USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 11 > Part 21
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
In 1881 Mr. Raftery married Mary E. Clark, daughter of Dr. William N. Clark of Augusta, Georgia. She died without issue. He married (second), in 1891, Adelaide Emery Brainard, of Portland, daughter of the late Benjamin F. and Amelia Ann (Davis) Brainard of that town, descended from Daniel Brainard, one of the founders of the town of Had- dam, Connecticut, elsewhere mentioned at length. One child of this marriage died
in infancy, and two survive: I. Harold Brainard, a graduate of Salisbury School and of Trinity College, served in the United States navy during the recent World War. 2. Elizabeth Brainard Raf- tery, a graduate of Westover School in Middlebury, Connecticut, and Wellesley College.
SANFORD, Charles G. Ancestral History
The Sanford family of which Mr. San- ford is a descendant, date their ancestry back to Thomas Sanford, a descendant of Thomas de Sanford, a follower of William, Duke of Normandy, mentioned on the Role of Battle Abbey, October 14, 1076. A descendant, Thomas Sanford, came to Boston in 1631, settled in Milford, Con- necticut, in 1639, died there in 1681, and from him the Connecticut Sanfords trace their ancestry. Glover Sanford, grand- father of Charles G. Sanford, was the third son of Liffe and Huldah Blackman Sanford, and was born in that part of the town of New Milford now known as Bridgewater, March 3, 1797. His father, Liffe Sanford, served seven years in the Revolutionary War, and was present at the execution of Major Andre. He died December 3, 1815. After the death of his father, Glover Sanford apprenticed him- self to his brother, John B., in the adjoin- ing town of Brookfield to learn the trade of hatter, being then eighteen years of age, and in 1820 began business in the town of Salisbury. In 1823 he returned to his native town where for a period of forty-seven years was engaged in the manufacture of hats, having associated with him his four sons, Charles H., Homer B., Frederick S., and Edwin G., which composed the well known firm of Glover Sanford and Sons. In 1870, for want of
143
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
better facilities, the firm removed to Bridgeport, and in this business Glover Sanford continued until his death.
In the affairs of his town he always took a lively interest ; in politics, a staunch Democrat, twice a representative to the State Legislature. He was the first post- master of his town, his first commission being issued during the administration of President Jackson. He was one of the original incorporators of the Bank of Litchfield, Connecticut, and a director until a few weeks of his death. He was one of the incorporators of the town of Bridgewater, in 1856, and one of the first selectmen. He was self-reliant, perse- vering, of keen business foresight, a pub- lic-spirited, honorable and upright man, and always ready to lend a helping hand to others. His habits kept him from the infirmities of age, and he died May 30, 1878, aged eighty-one years. February, 1821, he married Betsey Lake, daughter of Benjamin and Mabel Lake, of Brookfield.
ROGERS, John William, Faithful Official.
For more than forty years a resident of Middletown, Mr. Rogers has established a reputation as a sound business man and has, naturally, been called upon to handle public affairs. In this he has maintained the same standard as that governing his own concerns, and the confidence of his fellows has been justified and enhanced. He is a descendant of some of the oldest and influential families of New England, partaking, thus, of those qualities making for success and leadership. The name of Rogers may have been of French origin derived from Roger I of Sicily and Ca- labria, born about 1031 in Normandy, France. Some say it is derived from the Frankish word Hruod, Hrother in North
German, Ruhm in modern German, mean- ing fame or glory. Another meaning as- cribed to it is "one whose word is reli- able." It is among the most ancient names in both England and America, as well as most numerously found. No less than eleven by the name of John Rogers were among the seventeenth century im- migrants in this country. Among these may be mentioned the president of Har- vard College in 1683. None of the immi- grants of the name have been able to establish descent from the martyr, John Rogers, who was burned at Smithfield, England, in 1555, though several families have traditions to that effect. Probably, the earliest American Rogers was Thomas who came over in the "Mayflower" ac- companied by his son Joseph, and died in 1621.
Robert Rogers was in Newbury, Mas- sachusetts, in 1651, with his wife Susanna, and died December 23, 1663. Their sec- ond son, Thomas Rogers, was born July 9, 1652, in Newbury, where he resided, and died October 15, 1735, in his eighty- fourth year. He married, May 18, 1677, Ruth Brown, who was born May 26, 1662, daughter of Isaac and Rebecca (Bailey) Brown of Newbury. Thomas Rogers, Jr., eldest child of Thomas and Rebecca, born August 15, 1678, lived in Newbury and there married, August 18, 1702, Hannah Long, born April 6, 1684, daughter of Abiel and Hannah (Hill) Long of that town. Robert Long was a freeman of Newbury in 1645, was a deacon of the church there, and died of smallpox De- cember 27, 1690. He married, in 1647, Alice Stevens, who died three weeks after him. Their eldest son, Abiel Long, was born February 19, 1650, and married, Oc- tober 27, 1682, Hannah Hill. They were the parents of Hannah Long, wife of Thomas Rogers, Jr.
144
:
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Amos Rogers, son of Thomas, Jr., and Hannah, was born October 30, 1724, and died in 1809. He married, November 22, 1748, Abigail Brown, born April 17, 1724, daughter of Stephen and Sarah (Morse) Brown. Stephen Brown, born July I, 1702, in Newbury, son of John and Mary, married, February 26, 1722, Sarah Morse, who was born October 1, 1706, daughter of William and Sarah (Merrill) Morse. The name of Morse is inseparably con- nected with the invention of the electric telegraph and is otherwise distinguished in relation to science, literature and all in- fluences that make for the betterment of the condition of mankind. Its bearers have been noted for their maintenance of the standards set by their Puritan fathers. Anthony Morse of Newbury, Massachu- setts, came from Marlboro, Wiltshire, England, and settled in Newbury in 1635, with his brother William, both registering as shoemakers. They sailed from Lon- don, England, in the ship "James," April 5, 1635. Anthony Morse built a house in what is called "Newbury Old Town," about one-half mile south of the old ceme- tery, on a slight eminence in a field which is still called "Morse's Field." Traces of the house a few rods from the road are still visible. His will is on file in Salem. He died October 12, 1686, in Newbury. His first wife, Mary, is supposed to have been the mother of his children. The fifth son, Deacon Benjamin Morse, was born March 28, 1640, in Newbury, where he resided and was deacon of the church, was made a freeman in 1673, subscribed to the oath of fidelity and allegiance in 1668 and 1678, and was still living No- vember 22, 1707. He married August 26, 1667, Ruth Sawyer, who was born Sep- tember 16, 1648, daughter of William and Ruth (Binford) Sawyer. She was a mem- ber of the Newbury Church in 1674.
Conn. 11-10
Deacon William Morse, third son of Ben- jamin and Ruth, was born January 23, 1674, in Newbury, where he made his home and died May 20, 1749. He mar- ried, May 12, 1696, Sarah Merrill, who was born October 15, 1677, in Newbury, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Clough) Merrill, granddaughter of Nathaniel Mer- rill, born in 1610, in England, and one of the first settlers of Newbury, in 1635. His wife was Susannah Wellerton, whose name is also written in early records as Wilterton and Williston. Sarah Morse, second daughter of William and Sarah, became the wife of Stephen Brown and the mother of Abigail Brown, wife of Amos Rogers.
Amos Rogers, eldest child of Amos and Abigail (Brown) Rogers, was born No- vember 3, 1749, in Newbury, where he lived and married, December 28, 1769, Mary Davis, who was born July 31, 1750, daughter of Benjamin and Ruth (Brown) Davis.
Joshua Rogers, son of Amos, Jr., and Mary (Davis) Rogers, was born July 21, 1777, in Newbury, and lived in the ad- joining town of Hampstead, New Hamp- shire. He married Nabby Currier, born January 16, 1783, in Haverhill, Massachu- setts, daughter of Reuben and Lydia (At- wood) Currier. Their son, Ezekiel Cur- rier Rogers, was born June 28, 1800, in Hampstead, and lived in Concord and other towns in that State. He married Lavina Leavitt, and they were the parents of George Leavitt Rogers, who was born December 8, 1836, in Concord. The last named engaged in the trucking business in Plymouth, New Hampshire, whence he removed to Middletown, Connecticut, in 1880. Here he built up a handsome business in storage and trucking, which he continued until a short time before his death, which occurred in 1912, in Ash-
145
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
land, New Hampshire, near Plymouth, in his seventy-sixth year. He married Han- nah Lambert, daughter of Joseph and Margery (Clark) Lambert, who survives him.
John W. Rogers, son of George L. and Hannah, was born April 21, 1877, in Ply- mouth, New Hampshire, and was a small boy when his parents removed to Middle- town, where his whole business career has been developed. Until thirteen years old he was a diligent student in the city schools, and has since given close atten- tion to the business established by his father, of which he took charge more and more as advancing age compelled the lat- ter to relinquish its cares. With ready business tact, he has made friends and his business has grown and flourished. He gives employment to fourteen men and several motor vehicles, and his monster vans are much in evidence about the streets of the city and surrounding towns. His present handsome residence on South Main Street was purchased in 1920, and is the abode of hospitality and good cheer. Mr. Rogers has always taken a lively interest in the progress and prosperity of Middletown, and has been called upon by his fellows to take part in the manage- ment of its affairs. His political affilia- tions are with the Republican party, and he has been chosen to fill various offices, including those of councilman, alderman and representative of the town in the State Legislature. In the election of Jan- uary, 1924, he was elected mayor of the city by a handsome majority, and was im- mediately installed in office by his pred- ecessor. In all matters given into his charge, whether public or private, Mr. Rogers has sought to pursue the straight and just course, and the trust reposed in him by the public has never been be- trayed. He is a regular attendant of the
Baptist Church, and is affiliated with sev- eral of the fraternal and benevolent or- ganizations of the city, including St. John's Lodge, No. 2, Free and Accepted Masons; Washington Chapter, No. 6, Royal Arch Masons; and Cyrene Com- mandery, No. 8, Knights Templar. He is also a member of Apollo Lodge, No. 33, Knights of Pythias; Middletown Lodge, No. 771, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; and Arawanna Tribe, No. 17, Im- proved Order of Red Men.
Mr. Rogers was married to Emma E. Eastwood, who was born September 29, 1875, in Middletown, daughter of John T. and Mary S. (Taylor) Eastwood, the for- mer a native of England, and the latter of Greenwich, New York. John T. East- wood was born, 1830, in England, son of Benjamin and Hannah Eastwood, and was a house painter. He died July II, 1883, in Middletown, as the result of a fall. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are the parents of two sons and a daughter, namely: I. George Eastwood, born February 10, 1897. 2. Theodore Eastwood, January 28, 1901. 3. Ruby Taylor, October 1I, 1906. Theodore E. married Dora Grillam and has a daughter, Jean, born 1925.
DICKERMAN, William Elihu, Manufacturer, Legislator.
Born of a fine old New England family, whose generations since early Puritan days aided in the economic, agricultural and political development of Connecticut, William Elihu Dickerman made for him- self an enviable place in his native com- munity.
He was the ninth in the line of Dicker- mans descending from the original Thom- as Dickerman who settled in Dorchester Massachusetts, about 1635 and whose son, Abraham, came to New Haven about
146
--
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
1658. Abraham married Mary Cooper, daughter of John Cooper, one of the orig- inal grantees of the town of New Haven, and from this union sprang a host of de- scendants including in their numbers men of such prominence as members of Con- gress, ministers, magistrates, writers, Wall Street financiers, railroad and in- dustrial corporation officials, State Legis- lators, etc. Abraham's youngest son, Cap- tain Isaac Dickerman, was a deputy to the Connecticut General Assembly for fifty- nine terms, outstripping the longest rec- ord of any other deputy by twenty-six terms. He was also one of the committee to arrange for the transfer of Yale Col- lege from Saybrook to New Haven in 1716 and made a gift of two acres of land to assist the college in getting established in New Haven.
Isaac had considerable property near Mt. Carmel about seven miles north of the New Haven green opposite which he lived and about 1735 his second son, Jonathan, went out there to improve the lands and establish a home. In those historic years just before, during and right after the Revolution, Lieutenant Jonathan Dicker- man played an important part, being at various times surveyor, lister, assessor, tythingman, selectman, grandjuryman, in- spector, member of the committee which voted New Haven's approval of the as- sociation entered into by the Continental Congress at Philadelphia, and one of the eight members of the Special Committee on Admitting to Inhabitancy, whose re- port constitutes one of the town's most important documents.
Among Jonathan's children who were in the Revolution was Enos, his oldest child, who was taken prisoner by the British and died in New York in 1776. Following in the direct line came Enos, son of Enos, a farmer, and Elihu, son of
Enos, a large land owner, civil engineer assisting on the Farmington Canal, Dea- con of the Mt. Carmel Congregational Church for twenty-five years, and a jus- tice of the peace. He moved to North Haven on the Ridge Road in 1848 al- though his son, Elihu Justus, was born in Mt. Carmel. Elihu Dickerson was born May 14, 1802, and married Sylvia Hum- iston, who was born February 3, 1805. His son, Elihu Justus, was born Septem- ber 6, 1828, taught school in his youth and later farmed. He married Grace An- geline Blakeslee, born March 8, 1831, who died April 18, 1889, seventeen years after the death of her husband on September 12, 1872.
The maternal grandparents of William Elihu Dickerman, subject of this bio- graphical record, were Zophar Blakeslee, born March 8, 1803, died February 15, 1875, and his wife Sarah Brockett Blake- slee, born in 1808, died August 11, 1876. Zophar Blakeslee was the son of Zophar and Sybil Brockett Blakeslee, Zophar be- ing a wagon and carriage builder and blacksmith in the days when horse power ran machinery. On both sides the family was Congregationalist in religious faith. The children of Zophar and Sarah Brock- ett Blakeslee were: Zerah Thomas Blakeslee, a farmer; Hermenea; Grace Angeline; Henry E .; and Charles Edgar.
William Elihu Dickerman, son of Elihu Justus and Grace Angeline (Blakeslee) Dickerman, was born in North Haven November 3, 1861, in the house on the Ridge Road where his brother and sister still live. His brothers and sisters were: Sarah Elizabeth, born May 8, 1858; Ro- bert Ellsworth, born September 27, 1863; Grace Emma, born April 18, 1867, died March 13, 1895; Julia Maria, born April 22, 1872, died November 2, 1872.
His early childhood was spent on the
147
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
farm and his first schooling obtained at the country district school, later attend- ing Mrs. Henry G. Dickerman's private school in Mt. Carmel. His eagerness for knowledge took him to high school in New Haven where his aptitude for learn- ing and rapid grasp of subjects enabled him to gain this education while going back and forth from his home in the country and helping on the farm. On account of the early death of his father he was obliged to give up his studies and go to work. For a short time he taught school. He also worked in the country store of Joseph Pierpont in North Haven village for a while.
About November, 1882, Mr. Dickerman became established with the firm of Morgan & Humiston in New Haven, dealers in sash, doors and blinds. He first started as a bookkeeper but rapidly assumed more responsibility and in April, 1885, the business was incorporated with Fred'k J. Morgan as president, Wm. E. Dickerman, secretary and treasurer, and Oswin W. Humiston, superintendent, each owning one-third of the stock. Mr. Humiston resigned after a year or two and Mr. David F. Wiser came in as secre- tary shortly afterward, the company how- ever retaining the same name it was in- corporated under which it carries to this day. This business was established in 1870 as Bowman & Company and changed hands a number of times but never grew very rapidly until Mr. Dickerman became associated with it. Then however, through his hard work, likeable personality and square dealing, it increased so fast that in less than ten years they were doing most of the business in town in their line. It was then located at Nos. 142-144 State Street but needing larger quarters, in 1900 they erected their own spacious building at Nos. 30-42 Prout Street, where it has been ever since.
Although most of the time from eight o'clock or earlier in the morning until ten o'clock at night was spent at his business in New Haven he kept himself in good physical condition by arising at six every week-day morning and working in the garden or about the grounds of his home in North Haven. He never retired before eleven or twelve o'clock and seemed to get along satisfactorily with about six hours sleep six days a week, observing the 'Sabbath religiously as a day of rest as his forefathers had done for two hundred and fifty years. In spite of his close ap- plication to his business he found time to participate in public affairs in which he was always interested. He was well known by most of the residents of his native town and his kindliness and good will made everybody his friend. A test of his popularity was made on two dif- ferent occasions. The first time was in 1896 when he decisively defeated the fore- most politician of the town for the office of chairman of the Republican Town Committee, and the second in 1900 when he overwhelmed the wealthiest man and greatest landholder in the vicinity for the nomination of Representative to the State Legislature. Practically every living voter in the town came out for this caucus, the like of which had never before been seen. His exceptional ability was recognized in the Legislature by his appointment as clerk of the important Committee of Fi- nance. His insight into the log-rolling methods of politics dampened much of his ardor for public affairs so that with the demands of his continually increasing business he gave up active participation in politics although he was continually consulted regarding town affairs, and acted as Registrar of voters during 1903 and 1904.
He was a member of Hiram Lodge of Masons in New Haven, an active com-
148
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
municant of the North Haven Congre- gational Church, agent of the First Ec- clesiastical Society, and chairman of the building committee to replace the struc- ture which burned in 1911. He led an active, healthy life and came to an un- timely end on December 9, 1913, from an accidental gunshot wound from which he never regained consciousness.
William E. Dickerman married in the Hamden Plains Methodist Church, April 8, 1884, Lillian Alice Snow, born at Ham- den, November 25, 1862, who survives her husband. Mrs. Dickerman was the daugh- ter of Albert R. Snow, a mason and con- tractor, a descendant of the Adams family of Suffield, Connecticut, and his wife, Hulda (Warner) Snow, whose grand- father, Samuel Warner, was a soldier in the Revolution.
For a year or two after their mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Dickerman lived in what is known as the center of North Haven near the green and here their first child, Grace Lillian, was born May I, 1886. Towards fall of that year they moved to New Haven, residing on Orange Street, near Canner Street, not far from East Rock. Their second child, Elihu Elias, was born here November 18, 1887. Early in the year 1888 they moved back again to the old home town of North Haven, purchasing the Fowler place be- side the Quinnipiack River, where the family has lived ever since. The old house was torn down and a new one built in 1900 so that with the improvements that have been made in the grounds this home- stead of fourteen acres is regarded as the most beautiful in town.
There were but two children, Grace Lillian, who after completing the high school course in Meriden attended St. Lawrence University at Canton, New York, and Elihu Elias, who attended
Boardman Manual Training High School and New Haven High School, graduated from Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University in 1909, was in the insurance business for four years, and, upon the death of his father, assumed the manage- ment of The Morgan & Humiston Com- pany, of which he is now president.
A kindly man, modest, unassuming, but full of good works, Mr. Dickerman was known and loved throughout the town. His party knew it could count on his support for worthwhile legislation; his church could call on him in time of need and be sure of generous aid. His friends and the poor knew of his constant readi- ness to help, and to his family he was the wise guide, the ambitious provider, and the faithful friend.
EDGERTON, Francis Daniels, Physician and Surgeon.
Among the most successful and highly honored physicians of Middlesex County, the late Dr. Edgerton enjoyed a high rep- utation as a citizen as well as a healer, and was held in confidence and esteem by all his contemporaries, professional or non-professional. He was descended from a very old Connecticut family, which was founded by Richard Edgerton of Nor- wich, where he was one of the founders. He came from England and was located first in Massachusetts, whence he re- moved to Norwich among the early set- tlers. He married, April 7, 1653, Mary Sylvester, and their eldest son, John Ed- gerton, was born June 12, 1662, in Nor- wich, and died there in May, 1692, near the close of his thirtieth year. He mar- ried March 20, 1690, Mary Renalls (Rey- nolds) born April, 1664, daughter of John Renalls of Norwich. She married (sec- ond), December 30, 1697, Samuel Loth-
149
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
rop. John Edgerton, only child of John and Mary was born February 26, 1691, and married, December 28, 1714, Ruth Adgate, who was born March 27, 1693, in Norwich, eldest child of Thomas and Ruth (Brewster) Adgate. Ruth Brewster was born September 16, 1671, third daugh- ter of Benjamin and Anne (Dart) Brew- ster. Benjamin Brewster, born January 17, 1633, died September 14, 1710, in Nor- wich. Ann (Dart) Brewster died May 9, 1709. Benjamin Brewster, son of Jon- athan Brewster, was born August 12, 1593, in Scrooby, England, and died 1659 in Connecticut. He married, April 10, 1624, Lucretia Oldham of Darby, Eng- land. John Brewster was the eldest child of Elder William Brewster of the famous "Mayflower" party, the organizer and head of the Plymouth Pilgrims of 1620. The name of Brewster appears among the oldest families, in the reign of Edward III as ranking among the English landed gentry. As early as 1375 John Brewster lived in the parish of Henstead in Suf- folk, England, and in the reign of Richard II John Brewster was prebend of God- wich, in the county of Norfolk. By mar- riage the Norfolk branch was connected with several distinguished houses of Nolkham. Robert Brewster owned lands in Henstead and from the Suffolk branch lines are established at Castle Heding- ham in Essex, where it was connected with several knightly families.
It was supposed that Elder William Brewster, probably of this connection, was born at Scrooby in Nottinghamshire, where he was active in the organization of dissenters from the established church. In 1607 he was imprisoned at Boston in Lincolnshire for his activity against the established religious order. With great difficulty and expense, his release was se- cured and he went to Leyden, whence he
came with the Pilgrim band to Plymouth, Massachusetts. In early life he held a responsible position in the service of Wil- liam Davidson, one of Queen Elizabeth's ambassadors, and afterward a secretary of state. From this service he went to Scrooby, which is supposed to have been his native village and there aided in form- ing the company which first settled at Plymouth, Massachusetts. His eldest son, Johnathan, born at Scrooby, some thirteen miles distant from Doncaster in Yorkshire, came to Plymouth in 1621 and in June, 1636, had command of the Plym- outh trading house on the Connecticut River. He gave notice to Governor John Winthrop of the evil designs of the Pe- quots. Later he settled at Duxbury, Mas- sachusetts, which he represented in the General Court in 1639. Before 1649 he was a resident of New London, Connecti- cut, where he was selectman in that year and where he died before September. His wife, Lucretia Oldham, was the mother of Benjamin Brewster, born November 17, 1633, in Duxbury. He settled on his father's homestead at Brewster Neck, which he acquired by purchase, the farm originally in the town of New London, now in Ledyard, then a part of the former town. He was much in the public serv- ice; long deputy to the General Court, lieutenant of the New London troop, later captain of the Norwich Military Com- pany. He married, February 28, 1660, Anne Darte, who was probably the widow of Ambrose Darte of Boston. The lat- ter's wife was Anne Adis, daughter of William Adis of Cape Anne. Ruth, sec- ond daughter of Benjamin Brewster, be- came the wife of Thomas Adgate and the mother of Ruth Adgate, who married John Edgerton of Norwich. Her second son, Elisha Edgerton, was born February 28, 1727, in Norwich, and married there,
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.