Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 149

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 149

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In politics our subject is a stanch Repub- lican, and boldly upholds the principles of his party. Prominently identified with the pub- lic interests of his town Mr. Odber has served as selectman, assessor and grand juror. In 1866 he united with the Masonic fraternity, joining Columbia Lodge, No. 26, of East Had- dam, and was a charter member of Granite Lodge, No. 119 of Haddam, of which he is a past master : he is a member of Burning Bush Chapter, R. A. M., of Essex. He is also con- nected with the G. A. R., Mansfield Post, of Middletown, Conn., of which he has been a member for many years. Both Capt. and Mrs. Odber are valued members of the Congrega- tional Church, the former becoming a member in 1873; he was chosen a deacon in 1885. has also served on the prudential committee, and for fifteen years was superintendent of the Sun day-school. Mrs. Odber was educated in the district schools of Haddam, and the Brainerd Academy. subsequently taught school, and re

turning home remained there until her mar- riage, at the age of twenty-one, to John H. Odber.

Mr. Odber enjoys the confidence of the cit- izens of Haddam, and since he has been con- nected with the Middlesex County Home for Neglected and Dependent Children he has shown such good judgment and administrative ability that the people of the county are justi- fied in feeling that they have found the right man for the place. Our subject has served his country faithfully, both in war and peace. He is a very companionable man, of sunny dis- position, and has many friends throughout the county and State.

CAPT. WILLIAM E. ODBER. Among the promment and influential men of Haddam who have enjoyed a great measure of confi- dence from their fellow citizens is Capt. Will- iam E. Odber, who for over twenty-four years was the jailer at Haddam, retiring in 1901.

Capt. Odber was born in Haddam October 25, 1843, and his early education was acquired in the district schools. Later he attended the Brainerd Academy, then under the care of the scholarly Mr. Johnson, well remembered by students of that date, and from there went to the excellent school kept by Rev. James Noyes Moyer, in Haddam. At the age of fourteen years he began to look out for himself. this necessity resulting in his shipping on a mer- chant vessel in the capacity of cook, when but sixteen years of age. For two years he was employed by Mr. Ludlow. the great New York grain merchant. In 1863 he enlisted. in the Sixth New York Artillery, and served about two and one-half years, passing through the various experiences of the regiment, which sw much service in the great Civil war. On March 31. 1865, he was one of 555 men who sailed from Wilmington, S. C., on the steamer "New Lyon," and endured a terrible experience. While at sea, the ship, taking fire, burned and sank, off Cape Hatteras, about twenty-two miles off shore. Besides the sailors, the ship had on board men of an Ilinois regiment and also of a New York regiment, of which our subject was a member at that time. Of the 555 souls on board the ill-fated ship onh five of the Illinois regiment were saved. and bit three of the New York regiment. our subject being among the latter. His wonderful es cape was the result of his presence of mind.

816

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

When thrown into the water he climbed upon a floating object which proved to be one of the ship's hatches, and this was his only refuge from the angry waves until he was finally picked up by one of the life boats of the "Gen. Lyon." This boat was in charge of the mate. Later the boat was seen by the steamer "Gen. Sedgwick," which bore down upon it, throw- ing several lines, one of which the mate caught, our subject the other. The boat was quickly pulled near the steamer, with the result that it was capsized, and all the soldiers were drowned except the mate and Capt. Odber, who, holding on to their respective lines, were both saved. But while the mate was quickly pulled aboard without injury, Capt. Odber was over seventy feet from the steamer, holding desperately to the line, and being whirled over and over, ham- mered by the rough waves, until he was saved. He had a severely injured hand, and the marks made by the rope on his leg, around which he wound the same, will remain with him during life, as an evidence of the awful struggle he made to save himself. Not being fit for fur- ther duty, he was honorably discharged May 23d, when he returned to his home in Had- dam.

After the experience just described, the gen- eral observer might think that Capt. Odber would have remembered the lines of Herbert, the poet, who says, "praise the sea, but remain on land," but this was not the case, for he re- turned to the water. As captain of various craft in the Portland service, in the Philadel- phia trade, he continued successfully for nine years, the largest of his vessels being the "Buck- ingham," the "Brazos" and the "Nathan." - In connection with his brother, Capt. Odber then engaged in the mercantile and lumber busi- ness, in Haddam, continuing the former line for two years, and still being connected with the latter. His long experience in commercial life has made of him a successful business man, and he is one respected by all those with whom he has dealings.

The Captain's political life began some twenty-three years ago, when he was made deputy sheriff under Sheriff Hutchinson, with whom he was associated twelve years, and dur- ing the past eleven he has been under the ad- ministration of Sheriff Thomas Brown. For one year he served as selectman. His duties in these positions have been so efficiently per- formed that the commendation of the public,

irrespective of party, has long been his. His Republicanism is stanch, and he has been an active and useful member of that party for many years.

Socially Capt. Odber is a member of the Masonic fraternity, affiliating with Granite Lodge, No. 119, of Haddam; he was a member of Columbia Lodge No. 26, of East Haddam, which he joined in May, 1865; when Granite Lodge was organized he united with that, be- ing a charter member, and he is a past master of same; he also unites with Burning Bush Chapter, of Essex; Cyrene Commandery, of Middletown; and Sphinx Shrine, of Hartford. He is also a member of Mansfield Post, G. A. R., of Middletown, Connecticut.

Capt. Odber still displays his love for the water. He owns one of the steam yachts which make so fine a display in the Connecti- cut river, the "Mystery" being the most at- tractive of them all. Capt. Odber about eigh- teen years ago purchased the old Ventres homestead, at Haddam, which he remodeled and made into a beautiful home, one of the best in Haddam, and there he expected to pass the remaining years of his life, but an adverse fate willed otherwise, for on May 8, 1902, this beautiful home, with much of the valuable ef- fects, library, etc., was entirely destroyed by fire.

Capt. Odber was married April 27, 1870, to Martha Clarissa, daughter of William H. and Elizabeth ( Brainerd) Burr, of Haddam. Mrs. Odber was born February 29, 1848, and was educated in the district schools of Haddam, and the Brainerd Academy. She is a member of Puritan Chapter, No. 43, Order of the East- ern Star. Capt. and Mrs. Odber are members of the Society, and are regular attendants of the Congregational Church at Haddam.

ALBERT J. BRIGGS, who entered into rest November 6, 1901, was a well-known business man and representative citizen of Cromwell, Middlesex Co., Conn. He was born March 29, 1852, in Sackville, New Brunswick, and there passed his early life. In 1871 he came to Connecticut, locating in Middletown, where he was for a time em- ployed by Wilcox, Crittenden & Co. He then clerked for Burr Brothers, grocers, where he mastered the details of that business. After a year spent in Hartford he in 1877 came to Cromwell, where he ever afterward made his.

817

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

home. In company with Chauncey Warner, in 1878, he started a meat market, but soon bought out his partner's interest. He also bought a grocery which he conducted in con- nection with his market until 1886, in which year he became associated with his brother, D. L. Briggs, and under the firm name of D. L. Briggs & Co. they engaged as whole- sale meat dealers of Middletown. Our sub- ject acted in the capacity of office manager of the firm, and as such devoted the greater part of his time to the management of the concern, which prospered greatly under the guidance of his high business principles and careful attention. He was successful in his undertakings, and became possessed of a com- fortable competence, and at the time of liis death was a director in the Cromwell Savings Bank.

Fraternally Mr. Briggs was a member of Washington Lodge, A. F. & A. M. In civic affairs he played an important part, and was several times nominated for public office, al- though he always preferred that the honors fall on the shoulders of otliers.

On October 26, 1881, Mr. Briggs was united in marriage with Eugenia A. Stow. a daughter of Horace Davis and Elizabeth M. (Goodrich ) Stow. At the time of Mr. Briggs' death, one who knew him well paid a high tribute to his good name, and we take the liberty of quoting in part: "A noble speci- men of manhood, ever courteous and obliging. he was the ideal gentleman. His loss will be mourned by the entire community to which he was endeared, and to which he contributed those qualities of character which must ever be an inspiration to good citizenship. Indus- try, integrity and sobriety-these qualities pre- dominated his every walk of life. His men- ory shall ever live with those whose pleasure it was to know his friendship." More could not be said than that he was loyal to his friends, his home and the land of his adop- tion, a man of careful speech, conservative judgment, fine opinions, keen sense of justice and lofty ideals.

The Srow Family is first of record in Con- necticut in 1651, represented by Sammel Stow. whose brother Thomas was there in 1600. John Stow is on record in 1667, and Nathaniel in 1676.

Alanson Stow, the grandfather of Mrs. Briggs, was a lifelong farmer of Cromwell.

and for many years lived at a place called "The Nooks," later removing to what is now known as the "Plains," where he died October 15, 1864. On February 7, 1812, he married Sally Pardy, who was born in Cromwell, and who died March 9. 1867. Their children were as follows. ( 1) Caroline, born November 14, 1814. married Edwin Wright, of Rocky Hill, and died there April 7, 1882. (2) James P., born April 10, 1816, was a successful tin manufacturer in Montgomery, Ala., but re- turned to Connecticut and died there April 6. 1883. He married Eugenia Pomeroy. (3) Asa B. is mentioned elsewhere. (4) Edward E., born October 10. 1820, went South in his early manhood, and there engaged in peddling for his brother, James P. He died in Ala- bama September 3. 1845. (5) Sally An. born January 28, 1822. died January 25, 1827. (6) Horace Davis is mentioned below. (7) Flora Ann, born August 20. 1828, died April 5, 1883. (8) Lydia Ann, born February 23. 1832, died in infancy.

Horace Davis Stow was born June 20. 1826, and died August 29, 1896. He passed his entire life as a farmer in Cromwell. His wife, Elizabeth M. (Goodrich ), was born in Rocky Hill. Conn., a daughter of Eli Good- rich, of that town. Their daughter Engenia A. became the wife of Albert J. Briggs, of Cromwell, and since her husband's death con- tinues to reside there.

CARL ADOLPH ALLISON is one of the enterprising and energetic grocers of Mid dletown. He is a native of Warberg, Sweden, born June 4, 180.4. and attended school in his native place until the time of his coming to the United States, whither his father had preceded him, and was living in Portland, Conn. The mother, however, was still in Sweden. the family were eight children, all of whom died young except our subject and his brother. John. The latter came to this country with his brother, Carl, and after six months in Port- land. Com., went te Middlefield, and worked as a farm hand for two years, thence gong West and spending six years in Omaha, Nech . after which he located in Washington, D. C. where he new is engaged in the oil business

Carl Adolph Allison Sailed from Liverpool on the steamer "Republic," of the White Star Line, and atter a voyage of ten days arrived at New York, March 22. 1880 He came to

818

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Portland, and his first employment was as a farm hand for Andrew Larson, with whom he remained six months, then accepting a posi- tion as coachman for Dr. C. E. Hammond, of Portland, for whom he also acted as gardener. The Doctor and his family devoted much at- tention to the general culture and training of the young Swede in American ways, and his stay of two and one-half years in that family was a most fruitful period of his life. Mr. Allison, however, wished to enter some field of employment with better opportunities for the future, and he became a clerk for C. J. Ander- son, a prominent grocer of Portland. There he learned the principles and details upon which a most successful commercial career was begun. He remained with Mr. Anderson until 1885. On March I, of that year, he formed a partnership with C. A. Ahlquist, under the firm name of Ahlquist & Allison, and until 1891 this firm conducted a very properous gro- cery business in Portland. Mr. Allison then withdrew and bought out the business of Mr. Standish, at No. 31 Main street, Middletown, beginning business in that city October 21, 1891. He enjoys the confidence of a large acquaintance in that and surrounding towns, and has built up a very satisfactory trade, cater- ing to the good people of the city. His store is a model one, and his integrity is unques- tioned. He also does a good business in steamship tickets and foreign money orders, representing all the leading transatlantic steam- ship lines.

On September 25, 1886, Mr. Allison mar- ried Miss Mary S. Ogren, also a native of Sweden, born in Koping March 6, 1866. Her father, A. P. Ogren, came to this country in August, 1881, and settled in Portland, where he died from injuries received by an accident in the Brownstone quarry, in September, 1882. His widow still survives, and is living in Mid- dletown. They were the parents of five chil- dren : Mrs. Allison ; Frida; Edward; Esther : and Nanny ( deceased wife of J. T. Anderson ). Mr. and Mrs. Allison have one son, Carl Ed- ward, born May 6, 1891.

From boyhood Mr. Allison has taken a great interest in temperance and religious work. During his stay in Portland he was a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church, and for many years teacher and organist of the Sunday-school. Since its organization in 1891 he has been a member of the Swedish

Lutheran Church of Middletown, and during the same period has been its organist and choir leader, besides serving the church in other ca- pacities. He was one of the founders of Tem- ple Carl 15th, in Portland, a Temperance So- ciety that at one time was very flourishing, and did a good work. For several years he was deputy of the Templars of Temperance for the State of Connecticut. Shortly after he came to Middletown he organized Scandia Tem- ple, T. of T., a society that now occupies the old Temple of Honor hall, and represents the temperance work among the Swedish people. Mr. Allison is also a member of the "Kronan" Sick Help Society, the first society organized among the Swedish people in the city ; it is of a most praiseworthy character, having ex- pended thousands of dollars among its mem- bers in times of sickness.

On November 17, 1885, Mr. Allison be- came a citizen of the United States. His po- litical faith has always been that of the Repub- lican party, and he is a member and treasurer of the Swedish American Republican Club of Middletown, which has a large membership. Mr. Allison has had in his life a hard row to hoe ; difficulties that seemed almost insurmount- able confronted him, but he has been brave and courageous, and with the aid of his faithful wife, who has been a great help to him, has worked his way through successfully, and his skies are now bright.

NOYES. The first member of the Noyes family of whom we have any authentic record is Rev. James Noyes, who was born in 1608, in Choulderton, or as Burke has it, Chaldring- ton, in Wiltshire, England. His father was a minister and schoolmaster in that town, and had a high reputation for learning. The moth- er was a sister of Rev. Robert Parker, the eminent Puritan divine, who had a son Rob- ert, and he and Rev. James Noyes, and the lat- ter's brother, Nicholas Noyes, came to Ameri- ca in 1634. Shortly before Rev. James Noyes left England he was married to Sarah, the eld- est daughter of Joseph Brown, of Southamp- ton, England, and very soon after his arrival, he was invited to become the minister at Mys- tic, now New Bedford, Mass. He remained

there one year. He was then invited to be- come the minister at Watertown, but this call he felt obliged to decline, as his resignation had been made to enable him to carry out his

prach of Stor 16, 1,3

ate

iste

him

per

was troop Had

ister

was b

bei

eight

a vear came

are ve

seventy Center

Ing St

Co 16

th P

819

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

purpose of being associated with his cousin, Rev. Mr. Parker, and other friends who came over with him from England, and who were then making a settlement at Newbury. Mr. Parker was chosen minister, and he was a faithful pastor for more than twenty years, and died in his forty-eighth year. "He was much esteemed and honored in the country and his death was much bewailed." Rev. James Noyes was chosen his colleague. He and his wife, Sarah Brown, had six sons and two daughters born to them, all of whom lived to become heads of families. His eldest son,

(II) James Noyes, was born March II, 1640, in Newbury, graduated at Harvard in 1659, and began his ministerial work in Ston- ington, Conn., having been ordained in the Stonington Congregational Church, September IO, 1674. He died December 30, 1719. His wife was Dorothy Stanton, of Stonington, Conn., to whom he was married September II, 1674. His brother Nicholas was also gradu- ated at Harvard, and settled in Salem as a min- ister, where he died. He preached in Haddam before settling in Salem. The town engaged him February 8, 1668, but he declined to settle permanently in the town, although every in- ducement was made to bring this about, as the people greatly desired him to remain. H was an active chaplain of the Connecticut troops under Major Treat. He probably left Haddam in 1682, and was ordained the next year at Salem, Mass. His brother, Moses, was graduated at Harvard, and was the min- ister at Lyme, Conn., where he preached twen- ty-seven years before the church could be formed, and he died November 10, 1729, aged eighty-six years.

(III) Joseph Noyes, son of Rev. James, was born in 1688. He was graduated at Yale in 1709. At the age of twenty-two and within a year after receiving his first degree, he be- came a tutor, continuing in this line of work five years. He was ordained in New Haven in 1716, and was minister of the Center Con- gregational Church. He died in 1761, aged seventy-three years, and was buried under the Center Church. His wife was Abigail Pier- pont.

(IV) John Noyes, son of Joseph, was grad- uated at Yale in 1756, and was licensed to preach May 31, 1757. He married Mary Fish, of Stonington, Conn., who was born November 16, 1736. Her mother was a great-grand-

daughter of John Alden, of the "Mayflower." Rev. John Noyes died at the age of thirty-two. The children born to him and his wife Mary (Fish) were: Rebecca, born November 22, 1759, who died at Stonington, May 14, 1760; Joseph, born February 14, 1761; John. born August 27, 1762; and James, born August 4, 1764.

(V) Rev. James Noyes, the grandfather of Miss Cornelia B., born August 4, 1764. in New Haven, Conn .. died February 18. 1844. He graduated at Yale College in 1782. and for forty-eight years was pastor at Wallingford. Conn., where he died. On December 31, 1787, he married Ann Holbrook, born in Der- by, Conn., January 22, 1769, who died Janu- ary 1, 1838. Their children were: Catherine; Ann, who married Dr. John Andrews, of Wall- ingford, Conn .; James ; Mary : Sally, who mar- ried Rev. Zolva Whitmore, of North Guilford. Conn. ; Rev. James, the father of our subject, born December 8, 1798, who died October II, 1869: Cornelia ; Esther, who married William Andrews, of Plainville, Ohio: Abigail: Eu- nice; Joseph Fish, who died November 16, 1888, the last of the generation ; John : Cather- ine; and Harriet.

(VI) Rev. James Noyes was one of the finest specimens of Christian manhood who ever passed away in this locality. On Septem- ber II, 1833, he married Esther Irene Walk- ley, daughter of James Walkley, born in Had- dam, May 27, 1809, died December 9. 1806. To this union came : Cornelia Beche, born September 10, 1834, and Seldon Walkley, born September 1, 18.45. The latter died July 12. 1897. On October 21, 1885, he married Emma Louisa Price, born June 3. 1851. He completed the Freshman year at Wesleyan University, but owing to ill health did not re- turn. Later he entered the University of Pennsylvania, and graduated from the Medi- cal Department in 1868. Locating at Middle- town, he practiced his profession for a short time, but soon discontinued his practice, owing to impaired health, and took a trip to Cali- fornia. Upon his return, his mother desiring very much that he should be near home, he ac- cepted the responsible position of confidential clerk for the Higgaunm Manufacturing Con1- pany, with which he continued for seventeen years.

Rev. James Noves will long be remembered by the people of Connecticut, through which

820

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

State his ministry of many years extended. He loved his work, and as far as delicate health permitted, served in the ministry with great acceptableness. Three years before his death he was stricken with paralysis, during that long time being almost helpless, but his patience and sweet resignation taught a lesson of true Chris- tianity to all who were privileged to come with- in his influence. The death of this good man took place in Haddam, Conn., October II, 1869, when he was in the seventy-first year of his age.

L. L. BROOKS. Among the old families of Moodus, Middlesex county, whose histories are interwoven with that of the town, is the one of which our subject, L. L. Brooks, is a worthy representative. He was born in the town of East Haddam, this county, May 27, 1851, a son of Jasper S. Brooks.

Asa Brooks, his grandfather, was a most worthy man, l'eared a large family, and passed away, high in the esteem of those with whom he had been associated.

Jasper S. Brooks, son of Asa, and father of L. L., early married Harriet Chapman, daugh- ter of Elijah Chapman, and in his choice dis- played good judgment, as this remarkable woman not only reared a good-sized family, and attended to her household duties, but also wove and spun clothing, carpets, etc. Their children were: E. Chapman; Asa E .; Har- riet M., who married S. S. Carter; one that died in infancy ; and L. L.

L. L. Brooks attended the Red Lane Dis- trict school, the select school in the village, and also Suffield Academy. Returning home, he engaged in farming, relieving his father of various duties, and so continued until the age of thirty, when he purchased the teaming business of S. S. Carter, and has since been engaged in that line, hauling supplies for the various mills along the river. In addition to his well-managed business, Mr. Brooks owns a finely cultivated farm of fifty acres, the ex- cellent condition of which testifies to his skill as a farmer.

On May 28, 1875, Mr. Brooks married Ellagene Emily, a daughter of Joseph Emily, born February 7, 1853. Joseph Emily was a native of Carlisle, England, where he was married to Tamer Ivison ; shortly afterward he came to America, settling first in Marlboro, and later in Moodus. He died December 8,

1888, and his wife December 9, 1898. Mrs. Emily was a Baptist, and she and her husband both contributed to the support of that church.

Politically Mr. Brooks is a stanch Republi- can, and has served on the school committee. Both he and his wife attend the Baptist Church of Moodus, of which they are liberal support- ers. Mr. Brooks is a member of Columbia Lodge, No. 3, I. O. O. F., and with his wife belongs to the Grange. In addition to their pleasant home in Moodus, Mr. and Mrs. Brooks own a cottage at Ridgewood, on the Sound, where during the summer they enjoy the ocean breezes and dispense a liberal hos- pitality to their friends.

. WINTHROP BAILEY HALLOCK, M. D., deceased. It would be difficult, perhaps impossible to find a better illustration of the perfect physician than was shown in the career of the subject of this biography. Dr. Hallock was born in Utica, N. Y., February 2, 1838, son of Samuel Titus and Sarah ( Bailey ) Hal- lock, and was a descendant through his father of Peter Hallock, who landed at Hallock's Neck, Long Island, in 1640; through his mo- ther he came from the Stanwoods, of the State of Maine.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 149

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