Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 103

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Beers
Number of Pages: 1502

USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 103

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December 27, 1813, died January 26, 1840. She married William Furze. (8) Emily, born October 17, 1814, died unmarried De- cember 23, 1834.

By his second marriage John Kelsey had children as follows : ( 1) Harvey Bushnell, born October 23, 1818, died March 3, 1900. He was married February 27, 1843, to Hannah Ann Lord, by whom he had two sons, William L. and Henry B. (2) Harriet, born Novem- ber 5, 1820, died December 30, 1879; on No- vember 5, 1840, she married James A. Chap-

mlan, of Westbrook, and their daughter, Har- riet Elizabeth, born October 23, 1841, died March 26, 1898. She married Joseph A. Smith November 25, 1869, and he died in March, 1894. (3) Elihu, born March 7, 1822, died March 28, 1898. He was twice married, first to Maria Southworth, and second to Catherine Stone Smith, by whom he was the father of Ezra Stone, who married Fannie Leet; Sarah Maria, who married George Crut- tenden of East River, Conn., and is the mother of one son, Robert; and Mary Elizabeth, who married Wesley Blakeman, and is the mother of three children, Eva Dean, John Kelsey, and Maud. (4) Sarah Elizabeth, the next in the family in order of birth, was born February 29, 1824, and was married May 31, 1846, to Thomas Coxon Acton. This very happy union was blessed by the birth of the following family : (a) Thomas Clinton, born April 25, 1847, was married June 9, 1870, to Martha Amelia LeFurgy and is the father of Arrietta Hartell and Harry Wagner. (b) Agnes An- jenora, born January 23, 1853, is unmarried. (c) Sarah Theresa, born July 9, 1856, is un- married. (d) Carrie Morgan, born June 19,. 1861, is unmarried. (5) Lydia Smith, born January 6, 1826, died January 30, 1893. She was married April 10, 1850, to Andrew Smith, of East River, Conn., and was the mother of five children-Garrett, born January 8, 1854, is a lawyer in the city of New York, married Leila Wood, and has had three children, Rey- nold W., Florence Amy ( deceased), and Helen Marguerite ; Thomas A., born March 2, 1858, married Sadie Alome, and has three children, Garrett, Martha Stone and Newman; Martha Stone, born May 7, 1860, is unmarried; Lydia Bushnell, born December 28, 1862, is unmar- ried; Elizabeth Rosalind, born January 7, 1869. married Thaddeus F. Leet, who died in 1897, leaving three children, Emma Lydia,

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Dorothy and Caroline. (6) Samuel Francis, born December 13, 1830, died August 18, I868.

HON. THOMAS C. ACTON was born Febru- ary 23, 1823, in the city of New York, son of John Whittaker and Elizabeth (Coxon) Acton, natives of England, who had children as follows: Elizabeth, wife of Jackson Cor- sa ; John, who died young; Thomas Coxon; James H., who died young; Samuel George, who married Louisa Langdon; Anna C., who died young; and Charles Alonzo, also de- ceased, who married Ellen Vaughan. The last named was engaged in boot and shoe making in New York City. Thomas Coxon Acton re- ceived an academic education in his native city, and in due time was admitted to the Bar there, though he never was actively engaged in prac- tice. He early entered public life as a poli- tician, and was appointed assistant deputy county clerk in 1850, under George W. Riblet ; he was in the surrogate's office under Alexand- er. Bradford, and for six years was deputy registrar. In 1860 Gov. Morgan appointed him commissioner of metropolitan police, and two years later he became president of the board, and was nine years in that position, He instituted the paid fire department, was a member of the board of health, and also on the excise board. Mr. Acton was an active official, strictly enforced the laws, and insisted that the debt of the city could be paid from the excise revenues in from fifteen to twenty years. During this period the Civil war took place, and in July, 1863, occurred what has gone down in history as the Draft Riots, caused by the en- forcement of the act of conscription to supply men for the army. John A. Kennedy, the super intendent of police, became disabled early on the 13th, and it was Mr. Acton's duty to take active charge of the police, which he immedi- ately did, personally directing affairs during the exciting days that followed.

In 1869 Mr. Acton was obliged to resign by reason of failing health. However, he so far recovered his health that in 1870 he ac- cepted from President Grant the appointment of superintendent of the United States assay office, which position he held for twelve years. leaving it at the request of President Arthur to take the position of sub-treasurer of the United States in New York. He filled this office for four years. In October, 1887, at the opening of the Bank of New Amsterdam, he

was made its president. In the spring of 1895 he was obliged to retire from the chair on account of prolonged ill health.

From 1857 Mr. Acton made his summer home in Saybrook, and when he left the bank Icated there permanently, dying there May I, 1898. He was an active business man, and belonged to many societies. In the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals he was for years an active and earnest worker, as he was also in the Society for the Pre- vention of Cruelty to Children. He belonged to the Historical Society, and was a charter member of the Union League.

WILLIAM DIXON PENFIELD, one of the best known men in Portland, is also one of the most valuable citizens of the town. He is an industrious and hard-working man, a public- spirited and wide-awake business character, and a leading worker in the community for church and school interests. He springs from one of the oldest families in the town of Port- land, and their honorable history suffers no stain as his own is added to the scroll. Pen- field Hill, in the eastern part of Portland, was given this name because it was largely popu- lated by the Penfields.

William D. Penfield was born where he now lives, November 7, 1837, a son of Edward A. and Belinda ( Norton) Penfield, the former born July 13, 1810.

John Penfield, the first of the fantily in Portland, came from Lebanon, Conn., to what is now Penfield Hill, early in the 18th cen- tury. He was married April 9, 1714, to Ann Cornwall, a daughter of William and Mary Cornwall.

Jonathan Penfield, son of John, commonly called Squire Penfield, was a prominent man in his day, and held a number of offices, among them being justice of the peace, registrar of (leeds, and town clerk. He engaged in farming and lived on the same farm that is now occu- pied by William D. Penfield, and the house which he built is yet standing.

Zebulon Penfield, son of Squire Jonathan. was born April 16, 1765. On May 14, 1791, he married Prudence Dixon, who was born December 7. 1768, a daughter of William Dixon. He died January 6. 1860, and his wife January 12, 1854, and they were laid to rest in Conter cemetery. Their children were as follows: Vienna A., born August 26, 1792,

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married first Philip Sage, and second a Mar. Brown, of New York, and died in Portland; Jonathan, born April 5, 1794, died June 5, 1795; Williamt Walter, born March 19, 1796, lived at Olean, N. Y., and died there when over eighty years of age; Oliver, born April 7, 1798, died unmarried in Portland, April IO, 1826; Daniel, born February 28, 1800, who lived in various parts of the country, at one time residing in Ohio, lived to be over eighty and died in Hartford, leaving sons, Frederick C. (who was Consular agent at Cairo, Egypt, under President Cleveland), and Daniel E. (an artist of note at Warren, Mass.) ; Ruth, born February 7, 1802, died unmarried in Hartford; Edward A., born June 6, 1806, died May 25, 1807; Elizabeth A., born May 1, 1808, married Hezekiah G. Pelton, of whom extended mention appears elsewhere in this work; Edward A. (2) born July 13, 1810, was the father of William D .; George H., born April 6, 1814, lives at Wash- ington, D. C .; and Sarah, born April 6, 1816, died August 14, 1834. Zebulon Penfield was a farmer, an old-time Democrat, and a prominent man in his day. He served in the Revolutionary army, having been called into service when only sixteen years old. He suc- ceeded his father as town clerk, and served thirty-four years in that position. For sixty years the office of the town clerk was on his farm, which was about the center of old Chat- ham, before the taking away of Portland.

Edward A. Penfield was born and reared on the old farm', where his son now lives. He attended Captain Partridge's school in Middle- town, and was in that school when it was broken up. As a young man he displayed rare talent as a civil engineer, his drawings while a boy at school showing great gifts in that di- rection. His teachers at Captain Partridge's school marveled at his proficiency, and he was early urged to make his profession fit his en- dowments. He entered the classical school at Geneva, N. Y., with high ideals, but weak eyes that resulted from an attack of scarlet fever compelled him to give up the school and return to the farm. This affliction changed all his plans for the future, and he became a farm- er, continuing as such during the period of his active life. On March 22, 1835, Edward A. Penfield married Belinda Norton. She was born in Middle Haddam, a daughter of Capt. Jabez Clark and Sally ( Pelton) Norton. Cap-

tain Norton, who was a sea captain, and lost while out in the ocean, was one of the most advanced Masons of his time in the United States, taking his last degree in Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Penfield became the parents of a family of five children : Edward P., born July 25, 1836, is now the western agent of the Michigan Salt Association at St. Louis; Will- iam Dixon is mentioned below; Louisa M., born October 12, 1841, is the wife of Charles H. Penfield, of New Britain; Emeline B., born November 7, 1846, married Henry L. Stewart, of Middle Haddam ; and Belinda N., born June 26, 1854. Edward A. Penfield died August. 29, 1898, and his wife February 20, 1890. They were buried in Center cemetery. In politics he was a Democrat, and was judge of the probate court two terms. For two years. during the war, he was selectman of Portland, and while he was in that position the quota of Portland was never short. He was a mem- ber of the Episcopal Church of Middle Had- dant, where he filled the position of senior warden for twenty years.

William Dixon Penfield has been an exten- sive traveler, and has seen a great portion of the country, under various circumstances. He was born November 7, 1837, and was reared in Portland, where he received his elementary education. For three years he was a pupil in the school of Daniel H. Chase in Middle- town, and he graduated at the Hartford high school in 1858, and in the same year entered Trinity College, Hartford, graduating from the latter institution in the class of 1862 with the degree of A. B. He taught school the fol- lowing year.

Mr. Penfield might justly take great pride. in his naval experiences during the war and since. On August 18, 1863, he received an official appointment from' Commander James. H. Strong, U. S. N., as captain's clerk on board the United States steamer "Mononga- hela" and at once resigned his position as prin- cipal of the Warrensburg Academy, Warren county, N. Y. He immediately reported for duty, and on October 27th, the "Monongahela" set out from the Southwest Pass of the Missis- sippi river, with the expedition under Major- General Banks. This steamer assisted in land- ing troops at the mouth of the Rio Grande. She was the first in the capture of Aransas Pass, and was engaged in the capture of Fort Esperanza, at Pass Cavallo, the entrance to

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Matagorda Bay, and she operated with the army as far as St. Bernard's river. While in this movement she was ordered back to the Mobile blockade, arriving there on January 17, 1864. On July I and 2, of that year, she was engaged in destroying the "Ivanhoe," close under Fort Morgan. On July 4, follow- ing, she sent eleven eight-inch rifle shells inside the Fort. Admiral Farragut sent his compli- ments to the rifle gun crew, saying it was the best long-range practice he had ever seen in his life. The "Monongahela" was in the memor- able passage of the Forts and the battle of Mo- bile Bay, on August 5, 1864. She attacked the "Tennessee" in Pilot Cove, and drew her from her attack on the flagship. She assailed her. the second time, as she was going up the bay, but did not succeed in sinking her. On Au- gust 24th, the next day after the surrender of Fort Morgan, she was sent to Pensacola navy yard, as she was badly damaged in her last encounter with the "Tennessee." On Sep- tember 9th, Mr. Penfield reported for duty on board the U. S. S. "Brooklyn." He was dis- charged on September 23, 1864, and was reap- pointed for duty on board the "Monongahela." After his arrival home he was taken sick and was obliged to resign, but it was after all the fighting of the West Gulf Squadron was over. On August 5, 1865, he arrived at Richmond on business for his uncle, and remained in that city until July, 1867. During his resi- dence he became acquainted with many leading men of the South. In March, 1867, he went to East Saginaw, Mich., where he engaged in the dry goods business until July, 1872. De- siring out-of-door employment for the benefit of his health, he went to Illinois and learned farming. He remained there until March, 1881, and in July of that year returned to Portland, Conn., where he has since resided. His return to his old home was largely from a sense of duty to his aged parents, who were feeling the need of younger hands at home.

Mr. Penfield has always taken a deep in- terest in school matters. Believing that a a thorough education for the young will save the Republic from many disastrous experi- ments in government, he has sought to do what he could to improve the schools. When in Bourbon, Illinois, he was a member of the school board of a chartered school, and for the last three years was secretary of the board. He has been a member of the board of school

visitors for Portland about fifteen years, sec- retary of the board for nine years, and act- ing visitor for eight years. A communicant in the Episcopal Church, he has been active in its work, and is treasurer and senior warden of the parish in Middle Haddam.

FRANCIS A. SHAILER (deceased). The Shailer family traces descent from the proprietary family of Shailer, who in 1662 came from Wethersfield to Haddam.

John E. Shailer married Eunice Pratt, a daughter of Walter Pratt, and they became the parents of Francis A., the subject proper of this sketch.

Francis A. Shailer was born in Deep River August 17, 1849. His early education was received in the local schools, and afterward he entered the establishment of Samuel F. Snow, of Deep River, where he remained for four years in the capacity of clerk. Deciding to adopt the profession of dentistry as his life work, he then went to Philadelphia, and en- tered the best known college of that kind, re- turning to East Haddam for a year of practice, when he returned to Philadelphia and finished the course. After locating in Essex he built up a largel and lucrative practice, and was re- garded as one of the most skillful practitioners in the State. He opened up an office also in Deep River to accommodate his patrons in that vicinity, and every Monday he was sure to be found there, missing but three appoint- ments during his years of practice, this in- cluding almost his entire professional life.

In politics Mr. Shailer was a Republican. and he always took an active interest in the affairs of the town, particularly in educational matters, and he was a willing member of the school board for twelve years, acting as school visitor the most of the time. At his death on April 12, 1898, he was a consistent member of the Congregational Church, in which he had taken an active interest for many years. In the death of. Dr. Shailer the community lost one of its most esteemed citizens.

On May 10, 1877, in Essex, Dr. Shailer was married to Rosabel A. Rogers, daughter of William C. and Carrie S. (Scovell) Rogers, and to this union were born: Florence, born December 20, 1870, is a normal school gradu- ate, and now a teacher, in Essex : Louise Eliott, born February 14. 1881, married Fran- cis E. Dennison, of Hartford, and has one

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daughter, Frances Eugenie; Frances A., born January 2, 1884, is a stenographer and type- writer in the Conservatory of Music, in Hart- ford, and Helen, born December 31, 1889.

John C. Rogers, the grandfather of Mrs. Shailer, was a lifetime resident of Deep River, and there married Phebe Gladding. Mr Rogers was one of the earliest manufacturers in ivory of the town. He and his wife, Phebe Gladding, became the parents of the fol- lowing children: William C., the father of Mrs. Shailer ; Calvin, the father of Mrs. James P. Jones, of Deep River; Phebe; Catherine, wife of Samuel Shailer, of Deep River; and Prudence.

William C. Rogers was a native of Deep River, where he grew to manhood. He mar- ried Carrie S. Scovell, a daughter of Amos and Hannah ( Pratt) Scovell (the latter being a daughter of Gideon Pratt), now living and visiting a daughter in Italy. To William C. Rogers and wife were born: Rosabel A., Mrs. Francis A. Shailer, was born July 15, 1856, in Essex, in the old Scovell homestead near the depot, and grew to womanhood in Deep River; Daniel S., D. D. S., who was born January 3, 1860, and married Lillian Shaw, by whom he has two children, William and Henela, resides in Providence, R. I., where he practices his profession; and Helen L., born October 2, 1861, married Albert Ameglio, of San Reno, Italy, on the Riveira, has two daughters, Theresa and Emile.

CARLOS HENRY CHAPMAN. The Chapman family of Old Saybrook, Middle- sex county, are among the earliest of the fami- lies that settled in that locality. The name Chapman is of Saxon origin, the early spell- ing being Ceapman, meaning a chapman, or marketman, manager or merchant. The sur- name Chapman occurs among the earliest Eng- lish surnames, and the family, in many of its various branches, became somewhat distin- guished at an early day.

Robert Chapman, the first American settler, was a native of Yorkshire, England, coming in 1635, from Hull, from which place he sailed in company with Lion Gardiner, for Saybrook on Nov, 3d, as one of the company of twenty men who were sent over by Sir Richard Sal- tonstall to take possession of a large tract of land and make settlements near the mouth of the Connecticut river, under the patent of

Lord Say and Seal. He is supposed to have been about eighteen years of age at the time. Among his personal friends Col. John Fen- wick, of the town of Fenwick, in Old Saybrook, is named. That Robert Chapman became a man of influence in the town is evident from the fact that, for many years, he held the of- fice of clerk, and also that of clerk of the Oyster River Quarter, and filled many import- ant stations. For many years he was com- missioner for Saybrook, and was elected depu- ty to the General Court, at Hartford, forty- three times and assistant nine times, his serv- ice as deputy coming between September 14, 1654, and October 14, 1680, and as assistant between May 16, 1661, and October 14, 1684. Settling upon a tract of land in Oyster River, about two miles west of the Connecticut river, in Saybrook, he became a very large land- holder in Saybrook, and also in East Haddam. In 1642 Robert Chapman married Ann Blith, or Bliss. He died in 1687, and she in 1685. Their family: John, Robert, Anna, Hannah, Nathaniel, Mary, and Sarah.

Robert Chapman, second son of Robert, was born at Saybrook, and was extensively engaged in agriculture, owning at the time of his decease not less than two thousand acres of land in Saybrook, East Haddam and He- bron. He was a man of extensive influence in civil affairs. For many years he was clerk of the Oyster River Quarter, and was com- missioner and surveyor of the town of Say- brook. Elected as representative to the Gen- eral Court, he filled that office for eighteen sessions, from 1692 to 1711. In the Congre- gational Church he was also prominent. His death occurred suddenly, while he was in the courtroom at Hartford, soon after the open- ing of the November session, in 17II, and he is buried in the rear of the Center Church, in Hartford. His first marriage was to Sa- rah, daughter of Lieut. Francis Griswold, of Norwich, and by her he had nine children. She died April 7, 1692, and he married for his second wife Mary Sheater, widow of Samuel Sheater, of Killingworth. The children born of these unions were: Samuel, Robert, Sarah, Francis, Dorcas, Stephen, Sarah, two who died in infancy, Benjamin, Mehetable, Stephen and Abigail.

Capt. Samuel Chapman, eldest son of Rob- ert (2), married Margaret Griswold, of Nor- wich. He was a prominent man in Saybrook

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military affairs, residing in what is now the town of Westbrook, and with his wife was among the fourteen to organize the first church there, on June 29, 1726. Four of his de- scendants have been successively deacons in that church. Capt. Samuel and Margaret Chapman had ten children, the eighth, Caleb, born in 1708, being the direct ancestor of our subject.

Caleb Chapman, son of Capt. Sam- uel, .married Deborah, daughter of Sam- uel Jones, in 1738, and their family numbered eight, the eldest, Caleb C., being the next in line.

Caleb C. Chapman, born in 1740, the great- grandfather of our subject, married (first) Phebe Post, in 1764, and by her had one child. His second marriage, in 1769, was to Elizabeth Bushnell. He was a prominent man in the parish of Westbrook in both civil and religious affairs, was chosen deacon of the Congregational Church in 1780, and served in that capacity for seventeen years, until his decease, in 1797. His children were: Chloe, Elizabeth, Richard, Charles, Henry, Timothy and Edward.

Richard Chapman, the grandfather of Car- los H., was a farmer by occupation, and lived where our subject now resides, there building the present house. For a long course of years he was a consistent and exemplary mem- ber of the Congregational Church of West- brook, and he died in September, 1850, la- mented by all who knew him. An old-time Whig, he was firm in his beliefs, and took a prominent stand in the management of town affairs. The children born to him and his wife, Elizabeth (Doty) Chapman, were: Rich- ard; Rebecca; Henry; Eunice Elizabeth, who married Edward Marsh; Linus; Ezra; Linus Ezra, the father of our subject ; and Sylvia.

Linus Ezra Chapman was born January 15. 1813 in the house now occupied by his son, Carlos H., and there his early life was spent. For many years he taught school in his native district and town during the win- ters, his farm occupying him during the sum- mers. Later he gave up teaching, purchasing the interests of the other heirs in the home place, and the rest of his life he devoted to farming and fishing, being in active health un- til his decease. A Whig in politics, he was sent to the Assembly (in Hartford) from Westbrook, was also selectirun for a number

of years, and held many minor offices. His death occurred in August, 1882. On Septem- ber 22, 1839, he married Une Jones, of West- brook, who was born in 1817, a daughter of Benjamin and Louisa Jones, and died Septem- ber 15, 1899, at the home of our subject. Chil- dren as follows were born of this marriage: Carlos Henry ; Linus Stanley, born in April, 1843, who married Jessie Lee, and is engaged in the jobbing business in Chicago; and Louisa, who died in infancy.

Carlos Henry Chapman, our subject, was born July 28, 1840, at the old homestead in which he now resides. His educational advan- tages were superior to those of many of his companions, as, after passing through the dis- trict schools, he was given a course in West- brook Academy. Displaying a fondness for the water, he then went to sea, being em- ployed in the coasting and fishing trade and in the carrying of produce to market ; becoming successful, he might have continued in the same line longer had not the Civil war broken out. On September 19, 1861, Mr. Chapman was one of the many brave men who put aside their private interests to enlist in the service of their country. He became a private in Com- pany F, Twelfth Connecticut Volunteers, un- der Capt. S. E. Clark and Col. Deming. The regiment was sent first to New Orleans, thence to the siege of Port Hudson, engaging in four fights on the way, and for forty-three days our subject, with his brave regiment, was under fire, before the surrender took place, in July, 1863. The regiment then went to Donaldsonville, on the Mississippi river, and was soon engaged in a fight there, and then went to Brashear City, on Berwick bay, thence to Bayou Teche, where they spent the winter until February, 1864, when they were dis- charged. Mr. Chapman came home on a vet- cran's furlough, having re-enlisted, and re- joined his regiment, in March, 1864. going to New Orleans ; thence to Morganza Bend. La., thence to Algiers, La., where he took trans- port for Fortress Mouroe. Upon arrival there the regiment was sent to Bermuda Hundred. and then to the trenches before Petersburg. where they remained two days, being thence transported to Monocacy, M'd., to join Sheri- dan's army, and going down the Shenandoah Valley in time to participate in the battle of Winchester and see the gallant commander on his famous ride. They were also in the

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Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 103

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : Beers Number of Pages: 1502

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Beers
Number of Pages: 1502