Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 49

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 49

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WILLIAM L. BATES, the well known newsdealer and town clerk of Chester, and ex-member of the State Legislature, is de- scended from one of the oldest families in Middlesex county. He was born May 9, 1839, a son of Capt. Joseph Wells and Mary ( Lane) Bates.

Joseph Bates, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a ship carpenter and resided in Had- dam at a time when ship-building was carried on quite extensively, and he followed that trade all his life. His death occurred in Had- dam when he was nearly ninety years of age. He married Hancy Wells, who preceded him into the unknown world. To them were born three children : Epaphroditus, who married Betsey Southworth, of Deep River, was a ves-

sel captain and sailed his boat, "Yonkers," 1 tween points along the Connecticut river a New York for many years, but later retirer residing for a time in Deep River, and he di at the home of his daughter, in Bridgepo Conn .; Capt. Joseph Wells; and Hancy Ar who married a man by the name of Min and lived at Haddam.

Captain Joseph Wells Bates, father of o subject, was born in 1806, in Haddam, whe his early life was spent. His education w received in the district schools, and from Rev. Mills, a Congregational minister, w had a class that recited to him at his hon Captain Bates left home while yet young become a sailor, and when but sixteen, w captain of a good-sized freighting craft, whi ran between Connecticut river points and N. York, Philadelphia and Boston, towing stor the greater portion of which came from t Portland, Conn., quarries. Later, he own the vessels of which he was master, some which were built for him in Chester, amo them being the "Cashier." Other vessels which he was master were: "Emerald," I tons ; "Vermont," "Exit," "Emily." "Em 2d," "Mountain Home," and the "Enterprise For fifty years this sturdy old captain engag in the coasting trade, but he retired about 18: and spent the remainder of his life at the hor of our subject, where he died on December 1897, at the age of ninety-one, and he w! buried at Deep River. Captain Bates was ve well known among the river men, who speak of him in the highest terms. . In person appearance he was very striking, having be six feet in height. of a powerful build and € traordinary strong when in his prime; dt ing his long life he never knew a day of sic ness. In politics Captain Bates was a stan Republican, and he took a deep interest in t. success of his party; although never wishin to hold office, he was prevailed upon to ser one term in the State Legislature from Ch ter. Among the pastinies of this genial ( man was whist, and so fond of it was he th he would go long distances to have an oppe tunity of playing. Having been so power: himself. he greatly admired all kinds of at letic sports, particularly base ball, and his pler ant face was always seen at every game Chester. Another game in which he to particular interest was quoits, and at the a

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

offeighty-eight he won a game at a public galering. The last months of his life were mlle painful by an accident occurring in boy- hel, which injured his knee. This did not gif: him any trouble until within a year of his dlech, when it became painful and rendered it inpossible for him to walk without assistance. Wen he desired to go to his favorite resting plje at Chester Cove, he would make his way fran his home, about half a mile distant, by the ai of a chair, which he would push in front offim. For his many noble traits of charac- telfis well as on account of his genial manner, Caain Bates was loved and respected by all, an no one has ever been held in higher es- tedi. While not a member of any religious dle mination, he was a regular attendant at the services of the Congregational Church, an was a familiar figure on the streets of Cl ster. When he died his loss was felt by all His wife, Mary (Lane), was a native of Chiter, a daughter of Arthur and Mercy (Spman) Lane, and died in April, 1884. To Cajain and Mrs. Bates were born four chil- dre: Arthur L., who died in Deep River, wala farmer, and for many years served as janfor of the Congregational Church of that pla; Cephas died young ; William L .; Carl- toi born February 6, 1848, is a manufacturer at hester, and married Orilla Canfield, by when he has five children, Hamilton C., Grace D., Ielen M., Florence and Maud E.

Villiam L. Bates received his early edu- cata in the district schools of Chester, after wh 1 he attended a select school in Deep Riv-, kept by the Misses Clark, a good school forthose times. When but fourteen he wes' the water, attending school only in the 'r, and contimied thus until he was twenty- (116 His first employment was given him by his ather, and he acted as cook, then after tlır years was promoted to fore-mast hand, lato quarter mate and finally became mate, co11 ming as such for his father, until the lat- retirement, about 1880. At this time, in Bates was in command of the "Enter- pris " a sloop of sixty tous, carrying a crew ur men. To this command our subject SI10 dled, and continued in same until the

was sold about a year later, Captain being one-fourth owner.

B.1

t that time William L. Bates purchased tain's share in the "Frederick Hall," a

vessel of one hundred and fifty tons, and ran her about two years, carrying stone from Port- land, Conn., to coast cities and bringing back various kinds of merchandise. About this time Mr. Bates left the water and accepted the position of agent of the Valley railroad, at Chester, which was then being built, serving as the first agent at that place, and selling tickets before the depot was completed. In conjunction with this position, Mr. Bates hired the steamboat wharf, and, was agent at Ches- ter for the New York & Hartford line of steamers, but soon was obliged to give up the latter on account of the vast amount of labor entailed. Soon after this Mr. Bates resigned his position with the railroad company, and in company with his brother, C. J. Bates, his un- cle, J. S. Lane, and the latter's son, Arthur. purchased equal interests in the "Hannah Chave," which was owned at Portland, by Shailer & Hall. Mr. Bates ran this vessel for several years until it sunk off Cornfield Point, near Saybrook, loaded with coal for Deep Riv- er parties, and as the vessel was uninsured it was a total loss. After this Mr. Bates ran a small sloop called the "Independent." which was about forty feet long, and used as an ex- cursion boat from the Connecticut river points to the Long Island Sound resorts. In 1890, under the administration of President Harrison, Mr. Bates was appointed postmaster at Chester, which office he held a little over four years. During this time Mr. Bates added a news-stand, and his business has grown to such proportions that he now carries a full line of stationery, books, stationer's supplies. notions, the leading daily and weekly papers. periodicals, holiday goods and bicycle sundries.

On November 1, 1864, Mr. Bates was mar- ried in Chester, Conn., to Miss Mariette P. Newton, a daughter of Alfred and Ermina (Clark) Newton, the former a manufacturer of that city, who died in Meriden May 26, 1847; Mrs. Newton died in Chester, January 31. 1873. To Mr. and Mrs. Bates have been born four children: Mary E .. born April 26, 1868, married Robert Silliman, and is living in Hartford: Joseph W. died in infancy; Carlton N. is at home; and Frank Eastman is deceased. In politics Mr. Bates is a stanch Republican and as a member of the Legislature of 1889 served on the committee on Humane Institu-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tions. In 1899 he was elected town clerk, which office he still occupies, and is the fourth clerk since 1836. Fraternally Mr. Bates is a member of Trinity Lodge, No. 43, F. & A. M., of Deep River, having joined in 1869, and he is also a member of Burning Bush Chapter. Mrs. Bates is a member of the Episcopal Church, and is greatly interested in the work and prosperity of St. Luke's Mission, of Ches- ter. Mr. Bates is not a member of any church but aids his wife in the same mission, and also at times attends the Congregational Church and contributes to both societies. Their pleas- ant home was erected by Mr. Bates and is sup- plied with all improvements and conveniences Pleasant and agreeable in manner, Mr. Bates has made many friends for himself, and is de- servedly one of the most popular men in Mid- dlesex county.

CHARLES A. NEWELL. When, after years of long and earnest labor in some hon- orable field of business, a man puts aside all cares to spend his remaining days in the en- joyment of the fruits of his former toil, he certainly reaps the well-deserved reward of his former industry.

How blest is he who crowns in shades like these, A youth of labor with an age of ease.

wrote the poet, and the world everywhere rec- ognizes the justice of a season of rest follow- ing an active period of business life. Mr. Newell is one of the most venerable and highly respected citizens of Middletown. He and his esteemed wife have learned the art of "grow- ing old gracefully," and though both are ap- proaching the eighty-ninth milestone in life's journey their faculties are unimpaired and so well preserved that they attend to every duty that a quarter of a century ago was theirs. Their married life extends through a period of nearly seventy years-a remarkable period of matrimonial blessedness, which, as statistics show, falls to but one couple in a million.

Mr. Newell is of French extraction. His grandfather was a Frenchman, born near Paris about 1748, and came to this country with Count d' Estaing, during the Revolution, as a musician. He settled in Wilton, Conn., where he afterward lived. He was twice mar- ried, both times in this country, and died about

1849. His only son was Isaac, father of ou subject.

Isaac Newell was born at Wilton May I. 1789, and when a young man worked in th armory at Whitneyville, spending some fiftee years in that famous center. His death oc curred September 12, 1864. He was a pros perous and well-to-do man, and had a large ir terest in the Sanseer Manufacturing Compan at Middletown, where he worked as a machir ist for a number of years. Politically he wa a Republican, and fraternally a Mason, bein a member of a lodge in New Haven. He wa a member of the Episcopal Church in Middle town. In Whitneyville he married Melind Johnson, who was born May 24, 1785, in Ox ford, Conn., and died February 9, 1870. Bot she and her husband are buried in Farm Hi cemetery. They were the parents of the fo lowing children: (1) Isaac Edwin, born a- Oxford, Conn., May 12, 1810, learned th trade of machinist at the Sanseer factory; h was married, but had no children, and died ¿ New Haven, September II, 1838. (2) Frar - cis Z., born at Whitneyville, Conn., Februar 6, 1812, married Harriet Gilbert, of Middle town. He learned the blacksmith trade in Mic dletown, where he died in 1898, leaving family, among whom was Charles R. Newel of Middletown. (3) Charles 'A. was bor January 29, 1814. (4) Caroline M., bor March 3, 1819, married Warren Prior an lives in Yonkers, N. Y., where her daughte. Harriet, married Rev. Charles W. Millar who graduated from Wesleyan University ? 1867, and is the presiding elder of the Ne York Conference of the M. E. Church.

Charles A. Newell, whose name introduc this review, was born January 29, 1814, Whitneyville, near New Haven, Conn., and 1 was ten years old when his parents located Middletown. While he was but a boy, livir at Whitneyville, coming home from school of winter's day, the great inventor, Eli White accompanied by his wife, came along in h sleigh, and, taking young Newell into the co veyance, engaged in conversation. This is cherished incident in the career of Mr. Newe The family located at South Farms in Middl town, and Charles lived with Ebenezer Mar ham, and, while an inmate of his home, al tended the Johnson Lane District school f

C. A. Sewell

Almira Newell

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tjo winter terms. In the spring of 1828 he unt to work for the Sanseer Manufacturing ()., at a salary the first year, of thirty dollars, 1 his board. This was increased the second

00 yfır by five dollars. There he worked five yurs, and then went to New Hartford, where worked for a short time. For the next sten years he worked in various towns, and de a long stay at New Haven. He came flim that city to Middletown, and here be- cne interested in the Sanseer Company, which vis then branching out in several new enter- F ses. He had charge of a department, and rained his interest in the factory for ten yfurs, though he put in only the first five years 0 that time in active work in the enterprise. I. preferred to go into business for himself in the furniture line, which he accordingly did iffa room under the Universalist Church, with Cigen Utley as his partner, under the firm none of C. A. Newell & Co. After eight years N. Newell sold his interest, and for twenty yers was a popular and successful auctioneer al real-estate agent. He was three years in the Madletown post office, when Bartlett Bent was pltmaster. In 1897 he gave up active busi- nfs, and since that time has lived retired.

On November 25, 1832, Mr. Newell and Mss Almira Penfield were married in Port- .lad. She was born in what is now Portland, Agust II, 1813, daughter of Samuel and Izbe Penfield. The following children have ben born to this union: ( 1) Francis A., mar- ril Henry J. Stancliff, and lives in Hartford; lı only daughter, Addie, married J. H. Hale, South Glastonbury, and their son, Stan- ciff, married Ida Lee, of East Granby, Conn .; their child, Mary Lee, born in December, no, is the great-great-grandchild of our sub- . (2) Jennie A. is the widow of J. G. Banett, and lives in Middletown.

Mr. Newell cast his first vote in 1835, and w. originally a Democrat. However, he claged and voted for William Henry Harri- so, and has been a Whig and Republican since t1 time. He has been a councilman, and has 'ed as collector of taxes in Middletown.

DEACON FRANKLIN PAYNE (de- «(fed) was born in Portland June 22, 1816. (lied March 10, 1899. Hlis ancestors were " tanch old Puritan stock, and for 226 years hle been residents of Portland, formerly Mid-

dletown, Conn., John Payne, the founder of this branch of the family, having located here in 1676. On the paternal side the Deacon was, through his grandmother, descended from Giles Hamlin, a settler in Middletown in 1650. On the maternal side, his mother, Orilla Shep- ard, was a descendant of Edward Shepard, who came to Middletown in 1687. The ge- nealogical line is given in the sketch of Silas Payne, elsewhere.

At the age of twenty-one Mr. Payne mar- ried (first) Almira A. Pelton, and went to live at once on the farm' where he continued through life. The old brick house which was then on the place he afterward remodeled and added to, and this was his pleasant and hos- pitable home. The farm was called the "Uf- ford Place," having been formerly owned by. Eliakim Ufford, who now lies buried in the old homestead yard, just south of the house.

With the strength and ambition of youth, Mr. Payne went to work to pay for the farm purchased of his father; and from time to time he added to his acreage, until at the time of his death, and even when in middle life, he was one of the largest landholders in Portland. He was very successful in his farming opera- tions, selling large quantities of produce from which good profits were realized. In early life he began raising peaches, which many thought impossible to grow to advantage, and for a pe- riod of years was the largest grower of this excellent fruit in New England. As he was strictly honest, his customers had confidence in him and his hired help, several of whom re- mained in his employ for a long term of years, respected and loved him.

Deacon Payne united with the Congrega- tional Church when quite young, and was cho- sen deacon after the new church was erected. on February 7, 1851, which office he held to the time of his death. He occupied the same seat in church from the time of its erection to the time of his decease. He was an earnest, faith- ful Christian, regularly attending the services of the church, and aiding largely in its beney- olences, and in all the daily walks of life he ex- emplified the religion he professed. His Chris- tian life was, however, unassuming, though in- telligent, thorough-going and equable. His generosity met the claims of the local church and the denominational boards with personal service as well as with his means. In disposi-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tion Mr. Payne was modest and retiring, never seeking political or other offices, but discharg- ing faithfully the duties of those placed in his care. Though he had learned his ways of thinking with the able men of other days, he was, nevertheless, heartily willing that Chris- tian methods should be used, as suited a newer age, with different demands.

After the death of his first wife, in 1881, Mr. Payne married (second) E. Elizabeth Wilcox, who still survives him. Two children also survive-Mrs. William E. Craig, of Dan- bury, Conn., and Lyman Payne, a music dealer in Middletown. In the death of Deacon Payne Portland lost one of its best citizens, and the church one of its most faithful and honored members.

FREDERICK BREWER, deceased. The name of Brewer is an old and honored one in the commercial history of Middletown, Mid- dlesex county, and to-day it is borne by the proprietor and manager of the largest exclu- sive dry-goods house in the city, a man whose commercial integrity has been unquestioned throughout his business life. This house has had an existence of over sixty years, having been founded in 1840 by the man whose name heads this sketch, and since his death it has been conducted by his family.

Frederick Brewer was one of the represen- tative business men of his time, and a most suc- cessful one. He devoted a constant and unre- mitting attention to his own affairs, his busi- ness and his home absorbing his life. He was in the seventh generation from Daniel Brew- er, his ancestral line being from Daniel througli Daniel, Rev. Daniel, Charles, George and Capt. Charles.

(I) Daniel Brewer, the emigrant ancestor of the family in America, was born in London, England, and came from that city in the schooner "Lion," arriving at Boston, Mass., in September, 1632. He brought with him his wife Joanna and several servants, and in 1638 his household consisted of nine people. His will was dated January 12, 1647, and the inventory of his estate was dated May 12, 1647, so that it is presumed he died about that time. Joanna Brewer lived until 1688, and was eighty-seven years of age at her death.

(II) Daniel Brewer, son of Daniel, the emigrant, was born in England in 1624, and

married Hannah Morrell November 5, 165 She was born September 12, 1636, daughter Isaac Morrell, of Roxbury. Mr. Brewer die in September, 1708, and his wife in 171 They had three children.

(III) Rev. Daniel Brewer was born Fe ruary 7, 1668, and joined the church at Ro: bury April 20, 1684. He graduated from Harvard three years later, and was ordaine May 16, 1694. He was the third minister ( the First Church at Springfield, Mass. C August 23, 1699, he married Katherine Chau: cey, who was born January 12, 1676, daugl ter of Rev. Nathaniel Chauncey. Rev. M Brewer died November 5, 1733, in the fortiet year of his ministry. His wife died May I 1754. She was the mother of eight childre: (IV) Charles Brewer, son of Rev. Danie was born December 14, 1717, and marrie Anne Breck, daughter of Rev. Robert Brec of Marlboro, Mass. He died May 12, 179 and his wife died March 24, 1798. They ha four children.

(V) George Brewer, third son of Charle was born in Springfield, Mass., in 1747. I married Naomi Woolworth, daughter ( Richard Woolworth, of Long Meadow, an died at Pompey, N. Y., May 18, 1827. N omi, his wife, died November 8, 1821. The had nine children.

(VI) Capt. Charles Brewer, second son George was born in Springfield, Mass., Marc 24, 1778, and removed to Middletown, on a taining his majority. He was a silversmit and for fifty-nine years was a manufacturin and merchant jeweler, being a successful ar a leading merchant of his time. He was a ca tain in the old militia for many years, and w known as "Capt." Charles Brewer. With h son-in-law, Edwin Stearns, he gave the re estate for and was instrumental in the buildil of the Universalist Church at Middletow Fraternally he was a member of St. John Lodge, F. & A. M., and some of his silv work was used for many years in that lodg Capt. Brewer built the family home on t. corner of Pearl and Court streets, as well the two houses south of it, on the east side Pearl street. He was married February I 1801, to Hannah, daughter of Barakialı Fai banks. She was born September 28, 1777, a1 died May 24, 1855. Capt. Brewer died M: 10, 1860. They were the parents of a nume

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COMMEMORATIU'E BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

amily of children, of whom ( 1) Charles was merchant in the city of New York, where he is a leading jeweler of his day. He died No mber 6, 1837. He had bright prospects. ( 2)}George, born May 9, 1803, married Mary Hans, January 1, 1829. She was a daughter of muel and Mary Harris, of Middletown. (3)Edwin, born April 17, 1805, was married July hac 2, LI, 1830, to Elizabeth Warner, daughter of Somon Warner, of Berlin, Conn., and they wo children. (4) Henry B., born May 07, married Eliza Bridgman November 25, 14I, and they had four children; she was a dilghter of Samuel Bridgman, of Middle-

tow (5) Maria, born June 27, 1809, mar- ried Ion. Edwin Stearns April 17, 1828. (6) Fredrick, born December 26, 1811. is the subject of this writing. (7) William, born Sep- temfr 17, 1814, died October 24, 1821. (8) Sanfel, born September 20, 1816, died Octo- ber 3, of the same year. (9) Samuel (2), borr. September 10, 1818, married Lucy Dan- fort daughter of John and Lydia Danforth, September 27, 1846. She died September 17, 1848 leaving one child, and he married for his SCCO ! wife Susan Baldwin, on April 22, 1851. She as the daughter of William B. and Jeanette Baldwin, of New Haven.

Tederick Brewer was born on what was thenParsonage street, in a house that stood on the sith side of that street, between Main and Brod streets. He attended the schools of

his y, was a pupil of Mr. Garfield at one time and also attended Partridge's Military Acadmy. When a young man he went South i edpany with several others, and for sev- eral cars was engaged in the mercantile bus- mest Vicksburg, Miss. Returning to Mid- llcte

11 in the latter 'thirties, he began that urceful business career which lasted through . He embarked in business in company with Elliott Bradley, but the partnership did ig endure, as Mr. Brewer soon bought radley out. Mr. Brewer became noted iccessful business man, and won a rep- Miti for unswerving integrity that he never Best. He took an active part in the working of tl old militia organization of the State. is commissioned adjutant of the Sixth Milit Regiment.

Brewer and Miss Clarissa Malvina

Matt · were married September 16, 1844, in Woofury, Conn. Mrs. Brewer was born De-

cember 15, 1824, in Utica, N. Y., daughter of Marshfield P. and Betsy (Sherman) Mather, and a member in the ninth generation of that old and prominent family in this country. Though a native of New York she spent the greater part of her early life in the town of Woodbury, where her parents had located after leaving New York. Mr. and Mrs. Brewer had the following children: Frederick Sherman, born January 1, 1846, died December 18, 1847. Clara Maria, born November 1, 1847, died May 12, 1852. Frederick, born July 24, 1849, lives at Springfield, Mass. Mary, born May 21, 1851, married Frederick B. Chaffee De- cember 20, 1883 ; Mr. Chaffee is secretary and treasurer of the Farmers & Mechanics Savings Bank of Middletown. An infant son died May 13, 1853. Thomas B., born May 27, 1854, died March 20, 1856. William B., the youngest, is mentioned below.

Frederick Brewer was a Democrat, but would never consent to run for any office. His life was an active one, and his death was lit- erally caused by the wearing out of the vital machinery by hard work. He died Decem- ber 19, 1885, and his wife survived him until September 19, 1890. Both are buried in In- dian Hill cemetery. In his religious views Mr. Brewer was a Universalist, and he was rec- ognized in the community as a kind neighbor, a good friend and an honest citizen. As a husband and a father he was all that reason could expect or love desire.

WILLIAM B. BREWER was born Noven- ber 15, 1856. He attended the Middletown schools and Dean Academy, at Franklin, Mass., and has been in the store, of which he is now the head, since lie was a young man, and is thoroughly familiar with every line of his business. He is a member of the Middle- town Board of Trade, and of the Middletown Club. He married Miss Grace Arnold, of Mid- dletown, a daughter of Charles G. and Bet- sey (Smith) Arnold, and they have one son, Charles Frederick Arnold, born November 27, 18944. Mrs. Brewer is a member of Wads- worth Chapter, D. A. R.

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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 49

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