USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 37
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Connecticut. He at once removed the plant to New London, and in a new building which he erected is now manufacturing portable electric drills.
Such is the record of an energetic, capable busi- ness man, inventive genius and mechanical spirit. From the bottom of the ladder he has risen to a position of influence and has made for himself high reputation as an inventor and manufacturer of tools and machines. But he has not given himself en- tirely to the pursuit of fame and fortune as a mechanician and business man. He is an accom- plished musician, and at Hartford was at the head of a military band bearing his name. He is fond of art, music, and the theatre, and is a man of most social, genial nature. His fortune has been gained through his own ability and genius, and he enjoys its possession. In politics he is a Republi- can.
Mr. Lapointe married, at Waterbury, Connecticut, June 1, 1880, Malvina Chicoine, and they are the parents of four children: Ralph R., a mechanical engineer of Hudson, Massachusetts; Frank Jerome, owner and manager of the American Broaching Machine Company of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Lionel, a surgeon of the United States navy, assigned to the battle ship "Virginia"; and Liana, wife of Beech Carpenter of New York City. The family home of the Lapointes is in New London, Connecticut, al- though the children have all founded homes of their own in other localities.
CONRAD KRETZER-A business man of Mystic, Connecticut, who has allied himself with everything pertaining to the welfare and advancement of the community, Conrad Kretzer deserves well of his fellow-townsmen. He was born in New London, Connecticut, August 26, 1864, third child of Conrad and Eva (Rosencranz) Kretzer, both born in Ger- many. His father, who was a shoemaker by trade, came to the United States as a young man and located at New London, Connecticut, in 1854, and there followed his trade until his death in 1864. To Mr. and Mrs. Kretzer were born three children; the mother died in Mystic.
The education of Conrad Kretzer was obtained in the public schools of Mystic, and after gradua- tion from the high school he worked at various places until 1890, when he purchased the business of George Spink, general merchant of Mystic. The venture proved successful, the business growing con- sistently, until today Mr. Kretzer owns the farge block at the corner of Pearl and Main streets, in which his store is located. He can review his life with satisfaction as he mentally traces his career from a working boy to his present position as a prosperous merchant. He has been the architect of his own fortune, and has won his way through pluck and that indomitable energy which in its last analysis is the fundamental characteristic of the successful business man.
The same qualities that Mr. Kretzer has exhibited
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in the conduct of his own business he also has shown in the town business which has been committed to his care. For eleven years he has served as a mem- ber of the committee having charge of the town fire, water and light departments, and has proved himself a valuable public official.
Mr. Kretzer is affiliated with Charity and Relief Lodge, No. 72, Free and Accepted Masons; Benevo- lence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Mystic Council, No. 29, Royal and Select Masters; Palestine Com- mandery, Knights Templar; and is a thirty-second degree Mason of Norwich Consistory. Mr. Kretzer also affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 26, of Stonington, Connecticut, of which he is a past noble grand; and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which he is past master. In religion he is an Episcopalian, an at- tendant of St. Mark's Church of that denomination in Mystic. In politics he is a Democrat and from 1917 to the present (1922) he has been selectman of Groton.
On July 12, 1888, Conrad Kretzer was united in marriage with Lucy J. Bliven, a native of Stoning- ton, Connecticut, daughter of George A. and Ruth A. (Richmond) Bliven. Mr. and Mrs. Kretzer are the parents of one child, Ruth E., who married Leonard J. Hermes, of the same town, and has a daughter, Isabella K., born in Mystic.
REGINALD LESTER LORD-One of the inter- esting old landmarks of Lyme, Connecticut, is the home of Reginald Lester Lord, the fourth genera- tion born on this homestead, which he now owns. The farm comprises four hundred and some odd acres, the land having been a grant from the Mohi- can Indians, the original grant being signed by the mark of Chief Chapeto, who was a subordinate chief to Chief Uncas, the head of the Mohican tribe. It is situated in the village of Hamburg, and is still known as Chapeto Farm.
James Lincoln Lord, Mr. Lord's father, was born on this place, March 8, 1869, and for many years carried on an extensive lumber business in connec- tion with the regular farming operations of the place. He is a son of Judah and Mary (Beckwith) Lord, and from childhood was active in the work of the farm until his retirement from business a few years ago. He has long held prominence in the public affairs of the town, having held all minor offices in the gift of the people, also represented the town in the State Legislature of 1897. He has al- ways supported the Republican party, and of recent years has been a leader in its activities. He is still broadly interested in every phase of public progress.
Reginald Lester Lord, son of James Lincoln Lord, was born in the village of Hamburg, October 14, 1895. He received his early education at the dis- trict schools near his home, then later attended the Black Hall School, at Black Hall, Connecticut, a well known school for boys. Completing the course at this institution, Mr. Lord then entered Suffield
Academy, at Suffield, Connecticut, from which he was graduated in 1915. He thereafter entered Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Connecticut, but left before his graduation to enlist in the United States Naval Reserve, on May 11, 1917, at New London. He was not called to active service until November of that year, and was then sent to the naval station at Newport, Rhode Island. Late in December, 1917, he was transferred to the United States Battleship "Massachusetts," to be trained as a gun captain. Completing his course in gunnery, he was returned to the Newport naval station to await assignment. Later he was placed in charge of a detail of men from New London, and all assigned to the United States steamship "Narragansett," his rating being boatswain, second class. He was at Wilmington, Delaware, until May 30, 1918, on which date he sailed for a naval base to take on supplies, then sailed for France, July 10, 1918, arriving on the twenty-first of the same month. He was returned to the United States the following June, when he was placed on inactive service. After his return, Mr. Lord attended the Massachusetts Agricultural College, at Amherst, in that State, then in March, 1920, returned to Lyme to take charge of his father's farm. He and his father are now (1922) engaged in the general mercantile business in Hamburg, under the name of James L. Lord & Son.
In the public affairs of his home town Mr. Lord, like his father, takes a deep interest, and supports the Republican party. He is a member of the Lyme Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, No. 147, and served as a lecturer of the organization. He is also a mem- ber of the New London County Farm Bureau, and is a member of the Lyme Post of the American Legion.
On October 9, 1920, Reginald L. Lord married, in London, England, Marie Florence Shepherd, daugh- ter of Henry and Alice Shepherd, of that city. Mrs. Lord was born in London, England, March 4, 1899. On July 30, 1921, a son, James Lincoln (2) Lord, was born.
JOHN WILLIAM CALLAHAN, M.D., of Nor- wich, Connecticut, was born in that city on July 19, 1888, and is the son of Thomas F. and Julia (Kelley) Callahan.
His father is a native of Ireland, who came to this country when he was a young man, locating in Norwich, where he still resides, but is now retired from active business. His mother was born in county Kerry, Ireland, and Dr. Callahan is the only son. His sister, Mary E., is principal of the Broad Street School in Norwich. Both Miss Callahan and the doctor reside at home.
Dr. Callahan received his early education in the public schools of Norwich; then attended the Nor- wich Free Academy, from which he was graduated in 1907. In that same year he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in Baltimore, Mary- land, from which he was graduated in 1911 with the
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degree of Doctor of Medicine. In 1911 and 1912 Dr. Callahan practiced at St. Francis' Hospital, at Hartford, Connecticut. Then in 1912 he came to Norwich, and established himself in private practice in this city, where he has since been successfully engaged.
In 1917 Dr. Callahan offered himself to the Gov- ernment, and on March 25, 1918, was called for mili- tary service. Commissioned as first licutenant, he entered camp at the Army Medical School, at Wash- ington, District of Columbia, later being assigned to the Medical Examining Board, at Camp Upton, New York, and to various other camps, including Camp Johnson, Florida. He was discharged from the service on May 19, 1919.
Dr. Callahan then returned to Norwich, and took up his practice here. He is now staff doctor of the William Backus Hospital of this city, and is a mem- ber of the Norwich Medical Society. He is also a member of the New London County Medical So- ciety, and of the Connecticut State Medical Society. His college fraternity is the Phi Chi, and he is a member of the White Cross Council, No. 13, Knights of Columbus, of Norwich. In political affiliation he is a Democrat.
The doctor's family have always been members of the Roman Catholic church.
NATHANIEL LITTLEFIELD SHEFFIELD, JR .- The first Sheffield of this branch to settle in the town of Old Lyme, New London county, Con- necticut, was Nathaniel L. Sheffield, Sr., who came from Block Island, Rhode Island, in early manhood, and there settled on a farm at Hackett's Point. The family trace back in England to William the Conqueror, and in New England to Amos Sheffield, who came from his native England in 1630, being then twenty-cight years of age. His grandson, Amos (2) Sheffield, settled in Newport, Rhode Isl- and, and it was not until the sixth American genera- tion that the family appeared in Connecticut, Rev. John Sheffield, a regularly ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, born in Rhode Island, November 20, 1798, settling in North Stonington while a young man, and before entering the minis- try. This branch of the family settled on Block Island, Rhode Island, and there Nathaniel Littlefield Sheffield, Sr., was born, July 14, 1844. He was a young man when he came to Hackett's Point, Old Lyme, Connecticut, and there he long remained on the farm which he purchased there. Later he bought a farm in the Blackhall section of the town, where he now resides (Junc, 1921). He married Caroline Elizabeth Champion, born in South Lyme, Connecti- cut; she died when her only son, Nathaniel L. (2), was a child, leaving him to the care of his father and threc elder sisters: I. Caroline Elizabeth, who was born in Old Lyme, married Franklin J. Howard, also born in Old Lyme, and they have four children: Bertha, Daniel, Clarence, and Theodora Howard. 2. Jennie Louise. 3. Lillian Leora. He remembers
no other mother than these three sisters, and they have always been devoted to one another.
Nathaniel Littlefield Sheffield, only son of Na- thaniel Littlefield and Caroline Elizabeth (Champion) Sheffield, was born in the town of Old Lyme, New London county, Connecticut, January 14, 1878. He was educated in the public schools, and there has spent his life, with the exception of two years passed in Middletown, Connecticut. He began business life as clerk in the general store owned and conducted by James A. Roland, leaving his employ to take a position in Middletown. After two years there he returned to Old Lyme and resumed his old position. In 1910 Mr. Roland retired from active business life, but before doing so, incorporated his business as J. A. Roland & Company, retail general merchants. Mr. Sheffield was given a chance to enter the cor- poration, which he did, and from its beginning has been treasurer and general manager. He is the managing head and guiding genius of the business, which is an extensive one. His entire business er- perience has been practically with this one house, he being thoroughly familiar with the minutest detail, and understands the every need of the community and the store he serves.
Mr. Sheffield takes a deep interest in the cause of education as represented by the public schools, and since 1904 has served his town as a member of the school board, for thirteen years being chairman of same.
Mr. Sheffield is a member of Pythagoras Lodge, No. 45, Free and Accepted Masons; Crystal Lodge, No. 88, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and in politics is a Republican, but very independent.
Mr. Sheffield married Margaret Dickey Ruther- ford, born in Brooklyn, New York, daughter of James and Fanny Dickey. Mr. and Mrs. Sheffield are the parents of a son, Nathaniel Rutherford Shef- field, born November 29, 1911, at Old Lyme, Con- necticut.
KOPLAND K. MARKOFF, M.D., son of Lazar and Sarah (Hurwich) Markoff, was born in Nor- wich, Connecticut, April 7, 1896. He attended Broadway grammar school, going thence to Nor- wich Free Academy. He was a student at New York University and the University of Vermont, re- ceiving his degree from the medical department of the last named. He was interne at the Lying-In Hospital, New York City, in 1918; house surgeon at St. Vincent's Hospital, Bridgeport, Connecticut; resident physician at Utica Hospital, Utica, New York; and in 1920-21 was specialist at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, New York City. In 1921 he was appointed to the visiting staff of Man- hattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, and is now practicing in Norwich, Connecticut, as eye, ear, nose and throat specialist, his office suite Nos. 103-104 Thayer building.
On January 17, 1918, Dr. Markoff enlisted in the Enlisted Medical Reserve Corps of the United States
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army, and served until honorably discharged, De- cember 13, 1919. He is a member of the New Lon- don County Medical Society; American Medical As- sociation; Norwich Medical Society; Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity; B'nai B'rith; and Knights of Pythias.
ASAHEL ROWLAND De WOLF-From 1885 until 1916 Mr. De Wolf was an active factor in the business life of the village of Niantic, New London county, Connecticut, and then, after thirty-one years of successful dealing in lumber, retired, and is spend- ing the evening of life in contented ease. He comes from ancient Connecticut family long seated in Old Lyme, coming to that section of New London county from Wetherfield, Connecticut, where Edward De Wolf is first mentioned in 1664. Four years later, in 1668, he is mentioned in the records of Lyme. He was born in 1646, and by his wife, Alice, had a son, Stephen De Wolf, born in 1670, who died in 1702. The line of descent from Edward and Alice De Wolf, the American ancestors, to Asahel R. De Wolf, of Niantic, is through their son, Stephen (1) De Wolf, and his second wife, Hannalı; their son, Stephen (2) De Wolf, and his wife, also Hannah; their son, Benjamin De Wolf, born in 1716, and his wife, Lucy Champion; their son, General Stephen De Wolf, and his three wives; his son, Jeremiah Winthrop De Wolf, and his wife, Mary Chadwick; their son, Winthrop Jeremiah De Wolf, and his wife, Hepzibah C. Anderson; their son, John Anderson De Wolf, and his first wife, Mary Abigail Rowland; their son, Asahel Rowland De Wolf, of the ninth American generation now (May, 1921) residing in the village of Niantic, in the town of East Lyme, a section of Connecticut to which his ancestor, Edward De Wolf came more than two and one-half centuries ago.
John Anderson De Wolf, of the eighth generation, was born in the town of Old Lyme, New London county, Connecticut, April 5, 1832, and there died in April, 1913. The death of his father, Winthrop Jeremiah De Wolf, in 1847, threw the burden of managing the home farm upon this boy of then fifteen, the eldest of six children. That burden he capably shouldered, but three years later he entered the mercantile life, and about 1863 he built a store at Black Hall and there conducted a prosperous busi- ness for twelve years, then sold his store to his brother, Roger De Wolf. He dealt heavily in cattle and real estate after giving up his store and con- tinued most successfully until his retirement several years prior to his death. He represented Old Lyme in the State Legislature five terms, between 1866- 1888, and held about all the leading offices of his town.
Mr. De Wolf married (first) in Old Lyme, No- vember 3, 1855, Mary Abigail Rowland, who died January 12, 1858, daughter of Ashahel Rowland, of Old Lyme. Mrs. De Wolf left a son, Asahiel Row- land De Wolf, whose career is hereinafter traced. John A. De Wolf married (second) November 21,
1860, Irene E. Pratt, born March 20, 1840, daughter of Henry Pratt, of Essex, Connecticut. They were the parents of a son, John Anderson (2), born November 30, 1877, who married Annie Rowland.
Asahel Rowland De Wolf, only son of John Ander- son De Wolf and his first wife, Mary Abigail (Row- land) De Wolf, was born at Black Hall, in Old Lyme, New London county, Connecticut, June 16, 1857. He spent his carly years at the home farm, attended the public school and was also a student at the Morgan School, Clinton, Connecticut. He continued a farmer at the homestead until reaching his twenty-fourth year, when he entered the store of his maternal uncle, J. A. Rowland, in Old Lyme, and there five years were passed in acquiring a thorough mercantile training which prepared him for the business in which his after-life was engaged.
In 1885 the young man, then twenty-eight years of age, formed a partnership with a paternal uncle, George W. De Wolf, and in May of that year estab- lished a lumber yard at Niantic, Connecticut, under the firm name of G. W. De Wolf & Company. That business was continued as a partnership until No- vember 7, 1891, when George W. De Wolf retired and A. R. De Wolf succeeded him as head of the busi- ness. Mr. De Wolf continued the business in Niantic until January, 1916, when he sold out and retired from the firm with which he had been connected thirty-one years, twenty-five of those years as sole owner.
An Independent in politics, Mr. De Wolf has given much time to the public service. He served the town of East Lyme as first selectmen, a member of the Board of Assessors for three years, and has been road commissioner. He is treasurer of the Congre- gational church of Niantic, a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Order of United American Mechanics, and a man highly esteemed in his community.
Mr. De Wolf married, in Old Lyme, November 24, 1885, Mary Elizabeth Moley, born in Old Lyme, September 14, 1858, died February 26, 1919, dangh- ter of Charles L. and Betsey (Ayres) Moley, of Feeding Hills, Massachusetts, later of Old Lyme, Connecticut. Mrs. De Wolf left a daughter, Clara Irene De Wolf, born in Niantic, Connecticut, March 15, 1891, married Milton Whited, of Albany, New York, and has two daughters: Catherine De Wolf, and Elizabeth Moley Whited; and one son, Milton Height Whited. Mr. De Wolf married (second) in February, 1921, at Niantic, Connecticut, Angeline (Rowland) Burns, born in Lyme, daughter of John and Julia (Anderson) Rowland, and widow of Ed- ward Burns. By her first husband Mrs. De Wolf has a son, Edward Rowland Burns.
GEORGE HENRY CLARKE-The name of Clarke is one of great antiquity, and was probably used as early as the eleventh century. It means a learned person, one who could read and write ancient and mediaeval lore, and carried with it special honor
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in those carly ages when even royalty was illiterate. Jolin Clarke, of Shaneford, England, is said to have been a man of extraordinary goodness and fatherly spirit, deeply devoted to all his family, and much beloved by them. His sons were William, Thomas, Joseph and John. William's children were Mrs. Elizabeth Scottan, Ann, and Seth, who came to America. Thomas Clarke was the father of three children: William, of further mention; Mary, and Ann. Mary became the wife of John Adkins, and Ann became the wife of Josiah Shaw, both sisters living and dying in England. Thomas Clarke died in London, England, in 1817. Joseph Clarke, the third son of John Clarke and his wife Hannah, died without issue, and the descendants of Thomas re- ceived a small legacy from them in 1845. John, the youngest son of John Clarke, died in his carly youth, having never married.
William Clarke, son of Thomas Clarke and great- grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came to America in June of 1800, and after residing in this country for about eighteen years, spent a year in England, then returning to America in 1810, made his home in Exeter, Otsego county, New York, until his death, which occurred in 1842. William Clarke, of Exeter, had a son William, who was the father of Adriel E. Clarke.
Adriel Ely Clarke was born in Otsego county, New York, in 1840. As a young man he enlisted in the Civil War, in Company B, 10Ist Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, and served in the Army of the Potomac, taking part in fifty-two cam- Daigns. Following his honorable discharge he re- turned home and took up farming, later in life locat- ing at West Winfield, in Herkimer county, New York, near Utica, where he died October 25, 1880. He married Frances Amelia Countryman, who was born in Starkville, New York, and now resides with her son, George H., in Niantic. Adriel Ely and Frances Amelia (Countryman) Clarke were the par- ents of six children: Frank William; George Henry, of further mention; Florence Mary; Carrie L .; Grace A .; and Charles A.
George Henry Clarke was born in Schenevus Otsego county, New York, August 16, 1868. He was one year old when his parents removed to West Winfield, and there he attended school, securing a broadly practical education along general lines. At the age of twenty-two years he was station agent for the New York Central Railroad at various sta- tions, and was thus engaged for eight years. In February of 1900 he entered the Utica Steam Gauge Company as superintendent, remaining with that company in the same capacity until 1912. The fol- lowing year he spent in Jersey City, then came to Niantic, Connecticut, and here established a factory under the name of the New England Steam Gauge Company. This was in 1913, and Mr. Clarke has now passed nearly nine successful years, much of his progress being due to his own persistence, thrift and industry. Possessed of business acumen, his
upright methods have gained the confidence of the trade, and his personal integrity has placed him liigh in the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens.
In politics Mr. Clarke is an Independent voter, and his fraternal affiliations are the following: Mem- ber of Baynew Lodge, No. 120, of which he is master; and of Mohawk Lodge, No. 224, Knights of Pythias, of Frankfort, New York.
Mr. Clarke married, on March 28, 1895, Emma L. Kirshı, who was born in Oswego county, New York, February 22, 1878, and is a daughter of John P. and Laura J. (Minckler) Kirsh. They are the par- ents of one son, Lester George Clarke, born at Har- risville, New York, April 26, 1896, who married Shir- ley Lamphere, and is the father of two children: Alison and Donald.
JOHN CARL STEVENS-For more than two decades Mr. Stevens has been the proprietor of a mill hotel in Baltic, Connecticut, and is one of the well known men of the town. He is the son of William and Mary (Chamberlain) Stevens, his father born in Topsham, Vermont. William Stevens was employed on a Vermont farm until youthful manhood, then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until his death in New- bury, Vermont, in 1890. His wife, Mary (Chamber- lain) Stevens, died in June, 1865. They were the parents of three children: John Carl, of further mention ; Ellen, who married Guy Granger, and re- sides in Passumpsic, Vermont ; and William, de- ceased.
John Carl Stevens was born in Barnet, Vermont, June 7, 1861, and there attended public schools. But school years were soon over, and at an early age he became an employee of Baker's Paper Mill, at Bradford, Vermont. For three years he re- mained in that mill, then spent a year as a farm- hand with the Stater Company, at Webster, Massa- chusetts. At the end of that period he located with the Valley Falls Company, at Valley Falls, Rhode Island, there remaining fourteen years, be- coming their farm manager. He then went to Baltic, Connecticut, where he continues proprietor of the Stevens House, a prosperous hostelry.
Mr. Stevens is a Republican in politics, and is in- fluential in party affairs in the town of Sprague. He has been a delegate to State conventions of his party for the past twelve years, and is influential in his district. He served as assessor from 1908 until 1910, as first selectman of the town of Sprague, 1910-12, and as third selectman, 1912-14. He is a member of Canonchet Tribe, No. 10, Improved Order of Red Men of Valley Falls, Rhode Island ; Shetucket Camp, No. 10,464, Modern Woodmen of America, Versailles, Connecticut ; Gardner Lodge, No. 46, Knights of Pythias, of Norwich, Connecticut, and also is past chancellor commander of that lodge.
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