Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 130

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 130

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JAMES INGLIS is the efficient superin- tendent of the Middletown Electric Protective Association, which position he has held since its installation in Middletown, and is one of the representative men of that city. He springs from good old Scottish stock, being a son of Alexander and Euphemia (Dick) Inglis, of whom a sketch appears on another page. James Inglis was born January 5, 1846, in Glasgow, Scotland, twin of Henry, who died in child- lood. He was a lad of but six years when his parents came to the United States, and was reared in Middletown where he attended the public schools, and also the private school pre- sided over by Mrs. Parker. He was just en- tering ltis "teens" when he began work in the

W. & B. Douglas Pump Company's factory, where he was employed when the Civil war broke out. Realizing that his adopted coun- try needed his services, he enlisted August 5, 1862, when but sixteen and one-half years of age, becoming a member of Company B, Fourteenth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, in which company he was the young- est member, with but one exception. He passed through all the experiences of the war with his command, and was never absent from duty until he was wounded by a shot in the left leg, at Morton's Ford, Va., November 6, 1864. He served with his regiment in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chan- cellorsville, Gettysburg, Falling Waters, Bris- toe Station, Mine Run and Morton's Ford, where he was wounded. This incapacitated him for work or service, and for almost a year he was obliged to use crutches. He was in the hospital at Alexandria, Va., and was later removed to the New Haven ( Conn.) Hospital where he remained until discharged, June 12, 1865. Returning to Middletown, his health greatly shattered, he shortly made a trip of four months to Scotland, thinking a change of scenery, light and air might help him. It did, and he came back to Middletown much improved physically. As soon as he was again able he resumed his position with the W. & B. Douglas Pump Company. In 1880, at the installation of the Middletown Electric Pro- tective Association, Mr. Inglis was made sup- erintendent of the system, which position he has since held. This is an electrical alarm system connecting all the banking institutions of the city by highly sensitive and complicated electric wires, with Mr. Inglis' home, making the burglary of one of Middletown's banks an impossibility.

James Inglis and Miss Lillia I. Innes, a native of a Mary Hill, a suburb of Glasgow, were married April 12, 1866. Mrs. Inglis came with her family to the United States in 1853- They located in Middletown, Middlesex Co., Conn., where Mrs. Inglis was reared from carly childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Inglis are the parents of the following named children : ( 1) Jessie Innes, graduated in the class of 1887, from Wesleyan University ; she is now the wife of Rev. Francis W. Eason, of Lincoln, Neb., an Episcopal clergyman, and is the mother of one daughter, Dorothy Inglis Eason.

(2) Euphemia Dick, graduated from the

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Connecticut State Normal School, at New Britain, and is now a teacher in St. Katherine's Hall, Davenport, Iowa.

(3) Lillian Grey, graduated from W'es- leyan University in the class of 1896, and was a teacher in St. Katherine's Hall, Davenport, Iowa, for several years. She is now the wife of William Larrabee Jr., of Clermont, Iowa, son of ex-Governor William Larrabee, of Iowa. (4) Harry James attended Wesleyan University, and is now a member of the class of 1904 in Harvard Medical School.

Mr. Inglis has always been a stanch Re- publican, and cast his first Presidential vote for General Grant, in 1868. Fraternally, he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Central Lodge, No. 12, I. O. O. F., of which he is a past grand ; and is also enrolled as a member of the New England Order of Protection. He was a char- ter member of Mansfield Post, No. 53, G. A. R., of Middletown. Mr. and Mrs. Inglis are communicants of the Episcopal Church, in which body they are highly respected.

Mr. Inglis began life a poor boy, and al- though he has not amassed a fortune, he has accomplished a work even greater. He has reared a fine family, giving them all excep- tional educational advantages. He is an up- right and honest man, and has proven himself a worthy representative of his native land, as well as of his adopted soil, in every particular.

CHARLES R. MARVIN, president of the Williams & Marvin Manufacturing Com- pany, and insurance and real estate agent, is one of the leading business men of Deep River, Middlesex county, and one in whose hands great trusts can be safely placed. He was born January 26, 1856, in Deep River, where his life has been spent, and all of his inter- ests are naturally located in Middlesex county.

John Marvin, grandfather of Charles R., was a native of Lyme, Conn., where he grew to manhood. He married Lydia Hull Pratt, with whom he removed in 1835, to Deep River, where he died. After the death of his first wife, he married Jerusha Zerviah Nott, who bore him no family. By his former union he had three children : Rev. Sylvanus, Reynold S. and John W.

JOHN W. MARVIN, father of Charles R. was the youngest son of Deacon John Mar- vin in Lyme, Conn., and a lineal descendant

of Capt. Reynold Marvin, justly renowned in the history of Lyme. John W. Marvin was born January 13, 1824, in Lyme, where he re- sided until he was nine years of age, meantime attending the Essex Academy, and so profi- cient did he become that when he removed to Deep River, upon attaining to maturity, he became assistant of one of the teachers of the Old Saybrook Academy. Later he associated himself with his brother, Reynold S., under the firm name of R. S. Marvin & Co., and opened a general store in Deep River, and this business was carried on for a number of years, being discontinued about 1858. In the following year, 1859, John W. Marvin em- barked in the Insurance and Real Estate busi- ness, in which he remained until his death, June 2, 1896. On November 27, 1845, he married Jane E., daughter of George and Ju- lia (Pratt) Spencer, and a sister of Richard P. Spencer of Deep River. To this union were born: Julia, who is deceased; George S., a traveling salesman for James Talcott, of New York, who married Augusta C. Pratt, and has one son, Charles Arthur; and Charles R. Po- litically, John W. Marvin was a Republican, and he represented the town of Saybrook in the General Assembly two terms-1871 and 1872-serving most acceptably both terms upon the Judiciary committee. In 1871 he was also a member of the committee on Con- stitutional Amendments. He represented his district in the State Senate in the session of 1886. As a legislator his practical knowledge of public affairs easily gave him rank among the ablest and most active of his colleagues. At the time of his death he was a director of the State Prison, having been appointed by Gov. Coffin at the beginning of his administra- tion.

At a meeting of the board of directors of the Connecticut State Prison, held at Wethers- field, January 14, 1896, the following minute was adopted :

The death of the Hon. John W. Marvin, which occurred at his home in Deep River January 2, comes as a shock to his colleagues on the board of directors of the Connecticut State Prison. The intelligent devotion which he displayed during his six months service as a member of this board and the zealous friendliness which he manifested towards propositions designed to promote the welfare of the convicts, or to enhance the efficiency of the management of the prison, or to improve the physical and sanitary condition of the institution, attested his eminent fitness to discharge the responsibilities of his official position. Firm in his opinions, but ever open to conviction, and stubborn only for the right, exhibiting

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tact, judgment and conscientiousness in his varied activ- ities, and possessing sympathy and kindly humor, he was abundantly equipped for civic usefulness, and his death is a loss to this institution, to his community, and to Connecticut.

JAMES W. CHENEY, Pres't. THOMAS D. WELLS, Sec'y.

In addition, Mr. Marvin was honored with election to the offices of selectman, town clerk, member of board of relief, justice of the peace, etc., in all of which he showed his sterling in- tegrity and fitness for public life. Always interested in the commercial welfare of Deep River, he was one of the founders of the Ches- ter Savings Bank, and was a director in the Deep River National Bank. At a meeting of the directors of the Chester Savings Bank, held January 20, 1896, the following was one of the resolutions adopted :

Resolved, That we realize that in his death we have lost one of our personal friends, an efficient and useful officer, and that this and the surrounding towns will mourn the loss of a well-known, genial and useful man who has filled out more years of active life than come to most business men.

Mr. Marvin was also a director in the Mid- dlesex Mutual Insurance Company, of Mid- dletown. In religious matters, he affiliated with the Congregational Church, taking an active part in the work, and socially was a member of Trinity Lodge, No. 43, F. & A. M., of Deep River, and treasurer of the same for years. His untimely demise was deeply de- plored, and his name will long be remembered by the people of Deep River, whom he served so long and faithfully. Mrs. Marvin survives her honored husband, residing in the home- stead on Elm street, Deep River.

Charles R. Marvin, whose name opens this review, received a thorough education at Williston Seminary, East Hampton, Mass .. and then returned home, entering the employ. as superintendent, of J. A. Smith, a manufac- turer of button hooks, crochet needles and nov- elties. In 1879 Mr. Marvin formed a part- nership with F. W. Williams, under the style of Williams & Marvin, which continned, the fırın manufacturing turned wooden goods, un- til February, 1900, when the death of the seu- ior member threw the entire management upon the shoulders of Mr. Marvin. In August. 1901, the Williams & Marvin Company was incorporated, and Mr. Marvin was chosen president of the same. This business is in a very flourishing condition, employing about thirty persons all the year round. In addition to this enterprise Mr. Marvin is actively en-

gaged in life and fire insurance, real estate and investment, having succeeded to his father's business upon his death, in 1896. Mr. Mar- vin is a man of much energy, and has worked up an extensive business, furnishing bonds for administrators, town officials, guardians, and others holding positions of trust. He represents strong insurance companies, includ- ing the Mutual Life Insurance Company, of New York, and he has a clientage extending from Higganum to Clinton and Lyme. All the business that comes to him receives care- ful and expert attention. Mr. Marvin is also commissioner of deeds for the States of New York, Florida, Michigan and Kansas. He is a trustee of the Middlesex Banking Company, of Middletown, and a director of the Chester Savings Bank.

In 1889 Mr. Marvin was married to Har- riet Aurelia Lord, daughter of Joseph B. and Alice (Fleetham) Lord, of Deep River, and to this union were born: John Kimbal Lord, born June 8, 1890; Harry B. Lord, born Au- gust 29, 1891; Alice Fleetham Lord, born in December, 1893; Julia Augusta Lord, born February 1I, 1896, and Lydia Jane Lord, born April 30, 1900.

.Politically, like liis honored father before him, Mr. Marvin is a stanch Republican, and has represented the town, in the General As- sembly, in 1885, serving on the committee on Cities and Boroughs : locally he is a meniber and the chairman of the school board. was registrar of voters for twelve years and is also a justice of the peace.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Marvin attend the Congregational Church, in which she is an honored member. Mr. Marvin is a thirty- second degree Mason, a member of Trinity Lodge, No. 43, of Deep River ; of Cyrene Com- mandery, K. T., of Middletown; and of the Connecticut Sovereign Consistory, of Norwich.

Painstaking and thoroughly honorable. understanding every detail of his several oc- cupations, Mr. Marvin's success is but the just reward of his abilities and labors, and the high esteem in which he is held by his fel- low townsmen demonstrates that he is not only a first-rate business man, but also a genial comrade, a true friend and a patriotic citizen.

ASAPH HENRY HABE, a most highly esteemed citizen in Portland. is a native of that town, where he was born December 28.

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1847, the eldest child of Titus and Mary Kel- logg (Strong) Hale, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this work. He attended district school in Gildersleeve, where Levantia Over- ton was his first teacher. Later he was a stu- dent in Chase's Institute at Middletown, and taught school in the Westfield District, Mid- dletown, and in Gildersleeve, Portland. Al- though he would have been glad to carry his education through the higher branches of learn- ing, circumstances ordered otherwise, and he became a business man. The large success he has attained, and the profound respect in which he is regarded by the community could not have been increased by years at the University. He is a good citizen an upright business man, and an example of industry, integrity and thrift. Mr. Hale went to California in 1867, making the outward journey by steamer "New York" to the Isthmus, and from there by the steamer "Constitution" to San Francisco, where he found employment with the firm of Dewey & Company. He remained with this house about two years, and was its representa- tive at the San Francisco Mechanics' Insti- tute fair. Mr. Hale's experiences in San Francisco were very interesting, and furnished evidence of creditable traits. While he was in that city W. K. Strong, one of the party of six that went out with him, was killed by the "great earthquake," and Frank Clark fell a victim to the epidemic of small pox that car- ried away a multitude of victims in 1868. During the latter's illness, Mr. Hale cared for him in the pest house, which he found was conducted in a most brutal fashion, which he did not hesitate to ventilate in the daily press. His information caused a thorough investiga- tion and reform by the authorities. In 1869, Mr. Hale came back to Connecticut, by the Isthmus route, making the journey in the steam- ers "Colorado" and the "New York." While he was in California his health was not good, and he had to give up at one time and take a prolonged vacation in the Santa Clara Val- ley. It was very largely health considerations that brought him home. After his return it was some time before Mr. Hale felt strong enough to go into business. The year of his home-coming, however, was marked by the formation of the present lumber firm of Strong & Hale. Mr. E. B. Taylor was the associate of Mr. Hale in this enterprise, and after a short time Mr. E. B. Strong bought out Mr. Hale,

and the firm was Taylor & Strong. Later Mr. Hale bought out the interest of Mr. Tay- lor, and the firm of Strong & Hale was established. It is the leading concern of the kind in Middlesex county, and is doing a large and profitable business. They buy by the car- go, and do business on the principle of small profits and quick returns.

In 1870 Mr. Hale and Miss Mary J. Rath- bun, of Portland, the daughter of Charles O. and Angeline ( Wells) Rathbun, were united in marriage. To this union these children were born. (1) Jennie L., a graduate of the Port- land high school, is now Mrs. Herbert H. Hall, of Port Chester, N. Y., and is the mother of two children, Asaph B. and Irving Hale. (2)

Charles I., a contractor and builder of Port- land, married Miss Emily Jones, a daughter of Reuben Jones. (3) Kellogg Strong is a con- tractor and builder of Portland. He married Mary Dagnall, and has two children, Kellogg and Elizabeth. (4) Perry Titus Wells grad- uated from Yale Scientific School in 1899, and took a year's post graduate course in civil en- gineering the following year. He achieved considerable success in athletics, particularly in football, making successively the All-Ameri- can team as sub-center and tackle in 1899, and All-American fullback on the championship team of 1900. He is now employed as a civil engineer in Middletown, Connecticut.

In 1894, Mr. Hale was elected a member of the State Legislature, and received a large ma- jority, although Portland was at that time a Republican stronghold. He served as clerk of the committee on Manufactures, and his sound business methods were recognized by his asso- ciates. He was auditor of the town from the creation of that office until 1900, has been assessor for twenty years, and was acting school visitor fifteen years. He was county auditor 1895-97, and has been a commissioner of jurors for the past six or seven years. His judgment as to property values is regarded as reliable, and his work as assessor has been highly satisfactory. He was a delegate to the constitutional convention of 1902. Mr. Hale is president of the Portland homestead association, a stockholder in both the Portland quarries, and a director of the Buck library.

Mr. Hale was one of the original members of the Portland fire company, was its assistant foreman for years, taking a very active and

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leading part in this organization, and he was also a member of the village improvement so- ciety. He is a charter member of Portland lodge, No. 35, I. O. O. F., and of Middlesex lodge, No. 33, A. O. U.W., is past presiding master of the latter order in the State, and is now grand guide of the State Grand Lodge. Mr. Hale built his elegant home on Main street, in 1889, and it is regarded as one of the finest houses in Portland. Its owner is one of the popular men in the town, and is regarded as possessed of far more than the usual intelli- gence. He is a great reader and is fond of good literature, and especially choice poetry, and possesses much information especially along scientific lines. By self-study he has gained a good knowledge of languages and the class- ics. He is a fine mathematician as noted above, and displays a natural skill as a draughtsman. He was known in other years as a whist player of great skill and close calculation.

SAMUEL ELISHA WILLIAMS, a lead- ing citizen and prosperous farmer of Chatham, Middlesex county, belongs to one of the earli- est families of that town, tracing his ancestry back to Charles Williams, who died there. The latter's son, Thomas Williams spent his entire life in the same town, engaged in farming, and was buried near where several of the family still reside. He married, first, Sarah Sparrow, who died January 16, 1784, and by that union had three children : Anna, born January 20, 1776, who died March 7, 1778; Statira, born April 10, 1777; and Grace, born October 8, 1781. Thomas Williams' second marriage was probably to the sister of his first wife, and to them also came three children: John, born July 25, 1785; Sparrow, grandfather of Sam- uel E .; and Rebecca, born in 1793, who died July 13, 1880.

Sparrow Williams was born March 15, 1788, near the dividing line between Chatham and Colchester, and always lived within a mile of his birthplace. Throughout life he followed farming and lumbering quite extensively, and in the latter business was assisted by his sons, carrying on operations under the firm name of S. Williams & Sons. He was well known throughout his native and neighboring towns as an honest, industrious and successful business man, and was held in high regard. Politically. he was a Whig and later, a Democrat. He died June 6, 1875. On April 22, 1812, he married

Rebecca Carrier, who was born November 3, 1792, and died July 13, 1880. She was the second in order of birth in a family of three children born to Samuel and Abby (Hyde) Carrier, the others being Astibulus, who mar- ried Electa Adams; and Matilda, who married Elias Loomis, of Colchester. They were de- scendants of Thomas Carrier, a native of Wales. To Sparrow- and Rebecca ( Carrier ) Williams came the following children: (I) Abby Maria, born October 17, 1813, married Avery Latham, of Columbia, Conn. (2) Sarah Ellis, born June 10, 1816, married Isaac H. Day, of Portland. (3) Thomas Newell, father of Samuel E., is mentioned below. (4) Dewitt Clinton, born February 26, 1825, married Fan- nie Selden and lives in Chatham. (5) Char- lotte Fidelia, born April 10, 1830, married Samuel N. Brainard, who died in 1893; she is still living in Colchester. (6) Electa Delu- cia, born July 10, 1832, married David Buell Clark, of Colchester.

Thomas Newell Williams was born March 29, 1818, in the town of Chatham, and was a lifelong farmer and lumberman, being connect- ed with S. Williams & Sons in lumbering op- erations. He lived retired the last twelve years of his life, and died September 22, 1887. On April 15, 1846, he married Miss Laura Sumner Root, who was born in Marlborough, Conn., May 21, 1820, and died February II, 1885. To that union came two children : Samuel E. and Flora Sumner, the latter born May 12, 1849. Elisha Root, father of Mrs. Williams, was born November 4. 1780, and died July 22, 1868. He was the fourth in order of birth in a family of ten children born to Jonah (son of Nathaniel) and Faith ( Hills) Root, the others being as follows: Abijah married Charity Jones, of Hebron : Jonah mar- ried Sally Root : Joel married Charlotte Acorn; Elijah married Lucy Marshall, of Chatham; Hoel married ( first ) Jernsha Phelps, of Marl- borough, and (second) Prudence Blish, of the same place ; Lncy married Erastus Biglow. of Marlborough : Polly married Elisha Strick- land, of Glastonbury ; Caroline and Laura never married. On October 27, 1808, Elisha Root married Deborah Sumner, daughter of Will- iam and Jemimah ( Tarbox ) Sinner. She was born in 1791, and died January 28, 1854. Five children blessed this union: (1) Sher- man Elisha, born July 7. 1810, died March 13, 1878. He married Sarah Williams, who was

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born June 10, 1814, daughter of John and Julia (Fuller) Williams, and they had one son, Je- hial, born September 20, 1849. (2) Mary Lannissa, born August 17, 1813, died August I, 1854. She married Elisha Hodge, of Gi- lead, Conn., who died November 28, 1856, aged forty years. (3) Delia Louisa, born May 14, 1816, died November 3, 1876. On September 13, 1870, she married Prentice B. Skinner, of Marlborough. (4) Laura Sumner, mother of Samuel E. Williams, was next in order of birth. (5) Gustavus, born March 19, 1823, was married in March, 1854, to Kate Worth- ington, of East Haddam, and died November 9, 1874.

Samuel E. Williams was born in Colches- ter, Conn., January 24, 1847, and has always remained within the confines of two counties- New London and Middlesex. He attended the common schools of West Chester. At the age of eighteen years he began teaching, his first school being in the Bashan District, town of East Haddam; he taught ten consecutive terms of winter school, engaging in farming during the summer months. He had charge of his father's business for some years prior to the latter's death, but finally sold the old homestead, and in 1871 bought his present home, on the line between Colchester and Chatham, in the locality commonly called Water Hole. He is an extensive farmer, and in 1871 commenced raising tobacco, which he contin- ued some six or seven years. Then, after an interval of three years, he resumed tobacco growing for some time. He also engages quite extensively in lumbering, disposing of much of his lumber at Goodspeed's Landing. He is a wide-awake, energetic business man, who carries forward to successful completion what- ever he undertakes. Politically, Mr. Williams is a Democrat, and quite liberal in his views, and has been offered various offices, such as justice of the peace, but has always declined to serve, preferring to give his undivided at- tention to his business interests. Fraternally, both he and his wife are members of the Grange.

On April 15, 1871, Mr. Williams married Miss Alice R. Wetherell, of Moodus, and they have become the parents of three children, namely : Dora Alice, born March 21, 1872, is the wife of Emil K. Johnson, of Cromwell, and has one daughter and one son. Eva Lou- isa, born April 29, 1874, died May 23, 1874.

Ida Janette, born October 6, 1875, graduated from Bacon Academy, of Colchester, and for five years successfully engaged in teaching in West Chester, East Haddam, and other places ; in 1901 she graduated at Huntsinger's Busi- ness College, and is a skilled stenographer.

Marcus Wetherell, the paternal grandfa- ther of Mrs. Williams, was born May 12, 1787, and died December 24, 1846. He was a native of Glastonbury, Conn., where he followed backsmithing for some years, but later made his home in Portland, this county. On Oc- tober 18, 1804, he married Ruhama Bidwell, who was born October 25, 1787, and died Jan- uary II, 1849. In their family were eleven children, whose names and dates of birth were as follows: James, August 28, 1805; Betsy (Mrs. Grannis), May 12, 1807; Allen, Febru- ary 22, 1809; Samantha, November 28, 1811; Daniel, March 22, 1813 (died May 12, 1899) ; Ruhama, August 10, 1815; Lyman, March I, 1818; Elijah, April 22, 1820; Sylvester, Au- gust 25, 1822; Ruth, October 17, 1825; and Celestia, January 17, 1830 (died January 25, 1830).

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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 130

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