Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 143

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 143

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FREDERICK BOUND CHAFFEE, sec- retary and treasurer of the Farmers' and Me- chanics' Savings Bank of Middletown, has been connected with that well-known institu- tion since 1868, and from the lowest clerical position has risen step by step to the one he now holds. He is one of the best known bank- ing men of his town, and he comes from an old and prominent family. The Chaffee family has been associated with various business enter- prises in Middletown for over three-quarters of a century.

Benjamin F. Chaffee, the father of Fred- erick B., was born in Middletown October 20, 1820, a son of Reuben Chaffee, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere. He attended the school of Mr. Garfield, and had the usual ad- vantages of the time. Asi he was the eldest son in the family he was the first to come to the aid of the father. The paternal estate was

not then so great as it afterward became, and the question of success or failure was often imminent. Benjamin F. became a partner with his father in business, and the firm was known as Reuben Chaffee & Son. The death of the father brought the business into the hands of the three sons, B. F., E. B. and F. J., and they formed a partnership, so continuing until E. B. and F. J. Chaffee sold out their interests to S. T. Camp. After a time ill health compelled Benjamin F. Chaffee to leave the store, and he, too, sold out to Mr. Camp. This may be said to have concluded the business career of Mr. Chaffee, although he was a bookkeeper for an- other concern for some time afterward. He was retired from all business for some years previous to his death, which occurred Novem- ber 8, 1878. He was married October 20, 1846, to Miss Persus A. Harris, who was born at Johnson Lane, in the town of Middletown, September 25, 1821, daughter of Jacob and Persus (Arnold) Harris. Jacob Harris was a ship carpenter, and built many vessels on con- tract, and he was also the proprietor of a de- sirable farm operating it chiefly by hired labor. He died at the age of fifty, and his wife passed away when she was aged thirty-nine. They had nine children: Jacob (who died at John- son Lane), Jane (who married Seth Crowell and died in Durham), Persus A. ( who married Benjamin F. Chaffee), William (a farmer in Johnson Lane), Harriet (who married Orrin Fox and died in Buffalo), Henry (who died in infancy), Henry (2) (who also died in in- fancy), Charles (a farmer in the town of Mid- dletown), and Lucy Ann (who married first a Mr. Puffer, and second a Mr. Johnson, both of whom are now deceased). The children of Benjamin F. and Persus A. Chaffee were as follows : Frederick Bound and Frank Harris, twins, were born December 21, 1848, and the latter died June 25, 1849. Elmore Reu- ben, born November 26, 1851, vice-president and general agent for the William Wilcox Manufacturing Company, married October 13, 1891, Cherrilla Griswold, of Middletown, daughter of Alfred and Mary (Joslyn) Gris- wold. Benjamin F. Chaffee was associated with the Episcopal Church up to the time the formation of the Universalist society. He became deeply interested in the latter faith, attending its services regularly, and contribut- ing liberally to its support. In politics he was a Republican, but took no active interest in

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party affairs. His widow still survives, ex- hibiting remarkable vitality for one of her years, and makes her home in the old family residence on Crescent street.

Frederick Bound Chaffee received his edu- cation in Middletown. He attended Miss Parker's school, and later the high school, where he took the full course. On April 13, 1865, he went to New Haven, where he served as bookkeeper for the wholesale meat packing firm of Joseph Porter, which later became J. & E. Porter. He came back to Middletown in 1867 and accepted a similar position with Sam- uel T. Camp. In May, 1868, he entered the bank at a modest salary. His hopes of a rapid rise were not in vain, as he was soon made teller of the bank, later becoming secretary and treasurer, which position he is still holding, discharging with signal ability the manifold duties.

On December 20, 1883, Frederick Bound Chaffee was united in marriage with Miss Mary M. Brewer, daughter of Frederick Brewer, an honored and successful merchant in Middletown for over fifty years, and who died December 19, 1885. Mr. Chaffee had his home on Crescent street until he built his present residence on Court street, above Broad street. Mrs. Chaffee is a member of the Uni- versalist Church, and her husband is also a member of that society. For some years Mr. Chaffee was a director of the old street railway company in Middletown, and was that com- pany's first treasurer. Politically lie is a Re- publican, but is content with the reputation of an all-round business and banking man. Genial and courteous to all, he has many friends, and he retains the confidence of all his acquaintances and patrons.

MINER O. FORBES, one of the oldest engineers on the Hartford Line of steamers running between Hartford and New York, was born at Willow Brook, Conn., near his grandfather's old home, on May 25, 1841, SO11 of Orrin and Emeline (Camp) Forbes.

Edward and Polly Forbes, the grandpar- ents, lived at Willow Brook, East Hartford, Hartford Co., Conn .. where he engaged in farming and market gardening, and they were known as industrious people. In politics Ed- ward Forbes was a Democrat, and he and his wife were members of the Congregational Church. They died at an advanced age. They

had a family of six children, of whom five are named : Mary, Mary Ann, Lenora, Orrin and Anson.

Orrin Forbes was taken away from his family when but thirty-three years old, in 1846, being drowned. When a young man he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he fol- lowed until the time of his death. To him- self and wife were born two children: Miner O., our subject ; and Harriet, who died at the age of forty-two; she was twice married, first to Henry Butler, later to A. S. Bailey. Mrs. Forbes was a daughter of William Camp, of Utica, N. Y., and was one of a family of four children, the others being William, Julia and Lucy. Mrs. Forbes died June 25, 1898, aged nearly eighty-three, having been born in Sep- tember, 1815.

Miner O. Forbes received a good common school education, and when but a youth was taught shoemaking. However, feeling that this was not his vocation he obtained employ- ment in the Colts factory, at Hartford, where he remained two years. On June 13, 1864. he commenced what was destined to be his life work, by firing on a tug owned by H. W. Hill. and shortly after was promoted to the position of engineer. . After continuing with that craft for nine years Mr. Forbes was engineer on the tug "Brazos," for another nine years. The next vessel on which he served as engineer was the "Mabel" with which he remained two years, and he was then engaged to act as an engineer on the steamer "Middlesex." on the Hartford & New York Line. After having been associ- ated with that company for five years Mr. Forbes accepted the position of engineer on the large steel twin-screw steamer "Hartford," with which he has since remained. He is a man of high principles, respected by all who known him.

On January 1, 1873. Mr. Forbes married Leora Bailey, daughter of Alvin and Lura (Neff) Bailey, and granddaughter of Lyman and Dorothy Bailey. The father was born July 8, 1810. in Higgamin, Conn., where he pursued farming and quarrying. His wife was born at Windham, Conn., Jime 14. 1817, and died at the age of eighty-four. These two worthy people reared the following named chil- dren : Henry, Mary, Melissa, Viola, Newel, Leora, Asher and Walter. To Mr. and Mrs. Forbes have come two daughters, both of whom are at home: Lira, born March 14.

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1880, and Harriet Emma, born November 3, 1884.

Since 1873 Mr. Forbes has resided in Hig- ganum. He is a Republican in politics, but he does not aspire to public office. Both he and his wife are consistent church members, and kind-hearted people, who enjoy the re- spect and esteem of a large circle of friends.

CHARLES LAY CLARK. Among the prominent business and representative citizens of Westbrook, Middlesex county, is Charles Lay Clark, who successfully conducts one of the largest general stores in that locality, and is also prominently identified with the leading public interests of the town.

Mr. Clark was born November 6, 1850, in Old Saybrook, this county, a son of Chapman and Mary (Chapman) Clark, and is a descen- dant of John Clark, his first American ances- tor, who was of Cambridge, 1632; Hartford, 1636; Saybrook, 1645, or 1646; Norwich, about 1662; Milford, about 1664. He died in the latter place, in 1673-74. John Clark, the emigrant, had a son (II) John, who mar- ried Rebeckah Porter October 16, 1650, and died September 21, 1677. Their son (III) John, born November 17, 1655, died February 17, 1735-36. On December 17, 1684, he mar- ried Rebeckah Beaumont and their son, (IV) Nathaniel, born July 19, 1694, died August 21, 1772. On May 10, 1715, he married Mary Urenne. (V) Peter Clark, son of Na- thaniel, born November 14, 1723, married April 17, 1755, Thankful Pratt, and died May 8, 1814. Their son, (VI) Nathaniel Clark, born April 25, 1767, died December 1, 1816. On May 18, 1794, he married Hannah Chap- man, and their son Chapman was the father of Charles Lay Clark.

(VII) Chapman Clark, born June 27, 1804, in Westbrook, early in life entered the fishery business, then one of the principal sources of revenue of the town. Later he en- gaged in farming, following that occupation at his leisure, in Old Saybrook, until he retired from active life, his death taking place at the home of our subject, who was then residing in Centerbrook, on November 16, 1875. In his political belief he was a Republican. Relig- iously he was connected with the Congrega- tional Church of Old Saybrook.

The first marriage of Mr. Clark, on No-

vember 9, 1824, was to Roxanna Clark, of Hartford, who died December 21, 1847. Four children were born of this marriage: Ezra C., deceased ; Ellen R., deceased ; Cynthia Ann, deceased; and Harriet M., born in 1844, who married Willard Trowbridge, later married Henry E. Griswold, and lives in Norwich, Conn. Mr. Clark's second marriage, on March 6, 1849, was to Mary Chapman, who was born March 8, 1809, daughter of Charles and Nancy (Lay) Chapman, and died May 29, 1855. Charles Lay was the only child of this union.

In the district schools of Old Saybrook Charles Lay Clark received his primary educa- tion, and was later instructed by a well known teacher, Miss Hettie B. H. Wood. While still a boy he spent his vacations in clerking in the boot and shoe store of Galen Dowd, who also kept the post office in Saybrook, and thus learned the business of merchandising from the foundation. In 1866 he came to Westbrook, where he engaged as a clerk for one year with Hon. Henry M. Stannard, returning then to Saybrook, where he was employed during the following three and one-half years in the store of Giles A. Bushnell. At the close of this period Mr. Clark decided to engage in busi- ness for himself. Going to Centerbrook, he erected the building now occupied by W. J. Prann, in 1870 opening up a general store which he conducted for ten years, during which time he also established a store at Ivory- ton, where Roce Brothers of that place are now located, successfully managing both stores for about three years and disposing of the lat- ter to Rose Brothers, the present proprietors. In 1880, Mr. Clark went to Chicago and in association with Sprague, Warner & Griswold, engaged in the manufacture of powdered soap. Later he severed this connection and became a manufacture of waxed paper, the firm being known as Bancroft & Clark. About this time Mr. Kirtland, a merchant of Westbrook, found his health failing, and he applied to his son-in-law, Mr. Clark, to replace him in the mercantile business. Mr. Clark located in Westbrook, and the firm became Kirtland & Co., continuing thus until the death of Mr. Kirtland, in 1891, when the name was changed to C. L. Clark. The business has ever since continued to prosper,

In politics Mr. Clark is an ardent Republi-

Charles L. Clark

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can. He served one term as first selectman and one term as third selectman, has held many minor offices, and is now a director in the Clinton National Bank. Socially he is con- nected with Mt. Olive Lodge, No. 52, F. & A. M., of Essex. For many years he has been a valued and consistent member of the Con- gregational Church, in which he is clerk of the Church Society.

On December 9, 1872, Mr. Clark was mar- ried to Marie Louise Kirtland, who was born April 20, 1854, daughter of William N. and Elouisa M. (Spencer) Kirtland, and three children have been born to this union: Mary E., in 1873; Lula K., in 1877; and Charles C., in 1879.

The family of Mrs. Clark can trace their ancestral line as far back as 1635, when Na- thaniel Kirtland came to America, in the "Hopewell." John Kirtland, son of Nathan- iel, was adopted by John and Susan Wastall, of Saybrook, and he inherited their property. He married Lydia Pratt, daughter of Lieut. William Pratt, who was the ancestor of the Pratt family of Middlesex county, and the children of this marriage were ten in number. The ninth, Daniel, became a distinguished man. He graduated from Yale College in 1720, and was ordained pastor of the Third Church of Norwich, being their first minis- ter. For thirty years he served there. He was the father of Rev. Samuel Kirtland, the well-known missionary to the Oneida Indians for over forty years, and was the grandfather of President Kirtland, of Harvard University.

Philip Kirtland, son of John, the direct an- cestor of Mrs. Clark, born in 1693, married Lydia Marvin, and reared a large family : Philip, Nathan, Gideon, Lydia, Esther, Han- nah, Elizabeth, Abner, and Mary.

Abner Kirtland, son of Philip, and the great-grandfather of Mrs. Clark, was born in 1745, married Mercy Pratt, and reared the following named children: Mercy: Mary; Abner ; Capt. Elisha, who married Chiloe Red- field; Daniel; Philip, who married Mary Chapman; Lydia, who married Ansehn Hill : and Deborah, who (first) married Gustavus Elliott, (second ) Seth Plumb, (third ) George Wood, ( fourth) Col. Aaron Bushnell, of Westbrook.

Abner Kirtland, son of Abner, born in 1776, was a resident of Westbrook, and a farmer by occupation. In 1799. he married 60

Hester Wright, of Killingworth, born in 1779, who died in 1862. He died in 1861.

Their children were: Sarah, born in 1802, married Enos Smith, and died in New Haven; Mary, born in 1803, died in 1890; Esther, born in 1805, died in Bolton, Conn .; Lydia M., born in 1806, married Rev. Richard Woodruff, and died in West Hartford; Job W .; Abner, born in 1810, died of yellow fever, in Mobile, Ala .; Abigail, born in 181I, married Eugene Cone, of Westbrook; William N. is mentioned below; Mercy A., born in 1815, married Albert Ruggles, and died in Hartford; Eunice E., born in 1818, married Lyman Hollister, and died in Glastonbury; Grace was born in 1820; Emily was born in 1822.

William N. Kirtland, the father of Mrs. Clark, was born November 5, 1813, in West- brook. Early in life he was engaged in pound fishing, and resided at what is now West Beach. Being a large land-owner, he fol- lowed fishing and farming on his own estate. In 1862, he moved with his family to Califor- nia, and located in San Francisco, later in Sonoma county. Upon his return to West- brook he purchased the store of Deacon Will- iam Henry Lay, and followed the mercantile business all his active life, in his later years being associated with his son-in-law. C. L. Clark. A Republican in his political faith, he held many of the minor offices of the town, was for several years selectman, and took much interest in all that promise ! benefit to his neighborhood. For many years he was con- nected with the Congregational Church, and brought his family up in its teachings.

Mr. Kirtland was married August 27. 1839, to Elouisa M. Spencer, who was born October 8, 1816, in Westbrook, daughter of Capt. Timothy Spencer, of that place. Mrs. Kirtland is still residing with Mrs. Clark. The following named children blessed this imion : Harriet Emily, born in 1842, married Capt. Elbert Stannard, and died in Westbrook : they had a family of seven children, of whom the only survivor, Harriet, married George L. Peck, general manager of the Western Division of the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad west of Pittsburg, and has three children, Eloise, Lyman and Harriet. William A., born in 1846, died in 1872 ; he was a seafaring man, and was the only person saved from the wreck of the "Charles Law-

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rence," which was lost in Long Island Sound in 1865, beng picked up at Fisher's Island, clinging to driftwood; he was second mate on the "Varuna," which was lost off the Florida coast in 1870, being one of the five saved, at the time when his cousin, Capt. Joseph T. Spencer, was lost, and the exposure of this experience caused his death. Marie Louise, Mrs. Clark, was born April 20, 1854.

HORATIO KELSEY. Among the im- portant industries of Clinton, Middlesex Co., Conn., is the factory of which Horatio Kelsey, the subject of this sketch, is owner and pro- prietor, where are manufactured irregular turnings, such as ax, pick, hammer handles, etc. The aim of the establishment is to make as good as it is possible to produce-hence his goods are always in demand.

Mr. Kelsey is the worthy representative of one of the old and prominent families of the adjoining town of Killingworth. Great-great- grandfather Joseph Kelsey was among the early settlers of the last named town, his son Joel and wife passing their whole lives in Kil- lingworth, where their son Daniel was born. The latter married Roxy Hill, and their lives were passed in farming and domestic duties. Their eight children married and left the old home, and all but one have gone out of life. Ellen, the younger, married Charles Lane, of Twinsburg, Ohio; their Golden wed- ding was celebrated August 8, 1902. Sher- man, the next older, married Jeannette Parmele. Hosmer married Lodisca J. Parmele. Jared married Rosalie Stone. James died while a young bachelor, and away from home. Sylvia married William C. Nettleton. Achsah mar- ried Charles Davis. Henry was the father of our subject.

Henry Kelsey was born September 18, 1817, and died November 15, 1893. His home was the homestead of his father, and when twenty-seven years of age he married Mary L. Parmele, then a maiden of twenty- three, and a daughter of Charles and Florilla (Griswold) Parmele. To this union were born : Horatio, our subject, August 19, 1848; Franklin, born August 19, 1852, died October II, 1855; Charles R., of Clinton, Conn., was married July 3, 1890, to Mary J. Dickinson, nee Craft, and they have one child, Philin Craft; Idella F., born July 24, 1859, married

Charles G. Redfield, of Killingworth, and died January II, 1898.

Horatio Kelsey, the immediate subject of our sketch, was born in Killingworth, living at home till he became of age, when he en- tered the employ of A. Lane & Co., of Killing- worth, who were then extensively engaged in wood-turning. The mechanical genius inher- ent in his father was augmented in the son, and he became a valuable helper in the busi- ness, remaining with the company six years, and learning every detail, and at the end of that time renting the works for three years, carrying on the same business himself. In 1879 Mr. Kelsey came to Clinton and built his present factory, three-fourths of a mile north of the village, entering into the busi- ness on a more extended scale, and employing many hands. Mr. Kelsey is a tireless worker, to which fact much of his success in life is at- tributed. The business is conducted along the same general lines as that of A. Lane & Co., and the list of articles made embraces a great variety of handles indispensable to the trade.

Mr. Kelsey was married, September 18, 1878, to Evalena A. Lord, daughter of Ben- jamin and Antoinette (Goodrich) Case Lord, and a granddaughter of Martin and Margery Lord. To this union have been born: Lucile Florence, August 2, 1879; and Nina Corinne, March 14, 1884. The elder daughter is a graduate of the Emerson School of Oratory, in Boston. The younger is at the present writing a member of the high school of Clin- ton.

In politics Mr. Kelsey is a stanch Republi- can, believing, as did his grandparents, that the best work done for the people of his State and country has been accomplished by that party. In his belief principle is the back- bone of his work and religion, and no institu- tion, whether of church or State, can receive his support if not run on open and straight- forward principles. No one in the community is more highly esteemed, whether among his business associates or in the matter of social standing, than Mr. Kelsey.

JOHN HALLIDAY. The Halliday fam- ily is of Scottish descent, and emigrated to the North of Ireland, where for several gen- erations they were among the large manufac-

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turers. Thomas Halliday, the grandfather of John, was a native of Ireland, followed mill- ing, and also engaged in manufacturing, dy- ing at an advanced age. He married Mary Young, and to this union were born two daughters and one son, Mary, Diana and Thomas.

Thomas Halliday. father of John, was born in the North of Ireland, where he grew to manhood, and married Jane McMillan, of Scottish parentage. In his native land he learned the trade of wood-turner. In 1847 he came to America and located in New York, where he remained one year before taking up his home in Haddam, Middlesex Co., Conn. While in Ireland he had united with the Epis- copal Church. He died in 1880. To Thomas and Jane Halliday were born six children : John, Ann, William, Samuel Thomas, Mary and Jane E .; both the last named died young.

John Halliday was born in Belfast, Ire- land, May 29, 1843, and when a child of four years came with his parents to America. His early schooling was acquired in Chester, where the family lived for a time. At the age of sixteen he left home, and secured em- ployment at various kinds of work until 1862, at which time he entered the army service in the Civil war, with his father, joining Com- pany B, 24th Regiment, Connecticut Volun- teers, and remaining in the service until the regiment was discharged.

Returning to Essex, Mr. Halliday became an apprentice in the drug store of R. E. Whittemore, where he remained for years, and finally took sole charge of the business for Mrs. Theresa Whittemore, conducting it for some time. In 1873 he engaged in the business for himself, opening the store which lie now occupies, and which he has since con- ducted very successfully.

Mr. Halliday's marriage, on May 15, 1873. united him with an old and well-known fan- ily of Connecticut, his wife being Emily A. Williams, a daughter of Ezra S. and Emily A. (Southworth) Williams. Ezra Williams, the grandfather of Mrs. Halliday, a native of Saybrook, married Hepsebah Starkey, a sister of Felix and Alpheus Starkey. He was a conrbmaker of Deep River, and one of the original projectors of that industry. His death occurred in Deep River, where both he and his wife are buried; both were valued

members of the Baptist Church. Their fam- ily consisted of Alpheus; Ezra Stanley; Charles, deceased; and Irene Elizabeth.

Ezra S. Williams, the father of Mrs. Hal- liday, was born in Meadow Woods, town of Saybrook, March 7, 1808, married Emily A. Southworth, daughter of Jabez and Sarah (Shipman) Southworth, of Deep River. and died May 26, 1876. . He successfully carried on the business of pump manufacturing for many years, and also engaged in farming. A Republican in politics, he served in many of the town offices, was a director in both Deep River banks, a selectman several terms, and represented the Saybrook District in the Leg- islature for several terms. When a young man he was an active worker in the Baptist Church, a member of the choir, and was con- nected with the official school board. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born: Elizabeth Howard; Stanley; Clara ; and Emily A., Mrs. Halliday, born June 11; 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Halliday have had children as follows: Stan- ley William, born in 1874, who died in 1893 : Clara Elizabeth, born in 1876, who died the same year; John Williams, born in 1878, who died in 1897 : Jeannie ; and Jesse.

Mr. Halliday is a liberal Republican in politics, but does not aspire to public office. although he has acceptably served as a mem- ber of the school board for eleven years. So- cially he is connected with Mt. Olive Lodge. F. & A. M .; Mather Post, G. A. R. ; and Es- sex Lodge, A. O. U. W. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Baptist Church, and are regarded among the most higlily esteemed residents of their community.

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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 143

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