USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 31
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Since becoming a landsman again, Mr. Hill has taken an active part in politics, has held about all town offices, and represented his district in the State Legislature, his politics ardently Democratic. He is a member of Niantic Lodge, No. 17, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the New England Order of Protection; and Niantic Lodge, No. 10, Ancient Or- der of United Workmen.
Mr. Hill married Emma U. Flint, born in Lyme, Connecticut, August IS, 1864, daughter of William Henry and Catherine Flint, her mother born in England. William H. Flint was born in Greenport, Long Island, and during the Civil War enlisted for
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duty in the Secret Service Department, attached to the Twenty-sixth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, in which he held the rank of sergeant. He was once captured while serving on a secret mission, and evidence of his branch of the service being found upon him, he was sentenced to be shot as a spy. During the night preceding the morning set for the carrying out of the sentence pronounced against him, a Confederate soldier whom Sergeant Flint had befriended, aided him to escape and he lived to a good old age, dying in Lyme, Connecticut, in March, 1914. His wife died in Lyme while her daughter Emma U. was a child. Mr. and Mrs. William Flint were the parents of four children: Lydia Jane; Helen Maria; William Henry (2); and Emma U., wife of George Parker Hill, above mentioned. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have no children.
ARCHIBALD McNICOL-Since 1871, a date now half a century in the past, Archibald MeNicol has been an important factor in textile manufacturing in New London county, Connecticut, first, in Nor- wich, then in Jewett City. The MeNicols, Archi- bald, the father, and Alexander, the son, were con- temporary in the business, and when the elder man passed away, at the age of seventy-four, he was succeeded by the son, who from his capable father had received the instruction in manufacturing which made him a worthy successor.
Archibald MeNicol was born in Glasgow, Scot- land, in 1340, where lie spent the first twenty-six years of his life, there obtaining a good education and mastering the details of the machinist's trade in its relation to textile printing machinery. He came from Scotland to the United States in 1866, and for five years was employed in erecting machin- ery, manufactured by a Scotch firm, and used in the printing of textiles. In 1871 he entered the employ of the Arnold Print Works, and was connected with different mills until 1889, when he came to Green- ville, a suburb of Norwich, Connecticut, there as- sociating with the Norwich Bleachery, now the United States Finishing Company, dyers and printers of textiles. In 1893 he was appointed agent and manager of the Aspenook Mills, at Jewett City, Con- necticut, a large cotton cloth printing, dyeing and finishing plant. From 1899 until 1902 Mr. MeNicol, with his family, visited in Scotland, his old home, and toured Europe, returning in 1902 to Jewett City. There he re-entered business life as founder and principal owner of the Jewett City Textile Novelty Company, of which he was president until his death, in May, 1914, aged seventy-four years. He was one of the strong men of the textile manufacturing busi- ness in Eastern Connecticut, and was highly re- garded by his business associates and contempo- raries.
Mr. McNicol married, in Scotland, Mary Mont- gomery, born there in 1865, who died in Jewett City, Connecticut, in January, 1919. They were the par- ents of six children: Archibald (2), who died in Jewett City, aged twenty-one years; Alexander, a
sketch of whom follows: Jessie, married Andrew Cossar, and resides in Glasgow, Scotland; Mary, married William Perry, of Norwich, Connecticut, who died in Camp Lee, Virginia, in the service of his country during the World War of 1917-18; Wil- liam M., married Carol Bliss, of Jewett City; and Andrew, a resident of Jewett City.
ALEXANDER McNICOL-Although one of the youngest textile executives, Alexander MeNicol, treasurer and agent of the Jewett City Textile Nov- elty Company, of Jewett City, Connecticut, has been engaged in the business since leaving school, and in the same plant over which he now has authority he began his training, having the added advantage of being under the direction of a Scotch father, whose motto was "thoroughiness," and who made no exemptions on account of relationship. Mr. Mc- Nicol is a native son of New London county, edu- cated in Norwich schools, and in his native county his thirty-two years have been spent, his connec- tion with the textile business beginning in 1909.
Alexander MeNicol, second son of Archibald and Mary (Montgomery) McNicol (see preceding sketch), was born in the city of Norwich, Connecti- cut, January 21, 1890. He was educated in Norwich public schools, the free academy and business col- lege, finishing in 1904. He then became associated with his father in the Jewett City Textile Novelty Company at Jewett City, and beginning at the bot- tom, he worked through the various departments until he arrived at a thorough and complete knowl- edge of the business of which he is now the head. He was his father's valued and trusted assistant until the latter's passing in 1914, and then succeeded him as agent and manager of the company founded by Archibald MeNicol in 1902, and developed by Alexander MeNicol, one of the youngest of all New England textile manufacturers, and one of the most able. He has no other business interests of import- ance, his entire force, energy and business ability being given to the management of the affairs of the Jewett City Textile Novelty Company, a successful corporation from its beginning, nearly two decades ago.
On August 26, 1918, Mr. MeNicol entered the United States army, and was sent to Camp Green- leaf, Georgia, for training. On October 25, 1918, he was made corporal, and with his regiment was awaiting marching orders for an embarkation camp when the armistice was signed. His company was ordered to Camp Mills, Long Island, where he was in charge of a sanitary department of the camp, de- voted to the reception of home-coming soldiers. He was honorably discharged and mustered out of the service January 26, 1919.
Mr. MeNicol is a member of Norwich Chamber of Commerce; the Connecticut Manufacturers' Associa- tion; the Rotary Club, of Norwich; Orville La Flamme Post, American Legion, of Jewett City; member, and for years clerk of the Jewett City Con- gregational Church; member of Reliance Lodge, No.
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29, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Jewett City; and in politics a Republican.
Mr. MeNicol married, August 5, 1917, Bernice Reed, daughter of Alva B. and Mary (James) Reed, of Lynn, Massachusetts. The family home is in Jewett City.
SAMUEL ROGERS-A prominent figure in the business life of Niantic, Connecticut, and the sur- rounding country is Samuel Rogers. Since 1917 he has been established in the stationery business in Niantic, under the firm name of Rogers & Son, and has also been active in the political and public life of the community. The welfare and advancement of the town is always uppermost in his mind, and he has always given his earnest support to all move- ments calculated to advance its development.
Samuel Rogers was born at Niantic, Connecticut, August 6, 1871, the son of the late Samuel and Mary B. (Elford) Rogers. Mr. Rogers, Sr., previous to his death, which occurred in 1916, was engaged suc- cessfully in the monumental business. Mrs. Rogers was a native of England; she died at Niantic in 1910. To Mr. and Mrs. Rogers were born six children: Lucy Jane, deceased; William, deceased; Ellen, de- ceased; Samuel, of further mention; Mary, deceased; and Grace, deceased.
The boyhood of Samuel Rogers was spent in his native town, where he attended school, subsequently entering the schools of Clinton, Connecticut, where he remained until the termination of his studies. The business of life then began for the boy and he entered the employ of the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad, as agent at Millstone, Con- necticut. Resigning six years later, he became as- sociated with G. M. Long, of New London, and re- mained there for eight years, when he returned to Niantic and secured employment with the Hum- phrey, Cornell Company, wholesale grocers, as a travelling salesman, and thus continued until 1917, when he established himself in his present business. The venture proved successful, and although start- ing in a small way, he has already built up quite an extensive stationery business. Mr. Rogers is an In- dependent in polities, preferring to exercise his own judgment on all publie questions and issues rather than identify himself with any formal political party. He has been town auditor for ten years. He affili- ates with Bay View Lodge, No. 120, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; and Niantic Lodge, No. 17, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
On June 5, 1895, Samuel Rogers was united in marriage with Minnie Emma Beckwith, daughter of Willard Parker and Stella Beckwith. To Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have been born two children: Elford Parker, mentioned below; Eleanor Hamilton ,who was born December 18, 1904, and is now (1921) at- tending the William Memorial High School, at New London, Connecticut.
Elford Parker Rogers, son of Samuel and Min- nie E. (Beckwith) Rogers, was born at Niantic, Connecticut, March 17, 1896. He was educated in
the public schools of his native place and also graduated from the Connecticut Agricultural Col- lege, at Storrs, Connecticut. After leaving college he was with the Industrial Bank of Hartford, Con- necticut. On April 25, 1917, he enlisted in the United States army, Troop B, of the One Hundred and First Machine Gun Battalion, of Hartford, Con- necticut. After a training period at the State mili- tary camp he was ordered overseas on October 9, 1917, and arrived at Havre, November 1, 1917, go- ing immediately to the training camp at Neufchateau, where he remained for three months. On February I, 1918, he went into action, and on July 22, 1918, was desperately wounded in the left leg at Chateau- Thierry. He was honorably discharged October 19, 1920. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Elford Parker Rogers married Sybil Beebe, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Lee Beebe, of Niantic, and to them one child has been born, Allyn.
Elford P. Rogers is just one more of our brave American lads who was willing to make the supreme sacrifice if necessary. As it happened, he was not called upon to do this, but the wound which he re- ceived was so severe that he will never fully recover from its effects. Such a record is certainly worthy of emulation and should certainly have mention in a a work of this nature.
CAPTAIN NELSON J. HUNTLEY-Now an octogenarian, retired from all cares, and living at his comfortable home in Niantic, Connecticut, not far from the place of his birth, Captain Huntley reviews a long life of adventure, during which he sailed the seven seas, faced every form of peril known to those "who go down to the seas in ships," and rose from cabin boy to master. He has travelled to about every port on the Atlantic Ocean, endured every dan- ger and trial that besets the mariner, including ship- wreck and all its attendant horrors. Then, too, he recalls the pleasures and the wonders of those voy- ages, the strange things of the sea and land he saw, of the lights under the Southern Cross, the strange life of the Orient, the wonders of the tropics, and the glory of the Northern Lights as seen from high latitude. Then when the sailing ship gave way to the steamship, he quit the merchant service, but clung to the sea, and for fifteen years was a lightship keeper watching over the destinies of those adven- turous souls who trusted him to keep the lights burning that they might make safe entrance to New York Harbor, and he never failed them. Then came a decade at Sandy Hook, and then the quiet, the comfort, the peace of home and loved ones.
Captain Nelson J. Huntley is a son of Elisha Hunt- ley, born in that part of the town of East Lyme, New London county, Connecticut, known locally as Whistletown, and there engaged in farming until his retirement to the village of Niantic, where he died in 1895. Elisha Huntley married Nancy Tinker, born in Whistletown, where she died in the year 1900. They were the parents of six children: Frank:
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Nancy; Julia; George ;; Mary; and Nelson J., of whom further.
Nelson J. Huntley was born in the Whistletown section of the town of East Lyme, New London county, Connecticut, September 24, 1837, and on his father's farm spent the first fourteen years of his life. lle attended the district school at Whistle- town until the age of fourteen, when his parents moved to Niantic, and there an inborn love of the sea gained control of his life, and while yet a boy he sailed with the Niantic fishermen. He quickly advanced in rating until he commanded a full share of the vessel's catch, and for ten years he continued a fisherman. He then shipped on deep-sea craft, and from common seaman advanced through every grade of ship life until he trod his own quarter-deck. He commanded ships in the merchant service and sailed to mii :. ports, carrying home products and bring- ing Laick the most valuable cargoes from the islands and lands of the far Atlantic. His life was filled with action and adventure for many years, then he engaged in the more peaceful coasting trade, owning his own coal-carrying schooner. Finally he retired from the coasting trade and accepted service with the United States Government in the lighthouse department of the navy. For fifteen years he was in charge of the lightship that marked the entrance to Ambrose Channel, New York Harbor, a life quiet in comparison with his previous one, but filled with adventure and danger when winter storms beset the ship, and lights must be kept burning at any cost. After fifteen years of lightship duty he was trans- ferred to shore duty at Sandy Hook and after ten years there he retired, and has since occupied his home in Niantic. Captain Huntley is a member of the Congregational church; in politics a Republican.
Captain Huntley married, in Saybrook, Connecti- cut, July 24, 1867, Eleanor Anne Parker, born in Essex, Connecticut, March 26, 1840, daughter of Jonathan and Abigail (Wilcox) Parker. Mrs. Hunt- ley is the last to survive of a large family of chil- dren born to her parents. Captain and Mrs. Hunt- ley are the parents of three children, but one of whom survives, Mand Eleanor, born in Niantic, Connecticut, June 8, 1875, married, October 14, 1896, to Gurdon Beckwith Coates, and has two children: Eleanor Irene, born in Niantic, July 29, 1897, married George A. Garrett, of Washington, District of Co- lumbia, and has a son, George Coates (2); and Mar- jorie Elizabeth, born August 22, 1909. The first child born to Captain and Mrs. Huntley was a son, Walter Nelson Huntley, born in Essex, Connecticut, now deceased; he is buried in Niantic. Their second child died in infancy. Mrs. Coates was their young- est.
While so much of his life has been spent in dif- ferent places, Captain Huntley's love for the home town has always continued, and his interest is deep in all that concerns the welfare of his town and townsmen. He is now in his eighty-fifth year, but well-preserved for one of his years.
WALTER GIFFORD BARKER, who conducts a popular confectionery store in Niantic, Connecti- cut, is a son of Captain Walter Ilarris Barker, who was born in New London, Connecticut, in 1856, and died there in 1911. Captain Barker was captain of the "Mohawk," a coastwise freighter. He married Emma May, who was born in New London in 1864, and still survives him, residing in her native city. They were the parents of three children: I. Jean, who was born in New London, became the wife of Samuel Mallory, who died, leaving her with two children, Leonard and Viola. 2. Herbert Nelson, also born in New London, who married Arlene Sher- man. 3. Walter G. Barker, whose name heads this review.
Walter G. Barker was born in New London, Con- necticut, February 18, 1883, and received his early education in the public schools of this city, then, in preparation for the future, went to Washington, Dis- trict of Columbia, where he attended a physical training school, conducted by Henry S. Curtis. For a number of years following his course at this school, Mr. Barker was identified with physical training work in various parts of the country, for several years serving as physical director of the Young Men's Christian Association at Frederick, Maryland, and for one year holding a similar position with the association at Martinsburg, West Virginia. He then came to Niantic, where he has since been success- fully engaged in the confectionery business.
In political affairs Mr. Barker endorses the prin- ciples of the Republican party, but holds an inde- pendent position, voting with the party only when his judgment coincides. He has for several years served on the school board.
Mr. Barker married Maud Louise Patterson, who was born in Noank in 1886, and is a daughter of William E. Patterson, of that city. They are the parents of two children: Daniel Cleveland, who was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut; and Jane Patter- son, born in Niantic, in 1916.
CHARLES BUTSON-Learning the boat-build- er's trade from his father, Joseph W. Butson, father and son worked together for some time, the father going to Long Island, where he built boats for twen- ty-five years, the son going to Mystic, Connecticut, later to Groton, where he has continued a boat- builder for sixteen years, from 1905 to 1921.
Joseph William Butson was born in Fowey, Eng- land, and there learned boat-building, which he made his lifelong occupation. In 1889 he came to the United States and located on Long Island, where he died in 1916. He married Mary Hickson, who died in November, 1891. They were the parents of four children, Charles of this review, the second in order of birth.
Charles Butson was born in Fowey, England, May 22, 1872, and there spent the first seventeen years of his life obtaining an education in the public schools. The family came to the United States in
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1889, and until 1903 Charles Butson worked with his father in boat-building operations on Long Island. In 1903 he moved to Mystic, Connecticut, and there built boats until 1905, when he moved to his present home in Groton. Here he has continued boat-build- ing, principally small craft, motor and row boats. He is a good workman, and a man highly respected by all who know him. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, the American Order of United Workmen, and in politics he is a Re- publican.
Mr. Butson married, November 3, 1897, Charlotte Bishop, daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Bishop, and they are the parents of seven children: Charles H., Louis N., Joseph B., Kenneth, Sidney, Frank, and Eugene.
JAMES PATRICK HAYES-Among the repre- sentative citizens of Norwich, Connecticut, James P. Hayes, owner and manager of the Dell Hoff Hotel, at No. 26 Broadway, must have mention. A native son of Norwich, he has spent his entire life there, and in everything pertaining to the welfare and ad- vancement of the community he takes a keen and intelligent interest.
John Hayes, father of James P. Hayes, was born in Cork, Ireland, and there was educated and mar- ried. When a young man he came to the United States and located in Manchaug, where he was em- ployed in a woolen mill until 1884, then removed to Norwich, Connecticut, where he was with the United States Finishing Company until his death, July 23, 1893. He married Mary Coughlin, also born in Cork, Ireland, who died July 25, 1917. To Mr. and Mrs. Hayes were born five children: Patrick John, associated with his brother, James P., in the hotel business; Mary Theresa, wife of John Driscoll, of Norwich; Dennis Joseph, a partner with his brother, Janies P., in the ownership and management of the Dell Hoff Hotel, married Nellie Kirby, of Norwich; James P., the subject of this review; and Elizabeth Theresa, principal of the Norwich Falls public school.
James P. Hayes was born in Norwich, Connecti- cut, March 9, 1886, and there obtained his education in the public and parochial schools. As a young man he served an apprenticeship as a polisher and gun- smith with the Hopkins & Allen Company, continu- ing until 1904, when he became associated with his brother, Patrick J. Hayes, in the ownership of the Dell Hoff Hotel, one of the leading hotels of Nor- wiclı. Hayes Brothers conducted the hotel until 1920, when Patrick J. Hayes retired from the busi- ness and was succeeded by his younger brother, Dennis J. Hayes, the new firm, James P. and Dennis J. Hayes, continuing the management of the popular Dell Hoff Hotel.
In politics James P. Hayes is a Democrat, and takes a lively interest in public affairs. Mr. Hayes is past exalted ruler of Norwich Lodge, No. 430, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, serving in 1914, and in 1919 was appointed district deputy
for the State of Connecticut, representing the grand exalted ruler of the order in the State of Connecti- cut. As district deputy he visited every Elks' lodge in the State, becoming widely and favorably known to Connecticut Elks, and is likewise well known in the national body of the order, having represented his home lodge in the Supreme Lodge as a delegate and as a member of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut. He has attended several of these national conven- tions in a private capacity, and is one of the most enthusiastic and loyal Elks in the State of Con- necticut. He has been a tireless worker for the good of the order, the purchase of the Osgood homestead in Norwich as a home for the Elks being a project he ardently advocated until the purchase was made. To the homestead a large addition has been made, which is used as a lodge room, the whole forming one of the most complete and beautiful Elks' homes in the State. He labored with all his might to bring about this result, and his work in all Elk activities is bringing him to prominence in Connecticut Elk- dom. In religious faith he is a Roman Catholic, a member of St. Patrick's Church, Norwich. He en- joys the respect and confidence of his brethren of the order who nobly second his efforts.
LUCIUS BRIGGS-Although a native-born son of the State of Massachusetts, Lucius Briggs has resided long enough in the State of Connecticut to become identified with its interests, financial, indus- trial, political and social, contributing his share to the improvement and upbuilding of his adopted city, Norwich, where he is honored and respected, his word there being considered as good as his bond.
The branch of the Briggs family herein followed, traces to John Briggs, who was a resident of Kings- ston, Rhode Island, in 1671, where he served in pub- lic capacity. Among his children was James Briggs, a resident of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, who married, and among his children was Jonathan Briggs, born in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, in 1755; died December 23, 1837. He resided for a time on Block Island, but later removed to Coven- try, Rhode Island, where he followed farming as a means of livelihood. He was a Revolutionary sol- dier, serving for nearly seven years. His wife, Abi- gail (Greene) Briggs, bore him six children, one of whom was Wanton Briggs, born in Coventry, Rhode Island, October 5, 1788, died, at Phoenix, Rhode Island, March 27, 1849. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812. He married Mary Tift, who bore him twelve children, one of whom was Lucius Briggs, grandfather of the present member of that name, born in Coventry, Rhode Island, December 21, 1825, died at his home in Norwich, Connecticut, January 27, 1901. His boyhood and young manhood were spent in his native town, but in 1849, the year of the gold craze in California, he journeyed West, accompanied by his brother, Wanton Briggs, Jr., and there remained two years. Upon his return East, he located in Masonville, town of Thompson, Connecticut, and entered the employ of the Mason-
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ville Manufacturing Company, later acquiring an interest therein, which he disposed of in 1883. He was associated with the Grosvenors and built part of the Grosvenor Dale Mills. He became half-owner and manager of the Glasgo Yarn Mill Company, of Glasgo, Connecticut, where he took up his residence, and in 1898 sold his interest to the American Thread Company. Two years previously he took up his residence in Norwich, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was president of the Thompson Savings Bank; a director in the Thomp- son National Bank, Thames National Bank, Uncas Paper Company, Manufacturers Insurance Company, and in the Greeneville Bleachery. He was a repre- sentative from the town of Thompson in the Lower House of the State Assembly in 1867; served in the State Senate in 1875; and was a presidential elector on the Republican ticket at the time of the second election of General Grant, as president. He married Harriet Taylor Atwood, of Coventry, Rhode Island, and they were the parents of four children, among whom was Charles Wanton, father of Lucius Briggs, of this review. Mrs. Briggs died September 9, 1887.
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