USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 24
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Mr. Madden traveled all over Eastern Connecticut and parts of Massachusetts in the interest of his cigar factory, thus becoming widely known. He was enthusiastic in his support of all clean sports and was one of the men that supported the Norwich baseball team in the Trolley League. He was a charter member of Court City of Norwich, For- esters of America, and was initiated a member of Norwich Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, April 1, 1901, being very popular in both orders. He was a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church and the Holy Name Society. In politics he was a Democrat, and was a member of the Norwich Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Madden married, in St. Patrick's Church, in Norwich, November 6, 1895, Rev. P. M. Kennedy officiating, Mary Elizabeth Craney, daughter of John and Annie Craney. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Madden. I. James Joseph, born in Norwich, August 4, 1896; he was his father's busi- ness associate until the entrance of the United States in the World War in 1917. He then entered the United States navy at the New London sub- marine base, June 8, 1917, and was rated a first-class yeoman when honorably discharged from the serv- ice, August 30, 1919. He then returned to Norwich, where he again became identified with his father's tobacco business and succeeded his father as man- ager of the business. 2. Esther Roslyn, born in Norwich, February 22, 1897. 3. George Fullerton, born in Norwich, in January, 1900; he is also asso- ciated in the management of the tobacco business. 4. Anna Elizabeth, born in Norwich. 5. Catherine, also born in Norwich. The family home is at No. 40 Otis street, Norwich, Connecticut.
ALBERT TRACEY UTLEY-No list of the long-established business men of Norwich would be complete without the name which stands at the head of this article. As a citizen, Mr. Utley takes a quiet but helpful interest in everything relating
to the welfare and prosperity of his community.
John Chapman Utley, father of Albert Tracey Utley, was born in Griswold, Connecticut, and as a boy assisted his father in the labors of the farm. On reaching manhood he obtained a position in the grocery store of D. C. Coon, of Norwich, re- maining until he was about thirty years old, when he opened a grocery store of his own on Water street. This he conducted successfully for sixteen years, retaining his active connection with it to the close of his life. A Democrat in politics, he held no office and belonged to no orders. He was an attendant of the Central Baptist Church of Norwich, of which his wife was a member. Mr. Utley married Mary Prentiss Richards, a native of Preston, Connecticut, and they became the parents of the following children, all of whom were born in Norwich: John R., who died in Baltimore, Mary- land; George Tyler, who died in Hartford, Connec- ticut; Frank, who died in Norwich; Mary Ada, also died in Norwich; and Albert Tracey, mentioned below. The death of Mr. Utley occurred in Nor- wich about 1864, and in 1895 his widow passed away in the same place, having survived her husband more than thirty years.
Albert Tracey Utley, son of John Chapman and Mary Prentiss (Richards) Utley, was born October 29, 1850, in Norwich, Connecticut, and received his education in schools of his native town. When about sixteen years old he began to learn the drug business in the drug store of the Lee & Osgood Company, of Norwich, and after completing his course of preparation, remained with them for a number of years, the entire time of his connection with the firm amounting to a period of thirty-six years.
In 1903, in partnership with R. C. Jones, Mr. Utley opened a drug store at No. 145 Main street, under the firm name of Utley & Jones. Steadily and rapidly the business has increased, the part- ners acquiring as the years went on what is to-day one of the best trades in its own special line to be found in Norwich.
In politics, Mr. Utley is a Republican, but has never mingled in public life, having neither the time nor the wish to become an office holder. Neither does he affiliate with any orders. The fam- ily are members of the Central Baptist Church.
Mr. Utley married, November 4, 1873, in Norwich, Mary Jane Brown, born in that town, daughter of George E. and Elizabeth (Manning) Brown, and they are the parents of two daughters, both of whom were born in Norwich: I. Ella M., who married Arthur B. Faulkner, of New Brunswick, Canada, and they have three children: Albert, Char- lotte, and Marjorie. 2. Laura, who became the wife of William B. Pervis, of Norwich, and has one child, Mary Anne. Like his father before him, Mr. Utley is an active business man, much respected by his townsmen. He has built up, on a basis of unimpeachable integrity, one of the leading drug trades in the State of Connecticut.
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GEORGE EDWARD SPARKS-Among the rep- resentative citizens of Jewett City, Connecticut, is George Edward Sparks, who holds the distinction of being the oldest employee of the Ashland Cot- ton Company, having been machinist there since 1886. During the many years of Mr. Sparks' resi- dence in this community, he has ever been a zealous advocate and supporter of its most vital and essen- tial interests.
George Edward Sparks was born in Lisbon, Con- necticut, August 25, 1867, the son of Alfred and Alice (Curtis) Sparks. His father, Alfred Sparks, was also a native of Lisbon, and was a mechanic and millwright throughout his entire lifetime. He died in Bozrah, Connecticut, in 1905. To Mr. and Mrs. Sparks were born seven children, George Ed- ward being the second child.
The boy George received his education in the district schools of Bozrah. His inception into busi- ness life was made with the Ashland Cotton Com- pany in 1886, where he served an apprenticeship to the machinist's trade. In this machine shop he has continued ever since and has seen many changes throughout these many years, but he himself has continued ever faithfully in the performance of his various duties. His predominating character- istic throughout his career has been his ability, which has been backed by sterling integrity and self-reliance.
In politics he is a Republican, giving to that party the interest demanded of every good citizen, but taking no active part in the affairs of the organization. He is a charter member of Reliance Lodge, No. 29, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Jewett City, and attends the Baptist church of Jewett City, of which he is a member.
Mr. Sparks married, at Jewett City, Connecticut, October 8, 1908, Gertrude J. Prior, daughter of Daniel and Anne E. (Phillips) Prior.
JOSEPH PATRICK CUMMINGS, of Cummings & Ring, one of the leading undertaking firms of Norwich, Connecticut, is an up-to-date, progressive man of business, and a man of broad interests and keen sympathies.
His father, Thomas Cummings, was born in the County of Limerick, Ireland, and was educated in the national schools there. He came to America when a young man and located in Norwich, where he lived for the greater part of his life. He was, by trade, a heater in a rolling mill, and this work he followed as long as he lived. He was a thrifty, industrious man, highly respected in the community. He married Bridget Gleason, also born in the County of Limerick, Ireland. He died in Norwich, Connecticut, in May, 1906, his wife, who survives him, now living in Thamesville, Connecticut. They were the parents of seven children, of whom five are now living.
Joseph Patrick Cummings was born in Norwich, Connecticut, October 11, 1881. He received his education in the public schools of the city, growing
up in the traditions of the community. As a young man he entered the employ of Charles A. Gager, Jr., as assistant undertaker, remaining with him for eight years. Then, having decided to make this business his life work, Mr. Cummings entered the Massachusetts College of Embalming, taking their regular course, and receiving his diploma in 1906. He also passed the examination of the Connecticut State Board of Embalmers, after which for a time he still continued to work for Norwich undertakers. Then in 1913, in company with John F. Ring, he established an independent undertaking business, under the name of Cummings & Ring. This asso- ciation has continued to date, the young men having gone forward rapidly to an assured position in their line of business. This is one of the leading undertaking firms in the county. They always have on hand the greatest abundance of fittings and supplies, and have all motor-driven equipment.
Mr. Cummings is deeply interested in all public affairs, keeping in touch with every movement that involves the general welfare. In political affiliation he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 430, of Norwich; of the Knights of Columbus; and of the White Cross Consistory, of the Fourth Degree.
Mr. Cummings married, on September 16, 1916, Annie E. Maher, daughter of Daniel J. and Annie (Devine) Maher, of Norwich, Connecticut, and they have three children: Rosalie, Joseph, and Richard.
The family are members of the Roman Catholic church.
JEREMIAH JEROME SULLIVAN - Nearly three-quarters of a century ago John Paul Sullivan came to Colchester, Connecticut, from his farm in Ireland, and as soon as possible obtained possession of a farm in Colchester, on which he lived in con- tentment until the end of his useful life, one of the first men of his race to obtain title to lands in this town. He was succeeded in the management of his farm by his youngest son, Jeremiah Jerome Sullivan, who still resides at the home farm, although post- master of Colchester, an office he has held since 1913. He is a man of enterprise and public spirit, one of the representative men of the community in which he was born and in which his life has been spent. He is well known and is highly esteemed for integrity and ability.
Mr. Sullivan is a son of John Paul and Nellie (Sheehan-Riorden) Sullivan, his parents both born in County Kerry, Ireland. John P. Sullivan was a farmer in Ireland, and there married Mrs. Nellie (Sheehan) Riorden, a widow with a daughter, Mary T. Riorden, who married William T. Irwin, of Lynn, Massachusetts. Immediately after their mar- riage in 1847, Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan came to the United States, locating in Colchester, Connecticut, where Mrs. Sullivan had a sister living. Mr. Sul- livan secured employment in the factory of the Hayward Rubber Company, then a leading industry
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of Colchester. After a few years his love of the soil asserted itself and he bought the present Sul- livan farm, being one of the first Irish landowners of Colchester. He cultivated his farm very success- fully and became one of the substantial and prom- inent men of his community. He was a well educated man and took a deep interest in the schools, serving as school committeeman. He continued at the farm until his passing, October 2, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. John Paul Sullivan were the parents of four chil- dren: Daniel John, who died in Indianapolis, Indi- ana; Nellie Frances, married Timothy P. Sheehan, of New London, Connecticut, who survives her; Nora, died young; Jeremiah Jerome, of further mention.
Jeremiah Jerome Sullivan, youngest son of John Paul and Nellie (Sheehan-Riorden) Sullivan, was born in the town of Colchester, New London county, Connecticut, at the farm he now owns on the Colchester-Norwich State Road, April 16, 1861. He was educated in the public schools near the home farm, Bacon Academy, Colchester, and under the private instruction of Professor George H. Tracy, of Colchester. After completing his own education, he began teaching in Colchester; that period of his career covering the years 1889-1907. During those years he spent his summers at the farm and continued alternately between school and farm until 1907, when he resigned his school to devote all his time to the farm which he owns. From 1907 until August, 1913, he gave himself ex- clusively to the farm, but in the latter year he was appointed postmaster of Colchester, an office which he yet holds (1921). He continues his home at the farm, his birthplace, but his sons operate the farm with the help of hired labor.
Prior to his appointment as postmaster, Mr. Sullivan had been a member of the Board of Reg- istration for Colchester for twenty-six years. He was a member of the State Central Democratic Committee in 1896, has served on the Board of School Visitors since 1886, and since 1911 has been chairman of the board. He is a strong force in the party locally, and one of the substantial citizens of his town. He is a member of St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Sullivan married, April 27, 1888, at New London, Connecticut, Elizabeth McGrath, daughter of Patrick and Catherine (Reddy) McGrath, her parents both born in Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan are the parents of six children, all born at the home farm at Colchester, still the family home: Eileen Katherine, now a teacher in Colchester schools; Jerome John, a rural free delivery carrier from the Colchester office; Marion Elizabeth, a graduate nurse; Raymond Joynt, residing at home; Mildred, residing at home; Willard A., residing at home.
Mr. Sullivan has spent his life in the community of which he is now a substantial member, and here he has won public confidence and approval, a man of vision and public spirit, a man to be trusted and relied upon.
HERBERT V. MOXLEY, one of New London's young and successful merchants, is of an old Groton family, founded in that town by Joseph Moxley, who was brought by his parents to Groton in 1736, an infant. All trace seems lost of his parents, but the child grew to manhood, and was the head of a family, when, in 1781, the enemies of his adopted country landed at New London, on pillage and destruction bent. Joseph Mox- ley volunteered to aid in the defence of Fort Griswold, and there gave up his life. Herbert V. Moxley, of the sixth generation, traces in lineal line through the pa- triot's third son, Samuel Moxley.
Joseph Moxley, of Scotch ancestry, was born in Glas- gow, Scotland, in 1736, but when but six months of age was brought to New England by his parents, they making their home in Groton, Connecticut, now Led- yard. There he lived until the War of the Revolution, a farmer. When Fort Griswold was attacked by the British, he was in the fort as a volunteer, having been, it is said, the last man to enter the fort by the north gate, those troops which came in from Fort Trumbull entering by the south gate of the fort. Joseph Moxley's station was in the southeast bastion, next to Samuel Edgecomb. He was wounded in the abdomen, and was later taken in an ox-cart down the heights, and that night died from his injuries. His son, Joseph (2) Moxley, also a volunteer, was in the fort, and when the massacre began he jumped from the wall, landing on a British bayonet which passed through his body. He was left on the field for dead, but that night he crawled away to a place of succor, and in time his youth (nine- teen) asserted itself and he recovered from his wounds and lived until 1815.
Joseph (1) Moxley, at the time of his death in 1781, was forty-five years of age. He married Elizabeth Horsford, of the Royal House of Horsford, and they had six children: 1. Joseph (2), born in 1762; married Prudence Lamb, who survived him; she married (sec- ond) Benjamin Daboll, and died aged eighty-five. Jo- seph (2) Moxley lived in Ledyard, and there died, in 1815. 2. Jonathan, married Sally Woodmansee, and moved to Pennsylvania. 3. Samuel, of whom further. 4 Deborah, married Henry Hallett. 5. Esther, married Moses Jones, who was killed at Fort Griswold; she married (second) a Mr. Colver, of Groton, Connecticut. 6. Elizabeth, married Benjamin Daboll.
Samuel Moxley, third son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Horsford) Moxley, the Revolutionary martyr, was a resident of Groton, New London county, Connecticut, and there married a Miss Woodmansee, and they were the parents of two sons: Samuel (2), and William, descent in this line being through the second son, William.
William Moxley, son of Samuel (1) Moxley, was born in Groton, Connecticut, there passed his life, and died in 1890. He married Lucy Geer, daughter of George and Deidamia (Daboll) Geer, granddaughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Moxley) Daboll, and great- granddaughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Horsford) Moxley. William and Lucy (Geer) Moxley were the parents of a son, George William, head of the next
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generation in this line, and of a daughter, Mary Abb, born in 1834, died in 1876, wife of Albert Lamb.
George William Moxley, only son of William and Lucy (Geer) Moxley, was born in Groton, Connecticut, in 1831, and there married Amy Green, and they were the parents of two sons: Francis Geer, head of the next generation in this line; and Everett Daboll, born in 1859, married Lucretia Briggs, and had a daughter, Adelaide L.
Francis Geer Moxley, eldest son of George W. and Amy (Green) Moxley, was born in Groton, Connecticut, in 1854, died in New London, Connecticut, in 1913. When a young man he entered mercantile life and be- came a prosperous New London merchant. He married Mary E. Ayer, born in Preston, Connecticut, who died in 1905. They were the parents of three children : George F., who died young; Herbert V., of further mention ; Bessie May, deceased, married Captain George Healy, of New London, a master mariner.
Herbert V. Moxley, second son of Francis Geer and Mary E. (Ayer) Moxley, and of the sixth generation of the family founded by the Scotchman, Joseph Moxley, the Revolutionary martyr, was born in Groton, Connecticut, February 15, 1883. He was educated in Groton and New London public schools, finishing with graduation from Bulkeley High School, New London, class of 1900. He entered the employ of the American Express Company as clerk in their New London office immediately after graduation, and continued with that company for seven years. After the death of his father, Francis Geer Moxley, in 1913, he succeeded him as head of his business, and so continues.
Mr. Moxley is a member of the New London Cham- ber of Commerce; the Rotary Club; New London Lodge, No. 360, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and the First Baptist Church of Groton. In poli- tics he is a Republican. Mr. Moxley resides in New London.
JOHN PHELPS TAYLOR ARMSTRONG-A native son of New London, and since 1904 connected with one of the city's important corporations, and its general manager, Mr. Armstrong, both by birth and environment, is closely bound to New London, Con- necticut, which is also the home of his parents, Ben- jamin A. and Louisa A. (Smith) Armstrong, his father also of New London birth. Benjamin A. Armstrong was born in 1844, and his wife was born in Franklin, Connecticut, in 1845, both now living in New London. Mr. Armstrong, Sr., a manufacturer of silk, served New London twenty-five years as president of the Board of Water Commissioners. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Congregational church.
John P. T. Armstrong was born in New London, Connecticut, July 1, 1882, and there began his education in the public school, finishing the courses of Bulkeley High School with the class of 1899. He then completed courses of preparatory study at Phillips Andover Acad- emy, class of 1900, going thence to Yale University, A. B., class of 1904. He entered the employ of the Brainerd & Armstrong Company as a clerk the same year, and has been with that company during the
years which have since intervened, his rank con- stantly advancing until he is now (1921) general man- ager, secretary and director. He is a director of the National Bank of Commerce of New London; is a Republican in politics; member of the Second Congre- gational Church; the Masonic order; Yale Club, of New York City ; Thames Club, of New London ; Shene- cossett Country Club, of New London; and the Nor- wich Golf Club, of Norwich, Connecticut.
Mr. Armstrong married, at New Rochelle, New York, February 28, 1918, Lillian T. Washburn, born in Owens- boro, Kentucky, daughter of Homer T. and Laura Washburn.
JOHN H. W. SCHRODER, now and since 1868 superintendent of Elm Grove Cemetery of Stonington, Connecticut, was born in Germany, June 17, 1833, son of Jochiam Schröder. His parents died while he was but a child, but he obtained a good education, studied landscape gardening, and remained in his native Ger- many until twenty-six years of age. In 1859 he came to the United States, locating in Stonington, Connecticut, where his first position was in caring for and beautify- ing the Seminary grounds. He came to his present position, superintendent of Elm Grove Cemetery, in 1867, more than half a century ago, and by his skill and artistic talent has developed one of the most beau- tiful of Connecticut cemeteries. His years, eighty-seven, have been largely spent as a landscape gardener, and if it be true that "he who makes two blades of grass grow where but one grew before is a public benefac- tor," then John H. W. Schröder is one of the public benefactors, for he has given his life to reclaiming the waste places and causing grass, shrubbery and trees to grow where none grew before, and to making beautiful places more beautiful.
John H. W. Schröder married, in 1861, Maria W. Schröder, who died February 15, 1906. They were the parents of five children: Wilhelmina D., who resides with her father in Stonington, Connecticut; Louisa R., secretary at Teachers' College, Columbia University ; Henry C., married Emma Baxter, of Brooklyn, now and since 1885 assistant superintendent of Elm Grove Ceme- tery, father and son having been associated in its care for thirty-five years; Nettie, married C. W. Crandall, and resides in Groton, Connecticut ; Charlotte M., mar- ried Charles D. Wolf. Mr. Schröder and family are members of the Congregational church.
EDWIN FITCH COMSTOCK-A list of the very old settlers of Connecticut would be incomplete without mention of the Comstock family, whose members have lived in the State for several hundred years, coming down in a straight unbroken line to the present genera- tion. They were all tillers of the soil, those who have been the backbone of the country, and the present repre- sentative of them, Edwin Fitch Comstock, has followed in the footsteps of his forbears, and owns and culti- vates his own land in Oakdale, Montville township. Connecticut.
Edwin Fitch Comstock is the son of D. Chester Com-
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stock, and the grandson of David Comstock. D. Chester Comstock was born in Montville, December 15, 1839. He was a farmer, and when the Civil War broke out he left his farm to become a soldier in the Twenty-fourth Regiment, Connecticut Infantry. After the close of the war he returned to Montville, where he married Frances Raymond, born in Montville, December 16, 1839. In addition to their son, Edwin Fitch Comstock, they had two daughters, both now married, one being Mrs. Min- nie (Comstock) Rogers and the other Mrs. Julia (Com- stock) Beebe. D. Chester Comstock died very suddenly, March 9, 1912, at the age of seventy-three years, his wife having passed away November 2, 1874, when only thirty-five years old.
Born upon his father's farm in Montville, Connec- ticut, August 21, 1868, Edwin Fitch Comstock attended the district school in his boyhood, and afterward took a course at a business college, then went to California, where he lived in Santa Cruz county until 1893, when he returned to his home in Montville and started upon the life of a farmer. Though a Republican in politics, Mr. Comstock does not always vote for the candidate named on that ticket, preferring to choose the man best fitted for the office under consideration. He has been very active in the public affairs of his township, having held various offices at different times; he was a member of the Board of Selectmen and of the Board of Asses- sors, also town representative to the State Legislature in 1919, and has served on the Board of Relief. Mr. Comstock and his family are members of and workers in the Congregational church of Montville.
On April 4, 1894, in Montville, Edwin Fitch Comstock married Lena E. Williams, born in Montville, January 12, 1870. She is the daughter of Ephriam and Evelyn (Williams) Williams, of that town. Of this marriage four children have been born : I. Evelyn, born in Mont- ville, June 1, 1895; she is the wife of Carl Johnson, of Montville, and is the mother of one child, Joice John- son. 2. Chester Williams, born August 4, 1898; served in the Student Army Training Corps, United States Army, World War. 3. Hope Morgan, born August 19, 1902. 4. Percy Edwin, born January 12, 1905, died aged eighteen months.
ALBERT JOHN FOX-Among the old settlers in or about the town of Montville, the oldest is prob- ably the Fox family, the ancestral members of it having lived here for several generations. The present repre- sentative of the name is Albert John Fox, the son of Joel Henry Fox, born in September, 1842, in Montville, where he has been a successful farmer for many years past. He was the son of Robert Fox, also a resident of Montville. Joel Henry Fox married Addie Woodman- see, whose people were residents of Montville, where she was born.
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