Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 51

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 51

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Jeremiah Bailey, his father, was born in Haddam, Middlesex Co., Conn., where he fol- lowed farming. He later removed to Durham, locating opposite the late home of his son, James E., and there followed farming the rest of his years, departing this life at the age of eighty-seven. Politically he was a Democrat, and in religious faith he was an active member of the Methodist Church of Durham. He mar- ried Jemimah M. Nettleton, of Durham, daughter of Eliphaz Nettleton, a farmer, and she survived her husband seven years. The seven children of Jeremiah and Jemimah M. Bailey were as follows: (1) Stephen, who married Nancy Merriman, of Wallingford, was a farmer, and lived in Durham. (2) Henry married Martha Brooks, of Haddam. He was a wheelwright by occupation, and lived in Durham. (3) Alpha Maria married Augus- tus Seward and lives in Durham. (4) James E. is mentioned below. (5) Catherine mar- ried Horace Wooding, a carriagemaker of New Haven. (6) Jeremiah B. died unmarried in the South. (7) Elizabeth married George Twitchell, a wheelwright of Durham.

James E. Bailey was born February 24, 1825, in Haddam, and came with his parents to Durham when about nine years old. He at- tended the district schools in Haddam and Durham, and also Durham Academy for sev- eral terms. When young he lost his right arm in a carding mill, but he was naturally left- handed, and his left arm was quite strong, so that he did the daily work of a man unham- pered by such misfortune. At the age of six- teen he began teaching in the Bluff District in the south end of Durham. He taught, alto- gether, eighteen winters, in East Walling- ford, Durham and Madison, and in the sum- mer worked on his father's farm, and later on his own farm. Being a good instructor he was popular with his scholars. He at first re- ceived very small wages, but they were stead- ily increased. He purchased his late farm of Elah Camp and the latter's son, Eli Camp. He built the house in 1872 and erected all the other buildings. Mr. Bailey carried on gen-

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eral farming, but gave especial attention to grain, his crops being much larger than those of the ordinary farmer. He was eminently successful, and accumulated considerable prop- erty. His death, which occurred March 6, 1893, was the result of an accident. While crossing the tracks of the Air Line division of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Rail- load, at East Wallingford, in a sleigh with his daughter, Rosa, he was struck by a fast train and instantly killed. Rosa received injuries from which she has never recovered.

Mr. Bailey was about six feet in height. and weighed about 180 pounds. He was a hard-working man, and was always industri- ously employed. Possessing a keen intellect, he was fitted for other work, but had a strong preference for farming. He was liberal in his beliefs and opinions, and was not only a con- stant reader, but retained what he read. In politics he was a Democrat. He was assessor for many years, school visitor and justice of the peace for many years. He was also a sur. veyor, a profession which he picked up with- out schooling ; his services in that line were fre- quently called into requisition in his town and vicinity. Mr. Bailey was a prominent mem- ber of the Methodist Church of Durham, ac- tive in its affairs, and a large contributor to its support.

On June 3, 1860, Mr. Bailey married Electa A. Burr, of Haddam, who was born Novem- ber 24. 1838, daughter of Eleazer and Rebecca ( Brainerd ) Burr. Her father was a promi- nent farmer of Haddam. To Mr. and Mrs. Bailey came six children, namely: (1) Fred B., born June 27, 1861, is a farmer of Dur- ham. He married Louisa Herbert, and has three children, Eugene LeRoy, Alice R. and Lola May. (2) Jennie R., born June 6, 1863, married Edward Burckel, a salesman at Meri- flen, and has two children, F. Raymond and Viola I. (3) Rosa S., born November 15, 1865, is at home. (4) Kate E., born March 31, 1869, married James Powers, a farmer in Durham, and they have one child, James B. (5) James F., born November 14, 1871, was a civil engineer at Boston, Mass., and is now a farmer in Durham. He married Nellie Fowler, and has one son, Franklin Fowler. (6) George H., born July 6, 1874, is at home. He attended district school and the Durham Academy, and was a pupil, at the latter school,

of Miss Beach, daughter of the then presang Elder Beach. Since his education was u11- pleted he has been engaged in farming ofthe homestead, and has also been largely intended in the berry business. On one-half of andere of ground he grew in 1901 about 3,800 carts of strawberries. In politics George H. Ifley is a Democrat, and has served on the spol committee of his district. He is a meml of Durham Grange. He is now secretaryand treasurer of the M. E. Church. Mr. Bail is a musician of ability, playing the pianound violin skillfully, and with' unusual expre fon.

Mrs. Electa A. Bailey, the widow obur subject, survives, and is a resident of thold homestead in the town of Durham. Stis highly respected for her many estimabl find womanly qualities, and the success in lif at- tained by her husband was emphasized angen- hanced by her noble and faithful encorge- ment and support.

GEORGE W. HENNIGAR. For fore than forty years the leading photogi hic studio of Middletown has been conductefun- der this name. For thirty years or mor Mr. Hennigar was himself the manager of th bus- iness, and now that he is not actively enged his sons keep up the reputation of the fhily as expert and progressive photographers

Mr. Hennigar is one of the leading cifens of his town, a man whose career in the bu liess world has been marked by honorable praice, and who commands the respect of all. Pars ago he saw an opportunity for profital in- vestments in Middletown real estate, an rich. rewards have crowned his good judg ent. He bought property, built a number of esir- able houses, and rents them at a good ffure. He has made for himself a good nameand his family stands high in the community

Mr. Hennigar was born October 30, 332, in the city of New York, on York street, the rear of St. John's Church, son of Chris Ther and Ann A. (Lockwood) Hennigar. His mother's father was a shoe manufactur at Norwalk, Conn., where the Lockwood [mily had long been established. Christopher Ien- nigar was also born in the city of New fork, where his father died when he was a mall boy. He was one of a family of six chiren, James, John, Christopher, Mariah, Jar and Helen. Christopher Hennigar was a j eler

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at D. 631 Broadway, New York City, for ma years. He lived to be seventy-two, and his Bo I., Pol pub ife was over seventy when she died. spent their last years at Sag Harbor, L. here he lived retired a number of years. cally he was a Whig and became a Re- an on the formation of the party. He tooljo little interest in religious matters, was a dfcon in the Sag Harbor Baptist Church, and ad long been associated with the Inde- fit Order of Odd Fellows. He was the fatl' of the following children : George W .; Joh Y. N. wh unt a photographer at New Rochelle, N. illiam, a photographer at Williamsburg, ,who died in January, 1900; Charles, as in Company C, 129th New York Vol- Infantry, had his home at Bath, N. Y., and fied in 1894; Elouise, who married R. C. Sellinger, of Sag Harbor; Henry, living at Viamsburg, N. Y., where he is in business arpet merchant; Frederick, a mechanic hityville, L. I., and Frank, engaged in linery business at Sag Harbor, Long Isl-

ter locating at Sag Harbor Christopher gar followed his business there many 'He amassed a competence by his own and was a valuable and highly respected

orge WV. Hennigar attended public in the city of New York, and later in arbor, L. I., and was also a pupil in a privat school in Sag Harbor, receiving care- paration for a successful career in life. age of eighteen he began commercial life af ı clerk in the store of Mortimer & Gaw- Try. i ning murit porters of woolens and tailors' silk trim- at No. 11 John street, New York, and the first year received a dollar a week ird. He proved a very capable sales- hade rapid advancement and remained vitlı

is firm eleven years, leaving them only of a serious attack of rheumatism that ed a radical change of occupation. His was kept open for two years, and his aid for six months. When Mr. Henni- pr r

tined his health he engaged in the pho- grafic business. He spent the summer of while ıtlı ith his wife at Cromwell, Conn., and lere became so favorably impressed opportunity for a good studio at Mid- letos, that he opened a gallery in the city De tol 4, 1861, in rooms over Brewer's store,

at the corner of Court and Main streets. He was in that location twelve years, when he moved to the present stand. Mr. Hennigar was actively engaged in the business until 1890, when he retired in favor of his sons, M. W. and H. V.

Mr. Hennigar and Miss Lucretia F. Harris were married at Sag Harbor, L. I., January 18, 1854. She was born in that town in 1831. daughter of Daniel J. and Elizabeth D. (Corey ) Harris, who were married in 1813 and reared a numerous family, Mrs. Hennigar being the eighth child and the youngest daugh- ter. Her father was a ship carpenter. Daniel J. Harris was born July 26. 1791, son of Thomas Lupton and Atny ( Brooks) Harris, who were married in 1784; his father was born in 1762, and died in 1831 ; his mother was born in 1762 and died in 1831. To Mr. and Mrs. Hennigar came the following children : Morton Wainwright, born November 9, 1854, at Sag Harbor, is now a member of the photo- graphic firm of Hennigar Brothers at Middle- town. Clara Hathaway, born December 12. 1856, at Cromwell, died August 9. 1862. Flor- ence A., born March 5, 1859, at Brooklyn, re- sides at Middletown. Gertrude E., born April 27, 1861, at Sag Harbor, married Lehman F. Bower, of Scranton, Pa., and is the mother of four children, Florence, Russell, Harold and Lehman. Howard Vincent, born October 29. 1864, in Middletown, was married June 20. 1888, to Miss Catherine A. Hiscott, of Bridge- port ; he is a member of the firm of Hennigar Brothers, already referred to.

Mr. Hennigar cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont, and since that time has been a steadfast member of the Republi- can party. He has served on the city council since coming to Middletown. Fraternally he has held membership in the Knights of Honor and the Knights of Pythias. His wife be- longs to the Methodist Church, and is much esteemed in that religious community.

DIODATE BURR, a retired farmer now residing in Bristol, but formerly of Haddan, Middlesex Co., Conn., where he still holds his estate, was born on the old Burr homestead in Haddam October 29, 1824, and is a descendant of Benjamin Burr, the founder of the Hartford branch of the family, and one of the original settlers of Hartford in 1635. From Benjamin

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the line reaches the present generation in the following order: Samuel, Jonathan, Nathan- iel, Capt. Jonathan, Daniel, Diodate, and his children and grandchildren, as enumerated be- low.

Diodate Burr attended the common schools of Haddam until sixteen years of age, and later, for a short time, a select school at Kill- ingworth, Middlesex county, and then worked on various farms until twenty-one years old, when he purchased a place adjoining the home farm, which he cultivated until 1896, when he retired to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Kelsey, in Bristol, although he still keeps an oversight of his hundred acres in Haddam.

Mr. Burr was united in marriage October 14, 1846, with Miss Elizabeth Ann Kelsey, who was born April 27, 1825, and was a daughter of David P. and Elizabeth Kelsey, of Killingworth. Six children were born to this union, namely: Georgiana Clarissa, born De- cember 13, 1847, married Levi Burr Septem- ber 22, 1870, and resides in West Haddam ; she bore her husband one child, that died in in- fancy. Frederick Elbridge, born December 30, 1850, married Susie M. Wilcox, of Clin- ton, Conn., and has had three children-Clara, wife of Thomas A. Lake; Agnes, who married Charles Wilcox, of Meriden, and died in 1901 ; and Iva Gertrude. Florence Aurelia, the third child, born February 17, 1855, was married October 14. 1875, to Myron S. Burr, of Kill- ingworth, but now of Middletown, and is the mother of six children, Louis St. Clair, Reu- ben, Wardell, Florence, Lillian and Elliott. Carrie Elizabeth, the fourth, born August 9, 1858, is married to Alfred Neff, of Higga- num, Conn., and has had three children, Beat- rice, Clifford and Everett, the last named of whom died in infancy. Lillie Arabell, the fifth child, was born April 24, 1862, is mar- ried to Wilbur H. Kelsey, of Bristol, and has two children, Gertrude and Irwin. Gertrude Edna, the sixth child, was born March 15, 1867, and is married to C. C. Atwell, of Dur- ham. Middlesex county, but has no family. Mrs. Elizabeth Ann ( Kelsey) Burr, wife of Diodate Burr, passed away July 4, 1890, in West Haddam, and her remains lie interred in the Burr District. She was a sincere and faithful Methodist, and was dearly beloved by all who knew her.

Mr. Burr is also a member of the Methodist

Church at West Haddam, of which 1 was formerly a steward and is at present a titee. In politics he was formerly a Democrat, ved several terms on the grand jury, and an active worker in his party's interest, t is now independent, or rather indifferent s to

party affairs. Fraternally he belongs the Senior O. U. A. M., uniting with the love at Higganum, of which he was a charter maber, and no name is more respected either in dad- dam or in Bristol than that of Diodate Ir.

DAVID A. HALL is the only male pre- sentative of his branch of the old Hall mily left in Portland, Middlesex county, anche is widely known as one of the most ex fisive property holders and wealthy citizens . that town. The Halls were a numerous andnflu- ential family in the towns of Portland, from- well and Middletown, where they havebeen for more than two hundred and fifty yes.

John Hall, the American ancesto was born in Kent, England, in 1584, and i 1633 came to this continent. He settled a Cam- bridge, Mass., where he remained a nur fer of years, then moved to Roxbury, and si: years later came to Hartford. The subject · this sketch still preserves a contract betwee John Hall, Sr., carpenter, and William Blodfield, for the erection of a building for the hitter, dated Hartford, 1643, and bearing said pom- field's signature. One item of paymen tipu- lated was a "cow calf." John Hall wa made surveyor of highways in 1650. In th year he located at Middletown, of which pla ation he was one of the original proprieto In 1659 he was appointed by the Genera Court of Connecticut for "the entry and recor such goods as may be subject to custom 1g of His son, John, who became a prominent hn in Middletown, was a representative to tl Gen- eral Court, and served as town clerk al rec- order from 1665 until his death, il 1694. Upon his tombstone is this quaint epita :

Here lies our Deacon Hall, Who studied peace with all. Void of malignant strife, Upright and just his life. Gone to his rest, left us in sorrow, Doubtless his good name will follow.

John Hall ( I) had three sons, John Rich- ard and Samuel. The latter settled est in Cromwell, then called Upper Houses. Sam-

David A. Hall.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

(2), son of Samuel, removed to East Mid- town, now Portland, before 1712, one of children being the first buried in the local netery, the grave mark of that date still re- ining in good preservation. He was born bruary 3, 1663, and died March 6, 1740. second marriage occurred May 16, 1722, T'en Elizabeth, widow of George Stocking, If ame his wife. She bore him one son, born 4;gust 15, 1724, who was named Samuel, and vis the great-grandfather of David A. He (1 April 2, 1811, so that the lives of father ail son covered a period of 148 years. The 1: Alfred Hall, one of the founders of the iler & Hall Quarry Company, was a de- sudant from Samuel (2) Hall's first wife, Sah Hinsdale. Capt. Samuel Hall, son of Samuel (2), was a captain in the militia, a dicon in the Congregational Church, and was aprominent man in his day. His wife was ned Elizabeth. In his family was a son, IFid, the grandfather of David A.

David Hall, born September 5, 1755, was n| ried February 10, 1785, to Lucia Fowler, who was born November 6, 1753, and was fin Guilford. David Hall was a farmer, lived on the same place where his grand- David A., makes his home to-day. The o house, built about the close of the Revolu- ti ary war, is still in use. The farm has al- 11 > been in the family from the time it was reclaimed from the savages and the wild its. Family records show that David Hall 11 with the Connecticut militia in Washing- campaign about New York in 1776. At time of his death he was captain of the militia. David and Lucia (Fowler ) Hall the parents of nine children : Samuel Blon, born December 29, 1785, died in 1876, n .lbion, N. Y., where he was an early set- locating when the Erie canal was in course instruction through that country. Clar- born March 20, 1788, died May 17, 1860, '11

tried. in Portland; she always lived in ld homestead. Asaph, born September 11 1789. died November 18. 1865, unmar- Ralph, born August 18, 1792, was in In less in New York City, where his death red July 12. 1855 : he was buried in Port- he was married, but none of his children lefed maturity. Sarah Juliana, born De- effer 5. 1794, married Capt. Alfred Church-

ill, and died in 1862. David F., born August 27, 1797, when a young man was in business in New York; he returned in his later years to Portland, where he died November 15, 1885. Mary Morrell, born August 30, 1799, died March 20, 1879. Lucia, born March 20, 1802, died July 6, 1887. . Henry Augustus, born September 25, 1808, died in July, 1876.

Henry Augustus Hall was born in Port- land, and lived there until after his marriage, in the early 'twenties, when Amelia Maria Shepard became his wife. She was a daughter of George and Grace ( Hall) Shepard, of Port- land. Soon after his marriage Mr. Hall re- moved to Middletown, where he was in busi- ness as a butcher for a time, but after some years he retired from the market and devoted himself to other affairs. He was an extensive owner of real estate and farm and tenement- house property. He died in 1876, and his widow, who survived until 1887, reached the age of seventy-eight years. Both were buried in the Episcopal cemetery in Portland. Mr. Hall was in his later years a Republican, and always cast his ballot for what he deemed the best measures, which he insisted should be supported by good men as candidates. His name is honored as that of a good business man, who was highly respected in his day. He was the father of six children: Charles H. died unmarried in Middletown in 1876: Sarah Maria died in 1857. at the age of twenty ; Jo- sephine is Mrs. Thomas H. Clark, of Port Chester, N. Y .; George L. is living a retired life at New Haven : David A. is the subject of this article: Mary Elizabeth, wife of Ira Has- kins, resides in Springfield, Massachusetts.

David A. Hall was born April 15. 1844, in Middletown, where he attended the district and high schools, and later was a pupil in the celebrated school of Professor Chase, under whose instruction so many of the best people of this part of the State have passed. He re- mained at home with his parents in Middle- town, and finally came to Portland and made his home with his uncle and aunt. Da- vid F. and Miss Lucia Hall, who were on the old homestead, and as long as they lived Da- vid A. was with them, to care for the farm and look after their business interests. The farm is now his own, and in recent years he has de- voted himself very closely to his extensive in-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

terests. His uncle, David, mentioned above, was a man of strong character and much abil- ity, and was said to bear a striking likeness to the great Englishman, Gladstone.

David A. Hall belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity, and is a member of St. John's Lodge A. F. & A. M., of Middletown. His ancestors belonged to the Congregational Church until his grandfather married a woman who was reared in the Episcopal faith. Yielding to her influence he also became a member of that church, and his children and grandchildren have followed in his steps. As an illustration of the religious devotion and strong prejudice of the time, it is related that when David Hall joined the Episcopal Church his father said : "He is on the road to ruin now." David A. Hall is in sympathy with the Republican party, but has his own decided views, and has tastes that lead him to prefer a quiet life. He believes in a modified form of protection, and is a strong ad- vocate of sound money. He is a well informed and widely read man, having been, from youth up, especially interested in religious and theo- logical literature, while to his intimate friends he could relate a number of psychic experi- ences which he regards as being common to all ages and dependent for their action on both natural and spiritual law.

JOHN HUNTINGTON SELDEN, a prominent and successful business man of the town of Chatham, Middlesex county, is a scion of an old and honored family of New England.

Thomas Selden settled in Hartford in 1636, was an original proprietor there in 1639, was made a freeman in April, 1640, and was constable in 1650. He married, probably Hester Wakeman, and died in 1655.

Joseph Selden, baptized November 2, 1651, settled about 1678, in Hadley, Mass., whence he removed, about 1684, to Deerfield, but prior to 1689 returned to Hadley, and, be- fore 1700, removed to Lyme, Conn., where he died July 14, 1724. He married, February II, 1677, Rebecca, a daughter of Edward Church. She died June.9, 1726, aged sixty- five years. Several of their children became residents of Haddam, Conn., among them two sons : Joseph, born May 10, 1682, who died April 3, 1729, and is known to have left male

descendants in the town; and Thomas, b in 1684, who died September 12, 1754.

Rev. David Selden, known as "Pric Selden, the next of whom we have record, born January 14, 1761, son of Thomas, in town of Chatham. He was baptized by F Mr. Bowers, and united with the church Mv 2, 1780, while a student at Yale Colle from which institution he was gradua Rev. Samuel Lockwood was his theolog preceptor, and he received his license to pre June 3, 1783. He was invited to settle t Hebron, Conn., as a colleague with Dr. P. - eroy, but returned, however, to his birthpl and passed a ministry of honor and use - ness. He was ordained pastor of the Mide Haddam Congregational Church October 1785, and his labors there covered a periodf forty years. Soon after his accession to e pastorate, a new confession of faith adopted, which continued in use many yeb. He wrote 2,565 sermons, and only one f these was left in print, a funeral sermon, Ip- lished by special request of the mourning ff- ily. During his ministry 223 persons un d with the church. He was a saintly mai a scholarly gentleman and a preacher of abit one of the old-fashioned ministers, and As highly respected by all. He passed away . 1- uary 18, 1825, and is buried in the lower cf- etery at Middle Haddam. On his graves;he appears the following :

Amiable and pious in his deportment, attelve to every call of duty, he was much respected ir fis life and deeply lamented in his death.

Hear what the voice from Heaven proclaims For all the pious dead;

Sweet is the savor of their nanies, And soft their sleeping bed.

They died in Jesus and are blessed; How kind their slumbers are! From suffering and from sin released, And freed from every snare!

Rev. David Selden was married, Au st 17, 1784, to Cynthia May, who was born ly 25, 1761, daughter of Rev. Eleazer May, or forty-seven years a Congregational prea er at Haddam, Conn. She died March 29, I|0, and is buried beside her husband. Of ifir seven children, some account follows : [)

David, born June 4, 1785, was a mercant and importer, located in Liverpool, Englid, and New York, and became wealthy. Jfir- ing the war of 1812, he did a large business.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Thy: of his sons were graduates of Yale Collge. (2) Sylvester, born October 19, 17& was a Congregational minister, premed in Westbrook and, later, in Hebron, he died October 4, 1841. (3) John, bor tow (4) was die beca mo oi January 21, 1788, a merchant in Middle- is mentioned more fully elsewhere. Huntington, born November 17, 1789, merchant at Middle Haddam, and there (5) Cynthia, born March 14, 1791, e the wife of Dr. Munger, and was the Ar of Rev. Theodore T. Munger, D. D., w Haven, Conn. (6) Elizabeth, born Noviber 16, 1792, married Levi Thayer, of Pal lier ra, N. Y., and died within a year of jedding day, as the effect of a cold con- tract while on the way to her new home. (7) Hezekiah M. is further mentioned be- low

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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 51

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