USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 7 > Part 13
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affairs and gave one acre for the site of the Palmer's River Church, in whose yard he was buried. He married, January 28, 1689, Sarah Smith, born November 19, 1660, in Rehoboth, eldest child of Daniel and Ester (Chickering) Smith, of that town.
(IV) Ensign Daniel Peck, eldest child of Jathniel Peck, was born January 30, 1690, and settled in the northern part of Rehoboth, which was later a part of the town of Attleboro and is now Cumber- land, Rhode Island. He had lands, as a proprietor, in 1750, purchased more and became a large land holder, his property lying on the east side of the Blackstone river. In 1724 he was town clerk of Attle- boro, and filled the same position in the town of Cumberland after it was cut off,
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until his death, November 6, 1750. He married, intentions published March 16, 1715, in Rehoboth, the marriage taking place in Woodstock, Connecticut, April 14, following, Sarah Paine, born Decem- ber 11, 1692, daughter of Samuel and Anne (Peck) Peck, of Rehoboth, later of Woodstock.
(V) Daniel (2) Peck, only son of Dan- iel (1) Peck, was born November 13, 1723, lived in Cumberland, where he died October 11, 1750, a few days before his father. He married Hopestill Dexter, born September 15, 1726, in Smithfield, Rhode Island, daughter of James and Hannah Dexter.
(VI) George Peck, eldest son of Dan- iel (2) Peck, was born September 2, 1749, in Cumberland, resided there on the home- stead of his grandfather, was a soldier of the Revolution, represented the town in the General Assembly, and about 1782 removed to Eastport, Maine. He mar- ried, April 12, 1770, in Smithfield, Rhode Island, Phoebe Whipple, daughter of Stephen and Phoebe (Ballou) Whipple, of that town.
(VII) Dr. Daniel (3) Peck, son of George Peck, was born October 7, 1771, in Cumberland, Rhode Island, and set- tled in the practice of his profession at Stafford, Connecticut, residing in West Stafford, where he died April 20, 1828. He married, April 9, 1797, at the Second Church of Stafford, Persis Ladd. She was admitted to that church, September 18, 1812.
(VIII) Daniel Alonzo Peck, son of Dr. Daniel (3) Peck, was born August 4, 1806, in Stafford, was baptized at the Second Stafford Church, October 31, 1813. Soon after attaining his majority he settled in the town of Ellington, Con- necticut, which he represented in the Gen- eral Court in 1838-39. He married Joanne Strickland, a native of Stafford, daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Eaton) Strick-
land, the latter a daughter of John and Sally (Moulton) Eaton.
(IX) Rial S. Peck, third son of Daniel Alonzo and Joanne (Strickland) Peck, was born October 24, 1847, in Ellington, and died March 12, 1911. At the age of fourteen years he went to Troy, New York, and was there employed several years in a dry goods store. Thence he proceeded to Hartford, Connecticut, where he was engaged by H. C. Judd & Root, wholesale woolen merchants, with whom he continued some twenty years. Afterward he became interested in the printing business, which was finally in- corporated under the title of R. S. Peck & Company. The last twenty years of his life were devoted to the promotion of this enterprise, which developed a large and profitable business. Mr. Peck was a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 4, An- cient Free and Accepted Masons, of Hart- ford, which he served as master, and was also a commander of Washington Com- mandery, No. 1, Knights Templar. He was a member of the Connecticut Con- sistory, and a past potentate of Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. It is thus apparent that he was active in promoting the in- terests of this great benevolent fraternity. He married Emma Perry, daughter of Valet Perry, who conducted a music store in Hartford for several years before his death. Mr. and Mrs. Peck were the parents of two sons, Charles Erasmus and Hubert Perry, the latter born Octo- ber 13, 1879, has been associated with his brother for some years in business. He married Mabel Wolcott, and had a son and daughter, Rial and Catherine.
(X) Charles Erasmus Peck, senior son of Rial S. and Emma (Perry) Peck, was born April 23, 1875, in Hartford, where his life has been devoted to a leading in- dustry. As a youth he attended the pub- lic schools of Hartford and graduated
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from the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University as an electrical engineer with the degree of Ph. B., in 1896. On leaving the university he took employ- ment with the Brainerd Milling Machine Company, of Hyde Park, Massachusetts. Because of the serious illness of his father he was obliged to give up this employment and returned to Hartford, where he assumed management of the printing business. He went to work in the shop to gain a practical knowledge of the business, and thus fitted himself for the proper management of all details. This is one of the largest institutions of its kind, employing some fifty men on an average, and specializes on fine catalogue and book work, with a department de- voted to expert advertising in the interest of its customers. Like his father, Mr. Peck has long been active in the Masonic order, affiliated with St. John's Lodge, No. 4, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons, Washington Commandery, No. I, Knights Templar, Connecticut Consistory and Sphinx Temple. He is also asso- ciated with many of the leading clubs of his home city, including the University Club, Rotary Club, Farmington Country Club, Highland Country Club, and the Yale Club, of New York He is also a member of the Hartford Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Peck married, February 25, 1902, Ethel Chase, of Holyoke, Massachusetts, daughter of Sanford Chase, of that city. She is a member of the Center Congrega- tional Church of Hartford and the Moth- erhood Club. Mr. and Mrs. Peck are the parents of two daughters, Alice and Eugenia.
KRAMER, John,
Merchant.
America is symbolical of the land of hope, opportunity and achievement for
the man born under another flag. The story of our country, her rise, glory and triumph contains thousands of names whose childhood allegiance went to an- other country, but whose patriotism and love for the land of their adoption are sometimes greater than that of the Amer- ican born. Such a one was John Kramer, born about 1856 in Eisenbaum, Rhein- falz, Germany, died August 21, 1917, in Rockville, Connecticut, son Karl Kramer. The family of Kramer was an old one in that part of Germany.
When a boy of sixteen, young Kramer came to America, locating first in Scran- ton, Pennsylvania. He had learned the baker's trade with his father in Germany, and engaged in it in the west end in New York City. Three years after coming to this country, at nineteen years of age, he came to Rockville, Connecticut, where he remained until his death, one of the most highly esteemed business men of that city. Soon after attaining his majority, he was in a position to engage in busi- ness for himself. Mr. Kramer was frugal and thrifty, and by judicious management of his affairs and strict attention to the smallest details, he succeeded in accumu- lating a competence. His conscientious adherence to the high standard of produc- tion, honesty in using only the best ma- terials where an inferior quality might not have been detected, coupled with uni- form courtesy and tireless energy, re- sulted in the building of a substantial business which was carried on by Mrs. Kramer for a time and then leased.
Mr. Kramer was very public spirited, and every worthy cause could count on his support. He took a keen and active interest in all welfare movements. His fraternal affiliations were with the Forest- ers of America, Court Snipsnic, and the German Sick Society. Throughout his life, he was a regular and valued member
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John Kramer
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of the Lutheran church and took an ac- by the addition of the possessive "s," be- tive part in its support. came respectively Peters and Williams. The latter is among the oldest of patro- nymics, and though families bearing this name are widely scattered in England and America, the name is generally considered to be of Welsh origin and its ancient forin was Ap Williams.
He married, October 20, 1878, Bertha, daughter of Martin and Elizabeth Yost. Martin Yost was a native of Hesse Darm- stadt, and died in January, 1883. He came to America in his youth, locating in Rockville where he was engaged in the mill business for the remainder of his life, and was a musician of some note. He was a sergeant in the Civil War, and served until the close. His father, Martin Yost, was for many years engaged in the bakery business and resided on a farm in Vernon, Connecticut. Martin Yost, Jr., married Elizabeth Urkstadt, and was the father of six children, five of whom grew to maturity: Bertha, widow of John Kramer; Katherine, died in childhood; Martin, deceased ; Frederick ; Henry ; and Elizabeth.
Mr. and Mrs. Kramer were the parents of the following children : Margaret, wife of Frank Rizzy, of Norfolk, Virginia ; Bertha Flora ; Lena Elizabeth ; and John.
WILLIAMS, Alfred C. J., Man of Many Activities.
If there is one business more than an- other in which art and utility meet, it is that of the furrier, and in Hartford, and indeed throughout Connecticut, there is no name better known in the fur trade than Williams. For over fifty years father and son have maintained the high- est standards of quality and business in- tegrity.
The origin of the name Williams is lost in the mists of antiquity. Before sur- names came into use men were known only by one name ; as Peter, Thomas, John or William; and suffixes were added to indicate the relationship between father and son. Thus John's son became John- son, and the sons of Peter and William,
(I) George H. Williams, grandfather of Alfred C. J. Williams, spent a long and active life as a resident of London, Eng- land. He was a collector, employed by Sir Henry Meux in his brewery. He mar- ried Ann Cottrel, a native of London. Six children were born of the marriage, and all are now deceased. Both the grandparents were members of the Epis- copal church, and both lived to a good old age.
(II) Alfred Williams, father of Alfred C. J. Williams, early showed an ambition to strike out for himself in a new line. He became apprenticed to a furrier and learned the trade. He was keenly inter- ested in his work, soon gained skill and became an expert. For many years he was connected with the firm of G. Smith & Company, one of the best known fur houses in the city of London. In 1857 he came to New York, where he remained for a time in the employ of John Ruszits, a prominent furrier. In 1859 he came to Hartford, and became identified with the firm of Strong & Woodruff, one of the largest fur houses in the city. Except for three years in New York, he held a position for sixteen years with this firm as foreman of the fur department, demon- strating in a practical way his adminis- trative ability. In New York he became interested in designing, having charge of the manufacturing department of Kings- bury, Abbott, Gay & Company, of that city. Returning to Hartford in 1875, he established himself in the manufacturing branch of the trade, numbering among his
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patrons Elsworth Strong, C. R. Dix, R. G. Watrous, James Daniels and Priest & Daniels. As time passed he reached out into the retail branch of the trade, and established himself so thoroughly with people of taste that he gave up the whole- sale trade in 1890 to devote his attention entirely to his retail interests. This wide experience, together with his infinite capacity for detail, gave Mr. Williams an enviable position as an authority, such as can be attained only by persistent and intelligent application to business. His specialty was seal skin garments of the finest quality. He was held in high es- teem by .the business circles of Hartford as a representative business man. He died in 1891, at the age of sixty-two. For many years Mr. Williams was a member of Grace Episcopal Church, in Windsor, of which he was warden at the time of his death. Being a devout man, he served the church in some official capacity during the greater part of his membership there. He was a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 4, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Magnolia Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Brooklyn, New York. While he could never be induced to accept political honors, he was a thor- oughly public-spirited citizen and staunch supporter of the Republican party. He was a member of the Governor's Foot Guard for many years.
Alfred Williams married (first) Martha A. Farley, a native of London, the daugh- ter of Joseph Farley, a steel-plate polisher, famous as chief bell-ringer of London. He died at the age of sixty years. To Alfred and Martha A. Williams were born seven children, of whom Alfred C. J. was the second. The others now living are: Mrs. George H. Williams, of Windsor ; Emily, Mrs. Charles A. Gray : Annie, who married Frank W. Barber, in Windsor ; and Frances, who married Fred B.
Bower, of Windsor. The mother died in Hartford at the age or thirty-six years. She was a member of St. Thomas' Epis- copal Church. Mr. Williams married (second) Emeline A. Tompkins, who was a native of Litchfield, Connecticut. A son of this marriage, Harry B., is now engaged in the insurance business in Hartford.
(III) Alfred C. J. Williams was born in London, England, December 9, 1855, and in early infancy was brought by his parents to America. He was a studious, home-loving boy; was educated in the public schools of New York and Hartford. He early showed an interest in his father's business, and although he had several opportunities of following that trade with other establishments to his great advan- tage, he chose to be identified with his father's firm, and in the early nineties was made a partner. The firm name be- came Alfred Williams & Son. Under the management of the son the firm has con- tinued to cater to the best trade, and its standard of quality is in no degree dim- inished. Excellence of workmanship is as much a feature of their finished product as are good taste and style. These goods have taken first prizes and medals at each of the various State fairs where they have been exhibited, more than justify- ing the claim of superior quality. The firm enjoys a well-earned reputation which is by no means confined within the boundaries of this State.
In 1882, Mr. Williams married Millie K. Bond, a native of Hartford, and of this union was born one son, Raymond Sidney. Mrs. Williams is the only child of Lafayette K. Bond, for many years a citizen of Hartford, and a cabinet maker by trade. The son married Marie Simp- son, of Bristol, Connecticut, and has one child, Inez Marie.
Besides being a figure of mark in the
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business life of the city, Mr. Williams takes a broad interest in fraternal and civic matters. He has held every office in St. John's Lodge, No. 4. Free and Ac- cepted Masons, of which he has been a member for many years. He is past master, and treasures a souvenir of the esteem of his fellow officers and members in the form of a magnificent past master's jewel, presented upon the expiration of his term of office. He is a member of Pythagoras Chapter, and of Wolcott Council, No. I, of which he is past thrice illustrious master ; and has filled numer- ous other chairs. He is past patron of Ivanhoe Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star; also of Washington Commandery, No. I, and of the Scottish Rite bodies up to and including the thirty-second degree. He was a member of the board of trustees of Connecticut Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Midian Encamp- ment, having held a number of offices in both organizations. He was also a mem- ber of the Royal Arcanum, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Order of Heptasophs. He was a member of the Governor's Foot Guard for twenty-four years, and was fourth sergeant under Major Kinney, under whom he obtained his discharge in 1890. He joined the veteran corps after leaving the active company Foot Guard, and served two years as captain ; then was elected major, serving four years. He enjoys the dis- tinction, or rather the honor, for the fact should be more widely known, of having been instrumental in the adoption of the present uniform of the corps, one of the handsomest uniforms of any used by vet- eran organizations of the State. He served as treasurer for six years. He is an esteemed member of the Kiwanis Club.
Mr. Williams has been a member of the Christ Church choir for thirty-eight years, having a rich bass voice. He has
been actively interested in the musical interests of the city, having done no small amount of unheralded labor for the ad- vancement of the art, besides having been publicly identified with the organization of a number of quartets which have ap- peared before the appreciative audiences of Hartford on many occasions. He has, of course, assisted materially on musical committees of the various lodges in which he holds membership. He plays a brass instrument in the Sphinx Temple Band, of which order he is a charter member. In his church interests he has the support and sympathy of his wife, both being members of Christ Episcopal Church.
HENRY, John Milo,
Man of Enterprise.
The family of Henry, of which John Milo Henry is a worthy representative, has long been prominent in Connecticut annals, and was very early in Massachu- setts.
(I) The first of the name in this coun- try was William Henry, who was born about 1690 in Ireland, and died sometime after 1723. The first record of him ap- pears in the records of Stow, Massachu- setts, June 24, 1735, on which date he purchased land there. There is practic- ally nothing known of his wife.
(II) Robert Henry, son of William Henry, was born probably in Ireland about 1720, and he lived at different times in Groton, Connecticut, Stow and Shir- ley, Massachusetts. The Christian name of his wife was Eleanor, and she died at Enfield, November 23, 1807, at the age of eighty-four years. Robert Henry died in 1759.
(III) John Henry, son of Robert Henry, was born January 8, 1742-43, and when he attained his majority, removed from his native town of Stow to Connec-
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ticut. He was a builder of chimneys by occupation and many stacks in the Con- necticut valley were built by him. John Henry served as a member of Captain Daniel Dewey's Company, for a short period, and marched with that company on the Lexington alarm from Lebanon. In 1778, he removed to Bolton, Connecti- cut, and later to Enfield, where he died January 9, 1819. He married, about 1766, Mary Gager, born August 25, 1744, in Lebanon, youngest child of Rev. William and Mary (Allen) Gager.
(IV) George Gager Henry, son of John Henry, was born about 1769, and was called Gager Henry. He was a prominent man and held several offices. With his family he was a member of the Enfield Church for many years. He married An- nie Parsons, at Enfield, in 1790. She died September 30, 1790, and he died February 5 or 14, 1843.
(V) Parsons Henry, son of George Gager Henry, was an influential man of his day. He was a farmer in Enfield, and represented that town in the Legislature. He married, April 25, 1820, Hannah Bick- nell, who died October 4, 1889, at the age of fifty-nine years, and Parsons Henry died June 13, 1874.
(VI) Parsons Milo Henry, son of Par- sons Henry, was born August 10, 1825, and died February 17, 1895. He attended the public schools of Enfield and subse- quently was a student at the famous old Wilbraham Academy. For some time he taught school in the winter time and en- gaged in farming in the summer months. He lived during his entire life on the homestead farm. He married, February 22, 1865, at Enfield, Sophronia Miranda Abbe, born April 16, 1840, daughter of David Loveland and Sophronia Miranda (Davis) Abbe. Mrs. Henry is a descend- ant of one of the oldest and most dis- tinguished Colonial families. The an-
cestor, John Abbe, was an inhabitant of Salem, Massachusetts, January 2, 1636- 1637, and was granted an acre of land there for a home lot. In 1642, he received a further grant of ten acres, probably in that part of Salem which was later the town of Wenham. He first appears in the Wenham records, in 1643, and from that time until his death was a prominent citizen there. According to Savage, John Abbe was of Reading, May 7, 1685. He married (first) Mary, of whose surname there is no record. She died September 9, 1672.
Thomas Abbe, son of John and Mary Abbe, was born in 1660 at Wenham, and died May 17, 1728, in Enfield, Connecti- cut. This Thomas Abbe was the founder of the Enfield family, and an original proprietor of that town. The Christian name of his wife was Mary and they were the parents of John (2) Abbe.
He was born September 27, 1692, in Enfield, died in 1790, in or near Hartford. He was an original settler of Upper King street in Enfield, and was granted land there February 18, 1716. In 1786, he is given the title of lieutenant. He held many town offices. He married Hannah Boardman, born in Wethersfield, daugh- ter of David and Hannah (Wright) Boardman, and a direct descendant of Christopher Boreman, of Clayton, Eng- land.
John (3) Abbe, born September 27, 1717, in Enfield, died there August I, 1794. He settled near Scantic, on the east side of the town of Enfield. From April 14 to October 5, 1755, John Abbe served in the First Regiment, Second Company, under Lieutenant-Colonel John Pitkin, raised for the reduction of Crown Point, and was also in Captain Clapp's Company, May, 1755. He married, February I, or II, 1738-39, at Enfield, Sarah Root, born there, October 18, 1714, died November
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23. 1771, daughter of Captain Timothy and Sarah ( Pease) Root, of Somers.
Timothy Abbe, their son, was born Jan- uary 6, 1779, in East Enfield, and died there July 2, 1871. He served in the War of 1812. He married, December 11, 1805, Rhoda Prudence Clark, born March IO, 1785. died April 15, 1872, in Enfield, daughter of Stephen Clark. The latter was a soldier of the Revolution and for his services he received a pension. He married Prudence Hall.
They were the parents of David Love- land Abbe, born June 9, 1810, in Enfield, died January 31, 1899. He was a farmer and married, May 13, 1835, Sophronia Miranda Davis, born February 27, 1816, at Enfield, died there January 24, 1899, daughter of Alfred and Florinda (Hale) Davis. They were the parents of Sophro- nia Miranda Abbe, who became the wife of Parsons Milo Henry, as previously re- lated. Mrs. Henry was born April 16, 1840, in Enfield, and since the death of her husband has made her home in Rock- ville, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Henry were the parents of the following child- ren : 1. Willie Parsons, born December 15. 1865, died April 18, 1899. 2. Jennie S., October 2, 1869, is now the wife of George S. Fellows. 3. John Milo, of further men- tion. 4. James Buel, December 21, 1878, is an attorney. He married October 16, 1907, Henrietta Parker.
(VII) John Milo Henry, second son of Parsons Milo and Sophronia M. (Abbe) Henry, was born July 24, 1877, and re- ceived his education in the public schools of his native town. This course was sup- plemented by study at the Wilbraham Academy and Mount Pleasant Institute at Amherst, Massachusetts, and Mr. Henry further pursued a business course at the Hartford Business College. After completing his studies, he returned to the paternal homestead and engaged in pro-
gressive farming. He raised general crops and in addition made a specialty of tobacco growing and dairying, conducting one of the most up-to-date modern farms in the vicinity. He met with well de- served success and was held in high es- teem among his fellow townsmen. Until 1912, he continued thus, and in the latter year disposed of his interests and sold the homestead in order to take up his resi- dence in Rockville, Connecticut. Mr. Henry is a most public-spirited man, and has imbibed worthy characteristics from a distinguished ancestry. He has taken his place in his adopted community, and heartily enters into all movements for the general welfare.
Mr. Henry married Katherine Regan, daughter of Charles T. Regan, of Rock- ville. The latter was widely known in woolen manufacturing circles, having been long identified with his brother, James J. Regan in that industry. Mr. and Mrs. Henry are the parents of four chil- dren : 1. Faith Muriel, born October 25, 1901. 2. Robert John, June 8, 1903. 3. Charles Parsons, January 1I, 1905. 4. Buel Milton, November 9, 1906. Mr. Henry and his family are regular attend- ants of the St. Bernard Roman Catholic Church, of Rockville.
YALE, Charles Miller,
Superintendent.
Personal achievement is one measure of a man's success in life. and gauged from this standard. Charles M. Yale, superin- tendent of distribution of the Electric Light Company of Hartford, Connecticut, has been signally successful.
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