Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 73

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 73

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WATSON HALE, one of the highly re- spected citizens of Portland, and a lifelong farmer, comes from that old Hale family that has given so many good citizens to the town. He was born on his father's homestead in the north end of Portland February 25, 1837, a son of William and Laura ( Wright) Hale, a sketch of whom will be found in this volume under the name of Albert Hale of Portland.

Watson Hale attended school in district

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

To. 5 in the town of Portland, and in that chool obtained his education. He was a farm- r lad, and work was pressing and constant at ome. At that time the great labors were vrought by hand, and the improved machinery f the present time hardly so much as a dream. n his young manhood Mr. Hale bought the Ralph Goodrich farm. !

He has given much attention to tobacco ulture for many years, and is a steady-going nd reliable farmer, whose character is beyond eproach, and whose word is never questioned.

On September 7, 1866, Watson Hale mar- ied Miss Elizabeth M. Taylor, who was born 1 Glastonbury, Conn., April 20, 1843, one of he three children of Cyrus and Parmelia Chapman) Taylor, the other two children be- ng Lewis J. and Evelyn C., both of Glaston- ury. Cyrus Taylor is yet living at the age f eighty-six years, but his wife died in Au- ust 1899, at the age of seventy-nine. Mr. Iale attended the public school of South Glas- onbury, and is a lady of much character and bility. By her marriage with Mr. Hale she as become the mother of three sons, who are ow sturdy and reliable young men: Willis V., born April 2, 1867, is a farmer at Rocky Hill; Lewis J., born February 7, 1873, re- ides in Portland; and Herbert R., born July 5, 1878, is at home. In politics Mr. Hale is Democrat, but has never sought an office of ny kind. He and his wife are highly re- pected people.

SIDNEY S. CARTER, one of the sub- tantial farmers of East Haddam, Conn., and man of influence in the community, was orn in Rome, Ohio, September 30, 1841, son f Sidney S. and Phoebe (Carter) Carter, of Clinton, Connecticut.

Daniel Carter, his grandfather, was a na- ive of Clinton, Conn., married Thankful Post, nd had the following family: Daniel, Ab- er, Sidney S., Albert, Horace, Cynthia, Nan- y, Abby, Emily and Eunice. The mother of hese dying, he married again, and had two hildren, Hannah and Joel.

Sidney S. Carter died at the age of eighty- even. His first wife, who was a daughter of silas Carter, and granddaughter of Benjamin 'arter, bore him two children: Judson and sidney S. His second wife was Philena Bromley, and to them were born: Vinton F ..

Judson L. and John N. Mr. Carter's third wife was Maria Bromley, and by her he had : Lena, Albert B. and William P. The father was a Baptist minister, and his first charge was at New Lyme, Ohio. He was afterward called to churches at New Hartford, South Windsor and Rainbow, in New England; Colebrook and Orwell, in Ohio. During the Civil war, he served his country bravely, but with this exception devoted his life to the ministry, and he died, deeply lamented by all.

Sidney S. Carter, whose name introduces this sketch, came to Connecticut when but sixteen, and received his education in common and high schools in Ohio, and also in the Connecticut Literary Institute, at Suffield, Conn. Early in life he began the struggle for existence. When the war broke out Mr. Car- ter enlisted in Company H, Sixteenth Connec- ticut Volunteer Infantry, in August, 1862, and served until the close of the struggle, par- ticipating in numerous engagements, includ- ing Antietam, Fredericksburg, Plymouth, etc. After his honorable discharge he returned to Connecticut, and soon afterward purchased a farm in Clinton, Middlesex county, but shortly removed to East Haddam, where he engaged in teaming, building up quite an extensive bus- iness, carrying supplies for the various manu- facturers from the "landing." Later he dis- posed of his teaming business and located at Thorndike, Mass., where for five years he was in the employ of the Thorndike Manufacturing Company. Then he returned to East Haddam and resumed farming, now cultivating about 100 acres.

On November 14, 1865, Mr. Carter mar- ried Harriet Meloria Brooks, daughter of Jas- per Brooks, and sister of E. Chapman, Asa E. and L. L. Brooks. To this union were born children as follows: Florence Meloria, born December 10, 1866, for many years a success- ful public school teacher, married Levi Whea- ton, of Calais, Maine, December 10, 1890, and has two children-Sidney Levi, born January 5. 1895, and Florence R., born December 16, 1897. Lonis Sidney, born July 21, 1875. is a graduate of the Eastman Business College. and is a bookkeeper : in October, 1899, he mar- ried Margaret Moore, of New Britain. Sarah Harriet, born March 8, 1877, attended normal school in Rhode Island three years, and tanght school in that State: on July 28. 1900, she

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married William W. Harris, of Georgiaville, Rhode Island.

Politically Mr. Carter is a stanch Republi- can. He was elected first selectman in 1892, and has held that office for eight years in suc- cession. All the family are interested in the Baptist Church, in the work of which Mr. Carter takes an active part. Socially he is a member of Lodge No. 26, F. & A. M., East Haddam, having united with that body nearly thirty years ago; and is a member of the Grange. The family are highly respected for their many admirable traits of character.

J. EDGAR BACON. There is scarcely a better known or more highly respected citi- zen in Middletown to-day than this gentle- man. He has been engaged in the market business forty-three years, and has spent the last thirty-nine years in Middletown. Mr. Bacon began life as a poor boy, thrown at the age of thirteen on his own resources, and in the intervening years he has arisen to a prom- inent and influential position, accumulating a comfortable competence by methods that will bear the closest scrutiny. His entire business career has been marked by the most honorable practices. He is prominent in Masonic cir- cles, deeply interested in everything that looks to the improvement of the city, and personally very kind-hearted and generous. He owns his old birthplace, which has never been out of the family since the organization of Middle- town. Mr. Bacon is a representative of the seventh generation in Middletown of this old family, tracing his line from Nathaniel Bacon ( 1630-1705), who was one of the original proprietors of Middletown, through Elder John ( 1662-1732), Lieut. John ( 1695- 1781), Joseph ( 1728-1785), Capt. John ( 1776- 1837) and Capt. Joseph ( 1817-1859).

Capt. Joseph Bacon, father of J. Edgar, was born at Middletown, October 22, 1817, and, inheriting a part of the parental home- stead there, settled thereon. When but a lad he went on the water. His father was a ves- sel owner, and young Joseph was early set to follow him. When he was sixteen he piloted vessels from Saybrook to Hartford He was on the historic "Mattabessett," the first steam ferry boat on the Connecticut river, and was in the coasting trade along the north shore of the Sound. He died September 14, 1859,

and is buried in Mortimer cemetery, Middle- town. Capt. Bacon was twice married, his first wife being Maria Babcock, of Middle- town, who was born in 1820, daughter of Sam- uel Babcock (2), married January 19, 1837, and died November 20, 1842. To this union came three children : Adelaide, born December 27, 1837, died in 1838; Sarah E., born April 25, 1840, died January 16, 1854; Joseph Ed- gar, born February II, 1842, is the gentleman whose career forms the theme of this article. On December 25, 1844, Capt. Joseph Bacon was married to Miss Esther M. Treat, of Had- dam, who was born May 21, 1822, daughter of Joseph Treat, and died February II, 1897. She was the mother of four children : Damon P., born July 19, 1846, died in Middletown May 1, 1872. Esther M., born May 2, 1848, died May 26, 1874; she married Franklin J. Dix, of Wethersfield, October 30, 1872. James B., born September 13, 1856, died December 22, 1856. Mariah, born February 27, 1853, died March II, 1854. Capt. Bacon was an Odd Fellow and his funeral services were conducted by that fraternity. He was a Dem- ocrat and a Universalist.

Joseph Edgar Bacon was born on Main street, Middletown, in a house that has never been out of the hands of the family since the establishment of Middletown, in 1650. He is the only child of his parents now living. He was reared in his native city, attended the Green street school and the private school of D. H. Chase, and entered the city high school, but his school days ended when he was about thirteen. At that age he went out on the schooner "Brownstone" under command of Capt. George Bacon. From this time he scarcely ate a meal at home. He was out in the world for himself. A little before he was of age he left the water and went to Bridge- port, where he took up the trade of saddle-tree making, working three months for nothing, and then receiving a dollar a day. He lived in Bridgeport until 1863, working at his trade, and when work was slack found employment in a butcher shop, and in selling meat from the cart. In 1863 he returned to Middletown and entered the employ of William Bacon, a lead- ing butcher of the day. In those days the shops handled home-killed meats, and the butcher had to be at his slaughter house by three o'clock in the morning, ready to kill and

JEugar Bacon

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dress his beef. At that time no Western meats had come on the market, and a slaugh- ter house was indispensable to every meat market. Mr. Bacon retained his longer than any other meat man in the city, and did not sell it until April, 1900. However, it had not been used to any extent for a number of years.

In 1873 J. Edgar Bacon and William H. Dean united to form the butcher firm of Ba- con & Dean, continuing together for a year and a half. when Mr. Dean retired in favor of his partner, Mr. Bacon doing business alone until 1892, when he formed the firm of J. E. Bacon & Co. This was dissolved in Janu- ary, 1900, and Mr. Bacon is at present con- ducting business individually. He owns con- siderable real estate in the city, and in 1897 built the Bacon block.

J. Edgar Bacon and Miss Helen Augusta Spencer were married in Long Meadow, Mass., October 13, 1863. She was born December 6, 1842, on High street, Middle- town, daughter of William D. and Sarah J. (Mann) Spencer. Her father was a machin- ist and a successful inventor. He died at the age of sixty-eight, and his widow lived until her death, January 12, 1901, in Middletown ; she was a remarkably well preserved lady. Their children were as follows: Helen A., Mrs. J. E. Bacon ; Mary, who married Archi- bald Johnson, of Middletown; Hattie, who married Andrew Ketchim, of Tariffville, Conn .; Katie, who died when four years old; and William S., who died in infancy, his death resulting from a fall from the bed; he struck the back of his head.

Mr. and Mrs. Bacon had one daughter, Alice Maria, who was born May 4, 1866; married Charles H. Lewis, of Middletown, May 6, 1885, and is the mother of five chil- dren-Annie Bacon, born November 25, 1886; Helen Augusta, April 23, 1889: Bertha May, August 13, 1890; Edgar Bacon, March 13. 1892; and Alice. Marian, December 23, 1895.

Mr. Bacon is a prominent Mason. Ile joined St. John's Lodge, No. 2. A. F. & A. M., in December, 1868; belongs to Washington Chapter, R. A. M., Cyrene Commandery ; and Pyramid Temple. His wife is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. At one time he belonged to the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of Honor. Politically he is a stanch Democrat, but felt in 1896 that his duty to 27

his country required that he should vote for Mckinley. He has served five years as as- sessor in Middletown, the first term in 1873. He and his wife are Universalists. Mr. Ba- con has not worked solely with a desire to ac- cumulate property. He lives well, enjoys life, and when the pressure of business permits indulges in pleasures and recreations as he de- sires. A most kind-hearted and dutiful hus- band, as well as indulgent father, he finds great pleasure in the home circle.

Through his mother Mr. Bacon is descend- ed from James Babcock (or Badcock), who was born in England in 1612. and settled in Portsmouth, R. I., in 1642. Later, in 1662, he removed to Westerly, R. I., and there died on June 12, 1679. (II) Capt. John Babcock married Mary Lawton. (III) Capt. James Babcock, born in 1660, died January 17, 1737. Elizabeth Babbitt, his wife, was born in 1662. (IV) William Babcock, born in 1693, died in 1751. His wife, Sarah Denison, was born in 1709. (V) Samuel Babcock, born in 1747, died in 1828. He married Rachel Conk- lin, born in 1749, died in 1843. (VI) Sam- uel Babcock (2), born in 1788, died in 1857. He married Hannah Miller, born in 1793, who died in 1821. Hannah Miller was a daugh- ter of Caleb and Mary (Ames) Miller, and granddaughter of Joshua Miller. The Mil- ler family is an old one in Middletown, and is mentioned elsewhere. Samuel Babcock (2) was one of those who did so much in the early part of the century to make Middletown the handsome city it has become.

NILES. The first authentic record that the biographer finds of the well known Niles family, in the town of Chatham. Middlesex county, is when Ambrose Niles married AAnnie Estabrook, who afterward became the wife of John Markham, and was a lifelong resident of Chathamn. The data concerning the Esta- brook family is more satisfactory, the East Haddam records giving information concern- ing Rev. Hobart Estabrook, who came from Canterbury and settled in Millington, where he preached in 1700. His son. Hobart, moved to Lebanon, N. 11., and died there at the age of ninety-one. He married Hannah Paddle- ford, who died in Chatham. Of their children, Hannah married Hulbert Swan; Jernsha mar- ried Ira Gates ; Mary married George Little.

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and their children settled at Tunkhannock, Towanda, Montrose and Bloomsburg, Pa., where they were in the legal profession; An- nie married Ambrose Niles, about 1780, and their son William founded the Sentinel and Witness, a leading journal of Middletown, Conn. Annie Estabrook Niles married John Markham of Chatham, in 1812, and died in 1849, at the age of seventy-one; he died in 1852.

Daniel Niles, son of Ambrose, was a farm- er and blacksmith in Chatham, where he mar- ried Abigail Beach, who had been born in Hebron, Conn. They had two children : Dan, who married Maria Smith, of Chatham, and Laura, who married Hiram Markham, both becoming well known throughout Chat- ham by marriage connections with other older and well known families.

Dan Niles lived a busy life in Chatham of eighty-three years. In early life he learned his father's trade, but later engaged in the man- ufacture of bells in East Hampton, for some forty years operating a plant in a building lo- cated upon the present site of the shops of N. N. Hill. Mr. Niles always took an active and intelligent interest in public affairs. Originally he was a Democrat, subsequently became an adherent of what was locally known as the Know-Nothing party, and later united with the Republicans and became prominent in the town, representing it in the Legislature a number of times, and filling the office of jus- tice of the peace for many years. Mr. Niles continued actively at work until within a few years of his death, when he turned the busi- ness over to his sons. In the Congregational Church he had long been a valued member. He married Maria Smith, and the children born to them were: Abigail B. (deceased), who married Stewart Parmelee; Julius Je- rome; Alexander N., of Cottage City, Mass., who married (.first) Susan A. Gates, and ( sec- ond) Sarah Watrous; Jane E. (deceased) ; Helen M: (deceased), who married Henry S. Smith, of East Hampton ; Emerson, who mar- ried Eleanor White, of Albany, N. Y .; and Adelaide (deceased), who married Roderick Day, of East Hampton.

JULIUS J. NILES was born at East Hamp- ton, Conn., December 5, 1822, and on October 29, 1846, married Emily T. Hills, the estima- ble daughter of Gilbert Hills. To this union

came one daughter, Jane Elizabeth, born June 24, 1853, who died April 7, 1883 ; she married Eugene T. Goodrich, who was born October 30, 1853, a son of Ralph and Emily (An- drews) Goodrich, of Glastonbury, Conn., and grandson, on the maternal side, of Betsey ( Hills), daughter of David Hills. To Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich were born two children: E. Niles, July 29, 1881 (now employed in bellmaking at East Hampton), and Emily E., April 3, 1883, both residents of Chatham, in the home of their grandparents. Emily E. is a graduate of the Connecticut Agricultural

College.

Mr. Niles carried on bellmaking, in com- pany with his father, and upon the latter's re- tirement the work was still carried on by the brothers, but upon its final merging into other lines, Julius J. became interested in a livery business, which he still conducts.

Gilbert Hills, the father of Mrs. Niles, was born March 27, 1799, in the town of Chat- ham, where he grew up and was united in marriage with Hannah Strong, removing later to Lancaster, Pa., where he carried on a book store and engaged in the publication of county histories. He died at Lancaster February 27. 1850, and after his decease the family returned to the old home in East Hampton.

MARKHAM. This family, a large one in Connecticut, traces its ancestry back to 1148, when they were residents of Chatham, England, and the name was spelled March- am. The first of the family to locate in Mid- dlesex county, was one Daniel Markham, who died in Middletown in 1712. His wife, Pa- tience Harris, survived him until 1733.

James Markham, the next of descent, was born in Middletown and married Eliza Lick. One son came to this union, John, who was born in 1707, and died in 1788. He married Desire Sears, of Yarmouth, Mass., who was born in 1725 and died in 1786, leaving one son, Nathaniel. Nathaniel Markham was a soldier in the Revolution and a man of consid- erable local note. He was born in 1754, and died in 1827. He was married three times, first to Margaret Hall, who was born in 1757 and died May 21, 1796; from this union de- scend the Markhams of Chatham. Nathaniel's second wife, Polly (Strong), died October 25, 1802. His third wife was a widow, Hannah

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Sears Rodgers. To Nathaniel and Margaret (Hall) Markham came the following chil- dren: Margaret, who died October 23, 1802, aged five years; Lydia, who never married; Abijah, who married Chloe Freeman; Nathan- iel, born in 1786, who died in 1833; and Lucy, who married Ezra Strong. Nathaniel Mark- ham, Sr., was known throughout the neigh- borhood as "Major," having served as an offi- cer in the Connecticut militia.

Abijah Markham was born in the town of Chatham, Conn., where he grew up, and was united in marriage to Chloe, daughter of Syl- vanus Freeman. He died at the age of sixty- two years, and his wife at the age of fifty- nine. By trade he was a ship carpenter, and he worked in the shipyards along the lower Con- necticut when that industry was in its infancy. In political matters he united himself with the Democrats. To him and his wife were born the following children: Martin, deceased, who followed the sea for a livelihood; Marietta, Mrs. Giles Goff; Sylvanus; Hulda Ann, de- ceased wife of Amos Bidwell; Charles, who died in Columbus, Ga .; James, deceased ; Sar- ah, Mrs. Amos Smith, who resides in Meri- den, Conn .; Hubbard, who died at Columbus, Ga. : Timothy, who died in the South, where he married ; Drusie, a resident of South Farms (Middletown, Conn.), wife of Wilbur Coe; Lydia, deceased, who married Henry Cook, of Meriden, Conn .; and John, who died while in the Union service during the Civil war.

Sylvanus Markham was born at Middle Haddam, town of Chatham, Conn., January II, 1812, and was married in Waterford, Conn., to Mehitable, daughter of Joshua Powers, who was born in Waterford, Conn., February 24, 1820, and died December 14, 1879. To this union were born : Henry P .; May, who died at the age of forty-three years, unmarried; and Carrie, who died at the age of two and one-half years. Like most young men of past generations, Sylvanus Markham struck out for himself at an early age. When he was but sixteen years old he began learning the blacksmith's trade, and for over thirty- five years carried on that business in East Hampton. He now lives a retired life, and, though born in 1812, his memory is as keen as ever, and he takes considerable pride in saying that he is a lifetime Democrat.

Nathaniel Markham, Jr., son of Nathaniel.

Sr., passed his life in Chatham, and was a farmer. On October 18, 1815, he married Abi- gail (or "Nabby") J. Smith, and their chil- dren were: Noah, Catherine S., Caroline C., Alexander H., Leander, Philanda and Marion. The first married Anna Gates, and died in Willimantic. Catherine S. was the first wife of Abner G. Bevin, of East Hampton, Conn. Caroline, Mrs. Abbe, of Enfield, Conn., and her husband are both deceased. Alexander H. married. Hannah M. Hills (a sister of Mrs. Emily T. Niles), and both died in Chatham. Leander was lost at sea. Philanda lives in Enfield, Conn., (unmarried). Marion became the wife of John Purple, who survives her, and resides in East Hampton.

HENRY F. INGHAM, one of the oldest business men of Old Saybrook, Middlesex county, is a direct descendant in the eighth generation from Joseph Ingham, the emigrant ancestor of the Ingham family in America.

In 1639 Col. George Fenwick, an English- man of high position, arrived with his family and many others in a ship at Quinnipiac, now New! Haven, and for himself, and as agent of the other patentees, proceeded to take pos- session of the fort built in 1635 on the right bank, about two miles from the mouth of the Connecticut river. Near the fort was formed a small settlement, which he named Saybrook, in honor of Lord Say and Seal and Lord Brook, the early patentees. Another small set- tlement was formed in Guilford, about midway between Qunnipiac and Saybrook. In the same ship with Col. Fenwick and the "Guilford Company" came Rev. Henry Whitfield, their first pastor and teacher: Francis Bushnell. the elder: Francis Bushnell, the younger; his daughter, Sarah: and Joseph Ingham, all of whom settled in Guilford. The name of Jos- eph Ingham appears third on the plantation covenant of Guilford, June 1. 1639. Deacon Francis Bushnell, the younger, his daughter Sarah and Joseph Ingham removed to Say- brook in 1648, when Deacon Bushnell, who was a miller, built the first mill in that town. afterward called Jones' mill. He died in Say- brook December 4. 1681. On June 20, 1055. Joseph Ingham married, at Saybrook. Sarah. daughter of Francis Bushnell, and to them came two children: Joseph, born August 30. 1656; and Sarah, born June 11. 1658. Joseph

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Ingham, Sr., was a freeman in 1669, the free- men of those times comprising all the church members who partook of the sacrament; none others were admitted. From this pioneer an- cestor Henry F. Ingham is descended through Joseph, Jr., Ebenezer (1), Ebenezer (2), Eb- enezer (3), Ebenezer (4) and Alfred.

(II) Joseph Ingham, Jr., was by trade a weaver. The family name of his wife, Mary, is not known. They had four sons and one daughter, Samuel, Ebenezer, John, Benoni and Susannah. In consequence of a disagree- ment between Joseph and his wife they lived apart, he at his home in Saybrook and she in New London, Connecticut.

(III) Ebenezer Ingham, of Saybrook, and Dorothy Stone, of Guilford, were married July 9, 1701. They had the following children : Dorothy, born June 1, 1703; Joseph, October 8, 1705; Mary, November 15, 1707; Susan- nah, 'May 8, 1710; Ebenezer, November 12, 1712; Benjamin, May 23, 1715 : Sarah, March 10, 1717; Benjamin (2), April, 1720; Daniel, May I, 1723.

(IV) Ebenezer Ingham (2) was twice married, and by his first wife, Leana, had the following named children: Ebenezer, Will- iam, David, Stephen and Lydia. The mother of these died in January, 1770, and Ebenezer's second wife, Hannah (Chapman), died in 1800. He died August 8, 1783.

(V) Ebenezer Ingham (3) married Sarah Ford, of Hebron, who died October 13, 1833. aged eighty-three years. He died June 12, 1832, aged ninety-four years. Their children were as follows: Ebenezer, Sarah, Aseneth, Stephen and Tersa. Ebenezer (3) served in Col. Whitney's regiment, in the old French war, from March 22 to December 3, 1763.

(VI) Ebenezer Ingham (4) married Har- riet Jones, of Saybrook, and they had the fol- lowing children: Ezra; Jeremiah; Alfred ; Amelia, who married Asa Bushnell and moved to Ohio; Sarah, who married a Mr. Terry, of Sag Harbor, L. I .; Aseneth, who married a Mr. Crowell, of Sag Harbor, L. I .; and Abi- gail, who married a Mr. Tuttle, of New Haven, 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 73

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