Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 45

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 45

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).

1101℃ (

244

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

pany, and is now successfully engaged as a contractor in the soldering department.

On June 19, 1878, William, Camp Newton was married to Mary J. Francisco, daughter of Abram and Sophia E. ( Norton) Francisco, of Pittstown, N. Y. Four children came to this union : ( 1) Harriet Camp, born July 29, 1879, attended the New Haven Normal School, but left because of poor health; she is a suc- cessful school teacher. (2) Burton Abner was born July 31, 1883. (3) Wilbur Homer, born March 2, 1885, died December 18, 1886. (4) Elmer G. was born November 20, 1888. Politically Mr. Newton is a Republican. In 1883 he represented Durham in the Legisla- ture and served on the important committee on Finance. He has served on the board of select- men (one term), board of relief, school com- mittee, and has declined other offices. In his religious belief he is a Congregationalist.

Frederick Sill Newton was born August 17, 1855, in Durham, on the home farm now oc- cupied by J. Edward Newton. He attended the district school, and the Durham Academy, Messrs. Wiggins, Pittman, Tracy and Miss Mary Jane Camp being the teachers at the lat- ter institution. At the age of seventeen years he began as a clerk in the store of John Ives, at Meriden, and later was employed in the store of Frank Stevens, in the same place. Return- ing to Durham, he engaged on the home farm for several years, until shortly before his mar- riage, when he moved to his present location, the Seth Crowell homestead, where he has ever since resided. In 1889 he began in the mer- cantile business with F. L. Wellman, at Dur- ham, the partnership lasting for about five years, Mr. Newton selling out to his partner. He is a Republican, and was appointed post- master during President Harrison's adminis- tration. In 1898 he was elected assessor, which office he now holds. He is a member of the Congregational Church.

On November 3, 1880, Mr. Newton was married to Adele Crowell, who was born in West Long Hill, Middletown, May 25, 1859, daughter of Seth and Jane ( Harris) Crowell. They have one child, Stanley Sill, born April 22, 1890.

Frank Bowman Newton, born May 10, 1858, is an extensive farmer in Middlefield. He was married in 1877 to Elizabeth McCoy, who bore him two children-Harry, born in

1878, and Charles, born in 1881. For 1: second wife he wedded Hattie Birdsey.

Sarah Louise Newton, born September I 1859, was married June 23, 1881, to Willia Arthur Hickox, of Meriden, Conn., who h charge of the advertising department of ti Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Compan Their only child, Frederick A., born Februar 25, 1882, died August 30, 1883.

Isaac Newton, born October 23, 186 died October 29, 1864.

Harriet T. Newton, born March 4, 186 died November 22, 1868.

ABIGAIL MARIA NEWTON, daughter Elisha F. and Sally (Camp) Newton, born O tober 27, 1825, is the wife of Henry War of Middletown, whose sketch appears els where.

ABNER NEWTON, son of Abner al Abigail Newton, was born in Hartland, Coni April 19, 1796, and died May 28, 1871. Why about eight years old he moved with his paren to Durham, and at fourteen he was apprentice until twenty-one to Hudson & Goodwin, pu- lishers of the Hartford Courant; then for year or more was a member of the firm Hamlin & Newton, publishing the Connectic Mirror and several standard works, next wor ing for four or five years in Philadelphia, at subsequently in New York, in the office of tl Commercial Advertiser and Spectator. -

In 1831 Henry E. Peck and Abner Newto as Peck & Newton, were the first to use in th State a power printing press-theirs being wooden frame Adams press-and the first employ girls in a printing office. They at o: time published three papers, besides reprintil several standard editions, among the "Dwight's Theology," and afterwards co menced the reprint in this country of the Lo don Quarterlies.

In December, 1837, at the request of se eral citizens of Middletown, Conn., Mr. Ney ton commenced the publication in that city, the interests of the Whig party, of the Cons tution, the first number appearing January 1838. Conducting together with the new paper a general printing office, he was f thirty-three years intimately connected wi the best interests of the city and county.

Mr. Newton was married, April 29, 182

245

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

to 9 rah Hall, of Durham, Conn. Their chil- dre: neli John Hall, Harriet Amelia, Sarah Cor- Abner and Frances Antoinette.

t an early age Abner Newton made pro- fessIn of religion at the Center Church, Hart- ford, under Dr. Strong. During his life in Mi etown he was an earnest worker and in- flue ial adviser in the religious, business and

soci] life of the North Congregational Church. HN HALL NEWTON, son of Abner and (Hall) Newton, was born March 22, and died August 18, 1863. He gradu-

Sar. 182 atec t Wesleyan in 1847, taught in the high sclic over heal in 1848, then studied theology at And- and afterward at New Haven. His failing he returned to Middletown, and studd law together with Arthur B. Calef, fa- therof the present Arthur B. Calef, in the officof Charles Whittlesey, and was admitted to t Bar in 1852. Resuming his theological stud past dle s soon after, he, in 1856, became the of the Congregational Church in Mid- addam, then newly separated from the chum in Haddam Neck, and there remained ven years, when, his health failing, he ! from preaching. From the age of een he was accustomed to write regularly e Constitution, and for the next twenty regularly prepared its leading editorial. irly tendency to pulmonary trouble de-

for retir seve for year His velo d fatally at the age of thirty-seven, thus cutting short a life which had promise of the high It usefulness.

1 ARRIET AMELIA NEWTON, second child of Abn

and Sarah (Hall) Newton, was born 6, 1828, and lived at home until the last of her sister, Sarah Cornelia, wife of vard Johnson, when she went to reside in V

Mar illne J. E terbury with her brother-in-law. She cont place of mother to the three children, : October 10, 1878, was united in mar-

ted there after her sister's decease, tak- ing and riage vith Mr. Johnson, with whom she lived mittil:is decease. She now resides with the ns in Waterbury.

RAHI CORNELIA NEWTON, third child of and Sarah (Hall) Newton, was born Oct( marı Com bury ing r 12, 1831. On October 13, 1852, she 1 John Edward Johnson, of Waterbury, and resided in Beacon Falls and Water- til March 6, 1871, when she died, leav- ree children: Harriet Newton, born July ), 1854 (died October 12, 1896) ; Ed-

ward Hall, November 11, 1859; Herbert New- ton, July 6, 1866. Edward inherited his fa- ther's skill in penmanship and facility in corre- spondence. Herbert, although prevented by ill health from attending public schools, has the taste for literature which has characterized the family of Abner Newton and has creditably accomplished the most complete Chautauqua course of study. [Since the above was in type he died October 16, 1902.]

ABNER NEWTON, fourth child of Abner and Sarah (Hall) Newton, was born in New Haven, May 19, 1835. His active life was largely spent in the office of the Constitution. At his father's death, in 1871, he became the sole editor and proprietor of this publication, and in July, 1872, commenced the issue of a daily edition, which was continued for four years. He was an earnest and faithful worker, and his unremitting devotion to the interests of his business brought on a nervous break- down which, in spite of his exceptional physi- cal strength and vigor, caused his death Au- gust 28, 1876, after a month's confinement to the house with no disease apparent.

Mr. Newton was at the time of his death a trustee of the Middletown Savings Bank, a director of the People's Fire Insurance Com- pany, a member of the common council and of the board of education; and in all of the positions held by him was eminently faithful. He had the confidence and respect of the whole people of Middletown and the county.

On October 30, 1861, Mr. Newton married Phebe A. Harris, of Middletown. They had one child, Edith Harris, who on June 1. 1899, was married to Rev. Archibald R. Balsley, a graduate of the Berkeley Divinity School. She is a highly skilled musician and has traveled extensively.

FRANCES ANTOINETTE NEWTON, fifth child of Abner and Sarah ( Hall) Newton, was born at Middletown, January 24, 1841, and was married May 10, 1866, to Charles Washburn Church, of Waterbury, a graduate of Wes- leyan in the class of 1864. He was for a time a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, then, obliged by ill health to give up that pro- fession, resided for a time on a farm in New Jersey. Later he conducted for several years the Middletown Constitution, following the ex- ample of his wife's brother in publishing for a time a daily edition, and as manager and editor

246

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of the paper he maintained the high standard set by its founder. He was given able editorial assistance by his wife, who inherited with her love for her father's paper the ability to pre- sent her thoughts in a pleasing and forcible way, and whose early training with her brother John, whose scholarly tastes she shared, had been supplemented by close and careful read- ing, especially in the line of history. After the Constitution was discontinued the family left Middletown, and, after residing for a few years in the vicinity of Washington, D. C., where Mr. Church was employed in the Census Bureau, moved to Waterbury, where they now reside. They have had children : Anna Maria, born June 8, 1868; John Newton, De- cember 14, 1873 (died September 17, 1874) ; Ward, twin of John, December 14, 1873) ; Sarah Newton, July 21, 1876; Caroline Sum- ner, December 20, 1878; Flora Adele, October 19, 1883.

Anna Maria Church, eldest child of Charles W. and Frances A. (Newton) Church, was married February 27, 1886, to Dr. J. E. Fitz- simons, of Waterbury, Conn. They have two children: Ruth Leffingwell, born Septem- ber 4, 1887; and Alonzo Morgan, born No- vember 16, 1897.

Ward Church, second child of Charles W. and Frances A. (Newton) Church, graduated at the Washington high school in 1892; came to New Haven in 1894; in 1896 entered as a clerk and student the law office of his mother's cousin, Henry G. Newton; graduated at Yale Law School in 1899; and the same year was admitted to the Bar. Henry G. Newton, Ward Church, and Harrison Hewitt, a classmate of Church, then formed the partnership of New- ton, Church & Hewitt.

Sarah Newton Church, third surviving child of Charles W. and Frances A. (Newton) Church, was educated in the public schools of Middletown, Washington and Waterbury, and now holds a position in the office of one of one of Waterbury's large manufactories. She is, with her other sisters, active in the religious and social life of the First Congregational Church of Waterbury.

Caroline Sumner Church, fourth child of Charles W. and Frances A. (Newton) Church, received the same public school education as her sister, and, supplementing this with a busi-

11ess training, is now stenographer in the of of a mechanical engineer in Waterbury.

Flora Adele Church, the youngest child as yet finding her duties within the home cir

HORACE NEWTON, born February 1799, married Delight Camp, great-niece Samuel C. Camp, husband of Submit Ne ton, sister of Abner Newton, who with descendants is the principal subject of t sketch, and died September 16, 1883. Tl had one beautiful daughter, ELIZABETH, V died at the age of twenty-two. His homest was at the southwest corner of the Green, al is now owned by his nephew, George W. Ne ton. He died of pneumonia. To the 1 month of his life his eye was not dim 1 his natural force abated. His handwriting v round and firm, his memory unfailing, and intellect keen. He was accustomed to take axe, walk some miles to his land on the e hills, do his day's work and walk home. was a regular attendant at the South Cong gational Church, and loyal to the belief that Green is the true center of the town.

GAYLORD NEWTON, sixth child Abner and Abigail Newton, was born July. 1804. His early education was obtained in 1 Academy at the Center. At sixteen he beca a teacher, taking charge of the South sch in Durham; later he taught a select school the northern part of the town, and he co tinued teaching in Durham and adjoini towns for thirty-five years, always having large attendance. He had altogether mc than a thousand pupils, many of them, in" earlier years, older than himself. His puff respected him, and to-day refer with pride the fact that they were educated under Deac, Gaylord Newton. At the first Sunday-scho ever held in Durham, though a boy at 1 time, he was assigned as teacher to a class colored children, and he continued as teacl and officer in the Sunday-school until his dea at which time he had charge of the adult Bi class. He always contributed liberally church work, and was chosen deacon of t Congregational Church June 22, 1844, a was one of the most faithful, always in ) place, always endeavoring to perform well t duties of his office.

Garlade Newton

Henryh. Newton

247

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Every Saturday, at sunset, work was put alay in obedience to the command, "From e ning to evening shall be thy Sabbath." The ci dles were lighted, Bibles, commentaries and Sunday-school question books were brought of, the family gathered around the table, and si died the lessons for the next day. On Sun- df afternoon each child had the "Assembly's Sorter Catechism," and was expected to an- er "what is the chief end of man?" and suc- coding questions. Thus he endeavored to bng up his family in the fear of the Lord.

Gaylord Newton married Nancy Maria Mrwin, December 5, 1838. She was the d ghter of Miles Merwin, a descendant of Dhiel Merwin, who was one of the proprietors o: Durham in 1724. For many generations he ancestors bore the name of Miles Merwin. H grandfather, Lieut. Miles Merwin, was in tl French and Indian war and the war of the Rvolution. The first Merwin in this country W Miles Merwin, who came from Wales to Mford, Conn., about 1636. (Mary Burwell, we of the Abner Newton who first came to Dfham, was a granddaughter of the first Mes Merwin, so that all the Newtons of Dur- liah are descendants of the first Miles M win).

Although the Newtons and Merwins re- nifned in Milford until after 1720, when they roved to Durham, their sons married daghters of the carlier settlers here, so that the three children of this union of Gaylord Neton and Nancy Maria Merwin, Ellen Mia, Henry Gleason and Caroline Gaylord, ar

descendants of five of the thirty-four or- ig al proprietors of Durham-Joel Parmelee, Nghaniel Sutliff, James Coe, Hezekiah Tal- con and Samuel Fairchild.

ELLEN MARIA NEWTON, daughter of Gay- lof and Nancy M. (Merwin) Newton, born Ju: 24, 1841, was a young lady of great 112 iral ability, a fine musician, and a teacher inthe Sunday-school ; she died of pulmonary lifase at the age of twenty-two.

HENRY GLEASON NEWTON, son of Gaylord iu Nancy M. ( Merwin) Newton, born June 5. 183, is a graduate of Wesleyan University and 'ale Law School, and has been for many ye s a lawyer of high standing in the city of N. Haven. He is the author of some legal woks. He was a member of the Connecticut 11 se of Representatives from Durham in

1885, and as chairman of the judiciary com- mittee was leader of the House. He was elect- ed a member from New Haven in 1895, and as house chairman of the committee on Hu- niane Institutions drafted and obtained the passage of several very important measures. He has been a committee of the Superior Court in important cases, and Referee in Bankruptcy for New Haven county since the passage of the Bankrupt Act. He is a charter member of the Sons of Colonial Wars, and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution ; member of the State Board of Health; and chairman for several years of the Sunday Committee of the State Congregational Conference.

Mr. Newton married, in 1885, Sarah Allen Baldwin, M. D., a graduate of the New York Medical College for Women.

CAROLINE GAYLORD NEWTON, daughter of Gaylord and Nancy M. (Merwin) Newton, born January 21, 1845, married Henry Huntington Newton, December 9, 1864. She has lived a quiet life, endeavoring to do according to her strength in town and church, having had for many years charge of the primary department in the Sun- day-school of the Congregational Church. She is a D. A. R., belonging to Ruth Hart Chap- ter of Meriden; and is an important officer of the Historical Association in Durham, having been present at every meeting since its forma- tion.

After the death of his wife Nancy M., February 9, 1857, Gaylord Newton married again, January 23, 1862, Harriet Lane, of Killingworth, who survived him. Until his seventieth year he nearly always held some office in town affairs. In the militia he was captain before he was twenty, and was after- ward appointed major, but refused the latter title. In politics he was first a Federalist, then a Whig, then a Republican. With one excep- tion, by reason of illness, he voted at every election from his majority until his death. He was always a farmer, though spending so much of his time in teaching. lle died of a fourth attack of pneumonia, December 16. 1883.

In the spring after his death his horse. Dick, which he had driven for twenty years, was turned into a field near the house. On the first Sunday morning that he was thus at liberty, when the bells rang for church he be-

248

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

gan to run back and forth, whinnying, toward the house. As no one came, and the bell con- tinued to ring, he became frantic, and finally leaped the fence and trotted toward the church. About church time he came up the road at a smart trot to the side of the church, stopped at the place where the Deacon had been accustomed to leave his passengers, stood still for just about the usual time for them to alight, and then proceeded to his stall in the horse shed in the rear. A relative of the Deacon, finding him still there, about seven hours afterward, took him home.

ROGER WATSON NEWTON, youngest child of Abner and Abigail Newton, was born July 21, 1809, and died January 8, 1897. He was educated at the Academy on the Green, and settled down early in life on the farm which he inherited from his father. In politics he was first a Whig, then a Republican. He re- fused many proffers of town offices, but pos- sessing little political ambition, only served one term in the State Legislature, which he attended in New Haven in 1864. In the year 1884 he was chosen deacon of the Congrega- tional Church, and always attended its ser- vices whenever it was possible for him to do so, being greatly interested in its welfare. In 1895 he became a member of the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolu- tion. He was noted for his shrewdness and his honesty, his love of a good sermon or a great speech, and his ability to fitly character- ize a man or a deed in few words. During the last summer of his life, being then eighty- seven years of age, he took the same interest as ever in his large farm, and rode his horse rake in raking his seventy-five acres of mow- ing land.

Mr. Newton married January 1, 1840, Cynthia Huntington, daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Comstock) Huntington, of Haddam, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Dr. David Field, in the old gambrel- roofed family home close by the Higganum landing, on the Connecticut river. She was of the same family as Samuel Huntington, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and so many years governor of Connecticut, their common ancestor, Simon Huntington, having sailed from England in 1633, but dying on board the ship, of smallpox, before reaching

the shores of the New World. Miss Hu ington attended the Dwight Place Semina in New Haven, and was herself a teacher f a short time before her marriage. To ti marriage were born six children: Her Huntington; Catherine Comstock, born Af 29, 1844, died January 24, 1845; Geor Watson; Jonathan Edward; Frederick Co stock, born April 17, 1852, died August 1 1854 ; and Arthur Selden.

HENRY HUNTINGTON NEWTON, eldest s of Roger W. and Cynthia ( Huntington) Ne ton, was born March 28, 1841. He was ec cated in Durham Academy, had private lessc from Prof. Jacob Huber, of Middletown, and scientific course in Wesleyan University. volunteered for service in the Civil war Company B, Fourteenth Regiment, Connec cut Volunteers, August 8, 1862, but after day and a night of tent life he was rejected physical disability.

Mr. Newton was for a short time bod keeper in the flour and feed business of G. Ward, of Middletown, but after this trial city life he returned to the farm work wh he loved. He married December 9, 18 Caroline, daughter of Deacon Gaylord Ne ton. Since his eighteenth year he has ways been a teacher or an officer in the St. day-school; was chosen superintendent twenty-four, and has served several years that office. Since twenty-three he has alwa been an officer in the First Congregatio: Church in Durham. In politics he has br a Republican, and has voted at every elect since his majority. For many years he v a member of the board of education, and 1. taken a continual interest in every good wok, of the schools, of the church, and of the toy In November, 1902, he was elected to the G eral Assembly of Connecticut from Durha,

GEORGE WATSON NEWTON, son of Ro; W. and Cynthia (Huntington) Newton, v/s born December 4, 1845. He gradua from Wesleyan University, in ' Middletow, in 1871, and later studied for the prof - sion of civil engineer. He was emplo:I for two years in the Connecticut river s- vey under Theodore G. Ellis, then was gaged in city work at Springfield and Ly , Mass. In 1879 he went to Kansas City, M, into the office of Knight & Bontecou, then - sisted in laying out a branch line of railrd 1

249

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

t Rich Hill, Mo., for the Fort Scott & Gulf Filroad Company. From there he went to E nona, Kans., to Kansas City, to San Fran- c .: o, and Portland, Oregon. He assisted in laing out the Northern Pacific Railroad, and Montana shortly before the famous driv- i1 td of the golden spike. In 1883 he returned Connecticut, and in 1885 purchased his pèsent place, known as the Horace Newton fan, where he has since followed agricul- tilil pursuits. He is a Republican, as are all th family, and was the representative from h town to the State Legislature in 1887, soring on the committee on Incorporations. H has been secretary of the Durham school bord most of the time since 1887, and is g:hatly respected and very popular. He has noer married.

tr !

JONATHAN EDWARD NEWTON, son of Rger W. and Cynthia ( Huntington) New- was born November 4, 1847. He was eczated in Durham Academy and in the fafous Daniel H. Chase school, in Middle- tofn, besides receiving private lessons from Plf. Huber. He taught several years in Dur- hat, Wallingford, Middlefield and Middle- ton. On November 27, 1879, he married, in Northford. Elizabeth Emogene Foote, of VIthford, who was born May 19, 1857, aughter of Deacon Charles and Selina nnell) Foote, and a descendant in the nih generation from Thomas Rogers, who lai ed from the "Mayflower" upon Plymouth Rik in 1620. She was educated in the scifols of her native town, the Morgan schol

at Clinton, and the Washington schol in New Haven. She was an ac- lished musician, and a most estimable CO lac bo hei to

Her only child, Charles Watson, was February 3, 1886, soon after which time health began to decline, and she was taken e Adirondacks in hopes of a restoration, bu N. fai ful and active member of the Congrega- ilie died of consumption, at Chestertown, 7., March 27, 1889. Mr. Newton is a tio 1 Church, in which lie is the president of theY. P. S. C. E., and has been since the org ization of the society, in March, 1894. Hc

s an excellent farmer, a worthy citizen, very public-spirited, although he lias stc:

ily declined nominations for office.

ARTHUR SELDEN NEWTON, youngest child Roger W. and Cynthia (Huntington)

Newton, was born November 11, 1856. He was educated in the Durham Academy and the Middletown high school, after which he taught several winters in Durham and Middletown, spending the summers on the home farm. At his father's death he inherited the farm of 150 acres, where he carries on general farming, and takes pride in his Jersey cattle, although not very extensively engaged in stock raising. He married, January 3, 1889, Mary Rossiter, who was born December 28, 1859, in Guilford, daughter of Deacon John R. and Frances (Cruttenden) Rossiter. She was educated at Guilford Institute and Mt. Holyoke Seminary, and was for some years before her marriage a successful teacher. They have three chil- dren : Katharine Huntington, born April 10. 1892; Roger Rossiter, March 23, 1894; and Gaylord Arthur, June 24, 1898.

Mr. Newton is a faithful Republican, but has never accepted an office, although many have been offered him. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church, in which Mr. Newton is superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is a thoroughly good citi- zen, and he and his wife are respected wher- ever known.

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 45

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