USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 60
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
Joseph Peabody, son of Joseph and Katherine (Baker) Peabody, was born at Salem, Connecticut, March 16, 1835, where, until he was about fifteen years of age, he attended the public schools of his native town. He then went with his family to Waterford, Connecticut, and until he was twenty- one worked on his father's farm in the Gilead dis- trict. At this time his father hired for one year the farm which Mr. Peabody now owns, and young Joseph began farming for Squire Nathaniel Chap- man, working one season for eighteen dollars a month, which was two dollars a month more than any other farmer was receiving in the town of Waterford. At the end of the season he, with Sam- uel Williams, operated the Jordan grist mill for a year, and then for two years and a half hired the
mill and ran it on his own account. He went back to farming, however, and was so engaged when the Civil War began. Answering to the call of the Federal Government, he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-sixth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, and served in the New Orleans area and around the Gulf, being commissioned second lieutenant. He served through the bloody campaign of Port Hud- son, the siege of which began May 27, and ended July 8, in the second year of the war. During the battles associated with the siege of Port Hud- son, the captain and first lieutenant of Mr. Pea- body's company were seriously wounded and Mr. Peabody took charge, leading his company to vic- tory. The most desperate fighting of the siege oc- curred May 27, and June 14, 1863, and on August 15, 1863, Mr. Peabody was honorably discharged. Returning to the Gilead section of Waterford, he worked out on neighboring farms for the remainder of the summer and then went up into the copper mines around Lake Wisconsin, where he remained for eight months and then returned to the Great Neck section of Waterford, where his father was farming. Two years later he bought the place which he now owns and works, and which he has grad- ually enlarged until it has absorbed three farms be- sides the original one and now comprises some seven hundred acres. The farm is a thoroughly modern one and splendidly equipped for large-scale scientific farming. One of the finest herds of graded cattle in the county is owned by Mr. Pea- body, and he takes great interest in the live stock and dairying part of his modern plant.
With so large an establishment to claim his time and attention, he still finds time for other interests. Always interested in the welfare of his community, he has served as second selectman in the town of Waterford for twenty-one terms, and was sent as a representative to the State Legislature in 1890.
Mr. Peabody married, February 8, 1866, Marietta Austin, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Beebe) Austin, born April 6, 1843, and they became the parents of four children: Mary Elizabeth, born at Waterford, Connecticut, married, and has three chil- dren: Marietta, Grace, and Ralph; Austin, born in December, 1869, at Waterford; Elmer, born in De- cember, 1872, married Jane Oger, of New London; and Charles William, born August 10, 1882, mar- ried Clara Oger, and has four children: Lois, Erma, Joseph, and Wendell.
ROBERT LEWIS FRENCH-The business which now supplies Mr. French with occupation and livelihood, photography, was a fad of his boyhood days, the little outfit which he had for his own pleas- ure and to which he added a small room for de- veloping films for his friends having grown into a modern plant, where he specializes in commercial photography. He is a son of Rev. Charles Leonard French, who was born in Plainfield, Connecticut, and died in Montville, New London county, Con-
435
BIOGRAPHICAL
necticut. When young he went West, and after graduation from Lawrence University taught school for seven years. He then studied for the ministry at the Chicago Theological Seminary, and after ordi- nation to the ministry of the Congregational church, was seated over a church in Providence, Illinois. In 1907 he returned to his native State as pastor of the First Church of Griswold. Later hic was pastor of the church at Montville, and there died.
Robert Lewis French, son of Rev. Charles Leon- ard and Harriet French, was born at Whitewater, Wisconsin, July 26, 1900, and there spent his first seven years. In 1907 the family moved to Jewett City, town of Griswold, New London county, and there resided four years, moving to Montville, Con- necticut, in 1911. The lad, Robert L., attended pub- lic schools in all these places, also pursued a course at business college and attended Cushing Academy. While at the academy he became very much inter- ested in amateur photography, although he was pre- paring for a musical career, but the illness, and later death, of his father changed his plans and he left school, returned home and began preparing for a business carcer. Photography naturally attracted him and he opened a small studio for developing and printing the kodak pictures of amateurs. This grew into a permanent photographic business, and he is well located in Uncasville, Connecticut, doing a good business in commercial photography. He has won high commendation for his splendid work and is well patronized.
SIDNEY ASHBEY BROWN is one of the best known men of New London county, Connecticut. He has given many years of his life to the public service and is now the high sheriff of his native county-New London. He is a son of Thomas and Mary Abby (Clark) Brown, his father born in the town of Stonington, but later residing in Mystic, Connecticut, where he died in 1862. Mary A. (Clark) Brown was born in Groton, and died in Mystic, Connecticut, in 1874.
Sidney A. Brown was born in Mystic, town of Groton, New London county, Connecticut, June 24, 1858, and there was educated in the public schools. He was employed as grocer's clerk, and in various positions until 1881, when he was appointed turnkey at the New London county jail, at Norwich. In 1882 he left Mystic for Norwich, and in 1883 was turnkey at the New London jail, continuing until 1895. He was out of the public service two years, returning in 1897 as deputy United States internal revenue collector for the New London district, serving two years. He then served the city of New London as tax collector until 1905, when he resigned to accept appointment to the office of high sheriff of New London county. This appointment was made February 2, 1905, by the Connecticut Legis- lature, to fill out the unexpired term of George O. Jackson, who died in office. In 1907 Mr. Brown was elected sheriff by the people, and every four
years since that date they have honored their fellow- townsman in a similar manner, he having now filled the sheriff's office most ably and satisfactorily for sixteen years, 1905-1921.
Sheriff Brown is a Republican in politics; mem- ber of the Second Congregational Church, the Thames Club, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, and in Masonry holds the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Ac- cepted Scottish Rite. He is very popular, both as official and citizen, and when in 1911 the Republi- can ticket was engulfed in a sca of adverse ballots, Sheriff Brown was the only Republican on this ticket who survived, and he was carried through by his many Democratic friends.
Mr. Brown married, at New London county, Octo- ber 13, 1894, Ella E. Hawkins, born in Griswold, Connecticut, daughter of Frank and Susan (Rood) Hawkins, her father born in Plainfield, Connecticut, and was, for sixteen years, sheriff of New London county. Susan (Rood) Hawkins was born in the town of Griswold, New London county, and after their marriage they resided in Jewett City, Connec- ticut.
JAMES ELIJAH LATHROP-The American an- cestor of the Lathrops of New London county was Rev. John Lathrop, who came from England in 1634, a victim of religious persecution. His wife died in England, but his children came with their father, and through his son, Samuel, descent is traced in this branch. Samuel Lathrop was the first of his family to settle in Connecticut, he coming in 1648 to New London, but going thence to Norwich, where he died in 1700, leaving a widow, the second Mrs. Samuel Lathrop, who survived her husband thirty-four years, dying in 1734, aged one hundred and two. Samuel Lathrop was a man of import- ance in the colony, a housebuilder, farmer and land- owner, magistrate and constable. His first wife was Elizabeth Scudder, and they were the parents of nine children. Descent in this branch is traced through Israel, the sixth child.
Israel Lathrop was born in October, 1659, died in Norwich, Connecticut, March 28, 1733, a man of thrift and substance. He married, April 8, 1686, Rebecca Bliss, daughter of Thomas Bliss, of Say- brook and Norwich. They were the parents of ten children, Samuel, the fourth child being head of the fourth generation.
Samuel Lathrop was born in Norwich, July 12, 1692, and after his marriage, Junc 26, 1712, to Eliza- beth Waterman, located in the town of Bozrah, New London county.
Captain Elisha Lathrop, eldest son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Waterman) Lathrop, was born July 13, 1713, was killed by a falling trec at Lebanon, New Hampshire, July 2, 1787. He lived in Bozrah prior to his removal to Lebanon. He married (first), Jan- uary 31, 1732, Margaret Sluman, who died October 10, 1742, leaving sons: Elias, Elijah, and Lebbcus.
436
NEW LONDON COUNTY
He married (second) Hannah Hough, who died in Hanover, New Hampshire, January 16, 1807. This branch descends through Lebbeus, third son of Captain Elisha Lathrop and his first wife, Margaret Sluman.
Lebbeus Lathrop was born in Norwich, New Lon- don county, Connecticut, Jannary 3, 1739, but did not go to New Hampshire with his father, settling in the town of Bozrah, where he married, lived his entire life, and died, leaving a daughter, Polly, and a son, Lebbeus (2). Lebbens (2) was born in Bozrah, in 1780, and died in Lebanon, New London county, Connecticut, January 25, 1866. He was a prosperous farmer in the southern part of the town of Bozrah, but late in life moved to Lebanon in the same county. He married Lucretia Maples, born April 29, 1781, daughter of William and Joanna (Stebbins) Maples. They were the parents of eight children, descent in this line being traced through their eldest son and third child.
Elisha Lathrop was born in the town of Bozrah, New London county, Connecticut, in October, 1808, and settled in the town of Lebanon in the same county. He married Caroline Avery, and they were the parents of Elijah Willard Lathrop, of the ninth, and grandparents of James Elijah Lathrop, of the tenth generation of Lathrops in New England, and the ninth generation in New London county, Con- ecticut.
Elijah Willard Lathrop was born in the town of Bozrah, New London county, Connecticut, and edu- cated in the public schools. He was a cripple, but has always led an active life, following farming in his home town and elsewhere, ran a tin peddlers wagon through the county, and in 1874 bought the farm in the town of Montville upon which he still resides. There all his children were born, and there he has prospered abundantly. He married Eliza Gifford Pierce, born in Montville, New London county, and they are the parents of five children: James Elijah, of further mention; Charlotte Hannah, married Captain William Denison, of Norwich, and has two son: Grant, and Gilbert Denison; Earl Chapell, now a farmer, married Christine Tinker, and has two sons: Melvin, and Merril Lathrop; Grace Seigfried, married William Sanders, of Norwich, Connecticut, and has two sons: William Russell, and Kenneth Lathrop Sanders; Lawrence Nelson, resid- ing at home.
James Elijah Lathrop, of the tenth generation of the family founded in New England by Rev. John Lathrop, was born in the town of Montville, New London county, Connecticut, March 12, 1876. He attended public schools and remained his father's farm assistant until of age, and thereafter, until his marriage in 1900. He then rented a farm in Bozrah which he cultivated until March, 1908, when he bought the James Allen farm in the Raymond Hill district of the town of Montville, and there has since engaged in general farming and stock breed- ing with most satisfactory results. His farm con-
tains one hundred and fifty acres, is well improved, and shows in its thrifty appearance the careful pro- gressive character of the owner.
Mr. Lathrop married, in Montville, September 20, 1900, Belle Williams Austin, born in Montville, daughter of Frank Ezekiel and Susan Williams (Swan) Austin, of ancient Colonial family. Mr. and Mrs. Lathrop are the parents of four children, and they are the eleventh American generation: Austin Douglass, born in Bozrah, Connecticut, August 18, 1906; Agnes Mary, born in Montville, Connecticut, August 6, 1908; Tryon Avery, born in Montville, August 9, 1911; Theron Merril, born in Montville, August 1, 1917. Mr. Lathrop is a member of the Baptist church of Salem, and in politics, Republican. Mr. Lathrop is one of the largest breeders of Jer- sey cattle in New London county, his stock all reg- istered thoroughbreds. His Jersey bull, Laddie, won the grand championship at the New London County Fair in 1920. He also exhibited two herds, one in the young Jersey herd class, and one in the old herd class, winning first prize in both classes. At the same fair, he took first prize with his champion Berkshire boar. He is a member of New London County Farm Bureau; is thoroughly mod- ern and progressive in his business and in his citizen- ship.
THE AUSTIN FAMILY-Mrs. Belle Williams (Austin) Lathrop is a descendant of Robert Austin, of England, whose name appears in a list of sixty- five persons who in 1661 were residents of New- port, Portsmouth, and Kingstown, and were to have lots in the new settlement of Westerly, Rhode Isl- and. Robert Austin did not settle in Westerly, however, but in 1687 was an inhabitant of Kings- town. The genealogist of the Austin family says, "Many facts seem to warrant the assumption that he was the father of Jeremiah Austin, of Kingston and Exeter, Edward and Joseph Austin, of Kings- town, and John Austin, of Kingstown." East Greenwich and West Greenwich from Jeremiah Austin descended the Exeter family of that name. The line of descent to Mrs. Lathrop is thus traced from Robert Austin, the founder, through his son, Jeremiah, of Kingstown, North Kingstown, and Exeter, Rhode Island, and his wife, Elizabeth; their son, Robert Anstin, a shoemaker and farmer, prob- ably the first Austin to settle permanently in Wes- terly, Rhode Island, and his wife, Hannah Cran- dall; their son, Jeremiah Austin, born 1730, died December 20, 1815, a member of the Society of Friends, and his wife, Margaret Congdon; their son, Ezekiel Austin, of North Kingstown, and his wife, Champlain; their son, Champlain Austin, a farmer of Hope Valley, Rhode Island, and his wife, - Hall; their son, Ezekiel Austin, born in the town of Foster, Rhode Island, and lived in Montville, Connecticut, and his wife, Suzanna Douglass; their son, Frank Ezekiel, born in Water- ford, Connecticut, and his wife, Susan Williams
437
BIOGRAPHICAL
Swan; their daughter, Belle Williams Austin, wife of James E. Lathrop.
Ezekiel Austin of the seventh generation was a stone mason by trade, and finally settled in the town of Montville, New London county, Connecti- cut, where he died. His wife, Suzanna Douglass, born in Waterford, Connecticut, was a daughter of Elisha Avery and Margaret (Dart) Douglass, and of ancient New England county family, of Scotch de- scent.
Their son, Frank Ezekiel Austin, was born in Waterford, New London county, Connecticut, but when nine years of age was brought by his parents to the town of Montville, and there he has since lived. He became a farmer and followed that occu- pation for several years, but is now a retired star route mail carrier. He married Susan Williams Swan, born in Montville, and they are the parents of Belle Williams (Austin) Lathrop.
HARRY EDGAR VAN HOFF-Inheriting from both parents fine characteristics and pride of fam- ily, Harry Edgar Van Hoff is the descendent of an- cestors whose lines were cast within the charmed and sheltered circle which marks the class of those born to ease and culture.
The paternal grandfather of Harry Edgar Van Hoff was Frink Van Hoff, one of a long succession of coal barons in Germany. The family of Van Hoff had held coal concessions from the reigning house of Germany for generations, and were held in great esteem by those in high position.
Frink Van Hoff, Jr., father of Harry Edgar Van Hoff, was the son of Frink Van Hoff, and was born in Cologne, Germany, in 1849. In early manhood he left the Fatherland to come to the United States in order that he might carve out for himself a fu- ture in a new environment. Landing in New York City, the young man entered into business there, making his home in Union Hill, New Jersey. He took up the work of interior decorating along the lines of frescoing and art plastering, being a pioneer in that form of wall and ceiling finishing. For three years Frink Van Hoff lived at Union Hill, then went to New York City to reside, continuing his business for twenty years, then, becoming interested in foreign imports, he carried on that line of busi- ness for the next ten years. His health breaking down at that time, Mr. Van Hoff returned to En- rope, touring the Continent and seeking out special- ists in the cure of cancer in the hope of regaining his health, but finally, coming back to New York, he died there in 1908, at the age of fifty-nine years.
While on his way homeward from Europe, Mr. Van Hoff, with his wife and three eldest children, took passage in a sailing vessel named "Amster- dam," and were wrecked off the coast of the Sable Islands, he and his family being among the few survivors. The wife of Frink Van Hoff, Johanna Albertdina Plogue, was born in Amsterdam, Hol- land, in November, 1853, the daughter of General
William Albert Plogue, of the army of Holland, who died in 1911, at the advanced age of one hundred and one years, in Holland. His wife survived him for nine months, then died at her home there, aged ninety-six years. She and her husband were mar- ried in Holland and lived there all their lives.
Mr. and Mrs. Frink Van Hoff had a family of eight children: 1. Frink George, horn in Union Hill, New Jersey, a business man in New York City. 2. William Albert, born in Union Hill; he is mar- ried and has two children: Allan and Elmer. 3. Johanna Albertdina, born in New York City, the wife of Louis Frederick Rockwell, of Redlands, California; they have two children: Stanton Edgar and Harold Albert. 4. Harriet Ellinore, born in New York City; she married Kerwin Holmes Ful- ton, of Nova Scotia. 5. Charles, died in childhood. 6. Henrietta, also died in childhood. 7. Harry Ed- gar, of whom further. 8. Virginia Dimmock, now the wife of Major Arthur H. Miller, in the regular army of the United States, stationed at Washington, District of Columbia; they have ene child, Harriet Miller.
Harry Edgar Van Hoff was born in New York City, August 28, 1882. He is now located in New London, Connecticut, where he is a merchant, hav- ing his place of business on State street, his home being at No. 317 William street. He is greatly in- terested in the public affairs of New London, and is one of the board of directors of the Rotary Club, of which he is a member. He is not active in politics, is not connected with any party, but votes an independent ticket.
Harry Edgar Van Hoff married Leonora Beatrice Van Sickler, born October 22, 1888, in Canada, in the Province of Quebec. She is the daughter of William A. and Mary (Holland) Van Sickler, of Johnstown, New York, and is one of a family of six children: 1. Clara, born in Johnstown, New York, the wife of Charles A. Ball, of that city; they had one child, who died in infancy. 2. William, born in Johnstown; he is married and has one child. 3. Ellinore, also born in Johnstown, and is the wife of Edward E. Hammond, of Albany, New York. 4. A child who died in infancy. 5. Another child who died in boyhood. 6. Leonora Beatrice, wife of Harry Edgar Van Hoff. Mr. and Mrs. Van Hoff have two children: Kerwin Harry, born September 20, 1912, at Johnstown; Carroll Johnson, born in Johnstown, New York, January 22, 1917; and Mrs. Van Hoff's family, the Van Sicklers, are of very ancient ancestry both in the United States and in Europe, their lineage being traced back to some of the oldest families in the Old World. Quite some time and money have been expended in a quest to unearth their coat-of-arms, but to date it has been of no avail. The city of Johnstown, New York, was named after Sir William Johnson, the closest associate and friend of the great-great-grand- father of the wife of Harry Edgar Van Hoff, Mrs. Leonora Beatrice (Van Sickler) Van Hoff.
438
NEW LONDON COUNTY
EARL ERNEST GILBERT is numbered among the representative citizens of Jewett City, Connec- ticut. In addition to his prominent connection with the business life of the community, he is influen- tially associated with the various other elements pertaining to her welfare and advancement.
Seth C. Gilbert, father of Earl Ernest Gilbert, was born in the township of Killingly, Connecticut, and obtained his education in the district school there, after which he served an apprenticeship as a millwright and worked at that trade throughout his lifetime. He died in Danielson, Connecticut, August 16, 1911. He married Harriett F. Cook. Mrs. Gilbert is still living and resides with her son, Earl Ernest. To Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert were born six children: Walter C., who resides at Derby, Con- necticut; Frederick H., married Grace Jeffery; Ber- tha O., married Frank Spalding, of Brooklyn, Con- necticut; Martha O., married Allen White, of Nor- wich, Connecticut; Earl Ernest, of further mention; and Maud A., who married Edward Becbe, of New London, Connecticut.
Earl Ernest Gilbert was born in Danielson, Con- necticut, April 10, 1884, and received his education in the public schools of his native place and the high school at Killingly. After completing his studies he became associated with his brother, Frederick H., a general contractor of Jewett City, and was thus engaged until 1915, when he bought the under- taking business of F. H. and F. W. Tillinghast, and established himself in this particular line, in which he has continued ever since. Together, with this enterprise, he bought his brother's contracting busi- ness in April, 1919, in which he also is meeting with great success, being recognized as a represen- tative of one of the largest contracting organizations in eastern Connecticut.
The political allegiance of Mr. Gilbert is given to the Republican party, and at present he is secretary of the Board of Education of Griswold township. In religious faith he is a Baptist and attends the church of that denomination at Jewett City. He affiliates with Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 95, Free and Accepted Masons; and with Reliance Lodge, No. 29, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past noble grand.
On December 6, 1912, Mr. Gilbert was united in marriage with Emma Babcock, of Jewett City, daughter of Albert H. and Ellen (Durr) Babcock. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert are the parents of two chil- dren: Mildred O., and Earl Ernest, Jr.
Happily gifted in disposition and taste, enterpris- ing and original in business methods, personally liked most by those who know him best, and as frank in declaring his principles as he is sincere in maintaining them, Earl Ernest Gilbert's career is marked by the appreciation of men whose good opinion is best worth having.
DR. CALVIN RAWSON MAIN-This branch of the Main family is known as the Ledyard branch,
Thomas (4) Main, great-grandfather of Calvin Raw- son Main, and of the sixth generation of the family founded in Stonington by Ezekiel Main, having set- tled in the town of Ledyard, where his son, William Leeds Main, was rated as the largest landowner and. the wealthiest man in Ledyard. He was the father of John L. Main, farmer, Civil War veteran, and father of Calvin Rawson Main, a farmer of Ledyard and extensive fruit grower.
(I) Ezekiel Main, of the first generation, made permanent residence in Stonington, Connecticut, in 1670, receiving a land grant from the town in 1672. He bought land, and in 1680 received another grant, his property then lying along the Shunoc river, on the south of what is now North Stonington. He was admitted to the Stonington church, September 3, 1676, and died June 19, 1714. By his wife, Mary, he had born to him three sons: Ezekiel, Jeremiah, of whom further; and Thomas; and three daughters: Mary, Phoebe, and Hannah.
(II) Jeremiah Main married, October 11, 1692, a widow, Ruth Brown, who with her daughter, Ruth, were admitted to the First Church of Stonington, and were baptized July 16, 1699. Descent follows through their eldest son, Deacon Thomas.
(III) Deacon Thomas Main was born July 19, 1700, and died in 1771. He married, April 20, 1720, Ann Brown, daughter of Eleazer and Ann (Pen- dleton) Brown. She died March 1, 1766, the mother of nine children, including a son, Thomas (2).
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.