USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 27
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Mr. Donnelly is a Republican in politics and has served his city as councilman. He is affiliated with Brainard Lodge, No. 102, Free and Accepted Ma- sons; Union Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; and the New London Lodge, No. 360, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Rotary, Thames, and Masonic clubs of New London; Shennecossett Country Club of Groton; Union League Club of New Haven; the Lambs Club of New York, and the American Institute of Archi- tects, of Washington, District of Columbia.
Mr. Donnelly married, at New London, Joanna E.
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Hurley, of New London, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Hurley. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Donnelly: Dudley St. Clair (2), and Thomas Henry, both in New London at the outbreak of the World War, 1917-18. Dudley St. Clair (2) Donnely was a student at Dartmouth College, but at once enlisted in the United States Naval Re- serves and served as a seaman on a submarine chaser, stationed at New London. He married Mildred Recves, of New London, and they are the parents of a daughter, Bettie C. Donnelly, born in New London, the home of her parents. Thomas Henry Donnelly also served in the United States Naval Reserve during the World War. He is now engaged in journalism in Hartford, Connecticut, as a reporter.
REUBEN LORD-There was much to admire in the character of Reuben Lord, and little to condemn, although he was a man of strong convictions, and always ready to contend for that which he believed right. He held most decided opinions. His likes and dislikes were very strong, but if he opposed a man he did it openly and fairly; and if you were his friend he never faltered in his friendship, nor would he stand silently by and hear friendship assailed. His opinions were often publicly expressed in the news- papers, but always over his own name, for he never asked a newspaper to use an article signed by an assumed name. He was a man of great energy, and until his health became impaired, was a hard worker. He had a great many sincere friends who deeply mourned his passing. He never hesitated to do a kindness for a friend, and from those unfriendly he asked no favors. As a city official and a pension agent he was much in the public eye, and lawyers always spoke of him as most correct in his concep- tion of proper legal cthics. He was not admitted to the bar, although educated in the law, but this was because he did not wish to practice. Yet he advised his friends in legal matters, and his advice was always in accordance with his genuine belief, as he saw the situation. He died suddenly while in his own office, being about to leave when stricken.
Reuben Lord was a descendant of Thomas Lord, born 1585, who with his wife, Dorothy, came from England to New England in 1635, settling first in Newtown, Massachusetts, but in 1636 moving to Hartford, Connecticut, where his wife died in 1678, aged eighty-seven years. They were the parents of eight children, descent in this line being traced through William Lord, both in 1623; died at Say- brook, Connecticut, May 17, 1768.
William Lord married, and the line continues in this branch through his son, Thomas (2) Lord, of Saybrook, born 1645, died 1730, and his wife, Mary Lee; their son, Joseph (1) Lord, of Lyme, Connec- ticut, born 1697, died 1736, and his wife, Abigail Comstock; their son, Joseph (2) Lord, of Lyme, born 1730, died 1788, and his wife, Sarah Wade; their son, Reuben (1) Lord, of Lyme, born 1760, died 1804, and his wife, Elizabeth Selden; their son, Joseph (3)
Lord, of Lyme, born 1781, died 1836, and his wife, Phoebe Burnham; their son, Reuben (2) Lord, and his wife, Sarah Weaver; their son, Reuben (3) Lord, to whose memory this review is dedicated.
Reuben (2) Lord, of the eighth American genera- tion, was born in Lyme, Connecticut, died in Salem, Connecticut, in 1900. He was a farmer all his life, first as his father's assistant, and later took over the home farm. After his marriage he moved to Ohio, where his son, Reuben (3) Lord, was born. Later the family returned to Connecticut, where he was engaged in farming and fishing, owning fishing rights along the Connecticut river. After his retire- ment he moved to Salem, Connecticut, where he died. He married Sarah Weaver, born in Lyme, Connecticut, died in the village of Hamburg, town of Lyme, in 1876. They were the parents of six children, one only now living, Walter H. Lord, residing in Terryville, Connecticut.
Reuben (3) Lord was the third child of Reuben (2) and Sarah (Weaver) Lord, was born in Carlisle, Ohio, May 16, 1850; died in New London, Connec- ticut, September 22, 1908. His parents in 1850 re- turned to the town of Lyme, Connecticut, where the lad attended the public schools of the village of Hamburg. He was a studious youth, and early showed ambition to become a lawyer. With that end in view, while attending school in New London, in 1871, he became a law student in the office of Thomas M. Waller, of New London, later governor of Connecticut and consul general to London, and soon acquired a remarkable knowledge of law. For some reason, known to himself alone, he would not ask admission to the bar after qualifying, and the only reason he would ever give was that he "did not want to."
But although he never practiced or appeared in court, he did a great deal of legal office work, and was an expert at drawing deeds, contracts and war- rants, and for many years was Mr. Waller's valued clerical assistant. As a title searcher it is said that no one excelled him. In July, 1873, he was elected clerk of New London police court, and by reelection and appointment held that office until September, 1883, when he resigned and also left Governor Wal- ler's office to give his entire time to the pension business, becoming one of the best-known pension attorneys, over 7,000 successful applications for Civil War pensions having been made out by him. Pen- sion office inspectors complimented him many times on his work, and as frequently stated that nothing was ever found to be irregular that came from Mr. Lord's office. In November, 1889, he added real estate and insurance to his pension business, and a few years prior to his death joined in partnership with Wallace R. Johnson, an association dissolved prior to his death. He was in poor health for several years, having heart trouble, but he would not spare himself, and delayed too long before seek- ing medical aid.
Mr. Lord was a member of Union Lodge, No. 31, Frec and Accepted Masons; of Pequot Lodge, No.
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85, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; of Trumbull Lodge, No. 48, Knights of Pythias, and was also a member of the Niagara Engine Company, having been affiliated with these orders for many years. In politics he was an ardent Democrat; in religious faith an Episcopalian.
He married, in New London, October 12, 1875, Julia A. Peck, daughter of Palmer and Mary (Caton) Peck. Mrs. Lord did not long survive her husband. She died in New London January 24, 1911.
Associated with Mr. Lord and Wallace R. John- son prior to the dissolution of the firm was a young lady, Miss Jennie Lester Doyle, daughter of John J. and Sarah (Peck) Doyle, and niece of Mrs. Julia A. (Peck) Lord, and also niece of Mr. Lord by marriage. After the firm dissolved, Miss Doyle remained with Mr. Lord and gave him valuable and deeply appreciated service. Miss Doyle succeeded to the business, real estate and insurance, and, al- though she is the sole owner, she continues the business under the old firm name, "Reuben Lord & Company." She is an able business woman and a leader among the business women of her city in her line. John J. Doyle died April 19, 1887, and afterward Miss Doyle and her mother resided with Mr. and Mrs. Lord.
GROSVENOR ELY-A man of energy and en- terprise, Grosvenor Ely, treasurer of the Ashland Cotton Company of Jewett City, has from the incep- tion of his business career been identified with manu- facturing interests, gradually making his way to the position of prominence which he now holds. In everything pertaining to the welfare of the com- munity, he takes a deep interest, as in his undertak- ings in the business world, and all good causes find in him a friend and ally. He is a son of Edwin S. Ely, paper manufacturer and bank president, and is of the ninth American generation of the family founded in New England by Richard Ely, of Ply- mouth in Devonshire, England, who came to New England between the years 1660 and 1663. Richard Ely settled, after a brief Boston residence, in Lyme, Connecticut, which in 1660 was a part of Saybrook. Descent in this branch is traced through William Ely, son of Richard, the founder, and his second wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Cullick.
(II) William Ely, born in England in 1647, did not come to New England with his father, but came from the West Indies at his father's invitation in 1670. He married, May 12, 1681, Elizabeth Smith; lived in Lyme, and was for many years judge of New London county court. He died in February, 1717, leaving sons and daughters.
(III) His son, William (2) Ely, married, October 25, 1715, Hannah Thompson, who died in 1733. Mr. Ely died in 1766, and was succeeded in this branch by James Ely.
(IV) James Ely, son of William (2) and Hannah (Thompson) Ely, was born in 1719; died in 1766. He married Dorcas Andrews, and their six sons, James, Jacob, of further mention, Aaron, Andrew,
John and Gad, all served in the War of the Revo- lution.
(V) Jacob Ely, son of James and Dorcas (An- drews) Ely, was of Lyme, Connecticut, born in 1748. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and lived to a good old age, dying in 1836. He married, in 1773, Tem- perance Tiffany, born in 1747, died in 1781, leaving a son, Eli Ely.
(VI) Eli Ely, son of Jacob and Temperance (Tif- fany) Ely, was born in 1780, and married, in 1805, Sarah Sanford, of Plymouth, Connecticut, born in 1784, daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Fenn) Sanford. Mrs. Ely died in 1854; Eli Ely in 1869.
(VII) Jesse Sanford Ely, son of Eli and Sarah (Sanford) Ely, born in 1807, married, in 1835, Har- riet Grosvenor, of North Killingly, Connecticut, born in 1813, daughter of Dr. Robert and Mary (Begg) Grosvenor. They moved to Norwich, Con- necticut, and were the parents of three sons: Gen- eral William Grosvenor, a brave officer of the Union, Colonel of the Eightheenth Regiment Con- necticut Volunteer Infantry, and was made brigadier general; he married Augusta Elizabeth Greene; Edwin Sanford, of further mention, and Charles Albro Ely, who died young.
(VIII) Edwin Sanford Ely, son of Jesse Sanford and Harriet (Grosvenor) Ely, was born July 17, 1841, died suddenly at his home, May 4, 1898. He was quite young when his parents moved to Nor- wich, and there he was educated in the public schools and Norwich Free Academy. He studied law under Judge James A. Hovey, but later he engaged in paper manufacture, being owner and manager of the Reade & Obenauer Paper Company, of Versailles. His health broke and he sold his paper mill interest in 1889. From 1882 until 1893, he was president of the Uncas Bank of Norwich, and at the time of his passing was a director of the Broadway Theatre Corporation. He was a member of the Norwich Club, a man of most pleasing personality, and very popular. In politics he was a Republican. Mr. Ely married, May 1, 1873, Mary Brewer Chappell, born November 13, 1845, in Norwich, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth E. (Brewer) Chappell. Mrs. Ely died in Philadelphia, March 19, 1895, the mother of four children: Mary Grosvenor Ely, born May 30, 1875; Augusta Chappell Ely, born April 6, 1878; Edward Chappell Ely, born May 9, 1882, an importer of New York; Grosvenor Ely, of further mention.
(IX) Grosvenor Ely, of the ninthi generation, youngest son of Edwin Sanford and Mary Brewer (Chappell) Ely, was born in Norwich, Connecticut, February 21, 1884, and received his education in the public schools of Norwich and at Norwich Free Academy, whence he was graduated in 1900. He took a preparatory course at Hotchkiss School, grad- uating at the conclusion of his course in 1901. The next few months he spent in travel in France, and then returned to this country and entered Yale Col- lege, whence he was graduated, A. B., class of 1906. Immediately after graduation he went again to Europe, remaining there until 1908. Upon his return
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to this country he decided to make a study of the manufacturer of cotton textiles, and with this end in view spent the year of 1908 in the Falls mills at Norwich, and the Ponemah mills at Taftville. Later he became manager of the Ashland Cotton Company at Jewett City; then agent; and eventually treasurer, which position he now holds. The company has steadily prospered, and today occupies a high posi- tion in the industrial world. Mr. Ely is also vice- president and treasurer of the Chadwick Hoskins Company, at Charlotte, North Carolina; treasurer of the Martinsville Cotton Mills, Incorporated, Mar- tinsville, Virginia, and secretary of the Turner Hal- sey Company, of New York City. In politics Mr. Ely is a Republican, and has served the city of Nor- wich two years as alderman. His thorough business qualifications are also always in demand, and his public spirit has led him to accept many such trusts. He is a member of the board of governors, and a former vice-president of the National Association of Cotton Manufacturers; trustee of the Norwich Free Academy; trustee of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association; director of the Chamber of Com- merce; and formerly vice-president of the Board of Trade; director of the Thames National Bank of Norwich; and director of the Chelsca Savings Bank of Norwich. He was at one time director of the Uncas National Bank, of the Falls Company and of the Shetucket Company of Norwich. Hc belongs to the Arcanum Club, the Chelsea oBat Club, and the Golf Club of Norwich, of which he has been presi- dent for five years, the Yale Club, the University Club, the Merchants' Club of New York City, the Southern Textile Manufacturers' Club, of North Carolina, and the Charlotte Country Club.
Mr. Ely married, September 6, 1906, Mary Learned. Mr. and Mrs. Ely are the parents of two children, Grosvenor (2) and Larned.
LEVI QUINCY RAYMOND-In the city of New London, Connecticut, is located one of the largest concerns in the lumber business in this county-the Raymond & Alexander Lumber Company. Levi Quincy Raymond, as the head of this important cor- poration, is one of the leading men in this line here- abouts.
Mr. Raymond is a son of Thaddeus K. and Mary (Ayres) Raymond, long ago residents of New Lon- don county. Thaddeus K. Raymond was born in Lyme, Connecticut, educated in the district schools of the day, and was a cattle farmer and lumber dealer during his lifetime. He died in 1860, while still a young man. Thaddeus K. and Mary (Ayres) Ray- mond were the parents of three children: Oliver O., who married Adelaide La Place, and is now a retired cattle dealer, and resides in Wethersfield, Connec- ticut; Levi Quincy, of whom further; and Helen, who became the wife of William Clifton, moving to Savannah, Georgia, dying shortly thereafter.
Levi Quincy Raymond was born in Lyme, New London county, Connecticut, on March 27, 1857. The family removing to Vineland, New Jersey, when he
was a child of seven years, his education was secured in the public schools of that town. His studies com- pleted, the young man entered the world of industry in 1872, choosing his own path in making the start. He went to Taunton, Massachusetts, where he en- tered the employ of the Mason Locomotive Works, remaining for two years in that connection. In 1874 he went to Springfield, Massachusetts, and there became a machinist for Beames & McCall, remaining for one year. Next he came to New London county, Connecticut, locating in Lyme, where he worked on the farm for his uncle, James L. Raymond, remaining with him for a period of five years. At the end of that time he went to East Haddam, Connecticut, where he took up the business of teaming and lum- bering. Among the heavily wooded slopes of that section he gained his start in life. In 1888 he pur- chased a saw mill, and from that time until the present he has been in the lumber business. At first, and indeed for more than twenty years, he bought standing timber, converting it into the lumber of commerce, and followed along this line until 1901, when he came to New London to make it his home. From that time until 1910 he engaged in real estate and building business, erecting some three hundred houses, and a large block on the corner of Bank street and Montauk avenue, which is now known as the Raymond block. In 1910 he purchased land on Moore avenue and Shaw street, built on it a mill and established a lumber business. This business increased to such an extent that in 1914 he took into partnership F. J. Alexander, whose life is reviewed in the following sketch, the concern taking the title of the Raymond & Alexander Lumber Company, they buying the Hopkins and Chapin plant on How- ard street, the site of which was on a part of what was known as Shaw's Cove and at that time mostly under water. They began filling in on the north side of Hamilton street and the east side of Howard street, and built there the plant and office buildings they now occupy. All about them on redeemed land are now new docks, warehouses and railroad yards. This business was capitalized at $60,000, and is now one of the most important concerns in this line in New London county. Besides dressed lum- ber they handle all kinds of builders' supplies, and kindred stock, and do a very extensive business. Outside of his business Mr. Raymond has few in- terests, but is a prominent member of the New London Chamber of Commerce. Politically, he sup- ports the Republican party.
Mr. Raymond married (first) Millie Chappell, of Lyme, Connecticut, on February 19, 1880. She was a daughter of Ira Chappell, of that town. She died on December 9, 1903. They were the parents of five children: Thaddeus K., who married, in 1903, Mildred Pearson, and resides in Groton, Connecticut; Charles L., who married, in 1906, Esther Sutton, and is a resident of Lyme; Edward I., who married Mary Robertshaw, and now lives in New London; during the World War he was first sergeant in the Quarter- master's Corps, and was stationed at San Antonio,
LQ Raymond
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Texas; and twins, Annie and Millic, Annic now being the wife of Arthur Beckman, of Philadelphia, and Millie is deceased. Mr. Raymond married (second) Georgette Burch, of Groton; (third) May E. Walsh, of New London, Connecticut, who is now living. The family are members of the Congregational church of New London.
Mr. Raymond's mother, Mary (Ayres) Raymond, married a second time, becoming the wife of L. Lec Wood, of Lyme, Connecticut, and they were the parents of four children: James R., who married Georgia Tiffany, and resides in Chester, Connecticut; Bell, who became the wife of William Blair, and lives in Hartford; John E., who married Minnie Tiffany, and lives in Hartford; and Mary L., who is also married, and resides in Hartford. The mother died in 1900, and Mr. Wood survived her for five years.
FRANK J. ALEXANDER-For many years in- terested in extensive agricultural operations in New London county, and now a partner in the important lumber firm of Raymond & Alexander, in the city of New London, Connecticut, Frank J. Alexander has achieved unusual success in life.
Mr. Alexander is a son of Charles P. and Harriet E. (Jerome) Alexander. Charles P. Alexander was born in the town of Groton, Connecticut, in 1832, and there received his education in the public schools. He took up farming in early life, and continued in this line of work until his death, which occurred in 1904. His wife also was born in Waterford, and there died. They were the parents of two children: Charles J., deceased; and Frank J., of whom further.
Frank J. Alexander was born in Waterford, Con- necticut, on December 14, 1870. He received a thoroughly practical education in the public schools of the neighborhood, and later attended Snell's Business College, in Norwich, Connecticut, then began business life working on the farm for his father. In 1895 he bought the grocery business of F. P. Robinson, in Waterford, and thereafter con- ducted the store for a period of six years. In 1901 he took up teaming and contracting, specializing in the building of roads, along which line he did a large amount of work which counted for the permanent improvement of interurban traffic conditions. Later on he purchased a farm of ninety-six acres in Water- ford, and still later acquired a farm of one hundred and twelve acres adjoining the first. These farms he stocked, and did a large dairy business. After his mother's death he sold the home place of thirty acres to the Connecticut College for Women for a building site.
In 1914, Mr. Alexander formed his present asso- ciation with L. Q. Raymond, whose sketch precedes this, in the lumber business which they have devel- oped to such an important interest. The Raymond & Alexander Lumber Company is now one of the principal lumber concerns in New London county, and is capitalized at $60,000. Mr. Alexander is sec- retary and treasurer of the corporation, and very
active in the management of the company's affairs.
In the public life of the city Mr. Alexander is bearing a prominent part. Politically affiliated with the Democratic party, he served for seven years as a member of the Board of Relief of Waterford, and was for years a selectman of the town of Waterford.
Fraternally, Mr. Alexander is well known. He is a member of Oxoboxo Lodge, No. 116, Free and Accepted Masons, of Montville, in this county, and he is a member of Pequot Lodge, No. 85, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of New London. He is a member of the Harbour Club, of New Lon- don.
On October 12, 1897, Mr. Alexander married Alice Lawson, daughter of Otto and Martha (Combs) Lawson, of Waterford. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander have three children: Prentice L., who resides at home; Elizabeth, now the wife of Frederick Schad, of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania; and Alice, at home. The family attend the Baptist church, and are prom- inent in all its activities.
JOHN G. WHEELER-From a sturdy race of farmers, seafaring men and business men, comes John G. Wheeler, one of the best-known druggists of New London county. Several generations of the Wheeler family have made their home in Mystic, Connecticut, and the name is a well-known one in Stonington township. The first known ancestor in this country was Thomas Wheeler, already a resi- dent of and holding official position in the town of Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1635. He became a free- man in 1642, purchased a large tract of land, and built a saw and grist mill which he operated. He was made a freeman of the Connecticut Colony in 1669, elected to the general court in 1673, and was one of the nine who organized the First Congre- gational Church in Stonington, June 3, 1674, he and his wife partaking of the first communion service held in that church. Both are buried in the old Whitehall burial place on the east bank of the Mystic river. He died March 6, 1686, aged eighty- four years. Isaac Wheeler, his son, served in the Colonial Indian Wars; married Martha, daughter of Thomas and Dorothy (Thompson) Park; and died June 5, 1712. Richard Wheeler, a grandson, married Prudence, daughter of Deacon John Payson, and granddaughter of Edward Payson and Mary Eliot, sister of Apostle Eliot. Jonathon Wheeler, a great- grandson, born February 7, 1708, married Esther Dennison, and died October 8, 1790. Jonathan (2) Wheeler, born January 20, 1737, married Pris- cilla Lester, and died January 28, 1807. His son, Lester Wheeler, born July 24, 1757, married Eunice, daughter of David and Ennice (Brown) Bailey, and died May 15, 1835. William Wheeler, son of Lester and Eunice (Bailey) Wheeler, born January 21, 1782, was one of the defenders of Stonington against the attacks of the British. He married Wealthy Turner, in 1800, and they became the parents of two children: Eliza A., born in 1802, married Benjamin F. Williams; and William E., born June 16, 1807. So
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far the family had won their living from the soil. With the next generation they began to follow the sea.
William E. Wheeler, born at Stonington, went to sea on a sailing vessel, later on whaling vessels, and still later on coasting vessels, sailing from New York to southern United States ports. In 1854, he went into the East India trade, sailing from New York to China for A. A. Lowe & Brothers on the barque "Penguin." In 1865 he ran a steamer from New York to southern ports. He was a member of the State Legislature, and very prominent as a Democrat. He married, in Groton, August 24, 1831, Pedee Heath, of Groton, and they became the parents of four children: Eliza A., who married John J. God- frey, and died in Groton; William E., Jr .; Charles H .; and Horace N .; the three sons all of further mention.
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