Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 70

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 70

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Obediah Platts was born in Clinton, and settled in the town of Saybrook, in Winthrop, where he was the first white settler; he built a house near where the schoolhouse now stands. His death occurred December 25, 1773. On December 21, 1737, he married Hannah Lane, of Clinton, who married for

her second husband Caleb Chapman, and died May 19, 1784. Obediah Platts' children were: Capt. Dan, born in 1738, the first white child born in Winthrop, served in the Revolution as a captain ; he married Jemima Pratt in 1768, and died in 1826. Joseph, born in 1740, died while serving in the French and Indian war, at Crown Point, N. Y., in 1761. Noah, born September 4, 1742, was the grandfather of Lozelle J. Hannah, born in 1745, married William Hill, of Westbrook, and became the father of Col. Hill, who was a merchant in Essex for over half a century. John, born in 1746, married Lucy Webb, of Chester, and died in 1837; he was a farmer on the old homestead. Elizabeth, born in 1749, married Benjamin Burr, of Haddam, and died in 1839; many of the Burrs of Haddam descended from this union. Sarah, born in 1751, married Isaac Post, and died in 1829; many of the Post family of Winthrop descended from them. Mary, born in 1753, married Michael Spencer, and died in 1832. Lydia, born in 1756, married Josiah Post, and died in 1826.

Noah Platts was born on the old home- stead in Winthrop, was reared a farmer, and followed that occupation during the greater part of his life. A fine mason and joiner, though self-taught in both trades, he did the stone work on the house in which his grand- son, Lozelle J., resides, when the place was built, in 1786. Joining a party of Connecticut people to form a settlement in Vermont, he made the trip on horseback, and purchased land, intending to locate in the neighboring State, but upon his return he had an opportun- ity to purchase the farm upon which our sub- ject is located, and thus Vermont lost one of the most energetic and progressive of citizens. In his saddle bags Mr. Platts brought with him some small shoots from Vermont forest trees, and he set them out on his newly pur- chased farm, the survivor of these being the fine large pine now standing near Mr. Platts' home, the largest tree of its kind in Middlesex county, if not in the whole State; it was set out in 1786. Noah Platts was captain of the local militia during the Revolutionary war, but was never called out to service. For his time, Capt. Platts was an extensive landowner. He was a man of the greatest energy, and famous for personal strength, possessing a somewhat im- patient spirit with those who might be mildly

383

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

called laggards. His death was the result of an accident received while splitting wood, al- though he survived it several years, and he is buried in the Winthrop cemetery, where the family burying-ground is located. His first marriage, in 1772, was to Lucretia Chapman, who was born in 1737 and died in September, 1803, and his children were all by this mar- riage, viz .; Lucy, born in 1774, married Jo- siah Pratt, and removed to New York; Obe- diah, born January 8, 1777, was the father of our subject; Betsey, born in 1779, married Jesse Pratt, and had a family of seven chil- dren. Capt. Platts' second marriage was to Hannah Wright, of Westbrook, who died in 1822.

Col. Obediah Platts was born in Winthrop, on the homestead, and moved with his parents to the present family home when he was ten years old. His time was spent in farming and in building roads, by contract, the excellent turnpike between Salem and Norwich, and several sections of the turnpike between Deep River and New Haven, being examples of his substantial work. Later in life he cut timber from an original, primeval forest, in Guilford, which he had leased, the last of its kind in Connecticut. Col. Platts also owned much land. He was colonel of the local militia, and was always mentioned by his title. He was known as an inheritor of much of his father's energy and decision of character, as he was of his personal appearance, being six feet, three and one-half inches in height, without shoes, and weighed over 200 pounds. What pigmies some fashionable exquisites would have appeared by the side of so noble appearing a man! Col. Platts' death occurred in Guilford November 9, 1841. On January 2, 1800, he married Temperance Pratt, and the children of this union were: Noah O., born in 1802, died in New York City in 1845; he had been representative for a New York firm in Mex- ico and Central America, engaged in the pur- chase of valuable woods, and was one of the first white men to explore some portions of the interior. At the time of his death he was engaged in the work of wharf contracting. Samuel W., born in 1804, died in 1822. Tem- perance A., born in 1807, married John Deni- son, and her first daughter, Amelia, married Albert C. Clark, who has one child, Mrs. Charles A. Lamb; her second child, Clarissa,

married Wilbur F. Arnold. Lozelle J. is our subject.

Lozelle J. Platts was born in the house in which he lives and had the advantages of the district school until he was ten years old, cheerfully covering the distance between his home and the school, a mile and a quarter, on foot. From the age of ten until he was six- teen his summers were spent on the farm, his winters in the receipt of instruction at a select school in Deep River, two and one-half miles distant. These select schools were usually kept by students from Yale College, who adopted this congenial employment in order to assist in them in the payment of college dues. At the age of nineteen Mr. Platts ac- companied his father to Guilford where he as- sisted the latter in getting out timber, and also helped him to burn over 120,000 bushels of charcoal. After the death of his honored fa- ther, which occurred while he was in the tim- ber business, Mr. Platts returned to the farm and bought out the other heirs' interest in the home place, paid off the incumbrances, made many needed improvements, and since that time has been engaged in general farming, dairying, etc. Mr. Platts keeps his estate in fine order, the whole 372 acres being made profita- ble. Some years ago he owned much more land, but he disposed of a large portion, which is now occupied by the Connecticut Valley Or- chard Company, in which corporation he was a stockholder until 1899, when he disposed of his interest.

In politics Mr. Platts is a Republican. He has avoided office as much as possible, al- though he was but twenty-three when he was elected selectman, at a time when Saybrook was larger than it is now; he was chosen as- sessor for one term, and has declined many minor posts of honor. In 1854 and in 1878-79 he served as representative from Saybrook in the Legislature, where his administration gave satisfaction to the whole community.

Socially Mr. Platts is a charter member of Unity Grange, and was instrumental in its organization. He is a consistent member of the Deep River Congregational Church, and his father belonged to the Centerbrook Church.

Mr. Platts was married February 9, 1844. to Mary A. Albee, who was born in 1824. daugliter of Benjamin and Lydia ( Otis) Al- bee, the former of whom was a native of Ox-

384

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ford, Mass., the latter of Lyme, Conn. Mrs. Platts passed away December 13, 1900, her death being caused by pneumonia. The fol- lowing named children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Platts: Mary E., born in 1846, mar- ried Herbert Z. Doane in 1869, and lives at Centerbrook ; she has two children, Mrs. John Bralls and Clara E. Jennie E., born in 1849, married Charles A. Northend, in 1876, and is now a widow living in Hartford with her son, Allen P. Ada L., born in 1857, graduated from the State Normal School at New Britain, and taught school there, as well as in Hart- ford, where she is now a stenographer. Jessie C., born in 1860, married Clarence E. Lamb, and has four children, Louise, Gladys, Ruth and Arthur. Edith, a graduate of the State Normal School, is now a stenographer in Hart- ford.

The farm owned by Mr. Platts is located about two and one-half miles west of Deep River, on the Winthrop road, and is one of the best and largest in the town. It is managed entirely by Mr. Platts, who has preserved his natural vigor to a remarkable degree. A thor- ough and practical farmer, he has also excel- lent business ability, and is regarded by his neighbors as a man of the highest integrity. He is a well read man and an interesting con- versationalist.

JULIUS DAVIS, one of the well-known and popular citizens of Middletown, Middle- sex county, has achieved success by his own ef- forts and individual worth. Mr. Davis is a descendant of Solomon Davis, who settled in Killingworth in 1709, and is the youngest child of Lewis T. and Anna (Burr) Davis, and a brother of Henry and Richard Davis, who are represented elsewhere.

Julius Davis was born June 22, 1855, near Pea Hill, in the town of Killingworth, was reared as a farmer's lad, and was early inured to hard work. He was educated in the dis- trict school at Black Rock, and, with other youths of the neighborhood, was employed as a charcoal burner by his brother, John Davis, for whom he also drove team and peddled the output, in the intervals filling in his time by assisting on the home farm. When a little over nineteen years of age he went to Dur- ham, and for a period of five years was clerk for his brother, Henry Davis, later becoming

his partner and remaining with him until 1882, when he was elected to the State Legis- lature, in which he served in the committee on Schools. On April 1, 1882, Julius Davis en- tered the employ of E. G. Stoddard & Co., wholesale grocers of New Haven, the firm being now Stoddard & Gilbert. The first year he traveled as a salesman up the Naugatuck division of the Consolidated Railway, and on the Air Line Division of what is now the Con- solidated Railway, and in 1883 started on his present route, which covers the territory east of New Haven to Lyme, and the Air Line Di- vision east to Baltic, Conn., and on these routes he has made many friends and established a large trade. His over twenty years of service with one of the largest firms in New Eng- land indicates the character of the man. He began at a good salary, which has been a number of times increased, without solicita- tion on his part, so valuable have been his ser- vices in increasing the trade of his employers.

For his first wife Mr. Davis married Eliza Thompson, a native of Madison, Conn., and they had one child, who died in infancy.

On January 1, 1881, Julius Davis married Miss Alice Chamberlain, who was born April 5, 1861, daughter of Collins S. and Prudence Chamberlain, who still reside on the old home- stead. This union has been graced with four children, namely: Elgin G., born March 15, 1882; Prudence J., born April 29, 1887; Ma- bel, born. August 8, 1889; and Angie, born October 31, 1890.

Julius Davis is one of the best known Dem- ocrats in Middlesex county, works hard for his party's success at the polls, and is, more- over, very popular with the public at large. He has served as constable of Durham and also on the school committee; was two years a member of the city council in Middletown; and was the only Democrat elected in that city, for any office, at the election which re- sulted in his securing his seat in that body for his first term. He and E. S. Davis were the only Democrats in the council. In 1896 Mr. Davis was a candidate for sheriff of Middle- sex county, and though it was an "off" year he made a most creditable run, with practically no effort on his part, his supporters being distinctively of the better class.

After his marriage Mr. Davis resided one year in Durham, and eight years in Middle-

Julius Davis

385

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

town, and in November, 1892, located in South Farms, where he purchased ten acres of tlie Asa Hubbard estate, which he has converted into one of the most beautiful homes in the vi- cinity of Middletown; later he bought the Charles Fairchild farm, which he owned until April, 1902. He is a great admirer of thor- oughbred Jersey cattle, and has a herd of twen- ty or more. Fraternally Mr. Davis is a mem- ber of the Masonic lodge at Madison, of the K. of P. Lodge, and the Red Men's Lodge at Middletown, and is also a member of the C. T. A. A. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Methodist Church at South Farms. Mr. Da- vis has risen from the position of a poor farm lad in one of the most isolated districts of Middlesex county, to that of an honored and substantial citizen and trustworthy official. He has "fought his own fight," and has made his way through the world by personal merit. He is a straightforward man, of the strictest in- tegrity, and is the same to-day that he was yesterday, and will be tomorrow, and enjoys the implicit confidence of his employers and his numerous patrons in his capacity of trav- eling salesman.

ENOCH TRYON, a well-known citizen of

Tryon street, Middletown, Middlesex county, was born June 19, 1817, in the house he still occupies, and is the sixth of the ten children that graced the marriage of Enoch and Sarah (Crowell) Tryon, who were de- scendants of two of the oldest English families in the State.

David Tryon, the first of the family to set- tle at Middletown, was a brother of George Tryon, the first British governor of North Carolina, and later of New York, and who afterward "sat" at New Haven, whence he eventually sailed for England. George Tryon was the military commander who drove the subsequently famous Revolutionary hero, Gen. Israel Putnam, off Horse Neck, causing the latter to make his terrific leap. After the de- parture of his brother George for England, David Tryon came to Middletown and settled on the "school lot," which was near the pres- ent home of Enoch Tryon. David was a farmer and owned a large estate, including some silver mine property, from which the ore was dug during the Revolutionary war and cast into bullets ( for want of lead) causing the 25

ejaculation by the British, at the next battle, "They are firing silver at us!" David Tryon was probably married in England. His death took place at his home in Bow Lane.

Amos Tryon, grandfather of Enoch, was no doubt born at the place where the latter now lives, was reared on the farm, and was still a young man when he went to sea. He became captain of a vessel plying between this country and Europe, and passed the prime of his life on the water. On withdrawing from the sea he located on the Bow Lane farm, and erected the dwelling house now occupied by his grandson, Enoch, for the building of which he brought some of the timber, the doorknobs, and other articles, from Norway. To the mar- riage of Amos Tryon with Sarah Hubbard were born two children, viz .: Capt. Enoch, the father of Enoch, whose name opens this re- view, and Lucretia, who was married to Elisha Fairchild, a farmer, and for a time lived in the Long Hill District, later at Bow Lane, where she passed the remainder of her life. Amos Tryon died at the age of fifty-two years and was buried at Farm Hill.

Capt. Enoch Tryon, alluded to in the fore- going paragraph, was born August 19, 1781, in the house built by his father, and now oc- cupied by his son, Enoch. He followed farm- ing all his days, was very successful in the management of his affairs, and was quite also prominent and popular as a citizen. For many years he was captain in the militia, and his military title clung to him in his civil life. In politics he was a Democrat, and he was elected to fill many town offices.

Capt. Enoch Tryon married Sarah Crow- ell, who was born January 5, 1784. daugliter of Daniel Crowell, of West Long Hill, who married a Hubbard. To this union were born ten children, viz .: Sarah, who married Asa Hubbard, father of Gaston T. Hubbard, a re- view of whose life appears elsewhere; Mary, who married Nelson Thayer, and moved to Genesee county, N. Y .. where both died : Mat- thew, who married Mary Wells and died at New Orleans en route to California : Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Emmons, of East Haddam. who located in Lancaster county, S. C., where both died: Sophia, who married Daniel H. Birdsey, of Middlefield, and became the mother of Enoch T. Birdsey, whose life sketch will be found elsewhere; Enoch, of whom further

386

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

mention will soon be made; Daniel C., a sea- faring man, who married Susan Williams, and died in Middletown; Albert G., who married Mrs. Jennie ( Griswold) Snyder, went to Cal- ifornia in 1849, and there died; Augustus, who first married Elizabeth Tryon, his niece, and later was united to another lady, and is now living in Genesee county, N. Y .; and Lu- cretia Almira, the youngest, who died January 30, 1823, in infancy. The father of this fam- ily died July 30, 1845, a devout member of the old Presbyterian Church at Middletown, and his widow followed him to the grave April 18, 1867.

Enoch Tryon remained on the home farm on Tryon street until twenty-one years old, and then passed over a year with his brother- in-law, Nelson Thayer, in Genesee county, N. Y., working as a farm hand. For a year, or perhaps longer, he took part in the cultivation of the farm at Tryon street, and then went to Lancaster, S. C., and later to Camden, same State, buying cotton in both places and ship- ping it to New York; in this traffic his broth- ers, Albert and Augustus, were also engaged.

In 1848 the discovery of gold in California created great excitement in the States among those eager to suddenly acquire riches, and in 1849 thousands of prosperous business men and mechanics in good circumstances, as well as all others who could possibly raise the means to pay the passage "around the horn," started for the new gold fields, and they are still known as "Forty-niners." With this multitude went Albert and Augustus Tryon, Enoch remaining in Camden to settle the bus- iness affairs. of the late firm, and in 1852 going himself to the Pacific coast, via New York and the Isthmus of Panama. At Sac- ramento, in company with his brothers, he traded with the nriners and prospectors, sell- ing them sugar, coffee, tea and other luxuries and necessities. While a resident of Sacra- mento, Mr. Tryon made a pleasure trip to the Sandwich Islands, and also visited the Fraser river country on a gold hunting expedition. He afterward returned to South Carolina, and while in that State, at the outbreak of the Re- bellion, was tendered officer's rank in the Con- federate army, which he refused; for this con- tumacy he was fined $30. This fine, however, was remitted through the influence of his personal friend, Brig .- Gen. Joseph Kershaw.

Mr. Tryon, tiring of the condition of af- fairs in the South, returned to his native Con- necticut, and there passed a year or two, after which he made another trip to California, but shortly afterward came again to his birth- place, where he has since made his home. Here, beside his farming property, he owns the White Mountain, in the Bow Lane District, also a feldspar mine, from which large quanti- ties of the mineral have been shipped to Tren- ton, N. J., and other manufacturing points.

Enoch Tryon was joined in wedlock to Lucy A. Bidwell, daughter of Daniel and Thankful ( Hubbard) Bidwell, who was born in June, 1822, and died March 8, 1896, the mother of the following family: Myra Lucy, born July 25, 1849, in Camden, S. C., died September 1, 1870. Sarah T. married a Mr. Myers and has one child, Lucy T. ; she lives on the home farm with her father. Thankful B. is the wife of Frederick Cooley, a prominent farmer in Marlborough, Conn., and has a fam- ily of six children, Myra L. (Mrs. Eugene Lord), Frederick, Eearl, Enoch, Lucy B. B., and Benjamin.

In politics Mr. Tryon is a Democrat ; he has invariably declined to accept public office. He owns an excellent homestead, is one of the oldest and most experienced farmers in his section of the State, and, as a worthy represen- tative of one of Connecticut's oldest families, is most highly respected.

JOHN D. INGRAHAM, deceased. For several generations the various members of the Ingraham family have been identified with the social and business life of the town of Old Saybrook, Middlesex county, particularly with the marine life of the community. Though many of the family at one time resided in the town none of the male descendants are left.

John Ingraham, the grandfather of John D., was born in 1752, and died in 1819. He married Elizabeth Tulley, who was born in 1753, and was twenty years old at the time of their marriage, to which came the following children : John, Jr. (the father of John D.), Betsy, James, Betsy (2), Lucy, Joseph, Pol- ly, Harriet and George.

John Ingraham, Jr., was born in 1776, and died July 28, 1852. He married Ann Dickin- son, who was born October 5, 1779, and died January 6, 1837. Their children were: (1)

387

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Emeline Eliza, born in 1802, died January 18, 1864. (2) John Dickinson is mentioned be- low. (3) Ann Maria, born June 30, 1806, died May 5, 1859. (4) Mariette Augusta, born March 23, 1808, died January 2, 1860; she married John L. Whittlesey. (5) Louisa, born September 4, 1811, died January 28, 1865. She married John E. Whittlesey. (6) Harriet, twin of Louisa, died May 30, 1858. She married John C. Whittlesey. (7) Morti- mer was born in 1813. (8) Edward, born October 5, 1815, married Miss Pease, who now resides at Saybrook Point. (9) Amelia Hotchkiss was born January 20, 1818.

The Ingraham homestead was located on the north side of Saybrook Point, on the shore of North Cove. Grandfather John Ingraham was a lifetime resident of the town. He mar- ried and reared a numerous family. John In- graham, Jr., also passed all his life in the town. For years he followed a seafaring life, and then became a pilot to guide incoming vessels over the dangerous bar at the mouth of the Connecticut river.

John Dickinson Ingraham was born Jan- uary 17, 1804, in the town of Saybrook, where he was reared, and died October 17, 1875. He learned in a most practical way the science of navigation. When the Civil war broke out he entered the United States navy as acting master of the "Narragansett," serving in this capacity about a year and a half. Prior to this he had sailed as master on various ves- sels. After his service in the navy he re- mained at his home in Saybrook, devoting his time to the care of his property. In business he was quite successful. Politically he was a Republican, and in religious connections be- longed to the Episcopal Church. He was mar- ried May 13, 1833, to Almira Mather, daugh- ter of Samuel Rogers Selden Mather and Al- mira Whittlesey, daugliter of Azarialı Whit- tlesey.

Mrs. Almira M. Ingraham was born at Saybrook Ferry, Conn., June 27, 1813, and though she is now greatly advanced in years, is possessed of rare intellectual powers, and has taken a great interest in the family his- tory in the town. Her parents had two chil .. dren, of whom she is the eldest. Her brother, Roger Mather, was born March 15, 1815. graduated from Hobart College, and took up the study of law, in which his prospects were

brilliant. He lived at Rochester, N. Y. He died at the age of twenty-nine years, leaving two daughters, both of whom are now de- ceased : Almira, who married Harvey Brooks, left a son, Charles Mather, now a resident of Bridgeport, Conn .; Emily married Frederick G. Bell, of Norfolk, Conn. Mrs. Ingraham's father was a sea captain, and was lost at sea, with all on board his vessel, the "Peace and Plenty," during the memorable gale of Sep- tember, 1815. He sailed in the China trade. He had prepared for the medical profession, but had to give it up on account of ill health. Politically the Mathers were Democrats, and, in religion, Episcopalians.

To John D. Ingraham and his wife came children as follows: (1) John Mather, born October 22, 1835, died February 19, 1836. (2) John Rogers, born March II, 1837, died May 5, 1838. (3) John Dickinson, Jr., born May 6, 1839, died April 28, 1875. (4) Her- bert, born October 25, 1841, died September 30, 1842. (5) Mary Jane, born October 2, 1843. was married November 3. 1877, to Sen- ator Lvman Trumbull, of Illinois, who is now dead. They had two children-Ellen May, who died when six years old; and Almira Ingra- ham, who died at the age of ten years. Mrs. Trumbull is living at Saybrook Point. (6) Annie Elizabeth, born July 5. 1847, died in 1865; (7) Julia Trumbull, born January 6, 1853, was married September 3. 1879, to George Scott Rankin, and resides at Saybrook Point, with her two sons-George Douglas, born September 23, 1880, and Mather Ingra- ham, born January 23, 1882, both attending Trinity College, at Hartford; her daughter, Annie Christina, born March 3. 1885, died May 3, 1889.

DANIEL A. LOWN. Born in Esper- ance, Schoharie Co., N. Y., October 4. 1838, Mr. Lown is one of the successful and highly esteemed farmers of Middlesex county.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 70

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