USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 7 > Part 32
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Mr. Shepard married, in November, 1844, Elizabeth, daughter of Noah and Elizabeth (Goodrich) Tryon. They were the parents of four daughters and a son. The eldest daughter, Gertrude Elizabeth, became the wife of Henry Cromwell, who was a soldier of the Civil War, in the
Twentieth Connecticut Volunteer Infan- try. The second daughter, Isabella Le- land, is the wife of Erastus Hubbard Crosby. The third and fourth daughters died before attaining maturity. The son, Andrew Nelson, is mentioned below.
(IX) Colonel Andrew Nelson Shepard, only son of Nelson and Elizabeth (Tryon) Shepard, was born May 5, 1862, on the paternal homestead in the northern part of Portland, near the Glastonbury line. Here he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the public schools, the Glas- tonbury Academy and the Cheshire Mili- tary Academy. During vacations, he worked upon the paternal acres, and passed the usual life of farmers' sons in the neighborhood. Agriculture occupied his attention on attaining man's estate, and since 1888 he has been very exten- sively engaged in growing tobacco. His home is at Gildersleeve Post Office, in the village of Portland, and here he has established a large plant for housing, packing and dealing in tobacco. He is among the most progressive, scientific and successful agriculturists of the State, and has been distinguished also in public life. From 1883 to 1893 he was auditor of the town of Portland; from 1899 to 1909 was a member of the Board of Re- lief and represented the town in the Gen- eral Assembly in 1901, serving as a mem- ber of the house committee on appropria- tions. In 1907 he was elected to the State Senate and acquitted himself with credit to the town, serving as chairman of the committee on State institutions. Like his father, he maintains the principles and policies of the Republican party, and is active in banking affairs, being a director of the First National Bank, and president and trustee of the Freestone Savings Bank. He was a member of the staff of Governor George A. Lilley, and was ap-
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pointed by his successor, F. B. Weeks, to the rank of colonel on the guberna- torial staff. In the social life of his home town, Mr. Shepard fills an important posi- tion, affiliating with the various Masonic lodges, including Warren Lodge, No. 52, Free and Accepted Masons, of Portland ; Washington Chapter, Royal Arch Ma- sons, of Middletown; Washington Com- mandery, Knights Templar ; and Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Hartford. He is a member of Freestone Lodge, Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, of Portland ; is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and of the Hartford Club, and is a vestryman of Trinity Epis- copal Church, of Portland. Colonel Shep- ard is very fond of outdoor life, and finds his recreation in hunting and fishing, making an annual trip to the woods of Maine. He partakes of the genial nature and kindly disposition inherited from worthy sires, and sustains the reputation made by them for industry and good citi- zenship. He has followed the custom of entertaining his fellow members of the State Senate and their wives, annually.
Colonel Andrew N. Shepard married, May 1, 1889, Harriet Stockwell, born Au- gust 14, 1868, in Windsor Locks, daugh- ter of A. B. Stockwell, of that town. Col- onel and Mrs. Shepard are the parents of two children : 1. Dorothea, born May 13, 1891 ; graduated in 1910 with the degree of A. B. from the Bennett School, Hal- cyon Hall, Millbrook, New York; she married, October 12. 1915, Gordon Stew- art, of Portland, now residing in Hart- ford, Connecticut; Mr. Stewart engaged in the Ordnance and Quartermaster De- partment of the United States Army with the rank of lieutenant, stationed at Willi- matic, Connecticut, and Boston, Massa-
chusetts, and is now associated with Mr. Shepard in the conduct of a tobacco ware- house at Hartford. 2. Nelson A., born November 1, 1897; graduated at Kent School, and was freshman at Trinity Col- lege, that year ; he enlisted in 1918 in the United States Marine Corps, and served with the United States Marines at Paris Island, South Carolina, and later in the School for Non-Commissioned Officers ; he is now associated with his father in the tobacco business.
DONOVAN, James Patrick, S. T. D., Permanent Rector.
Without a doubt one of the best known clergymen in Connecticut is the mild and unassuming rector of St. John's Catholic Church of Middletown, Connecticut. Rev. James P. Donovan, S. T. D. Although his duties have confined him to the Hart- ford diocese, his reputation for learning in ecclesiastical and canonical lore has spread his fame throughout the country.
He was born in Meriden, March 18, 1864, the son of John and Margaret (Mur- ray) Donovan, two of the oldest Catholic settlers of the Silver City. Upon gradu- ation from St. Rose's parochial school, during the pastorate of Vicar General Walsh, he pursued his clerical studies in St. Charles College, Maryland, and Niagara University, and passed as an honor stu- dent from the latter institution to the Grand Seminary in Montreal. In 1887, by competitive examination, he won a scholarship in the North American Col- lege in Rome, Italy. Dr. Donovan was a leader of his class; but he was also a leader among the students in athletic events and his reputation as a pitcher has lived long years behind him. He was ad- vanced to the priesthood, June 11, 1892, by Cardinal Parochhi, in St. John Later-
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an's Church-"The mother of all the churches."
Bishop Lawrence McMahon presided over the Hartford diocese when Dr. Don - ovan presented himself for appointment. The bishop chose the young clergyman as secretary and chancellor, in succession to the late Dr. Maher. Bishop Shahan, now rector of the Catholic University in Washington, D. C., had also occupied the post. The priests speak enthusiastically of Dr. Donovan's work as chancellor. He introduced new methods, sadly needed, and so coordinated the work that his of- fice was known throughout the country as a model. His courtesy was equaled by his energy, and many pastors have reason to remember his help with gratitude.
The position of chancellor usually dies with the appointing prelate. Bishop Tier- ney retained Dr. Donovan, the old chan- cellor, in place, a precedent followed by the present ordinary who kept Father Murray, the successor of Dr. Donovan. The manifold activities of Bishop Tierney multiplied enormously the duties of the chancellor. The score of institutions erected by that indefatigable and success- ful builder, the religious communities either erected or received into the dio- cese, the codification of diocesan proced- ure, the polyglot problems introduced by the changing population, threw labors on the shoulders of Dr. Donovan, under which most men would have succumbed. During his tenure of office the first canon- ical visitation of the parishes was made ; the books and records of all the churches were carefully examined and titles puri- fied. As the law bearing on the election of trustees was ambiguous and trouble- breeding, he drafted a new bill, and in spite of strong opposition, induced the legislature to pass the measure which has since worked so satisfactorily. Dr. Don-
ovan collected the Synodal Reports, col- lated them and added a luminous com- mentary, bringing out a volume which is recognized as an authority on Canon Law. He has been an examiner of the clergy since 1897, and in 1900 he was ap- pointed Defender of the Marriage Tie, one of the most important offices in the Catholic church, since the incumbent must pass on all cases of disputed or doubtful marriage. Later he was elected by the votes of the clergy a consultor to the bishop, a position he retained till ap- pointed pastor of the permanent rectory of this city. There are but six priests in this State holding this honor.
Since arriving in Middletown, he has continued energetically to face the church problems which must inevitably confront the pastor of so important a parish. As the Convent of Mercy here was a mother- house, until the consolidation of the three communities by Bishop Nilan, Dr. Don- ovan set himself the task of building a convent chapel worthy of the dignity of the community. He collected over twenty thousand dollars for the purpose, and gave the sisters the most beautiful chapel in Connecticut. He renovated and dec- orated the interior of St. John's, placing gorgeous windows, imported from Aus- tria, for the former gloomy glass; beau- tified the sanctuary, all of which cost $23,000. Both the chapel and the reno- vation of St. John's did not add a cent of indebtedness to the parish, as the money for the improvement was raised by Dr. Donovan, without any undue burden to the parishioners. Last year, the convent was renovated and new plumbing in- stalled throughout. The grounds were laid out so as to be a fitting setting for the ornate statuary which was set up. During his pastorate, new land has been opened for cemetery purposes. All these
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improvements entailed an expense of over eighty thousand dollars, and when it is recalled that two parishes have been set off from the mother church during the time-St. Francis and St. Mary, the Po- lish parish-and that always at the end of the year money remains in the treas- ury, despite the reputation which St. John's enjoys of being the "easiest church on money in the whole diocese of Hart- ford," it speaks volumes for the financial ability of the competent rector.
Dr. Donovan is dearly loved by every member of the parish, but it is the mutual love existing between the pastor and the little children which has attracted the ad- miration of his people. His "little tots" are ever uppermost in the rector's mind, and he rightfully considers that St. John's Parochial School, where nearly fifty-five per cent. of the pupils are of foreign birth or parentage, is one of the greatest factors in producing real, true American citizens ; love of God and love of country being characteristic of every scholar. While the scholars are taught wholly in the Eng- lish language, it is quite a common oc- currence to hear the reverend pastor con- versing with the Italian children or their parents in their native tongue. There is a large number of Italian families in the parish.
The rector of St. John's is noted for his patriotism, and earnest appeals to his people during the World War resulted in several thousands of dollars being raised toward all the war activities. His unob- trusive piety and devotion to his religion has often been noted, and it is not an unusual sight to see the pastor humbly kneeling with his people in the congrega- tion to receive the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. One who knows him best, wrote some years ago this tribute to the jubilarian :
Doctor Donovan is strength, tempered with sin- gular sweetness. The word "honest" was never better employed than in characterizing this man whose detestation of every kind of deceit and littleness is proverbial. He hates unmanliness, and this trait colors his qualities. He wants truth in belief-simple, unequivocal truth; candor in speech, justice in action; withal, he is so chari- table that even enemies, if he has any, might call upon him for service, and would be wholeheart- edly helped.
MASON, Carlos V.,
Business Man, Legislator.
An enterprising and progressive citizen of Bristol, Connecticut, Carlos V. Mason holds a foremost place among the busi- ness men of that town. He was born November 23, 1863, in Unionville, Con- necticut, son of Carlos L. and Frances E. (Goodwin) Mason, of that town.
Mr. Mason is a scion of one of the old- est families in Connecticut, being a direct descendant of Major John Mason, who was born in England about 1600, was a lieutenant in the army, served in the Netherlands under his friend, Sir Thomas Fairfax. He came to America about 1630, possibly with Winthrop. He settled in Dorchester, and in December, 1632, he was sent as a lieutenant with twenty men against a pirate, for which service in the following July he received £10. His name is the first on the list of freemen, March 4, 1635, and distinguished by the title of captain. He was elected repre- sentative in 1635-36. In October of that year he removed to Windsor, Connecti- cut, in company with Rev. John Warham, Henry Wolcott, Esq., and others, taking part in the first settlement of that town. In May, 1637, he commanded the suc- cessful expedition against the "Pequots" near New London. He was elected rep- resentative, serving from 1637 to 1641, and assistant or magistrate until 1659.
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The next eight years he was deputy-gov- ernor of Connecticut and major-general of the Colonies. In July, 1639, he mar- ried (second) Anna Peck, and removed with his family in 1647 to Saybrook, Con- necticut. In 1660 he became one of the first settlers of Norwich, where he died January 30, 1672, and his wife died shortly afterward.
Daniel Mason, son of Major John and Anna (Peck) Mason, was born April. 1652, in Saybrook, and died at Stoning- ton, in 1737. He was a school master at Norwich in 1679, and married his third wife, October 10, 1679. She was Rebecca, daughter of Rev. Peter Hobart, minister of Hingham, Massachusetts, born in 1654, and died at Stonington, April 8, 1727. Daniel Mason was made a freeman, with his brother Samuel, May 8, 1673, and in August of the same year was appointed school-master at Norwich, Connecticut ; was deputy in 1684, and representative in 1701. He was confirmed quartermaster of the Stonington Militia, October 9, 1695, at the time the Colony feared war with the Dutch, and later was promoted from the rank of lieutenant to that of captain.
Peter Mason, son of Daniel and his third wife, Rebecca (Hobart) Mason, was born at Stonington, November 9, 1680. He married Mary Hobart, July 8, 1703, and settled at Stonington, whence he re- moved to Colchester (now known as Sa- lem), and then moved to New London (North Parish), now called Montville. He held the rank of captain in the Colo- nial army, and was placed in command of a company of fifty-four Indians procured by Governor Saltonstall, that joined the expedition against Canada in 1711, during the French and Indian War.
Peter Mason, Jr., son of Peter and Mary (Hobart) Mason, was born at New London, December 28, 1717, and died at Castleton, Vermont, in 1805. He married,
in 1741, Margaret, daughter of Jonathan Fanning and Elizabeth Way, born at Groton, Connecticut, and died at Castle- ton, Vermont, in 1803.
Robert Mason, son of Peter and Mar- garet Mason, was born at Groton, in 1749, and died at Simsbury, Connecticut, Feb- ruary 5, 1835. He married Chloe Case, at Simsbury, in 1774, and they removed to Castleton, Vermont, where they remained until 1749, in which year they returned to Simsbury. Chloe Case was a daughter of Charles and Phoebe Case, born July 19, 1756, at Simsbury.
Luke Mason, son of Robert and Chloe (Case) Mason, was born at Simsbury, March 19, 1800, and died there March 21, 1840. He married, March 12, 1831, at Simsbury, Diana Higley, born there March 19, 1815, died at Unionville, June 6, 1888.
Carlos Luke Mason, son of Luke and Diana (Higley) Mason, was born at Simsbury, Connecticut, May 1, 1839, and for thirty years was engaged in the in- surance business in Unionville. Subse- quently he was in the employ of the American Telegraph and Telephone Com- pany, where he remained for twenty-five years. He married. September 23, 1862, at Unionville, Frances E. Goodwin, born there April 3, 1843, and died there May 5, 1884. They were the parents of four chil- dren: I. Carlos V., of further mention. 2. Frederick G., born at Unionville. April 30, 1866: married, October 23, 1894, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Emily J. Lin- ess; two children: Frederick L., born in New London, August 30, 1901, and Mar- ian F., born at Springfield, Massachusetts, February 27, 1903. 3. Alfred J., born De- cember 29, 1872; married, October 3, 1896, at Newport, Kentucky, Mrs. Effie H. Banister, born at Tangipahoe, Louisi- ana, daughter of Alfred Hennen. 4. Ed- ward C., born February 9, 1877 ; married,
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September 7, 1808, at Saratoga, New York, Jessie S. Ide, born at Corinth, New York, September 10, 1875.
Carlos V. Mason, son of Carlos Luke and Frances E. (Goodwin) Mason, was educated in the district schools of Union- ville, Connecticut. After completing his schooling he came to Bristol in October, 1883, and engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He has built up a large and flourishing trade, and through his upright methods of doing business has attained a prominent and enviable reputation among the leading men of that town. He has ever taken more than a passive interest in all matters pertaining to the general welfare and has served in many offices. He is treasurer of the Third School District for the last fifteen years. In 1902 he was elected Repre- sentative, and served as clerk of the rail- road committee. Mr. Mason is a director of the Dunbar Brothers Company, and fraternally he affiliates with Franklin Lodge. No. 56, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Washington Command- ery, No. I, of Hartford : Sphinx Temple, of Hartford : Stephen Terry Lodge, No. 59. Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 9: and of Bristol Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Bristol Club.
Mr. Mason married, May 3, 1888, at Bristol, Alice M. Dunbar, born in that town. April 3. 1868, daughter of Win- throp W. and Sarah A. (Wheeler) Dun- bar. Mr. and Mrs. Mason were the par- ents of three children: 1. Florence F., born at Bristol, July 14, 1889, married Leander W. Rockwell, son of Albert F. Rockwell, of Bristol. 2. Anna D., born June 11, 1893, wife of Herbert A. Marom, of Meriden, Connecticut. 3. Carlos H., born September 25, 1900.
FENNER, George Potter,
Manufacturer, Inventor.
George Potter Fenner was born at Pot- ter Hill, Rhode Island, June 5, 1855, son of Charles Arnold and Ann Elizabeth (Babcock) Fenner, and a descendant of Captain Arthur Fenner, a lieutenant in Cromwell's army, who came from Eng- land in 1649 and settled at Providence, Rhode Island, and whose wife was Mehi- table (Waterman) Fenner. He was ap- pointed captain of the King's garrison ; as civil engineer he laid out the bound- aries of the plantation ; was assistant to the governor by appointment, and was commissioned to "put in order and have printed the statutes of the colony."
The line of descent is traced through their son Major Thomas Fenner, and his wife, Dinah (Borden) Fenner; their son, Thomas Fenner, and his wife, Mary (Abbott) Fenner; their son, Wil- liam Fenner, and his wife, Christian (Ar- nold) Fenner; their son, Stephen Fen- ner, and his wife, Mary Fenner; to their son, Philip Arnold Fenner, and his wife, Sally (Potter) Fenner, who were the grandparents of George Potter Fenner. Charles Arnold Fenner, father of George P. Fenner, was a native of Poland, New York, and a ship builder of note in Rhode Island.
George P. Fenner was educated in the old Hopkinton Academy, Ashaway, Rhode Island, in public and private schools at Mystic, Connecticut, and at the Provi- dence (Rhode Island) Commercial Col- lege. At the age of seventeen he began his career as a manufacturer of printing presses in the firm of Cottrell & Babcock, of Westerly, Rhode Island, Nathan Bab- cock of that firm being his uncle. For eight years he worked in the pattern-shop and draughting-room, and in 1882 he es-
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tablished a similar business in New Lon- don, Connecticut, in partnership with a fellow worker. At the request of his uncle, this company was merged into the Babcock Printing Press Manufacturing Company, New London, and thenceforth he devoted his energies to the manufac- ture and improvement of the printing press invented by his uncle. He was originally assistant treasurer and super- intendent of the factory, and for the last fifteen years of his life was president and treasurer. He made many valuable in- ventions, receiving some sixty-seven pat- ents between 1882 and 1915, the most im- portant being for eccentric roller sockets ; adjustable diameter plunger head : spiral slider controller ; printed side up delivery ; bell and socket joint ; telescoping delivery slide rods and detachable carriage con- nection; ball roll on end of star gear rack; spiral table roll drive, and roller throw off. Aside from his manufacturing activities, he was for years a director in the National Bank of Commerce, New London. He was a member of the ex- ecutive board of the Associated Charities of New London, and of All Souls' Church (Unitarian-Universalist), New London, being for eighteen years president of the board of trustees of the latter. His dom- inating personal characteristic was a busi- ness integrity that squared with perfectly fair and honest dealings with individuals. He was a man of untiring industry ; was public-spirited, generous, a lover of home and family, of keen intellect, and withal had a great capacity for friendship. Fond of good literature from his earliest years, he possessed a retentive memory and the ability to talk entertainingly ; was a ge- nial host and a welcome addition to any company.
Mr. Fenner was married at Hanover, Connecticut, July 7, 1887, to Annie Cut-
ler, daughter of Norman Smith and his wife, Sarah Adeline (Cutler) Smith, who were married November 15, 1849; Mr. Smith, a merchant and farmer of Han- over. Mr. Fenner was survived by his wife and one daughter, Mildred Lucile, wife of Walter L. Douglass. He died at New London, Connecticut, October 21, 1915.
ALDEN, Hannibal,
Manufacturer.
It is safe to say that there is perhaps no other name of the "Mayflower" Pil- grims more widely known than that of John Alden. And, in the poem by Long- fellow, "The Courtship of Myles Stan- dish," the reader gains an insight into the character and personal qualities of the man. It is therefore with a feeling of pardonable pride that one claims descent from this worthy Pilgrim. and Hannibal Alden, the subject of this sketch, is a lineal descendant in the ninth generation.
John Alden was born about 1599. prob- ably in England, and was a signer of the "Compact" on board the "Mayflower," November 21, 1620. It is related that he joined the Pilgrims through a spirit of adventure, and as we learn from the poem, above mentioned, Priscilla Mullins delayed his return. He nobly shared his part in the important affairs of the town and held several offices. For forty-three years he was gov- ernor's assistant ; at different times served as assistant and deputy governor; for thirteen years was treasurer of the col- ony; eight years deputy to the General Court ; member of the Council of War of the colony for eight years. He removed from Plymouth to Duxbury in company with Captain Standish, and the house which he built there is now in the posses-
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sion of the Alden kindred of America, and a meeting of this association is held there each year. He married, about 1623, Priscilla, daughter of William and Alice Mullins. He died September 22, 1687, in Duxbury.
Joseph Alden, son of John and Priscilla (Mullins) Alden, was born in 1624 in Plymouth, and died February 8, 1697, in Bridgewater. He was an early settler of the latter town in 1654, and married Mary, daughter of Moses and Sarah Simons.
Deacon Joseph Alden, their second child, was born in 1667, at Bridgewater, and died December 22, 1747. He mar- ried, in 1690, Hannah, daughter of Daniel Dunham, a native of Middleborough. They lived in South Bridgewater and there Mrs. Hannah Alden died January 13. 1748.
Daniel Alden, their son, born January 29, 1691, in Bridgewater, died in Stafford, Connecticut, May 3, 1767. He served as magistrate and was one of the early set- tlers of Stafford. He married, in 1717, Abigail Shaw, daughter of Joseph Shaw. She died July 12, 1755.
Joseph Alden, son of Daniel and Abigail (Shaw) Alden, was born November 20, 1718, in Stafford, and died of fever, Jan- uary 2, 1768, while on a visit to Wor- cester, Massachusetts. He married, in 1742, Susanna, daughter of Solomon Packard.
Captain Joseph Alden, their son, was born in Stafford where he was engaged in farming. He was a captain of State mil- itia and served in the Revolutionary War. He married Lydia Hyde, a native of Stafford.
Joseph Alden, their son, was born in 1787 in Stafford, and died there May 3. 1870. He was an up-to-date and pro- gressive farmer conducting a farm of many acres throughout his lifetime. He
married, June 20, 1817, at Hartford, Lucy Giddings, daughter of Solomon and Lucy (White) Giddings, of Preston; she died April 22, 1857.
Hannibal Alden, their son, was born in Stafford in 1818, and died October 28, 1873. For many years he was one of the leading citizens of that town, taking a leading and prominent part in all its movements, a man highly respected in the community. He was a director of the old Stafford Bank, and treasurer of the Sav- ings Bank of that town. He married, May 18, 1853, Sarah Frances Isham, born in 1827, died June 7, 1869, daughter of Dr. Oliver K. Isham, of Tolland, Con- necticut. They were the parents of seven children, two of whom are now living : Emma Frances, wife of Salo Schier, now residing in Breslau, Germany ; and Han- nibal Alden, of further mention.
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