Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 52

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 52

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(1. Hezekiah M. Selden was born Septem- ber |, 1794, at Middle Haddam, where he spenjis entire life. He bought the home farm fro sivel now head citiz. Stan the Repi fices. judg For milit tiona Mar grave nar

the other heirs, and was quite exten- engaged in agriculture. This farm is the possession of his son, whose name this article. He was a highly-respected and commanded the esteem of all. in principle, he acted politically with nig party and its natural successor, the ican, and filled many of the town of- Widely known as a man of sound ent, he often served as a juryman. mny years he was a colonel of the local He was a member of the Congrega- Church, and died, firm in its faith, 4, 1864; he was interred in the lower rd at Middle Haddam. Col. Selden Nancy Chapman, daughter of Rob- (

ipman, of East Haddam. She died Marc 2, 1879, at the age of seventy-four cars n New York City, and her body was deposited beside that of lier hus- Of their eight children the record is uvin .11‹1. s fo

(1) Cynthia became the wife of WS :

llubbard, of Middle Haddam, and died ears after her marriage. (2) Edward ore reaching manhood. (3) Hezekiah at Wabaunsce, Kans., where he mar- passed the balance of his life ; he be- prominent citizen, and served as clerk court several years. (4) David E. the age of eighteen years. (5) John ves further mention hereafter. (6)

Nancy C. died September 15, 1864, aged twen- ty-two years. (7) Lavinia married W. S. Williams, and resides in New York City. (8) Timothy Dwight died when only three years of age.

John H. Selden was born March 27. 18.10, in Middle Haddam, received his primary edu- cation in the district schools of the town, and finished at the celebrated Chase's Institute, at Middletown, leaving school at the age of six- teen years. He was brought up to farm la- bor, beginning to make himself useful at an early age, and remained at home, assisting his father in the tillage of the farm, until Au- gust II, 1862, when he affixed his name to the rolls of Company H, Twenty-first Reg- iment, Connecticut Volunteers, for three years' military service. The regiment was mus- tered in on September 4th, following, and im- mediately sent to the front. Mr. Selden par- ticipated in every engagement of the com- mand up to and including that before Peters- burg, Va., where he was severely wounded. He fought at Fredericksburg, Muddy Bend. siege of Suffolk, Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, and many other engagements, all those of his regiment except that at Fort Harrison, at which time he was in hospital. suffer- ing from wounds received in the discharge of duty. He was shot in the shoulder while carrying the colors at Drury's Bluff. and was twice wounded in the fight at Cold Har- bor. While in action at Petersburg, July 29. 1864, he was struck in the face by a minie ball, which entering on the left side, passed through his nose, destroying his left eye. He was picked up for dead, but, in spite of the adverse prognosis of the surgeons, recovered. After lingering a long time in hospital. he was discharged, for wounds, February 9. 1865. His recovery was little short of mir- aculous, and is often commented on by sur- geons to this day.

Returning to the home farm, where he resided several years, Mr. Selden removed. later, to his present home, and engaged in the lumber business, which has had a steady and constant growth. He handles all kinds of na- tive lumber, shipping to New York. Since 1890, his son, John H. Selden, Jr., has been associated with him, and the business is con- ducted under the style of John H. Selden & Son. Most of their shipping is done at Mid-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

dle Haddam, and they are widely and favor- ably known in the trade.

On December 5, 1866, Mr. Selden mar- ried Miss Louisa Bulkeley, a native of Springfield, Mass., a daughter of Henry C. Bulkeley, a skilled mechanic, who died at Montreal, Canada, while superintendent of the electric light plant of that city. Mrs. Selden graduated from the high school of Springfield, and has been a successful teacher. Three daughters and one son make up the family of Mr. and Mrs. Selden. (I) Nettie L., the eld- est, was for many years a school teacher, and is now the wife of Frederick Dickinson, of Chicago, Ill., and the mother of one child, Helen Dickinson. (2) Nellie G. is the wife of Dr. E. S. Parmelee, of East Hampton, Conn., and mother of Blanche Parmelee. (3) John H. is engaged in business with his father, and is a prominent citizen of Middle Haddam. Like his progenitors, he supports the principles of the Republican party. As an evidence of his high place in the public es- teem, it may be stated that he has served as a member of the board of education, and as reg- istrar of voters, and represented the town of Chatham in the Legislature in the session of 1901, being a member of the committee on Claims. He married Sophia Carrier, of Chatham, and has two children, John H. and Howard A. (4) Cora B. is a graduate of McLean Seminary, at Simsbury, Conn., and resides with her parents.

Besides serving on the board of select- men, board of relief, and in other minor offices, John H. Selden, Sr .. represented his town in the Legislature of 1881, serving on the com- mittee on Military Affairs. In political senti- ment he is a Republican, from principle. He is a member of Mansfield Post, No. 53, G. A. R., of Middletown, and of the Army and Navy Club of Connecticut. Mrs. Selden and her daughters are members of the Congrega- tional Church, where Mr. Selden attends wor- ship. and which he liberally supports.

A brave and faithful soldier, an honest and substantial citizen, Mr. Selden confers credit upon a time-honored name. He wields con- siderable influence in his community. Unim- pulsive. and of sound and conservative judg- ment, his espousal of any cause gives it essen- tial strength, while his opposition brands any undertaking as, at least, undesirable and un-

worthy. Having reared a fine family, .d performed conscientiously every duty wych seemed incumbent upon him, he may look ik upon a life of useful activity, whose force d influence is still in the tide of usefulness.

GEORGE W. HARRIS (deceased), 110 in his lifetime was one of the most valed citizens of Middletown, where his entire fe was an example of unparalleled industry und fidelity, was a native of that town, born fo- vember 8, 1813.

Mr. Harris was a son of Daniel Halis, whose father was born in that part of Gla In- bury known as Hopewell, and there folk ed farming all his days. He had four chillin, namely : (I) Ebenezer married, lived d died in Glastonbury. (2) Daniel is menti ed below. (3) Betsey married Ezekiel Tryord they lived for a time in Middletown, tlce removing to Essex, where they died, leang no children. Ezekiel Tryon was a sea caffin, making voyages to the East Indies, late en- gaging in the coasting trade. (4) Eli w at one time in the bakery business in Middle vn with his brother Daniel. He had a nume us family. He went to Texas in later life, And it is supposed died there. His son James'; a well-to-do business man of Sag Harbor, ng Island.

Daniel Harris, father of George W., fras born in Glastonbury, Conn., there makin his home until shortly after his marriage, en he removed to Middletown, where he p led the rest of his days. Learning the trad of baker, he established a bakery busines fon South street, and conducted same for ny years ; then engaged in hauling and trucng, besides other lines, such as running a stonebat (which he owned) on the Connecticut Fer. The later years of his life were occupi in trucking only. He married Mehitabe A. Hatch, of Wethersfield, and ten children ere born to them, a brief sketch of whom is afol- lows: (I) Daniel J., who was a sailor nd of a roving disposition, died in Bostonfun- married. (2) Samuel was a printer in ew Haven, dying there; he was twice ma .ed. (first) to Sarah Jane Kelly, of New prk, and (second) to Sarah Phelps, of New Hj'en, Conn. (3) Julius C., who was a sailor.vith his home in Middletown, was seized wit yel- low fever at Galveston, Texas, died whi 011

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

way home, and was buried at sea ; he mar- Susan Stevens, an orphan. (4) Mehita- 1 .1. married Frederick Barnes, a sailor, 10 died at New Orleans; she died at Middle- vn. (5) George W. is fully spoken of far- er on. (6) John F. was drowned during a 'shet, when a lad of about fifteen years. (7) enry C. was a joiner by trade, following ne in East Haddam and Middletown, but now living retired at the home of his daugh- Mrs. John F. Parker, in Middlefield; he rried Phebe Ann Smith. (8) Alonzo C. s a joiner in Middletown, and died there; married Amelia Butler. (9) Wallace W. d at the age of four years. (10) Edwin B. d at the time of his mother's taking away, en only four days old.

George W. Harris, whose name opens this tch, received a liberal education at the com- en schools, and so diligently applied himself this studies as, at an early age, to attract the dention of his teacher, who frequently com- 1 nded his example to the rest of the scholars. the age of thirteen years, young Harris ame a clerk in the grocery store of J. & S. ylor, where, after serving in that capacity f 1

fifteen years, he was taken into partner- s), withdrawing at the end of fourteen years a. entering the Central National Bank. Tere he remained for twenty years as cashier a nding to the duties of that incumbency a ci-siderable portion of the time without as- ants, and without losing a day for seven- to years, at the end of which long period he to« a vacation for some three weeks to visit 11 he West. It is without doubt owing to h fidelity and judgment that the bank became og of the most prosperous in the State. He filly retired from the bank, intending to give ufill business, but after the expiration of two 's was called to act as president and real- te agent of the Middletown Savings Bank, ch position he held for about a year. Two = ' 's later he was elected treasurer of the same ‹, which office he was holding at the time is death, September 29, 1887; he was con- need with the bank as trustee about twenty- ei t years. Mr. Harris was treasurer of the =

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ity of Middlesex for twenty-eight years, a director in the Middletown Gas Light ipany, and the Shaler & Hall Quarry Com- of Portland for many years. In politics belonged to the old Whig party, and by

personal effort, in the fall of 1844, was suc- cessful in carrying the town for his party against large Democratic odds. He joined the Republican party at its organization and was an ardent supporter of its principles up to the time of his death. In his business, politi- cal and social life Mr. Harris was exact in every detail, prompt in his engagements, at- tending to everything,-overlooking nothing; and whatever he undertook he did with great earnestness. This characteristic was very prominent in his make-up, even extending to his personal appearance, of which he was very particular, his attire always giving evid- ence of care, good taste and neatness. He had been a regular attendant at the Methodist Church of Middletown from the time of his first marriage, and had been largely associated with its interests for many years. In his death the family lost a kind husband and father. the community a worthy citizen, and the various institutions with which he was connected a valuable counselor. His remains were laid to rest in Indian Hill cemetery. He left a large estate.

In 1832 George W. Harris was married, in Middletown, to Miss Hannah T. Child, of Middle Haddam, born June 1, 1813, daughter of Buckley and Sally ( Tracy) Child, and four children were born to this union: (1) Sarah C., born January 17, 1833, was married No- vember 26, 1857, to Elijah Ackley (see sketch of him elsewhere), and died October 22. 1859. (2) Helen E., born December 10, 1834. mar- ried October 16, 1862, Elijah Ackley (his sec- ond wife), who die:l October 29, 1883: his widow now resides in Middletown. (3) Fran- ces A., born September 10, 1836, died Novem- ber 19, 1836. (4) George H., born April 30. 1840, died June 15, 1897 (see sketch else- where). The mother of this family died May 13, 1840, and is buried in Indian Hill ceme- tery.

On February 10, 1842, Mr. Harris for his second wife married Miss Amelia Johnson, who was born November 7. 1816, in Chatham, daughter of Seth and Emily ( Tracy) Johnson, and six children came of this union : ( 1) Theo- dore Dwight, born October 25. 1844. died August 13. 1851. (2) Edward Samuel, born July 14. 1846, died January 14. 1847. (3) Emma A., born April o. 1848, died February 18, 1849. (4) Emma A. (2), born February

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COMMEMORATIU'E BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

24, 1850, died August 15, 1851. (5) ~Emily Tracy, born January 5, 1852, died April 18, 1852. (6) Grace G., born July II, 1858, died December 25, 1858. The mother of these, a highly respected old lady, is still making her home in Middletown, and at her advanced age is remarkably well preserved, retaining her every faculty.

CAPT. SMITH WEEKS, retired sea captain, and an extensive real estate owner, has been a resident since 1869, of what is known as South Farms, in Middletown, Mid- dlesex county, and is one of the venerable cit- izens of that town. His eventful life has been filled with experiences strange and marvelous in their. character. He began life with little or no advantages of education, and has be- come a well informed man by observation, at- tention and the processes of a naturally thoughtful and retentive mind.

The Weeks family is an old one in New England. Francis Weeks, supposedly a brother of George, of Dorchester, and Thomas of Huntington, came from Devonshire, Eng- land, in the same ship with Rev. Richard Mather, and located at Salem, Mass. In 1636, when but a young man, he went to Providence in company with Roger Williams, and was a selectman of the colony. In 1641 he removed to New York, where he was granted a plantation in Gravesend, L. I., in 1648. Two years later he located in Oyster Bay, L. I., of which he became a joint proprietor. He mar- ried Elizabeth Luther.

Captain Weeks was born at West Farms, Westchester Co., N. Y., March 31, 1823, and was but a child when his parents, Benjamin and Eleanor (Hunt) Weeks, removed to Patchogue, L. I. His father was born in the City of New York, May 3, 1796, and his mother was born January 12, 1798, in West- chester county, N. Y., daughter of Thomas Hunt. Benjamin Weeks was a child when his parents removed to Westchester county, and in time he became employed in a paper mill near West Farms. In 1823 he removed with his wife and four children to Patchogue, where he worked in a paper mill for a number of years. He was also a fisherman and farmer. He died September 30, 1877. his widow on August 20, 1881. Their children were as follows: Stephen, born March 19,

1816, died October 6, 1891, in Patchogue I. ; he was a ship and house carpenter. Il1- iel L., born April 15, 1818, is the fathe of Henry E., Frank B. and Eleanor J., of 1 1- dletown. Livizer, born February 8, 1 1, died September 29, 1893, in Middletti, Conn .; she married Rev. Isaac Sanfor a Methodist clergyman. Smith is the sul ct of this article. Benjamin, born January I, 1826, died October 29, 1894, in Patcho ; he was a farmer, and, in the prime of his fe, a sea-going man. Aaron C., born Octobe5, 1829, died June 27, 1864; he fell from te masthead of the vessel on which he was 1- ployed, while in the waters of Great Sh Bay, L. I. Lydia A., born July 5, 183 |is the widow of Hosea Crandall, and is ling at Newtown, Conn. George Washington, In February 10, 1834, is living a retired litfat Patchogue, L. I. Charles W., born Sepin- ber 28, 1836, a Civil war veteran, residefat Patchogue, L. I. Ellen M., boru Noverfer 24, 1838, is the widow of Capt. Abram ,il- ler, of Patchogue. Henry H., born Febr ary 28, 1841, lives at Patchogue. Lafayette 3., born June 12, 1843, is a veteran of the Vil war, and is now a resident of Patchogue.

Stephen Weeks, the grandfather of (pt. Weeks, was a farmer, and the keeper othe Throgg's Point light house for a numberof years. His brother, Smith Weeks, was on of the most noted Methodist divines of a fo:fer generation. Their father was Abel Week!

Captain Smith Weeks was educated inthe common schools of his day, and has a gra ul memory of his boyhood teachers. Afte lie was eleven years of age he had but ple schooling except such as might be obtaine in a scattered attendance, during a few mc hs in the winter. He was a farmer boy, and as early set to work. At eleven years of agle could plow with oxen. He early showechis lack of all fear of the water, and incident re related that show the boy was indeed iris case the father of the man. While still n- der sixteen he went out on the sloop "With- man," engaged in carrying wood from Cat South Bay to New York. He was a sfor before the mast on the schooner "Merchat." He was provident, and saved his earnings that he was soon 'able to buy a sailboat in m- pany with another young man. This v sel was lost while engaged in oyster fishin in

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Dell are bay. Our subject was master of the chohier "Silas Crane," which plied between York and North Carolina, and of the ner, "Marcia," sailing on the same trade. He terward owned the "Equator," his first er property, which went on the beach it ] was t H foll at his had Ves g Island with a load of oysters. This then he was still under twenty-five, and a great loss to him. Captain Weeks ed the water until 1870, for a period of st thirty-five years, and then gave up greer as a sailor. During that time he en a coaster from Salem, Mass., to Gal- , Texas, and proved a bold and courag- cousmaster. The clipper ship, "Tingqua," for New York from Shanghai, was wreded on the Hatteras Shoals, off North Cardna, and the crew had signaled in vain for

Ip from several passing vessels. Capt. Wee came to their aid, and picked up the crev jul with the aving fourteen lives. For this wonder- lievement he was afterwards presented handsome gold watch by the owners of ingqua." He had the "R. L. Myers" butiltet Port Jefferson, L. I., and owned the "Suny South," which he sailed nine years. She fus the last vessel out of Charleston, S. C., I ving that port after the fall of Fort Sum : Capt. Weeks was engaged in the varryg trade for the Government during the war. He accompanied Gen. Burnside to New- bern, . C., with the schooner "Sunny South," d on board intrenching tools for the irmyis well as other supplies. In the same The carried a load of oats for cavalry on the James river. During the war he le "Ridgewood," at Greenpoint. At

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milt Jeep iver, Conn., he built the "Idabella," for his two daughters, a large schooner vas lost off Cape Cod, April 4, 1876. When lear Galveston, the decks of the "Ida- vere swept by a heavy sea that threw Veeks against the house, and pro- digit. ijuries that caused him to abandon the ater ( ntil je ha

. Weeks kept house at Greenpoint 69, when he removed to Middletown, Silver street built a home which has residence to the present time. Here ut up a number of good houses, and : a large work in the improvement of tat stion of Middletown.

Ca. Weeks and Miss Hannah A. Newins

were married February 18, 1851. She was born at Patchogue, Long Island, December 28, 1826, daughter of William and Catherine (Smith) Newins, and died at South Farms June 16, 1892. She was an invalid for years, and the Captain's devotion to her was marked, neither expense nor pains being spared when her comfort or pleasure was to be considered. Capt. and Mrs. Weeks had children as follows : (I) Isabella attended grammar school, No. 22, Brooklyn, and was later a pupil in a private school at Middletown; she studied language under Prof. Huber, of Wesleyan, and has had classes in French. Her musical talent has been highly cultivated, and she has had the early training of a number of musical scholars who have since displayed much ability. She is an active member of the Chautauqua Cir- cle. (2) Ida F. graduated from the Middle- town high school in 1873, and on June 26, 1879, married Prof. Joseph Chester Burke, who was born October 31, 1853, son of Dr. George W. Burke, of Middletown. His early death, June 27, 1885, was a distinct loss to his profession. He had held many prominent po- sitions in his work, and had a high reputation throughout the east. His only child, Edith Weeks, was born, at Auburndale, Mass., June 21, 1885. His widow now makes her home with her father.

Capt. Weeks has always sympathized with the Democratic party, but has no patience with the later developments of that organization, and voted for Mckinley in 1896, and in 1900. He has served as collector of school taxes. In his early life he was an Odd Fellow. He and his wife united with the Methodist Church when they were still young people. Capt. Weeks has experienced the "ups and downs" of life. He has lost what would be a fortune for most men, but still owns a very comfort- able competence and has reared his family well.

CHARLES W. PAGE, M. D., who until September 1, 1901, was the very efficient su- perintendent of the Connecticut Hospital for the Insane, at Middletown. now lives in Hart- ford, Conn. The Connecticut Hospital for the Insane at Middletown is one of the most exten- sive and superior institutions of the kind in the United States, and is thoroughly modern and progressive in its management. It has a fine

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equipment and everything that the art and science of medicine may hope to do for the un- fortunate members of the human family who come under its charge is freely done. While Dr. Page was its superintendent, it had over two thousand patients and about one hundred attaches, and required executive ability of its head that was far more than ordinary. Dr. Page, while not yet an old man, has had over thirty years' experience in institutions, and he brought the Middletown hospital up to the very highest stage of efficiency:

Dr. Page is a descendant from old settlers in New England through several families. He is in the ninth generation from that John Page who came with Winthrop and settled at Salem, Mass., in 1630, and later made his home in Watertown. His mother, Lucinda Whitney, was a descendant of that John Whitney who settled at Watertown in 1635. All his ancestors have been Massachusetts families, and his con- nections are with several old and prominent families in that State.

Dr. Page was born at Westminster, Mass., September 7, 1845, a son of Josiah Page, who was born at Fitchburg, Mass. He attended Westminster Academy, then a noted school that numbered among its pupils many men who afterwards rose to eminence in the various walks of life. He also attended Appleton Academy, at New Ipswich and the Fitchburg high school. He graduated from the Medi- cal School of Harvard College in 1872. He was especially proficient in the field of mental alienation, and very soon made it his specialty. He commenced the general practice of medi- cine at Fitchburg, Mass., and soon after went to the Retreat for the Insane .at Hartford, where he was assistant physician to Dr. Stearns until 1888. That year he went to the hospital at Danvers, Mass., to take the position of superintendent, which he continued to fill ten years. On September 1, 1898, he be- came superintendent of the Connecticut Hos- pital for the Insane at Middletown, and filled that position with marked ability until his resignation September 1, 1901, when he was succeeded by Dr. Henry S. Noble.

Dr. Page has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Henrietta Parkhurst, of Wilton, N. H., who bore him one son, Park- hurst Page, now of Boston. The Doctor's present wife was Miss Caroline Collins, a

daughter of Erastus and Mary (Atwood) C lins, of Hartford. Three children have be born of the second marriage : Atwood, Char WV., Jr., and Ruth W. Dr. Page does not ta an active part in politics, and aims to vote good men and measures irrespective of pa considerations. He is a man of culture a refinement, courteous and genial, and is a th. ough disciplinarian.

D. WILSON SPENCER, who is an h ored representative of an old and promin family of Essex, Middlesex county, is a c zen who has become well and most favora known to the community where, after a lc and successful life, he now occupies the il. portant position of president of the Saybro: Bank of Essex.

Thomas Spencer, the first of the Conner cut representatives of the family, in 1685 s. tled in Westbrook, where he began work ; the iron mines of Pond Meadow, this bei the first work of the kind in Middlesex coun

Joseph Spencer, the grandfather of D. W. son, was a native of Westbrook, where he vf, engaged in farming and blacksmith work uil his death, at an advanced age. In politics was a Republican. Joseph Spencer marrft Saba Dee, and they became the parents of : following children: Daniel; George, who [- cated at Toledo, and later at Maumee, Oh; Isaac, residing in Meriden, Conn .; Lucy, v) married Amasa Spencer, of Westbrook; Eli, who married Jedediah Post, of Westbrod; and Maria, who married Capt. Nichos Magna, of Westbrook. Joseph Spencer ml ried for his second wife the widow of Hincker Post, of Westbrook.

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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 52

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