USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 8 > Part 18
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
The wonders of electrical science have engaged the brightest minds of recent years. Their practical application has revolutionized industry and ended house- hold drudgery. The story of electricity is full of fascinating interest, and those who can tell the most say that the sci- ence is only in its infancy. George Ben- ton Leland, of Stamford, Connecticut, is one of the foremost men of the section in the electrical world. And noting the eminently practical line of work in which he is occupied, it is interesting to follow back to their American origin the family lines through which, from one generation to another, this practical trend of effort has been an actuating impulse.
The name of Leland, according to the most generally accepted authorities, is derived from the place of residence of the earliest bearers of the name, as lee, leigh,
lea, ley, or lye, all different forms de- scriptive of such land as we call a pas- ture. This circumstance would very defi- nitely indicate that the early bearers of this name were industrious farmers and shepherds. The name was used in the form of Leyland, and many illustrious men have borne it in England and Amer- ica. A Leland in England attained the distinction of serving as chaplain to King Henry VIII., and was the only person ever holding the office of "King's An- tiquary." He was one of the most ac- complished scholars and voluminous writers of his own or any other age. The Lelands of America have had many prom- inent men among their number, men who have made their name significant of big things in development of the National prosperity. The Leland coat-of-arms is :
Arms-Gules a saltire argent charged with three palets azure, a chief or.
Crest-A crow rising, transfixed with an arrow. Motto-Cui debeo fidus.
(I) Henry Leland, according to the most accurate records, was the progenitor of all the families who bear this name in America, almost without exception. He was born in England, about 1625. It is probable that he came to America in 1652, as the church records of Dorchester, Massachusetts, show that he united with the church in that town in 1653. Not long after, he settled on land where the town of Sherburne was later located, and here he resided until his death, April 4, 1680. Henry Leland made his will, March 27, 1680 (O. S.), and on June 8th following it was probated. He made a practice of spelling his name Layland. All records give every reason for perpetuating his memory as. a man of high character, meeting danger with invincible courage, and enduring the inevitable hardships of pioneer life with patient fortitude, seek-
125
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
ing the solace of religious devotion through all. He married Margaret Bad- cock, and they were the parents of five children.
(II) Ebenezer Leland, the fourth child of Henry and Margaret (Badcock) Le- land, was born in Old Medfield, Massa- chusetts, January 25, 1657, and died in Sherburne, in 1742. He followed farming during all his life, like the majority of the colonists. His son Timothy administered his estate, which amounted to £ 198 IOS. 6d. Administration was granted, October 18, 1742. Ebenezer Leland was married twice; the name of his first wife being Deborah; and his second wife Mary Hunt.
(III) Captain James Leland, third son of Ebenezer and Deborah Leland, was born in Sherburne, Massachusetts, in 1687, and died in Grafton, in 1768. Be- sides conducting the farm, he served in the militia with the rank of captain. In the commissioner's return of his father's estate, January 12, 1753, it is recorded that Captain James Leland received in the year 1708 £17 IOS. His early life was spent in Sherburne, but in 1723, after his marriage, he removed with his wife and little family and settled in Worcester county, Massachusetts, in a township then called Hassanamisco, which later be- came the town of Grafton. He married Hannah Learned.
(IV) Phineas Leland, son of Captain James and Hannah (Learned) Leland, was born in Grafton, Massachusetts, in 1730, and died there in 1773. He settled near the home of his father, in Grafton, as did all his brothers and sisters who lived to maturity, and lived on a farm which was a part of his father's estate, sit- uated on the Blackstone river. He mar- ried (first) Lydia Fletcher, (second) Sarah Warren.
(V) Caleb Leland, son of Phineas Le-
land, was born in 1765, and died in 1843, in Baltimore, Vermont. He lived in Graf- ton, Massachusetts, where he followed farming until about the year 1800, when he removed to Chester, Vermont, then soon afterward to the adjoining town of Baltimore, where he remained until his death. He married Lakin Willard.
(VI) Charles Leland, son of Caleb and Lakin (Willard) Leland, was born in 1806. He was a farmer all his life, highly respected in the community, and an in- dustrious and upright man. He served for many years as justice of the peace. He lived in Lowell, Vermont, in his younger days, then later removed to Johnson, Vermont, when he remained until a few years before his death. These last years were spent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he died about 1892. He married Lucy Perkins.
(VII) Albert A. Leland, son of Charles and Lucy (Perkins) Leland, was born in Lowell, Vermont, in January, 1832. He began life as a farmer, but possessing much originality and considerable busi- ness ability, he saw the possibilities in the marketing of potato starch. He man- ufactured this product for many years, beginning in a small way, and developing the business until in his later years it attained a substantial volume. He lived in Johnson, Vermont, during the greater part of his life. He was a broad-minded and public-spirited man, always bearing his share in the affairs of the town, and held numerous town offices. He was a Republican by political affiliation, but held the tenets of the party subservient to the public good. On account of physical disability he was not permitted to serve in the Civil War, although eager to enlist. He married, April 25, 1860, Mary Esther Benton, born April 2, 1839, daughter of Reuben C. and Almira (Fletcher) Benton (see Benton VII). They were the parents
I26
-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
of eight children, of whom five grew to ma- turity : Frederic Adams, of Springfield, Massachusetts, now deceased ; Lucy Lou- ise, of East Fairfield, Connecticut ; George Benton, of whom further ; Thomas Henry, of Waterbury, Vermont; Mary Elmira, who married Professor Warner J. Morse, Ph. D., of the University of Maine ; Clar- ence Albert ; Helen Douglas, born Decem- ber 4, 1880, died October 12, 1882 ; Clifford M., born July 4, 1882, who enlisted in the Canadian regulars for the war in Europe, and was killed June 28, 1917. The fam- ily have always been members of the Con- gregational church.
(VIII) George Benton Leland, second son, and third child of Albert A. and Mary Esther (Benton) Leland, and general manager of The Stamford Gas and Elec- tric Company, was born in Johnson, Ver- mont, December 14, 1870. He received his education in the public schools of his native town. He worked on the home farm in his youth, then went into the shop in Erving, Massachusetts, where he gained the experience which was to be- come the stepping-stone to substantial success. From there he went to the Con- necticut Industrial School for Girls, at Middletown, as chief engineer and elec- trician. Later he accepted the very im- portant position of day engineer of the Middletown Electric Light Company, ris- ing finally to the position of chief engineer. He was with this company for something over seven years; then an opportunity presented itself which would appeal to any live, aggressive man. He became as- sociated with Sanderson & Porter, and superintended the erection of their gen- erating plant in Far Rockaway, Long Island. For three years he was chief engineer of this splendidly equipped, modern plant, then came to Norwich, Connecticut, where he became superin- tendent of the Norwich Gas and Electric
Company. The next step was to Stam- ford, Connecticut, where he accepted a position similar to that in Norwich. Mr. Leland has again assumed the head of the business in which he is interested, and is now general manager of the Stamford Gas and Electric Company. . He enjoys the confidence and good will of every member of the executive and working forces, and is considered one of the big men in the world of production in this section. He is a thoroughgoing business man, keenly interested in every phase of the work under his charge, but he is also a wholesouled man among men, with a never-failing interest in the welfare of the men who do this work. This sentiment was well expressed in "The Story of Electricity" (p. 276), as follows :
The wholehearted and often disinterested serv- ice that he has given to his profession has made his name familiar to the fraternity at large and in particular to the lighting division of the indus- try. He has been especially noted for his work in New England, as well as in Connecticut, having been zealous in promoting the welfare of The New England Section of The National Electric Light Association, in addition to his strictly pro- fessional duties. He served as a member of the Executive Committee for several years, and was president of the section during the year 1919. He has also been at the head of two of the State electrical associations.
Mr. Leland is a busy man, taking little time for recreation, and his hours of lei- sure are very frequently taken up by study and research along electrical lines. He is an associate member of the Amer- ican Institute of Electrical Engineers.
Mr. Leland married Nellie L. Griswold, daughter of LeRoy S. Griswold, of Hyde Park, Massachusetts. Mrs. Leland's par- ents, in November, 1919, celebrated the fifty-ninth anniversary of their marriage, and were felicitated by all their friends because of the fact that all their children are living. Mr. and Mrs. Leland are the
127
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
parents of three children : Marian Esther, born September 16, 1894 ; Harold M., born November 28, 1897, died in Far Rocka- way, August 1, 1901, and buried in John- son, Vermont; and Ruth Laura, born June 23, 1903. The family is prominent in all movements that make for social and civic progress.
(The Benton Line).
(I) Andrew Benton, the immigrant ancestor of this family in America, was born in England in 1620, and died July 31, 1683, in Hartford, Connecticut. About 1630 he came to New England, it is be- lieved with the Waterford settlers. He was a first settler of Milford, Connecticut, and in 1639 was granted three acres of land in that township. He removed to Hartford about 1660. He married (first) Hannah Stocking, daughter of George Stocking, a first settler of Hartford; and (second) Anne Cole, of Hartford.
(II) Samuel Benton, son of Andrew and Hannah (Stocking) Benton, was born in Milford, Connecticut, August 15, 1658, and died in Hartford, April 10, 1746. He was an original proprietor of the set- tlement of Harwinton, Connecticut. He was a prominent man in the community, a leader in the public interests, and am- bitious and industrious in his personal affairs. He was honored with various public offices, and became a large land owner. He married Sarah Chatterton, daughter of William and Mary Chatter- ton, of New Haven, Connecticut, born July 19, 1661.
(III) Deacon Jacob Benton, son of Samuel and Sarah (Chatterton) Benton, was born September 21, 1698, and bap- tized the 26th. He died in Harwinton, November 23, 1761. He also was one of the first settlers there, and lived there the greater part of his life. He married Eliz- abeth Hinsdell, born January 9, 1703,
daughter of Barnabas and Martha (Smith) Hinsdell.
(IV) Jacob (2) Benton, son of Deacon Jacob (1) and Elizabeth (Hinsdell) Ben- ton, was born January 8, 1729, and died January 13, 1807. Attracted by the pros- perity of Hartford, then fast becoming an important trade center, Jacob Benton re- moved thence, and passed the remainder of his life in Hartford. He married Han- nah Slade, who died July 21, 1805.
(V) Samuel Slade Benton, son of Jacob (2) and Hannah (Slade) Benton, was born April 22, 1777, and was baptized in the October following. He died December 15, 1857. The pioneer spirit of his ances- tors
revived in him with renewed strength, and he sought a home farther inland, going into Vermont and building his own log cabin there. This was in 1801. Later he removed to St. Johns- bury, and owned a farm. In July, 1841, he sold this farm to the Messrs. Fair- banks, who built their scale factory on its site. Samuel Slade Benton married Esther Prouty, of Charlestown, New Hampshire, who was born April 23, 1782, and died March 14, 1860.
(VI) Reuben Clark Benton, son of Samuel Slade and Esther (Prouty) Ben- ton, and their first child, was born in Waterford, Vermont, in the log cabin built by his father. He was reared on the home farm, where he worked with his father, living the normal, healthy life of the farmer boy. He developed a very strong, sturdy physique, and managed to acquire a good education, continuing to go to school when opportunity offered, until he was well past his majority. He then took up seriously the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1851. He became a man of much more than local importance. He enjoyed the greatest confidence of his fellow-townspeople, which was richly deserved. He filled
I28
-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
many public offices with honor and dis- tinction. He served as selectman, justice of the peace, was representative to the General Assembly, associate judge of the Essex County Court, State's attorney, and was a member of the State Senate in 1856. Late in life he went West, where he died in Rockford, Illinois, October II, 1857. He married, in Haverhill, New Hampshire, April 9, 1829, Almira Fletcher, born October 13, 1801, in Wa- terford, Vermont, who died August 29, 1873, in Johnson, Vermont, daughter of Samuel and Mary Ames (Billings) Fletcher (see Fletcher VII). Mrs. Ben- ton was a school teacher before her mar- riage, a woman of brilliant mentality, and her devoted interest in her husband's work was most helpful to him in his career. She was a descendant of the Fletcher family of Concord, Massachu- setts.
(VII) Mary Esther Benton, daughter of Reuben Clark and Almira (Fletcher) Benton, was born April 2, 1839, in Water- ford, Vermont, and died October 8, 1885, in Johnson, Vermont. She married, April 25, 1860, Albert A. Leland (see Leland VII).
(The Fletcher Line).
(I) Robert Fletcher, the founder of this branch of the family in America, was born in England, about 1592. He came to this country in 1630, and settled in Concord. He was wealthy and influen- tial, a man of mental power and com- manding presence, and held many public offices.
(II) Francis Fletcher, son of Robert Fletcher, was born in Concord, in 1636. He was made freeman in 1677, and ad- mitted to the church the same year. He also became a prominent man in the community, and a large land owner. He married, August 1, 1656, Elizabeth
Wheeler, daughter of George and Kath- erine Wheeler, who died June 14, 1704.
(III) Corporal Samuel Fletcher, son of Francis and Elizabeth (Wheeler) Flet- cher, was born August 6, 1657. From his rank it is evident that he served in the militia. He was also selectman and town clerk. He died October 23, 1744. He married, April 15, 1682, Elizabeth ", and she survived him but three days.
(IV) Timothy Fletcher, son of Cor- poral Samuel and Elizabeth Fletcher, was born August 28, 1704, in Concord. He served in the French and Indian War with courage and gallantry, and all his life was a great hunter. His wife's Christian name was Elizabeth.
(V) James Fletcher, son of Timothy and Elizabeth Fletcher, was born Sep- tember 23, 1734. He was a man of great hardihood, of venturesome spirit, and fond of travel. In 1755 he was a member of Captain Osgood's Nova Scotia expedi- tion.
(VI) Samuel (2) Fletcher, son of James Fletcher, was born about 1750, in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, and died in East Montpelier, Vermont, in 1831. He made an honorable record in the War of the Revolution, after which he re- moved to Waterford, Vermont, and there he served as constable. He married (sec- ond) Mrs. Mary Ames Billings.
(VII) Almira Fletcher, daughter of Samuel (2) and Mary Ames (Billings) Fletcher, became the wife of Reuben Clark Benton, the Vermont attorney and State Senator (see Benton VI).
DUREY, John C.,
Lawyer.
Among the younger generation of at- torneys now practicing at the Fairfield county bar, the man whose name stands
Conn-8-9
129
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
at the head of this article is an acknowl- edged leader.
Thomas H. (2) Durey, son of Thomas H. (1), and father of John C. Durey, was born November 21, 1838, at Bethersden, County Kent, England, where his ances- tors had resided continuously since the settlement there of John Durey, who died in 1615, and whose grave in the family burial ground is still extant. When four years of age, Thomas H. (2) Durey came with his widowed mother to the United States and settled in Saybrook, Ohio, where other members of the family had located. After receiving an education in the public schools, he entered the mer- cantile business to which he devoted him- self principally until his death. He was a chess player of note.
Mr. Durey married Mary Julissa Jenks, and of the five children born to them four attained maturity : George, died unmar- ried ; Ethel, married Frank A. Frisbie, of Saybrook, and both she and her husband are now deceased ; Thomas H., of Cleve- land ; and John C., mentioned below. Mr. Durey was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. He died in 1887.
John C. Durey, son of Thomas H. (2) and Mary Julissa (Jenks) Durey, was born October 12, 1880, in Saybrook, Ohio, and received his education in the public schools of his native place and at the Geneva Institute. After graduating from the latter institution, he matriculated at the Law School of Yale University, from which he was graduated cum laude in the year 1906. While at Yale Mr. Durey served for two years on the editorial board of the "Yale Law Journal," and was a member of the fraternities of Corbey Court, Phi Delta Phi and Chi Tau Kappa. He was admitted to the Connecticut bar in 1906.
Mr. Durey began his professional ca- reer in Stamford, becoming associated with John E. Keeler, with whom he
afterward entered into partnership under the firm name of Keeler & Durey. The partnership was maintained until Mr. Keeler's elevation to the judiciary. Since that time Mr. Durey has continued the practice of the law under his own name, acquiring a lucrative and constantly in- creasing clientele, and building up a rep- utation which rests on the sure basis of native ability, thorough and comprehen- sive equipment, and unremitting devotion to duty.
Mr. Durey is general counsel for the First-Stamford National Bank, a recent consolidation of the old First National and Stamford National banks, and is also attorney for the Citizens' Savings Bank, the Stamford Water Company, the West- ern Connecticut Title and Mortgage Com- pany, and other important interests. He is a member of the American Bar Associa- tion, and of the Character Committee of the Fairfield County Bar ; is a member of the board of governors of the Suburban Club; and belongs to the Woodway Country Club, the Stamford Yacht Club, and the Yale Club of New York. He is treasurer of the Stamford Day Nursery and one of its board of trustees. He at- tends St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church, and serves as one of its officers.
Mr. Durey's record furnishes conclu- sive evidence of his wisdom in choosing to devote himself to the profession of the law. He has proved that he possesses the judicial mind and also that he is endowed with the personal qualities necessary to insure a successful career at the bar. In the years to come his name will undoubt- edly be inscribed with honor in the legal annals of his county and State.
RICE, Watson Emmons,
Physician, Legislator.
For many generations descendants of the Rice family have been prominent in
130
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
the annals of New England. Members of this family have been found in the pro- fessions of medicine and the ministry in practically every generation. They have been distinguished for their earnest adher- ence to high ideals and their advocacy of all that makes for good citizenship. More than a quarter of a century ago, Dr. Wat- son E. Rice, a worthy representative of this ancient family, settled in Stamford, where he has since engaged in practice as a physician. During the intervening years Dr. Rice has performed his share in upholding the honorable record and prestige of the family name.
As far back as 1073 record of the name is found, at which time it is spelled Rhys. It is'of Celtic derivation, signifying ar- dour. This meaning illustrates an ancient custom of deriving surnames from some personal quality or appearance. The lo- cation of the ancestral homes, as well as personal occupation, also served to desig- nate individuals at an early period.
(I) Edmund Rice, ancestor, born about 1594, came from Barkhamstead, Hertford county, England, and settled in Sudbury, Massachusetts, in 1638-39. He shared in the three divisions of land in 1639. He was a well known, influential citizen of Sudbury, and served as proprietor and selectman. His wife, Tamazine, died in Sudbury, June 13, 1654; he died at Marl- boro, May 3, 1663, and was buried at Sudbury. They were the parents of a son, Henry, of whom further.
(II) Henry Rice, son of Edmund and Tamazine Rice, was born about 1617. He was admitted a freeman in 1658, and mar- ried, February 1, 1643, Elizabeth Moore, who died August 3, 1705. He died at Framingham, February 10, 1710-II. They were the parents of David, of whom fur- ther.
(III) David Rice, second son of Henry and Elizabeth (Moore) Rice, was born
December 27, 1659, and died October 16, 1723. He was a founder and deacon of the Framingham Church in 1701. He married, April 7, 1687, Hannah Walker, of Sudbury, born in 1669, died December 18, 1704, daughter of Thomas and Mary Walker, of Sudbury and Framingham. They were the parents of Bezaleel, of whom further.
(IV) Bezaleel Rice, son of David and Hannah (Walker) Rice, was in the serv- ice of Clark's Company from Framingham in 1725. He was a physician, and also served as selectman in 1742. He mar- ried, June 23, 1720, Sarah Buckminster, of Framingham.
(V) David Rice, second son of Beza- leel and Sarah (Buckminster) Rice, was born September 17, 1723, died in March, 1802, at Framingham. He married, Sep- tember 27, 1750, Hannah Winch, who died in January, 1816. Their eighth child was Dr. Nathan Rice, of whom further.
(VI) Dr. Nathan Rice, son of David and Hannah (Winch) Rice, was baptized April 9, 1769, and died February 23, 1814. He was a physician, and settled at Way- land. He married, September 29, 1796, Polly Eaton, born May 8, 1778, died July 19, 1818, daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Stacey) Eaton, of Framingham, a de- scendant of Jonas Eaton, early in Read- ing, Massachusetts. Their children were: Calvin, Marshall, Mary, Gardner, of whom further; and Nathan.
(VII) Rev. Gardner Rice, third son of Dr. Nathan and Polly (Eaton) Rice, was born December 13, 1805. He was gradu- ated from Wesleyan University, at Mid- dletown, Connecticut, in the early thirties, and was ordained to the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church. He never accepted a settled pastorate, feeling that his gift was that of a teacher, but dur- ing his long and active career he con- stantly sought out small churches in rural
I31
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
communities that were unable to main- tain settled pastors, a service in the doing of which he must find his reward, and he had the gratification of seeing a number of well established churches develop from his missionary efforts. Mr. Rice estab- lished and conducted academies in the towns of Holliston, Salem and Shrews- bury, Massachusetts. What he sought to do, what alone satisfied him, was not merely to increase a young man's store of information, but to develop his char- acter and make a Christian man of him, to teach him how the learning he gained might be used in the work of life, and that it was of small value unless it were so used. He taught the lesson and im- portance of life; he made his students grasp the significance of existence, the responsibility that rested upon them, the duty and the glory of doing their part to help and benefit the generation in which they lived, and the failure and ig- nominy of leading listless, heedless, un- important lives. As a result of his pre- cepts, supported by an unusually con- sistent Christian example, he had the satisfaction of seeing nearly all his pupils converted. Who can tell the far-reaching effects of such a devoted man? His in- fluence will go on and on in ever widening circles to bless generations yet to come.
Mr. Rice married, May 25, 1835, Sarah Morse, born September 2, 1809, in Leo- minister, Massachusetts, daughter of Jo- seph and Sukey (Dirroll) Morse, de- scendant of Anthony Morse, settler at Newbury, Massachusetts. They were the parents of nine children: I. Milton G., born August 17, 1836, died July 17, 1842. 2. Emery H., born May 3, 1838. 3. Mar- shall N., born May 9, 1840. 4. Wilbur H., born January 10, 1842. 5. Sarah E., died young. 6. Watson E., of further men- tion. 7. Milman B., died young. 8.
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.