USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 55
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Dr. Crocicchia is a son of Stephen and Isabella (Simoncini) Crocicchia, his father born in Rome in 1824, died there in 1899, a man highly educated, and a successful wholesale dealer in drugs. His wife died in Rome, Italy, in 1897.
Anthony Crocicchia was born in Rome, Italy, October 13, 1867, and there remained until De- cember, 1896. He was educated in the Roman gymnasium, where he was a student for five years, followed by three years in the Lyceum, thus com- pleting an eight years' course of study necessary to gain admission to the medical department of the University of Rome. He pursued medical study at the University for six years, until July 5, 1893, when he was graduated M. D., then receiving ap- pointment as assistant-surgeon in the United Hos-
pitals of Rome, filling that position for three years. He was then appointed assistant professor in dis- eases of the eye at the University of Rome, filling that post until coming to the United States in December, 1896.
Dr. Crocicchia landed in the United States at Baltimore, Maryland, and the following spring was appointed demonstrator of surgery at Georgetown Medical School, Washington, D. C. Later he en- gaged in private practice in New York City, and was also dispensing ocuiist at Columbus Hospital in that city. Having met with financial losses, he removed to Haverhill, Massachusetts, and opened a drug store which he conducted until July 1, 1918, when he located in New London, Connecticut, and began medical practice. In 1919 he bought the established Moon's Pharmacy, No. 404 Bank street, New London, and conducts that business in con- nection with his private practice which has grown to large proportions. He is a most learned and skillful physician, and has made a host of friends in his adopted city. He is a member of the medical societies of New York City and State, and is li- censed to practice by the boards of medical exam- ination for the states of New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the District of Col- umbia, and through his M. D. received from the University of Rome, can legally practice in Italy. Ile is also a registered pharmacist for the states of Massachusetts and Connecticut. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious faith a Roman Catholic.
Dr. Crocicchia married, in Rome, Italy, November 27, 1896, Emma Vannutelli, born in that city, daugh- ter of County Henry and Agnes (Traversi) Vannu- telli, of Rome, and a niece of Cardinals Vincent and Seraphine Vannutelli and niece of Baron Kunz- ler, general-in-chief of the papal soldiery at the Vatican. Dr. and Mrs. Crocicchia are the parents of four children: I. George Jamies, born in Wash- ington, D. C., November 28, 1897. The James in this name is in honor of the eminent Cardinal James Gibbons, recently deceased, who was the child's god-father. He was educated in the law at New York University and Boston University Law School, and is now a member of the Connecticut bar, practicing in New London. 2. Isabella Agnes, born in New York City, September 8, 1900, now a registered pharmacist of New London. 3. Henry, born in New York City, May 13, 1906. 4. Charles, born in New York City, November 4, 1910. The family home is in New London.
While residing in Washington, D. C., Dr. Crocicchia and his wife were introduced to official Washington society, their social standing being the means of their making many friendships among foreign and American statesmen, including President McKinley, who was then in office.
WILLIAM ALONZO FONES-The T. A. Scott Company, of New London, Connecticut, William A. Fones president, bears the name of one of the
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famous divers and wreckers of the Atlantic Coast, Captain Thomas A. Scott, under whom both Will- iam H. Fones and his son, William A. Fones, worked when Captain Scott was head of his salvag- ing business and did his own diving. The business has been a corporation since 1903, but from the age of sixteen William A. Fones has been connected therewith.
The Fones family in this country trace descent from Captain John Fones, who is of mention as early as 1659, and may be followed through New- port, Jamestown, and Kingstown. He was one of six who in 1692 bought land in Narragansett of the Indians; was deputy in 1679-80-81; was taxed in 1680; was conservator of the peace, Kingstown, 1682-83; was made justice of the peace in 1680, clerk of court of commissioners the same year; was again deputy and also assistant in 1698. He died in 1703, his wife, Margaret, in 1709. Their children were: 1. Jolın, born in 1663, married Lydia Smith, was of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, and purchased land in Narragansett, in 1709, died Feb- rnary 17, 1738, his widow surviving him until Jan- uary 24, 1741. They had daughters: Lydia and Mary. 2. Jeremiah, born in 1665, married (first) in 1694, Elizabeth, who died in 1709, marricd (sec- ond) in 1710, Martha Chard. He was of Kingstown, Jamestown and North Kingstown, was taxed in 1687, was freeman in 1703, and constable in 1705. He died in 1747, his wife, Martha, dying the same year Children by first marriage: James, Jeremiah, Joseph, a daughter, Margaret, and John. Children by second marriage: Mary, Daniel, Samuel, a daughter, and Thomas. 3. Samuel, born in 1666, married (first) Anna Tibbitts, who died in 1702, married (second) Meribah. He was of North Kingstown, was taxed in Kingstown in 1687, was town clerk from 1704 to 1715, justice of the peace in 1708, and deputy in 1711. One child, Ann, was born of the first marriage, and the following chil- dren were born of the second marriage: Samuel, Sarah, Margaret, Mary, a son, and Francis. 4. Mary, born in 1668, married, in 1689, James Greene. 5. James, born in 1670, died young. 6. Daniel, born in 1672, died young. From one of these sons of Captain John Fones was descended the great- grandfather of William A. Fones. Ry trade he was a ship carpenter, and resided in Wickford, Rhode Island, for many years. His children were: I. Samuel, who went West and died there. 2. Ben- jamin, who died at North Kingstown, Rhode Is- land. 3. Joseph, of whom further. 4. John, who died in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. 5. Ruth, who married Randall Fones, and died in North Kingstown.
Joseph Fones, grandfather of William A. Fones, was born in Rhode Island, and died at Centerville, in that State, in middle life. He was a farmer, and married Julia Jecoy, of Harnsville, Rhode Island, and had the following children: I. William H., of whom further. 2. Joseph, a spinner of woolen, who died in Providence, Rhode Island. 3. Sybil,
who married William Hunt, and died in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. 4. James, who kept a hotel in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, for a num- ber of years, and died there. 5. John, who died in New York, a plumber by trade. 6. Mary, who mar- ried William Hunt, Jr., of Lonsdale, Rhode Island. 7. Daniel, who died in Davisville, Rhode Island. 8. Sarah Ann, who married Carlton Chase, and died in Davisville. 9. Abigail, who married Daniel Whitman. 10. Susan, who married Edward Dunn.
William Haven Fones, father of William A. Fones, was born February 1, 1818, in North Kings- town, Rhode Island, and attended the schools of his native town. He left school when quite young and took up farming, which was really the principal business part of his life, although he followed the sea for about ten years, during that period making three whaling voyages. He lived on Gardiners Island, Long Island Sound, for about eight years, engaging there in farming, then removed to Fisher's Island and for seven years was in the employ of Robert Fox, who was then owner of that island. Mr. Foncs then came to New London and was employed by Captain Thomas A. Scott during the building of the Race Rock Light House, remaining with him for about one year, after which he resided with his son, William A. Fones, until his death, which occurred in 1909.
William H. Fones married Evelyn Franklin, of Centerville, Rhode Island, who died in New Lon- don, Connecticut, August 21, 1902, daughter of Waterman and Patience (Pratt) Franklin. Mr. and Mrs. Fones were the parents of five children: I. Julia A., who died on Fisher's Island; married (first) Sylvester Miller, and (second) George Abbott. 2. Catherine G., who married Chauncey Platt, and died in Norwalk, Connecticut. 3. Anna Maria, who married Charles Chapman, and died in Groton, Connecticut. 4. William A., of whom fur- ther. 5. Sarah Elizabeth, married Herbert C. Burdick, of New London.
William A. Fones, only son of William Haven and Evelyn (Franklin) Fones, was born at Springs, Long Island, April 9, 1855. He attended public schools at Mystic and Burnetts Corners, Connec- ticut, and in Brooklyn, his school years ending at the age of thirteen. From that age he was his father's assistant at the home farm on Fisher's Island, remaining there until he was sixteen years of age, after which he went to work for Captain T. A. Scott, the well known diver and wrecker of New London, and the same year he was made hoisting engineer and assistant in running the air pumps, etc. He later became an engineer and pilot on the tug boats used in the wrecking operations, and in 1888 he was made superintendent, continuing in that capacity until 1894, when he was promoted to the responsible post of general manager of the business. On May 8, 1903, at the incorporation of the T. A. Scott Company, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, Mr. Fones was made secretary of the company, was elected treasurer in
Joseph C. Worth.
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1907, and also continued as general manager, and in 1918 he was elected president of the company.
Mr. Fones attends the First Baptist Church of New London, of which his family also are mem- bers. Politically, he is Republican, but has never sought nor held public office.
Mr. Fones married, January 20, 1879, Abbie Eliza- beth Sterry, daughter of Thomas J. and Leonora L. (Ames) Sterry, of New London, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Fones are the parents of two children, both born in New London: Byron Alonzo, born March 1, 1880, married Arline Scott; Leonora May, born September 28, 1881, married Herbert L. Dunn, of New London, Connecticut.
JOSEPH CHRISTOPHER WORTH-Prominent in the business world of New London county, Con- necticut, popular in social circles, and well known fraternally, Joseph Christopher Worth is a leader of the group of younger men who are carrying the city of Norwich forward in every branch of worthy endeavor. Mr. Worth is a son of Joseph Christopher Worth, Sr., and Eliza Ann (Williams) Worth. The elder Mr. Worth is now deceased.
Joseph Christopher Worth, president of the Jewett City Textile Novelty Company, and president (1920- 21) of the Rotary Club, of Norwich, was born in Norwich, July 2, 1892. He received his education in the public schools of Norwich, and the Norwich Free Academy from which latter institution he was graduated in the class of 1910. After his gradua- tion he entered the Dime Savings Bank, as clerk, remaining for one year. Then going to New York City he entered the employ of Charles F. Noyes, a former Norwich man, then in the real estate busi- ness in that city, and remained in that connection for one year. Returning to Norwich, he became asso- ciated with his father in the wholesale produce busi- ness, the firm being J. C. Worth & Company, and being then a partnership between the elder Mr. Worth and Alexander Jordan, whose career is also reviewed herein. At his father's death, on February 15, 1916, Mr. Worth took over his half interest in this business, and was himself identified with the business until December 17, 1917. On that date lie sold his interest to Alexander Jordan, who still con- tinues the business under the old name. Immedi- ately after disposing of his business interests in Norwich, Mr. Worth became engaged in war work, with the Federal War Trade Board in Washington, District of Columbia. He was later assigned to the War Trade Board in New York City as an expert on food in charge of foodstuffs, and continued there until the end of the war.
Returning to Norwich, Mr. Worth bought an
interest in the Jewett City Textile Novelty Com- pany, of Jewett City, accepting the offices of vice- president and secretary of this concern, and on January 1, 1921, became president, also serving as sales manager. This association still continues. The company is engaged in the printing and bleaching of cotton textile goods, largely in novelty fabrics and designs, and their plant is located in Jewett City, Connecticut, nine miles north of the center of Nor- wich. Mr. Worth is also treasurer and director of Herbert E. Ring Company, Inc., of Norwich, who operate a public market in Norwich.
Mr. Worth is a member of the Norwich Chamber of Commerce, of which he is a director. He was chairman of the committee that organized the Nor- wich Rotary Club in April, 1920, and upon the com- pletion of this work he was elected its first president. Under his enthusiastic leadership the club pros- pered and gained an influential membership, and ranks as one of the up-to-date, live Rotary organ- izations of New England. Mr. Worth was elected to the Common Council of Norwich, in 1916, for a term of two years. Politically, he supports the Republican party, but is broadly interested in the public welfare, and gives generously of his time and energies to forward the progress of the City, State and Nation.
Fraternally, Mr. Worth holds the thirty-second degree in the Masonic order, is a member of Som- erset Lodge, No. 34, Free and Accepted Masons; Franklin Chapter No. 3, Royal Arch Masons; Frank- lin Council, Royal and Select Masters; Columbia Commandery, Knights Templar; and in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite holds the degrees of King Solomon Lodge of Perfection, Council of the Princes of Jerusalem, Norwich Chapter of Rose Croix, Con- necticut Consistory.
Mr. Worth's clubs include the leading social organ- izations of this city. He is president of the Norwichi Golf Club, where he enjoys his favorite recreation. He is a member of the Arcanum Club, of Norwich, and of the Thames Club, of New London.
On October 31, 1917, Mr. Worth married Olive Huntington, of Norwich, who was born in New York City, but reared and educated here. Mrs. Worth is a daughter of Channing and Helen Barstow (Platt) Huntington. Her father, who is now de- ceased, was born in New York, and her mother was born in Norwich, and still resides here. Mr. and Mrs. Worth have one son, Huntington, who was born in Norwich, December 2, 1918. The family are members of Christ Episcopal Church, of Norwich, of which Mr. Worth was at one time a vestryman.
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JUDGE CHARLES CRESSINGHAM GRAY- A member of one of the leading families of North Stonington, New London county, Connecticut, suc- cessful in his individual undertakings, and broadly useful in the administration of the town affairs, Judge Charles Cressingham Gray is truly repre- sentative of that citizenship which works ever along constructive and forward-moving lines.
Mr. Gray's grandfather, John Gray, was one of two brothers, John and Robert Gray, who came to New London county, Connecticut, in the early part of the nineteenth century. Robert Gray settled in New London, and John came to North Stonington, where he located on a farm in the northern part of the village. There he conducted the farm until his death. He was a man of studious mind and broad interests. He married Lucy York, who was born in North Stonington, a member of one of the very old families there, and they were the parents of a large family of children, who entered classical fields, and became noted as teachers and men of great intellect. One was a merchant, and also town clerk of West- erly, Rhode Island; one was a physician, and four were school teachers, all the teachers being noted mathematicians, to whom people often brought knotty problems. All were accomplished penmen.
LaFayette Gray, son of John and Lucy (York) Gray, was born in North Stonington, Connecticut, and always lived in this town. He received his education in its public schools, and being by nature a scholar, every source of knowledge was to him an open book. He learned the carpenter's trade, but was so much sought as a school teacher that he had little opportunity to work at his trade. Indeed he taught school practically all his life, and was most successful in this vocation. He died in North Ston- ington at the age of forty-six years. He married Martha York Palmer, who also was born and died here.
Charles Cressingham Gray, son of LaFayette and Martha York (Palmer) Gray, was born in North Stonington, Connecticut, May 22, 1859. He received a practical and thorough education in the district schools of the town, then assisted his mother on the family homestead farm. He was only twelve years of age when his father died, and he and his brothers carried on the farm until his mother's death, when Mr. Gray bought out the other heirs and came into full possession of the farm. He remained there until 1895, then removed to the Shunoc section of the town, where he conducted a farm for ten years. He removed thereafter to the village of North Stoning- ton, where he did carpenter work for one year. Then in 1906 he went to Westerly, Rhode Island,
where he conducted a farm for a year and a half, after which he purchased the farm where he now lives, on the edge of the village of North Stoning- ton. This is an excellent farm of fifty acres, well located and a delightful place.
Mr. Gray was some years ago sought for the public service of the town of North Stonington. He is a leader of the Democratic party, but has more than once received also the cordial support of the Republican party. He has filled the offices of con- stable, first selectman, tax assessor, etc. Far from being an office seeker, the office has always sought the man. He was elected judge of probate in the year 1912, and has been re-elected every second year since. He was originally elected on the Demo- cratic ticket, then in 1914, 1916, 1918 and 1920 was the candidate on both tickets and has filled this office continuously from 1912 to date (1921). In 1917 Mr. Gray was elected town clerk, and in 1919 was re-elected as the candidate of both parties. In the same way, the same years, he was elected also town treasurer. In the North Stonington Grange, No. 138, Mr. Gray is a leading member, and has been treasurer of the organization for many years. He is a member of the Third Baptist Church, is one of the trustees of the church, and very active in its work.
On February 2, 1882, Mr. Gray married Emma R. Chapman, daughter of Rev. Daniel Frank and Rebecca (Getchell) Chapman. Mrs. Gray's parents were both born in New London, and her father was pastor of the Baptist church on Pendleton Hill, in the town of North Stonington. Mr. and Mrs. Gray are the parents of four children: I. Cressingham LaFayette, who was born May 22, 1884; educated in the schools of North Stonington; farmed with his father for a time, then worked in machine shops for several years; later, in 1914, he went to Dover, New Hampshire, where he is an extensive farmer; married Alice Tillinghast, of North Stonington. 2. Lyle Chapman, born August 2, 1886; now a pros- perous farmer of North Stonington; married Alice Richmond, of Preston, Connecticut, and has four children: Marjory Fostina, Jeannette Evangelin, Anita, and Marolyn Alice. 3. Leslie Jennings, born March 23, 1895, died March 6, 1908. 4. Charles Ernest, now postmaster of North Stonington; married Evelyn Main, of this town, and has one son, Douglass. Charles Ernest Gray enlisted in the United States army for service in the World War.
ARTHUR HARVEY LATHROP-The roots of New England's ancestral trees run far back into the past. Beyond the sailing of the "Mayflower" to the
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still stormier days of the early clashes between dissenters and orthodox churchmen one must go if he would find the tap roots of the Lathrop ances- try. Back in 1624 there was born in Egertown, Kent, England, one John Lathrop, destined to take an active part in the troublous times which sent so many exiles for faith across the waters to the wide haven in the West. He dared largely for those times, and having the courage to become pastor of an independent church, he, with thirty-four of his flock was arrested by order of the Archbishop of Canterbury for daring to interpret for themselves the teachings of the New Testament. After two years of imprisonment, he and a few others were released on condition that they leave the country. They came to America in 1634, and Pastor Lathrop soon organized a church at Scituate, Massachusetts. He became a freeman of the Plymouth Colony in 1636, and in 1638 went with a number of his flock to Barnstable, Massachusetts.
One of the sons who came from England with Pastor Lathrop was Samuel Lathrop, who married, November 28, 1644, Elizabeth Scudder, and then moved to Barnstable, where he lived and worked as farmer and carpenter. He built houses in Boston, and was one of the five Lathrops of Barnstable liable to bear arms. He was in Major Simon Wil- lard's expedition against Ninnegret, the Indian chief, and went to the relief of Uncas, under Lieutenant James Avery, in 1657. In 1648 he went to New London, with young John Winthrop, and was one of the original settlers of New London, Connecticut, his house lot being third from that of Governor Winthrop. He was a prominent man in the new settlement, acting as judge of the local court in 1649. In 1668 he moved to Norwich, Connecticut, where he was constable and in many ways served the town. He died in Norwich, Connecticut, February 29, 1700. His farm lay in what is now the residential section of the city, the hill, known as Jail Hill, being part of it.
Israel Lathrop, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Scudder) Lathrop, was born in Norwich, Connecti- cut, October, 1659. He married Rebecca Bliss, be- came the father of seven sons and three daughters, and died March 28, 1733, his wife following him August 22, 1737. Both are buried in the old Norwich burying ground, and the stones marking their rest- ing place are the oldest in the cemetery.
Samuel (2) Lathrop, son of Israel and Rebecca (Bliss' Lathrop, was born at Lebanon, Connecticut, July 12, 1692, and married Elizabeth Waterman, daughter of Thomas Waterman, one of the original thirty-five founders of the town of Norwich. His
farm was in that part of the original town of Nor- wich which is now the town of Lebanon.
Captain Elisha Lathrop, son of Samuel (2) and Elizabeth (Waterman) Lathrop, was born at Lebanon, Connecticut, July 13, 1713. He was a farmer at Lebanon, Connecticut, for a time, but later went to Lebanon, New Hampshire, where he was killed by the fall of a tree, July 2, 1787. At the latter place he was major of the militia and justice of the peace. In both places lie was a prominent citizen. He was twice married, and the father of sixteen children, one of these being Lebbeus, son of Margaret (Sluman) Lathrop. This Lebbeus became the father of Lebbeus (2), born at Bozrah, Con- necticut, in 1780, a farmer, who passed his whole life at Bozrah and at Lebanon, his death occurring at the latter place, January 25, 1866. He married Lu- cretia Maples, and one of their sons was Harvey Lathrop, a farmer and teamster, who married Octa- via Woodworth, raised a family, and died January 10, 1879.
One of the sons of Harvey and Octavia (Wood- worth) Lathrop was Arthur Douglas Lathrop, father of Arthur Harvey Lathrop. He was born at Lebanon, Connecticut, February 25, 1849. He attended the schools of Lebanon, and then went to Montville, Connecticut, where he formed the firm of Church & Lathrop, and engaged in the teaming and trucking business. In 1874 he dissolved this partnership and moved to Norwich, Connecticut, where he estab- lished a trucking and teaming business. The busi- ness grew steadily, the local and long-distance mov- ing and the freight-handling lines growing enor- mously, and was continued by Mr. Lathrop during the remainder of his life. He was a substantial busi- ness man of Norwich, highly respected in his com- munity, and a strong man in the Republican party, serving for nine years as first selectman of the town of Norwich. He married, November 30, 1870, Belle Emily Bolles, daughter of John and Nancy (Chap- man) Bolles, at Montville, Connecticut, and they were the parents of two children: Arthur Har- vey, of whom further; and Charles Bolles; they also have an adopted daughter, Lizzie Belle, who married Charles Greenman, of Norwich, Connecticut.
Arthur Harvey Lathrop, son of Arthur D. and Belle E. (Bolles) Lathrop, was born in Montville, Connecticut, September 13, 1871. He received a thor- ough and practical education in the public schools of Norwich, and then worked as a clerk for the Eaton Chase Company. In 1894, however, he associated himself with his father's business. He brought the energy and enthusiasm of youth to put new life into the business, and when his father died he be- came the sole proprietor of the business, which he
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