Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 47

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 47

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n January 28, 1845, Capt. Wanton H. Shenan was married to Marianna Almy, who wasborn December 1, 1823, in New Bedford, Ma :, daughter of John C. and Ruth ( Bailey ) Alny, who were the parents of nine children, fou of whom-two sons and two daughters -g w to manhood and womanhood. Mr. and Mrs John C. Almy were residents of Massa- tts, and were born in Jamestown, R. I.,

chu and outh Dartmouth, Mass., respectively. Mr. Aln was a merchant for a time in New Bed- ford Mass., but owing to ill health he took 11) 12 occupation of a mariner, and for years wasmaster of a vessel, meeting with much StCC S. His last voyage as a sailing master brought him $14,000 in cash. He and his wife both lied in South Dartmouth, Mass., aged seve y-four and fifty-nine years, respectively. Capt. Sherman and his wife were born chile en as follows : (1) Ellen J., born in 1101

ulu, Hawaii, married E. C. Danforth ; they reside in Springfield, Mass., and their

five ildren are Arthur Sherman, Herbert C., ('lar ce E., Anna Sherman and Alice Foster. (2) [lumphrey, born at Tahiti, Society Isl- (lied at the age of twenty-six years, in wn of Amotape, Peru, South America. flara Clifford, born in South Dartmouth,

ands the (3) Mas Spri of c. Greg

is the wife of Arthur Mathison, of field, Mass., and they have had a family it children, Mary A. ( Mrs. Albert Mc- y, of Brockton, Mass., who has two child(n, Sherman W. and Edith). Clara C. ( wiffof Arthur J. Skinner, of Springfield, Mass , Arthur A., William H., Jennie G., Pres A., 1

marri

ty-se

tt, Raymond, and Morris. (4) Anna 'n in South Dartmouth, Mass., died un- I in Thomasville, Ga., at the age of twen- n years. (5) Wanton H., born in South

Dartmouth, Mass., is in the wholesale millin- ery business in New York.

Mrs. Sherman is now passing her declining years at her elegant and comfortable home on Church street, Middletown, which had been purchased by her husband on his removal there. She is a member of the South Congre- gational Church.

HARLOW CHAUNCEY LEWIS, a well known and respected citizen of Chester, belongs to one of the old established families of New England. The founding of this family in America dates to the time when George Lewis and his wife, Sarah (Jenkins) Lewis, left their home in East Greenwich, County of Kent, England, in 1630, and came to Ply- mouth, Mass. In 1633 they moved to Scituate, Mass., and in 1637 to Barnstable, Mass. From them our subject traces his ancestry through Thomas, of Barnstable; Thomas (2), of Mid- dletown, Conn .; Zebulon, of East Haddam, Conn .; Nathan, of Haddam, Conn .; Francis, of Haddam, Conn .; and Ansel, of Chester, Conn. Francis Lewis was a Revolutionary soldier. His wife, Sally (Pelton) Lewis, lived to the remarkable old age of ninety- eight.

'Ansel Lewis was born April 10, 1796, and was married May'2, 1821, to Deiadamie Lynde, daughter of Benjamin Lynde, born October 19, 1803. Ansel Lewis died October 27, 1861, his wife on January 26, 1882. Their children were: Sylvia Rosilla, born August 19, 1823, married William Douglass, and died May 23, 1897. Henrietta M., born October 15, 1825, died June 30, 1828. Harlow Chaun- cey, our subject, was born November 20, 1826. Sally M., born September 2, 1829, died April 17, 1832. Charles Francis, born May 23, 1838, now resides in Windsor, Conn., and conducts a milling business at that place. Daniel Web- ster, born March 29, 1841, was a member of Company G, First Connecticut Heavy Artil- lery, during the Civil war, and died at Gaines' Mills, Va., of typhoid fever, June 26, 1862.

Harlow Chauncey Lewis was born Novem- ber 20, 1826, in Deep River, Conn., and re- moved with his parents, when he was five years old, to Newark, N. J., where his father established a stoneyard and was engaged in handling stone paving and flagging. The panic of 1837 caused the elder Mr. Lewis to retire from his business, and he returned with

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

his family to Chester, Conn., in the fall of that year. Harlow C. Lewis was educated in the common schools of Newark, N. J., previous to his eleventh year, and finished his school- ing in Chester, Conn., when about sixteen years of age. At the age of seventeen he left home and went to Meriden, where he learned the trade of a molder in the foundry of Jonathan Leonard, at East Meriden. His wages were to be $8 per month, with board, for the first year, and were doubled the second year; in two years he became a journeyman. Mr. Lewis continued with Mr. Leonard in East Meriden about four years, when the factory was burned, and Mr. Leonard went to New Haven, Conn., Mr. Lewis going with him. He remained until September 1, 1848, when he re- turned to Chester, and was employed for thir- teen years in the foundry of Russell & Beach. Leaving there, he was employed as foreman in the foundry of James Lord until the fall of 1869, when he accepted the position of fore- man of the foundry of the Metropolitan Manu- facturing Company, at Middlefield, Conn., re- maining in their employ about fifteen years. At the end of this period ill health caused Mr. Lewis to resign his position and retire to his comfortable home at Chester, where he now lives at ease, after a busy life. The home he occupies was built by his father in 1849.

Mr. Lewis was married (first) December 5, 1847, to Sabra M. Stevens, born June 21, 1826, a native of Killingworth, daughter of Daniel D. and Mary (Griffin) Stevens. She died August 14, 1866, leaving no children. Mr. Lewis married (second), December 16, 1867, Caroline Hastings, born February 3, 1843, in Suffield, Conn., daughter of Norman and Amy (Remington) Hastings, the former a farmer in Suffield. The two children of this mar- riage are: Edgar Webster, born April 28, 1869, married Ella May Beach, of Thomas- ton, Conn., November 23, 1898; he is a resi- dent of Hartford. Isadell Hastings, born July 5, 1872, married Anthony W. Hull, of Deep River, Conn., October 23, 1901, and is now residing in Wallingford, Conn.

Mr. Lewis is a Republican in politics and served on the board of selectmen of Chester for eight years. Fraternally he belongs to Trinity Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Deep River, and to Burning Bush Chapter, No. 29, R. A. M., of Essex, Conn. Mr. Lewis is a member of the Congregational Church.

JOHN SWATHEL was born in Haddar. Middlesex county, in 1773. His father, wł was a farmer, brought him when quite your to Durham, and there he was reared to agricu tural pursuits. But his tastes were for a wide field of activity. He purchased and owned fourth interest, in company with James Ros of Hartford, John Babcock and Nathan Pec. of New Haven, in the Springfield and New H: ven Stage Line, which conducted an immen: traffic between Springfield and New Have Durham was half way between New Have and Hartford, and John Swathel remodele the building standing at the north end of Ma: street, in Durham, now occupied by ( Burckel, into a hotel, and for many years h house was the regular stopping place for tl stage line. It was known as "Swathel's Ta' ern," and is one of the best known landmark and historic places in Middlesex county, havir sheltered and entertained many famous per- ple. Mr. Swathel died December 7, 1857, ar is buried in the Durham cemetery. He was generous and liberal man, giving freely every worthy cause. He was one of the foun ers of the M. E. Church in Durham, and early days was active in church affairs. In po itics he was an old-time Democrat, and w: very prominent and influential in the affairs the party. He was one of the Presidenti electors of John Adams. He was repeated elected State representative from Durhar serving in 1819, 1824, 1825, 1828, 1829 ar 1832.

Mr. Swathel married Phebe Sears, wl was born in 1775, and died February 22, 184 They had six children, four daughters and tv sons.

JAMES BEATTIE is master mechan in the Russell Manufacturing Company Middletown, where he has an exception standing as an old and trusted employe, havit. been with that company for nearly forty year

Richard Beattie, the father of James, w born in Ayr, Scotland, where he received very liberal schooling. He early learned t trade of paper making, a business which he fc lowed very closely for many years. In Bir ingham, England, he learned the trade of Br annia ware maker and worked at same for long time. In 1839 he sailed for America, a after a long voyage landed in Philadelph where he met his mother, at her uncle's, Josep Longworth, who had a hotel in that city.

James Beattie

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

J|14 Richard Beattie established a small Brit- chia ware shop in which he manufactured s all articles, and he developed an original idea t.t of inserting a wire into the handle of the . spon to give it strength. It was afterward s len and patented by others, and became very 1bular. Mr. Beattie died in Philadelphia in 119, and was buried in Germantown, Pa. In I iladelphia he was married to Elizabeth Ingworth, a native of Lancashire, England, dfighter of Samuel and Margaret Longworth, all a sister of the late Samuel Longworth, a sItch of whom appears elsewhere. Mr. and N's. Beattie had two children: James, who imentioned below, and Richard B., who n rried Abbie Knowles, and is living at South Iļrms. After the death of Richard Beattie h; widow married for her second husband Villiam Crawford, a Scotchman, who died in Hiladelphia. He was the father of Robert Chwford, who was at one time superintendent o the "Williamson School," near Media, Pa., afl another son, William, who is a wrecking chincer for the Baldwin Locomotive Works. Ms. Crawford died January 17, 1877, at the hine of her son, Richard, and was buried in I e Grove cemetery.

James Beattie was born September 14, 1 5, in Kensington, Philadelphia, where he lijd until about nine years old. His fa- tl - died when he was only four years old, and er living a short time in the family of Jona- tlf1 Walker, at Valley Forge, Pennsylva- 11 ia 41 he went to live with the family of Will- Kirk, Quakers. He was given his board clothing, and some schooling in the win-

but though his life was one of hard tc k Mr. Kirk was very kind, and he lived wi hin until he was sixteen years of age. Afthat age he secured a position in the agri- cutiral works at Johnsville, Pa., where he whied to learn the trade of a machinist. For hi first year he received his board ard $25, why two weeks' vacation in haying time. He liv 1 in the family of the proprietor of the fac- , who had six boys besides himself learn- the trade. After two years Mr. Beattie 111 le after severe aluse for an offense of 'h he was not guilty, and secured employ- t with Walker & Davis, machinists in 111/ 1' adelphia, spending a year with them at thịend of which time he came to Middletown, re his uncle, Samuel Longworth, was es- 17

tablished. It was not long before Mr. Beattie became a part of the operative force of the Rus- sell Manufacturing Company's factory. Be- ginning with the place of machinist and en- gineer, in 1864, he rose step by step until, in 1875, he was made master mechanic of the factory, a position which he has held to the present time. He was honest and upright, reliable in every department of his work, and so impressed his employers with a sense of his upright character, that Hon. Henry G. Hubbard, for many years at the head of the Russell Company, left him in his will the sum of $5,000, as a testimonial of his faithfulness and reliability.

James Beattie was married in Middletown; October 17, 1867, to Evelyn Bacon, who was born August 3, 1845, and died August 3, 1889. She was a daughter of Capt. Charles and Eu- nice ( Bridgham) Bacon, a sketch of whom ap- pears elsewhere. To Mr. and Mrs. Bacon came the following children: (1) Ada E., born October 11, 1868, married George Shu- bert, an expert mechanic in the employ of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, and is the mother of two children-Clarence B., born July 3, 1893. and Leonard B., May 6, 1901. (2) Charles R., born September 23, 1871, is a foreman in the machine shop of the Russell Manufacturing Company. He married Em- ma Murphy, and has four children- Evelyn B., born June 18, 1894; Florence, Sep- tember 20, 1895; William, February 12, 1897; Marion, February 7, 1900. (3) Herbert, born November 13. 1877, died July 11, 1878. (4) Maud C., born September 3. 1880, grad- uated with honors from the Middletown high school, in the class of 1902. (5) William J., born March 2, 1884. died March 3. 1890.

James Beattie married for his second wife, December 11, 1890, Florence C. Lusk, who was born July 11, 1847, near Carlisle, Pa .. daughter of Robert and Susan ( Aukerman) Lusk and great-granddaughter of Robert Lusk. who served in the Revolution and also in the war of 1812, participating in the battle of Lundy's Lane. To this union has come one child. Ruth L., who was born November 5. 1896.

Mr. Beattie is a strong Republican, and fraternally belongs to Central Lodge, No. 12. 1. O. O. F., at Middletown. He is a member of the South Farms Methodist Church, of

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

which he is now steward, and was formerly treasurer. Mrs. Beattie is also a member of the Methodist Church. They have a cozy and attractive home, and the children would credit any parentage.

DANIEL LEE, deceased, was one of the oldest and most respected farmers of the town of Middletown, Middlesex county, Connecti- cut, and at the time of his death was living in retirement in the Hubbard District. He was born on Farm Hill, September 30, 1832, and descended from quite an ancient New Eng- land family.

Samuel Lee, great-great-grandfather of Daniel, was a resident of Watertown, Massa- chusetts, in 1695, but later removed to Con- necticut and purchased 860 acres of land at Killingly, Windham county, where he passed the remainder of his life. He had three sons, John, Phineas and Isaac. Of these, the eld- est, John, had a son Jesse, who settled in Ver- non, Vermont, where he founded the Lee fam- ily of that State. Phineas was the great- grandfather of Daniel Lee, whose name opens this sketch, and Elijah, son of Phineas, born in Massachusetts in 1742, settled in Midd- field, Connecticut, at the close of the Revolu- tionary war. Elijah Lee first served in Capt. Ellsworth's company of volunteers, who marched from Windsor in response to the Lexington Alarm. He was later a sergeant in the Tenth Company, Fourth Continental Regiment, served at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and was with Putnam when the latter was driven off Horse Neck. He was first dis- charged December 19, 1775, and re-enlisted the following spring, becoming sergeant in Captain John Simons Company, Col. Erastus Wolcott's Regiment of State troops, served in the siege of Boston, participated in the fight at Bunker Hill, and witnessed the fall of the gallant Warren. Elijah Lee was married ( first) in Massachusetts, before coming to Middlefield, and to this marriage were born two children, Lothrop and Huldah. His sec- ond marriage, which took place in Middlesex county, Connecticut, was to the widow of Dr. Ward, who had considerable property. But Elijah Lee was very careless and lost a great deal of this estate. He died in Middlefield. He was the father of four children by his sec- ond marriage, namely: Asahel; Urana, who

was first married to Nathan Patten, and suł sequently to a Mr. Hubbell; a son who wa drowned at sea; and Maria, who married Mr. Parsons.

Asahel Lee, the eldest child of Elijah b his second marriage, was born in Middlefiel September 22, 1792, and when eight year old was put to work for a Mr. Whitmore, i Middlefield, living with him until he wa about fifteen. He next went to work for h brother Lothrop, as a joiner, also assisted h father in moving houses and at hewing tin ber, and was likewise a good hand at teaming

In the last year of the war of 1812-I! Asahel Lee was drafted to serve in the army fc sixty days. It was the custom in those days t give the conscript or recruit notice of the far that he had been drafted, and leave it to hit to find his way to New London as best 1 might. Mr. Lee walked all the way from Middletown to headquarters, and when th time came to report had but two dollars i cash, one of which he gave to his wife, retail ing the other for his own use. While at Ne London he was granted the privilege of goin on board the captured British man-of-wa "Macedonia." At the end of fifty days } was allowed a furlough home to attend h wife's funeral.

The first marriage of Asahel Lee was t Wealthy Cunningham, and to that unic was born one child, Wealthy D., who was fir married to Joshua Johnson and second to Job Jordan, and then went to live in Wisconsi: The second marriage of Asahel Lee was to Eli. abeth Blake, who was born May 14, 179 daughter of Freelove Blake, a cooper in Mid dletown, who made a specialty of manufactur ing barrels, in which to pack and ship beef the East Indies. To this marriage were bor six children, in the following order: Eliz beth Sophronia died unmarried at the age fifty-four years. Sherman, a joiner by trad went South as a peddler and located at Alay Hill, Lowndes Co., Ga., where he went in business, and died of yellow fever when abo thirty-three years old. Russell W. marric Sophronia Spencer ; he was a school teacher f several years, was one of three who settl in Kaneville, Kane Co., Ill., and died there good circumstances at the age of seventy-fo years. Dwight F. was twice married, wert Utica, Illinois, and there died, a well-to-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

farr. Henry A., who was an employe of eriden Britannia Company, married Nan- . Clark, and died comparatively young. Thesixth child is Daniel, whose name opens thisteview.

fter his second marriage Asabel Lee set- tled t Long Hill, and later moved to Farm where he and his older sons worked out oport the family. But he succeeded in

yea mar dere and

Hil to : secing a farm, which his grandsons now owr and the last eight years of his life were pass 1 with his son Daniel. He was a very hardorking man, and at the age of eighty could wield a scythe as well as a young He was about six feet tall, broad shoul- weiglied 200 pounds, was very strong. this prime, when wrestling, could throw alniet any of his competitors. In his early marbod he joined the Methodist Church, of whid the age elev

his wife was a devout member, and in ith of which she died August 25, 1879, eighty-seven years, three months and days ; he died December 3d, of the same vear

aged eighty-seven years, two months, elev days. The remains of both are in- terre at Farm Hill cemetery.

]

nicl Lee, the youngest child of Asahel

Lee. ttended the district school and had one year of. [ additional instruction at the select school niel H. Chase, in Middletown. For one wint following his school attendance he

wor 1 on a farm, and the next winter taught a te at Maromas. He then started out to worl it anything by which he could earn an hone dollar, such as getting out timber, team- :. , and went into debt for a ten-acre farm near is late residence, working same for fif- 1cen ars. In December, 1871, he bought the l.co Johnson farm and made many improve- thercon, until he had a handsome place 200 acres. He practically retired from work about 1890, and a few years later over the place to his sons after which no work whatever.

11 April 6, 1856, occurred the marriage 1 1

tiel Lec to Mary Ann White, who was un uly 13. 1834, in East Hampton, Conn .. er of Moses and Sarah ( Gillet) White. Pluli White, her grandfather, was a Revolu- soldier ; his father came from England. live ildren came to bless the union of Mr. rs. Lee, viz. : (1) Sherman E .. born Febr ry 3, 1857, died January 5, 1859. (2)

Herbert L., born October 27, 1859, married Harriet Johnson May 18, 1885, and has one child, Bessie M., born June 24, 1886; he is now farming near the old homestead. (3) Daniel W., born November 1, 1862, is a farm- er on the old homestead. He married Carrie A. Stevens June 25, 1890, and to this union have come four children -- Alice S., born July 18, 1893; Flora M., September 23, 1895; Sherman W., September 4, 1897; and Har- old D., June 17, 1901. (4) EDWARD W., born October 23, 1864, married, May 28, 1895, Emma Walker, a native of Killingworth, Conn., daughter of Jordan and Emma (Lewis) Walker, and they have had two children, Fran- cis M., born February 21, 1896, and Walter E., born September 25, 1897, died May 9, I90I. Before his marriage Edward W. Lee taught school in his own and neighboring dis- tricts for many seasons, and he is now farin- ing on the old homestead. (5) Lester M., the youngest of the five children of Daniel and Mary Ann ( White) Lee, was born April 15, 186;, and died May 19, 1867. Daniel W. and Edward carry on general farming and dairying on the old homestead, and under the firm name of Lee Bros. conduct an extensive milk route in Middletown, which was estab- lished in December, 1889.

Daniel Lee was a Democrat in political af- filiation. He served as Assessor two years, and in his active days was very popular with his party. He was well posted in general litera- ture, had a splendid memory, and up to the time of his retirement was a most industrious and skillful agriculturist. He acquired a com- petency for himself and family and during the latter years of his life enjoyed in quiet case the fruits of his past industry, honored by the en- tire community. He left a good name, and few men possessed the respect and esteem of everyone to the extent that he did. His death occurred October 17, 1901, and he was laid to rest in Farm Hill cemetery. His estimable wife, who survives him, resides on the old homestead. She is a member of the Baptist Church.

HENRY PAGE is one of the most suc- cessful and best known agriculturists of the towns of Durham, Middlesex county, his highly improved farm of 300 acres lying in the southwestern part ofthe town. Nearby is the

the CV

260

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mountain Spring Creamery, established by Mr. Page in 1886, and since then most success- fully operated by him. Mr. Page is a man of unusual force of character, and in the com- munity where he has lived through life he has attained a position of influence and high es- teem. He is the representative of an old Con- necticut family.

Isaac Page, his grandfather, was born in 1768, and lived on the extreme eastern side of Wallingford, near the Durham line, where he was a large farmer and an extensive land owner; he owned land in Wallingford, Guil- ford and in Ohio. He was a Christian in character, and a regular attendant of church. He died March 18, 1850, and is buried in Wall- ingford. Isaac Page married Ruth Rice, who was born in 1768, and died in June, 1831, and their children were as follows: (I) Rice, born in 1794, moved to Streetsboro, Portage Co., Ohio, where he erected a log house, cleared land and followed farming all his life. His wife's name was Sally. (2) Almera, born March II. 1796, married Horace Lucas, of Middlefield, and died in Durham at the home of her niece, Mrs. T. D. Camp, May 28, 1882. (3) Sarah, born November 7, 1797, married Dana Coe. of Middlefield, a farmer, who re- sided in Durham, in the house now occupied by Henry I. Page, where she died October 16, 18841. (4) Isaac was the father of our sub- ject. (5) Enos, born August 3, 1806, mar- ried Cinderella Baldwin, He located in Streetsboro, Ohio, where he died. (6) Ruth Ann, born April 4, 1808, married William S. Hill, of Guilford, and they removed to Streets- boro, Ohio.

Isaac Page, the father of our subject, was born in East Wallingford, where his boyhood days were spent and he lived at home until he was married. He burned a great deal of char- coal around the vicinity. After marriage he moved. in April, 1826, in a sleigh, to North- ford, Conn., where he was engaged in farm- ing for a short time, and then came to Dur- ham, locating on the farm now occupied by our subject, where he became an extensive farmer and land owner, and where he died May 28, 1864. He was a hard-working man of natural mechanical ability, and in addition to farming engaged in the manufacture of brooms and in getting out hoops, in the winter months. He was a successful man and died

well-to-do. Mr. Page was a Jefferson D ocrat, and took an interest in politics, but not seek office. In religious connection was a member of the Methodist Church Durham, and very active in its affairs. He r ried Eunice Fowler, who was born June 1805, and died April 30, 1873, daughter James and Anna ( Johnson) Fowler, of No Guilford. The children of Isaac and Eu Page were as follows: (I) Mary, born A 29, 1825, married Timothy Dwight Camp Durham, who died June 28, 1888; she 1) resides in Durham. (2) George E., born cember 2. 1827, died December 28, 1833. Henry, born July 23, 1831, is mentioned low. (4) Caroline, born June 13, 1835, (1 one day later. The descendants of Jals Fowler, father of Mrs. Isaac Page, formech association known as the Descendants of Jats Fowler, and meet annually. Henry Page, subject, has been president of the associat .

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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 47

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