Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 55

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 55

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Capt. Samuel Chapman, eldest son of Rob- ert (2), married Margaret Griswold, of Nor- wich, and the children of this union numbered ten, the eighth, Caleb, born in 1708, being the direct ancestor of our subject. Capt. Chapman was a prominent man in Saybrook military affairs. He resided in what is now the town of Westbrook, and with his wife was among the fourteen to organize the first church there, on June 29, 1726. Four of his descend- ants have been successively deacons in that church.

Caleb Chapman, son of Capt. Samuel, mar- ried Deborah, daughter of Samuel Jones, in 1738. Their family numbered eight, the eld- est, Caleb C., being the next in line.

Caleb C. Chapman, the grandfather of our subject, born in 1740, married (first) Phebe Post, in 1764, and by her had one child. His second marriage, in 1769, was to Elizabeth Bushnell. He was a prominent man in the parislr of Westbrook, in both civil and relig- ions affairs, was chosen deacon of the Con- gregational Church in 1780, and served in that

capacity for seventeen years, until his decease, in 1797. His children were Chloe, Elizabeth, Richard, Charles, Henry, Timothy and Ed- ward.

Charles Chapman, the father of Charles, was born June 22, 1774, was. a successful farmer, and an exemplary member of the Con- gregational Church in Westbrook, where he died November 5, 1844. The mother of our subject was Nancy Lay, daughter of Aaron Lay. They were married January 18, 1801, and nine children were born to them: Nancy, Julia, Charles, Mary, Ann, Eunice, Minerva, Joseph and Aaron.

Charles Chapman, whose name introduces this sketch, was born October 21, 1806, and was primarily educated in the district schools of Westbrook, later receiving instruction in a private school in the same place. During his early manhood he engaged in shad fishing, be- coming successful in that business, although he started with a small capital. Later he enlarged his business and carried on seine shad fishing, in the Connecticut river, at Saybrook. being en- gaged there with Deacon Henry Lay and Charles Sill. In Westbrook he at one time was a member of an influential firm, known as Chapman & Post, comprised of William Chap- man, Lyman Post and Gilbert Post, which was largely engaged in shad fishing. this business being then in its greatest prosperity in that region. In the carly 'eighties the shad fishing business in the Connecticut began to wane. It was one of the chief sources of revenue for many of the citizens for many years, and Mr. Chapman successfully followed it for over forty years. His home was on the farm where his daughter Cornelia now resides. he having built the residence now standing in 1848. A large land owner at one time, a part of his property was the tract of land now known as "Chap- man's Beach," and he also owned considerable land near the present Grove Beach, in the town of Clinton. The death of Mr. Chapman took place May 3, 1888, the immediate cause of his demise being heart failure, and his remains lie in the new cemetery at Westbrook. Hay- ing been unusually healthful throughout life. strong and robust, of an active life and a man of exemplary habits, his sudden death was a great shock to his family and friends.

Mr. Chapman was a prominent man in

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· Westbrook, his general knowledge, obtained from a long and regular course of solid read- ing of the best literature of the day, informing him of all the important thought of the world, and making him a sound counselor and a man whose good judgment could be of the utmost importance in the public affairs of his town. In early life he was a Whig, but later became an ardent Republican, and was ever anxious for the success of his party, but would accept no political preferment, being a man of domes- tic habits, unostentatious and retiring. The eld- est son in a large family, he was early obliged to care for himself, and his first one hundred dol- lars were invested in land, this being the nu- cleus of his fortune. A member and constant and liberal supporter of the Congregational Church, he was most highly esteemed there, for his many acts of kindness and generosity were best known within the church.

Mr. Chapman's first marriage was to Mary, daughter of Elihu Bushnell. She died in July, 18.42, one child surviving, Mary B., born in July, 1841, who married Richard W. Post, of Westbrock, and died May 8, 1876. The sec- ond marriage of Mr. Chapman was to Dency, daughter of Capt. Elbert Stannard. She died after a long illness, on September 1, 1887. The following named children were born of this union : Joseph, deceased; Nancy, deceased ; Joseph, deceased; Charles E .; Cornelia, de- ceased; and Cornelia, now living on the old homestead in Westbrook.

CHARLES E. CHAPMAN, the worthy son of our subject, was born October 6, 1853, in the old homestead. He received a superior educa- tion. After passing through the course at the district schools he attended the Westbrook Academy, the Seabury Institute, at Saybrook, and also received advanced instruction at a pri- vate school kept in Westbrook by Rev. George A. Bryan, a Congregational minister. During his early life he was associated with his father in shad fishing, but upon the death of the latter he purchased his present farm, from William Chapman, this being known locally as "the John Bushnell place," a tract of forty-five acres, on which he has made many valuable improvements and erected substantial build- ings. Mr. Chapman owns also a fine farm on the line between Westbrook and Old Saybrook, carrying on general farming, and also engag- ing extensively in the baling and shipping of

hay and straw. Mr. Chapman is also finan- cially interested in a company known as "The Salt Works Fish Pound Company," and, with ex-Lieut. Gov. J. D. Dewell, and others, of New Haven, is interested in the coasting trade. Mr. Chapman for many years has been one of the most prominent men in Westbrook. A Republican in politics, he has been before the public in the State Legislature since 1889, when he efficiently 'served on the Committee on Claims and on the Insurance committee; in 1891 he was chairman of the Fishery commit- tee ; in 1895-96 he represented the Twenty-first Senatorial District, and served on the Fishery committee. As a member of the board of se- lectmen, as secretary of the town school com- mittee and as a member of the board of relief, Mr. Chapman has won the confidence and es- teem of his fellow-citizens. He recently pur- chased a piece of land at the corner of Main street and Spencer avenue, which he has con- veyed to the town of Westbrook, and upon which will be erected, at his expense, a suitable building for a graded public school. Mr. Chap- man is now a member of the town committee. He was one of the organizers and charter members of Westbrook Grange, in which he is past master, is a director in the Saybrook Bank of Essex, and is one of the trustees in the Essex Savings Bank. In 1899 he was ap- pointed by Gov. Lounsbury, as a member of the State Board of Agriculture, for the Second Congressional District. ,

The marriage of Mr. Chapman to Ella J. Dee, a native of Westbrook, daughter of Na- thaniel and Una (Spencer) Dee, was cele- brated February 22, 1878, and a family of nine children have been born to this union : George, Alice Maria, Joseph Frederick, Raymond, Amy Dency, Charles, Wilda, Robert Dayton and Ruth Ella.

WILLIAM L. FOWLER, now living re- tired on a small farm, is well known in the town where his active life was passed, and is a respected citizen of his section of Middlesex county.

Gurdon Fowler, his grandfather, was born in Vernon, Tolland Co., Conn., in 1772, and was a son of a Revolutionary soldier. When a young man he removed to East Haddam, where he married Anna Ackley, a native of the town. In young manhood he engaged in truck-

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ing, but later purchased property on Fowler Hill, in the town of East Haddam, where he engaged in farming. He was a man of more than usual intelligence. A member of the First Congregational Church of East Haddam for many years, he was in 1825 chosen deacon, an office which he held to the time of his death, in 1854. He was related indirectly to the church's second pastor. Dr. Joseph Fowler, who served the church for twenty-one years. An uncle of Deacon Fowler was noted for his strength, and the story is told of his killing a bear, single-handed, with merely a pine knot picked up during the combat. Another amus- ing anecdote is one connected with a bully who challenged him to a wrestling bout. The lat- ter made his errand known at the cider-mill where Mr. Fowler was working. The chal- lenge was accepted, and to bind the compact Mr. Fowler raised one of the filled cider bar- rels to his lips and drank from the bung, then politely offered it to thestranger, who re- fused to undertake the feat and at once left the place, without ever again renewing his challenge. The family born to Deacon Fowler and his wife were: Ackley, Samuel, William L., Sr., Sarah, Asa, and Acenith.

William L. Fowler, Sr., father of our sub- ject, was born June 10, 1807, in East Had- dam, Conn., where he grew to maturity. In his youthful days he was employed as a saw- yer, later becoming a shoemaker. During his last years he lived in Moodus, retired from ac- tive business, and there died April 6, 1900. He married Caroline L. Green, who was born February 26, 1810, and who died November II, 1897. To this union were born: Will- iam L., Henry, Lenora L. and Etta B.

William L. Fowler was born on Fowler Hill October 30, 1831, and after taking a thor- ough course at the North District school was sent to a select school in Moodus. At the age of sixteen he began earning his own living, and is thoroughly a self-made man. His first venture was in the shoemaking line, which trade he learned under his father, and then for twenty-five years he was in the butcher busi- ness. Discontinuing this, he purchased a cotton- mill, which he operated for fifteen years, and in 1893 sold out to the Moodus Machine Com- pany. Desiring to live a more retired life, but being of a disposition that would not permit him to remain idle he purchased a small farm,

and is now conducting it in a very scientific manner, but still retains his interest in the financial circles of Moodus, and is a director in the Moodus Savings Bank.

Mr. Fowler was married to Mary B. Per- cival, daughter of Hezekiah W. and Harriet M. (Williams) Percival. The Percival fam- ily trace their origin to England. The first of the name in America, John, spelled it Parse- vill, and was located at Barnstable, Mass. Two children were born of this union: Oscar Percival, born April 1, 1851, was formerly a music teacher in New Haven, Conn., but is now living retired in Moodus; May W., born July 24, 1863, has been given a thorough training in music and art, studying the latter in New York Art schools and in Europe, vis- iting the continent several times, and spending the past winter in Italy. For his second wife Mr. Fowler married Catherine E. Worthing- ton, who was born in Moodus, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (Willey ) Worthington.

Politically, Mr. Fowler is a black Repub- lican, and has served his party as constable, deputy sheriff in 1877, and collector in 1896. He and his family attend the Congregational Church, and are highly respected therein. Having attained a present gratifying financial position by his own unaided efforts, Mr. Fow- ler may justly be proud of his success.

. HENRY WADSWORTH HURLBURT. Among the progressive and successful farm- ers of Middlesex county, Mr. Hurlburt stands in the very foremost rank, his broad, well cultivated acres, with their modern out- buildings, being generally considered, in point of productiveness, equal, is not superior, to any other farm in the county. He comes of hard working, sturdy, upright Connecticut stock, and his long well spent life has added honor to his family name. He, himself, was born in Portland, and his father, Ansel Hurl- burt, in Chatham, while his grandfather, Elisha Hurlburt, long resided near Middle Haddam. in that town, where he was a farmer, ship buikler and tanner, and where he died re- spected and prosperous. He married a Miss Churchill, and was the father of five sons and three danghters.

Ansel Hurlburt, the father of Henry W .. was also a farmer. For many years he was a resident of Chatham, removed thence to

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Portland, where he lived one year, and then moved back to Chatham, where he lived until, in 1854, he accompanied his son Henry to Middlefield, dying on the latter's farm, 'be- loved by his family, and honored by his fel- low townsmen. He married Mrs. Mary (Wadsworth) Goodrich, who was born in East Hartford. Capt. Gordon Goodrich, her first husband, was a sea captain, engaged in the West Indies trade, and was lost at sea. To Capt. and Mrs. Goodrich were born two daughters and one son, Mary Jane, Harriet and Gordon. The first named died unmarried. Harriet became the wife of Asher D. Miller ; for some years she and her husband resided in the State of New York, but they finally emigrated to Rockford, Ill., where some of their descendants are yet living. Gordon mar- ried Roxana Smith, and is living in Ohio. Henry W. Hurlburt is the second and young- est son of his parents; his elder sister, Sarah P., died shortly after her marriage to Daniel Jones, of East Haddam. His brother Charles was twice married, his first wife being Jane Van Dine; he died in Boston. Mrs. Ansel Hurlburt died at the home of her son, Henry, in Middlefield, about 1860.

Henry. Wadsworth Hurlburt was born Sep- tember 13, 1828. The story of his life is a tale of filial devotion, joined to an unswerving sense of honor and unflagging energy. He was 'barely eighteen years of age, when, with no better educational equipment than he had been able to obtain at the district schools, he started out in life on his own account, with the dual purpose of hewing out his own way to success, and liquidating the heavy debts which encumbered his father's farm, and ren- dered his father's life well nigh a burden. Among the latter's holdings were valuable timber and mining lands, the former being situated in Chatham. To this he first directed his youthful energies. Much of it he felled and split himself, and the output, consisting of fence rails, together with heavy timber, for use in house and ship building, found a mark- et in Long Island, being shipped thither by vessel. For ten years Mr. Hurlburt continued in the lumber business, and at the expiration of that period he had discharged every debt that his father had incurred, besides erecting for his parents a commodious and handsome home. Under the terms of an agreement with

his father, the title to the land had been vested in him, and in 1854 he disposed of the property, to settle upon his present farm in Middlefield, near the boundary line of Middletown, which was then known as the "Hiram Birdsey farm." His ready means were not sufficient to enable him to meet the full purchase price, but thanks to his sagacity, judgment and industry, the encumbrance was soon lifted. The farm com- prises seventy acres, all of which is fertile and under high cultivation. To its improvement and management he has brought both techni- cal knowledge of a high order and long expe- rience, joined to tireless energy and a keen, intelligent appreciation of the advantages to be gained by the adoption of modern, advanced ideas. Not to weary the reader with a tire- some recital of details, it may suffice to men- tion a few of the points of special excellence to be noted on his farm: Imprimis, when, for- ty-seven years ago, he began farming in Mid- dlefield, he was the first to introduce horses as a substitute for oxen in farm work. He is one of the few Connecticut agriculturists who have made a success of wheat growing, and for the twenty-one years following 1865, he marketed annually six thousand quarts of strawberries. His yield of potatoes and tur- nips is about one thousand bushels a year for each product, and his other crops are propor- tionally large. He has also successfully fol- lowed dairy farming to a limited degree, and his choice stock and admirable methods have insured for him the same measure of success which has waited upon all his well directed efforts. The little details of farming-which to so many agriculturists, even in New Eng- land, seem of so little importance-never es- cape his watchful eye and vigilant care. He is a man endowed with rare powers of obser- vation and reflection, as well as with mechani- cal skill of a high order, and not a few of the many conveniences of his farm buildings are of his own invention. The fifteen hundred square feet which comprise the feeding floor and stable of his spacious barn are of cement, which he has also used in other buildings. He has made all these improvements himself, and neatness and cleanliness are marked features of the entire farm, with all its appurtenances, while all the implements in use are of the most recent and improved pattern. Indeed, the general opinion among Mr. Hurlburt's neigh-

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bors is that no other property in the town of Middlefield is equal to his, or is as well con- ducted. He never allows briers or bushes of any kind to grow on his farm, or in fence corners.

Mr. Hurlburt is a Republican in politics, and has held several minor offices, being at present (1902) town constable. Kéen in in- tellect, yet deliberate and cautious in judg- ment, his advice is frequently sought by his fellow citizens, by whom he is both admired and loved.

In 1852 Mr. Hurlburt led to the altar Miss Ina Barnes, of East Berlin, Hartford county, whose brother Albert is superintendent of the Peck, Stow & Wilcox factory, and is one of Berlin's substantial and influential citizens. Mrs. Hurlburt died in 1892 and is buried in her native town. Her death was a severe blow to her husband, between whom and her- self the bond of mutual love and esteem was both strong and tender. She left three daugh- ters: Emma G., Kittie M. and Carrie E. The eldest is the wife of L. Peet Tuttle, the present town clerk of North Haven. Kittie M. mar- ried Paul Schultz, who conducts a meat mark- et in Norwalk ; and Carrie E. is the wife of Israel Cummings, who was born in Vermont, and lives in East Berlin.

GEORGE M. SMITH is one of the well known residents and old citizens of Middle- town, Middlesex county, now retired from ac- tive business cares except such as are involved in the administration of his valuable and ex- tensive real estate holdings.

Mr. Smith was born March 13, 1837, in Middletown, on the west side of Main street, between College and William streets, and he has lived in the house he now occupies, on William street, since 1843. His father, Ed- mund W. Smith, was born August 19, 1811, at Middletown, son of Hibbard Smith, a baker, who came from Lyme, Conn. (where he was born) to Middletown, and was the first of his family in that city. He married a Miss Bish- op, of Cromwell, and became the father of a numerous family: (1) Edmund W. was the father of George M. (2) Hibbard lived and died in Middletown. He learned the carpen- ter's trade, but was a liveryman for years. He married Miss Amelia Barnes, and left two sons, Frank C. and Albert. (3) Henry, who

was engaged as a baker in company with his father, has been dead for years. He married Miss Mary, Bacon, daughter of Capt. Horace and Delia (Johnson) Bacon, and she survived him with two daughters-Helen M., who died November 19, 1879; and Eugenia B., who married George Parker, of Thomaston, Conn. (4) Nathaniel B. succeeded his father in the bakery business, but later in life became a gro- cer. His wife was a Miss Elizabeth Crosley. (5) Maria is the widow of Chittenden U. Hatch, and is living at Muscatine, Iowa. (6) Ann married Amos Monroe, and died in Mid- dletown. (7) Julia married a Mr. Boone, and died in Elkton, Md. (8) Mary married W. Jones, an attorney of Elkton, who was a prom- inent man in that part of Maryland, and for many years was in the government service. Hibbard Smith died at the age of seventy-six years, and his widow survived him some three or four years. They were both buried in the Old West cemetery at Middletown.

Edmund W. Smith was reared in Middle- town. He was a carpenter by trade, and built the house in which his son, George M., now lives, which is a fine example of the honest construction and thorough work of former generations. He was a partner with his broth- er Hibbard in the livery business. On May 6, 1833, at Lyme, Conn., he married Frances Julia Miner, who was born in Lyme Septem- ber 18, 1815, and died June 13, 1889. Mr. Smith passed away August 18. 1858. They were buried in Indian Hill cemetery. He was a Republican, and a man of much character and intelligence. His wife was a member of the South Congregational Church, and a woman of Christian character. She was a regular reader of the Bible, and well versed in its teachings. Their children were as follows: Edmund, born February 16, 1835, resides in Middletown, and is night watchman for the W. & B. Douglass establishment. George M. is the second in the family. Ruth, born May 10. 1840, died January 9. 1842. Charles M., born August 15. 1843, was drowned in the Con- uecticut river August 12, 1848; he fell from the steamboat dock while fishing with his play- mates.

George M. Smith attended school on the south side of William street, a short distance cast of Broad street, and Miss Winifred John- son was his first teacher. He was a student in

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the high school when his school days ended, at the age of thirteen years. He had helped his father in the livery barn when not at school, and has a good eye for all the fine points of a horse. Early in his 'teens he went to West- chester county, N. Y., and worked a year on the farm of his great-uncle, Ichabod Smith. At the expiration of that time he came back to Middletown and began a mercantile career as a clerk in the general store of A. M. Cole- grove, holding this position for a year. Sub- sequently he was employed by Patrick Fagan, and then by his brother, Nicholas, who con- ducted a general dry goods store, being with the two Fagans for about seven years. Mr. Smith was next engaged as a bookkeeper in the office of W. & B. Douglass, entering their employment in November, 1861, and resign- ing his position in February, 1898, his long service attesting sufficiently his efficiency and reliability.

On December 5, 1860, Mr. Smith was mar- ried, in Cromwell, to Miss Caroline Stocking, of that town, who was born November 22, 1840, daughter of Henry and Caroline ( Belch- er) Stocking, and died February 4, 1893. She was buried in Indian Hill cemetery. Mrs. Smith was a lady of most estimable charac- ter, and was a member of the South Congre- gational Church. She was the mother of two children : Harry Edmund is a traveling sales- man for W. & B. Douglass, and lives in Mid- dletown; he married Miss Emma Lucas, of Middletown, and has one daughter, Carolyn. Louie Stocking is in the insurance business in Middletown.

Mr. Smith has been a Republican for many years, and has often served on the common council. He is a good citizen and held a high place as an honorable and upright busi- ness man. Enjoying good health, he is well preserved and hearty for one of his years.

LIEUT. ARTHUR BOARDMAN, for many years the efficient treasurer of the Crom- well Dime Savings Bank, has filled many im- portant positions in the local affairs of the town of Cromwell, where he has been town clerk and town treasurer, as well as treasurer of the Town Deposit Fund, Local School Fund and other town trust funds, administering these important trusts to the very general sat- isfaction of the public. Twice elected as se-

lectman, he resigned during the last term for which he was elected, to become town clerk. Although a stanch Republican, the generous support of all parties has been given him when- ever he runs for office, and his election is con- ceded as soon as the nomination is made.

The Boardman family descends from Sam- uel Boardman, the line reckoning back from Lieut. Arthur Boardman as follows : Will- iam Frederic, Nathan (2), Nathan, Josiah, Isaac (2), Isaac, and Samuel.

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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 55

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