Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 21

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 21

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name of Martha Willard ; she was born in 1734, and died September 23, 1825, at the age of ninety-one years. She survived her first hus- band ( the father of Ephraim Bound), and sub- sequently became the wife of a Mr. Beale, whom she also survived.

Ephraim Bound removed to Middletown when his daughter, Martha, was but a child, and there she was reared and educated. Mr. Bound was a baker by trade and occupation, and he engaged in that line after his removal to Middletown, conducting business at the place, in Main street, where Shafer's bakery is now located, and becoming one of the leading business men of the town. Ephraim and Sally (Francis) Bound became the parents of three children, namely: John, born in Boston, Oc- tober 25, 1793, was married May 22, 1817, in Middletown, to Mary Fisk, and died in Mont- gomery, Ala., July 18, 1835. Harriet Hall, born in Greenfield, Mass., July 25, 1795, was first married August 7, 1812, in Middletown, to Martin Ranney, who died on the Ioth of the following month, and on September 25, 1815, she married James K. Frothingham : her death occurred in Charlestown, Mass. Martha W .. the mother of the immediate subject of this sketch, was born in Norwich, Conn .. April 16, 1799. Ephraim Bound, in October, 1829. re- moved to the South and his death occurred at Columbus, Miss., February 26, 1840. His wife, Sally, died March 12, 1855. in Middle- town, Conn. The two daughters of Ephraim Bound were acknowledged beauties in their day, being queenly and stately and having class- ical features and figures, invariably attracting admiring attention wherever they appeared.

Reuben Chaffee died September 22, 1850, and his wife survived him until September 22. 1862, when she too was summoned into eternal rest ; both were interred in Indian Hill ceme- tery, at Middletown. In 1840 Reuben Chaffee purchased from Elijah Hubbard the lot on. which, ten years later, he erected his fine resi- dence, completing the house in August, 1850. This house, which is most eligibly located, in Main street, is still occupied by his two sons, and in its construction were so thoroughly em- bodied the ideas of their honored father that mention may be made of the same, as showing the principles of thoroughness, relia- bility and good faith which dominated his na- ture, and which he required of others. He took great interest in all the details of con-

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struction and was anxious to have it completed, in the furtherance of that desire devoting no little attention to keeping up fires, in order that the plastering might be made to dry more speed- ily. In this way he undoubtedly exposed him- self and hastened his death, which occurred only ten days after the new domicile was ready for occupancy. So thoroughly was every portion of the work of construction done, that for many years afterward the house was taken as a model and standard, and in the specifications for the building of other houses the words, "like the Reuben Chaffee house," were often found in- terpolated. Mr. Chaffee stipulated that the nails holding the shingles were not to pass through the roof-boards, and that the boards were to be free from knots and other defects, and he exercised the same scrupulous care in all other details. Before his death he examined carefully the roof, and with a piece of chalk cross-marked every defect, and incidental thereto insisted that his sons should demand that the contractor live up to every specification of his contract, even if the use of his entire fortune was required to enforce it. In this connection it should be noted that he demanded of others no more than he was ready and willing to grant himself, and he was a model of system and thoroughness in all his business associations, having marked pres- cience and indomitable perseverance, and withal being one of the most kindly of men, so that he commanded unequivocal confidence, respect and esteem in the community. He was an ex- cellent judge of material values and his invest- ments were made with rare judgment and dis- crimination as to the ultimate worth. He ac- quired a competency entirely through his own efforts, and no man stood higher in the com- munity. His wife proved to him a true help- meet, and their life was idyllic in character. Mr. Chaffee was one of the pillars of the Uni- versalist Church, and his pew (No. 4) was kept for years after his death, his widow con- tinuing to be a regular attendant of the church until her death. In politics, Reuben Chaffee was a supporter of the Whig party, but, while he exerted a marked influence in public affairs of a local nature, he was essentially a business man, and had no personal ambition in a political way. In regard to church relations it may be further stated that both he and his wife became identified with the Universalist Church at the time of its organization, and when it was the most flourishing religious body in the town.

Mrs. Chaffee was formerly a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal Church, while her father had been an evangelist of the Baptist Church, and often filled clerical engagements in the work of that denomination. Mr. Chaffee was identified with St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M., of Middletown, and that at a time when un- just opprobium rested upon the fraternity from a popular standpoint, the meetings of the vari- ous bodies being held with the greatest secrecy and membership in the order often involving social ostracism and business boycott. In per- son Mr. Chaffee was slightly below the average height, of somewhat stout build, but excellent figure, while his face indicated both inherent strength and intrinsic graciousness of character. He was remarkably active up to within a short time before his death, giving the closest atten- tion to his business affairs, and the illness which eventuated in his demise within a very short interval, was the first he had suffered in many years.

The children of Reuben and Martha W. (Bound) Chaffee were as follows: (I) Ben- jamin F., born October 20, 1820, died in Mid- dletown, November 8, 1878. He was married, October 20, 1846, to Miss Persis Harris, and they left two sons,-Frederick B. and Elmore R. He was for many years here engaged in the grocery business, continuing in the same until comparatively a short time before his death. (2) Lucy Allen, born September 25, 1823, died in Middletown, November 2, 1853, unmarried. (3) E. Bound is the immediate subject of this sketch. (4) Flavius J. is men- tioned elsewhere in this work.

E. Bound Chaffee, who proved indeed a worthy successor of his honored father, both as a citizen and as a business man, was a native son of Middletown, having been born in the old homestead of his father, on the north side of William street, and east of Main street, August 28, 1826. His early educational discipline was such as 'was afforded in the schools of the lo- cality and period, and it may be recalled that he attended a school on the present site of Nourse's store, and also one where the Adams Express Company's office is now located, Will- iam Garfield having been his teacher in the lat- ter. He also was a student in Daniel H. Chase's school, being enrolled as one of the first pupils of that well known instructor, whose memory is held in high esteem. He attended the first high school established in the town, in the base-

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ment of the Russell Library, and there complet- ed his youthful education. As a boy he had passed no little time in his father's store, and early gave evidence of the most practical busi- ness ideas, his attitude being largely the result of the teachings inculcated by his father. At the age of seventeen years Mr. Chaffee went to Boston, Mass., though his parents opposed this change. He felt, however, a desire for a wider sphere of endeavor and experience and finally prevailed upon his parents to give their con- sent, and in Boston he was for a time employed as clerk in a grocery, later becoming a clerk in the freight office of the Boston & Fitchburg Railway Company. His father's death called him back to his native town, where he entered into partnership with his brothers, Benjamin F. and Flavius J. They continued the grocery business established by their father so many years previously, and this business alliance asted for many years.

Thereafter E. Bound and Flavius formed a partnership, under the name of Chaffee Brothers, and located south of the old quarters, and on the east side of Main street, just opposite from our subject's present home. After nine months they removed back ip Main street, where they purchased the build- ng of W. S. Camp, who had advised them that heir former location was not the most eligible, ind in the new quarters they continued business intil the partnership was dissolved; the same headquarters are now used by L. B. Chaffee. On January 1, 1869, E. Bound Chaffee disposed of his interests in the grocery and became a nember of the firm of Wilcox, Crittenden & Co., extensive ship chandlers, and this associ- tion obtained until November, 1901, when Mr. Chaffee retired from business on account of Ilness. Up to that time he had been most ac- ive and no business man in the community njoyed a higher standing, his energy and far- ighted policy doing much to conserve the in- ustrial advancement of the town and county here he practically passed his entire life, while is association with local business affairs cov- red a period of more than half a century. There were few men of his age in New Eng- und so active, vigilant and energetic in connec- on with practical business affairs as, was Mr. Chaffee. No detail was too sinall or too insig- ificant to escape his attention. while no man ad a higher appreciation of the dignity and orth of honest toil. He made his appearance ith exceptional regularity at the factory of his

firm each morning before operations began, and gave his personal supervision to his department with as much energy as a man many years his junior could exert, his capacity for application seeming boundless. For many years he devot- ed his attention to clerical duties in the factory, and he wrote a hand that would put to blush the average youth who is similarly employed today. He conferred honor upon his native town and on the honored name he bore, and was one of the leading and representative citi- zens and veteran business men of Middletown.

In politics, Mr. Chaffee gave his allegiance to the Republican party, but while he was sig- nally true to all the duties of citizenship he ever and scrupulously held aloof from political office. His interest in all that concerns the well-being of his town was insistent and constant, and in local affairs of a political nature he maintained an independent attitude. He served three terms as a member of the board of education, was for some time a member of the water com- mittee, and for about a decade and a half was chief engineer of the volunteer fire department, having for a number of years previously been foreman of Fire Engine Company No. 2. He was at the time of his death, which occurred August 6, 1902, vice-president of the Farmers' & Mechanics' Savings Bank, and for years a member of its directorate. Fraternally, he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows from 1847. He attended the Protestant Episcopal Church, of which his wife was a com- municant, as are his daughters. The family re- side in the fine home erected by our subject's father, and have been prominent in the best social life of the community for years.

It may be appropriately noted in the con- nection that Mr. Chaffee was for a number of years regarded as a connoisseur in the matter of ancient hall-clocks, of which he owned an exceptionally large number, taking great inter- est in discovering and bringing to light these interesting relics of the bygone days. He had 110 less than thirteen excellent specimens, one of which is undoubtedly one of the best extant in New England; it bears the date of 1658. and was made in The Hague. It is certainly a rare specimen, and while Mr. Chaffee would not consent to part with it. he was asked whether or not one thousand dollars would buy it. This clock is known far and wide by con- noisseurs, and not a few have called to see the ancient timepiece.

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On June 8, 1852, Mr. Chaffee was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Hall Bliss, who was born July 1, 1827, in Middletown, a daughter of John and Sally Bliss. She entered into eter- nal rest on April 8, 1898. A woman of gra- cious refinement and gentle bearing, she held the love of a wide circle of friends. She left

two daughters, namely : Lillian Lucy, born July 13, 1856, is a woman of much culture, hav- ing traveled extensively abroad and in her na- tive land, and had the distinction of represent- ing the great New York china house of Calla- more at the Paris Exposition of 1900. Susie Nieda, born July 15, 1860, is the widow of Colonel J. Yale Fairman, to whom she was married October 6, 1885, and who is elsewhere mentioned in this work; she has two daugh- ters,-Hortense Victoria, born June 21, 1887; and Ruth Lillian, born February 13, 1890.

H. H. SMITH, treasurer of the Middle- town Savings Bank, is one of the well -known men in the banking and financial circles of his locality, as well as one of the best citizens of his town. He was born in Haddam, Middle- sex Co., Conn., December 1, 1829, son of Davis and Abagail S. ( Buckley ) Smith.

Mr. Smith can trace his line back, on the paternal side, to Simon Smith, one of the original twenty-eight proprietors of Haddam, who came from Hartford, Conn., and had a son Benjamin. Benjamin Smith was born in 1664, in Haddam and married Hannah Sco- fill, and one of his children was named Daniel. The latter's birth occurred in 1714, in Haddam, and he married in 1739. His wife died in 1745, and he died July 29, 1793, in Haddam, leaving a son, William. William Smith lived and died in Haddam. On October 13, 1767, he married Esther Brainerd, and one of his sons, Capt. George Smith, was the grandfather of our subject.

Capt. George Smith was born September 29, 1771, in Haddam, was a seafaring man, and is supposed to have been lost at sea April 3, 1799, during a hurricane. He married Anna Kelley, of Rhode Island, and she bore her hus- band two children, George and Davis, of whom only the latter lived to maturity. After the death of her first husband Mrs. George Smith married again, and lived to a good old age.

Davis Smith, the father of our subject, was born in 1798 in Haddam, and married, March 18, 1819, Abagail S. Buckley, of Rocky

Hill, Conn., who was born January 20, 1799, daughter of Hosea Buckley, and died April 26, 1890. Davis Smith resided in Haddam until 1830, when he went to New York and took charge of a gang of men building the old prison on Blackwell's Island, residing in that State a couple of years. His next removal was to Rocky Hill, Conn., where he passed the remainder of his life, dying April 3, 1875. After removing to Rocky Hill he carried on farming extensively, raising large crops of hay, marketing hundreds of tons annually. His judgment in ascertaining the weight of hay, in load or stock, was remarkable for accuracy. While not a public man, Mr. Smith was one who had a wide acquaintance and was promi- nent in Rocky Hill. Having been engaged in various pursuits during his long life-quar- rying in Haddam, also operating a hotel in the same place. his hostelry being patronized by the most prominent men of that time-his knowledge of men was wide, and his judgment keen. Mr. Smith reared a large, fantily, all of whom testify in their own lives to his careful management, provided for them during his life, and left behind him a comfortable compe- tence. For his years he was a very well pre- served man, and a few days before his death he chopped down a tree over three feet in diameter. In appearance he was somewhat short, but heavy, and possessed a robust con- stitution. Politically a Whig in the early days, upon the formation of the Republican party he adopted its teachings, and took an interest in its success, although not a politician. In religious matters Mr. Smith was a consistent member of the Congregational Church at Rocky Hill. To himself and wife were born: Abagail, who married Moses W. Williams, and lived in Rocky Hill; Mary, widow of Ambrose Walcott, of Wallingford; Martha, widow of Walter S. Wilcox, living in Colorado; Caro- line, widow of Egbert Atkins; Margaret, who married William Williams, of Rocky Hill, and died young ; and H. H.

On his mother's side our subject is de- scended as follows: Rev. Peter Buckley had a son, Rev. Gersham Buckley ; the latter's son was named Edward Buckley, and his son was Gersham Buckley, the father of Hosea Buck- ley, our subject's grandfather. The Buckley family, as that of Smith, is well known in Con- necticut, and members of it have figured promi- nently in the country's history.

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H. H. Smith was born December 1, 1829, in Haddam, the youngest child in the family, and received his education in the district schools at Rocky Hill, Conn., and in the academy at that place, his school days end- ing when he was nineteen. About this time Mr. Smith entered the store of Revilo Chap- nan, his uncle, at Rocky Hill, as a clerk, and, ilthough the establishment was only a general country store, Mr. Smith gained such a knowl- edge of business and business methods that he vas afterward enabled to take positions in Bris- ol and Berlin, Conn., and in 1853 removed to Middletown, where he has since resided. From 854 to 1856 Mr. Smith was employed n the Union Mills, and from 1856 to 1862 vas bookkeeper for what is now the Middle- own National Bank. In the latter year Mr. Smith became treasurer of the Union Mills. nd remained in that capacity until about 1875. About this time he embarked in the feed busi- ess, but in 1879 became secretary of the Mid- letown Savings Bank, remaining as such , ntil 1888, when he became its treasurer, suc- eeding Geo. W. Harris and has since contin- ed in that position. In addition to his con- ection with the bank, Mr. Smith serves as irector in the Middlesex Quarry Company f Portland, and has been for seven years; a director in the Middlesex Assurance Con :- any, of Middletown; is trustee of the Mid- letown Savings Bank; and a director of the Middletown National Bank. He served two ears as director of the W. & B. Douglas ompany.

On May 7, 1854, H. H. Smith married, Middletown, Miss Philippa G. Hilliard, who as born November II, 1835, in Middletown, tughter of Capt. James and Saphira ( Wheat) illiard. Capt. James Hilliard was a sea cap- in, well known in his day, belonged to the d Hilliard family, and traced his descent om William Hilliard, an early resident of ston, who came to the New World in 1635, e line of descent being as follows : William, illiam, David, Joseph, Joseph, Joseph and mes. The Hilliard name is now extinct in iddletown, where once it had so many repre- tatives. To Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Smith me children as follows: Arthur D., born ne 29, 1855, an attorney of Minneapolis; rah C., born April 7, 1859, who died August , 1862; Georgianna, born November 29,

61, now Mrs. William S. Brockway, of Mil- 8

waukee; Jerome Collins, born October 24, 1869, formerly assistant cashier of the Mid- dlesex County National Bank, Middletown, now manager of the branch of the Colorado State Bank of Durango, Colo., at Pagosa Springs, Colo .; Harry Hilliard, born Novem- ber 16, 1871, an artist and architect of Hart- ford who married April 17. 1902, Mrs. Grace (Flint) Lephart, of Danbury. Conn .; Mabel Josephine, born October 3, 1874, who died October 5, 1883; and William; Buckley, born February 16, 1878, who died August 7, 1878. On March 15. 1899, Mrs. Smith passed away, and she is buried at Middletown, in In- dian Hill cemetery. She was a loving help- mate and an important factor in her husband's success, being a business woman of rare judg- ment ; her advice was very helpful to her hus- band, and in her home also Mrs. Smith dis- played her good management and excellent sense.

In political matters Mr. Smith does not draw party lines, but casts his vote for the men he deems best fitted for the offices in question. Although elected alderman, he re- fused to serve, considering he had performed his duty in that direction when he acted for one year as councilman. In religion Mr. Smith is a consistent member of the Congre- gational Church, and contributes liberally to- ward its support. Since 1870 he and his fam- ily have resided in their present home, where they are surrounded with every comfort. Having attained his present success through his own exertions, Mr. Smith is simply an example of what most young men in this coun- try may become through honesty, industry and pluck.

HON. JOHN ALLEN, late of Saybrook, Middlesex county, who bore a conspicuous part in the public affairs of his town. county and State, owed his success not only to the faithful training of his parents, and the in- fluences surrounding his early life, but to his self-culture, and the sturdy stock from which he sprang.

The name Allen is said to be of Saxon origin, and to have been originally written "Alwyne," signifying, in that language, "Be- loved of all." In English history, both civil and ecclesiastical, it is uniformly written "AAllen." Hon. John Allen of Saybrook was the seventh in descent from Deacon Roger Allen, who

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came from England earlier than 1668, settled in Quinnipiac, now New Haven, and was elected deacon of the First Congregational Church of New Haven Colony, of which Rev. John Davenport was the first pastor. He was a member of the General Court, and was often employed in the settlement of estates and in other public business. His house lot was sit- uated on the square now bounded by Church, Chapel, 'State and George streets, in New Haven. His death occurred September 27, 1674. Hon. John Allen's line of descent from (I) Roger Allen is as follows: (II) Samuel Allen, his eldest son, died August 28, 1709. Of the date of his birth there is no record. (III) Daniel Allen. (IV) Timothy Allen was born April 17, 1712. (V) Archelaus Allen, born in North Haven, December 21, 1738, removed to Wallingford, and thence to Meriden, where he died at an advanced age. His eldest son, (VI) Levi Allen, father of Hon. John Allen was born in Wallingford, Conn., in that part of the town known as North Farms, March 30, 1777, and died August 27, 1861. At the age of six- teen years he removed with his parents to Mer- iden, where a high plateau of land, south of the "Hanging Hills," was purchased for a home- Stead. . He afterward became its proprietor, and one of the most thrifty and enterprising farmers of that town. On January 20, 1814, he married Electa, second daughter of Haven Hall, who was a soldier with Washington at Valley Forge, and a prominent man in Meri- den. To the marriage of Levi Allen and Electa Hall, came four children : John, Jennett, Will- iam and Edward Chauncey, all of whom were born at the family homestead in Meriden.

Hon. John Allen, the eldest of the family, was born February 6, 1815. He received a good common-school education, and at eleven years of age was sent to the high school at Ellington, established by Rev. John Hall. He subsequently attended the private school of Rev. Mr. Cornwall, at Cheshire, Conn. At the age of fourteen he was placed in the store of Major Elisha A. Cowles, then one of the two stores and three dwellings located near the intersection of Main and Colony streets, now the center of the city of Meriden. For a time thereafter he attended an evening grammar school kept during the winter months by Rev. Mr. Keeler, rector of "St. Andrew's" Episco- pal Church, at his dwelling house, situated upon the present site of the house of worship. He

also became a member of the Elocution Society and Lyceum established by the young men of Meriden for their mutual improvement. The idea of a Supreme Being in the Universe, and his personal relations to that Being, quickened his sensibilities at this early age, and led him into the domain of religious thought. His par- ents were Orthodox Congregationalists, and he was instructed in that belief, but to him many of the tenets of that faith were not satisfactor- ily apprehended, and they failed to meet his! religious wants. His reading and reflection at length resulted in his rejection of the distinc- tive teachings of John Calvin and the doctrine of the Trinity, and the adoption of views sub- stantially in accord with those of Dr. William Ellery Channing, as set forth in his published works. His conscientiousness and habit of thorough investigation had a marked effect upon his subsequent career. By his industrious and studious habits, and upright conduct, he won the confidence and esteem of his employ- ers. His clerkship in Meriden was continued with Major Cowles and his successors in busi- ness, Tibbals, Butler & Co., and Butler, Lin- sley & Co., for a period of six years. He was thereafter for one year in the employ of Gen: Edwin R. Yale, then a prominent manufacturer of Meriden.

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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 21

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