Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 153

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 153

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umphantly re-elected. His present term expires June 1, 1903.

On October 11, 1877, Mr. Brown was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth Cone Chapman, daugh- ter of Horatio D. Chapman, of East Hampton, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere. Their marriage has been blessed with two chil- dren, Thomas Wolcott and Annie L. Mr. Brown is prominent and influential in Masonic circles, being a past master of Anchor Lodge, No. 112, of East Hampton, and a member of Washington Chapter, No. 9. and Cyrene Com- mandery, No. 8, of Middletown. He is a director and president of the Chatham Public Library.

ROSE BROTHERS. The leading mer- chants of Ivoryton, Middlesex County, are Franklin M. and Theodore F. Rose, who com- pose the firm of Rose Brothers, which has built up a large and flourishing trade by correct bus- iness methods and strict integrity, thus gain- ing the confidence and best patronage of the neighborhood. They deal in general mer- chandise, and have one of the largest stores in the county.

Silent Rose, the grandfather of Theodore F. and Franklin M., was a native of Lebanon, New London Co., Conn., and came to Essex when a young man, locating at Centerbrook. A joiner by trade, he followed that occupation until his death, which occurred at the carly age of thirty-five years. His wife, who bore the name of Jerusha Clark, survived him to an old age. They had three children, of whom Asa H., the father of our subjects, was the second.

Asa H. Rose was born in 1800. in Center- brook, where he grew to manhood. finished his school course, and was then bound out, accord- ing to the custom of the times, to learn the trade of a carpenter and joiner, in Westfield, Mass., where he remained until he was twenty- one. At that time he removed to Centerbrook. and there followed his trade for the rest of his life, erecting many of the buildings in the vi- cinity, one of these being the lower shop of The Comstock, Cheney & Co. His reputation was that of a fine mechanic, who gave honest work, and he was esteemed by every employer. In his political convictions he was a strong Whig, almost an Abolitionist, and when the Republican party came into existence he iden-

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tified himself with it. His religious connec- tion was with the Baptist Church of Essex, where he was highly valued as a good and sin- cere man. The death of Mr. Rose occurred May 5, 1895, and he now sleeps in the family lot at Centerbrook. His first wife was Densey Ann Pratt, who was born in 1811, and, died in 1837: for his second wife, he married Electa Ann Bushnell, who was born in 1813, in Essex, daughter of Taylor and Fannie (Bull) Bush- nell, and who died in October, 1895. The chil- dren born to Asa H. and Electa Ann (Bush- nell) Rose were: Herbert S., now living in Ivoryton, Conn .; George B., who married Su- san Treat, and lives in Washington, D. C., where he holds a government position ; Frank- lin R., deceased ; Anna P., wife of Dr. Charles R. Gaylord, of Branford, Conn .; Franklin M .; Theodore F .; Evangeline St. Clair, wife of F. G. Dickinson, a merchant at Westbrook; and Myron B., a joiner, who is employed by the Government at Norfolk, Virginia.

FRANKLIN MERWIN ROSE was born July 25, 1848, in Centerbrook, and obtained his edu- cation in the common schools, and at Suffield Literary Institute, Suffield, Conn. · After fin- ishing his education he removed to Derby, and began work in a hoop skirt factory, remaining but a few months, when he came to Essex, and obtained employment with The Comstock, Cheney & Co., which position he later resigned on account of failing health. The next business enterprise of Mr. Rose was the purchase of a restaurant in Bridgeport, but this business was also necessarily abandoned on account of ill health. Returning to Essex, he entered the employ of C. L. Clark, who then conducted a store where the present store of W. J. Prann is located, in Centerbrook, and when Mr. Clark removed to the situation now occupied by Rose Brothers, our subject remained in his employ. In 1878, Mr. Rose, in conjunction with his brother, Theodore, purchased the business of Mr. Clark, and since that time has been en- gaged in the general mercantile business.

On June II, 1879, Franklin M. Rose mar- ried Miss Ida Howard, a native of Westbrook, daughter of Elisha and Jerusha ( Stokes) How- ard : a son, Frank Howard, born February 5, 1886, is their only child. Always a stanch Republican, he has served as assessor for three years, and is now, and has been for several years, a member of the board of relief. He joined the Centerbrook Congregational Church,

but when the Ivoryton Church was organized, he became a member of the latter, and has been a Sunday-school superintendent for some six- teen years. Mrs. Rose has also long been con- nected with the Congregational Church, first joining the church in Westbrook, later the one at Centerbrook, and now belongs to the one in Ivoryton. Among the citizens of Ivoryton Mr. Rose is highly esteemed, and is one of the popular and enterprising business men of the place.

THEODORE FRELINGHUYSEN ROSE, junior member of the firm of Rose Brothers, was born January 9, 1850, in Centerbrook, and attended the district schools and the academy at Suffield, Conn. Leaving school he went to Hartford, where he entered the employ of Talcott Bros., who then kept a drug store on Main street, with whom he remained five years, going thence to Brattleboro, Vt., where, in company with a Mr. Newton, he opened a drug store under the name of Newton & Rose. This connection lasted two years, when Mr. Rose sold his in- terest to his partner, and returned to Ivoryton, where, in connection with his brother, he bought the present store.

Theodore F. Rose married (first) Miss Belle M. Chapman, of Westbrook, a daughter of Henry B. Chapman, who died August 18, 1876, at the age of twenty-seven, leaving one child, Reginald K., born November 1, 1875. This son was sent to school at East Greenwich, R. I., later to the Hartford Business College, and is now a bookkeeper in the employ of The Comstock, Cheney & Co., of this place. Mr. Rose married (second) Miss Minnie Beck- with. of Baie Verte, New Brunswick. An ar- dent Republican, our subject was appointed postmaster of his town bv President Hayes, re- taining the office until 1893, and in 1898 was again appointed to that office by President Mc- Kinley, with Franklin M. Rose as assistant. Mr. Rose is much interested in golf, and is one of the active participants in that exercise.

JOHN H. GRIFFIN, for years one of the leading clothiers of Middletown, and a for- midable candidate in 1894 for the postmaster- ship of the city, is the son of the late Michael Griffin, a large contractor of this locality, who built the Air Line and Branch railroads, employing thousands of men.

John H. Griffin was born November 28, 1854, in Middletown. In his youth he attend-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ed the public and high schools of his native city, and was also a pupil in Daniel H. Chase's private school. Subsequently he attended Fordham College for one year. After his schooling days were over young Griffin entered the employ of C. M. Neuton, the clothier of Middletown, and with him remained twelve years, at the expiration of which time he started in business for himself, and has since continued in the clothing and men's furnishing line. His place of business was long known as the "Blue Front" clothing store. Mr. Griffin has always been a straight out Democrat. He has served as grand juror, and in 1887 was a member of the State Legislature.

In 1876 Mr. Griffin married a daughter of the late John P. Stack, and the union was blessed with five children.

LEVI P. BURR. Among the well-known names in Haddam, Middlesex Co., Conn., that of Burr possesses the respect of the whole com- munity, belonging to a family which has been established there since the founding of the town. Levi P. Burr is a grandson of Stephen Burr, a successful and extensive farmer, who married Cynthia Hubbard. They reared the following family : Angelina, who first married a Blatchley, her second marriage being to Cole- man Clark; Philander, who died at the age of seventy-seven ; Elsworth, of Middletown; Abi- gail, who married Linus Wilcox, and located in Durham, Hancock Co., Ill .; Harris R., a physician, who is practicing in Killingworth; Stephen, of West Haddam; and Rosetta, who married Edwin Rockwell, of Middletown.

Philander Burr was a resident of West Haddam, and died April 27. 1888, aged seven- ty-seven years. He married Caroline Williams, daughter of Sylvester Williams ; she was a na- tive of Wethersfield, Conn., and died April 2.4. 1888, aged seventy-two years. Mr. Birr was a successful farmer and mill owner, in his carlier years owning a sawmill, and also en- gaging in the molding of gun barrels, at Can- dlewood Hill. At one time he was possessed of 405 acres of productive land, although he had started in life with almost nothing, bury ing his estate little by little, as he could pay for it. until he had accumulated the large acreage he left to his fam- ily at the time of his decease. In politics he was always a Democrat, and held some of the local offices, also representing his town in the

Legislature, although he was never a seeker after distinction of that kind. Mr. and Mrs. Philander. Burr had children as follows : Washington (deceased), who married Lizzie Marshall, and lived at Middletown, where he was the agent for the Adams Express Com- pany ; Abbie T., who married Henry Vail, of Clinton, Conn., and now conducts a summer boarding house at Warwick, N. Y .: Levi P .. our subject : Adelbert M., who married Bell Gannett, and died at Brooklyn, N. Y. (he was wholesale agent for the Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machine Company, in New York) ; Elizabeth, who died at the age of fourteen ; and Genevra, who married Joseph Clark, of West Haddam.

The early education of Levi P. Burr was secured in his native town, West Haddam. where he was born April 29. 1844. Later he was sent to a private school in Middletown. and still later enjoyed the advantages of the Winthrop Institute for one year. In the sun- mer of 1862 Mr. Burr enlisted, and was as- signed to that part of the army then near An- tictam, where he was under steady fire for one whole day, escaping without injury, but was taken sick and obliged to remain in hospital for sixty days. Complications set in, as in those times the army hospitals were very indiffer- ently supplied with even the barest necessities, and real care was an impossibility, so that Mr. Burr's life was hanging in the balance for some time. Relatives came to his rescue, and per- mission was given for his removal, but no rec- ord was made of his place of removal, and hence he has never been able to obtain a dis- charge, although after regaining his health he made every effort to do so.

Following his army experience, Mr. Burr took a long and invigorating trip to the far West. visiting Montana and U'tah, where he taught school, also prospecting, locating ser- eral fine gold leads. Returning to his native town he married. on September 22. 18;0. Miss Georgiana C. Burr, daughter of D. and Eliza- beth Ann ( Kelsey) Burr, whose family con- sisted of Frederick E., Florence O .. Carrie E .. Lillie S., and Gertrude, besides Georgiana C. The onh child of Mr. and Mrs Birr. Edith Marian, died at the age of eleven months and four days.

Mr. Burr inherited considerable real estate in West Haddani from his father, and has en- gaged in farming since his return from the

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West, also teaching school and vocal music in his native town. He takes a great interest in his market garden, which is cultivated to such a degree as to be very productive, and he sells his produce in Middletown.

Mr. Burr is a strong Democrat, thoroughly believing in the principles of that party, with which he has been prominently identified for many years, but does not aspire to office, his other interests engaging his time. For sev- eral terms, however, he was a justice of the peace, but at the present is not an officeholder. Socially Mr. Burr is connected with the O. U. A. M., Eureka Council, No. 43, of Higganum, in which for three years he was deputy State councillor, having charge of three councils; and is also a member of the Grange, where he is highly valued. For many years Mr. Burr has testified to the truths of religion, being a consistent member of the Methodist Church, in which he is chorister, and the invaluable Sunday-school superintendent. By his life of probity he has won the esteem of his neighbors, and his dignity of demeanor, befitting a man of high character, has commanded respect and at- tention, wherever he has been.

DAVID AUGUSTUS CROWELL, one of the leading and substantial farmers of West Long Hill District, Middletown, Middlesex county, was born February 16, 1852, in the house in which he still lives, and is a son of Augustus and Esther ( Harris) Crowell.

The Crowell family is one of the oldest in Middletown, as will be perceived by a perusal of the life sketch of Daniel Crowell, else- where. David Crowell, grandfather of Da- vid A., was born in East Long Hill, and when twenty-seven years of age came to West Long Hill and erected the dwelling in which David A. was born. The farm which was a small one, and on which the dwelling still stands, was a part of the Barnes tract, and was given to David by his father in compensation for his services. He added to the place by degrees until he had acquired 100 acres by the time of his death. On December 22, 1813, he mar- ried Lucy Ward, who bore him six children, namely: Harriet, born August 1, 1814, mar- ried Hall Birdsey, a farmer of West Long Hill; Sylvester married Marietta Harris, and was a farmer in the same district ; David, born December 6, 1818, a farmer and mechanic, married Amelia Wright (he died at the old

homestead) ; Augustus is mentioned below ; Lucy, born August 15, 1822, married Austin McIntosh, and is now living in New York State; Sarah M., born September 6, 1824, mar- ried John Crowell, and lived near Rome, New York.

AUGUSTUS CROWELL, fourth of the chil- dren named in the foregoing paragraph, was born September 7, 1820, in the same house in which David A., his son, was born, and re- ceived a limited education in the district school. He assisted his father on the home farm until the death of the latter, in 1847, and then pur- chased the interests of the other heirs in the place, going considerably into debt. But he labored hard, and soon liberated himself from his indebtedness, and kept on improving the farm, growing general crops mainly, and about two acres of tobacco annually; for the latter he obtained as high a price as that re- ceived by any of his neighbors. The follow- ing incident serves as an illustration of the firmness and determination of this man: Dur- ing one season the buyers of tobacco in his dis- trict arranged a pool, buying up about every other crop in the neighborhood, and paying from thirty to thirty-two cents per pound, and then undertook to compel Mr. Crowell to sell his crop at a few cents less per pound. But knowing of the superior quality of his crop, and being unwilling to submit to this unfair discrimination, he negotiated with outside buy- ers, and disposed of his crop himself, receiving forty-seven and a half cents per pound, much to his own satisfaction, not because of the pe- cuniary gain entirely, but more for his success in coping with those who sought to take an unfair advantage. One notable feature of Mr. Crowell's farming was that of stock rais- ing, and the extraordinary care he gave his stock. He raised for years a number of young stock, and his care of them, which entered into every detail of their surroundings, enabled him to claim the remarkable and unique record of not having lost by death one single head of horned stock. No man could take a keener interest in the care of his beasts of burden. He seemed to think constantly of their com- fort, and he was never guilty of abusing them by overwork, though he handled oxen skillful- ly, and was able to get a great deal of work from his cattle without tiring or injuring them, by his judgment in arranging the details of his work. His system of doing work was

Augustus Crowell

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marked by a judicious expenditure of strength and an ingenuity which suggested rare judg- ment, and he always obtained the best results, as well as greatly facilitating everything he had to do. Mr. Crowell's characteristic of kindliness was evident at all times. He was a well-balanced man, an extremist in no way, never implusive. His physical strength, while great, was so utilized that he performed doub- le the work that might have been expected of him. He kept well posted on current events, and found such information valuable to him in his business. Intellectually he was more than ordinary, and his judgment was unusually good. Mr. Crowell was always systematic, and withal a persevering and industrious farm- er. He was economical, but not niggardly ; provided his family with everything needful, lived well, and at his death, which occurred March 5, 1897, was looked upon as one of the most substantial citizens of the town of Middletown. Physically he was a small man, but solidly built; had a keen eye, and was a close observer, and never permitted the recur- rence of a mistake. An attendant at, but not a member of, the Methodist Church, he con- tributed most freely to its support, and his many acts of private charity he concealed in his own breast from all until they were made public by the recipients thereof. He was a "self- made" man, but in the gaining of his compe- tence he was ably assisted by his estimable wife, who now has her home with her son, David A. Mr. Crowell was liberal in thought as well as charitable in act, and his motto in life was : "If you can't speak well of any one, don't speak at all." In politics he was equally lib- eral, and although reared as a Democrat voted for Major Mckinley, for President of the United States.

Augustus Crowell was married, February 25, 1849, to Esther Harris, who was born Jan- uary 8, 1824, in Middletown, daughter of Capt. William and Polly ( Bidwell) Harris. Capt. William Harris was for many years in the West Indies trade, and finally settled down to farming at South Farms ( Middletown. Conn. ), but later sold his property and removed to Clinton, Coun., where he passed the re- mainder of his days; he was buried in Farm Hill cenietery. The two children of Augustus and Esther ( Harris) Crowell were Marietta. who was born June 21. 1850, and was married to Albert R. Tucker, a farmer in Middlefield.

where she ended ber days; and David A., whose sketch is given below.

David Augustus Crowell was educated in the district school, and the select school taught by Daniel H. Chase, in Middletown, which lat- ter he attended three seasons. As his father grew old David A., who had inherited his in- dustrious habits, assumed charge of the farm, which he has most successfully conducted up to the present time. Mr. Crowell is an ardent promoter of agricultural interests, and has served one term as master of Mattabessett Grange, of which he was a charter member.

On June 14, 1887, Mr. Crowell married Lavinia Scard, who was born March 22, 1863. in Newport. South Wales, daughter of George and Eleanor (Gammon) Scard, who came to America when Lavinia was a mere girl. and settled in Meriden, Conn., where the fa- ther became a prosperous farmer ; he was first employed in the foundry business, and then bought a farm in East Wallingford. The three children who have graced the marriage of Mr. Crowell are: Frances M., born September 28, 1888: Mary E., born September 2, 1890: and Esther Lavinia, born November 25, 1901. Mr. Crowell's fortunate selection of a wife has to no small extent contributed to his success, Mrs. Crowell being a woman of good business sense and judgment, whose wise counsel and unceas- ing industry have certainly been of no little value to her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Crowell enjoy the highest respect of all who know them.

HON. GEORGE CANNING MOORE. one of the leading citizens of Westbrook. Mid- (llesex county, is prominent both socially and politically, and well-known throughout the State.

The Moore family is one of the oldest in Connectient. The first one of whom mention is made in Connecticut genealogy is Miles Moore, probably born in England about 1020. lle was at Milford as early as 1646, and about that time married Isabel Joiner, who was ade mitted member of the Congregational Church November 20, 1610, the Self after the place was settled and church founded. Miles Modre joined the same church February 8, 1651 Rev. Peter Prudden, paster, recorded the lap- tism of five children, four daughters and one son, Abel, baptized February 15, 1652 In 1657 Miles Moore bought land at New Lon-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

don, where he later moved his family, and where he was made freeman in 1663. His daughter, Miriam, married (first) John, son of Isaac Willey, and on his decease married (second) Samuel, son of Gerard Spencer, set- tler of Haddam.

(II) Abel Moore married, September 22, 1670, Hannah, third child of Robert Hem- stead, of New London, who was born April II, 1652, in New London, in the original Hem- stead house. Upon the death of Abel, which occurred July 9, 1689, from the effects of a sunstroke at Dedham, Mass., while returning from Boston, on duty officially, as constable, his widow married Samuel Waller of New London. The children by the first marriage were: Miles, born September 24, 1671 ; Abel, born July 14, 1674, who married Lydia Post, of Voluntown, daughter of John (2) and granddaughter of Stephen (I); Mary, born in 1678; John, born in 1680; and Joshua.

(III) John Moore, fourth child of Abel, born in 1680, married September 25, 1704, Elizabeth Beckwith, daughter of Matthew Beckwith, of New London. They had chil- dren : Abel, John, Miles and Asa.

(IV) John Moore (2), second child of John ( 1), was born in 1715-20. The name of his first wife is not known, and by that union he had a son, Joshua, and probably other chil- dren. By his second wife, Deborah, he had no children.

(V) Joshua Moore, son of John (2), was born in 1752, and the inventory of his estate was dated 'July 17, 1797. He and his wife Lucretia are buried in the old graveyard in what is now East Lyme, and about a mile north of Niantic village. Their children were : Elizabeth, who married Alfred Coates, of New Jersey ; Lucinda, who died single; Mary, who married John Griffin, of Clinton, Conn .; Lu- cretia, who married Elijah Watrous, of East Lyme, Conn .: and Capt. John, called 2nd, the father of George C.

(VI) Capt. John Moore was born in 1790 in East Lyme, Conn., where he was reared on the farm. He was educated in the district schools, and himself became a teacher. While following his profession in Clinton he became acquainted with the estimable lady who be- came his wife, February 22, 1815. In 1823 the young couple came to Westbrook from East Lyme, and purchasing some property south of the old village burying ground near

the Congregational Church, Mr. Moore remod- eled the building and made it suitable for mer- cantile purposes, and also used it as a tavern, which was well and favorably known to the traveling public. He was prominently identi- fied with the public affairs of the town, and had a short service in the war of 1812, was. captain in 1821 of the Third Regiment Con- necticut Infantry under Col. John Ely, was jus- tice of the peace, served on the school board, and was active in the Congregational Church .. His death occurred September 27, 1831. John Moore married Emily Crane, who was born in 1794, daughter of Elias and Mary ( Rossiter) Crane, of Clinton, Conn., who died March 17. 1871. Elias Crane was one of the leading men of his town. He was a ship builder and his ship yard was located on the Indian river, near the Clinton bridge, from which he launched twenty-nine vessels. He was a lineal descendant of Capt. Henry Crane, the first set- tler, who was the first town clerk of the town of Killingworth. Children as follows came to John and Emily Moore: (1) John Alex- ander, a pioneer merchant of Maumee, Ohio, in 1840 married Almira, daughter of John and Dency (Lay) Post, of Westbrook, and died December 27, 1900, in Toledo, Ohio, where his widow and family reside. (2) Elias C. is de- ceased. (3) Emily L. is deceased. (4) Will- iam H., born August 24, 1820, in what is now called East Lyme, grew up in Westbrook, grad- uated at Yale College in 1841, and from Yale Seminary in 1846, and on September 30th of the same year was ordained. He is prominent- ly known throughout the State, and has resided at Hartford since February, 1876. [For fur- ther notice of him see "Record of Class of 1841, New Haven, 1892." Pages 150-152.](5) Elias Crane (2), born in 1822, married (first) Margaret Emery, of Ohio, and (second) Jane Ann North, of Torringford, Conn .; he was a merchant, later postmaster for over twenty years at Maumee, Ohio, and died there in 1899. (6) Mary E., born in 1823, married Capt. George Spencer ; she lived in Westbrook, but died in Maumee, Ohio, while on a visit. (7) Alfred Coates, born in 1825, married Henri- etta Williams ; he was also a merchant at Mau- mee, of the firm "Moore Bros.," and died in 1897 in Denver, Colo., whither he had removed previously. (8) Emily Louisa is deceased. (9) James Francis is deceased. (10) Charles Au- gustus, born in 1829, married Isabelle Stan-

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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 153

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