USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 41
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On March 27, 1888, Judge Holdridge married Phoebe Jane Holmes, born in North Stonington, New London county, August 27, 1873, daughter of Shuabel and Angeline (Gray) Holmes. They are the parents of five sons, two born in the town of Norwich, and the three youngest in Ledyard : Samuel Archibald, born in April, 1898; Roy Daniel, born in July, 1900; Carl Holmes, born May 14, 1904; Lester R., born in September, 1907; Paul Orrin, born in May, 1910. The family home and farm are in the town of Ledyard, Norwich, Connecticut, R. F. D. No. 6.
ELISHA SMITH-The family of Smith is one of the oldest in New London county, and one which has given to the county and State many men of ability who have played well their part in its public life. One of the original proprietors of the town of Norwich was Rev. Nehemiah Smith, who was born in England about 1605. He married Anna Bourne, whose sister Martha was a daughter-in-law of Gov- ernor William Bradford, of the Plymouth Colony, and in 1659 he was one of the original proprietors of the town of Norwich, Connecticut, who purchased lands from the Indian Chief Uncas. The descend- ants of Rev. Nehemiah and Anna (Bourne) Smith are numerous in Eastern Connecticut. This review deals with two men, Elisha Smith, and his son, also Elisha, residents of East Lyme, New London county, Connecticut, whose lives are now a part of that section of the county in which they long resided.
Elisha (1) Smith was born at East Lyme, Con- necticut, August 7, 1786, there spent his life, and died September 19, 1860. He was a shoemaker by trade, industrious and upright, a man who held the entire respect of the community in which he so long lived and labored. He married Mary Gorton, born in East Lyme, June 16, 1786, died May 2, 1861, daughter of Collins and Mary G. (Miner) Gorton. They were the parents of seven children, all born in East Lynne, all of whom have passed away after useful lives in the town of their birth, where all are buried: Wil- liam Augus, horn October 8, 1809; John Gorton, born September 24, 1810; Mary Gorton, born March 10, 1812; Edmund, born October 21, 1816; Elisha (2), of further mention; Frances Elizabeth, born March 13, 1824; Charles Henry, born October 27, 1828.
Elisha (2) Smith, fifth child of Elisha (I) and Mary (Gorton) Smith, was born in East Lyme, New London county, Connecticut, February 2, 1820, and died at his home in Niantic, town of East Lyme, May 21, 1889. He attended the public schools of his district. At an early age he was called into service as his father's assistant in the shoe shop, and even- tually he became himself a skilled shoemaker. He continued with his father until the years of his minority were about completed, and then he married and with his wife and his brother Edmund jour- neyed westward to Paw-Paw, Michigan, where the brothers conducted a general store. Four years later they sold their store, contents, fixtures and good will, Elisha Smith and his wife returning to their native State, locating in Hartford. There Mr. Smith turned his trade accomplishments to a good purpose, entering the employ of the Goodman Shoe Company, of Hartford. He prospered in Hartford and while there employed built a modern house in the village of Niantic in his native town, East Lyme. Later, after the death of his wife, when he wished to retire, he came to Niantic and occupied the home he had purchased until his death, which occurred in 1889. Like his father, Elisha (2) Smith was a man of industrious, upright life, a man admired and thoroughly respected wherever known.
Elisha (2) Smith married (first), in East Lyme, about 1840, Sarah Tinker, born in East Lyme, who died in Hartford, Connecticut, without children. He married (second), April 13, 1882, Ella Beckwith, born in Niantic, Connecticut, November 25, 1853, daughter of Captain Elisha and Nancy (Huntley) Beckwith. Captain Beckwith was an off shore fish- erman, owning and sailing his own vessel. He had two sons and a daughter, all born in Niantic; the sous were: Calvin Elisha Beckwith; Noble Union Beckwith, married Lottie Curtis, of Meriden, Con- necticut, and now engaged in the dry goods business in Meriden. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the parents of three children: Ella Louise, born in Niantic, Connecticut, June 6, 1885; Edmund Beckwith, born in Niantic, January 20, 1887; Charlotte, born in Niantic, November 17, 1888, died July 15, 1892.
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LOUIS H. GODDARD is a native son of New London, was educated in her schools and is one of the successful business and professional men of the city. In association with his father, who was a skilled contractor and builder, he gained his first experi- ence, then turned to architecture and is well estab- lished in his profession.
Asa O. Goddard, the father, was born in Waterford, Connecticut, there was educated in the public schools and there learned the carpenter's trade. He later be- came a contractor and builder, continuing in business until 1908, when he retired. He died in New London, aged sixty-eight years. He married Josephine Ben- ham, born in Waterford, died in New London, Con- necticut, and they were the parents of three chil- dren: Louis H., of whom further; Royce H., a resi- dent of New London; and Frederick B., of Balti- more, Maryland.
Louis H. Goddard, eldest son of Asa O. and Josephine (Benham) Goddard, was born in New London, Connecticut, and there completed grade and high school courses of study. After leaving school he learned the carpenters' trade with his father, and continued with him from 1888 to 1891. At the age of twenty, he entered the employ of Cole & Chand- ler, architects of Boston, and had an office in New London. For two years the young man remained with Cole & Chandler, studying architecture, then be- came a partner with his father and together they conducted a prosperous contracting business for fifteen years, 1893-1908, at the end of which time Mr. Goddard, Senior, retired, Mr. Goddard, Junior, continuing the business until 1911. From 1911 until 1916, Mr. Goddard was draughtsman and estimator in association with H. R. Douglass, of New London, but in 1916 he opened an architect's office in New London, where, under his own name, he has for five years continued in his profession, establishing a prosperous business. During the Spanish-Ameri- can War, Mr. Goddard enlisted and served as first sergeant in Company I, 3rd Regiment, Connecticut National Guard. He is a member of George M. Cole Post, Spanish War Veterans, and fraternally, is affiliated with New London Lodge, No. 360, Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
He married, in New London, June 25, 1902, Lucy A. Avery, daughter of Charles P. and Harriet (Ly- man) Avery, of New London. Mr. and Mrs. God- dard are the parents of two sons, both born in New London: Asa Avery, and Robert P.
CHARLES CHILD GILDERSLEEVE, M. D., son of Samuel and Annette Matilda (Child) Gilder- sleeve, was born at Northport, New York. He is the seventh Charles Child in direct maternal line. His education, begun in the public schools, was con- tinued in New York University for two years, and in Yale Medical School, where he received his M. D., class of 1896. He was interne at Worcester, Massachusetts, City Hospital in 1896 and 1897, then began practice at Woodstock, Connecticut. He was surgeon to the Day-Kimbell Hospital at Putnam,
Connecticut, until 1912, when he came to Norwich, Connecticut, where he still remains. He is surgeon to William W. Backus Hospital. Dr. Gildersleeve is a trustee of Connecticut State Hospital, and med- ical examiner for the towns and cities of Norwich, Bozrah, Franklin and Lebanon, Connecticut. He is a member of the American Medical Association; New London County Medical Society; Norwich City Medical Society; Worcester, Massachusetts, City Hospital Alumni Association; Yale Medical School Alumni Association; the Masonic order, thirty-second degree; Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Loyal Order of Moose; Norwich Chamber of Commerce; the Arca- num Club; Central Baptist Church.
On June 22, 1896, Dr. Gildersleeve married Susan May Corbin, daughter of Frank and Mary (Brad- ford) Corbin, a direct descendant of Governor Wil- liam Bradford, of the "Mayflower." Dr. and Mrs. Gildersleeve are the parents of three children: I. George Harold, born June 28, 1898, a graduate of Brown University, class of 1919; member Yale Med- ical School, class 1923. 2. Donald Child, born Feb- ruary 22, 1900. 3. Dorothy, born April 14, 1908. The family residence is No. 29 Lincoln avenue, Nor- wich, Connecticut, his office at No. 310 Main street.
GEORGE VARNUM SHEDD-Rounding out a long and useful life, in which he has figured in many branches of honorable effort, George Varnum Shedd, of Preston, New London county, Connecti- cut, is spending his declining years on the farm, still taking a constructive part in the public life of the town.
Mr. Shedd is a son of Varnum A. and Phebe (Har- rington) Shedd. Varnum A. Shedd was born in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and there received his education in the public schools. He became a super- intendent of the cotton mills of that place, follow- ing this line of work throughout his lifetime. For several years he was agent and business manager of the Salmon Falls Cotton Company, of Salmon Falls, New Hampshire. He died in that town in the year 1859. His wife was born in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and died in Waltham, in the same State. They were the parents of seven children, of whom Mr. Shedd, of Preston, is the fourth.
George Varnum Shedd was born in Lowell, Massa- chusetts, November 14, 1842. Receiving his early education in the public schools of his native city, he later attended the Berwick Academy, in Maine, and then completed his studies at the Gorham Aca- demy, in Maine. After his education was finished the young man became associated with his brother, Albert A. Shedd, in the dry goods business in Bos- ton. At the outbreak of the Civil War they sold out their business, both enlisting, with two other clerks in the store, in defense of the Union. Mr. Shedd served in Company B, 39th Regiment, Massa- chusetts Volunteer Infantry. He was taken pris- oner at Spottsylvania, Virginia, later making his escape. He was transferred to the mustering out
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department of General Warren, of the Fifth Army Corps.
After the close of the Civil War, Mr. Shedd en- tered the dry goods business again, conducting a store at Charlestown, Massachusetts, then later was in the same business in Marlborough for five years. Early in the seventies he came to Norwich, Connec- ticut, where he carried on a store along the same line for a number of years. Then wishing to retire from active business and still hold an interest in some branch of activity, he came to Preston, about 1890, and bought the farm which he now occupies. He is still active about the place, and carrying on an amount of general farming which would do credit to a younger man.
In the public interests of the town Mr. Shedd has been a prominent figure for some years. Po- litically affiliated with the Republican party, he quickly became a leader of its interests here. He was elected town clerk of Preston in 1908, and was selectman for five years. He has always been deeply interested in the subject of education, and served on the school board of Preston for many years. Mr. Shedd is a member of Sedgwick Post, of Norwich, Sons of the American Revolution. His church membership is with the Congregational church of Preston.
In 1870 Mr. Shedd married (first) Frances Ham- mond, daughter of Horace Hammond, of Waltham, Massachusetts. Her mother"s family name was Smith. They were the parents of three children: Horace H., now deceased; Arthur E., now a farmer in Preston, who married Carry Morgan, and Ethel F., deceased. The mother of these children died in 1879. Mr. Shedd married (second), in 1887, Abby P. Sears, who died in 1898. He married (third), January 15, 1903, Mary E. Morse, daughter of Wil- liam and Sarah (Avery) Morse, of Preston. Mr. and Mrs. Shedd are members of the Congregational church, of Preston.
GEORGE ALBERT KEPPLER-Long promi- nent in the business world of Norwich, and an equally familiar figure in social, theatrical and frater- nal circles, George Albert Keppler has for many years borne a significant part in the general progress of this city. Mr. Keppler's family is of German origin, and his father was born there, coming to the United States in his youth.
Sebastian Paul Keppler, Mr. Keppler's father, who was the founder of the oldest tailoring establishment in Norwich, was born in Waldshut, Baden, Germany, January 15, 1833. Coming to America at the age of sixteen years, and although scarcely more than a lad, began life here as a master tailor. He worked at his trade until the breaking out of the Civil War, then enlisted in Company I, 18th Regiment, Con- necticut Volunteer Infantry. He saw active service at Gettysburg and Antietam, receiving a severe wound in the latter battle, and he also suffered the horrors of six months' incarceration in Anderson-
ville prison. Returning North, he continued work at his trade until the year 1888, when he founded an independent tailoring business in Norwich. He was actively engaged thus for many years, until his retirement, winning the esteem and cordial good will of all with whom he came in contact. He married Christina Josephine Reiss, who was born December 28, 1843, and they were the parents of two children: George A., whose name heads this review; and Minnie, who is unmarried.
George Albert Keppler was born in Norwich, May 6, 1869. Receiving his early education in the public schools of the city, he was later graduated from the Norwich Free Academy (1887). From childhood interested in his father's work, Mr. Kep- pler became associated with him after leaving school, and mastering the business, soon took a man's place side by side with his father, the firm name becoming S. P. Keppler & Son. He has spent his entire career with this enterprise, of which he is now the head and owner. His patrons are among the most fastidious people of the city of Norwich, and also of the Thames Valley, and he holds a high position in the business world of this section. It is not only in business circles, however, that Mr. Keppler has won marked prominence. He is an enthusiastic horticulturist, and well known among flower lovers hereabouts. But his chief recreative interest, which has indeed become far more than mere recreation, is his broad activity in theatrical affairs. He has been a leader in amateur theatricals in Norwich for many years, and was director of the pageant which was given on the occasion of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Norwich. He is esteemed as a theatrical critic of broad vision and discriminating judgment, is the local critic, and is representative of the Dramatic Mirror. Fraternally Mr. Keppler is widely known. He is a member of Somerset Lodge, No. 34, Free and Accepted Masons; Franklin Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; Franklin Council, No. 3, Royal and Select Masters; Columbian Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar; King Solomon Lodge of Perfec- tion; Van Rensselaer Council, Princes of Jerusalem; Norwich Chapter, Rose Croix de Harodim; and Connecticut Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. He received the thirty-third degree in Ma- sonry, in September of 1922, at Cleveland, Ohio. He is also a member of Sphinx Temple, of Hartford, Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and of Uncas Lodge, No. 11, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which last named lodge he is past master. He is a member of the Sons of Veterans, and his religious affiliation is with the Universalist Church of the Good Shepherd.
Mr. Keppler married, in Norwich, on March 29, 1892, Ina Francis Ruby, daughter of David Thomas and Annah (Francis) Ruby.
CHARLES HENRY WHEELER-One of the oldest families of New London county, Connecti-
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cut, is the Wheeler family, which for many genera- tions has been represented in the southeastern part of the county, and has always been familiar in North Stonington. Charles Henry Wheeler, whose death in 1919 removed an upright and honored citi- zen, was a direct descendant of Thomas Wheeler, the immigrant ancestor of this family, who settled in Stonington early in the seventeenth century. The line follows down through his son, Isaac; Richard, son of Isaac; Jonathan, son of Richard; and Eleazer, son of Jonathan.
Eleazer Wheeler was born in North Stonington, and educated in the district schools of his day. After completing his studies he took up the work of the farm, which he followed throughout his life- time. He died in North Stonington in 1870. He married Lucinda Morgan, who died in Norwich in 1895, and they were the parents of eleven children.
Charles Henry Wheeler, son of Eleazer and Lu- cinda (Morgan) Wheeler, was born in North Ston- ington, December 25, 1836, and was reared in his native town and educated in the district sehools. Following the family traditions he also took up farming, working on various farms in North Ston- ington and Preston, until 1870, when he removed his family to the old Pride Homestead, then owned by his wife's mother. This place is known as Long Rock Farm, a name handed down by the Indians, and now a part of the farm owned and occupied by the Connecticut State Hospital. On this farm Mr. Wheeler carried on extensive farming operations in the old days, and still conducted the farm until the time of his death. He was a man of quiet tastes, always busy about the homely tasks of the farm, the activities upon which the prosperity of the nation is founded. He was devoted to his home and fam- ily, his whole life and all his interests centering there. He died February 8, 1919, regretted by all who knew him, and his name is cherished in the little circle of close friends to whom his exemplary life was an inspiration.
Mr. Wheeler married, on January 5, 1865, Emma Louisa Stodder, of Preston, Connecticut, who was born in Sullivan county, New York, September 20, 1846, and is a daughter of Cephas and Clarice ( Pride) Stodder. Mrs. Wheeler still survives her husband and resides on the above farm. Their five children are as follows: Frank Stodder, a farmer, who mar- ried Annie Gay, and resides on Scotland Road, in the town of Norwich; Minnie Abby, a Norwich school teacher, who resides at home; Charles Henry, a farmer of Scotland, who married Lena Isham; Amos Billings, of Norwich, who married Jennie Browning; and Clara Pride, who resides at home. The family attend the Baptist church, always being interested in Union Chapel, in Preston.
BURTON WINTHROP DEWOLF-With prac- tical experience in various lines of activity, Burton W. DeWolf, of Old Lyme, Connecticut, is bearing a part in the progress of the community in conduct- N.L .- 2-23.
ing an up-to-date grocery and general store.
Mr. DeWolf comes of a very old family in New London county, many members of which have been and still are prominent in the public and mercantile activities of the southwestern part of the county. Mr. DeWolf's grandfather, Roger William De Wolf, was born in Old Lyme, February 11, 1837, and re- ceiving the usual common school education of the day, took up farming with an older brother, then, later in life, entered the grocery business at Black Hall, and for thirty years was identified with this business, placing it in the hands of his son when he retired from the active management of this inter- est. He has since conducted a small farm directly across the road from this store. Roger W. De Wolf represented the town of Old Lyme in the State Legislature in 1883, and has served the town also as a member of the Board of Relief, being promi- nent in public affairs, although independent in his political convictions. He married Julia Smith, of Niantic, daughter of William and Eunice Smith, and they were the parents of four children: Winthrop Roger, who took over his store upon his retirement; Claude, who was born April 6, 1869; Roger, who died in childhood; and Agnes Julia, born February 8, 1871, who married (first) James Henry Beebe, of East Lyme, and (second) Henry Rathbun.
Winthrop Roger DeWolf, eldest son of Roger William and Julia (Smith) DeWolf, was born in Old Lyme, Connecticut, in October, 1863, and edu- cated in the schools of his native town. More or less active from boyhood in the interests of the store which his father had founded, when the older man wished to retire, he took over the responsibil- ities of the business, and carried it forward success- fully. He was in full charge of the business from 1891 until 1918, ill health compelling him, in the latter year, to turn the business over into the hands of his son. Winthrop R. DeWolf married Cora Ackerson, and they had one daughter and one son: Caroll Frances; and Burton Winthrop, of whom further.
Burton Winthrop DeWolf was born in the town of Old Lyme, December 27, 1886, and was educated in the district schools of the community. Upon leaving school he was employed at the famous Black Hall greenhouses, and was identified with this work for several years. Later he left his native town, and for some time was engaged in various enterprises. In 1907 Mr. DeWolf was employed by the General Electric Company, of Lynn, Massachu- setts. This connection took him through Massachu- setts, Connecticut and New York States. When six- teen years old he worked in the Palmer, Bidquitt Mills, at Montville, Connecticut. He later worked as night timekeeper for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad on the Saybrook and Lyme drawbridge. Mr. DeWolf has undergone two very serions operations in the Hartford Hospital. In 1918, on account of his father's broken health, Mr. De Wolf returned to Old Lyme and took charge of the store.
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Applying progressive methods and his own enter- prising spirit to the business, which has always been prosperous, Mr. DeWolf is carrying it forward to even greater success. For sixty years this busi- ness has now been in the DeWolf family, the pres- ent owner being the third generation in direct line to hold its management, and friends of the family predict great success for him.
While broadly interested in all progress, Mr. De- Wolf has never taken a leading position in the political world. He keeps in touch with political affairs, but votes independently. He is now serving as assistant postmaster.
On October 31, 1918, Mr. DeWolf married Monica Elizabeth Sturges-Jones, of English descent, who was born in New York City in 1897. They have one daughter, Nadine Gale, who was born in Black Hall, October 19, 1919.
CHARLES YOUNG was a successful business man of Norwich, Connecticut, who became wealthy through industry and economy, all his efforts being aided by his capable wife, Phillipena T. F. (Young) Young. Charles Young was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, his father a farmer. The boy attended school until the age of fourteen, in the meanwhile assisting his father on the farm. Learning the trade of cutler from an elder brother, he was enabled to carry on that trade until he entered the German army, at twenty-two years of age, serving for about six years, until the war broke out between Bavaria and Prussia. He then became an officer in the Bavarian army, but that army being defeated, he was forced to flee from his native land. In 1848 he came to the United States, bringing with him his bride of four weeks. The young couple sailed from Havre, France, and after a voyage of thirty-one days landed in New York City. Two days later they came to Norwich, Connecticut, where he began to learn the trade of a moulder, while his enterprising young wife worked early and late as a seamstress, becom- ing a very popular dressmaker. During the war the Youngs purchased the building on the corner of Main and Franklin streets, Norwich, Connecticut, (now known as Young's Hotel), and for eighteen years profitably conducted an excellent hotel. Later, they purchased the Stedman property at Norwich- town, Connecticut, formerly the Governor Hunting- ton estate, and there Mr. Young built greenhouses and made other improvements, operating the prop- erty as a fruit and flower farm. There Mr. Young made his home until about a year before his death, when he was taken ill and removed to a hospital in Hartford, Connecticut, where he died May 27, 1897, aged seventy-five years. His remains lie in beanti- ful Yantic Cemetery, Norwich, Connecticut, in a vault which his widow erected a year after his death.
Charles Young married, in Germany, in 1848, Phillipena Theresa Fronica Young, born May I, 1825, died in Norwichtown, Connecticut, September 13, 1916, in her ninety-first year, daughter of Charles
Young, her father and her husband bearing the same name although not related. Mr. and Mrs. Young were the parents of a daughter, who died at birth, only living two days. Mrs. Young was a wonderful business woman, and the Young fortune, which she aided her husband to accumulate, was largely increased during the seventeen years of her windowhood. While she died from old age, she re- tained her mental faculties until the last and did not need spectacles, liaving very strong eyes even when numbered with the nonagenarians. She was very active until the last, traveling to the city to transact real estate business until within a very few years of her passing. The beautiful vault she erected for her husband's remains she now shares with him.
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