USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 48
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For many years Mr. Chappell was organist of the First Church of Christ, St. James' Episcopal Church, and St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church. He was the first teacher of music in New London public schools, and instructor of the graduation chorus of the Young Ladies' High School. He was a Republican in politics, served two terms in the Legislature of the State, for a time was a member of Common Council, and was a candidate for mayor. The movement for the establish- ment of the Connecticut College for Women received his earnest support, and at the first meeting of the promoters of the college project, he was chosen treas- urer of the committee. He was also treasurer of the campaign fund which was raised in New London to insure the building of the college in New London, and subsequently was elected treasurer of the college board of trustees.
Mr. Chappell was ever intensely interested in all matters which might tend to the improvement of New London, and especially in the Atlantic Deep Waterways convention. He was director of the Na- tional Bank of Commerce, director and treasurer of the
F. H. & A. H. Chappell Company, Thames Ferry Com- pany, director and president of the Lyceum Theatre Company. He was president for several years of the Thames Club, a member and director of the Pequot Casino Association, a member of the Manhattan, White- hall, and Catholic clubs of New York. He was one time president of Nathan Hale Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, and a member of the New Lon- don County Historical Society.
A broad man, excelling in many things, he was one of the best business men of his time in New London. He was a man of literary tastes, read much and deeply, and accumulated a large private library of the choicest books. He was one of the best musicians New London ever produced, having a musician's temperament, rare musical taste, an alert mind with indomitable industry and ambition. He played the piano like a master, while at the organ he was a veritable marvel, and had he devoted himself entirely to music he would have un- doubtedly become one of the world's greatest organists.
At the time of Mr. Chappell's death, Mayor B. F .: Mahan paid him the following tribute :
"There is no other man in New London who, by reason of his kindliness of heart, the lovableness of his character, the breadth of his outlook on life, and his unfailing public spirit and self-sacrificing devotion to the welfare of the community, would be so deeply missed as he. In his death the city suffers an irrepar- able loss. No matter how effectively others may take up the works that were his, it will be long before New London ceases to feel the lack of the intimate qualities that belonged so distinctively to this best son and best friend. In his going there has passed into the land of dreams a character of infinite gentleness and great- hearted friendship."
Alfred H. Chappell married Adelaide Shepard. Nine children were born to them, seven sons and two daugh- ters. Those surviving are: Frank Valentine, mentioned below; George S., of New York; Henry C .; Mrs. W. Kyle Sheffield ; and Alfred H., Jr.
(VIII) Frank Valentine Chappell, son of Alfred H. and Adelaide (Shepard) Chappell, was born in New London, Connecticut, February 12, 1876, and there yet resides, a wholesale coal merchant and honored citizen. He passed all grades of the public schools of New London, finishing with graduation from Bulkeley High School, class of 1894. He then entered Yale University, whence he graduated Ph. B., class of 1898. Shortly after, he entered business life in New London, and is now prominently connected with many important indus- tries. He is president of the New Haven Coal Com- pany, president and director of F. H. & A. H. Chap- pell Company and Thames Improvement Company, president of the Newport Coal Company, president of the Norwalk Coal & Supply Company, director of the New London City National Bank, and trustee of the Savings Bank of New London.
In politics he is a Republican, and was a member of the New London Board of Aldermen from 1901 until 1914. Since 1912 he has been chairman of the Rivers,
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Harbors and Bridges Commission of the State of Con- necticut, and of the board of trustees of the Connecticut College for Women, New London.
When the Spanish-American War broke out, Mr. Chappell was a student at Yale, and served with the Yale Battery, recruited for that war. He was sergeant ot Battery A, Connecticut National Guard, from May 3 until November 30, 1898; captain of Company D from October, 1899, to July, 1902, and retired from service in 1903. He is a member of the Thames Club, New London ; Graduates' Club, New Haven; and University and Yale clubs of New York.
NATT HAZARD-The Hazards of this review are descended from a well-known Rhode Island family founded by Thomas Hazard, who, coming from Boston in 1635, settled in the vicinity of Newport. There Thomas Hazard and his descendants became large land owners, scattering throughout South county and be- coming broadly influential in the affairs of his time and generation.
Lieutenant-Governor Jeffrey Hazard, Mr. Hazard's great-grandfather, lived in the locality known as Esco- heag, in the town of West Greenwich, Kent county, Rhode Island, and was a man of very wide prominence in his day.
Robert Hazard, judge of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, also resided in this community, which, although now isolated from railroads and therefore a quiet sec- tion, was in those early days a busy trading center. Many men of national prominence, among them Daniel Webster, were guests in the homes of various members of the Hazard family.
John Randolph Hazard, son of Judge Robert Hazard, and father of Natt Hazard, was born in West Green- wich, Rhode Island, March 3. 1820, and educated in the public schools of his native town. He was the first postmaster at Escoheag, Rhode Island, and served in this capacity for a period of thirty years, and in con- nection with the post office conducted a general pro- vision store.
John R. Hazard married Almira Burdick, of Charlestown, Rhode Island. John Randolph Hazard dith in June, 1888, and his wife died September 18, 1913, in the ninety-first year of her age. They were the parents of three children: Natt, of whom further; Amey, who became the wife of Granville Field (now deceased) of Taunton, Massachusetts; and George Carder Hazard, who was for many years a railroad conductor between New York and Boston.
Natt Hazard was born at West Greenwich, Rhode Island, February 21, 1850, and received his early edu- cation in the district schools near his home. Later he attended a private school for young men in Providence, completing his studies there. He cared little, however, for a professional career, and allowed his tastes to govern his choice of occupation, for several years man- aging farms in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Later he purchased the Champlin farm, in Charlestown, Rhode Island, the largest original "steading" in the State, comprising seven hundred and forty acres. Removing
to Connecticut in 1890, Mr. Hazard bought his present home, which previous to this transfer had been in the Noyes family since the house was built (1705) by Cap- tain Thomas Noyes for his bride, a granddaughter of Governor Coddington. Mr. Hazard has since conducted agricultural operations here, and for many years was a breeder of pure-bred Shorthorn cattle. He has led a quiet, pastoral life, his deepest interest next to the wel- fare of his family, being his inherent love of fine animals.
Mr. Hazard takes only the interest of the progres- sive citizen in public life, but supports the principles and policies of the Republican party. He is an active member of the New London County Farm Bureau, and is a member of the Baptist church.
On October 3, 1871, Mr. Hazard married (first) Martha Jane Goodchild, daughter of Isaac and Mary Ann (Whaley) Goodchild, of South Kingston, Rhode Island. She died December 13, 1880, leaving two chil- dren : Robert, who was educated at the Pawcatuck High School, and is employed at the Westerly post office, married, July 23, 1917, Etta M. Wilcox, of West- erly ; and Amey A., educated in Pawcatuck High School. Willimantic State Normal School, and Columbia Uni- versity, New York, now a teacher in the schools of East Orange, New Jersey. Mr. Hazard married (sec- ond), on December 27, 1881, Harriet S. Warner, who was born at Inglesville, Nova Scotia, August 3, 1851, and is a daughter of John F. and Mary (Bent) War- ner. To them were born three children: 1. Natalie Sabra, who was educated in the Pawcatuck public and high schools, and taught for several years in the public schools of the town. After special work at Simmons College, she became an assistant librarian at the West- erly Public Library. 2. James Ovington Hazard, who after being graduated from the Pawcatuck High School, also graduated from Brown University and Yale Forest School, and is now engaged in forestry work in New Jersey. He married, June 11, 1913, Emma Elizabeth Backus, daughter of Samuel H. and Elizabeth (Hoag- land) Backus, of Toledo, Ohio, originally a Norwich, Connecticut, family, and they have four children : Eliza- beth, Helen, Natalie Sabra, second, and James Ovington, Jr., the family residing in Hammonton, New Jersey. 3. Beulah I., who was educated in the Pawcatuck High School, Northfield Seminary, and the Boston School of Domestic Science; for a few years she taught school in New Haven, Connecticut, but has since been associated with the New Hampshire and Massachusetts State colleges as a member of the agricultural extension staffs of those institutions.
EDWIN CLIFFORD CHIPMAN, M.D. - Dr. Chipman's paternal American ancestor, John Chipman, came from England to New England, July 14, 1631. He married Hope Howland, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Tilley) Howland, all of the Mayflower company of Pilgrims. Down through the three cen- turies which have since elapsed, the line is traced in paternal line from John and Hope (Howland) Chip- man, who married in 1646, and were the parents of
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eleven children, the mother passing away in 1683, the father April 7, 1708. John Chipman was the first one of the name to seek a home in New England, and it is said that until 1850 there was not a Chipman in New England who did not descend from him. He resided most of his life in Barnstable.
Dr. Edwin C. Chipman, New London's skillful physi- cian, is of the eighth American generation, the line from John and Hope Chipman being traced through their eldest son, Samuel Chipman, and his wife, Sarah (Cobb) Chipman; their son, Samuel (2) Chipman, and his first wife, Abiah (Hinkley) Chipman; their son, Samuel (3) Chipman, and his wife, Ruth (Baker) Chip- man ; their son, Charles Chipman, and his wife, Martha (Burch) Chipman ; their son, Nathan Fellows Chipman, and his wife, Martha (Burdick) Chipman; their son, Nathan Truman Chipman, and his wife, Harriet A. (Lewis) Chipman ; their son, Edwin Clifford Chipman, of New London, Connecticut.
The family was introduced into New London county, Connecticut, by Samuel (3) Chipman, a currier by trade, who located in Groton, Connecticut, in youthful man- hood, and there died April 17, 1791, aged seventy. His son, Charles Chipman, and a grandson, Nathan Fellows Chipman, heads of the fifth and sixth generations, were born in Groton, but the latter moved to Charleston, Rhode Island, where his son, Nathan Truman Chipman, was born February 9, 1826. Nathan T. Chipman learned the currier's trade at Hope Valley, Rhode Island, later in life moved to Saugerties, Ulster county, New York, where he followed his trade for twelve years, then returned to Hope Valley, where he spent eight years. He then abandoned his trade, moved to Mystic, Connecticut, and there engaged in farming and spent the remaining years of his life, dying March 2, 1896. He married, November 25, 1847, Harriet A. Lewis, of North Stonington, Connecticut, born in 1828, died while on a visit to her son, Dr. Edwin C. Chipman, in Niantic, Connecticut, in October, 1903. They were the parents of nine children : Thomas Lewis, Sarah A., Charles H., Jessie E., Alice, Edwin Clifford, Abbie M., T. Wesley, and Nathan Ernest, all of whom reached adult years except the two youngest. It was during the residence of the family in Saugerties, Ulster county, New York, that Edwin Clifford Chipman was born and spent his early boyhood. It is with his career that this review will deal.
Dr. Chipman's professional carcer began with a country practice, he having succeeded to Dr. Elisha Munger's large practice in Niantic, Old Lyme, East Lyme, Waterford and New London, in 1891, when a young graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University. The years have brought him professional distinction and the rewards of an arduous calling, but greater than these, the years have brought him contentment of mind, a broad outlook upon life, a sympathetic spirit and a kindly charity which uplifts the fallen, strengthens the weak and encourages the strong. These the years have brought him, and there is no finer type of a New England gentleman than this fine, cultured physician that goes among his people thinking only
of the good in life, speaking ill of none, radia- ting good cheer, a man whom to know is to love.
Edwin Clifford Chipman was born March 7, 1861, in West Saugerties, Ulster county, New York. After his parents returned to Hope Valley, Rhode Island, he attended school, but he early contributed to the family support, and it was only by intense application that he received his education for he had no one to look to for financial aid. He was reared in the Faith of the Seventh Day Baptist Church, and at Alfred, Alle- gheny county, New York, that denomination main- tained Alfred University, to which Dr. Chipman gained admission, after suitable preparations, and there was graduated A. B., class of 1887. From Alfred University he went to Columbia University, medical department (College of Physicians and Surgeons) there receiving his M. D., class of 1891. He began practice in Niantic, Connecticut, and for thirteen years remained there, his practice very large and extending over a wide extent of territory from the Connecticut river to New Lon- don. This practice was very wearing, and desiring a city practice, Dr. Chipman closed out at Niantic and opened offices in New London in 1904, although a good portion of his county practice refused to recognize any change and he continued their family physician.
In New London, Dr. Chipman has a large clientele to whom he gives of his learning, skill and experience without stint or thought of personal convenience, the man being lost in the physician. He practices in strict- est accord with the highest medical code of ethics, and is held in the highest esteem by his brethren of the profession. He was one of the organizers of the Home Memorial Hospital of New London, and is president of the present hospital staff. He has won his own way in the world, and his heart beats for every boy or man who is striving against odds to rise superior to his cir- cumstances. He is a member of the medical societies of City, County and State; is affiliated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and in political faith he has been for years an ardent Prohibitionist. He served New London as health officer from February I, 1916, to February 1, 1920, and as such gave special at- tention to the health of school children, securing from councils an appropriation for their benefit. In 1902 he was a member of the Connecticut Constitutional Con- vention, but has never sought nor held purely political office. He is strong in his convictions, and never occupies middle ground. He has the courage of his convictions, and it is a wonderful thing that has come to him after his lifelong fight for prohibition (in which he followed in the footsteps of his father) to have it made the law of the land by the enactment of the Eighteenth Amendment.
Dr. Chipman married, November 7, 1888, Eunice C Crumb, of Mystic, Connecticut, daughter of Benjamin F. and Mary E. Crumb, of Old Mystic, Connecticut. They are the parents of four children, all born in Niantic, Connecticut: 1. Clifford E., a graduate of the University of Michigan, A. B., 1914, where he took the forestry course; he married Carlene Nichols, daughter of Frank C. and Caroline (Parker) Nichols,
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and has a daughter, Carolyn. 2. Truman F., a graduate of the Connecticut Agricultural College, was first lieu- tenant of the 21st Company, 155th Depot Brigade, and served at Camp Devens during the World War period 3. Harriet E., died in New London, September, 1919. 4. Mary Agnes, graduate of Connecticut College for Women, Ph. D., class of 1919; married, August 27, 1919, Frank Edward Morris, of Montrose, Pennsylvania, in- structor of psychology at the Connecticut College for Women; they are the parents of a daughter, Marylyn.
In 1914 Dr. Chipman and his sons bought a 160-acre farm in Waterford, New London county, Connecticut, which is now the widely known Konomoc Fruit Farm. The sons, both specialists, one in forestry, one in agri- culture, are developing the farm along modern scientific lines of fruit and dairy farming, and from an old, worn-out and practically abandoned tract, Konomoc Fruit Farm is becoming a model for fruit farmers and dairymen to observe.
MORRIS BENHAM PAYNE - As architect, engineer and soldier, Colonel Payne has gained wide acquaintance and popularity in military and professional circles, his connection with the forts in the vicinity of Connecticut and elsewhere antedating his purely mili- tary service during the war between the United States and Germany. He is now a member of the talented firm of architects and engineers, Payne, Griswold & Keefe, Manwaring building, New London. He ren- dered distinguished service as major of a battalion of the 56th Artillery, C. A. C., in France, and was gassed in the fighting along the Marne, but remained with his regiment until all were brought back to the United States on the United States battleship "South Dakota," in January, 1919. His work with the Connecticut Na- tional Guard, both before and after his United States military service, has been of the highest value, his very latest work, the organizing of a regiment of mobile artillery for coast defense, a work just completed.
Colonel Payne is a son of Sergeant Charles William Payne, born in New London, lived his life in his native city, and there died in July, 1907. He enlisted in the "three months" men of the Civil War, fought and was wounded and captured at First Bull Run, confined in Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, for ten months, then was released and returned to New London. Later he enlisted in the Sixth Regiment, Connecticut In- fantry, serving with that command until the close of the war, being mustered out as first sergeant. After the war he was with the Vermont Central railroad, and for thirty years was chief clerk for that road in New London. He married Elizabeth Gillen, who died in New London, Connecticut, in June, 1912, surviving her hus- band five years.
Morris Benham Payne was born in Waterford, Con- necticut, January 19, 1885, and was educated in the public schools of the city. He was ambitions to become a civil engineer, and began what has proved his life work in the office of Daball & Crandall, all engineering firm of New London. From 1906 until 1912,
he was connected with the United States engineering department as civil engineer, and was engaged in river,. harbor and coast defense work. During that period he was in charge of the installation of the fire control stations of the artillery corps, defenses and fortifica- tions at Forts Wright, Terry and Mansfield, and also installed the searchlights at those forts.
In 1912 he resigned his position and returned to civil practice as a member of the firm of Duffy & Payne, architects and engineers, his partner, James S. Duffy. This partnership dissolved in one year, to be followed in 1913 by the firm of Payne & Adams, his partner and Major Payne continuing together until the departure of the senior partner for the war in 1917, then Mr. Adams continued the business in his partner's absence until stricken by death in February, 1919. After Major Payne's return from France, and the death of Mr. Adams, his partner, he formed a new association, and. in June, 1919, the firm of Payne, Griswold & Keefe, architects and engineers, made its appearance in New London, and there is successfully operating.
Major Payne's military career began in April, 1902, with his enlistment in the First Company, Coast Artil- lery Corps, Connecticut National Guard. He was suc- cessively promoted corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, cap- tain, and major, his last promotion coming in 1912. It will be remembered that from 1906 until 1912, Major Payne was civilian engineer in charge of important work at United States forts, Wright, Terry and Mans- field, eastern coast defenses. This gave him wonderful opportunity for observation of artillery methods, his daily contact with artillery officers of the regular army being exceptionally valuable to the young officers of the Connecticut National Guard, the artillery being his branch in that organization.
On July 25, 1917, Major Payne was commissioned. major of the United States Coast Artillery Corps, and assigned to the command of the Third Battalion, 56th Artillery, C. A. C., United States army, on its organiza- tion at Fort H. G. Wright on Fisher's Island. The regiment sailed for France, March 28, 1918, and arrived April 4, following. Major Payne was engaged with his. battalion at Oise-Aisne, and Muese-Argonne, in the First Army Defense Sector, and was a victim of a gas attack on the Marne front. He continued in the service, however, until the regiment was ordered home, leaving Brest, France, on the United States battleship. "South Dakota," January 5, 1919, Major Payne in com- mand. The "South Dakota" arrived in New York Harbor January 18, 1919, and the regiment was de- mobilized as a war regiment at Fort Schuyler, New York, January 27, 1919, and at once reorganized as a United States regular army regiment, one hundred and seventy of the old men remaining, the remainder re- ceiving honorable discharge. On May 31, 1919, Major Payne was transferred to the United States Army Re- serve Corps as major of artillery, and returned to his professional work in New London.
Although not in any sense a politician, Major Payne has been alderman of the fifth ward of New London.
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and in November, 1920, was elected a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives, and is serving as chairman of committee on military affairs. He is a Republican in his political faith, in religion a Baptist. He is past master of Union Lodge, No. 31, Free and Acompted Masons; Union Chapter, No. 7, Royal Arch Masons ; Commandery, Knights Templar ; and in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite has attained the thirty-second degree. He is also a noble of Pyra- mid Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Bridge- port, Connecticut; New London Lodge, Loyal Order of Moose; and a charter member of John Coleman Prince Post of the American Legion, also a charter member of Murphy Rathbun Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, and member of Connecticut Chapter, Military Order of Foreign Wars. He is president of the Masonic Club of New London, and a member of Thames and Harbour clubs.
Major Payne married, in New London, October 14, 1909, Jeannie Crandall Nash, born in Westerly, Rhode Island, daughter of Captain Albert D. and Mary E. (Hibbard) Nash, her father a sea captain of New London, where he and his wife now reside. Major and Mrs. Payne are the parents of a son, Harry Nelson Payne, born in New London, December 9, 1911.
ELI GLEDHILL-As vice-president and business agent of the Mystic Manufacturing Company, of Mystic, Connecticut, Eli Gledhill occupies an influential place in the textile world, that company being manufacturers of high grade worsted cloth. Mr. Gledhill began his connection with the textile industry when a lad of nine years, and since then he has been connected with textile manufacturing in every branch from the lowest rank to his present position. He is of English birth and parentage, son of Ingham and Sarah (Calverly) Gledhill, his parents also of English birth.
Ingham Gledhill was born in Huddersfield, England, and literally grew up in the textile mills, finally be- coming superintendent of a woolen mill. He spent three years (1861-64) in the United States, in the State of Maine, then returned to Huddersfield, England, where he remained until 1893, when he made permanent settlement in the United States, locating in Rockville, Connecticut, where he died March 6, 1894. He mar- ried (first) Sarah Calverly in Huddersfield, England, she dying there, December 17, 1883. He married (sec- ond) Amanda Brooks, of Huddersfield, who came to Rockville with her husband in 1893, and after his death moved to Mystic, Connecticut. Ingham and Sarah (Calverly) Gledhill were the parents of a large family, Eli, the principal character of this review, being the eldest. In order of birth from Eli Gledhill the children were: Betsey, deceased ; Annie, married H. A. Crow- ther, and resides in Mystic; Martha, married James Barden, and resides in Mystic; Rose, married Robert Nichols, and resides in Mystic; Herbert H., a textile designer, married Helen Ayres, and died in Mystic, January 12, 1919; Frederick, also a designer, married Elsie Clarke, and resides in Mystic; Lillian, married
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