Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 159

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 159

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).

April 25, 1862, died March 9, 1897. He was a graduate of Yale Law School, 1883, and the following year located at Olympia, Wash., where he began the practice of law. When he was thirty-five he was elected a judge of the Superior court of the State, also served as mayor of the city, and was State's attorney. For a young man he was widely known as a capable lawyer, with a good practice, and bril- liant prospects before him. He married Cora Ellis, and to this union were born Edwin Travis, Ellis Chase, Richard Charles, John Young and Elizabeth. (5) Louisa, born June 4, 1864, is a stenographer for the Supreme court of Washington, a position she has held for the past eight years. She is a member of the Washington Bar, and has served as private secretary for several of the governors. Robert Archer, born January 31, 1867, is a ranchman and lumberman in Washington, where he operates a steam sawmill.

Mr. Ayer led an active life, though for several years he lived retired from business. At one time he operated a steam sawmill, and was interested in lumbering. The mill was destroyed in 1876. Mr. Ayer had the distinc- tion of having purchased the first load of Washington shingles ever brought over the mountains. He discontinued fishing in 1886. The year 1882 was particularly successful, but since that time little money has been made in the business.

In National affairs Mr. Ayer was a strong Republican, and believed in protection from the time of Van Buren. In 1872 and 1873 he rep- resented the town in the Legislature, serving on the Fisheries and State's Prison commit- tees. In former years he filled nearly all the town offices, and for the period of twenty-five years was justice of the peace. For seven years he was president of the Saybrook Bank, and was a director of that institution up to the time of his death.

MATTHEW WOODBURY PLUM- STEAD, M. D., is a skilled physician and sur- geon of East Haddam, Conn., whose knowl- edge of the science of medicine is broad and comprehensive, and whose ability in applying its principles to the needs of suffering human- ity has gained him an enviable prestige in pro- fessional circles.

Matthew Plumstead, his paternal grandfa- ther, was a native of England, and on coming

em Gr car ste Ga

tled ily was ing the Dar ire de

10 : later berk he c vea the age the

als

res

871

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

to America first located in Bath, Maine, but later moved to Lynn, Mass., where he em- barked in the wholesale harness business, which he continued successfully to carry on for forty years. Two of his sons are now engaged in the same business at that place. He died at the age of eighty-six years. In his family were the following children: Augustus, who ran away from home when a boy and in time set- tled in Australia, where he reared a large fam- ily; Matthew, the Doctor's father; Asa, who was born in Bath, Maine; George and Hard- ing, who were born in Lynn, Mass., where they are now engaged in the harness business ; David, who died young; Lillie, widow of Al- fred Curtis, of Lynn, Mass .; and Sarah, now deceased.

Matthew Plumstead, the Doctor's father, was born in Bath, Maine, in 1831, but a few years after his birth the family moved to Lynn, Mass. During his youth he went West and located in Galena, Ill., where he secured employment as clerk in a store. Gen. U. S. Grant being employed near by, they soon be- came warm friends. At one time Mr. Plum- stead owned some lead mining property near Galena. For a number of years he lived in Hastings, Minn., where he speculated in wheat, and then returned to Galena, continuing his residence in Illinois until 1868, when he re- turned to his old home in Lynn, Mass. He was engaged in the wholesale flour and feed business in Boston up to within a short time of his death. In his political affiliations he was a Republican. In Lynn, Mass., he married Miss Maria Josephine Woodbury, a daughter of John and Myra ( Page) Woodbury, and she is still living in Lynn. M'rs. Plumstead can trace her ancestry back to John Woodbury, the old planter, who landed at Cape Ann in 1623 or 1624, and with a few others settled in Salem ( Nauemkeck ) in 1626, two years be- fore the arrival of Gov. Endicott. He was only second to the Governor in his influence in the affairs of the Colony. His descendants in di- rect line to Mrs. Plumstead were Peter. Peter (2), Peter (3), Joseph, John and John (2). Of these Joseph Woodbury was in the Revolu- tionary war, as were not less than seven other ancestors of Dr. Plumstead, and some were also in the Colonial wars, so that he is fully qualified to join the Sons of American Revo- lution or the Society of Colonial Wars. The Doctor is the eldest in a family of three chil-

dren. His brother, John P. Plumstead, born in 1859, resides- in Lynn, Mass., and is with the Thompson-Houston Electric Light Com- pany ; and Winifred J. is the widow of J. W. Gibboney, formerly of the Thompson-Houston Electric Light Company.

Dr. 'Plumstead was born in Galena, Ill., February 13, 1855, and attended the public schools of that city and the high school at Lynn, Mass. For a number of years he was employed at various occupations, and, always having an ambition to join the ranks of the medical pro- fession, he worked his way through college. He was student one year in the Medical De- partment at Harvard, and then entered Jeffer- son Medical College, Philadelphia, where he was graduated in 1887. After one year de- voted to hospital work in that city. he opened an office in East Haddam, Conn., in 1888, and has since successfully engaged in practice at this place. He is a member of the State and County Medical Societies, and has served as coroner and health officer for twelve years in a most creditable and satisfactory manner, and has also been Post Surgeon for the same length of time.

On October 2. 1889. Dr. Plumstead mar- ried Miss Josephine Adelaide Johnson, who was born September 19, 1865, a daughter of E. Emory Johnson, and they have two chil- dren : Harold Woodbury, born October 9. 1800: and Stanley Johnson, born December 31. 1894. In religious faith the Doctor is a Baptist, while his wife holdls membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is identified with the Republican party, and socially is a member of Mystic Lodge. No. 19. A. O. U. W., of Lynn, Mass., with which he has been connected for twenty-one years ; and he also belongs to the Middlesex Lodge. No. 3, I. O. O. F., of East Haddam,

ROBERT PADDOCK HUBBARD, a most successful and enterprising farmer. re- siding in the West Long Hill District of Mid- dletown, Middlesex county, is a son of Hon. Alfred and Julia Ann ( Paddock ) Hubbard, whose life history may be read in the sketch of the Hubbard family, elsewhere. He was born March 6, 1847. in the house now occupied by his younger brother, Frank C. Hubbard, of West Long Hill, and a review of whose life may be found on another page

Robert P. Hubbard acquired his education

872

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in the district schools, supplementing the in- struction there received by attendance for one term at the private school of Daniel H. Chase, and later at the Eastman Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which latter insti- tution he graduated in 1866, in the same class with his neighbor, E. T. Birdsey. On his re- turn home from school he was presented by his father with a ten-acre lot, and some little aid was also afforded him by his maternal aunt, Mrs. Patty (Martha) (Paddock) Miller. On this small piece of land he began his business career, shortly afterward erected a neat cot- tage, and a year later built a small house. For two years he confined his farming operations to this ten-acre tract, but later continued to add to it by purchases from his father until he be- came the owner of one hundred acres. In 1887 he erected his present pretty residence, and he now has as fine a farm as there is in the town, of similar dimensions, improved with all nec- essary outbuildings. He carries on general farming, growing small fruits and berries, has a fine peach orchard, and also raises a small crop of tobacco each season, and is recognized by his neighbors as a model, progressive farm- er. He has added to his possessions a number of tenements in Middletown.

Mr. Hubbard was united in marriage, in Middletown, November 4, 1875, with Miss Margaret Stewart Kellsey, who was born in Middletown December 7, 1852, daughter of Lewis L. and Caroline A. (Camfield) Kellsey. Lewis L. Kellsey was a manufacturer of silk fish lines at Zoar, Conn., for many years and his product always stood at the head of manufac- tures of that kind. He died in 1872, and his widow is now a resident of Boston, Mass. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Hubbard has been graced with four children, viz .: Lewis K., born October 10, 1876, graduated from the Middletown high school in the class of 1895, took a post-graduate course in the same school, finished in 1897, and is now studying electrical engineering at Cornell University; Alfred, born January 8, 1878, still has his home with his parents : Julia A., born August 7, 1881, and Caroline K., born June 7, 1886, are also under the parental roof.

Mr. Hubbard is a Democrat, served one year on the board of selectmen, in 1894, and Was assessor one term, in 1895. He and his wife are members of the South Congregational Church. to the support of which they liberally

contribute. Mr. Hubbard is what may be called a "self-made" man, having been inde- pendent of his father since nineteen years of age. He is very popular, and is greatly re- spected by all his neighbors.

CHARLES EDWARD BOWERS, a well- known citizen of Cromwell, Middlesex coun- ty, owns a farm in the Nooks, which is one of the very best in that part of the State. He is descended from an old family, but unfortu- nately its history has not been preserved.

Otis Bowers, the father of Charles E., was a son of Benajah Bowers, whose other chil- dren were: Chauncey, who married Sarah Moseley, of Hampton, where she died; Orrin, who died a bachelor; Lucetta, who married Whitfield Roberts, of Meriden, where he died; and Mary, who married first a Mr. Hascher, and second a Mr. Langdon, and died in Meri- den. Bereft of a mother's love in infancy, and of a father's care in boyhood, Otis Bowers was early thrown on his own resources. His first employment was on the farm of the late Ste- ven White, the father of Steven Star White, of Portland. The schooling which he received was, as might be expected from a knowledge of his circumstances, rather limited. When he became a man he went to sea in the West In- dies trade with Capt. Henry McKee, and Capt. Henry Mildrum, and rising to the position of first mate, he followed that calling for many years. After reaching middle age he gave up a sailor's life, and located in Cromwell, where he found employment with a Portland quarry firm, being engaged in loading stone on ves- sels. His left eye was destroyed by a falling piece of timber, which accident induced him to give up work in the quarry. He bought the farms in the Nooks now occupied by his son Charles E., and there passed the remainder of his life. His remains rest in Cromwell. Otis Bowers was married in Cromwell to Miss Eliza Belden, a daughter of Josiah and Ruth ( McKee) Belden. Josiah Belden, her brother, was a New York millionaire, and founded the Cromwell Library. He was a resident of Cal- ifornia for many years, and was mayor of San Francisco at one time. The children of Otis Bowers and his wife were: Charles, who was drowned in the Connecticut river at the age of ten years ; Jane, who married Chauncey Whit- more, of Rocky Hill, and died in Cromwell; Susan, who died young; Ellen, who first mar-

873

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ried Frederick Norton, (a soldier in the Sixth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil war, and who died from prison fever), and second Thomas Lyon, of Putnam, Conn. ; Ruth, who died in infancy ; and Charles Edward.

Charles Edward Bowers was born Septem- ber II, 1850, and came to the Nooks with his parents when quite young. Receiving a com- mon school education, he supplemented same by a course in the Cromwell Academy. After leaving school he came to the home farm, and for a short time was employed in the factory of the J. & E. Stevens Company. When his fa- ther died Charles took charge of the farm, bought out the interests of the other heirs, and has greatly improved the family heritage. Here he does general farming, and until 1899 was a dairyman and fruit grower.

In 1872 Mr. Bowers was married to Mary J. Goodrich, of Rocky Hill, a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Shayler) Goodrich, farming people of that town. To this union were born: George, who is living at home; Carrie, who married Robert Booth, and lives in Hartford, where he is employed in the fac- tory of the Colts Fire Arms Company; Ed- ward, a graduate of Huntsinger's Business College, of Hartford, at present employed as bookkeeper in that city, and who married Cor- nelia Sage, of Cromwell; Charles L., who, after learning the machinist's trade, married Alice Parry, of Hartford, and moved to Hyde Park, near Boston, Mass., where he obtained employment at his trade; and Jennie, who is living at home. In politics Mr. Bowers is identified with the Republican party ; he served on the board of selectmen in 1894. He is a member of Washington Lodge, No. 81, F. & A. M., of Cromwell. Personally he is a quiet and peaceable man, of industrious habits and high character.

CHARLES E. STANLEY, M. D., attend- ing physician for the Connecticut Hospital for the Insane, at Middletown, Middlesex county, is one of the most popular physicians connect- ed with that institution, and a man who stands high in his specialty and with the profession general!v.

Dr. Stanley was born in Rocky Hill, this State, a son of Everett L. and Sarah Francis Stanley. The Stanley family is one of the oldest in New England. Capt. John Stanley, the founder of the branch to which the Doc-

tor belongs, settled in Hartford with his two uncles, Thomas and Timothy Stanley, in 1636, having emigrated from England in 1634-35. He fought in the Pequot wars, and later was prominent in town affairs. Many of his de- scendants are still to be found in Hartford and its vicinity. Dr. Stanley traces his descent from John Stanley through Thomas, Thomas, Thomas, Lot, Ira, Ira, Jr., and Everett L. Ira Stanley, Jr., the Doctor's grandfather, was a native of New Britain and built his residence where the Center Church now stands. He was a prominent man in the church, one of the standing committee, a leader of singing and prayer in social meetings, "greatly interested in temperance and anti-slavery, and active in all Christian work." He was a successful man- ufacturer in New Britain, the founder of the firm of T. Stanley & Son, of which the Doctor's father was also a member.

Charles E. Stanley attended school at Rocky Hill, and later entered Glastonbury Academy, when Prof. Snow was at its head : many of the pupils of this institution became well known in business and professional cir- cles. He was but eight years old when his parents removed to Philadelphia, where he at- tended the Philadelphia high school (now known as Philadelphia College), from which he graduated in the class of 1872, with the degree of A. B., taking second honors in a class of thirty-four. He received the degree of A. M. from the same school in 1877. After his graduation he took a course in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania. from which he graduated in 1876.

After receiving his diploma Dr. Stanley, on March 6, 1878, became attending physician at the Connecticut Hospital for the Insane, where he has since remained, being in point of service one of the oldest physicians connected with the institution. Since 188; he has been in charge of the South Hospital, which contains four hundred female patients. The Connecticut Hospital for the Insane is a model of its kind. being one of the largest and best managed in- stitutions in the country, and ones its high rank, in a great degree, to the efficient medical staff. Dr. Stanley is a member of the State and County Medical Societies; of the New England Psychological Society ; of the Medico Legal Society of New York : and of the Amer ican Medico-Poschological Association was one of the incorporators of the Columbia

874

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Trust Company, and is now one of its direc- tors and trustees.

Dr. Stanley was married at Colchester, Conn., January 4, 1887, to Miss Helen M. Manning, a resident of that town and a native of Brooklyn, N. Y. Three children have been born to them: A. Robbins, Charles F. and Marjorie. Fraternally Dr. Stanley is a mem- ber of St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M., being its present master; of Washington Chapter; and of Cyrene Commandery, in which he has held several important offices. He is eligible to all Colonial and Revolutionary societies, although not a member of any. Both Dr. and Mrs. Stanley are members of the South Congrega- tional Church. The Doctor, though not a pol- itician, is in sympathy with the Republican party, whose doctrines he always supports.

CHARLES FOUNTAIN, a representa- tive business man of Middletown, Middlesex county, dealer in shoes and gents' furnishings, was born September 2, 1851, in the Long Hill District, son of Richard and Phebe ( Pet- tit) Fountain, of whom further mention will soon be made.

John Fountain, grandfather of Charles, was a native of England, and came to the Uni- ted States about 1834. He first located in the Farm Hill District of Middletown, living in what is known as the "Stone House," and fol- lowed farming and dairying ; later he removed to Westfield, Conn., and still later to Nebraska, where he passed the remainder of his life. His wife, however, passed away at Middletown, Conn. Their children, six in number, were: Henry went to California during the "gold fe- ver," and there died, leaving a family; Esther married Henry Keyes, went to Illinois, and la- ter to Oregon; Richard, father of Charles, is mentioned below: David, a blacksmith, went westward, and all trace of him has been lost; Thomas resides in South Bend, Neb .; Ann married Thomas W. Fountain, and lives in South Bend, Nebraska.

Richard Fountain was born in Buckingham, England, about 1822, and came with his par- ents to America. He worked in a factory in Middletown, Conn., from about the age of twelve years until young manhood, was indus- trious, saved his dollars, and about 1850 went to farming. About 1857 he located on a farm on Long Hill, where he died in 1867. He was originally a Democrat in politics, but on the

formation of the Republican party became one of its stanch supporters. To his marriage, in 1848, with Miss Phebe Pettit, who was born in February, 1819, came two children, viz .: Arthur, born in July, 1849, died in Middletown in April, 1883; Charles is our subject proper. Mrs. Phebe ( Pettit) Fountain survived until November 9, 1899.

Charles Fountain attended the district school until about sixteen years old, and then, in 1867, entered the store of the well-known old merchant, Henry Ward, in whose establish- ment many of the business men of Middletown gained their early experience. From that time until 1888 Mr. Fountain clerked in the same line of goods in which he now deals, with the exception of ten months during 1873. In 1888 he began business on his own account, and, while not old in years, he has been longer in this line than any other merchant in Mid- dletown. By close attention to the needs of his patrons, and fair dealing, together with his urbanity and sincere desire to please, he has attained a foremost position among the mer- chants of the city, and is one of the most ular of its citizens.

Mr. Fountain is a Republican, but never permits politics to interfere with his business, contenting himself with exercising his fran- chise in favor of the party of his choice. In religion he is a Congregationalist, uniting with the South Church.

GEORGE ORLANDO STANNARD is one of the prosperous farmers residing in the western part of Westbrook, Middlesex county. The great-grandfather of our subject was Eph- raim Stannard, who made a home in West- brook, where Ashbel Stannard, the grandfa- ther, was born. Shortly after his marriage the latter removed with his young wife to Winthrop, this county, where he became an extensive farmer.

George Stannard, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Winthrop and grew up on the farm, acquiring a complete education in ag- ricultural methods, although his school facili- ties were somewhat limited. At the time of his marriage he bought a farm in the Horse Hill District of Westbrook, residing on that place for several years, and on disposing of it removed to another near the Clinton line, now occupied by Miss Ely Stannard. There Mr. Stannard resided until his death, July 27, 1865-

D E pa $1

0 se

la E

m de

G na

G d e la

ta b

875

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

In the Methodist Church he was known as a devout and consistent Christian, and he was called upon to serve the town in the offices of tax collector, selectman and member of the board of relief. The first marriage of Mr. Stan- nard was to Betsey Buell, of Clinton, who was born in 1813, daughter of Oliver Buell. Her death occurred when our subject was but two weeks old. To this union were born six chil- dren : Hamlin, who (first) married Susan Spencer and (second) Anna Post; Mary, who (first) married John Stannard, and ( second) George Stannard; Susan, who married An- drew Doane; Charles, who married Hattie Bu- ell; William H., deceased; and George Or- lando. The second marriage of Mr. Stan- nard was to Lucyette Norton, of Guilford, who died in 1897. Sarah, the daughter of this union, born September 30, 1849, married Will- iam A. Jones, and died January 30, 1891.

George Orlando Stannard was born in the Horse Hill District of Westbrook November 27, 1845, and his educational opportunities were limited to those afforded by the district schools. For a number of years after his fa- ther's death, Mr. Stannard remained to man- age the home farm, caring dutifully for his stepmother, who upon his marriage went to re- side in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Jones. In 1872 our subject purchased his present farm from Charles Smith, the residence upon the place being formerly the Methodist parsonage. Since he has resided upon this place Mr. Stan- nard has engaged extensively in general farm- ing, adding gradually to his farm, which now consists of forty-six acres, most of which was originally woodland, which he has cleared, selling the wood for fire wood.

Mr. Stannard was married December 31, 1867, to Frances J. Tyler, who was born in Deep River, daughter of Charles and Harriet E. (Hill) Tyler, of Westbrook, and with her parents moved to Aurora, Ill., where they re- sided for some time, later removing to West- brook, in which place her father died. The mother lived in our subject's home until her deatlı, May 14, 1901. Children, as follows, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stannard : Ella, who married George Dunn, of New Brit- ain, and lives in New York; and Carrie and Grace, both deceased. Politically Mr. Stan- nard is a Democrat ; he has been an efficient member of the board of relief for the past four

years, a member of the school board, and has been a grand juror, and also auditor of the town. The religious connection of the family is with the Congregational Church, in Clinton. where they are highly esteemed.

HON. CHESTER H. CLARK. a highly respected farmer of the town of Durham, Mid- dlesex county, is a descendant of William Clark, one of the original proprietors of Had- dam, in the same county.

Ebenezer Clark, his grandfather, was born in Haddam, was a farmer all his life, and died at the age of ninety-five years, the father of ten children, among whom Ebenezer Clark, the father of Chester H., was one of the early born.

Ebenezer Clark, the younger, was also a na- tive of Haddam, born in 1812. came to Dur- ham a young man, and there married. He erected his dwelling a short distance east of the Methodist Church, and there he resided a few years, then removing to an excellent farm three and one-half miles east of Durham Center. For those days he was extensively engaged in agriculture, and became fairly well-to-do. He married Elmira Olive Harvey, daughter of Elisha and Lucy ( Thomas) Harvey, and to their marriage were born ten children, viz. : Arabella, deceased, was the wife of Sydney Olin, of Hartford; one son died in infancy: Dallas, at the age of eighteen years, enlisted in the Twelfth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. and was killed in New Orleans, La .: Olive came to her death by burning, at the age of three years, during the temporary absence of her mother: Cynthia was first married to George Olin, and later to Richard Woodward. who is also deceased, she having her home in North Oxford, Mass. : Chester H. is mentioned below: Elmira Olive is the wife of William Shumway, of Berlin, Conn. : an infant died in- named : Elisha Fl. married Hetty Payne, and is living in Berlin, Conn .: Gertrude, deceased. was the wife of Cyrus Turner, and lived in Shelton, Connecticut.

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 159

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