Commemorative biographical record of New Haven county, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, V. I, Pt 1, Part 22

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1040

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Commemorative biographical record of New Haven county, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, V. I, Pt 1 > Part 22

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).

DEXTER ALDEN (deceased), in his lifetime a prominent merchant and manufacturer of New Haven, was of the seventh generation in direct de- scent from John and Priscilla ( Mullens) Alden.

The history of the family in America begins with the coming of John Alden to Massachusetts. He was born in England in 1599, was married in 1621 and died at Duxbury Sept. 12, 1687. His wife's parents came over with him in the "May- flower," to die in the February succeeding their land- ing. John Alden and his wife had eleven children, of whom (II) Joseph, the second child, was born in 1624 and died in 1697. There are curious stud- ies about his family history and the names of his children. He was admitted a freeman in 1659 and inherited his father's proprietary interests in Bridgewater, where he settled in what is now West Bridgewater. Of his five children, (III) Joseph, born in 1667, is in the ancestral linc.

(III) Joseph Alden became a deacon in the Congregational Church. He lived in what is now South Bridgewater, was a noted character in the history of his times and died in 1747, leaving a will, dated four years before, to which he had af- fixed his mark. In 1690 he was married to Hannah Denham, of Plymouth, a daughter of Daniel Den- ham, and they became the parents of ten children. The mother died in 1748, at the age of seventy- eight.

(IV) Samuel Alden, eighth child of Joseph,

was born in 1705 and died in 1785. In 1728 he married Abiah Edson, a daughter of Capt. Joseph ledson, and they were the parents of nine children, of whom

(V) Josiah Alden, the fifth in order of birth, born in 1738, was the ancestor of Dexter Alden. Josiah Alden, born in Ludlow, Mass., settled in Bridgewater. In 1761 he married Bathsheba Jones and he became the father of nine children, of whom Benjamin, the youngest son, was the father of Dexter Alden.

(VI) Benjamin Alden was born in 1781 and died in 1841. Mary Hodges, called "Polly," who became his wife, was born in 1783 and died in 1865. They had seven children: Mary, Jefferson, Caroline, David, Dexter. Lucinda and Eliza.

Dexter Alden was born in Ludlow, Mass., Oct. 13, 1812. He was married twice, first time to Eliza, daughter of Leverite and Esther Griswold, of New Haven. Their daughter, Anna Griswold Alden, is the wife of William L. Fields, president of the National Tradesmen's Bank, in New Haven. On Dec. 30, 1857, Mr. Aklen married Margaret E. Feeter, daughter of Jolin and Nancy ( Failing ) Feeter, of Little Falls, N. Y. The Feeters consti- tutte an old and honored family in the Mohawk Valley section of New York, and Mrs. Alden's grandfather, Col. William Feeter, was one of the bravest patriots in his section during the Revolu- tionary war and in the stirring scenes that led up to it. He belonged to the corps of forty picked men known as the "Tryon County Bulldogs." There were other Feeters in the region who es- poused the cause of royalty and followed Johnson, the Indian Sachem, to whom they were related by marriage. They fled to Canada, in which country they abound, and slightly changing the name are now known as McFeeters. "Uncle John," the father of Mrs. Alden, had an old flint-lock musket which he prized very highly, as it was carried by Col. Feeter during the Revolution. It is still in an excellent state of preservation. For more than twenty-five years it was Mr. Feeter's custom to load and fire it on the first day of the year and on July 4th precisely at seven o'clock in the morning. On the stock of the gun there is a brass plate bear- ing this inscription : "Presented to Colonel Feeter by Henry Young during the - year of the Revo- lutionary war and carried by him during the seven years' war." Col. William Feeter died at the age of cighty-eight years, in 1844. He reared fourteen children of his own to maturity and took into his own home, and cared for as he did his own. six chil- dren belonging to poor families in his neighborhood.

John Feeter, the father of Mrs. Alden, was reared at the old Feeter homestead on Top Notch. which is now known as the Goodell and Pickett farms, in the town of Little Falls, where he was born Nov. 30, 1804. On Sept. 17, 1829, he was married, at St. Johnsville, to Nancy Failing. For many years they followed a farming life, and in

Denter Alden -

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1847 removed to Little Falls, where Mr. Feeter did considerable contracting and constructed the high- way leading to "Timmerman's Hotel." He also set out the trees surrounding Eastern Park, and materi- ally assisted in building the old "yellow tavern church." His brother, Adam Feeter, was the first post rider between Newport and Albany, and for three years his father, Col. Feeter, who was a close friend of Gen. Herkimer, maintained the expenses of this ancient mail service. The Federal Govern- ment, recognizing his valuable services, subse- quently offered him the contract for the mail service, which he did not see fit to take. John and Nancy Feeter had children as follows: (1) Jacob, a promi- nent lawyer of New York City, whose home is at Yonkers; (2) Margaret E., Mrs. Alden ; (3) Par- melia, Mrs. French, of Buffalo; (4) Gertrude, Mrs. Cruttenden ; (5) Cynthia, Mrs. Walker, of Utica; and (6) Mary C., Mrs. Easterbrook. The descend- ants comprise seventeen grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Dexter Alden came to New Haven when a young lad, and became associated with Mr. Allis, proprietor of the leading hotel in New Haven, as his steward. In early manhood Mr. Alden went to Painesville, Ohio, with a party of settlers, who were confident that in the near future that place would become an important railroad center. While there he contracted the fever and ague, and was obliged to return East. He stopped at Little Falls, where he went into a joint stock company, composed of Gordon Trumbull, Washington Van Dreesen, James Aldrich and himself, organized for the manufacture of carpets and rugs. He was also interested with Mr. Aldrich in a dry goods store at Little Falls, which they sold out after several years' successful management. Mr. Alden also disposed of his in- terest in the factory about the same time and re- turned to New Haven, where he established a dry goods store in company with a Mr. Hunting- ton, continuing with him until 1862. He then en- gaged in manufacturing, forming the Elm City Ruffle Co. He was also one of the originators in the formation of the American Fish Hook and Needle Co., the first industry of the kind whose work was done by machinery, and the former line is still suc- cessfully carried on, but the needle was abandoned, being too expensive to manufacture by machinery. Mr. Alden also had an interest in a hide and tallow- rendering establishment, which was very successful, and became a member of the United States Dairy Co., of New York City, individually purchasing the patent rights for Connecticut for the new process cf making oleomargarine. In this business he was eminently successful, his profits from this interest in the month of March, 1883, being over $50,000, and during that year over $225,000. The ruftler business proved quite as satisfactory in its way, and his profits from it ran from $60,000 to $100,000 yearly. Mr. Alden later invested money to develop an automatic fire extinguisher, but this venture did

not prove successful, and caused him considerable loss. He also erected many fine residences that were an improvement and ornament to the city.

Mr. Alden was an upright and conscientious man, and during his residence in Little Falls was a deacon in the Presbyterian Church. In New Haven he associated himself with the old Center Congrega- tional Church, and his daily living was in accord with his religious professions.

To Dexter and Margaret ( Feeter) Alden were born the following named children : (1) Mary Eliza- beth is the wife of Charles Kingsbury Billings, of New York City, a son of the late James N. and Julia (Holmes) Billings, the father a large im- porter in New York. Mr. and Mrs. Billings have six children, Charles Kingsbury, Margaret Louise. Mabel Frances, Julia Holmes, Mary Elizabeth and John Alden. (2) Louise Gertrude is the wife of Lieut. William L. Howard, U. S. Navy, who was present at the battle of Manila in 1898, when the Spanish fleet was destroyed, being on the "Boston" during that engagement. The following February he was sent home, and for some time was a staff offi- cer in the Intelligence Bureau. In October, 1900 .. he was put in charge of the gunboat "Bancroft," as. executive officer and navigator, was later at Colon, and is now on the "Illinois," which had the honor of being the flagship which met Prince Henry of Prussia. She will now proceed to England, to rep- resent the United States at the coronation of King Edward VII. Lieut. and Mrs. Howard have one child, Helen.

JULIUS H. MORRIS. The first members of the Morris family in this country came from Eng- land to America, arriving June 3, 1637, and located in Massachusetts. They sailed for what is now New Haven March 30, 1638, and arrived there two weeks later. Thomas Morris, the ancestor of Julius H. Morris, a shipbuilder by trade, signed the Plantation Covenant in 1638, receiving a deed to property known as "Morris Point" in 1671. The old house is still standing, and upon the chimney is painted the date, "1671." This property passed from him to his descendants, and has never been out of the family name in all this long period.

John Morris was the first proprietor who re- sided on the farm, and it has ever since been in the hands of his descendants, the line being from Julius H. back through Amos, Amos, Amos, James, Elea- zer to Thomas, the founder. James Morris was a merchant in New Haven, and a deacon in the Con- gregational Church. Amos Morris, the grandfa- ther, was born on the old place and lived and died there, engaged as a farmer. He, too, was a dea- con in the church. He was a member of the Gov- ernor's Horse Guards, and his son Amos was a captain in the State Militia. Amos Morris, the fa- ther, was born on the old tract, the Morris farm, in 1750, and married Lois Hotchkiss, who was born in East Haven, Conn., a daughter of a neighbor-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ing farmer. Their children were: Lucius, who died in November, 1900; Robert and Lydia, who died young ; Julius H .; and Thomas, deceased.

Julius H. Morris was born Feb. 26, 1823, on the original farm, or what is now known as "Morris Point," and has always lived there, engaged as farmer, fisherman and hotel keeper. He is one of the best-known citizens of the locality. His first marriage, which took place April 8, 1844, was to Julia Rowe, who was born in Fair Haven, Conn., in May, IS21, and died Jan. 16, 1873. She was a daugliter of Deacon Rowe, of Fair Haven, who was a tailor, merchant and oyster grower. The second marriage of Mr. Morris, on Sept. 10, 1874, was to Mrs. Ann Eliza Hitchcock, who was born in Fair- field, Conn., and died Sept. 20, 1900.

Mr. Morris has been a Whig and later a Re- publican, having been active in politics nearly all his life, and has filled many positions of confidence, prominence and trust, has been selectman for three terms, and for twenty-three years was clerk of the South School district and has been connected with the board for forty years. The children of the first marriage numbered eleven, eight of whom grew to maturity: Robert R., a farmer at Morris Cove, married Mary Clark, and has had six chil- dren, Lela, Wallace, Robert, Herbert, Grace and Julius. Julia married Lyman C. Thompson, of Morris Cove, and has one son, Morris. Emma married George M. Thompson, who lives in Mor- ris Cove, but she has passed away; she had five children, three of whom survive, Edward, Lewis and Emma. Julius is an oysterman at the Cove; he has never married. Lettie married George Cad- well, and resides in New Haven; they have had three children, Clifford, George and Clarence. Hat- tie married J. W. Everett, of New Haven, and has had five children, Raymond, Burton, Ethel, Ed- ward and Sidney. Carrie married John W. Lewis, the well-known builder. Edwin A. is mentioned below.

EDWIN A. MORRIS was born in Fair Haven, Conn., Feb. 8, 1860, and was reared at Morris Cove, the old family property. His school days were passed there, where he remained until he was nineteen, when he entered the grocery store of R. H. Wright, of New Haven, in the capacity of clerk, continuing there for one year. He then opened up a grocery business of his own, which he success- fully conducted until 1893, when he returned to the Cove and established there a large grocery and meat store.

On Jan. 29, 1884, Mr. Morris was married to Ella Everett, who was born in Olive, Ulster Co., N. Y., a daughter of Henry Everett, a farmer in that locality, and four children have been born of this union: Gertrude, Jessie, Hazel and Dorothy. Mr. Morris is in sympathy with the Republican party, and is a member of the Woodmen of Amer- ica, while the whole family belongs to the Con- gregational Church. Few families in this vicinity , peace, and was a selectman many years.

can point to a longer line of honorable ancestry, unbroken, and perhaps none possess such historic remains as the old homestead of 1671.

COE. The Coe family, who for some genera- tions have lived at Middletown, Conn., are a branch of an old New England family, and Hon. Levi El- more Coe, of Meriden, for eighteen years judge of the city and police courts, former mayor of the city, and president of the Meriden Savings Bank and the Meriden National Bank, is a notable de- scendant and a conspicuous representative of same. He is in the eighth generation from Robert Coe, his first American ancestor, through Robert Cce (2), Capt. John, Capt. Joseph, Capt. David, Squire Eli and Col. Levi, a line of illustrious and noble men, all of whom were prominent and useful citi- zens.

(I) Robert Coe, who came from the County of Suffolk, England, with his wife and three sons, arriving in Boston in June, 1634, was the first set- tler at Watertown, Mass. The following year he removed to Wethersfield, Conn., and he was one of the first purchasers of Stamford. He was among the original settlers at Hempstead, L. I., and with others began a settlement at Jaimaica, L. I., in 1656.

(II ) Robert Coc (2) was born in England in 1627, accompanied his father to Watertown, Weth- ersfield and Stamford, and located at Stratford, Conn., where he married Hannah, daughter of Mat- thew and Susan ( Butterfield ) Mitchell.

(III) Capt. John Coe, son of Robert (2), born in 1658, in 1682 married Mary, daughter of Joseph Hawley. In his mature life he was a prominent character in Stratford, serving in the French and Indian war, and becoming a captain. He was also deputy to the General Court, and held other po- sitions.

(IV) Capt. Joseph Coe, the son of Capt. John. born in 1686, was married in 1708 to Abigail. daughter of David Robinson. He was one of the early settlers of Durham, becoming one of the prominent men of his time. He was commissioned ensign and lieutenant, rising to the rank of cap- tain in the militia service. He attended the Gen- eral Court as a deputy, and held several important local positions.

(V) Capt. David Coe, son of Capt. Joseph, born in 1717, was married to Hannah, daughter of Nathan Camp. One of the early settlers of Middle- field, he took an active interest in military affairs. in 1759 was appointed by the General Court lieu- tenant in the militia, and in 1764 captain. Dur- ing the Revolutionary war his services were im- portant and valuable.

(VI) Squire Eli Coe, son of Capt. David, born in 1758, was married to Rachel, daughter of Deacon Ichabod Miller, and made his home in Middlefield. Their children were: Bela. Lucy, Rachel. Eli and Levi. For many years Eli Coe was a justice of the

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

(VII) Col. I.evi Coe, son of Eli and the fa- ther of the Hon. Levi E. Coe, was born July II, 1788, and was married Feb. 14, 1811, to Sarah Ward, born April 2, 1788, a daughter of William and MMary ( Miller) Ward. After a signally happy married life of fifty-three years Col. Coe died Jan. 16, 1864, and his widow passed away Dec. Io, 1871. They had the following family: ( 1) Ben- jamin Ward, born April 28, 1812, married Betsy M. Birdsey. (2) Amelia M., born Oct. 15, 1815, married Ichabod Miller. (3) Alvin Bennett, born Feb. 15, 1821, was married to llarriet T. Coe. (4) Levi Elmore, born June 6, 1828, is mentioned below.

Col. Levi Coc was educated in the public schools. He followed farming all his life, and was a thor- oughly practical and common sense man, doing what he attempted, and attempting no more than what he could do well. He would break no more ground than could be well cultivated, and kept no more stock than could be properly fed. His farm- ing was practical rather than theoretical, and he took pride in his fences, his crops and his stocks. He acquired an enviable reputation in the breeding and raising of good horses and cattle, being espe- cially fond of Devons. The ambition which moved him was always for the best. His disposition was hopeful, his demeanor modest and courteous, and his relations with his family tender and indulgent. In his transactions he was cautious, and he was firm in his convictions of the right. Many sought his advice, and his judgment had great weight. He creditably filled several positions of responsibility .and trust, and he had the respect and confidence of the community to a marked degree. For many years he was an active member of the State Militia, and was advanced to a colonelcy when military honors were worthy the ambition of any man, and when merit alone was the test of success. That he merited the title was attested by its universal use in addressing or speaking of "Col. Coe." He took a deep interest in the affairs of his town, and of the Congregational Church, of which he was a de- vout member, punctual in his attendance at all meet- ings. In 1842 he was active in the construction of the new church building, and was instrumental in raising the funds for that purpose. Col. Coe had a social nature, loved his friends, and greatly enjoyed entertaining his friends and relatives. His was a hospitable home, and the best the home afforded was none too good. He was fond of amusements, innocent stories and harmless jokes.

Judge Levi E. Coe, who is the author and com- piler of the "Coe-Ward Memorial," traces his an- cestry to other emigrant ancestors as follows: En- sign William Ward, one of the patentees of Mid- dletown, Conn. ; Thomas Miller, freeman of Row- ley, Mass., in 1639, one of the original proprietors of Middletown : Nicholas Camp. Milford, Conn., in 1630; Thomas Robinson, an early settler in Guil- ford. Conn .; William Cornwell, Rowley. Mass .. in 1634, at Hartford in 1637, in the Pequot war, at

Middletown in 1651; Alexander Bow, at Charles- town, and at Hartford in 1639, who was one of the original proprietors of Middletown, Conn .; Cornet Joseph Parsons, in Massachusetts in 1630, at Springfield in 1636, at Northampton in 1655, a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston; John Johnson, Roxbury, Mass., in 1630, made a freeman in 1631, deputy to the first General Court, surveyor general of arms and ammunition, the first clerk of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company; Capt. Isaac John- son, freeman at Rowley, in 1635, made a captain in 1653, killed at the Great Swamp fight in the Nar- ragansett war, Dec. 19, 1675; Capt. Daniel Harris, at Rowley, at Middletown in 1052, deputy to the General Court; Humphrey Prior, one of the early settlers of Windsor; David Atwater, at New Ha- ven, Conn., a signer of the Plantation Covenant, June 4. 1639; Joseph Hawley, Boston, 1639, at Stratford the same year, a deputy to the General Court twenty-nine times ; John Kirby, first settled in Boston, at Plymouth in 1643, at Hartford, 1645, at Wethersfield, 1649, at Middletown, 1655; John Taylor, at Windsor in 1639, sailed from New Ha- ven in the "phantom ship;" Samuel Nettleton, at Totoket (Branford) in 1644; Deacon Paul Peck, at Boston, 1635, at Hartford the following year ; Thomas Barnes, at New Haven in 1643, one of the original proprietors of Middletown : Thomas Tap- pin, a captain and a free planter in Milford in 1639, removed to Southampton, L. I., deputy and assist- ant to the General Court; Elder Edward Turner, at Milford. 1651, an original proprietor of Middle- town: Bigot Eggleston, at Dorchester. 1630, at Windsor, 1635: Samuel Eggleston, one of the orig- inal proprietors of Middletown: John Osborn, an early settler at Windsor, Conn .; Richard Oldage, at Windsor before 1640; Thomas Sayre, at Lynn, Mass., in 1638, at Southampton, L. I., in 1640; John Rogers, called the "settler," a free planter of Milford, Conn., in 1639: Alexander Knowles, freeman of Massachusetts in 1636, at Fairfield, Conn., in 1653. assistant to the General Court; Thomas Bliss, at Boston, 1635, at Hartford, 1636; Dr. Henry Woodward, at Dorchester, 1635, at Northampton, 1658; Capt. Joseph Weld, a freeman of Rowley, Mass., in 1636, a soldier in the Pequot war, a member of the Ancient and Honorable Ar- tillery Company; Nicholas Disbrow, at Hartford in 1630, a soldier in the Pequot war; Edward Birdsey, at Wethersfield, Conn., in 1636; Matthew Mitchell, at Charlestown in 1636. at Saybrook. at Wethersfield, Conn., in 1639, at Stamford the fol- lowing year, at Hempstead in 1643, a deputy to the General Court, and a soldier in the Pequot war.

HON. LEVI ELMORE COE, of Meriden, son of Col. Levi and Sarah (Ward) Coe, is a native of what is now the town of Middlefield ( then Middle- town), Conn., born June 6, 1828. He received his education in the common schools of his neighbor- hood and Post's and Chase's Academies, the latter a somewhat noted school at Middletown, from

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

which went out into the world men who achieved fame and success in their various walks of life. Young Coe began teaching school at the age of eighteen years, and followed that profession until twenty-five. At that age, in 1853, he located at Meriden, of which city he has been a resident, and through the intervening forty odd years has been most closely identified with the growth and devel- opment of the city, which has been remarkable, and so inarked as a manufacturing center as to become known throughout the civilized world from the va- riety and high grade of its manufactured products. During this long period Mr. Coe has been one of the foremost among those whose efforts have brought about the proud position the "Silver City" sustains in the manufacturing world, and during this period he has made and sustained a reputation as a business man and useful citizen of a high order in keeping with his honorable line of ancestors. In 1854 young Coe was elected treasurer of the Meri- den Savings Bank, when the assets of that institu- tion were only $25,000, and the salary of the treas- urer only $200; the assets are now four and one-

half millions Ile has been connected with that institution either as treasurer, director or president ever since. When he took the position of treas- urer he was keeping books, making out bills, and doing other writing for outside parties. For fifty years he was engaged in the real estate business, though never on commission. He has taken great interest in agricultural matters and pet stock, and has been identified with various societies in this line, having been secretary of the Farmers Club, president of the Meriden Poultry Association, sec- retary, treasurer and president of the Meriden Ag- ricultural Society, secretary and treasurer of the Connecticut State Agricultural Society. and a mem- ber of the State Board of Agriculture. He has served in various public capacities : Was grand juror in 1837; registrar of vital statistics in 1858- 63; justice of the peace from 1858 to 1881; trial . justice for many years before the establishment of the city court; first clerk of the city court; and judge of the court for eighteen years. He has also been agent of the town to convey real estate, was registrar of voters. town clerk, and judge of probate. At the time of the building of the water works, and for several years thereafter, he was water commissioner. For a long period he was a member of the board of compensation. In 1894 Mr. Coe was elected mayor of Meriden, and re- elected in 1896 and 1897. He brought to that of- fice the ripe experience of long years of public serv- ice and of a successful business career, and gave the city a practical and dignified administration. In his political faith Judge Coe is a Republican, and has served as a member of the town commit- tee and State central committee. He was appointed by the Secretary of the Interior a town site trustee for Oklahoma City. Oklahoma. Among other nu- merous official positions in corporations, etc., held

by Judge Coc, are those of director of what is now the Meriden National Bank ( since 1862) ; treasurer of the Meriden Park Co .; director of the Meriden Hospital ; trustee of the Curtis Home; president of the Meriden Historical Society ; and a member of the Connecticut Historical Society; the Sons of the American Revolution ; and of the Home Club. Fra- ternally Judge Coe is a prominent Mason ; he has been secretary, treasurer and worshipful master of Meridian Lodge, No. 77; eminent commander of St. Elmo Commandery, Knights Templar ; and rep- resentative of the Grand Commandery of South Dakota near the Grand Commandery of Connecti- cut. In his religious views Judge Coc is an Epis- copalian, a member of St. Andrew's Church, Meri- den, in which he has been a vestryman since 1858. Judge Coe has been an enterprising, liberal and public-spirited citizen. He erected a beautiful me- morial library building, which, with its furnish- ings and the library, he presented to his native town, Middlefield, June 6, 1893, as a free public library. placing it in control of a self-perpetuating incor- porated board of trustees, known as the Levi E. Coe Library Association. Such a life needs no eulogy.

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 New Haven county, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, V. I, Pt 1, Part 22

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1040

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1040