Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 98

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 98

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' drew and his wife Hester, was born September 27, 1728, and died June 14, 1814. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and saw much service. He married Sarah Doty daugh- ter of Samuel and Margeria ( Parker) Doty. Mrs. Sarah (Doty) Lord was born January 2, 1732, and died October 22, 1825. Samuel Doty, above mentioned, was born in 1710, and died in 1751. He was the son of Capt. Samuel Doty and his wife, Ann Buckingham (young- est child of Rev. Thomas and Hester ( Hos- mer ) Buckingham), who were married De- cember 3, 1706. Capt. Samuel Doty was born about 1680, and died January 26, 1750, in his seventieth year. His wife was born August 2, 1687. Capt. Doty was a merchant of re- pute and traveled extensively in the West Indies. He and his wife, Ann ( Buckingham), had two children, Sarah and Samuel. The old house at Deep River, known as the Lord homestead, was built about 1740 by Samuel Doty, and occupied by him until his death, in 1751, and by his widow, Margeria ( Parker) Doty, with her family until her death, then successively by her son-in-law, Capt. Elijah Lord, by his son Benjamin Lord, and by the latter's daughter, Ann Lord, who was born in the house November 3, 1803, and died there in December, 1880. The house has been oc- cupied since her death by her nephew, Will- iam N. Lord, a sketch of whom appears else- where.

Capt. Elijah Lord, and his wife Sarah (Doty), had seven children born to them : ( I) Elijah, Jr., born in 1758, died in November, 1776. (2) Asa, born June 29, 1760, died Sep- tember 20, 1855. (3) Doty, born October 23, 1762, died April 25, 1814. (4) Jedediah, born July 7, 1765, died March 28, 1810. (5) John was born February 13, 1767. (6) Ben- jamin was born November 21, 1773. (7) Joseph, born June 9, 1776, died in November, 1776.

(VI) Benjamin Lord, son of Capt. Elijah and Sarah ( Doty ) Lord, and grandfather of Joseph B. Lord, was born November 21, 1773. in the house built by Samuel Doty, already mentioned. He was a farmer all his life, cul- tivating the land now owned by our subject and his brother, William N. Grandfather Benjamin Lord died February 20, 1844. He was married February 3, 1799, to Dorcas Tooker, of Essex, Conn. She was born Oc-

tober 4, 1777, and died December 8, 1865. To them were born children as follows: (I) William' Richard, born April 3, 1800, died Oc- tober 10, 1838. (2) Sally, born April 20, 1801, died October 13. 1840. (3) Ann, born November 3, 1803, died in December, 1880, in her seventy-eighth year. (4) Lucy, born November 5, 1806, died April 11, 1808. (5) George B., born February 16, 1818, died Oc- tober 6, 1843.

(VII) William Richard Lord, our sub- ject's father, was born at Deep River, on the old homestead, April 3, 1800, and there mar- ried Cynthia, daughter of Israel and Hannah (Watrous ) Southworth ; the latter lived to the advanced age of ninety-three, dying in 1897. William Richard Lord for many years was em- ployed in the ivory factory of George Read & Company, and died in his thirty-sixth year, highly respected by all. He was a Whig in politics, as was his father before him, and an earnest member of the Methodist Church, while his wife attended the Congregational Church. To this good man and his wife came children as follows: (I) Harriet Aurelia died aged twenty-nine. (2) William Newton, born November 3, 1825, is living on the old homestead. (3) Cynthia Maria, born Febru- ary 14, 1829, married Royal J. Kimball, of New London, who died February 13, 1891. His widow resides in New London. (4) Richard Jarvis, born April 2, 1831, lives in Hammond, Minn. He was married Novem- ber 21, 1852, to Elizabeth Shipman, who died in Minnesota. He married the second tinte. (5) Joseph Benjamin, is our subject. (6) Emma Ursula, born May 7, 1837, married Oc- tober 18, 1860, Gilbert La Place, of Deep River, where she resides.

Joseph B. Lord, the immediate subject of this review, has until recently lived on the old farm, practically all his life. It comprises a piece of property which has been in the Lord family continuously for more than 175 years, the title to it being acquired before the De- claration of Independence. Mr. Lord was born August 27, 1833, at Deep River Conn., a son of William Richard and Cynthia ( South- worth) Lord. He received an excellent edu- cation in the common schools and in a private school conducted by Yale graduates. Later, desiring to see something of the world, he went to sea, and upon a coasting vessel visited

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

a number of the Southern ports. Upon his return he settled in Deep River, and for twen- ty years was in the employ of Pratt, Read & Company, and Russell, Jennings & Company. Of late years Mr. Lord has devoted his at- tention to the development of his property, and, taking much pride in the Lord estate, and being the only one of the family who has paid any attention at all to farming, he has cleared and cultivated much of the old place, the land becoming quite productive as a re- sult of his labor. Mr. Lord has also devoted considerable attention to political matters, having served acceptably on the board of se- lectmen at different times, often as chairman ; he has also served as grand juror; on the build- ing committee of the town hall; and has filled other local offices. In 1880-81 he represented the town in the General Assembly, serving on the School Funds and Temperance Commit- tees, and throughout his political career has been a stanch advocate of Republican prin- ciples. ---

Joseph B. Lord was married, December IO 1854, in Lyme, Conn., to Ellen Augusta Bracey, who died at the age of twenty-three, leaving one son, Joseph H. The latter married and resided in Shelton, Conn., where he died in November, 1901, at the age of forty-six. His widow keeps house for the father at Deep River. The second marriage of Mir. Lord oc- curred at Deep River, the lady of his choice being Alice A. Fleetham, daughter of Thomas B. and Deborah (Clark) Fleetham. Her fa- ther was a native of Yorkshire, England, and a blacksmith by trade. To Joseph B. and Alice A. Lord were born: Thomas, born May 22, 1865, is in the employ of Pratt, Read & Com- pany, at Deep River ; Alice J. married Samuel Mather, of Deep River; Hattie, married Charles R. Marvin, of Deep River; Emma, died at the age of eight months; Doty is also in the employ of Pratt, Read & Company, and is a foreman in one of the departments, having charge of about thirty men; both he and his brother are valued workmen in this company. They are unmarried, and live with the father in the old Fleetham homestead at Deep River. Mrs. Lord died June 28, 1901. She was a consistent Christian, and a devoted wife and mother. Mr. Lord is also a faithful member of the Congregational Church, of which he has been Sunday-school superintendent, for a num-

ber of years. He is a charter member of the Grange. He is a man widely known and highly respected for his many admirable quali- ties of heart and brain.

WILLIAM N. LORD, a highly esteemed citizen of Deep River, Middlesex county, was born there November 3, 1825, son of William Richard and Cynthia (Southworth) Lord. He was educated in the district schools, and at the age of seventeen entered the employ of George E. Bailey, of Deep River, to learn the trade of a carpenter, remaining with him as an apprentice until he was twenty-one. He boarded with Mr. Bailey, and received as cash compensation $30 a year for three years, and $50 for the last year. Following this Mr. Lord worked for George Read & Company, remaining with that firm twenty years, and be- coming a very skilled mechanic, doing wood work repairing in and around the factory, putting up shafting, and work of a similar nature. Leaving this company, he spent two years at the carpenter's trade, working in Meriden, Hartford and elsewhere; returning to Deep River he has since continued in the same line of work.

Mr. Lord is a Democrat politically, but he has held no office. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and has always been interested in the church and its work. He resides in the old Lord homestead, and is greatly respected by all who know him.

Mr. Lord was married June 7, 1847, to Caroline E. Beckwith, who was born Novem- ber 12, 1828, daughter of Baruch and Hen- rietta (Pratt) Beckwith. Mrs. Lord died July 7, 1868. Two children blessed this union : (1) George W., born October 9, 1849, married February 10, 1874, Anna E. Simonds, daugh- ter of Albert and Lorinda Simonds, of Mid- dletown, Conn., and they have one child, George A., born June 26, 1876, who is an electrical engineer in Philadelphia, Pa. George W., the father, also lives in Philadel- phia, where he is a successful carpenter and builder. (2) Frank M., born May 18, 1852, married Alice Rice, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Rice, of Worcester, where he resides. Frank M. was paymaster of the Washburn & Moen Manufacturing Company for a number of years.

William N. Lord was married (second)

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

June 20, 1870, to Harriet A. , born November 14, 1831. She is a member of the Baptist Church, and, like her husband, is ac- tive and foremost in church work.

HORACE JOHNSON. The family of Johnson is of English descent and ancient lineage, and many of its members took promi- nent part in some of the most important events in early colonial history.

(I) John Johnson came to this country in the fleet with Winthrop, and settled at Rox- bury, Mass., in 1631. He died September 30, 1659.

(II) Isaac Johnson, son of John, born in England, married and lived in Roxbury. He was killed by the Indians December 19, 1675.

(III) Isaac Johnson (2), eldest son of Isaac ( I), was baptized at Roxbury January I, 1644. He was one of the early settlers at Middletown, Conn., where he died February 3, 1719. His gravestone stands in the old cemetery in Middletown.

(IV) Joseph Johnson, son of Isaac (2), was born March 9, 1677, at Middletown. He was twice married, and had fourteen or fifteen children. He died November 12, 1739, and was buried at Farm Hill.

(V) Joseph Johnson (2), son of Joseph (I), was born August 26, 1702, at Middle- town, and died April 30, 1768.

(VI) Joseph Johnson (3), son of Joseph (2), born May 21, 1726, married and had the following children: Wealthy, Seth, Joseph, Joseph (2), Mehitable, Elizabeth, Constant, Henry, Elijah, Dolly, and a daughter whose name is unknown.

(VII) Henry Johnson, son of Joseph (3), born in 1759, married Huldah Prior, and after her death a widow, Mrs. Brainerd. Following is a brief account of his children, the last one being by the second wife: Betsey became the wife of Capt. Jonathan Brooks, of Middle- town. Henry is mentioned below. Huldah married Nathaniel Cooper. Seth commanded the schooner "Shoalwater." Clarissa died un- married. Harriet married Edmund Matson, and lived in Cromwell, where she and her hus- band were buried. Daniel was a sea captain. Parmelia married George Gillam. Horace con- ducted a shoe store in Middletown for many years. Warren lived in Middletown and died in Hartford, where he left two daughters.

(VIII) Henry Johnson was born in Mid- dletown, Conn., in 1783, and lived to the age of eighty-seven years. By trade he was a boss joiner, and such was his skill that he came to be employed by the shipbuilders of his day in finishing the interiors of the cabins and state- rooms of vessels. At the age of sixty-five he became disabled, and retired from active life. He was a man of reflective mind, and a vo- racious, yet judicious, reader, endowed with a remarkably retentive memory. Politically he was a Democrat of the "straitest sect." His religious creed was that of the Congregational Church, of which he was an active member, as was also his wife. He married Mary Whitemore, who was born in Middletown, in 1781, daughter of Stephen and Annie ( Cary) Whitemore, the former an extensive landowner and prosperous farmer. Mrs. Johnson died at the age of eighty-nine years. The record of their children is as follows: (1) Marietta, married Capt. Gordon Whitemore. (2) Will- ian Henry, a merchant, died at the age of six- ty. (3) Seth W. lives at Cleveland, Ohio, having retired from business, and enjoys the distinction of having been the first contractor to construct a floating dry dock on the great lakes, and to float a steamer on Lake Superior. (4) Laura Ann (deceased) was the wife of Robert I. Young, a native of Middletown, and resided at Middle Haddam. (5) Nathaniel C. was also a nominal resident of the same place. although his real home, during the most of his life, was the sea. He shipped before the mast when a mere boy, and his first wages were but $4 per month. At the age of twenty-one he commanded a London packet, and later the "Sovereign of the Seas," one of the fastest sailers of her day. (6) Harriet married Capt. Edward M. Simpson, who commanded the steamer "City of Hartford." (7) Emeline (deceased) was the wife of Isaac Roberts, of Middletown. (8) Horace is mentioned further below. (9) Caroline died unmarried.

Horace Johnson was born at Middle Had- dam in the town of Chatham, May 13. 1824. Until he reached the age of sixteen years his only educational advantages were of the some- what primitive sort furnished by the district schools of seventy years ago. He had, how- ever, an innate thirst for something better. and always manifested a pronounced aptitude for the study of mathematics. On leaving school he went to Hartford, when aged seven-

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teen, and there entered the store of Catlin & Spencer, as a clerk, at a salary of $150 per year. After working hours were over it was his practice to study, in his small sleeping room, books borrowed from the "Institute," by the light of candles purchased from his own scanty earnings. It was under such dis- advantageous circumstances that he first gained an insight into the fundamental principles of natural science. His love of this study, thus awakened, has never died, and all through life much of his leisure time has been devoted to its pursuit. He discovered by accident, when a boy, the principle of the telephone, and prophesied, later, the wonders of the present telephone and allied instruments. Mr. John- son was the first in New England to illuminate a house with water gas, and claims to be the discoverer of the deadening of pain through anesthetics, which he says was announced by another who got it from him.

For seven years young Johnson remained with the same mercantile house, his salary gradually appreciating until he was paid $500 annually. With money saved he began his first speculation, in needles. It yielded him enough money wherewith to buy a house. This first purchase constituted the nucleus of his real-estate operations, and since then he has erected not less than seventeen buildings in the city of Hartford alone. For many years he also conducted a mercantile business as gen- eral auctioneer and dealer in second-hand goods at Hartford. In this business he still retains an interest, although taking no active part in its management.

That a man of Mr. Johnson's sound 'busi- nes judgment, earnest energy, and keen native intellect should long continue to fill a subordi- nate position was not to be expected. He in- vested in a steamer plying between New York and Savannah during the Civil war, which was at one time used as a dispatch boat by General Sherman. This latter circumstance Mr. John- son has always considered a distinction of which he may be proud, while he is no less gratified at the recollection that at one time he was the only civilian traveling on a train with President Lincoln.

Mr. Johnson has recently laid out and beautified a park of 100 acres at High Rock, near the Connecticut river, and is contemplat- ing the erection of an observatory upon the summit of an adjacent hill, of which he is the

owner. He is a man of pronounced original- ity, with a fondness for investigation as well as for the collection of relics, and his residence is filled with curios of all descriptions, among them the knee buckles of La Fayette, handles from the coach of General Jackson, huge shells from the Pacific, the watch of a slain Union soldier, brought from' the battlefield, and clocks of wondrous mechanism. For more than half a century he has made a special study of meteorology, and has gained more than lo- cal renown as a forecaster of atmospheric and barometric changes, his predictions being widely quoted by the press throughout the State.

On June 30, 1848, Mr. Johnson married Susan C. Comstock, daughter of Deacon Christopher R. Comstock, of Hartford, and they had two daughters born to them: Alice Louisa, the wife of Dr. William D. Babcock, of East Hampton; and Ida H., who is un- married. Mrs. Johnson was born February 28, 1827, in Hartford, and died January 3, 1895. She was interred at Middle Haddam.

GEORGE J. FISHER. Absolute capabili- ty often exists in specific instances, but is nev- er brought into the clear light of the utilitar- ian and practical life. Hope is of the valley, while effort stands upon the mountain top, so that personal advancement comes not to the one who hopes alone, but to the one whose hope and faith are those of action. Thus is determined the full measure of success of one who has struggled under disadvantageous cir- cumstances, and the prostrate mediocrity of another whose ability has been as great and opportunities wider. Thus we may well hold in high regard the results of individual effort and individual accomplishment, for cause and effect here maintain their functions in full force.

The career of him whose name initiates this sketch illustrates most forcibly the possi- bilities that are open to a young man who possesses sterling business qualifications. It proves that neither wealth, nor social prestige, nor the assistance of influential friends at the outset of his career, are necessary to place him on the high road to definite and worthy suc- cess. It also proves that ambitious persever- ance, steadfast purpose and indefatigable indus- try, combined with sound business principles, will be rewarded, and that true success is the

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sequel of individual effort only. Mr. Fisher has gained recognition and precedence as one of the capable and representative young busi- ness men of Middletown, and is known for his progressive spirit and inflexible integrity of character. As one who is distinctly the architect of his own fortune, and as one held in high esteem in his home community, we are pleased to here present a review of his singularly successful career in his chosen sphere of endeavor. He also has the distinc- tion of being the voungest business man in the city.

the front with his regiment, and took part in all the engagements and skirmishes in which his command participated, with the exception of the Gettysburg campaign, during which he was absent in Michigan, where he had been assigned to recruiting service. Mr. Fisher was an active participant in eighty distinct battles during his term of service, making a record as a valiant and capable soldier. He was wounded in the second battle of Bull Run, but refused to leave his company or go to the rear, and he was made a sergeant by rea- son of his bravery in this battle. He was pro- moted several times, and on October 25, 1864, was made second lieutenant of his company, while on March 7, following, he was advanced to the rank of first lieutenant, serving as such until November 7, 1865, when he received his honorable discharge at Fort Leavenworth, Kans., after having been on duty on the West- ern frontier during the preceding summer.

George J. Fisher is a native son of Middle- town, born February 19, 1876, son of John C. Fisher, who was born in Prussia in 1841, son of John C. and Augusta (Kipp) Fisher. In the spring of 1849 John C. Fisher, Sr., emi- grated with his family to America embarking at Hamburg on the sailing vessel "Emma," bound for Quebec. They did not remain in Canada, but made their way by water to De- After leaving the army Lieut. Fisher re- turned to Detroit where he went into busi- ness, and where he continued to reside until March, 1871, when he removed to Middle- town, Conn., entering the employ of the Doug- las Pump Company, with whose interests he has continued to be identified to the present time. troit, Mich., where they located. The fright- ful scourge of cholera was then ravaging the country, and within a month after the arrival of the family in the fair City of the Straits both the father and mother had succumbed to this discase, leaving the young lad, John C., Jr., then eight years of age, a stranger in a strange land. The parents were given a de- In the city of Detroit, Mich., November 15. 1868, John C. Fisher was united in mar- riage with Miss Catherine Scheurer, who was born in Missingen, Baden, Germany. Decem- ber 26, 1849, and was but a child at the time her parents, George A. and Rosanna ( Shaef- fer) Scheurer, removed to the United States, They took up their abode in Middletown, Con. At the time of her marriage Mrs. Fisher was visiting her aunt in Detroit, and there formed the acquaintance of Mr. Fisher. to whom she has proved a devoted companion and helpmeet. Of the children of this union we enter the following record : AAugusta Car- lotte, born October 11, 1860, is the wife of Paul A. Fladd, of Brooklyn. N. Y., and they have two sons, Charles E. and Russell R. Mar- garet R., born November 13, 1871, is the wife of Oscar O. Hilbert, of Middletown. Carrie Clara, born December 28, 1873. is the wife of Charles H. Johnson, of Portland, Conn. George J. is the immediate subject of this sketch. Charles W., born April 17, 1870. is employed in his brother's store. Lula May, cent burial in the old city cemetery, which ne- cessity denied many of the victims of the plague at that time. During the illness of the parents the little family owed much to the friendly at- tentions and care of Joseph Kuhn, now Judge Kuhn, of that city. He looked after their af- fairs and took the orphan boy to his own home, where he remained four months, being then placed in the home of a worthy German family by whom he was reared. He secured a common school education, and at the age of eighteen years entered upon his business career by work- ing at the butcher trade. In 1857 he removed to Eagle River, Mich., and thence, shortly af- terward, to Eagle Harbor, where he was en- gaged as clerk in a general store at the time when the dark clouds of the Civil war obscured the national horizon. His sympathies were fully with the cause of his adopted country, and he showed his loyalty by tendering his services at the outbreak of the war, enlisting as a member of Company B. First Michigan Vol- unteer Cavalry, and being mustered in as a corporal, in August, 1861. He proceeded to porn August to, 1882, died March 11. 1808;

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

she was an exceptionally beautiful character and an accomplished musician. John W. B., born December 21, 1885, is now employed in the store of our subject. Clifford A., born May II, 1890, is attending the public schools of Middletown. Howard O., born July 3, 1892, died March 16, 1898.

Mr. Fisher is one of the prominent and honored members of Mansfield Post, No. 53, Grand Army of the Republic, in which he holds the office of senior vice-commander. He is also a popular member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, affiliating with Schiller Lodge, No. 92; Sowhegan Encampment, No. 6; and Canton Excelsior, No. 7, of which he is at the present time incumbent of the office of captain. He is also president of the Ger- man Sick and Aid Society. He and his wife attend the South Congregational Church, of which she is a member, and she is also identi- fied with the Woman's Relief Corps, auxiliary to Mansfield Post, G. A. R. ; with the Women's Auxiliary of the Young Men's Christian As- sociation ; and with the King's Daughters.

George J. Fisher, to whom this review is dedicated, was reared and educated in Middle- town, where he completed a course of study in the public schools. He early began to de- pend upon his own resources, and evinced that self-reliance, business sagacity and deter- mination which have conserved his suc- cess and advancement. While a lad he found employment in the Wilcox lock fac- tory at Zoar and subsequently was em- ployed in the establishment of the Brewer Dry Goods Company of Middletown, while still later he worked for the well known printing firm of Pelton & King, ever showing a desire to make himelf useful and win advancement by faithful service. In the fall of 1900, at the opening of their store, Mr. Fisher entered the employ of Clark & True, for the purpose of learning the jewelry trade and the business of watch repairing, and he remained with that firm until he had become a. proficient workman and started in business for himself. His independent business career had a most modest inception, since he had no capitalistic reinforcement, but was depend- ent upon his intrinsic capacity, energy, deter- mination, and reputation as an honorable, trustworthy and capable workman, to secure that success which he had determined to at- tain. His first work of repairing was done

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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 98

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