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 25
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
Mr. Merwin is a Democrat, and takes a fair de- gree of interest in politics. He is an appraiser of real estate for the New Haven Savings Bank, and is a director of Grace Hospital. He and all his family are members of St. John's Episcopal Church, of which he is senior warden.
LYMAN HARRISON HALL, deceased. Dur- ing a long and useful life, Lyman Harrison Hall was one of Meriden's most highly respected citi- zens, one whose memory is still cherished by those who were permitted to come close to his personal life. He was born Dec. 28, 1823. in Yalesville. | of seven children : Lyman Harrison, who was born
Conn., a descendant of one of the oldest families in New Haven county.
John Hall, the founder of this family, was a native of England, and his first location in Amer- ica was at Boston, Mass., removal later being made to New Haven. A comprehensive history of this family will be found in another part of this vol- ume.
Samuel Hall, son of John, married Hannah Walker, in 1668, and was one of the first settlers in Wallingford, where his death occurred March 5. 1725, at the age of seventy-seven years, his widow surviving until Dec. 20, 1728.
John Hall, son of Samuel, was born Dec. 23. 1670, in Wallingford, Conn., and married Mary Lyman, who died Oct. 16, 1740. He died April 29. 1730.
Caleb Hall, the fourth child of John Hall, was born in the. town of Wallingford Sept. 14, 1697, was graduated from Yale. and he became a prom- inent man in his day. His whole life was spent in Wallingford, where he died July 27. 1749. and his remains are in the possession of this old town. He married Demaris Atwater, May 15, 1721, her death taking place on July 29, 1762, at the age of sixty-four years. To this union seven children were born.
Caleb Hall (2). one of the three sons of Caleb Hall, was born Aug. 29, 1731, graduated from Yale College in 1752, and became a physician of prom- inence in Wallingford, where he died Sept. 21. 1783. Caleb Hall was married to Prudence Holt, who died Nov. 30, 1807, at the age of sixty-seven years. Their children were: Caleb Johnson, born Sept. 22, 1763; Augustus, born Aug. 16, 1765: Abigail, born Jan. 29, 1767, married first Samuel Carrington, and second, Nehemiah Rice: Eunice, born Aug. 24, 1770; Benjamin, born July 26, 1772; Horatio Gates, born Jan. 17. 1778: and George and Demaris, twins, born Feb. 10. 1782.
Horatio Gates Hall, the grandfather of Lyman Harrison Hall, was born Jan. 17, 1778, and mar- ried Polly Byington, a daughter of Benjamin Byington, born Aug. 25. 1777. Their children were: Augustus, who was born July 14. 1799, mar- ried Rhoda Doolittle : Lyman, who was born May 7, ISO1 ; Horace, who was born May 25, 1804, mar- ried a Miss Bull; Mary, who was born March 16. 1807, married Leverett Allen; Josiah H. and Abi- gail.
Lyman Hall, son of Horatio Gates Hall, and the father of Lyman Harrison Hall. was born in Wallingford. Conn., May 7. 1801. His trade was that of blacksmith, which he followed in Vales- ville, Conn., his death occurring at the age of forty-two years. He married Sina Button, who also passed out of life at a comparatively early age. They were consistent members of the Con- gregational Church in Wallingford, and their burial took place in that town. Their family consisted
106
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Dec. 28, 1823; Newbury Button, who was born July 6, 1826; Laura Amanda, who was born Aug. 25; 1828, married Charles D. Hall, of Bristol, Conn .; George Starr, who was born Aug. 22, 1832; Sina Aseneth, who was born Sept. 9. 1834; Adelaide Amanda, who was born Sept. 10, 1837; and Mary A., who was born June 8, 1843.
The early life of Lyman Harrison Hall was that of the village lad of his age, his instruction at school being under the Hon. Dexter R. Wright, in preparation for a business career. He had his opportunity in the Meriden Britannia works. and was entering upon an industrial life, when the stir- ring events of 1861 changed the current of his thoughts, and with loyal heart he became a soldier in the defense of his country. Enlisting in Co. F, 15th Conn. V. I., he faithfully served through three long and eventful years, suffering during this time imprisonment in Libby's dungeons, where his health was seriously impaired. As corporal of his com- pany, he performed every duty set before him. but was glad to return to his old home after the close of the war.
Resuming his position with the Britannia com- pany, he remained attached to that house until, after a very short illness, he was called from earth March 1, 1888, and was buried in Walnut Grove cem- etery. In political sentiment. Mr. Hall was a Re- publican, but he had no ambition for office. Other things interested him much more, one of these be- ing his church, his Sunday-school and his religious duties. The Bible was to him indeed "the Book of Books" and it was his habit to prepare himself for the trials and temptations of the day by reading its pages in the early morning, also closing the day in the same manner. But a few moments before his spirit took its flight this wise counselor and comforter was in his hand. Devoted to the inter- ests of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, he acted as usher for many years and was so beloved as a Sunday-school teacher that the beautiful and ap- propriate memorial window which adorns St. An- drew's was placed there in loving memory of him, by the Sunday-school.
In fraternal circles, Mr. Hall was valued for the active interest he took in these organizations and for his personal qualities, as comrade and man. With Meridian Lodge. No. 77, A. F. & A. M., he was long connected. while he was Past Grand in Meriden Center Lodge, No. 68. I. O. O. F. Reso- lutions of confidence, condolence and affection were prepared by both fraternities, that of the former be- ing as follows :
MERIDEN. CONN., MARCH 5, 188S. To MERIDIAN LODGE, NO. 77. A. F. & A. M. :
Your committee that was appointed to prepare a suitable tribute in memory of our late Brother and P. M., L. H. Hall, offer the following report :
We feel that we but express the feelings of every active member of this Lodge when we say that his death is a loss to us of no ordinary magnitude. He united with us while serving in the honored capacity of the citizen soldier, and when "The war drum beat no longer" he
gave to our fraternity the same loyal and willing service that he rendered to the Nation.
It is a long and honorable record. whether in the humblest position, or presiding as W. M. in the East, no call to duty was unheeded, no service neglected that he could render to our Great Brotherhood. His genial. kindly nature won our .love, his integrity our unbounded confidence.
In his death our city and town have lost one of the best citizens : the Church with which he was so long con- nected, a zealous and faithful member. To us he was that embodiment of the Ideal Man, the just and upright Mason.
To her who was for many years the partner of his joys and sorrows, we tender our heartfelt sympathy, while we say, "Look beyond the clouds."
We place upon our records this tribute to his memory and add his name to the long roll of our honored dead; but in our hearts will be written. in indelible lines. the name of our Friend and Brother. Lyman Harrison Hall.
Committee: William Wallace Lee, Mathew Beatty, W. H. Wertwood.
JOHN P. WEIN, WV. M.
GEORGE A. DAVIS, Scc.
The memorial adopted by Meriden Center Lodge, No. 68, I. O. O. F., of Meriden was no less expressive and beautiful :
IN MEMORIAM.
Again the grim Monster has invaded our sacred bor- ders. and has taken from among us one of our oldest and most respected members.
We looked to Past Grand Hall as a wise Counsellor. a friend to the distressed and needy. a true and tried Odd Fellow, and one on whom we could rely.
Brothers of Meriden Center Lodge, we mourn his de- parture, but we have the assurance that that which is our loss is his eternal gain.
Resolved, That we extend to the widow of our de- parted Brother, our sincere sympathy in the hours of her affliction, believing that he is not dead. but gone before.
Resolved, That as a token of respect, we wear the badge of mourning for the space of thirty days.
Resolved. That these resolutions be entered upon the. records of the Lodge, and a copy sent to the widow of our late Brother.
Adopted by vote of Meriden Center Lodge, No. 68,. I. O. O. F .. April 20, 1888. H. S. HITCHCOCK, Sec. Attest :
On Dec. 22, 1847. Lyman Harrison Hall was married to Jane E. Bradley, who was born Feb. II. 1824, in Southington, Conn .. a daughter of Willis Bradley. She still resides in Meriden. in her home on Crown street, with her sister, Mrs. Frances L. Linsley.
BRADLEY. The Bradley family, of which Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Linsley are descendants, is an old one in New England, the first citizen of that name. in New Haven county. Conn., being Isaac Bradley, who is recorded a resident of Branford, in 1674. Later he moved to East Haven, where he died Jan. 12, 1713. His wife. Enzabeth, died Jan. 3. 1713, at the age of fifty-six years.
Samuel Bradley, son of Isaac, was born in 1686. and on Jan. 17, 1715. married Sarah, the daugh- ter of Jacob Robinson, of East Haven.
Daniel Bradley, son of Samuel, was married Nov. 28. 1757, to Sarah Judd. a daughter of Ben- jamin and Sarah ( Hollister) Judd, of Glastonbury,
ยท
107
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
her death occurring Nov. 19, 1764, after giving birth to her sixth child, who, on this account was named by his pious father, Ichabod. On Feb. 12, 1767, Daniel Bradley married for his second wife Mehitabel Hemingway, a native of East Haven. Until 1779, he resided in East Haven, removing then to Southington, where he bought a large farm, upon which he continued until 1798, when he re- moved to Litchfield, where he died.
Ichabod Bradley, son of Daniel, was born Nov. 10, 1764, and on Nov. 27, 1788, he was united in marriage with Miss Abigail Moore, who was a daughter of Roswell Moore. The children of this union were: Polly, who married Benjamin An- drews; Willis, who married Fanny Stedman ; William, who married Sarah Gilbert; Roswell who married Julia Newell; Diadamia, who married Julius Hart; Hial, who married Eliza Gilbert; Charles, who married Delia Stedman ; and Amon. who married Sylvia Barnes, these last being one of the oldest married couples now living in South- ington. Ichabod Bradley came with his parents to Southington when they removed thither, became interested here in farming operations, and so con- tinued through life, dying Oct. 13, 1832, his wife having died on the 13th of the previous April. Both rest in the cemetery in Southington.
Willis Bradley, son of Ichabod, was born in 1791 in Southington, on the homestead, where he grew to manhood, becoming an extensive farmer and stock raiser, and a man of respectability and influence. His death occurred at the old home. Feb. 15, 1851, when he was aged sixty years. His widow survived him, in a wonderful preservation of physical and mental health, until the age of ninety-two years, dying at the home of her dangh- ter, Mrs. Hall, and both parents now rest in Wal- nut Grove cemetery, in Meriden. Both had been worthy members of society, devoted to the belief of the Methodist and Congregational Churches. Mr. Bradley was married in 1820 to Fanny Sted- man, a native of New Britain, Conn., daughter of Samuel and Mary Stedman. She was born Jan. 17, 1793. The two children of this marriage were the daughters who still survive them: Jane Eliza, born Feb. 11, 1824, married Lyman Harrison Hall ; and Frances Louisa, born May 21, 1834, married Marcus M. Linsley. Both are active communi- cants of St. Andrew's Church.
MOORE. Through their grandmother, Abigail Moore, Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Linsley are connected with another of the old and respected families of New England.
Deacon John Moore, the progenitor of the fam- ily in America, came from England, in 1630, on the "Mary and John," the same vessel on which the Edwards family and the ancestors of Gen. Grant also emigrated to the United States. Deacon John Moore first landed at Dorchester, Mass., and in company with Rev. Mr. Warham came to Wind- sor, Conn., in 1635, the same year that John Hooker and his company settled in Hartford. The Moores
have nearly all been of a light and florid complex- ion, and rather tall.
John Moore, son of Deacon Moore, and a farmer by occupation, was born in Windsor, Conn., and married Hannah Goff. John Moore, son of John and Hannah, was born also in Windsor, and in 1693 married Abigail Strong, a representative of one of the largest and most distinguished fan- ilies in America. Their son, known in the records as John (4), was also born in Windsor, became a farmer, and was married Dec. 2, 1724, to Miss Abigail Stoughton.
Roswell Moore, son of John (4), was also a native of Windsor, but at an early day moved to Southington, where he married Desire Dunham. and there followed an agricultural life. Roswell Moore, son of Roswell and Desire, was a farmer and manufacturer in Southington, married Lovina Philips and for fourteen consecutive years repre- sented Southington in the State Legislature. His son, Gen. Grannis Moore, represented the town for the same length of time. This Roswell Moore was the grandfather of Nelson Augustus Moore, of Kensington, Conn., and the great-grandfather of Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Linsley.
MARCUS MUNSON LINSLEY, the well-known traveling salesman of Hartford, was born in North Haven, in August, 1832, and is a son of Marcus and Clarissa ( Fowler) Linsley. A sketch of this prominent family and its branches, will be found -
in another part of this volume.
Marcus Munson Linsley attended the district schools of East Haven, but at the age of fourteen years he gratified his ambition to become a sailor by running away from home and shipping on board i of a whaling vessel. Three years of this life satis- fied him, and then he came to Meriden. Here he learned the carpenter and joiner trade with John D. Billard, with whom he worked for a number of years, through Meriden, Middletown, New Haven and New Britain, being associated with his brother, Solomon Fowler Linsley. Mr. Linsley climbed the lightning rod to the belfry of the church, which is the present Meriden Opera House, and rang the bell in honor of the nomination of John C. Fre- mont for President.
During the Civil war, Mr. Linsley was no quiet onlooker, but an active participant, as a member Co. A, 15th Conn. V. I., being transferred in 1864 to the Navy, where he most gallantly held the of- fice and performed the duties of Master's Mate.
In 1858, Mr. Linsley was united in marriage to Miss Frances Louisa Bradley, and one daughter was born to this union, Colie, who married Samuel J. Hussey, a well-known decorative artist of Hart- ford. The two children of the latter marriage were: Clara, who died at the age of four years : and Earl Frank, who is his father's capable book- keeper. For twenty-five years Mr. Linsley has ably represented on the road one of the old business firms of Hartford. Fraternally he is connected with the G. A. R., and the Freemasons, and he is
-
108
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
a pleasant, genial gentleman, highly esteemed in both business and social circles in his home com- munity.
HORACE HUBBARD STRONG, one of the founders of the produce house of Strong, Barnes, Hart & Co., of New Haven, and for many years after the middle of the century one of New Haven's active and enterprising merchants and substantial citizens, was a representative of one of the old and prominent families of New England, generations of which were born, and lived and died in the town of Durham, Connecticut.
Born in that town May 24, 1830, our subject was a son of Alvah B. and Huldah (Tooley) Strong, and a descendant in the eighth generation from John Strong, who was born in Taunton, Eng- land, in 1605, and later was of London and Ply- mouth. A strong Puritan sympathizer, he sailed from Plymouth for New England in 1630, in the ship "Mary and John," arriving May 30th of that year at a point twelve miles south of Boston, known as Nantasket. After a short stay there he became one of the founders of Dorchester ; thence in 1635 went to Hingham ; and later became one of the founders of Dorchester ; and still later became one of the proprietors of Taunton, from which town he was a deputy to the General Court in 1641, 1643 and 1644. From Taunton he went to Windsor, Conn., thence to Northampton, Mass., becoming one of the most active founders of that place, where for forty years he was a leading man in the affairs of town and church. For his second wife he mar- ried Abigail Ford, of Dorchester, who died in 1688. He died in 1679. From this emigrant ancestor Hor- ace Hubbard Strong's line of descent is through Thomas, Thomas (2), Lieut. Eliakim, Lieut. Eli- akim (2), Eliakim (3), and Alvah Buell Strong.
(II) Thomas Strong. son of John the emigrant, born in 163-, married ( first ) in 1660 Mary, daugh- ter of Rev. Ephraim Hewett, of Windsor, Conn., and later with his family moved to Northampton, where he died in 1689.
(III) Thomas Strong (2), son of Thomas. born in 1661, married in 1683 Mary, daughter of John. of Northampton. Mr. Strong moved to Durham, Conn., in about 1708, and died there. He was a farmer.
(IV) Lieut. Eliakim Strong, son of Thomas (2), born in 1688, married in 1712 Mehitabel, daughter of John King, of Northampton, and re- moved to Durham, Conn., between 1725 and 1730. By occupation Mr. Strong was a farmer. He died in 1745-6.
(V) Lieut. Eliakim Strong (2), son of Lieut. Eliakim, born in 1720, married in 1751 Hannah, daughter of Lieut. Joseph Seward, and became a large farmer of Durham, Conn. His death oc- curred in 1800 in Durham, N. Y., whither he had gone to a son in 1793.
(VI) Eliakim Strong (3), son of Lieut. Eliakim
(2), born in 1751, married (second) in 1790 Ruth daughter of Elab Camp. Mr. Strong was a farmer in Durham, and served in the war of the Revolu- tion. He died in 1804, and his wife in 1814.
(VII) Alvah Buell Strong, son of Eliakim (3), and the father of our subject, born Dec. 29, 1799, married in 1828 Huldah Tooley, who was born Feb. 25, 1809. daughter of Abram Toolev, of Madison, Conn. Mr. Strong was a farmer of Durham, Conn .. where he died April 21, 1846. He and his wife had children as follows: Horace H., our subject, who is mentioned at greater length below : Ezra B .. born May 14. 1832; Daniel, born June 24, 1834; and Laura M., born June 23, 1843, who is unmarried.
Horace Hubbard Strong, the subject proper of this sketch, was reared on the farm of his father in the town of Durham. In early boyhood he received the advantages of the neighborhood schools in sea- son. At sixteen he became a farm hand in the neigh- borhood. and until eighteen worked for small wages, after which. for three years, until nearly of age. he was employed in Webb's Comb Factory in Meriden. Following this he went to the city of New Haven, and for a period was employed in the Monson Pie Bakery. A few years later, in 1851, young Strong established a meat market on a small scale. associat- ing with him in the enterprise F. H. Hart. the style of the firm being Hart & Strong, and their place of business was the corner of Olive and Grand streets .. Two years later Mr. Hart withdrew from the busi- ness for the purpose of moving to the West. He was succeeded in the firm by M. G. Hall, the name changing to Strong & Hall, succeeding A. A. Todd. In 1860 Mr. Strong purchased his partner's interest in the business and until 1862 was sole proprietor. In that year Mr. Hart, having returned from the West, again became interested in the business, the firm becoming Strong & Hart. About a decade later, in February, 1872, the produce house of Strong, Barnes, Hart & Co. was organized from the business, the gentlemen comprising the firm being H. H. Strong, Herbert Barnes, F. H. Hart and Orrin Doolittle. At this change the business of the concern was moved to Nos. 65-67 Long Wharf, where it has since been carried on, and it has become one of the large and extensively known produce houses of the State, as well as one of the most suc- cessfully conducted. Not a little that has entered into the development of the business and given it character and confidence was due to the energy and ability of him who stood at its head so long and whose name is so continued.
Mr. Strong through a long period of vears was prominent and useful in town and city affairs. As a busines man his judgment was sound. his ability of high order and his integrity unquestioned. Out- side of his regular business he was variously inter- ested in other enterprises and active in public affairs. He was interested in and president of the Strong Fire Arms Co., and was secretary and treasurer of the Mallett Cattle Co., of Texas. He held various
1
H. H. String
109
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
positions under the city government, always prov- ing a valuable and safe official. He gave great sat- isfaction as a member of the board of education, and the Strong School was so named in his honor. In 1877 Mr. Strong represented the. town of East Haven in the State Legislature. He was for a num- ber of years captain of the Second Company, Gov- ernor's Horse Guard, and in the early 'eighties was commissioned major. He was a Knight Templar Mason, and prominent in Masonic circles. For many years he was identified with the Second Con- gregational Church of Fair Haven.
.
On Oct. 10, 1855. Mr. Strong was married to Miss Sarah Rebecca Johnson, of Litchfield County, Conn., and the union was blessed with two children. who grew to adult age, Ella Frances and Addie H. The former is the wife of George M. Baldwin, of Fair Haven, and has two children, Sarah Strong and George Horace. The latter is single. Mr. Strong passed away July 27, 1893, and his wife sur- vived until Aug. 3, 1894.
ABRAHAM THOMPSON. whose widow is now residing at No. 719 Orange street, New Ha- ven, will be remembered by the older residents of that city and East Haven in both of which he was well known in his day. He was a native of East Haven, born in 1815, son of James Thompson.
The Thompson family in Connecticut was founded by three brothers. John, Anthony and Will- iam, who came from Lenham. in the County of Kent, England, where the old mansion house still stands, and were signers of the Colony Constitution in 1639. John Thompson (2), son of John, married Priscilla Powell; both were natives of East Haven. Their son, John Thompson (3), was born in East Haven in 1667, and married Mercy Mansfield, daughter of Major Moses Mansfield. Their son, John Thompson (4), was born in East Haven in 1692, and his son Stephen Thompson was born in 1723. The present Thompson residence, and also the old stone church, which is a landmark, were partly built by Stephen Thompson, in 1774.
James Thompson, son of Stephen, and grand- father of Abraham, whose name introduces this sketch, was born in 1788, in East Haven, and fol- lowed farming in that town. He was one of the prominent men of his time and place, and repre- sented his district in the Legislature eleven terms. He married Lydia Chidsey, also a native of East Haven, and they had eleven children, ten sons and one daughter, all now deceased: Stephen, Mary, Leonard, Nathaniel (for many years president of the Mechanics Bank). Henry. Elizur, James, Abra- ham, Abraham (2), Edward E. and Haynes. Mr. Thompson died March 7, 1851. and Mrs. Thomp- son passed away at the age of eighty-four. They attended the East Haven Congregational Church.
Abraham Thompson made his home in East Haven until he was fifteen years of age, and re-
ceived his early education there and in Branford, finishing his literary training in his native place. At the age of fifteen he went to sea, and during his life as a mariner visited many places of interest, sailing to California and South America, the West Indies, and he was well informed in all that per- tained to his calling. Later he was in the mercan- tile business in Sacramento, Cal., a number of years, and still later was in the carriage making business in New Haven until 1860, when he retired. On re- tiring he settled in New Haven, where he passed the remainder of his days, dying at the age of fifty- five.
On Sept. 5, 1844, Mr. Thompson married Miss Lydia Ives, who was born April 12, 1824, in New Haven, where the greater part of her life has been spent. Four children were born of this union: (1) James E. is in the mercantile business in New York, and resides in Roseville, N. J. He married Julia Pennoyer, and they have had five children. Louis (who married Ella Lubers), Arthur (a physician of Orange, N. J.), Charles, Carrie and Albert. (2) Frank Ives was born Sept. 18, 1851, in New Ha- ven, where he spent his boyhood days, attending the common schools and finishing at Russell's Military Academy. After this, in 1868, he was employed by D. S. Glenney, who dealt in paints and glass, re- maining with him as clerk for sixteen years. In February, 1884, Mr. Thompson and F. H. Belden engaged in the same line, under the firm name of Thompson & Belden.
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.