Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 124

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 124

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Charles Parks Sage was born December 26, 1829, in the house just west of his present home, now occupied by Charles Bowers. Be- tween the ages of five and ten years he attend- ed the city schools of Springfield, Mass., while he was making his home with his aunt, Ann Sage, and at the age of ten he passed the en- trance examination of Cromwell Academy, then attended by nearly eighty scholars, where he had for his teachers George Thatcher, Ja- red Owen Knapp, Rollin D. H. Allen and Will- iam S. Wright. With his attendance at the academy his school days ended, and at the age of sixteen years he entered the factory of Seth North, at Cromwell. He soon transferred himself to the factory of J. & E. Stevens, as bookkeeper, and as he became a young man

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set up a factory for himself, which he did not retain in his own hands very long. After the death of his father he returned to the farm, and as he was the eldest in the family much of the responsibility for the care of his mother, who resided in later years with her son John, fell upon him. He afterward bought out his brother Henry, and has since conducted the farm with much success. He is a director in the Cromwell Creamery Association, of which he was one of the organizers.

Mr. Sage was married November 24, 1852, to Miss C. Elizabeth Thayer, who was born in Glastonbury March 31, 1833, and when quite a young girl, moved to Rocky Hill with her parents, Jonathan and Laura ( Chapman) Thayer. To this marriage came the follow- ing children : (1) Arthur Frank, born August 27, 1854, died September 8, 1880. (2) Hat- tie A., born February 24, 1859, married June 25, 1885, Rev. Frank Townsend, a Methodist clergyman, then living in Parkersburg, W. Va., now located in Buckhannon, W. Va. Two chil- dren have been born to them, Grace and Ar- thur. (3) Charles Parks, born May 11, 1867, died June 28, same year. (4) Cornelia Eliz- abeth, born August 1, 1874, married Edward W. Bowers, a bookkeeper employed in Hart- ford, and has one son, Dwight.

Mr. Sage is a Republican in political senti- ment. He was selectman for three years, and a representative in the State Legislature in 1884 and 1885, serving on the Agricultural committee, of which he was clerk. Socially Mr. Sage is affiliated with Washington Lodge. No. 81, F. & A. M., where he has served as master three years. A man much interested in local affairs, he is highly respected and has many friends.

WILLIAM WIRT JENNINGS, one of the prominent business men of Deep River. who has been associated with its growth and prosperity, and whose fandily is one of the old- est in New England, and connected closely with its history, was born in Easton, Fairfield Co., Conn., September 9. 1836, son of Isaac and Esther ( French) Jennings, and a grand- son of Stephen Jennings, all natives of Easton.

Isaac Jennings was an extensive farmer. although he was also engaged in other lines of business. In politics he was a Whig, and later a Republican, and held various town offices.

His death occurred when he was but forty- nine, but his widow survived him until she reached the age of seventy-three. Both were consistent members of the Baptist Church. Their three children were: Jane, who married Charles R. Brothwell; Marshall, who married Mary Patterson, daughter of Dr. Patterson, of Easton, Conn., and who died in Derby, Conn., aged forty; and our subject.

: William Wirt Jennings was educated in the common schools and Easton Academy, re- ceiving an excellent education, and after graduating, taught school himself for seven or eight years. In 1861, fired with the spirit of patriotism, he enlisted in Company D, Twen- ty-third Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, and was stationed along the railroad leading from. New Orleans. The regiment saw considerable service in skirmish and garrison duty, and Mr. Jennings, after bearing a worthy part, was honorably discharged with his regiment. Re- turning to Fairfield county, Conn .. Mr. Jennings resumed his duties as a school teacher. alternating with mercantile ven- tures until 1876, when he devoted his entire attention to mercantile lines. In 1885 he disposed of his business and removed to Deep River to take charge of the affairs of his uncle, Rev. Russell Jennings. In 1885 a co-partnership was formed under the name of the Russell Jennings Manufacturing Company. In this Mr. Jennings became a stockholder and was elected assistant treasurer, which position he retained until 1895, when the company was incorporated under the laws of the State as a joint stock corporation, and Mr. Jennings was elected vice-president, which position he still holds. In 1888 Rev. Russell Jennings died and our subject had charge of the settlement of his large estate, which was completed to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.

On October 5. 1866, Mr. Jennings was married in Easton. Conn., to Anna M. Seeley. ( daughter of Ezra S. Seeley ), who died in An- gust, 1877, aged forty-four. The two children born of this union were: Ernest A., born July 28, 1871, is bookkeeper for the Russell Jen- nings Manufacturing Company ; and Jennie. born February 15. 1800. died at the age of 110. On September 12. 1887. Mr. Jennings married Alida B. Stevens, of Deep River, one of the three children two sons and a dangh- ter- of Henry G. and Ann I. ( Pratt ) Stevens.

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Mrs. Jennings' brothers are: Henry G., in business in New York City; and Albert P., of Deep River.

In politics Mr. Jennings is a strong Repub- lican, and while in Easton was selectman for a number of years ; tax collector many years ; and represented the town in Legislature in the ses- sion of 1881. Since coming to Deep River he has been equally prominent, having been select- man a number of terms, and in 1888, repre- sented the town in the Legislature. In re- ligious matters both Mr. and Mrs. Jennings are members of the Baptist Church, the former be- ing a member in Easton and the latter in Deep River. They are well known and highly re- spected, both in Easton and Deep River.

LYMAN POST, deceased. A beautiful home, shaded by stately elms, situated on the road to West Beach, in the town of Westbrook, Middlesex Co., is a reminder to the commun- ity that here once lived one of its most just and generous men, a kind husband and father, and a neighbor who was all the word implies. Ly- man Post came from a good old family, and in the biographical works he so loved to read, there was no more honorable name than his own.

In 1635 Stephen Post came from England' and settled on the south side of the Charles river, buying twelve acres of land. Later, he became one of the original proprietors of Hart- ford, whither he removed with Rev. Thomas Hooker. In 1649 he resided in Saybrook, where he died ten years later. His son Abra- ham carried on this branch of the family, and passed out of life in 1671, leaving a son, Abra- ham, who was one of the founders of and the first deacon in the Congregational Church in Westbrook. The last named married Eliza- beth Stevens, and their children were: Anne, Elizabeth, Abraham, John, Nathaniel, Nathan, Mary, and Mindwell.

John Post son of Abraham (2), married Lydia Bushnell, and their youngest son, Josh- ua, was the next in line.

Joshua Post followed the occupation of farming in the Pond Meadow District of West- brook. He was a soldier in the Patriot army, and served his country faithfully in the war of' the Revolution, participating in many of the stirring scenes and battles of that war, includ- ing Crown Point, Ticonderoga, etc.

The following incident is related of this

brave man: While at Crown Point he was taken sick, and was granted a furlough, and with two other soldiers, started for home. They had their knapsacks, but no firearms. While passing through a long stretch of woods, being weary from the painful march, Mr. Post sat down on a fallen log to rest while his com- rades walked slowly on, disappearing behind a turn in the road. Hearing a noise, he looked around, and was startled to see a panther which, having evidently scented them, was now close upon him and ready to spring. Quickly regaining his feet, he seized his knap- sack and threw it at the beast, at the same time uttering a frenzied yell which so fright- ened the animal that it quickly turned and fled. He at once hurried on and met his comrades, who were returning, they having heard his cries of distress.

It is further related that, after the panther episode, these soldiers came to a clearing on which was the home of a settler, and the rude fence surrounding the same was covered with bear-skins to keep the panthers, then quite nu- merous, away from the house. Joshua Post died at his home in Westbrook in 1825, and his remains lie in the old Westbrook graveyard. He married Anne' Jones and their children were: Ezra; Jerusha; Ashbel; Joshua; Zin- ah; Anne; Lydia ; Diana; Henry; and Isaiah. All of these sons settled in Ohio and New York State except Isaiah, who remained with his father.

Isaiah Post, father of Lyman, was born December 29, 1788, in the Pond Meadow Dis- trict of Westbrook, and followed farming all his active life, residing on the old homestead. He served for a short time during the war of 1812, and was chosen sergeant in the local militia, in the Sixth Company, Seventh Regi- ment, his commission, issued by Lieut .- Col. John Brainerd, of Haddam, being dated Sep- tember 20, 1816. Later he was appointed en- sign, this commission being dated July 1, 1822, and signed by Oliver Wolcott, then governor of Connecticut. Both of these valuable papers are in the possession of Mrs. E. A. Lynne, his granddaughter. A stanch Whig, he later" be- came a Republican, and was a member and lib- eral supporter of the Congregational Church of his town. A man who had led a most ex- emplary life, he possessed the esteem of all, and he passed away April 9, 1873, in the respect which the life of a good man receives. His

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first wife was Lydia Doane, born in Westbrook, a daughter of Joel Doane, who was a pen- sioner of the Revolutionary war. She died in 1835, the mother of children as follows : Lyman, our subject ; Anne, who married Albert Kelsey; Loxea, who married Charles Kelsey ; Harriet, who married Philo Kelsey, the three brothers marrying the three sisters ; Henrietta, who married Deacon Isaac Spencer : Emeline, who married Arza Wright; and William, who married Mary Wright. The second marriage of Mr. Post, in 1841, was to Jerusha Pratt. daughter of Jesse Pratt, of Winthrop, Conn. : her death occurred in 1871.

Lyman Post was born in the Pond Mead- ow District of Westbrook, on October 30, 1812, and attended the district schools and the academy at Westbrook. Soon after leav- ing school he formed a partnership with his cousin, Mr. Buell, in the opening of a tin store in Clinton, the firm name being Post & Buell, and the business prospered well. Later, ow- ing to heavy losses, Mr. Post was obliged to meet the obligations alone, which he did in an honorable manner, paying the entire indebted- ness to the last cent. Closing out the busi- ness, he came to Westbrook and purchased from his father a small tract of land where his late home now stands, soon paying for it, as he proved a successful farmer, and in 1836, he erected the present commodious residence. Continuing to farm, Mr. Post also engaged, with success, in pound fishing for shad, and be- came one-fifth owner of the Salt Works Fish- ery Company, which was composed of West- brook parties, this combination lasting as long as the fishing was profitable.

Mr. Post was a type of the self-made man who, by industry, honesty and economy, ac- cumulates an independent fortune. At the time of his death he owned 200 acres of val- uable land, ninety acres of which surrounded the homestead, and this was considered one of the finest farms in Middlesex county. Mr. Post was a scientific farmer, read the literature pertaining to his business, watched results, and finally proved that his ideas were right to many of his doubting neighbors, who followed his example. In the old homestead are some val- uable relics, among them a collection of arti- cles made from the wood of the old Charter Oak by J. A. Most, a cabinet maker of Hart ford, and which was exhibited by him at the Centennial exhibition in Philadelphia, in 1876.

When this valuable collection was ready to be shipped to Philadelphia, Mr. Post advanced the necessary funds to insure the transfer. Mr. Most expected to realize on the sale of the same but he fixed an extremely high price on the collection, the sale was not consummated, and the collection came eventually into Mr. Post's hands, in liquidation of the debt incurred. Mr. Post during his life,. expressed the hope that this collection might eventually be included among the historic relics in Hartford and be- come the property of the State. Included in the collection is a fine piano, which. with the other valuable articles, is greatly admired by the many interested visitors who have been coming from time to time to view the same.

Among the interests which made Mr. Post a man of intelligence in the community was his love of good reading, by which he was con- stantly surrounded, and his various trips to visit relatives and to see some of the world outside his home. The beautiful elms around his residence were planted by his own hands, and were always a source of pleasure and ad- miration. Mr. Post died March 15. 1897, and. a beautiful monument marks his resting place in the new cemetery.

The first marriage of Mr. Post was to Car- oline Jones, a native of Westbrook, daughter of Asa Jones, of that place. Her death oc- curred in 1846. The children of this union were: Lyman Eckford, born in 1840, who married Susan Tooker; Lydia, born in 1842. who married George Chalker ; and Caroline H .. born in 1844, who married Carlos H. Chap- man. The second marriage of Mr. Post. on May 9. 1850, was to Mrs. Lydia Bushnell, wid- ow of Charles Bushnell, who was born June 14. 1825, daughter of William and Lydia ( King) Griffin, and now resides on the homestead. The children of this marriage were: Harriett Au- gusta and Henry Augustus, twins: Harriett married Elmer A. Lyme, and they now reside on the homestead. Mr. Lynne conducting a successful meat business in Westbrook : Henry married Adeline Wright, for his first wife, and later, Mrs. Sarah Emmons, of Riverton, Conn. (he is a joiner and carpenter of Westbrook ) : and AAntoinette married Louis A. Merrill, a farmer in the town of Clinton.

Mr. Post was a stanch and intelligent ob- server of the principles of the Republican party, advocating them actively, and he was called upon to serve his town as assessor, men-

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ber of the school board, and selectman. Like all his family he was a consistent member of the Congregational Church, giving liberally to its support, and assisting in all its benevolent enterprises.

FRANCIS DANIELS EDGERTON, M. A., M. D. Of all the professions the one most useful to mankind is the medical -- the divine art of healing. The ideal physician is he who ever thrusts aside his own personal comfort and consecrates his life to the thought- ful and efficient practice of his profession, and who by his own upright and clean life can: inspire confidence and respect for himself and hope in the hearts of the afflicted. Middle- town, Conn., is fortunate in numbering among her citizens an earnest exponent of the high- est ideals of lofty devotion to his calling in the person of Dr. Francis Daniels Edgerton.

Dr. Edgerton was born August 26, 1838, at East Hampton, Conn., the only child of Francis Griswold and Marietta (Daniels) Edgerton, of that town. His paternal grand- parents, Simon and Lucy (Griswold) Edger- ton, were natives of Norwich, Conn., and his ancestor, Richard Edgerton, was one of the original proprietors of that place, where all of his ancestors were born, the Doctor being the first one of his line born outside of that town.

Dr. Francis Griswold Edgerton, father of Francis D., was also a physician. He was born at Norwich in 1797, and died at East Hampton in 1870. He studied medicine with Philemon Tracy and William P. Eaton, both of Norwich, and after attending two courses of lectures, in 1824 and 1825, at New Haven, Conn., received his diploma. After the death of old Dr. Richmond, of East Hampton, he located there, and practiced medicine the re- mainder of his life, becoming one of the best- known physicians in that part of the State. In personal appearance he was of command- ing presence, being over six feet in height and weighing more than two hundred pounds. In politics he was a Republican, and in town affairs a public-spirited citizen. He attended the Congregational Church. His widow, a remarkable old lady, of great independence of character, remained at the homestead, and managed the farm for many years, dying there in 1900, at the advanced age of eighty-nine.

Dr. Francis D. Edgerton, of Middletown, Conn., the subject proper of this sketch, has

long been recognized as a leading and emi- nently successful member of his profession, being engaged in difficult surgical cases, over a wide territory, and in consultation with his fellows throughout the State. With excellent early advantages for education, be- ginning at the age of twelve in the celebrated preparatory school of Daniel H. Chase, at Middletown, Conn., and afterward attending successively at the Wesleyan Academy, Wil- braham, Mass. and the academy at East Greenwich, R. I., he was well prepared in 1857 to enter Wesleyan University at Mid- dletown, from which he was graduated in 1861. He then began the study of medicine with his father; attended the regular courses of lectures at the Berkshire (Mass.) Medical College, and at the University of Vermont, and took from the latter institution his first diploma of M. D. Soon after this he passed an examination for assistant surgeon in the army and was asigned to the Twenty-first Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, receiving his commission ; but by circumstances over which he had no control he was prevented from entering the service. In 1863-64 he attended a course of lectures at the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons, connected with Columbia College, N. Y., and was graduated in 1864, receiving a second diploma as M. D. In April of the same year he passed a competitive ex- amination under the Commissioners of Chari- ties and Corrections, and spent eighteen months in Bellevue Hospital, and six months in the hospitals on Blackwell's Island.

On July 6, 1866, Dr. Edgerton located in Middletown, succeeding Dr. John Ellis Blake, who had removed to New York City. His superior abilities were soon manifest, not only to his patients, but also to the medical pro- fession, by whom he was honored with elec- tion to various offices, serving from 1873 to 1877 as clerk of the Middlesex County Medi- cal Society, and from: 1876 to 1882 as treasur- er of the State Society, in both of which the finances were greatly improved under his ad- ministration. At the time of the organization of the State Industrial School for Girls he was appointed attending physician, and has been continued in that service. As a member of the State Society he was chosen to deliver the annual address before the graduating class of 1878 at Yale Medical School. For three years he was a member of the State Pharmacy Com-

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mission. In 1893 he was elected vice-presi- dent of the State Medical Society, and the next year president. For many years he has been an active member of the local medical association, and recently has been made presi- dent of the Middlesex County Hospital So- ciety, with the object of building a hospital in Middletown. In all these relations he has sel- dom been absent from the State meetings, and by word and pen has largely contributed to the literature of the profession. A paper read by him at the Centennial of the State Society, at New Haven, May 27, 1892, on "Intubation of the Larynx," with a successful case of diph- theritic croup under his treatment by this method, was especially valuable. His services on commissions appointed by the Governor for determining the mental soundness of certain State prisoners, said to be insane or recovered from that condition, have been repeatedly in demand.

Dr. Edgerton's genial disposition, checr- ful address and faithful attention to patients have tended not only to gain their confidence, but also to win their love, and his generous treatment of his brother physicians has made hint much sought after in consultations. Proba- bly no other practitioner in Middlesex county has so extensive a list of patrons, nor the ability to make so great a number of visits daily, a business which he conducts sys- tennitically, both abroad and in consulting hours, in a modest and quiet manner.

On November 5, 1868, Dr. Edgerton mar- ried Miss Amelia Dupont Cruger, a native of New Orleans, daughter of Henry C. and Hen- rietta (Cruger) Cruger, the latter a daughter of Peter Bertram Cruger. Mrs. Edgerton's ancestry can be traced back to some of the oldest and best families in New York. To this union were born: May 21, 1870, Henry C .; July 11, 1873, Francis C .; and February 20, 1875, John Warren. Henry C. is now a resident of Middletown. Francis C., gradu- ated from Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., in the class of 1804, and from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in 1898, and was subsequently house surgeon of Bellevue Hos- pital for two years. He then became a resi- dent physician at the Sloane Maternity Ilos- pital. After a year's clinical work in Berlin he returned to New York and was elected to the position of assistant surgeon of the Cornell University Medical

Clinic, which position he now holds. John Warren is a graduate of Trinity College, class of 1894, and received therefrom the de- grees of B. A. and M. A., after which he re- ceived the degree of M. A. from Yale and completed three years of post-graduate work there; he was graduated from Yale Law School in the class of 1900 with the degree of LL. B., cum laude.

Dr. Edgerton cast his first vote in public affairs for Lincoln, and ever since has con- tinued a consistent supporter of the princi- ples of the Republican party. Always de- clining a nomination for civic office, for which he had no spare time, he has, nevertheless, kept himself well informed in politics and economics, and has had settled opinions on the same. Mrs. Edgerton is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and is well known for her sincere devotion to its obliga- tions, and still more widely for her loving spir- it in doing good generally to all, as she has opportunity.

It will naturally be asked how a physician, burdened with so much business, takes needed rest. Dr. Edgerton is extremely fond of good music, and for temporary recreation will lis- ten of an evening to eminent talent at home, or, perhaps, as he has often donc, will run to New York or Boston to hear some prima donna in opera or oratorio, always managing to return on an carly train, to resume without a break his daily round of visits. For his long vacations he has taken a short summer trip to Europe about every third year for the past twenty years, during which time he has crossed the ocean twelve times. The first, in 1883. was in company with a brother physician, and on most if not all of the other five trips lie has taken some part of his fan ily abroad. his later visits having had for their additional object the placing of his two younger sons in the most favorable surroundings for com- pleting their professional equipment by post- graduate studies in Europe. In these mat ters he has justly taken professional as well as parental pride in affording them the best advantages before their entrance into the field of their chosen professions of medicine and the law.

Personally Dr. Edgerton is tall, well pro- portioned, and weighs nearly 275 pounds, but he is so quick and light of foot that his size is not noticeable. Socially of easy and agreea-

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ble address, a pleasant speaker, choice in lan- guage, and convincing in argument, he is high- ly esteemed in the various societies of which he is a member. Adopting early in life the principle of abstinence from stimulants, he is a living example of a pure and strong mind in a healthy body, and is thus free from the evidences of those habits hich to many per- sons are so objectionable. Added to all this, one who has better known him since he be- gan practice than any other says of his re- lations to other physicians, "I never heard him utter one word of detraction or disparagement of a brother practitioner," a most generous and highly commendable course.

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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 124

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