Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 8

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 8

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WILLIAM SMITHSON CAMP, in his day one of the best known citizens of Mid- dletown, and a representative business man in the fullest sense of the term, was a native of Connecticut, born April 23, 1796, in Durham, Middlesex county. He was a son of Israel and Rhoda (Smithson) Camp, the latter of whom was a daughter of Robert and Phoebe Smithson, and a granddaughter of Lieut. Will- iam and Anna Smithson, of the same family as the founder of the Smithsonian Institute. Mr. Camp was of the sixth generation from Nicholas Camp, the American ancestor of that honorable family, the line being as follows: Nicholas, Samuel, John, Israel, Israel (2), and William S.

William S. Camp was reared in his na- tive town and received his education there. When eighteen years old he went on a three- years sea voyage with Commodore MicDon- ough, during which time he served as captain's. clerk, and the commodore pressed him to con- tinue a seafaring life; but for private reasons Mr. Camp had to decline. He was also inti- mately acquainted with Midshipman Wilkes, afterward commodore, who was on the same vessel with him. For some time Mr. Canp was a merchant in Durham, in 1826 removing to Middletown, where he embarked in the dry- goods business on Main street, and followed the same successfully for several years. We next find him in the capacity of cashier of the Middlesex County Bank, which position he, for a quarter of a century, filled with charac- teristic ability and fidelity-in fact he was one of the thoroughly representative, progressive business men of his time and locality. He was ever a hard and faithful worker, and his retirement from active business pursuits was simply because his tired nature required rest and repair. In general business matters, es-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

pecially those of a purely financial nature, his judgment was unquestioned, and his opinion carried as much weight as any man's in his time in Middletown. In politics he was a Whig and a Republican, though never active in the affairs of his party. In his religious preferences he was originally an Episcopalian, but when the Universalist Church was built he joined that society, becoming a prominent member thereof and a deacon therein. He was a liberal contributor to that church, and his estate gave $3,000 toward it in accordance with a promise he had made in his lifetime, which his death prevented his fulfilling in per- son. He died May 29, 1872, and his remains were interred in Indian Hill cemetery, Middle- town.

On October 25, 1821, William S. Camp married Miss Margaret Cook, a native of Wallingford, Conn., born January 12, 1800, daughter of Augustus and Sarah (Dutton ) Cook, the former of whom was a descendant of Caleb Cook, the emigrant. Mrs. Camp passed away March 13, 1863. Three children were born to Mr. and Mirs. William S. Camp, as follows :

(I) William Augustus Camp, born Sep- tember 23, 1822, in Durham, Conn., re- ceived his cducation at Middletown. On at- taining his majority he was admitted to part- nership in his father's mercantile establish- ment in that city, but at the end of two years he removed to New York, where he became the junior partner in the firm of Hinchman & Camp, dealers in hosiery, knitted goods, etc. In 1847 he returned to Middletown and suc- ccedec his father in a business that had been successfully conducted for years; but in 1852 ne once more took up his abode in New York, Middletown being too circumscribed for a man of his energy and financial ability. In 1855 je was appointed discount clerk in the Im- porters and Traders Bank, a few months later becoming first teller in the Artisans Bank, a newly organized institution. In 1857 he en- ered the New York Clearing House as assist- int manager, in 1864 becoming manager there- of, which position he was holding at the time of his death. Mr. Camp was one of the best own men in financial circles in the United States, and to his keen intelligence and execu- ive ability much of the usefulness of the New York Clearing House can be attributed. Dur- ng his thirty years management of that great

financial institution over forty-five billion dol- lars were paid over its counters to the New York banks that belonged to it. Mr. Camp died December 10, 1894, in New York. By his wife Harriet (Taylor) he had one son, William Stephen, who is now a banker in New York.

(2) Margaret, second child of William S. Camp, was born December 28, 1828. She mar- ried Abram Avery, of Boston, Mass., and by him had two daughters, Kate C. (now the wife of Dr. Frank K. Hallock, of Cromwell, Conn. ) and Annie (now the widow of Thomas M. Whidden, formerly of Boston, Mass.).

(3) Catherine L., youngest child of W. S. Camp, born December 13, 1837, is now the wife of Judge W. T. Elmer, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere.

HON. ELY WARNER (deceased), one of the most prominent and able representa- tives of the Bar in Middlesex county, was a native of Chester, having been born in that town, while it was yet a parish of Saybrook, in 1785, and a son of Jonathan and Hepsibah (Ely) Warner. After graduating, in 1807, he taught school for a year, or more, then en- tered a law school at Litchfield, Conn., and was admitted to the Bar at Middletown, Conn., about 1811. So untiring was his industry, while pursuing his professional studies, he wrote from, his notes the entire course of lectures, in three manuscript volumes, said to be the only correct copy of the lectures of Judges Reeves and Gould now extant. Settling in Haddam in 1816, he represented that town in the State Legislature for two sessions, in 1825 and 1831 ; and in 1828 he was appointed Chief Judge of Middlesex County Court, being re- appointed for several terms. Subsequently he became cashier of the East Haddam, Bank. In 1837 he removed to his farm in Chester, and there resided during the remainder of his life. In 1855 he was appointed county commissioner and held the office for two terms, and for more than fifty years was actively engaged as county surveyor. His death, due to paralysis, occurred at his home, October 23, 1872, when in his eighty-eighth year, and at that time he was the oldest lawyer in the State.

On November 11, 1817, Judge Warner was married to Sarah H. Warner, who was born in 1800, the eldest daughter of Jolin Warner, of Chester, and who died in January,

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1886. Eight children were born to them: Jonathan, who died young ; Sarah, who married Daniel D. Silliman ; Jonathan, second ; George W., who married Clara Wilcox; Jared C .; Hepsibah, who married Henry Russell; An- drew E. and Anna (twins) of whom the latter married Jarvis Smith.

Judge Warner was a man of exceptional ability, sterling character and pronounced in- tellectuality, and the people of Chester cherish his memory with unbounded gratitude for the many advantages they enjoy as a result of his public spirit. Beautiful streets, rows of state- ly shade trees, improved roads, fine schools, all testify to the progressive spirit of the able lawyer and patriotic citizen, who, although gathered to his forefathers, still lives in the hearts of the people.

EDWARD PAYNE, now living retired after a long and successful life, is one of the men who have done much for the city of Middletown, and his name will long be revered as that of one thoroughly devoted to a noble life, and who was instrumental in greatly ad- vancing the best interests of the city in which he lived.

Mr. Payne was treasurer of the Middle- town Plate Company, a corporation which, un- til its absorption by the International Silver Company, was one of the most valuable insti- tutions in Middletown. He was reared as a farmer in what is now Portland, Middlesex county, and was early taught the habits of in- dustry and thoroughness which have charac- terized his entire life. Born July 10, 1833, near Cobalt, in what was then the town of Chatham, son of Job Hamlin and Orilla (Shep- ard) Payne, he was reared to young manhood on the parental homestead. He attended the district school on Penfield Hill, a school noted because of the number of its pupils who have attained eminence. It was a large school, and of its more than one hundred pupils during Mr. Payne's childhood but one was of foreign par- entage. Among his early teachers there he had Messrs. Clark, Whitcomb, Overton and Richardson. He spent one winter at Westfield, Mass., where he was under the instruction of Prof. Goldthwaite, and with this slender edu- cation went out into the world to make his own way. However, he possessed an observ- ing eye and a retentive and understanding mind, and it proved sufficient.

At eighteen years of age Mr. Payne left home and went to Meriden to learn the Britan- nia ware trade under Isaac C. Lewis. Making rapid progress, he was by the end of the first year able to earn extra money by piece work. He remained in Meriden until the business became somewhat depressed at the breaking out of the war, when he returned to his old home in Portland, and resunted work on the farm. Saving some money, he went into busi- ness for himself, buying tobacco and selling it on a rising market. In 1862 he came to Middletown and entered the employ of F. W. & O. Z. Pelton, whose factory was on the site of part of the plant of Wilcox, Crittenden & Co., on South Main street, and spent about a year working for them. In December, 1863, he began business for himself, establishing what later became the Middletown Plate Com- pany, with a capital of $250,000. The beginning of this great enterprise was modest enough, in a small room rented of Ira K. Penfield, and Jesse Cone was the first employe. Shortly afterward Henry Bullard became a partner. The business prospered from the start. After the war the demand for goods of this charac- ter became strong, and prices ruled high, and a great enlargement of the plant became a ne- cessity that could not be delayed. Mr. Payne was thoroughly familiar with every detail off the business as a skilled mechanic, and hiss business ability, fortified by this knowledge, was of vast value. In about 1867 the business was formed into a joint stock company, with Elmore Penfield as president ; Mr. Payne as treasurer, and Henry Bullard as secretary. In later years George H. Hulbert became presi- dent. Other than this change the officials of the institution remained the same until the sale of the business in 1899. The Middletown Plate Company was of great value to the city. It employed highly skilled labor and paid the highest wages of any manufacturing concern of its time, and, all in all, its loss was a great one to Middletown. Since his retirement from business Mr. Payne, with a desire for travel, lias spent no little time away from Middle- town, but he always claim's that city as his home, and that city claim's him as one of her best and most substantial citizens. He is a trustee of the Middletown Savings Bank.

On October 6, 1864, Edward Payne was married to Miss Eleanor Penfield. a native of Portland, and the daughter of Ira K. and Ruth

Edward Sangue

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

(Wilcox) Penfield. Mr. Payne cast his first vote for John C. Fremont, and has voted the Republican ticket since that time in all National and State matters, while in local affairs he sup- ports the best men, regardless of politics ; how- ever, his sympathies are strongly Republican. Mr. Payne was mayor of Middletown in 1882 and 1883, and in 1880 and 1881 was in the city council, declining, however, any active or continued work in politics. He is a deacon, and one of the leading members of the South Congregational Church, and he is a trustee of the Industrial School for Girls at Middletown. Mr. Payne is distinctively one of the better class of citizens of the day. Starting in life as a poor boy, he has won a solid standing in the business world which any man might envy, and his personal character is of the highest type.

GEORGE WHITING BURKE, M. D. Among the citizens of Middletown, Middle- sex county, who have been prominently identi- fied with its public and social life for many years, is Dr. George Whiting Burke, who was born at New Haven, Conn., June 27, 1821, son of Joseph C. and Jane E. Burke. In 1823 his parents removed to Middletown, where they remained until 1837, when a government appointment for Mr. Burke made it necessary for the residence of the family to be in Hart- ford, and they removed to that city.

In 1835 Dr. Burke entered Wesleyan Uni- versity, from which he graduated in 1839 with the degree of B. A. He then engaged in teaching school in Hartford and in the State of New York, returning in 1841 to begin the study of medicine under Dr. Brigham, who was then superintendent of the Retreat for the Insane. In 1842 he received the degree of M. A. from the University, and the same year was appointed assistant at the Retreat, in 1843 receiving the degree of M. D. from Yale, from which latter date he has followed the practice of his profession.

In May, 1844, Dr. Burke married Ann Par- ish Benjamin, step-daughter of Oliver Parish, who died in 1863. In May, 1865, he married Jane E. Tobey, daughter of Joseph Tobey. There were children as follows by the first union : Albert Leander, born in 1845, at Palmer, Mass., died in 1886 in Central Ameri- ca, leaving a widow and one son, Howard, lately graduated at Wilbraham, Mass., where

his mother is registrar of Wesleyan Academy. Oliver Parish, born in 1847, is a resident of Brooklyn, N. Y. George Whiting, Jr., born in IS50, a resident of Chicago, Ill., has been since 1872 connected with the Wheeler & Wil- son Company. Joseph Chester, born in 1853, at Middletown, Conn., a graduate of Wesleyan University, 1874, editor of the "Alumni Rec- ord" of Wesleyan, 1883, died in 1885: he married Ida F. Weeks, who resides in Middle- town with one daughter, Edith. Sarah Jane was born also at Middletown.

In August, 1843, Dr. Burke began the practice of medicine in Palmer, Mass., con- tinuing there for nine years, when the demands of a growing family, and the invitation of friends at his old home, induced him to re- turn to Middletown, where he has since per- manently resided. From the time he attained his majority in 1842, following the example of his father, the Doctor affiliated with the Democratic party until April, 1861, when the attack on Sumter changed his views. The first opportunity for action with the Republi- can party came in the fall town election, when, with many others of Democratic proclivities, such as Hon. Bartlett Bent, Judge Vinal, Hon. Samuel Warner, he voted the Republican tick- et, which was elected by a large majority in a town which for years. previous had been strongly Democratic. From 1861, for at least twenty-five years, Dr. Burke and Hon. B. Bent had charge of Districts 1 and 2, and managed the political work. For several years prior to the Civil war, by appointment from Col. Starr, Dr. Burke had acted as surgeon to the Sixth Connecticut State Regiment, and in September, 1862, when the Twenty-fourth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers was formed and recruited at Middletown, for the seventy- five days during which the regiment encamped on Fort Hill Dr. Burke examined every mem- ber. Near the close of this period Gov. Buck- ingham appointed him surgeon, but this hon- or came at a time when his wife was critically ill, and he declined the appointment. Election to the various offices which the Doctor after- ward efficiently filled show the esteem in which he was held by the public.

For more than twenty years prior to 1887 Dr. Burke represented for Middletown and the adjacent country the Travelers Insurance Company, of Hartford, acting both as agent and medical examiner, this connection being

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

dissolved on account of failing health. His first appointment as medical examiner was from the Connecticut Mutual Life Company, in 1850, for Palmer, Mass., later for Middle- town, and subsequently he received, without solicitation, the same appointment from the John Hancock Insurance Company, of Bos- ton, the Home Life, of Brooklyn, N. Y., the Charter Oak, of Hartford, and the Metropoli- tan, of New York.

During the forty-eight years of his resi- dence in Middletown, in addition to practicing his profession, Dr. Burke has been chosen to and filled, most efficiently, the following of- fices: School visitor; town assessor; town clerk and registrar of vital statistics; alderman and assessor for the city; clerk for the board of education, from 1859 to 1878, and special deputy collector of Customs and disbursing agent for the District of Middletown, embrac- ing the country from Springfield and Hol- yoke, Mass., to Clinton, Conn., from 1869 to 1887, at which latter date the office was re- moved to Hartford. During some of the lat- ter years of this period the annual collections and deposits of customs exceeded $300,000, and this was only one part of the business, which embraced the measurement of vessels, marine hospital service, steamboat inspection, warehousing accounts, and the care and cus- tody of public buildings.

In February, 1841, Dr. Burke united with the M. E. Church at Hartford, and since his location in Middletown, in 1852, he has been an active member of the First Methodist Church, filling the various offices of superin- tendent of missions, steward, trustee, and treas- urer .. In this time have occurred the purchase of additional land and the erection of a brick parsonage, lecture room, etc., and, since a fire in 1885, the building of the present large church and chapel, which are clear of debt. Aside from much valuable writing and revis- ion in connection with his church duties, Dr. Burke has been a frequent contributor to the daily and medical press, and has been a mem- ber of the Connecticut State Medical Society ; of the Middlesex County Medical Society ; and of the Central Medical Association for the past forty-eight years, during the greater part of which period he has acted as secretary and treasurer of the last named. For a long period he was reporter and regular correspondent for a Hartford daily, and in 1888 wrote a series

of thirteen articles, sketches of various inter- ests in Middletown of sixty years ago.

The chief recreation which Dr. Burke en- joys is found in gardening, cultivating fruits and flowers, this occupation having acted most favorably on his health, which had become much impaired. The prominent part he has taken in almost all phases of the public life of Middletown entitles him to rank as one of her most highly esteemed and representative citizens.

WILLIAM WILCOX, of Middletown, Middlesex county, is one of the veteran manu- facturers of the State. He is a thoroughly self- made man, having begun at the bottom and by industry and zeal worked his way up to his pres- ent enviable position. Every department of his extensive business is familiar to him, and in his long career he has invented and patented a number of very useful articles that have come on the market to meet a general demand for something of the kind. The rotary key hub and the flat key are his ideas, and he was the first to make and sell them.

The William Wilcox Manufacturing Com- pany was established a half century ago, and its magnificent success is largely due to the skill, foresight and business ability of the man whose name it bears. It was first a partnership con- cern, but in 1875 was incorporated under the present name. There is a fine plant in Zoar, on Durham avenue, where employment is given to from eighty to one hundred people, many of them skilled workmen. Sheet metal in large quantities is received direct from the rolling mills, and converted into the company's prod- ucts. Few factories in the country turn out a larger variety of padlocks, and its most noted goods are French and American rim locks, wooden hames, and iron hames. The company is capitalized at fifty thousand dollars. Will- iam Wilcox is president, and E. R. Chaffee, vice-president and secretary.

William Wilcox springs from an old New England family whose history runs back to the early days of Connecticut, and its ancestors were original proprietors of the plantation at Hammonassett, later called Kenilworth, and finally Killingworth. The plantation of Ham- monassett was established in October, 1663, by the General Court of Connecticut, and among the twenty-seven original proprietors appears the name of Joseph Wilcox, a progenitor of

William Wilcox

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the gentleman whose name introduces this ar- ticle. The first marriage in the new plantation was that of John Meigs and Sarah Wilcox, and the first birth was that of Hannah Wilcox, on January 19, 1665. The name Wilcox appears prominently on every page of the history of Killingworth. From 1790 to 1805 Joseph Wilcox, Joseph Wilcox (2) and Nathan Wil- cox represented the town in the State Legisla- ture.

Thomas C. Wilcox, the father of the Mid- dletown manufacturer, was born in Killing- worth, and was a farmer all his life. In 1815 he married Eunice Smith, daughter of Jona- than Smith, of Haddam, and they had ten chil- dren: Philander S., Thomas C., William, Jonathan E., Carlos, Samuel B., Charles W., Sophronia, Eunice J. and Rebecca M. All were people of character and ability. Thomas C. was a merchant in South Farms. Jonathan was for many years a carpenter and joiner and is now a farmer in Middle Haddam. Carlos was killed in a quarry at Haddam. Samuel B. is a farmer in Killingworth. Charles W. is a mechanic in Ivoryton. Sophronia, Mrs. Nor- ton, died in Connecticut. Eunice J. married a Mr. Sawyer, and died in Deep River. Re- becca M. married William Brainard, and died in Haddam.

William Wilcox was born in Killingworth October 10, 1819, and was reared on the pa- ternal homestead, working on the farm, and attending winter school. At the age of eight- een he came to Middletown, and secured a po- sition in the gun factory of Smith & Cooley, who were the successors of the Johnsons, fa- mous gunmakers of the early days, and with whom he remained for four years, paying his father $130 out of his hard-earned wages as compensation for the loss of his son's time. Mr. Wilcox became a fine machinist, and in 1842 began the manufacture of locks in com- pany with W. H. Lewis, continuing with him for about two years. In 1845 he removed to Zoar, his present location, and in company with Lot D. Van Sands, began the manufacture of locks, making a specialty of plate locks for the Southern trade. A little later he went into the making of padlocks. The large success which has attended his business career in these fifty years and more may be taken as an indication of the possession of sound business qualities and personal characteristics which are rarely found so perfectly blended in one individual.

Worth will make its way, and the poor farmer boy has become one of the leading business men of his city. He is still quite active and vigorous, and may be frequently found in the office of the company, giving personal attention to matters which require thoughtful considera- tion.

William Wilcox has been twice married. His first wife was a lady of Middletown, and his present wife is Elizabeth G., daughter of Charles W. Edwards, of that city. In early life Mr. Wilcox was a Democrat, later a Whig, and is now a Republican. In 1896 he voted for McKinley and sound money. While not a member of any church, he has contributed lib- erally to the support of all. He is an hon- orable and upright citizen, and his name fitly appears on any page which is devoted to noble living and manly doing.

CHARLES MORGAN, late of New York, and the benefactor of the town of Clinton, Middlesex county, Conn., his birthplace and boyhood home, was one of the extensive and successful business men of his adopted city in his day and generation.

Born April 21, 1795, Mr. Morgan was the son of Col. George and Elizabeth ( Redfield) Morgan, and a descendant in the sixth genera- tion from James Morgan, a native of Wales, who came from Bristol, England, to Boston in 1636, removing to Roxbury, and finally (1650) to New London, Conn. From this ancestor Mr. Morgan's lineage was through Capt. John, Capt. Theophilus, Theophilus (2) and Col. George Morgan, the latter of whom settled in Killingworth, Conn., where he was a large land holder, a magistrate, and a man of note. He was engaged as a West India trader.

Charles Morgan was early thrown on his own resources, entering a grocery store in New York City as clerk at the age of fourteen years. When about of age. he commenced business. in a small way. for himself, and soon enlarged his trade by importing fruit from the West Indies. He became part owner of a brig, and. a few years later, sole owner of a line of sail- ing vessels in the West India trade from New York. He was subsequently the founder and principal owner of the "Morgan Iron Works." a mammoth foundry for the casting and manu- facture of lieavy steamship and steam machin- ery, on the East river, New York, which long

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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 8

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