Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 129

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 129

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On August 21, 1836, Captain Spencer was married to Ann Eliza Kirtland, who was born August 26, 1814, daughter of Philip Kirtland, of Westbrook. She died April 26, 1896. The children of this union were: Sarah Casey; Charles Frederick, who died in infancy; Ade- laide Ely, born in 1845. now the widow of E. B. Sherman, and living in Bridgeport, Conn. (her children are Mary, who married George Windsor, Alice, Annie and Louise) ; and Charles Frederick, born in 1848, who died in 1870.

Sarah Casey Spencer, the eldest child of Capt. Spencer, was married November 15. 1861, by Rev. Stephen A. Loper, to

CAPT. JOHN A. POST, who was born Feb- ruary 26, 1832, son of Capt. Merritt Post, of Westbrook. Capt. Post shipped before the mast when young, on a vessel which was for mtmny years engaged in the coasting trade along Long Island Sound. Before the war he went South, and for many years was captain on the Cromwell line of steamers, run- ning between New York and New Orleans, the "Thomas Swan," "Huntsville." "George Cromwell," and others, continuing in that ser- vice for many years. The latter part of his life was spent in Westbrook, where he died January 21, 1892, his wife surviving hin ex- actly one year. Capt. Post was a prominent man in Republican political circles, and rep- resented Westbrook in the Legislature during 1882-83. Socially he was connected with the Masonic fraternity. Capt. and Mrs. Post had children as follows: Frederick S., born De-

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cember 27, 1862, married Lena McDonald, and has two children, Frederick R. and Flor- ence A .; he lives in New York, being chief clerk of the "Hotel Jefferson." Florence A., born in 1868, died in 1893.

JOHN A. POST was born December 8, 1874, in Westbrook. His education was received in the district schools and in the noted Morgan school, of Clinton. He resides on the old homestead of Capt. Spencer, where he has al- ways lived, with the exception of the winter of 1899, when he was clerk in the "Hotel Brandon," in Brooklyn. His fine cranberry marsh, formerly owned by his grandfather, consists of four and one-half acres, and is con- sidered the best marsh in the State.

HON. GEORGE A. OLCOTT, of Clin- ton, Middlesex county, the efficient secretary and member of the board of county commis- sioners, who has for many years been well and widely known in connection with the fish- ing and coasting trade of his locality, is a na- tive of Clinton, born June 5, 1837, son of Dr. Austin and Achsah (Wright) Olcott.

Mr. Olcott received his schooling in his native town, and early in life became en- gaged in the fishing and coasting trade, which was his chief occupation for a long period of years, and in which he was very prosperous. Possessing tact and business ability, which he combined with industrial habits, he forged his way to the front, becoming financially inter- ested in one of the most lucrative lines of business in this section. For many years Clin- ton has been famous for the fine quality of the oysters grown there, and in this business Mr. Olcott has been engaged, and in connection with the shipments of this food to the various markets his name has become widely known. His political connection is with the Republican party, and as an ardent and active member he represented his town in the State Legisla- ture during the years 1880, 1881 and 1882, serving with great satisfaction to his constitu- ents, and with credit to himself. In July, 1897, he was appointed a county commissioner, an office which he efficiently fills, and he is socially connected with Jeptha Lodge, No. 9, F. & A. M.

In 1866 Mr. Olcott was married to Ade- line Merrill, who died in 1891. His second marriage was to Eugenia Wood, daughter of Luke E. Wood, of Clinton. Mr. Olcott's po-

litical carcer has been one of which his friends feel proud. He was elected to the State Sen- ate in 1898, from the Twenty-first Senatorial District, his record reflecting great credit upon him, and preparing the way for higher honors.

HENRY M. SMITH, a worthy representa- tive of an old and influential family of Con- necticut, lives retired at his comfortable home in Haddam.

William Smith, his great-grandfather, and his wife Martha resided many years ago in Haddam, in the old house just north of the jail. He was a seafaring man in the West In- dies trade, owned and commanded vessels, and lost his life at sea when only forty years of age. His children were: Jeffrey, the grandfather of our subject; Jonathan and Ezra, both of whom served in the Revolution; Lucy, who married Capt. Brainerd, of New York City, and died at the age of 106; Esther, who married Luther Boardman, of Higganum; and Martha, who married George Kelsey, of Haddam.

Jeffrey Smith, the grandfather, served in the Continental line during the entire period of the Revolutionary war. He was one of the soldiers who engaged in the driving of cattle across the Hudson river on the ice, in the move- ments of the army under Gen. Washington. He saw much arduous service. His two brothers, Jonathan and Ezra, were also in the same war, and in the Continental line. Both were made prisoners in one of the battles fought in the vicinity of New York, and were confined in the old "Jersey" prison ship, where both died. Their remains lie under the monu- ment erected at Wallabout Bay, near the Brooklyn navy yard. Grandfather Jeffrey was subsequently a pensioner. Jeffrey Smith mar- ried Dolly Hubbard, of the Ponsett District, town of Haddam. He was a blacksmith by trade, and a Whig in politics. He lived to be eighty years of age.

Marvin Smith, born September 30, 1795, in the town of Madison, died August 19, 1880. On September 20, 1823, he married Wealthy R. Smith, who was born March 2, 1802, and died August II, 1875. She was the only child of Simon and Margaret (Shailer) Smith. Marvin Smith was for a time a farmer in the town of Madison, where he was reared and married, Rev. David Dudley Field performing the ceremony. Later he removed to Haddam,

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where he remained until the time of his death, engaged in farming and quarrying. In his political opinions he was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party, at which time he became a stanch member of same. He served faithfully, with many of his neighbors, through the war of 1812, belonging to his company in the capacity of a fifer. He and his wife were both consistent members of the Congregational Church, and were mourned by a large circle of friends at their demise. Their family consisted of Margaret R., who married Capt. Charles W. Smith, of Haddam; Austin; Olive E .; Joseph S., who married Elizabeth Chapman, of Westbrook; Osmer L., who mar- ried (first) Hannah Emmons, and (second) Abby Emmons, of Haddam, and was lost at sea after voyaging thirty-five years; Ann A., who resides with our subject; Henry M., our subject; and Albert T. Capt. Charles W. Smith, mentioned as the husband of Margaret, is living with our subject at the advanced age of ninety years. He has had an eventful life. He was born at sea, off Cape Henry, was edu- cated in New York City, and followed the sea all his active life, for half a century, always in the merchant service. He commanded the ship "Elector," which plied between New York and London, and had an unusually varied and interesting seafaring life, sailing in his day to cvery known port in the world, commanding the largest merchant ships of his time. He possesses a good memory and excellent health. and greatly enjoys narrating the stirring events connected with his long life on the water. He recalls many of the great men of his day, whom he met in New York and elsewhere. One of his pleasant recollections is his meeting and talking with Gen. Jackson, in New York City. Capt. Smith takes a keen interest in the af- fairs of his town, and votes regularly, as the weather permits.

Henry M. Smith was born at Haddam Neck, where he was reared up to the age of sixteen years, and acquired his early education at the common schools, taking a subsequent course at Brainerd Academy, under Mr. Shaw. On August 1, 1861, he enlisted in the Union army, entering Company C, Fourteenth Con- necticut Volunteer Infantry, and serving three years, during which time he took part in the battles of Antietam, second Bull Run, South Mountain, Fredericksburg. and also many minor engagements, and

returned home without a wound, after the faithful performance of his duty. Mr. Smith was a witness of the death of Gen. Reno, and was one of the soldiers who hastened to pick up the dying commander.

After the close of his army life, Mr. Smith returned to Haddam, and for several years was incapacitated by sickness from entering into any active employment, the result of his long and trying army service. In 1869 he went to Boston and entered the employ of Sylvester Tower, in the piano business, re- maining there for thirty years as foreman of the shops. When this term of commercial life ended, Mr. Smith returned to his old home with a competency, and now lives a retired life among his old friends.

On October 19, 1898, Mr. Smith married Mrs. Tamson O. Burr, widow of Henry D. Burr, and the daughter of Jonathan Spencer, Rev. Willianı Bronson performing the cere- mony. Mrs. Smith lived but a short time, her death occurring March 11, 1899.

An ardent Republican, Mr. Smith takes a great interest in the stirring events of the Na- tion, and has proved of great service to his party. He is a consistent member of the Bap- tist Church, in which he is valued for his many fine traits of character. For thirty-three years he has been an active and useful member of the I. O. O. F .; thirty-two years ago he became a member of Granite Lodge, No. 126, A. F. & A. M., and joined the first lodge at Deep River, Trinity, No. 43. He also be- longs to Wadsworth Post, No. 117, G. A. R., New York City.

Mr. Smith is connected with some of the oldest and best families of New England. During his long experience in business, in Boston, he made many friends whose good-will and respect are valued by hint, based rightly on his uprightness of character, and he pos- sesses the esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.

JUDGE COLEMAN CLARK (deceased) was a direct descendant of William Clarke, who was one of the proprietors of Hartford in 1639, and removed to Haddam, becoming one of the twenty-eight original proprietors of that place in 1662. From this ancestor caille Stephen, who had a son, Pelatiah, and his son, Aaron, was the grandfather of our subject. He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution,

the

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serving three years in Col. Henry Sherburn's Regiment, Second Company, Continental Line. He was honorably discharged April 18, 1780, having bravely served his country, and his certificate of discharge is in the possession of the family of Judge Coleman Clark. He mar- ried Judith Clark, and was a farmer in Had- dam,

Asher Clark, his son, and the father of Judge Coleman Clark, was born December 26, 1765, and died January 10, 1835. He was thrice married, first to Peggy McNary, sec- ond to Tryal Gladding, and third to Martha Doane. He and his three wives were all mem- bers of the Methodist Church. He was a suc- cessful farmer, and was upright and honorable in all his dealings. He had three children : Aaron, born November 29, 1798; Coleman, our subject; and Vashti, who came to her death by falling in a well.

Judge Coleman Clark was born March 23, 1802, and died May 9, 1893. He was an extensive and successful farmer of the town of Haddam, where he became prominently identified with all public matters. A Demo- crat in political belief, he faithfully filled al- most all of the offices of the town or county when it was necessary to have the services of an honest and reliable man, being called upon by his fellow citizens to serve as justice of the peace, selectman, representative, and judge of the probate court, until advancing age necessi- tated his retirement from active duty.

Judge Clark married Betsey Pelton, who was born December 22, 1798, daughter of Josiah and Eunice (Doan) Pelton, natives of this locality, and died October 28, 1858. Chil- dren as follows were born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark: (I) Josiah Pelton, born June 2, 1824, died at the age of ten years. (2) Matilda C., born January 19, 1826, married M. R. Daniels, of Hartford, who is deceased ; he was a gradu- ate of the Middletown University, and had the degree of M. A. (3) Zerviah, born March 12, 1828, is the widow of B. T. Dudley, of Madi- son, Conn. (4) Drusilla, born April 19, 1830, married John E. Lewis, of Madison, Conn. (5) Hester A., born March 14, 1833, married Hollis Kelsey, who died July 9, 1859; she re- sides in Little City. (6) Catherine Eliza- beth, born September 9, 1835, in Ponsett, mar- ried Henry B. Hilliard, who is mentioned be- low. (7) Orpha, born June 24, 1839, died September 26, 1843. Both the parents of this

family were valued and consistent members of the Methodist Church.

HENRY B. HILLIARD, born March 23, 1838, was a son of George B. and Harriet (Newell) Hilliard, of Clinton, Conn. Mr. Hilliard was one of the brave soldiers who gave up his life for his country. He enlisted in Company A, Twenty-seventh Connecticut. Volunteer Infantry, and died at Point Look- out, Va., from fever. The following quota- tion from "Connecticut during the Rebellion" will convey some idea of the devotion to duty of this young patriot soldier: "Private Henry B. Hilliard, of the Twenty-seventh Connecti- cut Infantry from New Haven, died at hos- pital after a life of devotion to the welfare of others. This characteristic was quite as often found in the enlisted men as in the officers. He went to the war deliberately and as a mat- ter of duty, and during his brief service he was marked for his kindness to those about him. He often carried the musket and knapsack of a weak comrade on the march to Falmouth, and gave his rations to the sick contributing his last dollar for their comfort. He himself became feeble and depressed, but his ambition kept him generally on foot and with his regiment. When urged to go to the hospital he carried Frank Johnson, a sick friend, half a mile to a place of shelter. Thus ended a life of devotion."

We wait no tidings now Of camp, or field, or how, Along the front, went on the battle's fray; For be it lost or won, His part was nobly done; We crown him victor in our hearts to-day.

Mrs. Hilliard was reared in Haddam, and enjoyed every advantage of education at that time, in the literary environment, and favored by the educational advantages, of the town of her birth. In 1863, after widowhood, she began teaching school, which she continued for years. In 1888 she was appointed mratron of Storrs' Agricultural College, where she filled the position acceptably. The greater part of her life has been spent in the Ponsett District, Haddam, where she is best known and appreciated. She was born in the old homestead in which both her father and mother died, and where the mother and all their chil- dren were born, known as the Pelton home- stead, and which has been in the family since the time of George III. Grandfather Asher

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Clark bought the property of Josiah Pelton about the time of the marriage of his son, Coleman. Mrs. Hilliard is earnest in manner, and all her life has taken an unusual interest in the education and training of children, their wants and possibilities always having appealed to her. The influence she exerts is felt in al- most every home in Ponsett, where she is held in the highest esteem.

REUBEN BEACH, who for twenty-three years was the agent of the Adams Express at Middletown, Middlesex county, was at the time of his resignation, in 1897, in point of continuous service, one of the oldest employes of the company.

Mr. Beach descends from one of the old- 'est and most highly respected New England families. His first American ancestor, John Beach, settled in New Haven in 1643, and Reuben is in the sixth generation from this pilgrim, as follows: Reuben Beach, born in 1821; Eben, born in 1785, died in 1852; Eben, born in 1752, died in 1819; Israel, born in 1707, died in 1793; Nathaniel, born in 1662, died in 1747; John, born in 1620, died in 1681. The last named was born in England, and came to New Haven in 1643. In 1650 he mar- ried and ten years later removed to Stratford, supposedly in company with his brother Rich- ard. His wife was a Danish woman, and bore the christian name of Mary. They had ten children.

Nathaniel Beach was married, in 1686, to Sarah Porter, a daughter of Nathaniel Porter. She was the mother of ten children, and died .in 1734.

Israel Beach was married July 1, 1731, to Hannah Barrett, and was the father of seven children. He built a house in Bear Swamp in 1735, and it remained a hundred and fifty-five years. It was used as a store house during the Revolution. Israel Beach was a soldier in the French war, and marched to Canada and back.

Eben Beach married Eunice Beach Octo- ber 26, 1775. She was born in 1749, and died in 1832. Of their family of twenty-one children thirteen grew to maturity. He was a farmer, and a man of powerful physique. He lost an arm from blood poisoning, resulting from an injury to his thumb, while engaged in fishing, but even after that it is said that he could do more work than most men.

Eben Beach was born in Huntington in 1785, and in 1814 he married Martha Nichols, who was born in 1788 at Newtown. Her fa- ther, Lemuel Nichols, was a farmer, and also conducted a fulling mill. Eben Beach was a blacksmith, and in later years was also a farm- er. He died in 1852, at Bridgeport, where he spent the last four years of his life, and his wife died in 1863. He was a Whig, and a deacon in the Congregational Church at New- town. He was the father of two children : Mary Martha and Reuben. The daughter, born May 10, 1817, died November 12, 1893, at Bridgeport ; she never married.

Reuben Beach was born January 12, 1821, in Huntington, and was only six months old when his parents removed to Newtown, Conn. He received his early education in what is known as the Tinkerfield District, in the town of Newtown, and helped in the shop and on the farm as he became older. He was a student in the academy at Newtown, then taught by George Foote, and at the age of twenty-three began teaching school. He taught six terms for a salary of from $16 to $20 a month, and "boarded round." On May 15, 1848, he mar- ried Miss Eliza Wheeler, who was a native of Oxford. Conn., and was born October 17, 1828, daughter of Lyman and Sarah (Louns- bury ) Wheeler. Mrs. Beach is a descendant of Moses Wheeler, who was born in Kent, England, in 1598, came to New Haven in 1635, and moved to Stratford in 1648. Five years later he operated the first ferry across the Housatonic river. He died in 1698. at the age of one hundred years. Mrs. Beach's lineage is through Moses (2), 1652: Sammel, 1681 : James, 1716: Moses : Lyman. 1795, died in 1855. The latter married January 3. 1818. Sarah Lounsbury, who was born July 28, 1798, and died August 1, 1872. They lived and died in Oxford, Conn. Mrs. Beach was one of five children. Her brothers and sisters were as follows: Sarah Jeanette married Joli R. Davis, Jane E. married Jesse C. Howard, and died in July, 1805. Lucretia Maria mar- ried Mbert D. Carrington, and died in Ov- ford. in 1872. Martha J. married Edward Hoadley, of Seymour.

Reuben Beach moved to Bridgeport, and in 1850 entered the employment of what was then known as the Housatonic Railroad Company. Three years later he became express messenger on the Naugatuck Railroad between Water-

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bury, Bridgeport and Winsted, being at that time their only messenger. He was appointed agent of the Adams Express Company at Mid- dletown, and was also messenger on the only road coming into town, from Berlin, doing double duty as agent and as messenger for sev- eral years.

Mr. and Mrs. Beach are the parents of the following named children : Henry E., born in 1852 in Bridgeport, is the present agent of the Adams Express Company at New Britain; he has one child, Amanda E. Martha J., born in March, 1868, was a member of the graduat- ing class of 1890, Wesleyan University, and is now the wife of Lewis Westgate, who is pro- fessor of geology at Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity, at Delaware, Ohio.

Mr. Beach was a Whig in early life, but be- came a Republican on the organization of the party. He has taken little active interest in politics, seeking most of all to get good men into office. He and his wife attend the Episco- pal Church. Mr. Beach is a man of good character, fine reputation, and genial and court- eous manner.

J. ALLEN BUTLER, ex-Postmaster at Portland, Conn., is one of the prominent busi- ness men and leading Democrats of that city, where probably there is no man who has taken a more active interest in movements that seek the public good. Mr. Butler descends from an old family in Middlesex county, and one that in the past has produced many capable and successful representatives in business and professional life. The Allen family was also prominent in colonial and Revolutionary strug- gles.

Mr. Butler was born in Chatham, Conn., August 13, 1850, a son of Otis C. and Sarah M. (Allen) Butler, the latter born in the city of New York, a daughter of James Allen, who was a nephew of Ethan Allen, the hero of the Revolution. Otis C. Butler was born in Chatham, May 20, 1823, a son of Stephen But- ler, who was born February 9, 1802, and of Nancy Higgins, his wife who was born De- cember 28, 1804. In his early life Otis C. Butler worked as a carpenter. He was for a time in the employment of Mr. Colt, the fa- mous manufacturer of firearms in Hartford, as superintendent of construction on a number of buildings which were erected by that gentle- man. For some years he followed carpenter-

ing at Meriden, and then became interested in the insurance business, representing the Mas- sachusetts Mutual Fire Insurance Company at Newark, N. J., and he devoted the latter part of his life to this work. His death occurred in Portland, Conn., while visiting in that place, January 6, 1872. His wife died at the age of fifty, and was buried in Indian Hill cemetery, Middletown. Otis C. Butler was twice mar- ried, but his children were all by his first wife, Sarah M. Allen, whom he married June 2, 1844. They are as follows: Minnie, who married David Williams, and died in 1896; Otiessa, who died in her eighteenth year; J. Allen ; William H. G., in Middletown; and Samuel Otis, in Meriden. The father was a Republican, and at one time was a member of the Union Club of New York.

J. Allen Butler had his first schooling in the district school a short distance below Mid- dle Haddam, and was a student in the Middle- town high school under the instruction of Prof. Sawyer, the popular and highly successful principal there. When about fifteen years old he left school, and went into the store of Da- vid Williams, as a clerk. Mr. Williams was a merchant in Portland, and had a fine estab- lishment, which passed at a later period into the hands of Mr. Butler, who, however, did not retain it, as he preferred to go on the road for a seed and agricultural implement house at Springfield, Massachusetts. Afterward he traveled for a house in a similar business in the city of New York. He was on the road for about eight years, and then secured the appointment of police sergeant at the Phil- adelphia Centennial Exposition, and was on that duty from March until December, 1876. He made a good record in that position, and after the termination of his engagement there came back to Portland.

Mr. Butler's next business venture was the. purchase of the hotel at Gildersleeve, and for fourteen years he was the genial and accom- modating landlord of that house. In 1890 he sold out and took the place of superintendent of the Portland Water Company, which he has held to the present time. While at Gilder- sleeve Mr. Butler conducted a very successful bottling plant. He became postmaster at Portland in February, 1896, and at once intro- duced new ideas and inaugurated long-needed reforms, making himself the most popular of- ficial who has ever occupied that position. He.

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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had the office removed to its present fine quar- ters, and brought the service up to a high level of efficiency.

Mr. Butler was married to Miss Emily C. Reeves, who was born in Portland, a daugh- ter of Samuel and Lucy A. (Clark) Reeves. She is a gifted lady and is the mother of three children : Ethel was graduated from the Bos- ton Conservatory of Music, and in September, 1899, became the wife of L. W. Strong, of Philadelphia; Gertrude M., was a graduate of the Portland high school in the class of 1899, and is a student of the State Normal School at New Britain ; and Ernest Allen is a bookkeep- er in the office of the Russell Manufacturing Company, Middletown. Mrs. Butler is a member of the Episcopal Church, and of so- cieties auxiliary to that body. Mr. Butler is a stanch Democrat, and a leader in the councils of that party in Portland and in the county. He is a Free Mason, belonging to Warren lodge, A. F. & A. M .; and Freestone chapter, R. A. M., of Portland, being treasurer of the latter body, and is much respected in the order. He is also a member of Portland lodge, I. O. O. F .; and is treasurer of Middlesex lodge, A. O. U. W., at Portland. He is at the head of the Portland branch of the New England Or- der of Protection, and belongs to the Grand Lodge of that body. His interests are varied. He is a stockholder in the Waverly Hall Com- pany, and in the post office building at Port- land, and is the promoter and has secured the charter for the Portland Sewer Company, an enterprise which he has started and managed, and he conducts an extensive fire insurance and real estate business in Portland.

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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 129

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