USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 11 > Part 27
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
186
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
James Paddock, second son of Seth and Phebe (Johnson) Paddock, was born July 5, 1784, and lived in Middletown. He married, January 1, 1803, Grace Roberts, who was born January 26, 1784, daughter of Jonathan and Lucy (Fairchild) Roberts of Middletown, died January 28, 1867.
Seth J. Paddock, third son of James and Grace, was born November 22, 1810, in Middletown, lived in Cromwell from the time he was four years old, and was a farmer and builder, dying May 12, 1888. He married, December 4, 1833, Lucinda Kenyon, who was born December 9, 1807, died July 20, 1902, daughter of Green and Hannah (Armstrong) Kenyon, natives respectively, of Point Judith, Rhode Is- land, and Lebanon, Connecticut. Emma Paddock, fourth daughter of Seth J. and Lucinda (Kenyon) Paddock, became the wife of Charles W. Bacon, as recorded below. Sarah Paddock, daughter of James, became the wife of Phineas Bacon, as above shown.
Charles William Bacon, son of Phineas and Sarah, was born August 4, 1838, in Newfield, was a farmer there, on the paternal homestead, and died in the house where he was born April 30, 1915. He engaged in general farming, was a mem- ber of the North Church, a Republican in politics, a man of domestic tastes, seek- ing no part in the conduct of public af- fairs. He married, in 1865, Emma Pad- dock, born September 2, 1845, sixth child of Seth J. and Lucinda (Kenyon) Pad- dock of Cromwell. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon were the parents of five children, namely : Willis E., now a resident of Newfield; Louis P., mentioned further below; Henry, a sketch of whom follows; Minnie M., died at the age of fourteen years; Alice, wife of Bertrand E. Spencer, an attorney of Middletown.
Louis Paddock Bacon, second son of
Charles W. Bacon, born July 6, 1870, on the paternal homestead in Newfield, has made his home in that section to the pres- ent time, most actively engaged in busi- ness with no vacation until 1922. He has never been ill, and has felt no occasion for extended rest. Beside the local school of his neighborhood he attended a private school maintained by Miss Patton in the city of Middletown. At the age of eight- een years he entered the employ of Ly- man D. Mills in Middletown, to learn the trade of tinner and plumber. There he industriously continued until his junior brother had completed the same appren- ticeship under the same preceptor, and was ready to join him in business on their own account. In 1899 they opened a shop and store at the corner of Main and Col- lege streets, and two years later moved to the Young Men's Christian Association building, where they have continued to the present time and built up a prosper- ous business, now employing from twen- ty-five to thirty-five people, according to the season. Mr. Louis P. Bacon gives his attention to the mechanical depart- ment, while his brother attends to the business management. Their store, where metal wares are retailed, is one of the most extensive in the city, and their job- bing department is one of the busiest. Mr. Bacon is a member of the North Church and a Republican in political principle, too busy to seek any political office, staunch in support of his principles. He married, in November, 1899, Nellie Owen Crane, born July 27, 1871, in Suffield, Connecticut, died June 16, 1921, daughter of George S. and Jennette D. (Owen) Crane of that town. The Crane family is one of the oldest and most numerously represented in New England, founded by Benjamin Crane, born about 1630, who was in Wethersfield, Connecticut, in 1655.
187
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
In 1656 he had lands there, was made free- Connecticut. In 1842 he was a member of the Massachusetts Legislature and in Connecticut in 1853. man in 1658 and was a farmer one mile south of the village, where he died May 31, 1691, leaving an estate valued at £ 526 He married, September 26, 1828, Fanny Lewis, of Suffield, and they were parents of George S. Crane, born August 27, 1831, who was a farmer and dealer in agricul- tural implements in Suffield. He married, March 23, 1859, Jennette D. Owen, and they were the parents of Nellie O. Crane, who became the wife of Louis P. Bacon. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon were the parents of a son and two daughters. The latter died in early childhood. The son, Charles Burton Bacon, born March 13, 1906, is a student at the Middletown High School. and I2s. He married, April 23, 1655, Sarah, daughter of William and Sarah (Charles) Backus. Their son, Lieutenant Jonathan Crane, born December 1, 1658, lived in Windham, Norwich and Lebanon, dying June 6, 1735. For several years he was deputy from Windham. He married, December 19, 1678, Deborah Griswold, born May, 1661, daughter of Francis Griswold, of Wethersfield. John Crane, second son of Lieutenant Jonathan Crane and Deborah (Griswold) Crane, born Oc- tober 1, 1687, received lands from his father in what is now Coventry, married, BACON, Henry, Merchant, Manufacturer. September 16, 1708, Sarah Spencer, who died September 15, 1715. John Crane, eldest child of John and Sarah (Spencer) The ancestry of Mr. Bacon is given at considerable length above (see Bacon, L. P.) and includes many individuals identi- fied with the settlement and development of Middletown through eight generations. Among these the old New England spirit of industry, thrift and high moral purpose predominated, and among the descend- ants are found many earnest in carrying out the high ideals of their forebears. Crane, born July 31, 1709, received land in Wethersfield from his grandfather and purchased more. His last days were passed in Becket, Massachusetts, where he died March 9, 1793. He married (second), No- vember 11, 1742, Sarah Hutchinson, who was the mother of his fifth son, Elijah Crane, born February 22, 1746, in Lebanon. He was one of the first settlers of Washing- ton, Massachusetts, in 1760, and died there Henry Bacon, third son of Charles W. Bacon, was born October 20, 1874, in Newfield, and has shared in developing an important business in the city of Middle- town, in association with his elder brother above referred to. Henry Bacon attended the district school near his native home, a private school in Middletown, conducted by Miss Patton, and was a student at a Hartford business college, becoming well prepared for the business career which has enhanced his credit as a steady-going and industrious citizen. When eighteen years old he entered the shop of Lyman January 15, 1818. He married Sarah Hill of Woburn, Massachusetts, who survived him a short time and died September II, 1819, in Canton, New York. Their second son, Amos Crane, born December 17, 1774, lived in Washington, where he died July 25, 1863, having been thirty-two years a member of the Methodist Church. He married, October 30, 1799, Martha Remington, of Suffield, who died Novem- ber 16, 1841. Their eldest son, Amos Crane, was born November 5, 1802, in Washington, where he continued farming until 1847, when he removed to Suffield, D. Mills in Middletown, where he be-
188
Charles 7 Davis
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
came master of the plumbing and heating industry. After seven years in this train- ing, he embarked in business, as above re- lated, in association with his brother, under the title of Bacon Brothers. This title has become a synonym for stability, faithfulness and efficiency. The propri- etors of the business are well convinced of the truth of Benjamin Franklin's pre- cept : "He who by the plow would thrive, himself must either hold or drive," and are found attending diligently to busi- ness in the hours appropriated for that purpose, and each employee is impressed with the importance of upholding the principle of proper service so necessary in maintaining any business which under- takes to serve the public. Since Febru- ary, 1903, the establishment has been housed in the Young Men's Christian Association building, and has enjoyed a continuously growing patronage. Henry Bacon is a member of the North Church, where many of his ancestors have wor- shipped, is a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 2, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, one of the great fraternal and benevolent organizations, and is a supporter of Re- publican policies in government. He has always resided in Newfield, and now occu- pies what is known as the Captain Daniel Bacon place in that section.
He married, March 13, 1917, Phebe Scoville, born at Maromas, daughter of Henry Scoville, a farmer of that section.
DAVIS, Charles Talcott, Agriculturist.
As a patronymic, Davis is of Welch origin, and signifies "David's son." The founder of the family herein considered was John Davis, early in Ipswich, Mas- sachusetts, later in New London, Con- necticut. His son, Andrew Davis, lived
in New London and was the father of Solomon Davis, the first of the name in Killingworth, Connecticut. He married there December 28, 1709, Sarah Hayton or Hayden, and they were the parents of Samuel Davis, born about 1725-30. With his wife, Elizabeth, he lived in Killing- worth, had five children, the eldest born in 1753. The youngest of these, Lemual Davis, born, probably after 1760, lived in Killingworth with his wife, Jemima, and had five children, the eldest born in 1783. This one died in infancy, and the second of the same name, Peter Davis, was a farmer residing on Pea Hill in Killing- worth. He married Polly Kelsey, and they were the parents of Alvin Davis, born December 14, 1807, on Pea Hill, there grew to manhood and passed his life, engaged in agriculture. He was a man of intelligence and independent mind, industrious and economical, and became quite prosperous. Though not an intense partizan, he was a staunch supporter of Democratic principles. He died Decem- ber 14, 1860, and was buried in the Stone- house Cemetery. He married, November 28, 1827, Julia Wright, who was born June 3, 1807, daughter of Jesse and Nancy (Hull) Wright. Jesse Wright, born 1786, was a farmer in the Pine Orchard district of Killingworth, and died in 1878. He was a descendant of James Wright, un- doubtedly of English ancestry, although some people claim the name is of Scotch origin. The first mention of James Wright is found in the Congregational Church records of Milford, Connecticut. He married Hannah Sanford, of that place. His second wife, Bethiah, was the mother of Daniel Wright. Daniel Wright was born June 23, 1723, recorded in Dur- ham, where he lived with his wife, Lucy, whither James Wright removed from Mil- ford before 1707. He was a member of
189
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
the committee from Durham which set- tled the boundary line between that town and Guilford. Their son, Ashur Wright, born May 9, 1755, in Durham, was a farmer of that town, where he married Beulah Strong, born March 13, 1757, daughter of Lieutenant Eliakim and Han- nah (Seward) Strong. Jesse Wright, their son, was a farmer in Killingworth, and married Nancy Hull.
The Strong family is one of the oldest and most prolific in New England, was founded by Elder John Strong, who was born in 1605, in Taunton, England, and arrived in Massachusetts, May 30, 1630. The family was originally located in Shropshire, and by marriage with an heiress of Griffith County, Caernarvon, Wales, secured a residence in that prin- cipality. Of this family was Richard Strong, born in 1551, removed in 1590 to Taunton, Somersetshire, England, where he died in 1613. His son, John Strong, lived at London and Plymouth, and came to New England, as above related, in the ship "Mary and John." In 1635 he was among the founders of Dorchester, was admitted a freeman at Boston, March 9, 1636, and was a proprietor of Taunton, Massachusetts, December 4, 1638. He was prominent in that community, repre- sented the town at the general court of Plymouth in 1641-43-44-45. Later he re- moved to Windsor, Connecticut, and was one of a committee appointed to advance the settlement of that place. In 1659, he was among the active founders and set- tlers of Northampton, Massachusetts, where he engaged in business as a tanner, and was long the ruling elder of the church there and died April 14, 1699. His first wife died on the passage to America and he married, in December, 1630, Abi- gail Ford. Thomas, son of John Strong, born between 1630 and 1640, at Windsor,
was a trooper there in 1648 under Major Mason. With his father, he removed to Northampton, where he died October 3, 1689. He married, December 5, 1660, Mary, daughter of Rev. Ephraim Hewitt of Windsor. She died February 20, 1671. Their eldest child, Thomas Strong, born November 16, 1661, removed shortly after 1708 to Durham, Connecticut, where he was a farmer. He married, November 17, 1683, Mary Stebbins, born Septem- ber 10, 1666, daughter of John and Abi- gail (Bartlett) Stebbins, of Northamp- ton. Lieutenant Eliakim Strong, son of Thomas and Mary, born September 26, 1688, was a farmer in Northampton and removed after 1725 to Durham, where he engaged in farming, and died January 24, 1746. He married, April 13, 1712, Me- hitable King, born March 13, 1690, daugh- ter of John and Mehitable (Pomeroy) King of Northampton, the latter born July 3, 1666, daughter of Medad Pomeroy.
Lieutenant Eliakim Strong, eldest son of Eliakim and Mehitable, born March 7, 1720, was a large farmer for many years in Durham. In 1693 he removed with his sons to Durham, New York, where he died in 1800. He married, June 3, 1751, Hannah Seward, born February 21, 1730, in Durham, daughter of Lieutenant Joseph and Hannah (Crane) Seward of that town. Their daughter, Beulah Strong, became the wife of Ashur Wright as be- fore noted, and the mother of Jesse Wright, grandmother of Julia Wright, who became the wife of Alvin Davis. Ashur Wright was a soldier of the Revo- lution and died in 1853.
Sydney Talcott Davis, eldest son of Alvin and Julia, was born June 24, 1837, on Pea Hill, where he grew to manhood. He is the subject of extended mention elsewhere. He married, January 28, 1858, Mary Ann Nettleton, who was born
190
.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
March 19, 1840, in Barton, Tioga County, New York, died May 14, 1922, in Hart- ford, Connecticut, daughter of Heman and Jerusha (Norton) Nettleton. Heman Net- tleton was born November 16, 1802, in Killingworth, where he died September 25, 1882, having returned to his native place in old age. Jerusha Norton, born August II, 1799, died March 1, 1867.
Charles Talcott Davis, second son of Sydney Talcott, was born January 12, 1865, in Killingworth, was early accus- tomed to the life and activities of the farm and attended the district school of the neighborhood. At the age of sixteen years he came to Middletown and entered the employ of the late Richard Davis, an extensive farmer and dairyman. Young Davis drove the milk wagon delivering to customers in Middletown and helped in the labors of the establishment in many capacities. After eleven years of this healthful exercise he purchased an in- terest in the feed business of Coe & Cro- well, which was continued one year by the firm of Coe & Davis, after which Mr. Davis settled on the farm where he now resides, adjoining that of Richard Davis, on West Long Hill. This farm had long been in possession of the Hubbard fam- ily, and embraces one hundred acres of finely located land. It is fitted with hand- some buildings and all the equipment of a modern farm. For many years Mr. Davis conducted a dairy and delivered milk in the city, and also dealt in cattle, which busy occupations brought him a competence. He has turned attention to other interests, and is now secretary of the Walter Hubbard Realty Company, which handles property in Meriden and Middletown, left by the late Walter Hub- bard of the former city. Mr. Davis is also a director of the Middletown Savings Bank, the Central National Bank, and the
Middletown Trust Company. As an ener- getic and sound business man, he enjoys the esteem and confidence of his associ- ates. He is a member of Apollo Lodge, No. 33, Knights of Pythias, and has long been active in Grange work. He is a member of Mattabesset Grange No. 42, of Pomona Central Grange, No. I, and is a past master of the State Grange and now a member of its executive committee. He is an attendant of the North Church in Middletown and ever ready to foster every forward and upward movement. He married, October 11, 1893, Grace L. Hub- bard, who was born April 17, 1870, daugh- ter of Ebenezer Prout and Maritta (Heath) Hubbard, a descendant of George Hubbard, patriarch of the Middletown family of that name.
Nathaniel Hubbard, sixth child of George and Elizabeth (Watts) Hubbard, was born October 10, 1652, in Middle- town and lived at the cross roads on Long Hill, where he died May 20, 1738. He married, May 29, 1682, Mary Earle, born in 1663, in Northampton, Massachusetts, died April 6, 1732, daughter of John and Mary (Watts) Earle, who came to Mid- dletown. John Hubbard, second son of Nathaniel and Mary (Earle) Hubbard, was born November 28, 1692, in Middle- town and was a deacon of the First Church there from May 26, 1743, until his death, March 12, 1753. He married, August I, 1722, Elizabeth Stowe, born January 10, 1700, eldest daughter of John and Beth- sheba (How) Stowe, of Middletown, died May 9, 1764. Their fifth son, Jeremiah Hubbard, born October 27, 1732, died March 7, 1814. During the Revolution, he was captain of a company of militia which marched to East Guilford to defend the coast against a threatened attack of the British fleet. While there he attended church and was invited to a seat in the
191
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
pew of Deacon Josiah Meigs. There he met Elizabeth Meigs, born February 3, 1748, daughter of Josiah and Mary (Hand) Meigs, who became his wife June 21, 1781. Both were admitted to full com- munion in the First Church of Middle- town January 18, 1784. Jeremiah Hub- bard, eldest child of Jeremiah and Betty (Meigs) Hubbard, was born March 29, 1784, in Middletown, baptized July 25th of that year at the First Church, died March 25, 1863. In early manhood he traveled extensively in the South and, by trading, amassed a capital with which he returned to Middletown and purchased the farm of his grandfather, John Hub- bard, on Long Hill. He was a man of fine appearance, a good business man, a member of the North Church, and long served as justice of the peace. All his children enjoyed good educational oppor- tunities. He married, December 15, 1815, Eunice Prout, born in 1794, died Febru- ary 8, 1856, daughter of Ebenezer and Thankful (Prior) Prout of Johnson Lane (see Roberts, Chauncey W.). Eben Prout Hubbard, son of Jeremiah and Eunice, was born June 15, 1833, on the farm of his great-grandfather, which was owned by his father, and where Charles T. Davis now resides. Here he diligently pursued agriculture until his death, January 10, 1894. Like most of the Hubbard family he adhered to the Democratic party in politics. In 1872 he erected the handsome mansion now occupied by his daughter. He married, March 27, 1866, Maritta H. Heath, born July 21, 1840. Grace L., youngest child of Eben P. Hubbard, be- came the wife of Charles T. Davis, as above related. They are the parents of : 1. Abbott Hubbard Davis, now associated with the Mechanics' Bank of New Haven ; married Emma Louise Taylor, daughter of Giles and Lillian Taylor and has two
children: Maritta Taylor and Abbott Hubbard, Jr. 2. Harold Heath Davis, a graduate of Syracuse University and now with Charles S. Parmer, architect, of New Haven; married Esther Talcott Derby, daughter of Elmer G. and Alice Derby, and has a daughter Helen Hubbard.
HUBBARD, Russell H., Manufacturer.
One of the younger business men of New Britain, Connecticut, who is active in the industrial and civic affairs of that city, Russell H. Hubbard was born in Meriden, Connecticut, September 20, 1892, son of Charles E. and Addie C. (Wil- liams) Hubbard. He is a descendant of an old Colonial family, which has also been traced to an early date in England. The surname of Hubbard is very ancient and according to tradition in the Hub- bard family in England, the name is de- rived from Hubbs (Ubba or Ubbo), the Danish sea king, who, in the fall of 866, with an immense fleet and twenty thou- sand warriors, landed on the coast of East-Anglia or Kent to avenge the death of his father, Ragnar Lodbrog. The latter, whose invasions had made his name a cause of terror on the shores of the Baltic and the British Isles, after taking pos- session of Paris, planned an invasion of England. His expedition was wrecked on the coast of Northumbria, but Ragnar, with a band of his followers who reached the shore, heedless of their numerical in- feriority, began their usual career of dep- redation. At the first news of the descent of the Norsemen, the Northumbrians flew to the coast, fought the invaders, making Ragnar a prisoner. He was put to death at once, and is said to have consoled his last moments with the hope "that the cubs of the boar would avenge his fate."
192
&. M. Marral
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Having spent the winter in fortifying his camp, and equipping his followers, Hubba, in February, 1867, seized York. Though the Northumbrians gave battle with desperate fury, Hubba's forces tri- umphed. They killed Osbert in battle but took prisoner Aella, his erstwhile rival chieftain, but now compatriot in fighting the common foe. Hubba and his follow- ers now gave themselves the pleasure of torturing to death the men who had thrown King Ragnar Lodbrog into a cage of snakes to be devoured.
'The victory gave Hubba and his brother Hingua undisputed possession of all the country south of the Tyne, and north of Nottingham. They continued to increase their dominions by victorious invasions of the surrounding country, their exploits filling one of the most thrilling chapters in early British history. Hubba was finally slain in his camp with twelve hun- dred of his followers by Odyn. Scattered across Britain and Wales have stood seven historic eminences each known as Hubba's Hill.
For several centuries following the adoption of family surnames, there was great confusion in spelling, and the name of Hubbard was no exception to the rule. There are more than fifty different spell- ings of the name found on record, and even in America, the forms of Hubbard, Hubbert, Hubard, Hubert, Hobart, and Hobert are found.
Several branches of the English family bore coats-of-arms.
Russell H. Hubbard was educated in the public schools of Meriden and then entered the office of J. D. Bergen & Com- pany as bookkeeper, remaining for six years. At the end of that time he went to New Britain and in 1914 entered the em- ploy of the company of which he is now treasurer, the Beaton & Cadwell Manu-
facturing Company. He started there as a bookkeeper and in due course of time proved himself worthy of greater re- sponsibility, and was promoted to the office of assistant secretary and secretary, respectively. In 1920 he was elected to the office he now holds, and it is safe to assume that by the time Mr. Hubbard arrives at the age when life spells success or failure to the man, it will be the former and well deserved.
Mr. Hubbard is a member of the Colo- nial Club of Meriden; Meriden Center Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows; Center Lodge, No. 97, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Meriden; Gid- dings Chapter, No. 25, Royal Arch Ma- sons, of New Britain.
He married Margaret O., daughter of Everett S. Geer of Hartford. Mrs. Hub- bard is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, of Hartford, and with Mr. Hubbard attends the South Con- gregational Church of New Britain.
HARRAL, Edward Wright, Executive, Business Man.
The city of Bridgeport, Connecticut, lost a citizen of intrinsic worth who could ill be spared from the scenes of his former activities, even at his advanced age, when Edward Wright Harral passed away, September 26, 1923, at the age of seventy- eight years. Public-spirited in the true sense of the term, given to generously extending aid in any worthy movement, and helpfully active in religious affairs, Mr. Harral's death is mourned by numer- ous friends and associates who admired him for his sterling qualities, wise coun- sel, mature judgment, patient forebear- ance and his righteous adherence to any project or debated subject in which he took a sincere and loyal part. He had
Conn. 11-18
193
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
the mettle and stamina of which good sol- diers are made, and but for his youthful years, on account of which he was rejected for service, he might have crowned an earlier career with laurels won on the field of battle. As it was, he had enlisted for the Civil War before it was discovered that, owing to his tender years, the au- thorities could not accept him even as a volunteer. No doubt the youthful enthu- siast was deeply disappointed at the turn of fate in those days of patriotic fervor and stirring scenes, but he conquered his displeasure and diverted his energy and mechanical skill into industrial lines ; and in his succeeding occupations and official connections in the business world he made of himself a commendable success.
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.