USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 32
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Charles Wanton Briggs was born in Grosvenor Dale, town of Thompson, Windham county, Con- necticut, October 2, 1855, died in Norwich, Connecti- cut, 1915. After the completion of his studies, which terminated with his graduation from the Highland Military Academy, at Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1874, he accepted a position in the Grosvenor Dale Mills, in due course of time becoming assistant superintendent, which position he filled until 1879. He then was appointed superintendent of a mill at Haydenville, Massachusetts, purchased by his father, and so continued until the latter purchased the mills at Glasgo, Connecticut, and consolidated both mills. Charles W. Briggs then went to Boston, Massachu- setts, as special agent of the company, remaining two years, then was sent to New York City, where he filled the same position until 1898, when his father disposed of his interest in the mills. He then engaged in the manufacture of folding box board paper at Bogota, New Jersey, acting as trea- urer and general manager of the Bogota Paper Company, and this connection was retained until the year 1902, when the company sold out to the paper trust. Mr. Briggs then returned to his native State, locating in Norwich, and there became interested in several enterprises, serving as director of the Daven- port Fire Arms Company. Mr. Briggs married, February, 1880, Sadie Elizabeth Horne, a native of Somersworth, New Hampshire, daughter of Samuel P. and Mary Horne. Her death occurred in Nor- wich in 1914. Children: Lucius, of whom further; Charles Walter, born October, 1885; Robert Elmer, born June, 1893.
Lucius Briggs was born in Haydenville, Massa- chusetts, September 30, 1882. The family moved to New York in 1885. He attended the public schools of New York City, and the College of the City of New York, being a student in the latter named in- stitution in 1900, '01, '02. His first employment was
in the paper mills at Bogota, New Jersey, in which his father had an interest, he having charge of the selling end of the business. He removed with his parents to Norwich, Connecticut, in 1902, and ac- cepted a position as clerk in the Thames National Bank of that city, serving for two years, and from 1905 to 1908 was assistant bookkeeper in the Uncas Bank of Norwich. From the latter named date to IgII, a period of three years, he served as salesman
for the firms of Hornblower & Weeks and Tucker and Anthony Company of Boston, Massachu- setts, brokers, selling bonds, etc .. then became connected with the Edward Chappell Com- pany, of Norwich, and in 1913 was chosen to serve as secretary, office manager, and manager of the coal department, and is so serving at the present time, his long incumbency of office being the best testimonial of his efficiency. He is trustec of the Dime Savings Bank of Norwich. He is a Republi- can in politics, and a member of Arcanum, Norwich Golf, Chelsea Boat, and Rotary clubs, all of Norwich.
Mr. Briggs married, in 1904, Mary Goffe Brewer, of Norwich, Connecticut, daughter of Arthur H. Brewer. Children: Lucius Goffe, born October 8, 1904, and Marion Brewer, born January 11, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Briggs attend the Episcopal church.
LOUIS PACKER ALLYN-The Allyns of Mys- tic, Connecticut, now represented by Louis Packer Allyn and his sons, Dr. Louis M. and Dr. Gordon S., trace descent from Robert Allyn, of Allyns Point, from almost the beginning of things in New London county. On the mother's side, these Allyns, men- tioned above, descend from Captain James Avery, of Groton.
Robert Allyn, from Salem, Massachusetts, and Captain James Avery were among the company from Gloucester, Cape Ann, who joined John Win- throp and the little colony at New London, Connec- ticut, in March, 1651, and lots on Cape Ann street, New London, were set off to them. In 1653 Robert Allyn received a grant up the Thames river, and Captain James Avery one on Poquanock Plains. John Allyn, son of Robert Allyn married Elizabeth Gager, daughter of John Gager, who came to Pe- quot, or London, with John Winthrop, and was also given a grant adjoining and south of Robert Allyn's, at what is now known at Stoddard's Wharf. Be- forc 1670 Robert Allyn and John Gager joined a company in settling Norwich. After his father's death, John Allyn left Norwich and returned to the paternal farm, where he built a house and warehouse near the river, at a place since known as Allyn's Point. (Miss Caulkin's "History of New London"). Robert (2) Allyn, who was the son of John Allyn, married Deborah Avery, daughter of Lieutenant James and Deborah (Stallyon) Avery. His son, Eben- ezer Allyn, married Mary Thurber; and Ebenezer's son, Elder Rufus Allyn, married Hannah Billings, daughter of Stephen and Bridget (Grant) Billings. Captain Rufus Allyn, son of Elder Rufus Allyn, mar- ried Freelove Morgan, daughter of Deacon Shapley
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Morgan, son of John Morgan, who through the Shapleys, his wife's family, and John Pickett, who married Ruth Brewster, was a descendant of Jona- than Brewster, son of Elder William Brewster, of Plymouth.
Gurdon Spicer Allyn, of the sixth American gen- eration, was born at the farm of his parents, Captain Rufus and Freelove (Morgan) Allyn, located just west of Meeting House Hill, in the town of Led- yard, New London county, Connecticut, in 1817, and died in Mystic, Connecticut, in February, 1876, aged fifty-nine. He passed his youth at the home farm, but when young, came to Mystic, where he learned the carpenter's trade under Harry Latham. He worked at that trade as apprentice, journeyman and contractor, but soon abandoned it for quarry and ice interests, but his chief business was menhaden fish- ing and their conversion of the fish into oil and by- products. He was at one time attracted by the Wis- consin lumber business, but a few years sufficed and he then returned to the fish business, in which he remained engaged until his death. He was a man of tremendous energy, which made it possible for him to conduct his large business interests successfully. He was the leading spirit in any of the enterprises in which he was engaged, and exerted a deep influence in the business affairs of his section of the country. He was the controlling spirit in the building of the old waterworks at Mystic, and in all that pertained to the good of the town he lent a willing and helpful hand. In politics he was a Republican, serving as selectman in 1868 and again in 1874. He represented the town of Groton for two terms in the State Legis- lature and held many minor town offices. He was a member and trustee of the Union Baptist Church, and affiliated with the Masonic order. Conscien- tious, upright, and honorable, he won public confi- dence and esteem to a degree unusual, and the trust reposed in turn was never betrayed. Mr. Allyn mar- ried (first) Hannah (Avery) Rathbun, widow of Alden Rathbun, and daughter of Joseph Swan Avery and his wife, Mary (Hudson) Avery, the former a son of Colonel Simeon Avery, who was on the staff of General Washington in the Revolutionary War. Mary (Hudson) Avery was a daughter of Phineas and Margaret (Sabin) Hudson. A number of these Allyns and Averys were killed at Fort Ledyard in 1781. Gurdon S. and Hannah (Avery-Rathbun) Al- lyn were the parents of four children: Juliette; Louis Packer, of further mention; Francis; and Hannah; all deceased except Louis Packer. Mr. Allyn mar- ried (second) Martha Champion, and they were the parents of a son, Gurdon C.
Louis Packer Allyn was born in Mystic, Connec- ticut, July 22, 1851, and there yet resides (1921). He was educated in the public schools and began business life as a clerk in the Luther A. Morgan & Company general store, in which his father was part owner, remaining there four years. He was then ad- mitted to a partnership with his father and Captain John E. Williams, in the menhaden fishery, and until the death of the senior member, they operated the fishery most successfully as G. S. Allyn & Company.
He continued to operate the fishery after his father's death with Captain John E. Williams until 1883, when the company was dissolved and he joined his interests with S. S. Brown & Company. That connec- tion existed for ten years, and after the death of Mr. Brown, he and Captain Lenen formed a new company, known as James Lenen & Company, of Lewes, Delaware, also engaged in the menhaden fishing and manfacturing. Later they merged with the syndicate controlling menhaden fishing on the coast, in which Mr. Allyn was director and the man- ager of the Lewes, Delaware, plant. When he re- signed from the syndicate, he and Captain Lenen formed a new company known as the Menhaden Oil and Guano Company, which they conducted success- fully for eighteen years, when they sold out and re- tired from business.
Athough his business interests led him away from Mystic, he has always maintained his residence there, and retirement from business has given him opportunity for pursuing many interests in his na- tive village. He was active on committees and drives during the World War. He is a director of the Mystic River National Bank; a deacon and trus- tee of the Union Baptist Church; a member of Charity and Relief Lodge, No. 72, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; and first selectman of the town of Groton, 1920-22. He is on the board of directors of the Community Club.
Mr. Allyn married, October 24, 1876, Emily Fen- ner Maxson, a descendant of John Maxson, one of the founders of Newport and Westerly, and the daughter of William E. and Sarah Maria (Fenner) Maxson, the former a noted shipbuilder of Mystic, the latter a daughter of Philip A. and Sallie (Pot- ter) Fenner, of Rhode Island. Mrs. Allyn is a mem- ber of the Union Baptist Church; of the Fanny Ledyard Chapter, Daughters of the American Revo- lution, of Mystic; the Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America; of other Colonial societies; and of the Society of 1812, also the Women's Relief Corps; the State Missionary and Promotion boards; and does associational and local church missionary work. Mr. and Mrs. Allyn are the parents of three sons: Louis Maxson; Gurdon Spicer (2); and Wil- liam Ellery, all of further mention.
Louis Maxson Allyn, after graduation from Mystic High School, prepared at school in Westerly, Rhode Island, and entered Lehigh University. Later he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated M.D., class of 1903. He served as a resident physician at St. Joseph's Hospital, Reading, Pennsylvania, until May, 1904, when he located in Mystic, where he has since been in successful practice. He is a member of the local, county, State and national medical societies, and while at the University of Pennsylvania, joined the John Guiteras Medical Society. He was a col- lege athlete, played football at Lehigh, and in 1889 was a member of the "Eight Oar" crew that won the Inter-Class Championship for the University of Pennsylvania. His college fraternity is Delta Up- silon. Dr. Louis M. Allyn was selectman of the town
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of Groton three years, and highway commissioner ten times. He is chairman of the school committee in his district, and member of the board of school visitors. He is health officer of the town of Groton; chairman of the board of trustees of the Mystic Oral School for the Deaf, a State institution; member of the Union Baptist Church; and of Charity and Re- lief Lodge, No. 72, Free and Accepted Masons, in which lodge he is the fourth in succession in his line, his great-grandfather, Captain Rufus Allyn, be- ing one of the charter members. Dr. Louis M. Al- lyn married Laura A. Greenman, of Greenmanville, Mystic, and they are the parents of two daughters: Lucia Greenman; and Emily Maxson.
Dr. Gurdon Spicer (2) Allyn is a graduate of Mys- tic High School, Bulkeley High School (New Lon- don), and took a course in Colgate University, New York. He is a graduate of the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, receiving his de- gree of Doctor of Medicine from the last-named in- stitution, class of 1903. He ranked high in college athletics, and rowed on the "Varsity Eight" for four years. In 1900 he was No. 4 in the crew that won the Inter-Collegiate Championship on the Hudson at Poughkeepsie and broke the record for the dis- tance. In 1901 he was No. 6 in the University of Pennsylvania crew which contested at the Henley Regatta in England, and pronounced the best crew the United States ever sent abroad. That crew, while they did not win, had the distinction of being the only foreign crew that ever made the finals for the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley. He rowed No. 6 for three of his four college years, and was made captain of the 1902 crew while in England. In honor of his brilliant career as an oarsman, he was chosen for membership in the senior societies, "Skull and Dagger," and the "Sphinx." He was a member of the John Guiteras Medical Society of the University; of the Alphi Mu Pi Omega, a medical fraternity; and of the Delta Upsilon fraternity. After gradua- tion in 1903, Dr. Allyn was for a year resident phy- sician at St. Joseph's Hospital in Lancaster, Penn- sylvania. In October, 1904, he began private pro- fessional practice in New London, Connecticut, and was surgeon on the staff of the Memorial Hospital, and also of the Lawrence Hospital. He was a mem- ber of New London County and Connecticut State Medical societies. He was selectman for the town of Waterford two years, and is now chairman of the town committee. He is a member of Brainard Lodge, No. 102, Free and Accepted Masons; of the Mayflower Society; and Thames Club, of New Lon- don. During the period of war between the United States and Germany, 1917-18, he served as surgeon, ranking as lieutenant, in the United States navy. He is now president of the New London Sand and Stone Company, also president of the Masons Island Company. He is a member of the Union Baptist Church of Mystic. Mr. Allyn married Annie Bal- four Hislop, of New London, Connecticut, and they are the parents of two sons: James Hislop, and Gur- don Spicer (3).
William Ellery Allyn, the youngest son of Louis Packer and Emily Fenner (Maxson) Allyn, is a graduate of Bulkeley High School, New London, and had a two years' course at the University of Pennsylvania, class of 1907. His college fraternity is the Delta Upsilon. He began liis business career with the Babcock Printing Press Company, of New London, with whom he continued for several years. When he left the company on account of ill healtlı, lie was sales manager for the southern territory, from Pennsylvania to the gulf.
During the World War, 1917-18, he served in the United States army, with the rank of captain, in the Department of Ordnance, and was supervisor of inspection of the Railroad and Seacoast Artillery. He is a member of Brainard Lodge (New London), No. 102, Free and Accepted Masons. He was repre- sentative from the town of Waterford to the State Legislature in 1920-1922, when he served on the Committee of Finance. He is now chief field deputy of the Internal Revenue Department, District of Connecticut. He is secretary and treasurer of the Masons Island Company; member of the executive committee of the New London County Farm Bur- eau; secretary and treasurer of the Waterford Far- mers' Exchange; director of the Winthrop Trust company, New London; member of the Thames Club, New London; the Hartford Club; Shemacas- sett Golf Club, New London; and belongs to the So- ciety of Mayflower Descendants. Also is a member of the Baptist church in Waterford. Mr. Allyn mar- ried Marguerite Lonard Almy, daughter of Dr. Leon- ard Almy, of Norwich, Connecticut, and they are the parents of two daughters: Lydia Ballau, and Diana.
JAMES A. BERAN, real estate and insurance broker, was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Sep- tember 19, 1896, son of Andrew and Matilda Beran, both now residing in the town of Waterford, New London county, Connecticut. Andrew Beran, born July 15, 1872, is a farmer, horticulturist, and land- scape gardener, very skillful and successful. Ma- tilda, his wife, was born May 18, 1877. Their home in Waterford is on R.F.D. No. I.
James A. Beran began his education in the Bridge- port schools and continued his studies in Bulke- ley High School, New London, after which he spent two years at United States Naval College. From 1919 until 1921, he was a member of the firm of Wetmore & Beran, but since 1921 has conducted the business alone. He is district manager of the Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, 108 State street, New London, and conducts a general insurance and real estate business. He handles a great deal of Ocean Beach property, renting, leasing and selling.
In politics Mr. Beran is a Republican. He served in the Naval Reserves as seaman, yeoman, chief yeo- man and assistant paymaster. He is a member of the Harbor Club of New London, and of the Episco- pal church, his family belonging to St. Mary's Ro- man Catholic Church.
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WILLIAM TRACY CRANDALL, assistant cash- ier of the Thames National Bank, of Norwich, is a descendant of John Crandall, who came from Wales to New England in 1635. John Crandall was a Bap- tist preacher, and one of the persecuted ones of the Massachusetts Colony, who fled to Rhode Island, there finding the freedom of conscience, denied them in Massachusetts. In 1637 he settled in Providence, later was the first elder of the church at Westerly, and died in 1676, in Newport. He was twice married, and had sons: John, Peter, Joseph, Samuel, Jere- miah, and Eber. His son, Joseph, was a minister of the Seventh Day Baptist church, and others of the family have been ministers of the Gospel, including Rev. Phineas Crandall, grandfather of William T. Crandall, of Norwich. Phineas Crandall was a trav- eling minister of the Gospel in New England, and at the time of the birth of his son, John Newland Crandall, was living in Maine.
John Newland Crandall, son of Rev. Phineas Crandall, was born in the State of Maine, and edu- cated in different schools in the town in which his father was the settled pastor. He was a student at Wilbrahamn Academy, (Massachusetts), and at Wes- leyan Unversity, Middletown, Connecticut, and when his own education was finished he taught school in Norwich, Connecticut, for several years. Later, he was employed in the Norwich Savings Society as clerk, but after a year with that bank he resigned and engaged in the real estate and insurance busi- ness. He conducted that business very successfully until 1902, when he retired from active life but con- tinued his residence in Norwich for eight years lon- ger, dying in 1910. He married Frances Emily Tracy, who was born in Franklin, Connecticut, and died in Norwich, April 25, 1898, and they were the parents of four children, William T. being the sec- ond.
William Tracy Crandall was born in Norwich, Connecticut, July 28, 1859, and there was educated in the public schools and in the Free Academy, com- pleting his studies in 1878. In that same year he en- tered the employ of the Norwich National Bank as a clerk. In 1889 he transferred his allegiance to the Thames National Bank of Norwich, of which insti- tution he is now assistant cashier. He has devoted his life to the banking business for more than forty years, and has been with the same institution, the Thames National Bank for more than thirty years. His qualifications are high, his experience wide, and his knowledge of banking, banking laws and pro- cedure, very extensive. He is a member of Park Congregational Church. He holds membership in the Arcanum Club, and politically, gives his support to the Republican party.
Mr. Crandall married, December 19, 1889, Eliza- beth A. Gates, of Norwich, daughter of Henry A. and Anna (Albro) Gates. The family home is at No. 161 Mckinley avenue, Norwich.
JOHN GILMAN STANTON, M.D .- On Novem- ber 2, 1877, Dr. John G. Stanton arrived in New Lon- don, Connecticut, and began private medical and
surgical practice. Forty-four years have since elapsed, and he is now the honored physician and surgeon, with all the professional honors the com- munity can bestow and the intense satisfaction of knowing that he has faithfully and devotedly per- formed his duty as one of the guardians of the health of that community.
Dr. Stanton is of New Hampshire parentage, a grandson of John Stanton, and a son of John (2) Stanton, the latter born in Brookfield, New Hamp- shire, December 31, 1810, and died while on a jour- ney to Marseilles, France, in December, 1848. John (2) Stanton went to New Orleans, Louisianna, and organized there an ice company, and later became president of an ice company which bore his name. That company, with headquarters in New Orleans and Mobile, had branches in Savannah, Georgia, Charleston, South Carolina, and Boston, Massachu- setts, and was a very large, prosperous concern, Mr. Stanton, its active head until his passing. He married Sophia Cook, born in Wakefield, New Hampshire, died in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1870.
John Gilman Stanton was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, December 25, 1848, and there resided until the death of his father, when the family came North to Winchester, Massachusetts, where he pre- pared for and entered Amherst College, whence he was graduated A.B., class of 1870. Deciding upon the medical profession he went abroad and prepared in German institutions, studying in the medical de- partment of the University of Gottingen, a univer- sity founded in 1737 and one of the foremost of the German universities. He also spent two years at the University of Berlin, and received his M.D. from the University of Wurzburg, Bavaria, the seat of the famous Julius Hospital founded in 1576.
In the fall of 1874 Dr. Stanton returned to the United States and located in Boston, Massachusetts, where he remained six years. During that period he practiced as an assistant, and as physician to Boston District Hospital eighteen months; for one year sur- geon to out patients of the Boston City Hospital; two years as district physician to the Boston Dispensary, and also practiced privately.
He came to New London, Connecticut, November 30, 1877, and there has practiced continuously until the present, 1921. In addition to a private practice, always large, Dr. Stanton has been surgeon to the New London Northern & Central Vermont Railroad for many years, president of the Lawrence and Memorial Associated hospitals of New London, for twenty-five years has been surgeon in the United States Public Health Service, surgeon to the United States Coast Guard Academy at Fort Trumbull, and surgeon, with the rank of major, of the Third Regi- ment, Connecticut National Guard.
In civic affairs Dr. Stanton has always been the friend of progress, and as the ardent friend of educa- tion has been able to do a great deal for the cause, having been for a quarter of a century president of the New London Board of Education and was a member of the Connecticut State Board of Educa- tion. He is also president of the New London Public
John & Start .. .
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Library, president of the board of trustees of the Unitarian church of New London, trustee of the Savings Bank of New London, trustee of New Lon- don Vocational Training School. His professional societies are the New London County Medical So- ciety, (past president); Connecticut State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. He Society, (past president); New London City Medical; is affiliated with Brainard Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Brainerd Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Palestine Commandery, Knights Templar. His col- lege fraternity is Delta Kappa Epsilon. In politics he is Independent Democratic.
Dr. Stanton married in Amherst, Massachusetts, October 13, 1875, Elizabeth Savage Cooper, born in Calais, Maine, daughter of James S. and Abigail (Gerdler) Cooper. Mrs. Stanton died in May, 1920. Dr. and Mrs. Stanton were the parents of a daughter, Alice Cooper, born in New London, Connecticut, married Harrison T. Sheldon, a member of the New Haven, Connecticut, bar, and they have a daughter, Anne.
ANDREW SMITH DEXTER .- After the close of the World War, the little village of Poquonock Bridge, town of Groton, Connecticut, being in need of a new postmaster, the position was tendered An- drew Smith Dexter of the same village, and he has filled the office since July, 1920.
The parents of the young postmaster were Andrew S. and Ida (Anderson) Dexter, the former for many years a resident of Norwich, Connecticut, where he was born, but in the later years of his life residing at Poquonock Bridge, where he died De- cember 30, 1917. In his early youth he was edu- cated at Norwich. After leaving school he took up the study of mechanics and was employed through- out his active life in the mechanical department of the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad. Mr. and Mrs. Dexter were the parents of seven children: Andrew Smith, of whom further; Marion, George, Merritt, Nellie, Annie, and Arthur, all of whom are living at home.
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