Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 62

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 62

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CHARLES EVERETT BLODGETT. Among the old, prominent and representative families of the State of Connecticut none de- serve more extended mention than that of Blodgett, a long ancestral line showing honest. upright citizens, who in every generation were identified with both the agricultural and relig- 22

ious interests of the communities in which they made a home.

The earliest authentic records of this fam- ily indicate that the brothers Joshua, Samuel, Daniel and Josiah came from their native coun- try, England, probably on the ship "Increase," the head of the family being Thomas Blodgett, whose wife was Susan. Settlement was first inade at Woburn, Mass, whence then removed to Stafford, Conn., and the family was estab- lished in Stafford Hollow.

Joshua Blodgett, son of Thomas, with his wife Dinah also removed from Woburn, Mass., and became one of the first settlers in Stafford, Connecticut.

Joshua Blodgett, son of Joshua, born Jan- uary 10, 1721-2, was the first male child born in Stafford, Conn. His death took place Oc- tober 31, 1816, in the same place, on the old homestead farm which is now the property and residence of Arthur L. Blodgett. Joshua Blodg- ett was married November 2, 1749, to Hannah Alden, who was born November 17,: 1727. daughter of Daniel Alden, Esq., and Abigail (Shaw) Alden, and was a lineal descendant of John and Priscilla Alden, of Plymouth, Mass., of "Mayflower" fame. Their children were: Joseph, born May 10, 1757. gradu- ated from Dartmouth College in 1783, and was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church at Greenwich, Mass., in 1786; he died Novem- ber 26, 1833, at the age of seventy-six years, an able and faithful minister, the most distin- quished of an honorable family, whose other members were: Huldah, born June 19, 1750. in Stafford, married a Mr. Lillie, and moved to Bethel, Vt. Joshua, born February 4. 1752, died in infancy. Joshua, born October 2. 1753, died in childhood. Abigail, born Octo- ber 31, 1755. died in childhood. Benjamin, born May 18, 1759, in Stafford, settled in Ran- dolph, Vt. Alden, born March 14. 1766. in Stafford, married Sarah Abbott September 11. 1788, and died September 13, 1848. Eli, born August 22, 1768, in Stafford, was buried in Stafford village. Daniel, born July 20. 1770, in Stafford, died in chiklhood. Ezra, born July 8, 1773. in Stafford, settled in Michigan. Abigail, born February 10, 1761, married Dan- iel Moulton, of Monson, Mass. Hannah, born September 23. 1762, married Ebenezer Thresh- er, of Stafford. Eleanor, born June 6. 1704. in Stafford, married Daniel Abbott, and set-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tled in Stockbridge, Vt. Olive, born March 14, 1766, in Stafford, married a Mr. Riddle, and settled in Batavia, New York.

Deacon Alden Blodgett, son of Joshua, was born March 14, 1766, in Stafford, Conn., where he died September 13, 1848. On Sep- tember II, 1788, he married Sarah Abbott, who was born August 31, 1764, and died in Stafford December 28, 1839. The old farm which was his inheritance consisted of 200 acres, on the east branch of the river, near the falls, the locality now known as Stafford Hollow, the decree of possession from the Colonial commissioners being dated May 13, 1720. Alden Blodgett carried on extensive farming operations, and reared a large family. For many years he was a deacon in the Con- gregational Church of Stafford Street. His children were: Willard, born in 1789, in Staf- ford, Conn., married Almira Bliss January 22, 1814, and died in Sturbridge, Mass. Esther, born October 12, 1790, in Stafford, married Solva Converse May 14, 1812, died in Staf- ford Springs, and was there buried. Daniel, born January 25, 1793, in Stafford, mar- ried Martha Smith, of Monson, Mass., January 5, 1820, and died in Stafford May 2, 1855. Hannah, born in Stafford March 6, 1795, married Deacon Jacob Leonard, of Stafford, April 17, 1817 and died August 21, 1827. Sally, born in Stafford April 6, 1797, married John Leonard, of Stafford, June 3, 1819, and died in Auburn, Ill., September 5, 1884. Alden, born in Stafford June 25, 1799, married Elvira Cady, of Stafford, November 23, 1824, and died in Warren, Mass. ( where his descendants still live), in August, 1869. Dr. Joshua, born August 10, 1801, in Stafford, passed his life there in the successful practice of his profession ; his first marriage, on Sep- tember 13, 1829, was to Eliza Gay : his second wife was Almira Gay, his third Charlotte Eaton, and his fourth Marcia Fairman. Jo- seph, born October 20, 1803 in Stafford, died there October 27, 1875. Sidney. born in Staf- ford February 4, 1806, died there March 30, 1806. Wareham, born in Stafford January 16, 1808, became a skilled surveyor; he died in Syracuse, New York, July 30, 1831. Rufus Leonard, born in Stafford April 8, 1811, mar- ried Almina Bradway of Monson, Mass., and died August 10, 1884, at Monson.

Daniel Blodgett, son of Deacon Alden and

the grandfather of Charles E., of Portland, was born in Stafford, Conn., January 25, 1793, and died in his home there May 2, 1855. On January 5, 1820, he married Martha Smith, daughter of Reuben Smith, of Monson, Mass. She was born December 31, 1797, and died October 15, 1896. Daniel Blodgett was a well- known farmer, lived a quiet, rural life, and was a thoroughly respected citizen. He had a family of four children: Reuben Smith, born August 1I, 1820, in Stafford, grew to intelli- gent young manhood, and entered Yale Col- lege to prepare for a legal profession, leaving however, on account of failing health, and dy- ing in Stafford, January 6, 1845; Lucius is mentioned below; Austin K., born April 6, 1825, in Stafford, died in the old home No- vember 4, 1853: and Martha, born January 29, 1836, in Stafford, married Stephen Puffer, of North Amherst, Mass., in June, 1872, and now resides in that place.

Lucius Blodgett, son of Daniel, was born on the old homestead in Stafford, Conn., and received a good common-school education, passing through the high school also. His inclinations did not lead him in the direction of an agricultural life, and after leaving school he became a wool sorter, working in Tolland county, and in the mills at Fox Village, Hyde- ville, Stafford, Rockville, and various towns in Massachusetts. Later he returned to his native State, and, as his father was in declin- ing health, he returned to the old home and took charge of the farm the following year, through the father's death, becoming owner thereof. From that time until his own decease, January 4, 1892, he was one of the prominent and influential farmers of Stafford. In early life he was politically attached to the Old-line Whig party, casting his first vote for Henry Clay, in 1844, but he subsequently embraced the principles of the Republican party, and conscientiously supported the same all the rest of his life. Mr. Blodgett faithfully served his town as selectman, assessor and in other of- fices, for many years. For a long period he was interested in many of the leading interests of Stafford Springs, and until his death was one of the directors of the Savings Bank of that place. His religious belief led him to connect himself with the Congregational Church of Stafford Springs.

O11 August 23, 1846, Lucius Blodgett mar-

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ed Eliza Ann Bidwell, who was a daughter of iodate and Adotia ( Risley) Bidwell, of East artford, Conn., where she was born May II, 324, and where she still resides, a highly es- emed lady, well known for her many Chris- un virtues. They had children as follows : harles Everett was born November 16, 1849, Stafford; Arthur L. is a resident of New ondon; Esteile M., born February 20, 1855,

Stafford, was married May 15, 1878, to ucius D. Smith, and they reside at No. 28 villetts avenue, New London, Conn. ; Alice , born August 24, 1857, in Stafford, was married September 2, 1880, to Albert Peck, of ew London, Connecticut.

Charles Everett Blodgett, of Portland, re- eived his primary education in the district chools of his native town, completing his udies at the noted Monson Academy, at Mon- on, Mass. As the eldest son of the family, ore responsibility early fell upon him than on ne others. He remained at home until 1872, 1 which year he entered upon his pharma- eutical studies in the drug store of Dr. Julius Blodgett, a cousin of his father, in Portland. His salary for the first year was $50. He re- ained there during the following four years. Going then to Hartford, in association with oel E. Hall, he bought the drug store of J. . Lamb, at the corner of Main and Wells treets, in that city, and remained in business here for one year, selling his interest at the nd of that time to his partner. Returning to Portland, he was employed by Dr. Blodgett intil he was ready to embark in the drug busi- less for himself. Since 1870 Mr. Blodgett has been a continuous resident of Portland. with he exception of the year spent in Hartford. The business of which he is the proprietor was established even earlier, having been conduct- ed by Dr. Julius Blodgett for some years. In 1876 occurred a disastrous fire, which wholly lestroyed the store, but it was built up again. ifter modern plans, and Charles E. Blodgett then became owner and manager.

The first marriage of Mr. Blodgett was to Miss Jennie E. Cleveland, daughter of George B. Cleveland, of Portland. Her deatlı took place in 1882. His second marriage, in 1884. was to Miss Lizzie M. Dickinson, of Haddan, Conn., daughter of Capt. George L. and Mar- tha ( Hays) Dickinson, who is a lady of high attainments and social graces.

Mr. Blodgett is one of the leading Re- publicans of the town, and in 1886 was hon- ored by his fellow-citizens by election to the State Legislature, where he served very ac- ceptably on the committee on Foreign Rela- tions. In the Masonic fraternity he has long been prominent, holding membership in War- ren Lodge, No. 51, A. F. & A. M., and Free- stone Chapter, No. 34, R. A. M., of Portland. He is also a member of Portland Lodge, No. 35, I. O. O. F., and a charter member of the Portland lodges of both the A .O. U. W. and the New England Order of Protection. Both Mr. and Mrs. Blodgett are valued members of Trinity Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Blodgett belongs to the auxiliary order of the Daughters of the King, of that religious body. In matters of public interest Mr. Blodgett has long taken a prominent part, and he is identi- fied with the First National Bank of Portland, as a director, and with the Freestone Savings Bank of Portland, as a trustee. Not only does he conduct one of the largest, most complete and reliable drug houses of this part of the State, but he is widely known as a careful financier, an upright. Christian gentleman, and a public-spirited and energetic citizen.

CHARLES HUBBARD ( deceased) de- scended from one of the oldest families of New England, of whom a full and elaborate sketch is given on other pages of the work. under the title of the "Hubbard Family," to which allu- sion is also made in biographies of several other members. Perhaps no man was ever more actively and closely identified with the development of Middlesex Co., Conn., than was Charles Hubbard in his day, and his name will be honored in the county as long as its boundaries exist.

Charles Hubbard was born February 5. 1809, on Farm Hill. Middletown. a son of Asa and Sally (Sears) Hubbard, the former of whom was born January 13, 1768, was mar- ried February 7. 1795, and died January 26. 1837: the latter was born June 27. 1774, and died September 17, 1861, and was the mother of ten children, all favorably known to the peo- ple of Middlesex county.

Young Hubbard, at the age of seventeen, went to North Carolina where he resided for ten years, afterward returning to Middletown. Upwards of forty years before his death. he

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

interested himself in improving the breed of horses in this part of the country, and was the head and front of a society organized for that purpose. He was for many years presi- dent of and actively identified with the Mid- dlesex Agricultural Society. It was his cus- tom to drive to Middletown daily when in health, and he became a prominent and familiar figure there. He took great interest in the local affairs of the city. He was for nineteen years a director of the Middletown Gas Light Co., and its president for sixteen years. He was president of the old Horse Railway Com- pany, in which he took great interest, and to him, as much as to any man, was due the suc- cess of that road, in which he had great faith, saying that if he were a younger man, he would have built it at his own expense. He was also interested in other matters relating to the prosperity of the town and county.

Mr. Hubbard was prominent politically. In early life he was a Whig and acted with that party for many years ; but for some time prior to his death he was an active Democrat. He was tendered by Gov. Harrison the posi- tion of Commissioner from Connecticut to the New Orleans Exposition, but declined it on account of his age. He left behind him a com- petency and the reputation of an honest man.

On September 23, 1830, Mr. Hubbard mar- ried Delia S. Birdsey, who was born April 4, 1809, a daughter of Samuel and Betsey (Cro- well) Birdsey, of whose ancestors much has been said on other pages of this work, and a recapitulation of Mrs. Hubbard's descent will be made further on. The marriage of Charles and Delia S. Hubbard was blessed with three sons and four daughters, viz .: Samuel B., married Almira Hubbard, and is now one of the leading men of Jacksonville, Fla., being president of several business concerns; Anna Eliza, widow of Joseph Wilcox, whose bio- graphy will be given further on; Harriet, who was married to James Sutton, and died in Mid- dlefield; William H. married Emma T. Fol- som, and died and was buried in Mandarin, Fla. ; Frances D. is the wife of Milton Miller and lives in Waterbury, Conn .; Ellen M. is now Mrs. Andrew Miller, of Hartford; and Charles G. is married and lives in Centralia, Wash. Charles Hubbard, the venerable and venerated father of this family, died July 4, 1885, and his widow January 22, 1890.

The line of descent of the Birdsey family of which Mrs. Delia S. (Birdscy ) Hubbard was a member, is as follows: John, born in England in 1614, married Widow Philipe Smith, and died in 1690; John (2), born in America, in 164 -- , married Phoebe Wilcoxson, who was born in 1651, the former dying in 1697, and the latter in 1743; Abel, born in 1679, married Comfort Wells, and died in 1747; John (3), born in 1712, married Han- nah Smith; Gershom, born in 1734, married Hannah Bartlett, and died in 1789; Samuel, born in 1775, died in 1850, and was the hus- band of Betsey Crowell, who was born in 1774, and died in 1862. Delia S., of the seventh gen- eration of Birdseys, was the wife of Charles Hubbard, whose name opens this review.

Joseph Wilcox (deceased), who married Anna E. Hubbard, was born February 13, 1824, in the house in the town of Cromwell, Middlesex county, now occupied by Dr. Frank Halleck, and was a son of Eben and Lucretia (Mildrum) Wilcox, both of very highly re- spected families, of whom more may be read in the sketch of George S. Wilcox, his brother, on another page. Joseph Wilcox was educated in the district schools and at the Cromwell Academy, assisted in the cultivation of his father's farm, and for a short time worked in a factory on Timber Hill. He was twice mar- ried : first, at the age of twenty-one years to Ann J. Tryon, a native of Glastonbury, and a daughter of Noah Tryon, a farmer, and to this union were born two children: Corinne, the wife of Horace R. Butler, of Middletown, and Annie, who first married to James Ferre, and next to Mr. Adams. Two years after the death of Mrs. Ann J. (Tryon) Wilcox, Jo- seph Wilcox married Miss Anna E. Hubbard, a resident of Middlefield, and a daughter of Charles and Delia S. (Birdsey) Hubbard, who are fully spoken of in foregoing paragraphs. Mrs. Anna E. (Hubbard) Wilcox was, how- ever, born in Wadesboro, N. C., and was but a year old when her parents returned to their home in the North, bringing her with them. To the marriage of Joseph and Anna E. Wil- cox were born five children, namely: James E., who died an infant; Frank H., who was graduated from the U. S. Grant University, of Chattanooga, Tenn., in 1899, is now an at- torney and agent for the Prudential Life In- surance Co., in Oelwein, Iowa, and is married

L. D. Heller

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ro Elizabeth Clark, of Findlay, Ohio, who has borne him two children, Joseph and Anna Gertrude. Charles J., who married Maud Jones, has one daughter, Irene H., and is in the drug business in Palisade, Neb .; Harriet .A., who was graduated from St. Margaret's school at Waterbury, Conn., and is now living in Ware, Mass .; and Eben R., who died in in- fancy.

Joseph Wilcox was a very skillful and suc- cessful farmer, was physically of medium stature, and as a citizen was very popular. In politics he was a Republican, but always de- clined serving in public office. Fraternally he was a member of Washington Lodge, No. 81, A. F. & A. M., of Cromwell, and also of the I. O. O. F. Lodge of Middletown, but withdrew from the latter on his second marriage. He attended the Congregational Church, contrib- uted freely of his means to its support, lived fully up to its teachings, and died in that faith on his farm, May 18, 1877. His remains were interred in Cromwell.

LORENZO DOW WEBBER. Among the prominent business citizens of Ivoryton, Middlesex county-one who has been identi- fied with one of the largest factories of that section of the State-is Lorenzo Dow Webber, the capable superintendent of the keyboard and piano action factory of The Comstock, Cheney & Co., located at Ivoryton.

The family of which Mr. Webber is a worthy member comes of sturdy Dutch ances- try. His father, Abel Webber, was born in New Hampshire, where he grew to manhood. In company with a brother he went to Monroe, Waldo Co., Maine, and there engaged in farming and in the lumber business. In 1850 he changed his location to Deep River, Conn., where he died at the age of eighty-five. Dur- ing the Civil war he gave his services to his country, although his advanced years precluded any demands being made upon him. In pol- itics he was a stanch Republican, and in relig- ion he was a faithful member of the Baptist Church. He was twice married, but his chil- dren were all born of his first union. Mary Ham, of Plymouth, N. H., became the wife of his youth and the mother of his children. They were: Mary Ann, Almira, Philander. Jonathan, Nathan, Susannah and Abel, all de- ceased ; Lorenzo Dow, our subject : Mary, wife

of Sherman Burwell, of Deep River; and Ferdurn, who is employed by The Comstock, Cheney & Co., at Ivoryton.

Lorenzo Dow Webber was born July 3, 1833, in Monroe, Waldo Co., Maine, and at- tended the district schools at that place until he reached the age of thirteen. At the age of nine he made his home with Hon. Waldo P. Vinal (sketch of whom, appears elsewhere in this volume) who later moved to Connecticut and died in Middletown. For three years Mr. Webber remained at Fort Kent, Maine, whither he removed with the Vinals, and dur- ing that time, after Mr. Vinal's family had re- turned to Monroe, he was employed in a store as clerk and interpreter to the French Canad- ians, his employer, Mr. Stevens, paying him $100 for the year's work, $50 of this sum to be taken in trade from the store. When set- tlement was made Mr. Stevens gave him in addition to his wages a generous sum of money for having faithfully performed his du- ties, and later tried to induce him to return, but by this time Mr. Webber had decided to go back to Monroe. He made the trip of three hundred miles on horseback, fifteen miles of it over the ice on Eagle Lake, the eighth day of April, 1848.

In 1849 Mr. Webber located in Deep River with Mr. Vinal, and in that place completed his education, working through the summers and attending school in the winters. In his eighteenth year he was made dockmaster at Deep River, for that season, and then entered the employ of George Read & Co .. now Pratt. Read & Co., in the ivory comb and piano key business. Mr. Webber had no previous ex- perience in that line, but with the energy that has characterized every portion of his com- mercial life he started in diligently to learn all he did not know, beginning at the bottom of the ladder, and in a remarkably short time was made engineer, which responsible position he efficiently held for eleven years. In 1862, in company with William McNeil. Mr. Webber began the manufacture of keyboards, the fac- tory being then located upon the ground now occupied by the present large factory of Pratt, Read & Co. This business prospered, the fac- tory having a capacity of twenty-eight boards daily, and giving employment to about seventy- five men and boys. Later he acceptel a very liberal offer made him to enter the employ

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of his present employers, and disposed of his interest to the Comstock, Cheney & Co., on January 1, 1874, coming to the Comstock, Cheney & Co., and establishing their keyboard factory. In 1885 the action department was established, of which he has been superintend- ent ever since.

On November 26, 1857, Mr. Webber was married to Catherine M. Shailer, who was born May 5, 1835, at Preston, Conn., daughter of Rev. Nathan E. and Ann ( Webb) Shailer, and the children of this union were: Frank L., who died in infancy ; Walter S., deceased ; H. Wooster ; and M. Catherine. In politics Mr. Webber follows the precedent set by his hon- ored father, and has always upheld the prin- ciples of the Republican party. Both he and his estimable wife are consistent members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Webber has taken an active interest in public affairs. Fratern- ally he is connected with Trinity Lodge, No. 63, F. & A. M .. of Deep River ; and Burning Bush Chapter, No. 29, of Essex.

Mr. Webber has made many friends during his life, possessing those qualities which ever win esteem. In his pleasant home in Ivoryton he enjoys the reward of diligent, faithful per- formance of duty and has the esteem of not only the members of the company with whom he has so long been associated, but of the en- tire community. He conducts the business with zeal, not because he is a stockholder, but as a man of strict principles, as is shown in all of his dealings. As he merited reward when but a lad, on account of faithful service, so he still continues to ever make his employers' interests his own.

Mr. Webber takes pardonable pride in H. Wooster Webber, his son, who is now the ca- pable assistant superintendent of the action de- partment of the large plant. H. Wooster Webber was born September 2, 1866, and re- ceived his literary education in the common schools of Deep River, Essex and Portland, Maine, also Vermont Academy, of Saxton River, Vt., which he attended for the last three years of his school life. On July 1. 1885, he entered the employ of The Comstock, Cheney & Co., as an employe on action work, and is now assistant superintendent of that depart- ment, having filled that position since July I, 1895. His political support is given to the Republican party. He is a member of the Bap-

tist Church. On September 27, 1893, he was married to Miss Bessie M. Wright, a native of Clinton, Conn., daughter of Hon. Alfred M. and Mary J. ( Hull) Wright, and the fol- lowing named children have been born to them: Lorenzo Dow, Wooster Wright and Robert Blatchley.

REV. AZEL WASHBURN HAZEN, D. D., pastor of the First Church of Christ, Middletown, Middlesex county, comes of a sturdy New England ancestry, reaching back on his mother's side to the Pilgrim Fathers of the "Mayflower," 1620, and on his father's side to 1649, and in a line of holy men and women through all the intervening years. His father and three of his brothers, besides hin- self, have been ministers of the Gospel, and two of them pastors of churches for a third and more of a century each, the ministry of the family covering more than a hundred years.

Azel Washburn Hazen was born April 10 1841, in Berlin, Vt., son of Rev. Austin and Lucia (Washburn) Hazen, descending in the paternal line from Edward Hazen, the Amer ican ancestor of the family, wlio is first o record at Rowley, Mass., as early as 1649 the time of the burial of his wife Elizabeth Edward Hazen married (second) in 165c1 Hannah Grant, daughter of Thomas and Han nah Grant. He was a man of substance and influence in the town, was many times select man, and held other offices. From this emi grant ancestor the lineage of Dr. Hazen, o Middletown, is through Thomas, Thomas (2) Thomas (3), Asa and Rev. Austin Hazen.

(II) Thomas Hazen, born February 29 1657-58, married January 1, 1682-83, Mary daughter of Thomas Howlet, and was of Row ley and Boxford, Mass., and Norwich (nov Franklin) Conn., where he died April 12 1735. He was a churchman in Topsfield, Box ford and Franklin, Connecticut.

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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 62

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