USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 56
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
GEORGE ALBERT KIEBURG, proprietor of a modern laundry in Mystic, Connecticut, is a son of Adolph and Augusta (Berthol) Kieburg, both born in Germany and educated in the State schools. They came to the United States when comparatively young and located in New Jersey, where Adolph Kieburg was for a number of years employed in a textile mill. Later, he located in Stonington, Con- necticut, where he was in the mill employ of the American Velvet Company for several years. He then returned to New Jersey and is now residing at Union Hill in that State. Mr. and Mrs. Kieburg are the parents of eleven children, George Albert Kieburg, of Mystic, Connecticut, being the tenth in order of birth.
George Albert Kieburg was born in Hudson county, New Jersey, December 7, 1893. He was educated in the public schools of Mystic, Connec- ticut, and after leaving school became a textile weaver of velvet, employed in the mills of the Ros- sie Velvet Company in Mystic. He continued a weaver of velvet until 1915, when he bought the laundry business of Herman Stoetzel, of Mystic, which he has since conducted very successfully. He is a member of Stonington Lodge, No. 26, Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, of Mystic; and of the Sons of Herman, New London, Connecticut. In politics he is a Republican; in religious preference a Congregationalist.
Mr. Kieburg married Phoebe Josephs, of Stoning- ton, Connecticut, daughter of Manuel E. Josephs.
417
BIOGRAPHICAL
Mr. and Mrs. Kieburg are the parents of a son, George Albert (2).
EUGENE D. CAULKINS-In Old Lyme, New London county, Connecticut, the Caulkins family have long been prominent, the name being spelled both Caulkins and Calkins. The American ancestor, Hugh Calkins, born in England, came to Gloucester, Massachusetts, in 1640, with wife and children. He was a man of importance in Gloucester and in New London, Connecticut, coming to the latter place about 1651. About 1660 he moved to Norwich, where he was one of the thirty-five proprietors of the town. He was a deputy to the General Court of New London and served several terms from Nor- wich in the same body. He died in 1690, aged ninety. He left two sons, John and David, and five daughters: Rebecca, Sarah, Mary, Susan, and De- borah.
Elisha Caulkins, of the sixth American genera- tion, was a farmer of East Lyme, Connecticut, and prominent in its public life. His son, Lemuel Caul- kins, was born on the Caulkins homestead and later inherited it from his father. He farmed the home- stead all his life until his death in 1896, aged sev- enty-two. He held about every town office, and like his father, was prominent and popular. Lem- uel Caulkins married Maria Calkins, born in Wil- braham, Massachusetts, daughter of Luke Calkins. Mrs. Maria (Calkins) Caulkins died in 1906, aged seventy-four years, the mother of five children, all born in Old Lyme: 1. Herbert, formerly probate judge of his native town. 2. Frederick L. 3. Frank L. 4. Eugene D., of further mention. 5. Emma Avery, who married William Searle, of New Lon- don.
Eugene D. Caulkins, youngest son of Lemuel and Maria (Calkins) Caulkins, was born in the town of Old Lyme, New London county, Connecticut, April 17, 1863, his birthplace the old Caulkins homestead in which his father was born. He was educated in the district public school, and from boyhood was his father's helper, becoming later his trusted as- sistant, and upon the latter's death inherited his homestead, upon which he yet resides, never hav- ing known any other home.
For twenty years Mr. Caulkins has been a mem- ber of the town Board of Selectmen, being third selectman for some time, then second, and now is first selectman; in 1907 he represented Old Lyme in the Connecticut House of Representatives; and is a trustee of the library. In religious faith he is a Baptist, in politics a Democrat. As a farmer, Mr. Caulkins has been very successful and is one of the prosperous men of his town. He is a member of Old Lyme Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and is a strong friend of the order.
Mr. Caulkins married, April 9, 1891, Lucy E. How- ard, born May 17, 1863, daughter of Captain Charles Howard, of Old Lyme. They have no children. Mr. Caulkins is a man of high standing in his com- munity, and is one of the progressive men of the
town who uphold the good naine the town has al- ways borne for substantial improvement and reliable men.
FREDERICK ELISHA BAKER, whose life has been one of frequent change, is quietly ending it in Colchester, Connecticut, which place has been his home since 1883. He is a son of Daniel and Cor- nelia (Simmonds) Baker, both born in New York City, his father receiving fatal injuries while hunt- ing in the woods around Colchester, where he had relatives living. He died in 1868, and that same year his son, Frederick Elisha Baker, began his life in Colchester, although for several years later he resided elsewhere.
Frederick Elisha Baker was born in New York City, March 4, 1861, and there spent the first seven years of his life. When his father was accidentally killed, the lad, Frederick E., was brought to live in Colchester, Connecticut, with Mrs. George B. Avery, his aunt. He attended Bacon Academy until fin- ishing with graduation, after which he became a clerk in the William B. Otis store in Colchester, and there remained until 1880, when he went to Woodbury, Connecticut, and was for a time em- ployed in the store of A. A. Root. That same year he married, and in January, 1882, moved to New Britain, Connecticut, where he entered the employ of the P. & F. Corbin Company as a polisher. In the fall of 1882 he moved to Middletown, Connecti- cut, and was employed as a polisher by the Victor Sewing Machine Company. In May, 1883, the fam- ily moved to Colchester, Connecticut, where Mr. Baker entered the employ of the Hayward Rubber Company as a bootmaker, remaining until the mill closed in March, 1894. In 1896 the new leather fac- tory was built in Colchester and when it opened for business Mr. Baker was employed as engineer, a position he held for two and a half years, when the plant closed. In 1901, when the Turner Silk Throw- ing Company started business in the shoe company plant, Mr. Baker was employed as engineer during the stay of the company in Colchester. After the closing of the silk mill he was employed in various capacities until entering the employ of C. W. Blakes- lee & Sons, contractors of the new State road to Colchester, as clerk, and remained with that com- pany until the completion of their contract.
In politics, Mr. Baker is a Republican, and in 1913 was elected warden of the borough of Colchester, a position he held for eight years. He was elected registrar of voters in 1921. He is an attendant of the First Congregational Church of Colchester, and a member of Colchester Lodge, No. 30, Ancient Order of United Workmen; Norwich Lodge, No. 430, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and Oliver Woodhouse Lodge, No. 51, Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Baker married, in Roxbury, November 5, 1880, Maria Alice Dooley, daughter of John and Margaret Dooley, and to them two sons were born: William Elisha, born in Roxbury, September 14,
N.L .- 2-27.
418
NEW LONDON COUNTY
1881, now. assistant secretary of the Landers, Frary & Clark Company, of New Britain, Connecticut. He married, in 1910, Margaret Sanderson, and has a son, William A., and a daughter, Alyson. 2. George B. A., who was born in Middletown, Connecticut, March 14, 1883; he was manager of the Alling Rub- ber Company's store in New Britain, Connecticut, until 1921, when he was transferred to the company store at Meriden, Connecticut, in the same capacity. He married, in 1913, Emily Huck, and they are the parents of a son, Robert A., and daughters, Georgine, and Dorothy.
FRANK B. WALKER was born at Woolwich, Maine, in 1874, and after graduating from Gray's Business College at Portland, Maine, soon became a hotel employee, spending seven years in the stew- ard's department at Young's Hotel in Boston. He then spent a year with George W. Armstrong & Company, at North Union Station, Boston, that ex- perience being followed by two years in managerial position at Congress Square Hotel, Portland, Maine. In 1904 he came to the Mohican at New London, where he has been manager for nearly nineteen years. Mr. Walker is vice-president of the Winthrop Trust Company, of New London; men- ber of the Thames Club, and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Walker married, in 1904, in Boston, Massa- chusetts, Anna Jane Straight.
GEORGE WILLIAM PEABODY-In the rich farming community of Gilead, in the town of Water- ford, Connecticut, is the farm home of George Wil- liam Peabody, who has spent his lifetime in this county, and has always followed farming. Mr. Pea- body is a son of Thomas Peabody, who was born in Salem, in this county, January 25, 1834, and died in 1879, in the prime of life, having always been a farmer. He married Lucy Jane Herrick, born in Salem, Connecticut, and a daughter of Elijah and Lucy (Baker) Herrick. She is still living, at the age of eighty-seven years. They were the parents of ten children: Alonzo, George William, of whom further; Catherine, Abbey, Thomas, Alice, Jennie, Lula, Frank, and an infant, who lived for only a short time.
George William Peabody was born in the city of New London, July 8, 1860, but as a child removed with the family to Montville, also in this county, where he was reared and educated. Following school days, he worked on the farm, continuing until his marriage, then went to Waterford, in the Great Neck section, where he was engaged in farming for two years. He then went to New London, there locating on the old homestead farm where he was born, on Pequot avenue, which he conducted for one year. Thereafter returning to Montville, he remained for two years, then bought a farm home in Waterford, where he lived for twenty years or more. The present farm was bought fifteen years ago, and he has continued here since, his farm now
being considered one of the show places of the town. He has won a secure position in the esteem of his fellow-townspeople, and served on the Board of Assessors for a period of thirteen years.
On March 25, 1885, Mr. Peabody married Annie Mitchell, who was born in Salem, Connecticut, and is a daughter of Levi and Nancy Mitchell. Mr. and Mrs. Peabody have three children: Laura, born June 13, 1886, now the wife of Clarence Douglass, of Milford, Connecticut; Hadley L., born April 27, 1888; and Leslie L., born May 28, 1903.
FRED EVERETT CRANDALL was born in Montville, Connecticut, November 24, 1887, son of Francis C. and Harriet Ella (Green) Crandall, and grandson of John and Annie (Delmere) Crandall, John Crandall, a seaman. Francis C. Crandall was born in Middletown, Connecticut, April 9, 1854, and is now a resident of Montville, Connecticut.
Fred E. Crandall attended the public schools and was for several years stock clerk at Palm Brothers Mill in Montville. In 1914 he started a taxicab business, which he has since continued.
Mr. Crandall is a member of the Masonic order, thirty-second degree; a noble of Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Order of United American Mechanics; and of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is unmarried.
CLAYTON GEORGE MILLER-The Miller farm in the Unionville school district, town of Col- chester, Connecticut, has been the birthplace of sev- eral generations of the family, and has descended in ownership from father to son. The present occu- pant is Clayton George Miller, who resides at the farm with his father, George Bulkley Miller, to whom it came from his father, George Miller, each of these men being born on the farm, as well as spending their lives thereon. The property com- prises two hundred and seventy-five acres, and is both well situated and efficiently managed, dairy farming being conducted in connection with gen- eral farming.
George Bulkley Miller, son of George and Abby (Bulkley) Miller, was born at the Miller homestead in Colchester, March 30, 1859, and there yet resides. His father, George Miller, was also born on the farm and there spent his life, cultivating its acres with his brother Henry until his death. George Miller married Abby Bulkley, who was born in Salem, Connecticut, who after the death of her husband went to live with her daughter in New York City, where she died.
George B. Miller attended the public school of the district and early became his father's farm assistant and finally his successor. After the death of his father the ownership of the farm passed to George B., who continued its operation until 1911, when he in turn retired in favor of his son, Clayton G. Mil- ler, in whom the management has since been vested (1921). George B. Miller is a Republican in poli-
419
BIOGRAPHICAL
tics; member, senior warden and active worker in Calvary Protestant Episcopal Church of Colchester; member of the Order of United Workmen, and Woodmen of the World, of Colchester, and a man most highly esteemed. His years, sixty-two, have all been spent at the old homestead farm, which in truth is the old Miller place. Mr. Miller married, at Colchester, December 14, 1887, Annie Foote, born in the same town, daughter of Albert and Mary Ann (Chase) Foote. Mr. and Mrs. George B. Miller are the parents of four children: Florence Adelia, who marricd Captain Chester B. McCoid, of the United States army; Clayton George, of further mention; Mary Abby, who married Clarence Chittenden, of Killingworth, Connecticut; and Amy Foote, who died in childhood.
Clayton George Miller, only son of George Bulk- ley and Annie (Foote) Miller, was born at the Miller homestead in the Unionville school district of the town of Colchester, New London county, Connecti- cut, November 16, 1890, and there has spent the years which have since intervened. He was edu- cated in the public schools of the district, and at Bacon Academy, in Colchester, and after school years were ended he became his father's farm as- sistant, so continuing until the latter's retirement, when the son succeeded him in the management, so continuing until the present time (1921). The Mil- ler farm, under his supervision, is kept up to the high standard of former years and is one of the well cultivated and profitable farms of the town.
Clayton G. Miller, like his father, holds to the Re- publican party in political faith, and to the Protes- tant Episcopal church in matters of religious faith, being a member of Calvary Parish, Colchester. He is a member and past master of Wooster Lodge, No. 10, Frec and Accepted Masons, of Colchester; also member and past master of Colchester Grange, Pa- trons of Husbandry. He served his town as con- stable for a term, and is one of Colchester's highly estecmed young men.
Mr. Miller married, October 28, 1915, at Ivory- ton, Connecticut, Hannah Serena Antonson, born in that village, daughter of Carl and Augusta (Olson) Antonson. Mr. and Mrs. Clayton G. Miller are the parents of two children: Clayton George (2), born July 15, 1916; and Marion Elizabeth, born June 30, 1919; both born at the homestead, and at the old home three generations of Millers are living, chil- dren, father and grandfather, all born in the home- stead. These children are great-grandchildren of George Miller, who was also born at the farm in Colchester.
AUGUSTIN LE MOINE-For a number of years active as a blacksmith, Augustin LeMoine has for the past nine years conducted a constantly increasing business in general trucking, with an office in Taft- ville.
Mr. LeMoine is a son of Alfred and Julia (Pelou- quin) LeMoine, the former born in Sorel, Province of Quebec, and came to the United States about
1875, locating in Baltic, where he was employed in the cotton mill for a number of years. He later removed his family to Taftville, where he died in 1897. His wife, Julia (Pelouquin) LeMoine, who was also born in Sorel, still survives him, and is a resident of Taftville. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Augustin is the fifth.
Augustin LeMoine was born in Baltic, in the town of Sprague, New London county, Connecticut, and was educated in the parochial schools of Taft- ville. After completing his studies he served an apprenticeship at the trade of blacksmith, with a Mr. Roy, of Baltic, eventually remaining in his employ until 1908. Thereafter, for about five years, Mr. LeMoine worked at his trade in various places, then, in 1913, established an express business in Taft- ville. He has since developed a very large and prosperous business, and now keeps several motor trucks busy handling long distance transportation, in addition to his local work. He is counted one of the successful men of this community.
In the interests of the town and in all general progress Mr. LeMoine is always ready to endorse a forward movement, and politically holds indepen- dent views, supporting the individual or party which his judgment dictates. He is a member of the Society of St. John the Baptist, of Taftville; a mem- ber of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, of this place; also of Ponemah Council, No. 34, Knights of Columbus.
Mr. LeMoine married, in Taftville, June 10, 1906, Amelia Caron, and they are the parents of one child, Augustin Raymond, who was born in Taft- ville, December 17, 1913.
ANDREW MEECH AVERY-The Averys of New London county, Connecticut, descend from Captain James Avery, who was born in England about 1620 and came to New England with his father, Christopher Avery, and resided with him in Glouces- ter, Massachusetts, for several years. James Avery married, November 10, 1642, Joanna Greenslade, who in 1644 received a letter of dismissal from the church in Boston commending her to the church in Glouces- ter. The name of James Avery appears with those men from Gloucester, Massachusetts, who were granted land in New London county in October, 1650. About 1652 James Avery was granted a farm in South Groton, but he continued in New London for several years, although in 1653 he secured an- other farm farther up the river in what is now the town of Ledyard. About 1656 he built the "Hive of the Averys" at the head of Poquonock plain, in the present town of Groton, one and one-half miles from the river Thames. James Avery seems to have taken an active part in town affairs as well as becoming an active business man. He is va- riously referred to as ensign, lieutenant, captain, and in the great fight with the Narragansetts, Decem- ber 19, 1675, commanded the Indian allies. He was selectman for twenty years; was twelve times elected to the General Court, and was active in the church.
420
NEW LONDON COUNTY
All but the first three of the children of Captain James and Joanna (Greenslade) Avery were born in New London, those three in Gloucester, Massa- chusetts. Captain Avery died April 18, 1700.
Andrew M. Avery, a descendant of Christopher and Captain James Avery, is a grandson of John Avery, and a son of Andrew Avery, born in Preston, Connecticut, July 19, 1822, and died March 15, 1903, a man of prominence and influence. Andrew Avery married (first) Asenath Williams Geer, who died leaving a daughter, Delia, wife of Louis Southworth, now deceased. Andrew Avery married (second) Janc Hewitt, born in Preston county, who died leav- ing two sons: Dr. Amos Avery, a graduate of Long Island Hospital Medical College; and Rev. Oliver Perry Avery. Andrew Avery married (third) Mary Leonard Meech, born in Griswold county, March 7, 1843, daughter of Edwin Butler and Sarah (Geer) Meech, a descendant of Stephen Meech, who located in what is now North Stonington, who mar- ried and founded a family well known and influen- tial in the town of Preston. They were the parents of an only son, Andrew Mecch Avery, of further mention.
Andrew Mecch Avery was born in North Ston- ington, Connecticut, June 19, 1884, only child of Andrew Avery and his third wife, Mary Leonard (Mcech) Avery. He was educated in the district school near his home; Norwich Free Academy, from which institution he graduated with the class of 1905, and Yale University, whence he graduated A. B., class of 1909. For eighteen months after graduation he was in the West, engaged in the lum- ber business, but coming East on the death of his half-sister, Mrs. Delia Southworth, he decided to remain. He engaged in the insurance business in Norwich until the United States declared war against Germany, when he enlisted in the Norwich company of the Connecticut National Guard, January 15, 1915, and rose from private to second lieutenant. He en- tered the United States army and went to France with the 56th Artillery, March 27, 1918. He was at the front in the Argonne for two months, and until the fighting was over was in active service, and after the Armistice he was transferred to the Govern- ment Claim Service, and on July 13, 1919, arrived in New York, soon afterward being honorably dis- charged. After his return from France, he settled on a farm in the town of Ledyard, and in October, 1919, bought his present farm. He is a member of Ledyard Grange, No. 167, Patrons of Husbandry; and in politics a Republican.
Mr. Avery married, August 1, 1919, Goldie Bell Davis, born in Norwich county, daughter of John and Adelaide (Spiegel) Davis, and they are the par- ents of a daughter, Dorothy Crary Avery, born July 12, 1920.
JOHN CALVIN CRANDALL~The Crandall family is one of the best known in New London county, Connecticut, where the name has been fa- miliar for generations. Rev. John Crandall, the
American ancestor of the Crandalls, came from Wales to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1634-35. He was a Baptist minister, and to escape persecution, fled to Rhode Island, where he found the religious freedom denied him in Massachusetts. From Rev. John Crandall, who had sons, Jolin, Peter, Joseph, Samuel, Jeremiah and Eber, come all the early fam- ilies of the name in Rhode Island and Connecticut, as well as many of those who settled in New York.
John Calvin Crandall, of Waterford, Connecti- cut, son of Russell and Lydia Crandall, was born in that section of the town of Waterford, New London county, known as "Great Neck," August 10, 1874. When a child, his parents moved to New London, where the father soon afterward died and was buried in Jordan Cemetery. In New London the lad, John C. Crandall, was educated, but he has always lived in the section in which he was born. In 1886 he entered the employ of the Palmer Brothers' Mills and there continued under the direct supervision of Fred Mercer. Later, when Mr. Mercer left the Palmer Brothers' Mills to engage in business for himself as the New England Carpet Lining Com- pany, Mr. Crandall went with him and is now fore- man of a department of the New England Carpet Lining Company, an extensive plant. He is a mem- ber of Pequot Lodge, No. 85, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a man of good repute in his com- munity.
Mr. Crandall married, in October, 1899, Etta Crocker, of New London, daughter of Captain Alvin Melville and Ada Crocker. Mr. and Mrs. Crandall are the parents of a son, Harold Herrick, born in New London, July 30, 1900.
ISAAC GALLUP GEER-The Geer family is one of the oldest in New London county, Connecticut, George Geer settling in New London about 1651, his home yet known as the Geer homestead, located in that part of the town which has since been set off as the North Society of Groton, and is now the town of Ledyard. The homestead has been in the pos- session of descendants of George Geer during all the years which have intervened since his death. George Geer arrived in New England from Eng- land in 1635, with a younger brother Thomas, the record from that date until 1651 being unreliable. In that year George Geer settled in New London county, and Thomas Geer in Enfield, Connecticut, in 1682. George Geer appears on the records of New London, February 17, 1658, the date of his marriage to Sarah Allyn. Right after his marriage he was granted fifty acres by the town of New Lon- don, and the same year an additional one hundred acres. He also owned lands in the town of Preston, a part of which was granted him by Owaneco, son of the Indian Sachem, Uncas, under date of Decem- ber 11, 1691. In 1705 he was selectman of the town of Groton, where he died in 1726. His wife, Sarah (Allyn) Geer, died a short time before him. The name Allyn has been retained through all the gen- erations, sometimes as a given name, sometimes as
421
BIOGRAPHICAL
a middle name, as in the case of Jacob Allyn Geer, father of Isaac Gallup Geer, of Ledyard, a prosper- ous, substantial farmer and public-spirited citizen. The farm on which Isaac G. Greer lives was the property of his great-great-grandfather, Amos (1) Geer, a graduate of Yale College about 1760, and his grandfather, Amos (2) Geer, a descendant of George and Sarah (Allyn) Geer, and where Amos Geer and his wife, Prudence (Allyn) Geer passed their adult lives. Amos and Prudence (Allyn) Geer were the parents of Jacob Allyn Geer, who married Julia Gallup, and they were the parents of Isaac Gallup Geer of this review. Jacob A. Geer taught school for several years when a young man, but finally set- tled down on the home farm, and there died, in 1857, at the age of forty. Julia (Gallup) Geer, his widow, survived him nearly forty years, dying De- cember 20, 1896, aged seventy-two. They were the parents of three children: Isaac Gallup, of further mention; Prudence Emma, who married Nathan Gal- lup, both deceased; and Nellie Wight, residing at home.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.