USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 39
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Simon (3) Brewster attended public schools in
Jewett City and Preston City, and before his fath- er's death was his valued assistant. He restored the farm to its former condition as a profitable estate, and has added many acres thereto. Half a century has now passed since his return and he has become one of the substantial men of his town, his pros- perity equalling that of the generations that pre- ceded him. He has, during his whole life, taken a great interest in agriculture and stock-breeding in his community, and for many years has been a director in, and is now first vice-president of, the New London County Agricultural Society.
Simon (3) Brewster married, April 8, 1873, Sarah Elizabeth Browning, born April 2, 1854, daughter of Beriah Hopkins and Sarah Elizabeth (Campbell) Browning. Mrs. Brewster is the granddaughter of Avery Browning, who married Mary Arnold, daugh- ter of Peleg Arnold, and who died on the Plain Hill farm in Norwich, May 9, 1865.
The Browning family descends from Nathaniel Browning, who is of record in Rhode Island as early as 1645. By his wife, Sarah, he had a son, William, through whom descent is traced. William Browning is of Portsmouth and South Kingston, Rhode Island, and both he and his second wife, Sarah, died in 1730. John Browning, son of William and Rebecca (Wilbur) Browning, was born March 4, 1696, and was head of the third generation. He mar- ried Anna Hazard, daughter of Jeremiah and Sarah (Smith) Hazard, of South Kingston, Rhode Island. The head of the fourth generation was their son, John (2) Browning, who by his second wife, Eu- nice (Williams) Browning, had among other children a son, Avery, the grandfather of Sarah Elizabeth Browning, wife of Simon (3) Brewster,
Simon (3) and Sarah E. (Browning) Brewster are the parents of seven children: I. Sarah E., born July 17, 1875, died January 15, 1886. 2. Alice Ald- rich, born January 19, 1881, died February 24, 1884. 3. Martha Browning, born April 23, 1883, married December 17, 1917, Asahel R. Cook, principal as- sistant engineer of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. Mr. and Mrs. Cook reside in Tacoma, Washington. 4. Abby Prentice, born June 22, 1885, a graduate of the Norwich Free Academy, valedic- torian of the class of 1903, a successful educator of New York City. 5. Simon (4), born November 5, 1887, now his father's valued assistant. 6. Sarah Elizabeth, born November 12, 1891, married, May 26, 1917, Russell L. Davenport, of Ogden, Utah, attorney-at-law, and now has two children: Mary Brewster, and Eleanor. They reside in Holyoke, Massachusetts. 7. Margery Morgan, born March 12, 1895, a graduate of Connecticut Agricultural Col- lege, class of 1914, living with her parents.
These children are of the ninth generation of the Brewster family, one of the oldest families in New England, and one which represents three centuries of American life, 1620-1920. Their Browning line- age is nearly as ancient and equally honorable. The coming of the "Mayflower" in 1620 was the begin- ning of an epoch memorable in world history, and
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Elder William Brewster was one of the men who, through the "covenant," established a new order and built a community upon a religious foundation. Three centuries have proved how well the founda- tion was laid.
REV. ALBERT EDWARD KINMOUTH, born in Cork, Ireland, May 5, 1846, was educated in the city schools, Villards Academy, and Queen's Univer- sity, Cork. He studied for the ministry in Eng- land, but was not regularly ordained a clergyman until coming to the United States, the ordination ceremonies being held in Pottsdam, New York, in 1874. Later he was ordained an elder at Pottsdam, New York. He was settled pastor over the Con- gregational church at Seneca Falls, New York, in 1877. That was his first pastorate, and he afterward was called as pastor over several churches, filling every charge with the devoted zeal which marks the true minister of the gospel. At Oswego Falls, New York, he built a new church, and other churches which he served were rescued from a condition of financial distress and restored to a state of useful- ness. He served the church at Ledyard, Connecti- cut, for fifteen years with marked acceptability; then went to Friendship, New York, remaining for four years; then for five years was at Brooklyn, Connecticut, after which time, his health failing, he resigned and retired from the ministry. His life has been a useful one, spent largely in the service of his fellowmen through the medium of the church and its allied forces.
Rev. Albert E. Kinmouth married (first) Elizabeth Royeroft, who died, leaving three children: Cather- ine, Eva Gertrude, and Richard Ray. Their first-born, Minnie, died in infancy. He married (second) Caroline Henrietta Bellows, born at Seneca Falls, New York, in February, 1860, daughter of William Levin and Caroline P. Catt. They were the parents of four children: Albert William, who will have further mention; George Edward, of Mystic, Con- necticut; Raymond Arnold, of further mention; Car- rie Fredericka, born in Ledyard, died aged four years, in 1904.
Albert William Kinmouth, son of Rev. Albert Edward Kinmonth and his second wife, Caroline Henrietta Bellows, was born at Stouffville, near Toronto, Canada, July 5, 1881. In 1889 his parents moved to Greenwich, Connecticut, where his father was pastor of the Congregational church, and there the lad attended public school. Later he spent a year in Montville, his father serving the church there one year before going to the Ledyard church in 1893. Albert W., the son, attended the : public school until sixteen years of age, then, in 1897, taught school for one term. The next two years he was a student at Mt. Hermon School, then for two years taught in the Lester district, at Gales Ferry. He then abandoned teaching and was employed for several years by different street car companies. In 1916 he returned to the farm in Ledyard, to which
his father had retired after leaving the ministry, and there has since been in charge of the farm. Mr. Kinmouth is a member of the Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and for three years has served his town as second selectman.
Raymond Arnold Kinmouth, a graduate of the Medical Department of the University of Boston, a physician, now at Massachusetts State Hospital for the Insane, and has made a reputation as a surgeon, He enlisted in the United States army during the World War, went overseas with the American Expe- ditionary Forces, served in the medical corps in France with the 100th Battery of Field Artillery, and was cited for bravery in action. He was a victim of the gas used by the Germans in their reversion to barbarism, and suffered greatly. His parents received a letter from General Edwards commending the bravery of their son and his splendid military record.
CHARLES ORRISON MAINE, M. D .- The fam- ily of which Mr. Maine was a member is a very old one in New England. The first one of the family to be known in this country was John Maine, who was a native of York, England. Leaving his home there in 1629, he sailed for the New World, and after a time settled in Maine, at the small village of York. He remained in that locality for forty years, then, in 1669, came to Connecticut and made his home in Stonington, residing there until his death. Many of his descendants are now residing in this same locality. His son, Ezekial Maine, is the forebear of Charles Orrison Maine. Ezekial's wife was named Mary, and they had a son Jeremiah, whose wife was Ruth Brown. Their son, Thomas Maine, be- came quite prominent as a deacon; he married Anna Brown, by whom he had a son Jonathan. Jonathan's wife was Patience Peckham, who became the mother of Jabis Maine, who married Freelove Edwards. Their son, Sidney O. Maine, was born in North Ston- ington, where he was educated in the district school and where he afterward became a farmer, following this as a means of livelihood until his death, in North Stonington, in 1897; his wife, Eliza Went- worth, was born in Hillsdale, Massachusetts, dying in North Stonington, in 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Sidney O. Maine had five children, the eldest being Charles Orrison Maine, of further mention,
Charles Orrison Maine was born in New Hartford, Connecticut, June 16, 1845. His education began in the public school of that locality and was finished at Dartmouth College, where he became a student of medicine in 1866, and from which he graduated in 1870, with the degree of Medical Doctor. Going in that same year to Voluntown, Connecticut, he en- tered into private practice, but after a short period spent there returned to the borough of Stonington, where he carried on his profession for many years, his death occurring at his home March 6, 1916.
Active all his life in the affairs of his borough, Dr. Maine was very prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of Asylum Lodge, No. 57, Free and Accepted Masons, of Stonington, and also
C.C. Mainill.
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was one of the charter members of the local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. He also was connected with the Stonington Grange. Dr. Maine was an active member of several societies relating to his profession, among them being the American Medical Association; the State Medical Association, of Connecticut, and the New London County Medi- cal Society. During the many years that Dr. Maine was a resident of Stonington he was a staunch up- holder of the Republican party. In religion he was a member of the Baptist church.
Dr. Maine married, December 18, 1866, Phebe Sarah Maine, the daughter of Robert P. and Phebe E. (Edwards) Maine. To this union one child was born, Charles Everett Maine, D. D. S., practicing in Stonington, Connecticut.
GERTRUDE L. (MAINE) LATHAM-Bereft of both her parents at a very early age, Gertrude L. (Maine) Latham was brought up in the family of Dr. Charles Orrison Maine (see preceding sketch), of Stonington, Connecticut, spending the greater part of her life in his home.
Gertrude L. (Maine) Latham was born in Wester- ly, Rhode Island, her parents being Crawford R. and Hattie M. (Tucker) . Maine. Her father was a native of Voluntown, Connecticut, where he was edu- cated in the district school. Business interests afterward taking his to Westerly, Rhode Island, Mr. Maine died there in 1877, his wife having died in 1875, and Gertrude L. was the only child of their marriage. Going to live at Stonington with Dr. and Mrs. Maine at that time, the young child re- ceived a good education in the public schools of the town, and she continued to reside with her relatives until she reached womanhood.
Gertrude L. Maine married, June 29, 1898, Hiram J. Latham, a resident of Mystic, Connecticut. Of this union one child was born, Muriel, born in Pawtucket, town of Stonington, January 6, 1900, who lives at home. Mrs. Latham is the owner of a confectionery store at Stonington, which she per- sonally conducts. During the World War she was appointed assistant postmaster of Stonington. Mrs. Latham is a member of the Baptist church there and active in its work.
JAMES DANA COIT-Filling a position of trust in his native city, and identified with its public and social life, James Dana Coit, of Norwich, Connecti- cut, is a representative citizen of the day. He is a son of George Douglas Coit, who was born in Nor- wich, Connecticut, and received his early education in the public schools of the city, Norwich Free Academy and Yale University, receiving from the last named his Bachelor's Degree with the class of 1866. After graduation he returned to Norwich and became associated with the Norwich Fire Insurance Company in the capacity of clerk, remaining in that connection for one year. For a few months he was a part of the executive force of the B. P. Learned
Company, of Norwich, then prominent dealers in real estate and insurance. In 1869 lie was instrumen- tal in organizing the Dime Savings Bank of Nor- wich, serving as its first secretary and treasurer. Nine years later, in July, 1878, he transferred his services to the Chelsea Savings Bank, of Norwich, succeeding his brother, Charles M. Coit (who was drowned), as secretary-treasurer of that institu- tion. For twenty-eight years he held that position with the Chelsea Savings Bank, his valuable service terminating with his death, October 3, 1906. He married Frances Henrietta Dana, who was born in New Haven, Connecticut, July 26, 1848, daughter of James D. and Henrietta (Sullivan) Dana, of that city. George Douglas and Frances Henrietta (Dana) Coit were the parents of three children: George D., deceased; Helen, deceased; and James Dana, of further mention.
James Dana Coit was born in Norwich, Connecti- cut, December 5, 1880. He began his education in the city public schools, passing thence to Norwich Free Academy, where he spent two years. This was supplemented by two years at Holbrook Mili- tary School at Sing Sing, New York (Ossining), whence he was graduated, class of 1900. He spent two years at Yale University, but withdrew in his sophomore year, and on December 15, 1902, entered the employ of the Merchants' National Bank of Norwich, where he remained until 1906, when he canie to the Chelsea Savings Bank, with which his honored father had so long been connected. He entered as clerk, but the years have brought him promotion, his present position being that of as- sistant secretary and treasurer. He is well known and highly esteemed in the banking fraternity, and is interested in many of the city's social and philan- thropic activities.
Mr. Coit is treasurer of the Norwich Americaniza- tion Institute; treasurer of the Norwich Tuberculo- sis Fund of the American Red Cross; member of the Arcanum Club of Norwich; Norwich Golf Club; Sons of the American Revolution; Society of Colo- nial Wars; Delta Phi fraternity, and in politics is a Republican.
On May 9, 1906, Mr. Coit married Emily Hurnell Turnbull, daughter of Charles and Gertrude (Tabb) Turnbull, of Baltimore, Maryland. They have one child, Frances Dana Coit. Mr. and Mrs. Coit are members of the Park Congregational Church, and active in all the social and benevolent organizations of the church society.
JAMES WILLIAM BENNETT-Throughout a long and active lifetime James William Bennett traveled through the New England States in the interests of well known manufacturers, catering to the grocery trade, and in his death, in 1921, the friends he had made in every place he had visited, from the great cities down to the most remote ham- lets, felt the loss of that genial, warm-hearted nature.
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Mr. Bennett was a son of Nathan and Abbie (Manning) Bennett, both from old families of South- ern New England. Nathan Bennett was born and educated in Foster, Rhode Island, and as a young man became a manufacturer of woolen fabrics, fol- lowing the textile industry as a producer for many years. He came to Baltic, in New London county, Connecticut, then known as Lord's Bridge, early in his career, and there operated a small woolen mill. Later he purchased a hotel in the same community, and this he managed personally, with marked suc- cess. Eventually retiring from all active business interests, he removed to Hanover, in the town of Sprague, where he spent his declining years in well-earned comfort, and died January 23, 1895. His wife survived him for nearly twenty-two years, and passed away in Canterbury, Connecticut, October 6, 1916, at a good old age.
James William Bennett was born in Franklin, New London county, Connecticut, March 16, 1846, and died in Willimantic, July 19, 1921. As a child he attended the old district schools of Lord's Bridge (now Baltic), later enjoying the privilege of a course at Professor T. K. Peck's school in Hanover. As a young man he began life on the farm, in Can- terbury, but after one year of farm life, returned home and was associated with his father in the hotel and livery business in Baltic. Thereafter, Mr. Bennett was employed for seven years by J. S. Ray, of East Haddam, Connecticut, a manufacturer of coffin trimmings. His next step was to become as- sociated with Coles & Weeks, grain dealers, of Mid- dletown, Connecticut, in the capacity of traveling salesman, with whom he remained for four years. Upon severing this connection, Mr. Bennett formed the business tie which endured for a period of thirty years, with the C. D. Boss Company, of New London, the famous cracker manufacturers. For this concern he traveled all over New England until the old company was dissolved, and it was in con- nection with the "Boss" crackers that he is best re- membered in the trade, perhaps. Next, and last, Mr. Bennett was identified with the A. H. Bill Company, of Boston, wholesale tea and coffee mer- chants, going on the road for them with the estab- lishment of the firm. How largely the success of this concern is due to the ripened experience and wide popularity of Mr. Bennett as a salesman can hardly be estimated, his loyalty to the interests of his house bringing their most scattered customers into close touch with the concern, and immeasur- ably advancing their mutual good. He was with this concern fifteen years, and died in their service.
The nature of Mr. Bennett's activities as a business man precluded largely those social interests which mean so much. He resided in Middletown in early life, but from his first connection with the Boss concern, resided in Willimantic until 1911, when he removed to Hanover, taking possession of the old Smith homestead, which was inherited by his wife and others, and which had been the home of her
people for generations, where she was born and still resides. Through all his travels, however, Mr. Bennett invariably kept in touch with the progress of the times, and his influence, in the many circles which his influence reached, was always for ad- vance, whether in public interests or individual en- deavor.
Mr. Bennett was for many years a popular member of the Commercial Travelers' Mutual Benefit Asso- ciation, and was always broadly active in its inter- est. Politically, Mr. Bennett was a Republican, but did not always support that ticket, for he was not blind to the faults of his party, as his vote in National and State elections often testified. Frater- nally, he held membership in Somerset Lodge, No. 34, Free and Accepted Masons, of Norwich. He at- tended the Congregational church.
Mr. Bennett married, in Hanover, on November 13, 1872, Ella E. Smith, daughter of Norman and Adeline (Cutler) Smith. Mrs. Bennett survives her husband, also their two children and four grand- children survive, as follows: Harry Norman, born in East Haddam, Connecticut, September 4, 1873, who is now engaged in the manufacture of chemi- cals in New York City, married Lillian Louise Bass, of Springfield, Massachusetts, their only child being Harold Bass; and Grace Adeline, born in East Had- dam, October 15, 1879, now the wife of Harry L. Andrew, wholesale grocer and provision dealer in New Haven, Connecticut, their three children being Dorothy Cutler, Norma, and Bennett.
It is especially fitting that the life of such a man as James William Bennett should be commemorated in the permanent records of his native county. He lived broadly and fully, and gave to his time the wealth of a rich and generous nature. He will long be remembered by all whose privilege it was to know him.
LOUIS THOMAS CASSIDY, M. D .- Following in the footsteps of his honored father, Dr. Cassidy, of Norwich, has attained a high position in the medical profession in New London county, being a leading physician and surgeon of that city. Dr. Cassidy is a son of Dr. Patrick and Margaret (Mc- Cloud) Cassidy, long residents of this city. The father is one of the most prominent medical prac- titioners of Norwich, with a long record of success behind him. He is still in active practice and widely sought in consultation, a venerable and highly es- teemed physician, both among the people to whose needs he has given his life, and to the profession of which he is a noteworthy member. At one time he served as surgeon general of the State of Con- necticut.
Louis Thomas Cassidy was born in Norwich, Con- necticut, January 12, 1883. His education was begun in the public schools, and he was graduated from the Norwich Free Academy in the class of 1900. His choice of a profession early determined, he en- tered Georgetown University, at Washington, Dis-
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trict of Columbia, and completed his course in arts and letters in 1904, being graduated in that year. He then took up his professional studies at George- town Medical School, and was graduated in 1908. He has since practiced in his native city with marked success, and has attained an enviable position among his contemporaries. Standing high in the profession, he is a member of the American Medical Associa- tion, the Connecticut State Medical Society, the New London County Medical Society, and the Norwich Medical Society. Widely prominent in fraternal circles, he is a member of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Norwich Acrie, Fraternal Order of Eagles, the American Order of Foresters, and the Improved Order of Red Men, all Norwich lodges. His reli- gious affiliation is with the Roman Catholic church.
Dr. Cassidy married, in Washington, District of Columbia, in 1909, Mary Virginia Drury, daughter of John S. and Alice (Mason) Drury.
CLARENCE LOWELL CLARK-In that school which developed some of the greatest business men of their day, the "Yankee peddler wagon," a school now practically closed, but one that filled an im- portant place in New England country life during its heyday, William Frederick Clark gained his training for the honorable place he has since filled in the mercantile life of Old Lyme, Connecticut. William Frederick Clarke is the father of Clarence Lowell Clarke, whose business education began in his father's general store in Old Lyme, but who has since 1903 been in the government postal service as mail carrier and postmaster at Old Lyme.
William F. Clark was born in Chester, Connecti- cut, and until arriving at manhood was engaged in farming. He left the farm to take up the life of a traveling merchant, and drove over stated territory with his wagon, loaded with tin and other ware, which he sold or exchanged with farmers at their homes. He was a successful merchant of that "old time type," and continued until 1880, when he set- tled in Old Lyme, New London county, and opened a general store, which he now has successfully con- ducted for forty years and still manages.
Mr. Clark married Elvira Comstock, born in Old Lyme, of an old New London county family, and among their children was a son, Clarence Lowell Clark, of whom further. Mr. and Mrs. William F. Clark reside in Old Lyme, where so many of their years have been spent. They are highly esteemed in the village, and "Clark's" is a well known and popular trading center.
Clarence Lowell Clark was born in Old Lyme, New London county, Connecticut, June 1, 1885. He was educated in the public schools of Old Lyme, and after finishing high school he was appointed, on July 1, 1903, letter carrier at the Old Lyme post office. He held that office seven years, until July I, 1910, when he was appointed postmaster of Old Lyme, the appointment being made by Postmaster-
General Frank H. Hitchcock. He was reappointed under the Wilson administration by Postmaster- General Burleson, and has held the office contin- uously under both Republican and Democratic ad- ministrations, although by political choice he is a Republican. He has served the village on the school board and before becoming postmaster was village assessor.
Mr. Clark is a member of the Congregational church of Old Lyme. Fraternally he is a member of Crystal Lodge, No. 88, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past noble grand and past district deputy grand master; and Pythagoras Lodge, No. 45, Free and Accepted Masons, both of Old Lyme.
Postmaster Clark married, at Old Lyme, April 23, 1908, May Frances Austin, born in the village, daughter of William Nelson and Susan E. (Chap- man) Austin, her father a contractor and builder of Old Lymc.
JAMES BATHGATE-For several centuries the name of Bathgate has been identified in Scotland with the manufacture of woolen fabrics, and a Bath- gate, in the early days of the textile industry in America, crossed the ocean and took his place among the pioneers in this field in the United States. With the ingrained ability which is the result of generation after generation following the same line of effort, the accumulated experience of the family went into the development of the industry in America.
James Bathgate was born in Gallashiels, Scotland, and after a few years of successful management of the mills in Scotland, followed the earlier pioneers to Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, and then to this country, and settled in Foxcroft, Piscataquis county, Maine, where he was engaged in the manufacture of textiles for a considerable period. About 1906 Mr. Bathgate came to East Lyme, Connecticut, as treasurer and general manager of the Niantic Manufacturing Company, located in the village of Flanders, now a living monument to the spirit which has lived through the centuries since the first man of this name entered the textile field, and later, with his son, George Hyslop, established a mill in Waterford, Connecticut, known as the Jordan Mill.
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