USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 38
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Meredith Lee, eldest son of Rev. James B. and Minna (Greenman) Lee, was born in Bloomfield, New Jersey, April 9, 1897. He was educated in the public schools, in a preparatory school, Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, and at Yale University, receiv- ing his Bachelor's degree from Yale in 1919. He was a member of the class of 1918, but with the dec- laration of war against Germany in 1917, he left the university and on August 3, following, enlisted at Boston, Massachusetts, in the Aviation Corps of the United States Army. He was sent for training to Cadet Training School at Princeton, New Jersey, and on November 20, 1917, sailed overseas with the 15th Foreign Detachment, Air Service Cadets, stationed at Mons, France, but was later trans- ferred to airplane radio service, and on June 4, 1918, was commissioned second lieutenant. He continued in overseas service until ordered home, March 1, 1919. He was mustered out of the service, and was located at Garden City until July, 1919, when he re- turned to the family home in New London, Connec- ticut, where he was variously employed until Septem- ber, 1921. On that date he came to Norwich, Con- necticut, and in association with C. H. Williams and Charles B. Gilbert he bought out the Baird Tire Company, of Norwich, which they reorganized as the Williams Tire and Supply Company, Meredith Lee, secretary and manager. Mr. Lee is an Inde- pendent in politics; a member of the Congrega- tional church, of New London, his home; and a
member of the Chamber of Commerce, of Norwich, his business headquarters. Mr. Lee has many friends who wish him well, and there seems a un- animity of sentiment concerning his extremely gen- ial, generous and manly character.
Mr. Lee married, in New London, November 4, 1917, Madlyn L. Burton, who died in Wilmington,- Delaware, October 15, 1918.
JAMES BARTON GRAY-In the farming com- munity of Ledyard, New London county, Connecti- cut, the name of Gray has long been a prominent. and honored one. James Barton Gray, now one of the leading members of this family, has thus far spent his life in agricultural pursuits.
Thomas Baxter Gray, grandfather of James B .. Gray, was born in Ledyard, and was a farmer here all his life.
Amandan Gray, son of Thomas Baxter Gray, was born in Ledyard, in 1835. He was also a farmer throughout his lifetime, and was always prominent in the public affairs of the town and county, serving repeatedly in public office, and being aligned, po- litically, with the Democratic party. He married Francina Peckham, daughter of Elder Peckham, of Ledyard. Amandan Gray died in 1908, at the age of seventy-three years, and his wife died in 1899. They lie side by side in the Ledyard Cemetery.
James Barton Gray, son of Amandan and Francina (Peckham) Gray, was born in Ledyard, just below his present home, May 23, 1860. He received his education in the schools of his native town, and those in the vicinity of Mystic. From the time he completed his education he was active in the life of the farm. First helping his father on the old homestead, he later rented the Williams place, which he conducted for a period of twelve years. Thereafter he purchased his father's interests, and. has since conducted the homestead farm, which has now been in the family for over half a century. For many years he has specialized in peaches, but recent abnormal conditions in the farm labor market have made it necessary to devote his energies to. other crops more extensively for the past few years. Mr. Gray's success is that of the man long estab- lished upon a secure footing, and still looking for- ward. In the public life of the community, Mr. Gray has long been a prominent figure, having served on the Board of Assessors, and also on the Board of Relief.
Mr. Gray married (first) Helene Maria Littlefield, daughter of Captain George and Caroline (Tibbets) Littlefield, of Washington county, Maine, a family long prominent in the vicinity of Wells. She died in 1900, and is buried in Ledyard. They were the par- ents of seven children: Bessie, Bertha, Albe, Julia, Charles, Fred, Helene. Mr. Gray married (second) Marian Littlefield, sister of the first Mrs. Gray, and the children of this marriage are three sons: James. Calvin, George.
GEORGE RAYMOND GRAY-In the memorial records of New London county, Connecticut, there
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are many honored names, names which mean much to the county in the growth and development which have made it a leading section of the State. Among these names there is none more worthy of com- memoration in a work of this nature than that of George Raymond Gray, long active in the business circles of the county, and always a progressive citi- zen of lofty principles and valiant spirit.
Mr. Gray was a son of John Choppley Gray, a member of the Gray family, long prominent in the history of this county. John Choppley Gray mar- ried Delia Baldwin, of Mansfield, Connecticut, and their other sons are Harry, now a resident of Nor- wich, and John Benjamin.
George Raymond Gray was born in Chaplin, Con- necticut, January 18, 1868, and died in November, 1911, in the prime of life, not yet having completed his forty-fourth year. He was buried in the Avery family lot, Groton. Receiving his carly education in the public schools near his home, the young man was graduated from the Sheffield High School, of Sheffield, Massachusetts, where the family lived at the time. After his graduation he entered the busi- ness world in Wilton, Massachusetts, being em- ployed there for a time, and later came back to his native State and conducted a dry goods business in Willimantic. Although he was very successful along this line, he was persuaded to sell out this interest, and he then became associated with the Larrabee Grocery Company. Later he severed this connec- tion to take charge of the Mill store, at Turner- ville, Connecticut. With this experience, Mr. Gray finally came to New London, purchasing the busi- ness of his wife's father, at the time of the latter's death.
This business he developed to an important in- terest, and became a leading merchant of the city of New London. He was a man of strict integrity, and while of progressive and ambitious spirit was never a man to profit by another's misfortune. In the passing of such a man a community suffers a loss that is not readily filled. A decade has gone by since George Raymond Gray was a familiar figure in the business world of New London, but his name is still spoken of as that of a man whose spirit is alive, and still working out good for the people. He will not soon be forgotten, and those who bear his name will long be held in high esteem for his sake.
Mr. Gray married Josephine Lamb Avery, a mem- ber of one of the oldest of New London county families, and a daughter of Jerrod Reed and Joseph- ine Alice (Lamb) Avery, of Groton, where she was born. Her birth occurred November 2, 1867. This Avery family was among the pioneer settlers of New London county, and the first Jerrod Reed Avery, Mrs. Gray's grandfather, was pastor of the old Groton church, a Congregational Society, for twenty-three years.
Mr. and Mrs. Gray were the parents of seven children: 1. Willard Avery, born May 16, 1896, a student at Yale University, of the class of 1921. 2. Dorothy Baldwin, born November 23, 1897; was a member of the first graduating class of the Connec-
ticut College for Women, in New London. 3. Eunice Cutler, born December 9, 1898; now the wife of Max Underhill, of New London, and has an in- fant daughter, Winifred Gray. 4. Jerrod Reed, born December 9, 1900. 5. John Choppley, born January 4, 1903. 6. Allan Baldwin, born July 27, 1905. 7. Josephine Avery, born October 25, 1907.
ISAAC GARDINER LARKIN-Although not a native son, Isaac G. Larkin has resided in Lebanon, Connecticut, since 1864, and is a representative citi- zen of that flourishing community, widely known for his public spirit and his deep interest in every forward movement.
Mr. Larkin traces his descent from Edward Larkin, who is of record in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1655. The line is traced from Edward Larkin, the founder, through his son Roger, son Samuel, son Samuel (2), son William, son William (2), son Alfred Aldrich, son Isaac Gardiner Larkin, of the eighth American generation.
Alfred Aldrich Larkin was born at Richmond, Rhode Island, February 29, 1828, and died at Leb- anon, Connecticut, July 3, 1894, at the age of sixty- six years. He was a farmer throughout his entire life. He married Mary Janet Gardiner, who was born in the State of Rhode Island, and who died at Lebanon, September 1, 1908, at the age of cighty- one years. Mr. and Mrs. Larkin were the parents of three children: Isaac Gardiner, of whom further mention; Martha Anne, widow of James A. Pen- dleton, of Lebanon, Connecticut; Sarah, deceased, wife of Henry Edward Card, and the mother of four children: Lottie Janet, born April 2, 1881; Alfred Edward, born September 23, 1883; Herbert Aldrich, born December 16, 1885; Florence Annie, born May 21, 1888.
Isaac Gardiner Larkin, son of Alfred Aldrich and Mary Janet (Gardiner) Larkin, was born November 7. 1849, at South Kingston, Rhode Island, and there spent the first fourteen years of his life. He attended South Kingston public schools until the removal of the family to Lebanon, Connecticut, in 1864, and there he resumed public school study, continu- ing until reaching the age of seventeen. He then became identified with the agricultural and dairying interests of his section, and since 1906 has been a member of the board of directors of Lebanon Creamery. In politics, Mr. Larkin is a Republican, and has always taken an active part in town affairs. For thirty years he was a member of the Board of Relief, and in 1909 he represented the Lebanon district in the Lower House of the Connecticut Legislature.
Mr. Larkin married, January 4, 1870, Ellen Ame- lia Briggs, daughter of Charles Wilcox and Delia Frances (Gager) Briggs. Mr. and Mrs. Larkin arc the parents of six children: Nellie Gardiner, born May 23, 1871, died March 7, 1872. 2. Clara Aldrich, born May 5, 1873, married John Francis Sherman, Jr., died August 11, 1914, the mother of four children: Marjorie Ellen Sherman, born May 13, 1901; Lucy Eliza Sherman, born December 10,
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1902; John Francis (3) Sherman, born December 11, 1904; Elinor Warren Sherman, born November 24, 1909. 3. Warren Gardiner, born September 27, 1877, died December 8, 1894. 4. Mary Frances, mar- ried Elmer E. Sharpe, of Lebanon, and has a son, Arthur Ellsworth Sharpe, born September 1, 1909. 5. Annie Charlotte, born April 25, 1885, married Carroll L. Adams, of Lyme, Connecticut. 6. Helen Bronson, born August 6, 1887, now a teacher in Willimantic, Connecticut.
GEORGE WASHINGTON WILCOX-One of the most prominent names in New London county is that of Wilcox, and the family reaches back to the early history of New England in Colonial times, various branches of the family having given to the professions and to the industries men who have been significant factors in the general progress. Within the memory of many present day citizens of this county, two brothers, Captain Elias Wilcox and Elnathan M. Wilcox, were prominent figures in the coast towns of the county and in the fishing industry.
Elnathan M. Wilcox was born in Stonington, and educated in the public schools of an earlier day. The call of the sea early came to him as an appeal of permanent force, and he became a fisherman, thus following the example of many of his forbears. But he was a man of broad mental capacity and more than ordinary originality of action, and found the nucleus of an industry of importance to the landsman in the products of the sea. He estab- lished a factory for the manufacture of commercial fish-oils and fertilizer, which is still conducted by his sons, and is one of the important industrial enterprises of the town of Mystic. The latter part of his life he spent in Quinebaug, in the town of Stonington, on his farm, retired from all active business, and there he died, May 29, 1886. He was twice married, the second wife being Julia A. Deni- son, who was born February 22, 1825, and was a daughter of Henry and Lucy (Smith) Denison. They were married May 9, 1847, and were the parents of eight children: A son who was born and died February 18, 1848; Hettie M., who became Mrs. Palmer, born January 1, 1849, now residing in Providence, Rhode Island, at the home of her son- in-law, Fred White, a cotton broker; Jesse H., born August 10, 1852, now superintendent of the Wilcox Fertilizer Works; Lucy E., born October 8, 1854, and twice married, first being Mrs. Strickland, now Mrs. Brown; Moses H., born August 15, 1858; Deni- son Elmer, born July 21, 1861; George W., whose name heads this review; and Jennie D., now Mrs. Clark, born March 31, 1867. All but the eldest of these children are still living, and all but Mrs. Palmer are residents of New London county. They are all married, and have children who are following the family traditions of usefulness, some having grandchildren.
George Washington Wilcox was born on the family homestead farm in Quinebaug, in the town of Stonington, in this county, August 15, 1864. Edu-
cated in the public schools of his native town, he also followed the sea from his youth as a fisherman, and has been very successful. Mystic, which was scarcely more than a fishing village in his youth, has grown into a large and prosperous business and industrial community, and come out almost to the doors of the homestead, but he still resides in the community where he was born, and is still actively engaged in the industry which has been his life work.
Mr. Wilcox has long been counted among the leading men of this section, and is highly esteemed, but though a staunch Republican in political affilia- tion, has never sought the responsibilities of leader- ship. He is a member of Stonington Lodge, No. 26, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a mem- ber of the Baptist church.
Mr. Wilcox married, on June 27, 1887, Mina B. Roe, daughter of George O. and Nellie L. (War- field) Roc, of New York City, and they are the parents of three children: Walter Elwood, born September 30, 1888, who married Harriet M. Glover; Harold Anthony, married Ruth Rogers; and Gladys I. The older son, Walter E. Wilcox, is a graduate of Colgate University, Hamilton, New York (class of 1912), with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, also received his Master's degree from Columbia Univer- sity, of New York City, in 1917; is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity, and of the Masonic order. He is now principal of Woodward School, at No. 700 Bates street, St. Louis, Missouri. The younger son, Harold A. Wilcox, is a paper manu- facturer, at Oneco, Windham county, Connecticut, and the daughter is a teacher in New Jersey.
HUGH FRANCIS LENA-When the World War called for men from the medical profession, Dr. Hugh F. Lena was one of those who responded, he being assigned to the naval hospital in New London. While on duty there he made many friends, and so insistent were they that he make New London his home after the war was over, that on April 14, 1920, he did return and at No. 154 Broad street established a private hospital. The hospital has evidently met a public need, for its capacity has been taxed to its limit for some time, and Dr. Lena has there performed a great many major operations during the year the hospital has been in operation. One of the features of its equipment is an X-Ray department of the most modern type, and in each department all equipment, sanitation, ventilation, etc., is along modern lines of discovery and practice.
Dr. Lena is a son of Patrick Henry and Elizabeth (Lennon) Lena, his parents both born in Belfast, Ireland. Patrick H. Lena came to the United States a young man, settled in Lawrence, Massachusetts, where he became an expert weaver and foreman of the cloth-room in one of the Lawrence mills. He died in Lawrence, in November, 1909. Mrs. Eliza- beth (Lennon) Lena died there in May, 1915.
Hugh Francis Lena was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, March 22, 1888. He completed high school courses. He was graduated A.B., Dartmouth
Nugle 7 Lena
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BIOGRAPHICAL
College, 1912; Johns Hopkins University, M.D., 1916, both college courses pursued in full and with honor. After graduation he returned to Massachusetts and became an interne at the City Hospital, Boston, there continuing until March, 1918, when he was commissioned lieutenant of the junior grade, United States Navy Medical Corps, and assigned to duty at the Naval Hospital in Newport, Rhode Island. In April, 1918, he was promoted lieutenant of the senior grade, and on October 1, 1919, was honorably discharged from the United States service. During the influenza epidemic the Naval Hospital in New London gave up all possible work to fight that dread disease. Dr. Lena obtained the use of the State Armory in New London and was in charge of the hospital established therein.
After his release from the army, Dr. Lena re- turned to his Lawrence home for rest, and after a time took a special course in the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital in Boston, his study covering diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. After concluding his course in the spring of 1920, he located in New London, as stated, and there has since conducted a private hospital with gratifying success. He is a member of the medical societies of Massachusetts, and is a surgeon of acknowledged skill and learning. Dr. Lena is a member of the New London County Medical Society, Connecticut State Medical Society, Medical Society of Essex County, Massachusetts; the Massachusetts State Medical Society, American Medical Association, New London Lodge, No. 364, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks; fourth degree Knight of Columbus; American Legion; and is a communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
Dr. Lena married, in Boston, Massachusetts, June 26, 1920, Helen Francis Gartland, born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, daughter of Peter and Mary Gartland.
FREDERICK MORGAN SMITH-New London was the birthplace and lifelong home of Frederick Morgan Smith, whose passing, August 3, 1917, at the age of seventy, was so deeply regretted by his many friends. Mr. Smith was connected with his father, Nathan B. Smith, in the manufacture of melodeons, and latter engaged in business as a dealer in pianos and organs. He was highly es- teemed as a business man, and as a citizen his vir- tues were conspicuous.
Mr. Smith traced descent from five Colonial gov- ernors: Governor William Coddington, Governor William Hutchinson, Governor John Winthrop, Gov- ernor John Sanford and Governor Peleg Sanford. He also was a descendant of Revolutionary heroes, one of these, Colonel Oliver Smith, an aide to Gen- eral Washington and with him at Valley Forge. Later Colonel Smith commanded the Eighth Regi- ment of the Connecticut line. Another ancestor was Nathaniel Fanning, who was a midshipman under John Paul Jones, and later in life was commandant of the Charlestown navy yard. The destroyer "Fanning" of the United States navy was so named N.L .- 2-5
in his honor. The ancestor of this family was Rev. Nehemiah Smith. Descent is traced through eight American generations to Frederick Morgan Smith, of the ninth generation. The generations follow:
(I) Rev. Nehemiah Smith, one of the original proprietors of Norwich, Connecticut, and progenitor of this branch of the family, came to America in 1637. He was born in England in about 1605, and died in 1686. He married Sarah Ann Bourne, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Bourne, of Marsfield, Massachusetts.
(II) Nehemiah (2) Smith, son of Rev. Nehemiah (1) and Sarah Ann (Bourne) Smith, was baptized October 24, 1646, and died August 8, 1727. He mar- ried, October 24, 1664, Lydia Winchester, daughter of Alexander Winchester, of Roxbury, Massachusetts.
(III) Nehemiah (3) Smith, son of Nehemiah (2) and Lydia (Winchester) Smith, was born November 14, 1673, and died November 21, 1724. He married, April 22, 1696, Dorothy Wheeler.
(IV) Nathan Smith, son of Nehemiah (3) and Dorothy (Wheeler) Smith, was born November or September 16, 1702, and died December 4, 1784. He married Mary
(V) Oliver Smith, son of Nathan and Mary Smith, was born April 29, 1739, on the Smith home- stead at Poquonock, Connecticut. He married, April 5, 1759, Mary Denison, daughter of John and Mary (Noyes) Denison.
(VI) Denison Smith, son of Oliver and Mary (Denison) Smith, was born June 19, 1769, at Ston- ington, Connecticut. He married, March 6, 1788, Waity Smith, of Poquonock, only child of Jabez and Waity (Burrows) Smith.
(VII) Nathan (2) Smith, son of Denison and Waity (Smith) Smith, was born at Groton, Con- necticut, March 31, 1793. He was a farmer at Poquonock, and died there April 4, 1851. He mar- ried, March 6, 1814, - Fanning, daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Smith) Fanning. She was born September 11, 1796, and died December 24, 1879.
(VIII) Nathan D. Smith, son of Nathan (2) Smith, was born at Poquonock, Connecticut, Septem- ber 14, 1815. He married, September 12, 1841, Mary Abby Morgan, born in 1828, daughter of Elisha and Caroline Morgan. Their children were: Adriana, born June 27, 1844; Frederick Morgan, born August 27, 1847; and Aborn Fanning, born April 19, 1849.
(IX) Frederick Morgan Smith, son of Nathan D. and Mary Abby (Morgan) Smith, was born in New London, Connecticut, in 1847, and died in the city of his birth, August 3, 1917. He was a graduate of Dr. Fitch's School, at Windham, and a student at New London and Poughkeepsie schools. After school years were over he became associated in business with his father, Nathan D. Smith, who was then a manufacturer of melodeons and organs, the Smith instruments being the acme of perfection in their day. The store operated by the company was located where the Bank Street New Theatre now stands, and a large business was there conducted. When Nathan D. Smith was called away he admitted
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his brother, Aborn F. Smith as a partner, and for many years the firm conducted a piano and organ store. The firm title at first, M. D. Smith & Sons, was changed to Smith Bros. Aborn F. Smith later retired from the company, and Frederick M. Smith carried on the business alone until the admission of his son, Richard B. Smith. Naturally quiet and retiring in nature, Mr. Smith took no active part in public affairs, although keenly alive to his duties as a citizen. During his many years in business in New London, he earned for himself an enviable reputation among his fellowmen. His circle of friends was unusually farge, and because of his genial personality and sympathetic manner, he won the esteem of all with whom he came in contact.
Frederick M. Smith married, April 15, 1873, Annie Hot, and they were the parents of five children: Nathan H., Frederick M., Jr., Richard B., Henry H., and Lucy Bishop, married Hugh T. Cuthbert, of Arizona.
JEAN BAPTISTE MARTIN-The largest manu- facturers in America of the finest quality silk vei- vets, yet only a, branch of the parent factory in Lyons, France-this is the significance of the exten- sive buildings which form the plant of the J. B. Martin Company, Incorporated, at Norwich, Con- necticut.
Jean Baptiste Martin, grandfather of the present Mr. J. B. Martin, was the founder of this industry. He was born in Lyons, France, in the year 1799, and died there in 1863, having lived in that city all his life. He entered the silk manufacturing industry as a boy, in Lyons, the greatest silk producing cen- ter in the world. He went through all the depart- ments, learning the business from every angle, and also attended the Textile School, at Lyons. Even- tually he began the manufacture of silk velvets, building up a large and important interest along this line in his native city. At his death, in 1863, his widow continued the business until their son, Andre, was able to take over the management. The firm namne has never been changed, except by the articles of incorporation.
Andre Martin, son of Jean Baptiste Martin, the founder of this industry, was born in Lyons, France. He received the advantage of a broadly comprehen- sive technical education, including a course in civil engineering, from which he was graduated with honors. Upon the completion of his studies he re- turned to Lyons, fully equipped to relieve his mother mes of the business, and entered the velvet manufacturing world. Under his hand the business was developed to a remarkable extent, and after seriously considering the feasibility of such a project, decided upon the erection of a branch factory on this side of the Atlantic. Thus in 1896 he incor- porated the business in France, under the name of the J. B. Martin Company, the better to arrange the business for his absence, and came to the United States, accompanied by Mr. George Caband, and Mr. J. Sounery, of the firm, and sought a loca- tion for the proposed plant.
In 1898 the present site of the J. B. Martin Com- pany, in Norwich, Connecticut, was purchased, and building operations begun, the most modern de- signs and materials of that day being used. The first section of the mill was completed in 1899, and from that time until the present, additions and improvements have been made, constantly increas- ing the extent and capacity of the plant. In 1919 the company purchased the Pequot Mill, of Nor- wich, converting it into a mill for throwing silk, again increasing their facilities. In 1920 they bought the large modern plant of the Martin-Rockwell Com- pany, in the center of Norwich, erected during the World War by that celebrated firearms company, for the manufacture of machine guns. In these various Norwich plants the J. B. Martin Company now employs eight hundred operatives, and they manufacture only the very finest and most expensive velvet and deep pile plushies. The company is in- corporated in the State of Maine. Andre Martin, re- turning to France when the American plant of the company was well established, is still the active head of the French plant. He married Margaret Arbelot, and they reside in Lyons.
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