Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 142

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 142

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STURGES GRAY REDFIELD. Among the worthy representative citizens of the town of Clinton, Middlesex county, inheriting an old and well-known name, is Sturges Gray Redfield, who can trace his ancestry in an un- broken line back to 1639. Still better than that he can point to his own success as a busi-

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ness man and his standing as an esteemed citi- zen, a position he has attained through his own efforts unassisted by the merits of by- gone forbears.

In the old records of Cambridge, Mass., and New London, Conn., the name of his family, previous to 1662, was written Redfin, but while the family lived in New London the name seems to have gradually assumed the form of Redfield. William Redfin, probably an emigrant from England, as early as 1639, occupied a house on the south side of the Charles River, some six miles from Boston. It is known that in 1653 he was lo- cated in what is now the town of Ledyard, some ten miles distant from the city of New London, Conn., and in 1657, at a point on the west side of the river, and north of the present city of New London. His death occurred in 1662, his wife, Rebecca, surviving him. The children of this marriage were: Lydia, born in 1636; Rebecca, born in 1641; James, born in 1646; and Judith, born in 1649.

From this sturdy old ancestor, William Redfin, Sturges Gray Redfield is a descendant in the ninth generation, his line being through James, Theophilus, Daniel, Daniel (2), Eben- ezer, Eben and Charles W.

James Redfin, or Redfield, son of William, was born in 1646, and became an apprentice to the tanner's trade in 1662, in New London, Conn. In 1669 he was united in marriage, at New Haven, with Elizabeth How, and he later removed to Saybrook, then fo Fairfield, in 1693. There he contracted his second mar- iage to Deborah Sturges. The children of the irst union were: Elizabeth, born in 1670; Sarah, in 1673; and Theophilus, in 1682. By his second marriage: Margaret was born in 1694, and James in 1696.

Theophilus Redfield, son of James, was orn in 1682, and died in 1759. In 1706 he married Priscilla Grinnell. He settled in Kill- ngworth, and in 1717 the family removed to Chestnut Hill, in North Killingworth, where tis name is often found as figuring in public ffairs. He was a joiner by trade. His chil- Iren were: Daniel, born in. 1707; Elizabeth, n 1709; Richard, in 1711 : Ebenezer, in 1713: ydia, in 1715; Theophilus, in 1718; Priscilla, 0 1720: Peleg, in 1723; George, in 1725; Villiam, in 1727: Josiah, in 1730: Jane, in 733 ; and James, in 1735.

Daniel Redfield, son of Theophilus, was

born in 1707, and resided in Clinton, for a time following the sea. His death occurred in 1758, and his widow, Elizabeth, died in 1775. They were married in 1728, and their children were: Daniel, born in 1729; Roswell, in 1731 ; Margaret, in 1732; John, in 1735; Elizabeth, in 1737; Samuel, in 1741; and Sylvester, in 1744.

Daniel Redfield (2), son of Daniel, was born in 1729, and married Margaret Crane, in 1749. He engaged in farming in Clinton, where he was also a blacksmith, and where his death occurred in 1788. His children were: Ruth, born in 1750; Simeon, in 1752; Nathan- iel, in 1755; Ruth (2), in 1756; Elizabeth, in 1759; Mary, in 1761: Margaret, in 1763; Daniel, in 1764; Ebenezer, in 1767; and Mary L., in 1771.

Ebenezer Redfield, son of Daniel (2), was born in 1767, and was a sea captain. He mar- ried Phebe, daughter of David Dibble, and his death occurred in 1837, his wife dying in 1832. Their children were: Elizabeth, born in 1791 ; Lucy, in 1793; William, in 1797; Eben, in 1801; and Phebe, in 1807 (died in 1832).

Eben Redfield, son of Ebenezer, and the grandfather of our subject. was born June 4, 1801. He was a grocer in New York City, engaged in business with Charles Morgan, for many years prior to 1828, his location in Clin- ton dating from that year. Ship carpentry was his employment for the rest of his life, and he died in Clinton. On September 7, 1825. he married, in New York, Sarah Sturges Gray. who was born in Westport. N. Y .. September 6. 1804, daughter of Jeren iah and Mary (Stott) Gray, and the following named chil- dren blessed this union: Mary E., who mar- ried Rev. William Moore, resides in Hartford. Conn. ; James 11. resides in New York : Caro- line A., who married Indge William Lock- wood, lives in Bridgeport, Conn. : Charles Wes- ley is mentioned below : Almira, the youngest of the family, born in 1837, died in 1850.

Charles Wesley Redfield, father of Sturges Gray, was born in Clinton, February 27. 1833. and early displayed a fondness for the water. going when a lad on vessels engaged in the coasting trade. His early captains were the well-known Henry and Levi Hull and George Burrows. Later he became a clerk in the store of Capt. Henry and Deacon William Hull, at Clinton, and at the age of twenty- eight began work in the employ of the Fall

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River Steamboat Company, as an oiler. In time he rose to the position of assistant en- gineer to Frederick Sturges, who was chief en- gineer, and later became an engineer, remain- ing with the company about ten years. At the end of that period he bought out the gen- eral store of John Andrews, in Clinton, where he was successfully engaged for the succeeding ten years, since which time he has disposed of his business, and now lives in retirement in Clinton. Socially he is a member of Jeptha Lodge, F. & A. M., of Clinton.

In May, 1859, Mr. Redfield was married to Annie P. Sturges, a daughter of Frederick and Priscilla (Farnham) Sturges, and a descend- ant of John Alden and Priscilla Mullen. Fred- erick Sturges was a very efficient steamboat engineer. Among other well known steamers of their day on which he was employed was the "Metropolis," of the Fall River line, which for many years after she was built was the largest cylinder boat in the world, and so stanch and well proportioned that plans of her construction were requested by foreign build- ers. This boat still holds the record to this date for fast time between Sand Point and Fall River. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Redfield were: Sturgis G .; Florence A., who married and resides in Bridgeport; and Harry B.

Sturges G. Redfield was born December 9, 1860, in Clinton, and received a primary education in the common schools. His train- ing was intended to make of him an honest and industrious man, he at the age of twelve being placed at work in his father's store, where every moment of his spare time was spent. When others of his age had vacations, he kept faithfully to his work, and although he could not be expected to enjoy the continued toil, he formed habits of thrift and industry which have contributed to his permanent suc- cuss. Until he was twenty-one, he was in his father's employ and then he accepted a posi- tion with Leander L. Hull, of Clinton, a well- known and successful business man, who had been a silent observer of the faithfulness of the youth. No exalted position was offered Mr. Redfield, for as a man-of-all-work he be- gan his duties, but was soon promoted, and still later was advanced to the position of traveling salesman and confidential clerk. As such he continued, and learned much from his employer, whose practical methods and bright

ideas had enabled him to succeed, and in Feb- ruary, 1898, Mr. Redfield purchased the whole business of Mr. Hull, since that time conduct- ing it under the firm name of the L. L. Hull Co., it being a well known house in the line of scales and hardware specialties. He has built up a large and flourishing business and sells in almost every city in the country, and also exports to other countries. Mr. Hull had established a reputation with the trade as the manufacturer of the Universal Spring Scale, for family use, and also many styles of counter scales, and for years was the selling agent of the Spofford braces, also hollow handle tool sets made by J. S. Fray & Co., of Bridgeport. This business is continued by Mr. Redfield, who in addition acts as State selling agent for the Millers Falls Co., of Millers Falls, Mass., whose product of hardware is known through- out the world. He is also secretary of the Clinton Electric Light & Power Company.

On April 21, 1890, Mr. Redfield was married to Mary Hill McAlley, who was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., July 23, 1861, a daughter of James and Margaret (Tay- lor) McAlley, both of whom were born in Glasgow, Scotland. To this union have been born: Leander Hull, March 21, 1891; and Sturges Gray, Jr., January 20, 1894, both bright and intelligent children.

In his politics Mr. Redfield is a Democrat, but the only offices he has consented to fill are those of secretary of the board of educa- tion, auditor of the town accounts, and mem- ber of the board of relief ; he has been connect- ed with the settlement of several estates, and now holds several trusteeships. Mr. Redfield has been very public-spirited. Owning a large property at Ridgewood-on-the-Sound, he has permitted the use of a most beautiful grove of hickory to be used by the public as a place of recreation in summer. This land must prove of great financial value, as it has a shore front- age of one thousand feet, extending inland from 150 to 600 feet, the whole covering about ten acres. The town of Clinton has opened a roadway to this property, which Mr. Red- field proposes to make into desirable building lots, it being an ideal spot as a summer resort. The beach is of white sand, free from stones and shell, and when the land is covered with attractive summer cottages, sold only to desira- ble persons, there is every promise that it will become one of the exclusive and fashionable

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resorts of Clinton, being only two miles from the Clinton station, and already being con- nected with the local waterworks and electric lights.

WILLIAM HENRY WHITBY, the leading market man and meat dealer in Port- land, is one of the thrifty and reliable business men of the town, and has fought his way up- ward from the place of a clerk to his present enviable standing. He was born in Portland, September 6, 1855, a son of Robert and Cath- erine (Burkhill ) Whitby, and is a brother of S. B. Whitby, whose biography appears in this publication. The father died when young William was only ten years old.

William H. Whitby was reared in Port- land, and acquired his education in the public schools. At a comparatively early age, after the fashion of the times for stalwart and ambi- tious young men, he entered the Shaler & Hall quarry, working during the season, and attend- ing the winter sessions of the district schools. He remembers with particular regard two of the teachers of his early youth, Miss Jennie Eddy and Miss Hattie Culver. When he was seventeen years old he became a clerk for Trewhella & Company, market men at Port- land, and remained with them for about a year. When the firm became Trewhella & Allen he was still retained, and upon the dissolution of the firin and the departure of Mr. Trewhella to carry on the inarket business elsewhere, he insisted that young Whitby go with him. The young man, however, preferred to remain at home, and worked for M'r. Allen, who contin- ued the business, under the name of N. Allen & Company. The death of Mr. Allen from ex- posure in the great blizzard of March, 1888, broke up the firm. In May of that year, Mr. Whitby became the junior partner of the firm of Allen & Whitby, his associate being John Allen, and they engaged in a general market and meat business. In February, 1892, Mr. Whitby retired from this firm, and began business for himself, and in May, of the fol- lowing year, his market was removed to its present stand.

Mr. Whitby wedded Miss Abbie S. Wrisley. of Enfield, Conn., a daughter of Samuel and Mariah Wrisley. They have one child, Lil- lian. Politically our subject is a Republican, but his business has been so close and exacting that he has had little time to give to politics.

He is an Odd Fellow, and a faithful worker in the order. In 1889 he built the comfortable house, on Fairview avenue and East Main street, in which his family is living. Mr. Whitby began business in a most modest way, and has always given his closest scrutiny to its every detail. He has always been a worker, and there is nothing connected with the market to which he cannot personally attend. His hon- orable methods and upright practices have given him a high business standing, and he is one of the most popular men of the town.

WILLIAM C. FISHER, treasurer of the Russell Manufacturing Company, Middletown, Connecticut, has been connected for many years with that company.

CHESTER KELLOGG HALE was born on the old homestead at Gildersleeve, May 13. 1853, the third child and second son of Titus and Mary Kellogg ( Strong) Hale, and he grew to manhood under the parental roof. Under the direction of that gifted man, his father (see sketch elsewhere in this volun; he received instructions that have produced lasting results in his own career. He attended the Gildersleeve district school, where he was under the instruction of Miss L. Overton, Miss Roselle Wrisley, and Miss Sheldon, and after- ward he went to the academy at East Green- wich. His education was completed in Prof. Hurlbut's school in Middletown. Hle took hold of the complicated business interests of his father, and somewhat carly was set to work. becoming a good business man while still young in years. Mr. Hale worked on the farm for his father until 1887. Then, in company will his brother. Edward S., he bought it. The next year his brother retired, and his place in the firm was taken by another brother. Harry T., and the two conducted it initil the death of the latter, since which time our subject lis been sole owner. lle is an excellent example of a practical farmer, wise and conservative. vet progressive, and is a thoughtful and intelli- gent gentleman. He owns one of the most productive and best-kept farms in the town. and operates on a large scale, giving close at- tention to all details. He is a specialist in to- bacco culture, and his erop is usually among the best. He is a large dealer in leaf tobacco. buying extensively for the New York market.

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and handles the product of several hundred acres annually, buying throughout the Con- necticut River Valley. Mr. Hale is known as a skillful buyer, and during the busy season his pay-roll includes about seventy persons hand- ling the crop. His pastures usually contain some fifteen head of cattle, and his home and farm, on the slope of the Connecticut river banks, presents a busy and cheerful scene at all times.

On April 4, 1877, Chester K. Hale was married to Miss Lillian Myers, who was born in Lowell, Mass., April 27, 1858, a daughter of William and Roxanna ( Leeman ) Myers. To this union were born the following children : Harold E., born March 19, 1881, died at the age of five years ; Chester K., Jr., born March 30, 1883, died December 27, 1898; Earl Hart- well, born August 28, 1890; Titus Stuart, born March 10, 1895; and Chester Harry, born April 23, 1899. Mrs. Hale is a member of the Congregational Church. Socially Mr. Hale is prominently identified with Portland Lodge, No. 35, I. O. O. F., of which he is a charter member. A man of pleasing personality, he converses intelligently on topics of general in- terest, and is popular with his fellow citizens. A Democrat in politics, he gives attention to the obvious duty of the citizen, but does not ask for political preferment.

LOUIS P. PARKER, a worthy repre. sentative of an old and honored family of Middlesex county, is prominently associated with the banking interests of Essex, being cashier of the Saybrook Bank of that place.

John Parker, the grandfather of Louis P., was a son of John Parker, who lived on Wig Hill during the Revolutionary war, and was born in the western part of what is now the town of Chester, where he married and spent his entire life. He was one of the enterprising men of the town, engaged in shipbuilding, and lived to the age of eighty-three. He had four sons, Emory, Samuel, William and Gideon, the nast named being the father of our sub- ject.

Gideon Parker was born in 1811 in Ches- ter, where he died in 1890. He married Azu- bah Warner, who was born in the Wig Hill District, town of Chester, and now resides in Deep River. Gideon Parker was reared to the mercantile business, when a mere boy be- coming a clerk in the store of Esquire Colt, in

Chester, and later engaging in the same line himself, occupying what is remembered as the "stone store." Selling this, he moved to Brat- tleboro, Vt., but as conditions were not favor- able in that place he returned to Chester, and in 1849 accepted the position of cashier of the Deep River National Bank, continuing in that position until the time of his death. In poli- tics he was a stanch Republican, and before he went into the banking business, he took an active part in public matters, serving as town clerk of Chester, and also holding other offices. Both himself and wife united with the Deep River Baptist Church, in which he was a dea- con. To Mr. and Mrs. Parker were born: Judson, deceased; Sarah Jane, of Deep River ; Rosamund Clarissa, of Hartford, who married Lewis Le Vaughn, and has two sons, William and John, both of Hartford; Isabella Frances, who resides in Deep River; Genio S. W., also in Hartford, who married Ida B. Fuller, and has one son, Frank ; Louis P .; and Gideon, de- ceased.

Louis P. Parker, the immediate subject of this article, was born in Deep River August 7, 1858. His educational advantages were those afforded by the schools of his native town, and at the early age of sixteen he be- came connected with the bank in which his father was cashier. For four years he stud- ied under a tutor, while engaged in learning the banking business, thus becoming thorough- ly educated, with a practical object in view. His first year in the Deep River National Bank was as an assistant to his father, and during the nine succeeding years he held the position of teller. In April, 1885, he came to Essex and entered the Saybrook Bank as cashier, which position he has since filled, also being a direc- tor. This bank was established September 18, 1848, as a State bank. Its president was Samuel Ingham, the first cashier, Edward W. Pratt, and the directors were Samuel Ingham, Richard P. Williams, Henry L. Champlain, Cornelius B. Doane, Joseph Elsworth, Jared C. Redfield, Edward W. Pratt, Erastus C. Scranton, John D. Leffingwell, Samuel C. Ely, Henry Hart, George E. Goodspeed and Joseph H. Comstock. From the first the business has been carried on in a building of its own, as at the first meeting for organization it was voted to build a banking house, the same afterward sold to and now occupied by the Essex Savings Bank. In 1865 the institution was merged

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into a National bank, and in 1885, at the expir- ation of that charter, it again returned to State banking, and has so remained. In 1873, the present bank building was erected, and at that time it was looked upon as one of the finest country bank edifices in the State. The pres- idents of the bank since its establishment have been : Samuel Ingham, 1848-1857; Edward W. Pratt, 1857-1860; Cornelius R. Doane, 1860-1873; Jared E. Redfield, 1873-1885; Samuel C. Ely, 1885-1887 ; Edwin Ayer, 1887- 1894; James Phelps, 1894-1900; D. Wilson Spencer, 1900. The present board has George L. Stevens as vice-president and our subject as cashier. The former cashiers have been Edward W. Pratt, Charles S. Hough and L. L. Wooster. The capital stock of the bank is $50,000.

In politics Mr. Parker votes with the Re- publicans. He is no seeker for office. He is a man of influence in Essex, and is financial- ly interested in the Wood Turning Company, and other branches of business. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, in which he has served as trustee for a number of years, has been a deacon since 1896, and was superintendent of the Sunday-school. Mr. Parker's daughter, Florine M., was born to his first marriage. His second marriage was to Margaret A. Minke, a daughter of Jacob Minke, of Essex.

CHAUNCEY IRVING HARVEY, a well-to-do and highly respected farmer of the town of Durham, Middlesex county, near the Haddam town line, and in that part of Durham known as Haddam Quarter, was born in Haddam July 10, 1849, son of Edwin and Betsey ( Nettleton) Harvey.

Elisha Harvey, grandfather of Chauncey 1., came to Haddam from East Hladdam, Conn., and located on the farm now occupied by Henry Weise, where he passed the remain- der of his life in the pursuit of agriculture, and, at his death, his remains were interred beside those of his wife, in a little plot situated on the old homestead. He married Lucy Thomas, to which union were born seven children, named is follows: Elisha, who died when a boy; Asel, who married and lived in Meriden; Ed- win, father of Chauncey 1. ; Cynthia, who died in Meriden, the wife of Levi Bailey, who died in Durham; Olive, who was married to a Mr. Lynn, and moved to Illinois; Annie, who was

the wife of Thomas Bailey, and lived in Had- dam; and Elmira, who married Ebenezer Clark, and became the mother of Chester H. Clark, of Durham, whose biography appears elswhere.

Edwin Harvey was born June 8, 1805, on the farm mentioned in the foregoing paragraph as being situated in Haddam, and there he spent his boyhood days. While still a young man he traveled throughout the West, selling books for several years. On returning to Haddam he settled on the old homestead, and engaged in farming the remainder of his days. He married Betsey Nettleton, of Killingworth, daughter of Benjamin I. Nettleton, who mar- ried a Thompson. To this union came three children : Olive A., born September 19, 1844, married Levi Leonard, a fariner of Durham, and died November 1, 1888; Edwin E., born October 21, 1847, first married Jane E. Bailey, and later Grace Palmer (he is mentioned else- where) ; Chauncey I. was the youngest of the three. The father, Edwin Harvey, met with a tragic end, May 14, 1883. His death was caused by his clothing catching fire when he was burning brush on his farm, and he, being then seventy-eight years of age, was power- less to save himself. He had been a hard working man, was pleasant and unassuming in manner, and was well liked and respected by ali who knew him.

Chauncey I. Harvey was educated in the district schools of Haddam, and assisted on the home farm until he was twenty-three years of age, when he came to the Johnson Lane Dis- trict in the town of Middletown, and hired out to Josiah Hubbard as a hand on the farm now occupied by Robert Hubbard. There he re- mained for nearly four years. In 1875. he purchased, of Anson Spencer, his present farm in Durham, then known as the "Dr. James Foote place :" it comprised then only 100 acres. but has been increased by Mr. Harvey to 175 acres, about thirty-five acres of which are in- der an excellent state of cultivation, and on which Mr. Harvey carries on general farming and dairying.

On April 7, 1875. Mr. Harvey married Miss Eva R. Crandall, who was born June 23. ISIS, in Burlington, Hartford Co., Conn .. daughter of Hon. John and Julia ( Atwater ) Crandall. John Crandall was born February 1, 1815. Hle was a farmer by vocation, and was a prominent citizen, and one of the most

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able politicians of Burlington, where he held many offices of trust and honor. He was a sound Democrat. He served in the State Legislature in 1852-53, and again in 1866, as representative from Burlington; was assessor of his town for sixteen years; a justice of the peace; and a registrar of births, marriages and deaths for a very long time. He died, hon- ored by all his fellow citizens, April 30, 1889. His widow, Mrs. Julia (Atwater) Crandall, was born September 12, 1811, and in her lat- er years made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Harvey, where she died March 28, 1900. She was the mother of two children: Inez J., who died at the age of eight years; and Eva R., Mr. Harvey. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey I. Harvey, viz. : Sheldon I., Ruth Inez and Mary Eleanor, of whom, however, only the eldest, Sheldon I., survives. He was born June 10, 1876, and is a farmer on the home place; he is steward of the Durham Grange; Ruth Inez, born Novem- ber 29, 1877, died June 26, 1887. Mary Eleanor, born March 21, 1880, died August 3, 1887.

In politics Chauncey I. Harvey is a Demo- crat, but he has never had an ambition for of- fice holding, and, although one of the most sociable and popular men of his town, has never joined a secret society, being contented with his membership in the Durham M. E. Church, of which he, his wife and son are most liberal supporters.

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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 142

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