USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 11
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Protective Order of Elks, of Wilkinsburg, Pennsyl- vania, and of Latrobe Camp, No. 8688, Modern Woodmen of America, of Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Coleman married, January 15, 1919, Sarah Alice Donahue, daughter of John A. and Elizabeth (Keating) Donahue, of New London, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Coleman are the parents of a son, James J., born November 20, 1919.
Mrs. Coleman has three brothers residing in New London, all of whom served in the World War, and has an elder sister who resides with her parents. Her brothers are: George W., was a commissioned officer of the United States Aviation Corps, rank- ing as second lieutenant; Richard, was a sergeant of the Sixty-eighth Regiment, United States Army; Robert, a sergeant-major of the Fifty-sixth Regi- ment, United States Army. Sarah Alice (Donahue) Coleman was educated in the public schools of New London, finishing with graduation from Williams Memorial High School, class of 1911. Immediately after graduation she became bookkeeper for the Holton Company, Groton, Connecticut, proprietors of a general market there, remaining until 1917. In that year she bought the business and has oper- ated it very successfully. She is a member of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church of Groton.
GEORGE HAROLD HEMPSTEAD-The hard- ware business, of which George Harold Hempstead is the virtual executive head, was founded by his father, who early admitted his son to a close rela- tionship therein. Mr. Hempstead, Sr., has seen his business grow from a small beginning to its present large proportions, the growth since 1914 being attributed entirely to the business integrity of his son.
George Robert Warren Hempstead, father of George Harold Hempstead, was born in the town of Preston, but when a small child removed to Groton with his parents. Here he obtained his education, after which he operated a well rig for drilling hydraulic wells and thus continued until 1895, when he established himself in a small way in the hardware business in Groton. The venture proved successful, and when he turned the entire management of the business over to his son, upon his retirement from active business life in 1914, the latter became the executive head of an already well established and steadily increasing business. George R. W. Hempstead married Mary Hazler, who died in 1911. To them were born two children: Dora, deceased; George Harold, of further mention.
George Harold Hempstead was born in Groton, Connecticut, June 24, 1892, and here obtained the preliminary portion of his education. He then en- tered Norwich Free Academy, and upon graduating from this institution he took a commercial course in New London Business College, after which he became associated with his father in the hardware business. This association continued until 1914 when, as previously stated, the younger man took over the management of the business, and has thus continned up to the present time, 1921.
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A Republican in politics, he is an important fig- ure in public affairs, and takes a deep interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the community. Mr. Hempstead is active in Masonic circles, and is a member of Charity and Relief Lodge, No. 72, Free and Accepted Masons; Benevolent Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Mystic Council, No. 29, Royal and Select Masters; Palestine Commandery, No. 6, Knights Templar, and the Norwich Valley Con- sistory, and has taken his thirty-second degree in Free Masonry. He is also affiliated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Fairview Lodge, No. 107, of Groton; the Groton Grange, Patrons of Hus- bandry; and attends the Episcopal church there.
On October 3, 1917, George Harold Hempstead was united in marriage with Beatrice May Coffin, daughter of William H. and Elizabeth (Cooper) Coffin.
WILLIAM CHARLES GREENHALGH - A1- though not having entered into the business life of Mystic, Connecticut, until 1919, Mr. Greenhalgh has already identified himself with the public affairs of the community, and takes a keen interest in every- thing pertaining to the development of Mystic.
William Greenhalgh, father of William Charles Greenhalgh, was born in Manchester, England, and there obtained his public school education, after which he served eight years in the British Navy, subsequently coming to the United States with his brother Alfred. Upon arriving in this country both young men entered the United States Army, Will- iam enlisting in the Coast Artillery and Alfred enlisting as a musician. Both men served for thirty years. William Greenhalgh died in 1913, and Alfred Greenhalgh passed away in Washington, D. C., in 1920. William Greenhalgh married Barbara Ko- tovsky, and to them were born four children: Will- iam Charles, of further mention; Margaret, who married Captain Charles H. Palmer, a member of the ordnance department of the United States Army; Mary, who married Michael Muller, of Springfield, Massachusetts; John, who married Winifred Richards.
William Charles Greenhalgh was born in New- port, Rhode Island, March 5, 1886. After graduating from the Laredo High School, Texas, in 1904, he went to New London, Connecticut, and there served an apprenticeship to the plumber's trade. This accomplished, he worked as a journeyman plumber until 1919, when he came to Mystic and established himself in this particular line, attaining the success which is due him whose life is one of honesty coupled with intolerance of shams and makeshifts. His innate love of justice and fair-dealing having already won the confidence and esteem of his associates and of all with whom he has business dealings. Mr. Greenhalgh is a Republican in poli- tics, and takes the keen interest in the affairs of the organization which is demanded of every good citizen. He affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Stonington Lodge, No. 26, of
Mystic, and in religion is a Roman Catholic, attend- ing St. Patrick's Church.
Mr. Greenhalgh married (first), June 5, 1908, Grace Hawkins, and they were the parents of one child, Harry, who lives with his father. He married (second), Eletha M. Callahan, of St. Peter's Port, Channel Island, England, and to them has been born one child, Eletha, born in Mystic, Connecticut.
CAPTAIN FRANK H. ANDERSON-Since the inception of his business career, Captain Anderson has been interested in boat building. In 1920 he . was offered his present position of superintendent of the boat yard at West Mystic of the Boston Sea Sled Company, which he accepted.
Louis Anderson, father of Captain Anderson, was born in Norway, but came to this country when a young man and settled in New London, Connec- ticut, which has been his home continuously since that time. Boat building and marine railway busi- ness has always been his occupation. He married Annah Hogauson, a native of Norway, who bore him two children: Frank H., of further mention; Ailie L., who married William Ritch, a .resident of Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Frank H. Anderson was born in New London, Connecticut, December 6, 1884. Upon finishing his studies at the New London grammar school, he entered the Bulkeley High School, from which he was graduated in 1902. He then became interested in boat designing. From 1914 until 1918 he was captain of various yachts, and from 1918 until 1920 was stationed at the Charlestown Navy Yard. In 1920 he was given the position of superintendent of the Boston Sea Sled Company, West Mystic, in which he still continues. The company builds very * fast sea sleds, whose speed is fifty miles or more per hour. Captain Anderson's thorough training has fitted him for this position, whose obligations he fulfils to the letter, which is due in no small measure to his unbounded energy, unimpeachable integrity, and perservering industry. He is a Re- publican party sympathizer, confining his political activity to his vote and influence in favor of just causes and desirable officials. In religion he is a Methodist Episcopal.
On October 29, 1903, Captain Anderson was- united in marriage with Margaret D. Osborne, a native of Somerville, Massachusetts. Captain and Mrs. Anderson are the parents of two children: Edger W., born in New London, Connecticut; Rob- ert O., born in Acton, Massachusetts.
ROBERT DWIGHT BRADLEY, station agent of the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad at West Mystic, holds the distinction of being one of the oldest men in the service. Mr. Bradley has also been postmaster of West Mystic since 1891, the office being located in the station.
Francis H. Bradley, father of Robert Dwight Bradley, was born in Russell, Massachusetts, and obtained his education there in the district schools.
Wmb. Greenhalgh
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From the time he was a young man until his death he was connected with the railroad, and helped to build the New Haven road from Stonington to Groton. The railroad which was then known as the New York, Providence & Boston railroad is now known as the New York, New Haven & Hart- ford railroad. Mr. Bradley held the position of chief road master for many years previous to his death. He married Emiline Parks, and to them were born six children.
Robert Dwight Bradley, fourth child of Francis H. and Emiline (Parks) Bradley, was born in West Mystic, Connecticut, November 16, 1863. After fin- ishing his early education in the schools of West Mystic, he entered East Greenwich Academy, East Greenwich, Rhode Island. In 1879 he returned to his native place, where he accepted his present posi- tion as station agent. A Republican in politics, Mr. Bradley has long been an important figure in public affairs, although caring nothing for public office. He is a member of the Veteran Railroad Men's Association of Boston, and of the Order of Rail- road Telegraphers, No. 261, of New London. In religion he is a Baptist and attends the Union Bap- tist Church in West Mystic.
On September 18, 1884, Robert Dwight Bradley was united in marriage with Arlene R. Rathburn, daughter of J. Allen and Hannah (Ashby) Rath- burn. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley are the parents of five children: Edith F., who married Wilfred S. Lamb, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Bertha R., who married W. C. Collins, and resides in Westfield, New Jersey; Marion, who married Ray- mond Leonard, both deceased; Carl, who is a resi- dent of Westfield, New Jersey, was an inspector in the United States Army Aviation Corps during the World War with the rank of first lieutenant; F. Har- mon, serving in the Merchant Marine.
EDWARD ROWELL GORMAN came to the Groton Water Company as superintendent in 1914, a thoroughly experienced and capable electrical engineer, whose former connections had been with important improvements in the railroad motive power, notably the electrification of the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad between Stam - ford, Connecticut, and the Grand Central Station in New York City. He is of a Pennsylvania family, son of Theodore Penn and Annie (Hobbs) Gorman, his father born in Monroe county, Pennsylvania, a wholesale grocer of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, until his removal to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he died in 1902. His wife survives him (1920), residing in Dunlap, Iowa. They had three children: Mar- vin, now residing in Lincoln, Nebraska; Vera, resid- ing with her mother in Dunlap, Iowa; and Edward Rowell, of whom further.
fessor Harris Boardman, of Lancaster, I'ennsyl- vania, remaining with him two years. His study was interrupted by his service in Company K, Sixth Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry, during the Spanish-American War, 1898, but he finally finished educational preparation and secured his first ini- portant position as manager of the electric station of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From Philadelphia he went to the Wayne Iron & Steel Company in Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania, coming thence to the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad as superintendent of their overhead system of wiring between Stamford and New York City. He remained with that com- pany until 1914, then came to Groton, Connecticut, as superintendent of the Groton Water Company in full charge of the water and electric departinents of the company. His connection with that company has been mutually pleasant and satisfactory and still continues (1920). Mr. Gorman is a member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers of New York; Union Lodge, No. 31, Free and Accepted Masons; Union Chapter, No. 7, Royal Arch Masons, all of New London; is an Independent in politics, and an attendant of Groton Baptist Church.
Mr. Gorman married, in June 1902, Hattie B. Russell, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, daughter of William and Annie (Hull) Russell. Mr. and Mrs. Gorman are the parents of three children: Vera, Helen, and Florence. The family home is in Groton, Connecticut.
JAMES COOPER-Holding a leading position in one of the principal manufacturing plants at Mystic, Connecticut, and also active in the public life of the town, James Cooper is representative of that group of men who have transplanted Old World beginnings to American soil, and are now a vital part of industrial progress in this country.
Mr. Cooper is a son of Thomas and Esther (Styan) Cooper. Thomas Cooper was born in Pontifract, England, this town now being known as Pomfret. He received a thorough education in the National schools of that country, and was a farmer all his life in England. He died in 1880, and his wife died in 1908, both in England. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom four are now living: Elizabeth, who resides in England; Jane, who became the wife of William Crowe, also living in England; John S., who mar- ried Martha Hopkinton, and resides in Hartford, Connecticut; and James, of whom further.
James Cooper was born in Huddersfield, Eng- land, August 29, 1859. He received his education in the National schools of his native land, there- after making a thorough study of the manufacture of woolen fabrics. He worked in various famous mills in England, becoming highly efficient in his chosen line, then came to the United States about 1891. Here he located in Rockville, Connecticut, and entered the employ of the Hockanum Mills, Incorporated, having charge of the yarn depart-
Edward Rowell Gorman was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, July 18, 1876. He completed the courses of the grade and high schools of Harris- burg, then under the direction of J. G. White & Company devoted three years to the study of elec- trical engineering. In 1898 he studied under Pro- ment. But Mr. Cooper was not to remain long
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in any subordinate position. He was trained for large interests, and in
1898 the opportunity offered. He became associated with the Mystic Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, as secre- tary-treasurer and director, and also as superin- tendent of the production branch of this company's plant. In his work here he has displayed the ability which makes for progress in any line of endeavor, and the business has gone forward constantly. He has been president of the Mystic Real Estate and Building Company, from the time it was incor- porated to the present time (1921).
Mr. Cooper was long since sought for public service, and although his time is largely absorbed by his business interests, he has done construc- tive work on the school committee. He was for eight years a member of the committee, and for four years chairman of the school committee for the town of Stonington, Connecticut. He is serv- ing as chairman of the local Red Cross, and for the past three years has been a member of the board of directors of the Village Nursery Asso- ciation, also a member of the board of directors of Mystic Community House. Fraternally Mr. Cooper is prominent. He is a member of Charity and Relief Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Mystic, and is a member of Stonington Lodge, No. 26, of Mystic, in which order he holds the office of past noble grand. He has been on the Grand Officers' Staff for four years, now grand marshal.
Mr. Cooper married (first), in England, Lillian McIntagart, of England, and they were the par- ents of three children: Ethel, who became the wife of Edgar Blinm, and now resides in Middle- bury, Vermont; Frank S., who married Mary Kul- berg, and resides in Pearl River, New York; and Lillian, now the wife of Hollie Price, of Mystic. The first Mrs. Cooper died in England. On May 1, 1899, Mr. Cooper married (second), in Rock- ville, Connecticut, Lillian Norris, of that city. They have five children: Marion, Mildred, Norris, Esther, deceased; and Esther; the four living now residing at home. The family are members of the Congregational church.
JOHN WILLIAM McDONALD-The McDon- alds of Mystic, Connecticut, descend from William McDonald, a prosperous farmer of Prince Edward Island, a maritime province of Canada, and there Donald McDonald was born and spent his boyhood days. He was a pump maker and a ship carpenter, and spent his youth and early manhood engaged at his trade in his native land. In 1852 he came to the United States, locating in Hoboken, New Jersey, and later lived in Newport, Rhode Island, working at his trade in both cities. Later he moved to Mystic, Connecticut, and was employed in the Greenman Shipyard. After a time he formed a part- nership with Samuel Colborn; they worked in the Mallory Yard and took contracts for certain por- tions of a vessel. In Mystic he married Alice Sut- ton, of Liverpool, England, who died April 17, 1903.
Donald McDonald died in Mystic in 1872. They were the parents of six children: Barbara, married Joseph W. Noble, of Mystic, Connecticut; she is now deceased and left a daughter Jennie; John William, of further mention; Charles Richard, dicd aged twenty years; Sarah, Alice, and Lizzic, who died young.
John William McDonald, eldest son of Donald and Alice (Sutton) McDonald, was born in Mystic, Connecticut, October 20, 1857. After finishing his public school studies, he worked four years learn- ing the carriage trimmer's trade, and from that time he has been engaged in some form of commercial enterprise. For five years he was in the grocery business with Samuel S. Brown, then for ten years was a partner with J. W. Noble in the meat busi- ness, trading as Noble & McDonald. At the end of that period he sold out to his partner, but a year later bought control of the same business and con- ducted it alone for five years. In all these business enterprises he was successful and prosperous, but it was not until 1903 that he settled down to a per- manent business. On April 1, 1903, he bought the Morgan Ice Company from its then owner, Elijah A. Morgan, and conducted the same for three years.
Mr. McDonald married, June 25, 1885, Adelaide A. Hopkins, daughter of George O. Hopkins, who was principal of Mystic public schools for fifteen years. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald are members of the Congregational church, he being church treas- urer, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. They are the parents of four children, all born in Mystic, Connecticut: I. Sarah E., a distinguished nurse of the American Expeditionary Force, who for bravery was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. In 1916 she was graduated from the Presby- terian Hospital of New York City, a trained nurse. She enlisted, May 14, 1917, with the unit which went out from the Presbyterian Hospital, headed by Dr. Brewer, and went to France as part of the American Expeditionary Force. That unit was sta- tioned at Base Hospital No. 2, and when it was later destroyed by German shell fire, Miss McDon- ald displayed such heroism under fire that she was personally decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross by General John J. Pershing. The unit to which she belonged was a part of the 42nd Divi- sion, and Miss McDonald with the unit was mus- tered out of the United States service at the Presby- terian Hospital, New York, February 19, 1919. She is a member of William Morgan Post, American Legion, of Mystic. She married, April 21, 1919, Captain Raymond M. Holmes, who during the war period, 1917-1918, was supervisor of gas mask manu- facture in Astoria, Long Island. 2. Alice A., re- sides with her parents in Mystic. 3. Barbara, a teacher in Dr. Taylor's School for the Deaf and Dumb in New York City. 4. Ruth W., a musician, graduate of Connecticut College of Music, New London, now a special student under Professor Frederick Weld, of New York, he professor in the Connecticut College of Music.
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WILLIAM SAMUEL WALBRIDGE, a promi- nent figure in business life in Mystic, where he has resided since 1914, is active also in political and public affairs in the various towns in which he has lived since reaching manhood, and he has always had uppermost in his mind the welfare and ad- vancement of the communities, and since coming to old Mystic has continued to give his earnest support to all measures calculated to advance busi- ness development.
William Samuel Walbridge was born April 8, 1868, in Ashford, Connecticut, the son of the late Leander and Emily (Baker) Walbridge, both na- tives of Ashford. Leander Walbridge attended the district school of Ashford, and upon reaching young manhood turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits and followed this vocation throughout his entire lifetime in his native town of Ashford. He eventually retired and moved to Stafford, Tolland county, where he died in 1904. His wife dicd in Old Mystic in 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Walbridge were the parents of eight children, William Samuel, of further mention, being the sixth child.
William Samuel Walbridge went to school in Ashford, and then entered upon his business career, his first employment being in a grocery store in Staffordville, Connecticut, where he remained for twelve years, subsequently going to Stafford, where he owned and managed a grocery store for eighteen years. In 1914 lie came to Old Mystic, Connec- ticut, and again established himself in the same linc of business, in which he has since continued. Hc was highly successful in this venture, and within a short time rose to a place of prominence in busi- ness circles here.
When but a young man, Mr. Walbridge entered the political arena and for sixteen years was regis- trar of voters in the town of Stafford, Tolland county, where he was also selectman for many years. He has also been registrar of voters, justice of the peace and notary public of the town of Stonington, New London county, Connecticut. In 1912-1913 he represented the town of Stafford in the State Legislature, and since 1917 has been post- master of Old Mystic. He has always had a genius for politics and for public service, and is a Demo- crat in National and local issues. Mr. Walbridge fraternizcs with the Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of Walcott Lodge, No. 60, of Staf- ford, and in religion is a Methodist, being an at- tendant and ardent supporter of the church of this denomination in Mystic.
In Stafford, Connecticut, William Samuel Wal- bridge married, July 25, 1887, Lenora May Whitney, daughter of James and Mary (Chadwick) Whitney. Mr. and Mrs. Walbridge arc the parents of four children: 1. William Earl, who was the first man from the town of Groton, Connecticut, to offer his services to the Government for service in the World War, and served for eighteen months in France with the 20th United States Engineers. 2. Richard Edmund, who served in the World War as a member of the Ordnance Department; marricd N.L .- 2.15.
Maud Lacomb; resides in Old Mystic, Connecticut. 3. Florence May. 4. Esther Amy.
HOWARD A. EDGCOMB, senior member of the firm of Edgcomb & Poppc, dealers in men's furnishings in Groton, Connecticut, is a native of this community, his birth having occurred August 14, 1869. His father, Roswell S. Edgcomb, is also a native of Groton, and now lives retired here in his eighty-sixth ycar, after having served the community well both as a public and private citizen. Mr. Edgcomb, Sr., married Frances Ashby, who died in 1874, and to them were born five children, only two of whom are still living: Howard A., of further mention; Roswell, who married Nellie Richards.
The education of Howard A. Edgcomb was obtained in the public schools of Groton. After completing his education he worked in various stores in the capacity of clerk, but being of an ambitious nature, this was not to his liking, as he had a keen desire to establish him- self in business, so with a small capital in 1893 he opened a store of men's furnishings in Groton and thus continued successfully until I911, when he sold this business and became a partner with Irving H. Poppe under the firm name of Edgcomb & Poppe, which has become highly successful. Mr. Edgcomb is well known in the business world of Groton, highly re- spected for the fairness of his dealings, and universally recognized as a man whose judgment in matters of busi- ness might be readily followed.
In politics Mr. Edgcomb is a Republican, and has always taken an active part in the affairs of the local organization, having been auditor of the town's accounts for several years, and in the year 1920 was elected to the House of Representatives. His Masonic member- ship is found in Union Lodge, No. 31, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Union Chapter, No. 7, Royal Arch Ma- sons, of New London; Cushing Council, No. 4, Royal and Select Masters; Palestine Commandery, No. 6, Knights Templar, of which he is a past commander ; Pyramid Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Bridgeport, Connecticut; and Norwich Valley Consis- tory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. He is also affili- ated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Fair- view Lodge, of Groton, of which he is past noble grand, and in religion is a Baptist.
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