USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 57
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
Politically, Mr. Blanchard is a Republican, and though he has never been active in the machine work of his party, was elected to represent the town of Lebanon in the State Legislature in 1892, serving in the 1893 session, and during that time being placed upon the Military Committee and on the Cities and Boroughs Committee. He saw hard ser- vice with General Burnside and with the Army of the Potomac, and is now (1921), one of Lebanon's two surviving Civil War Veterans.
At Lebanon, January 6, 1876, Mr. Blanchard mar- ried Ella Maria Stiles, daughter of Edmund Alonzo and Sophia (Sweet) Stiles, her father born at Kil- lingly, Connecticut, and a farmer of Lebanon, and her mother a native of Lebanon, both now dead.
Mr. and Mrs. Blanchard are both enjoying excel- lent health and the high esteem and respect of the people of Lebanon. Upon their goodly acres, where the associations of more than one generation linger, and with the memories of long years of faithful service to sweeten and strengthen their declining years, the evening shadows will fall gently and peace- fully upon this stalwart smithy and his wife, who
Gia R- travers
C. H. Havens.
145
BIOGRAPHICAL
have served their day and generation actively and well, and who still continue to serve in those more quiet ways in which the later years of well-spent life minister to their remaining circle of contem- porary friends and to the younger generations around them.
GEORGE RANDALL HAVENS-It is eminently fitting that the memory of men who have contribu- ted to the prosperity and well being of the com- munity should be perpetuated, that the generations who are to come should know of their worth to the public, and their excellence and probity as individual members of society. George Randall Havens, whose death is remembered as a deep loss to the city of Norwich and Jewett City, Connecticut, was a man whose personal influence and public example were always on the side of right. He was a son of Edwin Havens, of Newport, Rhode Island, born in that city, and educated in its institutions. He was for years a successful interior decorator in Newport, but at the outbreak of the Civil War he was among the first to enlist in defense of the Union. He never returned, but gave up his life amid the horrors of Andersonville Prison. He married Lucy Hopkins, and they were the parents of three children, one of whom was a son, George Randall Havens, the youngest. Lucy (Hopkins) Havens survived her husband many years, dying in Newport, Rhode Island.
George Randall Havens was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, April 1, 1856, and died in Norwich, Connecticut, October 12, 1918. He received a prac- tical education in the public schools of Newport, but the loss of his father in his boyhood placed higher educational advantages out of his reach. In spite of this he improved every opportunity, and he has won from life more than many whose paths are strewn with advantages. About 1866 the family removed to Voluntown, Connecticut, where the boy worked on the farm for his mother, cheerfully under- going the hardships of farm life to get his start. The first opening that offered was one he made a stepping-stone to the business in which the greater part of his life was spent. This first interest he developed into a large and profitable wholesale busi- ness in junk, and in 1873 he was able to buy a sub- stantial interest in the Norwich Grain Company, of Norwich, Connecticut. From 1873 until 1912, Mr. Havens confined his business interests to Norwich, but in that year, although retaining his residence in Norwich, he established a branch in Jewett City, purchasing, outright, the grain business theretofore conducted by J. E. Leonard & Son, of that place. Mr. Havens admitted his son, Carleton H., to the N.L .- 2.10.
business as his assistant and partner, under the firm name, Jewett City Grain Company, Inc. At the time of his death Mr. Havens had become a power in the grain trade of the county, and his passing was keenly felt, not only by his associates and employees, but by his contemporaries throughout a wide region. The passing of such a man is always a source of deep regret, and to the people who knew and es- teemed him, the name of George Randall Havens will long be a sacred memory.
Mr. Havens married (first) Carric A. Harding, who died December 3, 1914. They were the parents of two children: Grace, who died in infancy; and Carleton Harding, a sketch of whom follows. Mr. Havens married (second) October 7, 1918, Mabel Allyn Fox, of Norwich, Connecticut, daughter of Joel and Addie (Woodmansee) Fox, of Montville, Connecticut.
CARLETON HARDING HAVENS-Trained from youth in the best school of business ethics by his capable father, Carleton H. Havens, as his father's successor, has found no occasion to depart from the lines laid down for him to follow, but as time and occasion have demanded, has enlarged and expanded those lines to conform to modern require- ments and opportunities. At the age of nineteen, he entered the business of the Jewett City Grain Company, Inc., and six years later succeeded to the management of the business, under the firm name, Havens & Son. He is one of the largest grain deal- ers of Eastern Connecticut, the main business being located in Jewett City, with a branch store in Plain- field, Connecticut.
Carleton Harding Havens, only son of George Randall and Carrie A. (Harding) Havens (q. v.), was born January 29, 1893, and educated in the public schools and Norwich Free Academy, graduating with the class of 1912. He grew up under the business training of his honored father, became a partner in the Jewett City Grain Company, and when the head of that firm passed away, his son succeeded him in the Jewett City business, and yet conducts it in association with Mabel A. (Fox) Havens, his step- mother under the firm name, Havens & Son, and along the lines which brought success to the founder. Modern methods prevail, and modern equipment alone is in use in the business, the scope of which has been greatly broadened. In January, 1921, Havens & Son opened a branch of their grain busi- ness in Plainfield, Connecticut.
Mr. Havens, a man of character and force, suc- cessful in business, and highly esteemed in his com- munity, has many interests outside his business. He
146
NEW LONDON COUNTY
is a member of the Masonic order, affiliating with Somerset Lodge, No. 34, Free and Accepted Masons; Franklin Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Franklin Council, Royal and Select Masters; and Columbian Commandery, Knights Templar; and he is a thirty- second degree Mason of the Connecticut Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Norwich; a noble of the Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Hartford. He is also an Odd Fellow, being a member of Uncas Lodge, No. 1I, of Norwich; a Knight of Pythias, member of Undaunted Lodge, Jewett City; member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Arcanum and the Masonic Clubs of Norwich; and the Sphinx Club, of Hartford, Connecticut.
During the World War, 1917-18, between the United States and Germany, Mr. Havens served in the United States navy, from April 7, 1918, until honorably discharged at New London, Connecticut, December 14, 1918, rating as machinist's mate of the second-class. Part of his service was at New Lon- don, but later he was transferred to the submarine chaser No. 132, and then to the submarine patrol boat, No. 327. While on No. 132, chasing a German submarine off the coast of Virginia, on June 4, 1918, a United States cruiser cut the little craft in half, the crew of No. 132 all escaping with their lives, but with cuts and bruises and the loss of all their per- sonal belongings. At the time of the collision, Mr. Havens was on duty in the engine room of the chaser. Mr. Havens is a member of Orville La Flamme Post, American Legion, of Jewett City; is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Broad- way Congregational Church. His fraternity is Epsilon Upsilon, Norwich Free Academy Chapter.
GEORGE BOARDMAN-With the passing of George Boardman his many friends lost a striking example of lofty faith and dauntless courage, tried by years of suffering, and the town of Griswold, Connecticut, lost a citizen who held the best inter- ests of the public at heart, although for many years denied active participation in the affairs of the town.
(I) Mr. Boardman is a descendant of one of the very old Colonial families. The name was originally Boreman, and Thomas Boreman, immigrant ances- tor of this family, came from Claydon, England, where he was baptized October 18, 1601. No record has been found of his whereabouts before that date. He was a cooper by trade. His wife's Christian name was Margaret. He came to America and settled in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
(II) Daniel Boreman, or Boardman, the form of name having been changed soon after the establish-
ment of the family in America, was a son of Thomas Boreman. He was born January 20, 1639, and died in Topsfield, Essex county, Massachusetts, April 27, 1708. Old records show that he was selectman of the town of Topsfield from 1668 to 1673. He mar- ried Hannah Hutchinson, daughter of Richard and Alice (Bosworth) Hutchinson.
(III) Wait John Boardman, son of Daniel and Hannah (Hutchinson) Boreman, or Boardman, was born in Topsfield, Massachusetts, August 23, 1676, and died February 2, 1739. He came to Connecticut about 1710, and settled in Preston, now Griswold. Here he married, May 4, 1713, Mary Billings, who was born April 24, 1689. Wait John Boardman dropped his first name here, and appears in all the town records as John.
(IV) Captain Joseph Boardman, son of (Wait) John and Mary (Billings) Boardman, was born in the town of Preston, Connecticut, on the Boardman farm, October 20, 1722. He was a captain in the Revolutionary War, and some of his sons were in his company. He died September 23, 1796. He married Rachael Killam, who was born February 8, 1749, and died May 19, 1809.
(V) Hezekiah Boardman, son of Captain Joseph and Rachael (Killam) Boardman, was born at the old Boardman Homestead, which he farmed all his life, and died November 6, 1827. He married, October 6, 1783, Hannah Cook, who was born June 19, 1760, and died January 30, 1838.
(VI) Hezekiah (2) Boardman, son of Hezekiah (1) and Hannah (Cook) Boardman, was born in the Boardman Homestead, February 25, 1801. This was still in the town of Preston, but in that section which was set off in 1818 to form the town of Gris- wold. He was a man of remarkable strength and vitality, never ill a day in his life until three weeks before his death, which occurred April 24, 1890. He conducted the old farm all his life, and was one of the leading men of the community. He married Frances Maria Prentice, February 20, 1831. She was born in Pachaug, in the town of Griswold, March 5, 1809, and died on the Boardman farm, January 29, 1896.
(VII) George Boardman, whose noble life will long be an inspiration to those who knew him, was born in the old Homestead, April 6, 1846, son of Hezekiah (2) and Frances Maria (Prentice) Board- man. He received his education in the public schools of the neighborhood, and assisted with the farm work until his father's death in 1890. At that time he and his brother Joseph Boardman, inherited the farm, and they continued in partnership. When his brother died, in 1897, Mr. Boardman purchased from his widow the brother's share of the property
147
BIOGRAPHICAL
and tried to continue operations alone. He was, however, seriously handicapped by increasing ill health, due to rheumatism, and in 1899 gave up the unequal struggle. He sold the greater part of the farm, which had been in the family for nearly two hundred years, to Mrs. Laura Button, wife of Ray Button, and retired from all participation in active work. He lived in a house on the same farm, which he reserved for his home, and spent the remainder of his life there. This was the house to which he brought his bride nearly fifty years before, and she still resides there.
For forty years Mr. Boardman was an invalid, suffering with rheumatism. But he bore up under his sufferings with the most sublime courage and patience. His mental capacity was very finc, and he spent many hours in reading and study, being partic- ularly interested in historical and biographical topics, and in keeping records of various kinds. During his more active years Mr. Boardman was deeply inter- ested in the public affairs of the town, State and Nation. By political choice he was a Democrat, and one of the leading men of the party in this section. He was elected town representative to the State Legislature of 1878-79, the year in which the Capital of the State of Connecticut was changed from New Haven to Hartford. He was a member of the first session which met in the new Capitol building in Hartford.
Mr. Boardman married, September 1, 1868, at Pachaug, Phebe Esther Lillibridge, daughter of Nathan B. and Lucinda (Douglas) Lillibridge. Mrs. Boardman's father was born in Exeter, Rhode Island, and her mother was born in Voluntown, Connecticut. Mrs. Boardman still survives her hus- band. She was born May 16, 1850.
On July 8, 1918, George Boardman was released from his sufferings, passing out of human ken into the Great Beyond. A man of usefulness, courage and dignity, he will long hold a place of honor in the memory of his friends.
HAROLD THOMAS ROBINSON, one of the prominent young men in the social and business world of Norwich, Connecticut, comes of an old New England family represented in Norwich for many years. His grandfather, Thomas B. Robinson, was born in Portland, Maine. He received his edu- cation there in the public schools of the city, then came to Norwich, Connecticut, a young man. He worked as a tool-maker in the railroad shops; and later conducted a bakery, continuing in that business until his death in Norwich, in 1905. He married Maria D. Quinn, who was born in New Brunswick, and now resides in Norwich with her grandson.
Their only child was Thomas Arthur Robinson, of whom further.
Thomas Arthur Robinson was a long and well known and well loved figure in Norwich, the city of his birth. He was educated in the public schools, learned the printer's trade, but later conducted a cigar store for many years. This store was not merely a place where tobacco was sold, but was a meeting place where intelligent, congenial men dis- cussed the questions of the day, and met the cordial friendliness of its proprietor with a feeling that ripened to the warmest friendship. Vital issues were often the subject of conversation, and from this club-like atmosphere radiated a spirit of fidelity to high ideals of citizenship which has helped to make Norwich a secure and tranquil city of homes. Mr. Robinson was a Democrat, but so wide was his popularity and in such deep regard was he held by all the people that for a period of about nineteen years his name appeared on both the Democratic and Republican tickets at every election. In June, 1898, he was elected tax collector and held that posi- tion up to the date of his death, May 9, 1920. He married Frances R. Mather, and they had two sons: Arthur Frederick, who was a graduate of Yale Uni- versity, A. B., and a law student in the offices of William H. Shields, of Norwich, Connecticut; he did not practice law, but entered the employ of the Monson Steamship Company of New York City, and there died, May 24, 1913; and Harold Thomas, of whom further.
Harold Thomas Robinson was born in Norwich, Connecticut, September 17, 1894. He was educated in the public schools and Norwich Free Academy, completing his studies at the academy with the graduating class of 1914. He began his career as a reporter on the Norwich "Bulletin," a work which was interrupted by the part he took in the World War. Mr. Robinson enlisted, April 3, 1917, in the 5th Company, Coast Artillery Corps, Connecticut National Guard, this company being assigned to Fort Terry, New York. There the company was reorganized and designated Company Coast Defense of Long Island Sound and later as Battery D, 56th Regiment, Coast Artillery Corps, U. S. A., Private Robinson being promoted to the rank of sergeant. He sailed with Battery D from New York City, March 28, 1918, and in due time arrived in France. Shortly afterward Sergeant Robinson was detached from his battery and assigned to duty as instructor of tractor artillery at Clermont Ferand, France. He was on duty at that station continuously until after the signing of the armistice. Hc sailed from France January 26, 1919, and arrived in New York February 9th, following. He was honorably discharged from
148
NEW LONDON COUNTY
the service and mustered out at Camp Devens, Feb- ruary 20, 1919. He at once returned to Norwich, where he worked in a garage for a short period.
On January 9, 1920, Mr. Robinson was elected tax collector for the city of Norwich, succeeding his father who had filled the office for nearly two decades. He is a Democrat in politics, but like his father he numbers his friends in both parties. He is a charter member of the Robert O. Fletcher Post of the American Legion, Norwich, and was the post's first adjutant.
Mr. Robinson is a member of Somerset Lodge, No. 34, Free and Accepted Masons; Franklin Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons; Franklin Council, Royal and Select Masters; Columbian Commandery, Knights Templar; Connecticut Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; and he is a noble of Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Hartford, Connectcut. He is also a mem- ber of Norwich Lodge, No. 430, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Arcanum Club. The family have long been attendants of the Con- gregational church.
EDWARD AUGUSTUS BISHOP-Broadly and constructively active in the business interests of the town of Bozrah, Connecticut, Edward Augustus Bishop is a leader also in the public affairs of the community.
Mr. Bishop is a son of James and Olive Adelia (Parker) Bishop. The elder Mr. Bishop was born in the town of Lisbon, New London county, near Versailles. He received his education in the district schools of Versailles, then as a young man, worked in the capacity of clerk in Haskell's hat store, Nor- wich. His health, however, soon forbade the con- tinuation of indoor activities, and Mr. Bishop looked about for a home in the country. Deciding upon a farm in the southern part of the town of Bozrah, he purchased it. This was in 1866. It was a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, and he conducted quite extensive farming operations on this place until he dicd, November 27, 1897. He was a man of high character, much esteemed by the townspeople, was for several years town clerk of Bozrah, and was also elected town representative of Bozrah in the State Legislature. His wife was born in Bozrah, and now resides on the old home farm. They were the parents of three children, all born on this farm: I. Edward Augustus, of whom extended mention follows. 2. Samuel Howard, now in the grocery business, married Mac Jones, of Yantic, Norwich- town. 3. Alice Adams, who resides at home, and has become a local celebrity through her ability as a school teacher, and her invariable custom of open-
ing her school with absolute promptness in all kinds of weather, never daunted by the heaviest snows.
Edward Augustus Bishop was born in the town of Bozrah on the present home farm, July 27, 1870. He received a practical education in the district schools, and later became a skilled stone mason, doing a great deal of contract work along this line. He has always lived on the home place, and upon the death of his father took charge of the farming opera- tions, although he still did a considerable amount of contracting also. Besides doing general farming, he raises fine stock and does an important dairy business.
Mr. Bishop has long been recognized in Bozrah as a man of unusual ability, and has been and still is connected with various public interests. He is a charter member of the Bozrah Grange, is past master of the organization, and an enthusiastic worker for its success. He was for some time highway com- missioner of the town. His political affiliation is with the prohibition party, and he has always been a tireless advocate of the cause of Prohibition. He is a member of Shetucket Lodge, No. 27, Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Bishop married, June 4, 1913, in Colchester, Lena Hinks, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Coal- beck) Hinks. Mrs. Bishop was born in Branford, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop are prominent member of the Bozrah Congregational Church, of which Mr. Bishop has been a deacon for twenty years.
WHEELER FAMILY-The Wheelers of this re- view descend from Thomas Wheeler, who first ap- pcared in Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1635. After leav- ing the Massachusetts Colony in 1667, he came to Stonington, Connecticut, his friendship for Rev. James Noyes probably influencing his change of residence. He was representative to the General Court in 1673, and was one of the nine original mem- bers and organizers of the first Congregational church of Stonington, "The Road Church." He erected his home in North Stonington, and there died, March 6, 1686. Descendants are numerous in New London county, and Wheelers have ever been lead- ers in agriculture, business and the profession. This review deals with a representative of the ninth gen- eration, Ralph Cooper Wheeler, and his father, Silas Burrows Wheeler, grandson and son of Hiram Worthington Wheeler, son of Silas Wheeler and his wife, Mary (Thompson) Wheeler. Silas Wheeler was a son of Richard Wheeler, a descendant of Thomas Wheeler, the founder of the family in Con- necticut. The Wheeler homestead farm, where all these people were born, is now the home of Silas
Ralph C. Mules
149
BIOGRAPHICAL
Burrows Wheeler, the house in which he lives hav- ing been built in 1870. The original residence, built on the Wheeler farm, was built in 1680 by Captain John Gallup, who owned the land at that time, it being granted to him by the King of England as a reward for his service to the crown during the Indian Wars. Captain John Gallup built this residence for his son, Ben Adam Gallup, who began farming part of the tract. This residence served as the Wheeler home until 1870, when Silas B. Wheeler built the present Wheeler residence on the farm. In 1895 Mr. Wheeler demolished the old house, and now nothing remains but part of the original chimney.
For nearly half a century Silas B. Wheeler has been identified with the schools of the town of Ston- ington, all of his years, seventy-six, the old Wheeler homestead in the Pequotsepos Valley in the same town, has been his home. He is a son of Hiram Worthington and Mary (Burrows) Wheeler, his father also born on the homestead. Hiram W. and Mary (Burrows) Wheeler were the parents of five children: 1. Hiram Worthington, Jr., a carpenter by trade, who took up a tract of land in Minnesota, under the Homestead Act, and was accidentally drowned there. 2. Samuel Arnold, a superintendent, in charge of the road bed of that section of the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad, between New London, Connecticut, and Providence, Rhode Island, now deceased. 3. Ralph, born May 14, 1843, judge of the Superior Court of Connecticut, died February 14, 1913, in New London; he was a gradu- ate of Yale College, class of 1864, admitted to the bar of New London county, 1867, elected member of the Board of Education of the city of New London, 1868, common councilman, 1869, state senator, 1874, mayor of New London, 1891-93, associate judge of Superior Court, 1893 until his death. Judge Wheeler married, February 28, 1884, Mrs. Helen M. Graves, of Kennebunk, Maine; she survived her husband until December 1919. 4. Silas Burrows, of further men- tion. 5. Mary Augusta, now living with her brother, Silas Burrows, on the homestead, they the last sur- vivors of their immediate family.
Silas Burrows Wheeler was born on the home- stead in Stonington, New London county, Connecti- cut, June 25, 1845. He grew to manhood on the home farm, and obtained his education in the district schools, and Mystic River Academy, intending to enter college. He was unable to provide funds for a college education, so abandoned that ambition and became a district public school teacher. His first position was as teacher of the Williams district school, twenty-five scholars attending that school, his remuneration being sixteen dollars monthly, in addition to his board, and every alternate Saturday
school was open as usual. For twenty-eight years Mr. Wheeler taught school, mostly in the town of Stonington, and during all that period retained his residence on the old homestead. He taught his first school in 1862, his last in 1890. During all those years he assisted his father on the farm. After the death of Hiram W. Wheeler, the homestead became the property of Silas B. Wheeler, who yet makes it his home and its management his business.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.