USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 10 > Part 47
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For two years Mr. Robins worked as a journeyman and then started in business for himself. Mr. Robins has met with success in his business and at times em-
ploys as many as a dozen men. The Dan- bury Depot was built by him and he has built many large handsome residences, one at Seagate, Coney Island, and one at Mountainville, New York, being espe- cially worthy of mention. Much of the work is in Norwalk and immediate vi- cinity although the high standard of his workmanship has reached far and wide and he has often received contracts from those living a considerable distance from Norwalk.
Mr. Robins married (first) Emiline, daughter of John Drew, of Conderford, England, and they were the parents of seven children, four of whom grew to maturity. They are: I. Edith, wife of Frederick Sperry and the mother of Hen- ry, Dorothy and Harriet Sperry. They reside in Woodbridge, Connecticut. 2. Mary Annie, married Charles Booth, of Bethany, Connecticut. 3. Ethel. 4. Wil- fred, married Sarah Cloud. The mother of these children died March 5, 1914. She was a member of the Baptist Church for many years.
Mr. Robins married (second) Mrs. An- nie, widow of Loren Fillow, and daugh- ter of Thomas Pritchard. The latter was born in Lancashire, England, and mar- ried Maria Barnaby. He was a pattern- marker which occupation he followed in London until coming to America. Sub- sequently he located in Portland, Connec- ticut, and followed his trade there as long as he lived. He was a member of the Ma- sonic lodge there.
Mr. Robins is a member of the Sons of St. George and with his wife attends the Baptist church, of Norwalk.
SCOFIELD, Howard Lyon,
Monument Dealer.
To the student of history the name of Scofield is synonymous with Fairfield
ConD-9-22
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county, as this family is one most fre- quently found in the annals of that county. The Scofields descend from one of those splendid old English families which, coming to America during the earliest years of colonization, helped to form the institutions of a new nation. The members of this family are always found prominent in the professional, pub- lic and business life of their communities, and ranked among the leading citizens.
There were many surnames derived from the localities where the individuals resided who adopted them: Slocum from Sloe Combe, the wild plum pasture ; Welles, which was taken from the springs of water near a home. Scolefield, the original form of Scofield, literally sig- nified a field containing small houses or cottages similar to that which would be found on the estate of the early titled English families. Through the centuries this changed in spelling to the form now in use, Scofield.
The progenitor of the family was Dan- iel Scofield, born in the parish of Roch- dale, Lancashire, England. He was a grandson of Sir Cuthbert Scofield, of Scofield Manor, the family being of an- cient and honorable lineage. In 1639 he came to America in the ship, "Susan and Ellen," and after residing for a time in Ipswich, Massachusetts, he located in Stamford, Connecticut, where his death occurred in 1671. On December 7, 1641, he received two acres, consisting of a homelot, and three acres of woodland, as the first company. He was a man of prominence in the Colony, and served as marshall of Stamford in 1658. He married Mary Youngs, daughter of Rev. John Youngs.
(I) James Scofield, a descendant of Daniel Scofield, married, December 24, 1722, Elizabeth Weed.
(II) James (2) Scofield, son of James
(1) and Elizabeth (Weed) Scofield, mar- ried, September 21, 1758, Esther Dean.
(III) Gilbert Scofield, son of James (2) and Esther (Dean) Scofield, was born March 26, 1759. He married, July 4, 1782, Abigail Crissy.
(IV) John Scofield, son of Gilbert and Abigail (Crissy) Scofield, was born Oc- tober 30, 1795. He married Sally Selleck Weed, daughter of Henry and Mary (Sel- leck) Weed.
(V) John D. Scofield, son of John and Sally Selleck (Weed) Scofield, was born in Huntington, Long Island. He was educated in the public schools of Darien, Connecticut. He learned the trades of carpenter and shoemaker, and followed these occupations for many years. He also engaged in farming near Shippan Point. Mr. Scofield married Elizabeth Ferris, a native of Stamford, and they were the parents of the following children: John Harvey, of further mention; and Addi- son E., of Springdale, now deceased. Mr. Scofield died May 9, 1854, in New Can- aan, and his wife died July 4, 1855.
(VI) John Harvey Scofield, eldest of the two sons of John D. and Elizabeth (Ferris) Scofield, was born in Stamford, Connecticut, June 14, 1843, and died No- vember 7, 1908. He attended the schools of Stamford, and at an early age learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed with few exceptions until 1879, in which year he became the superintendent of Woodland Cemetery and continued in that position as long as he lived. On his eighteenth birthday, Mr. Scofield enlisted in the Second New York State Militia as a member of Company C. In 1863 he transferred to the navy and was in serv- ice for the duration of the war. His work as superintendent of the cemetery brought him into other work as representative of The Smith Granite Company, of West- erly, Rhode Island, monument dealers,
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and he was associated with them for many years. A Republican in politics, Mr. Scofield upheld the prestige of his family as office holders and public-spir- ited citizens, and held many positions of trust and responsibility. He served as as- sessor and justice of the peace.
Mr. Scofield married, August 13, 1866, in Brooklyn, New York, Frances E. Peck- ham. Mrs. Scofield's mother was a Holmes, a member of an old Colonial family whose ancestry traces back to the "Mayflower." Mr. and Mrs. Scofield were the parents of five children: Mabel Win- ton, John T., William F., George Henry and Howard Lyon, twins. The latter receives extended mention below.
(VII) Howard Lyon Scofield, son of John Harvey and Frances E. (Peckham) Scofield, was born in Stamford, Connec- ticut, August 11, 1879. He was educated in the public schools there, and learned the trade of plumber, which occupation he followed for some time as a journeyman. With a desire to better himself, and feel- ing the need of more education as a foun- dation, he entered Taylor University, where he pursued a course of study, and subsequently became assistant to his fa- ther. Upon the death of the latter, the son succeeded him as superintendent of the cemetery, and also as owner of the monument business. Under his able man- agement the business has increased to a large extent. Mr. Scofield has a large stock of attractive monuments, and em- ploys a force of marble cutters to do the lettering. Mr. Scofield is among the en- terprising citizens of Stamford, and takes an active interest in all matters of public welfare. He is a member of Union Lodge, No. 5, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons, and of the Sons of Veterans.
Mr. Scofield married Effie Filthian, and they are the parents of five children : Ellen, Schuyler, Mabel, Georgiana, Es-
ther. With his family, Mr. Scofield at- tends the Methodist Episcopal church of Stamford.
LADD, Niel Morrow, Business Man, Author.
In every community are found men known for their upright lives, strong common sense, and moral worth, rather than for wealth or political standing. Among the well esteemed citizens of Greenwich, Connecticut, Niel M. Ladd holds a leading place. He is a man of high ideals and rare attainments. Mr. Ladd was born April 17, 1877, in Brook- lyn, New York, the son of Nathaniel Greene (2) and Mary Jane (Irwin) Ladd. A well founded family tradition asserts that the name of Ladd is of French origin, and that it has existed in England from the time of the Conquest (1066). The original French spelling was Le Lade, which has been subjected to various changes ; among others we find the spell- ings: Lad, Lade, Ladde, and the pres- ent form, Ladd.
(I) The first of the name in America was Daniel Ladd, of Wiltshire, England, who sailed in the "Mary & John," March 24, 1633-34. He landed at Nantasket, in Boston Harbor. Unlike most of his fel- low passengers, he did not remain in Dor- chester, Massachusetts, but went to Ips- wich, where he was granted six acres of land in 1637. Prior to 1639 he removed to Salisbury, Massachusetts, and there was granted more land. From there he went to Haverhill, Massachusetts, being among the first settlers of the town. He died there, July 27, 1693. His wife's Christian name was Ann; she accompanied him from England, and died February 9, 1694. In his "History of Haverhill," Chase states that "Daniel Ladd owned and cul- tivated several farms, and was prominent
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among the original proprietors ; he served as selectman and was one of the commit- tee to designate which houses should be garrisoned during King Philip's War."
(II) Nathaniel Ladd, son of Daniel and Ann Ladd, was born in Haverhill, Mas- sachusetts, March 10, 1651. As a young man he removed to Exeter, New Hamp- shire. He married there, July 12, 1678, Elizabeth Gilman, daughter of Hon. John Gilman, founder of the well known New Hampshire family of that name. Hon. John Gilman was a member of the Prov- incial Council under Governor Cranfield, a delegate to the Assembly, and speaker of the House. For alleged implication in Gove's rebellion against Governor Cran- field, Nathaniel Ladd was examined, De- cember 6, 1683, by Judge Barefott, who accepted the surety of friends for his fu- ture good behavior, and he was never brought to trial. In the summer of 1690 he volunteered in the New Hampshire contingent of an expedition fitted out in Massachusetts to protect the settlers in Maine from the aggressions of the In- dians, and being severely wounded, at or near Cape Elizabeth, he returned to Ex- eter, where he died as a result of his wounds, August 11, 1691.
(III) Nathaniel (2) Ladd, eldest child of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Gilman) Ladd, was born in Exeter, New Hamp- shire, April 6, 1679. He was a millwright by trade, which he followed in connection with farming, and he also dealt in real estate. He resided in Stratham, New Hampshire, for a number of years, but returned to Exeter, selling his farm to his son, Paul, in 1747. His brick house in Exeter was preserved, in part, as late as 1888. He married (second) Rachel Raw- lins, who died in Stratham, July 22, 1717. (IV) Nathaniel (3) Ladd, son of Na- thaniel (2) and Rachel (Rawlins) Ladd, was the eldest child of the second mar- engaged in business throughout his life-
riage. He lived in Exeter and Stratham, New Hampshire. He married Ann Hil- ton, daughter of Dudley Hilton, and granddaughter of Hon. Kingsley Hall.
(V) Dudley Ladd, son of Nathaniel (3) and Ann (Hilton) Ladd, died March 6, 1811. He married, December 15, 1748, Alice Hurley, who died December 25, 18II.
(VI) Dudley (2) Ladd, son of Dudley (1) and Alice (Hurley) Ladd, was born July 8, 1758, and died December 23, 1841. In 1777 he was among those who volun- teered to re-inforce the Northern army. He married, March 12, 1783, Bethia Hutchins, daughter of Colonel Gordon and Dolly (Stone) Hutchins, of Harvard, Massachusetts, and she died January 29, 1835.
(VII) Nathaniel Greene Ladd, son of Dudley (2) and Bethia (Hutchins) Ladd, was born September 25, 1791, died De- cember 27, 1863. He left home when a lad and for some years followed the sea. Later, he went to New York City and for thirty years was a valued employee of the Custom House there. He married, May 14. 1817, Ann Morrow, daughter of Wil- liam and Eleanor (Lewis) Morrow, who died October 16, 1866.
(VIII) Nathaniel Greene (2) Ladd, son of Nathaniel Greene (1) and Ann (Mor- row) Ladd, was born November 3, 1836, in New York City. He received a fair education and early entered the employ of a well known firm of auctioneers, Under- hill & Scudder. After severals years ex- perience he felt competent to go into the same kind of business on his own account. Accordingly, he formed a partnership with Messrs. Burling & Dole, under the firm name of Ladd, Burling & Dole. They made a specialty of salvaged cargoes, though carrying on a general business of auctioneering. Mr. Ladd was actively
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time. He married, January 4, 1876, Mary Jane Irwin, and they were the parents of the following children: Niel Morrow, of further mention; Frederick Hutchings, born December 10, 1879; Cornelia Marian, born in 1887, married Leroy T. Hark- ness; and Hewlett Scudder, deceased. The members of the family were regular attendants of the Baptist church.
(IX) Niel Morrow Ladd, son of Na- thaniel Greene (2) and Mary J. (Irwin) Ladd, who is more particularly the sub- ject of this review, was the eldest of the family. He was educated in the public schools of Brooklyn, New York, and on completing his courses there, entered the publishing house of Dodd, Mead & Com- pany. He was naturally a lover of books, especially of the rare, old ones, and it was but a few years before he fulfilled his desire to open a business for buying and selling rare books. The name under which he conducted his business was the Niel Morrow Ladd Book Company, and for nine years he successfully continued in business. Upon removing to Green- wich, Connecticut, he disposed of his book business to his brothers, who still carry it on under the original firm name.
The business of real estate next claimed Mr. Ladd's attention and for a time pre- vious to removing to Greenwich he was associated with his father-in-law in Brook- lyn. Mr. Ladd is now president of Ladd & Nichols, Inc., which corporation was organized in 1916. An extensive real es- tate business is carried on, with offices located at Miami and Palm Beach, Flor- ida. The corporation has a very fine or- ganization of ten people.
Aside from his business interests, Mr. Ladd has ever been interested in the sub- ject of bird protection. He has written and lectured extensively on this subject, and is a member of the Audubon Society and the Linnaeen Society, as well as be-
ing president of the Greenwich Bird Pro- tective Society. His handbook, "How to Make Friends with Birds," published by Doubleday, Page & Company, is beauti- fully illustrated, some of the bird pictures being in natural colors. Its two hundred and twenty-five pages contain valuable practical information, written in a most interesting style, which will appeal to ev- ery bird lover.
Mr. Ladd married Agnes Livingston Nutting, daughter of Andrew J. Nutting, of Brooklyn, New York.
LOCKE, John,
Contractor, Builder.
One of the most progressive citizens of Greenwich, Connecticut, John Locke, has achieved a position in the business world of that town through his own efforts. He does not owe his success to any fortui- tous circumstances, but rather to his qual- ities of ambition and sagacity. Through his intelligently-directed industry he has surmounted the many obstacles which confront the man of to-day. In many cases it was necessary to find a way to go around these obstacles rather than through them, and it is this ingenuity of mind which has been an important factor in Mr. Locke's success.
Mr. Locke was born March 20, 1872, in Belfast, Ireland, son of John and Eliza (Leemon) Locke. The surname of Locke is very old. It was in use before the gen- eral adoption of surnames, that is, the thirteenth century. It is of the class known as "place names" and was a name given to an enclosure or confine; that is, some particular place which was set off to confine sheep or other animals.
(I) John Locke, grandfather of John Locke, was a native of Glasgow, Scot- land, where he worked in the ship-yards. The Christian name of his wife was Mary,
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and they were the parents of John, of whom further.
(II) John (2) Locke, son of John (1) and Mary Locke, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1840, and died at the age of sixty-seven years, in 1907. In his youth he learned the trade of machinist, which he folowed as a journeyman for many years. About 1870 he removed to Bel- fast, Ireland ; there he worked at his trade until his death. He married Eliza Lee- mon, who was born in the vicinity of Bel- fast, and their children were: Mary, Jane, John, William, Emily, and Eliza. All of the children except William and Eliza, who are deceased, are now in America.
(III) John (3) Locke, the eldest son of John (2) and Eliza (Leemon) Locke, received most of his education in his na- tive land. When he was about fifteen years he came to America, locating in New York City. He learned the trade of carpenter in Brooklyn, and for fifteen years worked at this trade as a journey- man. Six years of this time Mr. Locke held the position of foreman on building construction in New York City and vi- cinity. Mr. Locke's ambitions were not satisfied, however, and endeavoring to better himself, he removed to Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1901. There he obtained employment with a well known builder of that city, J. T. Weir. The folowing six years were spent in building opera- tions, as foreman for Mr. Weir, and Mr. Locke was daily adding to his ability and worth. Sufficient warrant of this ability is shown by the fact that in 1907, at the death of Mr. Weir, Mr. Locke purchased from the Weir estate the building busi- ness. He entered into partnership with George Clarkson, under the firm name of The Weir Building Company, and this partnership continued successfully until 1913. In the latter year Mr. Locke sold his business to Mr. Clarkson, and en-
gaged in the building and construction work on his own account.
Mr. Locke is a very enterprising and progressive business man ; although com- paratively young, he has accomplished much in his line of work. In addition to his building operations, he has a mill where all the doors, windows and inter- ior finish used in his residences are made. He has built many of the finest houses in Greenwich, one in particular being the residence of Russell A. Cowles. An av- erage number of twelve men are em- ployed, and among the more important contracts completed recently are : The remodelling of the old hospital building ; the addition to the Young Women's Christian Association building ; the Pick- wick Inn; the Putnam and Bullard gar- ages, and the Commercial Hotel. Mr. Locke takes an interest in the civic life of Greenwich, although not seeking any political preferment. He is naturally pub- lic-spirited and has a natural pride in his home town. He is a member of Acacia Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons, and of the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks.
Mr. Locke married Matilda Gerson, of New York City, and their children are: Elsie M., Edna M., Arthur John. Mr. Locke and his family attend and aid in the support of Christ Episcopal Church, of Greenwich.
ALDEN, Albert Seymour,
Mechanical Expert.
The story of industry is one full of dramatic lights and shadows, full of the keenest interest and some of its most significant phases have been developed here in this country. The hitherto un- written memoirs of the sons of industry may well find a place in a work of this nature, where the life histories of men in
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every line of endeavor are recorded. In 1883, when his attention was drawn to the mechanical world, perhaps, more than in any other field of industry, the indi- vidual is lost in the marvelous aggregate of achievement. So it is peculiarly ap- propriate that the name of Albert Sey- mour Alden should live between these covers that future generations may read of his share in the development of me- chanics in America, and that those who have known and revered him may have the mournful satisfaction of seeing his story grouped with those of other men of his time.
Albert Seymour Alden was born in the little town of Stafford, near the northern boundary of the State of Connecticut, on December 14, 1837, and died in Platts- burg, New York, where he was employed at the time, on May 23, 1907. He was reared in Stafford, receiving his educa- tion at the public schools of that town where he obtained a thorough, practical preparation for the work that lay before him. At the age of fifteen or sixteen, as he began to look seriously toward his future and plan for the work to which he should devote his life, his mind turned toward the mechanical world, then just beginning to feel the wonderful impetus which has made the United States a leader in this line of effort. He went to Chicopee, Massachusetts, where he learned the trade of machinist. Endowed with skill of hand and that accuracy of eye which is akin to the talent of the artist, he made rapid strides along his chosen line of work. He was employed by the Galord Manufacturing Company and the Ames Manufacturing Company, rising to the position of superintendent. From Chicopee he went to Holyoke, Massachu- setts, in 1877, and entered the employ of the Holyoke Machine Company, accepting the position of foreman in one of their departments. He remained there until
the development of the town of Stamford, Connecticut, as an industrial center. He entered the employ of the Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company there, remain- ing with them for about two years. Then he became associated with A. H. Emory, having charge of some delicate work on his testing machines. Later he was made superintendent of the power plant of the Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company, and in this responsible position he re- mained for nine years. Next he went to New Bedford, Massachusetts, as super- intendent of the Morse Twist Drill Com- pany's plant, but after remaining only a year he became impatient at the idea of constantly turning the fruits of his toil to another man's advantage. He saw an op- portunity to strike out for himself in as- sociation with a business friend, and in 1896 formed a partnership in the coal bus- iness in New York City, under the name of Dovale & Alden. The business pros- pered, and was continued under the same arrangement for five years. Then Mr. Alden returned to Stamford. This was in 1901, but for a time ill health precluded his return to any active work. Upon his recovery, still ambitious to work for him- self, and with the savings of a lifetime of thrift and faithful labor, he became inter- ested in the manufacture of a kerosene engine. With his broad experience be- hind him, and his natural ingenuity, he put the best powers at his command into the development of the idea of utilizing kerosene, with the great advantages it possesses, as a fuel for the production of power. But many theories, much labor and uncounted wealth have been expended upon that problem, and the perfected kerosene is still an achievement of the future. Stripped of his savings, with the venture at a disastrous end, he had still the satisfaction of having contributed his
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share to the ultimate achievement, and in the heart of the genuine artisan this is no small gratification. About 1905 Mr. Alden entered the employ of the Lozier Automobile Company, which at that time had a branch at Stamford, Connecticut. In July, 1906, he went to Plattsburgh, New York, as assistant superintendent of the company's central plant, which was located in that city. There he remained until the time of his death.
The foregoing is the industrial record of a man of skill and mental power. As an individual there is much that might be recalled of him, fine and worthy of re- membrance. In the Civil War he served in Company C, 46th Massachusetts Vol- unteers, but after nine months of service became so ill that he was sent home to die. In his native climate he slowly re- cuperated, and gradually took up again the interests with which he had previous- ly filled his time. Since young manhood he was a member of the Masonic lodge and chapter at Holyoke, Massachusetts ; also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Alden married Mary Elizabeth Allen, born September 15, 1837, and died January 28, 1900, daughter of Carlos and Martha (Hartwell) Allen, of Chicopee, Massachusetts. (See Allen line.) This family line reaches back to the early days of the Massachusetts Colony. Mr. and Mrs. Alden were the parents of two chil- dren: Martha Hartwell, now a resident of Bridgeport, Connecticut ; and Francis Erskine, who lost his life in the Spanish- American War. The family was for many years connected with the Unitar- ian church.
(The Allen Line).
(I) Edward A. Allen, a Godfearing and industrious weaver, of Ipswich, Massa- chusetts, married, in 1658, Sarah Kimball,
daughter of Richard Kimball, of Ipswich, England. She died in 1696, aged about fifty-six years.
(II) Edward Allen, son of Edward A. and Sarah (Kimball) Allen, was born in 1663, and died in 1740. The records give his marriage, in 1683, to Mercy Painter, whose mother before her marriage was a Miss Lamberton, of New Haven, Con- necticut.
(III) Edward (2) Allen, son of Edward (I) and Mercy (Painter) Allen, was born in 1688. He was an inn-holder from 1723 to 1729. He became a resident of Deer- field, Massachusetts, at some time shortly after 1749, and died December 19, 1756. He married, in 1719 or 1720, Martha Wells, daughter of Ebenezer Wells, of Hatfield, Massachusetts.
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