Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 173

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 173

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cialty of all kinds of iron, lead and sewer pipes. Socially he is a charter member of both Mid- dlesex Lodge, No. 33, A. O. U. W., and of Portland lodge, No. 35, I. O. O. F.

On March 3, 1886, Mr. Ellsworth wedded Hattie L. Clarke, who was born in Middle- town, Conn., April 5, 1864, daughter of Dan- iel and Susan ( Goff) Clarke. Daniel Clarke was a son of Alvin, and a grandson of Joseph, Clarke, and he died in Higganum; his wife still lives. The Clarke family is one of the old and influential families of the State. To Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth have been born these children : Caroline Hattie, November 29, 1886; Louisa McClure, November 16, 1891; Edith Leora, December 28, 1893 ; and Lathrop E., June 28, 1899. Mrs. Ellsworth is a Meth- odist, and is a lady of high standing in the community. Politically, Mr. Ellsworth is a Republican, and an enlightened and progres- sive, public-spirited citizen. He is a straight- forward business man, and his close attention to his complicated business interests is very largely the cause of the great success he has achieved in his business career.

THOMAS L. PARKER, druggist and postmaster of Deep River, Conn., is one of the leading business men of that city, and one noted for his public spirit. He was born in East Haddam, Conn., April 16, 1856, a son of O. H. and Maria M. (Ayer) Parker.

Mr. Parker is a descendant in the seventh generation from William Parker, a proprietor of Hartford, and Margery, his wife, who in 1645. immediately after the Fenwick session, removed to Saybrook.

Capt. John Parker, great-grandfather of Thomas L., was born February 14. 1732. in that part of ancient Saybrook, now constitut- ing the town of Essex. He removed to Fast Haddam about 1760. As a soldier of the Rev- olution, his name occurs on the roll of the military company from Hadlyme, one of the battles in which he participated being the fa- mous one of White Plains, New York. On March 21. 1760. he married Sarah Fuller, daughter of Capt. Ephraim and Sarah ( Beck- with) Fuller of that town. Sarah ( Fuller ) Parker was descended from six passengers in the "Mayflower." Capt. John Parker died July 26, 1806. His wife Sarah Fuller survived him, and died in March, 1814. To this brave

soldier and his good wife were born: Sarah, Lucy, John, Sally, Lillas, Richard, Elial. Polly and Lemuel.

Elial Parker, grandfather of Thomas L., was born in East Haddam in 1777, and en- gaged in farming. He also bought horses for the West India trade. In 1818 or 1819. he purchased land in East Haddam, where his son Ozias H. Parker now lives, and confined himself to farming exclusively. He married Acenitha Peck, by whom he had two children : John and Acenitha. After the death of his first wife. he married Prudence Avery, who was descended from Capt. James Avery : Thomas Stanton. Thomas Lord. Robert Parke, John Elderkin, William Fowler. Ed- ward Tapp. Richard Bushnell. John Drake. Thomas Leffingwell. and other early settlers of the Connecticut and New Haven Colonies. The father of Mrs. Prudence ( \very ) Parker. and several brothers, were in the Groton mas- sacre, he surviving. By his second marriage Elial Parker became the father of three chil- dren : Avery: Elial; and Ozias Holmes, fa- ther of our subiect.

Ozias H. Parker, the father of our sub- ject, was born in East Haddam, Conn .. March 13. 1823. in the home where he now resides. He attended the public school taught by Charles W. Broadley, who became Secretary of State for Connecticut. He began his life work when but sixteen, and now owns too acres of land in the vicinity, including the old home- stead. Early in life, he engaged quite exten- sively in providing railroad ties and other sup- plies, but now devotes his attention entirely to farming. In politics, he was originally a Whig, but later became a Republican, and rep resented the town of East Haddam in the Leg- islature in 1851. 1851. 1852 and 18=r. serving on the committees on Agriculture. News Towns, Probate Districts, Buildings and State Prisons. In the town of East Haddam, he has held many offices of trust, including select man for twelve years, member of the board of education, and auditor, in every istance giv- ing unbounded satisfaction, He was elected justice of the peace, but never qualified Snice 1854. he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Socially he has been for a number of years a member of the fringe

On March 28, 1849. Mt Parker mantel m Hast Haddam, Mari Al Ave, who was Born

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May 28, 1829, a daughter of Hubert and Su- sanna ( Lyon) Ayer, the latter being a daugh- ter of Josiah and Mercy (Andrews) Lyon. To Mr. and Mrs. Parker were born: Fran- cis Hubert, Henry Clay, Lucy Maria, Thomas Lyon and Sarah Louise. Josiah Lyon, grand- father of Mrs. Maria M. ( Ayer) Parker, was a soldier of the Revolution. Through him and Mercy Andrews, his wife, Thomas L. Parker is descended from William Lyon of Roxbury. John Hastings of Braintree, Rich- ard Humphrey of Cambridge, Mass., as well as from Wlliam Andrews, John Kirby, Will- iam Comstock, John Stebbins and many other early Connecticut settlers.

Thomas Lyon Parker grew to manhood in East Haddam, and attended the Town Hill District School No. 6, and also a private school. Later he took a course at Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., com- pleting same in 1876, after which he secured a position in Hartford, Conn., as clerk and bookkeeper, from whence he went to New York City in the same capacity, remaining two years. In 1883. Mr. Parker purchased the drug business which he now' conducts, and which his business like methods and strict in- tegrity have built up to its present proportions.

On October 2, 1884, Mr. Parker was mar- ried to Eva M. Bidwell, daughter of Dr. Ed- win Bidwell, the oldest resident physician of Deep River. To this union were born: Ed- win Bidwell, Richard Avery, Clare, Katherine Lee and Margaret. In politics, Mr. Parker is a Republican, and represented the town of Say- brook in the General Assembly of 1895, where he acted as clerk on the Appropriation com- mittee. He is a member of the school board and up to within two years was its chairman, and he also visits the schools extensively. In Feb- ruary, 1899, Mr. Parker was appointed post- master at Deep River, assuming official charge on April Ist, and his management has given the most entire satisfaction. For the past fif- teen or sixteen years, he has been a member of Webb Lodge, I. O. O. F., Deep River, and he is very popular in this fraternitv. Both he and his wife attend the Congregational Church, and are active in its works, as well as liberal in its support. Genial, intelligent, richly endowed by nature, Mr. Parker is emi- nently qualified to hold the position bestowed upon him by the administration, and his suc- cess is well merited.

WILLIAM HALL STEVENS, a well- known mechanic of Middletown, is a promi- nent member of the First Baptist Church, where his devotion, loyal spirit and zeal for the welfare of the church, have given him much influence. His ancestral history may be found fully narrated in the biography of his brother, George W. Stevens, to which the reader is re- ferred.

Mr. Stevens was born December 6, 1847, in the village of Zoar, in the town of Middle- town, and his early education was largely had in the "Old Stone School," in Long Hill. For four winters he attended a private school kept by Daniel H. Chase, near the corner of Main and Grand streets, Middletown. This was an excellent school, and has furnished from among its scholars many of the leading busi- ness men of Middlesex county. Some of these have risen to a foremost place in the many lines of enterprise which they have followed.

After leaving school Mr. Stevens began working in his father's repair and wagon shop in Long Hill, and there he displayed that me- chanical skill which, while it was largely an inheritance from his father, has been increased and modified by characteristics peculiarly his own. The senior Stevens did a large amount of work as a carpenter, in which his son also assisted, and they worked together for a num- ber of years. He remained on the homestead and cared for his parents until their death. Mr. Stevens built heavy ox-carts as long as they were in demand, and when they gave way to lighter ones, he worked at the trade of car- pentering until his services as a wheelwright were sought by the Schuyler Electric Company. This institution had just moved to Middletown from Hartford, and the work of installation demanded expert machinists. He was in the employment of that concern six years, at the end of which time it was consolidated with the General Electric Company, and moved to Lynn, Mass. And about this time the Omo Manufacturing Company of Middletown be- gan business, and secured the services of Mr. Stevens as its mechanical foreman. He had the oversight of the repair work of the estab- lishment, and was foreman of the mechanical department. From August, 1895, to January I, 1900, Mr. Stevens worked as a carpenter, and his last important work in wood was the making of frames for the government at Wes- leyan University in connection with a govern- ment exhibit at the Paris exhibition.

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Mr. Stevens was married in Middletown to Miss Jennie Ronald, a daughter of A. Wal- ter and Elizabeth (Hamilton) Ronald. [See sketch of E. Irving Bell, who married a sister of Mrs. Stevens. ] Two children blessed this union : (1) Elihu was educated in the public schools, and was employed when a young man in Philadelphia for a time, and was then made shipping clerk for the Berlin Iron Bridge Com- pany, at Berlin, Conn. He has fine mechan- ical ability, and from his own wages saved enough to pay his way through the Yale sci- entific school, from which he graduated in 1900, since which time he has been connected with the Berlin Iron Bridge Company, as draftsman. He is a bright and capable young man and his future seems assured. (2) Grace B., a lovely girl, died at the age of fifteen years, and her loss was deeply felt. Politically Mr. Stevens is a Republican, and socially belongs to the A. O. U. W. He is a working member of the First Baptist Church, where he serves as trustee and treasurer. His family also be- long to this church, and are counted among the best people of the city. A good Christian gen- tleman, Mr. Stevens is a man of kind heart, and is universally respected.

WILBUR LEACH DAVIS is one of the best known stock dealers in the town of Dur- ham, Middlesex county, having a wide busi- ness acquaintance throughout the State, and, though yet a young man, lie has attained an unusual degree of success, conducting a dairy business in connection with farming.

Mr. Davis is the representative of an old Connecticut family of Welsh extraction, le is of the seventh generation from Solomon Davis, supposed to be the first of the family located in the town of Killingworth, Middle- sex county, and it is supposed he came innne- diately from Guilford. He married Sarah Hayton December 28, 1709, and their children were as follows: (1) Sarah, born April 15, 1712; (2) Hannah, born September 23. 1710; (3) Martha, born August 27. 1718: (4) Sol omon, born March 14, 1720; (5) Peter, born May 2, 1722; (6) Hayton, born February 20, 1725; and (7) Samuel, born January 24. 1728-20.

(11) Samuel Davis, of the above family. his wife, Jemima, had six children as follows : (1) Elizabeth, born February 22 1753: (2)

Peter, born March 15, 1755: (3) Solomon, born February II, 1757; (4) Samuel, born July 17, 1759, and (5) Lemuel.

(III) Lemuel Davis (son of Samuel ) and his wife, Jemima, had six children as follows; (I) Peter, born June 5, 1783, who died April 16, 1785; (2) Peter (2), born October 4. 1786; (3) Melinda, born July 18. 1788: (4) Elam, born March 8. 1790, who died Decem- ber 8, 1790; (5) Roxiana, born March 15. 1792; and (6) Jemima. born November 4. 1794. The father of this family and his an- cestors mentioned were all farmers.

(IV) Peter Davis, the great-grandfather of our subject was a farmer on Pea Hill, Kil- lingworth, where he died in 1837. He mar- ried Polly Kelsey, and they had the following children : (1) Alvin, a farmer, who married Julia Wright, and lived in North Killingworth; (2) Watson, the grandfather of our subject ; (3) George N., who married Matilda Davis, and was a farmer in North Killingworth: (4) Nelson; (5) Lewis T., who married Sarah Burr ( they were parents of Richard, Henry and Julius Davis) ; (6) Talcott, and (7) Cyn- thia, who married Morgan Davis, a brother of Matilda Davis.

(V) Watson Davis, the grandfather of Wilbur L., was born July 24. 1800, in North Killingworth. He attended the district school. and also a higher school in New Haven, He remained on the home farm for a time, then became equal owner with Capt. Harry Critten- den of a sloop engaged in freight traffic from Madison and Guilford, Conn., to New York. the cargoes down consisting of farm products, timber, etc. A few years later he purchased the farm, lately owned by Key, William II. 11. Murray, in the eastern part of Guilford. and there resided for a few years, subsequently returning to the home farm, then owned and operated by his brothers, Lewis I. and George N. Purchasing the interest of Lewis, he and his brother George then operated and con- ducted the homestead place. They were es- tensive farmers for that time, and dealt qinte heavily in cattle (oxen), selling the same in New York and Westchester county, \ \ FE ually, disposing of his interest in the home farm to his brother, George, and still owning other land in the town, Mi. Davis in 1841 01 1842, came to Durham, and purchased from Zebulon Hale, Ins father-m-law, a half inter-

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est in the present home of his son, George Hale Davis, the father of our subject. The house is still standing on the Green in Dur- liam Center. It was built and formerly occu- pied by Rev. Elizur Goodrich, and is one of the interesting and historic houses of Durham. Watson Davis then engaged in farming and the lumber business with his father-in-law, Zebulon Hale, for the rest of his life. He died in Hartford, while visiting, October 26, 1887. He was a prominent member of the Episcopal Church. In early life a Democrat, he became a member of the Know-Nothing party, when that organization sprang into ex- istence, and was later a Whig and Republi- can, successively. He was a representaive, from Durham, sent by the Democratic party, and, in 1858, was sent to the Legislature by the Whigs. In 1855 he was county commis- sioner, his commission, signed by Gov. William T. Minor, being now in the possession of his son, George Hale. He also served for years as a member of the State militia.

Watson Davis married Olive C. Hale, who was born April 4, 1817, in Madison, Conn., daughter of Zebulon and Clarissa (Scranton) Hale. Zebulon Hale was born in November, 1795, and died May 5, 1874. He was a well- known and prominent citizen of Durham, hold- ing many offices, and serving many terms in the State Legislature. His wife, Clarissa, was born in Mav, 1793, and died December 15, 1860. The Property of Zebulon Hale in Durham, descended to his two daughters, Olive C. and Rachel D. The latter, born July 24, 1819, was married three times, first to Heman C. Stone, by whom she had one child, Louise, born June 25, 1841, who died July 22, 1862; her second husband was Wedworth Wads- worth, a prominent citizen of Durham; her third was Leonidas Maynard. She died Jan- uary 27, 1894.

To Watson and Olive C. (Hale) Davis were born four children as follows: ( I) Zeb- ulon W., born January 16, 1832, married Eliza H. Beecher, born April 28, 1833. He was a college graduate and was a professor and school teacher in earlier life, then engaged in shoemaking in Waterbury, Conn., where he died February II, 1859. (2) George H. is the father of our subject. (3) Cynthia, born August 16, 1842, died July 9, 1860. (4)

Pauline L., born October 16, 1852, married Elisha Ryder, born March 25, 1849, who is manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company's offices in Hartford.

(VI) George Hale Davis, the father of Wilbur L., was born December 1, 1838, in Guilford, Conn., and, when quite young, re- moved with his parents to Durham. He was educated in the district schools, and at Dur- ham Academy, his first teacher there was Al- pheus Tibballs, and later, he was under the in- struction of Nathan Parsons and Miss Julia Barnes. He also attended two seasons at an academy in Charlotteville, Schoharie Co., N. Y. Returning home, for a few years he as- sisted his father on the farm, and then began a career for himself as a peddler, selling tin and glass ware throughout Connecticut, driv- ing a team. Being quite successful, he fol- lowed that business for about four years, mak- ing New Haven his headquarters. In 1858 he was taken sick, and was an invalid for a year. Remaining at home until June, 1861, he purchased the interest of his grandfather, Zebulon Hale, in a general store at Durham Center, and, in company with F. J. Coe, con- tinued business under the firm name of Davis & Coe. Two years later Mr. Davis bought out Mr. Coe, and conducted the business alone until 1870, when he sold it to Alling Bros. About two years later Mr. Davis and Henry Davis bought out the Allings, and for three years carried on the business under the name of Henry Davis & Co. Disposing of his interests to his partner, George Hale Davis then bought the half interest of L. M. Leach, in the store of L. M. & O. Leach, in Durham, and contin- ued in business with Oscar Leach for a few months, later reselling his interest to L. M. Leach, and engaging extensively in cattle deal- ing. He still buys and sells stock to a limited extent, residing at Durham Center.

On November 2, 1863, Mr. Davis married, for his first wife, Ella M. Leach, a native of Durham, who was born November 29, 1844, daughter of L. Marsden and Lydia (Thayer) Leach. Two children came to them: Wil- bur Leach Davis, who is mentioned below; and E. Lafayette, born April II, 1870, who died in 1877. For his second wife George Hale Davis married, September 2, 1886, Mrs. Maria A. Hubbard ( widow of Eli Hubbard),

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born October 14, 1847, in Durham, daughter of Lyman C. and Jane E. (Campfield) Rob- inson. Mr. Davis is a Republican, has been first selectman one term, and has served on the board for several terms.

Wilbur Leach Davis was born February 28, 1865, in the house now occupied by his fa- ther, on the East side of the Green, at Durham Center. He attended the district schools, Durham Academy, a private school conducted by Miss Mary Jane Camp at her home in Dur- ham, and the Morgan school, at Clinton, Conn .. for one year. Returning to Durham, Mr. Davis began buying and selling stock in com- pany with his father. In 1885-86 he was em- ployed in Hartford as clerk in the grocery store of I. M. Wilcox, corner of Main and Trum- bull streets. He was then employed by his fa- ther for several years, buying and selling cat- tle throughout Connecticut, and in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Vermont, bringing the stock to Durham, where he dis- posed of same. He remained with his father until 1893, when he purchased and moved to his present farm known as the "Stone Farm," and is now extensively engaged in farming, buying and selling stock, and in dairying, ship- ping the milk to New Haven. He deals quite extensively in cattle, and, being a splendid judge of stock, has been quite successful. Mr. Davis conducts his large farm in an up-to-date manner, and is a prominent agriculturist. Many improvements have been made on the place during his ownership.

In 1887 Mr. Davis was married to Lavinia Page, who was born June 25. 1862, in Dur- ham, daughter of Henry and Phehe L. (Coc) Page, and to them have been two children, namely: Roger W., born May 6, 1888; and Myra M., born May 20, 1890. Mrs. Davis is a member of the M. E. Church. In politics Mr. Davis is a Republican. He served as as sessor four years, and has been registrar of voters for ten years. In 1899 he was elected to the Legislature, and served on the committee on Public Health. Fraternally he is a member of Coginchang Council, No. 02. O. U. A. M. of Durham. In manner he is courteous, and wins friends easily and rapidly; he is ener getic and enterprising, and these traits, com- bined with his admirable business sense, have placed him among the foremost men and most prominent citizens of Durham.

WILLIAM G. LA PLACE is one of the energetic and prospering young business men of Deep River, Conn. The family from which he springs is of French origin. the forefather in America having settled on Long Island. The records tell of the residence of the great-great- grandfather at his large estate at Mattatuck, L. I., and of his death there. from smallpox, which disease he had contracted while con- fined as a prisoner on a ship in New York harbor, having been a soldier in the Revolu- tionary army, and suffered capture by the Brit- ish after the battle of Long Island.

Jonathan La Place, great-grandfather of William G .. was born at Southold. L. I .. and learned the trades of tanner and shoemaker. Removing to Connecticut while still a young man, he located at Joshuatown, in the town of Lyme, where he engaged in the trade of ship carpenter, becoming foreman of the large yards there: he was also at Hamburg. Essex and East Haddam. The later years of his life wer spent in the sawmill business at Joshua- town, and he left a competency, dying at the age of seventy-one. He was married in Josh- uatown, to Caroline, daughter of John Brock- way, and one son, Francis, came to this union.

Francis La Place, grandfather of William G., was born in Joshuatown in 1700. He be- came associated with his father in business. and after marriage came into possession of it small farm in Joshuatown, where he remained. pursuing agricultural activities for the remain der of his life. His death occurred in July. 1863. Although he never accepted office, he was a stanch Democrat all his life. He mar- ried Abbie Wood, daughter of John and Eliz- abeth ( Williams) Wood, and she lived to be eighty years old. The children of this mien were: Jonathan, born in 1812, first married Czarina Cobb, and second Mis Saah Watt ner, widow of Jefferson Warner: John F. born in 1813. married Ceciha J. Davis, and lives in Hadline: Timothy, boru m 1810. married Emeline Gardner, aut lived and dich in Essex: Robert Hours, Wanym 1821. 1.

dying m June, 1902, khi dịch, hồngin 1850. married Richard Hungerbal. Roswell, 1 m in 1827. married Mantila Wamer (who is de ceased), and lives in Handel, Gilbert R is mentioned below.

Gilbert Raka Place, the Hopes of Witham

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

G., was born April 9, 1831, in Joshuatown, town of Lyme, and there attended the district schools. At the age of seventeen he finished his schooling, and when twenty years old en- tered the shipyards at Deep River, owned by Eli Dennison, where his occupation was that of ship carpenter. For fifteen years, Mr. La- Place continued in this line, the last five years as foreman for Mr. Dennison, and he went to the yards in East Haddam, where he assisted in the building of the gunboat, "Kanawha," the only one of the kind ever built on the Con- necticut river. When this great vessel. was sent to Bridgeport to have her machinery placed his work was required there. Shortly after this he entered the employ of Pratt, Read & Co., at Deep River, where he was employed in the finishing room. For twenty-three years Mr. La Place was one of their faithful em- ployes, leaving there in 1892 to engage in farming. Mr. La Place's farm was formerly the property of Mrs. Dorcas Lord, in Deep River, from whose heirs he purchased it. He was married October 18, 1860, to Emma U. Lord, who was born in 1837, in Deep River, daughter of William R. and Cynthia (South- worth) Lord.

Mrs. La Place is a lineal descendant of Thomas Lord, the emigrant ancestor who settled in Hartford. She was educated at the district schools in Deep River and a select pri- vate school kept by Rev. Frederick Chapman, Congregational minister, at Deep River. Her grandparents, Israel and Hannah Southworth, had children : Israel, Asa, Hannah, Cynthia (mother of Mrs. La Place, born December 19, 1803), Prudence, Amanda, Harry, Gideon, Levi, Eunice, and Rebecca, all born between 1797 and 1819.

To Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert R. La Place were born the following children: ( 1) William G., our subject, is mentioned more fully below. (2) Edgar R., born May 30, 1868, was edu- cated in the district schools and high school at Deep River. Locating for part of a year in Florida, he returned to Deep River, and was in the employ of Thomas Parker, druggist, for two years. He attended the College of Pharmacy, New York, and the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, graduating from the latter institution in 1891. For one year he was engaged as apothecary in the Roosevelt Hospital, New York City, and then

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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 173

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