USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 36
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Judge Briscoe married, November 14, 1855, Anna J. Traver, of Newark, New Jersey, who died in March, 1875, leaving children: Willis Anson, head of the ninth generation in this line and of further men- tion; Annie T. and Alice U. Judge Briscoe married (second) in June, 1878, Alice E. Bradley, daughter of George W. Bradley, of Newtown, Connecticut.
Willis Anson Briscoe, only son of Judge Charles Henry and Anna J. (Traver) Briscoe, was born at Enfield, Connecticut, December 16, 1856, died sud- denly at his home in Norwich, New London county, Connecticut, April 28, 1913. He was educated in the public schools at Thompsonville, Connecticut, Hart- ford High School, class of 1873, and Yale University, whence he was graduated with the degree of A.B. in 1877, being among the youngest members of his class. He began the study of law the same year under T. C. Coogan, and in May, 1879, was admitted to the Connecticut bar after passing a most credit- able oral examination. He began practice in Bristol, Connecticut, in partnership with James P. Andrews, reporter of the Supreme Court, and that year as- sisted Mr. Andrews in preparing the first edition of the "Index Digest of Connecticut Report," issued in Harford, in 1883.
In September, 1881, the retirement of John C. Averill to become clerk of the Superior Court, left a vacancy in the offices of Jeremiah Halsey, an emi- nent lawyer of Norwich, Connecticut, a vacancy that was filled by Mr. Briscoe taking the place formerly filled by Mr. Averill. Jeremiah Halsey at that time was one of the leaders of the bar in Eastern Con- necticut, and the law firm Halsey & Briscoe con- tinued successful practice until Mr. Halsey's death in 1889. Mr. Briscoe continued the firm business, tak- ing over Mr. Halsey's private clients in addition to
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his own, and until his death in 1913 was the able head of a large and important legal business. In addition to his practice, he served as a director of the Thames National Bank from 1889, was elected vice-president in 1907, and president in 1919, serving four years until his passing. He ranked high both as lawyer and financier, and was genuinely respected and admired.
Mr. Briscoe married (first) October 3, 1882, Jessie E. Drew, who died July 22, 1885, daughter of George W. and Betsey Cornelia ( Munson) Bradley. He mar- ried (second) September 5, 1888, Leila Rogers Smith, daughter of Henry and Ann E. Smith. Mrs. Briscoe died January 6, 1891, leaving a son Traver.
Traver Briscoe, only son of Willis Anson Briscoe and his second wife, Leila Rogers (Smith) Briscoe, was born in Norwich, January 1, 1891. He com- pleted courses of study at Norwich Academy with graduation class of 1908, Yale University A.B. class of 1912, Harvard Law School LL.B. class of 1915. He began practice in Norwich, Connecticut, after graduation, continuing study in New Haven law offices then was admitted to the Connecticut bar, practicing in Norwich until the entrance of the United States into the World War in 1917, when he entered the service.
He enlisted May 8, 1917, in the United States Naval Reserves as a first class boatswain's mate, and on June 21, 1917, was called to active duty. He was stationed in Bridgeport, Connecticut, until Septem- ber 19, 1917, then with second officers reserve class was sent to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, and on February 1, 1918, was graduated with the rank of ensign. He was assigned to the cruiser "Salem" and a few months later to the battle- ship "New Mexico" as junior watch and division of- ficer, and torpedo defence and battery officer. On August 11, 1918, he was promoted a lieutenant of the junior grade, and in September following, was transferred to mine sweeper "Brant" assigned to duty in the submarine arca off the Virginia and Caro- lina coasts. In October, 1918, he was transferred to a submarine chaser as executive officer, and sent on patrol duty off the Virginia capes. He continued in the service until the acceptance of his resignation December 31, 1918, when he was mustered out at the naval station at Bay Ridge, New York harbor.
He then returned to Norwich and resumed the practice of law and there continues in general prac- tice. He is the owner of the Troy Steam Laundry, which he bought December II, 1920, from Albert A. Fournier, who established the business in 1880. He is Republican in politics, member of Somerset Lodge, No. 34, Free and Accepted Masons; Frank- lin Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; Franklin Council, No. 3, Royal and Select Masters; Co- lumbian Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar of the York Rite; King Solomon Lodge of Perfection; Van Rensselaer Council, Princes of Jerusalem; Nor- wich Chapter of Rose Croix; Connecticut Consistory, Soverign Princes of the Royal Secret of the An- cient Accepted Scottish Rite, all of Norwich; Sphinx Temple, Hartford, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of
the Mystic Shrine; Zeta Psi; Yale Club of New York City; American Legion, Robert O. Fletcher Post, No. 4, of Norwich; Graduates' Club of New Haven; New Haven Yacht Club; United States Power Squadron; American Association of Yachtsmen; Norwich Golf Club; Chelsea Boat Club of Norwich; Military Order of World War Veterans; Military Order of Foreign War Veterans of the United States; Norwich Fish and Game Club; trustee Norwich Savings Society and a member of Christ Protestant Episcopal Church.
Traver Briscoe married, June 28, 1918, Margaret Clark (Althouse) Atterbury, widow of Allen W. Atterbury, steel manufacturer of Detroit, Michigan.
CHARLES SYLVESTER BRIGGS-As a mem- ber of the State Legislature, as the incumbent of several other offices of trust and responsibility in his native State, Connecticut, and as a progressive and successful agriculturist, Charles S. Briggs has fulfilled all the duties and obligations in a manner that has brought upon him the reputation of being a man of the strictest integrity of character, honora- ble and upright, a man who can be trusted in all matters. He is a descendant of an old New England family, one which is particularly numerous in the State of Rhode Island. Palmer Briggs, grandfather of Charles S. Briggs, was a resident of South Kings- ton, Rhode Island, where his death occurred. He was married twice, having children by both wives, but the line that we are here following is through the son of his first wife, Amy (Wilcox) Briggs, namely, Charles Wilcox.
Charles Wilcox Briggs, the father of Charles S. Briggs, was born at South Kingston, Rhode Island, July 21, 1813, and died at Lebanon, December I, 1898, his remains being interred in the West Yard at Lebanon. In April, 1830, he changed his place of residence to Lebanon, Connecticut, there working for various farmers in the neighborhood, and after his marriage he operated rented farms until he ac- quired sufficient capital to purchase a farm, formerly owned by a Mr. Manning, which he cultivated and improved in such a manner as to have it rank among the best in that neighborhood. He was a member of the Baptist church in Lebanon, and a Whig in poli- tics until the formation of the Republican party, when he joined its ranks, but was not bound to it, casting his vote for the man best qualified in his judgment, for office. He married Delia Frances Gager, born March 19, 1822, at Franklin, Connecti- cut, daughter of Gordon and Amelia (Robinson) Gager, and they lived to celebrate the fiftieth anni- versary of their marriage. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Briggs: Ellen Amelia, Henry Wil- liams, Frances Delia, Charles Sylvester, Leroy Stanton, Warren Palmer, Mary Melinda, Amy Adelaide, Jennie Roxanna, and Annie Louise.
Charles Sylvester Briggs was born on the old homestead in Lebanon, Connecticut, March 29, 1851. He attended the select school in the town of his birth, completing his studies at the age of eighteen, and from then until he attained his majority as-
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sisted his father with the work of the farm, thus gaining a practical knowledge of the work which he has since devoted his energies. He then rented a farm in his native town, which he operated until 1900, in which year he purchased what was known as the Brown farm, consisting of 150 acres, which yields him a goodly return for labor expended, his methods and appliances being modern and up-to- date. Mr. Briggs is a staunch advocate of Republi- can principles, is prominent in the councils of his party, and in 1903 was elected to the State Legis- lature, in which body he served on the committee on claims. In I911 he was appointed doorkeeper at the House of Representatives in Hartford, and for six years has served as a member of the board of assessors. His election to these offices amply testi- fics to the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow-citizens. He is a member of Lebanon Lodge, No. 23, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is also a member of the Workmen's Benefit Association, an auxiliary of the former order. He was also for a considerable period one of the di- rectors of the Lebanon Creamery, his advice and counsel on those matters being of value.
Mr. Briggs married, March 18, 1873, in Lebanon, Elizabeth P. Nye, a native of South Kingston, Rhode Island, coming to Lebanon, Connecticut, when young, with her parents, Benjamin and Elizabeth (Champlin) Nye, her father a member of the Con- necticut Legislature in 1889. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Briggs are: I. George Emmett, born February 9, 1874, a graduate of Snell's Business Col- lege of Norwich, and of the State Normal School at Willimantic; serving as deputy sheriff of the town- ship; married Mary Manning. 2. Charles Henry, born July 1, 1879; married Anna L. Bogue. 3. Delia Louise, born May 7, 1883. 4. Emily Elizabeth, born August 6, 1885. 5. Leroy Stanton, born May 9, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Briggs are members of the Baptist church of Lebanon, actively interested in the work thereof, Mr. Briggs having served as leader of the choir for a number of years.
CHARLES H. PECKHAM-Regularly ordained a minister of the Congregational church, the late Charles H. Peckham followed his calling until his death, which occurred July 31, 1904, at Leffingwell, Connecticut. As a minister he labored earnestly in behalf of the cause he loved. High-minded, cour- teous and sympathetic by nature, these qualities were the secret of his success as a pastor.
Charles H. Peckham was born December 6, 1854, at Perryville, Rhode Island, the son of Edward H. and Margaret (Champlin) Peckham. Mr. Peckham, senior, was a farmer throughout his entire life, and for fourteen years resided in Goshen. To. Mr. and Mrs. Peckham were born five children, of which number there are but two living: Charles H., of further mention; and Kate, who married George Lyman, son of Ludlow and Harriet Lyman, of Leb- anon, Connecticut. After finishing his education Charles H. Peckham taught school for a few years at Yantic, Connecticut, but in the meantime, hav-
ing decided upon the ministry for his life work, he prepared himself for his chosen carcer, and on July 1, 1896, preached his first sermon at Scott Hill Church, subsequently, on February 7, 1897, &c- cepting a call as pastor of the Congregational church at Leffingwell, Connecticut, where he faith- fully served until his death. The same sterling qual- ities which characterized his latter years were promi- nent in him as a young man, and while a teacher he always took an active part in the welfare of the community, and served on the Yantic school board for several years.
Charles H. Peckham married (first) Jennie Bren- nan, a step-daughter of Abel Palmer of Goshen, and by this union became the father of a son, George. Mr. Peckham married (second) Grace G. Kingsley, a native of Franklin, Connecticut, her birth having occurred there June 9, 1859. Mrs. Peckham was the daughter of Thomas and Harriet (Chapman) Kings. ley. Thomas Kingsley served as colonel of the Twenty-sixth Connecticut Regiment during the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Peckham were the parents of one child, Ralph Kingsley, who died in infancy. Mrs. Peckham died in September, 1921; she was promi- nently identified for many years with the charitable work of the community.
DR. GEORGE E. BITGOOD, for two decades, has been active in New London as a veterinary sur- geon, and in this broadly useful vocation he has won his own success and alleviated the lot of that group of creatures for whom too little thought is ordinarily taken. Dr. Bitgood is a son of Frank S. and Mary M. (Tabor) Bitgood. His father, who was born March 16, 1843, was a lumberman by occupa- tion, and served in the Civil War as a member of the 21st Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. The mother was born September 22, 1845, and both are now deceased.
George E. Bitgood was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, July 8, 1876. His early education was ac- quired at the public schools of his native place, and he attended the North Stonington High School, from which he was graduated in due course. A great lover of animals from childhood, the young man carly determined upon his choice of a profession, and following his graduation from high school he entered the Ontario Veterinary College, Ontario, Canada, and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1901. Within the year, Dr. Bitgood re- turned to his native State and opened an office for the practice of his profession at Arctic, Kent county, Rhode Island. The following year, however, he was persuaded to locate in New London, Connecti- cut, and has since remained here permanently. From the beginning he has been very successful, and has commanded the patronage of the leading stock- men over a wide district in the southern part of this county. He has always taken an interest in the movement of civic and fraternal affairs, in politics holds independent convictions, and has never sought the honors of office. He has long been a member of Konomoc Hose Company, No. 4, and fraternally
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he holds membership in New London Lodge, No. 360, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Dr. Bitgood married, in September, 1903, in Mys- tic, Connecticut, Lucy Ann Chapman, daughter of Martin W. and Annie (Low) Chapman. Her father was born June 18, 1856, and her mother November I, 1862. Dr. and Mrs. Bitgood have two children: George E., Jr., born December 26, 1904; Lucille M., born May 15, 1906. Dr. Bitgood's office and resi- dence are at No. 244 Willetts avenue, New London.
STEPHEN H. REEVES-A responsible position in the public trust, that of city treasurer, is ably filled by Stephen H. Reeves, of Norwich, Connecticut. Mr. Reeves is a son of Peter and Hortense (Au- bertin) Reeves, both natives of Montreal, Province of Quebec. Peter Reeves came to the United States in the early fifties, being one of the earliest French Canadian pioneers to locate in Eastern Connecticut. He stayed for a short time in Putnam, Connecticut, then settled in Danielson for a short period, later in Baltic, Connecticut, where he was employed in the cotton mills the remainder of his active life. He died in Norwich, in 1892. His wife died in Baltic, Connecticut, in 1872. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom Stephen H. Reeves, of Norwich, is the ninth.
Stephen H. Reeves was born in Brooklyn, Con- necticut, on February 25, 1857. He received his edu- cation in the public schools, and for a short period worked as an operative in the cotton mills in Baltic, Connecticut. After leaving Baltic, he went to Can- terbury, where he worked on a farm and received his education. In 1876 he went to Wauregan, where he worked as clerk for C. B. Wheatley, in the general store in that village, remaining in this connection until 1878. In that year he came to Norwich, and was employed as a clerk in the men's furnishing store of B. Behrisch for eight years. In 1886 he es- tablished a store of his own along the same line of business, continuing for several years. In 1893 he became a commercial traveler for the George Spaulding Company, of Boston. In 1901 he became superintendent of the Norwich branch of the State Free Employment Bureau, ably filling that office for over ten years. From 1912 to 1919 he was district manager for the Sperry & Hutchinson Green Trad- ing Stamp Company in the city of Norwich. With this broad experience in executive work of a high order, Mr. Reeves accepted the responsible office of why treasurer of Norwich, to which he was elected in 1919. He has already abundantly well demon- strated his fitness for the position.
Mr. Reeves is a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party, and an ardent worker in sup- port of its candidates. Although never before hav- ing accepted public office, he has long been a signifi- cant factor in the political situation, fearlessly throwing his influence toward public betterment. He is a member of Somerset Lodge , No. 34, Free and Accepted Masons; of Franklin Chapter, No. 3. Royal Arch Masons; Franklin Council, No. 4, Royal
and Select Masters; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Shetucket Lodge, No. 27, of Norwich; of Gardner Lodge, Knights of Pythias; and the Im- proved Order of Red Men. Mr. Reeves attends and supports the Universalist church.
Mr. Reeves married, in Norwich, November 5, 1882, Rev. L. H. Chamberlain officiating, Ida L. Gile, daughter of Alfred and Mary Ann Gile, of Norwich, Connecticut. Mrs. Reeves died April 30, 1916.
FORREST CURTIS LEFFINGWELL-There is a most interesting story to tell concerning the founder of the Leffingwell family in Connecticut, Thomas Leffingwell, the ancestor of Forrest Curtis Leffingwell, of Montville, Connecticut. Thomas Lef- fingwell, born in Croxhall, England, was one of the earliest planters of Saybrook, Connecticut, and a friend of the Mohegan chief, Uncas, whom he met in connection with a land grant along the sound and the river Thames, on which was a famous spring, near which the village of Uncas was located. Later the Mohegans were attacked in overwhelming num- bers by Narragansett Indians from Rhode Island, and would have exterminated them but for the aid furnished by Thomas Leffingwell, who brought provisions and help through the Sound and up the Thames to his Indian friends in distress. In grati- tude for the timely aid which enabled him to defeat his enemies and slay their chieftain, Uncas deeded to his friend nine miles square of land in the present town of Norwich, but Thomas Leffingwell appar- ently placed little value upon the tract, for he never had the deed recorded. He was also given several hundred acres, the deed for which he did record, property which is now included in three towns of the county of New London-Montville, Norwich and Bozrah. Upon this property Thomas Leffingwell, known as Lieutenant Thomas, built five houses, one for each of his sons, these all within signaling distance of each other. Lieutenant Leffingwell was one of the original proprietors of the town of Nor- wich, and until his death there, about 1710, was ac- tive in the affairs of town and colony. Through his five sons and two daughters a numerous family has grown, and Leffingwell is a common name in New London county. The line of descent from Lieu- tenant Thomas Leffingwell is through his son, Sam- uel Leffingwell, and his wife, Ann Dickinson; their son, Samuel Leffingwell, and his wife, Hannah Gif- ford; their son, Andrew Leffingwell, the first deacon of the First Baptist Church in Bozrah, and his wife, Mercy Nobles; their son, Gurdon Leffingwell, and his wife, Polly Avery; their son, Marvin Leffingwell, and his first wife, Abby Ann Chapman; their son, Daniel Chapman Leffingwell, and his wife, Anna Edith Curtis; their son, Forrest Curtis Leffingwell, of the eighth American generation of the family founded in Connecticut by Lieutenant Thomas Lef- fingwell.
Daniel Chapman Leffingwell was born in Mont- villle, New London county, Connecticut, June 20,
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1836, the family homestead one of the five houses built by Lieutenant Thomas Leffingwell, and given by him to his fourth son, Nathaniel. This house de- scended from generation to generation of Leffing- wells until finally supplanted by a new house built by Marvin Leffingwell. The farm surrounding the home contains about one hundred and fifty acres of the original tract deeded by Chief Uncas to Lieuten- ant Thomas Leffingwell, and on it is the famous spring by which the Indian chief and the white set- tler first met. For years a part of the income of Daniel C. Leffingwell was derived from the sale of this pure spring water to customers in Norwich. He married, March 18, 1858, Anna Edith Curtis, daughter of Elijah W. and Mary (Bushnell) Curtis, of Norwich. Mr. and Mrs. Leffingwell were the par- ents of two sons, Forrest Curtis, of further mention; and Frederick Arthur, born May 20, 1865, at the homestead, where he died, unmarried, Jannary 27, 1890.
Forrest Curtis Leffingwell was born at the home- stead in Montville, New London county, Connecticut (that has never been out of the Leffingwell name since first deeded by Chief Uncas), July 16, 1860. The nearest school to his home was in the town of Bozrah, and there he obtained his education. His early years were spent in farming and teamning, but he wanted to see more of the world, and he went West, spending six years in the gold mines of Mon- tana and on Montana ranches near Butte as a cow- boy. He returned to Montville in 1897, and for ten years engaged in contract hauling of timber and gen- eral teaming. In 1907 he bought the old Leffingwell grist and saw mill, built one hundred and fifty years prior to his purchase by one of his ancestors, the mill being located in Montville on Trading Cove Brook. He has now operated the mill for thirteen years, and restored it to its old condition of usefulness as a neighborhood convenience, and a profitable business enterprisc. For the past three years, 1917-20, Mr. Leffingwell has been a member of the Third Com- pany, Coast Artillery Corps, Connecticut National Guard, although past the age of military service, but discharged as sergeant in 1921. He is a Republican in politics. His wife is a member of the First Bap- tist Church of Bozrah.
Mr. Leffingwell married in Norwich, Connecticut, August 20, 1884, Addie Emma Lay, born in Salem, New London county, Connecticut, daughter of Carlos W. and Mary (Avery) Lay. Mr. and Mrs. Leffingwell are the parents of five children: 1. Clarence Frost, born in Bozrah, Connecticut, Au- gust 10, 1888, now in the teaming business in Groton, Connecticut. He married (first) Mary Wheeler; sec- ond) Lila Treadway Eggleston. 2. Edith Anna, born in Bozrah, July 8, 1890, now assistant matron of Warner Memorial Home for Needy Boys, at Sax- ton's River, Vermont. 3. Irene Curtis, born at Basin, Montana, July 16, 1892, married George Shel- don, of Norwich, Connecticut. 4. Frederick Arthur, born in Bozrah, May 22, 1896, married Anna Holmes, of Norwich. 5. Gladys Marian, born in Bozrah, June 15, 1897. These children are of the ninth
American generation of the family founded by Lieu- tenant Thomas Leffingwell, and the only direct de- scendants of their grandparents, Daniel Chapman and Anna Edith (Curtis) Leffingwell. The Leffing- well farm is just off the Norwich Salem road in the town of Montville, on Route 2, Norwich Rural Free Delivery.
REV. JOHN FRANCIS X. QUINN, as pastor of St. John's Roman Catholic Church of Uncasville, Connecticut, is well known as a zealous, learned and eloquent divine, and a public-spirited, patriotic citi- zen.
Jolin Quinn, father of Rev. John Francis X. Quinn, was born in New York City, July 23, 1854. A young man at the outbreak of the Civil War, heartily in sympathy with the cause of the Union, and fired with the patriotism which swept the North at the news of the firing upon Fort Sumter, he enlisted at Hartford, going almost immediately to the firing line. He served two years, and was wounded in ac- tion. Ater the war he went to Mechanicsville, Con- nectient, where for several years he was an overseer in a mill there. He now lives retired at Worcester, Massachusetts. He married Maria Black, a native of Ireland; she died December 30, 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Quinn were the parents of the following chil- dren: Henry; Mary; Francis, who died in infancy; John F. X., of further mention; William; Fred; Ed- ward; Leo; and Margaret, who died during the in- fluenza epidemic in 1918.
Father Quinn was born in Mechanicsville, Connec- ticut, May 18, 1875. He received his early education at the schools of his native place and then spent one year at the Putnam High School. He then entered St. Lawrence College, going thence to the Grand Seminary at Montreal, where he was ordained a priest, December 21, 1901, at Hartford, Connecticut, by Archbishop Bruschesi, of Montreal. His first assignment was at Hartford, Connecticut, where he remained for thirteen years. In 1914 he was trans- ferred to St. John's Roman Catholic Church of Uncas- ville, where he has since remained. Father Quinn is a member of many organizations for the civic and social betterment of the community. During the re- cent period of war with Germany he was most ac- tive in his support of the cause of the allies, and intimately connected with the different movements having for their object the welfare of the men in the service. A noble man, full of courage, zeal and abiding faith and devotion to his parishioners, this is the type of priest and the manner of friend Father Quinn is to all who know him.
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