting a farm in Linneus, Linn county, Missouri, where he was later engaged in the hardware busi- ness, and died there. 4. Charles Judson, of whom further.
Charles Judson Abell was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, on September 25, 1848. He received his education in the district schools of the town, then assisted his father on the farm until he was twenty-three years of age. At that time he rented a farm in Lebanon, which he conducted for twelve years. Then, in 1884, he purchased the Huntington place, a fine farm of seventy-five acres, near Leb- anon Green, where he still resides (1922). This farm up to the time Mr. Abell bought it, had been con- tinuously owned in the Huntington family since its acquisition from the Indians. Mr. Abell has al- ways done general farming, and has been very suc- cessful, making many improvements about the place, and installing the most up-to-date equipment and conveniences. He has now, however, practically retired from active farm work, but keeps an over- sight on all his affairs.
Mr. Abell, many years ago, was called to serve the people in an official capacity. He is one of the leaders of the Republican party in the town of Leb- anon, and was made selectman and tax assessor at the same election. The former office he held for two terms, four years, being first selectman during onc terni. He was tax assessor for a period of fif- teen years, and later was tax collector for two years. In 'the year 1890, Mr. Abell was elected town clerk of Lebanon, and has been re-elected to the office con- tinuously until the present time. His work in con- nection with this office has always been most ac- ceptable to the town, and his keen mentality and comprehensive grasp of affairs make him particu- larly fitted for this office. He holds the cordial re- spect and good-will of all his associates in the affairs of the town.
On April 4, 1872, Mr. Abell married Lucy Williams Robinson, who was born in Lebanon, and was a daughter of Harlow and Elizabeth (Loomis) Rob- inson. Her father was born in Chaplin, Connecticut, and her mother in Lebanon. Mrs. Abell died on October 18, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Abell had seven children, of whom one is now deceased. They are as follows: Willard Judson, deceased; Anna Eliza- beth, the wife of Edward C. Hall, a post office em- ployee, of Naugatuck, Connecticut; Sarah Louise, who resides at home; Frederick Madison, who mar- ried Gertrude E. Lillie, of Lebanon, and is a farmer in this town; Charles Harrison, who married Gwen- dolyn S. Clark, of Lebanon, and is now with Lan- ders, Frary & Clark, the world-famous manufac-
turers, of New Britain, Connecticut; Clara Loomis, who is with the Michigan Copper and Brass Com- pany, of Detroit, Michigan, as office manager; and John Webster, who married Bertha Baetz, of Brooklyn, New York, and is purchasing agent for Landers, Frary & Clark, of New Britain. The fam- ily have always been leading members of the Con- gregational church, of Lebanon.
ABEL PALMER TANNER-Now one of the oldest members of the New London county bar (admitted 1875), Mr. Tanner has won his way to honorable rank among the leaders of that bar. A man of strong convictions, he has made it a point of honor to preserve the highest traditions of the profession. The poor client has always his sympa- thy, and no fee is large enough to tempt him to lend his aid to a case which does not, to his honest mind, have the element of right in its favor. De- voted to a client's interest, the size of the fee does not affect the conscientious, faithful service he ren- ders. With clear convictions of duty, a good citi- zen, a lawyer of ability who loves his profession, an eloquent public speaker with a critical taste in litera- ture, no man more justly deserves the high esteem of his community nor is any member of the New Lon- don county bar held in higher esteem by his con- temporaries of that bar.
Abel P. Tanner, son of Abel and Clarissa (Wat- rous) Tanner, was born near Old Mystic in the town of Groton, New London county, Connecticut, July 7, 1850, his father a stationary engineer of Mys- tie for many years, and one of the Abolition orators of New England, 1835-60. He attended the district public schools of Groton, 1855-65; the village public school of Old Mystic, 1866-68; Professor Palmer's Select School of Mystic, 1868; under Professor Hop- kins of Mystie, 1869-70; and in September, 1870, en- tered Brown University, whence he was graduated A.B., class of 1874. He studied law under the di- rection of Colonel Hiram Appleman, of Mystic, and was admitted to the New London county bar in 1875.
Mr. Tanner began the practice of law in Mystic and there continued for seven years before moving to the city of New London in 1882. Forty-seven years have elapsed since he came first to the New London bar, and forty years since locating in the city of New London. He has during those years built up a reputation as a lawyer of ability, and has always commanded a good practice. He has been admitted to the State and Federal courts of the district, and appears in them all from time to time. He was a justice of the peace many years, 1884-1920, and occasionally acted as judge of the city Police Court. In 1912-13 he was corporation counsel for the city of New London, and was president of the New London Bar Association, 1906-14.
Always keenly interested in public affairs, Mr. Tanner has had close and intimate relations with the politics of city, County, and State, his earlier political views being contrary to the orthodox Re-
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publican or Democratic creeds. In 1882 he was the candidate for governor of Connecticut, on the green- back ticket and Anti-Monoply. Later he became a supporter of Democratic principles, and he has been one of the eloquent orators whose services have been freely given in support of party princi- ples in his and other states. He represented his dis- trict in the Connecticut General Assembly in 1913, serving on the Committee of Corporations. In 1876 he ran for State Senator from the Seventh District of Connecticut, and received a majority vote, but was not declared elected because of a miscount. In 1896 he was Democratic nominee for presidential elector, and in 1894 was the Democratic nominee for Con- gress in the Third Connecticut District. During the period of Mr. Tanner's greatest political activity the Democratic party was out of power, consequently few political honors have fallen to him.
At Brown University Mr. Tanner became a mem- ber of Wayland Literary Society, and during 1873-74 was its president. He was a member of the Thames Club, 1908-10, is a member of the Jibboom Club of New London, and of the New London County His- torical Society. As a public speaker, Mr. Tanner is very effective. He is at his best in extended ora- tion, and with time and place and length to develop his subject, never fails to delight and charm. At the unveiling of the memorial tablet on the site of the old fort at Stonington, he was the chief speaker and delivered an address of historical valne, eloquent and patriotic. In the chapter "Courts and Lawyers" in this work, most appropriate and eloquent tributes to fallen members of the New London bar will be found, some of them delivered by Mr. Tanner.
Abel P. Tanner and Emma Bertha Whitford were married June 18, 1874, in the First Baptist Church, of Old Mystic, town of Groton, New London county, Connecticut. To them a daughter, Bertha Virginia, was born January 2, 1882, both daughter and mother now deceased, Mrs. Tanner passing away at the fam- ily home in New London.
W. TYLER BROWNE, M.D .- As one of the fore- most specialists in Eastern Connecticut, Dr. Browne stands among the widely prominent professional men of Norwich. He has added to his record of personal achievement a measure of success in Roent- genology, which constitutes a distinct contribution to that science. Dr. Browne comes of a very old Connecticut family, and is a grandson of Tyler Browne, who for many years kept a general store in Lisbon, in this county, and was a man of prominence in the community.
Daniel M. Browne, son of Tyler Browne, and the father of Dr. W. Tyler Browne, was born in Lisbon, Connecticut, and was a resident of that community throughout his lifetime. He became a leader in local political affairs, was elected town representative to the State Assembly, and various re-elections re- tained him at the capitol for a long period. He died in 1900, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He married Phoebe Bidwell Burnham, who was born
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