USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 53
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Morgan, a farmer and owner of the old family prop- erty at the foot of Old Fort Hill.
At that homestead Youngs Morgan was born February 5, 1814, and there he lived until 1845, when he moved to a farm on Poquonock Plains, owned by Morgans, where he spent the remainder of his life. During his younger days, he, like many young men of the neighborhood, went to sea, three suc- cessful whaling voyages being made by him before the thirst for adventure was satisfied.
Captain John A. Morgan, son of Youngs and Elizabeth Morgan, was born at the homestead, foot of Fort Hill, which was later destroyed by fire, and died in the village of Groton. In 1845 the Poquo- nock Plains farm became the family home, the lad securing his education in the school at Poquonock Bridge and at Mystic Academy. Hc early began following the sea, making several deep sea voyages and visiting many foreign ports. He was also en- gaged in menhaden fishing, and in 1864 shipped as able seaman on the brig "William Edwards," en- gaged in the coastwise trade. In 1865 the vessel was run down by a steamer off Little Egg Harbor, the crew being rescued and taken to New York. In 1866 he returned to menhaden fishing and became captain of a vessel and engaged in that business extensively.
In 1867 Captain Morgan obtained an interest in a fish oil factory at East Boothbay, Maine, and for twenty-one years he continued in the fishing busi- ness and in the manufacture of fish-oil and other fish products. In 1881 he retired and in 1895 re- moved to Groton Village, where he resided until his death.
Captain Morgan was a man of strong character, fearless, strictly honorable and public-spirited. He served as selectman and as assessor and gave much of his time to the Volunteer Fire Department. He was active in the movement which resulted in the forming of Groton Fire District, No. 1, and was elected chairman of the first fire district committee, an office he held continuously until 1903, when fail- ing health compelled his retirement. He, however, held the office of fire chief from the organization of the department until his death. He was a member of Thames Lodge, No. 13, Ancient Order United Workmen; of Fairview Lodge, No. 101, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; of Charity and Relief Lodge, No. 72, Free and Accepted Masons. He was a Dem- ocrat in politics and for five years, under President Cleveland, captain of a government launch at the Navy Yard on the Thames. Captain John A. Mor- gan married, February 21, 1877, at East Boothbay, Maine, Ann Mary Gould, daughter of John Gould, of East Boothbay, and they were the parents of three children: Mary A., who married William G. Steb- bins and resides in Groton; Youngs (2), of further mention; and Edward G., who married Jennie May- nard, and resides in Groton.
Youngs (2) Morgan was born in Groton, Connec- ticut, October 6, 1879, and was educated in the pub-
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lic schools. Arriving at a suitable age, he learned the plumbing trade under Neuman & Cronin, of New London, continuing with that firm until 1912. He then engaged in business under his own name and for the past ten years has successfully con- ducted a plumbing and steam fitting establishment in Groton. He is a skilled worker himself and an energetic progressive business man. He is a Demo- crat in politics; member of Fairview Lodge, No. 101, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and an atten- dant of the Baptist church.
Mr. Morgan married, June 10, 1914, Sarah Brown- ing, of Pictou county, Nova Scotia, daughter of Joseph Browning. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan are the parents of a son, William S. Morgan, born Decem- ber 5, 1916. The family home is in Groton, not far from the locality in which James Morgan, the American ancestor, settled in 1650.
VINE WILLARD STARR-Among the success- ful farmers of Waterford, Connecticut, where he carries on an extensive milk business, is Vine Wil- lard Starr. He was born at Lakewood, New Jersey, November 19, 1870, the son of Lafayette Waldo and Harriett (Saddleman) Starr. Lafayette W. Starr was born in Stonington, Connecticut, and for many years previous to his retirement from active busi- ness life was a carriage blacksmith. He now makes his home at Norwich. To Mr. and Mrs. Starr have been born five children: Agnes Elizabeth, who married William Stanton, of New London, and by this union has one child, Ellwood; Henry Lucius, who married Maude Davis, of New London; Lafay- ette Herbert, who married Mary Champlin, of Tor- rington, Connecticut; Vine Willard, mentioned be- low; and Jennie Louise, who married Ernest New- bury, of New London.
Vine Willard Starr was brought by his parents to Middletown, Connecticut, where he attended the local public schools, subsequently removing to Hop- kinton, Rhode Island, and thence to New London. Here the greater part of his life was spent until he was thirty years of age. He worked in various ca- pacities as follows: Chore boy for Dr. Tobey; gro- cery clerk for Joseph Kopp; coachman for H. M. Knapp; New London street railway; and then se- cured a position as foreman for the East Lyme street railway, which position he held for ten years, when he subsequently resigned and purchased his present farm. This enterprise has already proven successful, for although Mr. Starr has been thus engaged but a comparatively short time, having bought this place in 1917, he has developed a large trade and is recognized as one of the largest milk producers in the community. He holds member- ship in the Farm Bureau, and is affiliated with the Republican party. He is a deacon and trustee of the First Baptist Church, and a bass singer of rare ability.
On September 20, 1889, Vine Willard Starr was united in marriage with Rose Halloway, a native of Waterford, born August 12, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Starr are the parents of three children: Harriett O.,
who married Leonard Anderson; Willard Waldo, married Lillian MeGourty, and has one child, Wil- lard; and Charles Henry.
ARTHUR JAMES BEEBE-Holding a position of broad responsibility as assistant superintendent of the Connecticut State Farm for Women, Mr. Beebe is prominent in the public life of East Lyme. He is a son of James Henry Beebe, who was born in Niantic, in 1872, and for many years conducted a farın in the town of East Lyme, where he died in 1914. James Henry Beebe married Agnes Julia DeWolf, who was born in Black Hall, February 8, 1871, and was a daughter of Roger William DeWolf, a member of one of the old families of this part of New London county.
Roger William DeWolf, Mr. Beebe's maternal grandfather, was a man of more than usual promi- nenee. He was born in Old Lyme, February 11, 1837, and educated in the schools of the day in this community. In early life he was associated with an older brother in farming operations, later enter- ing the grocery business in Black Hall, in which he was engaged for more than thirty years. In 1891 he retired from this business, which he passed down to his son, and has since farmed, in a modest way, residing directly across the road from his old store. He was very prominent until quite recent years in the public life of the town, and represented Old Lyme at the State Legislature in 1883, also served at one time on the Board of Relief. He is indepen- dent in his political views, and supports the best man in the field. Mr. DeWolf married Julia Smith, daughter of William and Eunice Smith, of Niantic, and they were the parents of four children: Winthrop Roger, who was born in Old Lyme in October, 1864, married Cora Ackerson, and had two children: Car- oll, deceased, and Burton Winthrop, whose life is also reviewed in this work; Claude, who was born in Old Lyme, April 6, 1869; Roger, who died in childhood; and Agnes Julia, who became the wife of James Henry Beebe, as above noted. James H. and Agnes J. (DeWolf) Beebe were the parents of two children: Arthur James, of whom further; and Julia Agnes, now the wife of Arthur Rathbun, of Groton, Connecticut, they being the parents of one child, Pearl. After the death of Mr. Beebe, Mrs. Beebe married Henry Rathbun.
Arthur James Beebe, son of James Henry and Agnes Julia (DeWolf) Beebe, was born in East Lyme, June 18, 1894, and educated in the district schools of the town. After leaving school he took up farming, in which he has always been deeply interested, and gained valuable experience. In 1917 he came to the State Farm for Women, in the ca- pacity of assistant superintendent, and still ably fills this position. In political matters, Mr. Beebe acts independently, reserving the right to individual decision, and supports the side he believes to be right. He is a member of Niantic Lodge, No. 17, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Pequot Lodge, No. 45, of the same order.
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On June 15, 1920, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mr. Beebe married Jeannette Covenant Strahn, of that city.
WALTER PATRICK MORAN-A skilled elec- trician, holding a responsible position, Walter P. Moran left his position and offered himself to his country to do with as was thought best. That he went to France, saw active service, was badly wounded, and lay ten months in a hospital, are only details; the great fact is that he gave all he had to give and was willing even to make the su- preme sacrifice, that he might serve his country's cause. Walter P. Moran is a son of John A. and Mary E. (O'Mahoney) Moran, the former of whom came to Norwich, Connecticut, in 1885, from Mil- waukee, Wisconsin. John A. Moran established a real estate and insurance business in Norwich, and at the present time has a large and profitable insur- ance agency, and is one of the leading real estate dealers of Norwich. Walter P. Moran is the seventh child of John A. and Mary E. (O'Mahoney) Moran.
Walter P. Moran was born in Norwich, Connecti- cut, June 20, 1891, and there educated in the public schools. In 1906 he located in Schenectady, New York, in the employ of the General Electric Com- pany, and there remained eight years, becoming an expert electrician. He returned to Norwich in 1914, and was appointed chief engineer to the Nor- wich Gas & Electric Company. He capably filled that position until September 1, 1917, when he re- signed and entered the United States military serv- cie, his country then being at war with Germany.
Mr. Moran enlisted in the United States army, September 1, 1917, and was assigned to Company G, 102nd Regiment, and on February 16, 1918, was sent overseas. He was severely wounded in action in Franec, and sent to a base hospital, the first soldier to be treated there for wounds. For ten months he was under treatment at the hospital, then was returned to the United States as a "casual." He was honorably discharged, April 1, 1919, and returned to Norwich.
In his native city he again took up the battle of life, but not as before-an employee-but as pro- prietor of an electric automobile battery station, and as agent for the Willard Battery. His prospects are good and the broken threads of his life have been gathered again most satisfactorily.
In politics Mr. Moran is a Democrat, and in re- ligious faith Roman Catholic. He is a member of the American Legion, and of Norwich Lodge, No. 430, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is highly esteemed in his community and has a wealth of friends.
GEORGE DAVIS JOHNSON-Of English an- cestry, by birth a Canadian, George Davis Johnson is by adoption and residence a citizen of the United States, coming to this country more than thirty- five years ago.
George Davis Johnson is a native of Liverpool, Nova Scotia, where he was born December 15, 1862. He is the son of John H. and Verisinde L. John- son, both born in London, England. Their son ac- quired an education in the public schools of Liver- pool, and after leaving school remained in Canada for a few years, but in this twenty-third year Mr. Johnson came to the United States, locating in Bos- ton, Massachusetts, where he entered the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company, in the plant department. Continuing with them from 1885 until 1891, he then came to Connecticut and was engaged in the South New England Telephone Company, also in the plant department, later being placed in the commercial and traffic department. In 1899 Mr. Johnson was transferred to their tele- graph exchange in Norwich, Connecticut, remaining there until he was again transferred, this time to Mystic, where he was appointed, in 1899, to the position of manager of that exchange, an office he has held for the past twenty-two years. While liv- ing in Norwich, Connecticut, Mr. Johnson joined the Volunteer Fire Department of the town, and for three years was foreman of the Blackstone Hose Company.
After taking up his residence in Mystic, Mr. John- son very soon became interested in the various enter- prises and associations of the town, joining the fire department there, and for one year held the position of chief of that department. He is an honorary member of the hook and ladder company of Mystic.
As a lodge man, Mr. Johnson is quite prominent; he is a member of Stonington Lodge, No. 26, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, being a past noble grand of the lodge, and also a trustee. In Masonic matters he is equally to the fore, being a member of Charity and Relief Lodge, No. 76, Free and Accepted Masons; Benevolent Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and Mystic Council, Royal and Select Masters. He is vice-president of the Masonic Corporation of Mystic, and is a past chief patriot of Mystic Encampment, and belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star.
Though a member of the Republican party, Mr. Johnson is not active in political affairs. In reli- gion he is an Episcopalian, he and his wife both attending the Protestant Episcopal Church of Mystic.
George Davis Johnson was united in marriage with Annic Friswell, a resident of Norwich, Con- necticut, she a daughter of William and Annie (Dowell) Friswell, the former for many years a prominent jeweler of Norwich. Since Mr. Friswell's death the business has been carried on under the same name, and is managed by his children. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one child, Ethel L., born in Norwich; she attended the public school and is a graduate of the Westerly High School, class of 1913. For the past seven years she has been em- ployed in the Mystic Telephone Exchange as cashier.
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NEW LONDON COUNTY
ALMON RATHBUN MEISTER, one of the prominent business men of Noank, Connecticut, is a lifelong resident of New London county. He is a son of John and Abbie (Rathbun) Meister. John Meister was born at Pigeon Cove, Cape Ann, Mass- achusetts, where he received a limited education, then followed the sea all his life. He came to Noank, New London county, Connecticut, many years ago, and was a fisherman and also a marine engineer. He died in Noank in 1904. His wife died three years earlier. They were the parents of one son, Almon Rathbun.
Almon Rathbun Meister was born in Noank, in the town of Groton, Connecticut, March 20, 1888. He received his education in the public schools of the town, and the New London Business College, later taking a special course with the International Correspondence School, Scranton, Pennsylvania, for the study of electrical engineering. This profes- sion he followed very successfully for a number of years. In 1916 Mr. Meister established the busi- ness in which he is now engaged, and in which he has won gratifying success, a garage, where he does a large amount of work outside of the province of the usual garage limits, along the line of marine and railway repair work. In public affairs Mr. Meister is always interested, and supports the prin- ciples of the Republican party. He is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of Charity and Relief Lodge, No. 72, Free and Accepted Masons, of Mystic, and also of Stonington Lodge, No. 26, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Meister married, April 2, 1908, Charlotte Ack- ley, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and they have three children: Delma, Vivian, and Doris, all re- siding at home. The family are members of the Baptist church of Noank.
GEORGE FRED HELMBOLDT-From the be- ginning of his business career, George Fred Helm- boldt has been interested in the dyeing industry, and since 1910 has been identified with the book cloth department of the United States Finishing Com- pany, textile manufacturers. Not only is he inti- mately associated with the manufacturing interests of this community, but his ever alert mind and ready co-operation is always exerted in whatever concerns its advancement and general welfare.
George Fred Helmboldt was born at Boston, Massachusetts, November 2, 1881, the son of Albert and Louise (Enders) Helmboldt, his father, a na- tive of Saxony, Germany, who came to this country in 1870 and located in Boston, where he now lives retired after many years connection with the baking business. The lad, George F., was educated in the public schools of Boston, after which he became in- terested in dyeing, serving as assistant chemist and colorist in Boston laboratories and at the Hollis- ton Mills, Norwood, Massachusetts, going thence to Lanett, Alabama, but later returning to Massa- chusetts, where for the following ten years he was engaged as a dyer and chemist in the textile mills
in Boston and Norwood. In 1910 he came to Nor- wich, Connecticut, as overseer of the book cloth department of the United States Finishing Com- pany, a position he has now held for twelve years.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Helmboldt, since coming to this community, has identified himself closely with the local organization of his party, which has elected him to a number of important offices on its ticket. He is a member of the Board of Relief, and is secretary and treasurer of the Republican Town Committee. Mr. Helmboldt is also warrant officer of the town. He is a member of Somerset Lodge, No. 34, Free and Accepted Masons; FrankIn Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Ma- sons; Franklin Council, No. 3, Royal and Select Masters; Columbian Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar; Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and Connecticut Con- sistory, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.
George Fred Helmboldt was united in marriage with Clara Kaempffe, who was born in Germany, January 18, 1886, her parents first coming to Nor- wich, Connecticut, in 1872. George F. and Clara (Kaempffe) Helmboldt are the parents of three sons, as follows: Charles Frederick, Harold George, and Raymond. Mr. Helmboldt is interested in farming, and what time he can spare from his business cares lie devotes in part to his property, which he has under cultivation.
Mr. Helmboldt is an accomplished musician, a member of musical organizations, a past president of Local Lodge, No. 235, American Federation of Musicians, and a frequent delegate to musical con- ventions and gatherings. He plays the cello, bass viol, and brass bass, is a member of the Grotto, Tall Cedars and Shrine bands, in which he plays the tuba, 2 B flat. Upon coming to Norwich he resided in the Greenville section of the city until 1917, when Lisbon became the family home.
NATHAN STANTON BUSHNELL-In the daily interests of the community, in the pressing activities of his own large farming operations, and in the unostentatious support of every good word and work, Nathan Stanton Bushnell, of Norwich- town, is a man whose influence is always for prog- ress. Seeking nothing of public responsibility or distinction, he nevertheless carries forward the prin- ciples which make for the general good.
Mr. Bushnell is a member of the old and widely known New London county family of that name. His grandfather, James Bushnell, was born and reared on the old family homestead, which is lo- cated in the community known as Occum, in Nor- wichtown, and spent his entire lifetime on this farm, where he was always extensively engaged in farming operations. James Bushnell was a man of lofty spirit, respected and honored in the vicinity in which he lived. His wife was born in Han- over, a part of the town of Sprague, also in New London county, and was a member of the Smith
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family of that place, noted as the owners of the mills which made this village a prosperous indus- trial center of two or three generations ago.
William Henry Bushnell, father of Nathan S. Bushnell, was born on the family homestead in Nor- wichtown, and educated in the district sehools near his home. He removed to Canterbury, Windham county, Connecticut, where he rented the Dr. Bald- win farm, shortly after his marriage, and continued there for a period of three years. He then became associated with the Shetucket Mills, of Norwich, taking charge of the mill farm as outside foreman, and remaining for three years here. In 1855 he purchased the farm, which has since been known as the Bushnell farm, and here his sons were born. It was previously owned by Charles Allen, and is located in Norwichtown, on the Canterbury turn- pike. Mr. Bushnell carried on this place, which con- tained forty-five acres, until 1872, then bought the old Eben Lathrop farm, adjoining, and removed his family to the house on the Lathrop farm, continui- ing, however, to conduct farming operations on both places. In 1884 he retired from active work, and turned over the management of the entire property to his sons, who worked it together until his death, which occurred on August 4, 1908. William Henry Bushnell is remembered in Norwichtown as a man of kindly manner and the highest personal integrity. Although considered one of the most prominent men of the community, he never would allow his name to be brought forward in the race for public honors. He married Jane Gray Prentice, a native of Griswold, this county, who died on the Bushnell farm, May 28, 1912. They were the parents of four children: William Henry, Jr., who lived only to the age of twenty-nine months; Mary Jane, who died at the age of three years; Charles Prentice, also a prominent farmer of Norwichtown, whose sketch appears elsewhere; and Nathan Stanton, whose name heads this review.
Nathan Stanton Bushnell was born August 30, 1863, on the old homestead in Norwichtown. He received a practical education in the public schools of Taftville, Connecticut, then returned to the home farm and assisted his father in the activities about the place. After his father's retirement he bore a more responsible part, sharing in the management of the farm, then, a year after the death of the father, the property was divided between the two sons, Mr. Charles P. Bushnell receiving the home farm and certain lands adjoining, and Nathan S. Bushnell receiving the lands and buildings which were formerly the Eben Lathrop farm. He has been very successful, and is still actively engaged in general farming and stock raising.
In the public life of the town Mr. Bushnell takes the interest of the progressive citizen, but beyond lending his cordial co-operation to the advancement of every forward movement, he has taken little part in the town government, preferring to leave the honors of public office for others. Fraternally, he is a member of the Fraternal Order of Foresters.
Mr. Bushnell married, in Brooklyn, Connecticut, April 29, 1889, Anne Mary Gilleney, daughter of Patrick and Abby (Burdick) Gillency.
GODFREY ANDREW GEISTHARDT, of Pres- ton City, New London county, Connecticut, an aged and esteemed farmer of the town, is a noteworthy example of the pioneer spirit, which leaves tradi- tion behind, comes to a new country, and there achieves success, and sets the feet of the next gen- eration upon the paths of higher achievement. Mr. Geisthardt is a son of Paul and Elizabeth Barbara (Frickman) Geisthardt. Paul Geisthardt was born in Eistfeldt Saxe-Meiningen, Germany, where he spent his entire lifetime. He was educated in the public schools of that town, then learned the trade of weaver of cotton and linen cloth. He made the finest linen cloth on hand looms at his home, working at this trade all his life. He died in the town of his birth in 1852. His wife was born in the same town, and survived her husband, later coming to the United States with her son, locating in Norwich, where she died in 1867, having made her home with her son while she lived.
Godfrey Andrew Geisthardt was born in Eisfeldt, Saxee-Miningen, Germany, in the same house in which his father was born, on August 26, 1834. He received a thorough education in the public schools of his native town, attending regularly for nine years. After he had completed his education he learned the trade of weaver from his father, then at the age of nineteen years, went to Berlin to gain more knowledge of the art of weaving, espe- cially of delicate silk and the finest wool weaving, and the making of ladies' fine shawls. After two years in Berlin the young man was obliged to report for military duty. He served his training period, and after six months in the army he secured a release on account of his mother's widowhood. He returned to Berlin to complete his training along the line of fine silk and wool weaving, after which he purchased a loom, and going back to his native town, began making fine shawls at home. After taking a wife, and becoming the father of a son, Godfrey Geisthardt looked into the future for the sake of the boy that was to come up after him, and turned his face to the land of opportunity. Bringing his mother and his little family, he came to the United States, and looked up an uncle who had previously located in Worcester, Massachu- setts. There he worked in the Crompton Loom Works for a short time, then removed to Norwich, Connecticut, where he was employed in a gun fac- tory on Franklin street, making bayonets for guns for the use of the Union army in the Civil War. After the close of the war he worked out as a farm hand in Montville, Connecticut, for one year. Then in 1866 Mr. Geisthardt came to Preston.
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