Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 108

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 108

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During his early life Thomas N. Dickinson had studied for the Baptist ministry, was ordained and preached in a number of churches, among which were those of his de- nomination in Chester and Middletown, and in New York and Brooklyn, and he was the supply in Essex a number of times. In Brook- lyn he preached at the Height Street Baptist Church, and refused a call there; in Middle- town he united two warring factions in the South Baptist Church; and in Essex was an active and liberal supporter of its Baptist Church. Although a firm Democrat, he only

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took a voting interest in politics, and being a self-made man, he devoted his time and atten- tion to his business. Socially he was connected with Mt. Olive Lodge, No. 52, F. & A. M., of Essex, where he was much esteemed. He married Harriett Brown, a native of Colches- ter, who is still surviving. The children born of this union were: Thomas N., who married Fanny Mather, resides in Essex, where he is engaged in the manufacture of witch hazel ; Edward E .; and Ernest L., who died in young manhood at Saranac Lake, N. Y., was a stu- dent for the Episcopal ministry.

Edward Everett Dickinson was born in Es- sex, September 8, 1859, receiving his primary education in the common schools, later becom- ing a student at the famous Hills Academy, one of the finest private schools of New England. While still a very young man he began work as an assistant in the Saybrook National Bank of Essex, where he remained for two and one-half years, leaving the bank to enter into partnership with his father. In 1895, when his father retired from business, our subject assumed sole management, and in 1897 purchased his father's interests in the business, and is now the sole owner. Upon be- coming identified with the business, Mr. Dick- inson introduced modern methods and ideas, and under his management the product has found new markets, the growth being remarka- ble, and the firm now being the leader in the production of witch hazel in the United States. Mr. Dickinson owns distilleries in various parts of Connecticut where his product is pre- pared from green witch hazel twigs and alco- hol, the stills being of copper. The finished product is an alcoholic distillation, the spirit being put into the still and run over through the brush. The new office building of the firm is one of the finest of its kind in the county. As a man of business Mr. Dickinson is careful and capable, while understanding the scientific application of modern methods, and possesses the necessary requisites for the proper management of so large an undertak- ing.

Mr. Dickinson was married in Westbrook to Frances L. Dickinson, a native of Hig- ganum, and a daughter of Capt. George L. and Martha L. ( Hayes) Dickinson. Two chil- dren have been born of this union,-Ruth E. and Edward Everett, Jr. The family resides in an elegant home in Essex.

A Democrat in his political belief, like his honored father, Mr. Dickinson seeks no office. He is an active member and supporter of the Baptist Church. Outside of his own firm he is prominently identified with many of the public interests of Essex, being a director in the Essex Savings Bank, also in the Saybrook Bank of Essex, but declined the presidency of both institutions, the demands of his business. making life strenuous enough. Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, being affiliated with Mt. Olive Lodge, No. 52, F. & A. M., of Essex; Burning Bush Chapter; Cyrene Commandery, of Middle- town; and Sphinx Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Hartford.

HON. HENRY M. STANNARD. In the death of this gentleman the State of Con- necticut lost the services of a man of con- spicuous ability, boundless energy (hampered ever by a not very robust constitution) and un- doubted patriotism. During more than fifty years he filled out a life that was honorable and successful, and died lamented by the whole of Middlesex county. For long years his ancestors lived in Westbrook, where their ashes now rest, and there is kinship between many of the oldest and most prominent of the families now residing in that historic town.

Peter Stannard, the great-grandfather of Henry M., was a farmer in Westbrook. He served in the Revolutionary war, where he contracted smallpox, and died from that terri- ble scourge ; his ashes rest in Tobey Hill, in Westbrook. Capt. William Stannard, the grandfather, was a seafaring man in early life,. and also engaged in the building of vessels. Later he took up farming and resided on Main street, in Westbrook, opposite the present lo- cation of the "Westbrook Hotel." Prominent in the affairs of the Congregational Church, Mr. Stannard accumulated wealth and was highly considered in his generation. His first. wife was Miriam Sherman, his second Fanny Pratt, who survived him, and the children of these unions were: Sally, Mrs. Morgan; Pol- ly, Mrs. Elliott ; Louise, Mrs. Rogers ; William. Richard ; Harry; William M. who married El- len Spencer; and James, who married Jane Chapman. All are now deceased.

Richard Stannard, the father of Henry M., was born September 21, 1794, in Westbrook. While but a boy he went to sea on vessels.

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owned by his father, principally those running between Hartford and New York, engaged in the coasting trade, and when quite young was made the captain of one of them. For many years he followed this occupation, and as he was known to be a careful and successful navi- gator and pilot along shores where lighthouses were not then thought of, he was much sought after and became successful financially. As his father was a shipbuilder, Richard was not only able to command boats but also to sell them. He retired from marine life early enough to enable him to pass many safe and quiet years upon his farm. His wife was Nancy Kelsey, daughter of Capt. Ephraim Kelsey, born in 1796. She died in 1892, in the possession of all her faculties, although she neared the century mark. Henry M. was the eldest of his parents' children, the others be- ing: Lydia, who married Harvey Chalker, of Old Saybrook, died in 1884; Louisa, born in 1821, resides in Westbrook; Richard died in 1848; Nancy M., born in 1826, married Chan pion D. Wright, and died in 1882; Al- fred W., born in 1829, married Jane E. Ly- man, of Saybrook, moved to California, and was employed at the navy yard at Vallejo, where he died in 1875; Lucy E., born in 1831, died in 1897; Charles, born in 1834, died in 1846; and Samuel B., born in 1837, died in 1896.

Henry M. Stannard was born July 8, 1817, in Westbrook, where he resided until he was ten years old, at which time he went to Nor- wich, Conn., and made his home with his ticle, Giles Buckingham. At that time an excellent school for boys was held in the old Stone Episcopal Church (which building is still standing), and under the care of various scholarly men his mind was directed, and, ac- cording to the strict methods of the time, he was well instructed. While he was attending school his spare time and vacations were em- ployed in serving in the general store then con- chutcted by William A. Buckingham, a cousin of his mother, who later became governor of the State. When Myr. Stannard had reached the age of twenty-one he went into partner- ship with Mr. Buckingham in the dry-goods business in Norwich, the firm of Stannard & Buckingham being still remembered, but tu- fortunately just at that time came on a period of business depression, and the partnership was dissolved. Shortly before this Mr. Stannard 38

had an attack of measles, which left him with a cough, and this decided his removal to West- brook, in the hope of regaining perfect health. This was about 1843, and in company with his brother-in-law. Harvey Chalker, who fur- nished the finances, he erected a building lo- cated a short distance north of the present site of the post office, where a general store was conducted for several years by the firm of Stannard & Chalker. Later Mr. Chalker's health failed and he disposed of his interest, and Mr. Stannard removed the building to where it now stands, continuing in merchan- dising until his death. He occupied the resi- dence, purchased about the same time, which is now occupied by his widow. She does not enjoy robust health, the loss of her devoted husband and her bright boys having made sad inroads upon her constitution. The residence mentioned is somewhat of a landmark, having been erected by Rev. Mr. Selden, a Congrega- tional minister, and occupied by him during his pastorate of twenty years in Westbrook. The business conducted in the general store by Mr. Stannard was an eminently successful one, his trade coming from as far west as New Haven, many old residents believing that Mr. Stannard could supply their wants even better than the city merchants. During the building of the Shore Line railroad Mr. Stannard furnished supplies, such as groceries, shoes, clothing, etc., to the hundreds of workmen while they were employed in Westbrook, and his receipts from that source were over thirty thousand dollars. During the fluctuations of prices in the goods he handled lie did an im- mense business, possessing the capacity to- properly judge the probable turn of affairs, and thus being able to successfully prepare for the rise or fall of the markets, where his busi- ness was concerned. Personally Mr. Stannard was of pleasing appearauce and manner. His constitution was frail, on account of the ill- ness above mentioned, the cough never leaving him.

Mr. Stannard was married in Norwich, Coun., iu 1839, to Mary T. Mott, who was boru June 10, 1822, in Preston, Conn., and was taken when an infant to Norwich. She is a daughter of John and Dorothea (Ayers) Mott, and a granddaughter of Gen. Sammel Mott, to whose memory a monument was erected in Norwich in November, 1898. Her maternal great-grandfather was Gen. Tyler.

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another Revolutionary hero. Gen. Samuel Mott was appointed at the May session of the Legislature, in 1775, engineer, with rank of lieutenant colonel, with orders to repair to Ticonderoga and Crown Point. He served in that capacity under Gens. Schuyler and Mont- gomery, and as topographical engineer made plans of Stony Point and West Point, on the Hudson; he was chief engineer at the siege of St. John's, in October, 1775. The next year he was appointed to examine the works at New London and Groton, and was colonel of Mott's Battalion of State Troops. Gen. Washing- ton was twice his guest at his home in Preston. For many years he was one of the prominent public men of Preston, served in all the local offices, and in the Legislature from 1781 con- tinuously until 1796. His residence in Pres- ton has lately been torn down, but he lives in the records of the town.

. Children as follows were born to Mir. and Mrs. Stannard; William H., born in Sep- tember, 1841, died in September, 1843; Isa- bella married Charles A. Moore, and resides in New York; Henry, born in April, 1846, died in September, 1848; Harriet, born in No- vember, 1849, died in September, 1853; Henry, born in May, 1853, attended Russell's Military School, at New Haven (he acci- dentally shot himself while handling a pistol, on May II, 1870) ; John M., born November 12, 1856, died March 7, 1875; and Dorothea Eloise, born in 1859, died in 1880. Mrs. Stannard is still living although in somewhat feeble health, and makes her home in West- brook, a beloved and esteemed woman.

Mr. Stannard was a stanch Republican. Early in his business career he was appointed postmaster of the town, but he finally resigned the office, the addition to the pressure of pri- vate business taxing him too much. For over twenty-five years he was justice of the peace, was judge of probate for twenty years, and as early as 1860 was sent to the Legislature at New Haven, effectively serving on the Claims committee. In 1872 he was elected to the State Senate from the Nineteenth District, by a large majority, and it was while serving in that capacity that he made many of the speeches and remarks which were so carefully preserved by the devoted and admiring son, whose lamented death preceded that of his fa- ther by nine months. Mr. Stannard was on the committee on Humane Institutions, in-

cluding Industrial Schools, the State Hospital and the School for Imbeciles, at Lakeside, Conn., and no one could have been selected who could better present the claims of these unfortunates, his sympathetic and generous nature responding to every call. From 1867 to 1870 Mr. Stannard served as county com- missioner, and in 1874 he was urged for the office of Secretary of State, but his poor health prevented him from making any effort to se- cure a nomination. Although a power in pub- lic life, and a friend of the most prominent men of the State, it was in his home that Sen- ator Stannard was at his best, and the tender affection between him and his chil- dren told in his own language, is affect- ing, giving an insight into the inner life which. so many public men hide from the world. He suffered many afflic- tions by death, but his son John grew into intellectual manhood, displaying an affection and pride in his father which was recipro- cated. Senator Stannard was a methodical man, and John inherited this attribute. He prepared a complete record of his father's life, taking delight in the task, and, as Mr. Stannard says in his own diary, "many a time, when speaking I had the thought in my mind, 'what will Johnny think of this?' " A decline of a year preceded his death, although the demise of this beloved son caused such intense grief that doubtless it hastened the end. While serving as senator at Hartford Mir. Stannard had premonitions of his decease, as a partial stroke of paralysis incapacitated him for a time, but his death followved an attack of apoplexy on January 21, 1876.

While a young man Senator Stannard united with the Congregational Church, now the Broadway Church, of Norwich, Conn., as did his wife, and he was a constant attendant, taking part also for many years in the man- agement of the Sunday-school. As an adviser and counsellor he was often sought, and the records of the State tell of his earnest and un- selfish efforts to better the condition of those unfortunates called the wards of the State. Few better men have been produced and passed away in Middlesex county than our hon- ored subject, Henry M. Stannard.

EDGAR S. FREEMAN, a substantial farmer residing near the Haddam line, in the Haddam Road District of the town of Middle-

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town, Middlesex county, was born July I, 1844, in a house just east of the one in which he now resides, son of Luther A. and Emeline (Hubbard) Freeman, and grandson of Luther Freeman, who was born near Amherst, Mass., but was an early settler of Haddam, Con- necticut.

Luther Freeman was but a young man when he came from his native State to Middle- sex county, Conn., and for a short time he lived in Essex town. He next came to Had- dam town and located at Higganum, on a tract of rented land, where he engaged in the manufacture of brick on a small scale. With- in a few years he purchased the tract, which is now a part of the farm of John Henry Free- man, but soon gave up brickmaking and pur- chased the farm at Higganum, which was aft- erward occupied by the late Curtis Freeman. He was actively engaged in farming the re- mainder of his life. Mr. Freeman married Hester Bushnell, of Essex, who died July 2, 1858, at the age of eighty-four, the mother of seven children, viz. : Arza was a brick man- ufacturer in Higganum, and later followed the sea, and died at the age of eighty-four years; he married Florilla Bonfoey. Lyman, who also followed the sea in early life, for a short time lived in Middletown, then moved to Higga- num; he was married to Asenath Tryon. Par- melia married Arnold Comstock, a farmer and one of the founders of the well-known estab- lishment of The Comstock, Cheney & Co., at Essex, Conn. Orrin, who never married, was a farmer in Higganum, a successful lumber dealer, and a prominent office holder in Had- (lam, having been a judge of probate for many years. Luther A. is mentioned below. Esther married Davis Smith, a farmer in Haddam. Rebecca died unmarried.

Luther A. Freeman, father of Edgar S. Freeman, was born May 17, 1816, in Higga- num, was educated in the district school, and assisted on the home farm until he had at- tained his majority. Then, in company with his brother Orrin, he entered the hunber and sawmilling business, under the firm style of O. & L. A. Freeman, operating what was then the largest mill in Middlesex county. They turned out a great deal of heavy ship timber and did a very successful business until 1862, when they sold out to Cook & Brainerd. who converted the plant into a feldspar mill : they in turn sold it to Hezekiah Scovil, who still

owns it. Luther A. Freeman, on relinquishing milling, removed to the farm on which he now resides, and which belonged to Jabez Hubbard, his father-in-law, and he has devoted his at- tention to general farming up to the present time. He is now over eighty-six years of age, and, with the exception of a slight impairment of his hearing, is well preserved and quite ac- tive. On May 17, 1842, he married Emeline Hubbard, born February 22, 1820, daughter of Jabez and Maria (Thayer) Hubbard, and died September 13, 1899; her remains were interred in Farm Hill cemetery. She bore her husband only one child, Edgar S. Jabez Hubbard was a well-to-do and highly respected farmer, and passed all his life on the place now owned by his grandson, Edgar S. Freeman. He was killed at the age of seventy-eight years by an ox-cart running over him, near the old toll- gate on the Haddam road.

Edgar S. Freeman received his preliminary education in the district school, and this was supplemented by three years' study at Daniel H. Chase's academy in Middletown. On his return home he assisted his maternal grand- father, Jabez Hubbard, in farm work, until the death of the latter. Mr. Freeman then took charge of the farm and now owns it. He is recognized as one of the best agriculturist; and general farmers in the district, his crops being always bountiful and his buildings al- ways kept in the best repair. His dwelling he had erected in 1870 under his personal super- vision. The joint possessions of Edgar S. and his father now comprise 300 acres, of which sixty acres are under cultivation.

On1 November 18, 1868, Edgar S. Freeman married Mary E. Roberts, who was born in Middletown, May 3. 1850, daughter of Alvin and Charlotte ( Arnold) Roberts, and to this union has come one child, Robert 11. Alvin Roberts, the father of Mrs. Freeman, was born Angust 28, 1813, at South Farins, son of Henchman and Mary (Johnson) Roberts. Hle learned the trade of joiner under his fu- ture father-in-law, James Arnold, and in 1843 l' arried the latter's daughter, Charlotte, who was born Jine 26, 1813, and died Jannary iS. :88 ;. Alvin Roberts continued to follow his trade until two weeks prior to his death, which took place July 18. 1885, the result of his be- ing thrown from his wagon against a curb- stone. He was a Democrat in politics and lind held a member of town offices. The chil-

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dren of Alvin Roberts and his wife were three in number, viz .: Jared S., born January 31, 1845, is a carpenter, and is unmarried; Mary E. is the wife of Edgar S. Freeman. Charles W., born November 5, 1852, is now farming at South Farms: he was married October 13, 1875, to Sadie B. Coe, and had one son, Clay- ton C., born July 14, 1877.

In politics Mr. Freeman is a Republican, but he has never been an office-seeker, al- though, as a matter of public duty, he has served as a member of the board of relief. He is a member of the Higganum Congrega- tional Church has always lived up to the teachings of his faith, and is a trustee of the society, toward whose support he has ever been liberal in his contributions.

ROBERT H. FREEMAN, the only child of Edgar S. and Mary E. (Roberts) Freeman, was born September 4, 1871, and was edu- cated in the district school and at Mystic Val- ley Institute, under John K. Bulkley, at Mys- tic, New London Co., Conn. He assisted his father on the farm, and is classed among the most intelligent agriculturists of the town of Middletown. He is secretary of the Hig- ganum Grange, and has served as its master. Mr. Freeman is a member of the Higginum Congregational Church, and for five years end- ing January, 1902, was superintendent of its Sunday-school. On April 19, 1900, he mar- ried Miss Lovisa L. Clark, daughter of Orville Clark, a farmer in Higganum.

ABNER HALL was born April 8, 1801, in Chatham (now East Hampton), Middlesex county, a son of Abner Hall, Sr., a farmer liv- ing near Cobalt, Middlesex county, and fol- lowed in his father's footsteps by engaging in farm work. He worked out in his younger days, beginning as a poor boy, but by working hard and saving his money he was able to buy a farm, where he afterward lived, and where he died April 17, 1885, at the age of eighty- four years.

Mr. Hall married Eliza Butler, who was born in Lenox, Mass., October II, 1801, and died June 23, 1874. . Their children were: Martha, who married Henry Rogers, and died in October, 1899, at South Manchester, Conn .; Eliza Ann, who is the widow of Horace A. Buck, and lives in Worcester, Mass .; Abner, who died at Middlefield ; Betsy C., who married Charles Hastings, and died in Rocky Hill,

Conn .; Charles, who lives in Portland; Will- iam, who was drowned at the age of four years; Frederick Augustus ; Jane, who died un- married; Mary Ellen, wife of Nelson Corn- wall, of Portland; Harriet and Emma, both unmarried ; and Adelaide, who died in infancy.

Abner Hall was a Democrat, taking a deep interest in politics, and was in every way a good citizen. He belonged to the Congrega- tional Church. Modest and unassuming in manner, industrious by nature, he was highly esteemed. His children won a good standing in life, and have exhibited more than usual strength of character. From his own earnings Mr. Hall secured a comfortable farm, which has recently been increased by his daughter Harriet, who is a lady of remarkable business ability.

FREDERICK AUGUSTUS HALL, in his life- time a well-known farmer of Portland, was born in that town June 26, 1833, son of Abner and Eliza (Butler) Hall. He attended first the brick school in the north part of Portland, where he had Franklin Payne for one of his earlier teachers, and later was enrolled as a pupil in a school in Buck Town. Always a hard worker, he was reared a farmer boy, and stayed at home, working with his father. At times he had private enterprises, such as get- ting out timber, etc., but he remained steadily with his parents. Having made quite a little money, in one way or another, he, in 1885, bought the Goodrich farm, in Portland, and there he lived until his death, which occurred December 14, 1900. He went after fuel to the hills, where he died alone, and his body was found next day. In politics he was a Demo- crat, but quite content ever to permit others to reap the rewards of public office.

L'HOMMEDIIEU. This family is, as the name indicates, of French extraction. The following is from "Baird's Huguenot Emigra- tion to America," Vol. I, pp. 293-294: "Sev- eral members of the Huguenot family fled from La Rochelle, France, after the Revoca- tion. Pierre and Osee (or Hosea) were sons of Pierre L'Hommedieu and Marthe Peron. his wife. Marthe accompanied her children to England and came to America with Pierre, who settled in Kingston, Ulster County, N. Y. Hosea L'Hommedieu fled from La Rochelle several months previous to the flight of his brother Pierre and mother Marthe." He was

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doubtless accompanied by Benjamin and Jean (John) L'Hommedieu, who may have been his brothers. The interesting tradition among the descendants of Benjamin agrees perfectly with these facts.

Benjamin and John L'Hommedieu were born at La Rochelle. They left France togeth- er. Their mother accompanied them to the shore and as a parting gift confided to one a Bible, and to the other a silver watch. They first went to Holland, and then came to Ameri- ca. The watch was lately in the possession of Prof. Eben Norton Horsford, deceased, of Harvard University. Both Benjamin and John were naturalized in New York City, Sep- tember 27, 1687. Some months before he set- tled at Southold, L. I., Benjamin obtained let- ters of denization allowing him to trade.

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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 108

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